Disclaimer: Yada, yada, yada. If I owned it, I wouldn't be posting here.

Warning: Spoilers! Like, big ones!

Japanese to Know:

Nani - What
Hen - Strange (not the bird...)
Kiniiri - Pet/Lover
Iie - No

Chapter 6

Property

The bell echoed through the halls, signaling the end of school. After saying good bye to their teachers, the students flooded into the halls, laughing merrily. All except for Hokage. He packed his bag slowly, eyes in a far-off stare. Yuki happened by the room.

"Oi, Hokage!" he called, stepping across the threshold.

The boy looked up, eyes coming back into focus. "Nani?"

"I was just on my way to a meeting. What are you still doing here?"

Hokage looked out the window. "It's quiet. Not chaotic. No one to bug me. Or look at me. Wonder what I'm thinking. Or what's wrong with my hair and eyes. The silence doesn't judge me."

Yuki tilted his head slightly. "I suppose. I don't much care for silence."

"I know," Hokage said grimly.

"Eh, how?"

He looked back at the Rat. "Shigure told me."

"Hokage…the others are growing curious of your name. What should we tell them?"

"Whatever the Hell you want. I don't give a damn anymore," Hokage growled bitterly. He picked up his bag and moved to an open window. "And don't you dare follow me." With one last glare, he leapt out the window.

Yuki sighed. "I can miss one meeting, can't I?"

Hokage sat atop the wall surrounding the Sohma estate. He glared at passersby, though they didn't notice him. And then he saw a familiar face.

"Kureno-san…but he never leaves Akito's side." With curiosity, the boy followed silently behind the man.

After a bit, Kureno stopped. "You can stop slinking around now."

Hokage paused and looked at the man's back.

He turned. "I led you here for a reason."

The boy straightened. "And that would be…?"

"I know who you are. What you are. Hokage-san."

His eyes widened. "Are you the Rooster?"

"I am."

"How am I like you?"

"Nani?"

"Hatori-san said I was like all the animals, but he didn't know about you. How am I like you?"

"You're doomed to be forever by Akito's side," Kureno answered, frowning.

Hokage stared at the bird for a long while. "You're…different," he said finally.

"Nani?"

"You don't have that smell. The smell that's unique to the Juunishi. You don't have it. You're different." He stared into Kureno's chocolate brown eyes. "A free man in chains."

"What about you? You ran away to America for three years. Then you came back only to disappear again. Would you not call that a chained man running free?"

"Akito is only upset because of unrequited love. But I cannot return that love, even if it didn't mean death. I can't love her like you can."

Kureno's eyes widened slightly. "You said 'her'; do you know?"

"Akito can hide her appearance, but not her scent."

"That's a brilliant nose you have," he smirked, running a hand through his sleek brown hair.

Hokage just shook his head and looked to the sky. "What was it like?"

"What was what like?"

"Flying…up there."

"Free."

The boy smiled and looked back at Kureno. But the man was gone. "Hen." Then he looked around. The room to his right was the place where he had been locked away in darkness. No windows, only black. Only loneliness. Fear.

"Kage-kun." When the boy didn't answer, Shigure walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hokage."

The boy jumped and looked up at his brother with wide eyes.

"You don't have to be afraid anymore. We won't let you be locked up again. I won't lose you. I won't let you be lost."

Hokage turned his eyes to the dirt. "Winter's coming soon."

"Yes."

"That means so is New Year's."

"You can stay home with Kyo-kun and Tohru-kun. They'll be staying with Kazuma-dono. I'm sure he won't mind watching you as well."

"Then Yuki-kun is coming here?"

"I believe so. But a lot can happen between now and then."

Hokage looked back up and Shigure. "I should go see Akito."

"You don't have to."

He started to walk away. "I know." Before he could change his mind, he took off at a run, finding the fastest way to Akito's door. When he got there, he glared at the barrier. He could only think of how much he hated the person on the other side. Sighing, he stepped up and opened the door. He looked around and spotted Akito sleeping in the sun.

"How can someone that mean be that peaceful?" he thought angrily. He sat beside the child and remained silent. As he stared at the shadows, memories flashed through his mind; screams echoed in his ears. Looking away, he watched Akito breathe. "She looks like a girl when she sleeps." He brushed hair gently from her soft face. "Angel of Death."

Akito stirred, teal eyes fluttering open. When they landed up Hokage, she sat up. "Kiniiri! You came on your own! That makes me so happy." She smiled brightly.

Hokage frowned, shaming himself for thinking she was pretty.

"Did you need something?"

He looked away, jaw clenched and red eyes narrowed.

"Kiniiri?"

"Stop calling me that!" the boy snarled, turning his fierce glare upon Akito. "My name is Hokage!"

"But, you are my Kiniiri," Akito objected, touching the boy's face.

He beat her hand away. "My name is Hokage! I belong to no one! I am my own!"

She held him tightly, whispering in his ear, "You belong to me, Kiniiri."

"Iie! I am my own!" He struggled to be free, but to no avail.

"You can never be your own." She tore the bandage from his face and licked the wound. "You are mine." She kissed his quivering lips.

"Iie!"