"Tohru, do you have a second?" Shigure appeared at the kitchen door that night, calling up for Tohru. Tohru, whom was busy cleaning the kitchen turned to look up to him.
"Yes, sure." She left the kitchen and followed his back to the living room. She sat in front of Shigure, waiting patiently for his words.
Shigure let out a breath. "Tohru, well… you see… this afternoon, Akito came. You knew that, right?"
"Ah, yes!" Tohru could felt her heart beat faster.
"Actually, he was here because of something important. It's regarding the Juunishi. It's about the curse." Shigure looked straight to her face, trying to see any changes to her facial expression.
"The… curse?" Tohru gulped.
"Tohru, you knew that the curse has been passed down the Sohma family from generation to generation. Up till now, there seemed to be no cure for the people who have been cursed by the Chinese zodiac spirits, except they ended up living in misery throughout their lives. Yuki, Aya-san, Ha-san, Momiji, Kisa, Hiro, Haru, Rit-chan, me, and even Kyo has been living up till now accepting the facts that we could not be cured forever. However…" he paused there, living his words hanging.
"However…?"
"However… lately, it has been figured out that there is a cure for this curse."
What! Really?" Tohru couldn't help feeling really happy. He face lightened up as she faced Shigure. Her eyes sparkled with joy.
"But…" he continued.
"But…?"
"We need a sacrifice. And… it has to be you… Tohru."
"Huh?"
"Please, Tohru. I beg you. For the sake of us, the Juunishi. For the sake of Kyo…"
"I… I... I don't understand."
"Tohru, we… we need your memory of the Sohma family to be… erased." He paused again "That's the only way we have to put an end to this curse. By having the memory of a person who can accept the Juunishi, and more importantly who can love the cat deeply to be erased. Tohru, only you… you alone can break the curse. For you to accept and love Kyo, you have passed all the obstacles. You even managed to withstand Akito's pressure towards you. Therefore… it really has to be you… only you… to save the Juunishi."
"What? No way! I oppose to this. That is so absurd. There is no way I'm letting you to have her memory erased. No way!"
"Kyo-kun!" Tohru was shocked upon hearing that shout. She totally didn't realize that Kyo has been eavesdropping on their conversation. He shouldn't have heard this. She turned to Shigure. But, he was acting as if nothing serious happened. What is the matter, Shigure-san? I thought Kyo was not allowed to know about this. Or was Shigure-san trying to do this on purpose?
"Shigure! Stop doing everything as you pleased!" Suddenly Yuki appeared into the living room. Huh, Yuki too? Have both of them been listening to this all along?
"Shut up, Shigure! It's a lie. Don't ever listen to what he said, Tohru." Kyo grabbed Tohru's arm, pulling her out from the room.
"Kyo, don't you want to return to being normal?" Shigure asked, trying to get on his way.
"Shut up! We have never been normal. You knew this yourself, stupid dog!" his voice began to tremble.
"Listen to me, Kyo, Yuki." Shigure looked at Kyo, next Yuki and then Tohru. "It is true. I am not lying. This is the only way to break the curse. Finally… after we waited for it for so long…"
Kyo didn't say anything. He looked away, avoiding his eyes from Tohru's which has been staring at him for the past 10 minutes. Yuki too remain silent. Both of them are confused, trying their very hard to digest every bit of words that Shigure had said.
"Shigure-san, I'll do it." The silence was broken down by Tohru's soft voice.
"What!" Kyo shouted.
"Shigure-san, I'll be the sacrifice. Please… let my memories of the Sohma family be erased."
"Tohru-san…" Yuki couldn't continue.
"No way! I will never let you do that!" Kyo became more and more furious. He looked straight into her eyes, trying to find hesitation in her, but there was none. She was really firm with her decision.
"You… no way!" his voice began to shook. No way! No way that you are going to forget me. No way that you are going to leave me. Please… take back your words. Tohru… please…
His eyes began to get blurry. His tears have caught him.
"Kyo-kun, please understand. I am doing this for the sake of the Juunishi. And… for your own sake. This is the only way… for you to lead a normal life. It's for your own happiness, Kyo…"
"You just don't get it, do you!" Anger started to shower him. "My only happiness is… having to be with you. Tohru… Only you…"
Tohru gasped. That's what he has been thinking all about. It was because of me! He is willing to put aside his own happiness just to be with me. Kyo-kun… Is it true that you love me this much…?
Her tears began to drop. She couldn't hold it anymore. But, she had to be strong. She needed to throw away all those hesitation. For Kyo happiness… She needed to be determined of her decision.
She held up a deep breath. She looked at him, struggling to hold every single bit of strength within her.
"It has been decided, Kyo…" she finally said.
"What do you mean?" Kyo asked, looking more puzzled.
"Shigure-san, please tell Hatori-san that I have agreed to have my memories of the Sohma family to be…" she paused a while, gathering the remaining strength that has begun to fade away. "…erased."
"You are such an idiot!" Kyo had it enough. He couldn't take it anymore. He stormed off the room, leaving Tohru drowning in her heavy sob. But, the truth is, deep inside him, he was crying himself. My love… my dreams… they are all gone…