Chapter ten

Bloody snow

"Look Kyo-kun it's snowing!" Tohru said. Kyo looked up at Tohru who was staring out the window at the new falling snow.

"Yeah. The first snow of winter," he said. Tohru faced him.

"A lot has happened in this past month hasn't it Kyo-kun?" Kyo nodded.

"Yeah a lot," Tohru returned to looking out the window.

"I wonder what's going to happen with Akito-san," she said, more to herself then to Kyo.

"What do you mean?" Kyo asked.

"Akito-san doesn't like winter and winter is when she usually has her more violent fits," Kyo saw her shiver slightly and anger at Akito rushed threw him. "She's been so quiet lately and tolerant," Kyo walked to her side.

"Make's you wonder what she's up too," he said. Tohru faced him and nodded.

"Yeah," suddenly the door opened and Uo-chan walked in.
"Tohru-kun, Akito asked me to tell you guys to close up," she said.

"Ok thank you Uo-chan," Tohru said as Uo-chan left.

"I wonder why Akito is letting us close up so early." Kyo asked. Tohru shrugged, as she got ready to close up. "I wonder if she's planning something that involves us closing early," Kyo pondered.

"Or maybe she thought it would be a waist of time to stay open when people are hurrying home, the snow is really falling now," Tohru added.

"If Akito was a normal person, I would agree with you, but she's not, I know she's up to something, I just don't know what it is," Kyo said. Tohru sighed.

"If she is planning something, we're stuck in it,"

"I heard that the store is going very well Tohru-kun," Uotani said as she sat down next to Tohru.

"Yeah. Kyo-kun has been such a great help. And how are you're jobs going Uo-chan, Hana-chan?" Uotani shrugged.

"Fine I guess. All we do is pick up after Akito and some of her workers. Luckily she hasn't had any of her wild fits,"

"The only fit she had had was over the rice she had for lunch today," Hanajima added.

"Yeah but she just yelled and ordered someone to bring her a new serving of rice and that's normal for her," Uotani pointed out.

"I guess you are correct,"

"Yeah. Akito seems to be holding back her anger. I wonder if she's up to something," Tohru bowed her head.

"Kyo-kun wondered the same thing. Do you think whatever Akito-san is planning, it has to do with Kyo-kun and me?" Tohru asked. Hanajima and Uotani exchanged glances and Uotani crossed her arms.

"It's possible. Akito did seem to like to pick on you but when Kyo Sohma came here, she started to leave you alone. Maybe it would be better if you didn't hang out with Kyo Sohma anymore,"

"I can't do that! He's my friend!" Tohru cried. Hanajima looked at her.

"So it's true, you have become friends with Kyo Sohma," Tohru nodded.

"Yes. And I can't leave him alone, epically if Akito-san is planning something for him; I can't let him face that alone!" Hanajima smiled and hugged her.

"That's are Tohru, strong and loving," Uotani looked at her, worriedly.

"But what if what Akito is planning is dangerous?" she asked.

"Then there's more reason for me to stay by Kyo-kun's side," Tohru answered. Uotani looked into Tohru's confident eyes.

"Alright and we'll help you every step of the way," Tohru smiled at them.

"Arigato,"

"Hey Sohma!" Kyo turned around to face Uotani.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Do you know anything about what Akito is planning?" Kyo looked at her, surprised.

"No," Uotani gave him a suspicious glance.

"Are you sure? If I find out you lied, you'll pay for it," she said, punching her fist into her hand, threatenly. Kyo cocked his head and smirked at her.

"And what are you going to do?" he asked. Uotani smirked back at him and a few seconds later, Kyo found himself laying on the ground, not sure of what had happened.

"Now do you remember anything?" she asked smiling. Kyo glared at her and stood up.

"Fine. All I know is she wants me to do something, what that is I don't know. Happy?"

"No! Knowing that being you're friend is putting Tohru-kun in danger doesn't make me happy! You probably don't even care!"

"I DO CARE!" Kyo yelled. The two glared at each other until Uotani smirked and crossed her arms.

"Really? Then why do you hang around Tohru when you know that it will end up hurting her?"

"If you're her friend, you should know the answer. Tohru wouldn't let me leave her alone, even if it was for her own good!" Uotani's eyes widened. 'He knows so much about Tohru. I'm a little bit jealous.'

"Last night I asked Tohru why she stayed by you when Akito's plan could be dangerous she said 'Then There's more reason for me to stay by Kyo-kun's side' now I understand what she was saying, you two really are friends and like a good friend, she won't let you face something like that alone. But, if anything happens to Tohru, I'll never forgive you," she turned around and waved her hand. "That was all I wanted to say, later," and she left. Kyo looked after her. 'Believe me; I'll never forgive myself if anything happened to Tohru either.'

"Kyo-kun, would you like to run an errand with me?" Tohru asked. Kyo shrugged.

"Sure. What are we getting?"

"Hana-chan asked me to get something she was sopost to get for Akito-san but she doesn't have the time,"

"What is it that Akito needs?" Kyo asked.

"I don't know, but I'm sure it's nothing good," Kyo looked over at her worried face.

"Tohru is it true that Akito participates in the black market?" he asked. Tohru clutched her fists and she looked away from Kyo. "Tohru?" Kyo touched her shoulder and saw that she was shaking. "Tohru?" she turned to face him and smiled.

"We better get going Kyo-kun," she said. Kyo looked down at her, surprised then smiled.

"Ok," 'If she doesn't want to tell me, that's fine.'

"Ah, it's snowing again!" Tohru said as they walked into the cold air. The entire streets of Kyoto and the top of homes and shops were covered with snow.

"Do you want me to go inside and get an umbrella?" Kyo asked. Tohru shook her head.

"No it's not snowing that hard,"

"Right," Kyo said and they started walking. "Do you know where we're sopost to pick up what ever Akito wants?" he asked.

"Yeah. There's a shop that sells kimonos and that's where we're going," Tohru answered. 'Huh, the only kimono store I know is owned by a man named Watsuki Takani who was known to also be involved with the black market. 'Now I know that Akito is somehow involved with the black market.' Kyo thought. 'But if that's true, why didn't Tohru tell me? Why is she keeping it a secret?'

"Kyo-kun, we're here," Kyo snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the shop they had stopped at. It looked almost like there's except selling only kimonos.

"So this is Watsuki Takani's shop?" Kyo asked. Tohru nodded as she slid the door open and walked in, Kyo right behind her. The shop was dim lit for the only light came from the windows. Tohru walked to the counter, bravely. "Excuse me, I'm here to collect a special package for Akito-san," a young woman faced her and nodded her head.

"That's right," she walked into a back room then came out carrying a package that was obviously not a kimono. She handed Tohru the package with a smile and Tohru returned it.

"Arigato. Let's go Kyo-kun," and the two of them walked back out into the cold. The wind was picking up and the snow was starting to fall harder. "I guess we should have brought an umbrella," Tohru said.

"Yeah. Let's hurry before it gets really bad," he grabbed her hand and they sped up their walk. "Tohru, why didn't you answer me when I asked if you knew if Akito was involved with the black market?" Kyo asked. Tohru looked up at him then lowered her gaze.

"I guess it's just habit," she answered. Kyo sped up and she stumbled but her caught her.

"Sorry," he muttered. He led her under a shop where there was a little bit of shelter and faced her.

"How long have you known she's been involved with the black market?" he asked.

"As long as I have been working for her. Uo-chan and Hana-chan some times are ordered to collect things or give them to someone else. What Takani-san had is probably another weapon she'll sell,"

"Then we can't give it to her," Kyo said firmly.

"What? Kyo we can't do that!" she cried.

"Yes we can and we will!" and he took the package from her and started walking back into the snow.

"Kyo-kun wait!" Tohru grabbed the back of his Yukata. "If we do that Akito well have you killed," Kyo turned to face her.

"Yeah but still," Tohru took a step closer and rested her head against his chest.

"I don't want you to get killed Kyo-kun," Kyo looked down at her and rested his hands on her shoulders. 'She's shaking. Does Akito really frighten her that much?' He slid his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

"You don't have to worry about me but Arigato. Arigato for carrying about me," Tohru sobbed and she hugged him back, and they stood there with the snow falling around them.

"Tohru-kun! What happened? You're clothes are soaked!" Hanajima said as Tohru entered their room.

"Kyo-kun and I went on the errand you sent us on," Tohru answered.

"And where's the package?" Uotani, who was beside Hanajima, asked. Tohru bowed her head.

"Kyo-kun took it from me. I tried to stop him but he said that we shouldn't let Akito get her hands on something that's from the black market and he's right!"

"But both of you will be killed! I don't care that much about Sohma but Tohru, I don't want you to die over a mistake someone else made!" Uotani cried.

"It's not all Kyo-kun's fault! I agreed with him. What Akito-san is doing is not right!"

"We know that Tohru-kun but there's nothing we can do about that," Hanajima said.

"What are you going to tell Akito?" Uotani asked. Silence seized the room as Tohru bowed her head.

"I'll just have to tell her the truth," she muttered.

"But she'll kill you! Or get really close to killing you!" Uotani cried. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and it slid open and one of Akito's maids appeared.

"Tohru-san, Akito-sama wishes to speak to you," Horror took over Uotani and Hanajima faces as Tohru followed the woman too the door. She turned to her friends and smiled at them.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine," and the door closed.

"Ah, Honda-san, welcome," Akito said as Tohru walked into her dimly let room.

"Good evening Akito-san," Tohru said timidly as she sat across from her. Akito gave her a smile that made chills run up Tohru's spine. "So Akito-san, what is it that you wished to talk to me about?" Tohru asked.

"As you know, I do business with Watsuki Takani-san," Akito watched Tohru to see what effects her words would have on her then she stood up. "Today I asked Hanajima-san if she could collect something from Takani-san but she was to busy so, she sent you and Sohma-san to collect it for her. So, what I want to know is where my package is," Akito looked down at Tohru and saw her look away. Akito bent down a little bit, grabbed Tohru by the hair, and forced her to look up at her. "Where is it Honda-san?" she asked dangerously. Tohru bit her lip and said nothing. Akito gave her hair a painful yank. "Where is it?" she screamed. Tohru shook her head making Akito throw her into the wall. "My patients with you is running thin Honda-san," Tohru slowly got to her knees.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Akito glared at her and walked over to her.

"I'll ask you one more time, where is it?" Tohru looked up at her.

"I don't have it," Akito yelled out in fury and slapped Tohru, forcing her to the ground again.

"YOU DON'T HAVE IT? THEN WHO DOES HAVE IT?" she asked.

"I can't tell you," Tohru answered. Akito clutched her fists and kicked Tohru in the side, making her gasp.

"Tell me now or I'll kill you!" Akito yelled. Tohru curled up in a ball but looked up at Akito with brave eyes.

"NO! What you're doing is wrong Akito-san!" Akito bit her lip and kicked Tohru again.

"WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO TELL ME THAT?" Akito continued kicking Tohru who kept shrinking away from her. 'Kyo-kun I'm sorry.' Tohru thought, tears running down her cheeks. 'I have no choice but to tell her.' suddenly the door slid open and Uotani and Hanajima, followed by Shigure and Ayame ran in.

"Tohru!" Shigure and Ayame grabbed Akito and dragged her away from Tohru as Uotani and Hanajima rushed to Tohru's side.

"LET GO OF ME!" Akito ordered.

"Akito please calm down!" Shigure begged as he and Ayame fought to keep a hold of her.

"I'M NOT FINISHED WITH HER!" Akito screamed.

"Yes you are!" Uotani yelled back as she and Hanajima jumped in front of Tohru.

"Release me!"

"Not until you've calmed down!" Ayame answered. Akito continued to fight for her freedom but slowly she grew tiered and finally she stopped fighting all together. Slowly Shigure and Ayame released her. Suddenly Akito lunged forward and knocked Uotani and Hanajima down. But Tohru wasn't behind them. She rushed forward and flung the door that led to the garden. There was no sign of anyone there. The only thing abnormal was little drops of blood mixed in with the snow.

There you go! Chapter 10! I'm actually a little early with this one, I guess. Now this story's getting interesting. Yay! Please review!