Last chapter to this story (minus the epilogue). Yuki's depressing angsty past finally comes to an end. So sorry, my Yuki-kun. I'll try and write something happy next time. :) I'm sorry this is late, by the way. I was house sitting over the weekend.

Also, I want to share with you an idea I had recently. So what would happen is that Yuki would die at a young age. I think Akito will lock him out in the cold and his bronchitis will kill him before anyone realizes. And Yuki's sad little ghost goes to find the one person who needed him because he wants to experience love. That person of course is Tohru. He essentially becomes Tohru's imaginary friend. Kyoko can't see him but she talks him too, since he's Tohru's "imaginary friend". Yuki pretty much follows her everywhere and she talks him to him all the time and... basically happy fluff ensues. Angsty too, of course, but... you know. I'm excited! What do you think? After you read the chapter and in your review *hint hint* feel free to tell me your thoughts on this story idea!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or its characters. All rights go to Natsuki Takaya

Year Ten: Fourteen Years Old

Haru's here. Rin came, like she usually does, but she's sitting on the far side of the room not saying anything and just watching.

"I have an idea," Haru says. "But I can't tell you just yet."

I don't care too much, although I am curious what it's about and why he's telling me. I don't bother asking. Haru is Haru and he'll do what he pleases when he wants to.

And because Haru is who he is, he hasn't even touched my hand. He somehow knows these things. He'd listen if I wanted to tell him something, but he also doesn't need to. He figures things out on his own and acts accordingly. He knows I don't want want to be touched by anyone. Not even Hatori when he's acting as my doctor. And especially not by Akito.

It's one of the reasons I like Haru so much – I don't have to make myself vulnerable by sharing the feelings I actually want to share with him. He just seems to understand without my speaking.

"You've been getting quiet again," Haru says.

"I know." My voice is soft and almost inaudible.

"This whole thing has been ridiculous for a long time." He's getting annoyed and going into a mood swing, I can tell. But it's a small one, and only a little upset, not destructive like he can be. "Akito shouldn't be allowed to keep you here."

"But he is allowed," I say. "My parents don't care, anyway. What does it even matter?"

Rin suddenly stands up. "I'm sick of this." She looks at the half-open door. "I'm leaving."

It marks the end of Haru's visit as usual and, he promises to come back and then he's gone.

What could he have meant by what he said? It doesn't make any sense and I don't get it. I don't get the chance to mull over it long, seeing as the door opens again and I can hear Akito's footsteps nearing.

Please, I silently beg, just let it be over soon. Let it be over soon.

OoOoO

I don't want to live anymore. I don't want to keep hoping that someday I'll escape this darkness when I know it will never happen. And if even hoping is going to bring me pain, I'd rather die.

I've had these thoughts before about not wanting to live, but they wwere passing phases that faded in and out. I'm certain now. I've made my decision and I'm going to follow through with it.

I've stopped eating the food they brng me. I'll drink the water, but I refuse to eat. Eventually, it will kill me and do me and everyone else a favor.

I'm sitting in school right now, and my stomach feels as if its burning inside. My body is begging for ourishment, but I refuse to eat. I won't.

Not ever again.

I'll die first.

OoOoO

Please, let me die soon. Let me die soon. They keep bringing food every once in a while and I have to stare at it as it tempts me. I have to remind myself that the relief it will give me is only temporary while death frees me from everything.

"Yuki," Hatori had lectured a few days ago, "You need to eat. You'll die otherwise." Then, his eyes had widened a little in realization. "That's what you're doing isn't it?"

I hadn't answered him.

"Yuki, if you won't eat I will force feed you."

"I'm not a child," I snapped. "It's my decision; it won't affect anyone else."

Almost a week has passed since I've stopped eating and had only water. Akito's angry with me, and he was yelling earlier. I still wouldn't eat. I just lay at his feet and let him scream and kick at my weakened body.

Haru came to ask me if I would eat for him, at least. "I'm sorry," I had told him. "I can't."

Now, the door opens again and this time foosteps I don't usually hear sound across the floor until they stop in front of me. Someone bends over my curled form. "Want to come live with me?"

Shigure's voice has a smile in it and when I look up at him in confusion he asks again, "Do you want to live at my house? I've asked Akito and he's willing to let you."

Tears suddenly spring to my eyes. "You mean… live on the outside? Away from the main house?"

Shigure nods. "That's where I live after all."

I can hardly speak as my mind wraps around what he's saying. Live… away from the main house, away from Akito. Out of this dark room. "Th- Thank you."

I get the feeling he's doing this for some one else's sake and not mine, but it doesn't matter. I'm going to be free.

OoOoO

"You can have this room," Shigure says, gesturing to the empty room.

My room. It's a pair of words that I've always associated with darkness and nothingness, but this room is different. "It has windows."

Shigure gives me an odd look. "I'm ordering in our supper and Haa-san told me that if you don't eat at least some of it, I'm supposed to call him."

I don't say so, but I already have eaten. I found food as soon as I could sneak into the kitchen at the main house after it had been confirmed that I would live with Shigure. I don't have to die anymore to escape that darkness.

After he leaves, I walk over to the window, putting my hand flat against the glass. "It has windows," I say once again, almost disbelieving. The curtains aren't quite all the way open, and I throw them open as wide as they can go, letting the sunlight spill into the room.

He's out! Finally! I liked writing this chapter. It made me happy. What is not a happy occasion is that my rats have chewed a five inch corner out of my Furuba wall scroll. *cries* They're rare! You can't just get them anywhere anymore! And they're expensive to boot. *cries again* Please make my days a little brighter and review. I'd really like to know what you think. What about the window thing? Or Haru and Rin? And Shii-chan? Please tell me and review!

Now excuse me while I continue to mourn my beloved wall scroll. :'( :'( :'(