Once upon a time...
There was god. He lived on the top of a mountain so high up, people would not approach it. Maybe it was because of that, God felt lonely.
So he walked towards the window and picked up a maple leave. He twirled it around his hand and then kissed it. The leaf then started flowing and from there emerged a human, who had his head held down, bowing to god.
"I wish for you to always be there for me." God smiles and he kneeled in front of his new friend.
"You are my master. The reason for my very existence." The newly formed human said. "Every word of yours will be my action. Every wish of your will be my law."
The god smiled, even though he wanted a friend, the presence of a new individual made him happy.
And then they lived for a long time together before God once again became lonely. He wanted more friends. Maybe it was due to the fact that even though he wanted his servant to act as a friend, the latter refused to do so and had only seen God as his master.
One day a cat hopped in through his window. The cat meowed making God look at the animal.
God looked at his servant, his only servant who was utmost loyal and kind, and smiled. He gained another friend.
The servant felt his heart lighten as if his very soul had been cleansed after seeing his master smile.
"My loyal follower..." God started speaking, never once did he refer to him as a servant. "I want to hold a banquet...Please invite all of beloved friends there."
With that the servant bowed his head and left the room and started to take out a paper, brush and ink. And there he started a writing a letter which had the words.
"God invited you to the banquet that shall be held tomorrow."
Holding the letters in his hands he blew on them. As if petals of a cherry blossom those letters flew to their respective recipients, carried by the wind.
But the rat, who loved to pull pranks took the cats letter and then lied to his neighbor, the cat told him the banquet was the day after tomorrow.
...
The servant picked out the last outer part of the kimono and slipped it on the arms of the God.
"Thank you" God smiled.
The servant looked down. "It is my honor."
The servant then walked towards the door, opening it and then walked through.
He then sat down, facing his master, and bowed down head on the floor. "I shall now go receive the animals for the banquet." Raising his head, he then closed the door and walked towards the main entrance.
On the day of the banquet, the rat rode on the Ox's back , then leapt easily down to arrive first.
After him came the Ox, The Tiger and the rest.
As they sat down, the servant poured them drinks and later brought their meals in.
As everyone enjoyed the feast, the servant looked around in worry. The cat had not arrived. The servant look at his master and thought that it was better to not disturb him.
Then the servant left the room and walked through the front door and went outside.
Maybe he is late. With that thought the servant continued looking.
"You..." A voice behind the servant thundered making him turn around. Before him, stood the dragon. "What are you doing?"
The servant quickly fell on his knees and bowed his head. "The cat is yet to arrive. And I am worried as something may have happened to him so I am going to go search for him."
The dragon did not speak for a few second and when he did, he said. "Raise your head and climb on my back."
The servant raised his head immediately and spoke. "I could never. I would never dare to raise my head in your presence let alone climb on your back."
The dragon growled and with a swift motion, he bit the servant's clothes and threw him in the air. Before the servant could even shout, the dragon flew near him and made him land on the dragon's back. "Hold on tight or you will fall."
God's residence was high on top of Tall Mountain so it did take time for them to reach all the way down. But the servant did not mind, this was the first time he had ever left his masters side but when she saw almost those new things, different trees, flowers and animal, left him awestruck.
Soon they were able to find the cat.
After that as if a routine, the dragon would come to God's residence every evening and take the servant on a stroll.
The servant could see the cat and rat fight, the cow and sheep grazing, Tiger sleeping in the forest undisturbed, the rabbit hop around, the snake slither underground, monkey eat fruits as he sat on a tree next to the bird, the dog walk around and pig sleep most of the time. And the horse run around the field so gracefully.
Soon enough the animals of the zodiacs were also friends with the servant.
The servant would always be forever grateful to dragon for introducing him to a new world and help her gain such wonderful friends.
...
Tsubaki ran towards the front door in full speed. "I'll be leaving" She shouted from the door.
"You're going on your walk again?" Akira came out of the living room with a smile.
She turned her head back as she put on shoes and nodded. Smiling Tsubaki waved and walked outside.
The girl hummed as she went on her daily walk, occasionally greeting the people of the Sohma family along the way. And out in the corner of your eye you saw a dried maple leave. Autumn has finally arrived. Walking towards it she picked it up and twirled it around her fingers and continued her walk.
However she stopped when she saw a boy, who was around her age, sitting on a bench with his head down low.
The girl frowned a bit and then walked towards him.
"Boo!"
"Ahhh!" The boy jumped in surprise. He looked up to a see someone smiling. "Do I know you?" The boy questioned as he tilted his head in confusion.
"Nope! And I also don't know who you are." Tsubaki said as she kept smiling. "But that doesn't mean we can't get to know each other." She said as she reached out her hand towards the boy.
The boy, instead of reaching for her hand to introduce himself, flinched back. "I was told to not come in physical contact with any female." The boys explained, looking away from her.
Tsubaki looked at him confused in silence before she exclaimed. "Are you one of the zodiacs?"
This made the boy looked towards he in shocked since the fact that the people of the 12 zodiacs transformed was kept a secret even among Sohma family members.
His eyes then widened in recognition. She looked almost identical to the Sohma head. "Are you Tsubaki-San?"
"Yup!" She smiled. "I guess you know since I look like my father a lot. Isn't my hair pretty just like my father?" She twirled around making her long hair dance in the wind.
Before the boy could even respond she stopped twirling and then pointed toward him. "Now let me guess which one of the zodiacs you are ... Can you say you're name first?"
The boy smiled a bit. "My name is Hatori."
"Aha!" She brought her hands together. "Since you have the word tori -bird- in your name you must be the bird!"
"You're wrong." Hatori laughed at how she confidently shouted the wrong answer. "I'm the dragon..."
"Hehh..." She said. "I though the one with the dragon's spirit would be quite fierce but you look so gentle..." Tsubaki continued.
She then put on a gentle smile. "Now do you want to talk about why you're sad?" She said.
Ah...So you were trying to cheer me up before you asked what was bothering me... Hatori smiled. "I...I was just wondering what it feels like to be normal."
Tsubaki stayed quiet making Hatori continue. "My parents sometimes look at me like I'm a monster even though I go towards them to seek comfort...I can't make much friends due to the restrictions and fear that I would accidentally transform myself... Sometimes I just want to be consoled and be treated as a normal child. A child who goes and play around with his friends and when the child reaches home his parents will welcome him with a smile..."
Hatori looks at Tsubaki, eyes slightly glazed with tears. "I want be a normal human...I want to be happy without being bound by this curse."
Tsubaki suddenly stood up and walked in front of Hatori. "I'll be hugging you."
"Eh? But then I'll-" Before Hatori could even finish his sentence, arms wrapped around him. One hand went towards his head and slowly pulled him closer.
" I'll be your friend Hatori. Even though it's just me for now I'll be your friend. One friend is still a great start!"
"Happiness doesn't need to be acceptance from others. Happiness can be from the smallest things. How a small puppy jumps wanting to play with you can be happiness, when you don't study for a test yet you get high Mark's...and in my case when my hair is combed by my mother. Affection from my mother is rare after all.. Hehe but of course happiness is different for different people."
She brought her lips to a gentle smile. "And if you still feel sad, I'll be there like right now to console you. If that can give you the tiniest bit of happiness it would be an honor and in turn would make me happy"
The pair stood in silence for a bit, basking in each other comfort, before Hatori took a step back and Tsubaki let go of the hug.
"You're part of the zodiac as well?" Hatori asked.
"Hm...I don't know if I belong with you guys." She brought your hands on your face, tilting a bit in confusion. "Our god isn't born yet but when he is, I am the one who will be serving him."
Hatori's eyes widened a bit in realization.
"Some say that this curse of mine is the lightest or weakest since I don't transform." Tsubaki smiled sadly as she brought her hands on her chest.
"But others says I'm cursed more than anyone else. When my god is born, I won't be able to have my own opinions. All my life I would be doing all I can to serve my god. Not once can I ever go against God's wish..." Hatori looked at her, who was looking at him but the look in your eyes made it seem she wasn't looking at him. But rather something so far away.
Hatori membered the maids gossiping about how the servant was born to the head of the family. This was something unprecedented making her a hot topic for gossips.
"When my god is born I will feel immeasurable happiness with him but at the same time my life isn't my own anymore." She then walked towards Hatori and gently hit his head.
"What's with that sad look in your face? You do realize you're cursed as well" She laughed. "Don't worry...Right now I'm happy. It may be insensitive to tell you this but the curse doesn't affect my parent's behavior towards me. My mother maybe a bit cold to me but then in the end I have my wonderful parents with me and just being with them is just...so beautiful...so peaceful. "
Tsubaki twirled around and walked past Hatori. "My life right now is full of happiness."
After that day, almost every day Hatori would be there at the same place, at the same time. And Tsubaki would always be there to invite him on her walk.
They would talk about normal things, like how last night's television was or what they did at their school since Hatori went to an all-boys school where as Tsubaki went to a private one near the Sohma residence.
"This is Shigure and this one is Ayame." Hatori introduced pointed at his two other close friends. "They are also a part of the zodiacs. And this is-"
"Ah!" Tsubaki exclaimed. "You're the most beautiful boy I've ever seen in my entire life." She exclaimed pointing at Ayame.
The boy beamed at the compliment and pointed at your back. "Hoho! I could say the same thing for you as well, fair maiden!"
"What a surprise! My heart has now started beating for your face, beautiful person!"
Ayame put his hands on his chin and glowed. "I ask you to stop now for I have heard this on many occasions in the past-!"
This made Hatori sweat drop before putting on a gentle smile as he watch Tsubaki laugh as she reached out her hand towards Ayame.
"My name is Tsubaki!" She smiled. "I can tell we are going to be great friends!"
"As Tori-San already said." Ayame did a full turn and put his hands in a peace sign and laughed. "My name is Ayame. I'm the snake! I can also see us getting along well!"
"Haha" Shigure laughed in monotone. "They're getting along so well."
...
Tsubaki woke up in tears, she did not remember what she dreamed about but fight now her chest was really light.
"I'll meet you soon."
Tsubaki brought her hands near her face before her eyes widened in realization. God... my master has descended.
Still in her night wear-yukata- she rushed along her house where he was greeted by the nearby maids. If it were another day, she would have greeted back but right now she did not care. Everything else seemed so pale in comparison to her excitement.
Upon reaching the outside of a certain room, she stood as she caught her breath. Raising her hands and placing on the sliding door she said. "Mother, I'll be entering..."
There she saw her mother still in bed with a questioning look on her face. Tsubaki smiled at her mother as she stepped in and walked to the closet as she picked up a blanket scarf.
Walking towards her mother she placed the scarf on her mother's shoulder. "Good morning, Mother."
"What is it Tsubaki?" Her mother went straight to the point. "Aren't you here too early?"
Tsubaki would always greet her parents however that was only before she went for school.
"I saw a dream today..." Tsubaki started. "But I forgot what it was about."
Ren made a weird expression before laughing, which in turn made Tsubaki smile as well. Seeing her mother laugh was a rare sight so it made her extremely happy.
"But then when I stayed awake a voice..." Tsubaki continued. "I heard a voice within me and it said your master has arrived, serve your master with utmost care and love him more than anyone else."
"And before I knew it, I was on my feet. I didn't know where I was going but when I realized I was near your room." Tsubaki said, still very excited.
"My dearest God will be my very own sibling."
Tsubaki expected Ren to be happy when she heard her news but then her mother face distorted from shock to disgust.
Ren stood up and glared at Tsubaki. "I don't want to hear such nonsense." She then opened the door and exited the room.
However she was stopped by four approaching figure. Tsubaki who followed her mother noticed it was rest of the zodiac children apart from Ritsu who was still an infant.
"We've been waiting for you..." The children said.
Ren ignored all of them despite their excited eyes and walked pass them.
Tsubaki could see the maids were staring, no doubt they were talking about Ren's rude behavior.
Tsubaki then took it towards herself and she walked towards them and she bowed. "I apologize for this. My mother is rather unwell."
The children looked in shock since Tsubaki normally did not act like this.
Ayame was about to say something but then Hatori stopped him. Hatori smiled at Tsubaki. "No its fine. It's our fault as well since we disturbed the house so early."
Hatori then gestured Ayame to look in the side. The head maid was looking and if she caught Tsubaki acting like she usually did she would undoubtly get lectured.
When the head maid turned around and left, Tsubaki let out an audible sigh. "Thank you, Hatori."
They all stayed in silence for a bit before Tsubaki walked towards Kureno. "Did you come here alone?" She patted his head.
Kureno lifted his head up before he jumped towards her, hugging Tsubaki. "You felt it too right, Tsubaki-nee...This morning I felt so...I don't know how to describe it."
"Indeed!" Ayame said as he hugged himself in a serious voice. "It was as if I was feeling all sorts of feelings at once."
Tsubaki hugged Kureno back and she started stroking the now crying child. "Finally...For me all I am feeling is happiness."
Shigure was the only one who was quite as he stared at the group.
Tsubaki then let go of Kureno. "Kureno, let's get you home, I'll drop you off. Don't you have school?" Making Kureno smile but then Hatori intervened.
"I'll do that." He smiled and when he saw Tsubaki about to refute. "You should get ready yourself, Tsubaki."
That was when she realized she was still in her night wear. This made her blush but then she still smiled.
...
"Hatori and Kureno!" Tsubaki rushed towards the entrance of her house. "Have you come to meet Akito?"
Beside her the head maid, cleared her throat making Tsubaki stiffen.
She sighed and then bowed her head. "Have you come to greet Akito?"
Hatori frowned. He noticed as days went by, Tsubaki became more and more rigid around the zodiacs, no doubt the head maid was pressuring her to act as elegant as she could.
"About that-" Before Hatori could finish Kureno removed his shoes and then went to hug Tsubaki.
"Nope!" Kureno smiled as he hugged her. "I came to meet you, Tsubaki-nee."
Hatori sighed but then he smiled as he removed his shoes and walked towards Tsubaki. "It's been a while since I last saw you so I came to visit and I met Kureno along the way so he tagged along."
Hatori then gave Tsubaki a small paper bag. "Here ...I heard my class girls talk about these chocolate so I thought you might like it too."
Tsubaki's eyes glimmered as she received the gift. "Woahhh. I always wanted to try this but then I didn't have time to buy it." She blushed happily. "Thank you, Hatori!"
"Why don't you have enough time?" Kureno asked still clinging onto Tsubaki.
Tsubaki smiled. "Akito doesn't like being left alone. Father is rather unwell so he can't spend most of his time with Akito so I try to reach home as early as possible."
Tsubaki then turned around and held Kureno's hands. "Come inside, Shigure is also here."
Sliding the door where Akito was the trio entered an empty room however in the courtyard there were two figures. Akito was lifted up and held by Shigure.
Tsubaki frowned but she did not say anything. Tsubaki never really liked Shigure, claiming that person puts himself before anyone else so she usually tried to separate Akito and Shigure.
Hatori noticed the souring mood from the girl so he stepped in and announced their presence. "Akito...Shigure."
Both of them turned upon hearing their voice. Akito visibly brightened up and asked Shigure to let her down.
She then rushed towards Kureno and hugged him, Akito also reached out towards Hatori and cupped his cheeks. "I'm pleased by your visit."
Tsubaki smiled at her little sister before bending down. "Akito, come here. You're kimono is getting loose."
Hatori sighed in relief. It seemed that just due to Akito's presence near her, Tsubaki was once again happy. Her smiling always suited her best.
...
"I'm inviting you to the banquet tomorrow; don't be late."
Tsubaki listened to her father tell Akito the story. "This God is you, Akito."
Her beloved Akito was now three years old. Tsubaki found her younger sister very beautiful and even her voice was rather low but very pleasant to listen to which was a shame that she was going to be raised as a boy.
But it could not be objected. Akito, being the God, meant she was going to be the next head of the Sohma family. Usually the heir is a male so in order to avoid any objections from the family elders, Akito's gender was hidden. But for now Tsubaki couldn't help but dote on her.
Right now Tsubaki listened to her father, Akira share about the story of the Zodiacs. Akira decided that Akito was finally old enough for her to know who she was and how she shall be treated.
Unfortunately her mother was no longer interacting with her and completely ignored Akito.
Shigure was the one who explained why Ren was acting like that. She is jealous.
Tsubaki tried to visit her mother in hopes that her mother won't feel longer but whenever she visited, her mother would throw tantrums and demanded Akira to be there.
And after getting injured by her mother one day, she was advised against visiting Ren.
Akira then bend down to Akito's level and then cupped her small face "You are a special child, a chosen child. You were born to be loved. Everybody was waiting for you."
Tsubaki brought her hands to her chest, remembering the happiness she felt when she and the zodiacs realized God would be born. The tears she spilled when her very own sister would be her master. Those were not tears of sadness or shame. Those were tears of pride and joy, that she could love she sister twice as much. Tsubaki could love Akito as her God and sister...
"In your future, there is no sadness or fear." Akira continued. "Only unchanging, that's all..."
As long as Akito is happy, she could not ask anything more.
But sometimes she wondered if these feelings were actually hers or did they belong to the soul of the ancient folklore.