Well here we go this is the next chapter. hope you like it. Sorry it took me a while to update but here we are.
just like to thank everyone for their reviews. I will try and respond to them, but i aint promising owt. i have so much work for school it unbelieveable. anyway im going to stop rambling and get on with you.

you all know the drill. I dont own anything.
xxxxxx

Chapter 16 - Waiting

"Well this certainly is a problem"

"I think it could be classified as more than a problem"

The smoke filled room hid the figures of two males. The room was dark because the light had hurt Hatori's eyes once Shigure had turned them on. Hatori stared blankly at Shigure. Shigure stared back at him just as blankly. Hatori had the distinct feeling that Shigure had an even stronger loathing for him now Tohru had been injured. But nothing Shigure did or said would make him feel any worse than he did already.

"Hatori why did you invite her over there. You knew that Akito was in a mood. He always is these days" Shigure said quietly taking another drag from his cigarette. He couldn't believe what Hatori had done. It was totally unthinkable. Yet one look at his old friend and the injuries he had gained from Akito, gave him a strike of sympathy for him.

"I believe that is still my business" Hatori said calmly.

"Yet I am Tohru's guardian while she remains in my house. The injuries she has gained from Akito is on your shoulders Hatori" Shigure said with a hint of malice in his voice.

Hatori stiffened at the table and then took a deep breath, as he leaned backwards slightly he winced and his hand flew up to chest. Shigure let his scowl drop and his face softened. Hatori saw it and he shook his head, wincing yet again.

"Don't feel sorry for me Shigure" Hatori said

"I wasn't" Shigure lied. "I'm feeling something else, something quiet interesting actually. Anger" he narrowed his eyes at the last word.

"Last week I called Kazuma-"

"You called Kazuma?" Shigure asked definitely surprised. "Akito banned us from contacting him"

"I know" Hatori said again calmly. "We arranged safe transport and a safe house for both Kyo and Tohru to go to. It had been arranged by both myself and Kazuma that they leave at the end of this week. But as always Akito found out our secret. He arrived in my rooms today and although I denied everything he still knew. I had invited Tohru here today, knowing full well that Kyo would come with her, so that I could tell them of our plan. Unfortunately my appointment with her co-incided with Akito's visit to see me. Yes Shigure it is my fault, I knew she was coming. I exposed her to Akito's rage."

"Maybe you are not as to blame as I thought" Shigure said honestly "I will still not forgive you for taking her memories Hatori. Although she regained them eventually. But you tried to make it right Hatori…that's all that matters in the end." Shigure smiled at him "And you've fixed our little flower up"

"Her body yes" Hatori said "But not her mind. I don't know how she will react when she wakes. I am surprised though. Akito was very easy on her. Compared…" Hatori trailed off a strange look in his eye.

"Compared to you?" SHigure asked gently. Hatori remained silent "Are you alright, my friend?" Shigure asked.

"My friend…" Hatori repeated "You havent called me that in such a long time"

Shigure just smiled.

Kyo sighed as he stroked hair from out of Tohru's closed eyes. It had been hours since he had brought her home. Hatori had woken a few minutes after Kyo had arrived. As soon as he had woke up and seen what had happened to Tohru he had been all action. Hatori himself had carried Tohru to his car and driven them both to Shigures house. Hatori's words replayed in Kyo's mind as he thought about that ride home.

"I'm sorry Kyo" Hatori said quietly. Kyo glared at him from the backseat where Tohru's head was resting on his knee "I'd understand if you never wanted to speak to me again. This wasn't supposed to happen. I am so sorry. All me and Kazuma wanted for you both was safety"

"What?" Kyo asked.

"You will find out in time, Kyo" he said mysteriously. "Forgive me"

Kyo had never heard that desperation in his tone before. He had never heard Hatori apologise and he had never been asked for forgiveness before. Usually he was the one pleading for someone's forgiveness. Kyo looked again at the sleeping Tohru and sighed again. Everything had gone so wrong, it was all his fault. He should never have gotten so close to her. Akito was mad with him and because he had allowed himself feelings he had gotten her hurt. Kyo slid Tohru's head off his knee and slid open her door. He didn't really want to leave her but she'd probably b angry with him if he skipped out on meals. Quietly creeping downstairs he went into the kitchen and deprived the fridge of its milk. Moving through to sit at the table he found Hatori on the veranda staring out into the garden.

"Where's that bastard Shigure?" Kyo asked

"You know Kyo it would be pay to be a little nicer" Hatori said lightly.

"Well it would pay for that git Akito to be nicer, but that's never gunna happen" Kyo spat. Hatori stood up and hissed as pain shot through his entire body.

Kyo put his carton down on the table and padded quickly over to a cuboard where he took out the first aid kit and put it onto the table. Hatori watched him with an amused expression on his face. Kyo looked at him expectantly but Hatori didn't move.

"You just tell me what to do….ok?" Kyo asked. Hearing the serious tone in his voice Hatori nodded. Kyo moved over to him and began his work.

That was how Yuki found them after he had returned. Kyo realised with a jolt that Yuki didn't know about Tohru. Yuki took in the scene and his eyes widened as he realised that Kyo was bandaging Hatori.

"Hatori are you alright?" he asked.

"Hello Yuki" Hatori said giving no further enlightenment to his present condition. Kyo snapped the medical box closed and stood up. Hatori stood and pulled on his jacket. His movements were slow to cause less pain. "I will come by tomorrow to check up on Tohru-" he said to Kyo "-until then do as I have instructed. If she wakes before I arrive tomorrow morning then call me at any time. Do you understand"

"Yes" Kyo nodded.

"What's wrong with Tohru?!" Yuki asked alarmed.

"Are you sure its safe to go back there?" Kyo asked "I mean Akito aint best pleased"

"I will see you tomorrow morning" Hatori smiled. As he left Yuki turned to Kyo with a glare in his eye. Kyo gulped and realised that he was in for a lecture.

"What's happened?" Yuki asked. His tone made it clear that there was no room for lies or deciet in his answer.

"Akito attacked her" Kyo said simply. "Hatori had asked her to stop by the main house for a word. I went with her. I lost her in the corridors. Akito was attacking Hatori and she heard them. You know what Tohru's like, she had to try and help. By the time she got there Hatori was out cold and that bastard attacked her."

"and where were you!" Yuki spat

"I wasn't there" Kyo said simply.

A rough jerk alerted him to the fact he had just been slammed roughly against the wall. Yuki's hand flew out and met his cheek and even though Kyo saw him, he didn't block Yuki. He deserved this. Yuki slammed him against the wall again.

"You stupid cat! I knew this would happen. I knew you would hurt her, you stupid cat. Do you know what you've done!"

"OF COURSE I DO! YA DAMN RAT! BUT WHAT THE HELL WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO SHE JUST DISAPPEARED. HELL I WAS REALLY WORRIED! FOR FUCK SAKE I DID WHAT I COULD SO JUST LAY OFF! COZ NOTHING YOU CAN SAY OR DO WILL MAKE ME FEEL WORSE!"

Yuki stepped back stunned and Kyo continued to glare at him. Yuki made as if to say something but Kyo stopped him by straightening his shirt and stepping forward.

"I've screwed up. I know. It wont happen again! Just back off" Kyo said in a defeated voice.

"What?" Yuki asked grabbing his arm roughly "Your giving up"

"ISNT THAT WHAT YOU WANT!" Kyo yelled.

"NO!" Yuki snapped back "I want Tohru to be happy. And although she cannot have that with me. She can have it with you. I see it Kyo"

"Whatever" Kyo snapped brushing Yuki off and stalking out of the room. Sighing Yuki headed upstairs to see her. Stepping into her bedroom he saw the extent of her injuries. Thankfully it was mainly cuts and bruises that scarred the delicate white skin of his love. Yet as he stood their he felt farther away from her than he eve had. He knew that he would never be able to comfort her in the way Kyo could and for that he was extremely unhappy but he also knew that while she was happy so would he. Smiling a little soft smile he left the room leaving a gap for Kyo as he brushed past him to enter into the room Yuki had just left. As Yuki glanced back he saw a touching site. Kyo leaned down and softly kissed Tohru's forehead before getting on the bed next to her and whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

"Well Kyo…it seems you truly have beaten me after all" Yuki sighed and closed the door shut with a smart snap.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHES INJURED!" Uo yelled into the orange heads face.

Kyo stood calmly with his hands in his pockets debating whether or not what he was about to do would be extremely foolish or very clever. Tohru was always worrying about it, so why would it be foolish to remove that worry. It was going to take a while for Tohru to mentally heal from her ordeal. Shigure had insisted he go to school that morning to go and tell her friends about Tohru. Kyo hadn't wanted to leave but he would be heading back soon.

"Uo…I'm sorry" Kyo apologised.

"Wha?" Uo asked shocked out of her shouting rage by the fact that Kyo was apologising "What do you mean?"

"Yes, why exactly are you sorry?" Hana asked with a knowing smile on her face. Sometimes that girl just creeped him out, way more than he liked.

"I have to tell you something. Its about Tohru and the Sohma family"

Ten minutes later both girls were staring at the two boys in complete shock. Kyo was just pulling on his jacket having just transform back, he just hoped that no one was going to walk in on them. Undoubtedly they were going to ask Yuki to transform too and if anyone walked into the gymnasium it was going to be weird seein Kyo, Uo and Hana standing close together with a rat and a pile of clothes.

"This is such a wind up!" Uo laughed "You guys are so not funny!!!"

"How do you explain the cat then?" Kyo asked savagely

"Oh yeah…." Uo said and then slumped down onto the floor holding her head "This is just too much…I just…I…"

"Ah…I understand. It all makes sense. We were foolish to miss it. Now I understand their waves, I always knew they were different. Momiji, Haru and Shigure too"

"Yes" Yuki nodded his head and agreed. "And there are other things that we haven't told you. And of which we cannot tell you just yet. But know this, Akito…the head of our family…should never learn of your knowledge of this. If he finds out you know…you may end up in the same state as Tohru"

"WHAT!! You mean a member of your family did this to her!!!" Uo yelled "Well we have to call the Police!"

"You don't understand!" Kyo stepped forward "Akito has contats in nearly every major organisation. The Police, the fire service…the hospitals Akito has contacts in them all. Nothing will ever come of it. Weve tried it before!"

"So there's nothing we can do?" Hana asked.

"No" Kyo shook his head

"Absolutely nothing" Yuki said quietly.

Back at that house a strange wind bellowed through Shigure's house. Shigure himself stood up and slid open the door to stare out across the veranda and at the trees. Nothing was right, he sensed something else in the house. A strange presence that could not be seen, nor heard. Only felt as though it was visiting from another plain, another dimension in which no one could walk. Something was here, and it wasn't good. Upstairs Tohru slept on, twitching slightly in her sleep, the cloudy sight that ha dbeen filling her dreams now becoming clearer the distant shadow of a shape becoming solid and clear to her. As she walked in the dream world she gasped, for she knew that figure. Never before had she seen him before…or heard him speak but as the mist lifted she knew instantly who it was. Then he opened his mouth and spoke.

"Ive been waiting for you. Tohru Honda"