Disclaimer: I feel just a little bit sad that Fruits Baskets and it's characters are not mine. They do belong to Natusuki Takaya.

This plot and all original characters are mine...hope you've enjoyed sharing them with me. We are almost to the end. Only the epilogue to go after this chapter. Please read and enjoy.

Chapter 24: Happy Endings do Exist

The Wedding

It was a sunny, beautiful day in July as Shigure and Tohru prepared to stand in front of the priest and recite their wedding vows. Tohru glowed in the white Grecian gown Ayame had designed at Shigure's request. Shigure was resplendent in a dark blue suit with a blue and gold silk tie. Tohru had to suppress a giggle when she recognized the tie. A vision of Shigure parading down the Keukenhof walks in his Zodiac form flashed through her mind. Shigure gave her a wink as they came to a stop at the dais. The priest looked at them questioningly. Tohru smiled, Shigure shrugged, and the ceremony proceeded.

Yama Genma was having a field day with his camera. Shigure and Tohru had commissioned him to do the photography for their wedding. His specialty was portraits and there was such a variety of faces to be captured on film. There was an elderly English couple that looked like they had been together forever and was still in love. There were a number of faces from Greece that he understood to be very dear friends of the bride and groom. The Sohma family had turned out in full force and the appearances were all beautiful though surprisingly different in coloration. The gardens of the Sohma estate had been thrown open and there was an amazing assortment of color and life. His camera clicked away happily.

Alfred and Esme took in the beauty of the gardens and all the people gathered there. Esme was a little surprised that it had finally come down to a wedding. Alfred was satisfied because he had never wavered in his confidence that the two being married today had been destined for each other from the beginning. He looked around at the other guests and wondered what other weddings might be planned. Momiji Sohma sat with Zoe Stamatelos as the vows were being recited. They were young but there was a definite possibility there. Hatori Sohma was accompanied by Mayu-san. No date was set, but the couple were engaged if his sources were accurate. Ayame Sohma was accompanied by his shop assistant who was also his wife, and then there was Kureno Sohma who had returned from America accompanied by a lively blonde that also happened to be one of the bride's best friends.

Uo looked at the gathering and was amazed by the turnout. She was even more surprised that Tohru was marrying the writer and not the Prince or Orange-Top. Life did take strange twists every once in a while. Her life was a prime example of that. She glanced at the man by her side. She had been shocked when he had come to America to find her and to convince her to spend her life with him. She looked at Hana on her other side. Somehow she had managed to persuade a man twice her age that they were destined for each other. Of course, this was Hana she was talking about…. The Prince seemed to have developed close ties with his cousin and Orange Top was enjoying life with his current girlfriend. From what she understood, he was still searching for his number one while making quite a splash with all the girls at Tokyo U. Both boys were in their senior year and she had no doubt but that they would graduate with honors. She had teased Kyo a lot in high school, but she had been aware that his grades were almost as good as the Prince's.

Kyo sat by Merisa, his latest girlfriend and contemplated the happenings of the last year. He watched the couple at the altar as they recited their vows. He had not really gotten over Tohru but he had been able to convince her and Shigure that he had…well…maybe not Shigure. He had taken a page from Shigure's book and allowed Tohru the freedom to choose her own path without being held back by guilt. Tohru was happy and that made everything worthwhile. She had put so much love and acceptance into his life that he could not begrudge her the love she felt for Shigure. He knew he would eventually find the person he was destined to spend his life with and then he would love again. For now there was no hurry. He was still young and he was having fun. Hope had always been part of his personality; Shishio had been right about that. Right now his hope was that Shigure would stay Tohru's happiness, and that eventually he would find his. He glanced at Yuki and Kagura and shook his head in amazement. He had been pleased when she came to the realization she didn't love him, but her and Yuki falling in love had floored him. His attention returned to Tohru and Shigure. The vows should be just about complete by now.

The priest pronounced the final sutra and Tohru and Shigure turned to the friends and family gathered there to be introduced as man and wife.

Akito smiled from his seat at the beginning of the first row. In his arms he held a small girl child. Her name was Shinomi and she was the product of the love he and Miki had found during the time he was in Kythira.

It was the day of Tohru's birthday party and he and Miki had decided to explore the caves for a little while. They had roamed through several caverns and come to one with a pool in the center and a flat area off to the side that seemed made for people to sit and listen to the water.

Miki sat quietly by his side and he found himself wondering what it would be like to kiss her. She had come into his life quite swiftly, but even so he was very fond of her. Perhaps it was fate, perhaps she was his destiny but he bent toward her and covered her mouth with his. She didn't shy away, she didn't pretend like she had no idea what was going on and that surprised him. Instead of moving in the opposite direction, she turned more fully toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Miki was a little surprised by the pressure of Akito's lips suddenly covering hers, but it only took her a moment to know he was what she wanted. From the moment of their first argument she had known that the two of them shared a common bond and the preceding days had only strengthened it. She was aware of her own mortality and uncertain of how much time she had to live. She had dreams of a man to love her and a family to call her own. The man beside her had the ability to make that dream come true. Would he be willing, did he feel the same way?

"Akito…" He looked at her with his beautiful blue eyes. They reflected the passion of the moment and they reflected desire.

"Yes Miki-chan?"

"I know this is sudden and I probably shouldn't ask, but I have a request. Can you show me what it is liked to be loved by a man? I'm not sure if I will ever have this chance again."

"Miki, I don't think I am the right one to fulfill your request. My experience is quite limited and I don't know …"

"Akito, I love you. I don't know why it happened, but it has. Can you love me in return, do you think?"

Akito smiled softly. "Miki-chan, I think if I was to fall in love, it would have to be you. No one else understands me quite as well." He returned to kissing her and eventually acted to comply with her request.

Afterwards they lay in each others arms and talked quietly. After a while they reluctantly got dressed and headed back to join the rest of the party. Miki felt warm and satisfied…Akito felt as if he had somehow fulfilled a piece of his destiny.

Akito smiled to himself as he recalled that day. He would always have that time to remember. Miki was gone, but he had his daughter to keep the memory fresh. She had refused chemo-therapy which would have prolonged her life but would have endangered the child's and he understood why. The child had a chance for a long happy life; Miki's odds were not as good. She was giving the child a choice in life. This way she could leave a legacy that would provide Akito with someone to remind him of her love and a way in which she could continue to live through her daughter. Shigure and Tohru had agreed to provide a home for Shinomi when they returned from their honeymoon. Akito knew he would be welcome there at any time. Although the child would not have her real mother to raise her, he knew Tohru would do a wonderful job.

It was done. All of his juunishi were finally choosing their paths. To his surprise, instead of growing weaker and closer to death, he felt new life and vitality flowing into him. He knew it had to do with the fact that each of them were returning to him because they wanted to, not because he ordered them to. It was an unexpected bonus to the course he had chosen for his life. It had taken him several years but he had figured out how to break the curse with the aid of two very special women. He basked in the glow emitted by the newly wed couple. He had enabled their happiness and so he was entitled to share in it.