"Sometimes you picture me, I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, I can't hear, what you've said
Then you say, go slow, I fall behind
The second hand unwinds"
(Cyndi Lauper)

Stitches

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Flashback

Stressed

Her eyes were shining like the stars as she ran after Kyou. Yuki was calmly walking behind her with his own smile. Today was May 1; it was supposed to be the saddest day for Tohru. She looked over her shoulder and waved to Yuki. He picked up his pace and walked beside her as Kyou looked away. Tohru smiled at him and took his hand into her own. His angry look softened just for her. Yuki sighed at this, he was glad that the cat had calmed down. His own violet eyes turned to Tohru with a thoughtful look, he wouldn't mind calling her a cousin or a sister. She would always have her own place in his heart.

"What are you doing today Honda-san?" Yuki asked.

"I'm going to visit mom today and then, I don't know," Tohru finished.

"Why go alone?" Kyou suddenly asked.

"I have something important to tell her," Tohru vaguely said as her smile dropped.

"Is it good news?" Yuki asked with renewed interest.

"I'm hoping it will be good news," Tohru chirped as her smile returned.

"You better not be starting trouble," Kyou mumbled as he draped an arm over her shoulders.

Tohru blushed and rested her head on his shoulder. She giggled and he blushed at her show of affection. Yuki mumbled something about a stupid cat before walking a bit quicker. He knew that this was going to be one of 'those' moments. Kyou cleared his throat and Tohru looked up at him. They had both grown a bit within the year they had known each other. Tohru was maturing in a beautiful woman and Kyou was finally gaining his red belt in social skills.

"If I do start trouble…you'll be there to help me, right?" Tohru teased as she smiled at him. Kyou softly hit her on the head and smirked at her playfulness.

"I don't know," Kyou sighed.

"I'm hurt that you would even think of abandoning me!" Tohru gasped as she held a hand over her hurt.

"You've been hanging around Shigure to much," Kyou scolded with another bop to her head.

"I hope you remember that I only like being around you the most," Tohru sang as a sad smile came to his face.

"You know that you will never be happy with me," Kyou softly mumbled to himself as Tohru's face softened. She grabbed his hand and entwined their fingers.

"Maybe," Tohru whispered with a small smile.

"Then why come to me. Why not be normal?" Kyou asked her as his eyes sparked with unknown emotions.

"Because I already stole your secrets and now I want your heart," Tohru whispered as her lips inched closer to his.

"You already have all of me." Kyou assured as he met her lips softly.

Tohru slightly blushed and pulled him along the sidewalk so they could meet up with Yuki.

Tohru sighed as she entered the graveyard. She was dressed in a black dress that reminded her too much of a darker version of her school uniform. Her eyes searched the graveyard and landed on her mother's grave. She wiped some dust off the grave and silently thanked her grandfather for coming by to clean the area. Tohru sat on the step and leaned her head against the cool cement. Her green eyes wandered to the darkening sky before she let her confession out.

"Mom, I know you would proud of me. I'm being myself and finally have a boyfriend. I really care about Kyou, I think I love him and the feeling is wonderful. I know how you felt when you met dad. I now understand why you defied everyone to be with him…love makes you do crazy things. I'm not as naïve, I've like to think that I've grown into a woman. I'm going to do what you did mom…I'm going to defy everything to make them happy…to make Kyou happy. It seems like a rash decision, but I really want their happiness. I hope you can be proud me because I'm doing this out of love. I just hope that my plan works."

Tohru sighed as she said her goodbyes to her mother and left the graveyard. The wind picked up and brushed against her face as she let a tear fall with a smile.

The door creaked open and she made sure that Yuki was at the base and Kyou was on the roof. She snuck into Shigure's study and smiled at him. His pen was behind his ear and he was glaring at the laptop screen. He looked up and smiled at Tohru as she entered the room. She took a seat in front of him and he closed the laptop so he could pay better attention to her. He smiled warmly at her and she released a sigh with a determined gaze.

"I've made a decision and I need your help," Tohru seriously began. Shigure knew this was important, but he couldn't resist teasing her.

"You've finally decided to become my wife?" Shigure questioned with a smirk. Tohru blushed and shook her head no. Her green eyes locked onto his brown eyes.

"I need to see Akito-sama tonight," Tohru stated more then requested.

"Do you think…this is best?" Shigure asked while looking away momentarily.

"Yes, but I wanted to know what you thought," Tohru whispered.

Shigure sighed as he laid his hand over Tohru's. He stared deeply into her eyes and sighed. The flower was blooming into something wonderful.

"I don't like the idea, but I respect your decision," Shigure honestly said.

"I'll be going tonight," Tohru whispered as she pulled her hand away.

"Then I wish you luck!" Shigure seriously said.

Tohru nodded and stood up to leave. She walked outside the house and began her way towards the woods. Fear filled her before she blinked and pushed it aside.

"Tohru," a questioning voice called.

"Kyou," Tohru happily said as he walked beside.

Tohru reached for him and rested her forehead on his shoulder. This could be the last night she would ever see him. The thought of never seeing him again tore her up inside. He placed his arms on her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. She moved away and stared up into his garnet orbs. Her smile became solemn as she thought she wanted one last moment…just in case. His eyes widened as she moved her hand behind his head. Her fingers ran through his hair and she pulled him down to her level. Her soft pink lips covered his and her eyes slid close. His hands traveled down to her hips where he allowed them to rest. Tohru desperately pushed her lips harder against his in an attempt to burn him to her memory. She took in how his lips were cool from the night air, she took in how they instantly softened with each movement, and she finally memorized the way his teeth caught her upper lip as they broke away.

She stared up at him as their fingers became entwined. He rested his forehead on her head and smiled. It was beautiful sight, which she wished to last forever. His hair brushed herforhead as she began to cry. He looked at her in confusion before he wiped her tears away. She gently put her hands against his chest and held him back. He was still cursed and they both knew it. His face softened in silent sorrow as a tear escaped her eye once more.

"Why do you cry?" Kyou softly whispered to her.

"I am so happy…yet upset," Tohru answered him with some confusion.

"Do you regret it…do you regret being with me?" Kyou questioned with hurt. He didn't think he could give her up even if she did regret being with him.

"I love you…however long I stay I will always love you!" Tohru passionately proclaimed her love and he let a tear fall down his cheek.

"You make me feel like I'm truly free," Kyou heatedly whispered to her as he started to pull her to his chest.

"I'd do anything for you," Tohru honestly whispered as she began to cry.

"You don't make me feel like the monster I am, I feel so clean when I'm with you," Kyou confided in her.

"You'll be free…one day I will set you free," she firmly announced.

He pulled her to his chest and a cloud of smoke covered them. She held in her arms an orange cat with garnet eyes. The cat purred as she continued to embrace him. Her tears had stopped physically, but inside she wept for him. She didn't want him to be locked up in that awful room. He reached up and licked her tears away as she softly smiled. Tohru set him on the ground with one final hug.

"I got to go visit Hana," Tohru lied with a bit of guilt.

"Just wait…I'll go with," Kyou announced.

"I have to hurry so I'll be back," Tohru quickly said as she ran off into the forest.

Tohru arrived at the main house and the feeling of fear still flowed from within her veins. Kureno walked into the room with little expression to his face. His black hair was slowly dulling from the lack of light and his eyes were empty. He was like a human puppet. He led her to Akito's room and then left. Tohru watched him leave and sighed.

'That is what a man with no hope looks like,' Tohru thought.

A voice cleared and Tohru turned to face Akito. Plum hair was hanging around the figures shoulders. Cold teal eyes gazed into her green eyes. Tohru respectfully bowed and sat in front of Akito. Akito looked over the girl in slight disdain, and curiosity. Tohru gazed at the leader of Sohma family in fear and wonder. She wondered if the leader would yell at her or actually listen to her idea. Akito looked away from the young woman and gazed out the window.

"I suppose you came here for a reason," Akito said.

"Yes, Akito-sama." Tohru answered as she turned her gaze to the floor.

"Then let's begin our woman to woman talk," Akito whispered as their gazes locked once more.

"I think I know a way to remove the curse from your family and you," Tohru began. Akito softly chuckled at this before she stared at the girl with interest.

"You say remove, why not break?" Akito asked with a bit of curiosity.

"I don't think the curse can broken, but I believe it can be removed," Tohru confided.

"And what is your grand plan?" Akito snorted as she glared at the woman.

"I would like to take the curse upon myself," Tohru whispered.

Akito stared at the woman as her features turned bland. The corner of her lips upturned to a smile and she chuckled. Her chuckles turned into truly amused laughter. Her face went still as she studied the girl once more.

"How will you do this?" Akito inquired.

"All you have to do is send the curse to me," Tohru voiced.

"Yes, shall we make the angry spirits angry enough to posse you?" Akito asked with a grin.

"That's the plan," Tohru whispered.

"You really are serious?" Akito asked with some respect.

"Yes," Tohru answered with a smile.

"You know the spirits will make your life hell in every way possible."

"I know."

"Is this what you want?" Akito questioned with doubt.

"…" Tohru remained quiet, lost in thought

"Do you wish to forget them…forget him?" Akito questioned with some resentment and admiration.

"No." Tohru simply answered as she thought of Kyou.

"Then why do this?" Akito needed to know what made this girl want this burden. He knew no human would be this selfless.

"I want them to be happy." Tohru answered with a soft smile.

"Even if you are left miserable?" Akito taunted the girl, she wanted her to break and back down. Akito felt like she needed the girl to break to prove her right.

"I've always wanted them to be happy." Tohru's dark green eyes shone with tears.

"They won't remember." Akito stressed with unease. She knew the spirits would make everything miserable.

"I'll remember." Tohru firmly said.

"This will be your curse." Akito's dark teal eyes flashed in warning. She didn't even want the girl to suffer something so terrible.

"I know." Tohru sadly assured.

"You'll carry it alone…you'll always be alone." Akito harshly said as she brushed her plum hair behind her shoulder.

"I'll have my memories." Tohru assured with sadness flowing from her.

"And you wish to do this for them…for me?" Akito questioned with slight awe.

"Why must you keep asking, I told you that I would do this!" Tohru snapped as she glared at the older woman

"You know that you'll never be happy again…you may end up bitter and hateful. Just like me." Akito wistfully said.

"Just give me the curse already!" Tohru shouted as her eyes watered.

"If this is your desire." Akito stoically said as she reached for the girl.

'I never thought that someone like her would offer me a chance at life,' Akito thought as she felt the spirits of the zodiac cry out in rage. The only spirit that seemed regretful was the spirit of the cat. Akito's eyes widened in realization, but it was to late the curse had been transferred to the girl. Everything that Akito remembered was slowly beginning to be erased by the vengeful spirits.

"Tohru," Akito whispered.

"This is for the best," Tohru assured.

"The cat," Akito whispered as her eyes began to close, "was ready to forgive."

Tohru ignored Akito's last words and walked to the main room. Kureno was passed out on the floor. Before she could take another step, her head pulsed with pain and she fell to her knees. She grabbed her head and opened her eyes to watch fourteen different colored orbs surround her.

"This is your fault you stupid girl," the plum orb hissed at her.

"You should have left us in our vessels!" The violet one hissed at her.

"For meddling in our affairs we have taken their memories of you," the gray snickered.

"We have also gifted you the company of each one of us," the silver orb smoothly said.

Tohru watched as each orb floated to her and entered her body. Each spirit brought a new emotion to the surface. She finally watched as the last orb hesitated at her. Tohru smiled at it and held her hand out it.

"It's okay, cat," Tohru assured.

"I'm sorry," the cat whispered as it entered her.

Tohru gasped as she gripped the floorboards. Her nails dug into the wood as she felt her body adjust to each of the spirits needs. Her green eyes darkened as she watched her left wrist. A set of black and white beads formed onto her wrist. When they stopped glowing, she felt the full weight of them. And for the first time…she felt the true burden of the curse.

Author's Note:
So many questions, but you will find out throughout the story if Tohru will die like Akito, and who the curse will go too(Author has devious thoughts), and Tohru will act like herself
cemetarydemon-I never knew you could go beyond the review box, that's interesting
I'm glad that so many people like this story(amazed)