Disclaimer: You know the drill.

Japanese to Know:

Urasai -Shut up
Nii-chan - Cute form of Older Brother
Onegai - Please (begging almost)
Ojamashimasu - I'm going to intrude (said when entering someone's home)
Konnichiwa - Good afternoon
Haru-nii - Big Brother Haru
Juunishi - Twelve Animals (literally)
Nani - What
Nii-san - Older Brother

Chapter 8

Fear

"Did Akito hurt you again?" Shigure questioned, leaning against the wall.

Hokage bit his lip, releasing Hatori and sitting up.

"Did he try to lock you away again?"

He held his arm.

"Talk to me, Kage!"

"Urasai!" he snarled, shaking his head madly. "Urasai!"

Shigure closed his eyes and sighed. "No, I won't shut up any longer. If you don't talk to me, I'll talk to them."

"Urasai!"

"I won't let you hide anymore! I won't let you be tortured because you refuse help! I won't just stand by anymore!"

Hokage lunged at Shigure. "Urasai!" He gripped the man's kimono and shook him. "Urasai! Urasai!"

Shigure just looked at the boy. Stared into his raging eyes. Smiled at his snarling face. And the more he stayed silent, the less fierce Hokage became. Until he was no more than a weeping child.

"Nii-chan," he whispered, "onegai."

Hatori ushered Tohru and Yuki out of the room, asking them to send Ayame up. Then he closed the door. Silently, he sat beside Shigure and Hokage. The door opened and closed as Ayame entered. He smiled softly on the group, sitting on the other side of Shigure.

"We're here for you, Kage-kun," Shigure said. "We're right here."

"Honda-san, is it just me, or did Hokage whisper 'Nii-chan'?" Yuki questioned, staring at the ceiling.

"Hm? Ah, no, I think I heard it too. Do you suppose it holds any significance?" Tohru said, pouring some tea.

"It's possible."

"Ojamashimasu," came a small voice.

"Ojamashimasu," another voice said. The door slid open and a small boy with brown eyes and hair stood. Behind him, a girl with blonde hair and large brown eyes bowed.

"Oneesan," she whispered, smiling.

"Kisa-san!" Tohru gasped, standing and rushing to the girl. "Hiro-san. Konnichiwa!"

"Haru-nii said you had another Sohma staying with you," the boy huffed, pushing passed Tohru.

"Ah, yes, Hokage-kun! But he's busy with Shigure-san, Ayame-san, and Hatori-san."

Hiro sat down and looked to Yuki. "So, where'd he come from? Why's he here?"

"It seems he is like Kyo."

"Kyo?"

"He's not exactly one of the Juunishi…but he can transform."

"Nani!"

The Rat nodded. "But, we haven't yet discovered what he turns in to."

"Perhaps," Kisa whispered, "he regrets being what he is."

"What do you mean?" Tohru inquired, pouring the children some tea.

"He was at the Main House today. I heard Akito-san call him 'Kiniiri', but he kept insisting that his name was 'Hokage'. Akito-san said he owned the boy. But he said he owned himself. Akito-san got angry and shamed Hokage for being cursed. Then I heard glass shatter and a cry of pain, so I hurried to Hatori-san. But by the time I got there, Hokage had already hid in a box, bleeding terribly." She shuddered. "It was so frightening."

Yuki closed his eyes. "He certainly is touchy about the subject of being a Sohma. When I asked him what I should use as his name at school, he became bitter and hostile."

"Maybe that's just part of his nature," Haru mused, entering from the kitchen. "A trait that comes from being what he is. Like his looks, maybe his temper is dictated by the spirit within him."

Tohru looked down at her hands. "He wears a necklace," she began timidly, "with the kanji for 'death' on it."

"He doesn't have a choice."

They all turned to the door to see Ayame coming in, holding his head.

"What do you mean?" Momiji questioned.

"Ironically, if he takes it off, he'll die," the Snake said, sitting. His gold eyes locked with Tohru's. "It was given to him by Akito to prove that they were forever bound together."

"Nii-san, what animal does he transform in to?" Yuki asked.

"I can't tell you. I promised."

Hokage limped into the doorway. "Tell them. I don't care anymore."

"Don't kid yourself. You care more than anyone in the world about your secret," Shigure sighed, sliding passed the wounded boy.

"And you shouldn't lie about it," Hatori added, also side-stepping Hokage.

Hokage stared into the room. Most of the faces were smiling back at him. Trying to understand what was going through his mind. Faces he knew and some he trusted. But no one was judging him. No one was degrading him or pushing him away. No one was being as Akito had described.

"I…I…" he stuttered, looking away.

"You don't have to say anything," Tohru smiled. "We don't expect anything from you. You'll tell us when you're ready."

He looked back at her, red eyes wide and quivering. "How does she know just what to say? How does she make my heart feel whole? How does she do it?"

"I want to know all you care to share."

His face contorted. "The less you know about me the better."

"Is it that terrible?" Yuki said, relaxing.

"More than you can imagine."

"I'm not afraid," Tohru whispered, remembering the day she saw what Kyo really was.

"Liar!" Hokage snarled. "You'll run away! I can smell your fear!"

She looked into his eyes. "Ok, I'm terrified," she confessed, "but I'm not going to run."

"Liar!"

"I'm not lying."

He limped angrily to the girl and grabbed her arm. "I know you'll run. I know it." With a sharp jerk, he pulled her to her feet and into him. A puff of smoke engulfed him and she fell to the floor. When it cleared, a copper wolf glared down at her, baring his sharp fangs.

"Oh my!" Tohru gasped, stumbling back.