~~ Hello! My name is TohruEmber! I really hope you will enjoy my story! ~~

If you'd like to know some things about the story before we begin, please read below.

Before I begin, however, (lol) this story is dedicated to Fruits Basket, the best manga ever.

Firstly, the main character won't exactly be like Tohru Honda-san. I think to put Tohru's personality into an X Men character won't really seem authentic. However, there will be the same kindness and selflessness that Tohru Honda-san possesses.

Secondly, I love –san – chan –kun, etc. However, I realise that fans of anime/manga might not appreciate this, and people who are reading this, oblivious to anime/manga may not understand. If at anytime you dislike me doing this, please comment in your reviews, and if the majority don't like it, I will certainly remove it or not put it in at all. It may flow better without, but I'd like to know your opinions.

I'm not sure how many chapters I will do on this. I suppose it depends on the readers. Comments really are appreciated. At the moment I'm thinking 50 odd.

I thought of doing a 'series divider.' Basically, just like television series. Only so I can have a small break of about two weeks, (I do have lots of work to do too!). So for the moment, Set 1, Season one, whatever you wish to call it, will be 22 chapters, including a bonus chapter, but I'll explain that in the next chapter. (I said the word chapter a lot, huh?)

Even though it's based loosely on the manga it really will go beyond that and into its own world, though again. So any of those who have not read the manga and don't want spoilers, it's alright!

I also will say, it will probably start out slow, but trust me, once the main characters are involved it will start to move fast!

~Blessed~

Chapter One

Marie's Discovery!: An Amazing Transformation

Hello! Mah name is Marie Darkholme and last month ah turned sixteen! Ah live in a place called Bayville. Ah didn't always live here; it was only six years ago we moved. Ah originally lived in Mississippi with mah Mom too … But she left us … Ah'm alright though! 'Coz ah was always told to not mope around an' complain about what ah lost. That's right! Ah'll only focus on what ah have, not what ah'm missing.

Ah was living with mah aunt since ah was ten, but a month ago when ah came back from school she informed me that she was gonna stay with her daughter f'r a while, while she gets some money to buy a new house in Bayville. Ah was determined to stay in Bayville because ah really wanted to finish high school. After much persuasion, ah managed to convince her that ah'd be fine livin' on mah own. Aunt Irene left me her apartment, but then … Well … ah was kicked out.

Not because ah did anything wrong, of course! Ah jus' couldn't afford the place anymore. Ah daren't tell Aunt Irene – she'd only worry and make me move to Mississippi with her. But ah really want to stay here.

So this is how ah ended up here – in the middle of a forest, living in a tent.

Little did ah know, mah life was about to change forever …

Marie stepped out of the tent with a wide smile on her face. She peered up to the skies that were gleaming with sunlight. Oh how she loved Monday mornings. With a quick stretch of her arms and straightening of her school uniform, Marie grabbed her bag and proceeded through the forest, making her usual five minute journey to school – Bayville High.

The wind propelled her auburn hair, her white streaks that framed her face blowing about wildly. She found herself humming a tune that she did not even recognise, but supposed that she had caught a listen of the tune in town sometime. It was a delightful song anyway, so she did not mind.

Rogue crossed over a small rocky bridge that a month ago she had manufactured herself so that she could get across the stream easily and swiftly – she didn't want to be late for school again.

As she climbed up a hill, she spotted a house, though she had never noticed it before, despite taking this path so many times.

Ah wonder who lives there, she thought. Her legs practically moved on their own as they scurried down the hill to take a closer look at the house. As she came upon the flat land, she noticed how peaceful the area was: surrounded by trees, the house stood two stories tall, vibrant flowers blossoming all around it, and birds whistling as they flew around. It was certainly picturesque.

'Well hello there.'

Marie gasped as she swirled around to see a tall, brawny man wearing glasses with rather bizarre hair: although it was clearly brown, as the sun reigned down on him, she could perceive just a little blue. Somehow, he seemed familiar.

'Ah'm so sorry!' apologised Marie after recovering from the surprise. 'Ah was jus' walkin' around and ah saw ya house. Ah – Ah didn't mean to intrude, ah'm sorry!'

But the man only laughed as he walked up the steps to the porch of his house. 'No need to apologise – it's not often we get visitors here.'

Marie watched his beaming face for a moment, searching his features for some evidence that perhaps he was irritated, but she could find none. She smiled back at him and clutched her bag with a firmer grip.

'You have a lovely house … erm …'

'Hank,' the man informed. 'Hank Xavier.'

Xavier?! thought Marie. They must be one of the most well known families in Bayville! T-That must also mean he's related to … Realising she hadn't said anything for ten seconds, Marie said, 'I-I-It's nice to meet you, Mr Xavier,' smiling.

'Please, just call me Hank here. And what might your name be?'

'Marie Darkholme,' said a well-known voice.

Both Marie and Hank looked to the door of the house as it opened. Marie suppressed a gasp as she realised who it was.

J – Joseph Xavier. It's Joseph Xavier! H-He must be the most popular boy in school! As it happens, he's in mah class too! Everyone adores him, like some kind of prince. He even had his own fan club! A-An he's standing right in front o' me. W-What do ah do? What can ah say?!

'Do you live near her Miss Darkholme?' Joseph asked her.

Marie was immediately dazzled by his sparkling blue eyes. She shook her head and then immediately nodded, confusing Hank and Joseph.

'A-Ah mean, yes! Yes ah live near hear. In face ah have a place in the forest further along the path up there,' she said.

Hank and Joseph gave each other a sceptical look.

'On these grounds?' asked Joseph.

'Uh-huh,' Rogue beamed. She overlooked the suspicious looks the two swapped one another once more.

'Well, since we're both headed in the same direction, would you like to walk to school together?' he asked her kindly.

Marie attempted to hide the shock in her face. 'S-Sure,' she replied.

He's so handsome. And so polite, too. But there's something about him that just doesn't quite add up. Although his smile and his words are kind, it almost seems like he's pushing himself.

Walking together through the streets to Bayville High School, Marie couldn't help but repeatedly glance at Joe. His expression was tight now, as though he was fighting in a struggle to keep his mouth upright. Marie frowned unhappily.

Ah wonder why he's sad. Ah hope he's alright.

Marie and Joseph walked in silence as they came upon the main road, dotted with fellow students taking the same journey to school. Marie grasped her bag so tight her knuckles had turned white. She really didn't know what she could say to him.

'So how did you find that test the other day, Miss Darkholme?' Joseph asked finally.

'Oh! Erm … well … Ah think ah did okay on it,' she said with a faint smile. She knew she was lying though. The moment the maths test was placed on her desk she knew didn't stand a chance. 'How about you?'

'I don't know; I studied hard enough, so I'll just have to hope it pays off,' he said, almost worriedly.

'Ah'm sure you did great on it! You've come top in every class so far!' Marie pointed out.

Joseph looked at her a little taken aback by her enthusiasm, but then smiled with gratitude.

'Thank you. So where exactly do you live again? It must be pretty close to Hank's house,' asked Joe.

'Oh erm …' Marie's face was still bright red. She was aware that the majority of the girls in school have fought in battles just to be where she was. Plus she did not want to mention the fact that she now lived in a tent. 'Ah live next to a small waterfall ... I-I-It's cosy.' '

Joe nodded his head, thinking.

'An' what about you? Oh! But you probably live on the Xavier estate far away from everything, right? Or …'

'Actually, I moved out in September,' Joe explained. 'I live with Hank now. But I've never called it home yet. Ha …'

'Oh … Can ah ask why you moved?'

Joe grinned. 'Let's just say … enough was enough.'

Marie blinked but said no more about that. The way he said how he couldn't call it home yet sounded strange coming from him. Maybe he's upset because o' that. Ah would have never thought in the year ah've seen him he could sound so gloomy. He always seemed so happy. But ah guess most people can seem that way sometimes.

'Miss Darkholme?'

'Huh? Oh, ah'm sorry! Ah do this inner monologue thing sometimes.' She laughed nervously as Joe watched her uncertainly, as though waiting for her to say something else odd. After a moment, he laughed. She was somewhat surprised.

It's such a beautiful laugh!

'I'm sorry,' he chuckled. 'You're quite amusing.'

'A-Ah am?' She wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

His laughing slowly faded away and he smiled at her, but this time she noticed it was a more natural smile.

'It's funny how we've never talked before,' he said suddenly, 'even though we've been in the same class for this long.'

'Ah guess there's jus' never been enough time with studying an' all,' said Marie.

'It looks like we're here now,' he said.

Marie craned her neck to find herself in front of the school gates. She had been completely entranced by Joe that she hadn't even noticed their approach to the school.

Walking into Bayville High with Joe was a new experience for Marie all together. Girls who had chatted to Marie nicely were glaring at her; even some of the boys appeared irritated. She gulped and widened the space between her and Joe.

'Thank you for walking with me today, Miss Darkholme,' Joe said as they approached a door. He opened it for her revealing a classroom with talking students dotted around, some not looking to pleased when they glanced in Marie's direction.

'Oh no, not at all, it was mah pleasure,' Marie laughed timidly. Joe gave a quick twitch of his lips and sat down at his desk, while Marie dashed over to her two friends in the back corner of the room.

'Wow, you're shaking,' commented Betsy, her English accent silky and strong.

'Can you really blame her?' said the impassive Tessa, her voice slow and calm, yet all at the same time, dominant. 'Walking with Joseph Xavier is bound to do that to anyone.'

'A-Ah don' even remember how it happened,' said Marie. You stumbled upon where he lives.. Oh Right … That's how.

'Great! Honestly, that damn 'Prince' as they call him should know better!' shouted Betsy, but not loud enough for anyone else in the room to hear. 'Any girl who walks with him alone is gonna have trouble on her hands.'

'Poor Marie,' whispered Tessa, patting Marie's head, her dark eyes fixing onto the ground. 'We will protect you. I will cut out the precious intestines of the ones who dare to touch you and then cook, and boil, cook and boil, cook and boil them, and after a long, strenuous hour of cooking and boiling, and boiling and cooking, I will feed them to Woffle and Hercules.'

'Your rabbits?' asked Betsy, indifferently.

A long silence drew out between the three – Marie's jaw hung wide open rather stunned, and Betsy looking rather unimpressed and not surprised.

The bell rang and as soon as their homeroom teacher came in, everyone took their seats at their desks.

Ah couldn't tell them ah live in a tent again … thought Marie as her lesson begun. Betsy and Tessa would only worry. An' ah really don' wanna impose on them by asking to stay at their house. It's way too much trouble to put them through.

Marie slumped on her desk. Ah'll jus' have to survive – 'coz Aunt Irene will be coming home an' buyin' a new house! A-Ah can do it! Mom would've been able to!

~~~~~ Back at the tent in the woods ~~~~~

Marie opened the tent with its zipper, climbing in and reaching for a towel. After a long day at school and several tests – not to mention hassle from Joseph Xavier's jealous fan club girls – all Marie wanted to do was enjoy the pleasantly cool stream that flowed down the woods.

Life's not so bad, she thought to herself. Livin' in a tent is … is … Okay so it's not fun at all an' it's somewhat exhaustin', but, it's what ah have t' do for now!

Climbing out of her tent, Marie was completely dazzled when her eyes fell upon someone unanticipated.

'Miss Darkholme?'

'O-Oh erm … H-Hello, Joseph!' Marie stuttered.

'What … What are you doing?' he asked her, looking at her with an expression of fear and worry.

'Ah was jus' erm … that is … erm … ahaha … ah was …'

~~~~~~~~~Five minutes later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Oh I see. Your Aunt Irene moved away, and now you live in a tent,' said Joseph. 'That … makes … sense. At least, now I understand what you meant when you said you lived near by. All of this land is Xavier property; it seemed odd that we'd suddenly have a new neighbour. But still … to live in a tent is ––'

'B-But ah'm okay! Livin' in a tent isn't that bad! Really! Ah've made mah only little home here. It's quite cosy!' she shouted – not meaning too.

'It's not right for a young lady to be out on her own at night. Come on, you can sleep at my house tonight,' Joe said, taking her bag.

'N-No! It's fine really! Ah couldn't do that!'

Not only would ah cause him trouble, but all the girls at school … they'll … they'll …

'Please, it's no problem. It's much safer at my house. I promise nothing will happen,' Joe insisted as he began to walk down the street.

'But! Wait! Please stop!' As Marie ran after him, her foot caught on a lump of rock and she accidentally fell straight onto the back of Joe.

POOF!

Smoke clouded Marie's vision, and when it faded away, Joseph was nowhere to be seen.

Confused, Marie stuttered, 'W-W-What jus' ….'

She looked down to see Joseph's clothes scrambled on the floor. There was something moving around beneath them. Marie apprehensively picked up Joe's shirt and moved it to one side, and was baffled at what was in front of her.

'A-A-A rat?'

And indeed, there was a small rat as white as snow, and big black eyes staring at the floor. Even though Marie would have probably ran away from a rodent, this one was different by far.

It's … cute …

The rat sighed. 'This wasn't supposed to happen.'

'A TALKING RAT???!!!!' screamed Marie suddenly – causing even the small rat to jump.

'I'm sorry, Miss Darkholme, I really didn't plan on you hugging me,' he said. 'It's me … Joseph.'

'J-J-Joseph? B-B-B-But he's not a r-rat.' Marie began to feel dizzy, utterly confused.

'I like to think I'm not at least,' he said. 'But now that you've found out … I'm afraid that …'

Marie calmed down a little and stared at him, concerned.

His tiny rat's head looked up at her. 'Your memory will have to be erased.'

'End 1/22 ~

I hope you enjoyed it! I know, I know, it may be boring to some, but honestly, it gets really interesting. I'm really enjoying writing it! This first chapter, I must admit, is the hardest I've wrote. Simply because it's an introduction more or less. I'm not good with introductions (as you might have noticed), I like to get them all over and done with in one swoop and get on with the drama. So this was difficult for me.

I think the majority people who will be reading this have seen X Men Evolution, so they will know the settings quite well – at least I hope. If you really do want more description of the places, please tell me, and I will describe like I've never described before! Ha …ha …

I also realise a few of you might not know who Joe is! Joe is a character in the X Men series. He is a clone of Magneto (Eric). He was created in a laboratory between dimensional planes by the woman known as Astra. In this fanfiction, however, he is not. Ha. He was also a love interest of Rogue's in the comics, or rather he loved her. So no, he's not my own character – I don't own him whatsoever.

PLEASE REVIEW so that I know I should continue posting or not!!! =D

Next Chapter!!! Marie: Ahhhh! Ah have no idea what's just happened, but everyone's turning into animals! What do ah do!

Joe: Basically, there are twelve of us in the Xavier family who transform into the animals of the Chinese Zodiac every time someone of the opposite sex embraces us. Like I said – it's a curse.

Marie: A curse? That doesn't sound good to me. But at least it all begins to make sense to me now! All this time ah was worrying about being homeless, when the Xavier family had to put up with such a dreadful curse! An' jus' as ah settled down from the shock of it all, ah meet – in very unexpected ways – a pair of red eyes! Who's this new arrival claiming to be an Xavier?

Person: 'M 'ere f'r one reason – T' kill that damn bastard rat, even 'f I die tryin'!

Marie: Rat? Does he mean J-Joseph …?

Joseph: Like you could ever hurt me, idiot.

Person: **Growls** Don't call me an idiot, idiot!

Hank: Stop panicking, Marie-chaaaaaan~ They do this all the time.

Marie: Join me, Marie, in the next chapter to find out what happens next!