Author's Note: Awwww I want to thank you readers for the reviews. They truly are a motivation for me when writing. I'm glad I'm doing a good enough job to impress you all, even though I know I need still some work and pratice and am far from being a great writer still. But it's a great compliment compared to my earlier poorer quality fics. When it came the time for me to write a Fruits Basket fic, and even more a Akito one. I thought to really try hard and improve in using detailed writing.

smcandy: Thank you so much for the review, and actually reading the author's notes ^^ (many other readers do not) I thank you for the detailed review, it made my day. And yes I agree with what you said about this pairing.

MissFizz: ROFL Your coment made me laugh hard especialy the "holy" part hehe. Thanks for the review and for reading the author's notes

Little Miss Novella: Thank you so much for reviewing, hehe don't worry that indeed will appear later on

Since noone seems to be bothered by long chapters, ok then I won't bother about length as much then, unless otherwise it's for the story's benefit.

DISCLAIMER: FRUITS BASKET DOESN'T BELONG TO ME BUT RIGHTFULLY TO NATSUKI TAKAYA. I'M JUST A FAN AS YOURSELVES ARE.

CHAPTER 3

Tohru's mind was still on a halt, she didn't know what to think. Here she was in the Honke, in Akito's own bedroom; dressed in a yukata. Beforehand, she always used to marvel and admire people who would dress traditionally, and lived in a traditional-styled home. She recalled even once saying she wouldn't mind being the wife of a man who owned a traditional shop, or inn. She remembered at how she always used to look at woman who would prepare and serve tea in traditional attire; in her mind she would see them as close to royalty you can get.

Now she looked at herself, in her current state. She was dressed, and in a place she thought she would only be in her dreams. Yet now that she was actually in the position, she didn't feel excited or happy about it. On the contrary, she felt scared, intimidated, and cornered even if there was no one else in the room. Her mind kept replaying back to what Akito had just told her. Shigure on of her trusted friends had gone and done such a cruel act right after saving her from two other suspicious people. It was something she just couldn't believe for her self, and worse thing yet; this situation made her recall something her mother always told her.

.

"Love knows no age, but what you do with it, it's up to you. Have fun making friends, and enjoy your life graduating high school. Promise me though Tohru to not let any man but your husband, and true love be passionately intimate with you. Don't make the same mistakes I did."

At the time she never quite understood what her mom meant, or why she insisted on it so much. Now though, she not only understood, but felt more horrible due to it having happened without even she having the chance to object. She didn't know how to feel, she was feeling a rush of emotions. Guilt, Humiliation, and most of all hopelessness. She couldn't help but feel she betrayed her mother in a way, despite she not remembering the actual event happening. She didn't deserve to be dressed, and be inside a traditional home; a style her mother only dreamed of living. She still wished her mother were here with her now, near, to comfort her in this time of bleakness; despite the cause of her sadness was something she would be ashamed to tell her mother if she were still alive.

That was when she realized something. As she looked around her, her suitcase that carried her belongings as well as her mother's picture; were nowhere in sight. She felt her heartbeat rise in a slight panic, as she got out of bed, and looked around the room for her items. It wasn't until she got out of bed though, that she felt her weak state. Her legs could barely hold her up, feeling more like jelly with each step she took. Her whole body, felt tired and weak as if she had been working hard the day before. She had a huge throbbing headache, and her stomach felt like it did when she had the stomach flu once. It wasn't long until she felt the urge to gag.

As she walked towards the room door hoping to find a bathroom nearby, a voice behind stopped her as she was reaching out for the handle.

"And where do you think you're going? Surely you're not as hurt as they say when you're getting up to snoop, are you?" She couldn't tell if the voice was mocking her, or being serious. Then again she never could tell with Akito.

As she turned around slowly, wrapping her arms around her stomach. She slowly made out three words. "A-Akito-sama I don't fe-BLEGH"Unexpectedly she vomited right on Akito's chest, resulting in a screech of disgust.

Meanwhile on the other side of the Honke. Hatori was busy at work with Momiji, giving him his final checkup at the Honke. He smiled as he wrote down on his clipboard. He noticed the young boy was no longer wearing feminine outfits when in the Honke, it was only a matter of time before he started wearing the boy's uniform at the school as well. He also noticed Momiji's height increasing rapidly; it was no mistake he was indeed maturing.

"So Momiji, now that your curse has lifted, I'm sure you're excited to move into that apartment your father got you. You'll be out of the Honke." He said in his usual monotone voice.

Momiji who was sitting down humming to himself cheerfully, quickly responded innocently. "That doesn't mean I'll quit visiting. Sure he might be my dad, but you Hatori and everyone else here are more like my family to me." He said with a cute smile.

Hatori grinned solemnly in response. He knew he was referring by "everyone else" was Haru, Yuki, Kisa and Yuki; even though Kyo was slowly fitting the circle of closeness as well. Hatori then thought of Akito, and wondered just how he was taking it; that one of his Zodiacs was no longer cursed. Not well obviously. They were both interrupted of their dear moment by a nearby screech. Hatori quickly recognizing it as belonging to Akito, he immediately thought of Tohru.

"Momiji, I'm sorry but I can't see you off today. Something must be bothering Akito again." He said quickly despite feeling saddened being cut short of Momiji's leave. He scruffed the young blonde's hair and went out the door.

Once he entered Akito's bedroom door, he saw Tohru lying on the ground unconscious, and Akito drenched in some form of liquid. The look on the young head's face certainly was not pleased at all, in fact he looked downright infuriated. Fearing for Honda's safety he quickly walked in the room towards him, hopefully moving him away from a close distance to the girl.

"Akito, what happened?" Hatori said quickly placing his hand on the younger male's forehead, only to have it slapped away.

"I'll tell you what happened, that little twit covered me in her vomit, and then passed out like the pathetic weakling she is. If she gets me sicker then I am already, it'll be on your head Hatori." Akito yelled out pointing his finger at him. It was obviously he was near his edge, as he began to tremble a bit in anger. A habit he usually had, when he was exploding.

Hatori despite finding the whole scene amusing, kept his calm demeanor replying in a soothing tone. "That's fine with me Akito, as long as it is with you. If you don't need anything yourself, then you can go ahead and take a hot bath for the rest of the day while I make sure Tohru here doesn't repeat doing this." He said as he expertly tried to pass the confrontation

Akito lowered his hand, and scowled slightly. "What I need, is something to take off this stench completely. Off me, and this filthy room" He said as he headed out the door.

"Consider it done Akito immediately." Hatori quickly replied, relieved Akito had calmed down. As he let out a sigh of relief, Akito noted one more request while walking down the hall. "Oh an Hatori, get the girl clean as well. I can't have filthy people stinking up the whole Honke."

That remark alone, made Hatori think twice. It was the closest thing; Akito has ever said that was actually caring for someone else besides himself. Despite of course he backed it up with his own reasons; it still was a bit surprising.

He was thrown of his daze, when he girl in his arms started to stir. As he looked down he saw her eyes slowly flutter awake, as she answered in a soft voice. "Hatori-san."

Hatori smiled slightly as he lifted her up, and carried her to the nearby washroom. "Don't worry Tohru, you had a bit of a accident, you should feel better to get a quick wash. Now is the best time, since the washrooms are empty with everyone here either being out or busy at work. No one should see you."

"I-I had a accident, oh I'm so sorry." Tohru quickly replied, in a weak tone. As always no matter what her current state was, she hated to have others bother themselves for her sake.

"Don't worry Tohru, as a doctor I order you to take a bath and relax for now. Forget about everything else. You should respect doctor's orders." He said calmly despite giving a slight joke as he let her down when arriving at the washroom.

Tohru quickly bowed in thanks. "Oh no I wouldn't, thank so much for caring for me Hatori." She let out a smile as she took a white fluffy towel off a shelf near the entrance of the washroom.

"Is there anything else you need?" He asked as he placed his hands in his lab coat pockets,

Tohru was about to say no, but because the fact she wanted to know where they were desperately she managed to ask. "Umm Hatori do you know where my things are. I had a blue suitcase with me, it had my mother's picture inside."

Hatori was a bit stunned. He was amazed at how she recalled that night, and was acting normally. Was she purposely in denial and remembering only parts of that night? "I'll be sure to bring them to you, as soon as I can." He said as he left her to take care of herself.

As she walked inside the washroom, her depressed state immediately left her mind when she caught sight of the room's size and design. It was bigger then any washroom she'd seen, and in contrast to close dark rich wooded hallways of the Honke; the washroom was bright and open. The walls had appeared like marble, if that was even possible; and where a pearly pristine white that appeared to be glistening like diamonds. The floor was also very smooth, and had a design that looked like whoever was walking on it, looked like they were walking on a lake. The bath itself was very large and appeared like a hot tub in style. She felt as if she didn't deserve to bath in such a luxurious bath, but she didn't want to ignore Hatori's advice either. She did wish she had her mother's picture however.

' Mom would've gotten a kick if she ever seen a washroom like this.' She thought as she stripped out of her clothes, and dipped in the warm water.

She immediately felt relaxed as the warm water eased all her body's aches and pains. She had taken some of the shelved shampoos and conditioner along when she took the towel. She didn't bother looking what kind they were, she just made sure what they were due to not wanting to ignore Hatori too much. Now looking at them, the shampoo was milk and honey scented, meanwhile the conditioner said strawberries and creme. Both completely different scents, but it didn't matter for she loved both of them; especially the strawberries.

As she lathered, up her hair and rinsed it, she was so engrossed with her bathing that she didn't notice the door open. It wasn't until she heard a sound of an object hitting the ground that she looked aside. As reflex she quickly tried to hide under the suds she made in the water. For there standing in the washroom was Akito with a shocked expression on his face. He was wearing only a towel around his waist, and the item he had dropped was his own shampoos, and soaps.

Now running through her mind, was exactly how long Akito had seen her. What was also bothering her was it was now she realized she had forgotten taking a soap. She couldn't leave the washroom now to get it, unless Akito stepped out. On the contrary however Akito moved closer towards her, which caused Tohru to sink deeper in the water. She felt herself hotter then the water itself, and was positive she was blushing beet red. She was however at a loss for words. She couldn't just order the head of the Honke to get out, when she barely had talked to him since waking up this morning.

"Getting clean for me." Akito spoke up with a smirk etched on his face. Tohru quickly got flustered at his comment. What exactly did he mean by that?

"That's good, because I wouldn't want you to stink up my Honke now would I?" He said not removing the smirk off his face, as he paused as if waiting for a response.

"Y-yes Akito-sama." Tohru responded nervously, despite sighing a bit relived he meant his Honke and not something else.

"Well you're not doing a good job at doing it." He continued, as he walked closer to the rim of the tub and kneeled, holding a object in his hand that was wrapped in pink paper.

Tohru then tried her best to cover herself; she had no idea exactly what the head was planning on doing. She remembered once Uo telling her that to never trust a young guy fully, in certain circumstances. Back then she didn't understand what her friend meant, but now things were different. Now she was a previously victimized girl who is wary of the young male gender. As Akito lifted his arm towards her, she felt a panicking defensive streak rise in her. Thinking quick on what to do, she felt suddenly the yankee edge to her, that most likely came from her mother.

SPLASH

It started as Tohru merely splashing Akito in the face; how it ended up was entirely different however. Apparently soap feel into Akito's eyes, causing Akito to fall forward straight into the water along with her. Now that she thought about it, splashing Akito with soapy water was a terrible idea.

As Akito rose back up from the water, his hair wet and long covering his eyes from view, he said in a low tone. "Just who do you think you are." He then suddenly lashed out, and dunked her underwater.

Due to the pressure and soap in the water, Tohru couldn't open her eyes until she could wash her face clean. When she rose from the water, she was covered by a white towel; panicking for a reason she herself couldn't quite understand she struggled with the person holding the towel. It wasn't until she heard the person speak, and she opened her eyes that she realized it was only a maid.

"Relax miss, it's only me. You seemed to be drowning yourself, so I pulled you out. Did you fall asleep in the water, it happens all the time you know." She said as she started drying her off. She wasn't a young maid, but she wasn't very old either; a little older then Hatori. She had long black hair braided, and had eyes that resembled a cat's.

Tohru then thought about what the maid said. "Yes- that's what happened. It must have been a dream then." She said more to convince herself then the maid.

As the maid helped dry her off, despite Tohru's insistence not to. Tohru glanced back at the tub, and she noticed floating in the water; was a pink object.

Recalling the item from her "dream" she quickly picked it up. Peeling off the paper, she realised it was a bar of soap smelling of cherry blossoms.

On the other side of the the Honke, in a room that had a certain doctor, and a young man inside, there was a slight argument going on.

"Akito, I'm just merely asking why you were in the washroom Tohru was in. You do know they're divided men and women, and besides you have your own washroom. Why did you even enter that one?"

"Because dear Hatori it was my washroom the one she was in. I was planning on washing up in the springs, but I changed my mind and went to my washroom. The idiot then through me into the water along with her, when I was just giving her a bar of soap since she so ridiculously forgot it." Akito who was still damp from the incident, now was not only dirty form his his previous encounter with a queasy Tohru; but full of suds caused yet again by Tohru.

"I'm warning you Hatori, she's testing my patience. If that impudent fool dog of mine hadn't punished her already, I'd punish her myself by making sure she never leaves the Honke." Akito yelled, as he twisted the towel in his grip.

"Akito, try not to anger yourself so much; it weakens your health." Hatori added in; hoping it'd calm the moody Sohma head.

KNOCK

"Excuse me, Akito-sama but actually I wouldn't mind staying here at the Honke if you need me too. I'd be forever grateful and honored to stay here at the Honke." Tohru walked in dressed in another yukata that was a soft powder blue with a white sash.

Both men quickly stared at her, obviously not only shocked at bit by her remark, but the fact she was as if the fact that Akito saw her bathing never happened. This was apparently true, since she quickly expressed concern at Akito's current state.

"Oh Akito-sama you're all wet. Should I go fetch you some clothes?" She said quickly as she turned in her step, and was about to leave when Akito spoke up; stopping her in place.

"Hold it, do you really think you can avoid a situation by simply fetching me some clothes? Do you even have a brain in that empty head of yours. As much as I'd enjoy and take pleasure in making you my servant, and take my every command; not only do I know you won't last more then a few days, but you seem to forget the very reason you're here in the first place." Akito crossed his arms, and stepping forward; away from Hatori, and started pacing in front of Torhu.

"W-well I admit it wasn't in my plans, but now that I thought about it; with your permission Akito I'd like to stay here. For as long as you need me, I'll be willing to. Of course I'm won't be staying here only as a guest, I could be a servant housemaid." She said stuttering a bit, and bowed. Her face obscured from both of their view was clenched in fear of Akito's response; her lip started quivering.

Hatori quickly was shocked at Tohru's offer, and quickly spoke up in her defense. "Tohru, you have no idea what's you're doing. You're still a young high school student, reconsider it. Akito she doesn't really mean what she says...sh-SLAP." Hatori was silenced with a sudden slap from Akito.

"Hatori since when did you think you have the right to step in my deals. You've become quite bold lately. I don't like it." Akito said lowering his hand, and shooting him a death glare; causing Hatori to give an apology bow, and left the room, pausing slightly as he passed Tohru side.

With Hatori out of the room, Akito felt free to deal with this girl completely his way. He started circling around her, as a vulture stalking its prey. He decided to break down her optimism once and for all, and make he face her fate. "Hmph you mean until I die that is. As like everyone else here, you're just as desperate for that to happen, even more if you live here under my order. If you insist however, don't expect me to treat you like the princess they treated you at Shigure's. If you want your presence and everyone else lives to remain as normal then you should obey whichever command I order. Is that clear?" He said as he stopped in front of her, awaiting her response eagerly.

"Y-yes Akito-sama, I understand." Tohru said as she lifted from her bow, with a sigh of relief. She never expected Akito to accept her here in the Honke that easily. One of her biggest worries was now set aside, as she now had a place to stay. As much as she felt wary of Akito, the Honke at the moment felt like the safest place she could be. It was a place secured away and respected by the outside world and the rest of the Sohmas, no one would dare hurt her here. In fact Akito would be the only one she'd have to look out for, and that was much better then having a risk of more.

"As part of our unbreakable deal, no one else besides Hatori, the servants and I shall know you are here. You are to tell no one." Akito added as he started walking of towards his bed. One thing he least wanted was the grotesque cat, or his little rat to know their little precious outsider was here staying with him. Although he'd love to see the look on their faces, when they find out she was staying with him willingly after deserting them. He was in no mood to deal with their pleadings or their attempts to take her back.

Tohru spoke up quickly. "Oh don't worry I wasn't planning on telling anyone anyways." She was now looking at him with a cheerful face.

In Akito's mind however, her statement was twisted into her saying something as "That threat didn't hurt me, because I thought of it already." It irritated him that no matter how hard or how much he wanted to make her feel she'd regret making this decision, and was forever trapped serving him. She on the other hand, seem quite happy and pleased on the contrary.

It was something new, that he never gone through before. With his fellow zodiacs and servants, in a snap of a finger he could make their lives a living doom. As for this plain outsider, once he told her something that it would make everyone else he knew want to commit suicide; she only smiled in response, and was even grateful to him about it. He didn't know if to feel fascinated, pleased, or downright annoyed and furious. For once in his life he was feeling a bit confused, and intrigued by this girl's behavior, that he looked forward to continue testing her strengths, and how long would she last.

Akito turned away from her, facing towards his bed, when he spoke to her next. "I'd figure you wouldn't especially after what that dog did to you. I guess you do remember now, and that's the reason you choose to stay. For protection." Akito said while smirking. If she was still happy up to now, this surely will wipe that smile of her face.

Tohru gritted her teeth. Akito seemed to read her thoughts like a book, at the mentioning of Shigure however she couldn't help cast her look downwards. She now knew what he'd done to her, but somewhere inside of herself she wished it was a lie. "Um..excuse me Akito-sama but may I ask what exactly happened to Shigure."

Akito chuckled a bit. "Oh, I'd said he got home safely, he's in the Sohma private hospital up in the mountains. He's getting tended to some healers there." He turned around and faced her, wanting to see her expressions when she'd find out the news.

Tohru flinched when she pictured herself a injured Shigure in a hospital. She didn't know if to feel sorry for him, or feel nothing towards his state. She couldn't help though but wonder exactly how injured he was. "How hurt is he...I mean...how did he get hurt?" She said quickly, unsure if she should be asking these questions.

"Well...aren't you a curious one. I'd thought you remember, but I'd say Shigure is hurt pretty badly, last I heard he had a slight concussion, and a broken arm. Coincidentally it's his writing hand, serves him right." Akito said as he grinned evilly, thinking back on the beating he caused him.

Tohru felt tears coming to her eyes yet again, but none came. Half of her felt sorry for Shigure; knowing that he was a novelist, his writing hand being broken was something awful to his career. On another note she was crying over herself, and what had happened to her. She knew she should feel badly and should be crying, but she felt dead inside and felt no tears surface no matter how terrible she felt.

"And to think, all of this happened because of me. I was the one who was out that was out that night being chased. Shigure was the one who saved me. If I hadn't been out, none of this wouldn't have happened and everything would of as it was. This is all my fault." Tohru said aloud in a broken tone voice as she gripped the sides of her hair in pain.

Akito stood there staring at her display. He couldn't help but think this girl was either a complete idiot for blaming herself, or just odd. Yes odd was the only other word he could think off. She was completely happy when he mentioned before she had to now serve him. It was only when mentioned one of zodiacs was hurt, was when she cried. He rolled his eyes at her actions, and continued to press her." Well yes, it was somewhat you're fault in a way, that he got beaten."

Tohru quickly asked as if automatically, and looked at the young god. "Beaten?" Here she was thinking he got in a wreck, but now she heard he was beaten. It couldn't of been those guys that were following her, could it?

Akito smirked; it was now getting close to break the news to her. Surely the truth will make her stop crying uselessly over others, and start making her feel broken down for herself. "You mean you don't remember. I was the one who saved you. That dog was anything but a hero...

-Flashback-

It was pouring rain that night, as some lightning strikes lighted up the dark room. The young god in bed, stirred in bed. He wasn't actually asleep, more like staring endlessly at the ceiling. Nothing at all running through his mind, he just lay there listening to the rain drops fall hard on the veranda, and the strong winds blow through the cherry blossom trees.

It wasn't like he couldn't fall asleep because he had things on his mind; on the contrary he had nothing to think about. He breathed deeply as he felt his life slipping away slowly inch by inch every day. Some days he felt so filled with rage inside, that he wanted to make everyone's lives around him tormented. Other days he would just lay around looking at nothing in particular, just life going on around him.

He felt like he was in a fish bowl, forever in his own globe while looking out at the others outside of it continuing to live life with a meaning. While-as to him his life had no meaning or worth. He wouldn't do anything in the future, he wouldn't enjoy taking part in anything now; for he would soon die, and none of it mattered. Anything in life wouldn't mean anything to him.

As he look past the shoji door, at the falling rain and lighting he felt dazed by it. It was the rain storms that appealed to him. They were dark, and put everything vibrant and alive grey with its presence. It was one of the few things he compared to himself. As he walked slowly to the shoji door, he slid it open. The blowing wind and the mist of rain blew past him slightly, as he walked onto the veranda. His midnight black hair blowing in the dark strong wind, he heard the wind chimes faintly despite the loud pour of rain and thunder. As he set out his hand to touch the pouring rain water from the roof's gutters. He drew back his hand and admired the cooling rain sensation.

He took a deep breath of the smell of rain and stepped out from under the Honke's veranda roof. Walking barefoot in the garden's wet grass, as he himself got drenched in the falling rain. He knew he could get extremely sick with his condition, if he stayed out to long; he didn't care. If it would kill him, it would do himself a favor. If he got struck with lightning he wouldn't mind. As he walked towards the entrance of the Honke, and stayed gazing at its doors; he stepped back from it slowly. He had never in his life gone outside those gates, without having a chauffeur. Each time that happened, it was for a justifiable reason; to visit his pets.

He himself never has stepped foot out on his own, yet his zodiacs have. That alone filled him with anger, and gave him the reason to force them to stay near him, forever in his grasp. The spoiled things always complained, complained of the curse, of wanting more freedom; when they themselves hadn't a idea what was true suffering. No one outside the curse had even the slightest idea of their suffering. Yet his zodiacs wanted to be so much like them, to be so much around them instead.

Filled up with rage, he gave the gate a swift kick, and that was when he realized a car had pulled up without him noticing. He couldn't recognize the car, but knew it wasn't Hatori's. Due to the rain it made it difficult to see who where inside. He did make out one person was inside, but on the passenger side. Whoever it was, appeared to not have a shirt and was moving in a way that looked like struggling. It wasn't until a few moments later that he noticed there was another person in the car, a girl.

Connecting the dots, Akito walked over to the car's side and realized who it was. His mind went into a blank state of shock, and his fury got the best of him. Before he knew, he punched down the window, and opened up the car door insuring in a brawl.

After some minutes later, Shigure miraculously was knocked unconscious. Akito if he wasn't riled up by adrenaline would've fainted by now; since he felt like doing so at the moment. Catching his breath, he caught sight of the other person in the car, he realized it was "that" girl. The supposed pure-hearted girl that his entire zodiac adored was here in the brink of dawn, unconscious, without any clothes, and bleeding profusely.

He'd never actually seen a girl his age without wearing anything, and here was one unconscious literally at his doorstep. That was when it dawned on him, that someone else could easily see that she was here, or worse what he'd done.

Despite the least thing on his mind was being a hero, that was what everyone else would see, or worse they'd see him standing there with a bloodied nude girl and a beaten Sohma. Not the kind of picture he'd like to get, when that sort of act was the dog's doing. Quickly he tried lifting her to carry her, to a place no one but Hatori dares to enter; his bedroom. As he gave her a tug, as much as he tried to lift her out of the car; the result was she ended up falling on the concrete ground alongside with him. She was much heavier then he expected; and the fact that he himself had a hurt hand didn't help either. He ended up having to drag her to his room; a task that drain much of his energy with each pull. By the time he reached the veranda outside his bedroom door, he let go of Tohru with a thud. He then between gasps of air, pressed a button on the wall next to his bedroom's shoji door. The button was served as a buzzer to ring Hatori to his room. Akito never had used it since it's installation two years ago.

The buzz woke up Hatori with a jolt, since it was rarely used; it startled him to the point he feel out of bed. Realizing this must be urgent, due to the buzzer actually being used; he gave no second thought to it. He simply through on his lab coat over his nightwear, grabbed his medical bag, and ran out the door.

When he reached Akito's room and swung open the door, the sight he saw made him think he was dreaming. Akito leaning against the shoji veranda doorway out of breath, soaked to the skin and covered in mud; as well as Tohru clothless and not only wet and muddy, but bleeding as well. Hatori looked back at Akito with worry. "What happened?"

Akito's eyes were bloodshot and weak, as he managed to murmur Shigure before falling forward on the floor.

-End of Flashback-

"And yes to answer your next question, Hatori knows and found out Shigure did in fact do it. You can go ask him if you choose not to believe me, but there's proof alone with how you regurged on me. There's no excuse in denying it. It serves you right in a way, to run away ungratefully when having a spoiled life. You're no different then my zodiac in that manner, always complaining when they have no idea; how good they have it compared to others." Akito said with a spiteful tone as he looked down at Tohru, who was by now lying on the floor, hands covering her face; in tears.

He'd done it; he made her annoying cheerful face break down in tears. He made a innocent girl realize the world she was in, was indeed dark and ugly. As he stood there watching her break down, and laying there on the floor; the position she sat in made her appear to be bowing in supplication. With himself standing over here, he couldn't help but feel as if she was a helpless creature, and he was a powerful figure having complete possession and control. He couldn't quite explain this feeling, but whatever it was called all he knew was it pleased him in a way that could not be explained.

He walked towards her, and grabbed her by the shoulder; standing her up from her laying position. He noticed she trembled the moment he touched her. As he looked at her, he noticed she was looking to the side; avoiding to meet his gaze. So she was in fact scared of him?

Tohru flinched when she felt something touch her shoulder. When she felt the person forcefully pull her up, she couldn't help but feel scared. Despite not remembering the actual raping, she was now cautious and fearful of men in general; even more-so when the one touching her shoulder was Akito. As she looked sideways, shutting her eyes and refusing to look him in the face, she suddenly felt like leaving this room, and being alone; alone to cry her heart out to her mom, despite not having her picture with her.

'Won't she shut up already?' Akito thought in his mind as he was irritated enough with her tears, and refusal to move; as he took a-hold of her chin firmly, and turned her face forward. He heard a soft whisper saying. "Mom" He was quite taken aback at her mentioning her mother. Wasn't her mother long dead, why mention her at a time like this. Disgusted a bit, he pushed her away and went out the door.

As the door shut behind him, Tohru finally let go of the wall of tears she had being trying hold up.

As Akito walked down the halls, he couldn't help but continue remembering her face. Her teal eyes had turned crystalline in color due to face stained by her tears. Lost in thought, he unknowingly bumped into someone who automatically apologized in response. Paying no attention he continued walking forward until someone held him back. Aggravated that someone interrupted his thoughts, he quickly turned back to lash out at the person. When he realized it was Kureno, one of his fellow zodiacs, who lived in the Honke nearby. Next to Hatori, he was the only other zodiac that was closest to him.

"Well if it isn't my little sparrow, how's the neck coming along." Akito said as he tapped the red-haired zodiac member neck brace.

"Doing well according to Hatori, he said if I were slapped again in animal form while still healing it could be much worse." He answered quietly. He was known as being the quietest of the zodiacs, and hardly heard by anyone. It was only Akito to who he talked to the most.

Akito pulled back his hand. "Well serves you right, for bothering me when I didn't want to. Better watch yourself my little sparrow, or next time I'll make you eat bird seed for dinner. What do you want." He said as he frowned impatiently. Usually Akito enjoyed making Kureno listening and obey his every plea. Now however he had someone else in mind.

"Hatori told me to warn you not to go out in the rain again. You got lucky last time that it didn't affect your health, but next time you won't be; especially when there's a typhoon going on." Kureno said, as he eyed Akito wary.

"Is that a threat Kureno, since when have you gotten so bold." Akito said as he smirked expecting Kureno's known response.

"No course not, I'm just worried about you as always Akito. Is there something troubling you, we haven't talked in a while. Of course if you don't want to, then it's your choice, everything is your choice Aki-"

"All right that's enough, quiet already." Akito said interrupting Kureno, as he turned away from him and continued walking down the hall.

"Hatori also asked if you've seen a blue suitcase." He added causing Akito to stop in his tracks.

'A blue suitcase? Why would he ask...?' Akito began to ponder until he recalled seeing a blue suitcase that fateful rainy night of that outsider's arrival. 'Could that blue suitcase be hers?' He thought to himself, as he turned around and faced Kureno. "No I haven't, and feel free to pass the message to him for me."

Kureno nodded, bowed in response and left off to Hatori's.

As Akito watched him leave, he shifted his gaze towards the window as the pouring heavy rain was visible. Knowing no one would be outside in this current weather would make a perfect opportunity for him to search for that mysterious blue case and even more it's contents inside.

A full four hours later Akito found the blue suitcase, hidden deep under some rainy mud. It took him countless curses, slips and falls in the mud and bushes to be able to find the tiny suitcase that was sought after so much. By the time he dug it out and returned limping to the veranda, he was coughing repeatedly and felt like he was freezing into a icicle. As he opened the suitcase the first thing looking back at him was a framed picture of a smiling woman. As he picked it up and inspected it, he wondered just who was this woman to that girl. As he lay the frame aside and continued looking in the bag, he uncovered her school uniform, and pictures; most of them being of her with his "pets" including the cat.

As he sifted through each one, he couldn't help but get more irritated. It was as if their eyes were staring back at him, and their smiles were mocking his existence. Not being able to take it much longer, he tossed the pictures back in the bag with disgust and continued searching.

He encountered next a novel when he read its contents on the first page he quickly shut the book closed. They called this girl innocent and pure, when she owned such a disgusting thing. When his eyes caught sight of the author, immediately he felt like tearing it to pieces. It was written by the dog himself. He now didn't question why the dog did such a disgusting though only with that girl, when he could have easily gone with any other outsider?

As he tossed the book, and the thought aside; he continued in his search and came upon two yellow long ribbons. Akito recalled usually seeing that girl with two blue ribbons tied into bows in her hair. Recently now though, he recalled her wearing these yellow ones. He didn't know why, but he felt a immediate hatred for these ribbons. They smelled of Yuki's scent, and immediately something inside him told him it was a gift.

So enthralled by the ribbons he didn't notice something else had fallen out of the case, as he looked down he saw what was now laying fully in view on top of the suitcase was intimate apparel, and a pink box. Despite Akito being raised inside the Honke, that didn't make him oblivious on the subject of female puberty. He suddenly felt hot and light headed as he eyed the multiple brassieres and...THUD

He shut the suitcase closed; of course he knew what these things looked like. Seeing some that belonged to a girl he knew...in a way... and had seen twice completely..DRIP

Suddenly Akito felt a drop of something moist on his hand, as he looked down at it. It was blood. It was the first time Akito had ever a nosebleed, and it happened out of nowhere. What had caused such a thing to happen?

RING

Hatori shot up up his bed, as he groaned slightly. It was a new day at the Honke. It was only yesterday that Tohru had declared to Akito, she was planning on staying here, and realized of her incident with Shigure. Despite he hadn't overheard Akito and Tohru's conversation, by seeing that Tohru hadn't come out of Akito's room since yesterday; even after Akito left it, according to what Kureno told him, he knew there was no other reason.

In fact now that he had his mind on Akito, he didn't see him at all after Tohru's statement yesterday. Where could he be anyways?

As he leaned over, and picked up the phone receiver; out came the babbling voice that belonged to his estranged friend Ayame. Hatori gave a sigh as he glanced at his clock. Six a.m. It was odd, that Ayame called him at morning hours.

It was going to be awhile until he got to tend to Akito, and more importantly Tohru. After going though the traumatizing incident she went through, he wanted to give her a thorough exam; especially a mental one. She couldn't possibly be alright with all of this happening, and spending most of her time being Akito servant willingly.

On the other side of the Honke, curled up in a room's corner was a teenage girl; dried up of tears. She didn't sleep at all the previous night, her mind chasing from one thing to the next. Only once before in her life had she cried so much, and that was when her mother died. At this moment she felt just as lost and hopeless. She couldn't bear telling her friends Uo and Hana what happened to her, and even less Kyo and Yuki. She was more then grateful that Akito didn't want anyone besides Hatori to know either.

Suddenly she heard a rattling at the shoji veranda door, and saw a familiar looking silhouette. Her heart started beating ten-times faster, as her breath quickened. She had always felt wary, and nervous around him; but now for some reason she felt terrified of him entering the same room as her. She was about to object, when she remembered she was in his bedroom. How could she tell him not to enter?

When he slide the door open the morning sunrise gleamed over him, making his wet black hair gleam like a solar eclipse in the sunlight. As he walked inside slowly making his way towards her, he held in his hand a familiar looking item; her school uniform. Akito had brought her, her school uniform. That would mean he found the suitcase.

She quickly stood up, excited for the first time since she arrived here." You found it Akito-sama. Thank you so much...but where is."

Akito frowned quickly and tossed the uniform over to her. "All I could find was this, along with this. The suitcase was battered up beyond repair in the storm." He handed her the framed picture of a certain smiling woman she hoped she'd see. Tohru quickly gasped, as she grabbed the picture and held it to her chest, as she let out a sigh of relief. "Mom's safe, thank you, thank you." She repeatedly thanked him as she continued pressing the frame against her, and found herself to tears again.

Akito watched her display after only he brought her a lousy picture of her mother. Just what was the big deal with that picture? The woman was long dead, and this girl suffered greater things after that. What good could a picture do to help her? It surely wouldn't bring her back. He quickly began to inwardly regret bringing that picture to her, if it was going to cause her to be so attached to it.

Tohru felt like a heavy burden was placed off of her, as soon as she got her mother's picture back. Despite the things that happened couldn't be changed; having her picture made her feel more safe, more at home. Despite losing all of her other personal items, including all those loved pictures of her friends; she at least had her mother's picture, which was the one she cherished the most. She was broken out of her reverie when she heard Akito starting to cough uncontrollably. When she looked at him, she finally noticed his state. He was soaking wet, muddy and bruised. The bottom of his white yukata was stained brown with mud, and he appeared to be shivering.

"Umm...Akito-sama, where are your other yukatas? Yours seem to be wet, and you'll catch a terrible cold if you don't change." She said as she placed her items in hand on the futon. The room itself was bare besides the futon, so she had no clue where to get his clothes. Her answer came automatically when she heard a maid drop off something at the door. After making sure she was gone, she went over and opened the door to reveal a freshly dry-cleaned yukata; exactly the same color as the one Akito had on. Guessing that his clothes were kept in another room, and brought to him everyday, she quickly grabbed the yukata and handed it to Akito.

In her mind though, she never would have guessed what he would do next. He at first just stayed staring at the clothes Tohru was handing him; making her wonder if she did something out of place. He then, grabbed them, and slowly began to undress himself. Tohru gasped, and blushed furiously as she turned around. She automatically went to leave the room when his voice stopped her, before she even reached the door.

"I don't suppose I told you to leave the room, did I." He said, in a somewhat irritated tone.

Tohru gulped, and stood in place not bothering to turn around. "No Akito-sama you didn't. I just figured that you would-"

"Well you figured wrong, unless I order you to leave a room with my presence; you won't leave. Understood." He snapped back at her as he finished getting dressed, and tossed the dirty yukata down a laundry chute. Although it didn't actually chute down anywhere, it would toss the clothing into a bin outside his room. Therefore preventing the maids from entering, and disturbing him with their annoying demeanor, which was what Akito hated.

Tohru nodded, and finally dared to turn around. "Akito-sama do you have a fever?" She usually would go check the person she thought was sick herself, but this was Akito. Not only was he a male which she felt uncomfortable over, but she wasn't about to press her hand on his forehead out of nowhere.

Akito smirked slightly for a few brief seconds, before turning his smirk into a scowl. "How should I know if I'm sick or not, you're the one asking aren't you? Shouldn't you check?" He said as looked at her straight in the eyes. He sensed the uneasy tension she was creating, and he couldn't help but want to pressure more to see her reactions.

Tohru watched as Akito went over a laid down on his futon; waiting for her to check his temperature. Hatori had to be coming soon over to give Akito a check-up and clean that cast he had on his arm. She shouldn't have to worry to much. She walked slowly over to his side, and placed her hand on his forehead. He wasn't only sweating but burning up. As she looked down at him, his face was flushed paler then usual. Tohru immediately felt worry for the young god, and felt like she had to go get help for him quickly.

Akito on the other hand, was beyond amused. Here he was having the outsider that all of his precious zodiacs were obsessed with, tending to his sickness. As she placed her hand on his forehead, and moved it gently to his cheeks; she did it all in such a delicate gentle and seemingly caring manner, which left Akito awed in a way. As he studied her expression closely as they changed from surprised, to worried, to concerned. Concerned was the last thing on his mind, of someone thinking about him in such a way. There hadn't been a person that was ever feeling such a emotion as concern towards him, because there was no need for it. Why then was this girl, and outsider feeling this way; when she should be hating him the most.

As she looked down at him, he saw that still behind those teal bue eyes of hers was pain and anguish; no doubt being from the recent incident. Despite her recent abuse, this girl continued to want to around the Sohmas, even more their despised head. It all didn't make sense, as to why she had agreed willingly to stay here with him. She should of been hating her very existence, and want nothing else to do with the Sohma name. Anyone else in their right mind, would do so.

She then passed her hand onto his nose, clearly noticing probably his earlier nosebleed. Doing so however, made her hand come in close contact with his lips. As he took in her scent it smelled of strawberries, with a hint of something else. Something familiar that he recalled as a distant memory, it wasn't a scent many would find appealing or arousing; but to Akito however it stirred something up in him that he couldn't quite explain.

It was then that he noticed their position. She was hovering over him, with her long tresses cascading on the sides of his face. They felt softer then ever before, as he recalled the what seemed now long ago when she came to the Honke with Shigure, Hatori and his precious Yuki. Back then he hardly cared for her hair softness as he remembered yanking it. Now however he felt the sudden urge to touch the hair that was tempting him. He quickly gazed over her and he had to admit; yukatas suited her. He wasn't about to leave her live here at "his" Honke wearing her childish outlandish clothing. Wearing a yukata displayed she belonged at the Honke, and was to stay here, under his every command.

His eyes fell onto a certain fold in her yukata, in his mind quickly flashed the other contents of the suitcase, and of course that fateful stormy night where he saw here completely...

"Hatori is probably being held up by something, I better tell him your condition so he can be aware of it." Tohru quickly let out, to break the uncomfortable silence. She had noticed Akito's breathing become suddenly rapid, and her mind quickly flashed back to what she remembered last of Shigure. His breathing had changed, and his look was unreadable. Akito's eyes were currently obscured by his hair, which gave Tohru more of an uncertain chill. Hatori would help him in a better way, and also rid her of her uncomfortable situation.

As she lifted her hand from his face, and was about to leave to fetch Hatori, Akito clamped his hand on her arm, pushing her back towards the bed. "STAY" He let out in a tone that she couldn't describe as either angry, commanding or pleading. She sat down at the edge of the bed confused by Akito's weird behavior. She had known him to be very secluded, and violent with a bad temper. The way he was acting now though, was something completely new and strange.

He then, pushed himself up in a sitting position; only to have Tohru quickly push him back down by the shoulders. "Akito-sama, I'm not forcing you to stay in bed, but it would be better for your cold if you remain in bed covered up. I could do some leek soup if you want, or have the maids do it if you prefer. I read that leeks are great for when you're sick." She said as she kept her hands on his shoulders, and recalled quickly the time when she was sick and Kyo made her leek soup. She smiled slightly at the fond memory. Akito's response broke her out of her daydream.

"I'd rather you stay here, and hand-feed me instead." He said, as Tohru realized he was grasping a lock of her hair.

Author's Note: And it starts YAY the Akito/Tohru ness! I want to say this now, this will not be your average short fic, no fast falling in love characters. Even so you can still tell already there are hints, and signs already starting in this chapter.

I had fun writing this chapter, even if it was much longer. I in hopes to please you all with a great longer chapter, as well as keeping the updates close together.

Another thing I want to mention is that yes Kyo and Yuki as well as other characters will continue to appear later on, and pay a great deal in the plot. So yes it's not the end for them yet.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, as much as the previous ones.

Anyways please

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