The Taming of Gods
An Akito X OC Fanfiction story. Please leave a review.
Musical inspiration: Young Blood by Bea Miller, then Love The Way You Lie by Eminem ft. Rihanna
Meda absently watched the butterflies flitting across the Sohma garden behind Akito's bedroom. However, her mind was far away, thinking back to an interesting event that had developed at school that day.
Earlier that day
It was a fitness day at the school and the gym teacher had urged them all to go for a very long run. Naturally Meda had turned and walked away as fast as she could. Running? She didn't think so. While she enjoying walking and spent her days rambling about for hours out in the woods or mountains, running and exercise was something she would like to avoid at all costs. Instead she leisurely followed a brook she had discovered that ran in roughly the same direction as the runners. The brook soon turned into a stream and Meda happily strolled along it, watching with a pleased smile as the water began to run clearer and the plants shine greener and perk up at the small cleansing spell she was muttering under her breath as she walked. Dazzling emerald and scarlet dragonflies danced between the rushes and the few ducks milling about instantly perked up, quacking happily as they splashed about in the now crystal clean water. Running through an urban area, the river had soon become disgustingly polluted, though now it was beginning to look revived. Meda was so absorbed in what she was doing that she didn't notice a tall, salt and pepper haired boy walking along the brook, until she bumped into him.
'Oof!' She stumbled backwards, clumsily tripping over a clump of reeds. She had nearly toppled into the river when she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist, drawing her close and back to safety. She had been so shocked that she froze for a moment, simply breathing in the somewhat milky scent of the body hugging her close, before she snapped back to reality and looked up at her rescuer.
'Thank you, you saved me.' She flashed him a heart-melting smile and the boy flushed bright red, mumbling an apology for bumping into her. At that opportune moment, Kyo walked in on the scene.
Meda and Hatsuharu. Wrapped in a tight embrace. In a romantic setting.
Kyo's blood immediately began to boil, his fiery temper surpassing all previous limits as he rushed at the pair and roughly yanked Hatsuharu away from his precious Meda.
'Get your perverted hands off her!' Kyo screamed, landing a firm punch to Hatsuharu's cheek. Kyo felt a little satisfied at the small crunch he heard, but before he had a chance to gloat, Hatsuharu had retaliated with a hard front kick to Kyo's abdomen.
'Oh my.' Meda watched with mild horror. By this point, she really ought to be used to all the violence and fighting in the Sohma family, but they managed to surprise her every time. Nevertheless, the thought that Kyo would attack a random stranger, just because he'd seen them hugging- it truly shocked her.
'Why on earth is he so possessive?' She thought wearily. Kyo's concern for her went beyond even overprotectiveness.
However, she needn't have worried for the dark eyed stranger Kyo had randomly attacked; he seemed to be holding his own just fine. The boys tussled turbulently with each other. Despite the stranger's excellent combat skills, he was unable to hold out Kyo, who finally defeated him with a swiftly placed roundhouse kick to the head. The stranger crumpled, much to Meda's dismay and she instantly rushed over to him, cradling his head in her lap as she checked for signs of injury.
'Really Kyo, what the hell was that? The poor guy saved me from falling in the river.' She scolded, her quiet voice piercing him worse than if she had been yelling. Kyo felt a wave of shame, but thankfully the passed out teenager suddenly came to, saving him from having to reply.
'Oh you poor thing. I'm so, so sorry on Kyo's behalf. He can get carried away sometimes-'
'Good fight, Kyo.' The boy cut off her incessant apologies, addressing the orange haired boy who was staring at him with disdain.
'Good? It was too easy.' Kyo scoffed, pulling Meda away from him and glaring at the tall teenager before him.
'I-wait what? You two know each other?' She stared in disbelief.
'This is Hatsuharu Sohma.' Kyo introduced.
'So what's your name?' Hatsuharu asked, checking her out in a manner that did not sit very well with Kyo at all. Meda gave a tinkling laugh.
'Another Sohma- I should have known! I'm Meda. Nice to meet you, Hatsuharu.'
'Likewise.' He gave her a sexy wink and grinned at the murderous expression on Kyo's face. Meda blushed and smiled at his attention, oblivious as ever until Kyo pushed Hatsuharu and looked as if he were about to be pulled into another fight.
Meda noticed the other boy's expression and indeed whole aura begin to darken dangerously, like before.
'Whoa! No more fighting! What are you doing here Hatsuharu?' She asked, pulling them forcibly apart.
'Just call me Haru, all my close friends do.' He gave her another cheeky wink and only Meda's iron like grip on Kyo's collar prevented him from pummelling the other kid. 'As for what I'm doing here, well my school was making all of us do this big run, but I somehow got lost…' He trailed off looking sheepish.
'School run? Wait, you don't by any chance go to Kaibara high school, do you?' Meda gasped, realisation dawning on her.
'Yeah, he does. He's in the year below us.' Kyo said in a bored tone, already tugging on her uniform to try and get her to go.
'Wow, so what's your Zodiac animal?' She asked curiously, ignoring Kyo's pleading to go home already.
'Umm, the cow.' He replied, sounding doubtful.
'Are you sure?' Meda teased.
'No… yeah, I'm the cow.' His expressive large round orbs resembled that of a cow's so much that Meda mentally slapped herself for not guessing earlier.
'Well, Haru, it's been wonderful meeting you. I'd better go now or Kyo's going to pick me up and carry me off. We're going out to the fair tomorrow, why don't you join us? The more the merrier.' She beamed happily at him, but Kyo didn't look as keen.
'I'd love to come!' He agreed instantly, ignoring Kyo's mumbles of: 'What'd you invite the cow for?'
'We'll see you there.' She called back as Kyo dragged her forcibly away.
Haru stared after the retreating figures.
'What an interesting girl…' He thought. She was drop-dead gorgeous, with stunning long brown hair and mesmerizing emerald eyes. But most of all, she exuded a natural charm and grace that had caught him unawares. Most elements of nature and animals were drawn to Meda, this cow included.
Back to the present
Having been attended to by the gentle prophetess for about a month now, Akito had come to notice the warmth and happiness she seemed to constantly pour out. At first it was sickening, he used every opportunity to put out that light. From physically tormenting her to constantly making snide remarks. However, after her first encounter, she had swiftly learned to dodge his passes and his sour words seemed to pass right over her head. To his frustration, he saw that dangerous temper of hers so rarely that he began to wonder if he had imagined it in the first place. Over time, he'd gradually warmed up to the charming girl, scowling less often and even, when no one was looking, allowing a small smile from time to time, at her bubbly conversation and fantastic sense of humour. Not that he'd ever admit it. Akito had suffered far too much to let down his walls again. The only woman in the world he had loved had told him he was nothing. Ren's psychological assault on him since he was a child had left a scar on his soul that even Meda's extraordinary healing skills couldn't fix.
Nevertheless, Akito had a soft corner for the girl, whether he realised it himself or not.
Now, as Meda and Akito sat on the veranda, facing the garden outside his bedroom, he found himself admiring his gentle companion. The setting sun streamed across the huge Sohma estate and bathed Meda in its glow, giving her tan face a golden tinge. Her hair flowed loose around her shoulders, reaching her waist and Akito could see every strand of it, illuminated to a metallic bronze by the warm light. If he didn't know any better, he would have said that the light itself was radiating from her. Catching himself, he internally scolded himself for being so distracted by her, although he still couldn't keep his curiosity at bay and asked, in spite of himself:
'What on earth are you thinking about with such concentration?'
That seemed to break Meda out of her dreamy eyed reverie and her head snapped round to face him. He was held so transfixed by those limpid green eyes that seemed to pierce his soul that he had almost forgotten that he had asked her a question.
'Nothing.' She said, giving him what she thought was a convincing smile.
'How many times have I told you, my little witch, not to lie to me?' Akito said sternly, a dangerous tone underlying his words. Meda however ignored his sternness and merely grumbled,
'I really wish you wouldn't call me that. It feels insulting.'
'What? Little witch? That's my nickname for you my pet. After all that is what you are, right?'
'I'm a prophetess! Oh it's useless trying to argue with you!' She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation, shaking her head at Akito's teasing.
'Then don't. And don't try and change the subject, my little wi- prophetess. Tell me what thoughts run through your mind that dare steal your attention away from your Lord.' He demanded coldly.
'It's nothing really, Akito. Just thinking about this new friend I made today at school. He's a very interesting guy, quite handsome too…' She returned to her thoughts and Akito felt his infamous jealousy begin to rear its ugly head. Who was this new guy who dared to occupy his prophetess' thoughts? Akito dearly felt like strangling this unknown stranger but Meda unconsciously placed a hand on his thighs as she had taken to do whenever she sensed his aura was troubled- which happened a lot by the way. He immediately stopped planning her new friend's demise and switched his attention back to the stunning girl absently watching the sunset beside him. Akito grimaced as he felt an unfamiliar stirring sensation in his belly at her touch. He had to get a hold of himself! He couldn't let her affect him this much- she was just touching him for god's sake. On his thigh… near his… Akito mentally groaned and tried to reorder his hormone-befuddled brain.
'Safe thoughts…safe thoughts… Look, a new guy is trying to make a move on Meda. You have to make her understand that she's yours and yours alone.' Akito thought to himself.
'What are you doing tomorrow?' He asked casually, trying not to let how she was affecting him show. Thank goodness that that girl was as oblivious as a 3 year old.
'Hmm? Oh tomorrow's Saturday right?'
'Yeah, I was wondering if you wanted to come over to the Honke. If you want I mean. Hatori mentioned that you were whining about wanting to see the gardens and explore the estate, and weather permitting, I wouldn't mind escorting you around tomorrow…' He trailed off, his eyes narrowing dangerously at the slightly apologetic expression on her face.
'I'm so sorry Akito, but it's just that, well the fair's in town this month and I promised my friends that we could go together, seeing as how I've had so little time to spend with them because of this new job and all.' Akito's eyes had turned into the icy black chips that indicated the arousal of his deadly temper. Meda, although she had seen him angry before, had never had the misfortune of experiencing the full extent of his wrath before.
'So you're accusing me? You think that helping me here is a waste of your time?' He snarled, getting up and towering over her. Meda trembled and shrank back in fear.
'Akito, that's not what I meant-'
'Shut the fuck up! May I remind you that it was you who came here offering what measly help you could? I don't need your fucking help and I don't need you. If it's such a pain to be here then don't bother coming back?' He hurled a clay vase in her direction and Meda yelped as she dodged it, the intricate vase shattering to pieces right beside her. She gasped as one of the razor edged shards embedded itself in her skin, blood running in small rivulets down her shoulder and arm before the damaged skin began knitting itself together. Even though it barely stung and she had healed in no time, Meda still hurt. After all this time, she thought she and Akito were growing closer, dare she say it, friends even but now. She felt used, betrayed and terrified beyond belief at his actions. Her astonishment meant that no tears blurred her vision as she clearly saw the rage contorting Akito's face into something dark, something evil, turn into a look of concern and regret, before he vanished inside his room, the door sliding loudly shut behind him.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Meda stood up and brushed the clay dust off her jeans and started to head across the garden to the gates. She was desperate to get away from this place, from Akito and the waves of hurt, shame and betrayal rolling like suffocating fumes from his bedroom.
On the way home, she had calmed down enough to reassess the situation with a cool head. Irrational as his anger may be, Meda could tell that it had stemmed from some kind of jealousy. Akito had lived in fear of being unloved and unwanted all his life, leading to a development of an unhealthy possessiveness in him that had now extended from his Jyuunishi to include her as well, she thought logically. Her generous heart had already gone out to him again, but still, she was only human. Well, somewhat human. She would need some time to get over this incident.
'Why are all the men in my life so incredibly possessive? They all treat me like I'm their personal toy, for them to play with and no one else to touch. Oh well, at least you have the weekend Akito-free. Come on, we're going to fair tomorrow! Excited!' She tried to mentally convince herself, putting on a happy expression before entering the house she shared with three other members of the Zodiac.