Chapter Six -

Ayame's POV

Ayame clung to Hatori has they walk out to the dragon's car.

The snake couldn't stop shaking. What had just happened had driven him to the point of metal breakdown. What had Hatori been doing in the corner? Was he there all the time Akito had been torturing him? No, that couldn't have been. He would have tried to help. Unless he wasn't able to. Would Akito goes as far as to tie up her beloved dragon? The snake's answer, was yes.

They drive away from the Sohma estate in silence. Neither could bring themselves to speak it seemed.

Finally Hatori asks, "Are you all right? Wait that's a stupid question. Of course you aren't all right. What I meant was are you in a lot of physical pain." Ayame shakes his head.

"No. I'm fine. But what happened back there? Are we free to love each other now?" How could Akito just let them be. She would never do that, would she?

"I don't know Aya. I really don't know. That's what she said, but I don't believe it. For now, we need to get as far away from here as possible. We aren't even going back to your place. We need to go somewhere they can't find us. At least for a while."

Ayame watched the dragon as he spoke. The anger in his eyes was terrifying. The snake knew where it was coming from, and where it would be directed later.

"Hatori I'm sorry. I went because I knew I had too. I was afraid of what would happen if I didn't. Akito might have—" Hatori cuts across the snake. "Ayame not now. I don't want to say something I'll regret later." The dragon hisses the words through clinched teeth.

Ayame was taken aback. He was feeling awful for what he had done. Now Hatori was angry with him.

They drive in silence, until they reach Ayame's apartment. "Just grab what you need for the week. Make it quick."

The snake winces at Hatori's harsh words. He seemed to bark out the orders. "Okay Tori-San." Ayame mumbles. He shuffles to his apartment, and quickly packs some clothes to get by on. Hatori raced into the apartment, and grabs the bag he had brought to the snake's house.

"Let's go." He says. He nearly jerks Ayame out of the apartment and back to the car.

Once back on the road, Ayame decides to speak. "Hatori?" The dragon's eyes flash dangerously, as they continue to stare at the road.

"Hatori, your angry with me I know. But I told you I had to go for fear of what would happen. Please stop being so mad." The snake could feel tears welling up. He turns to look out the window, and pulls the sleeve of his shirt up.

Scars covered the skin, but right now all Ayame could concentrate on was the searing pain in his back. After all Akito had whipped him before Hatori had showed up. The snake groans as he feels the blood wet and sticky through his black shirt. "Tori-San…..I……need…….." Hatori growls angrily, a sign to be silent.

"Okay. Never mind." Ayame whispers.

He leans his head against the window as the air conditioner blows on his heated face. If he leaned forward slightly, he could make the pain ease up. He closes his eyes to relieve his pain. Hi head swims slightly, and he decides to take a nap. Hatori wouldn't mind.

As he drifts off to the offered darkness, he doesn't even realize that he had passed out.

What do you think so far? Hopefully everyone is enjoying the fic. I know it's pretty dark, but isn't that what makes you love it? Review please.