Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Gone Full Circle ❯ I Want You to Meet Someone ( Chapter 1 )

Gone Full Circle

Ali the Co-Authoress Note: It's amazingly boring to edit this… You people better appreciate this…

Chapter 1: I Want You To Meet Someone

The next day, Haru went to find Kyo. It only took him a few hours too! He was quite pleased. He waited for Kyo's lesson to end, before bombarding his friend with speech.

"Kyo! Kyo! Kyo! There's someone I want you to meet!"

"What? Who?" The red head blinked at him, wiping a bead of sweat off his forehead.

"It's a surprise." Haru grinned. He'd been sure to give Yuki an easy place to meet at. Hopefully, he wouldn't get lost. And so, with that said, he grabbed Kyo's hand and started to grab him off. He made it to the spot they'd agreed on, but there was ONE tiny problem there was no Yuki there. The cat looked at his friend when they arrived.

"You sure this is where they're `spose to be?" He wouldn't be surprised if the ox was lost as to where they should meet.

"This is it." Haru nodded, trying to convince himself at the same time. "Maybe he got sick?" He mused to himself.

"Who was it??"

Haru panicked a little. He'd been hoping that Kyo wouldn't ask, and that he could at least get them together before Kyo found out whom it was, but maybe he didn't know his name? Haru barely had.

"Yuki..." He mumbled quietly. It was a common enough name; maybe Kyo wouldn't make the connection? The pretty kitty blinked at him. Haru would never try to take him to meet that filthy rat. So, it must be someone else.

"Why were we meeting him??" And he didn't know of any other cousins named that. So, why would they be on the grounds to begin with?

"Because I met him last night and he was really nice and I think you'd like him if you met and got to know him and he doesn't know where the dojo is?" He offered quickly, and weakly.

"And he'd actually meet the cat?" Kyo stared, completely unbelieving. No one outside the family got on the grounds. And they all either knew him as the cat, or the kid who drove his mother to suicide.

"He said he'd meet my friend." Haru stated, trying to be calm. "You're my friend, no one needs to know anything else."

"Maybe it's best they aren't here." The red head murmured self-consciously. People reacted badly when they found out he was the cat. And his hair and eyes always gave him away! So, there was no point in trying to hide it.

"Don't be like that." The little ox snorted, trying to hide his worry. He'd seen Yuki be rushed off my doctors on more than one time. What if he was that sick again? "Besides, he said he'd come. Do you think something's wrong?"

"Maybe. You can go look if you want. I think. Maybe, I should just go back to the dojo and help Shishou." Kyo squirmed slightly. Meeting new people was not something he enjoyed. Haru wanted to protest, and he would have, but he knew that both of them would be in big trouble if he tried to smuggle Kyo onto the grounds. He wasn't allowed there.

"I'll bring him back to the dojo if I can find him and he's not sick." Haru volunteered. He really thought that Kyo would like Yuki if he met him properly! How could anyone not?

"Okay," He knew his friend would probably get lost, but that was just another reason for him not to meet whoever this person was. So the cat turned and went back to Shishou.

Haru managed to get back to the compound okay, but it was sheer dumb luck that he actually found the rat. He didn't find him in his parents little house, though. He found him in a secluded little garden. Yuki wasn't exactly sick. But, he did have a rather good reason for not showing up. Akito had just had one of his little tantrums on the little rat, and he wasn't... exactly... responsive... Haru hurried over, and reached out for the curled up little thing. Yuki flinched when he first made contact, and Haru jerked his hand back as though it had been burned. Trying again, he felt relieved when Yuki didn't resist again. He didn't know what else to do, so he decided to just keep his promise to Kyo. Kazuma would probably know what to do, if Kyo didn't. So, he gathered the little rat up in his arms, and with just a little struggling, he managed to get him back over to the dojo. He didn't even get lost that time! Which was good, Yuki might have been tiny, but he wasn't the lightest burden to try and carry. Making it over to the main building where he knew Kyo would be, he set his cousin down outside and went to go fetch Kyo.

"Ah..." Kyo turned and looked when he heard the ox. "You're back?" Shishou was still teaching someone. So, he'd been waiting patiently.

"I need your help with something." Haru stated, trying to roll the pain out of his shoulder. "It's important too!"

"Okay?? If it's really important maybe I should get Shishou?" The cat suggested, even as he let the ox pull him off.

"No time, and he's busy." Haru replied shortly, dragging him outside and pointing frantically at Yuki before they even got all the way out the door. Now Kyo most definitely recognized the rat. But he was also, uhm, not looking too good.

"What..." If he had been older he most definitely what have said 'What the hell.'

"Someone hurt him." Haru stated, moving over toward the older gray haired boy. Yuki just curled up more, though. "He won't move, and he's bleeding." Haru had noticed that on the way over, and tugged Yuki's kimono sleeve up to reveal several raw, bloody stripes on his arm. Haru already knew what they were, but he thought Kyo should see them too.

"Haru, we really should take him to Shishou." The cat stated quietly. Even if he was the fucking rat. These thoughts were quite plain on his face too. Haru nodded, and after a little bit of struggled on both their parts, Haru managed to pick Yuki up again.

"He really is a lot nicer than you'd think, Kyo." He promised before the two started off to go find Kazuma.

"It's still his fault." The red head grumbled quietly but got quiet again when Kazuma turned to see what was going on. He blinked slowly at the sight of his charge and Haru carrying Yuki between them.

"I apologize... But it appears I must cut your lesson short this afternoon." He told his student, and then knelt down to the two boys level.

"Who would like to explain what's going on?" Kyo remained silent in the face of that question. He didn't know anyways.

"He's hurt, Shihan." Haru stated, quickly laying Yuki down on the dojo floor. Kazuma peeled back the kimono to reveal the bleeding marks. We all know what those are from... He frowned a little and picked Yuki up.

"Boys, I'll take care of it." He commanded softly and took the rat into the back where he had a better supply of first aid stuff. Haru nodded and sat down right where he'd been standing, fidgeting nervously. Yuki tensed a little when Kazuma first picked him up, curling a little tighter around himself. Kyo moved and crouched down by the wall. Haru hadn't told him it was that Yuki.

Anyways, the master tried to be as careful with the boy as possible as he laid him out on the floor, pulling the first aid over to him and getting to work on cleaning the wounds. Yuki actually whimpered when the disinfectant first hit his bloody arm, shutting his eyes tightly, though he didn't actually say anything. The raw whip burns were not very accepting of alcoholic products.

"I'm sorry about this Yuki." Shishou told him softly as he continued. When that was finished he rubbed a bit of gel over it, finishing by wrapping gauze around it. He wasn't sure why the rat was there at all. Actually he wasn't sure if the rat was ALLOWED to be there. But he figured he could just ask the two children who had brought him. Yuki fell silent when there was no more alcohol being applied, and remained as such after that, staying in a state somewhere between slumber and unconsciousness.

Kazuma shook his head slowly and gathered the purply haired child up again. He would have to take him back to the main house. He could interrogate Haru and Kyo later.

"Boys." He called when he got back out into the dojo. "I need to take him home. Wait here, I'll need to talk to you when I return." His charge nodded from his spot resting against the wall.

"Don't take him back there, Shihan!" Haru protested, though some part of him knew he was being disrespectful. "Someone hurt him and it had to be someone from there!"

"I know," But Yuki would be in even more trouble if Akito were trying to find him right now, and couldn't. "But, I don't want him to get in more trouble for being here. I don't think he's supposed to be."

"It's still Sohma property!" Haru was feeling very worried, very stressed, his shoulders hurt, and at the moment he was feeling dangerously close to going Black. "Besides, it's not like he's Akito-san's toy, or something?" He offered helplessly, his anger waning with concern. He was very aware that he didn't exactly know what he was talking about, but he didn't want to send Yuki back there for some reason. Kazuma swallowed nervously at the way the little boy had said that. Akito probably did think of Yuki as his toy.

"If you're worried about him. Come with me." Was the only thing he thought of to say. Haru tossed a small meaningful glance at Kyo, internally struggling with what to do.

"You know where his parents' house is, right?" Haru wanted to make sure, not fully sure if he could find his way back there again anyway---he wasn't sure how he'd done it the first time.

"Yes." The gray haired man confirmed. Noting the little look that Haru had tried to give Kyo. His red headed charge was no longer listening to the conversation since he wasn't involved though, and had his head resting on his pulled up knees, tiredly.

"I don't know what good I'd be." Haru admitted quietly. He was silent for a few minutes, before asking quickly. "I did the right think by bringing him here, right, Shihan?"

"Yes," Kazuma repeated. "And Yuki, might appreciate the company." he doesn't get to see his cousins much. If at all.

"He's awake?" The little boy blinked hopefully.

"Not quite." Kazuma looked down at the boy in his arms.

"I don't think he wants the company then." Haru sweat dropped a little. "I'll go see him later. Can I wait here, Shihan? With Kyo?"

"Of course." His master nodded and headed out then. "I'll be back soon."

Haru sunk down into a laying position, quite relieved that Yuki was okay---or, at least, alive. The kitty that he'd requested to stay with kept still and quiet. He was a bit, upset, is an understatement, about finally meeting that stupid rat. He still didn't know what his friend saw in the other boy. But Kyo knew that a good portion of his problems were still that purple haired boy's fault.

"He's a lot nicer when he's actually awake." Haru assured him a few minutes later, not appreciating the awkward silence.

"You didn't tell me it was him." Kyo replied, ignoring the assurance.

"I didn't have time." Haru protested the accusation, sitting up again quickly. "I found him like that, I had to take him somewhere to get help!" Of course he was assuming that Kyo was taking about then, not earlier.

"Didn't mean that..."

"Oh," He realized, almost hitting himself in frustration. Maybe Yuki had been wrong and he WAS slow. "Actually, I did. It's not my fault you didn't make the connection." He corrected, remembering it quite clearly.

The red eyes looked at him a bit painedly. "I didn't think you would do something like that." He hated that damn rat. Haru knew it too.

"It's not like he's going to start foaming at the mouth and lunge at you!" Haru pointed out, feeling oddly defensive.

"I didn't say that either." His friend frowned. "But he's still the rat."

"He's Yuki!" Haru corrected crossly. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gotten like this with Kyo. He didn't think he ever had. But, Yuki really was nice, and he deserved to be accredited for it.

"Yeah fine." Kyo grumbled lowly. "He's Yuki." he even rolled his eyes slightly.

"Listen," Haru sighed, honestly trying to calm down. "I'm not asking that you don't hate him---just get to know him first?"

"What if he doesn't want to get to know me?" The cat suddenly spit. His well developed insecurities getting the better of him. He knew what kind of looks he got from the rest of the family. He didn't know why, beyond the 'you're the cat'. But he knew that most everyone else despised him.

"Why wouldn't anyone want to get to know you?" Haru asked innocently. In addition to not explaining the finer points of his Black personality, no one had bothered to explain the finer points of the supposed relationship that the cat and rat were supposed to have.

"Don't--don't be stupid Haru." Kyo admonished harshly. "You're not stupid. You know why I'm not allowed on the grounds. And you know that the rest of the family hates me. That rat is part of the rest of the family."

"Yuki's different!" Haru insisted, not knowing of the poor relationship Yuki and Kyo would have in the future. "C'mon, when I met him, the first thing he told me was that anyone who told me I was stupid, was wrong." He admitted quietly.

"That's because you're not." The red head told him stiffly. "But it's not the same, Haru. You can prove people wrong. You can prove to them you're not stupid! But they all hate me cause I'm the cat and I can't change that."

"Just think what people would say if you made friends with Yuki, then!" Haru pointed out excitedly. "That'd be the way to show 'em!"

"No." Kyo shook his head. "The only way they'll stop hating me is if I beat him and show them all that the cat isn't bad. It's better than the stupid rat!"

"Give him a chance?" Haru pleaded gently with him. "And if you still don't like him then... Just promise me that you won't eat him?"

"I don't need to eat him! I need to beat him." The cat said darkly.

"That was supposed to be a joke." Haru admitted, sweat dropping quietly.

"I can't make friends with him Haru. I can't beat him if he's my friend." Kyo murmured. "That'd be like beating you up." Haru frowned, quite frustrated by Kyo's lack of willing to try. If Kyo could just see Yuki smile, Haru was sure he'd like him then! But that wasn't going to happen. Luckily for both of them, Kazuma picked that awkward moment to return.

The gray haired man could tell Kyo didn't like meeting Yuki, just like he could tell Haru had liked it.

"He's safe at home with his parents." He said to assured the ox.

"Do you know who hit him, Shihan?" Haru wanted to know, hoping that Kazuma had run into some miraculous clue while out.

He did, but: "No,"

"Oh." He groaned a little. He'd been hoping he would have.

"He should be all right though." Kazuma told him. "If you can get there, you could probably visit him as well, Hatsuharu." Not Kyo though. He wasn't allowed.

"I'll get someone to take me!" Haru nodded determinedly, though he didn't move. Kazuma blinked when Kyo simply got up and left. He wondered if anything in particular had happened while he was gone. Shaking his head he turned back to the ox.

"So Haru, could you tell me where you found Yuki?"

"A garden." Haru answered with as much clarity as he could.

"How long have you known Yuki?" The older Sohma sat on the floor near the di-colored boy.

"Since last night, technically," He frowned a little. "Formally since my first New Years." Ah, yes, the infamous Juunishi Banquet.

"Yes, yes," Kazuma chuckled. "I didn't mean formally. I guess, I'm assuming you aren't angry with Yuki anymore?"

"We talked it out." He replied vaguely. Kazuma rather wanted to warn Haru about that. For Kyo's sake mostly. The little ox... If he got past his problems with the rat, he would wish for Kyo to as well. But it didn't work the same for Kyo. Even if he made friends with Yuki he would still have to defeat him eventually if he intended to continue living his free little life.

"Do you like him?"

Haru blinked, sorting through the question for a moment, before nodding determinedly. "Yuki could use a friend. If you like, I shall take you over there some time." Kazuma finally told him. He wanted to be on Kyo's side, he loved the little boy dearly. But Yuki wasn't a bad kid either. And he really, really, could use a friend. Haru blushed faintly, the more he thought about Yuki.

"Do you think Kyo's mad at me, Shihan?"

"Why would he be angry?" Haru was the little ginger haired boy's only friend. "Did something happen while I was gone?"

"I don't know." He admitted quietly. He really didn't. He wasn't sure if he had had a fight with Kyo or not.

"He cares about you, probably more than anyone else. It would take quite a bit to make him angry with you." He assured the boy. Too bad he doesn't know that Haru knows about Kyo's little love confession.

"I don't think that's quite true, Shihan." Haru frowned a little, but silenced himself quickly. Kazuma shook his gray hair slowly with his head.

"He does care about you, and he wouldn't get angry with you for no reason. You're the only true friend he has."

"What about you?" He cocked his head.

Kazuma closed his eyes. "I'm his adoptive father." He stated, working to reaffirm this fact in his own mind.

"Kyo told me how much he likes you." Haru confessed softly, in hopes of helping his friend achieve his goal. "And I know he told you too, Shihan."

"I'll tell you, what I told him." The older man said stiffly. "He, both of you. Are, far too young to understand just what it is you're saying. Too young to know the difference between loving someone dearly, and loving someone deeply." He wished the children would just let it drop.

"I know all about those laws." Haru protested defensively. "Shigure told me ALL about them. But, I wouldn't do anything to get either of you two in trouble." Of course... Shigure... Would be involved. Kazuma told himself with a light sigh.

"Yes, and there are the laws. But you don't really want Kyo off with an old man like me anyways, do you?" He was being a bit playful here.

"No." He confessed very, very softly. "But, he does, so." Kazuma hadn't expected an answer. And most definitely not that one.

"I don't think his 'love' will last very long. I think he'll realize that I'm just a father to him." He finally told the ox assuringly. He loved the cat, and he hoped, and didn't hope that that would be the case.

"I think you're the one who doesn't understand very well, Shihan." Haru murmured sadly, climbing to his feet and bowing to his teacher before walking off toward the door. He really wasn't supposed to have come that day, anyway. The poor man, he shook his head to clear the rather pedophilic thoughts from his mind.

The next time Haru ran into Yuki, he was trying to find his way out of the compound for his belt test a few days later. It was a very odd sight that he was met with too. Little, tiny Yuki was lugging a rather large suitcase toward the main gate. One handed, Haru noted, the other was protectively bandaged and in a sling. He also noticed a slight limp. Quickly, the ox scampered forward to help his older cousin with his large burden.

"Going somewhere?" He asked, receiving a silent nod, and an odd glance. "Do you know where?" Yuki looked even smaller in his kimono, and he shook his head once. "I'm going to test for my next belt today---I'm sure Shihan wouldn't mind if you came and watched?" He offered. Yuki gave him another odd look, but nodded again too, following Haru out and down a path that Shigure and Ayame had pointed out to Haru the day before, it led directly toward the dojo.

Kyo was happily waiting on the porch with Kazuma. But the poor creature's smile failed when Haru AND Yuki appeared coming down the path. He scampered inside before Haru got a chance to see him, leaving his Shishou a bit bewildered as to what was going on. That is, until he spotted the other two children.

"Hello." He greeted slowly.

"Can he watch?" Haru asked simply, pointing at the boy, who was adjusting his suitcase's weight so that he could hold it more easily.

"Of course." The master nodded, wondering at the suitcase. But decided simply not to ask. He stood up from where he'd been sitting on the porch and went into the dojo. He noted a rather distinct lack of Kyo in that room as well.

"Where's Kyo?" Haru asked in confusion. He'd been hoping that the cat would watch his test too. Apparently hearing Kyo's name struck a nerve, because Yuki involuntarily twitched a little in one muscle and eyed Haru coolly, though he still didn't say anything, and simply followed the ox into the room and situated himself against the wall.

"I'm not sure." Kazuma confessed. "I can find him if you wish?"

"I'd just assumed he'd be here." Haru admitted, frowning a little. After all the work Kyo had put into helping him train for this thing, it seemed unusual that he'd not want to watch.

Oh he was watching, from a pleasant little place he'd found hiding around a corner. That stupid rat! He didn't want Haru trying to make them be friends again. Yuki glanced pointedly in Kyo's direction for a moment, but then turned his attention back to Haru, as he got into a more comfortable position. The little ox frowned as he noticed more gauze wrapped around Yuki's ankles, when they peeked out from under his kimono, but didn't comment. That would have explained the limp.

Kyo was right when he'd said Haru had been getting much better. Kazuma noted this once again as he simply started the test. Well, for a 6-year-old, Haru was good, at least.

When the test was over, Haru had passed. Yuki could practically smell the hostility radiating from around the corner. So, when Kazuma had given Haru his new belt, the tiny rat stood up and bowed to Kazuma, giving a congratulating smile to Haru before heading off for the door to retrieve his suitcase and proceed in his plans of running away. Kyo came out of his hiding place since Yuki was leaving. Kazuma noted this, but walked quickly after the rat.

"Yuki?" he asked once he caught up to the little boy. "Could I talk to you for a moment." Yuki paused in his motion of trying to readjust his clothes inside his suitcase in an attempt to make it lighter, and turned back to face him.

"Yuki," He murmured taking to boy out to the porch and setting them both down. "You're leaving?" He wanted to be sure even though the suitcase spoke for itself. Yuki nodded once in confirmation. "I understand why you want to leave Yuki." Kazuma told him in a low tone. "But, someone will notice a seven year old wandering around with a suitcase." he said seriously. "Someone will bring you back, and I would rather you not get in even more trouble for leaving. Do you understand what I'm saying, Yuki?" He had the rat's best interest in heart. Akito was cruel now, but his punishments were nearly ten times that. Yuki scowled at him. Kazuma OBVIOUSLY didn't know what he was talking about. In an attempt to prove his point, Yuki shoved his sleeves up, revealing in addition to the gauze wrapped around his arm, numerous other scars from burns, cuts, and other such injuries. He followed this display up with a rather pointed and irritated look. "I know about that, Yuki." Kazuma told him apologetically. "But if Akito finds out you tried to leave? You must know him by now, he will punish you." Well, that was part of the thing, Yuki hadn't intended on getting caught. "How about this. " The master purposed slowly. "I'll ask Akito about letting you have lessons with me as well. That will get you out of the main house if he agrees. And perhaps you can make friends with Hatsuharu as well?" Yuki let his sleeves drop back down quickly, violet eyes never leaving Kazuma, before he nodded. Now, how to get back into the house with that suitcase and not get caught...

"I'll take you back. And talk to him while I'm up there." Kazuma told him, patting his head very gently before standing to tell the other two children to behave while he was gone.

Haru was currently interrogating Kyo on his lack of presence. "Why weren't you watching?"

"I was." The red head told him defensively. Not noticing when Kazuma paused in the doorway, not wanting to interrupt. "I was right there." He pointed over to the other doorway.

"You could have come in here!" Haru reminded him. "I was worried about you, and Yuki won't bite!"

"I'm sure." Except for, they'd glared at each other for a small portion of the ox's test..

"I don't see why you're so angry with him!" Haru burst out, actually glaring at his friend for the first time. And, thus began Kyo's first encounter with Black Haru. "Yuki's the nicest person ever! He's like a god, an angel!" He wasn't really even listening to himself. But, Black's never been known for tact or paying attention. And the poor cat blinked at him helplessly for a few moments, the anger was there! But, he wasn't sure he wanted to show it to his friend. That last little comment really smacked Kyo though.

"If you like the stupid rat so much. Then you should just leave me alone and go bother him."

"I should!" He heard it, but it was like someone else was speaking through his mouth. He had no control over what he was saying, and he just knew that---for the first time in his life---Kyo was the one to bring this demon within him out. "You're so mean to him! You say such awful things! He's ten thousand times better than you, you stupid cat!" Kyo glared darkly at Haru. The ox had never made a comment about him being the cat before. It hurt, and the little boy did not respond well to that kind of pain. He simply lunged at his 'friend' and punched him one, hard.

"You." He seethed. "You're just like everyone else in this stupid family." Kazuma felt perhaps he should step in soon, but he almost hoped that punch would bring Haru to his senses and this would stop. Haru met the glare with fierce anger and hit Kyo right back. After a little struggling, he rolled over so that he was pinning the older boy to the ground.

"I really thought I loved you!" The furious boy shouted in admittance, before hitting him one last time and climbing off of him, storming off toward the door, completely ignoring Kazuma on his way and yelling over his shoulder. "I was wrong!"

Kazuma was about to go to Kyo. But the cat sat up, hurt momentarily flashing over his eyes, and then he, quite simply, fled. This is the first step to the loud, rude Kyo we later come to know. Sighing deeply, the gray haired man still had to take Yuki back. And perhaps calm Hatsuharu down. So he turned to go back out to the porch and take Yuki back. Haru had stomped right past the mouse, placed a very straightforward kiss on the boy's lips, and had then proceeded to walk off toward the dojo gate before the bewildered rat could make any move to question him.

"Come on Yuki." The older Sohma told him softly when he came back out. "I'll take you back." He held out a hand offering to carry the suitcase for the boy. Yuki nodded dazedly, good arm still holding fingers over his lips as he stood up and prepared to follow Kazuma away.

Once Yuki was settled back into his home, Kazuma had to go and request an audience with Akito.

"You want to do WHAT?" Akito stared at him like he'd grown an extra head.

"Give him lessons at the dojo, Akito-san." The clan leader had heard him, he was sure. But Kazuma repeated himself anyways.

"Are you aware of Yuki's breathing conditions?" Akito raised an eyebrow at him. "I will NOT be pleased, Kazuma, if he has an asthma attack and dies while in your care. Can you guarantee that won't happen?"

"I understand his condition, Akito-san." Kazuma assured him. "I can assure you, I would not push him to the point of an attack. But the exercise might also be good for him."

Akito still looked skeptical, but conditioned and agreed. "One month." He stated slowly, making sure to pronounce it carefully, as though he thought Kazuma a slow two year old. "Should he complain even ONCE, no more."

"As you say, Akito-san." The older man bowed politely in acceptance.

"When is his first lesson?" The young head wanted to know.

"As soon as you would like?" He offered simply.

"Have it tomorrow, then." An odd little smirk graced his face. "Perhaps this IS a good idea." He mused. "We will need to train our little Rat for his future challenges."

Kazuma winced inwardly. "I-indeed." he agreed quietly.

"Is there anything else?"

"No, Akito-san."

"Dismissed." He waved the teacher off, rolling over onto his other side to stare out at his garden.

Yuki wasn't in his parent's house that afternoon. Hatori was home on a break from school, and he'd tagged along with Shigure and his brother for a few hours to see him. They were fine with it---for that long. Shigure, however, had made it stunningly clear to the boy that after that time, `The big boys will want to play alone'. While he'd suspected such actions from his brother and cousins, having it painted in black and white before him had still made him red. Though, he had readily agreed to do so. He'd missed his quiet cousin---Hatori always knew how to help him when he needed it.

And he felt sure he needed it now.

"Yuki-kun," Shigure spoke up to him, after almost a half an hour of watching Yuki mime unhappily to Hatori. "Can I ask why you wanted to come if you didn't want to actually talk to Haa-san?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow. Yuki offered him an alarmingly (and almost impossibly) withering look, and shook his head, going back to attempting to explain all his current problems to Hatori.

"Shigure, hush." Hatori commanded quietly, trying to watch what the little boy was doing closely. But honestly it was a bit difficult. Yuki was attempting to explain about meeting Haru, and the ox's attempts to introduce him to Kyo, and Akito and his latest insidiousness. Shigure sighed painedly to Hatori's command, and also made an attempt at following the boy along. Eventually, Yuki just gave up, and showed Hatori the new injuries he'd acquired from Akito since the older boy had left at the beginning of the semester. Ayame wasn't really paying attention. He'd yet to learn to appreciate his little brother, and was currently appreciating his nails. The dragon pulled the little rat closer and looked over the wounds carefully. It really was horrible for the boy, and he could have smacked Ayame for being so 'busy'.

"Has he let you out of the main building yet?" Last time he'd been home Akito had him confined to about one corridor. Yuki nodded, then shook his head, and then nodded again, in a way of saying 'yes and no'. He'd been allowed to go see his parents for part of his summer break, not that they'd exactly been thrilled to see him. It wasn't the best trade off. Hatori ran a hand idly through his hair. That was better than nothing, he supposed. Well, except Akito was obviously still beating the kid just about every chance he got. Yuki then set about trying to explain about meeting Haru, and the kiss he'd received from him earlier.

"You met one of the other kids?" He got the kiss, but he couldn't seem to figure out which one of the other cousins it was. Yuki nodded, pleased that Hatori had gotten that much.

"So where did this happen?" He meant the kiss. Yuki frowned and tried to get that message across. That one, Shigure got.

"Kazuma-dono's dojo?" The dog wanted to confirm, idly wondering why Yuki had been there to begin with. Yuki nodded, offering Shigure a small, grateful smile. The dragon blinked at him. Why. Had he been at Kazuma's? Well there was only one cousin, who he could think of off the top of his head, who would be there.

"It... Wasn't Kyo was it?" He hoped not. Not because he hated the cat, but because Akito would be absolutely furious if he were to find out about it. Yuki got a rather irritated (and slightly disgusted) look on his face and shook his head rapidly. Shigure was trying to help piece it together too. He knew Hatori had never been the best at charades. After having narrowed it down, to the three children he knew for a fact were taking martial arts from Kazuma, and if it wasn't Kyo.

"Haa-kun or Kagura?" He wanted to know then. He doubted Haru would have, but stranger things had happened. Yuki held up one finger to show that it was the first one.

"But, why?" Ha'ri wondered aloud. This was making a whole lot of no sense. Yuki shrugged helplessly. He honestly didn't know! He'd heard something about gods and angels, but that was far too difficult to convey.

"I wouldn't think too much on it Yuki." Hatori told the boy with a small smile. He was honestly amazed they'd met at all and not fought for that matter. Wasn't Hatsuharu study martial arts too? Yuki shrugged, trying to act as though it didn't bother him at all. Shigure really thought it was cute, how hard he was trying. "Was there anything else Yuki?" Hatori asked rubbing his eyes, trying to get ready in case there were more charades coming his way. He really wished Yuki would talk sometimes. Yuki frowned thoughtfully, and nodded, though he wasn't sure now to explain that part, and really just ended up curling up on himself again. Poor thing, Ha'ri had some sympathy for the rat. He really wished Ayame would too actually. But alas, that particular hope was in vain. The silver haired boy was still quite 'busy'. Shigure, unlike Ayame, was capable of being serious and paying attention. (At least at that point in life anyways.) He frowned at the little rat and murmured out quietly.

"He did more than just hit you this time, didn't he?"

Ayame's eyes flickered up long enough to catch his brother's nod, and then quickly back down again. The soon-to-be doctor frowned to that as well. It was difficult to press the mute boy for details. Shigure didn't know what else to do, so he started throwing random questions out there. "How much more?" He asked quietly, silently willing Ayame to pay attention and do something brotherly. Yuki didn't make any move to reply, but rather simply slumped forward, resting his face in Hatori's lap. Shigure sighed. Hatori would be there for a few days their game could wait. The dragon looked on at the pitiful thing in his lap sadly and brushed his hair. Each time he came home something new, and more horrible than last time had happened to the little boy. He was only seven for god's sake... What the hell was Akito thinking? Watching the boy, Shigure regretted having asked. It was obvious that Yuki either didn't remember, or had no intention of making any move to reply. Indeed, Yuki remembered... but he didn't want to.

ACAN: Ahem… I. Hate. Yuki.

Angsty

Selfish

Condescending

Stupid hair cut

Unsympathetic

Just a bastard/asshole/bitch in general

-coughs.- This last section was only done because Janie likes him. I hate him. I think he should die. -snickers.- And Janie left me in charge of editing so I can put this in here! Haha!

Janie: Ali T_T;; Hush.