A few hours after Tohru's break down at Shigure's, Hatori had convinced her that she needed to return. He promised that he would speak with Akito and try his best to have him leave her alone. They both knew no matter what he said, Akito would always live to torment her.
"She's back, Tohru's back," Kyo said with excitement to Yuki. They both had been waiting all day for her to return. Before Hatori left to Shigure's he had explained what had happened to Tohru.
The two love sick boys ran to the girl they longed for.
Tohru formed a quant little smile for them as the two came towards her.
"Tohru are you all right? Hatori told us what happened," Yuki's voice was filled with concern and regret. Had he not told Tohru his feelings practically none of this stuff would have happened.
She nodded saying she was fine for now. They parted from Hatori and led Tohru to her room.
"If you two don't mind, I'd like to have some alone time," Tohru said as she entered her room and closed off herself from the outside world.
She curled up on her bed and silently cried to herself. She only agreed to come back because she still had an obligation to tell the boys her decision. She watched the connecting door to Akito's room. If she saw one movement of it, she would dart away as soon as possible.
Setting her fear of Akito aside she began to think of the three boys. Yuki, the first Sohma she ever new, the one who took her in after he found out she was living in a tent. Kyo, the stubborn cat; before she ever met him she always had a soft spot for the cat that was excluded from the zodiac. At first he was rude and aggressive, but now his behavior has changed dramatically. And Haru, the schizophrenic of the three, whose nice side is sweet and pleasant but his second side, is rather harsh and angry.
Yuki, Kyo, and Haru had all easily chosen Tohru as their obsession, but why couldn't Tohru find one of them to be her own. Could her feelings only go as far as friendship, or as much a courtship?
If she was to choose one of the boys, the other two would get into a fight. If she was to choose none of the boys then they would probably blame each other and still fight. There was no win-win situation here. No matter what move she made, it would end up in a loss.
But whether she chose someone or not was still undecided. The more she thought about her feelings for the boys, the more she realized that she possibly did have loving feelings towards them.
When it came to Yuki, she loved his gentleman like manor and composure. He always greeted her pleasantly and was loved by all their peers. He was truly an admiration.
Kyo is the opposite of Yuki. He was rarely ever gentleman like, pleasant, or loved by any of the peers. But she loved how adorable he was when he got defensive. He shared storied about his past with her and allowed himself to become vulnerable when she was around him.
Haru, the younger of the two was Yuki and Kyo rolled into one. Regular Haru was the essence of Yuki and Black Haru was the flame of Kyo. Plus Haru is rather good looking and mature looking for his age. His direction skills are poor, but his heart has always been kind, well as long as he didn't turn into Black Haru.
Her mental combat was interrupted by someone screaming outside the home. She went to see what was going on.
"How could you do this to me? We're meant to be Kyo! I knew the moment I found out she was living with you that you loved her!" Kagura screamed as she chased Kyo around a tree.
"Kagura leave me alone! You crazy girl!" He shouted as his fear of her shout throw his veins.
"CRAZY!" Kagura snatched Kyo by the leg and began to twirl him around like a jump rope.
Tohru walked over to where Yuki was watching the scene, "How did she find out about it?"
Yuki smiled, glad Tohru was standing so close to him, "Akito."
Kagura threw Kyo against the tree trunk. The anger in her eyes disappeared.
"Oh Kyo, what happened? Who did this to you?" She knelt next to Kyo. He was bruised and caked in dirt. He shrugged Kagura off him.
"Leave me alone," he growled as he began to walk away from her. She cried out to him and began to follow him.
Tohru frowned. She had forgotten the Kyo-Obsessed Kagura. Kagura had promised herself to Kyo since they were kids. Kyo though ignored it all.
"Tohru I feel awful for putting you in harms way with Akito. If you never knew me you wouldn't have to go through any of this," Yuki looked into the sky.
"Don't feel bad Yuki. I'm glad I know this family and I wouldn't trade anything in the world to have that taken away. And as far as Akito goes I'm sure what he did has nothing to do with any of you," she smiled and left to return to her room.
Yes, she was almost positive that Akito's actions were motivated by her and her alone.
She sat at her desk writing out that night's homework. Luckily it was English and not Math.
A rush of movement got her attention. The connecting door slid open and Akito emerged into her room.
Vines of alarm spiraled up her body. She quickly escaped from her desk and stood in a blocking position.
"What a greeting," he smirked as he leaned against the wall.
Tohru stood completely still, controlling all her impulses to run.
"Do you fear me yet?" he hissed, his snake eyes glooming into hers.
She parted her lips, pausing to speak, "If you wish to hear that I fear you, then yes. I fear you physically. But mentally you will never have me locked away."
He approached her, "Oh really?" He circled her, only his breath lingering on her skin.
"Do your worst Akito. But remember you will never have any mental control over me," she followed him with her eyes when he moved in front of her. "I still pity you."
He grabbed her throat viciously and rammed her against the wall, it all felt like a repeat.
"You pity me? That's still a laugh. Would you still pity me as I ravish every inch of your body, hours on end? Would you still pity me as I murder your weak friends? Could you still pity me as I bury your pathetic body in the floorboards of my room? Tell me girl, could you pity me then?" He squeezed her throat with vigorous strength.
She clawed at his hands ignoring his words. She willed herself not to allow him to break through her mental barrier. She wished that she wasn't as weak as she was.
She flailed her legs around trying to distract him, but he was persistent in his actions. She clasped her hands around his neck, wringing as hard as she could.
They both were gasping for what little air they were allowed. Tohru's strength was failing quickly and she did what any self-respecting woman would do, she kneed him where the sun doesn't shine.
He fell over, releasing Tohru and moaned in anger and pain.
Tohru ran into the hallway, entering quickly into Yuki's room.
"Tohru? What's wrong?" Yuki said in full attention.
"Akito, he attacked me again," Tohru was taking in sharp breaths that hurt her chest.
Yuki's resentment towards Akito had blossomed into fury.
"That's it, head Sohma or not he can't do this to people. It's time I finish this once and for all," Yuki sounded so different. He sounded like a rugged soldier in a war.
"No Yuki, please I can't let you get into a fight with him," Tohru humbly gripped his wrist and had pleading eyes.
"Fine, but it's not safe here, and it never will be till he's dead," Yuki was really getting aggressive, something he rarely ever did.
"It might not be safe but we're sentenced here," Tohru positioned herself between the door and Yuki incase he jolted out the door.
"No, he sentenced us for his pure pleasure. He doesn't own me, you, Kyo, or anyone. I moved out of here once to escape him, and swore I'd never live here again. I came here for you, and if you wish not to stay here any longer I promise we'll leave. With or without Akito's blessings," his words were strong and promising.
Tohru's heart began to beat softly, "Yuki, if we leave he will hunt us down and erase my memories for sure. We can't leave, it's too risky."
"If we continue to stay here he'll hurt you again. I can't allow that to happen. I care a great deal about you Tohru and I won't allow any harm to come to you any more," He pushed her hair aside and kissed her passionately.
He converted into a rat seconds later, his clothes tumbling around him.
Tohru was quite overwhelmed with his kiss. She felt such emotions rush through her.
"Tohru pack your things tonight, tomorrow after school we're leaving to this place I know. I can't say how long we'll be there and we'll have to take a few months off from school. We can take makeup classes when we get back. I promise Tohru, I won't allow your well being to be in jeopardy ever again," squeaked the grey mouse.
Tohru half smiled, "But what about my friends. I can't leave for months; I'd have to tell them why."
"No, if you tell them you only put them in harms way. I'm positive Akito will know if you said something to them. Just keep this to your self," he changed into his human form again. Tohru didn't flinch; his changing was not a rare sight. He slipped into his clothes.
"What about Kyo, and everyone else. I couldn't bear to leave them behind. It feels like I'd be abandoning them," wept Tohru.
Yuki blew out a gust of breath, "If you want, Kyo can come, but no one else. Haru has lived here before us and I'm sure he can manage without us."
Tohru nodded. She left Yuki's room and went to find Kyo; she knew he'd be on the roof.
"Kyo?" she whispered. Kyo was lying on the roof, basking in the night's aura.
"Tohru, what is it?" He turned to her as she joined him.
"We're leaving, Yuki and I. I want you to come with us," the words flowed out better than she expected.
When Kyo didn't speak she continued, "Yuki says he knows a place we'll be safe. We're leaving tomorrow after school. We might be gone for months, so you'd need to pack everything you have tonight. You can't tell anyone of this either."
Kyo finally reacted to her words, "Has he told you where?"
"No, he doesn't want to risk anyone hearing it. So are you going to come with us?" She already knew what his answer was.
"Yes, I'll go. If I didn't, who'd keep that rat off you?" He sneaked a little joke into his words. Tohru smiled and nodded.
"Will you come with me to my room? Akito and I got at it again and I just don't want to be alone if he comes back," she rubbed her hand against her soar throat.
Kyo agreed and followed her into her room. No sign of Akito.
She began to pack her things once more.
"Tohru, have you had any thought about what I told you?" Kyo asked swiveling in her desk chair.
Her motions slowed down as she folded her clothes, "I have yes."
Kyo looked at her in surprise, "And?"
She set the folding material down and looked at him, "I'm still confused about it all. I do have feelings for you Kyo, but yet you aren't the only one I care for in that way. I don't know when I'll figure out my feelings."
Kyo said nothing to this and changed his glance to a bare wall. Tohru continued her packing and folding.
After Tohru was done packing she slid her suitcase under her bed and followed Kyo into his room to help him pack.
"There all done," smiled Tohru as she shut his suitcase.
Kyo smiled and put it in the closet.
"Kyo would you mind sleeping in my room tonight? I don't want Akito to sneak in and strangle me while I sleep," Tohru had never asked any boy to sleep in her room before, but this matter was important.
Kyo gladly agreed, grabbed his pillow, and walked back to Tohru's room with her. When they got in there, Yuki was standing there.
"So have you finished?" he asked. Tohru nodded. Yuki smiled, "Good. I checked Akito's room and he's not in there. I think he went to Hatori's."
The cat asked the rat, "So why is it that we don't leave tonight?"
"Well Akito would find out we're gone before we could actually put some distance between him. He would easily find us. Besides we have to notify our school and Tohru needs to tell Hana and Uo that she won't be around for a while. The last thing Tohru needs is her friends investigating in Akito's territory," Yuki explained.
Kyo crossed his arms in annoyance of Yuki.
Yuki noticed the pillow in Kyo's hand and questioned about it.
"He's sleeping in here tonight. I asked him to because I'm afraid that Akito will come in here and finish me off," she said.
"Well if he's sleeping in here, then so am I," she marched out and came back with a pillow and a blanket.
Tohru chuckled, "Fine, but you two are sharing the floor." She said a final thanks to them and they went to sleep.
Morning came soon; their hidden agenda was still in motion.
They sneaked their suitcases around the eyes of anyone that passed and walked to school. They didn't wait for Momiji or Haru; they could risk them knowing just yet.
When lunch came, Tohru explained that she would be gone for a while to her friends. They wondered why she didn't know how long and what could keep her possibly for months. Tohru lied and said that one of the Sohma's relatives was sick and that the boys needed to go spend her final days with her. They asked Tohru to accompany them and she agreed.
This was kind of an elaborate lie, but they bought it. Thankful Tohru ate her lunch, but not peacefully. Haru had come up to her table and whisked her outside of the cafeteria.
"Tohru, I know you know about how I feel," Haru said.
"Yes I do and I'm flattered but Haru I really don't know all too well. Yes one day I'd like to get to know you, but as friends. You're younger than me and it's just not a match. You'll find someone else, I promise," these words were a surprise to her. She hadn't ever planned on rejecting Haru, she didn't even decide that. But somehow that's what her mind told her to say.
"I see…" he lowered his head. Then suddenly his voice went deeper and more aggressive, "You're such a tease. You prance around looking all cute, luring guys to you and then throwing them to the sharks. You're probably real proud of yourself."
"Excuse me? Are you all right Haru?" Tohru knew what was happening. Black Haru was creeping out.
"Like you care. I gave you those damn roses you know? Pathetic, you're not even worth it," he glared at her then walked away.
Tohru couldn't believe how Haru had just treated her. She knew now why she had rejected him. He was unstable.
School went by fast. Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki all began to move the opposite way they were suppose to go.
"Now that we're on our way, I'll tell you where we're going," he paused and then continued, "There's this woman, a Sohma. She was expelled years ago, when I was a boy, from the Sohma family for her practice of witchcraft."
Kyo stopped and looked at him, "You mean Kaori Sohma, that crazy woman?"
"Crazy?" Tohru looked puzzled. Was her salvation with a crazy person?
"She's not crazy, she's just misunderstood," defended Yuki.
"Like hell! When I was little she tried to expel my other side into the afterlife. She killed Kagura's cat!" Kyo exclaimed.
"Kaori does have strange methods, but Akito would not think to look there for us. He thinks he kept her location a secret," Yuki explained.
"Exactly how is it you know where she lives?" Kyo said hastily.
"When she was ordered to leave she was placed in a Sohma home in the mountains. No one was supposed to know where she was going except Akito. Remind you he was young at the time and a little careless. He called a cab to bring her to the mountain home; I was listening on the other line. The location was burned into my memory, so that's how I still remember it today," his explanation was a little long but it got the point through.
"So Kaori, she's a witch?" Tohru asked yet another question.
Yuki smiled, "Not really, she claims she is, but I have to reason to believe it."
They walked to the subway, planning on taking a tram to the mountainside than walking the rest of the way.
While they stood waiting for the tram something unthinkable happened.
"Are you trying to leave with your lover?" cried a voice.
They turned to find a steaming Kagura glaring at Kyo.
"How did you find us?" Kyo asked.
"So you're not denying it!" she yelled causing people to look at them.
"Kagura, Yuki's here to. If I was going somewhere to be alone with Tohru, he wouldn't be here," Kyo said annoyed.
"Sure, I see how it is. Tohru I thought you were my friend!" Kagura began to sob.
"I am Kagura. Kyo isn't my lover, neither is Yuki. We're just taking a little trip," she tried to comfort the hysteric girl.
"Is that true Kyo?" she looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"Yeah," he murmured.
Her face lit up and she wrapped her arms around Kyo, "I knew it! I knew you never loved her! You only pretended to so I would get jealous. How can you be so cruel? I forgive you though!" She hugged him and wouldn't let go.
He would have loved to tell her that he did love Tohru, but he didn't want a beating at the moment.
"So Kagura how exactly did you find us?" Tohru asked curiously.
"I hid a walkie-talkie under one of the roof tiles. I heard your conversation and followed you guys from the school to here," she looked up at Kyo, "Why are you guys leaving anyways?"
The two boys looked at each other then Tohru.
Tohru went to explain, but Yuki got there first, "Akito has been hurting Tohru and he's abusing his power. So we're going into hideout and you're going to have to come with us now. You know to much as it is and we can't risk Akito getting the information out of you."
"What!" shouted Kyo in protest.
Kagura slipped out of the picture for a moment, and then returned with two suitcases, "I was hoping you guys would invite me. This is going to be so much fun!"
"Yes…so much," growled Kyo. Tohru just laughed and explained where they were going.
The tram finally came and people began to file in. Kagura made Kyo offer to carry her bags and she clung to his side. Yuki put forward his request to haul Tohru's things, but she declined.
Soon the now four traveling companions were off on their newfound voyage.
A/N:
Wow, well this is probably one of the longest chapters in this story. Hoped you like it. School started up for me so I probably won't be able to update as much as I have. Thanks again everyone for reviews and encouragement. Hopefully this chapter satisfied your hunger for a bit! Also I really didn't feel like re-reading this whole thing, so if there are mistakes, sorry but I am human. D