Author's Note (May 15, 2013): Hope you enjoy this instalment of 'ShugoTenshi' with all of your favourite Sohma characters!

Chapter 6

Introducing God – Funeral Part 1

Shigure tightened the tie that still hung loosely around his neck before he got out and held his hand out to Akiten. She took a deep breath, reached for his hand, and stepped out of the vehicle. She held on tightly to his hand as her eyes gazed up at the temple in awe. It was beautiful. She had never seen anything like it. None of the homes or shops compared to the elegant style and architecture of the temple.

Shigure saw her eyes light up as she took in the sight of the temple before them. The section that held funeral services was located on the far side of the temple grounds, but upon seeing the awestruck look in her eyes, he knew that he had to let her walk around the temple grounds and gardens for a little bit first.

"Do you want to wear your sunglasses?" he asked her, reaching into the car where she had left them sitting on the seat.

She didn't respond. He pocketed them just in case.

Catching her hand again, he stepped forward and she followed silently, her eyes were wide-open as she took in every nook and cranny of the temple. The cherry blossoms on the property were in full bloom, attracting many locals and tourists to view their soft petals and smell their delicate fragrance in the air. Shigure watched her closely as she took in every sight. He found her wonder and curiosity endearing and he couldn't help but smile. From the uniquely designed stone pathways underfoot to the tips of the highest treetops, her eyes marvelled at how nature wove itself into a scene from a dream. A gold shape flickered in the corner of her eye and she turned to see a koi fish bobbing his head near he surface of the pond. Intrigued, she turned and walked to the edge of the pond where she could see other koi fish swimming lazily around in the water.

"Shigure-niisan! There you are!"

Shigure turned and saw his cousin, Sohma Ritsu, running towards him. He was dressed in a solid black kimono instead of his usual colourful one. He looked tired, but relieved to find his cousin.

"Please forgive my intrusive questions, but I was surprised that you, of all people, weren't at the wake!" Ritsu said once he reached Shigure's side and brushing his long brown hair from his face. "I always thought you, Hatori-niisan and Kureno-niisan were closest to Akito-san than the rest of us. While I understand with Hatori-niisan's busy life that attending the wake would be difficult, if not impossible, but… forgive me for asking… but where have you been?"

Shigure gave Ritsu a reassuring smile as he felt Akiten clutch his jacket from behind. "It's no intrusion at all, Ri-chan," Shigure replied. "Something unexpected came up, and I acquired a new and important responsibility. Ha-san agreed that it was best that I take care of other important matters instead of attending the wake."

Ritsu nodded his head, although still wondering what Shigure's other obligations could be that were more important than attending the wake of their God figure, when he suddenly spotted Akiten peering out from behind Shigure.

Akiten held his gaze momentarily. His eyes told her everything she needed to know and she could feel her heart beginning to swell for the first time. She knew he was the monkey of the Juunishi, but she didn't understand why she felt drawn to him. He was technically a stranger because she had never met him before, but upon looking into his eyes, she felt like she had known him his whole life. She wanted to reach out and touch him, but at the same time, she felt shy.

Ritsu broke eye contact and looked at Shigure with incredulity. "Shi-Shigure-niisan… is she… is she…?" Ritsu stumbled over his words as he tried to grasp the sensations of meeting her for the first time.

"Hai, she is our God," Shigure replied calmly, glancing down at Akiten over his shoulder.

"OH! FORGIVE ME! I DIDN'T KNOW! I'M SUCH A DISGRACE! HOW WAS I NOT AWARE OF THIS SOONER!? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"

His wail made Akiten jump, but instead of hiding behind Shigure, she found herself flying past her father and wrapping her arms around Ritsu's waist. She looked up into his eyes with conflicting emotions. "Please!" she begged him urgently, though softly.

His eyes widened in shock as he looked down at her. She was crying. Why was she crying?

"Please?" she asked again in a whisper. She didn't know what else to say, but his eyes moistened and she knew that somehow he understood. She buried her face in his kimono momentarily as her trembling subsided. What overcame her? She didn't know and didn't understand. But somehow in the exchange of their gazes, they understood each other.

Shigure stood stunned, flabbergasted even. He had never seen someone subdue Ritsu so quickly—not even Tohru-kun, who had a place in everyone's hearts. Moreover, the exchange between his daughter and Ritsu was so brief, but packed a powerful punch. He didn't need someone to explain what passed between the two—that would remain between God and her beloved Juunishi.

Would all of Akiten's encounters with the other Juunishi members be like this?

He only wished now that she could have met everyone at a different time. A day for mourning seemed inappropriate.

"Please excuse my rudeness, Shigure-niisan…" Ritsu murmured finally as Akiten loosened her hold on the man, "but… do you mind if…"

"Not at all, Ri-chan," Shigure replied with a gentle, encouraging smile. "I should go help with preparations anyway, but I know Aki-chan would love to see more of the gardens."

Ritsu nodded and Akiten took his hand, drawing Ritsu's gaze back to her as they turned to look back at the koi fish in the pond. "Ri-chan," she said, using the name she had heard Shigure say, "my name's Akiten. I like your kimono…"

As the two of them shared a private moment together in the garden, Shigure ambled over to the funeral hall in deep thought. Akiten seemed to be changing rapidly as the day wore on from the girl he had first laid eyes on in Akito's room. He worried that she would become overwhelmed… and then what? He had no idea what she would do when that happened. Would she lash out like Akito would have? Or would she just get tired and grumpy like a normal child? He wished he could take her place, if only for today.

Everything was coming together nicely when he arrived at the funeral hall. The last of the flowers were being placed around Akito's name and photo on the altar. Half of his Juunishi cousins had arrived already. It would appear that they were still waiting for Ayame and Yuki, Isuzu and Haru, and Hatori. Ritsu, of course, was still outside with Akiten. The younger cousins, Kagura, Momiji, Hiro and Kisa, were conversing as they were putting the final touches on the flower arrangements. Kureno was talking to a man in a suit, who must have been the funeral director or one of the staff members of the hall.

Kagura turned upon seeing Shigure arrive out of the corner of her eye and went to the entrance to greet him. "Hi Shi-chan. It's been a while. How have you been doing?" She gave him a small smile.

Shigure closed his eyes momentarily as he tapped his index finger on his lips. Should he tell her about Akiten now, or let her find out later? "Hmm… I'm currently at a writer's block at the moment. Since Akito-san's death, I haven't thought much about my novel either. I have far too much on my mind these days."

Kagura nodded. "I read your latest book, Shi-chan. It seems… much darker than your previous works… Is everything okay?"

"Well, you know how it is, Kagura-chan. I'm a lonely bachelor living on my own away from my family. Shunned by Akito-san and unable to have relations with other women…" he explained good-naturedly like he would have in his younger years, but he slowed down, feeling the pain return to his heart. "But… it's been harder than usual these past few days since Akito-san left us. I was with her when she died, you know."

Kagura looked confused. "She?"

"Shigure, where is she?"

Both Shigure and Kagura turned to see Hatori entering the hall. He was looking around at everyone present and concern pressed his brows together when he didn't see Akiten.

"Ha-san! So good to see you!" Shigure gushed. "Why, they haven't brought Akito-san in yet!"

"You know fully well that I'm not asking about Akito's whereabouts."

"My oh my, you brought some cold air in with you too, Ha-san!"

"Don't you have any dignity? This is Akito's funeral, have some self-control and respect," Hatori said icily.

"Ha-san is always so heartless!" Shigure complained childishly, but pulled himself together. He saw Kagura watching the two men from the corner of his eyes. He sighed and brushed his hair back with his hand. "We ran into Ritsu in the gardens. She's with him now."

Hatori raised an eyebrow. "She's… outside?"

Shigure nodded. "I can't explain it, Ha-san. It's like she's become a completely different person since this morning. I mean, she subdued Ritsu's outburst with merely a look! A look! Even Tohru-kun couldn't do that—and she was one of the first people to ever get through to Ritsu and calm him down!"

"Don't talk about her," a voice from the entrance snapped abruptly.

Shigure and Kagura turned to look at the newcomer as he scowled. "Kyo-kun…" The words escaped Kagura's lips before she could catch them and she blushed brightly and lowered her gaze.

Shigure raised an eyebrow at Hatori, who shrugged. "I brought him. I thought it was appropriate for him to get out for a while and stretch his legs. I figured Akito's funeral should be the only exception."

Kazuma came up behind Kyo and put a hand on his shoulder. A tender look hovered on his face and Shigure felt a twist of guilt inside. While Kazuma adopted Kyo and loved him like a son, Shigure felt like he was less worthy in the man's presence. After all, it wasn't until a few days ago that he had discovered that he even had a child of his own and had unknowingly abandoned her in the first thirteen years of her life… years that he'll never get back.

"Hey! Kyon-kyon's here!" Momiji's voice carried over the hall, bright and cheerful as ever, causing not only Kyo and Hatori to scowl, but also Hiro.

"This is a solemn event. Don't be so loud!" Hiro grumbled harshly as Momiji went to greet the small gathering of Juunishi at the entrance. Hiro and Kisa followed and soon they were all gathered together in the entrance.

Shigure pulled Hatori aside so they could talk more privately.

"I mean it, Ha-san," Shigure whispered, glancing at the entrance in anticipation for Akiten and Ritsu to arrive at any moment. "She's changed dramatically. I think it's because she became our new god-figure. The transformation has changed her. You'll see. When you first make eye contact with her, you'll feel it. She's not Akiten anymore…"

Hatori saw how concerned it was making Shigure. For Akiten's sake, he hoped it was a good change, but at the same time… what were the long-term effects? Would she grow sickly and ill-tempered and die young like her mother?

Hatori could see the anxiety building in Shigure as the minutes ticked by and his daughter had not walked in yet. "Maybe I should go out and bring her in…" he wondered out-loud.

Hatori placed a reassuring hand on Shigure's shoulder and shook his head. "Let her come in when she's ready. Would you feel more at ease if we waited for her right by the door as we welcome friends and family in?"

Shigure nodded, and together they went to the entrance as Ayame and Yuki arrived. Yuki looked smart and sophisticated in his black suit, and he looked around excitedly, as if he was looking for someone in particular.

"Is it true?" Yuki asked Shigure in anticipation. "Is she really here?"

Shigure looked to Ayame for a hint and Ayame just winked in response. He felt too tired now though. Ayame entered the hall and greeted all of his younger cousins enthusiastically while Yuki stayed with Shigure and Hatori. The two older men couldn't conceal the sadness in their eyes at the mention of her. Tohru.

"What exactly did Ayame tell you? Hatori asked.

Yuki studied their faces as he tried to determine what to make of the things his older brother told him. "That there would be a special guest at Akito's funeral."

"Well, we do have a special guest… but it's not who you think it is," Hatori replied.

The disappointment in Yuki's face spoke volumes, but he quickly tried to cover it up. "I guess I should have expected as much…"

"Now, now Yuki-kun, she is just as special as Tohru-kun," Shigure declared proudly, "and if Tohru-kun were here she would agree."

"Not just a wee bit biased, are we Shigure?" Hatori mumbled as he looked out the door. "Ah, here she comes now with Ritsu."

Shigure felt a wave of relief as Ritsu opened the door for Akiten to step in. Her eyes lit up when she saw Hatori and she hurried to greet him. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she looked up at him, almost like adoration. Shigure noticed the flash of shock in Hatori's eyes upon making eye contact, followed by a brief look of sadness before he smiled at her with love. Did Shigure notice a hint of mist in Hatori's emotionless orbs?

Akiten looked troubled for a moment as her smile turned into a slight pout, her eyes searching Hatori's briefly. Was she about to cry again? Instead, she nodded and turned away.

Yuki stared at her, almost as if in horror. Perhaps it was because she looked like a reincarnation of Akito during the most troubling years of Yuki's childhood, or maybe it was because she bounced in and embraced Hatori without him transforming. Whatever past through his mind caught Akiten's gaze and she froze in place, her grey eyes meeting with his dark grey ones. She saw his intense pain and fear in Akito, which brought about her own dark, haunting memories at the Sohma Estate in the same dark room. As she projected her own identical pains and fears onto him, they both began to cry. She wanted to run someplace safe, far away from the darkness that came clawing back through her with its razor sharp nails. But just when she felt like her feet would give underneath her, her heart surge forward with such force that she, again, flung herself into him.

"Gomen!" The cry erupted from her lips, not knowing why, of all things to say upon first meeting him, it had to be an apology. "Gomen nasai!"

Yuki lowered himself to his knees and pulled Akiten tightly to him. He understood. He understood everything because he saw the same reflection in her eyes of himself. But the love of God for her Juunishi pulled them together, to seek comfort in each other's arms, to love and support each other through good and bad… the way it was always meant to be. And God wanted to apologize for all the wrong that she had committed in the past.

There was hope. And it came in the form of a small, malnourished girl, born from the womb of God and offering both spirit and child a second chance.

Yuki pulled back and brushed her hair from her unnaturally large eyes. "So you're the one that I dreamed about on the plane this morning," he said softly to her. "I'm very happy to meet you."

Akiten swallowed, her ivory cheeks taking on a hint of pink. She fought back more tears that threatened to cascade down her cheeks. She was aware of the changes taking place within her as well and it was scary and intimidating. As much as she wanted to hide from the world, she felt compelled to move and act within it. So far, she encountered so much pain and suffering… much of it connecting to her mother in differing ways. She didn't know how to approach it. She had always fled and cried in the past, but now she felt incapable of doing so. Every time she gazed into a new member of the Juunishi's eyes, she found more pain and suffering in which to carry in her heart. At times, it felt as though it was too much to bear and she might collapse, but then she would feel her spirit reaching out with love and connecting with the other's spirit and both of them could at last find peace in their hearts, if only momentarily.

Over-come with so many mixed emotions, she suddenly began to sway, her legs feeling shaky under the immense pressure now placed on her shoulders. Hatori was the first to notice as her face became flushed.

"Shigure, go sit her down some place private—now," he ordered. He turned to Akiten as she reached to clasp her father's hand for support. His voice was gentle and a pitch higher than normal for him. "Let me get you something to drink, ne?"

She nodded her head, beginning to feel weak and tired. "Un. Arigatou," she replied faintly as Shigure turned her toward the hall.

"Let's go someplace quiet and relax, ne Aki-chan?" Shigure suggested coolly, although inwardly, he was secretly worried. He managed to whisk her away into the funeral director's office without his younger cousins catching him. They all seemed to be preoccupied by Kyo's presence. Shigure was very grateful for that, even though he knew Kyo was probably getting frustrated. He whispered a silent prayer of thanks to Kyo in passing.

Ritsu and Yuki peered into the office. They had followed Shigure and Akiten out of curiosity and concern.

"Is everything okay?" Yuki asked.

"I'm so sorry Akiten-chan," Ritsu apologized nervously. "I didn't mean to… to…"

"Iie, iie, daijoubu," Akiten assured them, feeling her face grow hot with embarrassment. "I'm okay. I'm just…" She didn't know how to explain all of the emotions bearing down on her.

"Over-whelmed, ne?" Shigure filled in tenderly.

Akiten guessed that was the right word as Yuki and Ritsu squeezed into the small office. She shifted in her chair, keeping her head lowered and feeling awkward under all of their gazes. "Un. First I'm shy, then scared, then happy and…" She squeezed her eyes shut as tears began to gather. "I'm always crying! Am I happy or sad? Is it possible to be both at the same time?"

"Mochiron," Shigure said, putting a reassuring hand on her small, bony shoulder. "Of course."

She gripped her chair tightly, still hanging her head, and not wanting to look anyone else in the eyes. She could feel Shigure's presence pressing into her through his touch and she wanted to push him out, but his presence was one of comfort. She found herself leaning into him, feeling the warmth of his love as his heartbeat matched with hers in a steady uplifting rhythm.

Yuki moved to kneel in front of her, the director's desk merely inches behind him. "Akiten-chan," he said gently, his voice floating over her in waves of encouragement, "life is full of leaps and bounds. Don't be afraid to stop and take baby steps, or stop and smell the flowers when life runs faster than you can keep up. It's better to clear your head and to relax instead of pushing yourself to a breaking point or getting upset. We Juunishi have to be careful. Our bodies are weaker than normal human bodies and we have a secret to keep. So if you ever feel over-whelmed, don't be afraid to take some time for yourself. We'll understand and support you. Okay?"

Akiten nodded, but didn't dare to look into Yuki's eyes again in fear of returning to those memories that still haunted both of them. She couldn't face them right now.

"You are our most precious person, and we are very glad to have you with us now," Yuki added but Akiten didn't want to hear it.

If she was so precious to them now, then why not before? Why not when she needed them most? Why not when she was lost in a sea of darkness and nothingness for years and years? Why only now that she was God? She wanted to cry out for the discrimination she felt. Why was God accepted and loved and not Akiten?

She could feel herself starting to shake, when Hatori opened the door to the office. "There you are," he said aloofly. "Yuki, Ritsu, could you both leave us alone for a moment please?"

Yuki and Ritsu nodded their heads in unison and left without another word. Hatori closed the door gently behind them. He could see Akiten shaking and Shigure had this concerned and helpless look on his face. Hatori quickly moved and kneeled in front of her, much like Yuki had done just moments before. He could see that she was upset. He knew better than to let her get worked up. He took her hands together in his like a prayer. "Calm down, Akiten," he said calmly, though sternly. "Look at me."

"No!" she snapped, pulling her hands out of his and sitting on them. "I can't look at you anymore! All I see now in your eyes are your secrets… all of your pains and troubles… I don't want to see anymore of it!"

He looked surprised and he glanced up at Shigure quickly to see the shock in his face as well. She could see all of their secrets now?

"Then at least calm down," he said. He held out a juice box for her. "Here, drink this. It will make you feel better."

"Why do you care now, huh?" she cried bitterly, squeezing her eyes tightly shut and curling closer into herself. "Why? Because I'm God? Is that the only reason you care about me now? What about me? What about Akiten? Why does no one care about me as me?"

"Shigure," Hatori ordered firmly, "hold her."

Shigure was caught by surprise. "What?"

"Do it!" Hatori hissed.

Shigure wasn't sure how he was supposed to hold her. Why the sharp tone in Hatori's voice all of a sudden? Akiten was shaking like a leaf and about to curl up into herself. He reached for her and pulled her against him in his arms, holding her skeletal body tightly against his heart.

She cried out and struggled to escape, but Shigure held on tautly.

"Listen to your father's heartbeat Akiten," Hatori commanded, grabbing her flailing arms and pushing her back against Shigure's chest. "You share the same heartbeat. Your blood comes from him. You are a part of Shigure now. And he will never abandon you, do you hear me?"

Akiten sniffled as she began to calm down and cry against her father, hearing the steady drumming of his heart against her ear.

"Your mother's first mistake was to conceal you and not tell him about you. That was her final mistake leading up to her death. But she corrected it and he is with you now. He needs you now more than he ever did before. You—not God—You. Listen as the blood you share pumps through his heart. He is alive and holding you, wanting to correct all the wrongs of the past… wanting to love you. Love you as Akiten, his daughter and his life."

She was limp in Shigure's arms as silent tears trailed down her cheeks. That was all she wanted after all. To be accepted and loved for who she was.

Shigure stared up at Hatori in confused bewilderment as Hatori pulled himself into a standing position. His bones groaned in protest. "Is she okay?" he mouthed silently to Hatori, afraid to disturb the child in his arms.

Hatori nodded tiredly. He handed Shigure the juice box and told him to let her rest for a few minutes until she calmed down and then let her drink the juice. He left and closed the door behind him, rubbing his face with his hand.

Akito was famous for her angry fits of rage… but they were nothing compared to Akiten's when she got upset. And now was not the time for her to reveal those particular skills in front of everyone.

No, she needed to stay calm and learn to control them… lest they take over her mind and bring about her own destruction…

Author's Note: So… a little bit of darkness there. Okay, I lied… I know, I know, Haru and Rin weren't there, but they will be in the upcoming chapters. They're running late (Haru got lost… haha!) Kyo will have a bigger part in the future too. No worries! The next few chapters will have more of the Sohma characters.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reading and reviewing!