Disclaimer: The author, Freaky Krazer (a.k.a the eternally forgotten) claims no rights to Fruits Basket or to its plot, characters, and etc. She only owns the plot of this fanfiction and has no legal rights to Fruits Basket. This story is rated T for teens and contains spoilers for chapter 97-101 or more. I'm not so sure. I'm sorry but I just have to say this, I LOVE NARAKU!

Key Terms:

Koto – a Japanese string instrument made over a thousand years ago

Okasama – a politer term for mother (the higher form for Okasan. It is very rare to find someone using the term Okasama nowadays so it feels like it's not even a word anymore)

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Chapter 1: The Pristine Maiden of the Well

When Akito was young, she liked to hear fairy tale stories from Shigure. Everyone else didn't bother in Ren's orders but Shigure was brave enough to do anything for his young goddess.

One fall afternoon, Shigure told a depressed 6-year old Akito a wonderful story before he left her bedroom in order to place her spirits up.

"Once upon a time, there was an enchanted forest which only existed in the dreams of celestials, created by the Sun Goddess. A place where the trees stood tall and fair as their flaming leaves descended into the ground. The flowers wilting in progress, showing a dark purple color as the short golden grass swayed slightly as a breeze swept in. Everything seemed like a sun-setting heaven. A bush of Tsubakis closed as its blossoming feature hid itself to protect from the frigid air. The environment reflected a golden red color into everything that it seemed fall was the only season…"

Akito gazed wonderingly at her distant cousin with beaming eyes.

"In that forest, all the animals, accustomed to fall, all had brown fur and the birds had red feathers. There were humans too. All of them fair and beautiful dressed in the fair color of grey and black. They all lived happily there. All the colors of fall mixed in with a peace that cannot be shattered. It was a world far from humans and earth…." Shigure's eyes wandered off telling the story.

"And everyday in that world, each moment the sun rises and sets, a beautiful maiden wearing a white and silver gown, hair dark as the night, and eyes bright like the stars, would gather everyone on a small hill where an old well stood. Over there, she would sing with her lovely voice and play a Koto with her delicate fingers. All the living creatures of the forest would stop by and listen to her bewitching melody. It was done honor the Sun Goddess. And each day everyone would bring their sacrifices as that young maiden played her Koto. She was revered and cherished by everyone."

Akito imagined this scene with a dreamy expression while being cradled in Shigure's arms. Suddenly, a feminine desire went up to Akito's heart. It was a desire just to be like the maiden in the story, to be beautiful and the center of everyone's attention. If only, she could dress beautifully in a silk white and silver kimono. She would be just like that pristine maiden of the well.

However, it came to Akito that Ren would never let her do that. It is simply inevitable. A dismal face swept Akito's interested eyes. This caused Shigure to stop and help but wonder.

"Akito-san, what's wrong?" he asked full of concern.

Akito hugged Shigure sadly, "Shigure, I want to be like the maiden…"

The young Inu smiled sorrowfully at his goddess and lied, "You are one Akito-san." (I implied that he lied because Shigure knows Akito will and is raised as a boy and never as a fair young maiden)

"Am I?" she asked curiously with that childish look of hers. "I don't look it Shigure. I look like a little boy!"

Shigure gave his "unsure" expression and said, "That's true, but a maiden is a maiden not because of her looks but because of who she is. You're as beautiful as a maiden the way you are."

Akito smiled, satisfied with the reply. It was so childish, Akito for once, looked like a girl.

Shigure went on with his story about how a young lad fell in love with this maiden and carried her away into a secret place where no one can take her away from him. For 3 months the maiden was absent to do her duty and so the Sun Goddess provided none of her beneficial talents for the forest and everything soon grew cold. It became so cold, that the animals had to dig into the ground to find warmth, and the trees grew white themselves. Soon, the clouds broke apart and tiny white crystals fell from the sky, putting a gigantic sheet of white to cover the whole forests. The humans had to slaughter animals in order to find warmth in their furs and because of this, all the animals and humans became indifferent. This period of time was called "winter". After those 3 months, the young man himself grew tired of this winter and decided to bring back the maiden to the forest. Once again, the maiden was able to play her Koto and everything cold left as the Sun Goddess once again appeared. Warmth came back to the forest and everything under the earth sprouted green and colorful. Even the old sacred wall looked new and beautiful as green vines entangled around it.

Akito cut Shigure off and inquired, "Shigure, I want a painting like that."

Shigure seemed dazed.

"I want a painting of that scene. A scene of the beautiful maiden playing her Koto as the whole world turned green, flowers blooming, the sky blue, and everything represent spring!"

Shigure was about to reply but then footsteps were heard before the Shoji door of Akito's room. Shortly after that, it slid open, revealing Ren.

"Shigure!" Ren exclaimed, "It's time for Akito to take her Kanji lessons, leave now!"

Shigure nodded as he released Akito from his arms and walked out.

"Will you come for me tomorrow Shigure?" Akito asked before he left.

Shigure looked at Ren and quickly Ren shook her head. Then, he smiled cheerfully, "Well maybe next time alright?" And with that he exited the place.

Akito frowned again as her sadistic mother ruined her fun.

Shortly after, Akito's mentor arrived and brought with her, her boring Kanji lessons.

During the whole while of her lessons, Akito pondered about the story Shigure was telling her earlier. She wondered how it would end and whether it would be happy or sad. But Akito mostly thought about how she admired that beautiful maiden. Every time Shigure told her stories of beautiful maidens, how Akito would envy their lives and wish she was one too. She even pictured herself in a beautiful white kimono, with long feminine hair and her face prettier than anything else in the world. How she dreamed to be like an angel.

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Disclaimer: Well that story I made up. If you think you've read it somewhere in Japanese mythologies, then I apologize if my creativity seems to be unconsciously making up ideas that are already made up. Well if you're confused about my whole story, this story mostly reflects on Shigure and Akito's relationship. Kinda like my other fic, "A Lost Beauty" but this time it's for Shigure and Akito. I used to hate Shigure but after seeing that picture of cradling kiddie Akito when she was sad was SOOOOOOO adorable. Anyways I shall update soon, but for now, rest.