Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Force of Destiny ❯ The Ribbon ( Chapter 14 )

Sorry it has taken me so long to update. I have no good excuse, except that the weather has been damnably hot, and I just got through watching Fushigi Yuugi (yeah, I know, everyone else has already seen it ages ago--I'm just slow), and fantasies of Tasuki (I love Nobuhiro Hayashi's voice-Hiei from YYH) temporarily distracted me from my FB fics. But, I'm back on track! Got the rest of the story outlined, but this chapter was difficult; kept going off track, and took me a few tries to straighten it out.

Special thanks to:

R Junkie and Hatori's_AnGeL for keeping up the reviews! I am so bad at reviewing, myself, much less repeatedly, but it really pushes me to write faster!

AnGeL: After you read this chappie, just know I don't really think Akito is quite this bad, but I got some great ideas from R Junkie and couldn't resist making him a real bastard. But I've got a good explanation for that, coming up later! Also, I LOVE the idea of a Mabudachi Trio story! I'm working on a Shigure fic right now which starts out as a Trio story, but it is a continuation fic, not a pre-quel. I'll have to think on it, though. Good food for thought. Just as a note, I, too, am not big on Toriru, though I do enjoy reading those fics. My whole problem is the age gap, though what teen girl doesn't like the older man? And about not wanting to share--if you had even one of those Souma boys to yourself, would you even consider letting them out of the bedroom?!?

R Junkie: Look for at least one side story (cleverly disguised as a flashback) coming up next chapter or so.

Tsukitani

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Disc laimer: Only in my insane mind do I own Fruits Basket, Yuki, Hatori, etc., but if Takaya-sensei would give them to me, she'd own my soul. In other words, 'I no own, you no sue'.

Chapter 14: The Ribbon

Bringing my palms to his cheeks, I cup his lean face and bring my lips to meet his in a soft, fleeting kiss. I speak against his mouth, our lips moving teasingly against each other, breathing in his breath, "That was...", though I search for the right word, I don't think one exists, so I sigh and settle with, "incredible." What a weak, insipid word for it, but it's about all I can force out of my passion-numbed brain. I don't think Yuki minds, though, as he appears just as affected as I. He just brushes his mouth against mine, again and again, lightly, tenderly, then sighs and rests his forehead against mine. I take his slightly self-satisfied smile as agreement.

I feel a chuckle begin to escape, but Yuki abruptly stiffens, eyes snapping open in shock. I open my mouth to ask what is wrong, but it is too late, I'm already aware. The fusuma panel to the hall opens. I twist around desperately to get a look at the unexpected intruder, but Yuki and I are suddenly a tangle of limbs and clothes, impeding my attempts to turn in his arms. Yuki sits, rigid with shock. I can see the panic swirling in his wide, violet eyes, and I feel my own pupils dilate as the sibilant swish of silk on tatami slithers to my senses. My terrified trembling becomes a match for Yuki's.

"I see you are putting my little gift to good use, my Yuki."

A sinister, sickly-sweet parody of a smile twists Akito's thin lips as he glides into my line of vision.

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"Ara? Isn't this cozy? It certainly didn't take you long to forget Tohru-san, ne, Yuki? I always knew you could never have truly been in love with that common wench. You can only truly love me."

I feel Yuki stiffen and drawn in a sharp breath--of denial? Who is Tohru? The sharp, twisting sensation in my chest gives me my answer. A lover, then, or a fiancé, a wife? Disappointed hurt unfurls in me, stealing my breath with its unexpectedly sharp intensity. What did I expect, anyway? That he has never had any feelings beyond friendship for any other woman but me? I am a naive fool.

"The temptation of her body worked much faster than even I could have predicted. What would Tohru think if she knew?" Despite the falsely sweet words, a malicious gleam lurks in Akito's dark gaze as he looms over our still-entwined bodies.

Looking up in hurt confusion at Yuki's stunned face, I see the dawning horror of Akito's hurtful words. As the implications of his last statement sink in, the horror is slowly being replaced by a growing suspicion. His amethyst eyes gaze down into my own, and I watch as they darken with distrust. 'No. No!' I think desperately. This is not happening; I am not about to have my own misplaced sense of trust pointed out to me painfully, yet again. Before he can shove me away, as he most certainly wants to, I scramble out of his lap, scuttling awkwardly, painfully, across the floor to stare at him in hurt confusion. I know my eyes are huge, pleading with him not to abandon sense to the twisted innuendoes of Akito. It is a useless wish.

Akito's breathy laughter whispers through the room, brushing down my spine, causing me to shiver in building rage and pain. He has done it yet again! Taken from me my only source of comfort. First my sister, now my new...well, I don't want to think about what we are to each other right now, so I'll settle with 'friend'. The giggling demon has his pale arms wrapped around his slender waist as if this scene of his creation is the most amusing he has witnessed in ages.

"My, my, Yuki. I can see how easily you still mistrust outsiders. An admirable trait, but unfortunately not correct in this case. This lovely miko is not here with you at my request. Not precisely, anyway." He continues to laugh a bit more, leaving that cryptic statement dangling in the tension-laden air for long, drawn-out moments. "It was my hope that you would find...shall we say 'comfort'...with her, but I did not send her to you with any knowledge of the use I wished to put her to. She is a gift. A reward for being a good boy and staying put for these past months." Akito smoothly glides over to where Yuki still sits, stunned and silent, eyes huge in apprehension. I can see him trembling as the Juunishi master brings a pale hand to caress the mouse's cheek, running a slender thumb over Yuki's tense lips. "An apology for not visiting you as often as I wanted to--but I have been unexpectedly busy recently." Akito's cold, dark gaze flickers over my face briefly, and, though I tilt my chin up in silent defiance, inside I am quailing in fear. I remember just how 'busy' he has been with me.

"So...you still think to defy me, my miko? You think you are capable of turning one of my own against me?" His voice is still smooth, gentle almost. He removes his hand from Yuki's face and stalks over to me. Sinking gracefully down before me, he fingers a lock of my hair, rubbing it between thumb and forefinger before winding it around his hand and tugging gently, trying to force me closer.

Involuntarily, I recoil from the possessive gesture. Something dark and indistinct flashes in the Souma head's eyes, sending shivers of apprehension down my spine. In counterpoint to my body's betrayal of my fear, I lock eyes with him. It is not a wise move. His head drops a little, and I hear a chuckle rumble softly from his thin chest. I hear Yuki gasp, and out of the corner of my eye, I see he has paled considerably. I know from past, painful experience the demon's laughter is not a good sign. My mouth is suddenly dry as I realize I have been baiting a bull--but I just didn't think. That appears to be a chronic disease with me. However, now it is not just me accepting the consequences of my reckless actions, it is my sister and Yuki, as well. Regardless of Yuki's sudden mistrust of me, I cannot blame him for what is probably a conditioned reaction. And, regardless of my unprecedented feelings of betrayal at the knowledge of Yuki's lover, I cannot blame him for the yearnings of his heart, or abandon him to Akito's oh-so-tender ministrations. I have to do something to diffuse the situation, but what? Akito is so devilishly unpredictable, so erratic and unstable, I never know how he will react to any given action. But I have to try; I have to protect not only my sister and myself, but this new feeling that has blossomed in my heart. Even knowing my feelings may never be returned to me, I have to protect Yuki.

"Akito, I--" a sharp tug on the hair wrapped around the Juunishi god's fist cuts my words off with a soft yelp. Daring to look up into his face, I see his beautiful features contorted with sudden rage. Surging to his feet to tower over me, snarling and animalistic, he is transformed from a dark angel to a snapping demon.

"Shut up, slut! I know what is going on here! You're trying to turn my Yuki against me!" All reason seems to have fled Akito, as he rages on, suddenly oblivious to the fact that he just admitted it was his own desire, his own doing that placed me in Yuki's path.

"My Yuki! Mine!" With the last possessive word, he fists both hands in my hair and throws me a few feet away from him.

Yuki jumps up to restrain Akito, but is sent flying backward with a crushing elbow to the jaw. "You stay out of this, or so help me, I'll have that ugly, common bitch of yours' memories erased completely! You'll never see her again!" Spittle is flecking the corners of Akito's mouth as he rants and rages, his cheeks flushed to high color, dark gray eyes glittering almost black, like chips of obsidian reflecting the burning light of his hatred. "I'll make certain she is homeless and alone, and I'll lock you in the dark room and teach you respect--" Suddenly, his eyes widen and a terrible, twisted smile warps his lips, teeth flashing white in the pre-dawn light. "No. I have a better idea." Turning sharply to where I am huddled on the floor, he slowly makes his way over and lowers himself languidly to my side. Kneeling by me, he grasps my chin in his pale hand, turning my face to his, dark gaze drilling devilishly into my wide stare. I hold my breath, waiting for his next torture. Will he hit me again? Yank out more of my hair? A hank of the flame-colored locks lays limply on the floor by my hand, tickling my fingers, but I am too terrified to move, transfixed by the look of pure, speculative malice burning in his expression.

"Perhaps you are more useful as the slut you are...but I think you fancy yourself in love with Yuki. Just like that bitch, you think to inspire tender feelings in my precious rat. Am I right?" I shake my head the slightest bit. In love? What is the madman talking about now? I cannot deny my attraction to the beautiful, gentle, passionate man, and perhaps affection, but...love? Akito's harsh grip on my chin brings me back to painful awareness that my mute denial is an unsatisfactory answer.

"Of course you are. Everyone who meets my mouse loves him. It is part of his charm. But he doesn't love anyone except me. He can't--he's incapable of it. Ne, Yuki? You love only me, right?" Akito never takes his eyes from mine as he directs the soft-voiced, strangely pleading question to the man shakily rising to his feet. Yuki doesn't answer, but holds his hands out in front of him in a calming, placating gesture.

"Akito, let her go. She has done nothing wrong. She hasn't even asked for my help! Kaji just--"

With a scream of rage, Akito shoves my face backwards, causing my head to bounce painfully hard on the tatami floor. Groaning, I struggle to hear what is being screamed at Yuki. Must protect Yuki...My fault for allowing myself to be diverted by inappropriate passion...Fighting past dizziness and blurred vision, I focus on the pale pair, both so much alike in looks, facing off and vibrating with tension and rage. I see Yuki's aura flare purple and gold in a contradictory combination of fear and courage. In response, the black nimbus of Akito's energy surges, his slender body limned by a thin line of silver. I can see a strange red blaze of power around his head, reaching for Yuki. I don't remember seeing it before on Akito. It is not unlike the Juunishi trigger, but since Akito doesn't transform, why a curse trigger on his body...? Ah, the pain in my head is so severe, I can't think properly, and now is not the time to delve into the mysteries of the demon's aura.

"'Kaji'? You call her 'Kaji'? So familiar, and yet you never called Tohru, whom you professed to love, by her first name. And you tell me you have no feelings for this piece of trash? If not for her powers, she would be worthless filth, and I would have her memory wiped clean! She is dirty, common, good only for her usefulness to me as a miko! She is a whore!" He stops his rant, handsome face suddenly blank. The calm mask he abruptly dons is the most unnerving thing I have ever seen. Not even the hitting, the pinching, the insults have unsettled me as much--just this bland, expressionless, lifeless mask hiding the writhing, seething evil lurking in his mind. He glances speculatively at me, then sinks down by my side again, his face to mine, cool, sculpted lips almost brushing my trembling ones. I can feel his hot breath against my face. He brings a hand up to caress my cheek, lightly feathering strands of hair out of the way and brushing them behind my ear. I can see Yuki, white-faced, trembling in barely controlled fear and fury, over Akito's shoulder.

"Did Yuki tell you about his true love? About Honda Tohru, the worthless girl he sacrificed his freedom for?" I hear Yuki inhale sharply at the mention of the unfamiliar name. "He imagines himself a martyr for her, a hero, the noblest of lovers..." he continues to stroke my bruised cheek softly, gently, a twisted parody of a lover's caress. I feel my heart constrict at his words, even though I know they are calculated to provoke just that response. Nevertheless, I think about how naive it is to think I can have become anything significant to Yuki in the short amount of time since we met. Alas, my foolish heart is not very rational. I wanted the explosive passion that has flared between us to have meant something to him, as it has meant something to me-not love, surely, but something other than simply physical. "But he could never touch her as he can touch you. As he has touched you. Do you suppose he was thinking of Tohru while he was gently holding you? Wishing it were her in his arms, instead of a red-headed bitch?"

"Akito..." it is a warning growl from Yuki, and it serves to confirm my fears. He doesn't want me to know about this woman, this Tohru. Because of guilt? Because he really was wishing I was she? If we had done anything else, would it have been her name on his lips instead of mine? No! This is Akito's intention--to undermine our newly found strength together by tearing the alliance apart. Dead before it can be truly born. But I cannot deny the anguish in Yuki's amethyst gaze, the imperceptible softening of his lean features, the increasing flare of gold in his aura at the mere mention of her name. Undeniable, then, that he feels strongly for this woman. I shake my head to clear the pointless, distracting thoughts. They have no bearing on our current predicament, or my own firm determination to help Yuki and the others out from under the Souma master's sadistic control.

"You perhaps believe that, because he has indulged his lust with you, that you hold a special place in his heart? You are nothing more than a means of physical release; after all, he has never been able to embrace a woman before--not as a man is meant to. Not like I can. And you know at least I want you for more than your delectable body." Akito is crooning in my ear now, silky, seductive words of deceit and betrayal, playing on my own deeply entrenched fears of rejection. He's right. How can I have expected Yuki to feel anything for me when we just met? Especially with my strange looks and paranormal powers? "You're abnormal, a freak, but I still accept you. After all, all of my children are special--strange, beautiful oddities; lovely animals. But, be a good girl and take pity on my little rat. He's been so lonely here by himself, and I think a woman would do him a world of good..." Another soft chuckle, and he turns his head to glance at the silent, trembling form of Yuki out of the corner of his eye, carefully gauging the effect of his next words.

"Ne, did you tell Yuki about us, my sweet? About our special times together? Did you show him what I have done with you, how I have taught you respect, how I have taught you about my power over your body?" I close my eyes tightly in shame and despair, silently begging him not to continue. I can't bear to look at him, and don't want Yuki to even hear this. I'm afraid to see the revulsion or, perhaps worse, pity, in his violet eyes. It might break me to see the source of my newly bolstered strength turn away from me in disgust. Perhaps this is Akito's true objective. The Souma head's cool hand continues to stroke gently over the curve of my cheek as he turns back to lock eyes with me. His lips brush mine lightly, briefly. "Ne, Yuki, did she tell you about us? Show you what she has done for me?"

I hear Yuki hiss in barely suppressed rage, the sound harsh and loud in the tense quiet of the room. His foot slides forward a step on the floor, and I can picture him bracing for aggressive, violent action. Akito's ruthless, malicious goading is slowly overcoming the mouse's restraint--it is that restraint which is the only thing preventing me from suffering further retribution by Akito. If Yuki were to snap...I have to stop this! But how? My mind is frozen in fear, mired in memories of the monstrous things Akito has done to me, made me do to him. I feel hot tears begin to seep from beneath my lashes. No! I will not cry, will not show weakness before my tormentor! How I wish I had the freedom to blast him with my energy. I can feel my fingertips itching to gather the bright, burning bands of my fury, craving the feel of the ball of fire forming between my palms...I sense energy begin to crackle along my arms and hair like static electricity, responding to my tightly suppressed call. Through sheer force of will, I remember my sister, depending on me for liberation, for survival, and that means not further infuriating the beast holding us captive.

"She is very talented, very enjoyable. Although she doesn't do it often, she is a good screamer..." Akito's hot breath comes back to fan across my cheek, his lips brush against the sensitive shell of my ear, and I moan in distress, shaking in fear like an aspen leaf in an autumn wind. I know better than to pull away, though. The consequences would be disastrous, but with Yuki here, silent witness to my debasement... I want nothing more than to fling the beautiful devil off of me and bury myself in the haven of Yuki's warm embrace. "See? So very responsive...but I think you already know that." Akito chuckles slyly, "She is already showing her true nature. A slut." The last word is a sibilant hiss in my ear, and I feel Akito's tongue flick lightly over my earlobe. I can't contain myself and shiver in revulsion, shrinking away with a pitiful whimper.

Lightning-fast, Akito's thin fingers are pressed into my shoulders, gripping them tightly, holding my stiff body tightly against his. Snapping my eyes open, I look into his, black with rage and anger and lust. He bares his teeth at me in a feral grin and grits out, "I think maybe we should demonstrate to Yuki just how useful your body can be. It should give him some interesting ideas." He ducks down and runs his hot, wet tongue up the side of my neck to my earlobe and, taking the sensitive flesh between his teeth, bites down hard enough to wring a strangled cry of pain from me. I shut my eyes again to block out the sight of Yuki. I cannot break free of the surprisingly strong grip Akito has on my shoulders. Even if I could, though, the consequences to those I care for would be disastrous at best, deadly at worst.

Akito moves one hand from my shoulder to my breast, squeezing tightly in a parody of a lover's caress. His long, sharp nails dig into the delicate skin there, and I grit my teeth in a effort to control the pain. Somehow, I manage to keep my moan to myself, and concentrate on distancing my mind from my body, locking away all responses to the tortuous ministrations the demon is lavishing on me. This, of course, enrages him now, as it has in the past. I am beyond caring. He fists his other hand in the thick hair at the back of my head and pulls harshly, sharply exposing the pale line of my throat to his hungry, abusive mouth. Growling, he licks and nips his way to the juncture of neck and shoulder and bites down. Hard. My detachment can't overcome the pain, and my body jerks in response, a whimper crawling from my dry throat. I feel hot stickiness tracking across my skin to pool in the hollow of my collarbone. Distantly, I realize it is blood. The demon broke my skin! A sudden flash of gold flares behind my eyelids, visible to my special senses. It is Yuki's aura! My eyes snap open, and I focus on Yuki, who has finally been spurred into action by the sight of my blood. Locking my gaze to his, I shake my head, my eyes desperately pleading with him to not interfere. It will only make things worse, and I have already endured this type of treatment, and worse, from the Juunishi master before. He ignores my signal, though, and reaches a hand out to drag my tormentor off of me.

"No, Yuki. Don't." My voice is strained from the pain of the bite, the continuing pressure on my breast, and my desperation to protect Yuki. Yuki looks at me, disbelieving. He clearly thinks I have lost my mind. I can also see his almost desperate desire to inflict bodily harm. It is perversely gratifying, but I again shake my head, reinforcing my desire for no interference from Yuki. Akito chuckles lowly, evilly, into my skin as he licks some of the blood from the wound he obviously enjoyed inflicting. He savors the taste a moment before speaking.

"You see, Yuki? She likes this." Another painful squeeze to my breast, and a quick twisting pinch to the nipple. I stifle my gasp. Getting through to Yuki is what is important now, not the twinges of distress pushing through my sensation-dulling mental barrier. Without warning, Akito presses the fingertips of his free hand into the purpling mark on my cheekbone, causing me to wince in pain, leaving behind white impressions on the new mark. His mark. A lingering reminder of his continuing power over me and mine, that he has claimed me as his. As Akito's hand slithers down my abdomen to my inner thigh, though, I know it is time to end this. Thankfully, I have just the leverage--I only hope his lust for my power outweighs his lust for torturing my body.

Boldly grasping the thin wrist snaking its way beneath the edges of my kimono, I enunciate my next words clearly, "If I lose my innocence, I lose a great deal of my power. Is that a consequence you can live with? Just for a moment's fun?" With satisfying alacrity, Akito's hand withdraws from its close proximity to the apex of my thighs, instead dragging down the length of my leg, talon-like nails marking the trail with parallel red lines. He has put just enough pressure into the act to draw thin lines of blood. I grit my teeth and suppress a small smile. The knowledge that he still needs or desires my power gives me a continued, if very slight, advantage over him. And I didn't have to lie to get him to stop the mortifying assault. My self-satisfaction evaporates, though, at the hiss of suppressed rage he directs at me. His obsidian eyes promise retribution--painful retribution--soon, but I force myself to calmly return his heated stare. Finally, knowing it is in my best interests to do so, I drop my gaze, feigning temporary defeat. I can practically feel the gloating smirk twisting his lips.

Giving my bite one more painful, languid lick, he rises fluidly to his feet, absently adjusting his kimono to hang properly. Stepping around behind me, he takes the heavy mass of my hair in his hand, gathering it into a ponytail at the base of my neck. I feel him tie something around the fiery tresses, then he trails his cool fingertips across the exposed nape of my neck. I cannot suppress the shiver and spread of gooseflesh his hated touch invokes. Sensual, and suggestive of violence, but not about sex. Akito's touch is always about dominance and submission. He turns once more to the door, and, pausing on the threshold to the hall, looks back over his shoulder at Yuki, who is still standing rigidly, fists clenched, jaw tight. I can practically hear his teeth grinding.

"I make a gift of her to you, temporarily, at least. Use her well, but don't take her power. When I'm done with her, if you've been good, you can take her in as many ways as you desire. A toy for my favorite pet." a thoughtful pause, "Perhaps I'll give her to Hatori, as well. He could use a new hobby." Another pause to judge Yuki's reaction to this suggestion. I can almost swear I hear a growl vibrating in the taunted Juunishi's chest. "Look closely. I even wrapped her up in a pretty ribbon for you. You should recognize it from the first slut who tried to come between us. Oh, and there's a little something for you, too, miko bitch..." he added, waving a languidly graceful hand in my direction. I can hear Akito's light, malevolent laughter floating down the hall as he leaves.

After a moment of still silence, I shake myself out of useless, paralyzing fear. Reaching behind my neck, I ruthlessly yank the offending ribbon from my hair, uncaring when a few long strands come out in the process. Across from me, I hear Yuki's gasp of shock match my own as we get a clear look at the scrap of material. It is quite an ordinary ribbon, just a length of silky royal blue. But what has tears coming to my eyes is the iridescent black object tied into the satiny length with a knot. It is a warning, and a threat. It is a feather. A black swan feather, from my sister.

"Kuroko." I whisper brokenly, gently disentangling the beautiful, glossy pinion from the ribbon, which I toss away from me in revulsion. 'A gift', indeed.

A broken cry from Yuki startles me from my despairing study of the feather, and all of its implications. I see him swoop down to grab the ribbon off the floor. He cradles the length in his hands almost tenderly, and I am shocked to see his shoulders shake. After a moment, he looks up at me when I call his name quietly. A single tear has made a track down his face. I don't think he is aware of it. His violet eyes are huge, swirling darkly with pain and fear. He looks haunted, hunted. Of course, I am pretty sure I look the same. With an inarticulate cry, he collapses to his knees before me, and I instinctively wrap my arms around him. I hear his low voice moaning repeatedly in abject misery. He recognizes the ribbon, then. Who did it belong to that it has such a devastating effect on him? Up until now, Yuki has been strong, despite all I know Akito has done to him in the past. As I kneel there with my arms around him, stroking his soft hair soothingly, his moans gradually crystallize into recognizable syllables. Not inarticulate moans, then, but words. More precisely, a name, repeated over and over, like a chant, a mantra of pain and anguish.

"Tohru..."