A/N: I'm sooo happy I'm seeing new people review! And as you wish, here is an update on who is who... I figured you needed one and even I'm sometimes like "Who the hell is Seiko?!" lol so here is the list with ages they will be in this story. From now on I'll give a heads up on ages for the rest of the story :):
Rooster, Isamu: 26; Dragon, Ryu: 25; Dog, Masa: 25; Snake, Kisho: 25; Monkey, Keiji: 20; Horse, Seiko: 18; God, Haruko: 13; Boar, Takai: 10; Cat, Natsu: 9; Rat, Miki: 9; Cow, Tani: 8; Bunny, Akina: 8; Sheep, Satu: 2; Tiger, Kiyoshi: 2
On with the story shall we? (also, the title will be explained towards the end of the story... I promise...)
Chapter 7: New Years
The land was cold and the wind was crisp. Soft snow blanket the outside with its beauty. The snow sparkled like crystals when touched by the soft touch of the sun. Nothing could be more beautiful at that time and place.
Outside, a girl of nine danced around the yard. She wore heavy clothing and layers as she danced in the cold. Her gray, wavy hair danced around her face as she turned, her cheeks a rosy red. Her eyes remained shut as she felt her body twist and turn naturally. She didn't have to think about her movements anymore, the thinking process had long been forgotten. The year upon them was to be her year, the year of the rat. In less than a day was the New Years banquet suppose to be in full bloom and many people still worked to finish the preparations in time. Cold eyes watched the girl dance as their body walked by.
"Do you really call that a dance?" came a voice. Miki stopped in mid turn and began to look around. Who dare call out to her? Her purple eyes met the cold stare of red. Her eyes squinted in disgust.
"Natsu..." she whispered. "How are you say that to me," she said, her arms crossed across her flat chest.
"I've never seen such horrible dancing before? Why are you even trying? You should just give up now you stupid girl," Natsu said as he walked pass the rat. Miki turned around and shouted in his direction,
"At least it's better than what you can do! You don't even get a dance because you are the cat! You aren't even part of the Zodiac." As the words slipped out, Miki was taken back by them. They were harsh and cold and stopped Natsu in his tracks. You aren't even part of the Zodiac! Natsu gritted his teeth together and turned around to look at her.
"I will beat you one day you stupid rat! You will pay, you will see. Everyone will pay. I will be apart of this family if it kills me!" he shouted toward her, turning around and running away. Miki just stood there. She didn't want to hurt his feelings that much, she just wanted him to stop making fun of her. The cat and the rat are not meant to be friends...
"Don't pay him any mind," said a voice from behind her. Miki turned around to notice Haruko standing there.
"I... I wasn't," she stuttered, looking down.
"That's good. I can not wait until the banquet to see the rest of your beautiful dance," said Haruko as he walked by her. Miki's cheeks felt hot with embarrassment. She shook her head. Nothing must distract her, she must practice for the banquet. Miki stood straight and began to dance once again.
The main house was bubbling with excitement. All of the zodiac members aside from the rat and the God were present to help decorate. Beautiful decorations were up and many more were left on the ground, waiting for their turn. A little eight year old girl with crimpy blonde hair held a bright colored streamer in her hand.
"Hey Tani, come here," said the silly little girl, her nose crunched up like her zodiac animal, the rabbit. Another eight year old girl looked up, her black bangs covering her eyes a bit while strands of black cradled her face. She ran a hand through the white part of her hair (which was short in the back) and walked toward the other girl.
"What is is Akina?" asked the cow. A beat passed and Akina jumped toward Tani, the red streamer between her two hands.
"I'm gonna get you!" cried Akina, giggling. Tani laughed, turned around, and dashed off with Akina right on her heels. The two girls weaved in and out of people's legs and tried their best not to knock anything over.
A small little two year old crawled toward a bucket of orange paint. He gave a little smile and a small giggle as he reached into the paint. He pulled his chubby little hand out of the paint and hit himself in the face. Loud giggles were heard as he dipped his other hand into the bucket and began to crawl around the ground. His head soon hit a leg and the figure looked down.
"Kiyoshi!" cried the baby's father as he picked up the giggling mass. "What did you get into?" he asked his son, knowing well enough that he would only respond with little gargles and spit. The father shifted his son in his arms and looked over at Ryu who had been helping him. "Handling Kiyoshi is so hard... how can a mother do such a thing?" he asked, his eyes cast down. Ryu set down his paintbrush and looked over at the lost soul.
"They have a special instinct that helps them cope with a baby," The father's head sunk a little.
"Nikaniki always want a baby boy... it was her dream... she got him..." he said softly, hugging the gargling baby tightly to his body.
"And she's watching over him and you right as we speak." replied Ryu, picking up his paintbrush.
Natsu was sitting in a corner all by himself as he watched the hustle and bustle of the preparations for the big day being put together. He didn't know why he even bothered to come and show up... maybe it was because of his guardian Isamu or maybe it was the harsh words of Miki that lead him there. In any case, Natsu was there and was all by himself.
"Hey Natsu!" came a cheeky voice from the side. Natsu looked up to see a brown haired, brown eyed ten year old looking down upon him.
"Hi Takai," replied Natsu, looking away from the kid. Takai sat himself down right next to him and looked at him. Minutes passed and Natsu finally looked over to see Takai just staring at him. Natsu began to creep away but Takai slowly followed him.
"What do you want?!" cried Natsu, the child creeping him out more than he already did.
"What is wrong with you?" Takai finally asked.
"Nothing," he said, looking away.
"Liar,"
"I'm not a liar!" cried Natsu.
"Yeah-huh! Natsu's a liar, Natsu's a liar," chanted Takai. Natsu hit the boy on the arm.
"I am not!" cried Natsu.
"Then why whenever I passed Miki's house, I saw you dash off and her face was flustered huh? Is Natsu being a bad cat and hurting the poor little rat?" pried Takai, poking Natsu.
"All I did was say that her dancing was dumb... thats all," said Natsu, yanking his arm away from the annoying kid. Takai stopped.
"Are you stupid?! Why the heck did you do that?" yelled Takai, standing straight up. He leaned over Natsu and glared at him. "What nerve do you have at telling a little nine year old their dancing sucks huh? Does that make you happy? Are you that stupid to go and do something like that? Huh? WELL?!" cried Takai. Natsu slowly backed up as he heard snorts of boars start to circle around him.
"Takai! Knock it off and send your friends back! Jeeezzz! Really, I, I," stuttered Natsu, trying to get away from one of his so called friends. Takai looked at Natsu and dropped to his knees.
"Whats wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle and curious.
"I.... I'm leaving," said Natsu, quickly getting up from his spot and hurrying off as fast as he could. Takai just sat there and blinked. He saw one of the boars and picked him up.
"Now why are you here? You know you aren't suppose to do this you silly boar," he said, patting the boar on the nose.
The banquet finally approaches and the whole Sohma estate is in full bloom. Everyone is out and about, visiting enough other and walking in groups to the main house for the festivities. Many of the children walk together, skipping and laughing all the way. As they enter the house, bright lights and beautiful decorations away and invite them in. They all sit down according to their relation to the family and soon the introductions are underway. Many of the children fidget during the introduction and the are soon underway for the festivities...
Later during the night, the Zodiac banquet is at hand. This is held in a smaller room and not as many people are there. Haruko slowly stands from the middle of the table.
"Welcome everyone. I am glad you could make it." Many listen to his speech as he tells the meaning of the banquet and the telling of the old folktale. Once finished he introduces the entertainment for the night before the eating would begin.
"I would like to present this years dance will be danced by the Rat, Miki," he said and slowly sat down. He leaned against Ryu for some reassurance.
Miki slowly made her way out, her robes in bright colors, the same colors as the decorations were for that year. Her hair waved out from the hat upon her head as she walked to the center of the room. As the music began to play, her dance began as well. Each turn and each leap was beautiful and breathtaking for a nine year old to do. Her heart pounded as she danced, her mind only on the dance and not the eyes that watched her. She ended the dance and took a slight bow as the rest clapped for her. She took her seat, a smile plastered on her face. She did it... it was done and over with.
Outside, Natsu laid upon the roof, his eyes concentrating on the sky above. In hours the sun would rise and a new year would begin, but he didn't care, he never cared. Since he was little, New Years was just another day to him, nothing special. Nothing was special to him anymore... No one cared for him... sure... he had a couple friends like Takai but that was is... He didn't even have real parents.. His own parents chose to forget him.
The sun was shone through the window panes and the small child stirred.
"Mommy... daddy..." he murmured as he slowly opened his eyes. He sat up. Where was he? He looked around at his surroundings... His room? But... how... The last thing he remembered was being in the car with his parents.
"So, you are finally up. You've been sleeping for at least twelve hours," said a voice from the door. Natsu looked over to see Isamu leaning against the door frame. The rooster was always keeping track of time on how long someone slept and would wonder what they had done the night before to make them that tired. He knew why Natsu was so tired... but he refused to tell him.
"I had a weird dream..." began Natsu, but Isamu quickly cut him off by offering him a cup of milk.
"Here, drink this, you must be thirsty." Natsu took the cup and slowly drank it. He sat the glass on the nightstand and looked at Isamu.
"Isamu... where are my parents?" asked the cat. Isamu was hoping he wouldn't be asked that question, but he knew that it was hopeless to wish that. The rooster sat down on the bed and grabbed Natsu. He pulled him to his body and held him tight.
"Your parents... They wanted to go away from the Sohma house... alone for just a little get away... Haruko wouldn't allow it.. you know him... always wanting to make sure the curse never got out. Anyway, Haruko told them if they wanted to go on a little vacation away from the house they would have to either take you along with them or have their memories erased... Your mother didn't want to take you along... so... the two of them had their memories erased..." Isamu's tale wasn't a whole lie, but he knew that if Natsu were to know that his parents tried to set him loose as his own self then have their memories erased would have scarred him for life. Natsu held onto Isamu tightly as his vision began to get blurry... His parents had abandoned him...
His thoughts were tampered with as the soft cheering of fun and games came from the house he laid upon. He didn't belong anywhere... he knew that from the start. His eyes gazed up at the moon. He blinked as he stared at the figures staring back to him. He saw in the moon what he desired most... his mother and father... a family... a true family...
"Mother... father..." he whispered softly.
The sun slowly peaked over the horizon and its rays hit the land. One ray hit a small child, curled up on the rooftop dreaming of something he had once before in a dream. Love.
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter... and that was the last chapter...... JK! It was the last chapter of really building up characters before we get to why I actually wrote this story... lol. Thank you to all who have been reading this, it means a lot to me and keep up these lovely reviews! I love you all! See you in the next chapter, entitled, To Be Free
