Disclaimer: Yadda.

Warning: More spoilers.

Japanese to Know:

Asagohan - Breakfast
Nani - What
Urasai - Shut up
Shine - Die
Nii-san - Older Brother
Kawaii - Cute
Demo, Kage-kun mo kowai ne - But, Kage-kun is also scary
Hai - Yes
Doushite - Why
Shitsurei shimasu - Excuse me, I'm going to be rude
Matte kudasai - Please wait
Itadakimasu - Thanks for the meal (roughly)
Wakaranai - I don't know

Chapter 12

For Our Sake

"Kage-kun! Asagohan!" Ayame called, bounding into the boy's room.

"Aaya," Hokage growled, pulling the covers over his head.

"Nani?"

"Urasai!"

"But you're already awake! Come, Tohru-kun is waiting for you." The Snake poked the boy with his foot.

"Shine, Nii-san!" Hokage snarled, pulling Ayame's foot from beneath him. The man fell back and laughed.

"Kawaii!" Then he looked into the boy's angry eyes. "Demo, Kage-kun mo kowai ne."

"I see you two have gone back to the old times," Shigure mused, standing in the doorway. "But I can't say if that's a good thing or not."

Hokage sat and glared at the Snake. "If it didn't hurt to walk, I'd kick your ass."

"Then I shall pray that your feet heal slowly," Ayame smiled, standing.

"Don't wish for something like that!"

"But you'll hurt me if you get well soon!"

"He has a point," Shigure offered, resting a hand on Ayame's shoulder.

"Don't defend him!" yelled Hokage, lurching forward as if he was daring to get up.

"Stop pestering Hokage and go back downstairs," Hatori ordered, gripping Shigure's shoulder.

"Hai, Tori-san!" Ayame laughed, marching out of the room.

Shigure sighed. "See what you've done, Haa-san?"

"I've seen just about enough of your conniving to last me a lifetime."

"So cold."

"Go tell Tohru-kun that Hokage won't be joining you for breakfast."

"Doushite?"

"Because he shouldn't be moving. Though he doesn't get sick, his body still reacts normally in every other way. It's more dangerous for him because he can't feel the effects like a normal person does."

The Dog nodded, sighing. "Hai, hai, Haa-san. But do hurry down when you finish whatever you're up to." With that, he left.

Hatori peered out into the hall to make sure no one was around. Then he looked at Hokage with his frozen eyes. "Tohru-kun will more than likely bring food up here for you. She'll probably treat you like you're sick. Just let her be."

"Just let me handle it, Haa-san," the young Sohma yawned, stretching. "Oh, and she's coming to the stairs now."

The Dragon sighed and exited. Soft words were exchanged in the hall before Tohru knocked on the doorframe.

"Shitsurei shimasu," she said quietly.

"You can come right in…everyone else does," Hokage smirked, scooting back to lean on the wall.

"Oh, well, I brought you some breakfast. I hope you like it," she smiled humbly. Setting the tray down beside him, she bowed and moved for the door.

"Tohru-kun, matte kudasai."

The girl turned and waited patiently as Hokage's eyes searched the floor thoughtfully.

"What do you know of Akito?" he questioned finally, looking up at her.

Tohru looked a bit taken aback. "I don't really know anything."

"Tell me what you do know. And keep in mind that anything you say probably won't surprise me."

"May I sit?"

"You can do whatever you wish."

She sat and stared at her hands. "I know that Akito-san is really a girl. That Akito-san and her mother, Ren-san, despise each other. That she's scared and lonely. But I don't know enough to be of any use to anyone."

Hokage smiled softly. "You know more than most. And just seeing your smile gives the Juunishi the strength to smile with you. Without meaning to, you give them hope."

Tohru looked up at Hokage. Her frightened and confused eyes searched his smiling face. She didn't know what to make of his words or expression.

"Take Kyo-kun for example. Or even Yuki-kun. They may not know me, but I know them very well. And ever since you came into their lives, they've smiled more. Haa-san too. You gave him hope that had been destroyed." He took her hands and held them tightly, his smile replaced with concern. "You mustn't leave them 'til the end. 'Til the very end. You must make sure they are freed from her grasp. Take nothing anyone says about the curse to heart, 'less you believe it with all your soul to be true. Swear that you won't let them go."

Tears spilled from her quivering eyes. "How can I keep everyone in my heart? I don't want Mom to disappear!"

"Eh? What're you talking about?"

"If I don't think about Mom, she'll disappear. Not even her memory will be left."

"Don't be foolish. Just because you're thinking about other people doesn't mean that you have to forget your mother. I don't want you to think about the Sohma family all the time; I just don't want you to stop thinking about them. I wouldn't ask that much of you. That would be selfish of me."

She looked at their hands. "I'm being selfish."

"You're allowed to be. No one minds if you're selfish sometimes." He tilted her chin up so that she was looking at him once more. "I think it relieves them to know that you have faults outside of being spacey and sometimes stupid." A smile again came on his face. "Now stop crying. Tears don't suit you, Tohru-kun. You're better fitted with a smile."

Tohru nodded and smiled, taking back her hands to wipe away the tears.

Hokage picked up a bowl from the tray she had brought up and held it softly. "Itadakimasu," he said quietly.

"Haa-san, how much longer do you think Kage-kun can hate Akito-san?" Shigure questioned after making sure they were alone.

Hatori shook his head. "Wakaranai. It all depends, I suppose."

The Dog sighed. "If history is repeating itself, it won't be much longer."

"He wouldn't kill himself over something so trivial."

"I know that. But, still, history isn't on his side. He's destined to die for us. All thirteen of us."

Feeling a deep sorrow welling up inside him, the doctor turned his face to the darkening sky.

Shigure looked too. "We truly are monsters for feeling grateful that he dies to free us of this retched Curse."

"For once, I agree with you."