-Chapter One: Village of Nibel-

Originally By Lys3 and Alyssa in Wonderland

Edited By: gracygirl

Disclaimer:

Gracygirl, Lys3, and Alyssa in Wonderland do not own Fruits Basket. The rights go to FUNimation Channel and the author, Natsuki Takaya.

"There is a legend known throughout the land of Sentra about an ancient city called Empyreal. It was known for its Angels and peaceful days. No mortal man or woman ever saw it, and could ever see it for there was a myth that when a mortal sees it, the mortal would be cursed. Therefore, they assumed it was like paradise. The Angels lived their days in happiness and solitude from the rest of Sentra, but one too many days of having perfect lives can be ruined.

A mortal man whose ambition and determination was stronger than that of the Angels, set foot in Empyreal. The amazing building made out of white stones, unending fields of flowers, and the people with wings who welcomed him, awed him. The man was happy and lived in Empyreal for some time. He had fallen in love with the beautiful city and the winged people enjoyed his company.

One day, the man fell ill making his usual smile turn to a frown and his usual hearty greeting to a scowl. The Angels did everything for him, but no medicine would work. They rushed towards their queen asking for help to save the beloved mortal. Although the queen and her people loved the mortal like a fellow Angel, she saw that the only way of saving him was to bring him back to the mortal world below.

The man was angry, how could they do that to him? His friends had betrayed him by putting him back to the miserable world of the mortals. After he regained his health, he came back to Empyreal. He told them he wanted to live with them, but the Angels knew he would die. They told him they couldn't take another's life, but the man argued saying that it would be worth it. Their answer was final, and the man became very angry. The Angels gave him until the next day to leave Empyreal forever, but the man could not and would not.

The mortal man then burned the city of Empyreal single handedly with anger fueling him. Many died, some fled in time, but the queen stayed put watching her city burn before her eyes. The mortal man came to the steps of her palace and told her that what happened was payment for not letting him in and accepting him. The queen casted a spell and the once tall buildings of Empyreal started to crumble and burn. The mortal man gasped, no! His beloved city cannot disappear! It was his paradise! His escape cannot leave him!

The queen told him it was for the good, but the man, possessive of his paradise, slew the queen. He watched her blood flow out of her body as well as his city die. He cried, where would he go now without Empyreal?

The queen who had little strength left whispered, "You should've left long before, now you will be forever cursed. You will always long for Empyreal who is now dead before your eyes, and you will slowly die. That is why no mortal can ever enter Empyreal…you are bound to Empyreal and will search for her forever…but she is dead…"

The queen died and the mortal man looked at his paradise once more. Burned to a crisp by his hands and crumbled below him. The man then wandered the world and in time found a new city called "Adel" which he tried to love as much as the lost city of Empyreal…"

It was a dreary day, foggy, cold, and wet around the small village called Nibel by Mount Peak, it was known for having Fallen descendants. They said that the Angels who survived the fire and crumbling of Empyreal came to this village and started their lives over again. The mortal humans gladly accepted them into their world. The Fallen Angels' blood mixed with the human blood as time passed.

In the small village of Nibel, there's only one bar called, "Heaven's Gates," owned by a former Yankee named Arisa Uotani. The bar stood near the entrance of the village, behind it was a field of daisies. The bar had wooden double doors and engraved on the top was the name of the bar. There was a of course, a gate before the wooden doors. The gate was painted gold, but over the years it had belonged to the Uotani family, it looked like dirty gold.

Inside it was medium sized. There was at least ten tables each having three or four chairs. There was a counter with three chairs in front of it. Behind the counter was a room where the drinks and the kitchen were. There were also stairs leading to a room with two beds and bathroom.

"Ugh…those damn Adels! They're ruining my business!" A tall blonde girl said as she went down the stairs into the kitchen. A girl with dark long tresses of hair followed behind her and nodded. She was wearing a long black skirt as well. It seems to fit the weather quite nicely.

"Arisa, they all have a point by keeping themselves in their houses," Saki Hanajima replied.

"So what if a bunch of Adel soldiers come here? It doesn't mean they should go hiding and just put aside what they usually do—and they usually come here to grab a drink or two!" Uo said as she wiped the counter top furiously.

Hana blinked, "Well they're not hiding from the Adel, and it's just that they're coming here, as in this bar, the only bar in Nibel."

"…Ugh I forgot about that," Uo mumbled.

"I really don't know why they want it. Doesn't it rightfully belong to us?" Hana asked.

Uo stopped wiping the counter top and looked up, "It rightfully belongs to us. I mean being a Fallen descendant and all…that pillar was part of our city. However, you know how Adel supposedly was founded. So it's theirs."

"How sad," Hana answered.

Uo nodded and then realized, "Hey! Where is Tohru?" she asked, "That girl is supposed to be cleaning up the tables right about now."

"Tohru has a daily routine remember? She's probably out in the back," Hana responded.

The car made an abrupt stop, "Ow! What the hell kind of driving was that?" an orange headed teen yelled as he knocked on the window separating the passenger seats behind the drivers' seat.

"Sorry sir, but the Virtues leader said we stop outside the village."

Kyo rolled his eyes. Their stupid leader was nonetheless Yuki, his silver haired cousin. Did that mean they have to walk? How stupid was this? He crossed his arms and looked at Haru in front of him who returned an empty expression.

"It was orders from your fiancée," Haru said nonchalantly.

"Will you shut up? She is not my fiancée!" Kyo said.

Everything was pissing him off. Not only was the weather foggy and wet, but it also seems like it was going to rain. Everyone knew what it did to him. He became extremely moody, stressed, and so tired.

"Dammit! I…want to go home!" Kyo said, "What kind of a mission…is this?" He said.

"Kagura said it was important. It seems a pillar has fallen in the village of Nibel. That pillar was from the ancient city of Empyreal. Akito wants it," Haru said as stretched his legs out hitting Kyo on the shins.

"Watch it, punk! Don't hit the goods," he hissed, "Why didn't we just stay at Adel then? It's just a piece of stone that fell from who knows where. That stuck up Yuki could've gotten it himself," Kyo said as he dusted his pants where Haru had left a dirt mark.

A younger blonde boy popped his head out from Kyo's side, "That's exactly what Yuki is doing now! He went ahead when the car stopped. He said he'll call us with the PHS if everything is clear," Momiji said with a smile.

Kyo rolled his eyes once again, "That show off," he mumbled as he leaned back on his chair. They were part of Virtues, the top group of mercenaries in Adel or maybe even the whole of Sentra. They had a reputation for being heartless, perfectly skilled in combat, and notorious. There were four of them, Yuki, Haru, Momiji, and himself.

Each of them represented a Virtue, hence the name of the group. Kyo was known for being the virtue, Fortitude. He was strong and even stronger when danger faced him. Momiji was known for being Justice, he had a sound decision all the time.

Haru was Prudence, he knew when to speak up and tell everyone what's on his mind. The only problem with him was that he loses his title when he becomes Black Haru. Nonetheless, Haru was mostly White Haru.

Out of all them, their leader was Yuki. He represented Temperance for having such a strong self-control. The people in the land of Sentra respected him and were afraid of him.

That cold bastard, he'd better hurry up. Kyo thought as he closed his eyes.

Yuki walked towards the village. It was cold and a little foggy. Not to mention it was wet. His black trench coat was becoming heavy. His black heavy boots were getting mud on them. He looked around; it was a good thing he wasn't like his cousin, Haru. If he were, he'd probably be lost the moment he stepped out of the car.

He kept walking; this mission wasn't like any other. It was just to attain a pillar structure. It may not even have come from Empyreal. He furrowed his brows together in frustration. After being in Virtues his entire life, this had to be the stupidest out of them.

Didn't Akito know there were fiends to kill? Why didn't Hatori try to change Akito's mind? Yuki couldn't believe Kagura agreed to such a senseless mission.

Yuki found himself staring at a vast field of daisies. It was foggy, but it wasn't thick enough. He walked on being careful not to step on any of the flowers, but he did anyway. It was impossible not to with his boots and everything. The metallic I.D. necklace around his neck jingled. It had been with him ever since he could remember. On it was his name, his rank, and the word 'Temperance.'

He saw a shadow move. Instantly his hands went on his gun, next to it was a pocketknife given to him by Shigure. When he heard a feminine humming, he sighed, dropped his hand to his sides, and continued to walk.

The fog started to clear a little, and he saw a girl picking daisies and placing them in her basket. She had long brown hair falling down to the side of her face. She was smiling and her green eyes sparkled.

She was definitely a Fallen with her features. He slowly walked towards her. She turned her head to his direction with a frightened look on her face. She gasped and dropped her basket.

"Wait—"

Too late, she had run towards the village. Yuki picked up the basket and took out his PHS, "Momiji? All's clear let's get a move on and go home. Meet me at their only bar called, 'Heaven's Gates'," He said and hung up without giving Momiji a chance to respond to his orders.

Yuki followed the girl and found a clearing. He must be in the right place, the village of Nibel.