~ NOTICE: Fruits Basket was created by and belongs to Natsuki Takaya. I own nothing. ~

"Shhh, it's okay," Tohru continued to Akito as Hatori and Shigure continued to stare in amazement.

"It might be better if Akito didn't see us right now" the doctor thought, and signaled to Tohru that they would be right outside the door. She nodded, then turned her attention back on the crying woman.

"Tohru, what am I going to do? They'll never want to be around me," Akito said, setting up so she could look into her new friend's face. No, Tohru wasn't just a new friend, but her first real friend.

"It'll take time, but maybe if you apologize to them," the riceball said softly. "Just be nice to them."

"Do you think they, including the cat, have dinner with me?".

"I'm sure they would. And, um, you might should call them by their names and not their animal forms. It might make them more comfortable."

"Okay...so, are you going to the dinner tonight?".

"Ummm, tonight? I well, sure..."

"Good! I want them all to come so I can apologize to them!" she smiled. It wasn't one of her malicous or taunting smiles, but a genuine, happy smile. "Now, I have to tell the servants to prepare enough, and make sure everyone gets here on time. Come on, Tohru, I want you to help me."

"Sure," the brunette smiled. Akito got up and flung open the door. "Hatori! Shigure!" she smiled. "Tohru and I are going to go see about preperations for dinner tonight. I want everyone to come, even the c...I mean Kyo. See you in a bit!". With that, Akito dragged Tohru down the hall.

"Well, what do you make of that?" Shigure smiled.

"What can one say - only Tohru," Hatori replied.

That evening, as everyone was gathering in to the dining hall (most of them were worried about why Akito had called them all there) Tohru was helping Akito with what to do when they went out into they got out into the dining hall. "Just say whatever you feel," Tohru encouraged. "My mom always use to tell me just to be myself. Don't worry, just be fine."

"Thanks, Tohru," she smiled. "Are you ready?".

"Of course!".

"One more thing - are you sure I look alright in this woman's kimono?".

"Absolutely!" Tohru said, giving her a huge smile. "You look great, Akito!".

"Good - let's go in," she said. With that, the two headed down the hall. When they approached the doors of the dining hall, they were greeted by a servant. "Master Akito," she bowed lowly, "I will announce your presence."

"Um - no," the head of the house said, "we'll just go in...thank you, though."

"Ah, yes, sir," she said, bowing again, then left.

"Don't worry," Tohru said again, "just be yourself."

Akito threw open the door to the dining hall. All twelve of Juunishi were seated at the table, and Tohru was sure she was everyone of them shudder just a little bit. "Good evening, thank you for waiting for us!" the plum haired lady smiled. "I hope everything wasn't too short notice." If the room wasn't silent before, it was now. "I ummm...I wanted to call you all here today and tell you that I'm...sorry. I realize now I've treated you all pretty badly. I guess I was just angry because I felt like you all hated me. But, Tohru here...she told me that I should be your friend, and not your 'god'. So, ummm...I know it might take a while, but maybe...you'd give me a second chance."

By the end of her little speech, Akito was red in the face, the Juunishi were in complete shock and Tohru was standing behind Akito with a large, content grin on her face. "Alright, let's eat," Akito said. As she was about to set down at the head of the table, she paused. "Tohru, you should set here for tonight."

"Me!? Oh, no no no, I couldn't! That's your spot and I..."

"Tohru, set," Akito said, dragging her friend to the head of the table. Tohru was no now extremely conscience as everyone's eyes were on her. Akito, pleased with herself, sat down next to Shigure.

By the end of dinner, most everyone was still in shock, especially the eight Juuinshi who had no idea that Akito was a woman. Still, no one was displeased with the turn of events. Finally, Akito leaned over and whispered something into Shigure's ear. He smiled, then nodded. "Everyone, can I have your attention down here? I have something to say - Akito and I got engaged this afternoon!". The room was silent for a moment, but it was soon filled with everyone chatting and congratulation them.

"This is been a heck'va weird day," Kyo muttered.

"But it only could've happened with Tohru," Yuki smiled.

"Gure! That's wonderful for you!" Ayame cried in his usual manner. "I will make the outfits for you! You will be the best dressed wedding couple yet!".

"Will you make my dress, too, Ayame?" Akito asked.

The snake's eyes got wide for a moment, but then gave one of his trade mark smiles. "Of course, Akito! We'll have you looking so beautiful that Gure won't be able to contain himself!".

"He can hardly do that now," Hatori sighed. He then looked over at Tohru, who had the biggest smile on her face. That was Tohru he, and everyone else, had come to know and love. Caring, loving, and always reaching out to others.

At the end of the evening when most everyone had gone home, Hatori decided to walk Tohru home. She told him about what happened between her and Akito, and how happy she was that the Sohma head opened her heart up. "I just think she needs some time, but I'm sure she'll be fine. I think it was big, important step for her today."

"More than you'll ever know, Tohru," the dragon smiled. "I don't know how it happened - then again, I guess that's why they call these kind of things miracles."

"I'm glad it happened for her. Now maybe the curse will be broken soon," she said, still thinking about that feeling she had earlier in Akito's room. "Ummm..."

"What is it, Tohru?".

"Well, you see...I felt like something changed in when I was in Akito's room today. It was after she asked me to help her. I just...I don't know..."

"What are you trying to say?".

"I guess maybe I was hoping that, you know...I just felt like something changed." She smiled and continued turned around, unaware that a large root branch was sticking out of the ground. "I'm sorry, I guess it was just wishing. I...ahhh!".

"Tohru!" Hatori cried, grabbing her arm and prevented her from tripping over the root. However, he couldn't stop her from colliding into him. Tohru opened her eyes, sure that she was going to be holding an eight inch sea horse. However, she realized that she leaning up against Hatori, and that he hadn't transformed. "I was right! Iwas right about what I felt today, Mom!" she thought, looking up at her boyfriend in amazement.

He was looking at her with equal awe as realized they were embracing. Tohru smiled, then began to laugh. "I was right! I knew something had changed today!" she smiled, as she hugged him tighter.

Hatori smiled and hugged her tighter. "You did it, Tohru Honda. You broke the curse for all of us!" he laughed. It was the first time Tohru had really heard him really laugh.

"I'm so happy," she smiled, a tear coming to her eye. "Now everyone won't have to worry about anything anymore." With that, the two lover leaned in and kissed.

:D I hope you all liked this chapter. I know it mighty have been on the sappy side, but I wanted everyone to have a happy ending. Well, there's only one more chapter left to write, the weddings! I don't think it'll be a double wedding, unless you guys think there should be one. I can go either way. I'll try to post the last chapter by the weekend ~ Garnet ^^