Returning to the main house was, to say the least, a bit underwhelming. It was now nothing more than one of those traditional old family Compounds that littered the Japanese countryside. There were plenty of old Families that clung to the old ways, and others like Tamaki's family that chose to embrace the modern era. It was high time that the archaic traditions of the Sohma family finally broke down.

I still had rights to enter, and it was not as if there was anything to be hidden anymore. No one so much as looked at me or my guest twice. The only people we saw were house servants who appeared to be existing as ghosts, drifting through their old routines that were now meaningless. It was very curious to me. Seeing a place that had once held so much sadness and pain…seeing it just as a, place. And nothing more.

The door to Kotoko's chambers was ajar slightly. I knocked, and heard her feeble voice respond. "Come in."

"Kotoko-san." I sat down, with Tamaki at my side.

"Who is…this, this outsider?" Kotoko said in a reproachful tone.
"This is my…friend, Kyouhara Tamaki." He bowed his head respectfully.
"We've come to you with a proposition." I replied.
"What kind of proposition?" Her voice was completely dead.
"Tamaki-kun, well." I looked to him.

He cleared his throat. "Kanae-san has told me about your abilities, and I would like to offer you employment as my secretary. She's described to me the…constricting nature of your employment here at Sohma House."

"Be silent, Outsider! You know nothing!" Her confidence in her own words broke, and she gave a small sob.

"Kotoko." I reached forward to touch her, "Forgive me but…." I closed my eyes, concentrating. My abilities were not as strong once the spirits had left, but touch still helped. "Kotoko. I know how you must feel. I mean, I do know how you feel. I'm feeling it now. So please. If you won't listen to Tamaki, listen to me." Her blank, tear-filled gaze rose to meet mine.

"Do you really understand?" She uttered, slight breathiness entering her voice. "I—I can't hear them anymore." She brought her hands to her head, her face becoming distraught. "I was alone all my life, thousands of hours on my own. But, the spirits always talked to me. They always sang to me." She sniffed. Wiping her eyes on her Kimono sleeve.

I paused before speaking. Taking a small sigh. "I know, their song was beautiful." I replied. "I remember it, but I'm glad it's gone. Because now, I can pursue my own dreams. I can live the life that I want." I put my arms gently around Kotoko, comforting her as if she were a child. She was a child. No one was there to teach her how not to be.

She let herself sob openly, clinging to me in vulnerability. For once, I had to imagine her pain. I couldn't feel it gnawing or lashing at me. I could hold her while retaining my strength, as to comfort her.

"Kotoko…" I said softly, stroking the young woman's hair. "At the very least, just leave the Sohma house. I'm sure you don't want to just accept hand-outs from a stranger…"

She sniffed again, struggling to regain her composure. "It's not that….I-I just-"

"Shh, shh…." I soothed. "It's all so real and scary now, isn't it? The curse took your true self from you, and only now…" If I really concentrated, I could see her Aura flickering into bloom. A soft, yet indistinct hue struggling like a flame on damp wood. "…are you regaining what you lost." I let my eyelids droop. Concentrating on the flicker. "I won't let you or any of the others remain here. There is nothing left for any of us here."

"What about…Tomomi and…" I saw a flash of…affection.

She liked Tomomi…no she… "And Hisoka…Shigemi and…Yoh…" Her blank eyes were pleading.

No…they are her family. "Yes, they can come with you. The world will gladly welcome such talented people." Tamaki assured.

"R-really?" She asked, hope daring to list into her voice.

"Yes. I'm sure of it. The world isn't nearly as cruel a place as the elders would have you believe." I said gently.

Tamaki left a head of me to finish preparations at his family's company. I was glad to be left alone, as to walk the grounds once more and fully see how much everything had changed.

After wandering the various buildings and gardens, I found myself at a sudden standstill. I couldn't move forward, I just stood there, at the edge of the pond, looking up at the aged tree. I saw now that its health was finally declining. The wood showed signs of rot, and the leaves were not as plentiful.

Would everything die here now?

I closed my eyes, trying to remember what it was even like before this. This place was once my only haven and salvation, but now, it was purely what it was. Just a dying old tree and a muddy pond.

On the wind I heard a sound form my name. My eyes remained closed. "Kanae."

"I know that voice." I stated, opening my eyes to slits. "But I don't recognise you."

"I suppose I have changed." His signature smirk coloured his voice just as I remembered.

I didn't want to turn around, I didn't want to hear this, feel this. He was a stranger to me now.

"Kyou…" My hands clenched in front of me. "I heard that you're leaving soon."

"Yeah. Tohru and I decided together."

"Oh course."

"What, are you going to miss me?"

"I won't, because I don't know you yet."

"Kanae…"

My eyes were dusted with tears. "All these years I've known you, I tolerated you. I secretly detested you. I shackled myself with the bonds of a sibling. I called you my friend, but what did that even mean." I became a little choked up.

"Kanae, what the hell are you saying?" He came closer, and I didn't bother to stop him.

"I-…" I shook my head, not wanting to lose it again. "I didn't even…"

"Kanae." He grabbed my shoulders to turn me around. "I don't care if you secretly hated me because of my spirit or whatever. All I care about is that you were there. You were my friend, even if I wasn't yours." The look on his face all but silenced me.

"Dammit…" I swore. "This…dammit." He didn't say another word, he just pulled me in for a gentle hug.

Tohru was damn lucky. Kyou's Aura mirrored his father's splendidly. It was warm, but also fierce.

"You remind me of him."

"Who?"

"Kazuma. Peoples' Aura's grow to reflect those that they care about." I sighed. "Given the time, I would be able to pick out the influence of every single person in your life. Down to the stranger who gave you directions when you were lost as a child." I drew away. "But I don't have that time."

I heard someone approaching, before I sensed them. That fact alone caused me to jerk away from Kyou instinctively. I focused my limited sight on the figure. I didn't want to admit that I'd forgotten my contacts with Tamaki.

I inferred by Kyou's movements, sensing how his shoulders relaxed, and seeing a smile come across his face, I knew who it was.

"Tohru…hey."

"Hello, Kyou."

I stood there, watching her come into focus, she jumped in to Kyou's arms and he spun her around. I could almost cry.

They stood there, being all cute and coupely, I thought it best to leave, but there was something I needed first.

"Hey, Tohru."

"Y-yes?" She replied.

"This may sound weird, but, can I touch you?"

Her face flushed in shock at the sudden request, Kyou rolled his eyes.

"Her Empathy doesn't work as well since the curse broke. For her it's almost like going blind."

"That's not funny."

He smirked. "Oh sorry, I forgot that you're actually blind."

"I'm only 20/120 thank you very much!" I retorted angrily.

"That's…pretty blind."

I huffed. "Shut, up." I turned back to Tohru, forcing my expression civil again. "I just need to, there's something I need to see." I extended a hand towards her as if to shake. "Just give me your hand."

"Oh, okay." She nodded, complying.

For her it probably seemed utterly simple and meaningless, but not for me.

She smiled, taking both of my hands in hers, and I closed my eyes, letting it come into focus.

"Hey…hey Kanae-" A thumb passed over my cheek, my cheek, that had become…moist.

"What did you see?" He asked me, my eyes still blind to him.

I tore my hands away, wiping the further tears away with my sleeve.

"I think you know, Kyou." I choked out. "I think you know."

I felt a breeze brisk my back, causing strands of silver to obscure my face as I began to walk away. "Goodbye." I whispered. "…goodbye."

I was still a bit emotionally drained from all that had been happening, so I was hoping at least for just a relaxing afternoon with my brother, but…

"So, how are things going with Kyouhara-san?"

I coughed, spewing up a bit of iced tea. "Dammit Yuki,"

"What? I'm curious how my little sister is doing!"

"Two hours," I held up two fingers. "Two damn hours' difference Yuki."

He just smiled. "What else am I supposed to call you?"

I shrugged. "My name?"

"But, then it's like nothing has changed!"

"Mhm." I took another sip of my drink. "We don't use honorifics anymore, that's gotta count for something."

He paused. "Y'know, I still think about that day sometimes."

I looked at him, "can you elaborate?"

"…that day I came to you in front of the Dojo, and told you who I was to you."

"I'm glad to hear you bringing it up for once."

He laughed dryly. "Yeah, that's because I blocked a lot of that out of my memory."

"I have always wondered what your real motive was. You said that Haru made you do it, but…there was something bothering me. My Empathy hadn't fully developed then. It was about what it is now, only being able to sense people nearby."

His eyes were clouded over with a foreign emotion. "What do you remember?"

"Pain." It was a long time ago so the memories were faded. "It seared and lashed out at me. I was so confused though, I couldn't grasp why on earth you'd be anything but happy."

Yuki sighed. "I suppose I thought the same of you. Just like Kyou, you ended up with a parent who loved you, and friends."

"I didn't really have friends. And, my mom…" my expression hardened. "She's had her struggles too…I mean…" I looked back at Yuki. "No one is perfect, Yuki. Everyone has their own reasons for everything." I pressed my lips together. "I still wonder, you know. I still wonder what could have possibly driven my birth-mother to do what she did." I looked at him for confirmation. "I'm going to try and forgive her. Even if she won't agree to see me. I'n gonna try. I don't need to go through my life hating...anyone." I shook my head. "Sorry..."

"No," Yuki said, placing a hand on mine. "If you remember, I said the same thing to you, not long ago."

"It's just-" I began. "You had much more reason than I did. You were trapped, abused-I, arguably was better off."

Yuki sighed. "That doesn't change anything, Kanae. " He said intently. "We were both damaged, and now we both have the chance to heal."

I nodded. "...Yuki...I'm scared though." My throat began to close slightly, my words becoming strange. "I feel like I'm lost in a completely unfamiliar world. I can't understand it the way I used to-"

Yuki didn't say anymore, he put an arm around me and held me as best he could in our current position.

"I know..." he said softly. The blurred colours vibrating and glowing, such a comfort to me. "It's alright, Kanae, I understand."

"Mhh..." I pulled my arms around him, spreading my fingers to absorb as much as possible. "You don't need to tell me...I can still..." He was my brother now. Completely and totally. The black plague was gone, and it was nothing but a breath of fresh air to me.

I pondered, how this was different. For Kyou I still felt an echo of devastation, the same with Haru. Perhaps it was that, I only grew to know Yuki as the spirits' hold had begun to wane.

I didn't have that excuse now. I had only to go on and re-learn the intricacies that made them who they were. Honestly, it was an honour. That joy is so fleeting.

Tamaki decided to be a bit dramatic. He insisted on taking me up the mountain to a cliff over-looking the city. He said it was the best way for me to see the world clearly for the first time.

I blinked. Everything was breathtakingly clear.

"What. The. Hell!" I exclaimed, Causing Tamaki to jump. "This is what the world looks like? I've been missing out this is BULLSHIT!"

Tamaki began to laugh.

"WHAT!?" I turned on him.

"Oh, nothing, Kanae I just…you are just so-" I blinked, looking into his eyes. His expression was very warm and endearing now. Without thinking, I reached out a hand to touch his arm, confirming my suspicion.

I felt my heartbeat increase as his smiling face neared mine. "You…you see the world for the first time…and…" he chuckled, taking my outstretched hand in his. "I don't know what to call you. Unique? Special?...insane?"

"Hey." I pouted. The warmth I was feeling from him, it was…exhilarating.

"I'm glad though…" He replied.

"Huh?"

"You're strong, Kanae, you have a lot of will you just…needed a little push. I'm glad that I didn't have to save you…as strange as that sounds. I'm…I'm glad that you have strength of your own because, sometimes, I might need saving."

He was always so oddly blunt, and in a way that it just made him easier to understand, without angering me.

"I…" I just wasn't sure what to say. My words were being blocked out by an unfamiliar emotion. "Ky-kyouhara…" I shook my head. "Tamaki."

His face suddenly flushed at the direct address, I cracked a small grin. "Hey, come on, you've been calling me by my first name since we met!"

"I-I know but...it would have been silly to call you Sohma…"

"I know…" I felt confident now, it was as if his love and energy had been transferred to me. I took his other hand and smiled. "I want to thank you. You're right, I didn't need saving, I just needed a reason to save myself." I took a plunge then, not entirely sure as to what I was doing, but I did it anyway.

I kissed him. Not gently or passionately just… kissed him. It felt appropriate, as a symbol of thanks and…and…

…

Love?

He laughed gently in my ear as he pulled me from the kiss into an embrace. "No offence, but I was always sure that it would be me who broke that sheet of ice."

I laughed in return, winding my arms around him. "In a way, it was. You gave me the strength to do it."

"Good, I'm glad I had some say in this after all."

"Oh, shush." I giggled. I'm sure if were on the outside, observing the flare of emotions from afar, it would be as if the grey cold winter had finally turned to spring.

"So," he said after a few moments. "Where should we go now, Kanae?"

I thought for a moment, letting my hands fall away from him as I turned back out towards the edge of the cliff, and to the glimmering expanse beyond. There was an entire world out there, remaining to be seen. Billions of people all with their own experiences and lives. The Sohma family would have had me believe that the entire world existed within those walls. But the truth can never truly be quelled for long.

"Tamaki." I said. "I want to go visit the Ocean."