~Redemption~
*Prologue*
Matin Ange
Author's Notes: Hi all! Just a forewarning, I've only seen the anime, so I know nothing about the manga because it hasn't been released here in America and I can't yet read Japanese. So, please, if things here don't correspond with the manga, I'm sorry, but I have no way to fix that. It also takes place the winter after Kyo's true form is released, so, needless to say, there are spoilers buried in here. As far as pairings go, I only have two definite ones, so if you have any other suggestions I'd be open to them; I want to eventually have all the characters make appearances, so I'm open for anything. (Two definite pairings: Tohru x Akito; Shigure x Akume) Otherwise, I hope you enjoy! And please review; I crave praise and flames alike.
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Hi! I'm Tohru Honda, and about a year and a half ago I lost my mother to a car accident. I started living in a tent so that I wouldn't be an inconvenience to anyone, but I was found out and taken in by Shigure and Yuki Sohma. They were really nice to me, to take me in like that, and that's when I learned of their family curse.
You see, whenever a member of the opposite sex hugs them, they turn into one of the members of the Chinese zodiac, plus the cat, of course. There are a few exceptions, like, they can be hugged by any of the other thirteen members and not change, or they can change if they're under a great deal of stress. Like Ayame, the snake, can transform when it's really cold outside.
All in all, I've met eleven of the thirteen who can change, so there are still two missing, but I haven't heard anything about them and I don't ask. The one person that I worry about the most these days is Akito, the head of the Sohma family who bears the weight of the curse. Hatori says he's going to die soon, because the curse has given him poor health. I try to visit him as much as I can, and as much as he'll let me. Hatori and Shigure and Ayame are looking for a cure, but so far they haven't found anything and they say they need the other two members to be sure about anything. I really want them to find something to save Akito, and I'm getting more worried as the days pass.
Otherwise, it's just been a normal year and a half, living in Shigure's house with Yuki and Kyo. I really like it there, it's as if for once, in my life, I've found a place that needs me, and I need it. I hope my mom can see me now, because I know she would be proud. There's only one more year of high school, after all. I'm so close to just one of my goals. There have been hard times for us, like when Kazuma came and took Kyo's beads and we had to bring him back. I thought I would fail him, I was so scared, but everything turned out fine thanks to Uo and Hana, who forced me to keep going despite my own pain.
I had almost forgotten my motto: Never give up!!
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There was great news today! It seems that Shigure got a letter from another Sohma, and they believe that this Sohma, and the one she spoke of in her letter, are the last two zodiac members!! It's really exciting; they said they'd be here soon. The letter was signed Tsukeru Sohma, and under it was neatly printed her name, and the name of another Sohma, Akume. Two more girls!
That was when Shigure told us how their parents ran away when they were young. Shigure and Hatori seem quite surprised that they were looking for the Sohma household, and everyone is in quite the pleasant mood, even Yuki and Kyo seem to be getting along a little better. They haven't told Akito yet, though. They're worried about how he'll react, and so Shigure urged them to come to his house first. From there, he and Hatori will decide what to do with them.
I hope they get here soon. I'm worried they won't find Akito's cure in time, but I think I've said that before. If you're up there, mom, I hope you'll watch over us all, especially Akito, and keep us all safe. Please mom, I really like all of them, but I know that Akito needs a miracle the most. I hope that, maybe, I will be his miracle. But that's just between you and me.
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"Tsukeru, are you sure this is the right place?" Creamy, orange hair was tied back into a loose braid that ended just between the middle of her shoulder blades. "It's just the middle of nowhere. I thought you said there'd be Sohmas here." She sighed softly, exasperatedly, as she peered into the thick darkness the forest held.
"Of course I'm sure, Akume, now be a good horse and run ahead and see if you can find us the house. I'll wait here." Long red hair fell down her back in waves as her yellow eyes held their superior gleam.
"You know, for a rooster, you sure are lazy. All the books say that you're supposed to be ambitious and stuff."
"Yes, and you fit the hot-tempered, loyal, ambitious horse to a T. Fine, I'll go with you, just in case you see a snake or something."
"No no, if you're going to be like that, Keru, then I can go alone." She looked behind her at the nearly desolate, night streets. "Get ready to erase memories, dear rooster."
Akume strode up to the nearest guy she could find, a wicked grin on her lips. She was not usually so forward, in fact she was pretty shy when it came to those she didn't know, unless she needed to transform, and Tsukeru had learned how to erase memories, so it was fine to do so. Soon a creamy-white pony stood where the eighteen-year-old girl was, and Tsukeru was taking over.
"Hey, make sure to bring me my clothes, Keru." She said, before the concrete shook with the sound of hooves.
"Now, now, sir. Just relax for me." Tsukeru cooed, her yellow eyes taking on a soft gleam.
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