Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket in any way.

This is my first published fan fic, so reviews are sincerely appreciated.

Akito was dying. Everyone knew that, even Tohru. But to see him lying on the bed, paler than ever, and to hear Hatori's life expectancy was a whole other beast.

"He has a week. Two at the outside," Hatori sighed. The entire Sohma "insider" clan was at the main house, including Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo. Even Kazuma was there, because he knew the secret. Tohru was there, but she didn't actually visit him. Hatori had just came out of the room and broke the news to those assembled.

"He says he wants to see each of you, one at a time. Yes, even Miss. Honda and Kazuma," Hatori continued.

Shigure stood up and said, "I'll go now." When he entered, he was nervous. Akito always had a temper, but now it was likely to be nuclear.

"Hello, Akito," the dog began. Akito looked up. Shigure did a double take. Where dark and angry eyes had been, Akito now had frost blue eyes- like those on a blind person- but rather than clouded, they were clear. They seemed more powerful.

"Hello, Shigure. It seems, when one such as I am about to die, the 'godliness' begins to show. I have a gift for you," Akito said. But instead of the low and reedy voice he usually had, he spoke with a powerful and rich tone.

Shigure knelt by the bedside cautiously. "Yes?"

Akito placed a hand on Shigures head and smiled. "You may change one thing about your past. What would you change, Shigure?"

Shigure normally would have laughed. But he didn't. This new Akito could very well be capable of what he promised. "I would... I would..." Shigure began, "I would have explained things to her."

Shigure had had a sister. Maki was not part of the curse, though of course she knew about it. Shigure loved Maki, and would have died for her. She got very sick when she was about eight, and Shigure was at college. He visited for christmas and saw her pale and sick.

"Maki? Maki!" he had cried. She looked up at him with those large violet eyes of hers and said, "Its okay Gure. I'm gonna get better. Mommy said so."

Shigure had looked to their mother, who was staring at the ground. He knew that she had been lying. And little Maki believed the lie.

His parents had a talk with him, telling him not to tell Maki, that she wouldn't have hope if she knew. That it would be harder for her. So he had no excuse to stay with her when Christmas break was over. He had to go back to school.

A few weeks later she died.

Suddenly, Shigure wasn't with Akito anymore. He was back at home, and the Christmas decorations were up. He was by his sister's side once more, and his heart broke looking at her. Her trusting eyes and loving smile. "Hey, Maki," he said gently.

"Hi, Gure!" she chirped.

"So, how's you're break?" he asked. She was on break, too, of course. Maki grimaced. "I've been stuck in bed for weeks. Not much of a break." So Maki.

"What's wrong? I must admit, I don't know why you're like this," Shigure went on, his heart breaking more every second.

"I'm sick. But its okay. I'm gonna get better. Mommy said so," Maki smiled.

Shigure glanced up and his mom was looking at the ground. She met his glance and took him aside.

"It's not right, Mom. It's not," Shigure told her the instant they were out of earshot. She stared at him. "I know you love her, Shigure. But she's your sister, not your daughter. Your father and I know what's best for her," she told her son.

Shigure shook his head. "No. You don't." Then he crossed the room and knelt by Maki's side. "Mommy's lying, Maki. I'm sorry, but your dying right now," he told her. She began to shake her head in denial before she cried. "I know. I know. But fight it, Maki! Try! Don't give up!" Shigure urged.

Maki blinked and nodded. "I'm not gonna die. I don't care what anybody says, I'm gonna get better. I'm gonna fight!"

Then Shigure was back at Akito's side. Akito was smiling. "Did you acomplish what you wanted to, Shigure?" he asked.

Shigure nodded as Akito went on to say, "You'll find that everyone in this building will be unaffected by the change, but should you go the the house at the end of the estate, you'll find Maki there. Your admission scared her, but your advice helped her. You stayed at that house for eight months, taking online courses, giving her encouragment. She pulled through."

Shigure was shocked. Maki had survived? He had a little sister again? It was a miracle. "Thank you, Akito," Shigure said fervently. Akito merely smiled. "Send in Hatori when you leave," he told the dog.