I know it has been a long time since I last uploaded but unfortunately my laptop died and for a long time I thought I had lost everything. I've since got a new laptop, yay! Enough about my dramas and so sorry again for how late this is. I hope you enjoy this final instalment and you get some distraction from the madness that is going on in the world at the moment.
I was so overwhelmed by the feedback I received that I couldn't leave things as they were… so here is the epilogue to this story. Writing and hearing from you has given me an incredible new confidence. I am going to continue writing and would love your suggestions for my next tale. Thank you!
Cherishthesewords xx
EPILOGUE
Tohru stood on a stool in the kitchen and was reaching up into the top cupboards. "All done," she said to herself as she put the last of the dishes away. Ah! A pain shot down Tohru's side. She grabbed her ribs and steadied herself on the cupboards to ease the discomfort, taking big slow breaths.
"How long has this been happening? You should have said something."
"H-Hari-san!" Tohru gasped at his sudden appearance.
Hatori came to Tohru's side and helped her down.
"I'm alright, really!" replied Tohru shaking her head, still startled by Hatori's sudden appearance. "I didn't hear you come in. Did you come to see Shigure? He should be in his study."
"I did want to have a word with Shigure, however at present I am more concerned about you," Hatori replied as he moved his fingers down Tohru's side pressing gently on each rib. "Do any of these hurt?"
"No, really I am alright…ah!" Tohru's breath suddenly took a sharp intake as an incredible pain shot through her side as Hatori pressed on one of her lower ribs.
"That is not fine…I know you don't want me to worry but I will if you don't say anything," Hatori smirked.
"Well this is an intimate moment," Shigure murmured from the doorway.
"Must you always?" sighed Hatori releasing Tohru and stepping back.
"Really Tohru you must rest," said Shigure with a sigh. "Hari, I didn't know you were coming by?"
"There was something I wanted to talk to you about," Hatori replied moving towards the door.
"I'll bring you some tea," said Tohru as the two made their way to Shigure's study.
"What was it you wanted to talk about?" asked Shigure sitting down on the porch facing the garden.
"I wasn't entirely sure," said Hatori sitting down, gazing out to the garden. "It's just, well… Akito."
'
'
Akito stood in her courtyard of the Sohma estate looking up at the first blossoms beginning to bloom on a large cherry tree. Her gaze held no attention as her mind wandered deep in thought. Much had changed over the last few weeks and she was trying to process all that had happened. The ordeal with Tohru was over and surprisingly she had found a new friend in her, it had been revealed to all the Zodiacs that she, Akito was in fact and woman and Shigure had confessed his love.
The declaration had taken Akito by surprise. She had been blindsided by the warmth and clarity it had brought her. To be wholly accepted by someone had almost broken her. For the first time she no longer felt bound by all she had ever known. Her future seemed new. Free.
"Deep in thought?" asked Shigure as he came up behind her and placed an arm around Akito.
"I was," Akito replied quietly.
Shigure raised a brow. "You seem to have decided something?"
Akito didn't reply and he watched as she walked to the base of the cherry tree.
Placing her hand on the trunk of the tree, Akito looked to the sky and taking a calm breath whispered the words, thank you.
Shigure caught his breath and fell to his knees as the wind in the garden swirled. His chest had become hollow and his body heavy as a wave of shock rocked him. He looked on at Akito as tears rolled down his face and an array of emotions battled within him. Sadness, happiness and relief competing with grief.
Akito turned to Shigure and with tears in her own eyes she leant down to kiss his forehead.
"It was time. We mustn't see this as the end but a new beginning," she whispered.
'
'
"Hey, what are you doing? I thought you were meant to be taking it easy?" Kyo said sternly coming into the kitchen.
"Hatori is visiting, I'm just making tea for him and Shigure," replied Tohru not turning to face him.
"You really are stubborn," smirked Kyo moving to place his arms around her middle and hug her from behind. Tohru went a deep shade of pink and covered her face. Kyo smiled at her embarrassment and turned her around to face him, her face burning bright behind her hands.
"You know there is nothing to be embarrassed about with me, right?" laughed Kyo.
Tohru looked up into his face and he couldn't help laughing at how cute and red her face had turned. "I know that," whispered Tohru looking down with a smile. "It's just embarrassing if Shigure or Hatori were to walk in," she said fidgeting in his arms.
"I'm still going to love you all the same," Kyo grinned, his remark catching Tohru by surprised she suddenly looked up and he stole a kiss.
Fin
