Disclaimer: I freaking don't own Fruits Basket.
A/N: This is a sad chapter. A lot of you are going to hate me after this, so brace yourself.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
All of the Sohmas plus Tohru rushed to the hospital. Despite their deep-set hate for Akito, they couldn't help but be concerned.
They walked into her room to see Shigure by her side, holding her hand and looking like his heart had been clawed out and ripped into pieces.
Akito became faintly aware that they were there. Her breath came in short, uneven gasps, and her words were barely audible when she spoke. "You… Why are you all here?"
"We came to see you." Kureno was the first to speak and the others shifted uncomfortably.
"Ha… That's wonderful. I bet you're all thrilled at this, aren't you. I bet you're all celebrating. It's your greatest wish isn't it, my death?" Akito gave a shaky laugh, her eyes barely open. "I knew this would happen after the curse broke… I knew I wouldn't live very long…"
"Akito." Hatori spoke this time. "No matter how much you have tormented us, no matter how much pain you've caused us, we wouldn't wish death on you. You're family, after all. Even you deserve to live." His voice looked pained when he saw this little girl who he had watched grow up into this twisted person. And there she lay, that innocent little girl again, on the brink of death.
When the others nodded silently in agreement with Hatori, Akito laughed again. "Liars. Hey Kyo. Take good care of your monster." Akito's voice didn't sound as threatening as it previously had. Kyo just nodded stiffly.
"And Yuki," Akito reached out, her hand shaking, and ran her fingers through his hair one last time and gave him a soft smile. "I'm sorry I tortured you so… It must have been hard…" Yuki looked shaken by her apology, but gave her a forced smile back and touched her hand.
"Kureno… you're not my toy anymore… you are free to go…" Kureno nodded and you could barely hear his voice when he whispered "thank you".
"Hatori…" Akito turned her gaze to the doctor. "I'm sorry… You always took care of me, and I put you through so much pain, didn't I? I… give you my blessings. I hope you and your wife have a good life." Hatori looked at her soberly, but nodded and also whispered a thank you.
"Shigure…" She gripped his hand a bit tighter. "Shigure… no matter how twisted your love is… I… I really do love you too…" Akito reached up and touched his cheek. "Akito…" Shigure reached up to her hand and kissed it. "You really are still that little girl who always came crying to me when something went wrong." Akito gave him a helpless smile.
"Honda… Honda Tohru…" Akito suddenly turned to Tohru.
"Y-yes?" Tohru kneeled by her bedside. Akito began speaking again. "I know… I know I was really… awful to you… you, who my juunishi had loved so much. I always asked myself why it wasn't me. I was supposed to be loved… Well, Honda Tohru, I leave them in your care… Please take care of my precious juunishi, even if they aren't mine anymore… just please… take good care of them…" Akito's voice trailed off.
Tohru grabbed Akito and hugged her. "No, Akito-san, don't say such things! You'll be here to take care of them, right?" She started sobbing. "You… nobody hates you Akito-san… We really do love you. Please don't…" Tohru looked at Akito's face.
She gave her one last smile. It was a smile of the innocent little girl that Akito once was. It was a helpless, sincere smile that had never been seen before on Akito's lips. "Thank you, Honda Tohru…" She whispered softly one last time before closing her eyes. Her grip on Shigure's hand slacked, but the smile stayed on her face.
"Akito-san…?" Tohru whispered after a second. She hugged her close. "Akito-san!" She choked. "AKITO-SAN!" She began sobbing. Kyo went to put his arms around her, and she turned to sob into his chest.
All of the Sohmas eyes were cast downwards, and Kisa, Momiji, Ritsu, and Kagura were crying softly too. Shigure had his face in his hands, and Hatori sighed heavily.
They were all thinking the same thing. Their god was no more.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Well, folks, that was it. Akito's death. I'm like, crying right now. Why does my own writing always make me cry? (sob sob) I guess it's because it's something that really came from my heart, and I can picture it vividly in my mind, with background music and everything.
This time around, it was the same music that was in the background in the anime when Akito was screaming at Kana that it was all her fault, and Hatori was erasing her memory. I watched that episode four times and it still makes me cry.
Tohru: You… You killed Akito-san! (starts sobbing)
Neko-chan: I know! (sniff sob)
Tohru: You… You're such a mean author!
Neko-chan: I KNOW! (more sobbing)
(They both hug eachother and cry.)