Chapter 6: Akito

Tohru and Usagi entered the Sohma compound via the hidden entrance Momo had once showed Tohru. They made their way to Akito's residence without being seen. There were several people chattering inside. It sounded like an argument. Once they all left Akito was left alone in her chambers. "Now, Tohru. You go alone, first and I'll be there when you need me," whispered Usagi.

"You really think I can do this? How would I know what to say to her," replied Tohru. "Just be yourself. Listen to your heart. You'll be just fine," replied Usagi. "It's always worked for me… and I get the feeling we are the same in that way. Besides - I have my moon rod as back up, so trust me - I got your back!"

"Thank you, Usagi. Thank you for believing in me," said Tohru.

Tohru smoothed down her dress and took in a deep breath. She tapped lightly on Akito's window screen as not to startle her and walked inside.

"Oh look it's you. How perfect," Akito said with fiery eyes. "Make yourself comfortable, You can hear firsthand the plan I have for my family whom you've all but tried taking from me. I will have them back. All of them!

"I know what you did!," Akito continued, her eyes seething with anger. "Look at you with those cocky eyes. I bet you think Kyo's free now, but he's not. Far from it! I'm going to make sure he is confined as originally planned! I'll get Sohma attorneys to pen his mothers death on him and he will be behind bars for the rest of his life, right where he should be. As for the others I think they've all had enough of the outside world. I'm done giving them this so-called taste of freedom. As of tomorrow, I'll be recalling them all to stay here at the main estate forever. Maybe I had something going with Hatori, Rin, and Kisa when they were injured. It keeps people in line. I'll find a way to make sure each of them is scarred so much that they'll never leave this place ever again. And you know what- ALL of this will be YOUR fault, Tohru Honda."

Tohru stood listening quietly as Akito spoke. She fought to not look away and to not cry, not yet. Finally finished, Akito turned away from her. Remembering her own past trauma, Tohru cautiously stepped forward and touched the back of her kimono sleeve.

"You are right it would be my fault," Tohru said. "All of it. I've been selfish wanting to keep the Sohma's all to myself without ever giving a thought to you, Akito. That was wrong, and I should be punished for it. In anyway you see fit. But what about you Akito. What about your feelings? Someone or something has hurt you, I can tell. If you tell me about it, maybe I can help?"

"What are you talking about girl. You don't care about my feelings. When has anyone ever cared about my feelings?"

"I care. I care very much. And I know now that I've hurt you. I'm no better than all those in the past that hurt you. I'm so sorry. I'm here to make amends. I want to get to know you. I want to love you," Tohru said.
"That's ridiculous. Nobody could ever love me," Akito seethed.

"How do you know that?," asked Tohru openly crying now.

"My own mother didn't love me. My father never treated me like a person only as a God - a THING to be revered," Akito screaming falling to her knees covering her face. "I'm. Not… a… a person that can be loved."

Tohru knelt before her feeling safer now and pulled Akito into an embrace cutting her head onto her shoulder and gently stroking her hair. "But you are. You have a beautiful heart. And the only reason you've been lashing out is because your heart's been broken. I can help mend it if you let me. We can start at the beginning so I can know your sweetness and your love, and so you can feel mine. I know the others will want this too."

"They all hate me, especially the one's I've hurt," Akito replied. "There's no going back."

"You're right, there is no going back and you may need to make amends along the way. But we all must keep moving forward," said Tohru. "I have a friend with me that can help get you started. She can show you a glimpse of the life that awaits you if you just let love in. Would you like to meet her?"

Akito stared back at Tohru with wide unbelieving eyes. "This has to be a trick."

"I promise you, it's not... Usagi, it's time," said Tohru. Usagi appeared from the spot she'd be hiding just behind the door extending her hand towards Akito. "Hi, I'm Usagi. It's nice to meet you Akito. You have a beautiful estate. I've never seen a place like this in real life. Well wait a minute there was the moon palace and Crystal Tokyo… but the flowers here are lovely, and it's so tranquil."

"Do I know you?," asked Akito inquisitively. "You seem so familiar..."

"Not me now, but maybe in a former life?," Usagi replied winking. "Now if you wouldn't mind taking my hand and closing your eyes. There's something Tohru and I would like you to see."

Akito looked to Tohru who nodded back. "Don't worry, she's a friend. And there's no need to be afraid... I promise you."

Akito shakily took Usagi's hands and closed her eyes.

Akito saw herself dressed as a woman walking the estate as cherry blossoms fell. She was holding hands with someone. It felt warm. The image flashed. She held a tiny child in her arms. She looked up at the proud father. It was Shigure. "Congratulations, Akito," he said. "We have a son. He's beautiful just like you my love."

'Is this even possible? With everything I've done how could anyone forgive me?' Thought Akito.

Usagi answered aloud as if reading her thoughts. "It is the power of love. It heals."

"But what about my mother and all the other Sohma's. I'll still have them to deal with. They will not accept this," said Akito.

Usagi nodded. "Not at first, no. But I can happen. Your love and that of those around you who love you dearly will guide you down the right path. Once those who you have wronged trust that your intentions are you pure and you truly mean no harm, then will you be able to make amends.

"How is a young girl like you so wise? Who are you really?," asked Akito.

"You once knew me as Serenity... princess of the moon," said Usagi, taking on her princess form in her flowing white dress. Hello — Jade."

Akito transformed as well, wearing ancient traditional Japanese gowns flowing in olive green and aubergine. "Hello Serenity. Beautiful and wise as ever. It's nice to see you again. I seem to have lost my way somewhere along the way. I think it's time for me to go and let the Sohma's live their lives as humans. The banquet I once treasured will become a distant memory now. It was a beautiful banquet. The animal spirits and I think it's time to go home now."

"By the light of the moon, we will meet again," said Serenity.

Akito and Usagi's other forms faded away.

Akito said. "I've released them, all of them. They are free to go and live their lives of their own accord." Akito stared at Tohru. "Kyo too. I have one request though."

Tohru nodded. "Yes?"

Akito said, "Will you come back and visit me. Maybe, uh I'm not good at this… maybe we can be friends after all."

Tohru smiled. "Absolutely!"

"Can I be your friend too, Akito?," Usagi asked.

"Yes, you too... although I didn't think I had any right to ask you..." replied Akito.

Tohru intervened. "She's just a high school girl like me. And I know Hana-chan and Uo-chan will love you both! I promised everyone we'd go for ice cream after. Wanna come, Akito?"

"Go... for ice cream? I've never left the estate for something like that..." Tohru smiled. "Well you are in for a treat. There's the best ice cream shop just down the street. They have so many flavors! My favorite is ginger plum!"

"Ok. I guess there's a first time for everything," replied Akito scratching her head.