The note on the door read, "Come to Hatori's as soon as you get home. It's an emergency."

"I wish Shigure had been more specific." Kyou said as he, Tohru, and Yuki approached the Sohma estate.

Tohru nodded sadly. "I hope no one's hurt."

"I'm sure it will be alright," Yuki consoled her in a shaky voice. Going near the main house always made him nervous. He didn't care what was wrong as long as he didn't have to see Akito.

They were greeted at the front door of Hatori's place by Shigure who hurried them up the stairs.

"What the hell is going on?" Kyou asked. That's when they noticed Shigure's red eyes.

"What's wrong?" Tohru asked putting a hand on the older man's shoulder.

"It's Aaya, he's been badly hurt."

"Oh, no!" Tohru exclaimed. "Oh, Yuki, I'm so sorry."

"Why should I care?" Yukiasked callously.

Shigure slapped him. "He's your brother whether you like it or not. Surely your grudge against him doesn't go as far as this."The older manstared him down.

"Hey, give him a break." Surprisingly it was Kyou who stepped in to defend him. "Ayame never gave a crap about Yuki when he was being hurt. So why should Yuki give a damn?"

"Shut up, you stupid cat." Yuki said icily causing Kyou to flush with anger. "Shigure's right. Ayame's my brother, so of course I should see him."

"You damn rat!" Kyou muttered under his breath as he followed them into Hatori's bedroom.

Yuki and Shigure entered the room while Tohru and Kyou lingered in the doorway. Inside they could see Hatori wrapping Ayame's ribs in bandages; he looked horrible. Yuki walked tentatively to the bedside of his brother. Ayame was covered with bruises and his complexion was pale and his usually vivid eyes seemed dull and lifeless.

"What happened to him?" Kyou asked, shocked at the sight of his cousin.

"Akito," Shigure answered simply.

"Oh, no, poor Ayame." Tohru covered her face with her hands and began to cry softly.

Ayame gave a half smile to his brother. "Yuki, you came."

Yuki merely nodded. He had frozen in fear upon hearing Akito's name.

"What the hell did he do to him?" Kyo asked.

"He was trying to protect Yuki." Hatori answered as he continued to bandage Ayame's broken body. "Akito wanted you to spend your next break with him, and this idiot tried to defy him."

Shigure shook his head. "He should have waited for me. I know how to deal with Akito."

"But isn't Akito awfully sick?" Tohru whimpered. "How did he hurt Ayame so much?"

"A metal bar," Shigure answered.

"Luckily I was able to cover my face," Ayame said with pride, "but soon my body was so weak I transformed."

"Luckily he transformed back. It would be really hard to tell what's wrong in his snake form. I was really worried, Aaya." Hatori kissed him on the forehead.

"Now, now, Haa-san, calm down. None of that until the patient has completely recovered." Shigure giggled.

"Really, Shigure, your perversion never ceases to amaze me," Hatori answered dryly.

Yuki had finally found words and took his brother's battered hand. "You did this for me. I don't know what to say."

Ayame sighed contentedly at his brother's display of affection, and his green eyes even twinkled slightly. "Well, Yuki, say you'll help me."

"Anything," Yuki answered without hesitation.

"I need someone to run my shop this week. My assistant is out of town and I have a huge weekend coming up. I need it tidied up a bit and someone to let the photographers in on Saturday." Ayame batted his eyelashes at his brother.

Yuki could feel his stomach sinking, but he had given his word. "Okay." he said reluctantly.

"Oh, Yuki, you're the best. I was so worried that everything would be ruined. Hatori said it will be at least a week before I can go back to work and now I can just worry about getting better. Come by everyday for instructions and to see me of course. Oh, and you'll most likely need help."

Yuki turned to Shigure. "Oh, not me, for I have pledged not to leave Aaya's side until I have brought him back to life with the power of my eternal love."

"Oh, 'Gure, you're such a romantic." Ayame giggled before wincing with pain.

"Careful, love." Shigure moved over to Ayame, ran his thumb across his cheek, and kissed him full on the mouth for quite a bit too long.

"Do you mind?" Kyou yelled. "I've always known what the three of you do behind closed doors. I don't have to see it to believe it."

Tohru was blushing wildly. "Oh, my, the three of you sure are close. Ayame certainly is lucky to have such caring people around him as he heals…hehe."

Kyou let out an exasperated sigh, and Yuki hung his head in shame.

"I just remembered something, Yuki." Ayame had gingerly lowered himself to a more comfortable position. "On Saturday the magazine photographers expect four models."

"Models?" Yuki was horrified.

"Yes," Ayame answered. "I was to be one of them. Mine had to go out of town at the last minute so I was looking for a replacement."

"So who were the other two?" Yuki asked.

"They also had to back out." Hatori said meaningfully.

"Yes, indeed," Shigure seconded him.

"Oh, dear," Ayame exclaimed. "I guess I'll have to leave you to find three more."

Yuki flinched as he pictured himself cross dressing once more.

"I'll help," Tohru volunteered cheerfully.

"Thanks, Miss Honda." Yuki smiled gratefully.

"Oh, hell, I'll help too," Kyou piped up, causing everyone in the room to go silent.

"What?" he asked. "I'd just have to model some clothes. What, am I not model material?"

"That's not it at all." Ayame smirked. "I think you'll be perfect."

"Oh, dear, I forgot," Tohru sighed. "Kyo-kun has never visited Ayame's shop."

"So?" Kyou was obviously getting more and more angry as though he felt himself on the outside of some private joke.

Yuki gave him a smug smile. "I guess that makes three, and when we get home, I'll call number four."