Full Summary: In a mix of modern and medieval times lives a rare slave collector by the name of Akito. This man had a collection like none other. A group of thirteen slaves known as the Zodiac Slaves. They are known as such because of a curse that runs through them, dooming them to a life where they can not get close to an uncursed person of the opposite gender or else they transform into the animal they are cursed with. Now, I know what you are thinking, 'There ae only twelve zodiac animals...' and you are correct in thinking that, however, you are forgetting the often forgotten cat. Now, what will happen with these thirteen when they are finally all brought together? Will they shun the cat? Or will they accept him in and follow him for freedom?
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruit's Basket though I wish I did...if I did...oh the things that would happen.
A/N: This first chapter will be short, but it will pick up. Now enough of my ramblings...GO READ!
Zodiac Slaves
Written by: Wulfie89
Dark eyes gazed over the thirteen occupied cages that were spread out before him as a cruel smile curled over pale thin lips. The collection was complete. He now held in his possession the thirteen most sought after slaves in the world. The Zodiac Slaves.
"Finally...with the purchase of the cat...my collection is complete." He all but purred as he moved over to the most recently occupied cage to look over the teen within. This teen had bright fiery orange hair, maroon eyes, and honey brown skin. One could easily see that he was a fighter. As Akito drew near, the teen growled and bared his cat-like teeth only to yet out a surprised yelp when the collar about his neck sent a shock through his system. He blinked owlishly in surprise and looked at the man outside his pen.
"Do not growl at me, Kitty." Akito scolded with a scowl on his face as he held up a remote in his hand, "That was just a warning. Growl at me again and it will only get worse for you." He stated with a tap on the cage before walking away.
Once he was out of sight, the orange haired teen snorted and reached up to try and remove the annoying collar only to stop when a voice to his left spoke.
"Don't bother." A slightly younger teen said with a bored expression in his grey eyes as his long pale fingers ran through his black and white hair, "He padlocks them to keep us from trying to get em off."
This only made the 'kitty' scowl as he dropped his hands to his sides, "I see..." He grumbled with an annoyed sigh, "The name's Kyo...what's yours?" He asked the other teen after a moment, lifting his head to let his eyes bore into the other boy, "And what's your animal? As you heard, I'm the cat."
"Hatsuharu...though everyone calls me Haru. I'm the ox." The bored teen replied with a yawn, "The one over here is Shigure, he's the dog. Over there is Yuki the rat, next to him is his brother Ayame who is the snake, then the dragon Hatori. There's also Kisa the tiger, Kagura the boar, Momiji the rabbit, Ritsu the monkey, Hiro the ram, Rin the horse, and Kureno the rooster." The ox said, introducing all the others, his tone never changing.
At the mention of each their names, the other slaves each looked up and acknowledged the cat with his response being a simple wave to each.
"Since you are new, and frankly he most disliked of us all, I'll let you know the rules. First and foremost, the Master us always right and he always gets what he wants. Usually he wants Yuki but with how he was looking at you...you may be his new want." The ox explained, "Second, while he is not around, Hatori is usually in control and he is also our doctor to make sure we are in peak condition, Master will probably have him give you a check-up later. Other then that, the rest is just do as you are told." He finished before hushing up as the door reopened to allow Akito as well as a few men to enter.
"Get the new one, the ox, the rat, and the dragon. Have the dragon give the other three check-ups then bring the cat, rat, and ox up to my room. The dragon goes back to his cell when he is done." Akito commanded before leaving the room so the men could carry out their orders.
As ordered the men each moved to grab the four slaves. The cat fought a bit out of habit, but seeing that the others went along quietly, he stopped fighting and went along quietly as well.
After their check-ups, the three teens were taken up in the main part of the large castle they all lived in. As the made their way towards Akito's room as commanded, Kyo took the chance to look around curiously, commiting each corridor to memory. He also noticed that Haru's guard had to keep a tight hold on the ox's lead or else he would have gotten lost. This idea made the cat laugh to himself slightly.
Upon arriving at the man's room, the three guards bowed to Akito before walking out. Akito smiked at the three obviously confused teens before standing and walking over to stand before them.
"Well my pets, I bet you are wondering why I picked you three to come to my room tonight." He purred as he looked them all over. Once he was satisfied with how they all looked, he took the rat's hand and led him over to the bed where he sat down, pulling the rat into his lap, "Cat, Ox, you are both trained in combat. Entertain me with a fight." He commanded as he ran his hands along the rat's thin frame.
Kyo blinked and looked between the ox and Akito in confusion. Upon seeing the cat's hesitation, Akito scowled and flipped the switch to the cat's collar, sending a pulse of electricity coursing through him.
"I said to entertain me with a fight." The man snapped with a glare at the two teens.
Haru frowned at seeing the slightly pained look on the cat's face and quickly tackled him. While holding him down, he leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Just fight me, it's fine."
At hearing those whispered words, the cat sighed but silently agreed and flipped the ox onto his back before flipping back away to land in a crouched position. Upon seeing this, Akito smirked and leaned back to watch the fight.