Hello everyone. I figured it had been to long since I updated this story, so here ya go. Standard disclaimers apply, i'm not the owner of Fruits Basket, yadd yadd yadda. Enjoy. Please review.

Hatori ran as he carried Akito's body through the maze of buildings back to where his clinic was, with the rest of the group following behind. He yelled to one of his assistants to prepare a room for Akito. Shigure was right behind him and said "Hatori, do you have any idea what's going on?" Hatori grimaced. It was true he knew the truth about the Core of the curse, all who tended the head of the family did. But he didn't dare reveal that now. He hated lying, especially to his best friend, but it had to be done.

"No Shigure, I had no idea about the Core until tonight. I assumed whatever it was it was still an inanimate thing. The idea that the curse could be alive was not something I ever considered."

It was then that an aide came out and said that Akito was ready. Hatori said "I'll let you all know what I find out when I can. I suggest everyone return home for the night, I think we need some time to think about what's happened." Not wanting to answer any more questions, he turned and went into the room to examine Akito.

The rest of the group on the other hand didn't seem satisfied with Hatori's explanation. Everyone seemed to be in quiet contemplation, trying to understand exactly what was going on with the family head. First he tried to make Tohru the new head of the family and pass the core to her. Then they find out that the core is a living thing and can exist outside the body of the clan leader. No one was sure what to make of this new information. The only one who seemed to have any idea of what was going on was Shigure. Yuki could tell his cousin knew something; he had lived with him enough to tell the writer's facial expressions apart. "Shigure, you wouldn't happen to be able to shed any light on this situation, would you?" he asked bluntly.

Shigure wasn't surprised that Yuki had asked him that. He was sued to being suspected whenever strange thing happened, as if they were all part of his plotting and scheming. "All I can say is what I saw. I visited Akito a few times between the time Tohru visited him and now. He seemed different, changed somehow. I wanted to think that maybe her visit had touched his heart somewhere. It would appear as though I may have been right. I think it's possible that the orb has been manipulating things behind the scenes. It said that Akito was remorseful. I think it may have been telling the truth there. He seemed almost regretful one of the times I came to see him. Just talking about the things he's done and how perhaps he's made mistakes. But this orb must have been able to exert control so that he would act in a manner consistent with his normal behavior. I believe it was the orb that wants Tohru to become head of the house."

"WHY?" asked Kyo angrily? He hadn't said anything since they left the meeting room. But everyone could tell he was angry. "Why would this orb thing want Tohru as head?"

"I would think it would be obvious stupid cat" butted in Yuki, continuing on before Kyo could yell back. "It fears the possibility that Tohru could break the curse. If it is truly alive, then it will probably die if the curse is ever broken. It might believe that Tohru could break the curse" At hearing her name Tohru looked up and said "You think I could break the curse?" She looked around at the other Sohmas, who seemed to be looking at her thoughtfully

"I hope that I could break the curse someday" Tohru said, breaking the silence. She looked around at everyone who was there and smiled. "I would like to give something back to the Sohma family, who has given me so much already. Perhaps someday I can do just that". She smiled at Yuk and Kyo who ere sitting on either side and took their hands in hers. They smiled back and seemed to relax a bit. The rest of the Junisshi also seemed to relax as well. Shigure grinned and said" Well, no matter what the future holds, it's plain to see what the orb thinks. By controlling Tohru, it figures it can kill her before she has the chance to threaten it"

"And it will do just that" came a voice from down the hall. The rest of the group looked down the hall and saw Akito marching out from the examination room with Hatori right behind him. "Akito you look well. How are you feeling" asked Shigure as he walked over to see if the house head needed any support. But Akito didn't seem hampered in any way. He marched over to Tohru and said" Yes, it does believe that she can break the curse. It's seen what happened to the Zodiac members who she interacts with. And it's getting scared and thinking that the end of its existence could be near. That's why it wants Tohru as leader. I've managed to subdue it for now, but it may awaken at anytime. Before I did, I heard it say that unless it gets what it wants, it will start to hurt the members of the Zodiac. It will cause great pain to them until Tohru agrees to become its host. I have no control over it anymore. I'm sorry. I wish I could do more, but I can't. I believed its lies one to many times" And with no explanation for that cryptic comment, Akito walked out of the clinic, with Hatori behind him. Yuki looked at Tohru and the look on his face made him angry.

The girl was terrified, and looked like she was on the verge of crying. It's not surprising really, after all, what kind of decision as this to make? Do nothing and watch the people you love be tormented. Take the orb and be simply a host for the thing that's caused these people so much pain and heartache. Yuki never wanted to give Tohru a hug more than he did right then, and Kyo felt the same. The best they could do was taking her hand and try to show that they were with her. Kisa couldn't take the tension anymore and she ran over to Tohru and hugged her, tears flowing down her little face. Momiji followed right behind and embraced her, turning into a rabbit. At that point everyone seemed to want to be near Tohru, to try to comfort her in this dark time. Even Hiro and Rin, the two Sohmas who were the least close to Tohru, tried to show their support for the girl. As the clock in the room struck midnight, Tohru looked up at the sky and said "Oh Mom, what am I going to do?"