Why can't my ha- Ah! Itai! Why are they tied? And why the heck can't I-
"Ah, you're up, little angel. Do your wrists hurt?"
"Well of course! You tied them to- What did you tie them to anyway? And where am I? Who are you? Why did you blindfold me?"
"One question at a time, curious one. I'll relieve you of your blindfold, but not of your bonds. Not if I expect you to wed my son."
"Wed you… Who are you?"
Two men went forward, and the girl felt deft fingers untying the knot, before her vision was returned, golden gaze blinking once, twice, before Yukie could finally focus on the single man, strands of white hair littering his what once was glorious black hair, glasses propped up against his nose bridge as he scrutinized the lady bounded by her wrists on the high backed chair.
"Sohma Yukie, diamond of the Sohma family, yet the one that is seen the least at family functions." The man drawled, when Yukie didn't move to say a word. "I'm Nakatsu Kariyu, CEO and owner of Nakatsu Sports."
"Nakatsu…. You wouldn't happen to know Nakatsu-kun? Nakatsu Shuichi?"
"My son… and your fiancé."
"What fiancé?" Panic started to rise in Yukie's chest when she heard that. Surely her friend, Nakatsu Shuichi, didn't have a part in this? The girl tugged at the ropes bounding her wrist to the chair, but only managed to give herself a bruise as she struggled against the tightly wound ropes that cut in to her tender flesh. Looking up again, confusion and distrust clouded her gaze. She remembered of course, her stepmother haranguing herself to go have some time with Nakatsu Shuichi, but Yukie had always fled to her room whenever that started. She liked Nakatsu, but only as a friend. No one could ever replace Kyouya in her heart, not for Yukie.
"Lets just say… Nakatsu Sports isn't exactly in its best condition now. I need some funds from the Sohma family."
"Why just my family?"
"Because they're the only ones who are willing to help!" the elder man's voice raised a notch, as black eyes flashed dangerously at the girl. Yukie flinched at the steel edge to the tone, pressing back in to the chair. "On the condition that you will marry my son."
"Why?"
"Ask your stepmother that. She suggested it."
Hurt cut through the girl. Sure, Yukie knew her stepmother didn't like her. But so much so that she would send Yukie away through marriage? To a person she hardly knew till a couple of days ago much less? Sure, hell would freeze over before Yukie would marry anyone other then her Kyouya, but the knowledge still hurt the girl.
"You're not going to succeed, you should know that Nakatsu-san. I know someone would probably be looking for me right about now." Yukie replied, her confidence in her tone masking the shake in her hands. The girl hoped the tremors wouldn't show in her voice as she spoke, for as confident as she was now, she was scared to death on the inside. Yet the only reason she acted tough, was because she knew she had to, or she'd be tied down for the rest of her life.
"Really, Sohma-chan? I assured your father I wouldn't harm you, and this was the only reason why he agreed to whatever I will do tonight."
"M-my father?"
"Yes, your father."
Even her blood father, the only one who she actually thought still gave a cent for her in the mansion she called her home?
"His only warning was that I do not harm a single hair on your head."
A relieved sight gushed out of Yukie, a breathe she didn't realize she had been holding. Her father didn't want to see her hurt, which was a relief. But still, he had agreed to leave her at the mercy of someone they barely knew, and Yukie couldn't help but wonder why.
"So, Sohma-chan. Do you agree?"
"Agree?"
"To wed my son."
"No!" The answer was ripped from her lips in an instant, Yukie didn't even think. No one was going to marry her against her will, least of all to someone she didn't want. Straining against her bonds again, Yukie struggled, yet to no avail. The only result that yielded was deeper bruises on her wrist as she tugged and pulled, but her motions stopped when the click of leather shoes suddenly brought her gaze up, realizing Nakatsu Kariyu was advancing on her.
"Shuichi isn't all that bad, you know? Why don't you want him?" It was a drawl as he spoke, the man now stood in front of her. And Yukie whimpered, unable to help the fear from surfacing as he dragged a calloused finger over her chin, a shudder swept through her body, borned from fear, as she made no reply.
"C'mon, little angel. He wo-"
"Step away from her. Now."
The voice that was as cold as glaciers and as hard as steel brought a flying smile to Yukie's face as Nakatsu Kariyu turned around with a scowl, one that only deepened when he saw the tall form of Ootori Kyouya standing there, every bit looking like an avenging angel as his glasses glinted in the light, the cold streak in his slate gray eyes promising death to anyone who crossed him.
"Ah, the youngest son of the Ootori family. To what do I owe this honor?"
"Get away from Yukie. Untie her."
"How did you get in?" the query went unanswered as Kyouya stepped away from the door, his patience broken when the elder man didn't answer his question. Yet the moment his form left, the unobstructed view showed exactly how Kyouya had got in. The private force of Ootori had held every single body guard of the Nakatsu family, pinned in a death grip, as Kyouya swiftly approached the girl.
The gentle smile that had graced his features as his gaze fell on Yukie however, vanished with a snap when Nakatsu Kariyu suddenly stepped in to block his pathway, the previously indulgent gaze no transformed to one of annoyment and warning as he stopped his path.
"She's marrying my son and that's the end of it."
Anger flashed in Kyouya's eyes, blood boiling in fury. Ootori Kyouya was a man of honors. Children, women and the elderly, these were the three he would never strike out at. Yet this time, he couldn't help himself. Hand shot out to roughly shove the elder Nakatsu out of the way, not even caring when the man stumbled backwards and hit the wall, he quickly walked towards Yukie. Eyes did a quick assessment that there was nothing majorly wrong with her, before his fingers easily started to untie the bonds that held her wrists.
"Kyouya-icchi, arigatou."
"Baka. I'll definitely come, you know it."
"Mochiron." Yukie replied with a smile, as she flexed her wrist, a movement stopped when Kyouya reached out to hold her hands still, and rage boiled at him again when he saw the deep red cuts and bruises at where the rough ropes had done their work.
"Blo-"
"Shh! Its nothing. " Yukie cut in, grabbing Kyouya before he could advanced forward to reach Nakatsu Kariyu, she curled her fingers with his, tugging as she said. "Just get me out of here?"
Torn between wanting to give the man a lesson, and wanting to get Yukie as far as possible, Kyouya finally gave in to his girlfriend's request, and turned around to scoop the tiny frame of Yukie up in to his arms, before his long strides brought him to the door.
"I only wanted to save my company."
The broken tone from Nakatsu Kariyu caught Yukie's attention, but Kyouya refused to be moved. He pressed the girl's golden head down, not letting her look at the CEO of Nakatsu Sports, before he spoke in a cold, deadly tone. "I wanted to help you. But now I'm unsure. We'll see." His words were swift, and cutting, before he resumed walking away, giving quick instructions to his men. In no time at all, both were seated in Kyouya's car, with Yukie in his lap, he picked up her wrists, growling when he saw the swelling skin.
"Mou, daijoubu, Kyouya. It'll be fine with some cold compressors and a few days."
"Does it hurt?"
"Of course."
He growled again, but Yukie only laughed, before leaning against Kyouya, snuggling in to the crook of his neck as she closed her eyes. "It'll be fine." She murmured softly, not liking the guy to be so agitated. Reaching up to kiss the edge of his jaw, Yukie smiled at Kyouya when he turned down to look at her. "Thank you."
"I wouldn't ever let you get hurt, you know that." His gaze flickered towards her red wrists again, before he brushed a regretful kiss on her forehead, collecting her closer. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
"I love you. I don't ever want to lose you."
"I know." She replied saucily, and grinned when Kyouya cocked a brow at her insolence, laughing, she continued. "I love you too."
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Major major major major lateness, I know. sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry. . This is the last chapter, enjoy! :D :D I love all of you who followed my story,a nd i do hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I loved writing this. :D