Death

Chapter 5: Control and Change

TW: Illness, Coughing, Mentions of Death, Mentions of Vomiting

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~: Ten years later :~

Everything seemed normal that day, Akito and I went about our daily routines, listening to the complaints from those on the Outside of the family, Akito getting a check-up from Hatori, Akito and Kureno going on their daily walk and so on and so forth.

But today the main house received a visitor. It wasn't uncommon for visitors to visit the main house but this individual wasn't exactly a welcome sight at first.

"What are you doing here?" Akito scoffed, annoyed at the smirking visitor in front of her.

"Must I have a reason for visiting my God?" Shigure smirked, tilting his head in question.

Akito rolled her eyes, "We all know that you wouldn't come here unless you want something so you better start talking or I'll throw you out again."

Shigure's expression dimmed to a frown. "We had a visitor come to my house last night, a girl named Tohru Honda." Akito raised an eyebrow as Shigure continued. "This morning we invited her to stay with us at my home. However, we got an unexpected visit by a certain Cat."

My eyes widened, "Kyo has returned?" I asked.

Shigure nodded, "Yes, well, he for some reason doesn't know how to use doors and crashed through my poor roof. This, of course, startled Honda-san and well, they embraced and there was suddenly an orange cat in my guest bedroom."

I facepalm as Akito chuckled the tiniest bit before her expression turned stony again as she listened.

"Well, of course, Honda-san was shocked and confused, however as she was stressing she slipped and fell back onto myself and Yuki and we transformed as well." Shigure scratched the back of his head with a slightly flushed face.

I buried my face into my hands, not sure whether I wanted to laugh or cry at this situation.

Akito rubbed her forehead in annoyance, "So you want me to send Hatori over to erase her memory?" Akito asked.

"No actually," This caught my attention. "I was wondering if you would allow Honda-san to stay with us. I told her the truth, about our curse and about our transformations and she actually handled it quite well. So, I was wondering if you'd allow her to stay."

Akito took a moment to think about this, it was a very unique situation for the Sohma family. The knowledge of the Sohma Zodiac secret has only ever been told to those who absolutely must be aware of it. This included immediate members of a Zodiac spirits' family, the family head and the maids who work within the Sohma compound. Less than a third of the entire Sohma family are actually aware of the secret while the rest, known as the 'outside' members of the family, live peacefully oblivious to the qualms of the 'inside'. However, for someone with no relation to the Sohma family knowing about the Zodiac bond is nearly unheard of. Nearly.

Akito hummed, "Handled it well? Why, that is interesting, isn't it? I'm sure it won't last though, rejection will come sooner or later. But, I suppose, if you, Yuki and even Kyo wish to house an outsider, well, who am I but a chivalrous God to deny such a wish. If she keeps our secret she may stay. But you three better not come crying back to me after she rejects you."

Shigure's eyebrows rose before his smirk returned. "I trust Tohru-san. This may be a good opportunity for Yuki, Kyo and me as well."

Akito nodded and chuckled, "But Yuki is perspective, so be careful."