Disclaimer: If we owned Fruits Basket and Inuyasha, would this be called a fanfic?
Authors' Notes:
Kit: I sincerely apologize to our loving fans for the delay in updates. It was entirely my fault. Kagome-Hime is not to blame. sobs I AM THE GUILTY OOOOOONE!
Kag: That's right, I tried EVERYTHING to get her to write this chapter, EVERYTHING! I even resorted to blackmail, and even that didn't work. But finally, after much persuading from me, she decided to finish this chapter. Finally.
Kit: Also, I know that in the beginning I said that Kureno and Rin would not appear in this series. Well, guess what? Kureno appears in this chapter. I really couldn't find anybody else that would fit except him. But Akito is still a male. So now, Fruits Basket is still based on the anime, including Rin and Kureno.
Kit: I shall now present the long-awaited Chapter Three of A Feudal Fairy Tale: The Zodiac Curse!
Kag: Don't forget me! Please enjoy this chapter and leave a review to show you care.
Chapter Three: The Sacrificial Lamb
"Tweet, tweet."
A small white canary greeted cheerfully on the window ledge. It was funny how these small birds had the audacity to do what humans dared not. It was one of the things Akito admired about the creature.
"Tweet, tweet," the petite bird chirped again, demanding its presence to be acknowledged.
Akito lifted a thin, pale hand to receive the bird. It hopped gratefully onto his hand and tweeted as if to say thanks.
"Tell me, why am I even considered to be a 'God' at all? Why, when I am really just the Sohma family's sacrificial lamb," Akito spoke to the little bird.
The bird cocked its head curiously.
"When I am gone, they'll forget about me," he continued bitterly, "I left scars on them so they will remember me. I taught them what it really means to be a Sohma. But that girl, she healed their scars and taught them her stupid visions of the world. How can a plain, foolish girl like her do so much? Does she really think she has the power to break the curse?"
The bird gently pecked Akito's fingers. It seemed oblivious to how they were shaking with anger.
'I want to believe her too. I want to see life through her eyes. But I never got a chance to live. Why should they be allowed to live, to laugh, to love- when I can't?'
Akito suddenly clenched his hand into a fist. The bird struggled wildly in attempt to escape his grasp.
"They all deserve to suffer as I suffer," Akito whispered darkly as he dropped the dead canary outside and walked away.
………
Kureno sat obediently on the hard, wooden floor. He could barely make out the Sohma Master's thin frame in the dim room. The windows and doors were closed, leaving Akito and Kureno as the only ones in the room.
"Why have you summoned me, Akito?" the rooster questioned, carefully keeping his tone soft and emotionless.
"You and I both know that tomorrow is the ceremony."
Akito's back was turned to Kureno so the older man couldn't see the expression on his face.
Kureno's instincts warned him about what the Sohma master was planning.
"Tell me, do you hate me?"
"No. We all love you, Akito. You are our God," Kureno replied automatically.
Akito turned around and tilted up the kneeling man's chin. Lightless gray eyes gazed into Kureno's mahogany ones.
"Will you betray me like the rest of them?" Akito's eyes continued to bore steadily into Kureno's.
"I will forever remain loyal to you, Akito."
Akito looked pleased, as if he was expecting this answer. "It's time for you to prove your loyalty to me," Akito whispered into the rooster's ear.
"Stand up," he commanded.
Like a marionette being controlled by a puppeteer, Kureno stood immediately.
Akito drew himself close to Kureno until their faces were merely inches apart.
The latter's eyes widened as Akito slipped a dagger into the rooster's hand. Then, Akito placed his own hands over Kureno's and guided them to his heart.
"Akito? Wha-what are you doing?" the auburn-haired man's usual emotionless voice shook with fear. His body felt paralyzed as he stood with the dagger positioned dangerously close to Akito's heart.
"Do it," Akito pulled the dagger closer to his chest, "This is an order. Kill me now, Kureno.
The rooster drew back his arm. "Akito-!" he started to protest.
"DO IT!" Akito ordered, "If I have to die, I'll do it of my accord!"
The rooster zodiac suddenly understood what this was all about. Akito had been unusually calm when the news came that his time was up. The young Sohma Head had been destined for this fate from the moment he was born. But now he knew, that beneath it all...
Akito was afraid of this fate.
Akito had always been afraid.
Kureno genuinely felt sorry for Akito. Seeing the pathetic look on his face, Akito looked like a frightened child.
"Akito" Kureno said again. He held the dagger above Akito's heart. He brought it down, prepared to strike the dagger into Akito's heart. The blade stopped a few millimeters from reaching Akito's chest. I can't, Akito. I'm sorry, I cannot do it," the blade dropped to the ground. Kureno bowed his head sadly.
"What? Even you, even you!" Akito's eyes narrowed in rage.
"YOU LIED TO ME!" He screamed, "How dare you disobey me, Kureno! You said you were loyal to me! I trusted you..." Akito pointed a finger accusingly at the rooster zodiac.
"Akito, I cannot kill you," Kureno replied quietly not taking his eyes off the wooden floors.
Akito suddenly chuckled. "If you won't do it, then I will!" He grabbed the fallen dagger and pointed it at his chest.
"AKITO!"
Hatori burst into the room just in time to stop Akito.
"LET GO!" Akito struggled vainly against the combined strength of both Hatori and Kureno.
"Akito, please calm down. You'll overexert yourself again," Hatori warned the younger man.
"HOW DARE YOU ALL BETRAY ME? DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DEFY GOD?" Akito cried out hysterically.
Hatori pulled out a tranquilizer and injected it into Akito's arm. Akito managed to slap the Doctor in the face.
"I WON'T DIE FOR THIS FAMILY!" The Sohma family head's scream echoed just before he collapsed.
………
Tohru Honda has had her share of funerals in the past. She remembers attending her father's funeral with her mother. Then, she later attended her mother's funeral with her grandfather. They both had the same peaceful expression on their faces as they lay in their coffins, as if they were having a nice dream.
Flashback
"Grandpa... How can someone look so peaceful when they're... dead? " Tohru asked softly as she looked at her mother's corpse.
Her grandfather smiled and his crinkled eyes shone with tears, "Your mother and father where both very good people. They lived their lives to the fullest and died with no regrets. They experienced love, pain, and joy. Their experiences taught them to truly live. That's why they look so content."
End of Flashback
Her grandfather's words echoed in Tohru's head as she changed into her white mofuku.
/lived their lives to the fullest/
Akito's life was empty...
/They experienced love/
Akito neither loved nor was loved...
/pain/
Akito inflicted his own pain out on others...
/and joy/
Akito never smiled with his eyes. He never laughed with his heart...
/Their experiences taught them to truly live/
Akito never lived.
And today, he was going to die.
"Which is why I can't let Akito-san down," Tohru said out loud to no one in particular. She picked up her mother's picture and kissed it, "Mom, please give me the strength to do the right thing." Then she tucked her mother's picture into her obi belt.
Despite her pushover appearance, Tohru Honda possessed a lot more courage and determination than what people gave her credit for.
"I won't let Akito-san die," Tohru vowed as she went downstairs to join Shigure, Kyou, and Yuki.
Her courage would soon be put to the test...
Akito's attempted suicide was kept secret from the rest of the family. After he woke up, Akito acted as though the episode had never occurred. Kureno and Hatori never spoke of it again, although, they were both extra vigilant on him ever since.
Strangely enough, Akito did not have any outbursts at all. It was like he had given up on whatever he was fighting.
"Yuki, Kyou, and Shigure have arrived, Akito," Kazuma Sohma announced to the Sohma Head, "...and Honda-san as well."
"Bring them in," Akito said tonelessly. He looked like a king, dressed in silk black material and sitting on an altar surrounded by the Jyuunishi.
Kazuma went to welcome the four.
"Hello, Shigure, Kyou, Yuki, and Honda-san," Kazuma greeted the each of them, his eyes lingering a little on Tohru, "please follow me."
Kazuma led them into the ceremony room. It resembled a shrine, with all the scriptures and incense.
In the middle of the room, was Akito, extravagantly dressed in a silk black mofuku with a headdress decorated with tassels and 'crab legs'. The Jyuunishi sat around him in a circle. Each one had their own place according to the legend.
"Yuki and Shigure, please sit in your seat. Tohru, please take your seat as the guest of honour outside of the circle. Kyou, you sit outside on the opposite side of Akito," Kazuma instructed.
Yuki sat next to Akito in his reserved seat while Shigure sat in his part of the circle. Tohru and Kyou both took their seats outside of the circle.
Thus, the ceremony began.
The prayers, dancing, and chanting all seemed like a blur to Tohru. She could only focus on one thing.
Akito.
"The sacrifice will commence after three strikes of the gong," a voice said, but Tohru didn't look up to see who it was.
"GOOONNNNNGGGG!"
Strike one.
The booming clang of the gong vibrated throughout the room.
"GOOONNNNNGGGG!"
Strike two.
The hairs on the back of Tohru's neck stood up on end. Her clenched hands shook with dread.
"GOOONNNNNGGGG!"
Strike...
Three...
Suddenly, the atmosphere of the room changed. The air around the Jyuunishi seemed to swirl around like a miniature whirlwind. Tohru's large cerulean orbs widened in terror as several forms started to appear. Then, the smoke cleared away to reveal the strangest group of people Tohru had ever seen...
A man dressed in a baboon costume.
A dog-eared, white-haired man in outdated clothes.
A monk in purple robes, carrying a staff.
A woman in strange armor, wielding a gigantic boomerang.
A talking stuffed animal with a large, fluffy tail.
And a normal-looking teenaged girl in a school uniform...
Worst of all, these people were covered with blood, be it theirs or not.
A moment of stunned silence passed before the man with the funny ears broke it.
"Where's the jewel?" he demanded, apparently to the man dressed in the baboon pelt
A flood of questions broke out. Voices tumbled over each one another. Both sides fired questions at each other like missiles.
"Who are you people?"
"Who are you people?"
"What the hell is going on?"
"I thought it was supposed to be one demon!"
"Where did you come from?"
"Where are we?"
"It's all Naraku's fault!"
"What do we do?"
"I'm scared..."
"Oh, my dear..." Ayame Sohma cried above the madness. The insanity was too much for him. He fainted and swooned gracefully into Shigure's arms.
"POOF!" (1)
A puff of smoke appeared as the Snake transformed into his zodiac form.
"Aya?" Shigure stared in shock at his cousin's limp form dangling in his arms.
"…"
Another short moment of silence. And then…
"EH? T-that person turned into a snake!" The girl in the school uniform shrieked and jumped near the man with doggy-ears.
"WAHH!" the stuffed animal wailed, "They're all DEMONS!" He scampered up to the schoolgirl's shoulder and buried his face in her hair.
"Who the hell are you calling demons, you circus freaks?" Kyou leapt to his feet and jabbed his finger at Doggy-Ears.
Inuyasha's ears twitched and was about to throw an insult back at the orange-haired young man when Naraku suddenly chuckled.
"Ku, ku, ku," Naraku snickered, "we meet again, Sohma." He turned to Akito, who had been observing the unexpected turn of events with his trademark 'bored expression'.
The room immediately quieted down. Everyone's attention focused on the two. Even Inuyasha, who was itching to rip Naraku apart, let Kyou's circus comment slide and silenced.
"So, you are the demon in the legend," Akito looked unimpressed, "I wasn't expecting you to bring your allies."
"His ALLIES? I'll slaughter that bastard before I become his ally!" Inuyasha declared heatedly, spitting out the word ally.
Akito flicked a half-curious glance at Inuyasha before returning his gaze to Naraku.
"He's right. They are not my allies, in fact, they're quite the opposite. I planned to come alone, but it seems I had been followed. But never mind them, let's get on with the first order of business," Naraku's lips curled, "Ah, and judging by the decorations, you were prepared for my arrival."
"The Sohmas were prepared generations ago," Akito replied with the same bored tone, "I am sure they cannot wait any longer for this day. After all, today is the day they are freed from the curse." Akito smiled darkly.
In the back of the room, Tohru saw a flicker of sadness in Akito's eyes. Tohru had played out the ceremony a thousand times in her mind, practicing what to do and say. She trained herself to be prepared for the unexpected, which why she didn't scream or faint. Still, this baboon person was not what she imagined as the demon.
"Allow me to introduce myself," Naraku kneeled politely on the ground and bowed, "I am Naraku, the demon who cursed your family. Today I shall remove this curse. In return, I seek for your soul."
"And what if I refuse?" Akito raised an eyebrow, and cocked his head to the side.
Naraku leered. "Then I am afraid there will be a repeat of what happened five hundred years ago. Only this time, the results will not be as light as transforming into animals."
To everyone's horror and surprise, Akito burst out laughing.
"AHAHAHAHA!" Akito clutched his side as he laughed hysterically, "AHA-HAHAHAHA! What do plan to do this time, demon? Curse us into insects? You really know how to strike fear in one's heart! OOOH! HAHAHAHA! Do you really expect me to cower before you in fear, when you're dressed in a baboon suit? You are a joke!"
Naraku was slightly taken aback. Sure, he had been insulted, cursed upon, despised, and countless demons and humans alike sought after his head, but laughed at?
Well, that was new. And he didn't like it. It was time Naraku showed the sickly man just how serious he was. "I see you perceive me as a joke. Laugh all you want. You might as enjoy the last moments of your life," Naraku seized Akito with his left arm and his right arm morphed into a grotesque blade-like shape.
"STOP!"
Two voices called out simultaneously as everyone in the room swiveled to see their owners, Tohru Honda and Kagome Higurashi. Tohru flew across the room and shielded Akito with her body. As a reflex, she stuck her arms out and blocked Naraku's view of Akito.
"You can't kill him, Youkai-san!" Tohru's voice was shaking, but surprisingly, no tears came to her eyes, "Please! You can't kill Akito-san!"
"How cute. She's trying to protect you. Too bad she'll have to die as well," Naraku drew back his arm and aimed for Tohru's chest.
"DON'T TOUCH HER, YOU BASTARD!"
Naraku's actions were immediately halted and everyone's attention focused on the owner of this voice.
"Miss Honda, Akito-!"
Kyou and Yuki simultaneously sprang to their feet and bolted across the room.
"Now you've really pissed me off. Who do you think you are! You think you can just come appearing outta nowhere and kill whoever you please? Nobody deserves this, not even Akito!" Kyou spat out while pointing an accusing finger at Naraku, "I'm sick of you, your stupid curse, and your messed up attitude!"
………
'Whoa, that person's scary… and loud. My ears can't take anymore of this!' Shippou groaned mentally as he buried his face into Kagome's shoulder.
'Hmm… This family is very strange… but what is Naraku's purpose of being here? All these mysteries and questions… and is that Miroku's hand on my bottom!' Sango sent the monk an icy glare after that thought.
"Ahh, Sango's butt is as soft as ever and so comforting in these confusing times. Hmm, the orange–haired man still hasn't stopped talking yet… I wonder if Sango noticed my hand." He glanced at Sango and received his answer…
"That guy's attitude is almost as bad as Inuyasha's and here he is accusing Naraku for having a bad attitude… though I can't help but agree…" Kagome thought to herself as the orange-top continued to rant about Naraku.
" Kill… Naraku… No, yes, kill. Why won't that guy just shut the hell up!" Some more disturbing thought followed as Inuyasha's patience was running thin.
………
Naraku smirked, unfazed by Kyou's little spiel.
"For once, he's right," Yuki said as soon as Kyo quieted down, then he turned to the sitting Jyuunishi, "are you just going to sit there and let this guy kill Akito and Miss Honda? Is this how a family is supposed to act? Don't you realize how cowardly we're being, using Akito as our shield? It's about time we all stood up for ourselves!"
There was silence for a split second, and then a lone voice spoke up.
"Yuki-niisan and Kyou-niisan are right. I don't want Sissy and Akito-san to be hurt." The voice was barely audible, but it held such courage. Kisa Sohma bravely stepped up and stood in front of Naraku, shielding Akito.
"Brave little girl, standing up to Naraku…" Kagome thought as another Sohma spoke.
"Yeah! We're not gonna let you hurt them!" Momiji followed Kisa's example and jumped up from his seat from the circle.
"Get lost, Demon. You're starting to piss me off too." Hiro said joining the other two Sohmas.
Tohru smiled as one by one the Jyuunishi joined in a circle around Akito. The Sohma Family Head could only watch in silence and disbelief.
Furious, Naraku summoned all of his demons to attack. His time was running out. "Fine, I guess I'll just have to kill you all." He smirked as he released his attack.
But before his attack could reach his targets a giant boomerang came from behind and sliced though all the demons that was in its way.
Seething, Naraku whipped around.
"Hey, remember us?" Inuyasha's voice rang out. "As long as we're around, the only person who's gonna be killed is you," Inuyasha jabbed his now transformed sword in Naraku's direction.
"You haven't forgotten that we still have a battle to finish, have you?" Sango readied her Hiraikotsu for a second attack beside a growling Kirara.
"You won't get away this time, Naraku!" Kagome added in as she aimed her bow and arrow and got ready to release it if he tried anything funny.
Naraku realized that his plan had failed and that it was time to retreat. "Too late. But don't worry, you haven't seen the last of me." Naraku chuckled as he disappeared behind a swirl of purple smoke.
Everyone stared in silence and disbelief at the spot that Naraku was previously standing.
Inuyasha fell to his knees in shock. He couldn't believe it; Naraku had escaped him twice in one day with the Shikon jewel.
"DAMN YOU NARAKU!"
………
(1) Ayame did NOT transform because he hugged Shigure. We are well aware that Ayame is a male. He transformed because he was so stressed out and shocked.
Kit and Kag's Corner:
Kit: Ho-ho! Fruits Basket and Inuyasha finally meet! In the next chapter, they will be properly introduced. Meanwhile, Naraku has something sneaky in mind for both parties... You'll find out in Chapter Four!
Kag: Ooh, I feel the evilness. The Inuyasha crew are stuck in the future! Gasp! Ahahaha, and what will the Furuba gang do about this situation? Only we know the answer… or do we?
Kit: Now, on to the reviews. Sakura-chan79, firecat925, animeluvr, SakuraSamuraiGirl, vi3tdream27, Impersonation of Mimiru, and Murasaki White Flame Fox, thank you all for reviewing Chapter Two!
Kag: Yes, thank you every much! I feel loved…D
Sakura-chan79- Sorry for the wait. We hope you enjoyed Chapter Three!
firecat925- I'm glad you are so attentive to our fic. I DO want Inuyasha and Kagome together… but, I must respect the opinion of my co-writer there, she supports Inu/Kik. And of course Sango and Miroku are gonna be added in with their own moments, but they will not be the main couple, gomen ne.
animeluvr-Sorry, as we said before, Akito does not die. But thanks for reviewing and keep reading!
SakuraSamuraiGirl- Thank you, we think so too. And I will personally force Kit-chan to update as soon as possible.
vi3tdream27-Thank you, we wanted to choose an original crossover pair. We'll update as quickly as possible, especially with summer break!
Impersonation of Mimiru- Thanks, you really reassured us… Ahahaha. The one thing I'm really afraid of in writing a fanfic is making the characters OOC. Done what for Kagome? You mean their argument? That happens all the time in the actual anime and I like to keep the character as they are and not make them so mushy-gushy. I'll try to add some Inu/Kag moments in, with the permission of Kit-chan of course. Let's just say she's not fond of Kag/Inu as I am. We ARE trying to be fair with the two shows but more of Inuyasha was needed in that chapter. But hey, more Furuba in this chapter!
Murasaki White Flame Fox- This fanfic isn't really romance, so the pairings are not so obvious. The Inu pairings are Inu/Kag/Kik (Kag: Aw, not just Inu/Kag? I sorta made Inu/Kik impossible now…) and Mir/San. That's all we're gonna tell you! You'll have to read more to find out about other pairings. Sorry, but Kagome will not be paired up with anyone in Fruits Basket. Hmm? Inuyasha as an older brother figure? Yes, we are planning that. But an older brother to whom? It's a secret. Ku, ku, ku…
In Case You Didn't Know…
-san - A suffix added to someone's name representing respect or politeness. A direct translation would be Ms. or Mr.
Jyuunishi – The Chinese Zodiac
Mofuku - A Japanese mourning dress. In the old days, Japanese women used to wear a white kimono to a funeral. Nowadays, people wear black to funerals but since the Sohmas are a traditional family, I thought it would be appropriate for Tohru to wear a white mofuku. The rest, of the Sohmas, though will be wearing black mofukus. I just Tohru to stand out as a guest of honor.
Nii-san - Abbreviated version of onii-san, which means older brother.