THe legend:

A long, long time ago, God decided to invite all of the animals to a banquet. He sent out word for all of them to come to his house the following evening, "And don't be late!" he said. When the mischievous rat heard the news, he decided to play a trick on his neighbor, the cat. He told the cat that the party was the day after tomorrow. The very next day, all of the animals lined up for the celebration. The rat led the way, riding all the way there on the back of the cow. Everyone had a wonderful time, except for the cat, who missed the whole thing.

The curse:

The Sohma curse of the Chinese zodiac consists of three main categories- the Juunishi (zodiac), the cat, and the god.

The Juunishi represent the twelve main zodiac animals- the rat, the cow (ox), the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the ram, the monkey, the rooster (bird), the dog, and the boar. The Juunishi are twelve people who transform with a "Poof!" into the animal they represent when they are embraced by a person of the opposite gender or when their bodies are under pressure (When they're sick, weak, etc.). Even if they are embraced by their own parents or siblings, given that they are the opposite gender, they transform. However, if they embraced by a Juunishi member of the opposite gender (including the cat and the god), they do not transform. The Juunishi must stay by the god's side forever, even if it means being reborn many, many times. This also means following all of the god's orders. While a Juunishi of a single animal is alive, another child of the same animal cannot be born. However, when a Juunishi member dies, this means that a Sohma child is soon to be born to this particular animal's curse.

The cat follows the exact same rules of which the Juunishi follow, except its curse is a bit more dark. He must wear Juzu beads, a bracelet with round red and white beads made of the bones of great and powerful priests and dyed with blood. When the beads are removed, the cat transforms into a hidious monster with a foul odor, known as "the cat's true form".

The god is the actual God who held the banquet in the above story. They bare whart is called "the core of the zodiac curse". They tend to get sick a lot, and they die at a young age. Often times, the god and the Juunishi/cat aren't alive at the same generation. The god especially hates the cat for some reason.

breaking the curse:

The curse can only be broken if a Juunishi member truly loves somebody, and has the ability to truthfully say, "I was born to love you." This means that they have found a purpose in life other than the zodiac curse.

STORY SO FAR

Satori is making everyone gather at the Sohma family house for a party. Shes in a bad mood so people want to not make her mad. Neji is on his way to the house thanks to the work of several of the zodiac members. Rei has been punished and is now in the closet. No romantic interests present so far. ^^