Prologue

He couldn't believe what happened. All he wanted was to be honest. But she couldn't accept it. He thought she loved him, would love him in any form, rat or human. But the curse-and his honesty- had destroyed his relationship.

Flashback

Poof!

Machi Kuragi stared at the rat in disgust, wondering how she fell in love with it. How she fell in love with him, that bizarre person that turned out to be a freak. She always thought he was a little off because he never let her embrace him. She let that go. But this, realizing her boyfriend was a rodent, was unbelievable, and unacceptable.

Yuki Sohma's sweat dropped and he nervously said "Machi, please say something."

"Yuki-kun, I think we need to breakup," Machi stated.

"W-what?" Yuki stuttered.

"Well, I don't think I could date you knowing you are a-a vermin. I'm already jealous of your fan club, not to mention Tohru Honda-san. She must have hugged you a thousand times, living with you."

"How do you know that?"

"Your cousin Momiji-san told me. And I know you have feelings for her."

"Honda-san? It's not like that. She's like a mother to me, nothing more. And besides, she has Kyo."

"Sure. Well what if the school finds out that I'm dating a rat? I'd be put in the nut house!"

"Can we please talk about this?"

"We just did. Goodbye Sohma-kun." Machi stood up, grabbed her purse, and walked away, leaving Yuki in the deserted park.

Poof!

Yuki stood there in shock, not believing what had just happened.

End Flashback

AS soon as he got home, Yuki quickly phoned Hatori Sohma, one of his cousins.

"Hello? Hatori?"

"Yes, Yuki? What is it?"

"Today I, er, told my girlfriend Machi about, well you know."

"How did she take it?

"Well, she was disgusted and we broke up. I was wondering if you could go to her house tomorrow and erase her memories."

"Of course Yuki, I can tell by your voice that this girl has upset you. What was her name?"

"Machi Kuragi."

"Thank you, Yuki. I will do that tomorrow. Goodbye."

Yuki hung up the phone and walked to the kitchen, surprisingly Tohru was not there, it was Kyo.

"I heard you on the phone. So how does it feel to have your heart broken?" Kyo snickered.

"I don't want to talk about it, you baka neko." Yuki said sadly.

Kyo stopped snickering. "Don't beat yourself up about it. You'll find another girl. Machi just wasn't the right one."

"Thanks." Yuki murmured. "You know, we get along pretty well when we're not trying to kill each other."

"Yeah," Kyo said. Suddenly it dawned on him. "Maybe that's just it, Yuki. Maybe the only way to break the curse is that those who were once enemies become friends. So all we have to do is stop fighting."

Yuki's eyes widened. "That actually makes sense. Perhaps then Akito will let you join the zodiac. We can put an end to the fighting and end the curse!"

"So you figured it out," snarled a menacing voice. "I'm glad I came to visit today."

Kyo and Yuki turned around and gasped. "Akito!"

"Yes. I came because I heard that your girlfriend found out and broke up with you because of it, Yuki. Is that true?"

Yuki gulped. "Yes Akito it is true."

"You poor thing. I knew females were evil. Maybe a visit to that room I had built for you will cheer you up."

Yuki froze, memories of his childhood flooding his brain, of the small, dark room, being abused-mentally and physically-by Akito. Kyo suddenly realized that Yuki was scared, and he quickly jumped to Yuki's defense.

"Back off Akito! Stop hurting everyone around you!" Kyo shouted.

Akito took a step back, shocked. "So now the cat defends its enemy? Well, that's a surprise. But anyway it's a good thing your girlfriend broke up with you, Yuki, considering your condition."

Yuki, recovering from the shock, narrowed his eyes. "What condition?"

"Well, Yuki, everyone knows of this stupid cat's true form, but did you know you have a true form as well? Actually, once you turn into your true form, it becomes permanent. The thing is; you will turn into your true form when the person you're destined to be with accepts you with the curse that comes with you. Because unlike the cat; love destroys you. As soon as that happens, your true form will emerge. It's utterly revolting, your true form, as disgusting as the stupid cat's. It will revolt your loved one, and you will die hideous and alone." Akito sneered, and then left, leaving Yuki and Kyo shocked.

That night Kyo could hear Yuki crying in his bedroom.