Okay first of all, thank you so much for all the reviews. I apologize for worrying anyone, I was just afraid that since there had been very few reviews that I as an author had failed you, my valuable readers. I am flattered by the kind reviews that some of you left me, your encouragement spurred me on and I dedicate this final chapter to you. Please enjoy it. It has been a long road getting to the end here, but I am proud of my accomplishment. Thank you so much to the loyal readers I have had since the beginning of this venture. I owe you a sincere debt of gratitude. Now, I present the last chapter of Gone…?

Chapter 25- Let's Stay Together Always

Akito took several long moments to process. No. That couldn't be right. How was that even possible? They couldn't be free. She had not allowed it. "Liar." Akito threw Kyo loose at last and stormed up to Kureno. "You can never be free. Not unless I say so! You are here for one purpose and that is to be with me. We are supposed to be together forever! Why would you ever think about destroying that? Do you see what that vile little girl has done to you all? She's corrupted you!"

Yuki took a deep breath and stepped forward. He was surprised to find that instead of shaking like a leaf on a branch, as he was accustomed to when he spoke to Akito, he was rather irritated. "I think, my dear Akito, it is you who is corrupted. In your fear of separation, you destroyed everything that brought us joy. You tortured us, hurt those we loved, and penned us in. You even turned us against each other." The boy walked over to Kyo who was still on the ground and helped him up. "You allowed your jealousy to corrupt you. In the end, you have done this to yourself. We're done playing by your rules Akito. We are leaving the estate."

"No! You can't! I won't let you!" Akito rushed over to Yuki and took hold of his shirt. "Yuki, my favorite pet, you are mine. You can't really want to leave me?" Akito had gone beyond rage and was now a rather pitiful sight, reminding them more of a frightened child than anything. Yuki roughly shoved her away.

Turning to find a friendly face, somewhere, anywhere, and finding none, Akito suddenly shouted in exasperation, "Fine! Leave! Go free to wherever you may choose, but don't ever expect to return if you leave me. I will not have you back!"

At her words, a collective gasp shuffled through the Juunishi. From each zodiac member, a ball of light erupted from their bodies to hover in front of the goddess. "What?" Akito whispered as tears poured down her cheeks. She fell to her knees. "No!"

Hana recognized the sign, and stepped forward, tugging Hatori behind her. "Their spirits will go to heaven. Yet they will not go alone if you don't wish it. Let us free you as well, spirit of the Goddess. You may escort your friends to the afterlife."

Akito looked at the dark haired woman in confusion and despair. Hatori put his hands over Akito's forehead. "They are pure spirits and they forgive you. Join them now." Hana pulled the last of her reserves of the dempa waves and Hatori the last of his mental strength, aided by the spirits of the zodiac. "We relieve you of your duties. Be free, Akito-sama." There was a flash of light and a faint popping sound. Then all was dark. The spirits were gone. There was a low thud as Akito and Hana both collapsed, and a startled moan from Tohru as she heard the commotion.

At last. At long last, the Sohmas were free.

………………………………................................................................................................

Three weeks later…

"Kyo-kun," Tohru said with a smile as the tall boy entered the kitchen. He smiled in return as he sat at the low table.

I was so happy when you smiled

Your smile breaks through the clouds of gray

Far from the sunny days that lie in sleep

Yuki was not far behind, stumbling blindly down the hallway, still half-asleep. Tohru brought breakfast to the table and the boys thanked her before digging in. Shigure was absent from this meal, as he had been since the day after the Curse had been broken. He was the only ex-Zodiac member who had willingly remained at the estate after the incident. Tohru had never questioned why. She had a feeling that Shigure truly cared for Akito, and she was happy. Akito deserved the attention and dedication that Shigure bestowed on her, especially now when she had so much confusion and sadness to work through.

As for the rest of the Zodiac, things were very different now. Kagura was spending more time with her father, an act she had earlier tried to avoid. He was slowly getting over her emotional changes, as she didn't rampage through the house anymore when she was upset. Ritsu had become more bold since the Curse had dissipated, and he had even cut his hair so as not to look so feminine. Kureno had decided that he had been a bird in a cage for far too long. He said his farewells to the family and decided to travel the world. He left on a plane to Italy two weeks back and no one had heard from him since, at least, no one except Arisa Uotani.

The Mabudachi Trio, who were the oldest of the group, had become comfortable in their ways and had not changed too much. Ayame had gone back to his shop and remained there, but things had become more heated with his lovely assistant Mine since the Curse had been taken away. Hatori had remained in the Sohma house for the time being, mostly out of obligation. After Akito and Hana had collapsed and Tohru had been injured, he saw to their care. Hana had merely used up all her energy and she slept for two days in order to regain her strength. Tohru had many bumps and bruises and a concussion but thankfully was not in serious condition. As for Akito, plagued by the spirit of the relentless God, her body had always been failing. Now that she was free from the Curse, it was a long road to physical and mental recovery. Hatori had ensured she had the best of care, but had expressed an interest in setting up at a real hospital once the head of house had recovered.

Rin had moved into Hatsuharu's house because she had no intention of going home. Her family had never really accepted her when she was the Horse spirit of the Zodiac, and she asserted that if they didn't love her then, they most certainly wouldn't love her now. Haru was glad to invite her to stay. He loved Rin and was glad she wanted to be with him over anyone else.

Momiji left the estate. He decided to stay with Kagura's family for awhile while he figured out what to do with himself. The ex-Rabbit spirit had always lived in the estate because his mother had chosen to reject him as a child, fearing his Curse. So his father had let her forget Momiji and had promised his son that he, his father, would love Momiji for the both of them. Yet Momiji was never allowed to live with his father and mother. Now, he wanted to leave the estate. He was still a year from graduation though, so Kagura's mother invited Momiji to stay with them until he found a more comfortable living situation.

Kisa and Hiro, the youngest of the Zodiac, were happy just to be normal kids again. Hiro remained the same cynical boy he had always been, at least on the outside, and Kisa stayed the sweet innocent little girl. They were the luckiest as they still had their whole lives ahead of them unaffected by the Curse.

As for Yuki, Kyo, and Tohru, they would be graduating in the spring and they were beginning to decide what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. At present, they were still living in Shigure's house, but Yuki had begun to look at colleges and Tohru had begun looking for a job. Kyo, who had previously been told he had no future after graduation, had no idea what he wanted to do. However, he did know who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He had not officially asked her to be his girlfriend, but he would and this spring they would begin their new lives, together.

Waiting with patience for the spring

When the flowers will bloom renewed again

Taking us far beyond the pain of today

Yuki smiled into his rice as he saw the look on Kyo was giving Tohru. It's going to be an interesting year, the boy thought as he set his bowl down.

Tohru looked up at the clock on the wall and then turned to Yuki and asked, "Will there be a banquet this year, in honor of the New Year?"

And though the scars of yesterday remain

You can go on living as long as your heart believes

Kyo started, he had forgotten about that. It was two days until New Year!

Yuki pondered the question for a moment before answering, "I don't know. We've always had New Year, for as long as I can remember. I suppose we will."

Kyo smirked, "Things will be very different this year."

Tohru smiled knowingly, "The Cat can go to the banquet."

Yuki nodded. "It will be more than that. This New Year will open a whole new realm of possibilities. We can celebrate our separation from the Zodiac."

Tohru started collecting the dishes, a shy blush on her face. There was not a single day that went by when she regretted her decision to help her friends. Kyo grabbed her hand as she reached for his bowl, "And we can also celebrate our new lives."

Tohru's blushed deepened. "Y-yes!"

Yuki stood and walked up behind them. He placed a friendly hand on their shoulders and said, "Let's stay together as we head toward the future, ne?"

Tohru smiled and Kyo squeezed her hand gently. "Yes, let's stay together."

You can't be born again

Although you can change

Let's stay together always.

Disclaimer: The song in italics is the opening theme from the Fruits Basket anime series. I thought it was appropriate.

Thank you so much for reading and I really hope you enjoyed it. Until next time, whenever that may be!

-LinaStar-