I do not own Fruits Basket, but you guys know that.
This is it, the last chapter. I may write an epilogue, but I think the end is epilogue enough. So, yeah. Now I can dedicate more time to my other story. I had a lot of fun writing it, and it evolved so much from the beginning. My characters actually evolve on their own as I write them, and become a whole new person. Here it is, so enjoy!
Tohru woke up in her bed, seeming to have transformed into a nightgown. She looked over at Hatori, who was sitting next to her.
"The disorientation wears off after a while." He smiled at her.
Tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at him and began crying, and he wrapped his arms around her. "Yuki, I-" she erupted again.
"I know," he comforted her.
"How many people know?" She leaned back and looked into his good eye.
"The zodiac. We've been told not to talk about it. Everyone loved Yuki, but understand that he was mentally unstable at the time. He is pardoned from anything he might have done, as long as you permit it." He looked at her, knowing of her forgiving nature.
"As long as I permit? I don't-"
"As the first zodiac member, Yuki had more privilege than you realize. A better position could not have been asked."
"Of- of course he can be pardoned. I loved Yuki like a brother. I just- I killed him-" she burst into tears. Kyo, who had been sleeping because he had spent the night by her bed. Hatori nodded and backed away from the mouse, being quickly replaced by the cat. She cried on his shoulder until she ran out of tears.
"There are some very anxious people here to see you, Tohru." Shigure said, and backed away from the door to reveal Momiji, Kisa, and Hiro. Momiji immediately launched himself at her, frowning when he didn't transform. He got over it quickly and hugged Tohru.
"Tohru, it's so good to see you! I can hug you now, and you saved Kisa, and Yu- well, nevermind. I can hug you!" He hugged her again and she laughed. Kagura, Rin, and Ayame showed up when he bounced off. Kisa walked shyly up to her and hugged her, which she would have been able to do regardless, but this was for different reasons. "Thanks for saving me, Onee-san."
Hiro walked up to the bedside and crossed his arms, surveying her. "You look awful."
Kyo smacked him in the back of the head and he straightened up. "I mean, well- thanks for saving Kisa. And me, I guess. All of us. I'm not gonna hug you, but... Here." He handed her a bunch of daisies. "Kisa thought you would like them. Well, welcome to the family."
She held the daisies close to her chest. "I love them, Hiro-kun. Oops, I mean Hiro-san."
"Hiro-kun is fine," he blushed.
"Ok, Hiro-kun! Oh, we have to find a vase for the daisies!" She began to get up, and Kyo bumped his fist on the top of her head. "Stay in bed, Baka Nezumi."
She looked at him, startled at the nickname she had heard almost every day. It had never been directed at her.
"Sorry," he said, gritting his teeth.
"No," she said softly. "I like it. It should live on."
Everyone looked uncomfortable with the conversation.
She looked at all of them, her new family, and her face crumpled at the missing spot beside Shigure, the silver haired boy that should have been standing silently, so prince-like it felt like he should be in a castle, not a house in the middle of the forest. His brother stood in the back of the room, eyes darting between her and the picture of the three of them at his shop. They had just been getting along.
She couldn't stop the tears from falling onto her hands. She knew she must look a mess, but she didn't care.
"I'm- I'm sorry, everyone. Ayame, your brother..." He stiffened when Yuki was mentioned, but quickly relaxed and crossed towards her.
"Tohru, he could not have given us a better gift. We do not hold you accountable. Besides, a girl as pretty as you should not cry." He looked about ready to go on one of his spiels, they could practically see the flowers forming around his head.
"Pretty girls are the lifeblood of the world-" he began. Hatori grabbed his shoulder. "Aya, there is a time and a place."
He shut his mouth quickly. Ritsu came in later, of course threatening suicide as an apology for being late. The rooster was no where to be seen, for he was usually by Akito's side.
They all ate takeout, since no one allowed Tohru to three men watched her as she ate, making sure all of her food was gone. When they all began to leave, everyone hugged her, even Hiro, seeming glad at the opportunity. As if one day it would disappear. She was sitting in her room with Shigure, Hatori, Kyo, and Harsuharu.
"So, Tohru has a black side." Hatsuharu stated the obvious.
"Yes, I suppose so." Shigure agreed. Tohru looked around, confused.
"Wait, I don't remember-" she began.
"You don't, at first. Then it starts to come together," Hatsuharu said softly.
"It's weird, you're the last person I'd expect to have one." Kyo looked at the ceiling. He grabbed her hand and squeezed, then looked away blushing.
"Well, Haru, you're just going to have to teach her." Hatori stated simply. "Because we can't have her doing this every time she goes black."
They laughed morbidly, then felt bad about it. It was as if he was in the room with them, laughing along.
"Does this mean you get the garden, Tohru?" Shigure glanced at her quizzically.
She blushed. "Oh, I don't- I don't know. I mean, if one of you wants it, I can-"
"Nah, we don't want the garden," Kyo put his hand on the top of her head. "Go ahead, Tohru."
"In fact, since it rained last night, why don't you go check on it, Tohru?" Shigure suggested.
"Yes, I'm sure the sunshine would do you well." Hatori smiled.
"Bring me back some raspberries, Tohru." Hatsuharu tossed her some gloves he had seen on the bookshelf.
"Alright, get out. Let her change." Kyo filed the men out of the room.
Shigure stayed behind. "And I will help-"
The back of his shirt was yanked through the doorway by Kyo, and he flew as the rest of him followed.
Tohru chose her steps carefully, avoiding the mud that seemed to be everywhere. She hadn't noticed how much it had rained the night before. Looking around, she saw the trees anew. They glittered with sunlight reflecting off of the water droplets left behind from the storm. The air smelled fresh, like rain and spring grass. She inhaled deeply as she approached the garden. The strawberries stood out against the green, vibrant. Suddenly, she saw Yuki there. He kneeled next to her again, showing her how to plant their favorite fruit. The memory made her heart ache as she kneeled next to the vines, not noticing the mud that splashed on her pants. She went about picking the few weeds that grew next to the fruits. Yuki would have been horrified at the fact that they grew in the first place. She wanted to giggle at the thought, but it died in her throat as soon as it rose.
Shortly after she began pulling at the weeds, she heard a slight scratching sound to her right. She looked over to see a small silver mouse perched at her feet. Offering help, as the mice had helped Yuki when her tent had been buried by the landslide. She shook her head kindly, but the mouse didn't scurry away. Instead, he nuzzled closer to her foot. She reached down and opened her hand to him. Without hesitating, the silver mouse jumped into her palm. She held him up and saw a certain kindness in his eyes. A certain, familiar kindness. He ran quickly up her arm and perched on her shoulder, squeaking in her ear. She plucked a strawberry off of its stem and handed it up to him, and he took it from her fingers. He began nibbling on it as though strawberries were his favorite thing in the world. He stayed on her shoulder until she finished weeding, and ate the strawberries she handed to him as she picked them. When she stood up to make her way towards the raspberry bushes, he crawled carefully down her jacket, and her heart sank. But instead of leaving, the small mouse tucked himself into the pocket of her jacket, the same one she would carry Yuki in when he accidentally transformed in public. He fit in the pocket perfectly, just as he had, like that's where he belonged. She looked down at him, and he looked up at her. She reached down, petting him with her index finger.
He closed his eyes, and for the first time in months, Tohru smiled.
This was a lot of fun, and thank you for your support. Read and review, especially since those reviews make us authors feel warm and fuzzy. (Especially the ones that you guys voice your astonishment and give me tips) also, I need some flames for this CoolMintFire, so let it burn!