Disclaimer: don't own furuba.

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Mystery at the Sohmas

Chapter Five:

Secrets

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Tohru found herself once again, sitting on the floor of the Sohma's main house, although this time she wasn't alone. The five teens sat in a line facing the door that stood imposingly across the hall. Tohru tried to find solace in staring only at the ground. She couldn't force herself to look up at the door, for she was too fearful of what lay behind it. Tohru stared so intently down that she began to recognize things she normally wouldn't have ever noticed before.

The floorboard lacked the shine it once had; it was rickety now, worn from the pacing of many who had waited outside the doctor's door. Puddles from the three drenched boys whom sat beside Tohru reflected the ceilings lights and shimmered derisively up at her. She plopped her index finger right down the center of the nearest glimmering puddle and dragged the water into senseless shapes. The activity didn't hold her attention long. Curling up tighter, Tohru fought off another wave of sick worry that convulsed uncomfortably in her stomach. Some muffled noises of Hatori frantically rummaging around broke through the doors tight sound barriers. Momiji, who still sat beside Tohru, shifted uneasily at them. The clamor quieted down after awhile, leaving Tohru unsure whether she preferred the silence or the sound.

After a moment, Tohru's mind began to wander. She wondered what was inside the house, and if the boys saw anything. The thoughts caused her curiosity to heighten, and despite her knowing that it was rude to ask, she couldn't help herself. She decided right then and there that sound was better than silence by shattering the silence with her soft voice. "Ano…was there anything at the house? Th-that would have caused Shigure-san's condition?"

Tohru didn't notice, for she still had her eyes trained to the ground, that all three had stiffened. No one answered her, causing her to feel a deep pang of guilt. Biting the inside of her cheek she stammered, "I'm s-sorry. M-my question was out of line…"

"No, Tohru, it's okay." She was surprised by the voice and looked up. It was Kyo, he looked at her genuinely concerned. "You have a right to want to know. But nothing happened at the house. Whatever was there must have, ah,…left…" Kyo lied, with such a straight face that Haru and Yuki's jaws almost dropped.

Tohru smiled back at Kyo looking slightly relieved. "I am glad Kyo-kun, that none of you were in danger."

Kyo allowed a small smirk; "Yea…" he nodded.

Long minutes passed after the groups' short lived conversation. Finally the door creaked open, and Tohru forced herself to look up. Hatori stood there looking a great amount more disheveled than Tohru had ever seen him. His suit was completely ruined from the rain and splattered mud, and his navy blue tie dangled rather pointlessly around his neck. His hair sat like a wet mop on the top of his head and he looked utterly exhausted. The group stood up as Hatori took a few steps toward them, and each waited eagerly for what he had to say.

"His condition is stable," Hatori said quietly. "but I think it would be best if he didn't have any visitors at this time."

Tohru was elated to hear that Shigure was doing better although she did feel disappointed that she couldn't visit him. Nevertheless, she knew that Hatori was probably correct, Shigure did need his rest.

"Yuki," Hatori said, turning his attention to the paler boy of the group, "Didn't you want to see Akito?"

Haru looked surprised at the comment and turned towards his cousin with unbelieving eyes. "Akito-san? Yuki why do you want to—"

"I suggest you go now," Hatori interrupted, "and take Tohru and Kyo along."

Yuki dully nodded. Up until now he had completely forgotten about his earlier urgency to see Aktio. Besides after coming in such close contact with the creature, and while not exactly "seeing" it, Yuki was begin to have some doubts on his earlier theory. However, Hatori did allow him to go; does this mean Hatori is thinking the same thing?

"We'll be back soon," Yuki mumbled to Hatori, Haru, and Momiji, before taking off down the left hallway with Kyo and Tohru.

Yuki traveled numbly through the halls. He was dimly aware of the pair walking briskly behind him as thought about what exactly he was going to say to Akito. Yuki was cold, wet, and scared out of his life, but he didn't let any signs of distress pass over his face. He turned another corner, his footsteps echoing loudly down the quiet halls. What did he really intend to accuse Akito of? Barging into their house? Absolutely not, the thought had crossed his mind earlier that day, but now after being so close to the monster, Yuki knew better than to accuse Akito of that. No, now Yuki wondered an entirely different thing, and he supposed Hatori had the same inclinations as well. His suspicions perhaps seemed a bit far fetched, but he knew Akito would have the answers.

It was getting colder as he went down the hall, and darker too, Yuki smirked as he realized the cruel irony of Akito's living quarters; like entering the devil's cave. He stopped, the tall double standing doors stood there at the end of the hall, Yuki looked behind him and saw a very nervous looking Tohru and a frowning Kyo, he nodded to them then slid open the doors.

A stream of light from the hallway spilled out into Akito's dark room. The room was drenched in black, and it took Yuki a few moments to allow his eyes to get used to the lighting. It was quiet, save for the rain faintly hitting against the roof of the Sohma home. Yuki glanced over into the far corner, where the futon was placed. He could clearly make out an outlining of Akito's form sitting on the futon, watching the rain fall outside the window.

"Hatori?" Akito asked quietly not looking around.

Yuki chomped down on his lower lip, it wasn't the time to be scared. "No, Akito-san its Yuki. Kyo and Tohru are here as well."

Akito spun around, "Yuki?" s/he said surprised, "What are you doing here?"

Yuki wasn't sure how to approach the situation. He stepped into the room, as did Kyo and Tohru, and bowed his head. "Akito-san, Shigure is hurt, he is with Hatori right now."

Akito swung his/her legs over the futon, and was now facing the trio. "Hurt? How?"

Yuki's fingernails dug deep into his palms in an attempt to keep him steady. "He was attacked at his house…" Yuki said carefully, eyeing Akito for any sort of recognition.

"By what?" Akito said raising up, her/his voice becoming more impatient.

Yuki breathed slow, to keep his nerves in check. "By some sort of creature, but we didn't get a good look."

Akito's eyes widened, Yuki noticed. "Smelled bad too," he continued, watching Akito more cautiously than ever before.

Akito gathered the ends of his/her robes. "Fools!" s/he bit out, than shook her/his head and changed the subject. "How is Shigure?"

"Stable."

Akito paced closer to the trio. "Do you have no idea what had caused it?" S/he asked.

Yuki absently took a step backwards, "Maybe…"

Kyo whipped his head at Yuki, "How would you know?" he whispered harshly.

Yuki glared at Kyo but said nothing.

Akito took a step closer. "Tohru did you recognize the smell?"

Tohru jumped at her name mentioned, and immediately bowed her head. "No, Akito-san…"

"Did you Kyo? Did you recognize that stench?" Akito sneered as s/he took a step towards the cat.

Kyo looked shocked. Of course he did, of course he did, "I-I…"

Akito's hand shot forth and grasped Kyo's wrist tightly. S/he squeezed roughly allowing her/his fingernails to sink into his skin. Kyo winced and tried unsuccessfully to pull away. "Fools. Fools!" s/he ranted. She grabbed the bracelet circled around Kyo's wrist, "Still don't recognize the smell?" she spat sarcastically, and then before Kyo could react she pulled the beads off Kyo's wrist. Cat's eyes widened as he watched his precious bead hit the floor.

Chapter End

A/N: Yea? Yea? Did anyone solve the first mystery yet? I hope so because it was blatantly obvious, heh. So, um, hope you enjoyed this chap, oh and "I LIKE REVIEWS."