✓ | WITHERED BONDS, shigure sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Ninety

Kira and Akito both walked hand in hand, the pair were absolutely terrified. However, neither of them was going to back down and keep walking forward from now on.

Each step they took closer to the hall, the more that reality had started to dawn upon them.

For a moment it was as if the twin's mind were in complete sync as they stopped at the same time.

However, it was as if a warm hand touched their backs pushing them forward. The twins both turned and for a split second they both gaped, however, before they could say anything, they were met with an empty hall.

"Sis...did you" Kira started

Akito gulped and nodded," Yeah...it was...

"Father"

Akito lowered her head and bowed her head, making Kira follow the gesture.

For a few seconds, they remained with their heads low. They did all they could to hold back the tears wanting to form, knowing it's best to not ruin all that Sama and Tohru had done for them.

Kira took the lead this time and gently squeezed her sister's hand and looked straight ahead. The twins both resumed their walking and soon enough they saw Sama standing right in front of the hall door.

She smiled at them," Congratulations, Akito and Kira" She said brightly before turning to open the door.

She stepped in first, fitting her body through the half-open door," Everyone, if I may do. Akito and Kira have finished with the preparations..." Sama turned back to face them as she opened the door widely, revealing the twins to all of the present family members.

The eyes of all of them, with the exception of Hatori and Ayame, were all in a state of complete and utter shock.

Kira glanced at Hatori," They didn't come did they" She asked referring to Shigure and Kureno.

The pair had both been in an agreement that they did not want to be there, still not confident to face the others just yet.

Hatori shook his head and sighed," Those idiots"

Akito opened her mouth about to respond, but she was cut off by Ritsu," Kira and Akito...never in the same hobby as I..." He said turning pale.

Akito closed her eyes looking away embarrassed while Kira chuckled," Sorry, this is different, Ritsu" The male nodded slowly calming down.

"As for this sudden appearance," Akito began as she slowly sat down with Kira following," This is the truth..."

Kira looked at her sister and silently told her that she'd continue, since Akito had grown nervous to the point of not being able to continue," Akito and I were both born as women, but due to some complicated matters, we've been forced to be raised as males. One of the reasons was that some of the elders had worried that the successors being women was uncalled for, since every family head was always a male, such as our father. However, while that was one of the reasons, the other is unspeakably twisted as it would come"

"A woman feared that us being females would take her place," Akito continued," However, from now on, we are going to finally be who we truly are"

Kira had begun to say, "You have all...finally returned to your own...way"

Akito then took her turn, since this is the part that she asked her sister to say, because she felt as if it was her part to do," We both will return to our own way, you are all free...However late it is, until now..." Kira ran her thumb on the back of her sister's hand, supporting her to continue," I've done terrible things, to all of you. I've degraded, beaten and even made you feel as if you had no one but us and nothing will ever fix what I had done"

Kira then took a breath before taking her turn," I have not done anything...I did not care about any of you or even tried to, because I was so obsessed with the power I had. I wanted to be useful and with the price of that was turning away when you were each brought into a place that felt terrifying. However, the one thing each of you all had was the stubbornness that somehow melted away that ice around me, you all taught the both of us a lot"

Akito kept her head straight and inhaled," And so, we both decided we will keep living as a Sohma. We think that there are things that should be done"

"So, with this, is our final Banquet," Kira turned to each of them and smiled," Be free and finally have a chance to be you"