Hello, I decided to do another Fruits Basket story.  I've always wondered how the Sohmas became cursed in the first place, so I decided to write my own version of the story.  In this piece, the character's given name is Sohma (the clan took his name as their family name to honor him).  Hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

The Legend of Sohma

Chapter 1: A Fairy Tale

As I kneel on all fours on the floor, my dignity once again cast aside, I wait for the scraps that he holds contemptuously in his hands.

"You'll have to beg for it, Sohma."

Weak with hunger, I attempt to move forward to prostrate myself before him, but find myself falling that way instead.

He laughs hardily and says, "You disgusting wretch," before throwing the stale bread next to me and walking towards the exit.

Fearing he may come back and take it away, I lunge at it and stuff it in my mouth with my filthy hands.  Despite its toughness, I chew and swallow hastily.  I have not eaten for days, despite my labors, and even this rejected piece can fill my hallow stomach.

Still hungry and exhausted, I lean up against the wall, hoping to be free to rest for even a short time.  I close my eyes, and painful memories fill my mind of the day my parents sold me into slavery.

"Come along, Sohma."

"Chichuae, why are we going to the home of the Lord?"

Not hearing an answer, I turn to Hahowae, "Hahowae?"

I notice tears streaming down her face as she looks at Chichuae and says, "Dear, please, please don't do this."

He stiffens his grip on my hand and says, "We have no choice.  The messenger of the Lord said that since we could not pay, he would only accept the servitude of the eldest son as repayment.  It is he or death to us all, even our other children."

I tremble as we enter the gates of the Lord and a guard comes to meet us.

"Sir, we have brought him for the Lord's service."

"So it shall be done.  Now leave here, you are not worthy to be in the presence of the Lord."

"Our apologies," Chichuae says as he takes hold of Hahowae's hand and starts to drag her away.

I call out to them, "Hahowae, Chichuae, where are you going?!  Don't leave me here!"

"Silence, you are now a servant to the great Lord!" the guard shouts as he kicks me.

"Hahowae, Chichuae, why?" I say as I watch them pass through the gate, and the doors close behind them.

I lift my face and look out the window at the sky, filled with distant stars.  I want to be like them, shining brightly – and far away from here. 

I am startled when I feel a presence.  I turn and see another like myself.

"What do you want?" I say, annoyed.

She looks down and says quietly, "I was worried about your wounds, the master's assistant was cruel."

I stand up and walk by her, not looking at her, as I say, "That is none of your concern."

I continue down the hallway, sensing her watching me, but making sure not to look back.  Whenever I am around her, I feel unbalanced and anxious, and I do not know why.  She always acts like she is concerned about me, but why should she care?  For people like us, the only one you should be concerned about is yourself, and how you will survive.

I continue silently to the quarters and to my corner.  I pull the ragged blanket over me and rest my head against the makeshift pillow.  I close my eyes and am about to go to sleep when I hear the voices of two other servants.

"Have you heard the legend?"
"Which one?"

"Of the Kami in the mountains?"

I hear laughter and then, "There are many such legends here and everywhere."

"When I was free, I remember sitting near a fire and my father telling me the story of the Juunishi."

"The Juunishi?"

"It is said that, long ago, the Kami was to have a grand banquet, a feast divine.  He wanted to invite the animals that he loved.  However, the sly rat went to the home of the cat and told him the wrong date, so, on the appointed day, all the animals but the cat arrived.  The Kami was infuriated at the cat, and banned him forever from the Kami's home in the mountains, which made him a monster.  The rat, the first to attend, was blessed by the Kami for his loyalty."

"Hmm, I don't think I've heard that one before."

I think to myself, what a stupid fairy tale, meant for children and fools.  Truly these men are idiots.

"But, there is more to the story."

"Really?"

"It is said that the Kami and the spirits of the animals invited to the banquet, and that of the cursed cat, remain in the mountains, the animals except the cat forever feasting with the Kami, and the spirit of the cat wandering for eternity in atonement."

"Hmm."

"It is also told that, if one searches through the mountains and finds the banquet and enters upon it, he will be granted with countless wealth."

When the word 'wealth' reaches my ears, I shoot up and throw off the blanket, surprising the other servants.

I stand up and walk quickly towards them. 

When I am near, I say, "Great wealth?"

The storyteller looks at me and says, "Yes, but it is only a legend."

I ignore him as my mind reels with the possibilities.

My voice raised, I respond, "The mountains of the story, where are they?"

He merely shrugs in response.

Frustrated, I leave them and return to my corner to ponder what I have learned.