One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter. - James Earl Jones

Tohru-nee! Hinata-nee!" Kisa cried happily.

"Kisa-san!" Tohru cried back and they embraced.

"Seriously? We just arrived and they are already doing this." Hiro grumbled irritably.

"Oh stop being so irritable you grumpy lamb." I rolled my eyes and patted his head.

He scowled and planted his hands firmly to hide his hair.

"Whatever! I'm going to my room!" He stomped up the stairs petulantly.

I chuckled and hugged Kisa. "He's irritable as usual."

"Sorry." She murmured quietly.

"Don't worry about it little tiger. He's kinda like Kyo, very fun to rile up."

"Hey!" Kyo yelled angrily.

"See?"

Kisa giggled and nodded enthusiastically.

"Let's go catch some bugs!" Momiji announced with a smile.

I felt my insides clench when I saw how forced it was. No one else probably noticed but Momiji had been avoiding me since the day before yesterday.

He hasn't talked, clung, or even bugged me since then.

I could feel his glances but if I looked back he would immediately avert his eyes.

It was painful.

I didn't know what I did, but I'd gladly apologize if I knew what it was.

We walked through the forest, oddly devoid of chatter beside Tohru and Kisa along with some commentary from Hiro.

Kisa lagged behind a little bit until Hiro and I were forced to stop in worry.

"Are you okay? It is a bit hot today. Here have some water." I offered the red faced girl.

"No...Hinata-nee did you and Momiji-nii have a fight?" She asked quietly.

I glanced around and noticed Momiji and Tohru had wandered further up the path.

I pursed my lips,"Hiro, why don't you go give Momiji some water. I promise I'll bring Kisa back to you in a minute."

He sighed but nodded anyway. "Fine but just because I don't want to listen to a girly heart-to-heart." He wandered off, clutching something in his hands along with the water.

"D-Did you have a really bad fight?" Kisa asked worriedly.

"Kisa sometimes...even the greatest friends disagree sometimes. Momiji and I are just not seeing eye to eye right now." I said quietly.

"But you never fight." Kisa protested scrubbing her eyes.

"Eventually everyone fights Kisa." I smiled. "It's how we show we care about each other. Like when you and Hiro fight, in the end you fought because you cared about what the other was doing."

"Then what are you fighting about?"

"I wish I knew." I sighed heavily.

"Why don't you ask him?" She asked innocently.

"I would if he was speaking to me." I murmured quietly.

"You'll make up soon...right?" Kisa asked uncertainly.

"Yeah, of course, Kisa what's wrong? Did someone tell you something?" I asked, suddenly worried.

"I-I heard a girl talking that her mom and dad were getting into fights and not speaking to each other and that they were going to leave each other and the girl could only see one of them for most of the year."

"Kisa, that isn't going to happen. First of all, we aren't married."

"You aren't?" She blinked.

I deadpanned and blushed. "No, no we are not married."

"But Haru-nii said you were." Kisa protested.

"Haru-nii is the embodiment of a childish bipolar liar." I said, rolling my eyes.

"Well you sound like you are married." She trailed off.

"We aren't, second of all this fight isn't anything. We'll make up soon enough. Don't worry." I ruffled her hair.

"Oh and for the record, Momiji is trying to woo Tohru so don't say anything that Haru-nii would say, okay?"

"Tohru-nee and Momiji-nii can't be together." Kisa frowned.

"Why not?" I asked, honestly curious.

"Because Tohru and Kyo are going to be together. Plus he would be cheating on you."

"Kisa, we aren't interested, dating, or married." I said in exasperation.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"...okay..."

Tohru suddenly hurried past us, clutching her green notebook.

"Hey Tohru!" I called in worry.

Hiro appeared behind her, looking confused.

"I just asked her why she mentioned her mom all the time and not her dad." He said, looking away.

I sighed and beckoned them.

Momiji appeared a moment later sparing us but a glance before hurrying toward the direction Tohru went.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of hurt watching him leave but I berated myself a second later.

He liked Tohru. There was nothing I could do but support them. They both deserved to be happy.

"You shouldn't have asked that Hiro." Kisa muttered before running after Tohru and Momiji.

"I didn't mean too." He whispered hoarsely, sinking onto his knees.

"She knows, grumpy lamb, she's just worried." I smiled a little, picking him up by his elbow before frowning.

"If you get taller than me, I'll hate you forever." He choked out a laugh at that but quickly muffled it.

"Jeez, kids these days, if you want to laugh, laugh." I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever." He coughed, looking at his shoes.

I sighed and tugged on his arm. "Tsundere's aren't cute Hiro. Say what you mean."

"I'm not a tsundere or cute!" He shouted before stalking away.

"Liar." I muttered darkly.
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~Next Day~

I frowned when I came upon the path we had used yesterday.

"Hiro? Kisa? Why are you hiding?" I asked quietly.

It was evening and I had just finished making dinner but Kisa, Hiro, and Momiji were still gone.

Tohru volunteered to look for them but I denied seeing as she would probably get a concussion from tripping.

Kisa teared up and dragged me behind the bush they were hiding in.

"Kisa what going on?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Akito is here." Hiro said quietly.

I paled instantly.

"Where."

"He's sitting at the front porch. I think he's waiting for Yuki. That bastard always hurt Kisa. I won't let him do it again." He ground out.

"I know another way inside the house. It's long but I think I prefer that to Akito. Follow me and be quiet." I whispered.

We didn't relax until we were far out of range from the porch. As soon as we did Kisa burst into tears and vehemently apologized for everything and nothing.

I calmed her down by pulling her into a hug and Hiro whispered reassurances.

Sometimes it was easy to forget they were 12. They never got a childhood and they had acted so innocently you would think they were 8. It was hard to forget however, they were physically and mentally abused.

When Kisa stopped crying and apologized, we continued to the window of Tohru's room.

I helped Kisa and Hiro inside but before I could I heard footsteps. I quickly shut the window and gestured for them to hide.

Soon Akito appeared, looking sickeningly delighted to have found another victim.

I stiffened upon his arrival and glared daggers.

"Little Honda, what are you doing all the way back here?" Akito sneered.

"I heard scratching at the side of the house and decided to investigate it." I said calmly, glancing at the branches that scratched against the window.

"Really? You aren't hiding anyone?" He smiled pleasantly.

"No. Where would I hide them Akito-san?"

"Good question." He smile and crept forward.

"You haven't been listening very well little Honda."

I stared back blankly.

"I have no idea what you are talking about Akito-san."

"I told you to keep your distance from my rabbit. But you wouldn't listen. I told you not to get close to the Sohma's. But you didn't listen. When will you learn?" He brought his hand back and slapped me harshly across the face.

My head shot to the side as my cheek stung in pain.

I brought my hand up and cupped the tender skin, feeling blood drip down, I winced and wiped it away before glaring venomously at the raven haired boy.

"Don't lie to me next time little Honda. You have accepted the lamb and tiger's punishment for trying to trick me. Word of the wise, I suggest next time you just give them up."

I narrowed my eyes.

"One day God, your tower of animals will crashing down. They'll realize they have power to control them self and you'll be just as alone like me. Word of the wise Akito-san, I would watch my steps very carefully. You wouldn't want your feet to fumble on your dress of egotistical, god complex, arrogant, abusive, façade. We both know that deep down, you're just like me. The only difference is, I'm used to people leaving and I've built a stable structure to survive without them. What happens when you all go falling down and they stumble away?" I asked coldly, feeling my heart pound dangerously.

Akito stiffened. "They'll never leave me. They belong to me. Their emotions are mine. Their choices are mine. Every one of them are MINE!" He hissed.

"You'll regret you were ever born Honda. That is, if you can remember it." He smirked before walking away.

I sighed and wiped away the trail of trickling blood and climbed through the window my heart stuttering now.

"Hinata-nee! Are you okay?" Kisa cried touching my tender cheek.

"M-my medicine." I gasped out and she quickly grabbed my black bag.

I jammed a needle in a stayed still for a few moments before breathing in relief.

"I'm fine little tiger." I smiled lightly and patted her golden locks.

"How long?" Hiro suddenly asked.

"A year and a half. Almost 2 now." I said nonchalantly. Grabbing a bandaid and cleaning my cut in disinfectant before covering it with a bandage.

"Why haven't you told anyone?" He asked angrily.

"He said if I did, he would hurt Momiji and Kisa." I said. "I didn't want that to happen."

Hiro slumped to his knees.

"We are screwed, aren't we?" He finally said.

"No." I shook my head. "I know you haven't known me long. About a year for you Kisa and a few months for you Hiro. But I won't let him hurt you on this trip. I won't stand by and let children be abused. I won't." I grit my teeth and looked up. "I'm sorry I can't do anything else, but this, at least this, I can do."

Hiro stared for a moment before he snorted.

"Don't think I'm going to let a girl take all the hits. I'm strong too. I'll protect both of you." He said determinedly.

I smiled a bit, I guess he was finally starting to like me. It was sweet but I wouldn't let him.

I would let him believe he would be helping burden it, but I'll carrying the boulders while they carried the pebbles.

"But I don't want either of you hurt." Kisa protested.

"Everyone gets hurt eventually Kisa. It's just another way to show we care." I smiled faintly.

__________________________
I'm going to cry...

Here are some questions to ask yourself and answer to me.

How are Momiji and Hinata like a married couple?

Why is Momiji so upset with Hinata?

Why is Hiro getting nicer to Hinata?

How did Akito know Hinata was lying and Kisa and Hiro were hiding?

What did he mean by, "You'll regret you were ever born Honda. That is, if you can remember it." ?

Does the author suck? I'll answer that for you. Yes, yes she does.

What will happen next?

Please stay with this series until the end! A few more chapters before the the sequel starts!