Akito's Sister

For those of you who still think that I own the rights, shut up.

Note: This story take place after episode 26 of the TV series.

Chapter Nine

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beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

"NO!!!!"

* * * * *

The snow fell lightly as Akito stood in the small garden that Hatori and Tohru had stood in just hours earlier. He had never felt so hopeless. His mind ran wild with thoughts of grief and loss, but more so with overbearing guilt. The only person he had ever known to love him enough to want him to change for the better he had killed, his own sister dead by his own hands.

"Akito!" Shigure called. His breath made fog as he came to stand next to Akito trying to get his breath. "Akito, what are you doing out here? It's beginning to snow."

"She loved the snow." Akito muttered.

"Akito, she's alright." Shigure consoled him. "She's fine, they were able to save her."

"Really? You're not just lying to me?" Akito asked as he looked at Shigure.

"Of course, I would never lie to you. She's also awake and asking for you."

"She's awake?!"

"Yes, and asking for you."

"Why would she be asking for me? I don't deserve to see her let alone talk to her." Akito turned to walk away.

But Shigure grabbed his arm. "Don't say that. Don't you dare say that. After all you've done to her, you owe it to her to do what she asks. After all she's done for you, don't be a coward."

Before Akito would have turned and hit Shigure for speaking to him like that, but now, he just turned his head to face away from Shigure's enraged gaze.

* * * * *

As Shigure had said she was in fact alive and awake for the first time in weeks. Ashi lay on the hospital bed looking around, as she caught sight of Akito walking to the door she shivered.

He smiled at her, and remained in the doorway.

"Akito." Ashi said. She tensed slightly and looked away.

Akito walked to the side of the bed and put his hand on Ashi's head. "Thank you." He whispered into her ear.

Without saying another word he left the room before she had a chance to say anything.

* * * * *

The main house seemed empty without her there, without her presence, but luckily she was alive, but the damage had been done. It hadn't been done to her or those of the zodiac, it had been done to him-and all without a finger lifted against him. That is, unless you counted his actions against others as actions against himself, then it was himself that had caused the damage, the pain that he felt that he could barely explain.

To him, now that his eyes were open, it was time for a change, time for renewal, time fro redemption fro his irresponsible actions and heartless thoughts. To him it was time for him to step down.

*****

Sorry it's so short but I honestly don't know what to write after that last scene and my life has conspired to ruin me with my schools midterms next week. But to tell those of you who have read and fallen in love with this story, thank you for reading and just to tell you- there are going to be maybe four more chapters so disregard what I said before. And there is a small contest: Whoever can guess who had the flashback from chapter seven will get to learn who will take over after Akito steps down as head of the family. Answer by Friday the 9th!!