Chapter Six: Goodbye Machi

Tohru tucked the twins into their beds that night and then wandered into her own room, where Kyo lay asleep completely exhausted from the day's work. She stroked her fingers through his hair lovingly and then turned from the room to go finish up the remaining of the cleaning in the kitchen. About an hour later she walked into the sitting room to turn off the lights when she heard the phone ring and walked over to answer.

"Hello Sohma residence" she replied politely.

"Tohru" Yuki's voice came over the phone loud and clear. "Yuki?" Tohru replied quite surprised, "What's wrong?" "I'm sorry to call so late like this but I think it's time." "Are you sure?" she asked a bit worried. "Yes" he said, "I already called her family. They're going to be here within the hour." "I'll be right over" Tohru replied as she hung up the phone, quickly left Kyo a message on the table, and then walked over to the door putting on her coat in the process. She hurried into the cold night air heading for Yuki's house, which was only a ten-minute walk away. When she arrived she could see that Yuki was sitting on the steps waiting for her. She walked over to him and he looked up at her trying to hold in his tears. "Yuki" she said softly. "Thanks for coming Tohru" he stood up and embraced her, "I don't know how I would get through this otherwise." "Of course" she nodded and then the two of them walked into the house. Yuki led Tohru into the kitchen and handed her a cup of tea from walking in the cold wind. She thanked him and then asked if he was all right. Yuki nodded. "For now I am okay. I think she still has a couple of hours at the most. So I hope her folks get here before she passes." "I'm sure they will" Tohru reassured him, "But how do you know for sure?" "She knows" Yuki replied, "She has felt very weak all day and asked me to call them. That's one sign. So all I have to do is wait till they get here." "Shouldn't you be by her side right now?" Tohru asked, "I can wait for them." "No" Yuki shook his head, "I promised her that I would wait" he said as bravely as he could. "Okay" Tohru nodded, "Then we'll wait." (Next Scene) Sure enough about an hour later Machi's mother arrived soon followed by Kakeru and his father. Yuki led Ms. Manabe into the room first. Mr. Kuragi sat on the couch with his hands under his chin, looking more worried and scared then Yuki had ever seen him. Yuki offered him some tea as Tohru handed Kakeru a cup and Yuki sat down on the couch next to his father in law. Kakeru turned to Tohru with a smile. "It must mean a lot having you here with him right now" Kakeru replied, "Thanks for coming." "Of course" Tohru nodded, "There is no where else I wouldbe on a night like tonight. After all, Yuki is the closest thing I have ever had to a brother."

"I know how important you are to him too" Kakeru nodded as his mother came out of the room crying hard, so he walked over and embraced her tightly.

"I guess I should go next," Mr. Kuragi said rising from the couch since Kakeru was preoccupied with comforting his mother.

"I'll show you the way sir" Yuki said leading him down the hall and opening the door to the bedroom.

Tohru walked over to Ms. Manabe and offered her a cup of tea, which she accepted gracefully. Kakeru thanked Tohru again and then the three of them walked into the kitchen and Tohru helped his mother to sit in the chair. A couple moments later Mr. Kuragi came back and Kakeru walked over to where Yuki was waiting to let him in.

Another hour ticked by and it was now midnight. Kakeru finally came out of the room and walked over to sit with his father who was once more on the couch. Yuki glanced at Tohru who nodded to him and he himself walked into his bedroom to say goodbye to his wife.

(Next Scene)

Yuki walked silently over to Machi who gazed up at him with a smile on her face. He took her hand and kissed her on the top of her forehead.

"Yuki" she said softly but still smiling, "Can I see her? Can I see Takara?"

"Yes" he nodded walking over to the bassinet and lifting his daughter who was quite awake from all the commotion, "Here she is" he handed her to Machi who smiled even more as her daughter looked up at her, her aquamarine eyes shining.

"She's so beautiful" Machi said tears forming in her eyes, "We are so lucky we have her."

"I know" Yuki agreed, "She is beautiful. Like her mother" a tear fell down his cheek.

Machi smiled gently at him and then turned back to Takara.

"Takara, my little angel. You have given your mother such joy because you were born. I have given you everything that I could give you and now I must ask you for a favor. I want you to take care of your daddy" she whispered, "Look after him for me. And look after your Uncle Kakeru and your grandparents. Can you do that for me Takara?"

Takara just continued to stare at her mother and held up her tiny hand to touch her face. Machi smiled as the tears slid down her face slowly and she took the little hand into her own and kissed it. Then she turned back to Yuki who was trying not to cry.

"Yuki. I want to talk to you now. Ask Kakeru to come and get her so mom and dad can see her."

"Okay" he nodded going to the door.

To his surprise Tohru was there since she was passing on by. So he turned to her gently.

"Tohru could you take Takara into the living room to see Machi's parents?" he asked.

"Sure" she nodded coming into the room as Yuki walked over to take Takara from his wife.

Machi spotted her as Yuki handed the baby to her and smiled.

"Hello Tohru" she replied loud enough for them both to hear.

"Machi?" Tohru said surprised.

"Would you stay for a moment?" Machi asked.

"Sure" Tohru nodded as she held onto Machi's precious little girl.

"I'll take Takara to Kakeru myself" Yuki said taking her back, "I'll give you two a few minutes" he departed from the room as Tohru walked over and Machi held her hand out to her.

"What is it Machi? What can I do for you?"

"One thing" Machi said as Tohru sat down in the chair that was beside the bed, "I want you to look after them for me. When I leave Yuki is going to need you, more than ever. I am scared but I won't be as frightened to die if I know that they have someone to look after them."

"Oh Machi" Tohru felt the tears sting her eyes, "I will. I will look after both of them. It is your last request of me and I will, I promise."

"Thank you" Machi smiled, "And thank you so much for always being there for Yuki. To him you are the most special friend he has ever known. I have to admit there were times when I was jealous of your relationship."

"Machi" Tohru shook her head.

"But I also know that if anyone can help him get through this, it's you Tohru" Machi cried, "And knowing that I can move on and leave them. I will miss everyone. I will even miss you. You've been like a sister since we moved to Kyoto and I know my baby and Yuki will always have comfort if you are around."

"I promise" Tohru said leaning down and embracing her tightly, "That I will do everything I can Machi."

"Thank you" Machi cried, "Thank you so much."

"Yes" Tohru nodded, "Of course. Now I will go get Yuki for you."

"Thank you" Machi agreed and Tohru left the room as Yuki entered and once more walked over to his wife.

He took her hand slowly and felt the tears really start to fall.

"Machi" he said slowly.

"Yuki" she shook her head, "Look at me. I know this is hard for you. It's not easy for me either. But I do take comfort, knowing that you and Takara have Tohru now to help you through this."

"It's not the same thing" Yuki said a bit angrily, "We need you here. Takara needs you here. To watch her grow up and become a young woman. What am I going to do without you?"

"You'll live" Machi replied sitting up slightly on her pillow, "You'll continue to live, the both of you will. You have each other. You're not alone. I will always be with you, you know? Watching over you both from heaven. I need you to let me go Yuki."

"I can't" he shook his head.

"You have to. You have to let me go" Machi said, "It's time."

Yuki cried even more as he placed his head onto her hand and she stroked her hair through his fingers gently and slowly.

"Yuki. You're never going to lose me you know. Not completely. As long as you keep my love in your heart then you will always be able to find me. We cannot decide when it is our time to go. That's something we have no power over. I resigned myself months ago that this was going to happen and now I have to let you go, and Takara and you both have to let me go, so we can move on."

Yuki lifted his head and looked deep into her blue eyes. She placed her hand onto his cheek and he took it into his own kissing as the tears fell onto her palm.

"Machi" he whispered, "I love you so much. I have never loved anyone as much I love you."

She smiled as the tears ceased to fall down her face and she closed her eyes leaning back onto her pillow.

"And I love you, Prince Yuki Sohma" she said lastly as he lowered his head once more, "And I always will."

There was complete silence and Yuki raised his eyes from the bed and saw that Machi was no longer moving but she had a smile on her face.

"Machi?" he said slowly, "Machi" he said even louder and then he realized that she was no longer there.

He stood up from the chair and leaned over to kiss her on the forehead. Then he stroked her cheek with his hand and looked to the ceiling holding back his tears.

(Next Scene)

He came out of the room about fifteen minutes later and informed her parents and brother of her death. Ms. Manabe cried in Kakeru's arms while Mr. Kuragi wiped the tears from under his glasses. Yuki remained calm however and didn't cry. After her folks had departed he walked into the living room where Tohru was sitting and knelt on the floor by her knee. He placed his head onto her lap and then began to sob, as she stroked her hand gently through his hair.

"It's okay Yuki" she whispered as she also cried, "Let it out."

Yuki continued to sob as the rain began to fall outside and the thunder crashed from overhead.

(Till Next Time)