The Sohma family assembled around Akito's final resting place, everyone politely silent and solemn. No one spoke, perhaps because no one knew what to say. Eventually, those gathered began to trickle away, back to their daily lives. The Zodiac members soon departed to change out of their dismal clothes before they were to meet Tohru at Shigure's apartment.
Tohru had remained a respectful distance away from the meeting at Akito's grave. It was, after all, a family gathering, of which she was not a part of.
She waited until the last of the Sohmas departed before approaching herself. A tear ran down her face, soon followed by another, to land on the stone of the shrine.
"I'm sorry," she told him repeatedly. "I'm so sorry I couldn't help you. You gave your life for them, but no one could save you." Her tears continued to rain down.
A gentle breeze suddenly picked up, caressing her face. Tohru closed her eyes. The wind felt like gentle hands against her wet cheeks. But when she brought up her own hand, she felt nothing but her own, now-dry, cheek.
For a moment, she thought she heard a voice, as if carried by the unexpected gust. "Thank you."
She opened her eyes, but saw no one, so perhaps she had only imagined the words. She hesitantly kneeled to place a single red rose on the shrine before she bowed and left.
The Zodiac members were gathered within Shigure's apartment, wondering when Tohru would arrive, and hoping that the day before had been no dream. They suddenly had a strange feeling, but the young ones thought they imagined it. The adults, not knowing what they had felt, ignored it for the time being.
Finally, there was a knock at the door, and the younger Sohmas rushed to open it. And there she stood, the subject their thoughts, in a turquoise dress nearly identical to the one she used to wear when she lived with them.
She smiled. "Hi! I hope I didn't keep you waiting."
Yuki smiled in return. "Not at all, Miss Honda."
"You seem a bit tired," Hatori commented.
Tohru was quick to explain. "I was just up a bit earlier today, that's all. I'm fine." She paused. "I have something I'd like to show you, if you don't mind coming with me."
Momiji jumped up and down. "Is it a surprise?" he asked excitedly.
Tohru beamed and nodded as the others put on their shoes. As soon as they were ready, she smilingly grabbed a hand of both Yuki and Kyo, and began pulling them in the right direction. The other Sohmas followed, with varying degrees of grins on their faces as well, especially as they watched the two boys' faces turn a light pink.
The faces of the Sohmas began to look confused as they entered a somewhat familiar forest. Then they finally stood before Shigure's old home.
"Lunch is ready inside," Tohru proclaimed with a smile. She then looked at Shigure. "I hope you don't mind that I went in," she said, sounding hesitant.
"No, no, of course not. But I thought it was locked…"
Tohru gave a small smile. "I still have the key you gave me." They were all slightly amazed she had kept it after so long.
"Let's eat! I'm starving!" Momiji declared.
They entered, and the previous inhabitants gasped, because the house was spotless. They had visited some months before to find everything covered in a fine layer of dust. A feast awaited them on the table.
"Miss Honda, you did all of this?" Yuki asked. Tohru smiled and nodded. "When?"
"This morning, correct?" Hatori stated. Again, a smile and a nod, but the smile was more hesitant.
"Why?" Kyo demanded.
Tohru turned her head away, and a faraway look came into her eyes as she smiled. "Brings back memories, doesn't it?" she asked.
"Well, let's not let all of Tohru's lovely cooking go to waste!" Ayame cried. They all sat and Tohru served the food. Light conversation filled the room.
"Shigure," Yuki spoke. The dog paused in his eating, chopsticks at his lips, as he looked at the rat. "Are you going to move back in? Because, if you do, I'd like to stay with you…like before."
Shigure seemed to think for a moment before he grinned. "I think I will. And you're welcome to join me, Yuki. You, too, Kyo," he added, looking at the cat.
"Miss Honda." She gave him her full attention. "Would you like to come and live with us again?"
Her smile was brilliant and her answer enthusiastic. "Yes! I would love to, very much! Thank you!"
All of the Sohmas smiled. Tohru was back.
They began moving furniture and belongings back into Shigure's house the next day.
Tohru was carrying a large pile of newly washed sheets so tall that it hindered her sight. Walking out to the yard to hang them up to dry, she miscalculated on the steps and tripped.
"Sissy!"
"Tohru!"
Tohru braced herself for an impact, but strong arms halted her fall. She looked up to discover that Yuki had caught her.
Everyone waited for the resulting transformation, but it never came. After a moment, Yuki realized he was still holding Tohru, and he set her down gently.
"What just happened?" Hatsuharu asked the question each was thinking.
"Is the curse broken?" Hiro inquired.
"I want to hug Tohru!" Momiji cried, and jumped to do so. Tohru was nearly knocked down, but she kept her balance, even when the boy did not turn into a rabbit.
"I've got to try this," Hatsuharu stated, making Tohru blush. Her blush only deepened when he did not change into his Zodiac form.
Tohru was even more surprised when Shigure pulled her into an embrace. "Oh, I can finally hug our precious Tohru! Isn't this great, Aya?"
Ayame then grabbed her bridal style and twirled around. "Yes, 'Gure, this is a glorious day! Here, Ha'ri, you try!" Ayame declared, and Tohru was suddenly placed in Hatori's arms.
His eyes widened slightly in surprise, and he set her down gently, trying not to blush when Tohru gave him a small smile.
"Uh, Tohru?" Ritsu requested timidly. She smiled and gave him a hug, then bent down to embrace Hiro. The sheep did not look happy, but he did not pull away either.
"Do you think it's just Tohru? Or is the curse really broken?" Momiji asked, thinking about finally being able to hug his sister, maybe even his mother.
"There is one way to find out," Hatori commented. He looked at Kyo, or, more specifically, at Kyo's beads.
A/N: Wow, I can't even begin to tell you all how sorry I am that I took so long to write and post this chapter. Darn writer's block. I'll try to be more diligent with this story. I really am sorry! Gomen!!!
To my patient reviewers:
CrazyInsaneAnimeFanGirl: Thank you for reviewing, and I'm extremely sorry for the wait.
rabbitTsukino: Well, it's not soon, for which I apologize, but here is more. Sorry it took so long!
Defafaeth Mechqua: Up at last! Though I'm sure you thought I'd take this long as much as I did, that is to say, you didn't. I hope you liked it.
Joeys-Babygirl: Thank you for the kind review, and the vote in the couple category. I'm really sorry it took so long for this chapter to be posted. I hope you enjoyed it.
lhuntathraeil: Sorry that your suggestion did not come to be, but I hope you still liked this chapter. I'm very sorry for the wait!
i love athrun: Thanks! I'm so sorry I took so long! I hope you liked this chapter, too.
Ariyana: Thank you, and sorry I took so long! I'll keep what you said in mind. I may not have a pairing at all, to be completely honest. My skills as a romance writer are… well, actually I don't think I have any skills as a romance writer. .
angelic: Thank you, I'm just really sorry I did not get it up sooner. Sorry!
NicePersonWhoSendsReveiws: I'm glad your thumb feels better, but I took so long to get this chapter up it should be better by now. Sorry about that! I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
Riyo Shiban: Thank you! I'm sorry I took so long!!
TaichiKoi: I'm flattered; I hope you still love it after all this time! Sorry I took so long!
Darkness Sweetheart2000: I like your theory, but even I'm not certain of the end result yet. I'm not good at writing romance, so I usually avoid it, with the exception of subtle hints. Anyway, thank you very much for the review and vote, and I'm sorry I took so long to post this chapter!
Demeter1: I agree with your point, I even inserted it into this chapter because of your truthful review. However, my story would not work if they did cry honestly Thanks for reviewing, and I'm sorry it's been a while since I've posted.
Kawaii34girl: I updated, finally! Sorry for the wait! Thanks for the review, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Kortni: Thank you for reviewing! The pairing is thus far undecided. I'm glad you like my story, and I hope it continues to meet with your approval.