I really got into the last chapter at the part where Kyo realizes he never wants to be a part of the Zodiac and I felt myself getting angry when Kyo says how much he hates Akito. I felt like Akito had actually done something horrible to me, and you shoulda seen me. I was practically abusing my poor keyboard I became so infuriated! But don't worry, I've done worse things to this keyboard (like accidentally spill water all over it…) and it still works just fine!

Akito groaned and held his pounding head in his hands. Yet another miserable migraine seemed to ail him.

"Do you want some aspirin?" Kureno asked tentatively. Even in his delicate I-have-a-horrible-headache-so-don't-make-any-noises state, if Akito was provoked, he could become more violent than usual. And make loud, screeching noises that strongly resembled an animal that was being strangled.

"Yes…" Akito moaned, and lay back on his pillow. He wanted something to ease the pain in his head, but he also wanted Kureno to leave him for once. He wanted to be alone.

"Leave," Akito made a pathetic attempt to throw a pillow at him, but only succeeded in waving his hand in a "leave the room" gesture. Kureno, as expected, obliged.

As soon as Kureno left, Akito slowly left the warmth of his bed and went to the only window in the dark room. He perched himself carefully on its ledge and leaned against the frame.

"Why does this…girl have such a great effect on them?" He asked himself. Why and how did this Tohru Honda person change so many things in so little time that had taken so long to be made? She was ordinary, and history said that God and the Zodiac members were supposed to remain together forever. Nothing would change, they have their annual never-ending banquets, and the animals would be reborn to live with God for all eternity.

And yet, even this strong bond that had been prophesized that it would never be broken, seemed to be wearing thin. All because of one girl.

"But maybe, she isn't the only cause?" Akito wondered. "Maybe I…have something…to do with it?" Akito shook his head. No, that idea was simply ridiculous. But even as he tried to shut the thought out, the feeling lingered.

This Tohru Honda was taking what belonged to him away from him. Not too long ago, this would have sent his teeth grinding and a storm would begin to brew. But Akito, remembering his encounter with her at school had…softened his thoughts on her. It seemed almost impossible not to be drawn to her.

And so, after deciding that thinking would not ease his migraine-related pain, he summoned Hatori and asked him to call Shigure.

"Tell him that everyone is to come to the Main House tomorrow. And I mean everyone. Even Kyo, and Tohru Honda," Akito told the doctor, making sure to be clear because usually 'everyone' meant the twelve animals of the Zodiac, and no one else.

Hatori felt something was about to happen; he could tell because Akito hadn't referred to Kyo as a 'monster.'

………………………………………………………………………………

"Why am I still a rat?" Yuki asked.

"I don't think I would be the person to answer that, Yuki-kun," Shigure said, still a bit shocked from earlier.

After they had seen Kyo remain human after his beads had 'exploded' (Momiji had sworn he knew what an explosion looked like, and he claimed that's what Kyo's beads had done. Although Kyo knew better) Tohru and the former cat had clung together, crying with tears of happiness. All the rest of the onlookers could do was to wait, watch and hold their breath.

The first thing Tohru had done when finally returning to the house (with Kyo in tow) was hug the nearest male to see if the curse was broken for them as well. To Kyo's dismay, the nearest male had been…Yuki. Everyone was horribly disappointed when Yuki transformed.

"What does this mean?" Hiro asked after Shigure had admitted he didn't know why the curse wasn't broken for the rest of them.

"M-maybe it means that the curse leaves in order, o-or something like that. Maybe Yuki will be next, and then Haru…" Kisa trailed off. The idea sounded silly out in the open. But the girl had been so excited, seeing Kyo free. Maybe now, she could do what she wanted without the fear of Akito being angered by her actions. And she would be able to move around freely in public. Instead of transforming if she happened to bump into a man, she would smile and apologize.

But now, that hope was shattered for her, and everyone else still cursed. Kagura, however, refused to be sad. She had been cursed all her life; why get upset about it now? If anyone needed to be freed, it was Kyo. He had been through the most pain.

"Kyo-kun!" Kagura cried happily and ran to him, and flung her arms wide open. "You're free! Kyahhhhh!!"

A few seconds later, a small boar was sitting on the floor. Kagura felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She couldn't help it. But then Kyo knelt down next to her and said softly, "Thank you."

Kagura somehow how knew this was not just one thank you, but several. He was thanking her for playing with him when he was younger, even though he knew he had been deceived by her kindness. He was thanking her for visiting him, even though he didn't enjoy the visits themselves. He was thanking her for truly loving him, even if it took her awhile to do so. And he was thanking her for being happy when he was finally free and she wasn't.

And all she could do was smile back at him. If she said anything, she would have started crying. Not for herself, but her beloved Kyo; he would now be able to live as a man with nothing stopping him from living as a new person. Even if she was never freed from the curse, she knew she would be at peace just knowing Kyo was out discovering the world.

"Hey, what are we missing?" Haru said from the doorway, a scowling Rin behind him.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in!" Shigure said, back to his teasing self. "Rin-san! I can't believe you're here to see me!" he exclaimed dramatically.

"Shut up, Gure-nii!" Rin shot and stomped over to Tohru, long, black hair flying.

"Really, Sensei," Haru admonished insipidly. "You know how to push a button or two."

"These are for you," Rin grumbled, and thrust a bouquet of pink tulips at Tohru. "I figured that you could use something…you know, pretty…after that bastard Akito nearly tore your arm off…" she trailed off.

"Ohhhhhhhhh! Isuzu-san!" Tohru gushed, and her hands flew to her face instead to taking the flowers. "Oh, thank you so, so MUCH! I really appreciate, these are so beautiful, but I couldn't accept them! They were probably VERY expensive, and really, I don't deserve something so elegant!"

Rin snorted. This girl was so…modest. It was kinda funny, but it also sort of pissed her off.

"Look you, when someone gets something for you, you accept it with a smile. Even if it's crap. And, by the way, these flowers weren't worth anything. There's this florist shop in the hospital I go to, and since I'm always being checked into there, the florist guy gave 'em to me for free. So shut up and take the damn flowers. They make me sick. They're pink," Rin finished her explanation with a shudder. Unfortunately, there weren't any black or dark-colored roses. They only had the damn happy colors like yellow.

But even if there was a dark rose or two, Rin still would have gotten pink because Tohru was a girly-girl who liked the gag-worthy color pink. And Tohru knew this.

"Oh, Isuzu-san! You're such a wonderful friend! I love you!" Tohru grabbed Rin into a bear hug, which surprisingly, she didn't try to squirm out of. It was…nice when someone said they loved her; she hadn't heard those words from many people.

"Jeez," Hiro said from behind them. "Are you really the kind of person who says they love someone only when they receive gifts?"

"Hiro-chan!" Kisa chastised.

But there was no stopping Tohru now. Kyo was free, and the feeling of joy made her giddy. She grabbed Hiro into a hug and was yelled at by the furry sheep who began stamping his hooves in fury.

But Tohru just laughed and tugged Momiji and Kisa into a hug, causing them both to squeal with glee.

Next was Kagura, who was still a boar, and Tohru picked her up and cradled her in her arms. And then it was Ritsu (who apologized for being such a poor hugger), next was Haru (his bulking cow form took up most of the kitchen), then it was Shigure's turn, who was only too eager to hug her back. Yuki, who had finally changed back and put his clothes back on, was the next one to receive a happy hug from Tohru.

And last, but certainly not least, was Kyo. His eyes began to well with tears as she put her arms around him and held him tightly. Still no transforming. He hugged her back tightly and never wanted let go.

Tohru knew that the curse was still not completely broken, but she remembered what her mother told her: To be herself, and take things one step at a time, and to do things at her own pace. It sounded a bit selfish to her to be rejoicing when no everyone was free, but she promised that one day all of the Sohmas would be able to live their lives in the way they wanted to. She smiled, and snuggled against Kyo.

However, at that moment, Kyo pulled away slightly and kissed her gently on the lips, making nearly everyone else in the room wolf whistle.

This story's not over yet!

Just reassuring you. Thanks to all the people who sent me e-mails! I'm not exactly a regular mail-checker, so I was all, "OH CRAP!" when I saw like twenty unread messages in my inbox.

But, as I keep saying, GIVE A REVIEW. Please! I beg of you!