Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket. I'm hungry.

Tohru's eyes widened.

Until the day the cat could forgive the rat…

Momiji turned to Tohru, tears fresh in his eyes, and flew up to Tohru where he swept her into a hug.

Tohru flinched, expecting the strong puff of air that normally happened when Momiji hugged her, but relaxed slightly when she found that Momiji was still… Momiji.

It's true…the curse… it's…

"Broken," Tohru murmured.

"Isn't it wonderful! Tohru! We're free!" Momiji cried out, twirling her in a circle. Tohru felt tears come to her eyes, and a feeling of relief spread through her.

They're… free. I'm so happy, Mom! But… what about... Kyo...

Yuki looked down at his hands. A picture of Machi entered his mind and Yuki smiled to himself with a slight blush on his cheeks. She will be the first I hold.

Kagura came running up to the group, panting and laughing with tears rolling down her face.

"I can… can't… believe…" Kagura exhaled, laughing in-between each word. "This is amazing! I'm just me! No more Boar!"

A cry of anguish filled the complex, startling everyone. Tohru turned to see tears streaming from Akito's eyes.

Tohru's eyes widened. She couldn't help but remember what Akito had said to her at the summer house… when Akito had injured Momiji and proclaimed herself to be the god.

"In the end, the 12shi will return to me. But then, we can't be separated. So don't try to destroy our "happiness" anymore. Don't interfere, remain quietly... Otherwise, there will be retribution."

Akito's face twisted, her body suddenly seeming to become tiny and frail.

"I was born to be loved. That's what he said… I was born because you all were waiting for me. That's what my daddy said…"

After a moment of silence, Kureno stepped forward, a hand extended, ready to take Akito's creamy hand in his.

No one uttered a word, and Akito turned, glaring through the tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Get your hand away from me," Akito spat. "You betrayed me more than once now."

Kureno moved no further, his hand falling to his side; his face deceived no emotions held inside.

Akito turned from Kureno. "I no longer need you. I don't need someone who goes against me in every thing I do." Akito stole a sideways glance, malice filling her gaze. "I never loved you anyway."

Shigure's eyes widened, then his face set itself into a blankness, but not before a smug smile crossed his features briefly. Kureno stepped back and nodded.

Arisa Uotani filled Kureno's mind, and his heart filled with hope. Now I too have been set free.

Akito watched as Kureno turned his back onher and walked toward the front of the complex. Her eyes widened. Tears that had dried welled into her eyes again. Akito's face twisted into a face of hatred.

"I never want to see you again, Kureno! Leave me, I don't care!"

Kureno walked until he turned the corner. Without looking back, he disappeared from sight.

Akito's hands balled into fists of anger, and she began to shake. "I don't care! Daddy was lying! You're all going to leave me!"

Akito looked frantically around at the lot of them, her face twisted with hurt and anger. "JUST LEAVE ME. NOW!"

Deep sobs erupted from her throat, and she crumbled. As she fell into despair, a pair of strong hands caught Akito before she could fall any further. Her clenched-shut eyes squinted between the tears and was shocked to find Shigure's face mere inches from her own.

"Not you too!" Akito sobbed. Shigure's face fell slightly, but he kept his arms around her. To his deep surprise, Akito threw her arms around him like she did as a child, burying her face into his shoulder and neck.

"Don't… don't leave me too Shigure… I couldn't take it if you left me…" Akito cried, her voice muffled.

Shigure's face softened. It looks like you finally came to me… Now my dream of so long ago… can become true.

"Akito, I've waited for you. Just like I said I would. I don't ever want to leave you." Shigure whispered into Akito's ear, his lips brushing her lobe.

Akito's sobbing deepened, and Shigure picked Akito up bridal-style and carried her into the room she had been lying outside of before Kyo's arrival.

Tohru watched as he disappeared into the darkness of the room. After a moment, he walked up to the sliding paper door, smiled lopsidedly while raising an eyebrow, and gently slid the door closed.