Four days later, as Tohru was just stepping into her apartment after another long day at work, the phone rang.

She ran to the phone. She rarely received phone calls, and when she did, they were usually very important.

"Hello?" she asked as she picked up the telephone.

An unfamiliar female voice answered. "Hello. Is this Miss Tohru Honda?"

"Yes."

"I'm calling from the Sohma main house—"

"Oh no! Did something happen? Is everyone all right?!" Tohru panicked. She'd never received a call from the main house before.

"Calm down, please. Yes. I was asked to inform you that Master Akito has passed away."

Tohru almost dropped the phone. "Oh—oh, okay. Thank you for calling," she managed in a quiet, shocked voice.

"Are you going to be alright, miss?" the unknown woman asked, sounding concerned.

"Yes. I will be, thank you," Tohru said, coming out of the reverie she had fallen into. "When's the funeral?" she asked sadly.

"The family is planning on convening in about an hour. There won't be any ceremony. Master Akito planned it that way." Tears started to pour down Tohru's face.

"All right. Thank you very much." She tried to make her voice remain calm.

"Yes, goodbye, Miss Honda."

"Goodbye."

Tohru ran to her closet. She didn't own any black dresses anymore, and she didn't have time to go out and buy one—she was already going to be late.

Changing out of her powder blue shirt and white skirt, she threw on a knee-length black skirt and dark gray top before running out of the house.

The tears had never stopped flowing.

The members of the Sohma family stood solemnly dressed in their nicest, darkest clothes. The room was eerily silent. Even Ayame's mood was somber.

Faces were grim, but none showed true sorrow at their loss. A few tears were shed, but as more of a show of polite respect than honest mourning.

Akito lay on his pallet, white as bone. For the first time in as long as anyone could remember, he did not strike fear into the hearts of those around him.

After several long moments of silent reminiscing, people began to file out of the room until only the Zodiac members were left. The remaining members took one last look at their former leader before they, too, began to exit, together.

Just as they stepped out the door, a figure in black burst in and ran to the side of the pallet. Thinking the person to be a servant, they shrugged off their initial surprise.

Until a strange sensation ran through all of them. They looked at each other wordlessly before running back inside.

Deep sobs of genuine misery could be heard from the girl who was down on her knees beside Akito's still form.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" A familiar voice cried. Her voice began to quiet. "I'm so sorry I couldn't help."

The members of the Zodiac watched in utter shock as the girl finally quelled her weeping and turned to face them with red eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

"Tohru?" All of them seemed to ask together.

She gave a small nodded and an unsure, watery smile. "Yes."

She had changed more than the rest of them. Her hair was half as long as it used to be, and had an off-center part. She had grown and matured, now with a more confident and professional air about her. The familiar teal eyes shone with knowledge gained only through experience as well as unshed tears.

She wiped away a tear that leaked despite her efforts to hold them back. "It's nice to see you all again."

"Sissy!" Kisa cried, as she ran to Tohru.

The older girl bent down on one knee to accept and return the tiger's hug. Fresh tears ran down Tohru's face, and some gathered in Kisa's eyes as well.

Then Kagura came running at her lost friend.

The slightly more matured Momiji ran up to Tohru next, bouncing up and down in his joy like the rabbit he was with a joyful cry of "Tohru!" A smile of remembrance touched the girl's face. He would have hugged her, but was held back by Haru.

The cow gave Tohru a small smile. "Welcome back," he said.

Ritsu approached timidly. "Um, Tohru…it's good to see you."

Tohru gave him a large, encouraging smile. "I'm happy to see you again, too, Ritsu." He smiled back.

Hiro came up and took Kisa's hand in his own. Tohru gave him a happy, approving smile. He gave her a nod in return.

The three older men approached.

"Tohru," Hatori said in acknowledgement.

She turned her smile on him. "Hi, Hatori." He couldn't help but answer her smile with a small one of his own.

"Ah, Tohru, you're back!" Shigure said smiling.

"Our beautiful princess has returned to us looking even more splendid!" Ayame exclaimed. The snake succeeded in bringing a faint blush to Tohru's cheeks.

"Stop it brother, you're embarrassing her!" Yuki chided, speaking for the first time. His lavender eyes turned to Tohru. "Welcome back, Miss Honda." He received one of her bright smiles as she met his eyes with her own.

"When are you leaving?" Came a cold voice that had not yet spoken. Several pairs of eyes glared at the cat, while the rest looked curiously to Tohru for her answer.

Tohru's face fell and her eyes dropped at Kyo's question. She had thought he might be especially hurt by her departure from their lives.

"Um, if it would be all right. I was hoping I could stay here," she answered quietly.

All eyes turned to the only adults in the room.

"Of course, Tohru," Shigure assured her.

"Goody!" Kagura cried, hugging Tohru tightly. Tohru also received another hug from an extremely happy Kisa.

"Shigure, do you think there is enough room for us in your apartment?" Hatori asked.

"Yes, I believe so."

"Then perhaps we should convene there."

To my reviewers:

darkness sweetheart2000: I'm glad you like it. Hope this update brought your spirits up a little! Thank you for the review!

Lhuntathraeil: Thanks! I'm happy you're happy!

Lady Literature: Thank you very much!!!