A/N: Ok, so I think I told you guys this in my last A/N, but I haven't completely read the manga so this story is more heavily based on the anime with some nods to the manga throughout. Also, I'm going to drop the Japanese pronouns. I have absolutely no relation to/experience with Japanese culture (other than my fondness for sushi). It's just too difficult for me to write the pronouns when I don't exactly know when they are supposed to be used.
Disclaimer:I do not own Fruits Basket or the song The Resolution by Jack's Mannequin
The emperor then called for one of his lords-in-waiting. "There is a very wonderful bird mentioned here, called a nightingale. They say it is the best thing in my large kingdom. Why have I not been told of it?"
"I have never heard the name," replied the cavalier; "she has not been presented at court."
"It is my pleasure that she shall appear this evening." said the emperor; "the whole world knows what I possess better than I do myself."
"I have never heard of her," said the cavalier; "yet I will endeavor to find her."
'You already know of the bond between the jade emperor and the animals of the zodiac, but what do you know of the nightingale?'
A young Akito scowled, 'Why should I care about the nightingale? Isn't she just like the other animals? They all have to obey me anyway, what makes her so special?"
His maid simply chuckled at his petulant tone. 'The relationship between the nightingale and her emperor runs much deeper than that, for above all else it is the nightingale's duty to love her emperor. She is eternally bound to him.'
Akito frowned as the words from his past echoed through his head. It was true that he thought of that particular conversation frequently in the years that had passed, but never before had his musings bothered him as they did now. Something seemed off.
Dismissing his growing sense of unease, his thoughts drifted back to the little nightingale. He had known Aikame since childhood. As a baby, she had been brought to live in the main house, where she was cared for by the servants.
Growing up he had always been told how special the nightingale should be to him. It wasn't until a few years later that he actually understood what that meant.
It meant that her loyalty was never a question as it was with the other animals. It meant that she was his.
Akito was roused from his thoughts by Hatori knocking on the doorframe. He gave a momentary sigh before telling Hatori to "come in" using his typical unconcerned drawl.
Hatori opened the door and crossed the room quickly, going over to where Akito sat with his torso dangling languidly from the window.
"You know you really should leave the window shut," the older man said, sticking his hands into his pockets out of habit. "Especially since the weather is still cold and you could be putting your health in danger."
Akito let out another little sigh, although this time it was slightly permeated with annoyance, but he did as Hatori said, if only for the reason that he was a doctor and it was rather cold out.
"I assume you know the reason for my visit," Hatori said, pulling a stethoscope out of his bag, along with a syringe and a vial of clear liquid.
"Yes, yes" Akito said, waiving off Hatori's question. His temper was wearing thin, as it always did during his daily checkups.
Hatori proceeded with the examination, silently checking Akito's vitals before filling the syringe with the contents of the vial and administering the drug.
With that, the whole process was over and Hatori began to pack his things and made his way towards the door. It was only when he heard Akito call his name that Hatori stopped.
"Hatori... Have you by any chance seen Aikame around the compound?"
To any other person, Akito's voice sounded indifferent, but, having known Akito for years, Hatori was able to detect the coldness in his tone. He would have to find Aikame quickly if she was to escape Akito's ire.
Hatori slowly shook his head "No, I haven't seen her... Perhaps she's in the gardens on the other side of the house?"
"Perhaps..." Akito replied, trailing off into his own thoughts as he stared out the window again.
Taking that as his cue, Hatori left the room, his usually short and concise steps lengthening into long, purposeful strides
The forest grew uncomfortably silent for a moment following Yuki's statement.
"Aikame has the family curse as well."
Aikame's eyes were wide with shock. How could cold he speak of their secret so casually around this outsider? Her gaze flicked to Tohru, who seemed to be deep in thought.
"That must mean that you're the horse or the rooster right?"
"... What?"
Tohru gave the girl a small smile. "It's just that I've met all of the other animals already so that must mean you're one of the two."
"Aikame isn't part of the traditional zodiac," Yuki interjected. "She's... different."
"Different how?"
"Well, you see..." Aikame began, fidgeting nervously "Being the nightingale means that I still have the same aspects of the curse as everyone else. I can't hug any one of the opposite gender or else I'll change, but the nightingale has an additional characteristic. She-"
"She just has to be Akito's friggin' lap dog," Kyo chimed in, idly leaning against a tree, his body language contrasting dramatically with his biting insult.
Aikame fell silent. She knew that most of the other animals associated her with Akito, but she didn't realize that they actually /hated/ her for it until now.
Catching her lip between her teeth, she lowered her head and tried to fight the hurt feeling already spreading through her chest. "I should probably be going." Her voice came out in a choked whisper.
She turned and began to dart away, but was brought up short by a surprisingly strong voice behind her. "Wait!"
She looked back at the trio that was now facing her. While Kyo and Yuki seemed very closed off, Tohru had her hands clasped together in front of her and her voice had a slight pleading tone to it. "Will I see you again?"
Despite Aikame's desire to be gone, her mouth quirked up into a kind of half smile. "Maybe" she called back, as she ran off in the opposite direction.
I hope so, Tohru thought.
A/N: Yeah, so this chapter is kind of short, sorry :/
First of all-I would like to thank KristenMarie09 who's reviewed both of my chapters so far. It really encourages me to write when I know that you want to read more :)
Also, Guest who reviewed chapter 2: *hugs* It makes me really happy to know that you're liking the story so far!
And a big thanks to those of you who've added alerts to this story: KristenMarie09, Kunoichijay, Zora and Phoenix, crazy YinYang writer7, and kateatslasvegas. I know that this story is merely a work in progress, but I hope you all enjoy it :)
Second of all-I had a bit of a hard time picking out a song for this chapter. It's a hard chapter to categorize, but It is very important in the grand scheme of this story.
I finally decided on The Resolution by Jack's Mannequin. I think that the first verse fits with where Aikame is right now and the rest of the song vaguely covers where I want to take this story (spoilers) :)
That's it! If you like this story and want to make my day, please leave a contribution in the little box! Conversely, If you see something that you think I can improve on and you want to let me know, tell me! I accept all comments and I love constructive criticism almost as much as I love other reviews.
