Septic

Disclaimer: Own it? I WISH!

WarniNot Not very warning worthy yet... \'cept that Akito\'s getting more and more OOC..

A/N: Just so you know..the timeline is a little screwed up...I don\'t know how it goes exactly, just use your imagination. Let\'s put it this way, Yuki\'s had more than a couple disciplings with Akito, and Kyo is nearly fully recovered...so HA!

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“Yes…I see…Thank you, Hatori.”

Shigure slowly put the phone back onto the receiver as he tried to fully understand what the dragon had told him. He had wondered where Yuki had gone to, but dismissed it as brooding or sulking. The dog was not ashamed of Yuki, as he thought he would be, but rather he felt pity. He knew why Yuki had done what he had…or so he thought. He was there, pulling a screaming rat off of the cat hearing Yuki screaming about unfinished business and trickery. He had noticed Kyo’s odd, lethargic behavior the week prior as well…he knew Yuki held some tension, and his only release was Kyo…However, he had seen Yuki in the hospital. He and the other members of the Mabudachi Trio, being the eldest of the cousins, took it upon themselves to keep guard over Kyo. It had actually been Aya’s idea. Because he knew Yuki was still unstable…he knew what Yuki could have done. And it just so happened that the day when Yuki came to visit, Shigure sat waiting in the shadows, praying that nothing would happen.

He had watched as Yuki cried his pain out onto Kyo’s bedside.

He knew why Yuki had gone home…

His pain was evident enough at that moment…He should have known.

The dog solemnly turned away from the phone to join everyone at the table for dinner…And to share the disturbing news.

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//This will never be enough…I deserve more than this, I deserve what I did to him. I need to experience near death. I need to be beaten into submission…//

“Ah, my dear, dear Yuki…Good morning,” Akito purred as he strolled into the rat’s room. Yuki involuntarily flinched as he lay curled upon the futon. Last night’s disciplining left his mind, more than his body, broken. He subconsciously pulled himself into a tighter ball, facing away from Akito’s scathing voice.

“I have not come to punish you today, Yuki. I’ve come to reward you. Come, get up,” Akito said in a soothing voice. He slowly walked over to where Yuki lay and sat upon the edge of the mat. He casually traced his fingers across Yuki’s trembling shoulders. “I promise it is a surprise that you will appreciate…”

“Yes, Akito,” was all Yuki could say as he mechanically rose from his nest of blanket to dress for the day, Akito’s eyes boring into his back the entire time.

“Very good, Little Mouse. Now, come along,” Akito cooed as he held out his arm for Yuki to take. Yuki reluctantly took it, trying not to show his distrust. They walked amongst the many buildings and gardens as Akito made small talk, Yuki responding occasionally…until they came to the place…The place everyone ahs feared when they were young…the House of the Cat. Yuki froze.
“Here we are, Yuki. Your surprise awaits,” Akito chuckled evilly as he tugged on Yuki’s arm. The rat’s heart caught in his chest wondering and praying that Akito had not done something horrible… They stood in the doorway of the dark house, looking into a spacious, but empty room.

“Come, come, Yuki, we shouldn’t delay.”

“A-Akito…” But Yuki stopped himself before he asked...he didn’t want confirmation…or more torture…his heart fluttered in his chest as Akito pulled him into the darkness. They reached a closed door and Akito turned and smiled as he quickly threw the door aside.

“For you, Yuki.”

Yuki’s heart nearly stopped.

“K-Kyo?”

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Shigure could not bring himself to tell everyone of Yuki’s decision. He feared the outburst…but he decided he would tell Kyo, and Kyo alone. He was the only one who truly needed to know for he was the only one who could save the rat.

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“Kyo, a moment please?” Shigure asked. Kyo shrugged his way out of Kagura’s protesting arms. He was surprised when she didn’t let go…

“Let go of me!” Kyo yelled in her face, twisting out of her grip.

“But, Kyo, I just want to hold you!!” Kagura whined, grabbing him around the waist.

“Go smother someone else for a while,” Kyo grunted, trying to push away from the clinging woman.

“Kyo…” she protested, tightening her grip.

“I said LET GO!!”

“Kyo,” Kagura growled.

“C’mon, Kagura!!” Kyo yelled, his voice holding a thread of anger. “Let go!!!”

“But, Kyo, I LOVE YOU,” Kagura screamed angrily, sending a fist into his face. Kyo landed rump first onto the floor, glaring at the mortified Kagura.

“Oh, Kyo, my darling I’m so sorry,” the boar shouted, fussing over the fallen cat. Kyo looked down, his face shadowed, and his body shook.

“Kyo, I’m so sorry,” Kagura cried.

Kyo’s body trembled slightly before he sat up suddenly letting out a bark of laughter! His whole body rocked with the laughter, and everyone was amazed.

“Man, I thought I was gonna be free of this torture…” he chuckled.

“That’s not funny!” Kagura whined.

“I know, but it is,” Kyo laughed. He gasped for air as more laughter pealed from his body. He slowly regained control, shifting to little giggles. He sighed as he looked up at Kagura. “Man, I haven’t laughed like that in a while.”

“They say laughter is good for the soul,” Shigure wisely added, finally deciding to get into the action. “Then again, so is sake…” He mused as he turned to walk outside.

Kagura just frowned at both men. Kyo stood up, smiling fondly at the boar. He bent over and kissed her gently on the forehead.

“Thanks, Kagura,” he whispered. “I’m not leaving you anytime soon.”

And with those parting words, he followed Shigure outside to speak, leaving a wonderfully stunned Kagura to ponder Kyo’s new attitude.

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“So what did ya wanna talk about?” Kyo drawled. He wished he could be inside again…he really did like being held, not that he’d ever admit it to anyone…

“Well, let’s cut to the chase,” Shigure stated. “I want to tell you why Yuki isn’t here.”

“What do I care?” Kyo shrugged.

“I can tell you care a great deal…but that’s beside the point,” Shigure said, dismissing the thought with the wave of his well manicured hand. (A/N: Oh, you KNOW Aya’s rubbed off on him…) “I figure you should be the only one to know, since you’re the only one who can fix this.”

“Fix?” Kyo scoffed.

“Yes…Yuki hasn’t been quite the same since…well…”

“He beat the living hell outta me,” Kyo flatly stated, arms crossed.

“You put it so eloquently…but, yes. I believe Yuki has been suffering from intense guilt.”

“So because he’s upset, he doesn’t want to show his pretty boy face around here? Hell, I should be the one upset…”

“Yuki hasn’t just gone anywhere, Kyo. He’s gone back to the main house.”

Kyo startet at that.

“Wha-”

“And that’s not all…A condition of returning home was set by our clan head.”

“What kind of condition?” Kyo asked, dreading the answer.

“Yuki must live with Akito.”

Kyo jumped up at that, his expression a mixture of concern and anger. His whole body tensed up.

“Why the hell would he be so stupid?!” Kyo yelled, shaking from anger.

“I’m not sure myself…but we all know how Akito has always treated Yuki. Perhaps he went there looking for something,” Shigure offered.

“If he felt bad about what he did to me, then he should have come to me! That stupid rat,” the cat ranted. He knew what he wanted to do, but could he really do it? Of course the answer was yes. Kyo looked to Shigure.

“I’m going to bring him back,” he calmly stated to the dog. Then he turned and headed down the road to claim what was owed him.

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“So, look what we have here,” Akito purred, circling the kneeling cat. “Hatori made it seem like something important, but here we have the cat…Tell me, why did you come here?”

“Akito, I request that you release Yuki to me,” Kyo calmly whispered.

“Oh, but Yuki is very happy to be here in my company,” Akito mused, playing with the little white finch on his finger. “I’ve rewarded him well for his outburst on you. It’s just a shame that he didn’t finish you off.”

Kyo ignored Akito’s taunting. It’s what he’d want…Kyo came here for one purpose, and that was to get the rat back. It was Kyo’s place to decide what would be just, not Akito…It was owed to him.

“Akito, Yuki did something dishonorable, and I’ve come to claim what is owed to me. I wish to pass judgment on him as I see fit, since I was the one he disrespected.”

“But everyone disrespects the cat,” Akito hissed. “For you are nothing to this family. You are a curse, an unwanted burden!”

Kyo continued to ignore the pale one’s insults. He was used to all of these words…he just concentrated on his duty here…

“As a member of the family of Sohma, I request that I confront my perpatrator face to face.”

“And what do you wish to do to my Little Mouse?” Akito questioned sweetly.

“I’m going to challenge him to a fair fight, “Kyo answered, eyes straight ahead. Akito laughed.

“That’s all?” he chuckled. “The rat nearly kills you and all you want is a fair fight?”

“Yes.”

Akito smiled to himself.

“I admire your honesty, cat. You can have your little fight with Yuki. However, there will be more on the line than your honor. If you win, Yuki has received his justice and he may leave my tender care…But if you lose, then both of you must stay here... with me,” Akito sneered.

Kyo nodded. He knew this was the only way he was going to get what they both needed. He didn’t plan on losing this one…but if he did, then they both deserved whatever fate gave to them.

“Very well, we have a deal, cat. Return here tomorrow, to the House of the Cat, and I will bring Yuki to you. We shall see how fate likes you.”
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Yuki stood frozen in the doorway staring at Kyo. The cat crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at the rat. Yuki could do nothing...he couldn’t move.

“Don’t you like my gift, Yuki? There’s so much more to be done,” Akito’s voice stung Yuki’s ears. Suddenly, he was pushed into the room, stumbling for balance.

“Now, finish the job,” Akito hissed as the door slammed shut.

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Oh me oh my!! This story is becoming my baby, I\'m having so much fun writing it!! n_n I hope I have it done soon for all y\'all who want it done...in the mean time, don\'t hurt me too badly... At least spare the fingers, I need them for typing.

Tohru: Go Yuki, Go! You can do it! Beat that cat!

Kagura: Wait...don\'t you like both of them?

Tohru: Um...*glancing around* Yes...

Kagura: Then why do you want Yuki to win?

Tohru: Well..um...cuz I want the house to myself so that I can continue my underground uncharacteristic evil plotting of sexily seducing the unknowing Shigure?

Kagura: *pfft*snicker*snicker*

Tohru: What?! What\'s so funny?

Meanwhile, in Shigure\'s study...

Gure: Yeah...I DO think that thong suits you, Haa-san...

Hatori: Do you think so? I think it makes me look kind of bulky...

Gure: Well, I can take care of that!! *Pounce, steal thong* BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Aya: Keep it down, you two! I\'m trying to write Gure\'s next book!! Oh, Haru, a little to the left...

Haru: *mouth occupied*


NLDF: -_- mY bRaIn iS BrOkEn.....