As the sun willed it to the darkness faded away and left behind no traces of it's coming aside from a bruised and battered but not yet broken female who lay atop covers with a tortured expression on her face. Even in her mind where the subconcious ruled she was unable to escape from the horrors she suffered hours before. Pitiful whimpers fell from her lips, her slender legs kicked at nothing though it was apparent to the boy who watched her that she was struggling and he knew what it was.

Kyo Sohma extended a hand to her forehead, gently removing the perspiration found there from the nightmare. His hand then trailed down her face, as soft as a feathers' caress before it landed on her shoulder which he gave a harsh shake to arouse her from her current state.

The brunette lurched foward, the movement causing her to wince from the re-opening of a wound or two. Her eyes widened and she turned quickly to see Kyo peering worriedly up at her. As tears began to pool in her chocolate eyes she backed away from Kyo to the edge of the opposite side of the bed, retreating into herself with her back pressed against the wall. The flaming hair cat of the zodiac could only watch as the girl mentally barred herself from Kyo, her face collapsing within itself and revealing no emotions or depth that her eyes once percieved.

Haru, who was in the kitchen, heard the rustling of sheets and the soft moan of pain that fell from Kyo's lips as he realized the distance that was now between the two. Dropping the book he was reading (Shigure's latest) he climbed the stairs two at a time and made his entrance into the clattered room. Brushing aside Kyo, Haru climbed into Tohru's bed. The weight of his body leaving indents in the pink blankets and sheets as he moved towards her with his hand extended to show he meant no harm.

Tohru waited in silence but didn't move from her position, alebit too sore to fight against Haru nor did she have the will to. In her eyes, he was her savior and the only remaining light in a world that was loomed on the abyss of darkness. Taking in the lack of reluctance on her behalf, the ox moved closer, his hands gently grasping her shoulders while he grimaced at her.

"Tohru?" The mention of her name made her eyes widen, but she relaxed under his gaze and even offered a slow, timid smile. "That's my girl."

Kyo lounged back in his chair as he watched Haru take control of the situation. Suffice to say the casual voyuer wasn't all too pleased with the situation before him. Sure, he was glad that Haru had found someone to put that true smile on his face. And sure, he was happy that Tohru was slowly begginning to trust someone; even if it wasn't him. What bothered the laid-back cat was his thoughts. They were so black, filled with the urge to wreak despair and havoc. Whoever took his Tohru away and caused her to be in this state would pay, and he'd render punishment. In this, Kyo Sohma was God.

"Haru?" Her voice remained scratchy, hoarse, evidence the incident happened and was not part of her recent nightmares.

The teenager's head cocked to the side, "Nn?"

"What should I cook for breakfast?"

Instantly, Haru's eyes narrowed on her. Seconds passed as he could only stare and evaluate if she was serious. Seeing that determined look on her face, the thin line her lips made when in thought (most likely contemplating what to fix for the household), he began to laugh. A short, joyful laugh.

Tohru didn't understand why he laughed so, though she didn't mind hearing it. The girl's thoughtful expression replaced with quizzical amusement, she gently poked him in his side. "Why does Haru laugh so? I'm serious!" The flush that came to her face from frustration caused Haru to laugh a little bit harder while gently patting her head.

"Ah, Tohru..Tohru, Tohru, Tohru." Chanted Haru between laughs and occasional snickers. Staring in confusion and hidden wonderment, Tohru awaited an explanation. "Didn't you hear? Kyo said he was cooking today!"

This caused Kyo's thoughts to come crashing down on him. "I said no-- Oh, that's right..." Nodding and rising to his feet, "That's right. I'll cook for you Tohru. You just get better."

Tohru, recalling the time Kyo fixed medly soup for her wasn't too upset at the thought, but still questioned him. "Are you sure? I'd hate to be a burden..." Clasping her hands together and staring transfixed at her fingers, she couldn't help but feel she was a burden to the two boys.

"Tohru," Kyo's own voice was harsh with the rising anger. "You're not a burden. Ever. Just rest up." Before Tohru could issue a response Kyo stomped out of the room, abruptly bristled at the conversation. The actions of the flame-haired teenagers caused tears to well in Tohru's eyes. She could sense he was upset and assumed it was at her.

"He's not mad at you." Haru began, correctly guessing what was on her mind.

"He is mad though." The brunette protested.

Haru shook his head, staring absently out the window as his fingers massaged her hands. "But not at you. He's mad at himself. He's mad that he wasn't there-- He's blaming himself essentialy."

Tohru shook her head rapidly, "But it wasn't his fault!"

Empathetically, Haru shook his head as well before meeting the girl's gaze. "He knows that. He just can't accept it at the moment. He'll find solace later. There's always peace in revenge."

Blanching at the topic of revenge, Tohru opted to change the subject. "Where's Shigure?"

Haru could only blink... Where was that dog anyhow? Raising his shoulders and letting them drop, necklaces clattering in the wake. "I don't have the slightest. He wasn't here last night nor this morning." A frown came to Tohru. "Why? What's wrong?"

"He's playing with his editor again, isn't he?"

Chuckling to himself, Haru nodded. "That's probably what he's doing. He likes doing that. I think he likes her."

"B-but he's so mean to her."

"It's how he shows his affection. Some people can't do it in a normal sense. Those in the zodiac seem to be challenged in that department." While his thoughts flitted to Rin a frown captured his lips, causing him to cast his gaze elsewhere.

"What's wrong?"

The simple question brought Haru back to the moment, "Hmm?"

"You're frowning. Are you alright?" Worry immediately took ahold of her features as chocolate brown eyes searched his own stoic gaze for a sign of what put him in such a state.

"Nothing. Tohru, you worry about the wrong things. We should be more concerned about you and not my past."

Understanding dawned on her and she slowly relaxed against the pillows. "Where's Hatori? He usually comes around to check on me when I do stupid stunts-- which is quite often!"

Following Tohru, Haru leaned back against her pillows, now laying next to her. "We called him. Last night. He said he'd be over today but he hasn't shown up or called back."

At this, both teens fell silent and contemplated why the Sohma doctor had yet to respond to their calls. Assuming it had anything to do with Akito, both shrugged mentally.

"Tohru?"

Resting comfortably against her pillows and enjoying the warmth and comfort provided by the male next to her, Tohru quirked a brow and murmured out a, "Yes?"

"Do you ever get tired? Of carrying everything on your shoulders?"

Silence ensued afterwards as both reflected on the question. "Sometimes... It feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders." Pausing, Tohru bit her lip and continued. "I get anxious. I feel like I'll be crushed. But then I realize, compared to others, I don't have it so bad. That makes me want to help others reach a level of happiness, make them better."

Haru's hand found Tohru's, their fingers lacing together. Tohru gave his hand a slight squeeze-- clinging to the only thing that seemed solid and real in her world. "Y'know... When things get like that, when the world weighs too heavily on you... I'll carry it for you."

Tears sprang in Tohru's eyes as she listened to the bland syllabals falling from his lips with ease. Despite everything, even under these circumstances when her trust was nearly shattered, she couldn't help but believe Hatsuharu's words. "Thank you."

Nodding, they said nothing more as both drifted back into a rather peaceful sleep.

CatRatOxHorseRoosterLambTigerSnakeDogDragonBoarMonkeyRabbitONIGIRI!

A toss of his head sent the obsidian tresses flying wayward. Beneath him, the pale and frail body writhed in pain. Condensation perspired on the foreheads of them both. Slave and Master. Dragon and God. One was dying. The other was attempting to save.

"It hurts..." Akito said as his breath became ragged, face contorting to display the pain he felt within.

"I know," Hatori began, even as tears came to his eyes. He knew there was no point in trying. This was the end. This was it. The final banquet. There'd be no more. "Hang on, Akito. C'mon. Stay with me."

Akito's eyes fluttered open for a brief second and he locked his gaze with Hatori. Anger burned in those depths, a hatred so deep and unbearable it caused Hatori to flinch. "Damn you all." The edges of Akito's world began to blur, become fuzzy. "Why didn't they all come to my banquet? Do they not love god anymore?"

Hatori could feel his heart breaking as he stared at the pitiful frame before him. Swallowing hard and gripping Akito's right hand, Hatori bowed his head- forehead resting against forehead as the smell of sweat filled the room. Harsh breathes coming and falling from them both in unison.

It was almost over. He was almost free. Yet why did he feel this way? He clung to a dying man. One who had ruined his life. His eye. His heart. His soul. Yet the pain was unbearable. He wanted to cry. To scream. To throw something-- anything at the walls.

"I love you. I love you all. Tell them for me, will you Hatori? I see Dad now. Tell Ren I win, will you Hatori? Tell her I have Akira."

Another harsh inhale of breath that wasn't expelled. The fingers of the supposed god lost their grip. The eyes, once full of emotion be it livid anger or wicked amusement from sadisim were now glossed over. There was no shine, no spark, no life. As Hatori removed his hand from the dead male, sobs wracked his body.

Miles away the different members of the zodiac were inflicted with the same feeling of heartbreak, though few understood the cause. The members had finally won their long-sought freedom, yet it felt their hearts were being ripped apart in return. Was it worth it? Was anything?