A Curse In Disguise
By Angels-Gift
Summary: A new year has started as Machi dies, leaving Yuki broken-hearted but her cryptic message engraved in his heart.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket
During the summer, Machi had fallen very ill, ill enough to go to the hospital. Her family was upset, Machi was strong, she would make it. The doctors were very frustrated, the illness had hit her hard and quick and it showed no signs of giving up. Machi had known better, she knew it was her time to go, her time to leave. Her time to see him again.
"Yuki, I know that I'm not going to make it," the silent girl said, staring at the ceiling.
"What? You didn't give up so far Machi, you're going to get better, I know it, we all know it," Yuki replied, tears in his eyes.
"You're just trying to convince yourself. I am going to die. I don't want to leave just now, not until I give you a final message." She tore her eyes off the ceiling and looked at the young man before her. "You never really loved me Yuki. Maybe liked me more than a family member and a best friend but not the way as a boyfriend and girlfriend. Befor you object, I have something even important to say. When I was little, I really like this boy and he liked me, but, one day, he was murdered by a crazy man, he wanted revenge on the world for some reason. I was heart-broken for life. Yuki, I still love him, more than you but, I still love you, too. You're like my best friend, please Yuki, when I die, find someone who you love, more than me."
Yuki stayed quiet, his heart breaking but, he put on a small smile, a real one. He faced her and took her hand,"I promise you Machi, I will find someone I may love more than you. I may take a long time though Machi, are you okay with it?"
Machi smiled."You will Yuki, you will. I need to go away now but heed my words: Find someone who will love you, more than me and you her and when you do, bring her to my grave. Bring her to my grave and tell her, tell her about me. When you are done, I will tell you, show you if I approve." She smiled even more and finished,"I need to go now Yuki but I will watch over you. He and I will watch over you and guard you and the ones you love."
With her last breath she said,"Good bye, Yuki. Tell my family I loved them." And with that, she was gone, gone and yet smiling. Yuki cried, the rat of the zodiac cried, the prince of his school cried, he cried.
Realizing that she must now want him to be happy, he smiled through his tears and wiped his stained face. The door slid open to reveil Machi's family, Kyo, Shigure and Tohru. "She's gone. She's gone but she died happily. She wanted to tell you that she loved you all," Yuki said softly. Machi's family cried but thanked him for telling them. Kyo looked a little down, Shigure looked a little worse for wear and Tohru cried but let a small smile creep through, showing them that she was okay. Good-byes and hugs were exchanged as the Sohmas and Tohru left.