Uo woke up bright and early the next day. It was time to confront Akito and she was ready. Last night she had a mental lecture inside her head and she was able to get her shit together.

She felt adrenaline flow throughout her body as she got up from bed and change into her normal wear.

This is it. This is the time she was going to face Akito once and for all.

Uo took a deep breath as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a high ponytail but a few strands of short hair were able to escape the hold of her hair tie.

Sticking a bobby pin in a few places on her head, she stared at her reflection some more. Her face had a pained but determind expression.

"Hey Uo? You ready?"

"Yeah just give me a sec!" She called back, recognizing the deep yet sexy voice of Kyo. What the hell??

She frowned at her thoughts and shook her head, annoyed. It's not the time to get hormones in the way of the plan.

Uo walked and opened her door revealing Kyo who stood in the hallway, obviously waiting for her. He looked at her and said nothing as he silently observed her choice of clothing.

"We're not going to the Olympics." He smirked, "What's with the joggers?"

Uo scoffed, "Is it wrong to be comfortable while confronting an insane maniac?"

"Comfortable and Akito doesn't seem to be in the right category." Kyo said bluntly.

She shrugged aprehensively, "I honestly don't care anymore."

Kyo flashed her a sympathetic smile and walked forward to hug her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him until she was pressed up against his chest.

"Whatever happens," he whispered, "I'm not gonna let anything hurt you again. Ever."

Uo nodded as she tightened her grip around his neck and blinked several times, trying not to let tears escape her eyes. She had to stay strong. For Kyo, for Tohru, for Hana, even her parents.

"I can't believe we've been through all of this." Uo said softly, "So many things has changed."

"But we overcame them together." He said firmly, "This will be over before you know it."

I hope you're right. Uo thought.

Kyo gave one last squeeze until he pulled away. He leaned down and kissed Uo on the forehead and led her downstairs. There stood Tohru, Yuki, and Shigure waiting for them.

"Are you all ready?" Shigure asked trying to sound enthusiastic, though under his light hearted voice was a layer of uncertainty.

Yuki seemed to realize his doubt and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Yes we are." He confirmed.

Tohru wrapped her arms around Uo, embracing her closely, "I love you my best friend."

Uo smiled, "And I you."

Then they all got their things and headed out the house. Shigure sat in the driver's seat while Kyo sat with Uo behind him and Yuki and Tohru in the back.

There was a sympathetic silence lingering in the air as Shigure drove to the Sohma house. No one said a word as they stared out the windows, reminiscing all the good memories they shared before Akito came and snatched away their happiness.

As Shigure pulled up to the side of the Sohma house, Uo couldn't help but stare in astonishment. The Sohma house stretched out over an acre of land and trees lined up on the side of the fence which surrounded their lot. There was a gate in the middle which led inside the Sohma territory and opened up into beautiful gardens and houses.

Shigure turned off the car and pulled the key out of the ignition, "Alright, we're here."

Everyone unbuckled their seat belts slowly before stepping out of the car. The snow on the ground has almost melted which meant that Spring was on its way. But Uo knew this wasn't a time of celebration.

Shigure led them through the gate and now they were setting foot in Akito's domain.

Kyo held Uo's hand tightly as they walked towards the big house on the far end. She tried catching his eye but his gaze was too busy looking around.

"Are you okay?" She whispered.

Kyo grimaced, "I'm not supposed to be here."

Uo looked confused, "But why? Aren't you a Sohma?"

"I am." He said quickly, "But because of my curse, I don't belong here anymore. And if Akito knows I'm trespassing..." His voice faltered.

Uo have his hand a squeeze, "It's okay, you don't have to say why." Then she narrowed her eyes, "But that is full of bullshit."

Kyo's lips tugged into a smile but it didn't last long. In front of them, Shigure stopped and turned around.

"Well here is Akito's place." He said darkly.

Tohru and Yuki came from behind and stood next to Uo.

"So do we just knock or..?" Uo asked.

"I'll go in first and see if Hatori is there." He replied, "Then I will inform him that we have guests and would like to schedule a meeting with the head Sohma."

Everyone nodded, watching Shigure open the main door and walked inside the house.

-----------------

A few minutes have passed and Shigure finally came out of the house followed by a tall, dark haired man. Uo remembered Hatori from the Christmas party before. His left eye was covered with his his long, black bangs, only his right eye gleamed behind his glasses.

"Hatori." Yuki and Kyo greeted with a bow.

Hatori gave them a small nod then gestured for everyone to follow him inside. Kyo's hand were once again wrapped around Uo's as they walked, tightening his grip with every step. Yuki and Tohru walked closely behind them as they all stepped inside the Main House.

The first thought that came to Uo's mind was how dark it was in the house. The windows weren't open to let the gleaming light of the sun shine through the wooden blinds and not even the ceiling lamps, hanging down, were lit. Everything was as still has a heartbeat and no one dared to make a sound.

The atmosphere was depressing as the group walked through the halls of the house. Their footsteps making soft creaks on the hardwood floor and they tried to keep their breathing as quiet as possible.

Kyo kept tensing beside her whenever a faint movement passed by them or even the almost silent whispers behind the rooms. Uo realized that he was very uncomfortable and haven't seen him like that before.

Hatori led them to the end of a hall and slid open a sliding, wooden door, covered in cherry blossom wallpaper. Once he opened the door all the way, sunlight burst through the room, blinding Uo which she had to shield her eyes. The room was as big as a dining room plus a living room. Red, silk pillows surrounded a dark, wooden table in the middle of the room.

As Uo kept gazing over the scene, her eyes finally led her to a figure, lying outside of the room on a porch. She realized that it was Akito, reclining and was covered in a salmon colored robe, lined with blue silk on the outside. His dark hair fell lazily on his shoulders as he had his right hand holding his head.

Hatori walked over to the head Sohma and whispered, "Your guests have arrived, sir."

Akito said nothing but gave a slight nod for Hatori to leave the room. As he passed by them on his way out, he gave Shigure a look of fear but only lasted for a heartbeat until he was out of their sight.

Uo heard Akito chuckle as the sliding door closed behind them, "Don't just stand there like confused pets, go ahead and make yourselves at home." He gestured, still lying on the porch, to the red pillows on the floor.

Shigure was the first to walk over and sit down followed by Yuki and Tohru who sat down cautiously. Kyo led Uo to one of the pillows and held her close to him as they sat down together.

There was an awkward and tense silence between them until Akito slowly got up from his position. His gaze traveled slowly from one person to another, his eyes narrowed.

"Thank you all for visiting especially on a short notice." He smirked, "Now shall we get down to business? How may I assist you?"

Shigure inhaled a deep breath before speaking: "We are here because Arisa Uotani would like to speak with you, if you may."

Uo flinched at the sound of her name which gained a crooked smile from the dark haired Sohma.

"Why of course." He said with such serenity it almost sounded forced, "Maybe it will be best if you leave the room, eh Shigure? Anyways, what would you like to discuss, my dear Arisa?"

Shigure gave an uncertain nod and got up and left the room. Uo saw Kyo grit his teeth and she swallowed back her fear, "I wanted to talk to you about the Sohma curse."

Akito's eyes flashed in the morning sun, "What about the curse that is so important you need to come here to me and talk about?" He circled their table, walking slowly.

Uo swallowed back her fears again then spoke with confidence, "I don't understand why you say the Sohma's in the curse cannot be loved. Why is that?"

Akito stopped walking and stood in front of her. He leaned down slowly until his face was inches away from hers. Uo could see the fire in his eyes that burned furiously but would not be released so quickly. It would take so long to extinguish that kind of hatred.

"Loved you say?" He sneered, "Love is a fairytale. Love is for weaklings such as yourself. Who needs love when everyone around you pushes you away, looks down on you, thinks your a monster?" He eyed Kyo carefully, "I know what's best for this family and love is not one of those choices. It's a distraction! They say they accept you but no! They're fascinated with your curse, your fears, and they twist your emotions until theres nothing left of you!"

Uo looked away from where Akito stood, breathing heavily, "Is that what happened... with you? Is that why you act this way?"

Suddenly in a flash, a hand whipped in the air and snatched Uo's hair in a firm, strong grasp. She yelled out in pain.

"Let go of her!" Kyo shouted and lunged for Akito but he was too quick and pushed the oranged haired Sohma backwards, sending him reeling.

"Uo!" Tohru cried out.

"Shut up you Honda girl!" Akito growled, "This is the same situation you got yourself into! Now your friend has to go through the same consequences."

Uo felt hot tears run down her face as his grip tightened around her ponytail. He yanked her head upwards and she screamed.

"What happened to me??" Akito yelled, "You want to know what happened to me?!" He pulled her hair up until he was looking directly at her eyes. Uo's vision was clouded with tears as she stared into Akito's fiery gaze, "When I was born they told me that my destiny was to die! I was literally born to die! And what did they do? Nothing! They didn't love me! If they did they wouldn't let a child's fate come to that!"

"Stop... please." Uo whispered, her head started aching and the pain increased making her squeeze her eyes shut.

"No!" He snarled, pulling her hair harder, "You don't understand what I go through! Everyday I am slowly dying, not knowing when my days are up. Your making my job a lot more difficult that it should be. None of the Sohma's should find love. It distracts them and turns them into sinful, depressed creatures!"

"But what about Tohru and Yuki!" Uo screeched, "They're living proof that the Sohma curse can be broken! Why can't you see that?"

Akito's lip curled into a scowl and brought his other hand up to her face, slapping Uo which sent her sprawled on the floor. Kyo cried out and ran towards her but was suddenly stopped by a tall, built man who probably as in his 30's. He wore a simple black robe and his brown hair was spiked upwards. Before Kyo could react, the man tackled him to the floor and held him down. Suddenly, Yuki was there kicking the man and trying to loosen his hold on Kyo. The man stood up and threw a punch in his direction but Yuki was too fast. He dodged it and counterattacks with a swift punch in the stomach. The man then was left fighting both Kyo and Yuki who fought alongside each other, matching their punches.

Akito cackled, "I see you have now met my new friend. Have I mentioned before that he's my private assassin?" He turned to Tohru who crouched over Uo's trembling body, "Such a pity I didn't end your life a while ago. You both are useless human beings that should have never found out about the Sohma curse!"

I don't understand why he's so against his own family member finding love! Uo thought. Well... Once a person marries.. they move out of there home and leave their family.. wait!

"Is that the reason?" Uo shouted at Akito who seemed to be enjoying everyone's torture. His gray eyes suddenly turned to her, the fire once again sparked with hatred. Tears still flowed down her face and she couldn't wipe them away.

"What reason are you talking about, pet?" He spat, impatiently, "And stop your crying you pathetic excuse of a human!"

That made Uo quickly wipe her tears away. She then smeared them on her shirt and took in a shaky breath, "Is that why you don't want them to find love? Is it because they'll leave? They'll leave you? All alone in this house you call a cage until you die away? Is it because you're scared of losing your family?"

For a heartbeat, Akito's gaze soften and the fire in his eyes began to disperse. Uo stared into his eyes and saw how broken he truly was. The moment didn't last long and a scowl formed on his face. His eyes darkened and the fire was once again ignited.

"Lies!" He snapped, "Do you really think a pesky creature like you would understand? Me? Alone? Ha! I've been alone all my life, torturing, breaking hearts, and manipulating the lives of the weak."

Uo stared in shock, "But it is true! You just don't want to admit it!"

"Really?!" Akito laughed maniacally, "What makes you think you're right and I'm wrong? You're no better than a common fool! I'm a god compared to you! And you fools," His gaze whipped back and forth from her and Tohru, "have corrupted the souls of those two!" He pointed angrily at Kyo and Yuki still fought against the assassin.

Uo was speechless. She stared down at her hands which were laced with Tohru's. They both were shaking in fear and anger as Akito continued to laugh at them.

"I've had enough fun." He growled then gestured for his assassin to come towards him. The tall man gave a curt nod and pushed Kyo and Yuki away from him. He then made his way towards Akito, "Do what I have asked you to do!"

"Yes sir." The man nodded again and pulled out a silver gun from the back of his robe. Akito then went and grabbed Uo off the floor and threw her outside on the porch. She cried out in pain and tumbled on the wooden floor.

"Uo!" Kyo shouted painfully from where he stood, covered in bruises. His forehead started dripping blood and the side of his lip was swollen.

Then the tall man pointed the barrel of the gun to where Uo lay and placed a finger on the trigger.

Akito chuckled, "Erasing your memory would do nothing for me in return. So why not shoot you instead?"

The gun clicked.

"Goodbye Arisa Uotani." He smiled evily, "Tell my parents hi to them in hell."

"NO!" Kyo shrieked and burst into running towards Uo. She couldn't see clearly through her newly formed tears as Kyo came barreling after her.

Everything around her went slow and all she saw was a blur of orange infront of her and the sound of a gunshot, ringing through the air.

Closing her eyes, she cringed at the sound of an earpiercing cry of pain and a strangled gasp.

-------------------

I am evil.....

MWAHAHAHA!

CLIFFHANGER!!!!

Mkay bye!

Happy Reading!

-M