Disclaimer: Neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters belong to me. They are the property of Natsuki Takaya.

I wonder if she would mind sharing them though? Anyway, the plot and all original characters are mine. This story has been fun to write and it saddens me in a way that it is coming to an end. If I have left any loose ends, please let me know. I always try to end with everything tied up neatly.

Chapter 17 Wounded Hearts Can be Mended

Tori and Momiji called Shigure as soon as they returned to the house to let him know that they were now officially engaged.

"Tohru-kun, my flower, you've broken my heart…how can I go on knowing you will never be mine..." Shigure's familiar melodramatics caused Tori to giggle just a little in embarrassment,

"Shigure-san…"

"Shigure, why can't you congratulate us like any normal person would," Momiji asked in his most reasonable tone of voice.

"Because then it wouldn't be any fun Momiji-kun. Congratulations to both of you. Will we see you in April for the wedding?"

"Yes, we've decided to take Yuki up on his invitation."

"I will be sure to let everyone know. " After a little more chitchat they finished their phone conversation.

"Bye Shigure, see you in April."

"I will look forward to it Momiji"

The next day an infrequent visitor headed to Sohma house to see Akito.

Kureno saw Shigure coming and issued a warning to Akito. "Akito-san, Shigure is on his way to your apartments."

Akito turned his head on his pillow and a spark of interest lit the dull blue of his eyes. "Is he really coming Kureno, coming to see me? And I didn't even invite him. Admit him when he arrives and then you may leave." Akito turned to face the wall once again. Kureno frowned but knew he would have to admit the dog.

Shigure knelt on the cold stone by Akito's bedside. "Akito-san, I have come to see how you are doing. I heard you were very ill just before our trip to America .I had hoped to see you feeling better by now.

You know we saw her again Akito-san."

Akito turned his head to look at Shigure. "By her, you mean Tohru Honda-san? You've been keeping secrets from me Shigure. Why does that not surprise me? But then again, you've been a stranger for far too long. To what do I owe this visit?"

"She said… Tohru-kun asked me… how I would feel if you were to die before we resolved our differences. It made me think about my actions over the last few years. Akito, I am sorry to have stayed away for so much of that time."

Akito spoke weakly, "Why would you sadden me in such a fashion Shigure? I have missed you." There was a genuine sadness and a touch of regret in the beautiful slate blue eyes.

"As I said, I am sorry." Shigure's gray eyes showed sincerity for the first time in many years. Akito noted this and was somewhat gratified.

He shifted his gaze so he was looking out the window where the rain was beginning to fall. "I've thought a lot about that last day she was here Shigure. I've suffered for my actions. I lost the regard of the person closest to me. It hurt me more than I would have believed. It surprised me that I should miss you so much. I didn't think I needed anyone's friendship, but I was lying to myself."

"Akito, even now I am not sure I can forgive you for what you did to her, but I thought I could try, because she asked me to."

And there is not much you will not do for her, is there Shigure? I am grateful though if it brings you back to me.

"I do understand my actions toward Tohru Honda-san. I blamed her for everything and all she ever really showed me was compassion. She told me I was still alive, but I didn't feel that way. She made me long for something I thought I couldn't have, Shigure. I felt like I was trapped, my spirit imprisoned, and it was her fault. Of course it wasn't, but that was how I felt.

I know now it was something inside of me that kept me from living Shigure, but if I accepted that fault, that would mean I was not perfect. I had to be perfect as the Sohma head. Do you understand?"

"Unfortunately, I do understand. I am much like you in that way. Akito-san, she told me that you probably regretted that day but I didn't really believe her. Was she right?"

"Perhaps. I don't know if I truly feel regret for what I did to her, but I do regret the consequences of my actions. "

Shigure looked at Akito for a couple of minutes. "Somehow, Akito, that answer is what I would expect from you. I don't believe you have ever regretted anything you did. It's only the consequences you regret. We spoiled you Akito so I don't see how you could ever give any other answer. I must admit I am that way myself. It's not my actions I regret, it's the consequences. Perhaps that is why I was so angry Akito-san"

The two men sat in silence for a few minutes. Shigure took a deep breath and decided to break the latest news to Akito.

"I have some news for you, from America. It's about Momiji."

"Momiji? What interest could I possibly have in that rabbit?"

"You have heard that he has fallen for a Tori Tanaka and is thinking about getting married."

"I have heard that rumor. Why would I be interested?"

"Because, Akito, Tori Tanaka is Tohru Honda."

Akito's eyes sparked. "Tori Tanaka is Tohru Honda…" he spoke slowly.

"Yes, Akito and he has asked her to marry him. She said yes Akito. She will be back in Japan in April."

"I suppose it was inevitable that eventually one of you would take that girl to wife. Momiji, of all people…why not Kyo or Yuki? Of course Kyo is married with three brats and Yuki, my Yuki, is getting married in April. I suppose that is a revenge of sorts. At least she didn't get him. Give Momiji my blessing. I am too tired to fight her influence anymore." Akito turned back to the wall and Shigure knew he had been dismissed.

Two months later…

Shigure-san, please arrange a meeting with Akito-san for me. I feel that I should see him again."

"Tohru-kun, are you positive? I think it would be better if you did not see him at all."

"Perhaps, but I still want to see him."

Shigure sighed, Tohru had developed a very strong backbone somewhere along the line.

"Very well, I will arrange it."

On the day of her visit to Akito, Tori was accompanied by Shigure, Hatori, and Momiji.It was similar to her first visit when Yuki had been the third member of the party, but the circumstances were very different.

Kureno admitted them to Akito's room. Tori was dismayed by the difference she saw in Akito. He looked more pale and drawn than ever. His illness had totally sapped his energy and his will to fight.

She knelt by his pallet. "Akito-san, I have come once again."

"And so you have, Tohru Honda-san. What is it you want this time?"

She looked into the blue eyes, the fire she remembered from earlier meetings was almost extinguished.

"I have come to let you know that I understand what happened so many years ago. You felt alone and frightened. You wanted to cry but you couldn't, so you got angry instead. I understand now Akito-san. I didn't understand then and I am sorry. I wished so many good things for you but now I see you like this and I can only wonder how you've had the courage to keep going.

Akito-san, Momiji and I…"

She motioned Momiji to come join her and he took her hand to let her know he was supporting her. "Momiji and I would like to ask for your blessing on our marriage. I know you told Shigure-san we had your blessing, but I felt we should come ask in person."

"Very well, you may have it. I don't wish to fight anymore. My time is short and it takes too much energy."

Tohru knelt by Akito's bedside for a couple more minutes. He looked back at her and frowned. "Why are you still here, our conversation is at an end."

"Perhaps Akito-san, but I have one more thing I wish to say to you."

"Then say it, I grow impatient."

"Akito-san, I am very happy to have met you. I thank you for allowing me to live with Shigure-san, Yuki-kun, and Kyo-kun for a time. I wish only that you might find happiness one day soon before it is too late."

Akito did not even acknowledge the fact that she had spoken to him. He turned his back to her and the rest of the room and once more looked at the blank wall on the other side of his bed.

Tohru placed her hand on his shoulder, it was frail and thin. "Akito-san, please take care." She kissed him gently on the back of the head and left the room. Momiji and Hatori followed close behind her. Shigure arose and prepared to leave.

"Shigure…" Akito's eyes focused on him once more. "Is she for real?" There was a slight smile on his lips as Shigure turned to go.

"Yes, Akito-san. She is about as real as they come. Guess that's why so many of us love her. Until later, Akito."

Akito lay there for a while thinking about Tohru's words. Her touch had been gentle, and her warmth was comforting. Momiji made a good choice. Soon, soon it will be the new head's turn. Shigure, I hope your dreams for me come true with him.

Akito closed his eyes and slept without the accompanying nightmares for the first time in many months.

A/N: I realize this chapter is much more serious than the preceding ones. Please forgive me, but it was important to me to mend things between Shigure and Akito, and between Akito and Tohru (at least a little bit). Hopefully the epilogue will make up for the quieter tone of this chapter.