Many thanks to sheep-san is here to stay for reviewing!!

OK so I got bored of waiting for people to review and decided to post the first chapter in hopes that maybe a few more people would read/review. You will, right? Ok so this chapter is from Lexi's POV (aka I wrote it. Lexi is me) and as I said before it will be alternating perspectives and authors every other chapter so I hope you like it!! Chapter two is typed and as soon as I get a few more reviews I will be posting it! As always, I disclaim all of the Fruits Basket characters and the original plotline. :3 Enjoy!!!

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Anywhere but Home

One

"The gods have placed a curse upon our family. A terrible curse involving the mysterious magic held within the fortune-telling cards called Tarot. We've always wanted you to be able to live out a long, happy life; there is no such life to be had as long as you remain here."

I looked up at my mom with fearful eyes. I didn't know what was happening, but I could tell from the pained look on her face that my mother was about to tell me something that I didn't want to hear… but had to.

"I want you to pack up money and a few belongings. Take your sister, then, and go to Tara and Lulu. The four of you must depart as soon as you can. There is someone who holds the answer to the question you've been brooding over."

I reached out to wipe away a tear that had made its way to my mother's chin. She held me close to her and sobbed silently.

"Lexi… I'm so sorry. I never wanted it to be this way, but you and Kanna must go now. Just… follow your heart and let the Star be your guide."

"Mommy?" she broke her hold on me to look into my watery eyes, filled to the brim with confusion and searching for answers that seemed out of reach.

"Will I ever see you again?"

She touched my cheek softly. "If there is ever a way, you can be sure that I will find it."

I smiled sadly and nodded, taking these words in and digesting them fully. To me, this had become a sort of promise… that someday, somehow I would see her again. My heart told me that I would not, but this tiny flicker of hope is the only thing that prevented me from breaking down right then and there.

My mother surely had known this – she'd always had a way with words, after all.

Like the good little girl that I'd always strived to be, I ran upstairs to my room and shoved my favorite stuffed cat toy into a small sack along with some snacks, a little bit of money, and a few articles of clothing.

It was up to me to be the strong one; to carry the burden for my sister and stop at nothing to keep her spirits up. Kanna didn't need to know that we were never going to come back, and so I didn't tell her.

"Kanna, we're going on an adventure!! Come on, hurry up! Get together all of your favorite things and let's go! Tara and Lulu are coming too!" I grinned at her, setting aside all of my emotions so she wouldn't be able to decipher the truth of what was really happening.

Kanna did as she was told and seemed pretty excited about the idea, putting a bunch of toys and her favorite clothes into a bag like I had done.

I slapped myself in the forehead. I'd almost forgotten!! Dashing back into my bedroom, I threw the pillow off of my bed to reveal a picture of my parents from their wedding. I never wanted to forget all of the sacrifices they'd made for me or how happy I was to be their daughter. I blinked away the tears that threatened to give everything away for Kanna, and slid the photo into my sack.

Before we left, I kissed my mother goodbye, and she whispered into my ear, smoothing my hair back lovingly and turning to do the same to Kanna.

She stood on the doorstep and waved to us until we were out of sight; I glanced back every now and then to see her. Kanna, beside me, was busy chatting away happily about all the fun things we could do while we were adventuring, but I wasn't listening attentively. In my mind, I was replaying my mother's words over and over again in my head.

"Go anywhere but home."

It's been seven years since she told me that.

I know it's short, but chapter three (my next chapter) will be longer. And I thought adding to this one would just make it more distracting and it was unnecessary so please R&R!!! Questions/comments/suggestions/complaints are all appreciated!!