"Stop it, let him go!" I screamed at the man who had my baby brother in his arms.

"I can't do that," the man said. "He's meant to be one of us."

"No, no!" I sobbed. "T-Take me instead! Please!"

The man shoved me and I hit the wall of the nursery. I lunged forward with all the strength in my body and shoved him back. Surprised, the man fell backwards, dropping Chris. I gasped and caught him barely in time, returning him to his cradle.

I looked around for something to fight with, but in a few seconds the guy had me in a chokehold. "You're already too late. You didn't catch him in time. He's dead."

I looked down instinctively and saw the limp form of my brother on the floor.

"NOOO!" I screamed.

"Wake up, Kuri-san!" yelled my Whitelighter, Cohaku.

I opened my eyes, surprised that it had only been a dream. "Where is he? Where's my brother?"

"You don't have a brother," Cohaku said, his voice urgent. "Please wake up!"

I shoved him off. "I am awake, dork. What happened? Why am I so…tired…"

"You brought a family. A family! At least 18 people!" he yelled. "The Elders are going to kill you!"

"I...what family?" I asked.

"The Sohmas," he replied in an offhand way.

I jumped out of bed. "WHAT? Where? How long? Why?"

"Your neighborhood's been replaced," replied Cohaku. "And I'm being summoned. See ya."

He waved and orbed off.

"For a Whitelighter, you sure are a wimp," I muttered, pulling a t-shirt on. I walked out my bedroom door…into another house. I was in Shigure's house.

I just hope they don't find out they're anime characters! I thought.

I walked into the kitchen.

"What a mess," I muttered. Without thinking, I started cleaning it up.

Suddenly Shigure came in. "I thought I heard a voice in here. Who are you?"

"I'm Kurisuta Vaste," I finished. I felt guilty all of a sudden. Why did I have to lie? "May I stay here? You see…I have no home, and…"

"Well," Shigure said. "I can't guarantee anything, but I'll ask the head of the family. Tohru just moved out, so we do need someone to take care of things around the house, if you don't mind."

"I can clean, but…all I can cook is pre-prepared stuff," I replied.

"That's fine," replied Shigure. "A clean house would be improvement enough."

"Thank you," I said.

"My name is Shigure Sohma," he said.

"Nice to meet you," I replied. Time for my stupid plan. "I have to go get my things."

I turned and slipped purposely and ran into Shigure, which counts unfortunately as a hug. He turned into a dog.

It was a perfect plan, because that way I would know their secret, and they would know why, not suspecting my magic. It was a trick, and a lie, but I just couldn't tell them the truth.

"What just happened?" I asked, as if I really didn't know.

"Shigure…you're a dog?" I asked, acting flawlessly. "But why?"

"It's the Chinese Zodiac," replied Shigure finally, after an awkward silence. "Twelve other members of my family and I turn into the animals of the Chinese Zodiac when hugged by members of the opposite sex or when our bodies are weak."

"Ah…oh," I sighed. "So…I guess you're kicking me out now, right?"

"No," he said. "I'm still going to talk to Akito."

"Thank you," I replied, relieved. "I…I'm going to get my things."

I went out the door, then came back in time to get dressed for school.