For Fruits Basket: A Beautiful Mourning
A Fruits Basket Fanfiction
By Cheshire Grin
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Fruits Basket. What made you think I do?
A Beautiful Mourning: Epilogue
Scenes from the Grave:
March 14th 1999 – Arisa Uotani
"Oh, Kumi. I don't know what to say. First you mother, now you. It hurts you know. In the worst way…Heh. I promised I wouldn't cry but hear I am, crying anyway. Why did you have to go? Couldn't you have stayed…just a little longer. We all wish that, you know.
Your father is doing better. He was pretty upset for a while there. He still comes here every day as I'm sure you know. You know that note you left, just before…well, he had it copied. We all got one. I just finished reading mine this morning. I guess that's why I'm here, despite the wind, despite work. Despite everything. Maybe I wanted to make peace. Maybe… well I guess I just wanted to say I love you. I'm sorry that I couldn't come before now. Things have been…hard. Heh… I've said it enough times these last few years but I needed to say it one more time. I love you. You're one of the best friends I've ever had. Just like your mother. I mean that.
After reading that note you left…well I cried a lot. It's been one hell of a day for tears. But that's not what I meant. I guess…I never knew how well you understood me. How well you loved me. But I understand now. I wanted you to know that. I feel…I feel so proud to have known you. Can you understand that?
I only wish… that I could have seen you one last time. But then…it would have been so sad. Maybe it was better this way. I guess… I guess I can deal with that. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you in that last time but I am so happy that you showed me your feelings. Happy that you lived. Sad that you're gone. You said it best you know, how can all this joy exist at the same time as the pain? I wish I had an answer for you.
Kyo couldn't come today but he wanted me to say hi for him. He's having a hard time dealing with it all. Hopefully he'll be able to come soon. I have to go now or else I'll start sobbing like a freakin' baby. You don't deserve that. You were stronger, better than that. I hope you found your mother. I hope that with all my heart. Well, bye for now Kumi. I'll come again, I promise, just whenever I get myself back together. I…bye."
March 17th 1999 – Saki Hanajima
"Hello Kumi. How are you feeling? Perhaps that is a silly question. You are, after all with your mother now. Please say hello to her from me. Thank you for the letter. I got it a few days ago. I wanted to come and say thank you, but I've been feeling a little ill the last few days. I think we all have. But I am here today.
Thank you for taking the time to help us through our grief. I want you to understand how grateful I am. After you…died I felt terrible…it is lonely without you. But your letter helped me to understand. Thank you. I am amazed at your strength. I wish somehow that I could have helped you through that final hurdle but I can understand that it is a private thing. Most of all I want to thank you for being my friend. I will always treasure our times together. Do you remember the first time we sat together, talking and drinking red wine? How you got tipsy and I had to explain you stumbling though the front door to your father? He wouldn't forgive me for a month. I miss those times.
But as long as you are happy, as long as you are with your mother, I will be alright. Please do not forget me. One day I will arrive at those gates and be with you again.
I saw Shigure yesterday. In many ways he has helped me through my grief. Do you remember the way I cried on his shoulder at the funeral? Well, he called me the next night and asked if I was alright. I am ashamed to say that I almost cried his ear off. Yet he has called me each night since. It is strange but quite gentlemanly. He is taking Arisa and myself to dinner tomorrow night. We are erecting a statue of you in Sohma house and he wants advice on what to put on the plaque. I think I will suggest something you wrote. "I am so happy to be alive." I really believe that. I think we all do.
I fear I must go now or I might start crying. I have tried not to, have tried to be as brave as you were, but I am afraid I haven't succeeded very well. I will try to do better. Goodbye Kumi. If you have the time, come to my place tonight and we'll drink a toast to our memories. I'll know if you come, just the same way I know you are listening to me right now. I'll be waiting. Farewell…"
March 23rd – Yuki Sohma
"Good morning Kumi, my child. Here I am again, coming to see you. Just like every other day this month. I wanted to tell you some things. How sorry I am that before now I could not speak, could only cry. How before now, I've never known quite what to say. I never really came to grips…with… well with losing you. It's hard being all alone. Although I know now that my life will never be as hard as yours.
I was reading your letter last night, for maybe the hundredth time and I fell asleep. I saw your mother… she came to me in my dreams. She said "We're both safe. Don't worry." That was all. It was…very short, but I… realized something. I'm proud of you, my daughter…. my child…my love. So proud. As proud as a father can be. I am so glad you accomplished something with you life. Proud that you loved this family, despite your pain. Something I have never been able to do. Until now.
I'm sorry I couldn't be a better father to you. So sorry that I couldn't be there to comfort you. I love you Kumi. I will always love you. I want you to know something. Ever since your mother died, the family had fallen apart in its grief. You brought it back together. You with that…letter you left. I knew as soon as I saw it that it wasn't just for me. I knew you wanted everyone to see it. So I had it passed on…to everyone. When I walk around…in Sohma house these days…I can feel it… that love. Despite your pain, you left us your love. It surrounds us still. I can feel it. And I can feel that love in everyone as they meet.
I've come here… everyday since you…left. And I haven't been able to say goodbye. Now, I've decided that I don't have to. I will never say goodbye to you, my precious daughter. Ever since that dream where your mother appeared, I've felt you… you and her… smiling down on me. I will never say goodbye… only good luck… until me meet again as I know we will. The last thing you told me was that you were happy to be alive. I have decided that I will be too. I am so happy that I knew you, so happy to be your father. I am so happy to be alive. I love you Kumi. Until we meet again…good luck…"
END
Author's note:
Well I did say that I never intended to write any more chapters for this story. I was kind of telling the truth. This isn't a true chapter. More of an epilogue slash side story slash omake. A present if you like. Basically this is a thank you to all the fans who have left me such beautiful reviews. I want you to know how much I appreciate them. They make writing worth it. So thank you guys. I love you all.
As this is kind of an omake, you needn't read it if you don't want to. It doesn't play an important part of the story. It is just an extra side story of a sort. Basically the idea of an extra chapter containing responses to Kumi's letter has been suggested by a few people. I didn't really want to go messing up the story's ending with a another large chapter but lately the idea came to me that I could write a little omake slash side story containing the characters responses as they stood at Kumi's grave and use it as an optional epilogue. Kind of cute in a really morbid sort of way.
I didn't include all the characters as they did not have huge roles in the original story. I have only included Arisa, Saki and Yuki as they all had major roles.
Anyways, as always I hope you enjoyed the ride and please let me know what you think. I can't live without reviews. They are my lifeblood. LOL!
Ja ne,
Cheshire Grin