Fruits Basket
Beginnings and Endings
((Author Note: Wow I'm glad everyone liked that last chapter. It was one of those deeper understanding chapters too that took quiet a lot of effort. Thank you for all the reviews. I also remember someone commenting about Akito and how his feelings should be a bit deeper and I totally agree. The thing is that the last chapter was really all about Kyo. It wasn't Akito's time which brings me to this chapter. This chapter will look into Akito some more and hopefully I do him some justice or not. Another Kureno moment. Gotta do it. Come on it's the year of the Rooster coming up! So there's a whole lot more of him. Also there's another Author Note in the end but there's spoilers for the manga so read at your own risk. Also I said 30 was going to be when this fanfiction ended, but it's not going to happen so I guess its pushed to maybe 35? The sequel is going to pick up with this its just going to be about all the Sohma's instead of just Kyo. With new twist of course. So it's really not going to end.))
Chapter 29
"He's lucky to be alive, you know?" Hatori said as he watched them take Kyo and Tohru to the hospital, "You risked a lot to prove a point, Shigure."
Shigure stood silently as he watched their hopes for the future slowly drive off into the distance. There was no confident smile across his face nor was there a satisfying grin. All that was left was his regret. He lowered his head slightly as he brushed aside the snow that had gathered in his arms, "I did not risk anything to prove a point, Hari. I have the same longing as you."
Hatori glanced towards Shigure for a brief moment. He caught Shigure raising his arm to cover his eyes for a brief moment. Hatori wasn't sure if Shigure was trying to block his emotions, but whatever it was struck him deeply. His expression softened as he directed his gaze back to the empty streets, "What longing would that be?" Hatori asked in a softer voice.
Shigure lowered his arm with a clear look back on his face, "A longing for their happiness. I didn't do this just so we can be free of this curse. I wanted for once a happy ending. For them and for Akito…"
Hatori gave Shigure a light smile before he turned to head inside with his dear friend to join the rest of the family.
"How's your arm Yuki?" Kagura asked as she sat next to him.
"Hmm…oh it's better. It was only a bruise after all," Yuki said as he patted his arm lightly to prove to her that he was ok.
"That's good. I hope Tohru and Kyo will be ok," Kagura said as she clutched her arms lightly, "I wanted everything to be perfect."
Yuki smiled lightly and gave Kagura a light pat on the head, "Nothings perfect, but Miss Honda knows that. I'm sure she's fine and I'm sure she'll tell us how much she enjoyed coming here even after all that has happen. As for the stupid cat, well he's use to stuff like that."
"Kyo is strong, he'll be ok," Kagura said in a confident voice as she slammed her fist against the table startling Yuki.
"I wonder how long Akito is going to keep as here," Hiro asked out loud as he laid out on the floor, "Stupid girl just had to make him upset."
"Hiro! Don't say that," Kisa said as she rubbed her eyes of a few tears that were forming.
Hiro had caught sight of the tears forming on her face which caused a rush of guilt to run over him. He quickly sat up waving his hands in the air, trying to apologize, "It's not what I meant! I mean everyone upsets Akito so it's not really her fault…and stuff."
"Really?" Kisa said with a much softer voice as she looked up to Hiro with a hopeful expression.
Hiro nodded trying to give her a reassuring smile until Momiji patted him on the shoulder, "Nice save."
"Shut up, rabbit!"
"Momiji, you should just sit down and wait for Akito…" Haru said from the back wall.
"Yeah…I guess, but everyone is so sad. I don't want this to be sad occasion, you know what I mean?" Momiji said as he scurried away for the fuming Hiro to join Haru.
Haru nodded his head lightly as he watched Momiji scurry over, "I know. When I heard about what Akito did to Tohru…I felt something I never felt before. It felt like someone crush me on the inside. I felt my black side wanting to come out, but it never did…I don't know why though."
"Maybe you don't want it to be a sad occasion too," Momiji said with a light smile, "So Tohru will be happy to know we're ok when she comes back."
"I guess," Haru said with a blank look still. He was lost in his thoughts and feelings. Haru wasn't sure what any of them meant, yet in someway he didn't want to know.
"Um, Ayame…" Ritsu asked quietly as he approached the rather calm Ayame who was resting in his chair having a cup of tea. He raised his chin lightly when he heard Ritsu.
"Ah, what can I do for you?" Ayame said as he set his cup down.
"I was wondering if…you know anything new about Tohru. I'm sorry for asking!"
Ayame chuckled lightly as he gazed back to Ritsu, "No news from what I heard, but have no worries. Her valiant prince is with her!"
Hatori shook his head as he stood in the doorway when he heard Ayame, "Idiot as always."
"I think we're all idiots in some way," Shigure said as he pranced on by.
Hatori rolled his eyes as he followed along, "Only an idiot would say that."
Kureno peeked out from behind the doors to see the other zodiac members. He felt a small tug inside his chest as he watched them. Just once Kureno wanted to go out and be able to join them. He wanted to sit and listen to what they had to say, but he had to stay with Akito. This was what he pledged himself to do and he couldn't indulge in such trivial matters anyways.
"Get away from the doors," Akito said from across the room.
"Yes…my apologies…" Kureno said as he glanced slowly over to Akito. He had thought Akito was sleeping, but he guessed wrong.
Akito was hunched over in the corner of the room with his head tucked down to his knees. His hair covered most of his face as he just sat in that corner. Kureno wasn't even sure what had taken place in the above room, but whatever had happened had impacted Akito greatly. He knew something had happened to Tohru and Kyo, but he never imaged that something would happen to Akito. Kureno wished he was there, but at the time he was taking care of some task Akito had assigned him earlier.
"Tell me…what does it mean when you think about someone all the time?" Akito asked as he kept his head tucked down.
Kureno wasn't sure how to answer that since he could answer in a number of ways, "I…I don't know. Perhaps you care about someone."
"Care?" Akito repeated those words as he sat up slowly, "No…I care about no one. You hear me! I hope she dies and I hope that stupid cat dies too! It's all their fault."
"Akito…"
"Shut up! If it wasn't for them none of this wouldn't have happened."
"Why are you so angry?"
"I hear it in my head! I can hear the sound of the curse. It calls for me to give into it, but I know I won't!"
"Hear…it?"
"I…never wanted this," Akito said as he began to break down. His body slid down lower to the floor. His eyes could still see Tohru smiling to him. Her hands stretched out to take his hand despite all he has done to keep her away from him and the family, "Take me to her."
"Y...yes of course."
"Tell everyone they can go home…there's nothing more to be done," Akito said as he slowly got up to change keeping his face turned away from Kureno.
"Ow! Get the hell away from me," Kyo hissed at the nurses that were injecting him with some pain killers for his shoulder.
"Sir please…this will help."
Kyo growled some, but as soon as he was given the shot they all cleared out. Alone at last Kyo rolled over in his bed to get some sleep. He was tired of all these people poking the hell out of him. All he wanted to do was just roll over and go to sleep.
"Kyo!" Tohru said as she entered the room.
"Gah, doesn't anyone knock anymore? I mean this is a hospital for crying out loud."
"I'm sorry Kyo…I wanted to make sure were ok. I heard a lot of screaming and at first I thought it was the girl next door…"
"Geez, thanks. I'm fine, how about you?" Kyo asked as he tilted his head back against the pillow. He was too tired to keep his head up, but he wanted to see Tohru.
"They said that I'm ok and I can go home," Tohru said with a light smile.
Kyo was glad to hear she was ok, "Good. Go home then," Kyo said as he rolled over. The pain killers were making him a bit punchier then normal.
"Ok," Tohru said simply as she headed out towards the door. She was use to Kyo's attitude now, "Would you like something from home? I can make you something."
"Anything but leeks…and I mean it!" Kyo yelled as he shut his eyes.
"Ok," Tohru said as she shut the door behind her.
"Miss Honda a moment of your time," Kureno said in a soothing voice as he approached her.
Tohru at first thought it was Hatori or maybe Shigure, but her face went blank when she saw it was Kureno. He had recognized his voice from the banquet but she never imagined he was so handsome like all the other Sohma's. The only words she managed to squeeze out from her mouth were, "Oh?"
"This way…" Kureno led her out of the hospital and into the gardens that were next door. Kureno pointed down the path that winded through the elegant plants that slept in the cold winter day, "Follow the path."
Tohru shivered lightly from the chill air; before she could begin down the path Kureno sat his jacket on his shoulders. Tohru was a bit taken back by such a generous offer, "What about you?"
Kureno only smiled weakly as he shook his head, "I'm fine, go ahead."
Tohru smiled warmly to him before she turned back around to follow the garden path. Kureno touched his cheeks lightly, feeling like he had blushed he had never felt such feelings before, "She holds power over us. I can't even contain this feeling."
Tohru slowly walked down the snow covered path. She wasn't sure who waited for her, but she knew she had to be strong. Kyo had protected her once and she didn't want Kyo to get hurt again because of her. She wanted to be strong enough to be able to protect herself too. As she neared the end of the path she saw the slender figure of Akito standing under the snow covered tree waiting for her. Tohru's eyes grew wide, not out of fear, but out of awe. She never realized how handsome Akito look in such peaceful surroundings. His face reflected the snows calming aura as his emotionless eyes stared back to her.
"Miss Tohru Honda…" Akito said her name as he walked towards her.
"Akito," Tohru said as she quickly bowed her head.
Akito smiled lightly, but when Akito smiled it was never good. He grabbed Tohru by the arm and brought her close to him. Tohru couldn't do much to resist his grip as she felt his body pressed against her own. She wasn't sure what he was doing, but she felt uncomfortable being so close to him.
"Tell me what do you want?" Akito said as he kept her close to him.
"I don't know…"
Akito's hands tightened around her arm causing her to wince some, "You do know…now tell me!"
"I…"
"Well let me tell you this, you won't break this curse. I won't let you."
"Why? Don't you want them to be happy?"
"Happy?" Akito said as his eyes narrowed, "And if they are happy what becomes of me?"
"But won't Akito be happy?" Tohru asked as her body began to tremble. Akito's violent acts were still fresh in her mind and she was scared.
"No! If the curse is broken do you really think its over for me? I'm the source. As long as I live the curse remains. If I die then it's broken. Would you wish death upon me Miss Honda?"
"Akito…"
"Answer me!" Akito said as he shook her violently.
"It doesn't have to be like that!" Tohru yelled between gasp, "You have to try Akito. You have to stay strong."
"What do you know about it anyways…" Akito pushed her into the snow as he stood above her. For a brief moment he felt a sense of guilt for everything he had done. Akito began to grip his head as a sharp pain struck him violently and furious. Deep in his mind he could here the call of the curse, whispering its evil thoughts and deeds. Akito couldn't take it anymore. He wanted to die, right there. He no longer cared about the Sohma's or Tohru. Akito just wanted to give in to the pain; he didn't want to feel anything ever again. His legs collapsed under him as he fell on his side into the snow. His breath was short as he stared at the white ground. He couldn't stand on his own anymore. He had stood on his own ever since he was born and now he would die the same way.
Just when Akito thought it was over he felt something. He felt something grip his head and rock him. The warm touch of someone's hand and the comforting rocking movements was something he had always wanted as a child. He had forgotten such kind acts. His childhood was always about the curse. No one asked him what he ever wanted or felt. The entire family just looked to him for support, but what about him? Who would be there to support him?
"Akito…we are here," Tohru said in a soft voice, "We have always been here."
"That's a lie…"
"Akito no one can help you if you won't reach out," Tohru released Akito as he slowly sat up off the ground. His eyes were dull as he stared at her, his spirit was almost gone, but as he looked to her he saw hope. Akito saw what everyone else had always seen, a new life. Akito felt his hand reach out to Tohru and just when he felt like a fool Tohru suddenly gripped it along with Kureno who had come to check on them.
"Kureno?" Akito said a bit unsure of why he was there since he didn't send for him.
"I'm here," Kureno said in a comforting voice, "I will always be here for you."
Tohru smiled to them both as she sat there with them. Akito didn't say anything, but Tohru could tell that he had changed. There was no longer a tense feeling he carried with him. It felt like something had been lifted off of Akito's mind. The three of them sat there under the snow covered tree silently. No words were exchange among them, but there was a sense of happiness and peace.
"Humph, I just don't understand this," Ayame said as he stared at the three of them sitting under the tree, "I thought he wanted to kill her."
"That just shows how simple you can be," Hatori said as he leaned against the iron fence that lined the garden. The three older Sohma's had arrived to check up on Kyo and Tohru, "Akito has been trapped under illusions his own mind has created over the years. Everyone around him since he was a child has placed a great amount of pressure on him."
"Indeed," Shigure said as he took in a deep breath of cold air, "I can't wait to tell Kyo about this."
Kureno stood up from the snowy ground as he offered Akito his hand, "We should go. The cold weather isn't good for you."
Akito nodded but before he got up he looked towards Tohru, "We should have a proper meeting next time. Make sure to watch that damned cat you never know what he's thinking," Akito said as he took Kureno's hand to leave.
Tohru just smiled and waved goodbye. She knew it was Akito's way in saying he was sorry. There was no way in hell he would ever admit that out loud though. Shigure nudged Tohru with his hand lightly, "We've been looking for you."
"Shigure! Hatori…Ayame!"
"You shouldn't sit in the snow like that. You'll catch a cold," Hatori said as he looked down to her with a slight smile.
"I'm sorry! I have Kureno's jacket still. I need to give it to him!!" Tohru said as she ran after them past the three Soma men once she realized she indeed still had his jacket around her body.
"I never got to say my greetings!" Ayame cried as he brought his hand to his head.
"You've said enough for today," Hatori said as he began to walk towards the hospital, "How about some tea?"
"That would be lovely," Ayame replied to Hatori as he pranced along after him.
Shigure lingered behind as he stared at the stop where Tohru and Akito had been, "It wasn't much, but I think things will slowly change now. Everyone just needed the right push."
Tohru was lucky enough to catch Kureno just as he shut the door to Akito's car, "Wait! You almost left without your jacket."
Kureno was surprise to have seen her there, "Tohru…you didn't have to return it."
"No, it's yours, but thank you," Tohru said with her sweet smile that almost made Kureno blush from being embarrassed. He took the jacket carefully in his hands.
"Um, Kureno how come I don't see you with the other zodiac members?"
Kureno paused a moment before replying to her. His eyes glanced towards the car to see if Akito was watching. Lucky for him Akito had fallen asleep due to all the excitement and stress he had undertaken since the banquet, "You knew I was a zodiac member?"
"I always thought you were! I mean, I see you with Akito and I just assumed since I haven't met the rooster and the horse. I'm so sorry!"
"No, no it's ok," Kureno said as he placed his hands on her shoulders lightly, "You were correct in what you assume. I am the rooster…I'm dedicated in taking care of Akito so my time is mostly spent keeping an eye on him."
"That must be hard…"
Kureno nodded his head lightly, "It is. Akito is sick often not just physically but mentally sometimes. I've tried all I could to try and ease the pain, yet nothing has worked. But you were able to do it so easily. You have a natural talent Miss Honda."
"I wouldn't say that," Tohru said with a nervous laugh, "But what I meant was that everything must have been hard for you. I know you want to make Akito happy, but you must have been lonely too."
Kureno hesitated for a moment. It had been some time now since he had thought about his own needs and wants. It was true he wished to have the company of others, but he couldn't leave Akito alone to his despair. Kureno pulled Tohru in to hug her lightly, "Thank you…for everything. One day I may join the others, but until then thank you for understanding everything."
Tohru's forehead was pressed against his chest as she felt his embrace. She was expecting him to transform, but nothing happened. He released her as he slowly walked back to the car to take Akito home. Tohru was still in shock that he didn't transform and she quickly turned back to the hospital.
Kureno stood there facing the car door staring down at his reflection, "That is my gift to you. Hopefully you believe now that the curse can be broken…"
((Author Note: I twisted the whole Kureno thing from the manga. Anyone notice that. Hahaha.)))
