A/N: Hello, this is an isekai fic where a fan gets reborn into Fruits Basket. I've always wanted to do one for the series. It's mostly focuses on the manga, and the 2019 anime version.
Summary: The first ripple wasn't her grabbing Kyo's hand. It was her being reborn in this world as "𝑔𝑜𝒹". After that, the pond could no longer stay still... OR in which a fan gets reborn as Akito Sohma.
Rating: T ; All mature and dark themes are reference and implied. The rating might change, but it depends if I want to go into "explicit" mode. Which is highly unlikely, but the option is still in the air for me to think about.
Warnings/Tags:
―Grammar Issues / Errors
―Drabbles
―Reincarnated OC (original character) ; fan gets reborn as the Akito Sohma
―AU; Canon Divergence
―Swearing
―Angst
―Drama
―Romance
―Hurt & Comfort
―Background Relationships (meaning there are other relationships between characters that isn't with MC)
―Age Difference
―Polyamory
―Possible OOC & Mary-Sue, due to fic being self-indulgent for a fan that wish akito wasn't a piece of shit in the series
―Reference / Implied Dark Themes
―Reference / Implied Mature Themes
―Anime / Manga Spoilers (warning if you didn't finish the whole series)
―etc.
Disclaimer: I don't own fruits basket! I do not claim ownership of any of the characters, situations, or anything in relation to the series! I also don't own any of the images either! They all belong to their rightful owners!
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Prologue: "Rebirth of a God"
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No one knows how they die.
Quick.
Slow.
The possibilities of death for someone is endless. For Rory, she always believed her end would come later, her dying in some hospital from a disease in her seventies. She didn't expect it would happen in her late night adventures at a convenient store, nor the darkness afterwards.
She suppose it was a good thing that her death was quick. It was very painful, to the point that she felt immense relief when it disappeared the moment she arrived in the abyss. However, it didn't mean she was glad to end up in here either. She barely even started her life alone. She was ready to explore what it has to offer her. And yet, some bastard has ruin everything for her... because of them, she's here...
Dead... floating in the darkness.
With no one, but herself.
Is there even afterlife?
If so... is she not worthy of going to there?
'Have I not suffered enough?' is more of what Rory wanted to say, but either one was a part of how she feels about this. More so when she sees that she's the only one here. If anything, it made her quite jealous of her family. They were still living and enjoying their life to the fullest. Well most of them, since she was still fond of her siblings. Such as Tavi, and Felix. Nevertheless, the others that aren't those two are alive too. While she's here stuck in this dark place.
'... well at least Mia, Ayden, and his family are alive too.' She thought with a smile of her loved ones sadly, but yet happy that they're still alive. They deserved to be, especially Ayden and his family.
Unlike her.
'This sucks...'
With nothing to do, Rory has no choice, but to await in the darkness. For what? She does not know. It's not like there isn't anything to do here anyways. Other than for her to reflect on everything, which she did. She thought about how her loved ones are reacting to her death. Briefly she thought about her own family, and what they thought.
Obviously she knows Tavi and Felix would be sad. Maybe her other sibling, Mara too, despite the growing distance between them over the recent years. Rory knows deep down her little sister still cares about her. If she didn't, Mara wouldn't bother to speak to her. Unlike a certain two people within their families... but those two are definitely not what she wants to think about right now...
So the thought of her family didn't linger as she quickly changes it to her two best friends, Ayden and Mia. She wonder which of two would get her stuff. She's told them that if she ever died - sadly now - most of her stuff is theirs to take. If they want none of it, it can go to Ayden's family. If not, then Mia's. The rest will be divided between her younger siblings
After she was done pondering about all of that, Rory began to think how much time had passed. There was no indication to tell it in this place, considering it's just her floating in vast darkness. It doesn't help that she couldn't go to sleep to try to burn her growing boredom away. She doesn't even feel tired to do that if she could tried.
In fact she couldn't feel anything.
She couldn't feel pain from pinching her arms.
She couldn't even feel herself breathing. No matter how long she holds her breath. It doesn't hurt her, nor did she felt the need to exhale.
'Who knew it could be so creepy when you're dead...'
According to her culture, she didn't suicide, nor murder anyone. So she should have ended up on the great hunting grounds. Then again, she was never religious enough to practice her people's traditions. So perhaps that's why she ended up here. Who knows. It's not like she could get any question to that.
Anyways, Rory doesn't know how long it took for her to feel anything, but eventually all of her five sense goes wild. It kind of threw her off a moment as it suddenly came out of nowhere.
One moment she didn't feel nothing.
Then next she felt everything.
It was hard for her to concentrate what was happening. What's going on. All of that stuff. So she tried her best to understand what her senses are telling her. First thing, she notice is that she feels immensely cold, and... wet? Then something soft is suddenly being rub on her, before going all around her body. The action reminded her of the times she would dry off Mia's German shepherd, Artemis, after she helped her give her dog a bath.
Of course, Rory didn't think too much on that, when her vision suddenly goes white. It was like a large bright light appear in the abyss, or rather right on both of her eyes. All in all, it made her squint out of reflex to try to lessen the brightness. Of course, it didn't unless she closes them.
Out of nowhere, she begins to hear a few unfamiliar voice speaking in a language. She easily recognize it as Japanese. She would had tried to figure out what they were saying, until she hears a baby crying loudly among them. She didn't know where the baby was, since it was so damn bright to see anything. Not the mention the wails instantly goes silence when she tried to find it. She didn't stay too focus on that when her nose was hit with smell strong scent of cleaning chemicals. It was like she being shove into the scent. She don't know if she was, or not, it made her feel very light-headed.
'To hell with this', giving up on trying to figure out what's going on. No matter how badly she wants to know what the hell was happening. Rory decides it was best to just close her eyes, wait for everything to settle down. As she wait, she continue to hear the voices. Surprisingly she couldn't hear the baby anymore. It must have concern the people nearby, since they were talking about it. She is not that good with Japanese, but she was taking a beginner course for it. So she knows some words. Not enough to understand what the hell was being said around her. Enough to translate this, "baby", "quiet".
Rory didn't ponder too much on that when she feels herself being restrained by something soft. She tried to squirm away, but found herself unable to do so. She struggled as voices continued to talk, and feels herself being move forward. She hears a woman's voice in front of her, but it didn't sound all too pleasing like the voices around her. She sounded almost annoyed, dare say bitter. Whoever she was, didn't seem to please the voices around her as some of them began to speak in annoyed tone or awkward one from what she had said to them.
Whatever the woman says next, it made Rory feel herself get pulled away, towards a different direction. Where she hears a man's voice close to her. Unlike the woman's, his voice sounds soft, soothing. Right after, she feels arms suddenly embrace her. She immediately stiffen from the sudden physical contact. It's not like she wasn't a hugger type. It was the fact that these so called arms felt much, much bigger around her. In fact, it didn't feel like a hug. Instead as if they were holding her as their massive size arms covered her entire body...
Obviously Rory began to panic, and struggle, because of this. Hell, she wanted to shout. Maybe even scream from the whole situation.
"Waah!"
She stops, so does that wail she had heard a second ago.
'...waah?'
Was that...
Was that her?
That sounded like cry from a baby... Exactly the same cry she heard earlier.
It stopped when she noticed it.
No... it couldn't be her... but what if it was? She heard it right away when she wanted to scream.
To test it, Rory opens her mouth and copies the sound she had heard.
"Waah!"
She immediately shuts her mouth as soon as she hears it.
'... w-what... what the hell?'
She does it again, and closes her mouth after. She began to feel herself being rock as the voices around get louder near her.
'What the hell...'
She ignores them, and does it again.
"Waah! Waah! Waaaah!"
She continues for a few seconds, then stops. Just like before, the wails are gone.
'WHAT THE HELL!'
There's no way, no fucking way!
That voice, it's her!
She's that baby - or rather THE baby!
About to let out a wail again, Rory finds herself silence when she hears that man's voice again, but this time closer as if he was right near her face. She was too focus on herself that she didn't notice, or realizes during her practice wails. That she concern the voices around her, especially the man, who she no doubt believes to be holding her. Whatever they said to him, she feels herself being rock gently again as the man speaks to her in the most gentlest tone she has ever heard from someone.
She couldn't understand what he was saying, but no doubt, it was something along the lines of "hush, don't cry", or "there there". Like she said, she doesn't entirely know the Japanese language... She was taking a beginner's course, and she didn't even get to finish it since she's, you know, dead. Well... not exactly, considering the circumstances right now...
Either way, it felt rather comforting to hear this man's humming, despite not understanding what was being said.
So she doesn't let out a wail, instead she wanted to see this person. Thankfully, when Rory open her eyes, she could see clearly than she did before. In her sight, she was met with a beautiful man, whom is holding her. So beautiful that he looks almost unearthly...
The more she stares, Rory began to see underneath that beauty the man looks sickly. Very frail looking as if he could break if you touch him. Of course, she didn't stare too long when she hears the voices. Which she notices to be coming from women and men in kimonos around them. Majorly of them are women, older, while only few that look about her age... well used to be her age when she was alive.
Regardless, those people were staring in awe at them, whispering in small tones as the beautiful, sickly, man holding her, smiles. He says something, but she couldn't try to translate what he say. When her attention was immediately caught by sight of a woman sitting right next to him. That she didn't even notice to be there. The woman was sitting on a large futon. Like that man, she too was very beautiful. She has long black hair that appears to be disheveled. Judging from her worn and sweaty features, her hair isn't meant to be like that. Which makes Rory assume it's straight.
Despite the woman looking tired, she wasn't speaking like everyone else in the room. Instead, she is staring at her. Not at the man, but her in his arms. Unlike the person holding her, there was no kind glimmer in that woman's eyes, or adoration like the others. There was no warmth at all. Just a cold gleam flickering in those indifferent brown eyes. Looking at them, she couldn't help to think...
'Almost similar just like theirs...' as Rory thinks of her parents, particularly her own mother, but the more she stares at this woman. She felt an odd sense of familiarity from her. Which didn't make sense, since she don't recall ever meeting her. Ever. 'So then why does she feels so familiar?'
She gets her answer, when some of the people around her began to speak to the couple. Which Rory deduce this man and woman to be from how close they're sitting, and the looks one of them gives to the other. Rory couldn't understand the conversation being exchange from everyone, but she is able to translate some of it to the names and titles being addressed to the couple. Not to mention keen words that instantly hit her. Such as "Akira-sama", "Ren-sama", "female", "daughter", "Sohma", "Akito-sama", and... "God".
'...Huh?'
Obviously, hearing those bewildered her right away, but the more she tries to translate the conversation between them. Rory hears those words being repeated constantly. It's mostly the name "Akito" and "God". Both of them seems to be directed towards her, because each time that name or that word is said. Pairs of eyes are look towards her.
At first, Rory didn't understand, then when she looks at everyone and her surroundings. She notices they look cartoony. Almost... almost like an anime. Which is so weird... is... is she in an anime?
'No, that would be stupid as hell, Aurora. '
And yet, the more she hears those words and stares at everything, especially at that woman, who is now dubbed as "Ren". She feels her stomach twist as that voice tells her, "It's true".
'It couldn't be...'
... but the more she stares and listens, she can't help to think...
What if it is.
Call her crazy, but...
'I think... I think I am in Fruits Basket...'
Yes, it sounds crazy, but looking at Ren and everything here. Not to mention the names being constantly repeated. It baffling makes sense. It's been years, since she first read Fruits Basket. She started to reread the manga as she was waiting for the season 3 of the anime remake. So with her memory still fresh on the series. Rory vividly remembers the characters' appearance enough. Such as that woman known as "Ren Sohma". The very woman that looks like Akito. Now looking at the man next to her, he looks like "Akira Sohma", Ren's husband. The former head of the Sohmas... the father of Akito Sohma...
The name that's been repeated towards her.
'It-It can't be...'
It's just impossible...
And yet, when Rory stares, really stares at Ren and Akira. They looks exactly the same just like in the manga, except in color obvious. Well the styles look more so to the remake, but even so... it's impossibly true... she has died, and been reborn as a baby... Not just any baby, she is positively sure she's been reborn as Akito Sohma.. Which means... she's in an anime...
Either this is real, or some type of purgatory for her. She's here. The worst part of it all is that out of all animes, it had to be Fruits Basket - 'why couldn't it been like Haikyuu?!'. At least with that anime, she don't have to worry about unnecessarily mythical bullshit and dramatic drama. Nope, she's in Fruits Basket, making all of this a disaster.
To add a cherry on top of that, she's not some background character.
Or the good side characters.
OR even the goody two shoes Tohru Honda.
She's fucking Akito Sohma. You know THE Akito Sohma. The one who is the god of the zodiacs, or juunishi, or whatever most fans call them. The person that is the head of the Sohmas. One of the antagonist of the series. If not, THE villain, since you could hardly count Ren as one to the main cast.
So she's basically the villain.
Reborn as the villain of her favorite series.
'This is... this is just too much for me to deal with right now. I'm going to be sick. I-I can't... I can't deal with this...'
With that in mind, Rory force herself to back to sleep, trying to ignore the voices around her by thinking of memory of her previous life. Anything to calm her growing anxiety that threatens to build within her. Whatever she choose to think of, it helped lulled her to sleep.
Hopefully, the next time she awakes this will be all a dream.
Of course, some deity out there sure likes not giving what she wants, but she supposes this is better than being in that abyss.
Well it's definitely not the best.
Just better.
After all, she's been reborn as Akito Sohma with Akira and Ren Sohma as her parents. If she was younger like in her middle school days, or even high school, she would be ecstatic at this situation, but as she grew older, and rereading the manga again. That childish fangirl dream she once had seem so stupid nowadays she thinks about it. Hell, she wants to punch her younger self in the face to even think this situation would be fun for her.
Honestly, she don't how or why she's here... It seems too real. She could eat and sleep like she did in her previous life. She could even feel pain and such.
So is this actually happening?
'Is anime real?'
Well... whichever of the two it is, the one clear true is that she's here... but why? Why was Akito picked for her? Out of all characters in Fruits Basket. Why did it have to be Akito? Why this anime? Why even an anime in general?
'It's not like no one is going to tell me... right?'
Rory- Akito, so weird as hell to refer her as that now- thought to herself as she looks up at the ceiling in silence. She questions whatever deity that put here. She waiting for a response back for few minutes, but no reply. Of course, it could be that she's holder of that very being perhaps. Or was it a different mystical being?
'I don't know. The whole thing is so fucking weird...'
She's Akito Sohma, the incarnate of the "God" spirit of the Zodiacs.
Ror-Akito moves her tiny hands. She couldn't lift them up above her face, since she's still too weak as a newborn. Regardless in her current state, she don't feel that much different from a normal person, despite being the so called the "god" of the zodiacs. Other than getting special treatment for that title.
Of course, she cannot say everyone does.
Like she expected, Ren Sohma, Akito's mo-erm... her mother had instantly rejects her the moment she was born. Ren doesn't feed her. She doesn't hold her. She doesn't even look at her. When she does, it was always that resentful look. So yeah, her so called mother has completely neglected her as predicted. Leaving all of Akito's needs to be taken care by the servants. Luckily that wasn't too bad. Unlike Ren, the servants would always coo and stare at her in awe. They practically worship her, despite her being a newborn.
Akito knows that would never matter to them. Newborn, or old, they will always worship her, because to them, she is God. God of the zodiacs.
Yeah... that title and the whole worship feels very unsettling.
Just like her being a character in an anime.
Seriously, how does one process that?
How?
'well... I have no choice, since I'm living here...'
Just as she has no choice into being the vessel for "God" spirit.
At any rate, Akito is glad that Ren tries to keep her distance from her the best she could. She has no doubt once she gets older and more mobile. That vile woman would take a step into beginning her abuse towards her. After all, that look Ren had in her eyes when she was born. The wheel is already starting to spin in the route it's set on.
How lovely that she is going to deal with another parent that is piece of shit.
'Well unfortunately for Ren, I won't let her spin my own wheel.' Akito thought, because unlike the original Akito, she isn't going to be like that. She won't be craving parental love and affection. A strong desire for someone to love her, and find someone to fulfil the parental role that Akira will be leaving, and Ren refuse to take.
She won't have none of that.
Not when she has her memories from her previous life.
Memories of Ayden's parents that could easily fill that hole Ren has dig, because if there's one thing her previous life as Rory had taught her. You don't always need your biological parents. There are others that could easily fulfil those roles, and be far better parental figures than your own ever could. If she wants, she could even find someone to take Ren's place if needed to be. That is if she really needs a mother figure in her life.
'But definitely not Tohru. I don't think I could ever see that girl as a mother figure.'
Where Ren was cold, Akira was warmth.
Despite not seeing her father as much as the servants that takes care of her, Akira still made an effort to see her. No matter how sick he feels during that moment. Or even being repeatedly told he should rest. He would ignore it all, and come see his beloved daughter.
Regardless of the obvious attempts Ren would do to sway him from visiting. Akira would ignore it. To the point that Ren went so far to make Akito have her own bedroom to herself. A newborn in a crib alone in a large room away from her parents.
Obviously Akito immediately knew this was Ren's doing.
Who else could it be?
The moment she's been born, the servants, even Akira, had shown her nothing, but love and worship. Whereas her so called mother did the exact opposite. Not to mention Akito has remembered that woman was constantly saying gibberish to Akira for a few days after her birth. Ren kept arguing and yelling around up to this point that Akito had found herself having her own room.
After that incident, Ren got quiet.
Sadly not silent, but quieter.
Still it didn't stop Akira from seeing Akito. The servants would either bring her to him, or he'll go to her. If he went to her room, Ren would follow. She'll trail right behind him like a damn dog she is. Of course, Ren is never too close, but always near for Akito to know she's there. Her mother would always linger from afar, watching her father tend to their daughter. .
Despite Akira's attempts to have Ren speak to her, or even hold her. She always refuse. Instead, Ren would just sit back in silence, and stares. Just staring at Akira picking up Akito, and playing with her. He would smile and laugh while doing so. Sometimes if Akito looks at her mother, she would see that expression on Ren's face. The corner of Ren's lip twitches when Akira smiles, or her hands tightening on her dress when Akira presses kisses on Akito's face.
If it wasn't her memories as Aurora, Akito wouldn't laugh in silence, nor enjoy in Ren's growing disdain towards her. Her own created misery is hard to not find entertainment from. After all, Akito had grown used to this kind of parent from her previous life. Hell, she even dealt with worse. Just a mere look from Ren is downright laughable, because it makes her dear ol' mother here is all bark and no bite. Unlike her previous mother that didn't hesitate to unleash her fangs behind doors.
Therefore, seeing Ren like this is really... really... funny.
No.
That's not the correct word to describe Ren.
She's rather...
Pathetic.
'So pathetic that a grown ass woman like her is jealous of her own daughter.' Akito thought as she turn her attention back to Akira, giggling as he says some nonsense to her in that affectionate tone of his. She could still feel Ren's eyes glued on her. She could even feel the bitterness radiating off of her in waves, growing each minute as Akira keeps his attention on Akito.
How stupid.
'Ren, you really are pitiful as Shigure says.'
Truly pitiful and disgusting indeed.
Of course, not everyone saw her mother as a harmless jealous bitch.
Majority of the servants feared Ren might do something drastic to Akito. So she was never alone. Mainly one older female servant, 'or maid I guess', will always be by her side. If not, one of the other servants would be, but it's mostly that old lady.
After seeing that woman many times, Akito immediately recognized this woman is that maid from the series. The author, Takaya, never revealed her name, despite many times she has appeared throughout the story. So it was surprising for a fan like Akito to learn this woman's name is Chitaka*. She learned this from everyone referring her to that name throughout their conversations with her.
When you're an old soul trapped in a baby's body, there's not much to do besides sit there and listen. She obtain this information quickly.
Most of the time Akito was quiet. Of course, not when she was with Akira, but with others, she is. Just utter quiet, which is completely abnormal for a baby to do... yeah... well... she didn't want to really act like a baby all the time. The idea of trying felt very odd, and she simply didn't want to follow through with it. Obviously, this behavior freak out some of the younger servants, while the others seem to not mind it. In fact, it seem as if they had expected it. No doubt they probably think her behavior is influenced by her being the incarnation of the god spirit. Based on hearing some words like "God" being repeated in their conversation.
Chitaka was no different in that regard.
As much as Akito was thankful of that woman for taking care of her, and practically being a mother figure to her. She doesn't trust her enough. The woman had a part in the original Akito's descent into being a horrible person she was in the series. Although she doesn't blame her, since Chitaka was born and raised among the Sohma. She got indoctrinated by this cult-like family into worship the whole god and zodiac bullshit.
'Just thinking about that, makes me sick. No doubt once I get older, she'll feed me the same bs she was fed with.'
Akito looks at Chitaka, whom is leaning over her wooden design crib The older woman smiling down at her. She says something in formal tone as she affectionately rubs her face. It made Akito relax under her touch, and lean in. Even though she said she doesn't trust her, it didn't mean she hates her. If anything, she had a positive neutral view of Chitaka. Oh, she definitely prefers her over Ren. No questions about that, because unlike her mother dearest.
Chitaka holds her.
She comforts her.
She cares for her.
'Hm... I guess Akito and I might have one thing in common after all. Just a smidge.' Akito thought as she closes her eyes and sleeps to the sound of Chitaka's humming.
It wasn't easy getting used to her name, but over time Akito did. Almost everyone - besides her own parents - constantly referred her as "Akito-sama", or "Sohma-sama". It was hard not to accept it, since no one calls her Rory, or Aurora here. Except for those memories she would sadly think, or even dream about... but over all, two months had pass for her to get used to her life.
It was also around that time when she realize she was being raised as a male. With nothing to do as a baby, she is learning Japanese quicker as she listens to everything being said around. Such as how the servants are speaking to her. At first it puzzle her, but she remembers it was Ren's doing that forces Akito to be raised as a boy.
No doubt her clothing were male's too. She can't see to confirm it, but she knows it's true.
Regardless, she actually doesn't mind wearing male clothing. She was never the one who had a preference when it came to clothes. For her, clothes is clothes. It's just fabric. She'll wear whatever she felt comfortable with. However, when it comes to her gender, that's a whole different reason. She's a female through and through. She'll never be confused about that. No matter how much everyone will try to make her to be.
... but for now, she'll play along, since she can't do anything about it as a baby. Once she gets older, everyone is just going to have to deal with the head being a female.
When that day comes, she's going to enjoy Ren's reaction.
The first time she met some of the members of the zodiac, she was reminded of who Akito is.
On that day, Akito was zoned out in her crib, daydreaming of her friends of her previous life. Akito would often think of them, or even her family. She wonder what they were doing, or what they'll say if they see her now. When she is like that, she gets too into it, and disregard her surroundings as if she isn't here.
So she didn't hear the folded door to her room opening and closing, then voices that follow afterwards. It wasn't time for her to eat. If anyone disturb her right now, it would be one of the servants checking in on like they do every few minutes. If needed to be (out of fear for her mother), they'll station someone to be with her for couple of hours until someone switches them. Throughout the day, the shifts will rotate.
To her shockingly surprise, it was Akira. Akito snaps out of her thoughts when she see her father's frail face peering over her crib down at her. As of late, he would rarely pick her up from the crib. Instead one of the servants or Chitaka would give her to him.
Nevertheless, Akito still reach her hands up to help him lift her out of her crib. Once he scoop her in his arms, she notice Ren was with him and she wasn't happy. 'Not a surprise', but what was, her father is here in the evening. He's hardly sees her during this time. He sees her around noon or morning if he can. While the evenings were reserved for her mother.
Perhaps that's why Ren looks angry behind Akira.
That's what Akito thought at first until Akira starts carries her out of her room with Ren trailing behind. Outside in the hall was Chitaka, she walks alongside him, speaks to him. Akito didn't pay much attention, but focus on her new surroundings. It's the first time she has ever left her room. That she couldn't help to stare in awe at everything around her, especially when she sees the garden on their left. She almost whine on how briefly she seen it, and the flowers. They were so beautiful.
'I think I saw some higanbanas.'
Of course, her attention quickly switches once all of them enter a large room, and she sees the people she'd never thought she'll see so soon. It was some of the members of the zodiac; Shigure, Hatori, Ayame, and Kureno*. Like most children, they look adorable, especially little Kureno, clinging onto Shigure's sleeve in a shy-like manner.
Akito didn't focus too much on that, or even them in that matter. In that moment her eyes set on them, she felt this strong feeling burst inside her chest* suddenly. It was similar like an old familiar emotion she felt in her previous life with her friends. The feelings clenches her heart painfully, but yet, indescribable fondness and happiness sooth over that pain too.
Sad.
Happy.
Departed.
Reunited.
Alone.
Together...
"You're here." She could hear a voice speak within her. "You're here... We're together again."
Akito closes her eyes, and give toothless smile. Whether it was her action, or the spirit, she does not know, but she did it. She don't know why. 'Is this how they felt under the curse?' She thought, but it quickly subsided when she open her eyes to see the four children in front of her closer than before. She could hear the servants, even Chitaka speak in awe-like tone about them. No doubt talking about the so-called bond, and witnessing it for the first time between god and the zodiacs.
'Is that what I felt?'
The bond.
Did that influence her to smile?
And her chest...
'Was that... god's feelings?'
It had to be, because this is her first time meeting them and yet, it felt like it wasn't. Instead, it feels like she's being reunited with loved ones she hasn't seen in a very long time. 'They feel it too.' Akito noted the melancholy, but yet content smiles the four boys were giving her.
Suddenly, she feels herself being moved slightly as her father took a seat down, and began to speak to the zodiacs. She doesn't try to translate what Akira is saying, but instead watches the four boys in front of them. All four haven't taken their eyes off of her, nor she didn't either.
Looking at each of them, Akito think to herself 'they're so cute', especially little Kureno. The way he clings to Shigure reminds her of how Felix used to cling to her before he grew out of it when he turned nine. Then she looks at Shigure to see him smiling down at her so soft. She doesn't recall ever seeing him look like that from the manga, or at the very least as his younger self. The same goes for Hatori, who seem so stern most of the time. He is giving her the softest smile she has ever seen from him. Of course, Ayame's was nowhere close to theirs, but it still had his charm behind the large grin he's giving her.
All in all, Akito couldn't help, but to smile at them in return. For the servants, seeing the zodiacs interact with their god was just a beautiful sight. No doubt Akira saw as that too. His daughter being surrounded by love from the zodiac members.
'A child born to be loved by all.'
Almost as if Ren had the same thought as her, because once that sentence was finish. Within a second, Ren who been silent the whole time, began to speak, getting louder each word she says.
"Wake up... wake up everyone! Stop treating this child as something special! This child just a human being, there's no power! Nothing!" Akito translate the words her mother spew out as she begin to cackle. Ren almost looks feral. Her eyes glaring down at her with such bitterness. Shestands above Akira, points at Akito within his arms. "It's nothing! That thing is nothing, Akira!"
"I'm not, so look at me! Look at me, please!", Akito could imagine what Ren wanted to say to Akira, but she didn't. Not when Chitaka began berate her for daring to insult her (Akito). She didn't miss the frown from Shigure, or uncomfortable glances from Hatori, and Ayame. Or even the frighten and confused look from Kureno. Of course, Ren did not care, and continue with her nonsense, despite Chitaka and the other servants jumping to Akito's defense.
Akito wasn't surprised to suddenly feel herself being given to a maid quickly. She sees Akira go to Ren's side before she was being taken away to her bedroom. Nor when the maid began to comfort her. Rocking her as if she was upset by the whole ordeal that happen moments ago. The gesture was nice, but she wasn't hurt by what had happened.
In fact, it was the opposite.
Akito had to bury her face in the woman's kimono to hide the frown that was no doubt resting on her baby face. She didn't want to raise suspicious concerns from this. And yet, she couldn't help it from appearing, nor the growing annoyance. She knew for a long time that Ren was always jealous of the original Akito, but seeing it in person, she didn't think that woman's jealousy would run that deep.
Quite honestly, it's a surprise, because she doesn't remember it being like that...
Well... the bitter good news about this. The incident has vividly reminded her that Ren will never love her. If that woman showed that much disdain towards her as an infant, then she's a lost cause. Of course, Akito always knew that, but yet, a small part of her hurts.
No matter how much she tells herself she doesn't give crap about that woman, or try to focus on that annoyance within her to ignore this.
It still pains her knowing that even in this life, it was still the same.
No matter how much she longs for her old life.
There was no way for her to go back.
With that in mind, Akito force herself to think about everything. The future, the Sohmas, the zodiacs, and Ren. How she behaves might change them. However, out of those four, there was one fact that was guaranteed.
The curse will break.
Unlike the original Akito, she had no desire to keep it from happening, nor the desires to bring harm to the zodiacs either.
She has no doubt in her mind that her world will be one cruel reality. Ren will see it to that, but Akito has dealt with someone like her mother before. She won't let her wickness affect her to be just as vile as her. Even the brainwashing bullshit the Sohmas will try to feed to her. She won't let none of it affect her.
If there was one thing she has learned from this reincarnation business, is that you don't stop being yourself when you die.
'Regardless if I'm Akito, I won't be like her in the future.'
If the Sohmas lose their head, she'll break the long lasting traditions, or even the entire main estate gets set on fire, so be it.
Consequences be damn.
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
A/N: Once again, still don't know how to do a prologue. Well hopefully, this was good enough. Anyways, I hope you enjoy my fic!
EXTRA(S):
✦Takaya never revealed the old maid's name in the series, despite her being shown a lot. So I've given her the name of Chitaka. Her name means "generation" and "filial piety", which I thought fits her, considering how she is in the series. So annoying lol if her name gets revealed in FB:A or the s3 of the anime. I'll change it, but for now, her name is Chitaka.
✦I've noticed a couple panels in the manga of Ayame, Shigure, Hatori, and Kureno were together when they were children. I've included that here.
✦Honestly, I feel like Akito feels somewhat similar like how the zodiac members feel when they meet her for the first time, since she is the incarnation of God. With God's relationship with the zodiacs, I imagine he would be happy to be reunited with them again. So I decided to have Akito react somewhat similar like the zodiacs in this.
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