Winter Illusion

Chapter 3

"Hatori." Akito said. "Leave."

For some reason, Hatori couldn't bring his eyes to meet Tohru's. If this plan went the way Akito wanted, then everything would fall into place. Akito's plans always had many different paths with other alternatives—once they fell into his plan, everything would be set in motion.

Once they were in his claws, there was no way of getting out.

Akito turned and smiled at Tohru from his usual place on the porch, got up, and walked over to where she sat. He stumbled while attempting to sit down and was caught by Tohru. Akito nodded in silent thanks when he was helped into a spot directly in front of her.

"Tohru," He began. "I will be brief. Do you love anyone in the Sohma house?" He asked, keeping a close eye on her reaction to the question, but all he got was a beautiful smile.

"Of course, Akito." She said. "I love everyone in the Sohma house."

Akito sighed, mentally rolling his eyes and barely managing to control his laughter. "Tohru, that is not what I meant." Taking a deep breath to cover up an oncoming cough, he looked down to where she had her eyes glazed over. She wasn't paying attention!

"Tohru!" He suddenly yelled, taking her chin into his hands and shaking it back and forth. "You listen to me when I'm talking to you!" He felt Tohru flinch, but she took deep breaths to calm her raging heart from his small panic attack on her.

"Akito…" She whispered, tilting her eyes up to meet his. Her action caught him off guard and he only could sit—frozen to his seat right in front of her. Tohru took this opportunity to take his hands in hers, removing his icy grip from her cheeks. "Please, understand that I only can analyze another's feelings—not my own." Everyone comes before me, she mentally added. I don't want to bother with how I feel.

Akito watched as she put their hands on their laps, suddenly feeling calm about how she was treating him. She didn't even seem effected about his nature—her gaze almost seemed…understanding in a way. And then his heart began this irregular pattern…

Tch! What heart?! Akito thought to himself. Get your mind out of a fantasy world! Akito snapped back to reality, and resumed to have the hardness of heart shining through his eyes. Tohru noticed, but she didn't let that get her down—she wouldn't move until he did.

"You are to move your things from Shigure's today." He said, standing up and walking over to where his door to the porch was open. His back was turned to her as she sat dumbly for a minute before feeling someone gently trying to help her up. Her eyes never strayed from the lone figure staring out at the setting sun in the horizon. Tohru couldn't help but feel a sort of accomplishment at how quickly he had let down his walls around her.

Hatori noticed the difference, but couldn't bring himself to verbally express his concern for her mental state just yet. The car ride to Shigure's was a silent one, Tohru being stuck on her thoughts and Hatori being…Hatori. That same Hatori that would stay away from business that Akito somehow had to be involved in.

He knew what had happened in that room and he couldn't bring himself to look at her. Hatori was guilty to the bone—and he knew it.

He didn't deserve her.

Tohru got a room next to Hatori's, where she would be staying for who-knew-how-long. Hatori, being the gentleman he was, brought her things into his guest bedroom, and watched as Tohru unpacked her things. When he was about to leave, he heard her soft voice reach out to him. He looked up to see her sitting on the bed with a chair across from her—something she had moved herself when he wasn't paying attention, he thought. Tohru gently patted the seat, giving him the signal to sit down. With raised eyebrows, he sat down and tried to avert his eyes…and failed. Her eyes captured his in a vice that was gentle, yet strong enough to keep you staring at her until she looked away.

"Hatori…" She began. "I know that I'm now involved in a plan that Akito has been planning for weeks." She put a hand up to his lips when he opened his mouth to speak. "I don't want to know what. Just…" She laughed away the tears that were building in her eyes. "Just let me be myself. Whatever Akito plans to do with me must be for the good of the Sohma family for you to be caught up in all of it." Tohru removed her hand from his lips, and Hatori notice the lack of blush on her cheeks at the physical contact. Where did their Tohru go? Where did this bold…woman come from?

"As you wish." He said. "Is there…anything else?" He asked before getting up. Tohru suddenly blushed, but didn't take her eyes away from his.

"I'll let you know when I can catch my breath."

A/N: Sorry for the long delay, everyone! I've been so busy with final projects, it's not even funny. Plus, I've got a Convention to worry about at the moment, so you may not hear from me until I get back from my trip to Mexico, or you might. Still depends if I can get a longer chapter out there for you guys before then. Thank you all for your support--and for putting Winter Illusion and my other stories on Author/Story Alert! That means a lot to an author such as the likes of me, so keep those reviews coming! (Even if it is just to say "Hi, I like your story!" Just a little note like that could help me update faster.

Love you guys, and have a good end-of-term!

Kate V.