Beyond the Darkness
Chapter Four: Secrets Untold.
Aimlessly Akito thumbed through his small array of clothing, pausing briefly among the kimono's to stare at his black tracksuit. He ran his fingers gently over the material, considering, for a moment, if perhaps he should wear it.
"Do I wish to see… that house, and those girls?"
Furiously Akito shook his head, slamming the wardrobe shut in frustration. He slumped down on the veranda, staring up at the cloud studded blue sky, his gaze too clouded to notice the beauty of the day around him.
- - - - -
"Tohru? Are you going to stay here with Yuki?" Shigure asked a rather concerned looking Tohru.
"If you don't mind, I think I'll stay and make him some soup."
"And what about you, Kyo? Are you still coming with us?"
"Yeah, why not." He sighed, glancing at the motionless Yuki, "It's not like I need to hang around here anyway."
"You could help me make leek soup?" Tohru suggested cheerfully.
"Eh, I'm definitely going with you then." Hatori and Shigure nodded to each other before the three finally set off through the woods, towards the other house.
"I can't believe what a skilled fighter Aiska is." Shigure stated, glancing to Hatori. "I would never have thought it from just looking at her. Maybe you should get some pointers from her, Kyo." He laughed as Kyo's hair bristled in anger.
"She shouldn't be fighting while she has a cold."
"How do you know it's a cold? Maybe it's some kind of infection?"
"Who's the doctor here, Shigure?"
"Sorry Ha'ri." Shigure laughed just as the house came into view. All was surprisingly quiet as they approached, knocking gently on the door. It was not long until they could hear footsteps, before someone slid the door open. Romiko's smile had lost all it's joy as she invited them in, glancing up the stairs occasionally.
"Where is Aiska?" Hatori went straight to the point.
"She is upstairs, resting." Romiko replied as she went about pulling the cushions for the dining room out of a box for them to sit down on. "She said she simply wanted a quick sleep before getting back to packing."
"It is only right, since it was our families fault, that I give her a check-up." Romiko's curly mahogany locks fell into her eyes as she paused at the box, her back to them.
"Up the stairs, first door on your left." She hesitated, squeezing the cushion in her hands, "But I can't promise she'll allow you to help." Hatori hesitated, eyebrow raised before turned and making his way up the stairs.
Hatori froze the moment he opened the door. The room was almost exactly the way he had remembered it to be, dark with the distinct scent of despair. He could see Aiska's dark hair fanned out on the pillow of the bed she was lying on. Even her hair seemed to remind Hatori of Akito, those few times he had returned to this house. He stepped forward, glancing about the room, drinking in the curtains that covered the window, blocking out the world, and the fact most of the items inside seemed to be dark. From her clothes lying over a nearby chair, to the shade of the wood of the furniture, everything was darkened. Silently he stepped back and quickly knocked on the door.
"Enter." Aiska spoke without moving. The familiarity of the situation would not leave Hatori as he quickly went to Aiska's bedside, eager to see her face simply to chase away the haunting memories that were plaguing his mind. She was lying on her side; her glazed eyes open as Hatori knelt beside her bed.
"It is only fair, since Yuki injured you…"
"Shigure called you. He's a sweet man, good intentions, like Romiko."
"Let me see to you." She fought back a sarcastic sneer as she sat up, allowing one side of her kimono to fall from her shoulder. The contrast between Aiska and Akito was beginning to concern Hatori quite deeply. He pulled his stethoscope from his bag and placed the ends in his ears before warming the other end on his hand. She watched with emotionless eyes as he went to place it over her heart. Without warning, fear flashed over her face and she effortlessly rolled from the bed, her feet landing on the floor with a deft thud. Hatori stood quickly, his brow furrowed in concern.
"What is the matter?"
She hesitated for a moment, "Nothing." She quickly slipped back onto the bed, her eyes cast down as Hatori approached her again. He had the end merely inches from her cool skin before she once again leapt away in fright. In frustration she began pacing the room, clearly taking deep breaths to calm herself.
"I appreciate it but…"
"Is there something you need to tell me?" She hesitated again, obviously arguing with herself over something.
"You're a doctor, and must therefore take practice in patient confidentiality."
"Yes…"
"And are there no other doctors nearby?"
"If you don't wish me to see you…"
"No! No it's not that."
"Then, not really. The medical clinic is a fair walk from here." Aiska began her pacing again, chewing on her lip. "Will you let me help?"
"Not here."
"Then come to the main Sohma estate, when you feel ready."
"Tomorrow around noon, is that all right?"
"Yes, that will be fine."
Almost with relief, Aiska crawled back onto the bed and sat on her knees, studying the man before her.
"You don't know… what a relief this will be." She stated faintly, and before he could react, Hatori watched, almost in slow motion as Aiska's eyes rolled back in her head and she lost her balance, falling straight towards him. The strange sound echoed through the house, reaching the others who were outside, Romiko showing Kyo a few new martial arts moves.
"What was that?" Romiko asked, shock and concern penetrating her voice while Kyo and Shigure quickly exchanged glances.
"Don't you worry! I'll make sure everything is all right upstairs." Shigure stated cheerfully as he quickly made his way up the stairs, towards Aiska's room. His brow furrowed at the sight before him, and without thinking, raced to pull Aiska from Hatori. Again, the sound echoed through the house, much to Kyo's disgust.
"I hope everything's all right up there." Romiko stated nervously, glancing to Aiska's window.
"Yo, Shigure, Hatori? Is everything all right?" Kyo called nervously.
After a moments pause, Shigure answered, "Yes, we're fine up here, don't you worry. I'll be down in a minute."
"Maybe I should go check." Romiko mused to herself before Kyo quickly stepped in.
"You're not walking away from a fight with me!" He snarled, leaping towards her.
Hatori was thankful when he heard Romiko resume her fighting lesson with Kyo and quickly went to Aiska's side.
"Ha'ri? Are you all right?"
"I've been better." He remarked dryly, having pulled himself from under Aiska.
"What happened? Is she ok?"
"She fainted." He hesitated, "Something is very strange about this girl."
"We should get her back onto the bed." Shigure sighed.
"We?" Shigure glanced to the seahorse beside him.
"All right then, I better get her back onto the bed." Shigure growled, shaking his black fur before jumping onto the bed. He managed to grab hold of the back of Aiska's kimono, and with some difficulty, drag her onto the bed.
"Be careful, I don't want to have to treat her for dog bites and rabies as well."
"I do not have rabies!" Shigure barked, nudging her body into place. He sat back, staring down at her lifeless body. "She is quite a pretty little thing really." He observed.
"Down boy."
The same, strange sound quickly echoed through the house again, finding Shigure sitting naked beside Aiska's sleeping form. She groaned in her sleep, her eyelids flitting open just as Shigure and Hatori raced to dress themselves.
"It just doesn't pay to hug women." He sighed, quickly leaving the room as Aiska regained consciousness.
"I fainted, didn't I?"
"Yes."
"Did you tell Romiko?"
"I haven't left your side." She cast him a small, sad smile as she sat up with a little difficulty.
"Thank you, and please don't tell her, she'll just worry."
"She's your friend, and clearly cares for you."
"We've been friends since Primary school, she's the only real friend I've ever had. I probably would have given up years ago, if it wasn't for her. I owe her so much; the last thing I wish to do is worry her needlessly. She does enough of that already." Aiska sighed, glancing to the curtain that covered the window. She raised herself carefully and went to it. She threw it open and stared out into the lovely sunny day, taking in the fluffy white clouds that were drifting past, and the chirping of the birds in the nearby trees.
"You know, I always dreamt that someone would come and take me away, come and tell me that it was all fake." She slowly turned her head to Hatori, a sad smile lighting her sapphire eyes, "I guess I still live with that belief, even though I am nineteen now and should know better. Nothing can change the truth, I'm afraid. But I figure I can either deny it, or accept it and get on with life. Either way doesn't have much of an outcome really, just self gratification." She laughed softly at the concern in Hatori's eyes. "I suppose I'm not making much sense, am I? No, I guess not. But tomorrow, you will understand. Just for now, don't tell Romiko."
"Don't worry, doctor-patient confidentiality, remember?" He smiled in return, standing to leave. He paused at the doorway, glancing at Aiska who had collected her clothing from the chair.
"I should air this room out, it smells remarkably like dog." She stated, rather confused as Hatori quickly closed the door to hide his smirk.
Aiska changed from her simple sleeping kimono into her normal day clothes of black cargo pants and an aqua shirt and joined the others in the kitchen for tea.
"Is everything all right?" Romiko asked as she entered, pouring her a cup of tea.
"Everything is perfectly fine." She replied, a small smile gracing her lips. "Did you two enjoy sparring?" She asked, glancing between Kyo and Romiko.
"I still think you're the better fighter."
"Let me guess, Kyo beat you?"
"Bingo." Aiska clapped in applause, laughing as she seated herself between Hatori and Shigure.
"Do you want to spar with me? I want to know how you managed to beat Yuki!" Kyo chimed, clearly enjoying himself. Romiko shot Hatori a look.
"Sorry Kyo, doctors orders. I'm not to do any strenuous activity." She smiled, glancing to Hatori.
"That's right." He replied as Romiko laughed with relief as she seated herself between Kyo and Shigure.
"Well, boys, shall we finish our tea and finish getting these boxes unpacked? All we have left are the downstairs ones, a few knick knacks and most of the cutlery."
"We didn't bring much else."
"We don't own much else." They laughed together as Hatori silently wondered to himself.
"She seems so happy, so carefree. Heaven only knows what is eating away at her soul."
- - - - -
Akito sat silently, as he had been doing all day, watching the sun gradually vanish behind the horizon, casting an eerie blood red tinge over the sky. Akito didn't even move as he watched Hatori's car pull in. It wasn't until Hatori was kneeling behind him that Akito rose, standing before him.
"What have you to say?"
"The girls are settled, they will be sleeping in the house tonight."
"Anything else?" Akito raised an eyebrow as Hatori hesitated.
"Yuki and Aiska had a sparring match this morning."
"Oh?"
"She beat Yuki." He paused, gauging Akito's reaction. He merely stood over Hatori, his eyes distant. "But he managed to injure her. I…requested she come here tomorrow, for me to fix any damage done by Yuki."
"Fair enough, I suppose." Akito waved a hand dismissively as he wandered back to the window. "Was she…willing? Does she want to come here?" He asked, without turning his head.
"No. She was very reluctant to allow me to see her."
"Now why do you suppose that is?" He remarked mockingly. "Is there anything else?"
"No, Akito."
"Then you may go." Hatori rose to leave, only hesitating as he stared at Akito's back, the kimono hanging off one of his shoulders.
"Akito?" He received no reply. "What is troubling you? Let me help."
"You wish to help?" Akito asked, slowly turning to face Hatori, his hair covering his eyes from view. "Then get out and leave me alone!" He snarled, raising his hand back and striking Hatori. He quickly picked himself up, trying to ignore the throbbing of his cheek as he slid the door open to leave.
"Then again…" Hatori paused, glancing back to Akito. "There is one thing you could do. Bring Aiska to me tomorrow. I think I would like to meet this young woman, capable of beating our Yuki."