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Always and Forever: The Appendix

Summary:

An appendix of information pertaining to my series "Always and Forever," including a full timeline, complete chronological listing of all works with summaries, updated character bios, OC bios, fictional place descriptions, and whatever else I feel is pertinent, along with a little piece of Kyo/Tohru fluff to kick things off.


Most recently added chapter: Chapter 12, Canon character bios: Momiji (Posted 9/7/23)
-Momiji's updated bio, summarizing his life as depicted in 'Always and Forever.'

Chapter 1: Story, Table of Contents, Intro, and Q&A

Chapter Text

They walked together, hand in hand, with neither one of them caring where they went or what time it was. All that mattered was the two of them, Tohru and Kyo, the way they had always been meant to be: together, side by side, with her hand in his.

Neither one of them had dreamed that things would turn out this way. Tohru had woken up that morning in her hospital bed, relieved to know she was being released but terrified to face Kyo. No matter how much she had told herself she'd be just fine staying friends, her heart had ached at the thought of seeing him after everything that had passed.

For his part, Kyo had been just as terrified as Tohru; maybe more. He had known, and everyone else around them had known as well, that when he finally saw her he intended to lay his heart open. He'd screwed up badly that day in the rain when she'd told him she loved him; she didn't owe him a second chance, but he still had to try.

So many fears, on both of their parts, and so much determination. Tohru, desperate not to ruin things any more than she had, and Kyo, determined to finally make things right. Determination had led to Kyo crouching in front of Tohru, her hand in his as he told her there was no one else he wanted; nothing else he wanted more than to share his life with her. That he wanted to be with her, forever...because he loved her.

It had been beautiful, and perfect, and wonderful; more than either of them could have ever hoped for, or wanted, or dreamed: the moment when they both knew, and heard, that they loved one another.

Together, they could face anything; together, they'd be invincible. And being together would so easily have been enough for them both...

'Goodbye.'

So much more had happened that day, bringing joy and happiness to so many more people. One after another, the bonds of the Curse had snapped and the former Zodiac were freed. It had almost been too much for Tohru to start to process; there had been too much joy to share with far too many people.

But as much as Tohru would have loved to see everyone, to rejoice with everyone, and to hug everyone properly, there was one person whose touch she craved and whose happiness mattered the most: the man whose arms she flew back into after leaving Akito. There would be time for her to see the others later; that magical, wonderous, perfect moment, belonged to the two of them.

It was how they were meant to be, and how they always would: Tohru and Kyo, walking forward into their future together, her hand held tightly in his and both of them side by side.

Tohru and Kyo, together, always, and forever.


Table of Contents

  • Chapter 1: Story, Table of Contents, Introduction to 'Always and Forever' and series Q&As.
    Chapter 2: Timeline (updated as events warrant, contains spoilers)
    Chapter 3: 'Always and Forever' complete story order (updated as stories/chapters added, contains spoilers)
    Chapter 4: Canon character quick facts
    Chapter 5: Original character quick facts
    Chapter 6
    : Kyoru family quick facts - names (kanji, meanings, pronunciation) and general appearances
    Chapter 7:
    Family trees
    Chapter 8: Locations
    Chapter 9: Canon character bios - Tohru and Kyo
    Chapter 10: Canon character bios - Yuki and Machi
    Chapter 11: Canon character bios - Haru and Rin
    Chapter 12
    : Canon character bios - Momiji -> Most recently added chapter
    Chapter 13: Canon character bios - Saki and Arisa 
    Chapter 14:
    Assorted canon character headcanons
    Chapter 15+: TBA

Always and Forever: An introduction

When I sat down to write my first Fruits Basket fanfic in August 2021, I had absolutely no idea it was going to become Always and Forever. I've always been a big fan of Fruits Basket, but my love of the series and Tohru and Kyo specifically took on new life after the rebooted anime came out in 2019. It was wonderful to see the series I'd always enjoyed so much get new life on the screen, but that also meant going through the inevitable pangs of sadness when the anime came to a close.

I wanted more content and started looking into fanfic, but I couldn't find quite what I was looking for to scratch the itch of 'what happens next,' especially since I didn't actually know AO3 was a thing at that point. Ultimately, I decided to start writing what I wanted to see myself and wrote my first fanfic: 'An Awkward New Reality.' I enjoyed the process more than I expected, and that inspired me to write 'Clear Skies Ahead,' my imagining of Tohru and Kyo's last day in Tokyo from the time Yuki and Kyo have their final canon conversation through Tohru and Kyo's sendoff and departure for their new home. That led into another story, and another...and another. And somehow, that got me to here. I've been writing this series as my primary hobby for months now, and in that time I've written fifty-two stories (as of right now) and over 1.7 million words of Fruits Basket fanfic, almost all of which belong to this series. I've always been a fast writer as long as I'm inspired, and Fruits Basket has proved very inspiring.

When I first started writing, I had no idea what I was getting into and was a little looser on some of the facts. Coming from the US and a US-based perspective, there were things I didn't realize to start with, like the fact that the Japanese school year runs April-March and not August-June; that, paired with the fact that canon skips so much of the trio's last year of high school, meant that when I first started writing, I thought that the Curse broke only a month or so before graduation. The stories I wrote first (An Awkward New Reality, Clear Skies Ahead, Easing Into the New, The Next Big Step, and Formal Surprises) all were written based on that skewed timeline; I was able to fudge things to make most of them work with the correct timeline, but An Awkward New Reality was too...well, awkward to fix, so that one exists outside of the series itself.

After that point, though, I've done my best to be accurate in my portrayals of the world Tohru and Kyo live in. I've read up on all kinds of things while writing this series, such as Japanese weddings, inheritance law, university admissions, home building requirements, average salaries, holidays, meals, maternity leave, gender roles, travel distances, karate everything, traditional clothing, gay marriage law, funeral customs, and more. Obviously this is fiction, I'm not paid, and ultimately there is only so accurate I can be in writing about a place I've never been and a culture I've never experienced, but I've done my best, within reason, to be respectful and accurate and genuinely enjoyed learning along the way.

At this point, I've seen Tohru and Kyo and many of the other canon characters through graduations, marriages, children, career changes, moves, and beyond, with stories that span over three decades of Tohru and Kyo's lives. I've built an entire little universe where they all go about their lives and it makes me happy to imagine them all continuing to grow, love, and live their lives to the fullest. My hope has always been that the canon characters feel and sound like natural progressions of their canon selves, and that the OCs I've created for this series feel like they belong. While I've done my best to try to match the tone of the canon, I like fluff, slice of life, and happy endings; there is definitely a fair amount of angst in this series, because angst is inevitable, but overall, the tone of this series is positive and happy, as I feel befits a world where the Curse has broken. 

I realized very early on in my writing that I would probably need to keep track of information while I was writing to keep things consistent. This appendix is basically a nicer, more uniform version of my personal reference document, omitting some of the less relevant information I use for more personal reference (like the fact Tohru finally got her driver's license in early July, nine years after graduation shortly before her twenty-eighth birthday) and fleshing out more things, like post-canon character bios, recurring OC bios, and information about my fictional places.

I never would have gotten nearly this far without the support and interest of people along the way. I started on FFN, but it's here on AO3 where I've really hit my stride. I don't post on social media, so anyone who's found my stories has done it here or because someone else has shared them, and it really means a lot to me to see so much positive interaction. I will freely admit I write for myself first and foremost, but seeing or hearing that what I've written has connected with someone else is always a joy. There are people who have been reading my stories since the very beginning, and when I see those names pop up in a comment or a kudo, it never fails to make me smile. But every reader I've picked up along the way has been special as well; if you're reading this and you've read and liked even one of my stories, then thank you!

As always, this series is a passion project, and I always love to hear from people about it or talk Fruits Basket in general. If you have any suggestions of things you'd like to see me cover for this series, or any questions for me about Fruits Basket and/or my series, feel free to leave me a comment. Or multiple comments, even. 

This one's for the people who read the appendices!

OnigiriCat4Ever


Questions and Answers

Q. What exactly is 'Always and Forever?'
A: 'Always and Forever' is my personal 'canon continuation' of the Fruits Basket story. It is not an AU, but my imagining of what happens next after the canon ends.

Q: What do you mean when you say 'canon continuation?'
A: Basically, I picked up where the canon story left off and continued writing what I imagine would have happened next. For the most part, I do not write about any events that occur during canon, with the exception of in flashbacks or to flesh out incidents/backstory that either were minimally touched on or never developed in canon. 

Q: But you wrote stories set before graduation, which is part of the original canon!
A: Correct. In my opinion 'the canon' can be divided into five parts:

  • the bulk of the story, which is everything from the beginning through the Curse breaking to Tohru and Kyo's first 'date' where he asks Tohru to move with him after graduation;
  • graduation/Tohru and Kyo cleaning the house/Tohru's final conversation with Yuki where he calls her Tohru (approximately eight months after the Curse broke);
  • the epilogue from the Fruits Basket Prelude movie, where we see Tohru and Kyo together in their new village within months of their graduation (I think);
  • Fruits Basket Another, the sequel series featuring children of the original characters (20-22 years after graduation);
  • the original series epilogue, showing old Tohru and Kyo, their second son, his wife, and Tohru and Kyo's granddaughter;

Essentially, my series picks up after the Curse breaks. Because of the Japanese school calendar, it's fair to say about eight months pass between Tohru being released from the hospital (she has to make up exams and there are several references to summer vacation, which starts the end of July) and graduation in March. That's a long time where we have no canon info, so I fleshed out a lot there. I have done my best to integrate canon events that take place around and during my stories into those stories as seamlessly and accurately as possible.

Q: But in the 'Prelude' epilogue, Tohru and Kyo are married and live by the sea and you don't-
A: I started writing this series before the Prelude came out or we knew anything about it. For the purposes of 'Always and Forever,' the 'Prelude' epilogue doesn't exist. Everything else (with the exception of a couple known errors), is canon compliant.  

Q: Your series is rated 'E,' but I don't want to read smut!
A: Fair enough! The series as a whole is rated 'E' because AO3 matches the series rating to the highest-rated work in the series. Because I have smut pieces with 'E' ratings in the series, AO3 considers the whole series 'E.' However, it is possible and fairly easy to read the series while skipping the smut. Almost every 'E' rated piece is a oneshot that can be skipped without it affecting any understanding of the overall story.

Q: Almost every 'E' rated piece can be easily skipped? What are the exceptions?
A: Two of my plot-relevant chapter stories contain explicit chapters. "Easing into the New' is one of my earlier stories and covers Tohru and Kyo's move immediately after canon and their first few days in their new village; I think the story itself is valuable to the overall plot of the series, but it does contain four explicit chapters. However, those chapters can be skipped within the work without affecting the story itself and all of them are identified in both the chapter titles and the author notes at the top of the chapters in question. The other work is "If Wholesomeness Took Off Clothes," which tackles the subject of Tohru and Kyo's first time having sex, including the buildup and immediate aftermath, as well as an explicit depiction of the act itself. If you are uncomfortable with that subject, it can be skipped, but it does develop the relationship between Tohru and Kyo more as well as address the evolving relationship between Kyo and Yuki. 

Q: Ok, so those are the 'E' fics. What about your 'M' rated pieces?
A: Pieces that are rated 'M' in the series have significant sexual content/imagery but nothing explicit. Nothing I write is tagged for violence. 

Q: So really, what is this series rated?
A: I personally consider the series as a whole 'T.' The bulk of my stories are rated 'T' for language (I think Kyo swears, a lot, and he's not the only one), sexual references and humor, and/or dark themes. 

Q: I don't think Tohru and Kyo would have sex/be sexual. Should I try this series anyway?
A: Sure, you can always try! That said, I feel strongly that Tohru and Kyo ARE a physical couple; they are both affection-starved before they get together but still often touch one another, and they're both romantics as well as deeply in love. Obviously sex is not necessary for love or romance, but I personally feel that they are a very sexual couple and their physical intimacy comes up often as a framing device (I think they talk a lot in bed) or just in passing as part of their 'slice of life.' If you are uncomfortable with sex or physical intimacy referenced in any way, this might not be a series for you.

Q: I first read one of your stories on Fanfiction.net and I've noticed that they are a little different on AO3. Why is that?
A: When I started writing this series in August 2021, I exclusively uploaded on FFN because I didn't actually know about AO3 at the time. When I learned of AO3 the following month, I signed up and began cross-posting my stories, and for a time, I posted my stories on both platforms. However, FFN is, in my opinion, a pain in the butt to post on. In order to post a story (or a single chapter of a story), you have to upload the doc to FFN, format it there, then post that formatted doc as the story or chapter. To EDIT a chapter, you have to edit that doc and resave it over the story/chapter. Annoying, but not nearly as annoying as the fact that it limits you to 200 editable docs. Again, each CHAPTER of a chapter work takes up one of those 200 slots. I have thirty-three chapter stories currently that each have 9-28 chapters, plus my compilations that have a combined total of over 200 chapters, plus oneshots. This means I had to delete old chapter files to post new stories, so if I wanted to edit old stories, even to fix typos, I would have to reupload the text, reformat THE ENTIRE THING again, and republish over the old chapter, then repeat for every. Single. Chapter. I stopped posting on FFN back in April 2022 and I had stopped editing anything on FFN way earlier because it was just too much of a process.

So. The stories, as they are posted on FFN, are basically 'the original' version. Since I started writing the series, I've done a few sweeps for typos (I do edit before I post, but somehow there are always typos), to fix continuity errors (for example, I originally always referred to Tohru's friends as 'Uotani' and 'Hanajima,' but later on I decided to switch to referring to them as 'Arisa' and 'Saki' because both of them would later get married and change their surnames. Other continuity adjustments include how I referred to Kyo's new dojo master [from 'Master Matsuda' to 'Sensei Kenichi'], initially using mostly English terms but later deciding to incorporate more Japanese [i.e. from 'deck' to 'engawa'], and tweaks to certain speech patterns), adjust formatting, and to make small edits to reflect information brought in in new stories that take place earlier chronologically. None of these edits are large, truly significant, or alter the plots of the stories themselves, but I prefer things to be consistant and flow nicely whenever possible. 

The TL;DR of this answer: Read on AO3 if you want the most accurate, up-to-date version of anything.

Q: Did you know that X detail about Japanese life/culture is wrong?
A: I'm sorry to hear that! I've done my best to be as accurate as possible in my portrayals of Tohru and Kyo's world, and to that end I've done a great deal of research on numerous aspects of life in Japan. But ultimately, this series is fiction, I'm not paid, and there is always going to be a point where I cut my losses and go 'good enough.' This isn't meant to be a research project, just something I do because I like it.

Q: I found a typo/inaccurate fact! Would you like me to tell you?
A: Yes, actually! As I already mentioned, I've done multiple editing passes on all of my stories, but things still creep by me unnoticed. If you find a typo I've missed, a canonical fact I've gotten wrong, or a fact related to my own fanon I've gotten wrong (it's happened!), please feel encouraged to leave me a polite comment with the information so I can fix it or, if it's too big to fix (like my accidentally making Kisa a year too old), at least be aware of it. 

Q: Why don't you use Japanese honorifics?
A: Because I don't understand them well enough to feel comfortable using them, so, with the exception of 'Uo-chan' and 'Hana-chan', they don't appear in this series. 

Q: Are you done writing 'Always and Forever?'
A: Yes and no. I feel I've tackled all of the longer plot arcs I want to address, but I love filling in details and keep having inspiration to write. As long as I have ideas, I plan to keep writing.

Q: You say you dislike character deaths, but you kill off canon characters!
A: Technically, yes. In the span of the series I specifically address certain deaths I think are significant, and as the series has progressed it can be assumed that other characters have passed as well. That said, in general I avoid death and terminal illness.

Q: Can I use your world/OCs/character names/headcanons in my own fanfics/fanarts?
A: Yes! I started writing this series because I couldn't really find enough of the kind of fics I wanted to read, which were basically 'more of the canon.' At this point, I've put hundreds of hours into my writing and development of Tohru and Kyo's post canon world, and it never would have gotten as far as it did without the support and encouragement of my readers. If what I've written inspires you to write/draw/etc. and you'd like to include any of what I've come up with, go for it! All I ask is that you credit me in an author's note, otherwise feel free! That goes for everything from the village of Hibe and the Matsuda Dojo to Tohru and Kyo's two younger kids, their grandkids, significant others, or any of my headcanons or referenced events. Ultimately my writing this series is because I was inspired by Natsuki Takaya's work; if you were inspired by my take on her world, then please feel free and encouraged to use it in turn!

Chapter 2: Timeline

Summary:

A timeline of the events in my series, beginning the day of Tohru's confession/fall and stretching out as far into the future as I've written/plotted.

Notes:

My series is obviously Tohru/Kyo-centric, so I haven't included all the details pertaining to other canon characters except and unless those events factor somehow into my stories. That said, if there's something you're curious about that I haven't included, feel free to ask; it's definitely possible I've thought about it, and possibly even plotted it out and just not included it here.

This chapter contains spoilers, review at your own risk!

Chapter Text

A word about the timeline: I used Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki's graduation day as my 'BC/AD' divider, so the 'calendar year' starts in mid-late March (when Japanese graduations happen) and goes through the middle of the following March.

And a bit about time itself: I purposely avoid referring to or using any actual years in my stories. Based on the fact Tohru is Year of the Dog, the passage of time in the story, and the fact the final Zodiac Dance we see performed before the Curse breaks is between Momiji (Rabbit) and Hatori (Dragon), it's pretty safe to assume that graduation/the end of canon takes place in 2001. But I don't have and never have had any interest in making my stories accurate reflections of the year they took place, so in terms of technology, fashion, popular culture, legalities, and cultural norms, all stories in this series, whether taking place the day after the Curse broke or decades in the future, are assumed to be occurring in a nebulous 'now.'

And about the Japanese school year: The school year begins in early April and goes through mid-late March, with 1-2 weeks off between the old school year and the new. The year is typically divided into three terms: April-July, when there is a summer break from around July 20 through the end of August; September-late December, with another break of approximately 1-2 weeks for Christmas/New Year's, then January through March, when the school year ends.

About Japanese grades in school: Japan is pretty rigid when it comes to starting school and school grades. School officially starts at first grade, and it would be students who turned six between the previous April 2nd and the current April 1st. This is why Hajime (birthday in February) started school the year he turned six, but Mutsuki (six months younger, birthday in August) had to wait until the following year to start.

And about the timing of certain events in canon: Based on the events happening in the canon around the time the Curse breaks and clues like the school uniforms everyone is wearing (summer uniforms are worn starting June 1), my best guesstimate as to when the events at the end of canon take place are late June (Akito stabbing Kureno, Tohru's confession and fall) and early-to-mid-July (Tohru being released from the hospital and the Curse breaking). Approximately eight months pass between the time the Curse breaks and Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki's graduation.

And about birthdays/canon character ages: Since Natsuki Takaya herself said she preferred to keep the canon characters' birthdays ambiguous, I made up birthdays for everyone that fit best with my personal narrative. I realize they aren't the same as the popular dates in the fandom, but since those aren't canonical either, I didn't have any qualms about changing them. I will note I ended up with a canon error by accidentally making Kisa a grade older than she is supposed to be, but I didn't catch it soon enough to change it so for purposes of this universe, Kisa is two grades ahead of Hiro instead of one though only a little more than a year older. For the purpose of this series, I use the following birthdays for canon characters:

  • Arisa: April 21st
  • Yuki: May 3rd
  • Tohru: August 9th
  • Saki: October 31st
  • Kyo: January 7th
  • Momiji: July 15th (making him about six months younger than Kyo)
  • Haru: November 21st (about five months younger than Momiji)
  • Rin: February 24th (approximately three months older than Yuki, she, like Kyo, would be one of the youngest in her class)
  • Kisa: March 21st (because I made her a grade ahead of where she should be by accident, I wanted her to be one of the youngest in her class to bring her age more in line with Hiro/where she is supposed to be. She is sixteen months younger than Haru and about fourteen months older than Hiro)
  • Hiro: April 19th (he would be one of the oldest in his grade and is five years younger than Arisa)

As of Tohru/Kyo/Yuki/Arisa/Saki's graduation/the end of the OG canon (late March), these characters are:

  • Tohru/Kyo/Yuki/Arisa/Saki: 18
  • Haru and Momiji: 17
  • Rin: 19
  • Kisa: 15
  • Hiro: almost 14

Other canon character ages as of graduation:

  • Kazuma: 40 (twenty-two years older than Kyo)
  • Kunimitsu: 30 (twelve years older than Kyo)
  • Shigure/Hatori/Ayame: 28 (ten years older)
  • Kureno: 27 (nine years older)
  • Akito: 23 (five years older)
  • Kagura: 20 (two years older)

And about Fruits Basket: the Prelude: I began writing and wrote a lot of this series before the release of the 'Fruits Basket: Prelude' movie, and as a result this series diverges from the future reflected in Tohru and Kyo's epilogue there. Specifically, I do not have them living by the sea, nor do they get married immediately. With the exception of the prelude and the previously mentioned Kisa error, all other canon events and occurrences are treated as fact in this series.  

About karate: Although I initially tried to avoid writing karate/dojo life/dojo structures, it became obvious early on that I couldn't have a fleshed out post-canon life for Kyo in specific if I didn't spend at least a little time on the topic. Over time, karate has become a significant part of the story, and I have done my best to write things...plausibly. I have never taken karate, visited Japan, or been in a Japanese dojo, and I do not claim to be remotely accurate in my portrayals of dojo life and traditions, class structures, and the practice of karate itself. I have very loosely modeled karate in my universe on the Shotokan style when it comes to the guiding principles and the emphasis on kata, but the more combat-oriented fighting style is more like Kyokushin style. Ultimately, it's a fictional model, so take that with a grain of salt!


Types of event on the timeline:

-Canon event: Something that is established as canon in either Fruits Basket or Fruits Basket: Another (FB:A) with a reasonably accurate estimate of the timeframe (ex: when the Curse broke; graduation)
-Canon-adjacent event: Something established or strongly implied as canon in either Fruits Basket or FB:A, but with a mostly or entirely improvised timeline (ex: any of the Another kids' birth dates, the dates any canon couples got married) or else established in canon but not in detail (ex. Tohru and Kyo moving is canon; to where is not).
-Non-canon plot point: Something never specifically established in canon but established in my universe as fact (ex: Momiji moving to Germany for university. Momo learning the truth about Momiji)

Events with an (*) at the end specifically occur during one of my stories, either in real time or a flashback. Events without an asterisk are simply referenced or just happen in the background.

Featured recurring OCs/previously unnamed canon characters mentioned in the timeline:

*Characters with bolded names are members of Tohru and Kyo's family, either their children and grandchildren or else through marriage. 

At Kaibara High, prior to graduation:

  • Kyo's 'basketball friends' Ryosuke Uchida, Katsuo Ita, Sota Kurosawa, Kuro Yoneda, Hayate Tokusa, and Daisuke Hirayama. This group also includes canon characters Hiroshi (Sato) and Yusuke (Fujiwara).

In Hibe/Nigeyashi, after graduation:

  • Katsuro Sohma: Tohru and Kyo's second son
  • Sachiko Sohma: Tohru and Kyo's daughter
  • Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, Kyo's new karate master and boss (Kazuma's 'acquaintance who runs a dojo, very far from here.')
  • Ayako Matsuda: Sensei Kenichi's wife, Tohru and Kyo's pseudo mother figure and grandmother to their kids.
  • Senseis Hiroshi Yamada, Haruto Maeda (later Matsuda), Yuna Sasaki, Tamiko Wada, Emiko Ikeda, Taiki Shibata, Kenji Kojima, Daichi Matsuda: Kyo's coworkers at the dojo.
  • Riko and Yamato Tanaka, Tohru and Kyo's friends who run the bakery
  • Mei Okada, who co-owns the grocery store.
  • Hajime's school-and-karate friends Kenzo Abe and Hikaru Nakahara.
  • Katsuro's school friends Junichi Otsuka (best friend), Kiyoshi Ota, Honoka Kondo, Ema Hirano, Ryota Mizuna, Asuka Yamaguchi (also Katsuro's girlfriend from their second year of middle school until halfway through their first year of high school)
  • Sachiko's karate friends Shota and Sato Miyazaki (twins; Sato drops out after middle school), Emi Hashimoto, Kaede Nakamura.
  • Takashi Sakamoto (later Sohma); initially one of Sachiko's karate friends, eventually her boyfriend and later husband.
  • Masato and Noriko Sakamoto: Takashi's parents.

From everywhere else, after graduation:

  • Hans Wagner: Momiji's German boyfriend, later husband, who he meets in university.
  • Lorenzo Mosca: Saki's Italian boyfriend, later husband (the existence of her foreign husband with the surname 'Mosca' is canonically established in Fruits Basket Another).
  • Haya and Asami Sohma: Hiro and Kisa's daughters.
  • Mariko Nishimura (later Sohma): Katsuro's university girlfriend and later wife, the woman from the canon epilogue.
  • Akari Sohma: Tohru and Kyo's first grandchild, Katsuro and Mariko's daughter
  • Kazue Sohma: Tohru and Kyo's second grandchild, Katsuro and Mariko's son
  • Aiko Sohma: Tohru and Kyo's third grandchild, Hajime and Mutsuki's adopted daughter who is also Yuki and Machi's only grandchild
  • Tadame Sohma: Tohru and Kyo's fourth grandchild, Katsuro and Mariko's daughter and the child in the canon epilogue
  • Ryuko Sohma: Tohru and Kyo's fifth grandchild, Sachiko and Takashi's daughter and older twin
  • Torashi Sohma: Tohru and Kyo's sixth final grandchild, Sachiko and Takashi's son and younger twin
  • Yasuto and Hiromi Nishimura: Mariko's parents, Katsuro's in-laws.
  • Yoshito and Chitose Nishimura: Mariko's brother and sister-in-law, who live with her parents
  • Sayaka, Miyuki, and Fumika Nishimura: Yoshito and Chitose's daughters, Katsuro and Mariko's nieces. 
  • Kai Mosca: Saki Hanajima's grandson/Rio Mosca's son, Tadame's partner and eventual husband.
  • Hana Mosca: Saki's granddaughter, Rio's daughter, Kai's sister; Tadame's friend, later girlfriend, and eventual ex (on good terms). 
  • Ken Sohma: Momiji's grandson, Mina Sohma's son, Ryuko's boyfriend and eventual husband.
  • Hiyori Sohma: Hiro and Kisa's grandson
  • Kiyone Sohma: Hiro and Kisa's grandson, Hiyori's sister, Torashi's girlfriend and eventual wife. 
  • Akimitsu Kusakabe: Akari's boyfriend and eventual husband
  • Saoirse Murphy: Kazue's girlfriend and eventual wife.
  • Seiji Ishikawa: Aiko's boyfriend and eventual husband.
  • Rika Ishikawa: Seiji's daughter, Aiko's eventual stepdaughter

Always and Forever: The Timeline

Third  year of high school

June:

-Canon event: Tohru's confession, fall, and hospitalization (Late June).

July:

Early-mid July:
-Canon events: Tohru released from the hospital and begins dating Kyo, the Curse breaks. Yuki starts dating Machi.

Three days post-Curse:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru learns about her friends keeping Kyo away from the hospital.* 
-Canon event: Kyo's friends/the class learn Tohru and Kyo are dating.*

Four days post-Curse:
- Canon event: The former Zodiac members learn Akito is a woman.*

Ten days post-Curse:
-Canon events: Ch 133 of the manga: The last day of spring term, Tohru takes her exams, Tohru and Kyo visit the dojo.
-Non-canon plot points: Hatori gives Yuki and Kyo a sex talk. Kyo learns Yuki has a girlfriend.* 

Twelve days post-Curse:
-Canon events: Tohru and Kyo's first date (the zoo date with Arisa and Saki). Kyo asks Tohru to move with him after graduation.

Sixteen days post-Curse:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo's first time having sex.* 

August:
-Non-canon plot points: Kyo learns Tohru knew about his confinement and was trying to break the Curse; Kyo falls out with, then makes up with, Kazuma,* 
-Non-canon plot points: 'Younger Zodiac' Beach trip. Machi asks Yuki about 'Damn Rat' and Stupid Cat' and while he doesn't explain yet, he starts thinking more about telling her. Kyo beats Kagura in a fight for the first time.* 

September:
-Canon event: School resumes after summer break.
-Non-canon plot point: Culture Fest planning starts* 

October:

-Non-canon plot point: Sports Day*
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki and Machi's first time.
-Non-canon plot points: Kaibara High Culture Fest; Yuki and Machi go public with their relationship at school.* 
-Canon-adjacent event: The Cat's House is demolished.*

November:

-Non-canon plot points: Tohru falls down the stairs at school and sprains her wrist; Tohru learns Sensei Shiraki is friendly with Hatori. Tohru is benched from doing chores for two weeks while her wrist heals. 

December:

-Canon-adjacent event: Yuki tells Machi about the Curse on Christmas Eve.* 

January:

-Non-canon event: Tohru and Kyo find their post-graduation home.*
-Non-canon event: Kazuma gives Kyo all the money he was paid by the Sohmas for raising Kyo.*

February:

-Canon-adjacent event: Tohru and Kyo's 'scarf picture' is taken.*

March:

-Non-canon plot point: 'Younger Zodiac' Onsen trip* 

GRADUATION

-Canon event: Graduation* 
-Canon event: The Final Chapter of the manga: Tohru and Kyo clean out their rooms and leave Shigure's house. Yuki's last conversation with Tohru and calling her 'Tohru.'
-Canon event: Tohru and Kyo's sendoff.* 
-Non-canon plot points: Kyo starts calling Kazuma 'Dad' and Tohru's grandpa 'Grandpa.'*
-Canon-adjacent events: Tohru and Kyo move to #23, their new rental house in the (fictional) village of Hibe in Aomori prefecture.*
-Canon event: Saki Hanajima begins work as the Sohma Dojo's cook.

April:

-Non-canon plot point: Kyo starts working and training at the Matsuda Dojo in Hibe under Master Kenichi Matsuda, alongside Hiroshi Yamada, Haruto Maeda, Tamiko Wada, and Yuna Sasaki.* 
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma, with Akito's help, acquires a photo of Kyo's mother Ichiyo for Kyo and Tohru to have on their family shrine.*
-Canon-adjacent event: Yuki moves to Kyoto to begin studying at Kyoto University.
-Non-canon plot point: Kakeru Manabe starts at Tokyo University.
-Canon-adjacent event: Arisa Uotani moves to Fukushima prefecture after Kureno, with the two of them initially living separately.
-Non-canon plot point: New school year begins at Kaibara High, with Kisa Sohma in Sensei Mayuko Shiraki's new homeroom class.*
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru is hired as a receptionist at the Nigeyashi Women's Clinic, an OB/GYN practice in the small city of Nigeyashi neighboring Hibe.

September:

-Canon-adjacent events: Ayame and Mine get married, Tohru and Kyo learn Hatori and Mayuko are together.* 

February:

-Non-canon plot point: Rin moves out of the dojo and into Shigure's old house after starting job at alternative clothing store 'Torendi.'

1 year after graduation:

March:
-Canon-adjacent event: Tohru and Kyo get engaged.*
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru learns Momiji has been in love with her and of his plans to move to Germany for university.*
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo beats Yuki in a fight for the first time.*
-Canon event: Haru, Momiji, and Machi graduate high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Machi moves in with Yuki in Kyoto and starts at Kyoto U.
-Non-canon plot point: Haru starts factory job, moves in with Rin.
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji moves to Berlin, Germany, for university.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Saki Hanajima learns about the Curse from Akito on the second anniversary of Tohru's fall from the cliff.*

August:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hatori and Mayuko get married.
-Canon-adjacent event: Tohru turns twenty and becomes a legal adult.
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma purchases the Sohma Dojo outright from the Sohma estate, with a little assistance from Akito.

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru meets Kyo's biological father Katashi for the first time, tells him she loves Kyo, and that they're getting married.*
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma Sohma comes out/confesses to Kunimitsu Tomoda and vice versa, and the two become romantically involved.*
-Canon-adjacent event: Akito and Shigure get married.

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo stay in Hibe for New Year's because they're going to Tokyo for Coming of Age Day, and spend the holiday with the Matsudas.
-Canon-adjacent event: Kyo turns twenty and become a legal adult.*
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma legally adopts Kyo.*
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Saki, and Arisa all attend Coming of Age Day in Tokyo.*

2 years after graduation:

March:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hiro begins at Kaibara High.

May:
-Canon-adjacent event: Kakeru Manabe and Komaki Nakao get married.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo's coworkers at the Matsuda Dojo learn that he's Kazuma's adopted son.*
-Canon-adjacent event: Tohru and Kyo get married.*

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Kureno tells Arisa about the Curse and Arisa talks to Tohru about it, but asks that Kyo not know she knows.*
-Non-canon plot point: Arisa and Kureno get engaged.
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji starts dating cellist and fellow university student Hans Wagner (OC) in Berlin.*
-Non-canon plot point: The marketing campaign Rin makes for her store featuring herself and Haru premiers and goes viral. 
-Non-canon plot point: Hiro's little brother Hikaru born.  

September:
-Canon-adjacent event: Kinu Sohma (FBA canon character), daughter of Hatori and Mayuko, born.
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru breaks her thumb punching incorrectly and stops trying to do karate or punch in any capacity.*
-Non-canon plot point: Rin begins work in marketing.
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji and Hans become an official couple.

November:
-Non-canon plot point: Haru starts modelling.

January:
-Canon-adjacent plot point: Tohru and Kyo attend their first Sohma New Year's Banquet.

3 years after graduation:

March:
-Canon-adjacent event: Kisa graduates high school and starts university.
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo brings Tohru to his mother's grave for the first time.*
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji comes out to Tohru as bisexual and tells her about Hans.*
-Kyo begins his first training sabbatical and is gone for three months.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki's parents come visit him in Kyoto for the first time, likewise learning for the first time that he is dating Machi. They do not approve, starting a series of fights and increasing tension between Yuki and his parents.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Saki leaves her job at the Sohma Dojo and starts working at a bookstore; also moves out of her parents' home and into her own apartment.

June:
-Canon-adjacent event: Arisa and Kureno get married.

September:
-Canon-adjacent event: Saki meets her future husband, Lorenzo Mosca (OC, although the existence of Saki's foreign husband 'Mosca' is established as canon in FBA).*

November:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hibika 'Pika' Sohma (FBA canon character), daughter of Ayame and Mine, born.

January:
-Canon-adjacent event: Ritsu and Mitsuru get married.

4 years after graduation:

March:
-Canon-adjacent event: Yuki graduates university.
-Non-canon plot points: Momiji graduates university in Berlin (3-year undergrad); Tohru and Hatori go to visit; Momiji tells Hans about the Curse* and the two of them move in together. Momiji begins graduate school, still in Berlin.

April:
-Non-canon plot points: Yuki cuts off his parents after one too many incidents of them disrespecting Machi. He won't talk to them again for over twenty years.

June:
-Canon-adjacent event: Saki and Lorenzo get engaged.
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki and Machi have their bachelor/bachelorette parties in Kyoto.*
-Canon-adjacent event: Yuki and Machi get married in a large, elaborate ceremony planned and paid for by Machi's parents, two days after exchanging private vows in front of their closest friends at the place they had their first date.*
-Canon-adjacent event: Tohru and Kyo learn they're expecting Hajime.*

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Establishment of Kazuma's tradition of visiting Tohru and Kyo every year for the Hibe Summer Festival.*

November:
-Canon-adjacent event: Michi Manabe (FBA canon character), daughter of Kakeru and Komaki, born.

December:
-Canon-adjacent event: Yuki and Machi learn they're very unintentionally expecting Mutsuki.*

February:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hajime Sohma (FBA canon character), son of Tohru and Kyo, born on Valentine's Day via emergency c-section.*

5 years after graduation:

March:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hiro graduates high school, begins university.
-Non-canon plot point: Machi graduates university in Kyoto.
-Non-canon plot points: Yuki and Machi move back to Tokyo and Yuki begins working in corporate HR.
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji completes his MBA in Berlin and begins working for the Berlin branch of his father's company, Shigoto Corp (Momiji's pursuit of business and eventual succession of his father in running the company established as canon in FBA).

May:
-Canon-adjacent event: Saki and Lorenzo get married.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Kagura marries Ichiro Kusumoto, who she met while in junior college and started dating shortly before Kyo and Tohru's wedding.

August:
-Canon-adjacent event: Mutsuki Sohma (FBA canon character), son of Yuki and Machi, born.*

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru returns to work after a year of childcare leave.

6 years after graduation:

June:
-Canon-adjacent event: Haru and Rin get married, the same day they announce Rin's pregnancy and their impending twins. Tohru and Kyo act as witnesses at their municipal wedding.*

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo's first trip to karate nationals.

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru's grandpa dies. Tohru receives half of his estate as the only child of one of his two children.*

October:
-Canon-adjacent event: Sora and Riku Sohma (FBA canon characters), twin daughter and son of Haru and Rin, born.*

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Kunimitsu moves into Kazuma's house on the Sohma Dojo grounds after Kazuma decides to stop taking boarders and Kunimitsu is no longer needed to live in the boarding wing to supervise.*

7 Years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kisa graduates university and begins job as a middle school math teacher.

April:
-Canon-adjacent event: Rio Mosca (FBA canon character), son of Saki and Lorenzo Mosca, born.

May:
-Canon-adjacent event: Naoko Kusumoto, son of Kagura, born. The existence of a son of Kagura roughly the same age as Riku and Sora is confirmed by Takaya in reference to a panel in Fruits Basket Another showing the boy with Sora.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo acquire land to build their house after renting ever since graduation.*

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Momo Sohma learns Momiji is actually her full biological brother and that their mother's memory of him was erased.*
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo's house build begins.*

October:
-Non-canon plot points: Momiji's boyfriend Hans lands job with Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra.*
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji tells Momo about the Curse and the full circumstances of their separation.
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji begins a closer relationship with his parents. 
-Canon-adjacent event: Tohru and Kyo learn they're expecting their second child.*
-Canon-adjacent event: Kou Manabe (named character from FBA), son of Kakeru and Komaki, born. 

December:
-Non-canon plot points: Momiji and Hans move from Berlin to Tokyo. Momiji begins work in the Japanese branch of his father's company and Hans takes up his seat with the Tokyo Met.*

8 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo's family moves into their newly-built home just outside of Hibe.*

June:
-Canon-adjacent event: Katsuro Sohma, second son of Kyo and Tohru, born June 7th. The existence of the second son, elements of his general appearance, and his very rough age are established in canon, but the character is never named or fleshed out and only says one thing in FBA in a flashback and another at the end of the FB canon in the flashforward to Tohru and Kyo's old age.*

September:
-Canon-adjacent event: Chizuru Sohma (FBA canon character), son of Ayame and Mine, born.

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo is hospitalized with pneumonia while visiting Tokyo for New Year's and is put on a month of minimal activity after release.*

9 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Hiro graduates university.
-Non-canon plot point: Momo graduates high school.
-Canon-adjacent event: Hiro and Kisa get married in a shrine ceremony, with Kisa wearing Tohru's shiromuku.*

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Hiro begins law school a few days after their wedding.
-Canon-adjacent event: Shiki Sohma (FBA canon character), son of Shigure and Akito, born.
-Non-canon plot point: Establishment of Yuki, Machi, Tohru and Kyo's annual tradition of attending the Hirosaki cherry blossom festival together.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru returns to work after a year of childcare leave.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji and Hans get legally married in Germany

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji and Hans have wedding ceremony in Germany's Bavarian Alps on Christmas Day.*

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime starts karate at the Matsuda Dojo in Hibe.*

10 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime encounters Kyo's biological father Katashi for the first time, though he doesn't know who he is.*
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki punches Katashi while he and Haru are defending Hajime. 
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki, Haru, and Machi all learn the full truth about Kyo's early life and his biological father.*

11 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Hiro graduates law school, begins career in corporate law.

April:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hajime starts first grade (same grade as Michi Manabe).*

May:
-Canon-adjacent event: Mina Sohma (FBA canon character), biological daughter of Momiji, is born via a Russian surrogate using an egg from Hans's sister.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki and Kyo stop referring to each other as 'Stupid Cat' and 'Damn Rat.'*

March:
-Canon-adjacent event: Sachiko Sohma, daughter of Tohru and Kyo, is born March 11th. The existence of the daughter, elements of her general appearance, and her very rough age are established in canon, but the character is never named or fleshed out and has no speaking appearances in any canon.*
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru leaves her job at the Nigeyashi Women's Clinic to be a full-time stay-at-home mom.

12 years after graduation:

April:
-Canon-adjacent event: Mutsuki Sohma starts first grade.

May:
-Non-canon plot points: Seven-year-old Hajime gets in a fight at the dojo over comments about his and Kyo's looks and refuses to interact with the perpetrator going forward. Hajime starts questioning Kyo about their looks and the reason behind them.*

13 years after graduation:

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro begins karate at the Matsuda Dojo.
-Non-canon plot point: Sensei Emiko Ikeda joins the teaching staff at the Matsuda Dojo.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo wins his first national karate championship in sparring. 
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji is 'adopted' by his parents. 

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime learns Kyo is adopted and a little bit of the truth about Kyo's biological father.*

14 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro stops taking karate.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Haya Sohma, daughter of Hiro and Kisa, born.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Master Kenichi Matsuda, Kyo's boss and karate master, adopts Kyo's coworker Haruto Maeda to eventually replace him as the dojo master.
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo starts growing his hair long to encourage Sachiko to keep hers long, too.
-Non-canon plot point: Haru starts growing his hair in support of Kyo.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo's second national karate championship in sparring. 

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji and Hans give Katsuro his first violin and he starts lessons.
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma and Kunimitsu start growing their hair, also to support Kyo. 
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo goes to the karate world championships and wins bronze. Following this trip, he decides to step down from high-level competition.

15 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro starts first grade (same grade as Chizuru Sohma).
-Non-canon plot point: Asami Sohma, daughter of Hiro and Kisa, is born.

July:
-Non-canon plot points: Hajime learns that the juzu beads used to belong to and be worn by Kyo and starts pushing his parents about the beads' history and Kyo's past. Kyo loses his temper and yells at Hajime, the first time that had ever happened.*

May:
-Non-canon plot points: Genki Kusumoto, son of Kagura, born

16 years after graduation:

January:
-Canon-adjacent plot point: Momiji takes over the role of CEO from his father.
-Non-canon plot point: Hiro begins job with the in-house legal team of Momiji's company, Shigoto Corp.

17 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko starts karate at the Matsuda Dojo, alongside Takashi Sakamoto and Emi Hashimoto.*

April:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hajime starts middle school.
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma teaches Katsuro about meditation and Katsuro begins meditating.*

January:
-Non-canon plot points: Hajime and Katsuro have Hajime's second and Katsuro's first encounter with Kyo's biological father. Kyo visits his biological father and threatens him if he ever goes near Kyo's family again.*

March:
-Canon event: Mutsuki learns about the Curse just before starting middle school; however, Yuki doesn't tell him about his own abuse or anything that was different about the Cat. 
-Non-canon plot point: Mutsuki comes out to his parents as bisexual.*

18 years after graduation:

April:
-Canon-adjacent event: Mutsuki starts middle school.
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko starts first grade (same grade as Mina Sohma).
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo and Kunimitsu cut their hair. 

19 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime earns black belt/dan rank in karate.

May:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hajime encounters Ren on the Sohma estate (from FBA flashback scene in the bonus chapter at the end of volume 1).*
-Non-canon plot point: Sensei Taiki Shibata hired at the Matsuda Dojo.

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime wins the Matsuda Dojo's youth sparring tournament.

December:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hajime learns about the Curse on New Year's Eve.*
-Non-canon plot points: Hajime learns the truth about both of his grandmothers' deaths, the full extent of the Curse, and about Tohru and Kyo's history together. Kyo stops trying to fight and forget his past as the Zodiac Cat. Yuki and Kyo resume calling each other "Rat" and "Cat."*

February:
-Canon event: Hajime applies for and is accepted at Kaibara High.

20 years after graduation:

March:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hajime starts wearing Kyo's beads.*
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime moves into the Sohma Dojo for his first year of high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo tells Katsuro about the Curse, though not to the full extent he'd told Hajime.*

April:
-Canon event: Hajime starts high school at Kaibara alongside Michi Manabe and Yuto Sato, the son of Kyo's old high school friend Hiroshi.

February:
-Canon event: Mutsuki applies for and is accepted at Kaibara High.

21 years after graduation:

March:
-Canon-adjacent event: Kinu Sohma graduates high school, starts university.
-Canon-adjacent event: Kinu, Hajime, and Mutsuki all move into Shigure's old house.

April:
-Canon event: Mutsuki starts high school at Kaibara High.
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro starts middle school.

August:
-Non-canon plot points: Hajime and Mutsuki admit their feelings for each other and start dating after Hajime learns Mutsuki is bi and accepts that he himself is gay, though Hajime isn't out to anyone else and their relationship is a secret.*

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji's mother, Sabine, passes away.

November:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime, acting on suspicion, obliquely asks Kazuma if he ever came out to Kyo. Kazuma says no, and Hajime asks Kazuma to forget he ever asked. Kazuma realizes that Hajime either knows or suspects he is gay, and realizes the same thing about Hajime.*

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Riku and Sora learn about the Curse, though not its full extent.*

February:
-Canon event: Hajime is appointed Kaibara High Student Council president for his last year of high school, with Mutsuki as his vice president.
-Non-canon plot points: Katsuro deals with some personal insecurities and learns about Tohru living in a tent before living with Shigure and her past with bullying, about Momiji's delayed growth compared to the other Sohmas, and about Momiji's unrequited love in high school (though not that it was for Tohru).*

22 years after graduation:

April:
-Canon event: 'Fruits Basket Another' canon begins, roughly.
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro earns first chair violin in his middle school string ensemble and almost in the middle school orchestra.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro starts dating Asuka Yamaguchi, a close friend and fellow middle schooler.*

August:
-Non-canon plot points: Tohru sees Katsuro with Asuka and realizes they're dating, starting her worrying that her sons are drifting away from her and shutting her out of their lives.*
-Non-canon plot points: Master Kenichi Matsuda and Sensei Tamiko Wada retire from the Matsuda Dojo. Sensei Haruto Matsuda takes over as master. Sensei Kenji Kojima is hired by the dojo.

October:
-Canon event: Kaibara High Culture Fest, to which Hajime doesn't invite his parents.*

November:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro earns first chair violin in the middle school orchestra.*
-Non canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo learn about Katsuro's girlfriend Asuka.*
-Non-canon plot points: Mutsuki and Hajime come out and reveal their relationship to Kazuma and Kunimitsu, their parents, and Hajime's siblings. Kazuma and Kunimitsu confirm their relationship to Hajime and Mutsuki, and reveal their relationship to Kyo and Tohru.*
-Non-canon plot point: Kunimitsu learns about the Curse.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime and Mutsuki go fully public with their relationship.*
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro tells Tohru and Kyo about his plans to stay local for high school and to eventually pursue a career as a music teacher rather than trying to be a professional musician.*

23 years after graduation:

March:
-Canon event: Hajime graduates high school.*
-Non-canon plot points: Hajime moves to Chiba for university, stops practicing karate other than kata.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji tells Mina about the Curse and his family history; Mina responds by cutting off Momiji's father, Koshiro. 
-Non-canon plot point: Sora and Riku move into Shigure's old house with Kinu and Mutsuki.

February:
-
Non-canon plot point: After talking about it extensively with Kyo and with Kyo's full approval, Hajime decides to come out to Kyo's peers at the Matsuda Dojo, which he does by having Kyo himself casually drop reference to Hajime moving in with 'his boyfriend.' 

24 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko learns about the Curse and has subsequent falling out with almost all of the Sohmas, including Tohru, due to their prior treatment of Kyo and, in Tohru's case, her friendship with Akito.*
-Canon event: Mutsuki graduates high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Mutsuki moves in with Hajime in Chiba for university.*

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro starts high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko starts middle school.
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro's growth spurt kicks off.
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime and Mutsuki get engaged.*
-Non-canon plot point: Machi badly breaks her leg right before Golden Week, leading to her and Yuki missing their annual trip to Hirosaki with Tohru and Kyo and Mutsuki coming to stay with them for the week to help out while Hajime goes to visit his own family. 
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Hajime have a falling out during Hajime's visit home for Golden Week after Sachiko attacks Hajime's choice to wear Kyo's beads and tells him she's happy he can never have children. Hajime subsequently won't speak to Sachiko for months.*
-Non-canon plot point: Following his fight with Sachiko, Hajime has a panic attack about his relationship with Mutsuki due to his fears of 'denying' Mutsuki the chance to have his own children.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro turns Hajime's old bedroom into a music room, with his family's blessing.*

June:
-Following a harsh talk with Rin and Kazuma, Sachiko reassesses her relationship with Tohru and her views on both the rest of the Zodiacs and on femininity. 
-Sachiko makes up with Tohru and the two of them start moving forward with a new close relationship.*

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Mutsuki's first visit to Hibe's summer festival and first visit to Hibe as Hajime's established partner. 
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko apologizes to Hajime for how she acted during Golden Week and they make up.*
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko competes in her first karate tournament.*

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Asuka break up.*

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko skips Sohma New Year's due to her feelings about the Sohmas and the Curse, and Mina skips with her.*

February:
-Canon-adjacent event: Hajime turns twenty and is a legal adult.

25 years after graduation:

March:
-Canon-adjacent event: FBA canon characters Sawa Mitoma, Sora, and Riku graduate high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Rio, Chizuru, and Shiki move into Shigure's old house. 
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo starts a three-month training sabbatical at the Yamashita Dojo in Sendai.   

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro starts dating Yumi Tamura, a classmate at Nigeyashi High. 

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime and Mutsuki file a same sex-partnership with the city of Chiba on Mutsuki's twentieth birthday.

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko gets asked out on a date for the first time.

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko skips Sohma New Year's for the second time.

26 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi earn their black belts/dan rank.*

January:
-Katsuro and Sachiko learn about how Katsuya and Kyoko's relationship began.*
-Tohru comes to realize the power imbalance between her parents and reexamines her view on their relationship and her feelings towards her father.*

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro breaks up with Yumi.

27 years after graduation:

March:
-Non canon plot point: Hajime graduates from university, begins job with the Chiba prefectural Division of International Affairs.
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro graduates high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji takes Katsuro to Europe for a week to hear the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras for a graduation gift
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro moves to Sapporo for university (Hokkaido University).

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko starts high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro starts university.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki's parents attempt to reconnect due to his father's terminal condition, but are unable to avoid their old critical and judgmental behavior. Yuki cuts them off once more, this time for good, and will never see them again.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Shigure's old house is torn down.

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro starts dating Mariko Nishimura, a fellow musician and nursing student one year ahead of him.

February: 
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki's father dies, and Yuki does not attend the funeral.

28 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Mutsuki graduates university, begins graduate degree at same school (Chiba U).

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro turns twenty and is a legal adult.

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko starts dating her friend and fellow karateka Takashi Sakamoto.*

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo meet Katsuro's girlfriend Mariko in person for the first time.*

January:
-Non-canon plot points: Kazuma is knocked down the stairs at a subway station and breaks his left arm, hand, and collarbone. Kyo takes a three-month training sabbatical to help at the Sohma Dojo while Kazuma recovers.*

29 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot points: Kyo confirms he no longer wants to take over the Sohma Dojo and would rather stay in Hibe. Kazuma and Kyo arrange a new plan for succession with Sachiko taking over in about ten years and Kunimitsu stepping in if necessary before Sachiko is ready.*
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma legally adopts Kunimitsu as a workaround for the fact gay marriage isn't possible in Japan and to ensure that he and Kunimitsu have legal rights to each other. Kunimitsu becomes Kunimitsu Sohma.*

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki's mother dies. Yuki does not attend the funeral, and cedes his share of his parents' estate to Ayame and his family. 

August:
-
Non-canon plot point: Katsuro's girlfriend Mariko comes for the Hibe Summer Festival, her first time visiting the Sohmas or meeting Kazuma, Hajime, Mutsuki, Sachiko, and Takashi.*
-Non-canon plot point: Takashi's formal introduction to Kazuma, Hajime, Mutsuki, Katsuro, and Mariko as Sachiko's boyfriend.*
-Non-canon plot point: Mariko begins calling Kazuma 'Master Kazuma' and starts hugging the Sohmas.*

September:
-
Non-canon plot point: Mariko and Katsuro tell their parents they're moving in together, and Mariko's parents cut her off financially.

October:
-
Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko move in together in Sapporo for the final year and a half of Katsuro's time in university.
-Non-canon plot point: Mariko goes very low-contact with her family over their disapproval that she moved in with Katsuro.  

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro tells Mariko about the Sohma family, its power and importance in Tokyo, and the fact Shiki is the heir to take over.
-Non-canon plot point: Mariko visits the the dojo and the Sohma estate for the first time and meets most of the other Sohmas in person for the first time over New Year's.*

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Takashi visits Tokyo, sees the Sohma Dojo for the first time, and starts learning about the greater Sohma Family.*

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi take their university exams in Tokyo and Sachiko introduces Takashi to several of the other Sohmas. Takashi learns that Sachiko's family IS part of 'the Sohma Family' and how well-connected they are. Takashi learns that Kyo is passing on the dojo succession and that Sachiko is intended to be the next master.*

30 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma builds a small house on the dojo grounds as a future retirement home for himself and Kunimitsu, as well as a university residence for Sachiko.*
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi graduate high school.*
-Non-canon plot point: Mutsuki completes his graduate degree and starts working for the city of Chiba as a landscape architect.
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro's girlfriend Mariko graduates university and begins working in a Sapporo hospital's labor and delivery department.
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi move to Tokyo for university, with Sachiko herself moving into the little house at the dojo.*

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime, Katsuro, and Sachiko visit their parents for the second half of Golden Week.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Future Matsuda Dojo master Daichi Matsuda, grandson of retired master Sensei Kenichi Matsuda and son-in-law of current master Sensei Haruto Matsuda, moves to and begins work at the Matsuda Dojo.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Haru and Rin's grandson Mamoru, son of Riku, is born, the first grandchild of any of the Zodiacs.

August:
-
Non-canon plot point: Mariko starts calling Tohru and Kyo by name.*

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru, Kyo, and the other 'younger Zodiac' stop attending the Sohma New Year's Eve banquet and start having their own gathering at the Sohma Dojo. 

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Takashi moves in with Sachiko at the dojo.

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Retired former dojo master Sensei Kenichi Matsuda passes away.

31 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot points: Katsuro graduates university, takes and passes his Miyagi prefectural teaching exam.
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko move to Sendai, where Katsuro starts his probationary year as a middle school music teacher and Mariko gets another position as a labor and delivery nurse.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko encounters Kyo's biological father Katashi for the first and last time.*

November:
-Non-canon plot point: Katashi dies and Kyo, to the surprise of everyone, decides to handle the funeral.*
-Non-canon plot point: Mariko and Takashi learn about Katashi for the first time. 
-Non-canon plot points: Katashi's house is cleaned out and Kyo receives photographs of his mother Ichiyo and her music. Kyo learns that she had been a pianist and composer. *
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro receives his grandmother's music and plays it for his family.*

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Takashi learns about the Curse.
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko learn Mariko is expecting a baby and get engaged.*
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko get legally married.*

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi get engaged on Coming of Age Day.*
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko gets her first tattoo.

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Takashi gets HIS first tattoo. 

32 years after graduation:

March:
-
Non-canon plot point: Sachiko turns twenty and is a legal adult.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko buy a house in Sendai.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko get married in a shrine ceremony in Sendai, with Mariko wearing Tohru's shiromuku.*
-Non-canon plot point: Shigure and Akito's granddaughter Seiko, daughter of Shiki and Sawa and the future Sohma Family head, is born.

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko's daughter Akari, Tohru and Kyo's first grandchild, is born on Tohru's birthday (Aug 9).*

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Mariko learns about the Curse.*

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Mutsuki and Hajime have wedding ceremony at the former site of Shigure's house.*

33 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Toshiko Sohma, daughter of Riku and Amane, granddaughter of Haru and Rin, is born.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Niko Mosca, son of Rio, grandson of Saki (Hanajima) is born.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Hatori is diagnosed with lung cancer.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Hatori passes away, the first of the former Zodiac to die.

34 years after graduation:

March:
-
Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi graduate university.
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko begins working full-time at the Sohma Dojo.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Takashi begins working full-time with the marketing department at Yuki's company, XXXX Technologies.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi get married; Takashi takes the Sohma name.*

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko wins the Women's National Karate Championship title in sparring for the first time.

35 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma begins withdrawing from dojo management while retaining the title of dojo master and remaining the public face of the Sohma Dojo.

36 years after graduation:

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko's son Kazue, Tohru and Kyo's second grandchild, is born.

37 years after graduation:

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Satoshi Sohma, son of Shiki and Sawa, grandson of Akito and Shigure, is born. 

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Kai Mosca, son of Rio, grandson of Saki (Hanajima) is born. 
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko takes her second national sparring title.

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko goes to the karate world championships and wins bronze.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Ren Sohma, Akito's mother, dies. 

38 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko fully takes over all behind-the-scenes dojo management. 

May:
-
Non-canon plot point: Shiki approaches Hajime and Mutsuki about adopting a baby, due to be born to teenage Sohma parents who have come to him for help. After discussing at length, Hajime and Mutsuki accept.*
-Non-canon plot point: Mina Sohma marries Jinsuke Durand, who takes the Sohma name.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime and Mutsuki move to a condo in Chiba closer to their families.*

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime and Mutsuki's daughter Aiko is born to teenage Sohma parents and adopted by Hajime and (legally by) Mutsuki.*
-Non-canon plot point: Sensei Hiroshi Yamada retires from the Matsuda Dojo.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Saki starts to suspect her young grandson Kai has inherited her powers.*

39 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko's adoption is finalized and she becomes Mutsuki's legal daughter.* 
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma comes out to Yuki and Yuki learns about Kazuma and Kunimitsu's relationship.*
-Non canon plot point: Akari starts school.

April: 
-Non-canon plot point: Rensei Sohma, son of Asami and grandson of Hiro and Kisa, is born. 

May: 
-Non-canon plot point: Hana Mosca, daughter of Rio and granddaughter of Saki (Hanajima), born. 

September: 
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo's friends Yamato and Riko Tanaka close their bakery and move to Hirosaki.

November:
-Canon-adjacent event: Katsuro and Mariko's daughter Tadame, Tohru and Kyo's fourth grandchild, is born. Tadame is the child from the canon epilogue with the rat and cat dolls. 

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Ayako Matsuda, wife of former dojo master Kenichi Matsuda, passes away. 

40 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma formally retires as the master of the Sohma Dojo at eighty, and Sachiko officially assumes the title.*
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma's final act as dojo master is to promote Kyo to kudan, ninth-degree black belt, the highest rank Kyo can achieve in karate.*
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma and Kunimitsu have private marriage ceremony the day Kazuma retires and begin wearing rings.*

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi respectively clinch the women's and men's National Karate Championships in sparring.*
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi decide to start trying for a baby.*

41 years after graduation:

May:
-
Non-canon plot point: Hajime promoted to Deputy Director at the Chiba prefectural division of International Affairs.
-Non-canon plot point: Ken Sohma, son of Mina Sohma and grandson of Momiji, born. 

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Sensei Yuna Sasaki announces her reduction to part-time hours at the Matsuda Dojo and intention to retire the following summer. *
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo decides to leave the Matsuda Dojo, and Kyo and Tohru decide to move south to live near their family.*

October: 
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue, Katsuro's son, begins karate at the Yamashita Dojo.*

November:
 
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo and Tohru decide to move in with Katsuro's family in Sendai.*

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Master Haruto Matsuda announces his intention to retire alongside Sensei Yuna Sasaki following the upcoming summer festival and will pass leadership of the dojo to his son-in-law Daichi Matsuda, the grandson of former dojo master Kenichi Matsuda.*
-Non canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo arrange the sale of their house to Kyo's coworker Kenji Kojima, pending their move during Golden Week.*

42 years after graduation:

March
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime learns about Sachiko and Takashi's struggle with infertility and the fact that Sachiko blames her past treatment of him for why they're struggling.* 

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo and Tohru leave Hibe and move in with Katsuro's family.*
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru learns about Sachiko and Takashi's infertility struggles.*

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo begins part-time job working at the Yamashita Dojo in Sendai.
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji retires as CEO of Shigoto Corp, passing leadership to his daughter, Mina.*

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo take Akari to visit Miyajima Island for her tenth birthday trip.
-Non-canon plot point: Sensei Haruto Matsuda and Sensei Yuna Sasaki retire from the Matsuda Dojo.*

September: 
-Non-canon plot point: Hiyori Sohma, son of Asami and grandson of Kisa and Hiro, born. 

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi learn Sachiko is pregnant, with twins.*

43 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue starts school.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi's twins Ryuko (girl) and Torashi (boy), Tohru and Kyo's fifth and sixth grandchildren, are born.*

December: 
-Non-canon plot point: Akito formally steps down as the Sohma Family head and is replaced by Shiki.

44 years after graduation:

March:
-
Non-canon plot point: Tadame starts calling Tohru and Kyo by name, along with her Sohma aunts and uncles. 

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Kiyone Sohma, daughter of Asami and granddaughter of Kisa and Hiro, is born.

November:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame begins karate at the Yamashita Dojo, with Kyo as her teacher.*

45 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro wins Miyagi prefectural teacher of the year.
-Non-canon plot point: Akari starts middle school.
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko starts school.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Mariko, Sachiko, and Takashi take a 'sibling trip' to Mie prefecture during Golden Week while their kids all go to Hirosaki with Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, and Machi for a 'grandparent trip.'*

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Mutsuki leaves his job with the City of Chiba to open his own landscape design firm.
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro starts doing kata under Kyo's tutelage. *

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo go on second honeymoon to Kyoto.*

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko's first trip to karate nationals since she found out she was pregnant with the twins.
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko women's national individual kata champion, her third kata title and eighth between kata and sparring.
-Non-canon plot point: Takashi men's national sparring champion, his fourth sparring title and fifth between kata and sparring. 
-Non-canon plot point: Sachiko and Takashi's final appearance at the national karate championships before their retirement from serious competition

October: 
-Non-canon plot point: Rin and Haru retire.*

46 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame starts school.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Yuki and Machi retire.*

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo take Kazue to Okinawa for his tenth birthday trip.

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko starts joining her great-grandpa Kazuma in the dojo for meditation.*

47 years after graduation:

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Takashi's father retires and Takashi's parents move to Tokyo, moving in with Takashi's sister's family.

48 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Akari starts high school.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi starts karate.

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo's extended family portraits*

December
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo take Aiko to Hokkaido for her tenth birthday trip.

49 years after graduation:

March:
-Non canon plot point: Kazue starts middle school.

July:
-Canon-adjacent event: 50 years since the Curse broke.

August:

-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo take Tadame to Tokyo Disney for her tenth birthday trip.

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo takes a leave of absence from his dojo so he can be with the declining Kazuma. 

November:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazuma peacefully passes away at age ninety.*

January: 
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo get their first tattoos: Tohru's a red butterfly in honor of Kyoko, and Kyo's, the outline of a drop representing tears, sweat, and blood in honor of Kazuma. 

50 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko and Torashi start school.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru, Kyo, their children and children-in-law get matching 'Always and Forever' tattoos.

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Kureno Sohma passes away.
-Non-canon plot point: Arisa is invited to move in with Saki and Lorenzo Mosca in Tokyo.

51 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Akari graduates high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko starts middle school.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Hiro retires.
-Non-canon plot point: Akari starts at Tohoku University.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Japan legalizes same sex marriage effective the following Valentine's Day; Mutsuki asks Hajime to marry him (legally) and Aiko asks Hajime to legally adopt her.*

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Arisa, having rekindled romantic feelings for Saki since moving in with the Moscas, decides to move out. 
-Non-canon plot point: Saki, feeling guilty about her own feelings for Arisa, confesses her attraction to her husband Lorenzo, who tells her he supports her if she wants to pursue that relationship as long as it doesn't impact theirs.
-Non-canon plot point: Arisa stays and she and Saki begin a romantic relationship, with no one knowing except them and Lorenzo. 

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo go to Hawaii with Yuki, Machi, Haru, Rin, Hiro, Kisa, Momiji, and Hans.

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Akari meets Akimitsu Kusakabe, a medical student at Tohoku University and her future husband.*

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime and Mutsuki legally marry; Hajime legally adopts Aiko.

52 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame starts middle school.
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue starts high school.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo's 50th wedding anniversary.

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Akari celebrates Coming of Age Day.

53 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Kai Mosca starts at Kaibara High and moves into his own residence, needing space from the emotional waves of his family. 

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime made Director of the Chiba Division of International Affairs. 

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo take Ryuko to Okinawa for her tenth birthday trip.
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru and Kyo take Torashi to Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park for his tenth birthday trip.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Akari gets engaged to Akimitsu Kusakabe.

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro is notified that he is being transferred to a school outside of Sendai starting the next school year.

54 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko starts high school.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro transferred to a school in Osaki, roughly an hour from Sendai; Katsuro and Mariko rent a small house there for the year while Tadame and Kazue stay with Tohru and Kyo in the house in Sendai for the kids' final years of high school and middle school.*

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Kunimitsu peacefully passes away, age eighty-four.

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko meets her biological mother, Saeko.

55 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue graduates high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Akari graduates university. 
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo officially fully retires and Tohru, Kyo, and Tadame move to Tokyo, into the little house on the dojo grounds.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame starts at Kaibara High, where she is in the same grade and class as Hiro and Kisa's grandson Rensei Sohma and Saki's granddaughter Hana Mosca.
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue starts at Chiba University. 

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru, Kyo, their children and family members go to Okinawa for Golden Week.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Shiki's daughter/Akito and Shigure's granddaughter Seiko welcomes son and future Sohma Family head Akiya Sohma. 

56 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kai Mosca graduates high school and starts university in Tokyo.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko and Torashi start middle school. 

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Akari marries Akimitsu Kusakabe, newly graduated from medical school.
-Non-canon plot point: Akimitsu begins medical residency at a hospital in Sendai
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue meets and begins his relationship with Saoirse Murphy, a British/Northern Irish exchange student doing a year at Chiba U. 

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Seiji Ishikawa, the future husband of Aiko, marries his high school sweetheart Erina Tahara.

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue celebrates his Coming of Age Day.
-Non-canon plot point: Akari and Akimitsu welcome Tohru and Kyo's first great-grandchild, Kyosuke.

57 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko graduates high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko starts wearing Kyo's beads, with Hajime and Kyo's blessing.*

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko starts at Kyoto University.

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Ayano Sohma, daughter of Seiko, granddaughter of Shiki, great-granddaughter of Akito and Shigure, is born.

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue begins 3-month study abroad in the UK at Durham University, his girlfriend Saoirse's school.

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Rika Ishikawa, daughter of Seiji and Erina, future step-daughter of Aiko, is born.

58 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame and Hana graduate high school.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame starts university in Yokohama.
-Non-canon plot point: Hana Mosca moves to Milan, Italy, for university.
-
Non-canon plot point: Akimitsu completes medical residency and Akari's family moves to Tokyo, where Akimitsu will work as an Internal Medicine specialist at Sohma General Hospital.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Erina Ishikawa, first wife of Seiji and mother of Rika, passes away in a drowning accident.  

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko celebrates her Coming of Age Day.

59 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko and Torashi start at Kaibara High.
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue starts his master's degree in Public Affairs at Chiba U. 

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue and Saoirse break up due to long distance and decide to fully cut contact so they both can move on. 

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame celebrates her Coming of Age Day.
-Non-canon plot point: Kanami Kusakabe, daughter of Akari and Akimitsu, Tohru and Kyo's great-granddaughter, is born.

60 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro is reassigned to Juyo middle school in Sendai, where he is appointed the head of the music department.
-Non-canon plot point: Momiji's grandson Ken graduates high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Ken moves to Berlin, where he starts university.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame and Hana have a friendship-ending fight over information Hana drunkenly revealed to her Italian girlfriend about Tadame, their relationship, and her feelings for Tadame.

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko confesses her feelings to Ken when he's home for the summer. He tells her they can't date (because he doesn't intend to date while he's overseas for university and job training), but not until after he kisses her. Ryuko is understandably confused; she respects the rejection, but tells him she needs space.

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi starts dating Hiro and Kisa's granddaughter Kiyone.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko breaks up with her controlling boyfriend, Mito, who takes the break-up poorly.
-Non-canon plot point: Ken comes home for Christmas break and seeks out Ryuko to try and argue for the two of them being friends again, which goes poorly.*
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko and Torashi have their first-ever major disagreement over her upset about Ken, as she has thus far kept the situation secret from Torashi.*
-Non-canon plot point: After some drama and discussion, Ryuko and Ken start dating.*

61 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue completes his master's and starts working for the Chiba prefectural government's division of Tourism Promotion.
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko graduates university and starts working for the City of Kyoto as a civil engineer. 

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue reveals the existence of Saoirse to Akari, the first person to know about her or their history.*
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue's ex Saoirse is sent to Japan on a project for work and she and Kazue reconnect, initially attempting to keep the relationship casual.*

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue and Saoirse decide to give their romantic relationship a real second chance.*
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue introduces Saoirse to his Sohma relations and reveals their relationship.*

62 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue proposes to Saoirse the day she goes back to Britain.*
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko and Torashi graduate high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame graduates university.
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue reveals his relationship to his Nishimura relatives and his uncle Yoshito blows up, causing a rift between Katsuro and Mariko's family and his uncle and aunt.*
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko moves to Berlin, where she starts university alongside Ken.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi starts university in Tokyo.
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame moves to Kyoto, starts living with Aiko, and working as a pediatric nurse.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Saoirse is offered and accepts a position working in Japan for a Sohma company, though the position is still with her current employer.*

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Saoirse moves to Japan.

63 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Ken completes undergrad, begins grad degree in Berlin. 
-Non-canon plot point: Kiyone graduates high school.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyosuke starts school.
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi moves out of the dojo, into his own apartment (with a roommate) for the rest of university at his parents' suggestion. 
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue and Saoirse adopt their kitten, Jameson.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazue and Saoirse get married.*
-Non-canon plot point: Seiji and Rika Ishikawa move to Kyoto, into the apartment next door to Aiko and Tadame. 

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Ken and Ryuko get engaged.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi and Kiyone break up.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi and Kiyone get back together.

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi and Ryuko's Coming of Age Day.

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko and Tadame babysit Rika Ishikawa during a work emergency for Seiji, and Seiji learns that they are not actually a lesbian couple.* 

64 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Ken completes graduate degree, begins working full-time at the Berlin branch of his family's company, Shigoto Corp.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko and Seiji start dating.*
-Non-canon plot point: Hana Mosca moves back to Japan and asks Tadame if they can try to repair their friendship.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame and Hana see each other in person and talk for the first time in years; it goes poorly when Hana kisses Tadame, and Tadame tells Hana she doesn't want any contact going forward.*

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko and Seiji tell their families about their relationship.*

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Lorenzo Mosca has a life-threatening health scare.*
-Non-canon plot point: As a result of Lorenzo's health scare, Tadame reopens communication with Hana, initially to offer emotional support, and the two begin to re-establish their friendship.*

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko and Seiji get engaged.*

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Kairi Erin Sohma, Kazue and Saoirse's daughter, born.

65 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko completes her undergraduate degree.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko and Seiji get married.* 
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko moves out of the apartment she shares with Tadame and into the one next door with Seiji and Rika.*

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Kai Mosca begins three month work assignment in the Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto area and moves in with Tadame for the duration.*

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi and Kiyone get engaged.*
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko and Ken get married in Tokyo.*

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko and Ken move to San Francisco, USA, where Ken works for the American branch of Shigoto Corp.
-Non-canon plot point: Kai confesses uncertain feelings for Tadame, who he knows shares them, and they begin dating.*

August:
-Non-canon plot point: At Kai's suggestion and due to her own complex feelings, Tadame confesses equally uncertain feelings for Hana and asks if she'd like to date, too. Despite her many concerns, Hana ultimately agrees, as she has had feelings for Tadame since middle school.* 
-Non-canon plot point: Aiko, Seiji, and Rika move into their new house in Kyoto, a wedding present from Yuki and Machi.
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame moves to Tokyo and begins a new job at Sohma General Hospital, temporarily staying with Sachiko and Takashi at the Sohma Dojo.

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Kai and Tadame move into a new apartment together in Tokyo.*

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Hana, realizing that she and Tadame are ultimately not compatible, breaks up with Tadame.*

February:
-Non-canon plot point: With a little nudge from Tadame, Hana begins dating Sakura Sato, a manager at one of her favorite cafes. 

66 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi completes undergrad degree.
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame throws her 'Not Wedding' celebration of love, with her wearing Tohru's shiromuku.*
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi begins working and training at the Matsuda Dojo for experience.*

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Kanami starts school.

67 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kiyone graduates university.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Ken and Ryuko move to Seoul, South Korea, where Ken works at the Korean branch of Shigoto Corp.
-Non-canon plot point: Yuka Ishikawa, Aiko and Seiji's daughter, born.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi and Kiyone get married.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Rei Ronan Sohma, Kazue and Saoirse's son, born.

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime and Mutsuki move in with Yuki and Machi in Tokyo. 

68 years after graduation:

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Torashi and Kiyone move back to Tokyo and into the Sohma Dojo.

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Kazushi Sohma, Torashi and Kiyone's son, born.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Hana Mosca marries Sakura Sato. 

February:
-Non-canon plot point: Ken and Ryuko move to Tokyo, where Ken starts working at Shigoto Corp's main office.

69 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyosuke starts middle school.

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Tatsumi Sohma, Ryuko and Ken's son, born.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Chisato Ishikawa, Aiko and Seiji's son, born.*

70 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Rika starts middle school.

September:
-Non-canon plot point: Mutsuki retires.

October:
-Non-canon plot point: Ryuko and Ken's daughter Tomomi is born one month premature, the same day and in the same hospital as Torashi and Kiyone's son Taiga.*

71 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Kairi starts school.

May:
-Non-canon plot point: Mina steps down as CEO of Shigoto Corp, Ken takes her place.

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame legally marries Kai for the benefits, although their marriage is never quite traditional.
-Non-canon plot point: Tadame and Kai announce their intended marriage by presenting Tohru and Saki with the paperwork at Tohru's 90th birthday party and asking if they'll be their witnesses. 

72 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyosuke starts high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Kanami starts middle school.

July:
-Non-canon plot point: Masanori Sohma, Torashi and Kiyone's son and Tohru and Kyo's twelfth and youngest great-grandchild, is born.

73 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Rika starts high school.

August:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyosuke (Akari's son, Tohru and Kyo's great-grandson) starts dating Ayano Sohma (Seiko's daughter, Akito and Shigure's great-granddaughter).

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Hajime retires after two false starts.

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko retire.

74 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Katsuro and Mariko move from Sendai into a house on the Sohma Estate. 
-Non-canon plot point: Rei and Yuka start school.

75 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyosuke graduates high school, starts at Tohoku U in Sendai.
-Non-canon plot point: Kanami starts high school.
-Non-canon plot point: Kazushi starts school.

76 years after graduation:

March:
-Non-canon plot point: Rika graduates high school, starts university.

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Tatsumi and Chisato start school.

December:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyosuke asks for, and receives, Tohru's engagement ring.

January:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyosuke's Coming of Age.

77 years after graduation:

April:
-Non-canon plot point: Tomomi and Taiga start school.
-Non-canon plot point: Kairi starts middle school.
-Non-canon plot point: Tohru passes away at the age of ninety-five.

June:
-Non-canon plot point: Kyo passes away at the age of ninety-five.

Chapter 3: Chronological Story Order

Summary:

Every work in "Always and Forever" in chronological order with summaries, including the individual chapters of my compilations "Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time," "Provocative Little Moments in Time," "Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time," "Grandparental Moments in Time," "Truth and Consequences," and "It Doesn't Seem Real." This chapter also includes a brief rundown of the major recurring OCs included in my work.

This chapter also contains spoilers.

Notes:

Thanks to AO3's series feature, my oneshots and chapter stories can easily be read in order by navigating to the next work in the series. However, my compilation works contain stories and events spanning the series and aren't in any specific order. This timeline lays out the entire series, including those chapters, in order and will be updated as I add to the series.

Any oneshots that span multiple points in the timeline will be listed at the end of the timeline, as I personally recommend reading them last.

I write at all rating levels, so there are works in this series that are rated G all the way up through explicit works rated E. The majority of what I write is rated T, usually for language (Team 'Kyo Swears') or sexual references/humor.

Chapter Text

Always and Forever: Story Order & Timeline

Third year of high school

June:

-Canon event: Tohru's confession, fall, & hospitalization (Late June)

July:

-Canon event: Tohru released from the hospital, begins dating Kyo, the Curse breaks (Early July)

-"No time for worries":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: The day the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma is usually not the type of person to worry; if he does, it's almost never on his own behalf. Today, his nerves are entirely for Kyo. Today, Tohru gets out of the hospital. Today, Kyo plans to tell her how he feels. And Kazuma has full confidence that Kyo can make things right, but he also can't help but worry, just a little bit.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma waits to hear the results of Kyo's intended meeting with Tohru at the hospital.
Notable developments: Kazuma finds out that the Curse is broken.

-"So, you know":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Momiji
Featured characters: None
Set: The day the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Ever since the very first day that Tohru learned his name, Momiji has never shied away from hugging her. Sure, he always consequently turned into a rabbit; it was always worth it, to get those brief hugs. Today is the beginning of a new chapter for them. Tohru might miss the rabbit cuddles, but their new hugs are much better.
Main Topic(s): Tohru sees Momiji for the first time after the Curse breaks
Notable developments: Tohru & Momiji's first hug. 

-"No dream":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki
Featured characters: None
Set: The day the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The day Tohru was released from the hospital was a momentous one, with too many things all happening for her to truly process. Later, there will be time for her to sit and reflect on it all; right now, she has something far more important to do.
Main Topic(s): Tohru sees Yuki for the first time after the Curse breaks
Notable developments: Tohru & Yuki's first hug. 

-Only a Dream:
Rated: G.
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: The first night after the Curse broke
Type: Oneshot
Summary: It's the night after the Curse breaks, and Kyo wakes up in a cold sweat. He wants to forget the nightmare, but how can he when he doesn't know what's even real?
Main Topic(s): Kyo's first post-curse nightmare and the aftermath.
Notable developments: Tohru gives Kyo blanket permission to come to her for comfort from nightmares

-"Up on the roof":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: The day after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's always been Tohru and Kyo's place, since the very beginning. Now that the Curse has broken, that's one thing that hasn't changed.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo sit together on the roof.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Some things never change":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Yuki, Machi
Featured characters: Kakeru, Komaki
Set: July, third year of high school and two days after the Curse broke. February, third year of high school and one month before graduation. Three years after graduation. Twenty-one years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Yuki and Machi are in love, and that'll never change. But other things never change either, like how incredibly annoying certain other people can be about it.
Main Topic(s): Kakeru interrupts Yuki & Machi over the years.
Notable developments: N/A

-Together, Hand in Hand:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Arisa, Saki, Yuki
Featured characters: None
Set: Begins two days after the Curse broke, spans the next two
Type: Chapter Story
Summary: The Curse has broken, the Zodiacs are free...and Tohru and Kyo love each other. Neither of them knows what to expect from this beautiful new world, but they know they're ready to experience it together! But new relationships can still have messy starts, especially when you have overprotective friends.
Main Topic(s): Tohru learning about the events that took place while she was in the hospital, processing her feelings, & the immediate aftermath.
Notable developments: Tohru pushes for her friends and Kyo to treat her like an equal rather than someone who always needs to be protected. The Zodiac members learn Akito is a woman.

-"What are the odds":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: OCs
Set: Four days after the Curse broke, during 'Together, Hand in Hand'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru is back at school after her hospitalization with new spring in her step, and it doesn't go unnoticed by a couple of Kaibara High's finest.
Main Topic(s): Tohru is hit on by a couple of clueless Kaibara High boys who don't know she now has a boyfriend.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Better than this":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: Just over one week after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: One of them hates the fact PE has a swimming unit. That one of them is not Tohru, though she has feelings, too.
Main Topic(s): Kyo in a wet swimsuit makes Tohru feel lusty thoughts. 
Notable developments: N/A

-Canon event: Ch 133 of the manga: The last day of spring term, Tohru takes her exams, Tohru and Kyo visit the dojo (just over one week after the Curse broke)

-"Room for one more?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Hiroshi, Yusuke
Featured characters: Tohru, recurring OCs Ryosuke, Katsuo, Daisuke, & Kuro (Kyo's basketball friends)
Set: During Chapter 133, ten days after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's the last day before summer vacation and Tohru has to take her makeup exams. Kyo intends to wait for her, but he doesn't have a plan. Enter Hiroshi & Yusuke, who have the perfect idea!
Main Topic(s): Hiroshi and Yusuke bring Kyo to join in his first basketball game while Tohru takes her exams.
Notable developments: Introduction of Kyo to his basketball group.

-Proper Education:
Rated: T.
Primary characters: Kyo, Hatori, Yuki
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: Ten days after the Curse broke, the last day of school spring term
Type: Oneshot
Summary: It's just over one week after the Curse has broken, and Kyo and Yuki are both getting used to having girlfriends. Lucky for them that Hatori has some doctoral wisdom to share!
Main Topic(s): Hatori giving Yuki & Kyo a sex talk.
Notable events: Kyo learns Yuki has a girlfriend, though not who.

-Canon event: Tohru & Kyo's zoo date with Saki & Arisa, Kyo asking Tohru to move with him after graduation (12 days after the Curse broke)

-If Wholesomeness Took Off Clothes:
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Yuki, Shigure, Haru
Set: Begins two weeks post-Curse, spans five days
Type: Chapter Story
Summary: The Curse is broken, and Tohru and Kyo love each other. They know it. Everyone else knows it. And everyone is happy. After all this time, the two of them have finally said everything they've been wanting for so long to say...almost. Turns out that when you can finally be with the one you love, it's difficult to keep things chaste...assuming you even want to.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's first time, including the buildup, the immediate aftermath, & impossible amounts of awkwardness.
Notable events: Kyo forces Yuki to respect his & Tohru's relationship and to trust Tohru to take care of herself.

-Learning Together:
Rated: M
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Begins after the events of "If Wholesomeness Took Off Clothes" and spans months, though no specific time period
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Tohru and Kyo couldn't wait to experience their first time together, but fantasy and reality ended up being far more different than either one of them anticipated. Things might not have gone how they hoped that first time, but they're determined to make things better going forward, taking every chance they can to learn more about each other. But physical intimacy can lead to intimacies of all sorts, and the two of them find themselves learning about far more than they expected.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo getting comfortable with both physical and emotional intimacy in their relationship.
Notable events: N/A

-"Is it serious?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: OC, Kyo
Set: Two weeks after the Curse broke 
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Dating Kyo Sohma is a marvelous thing, but it comes with a few complications. Tohru wishes less of them were walking around in skirts.
Main Topic(s): Tohru meets a Kyo fan at the grocery store.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Perfection":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: Between two & three weeks after the Curse broke 
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: While he understands irrational thoughts better than most, it still baffles Kyo that Tohru ever doubts herself. But even the most amazing people can have their insecurities; when Tohru's strike, he'll be there to help lift her back up.
Main Topic(s): Kyo helps Tohru choose an outfit for a date. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Some things will never change":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Yuki
Set: Almost three weeks after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: When the Curse broke, a lot of things changed for the former members of the Sohma Zodiac. Kyo had hoped that there would be even more change, but now, it's time to get used to the things that didn't.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Tohru deal with Kyo still being affected by the rain.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Are you ok?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: Almost three weeks after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Even with the Curse broken, some things have remained as they were: Yuki still loves his 'secret base,' and Tohru still loves to help him manage and protect it. But there are a few things that have changed, and neither of them will forget it. 
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Tohru clean up storm damage at the garden and Yuki saves Tohru from a falling branch.
Notable developments: N/A

-"An adventure":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Saki, Shigure, Yuki
Set: Three weeks after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: As long as she's known him, Kyo has gone out of his way to do things to make Tohru happy, even if they weren't things he actually liked. Now that they're dating, she's determined to return the favor and to show Kyo that as much as he's willing to go out of his comfort zone for her, she just as badly wants to do the same for him! In other words, Kyo takes Tohru on a mystery date of his choosing.
Main Topic(s): Kyo takes Tohru out on a mystery date entirely according to his own preferences.
Notable developments: First time Kyo 'is selfish' with Tohru while dating. Tohru buys and wears shorts.

August:

-"It oughtta be easy, but it's not":
Rated: M
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: Three & a half weeks after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru loves being with Kyo, in literally every way. She just wishes she could stop feeling so insecure.
Main Topic(s): Tohru struggles with insecurity while in bed with Kyo.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Every month":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Yuki
Set: One month after the Curse broke.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Even though they've been friends for years, being in a relationship now means Tohru & Kyo are getting to know each other in ways they never before considered. Sometimes those ways can be embarrassing, but even through embarrassment, they can feel the love.
Main Topic(s): Kyo takes care of Tohru on her period
Notable developments: N/A

-"It's all delicious":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki
Featured characters: None
Set: One month after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Yuki and Kyo want to do something special to celebrate Tohru, even if it means having to work together.
Main Topic(s): Yuki and Kyo make breakfast for Tohru's birthday.
Notable developments: N/A

-"A new kind of training":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, OCs
Set: One month after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The Curse is broken, and now that he's free, Kyo knows what he wants from his life: to teach karate, and be an instructor Kazuma can be proud of. He knows he has a lot to learn before he's at that point, but he's ready to start that next stage of his training.
Main Topic(s): Kyo teaches his first karate class as the solo instructor. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Peaceful and content":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: One month after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: For Tohru and Kyo, it's the little things that will always be precious.
Main Topic(s): Tohru watches Kyo take a nap.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Experimentation":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Machi
Featured characters: OC
Set: One month after the Curse broke.
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: All her life, Machi has heard the same droning refrain: 'Boring.' 'Weird.' 'Uninteresting.' Sometimes, she even believes it. She never imagined she'd find someone like Yuki; someone who could take her dullness, and turn it into a challenge.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Machi go on a painting date.
Notable developments: N/A

-"A private moment":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazuma
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo
Set: One month after the Curse broke
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma is delighted that Kyo and Tohru are together, but that doesn't mean he needs to see anything.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma encounters Tohru & Kyo making out.
Notable developments: Kazuma decides he needs to give Kyo a sex talk.

-"Being safe":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru, Kazuma
Featured characters: None
Set: Shortly after 'A private moment'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The Curse is broken, and Kazuma couldn't be happier. However, seeing Tohru and Kyo together makes him realize he was a bit lax when it came to Kyo's education, and it's probably time he fixes that.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma tries to give Kyo a sex talk.
Notable developments: Kazuma learns Tohru & Kyo have a physical relationship.

-"Bowling":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: One month after the Curse broke/~seven months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: In which Tohru invites Kyo on a bowling date and learns she is his bowling senpai.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo go bowling.
Notable developments: N/A

-More Than I Deserved:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kazuma
Featured characters: Yuki, Kunimitsu
Set: A little over a week before 'Hitting the Beach'
Type: Chapter Story
Summary: Just over a month has passed since the Curse broke, and Tohru and Kyo are happier than they've ever been in their lives. The rest of the summer and the rest of their lives stretch out before them, ripe with promise, and the two of them are ready to seize it together. They have a lot of work to do to prepare for the new life they plan to share after graduation, but that's ok; anything would be better than preparing for the future they used to expect, filled with separation, isolation, and despair. The Curse is broken, Kyo is free, and that future is gone. He's ready to move forward and forget it all, but it was never going to be that easy.
Main Topic(s): Kyo learns Tohru knew about his confinement and was actively looking for a way to break the Curse, as well as the fact Kazuma knew she knew and kept it hidden.
Notable events: Kyo comes to terms with the fact Kazuma isn't perfect. 

-"Never a contest":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Seven months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru has always loved getting to feed people, especially people that she loves.
Main Topic(s): Kyo surprises Tohru by being home for a meal unexpectedly. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"What are you doing?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Seven months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Comfort with physical intimacy develops over time, and after a somewhat awkward start, Tohru and Kyo now know that. Things in that department are getting better for them, but it helps that there are certain things that came naturally from the first.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo enjoy some 'intimate time' and a very nice hug. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Hold still":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Seven months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Getting to be comfortable with physical intimacy is good. Learning to be comfortable is a process that takes time.
Main Topic(s): Tohru gets a little time to explore Kyo's body.
Notable developments: N/A

-Hitting the Beach:
Rated: M
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Machi, Hiro, Kisa, Haru, Rin, Momiji, Kagura
Featured characters: Hatori
Set: ~Seven months before graduation, roughly one week before school resumes (spans a couple of days)
Type: Chapter Story
Summary: The Curse is broken and summer vacation is here. After the unfortunate way last summer's beach trip ended, Tohru and the younger former Zodiacs are ready to make some new, happier memories with a new trip back to the beach house!
Main Topic(s): The younger Sohmas enjoying some time at the Sohma beach house while developing and deepening their respective relationships, both romantic and platonic.
Notable events: Yuki first starts to consider telling Machi about the Curse. Kyo first beats Kagura in a sparring match. Kagura realizes she may have been too harsh on Tohru in hitting her at the dojo during the events of manga chapter 114.

-"No problem at all":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Haru, Hiro, Yuki
Featured characters: Tohru, Machi, Kisa, Kagura
Set: Right after 'Hitting the Beach'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Last year's beach trip might not have gone the way they wanted, but this year, Tohru and the younger Sohmas are making things up and then some. It's wonderful, being able to spend time at the beach with friends...and that goes for boyfriends, as well.
Main Topic(s): The kids hang out at the beach together and the guys are useful. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"You two local?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kisa, OCs
Featured characters: Momiji, Haru
Set: Right after 'Hitting the Beach.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Few people are kinder or more willing to offer aid than Tohru and Kisa, even on vacation!
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kisa give some boys directions and Haru & Momiji cut in before there's flirting. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Suit yourself":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Hiro
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: Right after 'Hitting the Beach.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sometimes, it's the little things. Even at the beach.
Main Topic(s): Tohru takes a nap on Kyo at the beach and Kyo's ok with it.
Notable developments: N/A

-"It just happened!":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Yuki, Haru
Set: Right after 'Hitting the Beach.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The beach will never be Kyo's favorite place for his own sake, but the fact Tohru loves it means he'll brave it for her. Usually he's happy to sit on the beach and watch Tohru have fun, but it turns out watching her out in the water can cause him 'a problem.'
Main Topic(s): Kyo gets an unwanted erection at the beach
Notable developments: N/A

-"So very kind":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kisa, Machi, OCs
Featured characters: Yuki, Kyo
Set: Right after 'Hitting the Beach.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The beach is a great place to have fun and meet people, but it's also a good place to lose things. Who knew all three of those things could happen simultaneously?
Main Topic(s): Tohru, Kisa, and Machi encounter the boys from 'You Two Local?' on the beach.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Nice to be home":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Yuki, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Seven months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: After spending a week at the beach, there are all kinds of things to make up back at home.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Yuki garden after getting back from vacation while Kyo waits for Tohru and takes a little nap.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Unfocused":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Yuki
Set: ~Seven months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Being in love is a wonderful thing. But sometimes, it can also make things slightly awkward.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo are flirty and also reminded they don't live alone. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Clouds":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Seven months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Usually, Kyo likes to agree with Tohru. Sometimes, disagreeing can be much more fun.
Main Topic(s): Tohru and Kyo look at a cloud.
Notable developments: N/A

September:

-Canon event: School resumes after summer break.

-"Not a word to anyone":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Saki, Arisa
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: ~Six months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Once again it's time for swimming lessons in PE, and most of the class is excited. But Tohru has one small problem...
Main Topic(s): Tohru has to figure out how to hide a hickey in swimming class.
Notable developments: Arisa and Saki learn Tohru and Kyo have a physical relationship.

-"Easy to please":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru. Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Six months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru's always been easy to please; even the tiniest things can make her happy.
Main Topic(s): Kyo brings Tohru a flower after a run.
Notable developments: N/A

-"It's just a game":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru, Arisa, Saki, Momiji, Yuki, Haru
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Six months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Once in a while, it's fun to play a relaxing game together. Most of the time, the games turn out like this.
Main Topic(s): The Kaibara High gang plays badminton.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Pretty well-matched":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Arisa, Saki, Kyo, Yuki, OC PE teacher Ando
Set: ~Six months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's the start of a new unit in PE at Kaibara High, and Tohru couldn't be more excited!
Main Topic(s): 3-D starts karate in PE class.
Notable developments: Kyo & Yuki have their first fight where Yuki doesn't decisively win.

-"In charge":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Arisa, Saki, Kyo, Yuki
Set: ~Six months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's time for karate in PE, and Sensei Ando has to step out. Naturally, he leaves the two most experienced karatekas in charge, and Tohru has feelings about that in regards to both of them.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Kyo supervise PE class when the teacher has to step out.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Changing things up":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo, Yuki, Saki, PE teacher Ando
Set: ~Six months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: PE has never been Tohru's subject, but she always gives it her all. No one can say she doesn't try, but the results she wants are often out of reach. It's probably time to change her methods a bit.
Main Topic(s): Tohru struggles with karate in PE class so Sensei has her work with Kyo. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Ready to try again?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Six months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: 3-D's karate unit has almost wrapped up, with almost nothing left to do except their final demonstrations. Almost the entire class is ready, but Tohru is still struggling; lucky for her, she has her own karate tutor willing to make house calls.
Main Topic(s): Kyo helps Tohru work on karate at home.  
Notable developments: N/A

-"Call it good":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Six months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There are certain things that Yuki has to get used to now, now that the Curse is broken and all of them are free. Things like Tohru and Kyo actually being a couple, which manifests in all sorts of ways that are both big and small.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Kyo chat a bit while Tohru naps on Kyo.
Notable developments: N/A

-Remember to Smile:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Yuki, Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Machi, Saki, Arisa, Ayame, Hiroshi and Yusuke, Haru, Kakeru, Momiji, Shigure, OCs.
Set: Begins in late September, ends in late October, third year of high school.
Type: Chapter Story
Summary: The Curse has broken, and Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki and the rest of 3-D are gearing up for their final Culture Fest. Everyone is excited to make some memories and come together as a class one last time; even Kyo is trying to put on a smile and go along with everything the class decides, to a point. However, it's Yuki who's struggling to remain cheerful as he looks around and realizes just what it means to be Kaibara High's reigning Prince, and what it's always meant for those who care about him.
Main Topic(s): Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki's final Culture Fest. Yuki's relationship with the Prince Yuki Fan Club and his popularity in general, its role in his life and his relationships with other people, and his struggles with his own feelings of guilt. Yuki and Machi's relationship.
Notable events: Yuki & Machi go public with their relationship.

October:

-"Together, in your room":
Rated: M
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Five months before graduation, during 'Remember to Smile'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Three months into their relationship, Kyo is no stranger to spending time in Tohru's room. But Tohru can't say the reverse, and she's ready to change that.
Main Topic(s): Tohru realizes she and Kyo don't spend time together in Kyo's room and decides to change that.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Being idiots":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Momiji, Haru, Hiro, Kisa
Featured characters: N/A
Set: ~Five months before graduation, during 'Remember to Smile'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru has always loved having her friends around. She just wishes that they all would always get along!
Main Topic(s): Tohru, Kyo, and some friends discuss the upcoming Sports Day.
Notable developments: N/A

-"You startled me!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, OCs
Set: ~Five months before graduation during 'Remember to Smile'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo will always be the first to admit Tohru beautiful, but that doesn't mean he wants to hear it from anyone else. Especially not like that.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo are out shopping and Kyo hears some guys making remarks about Tohru. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"On your mark":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Haru, Momiji, Naohito, PE Teacher Ando
Set: ~Five months before graduation, during 'Remember to Smile'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru has always loved Sports Day, even if sports aren't her thing. Even when the odds are against her, she'll always do her best!
Main Topic(s): Tohru participates in the Scavenger Hunt Race for Sports Day.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Victory isn't everything":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Arisa, Saki
Featured characters: Yuki, Kyo, Kakeru, OCs
Set: ~Five months before graduation, during 'Remember to Smile.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sports Day is always an exciting time at Kaibara High, and 3-D's final one is no different. The entire school is eager to watch the final event, though some spectators might be a little bit more invested than others.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Kyo run in 3-D's relay team for Sports Day while Tohru and her friends watch.
Notable developments: N/A

-"For real":
Rated: M
Primary characters: Yuki, Machi
Featured characters: N/A
Set: ~Five months before graduation, during 'Remember to Smile.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: 'The morning after' is always awkward. When it's the first morning, and you're Machi Kuragi...it's somehow even worse.
Main Topic(s): The morning after Yuki & Machi slept together for the first time.
Notable developments: ^^

-"Different now":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Yuki, Machi
Featured characters: N/A
Set: ~Five months before graduation, during 'Remember to Smile.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Machi had suspected things would be different, after her first time with Yuki. She DIDN'T think they would only be different for HER.
Main Topic(s): Yuki's first visit to Machi's apartment after their first time and Machi tries to process her feelings and guess Yuki's. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Close your eyes":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Five months before graduation, during 'Remember to Smile.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's no big deal. Lots of guys get their girlfriends presents, even in high school. It's totally normal. Nothing to feel weird about, in the slightest. Mostly.
Main Topic(s): Tohru shows Kyo the new bra he paid for for her. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Game on":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Hiroshi, Hayate, Ryosuke, Sota, Daisuke (Kyo's basketball friends)
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Five months before graduation, during 'Remember to Smile.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: When the Curse broke, Kyo was finally free to be with Tohru. But he was also free to have a normal high school life, with normal high school friends, doing normal high school things.
Main Topic(s): Kyo plays basketball with some friends after school.
Notable developments: N/A

-"How long will it take?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: ~Five months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Nobody had ever said moving past the Curse or the past as a whole would be easy. Holding Tohru often makes the nightmares fade, but there are certain things that Kyo has to face on his own.
Main Topic(s): Kyo wakes up from a nightmare needing comfort from Tohru and worrying about when he'll ever be able to properly take care of her.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Free":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Kazuma, Akito
Set: ~Five months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: "Kyo is free to go. And as for that dark place...I'm going to destroy it."
Main Topic(s): Kyo, Tohru, & Kazuma witness the destruction of the Cat's House.
Notable developments: The Cat's House is demolished.

November:

-"Too far?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Yuki
Featured characters: OC
Set: ~Four months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Even with a girlfriend who is public knowledge, Yuki still can't shake the attentions of the Prince Yuki Fan Club. Luckily, he has friends like Tohru willing to help him out.
Main Topic(s): Tohru defends Yuki from an aggressive fan club member.
Notable developments: Tohru tells someone to 'back the hell off' at school.

-"Full of surprises":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Hiroshi, Yusuke, Hayate, Kuro, Ryosuke (Kyo's basketball friends)
Set: ~Four months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There's a rumor going around that Tohru got in a fight at school. Kyo knows better, though; there's absolutely no way!
Main Topic(s): Kyo learns Tohru swore at someone at school.
Notable developments: N/A

-"..Happy?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Momiji
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo
Set: ~Four months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Momiji is happy. Really. His Curse is broken, he has lots of friends, and, perhaps most importantly, he doesn't feel like crap whenever it rains. So yes, he's happy. Very, very happy. And if he keeps repeating that, he might come to believe it.
Main Topic(s): Momiji sees Tohru comforting Kyo during the rain and has feelings about it. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"This is so much fun!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Four months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru might look like the sweetest creature alive and people might think she's a pushover. But Kyo knows the truth: that underneath that angelic exterior lies a spirit every bit as competitive as his own.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo go on a date to an arcade.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Slip":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Arisa, Saki
Featured characters: Mayuko, Hatori
Set: ~Four months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru's always been clumsy, but falling at school can be painful in a whole host of new ways.
Main Topic(s): Tohru slips and falls on the stairs at school.
Notable developments: Tohru sprains her wrist, learns Sensei Shiraki knows Hatori.

-"A bother":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki
Featured characters: Mayuko, Arisa, Saki
Set: ~Four months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru's not sure what's worse: the injuries she got after falling down the stairs at school, or how much she has to be bothering her friends as a result...even if none of them actually agree.
Main Topic(s): Tohru deals with the aftermath of her fall and worries she's being a burden on her friends.
Notable developments: N/A

-"It was because they cared":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Four months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Slipping and falling down the stairs at school was no fun, but Tohru keeps reminding herself that things could have gone worse. She didn't break anything, and her friends were all there to help; Yuki and Kyo are still there now, helping her at home. Well. 'Helping,' anyway. It was the thought that counts, right?
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Kyo fight over how to help Tohru with her chores while she recovers from her fall down the stairs.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Room for improvement":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: ~Four months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: With Tohru dealing with some injuries after falling down the school stairs, she is on strict doctor's orders to temporarily lay off her household chores. That means the boys need to step up, and while no one can doubt Yuki's willingness, there is still a lot of room for improvement...especially in the kitchen.
Main Topic(s): Yuki tries to help Tohru make dinner while she's injured and fails catastrophically. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"A point":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki
Featured characters: Shigure
Set: ~Four months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru takes her responsibilities at the Sohma house seriously, sometimes too seriously for her own good. Fortunately, she has the best advocates anybody could hope for, ready to step in when anyone tries to take advantage.
Main Topic(s): Shigure tries to get someone to make him food when he turns up at the house unexpectedly during dinner.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Showing around":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, OC
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: ~Four months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: A new student is always an exciting occasion, and Tohru is happy to show him around. After all, Kaibara High is a pretty wonderful place!
Main Topic(s): Tohru gives a new student a tour and Kyo makes sure he knows Tohru is taken. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Insecure":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Saki, Arisa
Featured characters: Kimi
Set: ~Four months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Arisa is feeling grumpy, but she should know better than to even think about disparaging Yuki within the walls of Kaibara High.
Main Topic(s): Kimi jumps in to defend Yuki when she thinks Arisa & Saki are disparaging him.
Notable developments: N/A

December:

-"Backup plan":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It always sucks when plans fall through, no matter how good the reason. Fortunately, Tohru has someone else ready to step in!
Main Topic(s): Kisa is sick, so Kyo volunteers to watch Mogeta with Tohru.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Sleep is very important":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Yuki
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru & Yuki have an awkward encounter in the hallway.
Main Topic(s): ^^
Notable developments: N/A

-"Yes or no?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hiroshi, Yusuke, Kyo's basketball friends
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have been dating for five months, and his high school friends couldn't be happier. Everyone agrees that a switch seems to have flipped in Kyo since he started dating Tohru; he's happier, more relaxed, friendlier...he even actually hangs out after school sometimes, and had made new friends along the way. But if they agree on those things about Kyo, there's at least one thing they can't agree on when it comes to the happy couple: have they, or haven't they?
Main Topic(s): Kyo's friends speculate whether Tohru & Kyo have slept together. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Fact-finding":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Ryosuke Uchida (Kyo's basketball friend)
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: When it comes to 'delicate subjects,' there is exactly one person Tohru is willing to talk to: Kyo. But she's always willing to offer a listening ear and some advice, especially to any of their friends.
Main Topic(s): Kyo's friends try to find out from Tohru whether or not she & Kyo have been physical.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Oblivious":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, OC
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Waiting alone can be boring, but luckily for Tohru, even strangers can be friendly. Teenage boys, anyway.
Main Topic(s): Tohru is unwittingly hit on.
Notable developments: N/A

-"What about him?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru & Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo is a very thoughtful boyfriend; he only ever wants Tohru to have what she wants.
Main Topic(s): Kyo teases Tohru about having been hit on.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Dorky":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Normally, Kyo always studies by himself. That means on the rare occasion his studying gets interrupted, it's surprisingly easy to forget that others don't know his methods.
Main Topic(s): Tohru finds out Kyo wears reading glasses.
Notable developments: N/A

-"What are you up to?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's adorable how sweet and thoughtful Tohru can be...even when there's absolutely no need.
Main Topic(s): Tohru tries to set up studying so Kyo can wear his glasses but he shoots her down.
Notable developments: N/A

-"What do you do?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Kunimitsu
Featured characters: Kazuma, Tohru
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo has always respected Kunimitsu, especially when it comes to matters of the dojo. There's almost no one else who knows the dojo like him, including how to manage its people.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Kunimitsu talk teaching and Kazuma starts a fire in the kitchen.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Maybe I can help":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Kazuma
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma has never been good at helping Kyo with school, and that hasn't changed as Kyo has gotten older. But Kazuma has always been good at noticing things about Kyo, which means that this time he might be able to help.
Main Topic(s): Kyo is studying at Kazuma's house and Kazuma wants to help him out.
Notable developments: Kyo admits to Kazuma he wears reading glasses. 

-"Good night":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: ~Three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Yuki gets home the night before exams to find he's not the only one who's been up late.
Main Topic(s): Yuki finds Tohru & Kyo asleep at the kotatsu.
Notable developments: N/A

-Curse Reveal: Yuki - Machi
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Machi
Featured characters: None
Set: Christmas, ~three months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("It Doesn't Seem Real")
Summary: Five beautiful months have passed since the Curse broke and Yuki and Machi started dating. Those months haven't been without their share of headaches, but it's been worth it, to finally get to be together, openly, with no secrets between them. No secrets except for one, anyway. But now, the time for secrets is over. If they are meant to be, then Yuki has to trust her, no matter what.
Main Topic(s): Machi learns about the Curse. 
Notable developments: Machi learns about the Curse, though not about the Cat. 

January:

-"What do you wish?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Two months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The first sunrise of a new year is always a special time, but Tohru doubts that any sunrise will ever top this one. It's been an amazing year, but the next one should be even better; there's no way is won't be, with Kyo at her side.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo watch their first New Year's sunrise together as a couple.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Not Our Day":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Yuki, Machi
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kimi, Kakeru
Set: ~Two months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Yuki & Machi just can't seem to get an uninterrupted moment.
Main Topic(s): ^^
Notable developments: N/A

-"Wrong":
Rated: M
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: OC
Set: ~Two months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There are times and places for certain activities, but school really shouldn't be one of them.
Main Topic(s): Tohru gets caught fantasizing in class.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Our home":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru and Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Two months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Graduation is rapidly approaching, and Tohru and Kyo have a lot to figure out before they move. Near the top of that list: finding a place to live!
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo review housing options for when they move after graduation.
Notable developments: Tohru & Kyo choose their future home.

-"Whatever I can do":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kazuma
Featured characters: None
Set: ~Two months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Graduation is getting closer, and Tohru and Kyo think they've chosen their future home. But first they want to run it by Kazuma, who's always happy to support them, anyway he can.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo discuss their chosen home with Kazuma, and Kazuma surprises them with some unexpected money.
Notable developments: Tohru & Kyo commit to their future home. Kazuma gives Kyo all of the money he received over the years from the Sohmas for raising Kyo.

-"I bet I can!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Yuki
Set: ~Two months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo are deeply in love and everyone knows it. But even the most sappy lovebirds can have their rivalries, once in a while.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo race to see who's the fastest onigiri maker.
Notable developments: N/A

February:

-"Awkward":
Rated: M
Primary characters: Yuki
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: One and half months before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There are certain things Yuki knows about Tohru and Kyo's relationship, just as there are certain things they know about his. However, that 'knowing' has always been based on intuition rather than proof; Yuki would have loved if that had never changed.
Main Topic(s) A sleeping Yuki overhears Tohru & Kyo being intimate through their open bedroom windows and regrets a lot of things. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"The first morning":
Rated: M
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: One and half months before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Waking up together for the first time is a precious thing, and Kyo, in particular, can't believe how lucky he is. However, as much as some aspects of the morning have now changed, in other ways, things are the same for Kyo as they have always been. Up to, and including, certain 'natural bodily functions.'
Main Topic(s) Tohru & Kyo wake up together for the first time and Kyo has to deal with a bit of morning wood.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Negotiating":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Arisa, Saki
Featured characters: None
Set: One month before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There are things and people that Kyo will miss after leaving Tokyo. Saki and Arisa are currently not on that list.
Main Topic(s): Kyo asks Arisa & Saki to help him surprise Tohru for Valentine's Day.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Valentine's Day":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Saki, Arisa
Set: Valentine's Day, one month before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's Tohru and Kyo's third and final Valentine's Day at Kaibara High, and it's hard for Tohru not to be a little upset about Kyo's popularity.
Main Topic(s): Tohru's feelings about Kyo's popularity.
Notable developments: Kyo kisses Tohru at school in view of other people for the first time.

-"Tricked":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Valentine's Day, one month before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru has been looking forward to making Kyo a special Valentine's meal; after all, on Valentine's Day, it's her turn to spoil him!
Main Topic(s): Kyo makes Tohru a Valentine's meal when she'd planned to do the same thing. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Anyone but her":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Haru, Saki, Kunimitsu
Set: One month before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Certain people belong at the dojo, but their numbers don't include Saki Hanajima. And yet for some reason she is there; Kyo has no idea why and is almost terrified of what the reason might be.
Main Topic(s): Kyo sees Saki in the dojo and wonders why she's there while also being afraid of what the reason might be. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Supposed to be":
Rated: M
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Shigure
Set: One month before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There are things Tohru and Kyo will miss when they graduate; shared housing isn't one of them.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's intimate time gets interrupted by Shigure
Notable developments: N/A

-"Closer":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: One month before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sometimes, after waking up from a nightmare, a hug is sufficient. Sometimes, it takes more than that to truly drive back the darkness.
Main Topic(s): Tohru wakes up from a nightmare and Kyo helps her forget it.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Cold":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Momiji
Featured characters: None
Set: One month before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo doesn't like the cold, and he doesn't normally like scarves. Emphasis on 'normally.'
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo sharing a scarf
Notable developments: The origin of the picture from the end credits of them sharing a scarf.

March:

-"Against all reason":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Kyo, Kakeru, Momiji
Featured characters: Machi, Tohru, Saki, Arisa, Haru
Set: One month before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Yuki just wants to enjoy lunch at school with his friends; apparently for some of them, the 'eating' part is optional.
Main Topic(s): Kakeru teases the idea of the Sohma boys being idols after watching viral dance videos. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Study Break":
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: About three weeks before graduation,
Type: Oneshot
Summary: When it comes to helping Tohru study, Yuki has always been the top choice. But Kyo is also an excellent study partner in his own right, even if he doesn't tend to give himself enough credit. After all, study breaks are important too.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo have a quickie during a study break.
Notable developments: None

-"White Day":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: White Day (March 14), just over two weeks before graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Even though Tohru and Kyo have spent White Day together before, this year's White Day is something incredibly precious: their first White Day as boyfriend and girlfriend. Tohru can't wait to see what Kyo has planned for them.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo celebrate White Day together.
Notable developments: None

-While We Still Can:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Momiji, Haru, Yuki, Machi, Hiro, Kisa.
Featured characters: Ritsu's mother.
Set: The beginning of March & the weekend after White Day, a couple weeks before graduation
Type: Chapter story.
Summary: It's less than one month until graduation, which means Tohru and Kyo's move is just around the corner. Tohru can't wait for them to start their new life together, but first she has to survive the emotional gauntlet of her last few weeks with all of her friends in Tokyo. Momiji has the perfect idea for one last hurrah: a White Day weekend at the Sohma onsen!
Main Topic(s): Everyone dealing with the impending graduation and moves of Tohru, Kyo, & Yuki, and their assorted feelings on the subject.
Notable events: N/A

-"A date":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Saki, Arisa
Featured characters: None
Set: Two weeks before graduation (the interrupted date from the Three Musketeers Arc)
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo is happy to have a chance to take Tohru out on a date. Now, if only he could get rid of the crashers...
Main Topic(s): Saki & Arisa try to crash Tohru and Kyo's date.
Notable developments: Tohru stands up for her time with Kyo.

-"For us":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Two weeks before graduation, right after 'A date'.
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo has always thought Tohru was the most desirable person he'd ever seen, but sometimes she still surprises him. Who would have guessed just how hot it is to be prioritized?
Main Topic(s): Kyo is turned on by Tohru standing up to her friends. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"And...no":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Yuki
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: One week before graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Some nights are beautiful, and romantic, and everything goes according to plan. And some nights...aren't.
Main Topic(s): Yuki has to unexpected come home from Machi's during the night and worries about what he might find. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Oh hell no":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Yuki
Set: One week before graduation, same time as 'And...no'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo loves Tohru, and he doesn't care who knows it. He does care who sees it.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Tohru have a lovely intimate interlude, only for Kyo to run into Yuki right after.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Oh no":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: One week before graduation, right after 'And...no' and 'Oh hell no'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru loves being alone with Kyo, and she always will. But sometimes, circumstances mean they can't be...and sometimes, those circumstances are due to Tohru herself. Once a caretaker, always a caretaker!
Main Topic(s): Tohru is wildly embarrassed to have had Yuki & Kyo run into each other, but her embarrassment takes a backseat when she thinks Yuki needs help.
Notable developments: N/A

-Something new for us all:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Machi
Featured characters: Kakeru, Arisa
Set: A week before graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: With graduation looming just around the corner, Tohru is struggling to make time for everyone she wants to see. Yuki has a solution that might help just a little: what if they, along with Machi and Kyo, go out on a double date? Surely they can figure out an activity they'll all enjoy, and who knows; maybe all four of them will actually even have fun!
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo and Yuki & Machi go on a double date to an obstacle course.
Notable events: N/A

-And Now We're Finally Here:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, Arisa, Saki, Yuki, Hiroshi and Yusuke, Kakeru, Mayuko, Momiji, Akito, Hiro, Kisa, Machi, Haru, Rin, Shigure, Ayame, Tohru's grandpa.
Set: Graduation and the couple days prior.
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Sometimes, the high school journey felt like it was dragging on forever, and sometimes it felt like it was passing in the blink of an eye. Now, it's finally reached its end. Tohru, Kyo, and their friends are ready to graduate, but feelings and emotions are running deeply, for everyone. As excited as most of them are to begin their next chapter, saying goodbye to high school was never going to be that easy, or that straightforward.
Main Topic(s): Graduation.
Notable events: ^^

-"A different kind of ending":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Sensei Shiraki/Mayuko, Kyo's friends
Set: March, Graduation day (during 'And Now We're Finally Here')
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There was a time Kyo was terrified of this day. But now that it's here, he can hold up his head and know those fears are groundless. The Curse is broken. The Cat's House has burned. Kyo himself is free. It's time for him to sit back and enjoy his graduation.
Main Topic(s): During the graduation ceremony, Kyo reflects on what that day had meant before and what it does now.
Notable developments: N/A

-Canon event: GRADUATION!

-One Last Night:
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: The night of graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: It's the night of their graduation day, and Tohru and Kyo's very last night in Shigure's house. They've made a lot of memories there; a few of them bad, but many, many of them good. It's hard to say goodbye to the people and places she loves, but Tohru will give them up gladly as long as she gets to stay by Kyo's side. But first, it's time to make a few last happy memories.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo reflect on their last night in Shigure's house and smut ensues. 
Notable events: N/A

-Clear Skies Ahead: My second-ever fanfic, and the very first one for this series!
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Yuki, Kazuma, Arisa, Saki, Momiji, Haru, Kagura, Kisa, Hiro, Rin, Shigure, Ayame, Mine, Hatori, Ritsu, Mitsuru, Tohru's grandpa
Set: Begins during the final chapter of the manga just before Yuki's last talk with Tohru, and covers through Tohru & Kyo's departure
Type: Chapter story
Summary: The Curse is broken, graduation is over, and Tohru and Kyo are preparing to leave for their new life together. Leaving is bittersweet, but the promise of their future together is more than enough to get them through difficulties of their last days. Takes place during and immediately after the last chapter of the manga, includes appearances by almost everyone.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's sendoff after graduation.
Notable events: Kyo starts calling Kazuma "Dad" and Tohru's grandpa "Grandpa"

-"A new master":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: The night before Tohru & Kyo leave after graduation, during 'Clear Skies Ahead.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The night before moving away, newly-graduated Kyo reflects on change.
Main Topic(s): Kyo reflects on his relationship with Kazuma and his future in his new dojo.
Notable developments: Kyo commits to calling Kazuma 'Dad.'

-"He's your son, isn't he?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma
Featured characters: Tohru's grandpa
Set: Two days after graduation, immediately after 'Clear Skies Ahead.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's never easy when a child moves out, no matter how happy it makes everyone involved. 
Main Topic(s): Kazuma processes his feelings as Kyo leaves with Tohru.
Notable developments: Kazuma's side after Kyo calls him 'Dad' for the very first time.

-Canon event: Tohru and Kyo move

-Easing into the New:
Rated: E (contains four chapters of smut, identified at the opening chapter notes at the top of each relevant chapter)
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Riko and Yamato Tanaka, Mei Okada. OCs from Tohru and Kyo's new hometown.
Set: Begins immediately after "Clear Skies Ahead and spans a few days
Type: Chapter story
Summary: High school is over and Tohru and Kyo are officially off to their new home together, navigating the joys and headaches of moving, settling into a new place, and finally being alone together!
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's arrival in their new home and their first couple days settling in.
Notable developments: Introduces Hibe, the fictional village in Aomori prefecture where I've moved Tohru and Kyo after graduation, and some reoccurring OCs. Introduction of Kyo's punching bag.

-Make 'em proud:
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru; Kyo's coworkers Sensei Hiroshi Yamada, Sensei Yuna Sasaki, Sensei Haruto Maeda, Sensei Tamiko Wada, & Sensei Kenichi Matsuda.
Set: Five days after graduation, three days after Tohru & Kyo moved.
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have just graduated and moved out on their own, and Kyo is taking his first strides into his new dojo. The nerves are real, but he's ready to prove himself!
Main Topic(s): Kyo's first visit to his new dojo and his introduction to his new coworkers.
Notable developments: Introduction of the Matsuda Dojo, Kyo's coworkers, and his boss/new master.

-"The new guy":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sensei Hiroshi Yamada, Sensei Yuna Sasaki, Sensei Haruto Maeda, & Sensei Tamiko Wada
Featured characters: None
Set: Five days after graduation, during the end of 'Make 'em Proud'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: After months of waiting, the instructors at the Matsuda Dojo have finally met their new coworker. There's no denying he seems competent, but him being a student is one thing, him being a teacher is another, and at least one of the old guard will need a little time to decide how he feels. However, hiring was never his choice, and, as the others are only too happy to remind him, to doubt this 'Sohma' is to doubt their master himself.
Main Topic(s): Kyo's new coworkers discuss their new peer. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"First impressions":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Sensei Kenichi & Ayako Matsuda
Set: Six days after graduation, the day after 'Make 'em Proud'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have graduated and moved. Kyo has made his first visit to his new dojo. Now, it's time for he and Tohru both to navigate their latest hurdle: dinner with the dojo master, and the master's wife.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo go to dinner with Kyo's new boss and his wife. 
Notable developments: Tohru & Kyo meet Ayako Matsuda for the first time. 

April:

-"Not for me":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: One week after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Costumes can be fun...or not.
Main Topic(s): Tohru tries wearing a costume for Kyo, he's not a fan.
Notable developments: N/A

-Follow my lead:
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru,  Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: About a week after Tohru and Kyo moved
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have just graduated and moved out on their own, and Tohru is eager to try out Kyo's new punching bag.
Main Topic(s): Kyo tries to teach Tohru how to punch.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Dojo exploration":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo, OC
Set: A week and a half after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's an exciting thing, moving to a new place, and Tohru can't wait until the village of Hibe feels like 'home.' Eventually, she'll know it all: the places, and the people. But since she has to start somewhere...why not the dojo?
Main Topic(s): Tohru explores the dojo and meets one of the gardeners.
Notable developments: Tohru's first time joining Kyo for lunch at the dojo, her first time exploring the dojo, and meeting Sensei Kenichi's brother.

-"Eavesdropping":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, OCs
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: Almost two weeks after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sometimes, you overhear things on a crowded bus. And sometimes, the result of that eavesdropping can be awkward.
Main Topic(s): Tohru encounters some of the dojo's students on the bus and overhears them talking about Kyo.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Whenever you're ready":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mayuko
Featured characters: Kisa
Set: Two weeks after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," 'Parallel Moments in Time.')
Summary: Mayuko has been waiting for graduation to go public with her relationship with Hatori to keep things from being weird with her students. Well, graduation has come and gone, but the flow of Sohmas continues.
Main Topic(s): Mayuko reflects on a new homeroom class and her relationship with Hatori.
Notable developments: Kisa starts Kaibara High and is in Mayuko's homeroom.

-"You don't know that!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: OCs
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Sensei Kenichi
Set: Two weeks after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Yes, there's an unknown girl in the dojo's courtyard. Yes, it's probable she's waiting for someone. But that doesn't mean she's someone's girlfriend...right?
Main Topic(s): A student at the dojo is interested in Tohru and his friends try to convince him that she is someone's girlfriend. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"I just want to make a good impression":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Two weeks after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have been on their own for two weeks, and Tohru is gearing up for her first job interview. Why is decision making so hard?
Main Topic(s): Tohru tries to figure out a job interview outfit and Kyo tries to help.
Notable developments: Tohru's job interview for her eventual job in Hibe.

-"It's ok":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sensei Kenichi, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Two and a half weeks after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: So far, Sensei Kenichi is pleased with his new employee; Kyo is everything he would have expected from Kazuma Sohma's son. But while Kenichi respects and admires that Kyo wants to do a good job at his new job, it's also important for Kyo to remember he's still just eighteen.
Main Topic(s): Sensei Kenichi tells Kyo he's allowed to make friends at the dojo, even if those friends happen to be students. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Home is where you hang your hat":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: Three and four weeks after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Back on that terrible day in the rain, Kyo had told Tohru that he'd known her mother. He didn't tell her, then, why their friendship had ended.
Months later, Tohru and Kyo have moved to their new village and are settling into their new house. Looking around, Kyo realizes that he's finally 'home' and that being 'home' means trusting Tohru with his final secret.
Main Topic(s): Kyo tells Tohru the story of the blue hat.
Notable developments: N/A

-"No fear of forgetting":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: Three weeks after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Settling into his new village and new life, Kyo couldn't be happier with how things are going for him. He has everything that he could ever ask for...except the thing he had never thought to request.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma sends Kyo a photo of his mother. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Not alone":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Machi
Featured characters: Momiji, Haru, OCs
Set: One month after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," 'Parallel Moments in Time')
Summary: With Yuki graduated and gone to university, Machi is left to deal with Yuki's remaining fans without him. Facing the catty comments is hard, but it's nice to know that even with Yuki far away, she still isn't alone.
Main Topic(s): Machi faces bullying from Yuki's fans after Yuki graduates, with Haru and Momiji helping her.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Do you like it?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Machi
Featured characters: None
Set: One month after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," 'Parallel Moments in Time')
Summary: High school is over, and Yuki is officially settled into his apartment and university life in Kyoto. Machi is excited to come visit, but worries that distance might not make the heart grow fonder...
Main Topic(s): Machi visits Yuki's apartment in Kyoto for the first time since he finished furnishing it.
Notable developments: N/A

May:

-"That's what works":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Two months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time')
Summary: Tohru has been looking forward to hosting Arisa and Saki ever since she first moved away, and they might have finally found some dates that work for a visit. Unfortunately, there's a conflict with those dates. 'Unfortunate' to Tohru, but to Kyo? Not so much.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo discuss plans for a visit from Arisa and Saki.
Notable developments: N/A

June:

-"Contentment":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Two and a half months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time')
Summary: Kyo is working today, but that's ok with Tohru; just a little time with him is all she needs to make her smile.
Main Topic(s): Tohru brings lunch to Kyo at the dojo.
Notable developments: N/A

-"A total sweetie":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: Three months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time')
Summary: Kyo wants to make one thing clear: if this is a cat fight, he'll win it.
Main Topic(s): Kyo meets the local stray cat, Butsu.
Notable developments: N/A

-"By association":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Machi
Featured characters: Haru, Momiji
Set: Three months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time.')
Summary: Machi knew and accepted that dating Yuki would make her a target, but she wasn't ready for her friends to be targets, too. Often, she wishes that for their own sakes they would distance themselves, but it turns out that Sohmas can be even more stubborn than her.
Main Topic(s): Momiji & Haru are there for Machi after she gets bullied while Machi is dealing with her insecurities.
Notable developments: N/A

July:

-"Made it her own":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Arisa, Saki
Featured characters: None
Set: Four months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Four months after graduation, Arisa and Saki have finally made it up to visit Tohru in Hibe. They're both excited to see her new home and the various ways she's personalized it, though they have to say some are maybe a little unconventional.
Main Topic(s): Arisa & Saki visit Tohru and find some of Tohru & Kyo's not-so-hidden condom stash. 
Notable developments: N/A

-Welcome Home:
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Four months after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Four months have passed since graduation, and Kyo has been gone on his very first training trip. To say he and Tohru have missed each other while apart is an understatement, and they're ready to make up for lost time.
Main Topic(s): Tohru and Kyo have reunion sex
Notable developments: N/A

August:

September:

-"Her own aesthetic":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Mayuko, Hatori
Featured characters: None
Set: Six months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time')
Summary: It's just a dinner, nothing more. A dinner with Ayame and Mine. A celebratory dinner where they were the guests of honor. Mayuko would be just fine. She could handle them. As soon as she figured what she ought to wear.
Main Topic(s): Mayuko tries to figure out what to wear to dinner with Ayame & Mine.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Thrilled":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kazuma
Featured characters: None
Set: Six months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time')
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have settled in and love their new life together, but there are things they'll always love and miss about Tokyo. Some of those things are different between Tohru and Kyo's lists, but there is one thing, or rather one person, who they'll always want to see.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo return to the Sohma dojo for the first time since moving.
Notable developments: N/A

-Formal Surprises:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru and Kyo
Featured characters: Shigure, Mayuko, Hatori
Set: Six months after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Six months have passed since their graduation, and Tohru and Kyo are back visiting for the first time to attend Ayame's wedding.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo arriving for Ayame's wedding, which makes them each consider their feelings about their own wedding someday.
Notable developments: Ayame & Mine get married. Tohru & Kyo learn Hatori & Mayuko are dating.

October:

-"We should get up":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Seven months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time.')
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have plans to go out tonight; they just have to get up before they can go out.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo are very amorous and affectionate and don't want to get out bed.
Notable developments: N/A

November:

-"Risk":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Haru, Rin
Featured characters: None
Set: Eight months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Since before the Curse broke, Rin has been struggling to find a path forward with her burdens of body and mind. Over a year later, she sees the rest of the former Zodiac apparently contented and happy, all of them moving forward in lives full of new opportunity and promise. She's afraid of being left behind to stagnate, but Haru is there to remind her that he'll always know how to lift her spirits.
Main Topic(s): Rin is struggling, so Haru takes her out clubbing.
Notable developments: Haru & Rin's first time in a nightclub together. 

-"Where is it?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: Eight months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time')
Summary: Kyo is perplexed. He's positive he left his sweatshirt right there!
Main Topic(s): Kyo loses and then finds his sweatshirt.
Notable developments: N/A

December:

-"Today is about being together":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Nine months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo's first Christmas on their own was meant to be something special; this is not quite what Tohru had in mind.
Main Topic(s): Tohru is sick for Christmas and Kyo takes care of her.
Notable developments: N/A

January:

-"Never say 'can't":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: Nine months after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: In which Tohru asks Kazuma for a favor and Kazuma finds himself at a loss.
Main Topic(s): Tohru asks Kazuma to help her with karate and Kazuma is surprised how bad she is. 
Notable developments: N/A

February:

One year after graduation:

-The Next Big Step:
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, Saki, Haru, Rin, Hiro, Kisa, Momiji, Machi, Yuki, Tohru's grandpa
Set: March, one year after graduation, spanning a few days
Type: Chapter story
Summary: One year has passed since Tohru and Kyo graduated and moved north to begin their lives together. Now they're back in Tokyo for Haru and Momiji's graduation, to catch up with their friends, and to take another big step of their own.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo get engaged, Tohru finally learns about Momiji's feeling for her, and the aftermath.
Notable developments: Tohru and Kyo get engaged. Kyo beats Yuki in a fight for the first time. Tohru learns Momiji's been in love with her since before the Curse broke. Momiji reveals his intentions to attend university in Germany and to study business instead of music. Rin moves into Shigure's old house and begins her job working for an alternative fashion store.

-"Everything he wanted":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: April, one year after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo says he'll always be happy as long as he has Tohru, but she still can't believe him. He's spent a lifetime of missing out, but he no longer has to, and he COULD have even more, if he'd only let her try.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo argue about Tohru meeting Kyo's bio dad, then make up...or at least call a truce. 
Notable developments: N/A

-Curse Reveal: Akito - Saki
Rated: T
Primary characters: Saki, Akito
Featured characters: Shigure
Set: June, one year after graduation and exactly two years since the date of Tohru's fall
Type: Compilation entry ("It Doesn't Seem Real")
Summary: Just over a year has passed since graduation, and Saki Hanajima has contentedly settled into her post-graduate life. She misses Tohru and Arisa, but new local friendships have helped fill the void left by their moving and inspired dedication nearly as strong. One day, Saki feels a call; one of those friends needs her, and she's determined to find out why.
Main Topic(s): Saki learns about the Curse.
Notable developments: Saki learns about the Curse, Akito's past as the Zodiac God, and Akito's past behavior.

-Some Things Even You Can't Fix
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kazuma
Featured characters: Kyo, Kyo's biological father Katashi Sohma (previously unnamed canon character)
Set: October, a year and a half after graduation (spans two days)
Type: Oneshot
Summary: It's a year and a half after graduation, and Tohru and Kyo are engaged. Tohru wants to meet and try to mend fences with Kyo's biological father, but it's an uphill battle even to get in the door.
Main Topic(s): Tohru meeting Kyo's biological father for the first time and the fallout.
Notable developments: First written appearance of Katashi Sohma, Kyo's bio-dad.

-What is it You Want?
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazuma, Kunimitsu
Featured characters: None
Set: October, a year and a half after graduation, the evening of 'Some Things You Can't Fix'
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Kazuma Sohma considers himself a blessed and happy man. He has a job and home he loves, and a son he absolutely cherishes. He is respected, admired, and in possession of wonderful friendships. More importantly the Curse is broken, and Kyo is safe, free, and happy; engaged to Tohru and living the life Kazuma had always wanted for him, openly and without fear or shame. Kazuma couldn't ask for anything more. Kazuma shouldn't ask for anything more. Then an encounter between Tohru and Kyo's biological father shakes Kazuma to his core, and the control and restraint of over twenty years are compromised in one fell swoop. Kazuma can't recall the last time he let his emotions so overwhelm him...and it's time to face the consequences.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma reflecting on his past issues with emotional control and breaking down in the aftermath of Tohru's encounter with Kyo's bio-dad, leading to the establishment of his romantic relationship with Kunimitsu.
Notable developments: Kazuma & Kunimitsu come out to one another and begin a romantic relationship.

-"You didn't!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: October, one and a half years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Ever since her encounter with Kyo's birth father, Tohru has been feeling down. Kyo is desperate to cheer her up and let her know he isn't mad at her, whatever it takes.
Main Topic(s): Kyo trying to cheer up Tohru after her encounter with his birth father.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Trust":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazuma
Featured characters: Kunimitsu
Set: December, nearly two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There were many things in his life Kazuma never expected to happen, yet somehow, inexplicably, they have. Morning has always been a perfect time for some self-reflection.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma reflects the morning after he and Kunimitsu first spend the night together. 
Notable developments: N/A

-All Grown Up:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, Yuki, Saki, Arisa, Ayame, Mine, Haru, Rin
Set: January, almost two years after graduation (spans three days)
Type: Chapter story.
Summary: It's almost two years since graduation, and engaged couple Tohru and Kyo are headed back to Tokyo to attend their Coming-of-Age Day celebration. Being legal adults is exciting, but there's a lot to navigate.
Main Topic(s): Kyo becoming a legal adult and asking Kazuma to legally adopt him; Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Arisa, and Saki attend Coming-of-Age Day.
Notable developments: Kyo turns twenty (legal adulthood in Japan) and is legally adopted. Establishes Tohru as a Styrofoam-weight who doesn't drink except in her own home.

Two years after graduation

-Always and Forever:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, Arisa, Saki, pretty much every Sohma and many recurring OCs
Set: June, two years after graduation (spans approximately nine days)
Type: Chapter story
Summary: It's been just over two years since Tohru and Kyo have graduated, and the big day is finally here: after all this time, they're finally getting married! Emotions are high, but neither of them can wait to take this next step together as husband and wife.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's wedding preparations and wedding.
Notable developments: Tohru & Kyo get married! Kyo's coworkers from the Matsuda Dojo learn that Kazuma is Kyo's father, not just his old master, and that he's adopted.

-Bachelorette:
Rated: M
Primary characters: Tohru, Arisa, Saki, Rin, Kagura, Kisa, Mine
Featured characters: None
Set: Three days before Tohru's wedding, during chapter 16 of 'Always and Forever'
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Two years have passed since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo's wedding is only days away. The night Tohru has been both anticipating and dreading is finally here: her bachelorette party! The question is, can she make it through without actually dying of embarrassment?
Main Topic(s): Tohru's bachelorette party.
Notable developments: N/A

-Honeymooning:
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Immediately after 'Always and Forever'
Type: Chapter story
Summary: It's two years after graduation and Tohru and Kyo are newlyweds, ready and eager to enjoy some time to themselves. Mostly smut with just a little plot because I can't help myself.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's honeymoon, basically an excuse for me to practice writing smut.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Ouch...":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Sensei Hiroshi Yamada, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, Sensei Yuna Sasaki, Sensei Haruto Maeda, Daisuke Ota
Set: June, two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Karate life is fun, but it occasionally means taking some hard knocks.
Main Topic(s): Kyo gets injured at the dojo
Notable developments: N/A

-Curse Reveal: Kureno - Arisa
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Arisa
Featured characters: Kyo, Kureno
Set: July, two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("It Doesn't Seem Real")
Summary: It's two years after graduation, and Arisa has reached out to newlywed Tohru needing to talk. After all this time, Kureno has finally told her about the Curse...
Main Topic(s): Arisa processing with Tohru after Kureno told her about the Curse.
Notable developments: Arisa learns the truth about the Zodiac Curse. Arisa & Kureno get engaged.

-"Goodnight":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Momiji, Recurring OC Hans Wagner
Featured characters: OC
Set: September, two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Momiji and Hans's date has already run late, but even knowing they both have to get up early tomorrow it's still hard for them to say 'goodnight.'
Main Topic(s): Momiji and Hans don't want to end a date.
Notable developments: Momiji and and Hans become boyfriends and Momiji sleeps over for the first time. 

-"It's broken":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: OC
Set: September, two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's one of the most basic of basics. Everyone can make a proper fist, right?
Main Topic(s): Tohru breaks her thumb.
Notable developments: Tohru's last time using the punching bag.

-"Unavailable":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Momiji, Hans
Featured characters: None
Set: September, two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Momiji has always been a ray of sunshine, but these days he's more happy and lively than ever. It's no wonder that people are drawn to him, and no wonder that someone might be jealous.
Main Topic(s): Momiji's boyfriend is jealous and kisses him on campus
Notable developments: Momiji and his boyfriend Hans 'go public' in Germany.

-"Too much care":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Ritsu
Set: November, two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo are grateful for their free stay at the onsen, but there is such a thing for hosts as being too attentive.
Main Topic(s): Kyo gets sick of being interrupted at the onsen.
Notable developments: N/A

-"No pressure":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Yuki, Haru
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: When Haru invited Kyo to hang out, Kyo thought he meant alone, but Kyo can't begrudge Haru for taking pity on Yuki. If Kyo was in Yuki's position he'd be going nuts too; it's only an act of human kindness to want to help him out.
Main Topic(s): Kyo invites Yuki & Machi to come stay at the dojo while they're in Tokyo.
Notable developments: N/A

Three years after graduation

-"Is she happy?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: March, three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's been a long time in the making, but Kyo is finally ready to introduce Tohru...to his mother.
Main Topic(s): Kyo brings Tohru to the cemetery to 'meet' his mother.
Notable developments: ^^

-"I've met someone":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Momiji
Featured characters: None
Set: March, almost three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Momiji might be studying in Germany, but distance is no match for a friendship like his with Tohru. Video chats are a wonderful thing, especially when you have exciting news to share!
Main Topic(s): Momiji comes out to Tohru as bi by telling her about his boyfriend.
Notable developments: Tohru learns Momiji is bi and learns he has a boyfriend, recurring OC Hans Wagner

-"Closer than ever":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Momiji
Featured characters: Momo, Hans
Set: March, almost three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Even with half a world of distance between them, Momiji & Momo are closer than they've ever been. Both of them have made a point of sharing their lives with the other: today, it's Momo's turn to share, and next time it will be his.
Main Topic(s): Momo gets into her first choice middle school and tells Momiji.
Notable developments: N/A

-Well and Truly
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: June, Tohru and Kyo's first wedding anniversary, three years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have plans to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary, but sometimes plans can change on the fly. That's ok, though, because sometimes spontaneous plans can be the most fun.
Main Topic(s): Smut
Notable developments: N/A

-"That's cheating!":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: July, three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: When you're a stubborn person who loves a stubborn person, you can sometimes find yourself competing about stupid things. And when your pride requires you to do your best to win, sometimes that means being creative with the rules.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo have a bet to see who will initiate sex first. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"He prayed for me":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Saki & recurring OC Lorenzo Mosca
Featured characters: None
Set: September through November, three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Every day, Saki takes the train home from work. Every day, she's always taken the train. And every day, that train ride is the same...until the one day it isn't.
Main Topic(s): Saki meets and starts dating her future husband.
Notable developments: Saki meets her future husband and learns he was 'called' to Japan by Megumi's prayer.

-"I don't share:
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Haru
Featured characters: Rin, OCs
Set: September, three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Haru's never struggled for female attention, especially not now that he's working as one of Japan's top models. Being admired is certainly fun, but when it comes to anything more than looks, there's always been only one woman for him.
Main Topic(s): Haru is hit on by some of his modelling coworkers and Rin puts them in their place. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"You won't":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Ayame, Mine
Featured characters: Hibika (Ayame & Mine's daughter)
Set: November, three years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: It's rare for Ayame to be lacking confidence, but Mine has enough confidence in him for them both.
Main Topic(s): Ayame & Mine in the hospital after Hibika's birth.
Notable developments: Birth of Hibika.

-Definitely Drunk
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Recurring OCs Riko & Yamato Tanaka
Set: January, almost four years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: It's been almost four years since graduation and a year and a half since their wedding. Tohru can't handle her alcohol and Kyo tries very, very hard to be good.
Main Topic(s): Smut
Notable developments: N/A

Four years after graduation

-"I won't if you won't":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Hatori
Featured characters: OC
Set: March, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru is excited, nervous, and overwhelmed; for the first time ever, she's not only stepped onto an airplane, but left Japan itself. Being in a foreign country is nerve-wracking, but she's grateful to have Hatori's knowledge and experience to lean on...especially when she can't trust her own language skills one jot.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Hatori arrive at their hotel in Berlin and Tohru struggles with English. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Wunderbar":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Hatori, Momiji, Hans
Featured characters: None
Set: March, four years after graduation.
Oneshot, Chapter story, Compilation entry: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Three years after Momiji moved, Tohru has finally made it to Berlin. She couldn't be happier to be there with her friend and help him celebrate graduation...or to finally meet his boyfriend properly, language barriers or no.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Hatori meet Momiji's boyfriend Hans in person for the very first time. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Whatever he ‘could’ have done, he didn’t":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Hatori
Featured characters: None
Set: March, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: With Tohru in Germany visiting Momiji, Kyo has gotten a lot of international calls. But until now, all of them have been from Tohru, and all of them have been conversations he's been happy to have. Not like this one with Hatori, who's also in Germany. What Hatori is asking from Kyo is too much. Or it would be too much, if he was asking for his own sake.
Main Topic(s): Hatori asks Kyo to talk to Momiji's boyfriend about the Curse in the wake of Momiji telling Hans about it. 
Notable developments: N/A

-Curse Reveal: Momiji - Hans:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Momiji
Featured characters: Tohru, Hatori, Hans
Set: March, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("It Doesn't Seem Real")
Summary: Four years have passed since graduation, and Momiji has been happy. Life still isn't perfect, but he has kept moving forward, and in the ways that matter most, he is happy: he has his health, his dear friends, a brand-new university degree, and a boyfriend he loves above everyone. Things could go on as they are, forever, and Momiji would be happy, but some things always been too serious to leave, unspoken, in the past. It's time to face the music.
Main Topic(s): Momiji's boyfriend Hans learns about the Curse. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Safe to say":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Momiji
Featured characters: None
Set: March, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru has had a wonderful visit with Momiji in Berlin, but now it's almost over. Fortunately, there's enough time to squeeze in one last ice cream date!
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Momiji eat ice cream and reflect on their relationship.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Excellent publicity":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Haru
Featured characters: Sensei Yuna Sasaki, Sensei Hiroshi Yamada, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, Sensei Haruto Maeda
Set: May, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's just the end of another day at the dojo, until Kyo learns he has a surprise visitor. So much for small towns being peaceful...
Main Topic(s): Haru the model makes a surprise visit to the Matsuda Dojo and has a sparring match with Kyo.
Notable developments: Kyo and the dojo go viral.

-Cutting Loose and Having Fun
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Yuki, Haru, Kakeru, Ayame, Komaki, Machi, Kisa
Set: Begins late May four years after graduation, ends late June
Type: Chapter story.
Summary: Four years have passed since graduation, a time that seems to have lasted a lifetime and passed in a blink of an eye. Tohru and Kyo have been married for two years now, but they're looking forward to a new wedding: Yuki and Machi's. Kyo was floored and strangely honored when Yuki asked him to be one of his groomsman; even just a few years ago, that degree of closeness would have seemed impossible. They're still not best friends; Kyo still doesn't know if they even count as friends. But he's willing to be there for Yuki, whatever he needs. Unfortunately, when he said 'yes,' he had no idea that bachelor parties were a thing, or that Yuki's best men would be so enthusiastic about them.
Main Topic(s): Kyo attends Yuki's bachelor party. 
Notable developments: Yuki & Machi's bachelor and bachelorette parties. Yuki cuts off his parents (immediately before the story starts). Kyo & Yuki get drunk for the first time. Kyo gets rough with Tohru and bruises her for the first time while drunk. Establishment of Kakeru having gone to Tokyo U. Announcement of Komaki's pregnancy with Michi. Progression of Kyo's relationships with Kakeru & Ayame to 'friendly.' Kyo & Yuki openly acknowledge each other as friends. 

-Uninhibited, Happy, and Just a Little Bit Drunk
Rated: E
Primary characters: Kyo and Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: Early June, four years after graduation, between chapters six & seven of "Cutting Loose and Having Fun"
Type: Oneshot.
Summary: Certain things have always been constant in Tohru and Kyo's relationship, ever since its earliest days. Kyo is the one who makes Tohru's tea; Tohru is the one who captures and relocates spiders. Kyo hates chives; Tohru can't stomach octopus. Tohru gets drunk on a thimbleful of beer, Kyo never gets drunk at all...It's a surprise for both of them to learn that Kyo does, in fact, have a limit, but less of a surprise to know he reached it under duress; Kyo was never going to be the type who enjoyed a bachelor party, especially not with Ayame and Kakeru present. Now Tohru's stuck trying wrangling her dearly drunken husband for the first time ever, and as much as she knows she ought to be sympathetic, it's a little tricky when drunken Kyo is so very cute...and so very horny.
Main Topic(s): Kyo gets drunk at Yuki's bachelor party and he & Tohru have sex. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"I just wanted to do it":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Momiji, Hans
Featured characters: Haru
Set: June, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Though Momiji is loving his life in Berlin, he's ecstatic to come back to Tokyo to attend Yuki's wedding. Sure, the flight is long and exhausting, but he'd put up with a lot worse to be back in Japan. Especially since, wedding aside, this visit is special: it will be the first time his boyfriend properly meets his old friends.
Introductions will have to wait for now, though; first, Momiji and Hans have to make it to their hotel.
Main Topic(s): Momiji & Hans arrive for Hans's first trip to Japan, and they find their stay has been upgraded. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"The informal":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hans, Rin
Featured characters: Momiji
Set: June, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Momiji's German boyfriend Hans is grateful to Momiji's friends: they have all welcomed him with open arms to Japan. But even with them being friendly, it's hard to make conversation; it's not easy to talk when there are language barriers.
Everyone is trying their best and Hans appreciates that, but he and his tired brain need a break.
Main Topic(s): Hans and Momiji learn Rin speaks German.
Notable developments: N/A

-"A duty":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Ayame
Featured characters: Yuki, Kakeru, Kyo, Haru, Shigure, Hatori, Yuki & Ayame's parents
Set: June, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Ayame has never claimed to be perfect, especially not when it comes to his relationship with his brother. There was a time when he let Yuki down, and he knows he would have deserved it if Yuki had never forgiven him. But Yuki has always been the better man...which is why Ayame, given the chance to be the best man, will never let him down again.
Main Topic(s): Yuki's parents attempt to crash his wedding and Ayame takes care of it.
Notable developments: N/A

-"What were you thinking?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kakeru, Komaki
Featured characters: Yuki, Machi
Set: June, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Kakeru and Komaki have been sitting on some exciting news they've been waiting to tell Yuki and Machi...or at least one of them has. Yeah...Kakeru might have screwed this one up.
Main Topic(s): Komaki learns that Kakeru told Kyo about her pregnancy without her agreement and without telling her. 
Notable developments: Yuki & Machi learn Komaki is pregnant with Michi.

-"A stranger":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Saki, Megumi
Featured characters: Lorenzo
Set: June, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Saki has looked forward to this moment for a long time: to properly introducing the man she loves to the family she has always held so dear. In so many ways, it's going well...just not all of them.
Main Topic(s): Saki introduces her fiancé to her family for the first time. 
Notable developments: Megumi learns Lorenzo came to Japan because of his prayer.

-"Is it really that hard to understand":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Kazuma
Featured characters: None
Set: June, four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time,")
Summary: In the karate dojo, Kazuma's skill is unparalleled, especially if you're talking to his very proud son. However, Kazuma himself has to disagree; he is not untouchable, especially not now.
Main Topic(s): Kyo's first time landing a decisive hit on Kazuma while sparring. 
Notable developments: N/A

-Are We Ready for This?
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, many additional Sohmas and OCs
Set: Begins June four years after graduation, ends the following February
Type: Chapter story.
Summary: It's been four years since graduation, and two years since Tohru and Kyo got married. Things are about to start changing for them in a very big way; are they ready for the challenge?
Main Topic(s): Tohru's pregnancy with and the birth of Hajime.
Notable developments: Yuki & Machi get married (immediately before the story starts). Hajime! Establishment of the tradition of Kazuma coming to visit Tohru & Kyo every summer during the Hibe Summer Festival. The announcement of Machi's pregnancy with Mutsuki. Confirmation that the Zodiac traits can now be passed down genetically. Establishment of Kisa in teacher's college.

-"Good news":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, Sensei Tamiko Wada, Sensei Hiroshi Yamada, Sensei Haruto Maeda, Sensei Yuna Sasaki
Featured characters: None
Set: August, four years after graduation during "Are We Ready for This?"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Another dojo exhibition has come and gone, and Kyo and his peers can finally take a breather. It was a great festival for Kyo, but his tournament placement isn't all he wants to discuss.
Main Topic(s): Kyo tells his peers he & Tohru are expecting a baby.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I know we'll love it":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Yuki, Machi
Featured characters: None
Set: December, almost five years after graduation, during 'Are We Ready For This'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Machi's been feeling sick for days, just as she's gearing up for university finals. Hopefully a quick trip to the doctor will help figure out what's wrong...
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Machi learn they're expecting Mutsuki.
Notable developments: Chaos incarnate Mutsuki first makes his presence known.

-Canon-adjacent event: Hajime Sohma (Fruits Basket: Another canon character) born February 14

Five years after graduation

-Figuring it Out Together
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: Kazuma, Hatori, Haru, Yuki, Tohru's Grandpa, Sensei Kenichi & Ayako Matsuda, assorted others.
Set: Immediately after "Are We Ready for This," so starting February almost five years after graduation and covering the first year of Hajime's life.
Type: Chapter story
Summary: It's been almost five years since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo are brand new parents. Parenthood has a steep learning curve, but together, the two of them are invincible!
Main Topic(s): The first year of Hajime's life and its resultant trials and tribulations.
Notable developments: Establishment of Haru the model, Rin the marketing creative, Yuki the HR worker, Machi the accountant. Saki gets married. Yuki & Machi move back to Tokyo from Kyoto. Mutsuki (Yuki & Machi's son) is born six months after Hajime. Tohru's grandpa's health starts to deteriorate.

-"You wanna hold him?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kazuma
Featured characters: Hajime
Set: Early April, five years after graduation, during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma had already seen so many things he'd only ever dreamed of, it felt like there was nothing more he could ever want. Not until his son stood before him, Kazuma's first grandchild in his arms.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma meets Hajime in person for the very first time.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Actual and genuine":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Hajime, Kyo
Set: Early April, five years after graduation, during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Baby Hajime is nearly eight weeks old, and Tohru feels like things are improving every single day. She wishes they'd improve faster, but she's ok with where they're at: knowing Hajime is growing and thriving is absolutely enough. With the sweetest baby that ever lived and the most perfect husband, what more could Tohru ask for, anyway?
Main Topic(s): Hajime smiles for the first time.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I hope we'll be friends":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Yuki
Featured characters: Tohru, Hajime
Set: April, five years after graduation, during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's been far too long since Yuki made a visit Tohru and Kyo, but he couldn't be happier to be there now. Good times or bad, happy thoughts or bad, they will always be dear to him, and they won't be alone.
Main Topic(s): Yuki comes to Hibe to visit Tohru, Kyo, & Hajime. 
Notable developments: Yuki's first time meeting Hajime in person.

-I'll Never Stop Wanting You
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru & Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: An expanded scene from chapter twelve of 'Figuring it out Together,' in May, five years after graduation
Type: Oneshot.
Summary: It's been just over three months since Tohru had baby Hajime, and she's dealing with some major feelings of body inadequacy. But Kyo is there to remind her that in his eyes, she'll always be the girl of his dreams.
Main Topic(s): Kyo shows Tohru how attractive he still finds her, baby or no baby.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Complementary":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Kunimitsu
Featured characters: OC
Set: May, five years after graduation, during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Two decades have passed since Kazuma first took over the dojo, and in that time, he's come to know about his strengths as a leader. Also about his weaknesses, and the things he really dislikes...Fortunately, he has Kunimitsu there to pick up his slack.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma & Kunimitsu handle dojo business while Kazuma watches baby Hajime. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Darling":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Satsuki (Hiro's mom), Hiro
Featured characters: Kisa, Hinata (Hiro's sister), Hikaru (Hiro's brother, OC), Hajime
Set: May, five years after graduation, during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Hiro's mom, Satsuki, have something big in common: they both think their children couldn't be any cuter.
Main Topic(s): Tohru visits Hiro's home with baby Hajime and Hiro's mom embarrasses him.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Sense of occasion"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Haru
Featured characters: Yuki, Momiji, Rin, Saki, Tohru
Set: May, five years after graduation, during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The list of people Kyo Sohma ever wants to discuss his sex life with: Tohru. The list of places where Kyo wants to talk about his sex life: in private. Nowhere on either of those lists are 'Haru' or 'someone else's wedding reception,' and yet here we are.
Main Topic(s): Haru brings up an embarrassing topic at Saki's wedding reception. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Stolen moments"
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Saki, Lorenzo
Set: May, five years after graduation during 'Figuring it Out Together' the same day as 'Sense of Occasion.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Reconnecting after a dry spell is always going to be satisfying, for Tohru and Kyo as much as for anyone else. Now that they've reconnected, they're happily to steal some time to themselves, regardless of where they may be.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo have a quickie at one of Saki's wedding afterparties.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Growth":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: June, five years after graduation during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Oneshot, Chapter story, Compilation entry: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sometimes, it's the little things that can cause the most happiness, like spending time together at home, as a family.
Main Topic(s): Tohru, Kyo, & Hajime hang out as a family.  
Notable developments: N/A

-"Thanks for the memories"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Haru
Featured characters: OCs
Set: July, five years after graduation during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: In nearly three years as a model, Haru has come to expect there will be time spent standing around. Sometimes, that's not a bad thing.
Main Topic(s): Haru hangs out with some cows and remembers an incident from childhood. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Harmonious living"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki & Machi
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime, Mutsuki
Set: August, five years after graduation during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Yuki and Machi are tired but happy, and the proud new parents of their very own son. Right now Machi mostly wants to rest, but there is one thing she'd like to do now that the chaos is finally over.
Main Topic(s): The day Mutsuki is born and 'meets' Tohru, Kyo, & Hajime for the first time.
Notable developments: ^^

-"Solid food":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kazuma, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: Late August, five years after graduation during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma is visiting Tohru, Kyo and baby Hajime and gets to witness an exciting milestone: solid food!
Main Topic(s): Kazuma attempts to feed baby Hajime solid food.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Cute"
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: October, five years after graduation during 'Figuring it Out Together'
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Ayame and Mine have sent Tohru some new things to dress her eight-months-postpartum body, and she's not the only one who thinks they're cute. Well. Kyo might have a different word than 'cute.'
Main Topic(s): Tohru gets some new underwear and Kyo shows his appreciation.
Notable developments: N/A

Six years after graduation

-"Catching up":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Minami Kinoshita
Featured characters: Yuki
Set: June, six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Young mother Tohru is happy to run into an old classmate while out shopping in Tokyo; it's amazing how much can change in just a few short years!
Main Topic(s): Tohru bumps into old classmate Minami Kinoshita while out shopping with Yuki & baby Mutsuki.
Notable developments: N/A

-So We Decided to Just Do It
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Haru, Rin
Featured characters: None
Set: June, six years after graduation
Type: Twoshot
Summary: Over six years have passed since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo are back in Tokyo. They're off to catch up with Haru and Rin, who have been sitting on some pretty big news!
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo learn about Haru & Rin's surprise pregnancy with twins and Haru & Rin get married.
Notable developments: ^^

-"Rain":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: July, six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's a rainy day, and neither Kyo nor Hajime is excited about it.
Main Topic(s): Tohru leaves Hajime with Kyo on a rainy day
Notable developments: N/A

-"I hate you being mad at me":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Hajime
Set: July, six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Even a husband as loving and considerate as Kyo is capable of putting his foot in his mouth once in a while. Luckily, he also knows how to fix things.
Main Topic(s): Kyo makes things up to Tohru after a thoughtless comment leads to a fight.
Notable developments: N/A

-"At the exact same time":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: August, six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Ever since Hajime was a newborn, he's gone through periods of extra-fussy behavior. Tohru and Kyo have always done their best to cope with it, but it's been a frustrating challenge, especially since it always seems to overlap with the rain. It's almost like Hajime knows that Kyo will be 'under the weather...' unless there's another reason for his behavior.
Main Topic(s): Tohru and Kyo figure out that Hajime is also affected by the rain. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Practice makes perfect":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: September, six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Zen: adjective. Having or showing qualities such as meditative calmness and an attitude of acceptance. Opposites: see 'Toddler.' See also: 'Toddler's father.'
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Kyo face off over the breakfast table and Kyo is reminded why parents need patience. 
Notable developments: N/A

-I Don't Want to Say Goodbye
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, Tohru's extended family members, Hajime
Set: September, six years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Six years have passed since graduation, and Hajime is a year and a half old. Tohru's Grandpa had been failing, and she's finally gotten the call she's been dreading.
Main Topic(s): The events surrounding the funeral of Tohru's grandpa.
Notable developments: The passing of Grandpa. Tohru inheriting half of her grandpa's estate as the only child of one of Grandpa's two children.

-How Hard Can It Be?
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Hajime
Featured characters: Kyo, Kunimitsu, Haru, Tohru
Set: Concurrently to "I Don't Want To Say Goodbye"
Type: Oneshot
Summary: It's been over six years since graduation, and Grandpa Kazuma is spending the day babysitting year-and-a-half-old Hajime with just a little bit of help from Hatsuharu.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma babysitting toddler Hajime, Kazuma giving expectant father Haru advice.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I'm ready":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Haru, Rin
Featured characters: Sora, Riku
Set: October, six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Hatsuharu and Rin might have gotten older, and things might be changing. But some things only get better with time.
Main Topic(s): Rin wakes up and prepares to meet their newborn twins for the first time.
Notable developments: Haru & Rin's babies are born.

-"I think it's very sweet":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: OC, Tohru, Hajime
Set: October, six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo loves his job and is proud to be a karate instructor, but it's a fact that he could do without the student crushes.
Main Topic(s): Kyo runs into a student with a crush on him while out shopping with his family.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Whatever you need":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Haru
Featured characters: Sora
Set: October, six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: No matter how much you try to be prepared, new parenthood is always a challenging time. Haru is trying his best but has a lot going on; fortunately, right now he has Tohru to lean on.
Main Topic(s): Tohru and Haru talk when Tohru visits to help with the twins.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Little changes":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Kunimitsu
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo helps Kunimitsu change some things up at the Sohma Dojo
Main Topic(s): Kyo helping Kunimitsu move into the house at the Sohma Dojo
Notable developments: The Sohma dojo officially closes to boarders, Kunimitsu moves from the boarding wing to the house.

-"He started it":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Yuki, Haru, Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Sora, Riku
Set: January, almost seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: As the 'senior' dad of the younger Zodiac group, Kyo is usually happy to share parental wisdom he's learned. However, there are times and places to impart those lessons, and he prefers it when he's not modeling what NOT to do.
Main Topic(s): Kyo, Yuki, & Haru are supervising their kids and being reminded that kids will parrot anything.
Notable developments: N/A

Seven years after graduation

-"Happy Mother's Day":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Hajime, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: May, seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Yes, it's the middle of the night, but Hajime has something very important to say.
Main Topic(s): Hajime wakes up Tohru to wish her happy Mother's Day.
Notable developments: N/A

-Moving Right Along
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Hajime, Kazuma, Hiro, Kisa, Momiji, Hans, other OCs.
Set: Begins late June, seven years after graduation, and spans just over a year until August, eight years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Seven years have passed since graduation, and Tohru, Kyo, and little Hajime are officially outgrowing their house. Finding a new place to live seems like it should be easy, but life is always good at throwing a curveball or two into the simplest of plans!
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo building a new house, and Tohru's pregnancy with and the birth of their second child, son Katsuro.
Notable developments: Tohru & Kyo move to their new home. Katsuro Sohma is born. Momiji moves back to Japan after six years in Germany, along with his boyfriend Hans. Kyo tells Tohru for the first time he never plans to tell his kids about the Curse.

-"Lesson learned":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: Sensei Hiroshi Yamada & Sensei Kenichi Matsuda
Set: September, seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Karate has been Kyo's passion for twenty years and his profession for seven; by now, he more than knows how to put on his uniform. Assuming he knows where to find it all.
Main Topic(s): Kyo gets to the dojo and discovers his belt is missing. 
Notable developments: N/A

-My Brother
Rated: T
Primary characters: Momiji, Momo
Featured characters: Momiji & Momo's father Koshiro (previously unnamed in canon) and mother Sabine (previously unnamed in canon), Hans, other OCs.
Set: Begins September, seven years after graduation, spans approximately one month and takes place during "Moving Right Along"
Type: Chapter story (first chapter originally published as a chapter of "Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: All her life, Momo Sohma has felt a kinship with Momiji that she never quite understood. As silly as it sounds, she wanted him to be her brother. The day during his second year of high school when she asked him if he would be, the day that he said yes, was one of the happiest days of her life.
Seven years later, Momo is seventeen years old, a second-year high schooler herself. She thought she was happy with the way things were, until she learned there was so much more to their relationship than she'd ever before imagined.
Momiji has made a new life for himself in Germany. He has a job he enjoys, a boyfriend he loves, and a life that makes him happier than he'd felt in a very long time. It wasn't perfect, but it was happy, and he was satisfied...until Momo asked if they could talk.
Main Topic(s): Momo discovers evidence that Momiji is her brother and their mother had to forget him; her push to learn the truth, their father's resistance, and Momiji finally breaking out from under their father's thumb to take control of his own life and happiness.
Notable developments: Momo learns Momiji is her brother and about her father's separate life with Momiji. Momiji establishes himself as independent in the eyes of his father and starts a truly brotherly relationship with Momo, as well as a new relationship with his parents.

-"What once was and no longer is":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hatori
Featured characters: Momo, Kinu
Set: October, seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Three days ago, Momiji told Momo the truth of the Zodiac Curse: what it meant for Momiji himself, and for their family. And with permission, he'd told her something else: the role that Hatori had played in the entire drama. Hatori has never claimed to live without regret. If anything, there are times where regret overwhelms him. But though he'll be the first to admit that he can't escape his own past, he refuses to let that past dictate any part of his future.
Main Topic(s): Hatori talks to Momo and reflects on his past, specifically about his memory suppression ability.
Notable developments: N/A

Eight years after graduation

-Canon-adjacent event: OC Katsuro Sohma (unnamed character minimally present in canon, second son of Tohru and Kyo) born June 7

-"A special morning":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: Katsuro
Set: August, eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru wakes up to enjoy a special breakfast made just for her by a couple of her favorite people, on a very special day.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Hajime make birthday breakfast for Tohru.
Notable developments: N/A

-"A huge help":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo & Kisa
Featured characters: Katsuro
Set: August, eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: A late-night feeding for baby Katsuro becomes a unexpected chance for Kyo to chat with houseguest Kisa. Even the middle of the night can be nice, with company.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Kisa talk during Kisa's visit to help with baby Katsuro.
Notable developments: N/A

-"It's wonderful to meet you":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kazuma Hajime, Katsuro
Featured characters: None
Set: Late August, eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma meets Katsuro for the first time.
Main Topic(s): ^^
Notable developments: ^^

-"A bit longer":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma
Featured characters: Katsuro, Tohru, Kyo, Hajime
Set: Late August, eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Things Kazuma Sohma will always love: spending time with Kyo and his family, in any capacity.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma sees Tohru & Kyo asleep with Hajime while Kazuma watches baby Katsuro.
Notable developments: N/A

-"No talking about kids":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Riko & Yamato Tanaka
Featured characters: Hajime, Katsuro
Set: October, eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru is excited to go out with a friend for the first time since Katsuro was born, but she's also feel nervous. It's hard to leave your baby for the first time, no matter how much you need a break!
Main Topic(s): Tohru gets out of the house for a girls' night for the first time since Katsuro was born.
Notable developments: N/A

-"No babies":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Kyo, Yuki
Set: October, eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime is excited to get to play with his friend Mutsuki and all of Mutsuki's things. Friends with new toys are always fun, especially when playing with those friends means a break from babies.
Main Topic(s): Hajime has a playdate with Mutsuki
Notable developments: N/A

-"Babies are boring":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Katsuro
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: December, eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime contemplates the relative disadvantages of babies, specifically his baby brother, Katsuro.
Main Topic(s): Hajime plays with baby Katsuro
Notable developments: N/A

-Don't Leave Me
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, Hajime, Katsuro, Hatori, Yuki
Set: January, nearly nine years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Almost nine years have passed since the Curse has broken, and Tohru and Kyo are back in Tokyo with their kids to visit for New Year's. It's always fun, but Tohru just wishes that Kyo would take some time to try and get over that cold...
Main Topic(s): The events around Kyo getting sick with pneumonia while visiting in Tokyo.
Notable developments: Kyo's hospitalization and temporarily being sidelined from work while he recovers.

-"As long as they needed":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Hajime
Featured characters: Machi, Tohru, Kyo, Mutsuki
Set: Late January, almost nine years after graduation during the events of "Don't Leave Me"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo's bout of pneumonia is one of the scariest times of Tohru's life, but she's not the only one who's afraid of what might happen. Hajime is afraid as well, and he misses his parents; Yuki knows he's no replacement, but he's going to do his best.
Main Topic(s): Yuki comforts Hajime while Kyo is in the hospital. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"One week to go":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Sensei Tamiko Wada, dojo kids
Set: Late January, almost nine years after graduation following the events of "Don't Leave Me"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Teaching karate is one of the only things that Kyo ever wanted to do with his life. Sometimes, it's tough to accept he has to let that take a backseat in the name of his own health.
Main Topic(s): Kyo dealing with being on restricted duty after his hospitalization with pneumonia.
Notable developments: N/A

Nine years after graduation

-"This is just our life":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kisa, Hiro
Featured characters: None
Set: March, nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's a very special day for Kisa and Hiro, and Tohru and Kyo are happy to be able to share it.
Main Topic(s): Kisa & Hiro get married.
Notable developments: ^^

-"Awake":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Hajime, Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: April, nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo just wants to take a nap, but Hajime wants to play. And he might only be four years old, but Hajime isn't dumb.
Main Topic(s): Hajime wants to play with Kyo.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Wear it with pride":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda
Featured characters: Kazuma
Set: August, nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo has always loved his dojo's annual exhibition. It's always been a chance to show off his skill and impress on a large scale, and this year is no exception. However, there is one thing that's a little special about this year...
Main Topic(s): Kyo is promoted to rokudan.
Notable developments: Kazuma promotes Kyo to his new rank.

-"Did it hurt?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Sensei Hiroshi Yamada, Sensei Haruto Maeda
Featured characters: OC
Set: September, nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's been a busy summer at the Matsuda Dojo, and Kyo is happy for the arrival of autumn and the return to a normal schedule, giving him more time to spend at home with Tohru. Now that he is, though, it might not be a bad idea to check the mirror before he goes to work.
Main Topic(s): Kyo gets spotted with a hickey at work.
Notable developments: N/A

-"He's gonna do fine":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: Katsuro, Sensei Yuna Sasaki
Set: February, almost ten years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: After years of anticipation, it's finally Hajime's first time in karate class!
Main Topic(s): Hajime's first day of karate class
Notable developments: ^^

Ten years after graduation

-No Talking, Just Feeling
Rated: E
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: Springtime, ten years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Now parents of two, Tohru and Kyo have a rare afternoon to themselves and they don't feel like talking.
Main Topic(s): Smut
Notable developments: N/A

-"Stuck":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru, Hajime, Katsuro
Featured characters: None
Set: May, ten years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo has a problem: he can't get up from the floor. If only there was someone who could rescue him...
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo play a game with their sons.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Where are they?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, Hajime, Katsuro, Tohru
Set: January, almost eleven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo doesn't understand; his sons said that they'd be here. But aside of Kazuma and Tohru, there's no one else around. It's just them and a pair of giggling blankets; where on earth could those boys of his be?
Main Topic(s): Kyo pretends he can't find the boys.
Notable developments: N/A

Eleven years after graduation

-"It's tough to be responsible":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime
Featured characters: Katsuro, Tohru, Kyo, Kazuma, Ayako Matsuda
Set: March, eleven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: With Kyo away on a training trip, Hajime's the man of the house. He takes his responsibilities seriously, but sometimes, they aren't easy, especially when Tohru is sick and his brother...is a toddler.
Main Topic(s): Hajime tries to manage things when Kyo is away and Tohru gets sick.
Notable developments: N/A

-"You excited, Hajime?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: Katsuro
Set: April, eleven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's a momentous day in the Sohma household, and almost everyone is feeling the excitement as Hajime prepares for his very first day of school!
Main Topic(s): Hajime's first day of school
Notable developments: ^^

-"Undivided loyalty":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, OCs
Featured characters: Katsuro, Hajime, Tohru, Kyo
Set: June, eleven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Master Kazuma Sohma is beloved for good reason: his students can trust that they will always have his support. It is one of the many things about him that has always been constant, along with his his love for a certain small family.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma talks with some students as Kyo's family arrives for a visit.
Notable developments: N/A

-Embracing the Unexpected
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Hajime, Katsuro
Set: Begins June, eleven years after graduation, spans until the following March
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Eleven years have passed since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo feel like they've hit their stride as the parents of two wonderful sons. Tohru wants another, but Kyo's not sure he's onboard, definitely not right at that moment. But biology can have other ideas...
Main Topic(s): Tohru's unplanned pregnancy with and the birth of their daughter Sachiko.
Notable developments: Sachiko Sohma is born.

-"A natural":
Rated: G
Primary characters: OCs, Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Hajime, Kazuma
Set: August, eleven years after graduation, takes place during "Embracing the Unexpected"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: From the very beginning, Kyo told Tohru he could never promise her luxury. His job as a karate instructor would never be the most prestigious or all that lucrative, and she needed to know that, if she went with him. She always has; she's never cared. They've always had enough. And it has always been worth it for her to get to see him like this, in the role that he was always destined to fulfill. He's a brilliant karateka, but that's only part of the story. To excel as a teacher, you have to be something more.
Main Topic(s): One of Kyo's students stops to chat during the summer festival, a little boy who somewhat recently lost his father, and the boy's mother and Tohru reflect on how amazing Kyo is as a teacher.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Why?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Arisa
Featured characters: Hajime, Tohru, Saki
Set: January, almost twelve years after graduation, takes place during "Embracing the Unexpected"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Arisa has never harbored any delusions that she's ever been normal; not as a child, a teenager, or even as an adult. Yes, there were things that she regretted when she looked back at her life, but when it comes to where's she's at now, she's happy with her choices. She's also happy to defend them, from even the harshest opponents.
Main Topic(s): Arisa thinks about her life and the course that lead her to be childfree. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Undeserved, but deserving":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Hajime, Katsuro
Set: January, almost twelve years after graduation, takes place during "Embracing the Unexpected"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There was a time when Kyo thought he didn't deserve to be happy, or that his 'crime' of being the Cat meant that he never could be. These days, he knows better, and he'll cherish what he has: unfettered, unashamed happiness, with the people he loves the most.
Main Topic(s): Kyo reflects on the life he has while the family naps together.
Notable developments: N/A

Twelve years after graduation

-Canon-adjacent event: OC Sachiko Sohma (unnamed character minimally appearing in canon, daughter of Tohru and Kyo) born March 11

-"Is that our baby?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Hajime, Katsuro, Tohru
Featured characters: Sachiko
Set: March, twelve years after graduation, takes place the day after the end of "Embracing the Unexpected"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's an exciting time, meeting a brand-new baby sister!
Main Topic(s): Hajime and Katsuro meet their baby sister for the first time.
Notable developments: ^^

-"Patience and strength":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Katsuro, Hajime, Sachiko
Set: April, twelve years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Having a new baby at home brings a lot of change, especially when there's an old baby that's struggling to adjust.
Main Topic(s): Kyo wrangles all three kids, including both baby Sachiko and preschool Katsuro who is missing Tohru.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I'm happy to just watch you":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Kyo, Sachiko, Tohru, Hajime, Katsuro
Featured characters: None
Set: Late April, twelve years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There are a lot of things that Kazuma once dreamed of seeing for Kyo, but the first time seeing Kyo holding his infant daughter is a dream all unto itself.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma meets Sachiko for the first time.
Notable developments: Kazuma meets Sachiko and sees Kyo hold his daughter in person for the very first time.

-"Normal"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Kyo
Featured characters: OC, Tohru, Sensei Haruto Maeda, Sensei Yuna Sasaki
Set: May, twelve years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Twelve years have passed since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo's seven-year-old son Hajime is usually happy to be a student at the dojo. But being around other kids means dealing with other kids, and sometimes kids can be cruel. Hajime might be his own person, but he'd not going to just stand by and let anyone insult him, OR his father.
Main Topic(s): Hajime dealing with someone making fun of his and Kyo's appearances, and Kyo's response.
Notable developments: The first time Hajime fights over someone insulting his family's looks.

-"Next time, ask first?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Machi, Mutsuki
Featured characters: OC
Set: September, twelve years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Parenting has always had its challenges. Parenting Mutsuki will always be a challenge like no other.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Machi have to deal with the negatives of Mutsuki's creativity.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Daddy's got you":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Katsuro
Featured characters: Tohru, Hajime
Set: October, twelve years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Too many times in his life, Kyo had been too slow. With the grace of the gods, that would never happen again.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro falls out of a tree and Kyo catches him.
Notable developments: N/A

-"It's my job":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime
Featured characters: Katsuro, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda
Set: January, almost thirteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime has always taken his responsibilities seriously, whether that's at school, at the dojo, or at home. As the oldest child, it's his job to help his parents, and he fully intends to never let them down in any way. Sometimes, it's hard to live up to his own expectations.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro gets hurt after Hajime doesn't help him, and Hajime struggles to deal with his guilt. 
Notable developments: N/A

Thirteen years after graduation

-"Understanding optional":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki
Featured characters: Mutsuki
Set: April, thirteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Yuki has never 'gotten' Mogeta. Sometimes, 'getting' things is highly overrated.
Main Topic(s): Yuki reflects on Mogeta. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Obstinate":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Momiji, his father Koshiro
Featured characters: None
Set: July, thirteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Koshiro Sohma has always tried to act in his son's best interests; sometimes, Momiji makes doing that a challenge.
Main Topic(s): Momiji and his father talk about Momiji's mother's parents' recent deaths.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Do you think it's fun?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Katsuro, Hajime
Set: August, thirteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru loves how much her boys take after their dad, but sometimes it's nice to see herself in them as well.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro helps Tohru in the garden.
Notable developments: N/A

Fourteen years after graduation

-"I'll be careful":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: May, fourteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime wants to go up on the roof, and he's tired of waiting for permission.
Main Topic(s): Hajime tries to sneak onto the Sohmas' roof by himself.
Notable developments: Hajime goes up on the roof for the first time.

-"The best thing ever":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Katsuro
Featured characters: Sachiko, Kazuma, Kunimitsu, Saki, Rio, Lorenzo
Set: June, fourteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Katsuro has always been fascinated with music, and he finally has a chance to go see some 'real, live musicians' perform with his family. He can't wait!
Main Topic(s): Katsuro goes to his first concert.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Just a day at the beach":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Sachiko, Katsuro
Featured characters: Tohru, Hajime
Set: July, fourteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Between work, three young kids, and the demands of life, it can be a challenge for Tohru and Kyo to get a break. Sometimes, the best break is doing nothing at home; other times, it's running away to spend a day at the beach.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's family goes to the beach.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I need you to say something":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hiro
Featured characters: Kisa
Set: September, fourteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: It isn't often Hiro Sohma finds himself speechless.
Main Topic(s): Hiro learns they're having another baby.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Sharing Thoughts":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: October, fourteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo has always respected Kazuma's feedback more than most; no matter the subject, he's always glad to hear it. And Kazuma, for his part, is usually glad to give it, even when it turns out what he thinks is slightly off-base.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Kazuma talk about Kyo's upcoming major tournament and the reason Kyo is growing out his hair. 
Notable developments: Kazuma decides to regrow his own hair. 

-"Perhaps this is vain":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Kunimitsu
Featured characters: None
Set: October, fourteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: After the day that Tohru went chasing Kyo's True Form, Kazuma knew he had no further need for his long hair. Many years later, he's considering growing it out again, but this time, there's someone's opinion he wants to ask first.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma gets Kunimitsu's feedback on him growing his hair long again. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Bravo!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Katsuro, Momiji, Hans
Featured characters: None
Set: December, almost fifteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Katsuro is proud to show off his new violin skills to some of his biggest supporters.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro demonstrates his brand new violin skills.
Notable developments: Katsuro starts violin, his first instrument.

-"No coincidence":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Haru
Featured characters: Sachiko
Set: Late December, fourteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's been close to ten months since Tohru last saw Haru; something about him is looking slightly different.
Main Topic(s): Tohru learns Haru also grew out his hair. 
Notable developments: N/A

Fifteen years after graduation

-"It's totally a thing":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Sachiko, Yuki, Tohru
Set: March, fifteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime is a great big brother; just ask anyone. But even though he's always happy to help out with his siblings, he's always glad when he doesn't have to and can just relax.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki hang out at Mutsuki's and Mutsuki teases Hajime about his 'big-brothering.'
Notable developments: N/A

-"So pwetty!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: September, fifteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru doesn't know who likes it more when Kyo can come home for lunch: herself, or their preschool daughter Sachiko.
Main Topic(s): Kyo spends a lunch break at home with Tohru & Sachiko
Notable developments: N/A

-"More than enough":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma
Featured characters: Katsuro, Hajime, Tohru, Kyo, Kunimitsu
Set: January, almost sixteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma loves being a grandfather, but the thing about children is that sometimes, they ask awkward questions. That's ok, however; Kazuma doesn't mind. Awkwardness is a fair trade for everything that he has.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro asks Kazuma why he never married and Kazuma reflects a little on what he has instead.
Notable developments: N/A

Sixteen years after graduation

-"You are meant to be here":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hiro
Featured characters: Momiji, OCs
Set: January, almost seventeen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Life as a junior legal associate isn't all sunshine and roses, but that's ok; Hiro never expected it would be. This job was always meant to be a stepping stone, and he is more than ready to move on to better things.
Main Topic(s): Newly appointed CEO Momiji makes corporate lawyer Hiro a job offer.
Notable developments: N/A

Seventeen years after graduation

-"A real karateka":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Sachiko
Featured characters: Hajime, Katsuro, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda
Set: March, seventeen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo and Tohru's daughter Sachiko has been waiting for years, but now her turn has finally come: at long last, it's her turn to start at the dojo!
Main Topic(s): Sachiko's first day at the dojo
Notable developments: ^^

-"The first 'talk'":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru, Hajime
Featured characters: N/A
Set: March, seventeen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Nobody said being a parent would be easy, especially when it came to discussing uncomfortable subjects. Or...it's time to give Hajime 'the Talk.'
Main Topic(s): Kyo has to give Hajime "The Talk."
Notable developments: N/A

-"More rain":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo, Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko
Set: April, seventeen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru has to go out and run an errand in the rain, leaving her family home without her.
Main Topic(s): Tohru's whole family sleeps during the rain.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Special":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko
Featured characters: Recurring OCs Shota and Sato Miyazaki (Sachiko's dojo friends)
Set: April, seventeen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sachiko meets some new kids at the dojo, and they've got something to say about her eyes.
Main Topic(s): A couple of Sachiko's new karate classmates ask about her eyes.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Just breathe":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Kazuma
Featured characters: None
Set: May, seventeen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: With Kyo and Tohru's daughter Sachiko now in karate, almost the entire family is a bunch of karatekas. Katsuro tries not to let it bother him that he's not, but sometimes it's hard not to feel left out, or to let those feelings take over. Fortunately, Kazuma has a suggestion for him.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma introduces Katsuro to meditation.
Notable developments: N/A

-"They'll learn, eventually":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Sensei Yuna Sasaki
Featured characters: None
Set: May, seventeen years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo is thrilled to have his daughter finally enrolled at the dojo, and he loves how eager she is to learn and do her best. She's determined to prove herself, and he's proud of her...but he looks forward to the day she learns to let a few things go. After all, karate skill is only part of the picture; learning to get along with one's peers is very important, too.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Sensei Sasaki discuss a problem Sachiko is having with a classmate.
Notable developments: N/A

-"What rank are you?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Sachiko, Katsuro, OC
Featured characters: None
Set: August, seventeen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru has always been happy to make friends of her children's friends' parents, and in general she's always happy to talk with them whenever. But sometimes, there are better times and places for certain subjects, especially when the subject is karate.
Main Topic(s): Tohru talks with the mother of one of Hajime's friends about the upcoming dojo exhibition.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Ok, Sensei":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Sachiko, Sensei Yuna Sasaki, Takashi Sakamoto, Emi Hashimoto, Shota, Sato (Sachiko's dojo friends)
Set: December, seventeen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's always exciting when Kyo's classes get new students, but some new students are definitely more exciting than others.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko is promoted into Kyo's karate class
Notable developments: First time Sachiko has class with Kyo.

Eighteen years after graduation

-"You oughtta be very prouda me":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo, Sensei Haruto Matsuda
Set: June, eighteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru was expecting Kyo to be late coming home from the izakaya, but she was not expecting him to come home drunk and angry. Kyo can't or won't tell Tohru the details of what happened, but lucky for her she has another informant who was there.
Main Topic(s): Kyo comes home drunk and upset after a visiting karateka is too admiring of Tohru and Tohru tries to figure out what happened. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"It's going to be fun":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Katsuro
Featured characters: Kyo, Hajime, Sachiko, recurring OCs Ema Hirano, Ryota Mizuno, Kiyoshi Ota (Katsuro's friends)
Set: July, eighteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's time for the Matsuda Dojo staff and students to head off on a training retreat, which means Tohru and Katsuro will have the house to themselves for almost a week, and both of them are looking forward to it.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Katsuro have the house to themselves for a week when the others are at karate camp.
Notable developments: Katsuro begins playing trumpet.

Nineteen years after graduation

-"My favorite animal":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hiro, Kisa
Featured characters: Haya & Asami Sohma, Hiro & Kisa's daughters
Set: May, nineteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Hiro and Kisa just want to enjoy a nice day out with their family, but expecting little kids to easily come to an agreement is a tall order. Fortunately, Hiro is there to offer an alternative.
Main Topic(s): Hiro & Kisa visit the zoo with their daughters. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"You can always talk to me":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, recurring OC Kenzo Abe (Hajime's friend)
Featured characters: Hajime's middle school basketball team
Set: November, nineteen years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Third year middle-schooler Hajime has had a lot on his mind, enough that some of his friends have noticed and are starting to get concerned. Unfortunately, there's not a lot that he can actually tell them, but it's nice to know that people care...even when that scares him.
Main Topic(s): Hajime's friend Kenzo lets him know he's there for him, if he ever needs to talk. 
Notable developments: N/A

-I Want to Understand
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Yuki, Haru, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Sachiko, Kyo's biological father Katashi, Shigure, Kazuma
Set: Takes place over time, with flashbacks to eight, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fifteen, and seventeen years after graduation before resolving at almost twenty years afterwards.
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Almost twenty years have passed since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo's oldest child Hajime is almost fifteen. For all his life, he's felt there's something his parents aren't telling him, something about his father's past. Little hints and clues have been building up over the years, and he's ready to find out what they mean. If only Kyo felt the same way...
Main Topic(s): The events leading up to Hajime learning the about the Zodiac Curse and the aftermath.
Notable developments: Hajime learning about the Curse, Kyo's adoption, Kyoko's death, and his paternal grandparents. Hajime asks for and starts wearing Kyo's beads.

-You Don't Understand (companion piece to "I Want to Understand")
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Hajime
Featured characters: Tohru, Kazuma, Yuki, Haru, Machi, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Sachiko, Shigure, Kyo's biological father Katashi, Sensei Haruto Maeda, Master Kenichi Matsuda.
Set: Takes place over time, with flashbacks to one, four, five, eight, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen years after graduation before resolving at almost twenty years afterwards.
Type: Chapter story
Summary: All Kyo ever wanted was to be free. The day the Curse broke, a million different futures suddenly became possible, futures with Tohru at his side and the Cat spirit banished to the distant past. The dream has come true, that happy future is real...all he needs to do now is forget. Forget the Curse, forget the Cat, forget everything that had once tried to drown him in despair. Forget the past, forget that future he'd always been told was his destiny. Lock it all away, where it can never hurt him or anyone else ever again. But nothing in his life has ever been simple, and nothing has ever been easy. No matter how much Kyo wants to forget, his oldest child Hajime won't make it easy, and he won't let any of it go...
Main Topic(s): Kyo dealing with his feelings about the Curse and not wanting to tell his kids while being pushed into it by Hajime.
Notable developments: Kyo telling Hajime about the Curse and his past, including his parents and Kyoko's death. Kyo accepting his past life as the Zodiac Cat rather than trying to forget it anymore. Kyo & Yuki resume using 'Rat' and 'Cat' nicknames for each other.

-"It was hers, wasn't it?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Tohru
Featured characters: Arisa, Saki
Set: March, almost twenty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: No matter how experienced you get at saying goodbye, having someone you love leave is never going to be easy. Whether they're simply moving away or something more absolute, it will always be difficult to get used to new distance. Having something tangible to hold onto can help. It's helped Tohru many times before, and now it will help her son.
Main Topic(s): Hajime finds Kyoko's old jacket (from the back cover of the Collector's edition volume 1 and Another chapter 13) and he and Tohru discuss Kyoko and the timing of her death. 
Notable developments: Hajime receives Kyoko's jacket. 

Twenty years after graduation

-"We'll all miss this":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Kyo, Tohru, Sachiko, Katsuro
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The time has finally come for the first of Tohru and Kyo's children to leave the nest. Tohru is proud of Hajime and know he'll do great in high school, but saying goodbye has never been easy.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's family navigates the last day before they move Hajime to Tokyo for high school.
Notable developments: Hajime starts wearing Kyo's beads.

-Curse Reveal: Kyo - Katsuro
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Katsuro, Tohru, Hajime
Featured characters: Momiji, Momo
Set: March, twenty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("It Doesn't Seem Real")
Summary: Twenty years have passed since graduation, and after years of fighting it, Kyo has finally come to terms with his past. Hajime already knows about the Zodiac Curse, but it's time for his second son Katsuro to know as well. Some things are easier the second time around, but some things can be infinitely harder, even with trust.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro learns about the Curse.
Notable developments: Katsuro learns about the Curse, including that Momiji was also Cursed.

-"Just the way he is":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Kunimitsu
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime's begun his new life, both as a high school student and a resident of the Sohma Dojo. You can learn a lot about someone by living with them for the first time, even your own family.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Kunimitsu bond while Kazuma's away on a trip.
Notable developments: Hajime learns how Kunimitsu came to work and live in the dojo and more about his past.

-"Family harmony":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty years after graduation, Hajime's first year of high school
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Family traditions can be sweet, especially when the whole family gets together to share them. They might not always be the most peaceful, but it's the thought that counts.
Main Topic(s): Kyo and the kids make birthday breakfast for Tohru.
Notable developments: N/A

-"An ongoing journey":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: September, twenty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru isn't a weak person, emotionally or physically. It's just as well, because being her daughter's mother requires strength.
Main Topic(s): Tohru thinks about her challenging relationship with her daughter. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Very lively":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Kazuma, Kunimitsu
Set: October, twenty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime's first year of high school is underway, and one of the things he likes best about life in the dojo is how quiet it can be. Usually.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki joins Hajime to do homework at the Sohma Dojo.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Have you thought about it?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Kinu, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Hibika, Hatori
Set: New Year's Eve, almost twenty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime wants to talk to Kinu about something important before the next school year begins.
Main Topic(s): The kids commit to asking about living in Shigure's old house.
Notable developments: Mutsuki announces he'll be attending Kaibara High.

-"A terrible idea":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Kinu, Mutsuki, Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Machi, Hatori, Mayuko
Featured characters: None
Set: New Year's Ever, almost twenty-one years after graduation, immediately following "Have you thought about it?"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime, Mutsuki, and Kinu have pitched the idea of living together to their parents. What's the verdict?
Main Topic(s): The kids pitch the idea of living together to their parents, who agree to let them.
Notable developments: ^^

Twenty-one years after graduation

-"The master":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma's granddaughter Sachiko is excited to spend some time with him when he's working out in the dojo, but it turns out 'working' doesn't always mean karate, not when you're the boss.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko learns a little bit of what it means to be the dojo master, off of the tatami.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Bringing back the garden":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime and Mutsuki, along with their 'cousin' Kinu, have just moved into Shigure's old house for high school and are excited to live in the place their parents once did. Mutsuki is excited to bring back another part of his father's past, but Hajime is a little less enthusiastic.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki decides to reestablish Yuki's old garden in their high school house and drafts Hajime to help.
Notable developments: N/A

-"He's too young":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Sachiko, Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: July, twenty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru loves being a mother, and she always has. But sometimes, letting her children grow up is a tall order.
Main Topic(s): Tohru has to deal with knowing Katsuro has a crush
Notable developments: N/A

-"That didn't just happen":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Katsuro
Set: July, twenty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Keeping the romance alive has never been a problem for Tohru and Kyo, and neither has keeping alive the passion. They just wish their children didn't have to know about it...
Main Topic(s): Katsuro walks in on Tohru & Kyo making out
Notable developments: N/A

-"Desperate times":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Hajime
Featured characters: Kinu
Set: August, twenty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's summer vacation and Hajime is studying, again. Mutsuki thinks he ought to take a little break, but Hajime, well...he can sometimes be too stubborn for his own good.
Main Topic(s): Hajime is trying to study and Mutsuki steals his study guide.
Notable developments: N/A

-"No more denial":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: For years, Hajime has been fighting his feelings. He's officially through with fighting them anymore.
Main Topic(s): Hajime finally acknowledges his feelings for Mutsuki.
Notable developments: Hajime & Mutsuki get together.

-"Real":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: There are a lot of moments Mutsuki dreamed of. It's kind of amazing to know this one is real.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki reflects on getting together with Hajime.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Senpai":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Being in a relationship is new for Hajime; being in a relationship with another boy is even newer. And new things can sometimes be awkward.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki teases and flirts with Hajime.
Notable developments: Hajime first vocalizes physical attraction to Mutsuki.

-I'll be Ready
Rated: E
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: December, almost twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Four months have passed since Mutsuki kissed Hajime and told him he loved him; four months have passed since Hajime said it back. For Hajime's sake, the two of them have been taking things slowly, but Hajime is finally feeling comfortable enough to try a little bit more.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki begin a physical relationship
Notable developments: Hajime finally being comfortable enough with himself and his sexuality to do more than just kiss.

-"That day wasn't today":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Recurring OC Junichi Otsuka, Katsuro's friend
Set: January, almost twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sometimes, Katsuro imagines that he's his older brother. That he is tall and strong and confident and people respect him. Then he opens his eyes and remembers that he's himself; also that middle school, and middle schoolers, can often suck.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro deals with bullying at school.
Notable developments: N/A

-Curse Reveal: Haru and Rin - Riku and Sora
Rated: T
Primary characters: Haru, Rin, Riku, Sora
Featured characters: OC
Set: January, almost twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("It Doesn't Seem Real")
Summary: It's been twenty-two years since the Curse broke, and for twenty-two years Rin had been trying to forget. But it's hard to leave the past behind when traces of the Curse linger on every day in Haru's distinctive black and white hair, and the matching hair of their son. If only people were less skeptical...
Main Topic(s): Haru & Rin's twins learning about the Curse.
Notable developments: Riku & Sora learn some, but not all, about the Curse.

-"Who did it?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: OCs (Hajime's high school friends)
Set: Valentine's Day, almost twenty-two years after graduation, just before "Fruits Basket: Another" 
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's hard enough to be a Sohma on Valentine's Day; it's even harder when you're Hajime, and it's also your birthday.
Main Topic(s): Hajime's birthday, which he'd kept secret, is exposed and he has to deal with the fallout.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Dibs":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Katsuro, Sachiko
Set: Valentine's Day, almost twenty-two years after graduation, just before "Fruits Basket: Another" 
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's Valentine's Day and Hajime's birthday; his (secret) boyfriend Mutsuki thinks he should have dibs on Hajime's evening, but Hajime's parents kind of do, too.
Main Topic(s): Hajime tries to act normally on a video call with his parents while Mutsuki is trying to seduce him.
Notable developments: N/A

-I'm Here, Too
Rated: T
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Momiji
Set: February, almost twenty-two years after graduation and shortly before "Fruits Basket Another"
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Tohru and Kyo's oldest son Hajime is special; everyone's always said so. However, sometimes that can be a challenge for their second son Katsuro to deal with. Life is hard enough when you're thirteen without dealing with constant comparisons, real or imagined, and sometimes it can be enough to make a person snap.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro deals with feelings of inadequacy in relations to his older brother Hajime.
Notable developments: Katsuro learns about Tohru living in a tent before going to the Sohmas, and about her past with bullying. Katsuro learns about Momiji's delayed growth and Momiji's unrequited love (though not that it was for Tohru).

-"Promise you won't laugh":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: Early March, almost twenty-two years after graduation, just before "Fruits Basket: Another" 
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime and Mutsuki are young, and in love. No one besides the two of them knows yet, but that's ok; the important thing is that they know that, and everything it entails. Even the things that feel like they ought to be obvious.
Main Topic(s): Hajime vocalizes for the first time that he's gay. 
Notable developments: ^^

-"I was right":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: Early March, almost twenty-two years after graduation, just before "Fruits Basket: Another" 
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime is tired, but that doesn't mean he needs to sleep. Or so he says, anyway.
Main Topic(s): Hajime struggles to stay awake while doing homework.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I wanna hear it":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Katsuro
Featured characters: None
Set: March, almost twenty-two years after graduation and shortly before "Fruits Basket: Another"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Even with the best of intentions, parents can screw up. Sometimes, they can screw up massively, over years. And while Kyo wishes he could go back and change how he's behaved, the only thing he can do is change his behavior going forward. He'll do his best. Katsuro deserves that.
Main Topic(s): Kyo tries to have more one on one time with Katsuro and to start making up for ignoring him in the past. 
Notable developments: N/A

Twenty-two years after graduation

-Canon event: Fruits Basket: Another begins in April

-"I just don't get what you expect":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-two years after graduation during the events of Fruits Basket Another
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime is mostly used to Mutsuki's wild ideas, but this latest one has Hajime unsure. It's one thing when Mutsuki's schemes just involve him, but it's another thing entirely when they involve someone else.
Main Topic(s): Hajime agrees to let Sawa Mitoma join the student council.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I'll give you that":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-two years after graduation during the events of Fruits Basket Another.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sports Day is coming up at Kaibara High, and Mutsuki can't wait to show Hajime what he intends to wear.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki shows Hajime the sketch for his Sports Day outfit.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Brace yourself":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sawa Mitoma, Chizuru Sohma
Featured characters: Ayame, Mine
Set: July, twenty-two years after graduation during the events of Fruits Basket Another
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Sawa Mitoma has been enjoying her part-time job, even if her 'boss' Chizuru can be a bit of a grouch. But they've got a good system in place and things are going well; it's been easy to forget he's not her actual boss...until now.
Main Topic(s): Sawa meets Ayame & Mine for the first time.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Do you maybe...":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, recurring OC Asuka Yamaguchi
Featured characters: Junichi, Ema, Kiyoshi, Honoka, Ryota (Katsuro's school friends)
Set: July, twenty-two years after graduation during the events of Fruits Basket Another.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Fourteen can sometime be tough, but sometimes it can be fun. Katsuro is always glad to spend time with his friends...and maybe one, in particular.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro asks his friend Asuka out on a date.
Notable developments: Katsuro & Asuka start dating.

-"Growing up":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Hajime, Katsuro
Set: August, twenty-two years after graduation during Katsuro's second year of middle school and Hajime's third year of high school, during the Fruits Basket: Another beach arc.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru is getting older, and that means everyone else around her is getting older too...even her kids.
Main Topic(s): Tohru tries to come to terms with getting older, having her kids get older, and the people around her get older.
Notable developments: Tohru first sees Katsuro with his girlfriend, the first significant other any of their kids have had. Tohru feels shut out by her sons and starts telling both Hajime and Katsuro they can tell her things, starting the chain of behavior that contributes to events in "Don't Tell Me How I Feel" and "Striking a Chord."

-Parental Espionage
Rated: T
Primary characters: Haru, Rin
Featured characters: Riku, Sora, Mutsuki, Hajime, Sawa
Set: October, twenty-two years after graduation during the events of Fruits Basket Another
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Twenty-two years have passed since Tohru and Kyo's graduation, and their son Hajime is now in his final year at Kaibara High. It's time for his last Culture Fest, and once again, he hasn't invited his parents. Tohru wants to respect his wishes, but Rin knows how much it hurts her to be excluded. What's a good friend to do, except go in her place? After all, Haru and Rin have children of their own at Kaibara High now, there'd be nothing weird at all about them going...right?
Main Topic(s): Haru & Rin visit Kaibara High for the kids' Culture Fest.
Notable developments: Haru & Rin catch a flustered Hajime & Mutsuki leaving the Student Council office.

-"Overheard":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sawa Mitoma
Featured characters: Mutsuki, Hajime, OC
Set: November, twenty-two years after graduation, right after the end of Another.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sawa is running late for Student Council, literally. Luckily(?) for her, Mutsuki is running late as well.
Main Topic(s): Sawa overhears Mutsuki get a love confession.
Notable developments: N/A

-Don't Tell Me How I Feel
Rated: M
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki, Kazuma
Featured characters: Kyo, Tohru, Kunimitsu Yuki, Machi
Set: November, twenty-two years after graduation, just after "Fruits Basket: Another"
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Twenty-two years have passed since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo's oldest son Hajime is in his final year of high school. All his life, he's done his best to make his parents proud and to live up to them, the life they've given him, and the the expectations they and everyone else have always had for him. But life doesn't always follow scripts, and people don't always fit into molds. Hajime wants to take the next step and tell his parents the truth about himself, but it's hard to be confident when you feel so very afraid...
Main Topic(s): Hajime coming out to his parents and telling them about his relationship with Mutsuki. Kazuma coming out to Kyo and revealing his long-standing relationship with Kunimitsu.
Notable developments: Hajime & Kazuma both come out to their family. Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, and Machi all learn Hajime and Mutsuki are dating. Hajime learns about Kazuma's past. Kyo and Tohru learn Kazuma & Kunimitsu are romantically involved.

-"A brave new world":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Yuki
Featured characters: None
Set: November, twenty-two years after graduation, during chapter 13 of 'Don't Tell me How I Feel.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: How much parental oversight is the right amount, when you find out your nearly-grown kid is dating their housemate?
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Yuki discuss the practical realities of their sons dating while living in the same house and some of the complications of parenthood.
Notable developments: N/A

-"What he'd always been":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: November, twenty-two years after graduation, right after 'Don't Tell me How I Feel.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's been a crazy weekend for Kyo, learning that both his father and oldest son are gay. He's happy they finally told him but disappointed it took so long; going forward, he's determined to fix his past mistakes and no longer live in ignorance about what people can be. Including, as it turns out, what Kyo himself can be.
Main Topic(s): Kyo researches LGBTQ+ and learns about demisexuality.
Notable developments: N/A

-Striking a Chord
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Momiji, Hans (Momiji's husband), Asuka (Katsuro's girlfriend), and Katsuro's friends Junichi, Ema, Ryota, Kiyoshi, and Honoka.
Set: Begins October and ends December, twenty-two years after graduation. Overlaps "Don't Tell me How I Feel" 
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Twenty-two years have passed since Tohru and Kyo graduated from high school, and their second son Katsuro is navigating his second year of middle school. Though things aren't perfect, between his family, his friends, and his music, he's finally starting to feel more confident in himself and his abilities. But middle school can be difficult for even the most confident of people, and between a busy schedule, a new girlfriend, an increasingly clingy mother and a bunch of new and continuing challenges, Katsuro will have to work harder than ever to keep himself grounded.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro's pursuit of first chair violin in middle school orchestra and Tohru's difficulties with her sons keeping personal information from her.
Notable developments: Katsuro's first chair. Tohru and Kyo learn about Katsuro's girlfriend. Hajime comes out to his family and they learn he's dating Mutsuki. Katsuro's future educational and career plans are sorted out.

-"Late night glimpses":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki
Featured characters: Mutsuki, Hajime
Set: December, twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Sometimes...often...Yuki struggles to sleep at 'normal' hours. But as annoying as it can be staying up too late, there are also positives to being awake in the night.
Main Topic(s): Yuki sees Hajime & Mutsuki asleep together on Yuki and Machi's couch after Hajime's first dinner as 'the boyfriend.'
Notable developments: N/A

-"Exactly as he'd expected":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki
Featured characters: Yuki, Hajime
Set: December, twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime has always been a worrier. Mutsuki understands those worries are beyond his control, and he's never held their existence against Hajime. But there is always a special sense of satisfaction in proving those worries are baseless, especially when that's done with a little help from his parents.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Ready to stop hiding":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Kinu, Michi, Shiki, Sawa, Riku, Sora
Set: December, twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: It's been a long time coming, but Hajime and Mutsuki are ready to tell their friends about their relationship. Now, they just need to figure out how.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki come out and go public as a couple to their friends.
Notable developments: Hajime & Mutsuki come out and go public.

-"With your boyfriend?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime
Featured characters: OC
Set: December, twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime is done hiding, from his parents, from his friends, and from the world. It's what he and Mutsuki both wanted; it's what Hajime had wanted, himself. But when the world has only ever believed him to be one thing, to suddenly be out as something else can be a little...stressful.
Main Topic(s): Hajime is asked about his boyfriend for the very first time.
Notable developments: Hajime's first time dealing with anyone at school knowing he's gay.

-"What do you have to say for yourself?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Mine, Ayame
Featured characters: None
Set: December, twenty-two years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: It's not unusual for Mutsuki to drop by his uncle's shop. It is unusual for him to be summoned there, and even more unusual when Mine doesn't know why. But after thirty-odd years spent dealing with Ayame, if there's one thing she can say for certain it's that he loves his drama.
Main Topic(s): Ayame chastises Mutsuki for not telling him he had a boyfriend and Mutsuki tells them who it is.
Notable developments: None.

-"Great representation":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime. Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: December, twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Now that all the important people know that he and Mutsuki are dating, Hajime is finally ready for them to take the next step: going out in public, together, on a date.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki go out on their first public date.
Notable developments: Mutsuki posts about them as a couple on social media. 

-"(Not) stressed":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime
Featured characters: Mutsuki, Sachiko
Set: December, twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: In which Hajime is absolutely not stressed at all, until he becomes very stressed indeed.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko catches Hajime & Mutsuki making out.
Notable developments: None

-"Now, when you say-":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kakeru, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Yuki, Machi, Komaki, Michi, Kou
Set: December, twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Yuki and Machi are glad to have Kakeru's family living so close, to regularly be able to spend time with family and to know their son has those who he loves and who love him so very near at hand. Most of the time.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki comes out to Kakeru, Komaki, and Kou
Notable developments: Kakeru's family learns about Mutsuki & Hajime's relationship.

-"I have a complaint":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Ayame
Featured characters: Mutsuki, Yuki, Kyo
Set: December, twenty-two years after graduation
Oneshot, Chapter story, Compilation entry: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Now that he and Mutsuki are out to their nearest and dearest, Hajime is ready for the news to just be known. He's tired of making announcements and explaining himself; at this point, he's ready to rip the band-aid off and be done. In retrospect, he probably should have thought things through a bit more, because there's 'just making things known' and then there's...Ayame.
Main Topic(s): Hajime deals with being out to Ayame at the Sohma New Year's banquet.
Notable developments: Hajime & Mutsuki come out to the Sohmas.

-"We're all here":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo, Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko, Yuki
Set: New Year's Day, twenty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: The first sunrise of the new year is always special, especially when you can witness it with people that you love.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo watch the first sunrise of the new year from their old Tokyo roof with their children and Yuki's family.
Notable developments: N/A

-"How far we've come":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost twenty-three years after graduation, during Hajime's third year of high school.
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Like many other Sohmas before them, Hajime and Mutsuki were born linked by a bond. But unlike the bonds their fathers used to know, Hajime and Mutsuki's connection has always been one of love.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki find a gift from Tohru at an awkward time.
Notable developments: None

-"You got in?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: Late February, almost twenty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Mutsuki always knew Hajime was capable of great things. The question is, what does Hajime think about those great things?
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki & Hajime discuss Hajime's university acceptance letters.
Notable developments: N/A

-How Lucky We've Been:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Machi, Sawa
Set: Immediately before and through Hajime's high school graduation, almost twenty-three years before graduation, with the epilogue one year later. 
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Almost twenty-three years ago, Tohru and Kyo looked at each other and smiled on their graduation day; now, it's their son's Hajime's turn. For three years, he has followed in their footsteps in walking the halls of Kaibara High; now, it's time to say goodbye. Tohru and Kyo had it easy: when they left, they left together. Moving on was never going to be simple when it meant leaving someone behind.
Main Topic(s): Hajime graduates and he & Mutsuki come to terms with being separated for the next year. 
Notable developments: Hajime asks Sawa to call him by name. Everyone besides Mutsuki first learns about Hajime's panic attacks. Hajime learns about Kyo's nightmares and panic attacks after the Curse broke. Mutsuki learns how badly his mother struggled after Yuki graduated. 

Twenty-three years after graduation

-"However he could":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sawa, Ayame
Featured characters: Shigure
Set: May, twenty-three years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Sawa Mitoma can't think of a better boss than Ayame Sohma, even if he's the only boss she's ever had. He'll always go the extra mile to take care of her, even if she has no idea what he's doing.
Main Topic(s): Ayame talks to Sawa after a visit from her mother. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"For who?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mito, Sawa, Amane, Sora, Riku
Featured characters: None
Set: December, twenty-three years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Amane found a note in her shoe locker. Said note is interesting to far more than just her.
Main Topic(s): Sora leaves a note telling Amane Riku has a crush on her. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Baby steps":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Amane, Riku
Featured characters: Sora, Mutsuki
Set: December, twenty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: It's no big deal. It's just a confession. There is absolutely no reason for Amane to be embarrassed.
Main Topic(s): Amane asks Riku to spend time together for the first time.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Keep doing your best":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sawa, Shiki
Featured characters: Sora
Set: December, twenty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Sawa was looking forward to trying ice skating, but it turns out skating is harder than it looks. On the one hand, she's happy to have her friends around; on the other, that means more chances for her to be embarrassed.
Main Topic(s): Sawa skates with Shiki, her classmates, and some off the other Sohmas.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Pretty please?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki, OCs (Hajime's university friends)
Featured characters: None
Set: December, twenty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Hajime Sohma does not dance in public. People know this. People know him. One person arguably knows better than anyone else.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki dance together at a university party. 
Notable developments: N/A

-Curse Reveal: Kyo - Sachiko
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko
Featured characters: Kyo, Kazuma, Tohru, Hajime, Yuki, Haru, Rin, Kisa, Akito
Set: Begins January, almost twenty-four years after graduation, end March, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("It Doesn't Seem Real," "Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Twenty-fours years have passed since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo's daughter Sachiko is preparing to enter middle school. She's not a child anymore, and she's ready to know what Kyo has been hiding from her. But no amount of perceived maturity can prepare her for the truth of the Zodiac Curse, or the pain that truth will cause.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko learns about the Curse and the aftermath.
Notable developments: Sachiko learns about the Curse, beginning almost two years of no/low contact with many of her former Zodiac relations. 

-"A special day":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Haru
Set: Valentine's Day, almost twenty-four years after graduation and immediately after the epilogue of 'How Lucky We've Been' 
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: In just over a month Mutsuki will graduate, and he and Hajime will be able to live together again. Five weeks is a long time, but at least today, they can be together to celebrate some of Mutsuki's favorite things: Hajime, their relationship, and being right.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki spend time together on Hajime's birthday/Valentine's Day. 
Notable developments: N/A

Twenty-four years after graduation

-"Totally missed the mark":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: Mutsuki's graduation day, March, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: For Mutsuki's graduation, Hajime wanted to do something special: something Mutsuki would love, and never see coming. And Hajime thought he had figured out the perfect answer, but Mutsuki's reaction has him second-guessing himself.
Main Topic(s): Hajime kisses Mutsuki at school.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Nah, it's ok":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Kyo
Featured characters: Hajime
Set: Mutsuki's graduation day, March, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: It's the night of Mutsuki's high school graduation, and a lot of things are about to change in his life. But while a lot is changing, other things will stay constant, starting with the fact that Hajime's dad will always be in their corner.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki & Kyo talk the night of Mutsuki's graduation.
Notable developments: N/A

-Curse Reveal: Kyo - Sachiko part 2
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Kazuma, Yuki, Hajime, Haru, Akito, Sachiko
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("It Doesn't Seem Real," "Truth and Consequences")
Summary: A follow-up to the previous chapter: Kyo's perspective, during Sachiko's rampage.
Main Topic(s): Kyo's perspective when Sachiko is off yelling at the other former Zodiacs.
Notable developments: Yuki and Haru both apologize to Kyo for their treatment of him while they were all Cursed. Kyo visits Akito's apartment for the first time ever. Kyo's first time seeing Akito since Tohru's grandpa's wake. 

-"I'm (not) ok"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Haru, Rin
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, the day Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences.")
Summary: Sachiko's words were never going to be easy for anyone to hear, for a myriad of reasons. And processing those words...it will take time. How much time?
Main Topic(s): Haru & Rin process after Sachiko's visit to their home during her post-Curse rampage. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"What happened?"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Momiji
Featured characters: Mina, Hiro, OCs
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, the day Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences.")
Summary: For over twenty years, Momiji has lived with his heart in two countries. It hasn't always been easy, managing with loved ones over half a world away, but he's always made it work. Something is happening in Tokyo, and Momiji doesn't quite know what. But the details are coming, he knows; he's always been an excellent manager, and a good manager knows when to trust his people to deliver.
Main Topic(s): Momiji, in Germany, first learns about Sachiko's Curse-reveal rampage. 
Notable developments: First reference to Mina's issues with Momiji's parents following her own Curse reveal. 

-"Will you tell me?"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki
Featured characters: Mutsuki
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, the day Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Twenty-five years in the past, the Zodiac Curse ended. Since that day, all of them have done their best to move forward; to move on from their pasts, to move on from their trauma. To make new lives, filled with happiness, joy, and love. Yuki has been no exception. But in the span of one afternoon, he has been forced to confront not just his distant past in the form of Kyo's distraught daughter, but his recent one, in the shape of his son. The full story of the Cat had never been Yuki's to tell...not until today.
Main Topic(s): Yuki reflects on his treatment of Kyo during the time they were Cursed following his interaction with Sachiko.
Notable developments: Yuki decides to tell Mutsuki the full truth about the Cat Curse and what it meant for Kyo, as well as the full truth of his own trauma while Cursed.

-"Messy"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Sachiko, Hajime, Katsuro
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, the day after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Kyo had once resisted telling his children about the Curse because he feared that knowledge and what they did with it could hurt them. It turns out he was right to be afraid. Scared animals of all types lash out, and he knew that. He just never expected anyone would ever lash out at Tohru.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Tohru deal with Sachiko blowing up and swearing at Tohru.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Blind"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo, Kazuma, Katsuro, Saki
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, the day after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences.")
Summary: Reaching out her hand to Akito had never been a question. Tohru knew the pain of loneliness, she knew the pain of loss. She knew the terror of having the safe and familiar ripped away. But no action is ever without consequence. How had she been so blind?
Main Topic(s): Tohru deals with the aftermath of Sachiko yelling at her and accusing her of not caring about Kyo or the other Zodiacs by befriending Akito.
Notable developments: N/A

-"But you wanted to, right?"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Katsuro, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, the day after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences.")
Summary: This was supposed to have been a happy family visit before Katsuro's sister lobbed a grenade into it. Now, Katsuro doesn't know where to begin processing his feelings; he just knows he doesn't want to add to his family's struggles.
Main Topic(s): Hajime helps Katsuro vent his emotions out in the dojo. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"In company"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko
Featured characters: Kazuma
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, the day after Sachiko finds out about the Curse, right after 'Messy'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences.")
Summary: Her father is angry with her. Her brothers are angry with her. Her mother, she doesn't want to see. Sachiko knew her actions would have consequences, and she thought she was ready to face them. But as it turns out, it's hard to be brave when you feel so very alone. Apparently it's asking too much for anyone to understand her side.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma joins Sachiko for a meal in the wake of her blow up at Tohru. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Natural":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Yuki
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, two days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences.")
Summary: For years, they had been enemies. Enemies, they had thought they'd remain. But in the years that have passed, Kyo and Yuki's relationship could could barely have changed more. The last couple days have been long, and both of them are tired. But they're not too tired to try and clear the air.
Main Topic(s): Yuki tells Kyo that Mutsuki knows about the Cat Curse and reveals some of his own history with Akito
Notable developments: Kyo learns Yuki had viewed Tohru as a mother and learns of Yuki's abuse by Akito and how much Yuki had been hated by the others at one time. 

-"Not your responsibility":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, two days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time," "Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Hajime has always been the stereotypical oldest child, carrying the weight of familial responsibility even when he doesn't need to. Even from a distance, old habits can be hard to break, but Mutsuki is always ready to help him try.
Main Topic(s): Hajime dwells on Sachiko's behavior after learning about the Curse and Mutsuki reminds him it isn't his fault. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"More painful than you could imagine"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, three days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse, the morning after 'Not your responsibility'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences.")
Summary: When Mutsuki was twelve, Yuki sat him down and told him a story, one almost too fanciful to believe. When he was eighteen, Yuki told him the rest. Some things, even Mutsuki can't process with a smile.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki reflects on what Yuki told him about the Cat's Curse and Yuki's own past trauma. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Their choice"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Saki
Featured characters: Katsuro
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, three days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Something has been happening with the Kyo and Tohru Sohmas, though Saki has no idea what it is. But she's made sure they know that she's available if they need her; the door is open, if they want to walk through.
Main Topic(s): Saki contemplates what she's been feeling from the Kyo and Tohru Sohma family for the past few days and Katsuro comes to visit.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I don't know what to do"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, three days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Tohru knew that parenting would have its challenges, and that there would be times when she would struggle. But she never expected them to be like this. Sometimes, even parents need a little extra support from their moms.
Main Topic(s): Tohru visits Kyoko's grave as the family prepares to head back to Hibe after Sachiko learned of the Curse. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Is that what you want me to say?"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Rin, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, three days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Rin has never been good at holding back. Kyo has never appreciated being pushed. The two of them have always been too alike for their own good...especially when it comes to protecting those they love.
Main Topic(s): Rin comes to the dojo to yell at Kyo.
Notable developments: Rin figures out something is also wrong with Tohru.

-"Discipline"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Senseis Haruto Matsuda, Hiroshi Yamada, Yuna Sasaki, Emiko Ikeda, & Taiki Shibata 
Set: March, twenty-four years after graduation, four days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Actions will always have consequences, as Sachiko should know. And Kyo won't back down until she apologizes, no matter how much he hates it.
Main Topic(s): Kyo returns to work and informs his coworkers Sachiko won't be at class until further notice (pending her apologizing to Tohru for swearing at her). 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Nothing to be ashamed of"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Momiji
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: April, twenty-four years after graduation, ten days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse.
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences.")
Summary: All his life, there have been things that Katsuro's accepted. Things like being slow, and clumsy, and awkward; things like not being clever, things like not being curious. He has his own gifts, and he knows that; the rest of it doesn't matter. But in the wake of Sachiko's anger, Katsuro can't help but compare himself to his sister: her feelings to his, her curiosity to his. It's time to start asking questions, no matter how scared he might be of the answers.
Main Topic(s): Momiji & Kyo talk to Katsuro about their Cursed past.
Notable developments: Katsuro learns that Kyo and Tohru had help getting together, and that Momiji once loved Tohru. 

-"Who were they?"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-four years after graduation, ten days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse and right after 'Nothing to be ashamed of'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: One Curse. Fourteen souls. Katsuro had never before been curious, but things are different, now.
Main Topic(s): Kyo tells Katsuro about the other Zodiac members.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Doubt"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: April, twenty-four years after graduation, thirteen days after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Sachiko was ready and willing to face the world's disappointment; it would have been worth almost anything to stand up for her father. She didn't truly realize she'd disappointed him, too.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko starts to question if she'd done the right thing after learning about the Curse. 
Notable developments: Sachiko first reaches out to Kazuma, starting her on the path to changing her behavior and apologizing to her family. 

-"That was all"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-four years after graduation, three weeks after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: There is nothing Tohru wants more than family harmony; never before has that simple wish seemed so beyond her reach.
Main Topic(s): Tohru worries about Kyo & Sachiko's relationship and the tension in their home while trying to ignore her own feelings.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Asking and asking again"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-four years after graduation, three weeks after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Ever since Kyo's family got home from Tokyo, nothing about the atmosphere around them has felt right. But while Kyo expected some things would feel strange other things have surprised him, starting with the way that certain things don't feel strange at all.
Main Topic(s): Kyo mulls over his family's dynamics while distant from Sachiko and worrying about Tohru.
Notable developments: Kyo starts to suspect that there is more to the current problems between Sachiko & Tohru than just Sachiko learning about the Curse.

-"I don't like this"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Riku, Sora
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-four years after graduation, about three weeks after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Rin keeps insisting that she is totally fine. If she thinks her kids believe that, she's got another thing coming.
Main Topic(s): Riku and Sora contemplate Rin's weird behavior and and try to figure out how they should handle it. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Don't feel sorry for me"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Rin
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-four years after graduation, one month after Sachiko finds out about the Curse
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: People keep asking if Rin is ok, she keeps saying she's fine. There is no reason for Rin herself to be anything but fine.
Main Topic(s): Rin stresses about people worrying about her while worrying about Haru & Tohru.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Whatever way you can"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Rin, Kazuma
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-four years after graduation, one month after Sachiko finds out about the Curse, the day after 'Don't feel sorry for me'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Growing up, there was almost no one Rin could trust. As an adult, trust is still something hard for her to feel, but Kazuma has always been an exception to that rule.
Main Topic(s): Rin visits Kazuma at the dojo and tells him she's worried about Tohru.
Notable developments: N/A

-However, Wherever, Whenever
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: Late April, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Twenty-four years have passed since Tohru and Kyo have graduated, and their oldest son Hajime is just starting his second year of university. Life feels better than ever for Hajime these days; his boyfriend Mutsuki has joined him at university, and the two of them are loving every minute of living together again. They're both looking forward to spending Golden Week 'playing the tourist' together in their new home city, but an unexpected wrench in their plans reminds them that sometimes, you have to be able to adjust things on the fly.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki get engaged.
Notable developments: ^^

-"So much for that":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: May, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Some wounds inevitably take time to heal, but Tohru and Kyo's family is trying. Hajime and Katsuro are doing their best to honor their parents' wishes, to step back and let them handle things; it isn't always easy, but they don't want to make things harder for Tohru, Kyo, or anyone. Too bad Sachiko's not entirely on the same page.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Sachiko fight about Kyo's beads during Hajime's visit home for Golden Week.
Notable developments: Beginning of Sachiko & Hajime's three months of silence.

-"Learn to accept I've decided":
Rated: M
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: May, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: All his life, people have said that Mutsuki is carefree. Maybe he is most of the time, but not about Hajime; no one, not even Hajime, is ever allowed to doubt that. Hajime is, and always will be, just what Mutsuki wants. But if he won't listen when Mutsuki tells him, then maybe he needs to show him.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki deal with the aftermath of Hajime's panic attack and him thinking Mutsuki would be happier with a woman.
Notable developments: N/A

-"You're better than that":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Sachiko
Featured characters: Hajime
Set: May, twenty-four years after graduation, two weeks after 'So much for that'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Getting engaged had been beautiful; the aftermath, not so much. A shadow has hung over Hajime ever since he got home from Hibe that Mutsuki doesn't understand, and Hajime won't explain a thing. Fine. Mutsuki's always been resourceful, and he will figure it out.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki tells Sachiko exactly what he thinks of her tactics during her fight with Hajime.
Notable developments: Mutsuki's first time being truly upset with Sachiko, Sachiko's push to really start considering her actions from outside a position of defensiveness.

-"I dunno if I can":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazuma, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: May, twenty-four years after graduation, the day after 'You're better than that'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Acknowledging when you've done something wrong can be impossibly hard, but that acknowledgement is only the first step. Changing old habits is difficult, even with support; Kazuma is trying his best, but it's not enough.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko discusses in general terms her treatment of Hajime and worries to Kazuma that she not actually a good person.
Notable developments: Kazuma learns that Sachiko said something horrible to Hajime and acknowledges to himself he can't help her move forward alone.

-"I don't want to":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Rin, Haru
Featured characters: None
Set: May, twenty-four years after graduation, the same day as 'I dunno if I can.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: One thing has been constant throughout most of Rin's life: she can count on Haru to help her walk through any darkness, including the ones inside her own mind. Maybe especially the ones inside her own mind.
Main Topic(s): Rin talks to Haru about how Kazuma asked her to talk to Sachiko and how she doesn't want to because she's worried her anger will only make things worse.
Notable developments: N/A

-"You can talk to us":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi (Sachiko's dojo friend)
Featured characters: None
Set: May, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Sachiko is starting to feel more and more like she's drowning; like she's ruined everything that was good in her life. She's tried her best to keep her despair from seeping into the dojo, but it's hard to hide things from friends you've known your entire life.
Main Topic(s): Takashi talks to Sachiko at school to let her know her dojo friends are worried about her behavior and let her know she can always talk to them.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Could run, but won't":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Rin
Featured characters: Haru
Set: May, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Since the day that Sachiko showed up at her apartment, long-buried dark memories keep bubbling up in Rin's mind. In a perfect world, Rin would crush that darkness back down, but the world they live in has never been perfect. Rin is tired, hurting, and angry. But at least now she can set the record straight.
Main Topic(s): Rin reflects on the darkness in her past and her own mental state as she prepares to talk to Sachiko with Kazuma.
Notable developments: N/A

-"The strongest person":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: June, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: It's never an easy thing, reassessing your worldview. It becomes even harder when you've held it all your life. But sometimes, difficult things are necessary. And sometimes, difficult things are worth it.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko apologizes to Tohru and the two of them make up.
Notable developments: The end of Sachiko's rejection of Tohru, and the turning point in her relationship with her own femininity. Sachiko learns about the Sohmas' ability to erase memories.

-"No more regret":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Emi, Kaede, Sato (Sachiko's female dojo friends)
Set: June, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Becoming stronger isn't always about muscle. Sometimes, it's about admitting you were wrong, accepting the consequences, and moving forward. This year has been full of change for Sachiko; it's time to make a positive one.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko asks her friends to help her get some girlier clothing. 
Notable developments: Sachiko's first time buying more feminine clothing and apologizing to her friends for how she'd treated them for their interest in fashion. 

-"Actually a girl":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Shota, Takashi
Featured characters: Emi, Kaede, Sato, Yuto, Shion (Sachiko's dojo friends and peers)
Set: June, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: All her life, Sachiko has tried to fit a specific mold: one that viewed femininity and 'girliness' as weak. Now she knows better than that and is ready to start moving forward, and that means dealing with people's inevitable surprise.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko debuts her new girly clothes at the dojo and deals with the surprised, not-all-positive reactions of her peers.
Notable developments: Takashi's first time seeing Sachiko dressed 'as a girl.'

-"More than a token symbol":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: June, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: After years of rejecting Tohru and any chance of a real connection, Sachiko has finally reached out a hand to her mother. Tohru couldn't be prouder of how far her daughter has come, but she knows Sachiko still a long way to go before she's done making amends. Tohru is confident that Sachiko can do it, but perhaps a little reminder of what she's fighting for will help.
Main Topic(s): Tohru gives Sachiko her cat pendant necklace.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Does it feel 'normal' to you?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: July, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Katsuro has always done his best to mind his own business, and to respect his parents' wishes in every way he can. But even though he's always honored Tohru's desire for silence, he could never, and will never, bald-facedly lie to his father.
Main Topic(s): Kyo asks Katsuro if things feel 'normal' at home.
Notable developments: Kyo confirms that the close relationship between Tohru and Sachiko is brand-new. 

-"Can you blame me?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki, OC
Featured characters: Hajime
Set: July, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: All his life, Mutsuki Sohma has been a popular figure, and it's no surprise to anyone when he stays that way at university. Few people have ever been able to touch him when it comes to pure charisma, and unabashed openness; perhaps that's why it's always been so easy for him to just come out and say things.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki introduces a university classmate to his fiancé.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I'm sorry, but I can't":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime
Featured characters: Sachiko, Tohru, Kyo, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Kazuma
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Late August has rolled around again, and with it, the annual Hibe summer festival. Hajime is happy to be back at his parents' house, but there is one person he could have done without seeing. He's not an unreasonable man and doesn't think he ever has been, but some injuries take more effort than a simple 'I'm sorry' to heal.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko makes her first attempt at apologizing to Hajime for her behavior towards him since finding out about the Curse. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Taking ownership":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko
Featured characters: Hajime, Kyo, Mutsuki, Tohru, Kazuma, Katsuro
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, the day after 'I'm sorry, but I can't'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Harsh words, once spoken, can never be taken back. Sometimes, you can explain; sometimes, you can't. All you can do is stand up, take ownership, apologize...and hope for the best.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko apologizes to Hajime in front of the whole family.
Notable developments: Tohru, Kyo, & Kazuma learn what Sachiko said to Hajime during Golden Week. 

-"How could she?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, Katsuro, Sachiko
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, right after 'Taking ownership'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Accepting you were wrong is hard. Admitting you were wrong about someone you love can be even harder. Dealing with the guilt will never be easy.
Main Topic(s): Immediate aftermath of and Kyo's reaction to Sachiko's apology.
Notable developments: N/A

-"More alike than you might realize":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazuma
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, right after 'How could she?'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Sachiko isn't the only one who's struggled with her temper, and neither is Kyo. In their struggles, Kazuma has always seen his own, and tried to help them get better. But even his best efforts haven't fixed things all for everyone. And tonight, Kazuma is acutely aware of just how much he's failed.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma's thoughts, right after Sachiko's apology.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Think about it":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, right after 'How could she?'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Hajime wanted an apology, and he got an apology. It turns out that getting it wasn't the hard part.
Main Topic(s): Hajime and Mutsuki's perspective, right after Sachiko's apology.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Something, at least":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Sachiko
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, right after 'How could she?'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Katsuro has always hated conflict, even when he isn't directly involved. And conflicts like this one, where it feels like everyone he loves are hurting, are the absolute worst. There isn't much he can do just now, anymore than there was then. But he, at least, can do something.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro's perspective right after Sachiko's apology.
Notable developments: Sachiko starts to really think about her treatment of Katsuro over the past few years. 

-"Unbelievable":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, right after 'How could she?', 'Something, at least,' and 'Think about it.' 
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: All Tohru wants is to try to understand.
Main Topic(s): Tohru talks to Sachiko after her apology. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Possible":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Kyo
Featured characters: Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, Sensei Haruto (Maeda) Matsuda
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, the day after 'Taking Ownership.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Sometimes, when something is bothering you, talking it through can help.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Hajime both want to talk to Sensei Kenichi and end up talking to each other. 
Notable developments: Hajime tells Kyo he forgives Sachiko.

-"You delivered":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, shortly after 'Possible'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Words without intention can still sound good, but are ultimately meaningless. Sachiko's first 'I'm sorry' meant nothing; her second, a great deal more. Now, it's Hajime's turn to put his feelings out there.
Main Topic(s): Hajime tells Sachiko he forgives her. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Pretty damn great":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Kyo, Kazuma, Tohru, Hajime
Featured characters: Takashi, Shota, Emi, Kaede (Sachiko's dojo friends)
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: After years of waiting, Sachiko is finally old enough to start entering the karate tournament at the Hibe Summer Festival, and she can't wait to show the world what she can do.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko competes in her first karate tournament.
Notable developments: ^^

-"How dare you?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, and OCs
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, later in the day of 'Pretty Damn Great'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: After years of hiding, Hajime is ready to be fully out to the world. Yes, it's intimidating, and he knows it won't always go well, but at least he'll never have to deal with bigots alone.
Main Topic(s): Hajime and Mutsuki deal with some bigots after coming out in Hibe, but Tohru & Kyo defend him. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Never in question":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki, Ayako Matsuda
Featured characters: Sensei Kenichi Matsuda
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation, the day after 'Pretty damn great'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Hajime loves Mutsuki Sohma, and he plans, one day, to marry him. He's done hiding that from the most important people in his life, but it's still sometimes hard not to be a little nervous about how they'll react, especially the ones he's known all his life.
Main Topic(s): Hajime brings Mutsuki to meet the Matsudas, his surrogate grandparents in Hibe, for the very first time.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Not weird at all":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Kenzo and Hikaru (Hajime's old friends)
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Hajime is fine. This isn't weird at all. There is literally nothing even remotely weird about introducing Mutsuki to his middle school friends. So he keeps telling himself, and he's trying to listen...But it's really nice to hear those words from them.
Main Topic(s): Hajime's old friends tell him what they think meeting Mutsuki for the first time. 
Notable developments: Mutsuki's first time meeting Hajime's pre-Kaibara friends. 

-"Soon":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Junichi, Kiyoshi (Katsuro's friends)
Featured characters: None
Set: September, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: For over two years, there have been two couples in Katsuro's friendship group. Sometimes, comparisons have been inevitable.
Main Topic(s): Seeing two of his friends indulging in PDA makes Katsuro think about his relationship with his own girlfriend. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"You really mean it":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Katsuro
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo
Set: September, almost twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: When something happens for long enough, it eventually starts to feel 'normal.' But Sachiko is done with a 'normal' causing pain. In some ways, it's getting easier, admitting when she screwed up. In others, each new apology almost feels worse.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko apologizes to Katsuro for all her bad treatment of him. 
Notable developments: Katsuro learns why Sachiko always picked on him. 

-"Just reply and say ok?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: September, almost twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Apologizing is never easy, but sometimes it's necessary. Sachiko might not be ready to say it in person, but baby steps are better than nothing.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko sends a letter of apology to her aunt and uncles. 
Notable developments: None

-"As and when you're ready":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hiro, Kisa
Featured characters: None
Set: September, almost twenty-five years after graduation
Oneshot, Chapter story, Compilation entry: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: For some, Sachiko's outburst led to feelings of guilt. For others, anger. Others still, despair. For Hiro, it was a little of all the above. And for he and Kisa both, there is also the fear.
Main Topic(s): Hiro & Kisa discuss Sachiko's apology email and Hiro tells her he's ready to talk whenever, while Kisa needs more time. 
Notable developments: None

-"Fine":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Kyo, Asuka (Katsuro's friend and girlfriend)
Set: October, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Fine: adjective, informal. satisfactory; acceptable. See also: Not fine. Katsuro is...fine.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro deals with the emotional fallout after breaking up with his first girlfriend.
Notable developments: Katsuro's first breakup; Kyo's first time dealing with one of his kids' breakups.

-"Implementing the plan":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sawa, Chizuru, Rio, Shiki
Featured characters: None
Set: Novebner, twenty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Planning for the future should be a positive thing, but Sawa's mother has a knack for ruining her daughter's joy. Sawa might be used to it it, but that doesn't make it better; fortunately, her friends are ready to help her as they can.
Main Topic(s): Shiki, Rio, and Chizuru learn Sawa's mother won't let her go to junior college.
Notable developments: Sawa learns the boys plan to move into Shigure's old house so she has a safe place, even while stuff with her mother. 

-"No way":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Mina
Featured characters: None
Set: December, almost twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Normally, Sachiko loves New Year's. It's a chance to go to Tokyo, a chance to see her family; a chance to see her dearest friend, Momiji's daughter Mina. But this year, things are different. She can't go back to the Sohma estate. She can't go to that house. But telling Mina she won't be at the banquet means telling Mina the rest, and there's no way she'll understand. After all, Momiji had it easy, so Mina could never relate.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko tells Mina she's skipping the New Year's banquet and reveals she knows about the Curse.
Notable developments: Sachiko & Mina discuss the Curse for the first time, have their first ever real fight, and determine they each are hiding something about their own father's Cursed experience from their friend. Both families get together to talk.

-"That is why":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Momiji, Sachiko, Mina
Featured characters: Kyo, Momo, Tohru, Hans
Set: December, almost twenty-five years after graduation, right after 'No Way'
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Sachiko and Mina have always been friends, and they hate the idea of fighting. Their parents hate that idea, too, especially if it's due to them. Kyo and Momiji have talked, and both of them agree: it's time to make things clearer.
Main Topic(s): Momiji tells Sachiko the truth about his past.
Notable developments: N/A

-"We know":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Sora, and Riku
Featured characters: Rin
Set: December, almost twenty-five years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Truth and Consequences")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have never been good liars, a trait they share with their sons. In retrospect, Hajime wishes he'd skipped the banquet like his sister, and he's not the only one who wishes things had panned out differently.
Main Topic(s): Sora & Riku corner Hajime at the New Year's Banquet and ask him what's going on.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Not the same":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Katsuro's friends Ryota, Junichi, Kiyoshi, Honoka, Ema, and Asuka
Set: January, almost twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: For years, Katsuro was the smallest and most childlike person in school. For years, he hated it, and held out hope that one day that would change. Well, it's changed. But it turns out physical maturity has its problems, too.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro and his friends discuss his relatively newfound popularity with girls.
Notable developments: N/A

Twenty-five years after graduation

-"I'll Always Trust You to Clean Me Up":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: May, twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Standalone
Summary: When you work with dirt, it's expected you'll get messy. But sometimes, that mess can get away from you. Mutsuki is filthy, achy, and grumpy. All he wants is to feel clean and move on from work. Luckily for him, he has the perfect thing at home: someone he can always trust when washing up is involved.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki gets dirty at work, Hajime cleans him up, they get dirty at home.
Notable developments: N/A

-"'You'd do it for me'":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Yumi Tamura (Katsuro's second girlfriend)
Set: June, twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Katsuro is no stranger by now to broken bones, but that doesn't mean he likes dealing with them. He's awkward enough when he's not wearing a sling; wearing one, naturally, makes things even worse. Still, he can thank the universe for a few small favors, like the fact his classmate across the aisle doesn't mind helping him out.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro's classmate Yumi helps him deal with some of the headaches that come from having to wear a sling in class. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"How embarrassed should I be?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-five years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Reaching legal adulthood is a momentous occasion, but it turns out that Hajime can only handle so much celebrating.
Main Topic(s): Hajime gets drunk for the very first time.
Notable developments: Mutsuki turns twenty, Hajime & Mutsuki file their civil partnership certification with Chiba, and they drink for the first time.

-"'Mom'":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru
Featured characters: Katsuro, Mutsuki, Hajime
Set: August, twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Tohru's children are growing up, but she will always be 'Mom.'
Main Topic(s): Tohru enjoys some time with her sons and reflects on Hajime growing up.
Notable developments: N/A

-"We're fine!":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki, Tohru and Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime and Mutsuki are feeling frisky while visiting Hajime's family; luckily for them, the house should be empty! Emphasis on 'should be.'
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki walk in on Kyo and Tohru in a compromising position while in a compromising position themselves.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Girl talk":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Tohru
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: September, twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Teenage daughter Sachiko has a few questions for Tohru. Nothing too personal...not really.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko asks Tohru about dating, and Tohru's dating history in specific.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Still too young":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: September, twenty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo is not ready for the realities of having a teenage daughter, not even a little bit.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko follows up her dating questions for Tohru with more questions for Kyo.
Notable developments: Kyo learns Sachiko's been asked out on her first date.

Twenty-six years after graduation

-"Believe me, I know":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko
Featured characters: Kyo, Takashi, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, Sensei Haruto (Maeda) Matsuda, Sensei Yuna Sasaki, Sensei Hiroshi Yamada, Sensei Kenji Kojima, Sensei Emiko Ikeda, other of Sachiko's dojo peers
Set: March, twenty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sachiko has been working towards this day for years, ever since she was five years old and first tied on her gi. Today, it's finally here.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko reaches dan (black belt).
Notable developments: Sachiko & her friend Takashi reach dan rank.

-"Like a champ":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Katsuro
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: April, twenty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Even the thickest skins can sometimes be pierced, and Sachiko's is no exception. And sometimes, a little reassurance and kindness can go a very long way.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko has a bad experience with a boy and turns to her brother for a little reassurance.
Notable developments: N/A

-"We got your back":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi, Emi, and Kaede (Sachiko's dojo friends)
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sachiko is still feeling bummed about a bad experience with a boy. Fortunately, her friends at the dojo are always there to help cheer her up.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko's dojo friends help cheer her up after a bad experience with a boy.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Not mad":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki,  Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Hajime is very capable person, but even capable people need to be taken care of sometimes.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki lets Hajime sleep in during his job hunt.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Killing it":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Parenting teenagers is always fraught with challenge, even for good, caring parents like Kyo. He's glad his daughter is willing to tell him her problems, he just wishes he actually knew the best way to respond.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko complains to Kyo about being short.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Fourteen":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Katsuro, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost twenty-seven years after graduation during Sachiko's third year of middle school
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Growing up, Tohru always thought her family and her parents' relationship was normal; it's easy to think something is normal, when it's all you've ever known. But that was before she had a middle school daughter herself.
Main Topic(s): Tohru contemplates the reality of her parents' relationship and Kyoko's age, as well as her feelings towards her father. TW: contains reference to suicidal thoughts and the dubious morality of Katsuya's relationship with middle-schooler Kyoko. 
Notable developments: Tohru confronts her feelings about her mother's past and about her father marrying a middle schooler. 

-"Learning from the past":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Katsuro
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost twenty-seven years after graduation and immediately after 'Fourteen.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Sometimes in order to survive the past, it's necessary to hide from it. But after years of hiding, Tohru has finally faced an unpleasant truth about her parents, and accepting it is hard. Kyo will always be there to help her, but their second son, Katsuro, wants to help as well. But first, he needs to understand.
Main Topic(s): Kyo tells Katsuro about Tohru's parents' relationship. TW: frank discussion of a romantic and physical relationship between an adult and a middle-schooler. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Does it ever get any easier?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Momiji
Featured characters: None
Set: February, almost twenty-seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Dating can be a good thing, but it can be the opposite, too. Katsuro is at a crossroads; he knows what he has to do, but he wishes he didn't have to. Luckily he has Momiji to talk to, who somewhat understands.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro talks to Momiji about his need to break up with his girlfriend Yumi. 
Notable developments: N/A

Twenty-seven years after graduation

-"A gift to mark the occasion":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Momiji
Featured characters: None
Set: March, twenty-seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Graduation is a special occasion, one always worth celebrating. And Momiji has the perfect gift to honor his favorite nephew's.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro learns his graduation gift to Momiji is a trip to hear the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Does it bother you?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: Late April, twenty-seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Life has changed a lot for both Katsuro and Hajime in the span of just a few months, with Katsuro moving to start university and Hajime graduating and starting his career. But Golden Week is chance for both of them to breathe, for Hajime to visit, and the two of them to talk. It's a little weird; Katsuro won't lie. But just because something is weird doesn't mean it's bad.
Main Topic(s): Hajime visits Katsuro in Sapporo and Katsuro learns Hajime had actually gotten into Tokyo and Kyoto Universities.
Notable developments: N/A

-"What's the story?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, his friends Junichi, Asuka, Ema, and Kiyoshi
Featured characters: None
Set: September, twenty-seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Moving away for university is a time of change, and that's definitely been the case for Tohru and Kyo's second son, Katsuro. However, there are still a few constants in his life: it will take a lot more than distance to mess with his old friendships, or for those old friends to ever stop messing with him.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro has a virtual hangout with his friends from high school.
Notable developments: Katsuro's friends first talk to him about Mariko. 

Twenty-eight years after graduation

-"Can I talk to you?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Sachiko, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have always been passionate people, and everyone knows they're true #relationshipgoals. They've always told their kids they can talk to them about anything, but it's one thing to say that, and another thing to have their daughter actually take them up on it.
Main Topic(s): A date with her boyfriend goes sour and Sachiko ends it early to go home and talk to her mom, inadvertently interrupting Tohru and Kyo's 'couple time' in the process.
Notable developments: Sachiko talks to her mom about sex in relationships and gets some heartfelt advice.

-"We're still proud":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Takashi
Featured characters: Shota, Sachiko
Set: August, twenty-eight years after graduation during Sachiko's second year of high school.
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: In general, Takashi is an easy-going guy. However, there's one area where he does lose his cool: it's never been easy for Takashi to lose.
Main Topic(s): A couple of Takashi's friends try to cheer him up after a tournament loss. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"I'm sure":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Katsuro, Mariko
Featured characters: OC
Set: September, twenty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: They're both in university. They're both adults. They've been together for a while. They love each other. Mariko and Katsuro can at least talk about it, right?
Main Topic(s): Katsuro & Mariko talk about sex and show some skin for the first time.
Notable developments: N/A

-Just Say It, Already
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Kyo, Tohru, Takashi
Featured characters: Shota, Emi, and Kaede (Sachiko's karate friends)
Set: Late September through early November, twenty-eight years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Twenty-eight years have passed since Tohru and Kyo's graduation, and their daughter Sachiko is in her second year of high school. For most of her life, Sachiko has dreamed of two things: growing up to be a karateka like her father Kyo, and someday finding a relationship as strong and affectionate as her parents'. One of those things has always seemed admittedly easier than the other, but that's ok; boyfriends have come and boyfriends have gone, but karate is forever.
Main Topic(s): The beginning of Sachiko's relationship with Takashi
Notable developments: ^^

-"Ass-kicking and all":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Takashi
Featured characters: OCs
Set: November, twenty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: One of Takashi's high-school classmates has a question.
Main Topic(s): Takashi's school friends find out he & Sachiko are dating.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Welcome to our home!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: November, twenty-eight years after graduation during Sachiko's second year of high school
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sachiko has a new boyfriend, and while Tohru is excited, she also thinks it's a little unfair Kyo already got to meet him and she hasn't. Fortunately, that's an easy fix!
Main Topic(s): Sachiko's boyfriend comes to dinner at the Sohma house.
Notable developments: Takashi's first visit to the Sohma house and first time properly meeting Tohru.

-"Once upon a time":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi, Tohru, Kyo, Sachiko's dojo friends Kaede and Shota
Featured characters: None
Set: November, twenty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Once upon a time, two people fell in love. And they moved away together, made a home, and had two sons. Then they welcomed a daughter and they loved her too, but even the people who love that daughter admit she's sometimes a shit. In which Sachiko acquires a certain video to show off.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko acquires a copy of Cinderella-ish and watches it with her friends and her parents. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Dinner":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, recurring OC Mariko Nishimura (Katsuro's girlfriend)
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo
Set: Late December, almost twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: It's just a simple request. There's no reason to be nervous. Katsuro is confident that everything will be fine...But he's not the one meeting his parents for the very first time. He's not the one who's dating their son.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro's girlfriend Mariko meets Tohru and Kyo for the first time. 
Notable developments: ^^

-What I Want
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Kazuma, Tohru, Kunimitsu
Featured characters: Hajime, Sachiko
Set: Begins mid-January and ends late March, just before and through twenty-nine years after graduation.
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Almost twenty-nine years have passed since Tohru and Kyo have graduated, and Kyo is happy with his life. He loves his wife, family, job, and home, and doesn't need anything more. But ever since he was a teenager, he's felt a calling to something else: to one day return to Tokyo, and to take over the Sohma Dojo from Kazuma. None of them have been in any rush; Kazuma has always been hale and healthy. Then an accident forces all of them to realize that 'the way things have been' might not be able to last that much longer, and it's time for all involved to really figure out what they actually want going forward.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Kazuma sort out the future of the Sohma Dojo.
Notable developments: Kazuma's accident and the beginning of his loss of ability. The Sohma Dojo's future is settled. Kazuma legally adopts Kunimitsu to establish protections for their relationship.

-"Personal selection":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Kazuma, Kunimitsu, Saki
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost twenty-nine years after graduation during 'What I Want'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: After Kazuma is laid up by an accident, he's faced with the prospect of a long, boring recovery. Luckily for him, he has a friend who knows just what he needs to tackle the tedium.
Main Topic(s): Saki comes to see Kazuma at the dojo after his accident.
Notable developments: N/A

-"'Romantic'":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Takashi, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: February, almost twenty-nine years after graduation during 'What I Want'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Sachiko and Takashi have always had fun together, with the two of them starting to date changing little of that. But there are a couple ways their relationship has changed, with how they handle Valentine's Day near the top of the list.
Main Topic(s): A little glimpse of Sachiko & Takashi's first Valentine's Day. 
Notable developments: N/A

Twenty-nine years after graduation

-"Between us two"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: April, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: When Sachiko wants general advice, she could turn to many people. For a certain kind of advice, she'll always turn to Mutsuki.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko asks Mutsuki's advice about knowing when she feels ready to have sex with her boyfriend. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"A good idea at the time"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: Sensei Haruto Matsuda
Set: May, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sachiko and Takashi have always loved spending time together at the dojo; perhaps it's inevitable they try 'spending time' as well.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko and her boyfriend get busted making out at the dojo. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Teenage problems"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: Noriko Sakamoto (Takashi's mom)
Set: June, twenty-nine years after graduation 
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo's daughter Sachiko and her boyfriend Takashi are young, in love...and almost completely lacking in privacy. At least they can find humor in it?
Main Topic(s): Sachiko & Takashi want alone time and will take it wherever and whenever they can get it. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"I'm glad you had fun":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: July, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime likes his job, and is good at his job. He just wishes, sometimes, he felt a little bit less like a mascot at his job. But mascot or no, Mutsuki will always be there to remind him how amazing he is.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki run into Hajime's boss while out on a date.
Notable developments: N/A

-"When were you going to tell us?"
Rated: M
Primary characters: Sachiko, Kaede, Emi
Featured characters: Takashi, Shota
Set: July, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: For years, Sachiko has told her best friends nearly everything; a fact they have to remind her, when they realize she's holding out.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko's friends see her with hickeys and press for information.
Notable developments: The dojo group finds out that Sachiko & Takashi have a physical relationship. 

-"Maybe he didn't notice"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: July, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: In which Kyo reflects on change and his daughter growing up...in more ways than he really wants to think about.
Main Topic(s): Kyo sees Sachiko with a hickey for the first time and has a little chat with Takashi. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"It can change things"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Sachiko
Set: July, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: In which parents Tohru and Kyo reflect on teenagers in love, past and present.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo learn Sachiko and Takashi have a physical relationship and process their feelings. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Gossip fodder"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: August, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: When you're young and passionate, love can find a way. Sometimes, that love can be a little bit too evident.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko has a hickey after a romantic interlude.
Notable developments: N/A

-"The New Status Quo":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Katsuro, Mariko (Katsuro's girlfriend)
Featured characters: Kazuma, Tohru, Kyo, Hajime, Mutsuki, Sachiko, Takashi, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, Sachiko's dojo friends Kaede, Shota, & Emi 
Set: Late August, twenty-nine years after graduation; epilogue one year later
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Twenty-nine years have passed since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo's second son Katsuro is now a man of twenty-one. His parents couldn't be prouder of the person he's become or happier in the person he's chosen to be with, but nearly two years into Katsuro's relationship, the rest of Katsuro's family has yet to meet her. However, the summer festival has always been a time for Tohru and Kyo's family to come together, and there couldn't be a better time for everyone to meet, size each other up, and start establishing new bonds. Growth and change comes in all forms, and the Sohmas have never been any exception.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro's girlfriend Mariko comes to visit the Sohmas for the first time.
Notable developments: Mariko's first time meeting Kazuma, Hajime, Mutsuki, Sachiko, and Takashi and being introduced to the Sohmas' family dynamic. Takashi's first time being formally introduced as Sachiko's boyfriend. The first festival since Kazuma's accident. The first time Kazuma vocalizes/admits he likely won't be sparring any more. Sachiko and Takashi's first adult karate tournament and final festival as students of the Matsuda Dojo. Establishment of Mariko calling Kazuma 'Master Kazuma.' Beginning of Mariko hugging the Sohmas. Establishment of Mariko calling Tohru and Kyo by name (in the epilogue). Takes place immediately prior to Mariko and Katsuro moving in together.  

-"At least it's out there"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru, Katsuro
Featured characters: None
Set: Early September, twenty-nine years after graduation after 'The New Status Quo.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Different families have different 'normals.' Sometimes, a non-issue for one family can be an enormous problem for another, and dealing with the aftermath can suck. Katsuro and his girlfriend expected this to happen. They knew not everyone would be happy with their decision to live together. But being right doesn't make things easier in the short term, and Katsuro is glad to know that whatever else, Tohru and Kyo support him.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo support Katsuro after his girlfriend's conservative family learn the two of them are planning to move in together. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"The only choice"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Takashi
Featured characters: Shota, OC
Set: November, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: It's autumn at Nigeyashi High, and that means it's time for one of the year's best units in PE: traditional Japanese martial arts. Takashi is stoked that one of the PE teachers wants to talk; he just wishes he could be stoked about what they're asking.
Main Topic(s): Takashi is asked to participate in a karate demo at school and passes.
Notable developments: N/A

-Looking to the Future
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi 
Featured characters: Kyo, Tohru, Kazuma, Kunimitsu, Hatsuharu, Hajime, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Rin, Yuki, Momiji, Hiro, Kisa, other OCs
Set: Begins December almost thirty years after graduation, ends late April.
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Almost thirty years have passed since Tohru and Kyo graduated high school, and now their youngest child is gearing up to do the same. Life after high school is an exciting prospect for Sachiko and her boyfriend Takashi both, but there's a lot to do before that: like, say, get into university. In spite of the ever-present studying and the looming prospect of exams, they're both happy to enjoy the end of their high school careers with their families, all of whom are excited about what lies next after graduation.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko & Takashi navigate university exams and prepare for life after high school.
Notable developments: Takashi learns about the Sohma family and about the plan for Sachiko to inherit the dojo instead of Kyo. Takashi meets Haru, Rin, Yuki, Momiji, and Hiro and learns something of Kyo's past with the Sohmas. Kazuma builds a second little house on the dojo grounds for his and Kunimitsu's retirement. Sachiko & Takashi get into university and move to Tokyo.

-"Getting properly acquainted"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mariko, Katsuro
Featured characters: Kisa, Chizuru, Rio
Set: Late December, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Mariko is looking forward to a visit in Tokyo with some of Katsuro's oldest friends. Yes, she's a little intimidated; the circumstances almost require it.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro & Mariko visit with Rio and Chizuru at Shiki's apartment on the Sohma estate
Notable developments: Mariko's first time meeting Kisa, Rio, and Chizuru in person. First time visiting the Sohmas, and Tokyo. 

-"I don't actually remember"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: Late February, twenty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Sachiko and Takashi have known each other for a long time, and now Takashi is getting to know her extended family, too. That means he's starting to have some new questions for her, some of which Sachiko can't actually answer.
Main Topic(s): Takashi asks Sachiko about the time when several men in her family had long hair. 
Notable developments: N/A

Thirty years after graduation

-"Regret"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Katsuro, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Hajime, Mariko 
Set: March, thirty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Sometimes, it can be jarring to realize your idols are people, too.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mariko get drunk in Sapporo.
Notable developments: Katsuro's first time seeing Hajime drunk. 

-"Better late than never"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: March, thirty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Adjusting to life as empty nesters is going to take some time, and Tohru knows it won't be easy. But there are silver linings to having the house to themselves.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo adjust to having the house to themselves, and take advantage of not having anyone else around.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I could...":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: April, thirty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Tomorrow, Mutsuki will begin his new job, and he is grateful he has Hajime to help him get ready. With three years in government service already under his belt, Hajime is the perfect senpai...in more ways than one.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki seduces Hajime when Hajime is helping him choose clothes.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I want him to like me"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi 
Featured characters: None
Set: April, thirty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Newly settled in Tokyo for university, Sachiko and Takashi are excited to start living their lives as (quasi) independent young adults. They just have to work out some comfort levels, first.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko & Takashi debate Kazuma's feelings about Takashi staying over with Sachiko. 
Notable developments: N/A

-Just What We Needed
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko
Featured characters: Kazuma, Mutsuki, Mariko, Takashi
Set: Early May, thirty years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Thirty years have passed since Tohru and Kyo graduated, and their last child has now graduated and moved out herself. It's been a difficult adjustment, being empty nesters after twenty-five years, and Tohru in particular has had a tough time with the change. Fortunately, Tohru and Kyo's kids have the perfect idea to lift Tohru's spirits: a little surprise family togetherness! And Tohru's probably not the only one who could benefit.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's kids all come home to visit during Golden Week after Sachiko moves out.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Here we go again"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kunimitsu, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: May, thirty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Close to forty years since he first moved into the dojo, there are certain things about the dojo and Kazuma Kunimitsu just knows. He's an excellent asset for new resident Sachiko, especially since he, unlike Kazuma, is always available.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma goes on a trip without notice shortly into Sachiko's time living at the dojo. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Are you embarrassed?"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Chizuru, Katsumi (his girlfriend)
Featured characters: Ayame
Set: August, thirty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Chizuru has always taken phone calls from his family in private. That was never an issue, until it suddenly was.
Main Topic(s): Chizuru introduces his girlfriend Katsumi to Ayame.
Notable developments: ^^

-"How did you know?"
Rated: T
Primary characters: Mariko, Sachiko
Featured characters: None
Set: August, thirty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Last year when Sachiko invited Mariko to sleep over, Mariko had declined since they had just met. This year, though, she's willing to accept, which is just as well, since Sachiko has a question.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko & Mariko have a sleepover and Sachiko asks Mariko how she knew she wanted to move in with Katsuro. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"This is gonna be fun"
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: Sachiko's dojo friends Shota, Kaede, & Emi
Set: August, thirty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: It's been five months since Sachiko and Takashi moved to Tokyo for university, but they're excited to be back in Hibe, competing in the Matsuda Dojo's annual tournament. It's a little strange to compete under a different dojo's name, but they're proud to represent the Sohma Dojo, especially since they're not representing alone.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko, Takashi and their friends inspect the brackets for the first tournament Sachiko & Takashi will be representing the Sohma Dojo. 
Notable developments: N/A

Thirty-one years after graduation

-"Don't tell me you forgot?"
Rated: M
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: July, thirty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Packing for a training trip leads Sachiko and Takashi down memory lane.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko in a bikini stirs up some feelings and a few happy memories for her boyfriend Takashi.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Grandfathers":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko
Featured characters: Kazuma, Kyo's biological father Katashi
Set: July, thirty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Sachiko has been living at the dojo while attending university for over a year now, training at Kazuma's side for the day she eventually takes his place. That means a whole lot more than just karate, and a trip into the Sohma estate leads to an encounter Sachiko had been thinking about for years.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko meets her biological grandfather for the first time.
Notable developments: N/A

-It Doesn't Matter, In the End
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru, Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko, Kazuma
Featured characters: Kunimitsu, Mutsuki, Yuki, Machi, Momiji, Haru, Rin, Hiro, Mariko, Takashi
Set: November, thirty-one years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Over thirty-one years have passed since graduation, and Kyo has received the call he's been half-expecting for years. After all this time, his biological father his finally died, and Kyo will never have to worry about him, his behavior, or his opinions ever again. It would be easy for Kyo to turn his back and forget him, but the end is rarely easy or as straightforward as anyone would wish.
Main Topic(s): The aftermath of the death of Kyo's biological father.
Notable developments: Kyo's biological father dies. Kyo receives old photos of his mother and himself, and learns his mother was a pianist and composer. 

-"From her":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Kyo, Tohru, Mariko
Set: November, thirty-one years after graduation, after chapter four of "It Doesn't Matter, in the End"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: All of his life, Katsuro has felt like the odd one out in his family, the one with the least connecting him to Kyo. Years have passed since he accepted it, but sometimes it's still hard, seeing his father, brother, sister, and grandfather united by a passion he has never shared. He's the one whose passion stands alone...until the day it doesn't.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro receives Kyo's mother's music.
Notable developments: Katsuro learns Kyo's mother was musical and wrote music.

-Not Kids Anymore
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru, Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko, Kazuma, Mutsuki, Kunimitsu, Mariko, Takashi
Featured characters: Yuki, Machi, OCs
Set: Begins just before New Year, almost thirty-two years after graduation and a little over a month after 'It Doesn't Matter, in the End,' ends one year later
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Almost thirty-two years have passed since Tohru and Kyo graduated high school. In that time they've moved away, gotten married, and welcomed their children; it hasn't always been easy, but they've been happy. Watching their children grow, surrounded by the love and warmth and open acceptance that neither one of them ever truly got to experience, has been a blessing, and while seeing them all grow up has been bittersweet at times, neither one of them could be happier or more proud with the adults their children have all become. Hajime, Katsuro, and Sachiko will always be Tohru and Kyo's babies, but there are certain things that will always drive home that they're all adults, now.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's family navigates a year filled with numerous milestones.
Notable developments: Takashi learns about the Curse. Katsuro and Mariko find out Mariko is pregnant and get engaged. Sachiko and Takashi come of age, and get engaged. Katsuro and Mariko get married, and welcome their daughter Akari, Tohru and Kyo's first grandchild. Mariko learns about the Curse. Hajime and Mutsuki get married. 

Thirty-two years after graduation

-"Absolutely unmistakable":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Mutsuki, OCs
Featured characters: None
Set: June, thirty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: When you start working at a new job, it's always a good idea to know the people in power.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki visits Yuki at work and is subject to mistaken identity. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Paradise":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: December, thirty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Eleven years ago, they started dating. Eight years ago, they got engaged. Two days ago, they got married. Things still aren't perfect, but as far as Hajime and Mutsuki are concerned, this is truly paradise.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki enjoy the first morning of their Hawaiian honeymoon. 
Notable developments: N/A

Thirty-three years after graduation

-"One more thing":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mina, Sachiko
Featured characters: Recurring OC Jinsuke Durand (Mina's eventual husband)
Set: August, thirty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Her best friend Mina is back from Germany for summer vacation, and Sachiko is thrilled to have a little 'girl time' together. But Mina's attention keeps wandering and Sachiko wants to know why; hopefully she has a good reason!
Main Topic(s): Mina & Sachiko run into a guy Mina knew from Europe while eating in a Tokyo cafe.
Notable developments: Proper introduction of Mina's eventual husband, Jinsuke. 

-"Inevitable":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hatori
Featured characters: OC, Ayame, Shigure
Set: September, thirty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: When Hatori was young, his life hadn't been his own. Smoking had been his only rebellion from everyone else's control. Now, decades after he smoked his final cigarette, he must finally admit that old rebellion came with a cost.
Main Topic(s): Hatori reflects on his friendship with Ayame and Shigure and his history of smoking while learning his lung cancer has spread. 
Notable developments: Revelation of Hatori's cancer diagnosis.

-"Recommended":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: OC
Set: February, almost thirty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: In many companies in Japan, especially in Tokyo, WHERE you go to university is infinitely more important than what you study. So how is a person with a nondescript name from a nondescript university landing so many prominent job interviews?
Main Topic(s): Takashi interviews for a job and Sachiko & Takashi plan for their future.
Notable developments: N/A

Thirty-four years after graduation

-"Connection":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: April, thirty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Getting a job, in some cases, is just as much about who you know as what. Takashi never would have guessed he'd know so many 'whos,' but he will always be grateful for the connections, regardless of what they do for him.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Takashi talk after Takashi's first day working at Yuki's company. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"It turns out":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mina, Momiji
Featured characters: Momo
Set: May, thirty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: For years, Momiji and Mina have waited for this day: the day that Mina joins her father at their family's business. She's ready to start at the bottom and prove herself through her work...but apparently, there's also something she should confess.
Main Topic(s): Mina learns something about her new boyfriend her first day at work.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Do you agree?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko, Mutsuki, Mariko, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: June, thirty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: In just two days, all of Tohru and Kyo's kids will be married; going forward from this weekend, there will be six Sohma 'kids.' But as excited as they all are, there's one thing the marriage won't change: Takashi has been one of them in spirit already for years. And for years, all of 'the kids' have been at ease together, whether just relaxing or playing a 'friendly' game.
Main Topic(s): The Sohma 'kids' play the newlywed game.
Notable developments: N/A

-We Will Love Each Other:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi, Tohru, Kyo 
Featured characters: Hajime, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Kazuma, Kunimitsu, Haru, Momiji, Mariko, Noriko & Masato Sakamoto (Takashi's parents), various other OCs
Set: June, thirty-four years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Thirty-four years have passed since Tohru and Kyo's graduation day; thirty-two have passed since the day of their wedding. Tohru has always looked back on that day with love, wonder, and awe: the day she became Tohru Sohma, and Kyo became her husband. Today, in the exact same shrine, they'll watch their daughter take her new husband's hand and the last of their children will be married. It's a sentimental day for all involved, and emotions, not just Tohru's, are sure to be running high. But love, in their family, has always been invincible, and everyone is looking forward to today...especially the couple themselves.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko & Takashi's wedding.
Notable developments: Sachiko and Takashi married; Takashi takes the Sohma name. Revelation of Sachiko's tiger and dragon tattoo. Revelation of Hatori's death the previous year from lung cancer. 

-"Take me seriously":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: July, thirty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Twenty-two is shaping up to be a big year for Sachiko, professionally as well as personally, and she's always happy to talk about it.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko discusses her recent women's national karate championship win with her new husband, Takashi.
Notable developments: Sachiko's first national tournament win.

-"An innocent mistake":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Takashi
Featured characters: Mutsuki
Set: August, thirty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo have always been amused and proud at how much their children looked like them growing up. As adults, however, having lookalikes can sometimes be...complicated.
Main Topic(s): Takashi kisses Tohru's cheek after mistaking her for Sachiko.
Notable developments: N/A

Thirty-five years after graduation

Thirty-six years after graduation

-"TLC":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: May, thirty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Everyone has bad days sometime, even Mutsuki Sohma. Fortunately, he can always count on Hajime to be there to perk him up.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki has a bad day and Hajime cheers him up.
Notable developments: N/A

-"The next best thing":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Mariko, Hajime, Tohru, Kyo, Sachiko, Kazuma, Kunimitsu
Set: October, thirty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Honor name: A child's given name chosen to honor another person, often an ancestor or important family member.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro and Mariko introduce their new son to the family for the first time.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Magical":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Hajime
Featured characters: Kyo, Katsuro, recurring OC Akari Sohma (Katsuro & Mariko's daughter)
Set: December, thirty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Hajime has never cared too much for winter, although he's never hated it. But it's hard not to find enjoyment in something Mutsuki loves so much, no matter how old or 'mature' they get.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki & Hajime play in the snow.
Notable developments: N/A

Thirty-seven years after graduation

Thirty-eight years after graduation

-What Once was Lost
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Shiki, Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Machi, Katsuro, OCs
Set: Begins May, thirty-eight years after graduation, ends March, thirty-nine years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Thirty-eight years have passed since Tohru and Kyo graduated high school, and their oldest son Hajime and son-in-law Mutsuki have firmly settled into a life that suits them. They have an apartment they like in a city they love, jobs they both enjoy. Friends. Hobbies. The chance to see their families regularly, even if it's not quite as often as they'd prefer. In general, life is good; they have nothing to complain about. Except for maybe one or two little things, but...that's life, isn't it? No one can have everything.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki adopt a baby.
Notable developments: Hajime & Mutsuki adopt Aiko and move into a new condo, closer to Tokyo.

-"More than blood":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Shiki, recurring OC Saeko Sohma (Aiko's birth mother)
Featured characters: Kazuma
Set: June, thirty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo will never hesitate to step in and do something any of his kids ever needs from him: not an action, and not a word. Not his kids...or his grandkids, either. *This is an outtake from my chapter story 'What Once was Lost' and takes place after chapter 7*
Main Topic(s): Kyo goes with Shiki to talk to the birth mother of Hajime & Mutsuki's baby.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Will someone tell me what's going on here?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Kakeru
Featured characters: Mutsuki, Hajime, Michi, Machi, Komaki, recurring OC Aiko Sohma (Hajime & Mutsuki's daughter)
Set: September, thirty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Parallel Moments in Time")
Summary: Kakeru Manabe is many things to many different people. He's a husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, uncle-in-law, friend, boss, and a whole slew more...including one title he doesn't yet know he's earned.
Main Topic(s): Kakeru learns about and meets Hajime & Mutsuki's daughter at a family dinner. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Sounds perfect":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Aiko
Set: September, thirty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: It can be tough to be the working parent when you've got a new baby at home. But going to work means coming home again, and when you're Hajime, coming home to his family will always be the most wonderful of feelings.
Main Topic(s): Hajime comes home from work just in time for story time with Mutsuki and baby Aiko.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Smile":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Aiko
Set: October, thirty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Being a new parent can often be thankless, but there are little moments that can make it all worth it.
Main Topic(s): Baby Aiko smiles for the first time, at Hajime. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Coincidence":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Saki
Featured characters: Rio, recurring OCs Kai Mosca (Rio's son) & Etsuko Mosca (Rio's wife)
Set: December, thirty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: All her life, the former Saki Hanajima has known that she is 'special.' It's always been for the best that there was no one like her.
Main Topic(s): Saki starts to suspect her grandson Kai has powers.
Notable developments: N/A

Thirty-nine years after graduation

-"I'm glad you thought you could tell me":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Yuki
Featured characters: None
Set: March, thirty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: For seventeen years, Mutsuki and Hajime have been out to their families as a couple, and for seventeen years, Mutsuki has been a welcome and beloved member of Tohru and Kyo's immediate family. Yuki never doubted either Tohru or Kyo's ability to love his son as their own, but he knows all too well that love isn't guaranteed, for anyone. The fact that Mutsuki has been cherished and accepted not only by Tohru and Kyo but their entire family has always been precious, but Yuki never before realized just how significant Kazuma's particular acceptance was.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma comes out to Yuki
Notable developments: Yuki learns about Kazuma & Kunimitsu's relationship

-"No approval needed":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Takashi, his grandmother
Featured characters: OCs
Set: April, thirty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Takashi has always known that his grandmother is strong-willed, and that hasn't changed a single jot as they've both aged. He was raised to respect his elders and so he always will, but just because he'll listen doesn't mean he plans to change.
Main Topic(s): Takashi's grandmother lectures him on how to better his life. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Little ears":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Yuki
Featured characters: Katsuro, Hajime, Mutsuki, Tohru, Machi, Kazuma, Sachiko, Akari, recurring OC Kazue Sohma (Katsuro and Mariko's son), Aiko
Set: New Year's Eve, almost forty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time," "Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: For decades, New Year's Eve has been a time for the Sohmas to spend with their families; this year is no different. Kyo and Yuki are always happy to see their loved ones, especially the youngest members of their families, though sometimes they really have to ask themselves WHY.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Kyo reflect on life and are reminded of some of the pitfalls of grandparenthood. 
Notable developments: Everyone figures out Aiko is calling Yuki and Kyo 'Ratpa' and 'Catpa.'

-"What we've been waiting for":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Hajime, Yuki, Machi, Aiko
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost forty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Traditions maintained for the wrong reasons can sometimes become burdens, kept up out of nothing but a sense of obligation. But traditions maintained out of love and affection will always be sources of joy.
Main Topic(s): Yuki, Machi, Mutsuki, & Hajime take Aiko for her first 'footprints in the snow.' 
Notable developments: N/A

-"My mind is made up":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Sachiko
Featured characters: Akito, Shiki, OC Sohma family board members
Set: January, almost forty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Every quarter for decades, Kazuma has faithfully gone before the Sohma Family board to report on the dojo and its status. Every quarter, that meeting has followed a similar, well-worn and familiar pattern. It's time to change things up.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma informs the Sohma family board of his impending retirement. 
Notable developments: Kazuma publicly announces Sachiko as the next master of the Sohma dojo.

Forty years after graduation

-Passing the Torch
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazuma
Featured characters: Sachiko, Kyo, Tohru, Kunimitsu, Hajime, Katsuro, Yuki, Saki, Haru, Rin, Mutsuki, Takashi, other OCs
Set: March, forty years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Forty years have passed since Tohru and Kyo's graduation, sometimes dragging out like an eternity and sometimes passing in the blink of an eye. A lot has changed in forty years, but some things have remained constant: how much the two of them love each other, how much they love their family. How unbelievably happy they are to have made it this far, together, still hand in hand. For forty years, they have been coming back 'home' to Tokyo, to the Sohma Dojo and to Master Kazuma. For forty years, Kazuma's dojo leadership has been one of those constants, but today, that's all finally over. Today, Master Kazuma will hand the dojo and the title to its new master, and the entire family couldn't be happier.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma's retirement.
Notable developments: Kazuma retires and Sachiko takes over the Sohma Dojo. Kazuma and Kunimitsu have a private marriage ceremony and start wearing rings. Kyo is promoted to kudan, the highest rank he can achieve in karate. Hajime and Yuki both spar for the first time since either one of them graduated high school. Sachiko and Takashi move into the master's residence at the dojo, while Kazuma and Kunimitsu move into the 'little house.' 

-"The way it was always meant to be":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Kyo
Featured characters: Kunimitsu, Hajime, Sachiko, Takashi
Set: March, forty years after graduation, the same day as "Passing the Torch"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Kazuma's retirement was never going to be easy for any of them, especially Kazuma himself. Fortunately, Kyo knows the perfect send-off for the work of a lifetime.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma & Kyo have one final sparring match
Notable developments: N/A

-"Fortunately for us both":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: March, forty years after graduation, the same day as "Passing the Torch"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Though they're very different people, Yuki feels he knows his son Mutsuki very, very well. But sometimes...often...Mutsuki still surprises even him.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Mutsuki chat after Kazuma's retirement ceremony. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"We both wanted to tell you":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Kunimitsu, Akari
Featured characters: None
Set: March, forty years after graduation, the same day as "Passing the Torch"
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Grandson of the previous Cat, father of the last. A Sohma who more than many knows the importance of keeping secrets. A Sohma who knew the consequences if his secrets ever got out. But now all of that is in past, every reason to keep silent. The Curse is broken, Kyo is free, and Kazuma...is retired. No one is watching him anymore, and it's time to let go of the veil.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma & Kunimitsu come out to Akari.
Notable developments: N/A

-"A 'venture":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Akari, Kazue, Aiko
Featured characters: Kazuma, Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko, Mutsuki, Tadame
Set: March, forty years after graduation, the same day as "Passing the Torch"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time," "Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Four kids. Two grandparents. And several hours of time to fill. What are Tohru and Kyo to do? Channel their inner child, of course.
Main Topic(s): Tohru and Kyo babysit all four grandkids while in Tokyo at the dojo.
Notable developments: N/A

-"A break"
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Sachiko, Takashi, Mariko
Featured characters: None
Set: March, forty years after graduation, at the same time as 'A 'Venture'
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Yesterday, Sachiko saw the completion of a lifelong dream as she took Kazuma's place as dojo master. Going forward, she has a lot of work to do. Tonight, though, is about going out, celebrating, and having fun with some of the people who have always most strongly had her back: her siblings. All of them have grown up; all of them are equal. Though there are a few habits that have died a little hard...
Main Topic(s): Sachiko's siblings take her out to celebrate being the new dojo master.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Don't mention it. Please."
Rated: T
Primary characters: Katsuro, Mariko, Hajime
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kazuma, Akari, Kazue, Aiko
Set: March, forty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Katsuro and Mariko love being parents. They love children, they love being around them, they love the chaos and love...most of the time. Nothing makes you appreciate privacy like a complete and utter lack of it.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro & Mariko try to take advantage of private time at the dojo and are interrupted by Hajime's daughter. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Nothing left to surprise them":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Mariko, Sawa, Etsuko
Featured characters: Rio, Kai
Set: July, forty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Katsuro has had certain friendships since infancy. Now that he and those friends are grown, their kids are friends as well. And sure, on the surface, they know those kids really well, but they're all parents and they ought to know that kids can always surprise you.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro & Mariko hang out with their 'Sohma' friends and start to realize Kai Mosca might have powers. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Happy birfday":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Hajime, Aiko
Featured characters: None
Set: August, forty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime has always considered planning one of his strengths, and most people in his life would agree. It turns out, delivering on plans is easier without 'help.'
Main Topic(s): Aiko gets into Mutsuki's birthday present and makes a big mess.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Most precious":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Hajime, Aiko
Featured characters: None
Set: September, forty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time," "Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma always enjoys any time he gets to spend with his family, whether it's his son, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. Some things change over time, but others will always remain constant.
Main Topic(s): Hajime gets unexpectedly summoned to work and Kazuma babysits his great-granddaughter.
Notable developments: N/A

Forty-one years after graduation

-"Tough on everyone":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Aiko
Featured characters: Hajime, Yuki, Machi
Set: April, forty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Sometimes, working long hours is inevitable. When Hajime works long hours, it's tough on everyone.
Main Topic(s): Mutsuki has a difficult morning with Aiko when Hajime has been working long hours.
Notable developments: N/A

-"You're the bear":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Mutsuki, Aiko
Featured characters: Hajime, Tohru, Kazuma
Set: August, forty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: There are certain sights Tohru always finds endearing: an orange-haired man playing with his child is near the top of that list.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki play with Aiko at Tohru & Kyo's house.
Notable developments: N/A

-Reflection and Change
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Sachiko, Hajime, Katsuro, Kazuma, Kunimitsu, Mutsuki, Momiji, Takashi, Mariko, Akari, Kazue, recurring OC Tadame Sohma (Katsuro & Mariko's daughter), Aiko, Senseis Haruto Matsuda & Kenji Kojima; other OCs
Set: Begins early September, forty-one years after graduation; ends early May, forty-two years after graduation. Epilogue set August, forty-eight years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Forty-one years have passed since Tohru and Kyo graduated high school; forty-one years since they said goodbye to friends and family, boarded a train, and headed north to their new home and new life in the little village of Hibe. For forty-one years, Kyo has worked at the Matsuda Dojo and loved it; for forty-one years, they've made a home together in the quiet countryside and loved that as well. Tohru and Kyo have always said they'll be happy as long as they're together, and that, for sure, has been constant. But forty-one years is a long time, and feelings can change. Tohru and Kyo aren't kids anymore, and what they wanted when they were eighteen, or thirty, or even fifty isn't necessarily what they want now. Contemplating change after so long was never going to be easy, but everything is manageable, if they tackle it together.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's departure from Hibe.
Notable developments: Kyo leaves the Matsuda Dojo and retires as a full-time karate instructor. Sensei Yuna Sasaki & Master Haruto Matsuda retire from the Matsuda Dojo, Sensei Daichi Matsuda becoming the new master. Kazue, Katsuro's son, begins karate. Tohru and Kyo leave Hibe and move in with Katsuro's family in Sendai, where Kyo takes a part-time teaching position at the Yamashita Dojo where Katsuro takes lessons. Tohru and Kyo's house is sold to Kyo's former coworker Sensei Kenji Kojima.

-"Upcoming changes":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Mariko, Akari, Kazue, Tadame
Featured characters: None
Set: Early December, forty-one years after graduation during 'Reflection and Change'
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Things are about to change at Katsuro's home in Sendai, and it's time his three kids are brought into the loop.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro & Mariko tell their kids Tohru and Kyo are moving in. 
Notable developments: N/A

Forty-two years after graduation

-"I deserve this":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Takashi, Sachiko, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: March, forty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Over the course of Sachiko's life, one thing has been largely constant: once she sets her mind to a goal, she works until she achieves it. But there are some things that confidence and hard work just can't pull off, and in those circumstances, it's hard to remain positive. When it comes to children especially, it's hard to remain positive. Not when everything going wrong is entirely her fault.
Main Topic(s): Hajime learns about Sachiko & Takashi's infertility and Sachiko's view that her infertility is due to how she once told him she was happy he couldn't have kids. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Right where they belong":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Katsuro
Featured characters: Kyo, Kazue
Set: May, forty-two years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Moving somewhere new is always an adjustment, and that goes doubly when you're combining two households. But Tohru and Katsuro are both in total agreement: Tohru and Kyo moving in has been the perfect choice.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Katsuro admire a little domestic scene shortly after Tohru & Kyo move in.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Mending gis and telling tales":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Akari
Featured characters: None
Set: May, forty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Retirement has changed some things for Kyo, but other things are the same. He still likes to mend his own karate gear, but now he has an audience.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Akari talk while Kyo mends his karate gear. Kyo tells Akari about Ayame embroidering Yuki's gi back when they were in high school. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Know something?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Kazue
Featured characters: None
Set: May, forty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Now that Tohru and Kyo are living with Katsuro's family, a lot of things have changed about their daily routines. Some of those changes are uncomfortable, but most of them are good, starting with Kyo having company when walking from his dojo.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Kazue talk on their way home from karate.
Notable developments: N/A

-"We're not waiting":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Tohru
Featured characters: None
Set: May, forty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru is the kindest, sweetest person in the world, and Sachiko knows her mother would never intentionally cause pain. But with Tohru unaware that Sachiko is hurting, there's nothing to stop her from innocently making things even worse.
Main Topic(s): Tohru learns about Sachiko's infertility.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Playing her song":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Katsuro, Mariko
Featured characters: Tohru, Akari, Kazue, Tadame
Set: July, forty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Once, Katsuro felt like he was Kyo's odd duck; that he, unlike his siblings, inherited nothing besides Kyo's looks. These days, all of them know that that's far from the truth, and it's Katsuro's turn to share a family tradition with Kyo.
Notable developments: Kyo plays one of his mother's songs for the first time. 

-"Where you belong."
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Aiko
Set: October, forty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime loves his job, except for the rare times that require him to travel. But as much as he hates being away, there's always something special about coming home again.
Main Topic(s): Hajime returns home from a business trip and his welcome from Mutsuki is interrupted by Aiko.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Ready as I'm gonna be":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Tohru, Takashi
Featured characters: Kyo, Kazuma, Kunimitsu
Set: December, forty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Sachiko is thrilled to have Tohru and Kyo making an extended visit to the dojo; she is less thrilled that everyone is letting her oversleep. Yes, she's struggling with a few things right now, but that doesn't mean she needs to be coddled! 
Main Topic(s): Sachiko & Takashi learn she's pregnant.
Notable developments: Reveal of Sachiko & Takashi's struggle with unexplained infertility.

-"Say Something":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: OC
Set: December, forty-two years after graduation, a couple days after "Ready as I'm gonna be"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Sachiko and Takashi have been waiting for this for over two years; now that it's happening, they're ready. Whatever happened to things going according to plan?
Main Topic(s): Sachiko has her first ultrasound.
Notable developments: Discovery that Sachiko is eleven weeks pregnant with twins.

-"Better you than us":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Hajime, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Mariko, Kazuma, Kunimitsu
Set: December, forty-two years after graduation, two weeks after "Ready as I'm Gonna be"
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: New Year's vacation has rolled around once more, and Tohru and Kyo's family has descended on the dojo. This year, it's Sachiko and Takashi who have some news to share!
Main Topic(s): Sachiko & Takashi reveal their pregnancy to the family, including that it's twins.
Notable developments: N/A

Forty-three years after graduation

-"So very ready":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Sachiko, Hajime
Featured characters: None
Set: Early June, forty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Sachiko has been waiting a very long time to finally be a mother, but it turns out being pregnant isn't all it's cracked up to be. Fortunately, she has supportive family, ready and willing to help her make the best of a dreary situation.
Main Topic(s): Hajime drops by the dojo to visit a very pregnant Sachiko
Notable developments: N/A

-"We're tough, too":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: recurring OCs Ryuko & Torashi Sohma (Sachiko and Takashi's twin daughter and son)
Set: Early June, forty-three years after graduation, one week after 'So Very Ready'
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: They're both tired and Sachiko is sore, but she and Takashi don't care. They've waited a long time for this, and now, it's finally here.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko & Takashi meet their twins.
Notable developments: N/A

Forty-four years after graduation

-"Names":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kunimitsu, Aiko, Tadame
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo
Set: March, forty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: What you are called, and what you call people, can say a lot about you and your relationships. It can also be a delicate subject, in more ways than one.
Main Topic(s): Kunimitsu discusses names, titles, and respect with Aiko and Tadame.
Notable developments: Tadame starts calling Tohru & Kyo & her other adult Sohma relatives by name. 

-"Planning":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Mariko, Sachiko, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: August, forty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time")
Summary: Even the most loving of parents sometimes need a break, and Tohru and Kyo's kids are all no exception. But before they can do anything, they need to know the details!
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo's kids plan a trip, just the six of them.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Kyo never said!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru, Aiko, Tadame
Featured characters: None
Set: September, forty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: With school back in session for the older kids, Aiko and Tadame are feeling a little left out. Tohru and Kyo have the perfect solution: a special 'middle grandkids' trip to the Sohma lake house! They can't wait for the chance to have a few days with their granddaughters in a place with so many memories...though some of them are memories that Kyo would rather forget.
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo take Aiko & Tadame to the Sohma lake house, and Kyo gets to start being teased about 'Jason' by a new generation.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Clean clothes":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, recurring OC Hiromi Nishimura (Mariko's mom)
Featured characters: Tadame, recurring OC Miyuki Nishimura (Mariko's niece)
Set: September, forty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: When giving instructions to children, it's important to be specific.
Main Topic(s): Hiromi gives her younger granddaughters instructions to keep their clothes clean and they follow them scrupulously.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Thank you for your opinions":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Mariko, Tadame, Hiromi Nishimura, recurring OC Chitose Nishimura (Mariko's sister-in-law)
Featured characters: None
Set: December, forty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: In a family that prizes tradition, Tadame will always make waves. But Mariko will always defend her, determined that her daughter, at least, will be free to defy expectations.
Main Topic(s): Mariko has a conversation with her mother and sister-in-law about Tadame's non-conformity.
Notable developments: N/A

Forty-five years after graduation

-"Letters from Hirosaki":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru and Kyo's kids and grandkids, Tohru
Featured characters: Yuki, Machi, Kyo
Set: Golden Week (late April/early May), forty-five years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo's children have turned into loving parents, but they have all been looking forward to a vacation without their kids. Meanwhile, Tohru and Kyo, along with Yuki and Machi, are happy to step in with their grandkids to give their children a break. The four of them are parents themselves, and they all raised their own kids; how much could they have forgotten about what small children are like?
Main Topic(s): Tohru and the grandkids send letters to Tohru & Kyo's children while on vacation together.  
Notable developments: N/A

-"Inellibrated":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Sachiko, Mariko, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Hajime, Katsuro, Takashi
Set: May, forty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: This is a vacation that's been years in the making: a chance for Tohru and Kyo's adult kids and their partners to get away. No jobs, no chores, no parental responsibilities; just the six of them and a chance to really relax. As it turns out, relaxing means different things for different people, but Sachiko, Mutsuki, and Mariko have one way they all agree.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko, Mariko, & Mutsuki get drunk on vacation and have a chat about sex. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Trying again":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro
Featured characters: Kazue, Tadame, Kyo, Kazuma
Set: May and December, forty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: It's always made Katsuro happy, having two of his children love karate. Even if he himself never had talent, it's still a family tradition, and one he's proud to see passed on.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro, at his children's nudging, starts practicing kata. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Where it matters":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Aiko, Kyo
Featured characters: Hajime, Mutsuki, Tohru, Katsuro, Mariko, Sachiko, Takashi, Kazuma
Set: June, forty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: All her life, Aiko Sohma has known that she's adopted. But knowing something doesn't always make it easy to handle.
Main Topic(s): Kyo and Aiko talk about being adopted after Aiko has a difficult experience at school.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Family":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Yuki, Aiko
Featured characters: None
Set: December, forty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: When Yuki was a little boy, he expected things from his family: for them to love him, and take care of him, and to keep him safe. He had no idea, then, that his expectations were wrong. It's been a long time since he was that boy and he learned the truth. These days, he knows that 'family' has never required blood.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Aiko talk about family and how parents are more than just DNA.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Isn't Dad doing great?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Kyo, Kazuma
Featured characters: Hajime, Sachiko, Takashi, Kazue, Tadame
Set: December, forty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: As an adult, a teacher, and a parent, Katsuro logically knows that effort can matter just as much, if not more, than the results. He also knows that being confident in one's efforts can be easier said then done, especially in the company of people who are skilled. It helps, knowing his efforts will always be supported. Even if he embarrasses himself, at least he's doing his best.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro does kata with his family for the first time in the Sohma Dojo. 
Notable developments: N/A

Forty-six years after graduation

-"The best option":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kunimitsu, Tadame
Featured characters: None
Set: July, forty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Kunimitsu has always been content with how his life turned out. Yes, there are things that could have gone better, but in general, he has been happy. And why shouldn't he be when he has had it all: the job, the guy, the home, the dojo, and, of course, the kids?
Main Topic(s): Tadame hangs out with Kunimitsu for kata.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Meliating":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Ryuko
Featured characters: Takashi
Set: September, forty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time," "Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Routine can be a comfort to many, and Kazuma, for all that he has always had a touch of wanderlust, isn't any different. It's a special thing, to share something that brings such comfort with the ones you love.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma's great-granddaughter joins him the first time for meditating. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"How does that sound?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazue, Katsuro
Featured characters: None
Set: November, forty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Katsuro's son Kazue loves their chaotic home, but sometimes it's nice to spend some quality time with just his father.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro and Kazue spend time together restringing instruments and talking about how Katsuro first picked up the guitar.
Notable developments: N/A

Forty-seven years after graduation

-"Way to go!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Aiko, Yuki, Kakeru
Featured characters: None
Set: May, forty-seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Yuki was never one for sports, even though he was good at them. Whether playing or watching, they just weren't his thing. Not until he had someone special to watch, that is.
Main Topic(s): Yuki & Kakeru watch one of Aiko's soccer games.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I won't wear it":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Sachiko, Ryuko, Takashi
Featured characters: None
Set: September, forty-seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Sachiko does her best but sometimes, motherhood can be one big frustration. And sometimes, that frustration can maybe count as karma.
Main Topic(s): Ryuko pushes back at Sachiko about wearing a gi. 
Notable developments: N/A

Forty-eight years after graduation

-"Are you listening?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Torashi,  Kazuma
Featured characters: None
Set: May, forty-eight years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Once, Kazuma was a father, listening to his young son. Then, a grandfather, doing the same, and now, at the end, a great. Some things will always change. Some things will always have to. But some things he will always cherish, deeply, for their 'sameness.'
Main Topic(s): Torashi talks to Kazuma about his karate hopes for the future. 
Notable developments: N/A

-Reflection and Change: Epilogue
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Sachiko, Hajime, Katsuro, Kazuma, Kunimitsu, Mutsuki, Takashi, Mariko, Akari, Kazue, Tadame, Aiko, Ryuko, Torashi
Set: Epilogue set August, forty-eight years after graduation. 
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Tohru and Kyo's family takes some family pictures.
Main Topic(s): ^^
Notable developments: N/A

Forty-nine years after graduation

-"What are you most proud of?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazuma, Akari
Featured characters: None
Set: November, forty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazuma has a lot to be proud of, looking back on his life. But there is one thing he'll always hold in the highest regard, and will always cherish more than literally everything else.
Main Topic(s): Akari interviews Kazuma for a school paper. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"When the Time Comes":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazuma, Kyo, Yuki, Haru, Rin, Hajime, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Mariko, Sachiko, Takashi, Akito, Saki, Kunimitsu, Tohru
Featured characters: Machi, Lorenzo, Shigure, Akito's family, Akari, Kazue, Aiko, Tadame, Ryuko, Torashi, Kyoko
Set: Late November, forty-nine years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: The day the Zodiac Curse was broken, Kazuma Sohma uttered a prayer of thanks, relief, and joy. All he wanted from his life was achieved; Kyo was finally free. If death were to take him that very night, he would have no regrets. Still, he hoped he'd have more time: time to see his son grow up, and live the life he deserved. And for fifty years, Kazuma lived that wish, and many more besides. When the end finally came, Kazuma still had no regrets. But saying goodbye would never be easy for those he left behind.
Main Topic(s): Kazuma's loved ones deal with his death.
Notable developments: The death of Kazuma Sohma

Fifty years after graduation

Fifty-one years after graduation

-"Time to deliver":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Aiko, Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: May, fifty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: For years they've been waiting, their entire family. For years, they've had their hopes raised, then dashed before their eyes. But today, the time for waiting is over. It's time for a new beginning, for all three of them.
Main Topic(s): Hajime, Mutsuki, & Aiko react to same-sex marriage being legalized in Japan.
Notable developments: Mutsuki asks Hajime to legally marry him, and Aiko asks Hajime to adopt her.

-"Unlucky?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Akari, recurring OC Akimitsu Kusakabe (Akari's future husband)
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost fifty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Akari has always been diligent, always been hard-working, and always been punctual. Having those things come into conflict with one another is unexpected, but with the week she's been having, she shouldn't have been surprised.
Main Topic(s): Akari encounters her future husband for the first time. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"How did it go?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Akari, Akimitsu
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost fifty-two years after graduation, the week after 'Unlucky.'
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Last week, a stranger witnessed Akari come unglued, but he still smiled, and helped her, and said maybe they'd run into each other again. Who knew she'd be so happy to have that come true?
Main Topic(s): Akimitsu runs into Akari in the library and the two of them talk. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"I've got this":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Akari, Tadame, Hiromi Nishimura 
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: March, almost fifty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: In which Tohru, not for the first time, bewilders her daughter-in-law's mother.
Main Topic(s): Mariko's mother finds out about Tohru's tattoo.
Notable developments: N/A

Fifty-two years after graduation

-"My sympathies":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazue, Akari
Featured characters: Akimitsu, Kazue's friends
Set: April, fifty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: It is a truth universally acknowledged: that when a person has an attractive older sibling, at least one of that person's friends will have an awkward crush.
Main Topic(s): Kazue sees Akari & Akimitsu on a date. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"I'm staying":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo, Akari
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: August, fifty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: For decades, Kyo has known how deeply loved Tohru is. But there is no one out there who loves her as much as him, which means that no matter what, his place is at her side.
Main Topic(s): Akari comes to visit at the hospital where Tohru is recovering from pneumonia.
Notable developments: N/A

Fifty-three years after graduation

-"How do you know?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kazue
Featured characters: None
Set: February, fifty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: It's time for Kazue Sohma to start considering his future; it's something he takes seriously, and knows he really should. But for some people, knowing 'what they want to be' isn't the easiest thing, and no amount of external pressure can make those choices easier.
Main Topic(s): Kazue discusses his future career and family pressure with Kyo.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Is it true?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazue, Tadame
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Katsuro, Mariko, recurring OC Sayaka Nishimura (Katsuro and Mariko's niece)
Set: February, fifty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Katsuro has always been a teacher, all his children's lives. He loves it and they know that, but teaching has always had its drawbacks, now more than ever. Kazue's last year of high school was always going to be stressful; the questions are 'how much' and 'who will be there to help?'
Main Topic(s): Katsuro's family makes plans for navigating his upcoming transfer to another school.
Notable developments: Establishment of Tohru & Kyo staying with Kazue & Tadame for the year while Katsuro and Mariko relocate to Osaki. Tadame's decision to try for Kaibara High. 

Fifty-four years after graduation

-"Let me remind you":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo, Tohru
Featured characters: Kazue
Set: June, fifty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Change is inevitable, if you're lucky enough to age. Tohru has always known that and never taken aging for granted; every extra day she gets to spend with her loved ones is a gift. That said, that doesn't mean she loves all aspects of aging. But if she's going to be hard on herself, Kyo's ready to intervene.
Main Topic(s): Tohru feels old and undesirable and Kyo shows her that she's wrong.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Never going to be easy":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Aiko, Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: October, fifty-four years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Aiko has gone her entire life without a mother. Now she's finally met her, and her feelings are complex.
Main Topic(s): Aiko, Hajime, & Mutsuki process after Aiko meets her birth mother. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"None of This Was Anything We Expected":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kai (Saki's grandson), Saki
Featured characters: Arisa, Lorenzo (Saki's husband)
Set: January, almost fifty-five years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Since he was born, Kai Mosca has been 'different:' able to sense what the people around him are feeling. And often throughout his life he's struggled with his powers; luckily for him, he's never had to manage alone.
Saki Mosca, the Saki Hanajima that was, has very few regrets about how her life has turned out. Yes, many things about that life are...atypical...but she's been happy, and she would change very little if she could.
However, there is one thing she now wishes more than ever: that her dear grandson Kai hadn't been born with her powers. Yes, Kai can't do everything Saki can do herself, but him being able to 'feel' is way more than enough.
There are certain secrets that should never be surprises, especially when they involve your grandmother.
Main Topic(s): Kai learns about Saki & Arisa's relationship and that his grandmother is polyamorous.
Notable developments: N/A

-"One last hurdle":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazue
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Tadame, Akari; recurring OC Yasuto Nishimura (Mariko's father), Hiromi Nishimura, recurring OC Yoshito Nishimura (Mariko's brother), Chitose Nishimura, Sayaka Nishimura
Set: February, almost fifty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: For over a year, Kazue has been working towards a goal: getting into university, and figuring out his future plans. It's taken a lot of effort, but that goal has finally been reached. Now, there's only one step left: sharing his news with family.
Main Topic(s): Kazue gets into Chiba University and tells his maternal relatives about it. 
Notable developments: N/A

Fifty-five years after graduation

-"Did you?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tadame, Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: March, fifty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Moving is always an adventure, occasionally one that comes complete with a hidden treasure.
Main Topic(s): Tadame helps unpack as she, Tohru & Kyo move to Tokyo and she finds the picture of Kyo in kitten form with his mother.
Notable developments: N/A

-"A tiny hint of resemblance":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tadame, Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: April, fifty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: The first day at a new school is always an adjustment; always for the student themselves, and often their families, too. Kyo is going to have to a lot of adjusting today, considering how much the present is reminding him of the past.
Main Topic(s): Kyo & Tohru see Tadame off to her first day at Kaibara High, and Kyo reflects on her resemblance to Tohru. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"I mean it":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kai
Featured characters: Tadame
Set: April, fifty-five years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Tadame is an affectionate person; all her friends know that. That doesn't always mean they're willing to indulge her.
Main Topic(s): Tadame tries and fails to catch and hug Kai at school.
Notable developments: N/A

-"A lesson":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Torashi, Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: OCs
Set: June, fifty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Ever since Kyo first met Tohru, he's known she loves to help out. But no one, and he means no one, gets to take advantage of that.
Main Topic(s): Kyo teaches grandson Torashi a lesson about personality responsibility.
Notable developments: N/A

-"What you see is what you get":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Ryuko, Torashi
Featured characters: None
Set: September, fifty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Sometimes it's a challenge, the way Ryuko is so different from her family. A challenge for her mother, anyway. If you asked Ryuko, everything is just fine.
Main Topic(s): Ryuko & Torashi talk about Ryuko's relationship with their mother.
Notable developments: N/A

Fifty-six years after graduation

-"I'd be happy to take requests":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazue, recurring OC Saoirse Murphy (Kazue's future wife)
Featured characters: None
Set: May, fifty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo's grandson Kazue isn't exactly superstitious, but he has always believed the universe works in mysterious ways. And when the universe sends you a message, or a person, you would be an idiot not to stand up and pay attention.
Main Topic(s): Kazue meets Saoirse for the first time. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Not the way he planned it":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Kazue, Saoirse
Featured characters: None
Set: May, fifty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: All his life, Kazue knew what he wanted for himself: a relationship like what his parents had, or his grandparents Tohru and Kyo. He'd expected that he would follow the same steps they had to find one, but life sometimes has a way of complicating things.
Main Topic(s): Kazue & Saoirse after their first time.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Great-grandparents":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: None
Set: July, fifty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Some things are never going to change, like the love that will never fade between Tohru and Kyo. But other things will keep on changing, and often, those changes are good. Sometimes, those changes could be better, and other times, those changes are 'great.'
Main Topic(s): Tohru & Kyo discuss their impending great-grandparenthood.
Notable developments: N/A

-"There's no need":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Aiko
Featured characters: Tadame, Torashi, Hajime, Mutsuki, recurring OC Masahiro Sohma (Aiko's biological father), other OCs
Set: January, almost fifty-seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: The first shrine visit of the new year is always something special, but this one is off to a rough start when they've barely left the dojo. Aiko has always been good at taking things in stride, but even she will have a lot to process after this.
Main Topic(s): Aiko meets her biological father for the very first time, though she doesn't realize it at the time. 
Notable developments: See above

-"So what do we do now?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Mutsuki
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost fifty-seven years after graduation, shortly after 'There's no need'
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime and Mutsuki should have suspected one day this might happen: that their daughter Aiko might cross paths with her birth father. It was too much to hope Masahiro wouldn't recognize her, and it was too much to hope that processing any of it would be easy.
Main Topic(s): Hajime & Mutsuki discuss what to do after the unexpected encounter with Aiko's birth father.
Notable developments: N/A

-"There's still no need":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Aiko
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost fifty-seven years after graduation, the night after 'There's no need' and 'So what do we do now?'
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: More than anything else in her life, Aiko never lacked a father's love. She knows she's been blessed in that way more than most. Logically, she knows she has no reason to be upset. Feelings really suck at listening to logic.
Main Topic(s): Aiko processes her feelings after encountering her birth father. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"A little time":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Kyo
Featured characters: recurring OC Kyosuke Sohma (Akari's son, Katsuro and Mariko's grandson)
Set: January, almost fifty-seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Welcoming a new family member is always emotional, especially when it marks the start of a new generation.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro & Kyo talk over new family member Kyosuke and discuss Kyo and Tohru's thoughts for 'great-grandparent names.'
Notable developments: N/A

Fifty-seven years after graduation

-"A favor":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Kyo, Aiko
Featured characters: None
Set: March, fifty-seven years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry (Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time," "Grandparental Moments in Time" )
Summary: Growth and change are inevitable, but that doesn't make them easy. Eighteen-year-old Aiko is preparing to leave for university, but first, she has a favor to ask of her father and grandpa to help make the transition easier.
Main Topic(s): Aiko asks to wear Kyo's beads.
Notable developments: Aiko prepares to leave for university.

Fifty-eight years after graduation

Fifty-nine years after graduation

-"First day, last time":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Sachiko, Takashi, Ryuko, Torashi
Featured characters: None
Set: April, fifty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Beginnings and endings can both be bittersweet, especially when they're one and same. Watching their youngest grandchildren start high school feels like the end of an era, but it's also a new beginning.
Main Topic(s): Ryuko & Torashi start high school at Kaibara High
Notable developments: N/A

-"Just messing around":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Torashi, Ryuko, recurring OCs Ken Sohma (Momiji's grandson) & Hiyori Sohma (Hiro and Kisa's grandson)
Featured characters: None
Set: Late September, fifty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Even after decades, some things about high school are constant: like how friends like to tease each other, and few things are off-limits.
Main Topic(s): Ryuko and Torashi hang out with some Sohma friends at school.
Notable developments: Intro of Ken and Hiyori.

-"Always an adventure":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo, Kisa, Hiro, Momiji, Hans
Featured characters: None
Set: October, fifty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru has always loved school Cultural Fests, no matter whose they were, especially when she's able to make the rounds with friends!
Main Topic(s): The grandparents visit Kaibara High for the Culture Fest
Notable developments: N/A

Sixty years after graduation

-"Crush":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Ryuko, Torashi
Featured characters: None
Set: October, sixty years after graduation.
Oneshot, Chapter story, Compilation entry: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Sometimes, being a twin can be a wonderful thing. Other times, it can be incredibly annoying. Ryuko and Torashi know each other better than anyone, and that means it will always be a challenge to keep secrets...especially if either of them doesn't actually want to.
Main Topic(s): Ryuko and Torashi talk about crushes. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Asked and answered":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Torashi, recurring OC Kiyone 'Kiki' Sohma (Hiro and Kisa's granddaughter)
Featured characters: None
Set: October, sixty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Everyone can see it, at least according to Torashi's sister. If that's the case, then maybe it's time to finally act.
Main Topic(s): Torashi asks Kiyone out for the first time.  
Notable developments: N/A

-"We don't know for sure":
Rated: G
Primary characters: OC interns at the Chiba prefectural government
Featured characters: Kazue, Hajime, Mutsuki, Aiko
Set: Early December, sixty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Kazue Sohma is well-liked by most of his fellow interns, but there are a few things about him that none of them actually know. Today has been enlightening for them in many ways; yes, they still don't know for sure, but the answers seem fairly obvious.
Main Topic(s): Kazue's fellow interns at the Chiba prefectural government speculate about Kazue's personal life and connections.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Grandparental gossip":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Haru, Rin, Hiro, Kisa, Yuki, Machi, Momiji, Hans
Set: December, sixty years after graduation.
Oneshot, Chapter story, Compilation entry: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo might be older now, but they're not alone in that. And if many things have changed over the course of their lives, one thing hasn't: how much they love their friends, especially talking to them.
Main Topic(s): Tohru, Kyo, and their younger Zodiac friends video chat. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Listen to What I'm Saying":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Ryuko, Torashi, Ken (Momiji's grandson)
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyo, Sachiko, Takashi, Akari, Momiji, Hans, Mina, Jinsuke, other assorted Sohmas
Set: Late December (the two weeks leading up to New Year's), sixty years after graduation
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Sixty years after graduation, a lot has changed for Tohru and Kyo. Together, they moved away, built a life, and raised a family; together, they appreciated the gift of each successive new day. And eventually, together, they went back to the beginning: to Tokyo, and the Sohma Dojo, where 'family,' for Kyo, began. These days, life in the dojo is significantly louder, with two of Tohru and Kyo's grandchildren and their parents also calling the dojo 'home.' Twins Ryuko and Torashi have always been there for each other, but teenage life was always bound to require some secrets. For Ryuko, she only wishes she could keep her secrets in peace; heartbreak and embarrassment are never easy to share, and that's assuming you want to, which she absolutely doesn't. Unfortunately for Ryuko, 'being listened to' and 'being heard' aren't always the same thing, and being taken at her word is a perpetual work in progress. They mean well, Ryuko knows, but she doesn't care. All she wants is for everyone to actually listen to her.
Main Topic(s): Ryuko navigating the aftermath of confessing her feelings to Ken and being turned down, Torashi pushing Ryuko's personal boundaries too far and dealing with the consequences, and Ryuko and Ken getting together.
Notable developments: Ryuko's family learns about her feelings for Ken, Ryuko & Torashi have their first major disagreement, Ken & Hiyori get in a fight, Aiko breaks up with her boyfriend, Ryuko & Ken start dating. 

-"Better off without him":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Aiko, Tadame
Featured characters: Kazue
Set: December, sixty years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Aiko is happy for her cousin Ryuko that's she's suddenly dating; Aiko's concerns have absolutely nothing to do with jealousy. She just wants to assure herself Ryuko won't be hurt, because she knows from firsthand experience how easy it can be to let things slide.
Main Topic(s): Aiko & Tadame talk about Ryuko's new relationship and Aiko's recent bad breakup.
Notable developments: Introduction to/explanation of Aiko's bad university relationship.

-"A well-rehearsed routine":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kazue, Chitose Nishimura
Featured characters: None
Set: January, almost sixty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: When you are the only boy in a patriarchal family, there are certain things you just have to accept as 'normal.' Things like people overly-interested in his schooling, and future career...and overly interested in a couple other things, as well.
Main Topic(s): Kazue's aunt Chitose tries to set him up with yet another girl.
Notable developments: N/A

Sixty-one years after graduation

-"Things are changing":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Torashi, Ryuko
Featured characters: None
Set: August, sixty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: No one has ever known Torashi like his twin sister, and no one had ever known her as well as him. But now that they're growing up, things have been changing between them; sometimes, change is difficult to accept.
Main Topic(s): Torashi is reminded that things are serious between Ryuko & Ken, and that she'll be moving to the other side of the world. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Show and tell":
Rated: T/M
Primary characters: Ryuko, Ken
Featured characters: None
Set: August, sixty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Ken Sohma is head over heels for his girlfriend Ryuko, and both of them are eager to take their relationship to the next level. But there's one thing Ken really needs to tell her first, and it turns out that timing still isn't Ken's strong suit.
Main Topic(s): Ryuko learns about Ken's tattoo while they're getting intimate for the first time. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"No accounting for taste":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Ryuko, Torashi, OCs (Ryuko's friends)
Featured characters: None
Set: September, sixty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Ryuko and her friends genuinely like their newly transferred classmate, and they want her to to be happy at Kaibara High. That means they support the fact she has her eye on a guy, they just wish she'd let them know who it is so they can help!
Main Topic(s): A new friend of Ryuko's turns out to have a crush on Torashi. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Who did we piss off to have to deal with this at our age?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hiro, Kisa
Featured characters: Torashi, Kiyone
Set: November, sixty-one years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Hiro and Kisa have very few complaints about their life these days, especially now that Hiro is enjoying retirement. This means they have a lot of time to spend with their family...but as it turns out, there are times they wish they didn't.
Main Topic(s): Hiro and Kisa catch Kiyone and Torashi taking advantage of their house when they thought it was empty.
Notable developments: N/A

-"I'm sorry, too":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazue, Akari
Featured characters: None
Set: February, almost sixty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Akari had a reason to invite Kazue over, but she wouldn't have asked him if she knew all what he was dealing with. Still, it's too late now to take back anything; all she can do is sit and listen and be there for her brother.
Main Topic(s): Akari learns their Nishimura relatives have been trying to matchmake Kazue and that he'd previously been in a secret relationship for over three years.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Never say Never":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazue, Saoirse
Featured characters: Hajime, Tohru, Kyo, Katsuro, Mariko, Akari, Akimitsu, Kyosuke, Tadame, Mutsuki, Sachiko, Takashi, Momiji, Shiki, Hiromi Nishimura, Chitose Nishimura, Yoshito Nishimura, recurring OCs Declan, Sophie, Conor, Natalie, Matty, and Juliet Murphy/Kelly (Saoirse's family), recurring OC Seiko Sohma (Shiki's daughter) and assorted other OCS
Set: February almost sixty-two years after graduation through that May (spans three months), with the epilogue taking place one year later.
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Sixty-two years after Tohru and Kyo graduated, their oldest grandson, Kazue, is living a good life. Finished with university and gainfully employed, Kazue is twenty-five and content with how things are. Sure, his life isn't perfect; his mother's family is still on his case about being single, and after seven years of matchmaking, Kazue would love if they stopped. Then again, he would also love if he weren't single to start with, but that's a dream for a perfect world where everything always works out. Six years ago, Kazue fell for the perfect girl. Three and a half years later, they'd broken up without wanting to. And ever since, he has done his best to move on without her, but it turns out 'trying' and 'succeeding' are two different things.
Main Topic(s): Kazue reconnecting with his ex-girlfriend, who he had met in university and dated without telling his family.
Notable developments: Kazue's family finds out he had previously dated a foreign girl. Kazue and Saoirse get back together and engaged. The relationship between Katsuro and Mariko's family with her family of origin, the Nishimuras, is blown up by her brother Yoshito. The Sohma Family launches a hospitality arm. Saoirse moves back to Japan and she and Kazue get married. Saoirse and Kazue adopt a kitten. 

Sixty-two years after graduation

-"Are you aware?":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Hiromi Nishimura
Featured characters: Katsuro, Mariko, Akari, Tadame, Kazue, Takashi
Set: April, sixty-two years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: When Tohru was told a visitor was waiting for her at the dojo, she never dreamed that visitor would be her daughter-in-law's mother. She was even less prepared for why Hiromi was there. But Tohru had never been one to be scared off by surprises, especially not when her loved ones were involved.
Main Topic(s): Tohru learns from Hiromi about the fight between her son Yoshito and Katsuro's family.
Notable developments: ^^

Sixty-three years after graduation

-"Thanks for taking care of me":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Torashi
Featured characters: Tohru
Set: August, sixty-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Breakups suck. Grandmas are amazing.
Main Topic(s): Torashi wallows and Tohru comes to take care of him in the aftermath of his breakup with Kiyone.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Are you sure?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hiro, OC
Featured characters: Yuki, Kyo
Set: October, sixty-three years after graduation
Oneshot, Chapter story, Compilation entry: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Hiro has been retired from corporate law for over a decade, but his mind is as sharp as ever and there are things he'll never forget. Like a name, a face or any other pertinent details; about the importance of keeping in touch, and about the concept of justice.
Main Topic(s): Hiro delivers some professional payback to Aiko's abusive ex by stopping him from getting a job in Tokyo.  
Notable developments: N/A

-"Season of New Growth":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Aiko, recurring OC Seiji Ishikawa (Aiko's future husband)
Featured characters: Tadame, Yuki, Machi, recurring OC Rika Ishikawa (Seiji's daughter), Hajime, Mutsuki, assorted other Sohmas and OCs
Set: Early March almost sixty-four years after graduation through late August (spans roughly six months) with the epilogue taking place five year later
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Nearly sixty-four years after Tohru, Kyo and Yuki graduated high school, their mutual granddaughter Aiko is living her best life in Kyoto. It has taken some time for her to get to where she is, and there have been a few speedbumps she's run into along the way. Speedbumps such as her atrocious luck with men. Aiko has been hurt before, and trusting again is tough. Her best friend, cousin, and roommate Tadame likes to say she's happily single, and Aiko has to wonder if that might maybe be the right path for her, too. But even though she's been hurt before, giving up on love isn't easy, and Aiko isn't the only one ready to risk it again.
Main Topic(s): Aiko developing a relationship and falling in love with the widowed father from the apartment next door. 
Notable developments: Seiji learns Aiko & Tadame aren't a lesbian married couple, and he and Aiko start dating and fall in love. The introduction of Seiji, his daughter Rika, his late wife Erina, and their families. Aiko tackles her attachment issues and Seiji and Aiko learn to navigate an introvert/extrovert relationship, as well as moving on after the death of a loved one. 

Sixty-four years after graduation

-"Unapologetically How We were Meant to Be":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tadame, Kai, recurring OC Hana Mosca (Kai's sister/Rio's daughter/Saki's granddaughter)
Featured characters: Aiko, Kyo, Kazue, Saoirse, Tohru, Saki, Arisa, Katsuro, Mariko, Akari, Torashi, Seiji, Rika, and OCs
Set: Begins during Golden Week (late April) sixty-four years after graduation and spans nearly two years, with the epilogue taking place late March, sixty-six years after graduation. Overlaps with most of 'Season of New Growth.'
Type: Chapter story
Summary: Sixty-four years after Tohru and Kyo graduated, their little granddaughter from the end of canon is all grown up herself. In some ways, Tadame is the same as she was back then: she still looks like a younger Tohru, and still calls her grandparents by name. She's still also used to being left behind by the 'lovey-dovey.' That's alright with her, mostly, though it sometimes annoys her. But she's always known people are different; it makes sense they would want different things.
Main Topic(s): Tadame figuring out her sexuality and navigating several changes in her life while dealing with her relationships, both romantic and platonic, with Kai and Hana Mosca, two grandchildren of the former Saki Hanajima, while they all figure out what they want from their futures and explore what the concept of love, romantic and otherwise, actually is. 
Notable developments: Tadame explores her sexual identity, ultimately realizing that she is both bisexual and on the asexuality spectrum, being both demisexual and sex-averse. She begins tentative romantic relationships with two of the Mosca siblings, lifelong friends of hers, one of whom, Kai, possesses a form of Saki's power to read emotions and has always questioned what he and Tadame felt for one another and the other, Hana, who has had a crush on Tadame since they were teenagers. For a time, she dates both siblings simultaneously before she and Hana break up. Hana deals with her assorted feelings towards Tadame, Kai, and herself, while Kai grapples with his relationships towards people in general and Tadame in specific as a result of both his powers and personality. 

Sixty-five years after graduation

-"Blended family":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Seiji, Hajime
Featured characters: Mutsuki, Rika
Set: April, sixty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: In two days, Hajime's daughter Aiko is getting married, and on that day new legal relationships will be made. But in Hajime's life, 'family' has never required anything legal, not any more than it ever required blood.
Main Topic(s): Seiji & Hajime have a little quiet time together a couple days before Seiji and Aiko's wedding.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Not the first time":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kai, Seiji
Featured characters: Aiko
Set: June, sixty-five years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: When he was a child, Kai Mosca thought he was 'normal.' Then he grew up, and learned just how far from 'normal' he really was. Since then, he's tried to keep his powers to himself, but there have always been people who ultimately need to know. He can't control how they react; he can only explain. What they do with that information is totally out of his hands.
Main Topic(s): Aiko's husband Seiji learns about Kai's powers. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Not about us":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Takashi, Ryuko, Sachiko
Featured characters: Torashi, Tohru, Kiyone, Noriko Sakamoto (Takashi's mom)
Set: June, sixty-five years after graduation.
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Ryuko's wedding is a day they've all been looking forward to, and Takashi and Sachiko mean to support her however they can. Sure, the way she wants things might not be to their taste, but that's ok; they had their day. Today is about her.
Main Topic(s): Takashi's first look at Ryuko & Sachiko before Ryuko's wedding. 
Notable developments: N/A

Sixty-six years after graduation

-"Feel that?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kai, Tadame, Saki
Featured characters: None
Set: March, sixty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Kai Mosca and Tadame Sohma might not be 'in love,' but that the two of them love each other has never been in question. For the time being, they're happy to figure out their relationship privately, but there is at least one person they could never hide it from.
Main Topic(s): Saki & Kai talk about Kai's relationship at Tadame's 'Photographic Celebration of Love.'
Notable developments: N/A

-"Out of the comfort zone":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Torashi
Featured characters: Daichi Matsuda
Set: March, sixty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Ever since he was in the womb, Torashi has only known a life with his family close by. He would have been happy to keep living that life forever, but part of growing up is learning to step out of your comfort zone. University over, it's time for him to take that step: into a new dojo, for the first time in his life.
Main Topic(s): Torashi begins his first stint working and training at a dojo that isn't the Sohma Dojo and deals with his discomfort leaving home.  
Notable developments: Torashi moves to Hibe and starts working and training at Kyo's former dojo, the Matsuda Dojo.

-"Not the target audience":
Rated: M
Primary characters: Torashi
Featured characters: Kyo
Set: June, sixty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Provocative Little Moments in Time")
Summary: Three months into a yearlong training sabbatical, Torashi misses his fiancée Kiyone more than he can say. Fortunately, they have ways to keep the spark alive...assuming they remember to double-check their message recipients.
Main Topic(s): Torashi accidentally sends Kyo a dick pic. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Ready if you are":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tadame, Kai
Featured characters: None
Set: August, sixty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Tohru and Kyo's granddaughter Tadame has never felt like she needed to follow normal societal codes. This has been especially true when it comes to romance, but she's finally reached a point where she's ready to turn a corner. She has loved the 'whatever this is' she's had with Kai Mosca, grandson of her grandmother Tohru's dear friend Saki Hanajima. And Kai has loved 'whatever this is' just as much, so much that he, like her, is ready to take it to the next level. But if you're Kai, why just tell your family that you're dating when you can do it at a work function and mess with your brother, too?
Main Topic(s): Tadame and Kai prepare to debut Tadame as Kai's girlfriend at a Mosca business function.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Are you going to tell us?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Tadame, Kai
Featured characters: Tohru, Kazue, Torashi, Sachiko, Aiko, Hajime
Set: August, sixty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: When you want to share information quickly, family group chats are the way to go.
Main Topic(s): Tadame & Kai reveal their relationship to the Sohmas via the family group chat.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Is there something you'd like to tell me?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Aiko
Featured characters: Seiji 
Set: August, sixty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Aiko had been hoping for a sign. It turns out she should have been a bit more specific.
Main Topic(s): Aiko figures out she's pregnant while visiting the Sohma Dojo in Tokyo. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Moving forward":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Seiji 
Featured characters: Aiko
Set: August, sixty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: When he was twenty-three years old, Seiji's life changed forever. Since then, it's changed again in much more positive ways. His current wife Aiko will never be his late wife Erina, but that's ok; Seiji would never want her to be. Aiko is the woman for who he is now and she always will be, and he can't wait for them to enter their new chapter together.
Main Topic(s): Seiji thinks about his past and present while waiting on the results of Aiko's pregnancy test. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"No more speculation":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime
Featured characters: Tohru, Akari, Mutsuki, Aiko, Seiji
Set: August, sixty-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Hajime has always had a gift for figuring things out. Sometimes, though, the obvious answer can feel like tempting fate.
Main Topic(s): Hajime realizes/confirms that Aiko is having a baby.
Notable developments: N/A

Sixty-seven years after graduation

Sixty-eight years after graduation

Sixty-nine years after graduation

-"Game over":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Torashi, Tadame, Kai
Featured characters: Takashi
Set: November, sixty-nine years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: There is nothing like spending time with your cousins playing a wholesome, relaxing game.
Main Topic(s): Some of the grandkids play a video game together.
Notable developments: N/A

Seventy years after graduation

-"Do you know?":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Seiji
Featured characters: recurring OC Marina Tahara (Seiji's former mother-in-law), Mutsuki, Hajime
Set: August, seventy years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: When it comes to his family, Seiji isn't a fan of surprises or mysteries.
Main Topic(s): Seiji tries to figure out who the two strangers are who turned up at the house looking for Aiko.
Notable developments: N/A

-"Easier said than done":
Rated: T
Primary characters: Torashi, Kiyone
Featured characters: Ryuko, Ken
Set: October, seventy years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: In general, very little gets to Torashi. He, like his grandmother Tohru, is almost legendary for his upbeat attitude. But there are times and place where even he gets worried; the labor and delivery ward is near the top of that list.
Main Topic(s): Torashi tries to be composed while both his wife and twin sister are in labor.
Notable developments: N/A

Seventy-one years after graduation

Seventy-two years after graduation

Seventy-three years after graduation

-"Gearing up for change":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Katsuro, Shiki
Featured characters: Kyosuke Kusakabe (Katsuro's grandson) and recurring OC Ayano Sohma (Shiki's granddaughter)
Set: December, seventy-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Retirement is a time of change that Katsuro can't wait to experience; after decades apart, he's ready to be with his family. It will be a new experience, living in Tokyo, but it will be worth it to be around some of his favorite faces again.
Main Topic(s): Katsuro & Shiki discuss retirement and Katsuro and Mariko's plans to move to the Sohma Estate. 
Notable developments: N/A

-"Call your sister!":
Rated: G
Primary characters: Hajime, Sachiko
Featured characters: Mutsuki
Set: January, seventy-three years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: After a lifetime spent in service to others, it is finally Hajime's turn to sit back and enjoy retirement. He's trying to enjoy it on vacation with Mutsuki, but Sachiko has news to share that can't wait until he returns.
Main Topic(s): Sachiko tells Hajime about their great-nephew Kyosuke's relationship. 
Notable developments: The revelation that Tohru and Kyo's great-grandson is dating Akito's great-granddaughter.

Seventy-four years after graduation

Seventy-five years after graduation

Seventy-six years after graduation

-With your permission and your blessing
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Kyosuke, recurring OC Masanori Sohma (Torashi's son/Sachiko's grandson)
Set: December, seventy-six years after graduation
Type: Compilation entry ("Grandparental Moments in Time")
Summary: Kyo and Tohru are used to their great-grandkids appearing without warning, but usually those great-grandkids are the ones they live with, not the one who ought to be at university in Sendai. But Kyosuke has something he wants to ask them in person, and apparently there's no time like the present.
Main Topic(s): Kyosuke asks Tohru for her engagement ring. 
Notable developments: N/A

Seventy-seven years after graduation

-All Good Things
Rated: G
Primary characters: Kyo
Featured characters: Tohru, Akito, Yuki, Hatsuharu, Rin, Momiji, Kureno, Hatori, Shigure, Ayame, Ritsu, Kagura, Kisa, Hiro, Kazuma, Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko
Set: June, seventy-seventy years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Death and Life are two sides of the same coin. Eventually, death comes to all of us, even the most beloved.
Main Topic(s): Kyo's death and the immediate aftermath, on both sides of the afterlife
Notable developments: Kyo dies and enters the afterlife.


 Individual works that span extensive chunks of the timeline:

-No Matter the Distance
Rated: T
Primary characters: Kazuma,  Kyo
Featured characters: Kunimitsu, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda
Set: Begins with Tohru and Kyo's departure at the end of 'Clear Skies Ahead' two days after graduation and ends a few days after 'Passing the Torch,' forty years after graduation
Type: Oneshot
Summary: For years, Kazuma Sohma had hoped against hope for a miracle: that regardless of the past, regardless of tradition, and regardless of 'the way things always were,' Kyo would break free of the Cat Curse's chains. The day he finally did was the most wonderful day of Kazuma's life...and that day was only the beginning. Kazuma is happy to see Kyo go; nothing could possibly make him happier than the knowledge that Kyo is finally moving forward and living his life, free, unfettered, and happy, with Tohru at his side. Even if it means Kazuma rarely gets to see him, he's still happy. Some relationships can't survive distance. Kazuma and Kyo's has never been one of them...especially not when they have the telephone.
Main Topic(s): Phone calls between Kazuma & Kyo over the years after the Curse is broken and Kyo moves away.
Notable developments: N/A

-A Very Special Day
Rated: T
Primary characters: Hajime, Tohru, Kyo, Mutsuki
Featured characters: Kazuma, Katsuro, Sachiko, Yuki, Machi, OCs
Set: Several Valentine's Days over thirty-four years, starting the day Hajime is born.
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Valentine's Day has always been special for Tohru, Kyo, and Hajime, and that will never change no matter how much time passes. Sure, little things will change over the span of years, but the things that matter the most will always be the same.
Main Topic(s): Snapshots of various Valentine's Days over the years.
Notable developments: N/A

-Memories You Can Touch:
Rated: T
Primary characters: Tohru, Kyo
Featured characters: Kazuma, Kunimitsu, Hajime, Mutsuki, Katsuro, Sachiko, Yuki, Machi, Haru, Rin, Momiji, Hiro, Kisa, Arisa, Saki, Mariko, Takashi, Hans, Sensei Haruto Matsuda, Sensei Hiroshi Yamada, Sensei Yuna Sasaki, Akari, Kazue, Aiko, Tadame, Ryuko, Torashi
Set: Begins May, forty-two years after graduation, shortly after 'Reflection and Change' and covers events spanning roughly twenty more years
Type: Oneshot
Summary: Once upon a time, Kyo told Tohru that if he had a life ahead of him, he wanted to share it with her, because he loved her. And she said yes, and took his hand, and never looked back. Together, they have navigated life, and growth, and change. They moved to a new place, met new people, and made new friends without ever sacrificing their old ones. Welcomed children, and became parents. Watched those children grow up, move out, fall in love, and become parents themselves. Lived their lives, through both sunshine and shadow, content in the knowledge that they could face and overcome anything, as long as they're together. Over forty years have passed since that day when Tohru asked if she could take Kyo's hand and stay with him, and they've never regretted a moment. Now, it's time for them, their family, and their friends to enjoy the next chapter...and take a few pictures along the way.
Main Topic(s): Moments in time from the post-series world, shown through photographs. 
Notable developments: Yuki, Machi, Haru, Rin, Hiro, and Momiji retire. Mutsuki leaves civil service and starts his own landscape design firm. Katsuro wins teacher of the year. Hajime and Mutsuki get legally married and Hajime adopt Aiko. Sachiko and Takashi retire from professional karate competition. Kyo and Tohru, along with their kids, get tattoos. Tohru and Kyo take all of their grandkids on solo adventures, and start travelling together themselves. Tohru, Kyo, and their friends go to Hawaii. Tohru and Kyo's granddaughter Akari gets married and has their first great-grandchild, a son name Kyosuke who looks like Kyo. 

Chapter 4: Canon character quick facts

Summary:

'Quick facts' about the prominent canon characters appearing in 'Always and Forever,' including information on jobs, residences, families, and some of my headcanons about each of the characters.

Contains spoilers.

Notes:

Includes the following canon characters, in order:

Tohru
Kyo

Yuki
Haru
Kisa
Momiji
Hatori
Ayame
Rin
Hiro
Ritsu
Kureno
Shigure
Kagura
Akito

Kazuma
Saki
Arisa
Machi
Kakeru
Kunimitsu

Hajime
Mutsuki

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

On the subject of canon characters:  
Obviously, I’ve leaned pretty heavily on the characters from the original canon for my writing, as well as Fruits Basket Another (FB:A). I have done my best to stay true to all of the characters and to always write them in a way that felt accurate to their canon portrayal, allowing for age, maturity, life experiences, etc. but only in ways that I felt made sense for that character. Naturally, Hiro the forty-five-year-old man is different than Hiro the bratty elementary student, but my hope is that someone reading my take of Hiro as a forty-five-year-old man will feel he could have grown up from canon Hiro.  

I have always done my absolute best to stick with everything that was either depicted as canon or strongly set up as canon, even things I personally didn’t care for. This includes all romantic relationships, friendships, and any characters who are specifically given professions in FB:A (for example, Momiji). The one significant canon divergence I’m aware of inadvertently making is that Kisa is a grade ahead of where she should be in canon. I also gave Hiro a little brother, based on a little snippet of dialogue in Another where Hinata says ‘her brothers’ hate the way she drives and ‘they’ are such worrywarts, but apparently that might have been a mistranslation, so...that’s another possibility. This series also doesn't recognize the epilogue with Tohru and Kyo from the end of Fruits Basket: the Prelude, because that movie hadn't come out before I wrote the relevant part of this series.

Some characters are more prominent in my writing than others. How close said canon characters are to Tohru and Kyo obviously matters a lot, as does how much I like them, and how easy it is for me to ‘hear’ them. Some characters who will be included in my character bios will not be present in this section because they haven’t come up enough/in the right context to actually have ‘quick facts’ but I still think are important enough in my series to merit inclusion, including Kyo’s high school friends Hiroshi and Yusuke, Momiji’s sister Momo, most of the kids from Another, and Kyo’s biological parents. 

A note on OCs:  OCs I’ve created will be tagged with an asterisk (*) This includes characters who briefly appear in canon but are given no names or personality, like Tohru and Kyo's second son and daughter.   

A note on ‘graduation:’ Whenever I use ‘graduation’ on its own, I’m referring to Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki’s high school graduation, aka the end of the original canon. If I mean any other graduation, I will specify whose I mean. 

And with that...


The OTP  

Tohru Honda: 
What we see at the end of canon: Tohru moves away with Kyo to ‘a dojo run by Kazuma’s acquaintance, far, far away.’ In the flashforward to the future and FB:A, we see she and Kyo have gotten married and had three children, two sons and a daughter. During Fruits Basket Another, she and Kyo are still living 'out in the country' as Kazuma is still running the Sohma Dojo and is still in good health. In the flashforward at the end of the original canon, she and Kyo are living with their second son and his wife, who have at least one daughter themselves. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession: 

  • OB/GYN clinic receptionist (first twelve years after graduation, with two years off in that time for childcare leave after Hajime and Katsuro's births)
  • Stay-at-home wife and mother (the next eighteen years)
  • Part-time childcare worker and bakery worker (next twelve years)
  • Full-time grandma (rest of her life)

Resides:  

  • Village of Hibe, Aomori prefecture (from immediately after graduation and for the next forty-two years). 
  • City of Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, with their second son’s family (for the thirteen years following). 
  • City of Tokyo, the Sohma Dojo, with their daughter’s family (for the rest of her life).

Romantic partner:

  • Kyo, who she marries two years after graduation.

Children: Three. 

  • Son Hajime (FB:A canon character), born almost five years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are twenty-three.
    • Marries Mutsuki Sohma (FB:A canon character), son of Yuki and Machi, lifelong close friend turned romantic partner. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Son Katsuro*, born eight years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are twenty-six.
    • Marries Mariko Nishimura*, nursing student and fellow musician who he meets during his first year of university. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Daughter Sachiko*, born almost twelve years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are thirty.
    • Marries Takashi Sakamoto*, long-time karate classmate and friend turned romantic partner.  
    • Inherited the Cat gene.

Grandchildren: Six.  

  • Granddaughter Akari* (Katsuro), born thirty-two years after graduation. 
    • Marries Akimitsu Kusakabe, a medical student she meets in university. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Grandson Kazue* (Katsuro), born thirty-six years after graduation. 
    • Marries Saoirse Murphy, a British national he meets in university when she is studying abroad.
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Granddaughter Aiko* (Hajime; adopted), born thirty-eight years after graduation. 
    • Marries Seiji Ishikawa, a widowed single father who she meets after he moves into the apartment next door.
  • Granddaughter Tadame* (Katsuro, the child from the end of canon), born thirty-nine years after graduation. 
    • In a non-traditional life-partnership with Kai Mosca, son of Rio, grandson of Saki Hanajima, who she eventually marries seventy-one years after graduation for the benefits, legal protections and to make their grandmothers happy.
  • Granddaughter Ryuko* (Sachiko, older twin), born forty-three years after graduation. 
    • Marries Ken Sohma, son of Mina and grandson of Momiji, lifelong friend turned romantic partner. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Grandson Torashi* (Sachiko, younger twin) born forty-three years after graduation. 
    • Marries Kiyone Sohma, granddaughter of Hiro and Kisa, lifelong friend turned romantic partner.
    • Inherited the Cat gene.

Great-Grandchildren: Twelve.  

  • Great-grandson Kyosuke Kusakabe* (Akari), Tohru and Kyo's first great grandchild, born almost fifty-seven years after graduation.
    • Marries Ayano Sohma, granddaughter of Shiki and Sawa, great-granddaughter of Akito and Shigure, lifelong friend turned romantic partner. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Step-great-granddaughter Rika Ishikawa* (Aiko), born almost fifty-eight years after graduation, who is six when Aiko and Seiji start dating and seven when they get married. 
  • Great-granddaughter Kanami Kusakabe* (Akari), born almost sixty years after graduation
  • Great-granddaughter Kairi Erin Sohma* (Kazue), born almost sixty-five years after graduation. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Great-granddaughter Yuka Ishikawa* (Aiko), born sixty-seven years after graduation.
  • Great-grandson Rei Ronan Sohma* (Kazue), born sixty-seven years after graduation.
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Great-grandson Kazushi Sohma* (Torashi), born sixty-eight years after graduation.
    • Inherited the Cat and Tiger genes.
  • Great-grandson Tatsumi Johannes Sohma* (Ryuko), born sixty-nine years after graduation.
  • Great-grandson Chisato Ishikawa* (Aiko), born sixty-nine years after graduation.
  • Great-granddaughter Tomomi Suzette Sohma* (Ryuko), born seventy years after graduation.
    • Inherited the Cat and Rabbit genes.
  • Great-grandson Taiga Sohma* (Torashi), born seventy years after graduation.
    • Inherited the Cat and Tiger genes.
  • Great-grandson Masanori Sohma* (Torashi), born seventy-two years after graduation.

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Loves melon bread. 
  • Initially terrible with technology, but quickly becomes competent due to her determination to stay in touch with people at a distance.  
  • Adores her time being a housewife/stay at home mom but struggles with feeling like she isn’t contributing to the household.  
  • Loves being of use to people and is incapable of visiting anyone without trying to clean/make tea/help in the kitchen do something.  
  • Never voluntarily wears pants or shorts unless she has to. 
  • Says 'Anyway,' to change the subject away from awkward or uncomfortable topics.
  • A passionate gardener all her life. 
  • Hums when doing housework.
  • Very easily moved to tears.
  • Loves weddings.
  • Hates watching her loved ones spar, but always shows up at tournaments to support them anyway. 
  • Has a mind like a sieve when it comes to remembering karate terminology.
  • Hates being out of the loop when it comes to her friends and family.  
  • Disproportionately strong grip strength.
  • Very physically strong in general, though people don't always believe it.
  • Has a tough time feeling like she's not pulling her weight, especially when it comes to finances.
  • Works full-time until Sachiko is born, other than taking a year off following both Hajime and Katsuro's births, because she hates the idea of not contributing to the family finances.
  • Deals with postpartum depression (PPD) after Hajime's birth. 
  • Always wanted a big family.
  • The favorite mom of most of her kids’ friends.  
  • Disagrees with Kyo's initial desire to keep the Zodiac Curse from their children, although she respects his decision. 
  • Always struggles to some extent with abandonment issues, though she gets better with dealing with them over time.
  • Has a hard time dealing with her children growing up.
  • Passionate about giving her kids 'traditional growing up in Japan experiences' that she never got to have.
  • Always has excellent relationships with her sons, but struggles with feeling left behind when they are in middle school/high school and start to want more space.
  • Has a complicated relationship with daughter Sachiko when Sachiko was young, due to Sachiko viewing all things feminine as weak. 
  • Finally develops a good relationship with Sachiko when Sachiko is twelve, but not until after it totally broke down when Sachiko first learned about the Curse. 
  • Starts to have mixed feelings about her parents' relationship when oldest child Hajime is getting ready for high school.
  • Does her best to dismiss those feelings, but is pretty much confronted with them when her daughter Sachiko is the age Kyoko was when she met/got involved with Katsuya.
  • Has a very complex emotional relationship with her father due to her initially blaming him for dying and what that did to Kyoko, her guilt at blaming him, her eventually ceasing to blame him for dying, and her even-later-still feelings on him getting involved with Kyoko when she was a young, troubled teen.
  • Loves card games, especially ‘Rich Man, Poor Man.’ 
  • The single most incompetent karate student Kyo or Kazuma ever dealt with and once breaks her thumb on a punching bag. 
  • Otherwise mostly grows out of her clumsiness by her mid-twenties, though Kyo is always cautious about her and heights.
  • Cannot handle alcohol and gets drunk on almost nothing. 
  • Always asks people to call her ‘Tohru’ whenever possible.  
  • Always does small chores whenever she is visiting people without realizing she's doing it.
  • The social secretary of their household.
  • Always stays close to her friends from high school and the younger Zodiacs.
  • She, Saki, and Arisa go on 'girls' trips' together throughout their lives.
  • Has a weakness for Kyo in traditional clothing, or when he has his shirt off. 
  • Much more sexually bold than Kyo and is the one who initiated their physical relationship.
  • Considers having an open and honest with her kids incredibly important and makes a point of letting them know they can talk to her and Kyo about anything.
  • Adores babies and has an almost supernatural ability to calm them. 
  • Has a key to the gate at the Sohma estate, full access to the entire main house, and open-door access to Akito. 
  • Has open-door access to the entirety of Momiji's corporate headquarters after he takes over from his father.
  • Loves travelling, but is terrible with languages other than Japanese and is terrified on her few trips out of the country due to her inability to understand the local language. 
  • Is specifically, comically bad with English.
  • Has two tattoos, both of which she got after the age of sixty: a red butterfly on her hip and ‘Always and Forever’ in small characters on the inside of her left wrist. 
  • Does not have favorite people and will always deny any attempts to suggest she does, aside from Kyo himself.
  • Is not friends with Katsuro's mother-in-law, although the mother-in-law thinks they are, and feels incredibly guilty about it. 
  • Many of her great-grandchildren call her by name, with her blessing.
  • She and Kyo live long enough to meet all of their great-grandchildren.
  • She outlives all other original canon characters except for Kyo and Saki.

Kyo Sohma (The Cat): 
What we see at the end of canon: Kyo moves away with Tohru to ‘a dojo run by Kazuma’s acquaintance, far, far away.’ In the flashforward to the future and FB:A, we see he and Tohru have gotten married and had three children, two sons and a daughter. During Fruits Basket Another, he and Tohru are still living 'out in the country' as Kazuma is still running the Sohma Dojo and is still in good health. In the flashforward at the end of the original canon, he and Tohru are living with their second son and his wife, who have at least one daughter themselves. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Karate instructor/professional karateka. 

Resides:  

  • Village of Hibe, Aomori prefecture (from immediately after graduation and for the next forty-two years). 
  • City of Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, with their second son’s family (for the thirteen years following). 
  • City of Tokyo, the Sohma Dojo, with their daughter’s family (for the rest of his life). 

Romantic partner:

  • Tohru, who he marries two years after graduation.

Children: Three. 

  • Son Hajime (FB:A canon character), born almost five years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are twenty-three.
    • Marries Mutsuki Sohma (FB:A canon character), son of Yuki and Machi, lifelong close friend turned romantic partner. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Son Katsuro*, born eight years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are twenty-six.
    • Marries Mariko Nishimura*, nursing student and fellow musician who he meets during his first year of university. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Daughter Sachiko*, born almost twelve years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are thirty.
    • Marries Takashi Sakamoto*, long-time karate classmate and friend turned romantic partner.  
    • Inherited the Cat gene.

Grandchildren: Six.  

  • Granddaughter Akari* (Katsuro), born thirty-two years after graduation. 
    • Marries Akimitsu Kusakabe, a medical student she meets in university. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Grandson Kazue* (Katsuro), born thirty-six years after graduation. 
    • Marries Saoirse Murphy, a British national he meets in university when she is studying abroad.
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Granddaughter Aiko* (Hajime; adopted), born thirty-eight years after graduation. 
    • Marries Seiji Ishikawa, a widowed single father who she meets after he moves into the apartment next door.
  • Granddaughter Tadame* (Katsuro, the child from the end of canon), born thirty-nine years after graduation. 
    • In a non-traditional life-partnership with Kai Mosca, son of Rio, grandson of Saki Hanajima, who she eventually marries seventy-one years after graduation for the benefits, legal protections and to make their grandmothers happy.
  • Granddaughter Ryuko* (Sachiko, older twin), born forty-three years after graduation. 
    • Marries Ken Sohma, son of Mina and grandson of Momiji, lifelong friend turned romantic partner. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Grandson Torashi* (Sachiko, younger twin) born forty-three years after graduation. 
    • Marries Kiyone Sohma, granddaughter of Hiro and Kisa, lifelong friend turned romantic partner.
    • Inherited the Cat gene.

Great-Grandchildren: Twelve.  

  • Great-grandson Kyosuke Kusakabe* (Akari), Tohru and Kyo's first great grandchild, born almost fifty-seven years after graduation.
    • Marries Ayano Sohma, granddaughter of Shiki and Sawa, great-granddaughter of Akito and Shigure, lifelong friend turned romantic partner. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Step-great-granddaughter Rika Ishikawa* (Aiko), born almost fifty-eight years after graduation, who is six when Aiko and Seiji start dating and seven when they get married. 
  • Great-granddaughter Kanami Kusakabe* (Akari), born almost sixty years after graduation
  • Great-granddaughter Kairi Erin Sohma* (Kazue), born almost sixty-five years after graduation. 
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Great-granddaughter Yuka Ishikawa* (Aiko), born sixty-seven years after graduation.
  • Great-grandson Rei Ronan Sohma* (Kazue), born sixty-seven years after graduation.
    • Inherited the Cat gene.
  • Great-grandson Kazushi Sohma* (Torashi), born sixty-eight years after graduation.
    • Inherited the Cat and Tiger genes.
  • Great-grandson Tatsumi Johannes Sohma* (Ryuko), born sixty-nine years after graduation.
  • Great-grandson Chisato Ishikawa* (Aiko), born sixty-nine years after graduation.
  • Great-granddaughter Tomomi Suzette Sohma* (Ryuko), born seventy years after graduation.
    • Inherited the Cat and Rabbit genes.
  • Great-grandson Taiga Sohma* (Torashi), born seventy years after graduation.
    • Inherited the Cat and Tiger genes.
  • Great-grandson Masanori Sohma* (Torashi), born seventy-two years after graduation.

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Heightened  balance and spatial awareness. 
  • Near-silent footfalls, even when moving very quickly.  
  • Lethargy when it’s raining, though not nearly to the extent he was when Cursed. 
  • Above-average hearing. 
  • Strong dislike of water and being wet, especially if the water is cold. 
  • Love of heights. 
  • Intense dislike of being dirty or sweaty. 
  • Love of milk. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Goes running and works out almost every morning. 
  • Favorite food is grilled eel, though he loves all fish.  
  • In the aftermath of the Curse, he experiences reoccurring nightmares ranging from him turning into the True Form to him being locked up to him reliving his mother and Kyoko’s deaths, all of which tend to wake him up and trigger panic attacks. To combat this, starting the first night after the Curse breaks, he’ll find and snuggle with Tohru and/or find and look at his beads.  
  • His favorite age groups to work with at the dojo are younger kids.  
  • Swears a lot, especially when he’s younger. Tohru doesn’t like it, so he works on cutting back as he ages. 
  • Strong constitution and almost never contracts any sort of sickness, not even colds.  
  • He starts calling Kazuma 'Dad' the day he leaves for his new life and job with his new dojo master. 
  • Does not like tea and doesn’t drink it, or eat anything matcha-flavored.  
  • Wears reading glasses starting when he’s a teenager. 
  • Always mends his karate gear himself, though he always has Tohru reinforce the bars on his belt when he gets a new one for good luck.  
  • Can’t fall asleep in moving vehicles.
  • Loathes flying. 
  • A homebody at heart, though he is more accepting of travelling for work and travelling with Tohru.  
  • After retiring, he always travels with Tohru when she goes anywhere, unless he's expressly not invited.
  • Great with kids of pretty much all ages. 
  • Very observant and tends to be the first to notice when family members are upset or have something on their minds. 
  • A voracious reader of informational texts, especially when it comes to parenting. 
  • Loses almost every game of ‘Rich Man, Poor Man’ he’s ever played. 
  • Extremely talented at any kind of game or sport that involved accurately throwing something, such as darts, horseshoes, bowling, and skeeball. 
  • Has a fairly high alcohol tolerance, but almost never drinks except socially.  
  • For about twenty years following the Curse breaking, he tries to move on from the Curse by forgetting it happened.
  • Along with Rin, he is the former Zodiac initially the most resistant to telling the next generation about the Curse and he only ultimately tells Hajime because he feels he has no choice.  
  • Hajime is the oldest out of any of the second generation Sohma kids at the time Kyo finally tells him.
  • Going forward, Kyo will start to accept the fact that the Curse and Cat both played a role in shaping him and the course of his life, and while it will never be a favorite subject, he will be more willing to discuss it.
  • He gives Hajime permission to wear his beads when Hajime leaves for high school, and later to Hajime's daughter Aiko to wear them herself. 
  • His granddaughter Aiko calls him ‘Catpa’ due to Yuki calling him ‘Stupid Cat.’ 
  • Aiko's kids will also call him Catpa, later on. 
  • Much more prudish than Tohru.  
  • Demisexual, though he doesn't realize that until Hajime comes out and Kyo starts researching LGBTQ+ in order to be more supportive.
  • Shorter than both of his sons and both his grandsons as adults.  
  • Grows his hair long for three years from when Sachiko is two until she's five to act as appeasement for Sachiko, who wants to cut her hair short to look like him, when Tohru was already struggling at feeling rejected by their daughter. 
  • Voluntarily pulled back from competing in karate tournaments at the national level after his trip to the Karate World Championships because he hates being so much in the spotlight, the traveling, and taking the time away from his family.  
  • Ultimately becomes closest to Yuki out of the entire former Zodiac, to Tohru’s delight and Kyo’s own amused chagrin.  
  • Never reconciles with or establishes a positive relationship with his biological father.  
  • Following his biological father’s death, he learns his mother was a pianist and musical composer and that she kept pictures of him by hiding them in the binder where she kept her music.  
  • A favorite of all of his grandkids due to his perpetual willingness to play. 
  • Has four tattoos, all of which he got after the age of sixty: a teardrop on the side of his left index finger, ‘Always and Forever’ in small characters on the inside of his left wrist, a small pine tree on his shoulder, and ‘Never Alone’ over his heart. 
  • Most of his great-grandchildren call him by name.
  • He and Tohru live long enough to meet all of their great-grandchildren.
  • Kyo outlives all other original canon characters except for Saki, though he only makes it a few months longer than Tohru. 

Tohru and Kyo couple trivia:  

  • They hold hands whenever they go walking anywhere together. 
  • Kyo has made Tohru’s tea ever since they moved out together and if someone else has made tea, Tohru will usually chug hers so Kyo can make a replacement cup. 
  • They’re usually touching each other when they’re around one another (holding hands, snuggling together on the couch, knees touching at the table). 
  • They always say hello and goodbye to each other with a kiss.
  • They love cooking together and do so whenever they can, which is typically Saturday nights and Sundays after graduation.  
  • Sunday is ‘family day’ and they never plan anything for that day, trying instead to spend it having lazy family time.  
  • They were both terrible at English in school. 
  • They never call each other by nicknames. 
  • They are both incredibly competitive with one another when it comes to things they do comparably, such as making onigiri.  
  • They take turns being the big spoon depending on how hot/cold it is and who needs to be cuddled the most.
  • They are intensely passionate behind closed doors and great at communicating with each other in the bedroom, but neither one of them is comfortable discussing the subject of sex with anyone else, in any capacity, until their daughter basically shocks the embarrassment out of them when she is a teenager.
  • They don't keep secrets from each other except in extreme circumstances and it is accepted by people who know them that what one knows, the other does, too.

The Zodiac 

Yuki Sohma (The Rat): 
What we see at the end of canon: Yuki is in a relationship with Machi Kuragi, graduates high school, and leaves for university, which is heavily implied to be in Kyoto based on where Ayame is apartment hunting for him. In FB:A, he and Machi are married, living in the same city they grew up in, and have one son, Mutsuki, who is a grade behind Tohru and Kyo’s son Hajime. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Human resources, with his final position being Director of Human Resources for an international technology corporation.  

Resides:  

  • Kyoto (for five years, from his high school graduation through Machi’s university graduation, and intermittently with Aiko's family during his final years). 
  • Tokyo (for the rest of his life). 

Romantic partner:

  • Machi Kuragi, who he marries four years after graduation. 

Children: One

  • Son Mutsuki (FB:A canon character), born five years after graduation.
    • Marries Hajime Sohma (FB:A canon character), son of Tohru and Kyo, lifelong close friend turned romantic partner. 
    • Inherited the Rat gene.

Grandchildren: One 

  • Granddaughter Aiko* (adopted), born thirty-eight years after graduation. 
    • Marries Seiji Ishikawa, a widowed single father who she meets after he moves into the apartment next door.

Great-Grandchildren: Three.  

  • Step-great-granddaughter Rika* (Aiko), born almost fifty-eight years after graduation, who is six when Aiko and Seiji start dating and seven when they get married.  
  • Great-granddaughter Yuka* (Aiko), born sixty-seven years after graduation.
  • Great-grandson Chisato* (Aiko), born sixty-nine years after graduation.

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Sensitivity to smog/bad air. 
  • Love of clutter and natural tendency to be messy. 
  • Extremely quick reflexes. 
  • Excellent hearing. 
  • Preference for nocturnal hours. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Favorite hobbies are reading and gardening. 
  • Went to Kyoto University, one of Japan’s ‘Big Seven’ that can land graduates a job almost anywhere they want.  
  • Loves to visit temples. When he and Machi lived in Kyoto, they had a goal of visiting every temple in Kyoto before Machi’s university graduation which they did not hit.  
  • Wears reading glasses most of his life and starts wearing glasses full-time in his forties.  
  • The most naturally gifted karateka Kazuma ever saw.  
  • Avoids wearing traditional clothing because of how linked it is to his childhood traumas, with the only exception being yukatas at onsens or summer festivals.  
  • Never successfully learns to cook, in spite of Tohru’s best efforts. 
  • Gets his driver’s license as soon as he’s legally able but almost never uses it; he rents a car a couple times a year specifically to just drive around to stay in practice.  
  • He and Machi rent a plot of land in Tokyo for their own private garden (canon fact from Another) as their house doesn’t have a yard. Later on (near retirement), they buy it.   
  • After retirement, he works part-time with Mutsuki in his landscape design firm.  
  • A lifelong deep sleeper, as is Machi.
  • Terrible with mornings and sets multiple alarms. 
  • Stops practicing karate after graduating high school.
  • When he was initially job hunting in Tokyo, he specifically tried to find a company with no connection to the Sohmas and was annoyed when, after being hired, he was asked to ‘put in a good word with the Sohma Family.’ 
  • Develops a close relationship with Ayame by the time he and Machi move back to Tokyo after university.
  • He and Ayame meet once a week to have tea and keep up with one another's lives.
  • Haru meets him at his office every week to have lunch, whenever Haru is in town.
  • Somehow remains best friends with Kakeru his entire life, even though he always finds him mildly exasperating. 
  • Although he is always close to Haru, they rarely hang out as couples since their wives don't mesh that well.
  • Forgives Akito, but never speaks of her or to her for the rest of his life and largely avoids the Sohma estate. 
  • Accepts Mutsuki's bisexuality at once, along with, later on, his relationship with Hajime.
  • He, along with Machi, plays a pivotal role in helping Hajime deal with a panic attack and emotional crisis brought on by Hajime's worry that he is holding Mutsuki back from having kids and Yuki and Machi, grandkids.
  • While Yuki does wish it was possible for them to have kids, he firmly believes that Hajime is the best possible match for Mutsuki and wants them both to be happy.
  • He and Kyo stop calling each other 'Damn Rat' and 'Stupid Cat' for several years during the time Kyo is trying to forget the Curse and keep it from Hajime. 
  • He never loses his love of and talent for baiting Kyo.
  • He is fairly close to Tohru and Kyo's son-law Takashi, who worked for several years with Yuki's company. 
  • His granddaughter Aiko calls him ‘Ratpa’ due to Kyo calling him ‘Damn Rat.’ 
  • Aiko's children also later call him 'Ratpa.'
  • Has a moderate, slightly-on-the-lower-side alcohol tolerance. 
  • The 'aunt or uncle' closest to Hajime, even before Hajime and Mutsuki start dating.
  • Always makes a point of telling Mutsuki how much he loves him, no matter what. 
  • Surprisingly high tolerance levels for chaos.
  • Deeply protective of his family and cuts off his parents four years after graduation (two months before his wedding) due to their disapproval of Machi. Shortly before his father dies twenty-three years later, they attempt to reconcile, but are still judgmental and critical of Yuki’s life and family and he decides against continuing the relationship.  
  • Adores his granddaughter Aiko and will pretty much do anything she asks. 

Hatsuharu Sohma (The Ox): 
What we see at the end of canon: Haru is in a relationship with Rin, and about to enter his final year of high school. In FB:A, he and Rin are still together and have two children, twins Sora and Riku, who are two grades behind Tohru and Kyo’s son Hajime. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Factory worker (first year and a half following his high school graduation) 
  • Model and accessory designer (the rest of his professional life) 

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner:

  • Rin, who he marries six years after graduation. 

Children: Two 

  • Daughter Sora (FB:A canon character), older twin, born six years after graduation. 
    • Inherited the Horse gene.

  • Son Riku (FB:A canon character), younger twin, born six years after graduation.
    • Marries Amane (FB:A canon character), high school sweetheart. 
    • Inherited both the Ox and the Horse gene.

Grandchildren: Two 

  • Grandson Mamoru* (Riku), born thirty years after graduation. 
  • Granddaughter Toshiko* (Riku), born thirty-three years after graduation. 
    • Inherited the Ox gene.

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Extremely mild temperament unless severely provoked or his loved ones are threatened, then all bets are off. 
  • Huge appetite. 
  • Extreme stubbornness. 
  • Lack of social awareness. 
  • Great low-light vision.

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Favorite hobbies are karate, designing/tinkering with metal, and clubbing with Rin.  
  • Never stops calling Tohru and Machi by their maiden surnames. 
  • Has an astonishingly high alcohol tolerance and almost never gets more than tipsy; he and Rin are fairly matched and the rare times he’s gotten blackout drunk are when he’s tried to outdrink her. 
  • Terrible at keeping secrets. 
  • Tends to say things without thinking first and has almost no filter.  
  • Incredibly messy and never remembers where things actually go.  
  • Has almost no sense of shame. 
  • Remains fond of cows his entire life. 
  • Almost completely unflappable.  
  • Remains close to Yuki his entire life, but because Machi and Rin never click they don’t tend to get together often as couples or, later on, as families.  
  • Cuts contact with his neglectful parents shortly after graduating high school. 
  • Loves surprising or shocking people. 
  • Practices karate his entire life, only ever attending the Sohma Dojo. 
  • Falls behind Kyo on the karate promotion track due to having to drastically step back due to work for a few years.
  • Regards Kazuma as the closest thing he has to a real father figure. 
  • Remains grateful to Kureno for helping Rin his entire life and always sends Kureno souvenirs when he’s been travelling.  
  • Keeps designing jewelry and accessories his whole life and has his own retail line, built out of his success as a model. 
  • Makes the wedding rings for all of the younger Zodiac, starting with Tohru and Kyo.  
  • Stops going Black after the Curse breaks.  
  • The 'aunt or uncle' closest to Sachiko, though they go through a distant patch after she learns about the Curse.
  • Never uses the Sohma name professionally, being known only as ‘Haru.’ 
  • Was Japan’s hottest male model for the first four years of his career until pulling back after the birth of his kids, but remains popular and in steady demand for the rest of his career.  
  • He and Rin are the wealthiest of the younger Zodiacs.  
  • He and Rin are the first former Zodiacs to become grandparents.

Kisa Sohma (the Tiger):
What we see at the end of canon: Kisa is in middle school and dating Hiro Sohma; she does not appear and is not mentioned in FB:A 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Middle school math teacher and later stay-at-home mom.  

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner:

  • Hiro, who she marries nine years after graduation. 

Children: Two 

  • Daughter Haya*, born fourteen years after graduation.
    • Marries Naota Sakuda
    • Inherited the Ram and Tiger genes
  • Daughter Asami*, born fifteen years after graduation.
    • Marries Masaru Sohma, who also grew up on the Sohma estate
    • Inherited the Tiger gene

Grandchildren: Five

  • Grandson Takeru* (Haya), born thirty-six years after graduation
    • Inherited the Ram gene
  • Grandson Reiji* (Haya), born thirty-eight years after graduation
    • Inherited the Ram and Tiger genes
  • Grandson Rensei* (Asami), born thirty-nine years after graduation
  • Grandson Hiyori* (Asami), born forty-two years after graduation
    • Inherited the Tiger gene
  • Granddaughter Kiyone* (Asami), born forty-four years after graduation
    • Marries Torashi Sohma, grandson of Tohru and Kyo, lifelong friend turned romantic partner.  
    • Inherited the Tiger gene

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Extremely territorial and protective of her home. 
  • Fiercely protective of her family. 
  • Heightened hearing.
  • Excellent vision, including at night.
  • Extremely strong for her size. 
  • Love water and swimming. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Attends Kaibara High. 
  • A talented seamstress and makes a lot of her own clothes and, later, a lot of her daughters.’ 
  • Wanted to be a middle school teacher so she could be a better voice for bullied students than her own middle school homeroom teacher had been. 
  • Adores Hiro’s entire family and is eagerly supportive of them moving next door to Hiro’s parents when she’s pregnant with their first child.  
  • Kisa originally planned to go back to work after her first child was born, but unexpectedly got pregnant again right away and decided against it.
  • Her daughters are less than eleven months apart in age.  
  • Forgives Akito for what she did and pretty much forces Akito to sit and listen while she tells her so.
  • Remains Tohru’s ‘little sister’ their entire lives and is Tohru and Kyo’s most consistent visitor from Tokyo after Kazuma.  
  • Extremely organized. 
  • Visits Tohru and Kyo in Hibe the most out of anyone in the Tokyo area, first due to having the most vacation time while a student and later when she's a stay-at-home mom. 
  • Gets to be very close to Kyo in the years after the Curse breaks, due to her spending so much time at Tohru and Kyo’s house and the two of them getting to know each other better.  
  • Wears Tohru’s shiromuku (wedding outfit) at her wedding, where Tohru and Kyo are the only non-immediate family members present at the shrine. 
  • Insanely high alcohol tolerance, right up with Haru and Rin, though she pretty much never puts that to the test.  
  • Eventually serves as Sachiko and Takashi’s primary childminder.  
  • Very close to Ryuko and Torashi and considers them as bonus grandkids. 

Momiji Sohma (the Rabbit): 
What we see at the end of canon: Momiji is single and preparing for his last year of high school, happy for Tohru and Kyo and looking forward to finding and bringing his own sweetheart to meet them one day. In FB:A, Momiji is revealed to have followed his father into business and taken over his company, which he’s made even more successful, and he has one daughter, Mina, whose other parent is not mentioned. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Businessman, eventually becoming president and CEO of his father’s company (which I call Shigoto Corp). 

Resides:  

  • Berlin, Germany (from his own high school graduation one year after Tohru and Kyo’s through the next six years) 
  • Tokyo (for the rest of his life) 

Romantic partner:

  • German national Hans Wagner*, who he meets in university in Berlin and marries in Germany nine years after graduation. 

Children: One 

  • Daughter Mina (FB:A canon character), born eleven years after graduation.
    • Marries Jinsuke Durand,* who is half French, half Japanese.  
    • Inherited the Rabbit gene

Grandchildren: One 

  • Grandson Ken*, born forty-one years after graduation.
    • Marries Ryuko Sohma, granddaughter of Tohru and Kyo, lifelong friend turned romantic partner.
    • Inherited the Rabbit gene.  

Great- Grandchildren: Two.  

  • Great-grandson Tatsumi Johannes*, born sixty-nine years after graduation.
  • Great-granddaughter Tomomi Suzette*, born seventy years after graduation.
    • Inherited the Cat and Rabbit genes.

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Extremely alert and perpetually aware of his surroundings. 
  • Can go from 0-60 in seconds. 
  • Intense energy levels, but crashes hard when tired. 
  • Super heightened sense of hearing.
  • Incredibly affectionate.  

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Prefers coffee over tea. 
  • Remains in love with Tohru through his own graduation and chooses to go to university in Germany partly to put some distance between them, as well as between himself and his family.  
  • Abandons his dream of becoming a professional violinist late during his second year of high school, after realizing how much of a handicap he is at by never having been allowed to participate in orchestra.  
  • Pursues business at the suggestion of and with the support of his father and proves to have natural aptitude for working with people. 
  • Tohru is the first person in Japan he comes out to as bisexual and the first person in Japan he introduces to Hans.  
  • Plays in a string quartet during university, even though he was majoring in business.
  • Momo learns they are actually brother and sister seven years after graduation, shortly followed by the truth about the Zodiac Curse. 
  • Born with dual Japanese and German citizenship because of his German mother, but renounces his German citizenship shortly before turning twenty-two due to Japanese law. 
  • Eventually develops a somewhat parent/child relationship with his mother, with his father’s blessing. 
  • Is ‘adopted’ by his parents thirteen years after graduation. 
  • His daughter Mina is his biologically, conceived using an egg from his husband Hans' sister Katrin and carried by a Russian surrogate. 
  • He and Hans give Tohru and Kyo’s son Katsuro his first violin and set up his first violin lessons.  
  • He and Hiro become close friends in the wake of Momiji moving back to Japan, with the two of them initially bonding over their shared interest in the corporate world. When Momiji takes over as CEO, he offers Hiro a job as a senior litigator for the company, which Hiro takes. Though they rarely cross paths accidentally, Hiro and Momiji often get together in Momiji’s office after work to talk. 
  • Likes to pop in on various divisions of employees without warning to look and listen for problems himself.  
  • Calls his husband 'Schatzi,' or little treasure, and Hans calls him 'Häschen,' 'little rabbit.'
  • Travels regularly for work and is out of the country for at least a few days almost every month once he takes over as CEO. 
  • Meets Hatori for coffee every other week, except when he's out of the country for work.
  • The 'aunt or uncle' closest to Katsuro.
  • He and Hans always celebrate traditional German Christmas in Japan. 
  • He always retains a fondness for rabbits and rabbit imagery.

Hatori Sohma (the Dragon): 
What we see at the end of canon: Hatori is in a relationship with Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki’s teacher, Mayuko Shiraki. In FB:A, they have a daughter, Kinu.   

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Doctor 

Resides:  

  • Tokyo, on the Sohma estate. 

Romantic partner:

  • Mayuko/Sensei Shiraki, who he marries one year after graduation. 

Children: One 

    • Daughter Kinu (FB:A canon character), born two and half years after graduation.
      • Marries ??? 

Grandchildren: Yes, one or two 

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Physically hardy and almost never catches germs/gets sick 
  • High physical tolerances in general: needs little sleep, doesn't get sick, never gets food poisoning, and is incapable of getting drunk.  

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Stays on as the family doctor after the Curse broke but also starts picking up shifts at the hospital. 
  • Never uses his memory suppression ability again following the Curse breaking and refuses to teach anyone else the technique. 
  • Remains best friends with Ayame and Shigure for the rest of his life...somehow. 
  • Goes on annual trips with Mayuko to different locations around Japan for the rest of his life.  
  • At Mayuko’s request, keeps their relationship a secret until Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki have graduated because she doesn’t want to deal with the awkwardness.  
  • First former Zodiac to have a child. 
  • Kinu is unplanned, a fact he makes Mayu swear to never tell anyone because he doesn’t want to listen to Shigure and Ayame’s teasing.  
  • Hatori and Mayuko originally want to have more than one child, but Mayuko’s pregnancy and Kinu’s birth are difficult and they ultimately decide it’s not medically wise.  
  • A somewhat overprotective father.  
  • Kyo’s go-to with fatherhood questions during Hajime’s early days.  
  • First former Zodiac, Shigure excepted, to vocalize his forgiveness of Akito. 
  • Visits Germany with Tohru for Momiji’s university graduation and is present to help deal with the aftermath of Momiji telling Hans about the Curse.  
  • Has very little contact with most of the younger Zodiac after the Curse breaks due to differences in age and life circumstances. 
  • A talented English speaker, in spite of him almost never needing it.  
  • Took up smoking as an act of rebellion as a teenager, but gives it up the year after graduation alongside Shigure. Shigure has an easier time, which annoys him excessively. 
  • The first former member of the Zodiac to die, from lung cancer nearly thirty-four years after graduation. 
    • Although he is resistant to germs and normally doesn't get sick, cancer is the mutation of the body's own cells and his cancer is especially aggressive.
  • Philosophical in the face of death, though he hates having to leave his loved ones so soon.

Ayame Sohma (the Snake): 
What we see at the end of canon: Ayame is in a relationship with Mine and still happily running his shop with her help. In FB:A, their shop is so wildly successful they’ve opened a second location. He is married to Mine, and they have two children, daughter Hibika and son Chizuru.   

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Clothing designer/fabric artisan/business owner. 

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner:

  • Mine Kuramae, who he marries six months after graduation. 

Children: Two 

  • Daughter Hibika ‘Pika’ (FB:A canon character), born three and half years after graduation. 
  • Son Chizuru (FB:A canon character), born eight years after graduation.
    • Marries Katsumi* 
    • Inherits the Snake gene

Grandchildren: Two

  • Granddaughter Asana (Chizuru)
  • Granddaughter Rema (Chizuru)

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Sensitivity to extreme temperatures. 
  • Lucky 
  • High tolerance for things that should make him sick, like bad food or too much alcohol. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Makes a killer hangover cure. 
  • Never gets hungover himself, though he does get drunk and just becomes a more intense version of his regular self.  
  • The first former Zodiac to get married, with him and Mine getting engaged almost immediately after the Curse breaks. However, they wanted to have a big wedding and to plan it from scratch, so the actual wedding didn’t take place until a little over a year after the Curse broke.  
  • Has a stilted relationship with his parents for the rest of his life that becomes even more stilted after Yuki cuts them off, but always remains cordial.  
  • Runs interference between his parents and Yuki's family after Yuki cuts their parents off.
  • Forgives Akito almost immediately after the Curse breaks and becomes, along with Mine, a regular visitor at the main house.  
  • At his request and urging, he makes all of Tohru’s wedding clothes (afterparty dress, colorful iro-uchikake for the reception, and white shiromuku for the shrine). He is given free rein in choosing the design for the shiromuku, which he ultimately chooses to embroider in a Zodiac motif to reflect Tohru becoming a Sohma and joining their banquet.  
  • A talented lingerie designer. 
  • His love language is giving clothes, as Tohru and Yuki know all too well. 
  • Close friends and chosen family with Kakeru Manabe, with whom he has a friendly rivalry about who can be the worse influence on Yuki’s son Mutsuki.
  • Adores Mutsuki, Hajime, and later Aiko.  
  • He, Shigure, and Hatori remain close friends for the remainder of their lives.  
  • Maintains his long hair until Hatori's cancer diagnosis, shaving his head in solidarity with Hatori during chemo and keeping it fairly short for the rest of his own life after Hatori's death. 
  • Hatori's death plunges him into a deep depression, with his family worrying for a time that they'll lose him as well. Eventually he recovers to a point, but he will always be a somewhat shadowed version of his past self.

Isuzu 'Rin' Sohma (the Horse): 
What we see at the end of canon: Rin is dating Hatsuharu and possibly still living at the dojo. In FB:A, she and Haru are still together and have two children, twins Sora and Riku. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Retail sales associate (for about a year, starting near the end of Haru’s final year in high school) 
  • Marketing (initially a marketing specialist, eventually becoming the Chief Marketing Officer for one of Japan’s major fashion retailers).  

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner:

  • Haru, who she marries six years after graduation. 

Children: Two 

  • Daughter Sora (FB:A canon character), older twin, born six years after graduation. 
    • Inherits the Horse gene
  • Son Riku (FB:A canon character), younger twin, born six years after graduation.
    • Marries Amane (FB:A canon character), high school sweetheart. 
    • Inherits the Ox and Horse genes.

Grandchildren: Two 

  • Grandson Mamoru* (Riku), born thirty years after graduation. 
  • Granddaughter Toshiko* (Riku), born thirty-three years after graduation. 
    • Inherits the Ox gene. 

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Skittish and wary in unfamiliar situations. 
  • Fastest runner any of them know. 
  • Ulcer/sensitive stomach. 
  • Hot-tempered. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Lives at the dojo from the time she was released from the Cat’s house until a month before Haru’s high school graduation, when she moves into Shigure’s old house. 
  • She and Haru never initially intended to get married or have children; their pregnancy was accidental, and they decided to get married after that.  
  • Haru made their wedding rings, with Rin’s saying ‘I’ll always be your heart’ and Haru’s saying ‘When you die, I’ll die.’ 
  • Has no university degree and got her position through a combination of hard work, timing, and luck. 
  • Once broke a man’s hand for sexually harassing her.  
  • Was approached to be a model the same time Haru was, but didn’t want the spotlight. 
  • Adores the pressure and competitiveness of the corporate world. 
  • A workaholic. 
  • Doesn’t like talking on the phone. 
  • Never forgives Akito and takes the longest out of any of the former Zodiac to go back to the Sohma estate after the Curse broke.  
  • Remains devoted to Tohru her entire life and, by extension, Tohru’s children.  
  • Views Kazuma as the closest thing she has to a real father, although she’d never admit as much to literally anyone.  
  • Becomes significantly closer to Kagura after the Curse breaks, eventually coming to view her as her own sister.  
  • Always remains incredibly close to Tohru, but only tolerant of Kyo.
  • The most likely out of any of the ‘younger Zodiac’ group to skip group events. 
  • The most resistant to telling her children or any of the second generation about the Curse outside of Kyo and her children are among the oldest when they learn the truth.  
  • Terrified of motherhood and perpetually worried she's going to mess up her children.
  • Goes through a self-destructive period after Tohru's graduation. 

Hiro Sohma (the Ram):
What we see at the end of canon: Hiro is finishing his first year of middle school and dating Kisa. He does not appear and is only referenced in passing in FB:A. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Corporate lawyer (initially for a random company, then for Momiji’s company Shigoto Corp starting when Momiji takes over sixteen years after graduation until Hiro retires). 

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner:

  • Kisa, who he marries nine years after graduation. 

Children: Two 

  • Daughter Haya*, born fourteen years after graduation.
    • Marries Naota Sakuda
    • Inherits the Ram and Tiger genes
  • Daughter Asami*, born fifteen years after graduation.
    • Marries Masaru Sohma, who also grew up on the Sohma estate
    • Inherits the Tiger gene.

Grandchildren: Five

  • Grandson Takeru* (Haya), born thirty-six years after graduation
    • Inherited the Ram gene
  • Grandson Reiji* (Haya), born thirty-eight years after graduation
    • Inherited the Ram and Tiger genes
  • Grandson Rensei* (Asami), born thirty-nine years after graduation
  • Grandson Hiyori* (Asami), born forty-two years after graduation
    • Inherited the Tiger gene
  • Granddaughter Kiyone* (Asami), born forty-four years after graduation
    • Marries Torashi Sohma, grandson of Tohru and Kyo, lifelong friend turned romantic partner.  
    • Inherited the Tiger gene

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Extremely stubborn. 
  • Naturally argumentative. 
  • Fiercely protective of his family. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • He and Kisa start dating before the Curse breaks (in canon, when Hiro and Kisa are talking about Hiro’s Curse being broken, Kisa asks if Hiro is ok being with her when she’s still Cursed), making them the youngest couple to get together and the longest together before getting married. 
  • In addition to his little sister Hinata, he also ends up with a little brother, Hikaru*, who is born two years after graduation (Hikaru exists due to a potential mistranslation in FB:A where Hinata refers to her 'brothers' hating her driving).
  • Picks up running and joins the track team starting his last year in middle school, which he continues in high school. 
  • Attends Kaibara High. 
  • Ends up about as tall as Yuki. 
  • Brilliant mind for detail.  
  • Ends up becoming extremely close to Kyo due their similar personalities and being always thrown together by Tohru and Kisa, eventually comes to consider Kyo one of his closest friends if not quite a ‘big brother.’ 
  • With Kisa, has the most ‘traditional’ relationship out of any of the former Zodiac in that Kisa stays at home following the birth of their first child and never goes back to work.  
  • Lives next door to his parents from the time Kisa is pregnant, making them the only younger Zodiacs to live on the Sohma estate. 
  • Becomes good friends with Momiji, once both of them have matured. When Momiji offers him a job at his company, he is happy to accept. 
  • A ferocious litigator on the rare occasions he has to be.   
  • His peers/subordinates are somewhat afraid of him, but respect him immensely.
  • Has workaholic tendencies, which Kisa manages by keeping a detailed family calendar to ensure Hiro stays on top of family time.  

Ritsu Sohma (the Monkey):
What we see at the end of canon: Ritsu is in a serious relationship with Mitsuru, preparing to graduate university, and has cut their hair and traded their furisodes for more traditionally masculine clothing. They do not appear and are not mentioned in FB:A. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Initially unknown; eventually takes over management of the Sohma family onsen ryokan from his/their mother.

Resides:  

  • Tokyo (until stepping in at the ryokan) 
  • The Sohma family onsen ryokan, for the rest of his/their life. 

Romantic partner:

  • Mitsuru, who he/they marry almost four years after graduation.

Children: None 

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Extremely agile. 
  • Strong grip. 
  • Great climber. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Mitsuru learns about the Curse by accidentally causing Ritsu to transform prior to the Curse breaking, leading to several minutes of panicking and apologies before he/they calm down and Mitsuru is finally able to ask what the hell just happened. 
  • Although Ritsu is seen at the end of canon wearing traditionally masculine clothes, he/they always prefers kimonos and when he/they starts working with his/their mother at the onsen he/they wear exclusively yukatas going forwards.  
  • His/their relationship with gender evolves over time, with him/them at the end of canon thinking he/they doesn't 'need' to look feminine anymore, but eventually coming to realize that even if he/they doesn't 'need' to present as a woman, he/they still enjoys it.
  • Mitsuru prefers Ritsu's longer hair and more feminine presentation, but encourages Ritsu to explore and do what he/they prefers most him/themself.
  • Ayame is a great resource for Ritsu as he/they taps more into non-traditional gender expression.

Kureno Sohma (the Rooster):
What we see at the end of canon: Kureno has left the city and the Sohmas and moved to the countryside somewhere, where he is about to be joined by Arisa Uotani, with whom he’s in a relationship. He does not appear and is not mentioned in FB:A. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Unknown. I could never really decide with him. 

Resides:  

  • Rural Fukushima prefecture. 

Romantic partner:

  • Arisa Uotani, who he marries three years after graduation. 

Children: None 

Retained Curse traits: 

  • ??? 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Insists he and Arisa live apart initially when she follows him after graduation so they have the chance to spend time apart while they get used to dating while living near each other. 
  • Keeps his distance from the Sohmas for the rest of his life, with him never crossing paths with most of the former Zodiac ever again. 
  • Has the most ‘active’ relationship with Kyo out of all the former Zodiac because of Arisa’s friendship with Tohru, but he only sees Kyo a handful of times over the years due to Arisa and Tohru largely spending time together places other than their homes and Kyo even more rarely joining Tohru in Fukushima.  
  • Due to his trauma while living on the Sohma estate, Kureno is fiercely protective of having a 'safe space,' which in his case is his home in Fukushima. He is like a chicken wanting to stay near the roost; he almost never travels further than a few hours from home, and even more rarely sleeps anywhere other than his own bed. 
  • He and Arisa are childfree by choice.
  • Always walks with a cane for the rest of his life.
  • Although he never travels much himself, he is supportive of Arisa travelling without him.
  • The second former Zodiac to die, when he is seventy-seven.

Shigure Sohma (the Dog):
What we see at the end of canon: Shigure is in a relationship with Akito and is moving back to the main estate to be with her and assist with managing the family. In FB:A, they are married and have one son, Shiki. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Akito’s assistant/spouse of the Sohma family head, and part-time novelist (exclusively under pseudonyms) 

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner:

  • Akito, who he marries a year and a half after graduation. 

Children: One 

  • Son Shiki (FB:A canon character), born nine years after graduation.
    • Marries Sawa Mitoma (FB:A canon character), high school/middle school sweetheart. 

Grandchildren: Two 

  • Granddaughter Seiko*, born thirty-two years after graduation. 
    • Marries Fujioki* Sohma, another member of the Sohma Family 
  • Grandson Satoshi*, born thirty-seven years after graduation. 

Great-grandchildren: Two 

  • Great-grandson Akiya*, born fifty-five years after graduation. 
  • Great-granddaughter Ayano*, born fifty-seven years after graduation. 
    • Marries Kyosuke Kusakabe, great-grandson of Tohru and Kyo, lifelong friend turned romantic partner. 

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Extremely loyal to his loved ones. 
  • Fiercely territorial and protective of his home and family.  
  • Happiest when he’s with his pack.  

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Largely responsible for the success of Akito’s changes to the Sohma family in the wake of the Curse breaking, due to his ruthlessness in ensuring her orders are followed and dealing with people who give her trouble. 
  • Initially gives up writing when he starts assisting Akito, but picks it back up further down the line as a creative outlet on the condition his writing never be traced back to his real identity.  
  • A natural at navigating the twisting politics of the Sohma family and is Akito’s most dedicated supporter. 
  • Serves as Akito’s stand-in at all events needing an official Sohma family presence where the former Zodiac are likely to be in attendance. 
  • Not about using underhanded means to solve Sohma Family drama. 
  • Always remains fond of Tohru and the feeling is mostly mutual, though their relationship never quite goes back to the way it was before Shigure told her about how the rest of the Zodiac view the Cat. 
  • Gives up smoking after the Curse breaks, since he’d largely taken it up to annoy Akito, who hates it.  
  • Has a driver’s license since before the Curse broke, but doesn’t like driving much so kept that fact to himself so Hatori would be more willing to be the designated driver.  
  • Always a little afraid of Saki and unsettled by her friendship with Akito.

Kagura Sohma (the Boar):
What we see at the end of canon: Kagura is in junior college, single, and happily contemplating the future. She does not appear and is not mentioned in FB:A, though Takaya said that her son appeared in one of the bonus chapters (likely the boy with Sora in the bonus chapter of Volume 1, where Hajime tells Mutsuki he learned about the Curse). 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Childcare worker/early childhood teacher. 

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner:

  • Fellow college student Ichiro*, who she meets at a café two years after graduation and marries five years after graduation 

Children: Two 

  • Son Naoko* (the boy seen with Sora in the bonus chapter of Another volume 1), born seven years after graduation. 
    • Inherits the Boar gene.
  • Son Genki*, born fifteen years after graduation. 

Grandchildren: Unknown 

Retained Curse traits: 

  • Fierce determination once she’s made up her mind. 
  • Tunnel vision on the things she wants. 
  • Quick to make decisions. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Continues to practice karate sporadically for a time after the Curse breaks, but gives it up entirely after her marriage. 
  • Close to Rin for the rest of their lives and she’s the first person to stay with Rin and help after the birth of Rin and Haru’s twins. 
  • Considers Rin her sister and Rin's kids her niece and nephew. 
  • Friendly with both Tohru and Kyo, but they’re never close again following Tohru and Kyo becoming involved. 
  • Lives the furthest away from the other ‘Tokyo Sohmas’ and is one of the least involved with the Sohma family following the Curse breaking. 
  • Fairly close to Ritsu and is a regular visitor at their family onsen. 

Akito Sohma (God): 
What we see at the end of canon: Akito has repented her previous actions and is trying to make amends while giving the prior Zodiac members space, and is in a relationship with Shigure. In FB:A, she has continued to distance herself from the other former Zodiacs, completely avoiding any events the others are at. She is also the victim of steady abuse from her mother Ren and Ren’s ‘faction’ within the Sohma family who do not approve of Akito’s past or her actions in the wake of the Curse, abuse that Akito feels she deserves. She is married to Shigure and mother to one child, son Shiki. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Sohma family head 

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner:

  • Shigure, who she marries a year and a half after graduation. 

Children: One 

  • Son Shiki (FB:A canon character), born nine years after graduation.
    • Marries Sawa Mitoma (FB:A canon character), high school/middle school sweetheart. 

Grandchildren: Two 

  • Granddaughter Seiko*, born thirty-two years after graduation. 
    • Marries Fujioki* Sohma, another member of the Sohma Family 
  • Grandson Satoshi*, born thirty-seven years after graduation. 

Great-grandchildren: Two 

  • Great-grandson Akiya*, born fifty-five years after graduation. 
  • Great-granddaughter Ayano*, born fifty-seven years after graduation. 
    • Marries Kyosuke Kusakabe, great-grandson of Tohru and Kyo, lifelong friend turned romantic partner. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Close friends with Tohru for the rest of her life. 
  • Always pays for Tohru and Kyo, and later their family, whenever they travel to Tokyo. 
  • Paid for the materials for Tohru’s wedding clothes, which were made by Ayame and Mine, the one concession Kyo made to Akito’s desire to pay for something.  
  • Becomes very close to Tohru’s friend Saki Hanajima after graduation. 
  • Loves shojo mange and has a reading club with Saki and Mine, who also becomes a dear friend. 
  • Likes Mogeta. 
  • Never becomes comfortable enough to attend events the former Zodiac members are going to be at, with very few exceptions.  
  • Uses her power whenever possible to assist the former Zodiac members, even if they don’t know it.  
  • Deeply appreciative of the fact the former Zodiac and their children embrace and befriend Shiki, rather than ostracizing him because of her.
  • Extremely hardworking, to the point of overworking herself.
  • Relates deeply to Sawa Mitoma's problems with her abusive mother, and does her best to be a 'good' mother figure in her stead.
  • Develops a friendship with Kazuma following the Curse breaking and always works with him to protect the interests of Kyo and his family.
  • Sells the dojo to Kazuma a few years years after graduation in order to ensure that Kyo is free to inherit without Sohma Family interference.
  • Regards Shiki as her greatest success.

Other prominent canon characters  

Kazuma Sohma 
What we see at the end of canon: Kazuma is content with his life, knowing that Kyo is free and happy, though he looks forward to the day he gets grandchildren. In FB:A, he is mentioned as still running the dojo and still in excellent health, as well as being who Hajime considers his only true grandfather. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Karate instructor and master of the Sohma Dojo. 

Resides:  

  • The Sohma Dojo, in Tokyo. 

Romantic partner: 

  • Kunimitsu Tomoda, who he starts a relationship with a year and a half after graduation, moves into his house nearly seven years after graduation, tells Kyo about twenty-two years after graduation, legally adopts (a common workaround for gay marriage in Japan, where it’s illegal) twenty-nine years after graduation, and ‘goes public with’ following Kazuma’s retirement forty years after graduation.  

Children: One, though legally two because of Kunimitsu. 

  • Son Kyo 

Grandchildren: Three. 

  • Grandson Hajime (FB:A canon character), born nearly five years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are twenty-three.  
    • Marries Mutsuki Sohma (FB:A canon character), son of Yuki and Machi, lifelong close friend turned romantic partner. 
  • Grandson Katsuro*, born eight years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are twenty-six.
    • Marries Mariko Nishimura*, nursing student and fellow musician who he meets near the end of his first year at university. 
  • Granddaughter Sachiko*, born twelve years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are thirty.
    • Marries Takashi Sakamoto*, long-time karate classmate and friend turned romantic partner.  

Great-grandchildren: Six.  

  • Great-Granddaughter Akari* (Katsuro), born thirty-two years after graduation. 
  • Great-Grandson Kazue* (Katsuro), born thirty-six years after graduation. 
  • Great-Granddaughter Aiko* (Hajime; adopted), born thirty-eight years after graduation. 
  • Great-Granddaughter Tadame* (Katsuro, the child from the end of canon), born thirty-nine years after graduation. 
  • Great-Granddaughter Ryuko* (Sachiko, older twin), born forty-three years after graduation. 
  • Great-Grandson Torashi* (Sachiko, younger twin) born forty-three years after graduation. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Grew up as the only child of two rigidly controlling parents, the entire family being under a microscope in the Sohma family due to Kazuma’s grandfather being the Cat.  
  • His parents' marriage was a business arrangement and they didn't like each other but worked well as team.
  • Had anger problems as a child and teenager, which he eventually learned to control with meditation. 
  • His mother and father died when he was seventeen and nineteen, respectively. 
  • Hired on by the previous dojo master at nineteen under the condition he learn to manage his anger.  
  • Takes over the dojo at twenty-five, after the unexpected death of the previous master. 
  • Twenty-seven when he takes in Kyo.  
  • An ‘early to bed, early to rise’ person. 
  • Starts every morning with meditation and kata in the dojo. 
  • Tends to follow the same course indefinitely unless prompted to reconsider, but is willing to change his mind with good reason. 
  • Loves to travel and will often go off at the drop of a hat with notice to only Kunimitsu. 
  • Can sometimes (often) be a flake. 
  • Gets his first mobile phone shortly after Kyo moves north so he never needs to worry about missing calls by being away from the phone. 
  • Never learns to cook, though that doesn’t stop him from periodically becoming inspired to try, always with terrible results.  
  • Loves convenience store bentos and pretty much lives on them when no one else is there to cook for him.
  • Develops a lifelong friendship with Saki Hanajima, with the two of them initially bonding over their shared love of Tohru and mutual love of romance novels.
  • Develops a friendship with Akito after working with her regularly following the Curse breaking.
  • A favorite visitor in Kyo’s dojo in Hibe, where he ends up becoming good friends with not just Kyo’s new master but several of his peers.
  • Hosts some of Kyo's coworkers over the years for training sabbaticals.
  • Buys the dojo outright from the Sohmas shortly after Kyo graduates, with a little help from Akito.
  • Looked on in some fashion as a parental figure, or parental inspiration, by many of the younger Zodiac.  
  • Stops sparring eleven years before retiring, after suffering some serious injuries in a bad fall. 
  • A seven-time Japanese national karate champion between sparring and kata, with six of those titles coming after the Curse broke.  
  • A highly skilled and naturally gifted karateka, he basically took a hiatus from competing during the time he had Kyo living with him and didn’t resume until after Kyo graduated.  
  • Extremely rapid to act once he’s made up his mind to do something.  
  • Devoted to his entire family and a favorite of everyone’s.  
  • Grows his hair out again in solidarity with and support of Kyo when Sachiko is two and Kyo grows his hair out so Sachiko doesn't cut hers.
  • Leaves his hair long going forward after finding out that Kunimitsu likes it.
  • The first person told about Hajime and Mutsuki's relationship and the first person other than Mutsuki to know of Hajime's sexuality.
  • Gay.
  • Completely closeted until the year after graduation, even going so far as to attempt dating women in the immediate aftermath of Kyo and Tohru moving north.
  • He and Kunimitsu keep their sexuality and relationship private for twenty years after they get together, until Hajime figures it out while living with them his first year of high school. Kazuma comes out to Tohru and Kyo’s family the following year, but no one outside the family learns for seventeen more years and they won’t go public until Kazuma retires from the dojo.  
  • Builds a small additional house on the dojo grounds the year Sachiko graduates high school for her to live in during university and for himself and Kunimitsu to retire to after Sachiko takes over. 
  • Final act as dojo master is to promote Kyo to kudan, the highest rank he can achieve in karate, with the blessing of Kyo's own dojo master. 
  • Stays on as dojo master in name until he's eighty to give Sachiko time to prepare, though she is handling all master business starting two years prior.
  • Marries Kunimitsu in a small private ceremony the evening of his retirement.
  • Called ‘Greypa’ by his four youngest great-grandchildren.  
  • Lives to the age of ninety before passing peacefully away, forty-nine years after graduation.

Saki Hanajima 
What we see at the end of canon: Saki has graduated and is preparing to start a new job at the Sohma Dojo as a cook. In FB:A she has married a foreigner with the surname ‘Mosca’ and they have a son, Rio. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Cook at the Sohma Dojo (from graduation for the next three years) 
  • Bookstore employee (for the next two years) 
  • Stay-at-home wife and mother for the rest of her life.  

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner(s):

  • Italian national Lorenzo Mosca,* who she meets in Tokyo after he was ‘called’ to Japan to find Saki by Megumi’s childhood prayer.
  • Arisa (Uotani) Sohma, with whom she begins an additional romantic relationship in their later years after Arisa is widowed, and who lives with Saki and Lorenzo in their home. 

Children: One.

  • Son Rio, (FB:A canon character), born seven years after graduation)
    • Marries Etsuko* 

Grandchildren: Three.

  • Grandson Niko*, born thirty-three years after graduation. 
  • Grandson Kai*, born thirty-six years after graduation. 
    • Inherited a weaker version of Saki's powers. 
    • In a non-traditional life-partnership with Tadame Sohma, granddaughter of Tohru and Kyo, who he eventually marries seventy-one years after graduation for the benefits, legal protections and to make their grandmothers happy.
  • Granddaughter Hana*, born thirty-eight years after graduation.
    • Marries Sakura Sato, the manager of her favorite coffee shop.

Great-grandchildren: Yes.

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Never actually serious in her romantic interest in Kazuma, only pretended she was to mess with Kyo and punish him for his plan to take Tohru away.  
  • Initially struggles with change in the wake of Tohru and Arisa leaving Tokyo, and keeps living at home until Megumi graduates high school three years after she does.  
  • Develops a lifelong friendship with Kazuma and loves to loan him romance novels, in front of Kyo if possible.  
  • Becomes close friends with Akito, who she calls ‘Aa-chan’ at the end of canon. 
  • Learns about the Zodiac Curse from Akito on the second anniversary of Tohru’s fall. 
  • Forms a shojo book club with Akito and Mine, with Saki and Mine taking turns choosing the selections.  
  • Always in charge of food on every girl's trip.
  • Enjoys unnerving Shigure literally any chance she gets.
  • Engaged to her husband within nine months of meeting him.
  • Has two wedding ceremonies, one in Italy for her in-laws and one in Japan.
  • She and her husband consider their Japanese wedding as 'the real one' because it is to their taste.  
  • Shares her passion for food with her husband, and loves having the opportunity to travel to foreign countries to try new food. 
  • Loves colorful and complicated cocktails.
  • Never gets drunk, or if she does, no one can tell. 
  • She never dyes her hair, but it stays black for an extremely long time before turning steel grey almost overnight.  
  • Regularly travels back and forth to Italy with her husband.  
  • Speaks fluent Italian within a year of meeting Lorenzo, much to the shock of everyone who knew her struggles with school.
  • Picks up the Italian habit of greeting loved one by kissing their cheeks. 
  • Remains devoted to Tohru and Arisa her entire life, and extends that devotion to Tohru’s children, to whom she is always ‘Aunt Saki.’  
  • She and Arisa begin a romantic relationship in later life after Kureno dies and she moves in with Saki and Lorenzo. Although Saki is initially guilty to have feelings for Arisa when she is married and in love with her husband, he encourages their relationship on the grounds that love isn't finite and tells her that as long as their relationship doesn't suffer, he's ok with it. 
  • Her relationship with Arisa is completely separate from her relationship with Lorenzo. 
  • Her relationship with Arisa is unknown to anyone else besides her husband and grandson Kai, who found out by accident. 
  • The longest-lived member of the original canon. 

Arisa Uotani 
What we see at the end of canon: Arisa is in a relationship with Kureno Sohma, who she is moving to join following graduation. She does not appear and is not mentioned in FB:A.  

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Server, and later manager, at an izakaya. 

Resides:  

  • Rural Fukushima prefecture. 
  • Tokyo (following Kureno's death and for the rest of her life)

Romantic partner(s):

  • Kureno Sohma, who she marries three years after graduation. 
  • Saki (Hanajima) Mosca, with whom she begins a romantic relationship in their later years after Arisa is widowed and who she lives with, along with Saki's husband Lorenzo.

Children: None. 

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Remains devoted to Saki and Tohru her entire life and takes the most initiative in planning their girls’ trips.  
  • Teases Kyo about dying his hair even after she learns about the Zodiac Curse.  
  • Actively decides with Kureno not to have children because neither one of them feels up to the responsibility with their respective childhood (and teenage, and young adulthood, in Kureno’s case) baggage. 
  • Lives apart from Kureno for the first year after graduation.
  • Initially starts working at the izakaya because she needs a job, but stays because she comes to love the izakaya community.
  • Tends to drink to excess when drinking, but only drinks in specific social situations while with her friends due to her fear of becoming an alcoholic like her father. 
  • Adopts a cat shortly after moving to Fukushima.
  • Due to Kureno's past trauma and need for security, she always travels without him. 
  • ‘The cool aunt’ for Saki and Tohru’s children. 
  • Always calls Saki's husband Lorenzo 'Ezzie' and always calls Kyo 'Kyon.' 
  • She and Saki begin a romantic relationship in later life after Kureno dies and she moves in with Saki and Lorenzo. Although Arisa, once she realizes she's developed feelings, initially intends to move out, she ends up staying after Saki confesses the situation to Lorenzo and he tells them he supports them.
  • She and Lorenzo remain friends as they always have been, and do not have any romantic relationship themselves. 
  • An editorial: I don’t like Arisa and Kureno as a couple and the #1 thing I’d change if I was restarting this series now was keeping them together. While the main series ends with them in a relationship, they don’t appear in Another so they could have broken up later and it still would have been canon compliant. I dislike their relationship because 1) it really felt like it came out of nowhere and it felt bizarrely out of character for Arisa to fall so hard for a man she knew for maybe five minutes, and 2) I hated that Arisa, a character who has an amazing growth arc in the canon (going from the delinquent child of a broken home with an alcoholic and uncaring father to a responsible, hard-working young woman who works multiple jobs, takes care of her home, manages her father’s health, and is a good student to boot) ended up in a relationship with an overgrown manchild with virtually no experience of the real world and a whole heap of trauma and baggage himself. She basically went from one kind of caretaker role to another, and that seriously bums me out. I do choose to believe, since I did keep them together (originally feeling that anything set up in the original canon had to stay the course to stay ‘canon compliant’), that Kureno made strong efforts to improve himself and that he pushed for their relationship to progress slowly, with them initially living apart and him learning how to be a functional adult on his own.  

Machi Kuragi 
What we see at the end of canon: Machi is in a relationship with Yuki, and he gives her a key to his apartment at university. In FB:A she and Yuki are married, live in the same city where they grew up, and have one child, Mutsuki, who is a grade behind Tohru and Kyo’s son Hajime. Per Mutsuki, Machi still has a difficult relationship with her parents, who she rarely talks to.  

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Corporate accountant. 

Resides:  

  • Kyoto (for four years, from her high school graduation through her university graduation, then intermittently with Aiko's family at the end of her life). 
  • Tokyo (for the rest of her life). 

Romantic partner:

  • Yuki Sohma, who she marries four years after graduation. 

Children: One 

  • Son Mutsuki (FB:A canon character), born five years after graduation.
    • Marries Hajime Sohma (FB:A canon character), son of Tohru and Kyo, lifelong close friend turned romantic partner. 

Grandchildren: One 

  • Granddaughter Aiko* (adopted), born thirty-eight years after graduation. 
    • Marries Seiji Ishikawa, a widowed single father who she meets after he moves into the apartment next door.

Great- Grandchildren: Three.  

  • Step-great-granddaughter Rika* (Aiko), born almost fifty-eight years after graduation, who is six when Aiko and Seiji start dating and seven when they get married.  
  • Great-granddaughter Yuka* (Aiko), born sixty-seven years after graduation.
  • Great-grandson Chisato* (Aiko), born sixty-nine years after graduation.

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Naturally tidier than Yuki; once they establish a system of ‘imperfection’ in their home, like by having one picture hanging at a different level than the rest, or having a small rip on a throw pillow, Machi actually likes to keep the house otherwise somewhat clean. 
  • Initially embarrassed by her lack of hobbies and interests, but Yuki makes a game out of them trying new things together to figure out what she likes. 
  • Loves haunted houses. 
  • Loves fireworks.
  • Favorite vacation spot is the beach, because it is constantly in motion and nothing, either the sand or waves, ever stays the same. 
  • Finds out about the Zodiac Curse during the Christmas of Yuki’s final year and accepts it immediately.  
  • A passable, but not great, cook. 
  • The driving force behind her and Yuki going public with their relationship during Yuki’s final year in high school. 
  • Becomes good friends with Momiji and Haru during their last year of high school when Yuki is off at university, with the two of them acting as her bodyguards at school and protecting her from the Prince Yuki Fan Club.  
  • Takes a while to warm up to Tohru; she’s never jealous of her or worries about her relationship with Yuki, but is very much intimidated by her, wants Tohru to like her, and worries about making a good impression. By the time Tohru and Yuki graduate, she and Machi are good friends.  
  • Never really gels with Rin, leading to the two couples being a little more distant in adulthood.  
  • Initially terrified about the idea of having children due to her childhood and relationship with her parents, but had come around to the idea as a future possibility when she found herself unexpectedly pregnant with Mutsuki her final year of university.  
  • Never stops being somewhat bewildered by Mutsuki, but always reminds herself she never liked order or perfection.  
  • Has an unpleasant relationship with her parents, but does her best not to let it bother her.  
  • Loves messy or chaotic artistic hobbies, like abstract painting and anything involving clay.
  • A disinterested potter, but likes playing with clay on pottery wheels.
  • In later life, a great fan of the Japanese art of kintsugi.
  • Aiko's children call her 'Ratma.'
  • She and Yuki buy Aiko a home in Kyoto as a wedding present. 

Kakeru Manabe 
What we see at the end of canon: Kakeru is university-bound like Yuki, not in the least bit concerned about entrance exams, and in a relationship with his longtime girlfriend Komaki. In FB:A, they are married and have two children, daughter Michi and son Kou. 

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Business manager of Komaki’s family dry cleaning business, which he later expands from one shop to thirteen.  

Resides:  

  • Tokyo 

Romantic partner:

  • Komaki Nakao, who he marries two years after graduation (they’d initially talked about waiting until after he graduated from university...but he didn’t want to).  

Children: Two 

  • Daughter Michi (FB:A canon character), born four and a half years after graduation.
    • Marries Kei Nakayama*  
  • Son Kou (named FB:A character), born eight years after graduation.
    • Marries ??? 

Grandchildren: Four 

  • Grandson Taiyo* (Michi), born twenty-eight years after graduation. 
  • Grandson Yasuo* (Michi), born thirty years after graduation. 
  • Grandson Hiroki* (Kou), born thirty-six years after graduation 
  • Granddaughter Nori* (Kou), born forty-one years after graduation.  

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Went to Tokyo University, Japan’s top school. 
  • Briefly came back into favor with his father after getting into Tokyo U, with his father offering to make Kakeru his heir in exchange for him breaking up with Komaki, an offer which Kakeru passed on and made their relationship more awkward than ever
  • Adores Yuki and Machi for the rest of his life; the feeling is not always mutual. 
  • Always calls Yuki ‘Yun-Yun.’ 
  • A surprisingly talented businessman.  
  • Blurts things out when he’s stressed. 
  • Never afraid of Kyo, though he likes to pretend he is.  
  • Adores Ayame and Mine, who he always calls ‘Commander’ and ‘Vice Commander’ and considers them his brother and sister through his relationship with Yuki. All of them are ‘uncle’ and ‘aunt’ to one another’s children.  
  • Adores Mutsuki and has a running rivalry with Ayame over who can be the ‘worse’ influence (worse as defined by Yuki and Machi).  
  • Never becomes friends with Tohru or Kyo, but they are all friendly when they encounter one another.  

Kunimitsu Tomoda 
What we see at the end of canon: Kunimitsu is still Kazuma’s assistant and enjoys seeing the relationship between the two of them, easily redirecting Kazuma’s ‘I can die happy now’ to ‘oh yes, there will someday be grandchildren.’ He does not appear and is not mentioned in FB:A.  

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Kazuma’s assistant, boarding student supervisor, and the Sohma Dojo second-in-command.  

Resides:  

  • The Sohma Dojo, Tokyo; initially in the board wing, then in Kazuma’s house starting almost seven years after graduation.  

Romantic partner:

  • Kazuma Sohma, who he starts a relationship with a year and a half after graduation, moves in with nearly seven years after graduation, is 'introduced' to Kyo by twenty-two years after graduation, is legally adopted by (a common workaround for gay marriage in Japan, where it’s illegal) twenty-nine years after graduation, and ‘goes public with’ following Kazuma’s retirement forty years after graduation. 

Children: None 

Family: Kazuma’s.  

  • Kunimitsu always looked on Kyo as a younger brother and that relationship has stayed fairly constant over the course of their lives. Although Kunimitsu is in a relationship with Kazuma, he does not occupy a paternal/grandparental role with Kyo or his family, and is regarded more as an uncle to Kyo’s kids and grandkids, all of whom likewise call him ‘Kunimitsu’ based on his preference.  

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • An only child of somewhat doting parents who, rarely for Japan, love Christmas and Christmas decorating. 
  • Roughly the same age as the Mabudachi Trio, ten years younger than Kazuma and twelve years older than Kyo. 
  • Started attending the Sohma Dojo at fifteen, after his family relocated to the area, shortly after Kazuma took over as dojo master.  
  • Kazuma created his job for him when he was twenty-two because Kunimitsu’s then-job and commute, which he hated, were too time consuming for him to keep attending the dojo. Rather than have him drop karate, Kazuma gave him a job, alleviating some of the stress on Kazuma of trying to run the dojo single-handedly.  
  • Though his title is technically Kazuma’s assistant, he also manages the day-to-day aspects of running the dojo, as well as being the resident supervisor of the dojo’s boarding students when they still took them in.  
  • Runs the dojo in Kazuma’s absence.  
  • Has never lived alone (he went from living with his parents to living in the dojo’s boarding wing to living in Kazuma’s house) and never wants to.  
  • A late sleeper, when left to his own devices.  
  • A good cook who enjoys cooking with others and originally taught Kyo how to cook.  
  • Never really thought much about his sexual orientation while growing up, but ended up falling in love with Kazuma over time. 
  • Demisexual and has never been attracted to anyone other than Kazuma, either man or woman.
  • Starts romantic relationship Kazuma a year after graduation, when Kazuma is forty-two and Kunimitsu is thirty-two.  
  • He respects Kazuma's desire to keep their relationship private from everyone, including Kyo, until Kazuma changes his mind after twenty-one years together. 
  • Prior to Kazuma coming out to his family, Kunimitsu tended to retreat to the dojo when Kyo's family visited so as to give Kazuma uninterrupted family time.
  • His parents never learn he’s with a man prior to their deaths. 
  • Legally adopted by Kazuma twenty-nine years after graduation when they’re fifty-nine and sixty-nine, after Kazuma has an accident and is hospitalized, an event where Kunimitsu couldn’t get any information because he wasn’t a relative.  
  • Doesn’t learn about the Curse until Kyo learns he and Kazuma are a couple and Kyo asks if Kunimitsu knows, twenty-one years after they started dating and twenty-two years after graduation.  
  • His relationship is the most 'familial' with Kazuma's great-grandkids, since they know him most/all of their lives as Kazuma's husband, unlike Tohru and Kyo's kids, who didn't find out he and Kazuma were a couple until they were teens/almost teens. 
  • His preference for being called simply 'Kunimitsu' inspires Tadame to call all the other adults in the family by their names. 
  • Decorates Kazuma’s house every year with Christmas lights.

Fruits Basket Another prominent canon characters  

Hajime Sohma (Tohru and Kyo’s oldest son): 
What we see at the end of canon: Hajime is the serious, responsible ‘papa’ of the Kaibara High Sohmas, foil of Mutsuki, beloved and regarded as ‘special’ by all. He is the student council president, studying for university entrance exams, and preparing to graduate in the spring.  

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:  

  • Liaison, later deputy director, and eventually director of the Chiba prefectural Division of International Affairs. 

Resides:  

  • Village of Hibe, Aomori prefecture (birth until fifteen, when he starts high school at Kaibara High). 
  • The Sohma Dojo, Tokyo (his first year of high school). 
  • Shigure’s old house, Tokyo (his second and third years of high school). 
  • The city of Chiba (from graduating high school through retirement)
  • Yuki and Machi's house, Tokyo (from retirement through the rest of Yuki and Machi's lives)
  • The city of Kyoto (for the rest of his life)

Romantic partner:

  • Mutsuki Sohma, son of Yuki and Machi and Hajime’s lifelong best friend, who he proposes to at nineteen, has a wedding ceremony with at twenty-seven, and legally marries as soon as it becomes legal in Japan at forty-six.  

Children: One. 

  • Daughter Aiko,* adopted as a newborn by Hajime and Mutsuki thirty-eight years after graduation.  
    • Marries Seiji Ishikawa, a widowed single father who she meets after he moves into the apartment next door.

Grandchildren:  

  • Step-granddaughter Rika, born almost fifty-eight years after graduation, who is six when Aiko and Seiji start dating and seven when they get married. 
  • Granddaughter Yuka, born sixty-seven years after graduation.
  • Grandson Chisato, born sixty-nine years after graduation.

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • Birthday is Valentine's Day.
  • Runs and does kata every morning. 
  • An incredibly gifted karateka, but stops practicing after graduating high school.  
  • Responsible to a fault. 
  • Incredibly tidy. 
  • Dislikes gardening, but will do it if asked. Comes to enjoy it as an adult, but only if he's doing it with other people.
  • A talented cook. 
  • A natural athlete and good at most sports, though his favorite is basketball. 
  • Academically gifted.  
  • A naturally heavy sleeper, but sets multiple alarms to make sure he gets up in the morning.  
  • Extremely observant, adept at picking up on patterns and solving problems, or noticing changes in people’s behavior, if he knows them well. 
  • A talented linguist who speaks fluent English and German as well as Japanese.  
  • Very organized and incredibly tidy. 
  • Inherits the Cat's love of heights, lethargy in rain, silent footfalls, reflexes, spatial awareness, and sense of balance. 
  • The most ‘logical’ one in his extended family and the one they usually ask when after an unbiased opinion. 
  • Excellent at suppressing his feelings
  • Incredibly protective of his family; he’ll ignore insults to himself, but he would always fight on behalf of his parents or siblings.  
  • A serious grudge-holder.  
  • Overthinks things to death.  
  • Extremely modest.
  • Hates being the center of attention, though he's often in it.
  • Gets embarrassed very easily. 
  • Tends to take control of situations, often without realizing he’s doing it.  
  • Suffers from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
  • Used to being perfect/having high expectations placed on him and gets stressed if he feels he can’t live up to those expectations.
  • History of panic attacks. 
  • Naturally cautious and a planner rather than being spontaneous.  
  • The most serious out of his siblings.
  • Very popular in school. 
  • On the basketball club in middle school and the captain of the team his final year. 
  • In denial about being gay right up until Mutsuki first kissed him.  
  • The first person to realize Kazuma and Kunimitsu were a couple, due to observing them when he lived in the dojo his first year of high school.  
  • Very close to both parents all his life, but becomes closer to Kyo in the wake of learning about the Curse.  
  • Always closest to Yuki out of any of his ‘aunts and uncles’ and his biggest worry about coming out, aside of Tohru and Kyo being upset, was Yuki and Machi being upset.
  • Goes to university in Chiba, where his degree is ‘English-speaking Countries Cultural Studies.’ 
  • Shares the most physical traits and mannerisms with Kyo out of his siblings.  
  • Taller than Kyo as an adult, but shorter than his brother Katsuro.  
  • He proposes to Mutsuki the first time at nineteen.
  • Mutsuki surprises him with their perfect 'personal' wedding at twenty-seven.
  • Gay marriage becomes legal in Japan (fictionally) when they are forty-six, and Mutsuki proposes they get legally married, with Aiko's help.
  • Hajime and Mutsuki get legally married on Hajime's forty-seventh birthday, the first day it is legal, and Hajime legally adopts Aiko that same day. 
  • Wears Kyo’s beads from the time he moves away for high school until giving them in turn to his daughter Aiko when she moves away for university.  
  • Daughter Aiko calls him 'Papa.'
  • Called 'Grampy' by his grandkids (short for 'Grandpapa').

Mutsuki Sohma (Yuki and Machi’s son): 
What we see at the end of canon: Mutsuki is the devilish but charming vice president of the Kaibara High student council, defender of Shiki, instigator of fun, somewhat selfish but unswervingly honest and devoted friend of Hajime.  

‘Always and Forever’ quick facts 

Job/Profession:

  • Landscape architect for the City of Chiba parks division (for fifteen years) 
  • Landscape designer and head of his own firm (the remainder of his professional life). 

Resides:  

  • His parents’ house, Tokyo (birth until fifteen, when he starts high school at Kaibara High). 
  • Shigure’s old house, Tokyo (during high school). 
  • The city of Chiba (from graduating high school through retirement)
  • Yuki and Machi's house, Tokyo (from retirement through the rest of Yuki and Machi's lives)
  • The city of Kyoto (for the rest of his life)

Romantic partner:

  • Hajime Sohma, son of Tohru and Kyo and Mutsuki’s lifelong best friend, who proposes to him at nineteen, has a wedding ceremony with him at twenty-six, and legally marries as soon as it becomes legal in Japan at forty-six.  

Children: One. 

  • Daughter Aiko,* adopted as a newborn by Hajime and Mutsuki thirty-eight years after graduation.  
    • Marries Seiji Ishikawa, a widowed single father who she meets after he moves into the apartment next door.

Grandchildren:  

  • Step-granddaughter Rika, born almost fifty-eight years after graduation, who is six when Aiko and Seiji start dating and seven when they get married. 
  • Granddaughter Yuka, born sixty-seven years after graduation.
  • Grandson Chisato, born sixty-nine years after graduation.

Random facts and headcanons: 

  • A ball of chaos from the moment he was conceived; beloved, but a perpetual headache for his parents.  
  • Never malicious or intentionally disobedient, but capable of interpreting rules and edicts with unparalleled creativity.  
  • The ultimate ray of sunshine, with unwavering love for his parents, cousins, aunts and uncles and friends.  
  • Inherited his father’s social poise along with his uncles’ charisma and theatricality, which combined make him almost impossible to ignore or easily overrule. 
  • Adores his uncles Kakeru and Ayame but was not allowed to be alone with them both while growing up because of An Incident that happened when he was a child. 
  • A master manipulator, usually manipulating with a smile.  
  • A consummate actor and great at hiding things. 
  • Supremely confident and rarely embarrassed.
  • Capable of extensive and elaborate planning, but prefers to do things spontaneously.  
  • Tends to make decisions about people on the fly.  
  • Very intelligent and gets good grades without having to work hard at it.
  • A great storyteller.  
  • Loves gardening with his parents, and later on with Hajime (who joins him under duress). 
  • Goes to university in Chiba for landscape architecture.
  • Inspired to create by his parents and by Ayame and Mine. 
  • Admittedly selfish and willing to go to a lot of effort to do the things he wants.  
  • Largely unflappable and good at taking things in stride.
  • Very rarely gets discouraged or upset.
  • Deeply sensitive to injustice and will go out of his way to try to help people he feels deserve it.  
  • Came out to Yuki as bisexual just before middle school, then never mentioned it again until introducing Hajime as his boyfriend.  
  • Came out to Hajime/asked Hajime out by asking if he could kiss him, after spending months making sure he was confident Hajime felt the same way.
  • Inherited his parents' cavalier attitude towards mess and clutter. 
  • Rarely gets angry on his own behalf but can be fierce defending his loved ones. 
  • Planned a surprise wedding for himself and Hajime after seeing Hajime struggle to deal with his younger brother's wedding and baby. 
  • Entirely aware that while Kyo loves him, he’s also bewildered by him, and leans into that by always confidently claiming to be Kyo’s favorite. 
  • Incredibly close to Tohru since he was a small child and views her as his backup mother. 
  • Never meets Yuki's parents and has practically no relationship with Machi's parents.
  • Aiko’s legal father from the day she’s adopted until Hajime and Mutsuki are able to be legally married and Hajime adopts her as well. 
  • In later life, he starts his own landscape design firm, with Yuki often joining him after retiring to provide a sounding board and a second set of opinions.  
  • A dangerously terrible cook.
  • One of the very few people who knows the recipe to Ayame's Special Hangover Cure. 
  • Hajime proposes to Mutsuki the first time at nineteen.
  • Mutsuki surprises Hajime with their perfect 'personal' wedding at twenty-seven.
  • The 'elder statesman' of Tohru and Kyo's children-in-law.
  • Regards Hajime's siblings and their spouses as his siblings, along with his cousin (Kakeru's daughter) Michi.
  • Gay marriage becomes legal in Japan (fictionally) when they are forty-six, and Mutsuki proposes they get legally married, with Aiko's help.
  • Hajime and Mutsuki get legally married on Hajime's forty-seventh birthday, the first day it is legal, and Hajime legally adopts Aiko that same day. 
  • Daughter Aiko calls him 'Daddy.'  
  • Called 'Grandy' by his grandkids (short for 'Granddaddy').

Notes:

And...I have finished rereading the series and doing my final editing pass, yay! That means more updates for this appendix, hopefully, starting with some basic bio info and personal headcanons about the most significant canon characters (and a few less significant Zodiac members, because I wanted to include all the Zodiac in at least one place). There's a couple more canon characters I toyed with adding and might come back to add later, but these are also the big ones!

As always, I welcome questions/comments. My intention is to end this appendix with a fairly sizable headcanon dump, but I decided to put a bunch of the character-specific ones in here to make it easier on myself later.

Chapter 5: Original character quick facts

Summary:

'Quick facts' about the prominent original characters appearing in 'Always and Forever.'

Contains spoilers.

Notes:

Includes the following OCs, in order:

Katsuro Sohma
Sachiko Sohma
Mariko (Nishimura) Sohma
Takashi (Sakamoto) Sohma
Akari Sohma
Kazue Sohma
Aiko Sohma
Tadame Sohma
Ryuko Sohma
Torashi Sohma

Sensei Kenichi Matsuda
Ayako Matsuda
Sensei Haruto (Maeda) Matsuda
Sensei Hiroshi Yamada
Sensei Yuna Sasaki

Hans Wagner
Lorenzo Mosca
Riko and Yamato Tanaka

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

On the subject of OCs: 
I know, acknowledge, and accept that original characters are often hard sells in fanfiction, and it was originally not my intention to involve any in my stories, definitely not any that were important; I wanted to write about Tohru and Kyo, and the idea of coming up with any new characters when Takaya already had so many great ones felt unnecessary. However, once I’d written a few stories and started to really want to expand on Tohru and Kyo’s new life, I realized that having OCs, specifically recurring OCs, was inevitable; it was impossible to have Tohru and Kyo truly move to a new place and occupy if it if it didn’t have people, and that meant I needed to figure out who those people were. 

Some characters came to me easily; some took longer to figure out. Some of them were downright intimidating because I really, really didn’t want to screw them up. All told, there are a few dozen named OCs that pop up in my stories, with most of them having at least a little personality in my head. I’ll cover additional recurring/significant OCs (like Kyo’s high school basketball friends, Tohru's coworkers at the OB/GYN clinic, and the kids’ friends) later on, but these are the ones who, for one reason or another, I consider especially prominent or are just favorites of mine.  

On the subject of 'canon' OCs:
I consider Tohru and Kyo's second son and daughter, the second son's wife and mini-Tohru daughter, Kyo's dojo master, and Saki Hanajima's foreign husband 'canon OCs' because their literal existence and/or at least a couple details about them are established in canon. We know that Tohru and Kyo have three children and roughly what the younger two look like; we know roughly what the second son's wife and daughter look like. We know Kyo's new dojo master is an acquaintance of Kazuma's, willing to take on Kyo several months out in the future, and we know Saki's husband is a foreigner named 'Mosca' who comes to Japan in response to Megumi's prayer. But none of them are named (or first named, in Mosca's case) and we are given little to nothing of their personalities or anything substantial about them. While I have made sure to incorporate everything we know to be canon about them, they are ultimately OCs and so included here. 

On the subject of names:  
Surnames, in general, don’t have any deeper meaning. I have a list of Japanese surnames, which I use for all my OCs. 

For first names, the amount of thought I put into a name largely depended on how large a role I imagined that character playing in the story and how early on in the process I created them. With earlier characters, I was mostly pulling names from lists of common Japanese first names, with my earliest OCs named without a thought about kanji or meaning and simply being names I liked the sound of (notable people who fall under this category: all of Kyo’s fellows at the Matsuda Dojo). I did later go back and choose the kanji for their names with a thought for their characters and backstories, though. 

For later characters and prominent characters who I created knowing I was in this series for the long haul, I gave them first names and kanji when I came up with them (this includes Katsuro and Sachiko, their partners, some of their friends, and all of Tohru and Kyo’s grandkids).  

Regarding kanji, I have done my best to use them appropriately and I hope I’m giving their meanings correctly! 

On the subject of first appearances: 
I’ve always written this series out of order, moving around in the timeline as inspiration struck me. Because I personally like this sort of trivia, I’ve noted my OCs’ first appearances in the series two ways: their first written appearance, so the first time they appeared after I created them, and their first chronological appearance, the first time they appear in the timeline (which in some cases predates the point where I created them).  

On to OCs!


Tohru and Kyo’s family

When I started writing, I didn’t have any plan of adding onto Tohru and Kyo’s family. Even after I acknowledged I was going to be writing multiple stories, I didn’t expect to go far enough I’d need to figure out anything else about their other children; obviously, I was wrong. Katsuro Sohma made his debut in the 23rd piece I wrote for the series, “Moving Right Along,” and since then, he and the rest of the familial additions have become almost as real to me as their canon family members. Tohru and Kyo always struck me as people who would dearly cherish their family, and getting to see the two of them in the midst of a loving, if sometimes chaotic, family, has always been a joy. 

Katsuro ‘Katsu’ Sohma  

Role in the story and canon influences:

  • Tohru and Kyo’s second son, established in canon as existing but without name or personality (other than potentially being polite, per FB:A). From the original series epilogue, he is seen to have orange hair like Kyo and be fairly tall; in Fruits Basket Another (FB:A), he is established to be in middle school while Hajime is in his final year of high school and appears short and still childlike.  

First written appearance: “Moving Right Along.” 
First chronological appearance: Same. 

Kanji and source of name:

  • 勝郎, ‘victory’ and ‘son.’ His name is an honor name, sharing a kanji with Tohru’s father Katsuya. It made sense to me that Tohru especially would like the idea of an honor name, and based on Tohru’s feelings at that time, her own father felt like a logical choice to me. I think she will come later on to have complicated feelings about Katsuya and his relationship with Kyoko, but I think after venting her feelings about Katsuya dying to Kyo in during the canon ‘sheets’ scene, she is, for a long time, in a much more positive place regarding her father, and Kyo would support her request. I also liked the symbolism of the ‘victory’ kanji, because I knew Katsuro’s personality before I finalized his name and I knew that he was going to be a person who struggled with feelings of inadequacy before ultimately overcoming them. I think there are definitely times where he doesn’t feel very victorious when he’s younger, but that changes as he matures.  

Source of character:

  • In FB:A, Hajime is shown to have several mannerisms/behaviors he shares with Kyo, many of which are displayed fairly early on (a common criticism of FB:A I’ve heard is that the second gen are basically version 2.0 of their parents. I don’t totally agree with that, but especially if you only read Hajime’s early chapters, it’s a valid criticism). For the second son, I wanted a character that was very different than Hajime and Kyo both; we know from the canon epilogue he still looks like Kyo, but I liked the idea of him having more in common with Tohru in terms of personality and behavior. I also wanted to incorporate him being musical in very early on, due to my personal headcanon about Kyo’s mom being a musician. He’s the most ‘independent’ of the family as a character and the least dramatic of his siblings, but he’s the one I personally relate to the most and I always enjoy writing him.  

Age:

  • Born eight years after graduation, when Tohru and Kyo are both twenty-six. He is the same age and grade as FB:A canon character Chizuru, one year younger than Rio Mosca, and one year older than Shiki. Hajime is three years and three months older than him, as well as four grades ahead of him in school. He is nearly thirty-four at the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ and sixty-nine at the time of 'All Good Things.'

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Bright orange like Kyo’s, which he mostly wears in a similar style to Kyo in the canon. 
  • Eyes: Amber-red
  • Build: As a child, small and slight; he, like Momiji, is slow to hit puberty and doesn’t start to physically mature until he’s around sixteen, at which point he starts to shoot up rapidly. As an adult, he is the tallest member of the family aside of Kazuma, and looks even taller because he’s fairly lanky, rather like his namesake grandfather Katsuya. 
  • Other:
    • His facial features are largely Kyo’s, but he has a different smile (from Kyo's mother) and mostly different expressions.
    • His eyes react like Kyo’s when he’s feeling strong emotion, but by the time he's in high school he's so good at managing his emotions that his eyes almost never change.
    • He has something of a baby face until puberty. 
    • He has very long fingers and hands. 

Job/Profession:    

  • Middle school music teacher and later middle school musical director.

Resides:   

  • Village of Hibe (from the time he’s born until he moves out for university at eighteen). 
  • City of Sapporo (the next four years, for university).
  • City of Sendai (next twenty-three years).
  • City of Osaki (next six years). 
  • City of Sendai (next fifteen years).
  • City of Tokyo (the rest of his life).

Romantic partner:  

  • Mariko Nishimura, a nursing student and fellow musician he meets near the end of his first year of university and marries four and a half years later, thirty-two years after graduation.  

Children:  

  • Daughter Akari, born thirty-two years after graduation. 
    • Marries Akimitsu Kusakabe, fellow student at Tohoku University.
  • Son Kazue, born thirty-six years after graduation. 
    • Marries Saoirse Murphy, British national from Belfast who he meets when she is studying abroad at Chiba University.
  • Daughter Tadame (the girl from the canon epilogue), born thirty-nine years after graduation.  
    • In a non-traditional life partnership with Kai Mosca, son of Rio, grandson of Saki Hanajima, who she eventually marries seventy-one years after graduation for the benefits, legal protections and to make their grandmothers happy.

Grandchildren: Four. 

  • Grandson Kyosuke Kusakabe (Akari), Tohru and Kyo's first great grandchild, born almost fifty-seven years after graduation. 
  • Granddaughter Kanami Kusakabe (Akari), born fifty-nine years after graduation
  • Grandaughter Kairi Erin Sohma (Kazue), born almost sixty-five years after graduation. 
  • Grandson Rei Ronan Sohma (Kazue), born sixty-seven years after graduation

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Takes after Tohru the most of the three kids, being awkward, clumsy (when he's younger), gentle, and forgiving.
  • Extremely accident-prone as a child and breaks multiple bones over the course of his life, including by falling off a stepladder and by pulling a weed too hard and subsequently slamming his hand into the ground from the momentum.
  • Physically uncoordinated and bad at virtually all sports as a child.
  • Grows out of his clumsiness by the time he's in his twenties.
  • Never takes up any form of regular exercise other than walking until he picks up kata in his late thirties. 
  • Enrolls in karate at five, but does so badly that after months of no progress he asks, and is allowed, to quit, a fact that relieves him but will also prove a sore spot for the remainder of his youth and adolescence.
  • Loves gardening and is Tohru’s right-hand man outside. 
  • A natural and talented cook, considered by all of them to be the best in the family alongside Tohru.
  • Incredibly patient.
  • His father and siblings call him 'Katsu.' 
  • Quiet and shy as a kid.
  • Grows out of his shyness in middle school, but always remains fairly quiet even as an adult. 
  • Awkward at scripted public speaking, but good at talking off the cuff and always genuine. 
  • A poor student for all that he does his best, and his successful track record on exams is usually due to guessing and good luck.
  • Fairly formal speech patterns. 
  • Incredibly earnest nature.
  • Very dependable and loyal to those he cares about.
  • Inherits the Cat spirit’s quiet footsteps and above-average hearing.
  • A musical prodigy with a particular talent for instruments.
  • Instrument of choice is the violin, but he is also skilled at the piano, trumpet, tin whistle, guitar, drums, bass guitar, and shamisen by the time he graduates university. 
  • A good singer with perfect pitch.
  • Able to sight-read almost any piece of music on the first try. 
  • Encouraged by his music teachers to become a professional musician, but ultimately doesn’t want the pressure of that lifestyle and wants instead to help other kids discover their passion for music and be there for them during a time they might be struggling, which is why he wants to be a music teacher himself and specifically wants to teach middle schoolers. 
  • A physical late bloomer, remaining small and childlike until he was nearly sixteen years old before having a massive growth spurt in high school.
  • Closest to Momiji and Hans out of all of his extended relatives, with Momiji affectionately referring to Katsuro as his favorite nephew. 
  • Generally the most patient and easy-going of his siblings, except during his preteen and early teen years when Sachiko could press his buttons like no one else. 
  • Spent years feeling profoundly inadequate beside Hajime, who is athletic, academic, started puberty at twelve, and a great public speaker.
  • Struggled with feeling like a disappointment to his parents, especially Kyo, when he was younger.
  • Had a somewhat distant relationship with Kyo from childhood until middle school because Kyo tended to gravitate towards doing more active/rowdier activities with the other two kids and Katsuro didn't share their collective interests.
  • Starts to have a better/closer relationship with Kyo in middle school when Kyo took a more active interest in Katsuro's own interests. 
  • Fairly private about his relationships and prefers to keep them to himself for months until he's confident they’re strong.
  • Awed by the discovery that Kyo’s mother was a musician and composer, and he makes a point to get copies of everything she wrote. Kyo ultimately decides to give Katsuro the originals, asking in return only for the chance to hear him play it once in a while. 
  • A heavy sleeper, heavier than even Tohru.
  • Not remotely a morning person.
  • Meditates, which he learned from Kazuma and is the only other person in the family to do until the next generation comes along. 
  • Fairly close to Rio, Shiki, and Chizuru growing up and remains close friends after they reach adulthood.
  • Has the basically the same group of close friends from first grade through high school graduation, all of whom are musicians, and they likewise stay close as they age, even after graduating and moving away from each other. 
  • Dealt with the most bullying growing up, between his unusual looks and his meek personality. 
  • An absolutely terrible liar whose ears turn red when he lies. 
  • Blushes easily
  • Initially struggles to believe Kyo when learning about the Zodiac Curse, as he hadn’t observed any of the signs that allowed Hajime to accept it. 
  • Has very complicated feelings towards his grandfather Katsuya, his namesake, after learning the truth about Katsuya and Kyoko’s relationship as a high schooler, especially considering he likewise intends to go into teaching. 
  • The most emotionally grounded out of all of Tohru and Kyo’s kids as an adult and the most lacking in temper.  
  • Not particularly curious or all that observant, meaning he is often surprised by things that others have noticed.
  • Fairly trusting and the most gullible out of Tohru and Kyo's children.
  • Regarded by his siblings as the 'most good' of them all, and both of them consider him to be the 'best' person of the three.
  • Forgives easily and doesn't hold grudges.
  • Doesn't ever yell and instead gets even quieter when he's angry.
  • Often has to deal with people assuming he dyes his hair. 
  • Attends Hokkaido University in Sapporo.
  • Meets his eventual wife at an open mic night in university.   
  • Music is his greatest passion and he has a music room in every house he’s ever had and a music space in every apartment.
  • Works part-time in high school and university teaching music lessons.
  • Also gigs as an event musician in university.
  • Chooses to get his teaching license in the prefecture of Miyagi, where Sendai in located, due to its central location between Tokyo and Hibe, relatively small geographic size, and Mariko's wish to be near her family.
  • Does not particularly like his wife's family, but does his best to let her set the tone of their relationship with them. 
  • In later life, Katsuro is regularly asked to perform by friends/acquaintances at special events.
  • In spite of his musical talent, he doesn't write music at all himself.
  • As an adult, Katsuro acts somewhat as a bridge between Hajime’s tendency to overthink everything and Sachiko’s tendency to fly the seat of her pants. He, like Hajime, is fairly conservative, but he’s much more laid back and doesn’t stress about most things, unlike his brother. 
  • Tohru and Kyo move in with Katsuro and his family in Sendai following Kyo’s step back from full-time work and their decision to leave Hibe. When they move in, Katsuro is thirty-four and his children are nine, five, and three.
  • He was genuinely shocked his parents accept his invitation to move in with them, as he fully expected they'd move to Tokyo and into the dojo with Sachiko.  
  • Tohru and Kyo live with them for thirteen years, at which point Katsuro’s two oldest children have graduated high school and Katsuro himself has relocated to a school in the city of Osaki. 
  • For the last year Tohru and Kyo live in Sendai, Katsuro and Mariko actually live in Osaki during the week due to Katsuro's work relocation, but Tohru and Kyo live in their Sendai home and act as primary guardians for Kazue and Tadame while the kids finish their last year of high school and middle school, respectively. 
  • With his family (parents, siblings, their spouses, and his wife), he eventually gets a tattoo reading ‘Always and Forever.’ As teaching is a markedly conservative profession and tattoos are fairly taboo in Japan, his is on the outside of his hip so it runs minimal risk of being seen.  
  • After retirement, Katsuro and Mariko move to Tokyo where they end up living on the Sohma estate, courtesy of their good friends Shiki and Sawa. 

Sachiko ‘Sachi’ Sohma

Role in the story and canon influences:

  • Tohru and Kyo’s daughter, established as existing in canon but with no name or personality. Unlike her brother, she does not appear in the anime at all (other than in a photo) and appears in only a single panel of FB:A, where she has no speaking role. From the anime epilogue, the photos with her suggest she takes after Tohru in appearance and has brown hair.  

First written appearance: “Embracing the Unexpected.” 
First chronological appearance: Same. 

Kanji and source of name:

  • 幸子, ‘bliss/good fortune’ and ‘child.’ I headcanon that Sachiko was an ‘oops’ baby, one Tohru and Kyo hadn’t even agreed to have, let alone have then. I feel that Kyo would have been the one on the fence about having three and he’s the one who would have struggled the most with the surprise before ultimately coming around to being excited and even happy about it. I likewise already knew that the daughter and Kyo would be close and that, with her, their family would be complete; I liked the idea of reflecting that serendipity and joy in her name.  

Source of character:

  • Dad Kyo’ is one of my favorite ‘happily ever after’ images, and I’ve always felt after seeing that they had a daughter, especially one who looked like Tohru, that he and she would be insanely close. The idea of a Daddy’s Girl was rapidly followed by most of the defining parts of her character: the love of karate, her being a tomboy, her confidence and enthusiasm, even her friction with Tohru. She is an OC I both love and hate; during her ‘brat’ era, she’s probably my least favorite character to write, period, never mind OC. But once she’s older, she’s a favorite; a somewhat exhausting, but always entertaining (to write) favorite.  

Age:

  • Born twelve years after graduation when Tohru and Kyo are thirty years old. She is less than a year younger than and in the same grade as Momiji’s daughter, FB:A canon character Mina. Katsuro is three and a half years older than her and three grades ahead, while Hajime is seven years older and seven grades ahead both. She is thirty at the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ and sixty-five at the time of 'All Good Things.' 

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Brown, like Tohru’s; she prefers to braid it in crown braids or pull it back in a high ponytail while in the dojo and otherwise usually either wears it loose or in a ponytail.  
  • Eyes: Amber-red 
  • Build: Visually, Sachiko is largely Tohru 2.0, with a similar petite build. As a child, she’s compact and full of energy, then she stretches out a bit after puberty to ultimately end up about two inches taller than Tohru, which still makes her the second-shortest member of the family (third shortest after all the next generation have grown up). A dedicated lifelong athlete, Sachiko is significantly more muscular than her mother, but from a distance the two look very similar. 
  • Other:
    • Same facial features as Tohru, including eye shape.
    • Her eyes behave the same way as Kyo’s when she’s emotional, with the pupils becoming slitted and catlike.  

Job/Profession:   

  • Karate instructor/professional karateka and eventual master of the Sohma Dojo.  

Resides:   

  • Village of Hibe (from the time she’s born until she moves out for university at eighteen). 
  • The Sohma Dojo, Tokyo (for the rest of her life). 

Romantic partner:  

  • Takashi Sakamoto, a karate classmate and friend of hers since they were both five years old, who she starts dating at sixteen and marries six years later, thirty-four years after graduation.  

Children:  

  • Daughter Ryuko, older twin, born forty-three years after graduation. 
    • Marries Ken Sohma, son of Mina and grandson of Momiji, lifelong friend turned romantic partner.
  • Son Torashi, younger twin, born forty-three years after graduation. 
    • Marries Kiyone Sohma, daughter of Asami and granddaughter of Hiro and Kisa, lifelong friend turned romantic partner.

Grandchildren: Five. 

  • Grandson Kazushi Sohma (Torashi), born sixty-eight years after graduation.
  • Grandson Tatsumi Johannes Sohma (Ryuko), born sixty-nine years after graduation.
  • Granddaughter Tomomi Suzette Sohma (Ryuko), born seventy years after graduation.
  • Grandson Taiga Sohma (Torashi), born seventy years after graduation.
  • Grandson Masanori Sohma (Torashi), born seventy-two years after graduation.

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Kyo’s little shadow almost from the moment she’s born. 
  • Calls Kyo ‘Daddy’ all her life.  
  • A lifelong tomboy, with a passion for karate from the moment she knew what it was. 
  • Hates skirts and dresses and would fight against wearing them, even as a toddler. 
  • Wanted to cut her hair short like Kyo’s when she was two, but changed her mind when Kyo said he’d grow his out, instead.
  • Went through a prolonged period of wishing she was a boy. 
  • Fiercely competitive in pretty much every way she can be.
  • A strong karateka from the moment she first steps on the tatami, if not as naturally gifted as Hajime had been.
  • Inherits the Cat spirit’s silent footsteps, sense of balance, flexibility, spatial awareness, reflexes, and lethargy when it’s raining, though not as strongly as Hajime or Kyo. 
  • Incredibly flexible and capable of doing a perfect vertical split on both sides. 
  • A solid sleeper, but she doesn’t need much.
  • A naturally early riser, though not as early as Kyo or Kazuma.
  • Like Kyo, she hates tea/matcha flavored things, though she'll tolerate matcha in desserts.
  • Informal speech patterns, which were initially an imitation of Kyo. 
  • Indifferent to trees, flowers, and plants and hates gardening. 
  • Always gets extra naruto (fish cakes) in her ramen, which she will not share.
  • Determined to be taken seriously in the dojo, which for years meant trying to be ‘one of the guys’ by dressing and acting as masculinely as she could muster. 
  • Has a rough relationship with Tohru for most of her childhood due to viewing Tohru and her feminine style and mannerisms as inherently weak.
  • Struggles when Hajime moves out for high school and resolves to consequently make herself obnoxious to Katsuro so that they won’t like each other so much and it won’t hurt as badly when he moves out, too. 
  • Struggles the most of her siblings in the wake of learning about the Zodiac Curse, not because she has trouble believing it existed, but because she has trouble understanding how Kyo’s friends could have been content to let him be locked up.
  • Has a nasty falling out with Tohru for befriending Akito after learning about the Curse, but Tohru is ultimately able to get her to see and understand her reasons and the two of them, going forward, have an excellent relationship. 
  • Closest to Haru and Rin out of any of her aunts and uncles; she and Haru share a similar love of karate and a similar sense of humor, and she’s always admired Rin’s take-no-prisoners attitude and success in a male-dominated field. Rin’s intervention on Tohru’s behalf goes a long way when Rin points out that she herself dresses just as femininely as Tohru in her own way but Sachiko doesn’t judge her for it, helping start Sachiko on the path of reevaluating her own beliefs and prejudices and ultimately accepting her own more ‘classically feminine’ interests.
  • Incredibly irreverent, with a teasing and often vulgar sense of humor.
  • Begins to explore and embrace her own version of feminine style soon after starting middle school (after her conversation with Rin).
  • Decisive and supremely confident, she almost never questions or second-guesses herself. 
  • Tends to make snap decisions and struggles with impulsiveness, especially when she's younger.
  • Prefers to keep her home life and social life separate when she is growing up and rarely, if ever, brings friends to the house.
  • Has many casual friends, but very few close ones. 
  • Her strongest relationships are with fellow karatekas. 
  • A good student, though she's not particularly passionate about any given subject.
  • Close friends with Momiji’s daughter Mina, who is almost as baseball-obsessed as Sachiko is karate-obsessed and with whom she shares a similar confident nature and teasing sense of humor. 
  • Starts planning for a future where she inherits the dojo the moment Hajime graduates high school and moves for university without any plan to find a new dojo in Chiba. 
  • Leans proudly into being the daughter of the Zodiac Cat, which she manifests by regularly wearing a golden cat pendant Tohru gives her after they make up after finding out about the Curse.
  • Favorite animal, even before learning about the Curse but especially after, is cats.
  • Allergic to actual cats. 
  • Struggled badly after learning about the Curse, with her going so far as to visit and attack her parents' friends who had been members of the Zodiac to challenge them on their former treatment of Kyo.
  • Fell out with her entire family after learning about the Curse to one extent or another for months. 
  • Favorite color is pink, once she actually owns it. 
  • As a teenager and beyond, she wears pink and other bright colors, along with flashy patterns and embellishments, but still only pants or shorts, no high heels, and minimal, if any, makeup.
  • A decent cook when she takes the time to do things properly, but she’s too impatient to often want. Given the choice, she’d rather make instant ramen than properly cook. 
  • Messiest member of the entire family, usually because she’s in too much of a hurry to properly put things away. 
  • Shares Kazuma’s tendency to not think things are a big deal and consequently forget to mention them. 
  • Almost zero sense of shame. 
  • A shameless flirt who openly owns it.
  • Is popular with boys and dates a lot in middle school and high school, but usually breaks up or is broken up with due to the boys having issues with her not-remotely girl interests or habits. 
  • Even though she was a serial dater, Sachiko never considered any of the boys from the dojo as dating prospects because she was afraid dating a fellow karateka would negatively impact her credibility in the dojo.
  • Had no idea Takashi was in love with her until he asked her out and struggled at first with whether to date him or not due to her worries it would impact their friendship.
  • She and Takashi were initially 'enemies' in the dojo when they first met at five, then became friends and eventually best friends prior to them dating. 
  • A condition of them dating is that he doesn't treat her differently in the dojo, as she has always appreciated he never held back with her and she doesn't want him to start just because they're involved.
  • Almost never gets embarrassed.
  • Very rarely cries or even tears up. 
  • High pain tolerance. 
  • Loves to tease her parents and later her brothers about sex starting when she’s a preteen, mortifying them all alike until they eventually get used to it.
  • Adores Mutsuki and refers to him often as her favorite brother, usually within earshot of Hajime or Katsuro. 
  • A hard worker and fierce fighter, referred to by her friends at the dojo as ‘a beast’ for years before ultimately being dubbed the king of the beasts, the tiger, with her friend, long-standing dojo rival and later boyfriend and eventual husband Takashi being her counterpoint, the dragon.
  • Went through a long period of feeling jealous of and slightly insecure about Hajime, due to his greater natural karate skill, the fact he’s the oldest, and the fact he’s a boy, all of which initially make him the obvious choice to inherit the Sohma Dojo.
  • Starts becoming closer to Katsuro as a middle schooler and Hajime after graduating high school, after breaking their habit of seeing her as a little girl.
  • In adulthood, is extremely close to both of her brothers and their parents, considering them her close friends as well as family. 
  • An eight-time women’s national champion and two-time karate world medalist between sparring and kata before she retires from active national competition.
  • Deals with a period of infertility before welcoming her twins at thirty-one. 
  • Has a healthy belief in and respect for spirits and the supernatural.
  • Gets her first tattoo at twenty as a ‘return engagement gift’ for her then-fiancé Takashi, a sumi-e style tiger and dragon yin-yang symbol to represent the two of them, located on her hip. She later, along with her family, gets an ‘Always and Forever’ tattoo as well, which is on the opposite hip, along with, eventually, an image combining the Sohma Dojo’s waving grass logo with the Matsuda Dojo’s pine tree, which is on her shoulder.  

Mariko (Nishimura) Sohma

Role in the story and canon influence:

  • Katsuro’s university girlfriend, fiancée, and eventual wife, Tohru and Kyo’s daughter-in-law and the woman seen in the epilogue at the end of canon standing in the kitchen decorating the cake. From the anime, we know she has brown hair and eyes but we don’t get her name or really any of her personality.  

First written appearance: First mentioned in ‘Just Say it, Already,’ first actual appearance in ‘Looking to the Future.’ 
First chronological appearance: Mentioned in ‘What's the story’ from ‘Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time,’ actually appears in 'I'm sure' from 'Provocative Little Moments in Time.'

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 眞理子, ‘truth, reality,’ ‘management, regulation, reason, logic,’ and ‘child.’ When I came up with Katsuro’s final girlfriend/intended spouse, it felt important to me that he be with a fellow musician; music is his greatest passion and hobby as well as his intended career. At the same time, I didn’t want Katsuro to be with a professional musician (since I’d already rejected that route for him as being a lifestyle he didn’t want), so I ultimately wanted the person he was with to be a hobbyist musician, albeit an enthusiastic one, who had a ‘day job.’ I liked the idea of his partner being in medicine; nursing is a fairly common and well-respected profession for women in Japan with a high demand and a fair amount of mobility (as a teacher in Japan, Katsuro will always have the potential to be relocated to different schools within the prefecture). Mariko ultimately came to be a woman who deeply prizes honestly, but also reason; she’s a pragmatist, one willing to buck off convention and tradition and to approach questions with logic. Her kanji are a nod to her scientific background and practical nature.  

Age:

  • Seven months older and one grade ahead of Katsuro, she was born seven and a half years after graduation. She is thirty-four at the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ and sixty-nine at the time of 'All Good Things.' 

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Brown and fine; initially she wears it long, then cuts it later on to about shoulder length.  
  • Eyes: Dark Brown 
  • Build: Tall and slim. She is the tallest woman in the Tohru and Kyo family, until the next generation grows up and she’s passed by her daughter Akari and Sachiko’s daughter Ryuko.  
  • Other:
    • Has dimples.  

Job/Profession:   

  • Labor and delivery nurse (for two years after graduating university) 
  • Stay at home wife and mother (the next ten years) 
  • Part-time nurse (the rest of her professional life) 

Resides:   

  • City of Sendai (from birth until she leaves for university at eighteen) 
  • City of Sapporo (the next five years, for university and Katsuro’s final year of university) 
  • City of Sendai (next twenty-three years) 
  • City of Osaki (next six years). 
  • City of Sendai (next fifteen years).
  • City of Tokyo (the rest of her life).

Romantic partner:  

  • Katsuro Sohma, who she meets during the end of her second year of university at an open mic night and marries four and a half years later, thirty-two years after graduation. 

Family of origin:

  • Father: Yasuto Nishimura, a Miyagi prefectural civil servant.
  • Mother: Hiromi Nishimura, a stay at home wife and mother.
  • Siblings:
    • Older brother Yoshito, a Miyagi prefectural civil servant married to Chitose
      • Three daughters: Sayaka, Miyuki, Fumika
      • Lives in Sendai, in the Nishimura family home with Yasuto and Hiromi.
    • Younger sister Mei, married to Ichika Furuya
      • Moved away for university and never moved back. 

Children:  

  • Daughter Akari, born thirty-two years after graduation. 
    • Marries Akimitsu Kusakabe, fellow student at Tohoku University.
  • Son Kazue, born thirty-six years after graduation. 
    • Marries Saoirse Murphy, British national from Belfast who he meets when she is studying abroad at Chiba University.
  • Daughter Tadame (the girl from the canon epilogue), born thirty-nine years after graduation.  
    • In a non-traditional life partnership with Kai Mosca, son of Rio, grandson of Saki Hanajima, who she eventually marries seventy-one years after graduation for the benefits, legal protections and to make their grandmothers happy

Grandchildren: Four. 

  • Grandson Kyosuke Kusakabe (Akari), Tohru and Kyo's first great grandchild, born almost fifty-seven years after graduation. 
  • Granddaughter Kanami Kusakabe (Akari), born fifty-nine years after graduation
  • Grandaughter Kairi Erin Sohma (Kazue), born almost sixty-five years after graduation. 
  • Grandson Rei Ronan Sohma (Kazue), born sixty-seven years after graduation

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Middle child and older daughter of three children. 
  • Raised in a fairly traditional household, with her brother, father and paternal grandfather all being civil servants in the Miyagi prefectural government.  
  • Always had an interest in science and biology and originally wanted to pursue a career in genetics research, but her parents didn’t approve and wouldn’t support her in that choice, so she went into nursing instead. 
  • As the oldest daughter, she always felt a significant amount of pressure to look and behave properly and was not allowed to date until she graduated high school.
  • Tends to butt heads with her whole family but particularly her mother, who loves Mariko dearly but puts an inordinate amount of importance on image and respectability and disagrees with many of Mariko’s choices, such as living together with Katsuro before marriage, getting married without a wedding reception, and going back to work after having children.
  • Technically, she also butts heads with her father, but her mother typically runs interference and acts as the voice of both parents.
  • Chose to go to university in Sapporo to put some space between herself and her family.
  • Attends Hokkaido University.
  • Loves her family, but doesn’t agree with many of their views, particularly on gender roles and family values. 
  • Has always pushed back on her family's sexism very calmly and respectfully and is a master of passive protest.
  • A talented musician in her own right.
  • Sings, plays violin, and plays bass guitar, her instrument of choice.
  • Was the one who made the first move in her relationship with Katsuro by volunteering to provide him with bass during an open mic night after previously seeing him perform there, being impressed with his talent and intrigued by his looks. 
  • A competent cook but doesn’t really enjoy it; would much rather bake. 
  • Meets Tohru and Kyo in person the first time approximately a year after she and Katsuro start dating.
  • Takes time to get used to the Sohmas' casual familiarity because her own family is so conservative and formal.
  • Fairly confident and not prone to shyness, though she is soft-spoken.
  • Decisive and somewhat stubborn once she’s made up her mind. 
  • A heavy sleeper and not a morning person. 
  • Loves talking biology/genes and finds the Cursed Sohma traits in particular fascinating, long before she knows about the Curse.
  • Can sometimes be too enthusiastic in her speculations and inadvertently make people around her uncomfortable.
  • Goes through a period of feeling like the outsider in the family because Mutsuki grew up with the Sohmas and Takashi, while not as close as Mutsuki, likewise has known at least Kyo for most of his life and got to know Tohru in high school.
  • Is the last member of the family to learn about the Zodiac Curse, which Katsuro tells her about the year they got married and welcomed their first child, thirty-two years after graduation. He never originally planned to tell her, but changed his mind because Takashi was told and he hated Mariko being the only one who didn’t know, especially after their oldest child inherited his coloration. 
  • Adores her in-laws and gets along well with all of them. 
  • Isn't close to her older brother and doesn’t get along well with her brother’s wife. 
  • She and Katsuro are incredibly close to Katsuro's siblings and their spouses, and consider themselves friends as much as siblings.
  • In later life, her relationship with her brother and his wife becomes extremely tense due to pronounced differences in lifestyle and parenting choices. 
  • Has a particularly complicated relationship with her father and brother due to Mariko's son Kazue being the only boy born in his generation. Yasuto and Yoshito expect Kazue to follow in the Nishimura traditions, while Mariko and Katsuro support Kazue finding his own path.
  • Close to her brother's daughters and provides them with a supportive sounding board and a safe space when they need a break from their parents.
  • Incredibly close to Tohru by the time Tohru and Kyo move in with them, and has a more affectionate relationship with her than her own mother.
  • Does become closer to her own mother at the end of Hiromi's life.
  • Has a complicated relationship with her younger sister Mei, who looked up to Mariko as a role model when they were younger but never understood why Mariko decided to live in Sendai after getting married. 
  • Loves babies.
  • Enjoyed being pregnant and would have loved to have more children, if it was financially feasible and they could manage to give them all enough time. 
  • Always stood up for her own children's right to make their own choices, even when it meant pushing back against her family.
  • Fully supports Katsuro’s desire to have Tohru and Kyo come live with them after leaving Hibe and they all manage fairly harmoniously for the next twelve years, at which point Mariko moves with Katsuro to his new job posting in Osaki and, with the full agreement and approval of all six people involved, leaves their two younger children with Tohru and Kyo in Sendai to finish their final years of high school and middle school respectively. 
  • Always did her best to shield her children from her family's sexism and expectations, but in later life will deeply question her decision to raise her children near her family. 
  • Her support for the plan to get the family tattoo ‘Always and Forever’ convinced Hajime and Katsuro to agree as well; she herself agreed because she liked the symbolism and, pettily, because she knew her own family would be appalled if they found out.  
  • One of the most practical members of the family. 

Takashi (Sakamoto) Sohma

Role in the story:

  • Sachiko's karate classmate since she was five, rival, friend, boyfriend, and eventual husband, Tohru and Kyo’s son-in-law.  

First written appearance: Chapter 42 (‘Pretty Damn Great’) of ‘Precious Little Moments in Time.’ 
First chronological appearance: Chapter 80 (‘Ok, Sensei!’) of ‘Precious Little Moments in Time.’ 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 剛士; ‘strong’ and ‘samurai.’  I originally came up with him as a member of Sachiko’s little dojo clique (herself, Takashi, Kaede, Emi, and Shota): a group of kids who came up in the dojo together from the time they were five and were fairly close. With Sachiko being such a tomboy and worrying about being taken seriously in the dojo as a girl, I liked the idea of her (and her other karate girlfriends) having a couple male karate friends who have been close ever since they were all little, who know the girls’ capabilities and support them unflinchingly. I wanted one of the boys to be a twin with a sister who had started out in karate and later dropped out, and I wanted the twins to have names that went together; they ended up as Shota and Sato. For the other boy, I wanted to lean into the fact he was Sachiko’s dojo friend; thus, a martial name. There was not originally a plan or intention for him to ever be a romantic interest.  

Age:

  • Two months older than Sachiko and in the same grade at school (though a different class), born almost twelve years after graduation. He is thirty at the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ and sixty-five at the time of 'All Good Things.'
  • Hair: Black, thick, and a little on the shaggy side, it tends to stick out in every direction and he makes it worse by running his hand through it a lot.  
  • Eyes: Very dark brown that looks almost black.  
  • Build: Taller than average, (though still shorter than most of the Sohmas), with a broad, burly, muscular frame as an adult. 
  • Other:
    • Fairly handsome and has a single dimple when he smiles. 

Job/Profession:   

  • Digital media and marketing professional with Yuki’s international tech company (for six years following university) 
  • Karate instructor and freelance marketing professional (the rest of his professional life). 
  • Also maintains and later oversees the Sohma Dojo's web and social media presence, starting while he's in university. 

Resides:   

  • City of Nigeyashi (from the time he’s born until he moves out for university at eighteen). 
  • Tokyo, student housing (the first two terms of his first year of university). 
  • The Sohma Dojo, Tokyo (the rest of his life) 

Romantic partner:  

  • Sachiko Sohma, a karate classmate and friend of hers since they were both five years old, who he starts dating at sixteen and marries six years later, thirty-four years after graduation.  

Family of origin:

  • Father: Masato Sakamoto, a bank middle manager.
  • Mother: Noriko Sakamoto, a part-time cafe worker. 
    • Takashi's parents move in with his sister's family in Tokyo after Masato retires. 
  • Siblings:
    • Older sister Takane, who later marries Arata Sakai
      • Two children, daughter Yuzuki and son Fumito
      • Meets Arata while at university in Osaka and lives there when they get married.
      • Move to Tokyo a couple years later after Arata is transferred. 

Children:  

  • Daughter Ryuko, older twin, born forty-three years after graduation. 
    • Marries Ken Sohma, son of Mina and grandson of Momiji, lifelong friend turned romantic partner.
  • Son Torashi, younger twin, born forty-three years after graduation. 
    • Marries Kiyone Sohma, daughter of Asami and granddaughter of Hiro and Kisa, lifelong friend turned romantic partner.

Grandchildren: Five. 

  • Grandson Kazushi Sohma (Torashi), born sixty-eight years after graduation.
  • Grandson Tatsumi Johannes Sohma (Ryuko), born sixty-nine years after graduation.
  • Granddaughter Tomomi Suzette Sohma (Ryuko), born seventy years after graduation.
  • Grandson Taiga Sohma (Torashi), born seventy years after graduation.
  • Grandson Masanori Sohma (Torashi), born seventy-two years after graduation.

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Has one sister, Takane, who is three years older and was in the same grade as Katsuro.
  • Father Masato is a middle manager at a bank, mother Noriko works part-time since her son started school.
  • Inherited his love of karate from his father, who used to practice but had to drop out when he started high school because he didn’t have time for it anymore. 
  • Very close to his parents and sister.
  • Grew up watching martial arts movies and old karate tournament recordings with his father. 
  • Intensely competitive and determined to be the best, but rigidly honorable and hates ‘cheap shots’ unless he’s messing with his friends. 
  • Started karate four class sessions before Sachiko, but otherwise has been the same rank and in the same classes as her their entire karate careers. 
  • Always deeply admired Kyo and liked watching Kyo spar the most out of any of the senior dans at the dojo. 
  • Originally jealous of Sachiko and embarrassed she was at his level/better when they first started karate, but soon ends up becoming her friend. 
  • Fairly laid-back outside of the dojo and doesn’t tend to stress or worry about things. 
  • Largely unrufflable and not easily provoked. 
  • Quietly confident, occasionally veering into ‘cocky’ territory. 
  • Prizes honesty and integrity above almost everything else; hates liars and cheaters with a passion.
  • Has a quick wit and a teasing sense of humor that can often skew crude, particularly with his friends. 
  • A good student, but could be a great one if he was actually willing to apply himself.
  • Likes reading fighting manga and playing fighting computer games, which he likes to critique on their form.
  • A very direct communicator. 
  • Doesn’t tend to make snap judgements, but he’s fairly decisive once he’s gotten the full situation.
  • Not shy in the slightest and has no trouble with public speaking.
  • Rarely gets embarrassed (aside of very early on in his relationship with Sachiko). 
  • Not particularly ambitious; his life goals have always been to graduate high school, go to university, and get a job that allows him to keep practicing karate.
  • Naturally artistic, though it’s not really a skill he utilizes much until university.
  • Attends karate class seven days a week by the time they’re in high school and always has an eye out for how he can maximize his training time. 
  • None of his family can really cook, until his sister moves out for university and, after having to figure out how to feed herself and pay for it, tells Takashi he’d better learn how before he graduates. 
  • Had a crush on Sachiko for three years before he finally asked her out, worried that asking her out would compromise their friendship. 
  • Told Kyo himself that they were dating because he didn’t want Kyo to think he was hiding anything from him.
  • Spends a year learning to cook from Tohru and proves to be both good at it and enjoy it, much to Tohru’s delight. 
  • Takes the Sohma name after he and Sachiko get married, because it’s important the Sohma Dojo be run by a Sohma and he agrees.
  • His mother’s family lives down by Osaka and is fairly conservative; they do not approve of Sachiko or many of Takashi’s life choices, but he, with his mother’s agreement, basically ignores them.
  • His father’s sister lives in Tokyo near the Sohmas, and she and her family are both aware of and somewhat obsessed with the family’s power and prestige, much to Takashi’s rare embarrassment.
  • Originally somewhat overwhelmed to learn about the Sohma Family and that Sachiko’s family is part of that, but not enough to be scared off.
  • Rin Sohma, a Chief Marketing Officer, is his professional mentor during university, with her taking an eager interest in him and his prospects initially because of Sachiko, but soon because she just likes him, especially because he, after their first somewhat unsettling meeting, isn’t the least bit intimidated by her. 
  • Has a friendly rivalry with Mutsuki over who’s Kyo’s favorite son-in-law.
  • Proposes to Sachiko with a bracelet, because she doesn’t like rings that much.
  • Has a fairly physical relationship with Sachiko in general and isn’t afraid to be seen showing affection or attraction. 
  • Has been teasingly referred to as ‘the dragon’ to Sachiko’s ‘tiger’ by their friends in the dojo for years because of how competitive they are; it’s his idea eventually to incorporate that concept into their twins’ names. 
  • Great with kids and is pretty much the favorite uncle on both sides of the family when it comes to any sort of rough and tumble activity. 
  • Deeply admires Kyo from long before he and Sachiko started dating, and actually defends Kyo over Sachiko when Kyo’s cousins tease him. 
  • Has a sumi-e tiger and dragon yin-yang tattoo that matches Sachiko’s; he later also gets an ‘Always and Forever’ tattoo with the rest of Tohru and Kyo’s family (his runs along the top of his hipbone) and a tattoo of the Matsuda dojo pine tree standing before a hill representing the Sakamoto surname (basically meaning at the bottom of a hill/slope) with the Sohma waving grass at the base. 
  • Takashi is possibly my favorite OC, because out of every character I’ve created, he’s the one who ended up growing and changing the most entirely on his own. He was originally just supposed to be one of Sachiko’s friends, but he ended up gaining more and more personality and ended up becoming her love interest. I love their dynamic together, as well as his dynamic with the other Sohmas (both Tohru and Kyo’s immediate family and beyond).

Akari Sohma

Role in the story:

  • Katsuro and Mariko’s oldest child and the first of Tohru and Kyo’s six grandchildren. 

First written appearance: 'Not Kids Anymore.’ 
First chronological appearance: Same. 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 明星, ‘bright’ and ‘star.’ I liked the idea of her having a name that meant something positive and shining, because in spite of the fact she was a surprise she was always destined to be loved.   

Age:

  • Born on Tohru’s fifty-first birthday, thirty-two years after graduation, when Katsuro is twenty-four. She is almost ten at the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ and forty-four at the time of 'All Good Things.'

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Bright orange like Kyo’s and stick-straight. 
  • Eyes: Amber-red. 
  • Build: Tall for her age growing up, and slender. She ends up the tallest of the women in Tohru and Kyo’s family, surpassing her mother as well as her cousins in height.  
  • Other:
    • Physically takes after Mariko/Mariko's family, aside of her coloration.
    • The only one of Kyo's grandkids to share both his hair and eye color.

Job/Profession:   

  • X-ray technician and later stay at home wife and mother.

Resides:   

  • City of Sendai (from birth until her husband completes his medical residency when she is twenty-five) 
  • City of Tokyo (going forward) 

Romantic partner:  

  • Akimitsu Kusakabe, a medical student (and later doctor of internal medicine) who she meets at the end of her first year of university and marries just over four years later.

Children:  

  • Son Kyosuke, Tohru and Kyo's first great grandchild, born almost fifty-seven years after graduation. 
  • Daughter Kanami, born fifty-nine years after graduation

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Soft-spoken and shy as a young child, initially very timid around strangers and even family members she hadn’t seen for a while. 
  • Naturally nurturing and very much a caretaker who loves being a big sister.
  • Adores Tohru more than almost anyone else. 
  • Very affectionate with people she knows well.
  • Bossy with her siblings, though usually in a well-meaning way.
  • Tends to take the lead in group situations.
  • Loves babies.
  • Good with kids in general.
  • Plays the piano and likes it, though she's not brilliant.
  • Never had any interest in karate.
  • An enthusiastic and talented rhythmic gymnast, starting as a child.
  • Very soft-footed and good at sneaking up on people. 
  • Loves reading, especially fairy-tales. She loves Hajime because he’ll always let her snuggle up and read with him.
  • Observant.
  • Good with riddles and puzzles.
  • A good cook and baker. 
  • Chooses to go to Miyajima for her ‘ten year trip’ with Tohru and Kyo, the trip they take each of their grandkids on to the Japanese destination of their choice the year they turn ten.
  • A strong student who eventually gets into Tohoku University in Sendai, one of Japan’s top schools, where her major is radiological technology through the School of Medicine's department of Health Sciences.
  • Fond of her maternal relatives, but not a fan of the casual sexism that she starts to notice even in elementary school that causes her to vastly prefer her Sohma relatives, much to her Nishimura family’s upset. 
  • The Nishimura 'Golden Child' due to her, on paper, following a traditional 'womanly' path.
  • Eventually marries in a shrine ceremony, wearing Tohru’s shiromuku.
  • Takes her husband's name after marriage and becomes Akari Kusakabe.
  • Husband Akimitsu is a doctor of internal medicine, who she meets at university.
  • Mother of Tohru and Kyo’s first great-grandchild, a little boy with bright orange hair and amber-red eyes she names Kyosuke. 
  • Moves with her family to Tokyo a few years after Tohru and Kyo when her husband accepts a position at Sohma General Hospital. 
  • Lifelong close friends with Shiki and Sawa's daughter (and future Sohma Family head) Seiko.
  • Has a very close big sister/little sister relationship with her younger cousin Ryuko.
  • Very 'motherly' compared to her siblings and cousins and the second choice most of the family will turn to for 'mothering' after Tohru.

Kazue Sohma

Role in the story:

  • Katsuro and Mariko’s second child and first son, and the second of Tohru and Kyo’s six grandchildren. 

First written appearance: 'What Once was Lost.’ 
First chronological appearance: Same. 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 籍栄; ‘registry, membership, enrollment’ and ‘prosper/flourish.’ Kazue’s name, like his father’s, is an honor name; in his case, for Kazuma. When he finds out they’re having a son and the topic of names comes up, Katsuro will be thinking a lot about his own name and how he once struggled with the fact he’s named after a man whose morals and judgement he doesn’t personally agree with. He himself definitely wishes he’d been named for Kazuma instead, but he likes the idea of being able to ‘right that wrong’ in how he names his son. Kazuma’s own kanji are 籍真, ‘registry, membership, enrollment’ and ‘truth,’ which I’m guessing are a nod to how he’s ultimately Kyo’s true father.  

Age:

  • Born thirty-six years after graduation, twelve days after Kazuma’s seventh-seventh birthday. He is four years younger than Akari. At the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ he is five, and he’s forty the time of 'All Good Things.' 

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Muted dusky orange, similar to Hajime’s.
  • Eyes: Dark brown, like Mariko’s. 
  • Build: The tallest of the next generation, barely edging out Torashi, though he never gets to be as tall as Katsuro. He has the Sohma slim build like his father but is less lanky and more muscular than Katsuro, due to his karate practice.  
  • Other: 
    • Strong facial resemblance to Katsuro, Hajime, and Kyo

Job/Profession:   

  • Employee of the Chiba prefectural government's Division of Tourism Promotion. 

Resides:   

  • City of Sendai (from birth until he graduates high school) 
  • City of Chiba (going forward) 

Romantic partner:  

  • Saoirse Murphy, a British citizen who he meets in his second year of university when she is studying abroad. 

Children:  

  • Daughter Kairi Erin, born almost sixty-five years after graduation. 
  • Son Rei Ronan, born sixty-seven years after graduation.

Pets:

  • Jameson/Jamie, a female orange cat who looks just like Kyo's Cat form.

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • The family jack-of all trades, being athletic, musical, and creative. 
  • Starts karate as soon as he’s old enough and is a competent, though not brilliant, karateka. 
  • Plays the violin, and later the piano. 
  • Shares Katsuro's fondness for Irish music.
  • A solid student; not great, not bad.
  • Not in the slightest bit competitive; though he loves karate and enjoys sparring, he isn’t really interested in tournaments and doesn’t care about winning.
  • Has zero ambition to be 'the best' or rise to the top. 
  • Extremely earnest personality.
  • Non-confrontational, aside of a mild period of pre-teen and teen angst.
  • Very diplomatic.
  • Tadame jokes his spirit animal is an eel, because he's good at evading things he doesn't want to do.
  • Gets along well with his sisters, though prone to being annoyed by Tadame when they’re young due to her energy. 
  • Mediates, just like his father and Kazuma, starting when he's about ten.
  • Chooses to go to Okinawa for his ten-year trip with Tohru and Kyo.
  • Writes his own music, starting as a teenager. 
  • Often mistaken for Hajime’s son when the two of them are together, even if Katsuro is also present. 
  • The only male grandchild on the Nishimura side, which he hates due to the pressure he gets to excel as a result.
  • A good singer who tends to sing or hum while doing chores.
  • A good cook who can wrap gyoza even faster than Tohru. 
  • Loves Thai food.
  • An adventurous eater.
  • Enjoys gardening with his family, but not interested in gardening on his own. 
  • Prefers being able to do many things over focusing his energies on one.
  • Has always resisted any pressure to specialize if he doesn't have to.
  • Hates being bored. 
  • Stays with Tohru and Kyo at the house in Sendai for his final year in high school when Katsuro is relocated to the city of Osaki.
  • Attends Chiba University.
  • Eventually ends up getting a job in the Chiba prefectural civil service, to the highly mixed sentiments of his mother's relatives that wanted him to work in the Miyagi civil service. 
  • Wanted to leave Miyagi prefecture to put some distance between himself and his Nishimura relatives. 
  • Very close to Hajime.
  • Adores his Sohma grandparents.
  • His favorite alcoholic beverage is Jameson whiskey, which he picked up from his maternal grandfather.
  • He and his then-fiancée name their kitten Jameson/Jamie.
  • The kitten looks like Kyo's Cat form.
  • Becomes close to Aiko after moving to Chiba and considers her a bonus sister.
  • Loves trying new things and visiting new places.
  • A good driver who loves road trips and prefers driving to public transit.
  • Met his eventual wife in university; they had a friends with benefits relationship while she was in Japan, then decided to try a real relationship when she went back to Britain before eventually breaking up a couple years later due to the distance. They reconnect a couple years later when she returns to Japan for work.

Aiko Sohma

Role in the story:

  • Hajime and Mutsuki’s adopted daughter, Tohru and Kyo’s third grandchild and Yuki and Machi’s only grandchild 

First written appearance: 'What Once was Lost.’ 
First chronological appearance: Same. 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 愛幸, ‘love’ and ‘bliss/good fortune.’ Aiko is a character who pretty much came out of nowhere and in direct response to some comments I got on one of my stories. There are a bunch of specifics about it I’ve gone into before on various stories, but in a nutshell, the chance of Hajime and Mutsuki ever having a child of their own was so slim it was practically zero. I’d actually written it off entirely and had said as much in prior comments, but a couple commenters got me thinking about under what circumstances it would be possible and that led, ultimately, to Aiko, the child no one, myself initially included, thought could never happen. I wanted a name that reflected Hajime and Mutsuki’s thoughts and feelings on the subject, and ultimately I settled on ‘Aiko,’ a very popular name that can be written many, many ways, with 愛子 (‘love’ and ‘child,’ child of love) possibly being the one most familiar to English speakers. But I loved the writing of it as ‘love’ and ‘happiness/good fortune,’ because I think Hajime and Mutsuki would feel blissful and like the most fortunate men alive.  

Age:

  • Born thirty-eight years after graduation, when Hajime and Mutsuki are thirty-three. She is six years younger than Akari and nearly two years younger than Kazue. At the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ she is three and a half, and she’s almost ten at the end of the epilogue. 

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Dark brown, thick, and wavy. 
  • Eyes: Dark brown. 
  • Build: Of medium height and fuller figured. As an adult she is shorter than Ryuko, Akari, and Mariko, but taller than Tohru, Sachiko, and Tadame. 
  • Other:
    • Shares features with the Sohma family's women, being generally regarded as very attractive.

Job/Profession:   

  • Civil Engineer with the City of Kyoto.

Resides:   

  • City of Chiba (from birth until she graduates high school).
  • City of Kyoto (going forward).

Romantic partner:  

  • Seiji Ishikawa, a widower, single father, and Kyoto native who she meets when he and his daughter Rika move into the apartment next door.

Children:  

  • Stepdaughter Rika, born almost fifty-eight years after graduation, who is six when Aiko and Seiji start dating and seven when they get married. 
  • Daughter Yuka, born sixty-seven years after graduation.
  • Son Chisato, born sixty-nine years after graduation.

Pets:

  • Nyan, a female calico cat.

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Born out of wedlock to two sixteen-year-old Sohma parents who didn’t want to get married, derail their life plans, or have a kid.  
  • Adoption facilitated by Shiki Sohma who, along with Sawa, Akito, Shigure, Hajime, and Mutsuki, is the only person outside of the teen’s families who knows the identities of both the teen parents.  
  • Adopted as a newborn and has only ever lived with Hajime and Mutsuki. 
  • Mutsuki is her legal father from birth, as parents must be married in order to adopt jointly and, at the time she’s adopted, gay marriage isn’t legal. 
  • Mutsuki is her legal father largely due to Hajime’s desire for Yuki and Machi to have a legal tie to Aiko, as she is their only grandchild. Yuki and Machi support this as Japanese inheritance law is strict and this way, Aiko will be able to inherit from them eventually, either directly or through Mutsuki. 
  • Calls Hajime ‘Papa’ and Mutsuki ‘Daddy.’ 
  • Calls Yuki and Kyo ‘Ratpa’ and ‘Catpa’ starting when she’s a toddler, due to the two of them calling each other ‘Damn Rat’ and ‘Stupid Cat.’ 
  • The first great-grandkid to call Kazuma ‘Greypa,’ which sticks for the four younger kids for the rest of Kazuma’s life. 
  • A good athlete.
  • Never interested in karate, but passionate about soccer, to the delight of her great-uncle Kakeru and his equally soccer-crazy son Kou, and plays forward on her team. 
  • A good cook.
  • Good-natured and very loving, if a bit of an imp. 
  • Fairly tidy, as long as she’s not in a hurry. 
  • Loves dirt and being dirty as a child, whether from playing outside, playing soccer, or helping Mutsuki with his plants. Eventually good at cleaning up after herself, but not without giving Hajime some stress on the subject along the way.
  • Always loved making things out of dirt and clay.
  • In spite of loving to play with clay, she is a terrible sculptor and potter. 
  • Very high energy.
  • Has an incredibly active imagination.
  • Very inquisitive.
  • Knows she’s adopted from a very young age.
  • Goes through a period as a young child of worrying she’s not truly part of the family.
  • Has a strong bond with Kyo due to both of them being adopted.
  • Adored by all four of her grandparents and wildly spoiled by a good portion of her extended family, especially Ayame and Mine.
  • Had an incredibly high heat tolerance and loves spicy food.
  • Has a fairly feminine style when she’s not playing soccer. 
  • Incredibly competitive, especially with her parents. 
  • Keenly developed sense of mischief.
  • Loves winter sports, especially snowboarding.
  • Goes to Hokkaido for her ten-year trip with Tohru and Kyo.
  • Legally adopted by Hajime as soon as he and Mutsuki are able to marry, with Aiko participating in Mutsuki’s ‘proposal’ by asking Hajime to legally marry her daddy. 
  • Meets her birth mother Saeko when she’s sixteen, with Hajime and Mutsuki with her at her request. Though initially not sure what she expects or hopes for from the meeting, Aiko is content with how things turn out, with all of them confirming they’re happy with the current state of their lives. Though the door remains open, neither Saeko nor Aiko feel the need to pursue a closer relationship. 
  • Starts wearing Kyo’s beads, with Kyo and Hajime’s permission, when she moves out for university.
  • Attends Kyoto University, Yuki and Machi’s alma matter.  
  • Has attachment/abandonment issues.
  • Tends to move quickly in relationships.
  • Has a bad breakup her last year of university after she realized her boyfriend wanted her as a trophy/for her connections more than for herself.
  • Gets an apartment with her cousin Tadame a year after graduating university.
  • Picks up rock climbing with Tadame as a way for them to explore a totally new activity together. 
  • Meets her eventual husband Seiji when he moves into the apartment next door. 
  • After getting married, she takes Seiji's name and becomes Aiko Ishikawa. 
  • She considers Rika as much her daughter as her biological children, though they maintain boundaries regarding Rika's late mother Erina. 

Tadame Sohma

Role in the story and canon influence:

  • Katsuro and Mariko’s youngest child and the fourth of Tohru and Kyo’s six grandchildren. She is the child pictured during the canon epilogue.  

First written appearance: 'Passing the Torch.’ 
First chronological appearance: Mentioned in Chapter 100 (‘Little Ears’) of ‘Precious Little Moments in Time.’ First appears in ‘Passing the Torch.’  

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 維芽, ‘support, keep together’ and ‘sprout.’ Tadame is the only one of Kyo and Tohru’s grandkids who’s confirmed to exist (or the girl I named is, anyway), and I think she’s so incredibly darling, looking as she does like a little Tohru. I wanted to give her a name that indicated she was the bridge between the old and new in canon, and having a kanji that means ‘bud’ or ‘sprout’ when she’s the sprouting new version of Tohru seems appropriate.  

Age:

  • Born almost forty years after graduation when Katsuro is thirty-one. She is seven years younger than Akari, three years younger than Kazue, and a year younger than Aiko. She is two and a half at the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ and almost nine at the end of the epilogue. 

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Brown and straight.  
  • Eyes: Light brown. 
  • Build: Short and slight, like Tohru and Sachiko. She is shorter than Tohru as an adult, albeit barely, and the shortest one of the grandkids.  
  • Other: 
    • Identical coloration and features to Tohru, and proudly considers herself Tohru's 'mini-me.' 

Job/Profession:   

  • Pediatric nurse

Resides:   

  • City of Sendai (from birth until she starts high school)
  • City of Tokyo, the Sohma Dojo (during high school)
  • City of Yokohama (during university)
  • City of Kyoto (for the next three years)
  • City of Tokyo (for the rest of her life)

Romantic partner:  

  • Kai Mosca, the son of Fruits Basket Another canon character Rio Mosca and grandson of original canon character Saki Hanajima, with whom she has a non-traditional quasi-romantic, quasi-queerplatonic relationship. Although they are legally married, they have different last names and consider themselves as life partners rather than spouses and do not refer to each other as husband or wife. 

Children: None

Pets:

  • Fact, a male black cat.
  • Opinion, a female tuxedo cat

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Very curious and likes to be involved in everything. 
  • The grandkid with the most obnoxious ‘why’ phase.
  • Goes through a prolonged phase of parroting other people, much to Kyo’s dismay when she ends up calling Yuki ‘Damn Rat’ during New Year’s when she’s three. 
  • Briefly copies Aiko’s habit of calling Kyo and Yuki ‘Catpa’ and ‘Ratpa’ before ultimately deciding she’d rather just call all the adults by their first names like they do each other, giving Katsuro and Mariko a massive headache in the process as they tackle the concept of respect.
  • Ultimately agrees to let the adults in her life tell her if she can call them by their first names. 
  • Calls all of her Sohma aunts, uncles, and grandparents by their first names, with their permission. 
  • Very good at upsetting Mariko’s family, both intentionally and not.
  • Contrary, and likely to dig in on what she's doing if she's pressured to stop.   
  • Protective of her siblings and loved ones, even though she's the youngest.
  • Starts karate as soon as she’s able and is a natural, much to Kyo’s delight and Tohru’s dismay.
  • Plays guitar and later bass guitar as well, but can’t sing to save her life. 
  • Listens to music while doing chores. 
  • Like gardening, but not very good at it.
  • A good cook, like the rest of her siblings. 
  • Goes to Tokyo Disney for her ten-year trip with Tohru and Kyo. 
  • Very cheerful personality and the most high-energy of Katsuro and Mariko’s kids.
  • Best friends with her cousin Aiko. 
  • Stays with Tohru and Kyo at the house in Sendai for her final year of middle school when Katsuro is relocated to the city of Osaki.
  • Given the choice to move to Osaki with her parents for high school, stay in Sendai with her mother’s family, or go somewhere else, she chooses ‘something else’ and ultimately attends Kaibara High, living at the Sohma Dojo, where Tohru and Kyo have also moved.
  • A favorite of Sachiko’s, who is glad at least one of Kyo’s four granddaughters was actually interested in karate.  
  • Incredibly close to Tohru and Kyo, especially Kyo. 
  • Relentlessly positive life outlook.
  • Incredibly loyal to friends and loved ones, but expects loyalty in return and will cut off people without a second thought if they betray her. 
  • Very loving and affectionate with friends and loved ones.
  • Incredibly tactile and cuddly.
  • Very active and energetic.
  • Loves to keep busy.
  • An extrovert who makes friends easily.
  • Doesn't care too much about social conventions.
  • Bisexual, demisexual, and sex-averse.
  • Has only ever experienced sexual attraction for two people: Kai and Hana Mosca.
  • Briefly dated both Mosca siblings simultaneously before Hana ended their relationship due to incompatibility.
  • She and Hana remain good friends, even after breaking up.
  • Has a non-traditional relationship with Kai that straddles the line of romantic and queerplatonic.
  • Her relationship with Kai is semi-open, as she has little desire for or interest in sex but Kai does. 
  • She has never been bothered by Kai's powers, which is part of why he's so comfortable with her.
  • She and Kai consider themselves life partners rather than spouses.
  • Rather than 'husband' and 'wife,' she and Kai refer to each other as 'partner.'
  • They got legally married for the benefits and legal protections, plus they knew it would make their grandmothers happy.  

Ryuko ‘Ryu’ Sohma

Role in the story:

  • Sachiko and Takashi’s daughter and older twin, and the fifth of Tohru and Kyo’s six grandchildren.  

First written appearance: The epilogue of 'Reflections and Change.’ 
First chronological appearance: Mentioned in chapter 6 (‘Ready as I’m Gonna Be’) of ‘Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time,’ first appears in chapter 12 (‘We’re Tough, too.’) 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 龍子, ‘dragon’ and ‘child.’ As mentioned in Sachiko and Takashi’s sections, I’ve had the personal headcanon for a very long time that Sachiko and Takashi have an affinity for the Dragon and the Tiger from Japanese folklore, the equal but opposing forces representing the Heavens and the Earth, the Rain and the Wind, or Yang and Yin, depending. I liked the idea of that symbolism going to their children, especially since I always imagined the one child would have orange hair and the other black. Ryuko is named for the dragon, because of her black hair like her father’s, and also shares a kanji with her mother.  

Age:

  • Born forty-three years after graduation when Sachiko and Takashi are thirty-one. She is eleven years younger than Akari, seven years younger than Kazue, five years younger than Aiko, four years younger than Tadame, and three minutes older than her brother. She isn’t yet born or conceived at the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ and is five at the end of the epilogue. 

Physical description:   

  • Hair: Black like her father’s, but smooth and straight like her mother’s. 
    Eyes: Amber-red 
  • Build: Takes after Takashi’s family, so as an adult, she’s taller than Sachiko and with a fuller figure. She is taller than most of her female relatives, but shorter than Akari and Mariko (and later Saoirse).
  • Other:
    • Facially resembles Tohru and Sachiko, but has Takashi’s single dimple. Her eyes behave like Kyo's when she's emotional.

Job/Profession:   

  • Private style consultant

Resides:   

  • City of Tokyo (from birth until leaving for university at eighteen).
  • Berlin, Germany (for the next three years).
  • San Francisco, USA (for the next two years).
  • Seoul, South Korea, (for the next two years).
  • City of Tokyo, for the rest of her life. 

Romantic partner:  

  • Ken Sohma, son of Mina Sohma and grandson of Momiji Sohma.

Children:  

  • Son Tatsumi Johannes Sohma, born sixty-nine years after graduation.
  • Daughter Tomomi Suzette Sohma, born seventy years after graduation.

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Older twin 
  • Has the most attitude as a younger child. 
  • Hates sweating and being dirty. 
  • Naturally tidy and very organized; even as a young child, she always picks up after herself. 
  • Very feminine and loves ‘pretty’ things from a very early age.
  • Idolizes her older cousin Akari while growing up and remains very close in adulthood, with the two of them having a big sister/little sister relationship.
  • Loves flowers and good at flower arranging. 
  • Has zero interest in karate at all, much to her parents’ shock.
  • A talented rhythmic gymnast, like her cousin. 
  • The master of the ice-cold stare, in spite of her eyes. 
  • Likewise, her anger burns very deeply and coldly and people don’t always realize she’s upset until they meet her gaze.
  • Naturally composed and has a much more reserved manner than her brother. 
  • The least physically affectionate and most aloof member of the family.
  • Hates inconveniencing people; likewise hates being inconvenienced.
  • Not particularly competitive for her own sake, but intensely invested in those around her (especially family members) doing well. 
  • Adores her twin brother and has a largely harmonious relationship with him.
  • Tends to 'mother' Torashi, though she also scolds him for letting her. 
  • Loves being a twin, but appreciates it when people take the initiative to do things with her separately.
  • Goes to Okinawa for her ten-year trip with Tohru and Kyo, without her brother. 
  • Calls all of her aunts and uncles by their first names only, with their permission, taking her cue from her cousin Tadame. 
  • Loves to swim and go to onsens.
  • Favorite vacation destination is the beach. 
  • As a very small child would go out and sit with Kazuma in the dojo in the morning while he was meditating, and actually picks up the habit once she’s old enough to understand what it really is.
  • Known to many boys in high school as the Ice Queen, is popular but somewhat intimidating.
  • Plays piano and has a fairly good ear, as Katsuro is proud to note. 
  • A good student.
  • Very artistic.
  • A good cook. 
  • The most fashionable.
  • Proud of her family and the dojo and always attends tournaments even if she’s never wanted to participate. 
  • Taller than Sachiko by the time she’s eleven.
  • Shares Sachiko’s love of cats.  
  • Closer to her father than her mother due to their more compatible personalities.
  • Clashed the most with Sachiko while she was growing up. 
  • Gets a tattoo of a tiger on a yang (the white half of a yin yang) at 18 to go with her brother's. 

Torashi ‘Tora’ Sohma

Role in the story:

  • Sachiko and Takashi’s son and younger twin, and the last of Tohru and Kyo’s six grandchildren.  

First written appearance: The epilogue of 'Reflections and Change.’ 
First chronological appearance: Mentioned in chapter 6 (‘Ready as I’m Gonna Be’) of ‘Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time,’ first appears in chapter 12 (‘We’re Tough, too.’) 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 寅士, ‘tiger’ and ‘samurai.’ The tiger to his sister’s dragon, all the more appropriate because of his orange hair. He also shares a kanji with his father.  

Age:

  • Born forty-three years after graduation when Sachiko and Takashi are thirty-one. He is eleven years younger than Akari, seven years younger than Kazue, five years younger than Aiko, four years younger than Tadame, and three minutes younger than his sister. He isn’t yet born or conceived at the end of the ‘main’ storyline in ‘Reflections and Change’ and is five at the end of the epilogue. 

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Bright orange like Kyo’s, but with Takashi’s rough texture and wildness. 
    Eyes: Dark brown that looks black.  
  • Build: Broad like his father, but with Sohma height; he ends up one of the tallest in the family, just behind Kazue. With his broad build, he looks even taller than he is. 
  • Other:
    • Facially resembles Takashi/the Sakamotos and has his father's single dimple

Job/Profession:   

  • Karate instructor, professional karateka and eventual master of the Sohma Dojo

Resides:   

  • City of Tokyo (from birth until twenty-two)
  • Village of Hibe, Aomori prefecture (for the two years, almost)
  • City of Tokyo, for the rest of his life

Romantic partner:  

  • Kiyone 'Kiki' Sohma, daughter of Asami Sohma and granddaughter of Hiro and Kisa Sohma. 

Children:  

  • Son Kazushi Sohma, born sixty-eight years after graduation.
  • Son Taiga Sohma, born seventy years after graduation.
  • Son Masanori Sohma, born seventy-two years after graduation.

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Younger twin 
  • The more physical twin by miles, a ball of energy practically since he came out of the womb.
  • Active, energetic, and loves to be doing.
  • Almost always dirty as a child and often got into trouble by falling into puddles/ponds or digging things up. 
  • Fairly upbeat attitude.
  • Very competitive and tries to make everything he can into a race or a challenge or a contest, except where his sister is concerned.
  • Always teammates and never rivals with Ryuko. 
  • Tends to listen to his sister even when he won’t listen to anyone else.
  • Generally easy-going, but with a stubborn streak a mile long. 
  • Easy to anger when he’s young, but the anger dissipates quickly and he isn’t prone to holding grudges.
  • Very physically affectionate and one of the only people allowed to cuddle his sister.
  • A good student, though he thinks most subjects are boring. 
  • Goes to Chichibu-Tama-Kai National park for his ten-year trip with Tohru and Kyo.
  • Begins in the dojo the moment his parents will let him and a huge fan of karate, as well as a very skilled.
  • Always attends his sister’s gymnastics meets when he can and is the loudest cheerer in the arena. 
  • Hates it when guys ask him to introduce them to his sister and always tells them to go talk to her herself. 
  • Runs every morning and is always trying to beat his own times. 
  • A good cook, but usually would rather let someone else do it. 
  • Taller than Takashi by the time he starts high school.
  • Dedicated when it comes to exercise or fun, but lazy when it comes to chores, homework or anything around the house, a habit Kyo quickly notices and works to break him of when they move in when the twins are twelve.
  • Doesn't tend to take things too seriously.
  • Decisive and quick to act on things. 
  • Calls all of his aunts and uncles by their first names, like Ryuko and Tadame. 
  • Loves to surprise-hug Tohru by scooping her up in his arms starting when he’s a teenager. 
  • Takes a great deal of delight in being one of the biggest in the family. 
  • Intends to one day take over the dojo from his mom. 
  • Enjoys living in an extended family household and would be totally content to stay in that environment all of his life.
  • He and his sister are both early risers. 
  • Cares less about being perpetually considered ‘a twin’ than Ryko.
  • Loves hiking and being outdoors; his favorite type of vacation is going out in nature. 
  • Idolizes Kyo and wants to be just like him ‘when he’s old.’ 
  • Lives in the Sohma Dojo for almost all of his life. 

The Matsuda Dojo

When I started writing this series, I initially shied away from doing too much with the dojo, or its people, because I really didn’t have any idea how a traditional Japanese dojo would be run and there isn’t a lot I could find online that actually covered the barest basics. I’ve always tried to be as authentic and true to the culture of Japan in my writing as I could be, and I was worried I’d screw things up too much if I wrote from my very regionally American perspective. But in the end, I accepted that it simply wasn’t reasonable to keep writing about Kyo’s life after graduation if I didn’t flesh out the dojo at least a little: karate is his passion, teaching karate is his job, they ultimately moved so he could work and train at this dojo...the dojo, karate, and its people were necessary. I wish I’d developed them sooner; one thing I really wish I could change is their absence in ‘Are We Ready for This?’ the story of Tohru’s first pregnancy and Hajime’s birth. In retrospect, there is no way Tohru wouldn’t have had a contact list a mile long for the dojo that included support staff; when she couldn’t reach Kyo, she should have been able to reach someone there regardless.  

But live and learn; since then, the Matsuda crew have been a regular presence in the series, and I consider them practically a part of Tohru and Kyo’s family itself. They might not be the most authentic portrayals of Japanese martial artists, but such is life. All of them will be included in the OC bio section to at least some degrees; I’ve included here the ones I personally consider the most significant and have headcanoned the most.  

Sensei Kenichi Matsuda

Role in the story and canon influence:

  • Kazuma's 'acquaintance who runs a dojo, far, far from here.’ Kyo’s first boss and karate master after canon, who runs the Matsuda Dojo. In addition to being Kyo’s new master, he, along with his wife, takes Tohru and Kyo both under his wing and provides a local source of parental wisdom and life advice, becoming their father figure in the north.  

First written appearance: Briefly mentioned in ‘Easing into the New,’ first actual appearance in ‘Are We Ready for This?’  
First chronological appearance: Mentioned/sends an email in chapter 48 (‘Our home’) of ‘Precious Little Moments in Time,’ first appears in ‘Make ‘em Proud.’ 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 権一, ‘authority’ and ‘one.’ I liked the idea of Kyo’s master having a ‘strong’ name; even before I planned to write him much, I knew I needed to be able to refer to him. I chose the name ‘Kenichi’ based on an English language understanding of names, where a name typically has one meaning in its language of origin, assuming it meant ‘strong one,’ which it can, if written slightly differently (健一). However, when I started to get a better understanding of kanji and how Japanese names actually work, I decided I would actually write it the way indicated above, because while Sensei Kenichi is strong, he is also The Boss and ultimately commands pretty much total deference.  

Age:

  • Fifty-five at the beginning of the series; fifteen years older than Kazuma, thirty-seven years older than Kyo.
  • Eighty-six at death. 

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Medium grey. 
    Eyes: Brown 
  • Build: Compact verging on wiry, of middling height (nearly a full head shorter than Kyo) but very muscular.  

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Married his wife Ayako when she was nineteen and he was twenty-two. 
  • Has three daughters, all married, none of whom practice karate. 
  • Several grandchildren, of which three practiced karate, but only one, Daichi, with real passion.  
  • One older brother (Jouichi), who was forced to stop karate as a teenager after an accident that left him unable to continue. Two sisters, one older, one younger.
  • A somewhat gruff speaker. 
  • Direct, often to the point of bluntness. 
  • His family has been running the dojo since the 1800s. 
  • A good businessman as well as an extremely talented karateka who can even best Kazuma when in his late fifties.  
  • A former national karate champion from when he was younger, before he stopped competing.  
  • Incredibly well-respected in Hibe and the surrounding communities, even by people who don’t practice karate.  
  • Originally knows Kazuma from before he took over the Sohma Dojo, when Kazuma, then in his early twenties, came to do a training sabbatical in the Matsuda Dojo.  
  • A skilled teacher with a strong eye for small improvements. 
  • Very no-nonsense attitude when class is in session and very rarely smiles when he’s teaching. 
  • Somewhat stern temperament, but very caring about his people and community. 
  • Expects his staff to always push themselves and their students, but encourages their camaraderie and genuinely pleased by the fact they’re all friends with one another. 
  • Very much the ‘gruff father’ of the dojo. 
  • A very light hand with praise, especially to people’s faces.  
  • Loves his wife Ayako deeply and is typically willing to indulge her in anything. 
  • Very fond of Tohru and Kyo and in many ways considers them as bonus children, though not to the extent his wife does. 
  • He, along with his wife, witnesses Tohru and Kyo’s legal marriage and he gives the ‘groom’s employer’ speech at their wedding reception. 
  • Regards the Matsuda Dojo and maintaining its reputation as his most sacred trust. 
  • Holds his staff to incredibly high standards, but gives them a fair amount of leniency in how they achieve them.  
  • A strong proponent of women in karate and the martial arts in general and very proud of his female staff, who he holds to the same standards as the men.  
  • Goes from ‘friendly acquaintances’ to close friends with Kazuma over the course of Kyo’s time at the dojo, with the two men basically having open invitations to each other’s dojo with zero notice required.  
  • Adopts Kyo’s coworker Haruto Maeda to succeed him as dojo master, having known Haruto since the younger man started working at the dojo at twenty and seeing in him the qualities needed to manage the large and complicated Matsuda Dojo, with the ultimate intention of Haruto subsequently passing the dojo on to Kenichi’s grandson, Daichi.  
  • Taken completely by surprise when Daichi ends up falling in love with and marrying Haruto’s daughter and only child Hanae, but completely delighted.  
  • Lives on the Matsuda Dojo property his entire life.  
  • Retires from the dojo at seventy-seven, twenty-two years after graduation, after running it for forty-three years.  
  • Ceases active karate practice when he retires, but still pops in in the dojo and makes a point of attending as many rank promotion tests and ceremonies as he can.  
  • Surprised by Kyo’s decision not to take over the Sohma Dojo, but very supportive of the choice of Sachiko to replace him. 
  • Writes a letter to be given to Sachiko after her ascension as dojo master, in which he spells out how proud he is of her and her accomplishments, how grateful he is to have gotten to have her train up in his dojo, how confident he is in her future success, how glad he was he took the chance on Kyo, how proud he is of Kyo, how grateful he is for the friendship of Kazuma, and how she should always be proud of herself and her lineage.  
  • Dies suddenly but peacefully nearly thirty-one years after graduation. 

Ayako Matsuda

Role in the story:

  • Sensei Kenichi’s wife, the Matsuda Dojo’s head cook, housekeeper, and the unofficial ‘dojo mother’ as well as Tohru and Kyo’s surrogate mom. 

First written appearance: Briefly mentioned in ‘Are We Ready for This,’ first appears in 'Figuring it Out Together.’ 
First chronological appearance: Mentioned in chapter 48 (‘Our home’) of ‘Precious Little Moments in Time,’ first appears in chapter 113 (‘First Impressions’)

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 彩心, ‘colorful’ and ‘heart.’ I originally named Ayako because I liked the sound of the name, but when I went kanji-hunting, I fell in love with this reading, I felt it perfectly fit the woman I had always envisioned as a force of nature: small, but energetic and overwhelmingly caring, a true Mother Hen.  

Age:

  • Fifty-two at the beginning of the series; three years younger than her husband, thirty-four years older than Kyo and Tohru. 
  • Ninety-two at death.

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Salt and pepper, eventually becoming snow white. 
    Eyes: Brown 
  • Build: Short and fairly petite 

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • She and Kenichi were childhood sweethearts, with Ayako's mother working at the dojo as a cook and Kenichi's younger sister Hitomi being her best friend growing up and helping bring them together.
  • One older sister.
  • A total ‘Mother Hen.’ 
  • Officially the Matsuda Dojo’s head cook, but also functions as the housekeeper and is fully in charge of the custodial as well as kitchen staff and weighs in on any and all decisions related to non-karate personnel.  
  • Not the least bit interested in karate herself, but a very enthusiastic supporter.  
  • Has spent most of her life living in the dojo and is a master at managing large groups of people. 
  • Hates seeing anyone feeling left out and is constantly on the lookout for ways she can help people feel comfortable.  
  • A total romantic. 
  • Deeply in love with her husband 
  • Initially surprised and somewhat concerned when she learns Tohru and Kyo are moving to Hibe together and aren’t married, but tries her best not to judge. 
  • Ends up loving both of them almost the moment she first meets them; thinks Tohru is beyond adorable, that Kyo’s earnestness and desire to do well is darling, and that the two of them are so obviously in love that it’s painful. 
  • Very elaborately and artfully tries to suss out Tohru and Kyo’s marriage plans and is very annoyed with her husband that he won’t help her by talking about it to Kyo.  
  • Has a standing job offer open to Tohru to join the dojo kitchen staff, should she ever want it.  
  • Basically adopts Tohru and Kyo after learning neither of them has a living mother and essentially fills that role herself the rest of her life, with their full approval (though Kyo is initially wary).  
  • Great at reading people.  
  • Very upbeat and positive personality. 
  • Almost constantly in motion and loves to keep busy. 
  • Adores babies and young children. 
  • Loves the fact Kyo is an involved father, even when his kids are babies.  
  • Comes to help Tohru every day during the first month after each of her children’s births, a role normally played by the new mother’s own mother in Japan. 
  • A regular babysitter for Tohru and Kyo’s kids until they no longer need one.  
  • A grandma figure for Tohru and Kyo’s kids, along with many of the other children of the dojo staff. 
  • Retires when her husband does.  
  • Outlives Kenichi by nearly nine years, passing away almost forty years after graduation.

Sensei Haruto (Maeda) Matsuda

Role in the story:

  • Kyo’s coworker at the dojo, friend and later master and boss following the retirement of Sensei Kenichi. 

First written appearance: ‘Are We Ready for This?’ 
First chronological appearance: 'Make ‘em Proud.’ 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 晴昇 ‘clear up’ and ‘ascend.’ He’s another I named initially because I liked how the name sounded without realizing how prominent he’d become. When I went Kanji-hunting for him I was almost drowned in choices; Haruto is a fairly popular name that can be written a staggering multitude of ways, many of which I considered for him before ultimately choosing these two: ‘clear’ or ‘clear up,’ in a nod to the way he was initially skeptical of Kyo’s suitability when the two first met but soon came to recognize his error, apologize, and clear things up so they could become friends, and ‘ascend’ or ‘rise up’ to reflect his eventual rise to dojo master.

Age:

  • Thirty-one at the beginning of the series, thirteen years older than Kyo.  

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Black, eventually going grey, eventually going bald.  
    Eyes: Brown 
  • Build: Slightly shorter than Kyo and likewise on the slimmer side, but very muscular.  

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Has lived on the Matsuda Dojo property since he first moved to the area and started working at the dojo at twenty. 
  • Parents are both deceased by the time Kyo moves to Hibe.  
  • His wife, Kanako, is a member of the dojo’s kitchen staff and eventually the head cook. 
  • One child, daughter Hanae, who is six years older than Hajime and a toddler when Tohru and Kyo first move to the area.  
  • Met his wife after starting work at the dojo. 
  • One of the dojo’s strongest sparrers. 
  • Best friends with coworker Hiroshi Yamada, who started the same time he did.  
  • Initially skeptical of Kyo due to his youth and suspicious of him due to his hair color, which he thought was dyed and indicated Kyo wasn’t taking the job seriously or respecting the dojo. 
  • The only one of Kyo’s coworkers who initially voiced or showed any disapproval. 
  • Tends to stick to his decisions, but will admit it when he’s wrong.  
  • Thoughtful and a good problem solver, and fairly quick to act. 
  • First approached by Sensei Kenichi about being adopted and succeeding him as dojo master twelve years after graduation. 
  • Takes nearly two years and many conversations with Sensei and his wife to decide before agreeing and is adopted, with the approval of Ayako and the rest of the Matsuda family, fourteen years after graduation. 
  • Succeeds Sensei Kenichi twenty-two years after graduation, when he’s fifty-two, and runs the dojo for the next twenty years. 
  • Succeeded in turn by Sensei Kenichi’s grandson/Haruto’s son-in-law, Daichi. 
  • Extremely fond of Kazuma and maintains the same ‘open door’ exchange policy Sensei Kenichi had with him. 
  • Very proud of Sachiko’s (and Takashi’s) career and tournament trajectory. 
  • Retires earlier than planned due to the early retirements of Yamada and Sasaki, along with Kyo’s decision to move.  
  • Remains close friends with Yamada, Sasaki, and Kyo for the rest of his life. 
  • Gets a tattoo of the Matsuda dojo pine tree logo along with Kyo and Yamada in his seventies after being goaded into it by Kyo after learning Kyo had tattoos.  
  • Lives at the dojo for the rest of his life. 

Sensei Hiroshi Yamada

Role in the story:

  • Kyo’s coworker and friend at the dojo. 

First written appearance: ‘Figuring it Out Together.’ 
First chronological appearance: 'Make ‘em Proud.’ 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 寛士, ‘broad-minded, tolerant, generous’ and ‘samurai.’ Named because I liked how the name sounded and it’s a fairly common name, though at the time I spaced and broke one of my cardinal rules: ‘Thou shalt not make repeat characters share names!’ Consequently, Sensei Yamada shares a first name with Kyo’s high school friend, canon character Hiroshi, the narrator of Cinderella-ish; this annoys me, but the ship to change it sailed a very long time ago. For his kanji, I went with characters that reflected the fact he has always given Kyo the benefit of the doubt and liked and trusted him from the very beginning, as well as the fact his relationship with Kyo is very dojo-centric.   

Age:

  • Thirty-three at the beginning of the series, fifteen years older than Kyo.  

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Black, eventually white 
    Eyes: Dark brown 
  • Build: On the shorter side and stocky, with an incredibly muscular upper body.  

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Started the same year as Haruto (Maeda) Matsuda and has always been close to him. 
  • High school sweethearts with his wife, Emi, a middle school teacher. 
  • Two kids, Satsuki and Minoru, who are eleven and thirteen years older than Hajime respectively. 
  • Initially wanted to work at the Matsuda Dojo to get experience at a renowned dojo while he had the chance, expecting to have to move after a few years when his wife inevitably got relocated, but Emi ended up staying in schools in the same part of Aomori prefecture for her entire career. 
  • Cheerful, jovial, and generally upbeat; almost never gets angry. 
  • Swears like a sailor when he’s not in the dojo. 
  • Unswerving faith and confidence in Sensei Kenichi and consequently never second-guessed Kyo after Kenichi hired him. 
  • One of the first people Kyo meets at the dojo, along with Sensei Sasaki. 
  • Lost a sparring match to Haru when in Tokyo for Kyo’s wedding and years later, after Haru became a famous model, received a signed photograph of Haru with the message, “this is the face that once kicked your ass’ that he has always hung in his home in a place of pride.  
  • The shortest of the dojo’s male karate instructors. 
  • The dojo’s most consistent tournament competitor after Kyo.  
  • A strong karateka who focuses on punches and arm strikes, as opposed to Kyo, who prefers kicks and legwork. 
  • Forced to retire early after badly breaking his leg thirty-eight years after graduation, when he was seventy-one. He’d intended to stay until Haruto retired. 
  • Always comes to Hibe to the Matsuda Dojo to see Kazuma when he comes to visit, even after he’s retired. 
  • Considers Kyo a great friend and quasi-little brother all his life.  
  • Gets a tattoo of the Matsuda Dojo pine tree along with Kyo and Haruto after finding out Kyo had previously gotten tattoos and being intrigued about it.  

Sensei Yuna Sasaki

Role in the story:

  • Kyo’s coworker and friend at the dojo. 

First written appearance: Mentioned in ‘Figuring it Out Together, first appears in ‘Make ‘em Proud.’ 
First chronological appearance: 'Make ‘em Proud.’ 

Kanji and source of name/character:

  • 優和, ‘tenderness and gentleness, or ‘good, excellent’ and ‘peace, harmony, tranquility.’ Yet another ‘kanji after the fact.’ In her case, I wanted to reflect that she, out of all the instructors, is the most soft-spoken, gentle, and reserved, while also being, as Sachiko’s friends would say, ‘a beast.’ 

Age:

  • Twenty-five at the beginning of the series, seven years older than Kyo.  

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Dark brown 
    Eyes: Brown 
  • Build: Very petite and slightly shorter than Tohru, but solid and well-toned.  

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • The youngest and newest member of the dojo staff prior to Kyo’s arrival. 
  • Extremely dainty and feminine looking. 
  • Prefers to wear skirts outside of the dojo. 
  • Fairly soft-spoken in general, but oddly terrifying when she’s upset. 
  • The most successful at dealing with behavioral issues from students, largely because people are always so surprised when she gets angry. 
  • Teaches the introductory belt classes, so is the first teacher all young newcomers will get.  
  • Her husband, Kei, works for the city of Nigeyashi and is a fellow karateka who attends the dojo as a student. 
  • One child, daughter Mika, who is five and a half years older than Hajime. 
  • A solid karateka and good at using her small stature to her advantage in a fight, but doesn’t particularly enjoy competing and typically only participates in exhibition tournaments.  
  • Has a sisterly/friend relationship with Hiroshi and Haruto before Kyo arrives, and likewise ends up taking that role with Kyo. 
  • Closest to Tohru out of any of the dojo staff. 
  • The most hurt by how long Kyo waited to tell them Kazuma was his father. 
  • One of Sachiko’s professional role models, though Sachiko wishes she was more competitive. 
  • Retires from the Matsuda Dojo the same year Kyo moves and Haruto retires and moves with her husband down to Osaka to live with their daughter’s family.  
  • Remains close to her ‘brothers’ from the dojo all her life, though she abstains from getting a tattoo because, quote, ‘[she has] nothing to prove and isn’t a competitive idiot.’ 

Other particularly significant OCs  

As I mentioned above, there are many recurring OCs who I plan to at least touch on in the OC bio section of the appendix, people who have helped flesh out Tohru and Kyo’s world and make it (hopefully) feel more real. All of my recurring characters I’ve headcanoned for at least a lit bit, but these are the ones I feel are the most ‘quick fact-worthy based on just how much I know about them. 

Hans Wagner

Role in the story:

  • Momiji’s boyfriend and eventual husband. 

First written appearance: Mentioned in ‘Are We Ready for this?” and first appears in “Moving Right Along.” 
First chronological appearance: First mentioned in Chapter 6 (‘I’ve Met Someone’) of ‘Precious Little Moments in Time.’ First appears in “My Brother.” 

Source of name/character:

  • I have always felt that Momiji, like many other characters in Fruits Basket, is very much not straight. Unsure if I think he’s pan or bi, but I ultimately felt it made sense he would be attracted to people regardless of sex, and when I imagined his future partner, I kept coming back to a man. There are a couple things Takaya drops in canon that I feel support him having a male partner: at the end of the original story, he talks about finding ‘his own marvelous sweetheart and bringing ‘them’ to show off to Tohru and Kyo, and in Another, his daughter is a featured character but his partner is never mentioned at all (there is no reference to a wife or girlfriend or second parent at all by Mina, Momo, or literally anyone else). Ultimately, I went with my gut and the person that I ended up with was Hans, who I gave a common German surname and a classic German first name, a diminutive of ‘Johannes’ that means ‘God is Gracious’ because Momiji deserves a little grace after the hand he was dealt at the end of canon. I personally like 'reserve about writing a same-sex relationship' significantly better than 'Mina's mother died' or 'Mina's mother abandoned them.' 

Age:

  • The same age as Momiji, about one year younger than Tohru. 

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Very pale blond 
    Eyes: Bright sky blue 
  • Build: About an inch shorter than Momiji, but looks shorter because he’s much stockier.  

Family of origin:

  • Father: Peter Wagner
  • Mother: Monika Wagner
    • Hans's parents live in a town just outside of Halle, Germany. 
  • Siblings:
    • Older brother Martin, married to Nicole.
      • Two children, daughter Alina and son Julian
      • Live in Dresden
    • Older sister Katrin, married to Andreas Meyer
      • Two children, sons Leon and Alexander.
      • Also live in Dresden.
      • Katrin is the biological mother of Mina Sohma via egg donation. 

Job/Profession:  

  • Concert cellist, primarily with the Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra.

Resides:  

  • His hometown near Halle, Germany, prior to university
  • Berlin, Germany (for university and through the next few years)
  • Tokyo, Japan (for the rest of his life) 

Romantic partner:

  • Momiji Sohma, who he meets in university in Berlin and marries in Germany nine years after graduation. 

Children: One 

  • Daughter Mina (FB:A canon character), born eleven years after graduation.
    • Marries Jinsuke Durand, who is half French, half Japanese.  

Grandchildren: One 

  • Grandson Ken, born forty-one years after graduation. 

Great- Grandchildren: Two.  

  • Great-grandson Tatsumi Johannes, born sixty-nine years after graduation.
  • Great-granddaughter Tomomi Suzette, born seventy years after graduation.

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Grew up just outside the city of Halle. 
  • The youngest of three, with an older sister and an older brother. 
  • His entire family is very close. 
  • Attended the Berlin University of the Arts.
  • Meets Momiji in university, when they play together in the same string quartet.
  • A talented cellist whose life dream is to someday play in a major orchestra.
  • Somewhat serious personality.
  • Extremely focused on his music and his practicing.
  • Hates pranks.
  • Has a driver's license. 
  • Quiet and enjoys listening to other people talk more than talking himself, except when music is involved.
  • Straightforward and incredibly earnest.
  • Very pragmatic.
  • Loves winter, snow, and the cold. 
  • Has a sense of humor, just a somewhat subtle one, and loves how light-hearted Momiji is.
  • Addicted to coffee and is almost constantly drinking it.
  • Loves to read in his downtime and usually has a book with him wherever he goes.
  • Particularly fond of classic literature.
  • Incredibly diligent student and spends a lot of time studying. 
  • Likes to watch historical television and movies to listen to their soundtracks.
  • A skilled ballroom dancer.
  • Favorite snack/meal/food in general is bread, cheese, and cold cuts.
  • Unsettled by/afraid of garden gnomes.
  • Focused on his music rather than relationships while in university, feeling that because he was so busy there was no point in trying to date. That, and he had a major crush on Momiji, who he didn’t originally realize was likewise into men.
  • Never publicized the fact he was gay, but likewise never hid it; it just never came up.
  • Asks Momiji out a year and a half after they meet, after realizing Momiji wasn’t straight.
  • Their first date is at an ice cream shop, where they both get ‘Eiskaffee,’ basically coffee floats, which remain ‘their thing’ all their lives. 
  • Nickname for Momiji is ‘Häschen,’ a common German pet name that’s a diminutive for ‘rabbit.’ When he learned about the Curse, he was mortified and immediately stopped, but Momiji told him he‘s always liked it and would prefer to keep it. 
  • Momiji’s nickname for him is ‘Schatzi,’ or ‘little treasure.’ 
  • Learns about the Curse when they’ve been together a year and a half, after asking Momiji to move in together. 
  • Loves Momiji's zest for life and is most attracted to his positive attitude. 
  • Neither he nor Momiji change their name after marriage. 
  • His family believe Momiji’s mother is deceased.
  • Moves to Japan with Momiji almost eight years after graduation, after landing a seat in the Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra.
  • A favorite of Momiji’s mother, who loves having another German expat around. 
  • Hates spicy food with a passion.
  • Not a fan of seaweed.
  • Loves Christmas and always struggles the most with living abroad during the holiday season.
  • He and Momiji always celebrate Christmas German-style in Tokyo, since most years their careers prevent them from travelling then. 
  • Close to Tohru and Kyo’s son Katsuro and, with Momiji, is one of the biggest supporters of his musical career. 
  • Their daughter, Mina, is the biological child of Momiji, conceived using an egg from Hans’ sister and carried by a Russian surrogate.  
  • Calls grandson Ken 'SchneckeKen,' incorporating another common German nickname (snail) into Ken's name. 

Lorenzo Mosca

Role in the story and canon influence:

  • Saki’s ‘foreign husband,’ mentioned in FB:A and known to have the last name 'Mosca,' likewise stated by Megumi to have come to Japan in response to Megumi’s own childhood prayer from chapter fifty-one of the original series. 

First written appearance: Mentioned in ‘Figuring it Out Together” and first appears Chapter 63 (‘He Prayed for Me’) of ‘Precious Little Moments in Time.’ 
First chronological appearance: Chapter 63 (‘He Prayed for Me’) of ‘Precious Little Moments in Time.’ 

Source of name/character:

  • Figuring out what sort of person would end up marrying Saki Hanajima was an interesting thought exercise that I had no intention of attempting, so of course Lorenzo Mosca ended up popping into my head fully formed without the slightly provocation. His personality draws cues from his son Rio’s in Another and he also reminds me a little of Tohru in being able to accept just about anything as ‘normal’ without blinking an eye. The surname ‘Mosca’ is primarily found in Italy (also Spain and Portugal), so I decided to have him Italian and went with the fairly popular Italian name Lorenzo.   

Age:

  • Two years older than Saki, so roughly the same age as Rin.  

Physical description:  

  • Hair: Dark reddish-brown, eventually white 
    Eyes: Dark brown 
  • Build: Tall and slim, taller than most of the Sohmas.  
  • Other: Olive-toned complexion and a short goatee-style beard and mustache.  

Family of origin:

  • Father: Luca Mosca
  • Mother: Giulia Mosca
    • Lorenzo's parents live in the Milan, Italy area, as does the bulk of his large extended family. 
  • Siblings:
    • None.

Job/Profession:  

  • Works for the Japanese branch of his family's Italian import business Mosca Derrata, eventually serving as the Director of Japanese Operations. 

Resides:  

  • Milan, Italy area (until graduating university)
  • Tokyo, Japan (for the rest of his life) 
    • Lorenzo also spent a year studying abroad in Japan during high school, and a second year in Japan during university. 

Romantic partner(s):

  • Saki Hanajima, who he was 'called' to Japan to find by Megumi's childhood prayer. 

Children: One.

  • Son Rio, (FB:A canon character), born seven years after graduation)
    • Marries Etsuko* 

Grandchildren: Three.

  • Grandson Niko*, born thirty-three years after graduation. 
  • Grandson Kai*, born thirty-six years after graduation. 
  • Granddaughter Hana*, born thirty-eight years after graduation.

Great-grandchildren: Yes.

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • An only child, but grew up with numerous cousins. 
  • His family lives just outside of Milan. 
  • His extended family runs a successful export business of which his uncle is the CEO at the time Lorenzo initially meets Saki.
  • The company is headquartered in Milan and with international branches that include Tokyo. 
  • His maternal grandmother had powers similar to Saki’s, able to see and hear things other people couldn’t, though he doesn’t remember much about her as she died when he was a child. 
  • Was in middle school when he first woke up one night from a dream of a boy he later learned was Megumi Hanajima, praying for someone, from somewhere in the world, to come find ‘Saki.’
  • Couldn’t forget the dream or get it out of his mind, having it over and over again over the next few years. 
  • Studied Japanese and did a Japanese exchange in high school, then again in university, and fell in love with Japan’s food and culture while constantly on the lookout for ‘Saki.’ Didn’t find her then, but moved back to Tokyo after university to take up a position in his family business.
  • His family supported his study and his interest in Japan, figuring it would be an asset to have a family employee so clearly passionate about the country, understanding of the culture, and fluent in the language. 
  • He saw Saki in passing at a train station three years after graduation and was staggered, as he had started to doubt she existed.
  • Sees her again later at the same station, but this time follows her, and they meet. She introduces herself as ‘Hanajima’ and doesn’t understand his disappointment, but he rallies and asks her out.
  • Learns her actual name and about her powers, and she learns about his grandmother and his dreams, on their fifth date.
  • Wears suits almost constantly as a socially acceptable way to wear black.
  • A passionate foodie who likes meat as much as Saki.
  • A good Italian cook, not so much Japanese. 
  • An enthusiastic reader of romance novels and manga and loves that it’s unremarkable for him to love them, as a man, in Japan. 
  • Generally easy-going and unbothered by much, rather like Saki herself. 
  • Light-hearted and laughs a lot. 
  • Initially greeted by Megumi with suspicion and dislike, as they don’t meet until Saki and Lorenzo are engaged, but Lorenzo isn’t the least bit concerned.
  • He and Megumi end up best friends. 
  • Arisa is simultaneously fascinated and frustrated by how unflappable he is and early on in their relationship would do everything she could think of to try to upset him, including dubbing him ‘Ezzie.’
  • Nothing upset him.
  • Arisa calls him ‘Ezzie’ their entire lives. 
  • Loves and is loved by Tohru, who he gets on brilliantly with from their very first meeting. 
  • Kyo feels vaguely uncomfortable around him for years because he can’t help but think he has to have come kind of powers to manage with Saki and is nervous about what those powers might be.
  • Similar in personality and temperament to his son, FB:A canon character Rio. 
  • Has no powers himself, but not the least bit bothered by Saki’s.
  • Saki’s psychic connection with him is intensely strong and she can ‘hear’ him when they’re apart, provided they’re both in the city, as long as he’s feeling strong emotion or thinking intensely about her.
  • He uses this to ‘send her messages’ by thinking about her with a strong emotion, his favorites being ‘love notes,’ or thinking about her with intensely affectionate or amorous thoughts. She can’t hear the words, but she can feel the sentiments. 
  • Tohru’s children, his Japanese ‘niece and nephews,’ are all fascinated when young with his facial hair, which he keeps all his life.
  • Fluent in Japanese, which he’s been studying since middle school, by the time he meets Saki, and speaks with a very light accent. 
  • Regularly travels back and forth to Italy for business and to see his family. 
  • A major family man who loves being in the midst of family chaos. 
  • Supportive of Saki rekindling romantic feelings for Arisa late in life, and encourages the two of them to pursue a romantic relationship, as long as his own relationship with Saki doesn't suffer.
  • Does not have a romantic relationship with Arisa himself, but they are, and always remain, very good, affectionate friends.  

Riko and Yamato Tanaka  

Role in the story:

  • Tohru and Kyo’s closest local, completely-unconnected-to-karate friends.  

First written appearance: ‘Easing into the New.’ 
First chronological appearance: Same. 

Kanji and source of names/characters:

  • These two were among my first OCs, so they are yet another case of ‘I like the names’ and got their kanji later: Yamato’s are 大和 ‘big’ and ‘peace, harmony, tranquility,’ which I went with because of his fairly ‘roll with the punches’ mentality, and Riko’s are 里心 ‘village’ and ‘heart,’ representing how she was Tohru’s first friend, and her best friend, in the village of Hibe. When I came up with these two, it was with the idea that I wanted Tohru and Kyo to have friends outside of the dojo; at the time, I was planning to avoid writing the dojo, so there was a bit of self-interest there, but I also felt that Tohru especially would benefit from having a similarly-aged friend that was hers, not hers through Kyo/the dojo. After leaving so many friends in Tokyo, I felt it was important for her to start making a new tribe of her own in her new home, and while she’s sure to charm just about everyone she meets, small rural villages tend to be full of older people and I wanted her to have someone about her own age.  

Age:

  • Six years older than Tohru and Kyo. 

Physical description: Yamato  

  • Hair: Black, eventually bald. 
    Eyes: Dark brown 
  • Build: Middle height and average build, but with incredibly muscular arms from working in a bakery. 

Physical description: Riko  

  • Hair: Black, eventually white 
    Eyes: Brown 
  • Build: a few inches taller than Tohru and with a sturdier build.  

Assorted facts and headcanons:  

  • Run the Hibe town bakery, which Yamato took over from his grandfather. 
  • Yamato is chief baker, Riko is responsible for the business and front end. 
  • Only took over and moved to Hibe two years before Tohru and Kyo arrive, previously lived in Nigeyashi. 
  • Started dating shortly before their high school graduation after being set up by friends. 
  • Yamato’s grandfather still helps out in the bakery when Yamato needs time off or they need extra hands, but Yamato tries to avoid having him around since he usually complains about everything they’ve changed. 
  • The first fellow ‘young people’ Tohru and Kyo meet in Hibe. 
  • Live two blocks away from Tohru and Kyo’s first house. 
  • Their daughter, Keiko, is born nearly three years after graduation, and their son Ryoichi is born three years later. 
  • Being around their daughter Keiko helps Kyo decide he's ready to have kids himself. 
  • They are ‘uncle’ and ‘aunt’ to Tohru and Kyo’s kids, and vice versa. 
  • All four of them are good friends, though Riko and Tohru are much closer in general than Yamato and Kyo.  
  • Riko is Tohru’s best friend from the Hibe area. 
  • Kyo’s biggest ‘vice’ is his intense love of the bakery’s sweet buns, with red bean buns being his particular favorite.  
  • They have a regular game night where they all get together and play cards. 
  • They are the first ones to find out Tohru is pregnant with Hajime. 
  • Tohru and Riko are so used to spending time together than they’ll randomly start doing chores while at each others’ house. 
  • Their son Ryoichi studies to be a baker, but eventually decides he doesn’t want to stay in Hibe his whole life or take over the bakery. Subsequently, Yamato and Riko make the decision to sell, instead. 
  • They sell the bakery and move to the city of Hirosaki thirty-nine years after graduation, about three years before Tohru and Kyo leave Hibe themselves.  

Notes:

'Just a few' facts about my babies, the more prominent OCs of 'Always and Forever!' Needless to say, I have...a lot...on some of these characters. I have always been very grateful for the positive response I've received about most of them; considering I came to this series for canon continuation and imagine that's what most of my readers want, too, it's very humbling and a huge relief to hear 'they feel like they could have stepped out of the canon!' or variations on that theme. It wouldn't have been possible to continue the series half as long as I have without them.

Chapter 6: Kyoru family quick facts - names (kanji, meanings, pronunciation) and general appearances

Summary:

General information on the names, kanji, and pronunciations of Tohru and Kyo's family members, along with some general information about their appearances and the passing on of Kyo's Curse gene.

Contains spoilers!

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Some notes on Japanese names:

  • Most names are written in kanji, with the individual characters having multiple possible pronunciations. Consequently, when filling out forms or on business cards, people will often write the phonetic translation of their name alongside the kanji. For example, the character 光 can be pronounced as both 'Mitsu' and 'Rei,' among others.  
  • There are rules about what kanji can be used in names. Apparently, it's not uncommon for anime/manga characters to have their names written using non-name kanji to emphasize that they're fictional. Kyo's kanji, for example, wouldn't normally be used in a name. 
  • The kanji/hiragana I have listed below for canon characters Kazuma, Kunimitsu, Tohru, Kyo, Hajime, and Mutsuki are how they are written by Takaya. 
  • All syllables tend to be pronounced evenly, with the same emphasis on all syllables (for example, 'Akito' is Ah-kee-toh, not ah-KEE-toh, emphasis on 'KEE')

Sohma family kanji/name meanings/rough English pronunciations  

Kazuma 籍真, ‘registry, membership, enrollment’ and ‘truth. (Kah-zoo-mah) 

Kunimitsu: 邦光, ‘country’ and ‘light’ (Koo-nee-mee-tsoo) 

Tohru: 透, ‘transparent’ (Toh-roo) 

Kyo: 夾, ‘to insert between.’ (...Kyoh) 

Hajime: No kanji, his name is written in hiragana, はじめ, and means ‘beginning.’ (Hah-zhee-may) 

Mutsuki: 睦生, ‘harmonious’ and ‘living’ (Moot-skee) 

Aiko: 愛幸, ‘love’ and ‘bliss/good fortune’ (Eye-koh) 

Seiji: 誠次  ‘sincerity, honesty, truthfulness,’ and ‘next, following’ (Say-zhee) 

Rika:  理佳, ‘management, regulation, reason, logic,’ and ‘excellent, beautiful, good’ (Ree-kah) 

Yuka: 由佳, ‘reason, cause, origin’ and ‘excellent, beautiful, good’ (Yoo-kah) 

Chisato: 知慧 ‘knowledge, understanding, awareness,’ and ‘enlightenment, wisdom, intelligence’ (Chi-sah-toh) 

Katsuro: 勝郎, ‘victory’ and ‘son’ (Kaht-soo-roh) 

Mariko: 眞理子, ‘truth, reality,’ ‘management, regulation, reason, logic,’ and ‘child’ (Mah-ree-koh) 

Akari: 明星, ‘bright’ and ‘star’ (Ah-kah-ree) 

Akimitsu: 明光 ‘bright’ and ‘light’ (Ah-kee-mee-tsoo) 

Kyosuke: 夾祐, ‘to insert between,’ and ‘divine protection’ Actually should be 挟祐, but shares a non-traditional kanji with Kyo. (Kyoh-skay) 

Kanami 奏心 ‘play the music’ and ‘heart’ (Kah-nah-mee) 

Kazue: 籍栄; ‘registry, membership, enrollment’ and ‘prosper/flourish’ (Kah-zoo-eh) 

Saoirse: traditional Irish name meaning ‘freedom’ (Sur-shah) 

Kairi: 海理 ‘Ocean, sea’ and ‘management, regulation, reason, logic,’ (Ky-ree) 

Rei: 光 ‘Light’ (Ray) 

Tadame: 維芽, ‘support, keep together’ and ‘sprout’ (Tah-dah-may) 

Kai: 諧; ‘Harmony, concord, agreement’ (Ky) 

Sachiko: 幸子, ‘bliss/good fortune’ and ‘child’ (Sah-chi-koh) 

Takashi: 剛士; ‘strong’ and ‘samurai’ (Tah-kah-shee) 

Ryuko: 龍子, ‘dragon’ and ‘child’ (Ree-oo-ko) 

Ken: 遣, ‘send, dispatch, go on a mission.’ (Ken) 

Tatsumi: 龍弥 ‘dragon’ and ‘progress.’ (Taht-soo-mee) 

Tomomi 透紅 ‘transparent’ and ‘crimson/safflower’ (Toh-moh-mee) 

Torashi: 寅士, ‘tiger’ and ‘samurai’ (Toh-rah-shee) 

Kiyone: 清音, ‘pure, clean, clear,’ and ‘sound, verse’ (Kee-yoh-nay) 

Kazushi: 籍士 ‘registry, membership, enrollment’ and ‘samurai’ (Kah-zoo-shee) 

Taiga: 泰牙 ‘gentle’ and ‘fang’ (Ty-gah) 

Masanori 匡慶 ‘help’ and ‘be delighted’ (Mah-sah-noh-ree) 


Kyoru Sohma family physical descriptions/notes

Height:

-Kazuma is the tallest out of all members of Tohru and Kyo’s family. 

-Tohru and Kyo's granddaughter Tadame is the shortest, edging out Tohru by the tiniest bit.  

Including the grandkids and spouses, the family, as adults, goes in this height order: 

  • Kazuma 
  • Katsuro 
  • Kai 
  • Kazue 
  • Torashi (barely shorter than Kazue and disputes that he is regularly) 
  • Hajime 
  • Kyo 
  • Ken 
  • Mutsuki 
  • Kunimitsu 
  • Takashi 
  • Akimitsu and Saoirse (also the same height) 
  • Seiji  
  • Akari 
  • Ryuko 
  • Mariko 
  • Aiko 
  • Kiyone 
  • Sachiko 
  • Tohru 
  • Tadame 

My reasoning being:  

  • The Sohmas, in general, seem fairly tall in canon; Kazuma is the tallest or one of the tallest characters we see, and Kyo, when the Curse breaks, is significantly shorter than him. Even though I think Kyo grows more (as seen in the Prelude epilogue), I don’t think he gets as tall as Kazuma. 
  • In the family portrait at the end of canon, Hajime (or who is probably Hajime), is visibly taller than Kyo. 
  • The second son (Katsuro), seen at the end of the canon, is quite tall-looking, as is his wife (Mariko).  
  • Hajime is taller than Mutsuki in Another, and I think he stays taller.  
  • Katsuro (unnamed) looks quite small and childlike in his initial appearance in Another, so I imagine he follows Momiji’s trend of being a late bloomer, then shooting up.  
  • Ken and Kai both have European blood (German/French and Italian, respectively), which would likely contribute to them being tall, since Europeans are taller, on average, than Japanese men, and Megumi Hanajima (Kai’s great-uncle) is quite tall when we see him in Another. On the flip side, they also have ‘regular’ Japanese blood, making them a mixed bag.  
  • Akimitsu is actually average height for a Japanese man, but the rest of the men, except Seiji, are all taller than average.  
  • Seiji is slightly shorter than average and is barely taller than Akari, Ryuko, and Mariko, all of whom are on the taller side for women.  
  • Many of the Sohmas are actually close in height to one another and it’s really only obvious who’s taller/shorter if they are all standing up straight with their shoes off.   

Curse genes:  

  • All three of Kyo’s kids inherit the Cat Curse gene. 
  • Four of his grandkids (Akari, Kazue, Ryuko, and Torashi) subsequently inherit it. 
  • All people who inherit a Zodiac gene have either the hair and/or eyes of their Cursed ancestor. 
  • The gene can also bestow traits unrelated to appearance, including things like the Horse’s speed, the Monkey’s dexterity, or the Cat’s spatial awareness.  
  • Every person who inherited Kyo's eyes shares the behavior of those eyes becoming catlike with slitted pupils if they get really angry.
  • Aiko (who is adopted and has no Zodiac blood) and Tadame do not have any Curse genes.  
  • Out of Kyo’s twelve great-grandkids, six possess Curse genes:  
    • Kyosuke, Kairi, and Rei carry just the Cat gene. 
    • Tomomi carries both the Cat and Rabbit. 
    • Kazushi and Taiga carry both the Cat and Tiger. 
  • Aiko’s children Rika (Aiko’s stepdaughter), Yuka, and Chisato have no Zodiac blood, so they can't inherit any Curse genes. The Rat gene ends with Mutsuki.  
  • Akari’s daughter Kanami, Ryuko’s son Tatsumi, and Torashi’s son Masanori all have parents with Zodiac blood, but they did not inherit any Curse genes and cannot pass any Curse genes on.  
  • Unrelated to the Zodiac Curse, but related to the supernatural: Tadame’s partner Kai inherited a weakened/modified form of his grandmother Saki Hanajima’s wave powers and, like her, can ‘hear/feel’ emotions.  

General appearance (as adults):  

  • Kyo: Bright orange hair, amber-red eyes. Very muscular as an adult due to his physical job and personal conditioning. 
  • Tohru: Brown hair, light brown eyes. Strong, but always keeps her slim, not-very-toned figure.  
  • Hajime: Dusky orange hair, light brown eyes. Shares the Sohma lean build, but is in good shape and while not on a par with Kyo, he has obvious muscle. Facially he has a marked resemblance to Kyo. 
  • Mutsuki: Feathery silver-grey hair, grey eyes like Yuki. Likewise shares the Sohma lean build, but is much more slender than Hajime with almost no obvious muscle tone.  
  • Katsuro: Kyo’s hair and eyes. Shares the Sohma build, and is noticeably slimmer than both Kyo and Hajime as well as being taller (he is the tallest out all Kyo’s family, Kazuma aside). Facially, he has a strong resemblance to Kyo, Hajime, and his son Kazue.  
  • Mariko: Straight brown hair, dark brown eyes. Taller than average for a woman with a fairly slim, straight build. Has dimples.  
  • Sachiko: Tohru’s hair, Kyo’s eyes. Tohru’s facial features and general build, but she is a little taller and significantly more muscular due to her passion for karate and exercise in general.  
  • Takashi: Thick, unruly black hair and dark brown, almost black eyes. Taller than average, but still shorter than all the Sohma men with a very broad build. Easily packs on and maintains muscle. Has a single dimple.  

The grandkids:  

  • Akari: Kyo’s hair and eyes, Mariko’s facial features, dimples, and build. Tallest woman of Japanese descent in the family (though Saoirse is taller).  
  • Akimitsu (Akari’s husband): Dark brown hair, dark brown eyes. Average height, average build leaning towards stocky. 
  • Kazue: Dusky orange hair, dark brown eyes. Though his eyes are much darker, he otherwise looks a lot like Hajime and people tend to assume Hajime is his father rather than Katsuro. Another one with the Sohma lean build, though he, with his karate practice and active lifestyle, is more filled-out than his father and, once again, looks more like Hajime. The only grandkid whose features take after Kyo (and Katsuro and Hajime).  
  • Saoirse (Kazue’s wife): Thick, curly, copper-red hair, green eyes, and pale, liberally freckled skin. Tallest of the women in the family and the same height as Akimitsu, with the most curvaceous figure.  
  • Aiko: Thick, wavy dark brown hair, dark brown eyes. Though adopted, she is a Sohma by birth and has a similar figure to Rin Sohma, as well as being of an average height.  
  • Seiji (Aiko’s husband): Straight black hair, dark brown eyes, wears corrective lenses (typically contacts, but sometimes glasses, especially around home). Shorter than average height, but compactly muscular build (climber’s build). 
  • Tadame: Tohru’s hair, eyes, and build. She is slightly shorter than Tohru and slightly more muscular, due to her active job and karate practice, but otherwise leans into being Tohru’s clone. 
  • Kai (Tadame’s partner): Wavy black hair that he wears just barely long enough to tie back, and dark brown eyes. Strongly resembles the Hanajima side of his family (other than having an Italian complexion) and has a build similar to Megumi in Another. Like Seiji, he wears corrective lenses, with his preference being glasses.  
  • Ryuko: Thick black hair, Kyo’s eyes. Takes after Takashi’s family and is taller and fuller-figured than her mother. Mostly shares Tohru’s features, but inherited her father’s single dimple.  
  • Ken (Ryuko’s husband): Wavy blond hair, dark brown eyes. Aside from his eyes, which are much darker, and his German skin tone, he strongly resembles his grandfather Momiji.  
  • Torashi: Kyo’s hair color but Takashi’s hair texture, dark brown eyes. Inherited the Sohma height as well as Takashi’s build, making him the most physically imposing member of the family as he is tall (only Katsuro and Kazue are taller as adults, and Kazue only barely) and burly. Facially takes after his father, including having Takashi’s single dimple.  
  • Kiyone (Torashi’s wife): Kisa’s hair, dark brown eyes. She looks a lot like Kisa, except taller.  

The great-grandkids:  

  • Kyosuke (Akari’s son): Kyo’s hair and eyes; he ends up tall as an adult, but takes after his father’s family in both features and build.  
  • Kanami (Akari’s daughter): Dark brown hair and eyes like Akimitsu, hybrid features. 
  • Kairi (Kazue’s daughter): Saoirse’s hair (curly and coppery red), Kyo’s eyes, hybrid features, Japanese skin tone.  
  • Rei (Kazue’s son): Kazue’s dusky orange hair, but wavy; dark brown eyes, Sohma features, lighter skin and freckles.  
  • Rika (Aiko’s stepdaughter): Straight black hair and brown eyes. Strongly resembles her deceased mother Erina. 
  • Yuka (Aiko’s daughter): Wavy black hair, dark brown eyes, facially resembles Aiko. 
  • Chisato (Aiko’s son): Straight dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, hybrid features.  
  • Tatsumi (Ryuko’s son): Thick black hair, medium brown eyes, Honda features, has the Sakamoto family dimple. 
  • Tomomi (Ryuko’s daughter): Momiji’s hair, Kyo’s eyes, hybrid features with the Sakamoto family dimple. 
  • Kazushi (Torashi’s son): Kisa’s hair, Kyo’s eyes, Takashi/Torashi’s features. 
  • Taiga (Torashi’s son): Kyo’s hair, Kisa’s eyes, Hiro’s features. 
  • Masanori (Torashi’s son): Tohru’s brown hair and eyes, Honda features; takes the most after Tohru of all the greats.  

Notes:

I realized I didn't have this info all in one tidy spot yet in the appendix, although some of it is present in the quick facts. I've always tried not to be too specific in describing appearances because I like to let people imagine characters as they want, but some things are pretty clear in my mind (like the fact that Takashi's hair is physically incapable of laying flat, or the fact that in spite of Hajime and Katsuro both looking a lot like Kyo, only one of his grandkids looks that much like him).

In general, I try not to think about the great-grandkids too much, because I let myself think about the grandkids and ended up having to write more about them when I planned to end the timeline about twenty years earlier. Letting Kazuma go was tough enough, I am NOT going to let myself get caught up imaging things post Tohru-and-Kyo. The one exception to the 'greats are blank slates' is Kyosuke, the oldest, because he reaches adulthood in Tohru and Kyo's lifetime. That said, even as kids the greats needed physical descriptions, so...here they are!

Chapter 7: Family Trees

Summary:

Family trees reflecting Tohru and Kyo's family and their assorted connections in 'Always and Forever'

Contains spoilers!

Notes:

This chapter currently contains the following family trees, all but one of which (Haru and Rin's) are linked in some way to Tohru and Kyo:

The Tohru/Kyo Sohma family tree:
-Tohru, Kyo, their children, children's partners, grandchildren, grandchildren's partners, and great-grandchildren, along with Kazuma and Kunimitsu

The Honda family tree:
-Tohru's grandparents, parents, herself and Kyo, her children, her aunt, and her aunt's family.

The Yuki and Ayame Sohma family tree (linked to the Kyoru tree via Yuki and Machi's son Mutsuki):
-Yuki and Ayame's parents, Yuki and Ayame, their wives, children, their spouses, known grandchildren, their spouses, and any known great-grandkids.

The Kuragi/Manabe family tree (linked to the Kyoru tree via Yuki and Machi's son Mutsuki):
-Kakeru and Machi's parents, Kakeru, Machi, and their brother, their spouses, kids, grandkids, their spouses, and any known great-grandkids

The Sohma-Wagner family tree (Aka Momiji's family tree, linked to the Kyoru tree via Momiji's grandson Ken):
-Momiji's parents, Momiji and Momo, their spouses and children (as known), grandkids, and great-grandkids. Also contains the parents, siblings, and nieces/nephews of Momiji's husband Hans Wagner.

The Haru and Rin Sohma family tree (not linked to the Kyoru tree at all):
-Haru and Rin, their kids, Riku's wife, and Riku's children.

The Hiro and Kisa Sohma family tree (linked to the Kyoru tree via their granddaughter Kiyone):
-Hiro's parents, Hiro and his siblings, Kisa, Hiro and Kisa's kids, their spouses, their grandkids, their known spouses, and known great-grandkids.

The Hanajima-Mosca family tree (linked to the Kyoru tree via Saki's grandson Kai):
-Saki's parents, herself and her brother Megumi, their spouses/partners, her children, their spouses, and known grandchildren.

The Akito and Shigure Sohma family tree (linked to the Kyoru tree via their great-granddaughter Ayano):
-Akito's parents, Akito and Shigure, their kids, grandkids, and known great-grandkids.

The Nishimura family tree (the family of Tohru and Kyo's daughter-in-law, Mariko):
-Mariko's parents, herself and her siblings, their spouses, children, their known spouses, and known grandchildren.

The Sakamoto family tree (the family of Tohru and Kyo's son-in-law Takashi):
-Takashi's grandparents, his parents and their siblings, himself, his sister, his cousins, and their known spouses, their kids, their known spouses, and any known grandkids.

The Kusakabe family tree (the family of Tohru and Kyo's grandson-in-law Akimitsu):
-Akimitsu's parents, himself and his brother, his wife (Tohru and Kyo's granddaughter Akari), and his kids.

The Murphy family tree (the family of Tohru and Kyo's granddaughter-in-law Saoirse):
-Saoirse's parents, herself and her siblings, their spouses, and known children.

The Ishikawa-Tahara family tree (the family of Tohru and Kyo's grandson-in-law Seiji):
-Seiji's parents, himself and his sisters, their spouses, and known children. Also includes the family of his late wife, Erina.

Chapter Text

Key:

  • Characters with a (*) after their name are characters who both appear in and are named in canon, either the original series or Fruits Basket Another, i.e. Kyo Sohma*
  • Characters with a (^) after their name are characters who either appear in canon but are not named (and have therefore been given names by me) or do not appear and are not named but are canonically confirmed to exist, i.e. Saki Hanajima's foreign husband, Lorenzo Mosca^
  • All other characters are original characters.
  • Characters whose last name has changed since their introduction have their prior last name listed in parentheses, i.e. Tohru (Honda) Sohma.
  • Characters whose details are in grey are confirmed to be deceased prior to the end of my series. 
  • All years given are 'years after Tohru and Kyo's graduation.'
  • When any dates are provided, it is in the fullest detail known.
    • A single number means the year for the event is known, but not necessarily the month or date (ex. Yuki's father is listed as 'Died 27', meaning he died twenty-seven years after graduation).
    • A month followed by a number means that month and year (ex. Yuki and Machi were married 'Jun 4,' meaning in June, four years after graduation).
    • A number followed by a month means that day and month, and is used primarily for events that happen before graduation, such as original canon character birthdays (ex. Kazuma's birth date is listed as '4 Oct,' so October 4th, of an unspecified year).
    • A full date sequence of number, month, number means that day of that month of that year (ex. Hajime's date of birth is '14 Feb 4,' meaning he was born February 14th, four years after graduation).
      • As a reminder, graduation occurs in late March, so the 'Always and Forever calendar' runs from late March to late March. Hajime's February birthday is near the end of the 'calendar year,' and fell after Yuki and Machi's June wedding of the same A&F year, even though a 'real' calendar would have Hajime's birth occur the year after the wedding. I'm sorry if that's confusing but graduation was the best jumping off point I had. 

Other notes:

  • Please feel encouraged to point out any errors, if you notice them; I'm sure there's at least something I've missed, since there is a lot of information here.
  • These family trees are not necessarily complete, especially with regards to the extended families beyond Tohru and Kyo's connections. However, they are complete with regards to what I have written/plotted, leaving me flexibility for if and when things need to be added or adjusted. 
  • I have intentionally kept many dates nebulous outside of the month and year. 
  • All images are clickable links to larger versions of the trees.

And now...the trees!


Kyoru family tree


Honda family tree


Yuki and Ayame Sohma family tree


Kuragi/Manabe family tree


Sohma-Wagner family tree


Haru and Rin Sohma family


Hiro and Kisa Sohma family


Hanajima-Mosca family


Akito and Shigure Sohma family


Nishimura family


Sakamoto family


Kusakabe family


Murphy family


Ishikawa/Tahara family

Chapter 8: Locations

Summary:

The primary locations, both real and fictional, of 'Always and Forever'

Notes:

Contains information on the following fictional places:

Hibe
Tohru and Kyo's rental home
Tohru and Kyo's 'new' home
The Matsuda Dojo
Nigeyashi

And some real-world locations featured prominently in the series.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Locations

I will never claim to be an inspirational writer of scenery. That said, I think that in many ways, settings can be like characters themselves, with their own quirks and personalities. At this point, the settings of ‘Always and Forever’ are very near and dear to me, and I hope I’ve managed to make that come across in my writing. 

At the end of the original canon, we don’t really get much about where Tohru and Kyo will go. In her daydream when Kyo talks about his future dojo, we see a large, traditional complex surrounded by trees; I ultimately used that as my jumping off point for the Matsuda Dojo and the village of Hibe. They are described as living ‘far, far from here’ and ‘in the countryside,’ so I wanted them to be a fair distance away from the main series location, as well as live rurally.  

I’m not the best at describing buildings and not particularly good at drawing, but I’ll do my best to be as precise as possible in my descriptions. I’ve also included maps of questionably accuracy of Hibe and the Matsuda Dojo (Damnit, Jim, I’m a writer, not an artist!) and floorplans of Tohru and Kyo’s houses.  

Fictional Locations

The Village of Hibe

  • Introduced in: “Easing into the New.” 
  • Tohru and Kyo’s new home town, where they live for forty-two years after graduation. 
  • Located in Aomori prefecture, the northernmost prefecture on the main island of Honshu. 
  • Population is approximately 700-800 people.  
  • Approximate real-world location: west/southwest of the city of Hirosaki, near Mt. Iwaki.  
  • Located in the foothills and surrounded by forest.  
  • Distance to Tokyo: approximately five hundred miles. 
  • Fastest way to travel to Tokyo: twenty-five-minute bus ride to (fictional) Nigeyashi, then half-hour train ride to Hirosaki center, then half hour train ride to Aomori, then three- and half-hour bullet train ride to Tokyo. Total time, about five and a half hours to the Sohma Dojo.  
  • Roughly seven hours from Hajime and Mutsuki’s first two residences in Chiba. 
  • Eight hours by train and bus, four and a half hours by air (and train, and bus) from Sapporo. 
  • A little over four hours from Sendai.  
  • Primary regional industries are agriculture (fruit!) and forestry. 
  • Hibe’s businesses include the municipal building, post office, small library, a grocery/general store, a bakery, a small café, a gas station/convenience store, and a stationary/bookshop. Just on the outskirts of town to the northwest is an onsen ryokan (small hot spring hotel), while just north of town is the Matsuda Dojo.  
  • The main road in and out of Hibe runs along the eastern edge of the village, forming a sideways ‘Y’ with the stem being Hibe’s main street and the two branches running northeast to Nigeyashi and southeast to one of the neighboring villages. The Hibe bus depot is basically in the juncture of the ‘Y,’ with most of the town’s businesses grouped near it along main street. The residential part of the village lies to the west of the businesses, with smaller roads branching north and south off of main street. One of these roads intersects with main street at the bus depot (making a sideways ‘T’ that overlaps the ‘Y’ of the highway); if followed north, it will take you to the Matsuda Dojo and dead end. South, it will lead to and past Tohru and Kyo’s second home.  

Hibe is a small village in Aomori prefecture, on the northern end of Honshu. Roughly an hour west of the center of the city of Hirosaki, Hibe is currently a quiet bedroom community of the neighboring (fictional) small city of Nigeyashi, which lies between Hibe and Hirosaki. Hibe is surrounded by forest to the north and west, with orchards and pasture to the immediate south and east. It is in the part of Aomori prefecture known for apples, and apple farmers make up some of the residents of greater Hibe, while many more are involved in the local forestry industry. Most of Hibe’s residents at the time Tohru and Kyo arrive work in or through Nigeyashi, as Hibe itself has almost no industry other than a handful of small business heavily subsidized by tourism, Hibe’s dominant industry outside of winter.  

The Matsuda Dojo, where Kyo works, is a historical site as well as a highly regarded working dojo, and attracts a fair amount of tourists to Hibe, who are often passing through on their way to other scenic locations in the region. The village as a whole is also ‘picturesque,’ and it’s common in the warmer months to have regular streams of visitors arrive via bus who will spend an afternoon or even a whole day in the village before moving on.  

Hibe hosts an annual summer festival every year at the end of August, which also attracts a significant amount of tourists. One of the major draws of the festival is the annual exhibition of the Matsuda Dojo, which takes place the first weekend of the festival and includes skills demonstrations by the dojo’s students and open tournaments for both juniors and adults. The locals of Hibe and the surrounding towns tend to turn out en masse to support the dojo, of which the community is very proud. 

Hibe’s population skews heavily older, with comparatively few young adults or families. There are no schools in Hibe itself, and all Hibe children attend school in Nigeyashi. Buses run regularly between the two communities, and most Hibe residents do not keep cars.  

Fabulous and very accurate map of Hibe

Notes: When I first came up with Hibe, I basically had one thought: rural small town. My reasoning for that was based purely on the fact that Tohru’s daydream of the future with Kyo’s dojo showed a place surrounded by woods that looked remote; I wanted to try and achieve something along those lines, and to me, that meant the village itself needed to be small. I probably didn’t need to make it as small as I did and there has been a little handwaving to make some aspects of Hibe make sense (it is not likely that a town Hibe’s size would be able to support a grocery store with fresh food, or a bookshop/stationary shop), but while I did do some research into the region and rural Japanese life, the town is ultimately secondary to the characters and some things I just went with. 

I modelled Hibe on the small rural towns I grew up knowing, the kind where everyone knows everyone and everyone is up in each other's business (though in Hibe’s case, it’s in a fairly judgement-free manner). I wanted them to live in a community where they had no choice but to be known, and where the pace of life would be supportive of their preferred cozy domestic life. Essentially, it’s an idealized version of a stereotypical small-town. 

Tohru and Kyo’s rental house, #23

  • Introduced in: “Easing into the New.” 
  • The first place Tohru and Kyo move after graduation, located on in Hibe’s residential neighborhood just north of main street. 
  • Tohru and Kyo live there for their first eight years in Hibe, moving when Hajime is just over three years old and a few months before Katsuro is born.  
  • Roughly twenty-minute walk from the dojo and less than ten minutes to the bus stop.  

Because of the distance between Hibe and Tokyo, the cost of travel, and the time would take to get there, Kyo and Tohru don’t actually make it to Hibe until they’ve actually graduated. This poses a bit of a problem when it comes to finding a place to stay; the rental market in Hibe is small, and it hadn’t really made it to the internet. Consequently Ayako Matsuda, the wife of Kyo’s future boss Sensei Kenichi, did most of the legwork house hunting for them, contacting rental companies and touring the available homes, then taking pictures and sending them, along with descriptions, costs, and other pertinent details, to Tohru and Kyo. Ultimately, they ended up with #23, paying significantly less than they would have for an apartment in any city.  

#23 is a small, squatly rectangular, two-story home. From the outside, it looks like a beige box with a corner cutout and is approached by a short concrete path. Inside the front door is an entryway with a closet, and beyond that is the ‘not-hall,’ a small room/hallway hybrid with two sets of paper doors on the west and north sides, and the stairs to the second floor opening to the east. The paper doors on the west open into the kitchen, which has the counter, sink, and appliances all running along the west side of the room, opposite the door to the not-hall. The kitchen is shaped like a fat ‘L,’ with the cutout, at the south end of the room, being made up of the toilet with laundry and the bathroom with tub and shower (two separate rooms, with the bathroom accessible only through the toilet room). 

On the north end of the kitchen is another set of paper doors, which opens into the tatami-floored living room similar to the one in Shigure’s house. The living room has two small closets on the east side, and an alcove the runs along the western side of the room where Tohru and Kyo keep the shrine to their deceased loved one. Along the north side of the living room are more paper doors, which open onto an engawa that runs along the back of the house and faces the small fenced-in backyard, where the clotheslines are and Tohru eventually has a small vegetable garden and hangs out with the neighborhood wandering cat, Butsu, who loves her and hates Kyo.  

On the south side of the living room are two sets of paper doors: one opening to the kitchen, and the other being the doors on the north end of the not-hall. When the doors are open, you can walk in a circle from the not-hall through the kitchen to the living room and back again, or vice versa. 

The stairs run up the east side of the house, and emerge at the east end of a hallway that runs along the north end of the second floor, over the engawa below. At the end opposite the staircase is a small half bathroom containing a toilet and a sink. There is one door opening off of the middle of the south side of the hallway, which leads to the largest room in the house: the tatami-floored room that Tohru and Kyo use for a bedroom. On the southwest side of the room is one more door, which opens into the small tatami-floored room that is initially used as Kyo’s exercise room and later Hajime’s bedroom.  

There are two other doors in the little room: one, to the east, opens into the large walk-in closet. Then on the west are the sliding doors leading to the house’s small 3x7 balcony, which has walls going up to the roof at either end and faces west, looking out at the side of their next-door neighbor’s house. The balcony cannot be seen from the street, which is on the south side of the house.  

Notes: I liked the idea of Tohru and Kyo living in a house versus an apartment, which is something that’s really only possibly in a rural area. Because of rural flight (people moving out of rural areas and into cities), housing in rural areas tends to be fairly cheap and abundant, making it possible for Tohru and Kyo to move into a house of their own straight out of high school, though Kazuma has to cosign for them because the legal age for signing contracts in Japan is twenty. I looked at floorplans for traditional Japanese houses while coming up with #23, and a couple of them featured a space similar to what I’ve dubbed the ‘not-hall.’ The concept both amused and confused me, so I decided to run with it.  

Tohru and Kyo’s ‘new’ house

  • Introduced in: “Moving Right Along.” 
  • Tohru and Kyo’s second and final home in Hibe, which they move into eight years after graduation. 
  • Designed by Tohru and Kyo themselves with the help of an architect, and built on land they purchased. 
  • Located on two acres of land three-tenths of a mile south of the village proper, about a twenty-five-minute walk to the dojo.  
  • Primarily paid for with Tohru’s inheritance from Grandpa. 

Though Tohru and Kyo love #23, the fact it only has one bathtub (on the first floor, besides) and only one real bedroom make it awkward as their family grows. By the time Hajime is a year old they have started to kick around the idea of looking for something bigger, but it isn’t until Tohru’s grandpa passes away nine months later and Tohru, much to both of their surprises, receives half of his estate that they start looking in earnest. The process proves much tougher than either of them imagined, with homes that meet even most of their criteria proving impossible to find. They ultimately decide to build their own home when a piece of land in a near-perfect location falls into their lap, and they are finally able to move into their new home, designed and built to their own specifications, over a year and a half after they started to serious look at houses. For the rest of their time in Hibe, this house will be their home. 

The property itself is a two acre parcel ringed with trees, encompassing several gardens, both ornamental and food producing, and a stand of fruit trees that include cherries, apples, and plums. Three-tenths of a mile straight south of the Hibe bus stop, the house is on the same road that leads to the Matsuda Dojo to the north, and while they have a car for most of the time they live there, Kyo will typically walk to work. 

The house itself is set back from the road on a driveway, and is fairly large and built on modern lines. The exterior is tan, with golden oak doors and windows, darker wood accents, and a gently sloping roof with brown shingles. It’s almost a rectangle, but there is a large square cutout at the front of the house for the patio, giving the house, when viewed from above, the shape of a ‘p’ pentomino. A concrete path leads from the driveway to the house, with the front door facing east, towards the road. 

Inside the house is a small entryway area for taking off shoes and wraps, with a step up to the house’s open common living space, which is roughly shaped like an ‘L’ and, like the rest of the house, has pale wood floors and trim with off-white walls. To the left (south) while walking in is the open staircase leading up to the second floor; to the right (north) is the dining area, with large windows looking out onto the patio. Moving further into the house, it opens up to the right into the large living room area, which is open to the second floor and dominated by the walls of windows on the north and east sides, the east side also incorporating a sliding glass door to the patio.  

On the south side of the common area opposite the living room, straight in from the front door and beneath the second-floor loft, is the kitchen, which has a large seating island and is open to the rest of the common area. It is fairly spacious, with enough room for the whole family to be cooking at once. Heading back (west) off of the common area is a short hallway with four doors: on the north side is the guest room, on the south is Tohru’s project room and a full bathroom, and at the end of the hall is the door to Kyo’s exercise room, which spans the width of the house.  

The exercise room is the largest individual room in the house and the only one to have tatami floors; it was designed with the thought of giving Kyo and any of their kids who were interested sufficient space to work out. In time, this room will house a significant amount of equipment: weights, a punching bag, balls, jump ropes, and mats, among other things, and will also have a tv and sound system. The north wall, to the right as you walk in, is one large mirror, and the west wall opposite the door will be hung with much of the smaller equipment.  

Going upstairs, the area above the kitchen and entry on the south side of the house is a loft area open to the living room below, which transitions into an interior balcony that runs south to north overlooking the living room. At the northern end of the balcony is a small built-in reading nook, just past the double doors facing east towards the living room that open to Tohru and Kyo’s bedroom. 

Halfway down the balcony between the loft and the reading nook is a hallway that mirrors the one downstairs. On the left are Katsuro’s room (later where Tohru sets up the interior clothesline in the winter), the upstairs bathroom, and Hajime’s room (later Katsuro’s music room); across from the door to Hajime’s room is the door to Sachiko’s room. At the end of the hall is the door leading to the large second floor exterior balcony, where the clotheslines are located and where, eventually, the ladder will be kept that allows the kids to access the roof.  

Back in Tohru and Kyo’s room, there are two doors on the wall opposite the bedroom door, one leading to the master closet, one leading to the master bathroom, both of which share a wall with Sachiko’s bedroom behind. On the northern wall of the bedroom, to your right as you walk in, is the door to Tohru and Kyo’s small private balcony, which looks north to Hibe and has room for a small set of patio furniture and contains, up under the edge of the roof, a metal box containing the collapsible locking ladder Tohru and Kyo use to access the roof themselves. One of the things Kyo most wanted into the house was an accessible roof, and him having a way to reach it without risk of the kids endangering themselves was a primary motivator in the inclusion of their balcony at all. 

Notes: I ultimately went with a more modern and less traditional design for the house for several reasons, though I did keep a few traditional elements (the color scheme, and the tatami floors in the exercise room). I think Tohru and Kyo would have originally expected to go with a more traditional design, because that’s what they were used to having in a house, but I feel that Kyo’s love of heights and their mutual love of being outside in the sunshine would make a larger, more open house appeal to them more. Aomori prefecture is a lot colder and has much more wintery winters than Tokyo, meaning that for a good chunk of the year, it’s fairly unpleasant outside. Tohru seems like someone who would suffer from wintertime depression, so the idea of the large living room windows came as a way to combat that. Tohru and Kyo’s bedroom doors opening out over the living room, facing one of those walls of windows, provides easy access to that light and gives the illusion of height, which I think Kyo would like.  

Tohru obviously loves having people around, and I think she would love playing the hostess. The larger house was built with the eye of them both hosting overnight guests, which would be a necessity given how far their friends and family from Tokyo would have to travel to visit them, and hosting their and their children’s friends. When they were designing the house they already had one child and were planning at least one more, so I feel Tohru would have liked the idea of the kids having space. I likewise think the exercise room would have been Tohru’s idea; she would have had to browbeat Kyo into agreeing, but given how much Kyo likes exercising, I think she’d want him to have a dedicated space regardless of the season, and for it to be big enough for the whole family to share if they wanted. He finally agrees on the condition she have a space for herself, which ends up being her craft room/sewing room/plant propagation room. 

Outside is primarily Tohru’s territory, though Kyo mows the lawn and helps with bigger projects, such as tree maintenance and anything involving lots of digging/needing muscle. When they move in, there are ornamental gardens already on the property; Tohru also later adds in vegetable and herb gardens. I imagine Tohru originally kept gardening after moving as way to keep the link with Yuki, but she comes to be a talented and passionate gardener in her own right, much to Yuki’s perpetual delight. While he lives at home, she is regular joined in the gardens by Katsuro.  

The Matsuda Dojo

  • Introduced in ‘Easing into the New.’ 
  • Kyo’s place of employment and karate dojo for the entirety of their time in Hibe. 
  • Highly regarded and draws students from a large regional radius. 
  • Originally a self-sufficient village and predates Hibe itself. 
  • A historical site and popular with tourists, as well as a working dojo.  
  • Hosts an annual exhibition and open tournament every year during the Hibe summer festival.  
  • Logo is a pine tree. 
  • Run at the time of Tohru and Kyo’s arrival by Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, ‘an old acquaintance of Kazuma who lives far from here,’ who will continue to run it for the next twenty-two years. 
  • Run by Sensei Haruto Matsuda (formerly Maeda), Kyo’s former coworker and adopted son of Sensei Kenichi, for the next twenty years. 
  • Taken over by Sensei Daichi Matsuda, Sensei Kenichi’s grandson and Sensei Haruto’s son-in-law, forty-two years after graduation, the year Tohru and Kyo leave Hibe.  
  • Full-time teaching staff at the time of Kyo’s hiring: Sensei Tamiko Wada, Sensei Hiroshi Yamada, Sensei Haruto Maeda, and Sensei Yuna Sasaki. 
  • Additional staff hired over the years include Sensei Emiko Ikeda (thirteen years after graduation), Sensei Taiki Shibata (nineteen years after graduation), Sensei Kenji Kojima (twenty-two years after graduation), and Sensei Daichi Matsuda (thirty years after graduation). 
  • Sensei Kenichi and Sensei Wada both retire twenty-two years after graduation (age and ability), Sensei Yamada thirty-eight years after graduation (injury and age), and Senseis Sasaki and Haruto Matsuda forty-two years after graduation (age and family demands), the same year Kyo leaves, with new master Daichi Matsuda hiring new staff to replace them. 

The Matsuda Dojo is a large, self-contained complex of buildings located a roughly fifteen-minute walk north of Hibe at the end of a road and is surrounded completely by forest. Like the Sohma Dojo, it is surrounded by a large wall, which is bigger and more imposing than the Sohma Dojo’s wall and is a holdover from the dojo’s time as a fortified community. The large gates on the dojo’s south side are opened every morning and closed every night, but everyone who lives in the dojo complex has access in and out through smaller doors located within the gates and are not subject to any curfew. No vehicles are allowed inside the complex, but there is parking available outside. 

Inside the wall, the dojo is made up of numerous traditional buildings, linked together by raised wooden walkways and interspersed with courtyards and decorative landscaping. The six main dojo buildings are arranged in a large loose ring, with the largest, ‘Crane,’ facing the dojo gates across a large courtyard paved with stone tiles that is also periodically used as a practice and occasional performance space. ‘Crane’ houses the locker rooms, the largest number of classrooms, and is home to almost all of the children’s classes, and is the place where the Kyo spends the majority of his time working. 

 If the main dojo buildings were a clock, ‘Crane’ would roughly be six o’clock, ‘Koi’ would be eight, ‘Fox’ would be ten ‘Cat’ would be twelve, ‘Deer’ would be two, and ‘Macaque’ would be four. With the exception of ‘Deer,’ which houses Sensei’s office, the business office, the dojo archives, and the parent/visitor lounge, the remaining five buildings all house classes, though some of them are primarily used seasonally or when the dojo is hosting large training groups. There is a fair-sized secondary courtyard within the ring of buildings.  

Running along the eastern side of the dojo complex just inside the wall and partially bordering the front courtyard is the long, low community building, ‘Apple.’ This building houses the dojo kitchen, dining hall, laundry services, supply storage, non-karate support staff lounge and offices, and other resources to support the dojo community as a whole. This is where Ayako Matsuda, Sensei Kenichi’s wife, spends most of her time and runs the dojo’s support staff, which includes landscaping, custodial/maintenance, housekeeping, and the kitchen. 

The back east corner of the dojo, beyond ‘Apple’ and the primary dojo buildings, contains a handful of larger buildings (likewise names for plants) that house the dojo’s resident karate students, training groups staying at the dojo, and any visiting karatekas. Due to the dojo’s stellar reputation, it attracts a good number of students and maintains a robust population of boarders as well as regular training groups, particularly in the summer months. During her tenure at the dojo, Sensei Tamiko Wada, who lives with the boarders, is the point of contact for all resident karatekas. 

The back west corner of the dojo is ‘walled off’ from the rest of the dojo by trees and shrubs, and contains the houses where the dojo master and any permanent residents of the dojo live, along with their families, if they have them. Here is where Sensei Kenichi and Ayako live, along with Sensei Haruto Maeda (later Matsuda) and his family, and later Senseis Emiko Ikeda and Daichi Matsuda with theirs. Several members of the dojo’s support staff and their families also live in the houses. Single members of the dojo staff who wish to live on the dojo grounds have the option of either living in the dormitory-style lodgings with the boarders, where they would have a single room to themselves, or having one of the houses, if one is available.  

The front area of the dojo, besides the main courtyard, is largely given over to landscaping and has many ornamental and traditional features, such as winding paths, a large koi pond, decorative rock arrangements, several old trees and, on the western side, a small building housing a display of the dojo’s history. Other small buildings dot the complex and contain equipment stores, or provide private spaces for people to work. 

Notes: I was originally nervous about writing much about the dojo, because of my total lack of familiarity with karate, Japanese dojos, and the kind of world they’d occupy. In the end, I decided the dojo was too important a part of Kyo’s future to not include, so I’ve done my best to create a place that felt at home in the rural area I created, very loosely modelled after the dojo seen in Tohru’s daydream of the future at the end of canon.  

Kyo says in the canon scene at Kyoko’s grave that he ‘can train and work there’ in reference to his future dojo, and while this could technically mean working part-time at the dojo on top of him working a ‘regular’ job, I personally always felt he would be happiest, and they would be happiest together, if teaching karate was his sole means of employment. Consequently, when I envisioned the dojo, I wanted it to be something large and successful enough to justify the existence of a full-time staff. I wanted Kyo to be entering an environment where he would have coworkers/peers and where him being hired made sense, not where he would be the sole employee/sole full-time employee of an otherwise tiny dojo. The dojo in turn became a natural complement to the village of Hibe itself, providing additional justification for people to visit Hibe in the first place.  

I don’t claim that literally any part of the dojo is authentic, but it’s what works for me! 

The City of Nigeyashi

  • Small city of approximately 15k people, located twenty-five minutes northeast of Hibe by bus and half an hour by train west of Hirosaki proper, within the Hirosaki ‘sphere of influence.’ 
  • Hibe is a bedroom community of Nigeyashi and most of Hibe’s non-retired workforce work there. 
  • All Hibe students attend elementary school in Nigeyashi, and most of them middle and high school, too. 

Nigeyashi is the local ‘big’ city where residents of Hibe and the other surrounding rural communities go for school, work, and fun. Home to four elementary schools, two middle schools, a high school, and a junior college, Nigeyashi is where most of the area’s children attend school, and where they spend most of their time hanging out with friends, socializing, and participating in clubs.  

Tohru works at the Nigeyashi Women’s Clinic, an OB/GYN practice, from the time they arrive in Hibe until the year Sachiko is born. Hajime and Katsuro both attend daycare in Nigeyashi, and all three kids go to elementary, middle, and high school there (except for Hajime, who attends Kaibara High in Tokyo for high school). Nigeyashi has a robust public transportation system, with buses regularly going around the city and out to the neighboring rural villages, as well as being on a train line that goes into Hirosaki. 

Nigeyashi is a fairly non-descript city, with a business district, residential districts, a shopping district, and an entertainment district. While Tohru does what shopping she can in Hibe, she still makes at least one shopping trip to Nigeyashi a week. It is where the Sohmas see all their medical providers, most services (including their bank), and where their kids, especially Katsuro, usually spend time with their friends.  

Notes: Nigeyashi was created to provide a supplement to Hibe, which is simply too small to provide everything, or even most things, that a community would need. I liked the idea of having it close enough that it was easy for Hibe residents to get back and forth without wasting a lot of time commuting, while still being far enough apart to justify them being separate places.  

Real locations used in the series

While my fictional places are obviously front and center, they provide only part of the setting. Over the course of the series, characters go to many, many places; these are the ones that come up the most and are arguably the most significant.  

Tokyo
To my knowledge, the city where Fruits Basket takes place is never specified in the series or by Takaya in any supplemental manner. Consequently, I chose to place it in Tokyo, with the exact location somewhat nebulous so as to not be locked into any particular geography (edit: apparently, some dedicated Japanese fans were able to find the real-world locations used as models for the series and they are in the Tokyo metro; however, I have still chosen to keep my 'Sohma home base' in Tokyo more flexible). Yuki and Machi, Haru and Rin, Hiro and Kisa, Momiji and Hans, and Saki and Lorenzo all live in Tokyo for the majority of their lives, and Tohru and Kyo move back there fifty-five years after graduation.  

Hirosaki
A castle city in western Aomori prefecture and the closest city to the fictional village of Hibe. Hirosaki is the largest apple producer in Japan and is known for the thousands of cherry trees around the castle park, which typically bloom around Golden Week. People travelling to and from Hibe change trains in Hirosaki, and starting nine years after graduation Yuki and Machi travel to Hirosaki every year the beginning of Golden Week to attend the cherry blossom festival with Tohru and Kyo. I use Hirosaki as the real-world kickoff point for everything related to travelling to and from Hibe (so, to get to Hibe from Sendai, I researched the most efficient way to get to Hirosaki from Sendai, then added a half-hour train trip to Nigeyashi and a twenty-five minute bus ride to Hibe proper). 

Kyoto
The capital of Kyoto prefecture and a major Japanese cultural center, the place Tohru, Kyo and Yuki went on their class trip in the canon. Yuki and Machi attend university and live here for the first five years after graduation; Tohru and Kyo go here for their honeymoon; Yuki and Machi regularly bring Mutsuki here for family trips; and Mutsuki and Hajime strongly consider moving to Kyoto after university before deciding to stay in Chiba. Aiko will eventually move to Kyoto for university and stay there after she graduates, and Tadame will live there for a time after graduating university herself.

Chiba
The capital city of Chiba prefecture and a part of the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Chiba is where Hajime and Mutsuki go to university and ultimately end up staying. Mutsuki works for the city’s division of parks for fifteen years following his university graduation prior to starting his own landscape design firm, and Hajime works for the prefectural division of International Affairs for his entire working career. Later on, Kazue will attend Chiba U and likewise stay in Chiba, where he works for the prefectural government in the department of Tourism Promotion.

Sapporo
The capital city of Hokkaido prefecture and the largest city on the island, where Katsuro attends university and meets Mariko, and Tohru and Kyo take Aiko for her ‘ten-year’ trip. 

Sendai
The capital city of Miyagi prefecture, Mariko’s hometown and the city where Katsuro has most of his teaching appointments. Katsuro and Mariko live in Sendai from Katsuro’s university graduation for the next twenty-two years, and Tohru and Kyo move in with them for the first twelve years after they leave Hibe. After Katsuro is reassigned to a school in the city of Osaki, Tohru and Kyo remain in Katsuro and Mariko’s house in Sendai for the next year with Kazue and Tadame, who are finishing their final years of high school and middle school, before relocating themselves to Tokyo and moving into the Sohma Dojo. Later, Katsuro is reassigned back to Sendai and he and Mariko will live there until Katsuro retires.

Okinawa
Island prefecture far southwest of the rest of Japan, famed for its beaches and natural beauty, and the birthplace of karate. Tohru and Kyo’s family make several trips here over the years, with Sachiko and Takashi taking their honeymoon there, Kazue and Ryuko both wanting their ‘ten-year’ trips with Tohru and Kyo there, and the whole family taking trips as a group. 

Berlin, Germany
The capital city of Germany and home to the German branch of Momiji’s family’s company, Shigoto Corp. Momiji goes to university and graduate school there, meets his partner Hans there, and works for two and a half years at his father’s company there before relocating back to Tokyo with Hans nearly eight years after graduation. The following summer, they file their legal marriage in Berlin before ultimately having a private wedding ceremony in the Bavarian Alps that winter. After taking over as CEO from his father, Momiji regularly travels back and forth to Berlin both alone and with his family, and his daughter Mina eventually goes to university there herself, as does Mina's son Ken (Momiji's grandson) and Tohru and Kyo's granddaughter Ryuko. 

London, England, United Kingdom
The capital city in the UK, place of residence of Kazue's then-girlfriend Saoirse, who Kazue visits while they're in a long distance relationship and the place where he meets her family for the first time.

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
The capital of Northern Ireland (politically part of the UK), hometown of Kazue's girlfriend and later wife, Saoirse, where her parents and her sister's family live. Kazue, his parents, Tohru and Kyo, and Tadame all visit for the christening of Kazue and Saoirse's nephew, and Kazue and Saoirse visit when they can over the years. 

Notes:

Some pertinent info about the settings, complete with some truly fabulous diagrams.

Chapter 9: Canon character bios: Tohru and Kyo

Summary:

Updated bios for Tohru and Kyo, summarizing their post-canon lives in digest form.

Pretty much solid spoilers.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Updated Canon Character Bios: the ultimate OTP

Tohru Honda:

Following her release from the hospital and the breaking of the Curse, Tohru starts dating Kyo. In the immediate aftermath, she learns of the behavior of Yuki, Arisa, and Saki in keeping Kyo away from her during her hospitalization (see: manga hospital arc); processing their decision-making on her behalf pushes her to start standing up for herself as their equal rather than someone who needs to be coddled, and setting a new tone for their friendships going forward. During this time she likewise takes the chance to remind Kyo of the same thing: she doesn't need him to shield her from things, even painful things, and he needs to trust her to decide for herself what she's capable of.

During the eight 'lost months' of high school between the Curse breaking and graduation that aren't depicted in canon, Tohru continues to become stronger and more secure in her relationship with Kyo as the two of them plan for their joint future, and continues to navigate the changing dynamics between herself and her friends. Roughly a month after the Curse breaks, Kyo learns Tohru knew about his intended confinement, as well as that Kazuma knew she did; in the aftermath, Kazuma apologizes to Tohru for his treatment of her in both the True Form arc and during her time trying to break the Curse. She is there to help Kyo navigate his turbulent feelings towards Kazuma in the wake of that revelation, and she, along with Kazuma, is at Kyo's side to witness the destruction of the Cat's house three months after graduation, her first and last time ever seeing the site of so much pain.

Although slightly pre-occupied with her own relationship, finding out that Yuki has likewise begun a romance with Machi fills Tohru with delight and she is one of their most fervent supporters, much to Machi's initial consternation but to both of their eventual gratitude. Initially respecting their desire to keep the relationship private, once it becomes public Tohru proves a one of their fiercest defenders, physically intervening between Yuki and his distraught fans on more than one occasion as well as speaking up, loudly and often, in defense of Machi. Although she and Machi don't immediately become 'best friends' like Tohru hoped, Machi is grateful, and Tohru's relationship with Yuki becomes even stronger as a result. This period likewise sees the strengthening of her relationships with the other 'young Zodiac' as Tohru, knowing how hard it will be to see them once she and Kyo move, is determined to make every day she has with all of her friends in Tokyo count.

After graduation, Tohru moves with Kyo to the (fictional) village of Hibe, in Aomori prefecture on the northern end of Honshu. Tohru gets a job working at an OB/GYN clinic in the nearby small city of Nigeyashi, where she works until the birth of their third child. She quickly comes to love small town life; she and Kyo become firm favorites with almost everyone they meet, with her becoming particularly close to Riko Tanaka, the wife of the town baker. She, like Kyo, is also taken under the wing of Kyo's new dojo master, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, and his wife Ayako, who go on to become Tohru and Kyo's surrogate parent figures and remain so until the end of their lives. Ayako in particular is instrumental in helping Tohru acclimate to the new town and region, the life of a 'karate wife,' and domestic adult life in general; over the years, Ayako remains Tohru's go-to person for almost any questions or concerns one would normally ask of a mother.

Tohru and Kyo become engaged one year after graduation, with Kyo proposing to Tohru on the roof of Shigure's old house with a citrine ring the color of Kyoko's hair. They get married the following summer in a traditional shrine wedding in Tokyo, followed by a reception at the Sohma Dojo. Going forward, she becomes, and remains, 'Tohru Sohma,' a name that will never stop thrilling her.

The period the first few years after the Curse breaks features a few notable developments in some of Tohru's relationships with certain canon characters. In the immediate wake of her engagement to Kyo, Tohru learns that Momiji was, and is, in love with her; although the two of them vow to remain friends regardless, their friendship by necessity goes through a more distant phase for about two years, exacerbated by Momiji's decision to study abroad in Germany following his own graduation. With time and distance, though, Momiji is able to properly move on and Tohru is the first person back in Japan who he officially comes out to as bisexual, as well as the first to whom he introduces his boyfriend, fellow musician, student, and German national Hans Wagner.

Another significant development during this time is Tohru meeting Kyo's biological father Katashi when she comes to Tokyo alone for Akito and Shigure's wedding. Though Kyo was always against that idea and actively tried to forbid it, Tohru felt she had to at least make an attempt to make nice with the man and possibly help him and Kyo reconnect. After failing to talk her out of going, Kazuma escorts Tohru to the meeting, where he ends up having to physically intervene to protect her when the encounter goes south. Afterwards Tohru, Kyo, and Kazuma all deal with intense guilt, and Tohru's relationship with Kyo suffers a brief but intense period of tension as both of them accept the reality of what had happened. The incident does strengthen her relationship with Kazuma, though, and in the end she and Kyo come out stronger and, in Tohru's case, with a heightened understanding of and respect for Kyo's boundaries regarding his own relationships and managing his own feelings.

Tohru's relationships with her friends Arisa and Saki likewise go through some adjustment during this period; less than a month after Tohru's wedding, Arisa learns of the Zodiac Curse from Kureno, and though he doesn't tell her everything, she's able to piece together enough to guess that the Sohmas they went to school with were all former Zodiacs and that Kyo, specifically, was the Cat. She brings her new information to Tohru to discuss and process, and as much as Tohru hates even thinking about those dark days, she is honestly thrilled to have one of her best friends in the loop she'd been out of so long. During their subsequent 'girl trip' with Saki, it also comes out that Saki knows about the Curse as well, having been told by Akito, who Saki is likewise now close with, during the previous year. Though initially hurt that Saki knew and didn't tell her, Tohru is likewise relieved to have the secrets gone, and the three of them move forward closer than ever.

Tohru and Kyo's happy home life becomes somewhat more chaotic four years after graduation, when they learn they are expecting their first child. Though pregnancy isn't without its challenges, Tohru has always wanted to be a mother, and the two of them are (theoretically) ready and prepared when Hajime appears on the scene. Though Hajime is healthy and she's generally happy, a traumatic birth experience, struggles with nursing, and body image issues all combine to make the early months of Hajime's life a physical, mental, and emotional challenge far greater than she'd ever imagined, and Tohru is more grateful than ever for the support of friends and family and, most of all, the staunch love and support of Kyo, who takes to fatherhood like a duck to water.

This period in Tohru's life is marked by continued dramatic change in the lives of her loved ones, and a few exciting moments in her own. Three months before getting pregnant with Hajime, Tohru goes with Hatori to Germany to visit Momiji and celebrate his university graduation, her first time ever travelling on an airplane or visiting a foreign country; she loves the experience, and is thrilled to see Momiji and finally meet Hans in person. During that visit, Hans asks Momiji to move in with him, leading to Momiji telling Hans about the Curse; Tohru is there to provide a shoulder for Momiji to cry on in the immediate aftermath as well as to help celebrate Hans' acceptance of Momiji's past and their continued relationship.

The week before Tohru finds out she's pregnant with Hajime, she and Kyo both stand up with Yuki and Machi in their wedding; six months later, Tohru and Kyo are the first people Yuki and Machi tell about their (unexpected) pregnancy with their son, Mutsuki, who is born five months after Hajime. Tohru is likewise thrilled by the engagement and marriage of Arisa to Kureno three years after graduation, and of Saki to Italian national Lorenzo Mosca five years after graduation, when Hajime is three months old.

The year after Hajime is born, Tohru and Kyo are somewhat blindsided when an invitation to go out to dinner with Haru and Rin leads to them learning in the course of one afternoon that 1) Rin is pregnant, 2) with twins, 3) is halfway through the pregnancy, and 4) that Haru and Rin are getting married that afternoon and 5) want Tohru and Kyo to be their witnesses. Although a little shell-shocked by the sudden influx of new information and not at all prepared for the idea of Haru and Rin as parents, Tohru is genuinely thrilled for the two of them and ecstatic to be at their wedding (consisting of filling out paperwork at the municipal building).

A much sadder change occurs the autumn after Haru and Rin's wedding, six and a half years after graduation, when Tohru's grandfather passes away. His death hits her hard, as with his loss she's lost her last real connection to her family of origin, and the last person who she could really talk to about her parents. Once again Kyo is her rock, and he helps her navigate the loss, the funeral, and the shocking (to them) news that, as the only child of her deceased father, Tohru herself inherits half of her grandfather's estate. With the money, Tohru and Kyo decide to move forward on their plan to finally buy their own house, after renting the same small home in Hibe since their graduation.

The home-buying process proves more complicated than either of them anticipated, and a year and a half will pass before Tohru, Kyo, and Hajime move into their new home, a house that they actually end up building on land they acquired just outside of Hibe proper. A few months later, Tohru and Kyo welcome their second child, son Katsuro.

Katsuro's birth and the aftermath are much less chaotic than Hajime's, and the first several months of Katsuro's life pass peacefully before Tohru has to face one of her greatest fears: that she might lose Kyo himself, when he is unexpectedly and suddenly struck down with a severe case of pneumonia. Though Kyo ultimately comes through the experience unscathed, the experience understandably terrifies Tohru and leads to her reexamining and coming to terms with Kyoko's behavior during Katsuya's death, as well as with Katsuya's death itself, a process she'd begun years prior during the 'sheet scene' during canon with Kyo. In the aftermath of Kyo's health scare, Tohru also becomes even more conscious of her family's health, to the point of being ridiculously overprotective whenever any of them are sick.

The next few years pass relatively calmly before Tohru and Kyo face their next big surprise, this time in the form of an unplanned pregnancy of their own. Though Tohru wanted three children, Kyo hadn't decided if he did, and they had no plans to try when Tohru learns she's pregnant. The first few months of her pregnancy are tense; though Kyo never blames her, Tohru can't help but feel responsible and worry about their relationship, as well as Kyo's future relationship with the baby. However, Kyo comes around, and by the time their daughter Sachiko is born almost exactly twelve years after graduation, he is just as happy and excited as Tohru.

His happiness proves a consolation to Tohru in the trying years that follow. Though Tohru always dreamed of having a daughter and having a relationship with her like Kyoko had with her, Sachiko is a Daddy's girl from the moment she's born, her steady rejection of Tohru for one reason or another proving a fairly steady theme all the way up until she is a preteen. Though Tohru does her best to be understanding and not take it personally, to say her relationship with Sachiko is challenging for the first several years of her life is an understatement.

On the other hand, Tohru always gets along extremely well with both of her sons, both of whom take mostly after Kyo physically but share several personality traits with their mother. Though Hajime is a human tornado as a small child, by the time he's six and starts school he starts to mellow, with the serious, analytical, and responsible character traits that eventually come to define him starting to manifest in spades. He is always happy to help her around the house, proving as naturally tidy as either of his parents and with Tohru's natural compulsion to help; he also enjoys cooking, and proves a competent helper in the kitchen early on. By the time Sachiko is born Hajime has firmly established himself as his parents' right-hand man, and Tohru can't help but look on her son as the model eldest child.

Katsuro likewise proves a natural and talented cook, and he alone of the rest of the family shares Tohru's passion for gardening, a hobby she kept at even after leaving Yuki's 'secret base' behind. Tohru becomes particularly close to Katsuro, who likewise alone of her three children takes after her in being clumsy and uncoordinated; his failure to succeed at karate proves a rankling point for Katsuro for years to come, and one that Tohru can likewise relate to, given they are otherwise a family of dedicated martial artists. Still, Tohru is secretly thrilled when Katsuro quits karate, as she had never liked the more dangerous aspects of the art and is happy to know at least one of her children would spare her worry.

Tohru has always been a natural domestic, and she takes pride in cultivating a warm and welcoming home for her family as well as their friends. As a mother, her goal was always that her children grow up happy and know that they're loved, a goal which she and Kyo work hard together to achieve. She and Kyo prove a natural parenting team, with Tohru tending more towards the emotional while Kyo has a natural affinity for the practical, with both of them united in wanting their kids to grow up happy and healthy, cultivating their own interests and personalities while knowing their parents will always love them no matter what.

Tohru and Kyo are largely in agreement as parents, but there are a few times over the years where they butt heads, perhaps most notably in how they feel they should tackle discussing the Curse. Though Tohru always ultimately defers to Kyo's wishes, she strongly disagrees with Kyo's desire to never tell their children about it and is a regular, steady voice of disagreement on that subject throughout the years, especially when Hajime started to ask questions. Eventually, those disagreements give way to fights, with Tohru trying to validate Kyo's feelings and acknowledge his reasoning while continuing to push for their children to know, especially after Hajime and Katsuro's terrifying encounters with Kyo's biological father Katashi. When Kyo finally agrees and tells Hajime just before he starts high school, Tohru is right at Kyo's side, filling in the blanks and providing moral support.

The period surrounding Hajime starting high school is a tumultuous one for Tohru emotionally, as Hajime's decision to attend Kaibara High means that he'll be moving to Tokyo. Although she ultimately agrees to let him go, she struggles with her first child leaving the nest, resulting in her somewhat struggling to respect her children's personal boundaries over the next few years. Raised herself by a single parent who worked long hours and parentified her from a young age, Tohru sometimes has trouble giving her children space and remembering that they don't necessarily need to view her as their best friend in order to love her or be close to her.

Just before Hajime's final year of high school, Tohru and Kyo suffer the emotional blow of learning their younger son Katsuro has been fighting issues with self-esteem and personal insecurity, specifically regarding Hajime, but also regarding his place in their family at all. This leads to Tohru opening up to her son about her own past issues with bullying, insecurity, feelings of inadequacy, and the truth about how she came to live with the Sohmas. Between herself, Kyo, and Momiji, with whom Katsuro is close, they're able to help Katsuro see more of his own value, but she is horrified to have missed seeing him struggle and resolves going forward to make sure none of her kids ever have any reason to doubt her, her love, or her support, resulting in her behavior tipping almost completely into 'overbearing.'

In the following months, Tohru continues to wrestle with balancing the realities of life as a mother of teenagers, one of them far away. The summer following Katsuro's revelation, when he is in his second year of middle school and Hajime his final year of high school, Tohru accidentally discovers Katsuro is dating, information which he was keeping to himself. This sends her into a tailspin of worry about what both of her sons might be keeping from her, causing her, in turn, to become almost smothering in her earnestness for them to know she cares and they can always talk to her. Unbeknownst to her, this sets off resultant anxiety in Hajime, who has been struggling to figure out the right way and time to tell his parents he's gay; Tohru's behavior makes him think she knows, though she actually has no idea.

Though it takes time, Tohru, with Kyo's help, is eventually able to reach a good place when it comes to acknowledging and respecting her children's needs for space, and she is thrilled for both of her sons when they open up to her about their relationships. Though initially shocked by Hajime's news and even more shocked by the fact his boyfriend is Yuki's son Mutsuki, she is quick to reassure him of her love, her support, and the way she just wants him to be happy. Going forward, she does her best to step back and let her children bring things to her rather than pressing them to tell her herself.

The following year passes fairly easily for Tohru and Kyo, until the following spring when their daughter Sachiko learns of the Curse. Unlike Hajime and Katsuro, who were both able to work through their feelings without any real drama, Sachiko is unable to rein in her shock, horror, and fury at what the Curse meant for Kyo in particular and how the rest of the former Zodiacs treated him or were willing to let him be treated. Her anger is vented on every Zodiac she can trace, but her particular rage was reserved for Akito, and, by virtue of her friendship with Akito, Tohru.

The time immediately following Sachiko learning about the Curse is one of the hardest of Tohru's life as Kyo struggles with immense guilt following Sachiko's outbursts, feeling if he'd done a better job telling her she never would have gotten so angry. The relationship between Kyo and Sachiko had always been strong, but his guilt and anger over her treatment of the others, especially Tohru, throws a wall between father and daughter that proves harder for Tohru to handle than any of Sachiko's anger at Tohru herself. Weeks pass before Sachiko can even bring herself to talk to Tohru; after an early outburst when Tohru tries to push her to talk, Tohru ends up backing off until Sachiko is willing to talk herself. The subsequent conversation proves one of the frankest they ever have, with Tohru explaining her perspective on everything surrounding the Curse, the relationships between the Zodiacs, and her own relationships with them all, particularly Akito and Kyo. In the end, the two of them make up, and going forward, mother and daughter develop the close relationship Tohru had always dreamed of...somewhat.

Tohru does her best to respect the lessons she'd learned about boundaries and communication over the next several years, though it never gets easy for her to watch her children grow up. That said, she has no choice, and feeling they are still children while watching them navigate increasingly mature situations becomes more and more difficult as they age, in ways beyond just the children themselves. It is while reflecting on just how young Sachiko is as a middle schooler talking about her 'cute' student teacher that Tohru truly sees the relationship between her parents as something to be bothered by, and the resultant maelstrom of emotions she feels in the immediately aftermath is practically enough to cripple her. Eventually, she comes to terms with all of it, feeling a new sadness and understanding for Kyoko while appreciating everything her mother had overcome to give Tohru the life she'd had. Her feelings for Katsuya are much more complex, but his picture is moved to the back of the family shrine and she rarely mentions him again.

Almost twenty-nine years after graduation, Tohru and Kyo's world is shaken when Kazuma suffers an accident, a bad fall on the subway stairs that leaves him with numerous injuries and a long road to recovery. Kyo steps up to help with the Sohma Dojo while Kazuma convalesces, but it is during that time that Kyo finally admits to Tohru that he no longer wants to take over the dojo, the future the two of them had been planning for ever since graduation. Tohru sympathizes with his guilt, but owns up to her agreement: much as she loves Kazuma, Kunimitsu, and all their friends in Tokyo, she loves their home and friends in Hibe and has no desire to move, though she'll support Kyo in his choice either way. In the end, she fully supports Kyo and Kazuma's decision to pass the Sohma Dojo not to Kyo, but to Sachiko, once she's had a chance to grow up and train more.

Sachiko's high school graduation marks another turning point for Tohru, as for the first time in twenty-five years she and Kyo have their home to themselves. Although she is thrilled to have the opportunity to spend so much quality time with Kyo, she initially struggles with the adjustment from stay-at-home mother to stay-at-home wife, especially since Kyo has always worked somewhat long hours. Eventually, and with Kyo's full support, Tohru starts branching out; she starts working part-time in the spring and summer at their friends' bakery, and in the winter at a childcare center in Nigeyashi. She also becomes a much more frequent traveler, going regularly to visit their children and friends.

Though Tohru and Kyo do manage to settle into a new routine, the next two years prove extremely tumultuous, beginning that winter with the death of retired Matsuda Dojo master Kenichi Matsuda. Though Tohru takes his passing slightly better than Kyo, the loss of their beloved friend, mentor, and chosen family member hits them, as well as the rest of the dojo community, hard. This proves a stark contrast with their sentiments the following autumn when Kyo's biological father Katashi passes away, an event Tohru long anticipated but still isn't prepared for, especially when Kyo, completely and unexpectedly, decides he wants to handle the funeral. Though surprised, Tohru supports him, and is at his side for the entire process, including the resultant discovery of photos and mementoes from Kyo's mother, Ichiyo, in Katashi's house.

They barely have time to breathe between Katashi's funeral and what would become the most chaotic year of their lives as less than one month later, their son Katsuro would announce his engagement to his long-time girlfriend Mariko, with the intention of having a ceremony just four months later because Mariko is pregnant. Though Tohru struggles with the fact Katsuro and Mariko don't want a big wedding reception, she is still over the moon about the engagement and determined to do her best to be supportive, even going toe-to-toe with Mariko's more traditional mother over HER disappointment about the missing reception in defense of what the kids wanted. On the day of the wedding, Mariko wears Tohru's own shiromuku, handmade for Tohru's wedding day by Ayame, and Tohru can hardly be happier...until the birth of her first grandchild, Akari, on Tohru's own birthday that summer.

That same year sees more romantic moments; first, Sachiko's longtime boyfriend Takashi proposes; though they still have two years left of university, the two of them have been dating since their second year of high school and are ready to make the commitment. Then at the end of the year, Tohru, Kyo, and their whole family are thrilled to be involved when Mutsuki surprises Hajime with a wedding of their own; though the two of them have been together for eleven years and been engaged for nine, gay marriage isn't legal and they'd never had a ceremony, although Tohru and Kyo had long-since considered Mutsuki their son-in-law.

As much as Tohru loves motherhood, she loves grandmother-hood even more, and the next years prove among the happiest of Tohru's life, as well as some of the most bittersweet. Akari is joined by more grandchildren as Katsuro and Mariko welcome their son Kazue, then their daughter Tadame. Tohru and Kyo are almost blown away with shock with Hajime and Mutsuki announce they'll be adopting a baby; although Hajime has always loved children and wanted to be a father, no one had ever thought it possible, and Tohru's joy on their behalf was almost unparalleled. Kyo and Kazuma's relationship would always be proof that there was far more to family than blood, and baby Aiko takes her rightful place in the family, and Tohru's heart.

It is around this time that the fine balance Tohru had struck in her life starts wobbling; as much as she's always loved Hibe, their friends there, and their lives, she can't help but admit things are changing. Their children live in Chiba, Sendai, and Tokyo, a minimum of four hours away; friends are starting to retire, and to move. The same year their granddaughter Tadame is born, Tohru and Kyo face the death of Ayako Matsuda, their longtime friend and mother figure, as well as the departure of their close friends the Tanakas, previous owners of the Hibe bakery who sell it and move away. From that point on, Tohru's thoughts start turning more and more towards the south and the friends and family who live there, though she'd never dream of asking Kyo to leave the dojo where he's always been so happy.

Two years later, when Kyo brings up the subject himself, Tohru is in full agreement. They've always been happy in Hibe, but it's time to move on.

Tohru and Kyo are sixty years old the year they sell their house and move to Sendai, where they live with Katsuro and his family for the next thirteen years. In that time, Tohru throws herself into grandmother-hood, taking over many of the household duties to allow Mariko to resume the nursing career she'd stopped after having children. She also takes full advantage of the mere two-hour separation between Sendai and Tokyo to regularly go into the city, keeping up her regular visits with the family and friends that live there, especially after Sachiko and Takashi welcome their twins, Tohru and Kyo's final grandchildren Ryuko and Torashi.

Having Kyo only working part-time allows for a new golden age in Tohru and Kyo's relationship; after decades of working six days a week and having minimal time off, Kyo is finally free to travel, and Tohru is excited to finally take him with her. Together over the next twenty years, the two of them will tour Japan, visiting dojos where Kyo had trained, meeting up with old friends, or simply seeing the sights, either alone or with additional friends. Tohru and Kyo also establish a tradition of taking each of their grandchildren on special trips for their tenth birthdays: just them, Tohru, and Kyo, to any place of their choosing in all of Japan. Together, they see new sights, revisit old ones, and make many, many happy new memories.

Throughout her life, Tohru remains in many ways the same: loving, affectionate, almost relentlessly optimistic. She always loves fiercely and loyally, with neither time nor distance diminishing anyone's claims on her heart. Her dearest friends at graduation remain her dearest friends for life: she, Saki, and Arisa stay close for their entire lives, as do she, Kyo, and the other younger Zodiac members, all of whom are known and loved by Tohru and Kyo's children as 'uncles' and 'aunts.' Sometimes due to circumstances they can't talk or visit as much, but everyone knows they can always reach out to Tohru for and uplifting word, a hug, or whatever else they need.

Time doesn't change her heart, but Kyo isn't the only one to see and laugh at the way Tohru's 'rebel blood' comes out as she ages. In later life, she will get a tattoo, and then a second one; cut her hair short, and ride a motorcycle (though admittedly be terrified about it). Though some of her family members tease her about becoming a wild woman, Tohru only laughs; as much as she loves new experiences, she will always, ultimately, be happiest when she's at home, among her family and friends. Her relationship with her children and children-in-laws always remains close; she will always proclaim that she loves them all dearly and equally, without playing favorites. She herself is a favorite of all of her grandchildren, with an especially close bond with the oldest, Akari, who shares Tohru's birthday and is, like Tohru, a nurturer.

Tohru's relationships with the former members of the Zodiac remain strong and lasting for their entire lives. Though she isn't as close to the older ones as the years pass, they still remain friendly and affectionate and are always glad to see one another, with Ayame making it his personal mission to ensure that Tohru is never without clothing for any special occasion. She is always welcome at Ritsu's family onsen with no charge, and a regular guest of Akito and Shigure's for the rest of Akito's life. But it is with the younger members of the Zodiac she always remains the closest: Kisa will be 'her little sister' forever, and Rin, without using the actual words, will always be her older one. Momiji will always adore her and vice versa, with his affection and support for Katsuro always something she treasures. Haru, who never stops calling her 'Honda,' will always be a favorite and she never stops laughing at the way he teases Kyo. Once he matures enough to no longer be jealous of her, Hiro comes to love her like a big sister himself, though he never stops teasing her about how overly affectionate she can always be with his wife.

Though it takes longer than Tohru would have wished, she does eventually reach her goal of being 'best friends' with Machi, the two women being friendly by the time Tohru graduates high school, friends by the time Yuki and Machi wed, and dear friends after less than a year of motherhood. Their shared experiences and love of Yuki help bring them together, and their entwined lives mean they will always, for better or worse, be close.

For the rest of his life, Yuki will be one of Tohru's dearest and closest friends, her 'brother' in spirit regardless of the distance between them. He will always be among the first to hear almost any good news, someone she can always trust to rejoice in her happiness. The day Kyo acknowledges Yuki is his friend is one of the sweetest of Tohru's life, and as much as she loves and adores Mutsuki for her own sake and the happiness he brings Hajime, she will always especially treasure Hajime and Mutsuki's relationship for ensuring that, no matter what, she, Kyo, and Yuki will always be as they once were: together.

Tohru remains passionately devoted to Kyo and he to her for the rest of their lives, the two of them as sickeningly in love in their old age as they were back when they were teenagers. She always told Kyo that what she wanted most in life was to stay by his side and hold his hand, and she has; everything life has thrown at them, they've navigated together, and they always will.


Kyo Sohma:

Immediately after Tohru gets out of the hospital and the Curse breaks, Tohru and Kyo start dating. Kyo is happy, excited, and overwhelmed, but after waking up from a nightmare that very first night, he realizes that the Curse breaking and him personally 'getting over' the Curse are two separate things, one of which will likely take a very long time. Nightmares are a regular occurrence for Kyo for years to come, often, but not always, resulting in him waking up to panic attacks and needing emotional reassurance from Tohru. As thrilled as he is to have a future open to him now, especially a future with Tohru, moving on from the Curse and the reality he had lived with for seventeen years isn't easy and he will struggle, eventually going so far as to try and 'forget' any of it ever happened. On the positive side, the way Tohru doesn't even hesitate to hold Kyo close and comfort him when he is struggling becomes a strong reinforcement of their relationship and their love.

In the immediate aftermath of Tohru's hospitalization as she is processing the overly protective behavior of Yuki, Arisa, and Saki, Tohru flat-out accuses Kyo of infantilizing her as well by not wanting to tell her things he thinks might make her upset, and Kyo, to his disgust, realizes she's not entirely wrong. Going forward, Kyo does his best to be there for her the way she's always been there for him, quickly becoming her staunchest and fiercest ally when it comes to advocating for Tohru's personal agency. After everything she went through trying to break the Curse, he knows, more than almost anyone, just how strong she is and how much she deserves to be trusted to know her own limits.

During the eight 'lost months' between the Curse breaking and graduation that don't appear in canon, Kyo throws himself into preparing for the move and his future, a process he shares with Tohru and Kazuma both. Under Kazuma's supervision and with his committed assistance, Kyo puts his attention and time into correcting his two greatest professional weaknesses: his temper, and his focus. During this time, he takes over teaching a couple classes at the Sohma Dojo, and between his own study and his teaching he is at the dojo almost every day.

Kyo's relationship with Kazuma undergoes a transition in the month after the Curse breaks, when Kyo learns of the fact that Tohru knew of his intended confinement, that Kazuma knew, that Tohru was trying to break the Curse, that Kazuma knew that, and that all of it had been intentionally kept from him. Kyo's shock and upset at Tohru having to deal with that knowledge without his support, along with his anger and fear at what could have happened to her, force Kyo, for the first time, to truly acknowledge the danger Kazuma had placed Tohru in by revealing Kyo's True Form, and to subsequently realize how cavalierly Kazuma had treated Tohru at all during the time Kyo was Cursed.

For a short time, the relationship between the two men is stilted, with Kyo grappling to come to terms with the fact that the man he idolized and almost blindly adored wasn't perfect and had, in fact, intentionally put Tohru in danger. However, with Tohru's help, Kyo is able to forgive Kazuma and they move on, their love for each other as strong as ever but Kyo now acknowledging that Kazuma was a man, not a paragon, and therefore capable of making mistakes. It is Kazuma who is Akito's strongest ally in cutting through the Sohma resistance to the demolition of the Cat's House, Kazuma who, with Tohru, stands at Kyo's side three months later and watches it destroyed, and Kazuma whose hand lights the fire to burn the pieces, something Kyo will never forget and always appreciate.

The last several months of school are among the happiest of Kyo's life, even with just Tohru and the dojo. However, he likewise faces a somewhat new paradigm at school; now that he is happier all the time and isn't actively trying to keep people away, he becomes more popular than ever. In some ways, such as in terms of female attention, he could have done without it; however, during this time, he also starts living up to what Yuki had always felt about him: that he's the sort of person who just attracts people. Through his friends Hiroshi and Yusuke, he gets involved with a group of guys who regularly play basketball together; much to Tohru's delight, they end up becoming his friends, too.

Though things don't change overnight, by the time they graduate, Kyo feels ready for the future. Under Kazuma's tutelage, he has a firm handle on his temper and, after years of struggling to channel his focus while sparring, he finally has. This period sees him beat Kagura in a fight for the first time, as well as enter his first karate tournament, an activity that had previously been barred to the Zodiac.

Though Kyo is eager and excited for their move, his one struggle in leaving Tokyo is likewise leaving Kazuma. Though Kazuma is no longer on his pedestal, he is still the second most important person in Kyo's life and, at several points during the months before graduation, reminds Kyo of just how much he cares, most notably by giving Kyo a present: all of the money he had been paid by the Sohma estate over the years for taking care of Kyo. Though Kyo is initially resistant, Kazuma insists and Kyo eventually accepts, the significant amount of money becoming Tohru and Kyo's emergency savings and future nest egg for their children.

Kyo will struggle for the rest of his life with accepting anything from the Sohmas, especially financially, and always has a burning desire to be self-sufficient. The money he receives from Kazuma will be the focus of complex feelings for years, with Kyo considering it blood money and not wanting anything to do with it. Eventually, it will be used to help pay for things for their children, and the remainder will be given to them upon reaching adulthood, going to good use in the hands of someone other than Kyo himself.

Following graduation, Kyo moves with Tohru to the (fictional) village of Hibe, in Aomori prefecture on the northern end of Honshu. This is a period of significant transition for Tohru and Kyo both, with the additional pressure on Kyo that they are there because of him and he is there because of Kazuma; consequently, Kyo is more determined than ever to pull his weight and make everyone proud of him, especially Kazuma, who he, starting when he and Tohru leave, begins calling 'Dad.'

Though initially nervous about settling into life in a village and worried about how people would respond to him, Kyo's earnest good nature and the obvious fondness he and Tohru for each other prove endearing to their new neighbors, and he, like Tohru, is quickly taken to heart by the community. This is particular true at the Matsuda Dojo, Kyo's new place of employment, where he very quickly proves himself to both his fellow karatekas and especially his new master, Sensei Kenichi Matsuda. Though there are a few hiccups early on regarding Kyo's youth and appearance, his skill and capability speaks for itself and he is soon regarded as one of them, with his new coworkers Hiroshi Yamada, Haruto Maeda, Yuna Sasaki, and Tamiko Wada going on to become lifelong friends.

The Matsuda Dojo is larger and busier than the Sohma Dojo, and life as a full-time instructor there is more demanding. However, Kyo loves it, and Tohru is thrilled with how happy he is. He initially worries about Tohru, but before too long passes she too has found her own little network of friends and a job she enjoys, and both of them are satisfied with the way things are. They would deal with a lot to be together, but in Hibe, they don't have to.

The success of their life and continued strength of their relationship gives Kyo the confidence that he can truly take care of Tohru going forward, and a year after graduation he proposes to Tohru on the roof of Shigure's old house with a citrine ring the same color as Kyoko's hair. The following summer, the two of them marry in a shrine wedding in Tokyo, with a reception following at the Sohma Dojo. Kyo is thrilled to finally be marrying Tohru and eager to introduce his new karate family to his old one; it is while they are all in Tokyo for the wedding that Kyo finally tells his coworkers that Kazuma, aka 'his old dojo master,' is actually his father, a fact Kazuma and Sensei Kenichi had initially recommended Kyo keep to himself and he'd not yet had a chance to reveal. Although his friends are initially surprised and a couple are a little hurt he'd kept it hidden for so long, the general response is positive, and Kyo is relieved, as well as very, very happy.

Between the engagement and the wedding, Kyo has to navigate a few more major emotional incidents, most notably Tohru taking advantage of being in Tokyo without him to finally meet his biological father Katashi. In the immediate aftermath Kyo is terrified and furious and at first particularly angry with Kazuma, who had been the one to take her. Even accepting that Kazuma had been backed into a corner, Kyo is deeply hurt by the entire experience; though he is relieved to know that Tohru is fine and glad to know she had defended him, he hates to know she'd had to.

The memory of that incident makes things all the sweeter when Kyo, upon turning twenty and reaching the Japanese age of majority, asks Kazuma to legally adopt him. Kazuma responds by showing Kyo the papers, filled out and waiting for Kyo's own signature, which he gives without hesitating for a moment. From that point on, they are father and son in the eyes of the world, as well as each other, and Kyo's last official connection to Katashi is severed.

The next couple years after their wedding pass happily and busily for Kyo, who settles into a good routine at the dojo. By then, he's firmly established as a favorite with many of his students; much to the amusement of people who knew him as a child and teenager, Kyo proves particularly gifted at working with young students, and much as he loves being challenged and pushing advanced students, it's with his youngest and most anxious students that he most shines. During this time he likewise continues to throw himself into his own training, regularly competes in tournaments, and takes his first training sabbatical to another dojo. The sabbatical, which last three months, proves one the first major tests of Tohru and Kyo's marriage; being apart is never easy for them, and even with Tohru going to visit him a couple times during that period, three months is a long time. However, reunion is sweet, and both of them agree they can handle it...as long as it's not too often.

Four years after graduation and two years after their wedding, things in Tohru and Kyo's life begin to shift once more as they start to seriously discuss their timeline for children. Although Kyo has always been confident that he wanted children with Tohru and that she'd be an amazing mother, he has to work through his own nerves and feelings of inadequacy, with the image of Katashi and the fear of being like him hanging over him like a specter. In the end, though, after talking extensively with Tohru on the subject and watching their friends with their children, he agrees he's ready; after convincing Tohru he means it, the two of them move forward and conceive Hajime almost immediately.

Kyo is determined to be the best, most supportive father and pregnancy partner he can be, throwing himself into research with the concentration of a student taking university entrance exams. From that point on, Kyo will be the parent who reads everything: how-to-books, medical texts, 'how to raise a spirited child' books, child psychology...if there is something to read, Kyo will read it, a habit he will continue right up until their children are grown.

However, in spite of his reading, Hajime's early and unexpected emergency delivery takes Kyo as well as Tohru by surprise, and Tohru is unable to reach Kyo before giving birth via emergency c-section. Kyo makes it in time to receive Hajime afterwards, but not knowing the situation and being unable to be there and comfort Tohru is emotionally devastating for Kyo, as well as terrifying and massively guilt-inducing. Having Tohru and Hajime both come out safely was a relief, but it will take a couple years for Kyo to be able to even consider the idea of a second child without feeling guilty or sick.

In spite of the complications of Hajime's birth, Kyo falls in love with his son the first moment he sees him, being particularly awed and emotional about the fact Hajime inherited Kyo's orange hair, albeit in a slightly darker/browner shade. Kyo throws himself into parenthood, proving a naturally hands-on and loving father and drawing on Kazuma as his model. He is there for every step he can with Tohru, doing everything in his power to support her in her recovery and enable the two of them to navigate the changes in their lives together.

Over the next couple years, Kyo works hard to walk the line balancing the commitments of work, home, fatherhood, marriage, and friendship, and for the most part he manages. Though he doesn't have as many opportunities as Tohru to see and talk to their Tokyo friends, he is still happy hearing their joys, and he is genuinely happy to be there for Yuki and Machi, as well as Haru and Rin, on their respective wedding days and celebrating the births of their children. He is also Tohru's rock at the passing of her grandfather six and a half years after graduation, providing her with moral support and going to bat to protect from snarky relatives. Like Tohru, he is stunned to learn Tohru will inherit half of Grandpa's estate; unlike Tohru, he has no qualms receiving it, pointing out that she's entitled to it and that Grandpa loves her and would want her to use and enjoy it.

With the money, Tohru and Kyo are finally in a position to get their own house after renting ever since moving to Hibe; the process ends up lengthier than either of them would have imagined, but Kyo couldn't be happier with the results: a house they had designed and built themselves, on a large piece of land just south of Hibe with space, privacy, and a roof that Kyo can once more sit on, along with his present from Tohru, a dedicated workout space large enough to share with Hajime and any future children, including their second son, Katsuro, who is born three months after they move in.

Tohru and Kyo's idyllic life suffers a snag the following winter, when Kyo, who has always been incredibly healthy, comes down with a cold that won't clear up. During their New Year's visit to Tokyo, it becomes pneumonia, and Kyo ended up in the hospital for a couple days, delirious and unaware of anything going on around him. Though he suffers no lasting physical damage, the incident badly shakes them, with Tohru reliving her memories of the time around Katsuya's death and Kyo, for the first time, truly forced to contemplate his own mortality, resulting in him promising going forward to be less cavalier with his health and to take Tohru's concerns seriously.

The next couple years are fairly relaxed for the Sohmas, with Kyo continuing to work hard at the dojo, train, participate in tournaments, and stay busy at both work and at home. Hajime's starts karate during this time, and taking his son to the dojo, showing him how to put on his gi, and seeing him excited to start the art Kyo himself has always loved is one of the proudest moments in Kyo's life. Likewise, Hajime's first day of school the following year is a proud and exciting moment for all of them, with Kyo mostly happy to support Tohru but still needing a little bit of emotional support himself.

The one dark spot during this period occurs ten years after graduation, when Hajime is five. A visit by Tohru and Hajime to the main Sohma estate results in a chance encounter between Hajime and Katashi, who is able to identify Hajime as Kyo's son due to his hair. Though Haru and Yuki intervene and prevent Hajime from being injured, Hajime is still subjected to verbal abuse and badly shaken. When Kyo finds out, it takes Yuki and Haru both to stop him from going after Katashi himself; when he's calmed down, he finally tells them the truth of his childhood, about his birth father, and about his mother's death. This incident sparks one of many, many conversations between Tohru and Kyo on the subject of the Curse; Tohru feels their children should know and points to the encounter with Katashi as a reason why; both Hajime and especially Katsuro look like Kyo, and anyone who knows about the Curse will know at a glance they're his sons. Though Kyo agrees and feels guilty, he's still adamant: as far as he's concerned, the Curse is in the past and he doesn't want to talk about it or burden their children with it.

Though Kyo adores his sons and is a proud and loving father, he is completely unprepared when, a few months after Hajime starts school, Tohru tells him she's pregnant again. Though Tohru liked the idea of a third child, Kyo himself had been on the fence leaning towards 'no,' and it was something they'd discussed with no real progress or resolution. Processing the fact they were going to have another child is difficult; life with two active children and working so much himself meant that the Sohma household was already fairly lively, as well as often chaotic.

While Kyo tries his hardest to pull himself together and make sure Tohru understands he doesn't blame her, the first couple months of the pregnancy are tense, with the atmosphere between Tohru and Kyo strained. But by the time Tohru gives birth to Sachiko twelve years after graduation, Kyo is ready. The moment he first holds his daughter in his arms, staying in human form without any risk of transformation, is a defining moment in Kyo's life. Although he loves all three of his children dearly, the relationship he has with his daughter, who looks like Tohru but has his eyes, will always be special.

If anything, having another baby proves downright simple compared to some other parts of fatherhood, largely due to Hajime. A couple months after Sachiko's birth, Kyo is staggered to learn that seven-year-old Hajime has been caught fighting in the dojo; though Hajime won't tell Kyo or his own instructor why, Hajime's friends tell them that it was because another student was needling Hajime about his and Kyo's appearance. In the subsequent conversation between father and son, Kyo does his best to stay neutral, but inwardly is raging, seething, and wrestling with guilt. He loves his son for defending him while also hating it, side-stepping Hajime's questions about how Kyo came to look like he did anyway and coming away from the incident all the more determined to keep Hajime from knowing the truth. He had always been proud of the fact Hajime was like him, but seeing his own stubbornness and fierce protectiveness in his son couldn't help but make him afraid: he never wanted any of his children to feel they had to fight for him.

The following year sees Kyo reach what he always regards as the pinnacle of his karate career, as his years of hard work see him standing atop the podium at the National Karate Championships, taking what will be his first national title in sparring; the next year will see him repeat it, as well as take a trip to the Karate World Championships where he comes away with a bronze medal. His pride, and the pride of everyone else in his life, is immense, but in the aftermath of the world championships Kyo acknowledges that that, going forward, isn't what he wants; as exciting as it was in the moment and as proud as he is of his accomplishments, he hates the travel, the pressure, and the blitz of media attention; most of all, he hates being away from his family, particularly for worlds. Though Tohru says she'll support him no matter what, going forward, Kyo abstains from any competition on a national scale.

During this time, Kyo's life is otherwise mostly cheerfully domestic, albeit with a few hiccups. Daughter Sachiko is glued to him from the moment she's born, and while he delights in her affection, the fact it comes at Tohru's expense is difficult for Tohru and Kyo both. While Kyo does his best to encourage their daughter to spend more time with Tohru and be more affectionate with her, Sachiko is stubbornly resistant; she soundly rejects almost every attempt by Tohru for the two of them to do things together, even going so far as to refuse to wear dresses or anything girly and demand her hair be cut short like Kyo and her brothers.' While Tohru does her best to be accepting of Sachiko's personality, Kyo knows how badly she'd wanted to share her feminine style with their daughter and consequently strikes a compromise with Sachiko: he'll grow his hair out, too, and they'll both have long hair together.

This period also sees Katsuro begin karate at the dojo, resulting in Kyo's first major parental disappointment; although Katsuro does his best, he inherited Tohru's natural clumsiness and lack of coordination and is more accident-prone than even his mother. After months of trying with no progress and a lot of injuries, Katsuro asks if he can quit karate; though Kyo understands why and agrees, it still stings, knowing that he can't share that with Katsuro going forward. In spite of that, he does his best to make sure Katsuro knows he's still proud of him, and is Katsuro's biggest cheerleader when he starts taking violin lessons the following fall.

Life isn't without its small complications and there are admittedly ways things could improve, but in general, Kyo is happy and content with his life, right up until the year Hajime turns ten. Kyo has always been incredibly proud and a little awed by his oldest, who since he was a very small child had proved incredibly focused and an excellent problem solver. He is significantly less proud of those traits, however, when Hajime confronts Tohru and Kyo asking for information about Kyo's beads. Though the beads had been kept in a bowl in Tohru and Kyo's room ever since the Curse had broken, they'd never told their children anything about them, other than Tohru saying they were special; Kyo was thrown by the fact Hajime knew they were his, and over the course of the conversation Hajime's increasingly pointed questions and refusal to back down resulted in Kyo, afraid and anxious and trying to escape, losing his temper and yelling, the first time he'd ever done so at one of his kids. Though Tohru is able to talk him down later, Kyo will never forget the terrified way Hajime looked at him and the guilt will consume him for some time.

Hajime leaves the subject alone for a while after that, and another couple years pass fairly uneventfully. Sachiko starts karate, proving every bit as enthusiastic and talented as Hajime had been, and Kyo is thrilled to have another child following in his footsteps. Kyo also cuts his hair, joking that Tohru is going to have to learn who he is all over again.

But he can't escape from the looming specter of the Curse, no matter how much he might wish otherwise. Hajime gets into a fight at school protecting Katsuro; though both boys try to keep the details from their parents, they're able to figure it out, and Tohru is able to learn from Katsuro that he had specifically been called a ginger-cat. While all three of Kyo's children share at least one trait with Kyo, Katsuro is the only one who has Kyo's hair and eyes both, and the insult hits Kyo deeply, as does the fact Hajime got in trouble protecting Katsuro from insults ultimately caused by Kyo.

School teasing is nothing compared to the following year, however, when nearly thirteen-year-old Hajime and nine-year-old Katsuro have Hajime's second and Katsuro's first encounter with Katashi on the grounds of the Sohma estate. Hajime sends Katsuro running back to the dojo while staying to face down Katashi himself; Kyo arrives just in time to see Shigure and Hajime dealing with the aftermath, at which time he learns that Hajime had punched Katashi, after Katashi had attacked him first.

Though Kyo is grateful his son is ok, he's furious, and his temper is not improved by Hajime pushing to know what Katashi meant when he talked about 'monsters' or why he hated them all so much. Once more, Kyo and Hajime end up facing off, with Hajime wanting answers Kyo refused to give. This time, though, Hajime was less willing to back down, and Kyo once again ended up at his breaking point; this time, however, he kept his temper with his son and instead goes straight to Katashi's house himself after safely delivering Hajime to the dojo. Furious and still terrified for his children, Kyo let Katashi know in no uncertain terms exactly what would happen if he ever went near Kyo's family again: 'if you do, I'm gonna come back here, and I'm gonna kill you.' This is the last time he and Katashi ever see each other.

The next two years are largely uneventful, but there is an underlying tension as Kyo hears of other former Zodiac members telling their kids of the Curse, most notably and frustratingly Yuki telling Mutsuki, who is Hajime's closest friend and who Kyo doesn't trust to keep his mouth shut. Although he respects Yuki's right to tell his son, Kyo is still angry, and he gets even testier as Tohru and Kazuma both bring up themselves the fact they think Kyo ought to tell Hajime and Hajime himself, as he goes into his final year of middle school, starts aggressively pushing to know what Kyo continues to hide.

Things finally come to a head on the roof of Tohru and Kyo's house shortly before Hajime turns fifteen. Kyo and Hajime are both emotional and Kyo is defensive, but Hajime is finally able to make an argument that Kyo can't ignore: that Kyo might love him, but he clearly doesn't trust him, or he would have told him whatever it was he was hiding long ago. In the face of Hajime's anguish and his sworn profession of faith, love, and trust, Kyo finally tells him part of the truth: that Katashi was his birth father, that his mother committed suicide, and that Katashi, and pretty much everyone else in his life at the time, blamed him for it. A couple days later, after talking to Tohru, Kazuma, and searching his own heart, Kyo and Tohru bring Hajime to Shigure's old house, where they all sit on the roof, talked, and Hajime learned the truth about everything.

In the wake of Hajime learning about the Curse, Kyo feels infinitely lighter, if still nervous. Hajime had managed to piece together a great deal himself from things he'd heard and seen over the years, but obviously the Curse itself was something so far out of the scope of reality that it was laughable. However, Hajime accepts the truth and, more importantly, accepts Kyo. When Hajime prepares to move to Tokyo for high school two months later, he asks Kyo if he could wear the beads, as proof of how far Kyo himself has come since he'd been forced to wear them. Kyo agrees, and Hajime will wear the bracelet for decades.

Following Hajime learning about the Curse, Kyo's own feelings about the Curse and that period of his life begin to change. Although no one could ever view being Cursed as a positive thing, he comes to accept that the Cat was a part of his past and played an integral part in shaping the man he'd become, as well as his relationships with Tohru, Kazuma, and his fellow former Zodiac. While he still rarely brings the subject up and, by his own admission, would much rather the Zodiac Curse return to the realm of folklore, he no longer shies away from it or pretends it never happened, starting with the resumption of him and Yuki referring to each other as 'Stupid Cat' and 'Damn Rat' after a roughly nine-year break.

The weeks surrounding Hajime's move to Tokyo are filled with emotion for Tohru and Kyo both; although Kyo doesn't struggle outwardly as much as Tohru, it's still difficult for him to see their son leave. However, Hajime's newfound understanding of the Curse, decision to wear Kyo's beads, and their increased emotional closeness are enough to help Kyo weather the changing dynamic, and though father and son won't live geographically close again for decades, their relationship is stronger than ever. The ease with which Hajime accepted learning about the Curse also encourages Kyo to tell the truth to Katsuro, then nearly twelve years old; Katsuro, having never picked up on the breadcrumbs Hajime had, initially struggles to accept it, but with time and the chance to discuss the Curse with other trusted people, he soon comes to accept it as well.

The next couple years pass fairly uneventfully, but aren't without their small-scale complications. Having Hajime in Tokyo is difficult at first; not only does Kyo have to help Tohru get used to their son's absence, they also have to contend with the increasingly antagonistic relationship between Katsuro and their daughter Sachiko, who begins to take an almost perverse pleasure in harassing Katsuro whatever way she can. Though Kyo does his best to rein her in, it's a somewhat stressful time and he is admittedly grateful when things seem to calm down and he no longer has to be constantly playing referee.

However, the month before Hajime begins his final year of high school, Kyo is stunned to learn that instead of things getting better between his kids, they'd actually gotten worse. He, like Tohru, is taken completely by surprise to learn that Katsuro has been struggling, for literal years, with feelings of inadequacy towards Hajime, Sachiko, and even Kyo himself; in the wake of those revelations, Kyo is profoundly disgusted with himself for his blindness, as well as incredibly guilty for even inadvertently ever making Katsuro feel like he was lesser. In Kyo's case, the situation was made worse by the fact that he has to admit he knows and understands Katsuro the least out of any of his children; they share the fewest interests and have the most dissimilar personalities, so while Katsuro looks the most like Kyo of any of them, they have always spent the least amount of time together.

In the aftermath of their conversation with Katsuro, Kyo resolves to make a stronger effort to both understand Katsuro and let his son know it. At first Katsuro is somewhat wary, a fact that twists Kyo's heart in ways he hadn't anticipated, but eventually the two move forward into a new, more positive relationship, with Kyo throwing himself into learning everything he could about Katsuro's passion for music.

That year would prove a memorable one in the Sohma household, with Kyo feeling, more than ever, like he is being pulled in multiple directions by the differing needs of his family. While his relationship with Katsuro gets stronger, the time and attention he spends on his son is resented by Sachiko, who, at ten, becomes more challenging than ever and her acting out increases. Down in Tokyo, Hajime is appointed student council president for his final year of high school and, between that, his upcoming university entrance exams, and the regular demands of high school, becomes busier than ever, as is Katsuro with the demands of middle school and his assorted musical extra-curriculars.

Accepting that their children are growing up was never going to be easy for Tohru, and her finding out that summer that Katsuro was dating one of his long-time friends sends her into a spiral of anxiety and doubt as she starts to question what else their sons might be hiding from them and whether they're starting to pull away. Kyo does his best to support her, but it proves a stressful period as he tries to validate and listen to Tohru's fears, respect and help her respect their sons' privacy, and remind her that she never needs to fear them forgetting her. Though neither he or Tohru had anything remotely resembling a 'normal' teenage experience, Kyo by then has done enough reading and talking to his friends with older kids that he felt fairly confident in what he was saying...even if living through it is exhausting.

'Growth and change' is the theme for the year as that summer likewise sees the greatest change Kyo had ever faced in his professional life: the retirements of his coworker Tamiko Wada and dojo master Kenichi Matsuda following the annual summer festival. Though both retirements were a longtime coming and neither is a shock, it was still difficult to say goodbye to two of the people who had been there since Kyo had started working. Losing Sensei Kenichi is arguably the biggest emotional blow of Kyo's adult life so far; though he greatly respects Sensei Kenichi's successor, his good friend Haruto Matsuda, Sensei Kenichi had been not just Kyo's master and employer, but also his mentor, parental figure, and friend. Though Sensei Kenichi continues to live on the dojo grounds, it isn't the same as having him out in the dojo proper every day, and Kyo is reminded, not for the first time, that very few things in life are constant.

That autumn, that fact is hammered home in spades when Kazuma comes out to Kyo as gay, along with revealing the fact he's been in a relationship with his longtime assistant Kunimitsu since the year Kyo and Tohru got engaged. Initially, Kyo is staggered, as well as hurt; though there was never any question that he would accept Kazuma no matter what, the fact Kazuma waited so long to tell him, regardless of the reasons, was never going to make him learning easy. Along with the time it took Kazuma to tell him was the additional complication of the fact that Kunimitsu himself has always felt like Kyo's brother; while he loves the other man dearly, getting used to the relationship Kunimitsu and Kazuma have inevitably takes time to process. Still, he is quick to reassure Kazuma that nothing between them will ever change, and he is grateful to Kazuma for telling him, regardless of how long that actually ended up taking.

He has similar feelings when, literally on the heels of learning about Kazuma, he likewise learns that Hajime is gay and in a long-term relationship with Yuki's son Mutsuki. At first Kyo admittedly struggles; the fact Hajime had refrained from telling him because he was afraid of how Kyo would take it was always going to sting. But just like with Kazuma, Kyo's reassurances were prompt: Hajime is his son, who he loves, and always will, no matter what, even if Kyo would have initially preferred he bring home almost any other boy than Mutsuki. Kyo will always love Mutsuki, but he will always be...Mutsuki.

The following year and a half pass largely without incident, a fact Kyo will look back on with wistfulness and pain in the aftermath of telling his daughter, then twelve, about the Zodiac Curse. Though not nearly on the level of Hajime, Sachiko had managed to piece together enough information to know that Kyo was keeping something from her, and Kyo, pressed by his daughter and with the successes of his conversations with Hajime and Katsuro to buoy him, decides to tell her while the family is in Tokyo for Mutsuki's high school graduation. Though Sachiko, true to her word, believes him almost at once, she struggles to accept the reality of what being the Cat had meant for Kyo growing up and what it would mean for him after graduation. Her feelings of anger and disbelief culminate in her seeking out several of the former Zodiacs, now close friends of Tohru and Kyo, and verbally attacking them for their past willingness to let Kyo be confined.

Initially unaware she'd even left the dojo, Kyo is horrified to learn what was happening and does his best to stop it, though he only manages to intercept her at the very threshold of Akito's apartment in the main Sohma house. His presence there is a testament to how strongly he feels he'd screwed up: prior to then, he'd never seen Akito's apartment, or laid eyes on Akito herself in close to eighteen years.

The period after Sachiko learns about the Curse is a difficult one for Kyo, who struggles with intense feelings of guilt because of Sachiko's behavior. Though he can and does love her for her desire to protect him, he hates the way she acted on it; it would take two years for Sachiko to reach the point again where she would be comfortable being around all of her former Zodiac 'aunts and uncles' again, and while none of them held it against her and most of them don't ever hold it against Kyo, it took time for Kyo himself to stop feeling he'd caused it by not being properly prepared for Sachiko's reaction, which he'd never actually seen coming. Angry confrontations with Rin and Hiro would follow, but those would have nothing on his feelings of anger and despair about the fallout between Sachiko and Tohru, who Sachiko judges harshly for her friendship with Akito. For weeks, Kyo worries that their family will never be able to recover and sinks into even deeper guilt; the day, two months later, when Tohru and Sachiko finally come to an understanding will be one of the happiest of his life.

Though he wishes things had gone down differently in Tokyo, Kyo is stunned and then thrilled by the new accord between Tohru and Sachiko, which sees Sachiko go from treating her mother with indifference to an actual confidant as she navigates middle school and starts to deal with puberty, hormones, and relationships. In some ways, the transition is a difficult one for Kyo; he and Sachiko have always been close, but he has very much always seen her as a child. Seeing her taller than Tohru is jarring, but not nearly as jarring as seeing her start to embrace her femininity after a lifetime of rejecting it...and likewise starting to date.

At the same time, in the ways that count she remains the same, and the next four years see Sachiko's relationships with both her parents become even stronger. Kyo watches with undisguised delight as Sachiko continues her steady upwards progression in the dojo; he is there to support her the moment she's eligible to start participating in karate tournaments, and he's the one who ties on her black belt when she first reaches dan rank. It's an admittedly bittersweet moment; at the same age, Hajime had already to lose interest in karate and Kyo knew their time practicing together was coming to its end. Sachiko, however, is another story, and in his daughter Kyo comes to realize with increasing confidence he is looking at the Sohma Dojo's future.

That future is cemented nearly twenty-nine years after Kyo's graduation, when Kazuma has a serious accident resulting in the breaking of his left hand, arm, and collarbone, as well as the bruising of several of his ribs. There is never a question of Kyo going to Tokyo to help him; though Kazuma's prognosis is good, he can't work until he's healed, and Kunimitsu can't manage the dojo alone. While there, Kyo is forced to confront the truth he'd been putting off for years: as much as he loves the Sohma Dojo and as much as he's always wanted to do Kazuma proud, he no longer wants to take over and hasn't for some time. He has no desire to leave the life he and Tohru have built to come live in the city, amidst the Sohmas, and sacrifice any time spent teaching for management; he, and Tohru, both love it where they are. Telling Kazuma is one of the hardest moments of Kyo's life, but it's an overwhelming relief to learn that Kazuma not only understands, but already anticipated Kyo's confession. Together, the two of them come up with the perfect alternative, which couldn't make Kyo happier: Kyo's daughter, Sachiko.

By the time Sachiko graduates high school just over a year later, Kyo is as confident as he can be in her dedication to karate, the Sohma Dojo, and her future. Saying 'goodbye' as she moves to Tokyo is hard, though, and Tohru isn't the only one who struggles to adapt to their new life as empty nesters. However, Kyo is determined to do what he can to ease the transition for Tohru, which often means disguising his own pain and encouraging Tohru to take the steps she needs to find new sources of happiness, whether in the form of volunteer work, part-time jobs, or extended travel.

The year and half after Sachiko graduates see Kyo reflecting more and more on the importance of family and what he wants from his life as he is forced to truly confront mortality. The sudden and somewhat unexpected death of Sensei Kenichi at eighty-six devastates Kyo, Tohru, and the entire dojo community; though at Kenichi's age it wasn't entirely unexpected, losing the man who had been instrumental in bringing Kyo to Hibe and helping him navigate adulthood was never going to be easy. Kyo struggles to navigate the loss for some time, though he's comforted by the fact so much grief is a testament to just how much Sensei Kenichi was loved.

His feelings on Sensei Kenichi are an almost direct contrast to those from the following autumn, when he is informed of the passing of his biological father, Katashi. Though he owes no duty, legal or otherwise, to the man, Kyo shocks everyone, himself included, by deciding to handle the funeral personally, unable to allow a man even so hated as Katashi to be ushered into the afterlife alone. Though he insists no one else needs to be there with him, his entire family and the other younger former members of the Zodiac all rally around to support him, and he is glad to have them with him as he finally makes his peace with the man who'd never truly been his father.

Though Kyo originally declines to take any of Katashi's possessions, during the process of the Sohma family emptying the house they discover personal items once belonging to Kyo's mother Ichiyo, which Akito sends along to Kyo: photographs and music, almost none of which Kyo had ever seen. Initially overwhelmed and saddened, Kyo quickly comes to appreciate the window into his mother's past and personality, learning for the first time that she had been a talented pianist who composed her own music. Though he cherishes the music and delights in listening to Katsuro play it, for Kyo personally it is the pictures of himself, including one as a newborn with his mother, hidden inside that will always be the most precious: proof that, no matter what else, his mother did love him.

After the period of loss comes an extended period of joy as in fairly short order Kyo and Tohru witness Katsuro's engagement to Mariko, Sachiko's engagement to Takashi, Katsuro's wedding, Hajime's wedding, and the birth of Tohru and Kyo's first grandchild, Katsuro's daughter Akari, who has eyes and hair like Kyo's. Though Kyo takes it all in stride and is less effusively overjoyed than Tohru, there are definitely many moments over the course of that happy year where he looks around, stunned, as he compares the life he'd expected, of darkness and isolation, with the life he actually has: surrounded by love and laughter.

Kyo never regrets his choice to pass on the mastership of the Sohma Dojo, but as the years pass he has to admit there are certain disadvantages to his dojo lifestyle. With all three of their children settled in the south of Honshu and the closest one four hours away, the six-day workweeks he's always had become harder and harder to accept, especially with Tohru spending more and more time away. With the arrival of grandchildren, Kyo finally starts to admit to himself that as much as he's always loved what he does and where he does it, a future where he retires from the Matsuda Dojo is no longer in the cards, a fact cemented when his longtime friend and colleague Hiroshi Yamada retires early due to an injury.

Admitting to Tohru that he wants to move is hard, but it's a decision that's overdue. Tohru and Kyo are sixty years old; Sensei Kenichi and his wife Ayako have both passed away. Kyo's dojo friends Wada and Yamada have retired, Sasaki is retiring that year, and Sensei Matsuda not too much later; Hajime, Katsuro, and Sachiko have all married, and all four of Tohru and Kyo's grandchildren live down in the south, as do Kunimitsu and the increasingly aging Kazuma, now retired after over five decades spent as dojo master.

Leaving Hibe is bittersweet, but Kyo, like Tohru, knows the time is right, and he's ready. For the next thirteen years, they live with Katsuro's family in Sendai, where Kyo teaches part-time at the Yamashita Dojo, one of the many places he'd taken training sabbaticals over the years. Among his students are his grandchildren Kazue and Tadame, two of Katsuro's three children, and few things make Kyo happier than getting to share his passion with his grandchildren, the way he'd also once shared it with his children and his father before that. And with the newfound freedom of only working part-time, Kyo is free to join Tohru in what he likewise comes to love: travelling Japan, seeing their family and friends, and making new memories, together.

Over the course of his life, Kyo experiences a great deal of growth and change. Time and training will smooth away his temper and defensiveness; all his working life, he'll be known for his patience and skill with children, his favorite age group at the dojo. With his own children and later his grandchildren, Kyo never shies away from saying how proud he is of them and how much he loves them; never afraid of showing his emotion, or letting them know how he feels. He always retains his fierce pride and independence; taking care of Tohru and his family is a privilege he always takes seriously, even after the children are likewise grown and gone. A dedicated, hands-on father and later grandfather, whether as 'Dada,' 'Daddy,' 'Dad,' Grandpa,' 'Catpa,' or Tadame's preferred 'Kyo,' he remains a favorite with children and his family for his entire life. Through their link as fellow adopted children he will always be particularly close with Hajime's daughter Aiko, but he, like Tohru, has no favorites and is as happy to talk gymnastics with Ryuko as karate with Kazue and is always ready and willing to wrestle, even when it's six against one.

Though not the best at staying in contact over a distance, Kyo remains close with the other younger Zodiacs for the remainder of their lives. His friendships with all of them go through ebbs and flows, but time sees him become particularly close to Hiro, once the younger man grows out of his youthful snark, as well as remain very close to Haru, with whom he always shares a passion for karate. But it's Yuki would Kyo would, in time, come to regard as his 'best' friend out of all the former Zodiac, an irony not lost on either of them. First through Tohru, later by the relationship between their two sons, and finally by their joint granddaughter, the two of them would always be connected in a way that neither of them was with the others, and as much as they pretended to groan about it, both of them are happy.

Tohru and Kyo remain almost stupidly in love right up until the end, their love seeping into every part of their relationship and embarrassingly obvious to everyone around them. Kyo once said that if he had a life to live, he wanted to live it with Tohru, and he does; nothing ever makes him nearly as happy as being with her and seeing her smile, whether they're eighteen or eighty. No matter what life throws at them, Kyo can take it as long as she's with him, and that's a fact that will never, ever change.

Notes:

Tohru and Kyo are my OTP and likely always will be; I started this series because I wanted more of them, and at this point, I have definitely given myself that.

The two of them truly are a power couple; their dynamic is so strong, supportive, and intensely loving that they've always been a joy to write together. That said, I've always had a particular bias towards Kyo; while both of them grow so much over the course of the canon and I will fight anyone who argues that Tohru is a flat or boring character, Kyo's canon arc, to me, was always the more powerful and I think that he is the one who had the most growth and development yet to happen post-canon. He's the POV character I've written the most by a mile, and my favorite stories all heavily involve him. He grows so much from the angry cat boy punching through the ceiling to the composed man comforting Tohru when they're preparing to move, and imagining where he goes after that has been wonderful.

Chapter 10: Canon character bios: Yuki and Machi

Summary:

Updated bios for Yuki and Machi, summarizing their post-canon lives in digest form.

Another set of mostly solid spoilers.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Canon Character Bios: Yuki and Machi

Yuki Sohma:

In the immediate aftermath of the Curse breaking, Yuki has to deal with several relationship dynamics changing almost overnight: Tohru and Kyo's, obviously, but also his and Tohru's, his and Kyo's, his and Machi's, and his with the world at large. After a lifetime of being held to the standards of the Rat, he is finally free.

It's admittedly complicated at first. Within days of the Curse breaking, he's forced to confront a deeply distressed Tohru who wants to know what possessed him to tell Arisa and Saki about her fight with Kyo, leading to them barring Kyo from seeing her while she was in the hospital. Yuki's subsequent confession that he wanted to hurt Kyo for hurting her leads to Tohru pointing out how much he hurt her in the process and how little agency he gave her to handle Kyo herself. Though it would take time, that initial encounter sets the tone between Yuki and Tohru going forward: where he would try not to act or make decisions for her and respect her wishes, even regarding Kyo, as an adult.

During the eight 'lost months' between the Curse breaking and graduation, Yuki's life goes through significant upheaval. Though elated to be actually dating Machi, their initial decision to keep their relationship private proves impossible once Yuki realizes that Ayame had already shared his observations about them with Shigure and Hatori; he and Machi agree to tell their friends, and Tohru in particular is over the moon with joy. Her enthusiasm initially proves a lot for Machi; though Yuki tells her she never has to worry about Tohru disliking her and Machi never feels any jealousy towards Tohru, she knows how important Tohru is to Yuki and feels immense pressure to make a good impression, which Yuki has an uphill battle to dispel.

Returning to school after summer break is difficult, as the end of their term on the student council means Yuki and Machi suddenly have no excuse to see each other at school without raising student suspicion. During this period Yuki is also forced to face an unpleasant truth: the true extent of the Prince Yuki Fan Club's machinations, and just how cruel they had always been in his name. Seeing how abruptly the fan club girls start being kind to Tohru after her relationship with Kyo becomes public, Yuki is disgusted and ashamed and starts questioning himself, the behavior of the people around him, and just what kind of 'love' it is that has always driven people, whether the fan club girls or Akito when they were Cursed, to treat him like a possession. Those feelings reach a boiling point during the Culture Fest, when Yuki decides once and for all that he's done letting people dictate to him, direct him, use him, or manipulate him, regardless of how 'good' their intentions are. Going forward, he will tell people 'no' without caring whether or not they still like him, and he'll do it with Machi's hand in his.

Though he and Machi both face backlash in the wake of their relationship going public, neither one of them truly cares. They have the support of their actual friends, all of whom are happy for them, and, more importantly, they have each other to lean on. On Christmas, Yuki, with a gentle nudge from Machi, tells her about the Curse, and with her quiet acceptance Yuki knows he'll love her forever. After graduation, Yuki moves to Kyoto, where he attends Kyoto University, and one year later, Machi joins him, in pursuit of her own degree.

Things are fairly harmonious until Yuki's third year of university, when he is stunned to get a request from his parents to visit his apartment. Though they had been in Kyoto and he'd been back in Tokyo in the time since graduation, they hadn't seen each other since; his parents hadn't prioritized it, and Yuki hadn't cared enough to push. His parents had been among the Sohmas who struggled in the wake of the breaking of the Curse; though they were still wealthy and his father was still successful at his job, the loss of the prestige of having two children in the Zodiac had hit the two of them hard, as had Akito's decision to make certain changes in the ways the former Zodiac parents were treated in the family. They had initially been angry the Curse broke, and though Yuki had done his best to be understanding, it had admittedly been tough to sympathize with their 'suffering.'

Besides his Sohma baggage with his parents, there is also the additional complication of Machi, who Yuki never told his parents he was dating. Too used to their attempts to control and dictate to him, Yuki had decided to simply not tell them, guessing, correctly, that they would never ask, unless they had good reason. However, after talking things over with Machi, he agrees to them visiting, deciding that the occasion seems as good a time as any to update them on his life and tell them about his girlfriend.

To say it goes badly is an understatement. Both of his parents are furious, first that he didn't tell them, and second, that he chose so 'poorly.' Though they recognize the Kuragi name, neither of them are impressed, especially when Machi admits that she isn't her father's heir, and neither one of them holds back from letting Yuki know it. Considering how long it had been since they'd spoken, Yuki wished he could be surprised, but they still had hopes for him that an 'unsuitable' girlfriend complicated. The visit ends abruptly with Yuki and his parents all angry with one another; it's only due to Machi's strong desire for Yuki not to act rashly that he even manages a 'goodbye.' As it is, the three of them agree that a break would be good for all of them, with his parents reminding Yuki to 'think about his future and not do anything foolish.'

Subsequent meetings and conversations, all without Machi present, go equally poorly, but nothing is on a par with their reaction later that year when Yuki tells them he and Machi are engaged. His parents pull out every stop they can think of, pleading and demanding and chastising and yelling in turn, with Yuki standing firm and finally telling them they can accept his choices with good grace or get out of his life for good. He'd spent too much of his life being controlled by other people, he wasn't about to let anyone start again now.

They agree to accept his choices, and Yuki is pleased, but wary; his wariness proves justified when, over the course of wedding planning, his parents keep making 'innocent' comments, including suggesting the wedding be pushed back another year 'to ensure that Machi doesn't get overwhelmed by the wedding and fail to finish her degree. Machi is such a sensitive, easily overwhelmed girl, after all, you wouldn't want her to have a breakdown.'

With Machi blaming herself for his parents' behavior, Yuki tries very hard to give them the benefit of the doubt. But each little remark eats away at him, and when his mother tries to 'innocently' connect him with the daughter of a family friend interning in Kyoto, he is officially done.

Cutting off his parents two months before his wedding was not something he'd ever thought he'd do, and he admittedly struggles with the decision for a while. But he knows it's for the best, for himself as well as Machi, and the fact his friends and other family, including Ayame, almost unanimously agree help him stick to his guns. After a few attempts to force him to change his mind, his parents back off, and he will neither see them nor hear from them again for over twenty years.

Although he's thrilled to be marrying Machi, neither Yuki or Machi is ultimately eager for the actual wedding, which is largely arranged, from the venue to the guest list, according to Machi's parents' specifications. Unlike Yuki's parents, who made no bones of the fact they felt Yuki was marrying down, Machi's are smugly proud of the fact she is marrying up, delighted to flaunt their new connection to the Sohmas and determined to make a good show to the Sohmas and all of their own friends and associates. The only way the two sets of parents agree is in thinking Yuki is better than Machi, with Machi's parents practically fawning over him almost every time they see him.

If it were up to Yuki, he would have happily cut Machi's parents off, too. But he defers to Machi, and much as she is tempted, she ultimately can't do it; in spite of everything they'd done, they are still her parents and she still desires their approval. What she wants, Yuki wants, and that means their wedding is a circus...the public one, anyway.

Yuki and Machi exchange their own vows privately four years after graduation, in the park they went on their first official 'date,' two days before their extravagant wedding ceremony. It's small and simple, with only their closest friends in attendance; no fuss, no frills, just sentiment.

To Yuki and Machi both, it's absolutely perfect.

Their life is absolutely perfect, at least at first. Yuki, a recent university graduate, gets a job in human resources at a company in Kyoto while Machi finishes her final year, the plan for Yuki to get experience before they relocate to Tokyo and both of them leverage their KU degrees to get good jobs in companies with absolutely no connection to the Sohmas.

And then Machi finds out she's pregnant.

To say Yuki and Machi are initially terrified is another understatement. Though the two of them had talked about children and are both fairly sure they want at least one, they hadn't even intended to make a final decision for at least another two years. The knowledge that they're expecting a child with Machi only partway through her final year of university is terrifying, not least of which is because both of them are terrified that they, like their own parents, will be awful at it. It's Yuki who eventually suppresses his demons first, reminding himself that Ayame and Hatori both managed to be good and loving fathers in spite of their baggage; if they could, then he can, too, and he and Machi, together, will overcome.

And together they do, though it's admittedly difficult. Machi manages to graduate, and the two of them move back to Tokyo, where Yuki lands a position as a junior human resources manager for company outside the Sohma sphere of influence...technically. Though initially upset to have his superiors ask him to 'put in a good word with the Sohmas,' he contents himself with the knowledge that he's capable all on his own; for the rest of his professional career, Yuki will make a point of avoiding Sohma-owned or affiliated companies, or companies where he knows of any personal connection with any member of the 'official' Sohma family. Gainfully employed, he is ready that summer when Mutsuki Sohma is born the day before Tohru's birthday, to the amazed delight of them all.

Though he took them by surprise, Yuki and Machi love their son with a fierceness that surprises them both. Though initially startled to see his grey hair on an infant, Yuki swiftly comes to love the fact his son takes after him, and promises Mutsuki from his very first moments that no matter what, he will always love and protect him. This love and adoration will be on profound display over the years, both in Yuki's behavior and in the letters he writes Mutsuki the very first week of his life, letters which Yuki will give him throughout the years as he reaches certain milestones.

As Mutsuki grows, Yuki's promise is put to the test as Mutsuki's resemblance to him proves almost entirely physical. Affectionately and frustratingly referred to as 'chaos incarnate,' Mutsuki proves a constant challenge for Yuki's patience and abilities and he often finds himself staring at his son and wondering just what happened. It's a running joke in the family that Mutsuki and Ayame's son Chizuru's spirits were swapped before their births, as both boys, in spite of looking like their fathers, take heavily after their uncles. Yuki and Machi do their best, but Mutsuki is barely in elementary school before they are resigned to the fact that Mutsuki is just...unique.

But even with those challenges, Yuki's love for his son remains constant. Mutsuki might be wild and somewhat unpredictable, but in his loving and affectionate heart, Yuki and Machi see the truest parts of themselves and defend Mutsuki, and his behavior, against anyone who criticizes it. This results in more than one faceoff with Machi's parents, who never approve of Machi and consistently find Mutsuki's behavior upsetting; it is Yuki who, ultimately, decides that while he respects Machi's wishes and will always accompany her if she wants him, they will no longer be bringing Mutsuki around people who talk down to him, to his mother, or treat any of them badly.

Aside of the drama with Machi's parents and the inevitable headaches that come from parenting Mutsuki, the first several years Yuki and Machi are in Tokyo go smoothly. Their house is close enough to both Ayame and Kakeru's families that they can see each other regularly (sometimes a little too regularly); when their increasingly busy schedules allow it, Yuki gets together with Haru, and with Momiji once he is back in the country. He and Machi also see Tohru and Kyo every time they come back to Tokyo, Yuki and Kyo's previously antagonistic relationship now replaced with a firm friendship neither of them had ever expected, but both of them welcome.

That friendship deepens ten years after graduation, the year both Mutsuki and Tohru and Kyo's son Hajime turn five. Yuki and Machi are with Tohru, Haru, and all of their children when Hajime encounters Kyo's biological father Katashi for the very first time; though Haru and Yuki had both heard stories about Kyo's past back when they all were kids, neither of them had ever met or knew about Katashi or heard any real details of Kyo's life before Kazuma. But Yuki and Haru are there to protect Hajime, and it is Yuki who, in spite of not throwing a punch or stepping into a dojo in a decade, punches Katashi into the side of a building when he threatens Hajime and Tohru. In the aftermath, Yuki and Haru are pivotal in preventing Kyo from doing something stupid, and Yuki finally learns the full truth of Kyo's childhood and just why he came to live with Kazuma.

Though he doesn't agree with Kyo's intention to block out the Curse entirely, Yuki respects Kyo's wishes and supports him when he decides to phase out 'Damn Rat' and 'Stupid Cat' the year the boys are six. Likewise, he respects Kyo's wish to keep his children from ever knowing about the Curse, though he readily and regularly talks to Kyo himself about why he disagrees. They will continue to 'respectfully disagree' on the subject for years, with that disagreement culminating the year Mutsuki starts middle school, when Yuki tells his son about the Curse. Though initially nervous and he doesn't tell him everything, Yuki feels strongly that the Zodiacs' children deserve the right to know that part of their parents' history; in Yuki's own case, to understand why he looks the way he does, why he has the feelings for the Sohmas he does, and why he has the complex non-relationship with his parents that he does. His desire to tell Mutsuki is additionally fueled by the knowledge that Ayame's children know, and if Mutsuki is to know, he wants him to hear it from him.

To his great relief, Mutsuki accepts the Curse as fact without it changing anything between them, except maybe making Mutsuki that much prouder of their family's outspoken love for one another. Going forward, there are almost no secrets between them, and Yuki is overjoyed for Kyo's sake when, less than two years later, Kyo finally follows suit and tells Hajime. With Kyo longer hiding from that part of their past, he and Yuki resume calling each other 'Damn Rat' and 'Stupid Cat,' nicknames they will use for the rest of their lives.

Yuki and Machi's home life undergoes its biggest change the year Mutsuki starts high school, with Mutsuki, like Hajime, making the decision to attend their alma matter, Kaibara High. With that, he asks, and is granted permission, to move with Hajime and Hatori's daughter Kinu into the house where Yuki had lived in high school, his parents ultimately deciding, with the agreement of the other parents involved, that it will do Mutsuki good to live more independently and deal with the fallout from his own behavior himself.

Though having the house to themselves again takes getting some used to, Yuki and Machi are both proud of Mutsuki and how diligently he applies himself to high school. When he's appointed student council vice president to Hajime's president, they're both surprised, but pleased; though both of them remind him to take the job seriously and do what he can to support Hajime, the fact he made enough of a positive impression to earn the position fills them both with pride.

Yuki is still admittedly stunned to learn just how much Mutsuki has been supporting Hajime when Mutsuki, with his characteristic lack of subtlety, informs them the fall of his second year in high school that he and Hajime are dating. Though Yuki and Machi had known Mutsuki was bisexual since his first year of middle school, the subject had never once come up since Mutsuki had first come out and neither of them had the slightest clue that Hajime himself was gay. But once the initial shock wore off, Yuki is beyond happy for his son; he has always loved Hajime, and feels he, with his sensibility and reliability, will be a great foil for Mutsuki's chaos. Finding out after Tohru and Kyo is a bit annoying, but Yuki is quick to accept the couple as such and promises both of them that whatever the future brings, they will always have his support.

And his would likewise have theirs, something he appreciates when, mere days after Mutsuki graduates high school, Yuki is forced to sit and listen as Hajime's sister Sachiko angrily confronts him about how he'd behaved towards Kyo, back when they were still Cursed. Though Yuki lets her say what she needs and doesn't attempt to justify himself, when forced to acknowledge the way he'd been content to let Kyo be locked away he is filled with almost as much disgust as Sachiko. Though he assures Kyo he isn't upset with Sachiko, Yuki is still glad to have the chance to talk so he can deliver a long-overdue apology. The incident would also push him, later than same night, to finally tell Mutsuki everything he'd previously held back, not just about the Cat, but also about Yuki's own past trauma.

In spite of the awkwardness, Yuki tries to remain positive in the immediate aftermath, which is admittedly challenging as he and Machi, along with Kyo and Tohru's family, help Mutsuki and Hajime move into their new apartment in Chiba. Once again, Yuki is amazed at his son's powers as Mutsuki, alone out of all of them, manages to single-handedly remain cheerful and even helps perk the rest of them up, reminding them that whatever once happened, Yuki and Kyo are friends now, as well as 'fathers of the most delightful pair of lovebirds Chiba has ever seen.' Even Hajime has to laugh at that, and Yuki is reminded, as he so often is, how very, very grateful he is to have Mutsuki for his son.

The fates seem to have it in for them that spring, though, as Sachiko's outburst is followed less than a month later by Machi severely breaking her leg the very morning the two of them are supposed to join Tohru and Kyo for their annual cherry blossom festival trip. All of them are disappointed, with Yuki trying to manage his alongside Machi's pain and their mutual guilt over Mutsuki cancelling his own Golden Week plans to come stay with them and help out. Still, they are both happy to see Mutsuki, and that happiness goes through the roof when he shows them the ring on his finger and says 'his fiancé sends his love.'

As the son of Tohru and Kyo, Hajime was dear to Yuki long before he and Mutsuki were a couple. He fought to protect Hajime as a child, and Yuki knows he'll never stop fighting for him, regardless of how old Hajime gets or who the foe is, not even when it's Hajime himself.

Within days of Yuki and Machi learning of Mutsuki's engagement, Mutsuki and Hajime's relationship is tested as Hajime, separated from Mutsuki and dealing with some stressors of his own, is wracked with guilt by feeling like he, a gay man, is keeping Mutsuki, a bisexual man, from living the life he was always meant to: with a wife and children. Afraid Mutsuki will come to resent him and afraid Yuki and Machi will likewise come to resent him for keeping them from grandchildren, he, up at Tohru and Kyo's house, pours out his fears to his parents. Tohru and Kyo reach out to Mutsuki, who does his best to talk him down, but it is ultimately Yuki who is able to set his mind at ease, telling Hajime, with Machi's full, vocal support, that they love him, and always will love him, as their second son and that nothing will ever make them happier than seeing Hajime and Mutsuki together. Yuki's rare display of intense emotion along with Machi's fierce bluntness get through to Hajime in a way none of the others could, and though Hajime was always close with Yuki before, it is after that that Hajime truly comes to view Yuki as his second father, a fact Yuki and Kyo will always snark about going forward.

Things pass fairly uneventfully over the next few years, with no dramatic accidents, blow-ups, or excitements. Then Yuki is rattled to his core when he is contacted at his office and asked if he would be willing to take a meeting.

Seeing his parents for the first time in twenty-four years is unsettling, and Yuki's feelings are complex, especially when a single glance at his father is enough to know that he is sick. At first, he's cautiously optimistic; his parents initially seem genuinely remorseful about the ways things have turned out, and they likewise seem...proud.

But it doesn't take long for the meeting to go downhill; although his parents are proud of his position as the Director of Human Resources at a large international tech firm and freely speculate about how much money he must make and how very influential and respectable he's become, the rest of what they have to say is proof they haven't changed. And in spite of years of corporate experience, Yuki finds he has as little tolerance for criticism of his life, or his wife, as ever, and it's criticism they double down on when attacking the one person no one has ever been allowed to touch: Mutsuki.

Yuki feels nothing when he has them escorted from the building, and he feels nothing, two months later, when Ayame informs him their father has died. Yuki doesn't go to the funeral, and he likewise skips the funeral when his mother passes two years later, though he does try to make Ayame accept money for the expenses. Ayame refuses, and it is Yuki in turn who then refuses to accept his share of their parents' estate, instead signing it all over to Ayame. His parents had never given him what he needed in life, and Yuki is determined to accept nothing from them in death.

His feeling about his own parents aside, Yuki is there when Kyo's biological father Katashi dies and he learns Kyo is organizing the funeral. Though he doesn't completely understand why, Yuki is able to commiserate on how blood doesn't necessarily make family and how 'family' can sometimes be a curse itself. For his part, there was never a question for Yuki that he would be there to help support the man he considers one of his best friends, a man with whom he shares one of the things most precious to him: his son.

Being there the following winter when Mutsuki surprises Hajime with a wedding is one of the highlights of Yuki's life, though he admittedly sympathizes with Hajime's stunned shock at finding a crowd of people where Shigure's house had once stood. Though the ceremony is purely symbolic, it's still deeply meaningful, and Yuki and Machi, along with Tohru and Kyo, are thrilled to embrace their newlywed sons. For years, they had considered one another family; though legal recognition is still a long way off, having the ceremony is more than enough for now.

But as happy as that December is, it is sorrow that overwhelms the following one as Yuki, along with the rest of the Zodiac, is forced to confront his own mortality and the true 'end of the banquet' as he and the rest of them say 'goodbye' to the first of their own. Hatori's death from lung cancer proves a far greater struggle for Yuki than he ever would have imagined, his own complex past feelings for the man paling drastically beside the utter devastation his death unleashes on Ayame. Though Yuki and Ayame had never become 'best friends,' the passage of time had made the two of them as close as two such disparate personalities ever could be, and Yuki's love for Ayame was every bit as deep as Ayame's love for him. Seeing Ayame reduced to a shadow of himself proves far harder to deal with than Yuki's actual grief, and in the aftermath he spends every spare hour he can with Ayame, encouraging him to talk, to eat, and trying to help him recover. For a time, Yuki and Mine both fear that grief will actually kill him; in the end, Ayame is able to gather himself, but the experience will leave a permanent mark on Yuki, who takes his reflections on Hatori's life, and Hatori and Ayame's friendship, and resolves to never leave anything important in his own life either unsaid or undone going forward.

The next four and a half years pass fairly quietly before Yuki and Machi are summoned to the Sohma Dojo by Hajime and Mutsuki, there to hear news of which they'd never dreamed: that the two of them are adopting a baby. Initially stunned into silence, Yuki and Machi are soon over the moon with excitement, and learning that Mutsuki will be the legal father only increases their joy. Though none of them have ever required a marriage certificate to feel that Mutsuki and Hajime were married, Yuki fully supports Hajime's reasoning for having Mutsuki be the legal father and points out a reason of his own: this way, in the event something happens to himself and Machi before Hajime and Mutsuki can be legally married, Yuki and Machi's grandchild will be provided for. As much as Yuki's pragmatism upsets his son, Yuki has seen enough death to know that it can strike when least expected, and more than anything else he wants his son's child, his grandchild, to get everything he can give them.

The birth of Aiko Sohma, Hajime and Mutsuki's daughter, is a truly joyful day, and the first time Yuki sees his son with his granddaughter in his arms, he feels his heart is full. After all the struggles and headaches of his youth, he is truly where he wants to be: surrounded by family, loving them, and being loved by them in turn.

Though Yuki and Kyo had joked that they were stuck together back when Hajime and Mutsuki first told them they were dating, it is with Aiko's adoption that the two families are fully and truly bound. That fact is cemented to Yuki when, as his family and Kyo's family celebrate at the dojo, he learns from Kazuma that he and Kunimitsu are a couple. Though he'd never had the relationship with Kazuma that Kyo, or Haru, or Rin had had, Yuki has always loved Kazuma, that love for the dojo master keeping him in karate long after his interest had faded. He had been jealous of Kyo for many things when they were kids, but it was in Kazuma he'd remained jealous the longest, and Yuki would always be grateful for the love, acceptance, and kindness Kazuma had always shown him and Mutsuki both. To be let in on a secret that only Kazuma's own family knew feels like something of an initiation, and Yuki will always treasure it.

Being a grandfather is the joy of Yuki's later years, with little Aiko completely wrapping him around her finger. Nothing is too much for him, no story too loud and no game too ridiculous; although he always does his best to be respectful of Hajime and Mutsuki's rules, Yuki has no shame when it comes to his granddaughter and is always thrilled to spend time with her. Though initially perplexed by the pet name she calls him, once he figures it out, he leans into it whole-heartedly, being 'Ratpa' to Kyo's 'Catpa,' proof you should watch what you say around little ears, for the rest of his life.

Yuki retires at sixty-five from the job he'd always enjoyed but is happy to be rid of, trading his commute and suits for time spent close to home in casual clothes. He and Machi had purchased the land they'd been renting to garden for decades, and after giving Mutsuki free rein to beautify it as he wanted, the result is a veritable oasis where the two of them, and sometimes their family and friends, happily spent hours. At first happy to have the downtime, Yuki eventually accepts that he's not ready to spend so much time relaxing and, at Mutsuki's eager urging, joins his son part-time in his newly launched landscape design business, with Yuki's lifetime of practical experience both gardening and working with people regularly called on to help Mutsuki's projects succeed. And as much as his younger self never would have guessed it, working with Mutsuki, and seeing his son in his element, proves one of Yuki's great joys.

Throughout his life, several things remain constant. Though he keeps his distance from Akito, he always remains friendly with the other former Zodiacs and is particularly close to the other younger ones for the entirety of their lives. Though Machi and Rin never click and the two couples rarely spend time just the four of them, he and Haru always remain close and Yuki is grateful for Haru's irreverent wisdom on more than one occasion. Though Yuki can't exactly explain how or why, Kakeru likewise remains one of his dearest friends throughout their lives, Yuki's marriage to Machi only cementing the bond they already had and the passage of time only helping them grow closer...even if Yuki regularly wants to throttle him.

Tohru and Yuki remain close and dear friends until Yuki's death, with Yuki and Machi the only people Tohru and Kyo visit beside Kazuma each and every visit they make to Tokyo. They talk regularly, and text regularly, and Yuki and Machi, once retired, often join Tohru and Kyo on long weekend trips to around Japan. Tohru and Yuki never stop sharing gardening tips, and Tohru's determination to teach Yuki how to successfully cook something becomes a lifelong running joke.

In spite of once swearing that he would always hate Kyo, less than a year after the Curse broke Yuki would have to admit that that had been a lie. Initially bound by their mutual, but different, love for Tohru, in time, time would show them how foolish their hatred had been. Ultimately connected by Tohru, by their sons, by their shared granddaughter, and their past, Yuki regards Kyo as one of the nearest and dearest people in his life, a 'best friend' by almost any definition. Until Yuki's death and beyond, he and Kyo will remain 'Damn Rat' and 'Stupid Cat,' the words long since given over to affection and love.


Machi Kuragi:

Though she doesn't know about the Curse at the time, the day the Curse breaks will always be special to Machi as the day she and Yuki start dating. Initially deciding with Yuki to keep their relationship private, they have exactly two days before being caught kissing by Kakeru, thus beginning a long, often frustrating trend of Kakeru (and Ayame) being overly involved in their love life. Still, as much as he proceeds to make things awkward, Kakeru's support for their relationship means a lot to Machi, especially in the early days when Machi herself struggles with self-doubt and anxiety.

Insecurity and doubt will prove to be enduring themes for Machi over the course of the next few months. As much as she loves and trusts Yuki, a lifetime of being told she was boring, weird, and uninteresting makes it sometimes hard to accept that anyone could love her; though she never believed Yuki to be a prince, it is still hard to believe that he, given his choice, would truly pick her. Her worries and fears are exacerbated by Yuki's initial desire to keep their relationship hidden at Kaibara High; though she knows it comes from a place of wanting to protect her from the abuse of the Prince Yuki Fan Club, Machi struggles to feel either seen or valued at school when Yuki, in another grade and no longer together with her on student council, rarely ever sees her. She struggles particularly with his relationship with Tohru during this time, as even though she knows Yuki and Tohru have never had 'that kind' of relationship, Yuki continues to turn to Tohru for help, encouragement, and advice, almost always seeking her out before Machi herself.

The problem comes to a head during the Cultural Festival that fall when Yuki, overwhelmed, frustrated, and angry with the way he's still commoditized by almost everyone around him, nearly suffers a breakdown. With a little help from Ayame, it's Machi who finds him, and Machi who channels every bit of steel in her soul when she reminds him that they are a team, that he doesn't have to protect her, and most importantly of all, that he doesn't have to be perfect for her. With Machi's 'gentle' nudging, Yuki realizes that he doesn't need to let other people and their behavior control him; that it's ok for people to dislike him, if they dislike him for being himself. For the rest of his time at Kaibara High and his life going forward, Yuki is ready, willing, and able to tell people 'no,' and he does it while publicly holding Machi's hand.

Having their relationship public makes school incredibly difficult, but Machi, like Yuki, is grateful for the support of their true friends as the Prince Yuki Fan Club turns the full force of its displeasure on Machi and, to a lesser extent, on Yuki himself. Though she had encouraged Yuki not to hide their relationship, Machi admittedly struggles in the face of so much hate. It is during this period that her friendship with classmates Haru and Momiji Sohma begins to truly bloom, with both Sohmas taking her under their protective wings and helping deflect the worst of the abuse. Though their friendship is initially born of convenience and proximity, Machi would remain close to the two of them for the rest of their lives, with Machi always looking back gratefully on the antics, sometimes outrageous, that they would get up to in the name of keeping her safe.

Machi's place among the Sohmas and with Yuki is solidified the winter before Yuki graduates, when he finally tells her what he'd originally planned to say the day they'd started dating: the truth about the Zodiac Curse. Though a little surprised, Machi takes the information in stride; much of what he told her was backed up by things she'd seen, and even if she'd never seen him transform, it all made too much sense. Initially nervous about her reaction, Yuki is overjoyed with how easily she accepts him; going forward, there would be no secrets between them.

The first few months after Yuki graduates are among the toughest of their relationship. Though Machi trusts Yuki implicitly, being apart was never going to be easy; at Kaibara High, there were still Prince Yuki fangirls, almost gleefully ready to rub their separation in her face, while meanwhile in Kyoto, Yuki is finally free to meet people as himself, rather than the version of himself he thought people would want to meet. Machi knows he'll never cheat on her, but with raging insecurity it's impossible not to worry that, now free from the Sohmas and living his own life, Yuki will find someone he likes better in university.

Ultimately, Yuki and his deliberately imperfect apartment are all the reassurance she needs. With Haru and Momiji at her side in Kaibara and regular visits to and from Yuki to look forward to, she's able to make it through her final year of high school with her head held high, especially when she, like Yuki, makes it into her first-choice school: Kyoto University. Within days of graduating high school, she's moved into Yuki's apartment, and for the rest of their lives, the two will never live apart.

With both of them in Kyoto, Machi and Yuki settle into a happy routine at home and school, with the two of them delighting in their shared time whether out exploring temples or eating instant noodles together on their bed. In their early days of dating, Machi had been embarrassed to admit she didn't know much about her preferences; Yuki took that as a challenge for both of them, and they would come to love playing 'good, bad, or indifferent?' as they throw themselves into trying everything. Sometimes their dates would be truly stupid, but a little stupidity never stops either of them from enjoying themselves.

Machi's first two years of university pass fairly uneventfully, up until the very end. She, like Yuki, is stunned when Yuki's parents reach out and ask to visit his university apartment, and she is admittedly intimidated when he asks for her opinion. Though the two of them have been together for over three years at that point, she had never met Yuki's parents, but had heard enough about them to fully support Yuki's desire to keep their relationship private. Still, though she'd braced for them to dislike her, she encourages Yuki to do what he feels best, not wanting to stand in the way of his relationship with his family.

Expecting their disproval does nothing to make experiencing it easier. Though coldly cordial at their first meeting, Yuki's parents make no bones of their dislike of Machi and how they find her a poor match for all of their son's potential. During this period, Machi struggles with personal insecurity as Yuki's parents attack her personality, appearance, professional aspirations, and even her family connections; this time, though, her worries have nothing to do with her relationship and everything to do with Yuki himself. Furious at his parents' treatment of Machi, Yuki initially wants to cut them off then and there, but Machi, terrified at the idea of him making any rash decision for her sake, convinces him not to. She will play the peacekeeper multiple times over the course of the next year after one of the happiest days of her life, the day Yuki proposes, becomes the catalyst for a knock-down, drag-out fight between Yuki and his parents that ends in Yuki giving them one final chance...a chance they end up losing.

Machi is initially torn to learn Yuki has cut off his parents. On the one hand, she genuinely wants him to be happy, and every interaction they'd had for nearly a year had been truly nasty. On the other, they are his parents, and she hates to think that they were irredeemable or, worse, that Yuki had given up on them just because of her.

Parental disappointment is a running theme for Machi during this time, as one of the things her own parents have in common with Yuki's is the shared belief that Yuki is marrying down. From the first moment they learn Machi is involved with Yuki, Machi's parents are over the moon, proudly and openly amazed that their 'boring, insignificant daughter' managed to catch the eye of a Sohma, and such a gifted Sohma at that. Their fawning over Yuki and admonishments to Machi to treat him well upset both of them, but Machi clings stubbornly to the hope that one day, things will improve.

News of their engagement has Machi's parents thrilled, and the two of them step up to pay for and arrange the wedding, which quickly becomes a circus beyond anything either Yuki or Machi want. Though miserable with the idea of such a giant event and guilty at how much Yuki is having to deal with, Machi can't bring herself to shut down her parents or reject their generosity, and the circus, eventually, takes place. However, with the help of their true friends, Machi and Yuki are able to have some elements of the wedding that are actually what they want, starting with their own private exchange of vows at the site of their first date.

Following their wedding, Yuki and Machi brace themselves for a busy year. Though Yuki has just graduated, Machi still has another year left, and they have a lot to do before her graduation and their return to Tokyo the following summer.

Consequently, finding out midway through the year that Machi is pregnant throws both of them for a loop.

Machi's initial reaction is sheer panic. Though she and Yuki had talked about children and she was tentatively onboard with the idea, children in the theoretical and children in the practical are two totally different things, especially when Machi still has four months left of university to get through and pregnancy, even early on, is already kicking her butt. Overwhelmed and terrified, she pours out her worries to Yuki, who manages to reassure her, at least for the time being.

The pregnancy is admittedly difficult, both physically and mentally. Even with Yuki doing everything he can to make her life easier, the end of Machi's time at university is one big, nauseated blur. But the physical symptoms are only part of the problem, with Machi regularly melting down with worry at the kind of mother she'll be. Her own mother and Kakeru's were both unpleasant; Yuki's was hardly better. And as much as she wants to believe she and Yuki could break the cycle, she is admittedly terrified. It's a terror that will stay with her long after newborn Mutsuki is first placed in her arms...but a terror tempered by fierceness, and a burning desire to overcome and always do right by her son who, she and Yuki agree, will be an only child.

Mutsuki would always, laughingly, say he put his parents on the backfoot from the very first moment he was conceived, and Machi will never argue that he's wrong. Aside of his (comparatively) easy birth, Mutsuki feels like a perpetual challenge; though he is sweet and loving from a very early age, he always has a gift for finding or causing trouble. Possessed with his parents' intelligence and his uncles' keen senses of mischief, Mutsuki is still a young child when Kakeru affectionately dubs him 'chaos incarnate,' an appellation that will follow him forever and Kakeru will happily feed into. Often, Machi will remind herself through gritted teeth that she hates perfection and dislikes uniformity; with Mutsuki, there is never any fear that anything will ever be 'perfect.'

Machi admittedly struggles with motherhood, and there are times when she worries she, and her non-traditional approach, are damaging Mutsuki for life. However, Yuki is always there to remind her that the important things are that they love him, that they never fail to tell him, and that it's far better for Mutsuki in the long run for his mother to work and be happy than stay at home and be resentful. When Mutsuki is five months old, Machi returns to her job in corporate accounting, and never looks back.

In spite of her fears, Mutsuki adores his mother, and the feeling is mutual. Though Machi often asks herself just how she and Yuki managed to produce a child who acts like Ayame and Kakeru, she wouldn't trade him for the world and is every bit as fierce as Yuki when defending Mutsuki, his intentions, and even, sometimes, his behavior.

Machi's one blind spot when it comes to protecting Mutsuki is, unfortunately, with her parents. Though she never becomes close to them, Machi spends years trying to gain their approval, a behavior she admits is unhealthy but she can't seem to shake. Yuki is there to support her the entire time, telling her his own opinions of her parents but that he will let her drive their relationship; he will play nice for her sake, but if she were to consider cutting them off, he'd be the first to encourage her. However, Yuki is pushed to his breaking point when Mutsuki is a child and finally tells Machi that while he will continue to accompany her and support her with her parents, he won't allow Mutsuki to be around people who talk down to him or his mother. With Yuki bluntly spelling it out for her, Machi is horrified to realize she'd been letting her parents stomp on her son, and she fully agrees with Yuki's decision. Going forward, Mutsuki is never brought to visit his grandparents, and Machi's own interactions with them are cut back to the barest of minimums. Although she initially feels guilty, she can't help but feel life is much simpler when she's not always forced to defend herself.

In spite of the drama with their parents, Machi never feels as though she lacks family. In Tokyo, she and Yuki live fairly close to Kakeru and his wife Komaki; their families will be emotionally and physically close for their entire lives, with Mutsuki and Kakeru's children almost as equally at home in one house as the other. Though initially overwhelmed by Ayame and Mine, in time (and with practice), Machi likewise comes to love Yuki's brother and sister-in-law, appreciating the love, affection, and care that Ayame lavishes not only on Yuki, but their entire family. It's very early on in Machi and Yuki's relationship that Ayame calls her 'sister,' and the warmth of his affection for her will always serve as a potent reminder that 'family' means far more than blood...

...And far more than distance, as well. Though it doesn't happen as quickly as Tohru might have wanted, she and Machi are firm friends by the time Mutsuki is born. With Hajime only five months older than Mutsuki, Tohru and Machi bond over the trials and tribulations of motherhood, and Machi is almost as happy as Tohru when the boys end up being friends. Though Yuki, Machi, and Kyo's jobs make getting together rare, Yuki and Machi are the only people besides Kazuma Tohru and Kyo see every visit to Tokyo; those visits are augmented when, nine years after graduation, the four of them begin a new tradition of getting together the beginning of Golden Week for the Hirosaki cherry blossom festival, up by Tohru and Kyo.

The year Mutsuki starts middle school proves a somewhat turbulent one for Machi as two important conversations take place between Mutsuki and Yuki. Yuki has Machi's full support in telling their son of the Curse; Yuki had always planned to tell him, and while Yuki is admittedly nervous, Machi, at least is confident. That confidence is justified by Mutsuki's unblinking acceptance, along with his cheerful smile as he tells them how happy he is that they are his parents, and how glad he is to have their home: warm, loving, and a place to always come back to. Though Yuki is the one initially overcome with emotion, in Mutsuki's words, Machi finally hears once and for all the death knell to all of her worries she'd turn out like her parents.

Though it pales in comparison to the Curse, Machi is somewhat more rattled when Mutsuki tells Yuki he's bisexual. Initially unsure just how she's meant to respond but desperate to reassure Mutsuki she'll always be supportive, Machi is more than a little awkward and absolutely obvious in asking Mutsuki if any 'people' had caught his eye. But though he tells her 'no' at the time, he understands her meaning, and when he finally has something to tell, he tells both his parents with zero hesitation.

Machi is initially floored to learn Mutsuki and Hajime are dating, but she very quickly rallies. As strange as it feels at first, she can't deny the obvious closeness the boys have always had, or Mutsuki's obvious happiness. Still, in spite of her happiness for her son, she can't help feel a tiny sense of loss; already living apart from them since starting high school the year before, Mutsuki feels more removed than ever from the little boy he'd been.

Over the years, Machi often struggles to understand her son, whether in terms of his interests, thought process, personal preferences, or behavior; she has always admired his confidence while often being bewildered by its results. However, as Mutsuki matures and becomes increasingly capable of managing for himself, the two of them grow closer; in Mutsuki, Machi sees Yuki's kindness, poise and intelligence, as well as her own fierceness, stubbornness, and desire to protect. As much as she hates to see him struggle, having him seek her out for help or advice will always be sweet.

Machi, like Yuki, will continue to dote on not just Mutsuki but Hajime as the two age, with Machi taking Hajime into her heart with the same fierceness she once took both Yuki and Mutsuki. She considers Hajime her second son, and when Hajime second-guesses his relationship with Mutsuki on the grounds he's stopping Mutsuki from having kids and Yuki and Machi from having grandkids, it's Machi who very bluntly but very affectionately first tells him he's being an idiot. While Yuki is infinitely more tactful, Machi's swift decisiveness is something that will always stick with Hajime, along with her assertion that he is more valuable to them than any hypothetical child.

Machi's priorities remain work, her family, and her home over the next few years. An introvert all her life, Machi never goes out of her way to cultivate friendships, thought she gets along decently with her coworkers. Ayame and Kakeru's families provide more than enough external socialization for Machi, and while she misses Mutsuki after he moves to Chiba, she most of all appreciates coming home to the house she shares with Yuki.

It takes time for Machi to truly trust herself to be good support, but when Yuki's parents try to come back into his life twenty-seven years after graduation, Machi is there to listen to his concerns and encourage him to do what he feels is right. Though she no longer feels inferior or that Yuki's parents are justified in their dislike or treatment of her, she understands that Yuki's feeling are complicated, especially with the revelation that Yuki's father is ill and quite likely dying. She supports his decision to meet with them and though she offers to accompany him, she understands and accepts his desire to see them the first time alone. When it becomes the only time she doesn't pry, simply accepting Yuki's terse 'they haven't changed.' When Yuki's father passes away a few months later, she supports his decision to avoid the funeral, and it's Machi who acts on Yuki's behalf with Ayame in dealing with both his father's funeral and his mother's, two years later. Although Machi is sad for Yuki's sake and feels a little guilty that the rift between him and his parents began because of her, she admittedly can't help but feel relieved, knowing that what's done is done and that with their deaths, Yuki won't have to deal with the emotional rollercoaster of their reappearance ever again.

When the 'younger Zodiac' propose breaking away from the Sohma family New Year's banquet and starting their own smaller gathering, Machi is one of the most vocal supporters, as the party at the Sohma estate by then has grown to an almost unfathomable size. From then on, their own little group gets together at the dojo, welcoming their own particular friends and children but largely content to enjoy just the company of each other. From that point on, Machi and Yuki never go into the main estate, not so much anymore out of avoidance but simply because they don't need to. That part of their lives is over now, and they could hardly be happier to start enjoying life on a slightly smaller scale.

When Mutsuki comes to them and tells them he and Hajime are going to have a wedding ceremony, Machi and Yuki are delighted. When he tells them it's a surprise and Hajime doesn't know about it, Machi is a little less delighted, but can't deny that Mutsuki knows best what Hajime can handle...and that, for all she and Hajime have more personality traits in common than she and Mutsuki, she herself would have a tough time not being charmed by what Mutsuki plans to do. She, with Yuki, Tohru, and Kyo, throws herself into helping Mutsuki prepare, and standing amidst their family to watch her son get married is one of the most precious moments of her life.

She is there the following year to provide moral support to Yuki and Ayame both in the wake of Hatori's cancer diagnosis and subsequent passing, being nearly as shaken as Yuki at the drastic impact the loss has on Ayame. Though not nearly as comfortable around grief or Ayame to start with, she steps up to help Mine and Hibika with the shops, picking up some of the business slack to allow the two women more flexibility to deal with the creative. Though she has always gotten along with Ayame's family, this period sees them all become closer than they ever had and when Ayame finally emerges from his grief, Machi is thanked with every bit as much fervor as her husband.

The next few years after Hatori's death are quiet for Yuki and Machi, much to Machi's relief. While she is no longer the grey, colorless 'boring' girl her mother accused of having no personality, she still doesn't like drama, and she still doesn't like crowds. With the exceptions of work and gatherings of the young Zodiac, she is largely content to spend time with her son and son-in-law, her husband, their siblings, and her own particular friends...when she doesn't want to enjoy her time alone.

Machi, like Yuki, is stunned by the news that Mutsuki and Hajime are adopting a baby, and even more stunned by the fact that Mutsuki will be the legal father. While Yuki immediately sees the practical aspects of that choice, such as inheritance, right away, Machi is more hung up by the simple fact that a child's name is going to be with Mutsuki's on his family registry, something all of them had long since stopped expecting. While Machi has never shared Tohru's 'grandmotherly' urges, there had definitely been times over the years where she had wistfully considered the idea; finding it was actual going to happen is one of the happiest moments of her life. After Aiko Sohma is born, Yuki and Machi are the first relatives to meet her in person, and though she often worries about being negatively compared to Tohru, Machi nevertheless adores Aiko and can't say what sight makes her happier: seeing her granddaughter with Mutsuki, or seeing her with Yuki.

Machi works full-time until she is sixty-four, when she retires at the same time as Yuki. Initially a little nervous about having so much free time and so much togetherness, Machi is admittedly relieved when Yuki decides he's not ready for full 'retirement life' and takes a part-time job with Mutsuki's new landscape design firm. Though she got into gardening when she moved in with Yuki and has always enjoyed working their own plot of land alongside her husband, Machi is happy to mostly leave Yuki and Mutsuki to their work and focuses her own energy into gardening, painting, and, with Yuki's full support, a new hobby: kintsugi, repairing broken pottery with gold (or gold-dusted resin). A long-standing admirer of the technique and the symbolism of breaks making things even more beautiful, Machi proves a natural and her pieces become cherished treasures not just in her own home, but in the homes of her family and friends.

For having once considered herself nothing, by the time she reaches her golden years, Machi couldn't be happier. Though she never has a large social circle and is always grateful Yuki never pushed her to be a 'corporate wife,' over the course of her life she maintains several steady friendships. Tohru and Kyo, Hiro and Kisa, Momiji, and Haru are always dear, and though it takes them years, she and Rin eventually likewise come to become friends. While she feels a little guilty that her initial inability to befriend Rin complicates Yuki's relationship with Haru, Yuki is always quick to point out his own somewhat complex relationship with Rin and that he and Haru will always be fine, no matter what. When Momiji and his German partner Hans move back to Japan, Machi is the most determined to learn German, and she is the first of them all to be able to carry on an actual conversation in that language, to both Momiji and Hans's delight.

Though she sometimes wonders why, she and Yuki remain close to Kakeru for their entire lives, with Kakeru's wife Komaki arguably being Machi's best friend. Aside of Yuki and Machi's stint in Kyoto for university, the two couples live near each other for the whole of their lives and, consequently, have a degree of familiarity with one another they don't have with anyone else. Although Kakeru can often be exasperating, Machi genuinely loves him, and knows the feeling is mutual, a fact that often tides her over when dealing with the rest of her family. She and her parents are never able to mend their relationship, and from the time Mutsuki reaches high school, she almost never sees them. She has a cordial relationship with her younger brother Kenji, but it is largely superficial and never approaches closeness.

Mutsuki and Hajime are always welcome in Yuki and Machi's home, regardless of notice, and Machi, in spite of her initial worries, proves a beloved grandmother. She and Yuki are staunch supporters of Aiko in all her endeavors whether in the classroom or on the athletic field, and when Aiko tells them she intends to likewise attend Kyoto University, Machi couldn't be happier.

Later in life, Machi will look back in amazement at the fact Tohru once intimidated her. Though her relationship with Komaki is closer in many ways and the distance definitely makes aspects of their relationship harder, not many years will pass after graduation before Machi considers Tohru and Kyo, and Tohru in particular, among her dearest friends. Their warm acceptance of her and earnest attempts to both welcome her and get to know her help her feel accepted in Yuki's life in a way Yuki himself would struggle to do alone; going through young parenthood together brings them even closer, and with the relationship between their sons, the two couples are, as Yuki once tells Kyo, truly 'stuck together.'

Through their shared sons and granddaughter, Yuki, Machi, Tohru and Kyo see a great deal of each other over the years, with Yuki and Machi seamlessly folded into the Kyoru family doings at the Sohma Dojo during every holiday. The friendly rivalry over 'favorite parent-in-law' and 'favorite grandparent' between Yuki and Kyo always makes Tohru and Machi smile, and Machi often looks around at her family and wonders how she got to be so lucky. She will continue to feel lucky over the years as they, after retirement, start travelling with Tohru and Kyo; with Kakeru and Komaki; and even the entire young Zodiac group.

In some ways, Machi never changes. She will always hate perfection; she will never love crowds. She will always, inevitably, hit her saturation point on Kakeru's crazy behavior, and she will often look at Mutsuki and wonder just what happened. But time will also bring confidence, contentment, and joy, most of all in her relationship with Yuki.

Their wedding rings are engraved with the words 'Perfectly Imperfect,' and to Machi, that will always be them. Yuki might not be a prince, but he is, and always will be, her prince: someone she understands and who understands her, a person content to live simply and cherish the little things like home, family, and the wife who will always adore him.

Notes:

I took a little break from uncooperative Tohru to finalize this, so...for the next set of bios, we have Machi and Yuki!

I love Yuki. Kyo is my favorite Fruits Basket character, but Yuki's canon growth and development is something I arguably appreciate even better than Kyo's. He really comes into himself over the series, and seeing him come into himself as a confident, self-assured person (as opposed to pretending to be one), is something I always love reading. It's a great tragedy that the anime cut out so much of Yuki's stuff in the end; I will always in particular think of 'Black Yuki' and what we might have had.

Machi is a character who took a while to grow on me; I will admit that in my initial read through of the manga, I didn't really like her. I definitely think she, and their relationship, were done a disservice by the anime cutting out some of their late-story development (Mogeta and the fertilizer! Visiting Ayame!). As it is, she's been one I've struggled with; I think Machi is a character who really, really benefits from being drawn, because she can be so quiet and understated and I also, personally, find her to have a lot of character elements that mirror Tohru enough I had to work to make Machi sound distinctive. Because I struggled so much with writing her, in my earlier stories she simply didn't appear, which often meant Yuki didn't appear, at least not as much as he arguably should have.

I feel that by the end of canon, Yuki has become/is becoming more of a very strong and self-assured character, in his own polite way. Taking his strength and figuring out how he'd apply that to his future life was very satisfying, with me having a few strong takeaways: he'll always love Tohru, he'll always be stuck with Ayame and Kakeru, he will be one of the proudest, most protective parents out of the entire former Zodiac, he'll always be a brilliant problem solver, he will always be close friends with Kyo. And he'll never need power, or prestige, or money, as long as he has family, chosen and blood, who love him.

A random factoid: Mutsuki being Mutsuki, he will (after the fact) make a family bonding moment out of the fact that Yuki and Machi's engagement and then Mutsuki and Hajime's engagements are both negatively impacted by family drama (Yuki's parents' issues, and then Hajime's sister finding out about the Curse). No one else will think it's amusing like he does, but they'll appreciate the attempt.

Chapter 11: Canon character bios: Rin and Haru

Summary:

Rin and Haru updated bios, summarizing their lives as depicted in 'Always and Forever.'

Once again, spoilers pretty much from beginning to end.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Canon Character Bios: Rin and Haru

Isuzu (Rin) Sohma:

Although the breaking of the Curse is a dream come true for Rin, it is absolutely not a magical cure-all for her or the rest of her problems. Still recovering physically, mentally, and emotionally from her own Sohma-inflicted traumas, for over a year after the Curse breaks, Rin is mostly in a holding pattern as she works to get better.

Following the Curse breaking, Rin continues to live at the Sohma Dojo with Kazuma, 'paying her way' by helping with the chores and general housekeeping. Though Kazuma technically doesn't need the help and would have offered her a place to stay regardless, he understands Rin enough to know that she won't accept his charity. Though she knows that ultimately he is still doing her a favor, by being useful she is able to justify her staying there and feel that she, for once, is not being a burden. Though she keeps Kazuma at an arm's length, not wanting to let another Sohma adult get close enough to hurt her, she nevertheless appreciates his kindness and, years later, will acknowledge that, to her, he is the closest thing she ever had to an actually loving and purely altruistic 'parent.'

In the months prior to Tohru's graduation, she is a regular visitor to Rin at the dojo, and Rin misses her deeply when she and Kyo move away. In the months that follow, Rin finds herself struggling not just with missing Tohru, but with feeling as though she's missing out life itself. Seeing the other former Zodiacs all move forward with their lives, whether through work, or university, or jobs, or travel, she struggles not to look at herself and a see a broken woman doing nothing and going nowhere.

During that difficult time, her strongest support is, as ever, Haru, the only person to whom she tells the full extent of her fears. Though it's hard for her to believe him when he says things will work out, she can't deny that being with him makes her feel that they could. Even when Rin's behavior veers towards the self-destructive, Haru is always at her side, simultaneously letting her do what she feels she must while also keeping her safe.

A few months before Haru's graduation, the two of them sit down together to discuss their plans for the future. Rin is admittedly scared; close to two years after her own gradation, she has no practical real-world experience and is terrified at the idea of either Haru moving on without her, too, or worse, dragging him down. But Haru isn't bothered; he himself has no grand ambitions, other than being with her; beyond that, all he wants is for her to be healthy and happy, however long it takes.

Rin knows Haru means it, but the idea of being totally dependent on him is abhorrent in a way that depending on Kazuma never was. She wants to be his partner, just as much as Tohru is Kyo's, and to that end she resolves to take some steps herself to prove she truly can. In the beginning, that means getting a job, and before long she does: as a sales associate at an alternative clothing store, Torendi.

Though she loves the ambiance and really likes the clothing, Rin quickly learns that the working world has its challenges, too. She hasn't worked too many weeks before she has the measure of her new employers; proud to be a 'small, independently owned business' while cutting every corner they can.

Rin's first instinct is to find another job, but the idea of giving up so soon disgusts her while also wounding her pride. It took her too long to get to this point to give up just because her bosses suck; she will prove to herself and the world she can handle it, that she can hold down a job and be the partner that Haru has always deserved.

With an income stream established, Rin is ready for the next step: moving out of the dojo. And though a part of her wants to give the Sohmas a giant middle finger, even Rin's pride is no match for practicality in those early uncertain days.

The day Rin moves into Shigure's old house is her confident new beginning. Yes, it is a Sohma property; yes, she's accepting their 'charity,' knowing full-well that to them, it's likely a form of penance. But living rent-free will let her and Haru save up for their future, and the house will provide her with the independence she needs after a lifetime in the care of others. As much as she appreciated Kazuma's kindness and tried to work to earn it, the dojo isn't truly be her home and she's tired of being a guest. Beyond that, Shigure's old house itself means a lot to Rin: the place where she first befriended Tohru will always inspire warm feelings, Sohma property or no.

By the time Haru graduates high school, Shigure's old house is firmly 'theirs.' And as Haru likewise gets a job, Rin feels confident that the two of them together are ready to face the world.

One of the most precious moments during their time at the house takes place barely a month after Rin first moves in, when Kyo, with Rin's permission and a little of her help, proposes to Tohru up on the roof a few days before Haru graduates. Although not a fan of the concept of marriage or interested in it for herself, Rin knows how much it will mean to Tohru and can appreciate Kyo's sentiment in choosing where to propose. Though she still feels like Tohru deserves far, far better than Kyo, she knows Kyo makes Tohru happy and she is happy to share Tohru's joy.

For the next year and a half, Rin's focus is on 'adulting,' with her part-time job turning into a full-time one over time. She proves to be a valuable asset for her bosses; too cheap to want to commit to an actual marketing budget, their solution is to use their most attractive sales associates as models for all their ads. Rin is already a popular figure among the store's regular customers, but the large marketing posters of her on the outside of the building prove a substantial draw. Before long, Rin has a following, which delights the owners but upsets Rin herself, especially over time as some of her 'fans' start to get bold.

Once Haru realizes what's going on, he starts hanging out at the store as well, at first to Rin's embarrassment but also her relief. Although her fierce attitude towards the attention has never changed, the fact there are strangers who view her so possessively makes her deeply uncomfortable in a way she hates. Haru, just by his presence, keeps them mostly at bay; though he never gets violent, he's a master at communicating threats with just a simple look.

At first, Rin's employers consider banning Haru as 'bad for the business,' but they reconsider when they realize he's the opposite as he, like Rin, matches the store's aesthetic and acquires some fans of his own. Their attempts to actually hire him fall flat, but the owners console themselves with the fact that he's at least around.

By the time Rin has worked for Torendi for about a year and a half, she has managed to leverage her popularity into a little more opportunity with the store's owners. At that point aware of her value to them as a customer draw, Rin tells her employers flat-out that either they give her some work off the sales floor and out of customer view, or she'll simply leave and find another job. Determined not to lose her, the owners agree, and Rin's responsibilities soon include work in the store's office, with the biggest feather in her cap coming in the form of her own marketing campaign.

Art had remained one of Rin's biggest passions through her darkest points, and the idea of being paid to indulge her creativity has lots of appeal. From the owners, she receives almost full creative freedom, as well as permission to use herself and Haru as her models.

Torendi is a small, independent store with a fairly modest (coughcheapcough) advertising budget, and the campaign is always intended to be fairly small: posters in the windows, fliers, and the like. When the campaign goes live just after Tohru and Kyo's wedding, no one expects the response to be much different than with any others.

Consequently, the subsequent storm of attention takes everyone by surprise. Rin's campaign, which combines her own art with photos of Haru and Rin herself, takes off amongst the store's customers and their own particular fans, spreading across social media at the speed of light. Suddenly, the store is packed, with clothes flying off the shelves and Rin and Haru, to their surprise, turn into local celebrities.

Though Rin's bosses are first delighted at the unexpected boom, they quickly come to realize the downside of their decisions. With so much attention on the 'little ad campaign that could,' Rin and Haru both are soon the focus of dedicated head-hunting efforts by larger companies determined to capture their magic. And with a couple years of grudges and nothing keeping her there, Rin, with Haru's encouragement, finally takes the leap.

It's an admittedly intimidating leap at first, with Rin faced with more opportunities than she knows what to do with. She and Haru are both approached by some of Japan's top modelling agencies, but while Haru is intrigued, Rin has zero interest. Although she had been willing to use herself as a model for Torendi, by now she is thoroughly sick of the attention, the scrutiny, and having other people feel like she owes them anything because they saw her picture. On top of that, she has no interest in being so thoroughly 'managed,' and she knows that, as a woman, the modeling world would be far more cruel to her than it would to Haru.

In the end, she gives Haru her blessing to pursue that life himself; as long as it's what he wants and it's something he enjoys, he will have her support, the way she's always had his. Meanwhile, Rin herself accepts an offer she can't refuse: a position on the marketing team for a trendy fashion brand.

Originally thinking it would be a chance to create while earning some decent money, Rin soon discovers that in corporate marketing, she shines. Talented and creative while also fierce and direct, Rin, as she grows comfortable, becomes a force to be reckoned with and begins the steady climb up the corporate ladder that will, eventually, see her taking a position of leadership at a major retailer.

For the time being, though, she is simply happy to get out of Torendi and be done dealing directly with customers. Even though the stakes in marketing are high, Rin thrives on the pressure and the competitiveness, pushing herself to be better than not just her peers, but herself.

There is a lot of adjustment as she and Haru settle into their new jobs, starting with the absolute necessity of a move. Leaving Shigure's old house, now their old house, is a little bittersweet; the memories she and Haru made there, combined with the older memories of Tohru, will always make the house special to her in a way no other Sohma property could be. But she couldn't be happier to finally cut the cord with the Sohmas; for the rest of her life, Rin will largely keep her distance from the Sohmas and the estate.

Rin and Haru settle into a condo downtown, right in the heart of the city. It is exactly what the two of them both need and want, close to excitement and nightlife, as well as their new jobs. And while the jobs themselves take a little time to break in, overall, they are happy. Even when Haru's professional debut hurls him to national fame, he and Rin take the news and his heightened profile in stride, with Rin considering it no more than the obvious result of his charm. The Rin from graduation maybe would have felt threatened, but the Rin of three years later was confident in herself and her relationship; she and Haru are rock solid, and nothing, including fame or groupies, would ever shake their bond.

Or so Rin thinks, right up until she discovers she's pregnant.

By this time, nearly seven years have passed since the Curse broke, and Rin finally feels like she's truly hit her stride. She and Haru are happy, committed, truly self-sufficient, and working jobs they enjoy. They had never needed marriage, and never needed kids; if anything, the very idea of children was downright terrifying. To say their own parental role models had been 'bad' was an understatement; Rin's abusive parents were as good as dead to her, and Haru had made the decision to cut out his own neglectful parents right after his graduation, a fact that they only figured out after over a year.

It doesn't help that Rin figures out she's pregnant while Haru is travelling. The ensuing five days as she waits for his return are filled with outright anguish, as Rin tries to figure out what she can even do.

Every single part of parenthood intimidates. Her own childhood was warped and twisted, filled with abuse and neglect. Rin is afraid of all of it, terrified that if she has children she'll inevitably inflict that harm on them. Even if she tries her best, she doubts it will be enough to make up for the trauma from her past, to make her a good mother, or even a competent one.

Haru comes home from his trip to find Rin somewhere between panic and an almost deadly calm, with her telling him rather bluntly that their contraception had failed. Haru takes the news in stride, replying 'well, we do have three bedrooms.'

Torn between the urge to punch him and the urge to break down laughing, Rin ends up trying to do both, failing to do both, and having something of a meltdown. Through it all, Haru sits with her, listens, and lets her let it out. In the end, Rin is resigned...and even a little hopeful.

Yes, she has enough baggage to fill the cargo hold of a ship, but with Haru at her side, she can handle anything. He had always helped her be better, do better, and grow; with him as her co-parent and her child's father, she can and will manage anything, especially if the kid is anywhere near that laid-back.

Per Rin's vocal preference, they initially keep the news of the pregnancy to themselves. In some ways, it's easy; most of their closest Sohma friends don't live locally, and none of the ones who are local were as close to Rin as Haru. There were still some challenges: Kagura, for example, had become one of Rin's dearest friends once the weight of the Curse had lifted, and while she and her husband live on the other side of the city, the two women still get together a minimum of once a month. At first, Rin manages things with creative clothing layering, but less than two months after they find out, the pregnancy can't be hidden.

If Kagura is suspicious when Rin is suddenly 'swamped at work,' she keeps her thoughts to herself, simply telling Rin that she's available when things at work calm down. Haru has a tougher time keeping the news to himself, as he still regularly goes to the dojo and often meets Yuki for lunch. But somehow, the two of them manage to keep it under wraps until Rin is ready to tell, the two of them breaking the news on precisely their own terms.

Before finding out Rin was pregnant, Haru and Rin loved their life as it was. But with impending parenthood, that life is going to change, and they, to a point, are willing to change along with it.

Rin is the one who first brings up marriage, almost dismissively and a little embarrassed. They had never wanted it or needed it; they had always joked they would 'live in sin' for the rest of their lives. But with a child in the picture, there were other needs to consider; as much as they loved flouting convention, neither of them was willing to put the 'illegitimate' stigma on their child. Consequently, they both agreed: they will get married. There will be no wedding, or reception, no pageantry, or fuss. Just the two of them at the municipal building, with two witnesses there to observe.

Choosing their witnesses doesn't take much time. Yuki is considered, along with Kagura; arguably they are their closest friends, and both of them are local. But they are both married to somebody else, and more importantly, Rin ultimately wants somebody else, somebody who had always embodied the feeling that 'love conquers all.'

Tohru and Kyo think they're just invited to dinner, but the moment they see Rin they realize just how wrong they are. In relatively short order, they learn that Rin is pregnant, and find out at the municipal building that Rin and Haru are getting married. Tohru is, naturally, thrilled by it all, and her love and support buoy Rin; Tohru is a wife and mother herself, so if she thinks Rin can manage it, then Rin can maybe believe it herself.

Though their circumstances are a little different, since Rin is having twins.

Learning there are two babies almost causes Rin to break down; as it is, Haru and Rin are forced to rapidly readjust their plans. Haru had already decided to lower his modelling profile; going forward, he will work less, work smaller, and work much closer to home. They will need a bigger place, a little down the line, and they will need to make sure they have help, while the babies are young.

Rin is still admittedly terrified, more now than ever before. Her history with hospitals made them a traumatic place, but delivering twins meant she has few options to ensure a safe birth. And then beyond the birth, there was the question of raising them; if the idea of being a good mother to one was daunting, how much harder would it be to two?

Sora and Riku Sohma are born one month early, but everything goes well. Kagura comes to stay with Rin and Haru in the beginning, with Tohru coming to take a turn after a few more weeks. It is a stressful and chaotic period that pushes Rin to her limits; trying to manage two newborns makes her question if it's even possible for her to do a good job, or if she's simply doomed to repeat all of the mistakes of her parents; if it wasn't because she was Cursed they were awful but just how her family is.

Time, practice, supportive friends, and a nanny all help them pull through; though Rin initially feels a little guilty about needing household help, Haru points out that those skills are valuable, and 'what's the point in having money if you don't take advantage?'

By the time she goes back to work, Rin once more feels like she's found her stride. She loves her children with a fierceness that honestly surprises her; afraid that she would resent them, instead she loves them both as much as she loves Haru himself. And while she feels that love should make her want them around all the time, she and Haru both accept that Rin, and therefore their family, are happiest with Rin back at her job.

Over the next several years, Rin's career steadily advances, while in their home the twins grow up encouraged and deeply loved. While Rin loves both of them equally, she has the strongest kinship with Riku; seeing her son win every race he enters is always a point of pride.

Pride, and just a little fear.

Rin, like Kyo, struggles to deal with her feelings about their time Cursed. In her opinion, that part of the past is best forgotten and buried, and Rin is staunchly against anyone else being told of the Curse, even partners of the Zodiac who were around when it was happening. It's a position that Rin clings to tightly over the years, with her of the opinion that only those who knew before it broke should ever know.

When the other former Zodiac start to tell their children, Rin, along with Kyo, is the one who most loudly objects, and she continues to object over the course of the next few years. While most of the children of the former Zodiacs are told of the Curse around age twelve, Rin is initially of the firm opinion that Sora and Riku don't need to know at all, an opinion that she clings to even after Kyo tells his sons. Haru doesn't agree with her reasoning, but he supports her decision, right up until the twins' final year of middle school.

Riku had inherited his father's unique hair, arguably the most unique amongst the entire Zodiac: black when it grows in, then turning white after about half an inch. For almost all of his life, Riku had chosen to keep his hair short, meaning that, to the world, his hair had always looked black. But in his final year of middle school, he starts growing it out, meaning that the white starts to show and he runs afoul of the dress code.

Rin is busy at work and can't be the one to go to school, meaning Haru gets to listen as both he and his son are insulted. Though Haru stopped going Black back when the Curse first broke, he still has his temper and doesn't take kindly to insults. By the time the meeting is over, Riku's hair is safe, but Haru's temper is riled and he isn't guarding his speech. When Riku asks his father if he ever wondered about their hair, Haru answers honestly without thinking twice: because he used to turn into a cow.

Rin is furious to learn what Haru told their son, especially since Riku, naturally, told Sora and both of them are curious what Haru actually means. In the end, Rin is forced to concede that she has no choice; as much as the idea pains her, their kids need to know the truth.

Part of the truth, anyway, as much as she's willing to tell them. They know about the Curse and the Zodiac, that Rin and Haru were once possessed. That the Sohma family treated them differently, and that there were others Cursed.

Rin hopes that telling their kids that much will be the end of the subject, and for a time, that's true. However, less than three years later, Kyo's daughter learns about the Curse and her explosive reaction rips the wound back open.

Though Kyo doesn't tell Sachiko who the other former Zodiacs are, she is shrewd and observant, and correctly guesses that Haru was once the Zodiac Ox. Rin and Haru have no idea what's coming when Sachiko turns up at their building, but Rin's initial concern quickly turns to rage when Sachiko attacks Haru for his 'acceptance' of Kyo's fate. Furious that Sachiko is dismissing the rest of the Zodiacs' pain, Rin launches into a counter attack that sends Sachiko reeling, not so much because of how Rin acts but because Rin name-drops Akito. Though later Rin will regret her actions, just then, she doesn't care; she and Haru have always been close to Sachiko, but her behavior in that moment crosses a line that can't be forgiven.

In the aftermath of Sachiko's visit, Rin struggles to regain her temper; lashing out at Kyo for mishandling the reveal only goes so far, especially when Rin realizes just how badly Haru is hurting himself. For her own part, she feels no guilt towards Kyo, or towards Sachiko, either; Kyo might have been destined for a terrible future, but he was hardly the only one who suffered, and he was never locked up.

Though she does feel guilty for losing her temper, Rin's upset with Sachiko remains for some time, even after Sachiko starts feeling remorse. When Kazuma reaches out to Rin and asks her help in mending the long-standing breach between Sachiko and Tohru, Rin is initially resistant, but gives in due to her desire to help Tohru and respect for Kazuma. The ensuing conversation is a difficult one for Rin as she reveals to Sachiko things about her own past and her abuse while under the Curse that even her own children don't know. Rin also forces Sachiko to realize how misguided some of her opinions on being a woman and femininity always have been, with Sachiko ultimately accepting how unfair she'd been to Tohru. Though at Rin's request, her involvement is kept largely quiet, she genuinely rejoices for Tohru and Sachiko as their relationship heals. More time will pass before she'll talk to Sachiko again, but for now, Rin can rest easy that she has helped her friend.

The waves from Sachiko's outburst linger long after their conversation, with months passing before Sachiko even reaches out to the people she attacked. Rin worries about Haru, who doesn't talk about what happened but she can tell is upset, and things boil over once again with Riku and Sora after New Year's when they, determined to know what happened to provoke everyone's awkward behavior, end up forcing Rin and Haru to reveal things they'd tried to keep hidden: about the Cat and his Curse, and the extent of their own past traumas.

It's not a pleasant time, and more time yet will pass before the relations of all involved are able to go back to 'normal.' In time, Rin will forgive Sachiko, and she'll even understand her behavior; by the time Sachiko graduates high school and moves down to Tokyo, she will be a favorite of her aunt and uncle once more

Life as empty nesters doesn't change much for Haru and Rin, though there are admittedly times when Rin misses the noise and chaos. She fully supports daughter Sora's choice to pass on university, and encourages her to chase her dreams of being a travel blogger, even though that means that Sora will mostly live beyond Japan. She likewise supports Riku's choice to join the Tokyo police, though she can't help but joke to Haru about the irony in the two of them raising such a goody-goody.

Though she isn't a 'cuddly' grandmother along the lines of Tohru, Rin is fond of her daughter-in-law and loves to see Riku's children. She never quite outgrows her nerves around babies or little kids, but as the children grow older and able to reason, Rin comes into her own as the loving and somewhat snarky 'Business Grandma' to Mamoru and Toshiko.

Deeply proud of her professional accomplishments and her fond of her career, Rin keeps working steadily until she's forced to retire, finally stepping down from her role as Chief Marketing Officer at sixty-five. Haru retires when Rin does, announcing the news to her at the same time as the rest of the world. And though Rin is a little surprised, she's admittedly delighted; a workaholic for years, she doesn't know what to do with retirement, especially by herself. But with Haru alongside her, what felt like a tedious prospect turns once more into an adventure.

Rin was never meant to live a conventional life, and she never does. While some things happened 'according to script,' like motherhood and marriage, for most of her life she lives according to her own particular rules. Whether that's going clubbing with Haru when they're both still underage, travelling to exotic locations in their retirement with their daughter, or taking their grandkids with them on a motorcycle trip across Japan, Rin will never let herself be held back by what life 'expects' her to do.

Some things will never change, no matter how old she gets. She will always cherish Tohru, and always fight for her happiness, championing her against the world and even against her husband. Kagura will always be her sister, no matter how busy they get. Kazuma will always be the one she turns to for 'parental' advice, and she will never forgive Akito, or the Sohmas, for what they did.

Though Rin had feared motherhood and worried she'd be like her parents, Sora and Riku grew up knowing their mother loves them deeply. Their joys and sorrows are hers, whether big or small; Rin always shows off Sora's travel blog, and no matter how busy she got, she is always at Riku's meets. Sora and her nonsense will never fail to amuse her; Riku, with his protectiveness, stoicism and quiet humor, will always, to Rin, showcase the best parts of his father. And for all that she was nervous around them when they were babies, in retirement, she will regularly reach out to 'borrow' Riku's children, with she and Haru loving to surprise their grandchildren with trips as they age.

When the Curse broke, Rin was still living in fear, afraid that she would never move on from the trauma of her past. Many things have changed since then, and she's no longer afraid, but one thing has remained constant, over many years.

Sometimes Haru makes her furious, sometimes he makes her laugh; many times, throughout the years, she wonders why he stays. Theirs is a tumultuous relationship, sometimes negatively so, but even when they're fighting, their passion remains strong. Rin once said she wished that she had been born as Haru's heart, a sentiment she asked him to engrave inside her wedding ring; no matter how angry he makes her, she could never want anyone else. No one ever comes even close to touching him in her heart, and their love remains a volcanic flame until the end of their lives.


Hatsuharu Sohma:

In the immediate wake of the Curse breaking, life for Haru doesn't initially change that much. However, he is thrilled for Rin's sake, and genuinely happy for the rest of them, and he is happy to finish his high school career without even the tiniest fear of transforming.

The biggest immediate change for Haru himself, though it takes time for any of them to realize it, is the loss of his Black personality. Going forward, he'll never experience it again, no matter how provoked; and while his actual temper is still capable of scaring people silly, he never loses control of his mind, his morals, or forgets who he's talking to. This proves a particular relief for Yuki and Kyo, knowing they can graduate and leave without wondering who will wrangle him if something happens in the future.

During the 'lost eight months' between the Curse breaking and graduation, Haru pretty much continues on as he'd been before: going to school, going to karate, hanging out with his fellow younger Sohmas, and spending as much time as he can with Rin. He is not in the least bit surprised or unhappy to learn Tohru and Kyo, or Yuki and Machi, are dating; with his characteristic insightfulness, he's the first person to guess that Yuki is in a relationship, and his 'innocent' offer to hug Tohru to prove his Curse is broken provides the impetus for Kyo to not only tell Haru, but also Rin and Kazuma, that he and Tohru are now dating.

As an experienced boyfriend, Haru is happy to give both Yuki and Kyo the full benefit of his knowledge, sometimes to their distress. Completely without shame and always incredibly tactless, Haru's willingness to talk about 'intimate matters' will prove a long-standing bane to Kyo's existence in particular, but Haru genuinely means well and is happy to know his friends are happy themselves.

Haru, along with Momiji, supports Yuki's relationship with their classmate Machi, someone who Haru had always liked but, with her increased importance to Yuki, likewise becomes important to Haru himself. Though Machi is initially a little intimidated by their proprietary interest, she can't deny the benefits of being friends with the Sohmas, friendships she will truly appreciate when her relationship with Yuki goes public. Though not popular on the scale of Yuki and known to have a girlfriend, Haru still has his own admirers, and he's not afraid to use either his popularity or his intimidation factor to help protect Machi from abuse. The friendship she develops with Haru and Momiji will end up lasting throughout their lifetimes, with Machi, by the time they graduate, completely unafraid of Haru and willing to call him out whenever he's being obnoxious or vulgar with as much confidence as Yuki.

Haru is quietly thrilled by Rin's decision to stay at the dojo after the breaking of the Curse, and he is a regular visitor to Rin and Kazuma both. Though he is never jealous of Kyo's relationship with Kazuma or craves what they have like Yuki does, he is incredibly fond of Kazuma and respects him deeply, for what he's done for Rin as well as his role as Haru's teacher. For the rest of his life, Haru will regard Kazuma as 'one of the good ones' when it comes to the older Sohmas, a list that's very small, and he will always turn to Kazuma on the rare occasions he wants advice on being 'an adult.'

During their third year of high school, Haru continues to be closest to Momiji and Machi at school. He is one of the few people aware from early on of Momiji's crush on Tohru and the only person to realize how badly Momiji struggles to find his footing after the Curse breaks. While he can't relate to Momiji's thwarted musical ambitions or his intense desire to connect with his family, Haru can nevertheless sympathize with wanting something that's out of reach. While he never brings it up to Momiji, he does everything he can to be there for him, a fact Momiji notices and never fails to appreciate.

When Rin decides to find a job after the New Year's of Haru's third year, he supports her entirely, though he also tells her that it's not technically necessary. While not particularly ambitious in the same way as Yuki, Momiji, or even Kyo, Haru does have a few plans for after high school: namely, getting a job so he can provide for himself and Rin. Rin appreciates the sentiments, but quickly sets him straight: yes, it's taken her a while to heal and be ready to join the workforce, but she has no intention to continue letting anyone provide for her: not Kazuma anymore, and not Haru, either.

Just over a month before his graduation, Haru is at Rin's side when she unlocks the door to Shigure's old house, now in use by her. Though she hadn't initially wanted to have anything more to do with the Sohmas, practicality ends up winning out over pride, at least in the short term, and living in the house will allow both of them time to save up some money as well as give them some badly needed privacy. Beyond that, Haru understands that the house holds many happy memories for Rin as the place where Tohru had lived, and, though he doesn't push it, he knows that it was ultimately Tohru's presence there that allowed Rin to feel safe.

Though he still 'technically' lives in his parents' home on the Sohma estate through his graduation, Haru is pretty much fully moved into Rin's house within weeks of her moving in, and he's present the night, just a few days before his graduation, when Kyo brings Tohru to the house to propose. Though not initially in the loop because he's absolutely awful at keeping secrets, once Haru finds out he isn't surprised, being of the opinion that 'it's about time.' But although he is happy for Tohru and Kyo, he has no similar marital aspirations himself, being cheerfully content to keep things 'sinful' with Rin, as long as she feels the same.

After graduation, Haru officially moves in with Rin and starts working at a manufacturing plant; it's uninspiring work, but it's a steady job with regular hours and no one cares how he dresses under the coverall or about anything he says. An initial downside of the job is that he and Rin don't have a lot of overlapping free time, as she, working in retail, works most evenings and weekends. But before too long, Haru comes to appreciate their different schedules, as it leaves him plenty of time to go to Rin's workplace and 'supervise' when she starts to have trouble with overly interested customers.

Initially, Rin's bosses aren't happy, worrying that Haru's somewhat menacing presence will drive customers away. However, he ends up doing the opposite; his look, like Rin's, is a match for the store's aesthetic, and he quickly attracts a following of his own in spite of not actually working there. Due to his popularity, Rin's managers approve when Rin asks to use Haru in her inaugural ad campaign for the store, and the subsequent ads, featuring Haru and Rin as models, end up blowing up in a way none of them could have imagined. The images go viral, resulting in an almost crushing amount of business for the store and Haru and Rin becoming local mini-celebrities.

In the wake of their unexpected success, both Haru and Rin become the subject of intense professional interest, with businesses coming out of the woodwork wanting to capitalize on them. Though Rin is initially overwhelmed, Haru takes the attention in stride; as far as he's concerned, the entire thing is fun, and no more than either of them should have expected with just how amazing they are.

While Haru and Rin are both approached by a couple modelling agencies, it's Haru who, after a lot of discussion, decides to take the offer. He's always liked pushing the envelope stylistically, and he knows he's photogenic; if people want to pay him to dress up, he'll let them, as long as he has fun.

The combination of Haru's looks, nonchalance, and deft professional handling make a potent combination, and Haru proves a sensation after his very first shoot. His intense popularity takes all of his friends by surprise; suddenly, 'Haru' is one of the most well-known faces in Japan, gracing everything from magazines to billboards to tv spots. Though the fashion world can be cutthroat, Haru's very nonchalance proves a major part of his draw, with people loving his attitude as much as his physical looks.

It's Rin's suggestion for Haru to go exclusively by 'Haru' professionally, and all of his Sohma friends are grateful for that when he proves a sensation. Although Haru's agent initially encourages him to make use of the Sohma name, Haru agrees with Rin; for the entirety of his career, he will never professionally acknowledge his connection to the Sohmas.

This is made a little easier by the fact that before he was a year out of high school, Haru, like Rin, had cut off all contact with his parents. Though Haru's parents were never abusive in the same way as Rin's, he'd been dealing with their neglect for pretty much all his life. Though they enjoyed the advantages of being Zodiac parents, Haru's parents never had time for, care for, or interest in their son, preferring to foist him off on servants or leave him entirely alone, with the justification that his temper made him too difficult for them to handle. By the time he graduated, he had basically been living with Rin for over a month without them seeming to notice; neither of them attended his graduation ceremony, and when he left his parents' home for the last time, neither of them was there to so much as say 'goodbye.' It isn't until Haru's modelling breakout over a year and a half later that his mother finally reaches out to him, laughing off the lack of contact as she says 'you know it is.'

Haru agrees that he does, hangs up, and blocks her number; aside of a few rare instances, they will never speak again.

Fame never changes Haru, though he has zero qualms about using its perks to benefit the people he cares about. He genuinely enjoys interacting with his fans, as long as it's on his own terms, and he and Rin take pronounced pleasure in reading gossip articles and social media posts speculating about him and his life. Haru often jokes that people might be disappointed to learn the truth, that he's actually sickeningly in love and committed to his high school girlfriend, but he wouldn't change a thing.

Following Haru's modelling breakout and Rin's simultaneous leap into marketing, the two relocate to the urban world of downtown Tokyo, where they live within easy distance of activity, energy, and nightlife, as well as both their jobs. Though Haru regularly travels for jobs, he and Rin don't mind; him being away just means they have the chance to miss each other, and their reunions always sizzle. When both of them are in Tokyo, they often go out; all their lives, the two of them will always love the club scene, especially if they can watch their partner get hit on by someone else.

Both of them are happy and totally loving their lives when a wrench appears in the works: Rin's completely unplanned pregnancy, five years after his graduation. Though they had talked about kids before and Haru had considered the idea, Rin's traumas had always meant that she was a firm 'no.' They had always been careful, but not careful enough, and figuring out what to do is a process that takes time. But in the end, after a lot of talk, they come to two decisions: they are going to be parents, and they are going to get married.

Haru and Rin marry at their local municipal building when Rin is five months pregnant, their marriage witnessed by Tohru and Kyo who, prior to that day, had no idea either that Rin was pregnant or that Haru and Rin were getting married. Haru and Rin exchange custom rings which, like most of their accessories going back to when they were teens, are made by Haru himself, engraved with 'I'll always be your heart' in hers and 'When you die, I'll die' in his. Their rings continue a trend; by the time all the weddings are over, Haru will have made Tohru and Kyo, Yuki and Machi, Momiji and Hans, and Hiro and Kisa's rings, as well as, eventually, some of the next generation's, too.

The biggest surprise of Haru and Rin's wedding day for Tohru and Kyo isn't the marriage, though, or even the pregnancy, but rather one additional detail: that there are two babies. Sora and Riku Sohma are born one month early but are otherwise perfectly healthy, and their birth heralds in a new chapter of Haru and Rin's lives as they swear to be the parents they always wanted themselves.

With fatherhood, Haru pulls back from the modelling pace he'd maintained for the past four years. Though he continues to work, it's on a much smaller scale and with a much-reduced public presence; as much as he loved that life, neither he nor Rin want their kids to have to grow up under the scrutiny that would come with Haru's fame, and neither of them have any interest in Haru being an absent father. His own parents' neglect is always at the back of his mind; though it's easy enough for them to be better parents than Rin's, Haru knows all too well how easy it can be to justify ignoring one's children, as well as just how insidious that neglect can be.

Having twins is nevertheless exhausting, especially when they're young, and Haru and Rin are both beyond grateful they can afford household help. Still, even with a nanny, they are both appreciative of the help they get from their friends during those early challenging years. Their twins are a year younger than Yuki's son Mutsuki, a year and a half younger than Tohru and Kyo's Hajime, and seven months older than Kagura's son Naoko, so they always have people they can compare notes with, even if their situations aren't exactly the same.

In spite of Haru's initial worries, he proves a natural father, if perhaps a little more relaxed about things than either Kyo or Yuki are ever really comfortable with. Determined to be more involved and attentive than his own parents had been, Haru cultivates a relationship of friendly approachability with his children, acting as the more laid-back counterpoint to Rin's stricter approach. However, Sora and Riku learn at a fairly young age there's only so far they can get by trying to go to Haru: Rin will always be the final authority, right up until they move out, and Haru will almost always defer to Rin's judgement.

Over the years, Haru continues to work steadily, but makes a point of being present for his kids' activities when and as he can. Even after the peak of his fame, he remains a well-known face in the industry, and he's not above leveraging his notoriety if he thinks it will benefit his family...or get his children out of trouble, a not-uncommon problem.

In general, he and Rin agree on most things pertaining to their kids, but there is one glaring exception that will come up repeatedly as the twins grow up: the Curse. Though Haru is glad it's broken and glad to have his freedom, he had never struggled under it to half the degree Rin had, and when he learns that other former Zodiac members are starting to tell their children, he takes it for granted that they'll of course tell theirs. Rin firmly puts a halt on that, and it will be a point of contention between the two of them for years before Haru finally mentions it to Riku during a conversation about their hair. Rin is furious, but feels she has no choice but to tell the kids the rest, especially after the twins deftly manipulate their parents into thinking they know more about it than they actually do. Sora and Riku are among the oldest of any Zodiac kids by the time they find out at fifteen, and even then, they are only told the partial truth.

Three more years will pass before Sora and Riku will learn the rest, after Kyo's daughter Sachiko learns about the Curse and reacts badly. Her anger and outrage at the other former Zodiacs for, as she sees it, 'condoning the Sohma family's treatment of the Cat' results in in her attacking every former Zodiac she can guess, which, with his distinctive hair, always included Haru. Though he and Sachiko had always been close, Haru isn't spared from Sachiko's anger or disappointment, and though he lets her yell at him without batting an eye, he's far more affected by her upset than he lets her see. Months will pass before the breach is healed between them, and the awkwardness between the people who know will be the indicator to Haru's kids that something is going on. Though Rin is deeply upset at having to tell them more, Haru himself is actually relieved; going forward, Riku and Sora will know the entire truth about their parents' pasts.

All his life, Haru will remain close to the other 'younger Zodiac,' especially Yuki and Kyo. He sees Kyo and his family almost every time they visit Tokyo, as even at the height of his fame, Haru continues to take karate at the Sohma Dojo. He has to cut back his practice for years, but he never stops attending, and Kazuma will be Haru's master right up until he retires, at which point he will have promoted Haru all the way to hachidan, eight-degree black belt. Haru is a vocal supporter of Sachiko's subsequent ascension to dojo master, and for the rest of his career, Haru will get a kick out of training with 'Master Sachi.' Though his relationship with Sachiko struggled after she first learns of the Curse, by the time she graduates high school the two of them are closer than ever, and they will maintain that closeness for the rest of Haru's life.

Haru is always a favorite of Tohru, who he never stops calling 'Honda,' and likewise stays a close friend of Machi, who always remains 'Kuragi.' Though Rin and Machi never click and the two couples almost never spend time as a group of four, he and Yuki get together often, and he will sometimes drop in (usually unannounced) at Machi's office to take her to lunch. Their friendship remains built on affection and snark; until their deaths, Machi will always be one of the first to call Haru out for being vulgar or inappropriate.

Haru and Momiji's friendship remains strong throughout their lives, with Haru quietly supporting Momiji through their difficult final year of high school and beyond. Haru isn't surprised to learn Momiji wants to study abroad, and though he never makes it to Germany while Momiji is there, the two of them talk regularly and get together often once Momiji is back in Japan. Haru is the second person after Tohru to learn about Momiji's boyfriend Hans, and Momiji's obvious happiness and their equally obvious love is enough for Haru to welcome Hans with open arms...and a lot of pointed comments that everyone else tries to pass off as awkward aspects of the language barrier.

Haru always says he's not as good a father as his friends, but he always does his best and his children always love him. His daughter Sora is an affectionate 'Daddy's girl' all her life, and shares Haru's general lack of situational appropriateness; getting into discussions in the most awkward of places will be a hallmark of their relationship long after Rin and Riku give up trying to stop them. In Sora's free-spiritedness and love of adventure, Haru sometimes sees who he himself might have been, had he never been Cursed or never met Rin, and though he misses seeing her regularly after she starts her globe-trotting life, he loves to hear of her adventures, her love life, and anything else she'll share. In son Riku, Haru likewise sees some of the best of himself: his dedication to family and friends, and his firm desire to protect, though he always says that Riku's responsibility has to come from Rin.

Haru works steadily as a model right up to retirement, unabashedly taking advantage of the longer male career. He always says he'll keep at it as long as it's fun, and it remains fun all the way until Rin retires from her job. Rin's last day at the office is Haru's last day in front of the camera, a fact he announces to his agency, his wife, and the world all at the same time, going out on his own terms exactly the same way he started. Although he continues to design for Jueri, the accessory line he started the year before the twins were born, for several more years, he drastically cuts back on his involvement there as well, allowing him to spend as much time as he can pursuing his next adventures with Rin.

Haru throws himself into retirement the same way he always threw himself into life: confidently, calmly, and without worry. He and Rin are firm believers in age being just a number; they continue to go clubbing, continue to making out in random bathrooms, and continue to take risks, right up until the end. Whether it's motorcycling together across Japan or diving off a cliff into the sea with their daughter, picking up surfing in their forties or dragging their friends on a Hawaiian adventure to celebrate their retirements, they will always love experiencing everything life has to offer, especially if it comes with a little danger.

Throughout their lives, Haru and Rin's relationship remains strong, passionate, and intense. While it's not always the healthiest and their fights can be volcanic, they always remain devoted to each other and so fiercely in love it hurts. Momiji jokes that the two of them love fighting just so they can make up, and Haru and Rin will both admit he's not exactly wrong. Whether in love or anger, joy or sorrow, the two of them will always understand each other in ways that no one else ever can.

Haru and Rin are the first of the Zodiac to become grandparents, and Riku's children Mamoru and Toshiko will be treasures of theirs right until the end. As much as Rin might have wished the Curse had died with them, seeing granddaughter Toshiko with Haru's black-rooted snow-white hair will always mean something to both of them: that both of them had lived that life...and both of them had escaped.

Notes:

These two are my favorite canon couple after Tohru and Kyo, and Haru in particular is one of my favorite characters. He's just so genuinely good, and so sweet while also being weird (and vulgar) enough to keep everyone laughing. I feel that he, out of nearly all of the former Zodiac, is one of the most 'good;' over the course of canon, we see him help and befriend pretty much everyone else. He's one of the only Zodiac who always treats Kyo like a person, he takes care of Yuki, looks out for Kisa, politely puts Hiro in his place to protect Tohru...the list goes on, and he's very entertaining, to boot. That said, I struggled with writing him a lot in the beginning; there are some characters who I feel benefit more from art, and Haru is one where how he looks (facial expressions, body language, etc) goes a long way. At this point, I feel fairly confident writing him, which is just as well, since he's turned up in the series a lot.

Rin is more of a struggle for me, because she is one whose canon persona is very tied up in her trauma. Figuring out how she would grow and change over time and away from the Curse, while making her still feel like canon Rin, has always been a balancing act. I think the two of them are tricky for fanfics to get right; more than any other couples, I feel they often veer into caricature (something I've no doubt been also guilty of myself).

That said, I love them together, even though I fully acknowledge and agree that their relationship is often 1) toxic and 2) extremely codependent. They, especially Rin, would benefit a lot from therapy, but we know they'll never get it, so they'll just do the best they can by leaning on each other.

I really wanted to have someone from the canon become a model, with how many times people wonder if the Sohmas ARE models. Haru felt like he'd be a good fit while also being unexpected, and as a male model, he'd be more likely to last a long time in the industry than a woman would. Rin, meanwhile, I always felt would thrive under the pressure of a corporate environment; I think she'd be a workaholic and have fairly high expectations of the people who work under her, but never expect more than she was capable of herself (kind of like Hiro, actually).

Regarding Haru's parents, we don't see or hear much about them in the canon; we know they struggled to manage his temper, that they didn't protect him from (and possibly participated in) the teasing about the Ox, and that when he trashed his classroom while Black, he didn't expect his mother to turn up at school for a very long time. From all of that and their lack of appearance, I've chosen to go the route of them being neglectful; not actively abusive, but hardly something good. It feels telling to me that he is one of the only Zodiac whose parents we never see at all (along with Hatori, whose parents we know are dead, and Kureno). Kids often act out when they want attention, because any attention is better than no attention at all, so Haru's anger issues also make sense in the context of neglect.

An elephant in the room for me: Haru and Rin's kids. Out of everything in Fruits Basket Another, I think their existence paired with their age is probably Another's biggest sin. It makes literally zero sense to me that Haru and Rin, with all of Rin's trauma and baggage, would have intentionally had children, especially so soon after canon that they're almost as old as Tohru and Kyo's oldest. But they exist in Another, so...second accidental pregnancy ahoy! I feel like a lot of my complaints about the kids in Another would be fixed if instead of Tohru and Kyo's oldest kid, Hajime was their second; Mutsuki and the twins make more sense being a few years younger.

Chapter 12: Canon character bios: Momiji

Summary:

Momiji's updated bio, summarizing his life as depicted in 'Always and Forever.'

Spoilers, etc. etc.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Canon Character Bio: Momiji

Though he is thrilled for himself and the others that the Curse is finally over, the time between the Curse breaking and his own graduation proves to be among the bleakest of Momiji’s entire life. Initially filled with hope about his prospects once no longer Cursed, it doesn’t take long for Momiji to realize that whether Cursed or not, he can’t change the past.  

Following the breaking of his own Curse, one of the first things Momiji does is reach out to tell his father. Koshiro Sohma’s response to the news is telling: before he says or does anything else, he says things can’t change at all with Momiji’s mother, Sabine. That the risk of her remembering, and relapsing, is still too great, so Momiji still needs to give her space and not be around too much. Though Koshiro quickly follows that up with a hug and words of obvious joy, the sting of that initial reaction will never truly fade.  

Though Momiji is confident in what he told Akito, that he knows his happiness is out there, it’s admittedly hard to imagine ‘where,’ over the following year. Koshiro’s refusal for him to see his mother is somewhat understandable, but he struggles to understand why Koshiro initially also keeps away Momo. Eventually, Koshiro capitulates; Momo has dug in about meeting Momiji herself, and Momiji continues to push for the chance to finally meet her. In the end, Koshiro agrees, with one condition: Momiji must swear to never even hint at their true relationship. She can’t know he’s her brother, or about the relationship between Momiji and Koshiro; there can be nothing that ever comes back to Sabine and makes her remember.  

Though once again his father’s words sting, Momiji faithfully promises. And finally, after over ten years, brother and sister meet.  

It’s a bittersweet thing for Momiji, far more than he had expected. Momo is clearly eager to meet him, and he’s touched by her affection; however, it’s hard to keep his composure when she asks him to be her ‘big brother.’ Still, promise or no promise, he readily agrees, telling Momo that no matter what, she can always count on him. If she needs him, in any way, he will always be there, her big brother in spirit, if that's all that he can be. 


Momo is a bright spot in what proves a difficult year. His father’s underwhelming response to his freedom is just the tip of the iceberg; Momiji soon suffers a major blow in the form of his future prospects.  

Like all of the former Zodiacs, Momiji’s life had been rigidly controlled when he was under the Curse. Extra-curriculars, especially group ones, had been strictly forbidden; the only ones permitted had been those under Sohma control. For Momiji, who wanted to be a professional musician, there was no getting back that time; before his current school year was over, he realizes he’d missed his chance.  

Momiji’s violin instructor is kind, but the truth is impossibly blunt; Momiji has no experience outside of middle school music class and his private individual lessons; while he is a gifted violinist, he has almost no experience in playing with a group. The world of professional music, especially for violinists, is one of cutthroat competition, and at that point in high school, for Momiji, it is too late to start.  

Realizing his dream is nigh impossible is difficult to process, and Momiji ends up more depressed than he’d ever been before. He had always known it would be hard; music was a difficult field, even for the most gifted. But ‘hard’ and ‘impossible’ are two different things, and with his dream in tatters, he doesn’t know what to do.  

It is his father who ultimately starts him on the path that will lead to his future, a path that admittedly benefits Koshiro but he also genuinely believed would appeal to his son. Momiji is academically gifted, good with people, and shrewd; he speaks two languages fluently, is gifted in a third, and seems honestly born to charm the very world.  

Business seems a ludicrous choice when Koshiro initially proposes it. Momiji is a musician, an artist , and a creative. He wasn’t meant for boardrooms, offices, or for managing people.  

However, Koshiro is persuasive, and Momiji agrees to consider. It isn’t like he has other plans, or any other goals.  

His final year of high school sees father and son thrown together more than ever before, as Koshiro arranges opportunities for Momiji to shadow at work. Though initially just doing it to indulge and spend time with his father, to his great surprise, Momiji finds he actually likes it. Koshiro was right about him; he might not have the skills to be a paper pusher or lawyer, but put him in front of people and he was where he was born to be.   

By the time he needs to make his choices about university, Momiji’s mind is made up about what he plans to do. Music will always be his passion, and he’ll never quit the violin or stop making music. But when it comes to his future profession , his path lies with his father.


As his graduation approaches, Momiji faces the facts. Things with his family hadn’t turned out the way he hoped: he still can’t see his mother, has limited time with Momo, and while he sees more of his father, it’s almost entirely at work. His musical dreams for the future are shattered, a new plan is in their place...  

And the girl he’s still in love with is marrying someone else.  

Momiji knows getting over Tohru would always be easier said than done, but finding out she and Kyo are engaged is more painful than he’d ever dreamed. Although he’d always been happy for them, emotions are never rational; though he’d done his best to move past his feelings, they are still red and raw.  

It isn’t any single factor that pushes Momiji to his decision, other than an overwhelming need to give himself some space. He is happy for the other Zodiacs and the lives they now get to lead, but he can’t keep going on as he’d been, standing right there and watching them all find the happiness he lacked.  

Momiji’s choice to attend university in Germany catches many of his friends off-guard, largely because of the secrecy involved in the decision. Except for a tiny handful of people, no one knows until graduation; though Momiji knows people will question the secrecy, he doesn’t want to discuss it; doesn’t want to spend weeks explaining his choices or waxing nostalgic about the past. He’s ready to face his future, a future that’s totally new.


Berlin is new and different, and exactly what he needs. There, he’s just like everyone else; his name doesn’t carry any weight, and no one knows his family. There are no friends moving forward without him; no lovesick couples he watched get together, leaving him behind.   

No family he can’t be a part of, except as a fringe. 

In Berlin, he quickly finds his stride, and settles into a life that leaves him happier than he’d been in ages. Though he is a full-time business student at Humboldt University, he also manages to impress a violin instructor at the nearby University of the Arts. There, he is able to continue lessons, and even join a quartet; his three quartet-mates quickly become among his dearest friends in Berlin.  

And though things aren’t perfect, Momiji gets his wish to move on. He can’t exactly say when it happens, but by the time he returns to Japan to attend Tohru and Kyo’s wedding, the pain of seeing them together has totally faded away. He will always love Tohru and the two will always be friends, but he’s no longer in love with her, and will never be again. 


Ever since the Curse broke and the Zodiac gained their freedom, Momiji had been hopeful of finding a love he could share. Ever since his growth spurt, he was in high demand, nearly as popular at Kaibara as Yuki had been at his peak. Without the Curse to limit him and eager to replace Tohru in his heart, Momiji accepts almost all dates and invitations that come his way. The pattern he established then follows him for the next two years: throughout the end of high school and his first year and a half of university, he never lacks for dates, with both women and men.   

Unfortunately for Momiji, nothing initially comes of them; no romantic feelings, or anything remotely like them. Knowing exactly what it feels like to harbor unrequited love, Momiji is always protective of the hearts of those he dates; whenever he starts to suspect feelings are involved that he can’t return, he always breaks things off, no matter how much they otherwise feel like they're getting along.  

By the midpoint of his second year in university, Momiji is a popular, romantic figure to many of his acquaintance. But he’s never had a serious relationship, never been exclusive, and while he’s gotten over his love of Tohru, there hasn’t been anyone else. 


Though he’d always been attracted to both men and women, it was never something he broadcast. And though he’s always dated a lot, it was never really something that he discussed with his friends; while they had talked of a lot of things, romance had never come up.  

That all changes when a boy he’d been seeing approaches when Momiji is with his quartet mates. The three of them are surprised to learn Momiji was dating a man; two of them accept it and quickly move on, but Momiji can’t help but notice a change in behavior from the third. After a week goes by with his friend clearly avoiding him, Momiji can’t take it any longer and braces himself for the worst.  

He is stunned by the response he gets when he challenges Hans’s behavior. Initially afraid that the reason was homophobia, Momiji is shocked to learn that the opposite was true: that Hans, his friend of a year and a half, was romantically interested in him.   Hans is much more reserved than Momiji, with a fierce passion for music that dominates his very being. And though the two of them are good friends, Momiji had never once had even a suspicion that Hans was actually gay; romance, and dating had never been topics Hans had ever brought up.  

But none of that matters when Hans asks Momiji out on a date, a date that leads to other dates, and finally exclusivity. Love creeps up on him steadily but very very surely, and Momiji is left asking how it took him so long to see . In Hans, Momiji finds the romantic partner he had always wanted; both of them share a passion for music, for coffee, and for culture; both of them love to ballroom dance, and both of them like to read. Hans’s steadiness balances Momiji’s sprightliness and though Hans is much more serious, he still always smiles at Momiji’s jokes.  

Nine months after he and Hans go on their first date, Momiji tells Tohru, the first person to know in Japan. Although she’s originally startled, having had no idea he also liked men, she barely hesitates before letting him know how happy she is for him. It’s soon a common theme among his friends, and even his family; though his father has some concerns and makes sure Momiji understands the complications and prejudice he's bound to face in Japan, Koshiro ultimately tells Momiji that he wants him to be happy. If that happiness can be found in another man, then, at least on this occasion, Koshiro won't argue.


As university graduation approaches, Momiji is the happiest he’s ever been in his life. He has strong friendships in both Germany and Japan, somewhat regularly sees his father, and often talks to Momo. He is an honor student, preparing to start studying for a master’s degree, and he has a boyfriend he loves deeply, who loves him in return.  

Deciding to tell Hans about the Curse is one of the hardest choices Momiji has ever had to make. By the time of graduation, they’ve been together a year and a half; Hans has asked Momiji to live together when they’re in graduate school. And after Momiji’s struggle to finally get over Tohru, he was half-afraid he’d never find true love; now that he actually has it, the idea of losing it is terrifying.  

However, Momiji can’t move forward without telling Hans the truth. The Curse is too bound up in his past, and his family situation; it’s a can Momiji’s been kicking ahead, ever since they first started dating, but the situation with his mother is not one he could hide from a spouse.  

One that he should hide from a spouse, or someone who might become one.  

Tohru and Hatori are both in Germany for his graduation when Momiji tells Hans, and they are both there to help pick up the pieces, after their talk is over. Momiji had known that it would be hard, but he hadn’t expected how much , especially not at the end when Hans tells him that he needs time.  

The hours after his confession all pass in an emotional blur, with Momiji curled up in Tohru’s lap, crying until he can’t even feel. Tohru is sympathetic, but even she can’t numb his pain; it isn’t until Hans returns himself that Momiji can start to feel better.   

It’s a lot for Hans to take in, and processing will take time. But Momiji will always give thanks for the friends who are willing to back up his claims; Hatori, confirming Momiji’s Curse by telling Hans of his own, and Kyo, over the phone from Japan, willing to ignore his own feelings in order to help Momiji.  

Hans doesn’t quite know what to think of it all, but he can think of enough. Momiji had faced his demons and passed them by with a smile; going forward, he will have Hans at his side with no secrets between them.


The next three years pass by in a largely happy blur. Momiji completes his master's degree and starts working for the Berlin branch of his father’s company, Shigoto Corp, while Hans likewise completes his master’s and lands a position with a Berlin orchestra. Together, they make a home in a comfortable apartment, and the two of them make happy plans for a future where they stay side by side.  

Half German and half Japanese and dating a German national, deciding for sure where his future lay was never going to be easy. In many ways, Germany is the home of Momiji’s soul; there, nobody knows the Sohmas, about him, or his past. He speaks the language fluently, has many friends who love him, and all of Hans’s family, who adore him, are all likewise there.  

On paper, it should be easy, but life is rarely as easy as paper suggests it should be. The day he renounces his German citizenship is deeply bittersweet; as a child of a German national, Momiji was born with dual citizenship, but Japan requires the choice of one by the age of twenty-two. And though a life in Germany would likely be easier in many ways, that life isn’t meant to be, not for the long-term. With Hans’s full support, Momiji commits to his future: a future where Momiji will one day be back in Japan, running Shigoto Corp.  

A future his father is grooming him for, and Momiji wants for himself; a future that’s just waiting on Hans landing a Japanese orchestra seat.  

Such is the plan, anyway, when Momiji gets a phone call from Momo. 


Momiji’s sister is seventeen, and in her second year of high school, the day she stumbles upon the secret her father had kept for her whole life. Looking in Koshiro’s desk for her missing passport, Momo instead finds a locked box detailing Momiji’s life. Grades, transcripts, medical records, copies of signed leases, photographs and notes, covering his time in Germany and reaching back to when he was a baby. Among the many documents, two hit Momo hard: a German birth certificate bearing both of their parents’ names, and a copy of their accurate family registry, listing Momiji alongside her.  

Along with the rest of the records is letter from Hatori, discussing the ‘procedure’ that had been done to Momiji’s mother. It isn’t a complete picture, but it all tells Momo enough; although she doesn’t understand the rest, she knows that he’s her brother.  

The ensuing conversation is one of the most emotional that Momiji has ever had, with both brother and sister barely able to speak. However, it is inevitable that Momo would ask questions, and much as Momiji wants to tell her, he doubts their father would be happy if he knew. Koshiro’s permission is needed before he’ll say another word, but the moment he grants it, Momiji will tell Momo whatever she asks.  

What follows is a family feud both deeply painful and ugly. Koshiro is shocked to his core by what Momo has learned, but flat-out refuses to tell her or let her be told the rest. It’s all still too risky, he fiercely tells Momiji; he can’t risk even a hint of the truth potentially affecting Sabine.  

Momiji is disappointed, but not surprised. However, his initial instinct to defer to his father is cancelled by Koshiro’s autocratic and incredibly callous dismissal of the situation. Arguing that Momo is too young to understand the situation and the risk to Sabine is too great, Koshiro flat-out tells Momiji he is forbidden to even consider telling her, adding in a less-than-thinly-veiled threat to Momiji’s job and intended future.  

As Momo wages a war of silence against their father in Japan, Momiji is forced to re-examine his relationship with his father, his life, his future, his expectations, and what he wants for himself. The process is admittedly painful; all his life, Momiji has deferred to Koshiro's decisions. Even then, as a twenty-five-year-old working professional, he is still letting his father dictate a great many of his actions.  

But in his father’s cold dismissal, Momiji realizes a truth: he’s not that little boy anymore, sacrificed by his father and forgotten by his mother. He’s a man full grown, and he doesn’t need to let his father continue to dictate his life.  

With Hans’s full approval and support, Momiji makes his father an offer: accept Momiji telling Momo the truth, and trust they’ll be discrete, or continue to forbid it, and Momiji will tell Momo anyway, after quitting his job and walking out of his father’s life. Faced with the choice of losing his son or letting go of his fears, Koshiro chooses to trust his children and Momiji tells Momo the truth: the entire truth, Rabbit and all, and everything it meant. A few months later, Momiji and Hans move to Japan for good, with Hans securing a seat in the Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra and Momiji stepping into a role at his father’s company in Tokyo. 


It’s a period of intense change in Momiji’s life, but all the changes are ones he welcomes. Professionally, the relocation to the Japanese office comes with a promotion, one that Momiji tackles with his characteristic energy and positive attitude. Hans’s orchestra chair is an absolute dream fulfilled, and Hans’s joy and pride are mirrored in Momiji’s own as Momiji, though not in the orchestra himself, is able to live that life through him.   

Momo now knows the truth about him and their relationship; his father now respects him as an equal, or at least equal enough.  

And, for the first time in his life, he actually has a close, positive relationship with Sabine.  

It’s still not the idealized one he’d once dreamed of, but compared to what he’d had, it is more than good enough. Initially Koshiro’s invitation for him to visit their house is out of caution; Koshiro needs to convince himself that his kids wouldn’t trigger Sabine. To his great relief, Momiji and Momo live up to their word; around Sabine, there is no mention of their blood relationship, the past, or anything to do with the Curse. Sabine is delighted to welcome Momiji and Hans to their home, and she soundly echoes Koshiro’s invitation to make it a regular thing, believing Momiji’s ‘Sohma parents’ to be deceased and happy to provide them with a welcoming ‘home’ in their place.   

The day she asks them to call her ‘Mama’ is one of the happiest of Momiji’s life, even if she laughingly tells them she knows it isn’t real. Calling her ‘Mama’ to her face will always be something special, regardless of what Sabine imagines their relationship to be.  

For the boy who had left Japan in an effort to escape his pain, nine years after graduation, Momiji feels on top of the world. His sister knows who he truly is; his father has accepted that he has actually grown up. His mother views him as a ‘son,’ and that winter, in the Bavarian Alps, he and Hans get married. Everything he’d dreamed of having is finally within reach, even the things he’d so long thought were a flat-out impossibility.


In loving Hans, Momiji had initially thought that that would be their family. It was an excellent family, of course; in addition to his own parents and Momo, he now had a bunch of German in-laws who unanimously adored him. But a hypothetical discussion about children of their own leads Momiji and Hans down a path that neither one of them had expected, one that wouldn’t have been possible without money and connections. Momiji is aware of his privilege; not everyone in their position has access to his family’s money, Akito’s willingness break through barriers, or Shigoto Corp’s international presence. But what starts out as a wild ‘what-if’ turns into stark reality as less than two years after their marriage, Momiji and Hans become fathers.   

Wilhelmina ‘Mina’ Sohma, named for Hans’s grandmother, is the biological daughter of Momiji, conceived with an egg from Hans’s sister Katrin and carried by a Russian surrogate. The entire thing is a process, but one that couldn’t have been more worth the effort; Mina is all they could ever have wanted, and in her, their family is nearly complete.  

At the same time, there is a profound sweetness, if just a trifle bitter, the day that Momiji and his parents sign the papers for his ‘adoption’ when Mina is two years old. Now firmly established in the family as Koshiro’s protégé and known to practically everyone as his father’s intended successor, it’s a business transaction more than anything else: a common Japanese practice to pass companies onto new, competent management while ‘keeping them in the family.’ But symbolic as the act technically is, given that Momiji is already their son, the public recognition is the icing on the cake. From that day forward, Momiji truly considers himself to have the family he always wanted; it might have taken fourteen years after his Curse was broken, but finally, he has it all, all that he was denied: his parents fond acknowledgement, Momo’s sisterly love. Love for a partner who loved him back; his daughter, who growing up surrounded by nothing but love. And, of course, his friends, who have always had his back.


Sixteen years after graduation and three years after Momiji’s adoption, Koshiro Sohma steps down as the CEO of Shigoto Corp and Momiji takes over, bringing with him an employee-focused management style that resonates across the company and its international branches. Momiji had already established himself as both a talented businessman and a very popular leader; with the entire company under his wing, he takes that even further. Though there are downsides to the position, like the need for regular travel, Momiji is quick to use every tool he has to stay connected to those he loves. With Hans’s orchestra schedule, the two are often apart, but texts, and calls, and video calls go regularly back and forth. Whenever possible, Hans accompanies Momiji, and Mina is likewise a seasoned traveler before she starts school. It’s not exactly a traditional life or what he'd once imagined, but for one of the former Zodiac, it’s a life of unbridled freedom filled with everything he needs.  

And Momiji is in Japan enough to keep his relationships strong, as well to cultivate even stronger ones. One of his first acts as CEO is to bring on some new talent, with corporate lawyer Hiro joining Shigoto Corp’s legal team. The friendship between the two men is something they (and the other younger Sohmas) will always find funny; given how much Hiro was annoyed by Momiji when they were kids, no one had ever expected it. But as adults, the two find out they have a lot in common; Hiro deeply respects Momiji’s business acumen, and considers him a good leader, while Momiji appreciates Hiro’s instincts, drive, and commitment to getting things done. Though professionally the two rarely have reason to cross paths, Hiro is a regular visitor to Momiji’s office at the end of their long workdays when the two of them just sit and talk.


Though Momiji is kept busy with all the demands of his job, he still makes sure to eke out time to enjoy the things he loves. Music always remains his greatest passion, and though his dream of playing professionally never came to pass, he gets to live vicariously through Hans’s orchestra seat. At home, Momiji still plays his violin often, and he is always happy to attend an evening at the symphony.   Momiji and Hans are a little disappointed that Mina lacks musical talent; talent, aptitude, or even real interest. It’s a somewhat bitter blow to two men who love music so much, but neither of them ever holds it against her and they support her athletic passions as much as if they were music. Mina will always be a beloved source of pride for Momiji and Hans both, and the fact she has an equally driven friend in Tohru and Kyo’s daughter is something that will be a source of delight to Momiji for all of his life.  

Momiji is used to his music being somewhat of an island; back when he was growing up, he was the only Zodiac who truly loved to play. And though it would be nice to have his daughter share that interest, he isn’t alone anymore; he has Hans, of course, and Momo, and, before very long, he also has Katsuro.  

Tohru and Kyo’s second son proves a delightful surprise to them all, as from a fairly young age it’s obvious just how much he loves music. Katsuro is six years old when he attends his first concert, and his enthusiasm is so great that Momiji can’t let it go. With Tohru and Kyo’s permission, Momiji and Hans give Katsuro a violin, and arrange for his first lessons with a reputable local teacher. Soon it becomes obvious that Katsuro is gifted, and Katsuro’s skill and lifelong passion for music will help to forge and strengthen a bond that will last through Momiji’s death. In Katsuro, Momiji finds a true kindred spirit, and over the years he will be a staunch supporter of Katsuro’s dreams, including Katsuro’s ultimate wish to teach, rather than perform.


The next several years after Momiji becomes CEO pass largely without incident, though Momiji is kept busy. At times, he is almost able to forget about his past and all of the struggles of childhood; other times, he’s forced to remember, whether he wants to or not.  

Twenty years after graduation, Momiji is one of the many surprised when Kyo reverses his stance on telling his children about the Curse, starting with Hajime at New Year’s and Katsuro a few months later. Unlike Hajime, who had pieced together hints that made him suspect that there was a secret, Katsuro is totally blindsided and has trouble believing it’s real. Tohru and Kyo reach out to Momiji, who verifies the truth, along with confessing to Katsuro that he was once the Rabbit. It’s the first ‘confession’ Momiji has made in over a decade, his first time talking to any of the second generation about what happened.   

It goes much, much better than the next.  

The year Mina turns ten, Momiji’s mother passes away, an event that devastates her entire family. Koshiro is almost beside himself with grief; her death is sudden and fairly unexpected, with almost no time to prepare. Momiji is his father’s rock during that difficult time, helping to manage arrangements and everything Koshiro can’t face. It is only in private that Momiji gives any voice to his own grief, cursing the Curse and the universe that had robbed them of so much time. Accepting that she is gone is a long and drawn-out process for them all, but eventually, Momiji and the rest of the family find a relative peace.  

And relevantly, Momiji realizes that all his secrets are gone. With the death of Sabine, the last connection to his ‘hidden’ past is completely severed. No longer does he need to worry about his mother ‘finding out,’ no longer does he need to worry about what he says and does. Everyone in his family is now inside the loop, or will be, as soon as he tells Mina, who would no longer need to keep it hidden from.  

Mina learns the truth the year that she turns twelve, told by Momiji, with Momo and Hans for support. The good news is that Mina quickly accepts he’s telling the truth; too many things she’d noticed over the years suddenly make sense.  

The bad news is that the revelation makes her rather angry: with the Sohmas, naturally, and the circumstances of the Curse, but also with Momiji’s parents, who take the brunt of her anger. Mina’s initial incredulity quickly turns into white-hot fury, with her unable to reconcile the loving grandparents she’d known with the parents from Momiji’s story who had turned their backs on their son.   

Mina promptly swears to have nothing to do with Koshiro, who, in turn, is furious that his granddaughter dares to judge. Momiji will reflect with bitter irony how alike the two of them are, as they each dig in in their anger, resentment, and unwillingness to bend.  

Mina’s negative reaction is a difficult thing to accept; though she never swerves from loving and supporting Momiji, her relationship with Koshiro never truly recovers, and literal years will pass before the two can even manage to be civil. In the meantime, though, his negative experience with Mina allows Momiji to be sympathetic when, the following year, Kyo’s revelation to his own daughter likewise turns out badly.  

Momiji is out of the country when Sachiko learns of the Curse, so even though she suspects he’s a Zodiac, he is spared her anger. Momiji, however, hears what happened from their other friends, and he has already resolved to reach out and speak to her when Katsuro talks to him first.   

Many more conversations will follow over the course of the year, as Momiji talks to Katsuro and later Sachiko about his past. Along the way, Momiji is privy to many other confessions, learning more about his fellow Zodiac members and their pasts than he'd ever known before.   And as much as Momiji looks back nostalgically on the ‘between times,’ when the Zodiacs' partners knew of the Curse but none of their children did, he consoles himself with the knowledge that at least there are no more secrets at all; not between them and their children, or the Zodiacs themsevles. Though he knows it doesn’t matter and that the cover story was well-entrenched, after a lifetime spent keeping secrets, it’s a relief to finally stop.


In all other respects, life continues for Momiji along the same steady beats. He continues to work and travel, keep up with his music, and make time for his friends. Eventually, he is joined at Shigoto Corp by his daughter Mina, who proves every bit as much of an ace at business as her papa ever was.  And t he day Momiji hands over the title of CEO, they're all happy; Mina is more than ready, and he is confident in her skill; Hans has already left the orchestra, likewise ready for peace.  

Momiji is the youngest of the former Zodiacs when he retires, but he laughingly brushes off all criticism, arguing that his time spent traveling counted for a few extra years. As much as he loved his work and his people, he is ready to slow down; to enjoy a slower-paced life...or at least one that’s a little more fun.  

In retirement, music, family and friends all take center stage, with Momiji and Hans kicking things off with a bucket list trip around the world. Together, they make their way to the homes of some of the world’s greatest symphonies, listening to performances in venues that have seen the best in the world. After that, it's back to Japan, and a more settled life: one with much less travel, but a lot more time for people.


Throughout the course of his life, Momiji will always stay incredibly close to his old Sohma friends. Though Haru never makes it to Germany, the two of the talk regularly over that pivotal time in their lives, and Haru is the second person Momiji tells about Hans. Meanwhile in Hiro, Momiji ends up with a lifelong friend who he can talk to about anything; more than anyone else, Hiro understands what keeps Momiji so committed to work.  

Though the two of them never become ‘friends’ as such, Hatori will always be Momiji’s pseudo big-brother, the person that he turns to first when he needs ‘grown-up’ advice. Though Hatori will always feel guilty about what happened with Momiji’s mother, Momiji will never hold it against him, and always assures Hatori that he knows he did what he could. Long after Momiji reaches adulthood, the two will continue to get together for coffee, with Momiji affectionately teasing Hatori about how things used to be. Hatori's relatively young death hits Momiji very hard, and it's his determination not to let his own slip away that ultimately leads to Momiji's choice to retire early.

Though his friendship with Tohru and Kyo by necessity goes through some distance, by the time of Tohru and Kyo’s wedding, the three of them are good. Kyo will always be grateful to Momiji for his honesty; for being the one who first forced Kyo to see that Tohru loved him. Tohru will always love Momiji for simply being him, and she, in turn, will always be Momiji’s dearest friend, the ‘one who got away’ but then turned into something much better.  

Though Momo and her family move out of his part of Tokyo before he retires, both siblings are, by then, masters at communing over distance. All they ever wanted when they were younger was each other; though they never had that childhood closeness, Momiji wouldn’t trade what they ultimately had for the entire world. For most of his professional career, Momo is his assistant, and at work, as in leisure, he couldn’t ask for someone who knows him better to have his back.  

Mina, her husband Jinsuke, and son Ken are Momiji’s treasures, and the day he and Hans realize that Ken is musical is one of the greatest moments of their entire adult lives. Katsuro is happy to pass a memento to Ken: the violin Momiji and Hans had given him to start on, many years before. Momiji likes to say he sees the best of himself in Ken; beyond the two of them looking strikingly similar to begin with, Ken also shares his grandfather's cheer, his drive, and his passion. Though there are times that Momiji wishes he had a brood of grandchildren of his own like Tohru and Kyo, the one he has in Ken is as precious as he can be....

...Though having Ken end up falling in love with and marrying one of Tohru and Kyo’s granddaughters is just about the best thing he could have gotten, if asked.


 

As a teenager, Momiji told Tohru that all memories were precious, no matter how painful, and that he always wanted to remember all that he could. There are many times, throughout the years, that will briefly make him reconsider, but in the end, he keeps coming back to all experiences being valuable.  

When he was young, Momiji’s wants were simple: friends, a home, and a family, who loved him for himself. Eventually, he gets those things: his parents, and his sister. But along the way, he found even more: Hans, the man who loves him, and with him, Momiji made the family he'd only ever imagined.  

Momiji’s is a world beyond what Hans had ever pictured, but in his stoic, quietly forceful way, Hans accepted it all. He didn’t have to understand it, because he knew enough: that he loved Momiji, and the rest, however nonsensical, didn’t matter in the slightest. Throughout their lives together, Hans will be Momiji’s rock, and Momiji will sometimes wonder how he ever got by without him. Their matching sentiments are summed up in their wedding bands, both engraved with the same Beethoven quote, written in each other’s hand.

‘E wig Dein, ewig mein, ewig unser.’  

‘Ever Thine, Ever Mine, Ever Ours.’   

Regardless of the sorrows of the past, Momiji always embraces the present, determined to live his life to the fullest for as long as it lasts. Happiness is never guaranteed, and you can’t know how long you’ll have it, but he will enjoy his, while he can, and go out with a smile.   

Notes:

I love Momiji, so much, but I have a love-hate relationship with where he ends up at the end of the story. On the one hand, I love that he so genuinely and earnestly tries to help Tohru get what she wants: Kyo. I also love that he isn't shoehorned into a 'pair the spares' situation where he's abruptly dating Kagura or something. On the other hand, I feel that for him out of pretty much the entire Zodiac, the Curse breaking doesn't lead that much (in the short/immediate term) that's actually positive. He still doesn't have his family and he'll never actually truly get his mom; the girl he is in love with is dating someone else. Pretty much all the others have people who they can celebrate with, while Momiji himself is kind of an island (or a third wheel, like with Haru and Rin).

I also have very mixed feelings about his future career. One of my biggest beefs with Another is that Momiji is suddenly and weirdly a businessman; more to the point, he is a businessman who regularly travels and leaves his daughter with relatives. Considering that Momiji is one of the only original characters who actually had a canonically stated professional goal (to be a professional violinist), the fact he ends up being one of the only characters who is given a job in Another (seriously. We have no idea what Yuki does, or Haru, even though their kids are the ones who go to Kaibara) is very strange to me, especially when it ends up that he's a BUSINESSMAN. If I was going to canon diverge, it would have been...somewhere in there, either not having him be a businessman or having him stay in Germany, rather than coming back to Japan. But oh well. The goal was to be canon compliant, so I've done my best to make everything as plausible as it can be, including the fact that Momiji has both a husband and a daughter. Is it a stretch? Yes. Is it possible, within the constraints of legality and plausibility? Also yes....technically.

Anyway, I put Momiji through the wringer in my series, but he did get his happy ending. That's what ultimately matters, as far as I'm concerned!

Side note: at this point, Momiji is the only non-member of Tohru and Kyo's family who I've given the chapter story treatment, with the whole 'Momo finding out they're siblings and them dealing with their father' being detailed in 'My Brother.'

Chapter 13: Canon character bios: Saki and Arisa

Summary:

Saki and Arisa updated bios, summarizing their lives as depicted in 'Always and Forever.'

As always, spoilers involved!

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Canon Character Bios: Saki and Arisa

Saki Hanajima (Mosca)

The period involving the Curse breaking and Tohru's hospitalization is one that Saki will have mixed emotions about for many years to follow, with her own decisions at the time weighing heavily on her mind. During Tohru and Kyo's confrontation ('I'm disappointed in you'), Saki is aware that something is happening; Tohru's intense emotions are too much for her to ignore, but Kyo's likewise powerful waves let her draw a connection between them. Though she briefly hesitates, she decides it isn't her place to interfere in something clearly so personal. It's a decision she swiftly regrets in the aftermath of Tohru's fall, and her treatment of Kyo during Tohru's hospitalization is a reflection of her own guilt as much as judgement on Kyo. Even though she initially had no idea what happened, she knew that they were fighting; finding out the specifics from Yuki is enough to enrage her.

Saki is in total agreement that Kyo should be kept from Tohru, and she, with Arisa and Yuki, is consequently faced with Tohru's anger after Tohru learns the truth. Initially feeling that she and her friends were right to protect Tohru from feeling further pain, once pushed, Saki can't deny that Tohru has the right to feel upset. When bluntly confronted with Tohru's desire to be treated as both an adult and an equal, Saki swears to do her best to respect that going forward.

It's admittedly an uphill battle, not so much because she thinks Tohru can't take care of herself but because Saki truly struggles with the idea of their little group changing. More than any of the others, Saki knows that the time is rapidly coming when things are going to change; that all of them will scatter, and their priorities will adjust. Although Saki is happy for Tohru and Arisa both that they have found true love, she knows that their relationships, as much as their intended moves, will put distance between the three of them and things will have to change.

In the meantime, however, she is determined to make the best of things, throwing herself as much as ever into spending time with her friends. Saki, along with Arisa, does her best to embrace Tohru and Kyo's relationship and give them space...to a point. A long time will pass before she fully stops resenting Kyo for planning to take Tohru away, and to that end she is always on the lookout for ways to subtly needle him, whether by becoming increasingly friendly with Kazuma or interfering with Kyo's attempts to be alone with Tohru. It's a pattern that becomes increasingly exasperating for Kyo over the following months; by the time graduation rolls around, he would almost say they're at war.

The period around graduation sees several shifts for Saki, with Tohru moving away followed a few weeks later by Arisa. Though she wishes them both well and trusts in their collective intention to stay close, she knows it's going to be different, seeing them both so rarely.

For Saki herself, life initially doesn't change that much in the wake of graduation. At her parents' request and with their blessing, she continues to live at home, happy for the chance to enjoy a few things staying the same. This allows her to start saving money from her new job as the Sohma Dojo's cook, preparing for the trips she'll take to visit her old friends.

Though Saki initially worries that she'll be alone without Tohru and Arisa, to her pleasant surprise she finds that other friends are waiting. Through working at the dojo she frequently encounters Rin; though the two of them never become close, they talk a lot about Tohru. Haru and Momiji both likewise stay in her life, with both of them taking advantage of the proximity of the dojo to check in, visit, and see how Saki is doing.

Her deepest new friendships, though, come from unexpected quarters. No one would have expected much to come from Akito and Saki's first meeting; Akito's pain at 'Aa-chan' is visible to all who witness it. Yet 'Aa-chan' or no, before many months have passed, Akito and Saki are close friends, connected by their shared feeling of 'otherness' as well as common interests (like shojo manga, romance novels, and, naturally, Tohru). Akito will go on to become one of Saki's closest friends in Tokyo for the remainder of their lives, with nothing being off-limits when it comes to conversation. It is Akito who, two years after Tohru's fall from the cliff, reveals the truth of the Zodiac Curse to Saki, pouring out the full story along with her own guilt. Though the specifics are unexpected, Saki isn't shocked; she had always known something was 'off' about the Sohmas, and knowing 'what' was a relief.

Alongside of Akito, Saki forms another deep and lasting friendship during this time of transition, this one nearly as unexpected for many people around her. Although she had frequently talked up her crush on Kazuma, that was merely an act in order to get under Kyo's skin. However, she always liked him, and during her time working for him, the two of them become close. Though many of their acquaintances are surprised at their friendship, neither Saki or Kazuma consider it strange at all: the two of them have similar philosophical outlooks, similar composed natures, share a love of romance novels, and both adore Tohru. Their relationship quickly becomes one of close friendship, and they remain as such for the rest of Kazuma's life.

For the first few years after graduation, Saki's routine stays relatively steady. But once her brother Megumi graduates and moves for university, Saki takes a good look at herself and decides she wants something more. Specifically what, she has no idea; she has never been ambitious, and her wants in life are simple. However, she knows she wants more than living with her parents, working at the dojo, and continuing just to 'be.'

A few months after Megumi's graduation, Saki leaves her job at the dojo and starts a new one at a large bookshop, working as a sales associate specializing in romance. Between the new job and her new apartment, she feels that she's on her way, but it isn't until that autumn that things truly begin to change.

Saki meets Lorenzo Mosca after he follows her on the train. Though she can't deny the creepy factor, Saki is intrigued; she had felt his waves at the station long before she knew he was following her, and they told of powerful emotion that she couldn't initially understand. Curious to know the reason, she allows him to follow her; the two of them meet, and Saki is once more surprised to realize he's disappointed. However, he quickly rallies, and she admits he's very charming; when he asks her out, she promptly accepts.

Saki has never had a lack of male attention, but never in her life had she had a date she truly enjoyed. It's a running joke with Tohru and Arisa, that Saki will go out with anyone as long as they buy her food, and Saki herself owns up to the fact that food is a requirement. She is used to being an object of curiosity, desire, or even fetishism; men have always been attracted her beauty and her aesthetic, but Saki has no desire to be anyone's 'goth girlfriend.' By the time she meets Lorenzo, her dating history is littered with three years' worth of first and second dates that never went any further, broken off by either Saki or by the men who realize she's not what they think.

Things are different with Lorenzo, practically from the start. Though she doesn't understand what made him react so strongly to her appearance, or to disappoint him once they actually introduced themselves, she quickly finds herself liking him, more than anyone ever before. Over the course of several dates, she learns a lot about him; that he is Italian but lives in Japan, that he adores the language and culture and has been studying them since he was a teen. That he first came to Japan as a foreign exchange student, both in high school and university. That he adores food as much as her, that he likes wearing suits because it's an excuse to always wear black, which is also his favorite color. That he is an unabashed fan of romance novels, and loves the acceptance of men reading romance in Japan.

That his naturally cheerful personality, so very much like Tohru's, isn't a façade, but the way he actually is.

She is unprepared for Lorenzo's intense reaction on the day she tells him to call her by her first name, his waves so overpowering that she can't ignore them. She had known she'd have to tell him of her powers and worried about his reaction, but just then, in that moment, she doesn't care about revealing them because she has to know: why her name means so much, why she means so much. And if he can't handle her having powers, then that will be that.

What Lorenzo tells her stuns her. He is not afraid of her, not her or her powers either. That his own grandmother had possessed a 'gift' in some ways very like hers...and that ever since he was barely a teenager, he had been dreaming of 'Saki.' Ever since he'd had his very first dream, of two children with dark hair and eyes, both dressed in black, where the little boy had prayed for 'someone to come find Saki.'

Saki is overwhelmed, recognizing in his story Megumi's long-ago prayer. Lorenzo had been looking for her when he first came to Japan; he had fallen in love with the country and culture, all while looking for her. He had resigned himself to her being a dream when he'd seen her at the train station, and then he'd had to follow her, because he had to know.

His initial disappointment at hearing her name: 'Hanajima,' because he looked for 'Saki.' But he had still asked her out...and they had still fallen in love. Learning she truly was 'Saki' was just the icing on the cake; the two of them were meant for each other, and they always would be.

In Lorenzo's love and companionship, Saki finds her missing piece. Though he doesn't have any powers of his own, he isn't bothered by hers; he even finds them beneficial, as a way for her to know when he is feeling strong emotions.

Following the revelation of her powers and his dreams, the two of them are confident that they are meant to be. Nine months after their first meeting, the two of them are engaged; one year later, Saki becomes 'Mrs. Mosca' in a pair of ceremonies held in Italy and Japan.

Though her new life is very different, Saki takes it all in stride. Lorenzo's family is in the import business, and Lorenzo, eventually, is running their Japanese operations. The two of them regularly travel back to Italy, where Saki falls in love with Italian food as well as her new relatives. Though she admittedly bewilders them, the Moscas are a clannish bunch and quickly take her to their heart, telling themselves and each other that one must always make allowances for cultural differences, and for family.

Lorenzo and Saki's son Rio is born seven years after graduation, two years after their marriage. Rio quickly proves to take after his father, sharing Lorenzo's cheerful personality and total lack of powers, a fact that somewhat relieves Saki, though she had never admitted her worry. To her great delight, Rio grows up to be close friends with the similarly-aged sons of Akito, Tohru, and Mine; though Rio is the oldest of the group, he never becomes aloof.

For a girl who had once feared spending her life alone, by the time she's in her mid-twenties Saki knows she'll be anything but. In Lorenzo, she has a partner who knows, trusts and loves her without fear; in Rio, she has a child who she'll always protect with her life.

Her family will always be her most beloved supporters, with Megumi remaining a confidante for their entire lives; in Akito, Mine, and Kazuma, Saki will always have dear Tokyo friends.

But as blessed as she considers herself in all her family and friends, Tohru and Arisa will always have a cherished place in her heart. 'Girls' trips' with Arisa and Tohru will always be a highlight and priority in Saki's life; from flying trips to Fukushima in their youth to a joint trip to Italy in their sixties, they will always love travelling together, whether to celebrate milestones or just spend time together. And no matter where they go, Saki will always make sure they're fed according to the finest local tradition.

Some things never change, like her love of food, her habit of making unsettling comments, or her love of her friends and everyone they hold dear. Saki never becomes 'conventional,' in manner or in dress. But she never wants to be, and everyone who loves her loves her precisely the way she is.


Arisa Uotani (Sohma)

Though Arisa doesn't know anything about the breaking of the Curse, the time following Tohru's release from the hospital sees changes in the life of Arisa as well as her friends. The most immediately dramatic change is Tohru's new relationship with Kyo; watching him chase after her as she left the hospital, Arisa is resigned to the inevitable, even if she doesn't love it. Though it's hard to see Tohru become so close to someone else, neither she or Saki can claim that it's a surprise.

Kyo aside, Arisa's relationship with Tohru undergoes a strain following her hospitalization, when Tohru learns of her friends' behavior in keeping Kyo away. Tohru is incredibly hurt by her friends' high-handedness, and though Arisa tries to defend their behavior on the grounds that Kyo had hurt her, she can't really argue when Tohru points out they've infantilized her in the process. Ever since Kyoko had died, Arisa had tried to lean into the role of Tohru's protector, but hearing Tohru's anger and disappointment forces Arisa to realize that Tohru no longer needs that. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but she can admit the truth: she and Saki were wrong, and Tohru deserves to make her own choices, even if they hurt her. Going forward, Arisa will never again try to keep Tohru away from Kyo, though much more time will pass before she completely stops meddling in their relationship.

During the 'lost months' between the Curse breaking and graduation, things for Arisa continue largely as they were before: she works her part-time job, spends time with her friends, and takes care of her father's apartment. Her own life only really has one major change, but it's a significant one: following their talk in the hospital, she enters into a relationship with Kureno Sohma.

Mutiple times before she graduates, Kureno tells her he would understand if she wanted to break up; being with him means giving up a lot of the life she'd had. Arisa is determined, however; Kureno can do whatever he needs to adjust to his new life removed from the Sohmas, but when Arisa herself graduates, she's moving up to meet him. Yes, there will be challenges and things they'll need to sort out, but things worth having are worth fighting for, and she'll fight for them.

Though she stays in Tokyo a little longer than Tohru and Kyo, a few weeks after graduation, Arisa is on her way. Though she joins Kureno in his new town outside Fukushima, Arisa initially settles into an apartment of her own. Though she's determined to make things work between herself and Kureno, she understands that it might be best to not take things too fast. Although they had both initially fallen fast and hard in love, they had started their relationship after only a handful of meetings, and then they'd lived in the same city for less than a month before he moved. On top of that, Kureno had never lived independently before, and Arisa herself had only just completed high school. Hours spent on the phone were nothing compared to being around each other, so until they spent more time together, they would live apart.

Having her own apartment is a freedom she'd never had, and in the beginning, it's almost overwhelming. Though Arisa's father hadn't always been the most communicative, he at least had been present, back when she still lived with him. Now, for the first time, she found herself alone.

Perhaps, under the circumstances, getting a cat was inevitable.

Not long after arriving in Fukushima, Arisa lands a job at the local izakaya and quickly becomes a favorite of the locals with her positive attitude, wit, looks, and snarky sense of humor. Though she initially plans for her serving job to be temporary, she enjoys herself so much she ends up accepting additional responsibility. Her steady progression upwards eventually culminates with her becoming the izakaya's general manager, a job she will hold until she retires. As she tells her friends, it isn't a glamorous job like modeling, but it's fun, it's interesting, she loves the company, and it's very rarely boring.

And neither is Fukushima prefecture, in spite of her initial worries. Though they live outside of the city, there are plenty of things to do, and it's easy enough to go into the city and travel wherever she wants. Arisa is particularly smug about the fact that she's the closest to Tohru, and she will often use her 'in the middle' location to lure Saki and Tohru to her.

Sometimes, Kureno joins her on her local explorations. Now free from the Sohma cage, he is happy to experience the wider world, but there are still a few catches. It turns out that freedom can be surprisingly overwhelming; for most of the rest of his life, Kureno will struggle with going too far from his home, the place where he feels safest.

A place where, in due course, he is joined by Arisa.

One year after graduation, Arisa and her cat move in with Kureno. At first, the transition is awkward; neither of them had lived alone before Fukushima, but since moving out of Tokyo, they had only lived alone. Tensions and nerves are initially high, and in their early days of living together, they struggle more as a couple than they ever had before. Though Kureno had told Arisa of his relationship with Akito and she didn't hold it against him, he still struggles with the idea of intimacy of almost every kind. It's hard for Arisa not to feel rejected when Kureno sleeps in his own room, but she does her best to be understanding; though she doesn't know the complete story or anything about the Curse, she knows his relationship was abusive and that it will take time for him to move past it. Separate bedrooms or not, them living together is still a positive step, and Arisa knows how to be patient; as much time as he needs, she is ready to give him.

Some things, though, he's never able to compromise on, as much as it pains him to tell her. He will never go back to Tokyo; he never speaks to the Sohmas, not even the ones who have friendly feelings towards him. He never even speaks of the Sohmas, except when he has no choice. Although Kyo, as Tohru's partner, is always technically welcome, only a handful of visits will happen over their lives; though Kureno is embarrassed and feels he's holding Arisa back, Kyo completely understands and never pushes to make contact. On the rare occasions Kyo joins Tohru in visiting Fukushima, they stay in a ryokan, and give Kureno his space.

To make up for his inhospitality, Kureno is supportive of Arisa's desire to travel, and travel she does: with Saki, with Tohru and Saki, with just Tohru, with new friends from Fukushima, occasionally with some Sohmas, and even by herself. Girls' trips are her favorites, but she simply loves travelling, whether up to Hibe to visit Tohru or down to Okinawa to lounge on the beach. As much as she sometimes wishes that Kureno would join her, she nevertheless is happy that she has so very much freedom; it may not be the fairytale lifestyle she'd imagined, but it still has a happy ending, as far as she's concerned.

Though she had never expected a fairytale was actually involved.

Two years after graduation following Tohru's wedding, she and Kureno start discussing marriage themselves in earnest. It's a big step to consider that stirs up a lot of feelings; Arisa will never forget how easily her mother had left her marriage, to say nothing of the child that had grown up without her. But Arisa's baggage has nothing on Kureno's; though he professes to be excited at the prospect of getting married, something is clearly bothering him that Arisa can't figure out.

Nothing she had guessed comes even close to the reality.

When Kureno tells her of the Curse, he's in more pain than she'd ever seen, alternating cold stoicism with deeply emotional anguish. From him, she hears a story that makes no sense, and all the sense, at the very same time. A story that sounds impossible...but explains everything.

Kureno names no other names, but he doesn't need to. Arisa had known too many Sohmas, seen too many unusual appearances and witnessed too much strange behavior. Kyo, Yuki, Haru, and Momiji all had to have been Possessed; the only question was by what, and even there, some were obvious.

It's a lot to take in, and Arisa needs time to process. As much as she had respected Kureno's need for space from the Sohmas, the 'why' is so unfathomable that she at first doesn't know how to respond. In the end, she realizes she needs to talk about it with someone else; someone else who was there and can help her work through her feelings.

In the resultant talk with Tohru, Arisa learns more of the Curse and what life had been like for the former Zodiac, as well as confirms her suspicions about their Sohma friends. Hearing about Kyo and what he and Tohru had gone through is difficult, but it leaves Arisa all the prouder of her friend and what she had managed to do. She had always known Tohru was amazing and capable of great things; hearing what she did for the Sohmas was only another proof.

Following the talk with Tohru, Arisa makes some decisions. For the time being, she wants to keep her knowledge of the Curse to herself; though she doesn't see them all the time, Arisa doesn't want to make her relationships with the other former Zodiacs awkward by them knowing she knows.

The former Tohru Honda is cemented as the strongest person Arisa has ever known, even unseating Kyoko from her throne of 'total badass.'

And Arisa Uotani is going to marry Kureno Sohma, the former Rooster of the Zodiac.

One year later, they are married in a private ceremony, attended by Tohru and Saki. It's small and simple; Arisa wears a nice outfit, Kureno wears a suit. There is no pomp and practically no ceremony, just the two of them exchanging their own vows after filling out their marriage registration. But Arisa never wanted the big wedding, not the ceremony, or pomp. All that she cares about is Kureno, and her commitment to him.

For the rest of their lives, she and Kureno will maintain their lovingly independent relationship, with Kureno encouraging and supporting her travels as often as she wishes to go. As the years pass, he does eventually become more comfortable with having other people visit their home, but that comfort is largely limited to Saki, Tohru, and the friends he and Arisa make in Fukushima. He never overcomes his own aversions to going too far from home, but Arisa never tries to force him; as much as she loves her husband and wishes he liked to travel, she respects his need for safety and security. Arisa likewise accepts that any event involving the Sohmas will get her alone; though Kureno is happy to attend weddings or events local to them in Fukushima, anything Sohma-related will always be a firm 'no.'

Though there are times she wishes things were different, Arisa is content in her non-standard marriage and genuinely loves how much Kureno trusts her to be off on her own. He often tells her how much he loves her independent spirit, and one of the things that comforts him most in the early days of their relationship is how little she seems to need him, compared to what he was used to. While he loves her deeply and knows she loves him, she isn't dependent on him for anything, and with Arisa's independence, he is able to breathe.

However, their non-traditional relationship is not without certain complications, one of which is children. As much as Arisa has always loved kids and assumed she'd have her own, it isn't too long into their relationship that she realizes that might not work out. Both of them have their baggage; though Kureno's need for space and security is the most palpably obvious, Arisa's own feelings towards her mother's abandonment and her father's resultant alcoholism make her question repeatedly how well she herself could handle the strain of parenthood, especially with the limitations placed by Kureno's accommodations. Beyond that, as people around her start to have babies and she looks at what that means, she realizes that the parent life isn't what she wants. She loves her job at the izakaya, she loves being able to travel. She loves their little, minimalist, very-easy-to-clean home.

While there is a certain element of bittersweetness involved, the two of them eventually decided that they aren't meant to have children. Once or twice over the years, Arisa will have moments where she wonders 'what-if,' but they are few and fleeting as she embraces their decision. As much as she adores her 'nephews and niece,' the children of Tohru and Saki, she especially loves being 'the cool aunt' who can spoil them, wind them all up, and leave them with their parents...especially if that parent is Kyo, and Tohru is coming with her.

Though there are times she feels left out as Saki and Tohru's families grow and their priorities shift, Arisa always makes a point to be there for her friends and to let them know their friendships themselves are constant. As much as she loves their kids and even both of their husbands, Tohru and Saki come first and she will always cherish most the times they can be just themselves, hanging out together without husbands or children. Their 'girls' trips' are a beloved tradition throughout their lives; from simply exploring Fukushima when they're all young and broke to a cross-Japan tour when they've hit their mid-sixties, they always have fun when they're together, with Arisa a driving force.

That said, she is always careful not to have too much fun. As the daughter of an alcoholic and someone who works at an izakaya and therefore sees a lot of bad decisions, Arisa is very aware of the slippery slope posed by alcohol. After a few youthful incidents where she drinks far too much, she becomes a fairly cautious drinker with some very strict rules. While she always enjoys alcohol and never gives it up, it's only something to be enjoyed with friends, and never to excess.

Arisa has always been intelligent, and always willing to own up to her mistakes and learn from them. Some, like alcohol, she figures out early on; others end up taking longer. Although Arisa starts trying to step back and stop being overprotective with Tohru within weeks of the Curse breaking, she'll struggle with the concept, and acknowledging Kyo's place in Tohru's life, for years to come. Likewise, when she first learns about Saki's future husband Lorenzo and learns of the swift pace their relationship is taking, Arisa is initially wary, sharing Megumi's worries that Lorenzo is with Saki for somewhat dubious reasons. Eventually, she is able to let her judgements go, but she will spend her life battling her urges to 'protect' those she cares about.

Though hers is not the life she initially would have imagined she'd have, Arisa is truly happy. She loves her job, she loves her husband, she loves her friends and she loves her freedom; though she never has the children or the joked-about modelling career, both of those things are fine with her, and she doesn't miss them. Though she never gets officially involved with the Sohma Family, she remains friendly with several of the younger Sohmas for the rest of her life. She is content with her lot in life and very rarely complains; in the company of her husband in their little home in Fukushima, the friendliness of her izakaya patrons, and the perpetual love of her friends, she has everything she could ever want.

Notes:

I originally planned to have a more structured order to these bios and I'll probably go back in later and reorder these chapters; next up was supposed to be Momiji, Kisa, and Hiro, but Hiro has been being a pill (perhaps unsurprisingly), since these two were done and have been waiting patiently, they can go next!

Saki and Arisa have always posed an interesting challenge for me. On the one hand, they are very important people in Tohru's life, and that isn't about to change just because she started to date. On the other hand, their relationship with Tohru itself had to change; the intensely close, somewhat 'parental' role they had before Kyo wasn't sustainable, and their behavior when she was hospitalized was evidence of that. I also initially found them, Saki especially, immensely hard to write, which meant they didn't have as much content from me, either.

My goal with 'Always and Forever' was a canon continuation, not a divergence or a rewrite, so everything established in the canon (at the time I wrote this) is something that I kept constant in this series, no matter what I thought of it. Fruits Basket Another canonically establishes that Saki has a foreign husband, last name 'Mosca,' who came to Japan to find her in response to Megumi's prayer and that the two of them have a son together, Rio. Arisa, on the other hand, is a little more complicated. I know this is a dead horse because I've mentioned this before, but I am not a fan of the Kureno/Arisa pairing for a bunch of reasons (starting with: they had barely spent any time with each other when they fell in love. Arisa had a kickass arc turning around her life in the time since she'd met Tohru, but she was basically mothering her father and now was thrown into a relationship with essentially a manchild. Kureno has more baggage than the Titanic did. Kureno has no idea how to be independent or an adult. Arisa never gets a chance to be a carefree highschooler/young adult because she goes from one dependent [her father] to another [Kureno]). One thing I would change, if I was rewriting this series, is having Arisa end up with Kureno; they don't appear and aren't mentioned in Another; their relationship is only canonical as far as the end of the original canon shows, which means it would have been fine for them to break up. However, at the time I was writing that part of the series, I had a more rigid interpretation of canon and wrote myself into a corner.

Having done that, though, and with Arisa stuck with Kureno, I did want her to have a life where she would be happy. Both of them, actually, because Kureno, for all I side-eye him pursing/falling in love with Arisa, is a tragic character who is much more stunted developmentally than his age would suggest. The future I ended up going with is what felt, to me, like the most palatable option for them.

Saki and Lorenzo's story can be read here: "He Prayed For Me". Arisa's story is pretty much developing behind the scenes; Kureno is one of the characters I just don't click with and pretty much don't write.

Chapter 14: Assorted canon character headcanons

Summary:

An (admittedly lengthy) assortment of post-canon headcanons pertaining to canon characters, covering details related to both the Curse and their day-to-day lives.

Notes:

This chapter specifically covers the the following:

-How the Curse broke/what the characters all believe
-Cursed heredity in the post-Curse world
-The relationships the former Zodiac have (or don't have) with Akito, going forward
-The feelings of the former Zodiac on telling partners/children about their Cursed past
-Canon character education and careers
-Tohru and Kyo's financials
-The canon characters on planning/having children
-As regards drinking and alcohol
-Misc. info about weddings and marriage

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Assorted Headcanons

I have thought so much about Tohru and Kyo’s post-canon future it’s honestly embarrassing, but it is what it is. I’ve put a lot of things out in all of my stories, but since it’s impossible to incorporate everything, here’s a little more! Almost everything on this page is my personal opinion, so take with a grain of salt

A few potentially relevant Japan-related facts that are NOT my opinions:

  • Gay marriage is not currently legal in Japan, although Japanese nationals are able to marry foreign nationals in countries where is it legal. However, Japan does not provide the documentation necessary for international marriage unless one of the partners is a national of the country in question.
  • The age of majority/legal adulthood in Japan is/was twenty, though it has recently been changed to eighteen for a couple things like voting and making contracts while staying at twenty for smoking/drinking/gambling. For the purposes of this series, I have just gone with the legal age of twenty.
  • Japan has one of the highest adoption rates in the world, but those are almost entirely adult adoptions (for purposes such as inheritance or business). Japan has an almost non-existent rate of child adoption, however, and even Japanese nationals would find it almost impossible to adopt a child there given the tight restrictions.
  • Adult adoptions are typically looked on as business arrangements and done to keep assets ‘in the family.’ Sometimes, men marrying into a family will be adopted by their in-laws.
  • In many large Japanese businesses, even publicly traded ones, positions like CEO and president are still often passed down to family members (or adopted family members, as per above).
  • Shinto shrine weddings are typically very small and only the couple’s immediate family tend to be in attendance.
  • Teachers in the Japanese public school system are employed by the prefecture, not by the individual schools, and are typically reassigned within the prefecture every three or so years. At the same time, it’s a very solid, decently paid, and well-respected job, so there’s a lot of competition, especially in more desirable prefectures. Prospective teachers must pass a very difficult prefectural exam with a very low passing rate, then serve a probationary year before becoming full-fledged teachers.
  • Japan does not allow dual citizenship. Children of Japanese parents and foreign nationals are the exception, but under Japanese law those children must choose one country for citizenship prior to their twenty-second birthday and formally renounced the other. While people technically can get away without renouncing either one, if they are caught by the Japanese authorities, their Japanese citizenship can be revoked.

And now, onto the headcanons!


Specifically connected to the Curse:

On how the Curse broke and what the canon characters believe:

This is a topic I actually changed my opinion on since I started writing, largely due a great comment exchange with the lovely modzy78 (sidebar: I love comments; always have, always will. I don’t do social media, so all of my fandom interactions occur via comments and I love to hear people’s feedback, concrit and disagreements included, as long as it’s delivered politely). While I didn’t totally change my mind (I initially believed the Curse breaking was solely due to the Cat’s Curse breaking, and I still very much think that was a major component and what the former Zodiacs themselves believe), I agree with the argument that Akito’s acceptance of the Cat’s loss (‘Goodbye’) likely allowed all of the other Curses, already fraying, to break as well. God and the Cat started it, it’s fitting that God and the Cat ended it.

But anyway:

  • The Curse ended for Kyo the same way it ended for Hiro and Momiji and maybe Kureno: by having a love more deep and profound for something/someone other than Akito or the bond. His Curse, like all the others, was already weakening; Tohru openly loving him, accepting him, and holding him was the final push.
  • Like with the others whose Curses had broken, Akito felt it. But this time, instead of fighting it, or fearing it, she embraced it, and accepted it. She said goodbye, and let him go, something the original God hadn’t been able to do with the original Cat. That acceptance and willingness to let go was what set off the chain reaction for all of the others, with Akito/God literally ‘dropping the rope’ symbolizing the bonds.
  • That said, none of the Zodiac members knew that Akito said goodbye to them/let them go, and I honestly don’t see her ever sharing that fact, not even with Shigure. I think Akito would keep that to herself, because she wouldn’t want to accept praise for doing something she now knows she always should have been willing to do. I don’t think she knows for sure that she helped it happen, but I think the suspicion would give her comfort and go a little way towards assuaging her guilt.
  • Initially, the members of the Zodiac have no idea what triggered their collective Curse breaking. When they’re all gathered at the main house for Akito’s announcement (her reveal as a woman at the end of canon), it’s the first time they’re all gathered together since it happened, and at that point, they compare notes. None of them were doing anything remarkable when the Curse broke, though, so they’re all confused; Kyo, of course, isn’t there just then, since he’s wandering around the main house. On their way home, Yuki asks him what he was up to when the Curse broke, and when he learns what was happening to Tohru and Kyo, he realizes that Kyo’s Curse was likely the first, and the one that set off the chain reaction.
  • Once everyone learns about Kyo, the generally accepted opinion will be that Kyo’s Curse breaking triggered the rest of them, though the theories for ‘how’ would vary. But pretty much every theory cements Tohru as a pivotal player, and basically earns her the lifelong gratitude of all of the other Zodiac members.

Zodiac/Curse-related heredity and traits:

  • Physical Cursed traits did not formerly pass on, prior to the breaking of the Curse, and neither did Cursed behaviors/characteristics.
  • With the breaking of the Curse, the supernatural connection to their appearances is broken, and the traits can now be passed on.
  • Children/descendants of the Zodiacs either inherit the ‘Curse gene’ or don’t. If they have it, they will have hair, eyes, or both like their Zodiac parent, and can pass the ‘Curse gene’ on in turn themselves and their children can likewise have the hair, eyes, or both, regardless of how it manifested for their parent (ex: Kyo’s daughter has brown hair but Kyo’s eyes; she inherited the Curse gene, because she has his eyes, and her children can have Kyo’s eyes, hair, or both). If a Zodiac descendant doesn’t have Zodiac hair or eyes, they don’t have the gene.
  • Cursed characteristics can likewise be passed on (see: Hajime’s weakness to rain, canon in Fruits Basket Another), but only to children who inherit the Curse gene. Tohru and Kyo’s granddaughter Tadame didn’t inherit the Curse gene because her hair and eyes are brown, so she likewise didn’t inherit any of Kyo’s Cat traits.
  • It is possible for Zodiac descendants to carry two different Curse genes, if they have more than one Zodiac parent/grandparent.
  • Zodiac hair color never falls out, fades, or turns grey and stays whatever color it is until death, regardless of how old the former Zodiacs get. This means Ayame and Yuki blend in a lot easier as they age, while others will stick out more. At least a few of them will go through periods of dying their hair to actually look ‘old.’
    • This only applies to the actual former Zodiacs themselves. Subsequent generations will have their hair grey/fall out as expected.
  • The Rooster, Monkey, and Dog genes all die out with Kureno, Ritsu, and Shigure, as none of them are passed on to any children (as Kureno and Ritsu didn't have any, and Shigure's son Shiki didn't take after him).
  • The Rat, Horse, and Dragon genes end with the second generation.
  • The remaining seven Curse genes extend, at a minimum, into the third generation. 

On Zodiac relationships with Akito in the post-Curse world:

  • Kyo forgives Akito and always is grateful for her for ‘freeing’ him from the Cat’s House even prior to the Curse breaking, but he never becomes friends with her or feels compelled to be around her. He supports Tohru’s friendship with Akito and his children visiting her, but never goes himself except on very rare occasions. Aside of Tohru’s grandpa’s wake, he doesn’t see her again after her ‘kimono revelation’ until twenty-four years after graduation, but on the rare occasions they speak, they are cordial.
  • Yuki has no relationship with Akito ever again, though he does eventually forgive her for what she did. He never talks about her, except in extremely rare circumstances, and he never lays eyes on her again aside of at certain funerals. In spite of this, he has a friendly relationship with her son, Shiki.
  • Haru is neutral towards Akito going forward; he forgives her for his own sake, because he understands what a mess other people’s expectations and shitty parents can do to a person, but he has no desire to be around her and respects Rin’s feelings about Akito herself.
  • Kisa forgives Akito completely and the two eventually develop a relationship after Shiki is born, when a very determined Kisa manages to finally fight her way through Akito’s shield of avoidance. They never become nearly as close as Akito is to Tohru, but they do develop a friendship that lasts over their lives
  • Momiji forgives Akito, and feels a great deal of pity for her, but never feels a need to become any closer than they are. The two of them are sociable when they meet, and Akito uses her position when she can to assist Momiji and/or his business, keeping interference from other Sohmas at bay, most notably when he announces his intention to be succeeded in his role by his daughter.
  • Hatori is the very first and one of the only Zodiac Akito actually asks directly for forgiveness, which he grants at once. He doesn’t hold the past against her, not even about his eye, and he remains a close friend/fatherly/brotherly figure to her going forward, as well as remaining the Sohma family doctor.
  • Ayame forgives Akito at once, and decides, somewhat to her distress, that he, as one of Shigure’s best friends, should likewise be one of hers. He is a regular visitor, and if Akito gets overwhelmed by Ayame, she at least greatly likes Mine, who, along with Saki Hanajima, becomes a good friend.
  • Rin never forgives Akito, never speaks of Akito unless she has no choice, and is never around her again if she can possibly avoid it. She is the last former Zodiac to return to the Sohma estate after the Curse breaks, and she only comes back even then for New Year’s. At the extremely rare occasions they are both present (usually funerals), she will have Haru let her know where Akito is so she can avoid looking at her or acknowledging her. She has mixed feelings about her children’s closeness with Shiki, but sticks to the mantra that you can’t judge a child by their parents.
  • Hiro takes a very, very long time to forgive Akito for what she did to Kisa, but he largely keeps his feelings to himself. By the time he and Kisa move back to the estate, he has come to respect Akito for what she’s tried to do to bring the Sohmas into the modern world, and he has periodically provided unofficial opinions and legal advice when Akito has had ‘delicate matters’ to tackle within the family.
  • Ritsu forgives Akito, while being extremely apologetic about taunting her by wearing kimonos in front of her all those years.
  • Kureno forgives her, but keeps his distance from her, the Sohma estate, and the rest of the Sohma family for the rest of his life. After moving, he never sees or talks to Akito again.
  • Shigure obviously forgives her, marries her, loves her, fights with her periodically, basically all one would expect. He is her fiercest ally, staunchest supporter, biggest pain in the ass, and strong right arm. Without him, she wouldn’t have managed that Family half as well as she does.
  • Kagura forgives Akito, and though she doesn’t seek Akito out, she is friendly when they see each other (such as at funerals).

On the feelings of the former Zodiac on telling romantic partners and children about the Curse:

  • Kyo is initially highly resistant to anyone who doesn’t know about the Curse before it breaks finding out, largely because he doesn’t want to ‘keep dwelling in the past’ and wants to try forgetting the Curse ever happens. He begrudgingly comes around to agree that significant others should know, but his is fiercely against any of their children finding out from the moment the subject is first broached until he finally, under duress, tells Hajime over twenty years after the Curse breaks. He eventually comes to acknowledge the value in their close family members understanding how they came to be the people they are, and he eventually supports telling not only Zodiac children but, in the right circumstances, the Zodiac children’s partners. But beyond that, he feels, strongly, that the Curse should itself become folklore.
    • Hajime is the oldest out of all the Zodiac children when he finally finds out, being nearly fifteen years old. He also, out of almost all of the Zodiac children, learns the most complete story of the Curse from the first.
    • Katsuro learns about the Curse three months later, a few months before turning twelve.
    • Sachiko is told at twelve.
  • Yuki initially debates whether telling Machi about the Curse is the right call, but within five months of the Curse breaking he tells her the truth due to not wanting to have secrets. Having been profoundly affected by the Curse himself, he feels it’s important for both the partners and children of the former Zodiac to know about the Curse, with him deciding when Mutsuki was still a child he would, one day, tell him about the Curse once he was old enough and mature enough to understand.
    • Mutsuki finds out about the Curse when he’s thirteen, around the time he starts middle school, though he doesn’t learn the whole story until he’s eighteen.
  • Haru is one of the most blasé about the Curse himself, and genuinely doesn’t feel it matters one way or the other; his feelings are that it’s not something that should be hidden from the people they care about most, largely because he hates keeping something like that secret. When he learns other former Zodiacs have told their kids about the Curse, he wants to tell theirs, but he tries as much as he can to respect Rin’s wishes, even though they frustrate him.
    • He ultimately is the one to reveal the Curse’s existence to their children, after being annoyed by being called into the twins’ school about Riku’s hair.
    • Riku and Sora are the oldest after Hajime at the time they learn about the Curse, being fourteen and in their last year of middle school.
  • Kisa, like Kyo, wishes the Curse would be forgotten and struggles the most when the physical Curse traits start passing on as she was one of the most impacted by bullying due to her looks. She would rather nobody new learn about the Curse, but understands why it’s important for people to tell their partners. She isn’t a fan of telling the children at first, but she and Hiro agree that, since the other Zodiac children know, theirs will, too.
    • Hiro and Kisa’s daughters are the youngest out of all the Zodiac second gens, so they, unsurprisingly, are the last to find out.
    • Because their daughters are less than a year apart in age, Hiro and Kisa tell them at the same time, when they are twelve and thirteen.
  • Momiji, as one who can physically ‘pass’ for normal, grapples with the Curse before ultimately deciding his history with his parents is too complex to even try to hide, though he has always supported the other former Zodiacs telling their partners as and when they feel ready. Likewise, he feels that telling their children is a personal decision, but it’s one he supports and he tells his own daughter as soon as he feels she’s old enough.
    • He tells his German boyfriend, Hans, when they’ve been together a few years and Hans asks Momiji if he wants to live together after they graduate uni. Hatori and Tohru are both there for Momiji’s graduation and provide support to both Momiji and Hans in the aftermath of Momiji’s confession, with Hatori both revealing his own formerly Cursed state and connecting Hans to Kyo, who also vouches for the truth.
    • He tells Momo about the Curse when Momo is seventeen, after going toe to toe with his father, who disapproves but finally agrees after Momiji threatens to cut him off if he doesn’t accept it.
    • His daughter Mina is twelve when he tells her about the Curse, a decision he only finally comes to since his mother is deceased and there is no risk of Mina inadvertently letting it slip.
  • Hatori feels that telling or not telling is an intensely personal choice and feels they should all respect each other’s wishes; he, himself, tells Mayuko fairly early in their relationship, and he is the first of any of them to discuss the Curse with his child.
    • Kinu is twelve and in her first year of middle school when Hatori tells her about the Curse, though he doesn’t reveal the whole story until she’s older.
  • Ayame has always taken it for granted that all partners and children will know, and his son Chizuru is the youngest age of any who ever learn when Ayame tells both his children after learning Hatori told his own daughter. This causes some intense backlash from some of the other former Zodiacs, as Ayame didn’t really prepare his kids or ask them not to talk about it, and one of the first things his daughter Hibika does is call Kinu to tell her about it and ask if Kinu knew, too.
    • Hibika is thirteen and Chizuru eight when they find out about the Curse. Hatori purposely kept that he’d told Kinu from Ayame for a couple years, but there was a slipup and that lead to Ayame telling his own kids.
  • Rin, like Kyo, is strongly against anyone who doesn’t already know learning about the Curse, and she is angry after learning Yuki told Machi. Eventually, she (begrudgingly) comes to acknowledge the others have the right to tell their own loved ones, but she strongly resists telling her own children and is furious when Haru tips their kids off. Even after their children learn of the Curse, a long time will pass before they know more than the most basic basics.
  • Hiro wishes that the Curse could be forgotten, but he admits it caused too much trauma for many of them to simply pretend it never happened. He supports people telling loved ones, on their own terms, provided they make sure the people they tell keep it to themselves. That said, he has intense anxiety about telling his own children, because he never had to worry about the stress of telling a partner and worries that his kids will judge him for what happened to Kisa. Mina and Sachiko’s bad reactions only makes him even more anxious, and contributes to him deciding to wait until their older daughter is thirteen to tell her.
  • Ritsu is embarrassed by the Curse and spends a very long time waffling back and forth on whether or not to tell Mitsuru himself, but the problem is solved by an accidental transformation before the Curse breaks. Ritsu feels that, provided the former Zodiacs are sure, they should tell whoever they feel is important.
  • Kureno feels that it would be selfish for any of them to marry or be seriously involved without telling their partners the truth, but he sees no need to tell anyone beyond that since partners can walk away, but children are stuck with their parents no matter what and consequently don’t need to know in case they can’t handle it. He himself has no children, though, and he keeps his feelings to himself.
  • Shigure supports telling partners and children alike, with him considering his own son Shiki learning about the Curse an absolute necessity, given he will one day be leading the Sohma family and have to deal with their messes. After Chizuru, Shiki is the youngest at the time he learns the truth, and Shiki learns the most complete version of the story after Hajime.
  • Kagura, who was less traumatized than many of the others, had a somewhat stable home life, and coloration that looked ‘normal,’ felt very similarly to Momiji in that she supported others telling their partners about the Curse, but struggled in deciding what to do about herself. She went a very long time without telling her partner, getting within months of their wedding before finally deciding she had to tell him. Fortunately, he believed her, and buoyed by his acceptance she later likewise tells her children.

Regarding people’s day-to-day lives:

On canon character jobs and education:

  • Kyo: karate instructor. No higher education.
    • He’s great at, and actually prefers, working with kids. Once he’s gotten his temper in check, which I think he’d prioritize after the Curse broke, I think he’d be very patient, and he’d love seeing the excitement and joy on children’s faces as they first figure skills out, a throwback to how he felt when he started karate himself. He’ll always be chasing that rush of accomplishment, and every time he sees one of his students feel it, he likewise feels it himself.
    • Once he gets out of his own head and stops worrying about things like needing to beat Yuki and being unwilling to fight girls, he’ll grow in leaps and bounds in skill, and I think he’ll be a fierce fighter who will love tournaments and get a major rush from competition his entire life. Eventually, he’ll end up a national champion and world karate medalist, but voluntarily stop competing at the top levels because he doesn’t like the travel, the attention, or being away from home that much.
    • He will ultimately decide against taking over the Sohma Dojo, due to him having no desire to manage the business side of things, him and Tohru having put down deep roots in Hibe, and him not wanting to go back to dealing with the Sohmas and their politics. In spite of his love for Kazuma, it never made sense to me that he, after taking so much abuse and feeling so shut out by the Sohmas his whole life, would move far away and make a new life for himself as a barely-adult, only to eventually move back. In Fruits Basket Another (FB:A), Hajime is asked if his parents are going to move back eventually, and he says ‘...that's the plan, but I don't know. They've really set root back home,’ which supports, to me, the idea of Kyo having changed his mind.
    • He works full-time at the Matsuda Dojo in Hibe for forty-two years before leaving at the age of sixty, the same year he stops competing in any sort of real tournament.
    • For the next several years, he works part-time in Sendai’s Yamashita Dojo, where he almost exclusively teaches children, including two of his own grandchildren.
    • He fully retires from teaching at the age of seventy-three when he and Tohru move down to Tokyo, though he continues to fill in at the Sohma Dojo whenever he is needed and continues to practice karate in some capacity as long as he’s physically able.

  • Tohru: Receptionist at an OB/GYN clinic, later stay at home mother, later part-time bakery and childcare worker. No higher education.
    • I feel like jobs with children (daycare worker, kindergarten teacher, school paraprofessional) are very popular for Tohru in fandom, and that makes sense; she’s very nurturing and maternal, it makes sense for her to lean into that in her full-time job. I kind of did that, but wanted to go in a different direction, of having her be a receptionist at an OB/GYN clinic. She has a lot of characteristics that make a great receptionist: organized, upbeat, great with people, great with anxious people in particular (for the OB/GYN part). And at this particular workplace, she’ll be around pregnant women and newborn babies all the time.
    • In Japan, it’s so expected for women to stop working once they marry that it’s not implausible for a female employee to be congratulated on her engagement and asked when she intends to resign in the same conversation. I think Tohru would actually buck that expectation; on the one hand, yes, she’s the picture of domesticity and I think she and Kyo both would love for her to be able to stay home, but I think she’d struggle to feel like she was pulling her weight, especially since she grew up with a working mom and relatively poor. She and Kyo also both seem like the types who’d be insanely frugal and do their best to live economically, and especially in the early years she wouldn’t want all the burden of providing to fall solely on Kyo. He’ll do his best to assure her he’s happy to support them both, but will ultimately defer to Tohru’s wishes.
    • With her first two children, Tohru will take her allotted year of childcare leave and then go back to work; she does genuinely enjoy her job, and will be happy to get back to it. But after Sachiko is born, she’ll leave her receptionist position and spend the next eighteen years as a stay-at-home mom.
    • Once all three of her children move out, Tohru will once again struggle with feeling useful and look into another job. She’ll ultimately choose to work two part-time jobs instead of a full-time one, wanting freedom and flexibility to travel and see her family while she can.
    • I think, as an empty-nester and someone practically counting down to being a grandmother, that she would love working at a childcare center, especially because she’d also be helping other young mothers who likewise want to be back at work.
    • I personally disagree with the idea I’ve periodically seen of Tohru being a baker; yes, she’s a great cook, but cooking and baking are two incredibly different skill sets and we never see Tohru bake anything in canon that I can recall seeing. I think she loves to cook, but baking isn’t her wheelhouse. I have her working in a bakery as her second part-time job, but she’s at the front end, working with the customers, and she ultimately chose to work there because their friends own it and she likes getting to work and hang out with her friend.

  • Yuki: Human Resources; undergraduate degree from Kyoto University.
    • Yuki was tricky, and I kicked around a lot of ideas for him. He’s clearly very smart and has an excellent memory; he could have gone so many directions based on the skills he’s given in canon. Ultimately, I kept coming back to him in the corporate world, sitting in a fancy office with a lot of people hanging off of his every word, and the way that felt the most fitting was via Human Resources, because he feels like he would enjoy being inward focused at a company rather than outward focused. From his time on the student council and his experience with the Sohmas, he has a wealth of experience working with people, difficult people included, and seeing past the surface to the potential below. I think once he’s had a chance to become more confident in himself and learn to trust his own judgement, he’s a great judge of people and character, good at helping people realize their potential, and with his poise he’d be a natural manager. Between his talent, his manner, and, to a lesser extent, his name, he’d rise quickly through the ranks.
    • I absolutely don’t think he’d want a job where he had to curry favor or ‘sell himself’ to random people, so nothing in politics, customer service, sales, or any client/customer facing role.
    • He’d intentionally avoid leveraging the Sohma name or working for companies with Sohma connections.
    • I think he would have at least considered something involving plants; I could see him even having wistful ‘fuck it, I’m throwing this all away and just becoming a gardener/landscaper.’ But ultimately, I think he’s too practical and he’d want to provide for his family to the best of his abilities while continuing to focus on gardening as his primary hobby.
    • I’m not totally sure what his degree would be; I’m inclined to go with sociology, but psychology is another contender, as is business. I think he’d want to go into something human-centric, though, as he genuinely wants to be part of the world and try to connect with other people after the Curse breaks.
    • He eventually reaches the role of Director of Human Resources for an international tech corporation and retires at sixty-five.
    • After retiring, he discovers he’s not ready to fully stop working, so Mutsuki takes him on part-time in his landscape design business, where Yuki provides a sounding board for Mutsuki’s designs, helps interface with clients, and even assists with the grunt work of actual planting, which Yuki absolutely adores. I think the two of them would work well together and both of them would get a kick out of Mutsuki being Yuki’s boss, with Yuki being the ultimate proud papa when he watches Mutsuki work.

  • Machi: Corporate accountant, undergraduate degree from Kyoto University.
    • Another tricky one; I ultimately went with finance for her due to her being the treasurer on the student council, suggesting she was good with money and numbers. Other options I kicked around for her primarily involved art, and I do think she dabbles in assorted artistic hobbies.
    • I think she, like Tohru, struggles with the concept of being a burden and not pulling her own weight, but she also genuinely enjoys her job and works steadily from the time she graduates university until retiring when Yuki does, at the age of sixty-four.
    • Although Japan grants a one-year childcare leave, Machi returns to work within six months of Mutsuki’s birth because she just can’t handle being a stay-at-home mom. Periodically over the years, especially once Mutsuki starts school, she will struggle to deal with guilt over not staying home.
    • In later life, she manages the books for Mutsuki’s business in the early years while he’s getting established.

  • Haru: Initially factory worker, shortly thereafter fashion model and accessory designer. No higher education.
    • Haru always struck me as someone who would genuinely not sweat the details about work or almost any other ‘adult’ decision. His goal is to graduate high school, live with Rin, and support Rin, period; ‘how’ won’t matter much, as long as it’s enough to pay the bills and doesn’t take up all his time.
    • He doesn’t care much about money or prestige and is not that materialistic, so his job criteria are fairly minimal.
    • A manufacturing/assembly line job felt like a reasonable fit for him right out of high school, because it’s straightforward work that he can go do, get paid for, and go home, without him having to worry about things like customers, minding what he’s saying, or worrying about how he’s representing the company to the outside world.
    • With how many times the Sohmas looking like models was referenced in canon, at least one of them needed to end up a model, and Haru ultimately felt the most appropriate He’s got the looks, the attitude, and he’d be willing to put in the work, enjoy the ride, and never let it change him.
    • He’s discovered after posing with Rin in the advertising campaign she designs for her tight-fisted retail job and catapults from there to national fame, which he maintains for four years until voluntarily stepping back when their twins are born.
    • Alongside his modelling career he continues to design and make jewelry (something Takaya mentioned in an author note in the original editions: Haru designs and makes most of his and Rin’s accessories), and once he becomes established in fashion he leverages his recognition into his own accessories line, ‘Jueri.’
    • Generally tries not abuse his fame or notoriety, but not above taking advantage of things for his friends or loved ones.
    • Very comfortable in the spotlight and rarely phased by attention.
    • He remains a popular and distinctive figure in the fashion world his whole working life, though his niche obviously shifts over time as he ages.
    • He retires from modelling at sixty-three (yes, he’s old for a model, but male models tend to have longer ‘lifespans’ than female ones,he’s always going to be attractive and his hair makes him distinct) when Rin likewise retires, though he continues his design work for several more years.
    • I think Haru would be a natural at posing (he’s very good at it in canon, after all) and great at following directions. He seems like someone who would just be effortlessly good to start with and become even better with time.
    • People he works with both love and hate how relaxed he is about his career and how he never gets worked up about things.

  • Rin: clothing retail sales associate, later marketing, eventually Chief Marketing Officer for a national women’s retailer. No higher education.
    • Rin takes time to get on her feet after the Curse breaks, between her physical issues and the trauma she went through with Akito. Eventually, though, she becomes resistant to letting others take care of her and gets a job as a sales associate at an independent fashion retailer with an aesthetic similar to her and Haru’s.
    • She’s not a particularly ‘soft’ saleswoman, but her attitude and looks win her a lot of admirers and she develops a following of people who come to the store just to see her, something the store encourages, even when some of her fans start crossing lines.
    • She is allowed to take on design work for the store after telling them either they let her work at least part of the time away from the customers, or she’s quitting. As they are cheap, they agree. Her first advertising campaign, featuring her art and herself and Haru as models, blows up, resulting in both of them being headhunted.
    • She and Haru are both offered modelling contracts; Rin declines, being thoroughly sick of the spotlight, but supports Haru pursuing it.
    • She is taken on as a creative in the marketing department of a Japanese fashion brand and takes to the corporate world like a duck to water, her talent, drive, and unwillingness to take any shit ultimately seeing her become the Chief Marketing Officer in a top women’s fashion retailer, a position she holds until retiring at sixty-five.
    • A stern taskmaster with high expectations, but well-respected by the people she works with.
    • I ultimately went with corporate marketing for Rin because I felt she would excel there. We know from canon she’s a talented artist and good at getting people’s attention; she doesn’t take bullshit, and she’s confident in herself outside of with the Sohmas. I feel she’d thrive in a fast-paced corporate environment.
    • A total workaholic.

  • Momiji: Businessman and eventual CEO of his father’s company, Shigoto Corp. Undergraduate and graduate degrees from Humboldt University of Berlin.
    • Momiji is the only one of the original younger canon characters (Kyo aside) whose profession is given in FB:A, a fact I find interesting because he’s also the only one I can think of who specifically says during the original canon what he hopes to be (a professional violinist, in that case). The fact we are canonically give two drastically life paths for Momiji and nothing for most of the others is kind of funny.
    • For Momiji to be CEO by the time of FB:A, roughly 20-22 years after graduation, he needed to start moving towards business fairly soon after canon. After doing some research, I ultimately decided to have Momiji change his focus during his final year of high school. From what we see in canon, Momiji never plays in any musical group or has any kind of instruction besides his teacher (when talking to Tohru about his father giving his teacher to Momo, he mentions he hasn’t been playing for a while because he didn’t have a teacher). While he is talented, the professional musical world is incredibly cutthroat, and violin seats are the most difficult to land because there are so many violinists (in the US, there are an average of 250-300 applicants for every single open seat at larger orchestras). I think the Sohmas would have prevented the Zodiac members from joining clubs or group activities, so Momiji wouldn’t have been allowed to join any musical groups prior to the Curse breaking. That lack of experience would make it even harder for him to get his foot in the door professionally, a fact I think his teacher would have told him once he started to seriously plan for his future. Ultimately, he’ll decide to pursue a different path; I vastly prefer the idea of him changing course voluntarily to him trying to be a musician, failing, and feeling forced into a different career.
    • I was admittedly not crazy about Momiji going into business, and my having him end up with a professional musician was a nod to the dream of the future he actually had.
    • His father is the one who nudges him to consider business, admittedly with a little self-serving intent but also because he feels Momiji, who is intelligent, shrewd, good with people, and a good actor, would be good at it. Momiji ultimately agrees because he can’t think of a better option and he likes the idea of having that connection with his father.
    • He is a natural manager and businessman with a knack for disarming people with his charm before going in to tackle the hard issues. He is professionally honorable, but shows no mercy when other people aren’t.
    • Very informed on the workings and performance of his business at all levels.
    • He’s a very employee-focused manager and CEO and likes to talk to his people in all departments and levels of the corporation. In FB:A it’s established he travels a lot for work, which I think is a combination of him having expanded the company from what it was when his father ran it, and him liking to observe the various sites himself.
    • He is well-liked by his employees and inspires a lot of loyalty.
    • His company has two Japanese branches in Tokyo and Osaka, then five international branches in Berlin, St. Petersburg, Melbourne, Toronto, and San Francisco by the time he retires.
    • Whenever possible, he brings his husband and/or daughter along with him when he is travelling.
    • He is the first of the younger Zodiacs to retire, stepping down from his role as CEO and president (which he passes to his daughter Mina) the year he turns sixty in order to spend more time with his family and friends and get a break from all the travelling. He does stay on the company board for another few years, but his involvement is minimal.

  • Hiro: Corporate lawyer; undergraduate and law degrees from universities in the Tokyo area.
    • Hiro was one who always screamed ‘lawyer,’ with his love of technicalities and tripping people up verbally; he’s also shrewd, pragmatic, and incredibly smart. While the Japanese legal culture isn’t exactly the same as the US, it still felt too appropriate not to pursue.
    • He initially works for a random company after passing the bar exam, where he starts building experience and establishing himself as a litigator.
    • When Momiji takes over his father’s company, he brings Hiro on to his legal department, where Hiro spends the rest of his career.
    • Something of a workaholic and holds himself and his people to very high standards.
    • Doesn’t sugarcoat things.
    • Intimidating to work for, but highly respected by his people.
    • Kisa maintains a personal calendar for him with alarms to make sure he doesn’t get tunnel vision when he’s working.
    • Develops a close friendship with Momiji as an adult and respects him deeply as a leader, though the two of them obviously don’t work together day to day.
    • A fierce and well-respected litigator.
    • When he retires at sixty-five, he is the head of Shigoto Corp’s legal department.

  • Kisa: Middle school math teacher, later stay at home wife and mother. Teaching degree from a university in the Tokyo area.
    • Kisa just felt like a teacher to me, and I think she’d specifically want to teach middle school to be a resource for children who struggled like she had at that age. I think she’d be a sweetly passionate teacher and very well-loved by her students.
    • She keeps teaching after getting married, initially because Hiro is still in law school but also because she genuinely enjoys it.
    • After marriage, Kisa switches to working at a private school so she doesn’t have to worry about being transferred.
    • When she and Hiro are expecting their first child, the two of them go back and forth a great deal about whether or not Kisa should keep working due to Hiro’s long hours, with Hiro, like Kyo, wanting to be allowed to solely provide but trying to be respectful of Kisa’s wishes. When she gets pregnant again soon after their first daughter’s birth, Kisa decides to leave teaching and stay home, not wanting to juggle the demands of teaching with two young children less than a year apart.

  • Ayame: clothing designer, embroiderer, and businessman. No higher education
    • So, Ayame’s shop is established in canon, but I’ve expanded it out further to include both a side business in renting out furisode kimonos (and helping people get dressed in them) and an emphasis on actual lingerie. The kimono came from Ayame’s skill at embroidering and their gift for dressing people up, while the lingerie came from the fact that the shop already has a pronounced emphasis on the romantic/provocative. It seemed a fairly short leap to add in lingerie, and I think Ayame would absolutely love designing it.

  • Arisa: server at an izakaya (Japanese pub/restaurant), later manager of that izakaya. No higher education.
    • After moving north to join Kureno, Arisa needs a job and it makes sense that she would look for something she has experience with: serving/restaurant work. Now living in a more rural area, she’ll end up liking the ‘homey’ vibe of the izakaya, and between her work ethic, cheerfully teasing personality, and knowledgeability about how everything works I think she’ll end up getting promoted and eventually manage it.
    • She’ll flat-out inform Kureno that her continuing to work is non-negotiable, both after they move in together (she doesn’t live with him the first year) and after they get married because she’s not meant to sit around and dust all day.
    • She’ll consider finding a different job once or twice over the years, but ultimately loves her job and her people too much to want to leave.

  • Saki: Sohma Dojo cook, later bookstore worker, later stay at home wife and mother. No higher education.
    • Initially takes the position at the Sohma Dojo to mess with Kyo, but likes and respects Kazuma a great deal and ends up staying for three years.
    • Ultimately decides to pursue another job as part of a push to broaden her social horizons and takes a job in a bookstore, where she ends up a customer favorite due to her excellent romance novel and manga recommendations and the juxtaposition of her favorite genres with her personal aesthetic.
    • She ultimately leaves her job after getting married due to wanting more flexibility to travel back and forth to Italy with her husband, and to visit her friends.
    • She loves to randomly turn up at her husband’s office and has a habit of just appearing, which unsettles his people a lot but her husband thinks is delightful.

  • Kakeru: Business manager of Komaki’s family dry-cleaning business, later of their dry-cleaning chain. Undergraduate degree from Tokyo University.
    • In canon, Kakeru mentions he’s initially planned to just go to work in Komaki’s family dry-cleaning business, but she and his family push him to go to university, that’s what he plans to do. He’s proven in canon to be incredibly intelligent and he, like Yuki, has no worries about getting into his university of choice even though Komaki feels he should; it felt right to me that he’d go right to the top, Tokyo U, largely because most people who knew him would probably be stunned to hear it and not really believe it.
    • Komaki’s father is dead, so that means her mother probably is running the business (unless there is an uncle or another male relative involved). Given how patriarchal Japan is, it makes sense that the family as a whole would be happy to let Kakeru step in and manage things after university.
    • With his people skills and business smarts, he, with Komaki, expands the business from one store to thirteen over the course of their working life.
    • He steps down at sixty-five and passes control of the business to his son, Kou. He considered stepping down sooner, but he couldn’t see himself working if he couldn’t be in charge and didn’t want to retire before Yuki.

  • Hajime: Foreign liaison, later deputy director and later director, Chiba prefectural Division of International Affairs. Undergraduate degree from Chiba University.
    • Canonical Hajime from FB:A is shown to be smart, responsible, and university-bound. However, there are pretty much no clues at all what he’s actually going for, or even all that much about what he’s interested in (aside of cooking, we don’t get a lot about his hobbies or interests). After fleshing out the character more and thinking about his personality as presented in FB:A, I ultimately felt like he was someone who would prize stability and financial security in a career and ultimately want something that was solid, reliable, and allowed him to have a good work/life balance, which is how he ends up pursuing civil service. I don’t feel he’s someone who would be naturally ambitious and care about prestige/making a ton of money/being ‘at the top,’ but he would naturally work hard and, with his ‘golden touch,’ eventually rise to the top anyway.
    • I’ve always had in my head that he’s good with languages; he initially goes after this job with an eye for being a translator, but ends up being a liaison with the division’s English-speaking contacts because of his speaking skills.
    • He originally got his job because his then-boss liked the idea of having someone with a Western hair color on the team to show their diversity. Said boss was actually delighted to learn that Hajime was gay, figuring that would also demonstrate how open-minded they were to their Western contacts.
    • At times early on in his career, Hajime feels a little bit like a mascot because of how much his boss loves his ‘diversity.’
    • He initially intends to work in Chiba for a few years while Mutsuki finishes university, but ends up liking his job a lot so when Mutsuki gets an offer from the city, they decide to stay in Chiba long-term.
    • Hajime and Mutsuki decided together where they wanted to apply for university; with their grades and general smarts, they could actually have gone to one of the ‘Big Seven’ Imperial universities that include Tokyo and Kyoto U, but ultimately decided against it due to the pressure it would put on Hajime.
    • They ultimately choose to attend Chiba University due to its proximity to Tokyo (and Kaibara High) and being a solid school, as well as its strong horticultural program (which Mutsuki plans to pursue).
    • Although he works for International Affairs, Hajime dislikes business travel and avoids it whenever possible.

  • Mutsuki: Landscape architect, later landscape designer and landscaper. Undergraduate and graduate degrees from Chiba University.
    • Unlike Hajime, we see some of Mutsuki’s interests in FB:A, most notably the love of gardening he shares with his parents. Mutsuki is more whimsical than Yuki or Hajime and I think he’d be far more likely to pursue a career purely because of his interest levels, not just because of practical concerns like the salary or the hours or the respectability.
    • He shares creative flair with Ayame and, though he likes vegetable gardening a great deal, his passion is decorative plants and flowers, which is why he ultimately chooses to go into landscape design: so he can make beautiful things with beautiful plants.
    • He and Hajime go to Chiba University because it has a strong horticultural program and it’s close enough to Tokyo that Hajime and Mutsuki could still see each other when Hajime was in university and Mutsuki still in high school, while also being less stressful for Hajime than one of the elite universities.
    • In FB:A, he tells Sawa that he doesn’t necessarily need to follow Hajime to university, which is true; he has confidence in their relationship and knows they can handle distance. However, given the chance, they’d prefer to stay together.
    • After university, he gets a job with the city of Chiba, which he enjoys because he gets to make his mark on city parks. But eventually, he gets bored with how much ‘practical’ work he has to do on the parks (things like sidewalks and drainage) and, with Hajime’s full support, starts his own landscape design business. He will later hire both of his parents to help him part time after their retirement, with Machi initially managing the books and Yuki helping with the actual garden work, and he’ll absolutely love getting to have them come to work with him.

  • Shiki: Future Sohma family head; undergraduate degree in psychology from Tokyo University
    • Shiki’s future is pretty spelled out in Another, but I like the idea of him actually enjoying it.
    • He studies psychology to try to get a better understanding of the people around him.
    • He starts sitting in on meetings with Akito at the end of the Another canon and starts taking on actual responsibilities during high school. After university, he starts working with Akito full-time and takes over in his thirties when Akito retires.
    • Very dedicated to the family and a very hard worker.
    • Unites Shigure’s ruthlessness with Akito’s patience and tact and proves very deft at managing disparate Sohma personalities, with manipulative powers that would do Shigure proud.

  • Sora: Travel photographer and blogger/influencer. No higher education.
    • Sora just doesn’t seem like someone who’d want a conventional job, or a conventional life. I see her as someone who loves to get out, explore, meet people, and do crazy things along the way. She never marries or has children, and she is happy living out of a backpack most of the time.

  • Riku: Tokyo police officer
    • Riku felt like someone who’d like something practical and physical; it’s mentioned in FB:A that he’s intimidating and good at getting people to behave, but he’s also a goody two-shoes. I specifically see him being a Tokyo Koban police offer (Koban are like little mini police stations located in specific areas where the officers are integrated parts of the community, doing police work but also giving people directions, managing lost and founds, and listening to and managing local resident concerns).

  • Chizuru: Mechanical engineer. Undergraduate and graduate degrees from Osaka University.
    • Chizuru felt like someone who would run as far from the family business as humanly possible, and I do feel he’s infinitely more pragmatic and analytical than the rest of his family. However, I liked the idea of him still having a creative element to his job even if it’s more ‘serious’ and I think he’d make a good engineer.

  • Rio: Goes into business with his father in the Mosca family’s import business Mosca Derrata, undergraduate degree from Tokyo University.
    • I have Rio’s father in Japan working for his family’s Italian import business; as a family business, it makes sense there would be strong incentive for Rio to likewise get involved with him, like his father, being a strong asset for the Moscas due to their fluency in Japanese and, in Rio’s case, actually growing up in the country. I think he’d enjoy the opportunity to meet people, to travel, and be genuinely fond of his Italian relatives and happy to work with them.
    • I debated Rio going abroad for university, but ultimately, I think he’d stay closer to home.
    • I love the idea of Saki, whose goal in high school was to graduate, having a child who went to Tokyo U.

  • Mina: Takes over Momiji’s company, Shigoto Corp. Undergraduate and graduate degrees from Humboldt University, Berlin, just like Momiji.
    • In FB:A, Mina is established as planning to take over Momiji’s company, and she’s likewise established as being fierce, feisty, and incredibly confident. With Momiji and the Sohma family (in the form of Akito and Shiki) supporting her, I think she’d go far.

On Tohru and Kyo’s finances:

  • Kyo, like the other Cursed Sohmas, received money in a bank account from the Sohma family every month (explained by Shigure in canon). Some is taken out for his living expenses by Shigure, but he otherwise lived fairly cheaply and didn’t tend to spend it, so what he had left served as part of his and Tohru’s initial nest egg.
  • Tohru likewise saved as much as she could from her part-time job, with Tohru and Kyo both working as many hours as they could during the months leading up to graduation (and Kazuma definitely overpaid Kyo for working at the dojo, though Kyo didn’t realize it due to his inexperience with getting a salary).
  • When they graduate, they receive monetary gifts from pretty much every adult they know, from Tohru’s grandpa and Kazuma to all of the grown Sohmas. Said gifts are wildly generous, and Tohru and Kyo end up talked into keeping all of it.
  • Kazuma saved all the money paid to him by the Sohmas for raising Kyo over the years, transferring it to a separate unconnected bank (and adding additional money of his own, though he doesn’t tell Kyo that part). He always intended to give it to Kyo, either in helping him get away from the Sohmas or just giving it to him if and when the Curse broke. Kyo ultimately accepts the money after arguing about it with Kazuma, but he views it as blood money/’payment’ for how the Sohmas treated him and he initially refuses to touch it, in spite of it being a sizable amount.
  • Kyo works full-time and is paid a respectable wage by the Matsuda Dojo, which goes a long way in a rural area.
  • Tohru makes a modest but decent wage while she’s working as a receptionist, and she and Kyo live frugally and save as much as they can during the first few years after graduation especially.
  • When they get married, the Sohmas go overboard on giving them wedding money and they end up more than recouping their costs.
  • Akito pays their travel costs whenever they go to Tokyo, whether it’s just Tohru, Tohru and Kyo, or later their entire family, so they never have to pay to travel there.
  • Things get a little tighter after they have kids, but they’ve never lived extravagantly so they’re still able to save.
  • When Tohru’s grandpa dies, she inherits half his estate as the only child of one of his two children. Due to wise investing, the estate was substantial, and Tohru and Kyo use most of Tohru’s portion for building their house.
  • Tohru and Kyo eventually start using the Sohma money from Kazuma when their kids reach middle school to start covering larger expenses, but the bulk of it is left untouched; half in savings, half in investments to be ultimately divided between their three kids and used to pay for their weddings/given to them to start off their own adult lives.
  • Ultimately, they make and have enough money that they’re always able to do the things they and their children want, though neither one of them is going to be flying back and forth to Europe regularly.
  • Kyo is initially very proud and doesn’t like to accept money from other people, not even Kazuma. As they get older and he feels less compulsion to constantly be proving himself, he does make certain exceptions, such as when their friends, all of whom make more money than them, want to take them along on vacation.
  • In time, Kyo will inherit half of Kazuma’s estate as one of Kazuma’s two legal ‘children’ (the other being Kunimitsu, due to Kazuma’s adoption of him for legal purposes), and he will inherit everything in turn from Kunimitsu as Kunimitsu’s ‘brother.’
  • In their lifetime, Tohru and Kyo will remain self-sufficient and pay their own way as a matter of pride, even when living with their children.

On having/planning children:

  • Tohru and Kyo:
    • Know they want children, with Tohru wanting them sooner and Kyo being content to wait longer but ultimately willing when Tohru is ready. Both of their sons are conceived right away after they start trying.
    • Kyo wants to stop at two, while Tohru wants a third. They have tabled the topic to discuss more later when Tohru finds out she’s unexpectedly pregnant with their third, Sachiko.
    • These two always made sense to be young parents; they went straight into the working world, they were both very nurturing/parental, they were one of the most ‘domestic.’ If any of the canon women were ready to be mothers, it was Tohru. That established, I wanted them to have a little time to be a couple, first, so going off of the model of FB:A taking place twenty-two years after graduation, that gave them roughly four years after graduation before Hajime was conceived.

  • Yuki and Machi:
    • Initially unsure about children due to hang-ups with their own parents and childhoods, but by the time they get married they tentatively agree they like the idea of having one, maybe two children later on, with the intention of revisiting the subject in another couple of years.
    • Machi discovers she’s unexpectedly pregnant with Mutsuki six months after their wedding, with him being due a little over five months after Hajime.
    • Unplanned pregnancy is a cliché, but there are a few things with the kids’ ages in FB:A that genuinely don’t make sense to me otherwise with how things are set up at the end of the original canon. While it makes sense for Tohru and Kyo to have kids right away, it doesn’t so much for Yuki and Machi, when Yuki for sure is university-bound. While it is possible that Hajime and Mutsuki could be as far as nearly two years apart in age while being one grade apart (if Hajime was among the oldest in his grade and Mutsuki the youngest in his), it ultimately felt most logical to me that with their small age gap and Hajime being Tohru and Kyo’s oldest (as opposed to their middle child) Mutsuki was a surprise.
    • Machi has a very rough pregnancy and is fairly sure at the end of it she wants to stop at one child.
    • By the time Mutsuki is two years old, Yuki and Machi are both 100% sure they want to stop at one child.

  • Haru and Rin:
    • These two do not make sense to me as parents, full stop. Absolutely no way, especially not parents to kids who are, again, almost as old as Tohru and Kyo’s oldest. Rin is dealing with a mountain of trauma at the end of canon, including medical trauma, childhood trauma, Akito’s abuse, and her feelings towards her parents; I can’t see her ever intentionally having kids. Haru is a fence sitter, who could have gone either way.
    • Surprise pregnancy, of twins to boot.
    • Rin does not enjoy being pregnant, and struggles wildly to cope with the physical and emotional changes, as well as her own mental health issues.
    • She ultimately gives birth via a scheduled c-section under general anesthesia and has her tubes removed, because she knows she absolutely can’t go through that again.

  • Momiji:
    • In FB:A, Momiji has a daughter whose mother/other parent is never mentioned, leaving pretty much everything about them up to interpretation. That absence played a supporting role in me ultimately having Momiji end up with a man, his German-born husband, Hans.
    • Coming from a US perspective, I had initially and automatically assumed surrogate, especially given Mina in FB:A clearly looks like Momiji. It turns out that things are significantly more complicated than that in Japan, and a good chunk of the rest of the world; surrogacy is not actually legal there, not in Japan or Germany either, even altruistically with no money exchanging hands (my original thought was that Hans’s sister would carry the baby for them as well as be the biological mother).
    • Ultimately, the existence of Mina with there being two fathers in the picture is only possible because Momiji is rich (even outside of being a Sohma, his father runs a company and has a vested interest in helping him out), connected (the Sohmas, with Akito having reason to assist the former Zodiacs in whatever way she can), easily able to go back and forth to other countries (through his father’s company) and stubborn as hell. Even so, there is a little manga math involved, but for the purposes of the story, she is the biological daughter of Momiji and Hans’s sister, carried by a Russian surrogate in St. Petersburg, where the company has an international branch.

  • Hiro and Kisa:
    • These two were always destined to have kids, with both of them loving babies and Hiro’s sister ultimately being the one to break his Curse. They agree to wait until Hiro is done with law school and working, after which point they conceive their first daughter and move to a house in the Sohma estate next door to Hiro’s family so they can raise their children among family.
    • They conceive their second daughter two months after their first is born, much to their mutual shock and Hiro’s perpetual embarrassment.
    • I just love the idea of the two of them as the parents of daughters. Hiro with his girls just seems adorable.
    • Kisa, like Tohru, was born to be a mother and is incredibly nurturing; further out in the future, she’ll actually serve as childcare for two of Tohru and Kyo’s grandkids.

  • Hatori and Mayuko:
    • In FB:A, they have one child we know of, Kinu, who is one of the oldest of the second generation. I’ve personally made her the actual oldest, being two years older than Hajime.
    • Mayuko had hyperemesis gravidarum during her pregnancy, extremely severe morning sickness that resulted in her being hospitalized three times, and a difficult, medically complicated delivery.
    • For Mayuko’s safety, she and Hatori agree Kinu will be an only child, though both of them would have liked to have more.
    • Hatori is a somewhat overprotective parent, though he tries his hardest not to be smothering and occasionally succeeds.
    • Kinu and Mayu both like to tease him about how much he worries.
    • Kinu goes through a fairly rebellious stage in high school as a result of Hatori’s control issues.

  • Arisa and Kureno:
    • Neither one of them is anti-children, but they agree that due to their own complicated pasts and Kureno's disability, neither one of them feels up to the challenges and risks involved in parenting. Consequently, they are childfree by choice, a fact Arisa comes to appreciate fairly early on as it gives her flexibility and freedom to travel.

  • Ritsu and Mitsuru:
    • Likewise not anti-children, but neither one of them feels up to the responsibility and they kick the child can down the road for years before ultimately deciding they are happy with just the two of them.

  • Hajime and Mutsuki:
    • Hajime wants children and struggles badly with not being able to have them, but accepts it for himself. He has a much harder time dealing with Mutsuki not having children, since Mutsuki, who is bisexual, could technically have them by marrying a woman.
    • Mutsuki always liked children in the abstract, but never struggled with not having them either. He is perfectly content with things being just the two of them.
    • When Shiki approaches the pair of them about adopting a Sohma baby, Hajime immediately wants it, while Mutsuki struggles to figure out whether he can deal with the changing relationship dynamic, sharing Hajime, and if he’s even capable of being a decent father. But after talking things out, the two of them ultimately agree to adopt the baby, with Mutsuki being the legal father for family legacy purposes (Tohru and Kyo have other grandkids, Yuki and Machi won’t, and this way, the child would be able to inherit from Yuki and Machi).
    • Hajime and Mutsuki being dads was something I was thrilled to be able to write; with surrogacy being off the table (since they lack the money, connections, and circumstances Momiji would have) and child adoption virtually impossible in Japan, I had always assumed they would never have children until a comment exchange (thank you, commenters!) made me think of one scenario where it could: if the baby was a Sohma.
    • Although at this time, only married couples can adopt together, I headcanon that Japan will legalize same-sex marriage later down the line and at that time, Hajime will also legally adopt Aiko.

On drinking and alcohol

  • Tohru:
    • Is a Styrofoam weight who can get drunk on a single alcoholic beverage. When drunk, she gets very giggly and very amorous, and/or very tired depending on how tired she was to start with.
    • Consequently only drinks when she’s home, alone, with Kyo.

  • Kyo:
    • Decent alcohol tolerance, but he doesn’t particularly like drinking and only drinks socially and on occasion.
    • Only been drunk a couple times in his life, basically gets very argumentative or, if Tohru is around, amorous and without a filter.

  • Yuki:
    • Light/middle weight, enjoys a drink from time to time but doesn’t drink much or often except socially.
    • Gets very giggly when drunk.

  • Machi:
    • Actually has a higher tolerance than Yuki.
    • A crabby drunk who’s easily irritated by everything.

  • Haru:
    • Incredibly high alcohol tolerance, connected to being possessed by the Ox (you’d need a lot to incapacitate an animal that large).
    • Doesn’t get hangovers.

  • Rin:
    • Like Haru, has a high tolerance connected to having been a large animal; went through a self-destructive period in the first couple years after the Curse broke where she would do her best to get drunk, but since then has gotten herself under control and now just drinks in moderation, even at clubs.

  • Kisa:
    • A shockingly high alcohol tolerance (due to being a large animal, like Haru and Rin) that pretty much stuns all the others; this is only known because of a drinking game.
    • Rarely drinks, because she doesn’t like the taste.

  • Momiji:
    • Deceptively high alcohol tolerance due to his German blood, and has a particular fondness for a good beer.

  • Ayame:
    • Acts mostly the same when drunk as sober.
    • Doesn’t get hangovers, but makes a phenomenal hangover cure, a nod to his canon talent for making ‘special tea’ that is apparently amazing and he only shares with Hatori, Mine, and Yuki.

  • Hatori:
    • Can’t get drunk, due to having been the Dragon and consequently in possession of intense physical hardiness (he also doesn’t get food poisoning, and pretty much never gets sick in general.)
    • He tried to get drunk after erasing Kana’s memories, which is how they know he can’t.

  • Arisa:
    • As the daughter of an alcoholic and someone who works at an izakaya, she tries to be mindful of her consumption and only drinks when she’s out with friends, never at home or at her own izakaya.
    • Moderate tolerance, but often overdoes it when out with friends.
    • A very happy, very loud, drunk.

  • Saki:
    • No one has ever seen her drunk.
    • She loves vividly colored, dramatically-garnished cocktails. 
  • Tohru and Kyo’s family:
    • Highest to lowest tolerance is Katsuro-Kyo-Takashi-Sachiko-Mutsuki-Mariko-Hajime-Tohru. Hajime is a lightweight and is consequently very careful to watch his consumption because people have way too much fun with him when he’s drunk (he gets very giggly and very possessive of Mutsuki).

On weddings and marriage

I love weddings and love writing weddings and love thinking things about weddings.

  • Tohru and Kyo:
    • Kyo proposes one year after graduation, on the roof of Shigure’s old house. He waits because he wants to prove to Tohru and himself that he’s able to provide for her.
    • They have a shrine wedding in Tokyo with a reception at the Sohma Dojo, two years after graduation.
    • Kazuma, Tohru’s Grandpa, Arisa, Saki, and Yuki attend the actual shrine ceremony.
    • All of their wedding clothes are made by Ayame and Mine, which include three outfits for Tohru and Kyo’s montsuki haori hakama.
    • Tohru’s traditional white shiromuku is lined with red and embroidered by Ayame in the animals of the Zodiac, a design he chose for Tohru after she gave him free rein in selecting a design.
    • As part of the traditional Shinto wedding ceremony, brides carry in their obi, among other things, a decorative bag that is meant to hold a kaiken knife. The bag normally contains a stick, but Tohru’s held a real knife, a gift from Kazuma to symbolize that going forward, she will never need to fight alone.
    • Akito does not attend the wedding reception even though she is invited, but she, along with Mine, helps Tohru get dressed for her wedding ceremony.
    • Haru makes their wedding rings, which are hammered gold and say ‘Always and Forever.’
    • The first of the ‘younger Zodiac’ to get married.

  • Yuki and Machi:
    • Get engaged three years after graduation, in Kyoto.
    • Big Western-style church wedding in Tokyo four years after graduation, the summer after Yuki’s university graduation.
    • Most of the wedding itself is arranged by Machi’s parents, who pay for the whole thing and pretty much take it over.
    • Yuki’s parents are specifically uninvited when Yuki cuts contact with them a couple months before the wedding.
    • Yuki’s parents still attempt to attend the wedding, but they are intercepted by designated guard dogs Shigure and Hatori before being kicked out by Ayame, who makes sure Yuki doesn’t hear about it until later.
    • Yuki and Machi have a private vow exchange two days before the actual wedding in a park where they went on their first official ‘date’ with just their closest friends and family in attendance.
    • Groomsmen Haru, Kakeru, and Kyo, with Best Man Ayame; bridesmaids Tohru, Kisa, and Mine, with Matron of Honor Komaki.
    • Ayame and Mine make all of the bridal party’s outfits, including Machi’s wedding dress, all of which are designed with an eye to Machi’s dislike of uniformity.
    • Machi’s dress is a long sleeved, vintage-inspired lace dress that Ayame constructs entirely out of mismatched lace.
    • Yuki and all of his groomsmen have charcoal grey three-piece suits with rust-red shirts and black ties, but all of them wear them differently: Yuki wears the whole outfit as intended; Kyo skips the vest and tie and unbuttons his top buttons; Haru ditches the jacket and tie, rolls up his sleeves, and unbuttons a couple buttons more than Kyo; Kakeru skips the jacket and rolls up his sleeves, and Ayame wears the whole outfit but with a cravat instead of a tie, lace on his shirt cuffs, and a ribbon holding back his hair.
    • The bridesmaids all wear rust-red dresses in differing designs.
    • Every member of the bridal party has a pin or piece of jewelry in the shape of a maple leaf, which are all made by Haru, as are Yuki and Machi’s wedding rings.
    • Yuki and Machi’s rings are both white gold and say ‘perfectly imperfect.’

  • Haru and Rin:
    • They start unofficially living together shortly before Haru graduates high school and officially after he does.
    • Initially, they have no plans to ever get married, but change their minds after Rin unexpectedly gets pregnant six years after graduation.
    • Have a surprise ‘courthouse’ (actually municipal building, in Japan) wedding when Rin is five months pregnant, with Tohru and Kyo as their witnesses.
    • Tohru and Kyo have no idea what’s happening until they actually get to the municipal building. They think they’re just meeting Haru and Rin for dinner and are surprised by 1) the pregnancy and 2) the marriage.
    • Haru, naturally, makes their wedding rings, which are black. Haru’s is a simple band, Rin’s has detailing around the outer edges to resemble lace, and they have different inscriptions: ‘I’ll always be your heart’ in Rin’s and ‘When you die, I’ll die,’ in Haru’s.

  • Momiji and Hans:
    • Hans proposes to Momiji on New Year’s Eve almost eight years after graduation, after landing his seat at the Tokyo Met and right after they arrive in Japan. He wanted to propose in Japan, since they would be getting married in Germany due to the legalities involved.
    • Legally marry in Berlin in the summer nine years after graduation, then have a private ceremony in the Bavarian Alps that Christmas, attended by their immediate family and their friends from their university string quartet where they met.
    • They consider having a larger wedding, but due to the distance, travel time, and young children, most of their Japanese friends couldn’t make it anyway.
    • They have a celebratory party in Japan after they get back.
    • Rings made once more by Haru: yellow gold, with the Beethoven quote ‘Ewig Dein, Ewig Mein, Ewig Unser’ (Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours). Haru made Momiji and Hans each write out the German, both in big block letters and then in the script they’d actually like to see.
    • They both keep their respective last names.
    • Momiji is pansexual; Hans is gay.

  • Hiro and Kisa:
    • Hiro proposes after graduating high school, five years after graduation, at which point they’ve been together for nearly six years.
    • They get engaged knowing they’ll have a long engagement, but neither one of them wants to wait any more and Hiro doesn’t want Kisa to propose to him first.
    • Hiro proposes with his own mother’s engagement ring, telling Kisa his parents have always had the strongest relationship out of anyone he knows, with them never faltering even when they had a Cursed child.
    • They get married nine years after graduation, a week after Hiro graduates university and days before he starts law school.
    • Hiro wanted to wait until he finished law school to get married, but Kisa doesn’t since they’ve been together nearly a decade by then.
    • They have a shrine wedding, like Tohru and Kyo, at the same shrine.
    • Kisa wears Tohru’s shiromuku.
    • Tohru and Kyo attend the ceremony, along with Hiro and Kisa’s immediate families.
    • Their rings are yellow gold, made by Haru, and say ‘Two bodies, one heart.’

  • Ayame and Mine:
    • The first thing Ayame does after what we see of his Curse breaking in canon (so, after ‘I was born to love you, at last I can finally say it’ and their hug) is drop to one knee and formally propose.
    • Both of them understood a marriage was never possible while Ayame was Cursed unless Akito changed drastically, but Ayame always said he would propose if he actually could.
    • They are the first of the former Zodiacs to get married, a year and a half after the Curse broke.
    • They could have gotten married sooner, but they wanted A Spectacle and that needed time and lots of preparation.
    • They had a non-religious wedding at a fashion exhibition.
    • Both of them had multiple wardrobe changes.
    • They sent Tohru and Kyo’s wedding invitation enclosed in a package containing a dress for Tohru to wear.
    • Yuki was Ayame’s best man.

  • Akito and Shigure:
    • Small private ceremony, held at the Sohma estate, a year and a half after graduation.
    • Tohru, Hatori and Mayuko, Ayame and Mine, Shigure’s parents, and a couple of the most prominent members of the Sohma family are the only invitees, and there is a private dinner afterward but otherwise no reception.
    • The Sohma family estate holds a celebratory banquet, but there are none of the formal traditions or trappings of a wedding.
    • Akito went back and forth a lot on whether she owed the family a massive celebration, but Shigure ultimately insisted on them making it small because he knew how little Akito wanted the attention on them actually getting married.

  • Arisa and Kureno:
    • Two years after graduation, Arisa and Kureno start discussing the idea of marriage, but Kureno, uncomfortable with the idea of proposing with secrets, ends up telling her about the Curse. Arisa initially needs time to process and goes to visit Tohru, to talk over the Curse and what it meant for the Sohmas, and ultimately accepts it as truth and decides to marry Kureno regardless. Upon returning home, she proposes to him.
    • They have a small private ceremony the following year, with just Tohru and Saki in attendance.

  • Saki and Lorenzo:
    • Lorenzo proposes four years after graduation, nine months after they first met, and they marry the following year.
    • They actually have two wedding ceremonies: one in Italy, which is fairly traditional, and one ‘Western style’ in Japan.
    • In both weddings, Saki wears a long sleeved, full skirted, low-cut wedding gown overlaid with lace; her Italian gown is white, while her Japanese gown is black lace over deep purple.
    • Her white gown is a goodwill gesture for Lorenzo’s family.
    • Lorenzo vastly prefers her in the black one, and they consider that dress, and their Japanese wedding, as their ‘true’ wedding and anniversary date.
    • Both weddings go all-out on the food.
    • Tohru and Arisa are her bridesmaids in Japan, and likewise wear gowns of black lace over purple.

  • Hajime and Mutsuki:
    • They buy each other rings around the time Mutsuki graduates high school, each intending to propose.
    • They size each other for rings the same way: measuring their finger with string when they’re sleeping.
    • Hajime proposes to Mutsuki in their apartment in Chiba a month after Mutsuki graduates high school, when Hajime is nineteen and Mutsuki is nearly nineteen.
    • They file a civil partnership with the city of Chiba the day after Mutsuki’s twentieth birthday, granting them certain legal protections while they live in the city.
    • They have a wedding ceremony the day before New Year’s Eve nearly nine years after getting engaged when they are twenty-seven, planned by Mutsuki and a total surprise to Hajime, because they deserve a wedding even though they can’t be legally married.
    • Their wedding takes place in the evening, at the site of Shigure’s old house, which has since been torn down.
    • Upon getting married, they replace their old rings with new ones, which are still white gold but now say ‘However, Wherever, Whenever.’
    • Following their wedding, Shiki, who had authorized the location and helped Mutsuki arrange everything, is inspired to convert the location into an event pavilion, with beautiful gardens and facilities to host events, including weddings, in the beautiful spot going forward.
    • They eventually get legally married the day it becomes possible in Japan, which happens to be Hajime’s forty-six birthday.
    • Mutsuki proposes to Hajime (for legal marriage) the day the legislation is passed to make it legal, actually turning up at Hajime’s workplace as soon as he could.

Notes:

I've been sitting on this for a while because I wanted to publish the appendix chapters 'in order,' but since I can rearrange chapters, might as well go ahead! Some of this information has come up in my writing, but some of it has just been hanging out in my head.