demeter918 | Fruits Basket Chapter 122

I ganked my friend's computer to essentially screech about how I went into hysterics after reading this chapter. I rushed to the bookstore immediately after work to pick up today's issue of Hanatoyume and DEAR FUCKING GOD.

...

One of my favorite chapters in recent history.

Let's get the Kyo and Tohru stuff over first... I love them, but I was all over Akito.

Tohru and Kyo's kiss?

*whistle* I bet there have been fans waiting for that moment for quite a while.

I really felt for Yuki. He might not love Tohru in the way that some fans want him to, but it doesn't discount the fact that Tohru is incredibly important to him. It's... it's really wonderful. I'm not sure what else to say about that except this:

does anyone else think that possibly, Yuki knew Tohru was semi-okay, but was letting Kyo have the moment when she wakes up? And that it would force Kyo to confront his feelings in a way that he would normally ignore unless in the most extreme situation.

... yeah, but this chapter was still all about Akito for me. DAMN I WISH I HAD MY INTERNET. I'm suddenly inspired to finally set up my printer/scanner to bring this pictures to all the world.

First of all, Akito is screaming for help. She screams over and over for someone, anyone to come and help. She was also saying tasukete which means 'help' over and over. She was not running away in panic. She was running for help. That, almost above all, proved to me that this and her stabbing Kureno was the turning point that Akito needed to step away. The moment before and when she runs into Shigure, I'm not sure, but it might have been Tohru's voice-over?

It's saying, "daijoubu desu yo suyou kowai koto wa mou"

And then the following page has, "owaridesu". XD - "It's finishing." ? "It's over." ?

It makes me wonder if it's Tohru saying that in Akito's mind? That she's saying that it's okay and that's over? But that sounds a bit cliche... and I'm not sure if Takaya-sensei would go for something at such a delicate moment.

Okay.

Who cheered and shrieked like I did when Akito burst through the clearing and right into Shigure's arms? I felt like, "OMFG, this is it, this is it, this is fucking it, omg omg, this is it, this is it, this is the moment for Shigure and Akito's first naked moment post-Ren." As she literally crashed into him and the moment their eyes met and Akito just broke down. The way, oh fuck, the way she said his name, as if she was half in disbelief that he was there and I think it cemented the Shikito/Akito fan in me.

Akito is hysterical, trying to tell them that someone had fallen down the cliff and that she's not moving, why isn't she moving? Good lord, Akito is just completely jumbled and it looks so good on her. Yeah, evil me. Sometimes, Akito is at her loveliest when she's in pain. And jeez, when Shigure calms her down to ask who exactly fell down the cliff? The way he holds her hand to his chest and how he's looking down at her. It's such a beautiful scene. I actually wept just a little because it had seemed... it... well, it was a very long wait. When Akito tells him about Kureno, that look in Shigure's eyes. What does it mean? Does it mean that he knows that this is the point where he must swoop in? Does he think that it finally went too far and that Akito was pushed in a way he hadn't anticipated? Either way, when Akito moved to follow Yuki, Shigure grabbed her hand and pulled her after him.

I'm wondering whether he was doing it so he could take her back to the house and rest her fears. I mean, he immediately called the Sohma house to tell them where Akito is but also to check on Kureno... to rest her mind?

... and, the tears that rolled down Akito's face when Shigure covered her with his coat and told her that Kureno was okay?

oh, Takaya-sensei, you know all the tricks to just rip someone's heart apart.

I was a little disappointed they didn't much further with the Shigure and Akito story, but I think that giving half of the chapter to Akito and giving half the chapter to Tohru and Kyo was a great move. Obviously, we won't have another chapter until March 5, but considering what we were graced with today, I'm willing to wait if it delivers another fantabulous chapter.

But yeah.

*weeps*

More reactions later. I think.

I also picked V.19 of Furuba today, and it was pretty and light and kind... it was a rather sharp contrast to all that happened in this chapter.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

Love Akito with me, people.