Fruits Basket

Darkness No More

Chapter Five: Momiji Sohma

Lunch the best time of day for high school students. Each group of friends wandered off, laughing and enjoying themselves on the school grounds. Momiji Sohma was no exception. His smiles and laughter usually filled the halls. But today he decided he would eat by himself.

Normally Hatsuharu would join him, but today he skipped school. He was worried about him; he knew deep down that he was okay.

Sitting alone, Momiji enjoyed his sandwich and a bunny few rice balls that Toru had made just for him. With each bite, Momiji thought back to Tohru entered their lives. Almost everyone had accepted her, even Rin. Yet deep down he could tell something was close at hand, he could feel it in his bones.

Pulling out the last rice ball from the bag, Momiji suddenly leaned over and clenched his chest. Breathing heavily and sweating, a searing wave of pain spread across his body. At first, he was scared was this just another part of the curse, but something felt different. It felt as if something was being separated from him. As he clenched his fist, the pain lasted only a few moments before slowly fading away.

"Are you okay?" A familiar voice asked.

After taking a few deep breaths, Momiji finally sat back up and turned toward the voice. His eyes widen at who was sitting beside him staring back at him with concern in his eyes.

"Uh... yes, whatever it was has passed. Am I dreaming?" Momiji asked, still bewildered.

"No, I am here, and what you felt was freedom. You are no long cursed those chains are broke," Akito said.

Words could not express the joy Momiji was feeling. While he would miss his cute, furry body, he was happy to be normal again. While there were so many questions filling his mind more, there was one that kept nagging at him. As he was about to open his mouth, Akito beat him to it.

"Right now, a mother remembers her son and how she wishes she could see him. For it is finally time for them to be a complete family once again." Akito said.

Tears filled the blond boy's eyes as he searched Akito's eyes, who merely gave him a nod.

"Thank you…." Momiji said, wiping away a few tears.

"There no need to thank me it's just nature restoring it balance," Akito replied.

"But why are you here?" Momiji finally asked.

"I have come to seeking forgiveness and to say thank you," Akito replied.

"Go on," Momiji encouraged, wondering where this was going.

"I know that I have done nothing but cause you all physical and emotional pain; I'm sorry for hurting you when your protected Tohru from me. Also, I wish to thank you for not letting my darkness destroy her," Akito finished.

Momiji could see nothing but sadness and guilt in Akito's eyes. So Akito sees Tohru is the light in the darkness. Those cursed by the zodiac gravitate to her welcoming smiles and warmth while Akito permeated darkness that they all thought there was no escape from. In the end everyone's been hurting, even Akito, for holding the burden of the Zodiac God must of have been harder than any of theirs curses put together.

Taking a deep breath, Momiji turned to Akito and surprised her by pulling her into a big hug. Pulling away, a smile spread across both Momiji's and Akito's lips. While he could couldn't much, Momiji was glad to see the head of Sohma house smile.

"You're welcome and I already forgave you a long time ago," Momiji said.

Akito smiled soon the bell rang as a voice blared over the intercom.

"Momiji Sohma, please report to the principal office."

Packing up the rest of his lunch, Momiji rose to his feet.

"Well, I think its noble what you're doing just be careful... for I don't think everyone is ready to forgive you yet. I take it you are going to see Yuki?"

"Yes, Kyo and Yuki are next on my list. I think I can handle seeing Kyo its Yuki I am worried about,"

"Yeah, I don't blame you compared to him and Rin I would worry more about her for she might hurt you,"

Akito sighed Rin and Yuki, the two Zodiac members she hurt the most with her dark side, but she had to face them. Momiji rose to his feet and placed a hand on Akito's shoulder.

"The road you are on is dangerous, so please be careful."

Akito merely nodded as she watched Momiji walked back inside. She stood up and continued walking through the school grounds. Word would get out that she was here, and it would only be a matter of time before she would have to confront Yuki. She only hopes she could handle it.