Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.

Chapter Twelve : You've Done It

Yuki walked silently down the hallway, listening to the rain pattering on the roof. At the end of the hall he turned to right. In front of him was a small, nondescript door. Anyone besides Yuki would think that there lay a perfectly normal room behind that door. The rat knew that behind that door lay his deepest fears. He gulped, held back tears, and slid open the door.

The room of Yuki's nightmares was a tiny place with no windows and only one door. The floor was worn; splotches of blood and other unidentified liquids stained the floor. Only a small switch hanging from a peg adorned the walls.

He walked slowly to his corner and sat down, pulling his knees to his chest. Yuki knew this corner like he knew his own bedroom. He could pick out every spot of blood, every piece of reed coming loose from the mat and tell you when and how it happened.

'Here I am again. It's been a while since I've been in here. Almost two and a half years. Good thing it'll be my last…' Yuki's thoughts were interrupted by the door sliding open. A gasp escaped his lips when he saw who it was.

Tohru, her hands bound together and a rag stuffed in her mouth, stumbled into the room. Akito walked behind her, goading her forward with a jab from his bony finger. Akito motioned for Tohru to sit, and she did.

There were no visible signs of harm on Tohru. Yuki was sure that her memories were still intact because Hatori had been with him. Tears unshed glittered in her eyes as she watched Akito take the switch from its peg and advance on Yuki. The rat curled up into a ball, fear etched into his face.

Akito brought the switch down onto Yuki's exposed arm. He winced, blood welling up on the small cut. Tohru grimaced. Akito switched the rat again, as if scolding him. Suddenly Akito exploded and whipped him ferociously. Yuki tried in vain to protect himself. A cry of anguish escaped Tohru's lips as she tried desperately to tear her eyes away.

After a few moments Yuki's wounds from his previous encounter with Akito opened, bleeding freely. His stitches came undone, scabs were ripped away to reveal not quite healed wounds. Blood dripped from his arms and legs, his clothing hung in shreds.

"How does that feel, Yuki? Does it feel good? How about you, Tohru-san? Do you like seeing him in pain? It's your fault, you know. If you had stayed away from the Sohmas, you would never have cause Yuki such pain." Tohru was sobbing uncontrollably, her head squeezed between her knees in an attempt to block out Akito's voice. The head lifted his arm, and brought the switch down viscously onto Yuki's head.

'Be strong… I love you, Yuki… Be strong… Don't let Akito take Tohru from you… Be strong…' Yuki struggled to his feet, leaning on the wall for support. Akito let his arm hang by his side. His eyebrow lifted in mock confusion.

"What are you doing, Yuki? Do you want your last moments to be in defiance of my authority? Fine, have your wish!" Akito lifted his arm to strike the rat, but he caught the head's wrist before the switch touched him. Anger and hate flashed dangerously in Yuki's amethyst eyes. His grip tightened dangerously around Akito's arm as he twisted it around backwards. Sickening cracks filled the room as Yuki broke his tormenters arm. The switch slipped from his thin fingers.

The rat picked it up, examining it. Something in the usually calm boy broke, and he yelled, attacking Akito with the switch. The man fell to the ground, covering his face with his one good arm. Yuki dropped to his knees, wrapping both hands around Akito's neck. Coughs and short gasps for breath came from Akito.

"No! Stop!" Yuki looked up in surprise, lessening his grip. Akito didn't move. Tohru was standing by the rat, a pleading look in her tear-filled eyes. "I think you've done enough, Yuki. You're scaring me."

"How could you say that? He almost killed both of us!" Tohru shook her head.

"I know. But no one should have to die. If you tried to kill everyone in your way, then you'd be like Akito." Yuki's eyes widened in shock.

"You're right. I think he's learned not to mess with us. Besides, you said if I survived, you would leave us alone. Keep your ending of the deal, Akito, and I won't kill you." Akito gritted his teeth. Yuki stood, putting his hand against Tohru's shoulder for support. They didn't turn as they left the room, shutting the door firmly behind them.

-

To Yuki and Tohru's surprise, everyone was waiting for them in front of Akito's home. Cheers erupted from the small crowd of people. Tears of joy flowed freely as Hana and Uo ran to hug Tohru. Hatori walked briskly forward, giving Yuki instructions to see him at his office as soon as possible. A big smile was on the doctor's lips.

"I'm proud of you, Yuki. You've done the impossible. You've done it." Yuki smiled, wiping blood from his forehead. Turning, he took Tohru's hands and looked deep into her eyes.

"Tohru, will you marry me?" Everyone fell silent. Tohru's face went blank, but was soon filled with one of her huge, 'goofy' smiles.

"Yes! Yes I will!" Yuki leaned forward and kissed her tenderly on the mouth. Hoots and whistles exploded from their friends and family. Hana sighed.

"Oh, the cost of the wedding!"

A/N: Endless thanks to all of my reviewers up to this point: Fa11enange1, mexicanhotie101, Naru, K. Elric, kluv19, Faye-chan, Darks Light, ookami uma, animefreak, Kiwi, Princess-angel3, Nightfall2525, Fantasia-Spirit, Shii-chanchick, kogaswolfgrl, jj917, One Winged Angel Sami, fdiw, The Squeaky Wheel, TheeBycth, Dark Elf Queen, AmayaSaria, Medalladark, VampireBat, angelicattie, randomegrrrl, soccergirl869, anime-lover-4-ever, Kawaiichu, Zanza-chan, kuramalovesmemost, fall, Born in a Graveyard, and Easy As. Yelling. I can't thank you guys enough. You guys helped me through all the stresses of writing this. I hope you enjoyed this fic, and that you had just as much fun reading it as I had writing it.