Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.

Ah, the confrontation with Akito! For those of you who actually read this I'll shut up and let you move on - and for those who don't, I have nothing to say to you.

Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome.


"Glad to see you're on time," Hatori commented, meeting them after they had been shown through the house to Akito's room. The doctor was waiting outside, his arms crossed casually across his chest. "Akito doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"Why aren't I surprised you're involved?" Haru muttered, and the older man shot him a look.

"Keep your temper – Akito heard about the incident from Rin and completely lost his decorum. Apparently, he didn't tell Rin to do anything."

"Oh," Jenna blinked, growing more nervous as the seconds ticked by. Hatori glanced at her, and placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.

"Don't worry. I'll be waiting right here, and Hatsuharu is allowed to go in with you," he told her, with a tight smile. She returned with a nervous grin of her own, before turning back to the defensive-looking Ox.

"Haru?"

"Come on, we might as well get it over with. His bark is worse than his bite," Haru said shortly, going into the room first. Hatori closed his eyes as the door shut behind them, and shook his head in regret.


"So, this is Jenna Stevenson," Akito said expressionlessly, as she sat down with her legs folded underneath her, with Haru beside her and glaring at Akito. "What an honor to finally meet you."

"The honor is mine, Akito-sama," she replied quietly, deciding to add the honorific.

"Come now, there's no need for formality, is there?" he asked, in what Jenna assumed was a cheerful tone. "After all, we're practically family, from what I understand. You've been leading this dumb Ox around by his nose for months now."

"I'm afraid that's not the case, Akito-sama," she told him calmly, and he frowned at her. Haru tensed next to her, but Jenna kept her eyes downcast. "Hatsuharu has merely been a good friend to me, that's all."

"Oh, I see," he said, sneering. "I understand Izumi and you had a little misunderstanding a few days ago. I don't appreciate you disrupting the Sohma lives, Jenna."

"I apologize, Akito-sama," she managed, gritting her teeth in frustration. She hated bowing down to this man, but if doing so would enable her to remain seeing the Sohma, than she decided she would do what was necessary. "It was never my intention to –"

"Who do you think you are?" he demanded suddenly, and she looked up in surprise. Akito's eye flashed angrily at her, and he had half-risen to his feet. "Do you think you'll be our savior, like that witch Tohru Honda thought? Do you think you're better than the Sohma?"

"Of course not, Akito-sama."

"Don't lie to me!" he ordered, getting to his feet and pacing the room. Haru stiffened in his seat, and Jenna's gaze followed the agitated man anxiously. "I know what you're up to! You want to destroy the Sohma! And you decided that the stupid Ox next to you would be the easiest to seduce first!"

"Akito!" Haru interrupted angrily. Jenna realized that he was Black, and mentally groaned.

"How dare you!" Akito said, his tone one of wonderment. "How dare you to challenge my authority! Have you forgotten you're just the dumb Ox, Hatsuharu, that was stupid enough to let himself be used? And you're still letting yourself be used by this whore!"

"That's enough!" the Ox said, shooting to his feet. Jenna sat up straighter, but wasn't sure what to do. "Not another word, Akito! We're leaving!"

"You don't leave until I say so!" Akito shouted back, and Jenna backed up as he advanced toward her. Haru stepped in-between them and Akito shoved him angrily, but the Ox remained firm. The enraged head of the Sohma stalked to the other side of the room, and Jenna got to her feet nervously.

"You think you're so great, Akito," Haru said quietly, his eyes still Black. "But you're just a spoiled bastard who likes to toy with people."

"Enough!" Akito screamed, and whirled around. They realized that he had thrown a sharp letter-opener at Haru and Jenna reacted without thinking, pushing Haru to the side.

"Jenna!" Haru gasped, as she cried out in pain as the dagger-like object buried itself in her left shoulder.

"See what you've done?" Akito asked her, laughing wildly. Hatori rushed into the room and froze for a moment, the scene before vividly reminding him of himself and Kana. "See what you've done, you bitch? You brought this on yourself!"

"That's enough for now, Akito," Hatori said sternly, as Haru crouched next to the girl. "I'll take them from your sight now."

"Yes, do that," Akito nodded, suddenly calm. "I'm tired now."

"Come on, help me get her out," Hatori ordered the Ox quietly, as he heaved Jenna upright and supported her weight on his shoulder. The two men quickly left the room with Jenna, leaving Akito alone in his room sulking to himself.


"Are you all right, Jenna?" Haru asked, as they arrived at Hatori's office. "You shouldn't have done that!"

"You would've gotten it in the chest," she panted, as the Ox pressed a compress against the wound. "It's not that bad. It's only a letter-opener, after all. Stop acting like I've been fatally wounded."

"You're lucky your nerves weren't severed," Hatori informed her shortly, rummaging through his supplies quickly and returning with bandages. "Now, Hatsuharu, leave the room so I can bandage Jenna up in privacy."

"Sure," Haru nodded, becoming slightly flustered as he closed the door behind him.

"Jenna…that wasn't the wisest thing to do," Hatori said quietly, as she took her dress off hesitantly.

"But, Hatori –"

"However, the wisest thing is not always the right thing," he continued, calmly interrupting her protests. She blinked in surprise and gazed at him, wincing when he cleaned the wound.

"Ow!"

"It's pretty deep, but not life-threatening," he commented, and she sighed in relief.

"I didn't think it would be. Of course, I didn't really think back there," she added ruefully. "I don't know what came over me…I just didn't want Haru to get hurt because of me." Hatori eyed her silently over her shoulder as he finished the bandage.

"You'll be all right in a day or two," he told her, prudently turning away as she pulled her outfit back on. "Just keep the wound cleaned. I'm afraid the dress is ruined, though."

"It's no big deal," she shrugged.

"Haru, you can come back in now," Hatori called, and the Ox instantly reappeared in the room, looking worried.

"It's not serious, so get that look off your face," Jenna ordered, now feeling a little embarrassed about her actions at the main house. "You look like I'm taking my last breaths or something."

"I'll take you home," Haru told her, and she nodded before turning to Hatori.

"Thanks, Hatori. I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused," she said, before wrapping her arms around his right arm tightly, not wanting him to transform. The Dragon looked taken aback for a moment before patting her on the back softly,

"It's no trouble," he told her in a low tone as she released him. Haru had already left, feeling a little embarrassed, and Jenna gave the doctor one last smile before closing the door behind her as she left to follow the Ox outside.


"You sure you feel okay?" Haru checked, as they had to stop at a red light.

"Yes!" she said, shaking her head. "Haru, that's the sixth time you've asked me since we left."

"You don't act like it doesn't hurt," he pointed out. "You're not putting any pressure on it, and leaning on your other shoulder instead." Jenna paused, surprised by this sudden astuteness, and then shrugged with a small wince.

"I didn't say it didn't hurt," she told him. "Just that I'm fine."

"I wish you hadn't had gotten hurt, but I can't say that I'm surprised Akito acted like he did," Haru said regretfully, and glanced sideways at the young woman before moving the car once more. "I'm sorry, though."

"I did it because…I just did it," she finished uncomfortably. "Not to get thanks or whatever, so please quit saying that. You guys have done so much for me already."

"It seems like you're always getting hurt around us," he said in a monotone, and she glanced at him in surprise, realizing his observation was actually right on the money. "I wish that didn't happen." Jenna turned to stare out the window silently, unable to think of anything to say to the Ox.


"I'll be fine," Jenna told him as he followed her into the house, closing the door behind him. "Hatsuharu, I wish you didn't keep acting like you are. I like you better when you act like a complete –"

"Like this?" he asked, suddenly pulling her to him from behind, leaning his cheek against hers as he bent down to get on her eye-level. Jenna found herself at a loss for words and noticed through the haze that his left arm was cupping her injured shoulder, as the other wrapped around itself around her hips. "Jenna, I don't want you to get hurt anymore," he whispered in her ear, and her eyes widened as he continued. "I want you to move somewhere else and forget about the Sohma."

"What?" she demanded, pulling from his grasp and whirling around to face him. "Haru, what's gotten into you? Now you're acting like an idiot! I'm not moving!"

"He only wants to keep you from more harm, Jenna."

"Momiji?" she gasped, and he looked sheepish for a moment.

"The door was unlocked, so I came in to check on you," he shrugged, and resumed a serious stance. "Jenna, I don't want you hurt either. This incident with Akito – and with Rin – is only going to get worse. Akito's dying and he's going insane as he gets closer to death. Hatori has no idea what Akito might get into his head next. Tohru's fine with Kyo, but you're alone here."

"You can't seriously think Akito would try to have me killed," she began skeptically, but their expressions silenced her words.

"You don't understand what Akito is capable of, Jenna," Haru said thickly. "He tortured Yuki physically and mentally for years until Shigure agreed to take him away. He's beaten Rin and Kisa, attacked Tohru and Momiji, and many other horrible things. He's a monster on earth, and something the Sohma are punished with as a result of our curse."

"Haru…Momiji…" Jenna managed, and suddenly shook her head in protest. "I won't! How can I just abandon you – just because of this?" she asked pleadingly, gesturing to her shoulder. "I've had worse – and I'm cursed too, remember."

"Shigure broke it," Haru began, but she rushed on.

"No! Maybe I don't see spirits anymore, but I can sense death – and it's everywhere on the Sohma," she informed them, and they noticed a slight shiver run through her body. "And I have to do what I can to help because I promised Shigure. And I need to find out why –"

"Why what?" Momiji asked curiously, but she shook her head.

"It's nothing. But I won't go," she said stubbornly, glaring at the two young men. They were used to Tohru, in her calm manner and her method of getting her own way without any of the Sohma realizing she had, but Jenna's angry defiance was unexplored territory and they were sure they had no clue how to deal with it.

Nevertheless, they tried anyway.


Several minutes later, they found themselves on the curb trying to figure out how they ended up there so quickly.
"Stupid idiots," Jenna grumbled, blinking back the angry tears in her eyes as she changed into her pajamas. "Thinking they can make me move…they make it sound so simple. Protect me…I wish I could protect them."

Crawling into bed, she pulled the blankets over her head as a late snow began to fall from the sky.


"Would you calm down already!" Momiji yelled – something he had grown quite good at since his voice had deepened – as Haru stalked down the street.

"Wanna try and make me, ya little pussy Rabbit?" he growled, and Momiji sighed patiently. Ever since they had been thrown out by Jenna, the Ox had been Black – more Black than usual, even going so far as to attack a street lamp because it wouldn't get out of his way.

"Destroying public property isn't going to get us anywhere fast," the Rabbit pointed out, as Haru attempted to bash in a mailbox.

"Shut your fucking mouth!" Haru ordered. He suddenly staggered backward when Momiji slugged him out of the blue and looked at his normally-pacifist cousin in shock.

"I thought that'd calm you down momentarily," the blonde said in satisfaction, brushing his hands off. "I've actually wanted to do that for years, to be honest. It always seemed like fun whenever Kyo or Yuki tried. Easier than I thought."

"You little bastard!" Haru shouted, but Momiji side-stepped his blow and tied to appease his even-more-pissed-off cousin.

"Listen, Hatsuharu. I like Jenna, but you love her, don't you?" he accused, and Haru froze. "I like her a lot, but it's clear to anyone that you're in love with her," Momiji continued, grateful his guess had been correct and had stopped his cousin from clobbering him. "Akito knows it – you know how he treated Kisa, and Rin, and Kureno. What makes you think he'll stop with them? If you want her to be safe until he's finally dead, you'll stop acting like such an asshole and calm down. Every time you go Black it's obvious it has to do with Jenna, and it only makes Akito angrier since he can't manipulate your emotions anymore. Do you get what I'm saying?"

"So, you're saying I shouldn't love Jenna," Haru said, taking deep breaths to stop himself from killing the Rabbit in front of him. Most of him really, really wanted to, but a little voice in his head said maybe people wouldn't be so happy as he would if Momiji's body was found in a river a few miles away.

"No – but you should keep control over your temper," Momiji corrected, sighing in relief that Haru had apparently decided against murder for the time being.

"I see," Haru said calmly, and turned away quickly. After remaining still for a moment he began to amble down the sidewalk and Momiji realized he was once again White. The Rabbit quickly rushed after the Ox, grateful it wasn't his last night alive.


"Oh man," Jenna groaned, pulling the shade aside and promptly being blinded by the snow. "Damn it – I'm gonna have to shovel, aren't I?" she grumbled, kicking the sheets off from around her legs and shuffling off to the bathroom to try to wake up properly.

Once she had dressed, another look outside revealed the weather was warm, since the snow was already melting and turning into nothing but puddles and slush. Sighing in relief she grabbed her coat and locked the door behind her, deciding to walk to her job instead of using her car and thought absently that she never really used it much anyway. Thankful she had decided for heeled boots and boot-cut slacks instead of shoes and a skirt like usual she made her way down the street, shrugging off the feeling that something was going to happen that day.


"Why do you look so happy?" Jenna asked suspiciously, seeing her coworker beam at her as she strode through the door into the office.

"I could as you why you look so gloomy, but neither of us'd get answers, would we?" Natsuki replied cheerfully, and resumed shuffling papers on her desk. Jenna eyed her nervously as she took a seat at her own space and couldn't help but glance at the woman sideways as Natsuki hummed to herself.

"Oh no," Jenna gasped, abruptly recalling her friend's promise.

"Oh no what?" she asked innocently, and Jenna knew her fears were well-founded.

"Natsuki, you didn't find someone for me to meet today, did you?" she managed, and Natsuki straightened with a wink and laugh.

"Yep! He's so well-mannered, quiet, calm, and considerate I thought he'd be the perfect guy for you!" she informed Jenna, who managed a weak smile.

"Did you now…If he's so perfect, why aren't you still dating him?" she asked suspiciously, and Natsuki waved her hand dismissively.

"We never got past the 'Miss Natsuki' stage – too polite for me."

"Why does that sound familiar?" Jenna mused, returning to her work and tuning out her chattering friend.


"He's here!" Natsuki called, waving at Jenna from a window by the door. "Get back in your seat – I didn't tell him he was going to meet you yet!"

"Natsuki, I'll kill you later," Jenna replied calmly, secretly trying to sneak out the back and failing. She stared down at her papers as she heard the young man come into the room and half-listened to Natsuki's obvious attempt to introduce them. Suddenly, the voice clicked in her mind and she looked up abruptly, only to stare right into violet eyes.

"Hello, Miss Stevenson," Yuki said calmly, smiling slightly at her surprise.

"Y-Yu-Yuki?" she stammered.

"You know each other?" Natsuki asked in confusion, as Jenna recovered from the shock.

"Yes, only slightly however," Yuki nodded, and turned back to the stunned young woman. "Since Miss Natsuki went through all the trouble of getting me here, why don't we go out for lunch? My treat, to celebrate our meeting once more."

"Um, yeah, sounds great!" Jenna nodded, grabbing her bag. "That sounds fine to me. See ya later, Natsuki!"

"Have fun you two!" she called teasingly, as they strode out the door.


"Yuki, what are you doing in Japan?" Jenna asked, as they sat outside a café waiting for their lunch to arrive. "Momiji told me you were overseas studying!"

"I came back for spring break," he replied calmly. "Miss Natsuki and I didn't really date, but she was very…energetic. When she told me she wanted me to meet a friend of hers, I didn't think it would do any harm. But I certainly didn't expect you to be the friend."

"Yeah, well…what can I say," she laughed nervously, shrugging. "Natsuki's determined to find me the perfect man. She means well, but I only agreed to it to get her off my back, to be honest. I'm kinda grateful it's you, instead of one of the strange nuts she's been dating."

"Yes, I suppose I'm an improvement," Yuki agreed in amusement.


"So, how'd it go?" Natsuki asked eagerly, and Jenna shot her a grin as she returned to her desk, hanging her jacket on the back of her chair.

"It went fine. But I'm not going to date Yuki, Natsuki. He's just an old friend, that's all. Talk about coincidences," she informed her friend, who pouted in disappointment.

"No wonder you've never had a boyfriend, Jenna," she said. "With that attitude, it's no surprise. What ever happened to Mr. Couch-man, anyway?" Her question took Jenna by surprise, who had hoped Natsuki had forgotten about that incident, but her pause gave the other woman the wrong idea. "Oh, I see."

"Natsuki! Cut that out – it's nothing like that!" Jenna shouted, and Natsuki looked at her in surprise.

"Okay, okay, calm down. No need to get your panties in a knot," she replied calmly, and Jenna hung her head in defeat.


No, there's not going to be any Yuki romance in this story! I just thought it'd be funny if he ended up being the friend Natsuki tried to set her up with, ya know? And I tried inserting a little humor throughout the story, to lighten the mood a little bit. I'm not very good at writing dark stuff. Please review!