Ok I'm back again! Thank you for the Reviews! I'm still so happy that you all seem to like my story! Sorry about the longish wait but I recently started driving school so my weekends are busy and the weekdays are filled with school. But I'm trying my best so please stick with me and continue to read and review!
A/N: Kibou is where Tohru and her zodiac are from so I may refer to the other zodiac characters (like Yumi, Yoshino…ect) as kibouian…so I hope that doesn't confuse anyone hehe.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits basket but I own the kibou zodiac and the idea for this fan fiction. I also do own the little crappy song the three sisters sing…I made it up myself he-he…. I'm such a dork!
Ch.5: Memories of My Soul/Akito's dream/ Akito watched from the sidelines as images, memories flashed by before her eyes. Akito watched as three young girls ran giggling through a field covered in newly fallen cherry blossoms, all three wore matching tunics made of a seemingly expensive silk and belted off with gold plated thin leather sashes. Their feet padded lightly on the soft pink petals that swam in waves over the green grass, the three girls all grabbed hands and spun around in a circle while singing a bright melodious tune.
"Life is born from the blood of an angel
Life is lived through the breath of an angel
Death is brought from kiss of an angel
The worlds spin round, round in harmony
Existing through these angels threeLives will be lived in their hearts three
The world of light is ruled by peace and love
The world of dark is ruled by pain and war
The world in between is ruled by love and pain"
The voices of the three girls continued to gleefully sing out as the scene quickly changed to that of a large regal hall filled with paintings and rich marble statues. A beautiful woman with long turquoise hair kneeled down before a man in rich immaculate robes. His face was hidden in shadows as he handed the girl a small chest made of gold and laced with sparkling gems. "As the oldest daughter and heir to the kingdom of heaven it is my gift to you, to bestow upon you these zodiac spirits" the man said in a low voice.The girl excepted the chest delicately in her hands and nodded "these spirits are very powerful and should be cared for with caution…I give to you my daughter the army of heaven…when the time to separate the worlds comes about I trust you shall take care of your sisters and send them off to their proper homes" the man said again and the girl nodded with a genuine smile.
"Crossing the wings of time and flow
The angels three all surely know
Life, death, and that between must live in solitude
A bond is held not seen or heard but strongly felt"
Suddenly the scene was changed and the same two women sat in awkward silence as a new younger woman stood at the head of the long oaken table that seated the other two. This new woman had shoulder length dark green hair and she wore a long loose fitting tunic made of light pink silk. The woman with long black hair stood up and pounded her pale fist roughly on the table "No! You can't do this! You cant do this to us…we were supposed to be together forever…how can you just abandon your duties like that? I forbid you to see this through with that power hungry human!" she said with a panting voice as tears streamed down her pale cheeks.
The new girl lifted her head up to look into the accusing eyes of her sister, "It's not like that! I am respecting my duties! The human world is my responsibility and by moving there with Ezrial I will be closer to my duties and protect the humans. Besides…I'm 17 years old I deserve my own life!" the girl yelled as hot tears stung her crystal blue eyes. The raven-haired woman scowled further but was cut off by the older blue haired girl "enough! Mei is right…moving to earth is best for her so that she can maintain her duties…but I must agree with Rei about your marriage to that human boy…I am against it…you're too young" the blue haired lady said.
"Besides you know how easily greed can cover a human's heart…I just don't want you to be hurt…so I must decree that as your elder sister and ruler of the Heaven's trinity I command you to stop seeing this Ezrial " she said with a sad smile.
"When jealous hearts cause these lines to fade
The hearts of angels are broken
And those of impure hearts will take the thrown
Chaos and fear, in the merriest of ways
The green haired woman, Mei clenched her fists to her side as tears began to stream hot and angry down her creamy flushed cheeks. "No! He isn't like that! They aren't like that! You both are just jealous that I have found true happiness outside of the castle…true happiness for me alone…and not with you! I hate you!" she yelled as she ran from the room in furious tears
"Shall reign forever until the day
The tears of angels, these angels three
Can melt the world to be reborn"
The next scene was much darker and the air surrounding the new place was thick and heavy with hate. "No please don't…I did nothing wrong…I swear please don't do this Mika-san!" a young man cried out as blood ran from his lips and he fell to his knees, a dark shadow loomed over him "I'm sorry but…it's for the greater good of all living things…sometimes innocent lives must be sacrificed to accomplish a fools errand…" a female's voice hissed as she drove the dagger deeper into the man's abdomen.
Akito winced, as she turned from the sickening sight, barely able to stand at the sick smell of blood and death that permeated the air. When Akito looked back Mei sat crying in a puddle of blood, as she hugged the man's mangled limp body close to her, "No Ezrial…why did you have to go…why…?" she cried as a figure crawled over next to her, it was a young girl. The girl patted Mei on the back and pulled her head to her small chest and cradled the older crying woman. "Shhh…it's ok. I saw it all…I saw it all lord Ezrial was murdered Mei-hime…by your older sisters" the young girl whispered coolly.
Mei gasped and looked up hazily at the young girl comforting her "b-but…why? How could they? No…no…No!" Mei sobbed into the girl's brown shirt. The young girl brushed her fingers through the older woman's green hair, after a few moments of calming Mei sat up and wiped her red puffy eyes. "They'll pay…I'll kill them…all of them…" Mei said venomously as the young girl beside her chuckled deviously.
The next scene was changed to a misty field, the same one from the first memory only this time the field was stained with blood and fire blazed through the grass and trees in the near by forest. Mei stood panting in the middle of the field holding a blood sword; her green hair was stuck to her forehead in a matted mess of sweat and blood. In front of her stood Sei whose clothing was dirty and bloody and her armor was slashed away "why? Why have you done this sister? How could you betray me like this? Betray your heritage like this?" Sei pleaded as she felt salty tears mix with the dirt and blood on her cheeks.
Mei took a step forward and winced as the gash in her side began to throb "It's you who did the betraying…I trusted you…I thought you were my sister…I thought you cared but you only look out for tradition…you're just like father!" Mei shouted. Sei felt her heart lurch at the harsh words but she kept her eyes narrowed on her sister "that's not true…and you know it!" Sei insisted but Mei shook her head "no! I know what you did…both of you…that's why I stole those pieces of the zodiac gems…to build my army and seek my revenge on both of you…Rei has already met her punishment…now you must as well!" Mei yelled out as she charged toward Sei with her sword drawn.
"Then shall the hearts all beat as one
The hearts of these, the angels three
Falling from grace these angels three
Hearts beat with love these angel three"
Sei's eyes widened at the mention of Rei and she too drew out her sword and charged forward with tears streaming from her eyes "As you wish…dearest sister" Sei whispered before both women executed their final attacks…plunging their swords into one another. Akito's eyes widened as a bright light engulfed the scene and then there was nothing but white. Akito looked around in a white haze as the tears clouded her vision "Akito…" a voice echoed in the empty space causing Akito to jump. Suddenly Akito came face to face with Sei "w-what are you doing here? How did you…" Akito questioned but Sei simply smiled.
"It's because of the spiritual blood bond between myself…the one who lives in the soul of Tohru Sakura and Mei…the one who possesses your soul. I'm only allowed to be here because of the memories which I passed to your body through Mei…" Sei said calmly and Akito nodded. "It would seem that myself and Tohru Honda-san…are much more alike than I could have or would want to imagine…who would have thought…possessed by the spirits of feuding goddesses…. sisters no less" Akito said with an ironic laugh. Sei smiled sadly at Akito "I just hope that now that Mei knows the truth about what happened…we may be able to put it all behind us…but first I think we need to make some changes" the elegant woman said.
Akito frowned at her "I understand…. but I will not allow you to take them from me!" Akito retorted, Sei nodded sadly "soon will come a time when she needs her zodiac…both of them as well as you…her sister spirit to be by her side. Forces are at work, they want to disrupt the balance," Sei said in a firm tone. Akito began to shake with fear and anger "No! No! I wont let them leave me! I cant!" Akito cried out as she collapsed onto the soft chest of Sei. The taller woman smiled and cradled Akito in her arms "shhh…there, there. I know what it is you fear…but I guarantee that you will never be alone again after this…you just have to trust your instincts…and trust in Tohru" Sei whispered into Akito's ear as the whiteness around them began to fade into a warm comforting darkness.
/End Akito's dream/
In Hatori's office
All of the zodiac members plus the other group all sat in mild silence in the small office of Hatori's clinic on the estate, The Sohmas were all one side of the room and the group from kibou on the other. Occasionally the Sohmas would look over at the others and cast the strangers a questioning weary glance, for most part the kibouians ignored it but after a while it really started to piss Nikko off. "Is there a problem?" Nikko snapped icily as he caught Ritsu's eyes on him, the monkey jumped at his voice and immediately began to explode into a fit of apologies but luckily Shigure poked him in the side and he passed out. "Heh…what a weirdo" Hikimo snorted as she crossed her arms over her chest, Haru looked up at the woman and glared "you really aren't in any position to talk" he said smartly.
Nina immediately jumped up and stood between the two groups "None us are! We're all weird ok so just stop it…us treating each other so hostilely isn't going to make Tohru-sama or Akito-san any better!" Nina pouted angrily. Hiro rolled his eyes "don't make it sound like this is our fault! Everything was normal…well as normal as it could be before you freaks showed up!" Hiro spat back at her. "Look you little skid mark…don't yell at Nina that way…if you keep that up I'll hurt you" Yumi said in a deadly calm voice, "Hey leave him alone he's just a little kid" Kagura said angrily as she got up and started to walk over to Yumi. Ayame grabbed the back of her dress and pulled her back down to her seat "Kagura-kun I don't think it's wise to strike up a fight with people like them" the snake said haughtily.
Hikimo lifted her head up to glare at Ayame "that's it!" Hikimo snapped as she stood up fiercely and narrowed her golden eyes darkly at Ayame. Hikimo started to charge over to Ayame but a strong hand held her back "ok cut it out you guys!" Yoshino said as she gave them all a stern look, Yoshino had just entered the room from the hallway with Hatori. Hikimo stopped her movement and turned to Yoshino with a pout "but that…that person! Over there insulted our honor!" Hikimo huffed in a whiney voice. Yoshino shrugged "oh well in that case…kill him" she said carelessly, Hikimo smiled brightly and beamed up at her friend "really?" Hikimo asked in a wondrous voice, Yoshino rolled her eyes at the snake and pushed her aside "of course not you twit! Tohru would murder you if you harmed any of her precious Sohmas" Nikko spat viciously.
Yumi frowned at Nikko "Nikko…that isn't fair" she said with disappointment heavy in her voice, Nikko rolled his eyes and stood up to leave while the others just sat in a tense silence. Finally Kisa was the one to speak up "um…are…are Sissy and Akito-sama going to be alright?" the tiger asked Hatori with hopeful eyes rimmed with salty tears. Hatori looked over at the young child impassively "it seems that they will pull through ok…although Akito-san is still unconscious…Honda-kun seems to have recovered rather quickly…save for a broken rib or two and some bruising on her throat" Hatori said very professionally and he was backed up by Yoshino's nodding in agreement.
At his words the zodiac members seemed to perk up greatly "can we see her?" Momiji asked excitedly, Hatori was about to answer but Yoshino butted in. "No…I think it's best that we let her rest up for the night and then I think we should take her back home" the young woman said in a practical voice. The Sohmas looked at her in confusion, all except Yuki and Kyou who turned their heads away trying not to think about the nearing end of their dream life with Tohru at their sides. Though neither would ever shed a tear nor speak out about their feelings, they knew that they both had to try and be strong for their family and for Tohru. "Do you mean Shii-Chan's house?" Kagura asked timidly and Yoshino gave her comrades a confused look before turning back to the boar, "um…I'm not quite sure who that is but…no. Tohru-sama will be returning with us to her real home…with her own people in Kibou. After all it's hard to run a country if you aren't even their" Yoshino said with an ironic chuckle.
That last statement got Shigure's attention "um…what do you mean run a country? I thought Tohru-kun was the god of your zodiac?" the novelist asked curiously. Nina nodded fervently "yes. Yes she is! But Tohru-sama is also part of the royal family of Kibou…she's the first daughter and…well since her mentor and the former leader has passed on…and she is of age soon, she shall also take her rightful place as our leader…our queen" Nina said in one very long breath. Once she was finished she received applause from Yumi, Hikimo, and Taka "well done Bunny-Chan! I see you were paying attention as well in that 2nd leveler inauguration" Taka praised her.
"Wait…so you're trying to tell us that…that girl…that…. woman is a queen?" Hiro asked disbelievingly, Yoshino nodded "yes it is true…I suppose Tohru-sama really has been quite secretive in her stay here" she said with a shrug, the Sohmas were all to stunned to express agreement but in their hearts they all knew just how true that statement was. For the last almost two years this girl had come into their lives, become part of the family, eased their burdens and sorrow and yet really they knew nothing about her at all and this fact was very surreal. "You…you mean you're going to take sissy away from us?" Kisa asked with a look of utter devastation etched into her large honey eyes. Hikimo shrugged "well she was never yours to begin with" the silver haired woman said curtly, Yoshino kicked the other woman in the knee "shut up…you really aren't helping the situation at all" Yoshino whispered harshly to her dim friend.
All the Sohmas could was sit there and wonder about these strange people who were said to be their opposites, and to wonder about the fate of the young girl who had grown so dear to them. Taka suddenly stood up and cleared his throat "look…we're truly sorry about in convenience you all but we are going to need more help from you" the dark haired man said calmly, "I'll need one of you to accompany Nikko-san to retrieve Tohru-sama's things and I'd like to ask if the rest of you could clear out so that Hatori-san can tend to Tohru-sama and Akito-san" Taka said as he looked around the room at everyone.
Yumi sighed and stood up walking over to the Sohmas "I'll take Kyou-san and Yuki-san to the cat…. we can drive to Shigure-san's house and get Tohru-sama's things" Yumi said as she grabbed Yuki's hand and pulled him up. "Cat?" Hatsuharu asked curiously as Yumi turned to face the white and black haired boy, Yumi nodded and sighed "that's right…Tohru-sama never got around to introducing our zodiacs" the usually quite girl said. Hikimo took this opportunity of silence to slither her arms around Taka's torso, hugging him from behind. The taller man smiled and held her arms to his chest while she rested her chin on his shoulder "oh yes…that's right…well allow me to introduce my companions and myself" Hikimo said in a decidedly calmer and happy voice as she cuddled Taka's torso.
"I am Hikimo…the snake, this lovely specimen here, Taka is the dog. Yumi over there is the rat, Nina is the rabbit, Yoshi-Chan is the dragon, and the hot headed idiot that just ran out of here was Nikko…the cat" Hikimo said with a sly grin as she watched the different phases of disbelief/shock pass through the faces of the Sohmas. Yumi frowned slightly at Hikimo "Nikko-kun may be an idiot but…Hikimo-san you shouldn't talk about others like that when you don't know them…it only shows your own ignorance" Yumi said as she gave Hikimo an icy grin. Taka smirked in reply "aww…how sweet the little rat is defending her mate" Taka teased causing Hikimo and Yoshino to giggle slightly. Yumi blushed and scowled at them all before grabbing Kyou's hand as well and dragging both Sohma boys with her to the door "Filthy animals!" Yumi cursed as she shoved Kyou and Yuki into the hallway and slammed the door behind her.
The Sohmas looked at the door in confusion and finally Nina kicked Hikimo in the shin and she stopped laughing and hugging Taka in order to nurse her injury "ow! What's the big deal Nina-Chan…I thought bunnies were supposed to be cute and sweet?" Hikimo whimpered. Nina stuck out her tongue at the whiny older woman "you're so mean Hiki-san! You know how sensitive Yumi is when it comes to Nikko" Nina scolded. The kibouian dog (Taka) grinned and helped his companion to her feet, Yoshino cleared her throat and tried to regain composure "ehem…anyway…I still want to do a little more research in Hatori-san's library so…please Hikimo, Taka, Nina…be nice to the Sohmas…and Nina no playing around like you do with Lena at home ok?" Yoshino said with a stern glance at Nina. The girl rolled her eyes and pouted, "ok…I promise I'll be a good girl" the blonde winked and with that both the dragons (Yoshino and Hatori) were gone off to his office.
"Hey…girl what did she mean by playing around?" Hiro asked after a moment of eerie silence, Nina smiled at him and shrugged "sometimes my sister and I get a little rough when we play games and such…Yoshino-san doesn't want me to hurt anyone" Nina said with a cheerful giggle. Hiro arched an eyebrow "you…how could you hurt someone?" Hiro asked a bit curtly, Nina smiled "as you've been told I'm a soldier in the kibouian army…I'm trained in at least 7 different forms of martial arts as well as magical arts" Nina said with a shrug of indifference although it would seem that she had impressed Hiro and a few other Sohmas as well. Kagura looked over at the girl with a wide-eyed curiosity "oh wow that's impressive!" Kagura beamed.
Nina smiled modestly and shrugged "thank you" the young girl giggled, "hey Nina-Chan, you said earlier that you were the rabbit, well so is Momiji-kun!" Kagura beamed. Nina looked over at the small blonde boy and gaped in awe "really? That's so cool!" Nina squealed before bounding over and grabbing the boy's hands in her own "um…hello my name is Momiji! Wow so you're a rabbit too? That's so cool! Let's be friends!" Momiji giggled excitedly. Nina mirrored his giggle and nodded her head fervently in agreement "ok! You wanna go play?" Nina asked anxiously as she bounced on her heels with anticipation. The whole scene was becoming very energy draining to the other less energetic occupants of the room, Momiji cocked his head to the side and smiled "ok let's go outside!" the boys said excitedly "hey, Kisa-Chan, Hiro-Chan you wanna come?" the bunny boy asked cutely.
Hiro scoffed at the two older teens and crossed his arms over his chest "oh please! Aren't you two in high school? Besides why would we want to go outside and run around like a bunch of idiots? No way!" Hiro shook his head firmly. Kisa looked over at her blonde cousin with large doe eyes and blushed slightly as she smiled "um…y-yes. I would like to go with Momiji-kun and Nina-san" Kisa said softly. Hiro's composure shattered as he looked down at the tiger and then he pulled his face back into a bored frown "fine let's go" he said with a curt finality. Haru, Nina, Hikimo, and Shigure sweat dropped as the four kids all raced out of the cramped room and into the warm mid afternoon sun.
The remaining zodiacs in the small room simply watched the children run off until they were no longer in sight, "well looks like the younger set are getting along fine…leave it to the rabbits to be the most energetic" came a softy voice from the hallway. The others turned around and were greeted with the slight white cotton clad figure of Tohru, Tohru stood in the doorway looking distantly out of the opened back door. She stepped into the room slowly letting the calf long white gown sway from side to side with each step; her long brown hair with the long blue streak was tossed unkemptly around her thin shoulders. The zodiacs, Sohma and Kibouian alike all stared flabbergasted at the sudden appearance of the girl they had been so worried about.
Tohru could feel their eyes on her but she never looked up to meet their gazes as she walked over to the open sliding door, Tohru stood silently looking through the door with her small pale hands gently grasping the edge of the door's frame. "T-Tohru-Chan? Are you alright?" Kagura asked shakily as she stood up began to slowly walk towards Tohru, Tohru turned around and looked over at Kagura with her large doe eyes rimming with tears and nodded. "I…I-I'm so sor-sorry about all this…everyone…I wish there was some other way but…but…" Tohru's sobs were cut off as Kagura smothered Tohru in a tight embrace and smoothed her hand through Tohru's bed mussed hair trying to calm the crying girl. Tohru's small body trembled with sobs as she slid to her knees with Kagura and hugged the older girl tighter.
Hikimo and Taka both lowered their heads in grief for their leader as she cried helplessly about her situation and the stress she had unthinkingly forced upon herself and the Sohmas. "We wear the mask that grins and lies, it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes. This debt we pay to human guile, with torn and bleeding hearts we smile. And mouth with myriad subtleties" came a smooth dark sounding voice from the doorway. "Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote that…very true words to our situation. Wouldn't you agree sister?" came the voice again, this time with a dry sharpness on the word sister, as a few of the others turned around there in the doorway stood Akito.
Akito was dressed in a loose hanging lavender yukata and her hair was smoothed back with a green color tinting the tips of her once ebony fringe. "Akito…what are you doing up? I thought you were still ill" Shigure inquired curiously, Akito smirked "well it would appear that I'm better now, wouldn't it?" Akito spat sarcastically at the dog as she passed a look of mild annoyance and disgust over her zodiacs. Kureno walked over to Akito and reached out to touch her arm but Akito slapped his hand away "Akito-san please. You're still weak from the incident earlier…Hatori-san said you should rest" Kureno said with slight worry etched in his eyes, Akito turned away from the rooster and directed her attentions back to Tohru and Kagura. "Kagura-san…move out of my way now…please" Akito added the please with a strained anger.
Kagura looked up at Akito with her eyes still damp from crying with Tohru, she looked over at Shigure and her older cousins for guidance but they all turned away unsurely. "Now! I'm not going to hurt your precious little wretched girl" Akito said with a thick malice in her tongue that caused Kagura to shiver and move out of the way although hesitantly. Tohru looked up from her spot on the floor at Akito as the older girl approached her, Tohru's eyes were red and blurry with tears of guilt and Akito's expression softened slightly upon approaching the delicate girl. "Akito…" Tohru murmured as the before mentioned girl extended a hand to help Tohru to her feet.
Tohru looked at the hand and then to Akito with a questioning look, Akito closed her eyes in an almost painful way and nodded to the small light brown haired girl. Tohru smiled weakly and accepted Akito's hand as she lifted herself up, the other Sohmas and even the remaining two of Tohru's zodiac stood in awe and confusion at this simple yet somehow meaningful gesture. Tohru and Akito kept their hands clasped together as they both looked unblinkingly into each other's eyes. But it wasn't a sort of staring battle for dominance, or even a look of challenge. It was a look they gave each other that needed no words or explanations to them, it was an unspoken truce…a silent alliance of both women's' power. Tohru smiled "thank you Akito-san…I understand this was hard for you but I promise. I wont let you down…please believe me…I promise I wont let you down" Tohru said solemnly.
Akito looked down at her feet and then quickly over to her zodiacs still remaining in the room and smiled a small barely traceable smile. Akito looked back to Tohru and found nothing but the deepest determination and hope etched in her moist azure eyes, "I know Tohru-kun …I trust you" Akito said quietly.
T.B.C
A/N: Sorry for the long wait but that was ch.5! In the next chapter we'll be spending some time with Kyou, Yuki, Nikko, and Yumi…both sets of cats and rats! They'll be spending some quality time as they sort through Tohru's things and pack her stuff. Kyou and Yuki may learn even more about the girl they thought they once knew…and maybe Nikko and Yumi may even learn something too.
Also Tohru and Akito have a big surprise in store for both the Sohmas and the other zodiacs…one that could possibly lead them to some startling discoveries, exciting new adventures, and grave danger. Please continue to read this story…hopefully I'll get a new chapter in before December (considering that will be in like a week another one should be coming soon. I want to get at least 2 more updates to this story before Christmas because I may be a bit busy during the holiday so I promise I'll try and update faster! Now remember please REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!
Love, Chizz