A/N: Hello again, readers. I don't have much to say apart from see 2nd chapter for super important note. Anyhoo, enjoy, and I am honored to have you read!

Disclaimer: I obviously don't own


Shigure walked deeper into the abandoned stretch of all, the duffle bag in his hand swinging at his side. No one ever came down here apart from Akito, Hatori, and Yuki.

Oh, Yuki. He sighed as he stood at that door. What was he thinking? He wanted to get back at Akito, but wasn't this going too far? Maybe…it wasn't just for Akito this time.

Slowly, his hand wrapped around the handle and Shigure pulled the door open. Of all the things he expected to see, the sight that greeted him was not one of them.

The light from the hall was the only light that illuminated the room. On the inside it was completely black. The door, the walls, the floor were all painted black. The stench of vomit and sweat hung in the air like a curtain. Most pitifully of all, was the huddled form barely recognizable by the light of the door.

"Oh, Yuki."

Yuki tensed even further if that was even possible. He lay on his side, his pale eyes wide and bloodshot. His hands were grasped tightly at his head. His fingernails were split, cracked, and bloodied as if the boy had been clawing at something. Shigure chanced a glance at the other side of the door. Of course.

He walked in making sure he was in complete view of Yuki so as not to startle him. It didn't have much of an effect as he had hoped though. Shigure knelt in front of him, voice soft, "Yuki?"

The boy's head snapped back so violently, he hit the wall with a dull thud. Shigure winced, placing his hands out in front of him. "Yuki, it's okay. It's me, Shigure."

His pale grey eyes seemed to clear a bit. Yuki's eyes rose to meet his cousin's. "Sh-Shigure?" His voice was so hoarse and raspy, Shigure couldn't help but wince again.

"Yes, it's me."

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to get you. You'll be staying with me for a while, if that's alright with you."

For a split second, Yuki seemed hopeful, but his eyes quickly clouded over, his head hanging low. "Akito would never let me go."

Shigure gave him a goofy grin. "Oh really? Because Akito's the one who gave me permission in the first place." Yuki shot up at his words, clearly stunned. "I mean, if you really want to stay here, you can—"

"No! Let me out! I want to leave this place!" Yuki interrupted, hands grabbing onto Shigure's arm. He seemed to realize what he had done, for he quickly pulled his arms back in. "I want to go with you. Please." The last word was little more than a pitiful whine.

Shigure placed a hand on his cousin's head, not missing the way he violently flinched. Ignoring that (for now), he said "Well then, let's go. Hatori already packed your stuff." He gently ruffled his hair, removed it, and stood. He held out his hand once more. "Shall we?"

The young Sohma hesitated at first before reaching out and taking Shigure's hand. Shigure decided to ignore the bruises he saw under the boy's sleeve (for now).

He pulled the boy onto his feet only to have his legs immediately buckle. Shigure just barely caught him. The boy was uncomfortably light and easy to hold. He silently brought Yuki back to his feet until it seemed he wouldn't collapse again. Just in case he did though, Shigure kept one hand on his shoulder, no matter how tense the boy was.

With a bag slung over one shoulder and Yuki under his hand, they left the bleak black room. Shigure steered Yuki through the empty hall and to the front door. He put on his shoes and coat, frowning at Yuki's thin, raggedy "coat". It was winter, didn't his mother care? A thought suddenly occurred to him.

"Yuki, I don't have a car. I walked here. Do you think you'll be able to make it back to my house alright?"

The younger Sohma quickly nodded, barely paused to register the question, clearly ready to leave. Looking at him though, Shigure wasn't sure. Yuki was nearly 14 years old, but he looked like he was 11 or 12. He wasn't very tall and he was so very scrawny. In the light of the front, he could really see the details of the boy. There were dark bags under his eyes. His fingers and nails were a black and blue mess smeared with blood, there was even some in his hair.

Sighing, Shigure weighed his options. On the one hand, he could ask Hatori to drive them, but then Akito could catch word and decide to change her mind. On the other, they could just move quickly and hope for the best.

He didn't really like either option.

With a frustrated huff, Shigure chose the latter option. He opened the door, shivering slightly against the cool winter air. "Let's go, Yuki." Despite his haggard appearance, Yuki never looked happier.

As they left the main house and passed through the gate, Shigure couldn't help but notice a figure watching them from a window. That's right. Watch me take him away, he thought triumphantly.

Things started out smoothly enough on their walk to his home. At one point, Yuki was shivering so badly he looked as if he might collapse. So, Shigure gave him his coat. The younger cousin looked as if he might have given the coat back, but one look from Shigure made him hold on to it.

By the time they made it to Shigure's, Yuki's breathing was heavy and he looked ready to pass out, but there was a small smile on his face that shined through the exhaustion.

Shigure removed his shoes, Yuki following his lead. He rubbed his arms to try and get any warmth back into them. He turned the heat up before smiling back at his younger cousin who had yet to move from the entry way.

"Yuki, are you hungry?" No response. "Well I know I am. Why don't you go sit at the table while I get us something to eat."

The silver haired boy did as he was told as he spied the table, while Shigure went into the mess of a kitchen. He managed to scrounge some leftover take out that he popped into the microwave. I'm going to need to get some actual food soon, won't I? He sighed at the thought. Maybe that one cute girl will still work at the grocery store.

The microwave beeped and Shigure brought it to the kitchen where he found Yuki sitting, looking around nervously. Shigure placed the food and utensils down in front of him, taking a seat himself. He watched as Yuki barely picked at the grilled fish and rice.

In truth, Shigure had not been that hungry, but after seeing how scrawny his cousin was, he knew the boy needed to eat. Of course he doubted Yuki would have eaten had he not joined and instructed him. At least it worked…kind of.

After only 10 minutes of uncomfortable silence, Yuki looked about ready to fall asleep on his food.

"Come on, Yuki," Shigure started. The younger Sohma flinched at his name, but rose as his cousin did. "How about I show you your room, then you can take a shower and get some sleep, sound good?" the boy only nodded. "You know, you can say something, Yuki? I won't be mad at you."

"I know. Sorry," was Yuki's weak response.

At least it's a start, Shigure thought. He grabbed the forgotten bag and led Yuki to his new room. Apart from a desk, bed, and empty shelf, the room was completely bare.

"I know it's not much but it's yours," Shigure said. "When we have time we can get some things to make it feel a bit more lived in, okay?" he looked to see Yuki looking even worse than before. The red in his cheeks had not gone away. His breathing was ragged and frequently followed by coughs. He swayed on his feet.

"I suggest you take a quick shower there, Yuki, before you fall over."

The younger Sohma slowly nodded. He rummaged through his bag of belongings for a new set of clothes before stumbling to the bathroom. Shigure waited until he heard the water start to go back down to his office.

As he sat in his office listening to the distant sound of the shower, Shigure couldn't help but think about the day. He hadn't cared much about Yuki nor had he know much about his time with Akito—just a few things from Hatori, Hatsuharu, or Akito herself. But after what he'd seen, somehow, by some miracle he did now. As soon as he left Yuki to himself, he called Hatori who'd been eager to come check up on the boy.

When he heard the shower finally shut off, Shigure went back upstairs. As soon as he got to Yuki's doorway, the younger Sohma was making his way into bed. He looked a little better, his breathing wasn't quite so harsh and he seemed a bit rejuvenated.

"Just so you know, Hatori will be coming over tomorrow to check up on you."

Yuki nodded lethargically. Sensing that was the end of the conversation, Shigure was about to leave, when he heard a whisper. It was faint and tired, but to him it was as loud as if he shouted it from the rooftops. "Thank you, Shigure."

"You're quite welcome, Yuki. Goodnight."

Pulling back the covers to his own bed, Shigure hoped that Yuki would be able to sleep well tonight. And that's when it hit him. Tomorrow Yuki would still be here. In Shigure's house. He looked to the sky and chuckled softly, "What have I gotten myself into?"


Thank you for reading I hope you enjoyed! As usual, your comments always make me feel nothing but warm joy. Thanks again and have a good morning, afternoon, night, and evening!