Seasons of Sorrow

by HelloKat

One act that will bind & divide the family. One act that will sever the bond to their 'God'. In one year, all stood around…waiting on this banquet to end as it was always supposed to end. And this family will tear itself apart to accomplish this.

70. Embers of Summer's Glory 70

NEW SYNOPSIS:
Those that sought to be her enemies were his. There was no way around that, he now knew. As children and now as young adults, their struggles never ceased…their enemies never rested. Time and again they sought to tear them apart…to tear their sacred bond. As if Akito would allow that to happen…as if he'd betray her to cut their bond…

All stood around…waiting on this banquet to end as it was always supposed to end. And this family will tear itself apart to accomplish this.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fruits Basket. None. Never have, never will.

---

Embers of Summer's Glory
Chapter 70: When Our House Falls…

---

Where once was light
Now darkness falls…

---

"Retrieval of all necessary documents are coming through as we speak."

"The security personnel you requested are on standby."

"At first light, this must come to pass."

"We don't have the support of the outer factions—"

"We have enough! If we're to succeed, now is the time!"

"Akito will be severe in her punish—"

"A DEAD head is of no concern—"

"And you know this for fact?!"

"She's not been heard from in WEEKS!"

"Hardly qualifies!"

"And that brat she appointed is of no consequence—"

"He's the NEZUMI—"

"IT'S A DAMN STORY, NOTHING MORE!"

"To you! To the others, it's their LIFE, your wife included!"

"She will accept OUR decision so long as we all STICK TOGETHER. The others will fall in line with her."

"There is NO GOING BACK for any of us that go through with this!"

"EXACTLY."

"Gentlemen…"

Sohma Seto and the other family council members turned to the man who entered into this secluded office.

"Are we ready?"

The reluctant council member was very much a ball of nerves outwardly, but nodded in the affirmative nonetheless.

"Seto-san, do you have your personnel on stand-by?"

"Of course! We should aim to retrieve the Nezumi now—"

"He's confined at the Honke along with Akito. It's best to leave them there for now."

"Cutting off any possible access to the Nezumi is vital—"

"I'm trying to avoid unnecessary attention. If you go grab those two now, it will sound all alarms within the family before we have a stronghold on the situation."

"Our hold will be tenuous at best if they're not secured!"

"Making this all legitimate takes precise timing on the company's servers and whatever actions we take."

"I've already prepared the documents and have our people in place."

"Each of us will have the needed personnel to do this, yes?"

"It is done."

"Then let's act now…while the night is still upon us."

"Where do we start first then?"

---

Where once was love,
Love is no more.

---

Heavy thumps, heavy breathing…aches felt all over…still, she dared not stop.

She would turn one corner. She would continue walking until she turned a different corner. Right instead of left…left instead of right. Repeating the same steps over and over.

The halls never ended.

The bursts of light from unseen windows would be the only light that pierced the pitch darkness surrounding her. So much like a lightning storm yet no thunder followed. But after so long in the dark, she could tell the differences in the subtle darkness to the pitch blackness that was just ahead of her. And the bursts of light were enough to recognize that the doors on either side of her were simply rice-paper doors…each with a beautiful design…none ever alike. Some had waterscapes; others had vivid-colored flowers set against intricate designs of gardens. Yet, there were those not so peaceful…not so innocent.

She turned away from those as quickly as she could…never stopping.

She longed to open a door to be out of the hallways…any door. She gave up trying to open one long ago.

It didn't like it when she attempted it.

At times, the burst of light were of a long enough duration that she could see the walls, ceiling, floors…all solid, beautifully polished wood, ebony maybe, with intricate carvings.

Something is wrong. It's been too long. What was it waiting for?

Her brisk stride saw no pause in its urgency…and there was no ending to the halls before her.

The 'visits' from it were more like stabs to the head…the screeching was so loud. But the stench…it was worse than she can ever remember a smell being. The long duration from its last visit was leaving her on an edge that her frail sanity could no longer withstand.

She wanted it to end…all of it. Even if her last breath should be in this sordid nightmare, then let it all end here and now.

(BANG, BANG)

Again with the earth-shattering shudder. The walls, the ground, the very air trembled with each loud bang. That was always distinctive…each bang was clearly something trying to force its way into this…hellish nightmare of halls and floors that lead to nowhere.

'They're coming in!'

NO. RUN.

And she does. This cycle was all too familiar now…

'BURN THEM ALL!'

She was running full on now…away from the screams of death and raw anger…such hate. She slammed against walls and slipped but ran hard. She felt those hot embers licking her heels, though there was no fire to be seen. Her heart would burst now if it could do so in a dream. But dreams are not always so kind…

She was tired…so, so very tired that she didn't see it until she ran into it straight on.

"WHAT IS YOUR NAME?!"

Always the same question…and it hated her answer each time. Who knew that the Cat's second form would speak in a voice that clearly wasn't Kyo's, let alone ask a strange question in a dream that doesn't exist? She would've laughed if she had any strength left.

Softly, she answered, "Akito…always, Akito."

The screech that followed pierced her being each and every time. Why can't her answer be enough? It was not what it wanted to hear, obviously, but what else should she say? It's a fool game at this rate, and each time it was getting angrier. This time it banged the walls and floors with its head…the stench becoming so unbearable. She wished she could throw up…but these are not kind dreams.

There…a sound. She knows not what it was, but it was at least something other than what she was exposed to here thus far. It was so distant…but clear. Very clearly now…a key…from a piano. She would know its timbre anywhere. And she knew who struck each chord.

She thought for a moment that the small, insignificant sound would be drowned out by the 'other' Cat's discontent. But there it was…distant but oh so clear. And so she ran.

She never thought she could cry as much as she did then.

---

Don't say - goodbye
Don't say - I didn't try...

---

"They're coming."

The yell in his lungs that never spewed forth woke him. He slapped his small lamp to light up the room further in its soft luminosity. He struggled to get out of his sheets, so well wrapped were they around his legs. Kicking them off, he crawled from the bed that felt like it was trying to swallow him whole. The room now felt like a stifling oven, he was certain, so he opened the shoji door leading out to the courtyard. He stayed where he was and prayed for a small breeze to blow through.

A strong gust of wind met his clammy face. 'That'll do'.

Heaving heavily, he realized only then that he ripped his oxygen mask off his face in his endeavors to run from his bed. Thankfully, he was only feeling his heart pound more than anything. Perhaps he'll be weaned off the damned machine soon. Wouldn't that be nice?

Still, who could blame the Rat, as he sunk to the floor and let out a big sigh as he steadied both heart and breath…oh, great, here comes the nausea…

'The dark can't scream, can it? But it did…I know it. I can't remember the details, but that much I know happened…the screams in the dark. There were words being said, though. But that smell…something was burning. It was all around in the dark.'

Little known and even less shared fact—he's had these dreams before, in a much different time but same place…here at the Honke. He was too young to remember what age, but, boy, did he remember those awful dreams, the terror they evoked. Never again would he sleep without a light source of some sort close at hand. It was how Akito would use this to his disadvantage…to train him as she put it.

He chose then to put those dark thoughts back into his sad past. Focus on the now.

No use staying here. The room was still too confining, and his nausea was not abating in the least. But most of all, he had no intention of going back to sleep, no way. Reaching for his crutch, he stood up tiredly and changed into his everyday clothes. Grabbing his cell, he confirmed the late hour and slowly headed to the only place he knew at that instant he had to be.

The hallways had windows that rattled with each strong gust of wind. Slow, steady steps down softly lit hallways led him to where no sane person would find themselves at this late hour. He hoped in any case. Servants had these halls softly lit for a reason…one never knew the hour when the clan head would demand to be tended to. Akito had a reputation for wanting the oddest snacks at very odd hours of the night.

Reaching the room of his choice, he opened the door carefully and closed it after he got in. Leaving his crutch by the door, he gingerly turned to his ultimate goal…it seemed like a lifetime since he last played the keys of this old piano. He frowned upon noticing then that the flowering blooms were no more than dried stems. How careless of him, to forget to have them replaced every few days. Not since before the tournament…

He grabbed hold of the vase and thrust open the doors leading out to the courtyard. He poured out the dried roses with the foul-smelling water and came back in, quickly closing the door behind him.

'I'll get fresh flowers later. No need to have a reminder of death lying around.'

He smiled wryly at that…he was sure that was a thought Akito would've had. He turned then to the instrument that drew him here. As he sat down before it, he lifted the lid and quietly observed each key, recalling what sound each stroke could produce. And with each stroke, a memory came forth, with Ayame…Haru, Kisa, Tohru. Then came Kureno…Akito…

He hadn't realized he was playing a tune until he felt the shake to his shoulder.

"Yuki?"

His head lurched to over his shoulder to see Hatori standing next to him. It seemed like the good doctor was also having issues with his sleep if his rumpled shirt, slacks and tired eyes were any clue.

"I saw from the office that you left your light on," remarked tiredly the doctor as he removed his glasses to rub his eyes in consternation. In explanation, he continued, "Your door to the courtyard was left wide open. Really, could you give me more of an attack to the heart? (SIGH) Pft, if it weren't for your piano playing, I might still be running around like a fool in the gardens."

And the good doctor was not in a good mood. Really, who would be at this hour?

'At least this patient of mine has enough damn sense to look embarrassed at being caught unsupervised, especially after his –spell-.' Ever since Ayame carried Yuki into his office (the Snake has strength, let no one tell him otherwise), startling the doctor with his yells for help, it was one long exam after another. With Ayame yelling every single detail about what occurred down to Yuki's smell, he finally had to yell at him to sit down and shut up.

He remembered then how Yuki ignored them all, not responding to anything he did or asked, only staring off at nothing…but his eyes conveyed such dire sadness in his being. To mostly calm Ayame down, he went ahead and sedated the young Sohma. Only then did the weight of the world seemed lifted from the young man's shoulders. All tests done subsequently came back normal, hell, even his breathing was coming around to normal levels, his asthma problems practically non-existent. There was not one single thing wrong with the Mouse.

And now said young man was here…wide awake…scaring the years off of him. By chance, he had gone outside for a brief smoke break from an all-nighter full of paperwork. His adrenaline hit the roof when he saw a shaft of light from Yuki's bedroom door—wide open to the courtyard. Recalling what Ayame had said of Yuki missing in the garden, he tore through the courtyard and ran all over the immediate area until he heard the musical melody coming from the piano room.

Must his number two patient ALWAYS persist in disobeying his orders?

'Seriously, I'm ready to sedate him all over again.' Letting out a heavy and long sigh, he regained what wits remained and looked over his cousin in a clinical manner. He reached out and felt Yuki's forehead, pulse, pallor…anything that may stand out as wrong. "Well, despite the hour, you're the picture of health. Little weary, but understandable. (Pulls out stethoscope.) Even your breathing is in much better shape. Was this why you were out here playing Tchaikovsky's 'June Barcarolle' in the dead of the night…to celebrate?"

'Damn, he's really pissed…and with a load of sarcasm on the side.' Yuki was certain that he just barely escaped a needle full of tranquilizers. Every Jyuunishi knew to tread carefully when the Dragon was on the warpath.

"I'm sorry, I hadn't thought my actions through."

"I know you didn't, but that doesn't answer my question…why are you awake and here of all places?"

Why was he awake? He didn't have an answer that would even satisfy him at this point. Yuki just knew he had to be here.

"Do you even know what happened to you earlier? How Ayame found you? How you were in my office when he brought you in with hysterics? You were unresponsive to anything; I had to sedate you. You've been asleep this whole time. And now you're here. Why?"

The younger man was absolutely positive that Hatori was making this all up. But his incredulous eyes met the firm stare of the doctor's and knew it to be all too true. Really, it must be his drowsiness coming back because he knows Hatori was not the sort to make anything up. He thought long and hard on what happened earlier that day (or the previous day, whatever), and he really can only recall being in the garden pulling weeds to pass the time. His brother was his usual, annoying self…he had left for the day, right?

"Where's Nii-san?" It struck him then that if what Hatori said was true, Ayame wouldn't have left his side for a moment.

"Asleep in my room. I told you he was in hysterics. He was worrying himself sick if his transformation was any clue. I had to finally sedate him as well when he transformed back." It was not his finest moment, he admits, but he could only focus on so many emergencies at once. "So, why the sudden urge in coming here and playing a melody at this hour that will only wake the rest of the house?"

"Hatori-niisan, perhaps he hoped Akito would be listening, ne?"

Both gentlemen then turned to the third man in the room who was the most sensible of all as he carried in a tray of hot tea for them all to share. Years of service to Akito have trained the Bird well on how to serve anything in a flash. Setting it down, Kureno poured each a cup and passed them around. "But what Hatori-niisan is trying to say is correct…Yuki, you should be resting. You can play your melody for Akito at a more reasonable hour. You seem to be in much better health."

"Sumimasen, Kureno, I didn't mean to wake you up," Yuki remarked as he took the cup with no small amount of shame. "At this rate, I might as well bang a drum and wake everyone else up."

"Heh, that would do the trick. But really, I was just close by and heard you play. I was more worried that you were awake at this hour. It's not like you to be wandering around, playing the piano no less." Looking to Hatori's haggard appearance, Kureno frowned. "Hatori-niisan, you of all people should be resting. Please, go and rest now. Paperwork will keep, I should know."

Arching a brow, Hatori was momentarily taken aback that the timid Bird was kindly ordering him to bed. He then chuckled…he must be a sight if Kureno was going that far to get him to rest. This Bird was shedding his timidity more and more as time went on, thanks to the young man that started this pre-dawn mess.

Shaking his head, he sipped the remainder of his tea quickly. "Just make sure this CHILD makes his way to a bed soon, too. Oh, and Kureno, a moment."

Kureno followed the doctor out to the hallway, feeling a certain teen make a face to the doctor's back. He held in his smile and continued following Hatori until they reached a hall that would connect them to another part of the building, quite a ways from where they were. He learned it was on purpose.

"Kureno, Yuki doesn't remember anything of this afternoon. Not a thing from his episode…he looked completely clueless when I asked him about it," whispered the doctor as he massaged his temples in vain hopes of staving off a headache. "Just like then."

"Well, that may be the 'new' normal, right?" Kureno was well aware of what transpired earlier since Hatori called for him and explained everything. The harried doctor needed a sound mind to bounce ideas off, and the Bird was Yuki's constant companion these days. "There are days when Akito would not recall details of an episode she's had. Perhaps…maybe it's better that he remembers nothing."

"No, I'm not going to shrug this off." He looked firmly at the other man. "Kureno, try asking him what woke him up. He was completely unconscious when I checked on him just thirty minutes ago."

"Yuki tends to keep his own council when his health is involved…if he didn't share it with you, I don't think he'll tell me much."

"It's all we got to go on. He is the Nezumi…him waking up free and clear in mind and his injuries…these may be a clue to Akito's current state. Anything you can get from him can help her, maybe. I can't overlook the possibility, especially with what happened at the hospital and yesterday. Medicine at this point isn't helping her, and if there's even a remote chance he can help, I'll take it. Just…do what you can, please."

Bowing quickly, Kureno remarked, "Anything to help them both, of course. I'll keep you informed. But please rest, Hatori-niisan. You are not infallible as our dear Nezumi is turning out to be."

The doctor scoffed at that and walked back to his rooms at the other end of the compound.

Kureno in turn went to the nearby kitchenette and put together a different tea that would surely put the wayward teen to sleep in no time. Coming back to the room, he noted the pensive stare of the Nezumi into his cup of tea.

"Yuki, it's time you got some rest as well. Here."

Putting down his cup, Yuki took the other from Kureno, frowning at the liquid that smelled very good but knew it to be a sleeping tonic. The Bird excelled at these home remedies.

"I've slept enough, don't you think? Hatori said I was unconscious up 'til a few minutes ago…"

"It's not the same." Looking to soothe the teen's frustration, he quietly pointed out, "You recall how Akito's episodes, while leaving her unconscious, did nothing to give her a restful sleep. She would often be exhausted when she awoke from those episodes—only a good night's sleep gave her true rest."

Yuki turned swiftly away, looking down at the ivory keys on the piano. He was silent for a long moment before whispering, "I lost a half day, Kureno, and didn't even realize it. (Pause) Something's wrong…I feel it in every fiber of my being. Even when Haru was around earlier...pft, I barely remember that…it's not Akito, is it?"

Sighing heavily, the elder Sohma knelt and wrapped his hands around Yuki's that were holding onto his cup with quiet ferocity. He caressed them gently to ease the sudden tension…sudden nostalgia overwhelmed him.

"Yuki, you may not remember, but you and Akito often fell into a rhythm of sorts when it came to certain aspects of your health. This had stopped years ago, after Akira-sama died. I always assumed that it had to do with how Akito coped with her father's death, shutting out the world from her heart and mind. It was a terrible blow to you both…you were each other's anchor one day and the next, you were both adrift in your pain."

Smiling wistfully, he turned Yuki's head so he could look him square in the eye. "But now, you're back in each other's lives as it should have been from the beginning. At least, I think that to be right. You've opened yourselves, mind and heart, to one another. It is not a far stretch to see you and her back in this rhythm of being there for one another. She was here for you when you were infirmed this past spring…now you're here for her when she needs you most."

Yuki set the cup down abruptly. "What's wrong with her? And don't hold back…what's really going on?"

The youth's worried and hardened gaze broke Kureno's resolve to ease the conversation into happier terms. There was hardly anything happy about the situation at hand where Akito is concerned.

"Is she DYING?"

"NO, I don't believe that!" cut in Kureno before the youth turned his hysterical eyes in the direction of Akito's wing. "Medically, she's the picture of health. But she is struggling to awaken from this episode compared to those in the past. Neither Hatori-niisan nor I have been having much success in reaching her. But…you may."

Standing up, Yuki was shaking his head in ready denial. The usually timid man quickly grasped the youth's shoulders.

'He's no longer a child…he's a young man now with this growth spurt over the summer to prove it. He needs to face the reality that comes with that.' "You want to know what's going on with her—so do we. And the one thing we know is true is the bond that exists between you two. (Shakes his head.) I wish you could see the two of you from where we stand—"

"What does our relationship have to do with her being by all accounts in a coma—"

"Because she fell into a coma when YOU regained consciousness."

Stunned silence met this declaration…the Bird astonished he had said it so openly and the Nezumi disbelieving the words but all the same knowing them to be true. And the Bird's follow-up didn't diminish the feeling.

"Yuki, today—yesterday –wasn't your only lapse in memory."

The Nezumi's disbelief only increased as the Bird went on.

Setting himself apart and bowing low, Kureno couldn't help himself. "I'm sorry for not telling you this sooner. You are only aware of being awake as of two weeks ago, but you have in fact been fully conscious for…over a month."

Disbelief turned to anger then. Yuki rushed out of the room, not wanting to hear anything else until he confronted that Dragon for hiding this from him.

'WHAT THE DAMN HELL WAS THAT DOCTOR THINKING?! ONLY HE CAN MANAGE TO CONVINCE OTHERS TO KEEP ANYTHING A SECRET IF AKITO WASN'T AROUND!'

He didn't get far without his crutch, though, as his foot was aching terribly, and he had to halt momentarily. He pushed the ache back in his mind and was about to continue when he felt a firm grip on his shoulder.

"Kureno, he LIED—"

"No, not necessarily." It was very hard for the timid man not to shrink back from the enraged Nezumi, even when it wasn't directed at him. If this was just an inkling of what the Cat faced… "Please, I…we didn't want to keep the truth from you, but it was soon apparent you remembered nothing up to a point so only Hatori-niisan, Akito, and myself know of it. We…didn't inform the others you were awake until you were truly yourself and alert and responding—"

"You're not making sense! TELL ME EVERYTHING, KURENO, AND I MEAN EVERYTHING."

He couldn't help shrinking back then. Yuki was very much the Nezumi then, and the commanding aura was reminiscent of Akito's. There was no choice but to tell it as it was. "At the hospital, when Ayame-niisan was…injured, you were so terrified—of what, we know not. At first, you would only stare…as if you couldn't trust what you were seeing. I swear you would've run for it if you hadn't been so injured."

'That's not possible…I distinctly remember waking up with Nii-san by the bedside, stitching away on his patch of fabric…that's his nervous tick. And that bandage all around his neck…'

Kureno's soft voice brought him back to the present.

"When your brother was taken away by Hatori-niisan, Akito ordered everyone else out of the room. Not once were we allowed back in for the following two weeks. She would only have food brought to the door—she forbade Hatori from even checking on your vitals. He and I could overhear her voice when she was in the room alone with you…she was distressed. Unfortunately, we couldn't make out any words of these conversations, if there were any. By then, we had sent the other Jyuunishi home—they were only told that while you were healing with Akito by your side, they needed to get back to their normal routines to avoid scrutiny from their families. It was clear that it was only a matter of time before Akito would've turned her anxiety onto them."

'Well, that explains why Haru never said anything about me being awake a lot earlier than I thought.'

The elder man paused as his anxious form turned inward as if in pain.

"Akito came out to talk with Hatori-niisan and myself about moving you to the Honke. There was nothing to be gained by remaining at the hospital. But, mid-sentence, she just...she collapsed. (Pause) We then saw the alarm go off in your room. I rushed to your room and there was Ayame-niisan looking so ashamed. I was too shocked—he wasn't supposed to be in there, as you know. He had been staying in his own room recovering from his injury…he must have been waiting for Akito to leave. He swore that all he did was sit down and knit. He said you just suddenly looked over his way and you were so 'aware', wide awake as ever. You then got so angry, you were having a fit by then, swearing up and down that whoever had laid a hand on your brother would pay."

"Precious, you're awake now!" lowly replied his elder brother with a rasp to his voice and a tearful smile to his lips when he looked up from his stitching.

'How was he hurt?! That bruising…who would hurt his brother like that?!'

Ayame went to his side to caress his face gently, his smile becoming brighter with each passing moment. But that couldn't block out the ugly bandage…the swelling beneath…the dark coloring…

"WHO DID THAT TO YOU?!"

It was his first memory upon awakening. He had never thought to feel such rage again, but it seems that all this mess with Kyo has shot his self-restraint to hell. Seeing his innocent brother in that state…how he demanded to know who had hurt his brother in such a way… He was ready to leap from that hospital bed and tear into the mystery assailant as he had not done to the Cat. To find out who it was in the end was such a blow, Hatori literally had to sedate him to calm him down so that his asthma medication would work properly.

It was never too far back in the dark corners of his mind…the immense guilt. His brother would never hold it against him, and it hurt all the more to know that.

Yuki could only numbly nod, not that he found any of it believable. "And Akito?"

"She has not awoken since. You know the rest."

Indeed he did. With the mild sedative and medication, and with the rush of adrenaline leaving him, he had fallen asleep and woke up the following morning after seeing his brother in such a state. He prayed it was a nightmare, but upon seeing his brother quietly humming to himself as he knitted a pillowcase, the bandage glaring as ever, he couldn't help the tears and the self-loathing…the tears couldn't be helped. His half-blubbered apologies were all he could manage.

Ayame had looked up by then, rose up, and went over to his bedside. He laid down next to him and literally blocked everything from view, just repeating over and over how much he was loved, don't cry…that he was okay, that he was safe…it wasn't his fault…he was safe…don't cry… He had dozed off to that mantra.

His brother had not strayed far from his side since then, not once.

Sighing heavily, he slid down the wall and sat down. Wryly he remarked, "No matter how hard I try, nothing major comes to mind after Haru left to do his homework today. Nii-san was still talking with Hatori, I think…or maybe Mine-san? It was just me and the weeds in the garden. Pretty pathetic now that I know."

Seeing the Nezumi so dejected, Kureno reached for another possibility. "Well, how about now…what awoke you tonight?"

"Tonight?" Well, of course, he was suddenly awake in his room because…his heart beat faster. Whatever the fleeting memory was that awoke him had left an impression with his heart if not the mind. 'Dammit, it's right there…just out of reach…'

"Think on that calmly. I'm going into the kitchenette to turn off the kettle before all the water burns off—"

"That's it! Fire…something was burning and…" His mind was blanking but the words were right there on his tongue, Yuki was sure of it.

"Calmly, Yuki, think calmly. I'll be right back."

Remembering the smell brought on chills…he needed to leave this hallway. He limped back to the piano room, putting things up that were left in disarray.

'Some other time, old friend…', he thought as he looked to the lone piano. Striking one chord, then another, one memory suddenly came front and forward with such vivid clarity.

'Halls. So many hallways…and they were burning.'

On the other side of the compound, a weary doctor's mind was returning to his previous turbulent thoughts. It was only upon finally arriving at his office that it occurred to him. Before he had run off in search of his missing patient, he was looking over Yuki's medical records from when he first stayed at the Honke as a young child. The doctor back then was quite cold in his description of Yuki, only naming the boy as the 'Nezumi' in the records.

But that's not what stilled his thoughts now.

'Nezumi child's night terrors persist. Nightlight recommended for his comfort. Per Akira-sama's request, keep both Nezumi and Akito-sama together AT ALL TIMES. The Cat will be confined as all others before him to prevent accidental exposure to the Nezumi and Akito-sama. All other Jyuunishi must obtain permission from Akira-sama prior to visiting the Nezumi and Akito-sama...'

And then his breath stilled as he read further down.

'Akito-sama has shown signs of aggression fueled by her own night terrors that seemingly are responding to the Nezumi's. She refuses to speak of them, only to say that she must train the Nezumi for what's to come. Recommend monthly psychological evaluations to ensure sound mental health…'

He then rushed over to the other pile where Akito's medical records were within easy reach these days. So focused he had been on Akito's physical health that he had given little thought to her past medical records on her mental state other than his current records for her. How far back…

Only one sheet of paper in the one folder marked 'Psychological Medical Records'.

'Per Akira-sama's orders, all records pertaining to Akito-sama's mental evaluations were destroyed. At great risk of alienation from the family, I will mark only this in the official account. Do NOT allow the Cat access to the children.'

Hatori's cell then rung.

In a small kitchenette, Kureno quickly tidied up and returned to the hallway where he left Yuki, only to find it empty. Going into the piano room, it was also empty.

'There's only one other place…'

Going back into the darkened hallways, the dim lighting guided him to where he knew the Nezumi to be. He dared not call out at such an hour. He made several turns until he was at Akito's door that was left slightly opened.

Coming into the room, the nightlight left on for Hatori's benefit softly lit the Nezumi's concerned features as he carefully knelt next to the unconscious woman in the futon, setting the crutch to the side. Akito's features were tight, as if holding in an intense pain. Or despair.

'Are your dreams haunting you, too, Akito?' was Yuki's passing thought.

"What has stopped you from visiting sooner?" Kureno asked as he knelt across from him. It was a question he had no answer to as the youth recovered at the Honke. Yuki hadn't even asked about her well-being. He, of course, shared the information about Akito falling ill with the young Sohma at the hospital, but the boy was so distraught with what he had done to his brother, he doubted the words reached him. Still…time has passed…the last the Nezumi saw of her was on that fateful day at the exhibit hall.

Yuki reached out and held Akito's hands with his. Rubbing them softly, he quietly murmured, "Tick, then tock, the mouse goes 'round the clock…the clock struck one, the mouse ran down…tick, then tock."

Lifting his solemn gaze to the elder Sohma, he continued quietly, "After Akira died, she always told me I would be that mouse that runs and runs and runs…and that it was important that I keep running. She repeated that poem over and over so that I would never forget."

Wiping the stray hairs from her face, he heavily sighed. "I'm supposed to stay away when she's like this…run far away. That and she hated an audience when she was in oblivion…her words exactly."

Kureno laid a hand on the distraught teen's shoulder. It mattered no more to hold back secrets. "She adored every moment you were with her."

"Of course she did,' wryly remarked Yuki. He had hoped being in her presence would temper the anxiousness he felt in his bond all these days. Now, he felt it only sharpened his senses…tense muscles stood ready to act against an unseen opponent.

'I'm supposed to be the one running away, not you.'

"They're at the gates."

He snapped his neck to the right upon hearing this remark spoken by no one, staring out the open window, the lightning outside seen through the branches of the trees. His heart pounded hard against his chest, his throat tightening.

He recognized that voice…from a dark dream of long ago.

"Yuki, are you okay?"

His cell suddenly dinged that a text was received.

---

These tears we cry
Are falling rain
For all the lies
You told us
The hurt, the blame!

---

The crick in her neck was unbearable…but wait just a bit more. One more pen stroke, one more file folder done, and one more gulp of her now cold, stale coffee.

'DONE.'

With a big heave, she lifted herself from the desk that was not hers. She gathered all the files that she was working on and re-sorted them to her liking. Whoever said practicing medicine involved working with human beings and their health totally overlooked the mountains of paperwork each patient generated…and that's if they're healthy.

Really, she shouldn't even be here, let alone at this fine hour of the night. But she just couldn't leave well enough alone…she was needed here despite the adamant protests from her old colleague.

'No matter what Hatori-san says, there's only so much he can do. And he's tied up with his two patients at the Honke. I can do this much for him.' The paperwork was much the same as before when she assisted him back when in her early years as a doctor…

How funny, those last remaining years with Hatori were always a bit…vague in retrospect. Regardless, she knew she was happy and sad to have left the practice to move on to a better career opportunity. And in doing so, she found her best match and is now happily married. Truly, she was blessed.

It's the reason why she's here now. She had returned seemingly for just a weekend of events at the family's exhibit hall and karate tournament, only for it to morph into an extended leave of absence from that happy life. But she willingly made that sacrifice when her family was in such dire need. As she started wrapping up all her belongings from the office area, she still recalled Hatori's out-of-the-blue phone call.

'He sounded so desperate…it broke my heart.' And so started her whirlwind weeks at the hospital with the Sohma clan. Tending to all the wounded first…Tetsuya, Kazuma…thankfully, they were quickly discharged after a few hours at the hospital for a few bruised ribs. The students from the dojo were not so fortunate…a few of them were still mending at a rehab facility. She was consoled to learn that they will make a full recovery…with a few scars to tell the tale.

As she looked around the office with her medical files on one hand and her backpack in the other, she heaved a heavy sigh, taking into account all these memories from all these turbulent weeks. She smiled weakly…happy to finally finish her last task but sad all the same that it's over now. She swore to Hatori that she only meant to finish these patients' files that he was months behind on and she would then leave for good.

'Good-bye until next time. Hopefully we can have a friendly lunch then.'

She turned the lights out, noticing only then the darkness outside the window, but it was punctuated every so often with flashes of silent lightning. Shaking her head that more rain was on the way and she with no umbrella, she made her way out of the borrowed office, leaving everything the way it was before. Turning out the lights and locking the door behind her, she slipped the key underneath the door. She was grateful for small favors from old colleagues.

She slowly trudged to the elevators on this silent floor, noting that even the cleaning ladies have long since done their duty in cleaning the offices. The elevator doors finally slid open and she swiped her guest badge before keying in her code to the private floor that was exclusively for the Sohma family. Once there, it was fairly deserted as well. The night shift staff looked to be just as animated of the late hour as she was.

Making her way down several corridors, she finally reached Hatori's office and gave a start.

The door was ajar.

'He had better not be in at this hour! I swear, that man—'

Opening the door fully only revealed an empty office…and a lot of boxes. Confused was one thing but she was now just flabbergasted. Not only was his office in disarray…clear difference from earlier that afternoon when she was last in there…but it looked like it was all being packed off.

She looked through some of the boxes…all files pertaining to most of the Sohma family. Most, not all.

Grabbing the extension in the office, she quickly dialed up to the nurses' station.

"How may I help you?"

"Yes, I am in Dr. Sohma's office and—"

"Oh yes, please leave the requested records and the courier will be by first thing tomorrow."

"Requested records?"

"Certainly, you're leaving off the medical records that were requested by Sohma Seto, correct?"

"Uh, well, I do have—"

"Just leave them there, doesn't matter which box. They'll be by tomorrow morning with the moving crew to get all that out of there, file cabinets included."

"That…eh, surely not the locked cabinets—"

"Tell me about it! I tell that snooty assistant those heavy cabinets can't be moved, especially the ones with a keycode, but they just tell me to shut up and do as I'm told. NO manners, the cretin—"

"RIGHT, yes, very rude, absolutely! I'll just…get this done and be on my way. Thank you!" Hanging up, she wasted no time to pull her cell out and make the call despite the late hour. 'Please, no…this can't be…not now…'

"Kana-san?"

"Ha-Hatori-san…" She hadn't realized how nervous she was until she heard her voice waver just then. Focusing on the now, she plunged ahead. "I'm so sorry for the late call, but I…I think we have a problem."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes…sort of. Were you packing up your office here at the hospital?"

"My what? Where are you?"

'I knew it.' Taking a deep breath to steady her rising nerves, she started shoving the files she worked on from earlier into the first open box. "At the hospital, in your office…I finished the last of your past due files from this summer…Hatori-san, your office is being boxed up and moved, EVERYTHING. Including your locked cabinets."

"WHAT? On whose orders?!"

"Sohma Seto-san. I didn't see him earlier or his assistant anyway, he must have come by when I was in the other office building—"

"Kana-san, go check the files in the cabinet…here's the code."

She swiftly went to the locked and sealed cabinets. Upon entering in the code given, she gave a sigh of relief. "They're still here."

"Grab all those that you see in the first two drawers…ALL OF THEM." She heard a massive amount of shuffling from his end and a shout to someone in another room. "Kana-san, please, it's important you leave NONE behind."

"Right." Setting the phone down, she quickly gathered all the confidential documents which was no small feat but she managed it in record time. Thinking of how light the cabinets would be now, she moved folders from one of the other boxes into the two drawers then sealed them shut. Picking up the cell, she remarked, "Okay, now what?"

It was all she could do to listen as her mind raced with all that she heard.

"Kana-san, if you want to walk away from this, I will understand—"

"No, never. Just…please, take care." With a soft click it was over. Blinking away her tears, she breathed heavily as she set to work.

Five minutes later, a cleaning lady in her scrubs wearing a face mask and eyeglasses hurriedly went down the office corridor pushing a laundry basket in front of her. Going into the service elevator at the other end of the building, far and away from the nurses at the shift station, Kana quickly swiped her badge and entered another code provided to her.

The doors slid shut to this floor that she will never return to.

---

And we will weep
To be so alone…

---

(THUNDER CRACK)

Kyo shot straight up. His heart nearly lurched out of his ribcage at that loud clap of thunder.

'Damn, really? At this hour?!' As a bright flash of lightning met his bleary gaze, blinding him good, he grumbled angrily. When the inevitable rumble of thunder shook the windows, he gave up on any good sleep he was going to get. 'Just as well…it's too humid to sleep anyway.'

Rubbing his eyes free of any lingering sleep, he ignored the aches and lifted himself off the futon with the aid of his crutch. Yawning wide and pocketing his cell, he slowly made his way out of the room, going down the darkened hallway. As the lightning lit up the hall momentarily, he could not help the memory of a similar storm that occurred in the dead of the night not too long ago.

'Was it really only a couple months ago? Was it more? Pft, man, time flies…or crawls…'

Seeing as no one was watching him, he braced himself and dared to open Yuki's door but only slightly. He didn't go in, but he looked around enough to see how the Nezumi had left it last he was in there. The lightning outside lit up the room momentarily. Funny, the bed clothes were laid neatly on the bed, waiting for its owner's return. It smelled slightly musty with the disuse…so quiet. A distant rumble was then heard, slowly making its way to rattle the windows.

He closed the door and turned back to wobbling down the hallway. Slowly descending the stairs, lest he miss a step, he noted that the whole house was dark and quiet, lightning shedding light every so often. He looked all around the living area, neat and clean thanks to two young ladies who were likely disgusted with the men's ineptitude with housecleaning. The girls always did ensure everything was left spotless after every gathering they've had here in the past.

'All those celebrations…who'd a thought back then we'd be where we are now?'

Hell, he needed a drink. Granted, the last time he had drunk a bit of the alcoholic beverage (okay, a whole lot), he had taken part in the destruction of an exhibit hall, but damn, he NEEDED one, he was sure of it. He was no longer a schoolboy, it'd be fine. Just one miserable…

'Aha!' Rummaging through the fridge, he held up a very cold bottle of beer. Not caring in the least that it was the last one or that it belonged to the Inu, he opened it swiftly and took one long gulp. Grimacing slightly, he pushed on until it was halfway empty. It was stifling humid before, but now it was mildly so. Feeling utterly sated and at ease for just this moment, he closed his eyes and stood leaning on the countertop, sighing heavily.

He was thinking…calmly, clearly, logically, seriously thinking for what felt like the first time in a long while. It's how earlier he fell asleep during this process, and now, he was right back at it.

'I blame that hormone-raging bitch for this…deranged psycho.'

Not that he would EVER say those words to her face EVER again. It didn't serve his health well last time he had said it…

You'd think that after his outburst with Tohru and an overdue moment of peace afterwards that the Boar of the Jyuunishi would just welcome him with caring arms like Tohru had, assuring him of her overzealous love of family that she was known for. He would have even of tolerated a bone-crushing hug then. First time ever!

Tohru was hurriedly rushing him into the house to salvage the dinner before it got cold. He was more composed by then and quietly admonished her that it was fine if the food was a little cold. It was going to be edible anyway, so he wasn't picky.

Kagura was just wiping down the countertops, cleaning used pans and happily smiled their way. She assured Tohru all was ready and waiting at the table. Turning to him, she even got teary-eyed as she smiled and tenderly held his chin. "Kyo-kun…"

He really should have seen it coming.

'One moment, a peace like no other, then the next, I'M FLYING THROUGH THE DOOR. WHO THE HELL DOES THAT TO AN INJURED MAN?!'

"Wow, Kagura-chan, that's one good smack to the head of that poor soul. Never saw someone fly with such…grace. Is the door okay?'

He wanted to strangle that Inu, but the young lady with the strength of a sumo wrestler was already standing over him, lifting him up by his shirt, wild eyes locked with his furious glare.

"YOU STUPID MORON! WHAT'S WITH YOUR REFLEXES? IT'S DAMN EMBARRASSING! GOD GAVE YOU LEGS TO LAND ON, NOT TO BREAK THEM! STUPID FOOL!"

"ARE YOU HIGH, YOU CRAZY—"

"Kyo-kun, be a dear and don't antagonize her further."

"ME?!" Standing up tall, he screeched at the Inu over the much shorter and crazier female. "SHE THREW ME THROUGH THE DAMN DOOR! (Looks down at her.) WHAT THE HELL?! I'M HURTING HERE!"

"No, you really aren't, Kyo-kun."

"SHUT UP, BAKA-INU!" To Kagura, he animatedly yelled, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU UGLY PSYCHO?!"

The woods full of cheery sounds of the forest were immediately silenced.

"Ugly…psycho?" tearfully remarked the young woman before her innocent eyes turned to a raging inferno. "UGLY PSYCHO?!"

Now, point of fact, Tohru did try to intervene after Kagura smacked the boy good, but once Kyo started in on the girl's lack of good looks, the young lady walked far and away from the clearing in defeat. It was a wise choice given the continued shouting match and bodily assault that involved any nearby vegetation (dead flowerpots included) and lawn care hardware.

"There, there, Tohru-kun. Sometimes there's just no helping the hopelessly stupid. ("SHIGURE, YOU BASTARD, GET HER TO STOP! NO, NO, NO, YOU PUT THAT DOWN—PUT THAT—"). That boy sure can run with a busted leg. I honestly haven't seen Kagura-chan carry such a heavy lawnmower that long." Going inside, Shigure called out to Tohru cheerily, "Well then, let's have that good dinner! I'll just lock these doors to keep my house intact…"

Kyo continued to loudly curse the Inu and all his ancestors as he took off in the woods to hopefully lose the Boar or, at least, tire her out. After thirty long minutes, they had managed to reach the Nezumi's dilapidated garden when Kagura called the truce. He had already collapsed and laid on his back as he caught his breath. Afterwards, this woman blessed with a human hammer for a fist was gently dabbing ointment on Kyo's bruises and cuts all over his face.

He kept his mouth shut this time around and only mumbled to avoid pissing her off again. But he must be a sadist if it warmed his heart even a little to feel this normal with the girl. Honestly, it has been too long since she had truly let herself loose on him. He somewhat relished the moment of normalcy that could only be theirs. Yet, it was then that she had to get him to think.

She had already finished, simply sitting next to him and staring at his injured leg. It was only then that he remembered that this is the first time they've been together since that most terrible day at the exhibit hall. Catching his lingering gaze, she spoke. "Kyo-kun, I'm sorry if you've ever felt less than wonderful when you're with me, not when I'm busy kicking your ass for that loudmouth, but just by being the Cat and all that. I'm sorry if I've done anything to make you feel less than perfect because you are, to me."

Stupefied was one way to describe how he felt upon hearing those remarks. Well, he hadn't really been quiet when talking with Tohru earlier, yet, he could only say, "It's not your fault…it's my problem. I'll handle it."

"Yeah, I was there when you 'handled it'. Pft, silly Kyo-kun." Lightly pulling on his ear, she sadly smiled, "I should have stopped the two of you from 'handling' anything that day. I mean, it WAS long overdue, but, still, it was bad timing…a lot of bad timing from everybody. Trust us to make a disaster of historical proportions wherever we go."

Shaking her head, she stood up and easily hauled him up as well. "Do you even realize that both you and Yun-chan were fighting about the same girl? I mean, really, I had thought it would be a different gal altogether, but hey, wonders never cease."

He felt his mouth gaping at such a thought and his quick denial on his lips was silenced as she covered his mouth with her hand.

"Don't even try it. It'll make you look stupid." Throwing his arm over her shoulders, they slowly made their way back to the house, his crutch having been lost along the way. "And you're not stupid, Kyo-kun. So THINK about it, really, truly think for yourself what you both said on that day and what you just said earlier. You've got nothing but time so give it a go. THINK. You'll see…you two were fighting over Akito. HAH! Man, days like these makes me wish I had kept a diary!"

Looking up to see his sour face, she gave him a good pinch and smiled fondly. "Maybe you can both now forgive each other, since you both feel so strongly about the same girl. And neither of you are really at fault, not even Akito."

"Uh, I wouldn't go that far—OWWW, OOOOWWWWW!"

"I'll keep poking that nose if you start going stupid on me."

"OH MY GOD! You and Shigure both—"

"Don't you realize?" Searching into his watery eyes, she sighed heavily, not seeing what she wanted. Shaking off her disappointment, she smiled brightly and hugged him briefly before resuming their trek back. "Here and at the hall…that pain and fear that's deep in you. It's the exact same as Yun-chan's—"

"Kagura—"

"Kyo-kun, I love you, I really do, but SHUT UP. I've seen too much these last few weeks to stay quiet, so, like it or not, you're going to listen to this!" Self-control is hard for her when confronting Kyo's thick-headedness, but she managed it. Taking a breather, she saw ahead of her as if looking into a distant memory.

She quietly continued, "I saw that same fear and pain in Akito's eyes, too…when she woke up after Yun-chan took off after you at the hall—you do know that she was unconscious when you left her, right? Was she ever pissed that her condition got the better of her…"

'What…Akito was…' Admittedly he forcefully put most of those memories of that day through a filter of what he can handle to remember right now. But it never occurred to him to give much thought to Yuki's words back then—both were too far gone in their shared rage. He wanted her to hurt as much as he did when he last spoke to her, that's no lie, but he never meant…and what he said afterwards to Yuki…

'Damn the mouth I've been given. No wonder…'

Kagura knew from seeing the bewildered look that turned to dawning understanding on the Neko's face as he hung his head that she was right all along with her full knowledge of the matter. Akito filled her in with as much condescension about what led up to this whole mess—the clan head was utterly furious about being humiliated by the Neko when she gave Kagura the papers to close the dojo down. It's what led to the eviction papers in her hands now.

Patting her friend on the arm, she pushed on, "Akito would put up a strong front, sure, but…I know her now. Don't ask me how, just…trust me. The three of you are sharing the exact same pain and fear. And that pain and fear…it's not new. It's so very old. As old as…well, just THINK on it. You're too smart to let dumb win you over."

'As old as the curse,' he finished the thought for her. She was right, she got him to think then. And he did the one thing that was long overdue.

Looking down at his old friend, he remarked, "I'm sorry, for everything. I didn't mean for you or anyone else to get caught up with my mess. You all…(sniff) (pause) (sigh) ahem, words matter, right? So…you all are important to me, okay? I'm really…sorry. And…thanks, for that day. I know you deserve more, but…"

His words were brokenly said, not surprising with all he's been through today. But his gaze was solid and steady as he held her sympathetic gaze.

With a soft nudge to his ribs, she smiled widely. "Well, it's a start. You're important to us, too, idiot. Being family and all, we also forgive. All of us."

The last part didn't go unnoticed.

"Now to make it up to me, once you're back on two good legs again, we need to hit the tatami mats and have an all-out workout. I'll get your reflexes to pristine form once I'm done with you! Shihan's training will be a breeze afterwards."

"Hell no—"

"Hey!" Taking his face into her hands, her mind clearly turning a complete one-eighty. She excitedly continued, "Before I forget, I may have some exciting news to share later this week! I want you to be the first to know. Actual good news…who knew those can come our way, hm?"

(SIGH) "Well, what is it, woman?" he grumbled as they started anew their trek back. "Might as well tell me now, why wait?"

"No, no…I need the official word from Ritsu. But he texted that I must drive down to the inn tonight to speak with his parents…I hope it doesn't rain. Too bad my mother can't make it. I'm really sorry I have to cut my visit short. But the next time I see you…m-mmm!"

Looking down at her, as broken as he felt, he was happy for her. She was his oldest and closest friend…so many different twists and turns in their relationship (and whole heaps of pain), but that friendship stayed true. So he was very happy for her. How could he not be, she had a smile that lit up her very little, insane world. And she wanted to share that little bit with him.

"Just drive careful, alright? If it rains, pull over until the worst passes. And…call me when you get there, whatever the hour. Just being safe, you know."

She looked up to the young man who stared straight ahead, busily avoiding her knowing gaze. She knew then that he took all her words to heart. She happily replied, "I will."

As he recalled their conversation, it really only made him want to finish his beer.

She hadn't called. No text, nothing. He had left messages…perhaps her drive up the mountains was causing havoc with her cell signal. Checking his phone again, no missed call or text was seen.

'I'm not a worry-wart, that's the Nezumi's thing.' Pocketing the phone, he sipped his beverage some more when a bolt of lightning lit the whole house brightly for just a moment. It was enough to see the adult standing by the kitchen door staring at him.

Coughing up ferociously, he wheezed, "DAMMIT! What're you doing just standing there?! (Coughs) You almost gave me a heart attack, Shigure!"

He wasn't sure if the rumbling, loud thunder outside drowned out his strangled yell, but the man merely stared right back at him, not fazed in the least with the youth's distress. Taking a cup from the cupboard, he ran the faucet and filled the cup with water. Sipping carefully, he finally felt his thumping heart steady itself, glad that he could swallow with no problem.

Clearing his throat, he turned around tell the writer off some more only for the words to stop dead. The adult was looking hard at the half-drunk alcoholic beverage on the counter and lifting it to smell it.

"Look, if you're going to tell me—"

"How much did you drink?"

Scoffing off the remark, he sipped his water more. "I'm an adult, Shigu—"

"And legally you still need to be twenty to drink, genius, now HOW MUCH?"

"If you're so sore about me drinking your beer—"

"HOW MUCH?!"

It was then he took a good look at the incensed adult. And Sohma Shigure was never openly angry.

"Almost all of it, aside from what I choked on."

Another lightning struck close by, the immediate thunder shaking the windows and ground. It lit up the kitchen long enough for him to realize that the room was not as sharply contrasted as it should be. Nor did he feel his legs as steady as they had once been.

He blinked his eyes rapidly and leaned heavily against the countertop, his grip loosening on his glass as he heard it shatter on the floor.

"Really, Cat, can you at least not destroy my home for one day?"

The foggy vision was becoming more apparent now even in the dark. He would rub his eyes, but he was steadfastly holding onto the counter for balance. He did, however, touch his lips, smacking them slowly to only notice then that they felt powdery.

'What…the…'

"Figured it out, did you, Kyo-kun? (RING) Oh, for the love—" Shigure looked down and turned off his cell altogether. "So sorry, Haa-san, but I'm trying to conduct a theft of vital importance."

(BING)

Fishing out the Neko's cell from the back pocket, the exasperated writer took note of the one-worded text. Shaking his head, he quietly laughed before promptly removing the phone from its protective case. Dropping it onto the counter, he soundly beat it with a meat tenderizer Tohru used earlier for prepping dinner. Technology as always yielded to more aggressive methods.

"Ah, that should take care of it. Now…time does grow short." Turning to Kyo, he lightly slapped the boy awake. "Hey there, don't zonk out on me just yet. Looks like I can't leave you here if Haa-san's text is anything to go by. Come on, dizzy Kitty, I'll even help your grace out the door. How kind of me, ne?"

The youth desperately tried to pull, or, at least, in his mind he tried very hard. Honestly, though, he was easily pulled away from the counter as his arm was flung over Shigure's shoulders. He tried to grasp his crutch, but his hands were not much help either.

"Gods, you are heavy…how does Kagura-chan do it?" He quickly got them outside without preamble. He slipped into his sandals, crossed the veranda and into the stormy weather outside. "Well, at least the downpour is holding off."

With the wind blowing hard against them, Kyo barely made out what the crazed Inu was saying. Or it could be that he really was starting to check out. It took all he had to just move one bare foot in front of the other that was in a boot at the brisk pace they were going at. His head lolled to the side, trying to at least make eye contact with the man who had intentionally drugged him with something in the beer. He grunted loudly for good measure. It worked.

"Oi, don't give me that look…blame your overzealous father for hanging around too long. We could have had this all done and over with sooner, and we wouldn't be running through the weeds in the middle of a stormy night!"

Pausing momentarily to catch his breath, he turned into another direction and carefully dragged his charge through the dense brush. Grumbling lowly, "This is not my greatest of escapes, but when you're given lemons, you make the damn lemonade. I mean, I had been waiting on this for YEARS, and it all comes down to me ditching my own home, towing a drugged-out boy over my shoulder, and fleeing—"

A burst of light lit the woods all around them, the thunder rolling long and LOUD.

"Whoa, that one was close. Let's hope we don't get struck dead. It would really ruin my plans if that happened. And after all that I had to put up with…"

With a violent push, Kyo pulled away from the maniac and trudged blindly forward, grabbing onto the trees to hold him up. Where or how far he got, he wasn't sure before he felt the Inu clamp down on his arm. But by then, he grabbed hold of a dead branch.

The harried Sohma man barely dodged a swing from a thick branch that Kyo now held. The youth was teetering against a tree, but he held a glare that would've killed anyone outright. His low remark was cut from the same sentiment.

"Get the hell away from me."

With wide eyes, Shigure just marveled at the boy, no, man before him. "Damn, you really are the Neko of old. I should've let you drink the remainder of that beer or, at least, put in more of that stuff I swiped from Haa-san's bag—"

"STAY BACK!"

Shaking his head, the older man stayed put. He took out a cigarette and tried to light it. "I swear, this wind…aha, finally! (Smokes deeply) Ah, that's much better. For future reference, if you need to relax, Kyo-kun, skip the beer…go for the smoke."

He continued to finish his smoke as he eyed the young adult who watched him with droopy eyes. Yet the moment he took one step, the daggers of death were aimed at him along with the heavy branch.

"Look, if I really wanted to hurt you, I would've not taken great care to put the right amount of that tranquilizer into the beer. I mean, well, I had hoped the narcotics from your pain meds were out of your system by then to avoid a bad reaction, but really, I was super careful. (Pause) I may have winged it…a little."

"WHY?!"

Taking a long drag, he held it in until he exhaled nice and long. His gaze turned solemn then. "You know, if time were on our side, I just might tell you. Out of all of us, you deserve to know the truth…you're the most pathetic Jyuunishi, after all." Taking another long drag and exhaling, he smiled wryly as he continued. "Eh, you'll realize it soon enough. Just know it's not your fault, never was. You just happen to be the Neko we've been waiting on."

Putting out his butt of a cigarette, he walked carefully over, noticing that the branch had slipped from the angry teen's grip. "If it's any consolation, I did wait until the very last possible moment. But, sadly, our time has come to an end."

He gently eased the almost unconscious boy onto the ground. Laying him against the base of the tree, he looked around for dead brush he can cover him with. Finding an old tarp ('Tohru's old hangout was around here?'), he covered the teen completely. Satisfied with the makeshift tent as poor as it was, he leaned over Kyo, who could only glare at him helplessly.

"You were a breath of fresh air, Kyo-kun…I like you. And I don't say things like that lightly. Ask Haa-san if you ever see him again."

With that, Kyo's world was a mix of thunder, wind, and a heavy dose of drowsiness. He barely made out the last of the Inu's remarks as he felt a dread colder than death wash over him. It was familiar.

"Don't go back to the house, Neko. Or to the Honke. Haa-san's text read 'Molotov'."

---

We are lost!
We can never go home…

---

"Nope."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep."

"…Yes, as in, you're not sure? Or yes, no, you're sure?"

"What?"

"Aw man, quit confusing the fool…just skip him! Here's my card."

"Hey, don't skip me! I have a winning hand!"

"You really shouldn't share that, Haru-chan."

"Shut up, Momiji, he can blab all he wants, I almost have this in the bag."

"Don't blow your horn, Hiro-chan, I have a good hand, too."

"Momiji, you can blow that hand up your—"

"We have more refreshments for all!" called out Kisa with a wide smile.

"Yes, please join in!" happily added young Momo.

Kisa took care to announce themselves loudly enough to hopefully end the tirade that was not meant for innocent ears. Relieved that Hiro wisely kept his remaining remarks to himself, she helped pass around the tea and snacks as the competitive trio thankfully abandoned their card game in favor of the treats. She really should have thought of this sooner since the boys quickly regained their focus and started to at least look at their books.

Perhaps a power study session was not a feasible feat with her fellow Jyuunishi, especially these three, but she was optimistic. She had to be. They were all in the running for either graduation, college entrance exams, or just general exams, and they were all behind on their schoolwork. It's why Kisa's mother allowed for this gathering of the minds here in their home to, with any luck, get them all to catch up on their past due work. Having Momo there was more of an insurance policy that no unnecessary destruction came upon her home. Apparently, the boys' reputation preceded them, enough so that her dear, patient mother took to reside in a different bedroom on the other side of the house…far and away from the noise they would no doubt make.

Not that Momiji minded when he got to spend more alone time with his sister. While Momo was not fully aware of that fact, it was obvious that she saw him as a brother-figure. That was enough for the Usagi.

"These are delicious, Momo-chan! You and Saa-chan really outdid yourselves!"

Momiji's high praise caused the youngest to blush hard and smile broadly. "I tried a new dressing with the sandwiches. Are they okay?"

"They're the best!" he replied between bites. "Dig in, too, before Hiro-chan eats them all."

"Says the fat Usagi who's already had three!"

"Oi, Saa-chan, do you have the cookies over there?"

"They're triangle-sized! And I'm not fat, idiot!"

"Hatsuharu-san, please have mine. I'm not supposed to eat sweets this late."

"Your belly bulge says different, Pudgy. Those sweets are catching up to you!"

"Thank you, Momo-chan, want some of my chips instead? It's not my favorite flavor."

"Thank you!"

"That's super rude, baka Hiro!"

"So is calling me stupid!"

"Man, these tastes good. I hope there's more."

"Damn, Haru, you're eating them all!"

"If it's good, I eat…end of story."

Neither feuding Jyuunishi dared to come between a hungry Haru and his meal. End of story.

"Might as well check my problems against the answer sheet," muttered Hiro as he pulled one of the books towards him. "Where's the pencil that was just here?"

"You flicked it…to Momiji's head," spoke the eldest teen between bites.

"Here," remarked Momiji as he handed over the pencil without looking up. He was busy scanning his book to find the spot where he left off. "These topics are too similar. Haru-chan, we were on chapter 12, section B, right? Or was it Section D? E?"

"Sure."

"…To what? Section B, D, or E?"

"That's right."

"Well, which one?"

"Whichever, they all sound the same…pick one."

"That's not how it works, Haru-chan."

"Hehe, you guys are so gonna fail this semester!"

Flicking his pencil at the younger boy ('Ow, son of a—' cried out Hiro), the Usagi was about to suggest a different subject when the lights flickered on and off. A rumbling thunder followed promptly.

"Hey, open a curtain, Kisa…I bet this storm will be a doozie. It's been hot and humid all day."

Setting down her cup of tea, she went to the window and drew back the blackout curtains. She clearly saw what Hiro meant. Trees were thrashing in the wind. There was rapid fire lightning all around the house…silent lightning up 'til now. Since she was mainly helping Momo with her homework (she did all her schoolwork earlier to fulfill her duty as host tonight), she quickly placed a bookmarker where they left off.

"Phew, look at that. Got flashlights here, Saa-chan?"

"Hai, we have them in the—"

(FLICKER, SNAP)

"Well, there goes our light."

"And our study session. Momo-chan, stay beside Saa-chan, okay?"

"Hai, Momiji-kun."

"Where are the flashlights, Saa-chan? I'll go get them."

"Hell no, we'll never see you or the flashlights again! I'll get them. Where's my cell…I can at least use that to make my way—OW, GODS, BAKA USAGI!"

"Here's my phone, hehehe," glibly replied Momiji as he held his cellphone up to Hiro's face, blinding him good. Dodging a swipe from the irate boy, Momiji happily looked down at his cell, hoping to check the weather before handing it off to Hiro. They had all agreed to turn their cells off for the night to avoid the distraction while they studied, but now, it was necessary. "Oh, hey, there's a—"

(GLASS SHATTERS DISTANTLY)

A loud thunder rolled through the house afterwards as they all jumped out of their skins. Holding Momo close to her, Kisa felt the poor girl's heart thudding straight out of her chest. Hoping to calm her, she rubbed Momo's arms soothingly. It's what she recalled most of what Tohru would do for her when she felt distressed. It warmed her heart to think of it now.

"It's okay, Momo-chan, I think a branch broke a window. Look how windy it is outside. Right, Hiro-kun?"

"For sure. Oi, Usagi, give me the—"

"Wait."

The sharp retort was on Hiro's tongue, but it remained there when he saw the look of terror on Momiji's face as he stared hard at his cell. Was the weather report that bad? Was there an alert?

"Molotov."

The word may have been quietly said with the thunder rolling through the house once again, but it was heard loudly and clearly by all Jyuunishi present. A moment in time and space stretched for one long minute as it dawned on them what this meant.

Each Jyuunishi is informed early in their young lives of three things: one, the individual who holds the Emperor/God role has absolute say over your life due to the life debt they ultimately pay for them. Two, each Jyuunishi will forever remain closely protected/guarded (and 'hidden') by the family elders. And three…

"Where's your cell, Haru?" whispered Momiji harshly.

"Broken, remember? Hatori won't buy me another one until I pay off the last one. Are you sure?" Grasping Momiji's cell, he saw the text message from Hatori. There was no mistake.

"Same on mine," quietly added Hiro after turning his cell on. Looking to Kisa, he anxiously asked, "Yours?"

"Um, upstairs…ch-charging in my room." She was certain that her heart was beating far harder than Momo's ever did. It physically hurt to speak through the hard lump in her throat as her arms and legs now felt like heavy weights. She looked out the window, fear now starting to overpower her ability to think. The wind, trees and lightning were creating shadows that moved far too much!

"What's 'Molotov'?"

The innocent question only reiterated just how precarious their situation had now become. Looking at one another, Haru quickly stood up to close the curtains. Hiro hurriedly dialed his parents' phone line and gestured Kisa to get up. Momiji called Hatori back, taking in a deep breath. Looking to his young sister, he hoped the bright smile he gave her was enough to calm her.

"Momo-chan, stay by Saa-chan, okay? It's still pretty dark in here. Haru, he's not picking up."

"Text him," tersely replied the eldest as he peered through the curtains, straining to see any danger in the mix of dark and bright light.

The busy signal Hiro kept getting made the gnawing in his stomach cut further. He also tried texting. Perhaps the storm outside is messing with their cell signal.

In a dark, remote part of his terrified Jyuunishi soul, he knew that wasn't it. So did the others.

Though she felt like the weight of the ocean was upon her, Kisa finally stood up. Her heartrate was pounding against her ears, but she pushed herself to walk the few feet to the door. Opening it slightly, she carefully peeked out into the darkened hallway and strained both her enhanced sight and hearing. It was somewhat silent in the house, but the weather outside was making itself known more and more. The flash of lightning was easily visible with all the lights turned off, and the wind was now starting to howl from somewhere inside the house. From the broken window perhaps?

But the soft crunch of shoes against broken glass was unmistakable.

She quickly pushed herself away from the door, slapping her hand against her mouth to keep the non-existent shriek at bay. She backed into her dear friend.

"Hiro-kun!" she cried quietly as she hugged him fiercely. "They're inside."

Holding her close, Hiro looked over to his other relatives. He harshly whispered, "Did you get a hold of—"

"No, you?"

Upon hearing Kisa and seeing that neither Hiro nor Momiji had any luck with trying to get a hold of anybody on their phones, Haru walked briskly over to the door. He could tell by the sound of the footsteps that they were still on the other side of the house. But time was growing desperately short.

He could not take them out into the storm. Hiro, for all his bravado, was the weakest physically amongst them four—he will no doubt transform in this weather if taken outdoors. Now he could carry him if need be, but there's no way Momiji would leave his sister behind to face this menace alone. And they would indeed need to leave her behind…a blind run in this storm with those people out there was no place for such a young girl.

That left him the option of sticking it out here. On the off chance that maybe, somehow they'll just leave them alone, especially as Kisa's mother was there—

"Saa-chan, take Momo-chan with you to your Okaa-san's room. We'll follow you out." There was no further explanation as Haru opened the door wide and went into the dark hallway.

Catching Kisa's frightened gaze, Hiro held her face and stared straight at her with pleading eyes. "Follow Haru out with Momo-chan. I'll be right behind you, promise."

Momiji also took care to calmly speak to his sister. "Momo-chan, be very quiet when you follow Saa-chan."

"But—"

"I'll be right behind you, too, okay? I just left a message with your parents, so they're coming soon. Now, go on now…do as I say."

Nodding reluctantly, she reached out to the elder girl, their hands clasped tightly as they both made their way out to the hallway slowly and quietly. Walking past Haru, Kisa led them down the familiar hallway, her heart beating so painfully as the flickering shadows were playing tricks with her nerves. She dared not breathe too heavily. Coming to the open doorway that lead to the main vestibule, she paused and felt all the others do the same. She carefully peeked around the corner, her gifted eyes not seeing anything out of place thankfully.

However, her hearing was clearly telling her unwelcome visitors were getting closer. The sound of doors opening and shutting indicated they were trying to find them.

Steeling herself, she pulled Momo close to her side up front and ever so gently stepped one foot in front of the other. Steadily making their way to the stairway across from them, her eyes darted frequently to the hallway where the subtle noises were coming from. The stairs felt like miles away.

The instant she put one foot onto the first stair, the air all around them seemingly vanished, as if a void suddenly sucked it all out of the area. It was in that instant that lasted a lot longer than it should that she found her horrified gaze locked with another's. But their gaze turned enraged.

"KISA, RUN!"

"Run."

"Eh?"

"You see or hear this word 'Molotov' on anything…phone call, text…from either myself or Kureno, you have to leave immediately…with or without your mother. You find Hiro and you run. No questions asked, Kisa-chan."

"I don't understand, Hatori-san…why?"

"Because…they are coming for you."

"Who?"

"The clan."

---

So in the end
I will be what I will be -
No loyal friend
Was ever there for me

---

Peering through a foggy windshield with windshield wipers going at full speed in the middle of a typhoon-like storm was not what she had hoped for as she slowly made her way up the mountain's dark winding roads in her rental car. The lightning only provided so much light due to the mountains all around. Maybe she could ask her companion to stop breathing. At least, it would be easier to see the flooded roads through the glass.

Looking over to the passenger seat, she brightly replied, "Ne, Rin-chan, why don't you try reaching Haru-chan again? Momii-chi's cell should pick up now."

"Not a chance in this weather…or with this big mountain in front of us. How much longer, Kagura?"

The proverbial 'are we there yet' was clearly implied here. Looking at her watch, she roughly gauged the time that they had spent driving and with how fast they were going…

"Hm, two hours?"

"WHAT?!"

"Haha, just kidding. It's been slow, but thankfully no traffic so we should be getting there in ten minutes."

Sighing heavily, Rin readjusted herself in her seat. Stretching was difficult in this car but she managed it. "Thank goodness…my back is killing me. This is the last time I ride up with you in the middle of the night to see your boy-toy."

"Heh, don't say that to him, he'd just drop dead of embarrassment. Besides, this may be the beginning of something more," she replied wistfully.

"Pft, I'd die of shock if that actually happens," Rin grumbled lowly. Looking to the serene Boar, she couldn't help to say, "Just take things easy. This is damn near suicidal…"

"And we're back to this conversation…you promised, Rin."

"Can I help it that I have experience in this?"

"Rin—"

"Akito will have your ass when she finds out, trust me. And Ritsu is in no shape to take that beating, literal or otherwise."

The silence was thick in the car after hearing that said out loud. It was implied in past conversations, but Rin held nothing back now.

"You should trust me more, Rin. I would never endanger Ritsu like that." Looking at her passenger, Kagura saw the hurt and worry in those eyes. A lifetime of it. She smiled sadly as she reached over to pat Rin's clenched hands. Her eyes returned to the road ahead, deftly avoiding the potholes along the way.

"Kagura—"

"Akito won't hurt him."

"That's—"

"I know so, Rin. For one, he's too far outside her immediate concern. Ritsu is the least of her worries."

"Until she sees him making a move!"

"She won't bother with him…I'll keep her attention on me."

Rubbing her face hard, Rin exasperatedly remarked, "That's exactly what you should be worried about!"

"It'll be fine. Yun-chan's been helping me, too, so—"

"Wait, WHAT?"

"Eh…" Kagura swore silently. She had meant to keep that to herself. "Never mind…"

"No, no, no, why are you going to HIM for help? Don't you realize he and Akito have been far too chummy these last few months? You can't trust either of them!"

"Oh, look the weather is letting up."

"Kagura—AGH!"

"Wha—where? Wait a minute." Abruptly stopping their car, she looked at the road ahead then behind her. Rolling down the window, she peered out into the night. "This doesn't…did I miss the turn off?"

Her companion was too busy coughing to respond after the jerky halt since she had been chewing on some chips.

Seeing no one else on this road, Kagura hit the car in Reverse and abruptly stopped upon coming to a fork on the road. The abrupt stop caused Rin to cough even more as she was taking a sip just then.

"Dammit (cough) Kagura, you're going to kill us—"

"Do you see the inn from here?" asked the elder girl as she strained to see up the hilltop. Normally you can see the lights of the inn from this turnoff point. It's why it's usually easy to spot the obscure private road that led up to the inn. "I don't see anything. This is the road, though, right?"

"You should know better than I do. Ahem…" Clearing her throat, she looked up as well, and Rin didn't see much of anything either. Lightning lit up behind the mountaintop, making everything hidden all that much harder to see. "Maybe the lights went out up here. Bad weather, you know."

"No…they have a generator." Kagura quickly shifted gears and turned the car onto the darkened private road. "Well, no matter, it looks like our drive has come to an end…thank goodness." ('Anything to calm Rin down.') Smiling happily, she added, "I hope they have some hot tea ready, I'm so tired from driving—"

(CHIME)

'FINALLY.' Looking down on her lap, Rin lifted the cell to see that she got a text. "WIFI seems to work up here better than the cell signal. Go figure."

"Yeah, you must be picking it up from the inn. Oh, look!" She carefully maneuvered the vehicle around the driveway paved in stone. "Man, these roads are bumpy in this rain. OUCH, what a crater! Great, my alignment is shot for sure—there goes my security deposit. Look over there, I've never seen the parking lot so empty…well, almost. There's a van. Maybe there's damage from the storm and they had to evacuate the guests when the power went out."

Coming to a stop, they sat in the car, the only sound being the intermittent wiper blades as Kagura tried to examine all around the outside of the inn. Flicking the high beams on, she could see further away, but still…

'No one is out here.' It wouldn't be cause for worry given the bad weather, but Ritsu ALWAYS met her at the parking entrance…rain, snow, sleet, or shine. She'd fret about it, of course, but he was adamant that he be there to greet her. No one worries like Ritsu can.

"Hm, well, looks like the rain is letting up. Good, I won't have to hike it up to the entrance. Kagura?" Looking over, Rin saw the distant stare of the young lady, no smile in sight. Unbuckling herself, she tried to reason, "Look, in this bad weather, even Ritsu had to stay inside. There could be damage at the inn like you said. C'mon, let's get going before it pours again."

Kagura responded by grabbing her purse behind her seat. She quickly took out her cell and began waving it around to see if a signal would come through.

(CHIME, CHIME, CHIME)

"Whoa, that's a lot of messages! Good thing Ritsu's parents splurged on the WIFI access up here. Now you can—"

"These are all from Kyo-kun…oh, here's some from Hatori. But…" Looking up again at the dark inn, she waved her cell around again, waiting if more messages come through. "Too weird…Rin, did Ritsu or his parents call or text you?"

Glancing at her cell, Rin shook her head. "Nope, just texts from Hatori. Oh, hey, here's some from Momiji's number. A LOT. Bet those idiots are blowing off their study session—I swear if Haru flunks out—"

"Isuzu."

The quietly uttered name was only ever spoken when Kagura was dead serious or pissed. Seeing the girl stare straight into her Jyuunishi soul with wide eyes, she stopped all thought. "Yeah?"

"What did Hatori's message say?"

Not questioning her, Rin looked it up and all messages said the same thing.

"Oh, shit." Adrenaline pumping through her like the Horse ready to take flight, she met the Boar's stern gaze. "Yours, too?"

"Ritsu…" The cold bite of despair like never before was starting to overwhelm her good sense. She stared into the darkness of the inn's windows, praying…begging that a warm light with Ritsu happily looking at her would meet her gaze. Nothing.

Rin hurriedly looked at Momiji's messages…and terror took hold of her heart.

"THEY'RE HERE! RUN! HIDE! DON'T—EHIBHXXPEEWE DONT—COM"

Kagura's good sense returned with a slap. 'This is a trap.' Kagura was quick to get the car back into gear and hit Reverse. When she reversed, however, she was met with the high beams of another vehicle directly behind her blocking her way backward. She hurriedly put the car in Drive only for the parked van from before drive up directly to her, high beams on as well while blocking her way forward.

"AH, MY EYES…I CAN'T SEE!"

(SMASH, GLASS SHATTERING)

Rin screamed as she felt the passenger windows shatter from an unknown force. She heard her car door unlock and she was quickly pulled out of the car and held firmly against what felt like a female assailant.

"GET OFF ME!" she screamed as she struggled to get away. Looking up, she saw that Kagura was also held against her will but with two women holding her down. She didn't seem to put up as big a fight, partly because the Boar was busily trying to look around for the one person that she was most worried for.

"We have them, sir. Your orders?" barked one of the women.

A man in an oversized raincoat had emerged from the parking entrance. Seeing him closer, Kagura realized she recognized him. "What are you doing here? Where's Ritsu?!"

Eyeing her with disdain, Sohma Seto's personal assistant ignored her question and looked over to the unruly girl that was doing all she can to break free. "Naoe, get that girl under control!"

"Apologies, sir!" she quickly remarked as she twisted Rin's arm further to incapacitate her. It worked.

"DAMN YOU, BITCH!"

"RIN!"

"Oh, so she's the one." Reading the paperwork he pulled out of his coat, he huffed in annoyance. "Well, first thing's first. Tanabe!"

A tall burly man got out from the van that was parked initially at the front. He strode over to the back and opened the back doors, dragging another individual who had his hands tied in front of him with cable ties. Struggling to walk forward, he was dragged along and finally stopped as Tanabe stood still next to the man in charge, awaiting further orders.

In a span of moments, lightning still streaking across the sky with a soft rumble of thunder accompanying the gentle rain now coming down, Kagura saw all that mattered to her. With one swift move, the assistant peeled the duct tape off Ritsu's mouth without a care.

"Koeda, leave Ritsu alone!" cried out Kagura as she scarcely restrained herself from launching across the parked vehicles. Seeing the young man's bloodied mouth against his pale skin, she started to tearfully call out to him, "Ritsu, it's okay, you'll be fine—"

"Sohma Kagura—"

"STOP HURTING RITSU!"

"He won't come to further harm, Ms. Sohma, so long as you cooperate. This would be much easier to take care of if we could sedate you all, but unfortunately your medical records are not at our disposal. For now."

"WHAT DO YOU WANT, BASTARD?!"

"Your silence!" Appalled at having to dignify Rin's shriek with his response, he laid his hands on Ritsu's shoulders to force him onto his knees. "Now, Ms. Sohma, please cooperate peacefully and get into the van that these ladies will escort you to. Your Ritsu will stay here until your transport takes off. One hour later we will follow. And that is all. Simple, ne?"

"WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE, SON OF A—"

"Not you, stupid girl!" erupted angrily Koeda. "Gods know you don't deserve any favors, but you…you get to stay with the stupid Monkey's parents here at the inn. Call it a 'thank you' from Seto-sama."

"WHAT?!"

"This…all this is all possible thanks to your cooperation. Without you volunteering that video of the Nezumi and Neko fight at the exhibit hall, the elders that were on the fence wouldn't have agreed with Seto-sama. It was quite convincing."

Rin grew still in the hold of the lady guard as she heard each word spoken. Shaking her head, she glanced back and forth between this Koeda and Kagura. Kagura's eyes looked at her in shock, which quickly turned to betrayal and disbelief. "I…I don't…that video was…Akito was supposed to go down with the Rat, not us! What is this bullsh—"

"You are a naïve, stupid little girl. You think Akito's the problem? It's all you FREAKS that need to be hauled off! Maru, take her up to the inn. We're done."

"NO—STOP! LET ME GO!"

"We…we're the freaks?! Really? REALLY?! HAH!" It was a mix of ominous laughter and tearful despair that racked the petite girl. Looking to her fellow female Jyuunishi with a broken grin, Kagura remarked lowly, "We really need to talk—"

"Kagura…"

The quietly spoken name was almost drowned out by the rumbling thunder that echoed in this valley, but she would hear it a mile away. She broke her stare on Rin and looked to the weakened man on his knees on the muddy ground. He was staring at her with a wide smile…bleeding painfully so but it was a sad smile. For her.

"I'm so sorry…I didn't send that text, but you trusted me—"

Heaving her tears, Kagura nodded. "Always. (Sniffle) Don't worry, I'll go—"

"Please, trust me now," he interjected with an even brighter smile. She saw he was missing a few teeth. She choked back tears.

Koeda jerked Ritsu's head by his hair. "Get her to go into the van, Chimp. Then you'll be done and back into your transport. No more will be done to you."

Nodding hurriedly, his head was thrust forward, causing him to bend over. Ritsu lifted his weary gaze to meet her gentle gaze once more, mouthing the few words she longed to hear out loud.

'I love you, too.' But what he mouthed to her next shook her to the core. He wouldn't—

Never doubt the love-fueled desperation of the Monkey of the Zodiac.

(SMACK, CRUNCH)

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

"RUN NOW, KAGURA!"

"STUPID CHIMP!"

(SMACK)

The all-out commotion of a big man crying as he cradled his shattered knee by a stone paver was not one to go unnoticed. A slew of guards on the sidelines immediately ran to give him aid. The Monkey on the ground was ignored as he lay motionless from the kick to the head.

The instant she felt the lax hold on her by her stunned guards, Kagura knew no fury quite like then.

Screaming to the heavens, she mightily pulled the two guards forward against her rental. They were startled breathless, and she slipped from their grasp. She grabbed both by their scalps, repeatedly slamming both skulls hard against the hot metal of the still running car. Letting them slump to the ground, she saw more guards coming her way fast.

One of them was a male as he threw himself to tackle her.

Rin had slammed her booted heel hard against the distracted guard behind her and swiftly pulled away to run fast and climb over the rental car. She launched herself with all her strength onto the male guard. She grinned madly. "Boo."

(POOF!)

A rampaging horse was no one's friend…except to a boar.

"GET OUTTA HERE, KAGURA! RUN!" The Horse of the Zodiac spun hard and wildly kicked at all the guards that were descending on her. She reared up as well, determined to take as many down with her as possible.

"IGNORE THE DAMN HORSE, GET THE GIRL!"

Kagura was already making her way to the van that had blocked her rental from the rear. The one lone guard at the van hurriedly tried to drive away, but the determined Boar went over the hood and kicked in the windshield. She reached in and violently pulled the protesting female through the opening and threw her out with little care.

"STOP HER!"

Settling into her seat, Kagura dared to look up for one long moment. To take it all in. To see all that was happening to them because of a betrayal.

'Seto.'

Rin was being roped now and dragged down. And Ritsu…never once moved.

'Ritsu.'

She quickly reversed the vehicle down the private road, faster than should be safe. She didn't care. Once getting to the fork on the road, she turned her lights off and took off, aware that they have at least the other van to chase her down. With the wind and rain pelting her, the pitch black road before her so slick…

'He hadn't moved…and I left him.'

---

Now we say - goodbye
We say - you didn't try...

---

'Please, PLEASE, for once in your life, DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID, RIN!'

It was the one consistent thought going through Haru's head as he dodged a fist aimed at his head. The man was sure sore that Haru threw Momiji's cellphone to his groin.

Grabbing the assailant by said groin, he crushed whatever was there hard and head-butted him for screaming in his ear. Knocking that one out, he turned to the others that seemed to come at him in waves.

Two arms grabbed him from behind. His feet kicked off from another's face while pushing his assailant against a wall. Stunned, he turned around and head-butted him. One broken nose later, he was on to the next fool.

A vase flew over his head and landed square behind him to knock out a new attacker.

"DAMMIT, MOMIJI, THAT WAS MY HEAD! AND I TOLD YOU TO GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!" (LUNGE, SMACK)

(DODGE) "NO DICE, I'M NOT LEAVING YOU, SO GET OVER IT! BEHIND YOU!" (SMASH)

"GET DOWN, MOMIJI!"

One hard swing from a wood bat took down that assailant.

"CRAP, HIRO, YOU KILLED HIM!"

"PFT, IF ONLY! GET DOWN!"

"BOYS, LEAVE IT, GET UP THERE!"

Hearing Kisa's gardener, a normally sweet, old man that resided there to help her mother around the house, bellow angrily while swinging his aluminum bat was very surreal. And it couldn't be helped when they overheard the attackers on their walkie-talkies.

"SIR, WE NEED BACKUP, MORE BACKUP!"

"STAND ASIDE! THIS IS CLAN BUSINESS!"

"STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MY KIDS!"

"YOU ARE ORDERED TO STAND DOWN!"

"HARU, LET'S GO!"

"GIVE ME THAT BAT, HIRO! GO, NOW!"

"MOMIJI, GO NOW!"

"GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE, TRESPASSERS!"

"SIR, THERE'S NO SIGN OF THE GIRL!"

"THESE BOYS ARE COMING WITH US, STAND ASIDE!"

"WHERE ARE THE TASER GUNS?"

"WE'RE NOT AUTH—"

"USE THEM NOW!"

"DAMMIT, HE JUST BIT ME!"

"BOYS, GO!"

Kisa vainly tried to drown out the chaos that echoed throughout her house. The storm was lashing hard against her home, and the lightning lit her mom's dark bedroom fully. Rumbling thunder that shook the very walls of her home was mixed in with the loud thumps and shouts from where the boys were.

Her peaceful world was torn asunder.

Both she and Momo cuddled with her mother against the far wall while avoiding the all-out battle occurring just beyond these walls. Her mother held them close, still desperately trying to get a signal to work from her cell. This storm did no one any favors.

Or, as was likely the cause, the family phone line account was disconnected.

"HIRO, BEHIND YOU!"

(THUMP)

"STUPID, SONS OF BIT—"

"SIR, GO GET THE GIRL!"

"SEIZE THEM ALL!"

"BRING IN ANOTHER FEMALE GUARD!"

"STAY AWAY FROM MY—"

(CRASH)

"GET THIS FREAK OFF MY HAIR!"

"No!" cried out her mother despondently. Throwing the phone to the side, she eyed all around her to see what else she could use to barricade the bedroom door. All the furniture was already there, even the large mattress, but she knew it wouldn't hold for long.

They were driven on by a Sohma. And Sohmas always had their way.

Kisa could tell it was only a matter of time. Her dear mother even took care to put a potted plant at the barricade. Looking down at the girl she now held in her arms, she saw how terrified Momo had become…before she was screaming with each yell and crash. Now…silent terror haunted her eyes, trembling with each thud heard in the house.

'Such innocence…like mine was.' She couldn't help but remember how she had come to lose that part of herself, long ago it seems now. It was only in recent times that she found herself anew, not the exact same as before, but she rebuilt herself with lots of help and love from her family.

The same family that was now under attack.

'Mama…Hiro…Haru-oniisan…Momiji-kun…'

Standing up, she quickly grabbed Momo's hand, and opened the door they were sitting next to. Closing the door behind them, a small pass-through was revealed, where it led to a walk-in closet that served as a storeroom. Here she looked beyond her father's old suits and the winter wear. Just like long ago, she spotted the small latched door hidden behind a box. Pulling the box away, she opened the door fully to uncover a small alcove. It had been her favorite hiding place when she wanted to pretend she was safe from her bullies. She and Hiro would play in there often…a whole world of make-believe for just the two of them.

Now it would serve a much greater purpose.

Grabbing fistfuls of her old winter clothes, she shoved them inside to hopefully make it less dusty. It'll have to do.

(SMASH)

"STAY AWAY FROM US!"

'Mama…they're at the bedroom door…'

Seeing Momo now completely immobile, staring at her feet, Kisa hugged her fiercely. Grasping her face, she forced the young child's frightened gaze to meet her hopefully steady one.

"It's going to be okay, Momo-chan…they're not coming for you. You're safe here, okay?"

(Whimpering) "But…Momiji-kun…and the others…and—"

(SMASH)

"GET OUT!"

"SIR, THERE'S TOO MUCH DEBRIS TO CLEAR—"

"THEN CLIMB OVER IT!"

"NOTIFY SETO-SAMA WE'RE ALMOST COMPLETE HERE!"

"OW, DAMMIT, SHE JUST THREW A LAMP AT MY HEAD—"

(CRASH)

"Momo-chan, look at me!" Seeing the now sobbing girl look to her, she did her utmost to give her a genuine smile. "You're so brave to be worried about others. But you must get in there now. It's the safest place in the whole world, you'll see. And your parents are coming, they'll be here to take you home soon. Promise."

"But—"

(CRASH)

"Don't be afraid, no matter what you hear next. You will always be safe in here. Please, for us, go!"

Gently shoving the girl into the alcove, she closed the small door and put the box in front. She turned around, heart thumping hard against her chest as she looked forward. Each step she took she came closer to the madness of her family under attack…she did not stop. She slowly opened the door, her breathing now becoming harder to control. She fisted her hands to keep them from trembling.

Her mother was scratching out the eyes of a man that held her painfully in his grip. Her curses loud…drowned out by their shouts…thunder booming…blinding lightning…

She focused on one tall man and heard nothing but the rush of blood in her ears…

"THERE SHE IS!"

…as she bolted straight into…

"NO! DON'T LET HER—"

(POOF)

(ROAR)

'They are my family…I can be brave, too…for them.'

---

These tears you cry…
Have come too late!

---

It was the smell. God awful smell.

He was trying to retreat to wherever dreams came from, but there was such a relentless shoving from somewhere. He turned away and, oh, was he so close to—

He felt the floor shake…the walls, too.

That damn smell won't go away! Oh, there he goes, he feels the cough course through him, his body lurching hard with each cough.

Sound was coming through now…garbled, loud. Now he can hear coughing…was that him?

"—yam—wa—"

Goodness, who talks like that?

"—mus—"

Well, if that's all, then he'll just fall back to blissful oblivion, preferably where there's no foul smells, rude shoving—

"OW, DAMN, WHO JUST STABBED ME?!"

"IT'S A SHOT. GET UP, AYAME, NOW!"

The sudden onslaught of smell and sound disoriented him. Coughing still, he blearily tried to make sense of anything really. Maybe if he blinked harder…or opened his eyes wider…

'I'm leaning against a wall…on a very dirty floor in Tori-san's office…in the dark? Whoa, is it me or are my hands huge?! Damn, what was in that shot?! Oh, look at all that paperwork…it's everywhere, right? So messy… Am I seeing double now? Now that's a storm…so pretty with all the lights on and off and on and… Oh, that's why I've been coughing.'

"Tori-san ('whoa, that sounded like an echo'), can't you torch your paperwork tomorrow, the rain's coming in—"

"AYAME, GET UP!"

"Oh, fine…so inpatient." Standing up unsteadily, he smoothed his silk sleeping robe, disappointed that it was already stained. 'I've got to start wearing something less stainable.'

Coughing and waving away from his face the constant smoke from the burning trash bin outside Hatori's office by the koi pond, he realized then that there was relentless shouting occurring outside the office down the long interior hallways. The servants were all running and tripping over themselves at times.

'They probably think Tori-san has lost his head now that he's become a pyromaniac…look at him go at it and feeding that fire sky high—'

"AYAME, GET ME THE LAST FILE FOLDERS IN THE BOTTOM DRAWER, HURRY!"

'File folders…drawer…that's in a cabinet, right?' He had to slowly break down such quickly given instructions lest he gets confused. There, he found it. Leaning heavily against it, he bent over and retrieved the requested documents. 'Gods, I feel like I'm running a mile a minute!'

"AYAME!"

'Oh, right, he wants these.' Smiling widely, he wobbles over to Hatori's side, handing over the paperwork and promptly throwing up on the good doctor's shoes.

"Ugh, that was gross," he lowly remarked as he covered his mouth and quickly made his way to a far corner of the office to throw up the rest that must go.

"HATORI-SAMA!"

Hatori was momentarily stunned until he heard the yell. He shoved all the paperwork into the house servant's arms. "Take these and make sure it all burns. Go!"

As the servant quickly tended to the task, Hatori hurried over to a mini-fridge he kept there and took out a bottle of water. He quickly went over to the ailing Snake and had him drink it, all the while running a quick visual test and checking vitals.

"Sorry, Ayame, I gave you a little too much. You're having a reaction to the shot, but it looks to be passing now."

"Blech, it was revolting," commented Ayame as he rinsed his mouth thoroughly, not liking his eyes being probed with a bright pen light. "Can't you just turn on the lights…why're we in the dark anyway?"

"They cut the power. Ayame, we need to—"

(THUMP, BOOM)

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Ayame yelled in surprise as he clutched the wall. He could have sworn the whole building was being shaken! That was no thunder.

"HATORI-SAMA!"

Turning to the servant, the doctor's voice was serious. "Have they breached the compound?"

"Breach?" incredulously interjected the now alert tailor.

Bowing deeply, the manservant quickly grabbed the two Jyuunishi. "Please, sirs, I beg of you, GO NOW!"

"I NEED THESE BUR—"

"I'll do that! Please, you must go now! Kureno-sama and Akito-sama are already out!"

"Yuki, too?"

"Well—"

"He's out," cut in Hatori. "What of the docu—"

"Taken care of, sir…the code went out. It is done. YOU BOTH MUST LEAVE NOW!"

'Good, we'll be fine…for now.' It's with no small amount of relief that Hatori finally gathered a moment of respite since getting Kana's call. Her call bought them precious minutes to alert the main household of this incoming chaos. But was it enough time to alert the other Jyuunishi? He had sent out the alert, yet cold dread grew in his gut with each passing minute. And he could no longer reach them…his cell was the first to meet its demise in the roaring flames.

"What code?"

Answering Ayame, the servant remarked, "Code 'Molotov', sir."

"OH…well then, DAMN!" cursed the Snake as he finished his bottle.

"WHERE ARE THEY?"

"TURN THIS WAY!"

"YOU ARE TRESPASSING!"

"THEY HAVE THE HALLWAYS BLOCKED!"

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT BEING HERE!"

"SIR, DO WE ACTIVATE ANOTHER FLASH BOMB?!"

"GET OUT OF HERE!"

"USE THE TEAR GAS INSTEAD!"

"NO, IT'LL TURN ON US, TOO, IN THESE CLOSED QUARTERS!"

"WHERE ARE THE JYUUNISHI?!"

"SURRENDER THEM NOW!"

Hatori gave no further attention to the commotion just yards away as he and Ayame were hauled away by a torrent of male servants that flooded into the office, all dressed in black hooded overcoats. Both Jyuunishi were quickly engulfed in the same large overcoats as they were scurried to the outside. Bypassing the burning trash bin, they all formed a charging train into the courtyard.

Here the storm raged on all around them, the wind whipping against their coats and against the strong branches of the trees. Lightning lit the way for their caretakers who knew exactly where they were going. But the constant light in the sky made it easier for their enemies to see in the dark.

"THERE! THEY'RE GOING ACROSS THE GARDENS!"

"ARE YOU SURE IT'S THEM?!"

(WHOOSH)

"THEY SET THE OFFICES ON FIRE, SIR!"

"WE'RE BLOCKED!"

"THE OTHER WAY—GO THE OTHER WAY!"

"IT'S SPREADING!"

"Well, when that servant said he'd burn it, he wasn't joking."

"Not now, Ayame!"

"Sirs, we're here."

"…here is…?"

"We'll ensure your escape."

Immediately the train of servants spread out in two's in all directions. Those pursuers that made it to the courtyard busily tried to chase them all.

Hatori towed Ayame by the arm as he turned left, left, right, straight…dodge a guard here…hard left…slip by the other guard…hang right… It was the most convoluted path through dense shrubbery; it was intended to deter from being pursued so easily. Although far less in number than before, these pursuers were steadily gaining on them.

"THERE THEY ARE!"

"THE DOCTOR IS THE MAIN GOAL!"

"DON'T LET HIM TOUCH YOU—SETO-SAMA'S ORDERS!"

"ON YOUR LEFT!"

"GET THE TASERS READY!"

"Now that's uncalled for!" shouted the angry tailor as he stopped and turned around.

"AYAME!"

"AGH, THERE'S CACTUS HERE!"

"Serves you right, ass—"

"MOVE IT!"

(WHOOSH)

"THE CLAN HEAD'S QUARTERS ARE COMPROMISED!"

"GET AWAY FROM THERE!

Seeing as they were headed straight to that burning building, Ayame started to pull back.

"COME ON, AYA—"

"NO, NO, I DRAW THE LINE AT RUNNING IN MUD IN THE MIDDLE OF A TYPHOON!"

Instead of pulling harder, Hatori stopped abruptly. Holding fast to his cousin, he looked him over and promptly removed the hood over his head. He was drenched in seconds.

"That was rude."

(POOF!)

Picking up both coat and a slithering snake, Hatori ran full speed to the building in flames. He felt the heat as he finally reached it, momentarily pausing to see if the room he's looking for—

(OOMPH)

"I HAVE THEM…OR AT LEAST ONE!"

"WHICH ONE?"

"STATE YOUR NAME!"

Hatori could barely catch his breath after having been slammed to the ground so hard. It didn't help that the large man had a knee to his chest.

"YOUR NAME NOW! OR I WILL TASE—AAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!"

Hatori immediately crawled backwards away from the screaming guard that had a snake's mouth clamped tightly on his throat.

"AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHH—GET IT OFF, GET IT OFF, GET IT OFF!"

He was desperately trying to pull it off, but this snake had wound tight around his neck and refused to budge.

"I CAN'T…BREATHE…CAN'T—"

"I'M HERE, I'M HERE!"

The doctor quickly grabbed the taser gun the shrieking guard had left on the ground and shot it straight to the newcomer. The man hit the ground before uttering another sound, his taser gun still in his hand.

The look of terror in the large man's eyes grew and his yells lessened as Hatori picked up the discarded device. It was now aimed straight at him.

"Ayame, get over here!"

Instantly the snake released its grip and launched itself to the ground, slithering speedily to the doctor.

"TORI-SAN, MY MOUTH NEEDS BLEACH!" shouted the snake as he was quickly lifted and shoved into the doctor's overcoat. It gently wound itself around the man's neck. "Anything, Tori-san, just get this bastard's taste out of my mouth!"

"WHAT ARE YOU…YOU…UGLY FREAKS?!"

Clearly seeing the man break apart and start to retreat, Hatori didn't hesitate further to shoot him.

"Take that, LOSER. Of all the insults…I'm actually rather beautiful by—"

"WHERE ARE THEY?"

"WHICH WAY THEY GO?"

"DO YOU SEE ANYTHING?"

Hatori did not delay any further. He dashed into the burning building…along with a screaming snake.

---

Take back the lies,
The hurt, the blame!

---

~:~ Tick, then tock. ~:~

~:~ The mouse goes 'round the clock. ~:~

~:~ Tick, then tock. ~:~

~:~ The clock has struck. ~:~

"With Papa gone, they'll come after me. All the way until I'm dead, too."

"No—"

"The bad people will come for you, too, Yuki. You have to be stronger than them."

"How?"

"I'll make you strong. And when you can't do that anymore, you can run. You have my permission. Like I told you."

"Run? Run where?"

"If I'm not around, run to Hatori. He's the least stupid person you know."

"But…to you first, always, right, Akito?"

"You'll always know to come to me first."

~:~ The mouse goes down. ~:~

It was all the Nezumi of the Jyuunishi could do to manage one foot slowly in front of the other, blood droplets accompanying his steps down dark, wet streets in the gently pouring rain.

He saw nothing before him.

He heard nothing around him.

But he knew where to go.

~:~ Tick, then tock. ~:~

---

And you will weep
When you face the end alone –

---

"Where are we with those files?!"

"Sorry, sir, the wreckage at the Honke is massive. Those offices are in ruins."

"We'll have to wait until the first responders leave. We can't risk suspicion without the Dragon."

"What can you get from the house servants that you sequestered?"

"Better luck getting rocks to speak. They are the most loyal—they'll say nothing."

"Loyalty or not, get them to TALK!"

"We're wasting time! I am already receiving push back from the Eastern faction. The parents of the Jyuunishi have filed a formal complaint—"

"Counter them with a complaint of our own. 'All Jyuunishi are under the ultimate care of the CLAN, not the parents.' They are completely out of control!"

"That's hard to explain when one of the parents is a member of this council—"

"The Rabbit's father, figures."

"Status report on the retrieval of the Jyuunishi?"

"With the retrieval of the four children—"

"'Children'? One was a tournament fighter, and another turned to her Jyuunishi form!"

"She was quickly subdued, sir, with the taser guns."

"Not after taking out FIVE grown men! EIGHTEEN injuries total!PATHETIC JOB OF YOUR MEN!"

"Are you blaming—"

"The others?"

"The younger Jyuunish are en route to the secure site. The Horse was sequestered along with the Monkey after helping the Boar escape. Those two are already confined at the site. Ten injuries reported from there."

"Did you find the Boar?"

"Negative, we lost track of the vehicle in the mountain passes."

"All remaining Jyuunishi are still missing, including the Cat."

"His premises were searched?"

"As best can be had…the storm didn't give us a chance to look in the woods. We'll try later today as the weather clears."

"Correction, sir, the writer was located but only from a notice from his editor's office. Apparently Shigure-san is having a book tour for the next two months. He left this note for you, sir."

Seto read the sealed note handed to him, opened it, then furiously tore it up. Apparently, the writer can draw pretty well the human hand and its expletive gestures.

"Sir, we have a new problem."

"We cannot access the mainframe of the controlling interests to the core accounts of the clan."

"We already retrieved—"

"No, sir, all those we retrieved were dummy accounts. At most, what we have is control of a greater portion of the—"

"In layman's terms!"

"All core accounts are not accessible. No new business can be conducted from here, none. Managing existing accounts and their funds is under our control but without the other…"

"This is a damn fine mess, Seto. You got us exactly where we weren't supposed to be…at an impasse with Akito."

Six Jyuunishi sequestered; six Jyuunishi running loose; core business assets frozen.

They were indeed at an impasse with the Head of the Sohma clan. They might have surprised her with the coup, but she had planned well their escape…mostly.

Who will make the next move? And at what risk?

Seto got up from his chair and looked out at the skyline, a new dawn coming upon them all. Leaning against the window, he spoke for the first time as this all winded down. "Her control is cut in half. It's only a matter of time…we will wait her out. And we will truly be done with them all."

---

You are lost!
You can never go home.

---

Whispers stirred his thoughts.

The smell of wet earth hit him next.

Moving one finger felt impossible.

Suddenly, his vision was wide awake…so he thought. She was here.

After so long, she was there, kneeling on the ground next to him, he thinks. He saw her profile, straight-backed and resolute…staring straight ahead. Not a smile to be seen.

No, its not her. The Tohru he knew would always have a hint of joy in herself…that inner light that drew others in. For once, he truly saw the woman who was Tohru but not.

He will have to thank Kagura for getting him to see.

She turned her head slowly to look down on him, her expression never faltering. She stared.

He couldn't speak. He didn't need to.

"You see me now."

There was no gentleness in her voice. No warmth. Not cold either.

Not Tohru kept staring at him after she spoke. She then turned away.

He then noticed that they were at Tohru's old camping site…a long ago, innocent memory now.

"They're coming."

He couldn't ask even he wanted to.

She stood up…he finally noticed what she held in her hand. She never had that before…or the other thing in her other hand.

She had her back to him now. She was walking away. Far away.

She spoke no more.

The light was so bright. He squinted.

He was coughing as he breathed in the dirt. And he could finally move.

He twisted his head as he coughed, struggled to sit up but he managed. The blue tarp from Tohru's old tent remained over him. It wasn't raining any—

Suddenly, he stood up, the pain from his leg now making itself known. It all came rushing back to his senses…to his memories. He twisted all around…making sure not one person was near him.

The storm had left a complete wreck all around him…branches of all sizes down around him. Trees gently swayed to a cool breeze. Tucked safely under the tarp, he was fine for the most part, nothing missing, dirty, but okay. He could tell it was early dawn, the sunrise colors lighting the still dark clouds overhead.

It was beautiful to look at.

Yet the dread of all that has happened remained in his heart. And the warning he got from 'not Tohru' was real…Shigure said so. Whatever possessed that mutt, he had at least told him the truth.

Molotov. The one word that can put the chill in your blood if you were Jyuunishi,

He leaned heavily on the trees as he made his way through unseen paths, away from the tarp and far away from the house. His leg was throbbing something fierce, but he will not stop, he had to keep pushing forward…

Damn that mutt for not thinking to get him a shoe for his one good foot!

Taking a breather to catch his breath, he dared not sit down but stood against a tree with his one good leg, noting that his foot was slightly bloody and bruised. Cursing the Dog once more, he looked up to see that the sky is quickly getting lighter. Dark clouds overhead moved speedily across the sky.

He heavily sighed as he closed his eyes for just one moment of deep breathing. He had to think clearly, it was all he had to find a way—

Looking to his left, he heard a whisper. Heart beats later and with nerves tightly wound to counter anything aimed at him, he carefully walked across the leaf-strewn ground, avoiding any twig or branch that would give away his location. With fists clenched tightly, he stepped into the clearing ahead.

They want him, he'll oblige them.

Yet what met his eyes was not an army of guards ready to take him in, but a lone, small ball of a human being. Rocking back and forth on their heels.

A twig snapped.

The small, lone human turns eyes of dark, murderous intent on him, standing tall with a taser gun trained on him. He backed the hell off.

"Kagura?"

The spell was broken. He could hear the deep breath she took in as she blinked away the darkness, her arm lowering but holding tight to that gun…seeing him and looking all around her, maybe noticing for the first time that she was at Yuki's old garden…maybe expecting an attack…

She didn't expect to see him.

Lowering his hands, he tried again to approach her. He was astonished at her ragged appearance. Gently, he reached out to her, quietly asking what he couldn't bear to ask but must.

"What happened?"

She was nursing a bloody lip and the cut on her nose had long dried up. She gave whoever that came at her one hell of a beat down if this was how she looked now.

But her broken, haunted gaze told him it hadn't mattered.

"They came."

So dead was her voice, so small.

Falling to her knees, she grasped her head and began rocking herself once again. Holding back her hysteria, she could only repeat herself.

"They came, I left him. They came…I left him. They came…"

He kneeled next to her and grasped her shoulders. "Kagura!"

"I LEFT HIM! I LEFT HIM! I'M SORRY, I'M SO SORRY!"

He held her close as she wailed against his shoulder.

"PLEASE, KYO-KUN! I LEFT HIM! I LEFT HIM!"

-"Do you hate…truly hate from the deepest recesses of your soul?"-

"IT HURTS, KYO-KUN! THEY TOOK HIM AND I LEFT HIM! I LEFT HIM!"

-'…she had a smile that lit up her very little, insane world. And she wanted to share that little bit with him…'-

"I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY!"

He took the taser from her loose grasp and soothed her softly.

"I'M SORRY, I LEFT HIM!"

His mind was clear now.

War was declared on the Jyuunishi.

His family was just attacked.

They had lost.

But not one enemy will escape the wrath of this Neko when he next meets them.

Not one.

---

You are lost!
You can never go home.

---

~~~~~~~~~SUMMER END~~~~~~~~~

---

**ADDED NOTE: FOR THOSE WANTING LEAVE REVIEW, IF IT FFN DOESN'T LET YOU, PLEASE PRIVATE MESSAGE ME OR LEAVE REVIEW AS ANONYMOUS. I HAD DELETED 'BOGUS' CHAPTER AND THE NUMBERS SHIFTED SO THAT MY 'OLD' CH70 IS NOW MY NEW CHAPTER 70. MAKE SENSE? (~_^)

---

End notes 07/18/20:

Oh my friggin' goodness, how time flies! This can't be five years after my last posting! CRAZY!

And we are indeed living in crazy times now. I hope you all are staying safe wherever you may be. Please do!

Since last I posted, Fruits Basket was re-released back to anime along with a manga post Fruits Basket events. I will tell you now, I have seen NONE of this, mainly because I'm so focused on this story rendition of the characters and all that involves them. So as I stated in my lengthy bio, discrepancies from the official canon will be obvious, but hopefully no one is offended.

Let's get started on my mess here. I finally wrapped up 'Summer' in this storyline. Yes, done and over with. The foundation to all my epic twists and turns is already put to rest. Now I have to wrap this novel up in 'Fall'. This will be likely around three to five chapters…yes, that small. Winter wasn't that large either so it kind of falls in line with that understanding. It will be more twists and turns but it's the concluding part of this story. There's not much else to say, really; I hope you're holding your breath.

To make myself this promise, I forced to make an internal agreement that this will all be wrapped up by the end of this year or forever place the story on hiatus. Hard words but I must push myself to this so I don't back down.

Back to my story, did you like it? Plenty of laughs and horrific consequences have befallen the family. What will become of them? I really, truly hope you all find the characters true to form and how they've grown in this story. To the one reviewer that was a bit sore with Kyo's portrayal earlier in the series, I understand you and agree, but I hope you're still here to see how much it's coming full circle, for all of them.

Musical notes to point out: Emiliana Torrini's song from LOTR series, "Gollum's Song" was quite poignant and on point with this chapter-all the verses are in this fic. I also took to listen to her rendition of "Sound of Silence"…so beautiful. The piano piece Yuki played in my mind was Tchaikovsky's "June: Barcarolle" that Lang Lang does a great rendition. For the general background feel, I looked to Final Fantasy's VII Advent Children OST, particularly "Tenrai, Divinity I and II" plus of course "One-winged Angel"…so awesome! This was all so epic and loud, I had to come down to the very hopeless and sad scene with Kagura and Kyo—the song from the Hunger Games, "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars was perfect for this portion. It holds a promise however small that they will truly be safe and sound.

Thank you all, everyone, to those who read and those who leave reviews. Please know I am so grateful for your attention to my little piece of insanity in this crazy world. And I hope you'll continue to hang on by your fingernails to the conclusion to this epic story! Stay safe, lovelies!

*Hellokat*