Hatori sighed looking at the small gathering in his office. Tohru, Yuki, Kyo, Hatsuharu, Momiji, Ayame, Rin, Shigure, Hiro, Kisa, and Ritsu had all come to ask him the same thing. How to break the curse.
He looked at them blankly, "Sit down and I'll tell you the original story. The story about the first banquet."
Kyo glared at him, "What does that have to d-"
Hatori cut him off coldly, "It has the answers you looking for. If you'll let me tell it then you'll know everything you need to know."
They all did as told, though a bit to anxiously. He sighed and got out a notebook. He opened it up to the first page and began to read. As he did their faces resembled pure shock.
" Long ago, God had wanted twelve animals to keep him company in heaven. He looked through the world to see if he could find the worthiest creatures. Alas, he couldn't decide. He decided to hold a race. The first twelve animals to arrive at the banquet at the finish would join him in heaven.
When the animals heard this they got excited. Well, all but the cat. You see the cat liked to sleep in every morning, and yet, the race was to be held very early in the morning. So he asked his friend the rat to wake him up. The rat agreed and all seemed well.
When the morning of the race came the rat was very excited. So excited that he had forgotten to wake up the cat. The rat reached the beginning and looked at the other animals. He noticed that he was the smallest creature. He looked over to the ox and thought of something.
"Dear ox," He said. "Would you like me to sing you a song to encourage you?"
The ox nodded. He was grateful for the rat's kindness. He waited but he never heard anything. He looked down to the rat confused.
The rat smiled and said, "Perhaps it's because my voice is so little. Maybe if I very to sit on your head, near your ears, you could hear me."
The ox agreed and knelt down so the rat could climb on top of his head. The rat began to sing a beautiful song. As song to sweet it brought the ox to tears.
When the ox neared the finish line he was thrilled to find out that he was the only one. "I'm first!" He cheered.
Alas, right when the ox was about to cross the line, the rat jumped off his head, therefore being first. The ox followed, a bit shocked and disappointed.
Then the rest of the twelve animals came. The order is Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Sadly, the cat woke up late and therefore wasn't counted. He was furious at the rat for forgetting. And even tough the rat apologized, the cat still hates the rat to this day.
But that is not the end of the tell.
Many years later the animals had begun to resent how God was treating them. He did only that that he THOUGHT would make them happy. They were not truly happy. They began to try and find how to get God to let them live their own lives.
Not so far away was a troop of five animals who didn't even participate in the race. They had found it pointless and are henceforth known as God's worst creations. They were the Panda, The Fox, the Wolf, The Sparrow, and the Deer.
The twelve of God's animals knew how they hated God for labeling them unworthy. They sought out the five in hopes that they could be freed from God.
The Fox was very cunning and sly. She hid from the world and disguised herself whenever she went out. What she didn't expect was the Dog's strong nose. He smelled her out and they took her back and searched for the other four.
The Wolf was very calm. Her life had been easier since the twelve animals were picked. When the animals confronted her she went willingly, but she made them promise that she could marry any of them she wanted.
The Sparrow was very happy with her life. Shortly after the race she married the dove and they had three children. When the twelve animals asked her to help them she was shocked. At first she said no, but her husband said it would be best. Their children had grown up and he had known that she wanted excitement in her life. She went and thanked her husband for letting her spread her wings and fly away.
The Deer and The Panda were very close. They had grown up together and had made a pact to stay friends until they died. The Deer was first confronted by the twelve animals. She seemed slightly scared but agreed to join them. The Panda, Although cute and usually kind, was furious. She thought that the twelve animals had kidnapped her friend. She went and searched for them.
When the Panda found them the Deer explained everything. The Panda calmed down. The twelve animals then asked them to do something they never thought they would. They asked them to kill God.
The Fox and Wolf agreed easily, the thought of blood excited them. The Sparrow thought about her husbands last words and agreed also. The deer was slightly skittish but she wanted to prove herself strong. The Panda did not agree to kill God, but she helped just to be near her friend.
The Fox, Wolf, Sparrow, and Deer tried with all their might but couldn't bring him down. All hope seemed lost.
As for no reason God struck the weak Deer, killing her instantly. The Panda, whom had been watching, growled with rage. She charged at God with all her might. She brought him down with one slash from her claws, hitting fatally at his throat.
God had been killed. The twelve animals had been freed. They thanked the Fox, Wolf, Sparrow, and Panda. Shortly afterwards, there was a burial ceremony held for the Deer. The Panda wept for what seemed forever.
The Fox had been impressed with how the Dog had found her. They wed and had 4 lovely children.
The Wolf had chosen the Rat as her mate. They never wed but had one child. They grew to love that child and each other more and more each day.
The Sparrow, although already married, had secretly fallen in love with the Rooster. Their relationship was concealed from the world and her husband. They never had any children, but they were happy together.
The mourning Panda visited the Deer's grave everyday. That is where she met her love. The ox had noted how she cared for her friend and had begun to love her for being so kind. One day he met her at Deer's grave. He confessed his love and was shocked to find that she had secretly loved him too. She smiled at her friends grave and thanked her for watching over her. The Panda and Ox wed and had two children.
Now free the other zodiac found their loves and lived happily. They thanked their saviors everyday. They truly were happy."
Hatori looked at the group in front of him. They all looked shocked.
Yuki was the first to catch on to the story. He looked at Hatori with utmost seriousness, "We have to find them don't we?"