Memories of the Cursed

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my laptop, my clarinet, my flute, my violin, my backpack, my desk, my purse, Fruits Basket Volume 9, Fruits Basket Volume 11, Tokyo Mew Mew Volume 1 and 3…okay forget it, I do own some stuff, but, I DO NOT own Fruits Basket!

Chapter 19:

It was the funeral…how depressing.

Everyone stood to pay respects to the deceased head, though no one liked him. The Sohma family stood, there, silently. They obviously had invited the 'amazing' Tohru Honda.

She stood there…sniffing…trying to soften the sound of her sniffing. She was crying. She was crying for the unloved head.

Next to her right was a certain hot-tempered redhead. He had a solemn face on; no expression…only anger was concealed within him. His left hand was holding tightly onto her right.

Next to her left was the head's 'pet'. The one who has tried to escape his grasp, the one who was tortured mercilessly in that room. He was not crying. He, too, like the other male on her right, was also feeling anger, but only a drop of pity. His right hand was grasping her left.

In front of them, were the other Sohmas.

The usual cheerful dog was not cheerful, though he was trying to lighten the mood. He had given up. He was overdoing it.

Next to his right was a certain seahorse doctor who took care of Akito most of his life. He was also angry…angry that the head had separated him from his beloved.

Next to the dog's left was the snake who was never close to the head, though his brother was. He, like most, also felt anger.

The tiger, she was behind her 'Oneechan'…her older sister. She had a hard time through school, but people had helped her through it all. She was sniffing a little bit, but not for the head…for her 'Oneechan'. She didn't know what to feel for the head, for she was only 12.

Next to the tiger, holding hands was the sheep. The ever-sarcastic sheep. He only felt anger for the head for he had hurt his beloved.

Behind them were a certain blonde bunny and a black and white haired cow. They were standing in the back, avoiding their parents. The cow felt anger, but only the bunny felt pity.

"Now, it is time to say out last words. If one or two of you would come up at a time?" the man in charge said, waving his black-sleeved arms.

Clad in her black dress, she stood up from her seat first and went up—alone.

"I…sniff…I-I never really got to know you! I wanted…sniff…to help you! I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" she said as she collapsed and she started to cry.

Two young men rushed up and helped her back to her seat. They left her with the tiger and the sheep, and then went back up to say a few words.

"You wanted to lock me up. I hate you. I wish you'd rot in hell! I'm a human being! Do you think anyone deserves to be locked up? Just because of a stinking curse? I HATE YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME, YOU BASTARD? DO YOU?" the red haired one shouted, but the other one, the one with violet eyes, cut him off.

"That's enough, Kyo." He said sternly, but he thought that his cousin did have a point…he continued.

"You locked me up when we were younger. Why? I've always wanted to know. Because all you would tell me was that I was a freak! I didn't deserve to live! I didn't deserve to find happiness. (Pause). But I still found happiness…I hate you. But that doesn't mean I don't pity you as well." He said. At this, several people looked up in shock.

Both young men walked down and sat down in their seats.

The dog walked up silently. "Well…how's the weather?" He asked happily trying to lighten the mood. At this, Kyo and Yuki groaned. The dog would never stop his tactics.

"Anyway, we're here because of one thing…to pay respects for Akito Sohma, the former head of the Sohma clan." Several people snorted at this, including a black and white haired male.

"I'd like to say that I'm angry with him for…well…messing with others' love lives." Several people who were slumping now straighten up. "That's all." He said, in his black yukata.

The several people now slumped again. The dog walked back and motion that the snake should go up. He refused and the seahorse went up. "I've been taking care of Akito for…all his life. Now, I could not…Now, I will focus my work with other people and maybe take it outside of the family." (I have no idea why I put that there…)

He then walked quietly back, dressed in a black vest and black pants. The rest of the day went like that. It was the day after he died. Everyone knew that Akito was on his deathbed, so they got ready soon, in hoping that he would be gone quickly.

And he did…

(--?--)

They were in the car driving back to Shigure's house, where they would hold a small funeral after party.

As soon as they arrived, Kyo went up onto the roof, Yuki to his secret base with Tohru following him and Shigure thanking Hatori for the ride. Even Ayame was unusually quiet.

(--?--)

"Yuki-kun? Are you alright?" Tohru asked. They were now sitting down, still clad in black. Yuki was now pulling weeds.

"Yes…well…I think he knew…" He started, still pulling weeds.

"Knew what?" Tohru asked curiously, watching Yuki.

"That he was dying…that's why he was so nice to me…" Yuki continued, "I actually feel bad for him…even after all that stuff he did to me…"

"It's because you're human." Tohru answered.

"Wha?"

"It's because you're human. You can feel pity for him and anger. You feel pity because Akito never really had friends, did he?"

"Eh? I don't know…" He stopped pulling weeds.

"It's because you're human, you have a heart. That makes you human. You have emotions. You can feel…" she continued and this time, she put a hand over his chest, where his heart was.

"People can make machines that look, act and think like humans, but they still wouldn't be one. Because…they don't have a heart, they are only programmed to do what the programmer wants the machine to do…act…think…"

They stared at each other before they both realized how it looked. "Ah! I mean—uh! I'm sorry!" Tohru blabbed and pulled her hand away, blushing.

"It's okay. I think I understand, now" Yuki replied and smiled. He blushed slightly.

(--?--) Graduation! (--?--)

It was finally graduation and everyone was getting ready. The teachers (and the students) had set up a stage for graduation. They had set it up outside in the football field. Many chairs were set up. Making sure that they were facing the stage.

The students were in the backstage, getting ready. "Oooh! I can't wait, Yuki-kun! I'm finally going to fulfill my mother's wish!" Tohru said excitedly. Finally getting over Akito's sudden death, she was looking forward to the graduation.

"I can't wait, either." Yuki answered, smiling. "Finally! Once I get that diploma, I'll run off the stage. No pictures for me!" Kyo joked. Tohru, Yuki, Arisa, and Saki looked at him, as if saying 'you're weird'.

The principal got up to the microphone. "Welcome! Welcome! It is now time for 3rd year students to be graduated! Give them applause! Now…"

"You know, Haa-san…I'll bet that Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun will probably move out. I wonder what they'll do…" Shigure blabbed. "Will you be quiet and listen to what the principal has to say for once? Look, they're calling Saki Hanajima." Hatori said, "I think Tohru's next."

"Tohru Honda"

Tohru went up to the principal with a diploma in had, eyes gleaming with happiness, took the diploma in one hand and bowed.

Yes! I did it! Oh, mom! I'm so glad to be here! Tohru thought as she made her way to the pictures spot where Saki and the camera guy were arguing. After being called, you would have to take a picture, and then go take a seat near the stage. After a while, they started to call the Sohmas.

"Kyo Sohma"

Kyo, indeed, did grab the diploma and run off the stage, skipping the pictures, but was held back by Saki's piercing glare and turned back, giving the audience a laugh.

"Yuki Sohma"

Yuki walked gracefully towards the principal, took the diploma, smiled, and went over to see Saki and Kyo getting into an argument.

Soon after, Uo was called.

"Arisa Uotani"

She marched up to the principal, grabbed the diploma, grinned and went over to see give 'Carrot Top' a noogie.

As soon as "Zoë Zunis" was at the photo area, the principal started to give a speech.

"Okay, okay! So is your group here?" the photo guy asked. "Yes, here they are. Tohru Honda, Arisa Uotani, Yuki Sohma, and Kyo Sohma." The Goth said. "Okay, let's get this over."

"What's going on?" Tohru asked. "I convinced Mr. Photo Guy here to let us take a group picture," Saki replied. "Oh" Tohru said.

"Congratulations, Honda-san," Yuki said, after the picture was taken, tuning out the principal and his speech. "Thank you!" Tohru whispered excitedly, "you, too. Congratulations and thank you for all those times you helped me study!"

"No problem," Yuki answered, smiling. "Uh, I think it's time to stand up," Arisa interrupted. "Now, let's give a final applause!" the principal shouted.

Every 3rd years stood excitedly, took off their hats and threw them.

Everyone…smiling…