Warnings: Language. It's pretty much a swearing contest that Sebastian is participating in and the known bullies don't talk prettily either.
Thanks to: avelinedegrandpres for the idea and showing me that this is something I always wanted to play out, I just never really knew it and aetheriata for several ideas with the cast
Disclaimer: Fruits Basket belongs to Natsuki Takaya and Glee belongs to Ryan Murphy and RIB in general. None of these wonderful works belong to me, I just play with their toys as long as I can, until it's time to put them back in the drawer
Dedicated to: This Chapter is dedicated to Christina McQueen one of my first "fans" (XD) and my best friends and most honest people I know. You always told me I'm awesome and I just need to hear that sometimes to go on with life, with writing and stop hating on my flaws. Thank you so much honey =3
Also to Aquella because beta-ing your fanfic inspired me again to try my own I'm always ready for another chap :) Gonna send you beta'd Chap 5 after the weekend probably :D
Author's note: First of all, I want to thank you all for your great reception. I'm on my way to return a big thank you to the registered members who left me a review, but sadly I can't do that to the other amazing reviewers – so I want to thank them in this author's note, (ElloDoctor, nurnaina1507, meg, katie, Aetheriata and fostinefoli) as well as all the wonderful people who follow my story. I know there was not a lot surprise happening in the first chapter for those of you who know Furuba and I was also very close by the book, mostly because there's a lot to explain for those who don't know the manga and I really do love the original, so right now I'm pretty close to it plot- wise.
I was asked to put a character list up and I fully understand, there's quite a bit of characters coming. For now I'll only reveal the ones that are already in the story of course ;) I will make a list on livejournal though and put the link above each chapter with updated character adding :)
For now: (the family names of the zodiac sign family members are obviously changed because they belong to the Sohma/Taylor clan)
Tohru Honda = Kurt Hummel
Saki Hanajima= Tina Cohen-Chang
Arisa Uotani = Mercedes Jones
Yuki Sohma = Blaine Taylor (Anderson)
Kyo Sohma = Sebastian Taylor (Smythe)
Shigure Sohma = Noah (Puck) Taylor (Puckerman)
Akito Sohma = Nicolas Taylor = ? :)
For now Flashbacks, memories and thoughts are all written cursive. Please let me know if that's irritating or confusing and I try to differentiate^^This time I put XXX as scene cuts in it. The last chapter was missing the scene cuts (because the characters and marks I used in the original didn't transfer into the upload) so it might have been confusing. I'm sorry for that!
Chapter 2
Blaine PoV
(Flashback- Several hours before)
"That won't be easy if he lives with us, you know that, right? You think it will go smoothly? After all, he's..", Noah murmurs. "You literally just invited him in, you idiot", I tell him and roll my eyes at him, "but relax. What do you think will happen? He will hardly fall in my arms. So that is taken care of". "Well, well, Blainers. Since when are you so chilled about things? Can't say I don't enjoy it, though", my cousin grins mischievously.
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Narrator's PoV
And that's how the cat, which wasn't present at the feast, got really angry and started chasing the rat…
Kurt PoV
As I slip I fall forward. Without a thought I grab in front of me and catch myself on the first thing in my reach, which – unfortunately for him and my dignity – is the new stranger. "I am so sorry! Please, are you alright?", I ask breathlessly when we both land on the floor. I get up quickly and blush vigorously.
Why on earth can't I be normal for like more than a few beats at a time, I think, humiliated, It's a tragedy. I'm such a clutz.
"What happened? Sebastian tried to beat you yet again, Blaine?" It's Noah, who looks somewhat bored for a minute as he enters the room. Suddenly though, he seems to be rather alarmed. "Seb… Sebastian? Are you alright? Where are you", I ask, using the new bit of information, "Are you oka… a… cat?" I look puzzled and pretty shocked to detect a bright orange cat in the place where this Sebastian should be. "Where on earth does this cat come from? And where's the boy? Sebastian? What… where did he go? Did he turn into a cat, no, that's… that's ridiculous, I know".
I feel light headed and confused, a little bit overwhelmed maybe. Really scary though is that neither Blaine nor his cousin seem to have an explanation ready for me. They stand there like they are frozen in place looking at me, but they don't necessarily seem shocked by the fact that Sebastian's gone and a rather cute cat seems to have materialized in his place. As I stand up I look around nervously while taking the cat in my arms. "Do we need to call an ambulance, or, should we report Sebastian missing or… Blaine? Noah? Why don't you do something?! What on earth is happening?". They seem ready to form an explanation when I stumble again. On a splinter on the floor this time.
Damn. This isn't my best day today, I ponder resigned. This time I grab for Blaine, who stands in front of me and suddenly he seems to have vanished too. Under his garments a rat has appeared. "I'm slowly going insane. I don't know who gave me the pills which make me see animals in the place of you, but I clearly have gone insane", I babble and hold a hand to my head.
The bell rings and in an act of desperation I take the rat in my hands as well and run to the door. It's the delivery boy and I cry hysterically: "They are all animals". It must seem like 'The Exorcist' to him. "Uh. That's cool, dude. I didn't know the Taylors had pets. Well. That's 25 bucks", he says with an unsure smile on his face. He can't possibly understand what I mean right now. The problem is, I don't know ho to express myself without sounding like I belong in a psychic ward. Noah takes his wallet and pays the delivery boy, closes the door and looks at me.
Meanwhile I let the cat and rat out of my hands. All of a sudden there's a loud hissing sound. "AAH! Don't look at me with that stupid look on your stupid face! You got caught as well this time!". "Stupid cat! Which one of us was dumb enough to let himself get caught in the first place?! Freaking idiot!", the rat throws back annoyed. The rat's voice sounds just like Blaine…
They… can talk.
"That could have gone better", Noah signs. I nearly forgot he was in the room for a moment. "You fools, shut up! Both of you! Well, might as well tell him everything now. See. Blainers over there is the rat, Sebastian is the cat and while we're at it – I'm the dog. And I don't mean that as a metaphor. We are shape shifters. Cursed. There are ten more of our kind in our family. Ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster and pig. The twelve Chinese zodiac signs – or 'eto', as we call them - For hundreds of years the Taylor family clan has been cursed with the spirits of the twelve zodiac signs. That doesn't mean that we have any special powers. We just change into our spirit animal when we're hugged by the opposite sex or when we're very weak – like sick or something".
"Uhm. Noah, you know that I'm a guy, right? I may have a very high – pitched voice and I may not be the manliest one with a lot of muscles. But… you know… I'm 100 per cent male", I say with a very dry throat. "You're also 100 per cent gay, right?", he counters. "What? Why… what are you even saying?".
"See. Legend has it, that we only change when the opposite sex embraces us. But legends are old and either there's never been a gay reincarnation so far – which I honestly can't believe – or the ones who where tried to hide it. Gay wasn't exactly in fashion in the last centuries. One of the girls of the last zodiac circle has been gay though. So we tried to speculate if instead of sex and gender it's rather who you are sexually attracted to. Well, seems like fate is a bitch though. Blainers and Sebastard over there are both totally gay.
"These unfortunate bastards still turn if a girl hugs them. What we haven't figured out yet is if they only turn with a male if they're gay too, or only if they are attracted to them. Since no one is really keen on outsiders finding out about us – especially Nicolas – we don't make it a field project if you know what I mean? Which is why those suckers have to avoid both genders in such a way that they don't get embraced. Generally guys don't tend to do that with each other, so Sebastard is actually a pretty careless, stupid fucker – pardon my French. Within the family clan we can hug though without turning. Well at least with some of them…."
"Shut up! You can keep your stupid comments to yourself!", Sebastian screams angrily and successfully interrupts Noah's musings. It looks rather strange to see a cat do that.
Ignoring him, the older guy continues: "…After a while we turn back to humans, only problem is…". With a loud bang Blaine and Sebastian appear before me again. "…yeah. When we turn back we do so without… our clothes on".
They. Are. Naked. I don't know whether I should be thrilled or embarrassed first. I end up doing a sound between a groan and a squeak and turn around quickly.
They are cursed. That's why Blaine pushed that girl away and that's why he hardly goes to regular gym class. I always did wonder why I never see him by the gym lockers. There are only two gym classes in our year and they are right after each other. That should have thrown though I try to avoid gym class at all costs too for obvious reasons, I should have seen him and now that's logical.
He didn't want to risk that it would come out. Speaking of… they're both gay?
I can't believe this. All the grief I got for being out – even though it's barely loud and proud on purpose anymore - and there he was – probably the most popular guy at school and I never knew.
Noah speaks up and interrupts my thoughts. "Sorry little guy that you had to witness that. Everything okay?". He comes up to me while the guys get dressed. "I think… for now I'm alright". "So…", Noah whispers in my ear, "Now that you've met him, do you still want to be the cat?".
Right. Sebastian is the cat!
When I look for him he sits on the front porch with his back to us. He looks pissed. "Well. What kind of guy is he?", I ask, intrigued. I'll admit I always did imagine how it would be to meet the cat of the fairy tale and get to talk to it. Seems like a wish come true, until the man beside me starts to laugh amused. "What, Seb here? He's your regular dumbass! I think he wants to be some kind of martial arts professional and gets caught from behind. What a loser. I would be humiliated in his place! So Sebastard, what's your excuse? All googly eyed with Blainers, I guess?"
Absolutely shocked and with my mouth wide open I look at my Mohawk sporting 'adult' friend insulting Sebastian without pause. "Take your dumbass commentary and shove it up your ass, will you? I didn't see him, so what? What does gay face even want here?!", the insulted boy cries out.
Gay face? What the hell? Seems like he's already pissed at me.
"Keep your big mouth shut. What does it matter to you if Kurt lives with us. You don't belong to us!". It's Blaine who speaks up now. He's been so earily silent for the past minutes that I nearly thought he had left the room. "Shut up, you rotting asshole! Be quiet, you…". In a second Sebastian gets up from his seat on the porch, runs up to his archenemy and proceeds to try and hit him. While he does he runs past me and I'm so taken aback that I don't react early enough, which results in me falling down gracelessly when he hurries past me.
"Ouch", I murmur quietly as I cut myself on the desk's corner that's been standing behind me. "Kurt! Are you hurt? Seems like a nasty cut", Noah speaks up and not a second later I hear a loud, resounding hit. Blaine slapped Sebastian right across the face. "Fine, you moron. Since your stupidity hurt Kurt I'll give you a fight. Let's take this outside" "Ha, Blainers. I'll hand you back our arrogant little balls."
"Noah!", I cry out as they leave the house and I can hear them fighting and Sebastian shouting outside. "Don't you want to do something? They… gonna hurt each other!". "Don't mind them. They bicker as soon as they see each other It will end as it always ends. Blaine will win. He always does. Now make yourself at home!". "That's hardly bickering anymore". I'm just so overwhelmed.
Mom, I just found out that these guys I met recently all turn into an animal of the zodiac signs, which, in itself, is a lot to take in. The school's most popular guy is gay and so is the cat, which I always wanted to meet. He's kind of mean though and seems to hate Blaine. And on top of that I agreed to live here. What on earth did I get myself into?
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On the next morning I'm just about to clean the rest of the kitchen counter when Blaine enters the room. "Good morning Kurt". He smiles that charming smile of his and I just about melt into a puddle. After a second I clear my throat and greet him back. "So, uhm, how did the fight go? Is… Sebastian alright?". He deflates visibly. "Yeah the little puss just got his ego pushed down, he slept on the porch." I breathe in and out and don't know whether to defend Sebastian or let it slide. After all he's been nothing but mean to me so far. It's just this impulse that I have in me that I can't explain for the life of me.
"Uh, Kurt, is that mud on your school uniform?", Blaine interjects my thoughts. "Yes, actually I think I'm going to die from embarrassment going to school like that – all of my uniforms are stained – but it's not like it's Marc Jacobs or… you know… like I wouldn't get slushied on my way to third period anyway", I sign. Blaine looks at me incredulously and somehow sad. "You get slushied a lot?", he asks and I chuckle darkly. "Depends on what you define as a lot. The real question is when don't they".
"You're sure you don't want to stay here for a day longer? Your fever just barely went down this morning" "I'm fine. I can't miss too many classes", I hurry to assure him. "Well, okay. Take one of my uniforms. You said that yours are all dirty from the landslide." "Blaine, did you hear what I just said? Do you have any idea what dreadful colors slushies have… I don't want your uniform to get stained". "Well, I won't take no for an answer", my new over-gelled friend tells me. I huff and look at him judgingly. "Fine. But only because the fact that we have to wear these horrible polyester school uniforms is a fashion disaster in itself. That alone is sad enough for me, let alone wearing it wrinkled and dirty"
Confused I watch as Blaine chuckles amused. "What?" "You're funny", Blaine laughs, "You usually seem so shy around people, always trying to please them, from what I've seen". Then you don't know the old me, I think humiliated. "That was rude, I apologize!" "It's alright", the dark haired teen grins back.
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Blaine PoV
"Well. I'm gonna go pay my visits to Nicolas", my cousin signs when Kurt is changing into one my spare uniforms. I turn around accusingly "I knew it! I wondered why you were so pleased and on board with everything – what's your angle? What do you think he will do? Because I'm sure he is gonna erase his memories too!" "You don't know that…", Noah retorts calmly, "…but it's a plan of a fool to think that he won't have an opinion on it, might as well face it head on before it's too late. He might not erase his memories…".
"He will. I just know it and you should know too", I cry out frustrated. I can't believe he wants to do this after all that happened. Why did he even invite him in if he knew that it would never work?
"There were a lot more people involved, Blaine. It's not the same situation and I'll try to make him see fit." I grunt and turn on the spot. "Whatever. I'm gonna go pick up Kurt from his room and go to school now" "Okay, you guys go and Sebby, while we're gone you will clean up this mess", Noah cries out over his shoulder while he puts on his shoes by the door. "It's not my fault that asshat Blaine threw me through the window!"
What a waste of space. Why can't he just see that he has no chance and leave me alone, I think exasperated, while I climb the stairs.
"Well, it is your fault the living room glass door is broken and if you hadn't provoked our icture perfect cousin here we wouldn't have this discussion", I hear Noah explain before I finally arrive at Kurt's door.
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Sebastian PoV
Damn it. I'm such a screw - up. When will I finally land a hit in that arrogant little bastard's face?! I hate him, I really fucking hate him.
'You don't belong to us' – Yeah and whose fault is that? Huh?!
And now they talk behind my back again, it drives me crazy and that fucking superior Mohawk – wearing puck head. Freaking old man and his comments. Gah.
But the worst thing is I only proved him right with the way I bitched at Kurt. Arrgh! I just can't deal with people.
"So you're gonna do some house sitting and make sure you repair the damage you've caused. Stay a while. Oh and before I go let me give you some advice, dude. Apologize to him".
"Apologize to that stinking rat? Are you mentally handicapped?", I growl at him. "You know I meant Kurt, you loser."
"Oh just go away", I hiss at Noah but blush a little bit. I probably should…
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Kurt PoV
When Blaine and I finally arrived at school we were, of course, late. That and the fact that we went in together got me locker checked three times before second period alone. As predicted the slushie followed before third period. "Stay away from him you fag!" a cheerleader hissed into my ear and about three seconds later one of the jocks slushied me with the words "Taste the rainbow".
"I told him this would happen", I mumble quietly.
So now I'm cleaning up in the girl's bathroom after Mercedes is going on about 'cutting some bitches'. "'Cedes. I appreciate you standing up for me, but they'll say what they gonna say. Most people in my classes are alright and there are Joe, Nick, Jeff and David and the rest of the Glee club. It's just the jocks and the Cheerios. I'm doing fine", I try to ease her mind, though I'm a little frustrated myself. Bothering my best friends is the last thing I want to do though. I used to rant about a lot of things in the past and being superior to everyone, but Mercedes and Tina offer me so much and they receive so little. It just isn't fair and after mom died I tried to lift my weight off their shoulders because they started to get worried about me for real.
"Kurt! They are out of line! And no one does anything; please just let me scare the shit out of Figgins. He deserves it anyway and it might help a little", Tina speaks up. "Tina's right. Anyway boy, did your uniform shrink in the wash? Your trousers seem a little short. Or did you have a growth sport again? Awesome!"
"Uh… must have shrank in the wash, I guess!" I laugh nervously. I really don't want to explain why I borrowed a uniform from Blaine. Besides, no one can know about their secret so I'll just stay away from the topic at all costs.
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I meet Blaine after school in the empty hallway and he seems like he wants to get something off his chest. I smile warmly at him and let out a soft, dreamy "Hi". "You didn't tell your friends", Blaine murmurs slowly but abruptly. "Of course I didn't! Uhm, I hate to tell you I was right: your uniform got stained", I admit ashamed and fidget with the hem of the shirt Mercedes lent me.
"It's not a school uniform but it's hardly your fault those Neanderthals destroy yours on a daily basis. It's not very fashionable but it will do, you okay white boy?" "Of course I'm okay, thanks Mercedes."
"I signed up for that. So it's clearly not your fault", he smiles hesitantly. "Look. Even though you're honorable and I know you won't tell anyone… Nicolas might still erase your memories. He's kind of the head of our family and he's done it before. When I was even a girl tried to scare me and hugged me from behind. There were a bunch of kids with us and I turned in front of them. They were very confused and Nicolas did erase all of their memories to make it 'easier on us and on them'. Those were his words. When I asked why they couldn't know…", his voice dies down.
Blaine PoV
(Flashback)
"Am I that different that you have to hide me?", I ask Nicolas sadly. "Of course you are. A boy who transforms into a rat will always be different. Every normal human will be disgusted by you, afraid. They will stay away from you. Nobody outside would ever want to befriend someone like you", he tells me offhandedly.
"What did he tell you?", Kurt asks cautiously, "I mean, when you asked him why they couldn't know." "Oh… nothing!", I clear my throat, "Just… I want you to know that I don't want it to, but it might happen". "Well, I don't want to be a hazard to any of you, so you should decide what's best for all of you! I just hope…", he takes my hand and smiles at me, warmly, "I just hope we can stay friends nevertheless".
Friends. I blush furiously. He wants to be friends.
"Nobody outside would ever want to befriend someone like you".
Kurt PoV
To be honest: What Blaine told me is making me sad. It's not like the curse is something that's easy to process but it's also not something I want to forget. I always did dream to be near Blaine and Noah is funny and I'm sure if Sebastian… well, actually I'm not sure about him – but he is the cat after all. Afer Blaine and I had our little talk at school I kind of hugged him, which, in hindsight, was not a very wise decision because of many reasons. The main reason not being him turning – and I'll deny to my grave that I peeked when he was dressing himself again.
I'm on my way to the house after my shift at the Lima Bean and just as I enter the house I meet Sebastian again. "Hi", I squeak.
Well that was a humiliating start.
"Hey. Look… Kurt, or whatever. When I'm frustrated I lash out and I get angry and that freaking rat face is not helping, and… you got… I'm… I mean this morning… fuck I'm no good at these things… What I want to say is… "
"You're home Kurtie! Whatcha doing? Oh, Sebby, still here, you loser?"Noah is sing- songing now. "You said to stay and get the damage repaired. Asshole." The boy opposite of me hisses. He actually hisses. I sign. I was sure we were covering some ground here.
But that was it, I guess.
"Kurtie. You can stay and you can keep your memories. I talked it through with Nicolas and he was all for it", Noah announces now. "He was? Oh, this is great!". I'm so relieved. "Oh and there' a condition too. Apart of you not telling of course. Sebastian. You're staying."
"I am most certainly not staying here and smell that stinking rat shit over there every…", Sebastian flusters and starts to cry out loud when Noah interrupts him. "Nicolas' orders".
Sebastian PoV
No way I'm gonna live with these idiots! They're the reason why I don't fit in. Especially Blaine. That arrogant bastard is just the best at everything and everybody's darling. He's making me sick and he gets to be all of that while cheating his way into EVERYTHING. He's exactly like his spirit animal. He's a cheating, faulty, motherfucking rat. A cheater; and he's the reason why everybody in this fucking family looks down on me.
And now I'm supposed to live with him? What the hell is Nicolas thinking?!
"Nicolas can kiss my ass! Fuck me!", I cry out. "Maybe you should invest in a flea collar. But this seems awfully strange to me too. There is something up.", Blaine murmurs behind my back to our cousin.
Of – fucking – course he has to have to voice what I already said and be superior about it. Can he get anymore egocentric?
Kurt PoV
Well, he certainly has an opinion on that one. Seems like we have to try again after all , "What's his angle here?", Blaine voices, "there's got to be an ulterior motive for sure".
Narrator's PoV
"We will trust this Kurt", Nicolas says hoarsely, "This is a chance. For Blaine… for Sebastian… and for me. But be careful nobody gets suspicious".
TO BE CONTINUED
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Next chapter: More interaction This was a lot about detecting the secret and the characters' thoughts about it, next should be more interaction especially in the Kurt and Sebastian department ;)
End note: As the chapters go on I plan to put more weight on the Glee characters and putting some of their characteristics in it (for example Kurt being more Kurt – There was a note about that in a review and you're right. Right now he's a little too much Tohru, and I agree with that. I'll try to work the real Kurt in it more and more, but I don't want to risk it looking like he's doing a 180° right now. Also remember if you know the Furuba background story- Tohru / Kurt changed a lot to be something she/he tries to be for a reason. I get it though- it's his thoughts that seem ooc. But I like to think that in interaction with the Taylors the real Kurt will come out.)
A few asked me if to expect it staying it so close to the manga. The answer is I try to build up the story in a similar way as darutobeme in Number 20. Beginning very close and as it goes on there will be more differences. I certainly can't keep on trying to put every detail in, otherwise this would go completely out of hand. As we progress forward I want it to get more individual but hopefully without ignoring their backgrounds.
Thank you for every "follow" on every "like" on tumblr. Aetheriata even fic rec'd me which was soooo sweet, thank you hon! And especially every comment and review on here and lj. They make me really happy and keep me motivated to write more