A/N: So we finally get up to the point. Oh, the suspense is killing me... and I'm the one writing!
Chapter 6 - Akito
An awkward silence presided over the backseat of the car as rain pelted down the window. After the discussion, Yuki had left without saying a word. It was too much for him to take all at once. Tohru had stayed with me, but it was decided that there was no need for her to go to the main house. But Yuki still hadn't opened up, and it was very difficult guessing what he was thinking. Hatori had come over with Kyo in tow, the latter having recovered from his injuries. I couldn't talk to him. I still felt so guilty about what had happened to him… what I had caused. The doctor stayed the night and then drove me, Yuki, and Shigure in the morning. All that time there was a sense of avoiding me – as though now that they knew where I was really from I didn't belong.
Who was this strange person sitting across from me? What was the cold silence between us, who had once been so close? Yuki certainly wouldn't say anything with Hatori and Shigure there, and I didn't want to put him in that position. The silence continued, getting heavier and heavier the closer we got to the main house. Of course, Yuki was also worried about meeting Akito. I couldn't blame him.
The car stopped, and we got out. The rain seemed almost refreshing after the weighty silence of the car.
The main house was even more impressive that it seemed in the manga. I felt very small and insignificant. Yuki's eyes were dead as he looked at the gate. The gaping maw frightened me, too. Even when Yuki began to walk forward, I couldn't move. I was suddenly terrified – terrified of Akito, terrified of the main house, terrified that I would never leave this place again.
Yuki looked back, and it seemed a spark of compassion leaped from his eyes. He came back. Hatori and Shigure had gone on ahead, seemingly eager to see Akito before she set eyes on us.
"Kokoro-san?" I looked up, surprised. He had used my name again. Suddenly, all of the things I wanted to say evaporated. I studied the gravel beneath my feet, the rain soaking through my hair.
"I'm… I'm sorry."
Strong hands grasped my shoulders.
"How… how could you, knowing everything… still live with us? Still get close to us? Talk to me like you have…? I don't understand. I don't deserve to be with people like you, like Honda-san. And yet… I need you both. Kokoro…" He was holding back, I knew. He wanted to hug me, but he still couldn't bring himself to do it. I put my arms on his sides, not quite a hug, but close enough. "Not at the main house. Maybe later, okay?" Then we went in together.
There was the maid, and Hatori waiting to escort us in. They said nothing about us holding hands – for my comfort or Yuki's, I wasn't sure.
All too soon, we were there: the inner sanctum, Akito's lair. Akito stood there awaiting us. Yuki stiffened, but the head of the family ignored him for now.
She came towards me, arms open, big smile on her face. My heart turned cold. Whatever reaction I was expecting, it wasn't this. If she had been infuriated, I would have felt safer than I did now. Yuki looked askance at me, nervous. I shared his sentiments. Akito folded me in a warm embrace.
"Sister dear! Why the long face?"
A/N: Heh… short chapter entirely planned. Really leaves you hanging, eh?