The Sohmas are cursed to transform into their zodiac animal whenever they hug anyone…but that curse doesn't have to be permanent.
The Cat's HeartChapter One: Kyo Sohma Prince Yuki…
So handsome…
So soft-spoken…
Us lesser people cannot be allowed to ruin his beauty, especially,' Motoko Minigawa's eyes flashed with fury as she looked across the field at Yuki Sohma, that witch, Tohru Honda! Her eyes hardened as she saw Tohru run up to Yuki, greeting him like they were old friends. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but Tohru Honda always wore her expressions clearly on her face. The two of them were soon joined by Hatsuharu, Momiji, and Kyo Sohma, as well as Tohru's long-time friends, Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima. As everyone walked up to the door of their school, Minigawa fell in a few steps behind them, glowering. Four, beautiful Sohmas grace this school with their presence, Minigawa thought icily, and Tohru Honda must associate herself with all of them! Hatred welled up inside her. What makes her so special?!
Minigawa spotted Tohru later that day, walking down the hall with Kyo. Kyo, Minigawa realised, furiously, was looking a lot more relaxed then usual. That's it, Minigawa though. Today, I put Tohru Honda in her place!
The two approached, Tohru catching sight of Minigawa only once they were right up close. Immediately, the younger girl bowed, saying, 'Good morning, Minigawa-san!' Kyo made a non-commental noise in his throat.
'Tohru Honda,' Minigawa said, keeping her voice as calm as possible, 'what makes you think you're worthy to associate yourself with the Prince?'
Tohru, as usual, looked like she didn't understand. That idiot, Minigawa though, before continuing, 'Can't you see how much better he is than you?' Tohru, quietly, said she didn't understand. Minigawa scoffed, closing her eyes to add to the effect. 'I wouldn't expect you to,' she said. Minigawa opened her eyes. 'a stupid orphan wouldn't.' Ignoring Kyo's protests, she continued.
'Why should a lowlife such as you speak with him?! You don't even know the first thing about your father! You do know why he died, right?' Minigawa's grin turned evil. This was the part she'd been waiting for. 'Because he hated you!' Tohru's eyes widened with shock and sadness, and Minigawa knew she had toughed a nerve. 'And your mother – she died in a car accident, right? – she hated you!' Tohru was taking deep, shuddering breaths. 'Everyone hates you!'
Kyo, unable to control himself, walked foreword, and grabbed the front of Minigawa's uniform. 'I've held back because you're a girl,' he said, 'but I'm seriously considering revising my decision.'
Minigawa walked backward, truly scared now. A voice from behind Kyo caused them both to look back.
'Kyo,' Hatsuharu asked, evaluating the scene, 'what's going on here?'
'Nothing,' Kyo said after a pause. He turned to Tohru, ignoring Minigawa when she took the opportunity to escape. He held her chin between his forefinger and thumb. 'Tohru,' he said, 'you okay?'
Tohru didn't answer. She stepped back, keeping her head down. 'I'm going home,' she said, quietly, her voice calm. She turned, and walked away, leaving the two men standing there, looking at her. 'Damnit,' Kyo said, pushing his hair back. 'I'm going home, too.'
Kyo found Tohru sitting at the end of a log in the forest, crying silently. A great feeling of regret washing over him, Kyo sat next to her.
'Tohru,' he said, not sure of what he was going to say.
'She's right,' she said, her voice shaking. Kyo just looked at her.
'I never knew my father,' Tohru said, 'I was so young when he died. And my mother…' Tohru hiccoughed. 'I just really miss them,' she cried, her head buried in her arms. Her shoulders heaving.
Kyo moved closer to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Acting on impulse, ignoring the consequences, he wrapped his arms around her, and held her. Kyo waited for the inevitable transformation.
But the moment never came. As the minutes dragged by, Kyo stayed human. He didn't care at the moment, and, judging from how Tohru didn't protest, neither did she.