Hey! Back with the final chapter! Hope you guys enjoy! Please review!!! Thanks!!!

This chapter is dedicated to you, Ashtyn, since you wanted to read it! MUCH LOVE

Chapter 4- Not-So Invincible Binds

It was the end of the year, and the party and Shigure Sohma's was in full swing. Finally, the three kids were out of high school and on the one track to the rest of their lives.

That is… most of them were…

The party consisted of Hiro and Kisa Sohma- both were now in their first year of high school-, Hatsuharu Sohma, Shigure-naturally- Yuki and Kyo, Kagura- to Kyo's dismay-, Ayame- to Yuki's dismay- Hatori, Momiji, and, of course, Tohru Honda.

Music blasted and drinks and food were stacked high on the many tables scattered around the home. Laughter engulfed the room and the only feeling in the air was that of total comfort.

"Kyo! Kyo! Kiss me, Kyo!" Kagura cried, puckering her lips and closing her eyes while leaning in close to him.

To her surprise, he leaned over and kissed her, accepted her offer, leaving a tingly feeling on the boar's lips. "Take that and we're even for all tha years I had ta deal with that crap!" he smiled jokingly, walking over to the punch bowl to get a drink.

Kagura jumped up and down and laughed, saying, "Deal! Deal!" She trailed after him, her face red.

Yuki and Tohru swayed together with the music, holding a light conversation.

Momiji bounced up and down around everyone, trying desperately to get them to watch his 'latest trick'. This included him pulling his ear to a great length, which most people had seen before and were still disgusted by.

Shigure, Aya, and Hatori all sat in the corner chairs, nodding and laughing with drinks in their hands. Ayame moved his hands animatedly, telling of a great tale of his adventures in his shop, Shigure taking it all in and laughing, the dragon shaking his head in distain.

Hiro and Kisa smiled and laughed together as they danced hand-in-hand.

But all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, it would only end badly for one of the many Zodiac animals…

The door burst open and the music stopped. Everyone turned his or her head in wonder to see who was the cause of this vile act.

Akito Sohma stood by the radio. He smiled, chuckling quietly. So… Shigure thought. He's really planning on coming for him in the middle of the party… not even a moment's peace.

"Greetings to you all," the raven-haired man said smugly. "Thank you so much for inviting me, unfortunately I must leave soon, along with one other in this room."

Yuki narrowed his eyes, slyly peaking over toward the cat. Kyo had a pained look in his eyes as he realized he was the treasure come to be collected.

Akito lightly treaded toward the crimson-eyed youth. Said boy stood rigidly, waiting for the moment when the god would call for him to follow. It's not like… he thought. I could refuse to go… it's my fate… and-

"Come, Monster. Time to end your life in the outside."

Akito held out a hand to Kyo, gesturing to follow.

Eyes pointed toward the ground of the silent room, he glumly stepped after Akito.

Bump.

Kyo looked up in surprise. Who's there? Why are they in my way? he thought. His eyes widened. No way…

"He's going no where with you." Yuki announced, glaring at the head of the Sohma family. Akito smirked, looking discreetly over his shoulder at the rat.

"And what gives you the authority to order me?" he questioned, turning to face Yuki.

Yuki grinned slightly. "I have none. But I don't need it." Yuki looked around the room. "Everyone in this room probably agrees that the fate you have in store for Kyo is the last thing he needs or deserves."

Haru stepped up beside the silver-haired boy, nodding. "Aye," he conquered, his eyes still holding a misty, glazed look.

Hiro and Kisa stepped up next, still holding hands. Akito's eyes narrowed as he noted all of the other Zodiac members in the room building a wall between himself and the monster they called 'Kyo', AKA the cat. Tohru stood besides Kyo, gripping his hand. Her eyes were focused, protecting.

Kagura stood on his other side.

Kyo looked around in amazement. Even the adults were standing to support the mutiny.

Yuki smiled. "You have no power nor reason to take Kyo away from us. If he's a burden, he's our burden. This is our choice: leave Kyo with us."

Akito's eyes were filled with rage. He lashed out, "You have no right! I am your god, your liege! You must listen to me! You all live thanks to me, what right do you have to defy me when I do so much for you all! Now, give me the monster!"

"No!" All eyes turned to the female, Tohru. Immediately, she covered her mouth in surprise. Did… did I really just go against the Sohma head? Oh, no… now he's going- No. Not the time. "He's not going with you. He's staying here, with his friends and family- with those who care for him. What good will come of locking him up? It's inhumane!" Tears sprang to her eyes, and she shook her head.

"You can't… You can't just throw him out for being the cat! You can't just isolate him, he's a human being, just like the rest of you! What right do you, Akito-san-"

Tohru broke away from the group, walking toward Akito, pointing an accusing finger in his direction. "What right do you have to throw him away and call him a monster for just being possessed by the cat? It's no fault of his own; no, it's no fault at all! I love the cat, and so do all the others in this room! Why don't you just leave us alone!?"

Akito stood in a silence for a mesmerized moment as Tohru sobbed. Then he smiled. "Why do I have the right? Because it's just as I said: they all have a life, thanks to me. I sacrifice for them- I'm going to even die for them. Couldn't they at least show me a bit of respect for that?"

"Akito." Momiji exclaimed. "We don't need you to tell us how we feel! We know that we owe you so much, but please: a king is supposed to watch over his people, make them happy! How would this benefit you or your family? I agree; leave Kyo with us."

"Yes, please," Kisa whispered. "Let Kyo stay." Hiro took a protective step in front of her.

Aktio gazed around the room, glaring at Kyo. This can't… he thought. This can't be happening… I'm losing my grip… Ahh… I'll have to regroup and come for him later.

Ruefully, Akito huffed off, heading back for his home without a word.

Yuki sighed. Sure, that felt good, but I'm going to get my ass kicked for it later…

The group dispersed, the room getting a defiant air of accomplishment. Yuki turned to Kyo, who stood perplexed. "Wh-?"

"Because you're our friend." Yuki responded. "You deserve this." Turning, he continued, "Also, I hate owing you, so now we're even. You get your life for you saving mine."

Kyo grimaced in mock anger. "Oh yeah, always looking out for yourself, and for once I'd thought you actually were trying to do somethin' nice!"

Yuki grinned playfully, "And why would I do that!"

"Kyo!" Tohru ran gleefully to the cat, grabbing his arm. "We did it! You don't have to go now!"

Kyo grinned. Looking to Yuki, his eyes silently said what he couldn't: thank you.

The violet-eyed boy nodded, waltzing over to Kagura to hold a conversation.

Kyo looked back to Tohru, his awkward smile gracing his face. "Yeah, I don't have to go." He leaned down to her. "I can stay here… with you guys."

As Yuki peered over his shoulder, he saw Kyo and Tohru's lips meet, and he smiled. I had to have known it was coming. he thought. Those two were born for each other… and somehow…

Yuki gazed out the window. "I'm content…"

The Mubadachi trio looked on as Kyo and Tohru kissed happily. "Ahh, a happy ending!" Ayame announced gleefully. Hatori grinned to himself. "Indeed it seems."

Shigure pouted. "Yes, but now I have to keep watch over those two lovers!"

The three laughed as the party fell back into full swing.