Author's Note: Well, this is the last chapter. (I don't own Fruits Basket by the way.) I guess it's a shorter fan fiction but I've had such a blast writing it and I hope you all had fun reading it. Enjoy.
Chapter Eight (Hatori's POV):
Some people can go their whole lives without finding love. Others are lucky enough to at least get it once. I fell in love with Kana and was lucky enough to have her fall in love with me. Even after going through the pain of recovering her memories, she still loved me. But love wasn't enough to protect her.
Yes, I erased her memories again. It sounds so cruel when I think about what I did. It feels cruel even though it wasn't against her will. I've always considered myself a rational man but I can't say that I've never imagined a life with her. Even in that last moment in her room, my mind was searching for a way for us to be together. But there was no way, not with the curse.
I did not erase her memories without her consent. She begged me not to at first. I almost didn't. But in the end, she was able to understand.
"I have to do this Kana."
"No you don't. Please…"
"There is no way for us to be together again. It would be too hard and too painful. Kana…I do love you. This is why I have to do this. You deserve…someone so much better than me. You deserve a life of happiness. And the only way to get that life is to forget about me. We had a beautiful thing, Kana. It will never be lost. But it will hold us back. Those memories will tie us down and give us burden. I do not want that for you. I love you. That is why…you must forget. You must forget me…for me. Will you help me Kana. It hurts me too much to see you punished for my troubles. Help me Kana. Protect me."
"Oh Hatori! I…I don't want to do this...but…I…I...I will. Because I love you and I don't want you to worry about me anymore. I love you. I will help you. At last…I can protect you."
She leaned in and their lips met one last time. Their tears mingled as they reluctantly broke away. Kana closed her eyes…and waited.
"Thank you Kana. Thank you."
Hatori held up his hand…and erased her memories for a second time. On his way out he reassured her mother.
"Kana will be alright."
And he left.
I do wish that there had been some other way. I do wish that I could have kept her in my life. But I see now…she will live so much more happily without me. My curse was a burden to her too. It was a burden she didn't deserve. I am not sad for it to end this way. Because…I know…Kana loved me. She gave herself to me and this is what I could give to her in return. Kana will be alright.
And so will I.
