REALLY BIG SPOILER from chapter 97

If you do not keep up with the manga in Japan, then do NOT continue.

But . . . if you don't mind knowing a MAJOR plot twist, then go right on ahead!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Furuba characters.

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"Akito wishes to see you," Hatori says quietly.

I nod, pushing my anxiety down.

Since Hatori has been so busy lately, I came to him for my bimonthly check-up. I wasn't all that nervous about coming to the Honke. Ever since my sudden bout of courage at New Year's, I haven't been as afraid of Akito. I'm simply curious as to what his attitude will be to me now.

After I thank Hatori, I leave his office and head toward Akito's room. I then come up with various scenarios in my mind of what will happen. Will he be angry? Will he be strangely forgiving? Maybe he'll just be his clingy self and say I should come back to him.

I think about knocking, but I'd rather catch him by surprise. Maybe, that way, I'll get a glimpse of his true feelings. If he's angry that I barged in, then I know, even if he acts nice, he's truly burning on the inside. If he doesn't seem bothered, then I know I'm safe. So, with that in mind, I slide the door open.

Oops, Kureno's here. Akito never liked him seeing any of us. But . . . wait a minute . . . Are they . . . Akito and Kureno . . . My jaw drops. They're kissing! I immediately slam the door shut. What . . . was that? Was I imagining things? I mean, I always thought it was weird how Akito hung off all the guys, but . . . I never thought he was actually gay!

I slowly start to walk away, but then I hear the door open behind me. I freeze.

"Yuki!"

Cringing, I turn to face him, but I'm surprised at what I see. Akito looks more scared than furious. Why?

"What did you see?"

He's nervous. So what? Really, it's not that big of a deal . . . I guess. It would make a lot of sense.

"Yuki!" He grabs me by the shoulders. "You can't tell anyone!"

"O-Okay. It's no big deal."

"What?"

"I mean, you're gay. I have . . . no problem with that." As long as you don't come after me anymore . . . That would be just plain scary at this point.

He looks confused for a second. "You . . . think I'm gay?"

"Well . . . yeah."

He slowly turns away. "I'm gay?"

Wow . . . Maybe it's his insanity kicking in again.

"No," he says as he shakes his head. "For some reason, I can't let you think that."

"Huh?"

"Akito?" Kureno says as he walks into the hallway. "Does he know?"

"Know what?" Now I'm starting to get nervous.

"Ahhhhh! Fine! I'm not letting him think I'm gay, anyhow!" He turns to me with narrowed eyes and says, "Yuki, I'm not gay. I'm a woman."

For a minute, I just stare at him. Then, I try not to laugh. "A woman? I'm sorry, but I find that—"

He grabs me the arm and throws me into his room. Eyes still narrowed, he walks in after me and grabs at his yukata, pulling it apart. There it is. The proof, right in front of me. His—um, her—chest was wrapped in cloth. He-She had been binding hi-her chest . . .

"Do you still not believe me?"

I jump. His-Her pitch had just went up a few notches. Could it really be? "So . . . then you and . . . are . . . lovers?"

She nods.

"Umm . . . I think . . . I need . . . my inhaler." Not really. I just need an excuse to get out of here. Practically running, I go back to Hatori's office, almost knocking Kureno over as I pass him. After sliding the door open so hard it makes Hatori jump, I yell, "Akito's a transsexual?"

He gives me the weirdest look, which is rare, since he's usually very emotionless. "No."

"But-But . . . he's a she!" Now it really hits me. Since when did he become a woman? My god . . . this can't be happening!

"Yuki," he says slowly, "Akito was always a woman. How on earth did you find out, anyway?"

"I-I saw them kissing. At first, I just thought Akito was a homosexual, but she told me the truth, and I didn't believe her, but . . . but her chest was bound, and her voice was a little higher. Hatori, how could I not have known?" All this time . . . Akito was a woman. Thank god I never undressed in front of her or anything.

"Are you okay? You almost look like you're going to have an asthma attack."

"N-No, I'm fine. Just . . . a woman! Does anyone else know?"

He shakes his head. "Only Shigure."

"Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god—"

"Calm down, Yuki," Hatori says as he walks over to me.

"How could I not have known? A woman . . ." I mumble.

"Yuki—"

"Are you sure Akito didn't have a sex change?"

He gives me another weird look. "I'm positive."

I grab onto his arm. "Hatori! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Shut up, already!" Akito yells from the doorway. "Stop blowing this out of proportion!"

"'Out of proportion'?" I then start freaking out even more so. "You're a woman! I was just too dense as a kid, and even as a teenager, to notice! You're a freaking woman! A woman! My god, how I wish you were just gay! Even a transsexual would've been better! A woman!"

Akito walks over to me and slaps me hard. "I told you to shut up!"

"Akito," Hatori begins, "I think he has a good reason to be acting like this. Just let him calm down on his own. He has to let it sink in."

"Fine! Just hurry up and let it sink in!" Then she turns to leave.

"Wait, Akito," Hatori calls.

"What?"

"Why were you so careless—"

"Because I didn't know when his appointment was! It was a spur of the moment! Now, both of you, shut up, and leave me alone!"

A minute or two later, after Akito stormed off, I finally blink. What a day . . .

"I'm sorry, Yuki."

"No . . . it's alright." After a short pause, I say, "I can't tell anyone, can I." It was more of a statement than a question.

"I'm afraid not. You can always talk to Shigure, but I doubt you'd want to."

I nod. "Well, I guess . . . I'll head back."

"It's a long walk. I'll drive you."

"But I thought you were really busy."

He looks away. "Yes, but it's the least I can do at the moment."

"I see . . . Thanks."

Oh, how I wish to tell Kyou . . . just to see his reaction . . .

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It wasn't really supposed to be funny, but if you laughed, that's cool. I'm terrible at humor . . . I just wanted to have a little fun with the fact that Akito is a girl. It took me about a day to get over it and start trying to come up with a one-shot. Akito being a girl is so much fun! So many fun fics for the writers to come up with!

Gokigenyou!