Chapter Text
'It's all gone tomorrow.' thought Kyo Sohma as he stood by his window in his bedroom. The day was tomorrow the end of Kyo's life, well he wasn't dying but his freedom was dead tomorrow. The thought made him shudder. Today was his last day of full freedom.
He knew Tohru was upset about it, it broke his heart knowing he couldn't do anything about it. As he continued to gaze outside the window, a sniffle was heard from behind him Kyo turned and saw Tohru at his door.
"Hey what did I tell you no crying today!" He ordered "I'm sorry Kyo I came to ask what you wanted for dinner?!" Tohru exclaimed, rubbing her nose in effort to stop crying. Kyo walked over and patted his fist on her head gently.
"Whatever you want is fine, just stop crying." He said to her.
"Oh okay so fish?" she asked. Kyo nodded "Yeah, if that's alright with you." he said, Tohru smiled softly and headed downstairs to get the fish prepared.
As Kyo watched her go, Yuki walked past the room, Kyo's instantly smile faded. His hatred for the rat remained no matter how much he had grown. Yuki was freed from the curse and Kyo hated it. Yuki was free, he was going to college after graduation while Kyo was going to be locked up.
Yuki wasn't the only one free, Hiro was revealed to be freed months ago, but Kyo had no reason to hate Hiro, he was just a kid. Momiji had also been revealed to free a few months ago too, and Kyo again had no reason to hate him either, Momiji was still a bit irritating but he had grown up a lot, in a small weird way Kyo was proud of Momiji for growing up but still staying true to himself.
Kyo had no opinion on Kureno who was freed years ago. Kureno left the main estate a little while ago and was now working and dating Arisa Uotani.
Kyo began to look out his window again trying to distract him from the thoughts of being locked away from Tohru. A little while later he joined everyone downstairs.
It almost felt like a regular evening for the four of them. Shigure and Yuki either chatting or bickering by the kotatsu while Tohru prepared dinner with a smile. Then Kyo noticed their guest, Kazuma was sitting by the kotatsu, he was invited over for Kyo's last night of freedom.
"Remember Tohru, you and Yuki will be living here alone now after tomorrow so until you get your own place I trust you'll do a good job looking after my precious house." Shigure told the young girl.
"Oh don't worry Shigure I promise the house will be fine." Tohru told the dog.
"Kyo so nice of you to join us." Kazuma smiled at his son.
"Uh, no problem Master." He said to his adoptive father as he sat down beside him.
Soon Tohru served dinner and everyone ate and talked the evening away. After dinner Kazuma joined Kyo in his room. "I'll be there tomorrow for your graduation but as for now I want to say how proud I am of you son, you've become a wonderful man and I will miss you greatly." Kazuma said. Wiping away his tears Kyo embraced his dad "Thank you so much, Dad I will miss you too." Kyo said.
As Kazuma returned the embrace he told Kyo quietly "If its any consolation, I wish my effort to stop this had worked and you would be celebrating tomorrow as a free man."
Kyo backed away from the hug and met his Dad's eyes "Don't beat yourself up, there's nothing anyone could have done." Kazuma didn't look like he agreed, but he said nothing and just patted Kyo the back.
Tohru sat out watching the stars before going to bed, she couldn't believe she would be saying goodbye to Kyo, He was the one she loved and not matter how hard she tried, she hadn't broken the curse and thus she felt useless. Sooner or later she felt arms wrapped around her.
"Yuki?"
"Hey you looked upset so I'd thought I'd hug you, Is it helping?"
"Yes thank you."
"Do you want to talk?" Yuki let go of her and sat beside her.
"I-" Tohru burst into tears she felt Yuki's arm pull her into a tight hug.
"Shhh it's okay I'll listen tell me what's going on." Yuki's soothing voice said.
"I'm just worried for tomorrow it's Kyo's last day and I know I'm going to miss him like crazy."
"I know but we can't do anything it's his destiny." he told her, and as much as Tohru tried to believe him, she knew in her heart he couldn't be right, not about this, it was just wrong.
"I just wish I could have done something maybe break the curse."
"I don't know I got lucky but I don't know how it breaks it just does."
"And then there's Isuzu, I haven't seen her in so long I'm worried about her."
"Yeah, you and others are." Yuki agreed quietly.
"I hope she's okay, do you think she'll be at the banquet tomorrow?"
"I can't say if I do, but I think she will, It's what supposed to happen but no one knows where she is."
"You don't think she's dead do you?!"
"What no! Of course not, If so Akito would go nuts and we'd all find out. Not to mention Dark Haru would be out of control."
"Oh right, Has he seen her?"
"No he hasn't."
"Do you know what happened to them, Isuzu and Hatsuharu?"
"Not really- Wait you knew they were a couple?"
"I found out at the culture festival last year you know the one with Cinderella, Then Isuzu told me herself that they weren't together anymore."
"Oh I see."
"I hope she'll be there tomorrow then at least I'll know she's okay."
"Me too."
The pair fell silent as Yuki rubbed her back soothingly, Kyo then walked Kazuma out and saw the pair.
"Hey," He said from behind them.
"Kyo hey." Tohru said turning to face him.
"I said no crying, jeez are you that upset?"
"Uh yes I am, you're-" Tohru stood up and Kyo laid his fist on her head. "We'll talk tomorrow there's some stuff I wanna tell you okay?"
Tohru nodded and wondered what Kyo was going to say "Ok goodnight Kyo." Tohru said as Kyo walked upstairs "Goodnight." he mumbled.
"Don't worry I'll be here when he's gone tomorrow and so will Hanajima and Uotani." Yuki said.
"Thank you Yuki." Tohru said before following Kyo upstairs.
Kyo opened his eyes in early morning, it was the day he dreaded, He got up roughly. He hated this day he was saying goodbye today he wanted to scream. But he didn't he reluctantly got dressed for the day.
When he got downstairs Tohru was already eating breakfast and Shigure had all his stuff in boxes ready to move to the main house.
"Morning Kyo," Shigure greeted. Kyo only grunted in response.
"Good morning Kyo do you want some breakfast?" Tohru asked.
Kyo smiled sadly at her "Sure thanks," He said as he took a seat beside her. Breakfast went by quickly and Kyo hoped to remember every moment of it, it was the last breakfast he'd ever share with Tohru.
Sooner or later Kyo found himself at the graduation ceremony, Kazuma walked him in and took a seat in the first row. As Kyo accepted his diploma, he tried to smile as no one other then Tohru and the Sohmas knew he was doomed to be locked up.
His smile felt a little genuine when he saw the proud look on Kazuma's face, he had someone in the crown rooting for him. He smiled again when Tohru accepted hers, he knew she would do well, he hoped she will get a good job and enjoy her life without him.
After everyone had accepted their diplomas Kyo was sitting on a wall waiting to see Tohru one last time. She agreed to meet with him alone after the ceremony.
"So Kyo how does graduation feel?" Haru asked from behind him. Kyo jumped up in surprise.
"How do you think?!" Kyo snapped, Haru looked blankly at him.
"Sorry it's a hard day." Kyo apologised looking down.
"It's okay, I get it. I'm sorry I asked such a stupid question." Haru said.
"It's fine you ready for the banquet tonight?"
"Eh I'm fine I guess but it'll be weird without Yuki, Hiro, Momiji and Kureno there."
"Yeah I guess, Hey Haru?"
"Yeah?"
"You'll visit me right? In there?"
"Of course I will." Haru said with a sad smile.
Looking at Haru's face Kyo couldn't help but smile too. "Thank you." he told the ox, while Kyo often found Haru annoying, he was one of the first friends Kyo made and he did appreciate him. Haru nodded solemnly in return.
"Kyo," Tohru's voice then said, Haru and Kyo looked over and Tohru was standing a few feet away. "Hey,"
Haru looked at them both and took his que to leave and walked away. Tohru walked up to him and kept her eyes down.
"Hey," Kyo greeted in return.
"So uhm what did you want to tell me?" She asked slowly.
Kyo could feel his heart beating in his chest, he was sure it was going pound its way out of his chest, he took a took breath and looked into her eyes "Okay, here goes, I don't expect you to feel the same way so I think it's best you don't say anything even if by chance you do feel the same way, Tohru." Kyo said softly, Tohru looked up at him curiously.
"I love you, and I have for a long time and I always will and I know what's gonna happen later but I wanted to tell you before I go, so don't say anything." Kyo laid a gentle hand on her cheek as he said the words to her, he felt some tears go down her face.
"I want you to be happy, so when I go you can cry all you want but promise me after a little while you'll keep smiling that beautiful smile of yours okay?" Kyo said, Tohru nodded. Kyo looked into her watering eyes.
"I'll miss you." he said, Tohru choked out a sob, "I will t-too," she managed to say. "I should go Akito's expecting me." He said sadly. He began walking away when he felt Tohru grab his hand to make him turn to her again "You're not even going to attempt to fight against it?" she asked in a small voice.
His heart was cracking and as much as he wanted to the opposite, he pulled his hand away "No."
"But you don't deserve to go in there, Kyo please I can't bear to let this happen." she sobbed, pleaded for him to stay.
"Tohru, it's been decided, I can't fight it."
"Then let me say it back," She asked, Kyo forced his eyes away "No, give your love to someone who can appreciate it." And with that he walked off, his chest aching and the only thing he heard were her broken sobs.
Kazuma accompanied Kyo on his way to see Akito. Kyo was unbearably anxious he felt Kazuma lay his hand on top of Kyo's shoulder to try and calm his nerves. Soon Kyo caught sight of it, the cat's room, it looked dark and old. Kyo didn't know what to feel now.
'So this is it.' He thought. Exiting the car Kyo saw Akito outside ready to greet them. "Hello Kyo it's good to see you," Akito said with a little smile. "Hello Akito." Kazuma said from behind Kyo.
"I'm afraid this is as far as you can go Kazuma you won't be joining us to the cat's room." Akito explained, Kazuma's face fell. "You said I could that was the deal when I took Kyo in." Kazuma said angrily.
"You see, things change over time the monster needs to witness something with me. You may say your goodbyes if you must but you can't come with us." Akito declared.
Without warning Kyo was now in a tight embrace from his father, Kazuma held on tightly. Kyo returned the embrace in sorrow. After a few moments Kazuma pulled away "It's been an honour to raise you Kyo." He said. Kyo nodded and bowed before walking towards Akito.
Kyo followed Akito to the door of the cats room then Aktio opened the door "Now I know I said you wouldn't be lonely with my visits Kyo but I won't be visiting as much as I promised."
Akito explained "What a surprise." Kyo said under his breath. "But never the less you won't be lonely at all, You see you have another monster with you." Akito said with a small laugh.
Kyo was confused, Akito opened the cage door "Get up he's here." Akito ordered to whatever was waiting for him in the dark.
Kyo got even more confused. "Ugh are you serious? Get up right now even you need to greet the other monster!" Akito yelled.
Kyo stared at the darkness until he saw a figure appear, it was thin and he wasn't sure who he was looking at. "Ugh you are so pathetic." Akito whined before grabbing the person forward so Kyo could see who it was.
The figure then fell onto their knees and looked up slightly then looked at the ground Kyo let out a gasp when he saw her face. "What the hell?!" Kyo yelled.
"You see Kyo, Isuzu here has been a terrible monster like you, she tried to steal from me, twice might I add. She deserves to be treated like this and locked up." Akito stated in a dark voice.
"You can't be serious?" Kyo exclaimed in disbelief.
"Oh but I am Kyo, you and Isuzu will remain here forever mark my word on that." Akito spat. "Isn't that right Isuzu?"
Akito said putting her hands on Rin's head, Rin shuddered at the touch and remained quiet. Next thing Kyo knew he was pushed in and he heard the cage lock behind him. Kyo turned around and grabbed the bars
"Akito you gotta let her out she doesn't deserve to be here!" he begged.
"Shut up Kyo! I decide what happens to the zodiac so if I say Isuzu stays then she stays, so shut up and get used to it because she's not going anywhere." Akito said, before taking her leave and walking out.
Kyo leaned his head against the cage, he took a small look at Rin who was against the wall knees up her face she wouldn't look up. He saw her hair was cut and wondered what happened that lead her this place.
The banquet was held that night and Akito was glad to have who was left in the zodiac with her, yet she couldn't un-shake the guilt she felt, so she brushed it off and enjoyed her night. She still had the bonds that hadn't broken and nothing was going to take them from her now.
"Now I know this banquet is different than others, during the year, we lost our rooster Kureno, our bunny Momiji, our sheep Hiro and our rat Yuki, but I'm very glad to have the rest of you with me." Akito said as she held up her glass. Everyone nodded and took up their glasses.
"What about Isuzu?" Kagura asked.
Akito faced the boar and looked at Kagura's worried expression.
"What about her?" Akito asked in an almost playful manner.
"She isn't here Akito." Haru said, looking at the ground sadly with a worried look on his face.
"Well if you must know she's ill and couldn't make it." Akito lied quickly.
"Oh," Kagura said softly.
"But I have some news for you all I'm sorry to say this but I've made a new rule. No one is allowed to see Kyo. It's forbidden so don't try or you will be punished." Everyone gasped "What? Why not!" Kagura cried. "Because I said so you're all mine so do what I say!" Akito yelled. The room went quiet and the banquet went on.
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End Of Chapter One.