"Tohru?" Tohru turned to regard Shigure, who was standing with Hatori and Ayame. "May we speak with you a moment?"

Just after the Sohmas had arrived at Shigure's home, Tohru had appeared carrying a couple of bags containing her few belongings. Once everyone else had become distracted with the final cleaning of the house, the three eldest Sohmas had decided to take the opportunity to question Tohru.

"Yes?" She came to stand in front of them.

"Did you…" Shigure suddenly was not sure how to word his question.

"Did you visit Akito's grave two days ago?" Hatori inquired.

"Y-yes! I'm sorry, should I not have done that? I waited until everyone else was gone so I wouldn't intrude. I'm sorry, was I not supposed to? Are only Sohmas allowed in that area—?"

"Calm down, Tohru." Shigure gave a small chuckle. "You did nothing wrong."

"Tell me, Tohru," Ayame addressed her. "Did you leave that lovely flower for our former leader?"

"Yes," Tohru replied, her voice filled with remorse at the death. Her head bent slightly and her eyes lost their cheer.

"You cried for him, didn't you, Tohru." Shigure spoke quietly, not so much asking a question as seeking confirmation for what they already suspected. "At the shrine that day."

She nodded, not quite looking at them, her eyes still sad.

"Hey," a monotone voice spoke with a hint of concern. "You all right?"

Tohru looked at Hatsuharu, but before she could answer, another, lighter, voice called out to her.

"Tohru!" Momiji cried, undoubtedly loud enough to alert the others. "What's wrong, Tohru?"

"Oh, I'm fine…" Tohru tried to assure the young boy.

"What'd that damn dog say?"

"I'm not a dog anymore, Kyo," Shigure reminded him.

"Sissy?"

"Tohru?"

"Miss Honda?"

Tohru looked at them all. "Really, I'm fine. Nothing to worry about." She smiled, but it was dampened by sorrow. She dropped her gaze and brushed away a single tear just as it fell. "Just thinking about Akito," she murmured.

"Shigure, what did you say?" Yuki demanded suspiciously.

"We were just having a little chat, and our former leader's name came up," Shigure replied innocently.

The others did not appear satisfied with the answer.

"We may as well tell them, Shigure. I don't think we can be any more certain," Hatori said.

"Tell us what?" Kyo asked hotly.

"I suppose you're right, Ha'ri." Shigure replied calmly.

"Hey! Don't ignore me!"

"Our beloved Tohru," Ayame proclaimed, wrapping an arm around Tohru's shoulders and causing her cheeks to pink slightly, "Was the one who broke our curse!"

Stunned silence followed. The Sohmas could judge from Tohru's wide eyes that she had not known either. Yuki barely remembered to free Tohru from the grasp of his brother.

"Is it really true?" Kagura inquired. She looked to the doctor, the most mature of the group. "Hatori?"

He nodded. "I suppose if someone from this generation was going to break it, Tohru would be the one."

Tohru's blush returned and darkened. "Bu-but…I didn't do anything," she protested weakly.

"Yeah, how'd Tohru break the curse?" Momiji asked.

"As far as we can tell, it is because she truly mourned Akito. Akito…seemed to change after Tohru went to the main house that day, soften, even. Tohru showed Akito only respect and kindness. Perhaps by crying, Akito finally knew someone cared." Shigure shrugged. "But it's only a theory. It really is impossible to know without a doubt exactly why the curse was lifted."

A moment of silence fell over the group as everyone absorbed Shigure's words.

"Hurray! Tohru broke the curse!" Momiji exclaimed, and jumped up to hug her. With Kisa clutching her legs, Tohru lost her balance they fell, hard, onto the floor.

"Tohru!" The voices held alarm.

"Momiji!" The voices sounded reprimanding.

"Sorry!" Momiji looked at Tohru apologetically.

But Tohru was chuckling, then fully laughing. Momiji did not hesitate to join her, and soon all of the younger Sohmas were smiling and laughing as well. Tohru wrapped her arms around the German boy, giving him the embrace he had sought. The three eldest watched in amusement, lips unconsciously lifted in smirks of their own.

Still smiling brightly, Tohru wiped her eyes free of her tears, now tears of laughter. "So, what's left to do?" she inquired.

"I'm done," Hatsuharu responded. The others spoke similar answers.

"We're finished, then? Great! I'll go make some tea." Tohru began to stand from her still sprawled condition on the floor, and found herself presented with a hand. She glanced up and smiled at Ritsu as she placed her hand in his, and he pulled her gently to her feet.

Once Tohru had served everyone a drink, she sat down herself.

"Miss Honda," Yuki said, after taking a sip of his tea. "Ritsu has invited us to the hot springs tomorrow. Would you like to go?"

"Oh, I-I—"

"You don't have to go," Yuki added, hiding his disappointment.

"No-no! It's not that. I want to go, but…I have to go back to work tomorrow…"

Yuki brightened slightly. "It's fine, Miss Honda. We understand you have to work."

"You could come, next weekend, if you want, Tohru," Ritsu added timidly.

Her smile was brilliant. "That would be wonderful."

"Don't forget about the banquet," Hatori cautioned.

"That's right!" Momiji shouted excitedly. "Tohru, you should come! Please, come, please!"

"Yeah, Tohru! We could pick out dresses together!" Kagura agreed.

"Please, sissy?" Kisa requested quietly.

"I don't want to impose…"

"You're not. I see no reason for you not to attend," Hatori said authoritatively.

"If you're sure…" Hatori nodded. She smiled. "Okay, then. Thank you. I'd love to join you."

"Goody!"

"Hey, Tohru! Can we eat at your restaurant this week?" Momiji asked.

She smiled at his enthusiasm. "Sure! Come by whenever you like."

"I want to go tomorrow!" Momiji declared.

"And then we can shop for dresses!" Kagura added.

Tohru's face saddened slightly. "I'm afraid I won't be able to leave until late tomorrow, Kagura."

"Okay. How about the day after?"

Tohru nodded and smiled. "That's fine."

"Yay! We get to eat at Tohru's restaurant!" Momiji sang.

"We'll come, too." Shigure grinned. "We know what to recommend."

"And who could pass up Tohru's cooking!" Ayame raved. "And Ha'ri can drive us!"

"Someone has to keep an eye on you," Hatori said stoically, but his expression was kind.

Tohru went to bed that night in the room she had missed every night for so many months, looking forward to a future with the Sohmas she had longed for even longer.

Animefreakkagome: Thank you! I hope to do just that.

Sami the archangel: Thanks! Some people do try to push for quick updates, but there's really nothing they can do besides ask. I update when I am able, I can do no more.

Yukako: Thank you very much. I try hard to keep them in character. Otherwise it just doesn't feel like FB anymore.

goldfishlover73: Thanks so much! I'm happy you like it.

Defafaeth Mechqua: lol. Thanks for reviewing!

PD and KGIM: Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I'm not as bad as some…am I? I'm glad you enjoy my fiction so much. Thank you for the reviews!

lhuntathraeil: Thanks! Akito deserves fans just like all of the other characters do.

Enchantress Sun: I hope the wait was worth it! Thank you for reviewing!

Dark Inu Fan: Interesting concept about the curse. However, there are so many uncertainties I probably won't delve into it much more. Thank you so much for the review!

Placid Snowflake: Yes, no more writer's block. In fact, I've been very inspired lately. The problem is finding the time to write. Thanks for your reviews!

Sarah1281: Thank you very much! I'm happy you think so!