Today is April 23rd 2005. This is the last chapter. Well… in this story. There will be an epilogue and if you guys have questions in your reviews after the epilogue, an authors note. I'm very proud of myself for writing this. And happy because all of you like it. I will put the day I finished this chapter at the bottom. So enjoy my heart wrenching tale of Yuki and Tohru. I love you all! And Arit says goodbye. We thank you all for your wonderful support! READ SOME OF MY OTHER STORIES! I also just realized I forgot Kyo, so he's in here too… but I'm combining his and Akito's in the same chapter so it's longer.

Music: Random Songs (Blue, Bohemian Rhapsody, Since U Been Gone, Beautiful Soul, Behind These Hazel Eyes, and Breaking the Habit)


Chapter 27- Days 13+14- The Agony of Loss


I blinked furiously as someone shook me awake. "Damn rat." The person mumbled, "Get up Yuki!"

I opened my eyes slowly to see an angry looking Kyo standing over me. His hands on his hips, his eyes scowling but his mouth in a recognizable smile. His eyes were shining with excitement. "You forgot all about me you damn rat!"

I gasped. I had indeed forgotten I needed Kyo's story also, "Kyo…"

"Don't fret about it… I'm here to tell it to you before your plane leaves." Kyo said shrugging as if it was no big deal. The scowl he had worn which changed to a smile went back to a frown, "But don't think that means anything you damn rat."


Rat- Takai- Living

Cow- Ina- Dead

Tiger- Kuro- Dead

Bunny- Kotetsuma- Living

Dragon- Lina- Dead

Snake- Bunza- Dead

Horse- Koro- Dead

Sheep- Hitori- Living

Monkey- Athrin- Living

Rooster- Ishido- Living

Dog- Marli- Living

Boar- Raliku- Living

Kikai updated her list, scowling down at the names of her own children. They needed to die, they all needed to die! Kikai was furious. The one thing that amused her was Ishido and Hitori… Hitori wasn't a child anymore, but she wasn't an adult either. She was a pretty young teen of around 13-14 now and so was Ishido. Ishido, over the years, had become a faithful servant to Kikai. His motivation was immense fear. So one day, when he was talking to Hitori, Kikai grabbed her and threw her into a room. Ishido pleaded. Kikai had a whip. She took it out and threatened Ishido to play with her or let her die by whip… Ishido had no choice. Much to the pain of Hitori, and the disgust of Ishido… Kikai, using fear, forced Ishido to rape Hitori.

For monthes and monthes Kikai had Hitori locked away and tied down, and for monthes and monthes Ishido was forced to hurt her. When she finally was pregnant she was 16 and that time… she had coughed blood. Ishido remembered wiping it away and the tears that fell from her red eyes.

Kikai smirked in delight, "Only one zodiac left, this child better be it…" Kikai was waiting for the cat. Kikai desperately wanted to torture the cat. She had wanted a child so bad, not to complete her list, but to torment the cat. She too knew the Zodiac Legend.

Ishido had gone to visit her everyday since. He had truly liked her, and was worried about her. He didn't care that the child she was carrying was his, all he cared about was her. And during these two long years, Athrin worried about his friend also…

Monthes passed and Hitori was growing sick, frail and weak. Kikai thought, happily mind you, that the birth of her child would be the end of her. She was wrong. Hitori wouldn't let herself die. She knew she had to save herself and her family, and she managed to hang on. Her daughter was indeed the cat of the zodiac. She was issued the bracelet, the dreaded black and white bracelet. Arit. Hitori called her child Arit.

((TRIBUTE TO MY MUSE IN THE LAST CHAPTER!))

The orange haired child was small, fragile, and weak. Her large crimson eyes pierced the day and night. She was so small yet dangerous. Kikai thought Arit was a wretchedly ugly child and Hitori, with her limited strength did her best to protect her daughter.

The members of the family were growing older now. Kotetsuma and Takai were already pretty old, considering the year. Kikai was getting sick of everything. She was sick of the whole family, and as Family Leader, her life was dwindling. It was getting worse each day. Everyone's agony added to everything. Over and over Kikai checked her list of her family zodiac. Over and over she wished they were all dead. One day she just couldn't stand it, she brought Kotetsuma and Takai in, and she killed them both.

Hitori cried. Ishido comforted her and their daughter Arit. Athrin watched over Kikai's children who also wept. The family was dying and there was nothing they could do. Kikai updated her list. Yet again.

Rat- Takai- Dead

Cow- Ina- Dead

Tiger- Kuro- Dead

Bunny- Kotetsuma- Dead

Dragon- Lina- Dead

Snake- Bunza- Dead

Horse- Koro- Dead

Sheep- Hitori- Living (Barely)

Monkey- Athrin- Living

Rooster- Ishido- Living

Dog- Marli- Living

Boar- Raliku- Living

Cat- Arit- Living

Kikai sneered. Only 6 Junishi left. Only 6.


When Kyo finished, his hands were still on his hips but his eyes were softer, "It's pretty depressing." Then he gave a grin, "And if you let Tohru die, you damn rat, I'm gonna have to kill you. And then I'll really have beaten you…"

I gave a half smile, "She won't die, you stupid cat."

Kyo smiled and then turned to leave, his back to Yuki, "Yuki. Sorry." And then Kyo left the room.

I blinked at him, at the place he had been standing. He had apologized. The stupid cat. Kyo. He had apologized. I smiled, and mainly to myself I muttered, "I'm sorry too."

I quickly stood up and got ready. The trip would take a whole day, and I'd be with Tohru again tomorrow. Tomorrow. One word. But such a long time. I smiled at the thought of Tohru, always smiling, never caring about herself. And now he had to save her. He didn't think he could. He was so afraid he wouldn't make it.


Tohru awoke the next day with a fit and a high fever, she was slightly delirious. Uo and Hana didn't and wouldn't leave her side until the Prince showed up. Tohru was having convulsions and she couldn't keep still. Her unbelievably high fever caused her to be delirious and she didn't recognize anyone or anything anymore. Tohru was really sick, and the doctors straight out said this, "If she keeps getting worse like this… she may not live till Saturday."

((Because, of course, all my lovely readers, you remember that the final day was on a Friday. Making day 13 on a Thursday… but I'm sure you all already knew that. LOL))

Hana had silent tears in her eyes and Uo was straight out sobbing. Tohru was dying.


I grabbed the small bag I had prepared. I stood out in front of the Main House, leaning against the huge doors. I didn't feel like going in, so I awaited Hatori's arrival, outside the gate. But in a few minutes, I realized that I had to go in or miss my plane. So I pushed open the huge wooden door and stepped inside the estate. Everyone was waiting for me. Much to my surprise. Kisa was crying, and Hiro was hugging her. Kagura and Kyo were standing side by side, Kagura smiling and Kyo looking away and scowling. Rin and Haru next. Then Shigure, Mii, Mine, Ayame, Momiji, Ritsu and Kureno. All were standing and waiting. Hatori came from behind them. He smiled, "You ready Yuki?"

I nodded, "Yea."

All the members turned to look at me, smiling, crying, and not speaking anything. Suddenly a dark voice sounded from the house, and Akito stepped out onto the yard, he gave me a one of a kind Akito smile. Then walked up to me and handed me a letter, "Yuki. I'm glad you weren't going to leave without saying goodbye. Take care of her… we won't meet again I suppose." Akito smiled a puzzling smile and walked away. Hatori bowed his head. And the others gave me reassuring smiles. I smiled back, and followed Hatori out the gate, "Hatori… what did Akito mean, when he said…"

Hatori looked at Yuki, "Nothing, it doesn't matter."

I looked at the letter in my hands, knowing what it was. It was pretty light though and I was afraid to read it. Hatori caught me staring at it and said, "Don't open it till you are an hour away from America. Akito's orders." I smirked, the sound of that… it sounded so… old. Akito's orders. Ha! What orders? I couldn't help it, it was funny. I muffled my laughter. But even so, Hatori smiled and chuckled at me as if I were some little kid. Hours later, I was on my way to America. Little did I know, Tohru was dying fast and my time was running out. I knew then though, on the plane, that I had to save her. No matter what.

On the plane, I constantly stared out the window at the now darkening sky. The plane was getting closer each hour. I couldn't stay awake any longer and fell asleep. I awoke hours later in daylight and we close. The pilot announced we were around an hour away from the States. I sighed and took out the letter, looking at it gently in my hands.

I ripped it open gently and began to read Akito's letter.

Dearest Yuki,

I know at first you hated me. I am indeed sorry for what I had done but I promise to make it all up to you today. Even though you're not here any longer I know you will understand what I mean when you need to. So, you need to cure Tohru. I wasn't clear on that before. But by the end of this letter, everything will make sense. Just tell her about the story, give her courage. Courage to fight the disease. It should help her prevail and prove victorious. Please read this whole letter to her also. So let's finish the story and end the questions Yuki. Don't cry. I promise everything will be okay.

Kikai called the six remaining Junishi into her midst. Athrin was accompanied by Raliku and Marli. Ishido and Hitori followed with their daughter Arit. She was a year old now. Kikai looked at them all. And before anyone knew what was going on, Kikai had a whip in her hands and she was smiling, "Children. Brats. You all are brats and I am disgusted. You will all die!" No one had any defense, no one could run. And one by one Kikai killed each child.

First she had advanced on Athrin, her children blocking him. She slaughtered them both with one fierce attack. Their blood rained down on Athrin and Kikai. Athrin sunk to his knees crying, "Your own children!"

Kikai sneered, "So?"

And then she killed Athrin. Ishido held tight to Hitori and Arit as Kikai, bloody now, advanced on them. Ishido shielded Hitori and Arit and Kikai whipped him furiously, his last words were, "In the end… I was… able… to pro…tec…t…you…" And then he had died.

Hitori sobbed and hugged Arit, both were covered in Athrin's blood. Arit cried, "PAPA!" The small baby cried endlessly and Kikai went to rip Arit from her hands. Hitori held tight but Kikai slapped her and she slipped and fell backwards. Arit was torn from her and thrown on the ground. Hitori pleaded, "KIKAI, PLEASE!"

Too late. Kikai killed Arit. Only Hitori was left. Covered in the blood of her love and her child. The 17 year old teenager was lost as the 30 year old Kikai advanced on her. ((A/N: Well, Kikai's around that age…)) Hitori was on her knees sobbing and begging, "Kikai… Kikai!"

Kikai's eyes were sharp and blood lustful, "Damn you all to Hell!"

"Kikai! Open your eyes! Your heart! Please! I know you're not bad… I know that somewhere inside of you, you're just lonely… LOOK AT THE DEATH AROUND YOU! We all could've been friends! Kikai please! Happiness is not having what you want. It's wanting what you have. Please Kikai." Hitori sobbed, and bowed low, her head touching the bloody tatami mat. Kikai stopped, she looked around her, and tears fell. She was crying. And then, she took a knife from her kimono and looked at Hitori, "I'm… so sorry… I'll let you live, but I… must die." And then Kikai committed suicide. Leaving the sobbing Hitori all alone…

I glanced up from the letter, seeing the plane had landed. As I grabbed my small bag, I stuffed the letter into my pocket. I wiped the beginnings of tears from my eyes and looked around America's airport. Uo rushed over to me, "Yuki!"

I smiled weakly at her, "How is-"

She cut me off, "She's dying! Let's go!"

It all became a blur as Uo and I rushed to the hospital where Tohru was indeed dying. She was slipping in and out of consciousness. I was dazed when I saw her lying there. Hana next to her holding her hand, Tohru pale and having a fit, her fever high. The letter fell from my pocket as I rushed over to Tohru. She looked up at me weakly, "Dreams." She muttered it over and over again.

Hana and Uo looked at me, "She's been having dreams about you…"

"Tohru…" I said softly. Uo brought me a chair to sit in, I pulled it as close as I could to Tohru. I had her cold hands cupped in my warm hands. Tohru blinked at me weakly, "Yuki… you're… Yuki…."

"Yea Tohru… you need to listen to me… please… have courage… please hold on and listen to the story of the Sohmas…"

Tohru smiled, "Sohma… please tell me about them…"

So I did. I told her the whole story… and I watched her pale in front of my eyes. I watched her strain to stay awake. And then I remembered Akito's letter. I rushed up and grabbed it, reading the last part, which I hadn't read out loud to her.

"Hours later, someone found her and she was accepted as Family Leader until the next generation of Zodiacs. And then the whole cycle would start all over, except, there would be a new sheep, and Hitori would die peacefully. And the Family would live in turmoil for many years to come. Each time the Family Leader was more bearable." I glanced at her, she was smiling and trying to hold on. I noticed one last paragraph and was about to read it when Tohru suddenly stopped moving. Her eyes closed, and she looked calm. I was in shock, "Tohru… don't… die please!"

Tohru murmured something, "I'll… be …okay."

I sobbed and read the last of Akito's letter out loud, knowing although she was resting, that this would make everything clear and would make her truly okay. I scanned the letter and cried, tears diluting it. I choked down everything and read. Akito's voice swarmed about the room and it was as if he himself was reading it.

And then, when Tohru cured us all, I knew what I had to do, and I knew what would happen to her. She'll be okay Yuki, because… I'm going to die for her. Just like Kikai for Hitori. So don't be sad. I will never see any of you again but I know you'll take of everyone. She'll live because I am kind and because I will die for her, in her place and the Curse will truly be gone. Be safe.

Farewell,

Akito Sohma


Today is April 24th 2005. I am done. It is finished, and even I am crying and even I didn't know it was going to end this way. I love you all, there will be an epilogue in two weeks, and this will be my final review response to all of you. Much love, tell all your friends to review… hope to see ya reviewing my other stories sometime soon!

Much Love,

Lolabel

Fallen Angel of Darkness- Thank you so much for all your reviews!

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Krimzen Angel- At the last second I decided to let her live.

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trunks and goten- I'm glad you like it, hope you liked this chapter.

Valese- I thought of your words when writing this.

Nachan- Well within a week is really soon for me.

dragondolphin1990- Thanks for being impatient, lol!

Yokai Cesia and Chi- I love loyal fans! Yay! Oh and now I say bai bai all the time!

Dark Inu Fan- My teacher did read it though, lol… thankies!

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