Disclaimer: I, Lauren, do not own anything. I own nothing. Not even the names in this story. I own a plot, but since it isn't really there..I still own nothing. I am saddened by the fact that I own nothing, however in order to keep the nothing I own I have to admit to it.

AN: Hey guys! I am back. I said I would be...and I came. Ok. One tiny clarification, Honda is the name from her mothers family. That means the relatives that she lives near, are from her fathers side. So any time you hear about Honda, it is about her mother's family, not her father's.

Chapter 4: Into the Dark

Tohru was bored. Her grandfather was asleep and apart from that he was now fit as a fiddle. She didn't understand. When she arrived he was half dead, and now…

So she cleaned. She had cooked and baked. She had even done some minor gardening until thoughts of Yuki's secret base filled her head. Now Tohru just sat. They had run out of a few items and she contemplated going down the street to get them. But how could she leave him all alone?

Mamoru had told her that she should go out more and not spend all her time looking after him. Tohru argued in a very subtle yet effective way that she was here to look after him all the time and not to go out and have fun! After that she had gotten choked up and agreed that she might go out a few times during her stay here.

So he was asleep. There was a phone right next to his bed. He was looking better each day. And Tohru really needed those items for the dinner she'd planned for tonight.

'Okay! That's it. I'll go now while everything's fine and be back before anyone knows!' Tohru got up and brushed herself off. She was going to go before she lost her nerve again.

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It was busy for a Monday. She hadn't really thought much about the town in years. The women in streets most likely went to school with her mother. The men might have dated her. That is until she married a Watanabe, her father. Tohru sighed.

It was strange to think that this little town in the mountains could really contain such people. People that judged others self-worth based upon rumors and their own misgivings. In other words, books are judged by their cover. It saddened Tohru. These men and women, they would have been for her mother leaving. They would have chased her out. Scorned and frightened.

Tohru shook herself. There was no time for that. The sun would set in about an hour and she wanted to cook dinner.

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As the shadows began to lengthen, he began to follow. He had not seen her for years, and now…

She finally was in his domain again. All the plans he made, all that preparation was leading up to this, to her returning. And this time, how could she deny him. He had fixed it so that no matter what she felt, she had to be with him. This was as close as he would ever get to love, and if he called it that, then he loved her more than life itself. He needed her. He craved her. He had to have her. This time there was no backing out.

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It grew dark quickly. Tohru sighed to herself as she trudged up a hill. He grandfather would most likely still be asleep. One of his pain killers could knock him out for ten hours. It was not fun to be all by her self for that long, sitting idle and wishing she had homework, or chores. Or even fights to stop. God she missed home. She missed having the Sohma's to care for. Instead she had her dying grandfather.

She shook her head. No time to mope!

Then she heard someone footsteps. Tohru turned around to greet them, because it was lonely walking all by her self, but no one was there. Just a little freaked, Tohru turned around and shrugged. Everyone said she was a ditz, so why not at hearing things as well.

Again! Foot steps. Tohru peeked over her shoulder but no one was there. She frowned a little. What was happening? She felt her heart begin to pump faster and kept walking.

And then as the last ray of sunlight disappeared, she heard them again. Tohru was easily spooked by the strange noises and began to quicken her pace. She was frightened now, and she clutched the shopping as tightly as she could. The footsteps began to get closer, and closer until she could swear the person was right next to her. Too scared to turn around Tohru was about to flee, as fast as she could, when a hand came down on her shoulder. She shrieked and spun around, about to fight for her life. Then she stopped, wheezing slightly and eyes trying to adjust. She gasped.

Before her was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. He was beautiful, in a dark and powerful way. Red eyes glinted at her under the street lamp, and he gave her a feral grin revealing pearly white teeth, that oddly enough, seemed pointed. His hair was as black as the surroundings and his face was kept in the shadows.

"I didn't mean to frighten you little one." He said, and his voice deep. Just as dark and powerful as his appearance. "I merely wished to greet you, and ask if you needed an escort home. It is dark out dear girl, and I would hate to see you hurt." The man gave a mocking grin again, and she shivered. Even Akito could not match the feel of this…man.

"Ah…I…umm…" Tohru couldn't think. Something was drawing her closer to him, or maybe he was moving. At this point Tohru was too lost to care. She shook herself and smiled. "Arigatou. My name is Honda Tohru. I am pleased to meet my new neighbors." And she gave a bow. The man seemed shocked, and did not speak. Tohru panicked. What if she had just insulted him? What if he didn't know the customs? What if…? Her thoughts trailed off when he bowed in return and then stood up.

"My name is Itachi. I am pleased to meet you as well." The man, Itachi smiled at her. "Please allow me to help you home dear child." And again Tohru shivered. There was something about this man she could not put her finger on. Something sinister.

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Mamoru woke up alone. Nowadays, since Tohru had arrived he felt much better. His death was coming soon, but at least it would a painless one. The man had promised at least that.

It pained him to betray his grandchild like this. It really did. It hurt as much as letting Kyoko leave, or seeing Setsuna, his beautiful wife, die. Mamoru hung his head. Why did he let him rule? This evil creature, from the gods worst nightmares. He deserved to die.

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"Ah I see Honda-san. You must be a very brave woman to come all the way up here, just to be with your dying grandpa." Itachi said and Tohru blushed. She wasn't really. She just, had to. It was her duty. And even if it wasn't, she would have come. Tohru loved her Grandpa, even if he had driven away Kyoko.

"Well, I suppose I am. Honestly though, I don't of myself as brave Itachi-san. In fact I was terrified when you were walking up behind me." Tohru smiled at him. Then she laughed. "I was ready to take you on!" Itachi chuckled and Tohru shivered. It was so dark. It was so…evil.

"I don't think that you could have taken me on, even if you are brave." He said after the chuckling had stopped. Tohru halted and looked at him. Itachi's face was still overcast by shadows.

What is wrong with me? Tohru thought as she kept walking. Mother has always said not to judge people on appearances, and yet it is exactly what I am doing! He frightens me. I have never been this afraid. Not when father died or when mother died, or even when Kyou… No. I have never been this afraid for my life.

"Are you alright Honda-san?" Itachi asked and she nodded. "Then I will let you go." And only then did Tohru notice they were out the front of her Grandpas estates.

Tohru smiled and turned to Itachi. "Arigatou. I hope you have a pleasant night." She said and bowed again. Itachi took a step forward and she gasped. His face was revealed to be beautiful. Chiseled what be what Uo-chan would say. Dangerously handsome Hana-chan would comment. But all Tohru could see was….deadly beauty.

"Good night, and sweet dreams little one." He said and Tohru didn't even notice his pointed teeth. She was lost in those eyes. Blood red eyes. "I assure you we will meet again." And he strode off, into the dark night. Tohru watched until she could no longer see him before she ran into the house as quickly as possible.

What on earth could a man like Itachi want with her? Honda Tohru, an orphan. That was all she ever was these days. But somehow, she knew he didn't see that.

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"TOOOHRUUU!" Momiji called out bursting into the Sohma household. "I'M HERE TO RESCUE YOU!" and he ran into the kitchen. No one was there. Next into the dining room, she wasn't there. He dashed upstairs as Hatsuharu latched onto Yuki's arm.

"Where is Tohru?" Haru asked once neither of the teenagers had spoken. Momiji bolted down the stairs.

"SHE ISN'T HERE! HER MOTHER'S PHOTO IS GONE! SHE LEFT MEEEE!" And Momiji began to cry. Haru let go of Yuki. Neither boy moved and just continued to watch the sky darken.

"Yes! As tragic as it may seem Momiji, my little flower has left us!" Shigure made his entrance. When Momiji stopped wailing and stared at him, and when Haru turned black and began to swear, he continued. "But not for long. She has gone up to visit family." And at this even he, Shigure, went serious.

"And where is this family of hers?" Hatori asked walking in last. All eyes went to him. Yuki and Kyou just sighed eventually and turned their heads.

"It is her Grandpa, on her mother's side. The Honda family one. He has been sick, and is dying. Tohru is taking care of him in his last days on this earth." Shigure said, and inwardly he stewed on the fact that Hatori had made a better entrance than him.

"Ano…" Momiji began his tears all gone. Now he just felt sorry for poor Tohru. "I thought the Hondas lived here. Isn't he the one she went to live with the first time?" Shigure shook his head.

"From what she told me, that was her father's father. Her mother never took on Tohru-kuns father's name. And when he died, Kyoko changed her daughters to Honda again." He said and Haru calmed down.

"Oh." Momiji said and then smiled a little. "It seems like Tohru always is dealing with someone's death, ne?" No one smiled in return. The boys, too depressed by her absence could not even work up the energy to fight. Or eat. Or sleep. All they could do was await her return with bated breath.

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Hideki smiled at his master. They had both sighted the girl. Both had made contact. Itachi smiled back.

"When should we begin stage two?" Hideki asked, and Itachi thought about it. "Do we need Mamoru any longer?"

"Of course we do you fool!" Itachi snapped. The small light made the shadows dance across his pale skin. "I still need to earn her trust. So not yet. And the old fool must be kept until the final stage."

"And when do we kill …?" Hideki let the question hang. Itachi smiled.

"Yes. Then we will kill him, for soon they will come for her. For now we just have to make the fool worse, so that there is need." Itachi then stood up from his chair.

"I go to hunt." Hideki said. Itachi watched him leave.

"Oh my sweet one, soon."

AN: This is one of the first stories that I have bothered with a plot...and please review. Tell me what you think.