The Order
Disclaimer: If I owned Fruits Basket, I would have plushies made of every character
Author's Notes: Hello, I know I'm probably talking to no one right now, seeing as how I highly doubt anyone would take the time to read my story…but anyway, just to make myself feel better, I'll say hello to all my phantom readers. I've had this idea for a while, haven't been able to put it into words until now. Forgive me, it's still a little rough around the edges, and it will take a few chapters to smooth them out. To my knowledge, I have yet to see a story where Tohru would have the gift of Sight, or fortune telling, so I thought it would be interesting. Besides, I like the idea of Uotani and Hanajima out there stealing from rich people. Well, I hope you enjoy, and please don't forget to review. It is proven that reviews will make us want to write faster…
Lillia
P.S: Okay, so I'm now royally pissed because this site doesn't allow our own scene breakers anymore, so anytime you see this long friggin' line, it's a scene change...::sighs:: please don't judge my story on this context...
The markets were unusually crowded on one sunny afternoon in the kingdom of Zodia. But that could have been because the fruits and vegetables were freshly picked and the jewelry, authentic robes, and shawls the venders sold were real and not pale imitations as before. The smell of fresh pastries and bread rode the air, mixing with the shouts and laughter of those haggling prices with their customers.
"I will give you six marks for it."
"Fifteen and you have yerself a deal!"
But one stand was attracting a large amount of attention. A crowd of youth gathered around a worn stall decorated with faded silks and torn fabrics. Coins and crystalline figurines of the twelve Zodiacs clinked together in the warm breeze. A shabby stool was provided for the customer to sit upon and then spread across the splintered table was a layer of worn green and purple fabric, faded symbols threaded with gold still visible on its surface.
"Please, place your hand there miss," the young girl said, sitting across from her next customer.
The young noblewoman glanced down at the gold stitched circle, the star woven within the sphere and surrounded by the five talismans of the elements. Around the rim of the circle, barely seen, were the twelve animals of the Zodiac. Scoffing quietly, she placed her palm over the star and looked up at the girl expectantly.
The blue eyes of the fortune teller studied the symbols, before she tapped one of the worn stitched animals. "You are the Rat…therefore a Dragon or a Monkey would be a compatible match for you."
"Oh…" the noblewoman looked thoughtful. "Well I was thinking of the Duke of Trens…"
The girl's eyes widened slightly as she shook her head quickly. "No miss, he is a Horse, you must avoid him. Rats do not make good matches with Horses."
She blinked prettily, before sighing. "I suppose I shall set my sights for the prince, shan't I?"
The fortune teller blinked once again, before smiling weakly. "I suppose…"
"Can you tell me anything else, girl?" the woman snapped.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" she quickly studied the position of the woman's fingers, tracing them to the elements. "You will marry into wealth and bear three children, all girls, so is the fertility right of the water element. But beware; there is a thread of fire interwoven in your watery future. Someone will tempt you."
An astonished gasp came from the crowd as the noblewoman stood abruptly, staring down at the fortune teller. "Do you jest?"
"No ma'am! Truly, the way of the elements and stars is my specialty. Would you like me to tell you a name?" the fortune teller rattled quickly.
"Yes, give me a name before I pay you," the woman replied harshly.
She proceeded to scatter grains of sand across her deck of tarot cards, running her fingers lightly through it. Finally she looked up, her eyes a gleaming obsidian black, her fingers resting on the drawn patterns in the sand, and woven in the center of it was a name.
"Kent, the name I see in your future is Kent."
The woman's cheeks burned with excitement. "Prince Kent of Rosewood, will he come to me?!"
The fortune teller shook her head. "Perhaps, but then again…most futures are uncertain."
The nobility's pale fingers trembled as she tipped a handful of gold marks across the table, then turned with a snap of her vibrant blue cloak and left. The girl gathered up her money, cleared the sand back into a jade orb and looked up at the group.
"Someone else, please?" she smiled with her eyes closed.
The sun was quickly setting when the market venders packed up their earnings and wares and began the long treks back to their homes. The fortune teller secured her gold and silver marks in a worn leather pouch tied to the frayed sash about her waist. Quickly she began to remove the fabrics from her cart and fold them, stuffing them and the figurines into a compartment hidden below the table.
"Tohru, hey so that's where you set up," A voice called from behind her.
Tohru blinked her blue eyes and then turned to face two cloaked figures coming down the path, hoods pulled back to reveal their features. She waved to them as they reached her cart.
"Uotani, Hanajima, how was your day?"
Uotani smoothed a hand through her blonde locks, combing a curve of bangs out her blue eyes. "Easy, there were so many people here today; Hana made me a fortune."
Hanajima glanced at Uotani, before looking down at Tohru. "And how much did you make today, Tohru?"
"Oh, enough to pay grandpa back for taking care of mom's funeral arrangements," she said with a smile.
The two girls traded glances as the oblivious fortune teller began to roll her cart down the pathway, only to be followed closely by the two thieves. Eventually, as Tohru made her way closer to the city limits, the two thieves parted ways to go to their own homes. She watched them leave, before continuing on pass the brothels of the outer city and straight towards the pubs and inns.
Hiding her cart in a deep niche between two stables the inns owned, she entered one of the taverns through the back entrance, hanging her cloak on a peg beside the doors and tying her long locks of chocolate brown hair away from her face. One of the cooks looked up and smiled at her, motioning to a pot of stew and a loaf of bread waiting on the counter.
"I was wonderin' when you would get in, the lord's been fit to burstin' for hired help. There are a lot of people 'ere tonight so eat up and get servin'," she said.
"Oh I'm sorry I'm so late!! It took me some time to pack up and move my things. It won't happen again, I promise," Tohru said quickly, digging into her meal.
Once finished, she grabbed a pitcher of ale and another of mulled wine, nudged the kitchen door open, and walked into the bustling tavern. Conversation and light music blended together into a continuous sound as she walked around and refilled mugs being waved in the air. When her pitchers emptied, she made her way to the bar at the front of the room and set them on the table, waiting as the lord of the tavern refilled them.
"How is Akito doing? I heard he has another one of his fevers…" a voice said off to her right.
She blinked and glanced over her shoulder, seeing two young men sitting together at the bar. The face of the man closest to her was obscured by a wealth of dark green hair, but the other man lit his pipe and combed a hand through his blue locks.
"When he has a fever, he gets into a very demanding mood," the one closest to her murmured.
"I'm so glad I don't live inside the castle limits anymore…" the other male said, taking a deep puff of his pipe.
"I'm more worried about the other two under your roof, Shigure."
Shigure took a swig from his mug. "Yes well, they're not the most agreeable lot. But I'm sure keeping tabs on them is better than taking care of the head, now isn't it Hatori?"
Tohru turned back around, blinking slightly in confusion. Akito…the head of the Zodia Kingdom…
"Hey girl, you're not being paid to stand there," the lord of the tavern said roughly.
She blinked at him, and then blushed darkly. "I'm so sorry!! It won't happen again, I promise!"
With that, she grabbed her pitchers and disappeared into the crowd of rowdy commoners. Shigure smiled faintly as he looked up at the lord.
"Now, now cousin…that wasn't very nice…"
The lord tsked and shook his head. "I've got to stay on top of these girls, given the choice they would rather stand around in a daze then work."
"Well I'm sure that little flower didn't mean any harm. She's new, isn't she?" Shigure questioned.
Hatori glanced at him. "Don't look so eager."
Shigure pouted. "You never let me have any fun…"
"I think we should be going, thank you for the drinks Kenji. Should I give a message to Momiji? I will be seeing him as soon as I get back to the castle," Hatori murmured, putting down a few silver marks for the drinks.
"I'll be home late, and he's not to wander outside the castle limits after dark," Kenji said, wiping down the surface of the bar.
Hatori nodded and then proceeded to drag a whining Shigure out the door. Tohru watched them go, before returning to her duties. As the night waned on and customers began to leave, she wandered around and cleaned up the messes from spilled tankards and gambling bits. Yawning quietly, she finished up her area, before waiting for inspection by Kenji. He nodded and paid her sixteen gold marks. Bowing to him, she took her leave, going out to the niche between the two stables.
Snuggling under her cart, she grabbed a few of the torn fabrics and cuddled in them, resting her head against the smooth wood of the hidden compartment. Within minutes she was fast asleep.
"Isn't this fun Hari?" Shigure asked as they strolled down the bustling dirt paths of the market place situated near the gates of the palace.
After waking up that morning, Hatori had been kidnapped by the happy lord and dragged against his will to the second day of the Fresh Markets. He replied with a sigh and watched the energetic man peep into every cart, being greeted warmly by the venders.
"Lord Shigure, Lord Hatori, 'tis been long since you've graced the markets," a female voice said from behind her stall of silk fabrics and gleaming jewelry.
Shigure smiled at her, studying the silver gems. "Yes, Hatori is being stuffy again; I thought I would bring him out for some fresh air."
She nodded. "You came at the right time, the city is full to bursting with customers and even some from Rosewood and Briar Violet country are venturing across the borders."
Shigure's reply was cut off by loud shouting and heavy applause from a crowd gathered around a shabby looking cart. The woman smiled a little at the blatant interest he was showing.
"That's the fortune teller's cart. She's quite good, gave Lady Mirs a scare yesterday. I heard she's never wrong, that one and her skills are the best. Why don't you go check out her stall?" she inquired.
Shigure tugged pleadingly on the sleeve of Hatori's robe. "Can we Hari, please?"
Hatori sighed and nodded, watching him scamper off. He thanked the female vender, before following at a much slower pace. Tohru tapped one of the markings around the circle.
"The Rooster," she said, smiling slightly. "This means you have promised harmony with Snakes and the Ox, but rabbits are trouble."
The man nodded patiently as Tohru then traced the pattern of his spread fingers to the air talisman and also to the water. "Complete harmony, you have a happy life of marriage and fertility ahead of you. A past deed you have committed will repay you in kind, but not of wealth. Would you like me to consult the sands?"
He shook his head and scattered ten silver marks across the table. "My thanks miss."
Tohru nodded as he got up, before turning to the crowd of onlookers. "Next, please?"
Shigure gently nudged Hatori forehead. "He wishes to go next!"
The crowd parted, bowing lowly, whispers spreading like wildfire. "Master Hatori and Lord Shigure…"
"Shigure," Hatori warned, before sighing and sitting down on the shabby stool, looking at Tohru. He blinked once with the one eye that wasn't covered by his hair.
She also blinked at him, recognizing him from the tavern. "Hello…uhm…p-please place your hand over the star…"
Hatori glanced down at the worn cloth, before doing so. Shigure hovered over his shoulder after muttering some comment about a "little flower" caught in the mess of some-such. With shaking fingers, Tohru traced a path to one of the Zodiac symbols, tapping it lightly.
"T-the Dragon, you're the Dragon…" she swallowed thickly, refusing to meet his gaze or else she would have seen how far it would have widened.
Shigure looked between the two, then at Tohru. "Anything else?"
"S-snakes and Roosters are healthy matches for a Dragon, b-but the S-sheep is a disaster," she murmured.
Hatori looked down at her bowed head. "What else can you tell me?"
Her eyes traced the pattern of his fingers, stopping at the soul talisman. "The soul talisman…something bad has happened in your past, and you have yet to lay it to rest. You were hurt…something hurt you. Memories…your past memories are harsh and you can't let them go."
Hatori felt his breathing hitch as Shigure went very still behind him. Tohru finally looked up at him, then back down to the element talismans. The second was of water, healing, and life.
"But for your future…there is healing. Life, and forgiveness, comforts where you will need it and the want to protect something. Would you like me to consult the sands?" she asked quietly.
Hatori shook his head, fishing out a handful of gold marks, spilling them onto the table. "Thank you, that was enough…"
Tohru watched him get up and then move into the crowd. "Next, please?"
Shigure sat down. "Me next, me next please."
The fortune teller smiled at his enthusiasm. "Place your hand over the star."
Shigure complied, watching as she tapped one of the animals. "You're the Dog. Tigers and Horses are your best matches, but the Dragons beware they will bring a fiery relationship unto you."
Shigure smiled and glanced at Hatori. "See Hari, we're doomed to be eternally separated."
Hatori just looked at him. "Shut up."
Fake tears ran down Shigure's face as he turned back to Tohru. "See how mean that Dragon is me?"
She giggled quietly, before tapping the fire and the earth symbols. "You will have a productive marriage, with two children at the most. You will be successful in your writing career, yes writing, and you will live a wealthy life. But…there is a thread of fire through your earthen future, meaning you have a jesting nature that is not always understood by others."
Hatori nodded. "We of his family understand that last part."
"You're so cruel to me," Shigure sniffed. "Will you consult the sands for me miss, give me a name of my future beloved?"
"Of course!" she tipped the jade bowl across her tarot deck, scattering the grains among the cards before her fingers drew patterns in the sand.
Shigure watched curiously as her eyes turned a startling black for just a moment, and then she looked up, her eyes a clear blue with a name woven into the center of the patterns.
"Mii, the name I see in your future is Mii," she said.
Hatori coughed to hide a laugh as Shigure slumped. "This is Fate's cruel joke to me…it has to be…"
Before Tohru could offer words of comfort, Shigure scattered twenty gold marks across the table, bowing to her. "Your skills, little flower, are amazing. I look forward to coming back."
Tohru blinked, before smiling. "Thank you very much my lord! Next, please."
Shigure took Hatori by the sleeve again as they walked away. He stopped near a bread cart and turned serious eyes towards him. "Did you see it?"
Hatori nodded. "Her eyes…you don't think she truly has the Gift?"
"It's too much of a coincidence, Hatori. She rattled off both our signs in mere minutes and to know that much about our own futures, or pasts…"
"What do you suggest then?" Hatori crossed his arms.
"I would like her to meet Yuki and Kyo. Then, I will report to Akito," Shigure murmured.
"You would involve an outsider?" Hatori asked.
"Yes, to bring about the Order…I will use an outsider."
TBC………PLEASE REVIEW...MUST NEEDS REVIEWS!!!!!