The Taming of Gods
An Akito X OC fanfiction story. Please leave a review.
Musical inspiration: "In the End" by Linkin Park, "Demons" by Imagine Dragons
Chapter 15
A burning hot pain seared through Meda's head, ripping her consciousness from reality as it pulled her back into a vision.
Vision
Meda found herself in a dark, wooden panelled room. She vaguely recognized her surroundings- the room was in the same style as those in the Sohma Honke. A pale, small figure was chained to a wall opposite her, covered in bleeding gashes. Yuki, but several years younger. Meda gasped but was unable to react further as the magic of the vision kept her immobilised in her spot. A slim figure, cloaked in a black yukata faced him, with his back to her. A whip hung from his hand, dark droplets of blood slowly rolling along its length and dripping onto the scuffed wooden floor. Meda took in with horror the various whips and flails that lined the walls of the dark torture chamber.
'Had enough yet, my little rat?' Meda's heart almost stopped when she heard that voice. It was Akito. Suddenly, a lot of things began to make sense to her. Yuki's fear of Akito; the Sohmas' hate and distrust of him.
'Don't forget, you belong to me.' Akito continued, a sardonic smile twisting across his face. 'Without me, you are nothing. You have no reason to exist. The entire family hates you- the cheap, deceitful rat that tricked the poor cat out of his place in the zodiac and used the cow to win the race. No wonder they all despise you.'
Tears rolled down the purple haired child's face as Akito's words cut into him as sharply as the whip in his hand.
'No. I didn't do anything. It wasn't me.' Yuki's childish voice, wracked with pain, tore Meda's heart. She couldn't understand why Akito was doing this. How could she have misjudged him so much?
'I know, my pet. Can't you see? I am the only one who believes you, who loves you. Your Kami.' Akito snapped his fingers and the chains on Yuki's wrists came undone. He collapsed like a small rag doll to the floor, too weak and hurt to even lift his head. Akito gathered him, almost tenderly in his arms, though Yuki wasn't foolish enough to believe he was being kind. It was his twisted, cruel way of toying with him- first showing pain and then kindness to heal it; laying his claim over Yuki's mind soul and body. He was free to do anything to him and no one could stop him.
'You know my words are true, my little rat. Hatsuharu hates you with all his being because the rat cheated the cow and rode on his back to come first in the race. Kyo detests you because of the curse he has to bear because of the rat, who lied and tricked him. Even your brother doesn't care for you. You, Akito Sohma, are the most hated member of this family and the one most beloved by your Kami.' The terrible words continued to pour out of Akito's mouth as Meda watched on, utterly helpless, in shocked disbelief.
'This doesn't make sense.' She thought anxiously. How could this cruel, callous, evil person be the same man she fell in love with? His aura was drastically different in this vision, but before she could concentrate on it long enough to read it, the scene before her shattered into pieces, to be replaced with another one.
This time, the vision took place just outside Akito's bedroom, in the extravagant garden he'd created. However, darkness shrouded its beauty as thunderclouds rolled overhead and the garden was transformed by the rain and shadow into a hostile environment. Meda felt a sense of déjà vu as Akito pushed Kyo out into the rain, ripping off his Juzu bead bracelet so that he transformed into the monster.
'This is what you are! Your true form: a monster! Don't you ever dare to think differently. You get what you deserve and you deserve to be locked up…' Akito continued to hurl demeaning insults and Meda watched the monster flinch at every sentence as if Akito were physically hurling things at him. Meda turned her perceptive eyes towards Akito, losing interest in his monologue and instead concentrating on his aura. Something was wrong; she could feel it. Even though he moved animatedly and seemed to be venting his anger at the cat-monster, his eyes were hollow. The emptiness within them scared Meda even more than when she'd first seen Kyo's true form. This was not Akito! His aura had gone black- a black so dark that her senses went into overdrive as feelings of intense despair and anguish began to wash over her, coming from deep within Akito. She felt as though light would never return and felt her grip on sense and rationality begin to loosen. Before her 6th sense could completely break her mind, the vision thankfully shattered and she felt herself returning to reality.
After what seemed like an eternity, the limp girl cradled in his arms began to stir and come to. Relief washed over Akito. She'd been out cold for over an hour and he'd never been more agitated or worried in his entire life. The other Sohmas were surprised at the concern he'd showed her. Could it be? Had the stone cold Akito Sohma finally let his heart thaw and fallen in love?
Meda's eyes flew open and she sat up suddenly. She looked around wildly, trying to come to terms with her surroundings. Her eyes locked with Akito's and instinctively she pushed away from him, scrambling away with fear. His heart sank as he realised the Kami spirit must have shown her some of the uglier truths from his past. The light of hope began to fade from his eyes as he saw the disgust and anger contorting her angelic face. She knew- she knew everything.
'Meda, please.' He begged. 'You can forgive that monster but not me?' His voice was uncharacteristically pleading, but she still shook her head.
'The only monster I see here, Akito, is you.' She said sadly. He felt his damaged heart finally break under the last straw. She hated him. There was no way he'd get her to believe the truth. How could he convince her of the Kami spirit that possessed him and drove him to his actions? HE didn't blame her. He hated himself far more than she and all the Sohmas collectively ever could. He hung his head, his dark hair falling like a curtain to hide his devastated expression.
'Or, to be more precise, the only monster I see is within you.' She said carefully, causing all eyes to turn to her in surprise.
'What do you mean, "within" him?' Kyo demanded harshly, 'he is a monster. He doesn't deserve you. He isn't even worthy of looking at you Meda. You're worlds apart.' Meda ignored him and slowly approached Akito, kneeling besides him.
'I know. I felt him, within the visions. He was controlling you wasn't he?' She asked, tenderly cupping his face with one hand. Akito's jaw dropped in shock. She knew it wasn't him! She still loved him! The joy and relief that surged through him was unlike any he'd felt before.
'What?' Yuki asked in confusion.
'What do you mean controlling him? Who was controlling him?' Hatori asked sharply, eyes narrowing in confusion.
'His zodiac spirit: the Kami, I believe.' She said, looking at Akito to check. He nodded in confirmation. 'Ha! Yes! My skills have gotten stronger than I realised to have survived and interpreted that ordeal.' She exclaimed happily, thinking back to the turmoil her perceptive foresight had been through in the vision.
'No, wait. I don't get it! What's a Kami spirit? Explain-' Shigure began, but before he could finish his sentence, an ear-splitting crack of thunder sounded and the ground began to shake.
'What's happening?' Meda cried, reaching unthinkingly for Akito. However, before he could wrap his arms around her to protect her, they were whisked away from Shigure's porch into absolute darkness.
AN: Nearly at the climax! Thank you for your reviews. I love reading all of them! Keep 'em coming! :) Also, thoughts, ideas, constructive criticisms and opinions are very much appreciated.