Chapter Five -

Hatori's POV

No, this couldn't be happening.

Hatori lay bound and gagged in the corner of Akito's torturing room. After begging the God to punish him instead of Ayame, he found himself being attacked by Kureno and two other Sohma men.

The dragon had put up a fight, but he was still tied up and shoved into the corner. Akito had disappeared for quiet sometime, and Hatori had lost track of time. He had several head injuries, and slipped out of conscious at least once.

When he wakes again, he sees Ayame standing in the middle of the room. Akito was touching his naked body and saying hurtful things to the snake. Hatori tries to scream out, and wriggle his way from his bindings, but only succeeds in groaning. Ayame looks up, but obviously the darkness prevented him from seeing his lover.

"So snake, are you going to admit what you've done?" Akito's cold voice asks. "I—I allowed Hatori to find out about my feelings. I stole him from you. I should be punished Akito-Sama. I am deeply sorry."

Hatori watches as Ayame drops to his knees and begins to cry. No, this wasn't right. Akito had no right to make Ayame feel sorry for his feelings. No one should be punished for what they feel. Yet here the snake was taking punishment for telling the dragon his feelings.

Anger surges through the dragon's body. He watches in horror as Ayame picks up a whip, and begins to savagely beat Ayame. With each hit, the snake cries out in pain, and Hatori's heart clinches.

He couldn't stand to watch anymore.

Strength siphoned from his anger, enables the dragon to struggle at his bonds and snaps them. Even though the rope had painfully dug into his skin, it didn't matter. All he cared about was getting to Ayame and saving him from the pain.

Spitting out the gag, Hatori unties the ropes around his feet. Akito was now dragging a knife down Ayame's back. She had apparently grown tired of the whip.

"No! Stop this right now!" Hatori screams launching himself forward. Akito and Ayame both look up, shocked.

"H-How did you break free?" Akito mumbles looking frightened.

"The power of love made me stronger. I couldn't lie there and watch you hurt the one I love." Ayame begins to sob.

"No Tori-San. Leave now. She'll hurt you." Another knife goes into Hatori's heart.

All the snake could think about right now was the dragon getting hurt. He didn't even care that he himself was being beaten. "Aya for once in your life, forget about me, and worry about yourself. Fight her, you stronger than she is."

Ayame's eyes flood with emotion. He seemed to want to believe, but yet wasn't. "Aya please. Your hurting me by letting yourself get injured. Please run." Like slap across the face, the snake seems to get the picture. He takes off running towards the dragon and embraces him firmly. Hatori looks at Akito.

The God looked shocked and angry. Any moment now, she would call for her minions, and they would be in deep trouble. "Akito, listen to me. I love Ayame, as much as you hate that fact, I really wish you would accept it. I won't leave you. I promise, but you need to stop being so cruel. All of the members of the Sohma family love you. Weather they feel forced or naturally, so please, just once let someone be happy. Then maybe you'll be happy too. I promise if you never want to see Ayame again, I shall keep him from you sight." Ayame tenses at the slight insult, but Hatori gently rubs the snake's side.

"Get dressed." He whispers, his eyes never leaving Akito. The woman seemed to be thinking about what the dragon had said.

"Fine!" She spits. "Fine, whatever. Just get out of my sight. I don't want to see either of you for quite sometime. If I need medical attention, you better be ready to come immediately."

Hatori stood shocked. She was actually agreeing to let them be? This was a miracle.

"Thank you Akito-Sama- San. We appreciate your kindness." The God seems to smirk slightly at the complement. "Yeah whatever. Just leave."

Hatori nods, and helps a shaking Ayame finish getting dressed. They walk out of the room, and both start to sob.

Had they really dodged the bullet? Or was this just a ploy?