Kerstin's POV

"No one sits with him, he doesn't fit in,

But we feel like we do when we make fun of him…"

I played my music at top volume. I was pissed off. It was winter break and my Mom and Dad had gone off on a romantic walk and I was left by the RV alone.

I also felt selfish for thinking that. Immensly selfish.

I leaned back on the RV, pulling my wool sweater closer to my skin. Having short curly hair means that your ears freeze in the winter.

"It's not like you hate him or want him to die,

But maybe he goes home and thinks suicide,

Or he comes back to school with a gun at his side,

Any kindness from you might have saved his life..."

The music continued.

Around that time, I heard it. The sound of someone coming toward camp. I quickly turned off the music because Mom and Dad don't like hard rock or depressing songs.

"Hallo?" I said. "Mutti? Papa? Ist dass Sie?"

"My my, what is this?" A tall Japanese man in a kimono was standing in our campsite. He had straight black hair that was quite possibly longer than mine.

"Oh…I'm sorry," I said, switching to Japanese and bowing. "I'm Kerstin Bayer. You must be Sohmas who live on this land."

As I said this, an orange haired boy and a silver haired boy appeared behind him.

"Yes," replied the eldest of the three. "I am Shigure Sohma, and this is Yuki and Kyo."

I smiled. "Pleased to meet you. I'm not related to the Sohma's, but Momiji Sohma is my cousin. His mother is my father's sister. We rented this land for a month. Well…I did. A Christmas present for my parents."

"Wait," The silver haired boy looked worried. "You spoke to Akito?"

I flinched slightly at the mention of that frightening man. "I-I…"

They were all staring at the bruise on my neck.

I turned and ran.

Yuki's POV

The first thing I remember about Kerstin was the music she was playing. It made me want to cry.

When she said she had asked Akito to rent a camping space, I knew instantly she had been hurt. But Akito had relented and allowed it. For some reason.

When she ran, Shigure looked at me.

"Well, that's it then," he said, and turned around.

"Whatever," Kyo said, following him, a scowl on his face. I hate him so much. No compassion for that girl whatsoever.

For some reason, that's when I started running. I should've known it was stupid, because of my asthma, but…her face. It reminded me of myself. I didn't want her to be alone.

Kerstin's POV

I turned and saw Yuki following.

"What are you doing? Go away!" I yelled.

He said nothing. He just followed.

Finally I tripped and fell. Yuki managed to catch my arm.

"Miss Bayer…" he gasped.

Suddenly my anger dissapatted. I recognized those wheezes. He had asthma. And he ran all the way here in the cold…I pulled my inhaler from my pocket.

"Yuki! Take my inhaler-have my inhaler! Please…take it," I pressed it into his hands. I felt tears form in my eyes.

He quickly puffed the inhaler twice. After a few moments, he was okay.

"That was all my fault…I shouldn't have run away," I berated myself. "You must think I'm such an idiot, running from a name like that."

He reached out and touched the bruise on my neck. "Miss Bayer…did he try to strangle you?"

I flinched. A single tear went down my cheek as I nodded.

"Being afraid doesn't mean you're weak, you know," he said, looking at me. "It means you're human."

I looked at him. He smiled back. It was a real smile.

"Thank you." I reached out to hug him, but then…he pushed me back.

"I-I'm sorry, Miss Bayer," he said finally.

I rested against a tree and looked at Yuki. "You…You're a member of the Chinese Zodiac, aren't you?"

Yuki's POV

I never thought she would know.

I was immediately taken back to what Akito said…

"Is it not strange for a boy to turn into a rat? If normal people knew your secret it would sicken them. They'd stay away from you."

Would Kerstin be sickened by me?

I took a step back. "Miss Bayer, I…"

Then I realized something. She was smiling. And not in a mocking way, but in a kind way.

"It's okay, don't worry!" she said. "Remember, my cousin Momiji is the rabbit! Which one are you?"

I was able to smile a little bit, but I still felt a blush creep across my cheeks as I answered. "I'm the Rat."

Kerstin's POV

"I guess it would be weird for me to ask if I could see," I said, sighing. "Are you okay? From before I mean. I was really…worried."

I was blushing now.

"I'm fine," Yuki replied. "The inhaler stopped the attack. Was that yours?"

I nodded. "I'm anemic and asthmatic."

Suddenly it started to pour down rain.

"Oh wow," I said, shivering.

"Miss Bayer!" Yuki looked concerned. "Let's get back to the RV. You might catch a cold."

I laughed. "What about you?"

Yuki shook his head. "I'll be fine."

He took my hand and lead me back to the RV. I turned to go, but then looked at him and said, "Goodbye Yuki, I hope to see you again soon."

He smiled and waved, walking back to his home in the rain.