Chapter 9

Daughters of the Zodiac

Kagura brushed past the thick leafy undergrowth that hindered her movement. With a slight smile on her face she closely followed Evert enter a cave that was partly concealed by a group of bushes tightly clustered together.

Upon entering the cave Evert let out a grunt before unceremoniously dumping his heavy load on the hard ground. With his head held high up on the air he ignored Kagura's heated gazed and exited the cave.

'Don't expect any more favors from me after this' The boar grunted. Kagura frowned in return as she watched the boar march towards the entrance of the cave.

'Like as if I would ask any favors from you, you stupid boar. But before you go can you please carry this boy over there?' Kagura pleaded with a smile.

'Why should I? Do it yourself!' Evert arrogantly replied. Kagura smirked in reply.

'You know what happens when I hug someone from the opposite sex' Kagura informed him.

'Well, then don't hug him while you're carrying him then!' Evert snapped back.

'You know that I turn into a boar and since you are my zodiac counter part it would mean that you would be forced to merge with me for a short period of time. Are you willing to actually merge with me, even tough if it's only for a short period of time? Well?' Kagura asked him slyly 'Because I for one am not willing to merge with you even for a second' She added.

With a disgusted grunt Evert grudgingly dragged the orange haired boy towards the corner of the cave. Not caring whether he was too rough or gentle. When Evert finally finished carrying the orange haired boy to the corner he gave Kagura a haughty look before leaving the cave.

"Stubborn boar" Kagura whispered to herself as she shook her head in dismay. Compared to her sisters she was the only one having trouble with her zodiac animal. I wonder if I'll ever learn to control him. She sighed.

Staring at the orange haired boy she could slowly feel herself blush. He really was handsome. He reminds me of my dream prince…Kagura dreamily sighed, lost in thought as she began recalling memories of her childhood. With a happy smile on her face she lovingly caressed his face when she noticed that something was wrong. His temperature was hotter than normal.

Feeling dread slowly creep up her mind, she frantically searched him for any signs of injury. Please let it just be a fever. She silently prayed to herself as she searched his arms for any signs of scratches. Please…She mentally prayed. Then she noticed it, the slight tear on the side of his tunic. No! Kagura mentally cried as she lifted his tunic to examine the wound.

It was only an inch deep but even then it was enough for him to get infected. The creature that they fought earlier was none other than the Felidae, a cursed creature that had the power to turn its prey into one of its kind through a single scratch or a bite. It was one of the most dangerous creatures in the forest.

There was once a story about how the Felidae was created and born into the world. The Felidae was once the unfortunate cat in the zodiac story. The cat hated the rat with so much passion that eventually his anger slowly began to take form, changing the appearance of the cat. But even in its new form the cat still couldn't beat the clever rat and in the end it fled. The god of the zodiac feared that the cat might cause trouble to everyone so he gave the creature a weakness. It could only survive in a place where magical energy was abundant. He created a special place for the cat where it was free to roam and create its own race, namely the seven magical forests.

Kagura let out a sob as she watched the wound grow larger. She didn't know what to do and even though if she never knew him he didn't deserve such a horrible fate. I'll have to kill him before he completely transforms. She closed her eyes as she mentally prepared herself. She finally found someone she thought she could love, someone she thought she could trust and befriend. She didn't want to kill him but in her mind she knew that it was her duty to keep the spread of the Felidae contained. Wiping away the tears forming on her eye she picked up her weapon and readied herself to kill the innocent sleeping warrior.

Letting out a war cry Kagura raised her scythe and swiftly descended it on the boy's throat, to give him a quick and painless death. She stopped as the blade was merely inches away from his skin. Sobbing she dropped her spear and cried. She couldn't do it. Killing a person's life to prevent a curse from spreading was wrong.

There has to be a way to save him! She thought to herself as she wiped her tears away, racking her brains as she tried to recall the various properties of certain herbs that could possibly save his life.

While thinking her hand unconsciously began playing with the bracelet she wore around her neck as a pendant. It was made out of red and white beads. Harder than stone Kagura always wondered what substance was used to create the beads. Why did the sorcerer give it to me anyway? Kagura thought with a frown. After such a long time she forgot the purpose of the bracelet. What purpose does this bracelet hold? Closing her eyes she began recollecting her memories. Starting from the day she and her sisters arrived in the forest.

x

Eight years ago…

There was a raging storm as nature showed its wrath on the village of Amaia. Cattle's were kept inside their sheds as villagers where safely seeking refuge within their homes. No one could be seen on the streets apart from three homeless girls, taking refuge underneath a huge oak tree.

Shivering from the cold the three girls huddled closely to each other for warmth. One had long wet raven hair that partly concealed her face. Her brown eyes expressed fear as she helplessly looked around, trying to find shelter. Her name was Isuzu Sohma and she was roughly around the young and tender age of nine. Around her sisters she was usually called as Rin.

"We need to find shelter soon nee-chan or Kisa will get a cold" Rin muttered to her eleven year old sister Kagura. Kagura merely nodded in reply. Her wet brown hair framed her terrified face as she held their younger sister tighter.

"But we don't have anywhere to go. None of the villagers will take pity on us" She replied. "Just because were different doesn't mean we should live on the streets like animals!" She fiercely whispered as she held her younger sister tighter. Both sisters exchanged worried glances as they hear Kisa cough.

Kisa Sohma was the youngest of the three sisters and she was also the one most prone to illness. She had bright orange hair and glowing topaz coloured eyes. It was because of her strange complexion that caused her to be bullied by the village children.

"Kisa, are you alright?" Kagura asked in a motherly voice. Kisa mutely nodded in reply.

Rin let out a sigh as she watched Kagura desperately try to comfort their four year old sister. It's everyone's fault why Kisa can no longer talk! Rin thought bitterly. By treating Kisa like an outcast she began to stop talking. It was when their parents disowned them when Kisa finally lost her voice due to shock and depression. They will all pay…Rin thought angrily. I will become stronger to protect us, I promise. Rin mentally vowed.

The storm grew worse as it grew later. They would have never survived in the storm until a sleek black carriage pulled up. All three watched as a man with short black hair and teal coloured eyes slowly stepped out of the carriage.

"My, my. What do we have here?" He asked with a smile as he looked at the three girls. "Three little girls out in the cold with no where to go"

"What do you want with us?" Rin hissed as she angrily stood up on her feet, her brown eyes blazing with anger at the stranger "Were out here in the cold! Just leave us alone!" she cried. The man smiled a cold smile in return.

"That is exactly why I won't be leaving you and you your sisters alone. I can't just pass by and leave you three girls out in the rain" He replied. "Come in my carriage" He offered.

"Why are you, a stranger, helping us all of a sudden?" Kagura asked suspiciously.

"Because I know about the curse you three possess and I am the only one who can help you" The man replied. His teal eyes were cold and mocking as he looked at the three girls.

"We shouldn't trust him" Rin whispered warily to Kagura.

"But if we don't we'll only end up staying out here in the cold" Kagura replied. Lifting her hazel eyes towards the man she replied "Fine, we'll come along with you"

The three sisters entered the carriage. Dazzled by the splendor they gingerly sat on the couches, as if they were afraid to ruin it by sitting on them. The man entered and sat on the opposite couch.

"By the way, my name's Akito"

"Akito-sama we are greatly indebted to you" Kagura politely bowed down her head in thanks. Akito merely shrugged in reply.

After an hour of traveling in silence Akito finally spoke "Do you know what I am?" The three girls shook their heads in reply. "I am a sorcerer" exchanging frightened glances the three girls quickly began estimating the distance between them and the door. "Don't worry I won't do anything to you three" Akito mocked.

"Then what do you want with us then?" Rin asked angrily. Akito ignored her glare.

"The three of you are very special" He whispered with a smile. His cold gaze fixed on Kisa. "Do you know why?" He asked Kisa softly. Kisa shook her head in reply. "It's because of the power residing inside you"

"W-we have no power" Kagura shakily replied. "We're just normal children-"

"That everyone loathes because of the fact that they can turn into the animals of the zodiac" Akito finished. "The three of you can turn into animals of the zodiac. Horse" He points his finger towards Rin "Boar" his colds eyes glanced at Kagura "And Tiger" Smiling his cold eyes shifted from Kagura to Kisa. "The three of you are part of the twelve juunishi" He explained. "The juunishi consists of twelve animals: Rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and boar. These animals have their own strengths and weaknesses, their own yin and yang. What makes the three of you special is unlike the others the three of you can command the respective elements of your zodiac" He silently observed the three girls to see if they understood him before continuing. "The three of you are the daughters of the zodiac"

"I-if we are what you say we are then what are you?" Rin asked.

"I" He replied "Am the closest thing the three of you will ever have as god" Smiling he mockingly watched the three girls that sat opposite beside him. All of them seemed shock at the revelation. "I'll make you a deal" Akito offered. "I will give you a safe haven and temporarily lift the curse of the zodiac from all three of you but like every deal there is a prize"

"Name it" Kagura whispered.

"I will give all of you a home within the magical forests and I want you to guard all seven"

"T-that's all?" Kagura mumbled.

"I also want you to search for the other nine juunishi because unlike you their curse is still inactive. They can hug people without the fear of transforming into their respective zodiacs. I just want you to find them and inform me about their presence" Akito said with a smile. "Do we have a deal?"

"Deal" Kagura agreed with a nod.

The carriage came to a full stop and the door swung open magically. They were in front of the magical forest of Gedrallef, their new home. Slowly stepping out of the carriage the three girls stood at the entrance of the forest feeling a mixture of awe and fear.

"This is Gedrallef. You can reach the other six forests by using your elements. She has water, making her very versatile. As long as there is moisture she can easily use that moisture to reach the other forests" He explained, glancing towards Kisa. "And water is everywhere so out of the three of you she is the only one that can easily transport from one forest to another. You have fire and out of all three your power is limited" He explained pointing towards Rin. "You can only travel to another forest as long as there is fire and not may travelers are brave enough to even step foot within the forest and lastly you are earth" He explained as he pointed his finger towards Kagura. "You can are like your younger sister. You are free to travel between the forests whenever you wish. Do all of you understand?" Akito asked. The three mutely nodded in reply.

"Stay where you are" Akito advised. Creating a circle around all three he silently began reciting an incantation in a low voice that not even the three of them could hear.

A bright light flashed and Kagura felt an excruciating pain run through her whole body. Weakly kneeling down on her knees she could feel that something was being forcefully taken away from her. Her lungs became constricted; she felt her intake of oxygen decrease. Her vision became blurry and like a drowning man she desperately tried to run out of the circle. Kagura could feel something eating her inside, the pain increasing at every passing moment. An inhuman screech filled the air and Kagura found herself fighting for consciousness.

"Meet your zodiac" Akito informed callously, a merciless smile could be seen on his lips.

Kagura lifted her eyes and before her she could see a young piglet, huddled front of her.

'What's you name?' She asked. The young piglet hesitated before replying.

'Name's Evert and you are?' Kagura smiled, the piglet had the high pitched voice of a young boy.

'Kagura' she weakly whispered.

Kagura slowly tried to stand up. Weakly she looked around her and she could see Rin fondly caressing a young black pony. She glanced towards Kisa and her eyebrows furrowed in surprise. Kisa did not have one, she had two cubs.

"The first three juunishi have two creatures residing within them" Akito explained, as if reading her mind.

The three girls slowly began entering the forest, closely followed by their zodiac animals. Before Kagura could enter she felt the sorcerer pull her back.

"I want you to keep this bracelet" Akito informed her, handing her a red and white bead bracelet. Kagura gingerly took the bracelet from his hands. "This bracelet has special properties" He explained "If you ever meet an infected victim of the Felidae use this to contain its curse from spreading but choose wisely this bracelet can only be used once"

"What is a Felidae?" Kagura innocently asked.

"The true form of the cat"

"What is this made of?" Kagura asked before entering the forest.

"Human bones"

x

Back to Kagura…

Kagura let out a happy smile as she looked at the bracelet with tears in her eyes. It was the boy's saving grace. Quickly she placed it in his hands when she felt a strong hand restrain her from doing it.

"What are you doing?" Rin hissed. Her eyes were fierce and filled with suspicion. "Why are you giving him the charmed bracelet the sorcerer gave you?" She asked.

"He's infected" Kagura replied. "This is the only way to save him"

"Don't do it!" Rin harshly told her. Her grip on Kagura's hand intensified. "By letting him wear that bracelet you are damning him for eternity"

"I-I can't kill him" Kagura painfully whispered. Anger could be seen on Rin's eyes.

"Why? Because you think you finally found someone who think you can love? When you agreed with Akito-san's deal eight years ago you knew that falling in love was not part of it!" Kagura remained silent which angered Rin more "Don't force your one sided love on this boy you just met! You don't even know if he'll love you back or hate you for what you've done!"

"Rin…you don't know what its like. I want to spend my time with someone I care for" She silently sobbed.

"You have us!" Rin cried. Kagura remained silent and she knew that trying to change her nee-chan's mind would never work. "If you won't listen to me so be it but remember by giving him that bracelet he will simply be an existence built on others sacrifices! On other's lives! Stealing everything! Trampling on everything until there's nothing left! That is the life he will lead if he wears that bracelet" Rin angrily hissed before leaving the cave.

x

Rin angrily let out a litany of curses as she slowly began climbing up her favorite tree. Once on the tree she let out a disappointed sigh and closed her eyes, being on high ground always made her feel secure. It was her sanctuary from her everyday problems.

Basking on the warm sun she closed her eyes and slowly began drifting off to sleep when she felt a sharp pang inside her head. Dizzy with the pain she hurriedly climbed down the tree and tried to control the mental attack.

'Rosalind stop!' Rin mentally pleaded her zodiac.

'No…' The horse coldly replied.

Rin shakily stood up and blindly began running towards a nearby water source. When Akito temporarily freed them from their zodiac it wasn't out of kindness but out of spite. Once the zodiacs were freed they became unwilling to return. It was the reason why Rosalind, Rin's zodiac, rebelled against her once they merged.

Her eyesight became a blur and she blindly plunged into the short waterfall. Only water could calm her zodiac down. She felt the water surround her and at once the relentless attacks ceased. Weakly Rin tried to swim to the surface but failed as she could feel herself sinking deeper and deeper. Slowly she became unconscious when she felt strong arms slowly wrap themselves around her waist. She could only see the blurry outline of her savior, his hair was white. She slowly blacked out and mentally thanked her white haired savior.

x

Whew, one of the longest chapters I've written so far. Sorry for the long update. I would like to thank Indigo Spirit, littleduck, SnowAngel101, cocoke5, Mireille, faeryespell, the-everglow, Kurotaka Naoko, i.swear.to.drunk.im.not.god. And Midnight Shadows Starlight. Thank you all so much for reviewing. Bye!