hi hi hi and hi again!!! thanks for the reviews, I love them soooo much! thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!! and of course, to my newly appointed beta, SLEEPIHEAD, ur awesome! luv ya! the most awesomessssst beta ever! hehe..thanks!

ps: in this chapter i'm introducing an OC...but i'm not going to tell you why he's in this fanfic yet...or who he actually is. but you'll know, soon..........ok, on with the chappy! oh, and i'm really sorry for Kyo's absence..he'll be back...i promise.....

The Reason I Love You

Chapter Eight

"I'm home..." A young dark brown haired boy stepped into his house doorstep, taking off his shoes. "Welcome home!" was the reply.

"You're early today," said a woman. She was wearing an apron and was wiping her hands with a cloth. Apparently she had just finished cooking lunch. "You don't have work today, do you?"

"Nope," the boy said as he headed into the kitchen. Once he was there he sat at the dining table, waiting for his lunch. "I got a life too, Mum, you don't expect me to work every freaking day now do you?" His mother flashed him a small smile. "No, I don't. I was hoping you're not working yourself too hard." The boy shook his head lightly, smirking. "Nah, don't worry. I'm not that obsessed..."

"Here you are," said the mother, handing him a bowl of rice. "Finish that up and then go change your clothes." The boy nodded briefly. The boy ate his food silently under the constant watch of his mother. He looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. "What's up Mum?"

His mother was staring at his meal absentmindedly. She jumped as she heard her son calling her. "Yes? You want some more?"

The boy merely shook his head wearily. "No, I was asking you, 'are you alright'..."

"Oh, is that it?" She chuckled, "I'm fine, don't worry." She smiled. "So, how's school today Takuma-chan?"

The boy named Takuma just shrugged. "Same old same old, Boring... It's school, what do you expect?"

"Oh," said Takuma's mother. Takuma looked at her again. His mother was nearing her forties, she looked so worked up and tired. Her smiles sometimes broke his heart. They were so fake...so insincere, but he knew his mother loved him. Takuma inherited all of her mother's once good looks; Her dark brown hair, her lips, her chin are all his. The only things he got from his father were his slanted eyes and straight nose... Speaking about his father, he hadn't seen him for quite some time. Well, he was never really home. He got his own place, and from what Takuma heard, his father likes to live alone. Takuma never knew where his dad's second house was. He only knew that the house existed.

"Mum?" he hesitated. He knew that sometimes his parents haven't been in speaking terms much, since his father wasn't usually at home. But every time his father was home, he never felt neglected. His father treated them both so lovingly. Maybe it's just hard for a woman who had her husband so rarely with her, even though how much they love each other. "You okay?"

His mother smiled. "Yes dear. You finish that up okay?" she said, indicating the food, "I'm going to take a bath." With that she stood and left the kitchen, leaving her son alone.

Takuma's eyes followed his mother's trail up until he couldn't see her anymore. He sighed. "What a happy family..." he murmured sarcastically to himself, finishing his food in silence.

***

Akito looked into the mirror, gazing intently at her own reflection. Her hand absentmindedly stroked her belly. She sighed. She then suddenly felt her baby kick. Akito quickly held on the sink tightly, almost falling from shock. She looked down at her stomach, stroking it again as lightly as she could, a small smile formed onto her beautiful face.

She's now nearing her seventh month of pregnancy and for sure her belly is fully showing. Shigure was more than excited every time he stroked her stomach lovingly with his large palm. He boasts around everybody who would hear about his coming baby and how beautiful it will become when it grows up. Akito snorted as she reminded herself of her stupid husband. She wonders why she actually fell for him. She sighed again, this time out of exhaustion.

She then walked out of the bathroom to her large bedroom. As she stumbled to get on her futon she heard a very light knock at the shoji. She lifts her head, almost glaring as she stared at the shoji, looking as if she was trying to x-ray through the paper door. "Who is it?" she asked harshly. She guessed Shigure's right about her. She still possessed a bad temper, even if she has been trying hard to control herself. A few seconds later she heard a muffled answer coming from the other side of the shoji. Now she was pissed. "What?!"

"It's me, Akito-sama," said a voice Akito know too well. A ruffled voice belongs to an elderly woman spoke softly to her. Akito heaved a growled. This old lady never stops bugging her about the curse even a slightest bit. She sometimes hinted that the curse had blessed the Sohmas for generations, and that it is such a waste, for the family not to be special. Even after more than three years, she still hadn't given up. Akito reconsidered her position countless of times, thinking of whether or not she should keep her.

"What is it?"

"I'm sorry to bother you at this hour, Akito-sama, but there's someone here who wants to see you," said the old lady again. Akito growled, "Who is it?!" she barked, "Tell whoever the hell it is to go away and leave me alone! I'm tired and sleepy and I need my rest! Tell them I have no time for them right now. Ask them to come later!"

"I already told him that but—"

"But what?" Akito stood up and walked to the shoji, banging it open. "—he says he won't budge until he sees you," continued the old lady, watching Akito wearily.

"Who the hell does he thinks he is and what does he want?" asked Akito, glaring at her maid, minding to keep her voice down.

"He's—" The maid was cut off when Shigure busted in.

"What's all this commotion about?" asked Shigure as he busted into his and Akito's bedroom. "Akito, didn't I tell you to control yourself? You shouldn't get too excited you know, not when you're carrying our baby." He said, beaming. Akito blushed as she heard him.

"Shigure-sama," the old lady bowed.

"Now what do we owe the pleasure having you here, Kaoru-san?" Shigure smiled sweetly at the old woman. She, however, wasn't at all thrilled to see him. The fact is; she loathed him horribly, after what he had done to Akito. She also knew that the smile Shigure was wearing was sarcasm, hate even, and it was directed to her, and only her.

The woman named Kaoru bowed again, "I'm sorry to intrude Shigure-sama, but it seems that Akito-sama here have a guest waiting for her at the main hall."

"Oh really?" Shigure shot one of his eyebrows up, "I'm sorry but could you tell this person to come later. Akito is tired I'm sure so I don't think she can entertain anyone at the moment, isn't that right dearest?"Akito stared at Shigure. But before she could answer him, he continued while keeping his charming smile plastered on his face, facing Kaoru. "Sure you, of all people, would understand that, would you not, Kaoru-san?"

Kaoru stared at him for a second. She then replied, "Forgive me, but I already told him to leave. He says he won't go until he sees Akito-sama." She paused, "He already wrecked half the hall, frightening many of the younger maids."

"Did he now?" Shigure turned to Akito, who looked as pissed as Haru would when turned black, before turning back to Kaoru. "Who is this person?"

Kaoru seemed startled as she stared at Akito's raging eyes. "It's him..." she said, "It's the mon-... I mean, the boy's father..." Shigure and Akito looked at her, waiting.

"...it's him, Sohma Arashi."

***

Tohru was humming as she carefully cleaned Kyo's bedside table, stopping now and then to look at him. It's been three whole months now that Kyo had been bedridden. He's now breathing normally without his mask on. Whenever people looked at him, they would think that Kyo's just plainly in a very deep sleep. He looked a lot better now. Almost all his bandages had been taken out except for the wires for the IV and stuff but otherwise he seemed just fine. Tohru smiled as she sighed, settling herself at one side of Kyo's bed, taking his hand in hers and bringing it to her lips before kissing it affectionately.

Tohru's right hand slowly crept to his face, stroking his smooth cheek and ran her fingers in his bright orange hair. His hair, now grown to reach passed his collar, was as silky as it always was before. Tohru's hand now went to his forehead, slightly pushing his bangs as she fingered his scar on his eyebrow. She sighed again, deeply, but smiling so as she leaned nearer to his ears, whispering sweetly, "Aishiteru, koishi..." She then cupped his face, stroking his chin and cheek, as she leaned to kiss his lips gingerly.

As she kissed him, she felt her right hand, the one which hold dear to Kyo's left, was slightly gripped, gently, but he definitely reacted. Tohru quickly rose away from him; staring wide eye at Kyo's sleeping face to his enclosed fingers gripping her hand. "K-Kyo-kun?" she whispered softly. She waited for a respond, almost hoping for it, but then nothing came from Kyo. She stared sadly at him, leaned lower to the nape of his neck, snuggling gently as she felt her tears flowing down her cheeks and fell onto him.

"Please...wake up..."

***

"Ah, what a pleasant surprise! It's so unusual having you here, Arashi-san." Shigure and Akito were both pleasantly sitting opposite a forlorn looking man in his forties, apparently forgetting their teas on the floor in the main hall. Arashi was glaring at both of them with pure anger and hatred. Akito too, was glaring at him with the same expression written all over her face. Shigure on the other hand, was the only one among them who beamed. Arashi took Shigure's facial expression as a mocking one, making him continue his menacing glare at the younger man.

"What is it?" asked Akito, glaring intently. Arashi turned his head to her. "I want to hear good reasons for your visit, after all the damages you've done."

Arashi sat quiet, though his expression didn't seem to show that he's afraid or anything, he merely stared. After a few seconds later he spoke, "I heard about him..."

Shigure and Akito looked at him, wondering. "About who?" asked Shigure.

"That beast of a boy! That monster!" he growled. Akito seemed taken aback at his words, but Shigure remained calm as they wait for Arashi to continue. "Him...I heard he was hit by a car. That true?"

"Yes," said Akito. "I'm surprised, you just heard about it now since it happened three months ago..." Arashi frowned at her.

"Is he still alive?" Arashi glared at them, hopeful. Akito felt as if she was going to be sick just staring back into his eyes. "Yes," Shigure answered. Now his expression grimmed, as Arashi's face turned more hideous than before.

"So he is..." he said, controlling his anger.

"Is that much of a pain to you? Hearing that your son was hit and still alive?" Shigure asked sarcastically. He smirked.

"Son? Son?!" Arashi's eyes bulged, "who is my son? I don't have any sons! That monster is not my son!" He glared murderously at Shigure.

Shigure maintained his position without the slightest hint of fear. His smirk widened. "Of course, forgive me. Kyo was not your son. I should have controlled my mouth better." Now he grinned. "I suppose you're not upset then, if you heard him dead?"

"Upset? Why should I be upset? If he's dead it will be good for everyone! He's a murderer." Spat Arashi. Akito flinched.

"To you maybe...to some of us he's not."

"Then that some is stupid just like that damn Kazuma and that little bitch!"

"Don't you dare, ever, call Tohru a bitch!" Akito glared at him. "One more word about her like that I swear to you that this will be the last time you step foot in this place!" She pointed her index directly at his face. "If that's what you're here for, then you may as well get out!" Now she pointed at the shoji. "Out, Now!"

Arashi gaped at Akito. Shigure looked pleased as bowed his head, smiling. Arashi then braced himself, standing up. "You've made a big mistake, Akito-sama, when you let that beast free." He then left the hall, slamming the shoji behind him. Akito's hand is still pointing at the closed shoji in front of her, before Shigure's hand came and held it tightly in his, whispering at her ear.

"That's very good Akito. I'm so proud of you..." Akito blushed as she put her hand down on her lap and leaned to her husband's chest.

"Do you think that Arashi has anything to do with this?"

"I don't know. He got motives, but I won't say anything like that yet. We'll have to wait and see," Shigure paused. "Are you alright Akito?" Akito mumbled and nodded.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. It's just that the baby...it kicks." She smiled.

"Well, I'm sure the baby's sleepy. Why don't we go and have our postponed rest?" Shigure lead Akito up. "About what we heard just now, let's just take it as side information shall we, and think about it later." Akito nodded. Yes, that would be good since she's so tired after the short and unfriendly conversation they just had.

"Yes, I would like that..." Akito said sleepily.

ps (again??): thanks for reading....and don't forget to review..no review, no update! WARGHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! (i'm sorry, i'm evil...) anyway...pls review...