This is our last chapter! I'll be doing an epilogue, but this is it! Happy and sad at the same time but! I'm not done writing I'm collaborating with my shonen loving husband to help me write some action for a Black Clover Fairy Tail crossover! I'm super excited! Stay tuned for the first chapters! He has full time work and college going on and we are still in the planning stages and deciding how we want the magic of the two worlds to mesh so it might be a little bit if you are interested it is coming soon though!

Chapter 39

A few days later, Kyomi was just coming up the steps to home from working at Ayame's shop when she heard loud thuds coming from the house. She ran to the patio door and quirked her head at Haru and Shigure just sitting at the table like nothing was wrong. She heard another loud thud from above her head and started past the supposedly obvious men to go investigate. She was stopped by a hand on her wrist.

"They need to work it out themselves." Haru said though it was Shigure'a hand that stopped her.

"My poor house…" was all the older man said.

"Who needs to work it out?" Kyomi asked confused. She suddenly heard yelling that answered her question before Haru could answer.

"Want some pizza?" Haru asked instead. He turned to Shigure, "Can I get some nuggets too?" Shigure's forehead was in his hands.

"Sure, do what you want. I don't care anymore." He said dejectedly, his voice cracking. His other hand had pulled Kyomi down to sit next to him and was holding her to she wouldn't interfere. The floor above them shook with the force of another impact.

"Get a calzone for me please." Kyomi said distractedly. Her gaze strayed to the stairs every time they heard noise. She was picking up some of what Yuki and Kyo were talking about and she finally understood what was going on. Kyo was getting his ass handed to him for being an ass to Tohru. He had disappeared since he had fallen asleep on Kyomi and hadn't visited her in the hospital. Kyomi and Luc had gone and Tohru had quietly and nervously asked about the teen. Kyomi had had to tell her that she knew nothing about where her brother was. Seeing Tohru's face at the news, Kyomi had seriously wanted to beat up her brother herself, but now she supposed Yuki was doing a better job than she could. He could also get through to Kyo in a way that she never could. More of their conversation drifted down the stairs.

"Do you seriously think I could do that? Make her smile like that just by being there? Cut the crap! Open your eyes and realize that there are things only you can do! Don't make her cry! Get your damn act together!" The words got to quiet to make out.

"Want everything on your calzone?" Haru asked making Kyomi jump. She nodded and saw Kyo come down the stairs in a daze and head out the door. He looked a little worse for wear, but not seriously injured so she let him do what he needed. Once he left, she headed up stairs. She found Yuki fixing his door with an occasional swipe of his eyes. She wordlessly took the top of the door making him jump since he didn't hear her. She just gave him a small smile and lifted the door into place. Yuki secured the bottom and handed Kyomi the screwdriver to get the top.

"Your brother is an idiot you know that right?" Yuki asked sitting with his arms crossed on his knees. Kyomi sighed.

"I know. But he's an awfully lucky one to have friends like you all, though he might not realize it quite yet." Kyomi said. Yuki's mouth quirked a little.

"We are all lucky we have you and Tohru. And I suppose him too." The teen replied then grinned mischievously. "I think Shigure is the most thankful though." Kyomi blushed and knocked him on the head.

"Shut up mouse." She grinned at him. He rolled his eyes at her.

"You really are just like your brother…" He said.

"Come on, Haru ordered pizza and Shigure is pouting so we have to go make him think his house needs to be demolished." Yuki and Kyomi gave each other matching evil grins before heading downstairs.

…..

Kyomi and Luc headed into town to Hatori's office at the estate. Luc was acting grown up and walking without holding his mother's hand. She was watching him closely and they had an agreement that if he did something he wasn't supposed to, he would have to hold her hand again. He was being serious and being very careful of the roads, other people and the sidewalk so he could retain the little freedom he had gained. Kyomi just watched him and smiled, shaking her head a little at him. She was proud of how much he had grown, but she also wasn't ready for him to grow up too much too fast yet. They were in sight of the clinic and saw Hatori standing on the front step. He was staring oddly at his hand.

Luc ran up to him and hugged his legs. Hatori jumped a little at the boy's sudden appearance, then bent to return his hug. He looked up to see Kyomi giving him a concerned look. She had seen the trace of tears on his face and was worried for her dear friend. He moved so quickly she didn't have time to think. Suddenly, she was enveloped in a tight hug and felt nothing happen even as she steeled herself to catch falling clothes and a tiny seahorse. She felt her own tears beg for release and spill over. She just sobbed in the doctor's arms. She hadn't even cried this hard when Shigure's curse broke. He just held her tightly, trying to make up for the nearly three decades worth of hugs all at once. Luc wandered into the clinic to find his few toys that Hatori stashed in the corner and played happily, oblivious to what the adults were doing.

Kyomi finally reined in the tears and pulled away from Hatori and wiped her eyes with a tissue. "Did it just break?" She asked sniffling. He nodded.

"Just before you got here yes. I need to go check on Akito. It sounded like she ended the bond herself. Are you alright here?" He asked her. Kyomi's eyes widened at that information, shocked that she would do so. She then thought of everyone else and her tears almost started again.

"I'll come with you if that's alright." He shrugged and went inside to swing Luc up onto his shoulders. They quickly went to the main house. As they drew close, they saw Kyo and Tohru heading towards the house as well. Luc kicked Hatori to be put down and he ran to Tohru who picked him up and gave him a big hug. It had been a few days since they had seen each other. Suddenly, the door slid open and a hand shot out and grabbed Tohru by the shirt and pulled her and Luc inside. The group left outside heard a distant, 'Kito' from Luc, then a quiet, 'iss okay Kito. Iss okay.'

Kyomi was still close to tearing up again when she finally looked at her brother who just gave her a sheepish little smile. Finally, she tackle hugged him and bawled even harder than she just did. He just held her tightly and silently cried with her. It felt just like his mother's hugs had all those years ago. Kyomi calmed just enough to choke out, "Mom would be so happy and proud of you." That sent him over the edge and he buried his face in his big sister's shoulder and cried even harder. Kyomi felt a soft hand on her shoulder and through her tears, saw that Shigure had come and was standing with Hatori. After Tohru and Luc came out and everyone had composed themselves, Hatori went in to see Akito and the rest decided to go to Kazuma's for a family dinner. When they got there, he tried to offer to cook which was met with a resounding "NO!" from the siblings. They and Tohru commandeered the kitchen to cook themselves while Shigure and Kazuma played with Luc. Kyomi couldn't help but watch her brother the whole time. He seemed so happy and at peace. He laughed and joked with her and flirted with Tohru, making them both blush and Kyomi bust out laughing. Which of course just made the teens blush harder and Kyo lightly punch his sister's shoulder. Kyomi just tackle hugged him from the back, nearly jumping on him. He bristled and yelled at her to get off him, sounding reminiscent of the cat spirit that had previously possessed him. Kyomi just hung on as he half heartedly struggled, then sighed just accepting his fate of being his sister's teddy bear stand in. Secretly, he was overjoyed that this was even possible and that he had a sister who obviously loved him as much as she did, but it would be almost a decade before he ever admitted it.

…

Kyomi hesitantly knocked on the sliding door in front of her, still shocked and a little concerned at the reason why she was requested here. She shifted the bag she held from one hand to the other, the fabric Ayame had worked on and thread she had crocheted were heavier than she had anticipated and the thin gift bag handles dug into her fingers a little.

"Come in." A voice sounded from inside the room. Kyomi took a deep breath, pushed away the flashbacks to the last time she had a one on one with the room's occupant and opened the door to step inside. Akito was sitting looking outside at the tranquil gardens with the tree branches swaying slightly in the breeze and the water rippling in the pond.

"That's a beautiful view Akito, I didn't know there was a garden here." Kyomi said sitting respectfully.

"My father had it built and it hasn't changed since. I think I want to update it now though. Change the layout." She responded. "Too many memories linger in the way it is now." Akito turned from the window and sat across from Kyomi.

"I wanted to give this to you." Kyomi said pushing the bag towards the other woman. "Hatori told me what you had discussed and I took it upon myself to offer this for your debut. But if it's not your style, don't feel bad." Kyomi rushed to say waving her hands in front of her much like Tohru tends to do. "Ayame helped a lot, but there's also a crocheted shawl that I thought you might like. I put carousel horses on there like the ones Luc keeps talking about." Kyomi smiled at Akito who had pulled out the shawl with wide eyes. She looked at Kyomi a little shocked.

"I've done nothing to deserve this so I don't und…" She started to say but was stopped by Kyomi shaking her head and waving her comments away.

"That's not the point. Despite all that you have done, I need to forgive you and let it go for myself and for my family. I can't let what negative feelings that are left for you and your actions remain. So, this is my way of extending my forgiveness. It will take a long time, if ever, that I trust you, but this I need to do." Kyomi swallowed hard seeing the tears at the edges of Akito's eyes, then smiled at the younger woman. "Besides, in the end, you were the one who released everyone from the curse. Despite your fears and everything else, you chose to do that. That tells me more about who you are now than your past fits of rage do. I'm actually very interested to see who you become without the curse's influence." Kyomi smiled gently at Akito who was furiously blinking back tears. Kyomi threw caution to the wind and threw her arms around the younger woman who suddenly seemed so much smaller and younger than she used to. Akito returned the hug hesitantly at first, but Kyomi soon felt her shirt become damp with tears and just hugged Akito tighter.

After some time, Kyomi felt Akito's hold loosen and she pulled back and returned to her seat. Akito pulled her handkerchief out and cleaned her face.

"I actually wanted to request something of you." Akito began very hesitantly, halting every few words in her uncertainty. "Would it… Would you be willing to work part time as my assistant?" Akito asked. Kyomi's eyes blinked wide in shock. "I've thought long and hard about who should take that position, but I feel like you are my first choice. I want to embrace the outside world more and you have seen more of it than most people I know. You are also qualified to handle the responsibilities of the position and I think you would help to ease this transition period. There's going to be a lot of changes around here and a new and different yet old and familiar face will be an asset. You being the previous cat spirit's sister and engaged to another Zodiac member yet previously being nearly as much of an outcast as the cat himself will also make clear that changes are happening from the top down." Akito's face blushed furiously as she spoke the last sentence, but knew she needed to lay all her cards on the table to make this relationship work. "I've always admired your ability to go for what you want, but also what is right. I need guidance like that. I know I need to improve in these areas, but I know I will need help as well." Akito bowed respectfully to Kyomi. "Please consider my proposal." She felt shoulder's being lifted and then was pulled into another hug by Kyomi.

"I need to discuss this with Shigure and he might take some convincing, but I think you are right. I will help you in whatever ways I can." She suddenly pushed Akito away from her with a teasing glint in her eyes. "You just want me to help you so you can see Luc more often, don't you?"

This time Akito mimicked Tohru's hand waving, denying Kyomi's accusation. Kyomi just started laughing, holding her stomach she was laughing so hard. Akito's face had turned red again. Kyomi pulled the gift bag closer and pulled out Ayame's creation and held it up to Akito. "Oh, you are going to look so beautiful in this…" And she helped Akito try on her kimono for the first time.

…

Kyomi and Shigure sat watching the fireflies dance around the pond in the back yard. She was sitting on the step below between his legs, using him as a back rest while they both read. Shigure turned to see Kyo standing behind them looking hesitant and a little awkward.

"Is there something I can help you with, Kyo? You look like someone tried to steal Tohru away." Shigure teased causing the boy to bristle a little. Kyomi had turned around at Shigure's voice and had her arms crossed on his leg, her chin propped on them looking at her brother.

"You're right he kind of does." She teased right along with her fiancée.

"It's nothing like that so stop it. I have something to say so please let me." He stopped to take a breath. He looked Shigure dead in the eyes. "If you do anything to hurt my sister or nephew, I'm going to come back and kill you. You have to take good care of them for me, you understand?" Kyo said more seriously than he had ever said anything in his life. His wording was not lost on his sister who was slowly standing up. Shigure just nodded soberly.

"You have my word." Was all he said. Kyomi walked over to her brother and reached up to put her hands on his shoulders.

"You're leaving us, aren't you?" She asked, pride in him and sadness mixing in her tone and expression. Kyo nodded his affirmation.

"Tohru going with you?" Was Kyomi's next question, her voice thickening as she spoke. His nod made her throat close up and she pulled him in for a hug which he gladly returned. He'd realized over the weeks since their curse broke, just how much she had been holding back her affection for their benefit and was glad she no longer needed to. He also found that her hugs were very comforting partly because she reminded him so much of their mother. Shigure asked him a few specifics, when, where, jobs, income, all those logical questions that Kyomi would get from him later, but for now, she was doing all she could to hold back the tears.

She was so proud of how far he had come. She flashbacked to their first conversation at their mother's grave and was reminded of how broken he had seemed at the time. Nothing like the straight-backed young man who held a quiet confidence who was holding her. She squeezed one more time before letting him go with a light quick peck on the cheek which of course made him blush bright red. He was used to the hugs by now, but the kiss was a first. He scrubbed his cheek making his sister chuckle at him while she wiped her own eyes.

"Just know, we will always be here for you. Whatever support you need, we will help in whatever way we can. We are only a call away. Never forget how much we love you both and care about you." Kyomi barely got out before Shigure handed her his handkerchief.

Shigure clapped him on the shoulder. "She's right. All you need to do is call and we will send Kagura over to help you immediately." Shigure received a not so light punch on the shoulder for that comment from one sibling and a smack on the back of the head from the other which caused both siblings to laugh at his cartoon tears streaming down his face at the injustice of it all. Kyo headed upstairs shortly after leaving Kyomi and Shigure alone. The couple settled back into their original positions and Shigure picked up his book, but noticed Kyomi leaning against his leg just staring at the pond.

"Are you alright?" He asked brushing her hair back out of her face from where the breeze had blown it. She nodded against his thigh.

"I will be. I had wondered if he might feel like this was necessary, but I honestly had wondered if he could actually take the jump. Looks like he can." She responded quietly.

"Yes, but that doesn't answer my question. Are YOU alright?" He pressed. She chuckled at his insistence, but was grateful for it, nonetheless.

"Not right now. Right now, I already miss him and Tohru. I will be alright though. This time unlike the last time's I've had to say goodbye, I know I'll see them again soon." She smiled as she said it knowing it was true. Despite the loss she had endured and all the days where she thought she couldn't make it through another, she had happened upon this tiny unobtrusive, from the outside at least, craft shop that had changed her world. She looked up at Shigure who returned her gaze slightly confusedly, then she pulled him down for a kiss which he came willingly to meet. She was happy and she was home.

…

I'm not crying, you're crying. Honestly, refreshing the last few episodes of the anime made me cry, especially the end of Kyoko's story! There were totally tears. There is an epilogue incoming after this, but this is it! Thank you all for reading my first story. All your follows and comments have meant so much to me so thank you all for that. As I said before, I have another story in the planning stages that we hope to start on soon so I hope you will check that out when it starts!