Disclaimer: Yea.

Japanese to Know:

Baka - Idiot
Nii-chan - Big Brother (cute form)

Chapter 18

Rescue Me

Kyo stared at the sky from a warm spot on the roof. The evening air brushed by contently. He narrowed his rust-colored eyes as a purple cloud passed overhead.

'He's trapped in a dark abyss.'

The Cat sat up and rubbed his eyes. Those words kept repeating themselves in his mind. It was truly annoying, to say the least. He frowned. "If he's going to die anyway, why can't I feel relieved that he's going to do something with his death?" he asked himself. Then he heard the door slide open.

Curiously, he peered over the edge and spotted Shigure. "Where're you goin'?"

The Dog stopped and looked up, placing a finger to his mouth. "To rescue Kage-kun from the abyss," he said softly.

Kyo cocked an eyebrow as he watched Shigure scuttle into the impending darkness. Once out of sight, the Dog found Hatori's parked car and got in. The doctor started up the machine and drove quickly to the Sohma Estate.

"Where's Aaya?"

"He's waiting at the gate," Hatori answered. "Did anyone see you?"

"Just Kyo-kun, but you know how thick-headed he is." The Dog sported a proud grin.

"Baka," the Dragon sighed with all seriousness.

"So mean."

They came upon the Estate and drove carefully in after Ayame opened the gate. Hatori quickly turned the car around to make for an easier escape. The Snake made sure the doors stayed opened. Shigure hopped quietly out of the car and padded to the shadows of a tree. The other two joined him soon after.

"At least the snow will make for a quiet entry," the Dog commented.

Ayame pulled his stylish hat farther down over his ears and shivered. "I will do my best not to transform!" he declared softly.

"We must save Hokage this time. No matter the consequences," Hatori said, clenching his fist.

'Nii-chan!'

The small boy's cry rang through all of their memories. Nodding, the three friends hurried across the grounds to a forgotten area. It was on the opposite end of the Estate from the Cat's Room. They stopped and stared at the massive room of no windows and a single, chained door. Nothing else was in or connected to that building; just that solitary, dark room.

Only one servant knew of this building, and he was standing at the door.

"Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Hokage snarled from inside.

One of the walls shook.

Enraged, Ayame and Shigure rushed at the servant and took hold of him.

"Shigure-san! Ayame-san! What're you two doing?" the man gasped, struggling.

"Saving our brother," Hatori said in an icy tone, walking up to the startled man. "Now, which pocket is the key in?"

"Key? What key?"

The Dragon's right eye glared at the pathetic servant. "Do you enjoy your happy memories? Do you want them to be erased from your find forever? So that only the memories of despair and pain are left?"

"R-right pocket!" he stuttered.

Ayame promptly fetched the key and Shigure tossed him in the snow.

"Now go before I come after you for what you've done," the Dog growled.

And the man took off into the white dark.

"Don't touch me, damn it!"

"You're too weak to fight back. Try enjoying it, why don't you?"

The Snake opened the padlock and pulled away the heavy chains. He and Shigure yanked the doors open, and all three stood in the frame. Akito looked up and squinted at the three figures through the dark. This gave Hokage time to kick her away and crawl farther into the shadows.

"You dare come here?" Akito hissed, standing and pulling her robes tighter.

"We came to uphold a deal you made," Shigure informed her. "We've waited long enough."

"I have no intention of giving him back," she said matter-of-factly.

"That's why we're here," Ayame nodded.

"Hokage, come here," Hatori called.

The Wolf timidly appeared in the moonlight as he crept forward. Just as he moved around Akito, she hit him across the face and sent him back to the ground. She kicked his frail body back into the darkness.

"The Wolf is mine!" she snapped, glaring at the three still in the doorway.

"Will you not come into this black world?" Hokage thought, holding his stomach. "Will you come no further?"

"He belongs to no one! Not even God!" Shigure argued, stepping forward. "He is his own!"

Hokage crawled back into the light a bit. The soft glow stung his eyes as though he was staring at the sun. But he could see his brothers. "Nii-chan," he whispered weakly.

Akito whirled around and glowered down at the Wolf. As she raised her foot to kick him once more, Shigure and Ayame rushed up and took hold of her.

"Release me, you two!" she screeched, struggling in their strong grip.

Hatori froze for a moment before rushing to Hokage's side. He carefully picked the boy up and hurried out into the cold. The Snake and the Dog released Akito and followed the Dragon quickly. They raced to the car and piled in. Ignoring basic safety, Hatori tore out of the Estate and drove into the dark.

Hokage lurched forward as he panted from a terrible dream. He tried to open his eyes, but his right remained dark. When he touched it, a bandage stopped him short. His head was even wrapped up tight. Then he tried to stand, but a sharp pain in his side forced him still.

"Your ribs are bruised. You're lucky Akito-san didn't break them."

The Wolf looked up at Shigure, whom was leaning in the doorway.

"Don't look so surprised."

He looked away. "Why shouldn't I? I never expected you to come."

"Can you not talk?"

"I don't want to. Everything I say is wrong."

"I'm not going to hit you."

"The look on your face would be enough."

"You're safe here."

"Am I?"

The Dog smiled softly. "I'll protect you 'til you're ready to die."

Hokage stared at his brother with wide eyes.