Hello all! I'm back for another chapter of "Between love'…Sorry for the long wait! Especially to Roeanne1102, by the way thanks for the review! Arrgh! I've been up to my orejas in homework! But now without further ado…here's some more of the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits basket! But I do own the characters from the other Zodiac so booyah!
'Hello' – thoughts
'Hello' – Sei speaking to Tohru in her mind
Ch.4: Now begins the legacyTohru's Dream
Tohru stood on the edge of a tall leaning cliff as the sky sparkled a dewy burnt orange watching the sun begin to peak up from the mountains. 'Where am I?' Tohru thought slowly to herself as she looked around the desolate cliff with only the sound of fierce crystal waves slapping against the sturdy rock of the cliff. 'You are here…in the deepest memories of your soul…our soul' came a breathy voice, causing Tohru to turn away from the water below her and come face to face with a young woman.
The woman was a little taller than herself and had long wavy turquoise hair that fell down to her lower back, her eyes were a deep sparkling forest green adorned with a thin brown scar running up and down her left eye. The woman's lean and curvaceous body was loosely covered with a knee length silk white Tunic that draped over only one shoulder and was belted off around the waist with a flat gold plated belt chain.
Tohru's cheeks flushed slightly as she took in the sight of the angelic beauty before her, but before Tohru could speak the woman reached out a strong yet delicate golden tinted hand towards Tohru. 'Don't be afraid Tohru Sakura…I have not come to harm you' the woman said without once moving her full pink lips, 'I am Sei Sakura…the original goddess of the magical world…and you are my descendant, the new guardian of the true zodiac' the woman said as she stepped closer to Tohru and rested her warm feather light hand on Tohru's cheek.
'But…I know that…why Sei-hime…why have you come to me…have I displeased you in someway…I'm sorry but I've just recently received my powers so I'm still not very used to all this so if I've somehow offended you…' Tohru began to nervously babble but was cut off by a finger pressing to her lips. 'Shh…you have not displeased me in the least…you, Tohru are special…as well as receiving your goddess powers you have also…by bloodline been chosen to inherit my spirit as well' the woman said in a near whisper.
Tohru stared at her with wide eyes 'I…I don't understand…why am I to inherit your spirit as well' Tohru asked as she took a step back, Sei chuckled at the girl's reaction 'because…the two younger daughters of heaven have descended upon the living world already and we must stop them from ensuing chaos. We must end the imbalance of power …so it's time for my spirit to join yours…until the time when Mei and Rei can finally be put to rest and be at peace in the three kingdoms…will you help me? Will you accept your destiny…to save our sisters…to protect the ones you love?' Sei asked Tohru as she stepped closer to her.
Tohru stood there for a moment as the brisk winds blew both girls' hair hap hazardously around them, 'the ones I love…' Tohru thought to herself as she closed her eyes. Suddenly images of Nikko, Yumi, Kimi, her friends from Kibou, Yuki, Kyou, the Sohmas, Hana-Chan, Uo-Chan and everyone else flashed through her mind as Mei reached out and grabbed Tohru's hand and walked them closer to the edge. 'I want to protect them…all of them…protect them' Tohru said to herself over and over again almost like a mantra.
'That's all I need to know…come now my daughter…let us take flight…together' Sei said as she took hold of both Tohru's hands and leaned them both back until finally they fell from the cliff. They closed their eyes as they floated through the air and descended farther into the crashing waves, suddenly a bright golden light encased them both as Sei gently began to 'melt' into the young brunette's body. 'And someday may we fall from heaven…together…my sisters…' a distant whisper echoed through the boundless sky as the scene quickly dissipated into darkness. /End Dream/
In Tohru's room…5:17 am
"She's moving…go get Yoshino!" came an anxious squeal from nearby; Tohru felt her consciousness slowly return to her again as the sounds of whispers and footsteps echoed in her mind. 'What happened…that was such a strange dream…' Tohru thought to herself as she slowly started to sit up using her still wobbly arms to hoist herself up, 'it wasn't a dream little one…we are now finally connected…feel as my power…your power courses through your veins…open your eyes…and take in the world with a new breath of life' came a familiar haunting voice in the back of Tohru's subconscious.
Tohru sat up and slowly peeled open her bright blue eyes and looked around the room to find Hikimo, Yoshino, Nikko and Shigure, "Tohru-sama…Tohru-sama…are you alright? D-don't get up to fast you may get dizzy, you had quite a fall" Yoshino said with a comforting smile as she smoothed out the mussed up hair on the younger girl's head. "Damn it Tohru! You're such a clumsy idiot!" Nikko exclaimed half heartedly as he walked over and scooped his sister up into a tight hug, Tohru nearly choked as her brother continued clinging to her as if she would disappear the moment he let go.
"Aww…how sweet…well I think I'll tell the others to get up now so they can see her" Hikimo said as she sauntered out of the room, as Nikko released her Tohru sat up fully and stretched a bit as her hair began to fall in her face a bit "eh…w-what is that?" came a sudden gasp from Nikko. Tohru paused fearfully and felt her heart begin to race "huh?" she asked in a small quivering voice as she saw a hand move out to touch her head slowly.
Nikko reached down gently and slid his nimble calloused fingers through a long silken lock of Tohru's hair, which now held a thick streak of royal blue color that contrasted noticeably from her hazel brown tresses. Nikko backed away unsurely as Tohru jerked her head upward and watched with frightened curiosity the look of confusion etched on her brother's confused features, Hikimo slowly walked forward with a small compact mirror in hand and gently opened it up in front of Tohru "here…take a look for yourself" she said in a quiet tone.
Tohru looked up at the small cosmetic device and leaned more into the mirror for better lighting, she dropped the mirror in panic as she gasped in shock "b-b-b-bl-blue!" Tohru sputtered out as she grabbed at her hair disbelievingly. Just then the door opened again and in walked Yuki, Kyou, Yumi, and Nina all looking very flushed with worry, "Tohru! You're awake," Kyou said with a sigh of noticeable relief as he walked over to the side of the bed. Yuki walked over to the other side and lay a gently hand on Tohru's trembling shoulder "are you alright Honda-san?" he asked worriedly.
Yumi exchanged looks with Nikko who nodded and Yumi smiled as she turned to Tohru, "So…the transformation is done I suppose…are you alright Tohru-sama?" Yumi asked as she sat at the foot of Tohru's bed. Tohru nodded as she started to pull the covers from over her thin body and swing her legs over the bed in an attempt to get up from the bed, unfortunately Tohru's weak knees caved and she ended up falling into Kyou.
"Oh! Kyou-kun I'm so sorry! I-I'm so clumsy…I should have been more careful" Tohru babbled as she pushed away from his chest with a pinkish blush, but Kyou just stared down at her with wide fearful eyes "how…. that…how do you…why can you do that?" he asked in a baffled voice. Tohru, still blushing looked up at the cat and then around the room as if looking for some sort of answer. Finally Yoshino cleared her throat gaining attention back on her, "well…that's easy to explain…it' because Tohru has finally received her full powers as a zodiac goddess…therefore she is now able to hug members of the zodiac…of course she could already hug our male zodiac members since our curse is bro…err…well that's beside the point but anyway that should clarify things for you" Yoshino said in a very short and to the point voice.
Kyou and Yuki nodded in a superficial sort of understanding and had to stifle the nagging voice in the back of their heads that panged wit curiosity about the true nature of the other zodiac's curse. "Now that we have that little business out of the way…we need to discuss the meeting today…" Yoshino said smoothly steering clear of the subject she had accidentally grazed upon. Tohru looked up at her and nodded "yes…that's right. So the 10 of us are meeting with Akito-san today?" Tohru asked brightly as she cocked her head to the side curiously. Yuki and Shigure exchanged pensive looks at the mention of the head of their family's name.
"Actually I think it'd be best for only our clan to meet with Akito-san…the matters we have to discuss aren't really of any concern to the Sohmas…except for Akito-san" Yoshino said as she felt a pair of maroon eyes glare into her neck. Tohru shook her head and looked around at the Sohmas "I want Yuki-kun, Kyou-kun and all of the Sohmas to be present…I think I owe them all at least an explanation for…leaving" Tohru's voice cracked slightly at the word 'leaving'. Yumi stood up and turned towards Tohru with an unsure look on her face "um…Tohru-sama I don't think that's a good idea to get them any more involved…" Yumi was suddenly cut off by the torn look in Tohru's azure eyes as she gazed over at her friend.
"No…I want them there so please don't try to convince me otherwise…that's an order Yumi-kun" Tohru said firmly as she felt her heart pulse faster in her chest. Yumi bit her bottom lip in a chastising manner and nodded, Yoshino and Hikimo exchanged secret smiles as they both went off to prepare for their imminent departure…to Sohma House.
10:47 am: outside the Sohma Compound
The large group of Shigure, Kyou, Yuki, Tohru and her company made it's way towards the intimidating gates of the inner compound, the three Sohma men felt a distinct chill brush over them as they reached the threshold. Yuki looked nervously over to the gates and then with a sigh looked upwards into the fresh morning sky, it had been a few months since he had last returned to the main house for New years and the rat had hoped it would be a few more months before he had to return. He knew that he really had no purpose in accompanying the group to the main house…it was Tohru's meeting and none of his business.
He felt a trembling coil in the center of his chest as he remembered his real reason for coming…. Tohru. He'd made a vow to himself a while ago that no matter how his feelings for her transgressed or whether they were reciprocated or not, he would do all in his power to protect her and protect that innocence in her heart which he held dear. "Yo Rat! Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to come inside…not that I care…maybe if I'm lucky you'll get lost" came a gruff voice breaking Yuki's thoughts again. The boy scowled slightly at his redheaded cousin before rolling his eyes and walking on ahead to join the others who had already went inside the gate.
Once they were inside they were greeted by Hatori who took them in with a look of perplexity, "Hello Haa-san! Oh my what's with the long face?" Shigure asked lightly as he approached the stern looking doctor. Hikimo smiled up at the tall man "hmmm…I think he was expecting us" she said as she tucked her hands into the pockets of her taper waist black trench coat. The jacket came to about her mid thigh and was adorned with large gold buttons and something written in silver stitching on her left sleeve. "And you are…" Hatori asked looking over the strange new people standing with Tohru and the others.
"I'm sorry to in convience you Hatori-san but I think we should go to see Akito-san now…the sooner we get this over with the better" Tohru said in a somewhat sullen voice as she never quite brought her eyes to meet his. Hatori thought her tone was very strange for Tohru but he simply nodded and led the group towards one of the main Sohma houses to meet with Akito.
In Akito's Banquet hall
All the members of the zodiac except for the horse and the rooster were seated around the long rectangular table usually reserved for new years. There was minimal chatter as the zodiac members looked around unsurely at their surroundings, wonder why they had been called together like this. Suddenly the sliding doors opened with a soft swoosh noise and all the Sohmas turned to see who was entering now, Hatori walked in with Shigure, Yuki, and Kyou behind him. The sight of the cat coming to join them all was a bit odd to some but not quite as strange as when they saw Tohru enter being accompanied by 5 beautiful strangers dressed in black trench coats.
"Hey, Hatori what's going on? Why is Honda-san here and who are those people?" Hatsuharu asked as he perked a curious eyebrow at the new additions to the banquet hall. Hatori ignored the boy's question and proceeded to leave the room through another pair of doors "I'll go and get Akito and your friend…I shall return soon" Hatori told Tohru as he left. His monotonous business like tone gave Tohru a sickening chill in her spine as the realization finally hit her, 'this is it…the day when the truth is let out…and my fairytale life with the Sohmas will come crashing to a stop' Tohru sighed mentally as she gestured nodded and kept her eyes to the floor.
"Tohru! Why are you here…did Akito call you to this weird meeting too? And who are your friends? I've never seen them before" Momiji asked in that cheerful and innocent way that was all so uniquely him. Tohru couldn't help but smile as she looked up at the lively young blonde "oh…no actually Momiji-kun…I called this meeting and these are…well I'll introduce them all as soon as Akito-san and Taka-san arrive" Tohru said shortly, quickly silencing the Sohmas. She felt their eyes curiously washing over her wondering how it was possible that an outsider so hated by the clan head could hold such power to call a meeting like this. But before anyone could voice any questions the doors which Hatori had just recently left out of were opened again, and in walked Hatori, Kureno, a strange man dressed similar to the five other strangers and last but not least their god.
It seemed that merely the presence of Akito in the room was enough to chill the once curious air around them into fearful obedient silence. Akito smirked around the room to all of her 'pets' and ended her scan of the room with a distrusting glare sent to Tohru as the head of the Sohma family sat down at the head of the table with Hatori and Kureno standing on either side of her. The strange black haired man looked over at the other strangers and winked and grinned "hello my serpent angel!" he cooed, immediately eliciting a squeal from Hikimo "Oh Ta-koi I've missed you sooo much!" the buxom silver haired woman cried out as she practically slid across the room and leapt into the open arms of the other man. The dramatic and shocking display caused a silent alarm through out the room of Sohmas, as well as some eyes rolling and sweat dropping from Tohru and her group.
"Would you two idiots cut it out? Jesus! Get a room" Nikko grumbled irately but Taka simply smirked at his comment "oh you poor loveless feline…you're just jealous that you cant openly display your own feelings of love for young Yumi-Chan" the hazel-eyed man teased. Nikko shut his mouth in silent fury and both he and Yumi blushed in anger "aw what's wrong Nik-Chan? Cat got your tongue?" Hikimo purred mockingly and Nikko growled before clenching his fists in anger "why you damn mangy mutt!" the auburn haired boy hissed as he began to advance on the couple but he was held back by Yumi. "Calm down stupid cat! You're embarrassing yourself!" she said bluntly as she jerked him back by his collar.
Nikko then turned around and glared at the shorter girl "oh yeah? You want to start something little girl?" Nikko taunted, Yumi scowled at him and got in a fighting stance "maybe I do" she said shortly. But before Nikko could respond Akito stood up "ENOUGH! SHUT UP!" the god yelled furiously causing white-hot pangs of terror to run through the hearts of her cursed family. The dueling Kibouians halted momentarily and Tohru took this opportunity to step up between the four of them. "I apologize for my friends outbursts! I'm so sorry…they aren't usually like that…well um actually they are but I didn't mean for them to upset you Akito-san!" Tohru said quickly as she bowed fervently. Akito simply looked over the girl in disgust; at that time Nikko went up to Tohru and grabbed her arm pulling her up from her bowed stance.
"Don't bow to some jerk off like him…you're no inferior to anyone here!" Nikko said to her sternly, Tohru bit back a whimper at his tone as she wrenched her arm from his grasp "Nii-san please!" Tohru murmured as she turned her eyes down to the floor again. But her small plea was not unnoticed by the others, not in the least "um…Tohru-Chan…did you just say Nii-san?" a very timid sounding Kagura asked Tohru perplexedly. Tohru looked over at the boar like a deer in headlights and the other Sohmas looked up at her as well with looks of curiosity "yes Tohru darling…who are these interesting people you've brought with you today?" Ayame asked as he curiously leaned forward onto the table.
Tohru took a deep staggered breath 'well…no more avoiding the subject' Tohru sighed, 'be strong Tohru…you have the power to get through this…just be honest. No one can hate you for telling the truth' Tohru heard the echoing voice of Sei in her mind as a small warming breeze picked up her hair. Tohru nodded "well…that's why I've called you all here…I'm very sorry for bothering you all today on such short notice but it's time I be completely honest with you all" Tohru said as she looked up and around at all the Sohmas and her own people waiting for her to continue.
"First of all I'd like to introduce you to my guests…Hikimo, Yoshino, Takamari, Yumi, Nina, and my brother Nikko" Tohru said as she gestured to each member of her clan. "They are 6 of the most powerful and efficient members of the Kibou army and secret police agency…as well as members of the true zodiac and I…Tohru Sakura Honda…am their monarch and goddess figure in the zodiac" Tohru said in one slow breath. She paused afterwards as she felt her chest un-tighten a bit as she finally freed herself of the truth. Even if her friends didn't believe or appreciate her little confession she was glad to finally get that off her chest, she waited for the onslaught of questions or accusations of dishonesty or insanity for her confession…but they never came.
Tohru looked up at her friends and wasn't too surprised to find most of them wide-eyed or slack-jawed and staring at her in disbelief, even Yuki and Kyou whom had known earlier were surprised. Akito however held a strange unreadable look as the head of the Sohma clan stared at Tohru, before getting up slowly "so it's true then? About there being an alternate zodiac from an alternate universe, I mean." Akito asked slowly, as if trying to reassure himself of his questioning. Tohru nodded and Akito raised an eyebrow in response "so…I was right all along in my suspicions about you Honda-san? I felt it from the moment I met you, I could sense that you were no ordinary girl…that you weren't the innocent little twit you appeared to be" Akito said with a hint of malice in his tone as he advance towards her.
"Hey watch it! Try anything funny with her and I'll make you regret it" Nikko warned as he stepped up beside Tohru, but Akito merely laughed. "Don't be so worried Nikko-san…I'm not angry at little Honda-san at all…in fact I'm glad she's finally come out to us" Akito said with a chilling cheerfulness in his voice. As Akito approached his eyes began to change to a striking sky blue and his hair began to grow, falling to his shoulders and glossing over to a forest green color. The occupants of the room were speechless in horror and shock at the sudden transformation, and this shock continued further as Akito's loose Yukata began to stretch out and round slightly around the chest region.
"A-Akito…w-what's going on!" Hatori asked with a slightly shaken voice as he reached out to his god, but Akito ignored him and began to approach Tohru with a more hostile air. Nikko began to advance as well but Tohru blocked his movement with her hand "don't worry pretty kitty…I don't want to harm you…I simply want to speak to Sei" Akito said in a voice that was distinctly higher and more devious than his normal one. "Sei?" Shigure gasped out in questioning and Akito simply smirked at Tohru, as he stood not even a foot away from the young girl, "so…you hold her spirit do you? It's about time you were reborn into this world…I've been waiting ages to do this…so come on out Sei so we can settle this" Akito hissed as he reached up and grabbed Tohru by the throat and tossed her into the wall harshly.
"Tohru!" Kyou and Yumi both ran over to her since they were closest, the others stood up from their seats and looked in astonishment at Akito. "What the hell do you think you're doing!"? Yoshino growled dangerously at Akito as she reached to her hip pocket, "Come on out Sei! Right now! Come out! Come out!" Akito yelled violently at Tohru, as she lay limp and bruised on the floor. "Akito stop you're out of control!" Hatori said soothingly as he tried to grab the now green haired woman, Akito pushed the doctor away harshly "No! Stay out of this! I want her and I want her now!" Akito yelled at the dragon threateningly. Suddenly Tohru's eyes flashed open and were a dark green and she stood up with difficulty, "stop it!" Tohru yelled at Akito as her own hair began to grow and coil in turquoise tendrils at her lower back.
Akito turned around like everyone else and stared in elated surprise at the "new" Tohru "Sei! Finally you've come out! At last I can finally kill you for good…dearest sister" Akito smiled dangerously as Tohru made her way over to the mad woman. Tohru's elegant face was solemn and stern as she gazed painfully at Akito "Rei…. don't do this. You don't understand…please I want to make you understand" Tohru said in a foreign voice as she reached out her slim hand towards Akito. But the green haired Akito snarled and struck the hand away "don't touch me! You filthy lying murderer!" the head Sohma declared as she rapped her hands around Tohru's neck and backed her up against a wall.
A few of the others got up in an attempt to stop the fight but they were repelled backwards by a seemingly invisible force surrounding the two embattled goddesses. The new Akito lifted the turquoise haired girl off of the ground and against the wall "what's the matter Sei? These past few hundred years have made you grow soft…but no matter, I'll still enjoy your death" Akito hissed as Tohru gasped for air. Tohru lifted a trembling hand up towards Akito and gently placed it on her cheek "don't…. ahhh…. do this…. You have…to…ahh…see" Tohru chocked out as her lungs burned from lack of respiration. Suddenly a bright glow emitted from Tohru's hand on Akito's cheek and the head Sohma's newly blue eyes glossed over to a misty pearl color.
The light grew brighter and the Sohmas and the other zodiacs had to shield their eyes from the light. Akito's eyes faded back to their usual dark brownish/black as the light began to dissipate "No…Ezrial!" Akito croaked out weakly before her body grew limp and she fell back onto the scuffed hardwood floor. As Akito fell her hands slid loosely from Tohru's now blue and purple bruised neck and the blue haired Tohru fell lamely over top of Akito's thin frame. As their bodies crumpled to the floor their hair began to almost instantaneously revert back to its normal color and length, all save for one lone streak of bold color.
As the others were finally able to adjust their eyes back to the dim light of the room they noticed with an urgent alarm that both zodiac "goddesses" lay scuffed and lifeless in a crumpled heap amidst the wood shavings and dust that were resulted from their battle. Kagura held Kisa tightly to her chest as the girl began to sob in fear of her "Onee-Chan's health. Everyone was speechless and held matching looks of shock, confusion, and devastation at the recent actions. Finally Yoshino took a deep ragged breath and clapped her hands loudly to gain attention from the room. "Nikko. Kyou-san. Take Tohru-sama and Akito-san to the nearest room you can find! You!" Yoshino yelled pointing to Kagura "go get some cloths and water…and you, doctor guy…you go with the two cats and tend to the girls quickly" Yoshino said as she bent down near Tohru and placed two fingers on the side of the pale girl's bruised neck.
"Her pulse is very faint…I can barely hear it…that transformation must have taken a lot out of her…we need to hurry" Yoshino told Hatori seriously, the others all stood panting and staring in frightened shock. After a few moments Yoshino scowled darkly "this is a life or death situation! Don't just fucking stand there! I SAID GO NOW!" Yoshino hollered at the concerned yet unmoving bodies standing around her. At the harsh cracking of her voice they all began to jump to their designated tasks. Yoshino looked down at Tohru's pained colorless face and wondered to herself just how much more of this could the young girl take. Day by day she seemed to be coming into her powers at an alarming rate and before long, if they weren't all careful those same awesome power could lead to the destruction of ancient balance between the three cosmic planes and possibly Tohru as well.
T.BC
A/N: Finally I finished this chapter! Sorry about the long wait but I just started driving school…plus I'm having lots of HW in theater! Well sorry for the quick ending…it may have been a little schmaltzy as well but oh well. I've finally gotten around to doing those bios for the Kibou zodiac characters! Yey! Well please read and tell me what you think but please do be nice! Remember to REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!
Here we go…Finally I have the first three profilesName: Hikimo
Age: 27
Hair/eye color: Silver (H) Amber (E)
Height: 5'4
Weight: 110 lbs
Zodiac spirit: Snake
Occupation: Member of Kibou "special" Army
Position: Member of the Royal Advisory Council, Captain of Kibou general armed forces squad K-1 (code name: yellow Cobras)
Abilities: Poisonous wave attacks, flexibility
Personality: Dramatic, Flamboyant, overly sexual, cunning, flirtatious
Extra: Hikimo is the older sister of Kira (the tiger) and is infatuated with Taka (Dog)
Name: Taka
Age: 28
Hair/eye color: Black (H) hazel brown (E)
Height: 5'6
Weight: 142 lbs
Zodiac Spirit: Dog
Occupation: Member of Kibou Special Army
Position: Member of Royal advisory council, Captain of Kibou general armed forces squad K-3 (Code name: White fangs)
Abilities: master swordsman, minimal martial arts abilities
Personality: Perverted, friendly, overly calm at times, intelligent, empathetic, somewhat selfish, and flirtatious
Extra: Taka is very taken with human culture and loves to tease his younger comrades. He and Hikimo (snake) are inseparable and he loves her very genuinely.
Name: Yoshino
Age: 27
Hair/eye color: Dark blue (H) Deep forest green (E)
Height: 5'5
Weight: 118 lbs
Zodiac Spirit: Dragon
Occupation: member of the Kibou "special" army
Position: member of the Kibou Royal advisory council, captain of the Kibou general armed forces squad K-2 (code names: Leaping Sparks)
Abilities: intermediate Martial arts skills, fire manipulation
Personality: intelligent, practical, patient, mothering to her younger comrades, peaceful unless provoked in which case she can be a most lethal opponent
Extra: Yoshino is by far the most mature of her comrades and is very protective over Tohru and Nikko due to her close mentor/student relationship with Kyoko Honda.