(a/n) guys this is the third-to-last chapter. I really hope that the ending doesn't suck. im trYING

*weeps*

"Kanae Sohma." He sneered. "Little miss second best."

I kneeled on the matt before him, going through the expected motions as always. "Why did you ask to see me?"

"I am very disappointed. I thought your duty as a Kiireji was clear." Something was different, very different. Akito never asked for me before, he only address the Kiireji as a group. He made it very clear that we were of very little value.

"Did you hear me…wretch." I remained silent, not willing to indulge his anger. "I don't like being ignored, worthless woman."

"And I don't like being insulted." I saw him twitch at my reply.

"What was that?" His black gaze turned to me, I met it unblinking. I saw something there that I didn't quite expect. Instead of more of the blistering darkness, I swear I felt something…else come through, but only for an instance.

I had been hearing how Akito had been becoming more and more unhinged as of late. She would go from veracious to completely vulnerable in a matter of seconds.

Wait…why did I call him a…she—

My thoughts were quickly quashed by a burst of black flame from the massive demon that lurked in Akito's body. It occurred to me then that I had only ever felt the Aura of that "god". Never had I known the colour of it's vessel.

He darted forward, hissing in rage, his hand clamped around my wrist, burning like a hot Iron. I let out a pained shriek, recoiling in agony.

"Your secret is safe with me Kanae…no one else can use this to hurt you if you just stay where you belong." His other hand pressed against my cheek, his nails digging into my skin. That pain was nothing compared to the agony caused by just him being so close.

"Akito, you don't own me. The curse is falling apart, and soon I'll be gone just like everyone else."

He cried out, tossing me to the ground, and he began kicking me. He was manic. Nothing was going right for him, everything he believed in was falling to pieces. I could only take so much, but I struggled to keep consciousness.
When he finally withdrew, I had one last glimpse of the word around me. Black. Rippling waves that engulfed me. Each of my senses succumbing one by one, until I had blacked out.

When I finally woke up, I didn't know that I was awake at first. The darkness just continued as I opened and closed my eyes in vain. I tried to stand up, but I was still very weak, and only collapsed again on the ground letting out a pained cry. I crawled forward, groping for a wall or something. My fingertips brushed against solid wood, and I felt along the floor, looking for the edge of a door or something. The outer hallway had to be dark since there was no light.

Wait, I know where I am. This is…Yuki's…

My thoughts were cut off by a sharp pain in my ribs. Just moving around to look hurt me greatly. It seemed like my ribs were badly bruised.

I cried out again, holding the injured area, and I fell back to the ground. I was fully aware now, the adrenaline from my attack was gone.

I just lay there for a while, hoping for the pain to stop. Eventually I thought of a plan. I would just scoot myself around the room, slowly, kicking on the wall until I found the door. Even if the door was locked, it had to give at least a little.

Slowly, I rotated myself around, touching my toes against the wall. I pushed myself closer and kicked.

It was solid, solid and heavy. I let out a groan as I dragged myself parallel to the wall, trying to go at least a metre before I tried again. I kicked again, nothing. Again, nothing. Again, again, again, again.

After what felt like hours, I resorted to just jabbing at the wall when I could. Hoping to make some noise. I was too tired to be scared. The darkness comforted me, oddly enough. It was pitch black, no auras around that I could sense. Though, it could have been just my exhaustion. It hurt. Everything hurt. Akito's Aura had burned me. I was numb to everything now. I was deaf to the spirits' voices after the screaming of god at my very being. The darkness of his soul had blinded me to their dancing colours.

Everything was black.

And I didn't mind.

"Kanae."

Was that a voice?

"Kanae, wake up."

I must be hearing things. I don't feel anyone nearby.

"Kana-chan! Kana-chan wake up!"

Kagura? Why was I hearing her?

"Hey, Kanae."

...Kyou?

"Kanae-san!" Yuki?

"Nae-oneechan!"

"K-k-kanae!"

"Kane-chan…"

"Kanae-chan!"

"Imouto-chan!"

"Nezumi-san."

My eyes shot open. White light overwhelmed me for a moment. Blobs of colour floated into view.

"Thank god, she's awake!" I heard someone say.
"Nae-chan! Nae-chan can you hear me!?"

"Quiet down now, we don't want to stress her out."

I opened my mouth to speak, making a pathetic squeaking sound.

"It's okay Kanae, don't try to speak." My eyes finally focussed on the silver hair and gentle smiling face of Kazuma. When I looked around, I saw Yuki, Kagura and Momiji. All looking horridly worried.

"Nae-chan!" Momiji cried. He was clinging to Kagura who looked like she was about to cry. "You had us really worried!"

Kagura nodded, her face contorting. "Kana-chan," she said.

Yuki stepped closer, smiling at them. "Kanae-san, are you okay?" His voice was soft and very calming. "When I found you in that room, I—I feared the worst."

"You…you?" I tried to communicate the full query with my face alone. It seemed to work well enough.

"Yes I…I was passing by there, and found it odd that the door was closed. The room is designed only to be opened from the outside. I went in to find you…collapsed." I blinked slowly. "So, I brought you here. Hatori was here earlier and said that it was nothing serious, just some bruising to your ribs."

I heard the door open, and someone else enter. "Honestly Kanae, how do you keep getting hurt like this? You're one of the strongest people I know." Kyou…

I saw Yuki scowl. "Honestly Kyou. You should be a little more delicate."

"Yeah whatever." I could see him approach from behind them. "Momiji move over." Kagura dragged him to the side and Momi aimed a raspberry at Kyou.

"So, what the hell happened to you this time?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but Yuki motioned that he would respond in my place. "She was summoned to see Akito, and it seems that he got violent again. He saw it fit to trap her in my old confinement room."

Kyou growled. "That bastard. He has no business dragging her into this."

I reached my hand to touch his arm. "Kyou…" I croaked. "It's alright."

"Like hell it's alright! Are you still gonna stay after this? What the hell are you thinking?!"
"Kyou shut up!" I yelled, attempting to sit up. "Stop acting so righteous about this when you won't leave yourself!" My voice caught. "I am leaving. I won't stay in that rotted-out shell anymore! And I wish I could say the same for you!" I glared. I knew he was going through something similar, but the guilt had such a tight grip on him that I feared he would never break free.

I thrashed forward but Yuki and Momiji held me down.

"Kanae-chan, please calm down." Momiji said. The deeper tone of his voice putting me at ease. He looked sternly and Kyou. "Kyou, I think you should leave."

He looked at me, his expression strange. He didn't want to be angry, but he just didn't know how else to react.

"Whatever." He said. "I'm glad you're alright." He turned on his heel suddenly. Momiji and Kagura called after him in annoyance, while I relaxed back into the bed. I drifted off.

In my dream, he was looming over me, and I snapped to. Realising that it wasn't a dream.

"Haru. I'm going to just pretend you're not there."

"But I am here."

"Yes. That's why I need to pretend."

He was sitting on the edge of my bed, like Yuki had been hours ago. "Who let you in here?"

"Everyone's asleep."

"So…you broke in." I rolled over on my side, looking up at him. My hand brushed against him and I felt something strange.

"Haru."

"Do I feel different to you? Because… I feel different."

"Did…did something happen?"

"Rin was trapped in Sohma house too you know. Akito had her trapped in the cat's isolation room."

"How's that for a coincidence." I muttered into the blankets.

"Akito…he…he made me realise…" I saw his hand go to his face. "He made me realise…how much pain Rin had gone through…just to protect me."

I sighed. "I tried to tell you."

"I…I was so selfish. I let myself get out of control I hurt her, and I hurt you…I hurt a lot of people."

I had to refrain from snickering. He just sounded so out of character. "And the point is that Akito of all people made you realise this."

The worst part was, there was a part of me still wanted to be with him. I still wanted to touch him. Even though logically, the fact that he was 1000% with Rin now should deter me, it didn't.

My hand took his gently, and he looked down at me. "Kanae?"

"Shh…" I said, closing my eyes. My other hand reached out to him, wanting to confirm what I was feeling. "Haru..." I began, my hand making contact with his chest, when I could feel him heartbeat. "Haru. Is that…you?"

"Kanae…what are you talking about?"

I was about to speak, but my words were overcome.

"Do you mean…?"

"Haru, you need to leave." I tore my hands away, refusing to look at him.

"Kanae, what is it? Are you in pain?"

"Haru, please just go."

"But-"

"Go!" I shrieked, flailing at him as tears streamed down my face. Someone would've had to have heard me. I didn't look at him as he left. But he felt sad, shocked and hurt. He had to feel that way. If I stayed around him I would fall in love with him for real. The spirit was leaving him, and his true colour was coming to fruition. A strange, glittering multi-faceted hue. One that I would be content to look at for the rest of my life. That was what made it hurt even more.

After he left, I heard footsteps approaching me.

"Kanae? Kanae what's wrong?" It was Kazuma. His warmth and concern filling the room.

"Sorry I—I just had a nightmare…" I did, actually.

He sighed, relieved. "I shouldn't be surprised, given what you had to go through."

"I-, I'm sorry to have woken you."

Kazuma placed a hand gently on my shoulder. "It's perfectly fine. I'm just glad that you're alright."

I gave him a weak smile. "Thanks…thanks for…everything."