Return to the Cage

Chapter 1: No Option

By: Illia Sadri

Disclaimer: Own nothing but these words. Not too concerned about being sued though… hasn't happened yet.

Author Notes: Timeline is after the series ends, following their graduation from high school. Intended to be rather depressing and sad so if you don't like it don't read. Also there is no slash couplings so yaoi fan girls might be a bit disappointed. Otherwise enjoy the first chapter. This is in the end going to be approximately of the length of a short novel so it is going to be an ongoing project that will take upwards of a year as these are going to be longer chapters. And comments or questions can be sent to unefemme_2001@yahoo.comfor now.

Also, I am opting to use the English equivalents for certain things because I personally do not care for the method of using pseudo-Japanese in an English language fanfic. Just a matter of preference as many times words will be used out of context and also not everyone knows the same words. However, sometimes for awhile I actually was not sure how to translate Shigure's nickname Ha-san as Ha would be a little weird. Thankfully I was able to borrow the second DVD from a friend to see the English equivalent used which, for those who do not use is Hari. The one disadvantage in opting to remain in English terms, however it is a minor problem.

"What do you mean Tohru left?" Yuki asked coldly. He looked at Shigure's face and knew that something was not right. A dreadful thought crossed his mind as he realized one very likely possibility. "Hatori didn't…."

A nod from Shigure did ease a little worry. "No. Akito did give the order, however, Hatori warned me last night and we agreed that the best option was to have Tohru leave immediately."

It was obvious that there was more to all this. They had just graduated three days ago and Yuki knew that the chance was rather high now that school was over that there would be changes. However, it hurt thinking that he wasn't given the opportunity to say goodbye. "You know you could have woken me so I could at least bid Miss Tohru off." It was difficult to keep his voice steady.

Shigure fumbled in his kimono for a cigarette. Lighting it he took a puff and sighed. "I was told not to wake you. Besides, we also have a message that we are to pack our belongings."

"What?" Yuki gasped, fear clutching at his throat. He knew exactly why, and it brought back the memories that he tried to keep only in nightmares. "I thought it was only the stupid cat who was supposed to…"

"I know, but even I can't convince him this time." Shigure mentioned sadly. The truth was that he was so used to living on his own, he was wondering exactly how he was going to once again become accustomed to the isolation of the main estate. "Ah, how I shall miss the pleasant days with those lovely high school girls."

All Yuki could manage was to shake his head in shame. "Seriously, do you ever intend on growing up?"

However, despite Yuki's protests, Shigure continued with his melancholy rambling. "And to never be able to hear the voice of dear Tohru. Nobody at the main house cooks like her… ah if only I were younger she would have made a perfect girl." He shot a glance at his younger cousin who was more than slightly annoyed by now and visibly holding back his clenched fist. "Of course I know of two hotheads who blew their chance."

Yuki's eyes shut for a moment before his fist went flying through the wall, his voice releasing so much frustration. He Didn't think that It was fair that Shigure was doing that. It wasn't as though he didn't want to be with Tohru, but it was obvious that she would never choose between himself or Kyo. And Akito would never permit for it anyway. He would rather keep his distance an maintain a friendship than to risk losing her entirely to a heartless fiend.

It was obvious that it was only a matter of time before she would have had to leave. Nobody wanted to admit it. It was a blessing for each of them that she had remained in their lives for as long as they did. After so long though it seemed that she would always be there in Shigure's house. Now it was easy to realize how easy it was to take those days for granted.

"Damn!" Yuki screamed. He looked as though he was about to cry, his gray hair just barely revealing watery eyes. He thought that he had escaped the cage.

Seeing his younger cousin break down into sobs, Shigure stood from the table and reached out to him, embracing him. He had wanted to do the exact same thing when he had first found out. When he had told Kyo another wall had been destroyed and now the red-haired boy was probably sulking on the roof.

While he was holding Yuki, Shigure took a look at his quaint little house that was his pride and joy. He was the first one to succeed outside the walls of the Sohma estate. He thought about the fun he had teasing his editors as they pushed him to keep deadlines. Of course his current was the most fun to play with. Then there was the string of events that led Akito to finally allow Yuki to move in with him. After that came Tohru and Kyo. Then over the next two years so many of the family would stay at one point or another. The house really had become an extension of the main house, a refuge from Akito more or less.

Suddenly Shigure's train of thought was broken as Yuki broke away and he started to run out the door. "I'm not going back… I promised I would not go back to him." he spoke a loud as he dashed as fast as his legs would carry him.

There was nothing Shigure could do to stop him. He knew Yuki needed time to settle down. He would return and eventually accept what had to happen. They all accepted whatever decisions Akito made. "I suppose I should get Kyo off to roof and help pack things." he mumbled, taking out yet another cigarette to calm his nerves.

***

The garden seemed so peaceful. All the neat rows seemed to be doing rather well. The strawberries seemed to be nearly ripened by now. The current group of leeks still had about a month or so to go before they were ready to be used.

It didn't matter now. This would be the last time Yuki would be able to visit his secret spot. Eventually everything would wither and die without a caretaker. He found a perfectly ripe strawberry and tore it from the vine.

The scent reminded him of Tohru. He had even planted them especially for her. As he took a small nibble from the red tip he imagined that she was sitting next to him. He could almost hear her voice as thought she were there.

"Is it good? It looks pretty tasty, maybe I should try one."

Hearing that worried Yuki a bit. Was it just the memories haunting him already? But memories don't talk to anyone. Perhaps after everything he finally was going genuinely insane. It would probably go away with time.

"Miss Tohru… I'll never forget you, I promise." Yuki vowed to himself as he laid back on then grass and looked up at the fluffy white clouds in the sky. It was silly considering he never got he chance to say that to her before she left and thus she would never hear it. Regardless of if she was there or not, he had to promise her that.

Just the thought of her name made his heart flutter. He let his eyes close and picture her laying next to him and he sees himself kiss her. The moment his eyes flutter open to look at her he realizes all he can ever hope for are daydreams.

It was easy for Yuki to get angry at himself for not saying anything earlier. How many times he had considered to follow through with his urge to steal a quick kiss from her or tell her… that he did love her. However, he didn't want to be rejected and deep down he knew that she would never choose between him and the stupid cat. That was part of what he loved about his Miss Tohru.

She always showed equal love to them both. It was easy to presume there was no chance of winning her heart fully because she held just as much love toward his bitter rival. The stupid cat didn't even treat her nice much of the time yet she still had such unconditional love.

It hurt not being able to act on it. Even worse is the possibility of never seeing her again. As long as he had his memories though, Yuki knew that he would manage to get by. Even if Akito tried to make Hatori erase his memories of her he would never allow them to touch him.

He sat up and supported his body partly on his hands as the woods beckoned to him. He could slip away now and by the time they realized he was gone he would already be far from anything associated with the Sohma household. It would take a few days before they suspected it and that was enough time to get far enough away.

Yuki sighed as he realized he didn't have the guts. He wasn't half as strong as Tohru, who insisted upon sleeping on a tent rather than to rely on anyone. He simply couldn't imagine going hungry or to have his asthma kick up from the cold wind after a rainstorm and not have Hatori available to keep it under control. Even Akito was not as scary as the prospect of dying while trying to leave him.

The fact was and always will be that life was pain for anyone of the cursed family. And nobody could prevent Akito from halting the lives of them all. Yuki stood at last, brushing off some stray grass from his dark pants and gazed at his garden one last time. "I'm sorry I am not strong enough to follow you… maybe one day."

With a deep sigh and heavy heart he began walking back toward Shigure's house and practiced hiding his tears before Akito could start to scrutinize him.

***

Shigure looked concerned at Kyo as he laid on his bed, his arm dangling over the edge and his eyes focused on the ceiling. As he came closer he could hear incoherent mumbling.

It was strange to Shigure that Kyo had so few belongings. And he kept what few things he owned far neater than he or Yuki would ever manage. Still, despite the unfamiliar order to this bedroom, it seemed Kyo had literally arrived with merely the clothes on his back. He had acquired a few odd possessions over the past few years, most of them being gifts from Tohru or Kagura. He couldn't possibly survive being locked up for however long without something to occupy his mind.

His mind's eye wandered to an old bookshelf in his room with many books that hadn't been read in years. Many of them had been from Shigure's youth and he had simply outgrown them. However, the chances were that Kyo would certainly enjoy some of his dime store smut. "You know, Kyo… There are plenty of books laying around your house that I'll probably never read again. Since it seems you don't have much as far as entertainment I figured you might want to swipe a few of them. No point in letting fine literature end up in the trash."

All Kyo would manage was to turn his head and scowl at his elder cousin. He was acting as though he was simply going on vacation for a few weeks! Sure Akito was mandating everyone else to return to the main house as well, but at least they would have their freedom. It wasn't some temporary inconvenience or even a punishment for him, at least one that was justified. It wasn't like he had wanted to end up as the cursed cat. It was just that, a curse, something he had no choice in its possession.

It was hard to determine how to approach the cat. Shigure knew there was little he could say. How could he reassure Kyo while everyone else in the family, himself included, was simply allowing Akito to punish the cat. "Kyo… We will try to find a way to get you out as soon as we can. No point in making yourself more miserable while we think of something."

"Just shut up and stop screwing with me Shigure!" the red haired boy screamed, putting a fist into one of the thin paper walls. The sound of ripping paper stood out on the silence following that outburst.

It was nearly habit for Shigure to lecture Kyo about such matters and scolding him about wrecking his house. However, as his mouth opened to say something he realized that this was the last night it would actually be his house. Tohru was already gone, they would follow and it didn't matter if the house was entirely demolished by anything ranging from a natural disaster to Black Haru.

Since there was little he could do, the cursed dog decided to leave Kyo be and concentrate his effort on going through his belongings and packing what he was going to take with him in the morning. He had to admit, that for once Kyo was right in presuming they couldn't do anything.

***

"Akito… please don't lock me in there again! I promise to be good."

Cold eyes fell on a shuddering boy. His mouth was twisted in a sneer. They looked like brothers, with near identical facial features and body build. Just the hair and eyes separated them.

"Now Yuki, you know that when you disobey me you need to be punished, even if you are the rat."

The younger boy pushed against the heavy door as it threatened to close him in but it refused to budge. "Please no… Akito…" he gasped between the rapid gasps of his asthma attack. "I'm sorry… please…"

For a moment the door was allowed to fall open only to allow a foot to enter with a tremendous force, forcing it's victim to the floor. Whimpering came from a silver haired boy as he instinctively clutched his injury, still struggling to hold his breath.

Akito entered his dark little haven for his precious Yuki without saying a word, only a sinister smile adorning his lips. His seemingly frail frame possessed an unexpected strength in his anger and it showed as he clutched his younger victim's throat.

"You forget who I am Yuki. No matter what there is no escaping the curse. Until I die you are mine. I will never let you go." He whispered in a strangely raspy voice.

It didn't matter though to Yuki as his violet eyes slid shut and his body stopped struggling for the oxygen it needed.

***

Yuki sat up startled and nearly yelped aloud as he awoke from his dream, or rather a nightmare. He glanced over by his window and saw that the moon was still fairly high in the sky… he couldn't have been asleep for more than a couple of hours.

He was returning to what he had left so long ago and it had brought back the memory of the one time Akito almost did give Yuki the freedom he had desired. Had it not been for Shigure restraining so Hatori could get to him it might have been the last time Akito could have tortured him so.

Now it would begin again. The dread tugged at his heart as he realized that the one thing he promised himself was going to be broken… all because he knew he was still too weak to truly stand up to him. Nobody was willing to object to Akito despite his demands becoming more asinine as his body grew weaker from disease.

Sobs racked Yuki's body at the thought of being Akito's pet once again. He couldn't bear to live like in that repetitive world made for them all. He wanted to live a normal life, with her and even the pervert and stupid cat.

A light rapping on the door caused Yuki to quickly compose himself. He had years of practice of concealing his own emotions. "Come in." he mentioned softly.

The door slowly opened with a slight squeak and Shigure only permitted his head to enter the room. For once he did not have the carefree look of a man who opted to remain a teenager at heart. Even just from the few dim beams of light illuminating the dog's face Yuki noted that he looked significantly older. "I heard you talking in your sleep."

Yuki shook his head as he went to dismiss the worry. "I merely had a silly nightmare. I am perfectly fine now." he said in his normal calm voice and attempted to follow with a slight smile to ward off any further interrogation.

The smile was one familiar to Shigure after several years as it was the one Yuki always used, the fake one that never managed to reach his eyes. "Don't lie… it certainly isn't your forte so to speak."

"Yeah, I know…" Yuki replied solemnly. "Do you still remember when Akito… when he really lost it with me." He glanced as his older cousin took a seat next to him. "I thought I had gotten over that."

Shigure visibly tensed at the mention of that incident. Every time Akito had managed to go too far it was always he who had to try to lure the head of the family back into control. Still, it was hard to forget either of those two instances… holding back Akito from hurting Kana while Hatori's then freshly maimed eye bled over the floor. It was a miracle that any vision at all remained in that eye, however that same miracle didn't apply to the young doctor's soul.

Then there was the case with Yuki. To this day he did not know what exactly had triggered this particular outburst. All he saw was Akito choking Yuki in his little cellar he used for punishments. It was the only time he ever saw Hatori actually panic. Any longer and there wouldn't have been a recovery.

He remembered so well, the blood from Hatori's eye… the blue lips from Yuki.

"I thought I got away from it." Yuki mentioned with a sardonic laugh, taking his head in his hand.

Shigure was drawn out of his thoughts at this. "I know. By now I honestly thought that Akito would let us be, however that was not to be I suppose."

It was hard for the silver haired boy to give the dog much sympathy. All those years and Shigure was the one person in the family whom Akito would listen to. Never had he seen the dog struck like many of the others of the cursed thirteen. "What would you know? Akito will leave you alone." he retaliates, his voice both envious and livid. "You don't know…"

"I know more than you think." Shigure interrupted with an equal amount of venom. "Yes I try to make as much peace as possible with Akito, for all our sakes. Still, it's rather difficult to remain in a house when you get to see the lovely handywork." he glanced at Yuki a moment to make sure he understood. "I thought that by leaving that maybe defying Akito would get everyone else to act on their own."

Yuki gave a suspicious smirk. "You know very well that much of your incentive was to avoid Akito finding out about your smut writing."

That prompted a laugh between both of them and did manage to ease a little of the tension from both of them. The both looked at the moon from the window of Yuki's messy bedroom. From it there was a view of the wooded area behind the house and in the far distance, had it been daytime they knew Yuki's garden would normally be visible. It was odd for both to think that this was no longer going to be their home after so long.

"Ah, Yuki…" Shigure broke the silence after several minutes. "Tohru told me things to tell you and Kyo."

Yuki looked at his older cousin, his eyes pleading to be told, however he made his calm demeanor show in his speech. "What did she want to tell me? And why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Well between dealing with both you and Kyo today and both of you ending up on the roof or in your garden much of the day it slipped my mind." Shigure explained. "She wanted me to tell you to not worry about her because she will be fine." he paused for a moment to pull out a cigarette and light it.

"Actually that was what she told me to tell both of you. She told me to tell you, Yuki, to look at the bright side of things that eventually it will get better. She doesn't want Akito to get to you. She also wanted me to give you this, I had to get it developed today." he said, taking a photo out of his kimono and handing it to the stunned teenager.

It was a simple photograph of Tohru that had been taken in the house. She was wearing a simple summer housedress as it had been a warm spring. Her hair for once wasn't tied back by a ribbon or other ornament and it hung to the center of her back, a few hairs falling on either side of her face. A sad yet sincere smile was on her face and it was obvious she was trying to hold back tears.

"She wanted me to take it before she left." Shigure explained. "Our precious flower didn't want to leave us with nothing to remember her by."

As Yuki held the photo in his hand, he could feel the tears welling up in his eyes again. He had meant to tell her that he did feel for her. More than a sister or good friend. He wanted to be with her since it seemed only she fully understood him. She was the only one who could get him to truly smile.

Shigure was quick to read this, he had suspected it from both the rat and the cat for some time. "You love her, don't you." he said with a slight smile.

No answer would come from the younger man. It didn't matter now what he felt. She was gone from their lives for good, much like Kana was ripped away from Hatori. It was Akito's ruling that no cursed Sohma could fall in love. This time he merely didn't know he had succeeded at it once again.

"Maybe one day you can find her again, at least she got away without having her memory erased, although I am sure Hatori an myself will have to deal with Akito for that." Shigure mentioned. "Besides, if I were only a couple years younger I'd be inclined to say Tohru is a hottie."

Immediately Yuki's fist had contacted with the back of the writer's head. Shigure rubbed the back of his head gingerly. "Ow, Yuki you know you are too violent at times." he whined.

Yuki shook his head in his hand. Sometimes he had to wonder if he was older mentally than Shigure was. "Do you always have to be such a pervert?" he said coolly, going to lay back on his mattress once again.

"Fine, since you are so inclined to injure me tonight I will get back to writing the last few pages of my book." Shigure said as he sat up and headed for the door, still nursing the spot on his head where Yuki's fist had contacted.

Once the door was closed again Yuki laid on his mattress with his eyes open, unable to will himself back to sleep. As much as he wished he could label Shigure as an idiot and pervert, every so often he made a good point. Tohru was beautiful, in so many ways. So many of his best dreams involved her.

Still Shigure was wrong on one matter, unless by some miracle Akito died, there was no chance at ever even attempting to find her. Despite how sick he was, he was determined to live and make the other members of his family suffer immensely. It was his only purpose for life, or at least that was how Yuki saw it.

He tucked the photograph of Tohru under his pillow where it was near him, yet safe. "Goodnight Tohru, I love you…" he said as he broke down into quiet sobs until he finally cried himself into a deep slumber.

***

Kyo stretched as the sunlight hit his eyes, prompting him awake. He remained in the bed for several minutes, enjoying the feel of the warmth on his skin. It was a perfect day to do nothing but lay on the roof.

When he was ready he shoved the sheet that was covering him to the side of his mattress and leapt up to his feet. He made a beeline for the kitchen. It was strange to him that for once there wasn't the smell of any sort of soup or stew. He checked the rice cooker to see if anyone had made anything last night since that was the extent of their cooking skills. However it was perfectly clean.

He tossed some rice and water into the device and turned it on and took his usual seat at the table.

"Ah, you're up Kyo." the sound of Shigure's voice made him jump.

Once he had recovered Kyo glared at his older cousin. "What the hell? Don't you ever sleep you damn dog?"

Shigure merely shrugged. "I couldn't sleep, besides, I had to finish a manuscript. The main house does seem to halt my creative flow."

It would have been normal for Kyo to mutter something about the dog at this point but he didn't have the will this morning. For some reason he simply didn't have the energy to do anything. How he wished he could just spend the entire day on the roof as days like this always called to him and encouraged blissful laziness.

"Oh by the way, Tohru wanted me to get you this. Yuki got his last night since he was awake, but I didn't want to risk waking you." Shigure noted as he placed a photo, identical to the one he had given to Yuki the pervious night, on the table in front of the redhead.

Kyo eyed the picture. He had never seen this one before? When had it been taken, it looked recent. "What the heck? When was this taken? I don't remember it."

"No, Tohru had me take a picture before she left the other night. I had it developed yesterday while you were busy sulking on the roof." Shigure explained once more. "She wanted each of us to have a copy, basically something to remember her by."

Kyo let his fingers fall on the slick surface. "I should have been nicer to her. I don't know why she fucking cares. All I did was yell at her."

The older man took a seat next to the cat and decided it was time for him to let Kyo vent now. "That's how our precious Tohru is. She told me to tell you and Yuki not to worry about her. She's strong and she will be fine. But she wanted me to tell you that you don't have to act so tough all the time. And that you can be accepted without beating Yuki."

Kyo glanced at Shigure with a look of astonishment. He had always considered Tohru to be rather dense in her kindness. She was sweet and kind to all, but simply put she was seemingly quite naïve. It was difficult to imagine that she would be so straightforward. Of course it could have been just how Shigure was relaying it to him that made it seem so strange.

The dog and cat stared at each other for a moment. "You know she is right on those things. And I know that she cared a lot for both of you. It's a shame neither of you decided to pursue her."

This made Kyo want to snap at Shigure as the dog didn't know what it was like. "Shut up you stupid dog, it isn't like that at all. It's not like Akito would ever let us be with her anyway so what was the point? Besides, Yuki's all nice to her and stuff. Damn rat would probably win if he tried anyway."

Shigure had to smirk at that comment. Both the cat and the mouse were so similar in their way of thinking yet they still fought, contending the differences ran too deep. It had been rather interesting for the writer to observe his younger cousins secretly pine away for their beloved Tohru Honda. He had already drafted up for an idea for a novel based upon their experiences.

"What are you smiling about you perverted dog?" Kyo sneered as he saw Shigure lost in thought yet again. It was rather irritating that a grown man still behaved like he did.

Shigure merely chuckled aloud, causing the cat to clench his fist to resist fighting. "Just thinking about some things." he said rather innocently. However it was always a known fact that there was very little innocent about Shigure Sohma.

"You're an idiot you know that?" Kyo said as he got up and walked to the counter where he saw the rice had finished cooking. He scooped a good potion out and shaped it to make an onigiri.

Tohru always said he made lovely rice balls, even if he tended to stick to the plain kind. It hurt Kyo to remember when she had first said that, and he merely said she was silly to make such a huge ordeal about onigiri and plums. He doubted he would ever be able to look at one again though and not think of her. At the very least though his imprisonment would give him plenty of time to think and remember her.

"Isn't that damn rat gonna wake up before Hatori comes?" Kyo mumbled with a half full mouth of rice as he was content eating while standing in the center of the kitchen.

"Kyo, surely by now you would have figured the art of swallowing before speaking." Shigure joked. "But as far as Yuki goes, he isn't doing very well about all this. Since Hari isn't coming for another hour at the very least I'm letting him sleep."

"He's got it hard?" Kyo spat angrily, sending a mouthful of rice halfway across the kitchen. "At least he isn't going to be locked up in a cage! That bastard gets his freedom! There's no way in hell I'm feeling sorry for the damn rat."

Kyo had started heading for the stairs, leaving his mess on the kitchen floor. It was easy to contemplate the possibility of waking up the mouse and giving him a piece of his mind. It was hard to understand why it was such a big deal about Akito making them all live in the main house. Yes, Akito had a temper that nobody in the family dared to incite, but it couldn't possibly be half as bad as being confined in a cell for however many years until he gave up. Cats were never meant to be caged.

Shigure was quick to get to his feet and called out to the redhead. "Kyo!" He waited for him to turn his head in acknowledgement. "I was serious about that we will try to do something, or at least I will. But you were never at the main house long enough to see what happened in its entirety. It's very much a cage for Yuki and myself, albeit it's different but it is still an imprisonment for us nonetheless."

An irritated sigh came out of Kyo as he continued up the stairs. He mumbled "Stupid dog." as he advanced up the stairs two at a time until he had disappeared from sight.

Once in his room, Kyo shut the door and opened the window, allowing for his legs to hang out as he sat along the ledge. It really would have been a nice day to nap on the roof. He could feel the warm late morning sun on his lightly tanned legs and the breeze had a nice clean scent to it today.

He looked across his nearly barren room. The mats were all cleared with the exception for the two small bags he was opting to take with him. His bed was left unmade as usual, there never was much of a reason in a house as large as Shigure's to bother putting the bed away and bringing it out and making it every day. He could faintly see some of the remnants of his constant battles, whether it be with Yuki, Haru, or Kagura in a fit of blind angry love.

It was difficult to realize just how much time had gone by while he slept in this room, or more frequently, above the room. It had been his first year of high school when he first arrived to challenge the rat. Now they had finished and he still hadn't beaten Yuki at anything.

Still, Kyo could accept defeat when it came to Tohru. As long as it wasn't that conceited and pompous rat he could live as the loser when it came to her. It was better in a way that she wasn't here. He wasn't entirely sure how he would manage to say goodbye to her when this time came. Chances are he would say something mean to her, he always did when he wasn't able to think of anything else.

The last thing he wanted to think about was her. He should think about maybe running away. There was plenty of woods behind the house and after training in the mountains it would be easy to survive a few days and sneak away somewhere. Of course it didn't help that he would have nowhere to go, they would go to his master first to check if he had sought refuge there. And because no Sohma defied Akito's word there really wasn't an option.

Maybe he could get by on the streets and figure out something, but he hated getting wet with a passion and that would happen quite a bit. Then there was the issue of food, it would be quite difficult to manage not to starve. No, he didn't want to turn out like that, no matter what. Although rotting in a cell or rotting on the streets didn't seem all that different.

No, he would serve. Maybe Shigure would think of something. The one thing that dumb dog was good for was to persuade Akito like nobody in the family could. He was the first to be allowed any type of freedom beyond the walls of the main estate. Akito had simply let him leave when he was twenty-two. Of course no other child of the cat had been spared before, so why should it be different now?

His heart jumped slightly when he noticed Hatori's car slowly coming up the driveway. He had been hoping that perhaps luck would have gotten Akito ill and thus keeping Hatori at the main house for several more days. Any extension would have been a blessing. But blessings were rare among this cursed family. Besides, it simply was not going to be the same without Tohru there. Waiting longer just meant he would spend it on the roof or getting in some final battles with Yuki.

Sensitive ears picked up and he could hear Shigure clambering to meet the doctor at the front door. Kyo could barely make out their rather solemn greetings from above. He leaned forward a bit, relying on his arms set along the window frame to keep him from tumbling out. He couldn't make out exactly what they were saying, although he could make out once Shigure started whining "Hari, you're no fun." No matter what, Kyo knew that the dog would never change.

A minute later he heard Shigure make his way upstairs and trying to wake up the rat. Kyo heard the half-asleep groans and protests coming from the room next to him. He was thankful it wasn't him trying to wake up Yuki, or else they would have probably demolished the house for good measure before leaving.

After a minute Shigure knocked on Kyo's door before opening it slightly. "Kyo, Hari's here. Why don't you gather your things and start loading them into the car."

"Yeah Yeah, I heard you whining downstairs." Kyo muttered as he leaned back into the house, and quietly picked up the few possessions he opted to take with him. What little else was left was going to be left in the room. Surely someone from the main house would come by to toss it out, or else it could just collect dust for all he cared.

Shigure then pulled something from the sleeve of his kimono and handed it to the redhead. "You left this on the table, I figured you wouldn't want to leave this behind."

"What does it matter? It's just a silly photo anyway." he said defiantly, but still accepted it and placed it within one of his bags.

Shigure shook his head in pity that Kyo was calling anything about Tohru trivial. Still, the dog suspected that it was all part of a stone-hard defense. Had the cat thought it to be truly juvenile, he wouldn't have bothered with the effort of shoving it into his single bag of possessions.

Kyo noticed that his elder cousin was eyeing him with one of his smirks and was quick to shout in response. "What the hell are you looking at anyway you stupid mutt!"

"Nevermind." came the calm reply. "Are you ready?"

Kyo gripped his bag tighter, his fingernails starting to dig into his palm as his instinctive fist grew tighter. "Yeah, I guess. Let's just get this over with."

The look on the cat's face was something that Shigure had never seen before, and it was enough to nearly break his heart. His eyes were watery and the warm salty water threatened to fall. His lips her held together tightly and he looked to be in genuine pain as he took one final look at his empty bedroom. The dog wondered if perhaps this was what it had been like a year ago when he had so cruelly been forced to show his other form to Tohru. He couldn't be sure because none of the three mentioned it in casual conversation. Still, he knew that chances were this would be the closest resemblance offered.

Despite everything he had been unable to protect the younger generation like he had promised. Shigure could see the same pain in Kyo that he saw in Hatori in the aftermath of Kana, the same pain as Ayame was routinely dismissed for being too eccentric, and himself when everyone accused the dog of being selfish for leaving. He honestly thought that by leaving an example was being set for the younger ones, yet it had changed nothing. Not one of them had been entirely spared, or been granted simple happiness.

Looking at Kyo reminded him of how little he had actually accomplished.

"Hari, could you make sure Yuki is up?" he called down the stairs to the solemn doctor.

A moment later clicking of shoes could be heard on the floor and Hatori appeared on the bottom of the stairs. "Now surely you are not afraid of waking him up?"

"But in case Akito changes his mind I don't want any more walls getting knocked down!" Shigure whined, reverting to his usual self.

The dragon shook his head, for once not at the whining that he found so irritating but at the idea that Akito would give them back their freedom. He had nearly lost control of them all, and that was more than likely the incentive to force them all back under his wing. A god needed his followers to live in fear of his wrath, or at least that was what Akito had said to Hatori in one of his feverish fits.

However, the doctor was not entirely cold hearted, he suspected Shigure was suffering as much as the younger two, but Shigure was true to his nature to merely appear unaffected in an attempt to protect the others. "Fine, although why don't you and Kyo be helpful and start loading what you are taking into the car?"

***

Yuki heard a knocking at his door and instinctively drew himself further under the covers. "Leave me be Shigure, give me a few more minutes."

The rat was about to protest when he heard his door open but quickly held his toungue when he realized it was Hatori who had come. Yuki also had been hoping for some miracle that perchance the head of the family would fall dreadfully ill and keep Hatori occupied for a while longer, at least long enough to determine what he was going to do.

"I do not have all day for you to sleep in bed. Get up and gather your things or I will carry you down and you will only have whatever clothes you have on your back." Hatori stated firmly as he stood with arms folded just inside the cluttered, messy bedroom.

Yuki sighed deeply as he turned away from his older cousin. "What would you do if I decided to run away? Would you chase after me?"

"Yes." Hatori stated, not showing his slight agitation that he was having to deal with such nonsense questions now. The doctor made a mental note to get even with Shigure for sticking him with this chore.

"Why?" Yuki demanded. "It's better than going back."

"How long do you honestly think you would last on the streets with your curse, not to mention your asthma? You would be lucky to survive to the winter." Hatori stated casually, as though relaying basic facts.

Yuki slowly pulled himself out of bed and dragged himself out to the window, opening it as he spoke. "Perhaps you are right, but I still contemplate if I should take the chance while I can, am I right?"

Hatori let his voice soften a bit. "Yuki…" he trailed off. It was easy to forget that it was painful for them all to undergo such a situation but surely Yuki was more rational than this. He had been more expecting such a reaction from Kyo but from what he could hear from him yelling at Shigure he was merely as bad tempered as ever. Perhaps once things got settled everyone would come to terms with the situation and learn to deal with it.

It was difficult being the one to always bear the bad news. Sometimes Hatori had to wonder if he was truly hated by certain members of his family, perhaps he was cold as ice like Akito said, although sometimes it seemed that he was cut from the same mold as the angry house head. "Yuki, just let it go for now, I will speak with you later. I figure there are a few things you would benefit to know."

"I should apologize, for having been so immature just now." Yuki said, slightly embarrassed that he had spewed what he knew was irrational thoughts at the doctor. Still, he still felt trapped as he picked up a bag of his belongings in each arm and proceeded toward the doorway, giving a slight nod to the doctor as he passed by.

Hatori was secretly relieved when the ordeal was over as he approached two more bags of the rodent's belongings. He smirked as he peered at something slightly sticking out of a bag of clothing, the picture of Tohru.

Seeing that photograph reminded the dragon of why he was grateful he wasn't going to have to delete the girl's memories of them all. He could barely do it to Kana several years ago. It didn't help that Tohru reminded him of her. He knew that to do it again would have probably broke him if Kyo and Yuki didn't kill him first.

***

Shigure solemnly gazed out the window of the passenger seat of Hatori's car as they drove away from his house. It was his house that he was being torn away from. So many fond memories of teasing his editor as she begged for a manuscript which he had completed weeks before. Once Tohru came the house always smelled of delicious food. Nearly every member of the cursed Sohmas had at one time or another stayed for some time or another.

It was in that house that his true creative spirit came out. While in the house he would periodically complete a hormone induced smutty romance that would sell a couple million copies. But it was once he had his freedom that he realized what other stories could be told.

Already he felt as though all those ideas had been left on his doorstep and blurred in his mind as much as the trees that zoomed by from outside the window.

It was strange, how silent the four occupants were. Hatori's focus was entirely on the road ahead of him. Yuki and Kyo sat on opposite sides in the rear eat, also staring out the windows as though bored. The dog knew better than to believe it was something so curable.

He had been free from the main house for five years already. He was free to wear a ratty, casual yet comfortable kimono at all times of the day for that time. He was able to indulge on watching the high school girls walking along the streets. Such silly pleasures that would not be found outside the heavy walls of the main Sohma compound.

Still, the fact was Akito was probably on his way toward the grave. It would be easier on them all to merely endure his wishes for now. He was their god and as long as he could last they needed to simply get by. They would be freed by his death.

Shigure suspected that his house would be waiting for him when he returned. He smirked to himself as he imagined what he would do when it happened. He would have to call find Tohru. He would write countless stories, enough to keep his editor happy, although he would always have to tease her. He'd have to fix all the walls Kyo and Yuki had demolished most recently.

Maybe once he got home things would be the same as they were when he left. Things changed rather slowly in the Sohma family so the dog was sure that he could revert to what it was before. All a matter of adjustment.

"Stop smiling you damn dog!" Kyo exclaimed as he reached up to the front and delivered a blow to the writer's head. "None of this is funny damn it!"

All Yuki would give the two was a disinterested glare and silently turned back to gazing out the window. He was more interested in his own thoughts and suddenly did not see the point to the bickering. And thus he glared silently until the surroundings became all too dreadfully familiar.

The main house of the Sohmas.