Hi, here's the second-to-last chapter. Enjoy!
Yuki the Rat: Glad you liked the previous chapter, hope you like this one, too.
C.B.: Thank you for your comments. I didn't realize that other people had written curse origin stories, too. Hope you like the rest!
Amberedge57: Thanks for your input. I did choose a certain style for this piece, but I think that you've made a good point about the flow of the story, thanks. :)
Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the property of their respective owners. This piece is not for profitable purposes.
Chapter 8: A Discovery
I carefully search each section of the mountain, believing that the Kami can be found. However, days pass without a sign of the Kami or the Juunishi, and soon the leaves fall and the first snowflakes cover my path. The temperature slips lower as I ascend the mountain, and I find myself making too frequent stops to build fires for my warmth and that of my horse.
Housed in poor shelter, I am caught in an early winter storm with harsh winds and stinging snow. I cover myself with multiple layers of clothes, but still feel the cold against my skin. Shivering, I struggle, but am finally able to fall asleep. When the morning arrives, I am startled to see the landscape piled with snow, hiding markers and covering my tracks from the day before. Somewhat anxious but determined, I mount my horse and continue my journey.
More time passes, and the poor weather continues. I begin to doubt, alternately convinced and doubtful that I am re-treading my path rather than covering new ground. Even more of a concern, my food rations have depleted greatly, and with little possibility of finding more underneath the blanket of snow. The wind billows around me, creating a blinding swirl of snow. Likely out of fear, the horse stops, and, despite my imploring, refuses to budge. Discouraged, I dismount, and rest one of my arms against the horse's back as I look around in all directions, seeing white everywhere, and hearing the wind – but, faintly – I seem to hear something else. Is this my imagination or a first sign of insanity? Indeed, it almost sounds like – like the noises of animals! I listen more intently in the direction of the sounds. Invigorated, I grab the reigns of the horse and pull on them, and, strangely, it ceases its resistance and follows me. Noting its willingness to cooperate, I re-mount and continue. Stopping only to listen to determine if a change in course is necessary, I and my horse push ahead, the noises gradually increasing in volume. Finally, after what seems to have been hours, but could not possibly have been that long, I am shocked to see a valley where the snow and wind have not penetrated.
Excited, I quicken the horse's pace into the clear area. Full of anticipation, I quickly scan the area, but see nothing. How can this be, certainly the sounds are coming from here! Infuriated and despairing at the same time, my head droops forward and I clench my right fist. This valley must be some sort of naturally occurring phenomenon, and the noises created by my own fading sanity, brought on by my foolish pursuit and the prospect before me of likely capture and death. Resigning to my probable fate, I lift my head. Yet, despite the odds, and, certainly, from my desperate wish, I see in the distance figures of animals, one further away from the others and shifting in shape between a cat and some sort of monster. Leaving my horse behind, I start to walk towards the mirage, and find myself unsurprised when the eyes of all the animals and the monster turn to me as their movement ceases. I am suddenly surrounded by a light as I continue to move forward, and then enter into an area where green grass populates the ground, the sun shines, and the temperature is at a pleasant level.
The animals' eyes still upon me, I hear a booming voice from an unknown source.
"Who is it that has entered upon my feast without my invitation?"
Before I can respond, the voice continues, "Human, this is no place for you."
Is that – the voice of the Kami?
Trying to sound confident, I respond, "I am Sohma, I have heard the legend of the Kami's feast upon the mountain, and know what is to become of one who enters upon it."
"I know your true intentions – and what is within your heart, human."
Within my heart, what nonsense is that?
I consider responding when I notice that the animals, including the shape-shifting beast, closing in on me, making me nervous.
"Let the legend be fulfilled then, human. You are reborn – Sohma Akito."
I awaken, my eyes blinking several times before they remain open. Where am I? I move my head left and right and realize that I am in an opulent room - designed in a recognizable fashion.
Is this –
"Lord, at last, you have awakened!"
