Things have changed since the last time we spoke. Hi, I'm Tohru Honda. A college student at a very small university. You may remember this, but I live with the Sohma's, the ones cursed by the Zodiac. They all say that I was the one who broke their curse, but I don't think I did. Oh, and you must be very curious to see what has happened in the last few years.

Akito and Shigure are happily together, along with Hiro and Kisa, Haru and Rin, Kureno and Uo, and all the others have partners too! Ritsu ended up with Shigure's editor, and Ayame ended up with Mine. Everyone is very happy all in all.

As for me, well, that was a bit harder. Kyo never said anything to me after the curse was broken, but he did become closer. That much I could tell. As for Yuki and I, we were already very close, so when the curse was broken, well… everyone said it seemed only natural. So, we have been together now for a few weeks. We still haven't kissed, but we are both still pretty hesitant.

So now, I suppose you should read the story. Maybe you'll learn a few things about the Sohma's you didn't know before.

"Yuki, I think the leeks are ready." I sat crouched by the edge of our little garden, analyzing the green leeks carefully. Yuki came up behind me, crouching as well. He placed his head on my shoulder, making me blush.

"Yeah, you're right. Why don't you pick some so we can torture- er I mean make some soup for Kyo tonight?" Yuki gave me a small smile as I laughed at his slip up. Yuki and Kyo still didn't get along, but it was better than before. I laughed despite myself, finding myself blushing before I could stop it. Yuki laughed as well, staring at me with admiration in his eyes. That made my blush deepen.

Standing hastily, I had two handfuls of leeks, ready to go back to the house. Yuki gave me a quick kiss on the cheek as I left, getting a startled gasp as I giggled and then left.

Walking down the familiar forest path, I started to play a little tune in my head. It was just another simple song, nothing at all special. But somehow, it reminded me of all the Sohma's.

Although the scars from yesterday remain,

You can go on living as much as your heart believes.

You can't be born again,

Although you can change,

Let's stay together,

Always.

Humming the rest of the song, I started to sway my head to the beat. I closed my eyes and followed the well-known path home. The trees whistled in the slight breeze, the birds chirping along happily. Slowly, I came to hear something else though.

Stopping my humming, I could almost hear the sound of footsteps behind me. Not too worried, seeing as it could be Yuki, I didn't think much of it. I turned, holding my blowing brown hair out of my face. As I turned, I came face to face with a giant.

The man stood a good foot, if not more, taller than me. His bulking arms suggested he was not friendly either.

I screamed, letting out the shrillest sound I could manage. The man grabbed me after a second, wrapping his arm around me, his other hand over my mouth. I struggled, but nothing I did seemed to even budge him. The only thing running through my mind was the question of who he was. What had I done to piss anyone off?

I started to hear running footsteps behind me, knowing that to be Yuki. Only thinking of getting his attention, I bit into the man's hand. That startled him enough to drop his hand for a second. That gave me enough time to let out another shrill scream.

The man pulled a gun, pointing it right at my temple. I stopped my struggling, the terrified tears starting.

"Shut up girl! If you want to live, that is."

Yuki was now right next to the man, not even paying any attention to the gun, and I knew exactly how this was going to end. Yuki was already visibly pissed, which never happened to him, and he had years of martial arts training. This guy was either dead, or he was going to wish he were.

Yuki elbowed his neck, sending the guy stumbling to the side and dropping me. I fell to my knees, gasping for breath. Yuki moved in, kicking the guy once in the gut. The next blow he made knocked the guy out.

Yuki came to my side, scooping me up in his arms. I wrapped my arms around him, crying into his shoulder.

That man obviously had the intention of killing me. The only emotion I was feeling right now was pure terror. I crushed myself to Yuki, crying harder than I ever had before.

The man started to move, but Yuki simply grabbed the gun and pointed it towards him. The guy cringed against the nearest tree, throwing his hands up in surrender. Yuki held me closer with one arm, letting me bury my head against his chest.

I didn't want to know what was going to happen, I didn't want to see anymore.

"Tohru, are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Yuki glared to the man, placing his finger on the trigger. "If you harmed her in any way, I swear to god-"

"No, I-I'm fine Yuki." I buried my head closer to him, reaching out absently with my right arm. I placed it on his outstretched arm, slowly lowering it.

"Please, stop it Yuki. He didn't do anything. Let's just call the police. Please." My voice came out more feeble than I meant it to. Yuki nodded, dropping the gun to the ground. He turned his full attention to me, stroking back my hair from my face.

"You're sure you're fine? Not hurt?" He stroked away my tears, trying to calm me down. I nodded, taking one of his hands and holding it to my cheek. He stared down at me slightly, his eyes soft, but obviously still furious. I gave him a weak smile, reaching for my phone out of my pocket. I handed it to him, letting him call the police.

Fifteen minutes later, the police had the man in custody. They drove away, letting Yuki take me back home. I was still visibly shaken, so Yuki decided it was best to carry me. No matter how much I protested, he just scooped me up anyway.

When we got home, we entered almost peacefully. Yuki set me down on one of the entrance steps, letting me take off my shoes as he want and got the others. Kyo came rushing in first, looking at me with hatred burning in his eyes. I looked back at him with weakness in mine. I no doubt looked like a scared mouse.

"Tohru, are you okay?" He knelt beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder. I nodded, but before I could say anymore, I broke down into tears again. I pulled myself against Kyo, crying into his shoulder.

He robotically wrapped his arms around me, holding me loosely to him. I cried, but it was not nearly as bad as it was before.

Shigure entered the room, along with Akito, whom I didn't know was here. I pulled away from Kyo, rubbing my eyes and giving them both a weak smile.

"My god, Tohru," Akito kneeled beside me, her face soft and caring. "If you need anything, come and get me, okay?" I nodded, pulling her into a hug as well. She pulled me closer, her hug ending up like a motherly one. Shigure kneeled beside us both, patting and rubbing my back. That alone helped me calm down and I murmured a thank you towards him.

I pulled away from Akito, standing up finally. I had a feeling Yuki needed some calming down as well. I asked Shigure where he was, and started off towards the kitchen. In there, I found him leaning over the counter as if in pain. His fists were clenched so tight the knuckles were white.

I walked up to him, lifting up one of his arms and pulling him into a hug. He wrapped his arms tightly around me, burying his head against mine. My face was stuffed against his shoulder, and as I inhaled, the smell of him comforted me. He smelled like home, and that helped me feel better as well.

"Never scare me like that ever again Tohru. Ever." He pulled away a little bit, looking down to me as he cupped my cheek with one hand. I gave him a small smile, blushing at the contact. He brought our faces closer, our lips just inches apart. I closed my eyes, my smile widening. He brought our lips together, and in that instant I knew just exactly how much he needed me.

Our lips connected, sending a million sparks through my body. I wrapped my arms around his neck, his arms falling to my waist. Our lips moved as if they were one, his sweet scent intoxicating my every breath.

"I love you Tohru." He whispered this as he pulled away, looking to me with such love and adoration I thought my heart would explode.

"I love you too Yuki. Forever." I brought our lips together this time, kissing him again and holding him close. I would never let go.