Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Ah, a spin-off...cause I don't think it could really pass as a side story. AU to the furuba universe, this story takes place several months following "That Fated Day". I'm a stickler for timelines. Some facts might be strickly fictional considering not much is known about Rin's past. I'm kind of making it up as I go along based on what I already know. *whew* WARNING FOR VIOLENCE AND THE OCCASIONAL CURSE/SWEAR WORD. Akito is involved after all.

Part Six - SECRETS REVEALED

I'm not sure if I can go through with this.

After nearly a week away from the Honke, I've returned. It should be a casual arrival, full of little emotion save for the happiness of being able to sleep in my own bed. But it's not.

Far from it.

I've had some time to think. Hatori would be proud of me. Living with my Aunt Kaede wasn't much different from living at the Honke. Or maybe it was. I cooked for myself. Cleaned for myself. Learned to depend on myself. I must say I've become more domesticated by the experience if not more independent. Not bad things considering I'm going to be a mother.

Mother.

One of my hands caresses the silk shirt and cotton skirt that cover my lower stomach. The word sounds strange and comforting all at once. I've spent my life living at the main house of the Sohma family. My parents lived on the other side of town, visiting me only on holidays and rare occasions. I can't say they didn't love me. Actually I can, but I wasn't abandoned either.

Or at least I wasn't the only one.

Still, I'd always swore I wouldn't let my child grow up that way. He or she would have a normal life and hopefully live outside the juunishi curse. But even if he or she didn't, I, of all people, would be able to understand how the child felt.

Yes, even I wished for the gorgeous husband, the 2.3 kids and a house with a white picket fence. They represented all the things I couldn't have.

All the things most cursed Sohmas' can't have.

I shouldn't have been able to love either, yet I found it. Twice. Once with Haru, dear sweet Haru.

And now with Shigure.

Funny how Fate kicks you in the ass so hard you have to stop and think. ARGH! I shouldn't be thinking this much!

To some degree, I've always loved Shigure. Sadly it's taken a small thing like pregnancy to make me really think about it. Words can't express just how much I truly love him. I should feel trapped but I don't. Him and his silly plan. But he has a new plan now, one that includes me, and our child. I've finally found where I belong.

It's odd, this feeling of belonging. I hadn't realized I'd been searching for it until now. Even with Haru, I had given little thought to my own needs, focusing on his. When had I needed to belong? I'd always belonged, haven't I?

I'm still a bit confused as to why Fate chose Shigure for me, but after a few days of angsting I got over it.

He's given me space this past week, to think over what I am going to do in front of Akito and what WE are going to do about the child. It won't be mentioned to Akito. We'll save that for later. For now we want to concentrate on simply getting acceptance.

And permission to marry.

Marriage only came up in conversation a few times. Where we'd like to have it. What time of year. I always thought having an outdoor wedding in the fall would be lovely. I've even caught myself looking at rings while out shopping. But no matter what, the conversation always came back to the baby.

I'm hoping for a little girl.

He wants a little boy.

For once, it's the only argument we're having.

Even in his absence Shigure's been comforting. Thoughts of him, his unruly hair, dark, passionate eyes, even his firmly muscled body filled most of my thoughts when I wasn't thinking about life in general. I trusted in him to come up with a plan, something we could both agree and adhere to for the duration of our conversation with Akito.

And now here we are, walking towards Akito's chambers.

I have to admit I'm scared. Scared shitless in fact. Memories of past events brush across my mind. My muscles try to freeze me in place and I find tears developing in my eyes. Damn hormones. I cry far too much lately.

Clutching Shigure's hand in a near death-grip, he stops in the walkway and looks back at me.

"Rin?"

I look up to see Shigure's brown eyes staring back at me. When was I looking at the ground? His own fear is evident, but he smiles reassuringly at me. I try to return the gesture, knowing that I'll fall short.

"It'll be all right. I promise. Just remember what we talked about."

I nod, knowing that we've rehearsed this perfectly. Still, I can't stop my nerves from dancing as we approach the door to Akito's chambers. I clutch at his hand again, whispering, "What if I forget something?"

Shigure places a light kiss on my forehead. "You'll be fine, Rin. I trust you."

I feel giddy and guilty over those words. I'm glad he trusts me. I just don't trust myself.

We stop at the door and Shigure knocks. I slowly take in a breath of air and hold it. His voice is muffled at first, like he's speaking to someone. Then the door opens and Hatori appears, startling us both.

I wait for him to say something, but he only steps aside to let us through. Shigure tugs me through the door. I follow, my footsteps light, but I can't take my eyes off of Hatori. His expression is the same as always, but his eyes are dark, clouded. He knows what I've gone through to survive. He knows the pain and anguish Akito has put me through.

As I tear my gaze from his, I realize that I'm beyond scared.

I'm damn near petrified.

If Shigure didn't have my hand, wasn't able to move me, I'd be standing in the doorway like a tree stump.

Akito is perched by the window. What little sunlight streams into the room surrounding him in an ethereal glow. His posture is calm, his face twisted into an uncharacteristic smile. Uncharacteristic to me that is. I think I've only seen him smile like that around Yuki.

Birds twitter outside the window, flying between a nearby tree branch and the windowsill. They're much less afraid of him than I. I dare a glance at Shigure as he releases my hand and takes another step into the room.

I watch him watching Akito. Part of me wants to know what he's waiting for, let's get this over with shall we? Then again, patience is a virtue. Not one I'm good at but since I'm scared out of my mind, I need the time to collect myself.

Shigure whispers his name and Akito turns away from the window to look at us. His face, though his expression is unchanged, looks totally different. It's darker, highly shadowed and edged. And his eyes. Kami, his eyes are the color of midnight and the fire that sparks there speaks volumes about how this conversation is going to go.

I want him to look back out the window again. At least then he didn't look so...well dangerous. But I know the truth and so does Shigure. Akito is more dangerous than anyone will give him credit for.

"Ah, Shigure, so good of you to call upon me." He smiles briefly, eyes focused on Shigure. I wonder, does his face look as vile to Shigure as it does to me? "You hardly come to talk to me anymore. I was getting quite lonely."

"It has been a while," Shigure replies with a polite bow. His tone has changed slightly. His voice is deeper in tone, richer in quality. Kami, why hasn't he ever spoken to me like that? "My apologies."

"And Rin," he says to me, his eyes boring holes into my own. The brief smile returns and I'm reminded of a hungry wolf eyeing its prey. I barely suppress a shiver as it runs along my spine. "I understand you've been away for a while. Are you feeling better?"

I nod curtly, bowing ever so slightly. I know I should smile, but I can't bring myself to do it. And a fake smile will only make him angry. We don't want him angry, not yet.

"I am. Thank you."

"Please, sit down. Both of you." He gestures to two small cushions set up in front of his pallet. They're side by side only a few inches away. I watch as Shigure steps up to one cushion, then I quickly move to kneel on the other.

No eye contact between us, I have to remind myself. I'm not to look at Shigure directly. Keep focused on Akito or another part of the room. Let Shigure do the talking.

"I admit I find it quite...odd...that the two of you wish to speak to me together," Akito says, breaking the short silence.

"It is quite sudden," Shigure states. I can hear his smile in his voice. "But it is also important."

"You always bring me important information," Akito replies, practically cooing in delight.

"I do at that," Shigure readily agrees.

"And what news do you bring me today?"

"I want to ask a favor?"

Akito pushes himself forward, crawling on hands and knees until he's sitting right in front of Shigure. I do my best to look away from him but I find it difficult. He's practically drooling over the dog. Kami, am I jealous?! I think I might be sick.

"A favor? For what?"

Shigure remains motionless, his eyes trained on the head of household. "I want your permission to marry Rin."

I see something flicker behind Akito's eyes. His lips part and a sound like no other permeates the room. At first I think he's screaming, or maybe I am! But then I realize the little shit is laughing. He's laughing at us!

"Oh Shigure, that is funny. Marry the bitch? Oh, you are funny. How could I ever allow that?"

Shigure's voice changes again, dropping to a more dangerous level, but his posture remains the same. "Akito--"

Akito looks thoroughly pleased with himself, his laughter subsiding into chuckles. I'm not sure how previous conversations have gone between them, but apparently this is not a typical Shigure reaction.

"Please, Shigure. Give me some credit. The little whore had to be screwing someone. She couldn't have the Ox so she went after the next best thing. I knew it! I knew it all along!"

Out of the corner of my eye I see the right side of Shigure's face twitch. If he were a true dog, both ears would be cocked back and he'd be snarling like a rabid animal. It warms me to know he cares, almost enough to bring a smile to my face. But the cold chill of Akito's words quickly takes over. Any smile I had dies as his voice echoes in my head.

He knew all along.

And just who the hell is he calling a whore?!

"But you, Shigure." Akito's voice cuts gently through the air once more. If that's supposed to be a pout, than I'm a normal girl without a care in the world. "I thought you would be able to resist this demon temptress. Why, didn't you once tell me that you thought she was the ugliest creature on Earth?"

"I did."

His answer is so straightforward and quick that I'm taken by surprise. Luckily I stop myself from looking at him, clutching the cotton fabric over my knees and focusing my eyes on a spot of sunlight against the wall behind Akito. He told me things could be said that could totally blow me away. I believed him then, but I had no idea of the magnitude.

And it's only the beginning.

"Didn't you tell me that she was a bitch for hurting Hatsuharu? Wasn't the way she broke up with him just too cruel?"

I barely catch myself, stop myself from yelling that it wasn't my fault when I see Shigure move. It's a slight movement, merely the rise and fall of his chest as he sighs. Either he knew I was going to interject, or he's starting to get agitated.

"I did."

"And now you want to marry her?"

A calm nod. "Yes."

Akito inches closer, the back of one hand gently caressing Shigure's right cheek, the other resting on Shigure's knee. His face is mere centimeters from his, their lips nearly touching. "Don't you love me anymore, Shigure? I thought I was the only one for you."

Okay, now would be a good time to vomit. I don't want to see or hear anything after this point. But, sadly, I can't tear my eyes away. Dammit, just what was going on? Why did Akito have to be so unpredictable? This isn't what we practiced!

"Answer me, Shigure."

"I do love you, Akito."

With that Akito closes the small distance between them, placing a sloppy wet kiss on Shigure's lips. He's ready for it, accepting the kiss without argument. The only sign of fight is the clenching of his fists on his knees.

All right NOW is a good time to vomit.

When Akito pulls away, he lets his hands fall down Shigure's chest and onto his lap. I look away after that. "I love you Shigure. I won't share you with that whore."

Won't share huh?

"I'm sorry to hear that."

The words leave my mouth without warning and I know I've really messed up. In a flash Akito is in front of me, his hand reaching out to strike me. It connects with my left cheek, knocking me over with the force of the blow. Blood trickles from my upper lip. I can feel the bruise already forming.

I don't cry out, hell I don't even cry. I just sit back up, finally finding the courage to look the bastard in the eye. I know it'll warrant another strike, but I don't care. I'm going to be strong this time. I'm not going to back down now.

The second strike is opposite the first. The bastard has one hell of a backhand. I fall backward this time, barely catching myself with my left hand as I collapse near Shigure's cushion. I raise my right arm over my face, prepared for the third strike which will surely come.

When no strike comes I untwist myself and dare a glance upward. Akito's arm has been stopped by Shigure's hand. Standing behind the smaller man, Shigure's size and strength is surely overpowering. Still, it's dangerous being that close when Akito's angry, but one look at Shigure and I see an anger equal, if not fiercer, than Akito's.

Akito is simply stunned. Eyes wide, he slinks further onto the floor with his arm still in Shigure's grasp. He looks like he's about to whimper, throw some sort of five-year-old temper tantrum because he couldn't get his way.

"Why did you stop me?" His face is twisted into some unreadable montage.

"Because I love her," Shigure answers easily.

"That's not good enough! You can't love her!" Reaching up, Akito digs his nails into Shigure's forearm, scoring the flesh and drawing tiny lines of blood.

Shigure sighs, releasing Akito's arm by throwing it downward. If the scratches hurt or bothered him, he didn't say. "But I do. I love her."

I know it sounds sappy, but I just adore him when he says those three words.

"No, you can't!" Akito's screams are getting louder. The whole house can probably hear him. "I won't allow it!"

Shigure says the one thing we've practiced, certain it will sway the psychotic beast at his feet. With pure fire in his eye, he says through thinned lips, "Fine. Then we'll leave."

Akito's eyes get bigger. Growing infinitely larger as he gets physically smaller. Is he shaking? Is he angry again? Kami help us!

SLAP!

Shigure takes the hit in stride, a nice reddish-purple mark already forming on his left cheek. But what Akito says next throws us both for a loop.

"Fine. Then get out."

His voice is so calm that we don't know if we should believe him or not. His eyes are the color of ebony, the eyes of a madman. And angry madman.

I manage to stand, wiping my upper lip with the back of my right hand. There's blood there, but I'll stop bleeding soon. There's also a cramping sensation in my stomach. I ignore the pain, more concerned with Shigure.

Shigure steps away from the quivering Akito, placing an arm around my shoulders. He looks a bit lost, unsure if Akito meant what he just said. And the longer we wait, the angrier he gets. The temper tantrum was light compared to the next show. Akito picks up a nearby flower vase. We step back, Shigure wrapping me in his arms protectively, as it comes sailing through the air at us.

"Get out of my sight! *CRASH!* I want both of you *CRACK!* out of my sight! *CRASH!* Get out! *THUD!* Get out now! Don't ever come back here. *CRASH!* Never!"

Neither one of us argues. With his injured arm around my shoulders, Shigure leads me through the door and into the hallway. We stop once to look back as Hatori runs into Akito's chambers and the tortured man's screams come to a halt.

Everything went according to plan. Well, maybe not exactly, but we got what we wanted. What we had planned to obtain.

Our freedom. 

~TO BE CONTINUED~