Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Tohru-Kun's Hat ❯ Akito's Protection ( Chapter 3 )

Previously on Tohru-Kun's hat…

~Yuki~

I… I gave her that hat, didn't I? I was the one that led her home that day. It was just a random act of kindness, and I gave her that hat because she looked so sad…

It was Tohru?

~Kyo~

That damn rat gave my hat away? Well, it was his because he contaminated it, so why not? He could do with it as he chose, couldn't he? It was Tohru that had received it? It was Tohru?

~Hana~

Yuki and Kyo's electric waves are in a state of shock. I wonder…

A/N: That's just to refresh memories of what happened in the previous chapter, okay, onto the next!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket, and next time, I won't bother to say that, if you don't know it by now… have you truly been reading?

Akito's Protection

~Tohru~

Well, Hana had to leave for a family outing after I finished my story and Uo said she had to clean up her apartment, but Hana told me before she left that Yuki and Kyo were in shock over my story. I wondered why, but the thought passed as a car drove up and Hatori came out to greet us.

"It is good to see that you are well Tohru, everyone," he said.

"What are you doing here Hari?" Momiji asked as we all gathered around him in a sort of odd way.

"I came to take you all back to the main house. You can't say no this time, and Miss Tohru, you had better come as well," he said in complete seriousness.

"Okay, but why? What's so urgent?" I asked, and Hatori's head bowed low.

"It's Akito, he's… dying," he replied.

"He's been dying for the longest time, what's new?" Yuki asked from the back.

"This time he might not make it to tomorrow, he's gathering the entire Zodiac for last wishes and orders," Hatori said, looking directly at Yuki. Yuki looked a bit surprised, as did everyone else. Kisa came up to me and hugged my arm. I held her close, unsure of what to do.

"Everyone into the car, I know it's going to be a tight squeeze, but we have to hurry. Tohru, you and Kisa should sit in the front," he instructed, and everyone uneasily settled into the seats of the car. Yuki, Kyo, Haru, and Momiji had to share the back seat. Hatori got into the driver's seat and we drove as fast as we could to the main house.

~Yuki~

We arrived at the house in less time than normal. I highly suspected Hatori of speeding. We sort of ran inside and into Akito's room. He lay on his bed, his breathing seemed labored. He really was dying! I saw Shigure and my stupid brother on one side of the bed, and Kagura kept her distance from Kyo in terms of violence, she seemed to know that now was not the time.

"Akito!" Tohru cried, running up. Akito looked at her weakly.

"Miss Tohru Honda, you did come," he said, "I must say thank you." This wasn't like Akito to be all nice!

"How… how are you?" she asked him tenderly.

"It's my time, it has come. Ever since you visited me that day, and told me I was living and not dead, I have been thinking…" he paused for a moment, "I have been thinking about all that I have done." Tohru looked a little surprised.

"Really?" she asked with a stunned voice.

"Yes. I have something to say now," he said, "and I feel it to be important. You Tohru, you managed to keep the secret for all this time. I don't think that there is a person in this room who hates you, no, they all love you. You even accepted Kyo in his other form. You managed to heal wounds that I had made, and even get me to think about the things I have done in the past, and now, I am truly sorry. For all you have done Tohru, I'm instructing that you be a part of their lives for as long as possible." There was a long, pregnant pause… I couldn't believe that these words were coming out of Akito's own mouth.

"Also, they should protect you and help you when you need it. You are as much a part of this family now as any of them. I can see now you are happy when you are here, and though I do not fully understand why, I believe it has something to do with everyone else's influences," Akito said, and then looked at me, "Forgive me Yuki." I was so surprised all I could do was nod.

"It's um… okay…" I sort of stuttered out.

"And to everyone else, that I hurt, forgive me. I only did it because I thought it was right," he said.

"It's not… your fault," Hatori said, "It's the curse."

"That and the fact I was blinded by sorrow, I guess," Akito said, and began to close his eyes.

"Is there anything else?" Hatori asked gently.

"Don't forget me," he said, and then he breathed in and out no more.

"Akito!" Tohru cried, and tears began to stream down her face. Instinctively I held her close to me, wishing I could wipe those tears away, knowing that in a second I would become the rat.

"You didn't change!" Momiji exclaimed.

"Huh?" I asked, surprised by the fact I was myself and not the rat.

"Maybe… I should explain. Akito held the bulk of the curse, meaning that when he passed, the curse was mostly lifted, meaning the opposite sex can hug you, but only when you want them too. And all the other rules still apply though," Hatori said, "At least; I think that is it…" I could hold Miss Honda? Pure joy ran through me. I couldn't believe my good fortune.

"Hey Yuki! It's my turn!" Momiji cried and ran up and hugged Tohru. It truly was a sad and yet joyful day…

Now to tackle that hat problem… And to tell her how I feel!

A/N: Like? Don't Like? I'll have the next chapter up soon with good reviews… and lots of them… ^_^… Just R&R!