Ok soooo yeah I suck. And no I haven't forgotten about this story. I'm going to give the exuse we ALL use and no one believes: I was busy. Truly. In fact, If i get this one up before my week and a half long trip it'll be a miracle considering I'm leaving tomorrow and STILL havent packed. SOOOOO without further adeu...

Disclaimer: Owns nothing.

Also, I dedicate this chapter to Purplicious Rose and Dream Catcher XII13 for responding to my contests. Love ya'll!

His face was set in hard, unforgiving lines. it had been over a week since Yoko had cruelly ripped his still beating heart from his chest and stompped on it, destorying it completely. Akira had since decided that she was a vixen temptress who had made him feel those thing to distract him from his goal. The Sohma family. well, no more. He had a job to do. And he was going to get it done.

He walked inot the meeting room, forcing all thoughts of the girl he still loved and pinned for out of his head. he sat in front of the trio already in the room, his mouth hard. "I assume you've thought over my recent demand."

The three looked at each other worriedly. Yuki was the first to speak. "Akira, are you sure you wish to do this? We know Yok-"

"Don't you dare bring her into this. She has nothing to do with this or me." He interrupted, his voice rough and dangerous. She didn't deserve his love, he thought. She wouldn't even trust him or care enough about him to listen when he'd tried to explain that he'd changed. That he didn't need, or want, the Sohma family anymore if it meant she would be with him forever instead. He'd already made the decision to give up his claim and to, that same day he did, approach Kyo about permission to date and eventually marry his daughter.

Yoko meant more to him than any amount of power. She WAS his power...But she wouldn't even allow him to explain that. That was the greatest betrayal.

Yuki looked at Kyo and nodded slightly. Kyo said, "Akira, I know something happened between you and my daughter that caused to you to leave so suddenly. I'm not that stupid." Akira attempted to block out the images of Yoko's tears as she'd fled the room he'd come to think of as his own as Kyo continued. "Now, i'm not going to waste my time yelling at you or her. If I did, I'd be the biggest hypocrit in the whole damn world."

Kyo sighed as he continued. "I just want to be sure you want to do this. You know that she will hate you forever if you-"

"STOP!" He burst out, his eyes wild. He calmed down and looked at the floor sadly. "Just stop." His voice betrayed his heard and cracked. He couldn't stand the thought that she would hate him forever. His entire being shied away at the thought. He closed his eyes. What was he going to do? He couldn't have her, yet he couldn't stop wanting her. Akira wanted her back more than anything he'd ever wanted. But she hated him. His stomach clenched.

Haru stood and streached. "well, I'm getting out of here. Rin is being emotional today and I would hate to miss a chance at getting his by a thrown projectile." Haru smirked and walked out. Yuki follwed, silently leaving Akira with Kyo.

Kyo smiled sadly. "Once upon a time, there was a stubborn boy who was scared to love. scared to give up everything he'd held onto greedily for the chance to explore the unknown. Then, a beautiful girl showed him that it was ok to be scared, so long as he trusted his love for her. Slowly, he gave his whole self to her and they found happiness despite the odds and everything trying to stop them."

He paused and Akira leaned forward slightly to hear better. "They had a beautiful daughter and watched her fall in love and be hurt by a fine young man, who was also scared to give up a grudge that had fueled his life for years."

His voice thick, Akira asked, "And what happened to the man and the daughter?"

Kyo smiled. "Well, that's the thing. No one knows. The wrote their own ending." Akira looked down thinking. "She loves you Akira." Kyo continued. "It's your choice."

Just as Kyo stood, Yuki rushed back into the room. "Kyo! Akira!" The looked up at Yuki, confused. "What?" They asked at the same time.

"Shigure is awake. He came out of his coma!"

Akira's heart and mouth dropped.

So what do ya'll think? Like my cliffie? MUAHAHAHAHA. If I get more reviews I MIGHT decide to update faster! R&R. Luv ya'll!

P.S sorry for the shortness. I was going for quality rather than quantity.