It was time for the New Year's Banquet. As usual, the whole Sohma family was present, whether or not they wanted to be there. This year, Akito had decided to introduce the family to another family. The Tomimoto family was another family with the Zodiac curse upon them. Akito had the idea that some of the members of the Zodiac from both families could unite the family. He wouldn't be giving anyone any choices, though. That year, he'd have the older members be married to their corresponding animal pair. All the Sohma and Tomimoto family members had been informed of this. Since Akito commanded it, they had no choice but to follow it out. The members were most curious to see who they would be with. After the banquet, they would move in with each other.

Shigure waited outside of Sohma House waiting for his intended to show up. All he knew was that she was twenty six years old and her name was Mai. Yuki and Kyo had already walked home with their pair.

"Excuse me. Are you Shigure Sohma?"

"Hm?"

Shigure turned to see a young woman with shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes. She was so pretty, that Shigure quite forgot the question she had asked. She blushed slightly under his gaze. When she looked down, Shigure pulled himself together. He cleared his throat.

"Oh, uhm, yes. I'm Shigure Sohma. You must be Mai Tomimoto," Shigure smiled, taking her hand," Nice to meet you."

Shigure, noticing her suitcase beside her, picked it up. They started walking towards Shigure's house.

"So…uhm…do you live far from here?" Mai asked, as they started walking.

"No, not far at all, milady."

They walked in silence for most of the way. Mai obviously wanted to say something, but she wasn't sure. She kept stealing glances at Shigure, who usually grinned back at her.

"You know. If you want to say something, anything at all, it's fine. I'm here to listen. Isn't that how it is with couples?" Shigure goaded her on.

Mai turned a deep red and looked down at the ground.

"Well…that's the thing. What do you think of this whole…arrangement?"

Shigure looked up at the dark night sky.

"Honestly, it doesn't bother me that much. Before…no one but Akito knew that there was another family with this curse of ours. I guess it's quite fortunate for us. Many of us cursed ones thought we'd never be able to marry or be with someone," Shigure answered, sincerely," I think I'm very lucky. I got a beautiful young woman as my betrothed."

Mai laughed melodically. Shigure loved the sound.

"So, who else lives with you, Shigure?"

Shigure looked at the house that was looming up ahead of them. The lights inside the house must have alerted her.

"Well, there is Yuki Sohma and Kyo Sohma. They're both sixteen. I'll warn you; those two are the rat and cat. So…you can imagine the noise. Not to mention, not a day goes by that something in my house doesn't break. You must know who they're paired with already."

Mai grinned at the house, knowingly.

"In our family, it's quite inconvenient. The rat and the cat, Ren and Yumi, are sisters."

Shigure cringed at the thought of what it would be like at home from now on.