She closed her bag easily, after all she didn't owned much, and then she put her fox plush under the arm. It was still dark outside, but Akito could see the first rays from the rising sun. She climbed the ladder and looked at the other side of the wall, Shigure was already here, waiting, two suitcases behind him. He caught the bag and the plush that Akito threw him and then, he helped her to go down. She giggled happily and they kissed. "Hush" he said in a smile "we're not out yet." Yet, him too was holding back a little laugh of delight and her kissed her cheek before taking her hand.
She just couldn't contain her joy; she could hear her own heartbeat echoing in her ears. She pulled the smallest suitcase as Shigure took her bag on his back and dragged the biggest suitcase behind him. They carefully made few noises as possible as they walked away. She hoped to exit by the big gates of the Sohma estate, but he told her they weren't open at this hour yet, so they passed through a big hole that fitted both of them. Shigure confessed that he and Ayame always used this hole to go out the night when they were students.
By the time they were out of the Sohma propriety, the day light appeared and the birds were singing. Only then she talked to him. "What about the bank?"
"Don't worry, I did go yesterday" he swung their intertwined hands high "everything is in order." He hailed a taxi and Akito was surprised to see one so early in the morning. "But, I wonder Akito, will it be okay?"
"Of course, it's my money to begin with." She smirked naughtily and Shigure find her beautiful "Ren have been keeping it all that time."
"Still, I never saw that many zero before haha, we're so rich"
"I am rich, you're just a parasite living on my expense." She talked back and Shigure made an overexaggerated gasp before whining. "But Akito-saan, we're eloping, we are sharing everythiiiing". Akito groaned, he knew this voice was annoying her and he used it on purpose. She bumped her elbow in his stomach and he sneered. "Annoying." She grunted and put her suitcase in the taxi trunk.
Tohru was humming a Korean song that Hana made her listen and that was staying in her head. She was happy, even though she cried a lot the day before, she was just…So glad for Shigure and Akito. In emotion she held her hands against her heart and think about how it was like in movies. "Ah mom, I wish you would have been here to see this" she muttered to herself in a little voice.
"Hm? Tohru, you're still here? What about your job?" Kyo walked in the kitchen with surprise to see her here. Tohru turned toward him with a big smile. "No, my job at the main house is over!" she said in a beam and the boy was bewildered, he never saw somebody that happy to lose a job. "Ah? What do you mean?" he was even more confused and was now scratching his head.
"Oh! That's true!" she said, suddenly clapping her hands together then rushing in her room. She almost crashed into a half-asleep Yuki who was walking in the table direction to eat the breakfast. "My, my, she is sure very energitic." Laughed kindly Kazuma from his seat.
She came back, running so messily that Kyo had to tell to calm down or she was going to hurt herself. Her smile went wider as she handed him the letter that Akito had written for him. "Please, read it quickly!" she urged before turning toward Yuki and giving his letter.
The boy blinked hardly and opened the letter with his eyes half-open. However, when he recognized the god's hand writing he immediately went awake and scanned the paper with great attention. Tohru wanted to ask to Yuki and Kyo what was in the letter, but she was scared that she would sound too curious. It was something private between them and Akito…But still she couldn't help but being curious. She looked anxiously at Kyo who was re-reading the letter. "Kyo-kun? What does Akito-san say?"
Kyo snapped when he heard the girl quiet voice and looked at her with wide eyes. "Ah… It's…" he avoided her eyes and stared at his feet. "…She said she wished we talked more and…She assure me that she had done her possible about the cat's room destruction and my freedom…She…" he looked at Tohru and blushed. The content of the letter flashing in his mind again, telling it was Tohru's wish for him to be free. Explaining that she insisted that Akito would assure Kyo's freedom for the rest of his life. Gosh, he loved this girl so much, didn't she know the effect she had on him?
"Really Kyo-kun? I'm so glad…So, so glad!" She knew the cat's room already started to be demolished, but Akito's letter and the family mark at the end of the letter made it all official and unbreakable. They were the family's head and the cursed by the god's spirit's words. Nothing could change that.
"Honda-san" Yuki's voice brought her back to reality. "Is Akito really gone?" he asked, his own letter in hand with a huge bank-check. Kyo yelled a 'What?!' when she nodded. She saw Yuki sadly frowning, yeah…He hadn't the chance to tell her goodbye in person. Tohru felt guilty. "What do you mean she is gone? How?!" He tried to take the letter that Yuki had in hand but the boy pulled the letter away.
"Do-don't fight…" Tohru tried to walk between them but she didn't want to take the risk of transforming them. "Please! Don't fight!" she said louder, making them jolt and then bow their head in shame. Yuki looked at the paper in his hand and he suddenly rushed to the genkan to put his shoes. Tohru didn't understand, but she followed, and Kyo, seeing the girl he loved running after another man, followed too.
Yuki at Shigure's and opened the door loudly, thinking seeing Akito in the middle of the living room. He saw instead Mitsuru standing up in the middle of an empty room, reading. She turned around when she heard noise "Sense- oh…It's you" she said with a little voice.
"Oi! Shigure is not here?" asked Kyo who arrived behind Tohru. Mitsuru looked as lost as the boys and Tohru continued to twist her fingers anxiously. She didn't know if she should tell about Akito and Shigure relationship so soon, what if somebody caught them before they're leaving and that Akito is forced back in the mansion, oh no. Tohru don't want that to happen. Shigure had worked so hard, she didn't want all the hard-work to go waste. Tohru saw marks around Akito's neck, she saw how sad was this person, forced to live only in three-room. She looked at Kyo and she feel relieved, egoist and relieved. But she was so happy that Kyo won't know this fate that she didn't feel guilty to notice how egoist she was.
"I'm sorry…I allowed myself in because sensei always try to escape..." Mitsuru was searching her words "He told me he was going to move but he didn't tell me it was so soon…" The three teenagers could feel how anxious the woman was. Moving her eyes between them and the draft of novel's last chapter. The happy ending.
Kyo was starting to lose patience "What the fuck does that mean?!" Yuki clicked his tongue, clearly frustrated.
"That's mean she eloped with that bastard!" Tohru paled. Yuki knew.
Akito looked at the train ticket while she swallowed her breakfast. "You asked Tohru before taking her identity to book me that ticket?" Shigure rose his nose from his coffee and looked at her with stupid eyes. "Of course I did Akito!" No, he didn't.
Actually, at first he had thought about buying Akito's ticket with Mitsuru name, impersonate her as his editor accompanying him. But if they tried to call the editor office, they might be found out. Tohru will be able to lie to Ren since she was already knowing the details. Plus, Ren was trusting her thank to the ploy they made the day Tohru brought Akito back to her. Everything was just perfect. He remembered how Akito was reluctant to go back in Ren's side and how Tohru was anxious about her, yet at the end, he succeeded to convince both of them. Still, he couldn't forget how heartbroken he was after seeing Akito's expression when he had sent her off. But after today it will be over and all of it will probably change. He won't care anymore by tomorrow; he will already be far away with Akito. The Sohma family will no more be his business.
"Still, don't you think you wasted too much money with all those tickets trick?" she asked, playing with an egg. Shigure hummed in his coffee, Akito made fun of him earlier because he was mimicking too much westerner manners and she couldn't take him seriously. "Ren will probably search and call any transport company to see if they sold a ticket at your name. By the way, I also bought bus ticket and boat ticket but also a train ticket for Akita." He explained winking at her, very proud. Akito rose an eyebrow and groaned about wasted money.
She looked at Shigure's watch and then her ticket. The train's departure was too late in her taste. They have been unlucky -that's the reason that started to make her feel anxious, when they arrived at the station, the train they had booked had have been cancelled and they had to buy news tickets for a later departure. She was stressed, what if Ren was already aware that she was missing and that they started to search for her. Shigure put his hand on hers, comforting. "It will be okay, don't worry."
Still, she was.
"Akito asked you to give all those letters?!" Yelled Kyo in a hushed voice when Tohru showed him the ten letters left that Akito had written. "Honda-san, do you need help for this?" offered Yuki, pointing Haru and Isuzu destinated letters.
Tohru wondered, she was the one Akito ordered to do so, but she also asked for Tohru to give them as soon a possible, she made a quick decision. "Yes! Please Kyo-kun! Yuki-kun!" she said, handing the precious papers. Yuki choose Haru, Isuzu and Momiji letters. "Haru and Rin are always together, and Momiji is never too far." He explained.
Kyo wanting to do as much as Yuki took four envelopes, showing he was ready to more than the rat. "I mean, Ritsu is not here, but I'm sure that Kagura will give his as soon as possible…As for the kids…hm…"
"Not pretty wise of you, you scare Kisa out." Said Yuki with sarcasm as he stood up to walk out of Tohru's room. Kyo was boiling in rage but Tohru gently put her gentle hands on his fisted hand. "Kyo-kun…Thank you so much…"
"That's…It's normal" he said, smiling gently at her. "From what you told me, she was living a hell and I…I somehow relate to her I guess…" he scratched his head. "Still, I can't believe she and Shigure are an item, he is…It's Shigure!" he screamed, as if it explained everything and Tohru laughed as if it was a joke. She loved Kyo reaction, she loved him simply. "But Kyo-kun, you should have saw them, they are so sweet together!" she blushed when she remembered that she was somehow envious, if only she could hug Kyo…
"Erk, I don't think sweet is the word I would use to define that bastard, I don't know what she sees in him." He made a face and then stood up. He showed his hand to help Tohru to stand up, pink on the cheeks. "What about you?"
"I will see Hatori-san and then will go outside and give the letters to Kureno-san and Ayame-san."
"I think Hatori is outside today too, you know, still helping in that clinic, you should go out directly, I'll go with you!" and shiny like a knight, he was holding the door, Tohru laughed in delight "But, Kyo-kun has to see Kagura-san, Kisa-chan and Hiro-kun." Kyo blushed in embarrassment, he had forgot about it. "…Roger."
"I'll see you later Kyo-kun!" she said while Kyo suddenly realized in a 'glup' that he will have to face Kagura. Tohru on her owns ran out of the Sohma estate and rushing toward Kureno's house. She wasn't sure where it was. Shigure had told her it was near of the forest, but where? She ran kilometers before she finally noticed a forest from far, she passed in front of a supermarket and then entered in the woodwind. She noticed a path and decided to follow it, probably it will bring her to Kureno's house, won't it?
She passed aside four jizou and walked on a little bridge before ending up in front of stairs. Hoping it was the good way, she dashed on the stairs and found a house that was way too big for one person only. She knocked at the door, hoping to see Kureno face. She anxiously tapped her feet on the ground when she heard nothing coming from the house ten seconds after knocking. She tried to redo it again and again multiple time before downing her hand. Maybe it was not his house and she will need to continue to search.
Tohru really wanted to give Kureno's letter in priority. During the time she was serving Akito, the woman had talked a lot about Kureno -and strangely, a little few about Shigure, if she were to compare. They were really close, just as close as she and Hana and Uochan could be. And how funny it has been to talk about Kureno and Uochan. She hoped after they graduated high school, Uochan will go at Kureno's side.
Tohru shook her head, she was losing herself in her thoughts. She had to find Kureno and quick. Turning her heels, she took the stairs and as she walked down, she recognized the man's hair climbing the stairs with a shopping bag in his hand. "Kureno-san!" she yelled, surprising the man.
"Honda-san?" he looked the girl rushing to meet him. "What are you doing here?" he smiled gently even though his confusion. Tohru tried to talk but it was messed up by her high pants and Kureno had to tell her to take her time to catch her breath. "I…Akito-san is…" she tried to say before handing him with her two hands the precious package. His envelope was different in comparison to the others, there were more than the letter.
Kureno let his shopping bag fell on the ground and he took the letter, wondering if something bad happened. "Akito-san has left the mansion with Shigure-san…" she added, now able to talk normally. Kureno hasn't wasted a second and broke the seal of the envelope.
The more they approached the station the more she felt the anxiety rising. She wondered if it was only she or if Shigure too was feeling uneasy as well. After all, it wasn't the first time Shigure had hide his thoughts, when he wanted, he could be a closed book. Shigure had put her plush in his suitcase when they had stopped to eat earlier. Her bag felt lighters in comparison to his. It made her sorrowful, she saw how much Shigure owned whereas all her could belongings easily in a bag. Just the content of her treasure box, a few books and clothes.
Shigure took her hand and leaded her into the building. Akito saw the crowd rushing everywhere and she came closer to him. She was really scared, she felt like Ren could appear at every moment out of the faceless crowd and bring her back to that cold and lonely room. "This is crazy" she whispered loud enough so only him could hear. Shigure tightened his hold on her hand. "What, you prefer coming back there?" he asked, not turning back. He did not need to. He already knew what kind of face Akito was doing. He knew she was having a typical reaction. They were so close to their goal and she was fearing everything would fail, but Shigure won't let his emotions take the better of him. He had to stay focused.
"They're going to search for me…What if they find us?" Akito grasped his arm with her other hand, as if he could disappear if she stopped touching him. If it was a normal day, maybe he would have teased her, but right now, the situation was too tight, too stressful and Akito could break if he dared to play with her. "They won't, trust me." He said, looking right in front of him with determined eyes. "Believe me, they won't find us…" because if they did, all would be over.
Akito bit in lips in worry. 'I hope too…'
Kisa just finished to read Akito's letter and she was sad, full of regrets. The girl had just saw her the time of a little afternoon, the time to eat a fondue…Nothing more. She wished she would have talked more to her god. It was strange, being attached that much with somebody she barely knows. When she had read the farewell letter that Akito had written just for her, the girl felt something mourn inside her. All she had from Akito was a goodbye letter, it was sad, it was melancholic. Kisa wished she would have done more for Akito.
She wiped a tear and looked at the envelope Akito had made for Hiro, she had to give him quick too. Kisa was so proud of herself, she succeeded to talk with Kyo, he was a nice guy after all. Tohru liked him.
Feeling herself ready to go see her friend, she scampered along the path giving at Hiro's house. She stopped brutally by hearing a scream, her senses in alert. "What do you mean they didn't find her?! Did they really search in the plane?! And what about the bus?!"
"The-they said they stopped already more than twenty bus…they can't do more than that already…" explained another woman with a quiet voice. Then, in the corner of Kisa's eyes, Ren appeared like fury, her long hairs waving eerily, giving her an aura coming from hell. Like a Shikome send by an angry Izanami no mikoto when her husband left her to rot in the Yomi land. The deathly mother of the sun goddess.
Het breath hitched and caught itself in her throat when Ren suddenly snapped her head in her direction. Scary. It reminded Kisa the ghosts in the movies, she wanted to run away but her legs wouldn't move and before she could react, the woman took her by the hair and pulled her high. Kisa screamed and she tried struggle through her cries. "You fucking monster tell me where is Akito! Tell me where is this little bitch!"
Kisa wanted to move her head but Ren was holding her tight and roughly "I don't know" she tried to say, provoking Ren to shook her head, fisting hard the pull of her hair and it hurt, her shouts were hurting Kisa's ears. "Use your damned bond and tell me where is Akito!" Kisa knew she shouldn't talk, it was something she mastered with all the bullies at school, but thank to Tohru and her mother's love, she learnt to face the hardness. "I don't know…" she articulated through her gritted teeth and closed eyes, holding back tears. The woman made an animalistic glutaral noise and pulled even harder.
"Please stop! It hurts!" Sobbed and screamed the girl, trying to break free from Ren fistful grasp on her hair. "Tell me where she is!" but she wouldn't listen and just continued to ask desperately.
"What are you doing to my daughter!" Kisa recognized her mother yell and in a second, her mother pushed the woman away from Kisa. Ren bumped her back against the wall in a loud sound.
Her mother directly hugged her daughter, caressing lovingly and comforting her, kissing the top of her messed up hair. "Are you okay? Did she hurt you?" she asked a lot of question that made the little Kisa dizzy. Her mother framed her face carefully, watching if she got injured by the crazy woman. Once she made sure her child was safe, she pulled Kisa right against her heart, shielding her if Ren was ready to thrown herself on her precious girl once again. "What is wrong with you?! Why did you attack my daughter?! She is just a child!"
"That…" Ren was shivering in anger, her eyes feral and Kisa felt the need to get closer to her mother, scared. "You dumb head must know where is Akito! They're bonded! She refuses to tell me! It's her fault!" Kisa was so surprised to see her usually exhausted and calm mama being so angry. Kisa never understood why she was the cursed of the tiger, but by seeing own her mother's reaction, she thought it was maybe because of her. She was so happy and safe in her mother warm embrace. She let herself cry her heart content.
"You're crazy! Why would my daughter know about it! She is innocent! Even if she knew why were you beating her?! She is a child!" Screamed Kisa's mother, roaring as a lioness defending her young. None of them noticed the people starting to gather around them, whispering about what was happening.
Slowly even the people who were in Ren's side came across the scene and gasped outrageously by the woman behavior. 'Even if she is cursed, it's still a kid…' 'What about Akito-san?' 'I heard he disappeared…'
The elites of the family walked in the circle, the doyen looking at her with a contemptuous look.
Ren realized that she had dug her own grave.
They zigzagged hand in the hand in the crowd, trying to avoid touching the people. Akito was not used to density. It made her suffocate. Noticing her uneasiness, Shigure pulled her toward an isolated pillar. "You're okay?" he asked, touching her red cheeks with his both hands. She nodded, catching her breath. He kissed the top of her head. "In a few hours it will be over." They will be far, far away. It will be like they never existed. She made a gesture of the head as she grasped his hand.
Shigure pulled her closer and hugged her. The fact that they almost reached their goals made him shiver, thrilled. And he knew that even if she was feeling anxious of doing it, she was feeling the same. They had too few to lose for too much to win. Neither of them will regret what they were doing right now. All the sacrifice he was doing were worth it.
He hugged her closer one last time before stepping back, hands on her shoulders. "We should go now…" Akito looked at him and smiled, unsure. He took her hand and walked, trying to find the way. They tried to walk between people. Shigure took great attention to not bump into somebody, the risk to end up between woman's arms were too high and it would make everything fail. Also, if he hadn't been here, Akito knew without a doubt that she would have been lost. A man in uniform stopped them and she felt a cold sweat forming in her back. She tightened her grip on his hand, in case that man tried to separate them. "Your tickets please" he said.
Akito threw an uneasy glance at Shigure. What if the man notice that she wasn't Tohru? What if he was working under Ren orders? What if he came specially for her to separate her and Shigure? She saw him let her hand go with anguish. Shigure rummaged the pocket in the interior of his vest and handed back the two tickets. The man quickly read and gave them back. "Have a good trip, mister Sohma, Miss Honda." The man bowed his head then passed across to continue to control people, leaving them. She felt like she could breathe again and he kissed her knuckles. "Let's go, okay?"
She nodded and followed his lead, the heart still beating fast in her chest. Really, he did not notice she wasn't Tohru Honda? It looked so easy and it made Akito even more anxious. "It's okay Akito…It's okay…" he whispered gently. She nodded, gulping.
They saw their train from far and they both felt like they were finally free. It was just there, once they will take this train and go far, far away, it will be all over. Just in a few meters, just here, just…
"Akito!"
They both went still, the eyes wide. Shigure was the first to react and to look behind, where the voice had called her. He saw Kureno pushing the crowd, trying to get through and rejoin Akito. Surely, he already saw her from far and he was rushing, his heart beating in his ears. "Akito! Wait!" he screamed again and the crowd was letting him passing, creating space just for him.
Akito looked at him, the person she considered like her brother, one of the few she trusted. Shigure on the contrary, passed him hands on the little of her back and brought her unto his chest, frowning, seeing the man like a threat for him and Akito, for the future and the happy ending he dreamed of.
Kureno let himself slow down when he saw the girl in Shigure's arms. He was out of breath; he had driven and then ran in the station as soon as he had read the letter Akito had written for him. She told him everything and that's how he knew where she was. Akito gently shoved Shigure off and looked at Kureno with a hint of affection. He was her confidant, her friend, and she was glad to see him one last time before leaving. Maybe deep down, she hoped for it to happen so that's why she had told him the detail of their elopement.
Kureno smiled gently when he saw what she was wearing, the white dress he had bought her year ago. The same he offered her to celebrate her first time outside the mansion. She was beautiful in it, Kureno hasn't saw her in months, maybe she grew a thinner, however her hairs were a little longer. Kureno wanted to take her in his arms and cradle her because of how fragile she looked, feminine. Instead he stretched his hand in her direction and opened his palm, showing the Sohma's family head stamp. "Akito…I can't…"
Akito stared at the stamp a few seconds before moving her eyes toward his face. "Akito…I really can't…"
"You're best I know to take care of them"
"Akito, it's not only about them! What about the money, the family, the inner working…"
"You studied it all with me, you can't be worse than I would be" she tilted her head and cupped his hand with hers, closing his palm and bringing it against his chest. Kureno felt like crying. "I…I'm alright to do it if you promise me that one day you will be back to take back your place!" he said desperately. He wanted to see her again, he needed promise, he needed to be sure.
Her eyes widened and she avoided his eyes and he grabbed her hands that were still around his wrist. "Akito, I agree to be regent if only you promise me that one day you will be back."
"As long as she is here it's…" she didn't finish her sentence but Kureno understood "One day, she won't be here anymore, that day, promise me that you will be back." Akito nodded because she didn't trust her voice to lie blatantly to her best friend. They hugged each other and Akito felt nostalgia hitting in her heart and warming her eyes.
The station made an announcement, asking to the last passengers to get into the train and Akito had to let go and rejoin Shigure's embrace. She smiled to him one last time before turning her heels, her dress floating behind her and Kureno couldn't help but feeling joy in this abundant sadness, at the end, she found herself.
She put herself against Shigure, dragging a suitcase behind her and he wrapped his arm around her waist, looking one last time at Kureno before they both entered in the train. Five minutes after, the train left the station and Kureno was now the official new Sohma head.
Momiji traced the words written on his letter with his fingers tip, words soothing him. By reading that letter, he wished he had talked more with Akito and he knew Akito too wished she would have talked more with him. They both know the feeling of being abandoned by their own mothers. They were more similar than he thought. Yuki told him that she had left the estate, probably forever. And even if a deep part of him was sad of her depart, he was also glad that she finally got the freedom she had been seeking for years. He was also glad that Akito had clear Tohru's name, explaining it was thanks to her that she is now able to live as she wants. "I wish I could had said her goodbye" he said in a regretful smile. Haru patted his head, nodding and Yuki mimicked Momiji's expression. Regret.
Hatsuharu turned his head toward his girlfriend, she had been silent since she had read her letter. They were all in her room when Yuki has found them and posted Akito's letters. Yuki looked at the window, she must be far away now, maybe they even arrived to their destination. He really wished he had punched Shigure face before that bastard left the estate, Akito in his suitcase.
"You think she will be happy?" asked Momiji, wrapping his arms around his legs. "Well, if Shigure annoy her, he..I mean she, will throw him away." Said Yuki, crossing his arms. It was still somehow hard to him to get the fact that Akito was a woman. Maybe the it was easier for the others because they weren't as close as Yuki was with Akito. It will take time to get used, but Yuki know that Akito was a woman and will never reject her for it.
"Still, I didn't expect Shi-chan and Akito to be an item, like, did it happen that night when we all meet? Isn't that a bit quick?"
"Nah, they were already together when Akito ran away the first time." Interrupted Yuki and Haru hummed in wonder "Damn, now I'm really curious, it's like those movie…Shigure-nii is impressive." He said in a casual tone and Yuki sighed through his nose. "I wouldn't say impressive" he muttered. "I don't know much, maybe it's wiser to ask about it to Honda-san, she is the one who helped Akito to escape."
"By the way, where she is now?" Asked Momiji who wanted to see her. "She is outside, giving Kureno and Ayame letters." He explained "She also need to give Hatori letter but we can't find him."
"Hatori is always busy lately, I'm worried for his health." Noted Haru before throwing his head against the mattress. "Rin what do you think about? You've been silent for a moment now."
Rin blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "I don't care." She just said before looking back to the written paper. Haru straightened himself and rested his chin on her shoulder, trying to read her letter. Rin pouted her mouth and pulled him off. "What did she tell you?" teased Momiji, jumped next to her on the bed, she scolded him, telling to watch for the bed. "Nothing important!" she then said before downing her head "She… She let me have an apartment outside of the estate and also gave me enough money to go and complete my years in university art…" she said a quiet and emotionful voice. Haru smiled lovingly and took her in his arms where she cried. Her hell in the mansion was now over, she too, will be able to start a new life.
Akito had made bank checks for all zodiacs that were minors, thank to this, they could be independent from the family and have their own liberty too. Yuki decided that with this money, he too, will go in college too.
Night had already fallen when Hatori's phone rang. He crashed his cig and answered. "You have no shame, calling after all that happened today."
"Haha, come on Haa-san, don't be angry."
"I can't believe you made and done it." Hatori heard Shigure chuckle from the other side of the handset. He looked at Osaka night's light from the balcony of the hotel. In the room, Akito was sleeping tight, naked under white blanket. Beautiful, his. He couldn't help a smile. "Well, you knew it was going to happen and, it's what she wanted."
"Still Shigure it's…" Hatori palmed his face "What are you going to do?" he was so quiet, shouting now was useless and he was glad that Shigure called him, maybe it wasn't the end as they all thought. "Well…Living our life, I guess? What do you expect us to do really?" he laughed again and Hatori sighed. "I don't know…Is that what she wants…Is that what you really want?"
Shigure stayed silent a few seconds. "Yes…It's what we both want. Akito deserve to be free." Hatori scoffed, wondering if by staying by Shigure's side she really became free "And she is what I always wanted. We regret nothing Haa-san." There was genuine warmness in his voice that Hatori could hear even through the phone.
"So…Everything had gone the way you wanted? I didn't expect that you would let Kureno become the new Sohma leader." The dog laughed loudly "Aah! Actually, I learnt this only today! It was Akito's decision, I have nothing to do with it. By the way, did you receive your letter? You're so lucky, she hadn't written one for me."
"It's because she is going to stay with you until the end of her life you dumbass" he groaned, he knew that bastard was just showing off. He had heard the hint of glee in his voice. "Aaah, staying together until we die, I like it, please, say it again~"
"Fuck you" Hatori talk back, he really wanted to hang up, but his guts were telling him it wasn't the thing to do. "Still, the way he became chief was spectacular. Actually, there were a reunion, sound like Ren beaten Kisa and the elders witnessed it, they were all ready to call search for Akito when the news dropped." Hatori rested his back against the wall, moving his phone to his other ear. "Then she had to admit that Akito diverted money"
"It was hers" defended Shigure. He knew, he was the one who have been done the transfer in Akito's place. "She did nothing illegal and the family won't suffer the loss. But I agree that she had a ton of money on her account, being rich sure help."
"I think it was Akira legacy, anyway, Kureno walked in the gathering room and showed Akito's letter with the stamp. They all accepted him as the new chief until Akito is back. I don't know what will happen of Ren now… I'm a bit worried about Kisa and Hiro, they are the youngers. The others will graduate school soon and they will probably go on with their owns path. But I'm sure that Kureno will be able to protect them all." Shigure hummed in agreement, scratching his chest.
"By the way, where are you now? Can I get Akito?"
"Sorry, she is sleeping right now, today have been pretty tiring." He said; however he didn't answer to his first question. Hatori found it fair, Akito was weak and wasn't used to move around this much. However, he couldn't help but thinking Shigure was hiding something and he didn't like it. "Will you at least give me your address, so I could visit you with Ayame."
"…Sorry Haa-san, that won't be possible." He said quietly, sorrow showing in his voice and Hatori frowned. Why not? "Actually…After this call, I will throw my phone, I just wanted…You know, say goodbye."
"You're kidding…Shigure, you're joking, right?" only silence answered him "Why? Ren is not leading the family anymore, it's safe, it's…"
"We ran away to start a new life Haa-san" Hatori was stunned and angry, after this call, he was going to lose a friend and the spirit in him a god. "You're so egoist, I can't believe it! And what about Ayame!"
"I called Ayame just before…He understood." He wanted to shout at him, to strangle him to make him understand him, but if there was something he had learnt with Shigure, was that he can't never change his mind. Hatori was powerless. "bastard"
"Here, here, Haa-san, we surely don't want to part that way, aren't we?" Hatori fisted his hand "You're the one leaving, not me."
"Haa-san… Akito always wished to be free, now that she is, she will do what she wants of her life, do you want to remove her that?" Shigure's tone was full of accusation and Hatori hated how he used Akito well-being in this purpose. So instead, he stood silent. "Haa-san?" called Shigure, thinking he had hung up.
"Shigure, I'm losing one of my best friends and the person I consider like my little sister forever, how do you expect me to take the new?" the fact that it was through phone was even more bitter. "I know Haa-san, but I've made my choice…Please, don't hate me."
"I don't I'm just…" so angry… "Haa-san…"
"I won't make you change your mind huh." Hatori could see his friend smile regretfully. "…I will miss you a lot Haa-san, really." But Akito had always been his first priority in life, it wasn't the first time Hatori was facing this situation. but...it hurt so much, be threw away, a second time. "Goodbye Shigure, take care of her and be happy."
"Thank you Haa-san, you too with Mayu', you deserve it." Hatori rolled his eyes. "You're annoying, I'm already feeling bad for Akito." Shigure burst out a laugh "So mean Haa-san!" and then they talked a little more before ending the call.
Shigure watched his phone a moment before turning it off with empty eyes. He walked back in the room and removed his yukata before slipping in the bed, spooning Akito. She made a sleepy noise and he hushed her. "Shh, it's me" Akito smiled and moved her body so she could rest her head on his chest. "I'm here…" he said, kissing the top of her head "I'll be always here."
Please, the story is not over, there is an epilogue coming.
I hope you all are not heartbroken by ShigureAkito's choice. (and sorry...Nobody slapped nor killed Ren, you may not believing me after reading all i wrote in this fanfic, but i don't like violence lmao)
Also, i don't know if you noticed, but we see in this chapter scenes that were in the prologue huhu. So, because of that, i think a lot of you all knew Akito and Shigure were going to elope?