The story begins with the introduction of Honda Tohru, a young school girl who has been recently orphaned. After the untimely death of her mother due to a traffic accident, it was arranged that she would live at her Grandfather's house. But when that house goes under construction, Tohru takes to the woods and lives in a tent. After school she works as a housecleaner in order to support herself. However, one day, she passes a house in the woods and meets Shigure, who has made figurines of the Chinese Zodiac animals - except for the Cat. Tohru has always been intrigued with the Chinese Zodiac and remembers the story her mother told her of the Cat who was tricked out of membership into the Chinese Zodiac. For those who are unfamiliar with the Chinese Zodiac, there are 12 animals: the horse, rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar - no cat. Tohru was deeply troubled with sympathy for the tricked Cat, and as a result has a great fondness for cats.

Of course as luck would have it, Tohru discovers that Shigure's family owns the property on which she has pitched tent. In addition, her idol and the school heartthrob Yuki, is Shigure's cousin and lives in this house as well. Add that to the fact that her tent was destroyed in a landslide and Shigure is looking for someone to cook and clean in their household of men only. Which means, Shigure and Yuki have both insisted Tohru use a room in exchange for her cooking and cleaning services. Anything else?