Title: As the world falls down…
Fandom: Fruits Basket
Author: kira
Words: 300 words
Rating: G
Summary: Akito sorts out her life with a little help from Shigure…
Warnings: Spoilish for the end of the series

Author's note: Thanks go out to Jen for getting Shigure to behave!

888

"I don't know if I can do this, Shigure…"Akito said. She fingered the rich silk of the pretty kimono he had just given her. It was her first furisode and she was almost afraid to wear it. "My reality has been distorted for so long; I don't think I know how to be a girl any more." She sighed softly. "That's if I ever did."

"I don't think you need to change at all." He smiled at her. "Just be yourself."

She let out a little snort of wry amusement. "Nobody liked him very much."

"I did, and besides, who are you trying to impress…?" He wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, Akito… Always have and always will."

Akito, thinking he was joking, pulled away, narrowing her eyes at him. "But what about my mother? And… Kureno?" she said seriously.

"It's in the past, Akito. Things are different and all we can do is put the pieces back together the best we can."

She rolled her eyes at him, letting out a little sound of disgust. "You sound just like some stupid character from one of your stupid books."

"So what if I do?" He laughed, and taking the kimono from her hands, he added, "It doesn't mean what I've said isn't true." He placed the kimono on her shoulders. "Let's start over as man and woman."

"I can't forget the past, Shigure." She tried to turn away from him, but something about the way he looked at her, compelled her to stay.

"No one wants you too, Akito."

"But…"

"But nothing." Shigure pulled her close. "How about I write you a happy ending, Akito?"

Clinging tightly to him, her fear of change and being alone threatening to overwhelm her, Akito said softly, "I'd like that very much…"