Disclaimer: see first chapter
Scattered Papers ch. 5
The new year would be coming upon us soon, and Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo would be visiting the Sohma House as usual. However, I was invited too; Akito had sent word through Hatori to Shigure that I should attend the party as well, for special reasons. Needless to say, the anxiety I felt over attending the banquet was more than distracting. But finally, New Year's Eve came, and it was time to go to the Sohma House. My anxiety reached new heights.
Upon arriving at the grand Sohma House, all four of us were led into a large room and directed to our seats; I had to sit only with Kyo however, as all the Zodiac members sat together. Before we knew it, the festival was already underway. Not long after though, while the festivites created a soft chatter in the hall, I suddenly heard a voice behind me. It was Momiji.
"Tohru, can you come with me?" Momiji asked softly, making eye contact with Kyo as if to silently warn him not to interfere.
"Um, sure," I replied, leaving my seat. I felt a knot in my stomach begin to form, but I stood reluctantly. Briefly, I caught Shigure's eye from across the room, but quickly followed Momiji as he led me into a back hall. He led me past several rooms, turned, and finally stopped at a dimly lit room with the door standing open slightly.
"I have to leave you here, Tohru," Momiji said, and gave a weak but encouraging smile. As Momiji left, I had an instincual feeling of who would be behind that door. I took a breathe and stepped into the room.
"Good evening, Miss Honda," a slithery and fluid voice said as I entered. "I thought you'd be here right about now. Please, sit."
"I thought you'd be at the banquet," I said in an obvious, but futile, attempt at friendly and unthreatening conversation.
"Normally I would be," Akito replied. "but I have far more pressing matters on this occasion...Miss Honda. Do you understand the implications against you?" his voice writhed. I gulped.
"Shigure tells me...that I am at risk of being...expelled." The word expelled gave me a brief wave of fear before I continued. "If you expel me, what will happen to Shigure?" I urged, worry evident in my voice. Akito grinned with underlying malice.
"Miss Honda, don't act like it's the end of the world. You'll have a private meeting with Hatori, and...simply forget," Akito explained, as if it was an all too simple and trivial matter. "You can still be friends with us; you just won't know about us, is all. No one will be punished severely, and I promise you'll never hear of it." Akito made it sound so easy, but I knew better; I knew of Kana and Hatori, and the pain it caused everyone.
"I understand what you're saying, but I still don't know why" I said. "I know my words don't mean anything to you, but the most I can give you is the truth: that I kept my word, and have honored by sworn secrecy of your family's...condition. I would never betray you, or your family." I paused briefly and tried to collect myself. "The curse that you and your family live with is something private and personal, something that could threaten their place in society and life. I don't know the actual consequences of revealing the truth, but I can imagine, and I know it would be cruel and unfair to subject any one, or group, to such betrayal of trust." As I finished, I felt a despairing sigh fall from my lips. I had done nothing to help my cause. This was too much for me.
"Very touching, Miss Honda," Akito said as he began to rise above my sitting form. "But begging won't get you anywhere" he said almost casually. "I warn you, Miss Honda. Never, ever speak of my family that way again, or I will have you punished." Akito's voice was beginning to become threatening, and I felt helplessness in the back of my mind. "Pretending like you understand us won't win you sympathy or forgiveness!" Akito suddenly yelled. "We act friendly toward you because we have to, but we know what the consequences are! Don't you dare think we're not taking any chances by associating with you!" I gasped and felt my hand move to heart. I was so worried, I could feel tears threatening my eyes.
"Akito, I know I can never even begin to imagine your family's pain, but I do know that the Zodiac is only a small part of the Curse. It isn't fair that I be accepted so willingly into your family, but I have been despite the consequences. I can't name all the touching things that Shigure, Yuki, Kyo, and all the other Sohmas have done for me, and for that I am always thankful. The kindness they have shown me I couldn't return in a lifetime; keeping the Sohma Curse is the least I could do. I want to do more, and I try to all the time, but I am forever indebted to the Sohmas. For a family with so much pain in their lives, they're truly wonderful and gracious people." As I stopped, I thought I may have dimmed Akito's anger vaguely. "We all love you, Akito," I said, trying to ilicit some kind of a response. Akito turned suddenly and slapped me.
"Silence yourself, girl. Only wretched bitches such as yourself say such lies as-"
"Akito." Akito and I turned. In our fret, we had neglected to notice the door open. Shigure sat on bended knees at the threshold of the door. "The ceremonies are beginning," said Shigure. Akito turned to glare at me, and then returned his gaze to Shigure's reverent form.
"Yes; I'll be there," Akito replied, and left the room quickly.
I gasped and began to sob uncontrollably as Shigure threw his arms around me and began to rock me back and forth gently.
"Tohru, I'm so sorry," he said, and kissed my head. "I knew something was wrong when Momiji led you out of the hall. I was so scared for you, Tohru." Shigure's voice was beginning to crack, and it looked as if he was almost in tears. I clutched at his shirt and welcomed the safety his arms brought.
"Shigure, why-"
"Sshh," Shigure softly silenced me. "No words, Tohru, no words."
