A/N: This story is now over a year old! Wow :O Everyone, I'm sorry I took so long to update... This chapter was hard for me to write! It might be a bit choppy. If there are any mistakes, be sure to tell me. Hopefully you'll enjoy it! Please tell me what you think.

This is the second last chapter. Thank you so much for reviewing and being awesome readers. I'm so grateful ^_^ Please keep in mind this is based off the anime. And yes, there's a small timeskip later. Thanks again :)


In a Fruits Basket - Chapter 21: Alive

Recap:

I wanted to be with Kyo, not the curse. I didn't care, because I know it's still you, what ever form you're in. I want you to be with me no matter what.

And in those seconds, I felt Kyo's human heart beat against my own as he held me in a long embrace for the first time.


It was over. It was finally over. The torment, the suffering, the cage... did I really release Kyo from it all?

I held the ex-cat of the zodiac just a little tighter, even though he was breathing quicker than he usually did. One last tear slid down his face.

"Arya? Is this a dream?" He choked out, "Is it really-?"

"Hey, what's wrong, Yuki?" We heard a female's voice whisper gently, "Please don't cry."

We looked over at Yuki and Mai with wide eyes. Yuki had a weak-looking Mai, limp in his arms, but a radiant smile was etched on her face as she reached to brush tears away from Yuki's eyes.

Mai wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Yuki returned the hug, closing his eyes, a content smile on his face. The peaceful, relaxed expression they both wore filled me with so much joy, my chest was nearly aching at the sight of it. It almost made me want to cry for no reason at all.

I asked quietly, "Can we go back home now?"

"Sure," Yuki said softly, his eyes covered by his bangs. He and Mai got up, supporting each other with their arms around their shoulders and waist as they walked.

We were all bleeding with cuts, with mud splattered on our faces. The smell of rain clung to our skin and hair, and our clothes were soaked to the bone. But it seemed like we forgot about it all.

It didn't matter anymore, when we just broke the curse of the rat and cat of the zodiac.

"Please," I murmured, before I could stand, feeling my face flush, "can you hold me a little bit longer?"

Kyo faced me and nodded, his face still in shock, but he managed a small smile.

Hold onto me a little longer. I don't want to let go.

And he did so.


Taking a bath never felt so nice. I first took a quick rinse, washing the layer of sweat and dirt off my skin and cleaning out the wound in my shoulder. After, I ran the bath again with hot water. I let myself relax and let the steam sink into my skin.

"Mai," I called from inside the washroom, while wrapping a fluffy towel around myself as I got out of the tub, "I'm almost done."

"Have you seen Kagura anywhere?" I heard her voice reply through the door.

I dried off my face, then looked up in surprise. "Uh, now that I think about it... No, I haven't," I answered.

I quickly slipped on some new clothes and stepped out. Mai was standing right in front of me, biting her lip. "She's gone."

I questioned, "Did you check our room?"

"Yeah."

"And she's not there?"

She shook her head and sighed, "Not a nice way to say good bye to her, huh?"

"She didn't even say good bye."


It was a regular school day. It's been two days since Mai and I broke the curse of the cat and rat of the zodiac.

We came back home and Kazuma fell to his knees. Shigure even laughed in relief, covering his face.

Kazuma told us how happy and surprised he was to see Kyo return, free of the curse. He didn't know what to do with his bracelet, so I ended up keeping it. The smile on the master's face made my heart swell.

We checked on Shigure's curse, but he told us he didn't feel any different. After Mai had hugged him, he still transformed into a dog.


At school, Haru and Momiji sensed that Yuki and Kyo felt distant and different. Later on, they found out that it was because their curse was lifted. Haru stopped me in the halls, grabbing my shoulder. When I looked over, he stared at me with intense, stormy eyes.

"Do you have a second?" he asked softly.

I nodded nervously. We stepped aside where we wouldn't bump into any students walking to class.

"What is it, Haru?"

He paused and carefully looked around in case someone was near.

"How did you do it?" he whispered.

Break the curse? I sighed, running my hands through my hair. "I don't know... I honestly don't know."

"Oh." He scratched the back of his head.

A felt the pain in my heart being expressed through my face. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's alright. Don't worry about it."

"But -"

"Please, don't worry." He patted the top of my head before he made his way to his next class.


"Momiji?" I began, as I continued to work at the Sohma building after school.

"Mhmm?" he hummed with a smile as he skipped towards me.

"Do you think that Mai and I... should've broken the curse for you guys, too?" I asked softly.

His smile faded. Momiji's brown eyes grew serious. "Don't ask me that kind of thing, Arya. I'm not sure."

"I'm sorry," I breathed. I pressed my hands against my face, trying to hold the tears. "I wasn't able to - I mean, wh-what did I do wrong? Isn't that what everyone wanted?"

"Shh," Momiji soothed me, "it's okay, you don't know how you did it... No one really knows what happened that night."

"I feel so helpless, I feel like I don't have enough time."

What was this heavy feeling on my heart? Whenever I saw Kyo or Yuki smile towards Mai and I, or whenever I asked for a hug and they gladly accepted with an embarrassed blush.

"It's unfair to you."

Momiji shook his head, pressing his forehead on mine. He took my hands and smiled, "We're fine, Arya. One can only do so much."

Poof!

I then realized he hugged me. I glanced down and saw Momiji in his zodiac form. That's when I clenched my teeth, sharply inhaled, then held him tightly. It took so much strength not to cry.


For a first, I couldn't sleep at all. I stared outside my window, just waiting for the next day. The sun wasn't coming. Time was never on my side.

"Can't sleep?" I heard Mai call from her bed.

"Hearing you say that means you can't either," I replied.

She chortled, "You're right." She began to walk towards me, then sat down on my bed. Mai gave me a sad smile. "I almost forgot what our house looked like."

"What?"

"Y'know, our house back there."

I looked down. "Oh. Yeah, I guess."

"All thing's have to come to an end, right?"

"Don't say that," I murmured, before I hid under the covers, as if to block out her gaze and words. I felt the bed compress a little as her body lay beside me.

"I didn't tell you this before," Mai began nervously, "but - but Akito wished to see us. We're visiting the Main House tomorrow."

I flinched, peeking out of the blanket. I hissed, "What?"

"Shigure got a call and he told us that we had to go. And I think you already know why," Mai said. Her voice sounded like it was still in shock.

"Yes, he's the god," I murmured, "Akito..."

"It serves you right, you know."


"You don't have to go. You really don't," Yuki noted as we began to walk towards the gate to the Sohma House.

"Don't worry so much." Mai assured him, smiling weakly. "We're already here, there's nothing we can do about it now."

Kyo leaned in towards me. "Hey, you."

"Hm?" I simply replied.

"Please tell me you'll be careful in there."

I faced him, meeting his maroon orbs. "Using your manners? You must be really worried, too."

His tanned face flushed slightly. "I - I didn't mean it like that!"

"Of course you didn't," I sighed. I took his hand in mine and smiled. "As long as we're together, I'll be okay."

"But I can't enter the Sohma house. Even without the curse I have to go by the damn rules," he stated.

"Exactly," I replied, frowning, "that's why I'm not okay."

Kyo patted the top of my head. "I'm... I'm sorry, I made it worse, didn't I?"

I shook my head. "I guess I'm just a little nervous, is all."

"Yo rat boy," Kyo called to Yuki, "do me a favour and watch over them in there."

Yuki looked away, his eyes closed. "I'm not doing any favours. You don't even need to tell me to watch over them, stupid cat."

"Kyo, you stay here," Hatori said from behind.

His cold gaze went to our hands. I gave Kyo's hand a gentle squeeze before I let go. Shigure added, "Are we all ready?"

Mai and Yuki nodded in reply.

"I'll see you soon," I quickly told Kyo.

"Yeah. See ya."

Mai walked up to me and gave me a feeble smile. "Sit close to me, alright?"


Akito was dressed in many layers of large robes, his ebony hair falling over his eyes. He rested on his side, his head resting in his hand. I noticed that everyone's facial expressions darkened, as we all sat before Akito. The room was slightly chilly, even with the sunlight shining through the open door.

A small, white bird flew in, dipping its beak into a bowl of water. I eyed it nervously. The bird was oblivious to the tension in the air.

"Do you know why I summoned you here?" Akito asked coolly. Mai and I stayed silent, staring at the wall in front of us. "It's alright. You can tell me."

We heard his nail scratch against the hardwood as he dragged it across the floor.

"Do you know why you are here?" he pressed. "It should be obvious."

"We don't know," I answered gently.

There was a long pause. Even though my body was still and rigid, my eyes began to dart to each corner of the room, then to Akito. I watched his every move, as he got up and started walking in front of us.

He sharply inhaled through clenched teeth, his eyes wide and filled with rage. My heart almost skipped a beat as I saw a blur of pale skin lunge towards my face. Akito fiercely grabbed the top of my head by my hair and pulled me forward, almost trying to rip my hair out. I yelled out in pain, feeling my scalp burn every time he tugged. Shigure and Yuki rushed to their feet to hold him back, but Akito wouldn't let go.

"Arya!" Mai gasped, getting up as well.

Hatori ordered, sternly, "Mai, please sit down." She didn't obey and grabbed Akito's wrist.

But it caused Akito to thrash around even more and shriek, "How dare you, you disgusting outsider!"

Yuki squeezed his eyes shut as he struggled and choked out, "M-Mai, please let go!"

Hatori grabbed my sister from behind as she stepped back. Hatori stared at Mai in shock when she dropped to her knees then bowed her head.

"My... my apologies, Akito."

Akito hissed, "That's right. Bow down to your superior! Beg for forgiveness! Don't even think about touching me again!"

My heart pounded. The grip on my skull tightened.

"Look at your sister." He cooed at me, "She is bowing. She is showing me the respect I deserve!"

I yelped in pain again. My head was aching and throbbing. My vision was getting blurry.

"Now, tell me!" He screamed, "What's your reason for coming here? It's all your fault I'm losing my members! You just love it, don't you? Is that what you wanted to do? Make a fool out of me?"

Mai began to panic. "P-Please!"

"It's not that you don't know, it's that you just won't say it. Then I will. You think you can continue living with everyone in that house? How dare you defy me then think you can go on living without a care in the world! You've made me the bad guy!"

All the Sohmas stared in shock, eyes wide.

"But your hearts are the filthiest and dirtiest of them all! You know what you did! And you've caused misfortune on the Sohmas - on me! I will make you suffer and regret you were ever involved with us!" Akito yelled, "Answer me!"

"I... I don't know," I replied, my voice trembling. "I don't know what happened."

A smirk formed on Akito's lips. He noted, "Exactly. You know nothing."

I bit my lip and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to shrug off the dizziness.

"Please, let go of my sister. Let me explain!" Mai begged.

He snapped, "And what if I don't? You lay one finger on me and I'll -"

"Mai, please... please," Yuki said, his voice desperate. His violet eyes were filled with fear.

Akito glared at him. "Do not disgrace the Sohmas, Yuki. You were born and raised with these blood bonds. Everyone will hate you if you change. You can never go against me!"

"Why?" Mai whispered.

"Don't speak! I am their god!" he hissed. He looked at his relatives. "I am your god!"

My neck and back ached after staying in the same position for so long. Before my courage deserted me, I spoke out. "But, were you afraid, Akito? When you found out you were given the role as god?"

His eyes quickly darted and fixed on me. He spat, "What the hell would you know? As if you know anything about me." He shook my head, causing my teeth to rattle.

"I do know that you feel alone," I replied once he stopped.

He shouted at me, digging his nails into my skull. "S-Shut the hell up! Hatori! Erase the girls' memories now! Hatori!"

Hatori closed his eyes and looked away, hiding the painful look on his face as he continued to be a bystander.

I went on carefully, "You never wanted to carry such a burden and you didn't want to live this way."

"You call this living? All the lives of the zodiac, especially mine, were over before they were even born!"

"Then why are you so angry about the curse bre-"

"Because it's all your fault! You're in my way! I was born to be loved! But I'm losing the bonds between my members! Now I will die alone! Without them, what is my reason for living?"

"You're human," Mai said gently, "No one's born to die -"

"But I was also born to die!" he screamed. "That's why everyone has to love me! If the bonds weren't there, no one would be by my side right now!"

"We'd all miss you and mourn for you if you passed on, but you're alive right now, aren't you?" Mai demanded, "Shouldn't you be happy about that? If you were really born to die, but you were given the chance at life, wouldn't you take it and make the most out of it?"

He retorted coldly, "In this condition, I'm barely alive. And when I die, there will be no more members to mourn for me. In fact, they may be celebrating about my death! I never gave you permission to ruin my life!"

My sister began to cry, fists clenched and shaking. She shot back, not caring that her cheeks were a bright pink and her eyes were misty, "But nothing lasts forever. All things come to an end, right? You don't need the curse to live! You're special, Akito, god or not."

He gasped slightly, eyes glazed, as if he were thinking about what she just said.

"Stop... stop crying!" he ordered.

"The important thing is that you're alive!"

"Shut up!" He snapped, "Don't act as if you understand what I'm going through. No one does. Not even the zodiac members." He began to laugh bitterly, "My curse is far worse than theirs. And even better for Yuki- his curse is broken!"

"You have a point," I choked out. "No one truly understands what a person goes through. I can't even imagine what you're going through, too. The feeling of loneliness, the pressure... you're afraid, aren't you?"

Mai added softly, taking a step towards Akito, who began to tremble slightly, "We're here to help you. We never meant to cause you more suffering, but hear us out... We will never regret meeting everyone and meeting you."

Hatori didn't stop her as she took another step closer.

Akito's jaw tightened and he tensed. "N-No... NO! If I mess up, if I show any signs of weakness... you'll abandon me!"

"We accept you and the Sohmas. But Akito," I managed to speak out as he thrashed around more and my head followed, "now you need to accept us! How come -"

He continued, clutching tightly onto the handful of my hair in his grasp. "No! Everyone says that! You're all liars! What can be changed for me?" He demanded, "Why can't I be different and live life a better way? Even up to now, I'm having trouble accepting my fate! But it's been decided... it's been decided and no one even asked me! There's nothing I can do about it."

The three other Sohmas looked at him in shock as he began to pour his feelings out even more. I had one hand to support myself up and using my free hand, I gently grabbed Akito's wrist, trying to find my way to his fingers.

"Akito..." I breathed, "there might be something we can do. Let's start over. Please, let's start over, as if we were just meeting. No lies, I promise. I'm meeting the new, different Akito. This Akito is still very special and loved, but-" He jerked my hand away. "- but he doesn't have to worry about being a god."

This was my chance. Even though he swatted my hand away, his grip was starting to relax. But it wasn't the fact that the pain was subsiding. It just meant he was calming down.

Were our words reaching him?

"We don't know much about the curse, but we now know why we came here."

"R-Right," Mai began, tears still in her eyes, then lowered her head and bowed deeply. "I'm - I'm Mai Nadeshiko."

It was so quiet in the room, that I even heard Mai's tears drop on the wooden floor as she bowed. I forced myself to look up, despite the throbbing pain in my neck. I stared into Akito's dark eyes. They widened in shock.

I added, "And I'm Arya Nadeshiko, her younger sister. We came here for your friendship. We'd like to learn more about you and be your friends." I echoed the words he said back at Kaibara High, "I hope we can be friends, Akito."

His lower lip quivered and he slowly pulled away, watching my hair slip out of his long fingers. My scalp tingled from being freed from his grasp. His eyes closed as an exhale escaped his mouth.

Suddenly, he punched Shigure and Yuki away from him. Akito backed up, everyone staring at him in surprise. Mai rushed to me and wrapped her arms around me from behind. I went limp in her protective embrace, weak from what just happened. Her body shook as she held me and tried to control her breathing.

The long pause was almost unbearable. Akito's eyes hid behind his dark, tangled hair, but I could feel his gaze on us.

He mumbled, "I don't know."

That was the last we saw of Akito that day.


"Arya!" Mai called from the kitchen. I was in the middle of changing into my clothes. I slipped on pants and was adjusting my belt as I came downstairs from my room.

"What did you need?" I asked.

"You can use the rice cooker now, right?"

I lazily shrugged. "I think so."

She chortled, smiling widely, "Could you cook some rice for me? Three cups."

"I'll try, but if I burn the rice -"

"You won't."

"But everything has to be perfect for the picnic! You said that yourself!" I scoffed, "Don't give me the hard chores!"

She rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. "I'm preparing all the bento boxes. All you have to do is make rice. That's the easiest thing."

"Oh c'mon, Yuki can't even cook rice," I countered. "Get Kyo to help you."

"You two are hopeless then!"

We laughed together, as I took out the rice cooker and plugged it in. I carefully added the scoops of rice, washed it, then put it in the rice cooker. Mai eyed me suspiciously.

I blurted out, "What now?"

"Nothing, you did well." Suddenly, her bright eyes lit up and she snapped her fingers. With a grin, she said, "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you... I, um - I found something I want to show you."

"Mm? What is it?"

She turned to the table and picked up what seemed to be a manga. She extended her hand towards me, revealing in bright letters, "Fruits Basket".

I let out a loud gasp. I forgotten where it was. I had it in my bag the first time we got here, but it vanished the next day. My heart skipped a beat and I rushed to her, grabbing the book, running my hands across the spine, and skimming through the pages.

I whispered, "Where was this?"

"It... fell out of your bag a few days ago," she answered. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

"It was never there before."

"That's a sign! Maybe-!"

"Oi!" Kyo hollered as he walked in, causing us to jump in surprise, "Are we leaving yet or what?"

Yuki walked in, too, sighing, "Don't rush them, they're still preparing lunch."

Mai tossed the book to me and I quickly hid it behind my back. "Hey!" I smiled nervously.

Yuki asked, lazily rubbing his eyes and walking towards me, "Uh, Miss Nadeshiko, what are you holding?"

I replied bluntly, "Nothing."

"Who's the girl?" Kyo questioned, probably since he saw the cover.

"Girl?" I tilted my head to the side, playing dumb.

"On the book, idiot."

I teased, "Why? She's pretty, isn't she? Tohru Honda. That's her name."

There was a small pause. Kyo clicked his tongue. "Huh. Never heard of her. She famous or something?"

"If she were famous, you'd probably would've heard of her."

"Tohru Honda?" Shigure demanded, walking in. It didn't sound weird coming from his mouth.

Mai squealed, "Eh?"

"Don't tell me Arya's dating another boy!"

I felt my face flush. "Uh - no! Tohru's a girl -"

Shigure's jaw dropped and he took my shoulders and shook me, tears streaming, "Oh, Arya?! Why didn't you tell me you swung that way-?"

"Not like that!" I exclaimed, laughing lightly at his expression.

"Why, Arya?" Shigure cried dramatically.

Yuki and Kyo muttered, "Pervert."

Mai asked softly, "So you mean it doesn't sound familiar?"

"No," the Sohmas replied.

I hesitated. "She's a special character from one of my favourite mangas. It's an amazing story." The three looked at me, puzzled.

"Well, enough about manga, we have to meet Hana and Uo at the park! And Hatsuharu and Momiji are coming, too! Let's all have a fun time at the picnic, 'kay?" Mai smiled nervously. Her eyes were smiling, too. We all returned the glance.

"Yes!"

Time was passing. I had a feeling our job was almost done, the second I laid eyes on the manga book that returned after it vanished months ago.


It was a dream come true, living Tohru's life here. But that was the thing. It was Tohru's life. Not mine. Not Mai's. This was just a story.

"Thank you so much for everything today!" I smiled brightly, hugging Arisa and Saki.

"Wha-?" Arisa questioned. "You guys were the ones who planned this. Thanks!"

Saki patted the top of my head. "That's very cute, Arya. Thank you."

"Yo, carrot top, Prince, see ya."

"Yeah, Yankee," Kyo smirked.

Yuki smiled. "Enjoy the rest of your day."

Saki stared at them for a while. She said calmly, "Your auras seem different. Something has changed about you two. Even so, please continue to be nice to the Nadeshiko sisters."

My chest and stomach felt all warm and tingly. My heart almost ached, but it was a different sensation. It almost ached... because it was like a bittersweet ending.

"So this is what's it's like..." I mumbled under my breath. Arisa and Saki left, waving and smiling happily.

"Bye!" Mai and I called out in unison, waving back.

"We'll catch you later, then," Hatsuharu said. "Thanks for the meal. Be safe on your way home."

Momiji nodded. "Yup! Thanks again for the picnic! It was so much fun to see you all again."

I took the cow and rabbit's hands in mine and smiled warmly before they went back to the Main House.

"Come on, you three, let's go back home," I said to the others. Kyo, Yuki and Mai looked up and nodded.

"Keep up with me, you damn rat!" Kyo challenged.

Yuki smirked and muttered, "Fine, we should have a fight when we get back home."

"Aw right, I've been waiting for this!"

"Stupid cat."

Mai and I exchanged looks and shrugged. I shouted at the boys, "Hey! Wait for us!"

"Yeah, slow down! You just ate!" Mai laughed.

We'll head home together.

This was what's it's like to be like Tohru Honda. But I had my own life to live.


Sitting on the rooftop brought back so many memories. I gazed at the endless number of stars. His maroon eyes stood out against the dark sky.

"Kyo?" I said softly.

"Hm?"

I asked, "Do I belong here?"

"What kind of question is that?" he snapped. "Of course you do."

"Thanks," I chuckled a bit, "I'm glad I met you. I wanted to hear you say that."

He paused, probably wondering where I was going with the conversation. "Well, same here," Kyo mumbled, "You and Mai are very important in our lives, y'know."

"Yeah, you too. I mean, without you guys, maybe Mai and I would still be arguing and fighting a lot. You really helped us." I pulled out his beaded bracelet from my pocket and played with it between my fingers. I asked softly, "May I keep this?"

He pouted his lips a little. "Do whatever the hell you want with it."

"Okay."

He looked over at me for a while. "Do you really want it, though? That piece of me?"

"Sure. Being with you..." I whispered, as I leaned in towards him and hugged him closely, "I like it very much."

He stiffened under my embrace, still not used to making contact with me. After a beat he held me back. I loved that gentle, but protective hold he had on me.

"Um, thank you," he replied awkwardly. I chortled and ruffled his orange hair. That hair that once made him the cat of the zodiac.

"Kyo?"

"Yes?"

"Good night."

"Yeah."

I looked up to face him, then got up on my toes to plant a quick peck on his cheek. But for some reason neither of our faces flushed.

"A-Arya?" He broke the silence.

I went on, changing the subject, "How long are you going to stay up here?"

"Maybe until dawn," he replied simply.

I gawked at him, "You're crazy, Kyo!" He chuckled a bit and lightly placing his hand on the top of my head. "I've noticed you barely said my name before. But hearing myself say yours, and you say mine, just shows how close we are now!" I said, smiling, before I made my way back to the house.

He chuckled again and gave me his awkward smile, the smile that made my heart pound wildly against my ribs. "You're right."


"Up again? You're a night person," I giggled at Yuki, who was heading upstairs and bumped into me.

"As are you, Miss Nadeshiko," he grinned.

I leaned against the wall and tapped his arm. "You and Mai were gone for a bit. Where'd you go?"

"The Secret Base," he answered. "When was the last time you were there?"

"Not long, we picked strawberries a few days ago, didn't we?" I reminded him, my voice sounding a little brighter than usual. Conversations like these reminded me of when we first got here. "Thanks for always being there for Mai and I. Especially Mai, when I wasn't there to comfort her."

"Anytime," he replied.

"You're... like a big brother, y'know that?" I teased.

He cupped my face in his hands. "Before, I - I'm sorry I kept hurting your feelings -"

"No, that's behind us now," I smiled weakly. "I still care about you very, very much. You're like family, remember?"

He smiled back with the kind of smile that I liked, the kind of smile that really made him look like a prince. His eyes were almost closed, his head slightly tilted to the side.

"Sweet dreams, Miss -"

"Y'know what? Family doesn't use formalities, Yuki," I added, nudging him.

He raised his eyebrows, then sighed. He looked back up then laughed softly. "Arya."

I laughed with him before I entered my room, and closed the door behind me to see Mai sleeping peacefully in her bed, with her hair falling over her face. I giggled silently to myself. I was getting ready for bed myself when I heard a small creak from the door.

"My flowers?" Shigure whispered.

"It's you," I said in a loud whisper.

"Just checking on you," he smirked.

I snickered, "Yeah, sure." I leaned back in my bed and let Shigure tuck me in as if I were a child. "So... I just want to let you know that we're really grateful to have you look after us. I hope we're able to repay you. You've done so much."

"You girls have done more than enough," he commented. He stood up and was about to leave.

"Shigure!" I called out softly.

"Hm?" he responded. "Still a little lively, are we?"

"Shigure..." I whimpered, covering my face.

He sighed and knelt beside my bed, stroking my hair. "I know I always called you clever, but you're also a bit sensitive, did you know that?" he stated. He faced me and inched closer, so we were ear to ear. I heard his voice say gently, "Is there something you're still looking for? One step at a time, Arya. Shall we take it slowly, then?"

I didn't reply. He pulled away and looked at me with reassuring eyes that hid beneath his shaggy hair. "Or is it that we'll be parting ways soon?" After another long pause, he shook his head and merely smiled, as if to say "you'll be fine". He rested his chin on my head as he spoke.

I felt his jaw move on my skull when he said to me, "The two boys will probably be mad if they saw me this close to you."

I laughed quietly. "Thank you, Shigure."

"Now, you and your sister be good to each other, alright? I raised you properly so my daughters should behave themselves..."

"D-Daughters?" I stammered in shock. The moonlight went through the window and reflected off of Shigure's face, making the smirk on his face even more suspicious.

He chuckled, "I'm only joking, Arya, you should know that by now."

"You..." I muttered, laughing again. He left the room, looking over his shoulder once last time before shutting the door.

After for what seemed like a few minutes, I grabbed the first volume of Fruits Basket, holding it against my chest. I got out of bed and tip-toed across the room to Mai's bed.

"Mai," I called to her. "Mai."

"Mm?" she murmured, half-asleep.

"I can't go to sleep," I said, almost like how a child would. She rolled over to the side to make room. I lay beside her, and stared at the ceiling. "You're a good sister, Mai," I whispered, moving a little closer to her for warmth.

"I know," she slurred. I scoffed. But then she added, "You are, too. Fruits Basket made us realize that, huh?"

My eyelids were getting heavy. My body began to relax, and my breathing slowed down.

The Sohmas, thank you for everything.

I took one last look at the anime world, before I drifted off to sleep.

"I'm leaving, but I'll be back." I heard multiple voices say, ringing in my mind.

Most of them were familiar to me since they were the voices I would hear everyday here. But one voice was clearer, louder and different than the others. Her voice was soft and a light soprano tone. Her voice sounded like she was always smiling.

A pair of blue eyes met mine, even though my eyes were closed and I was already sleeping.

"The departure... is finally here, right? Even though parting with the people you love maybe lonely. It's a jewel. A dear, precious jewel. Hold onto it, no matter how much time goes by."

Who is this?

"Arya and Mai, thank you for sharing your life with me. It was fun."

I felt warm, soft hands hold my own, the sensation spreading throughout my body. The air was so warm, it was like I was standing in the sunlight. My heart began to race.

N-No, thank you for sharing yours! Thank you for helping us! Without you, Mai and I would still be fighting to this day... We wouldn't be the way we are now!

A small sniffle escaped her, like she was crying. But a giggle followed. A delicate, bell-like giggle. It echoed in my mind and my worries began to disappear at the sound of her happiness and laughter.

You've done well. Thank you, Tohru.

Then, the world we thought we lived in flashed before our eyes, completely slipping from our mind, like water spilling between our fingers. But that water cleaned the dirt off our hands.

And the Fruits Basket world faded to black.