Chapter 21

It's All Over...Right?

"It's so different here from Tokyo!" Inari giggled into the phone as she looked at all the sites. "Yuki it's just amazing here."

Yuki smiled as he listened to her. "Well be sure to take plenty of pictures for me. I miss you already."

Inari had a small smile and she fought the tear that threatened to fall. "I miss you too Yuki more than you know."

"I love you, Inari." Yuki said over the phone and he looked out the window from his car. He was parked outside the main house.

Inari smiled and she had a little blush. "I love you too, are you still heading to talk to Akito?"

"I've been thinking about it..." He said and there was a pause. "... How are you doing over there? Is everything going smoothly with your book and all?" He said trying to change the subject. He wanted to tell her that he was about to see Akito but what if it didn't work? What if his curse didn't break. He didn't want to her get her hopes up.

She sighed. "You should go..and I haven't gotten there awfully my phone keeps blowing up from calls from people. I have three book signings today alone and they all last about 2-3 hours and then there's a huge party tonight. I'm running to go meet this designer because I have to be fitted for this dress. I'm really nervous Yuki.."

" You will be fine Inari. I bet you will look stunning. I will let you go now so you can get ready for your day. I will talk to you later, okay?" He said and took a deep breath. He knew what he was about to do. And if it all went well, he would be able to hold her in his arms again.

But if it didn't. He may never be able to hold her again and possibly he would eventually lose her.

That's something he never wanted to happen.

"Alright Yuki..I love you." She made a kissing sound into the phone and hung up.

Yuki looked back at the entrance of the main house. He clenched his fists then released it. He was nervous. He didn't want to face Akito. Even though many have said that he changed. He got out of his car and made his way into the main house. As he walked in he noticed how the place seemed more alive, it was mid winter but the the place looked alive. That eerie air that hung around the place seemed to be gone. There were people walking back and forth working on the preparations for new years and for the first time ever everyone in the family was invited to the banquet. Even the outsiders of the Sohma family were invited. Yuki made his way to Akito's estate. He walked in and found Akito sitting down with a bird on his hand. He appeared much healthier.

Akito slowly lifted his head and he looked at Yuki and he smiled softly. "Ahh Yuki I'm surprised you've shown up."

"Hi, Akito." Yuki said and he took a step closer towards Akito. The bird flew away. Yuki clenched his fists and looked at Akito. He wanted to yell, he could feel his anger towards Akito for hurting Inari burning in his throat. All the emotions he was feeling was there but he couldn't word it out.

Instead it all came out as a cry. All the anger and agony flowed down his eyes. He kneeled to the floor crying.

"Why Akito?" He cried. "Everyone is free, but I am not. Why is everyone treating you so well considering everything you've done!? " He cried but his cries were turning into him yelling in anger.

"How can I ever forgive you with what you've done!? Made me lose Inari, you scarred her! Not even talking about the damage you've done to and Ms. Amaya!? Yet everyone is bending over backwards even more for you than ever before!" He was shaking he was yelling so much.

Akito sighed. "Because Yuki...you can't forget the past." He said softly and looked to him. "I did some terrible things to you..and I know that and I will deeply apologize until the end of my days. I know I hurt your Inari and I regret it the most of many of ways. But living in agony over the past is no way to direct your future."

Yuki looked up at Akito. He thought for a moment and he started to realize that he was right. He remembered that when he first met Inari and when he started to realize he was in love with her, he was the happiest he had ever been in his entire life and it was one of the first times in his life where he wasn't dwelling on the past but focusing on the future. His future with his fiery blue eyed fox. He started to feel a weight being lifted off his shoulders. The heavy feeling he always had in his heart, the walls that had been put up were crumbling down. Was this his curse finally breaking? Was he finally being set free?

Akito looked at him. "I want you to have something." He took out a book and wrote him a check. "Go see Inari. She's staying at the Hilton in Osaka I believe."

He didn't know what to do. He took the check and thanked him. He was at loss for words. He couldn't describe what he was feeling, but one thing he knew was that he wanted to see Inari no matter what. It didn't take him long to get on the next train out to Osaka. It would take Yuki a good six hours to get out to Inari by train but that was perfect because that way he could surprise her in the way he wanted to. Of course he told Amaya and Shigure since otherwise he would keep pestering him about where he was going. As he stared out the window of the train he sighed.

'I'm coming Inari'

As Inari sat down and was signing books she never really realized how self conscious she was in public. There was so many people in the bookstore, so many questions. She started to become overwhelmed. Her handler was nice, but she could tell how unprepared Inari was for this.

Inari signed books let and right until she felt her hand cramping and then she went to the next event. The only break she had was while in the cab and she breathed in a deep sigh. She really regretted this now, at least she regretted coming alone. She texted Yuki that she missed him but he didn't respond yet. The moment she really needed his words of encouragement that always brought a smile to her face he wasn't answering. She sighed as she pulled up to the next signing and she put on another smile.

"Ms. Inari I got to say I just loved your book. The amount of emotion you put into the character of Aiko and her love for Tatsuyo was just so moving and it felt so real!" The fan gushed and Inari smiled.

'It is real..it's about me and Yuki.' She thought to herself and she had a slight blush. "Well thank you, now who should I make this out to?"

"Make it to Mariko... Thank you so much"

Inari smiled and she signed it and handed the book to her. "You're very welcome."

The next person came up and it was a man. No doubt in his mid to late 30s. "Ms. Inari I really liked your book." He then grew a blush on his cheeks. "Especially the part where they are at the hot springs."

Inaris eyes went wide and she coughs nervously. "Well um thank you."

"I would love to hear you read one of the quotes from that scene." He said and gave her a dirty look.

"Um well as much as I'd love to sir, I don't believe it is appropriate in such a public place." Inari coughed out.

"Well you could just whisper it in my ear." He said and leaned in.

Inari leaned back. "I don't think so sir, just tell me who I can write this out too?"

"Oh come on just one little line." He leaned close to her and grabbed her wrist. He was so quick she didn't notice until he had already grabbed her.

"Hey stop." Inari pulled but he had a grip.

"Come on just say the damn line." The fan was getting angry and Inari kept shaking her arm away from him.

"Excuse me Sir, but let go of the author." Security grabbed his arm and made him let go of Inari. As Inari watched security take him away he kept yelling profanities and obscenities and professing his love to her. Inari shook in fear slightly at every signing after that. All the signings finally ended. She was exhausted. She tried to call Yuki but he didn't pick up. She got in the cab and was headed back to her hotel. Once Inari arrived she was exhausted. She went and talked to the front desk about having room service be delivered to her.

"Thank you so much." She smiled softly but it was a weak smile.

Yuki was standing near the elevator and he smiled as he looked at her and waited for her to turn around. His bag next to his foot and a dozen roses as red as her hair in his hand.

Inari was so exhausted when she turned around and saw Yuki her eyes were just wide with shock and she dropped her purse and the tears fell. She ran to him and hugged him tightly and just started to cry into his shoulder. She didn't care if he transformed she just needed him after this long and exhausting day and she could never be more happy than she was at this moment.

Yuki held her tightly, he was so happy to have her his arms.

She just kept crying in his arms in the middle of the hotel lobby. "I missed you so much.."

"I did too, let's go to your room." He said softly.

She wiped her eyes and he walked over to her purse and picked it up. Once in the elevator Yuki kept his arms around Inari in a hug but could you blame him? He could finally hold her again and Inari was far from complaining it wasn't even crossing her mind. Once in the room he just held her on the bed for awhile while she cried. Some from the stress and some from the happiness of being in his arms again.

"Sorry I didn't pick your call or answer to your messages. I didn't want to spoil the surprise. I went to see Akito this morning after I got off the phone with you."

Inari nodded and hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy you're here after today it's..it's made me want to quit writing. I don't know how Shigure deals with the stress of it all."

"Well Shigure, avoids all the signings and he just has Mitchan do it for him." Yuki added. "Mostly because after his first signing when girls tried to hug him he stopped it after that."

Inari sighed. "Maybe I should do it, but a lot of my fans were really nice...except for one who was creeping me out." She proceeded to tell him about the incident while holding his hand. He noticed her slight shakes from fear and stress. He held her tighter. Even though he was worried, in this moment he couldn't be any happier.

"I wish I was there to protect you." He said and kissed her forehead.

"I will go run a bath for you, to help you relax."Inari smiled softly and after awhile they got into the bath together and held each other. "It's all over now.." She smiled.

"What you mean?" He said as he rubbed her shoulders.

"The curse. It's completely gone." She smiled and he kissed her deeply. "You're right." He kept kissing her softly well into the night neither not wanting to stop. Eventually he pulled away and he put his forehead to hers.

"You know, I read your book on the way up here….Aiko." He had a slight smirk and Inari blushed beet red.

"You know the scene at the hot springs sounds awfully familiar…" He stared at her with a smile and her blush only deepened. She hid her face in his chest.

"Shush you.." She mumbled and Yuki chuckled softly and just held her.

Meanwhile back in Tokyo. Amaya was getting ready for the publishing party, It was finally here. Shigure was super excited. Amaya was getting dressed in her room when Shigure walked in.

Shigure came up behind and started kissing her neck. "You look ravishing tonight."

"You look great too, Gure. Is that another of Hatori's suit?" She said jokingly. His tie matched her blue lace dress.

"No, Hari bought me this because I won't buy my own. He's so cruel Amaya now I have to take care of this suite properly. Woe is me." He had the fake tears.

"Aww that's nice of him." She said as she adjusted his tie.

"Naomi said she would be here soon and drive with us, you remember Naomi right?"

Shigure blinked and nodded his head. "I believe so."

Shigure kissed Amaya. She looked beautiful in her skin tight blue lace dress. Shigure looked deep into her eyes, he knew right there and then that Amaya was the women he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He had already bought a ring for her, but he was waiting for the right moment. He had planned to propose to her during the party, but at the same he wanted something more private. He brought his hand to her neck and gently rubbed his thumb on her cheek.

" I love you, Amaya." He said and he looked into her eyes. She started to blush, she had heard him say those words hundreds of time but it this time, it was different. She got nervous and blushed.

"I love you too Shigure." She smiled and kissed him back.

In mid kiss Amaya's phone starts to ring.

"Oh... It must be Naomi" she said and she walked over to it and picked it up.

Shigure was still lost in his thoughts, part of him got upset that Naomi ruined the moment.

Amaya was nervous and how Shigure was behaving, but she didn't try to think to much about it. She simply answered the phone.

"Hey Naomi. Where are you?" Amaya said to Naomi.

"I won't be able to meet you at your house, I might just meet you at the place." Naomi said over the phone.

"Alright, well let Me know when you get there so I can introduce you to everyone." Amaya said and hung up the phone.

"Was that Naomi? Is she coming?" Shigure asked and he finished fixing his hair.

"Yeah she said she won't be meeting with us she will be meeting us there." Amaya said as she finished getting dressed.

Shigure nodded. 'Perfect..' He thought to himself. "Come with me okay?" He led her to her backyard where they could always see the most perfect amount of stars each night. He had come out here before for inspiration for his story but now this was different. He pulled her to him without a word and kissed her softly. While he kissed her though, he slowly slid the ring onto her finger.

"Shigure what are you doing?" She said in between kisses, then she felt something cold against her skin. She pulled back and looked at her hand and saw the ring. She froze she didn't know what to do as Shigure started to talk while holding her hand.

"I know you've been trying to figure out what to get me for my birthday, which is coming up. So I've been thinking and the one think that I want the most for my birthday no one can't get it but me..." He got down on one knee. "...Amaya will you marry me?" He asked her.

She felt so many rushes of emotions go through her body. Shigure, the perverted dog that captured her heart just asked him to marry her. Shigure Sohma loved her and wanted to marry her.

How can a girl say no?

"Yes, a million times yes Shigure." She smiled and hugged him and he stood up.

Shigure held her close in his arms. His lips never leaving hers, and neither of them wanted this amazing kiss to end. She couldn't believe what just happened. She was in complete bliss.

"This ring is beautiful, Gure. Now I see why you didn't buy yourself a suit" she joked as she looked at a full two carat diamond ring. It was absolutely breathtaking and it was a perfect. It was perfect because Shigure had given it to her. He smiled and kissed her cheek. "Only the best for my Wolf."

"I love you." He said and grabbed his face to kiss him. His phone started to ring. Always at the perfect time isn't it?

He groaned and answered the phone. "Happiest man in the world speaking?"

"Shigure, its just a publishing party..." Hatori said on the other end of the phone.

"That's not the reason Hari..Amaya said yes." As he kissed her hand.

"Do I need to come and see her? Is she okay? Can I talk to her?" Hatori said trying to annoy Shigure.

Shigure sighed. "Hari you're so cruel."

"Congratulations to the two of you, but I called you because you should be on your way already people are already starting to arrive." Hatori said then hung up.

Shigure blinked. "Well seems you're right we will be there soon!"

After getting off the phone Shigure and Amaya went back inside and finished getting ready then left to go to the party.

Hatori however was just in shock more than anyone else about their engagement more than happy for them. He was proud that Shigure found someone who kept him on his toes and kept him in line but he would never admit the hurt and the feeling of jealousy in his heart as he thought of Kana. The one woman who saw past the curse and saw the man underneath. The one woman who had first made him smile.

The one woman he had to erase the memories of and it killed him inside. Every day since then seeing her was a constant reminder of his eye and the day he last told her he loved her.

Shigure and Amaya finally made it to the party. The publishing company had rented a beautiful hall for it. He gestured to Mitchan to hand him a microphone and she ran over with it quickly. Amaya held onto his arm and was a little confused as she looked up at Shigure wondering what he was doing.

"Everyone, I want to thank you for coming tonight. This book, I've been working on it for awhile now and...it really showcases my love for this beautiful woman here in blue." He said as he gestured to Amaya who blushed deep red.

"This woman made me realize so many things about myself and about life in general...and she just made me the happiest man in the world by agreeing to marry me so we can spend the rest of our days together." Shigure said softly and kissed her hand. People immediately started to cheer and clap for them and Shigure just smiled like the goofball he was and walked with Amaya on his arm like she was a first place trophy but she was so much more to him than that. She was the love of his life and she meant the world to him.

"Hey Shigure, I am going to check to see if Naomi is here, Yet?" She said and she give him a quick peck on the cheek. He nodded, he was was starting to get busy with all the other authors and editors. All of them who congratulated him on his book and his engagement of course.

Amaya walked over to the door and saw Naomi walk in. She looked pretty lost.

"Naomi! Over here" Amaya said and waved her arm to catch her looked over and smiled and she saw someone she finally knew.

"Hey, sorry it took me so long." Naomi said and she got closer to Amaya. Amaya hugged and Naomi let out a small grunt.

"Are you alright?" Amaya asked concerned and Naomi just nodded.

"Yeah just sore." She faked a smile.

"Okay, well come on in. Let me introduce you to my soon to be Husband's family." Amaya said and grabbed her arm and walked over to where some of the Sohma's were.

"Wait you got engaged? Oh my that's so exciting" Naomi smiled.

Amaya smiled with a soft blush. "I know..he did right before we left."

Hatori came up to Shigure. "Did Amaya realize her mistake yet?"

"Oh Hari you're so cruel but with you being a stick in the mud can't even bring me down." Shigure laughed. Amaya laughed as she over heard Hatori's comment to Shigure.

"Hello, Hari thanks for your concern but I am fine." She chuckled

Hatori nodded. "Are you sure? Because Ms. Amaya I will examine your head if need be." Naomi couldn't help but chuckle at his comments. She wasn't aware of why he was making those comments but she found it somewhat funny. Amaya laughed.

"Oh I almost forgot. Naomi this is Hatori Sohma. He is Shigure's cousin. He is also the family doctor." She said as she introduced the looked at Hatori and smiled. Hatori smiled softly and held out his hand cautiously to shake it. His own curse hadn't broken yet.

Hatori was the only one who still had the curse."

She reached out for his hand and shook it lightly. His hands were firm. Their eyes met and she nodded and smiled. Amaya then began to talk to Shigure about all the people that he would need to talk to during the party and she quickly left Naomi by herself. Naomi stood there just watching the love birds. She was happy for Amaya.

Hatori looked at them as well. "It's unusual to see Shigure be tamed."

"Why would you say that? They seem very happy together." she glanced at Hatori.

"It's not that. I grew up with Shigure and he has always been a kind of wild card. Amaya keeps him in line." He watched on as a slow song started to play and Amaya and Shigure started to slow dance. The whole party seemed to watch them happily as if they were the king and queen of the prom.

I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me

I still feel your touch in my dreams

Forgive me my weakness but I don't know why

Without you it's hard to survive

"Oh okay... I see." She smiled as she watched Shigure and Amaya. They were honestly a very perfect couple. They understood each other in ways no one could ever understand them in.

Cause everytime we touch I get this feeling

And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly

Can't you feel my heartbeat fast, I want this to last

Need you by my side

Cause everytime we touch, I feel the static

And everytime we kiss, I reach for the sky

Can't you hear my heartbeat so, I can't let you go.

Want you in my life.

"You know Amaya never really dated in college...she seems so happy now." Naomi said softly with a smile on her face. Hatori nodded.

'I can understand why' he thought to himself and he stood there quietly. He looked at Naomi out of the corner of his eye and he felt his chest slightly tighten and his heartbeat quicken but he just associated it with the cigarette he smoked earlier out of frustration.

Your arms are my castle, your heart is my sky

They wipe away tears that I cry

The good and the bad times we've been through them all

You make me rise when I fall

As Amaya and Shigure danced she shook off her embarrassment and she nuzzled him lovingly. Shigure was a little surprised at her now boldness but he didn't mind as he held her tighter and swayed to the music.

"I'm surprised Inari isn't here. She is practically Amaya's sister." Naomi added as she watched and ignored her pain as she leaned against a chair to help keep her balance.

"I do believe Ms. Inari is away in Osaka at her own book signing." Hatori answered for her and Naomi nodded.

'Wow...it's these two have gotten everything they ever wanted..' She thought to herself and she couldn't help but smile.

"Well I am gonna go walk around a bit. It was nice to meet you." She said and did a quick bow.

"You as well.." He bowed as well and he kept the image of her in his head. She walked around for a bit, but the pain on her ribs just kept on getting worse. She walked over to the ladies room and freshen up her face. But she was already pale from the pain. She stepped out of the room and tried to walk outside to catch some air. While walking in the hallway. The pain only grew.

'Oh no... I think that hug from Amaya just made it worse.' She thought to herself. Without noticing she was almost leaning against the wall trying steady herself. When suddenly she felt a pair of hands coming from behind her steady themselves on her shoulder.

"Easy now." Hatori said. "Are you alright Ms. Naomi?"

"I am fine, just a bit light headed." She faked a smile. He assisted her to the closest chair and sat her down.

"I do not believe you are telling me the truth." He knelt down in front of her. "I'm a doctor I can tell these things."

She blushed as she looked into his eyes.

"I am fine..." She said and she stood up again. "... see." She stood up and adjusted her dress and let up a small grunt.

"There you are. I've been looking for you Naomi. You look pale? You okay?" Amaya said

"Yes I'm fi-" she started to say.

"She is not Ms. Amaya." Hatori said sternly but he was still polite

"I just need some air okay, I will go outside." Naomi said and started to walk towards the balcony.

"Ugh she can be pretty stubborn..." Amaya said then looked at Hatori. "... Would you mind staying with her. Just to make sure she is okay."

Hatori nodded. "I shall.." Hatori stayed nearby her.

He walked over to where she was. The air was cold he could see the warm air exhaling through her mouth. She looked beautiful in a long red dress, straps draped on her shoulders. Long black satin hair.

Hatori looked to her and thought to himself 'she looks lovely.' He closed the glass door behind him and walked over to where Naomi was standing. She looked over to him.

"Did she send you after me?" She said her voice was soft. He nodded and he leaned on the balcony edge. He stared into the distance.

"I am fine, just a little sore okay, I fell the other day and I must've bruised a rib . that's why... It just hurts really bad and wearing this tight dress isn't probably helping." She said and leaned forward but quickly regretted as the pain on her rib spiked.

"Ow" she said and placed her hand over her rib. Hatori turned to her while reaching his hand toward her rib cage.

"Do you mind?" He said as he kept eye contact. She shook her head and watched as he gently touched her ribs. She grunted in pain.

"Yes, it's definitely bruised. It would help for you to not wear such tight dresses." He said as he turned around and looked over the clear sky. "I suggest you rest and use a heating pad and take some motrin."

"Well yeah, I know that... I didn't think I would be hurt before this event so now I just has to deal with it." She said and sat down. "Thank you...I'll take your advice."

He chuckled at her response."You are stubborn."

She blushed slightly. "Y-yeah I get that a lot." She kept her eyes on him. She started to feel cold, after all it was winter and it was supposed to snow late that night. She tried to hide the fact that her teeth were chattering in the cold.

Hatori sighed and he handed her his coat after smoothing out the wrinkles. "Here you need it more than I do."

"Aren't you going to be cold?" She says, but he is already walking towards her handing the jacket to her. She leans forward to put the jacket on. He helps her put it on. She puts her arms through the sleeves and laughs.

"You're tall." She laughs and he looks at the hanging sleeves. She started to swing her arms around and Hatori couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the sleeves just sway with her movements.

'Reminds me of Tohru..innocent and sweet...almost childlike..' He thought to himself. "So how long have you known Ms. Amaya?"

"I've known Amaya for quite some time now. We roomed together in college for a while. She has helped me through a lot of this is the past. But I live in Kyoto now so I don't to see her very much." She said as she stared into the distance.

"Thank you for the jacket." She said as she snuggled it a little. She sniffed and she could smell his cologne and she smiled at the scent and it seemed to etch into her memory.

'He smells really nice...and so does his jacket.' She had a soft smile and blush.

He nodded. "You're welcome. And even though you and Ms. Amaya don't see each other very much you seem close."

"Yeah, I do try to see her as much as I can but lately..." She took a deep breath and looked into the distance. "... It's been a lot harder to travel." She smiled softly... "Sorry I am pretty boring." She looked at him and exhaled.

He nodded. "I don't believe so." She blushed and looked away.

"I am going to get something to drink, would you like anything?" She asked him.

He pulled up a chair next to her. "You rest, I will get us something. What would you like?"

"Uh mm...something warm. Tea perhaps. It's fine I don't mind being alone... Better than some company I've had in awhile" She said as she fixed herself on the chair.

He nodded. "I won't be long." He went off to grab her a tea. She sat there waiting for him and snuggled with his jacket. It was nice and warm from his body heat. She thought back to what she said about not minding being alone and she might've sound a bit rude. She looked up into the sky and watched the stars. She began to think that maybe he offered to go inside because he got cold. She sighed inwardly.

'No because then what would he do about his jacket...it doesn't seem like a cheap jacket…' she thought to herself and carefully sat back in the chair being careful of her ribs.

He came out after a few moments. "Here you go." He handed her a tea while he had one of his own and sat next to her.

"Thank you" she said and took a sip. The hot tea felt nice and helped her warm up. "I didn't meant to be rude when I said that I didn't mind being alone." She said and took another sip and looked at him.

"It's okay Ms. Naomi. How's your tea?" He asked her.

"It's good thanks..." She smiled.

"You see that star over there." She points at the sky to a very bright star. He nodded as he looked up.

"That start over there if you connect to this ones over there you forms the Draco constellation." She said and she moves her arms around tracing the stars.

"That's Latin for Dragon." She said and took another sip.

Hatori blinked and nodded. "I'm aware, you seem to know your astronomy."

"Yes, my dad used to take me star-gazing a lot when I was younger. I used to love to go. He would wake me up in the middle of the night and drive to an open field and we would set up blankets and watch the stars. Once we were lucky enough to watch a meteor shower. It was amazing." She smiled at her memory. Life seemed easier then.

"That sounds exciting... I've never seen a meteor shower before. Honestly I don't believe I have ever had the time to see one, with my line of work I am always too busy." He said and looked away. He neglected to mention how most of his free time for the longest time was spent taking care of Akito. She looked at him.

"Well you should try it at least once in your lifetime." She said.

"Perhaps..." He hummed and looked at the sky. They sit in silence for a moment. Hatori pulled out a cigarette and started to smoke it, as he exhaled Naomi looked at him.

"you look like a dragon..." She pointed at him as she giggled.

Hatori chuckled softly humoring her. "I'm the farthest thing from a dragon." Even though it was the farthest thing from the truth.

"Well yeah... I like the dragon though, and seahorses. Some believe that a seahorse is just a young dragon. But I think they are so much more than that. Sorry I've spent a lot of time reading random books." She laughed.

"Well I was born under the year of the dragon after all." She smiled and looked away.

He chuckled softly in amusement.

'If only she knew..' He looked at her. "I see well I guess everyone has an attachment to their zodiac."

"I guess so... Are you attached to any?" She said as she finished her tea.

"Not particularly. The Chinese zodiac is not my...cup of tea if you wish." He took a sip of his tea.

"Oh okay." She said and smiled softly. He quietly stood up and sat his tea down.

"Excuse me for a moment." He bowed and head to the restroom but by the time he had come back, Naomi was gone.

"Oh Hey Hatori, Naomi left and told me to give this back to you" Amaya said as she handed him back his jacket. Amaya couldn't help but notice that Hatori looked a bit disappointed when he saw that Naomi wasn't there anymore.

Hatori nodded. "I see well thank you Ms. Amaya and congratulations to you and Shigure." He bowed and took his leave. He had an image of Naomi and wondered if he would see her again but he left that thought at that as he appeared home and young Momiji ran to him telling him how happy he was to hug Tohru.

Shigure came up to Amaya and he put his arms around her after Hatori had left. "I wonder something...if Naomi would be a good match for our Hari."

"What? Where did that come from?" Amaya laughed and looked at Shigure.

"Shigure you talk about Hatori as if he was our child." She joked.

Shigure chuckled and rubbed her stomach. "Well..he's not but I do plan to have one with you." He kissed her cheek. "Oh Yuki called, his surprise for Inari was a success." As if on cue Inari was calling Amaya's phone.

"Hey Ina, how are you? You won't believe what happened?" Amaya said on the phone and looked at her hand.

"Shigure proposed to me!" She smiled and Shigure could see sparks in her eyes.

"He did what? He didn't ask for my permission." Inari yelled on the other side of the phone.

Amaya laughed.

"it's not official until I approve him of asking for your hand!" Inari continued and Shigure and Amaya laughed

"I'm serious! Shigure you-hey Yuki stop it!" Inari giggled loudly as Yuki was tickling her and kissing her neck to steal the phone from her. "We shall see you both in a few days." Yuki said and hung up the phone and continued to kiss Inari. Shigure laughed and he pulled in Amaya for a loving and passionate kiss. And the girls realized something in that moment. They were thankful for that curse because they met the loves of their lives.

But they were no longer the cursed ones.