Hi!  A question from Veronica has prompted me to write an additional chapter to this story.  Enjoy!

C.B.: Thanks as always for reviewing, glad you enjoyed it.

Veronica: Thanks for reading!  You may enjoy my other FB piece, A Solitary Freedom, if you have not read it (A New Day is a sequel to A Solitary Freedom).

Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Epilogue: Our Journey Together

I move away from our embrace and stand before her.  I lean towards her slightly and take hold of her hands as I say, "Tohru-san, would you like to meet the Sohmas?"

She looks up at me and says, "Oh, Yuki-kun, I'd love so much to see them."

I smile and answer, "They will be so excited to see you again.  We have all missed you so much."

I grin as I say, "I promise, Tohru-san, I will ask them to gather, for a reunion with you."

"Thank you, Yuki-kun."

I return to my seat, and over the tea that she prepared, we have a pleasant conversation, like the many we had when we lived in our home.

The hours pass and I realize that it is getting late, and that she likely has chores that need to be done.

I smile and say, "Thank you, Tohru-san, for the delicious tea and cookies, I appreciate it.  Thank you more, though, for listening and believing."

She smiles and says, "It is better to try to believe rather than doubt."

"I completely agree."

"Thank you too, for coming, and for letting me be part of the Sohma family once again."

"I only have done what I should, and wanted most, to welcome you back to the place that has always been kept for you."

We both stand, and, before I leave, we exchange phone numbers and I reiterate my promise to her, one that I will surely keep.

Throughout the week, Momiji and I call or visit all of the Sohmas that Tohru-san had known.  When Momiji spoke with Kagura, he learned where Haru and Rin had gone to, so we are able to include them as well. 

I stand before the door to Shigure's house with Tohru-san, all the others gathered inside already, having prepared a party in Tohru-san's honor.

I turn to her and say, "Are you ready, Tohru-san?"

Already holding my hand, she grips it more tightly, and, with a determined expression, she nods her head yes.

I open the door for her and she walks inside, and I follow.  We remove our shoes in the silence.

They all step out into our view and many of them should "SURPRISE!" as Momiji throws confetti and sets off party poppers.

"Welcome back!" they continue, as she clasps her hands together, smiling.

She walks towards them and looks and smiles at each one, before bowing and saying, "I'm back."

I move beside her and say, "Everyone, Tohru-san has returned to us."

Cheering and clapping resounds through the room, and I glance at her, and notice her smiling through her tears.

I lean in towards her and whisper, "I'll introduce you to everyone, Tohru-san."

She nods her head silently and takes my hand in response.

I proceed through the introductions, each Sohma greeting her in return.

As I finish, Momiji moves to the middle of the room and says, "Let's celebrate Toh-ru!"

With a look of surprise, she says, "A party - for me?"

"Of course!" Momiji shouts in return.

"It's very kind of all of you, thank you so much."

"Toh-ru deserves it!"

Kagura, Rin, Kisa, Hiro, and Momiji help to serve everyone cake before we sit down.  Tohru sits where everyone can see her, and I sit by her side.  Each Sohma recounts their memories of Tohru-san, and she often asks questions and laughs, though sometimes appears sad – likely because she cannot remember them herself.  When it is Momiji's turn, he approaches her and hugs her, and to everyone's surprise but Tohru-san's and mine, he does not transform.

Gasps are heard and hushed chatter fills the room.

She looks at me with a confused expression and I smile at her.

Haru looks at me and says, "I noticed you're not surprised, Yuki, you knew already."

I nod my head yes and say, "Yes, I realized when I met Tohru-san again."

"Noticed what, Yuki-kun?" she asks.

"There's one important fact I haven't told you yet, Tohru-san.  When Kyo first came to live with us, you accidentally ran into him, Shigure, and myself, and were very surprised to see that we transformed into animals."

Her mouth agape, she responds, "Animals?"

I nod my head yes and continue, "You see, most of the people here were once possessed by the animals of the Chinese zodiac, and Kyo by the cat that was left out of the party."

Surprised she says, "The cat that Ka-san told me about!"

She looks to Kyo and smiles, and he smiles in return.

"The former leader of the Sohma clan was named Akito, he was not possessed by an animal, but bore the burden of the curse, which made him very ill.  Not able to find happiness, Akito sought power instead, and controlled the lives of the Juunishi, who had to obey him."

She appears sad but remains silent.

"We were so happy when you entered our lives.  Even after you discovered our secret, you still accepted and cared for us.  But, you saw how we were bound by our curse and knew of our fates, and so tried your best to break the curse, working with Rin towards that end."

Hearing her name, Rin blushes and looks away with an angry but embarrassed expression.

"Unfortunately, destiny did not create the future that we had hoped for, and Akito's ambitions were fulfilled; we were forced to return to the estate and he had your memory and those of others erased, in an attempt to make you forget about us."

She starts to cry, "How sad, for all of you and Akito-san, such unfortunate fates."

I wipe away her tears and say, "But, it's all right now, Tohru-san, you are with us once more."

She smiles again and says, "I'm – I'm so glad to be here."

A few moments of silence pass, and then Haru speaks.

"But, how has the curse been broken?"

Shigure stands up with a grin and says, "Why, we've known all along, but Yuki-kun was too modest when he gave me his answer."

He pauses for a moment, but then says, "It is a combination of things, really.  Our god is gone, our leader granted us our freedom, and we have overcome our fear."

I nod my head yes but add, "There's more though."

I look at Tohru-san and smile as I continue, "Because of those things, we have opened our hearts to faith and trust, and - most importantly – to truly and fully love, and to seek such love in return."

I stand and hold out my hand to help her stand.

As I continue to hold her hand, I glance at her and then everyone in the room before I say, "Everyone, let us begin our journey now – Tohru-san beside us every step of the way."

Cheers fill the room once more, but Tohru-san's smile and tears, despite their silence, are the most heard by all in the room.