Salt In His Wound

Chapter 2
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“Shigure?!”
A slight woman with short hair rummaged through the house, shouting at the top of her lungs.
“Shee-grrr-rrrayyy!”
Yuki approached the house cautiously, not wanting to step into Shigure’s self inflicted war zone.
This was a battle between Shigure and his editor…it was a long standing tradition of affectionate abuse.
He stood outside looking in, feeling almost for the tastefully dressed woman as she darted from room to room in a fit of hide-and-go-seek like hysterics.
He sighed.
Hopefully this wouldn’t take all day he needed rest and his secret base was waiting for him.
“Shigure?!”
There were tears in her eyes now, her voice wobbled.
A volley of muffled snorts and giggles skittered out from the bushes that sat in front of the house.
Yuki rolled his eyes….honestly, there were limits!
Walking over to the bushes he thrust his hand amidst the green and hauled the older man out by the collar of his robes.
Still clutching him and ignoring the futile struggles, Yuki dragged him to the open doors, calling to the editor, who, by this time, sat dejectedly on her knees, bawling like an infant.
“Mi-chan…looking for this?”
Shigure squirmed, flailing his arms in yet another attempt to escape.
Yuki shook his head.
“After all this time of playing with Shigure, you still never check the bushes!”
The editors eyes glinted-throwing daggers at the imprisoned writer.
Shigure stared up at him, his eyes moist, lips trembling.
“Ah, Yuki…you’ve ruined me! How could you do that to family? After I took you in….shivering from cold…kept you like my own, sheltered you, loved…Ah!”
He stopped abruptly as Yuki rapped him sharply in the back of the head.
“Shut up! Just give her what she came for!”
Shigure shifted his attention to the glaring woman and cringed away, hiding his face behind the flowing sleeve of his robe.
“Her fangs…Yuki…they want blood…no, they demand it!”
Yuki could feel the violent twitching begin in the vicinity of his left eye.
“Did you or did you not send Miss Honda to get me? If you do not just get on with it, I will sacrifice you to the angry Emi and get back to what I was doing. I don’t have all day you know!”
Shigure uttered one more pathetic sniffle but yanked away and straightened his robes, suddenly all business.
“Yuki, wait in the sitting room. Mi-chan, please, this way to my office.”
He tiptoed off snorting behind his sleeve.
She looked at Yuki, to Shigure’s retreating back, then back to Yuki her eyes widened dramatically, fat tears filled them to the brim.
Her mouth opened soundlessly, before her head dipped and her shoulders slumped in frustrated defeat. She shuffled quietly behind him to the office.
Yuki sighed again as the door clicked shut behind her.
It was always like this.
He would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy it, in small doses.
Sitting at the low table he rested his head against it, savoring the cool feeling of polished wood beneath his cheek.
Admittedly there was nowhere else he’d rather be…but did Shigure have to be an ass all the time?
His eyelids began to feel heavy, they drooped over his violet eyes against his will.
He dozed on and off, while writer and editor remained locked behind the office door, each minute passed by eventfully as his impatience stirred.
Kyo and Miss Honda still hadn’t returned, somewhere in the back of his mind he shrugged it off, while the front scrambled to figure out what was taking so long.
The childish part of him began to feel neglected.
Strange.
He never felt that way before coming here.
He couldn’t tell if that was a good thing or a bad thing….these days the line between the two seemed to blur frequently.
His impatience grew to a snapping point when finally the door slid open.
Mi-chan stepped out, clasping a large manila envelope to her chest before as she bowed, then scurried out the door.
Yuki watched her hasty departure with vague interest before switching his gaze back in the direction she came from.
Shigure filled the doorway, his arms folded within his sleeves, watching him intently.
His expression was unusually serious and Yuki found himself growing uneasy….afraid.
This must not be good.
“Come here Yuki.”
He hesitated before he stood, the instinct to run nearly won out over his curiosity, besides, if he did run away Shigure would be angry….it didn’t happen very often, but when it did….
He shivered, best not to think about it.
Joining Shigure in the office, he followed Shigure’s gesture and took a seat on one side of the desk.
The room was cluttered, books and paper littered the desk and every shelf surrounding the room.
He waited while Shigure shut the door and situated himself in the chair opposite him, his grave expression sent Yuki’s nerves scattering and suddenly he knew.
He knew.
By the time Shigure finally opened his mouth to speak, Yuki was at the breaking point, and unthinkingly interrupted him.
“You heard from that guy today didn’t you?” he blurted it out, his tone was harsh.
Shigure’s eyes narrowed, pinning him to his chair with an alien coldness, when he spoke his voice was quiet and firm.
“Regardless of how you feel about him, Akito does have a name and you will use it, respecting him as another human being and the head of our family.”
Yuki bit his lip against a retort and turned his attention towards an over sized map pinned to the wall, little marks dotted the surface, names were scrawled neatly by each one.
Shigure watched him for a moment before continuing.
“Since you have shown such an eager interest I will tell you outright. Yes, Akito did call today, yes it does have to do with you….and the entire house.”
He settled deeper into his seat.
“He has come to a decision about Tohru and our living situation. It has two possible outcomes, but I am sure that you will find that only one of them is favorable.”
Yuki’s gaze snapped back to Shigure, wide with disbelief and confusion.
Shigure snorted.
“Oh, come now Yuki, you couldn’t have possibly though that he was going to forget about the visit. No, that would be beyond him….what does he have to do but sit…and think of what he can do to…fix things.”
Yuki’s lips tightened.
“Explain.”
Shigure softened. He didn’t want to ruin this boy, but who knew what would happen if he didn’t force Yuki to be stronger.
What could he do?
“Yuki, as you know, Akito’s health is in decline. He spends all of his time trapped within the main house…these days he is too frail to even leave his room. He rarely sees anyone, except for Hatori…no one from the family, Zodiac or no. He is alone.”
Yuki’s stomach dropped, he wasn’t sure he liked the direction this conversation was heading, and waited breathlessly for Shigure to continue.
“He said Tohru could stay indefinitely….if you would visit him three nights a week after school, for a minimum of two hours a visit, just you, alone.”
The breath he had been holding whooshed out in a loud curse as he jumped from his chair.
“Hell No! Never! Not in a million years….not even if he was dying!”
Shigure appeared in front of him, his face an angry mask, and pushing Yuki against the wall spoke in harsh snarls straight into his face.
“He is dying! How can you ignore that?”
Yuki looked at him desperately.
“Good, he should just get on with it!”
Shigure’s hand met his face, the stinging slap resounded through the room, yet, still drowned out by Yuki’s hateful, cowardly words.
His mind flashed back to childhood whippings, to the horror of being left in the dark…to the sound of knife like words that hurt more than the whip.
He placed his hands over his eyes, attempting to stem the tide of unwanted memories.
“You can’t ask me to do this…you really aren’t asking are you?”
He searched Shigure’s face and found sympathy there, but no remorse.
He crumbled then, staggering to the floor.
Shigure kneeled in front of him, one hand on his shoulder.
‘He can’t hurt you Yuki, he won’t. He is too weak and you have gotten so much stronger over the last year. I know you can do this. Just give him some of your time…… or Tohru’s memories will be erased.”
Yuki looked at him…lost for words, floundering between fear and his protective urge.
Shigure saw the battle and tried to urge the fighting side out.
“She will be sent to that God-awful family…people who don’t deserve her. But we do, Yuki, we do deserve her…think of her, think of Kyo. Think of all the progress he has made since she arrived, and bluff all you want, but I know he is just as important to you as she is.”
He was losing him, he could see the shuttered look in the younger man’s eyes.
“It’s just three days Yuki….please, it can’t be anyone but you.”
Yuki’s shoulders slumped.
Fear invaded every corner of his mind, filling it to the point of combustion, blinding him to everything but it’s presence.
Pushing Seizure aside he leapt to the door, his face a hybrid of fear and confusion.
“I can’t, I won’t!”
Shigure reached for him, an empty gesture meant to placate, a gesture meant to help him understand.
Yuki cringed away from the touch, flinging open the door.
“Yuki!”
Shaking his head, he kept guilty eyes averted.
“I’m sorry Shigure…I won’t do it…I can’t…” his voice broke as he lunged out the door.
Shigure’s voice followed him out to the front of the house, but he never looked back…no looking back.
He ran like Akito himself was whipping at his heels, down the path, bumping past Kyo and Tohru.
She squeaked, dropping her bags.
Kyo steadied her before turning to watch Yuki’s flight.
Dropping his own bag he yelled after him.
“Ya damn rat! Watch where the hell you’re going! Come back and help with the bags! “
His eyes narrowed as he rolled up his sleeves.
“At least….damn rat!”
He took off down the path, still yelling despite Tohru’s protests.
She shook her head.
Those two would always be the same, and though it was sad, she knew things were alright when they fought.
Leaning down to pick up the bags she nearly ran into Shigure.
Kneeling, he helped her to secure the bags before gathering them up himself and leading her into the house.
She looked over her shoulder, her concern over Yuki overwhelming the need to see to the kitchen right away.
He looked so upset just then…what could have happened in the last hour or so that would have changed his mood so drastically/
“Tohru…”
Her gaze snapped back Shigure, who was also staring down the path, his face a calm mask.
What was going on?
“Tohru…you may want to reconsider going after them…” when she looked like she was about to deny it, he clucked his tongue, his eyes amused.
“Ah, Ah, Tohru….you know that is precisely what you want to do, however, now isn’t the time. Yuki needs some time alone, he seems to be out of sorts right now, and I think Kyo may just be what he needs to put things into perspective.”
Tohru’s face clouded over as she tried to piece together the secret meaning behind Shigure’s words.
She looked over her shoulder again.
“Are you sure? I mean…they…I”
“Oh, Tohru” Shigure interrupted clutching his stomach.
“How will I survive if you don’t make me some of your delicious home cooking….I think I may be dying I’m so hungry.”
She smiled vaguely at the paper thin ploy, the worried look didn’t leave her face as she headed toward the kitchen.
Tying an apron around her waist, she began to unload vegetables and meat from the grocery bags.
“O.k. Shigure, what would you like?”
A soft hand at her shoulder startled her, she looked up into Shigure’s gentle face.
“Everything will be ok Tohru, you’ll see…”
She nodded, not sure if she believed him.
He took her reassuring nod at face value and was suddenly all sunshine and flowers once again.
“Now, how about some leek?”

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Pounding footsteps echoed behind him.
He didn’t bother to look, didn’t care.
He couldn’t help but feel guilty.
Not two hours ago he sat, calmly vowing to protect his family, his life, and at the first hint of challenge, he ran….literally.
He shook his head, slowing his steps.
No, there was no way…
He had arrived back at the secret base, not realizing that he was headed there.
The light was spotted, the pooled through in the middle, shinning like a halo around the one place he felt completely safe.
He knelt in the bed, pulling weeds, furiously, trying to ignore the voice in his head, the mocking all knowing voice that snapped in his ears without relief.
Coward.
He shook his head.
‘No, No…you don’t understand!”
She will forget you…is that what you want?
He shut his eyes.
“No…”
She needs your help. This time YOU could be there for her….it’s just Akito…it’s just three days a week….coward…you ran.
Clapping his hands over his ears, his eyes glazed with tears, he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, trying to think f an answer.
“What should I do? What should I do?”
Was he making a big deal over nothing?
He shuddered.
There was no way you could say, “just Akito” and mean it.
The pain that surrounded that man in every memory of his path was immeasurable.
Miserable, he continued to kneel, covering his ears against the accusations hurled through his mind, nursing tears.
The sound of footsteps could barely be heard over the din of his own guilt…but nothing could block out the grating sound of Kyo’s loud, somewhat irate voice.
“Ya damn rat! Listen when I talk to you!”
It was instinct that made Yuki dodge the first kick aimed at his head.
The second kick that was aimed at his knees, however, was an instinctual let down.
He tumbled over onto the ground, and lay staring up at the serenity of rustling green, swaying in the slight breeze.
Kyo looked down at him stunned.
No way!
He crouched next to him, taking in the dazed look, the scared eyes.
“Yuki?”
No response.
“”Yuki?”
The silver head turned towards him, piercing him with deep violet.
“What is it Yuki?”
Yuki shook his head, Kyo wouldn’t understand….he never did. Being beneath Akito’s notice had saved him from the same degree of torment that he had endured at the hands of one individual.
No, he would never understand.
The feet stepped closer to him, he covered his face, when Kyo peered into it.
No, don’t see….
“Yuki, what happened?”
Angry hands pushed him away as Yuki rolled to his feet.
He tore his hands through his hair, fixing him with an angry glare set in red-rimmed eyes.
“You don’t care…why pretend?”
Taken aback by the sudden eruption, Kyo groped for the familiar and shouted back.
“Who said I cared?”
Yuki shook his head, pacing back and forth.
“If you’re so damn great, you can do it….she is not my responsibility…no, not mine..”
Kyo grabbed his shoulders, bringing Yuki’s attention back to his face, suddenly intense.
“Is this about Tohru?”
When he didn’t answer, Kyo shook him roughly.
“What about Tohru?”
He tired to look away but Kyo wouldn’t allow it, he bowed his head in shame.
“Akito, has asked that I spend three nights a week with him at the main house.”
Kyo’s eyes narrowed, he knew that Yuki was deathly afraid of Akito…but why the debate?
Why would he be so upset with demands he could normally ignore….unless?
“Focus Yuki, why would it be so important? What does it have to do with Tohru?”
Yuki licked his lips nervously before answering, trying to lever himself away from that probing gaze.
“Akito says that if I do not do as he asks, Tohru will be made to leave the house…her memories will be erased.”
He was released suddenly and with such force that he almost fell again.
Kyo looked at him, disgust and desperation a confusing mask on his face.
His voice was tinged with panic.
“What is the dilemma? Of course you said yes….right?”
Yuki averted his eyes, biting his lip and Kyo exploded.
“You said NO?! Yuki how could you? After everything she has done, not only for the family…and me, but for you also? How could you leave her hanging like that…just because you are afraid?! For the love of god be a man!”
Yuki slumped.
“You don’t understand…”
Turning his back on him, Kyo spoke softly, menacingly.
“No, you don’t understand. It is not like you have to stay at the main house….it’s not as if you are the only one that has suffered because of Akito…not the only one. I know that it hurts, and it’s frightening, but you have to face up to it sooner or later…” he turned to give Yuki one last piercing look over his shoulder.
“I can’t think of a better reason to stand up to him….there is no better reason, than her.”
His words thundered in Yuki’s ears as he started towards the main house, leaving the rat to stare after him, shame a heavy weight in his chest.
“I’m going to eat, I suggest you think about your decision, think long and hard ya damn rat…I won’t let her go just because you are weak.”
With that said, Kyo left…..leaving Yuki to stare after him.
Weakness?
Yuki’s laugh was riddled with self derision.
Did Kyo have a point?
Was he that weak?
He thought of Tohru’s smiling face.
Yes, he was just that weak.
He sat again, weighing his options.
No one seemed able to grasp the fact that nothing was ever that simple with Akito.
Three days would escalate to four, then five days…..he would subtly moved back into the main house and his gradual disappearance would hardly be noticeable, and even if they noticed…..who would be willing to oppose Akito, would he have to stay?
He sighed, the situation was no good....but Tohru…what should be done?