Written by: Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Thanks to Mona-chan's suggestions, I have actually come up with an Akito X Hana fanfic. *glomps Mona-chan* I hope that you will enjoy it. The point of view shifts so please pay attention to the name in brackets [...].

Part Two - IN HER HANDS

[HANAJIMA]

I remembered hearing my name through a dense fog. It sounded lost and faraway. I remembered my body arching off the futon, weightless for a single moment before drifting back down into the cool sheets. I remembered seeing a flash of light behind my eyelids, felt heat wash over me.

And as quickly as it came, it went.

The room was pitch black when I awoke. No, that's a lie. There was light but it was dim and faraway. As my eyes adjusted I could make out a small table on the opposite said of the room. Five candles, standing neatly inside a candelabra, were lit.

Strange, I do not remember them being there when I came in.

A ticking sound gains my attention and I realize there is a clock in the room for the first time. I hear a bell toll, and another. There are eight tolls in all, indicating that it is well into evening. Have I really slept that long?

Lying on my side, I can feel the heat of another body behind me. I know that it is Akito without having to turn around or use my denpa. Carefully, I roll over onto my back to look at him. He's lying on his side with his back to me. The movement of his shoulders indicates that his breathing is calm. The noise echoes in the stillness of the room.

I'm disappointed if only a little. I was hoping to see his face.

Memories of the events of hours ago flood through my mind, bringing with them then linger sensation of touch. I can still feel his lips as they caressed mine; feel his hands as they kneaded my bared breasts. My body shivers even now as I remember how he took possession, the sensual gliding of his penis against my tender virginity. He was all power and by no means gentle. Perhaps that is what makes our joining so memorable.

I didn't try to cuddle him in the end. I was half afraid of rejection, my own instinct to withdraw coming to the front. I'm not used to sharing such tender moments with someone other than friends and family. Perhaps my arm tossed over his middle was some inane search for comfort? Or warmth?

For love?

Ah, the biggest mystery of all...or rather one of them. He told me he wanted to be loved. I thought that by sharing my body I could give him what he wanted. But it goes far deeper than that. I felt a...connection...to him in those final moments. A connection in which I have never felt with another person.

Especially a member of the opposite sex.

It's difficult to explain in words. It is a feeling, not quite an emotion and by no means tangible. It's simply...there. It just exists.

Stretching my arms over my head, my legs untangling from his, I do another survey of the room. One of the candles has burnt out, but in the glow of the other four I see a wooden tray by the door. The light reflects off two silver domes, lids that cover what smells - yes, there is the definite scent of cooked fish - like our evening meal. Glasses of what appear to be water and a bottle of some unknown liquid complete the setting.

I wonder which brave Sohma soul brought that into Akito's room. My mind immediately says Hatori, but then it could've been a servant or the cook. I also wonder if Akito would've thanked them or flogged them.

Or perhaps both.

I stretch again, pulling the cover up to my chest as I turn to my bedmate. He's still asleep, his back still to me. The blanket on his side has fallen down his body, the edge resting just above his hip. Creamy white skin is open to my gaze. I had not realized he was so pale. His skin holds an ethereal glow. Even his aura, free of all the torment I'd seen earlier appears to have grown brighter.

I am still intrigued by him, awed by the different forces warring within him. And as I reach out a hand to touch his bared skin, to once again feel his power, my stomach churns. The smell of fish grows heavier in the air, but I am hungry for more than just food.

[AKITO]

I sense movement beside me and force my body to relax as soft fingertips touch the skin of my back. I knew she was awake, felt her heated presence move around in the bed. My first thought was to yell at her, to push her out of bed. But the force of sleep still heavy in my mind keeps me quiet.

Besides, I want to know what the witch has planned.

Memories of our previous encounter encroach on my thoughts. She was just luscious beneath me, taking everything I had to give. Every powerful thrust. Every biting kiss. No matter how forceful or brutal, she accepted it. Accepted me.

Why? WHY?!

Why does she still intrigue me so?

As much as I'd love to toss her from my room and my sight, I also want to feel her magic. I want to feel her love for me.

Her fingertips caress my back in a light massage. I find it annoying yet my muscles begin to relax. A pulsing sensation causes my body to jolt still, then slowly relax again. The pulsing comes from her fingertips, massaging those areas of my back that feel sore due to my illness, awaking muscles that had been a sleep.

And causing my penis to grow hard once more.

I groan, squirming a little under her touch. I can feel her eyes watching me and it only makes my anger flare that much more. I open my mouth to yell at her, to pull my body away, when she speaks up on her own.

"Gomen," she whispers softly. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Like hell," I mutter, certain parts of my body reacting very differently from how I feel. The rest of my body argues every move I make, my back most of all. Damn my illness.

Damn my curse.

She moves away slightly as I roll onto my back. I notice for the first time how dark the room really is. I see the flicker of candlelight somewhere in the background. It causes her raven hair to glow. For a moment I picture her to be an angel, but the light flickers again and I know it is not to be.

She doesn't wait for me to give her any commands, her hands lightly massaging my chest and shoulders as they did my back. I force myself to lie still, but my will to take over is compelling me, the feel of her fingertips driving me to distraction. I hear myself groan as her fingertips pass over one hard nipple.

I scowl into the darkness as her fingers continue their gentle ministrations over my stomach and hips. I arch into her touch, wanting to feel something more and feel myself grow angry when I do not receive it. Is she avoiding me on purpose?

Bitch, you're moving too slow!

With another loud groan, I grasp one of her hands in mine and place it around that which she had been avoiding. My hand guides hers in a slow rhythm as she grasps me tightly. After a moment I release her hand, her other hand joining its opposite, and allow her to take over.

I don't give up control too often. Hell I never give it up at all! I must be really tired.

But...her fingers do feel good on my straining erection. Now if I could just get her....Ah, I suppose I don't have to tell her. The tingly sensation of her power floats over my already throbbing cock. My entire body is filled with the electric sensation and I hear myself moan again. This is hell. Pure and unloving hell.

And I must have more!

My hips begin to move to her ministrations, wanting more. Still too slow. Chikuso! Faster. Must...move...faster!

I grunt, scowling when her hands disappear from my erection. What is she doing now? I hear the bed move and suddenly she's straddling me, her knees tucked into my sides. I can feel the heat from her core as she leans down to kiss me.

Is she getting aroused as well? How dare she!

I don't wait for her to sit on me, grasping her hips and pulling her down to sheath my aching erection. She gasps into our kiss, my arms locking around her to hold her in place. Planting my feet on the bed, I raise my hips, thrusting upward into her hard and fast. I care little that she's already soaking wet and I ignore the fact that I slide in to the hilt quite easily. Instead I focus on the pure sensation of our joining, bringing myself out slowly and thrusting back home just as hard and fast as before.

Our tongues duel as our bodies join together. She moans loudly into our kiss and I begin to thrust harder. Her body tries to arch, to push back, but it's a futile effort. She's trapped and unable to stop my assault.

I can feel my release approaching, see the light as it speeds towards me. With one final thrust I feel her body clench me in a vise-like grip, her release in tandem with mine. Our kiss breaks then, both of us gasping for air and moaning incoherent thoughts.

My body floats back into the futon cushion, her weight pushing me into the sweat-soaked sheets. My arms loosen around her and she slips from my grasp, rolling to lie beside me. All that remains is her arm again, lying across my mid section. If she wants to cuddle, she makes no other move and I make no move of my own.

[HANAJIMA]

There is a definite sense of loss as I roll onto my back. My arm across his middle is proof of our connection, of my need to be connected to him. Why? Why do I feel this need? Is it because of my knowledge or something else entirely?

He sits up quickly, moving to the foot of the bed. I open my mouth to ask what is wrong, but stop as I catch a glimpse of his aura. Darkness has set in again. The torment and pain have returned. I did not sense anything wrong with our last joining. To be frank, I enjoyed having what little power he allowed me to have over him. Apparently he is not so forgiving of himself. Perhaps my forwardness was too much.

"Dinner is waiting by the door," I tell him as he stands from the bed and grabs a yukata off a nearby table. I note that it is not the same as he was wearing before.

"Hatori was instructed to deliver a meal for us," he replies, walking over to an open window instead of to the door. He sits on his knees, his arms resting on the windowsill. He does not look back at me, his aura growing darker as he sits and broods.

"Then he's aware that I will not be leaving here tonight." My statement is as such. Not a question.

He does not answer, reaching a hand out through the open window. A chirping sound gets my attention. I had not realized that there were birds awake at this time of night. Through the candlelight I can see a small blue and white bobbin sitting on his finger as he turns back into the room. It looks content sitting on his finger, chirping as if talking to him.

Through hooded eyes he looks at me. I know I look a sight worse than I did when I arrived, but this look says nothing about what he thinks of my appearance. It is a look of hatred, of unsated evil. I see a flare in his aura and pull the covers tighter around me. His cold voice sends a shiver down my spine.

"He knows."

The bird chirps again and I feel myself relax. Slipping free of the covers I try to pull my dress back together. It's a shambles, something I'm not very pleased with, but I'm sure it can be fixed. Tohru is very good with sewing. Perhaps I shall enlist her help.

Comfortable I'm not walking around completely bare, I stand from the bed, walking tentatively towards the door for the tray of food. My hips ache and there's a pain between my legs that wasn't there before. As I kneel down to pick up the tray I hear a muffled squeal and my head snaps up immediately.

My eyes meet his through the darkness between us. There's a certain possessiveness to his look, a certain sadness. He looks down at his closed fist, extending it to me before meeting my gaze again. My heart stops for a single instant. What had he done? Where was the bird?

In answer to my question he opens his hand and I gasp.

Crushed in his palm is the tiny blue and white bird which had been chirping so happily. I could not make out details, but I knew, without a doubt, that the unmoving creature was now dead. He'd killed the helpless creature. Without so much as a thought. Poof! Its life was gone. I was absolutely appalled.

And totally intrigued once again.

Was that a warning?

"Did it peck on your finger?" I ask, swallowing in hopes of wetting my now dry throat.

"No," he answers simply, calmly.

"Was its song not to your liking?"

"I enjoy the music of the birds," he answers again calmly.

"Did you not like what it said to you, with its incessant chirping?"

He blinks finally, his fist dropping to the ground.

"It said nothing to me that I did not already know. It did nothing to me at all."

"Yet you killed it."

"Yes."

I picked up the tray carefully and stood on wobbly legs. "Then why did you kill it?"

"Because I could."

His answer startles me, although it should be no surprise. I pause in my step, then return to walking towards the window. My steps are cautious, my eyes never leaving his. He watches me, eyes widening, slumped against the window. I sit before him, placing the tray of food between us.

"Will you kill me?"

He shrugs tiredly. "Possibly."

"I thought you were going to tell me my fate."

He snorts, looking away for the first time. "You will learn your fate in the morning."

I sigh, trying to keep my own anxiety under control. I'm not afraid of him per se, but I now know that what Yuki and Kyo have told me is true. He is a force to be reckoned with. No wonder he is the head of the Sohma house.

And the most cursed of them all.

[AKITO]

I watch through weary eyes as she takes the lids from both of our meals. As if I want to eat with her. How presumptuous!

DON'T ACT AS IF YOU KNOW ME!

You're not safe yet. Just like that little bird. He didn't expect to meet his end.

Will you expect yours?

Will I?

Still, the smell of fish turns my stomach and I realize that I am hungry for the first time that day. I had choked down breakfast simply as a necessity. I wasn't really hungry. But after our encounters, I am drained of energy. Food sounds excellent, even if I have to share it with her. As I reach for my chopsticks her voice echoes through the quiet walls of the room.

"Then what shall we talk about if not my fate?"

"There's no need for talking," I retort with a grunt, pulling myself closer to the tray to eat.

She pauses, taking a bite of her fish. "Ah, but you promised to tell me about your curse."

I chuckle, a small grin passing my lips as I take another bite from my plate. "You mean you haven't figured it out. You figured out my cousins all on your own."

"But it's taken me longer than a few hours," she replies. "I've been around them for three years."

I take another bite of food before I say anything else. Actually I'm at a loss. And I hate it! So what if it took her three years to figure it out. She couldn't possibly be so stupid that she could not--!

ARGH! I'm giving her more credit than she's worth! Damn witch.

"Have you learned nothing in your time with me then?" I ask curiously. Kami! But why am I curious?! Why is it I lose myself in front of her?! It matters little I suppose, blaming it on my exhaustion and impending tiredness.

She answers after a mouthful of rice is swallowed. I follow the movement of the food from her mouth and down her throat. Her dress is still torn in the front, the tie of the neckline trying to hold the cloth closed over her breasts. It's not doing a very good job, I think with a smile.

"I think I've learned a little," she says, lifting her water glass to her lips. She takes a sip before placing it back on the tray. "Your family is totally under your command. The command of a battered and tormented soul. I'm surprised your family has existed this long." She pauses to take another bite of her fish. "Or perhaps it is you who has the worst curse of all."

I eye her suspiciously. "And what would that be?"

"Loneliness."

The sound that permeates the room is strange even to my own ears. I start to laugh. The rumbling noises come from my chest and out of my mouth. I want to stop it. I try to. But I can't stop laughing. I laugh so hard that tears form in my eyes and my sides begin to ache.

"Is that funny?"

No, not really. I'm angered by her assessment of my family, although there is little I can say to dispute her. So instead I continue laughing, forcing my anger, my hatred and my sorrow into that one act of emotion.

"Akito?"

Her voice sounds so concerned. Why are you concerned for me, Hanajima? Do you still want to know your fate? Should I tell you all the horrible things I have planned for you before I send you away from this place, away from your friends and family?

Not until I feel her hands on my shoulders do I realize that I've doubled over, knocking over the tray of food. She pulls me into a sitting position, sitting me in her lap as one hand strokes my forehead. Warmth, plain and simple, flows from her touch, filling my entire body. I hear her calling out for someone. I can't make out what she's saying.

Dammit, it's my name she should be calling!

Or is it?

[HANAJIMA]

"Akito!"

I yell his name several times before his eyes open to look at me, although I think they're not looking AT me, but THROUGH me. Those dark orbs are glassy from unshed tears, glazed over as if he were trapped in a dream. What is it? What is it that is so funny to you?

I want you to tell me.

Dammit, I hate being ignored.

The door opens with a loud snap and Hatori and Shigure are there. I look at them in surprise. Where had they been that they could hear me? Well, we are sitting by an open window. They could've been anywhere.

They take Akito from me, laying him on the futon. If either one of them have noticed my basic appearance, they say nothing. Instead, Hatori quickly examines his cousin as Shigure helps me to clean up the mess of the dinner tray.

"Are you all right, Saki?"

I look at Shigure in surprise. It's not the first time we have spoken, but it is the first time he's ever called me by my first name without an honorific.

"Hai," I answer, placing a now empty water glass on the tray. "I'm fine."

"We can escort you out now."

"Would Akito approve of that?"

"No, but-"

"Then I'll stay."

He looks at me in surprise. He must think I'm mad. Perhaps I am.

"Saki...."

"Daijoubu, Shigure-san. I want to stay."

"Did Hatori poison the water or something?"

I chuckle, a noise that very few people have heard, including Tohru. "Iie. I do not believe there was anything harmful in the water. Or the food." I look at him seriously, allowing him to take the tray from my hands as we stand. "It is my decision. I will stay. I want to."

He gasps, but says nothing else. He offers me a small smile before walking for the doorway. "Ha-san, how is he?"

"He'll be fine," Hatori says with a sigh of his own. He shakes his head, looking at me. "I must place him on bed rest. It seems his illness has gotten worse without warning. Hanajima-san, gomen, but I must ask you to leave him be-!"

A hand grasps Hatori's shirt, surprising all of us. It's Akito, eyes wide and alert. He pulls Hatori closer, his raspy voice rough and commanding.

"She is not to leave my side. Do you understand? She. Will. Remain. Here. Until morning, Hatori. Till...morning...."

"Akito, are you-" Hatori bites off the last of his question. One look at his master is all he needs. He sighs again, easing Akito's grasp on his shirt. "Wakarimashita."

"Ha-san?"

Hatori turns to me. "Make sure he gets plenty of rest. Do not let him leave the bed if need be. I will send in another tray of food and water."

"Arigato," I tell him, bowing politely. When I stand again, our eyes meet and I see the pain and torment in his own eyes. There's also concern. For me and for Akito. I smile reassuringly. "I will see to him until morning then. Would you kindly do me a favor in return?"

He nods curtly. "Of course."

"Call my mother and assure her that I'm all right and that I will talk to her soon. She will be worried if I do not return this evening."

He nods again. "I'll see to another change of clothes as well."

"Arigato gozaimasu."

Both cousins leave, none of them sure what has transpired between us. Outside of the obvious that is. Akito was wearing a new yukata and my clothing is in tatters. I'm not sure I know what has happened between us. All I know is that I must delve deep to learn more about this connection we share. I want to know more about it.

I want to know more about him.

And lying in bed, he cannot ignore me.

~TO BE CONTINUED~

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:

Wakarimashita - okay/in agreement