Winter Illusion chapter 5

As Tohru got dressed, she couldn't help but think back to the opportunity Akito presented through Hatori.

"Akito wants you to be my apprentice." Hatori said over a cup of tea. Tohru had actually been expecting this, but couldn't shake the feeling of surprise when it was realized aloud. Hatori hid a smile by putting the tea cup to his lips at her evident surprise and silently applauded her when she covered it up as quickly as it had come.

"You may have a week to think on it, Tohru." He said. "But know that our agreement will last until you have enough hours to fulfill graduation requirements."

Tohru nodded, and took a full week to think about it as she cooked, cleaned, and jogged through the cold weather. Snow was going to come regardless of how much others didn't want it.

"Do you have an answer, Mi—Tohru?" After not seeing her for a week, it nearly drove Hatori mad. He ignored how he felt, however, and barely caught himself from calling her "Miss Honda" just as he had in the old days.

Tohru smiled and got up. "I do. Shall we go, Ha-san?" She asked. He nodded, opening the door before them and closing it behind her when they stepped out. Snow clouds were overhead, and Hatori hoped that it would only come down when he was indoors.

When Hatori was done with the daily check-up a week after Tohru was accepted as his legal apprentice, Akito asked to see Tohru alone.

Suddenly Hatori was afraid and found himself wanting to shout, "NO!" and this startled him. Why was that?

He wanted her to be safe.

Old emotions that he thought had died with the memories of Kana began to make themselves known.

'No, Tohru…' he thought. 'I won't be a burden to you as I was with Kana. Just…' The door was closed. Eavesdropping was never a necessity as it was now.

He managed to quell the fire building inside of his heart and walked to his office, feeling the soft landing of snow from above. He was so deep in thought, constantly worrying about what Akito could do to her now that his vitals were improving.

He hoped that those murderous thoughts would go away soon.

'Tohru…be safe…'

Tohru's breath caught in the back of her throat.

He knew the solution. Why hadn't he said so earlier?

And he wanted her to help break this curse.

"You will be well paid for your help." Akito said, trying to keep the distance from Tohru. "Your hours will be taken care of, and the Sohmas will be forever in your debt."

Tohru sighed, thus stopping Akito from his list of how rich she would become from her help. "I think you're missing the point entirely." She said. Confusion and hidden anger rose to show themselves in his expression. She smiled, inching forward and took his hand in hers. Why was she so willing? "Akito…this curse can only truly be broken by you. Not me. You have to be able to have feelings for me in order for me to help."

"H-how?" Akito asked. Tohru squeezed his hand.

"Notice how you feel around not just me, but everyone around. How do you feel around me, Akito?" She asked.

He smiled cruelly, yet sadly. "Weak."

"Vulnerable?" Tohru asked in a whisper. His hands clenched around hers. Tohru squeezed back as Akito bowed his head, as if in pain. She looked to find his eyes on his crouched level and found them clenched shut, as if he was trying to control himself. "Don't be afraid to show me, Akito….even if it is hate or anger."

Akito took deep breaths. "Get…out…" Tohru only slid her hand to brush the hair away from his face. His eyes snapped open and he glared. Tohru's breath caught in her throat. He looked so tormented—he was an emotional wreck.

"What happened to you, Akito…?" Tohru asked in a whisper. She felt her heart breaking for him.

"GET OUT!!"

Before she knew it, she was running toward Hatori's office to grab Hatori and have him help Akito. He was already out of the office, hurrying toward Akito's room. He slowed when he saw the flustered Tohru running, and he managed to catch her as she almost ran straight-on into him.

"Tohru?" He asked, genuinely concerned. "What—"

"You must hurry, Hari-san!" She said. "He looks like he's in pain."

Hatori nodded. "Go warm up in my office. I'll be right there." He left after watching Tohru enter his office and made a mental note to have her talk about it to him. Since when had he been this caring in listening to someone's problems?

He gave a deep sigh. He knew only too well why that was.

Well, that's it for this chapter. Thank you to all of the reviews that I recieved from many of you! They really have kept me going and writing. Reviews are like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day--they are sweet (in most cases) and really warm. Thanks for keeping this story in mind, you guys! Love you all!

Kate Valentine