DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN FRUITS BASKET OR BLEACH, NOR DO I PORFIT FROM THIS STORY.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, or put this on their favourite/follow list! You rock!

(Word kept trying to get me to change 'their' to 'his or her' but not everyone identifies as that do they? Get with the times!) I will do my best to make my author notes gender neutral from now on.

Bet you weren't expecting to get another chapter so soon (soon compared to my last update). I'm full of surprises. Not that I blame you, it did take me over 18 months to update last time.

TRIGGER WARNING FOR MENTIONS OF BLOOD AND ABUSE! IF WANT TO SKIP THAT PART, IT STARTS JUST AFTER THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN HATORI, AYAME AND SHIGURE!

Work was tiring but good, happy to be doing something productive again.

Previously…

Except there's no denying the feeling bubbling up in his chest. No matter what he thinks or feels to try and keep it down. To keep it contained. It consumes fear; it relishes on his disgust, it taunts confusion and walks all over bitterness like it isn't even there. It refuses to be locked away and forgotten, taken over from a depression long since passed. Others come with it, hand in hand, dragged from the recesses of his mind, of his heart.

Joy, fascination, relief, wonder…

Happiness.

Hitsugaya Taicho,

Your lack of progress is frustrating to say the least. If you do not locate the source soon your away team will be dispatched to assist you.

I have no control over what your colleagues do in their spare time, they have however been ordered to keep social calls to a minimum.

- Yamamoto Soutaicho.

Rich Man Poor Man

Sixty years ago…

Tensai Academy was by all means a well to do School, its successful sporting life attracting some of the largest companies in Japan, all bidding to sponsor at team. The baseball club was the most sought after; winning Nationals five years in a row made them a hot commodity, one not to be taken lightly. The soccer club was next; they had sourced rising players from Elementary Schools and worked them until they functioned like a well-oiled machine, almost impossible to beat. The track team was in third place, followed by the basketball club and so on a so forth.

The academic achievements of its students weren't to be over looked either. The mathematics club had recently won nationals, keeping its record-wining streak of seven years firmly on track. Nakamura Hideki made headlines across Japan for reciting over forty two thousand decimal places of Pi, beating out University students and professors for the honour. The student body also achieved excellence by placing first in all mandatory numeracy and literacy examinations.

Tensai Academy was by all means a well to do School.

An exclusive School, which could only be attended by those invited to join the state of the art institution.

Now, there are many ways that a prospective student can be invited. As stated before, one can excel in sports, and have an offer extended to them on the condition that they represent the Academy in said game. On the off chance that their grades are lacking, a tutor will be provided and paid for by the board, anything for a professional athlete in the making.

Alternatively, one can excel in academics. When admission times roll around, the Tensai Academy Administration Board will be given access to student's most recent examanation results. Those who place within the ninety-eighth percentile will automatically be approached about attending the Academy; the incentive of unlimited access to the library constantly sealed the deal.

However, athletic abilities and academic achievements were not the only point of interest for the Academy.

Money makes the world go round, or so they say.

Those born with a silver spoon in the mouth were lucky enough to join Tensai Academy, it didn't matter if their grades were poor or if they skipped out on every gym class. Money is money and an avaricious Academy like Tensai, would never let someone of means slip through their fingers. Not that many tried to get away of course. Who in their right mind would reject such an offer?

So it could be said, with absolute authority, that Sohma Sawako was not in her right mind when she declined to join Tensai Academy. No matter what they offered she steadfastly refused, even going as far as slamming the door on one particularly stubborn board member. Her mother was not happy when a bill came in the mail for his fractured nose. Totally worth the month she was grounded.

Instead, Sawako decided to go to Kaibara High, not a bad School in its own right, but it wasn't Tensai Academy. The grades were passable, maybe a little above average; it had a standard sporting curriculum and the teams played decently in tournaments. The location was ideal, only a twenty minute walk from the family estate, but the most appealing aspect of Kaibara Junior High was that it was friendly.

However, no establishment is free of rumours.

Sawako had been big news in her first year; she was the girl to reject Tensai Academy, the girl who fractured Kurosawa Noburu's nose, and a member of the Sohma family no less.

"Apparently her grades were so poor that it didn't matter how much money her family has, they pulled her offer. She's just trying to save face by 'rejecting' them. What a loser."

"I heard that Kurosawa threatened to sue if she set foot on the premises."

"Are you kidding me? She's the leader of a gang called 'The Ladies', you can go over and talk to her if you want to man, but I'm staying here."

Luckily enough, this had only lasted a few weeks before people became bored and moved onto the next big thing. The rest of year was spent studying and hanging out with her two best friends, Tanaka Hoshiko and Hisakawa Chiyo.

So when news broke of a student transferring out of Tensai Academy and into Kaibara the rumour mill went into chaos.

Just who is this Hitsugaya anyway?

"Rich Man Poor Man?"

"That's right, since Ishihara-Sensei is in a meeting we're gonna try and get a few rounds in. You interested?" Uotani was turned around in her seat, legs straddling the back of the chair, her arms bracing her as she leaned towards Toshiro. It was nearing the end of the school week and the white haired boy was still on everyone's minds, his performance in gym still the topic of the discussion, much to his displeasure.

No much had happened in the two days proceeding that fateful day, regarding his shinigami duties at least. School, however was another story entirely. Toshiro had managed to find a secluded spot on the grounds to spend his lunch period and check over new reports sent to him by his division or the Soutaicho. It was perfect really; he was away from his noisy classmates, who would no doubt try to goad him into playing a game of some sort with them, never giving him a moment's peace. He had also discovered that they were remarkably nosey. He shuddered, remembering the lunch incident from yesterday.

"Why are you always on your phone Toshiro? Unless…oh you sly dog! You've got a girl don't you?"

"Or boyfriend perhaps?"

"Ohhhh I totally didn't think of that."

"Looks important anyway. You're not breaking up with them are you? Or are you trying to keep them from breaking up with you?"

"Someone's breaking up with Hitsu-chan!?"

It had only been made worse by Rangiku choosing to call him at that very moment, while his classmates who were ready to defend his 'honour' surrounded him. So when the name 'Matusmoto Rangiku' popped up on his screen, a silence had ushered over the students and Toshiro was ready to quit then and there. Mission be damned, hell make that war be damned, Switzerland is supposed to be nice around this time of year, he could really use a vacation and the Soutaicho wouldn't dare venture to a place so cold.

As it would turn out, the Girls Generation ringtone that had sprung so merrily from his phone the day before was not the only song Rangiku had programmed into his contacts. Evidently the Fukutaicho found it prudent that she set a specific ringtone just for her, and as the mortifying song echoed in the classroom Toshiro wished that she had left well enough alone.

"Is that 'Don't Cha' by The Pussycat Dolls?"

He made a speedy exit after that, wanting nothing to do his classmates or these 'pussycat' people or mannequins or whatever it is they call themselves.

Yes, finding that small little nook on the grounds was a godsend for Toshiro, and god how he wished he were there now.

"I don't know how to play." Toshiro said coming out of his thoughts, only to cringe when Uotani gave him a look that he could only describe as unbridled joy. How it was possible to make such a happy emotion look menacing was beyond him.

"Oh really now?" Uotani unceremoniously slapped her hands down on his desk and stood from her chair, drawing the attention of the rest of the class. "Well that's gonna change here and now." The former Yankee shoved her abandoned chair out of the way and pushed her desk against Toshiro's, pulling a few other deserted desks their way and before long there were six desks lined up alongside each other. Uotani turned to the class, sending one last smirk at Toshiro before she spoke. "Round up! We've got ourselves a newbie to teach!" Turning so she once again faced Toshiro, she crossed her arms as her classmates formed behind her, all of them wearing their own twisted looks of delight, though Toshiro was happy to note that a few did seem friendly. "Get ready Daihinmin. You're up against some of the best players in our School, or better yet, the district. You're in for one hell of a ride." Toshiro did not miss the way Uotani glanced at Hanjima when she said this, he'll have to watch out for her it would seem "You up for it?"

Well, if there's one thing Toshiro loves, it's a challenge.

"This is so exciting!" Ayame squealed, dancing from one side of the room to the next, his long gray hair trailing behind him. "It's weird obviously, but who couldn't do with a bit of that to brighten their boring dreary lives?"

"You're more than capable of doing that yourself Aya', no third party required." Shigure laughed at his longtime friend.

"That's why my boutique is essential." Ayame continued as he sat down next to the quiet Hatori, who was being his usual taciturn self. "Nothing revitalizes a relationship more than a little eccentricity." He added with a flick of his hair, cocking his head to the side as he looked at Shigure. The three friends were seated on the decking outside of Hatori's office, used teacups on the table behind them to help ward off the slight chill in the air.

"What you call eccentricity I would call outlandish."

"Says the man into High School girls."

"That hurts Aya, don't kink shame me."

"What you call a kink, I call illegal." Ayame teased, enjoying the flustered look spreading over Shigure's face. The man was so easy to rile up once you knew what buttons to push, after so many years of friendship Ayame had a fair share of material at his disposal.

"How is Honda-san?" Hatori interrupted before they could continue their banter. While listening to the pair blather on usually calmed the stoic man, today it only served to grate on his nerves. They had more pressing issues to discuss than Shigure's alarming fascination of High School girls, though he did make a note to have a serious discussion about the matter with the man in the coming weeks. "Even though she is uninjured, such a traumatic event would have rattled her."

Shigure waved his hand in dismissal. "She was fine, Kyo and Yuki took care of her for the weekend, didn't let her lift a finger. It was rather charming really; they did all the cooking and cleaning, Yuki did all the grocery shopping and Kyo fixed the holes in the roof. Honestly, they boy needs to find another place to nap, my poor roof is fragile." He lent back on his hand, swinging his legs in a kid-like fashion. "It was like their own form of therapy, Momiji and Hatsuharu came over to help as well!"

"That wouldn't happen to be the reason you stayed at my house that weekend, would it? Hiding from all the responsibility, hmmm?"

"Aya' please…"

Ayame laughed at Shigures pout. "For him to save Tohru from getting hit by a car, even going so far as to take the brunt of the fall for her speaks volumes about his character. Seems we have quite the plucky fellow on our hands."

Hatori nodded his head, lighting up a cigarette as he did so. "Who would expect less? He really does live up to the stories." He sighed, taking a long drag before talking once more. "Kazuma must be going out of his mind trying to figure all this out."

"He was confused more than anything, seemed to be the only emotion he could settle on, though he looked rather frightened as well." Said Shigure.

"Aren't we all?"

If Akito was honest, and lets face it Akito is always honest, the only reason for one to venture to this side of the compound is that of pure boredom. Only the older zodiac resided in that area of the compound, and they were a lot less easy to manipulate than their younger counterparts. Not that it was impossible; it only required more finesse and few little white lies, scattered in just the right way to make it look like the truth, and they were putty in your hands.

Hatori had been the favourite for a few years, the man being so disgustingly happy with her that it couldn't be helped. Akito was supposed to be the centre of their world, their God! Hatori had known that, Hatori understood that and the pitiful little dragon damn well respected that. Respected Akito by keeping silent. But then she came along, that Kana woman, and suddenly the man discovered words of dissent, he actually left his office and interacted with people other than those two idiotic friends of his.

Akito knew she would have to go, Akito would do everything, anything, to make her disappear. Akito was going to do what was right, Akito was going to take away that happiness, and Akito was going to take back what was once understood.

Akito is the centre of your world.

Who needs finesse when a vase to the face is a fine substitute? When the blood that drips down their face serves to remind them of the times that they rebuffed Akito and sent who should be their reason for living to the dusty recesses of their mind. When their limbs are shaking, struggling to hold themselves up and know, they know, that will have to lean on Akito to stand once more. It's a give and take; Akito will only allow you to take when you are ready to give. But Akito will always take more, because Akito deserves more and Akito is God so it's only right.

And Akito wants Hatori, all of Hatori.

Though, Akito had rationalized at the time, he could really do without that eye. It had been a spur of the moment thought. Get the eye Akito, take the eye that that strayed from you, it belongs to you Akito. Make it yours forever Akito, when he looks in the mirror and the scars are a painful reminder of what is lost, he will think of you Akito.

Things had gone smoothly after that, so much so that Akito felt calm once more, safe being their God.

Then she came along, another girl who was intent to shatter Akito's perfect world. What was it about girls with brown hair and brown eyes that turned the zodiac mush? She commanded respect with a smile; she had their loyalty with just a few words and she had their love, without asking for anything in return.

Honda Tohru never took, only gave and it drove Akito insane. Didn't that little brat understand that respect came from underfoot and loyalty from fear? That love was all about taking? If you gave what you take it's partnership, its equal and who could ever be equal with God?

Nobody.

And that's why Honda Tohru needs to go.

Overhearing Shigure speaking about the girls near miss a few nights prior put Akito on cloud nine. He had been speaking so loudly that Akito could hear from the other side of the door, loudly recounting how a young boy had saved her from the oncoming car. That had been enough to send Akito straight back to the main building, disgust replacing the elation felt just a few second ago. Who would be stupid enough to save that annoying girl?

Maybe they need to go as well.

Nobody could have prepared them for this the slaughter in front of their eyes. The best fell at his hand, one by one hoorah, hoorah. One pass after the next each leaving a dull ache not easily soothed. This wasn't supposed to happen, they were prepared, years of experience at their disposal with deeply rooted strategies that would guarantee their victory.

Their arrogance had gotten the better of them, that much was a given now. Most were gracious in defeat, fading quietly into the background but one was not so silent.

"How the hell did you do that?!" Kyo squawked, looking down at the discarded cards before him, Tohru had just added the last of her cards to the pile, meaning that Kyo was now the only player left with a full hand. "Don't know how to play my ass! You've won every game so far!" He angrily threw his cards on the heap, ignoring the snickers of his classmates behind him.

Like everyone else Kyo thought that it would be an easy win, nobody was good at Rich Man Poor Man on their first go. Usually they were the Daihinmin, the lowest social class in the game and therefore the loser of that round. Imagine their surprise when Toshiro was declared Daifugo, the grand millionaire and the top tier of the social class, in the very first round he played.

"Looks like the Daihinmin is a little wound up." Uo smirked, she was the Heimin for this round, average in her social status and two classes above Daihinmin, a title held by Kyo for the last three rounds. It was not a mantle he bore proudly.

"Yes, please calm yourself Kyo-Kyo. Your electric waves are becoming quite the bother." Hana said in a bored manner, she had held onto her Fugo status throughout all of the rounds so far, just a step down from Daifugo. It had been herself and Toshiro who played in all rounds thus far, four different people joining with every new hand that was dealt.

Toshiro sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I enjoy strategy games, I just applied the same logic from those games to this one." He said dismissively shrugging his shoulders, though he couldn't deny the pride he felt being declared the winner, a millionaire no less. It would most likely be the only time such a title would be attached to him.

Growing up in Junrinan, one of the better of districts of West Rukongai, meant that he didn't lack the basic essentials. There was hardly any crime and small business flourished, numerous noble families would commute so that they could same their famous black beans and pork dumplings. It was nice area, one where families could venture out at night without fear of being attacked in the most brutal of ways. Unlike that of the eightieth district of West Rukongai, a place where it wasn't safe to leave your home during the day let alone when it got dark.

Toshiro could assure you of that first hand. He had pulled himself from that awful district a few years before he wandered onto his Granny's doorstep, the kindly woman welcoming him with a warm cup of tea and the first real bed Toshiro had the pleasure of using in years.

But that was a story for another day.

"Well, it seems to work for you. After all you did just get out of cleaning duty this afternoon." Uo Snickered. "Sucks to be you Kyo."

"Shut up you damn Yankee!"

"Good evening Kyo, I wasn't expecting to see you today, It's a good thing I put the kettle on." Kazuma greeted as his charge let himself into his house. "I see you brought a friend along with you. How are you today Honda-san?" He bowed to the kindhearted girl. She had accomplished so much in the few years she known the Sohma's, made leaps and bounds – especially with the aforementioned teen– without even noticing.

"I'm very well, thank you Kazuma-san. How are you?" Tohru replied, taking off her shoes in favour of the slippers at the front door. She always enjoyed Kazuma's company, his quiet demeanour so different to the rest of the Sohma's, except for that of Hatori, but he was another anomaly amongst the rest of the exuberant zodiac members. Kazuma was a clam soul that never failed to ground Tohru.

"I am fine as well." He smiled at the girl. "But what about you Kyo? What are you pouting about today?" He asked, spotting the sullen look on the Kyo's face.

"I'm not pouting!"

"I suppose you're sulking then? Much better."

Tohru giggled at the two, Kyo going redder by the second as Kazuma gave him a teasing smile. "We played Rich Man Poor Man today in class. Kyo lost the last round and had to take over the end of day cleaning duties as punishment."

Kazuma laughed and shook his head. "Not to worry Kyo, I've never been good at Rich Man Poor Man or card games in general. I'm more of a board game man myself. Tohru giggled, missing the embarrassed flush spreading across his cheeks.

The sound of the kettle whistling cut through the conversation. Before Kazuma could even turn towards his kitchen, Tohru was already offering her assistance and bustled her way over to the kitchen, leaving a blinking Kazuma in her wake. The man turned towards his charge, question poised on his tongue.

The boy shrugged. "She likes to help out, it's just the way she is. She always needs to be doing something or helping someone. No matter who they are and what they done."

"She's an exceedingly kind individual." Kazuma gave Kyo a knowing look, who gave an annoyed huff and pushed away from the wall.

"It's what gets her in so much troub-"

At that moment Tohru returned from the kitchen, unprepared for Kyo to be in the middle of the lounge room – he'd been leaning up against the wall just a second ago – and crashed into the orange haired teen. Sending her to the floor with a crash along with the three teacups she was carrying, thanking her lucky stars that she'd decided to bring the cups out first and not the kettle. While she nursed her behind, Kyo was left to fight his way out of puddle of clothes and soft orange clouds.

Toshiro was out his window and halfway down the street within seconds. He felt it again, that damn reiastu irregularity that got him stuck here in the first place. He bounded over the rooftops, feet barely touching the tiling before he leapt to the next house.

After about a minute or so Toshiro settled himself in a tree, taking his time to scan the area. It was strange, usually when there was a disturbance in a town's reiastu the source would move periodically. One day it might be in the heart of a bustling shopping district and the next it would be on the outskirts of a residential area. This was unique case, the source hardly moved, it was always in the small region of Kaibara and it never traveled more than two hundred meters between its usual paired flares of reiastu. Meaning that once a flare occurred another would be sure to follow within at least a half an hour. Since his deployment to Kaibara he has recorded one pair lasting only two minutes while another dragged on for 30 minutes.

That gave Toshiro an advantage. Not only does he have approximated area of where the source of the disturbance was a minute ago, he has another spike to work with that would allow him to pinpoint where it is now.

He guessed that he had at least thirty seconds remaining before the reiastu could possibly flare once again. 'Then I can rectify the situation and finally go home to see what Rangiku has done to my division.'

"I'm so sorry Kyo! I don't know what happened- I mean I know what happened, but I don't know why and now you're a cat and its all my fault with my clumsiness-"

"It's fine," Kyo interrupted, wriggling free of his clothes and giving a small stretch. "I know it was an accident." He sat down in front of the morose girl, careful not to step on any broken pieces of glass. "I doesn't matter, its not like anyone who doesn't already know saw. Its just Shishou."

"The story of my life young one." Shisou joked, returning with a dustpan and broom to sweep up the shards of glass. "It was only a few glasses, nothing that can't be replaced Honda-san."

Tohru gave a watery smile and nodded, grateful that they weren't upset with her. Taking Kyo in her arms the teen got to her feet and carried the tomcat away from the mess. "So that you don't hurt your feet." The girl explained as she set him down a feet away. She bit her lip, missing Kazuma say something about paws. "Maybe you should head outside while we clean up? Just to be on the safe side."

Kyo softly padded his way outside and sat on the porch overlooking, the small training area that Kazuma allowed his students to use when the weather was permitting. There were training mats hanging over the back fence, Kyo knew from experience that Kazuma has his students dust their mats after a session, their gear was also they're responsibility. He said that it helped build character.

Kyo knows he's just lazy.

He could vaguely hear Tohru speaking with Kazuma, she was obviously enjoying conversing with the older man, if the laugh falling from her lips a moment later was any indication.

'She has a cute laugh.'

Kyo violently shook his head. 'Where did that come from?'

Still perched in his tree Toshiro continued to scan the area. Luck was on his side today, the period between the flares lasting longer than he expected it to, affording him more time.

His eyes once again land on one particular house – the third time in the last minute alone - there was something about the abode that drew him in. The only difference between now and a few minutes ago was that a small orange cat was now sitting outside. Toshiro watched the animal, there was something peculiar about the feline and it prickled his senses. It made his muscles twitch in a way that was both familiar and foreign.

This cat sets him on edge, it fires his synapses and has him gripping Hyourinmaru's hilt for purchase and quiet reassurance. His knuckles are white with tension and he's certain that Hyourinmaru knows what's going on because there is a comforting rumble in his head that says 'I'm here, don't worry' and his grip lessens with the security his dragon brings.

He continues to watch the cat for the next few minutes, that worried feeling in his gut never quite leaving him. He breathes a sigh of relief when the cat enters the home a few moments later, but the sound his drowned out by the roar of a hollow. His head snaps to the right, the hollow is a few houses away, steadily making its way towards Toshiro and it only now that the Taicho can feel the vibration of his phone, lost in his moment of…

What was that?

Toshiro grips Hyourinmaru once more and is about to launch himself out of the tree when his head shoots to the left.

There it was, that damn flare, coming from that damn house.

"Just in time Kyo! Any longer and you might have changed outside." Kyo hummed, doing up his belt before pulling his shirt on. A blushing Tohru had banished herself to the kitchen when he had trotted back inside, feeling the transformation wearing off.

It had lasted a bit longer today, he would say between five and ten minutes. He found it harder to keep track of the time when he was a cat; sometimes it felt like hours had passed when it was only minutes. It was easier when there was someone to talk to, he could easily keep the time when he was talking to Tohru or even Yuki. Kyo couldn't tell if it was the same for the others, or if they had a problem different to his own. Maybe it was because cats or nocturnal.

Or maybe it was his urge to nap for the entire day.

Kyo cleared his throat. "It would've been fine, its not like anyone was looking." He shrugged dismissively.

"You never know Kyo." Kazuma's voice was serious. It anyone was to find out about the Zodiac, there was no telling what Akito would do. It was a miracle in itself that Tohru was allowed to keep her memories and still interact with the Sohma family.

"I know, I know. I'll be careful" Kyo placated the older man, rubbing the back of his neck in a bored manor. "Look, I'm just going outside to get that equipment for you."

Toshiro swung behind the hollow, dodging the fist that had been coming his way moments before. This hollow was tad stronger than the last, nothing he couldn't handle – it'd be embarrassing if he required assistance – but he needed to be careful. This is residential area and it would cause a lot of headaches if there were any damage that couldn't be explained by natural causes.

Keeping an eye on that house was another top priority, it would be disastrous to let the source slip through his fingers, especially with the flares sporadic nature. Who knew when he would get an opportunity like this again?

He moved back as the hollow shifted to face him again, emitting yet another shrill shriek and rocking forward for another strike. Toshiro gave a moment's pause before ducking under the large fist and darting forward, Hourinmaru in hand.

It barely had a chance to blink before the Taicho made contact, the white mask splitting perfectly in two.

He didn't waste time watching the hollow disintegrate behind him, instead making a beeline for the house. He had moved the fight a little bit away from the residence, it wouldn't do for the people inside to be crushed when they are the only ones who can explain what is going on.

He perched himself in the same tree as before, his eyes landing on the house once again.

Only this time instead of seeing an empty yard there was a familiar mop of orange hair being hurried inside by an older gentleman.

Kyo Sohma.

When he was younger he would call them monsters and he would watch them come in the night. Wondering up and down the streets, shaking the earth with every step they took, and it was as if only he noticed. That he was the only one who woke in the middle of the night, frightened and laone with no one to turn to.

His parents had told him to grow up. There's no such things as monsters, stop making up stories and go to bed. You'll be fine in the morning. He knew that, they didn't come during the day, at least not around here they didn't.

It's not as if it would be hard to believe. The Kaibarra area and more to the point, the Sohma family, were a hive for supernatural activity. His parents had no problem with people turning into the animals of the zodiac when hugged by a person of the opposite gender, that was perfectly normal for the Sohma's. But grotesque creatures that go bump in the night? Absurd.

His only option was to go to the only person who truly cared, his grandfather not withstanding but he never liked the old man anyway. It proved to be the best move he could ever make, he had been soothed by one sentence. One statement.

"I'll protect you from the monsters."

It helped him sleep at night, repeating those words like a mantra before bed, his own little prayer. It kept him safe when awoken by their stampeding feet, always turning away at the last second, as if they found a more elusive prey to hunt. And in those moments he knew everything would be fine.

"I'll protect you from the monsters."

But moments end, and people leave and the safety nets they provided vanish like some distant daydream that you were never able to catch. You're left there, stranded in the middle of the tightrope of life, and you're feet shake when you take that next perilous step in your journey. Only this time you're alone and scared and god don't let me fall, please don't let me fall.

Then you take the next step.

And the next.

He still called them monsters when he was teen because you never truly get over a childhood fear. Especially one attached to a traumatic even in your life. He doesn't speak of them, he knew better than that now, speaking of fairytale monsters would get you nowhere.

He learned to ignore them the best he could, merely rolled over in bed when he woke in the dead of night, closing his eyes and blocking out their demonic shrieks as best he could. Feigned sleep till it finally took him away from the nightmarish reality.

By the time he was old enough to have his own children, and he kind of does at this point, he'd learnt to ignore them. Trained his body to disregard that telltale jolt in the night, he knew it so well. He still saw them of course, even during the day now but he wasn't afraid. All he could do was turn away and take those he loved with him, protecting them what they couldn't see nor understand. But that's okay, because he's here now and he'll be their safety net for as long as he is able.

"I'll protect you from the monsters."

With that in mind, Kazuma stepped out of his home to usher Kyo back inside, away from that white-faced monster just a few houses away.

Mission Status Update.

After today's incidents, I firmly believe that the Sohma family has a connection to the fluctuating reiastu and that the hollow's are drawn to the occurrance. I have been unable to ascertain what the relationship between the two is yet; I will look into it further in the coming days.

Awaiting further orders.

- Hitsuagay Toshiro

Hey buddies!

Another chapter down!

I just made up the name for the academy. From Google translator tells me 'Tensai' translates to; genius, prodigy, expert, wonder etc. I figured it kind of fit with the background I gave. Please tell me if there already is a School in Japan called 'Tensai' because I will change it immediately.

I realized halfway through this chapter that the way I refer to Uo might get a bit confusing. Sometimes I call her Uo and others I call her Uotani, I want to clear this up. I only call her Uotani when its coming from Toshiro's perspective because he isn't familiar with her, where as when its from Tohru's point of view she would refer to as Uo since they're friends.

As for the titles used in Rich Man Poor Man the translations are:

Daifugo – The grand millionaire.

Fugo – The millionaire.

Heimin – The commoner.

Hinmin – The needy.

Daihinmin – The extreme needy.

I really enjoyed writing about Sawako. I hope you guys enjoyed reading about her.

My thoughts on Shigure vary; you can't deny that sometimes he is quite off-putting in his thoughts and actions. Especially in the manga, there are times when he's just as manipulative as Akito, even if they have different goals, but it is rather disturbing.

The currently world record for most Pi places memorized is 70,000! How on earth does someone do that!? I applaud you good citizen, well done.

As always, if anything has offended you in this chapter I apologise, please PM me and I will change it. That is to say, I will change it if it is within reason.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed reading!

R and R

Dragon Shenron