Madigan Keen: Lol I love how you're first reviews are all WTH then you get serious ROFL Love your pansy pun; anyway thanks for your reviews and for liking my Akito so far. I try hard not to make him too OOC, if best not at all. Glad you liked the Motoko scene as well. I was worried on readers not liking other characters included
Leif the Lucky: Lol I do that all the time too, as for the mentioning; there were actually quite a few slight hints of that in the previous chapter. Hot flashes, hormanal, and the slightest of moody, as well as growth ;) There were just subtle hints until later chapters came along; including now this one
catstop: Aww Thank you, and yes as the story goes on, more drama will go as well. Prepare yourself for future chapters :D
Maddie : Lol I knew some readers would get a kick out of it. Now Now we mustn't be getting too many dirty thoughts shall we lol Save them for Tohru's mind ;)
Akatsuki-Fan389: Thxs for enjoying my fic so far; a bit dark? Do you mean it's too dark for being teen rated, or just the style of it is dark?
smcandy: No problem although I was worried something awful happened to you at first, until I saw you did log in DA so I knew you were fine :) Lol I'm glad you L.O.V.E. the Motoko scene, I was worried everyone would be bored at including her character in. I'm glad so far it's been a good response. As for your next question hehe read on and see for yourself
CHAPTER 8
Hatori stept out of his car in front of a tall building that appeared that of a dorm building, but of private higher end nature. As the doorman bowed and opened the door, he entered into the building's lobby. The lobby was an upscale design, with shrubbery, and a fountain in the middle. Doors on the side lead to the back of the building were the inground pool was, as well as other rooms that consisted of a game room that held poker, billiard, foosball, and blackjack games each night; a bar and club room that had everything from disco lights to karaoke. As Hatori looked up, the large array of windows on the upper levels were that of the apartments.
Taking one of the elevators up to the sixth level, he paused slightly as he knocked on the door that read 9854. He wondered exactly why there was such a high number; exactly how many suites were there in this building?
The door opened to reveal a grim-faced Hiro. His blond shaggy hair having grown a bit longer then his previous boyish hairstyle. It was now similar in length to Shigure's. He had grown quite a bit as well, soon to be entering high school himself. He frowned at seeing Hatori was the one at the door.
"Speaking of which." He said flatly as he left Hatori at the door.
Hatori just let his bad mannerisms go, as Hiro being...well Hiro. As he entered the room, and set his doctor's bag on the shining cherrywood floor, he realized something was up. Looking around the room he saw both Hiro and Momiji sitting on one of the black leather couches; both staring at him with a tense look.
No sooner afterwards a side door opened revealing Hatsuharu coming from the kitchen with some juice. The kitchen behind him appeared as matching sleek design of the living room; black appliances contrasting against pristine white walls.
Haru cleared his throat as he stirred the juice in his hand. "Kisa's here, we finally got her to calm down, and hopefully this will finish putting her to sleep. Before you ask, yes her mother knows. She's going to stay here with us, for the weekend." He said as he walked past him, and entered the room besides Hatori which turned out to be a bedroom. Yuki was on the bed lying on his side, stroking Kisa's head affectionately as he hugged her.
Kisa's eyes were red and puffy from crying; still some faint sobs were heard from her. Haru offered her the juice, motioning Yuki to leave the room.
"Did something happen?" Hatori asked as Yuki closed the bedroom door.
Yuki turned to face him, with a angry glare on his face. "You can say something happened. We just told Kisa about Tohru. We all thought she was going to have an emotional breakdown of some sort. Although I completely understand it's not everyday a girl's sissy goes missing."
Hatori widened his eyes. "You told her, but I thought we all agreed on leaving them out of-"
"Right, because since we're kids we can't handle it. So it's best to keep lying to them, keeping their hopes up until we find out for ourselves. What if that Tohru girl is dead, how do you think Kisa is going to handle that; having no one has told her before." Hiro said in his usual know-it-all tone.
Haru exited the bedroom, and nodded signaling Kisa had fallen asleep. "Let's start with getting some matters straight." He said as he leaned against the wall. "Hatori we talked to Tohru's grandfather. He said he got a call from Tohru seven months ago telling him that she was fine and inviting him to the school's parent's night. Coincidentally the parent's night this year was postponed until further notice, and he hasn't gotten a call from Tohru since. Good thing her grandfather is a bit out of his head to realize Tohru has gone missing eh Hatori."
Hatori had a feeling where this was heading towards. He tightened his doctor's coat around him, and searched inside his doctor's bag. "I came here to give Yuki his needed checkup. Will you allow me to do so?" He said as he took out his stehescope.
"Why did Akito go to Tohru's mother grave Hatori? Infact how did he even know where she was buried. You haven't gone there even yourself?" Yuki said as he crossed his arms.
"Excuse me, what are you talking about? Akito hardly ever leaves the Honke, unless it's in regards to either of you. Where did you even-" Hatori said as removed the stethoscope from his ears, and placed it around his neck.
"Yesterday, I went to visit Tohru's mother grave. Before Tohru disappeared she invited me to join her on her mother's anniversary. She personally told me where she was buried. I couldn't make it on the exact date since I had to work with poppa, so I decided to go a day early. That's when I saw it. Akito was there standing in front of Kyoko's grave with a pregnant woman dressed all in black, even a veil covering her face; I couldn't tell who she was. Akito left when another lady showed up with a little girl. The lady looked familiar and stayed talking to the lady in black, I couldn't hear well what they were saying but whatever it was; it seemed they knew each other. To top off, the lady in black left with Akito." Momiji spoke up in his boyish voice.
"It couldn't have been Akito, I left him at the Honke when I came here. You all know he travels with me only." Hatori said, although inside he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"It sure did look alot like Akito, he was wearing his black outfit and had a black limo." Momiji continued.
"It's too much of a coincidence to not be. Tell us the truth Hatori, what's going on?" Yuki added.
Hatori felt cornered. He couldn't believe Akito stepped out without him knowing, and taking Tohru no less. Now how was he going to cover for this one? "You guys are going a bit too much over your heads. Why would Akito go to Tohru's mother grave? It could might as well have been a past lover or friend to Tohru's mother that Tohru probably herself didn't even know about. Besides why would Akito be with a pregnant woman; that does not seem likely of him?"
"Exactly it's not likely of him. Don't you suppose Momiji would recognize Akito when he'd see him? You're hiding something Hatori." Haru replied.
"Just what are you all trying to imply with this, what do you want me to tell you?" Hatori asked, trying to end the conversation.
"The truth." Yuki, Haru and Momiji said in unison.
"I've already told you I left Akito at the Honke, and that's where I left him. That is the only truth I know."
After a couple of hours, Hatori left having given Yuki his checkup. Hiro's father came to pick him up, and all was left was Momiji, Haru and Yuki; Kisa still asleep in the bedroom.
"Well I guess that's it, it wasn't Akito then." Haru said as he plopped on the leather couch and turned on the flat screened television.
Yuki shook his head. "No, that's it for now. I won't be convinced until after New Year's. We're all going to the Honke and getting some answers for ourselves."
Meanwhile back at the Honke, Kureno greeted the Lamaze instructor who turned out to be a woman about Hatori's age with short blue black hair, and matching eyes. She smiled, and bowed. "Greetings I'm Ami Delaflote, are you Kureno Sohma?"
Kureno nodded in response. "Yes I am, and your client Tohru will be with you shortly. In the meantime you could wait for her in the household's doctor medical office. I'll guide you there."
Tohru stride through a vast green meadow laughing and smiling wearing a bright red kimono. An assortment of flowers of all types in her hands, she spun around in circles as she chanted multiple times.
"Akito where you going; come on play something for me." She said as suddenly a yamatogoto appeared underneath some of the shimmering meadow grass.
Some more laughter was heard, and Tohru was nowhere in sight. Farther away in sight appeared a tall and long waterfall which its waters dropped into a circular boulder lined lake filled with its spring waters and surrounded with trees with vines and fruitage. The closer the falls got into view, the more in view it became.
Tohru reappeared behind some of the trees dense foliage; swinging from a vine and diving into the lake. A couple of minutes later she remerged from the water, her kimono having disappeared, along with the image of her pregnant state. She smiled, as she held out a deep red apple. "Here Akito, have a bite."
"Oww" Akito shot up from bed, and examined his hand. He had literally bitten hard into his very own hand, causing bite marks that were definitely going to leave a mark for a couple of days. First his ear, now his hand, both due to something irrationally ridicules. Akito rubbed his sore eyes to awaken them of their tired state. Not only did he ever hardly have dreams, but now that he did infact have one; the very nature of the dream was not only impossible, but oddly realistic.
Akito looked at his hand again, it happened to be the same hand that very girl touched the day before. His face felt flushed yet exhausted as if he literally was just running through the meadow in his dream. The taste in his mouth instead of being like that of an apple, was like he just chomped on metal. Touching his face, he realized it wasn't only sticky from his sweat but blood stained due to a overnight nosebleed. Despite being a bit shaken up from his experience, he shrugged it off.
"First Hatori, then Kureno, now this twit girl is invading my dreams as well." Akito said to himself, as he pulled back the covers to get out of bed. However it lead to another realization. Akito widened his eyes. "What the-"
A loud scream was heard throughout the Honke.
In the servants lounge all quieted down in response and wonder, as only one smiled silently knowingly. "Looks like Akito-sama is having quite the morning." Reina said as she swatted the newspaper on a table clearing her throat. "Pardon." The other servants looked at each other and continued eating in response.
In Hatori's office, Ami dropped her tea that Kureno had given her. "Is something wrong, I am a medical student after-all."
Kureno shook his head quickly. "No no not to worry, the family head has some bad mornings sometimes. If you excuse me, I'll go check on him."
Tohru groggily lifted her head off her pillow, being awakened by Akito's scream. She had hardly gotten enough sleep herself with aches and pains keeping her awake for the most part. She hesitantly lifted herself up from the bed, only for herself to reveal something.
Kureno knocked quickly on Akito's door. "Akito, is everything alright; what's wrong. If you don't answer soon I'm coming in."
Tohru's voice came out as a answer. "Oh no, I wet the bed!"
Kureno paused at Akito's door at what he heard.'What on Earth is going on this morning?' He thought.
A half hour later, Tohru's bed was cleaned and had clean sheets on them. As she sat on her bed; across from her on a chair sat Ami who was digging through her bag.
"I know probably this is the first time that's happened, therfore it makes sense why your personal doctor didn't speak of this before to you." She said as she put on her reading glasses. "You will need to be using these special pads from now on until the baby is born; it will prevent the milk ending up on your bed at night." She said with a giggle. "Therfore let's start with proper introductions, since the surprise one we had at first isn't exactly a good one." She said as she held out her hand. "I'm Ami Delaflote, I'll be your personal Lamaze instructor from now on. Feel free to ask me any questions whatsoever."
Tohru started feeling more at ease, and her embarrassment had gone away for the most part. "Are you a doctor?"
"Medical Student, very soon I'll be a full fledged doctor. I did however take courses in mid-wifery." Ami said as she smiled with enthusiasm. "So in the meantime I teach Lamaze birthing classes. Scholarships may help with my university tuition, but not with the housebills." She joked.
Tohru's brightened up once hearing the word university. "Do you go to Tokyo University; a friend of mine is soon going there too. His name is Yuki Sohma."
Ami smiled and nodded. "There definitely has been some word about him applying in my basics psychology class."
Tohru smiled as she realized Motoko had been right after all. "I'm Tohru Honda." She bowed. "You have such a pretty last name."
Ami quickly blushed slightly. "Oh thank you, it's my husband's actually. We married a couple of months ago; he's from France. My maiden name is Mizuno and you can refer to me by that if you wish. Delaflote isn't exactly the easiest name to pronounce; I know."
Tohru then noticed that Ami was infact wearing a wedding ring. It was a beautiful white gold ring with the traditional center diamond, and followed by three sapphires on each side. Compared to what Tohru remembered of her mother's wedding ring; this one was a queen's ring in comparison. "It must have been such a pretty wedding." Tohru said as she sighed at the thought of it; starting to view Ami as a admirable respectable seniority figure.
"Not really just a small wedding on the beach with close friends, but it was heaven on Earth to me." Ami replied, as she looked at her paperwork. "Well Miss Honda before we begin our first lesson, which will center on breathing technique; I have to ask if you wish to have a solo lesson or a joint one with your boyfriend." Ami stated as she stood up from her chair.
"A joint class?" Tohru asked wondering exactly what she meant; she then remembered Ami had mentioned the word boyfriend. "Oh Mizuno-san I don't have-"
"We'll take a joint class." Akito showed up at the doorway, as he shut the door behind him.
"Akito-sama are you alright, I heard you scream this morning." Tohru quickly asked once seeing him.
Akito walked slowly over to her side, his expression solemn. "Had a nosebleed, had to change the sheets. Everything got back to normal in a few minutes."
"Normal? Did something else happen, I am a medical stude-" Ami started to say in a professional tone, until Akito stared at her with a glare that silenced her. "O-ok then, shall we begin."
Tohru then realized what was happening. Akito was going to be with her in her Lamaze class. Despite slightly panicking she had no idea how to get Akito to leave the room. She couldn't complain or retaliate when Akito generously offered himself; afterall he was the one who made the Lamaze class happen in the first place. She had no choice but to follow-through.
With frequent spots of blushes of embarrassment, and slight humiliation the session ended. Ami clapped her hands in approval. "Good job Tohru, you did well for your first time. From the looks of it you'll most likely have no trouble when the big day comes. Here are some maternity items that you'll need for yourself. Oh and congratulations to the both of you, you make a lovely couple."
Tohru stuttered a bit by her last remark. "Mizuno-san we're not-"
"Oh forgive me for being in a rush Miss Honda, but I'm going to be late. My husband is waiting for me to go meet up with some old friends. Any questions before I go?" Ami unknowingly interrupted her.
Tohru quickly shook her head, hoping for the awkward situation between them three would end. Ami then bowed and was off; leaving Akito and Tohru alone in the room. Despite Tohru's face being now red as ever, Akito seemed pretty calm as he simply stood with his hands in his pockets.
"Akito-sama she doesn't know. I'm sure she just assumed we were...umm...anyways you didn't have to go through all that trouble really." Tohru said betweens long pauses. "I'm sorry."
"Enough with the apologizing. The arrangement and my being here was my decision you don't have to apologize for it. Toughen up, and stop being so weak all the time. No wonder men take advantage of you." Akito said as he walked towards the door.
Tohru smiled at his response. Somewhere around the lines of those words, it actually sounded like Akito was saying the words it's ok. She bowed in thanks, but felt lightheaded when she straightened up from the bow position. Her eyes went hazy, and the last thing she saw before shifting to darkness was Hatori at the doorway.
Hatori massaged his temples as he gave a long sigh. After getting the news of Akito's trip with Tohru to the cemetery, and now having to somehow break the news that Haru, Momiji and Yuki are suspicious wasn't going to be an easy task. Most likely it will indeed end in a slap from Akito. To make matters worse Tohru collapsed as soon as Hatori arrived back at the Honke.
"Akito, Tohru's in her seventh month. She's going through body aches, headaches, heatflashes, constant fatigue, and not to mention she's carrying three times the weight now that she's nearing the end. As my doctor's opinion I believe that running around avoiding getting caught, covered from head to toe in fabric is-"
"Give it a rest Hatori, do you really think I'm that much of a idiot?" Akito spat out interrupting him.
"No, infact I know you're quite the bright one Akito. Which leads me to my next worry, you know yourself how frail your health gets. Lately your weight has been lowering, and you're using too much of your energy. Another one of your escape plans and you can end up in serious critical condition. Both Tohru and you have to take it easy. Plenty of rest, and food I might add to the both of you will do you both some good."
Hatori stared at Akito for a few minutes that seemed as his mind was elsewhere and was staring to nowhere in particular. Hatori cleared his throat as he prepared himself to say what he had in mind. "Kureno told me you were having trouble this morning; screaming. Have you been experiencing anything abnormal in your body lately?" He asked as he started writing down on Akito's medical files.
Akito lifted his gaze and turned it towards Hatori. "Other then the fact that I'm dieing."
Hatori closed his eyes, raising his eyebrows. This indeed was Akito's usal moods when getting his daily checkups. As always Hatori had to examine him the long way. "Very well, take off your yukata then. Let's proceed." Hatori said in his routine professional tone.
Akito quickly stood up from the medical bed in Hatori office and backed away. "This is pointless today, nothing happened."
Hatori blinked twice at Akito's reaction. Usually Akito could care less about what Hatori did in his checkups or Akito took the opportunity to torture Hatori with being a troublesome patient. Avoiding the checkup altogether however, that was new.
"Akito, what is going on; you need an examination. What are you referring with nothing happened?" Hatori asked starting to get suspicious.
"Stop questioning me you lousy dragon!" Akito yelled out, as he pushed Hatori against the wall in rage and left the room.
Hatori stroked his shoulder where Akito had just pressed on. Asides from Akito's predictable lashing, his behavior was beyond odd, infact it was strange and not himself. Despite Hatori being freed from having to tell Akito of Yuki's and the others suspicions; however the very fact he didn't get to was the peculiar thing. He would have to find out the cause of Akito's new behavior by other methods.
Akito stomped down the hall, aggravated of being lectured by one of his lousy good-for-nothing pets. If it were any other moment, he would teach that dragon a lesson. However he wasn't about to giveaway his current predicament. Thinking of this, he quickly grabbed the sides of his yukata and pinned them closer together. No one would find out, what had happened that morning.
As he past a certain room, he stopped in his tracks hearing the faint breaths of someone resting inside. Slightly pausing, he noticed the door was unlocked; confirming very well to Akito's mind that this girl really wasn't any more naive then a grade schooler. Opening the door, and stepping inside the room; the said girl was lying across the futon bed sound asleep, and beyond passed out.
Closing the door behind him, he stepped closer to the sleeping girl. Her long mocha locks sprawled all around her like a fan, framing her face as slept. Her hand outstretched as if she was reaching for something in her dreams. Bending down he continued to gaze at the unconscious girl as he slowly reached out to touch her hand, while as he reached closer with his other hand.
Tracing the outer lining of her yukata's neckline with his finger, he continued to proceed lower down until he reached to her expanding torso. Pausing for a few minutes on the area caused him to feel a slight movement. Freezing in place, expecting the unexpectant girl to awaken; he realized she hadn't been disturbed the slightest bit. His answer came when he felt the same movement again from under his hand that was placed on her stomach.
"It moved?" He said aloud, when automatically he cursed himself for speaking; he ended up losing his balance and falling backwards, knocking down the gift bag the Lamaze instructor had given Tohru earlier.
Quickly glancing at Tohru, again she hadn't been disturbed by the ruckus. 'Some deep sleeper.' He thought to himself, as he looked at the fallen bag on the floor. Now visible lying on the floor were the contents of the bag; pumps, pads and multiple other material. One thing caught his eye however, more brassieres. This time he knew why he had thought her old ones appeared smaller then before; these new ones were twice in size, and had labeled tags on them that read "Nursing"
Akito tossed them aside, and grabbed both sides of his head in agony. The last thing he needed was something more to influent his thoughts; this time there was no way he was keeping these items with him.
"If I have one more of those dreams, I'm going to..." He got lost in his thoughts, as he started to think back on this morning's dream again. Subconsciously he let out a soft sigh, which remarkably caused Tohru to slowly awaken. "Akito" She said in a soft whisper
Akito sat in place, as he let the fact settle that Tohru had said his plain name. Of course he had heard her mention the grotesque cat's name the same way as well as most of his other pets. Which irritated him to think that he was no higher in value then the cat in her mind.
"What was your father like?" Tohru said in a faint half-asleep whisper.
Akito frowned at her question wondering why she would come up with such a question. " Apart from the fact that he died of pneumonia, left me here to rot with that wretched mother of mine, and he's probably the only reason I was kept alive until birth. There's not much to memory." He said in a spiteful tone.
Tohru sighed slowly in exhaustion as she resisted fading away to sleep once more. "Even if I never met your parents or haven't known you that long Akito; you must have taken after your father. He loved you, and cared enough about you to let you live. Just like him Akito you're not purely cold-hearted, just a little boy who was told the minute he was born that he was going to die; forced to live and do what the emperor of the curse did just because it was fated, not because you chose too. You may have had luxury, titled head of the Sohma name, but you never were given the choice to any of it.
The only thing you did choose to treasure and want; died. In your time of need, your mother left you; left you all alone to die. A real mother no matter what they put her up against would prefer to die then leave their child behind. She was the one who left you here intentionally, not because she simply died like your father did. Meanwhile you stayed here alone, and lonely; not having anyone close to you. So you clung, clung to the only family you had left that you knew couldn't leave you no matter what; the members of the zodiac. You were molded into becoming purely the god of the zodiac; nothing else.
Akito sat there staring straight at Tohru. Stunned by her words he did what reflex and his dual nature sent him to do. He violently grabbed her by the shoulders, pushing her down on the bed; sinking his nails into her skin. "You, you, stop talking as if you can solve everything. Who told you, who told you about what I wanted. Stop talking as if you pity me, making me seem weak and vulnerable. You're no one to be saying such matters, I'll teach you to not to look down on me." Akito stormed as he grabbed her by the neck.
Tohru continued in a faint tired whisper voice, ignoring the fact that Akito was strangling her. "A little girl told me; who was constantly looked down upon and made fun of by others, all because her father fell in love and married a girl with no name in society. She was wanted by no one but her parents, and yet she didn't care as long as she was loved by them. Until the day came her father died, leaving only her mother and herself alone; only having each other. Together they continued living ignoring other's mocks; until it came the day that her mother too never came back. She was left all alone, with her other relatives hating her; she had nowhere to turn except for her few friends. She valued them, and vowed to help them when they help the most."
Tohru's eyes then started to glisten with tears. "Akito you're not weak or pitiful. You're brave, courageous, and valiant to be able to wake up every morning not knowing when it will be the last. Besides all that, even if you probably hated me for becoming friends with the other members of the zodiac; you were the one who saved us not the Jade Emperor of the curse, it was just you Akito Sohma. No matter what others may say of you, or no matter what changes; I'll always be Akito's Sohmas friend, not just the Sohma head."
Akito's grip around her neck loosened as Tohru lifted her arm, and touched his ear. "I'm sorry I bit you before Akito." She said as her hand grazed the side of his face slowly causing Akito's breathing to stiffen.
Before she realized what was happening, a sharp pain jolted her awake from her sleepful state as she felt something similar to a pinprick on the left side of her neck. As seconds passed by the sensation got deeper and more intense which sent shivers throughout her entire body. When she tried moving her hands to her neck that when she noticed the source of the stinging; Akito had moved from facing her to again nestling her hair. This time however it was different, having Akito move in closer proximity to her neck resulted in him now ravenously suckling and biting her neck's pulse point.
As reflex she moved her arms in an effort to escape, that was when she noticed Akito had her arms pinned down with a strength she had no idea Akito even had in him. Feeling caged in and desperate to escape, she started kicking her feet thrashing as she cried out.
"A-Akito-sama...that hurts...please stop...Akito please I beg y-" She was cut short as Akito's right hand cuffed tightly over her lips putting off her screams for other's ears, as his other hand traveled across the lining of her yukata. With her hands now free she grabbed ahold of the first thing in her grasp; Akito's ebony hair. The result was the pressure on her neck intensified causing Tohru to yelp under Akito's cuffed hand.
The heated moment was interrupted when a sudden loud slam knocked Akito off the bed. The room was too dark to make out the said person; all Tohru knew was it grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the room. Midway there, Tohru passed out.
She was awakened by drips of water falling onto her face; blinking multiple times as she adjusted to the room's brightness, she noticed someone placing a icy cool rag against her now sore neck. It was Motoko.
Tohru quickly gasped in suprise as she sat up quickly. "Motoko, what are you doing here,? How did you get here? What happened?" Tohru bursted out into tons of questions.
Motoko frowned as she threw the rag to Tohru's face. "You tell me...Toya huh? You know I used to think my fanclub girls were exaggerating when it came to the end of my senior year, but I take it back. You really are nothing, but a liar and Little Miss Innocence act Tohru Honda!" She spat out as she turned her back towards Torhu scoffing.
Tohru squinted her eyes in agony as Motoko had indeed found out her true identity. "No Motoko please it's not what it looks like, I had no choice but to lie to you."
"Not what it looks like; you're pregnant, you're with this hot rich guy, while everyone else thinks you're missing. Yuki...I can't believe you're alive and well while he's off feeling guilty that you're dead. Do you have any idea exactly what has been going on at our old high school since you carelessly left. To think I actually thought we could be friends. Sure I did something all my family thinks was some huge ignorant stupid mistake, but at least I fessed up to it. Leaving Yuki go was the one of the hardest things for me to do, and for what; for you to backstab him like this." Motoko said as she tightened her fists. "If you weren't pregnant you have no idea what I feel like doing to you right now."
Tohru frowned as she bit her lip resisting the tears. "You don't understand, I didn't choose to end up like this."
Motoko shook her head in disbelief. "Oh so I suppose you didn't choose for him to give you a new hickey as well right." Motoko said as she pointed to Tohru's neck.
Tohru quickly covered her mark, closing her eyes. "H-He's not the father, or my boyfriend. We're barely even friends. I-I don't remember it happening, but someone else did this to me. I'm staying here out of someone's generosity in return for keeping the whole thing a secret and avoiding a scandal to the family name. You have to believe me Motoko. This would have never happened if I was in consent to...to."
Motoko quieted down as she stared at Tohru now in disbelief and mostly sympathy. She sat down beside her on the bed. "Don't tell me you were raped." She said as she placed her hand over Tohru's.
"Is that the same as abused se...se..." Tohru stuttered as she recalled Hatori using the term back when the incident first occured.
"Yeah violated is another word for it, and if you don't remember it happening I think that's the best term for it. So then that means your pregnancy is..." Motoko said as she trailed of in thought. Tohru simply nodded as a response.
Motoko took back her hand off Tohru's and started fiddling with it against her other one. "Well obviously you're much worser of a case compared to mine. Even if many would say I made the wrong choice. At least I willingly took part of the act leading to me being pregnant with Hatsuna. I admire you for going through with yours, you won't believe how many other women choose the other way out. I guess you really aren't the witch we made you out to be."
Tohru flinched a bit around the term witch, but decided to not let it get to her. "Even if Yuki and everyone else is worrying or sad about me, I rather them move on with their lives then get setback on their goals and dreams because of me. If they would have known, Yuki wouldn't have enrolled in the university like he has. I can't continue being a burden in their lives. I rather them just remember me, and believe I'm dead." Tohru said as she felt dead in her voice saying it. Somehow as she said those words, she felt as if she were letting go the last bit she was holding on to her previous life as a high school student. Moving on with only the treasured friends she had in her now past deeply embedded in her memories.
"That makes the two of us then." Motoko said as she nodded sadly in agreement. "In my senior year at High, when I realized it would be my last year seeing Yuki everyday; that was when I realized how utterly stupid my facade at school had been until then. I had no real friends, and the other fanclub members not only didn't truly love Yuki only obsessed with him, but instead of missing me; they focused more on becoming my protégés and replacing my president role. I wasted my high school years being something I wasn't. So I got the courage before I graduated to confess my feelings to Yuki.
He rejected me of course, but not without smiling at me with that charming smile of his. That was when I was thankful that he was my first love, because even if I got rejected I was able to move on and become a better person." Motoko said as she got a far-away gaze in her eyes.
Tohru smiled as she listened to her. Sure Motoko still was...well Motoko but indeed she had matured; being a mother was just half of the reason. That was when Tohru started to wonder who Hatsuna's father was. Even if she knew Motoko was a little uncanny, she couldn't believe Motoko would give up her infatuation of Yuki that quickly. Maturity had nothing to do with it, if Motoko really did love him, how did she end up...
Tohru unknowingly had a blush crept onto her cheeks, causing Motoko to notice. She quickly brightened up, and came out of her serious tone. "So?" She said teasingly. "Who's the sexy culprit who's leaving his dirty marks if it's not that guy that was with you at the graveyard?" She said as she giggled, crisscrossing her legs as she sat completely on the bed, hands on her knees desperately awaiting the juicy topic returning the high school girl she used to be.
Tohru's blush got even redder as she quickly stuttered. "Ah...well...I can't really explain much what happened, it's confusing."
Motoko shook her pointed index finger side-to-side. "Nothing concerning romance is confusing for mua. According to what the maid told me, he was all over you in your room. She also said you weren't doing much to object his actions either." She said biting her lower lip holding back laughter.
Tohru widened her eyes, as her thoughts went wild in her head. 'Oh no, I wasn't dreaming; it actually happened. That must mean I really did say all those things to Akito. How could I have been so forward?' She thought as she also realized Akito's actions were indeed real as well.
Tohru's hand quickly flew to her neck again, as she got up and examined herself in the mirror to reveal a dark red blotch mark on her neck. "What is this, how did this happen?" Tohru asked naively, as she stroked the mark left on her neck.
Motoko shook her head, chiding her. "Boy, you really weren't kidding when you said you don't have a clue. To think I always thought your little naive innocent airhead front was all an act at school." She said as she grabbed the cold rag she had flung at Tohru earlier. "Here press this against it, it won't make it disappear completely, but it'll make it look much worse; trust I'm one to know."
Tohru took the rag from Motoko, and did so. "Y-you said this was called a hickey?" Tohru asked recalling Motoko using the term previously.
"Hickey or lovebite. You must have been bitten in the neck pretty hard, and long enough to get one as bad as yours." Motoko said as she nodded. "So he's a biter?"
Tohru's face flushed pink. She remembered when Reina had commented something similar before. "b-but he can't possibly love me Motoko, he probably was just confused since I did something like that to him. The reason I did it was because I was scared, not because I loved him."
"First of all guys don't do that only when they love a girl. It's called being intimately close and is considered a symbol of passion, if he was just confused like you said he was; he must then feel pretty comfortable around you then. If you get scared around him though, why did you nearly let him kiss you at the grave? Come on, the guy took you to see your dead mother; that's not something the average guy does unless he cares." Motoko contemplated.
Tohru was brought to at odds by Motoko's reasoning. She couldn't just assume it was that, it had to be something else. "He's just really generous, and cares about his family. Afterall the baby is part of the family name." She said as she looked at herself again at the mirror. "He is hard to predict sometimes, how can I make him stop doing things like this without offending him? I can't possibly just tell him, but I don't want more of these embarrassing bruises to make everyone else think I'm without any morality."
"Well if he's that type of guy, I can't say much .You know probably more of him then I do, but I can say this; you've got to learn to be more assertive and stick up for yourself." Motoko replied as a small beeping sound followed her response. She took out a small device that resembled a beeper. "Well you sure you'll be alright, because that's my call to go and pick Hatsuna up."
Tohru quickly waved her arms. "Oh no I'll be fine let me walk you to the exit."
A strong throbbing pain beat against a unconscious figure's skull, as he slowly opened his eyes returning back to a conscious state. He grabbed his head in pain, as he felt a swelling bump underneath his hair. 'What the hell did she hit me with?' He thought bitterly as he sat up from being sprawled out on the wood floor. Looking towards the bed in the room, he noticed the girl who was previously laying in it, wasn't any longer. He grumbled in dissatisfaction, he remembered clearly his actions towards her; however how she found a way to escape him in her weak state puzzled him.
'She's out of breath every two seconds nowadays, there's no way she could even dare hit me.' He continued to think as in his mind he started to replay the recent event that took place in the very room he was still in. Thinking back on his actions, he had no clue as to why he ended up biting her neck. His usual self would have gagged at the thought of sucking on an puny outsider's flesh.
This time, a powerful urge unknown to him surged in him after she stroke the very ear she had bitten herself defensively a few days ago. All he knew was he got the desire to return her the attack in a similar fashion. Once he bit into her slender neck, it was like a loose gear sprung loose and something in himself pushed him to continue on. The rush of feelings and emotions that evoked from doing so however felt similar to the rush of satisfaction he normally felt when torturing or putting his pets in line; even more-so.
Asides from that the unexplainable frustrating feeling he had been struggling with, finally felt at ease. That was when the thought crossed his mind that possibly the form of release from this terrible new feeling was that girl, as he did with his pets when he needed a release from his dreaded anger.
A distant sound of chattering raised his attention, as he looked out the veranda. His eyes widened at the sight of another outsider bidding farewell to his captive. His eyes turning to slits, his hands balling into fists as their knuckles lost completely their pigment, his teeth clinching as they grinded in fury. "Errrr...Haatorrri, Kurrreenno!" He screamed as his bellow exploded throughout the Honke.
"It seems that the both of you are in need of a memory readjustment. Do the both of you obviously think that just because that girl is here changes anything? Nothing has changed! I specifically ordered you both to not let no outsider enter the Honke grounds. Exactly what are the both of you doing all day that you both missed an outsider prancing around in the Honke, worse yet speaking to that girl?" Akito demanded in a fierce tone as he paced back and forth in front of the bowing forms of Kureno and Hatori.
The three of them were now in one of the Honke's many rooms. This one in particular was more of a den. As neither Hatori nor Kureno dared to speak up, fearing that Akito's old abusive controlling nature was arising; Akito continued.
"Fortunately, I have control of things and that certain outsider was harmless. Just some lousy girl we bumped into when we visited the grave. She has no clue of either of our actual identity, and that girl knows better then to defy me and rat out on our secret. However, if any similar to this happens without my consent; the both of you shall suffer the consequences you know you will. Am I clear?" Akito said as she stared down a icy glare at the two other Sohmas.
"As always Akito." Both Hatori and Kureno said in unison.
Akito glanced out the room's side window to see Tohru walking swiftly to the nearest restroom; a hand on her lips obviously holding back a upset stomach taunts. Watching her brought the matter back into his mind, as he quickly turned back towards the two Sohmas. "As for the banquet coming up in a couple of days. I warn the both of you that nothing better go out of plan. No one shall know of her very existence, or step out of the ceremonial hall quarters. Entertain and act as if nothing as changed. If one thing...one thing gets out of order that will be the end of it!" He yelled the last sentence with fury.
Hatori closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. "That reminds me Akito. At the banquet, I'm not sure if they all will come. Momiji isn't no longer cursed, and I'm not sure if Yuki or Kyo would come. There's also the problem with Shigure. Even if the others are oblivious, Shigure is aware of it all; not to mention if he isn't invited it will rise the other's suspicions."
"He won't breathe a word of it, and if he even tries to lay one finger on her; there won't be no more of his breathing on this Earth. He's easily replaceable with his soon to be next generation." Akito said coldly without any emotion, causing Hatori and Kureno to hold their breath.
"Akito, you can't just kill him, he's a member of the zo-" Hatori was cut short by the loud and heavy slap which resulted in more like a punch.
"Silence. You dare tell me what I can and can't do with my zodiac Hatori. Need I mention you're one of them yourself, or are you looking for some punishment my dear little dragon? I am appointed god of the zodiac, and nothing that comes out of your mouth asides from medical or business I'll adhere to you, or any of you animals. When I say no one touches her, no one touches her! Go against me both of you, and into the cat's room you all will go and rot!" Akito dictated as Hatori's body fell onto the room's floor.
Akito cautiously peeked out the room's door, thinking he heard someone else's presence near the room. Once making sure no one else was near, he continued; this time in a lower tone. "Kureno in the meantime. I want you to do something for me." He said as he turned around with a cautious grin.
Tohru breathed slightly out of breath, as she closed the bathroom's door. Lately asides from the constant fatigue, her trips to the bathroom were increasing as months passed on. Growing more exhausted with each month, she wouldn't mind crawling back into bed again as she felt her eyes grow heavy.
Walking down the hall, she spotted Reina pushing her maid's cart with a slight scowl on her face. Having been more then a week that she'd seen of her closest thing she had nowadays to a friend, she quickly brightened up and walked over.
"Reina, do you need any help?"
Without passing not even a mere glance to her she replied with a annoyed tone. "Don't be ridiculous, the pregnant you are, as if there's anything you can help me with."
Tohru frowned quickly at her older companion's sour mood. "Reina, I've help you plenty of times before. Hatori says that as long as I don't do anything too strenuous and get enough rest and relaxation I'll be fine."
Reina tossed her tousled braid off her shoulder as she past by Tohru, still not looking at her. "Right then, you should be getting back to sleep. Don't want to waste your energy doing unneeded chores, when there's servants to do it instead."
Tohru stood in place, puzzled by her friend's odd behavior. "I don't understand, Reina you know I hate being a burden. I can't possibly be so selfish, besides no chore is unneeded. I'm sure there's something I can help you out with."
"Nope too late, I'm finished with all of my duties." She said as she stored away the cart. "I'm off to have lunch."
"Good then if you're not busy, you can join me. One of my friends that came here today left me this ice-cream she called comfort food. She said it's her special treat when she feels depressed, heartbroken, lonely or really tired. She also said she got a kick out of it when she was pregnant herself." Tohru said getting excited. "There are lots of unusual flavors to try, and all of them have such different names."
"Well if you insist, what other choice do I have?" Reina said as she went out the door.
While they were eating from one of the many flavors Motoko had given Tohru. Tohru couldn't hold any longer the tension of silence between Reina and herself.
"Reina is something the matter? I can't help but feel you're angry with me, did I do something wrong?" Tohru asked.
"Why say that, it's not like you've done anything really these past months have you?" Reina replied in a snobbish tone.
Not taking too personally Reina's response; Tohru continued. "It's just that you seem upset, that's all. I know it's not in my place, but I'm worried."
"Don't you have bigger things to worry about then servants? Like, your pregnancy, your studies, and your risqué romance affairs." Reina blurted out as she finally stared at Tohru with a look of disgust.
Tohru widened her eyes at Reina's last remark. "Reina, what do you mean. You know I don't-"
"Oh please Tohru, exactly who are you trying to fool." Reina spat out as she pointed to her neck. "It makes me think exactly how far you would have let him go if I wouldn't have run in. Consider that the first and last time I save you, that was the farthest I could go in risking my job. I don't doubt that I'll get fired for it soon, or worse." She said as she continued eating her ice-cream.
Tohru recalled Motoko mentioning a maid was the one who contacted her. Reina must have been the one who pulled Tohru out of that room, and called Motoko from the note she had on her. Afterall all the room Tohru woke up in was Reina's sleeping quarter. All this meant that Reina witnessed most of what happened between Akito and herself. Tohru started feeling uneasy due to the embarrassment.
"It was all a misunderstanding; Akito must have been doing the same thing I did to him last time. I think he was trying to just reach out to me somehow." Tohru said quickly.
"Oh so you just let him have his way with you. Listen I don't care how bad of a childhood he had or if he's traumatically unstable; the point is he's a guy, a guy that in this case never had a chance to even encounter what's he doing with you. If you continue to be the little weak and vulnerable victim, a possessive egotistic guy like Akito would only last so much before turning into a hormonal teenager; even if he is twenty-one." Reina said as she flung her spoon in mid-air without noticing as she got riled up in her IQ lesson with Tohru.
"Are you saying that he would do what Shigure did to me?" Tohru asked in disbelief. She knew Reina had worked her longer then she had been staying at the Honke; therefore Reina would know Akito's characteristics better, however she couldn't believe that Akito would hurt her in such a way.
"If you keep on leading him there's no telling what he'll do." Reina said with a nod. "I suggest you think of something, or else someone else might catch the two of you next time. I can't promise you if another servant witnesses it; they'll keep it quiet; at least in the servants quarters that is. With you being pregnant, it'll all add up."
"But Akito isn't the father." Tohru quickly exclaimed.
"It doesn't make a difference! All the rest of the people will only see is the two of you together, you mysteriously revealed pregnant after you became Akito's personal servant, it doesn't take that much people to jump to conclusions." Reina said as she slammed her hand on the table. "Unless you want people to think you're Akito's baby mama then you better do something."
As the sun was starting to set, Tohru had avoided returning back to her room. She had spent the day at the library, browsing through a book of names. She still hadn't decided what to name her soon-to-be newborn. One thing she knew if it wound up being a girl, she would name her Kyoko. She had thought of naming her boy Katsuya after her father, but still wasn't exactly sure. As her stomach start to growl with hunger, she decided to head towards the kitchen.
On her way there she was eyed, and stared upon by the multiple other servants. She didn't attempt to converse with them, remembering her first intent seven months ago. Whispers of most likely gossip concerning herself were passed among the servants as Tohru entered the kitchen. She even heard some held back giggles, and snorts. She pressed her lips together, bearing the torture. As she went to start preparing herself a meal, she felt a tap on her shoulder; turning around she saw it was Reina looking down and holding a flower out to her, which had a note tied to it's stem. As Tohru took the flower, Reina's face turned into that of anger and walked away without a word.
Tohru wasn't expecting Reina to talk to her in front of the other staff, especially since the rules declared so; however she was puzzled as to why gave her a flower in front of everyone.
The flower was lavender purple in color, and had an overall delicate appearance. As she read the note attached it read only one word:
Grove
The rich calligraphic handwriting style was all the too familiar for her. Akito had sent her the flower.
Getting a bit nervous at the gesture, she glanced around the room. The other staff members surely now had something to talk about, which made her wonder why Akito had sent Reina to give it to her publicly. What was his intention? Thinking on what Reina had told her previously that day, she decided she had to face Akito; now being the best chance to do so.
On her way out of the kitchen, she was stopped by a throat clearing; obviously trying to catch her attention. Looking back her mouth hung agape as she saw one of the elder maids holding out to her a folded, long and silky orange kimono for her to wear. This made Tohru's entire mind fly on one thought.
Exactly what is Akito planning on doing?
Author's Note: I decided to end it here for this chapter. Why because simply the next chapter will be full of mind boggling drama events, so I decided to leave this one on a very anticipating cliffhanger, to keep you all on your expectant toes lol
Anyways about this chapter, yes lol there was an OC in it. Don't worry she won't be appearing much more after this, but she isn't exactly an OC of mine, just counted as one since she's not exactly of Fruits Basket world ;) Count it as a little tid-bit preview. Since if I do actually get the chance to write a fic of that particular series, her character will be based on the little preview of her you saw here, except this preview was of my future version of her. If you got which character she is, let me know you did :D
Anyways as always
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