An: So, I wrote this a very, very long time ago. like 7 years ago I when I really liked ellipses. I never uploaded because I didn't think it was good enough but now I don't care!

Cat

Chapter 1

And so is Born the Monster

I can't remember my mother very well . . . except that she was always crying. She had long light brown hair; pretty hair. She must have been beautiful once.

Before.

I can only picture my father with that hateful scowl on his face. His cheek seemed sunken. I wondered if he had smiled ever in his entire life. He must have, right? At one point in his life, he must have been happy, right?

Right.

Before.

Before I was born.

My parents were happy.

She brushed her hands on her apron and let out a breath. Dinner was almost ready. She had remembered to make his favorite, hoping to ease him into what she had to tell him when he came home. She smiled to herself and felt butterflies flutter inside her. She suppressed a giggle. She should calm down.

She heard the door open and bit her lip to keep from smiling.

A man leaned in at the door and knocked on the wall. "Excuse me miss?"

She spun around to face him and pretended to gasp. "Who are you?"

"Well . . . you see . . . I have no place to stay and I'm very hungry. I was wondering if I could sleep here tonight," he said as he crossed the kitchen to her.

"Oh no," she said. "I can't let you do that."

"Why not?" he said taking her hands.

"Because my husband wouldn't like it. And this is his dinner."

"Is it really? It smells very good."

"Oh yes, it's his favorite. I'm sure he's very hungry."

"I am . . .I mean he is," he quickly said, lamely trying to keep up the charade.

She laughed and kissed his lips. "How about he eat it then?"

He sat down and she brought the food to the table, humming as she did so. "You seem awfully happy tonight."

"Am I not aloud to be happy?" she asked as she sat down as well. "I'm married to the man of my dreams . . ."

"There's that," he agreed as he stuffed some food in his mouth.

She smiled at him as he ate, then she picked up one of her chop sticks, and starting tracing patterns on the table with it. "Well . . ." she said. "Actually . . . there is something, extra special that has made me happy today."

"Hmm?" he said as he ate.

"Um, well," She took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

He stopped chewing, the chop sticks still in his mouth as he gaped at her.

"Oh, I know you said you wanted to wait! But it was an accident, and I just thought well, maybe . . . it'll be ok . . . right? We could support a baby. I mean your family's loaded for crying out loud, and I'm sure you'll be a good father."

He took the chop sticks out of his mouth and started coughing, beating on his chest as he did so.

"You're over joyed, right? That was an 'I'm-so-happy-I'm-choking-cough'?"

"Dammit!" he cried once he had enough air in his lungs to do so.

"Dammit? That's what you have to say? Dammit? Damn what Ryou, the baby? Don't make this my fault. You're the one who couldn't keep his pants on! I can't believe you! You don't have the tiniest bit of happiness about this! You should be supportive of it! I have every right to throw you out right now!"

"No, no! Calm down. I didn't mean damn the baby."

"Oh?!"

"Yes. I'll love the baby."

"You'll love the baby?"

"Yes." He nodded his head. "But . . . Aimi, there's something I need to tell you . . . too."

"What?" she asked, clearly annoyed with him.

"There's an issue with having a baby . . . not the baby its self," he added hastily. "But an issue."

"Oh what? Did you get fired from your job?"

"No, no. I still have my job. My boss hates me and he's working me to death, but I'm hanging in there."

"Then what is it?"

"It's . . ." he started, but he didn't know how to continue so he just said, "Dammit!" again and got up. "Hold on a moment." He went into the living room and put a hand on his head, trying to think.

Aimi threw her chop sticks on the table and got up as well, stomping into the bedroom and locking the door behind her.

She looked into the full size mirror, frowning, before gently touching her stomach. "It's alright," she told herself. "He's just surprised. He'll get over it. He's going to love you." She stroked her stomach. "He is, and I'm going to love you too. I'll love you more than anything."

Ryou rubbed his face hard. He had to calm down. Why didn't he tell her this sooner? He guessed he was afraid of what she might think. He was hoping to delay it as long as he could, but he knew Aimi wanted a baby. He knew he couldn't stop this from happening.

Maybe it'll be ok. Maybe the baby wouldn't be effected at all.

But there was a chance that it would be.

And that chance could ruin Aimi. He just had to tell her. If she was prepared, maybe she would be fine. He thought what was born already. Dragon, dog, snake, bird, monkey, boar, horse . . .

That was a lot of them. More then half of them were born already. That was good, though it was unusual. They didn't usually have that many alive at the same time, and all of them were still young. The chances of yet another one being born were slim.

And if there was, they would get money for raising one of the Zodiac. It'll be ok.

Then he remembered something . . . what if it was the cat.

He laughed to himself. Like that would happen. They just had a cat. In his life time. It wouldn't be born again.

Ok.

He'll tell her.

He went to the bedroom and knocked on the door.

"What?!" she cried out in answer.

"I'm sorry."

She didn't answer.

"I'm ready to talk now."

"Will there be any 'damning of the world' in this conversation?"

"No. I promise."

She opened the door and let him in.

"Ok," he said as he sat on the bed. Aimi sat next to him. "I'm not mad about the baby."

"You're not?"

"No. It's just . . . my family . . ."

"Your family . . . ?"

"My family is cursed!"

She let out a laugh. "Cursed?"

"Yes!"

"And how are you cursed?"

"I'm not cursed. My family's cursed, and it could effect the baby. I might still have passed it on, even though it doesn't effect me."

" . . . like a disease?"

"Kind of . . ."

She gasped, then whispered, "Is it a fatal disease?"

"No, it's not a fatal disease. . . . It doesn't harm the child."

"What is it then?"

"I don't think it's anything you've ever heard before."

"Well, try me," she said and crossed her arms.

"Aimi . . . it not a regular disease . . . it's . . . ok you're going to laugh at me, but" he took her hands. "They turn into animals."

"What?"

"They turn into animals. It happens when they're held by the opposite gender or when they're sick."

"Ha, Ha Ryou. You're too funny."

"I'm serious. They're the members of the zodiac! We've have this curse since as long as anyone can remember."

"Stop it, Ryou."

"I'm telling the truth!"

"I said stop it!"

"But Aimi–"

"STOP IT!" she pulled her hands away. "You're not funny, Ryou!"

He sighed. "Fine. I'll prove it to you." He got up and left the room. Aimi sat there on the bed, angry with him. Then she heard the front door open as Ryou was about to leave.

"Wait!" she hurried after him. He was already out the door. Outside, she grabbed his arm. "Wait! You're not leaving me right?!" she said in a panic.

"No, no. You want to come with me?" he took her hand. "Here, we'll go together."

She leaned into him as they walked. She felt somewhat scared. He had never acted like this before, and she wasn't sure where they were going. The air was a little cool and they hadn't put on coats. His warmth against her's was reassuring though and she began to calm down. It soon became no more as if the two of them were going on an after dinner walk.

"Where are we going?" she finally asked.

"To my family main house," he answered.

"Oh . . ."

They walked the rest of the way in silence. Aimi told herself to enjoy this moment. She didn't know why, but she felt like this would be one the last of these moments. It didn't really make sense. If they were just starting to make their family, there should be lots of these moments to come, right?

When they eventually came to the main estate, they stood in front of a rather large gate. Aimi had only been here a few times, and every time she visited, she was breathless on the largeness of the place.

Ryou knocked on the large doors that said, "Sohma" on them. He sighed. "The head of the family isn't going to be happy with us coming in at such a time."

"Oh the head of the family? How is he doing? I've heard he hasn't been well. Is he recovering?"

"No," was all that Ryou said.

The doors opened and a women greeted them. "Master Ryou? We weren't expecting you," she said and she lead the two into the estate.

"We've come to see the head of the family."

"Oh well . . . I don't think he'll want to see people so suddenly. It can't be good for his health."

"But this is important. It's about . . . the secret."

The servant looked at Aimi once and bit her nails. "Oh dear," she muttered. This made Aimi uneasy. "Oh . . . ok."

The servant brought them inside the main house, and they walked though the halls. More servants walked by them. Aimi wondered just how much money the Sohma's actually had.

The servant leading them, told another to inform the head of the family. Excitement seem to scatter everywhere.

"Ok," said the servant as she stopped them in front of two doors. Akira Sohma-san has been inform of your arrival." she bowed to them once before opening the door and allowing herself in while the two followed.

Across the room, sitting on a pillow was a man. He was very pale and very thin, and his light hair hung limply around his face. He lifted his eyes only a little at the people who had entered. Next to him was a very young boy, who sat on his pillow awkwardly. The boy look much like his father, except that his hair was black and uneven. He couldn't be anymore then three.

The servant bowed to the man and then Aimi and Ryou did the same. "Akira Sohma-san? Ryou and Aimi Sohma-san." and then she left, leaving Aimi and Ryou to sit on the two mats laid for them.

"Ryou . . . you've interrupted our dinner," said Akira.

"I am sorry Akira-san," Ryou said staring at the ground for forgiveness.

Aimi caught the eyes of the boy and smiled at him. The boy's eyebrows drew together in confusion at the gesture.

"I would like to discuss . . . the issue of the curse . . . with my wife."

Akira looked at them. "You might as well warn the poor woman."

"I did tell her. She doesn't believe me."

Akira sighed, and Aimi gave a nervous smile. She was trying to figure out if everyone was in on this joke, but her.

"Is there something . . . you don't understand, Aimi-san?"

"Oh, well . . . I think you guys went to a lot of trouble to be funny. It's really amazing. I don't think I could keep it up," Aimi laughed.

Ryou smacked his forehead.

Akira sighed. "I guess we could show her . . ."

"You don't have to go to all the trouble,"

"I don't mind. It's the parents of the zodiac who may be a little annoyed. Or we could just wait, and see what happens."

No . . . no that would be a bad idea. "No, this is important."

"Alright. I will gather the Zodiac. The servants can take you to wait for them." This time an older servant came and took them away to wait.

The waiting wasn't too long, for all of these children apparently lived inside the estate. When they entered the new room, there were eight places. Each place had a child and most had their parents with them. The children's ages ranged from infant to 9. It was somewhat loud, for one little boy, who had silver white hair, didn't want to stop talking.

"Gure-kun! Can you believe that my mother just left me here!? Isn't it great!? Too bad your mother is still here, no offense to you lovely mother!" the 'mother' he was addressing forced a smile to him. She had a strong grip on her son's shoulder as if afraid if she let go, all hell would break loose. Her son, a handsome dark haired boy had a crafty smile on his face, as if just that would happen.

"Ayame-san!" cried out the servant. "You will behave or your mother will be here!"

"Yes, ma'am."

Aimi and Ryo sat before the children and parents. There was one space no one yet occupied. Aimi briefly wondered what it was for until the head of the family slowly walked in, his young son toddling behind him. "Ah . . . here we are . . ." His son let out a sound of joy and waddled as fast as he could into the arms of the dark haired boy.

"Hello there, Akito-san," the boy said affectionately.

Akito sat himself on the boy's lap and stared out defiantly at Aimi over the boy's arms. Aimi only smiled back. Children were strange things.

Akira sat down on the last place, then looked at Aimi. "Ok Aimi-san, this may be hard for you to grasp at first, but this family is cursed."

Aimi laughed. "Yeah, I got that part."

"We call it the Zodiac curse for the children possessed take the form of the Zodiac." He went around the room, naming the animals that they were. "Boar," the girl looked no more than one, "monkey," maybe two, "roster," he was older, maybe eight, "dragon, snake, dog, my son," Akira said with a hint of a smile as he went over them. "And our newest member, the horse." the woman next to her was carrying a newborn infant. For someone who just had a baby, she didn't look too happy.

"These children transform into animals when weak, or hugged by the opposite sex. It is possible, that you will give birth to such a child."

"Ok, how long are you people going to keep this up?" asked Aimi.

"I could hug her, if you want me to," said the dark haired boy. In answer Akito yanked on his hair. "Ow! Quit it Akito,"

Ayame suddenly stood up, "I WILL ALSO GIVE A HUG TO THE LADY!"

"AYAME!" the servant snapped again. "Behave!"

The boy who was supposedly the dragon, and had hardly moved at all under his father's gaze, let out a small sigh.

"Kureno," Akira said. "You do it."

Akito spun his tiny head to his father. "Papa!"

"Shh, Akito."

Kureno looked around shyly, blushing slightly. "Come on," his mother said quietly to him. "Go on," He got up awkwardly and stood before Aimi. He bowed stiffly and said, "My apologies, Lady-san," and wrapped his arms around her neck.

"Oh!" said Aimi in surprise, placing a hand on his back to keep him steady.

But there was a sudden POOF and smoke surrounded her. When it had cleared, the boy was gone and only his clothes were left on her lap. She let out a scream.

"It's alright, Aimi-san," said Akira. "Don't be alarmed. He's ok."

Underneath the clothes, a tiny sparrow worked his way to light. Then once free, he sprung into the air.

"He is the rooster, but for some reason he turns into a sparrow. There are a few others that are weird like that."

The dragon boy swallowed.

The bird flew around Aimi's head twice and she lifted a shaky finger to it. The bird landed on it, flapping it's wings to keep it's balance on the shaky perch.

"Is it not a magic trick?" Aimi whispered.

"No. Now do you believe me?" asked Jyou. The bird flew back to his mother and Aimi swayed. "Aimi?" she fell into Jyou and blacked out.

Aimi opened her eyes to see the face of an older man. . . . where had she seen him before? Oh yes, he was the father of the dragon boy. She sat up. Her head had been on Jyou's lap. "Aimi?" Jyou asked worriedly?

"Oh God!" she said.

"Are you alright?" asked her husband. Everyone else had left the room except for the man, Jyou and the head of the family. "Aimi?" he asked again.

"The boy! What happened to him!?"

"He's ok," said the head of the family. "They turn back to normal after a small amount of time."

"Oh . . ." Aimi said still breathing hard.

"There are still things that we should discuss," Akira said. "It is very rare that we have so many of the Zodiac all at one time. It will be even raring if you were to give birth to yet another one."

Aimi let out a breath, calming down now.

"And if you were, it would not be of any animals that are born now. That means it will either be the ox, the rabbit, the ram, the tiger or if you are really lucky, the rat."

"Why is it lucky if I get the rat?"

Akira took in a breath while he thought of how he wanted to put this in words. "My son . . . Akito, has also been born into the curse."

Aimi blinked at him. "What animal is Akito-san?"

"He is not of an animal, but a higher existence. He is what bonds all the Zodiac together. The Zodiac all love him, for it is part of the bond that they have."

Aimi tried to get that to sink in. "So . . . how do you know there love is part of the bond?"

Akira took another breath. "When my wife . . . before my wife even knew that she was pregnant with Akito, what was born of the Zodiac had a dream, and went to her in tears, for they knew their God was coming."

"There . . . God?"

"That is the name given. All the zodiac have cried when meeting Akito. The Rat is said to be the closest to God, and for that we are greatly anticipating his arrival, if it should come in Akito's life time. All the children are required to live in the estate, and we give money to the families that raise such precious children. The rat is giving a great deal of money, for being so important that he is with God."

Aimi let that sink in too. "How . . . much money?"

"A lot," was all that Akira said.

Jyou had been having trouble with his job . . . If she gave birth to the rat, he could retire. They wouldn't have to worry about that anymore. And he could be home everyday. She felt warmth inside her.

Everyday.

And if not, and they just had a normal child, that was good too. She was having a baby, and that's all that mattered!

"So are you alright with this?" asked Ryou.

Aimi laughed and Ryou gave her a worried look. She tried to get up, and had to grab onto Ryou to keep from falling. "I'm alright with this. " She turned to Akira and bowed. "Thank you for informing me with this. I believe Ryou and me should let you get back to your dinner. I'm sorry for the trouble."

"Actually . . . before you leave, there is something I should mention to you."

"Oh?" she sat down again."

"Aimi-san, have you heard of the old legend of the Zodiac?"

"No . . . I don't think I have."

"Well . . . a long time ago, God told all the animals to come to his banquet, and don't be late. The rat told the cat the wrong date to this banquet, so the cat never came, while the rat was the first there."

Aimi blinked at Akira. "Ok . . ."

"Then after arrived the ox, the tiger and the rest of the Zodiac. Aimi-san, you do know that there is no cat in the Zodiac, right?"

"Oh . . . I guess your right. There is no cat, is there . . ."

"That's because, according to the story, the cat missed the banquet and that is why. He's a very angry and hateful being. Only searching for revenge."

"Excuse me but–"

"There is a possibility that your child will be of the cat. And unlike the others, the cat has a third form, created by that hate that he has."

"What other form?"

"It's almost impossible to described, but it is in a form of a monster that has the most awful smell and it is dangerous. It has been known to kill in the past."

Aimi put a hand over her mouth.

"For safety reasons, when the child is grown, we keep it in a special room, so it doesn't hurt its self or others."

"That's horrible!"

"This doesn't mean that you will have this child. It's only a possibility. Ok?"

"Ok," Aimi answered.

"Come on," Ryou said, taking her arm. "Let's go home now."


Five months later, Aimi was in her kitchen preparing dinner. She was trying something new, adding ginger to salmon. She licked her fingers as the phone range. She picked it up. "Hello!"

"Hey, sweetheart, it's Ryou. How are you doing?"

"Well . . . the pregnant lady has managed to cook dinner without screaming, swearing, or breaking things. I think it's a new record!"

He laughed. "Listen be careful, ok?"

"Hey, the doctor said I had two more months till anything should happened."

"But if it's one of the Zodiac–"

"Hey, hey!" she said as she cradled the phone in her shoulder and took the salmon out of the oven. "I thought you said that you were convinced that wasn't going to happened?"

"I worry."

"Don't. It gives you wrinkles." She looked up and was startled to see a cat perched on the window sill, "Hey shoo!" she waved the cat back outside and closed the window.

"Excuse me?"

"There was cat at the window. Scared the be-jibers out of me. It must have smelled the salmon."

"Anyway, I'm going to be home late again today."

"What? But we're having salmon!"

"Yeah, I should try that excuse on my boss."

"You should. You should tell him that your pregnant wife has made salmon without incident, and he'll be so shocked that he'll let you go."

"Alright, I'll try that one," he laughed.

She sighed. "Well, I love you."

"Love you, too. See you later tonight."

"Yeah . . ." she hung up. Well this put a damper on her mood. She put a piece on her plate and sat at the table, staring at the empty space across from her. She took a bite. "Emm . . . This is good." she said to her self.

"Well, thank you Ryou!"

"I think it might be the best thing I've ever had."

"Oh Ryou . . . no it's not . . ."

"Your right, you're the best thing I've ever had."

"Ryou!" she stopped talking to herself, when I wave of dizziness hit her. That was weird, she usually didn't feel sick till the mornings . . . she swayed a little and grabbed onto the table, before glaring at the empty spot where Ryou would sit. "Don't say it was the salmon, Ryou! You yourself loved it!" Maybe she should lay down.

She got to the living room when she thought she felt a contraction. Panic swept over her and she went back to the kitchen and grabbed the phone, calling the Sohma doctor, the man that she had met before when she had fainted. It was too early to be having the baby now . . . but what if it was like Ryou had said? Apparently they were born premature. The phone stopped ringing as it was picked up on the other side. "Help me!"

They had taken Aimi somewhere inside the estate, so that the doctor could have more help. He was the Sohma's personal doctor, but since he only took in family as patients, had no office at a hospital. It was better this way, for if she were to give birth to one of the Zodiac in a public place, their secret would be out.

"How are you feeling?" asked the doctor.

"Alright," she winced as another contraction happened. "Should I be counting the seconds in between these?"

"It would help."

"Did you contact my husband?"

"We used the number you gave us, but we haven't been able to reach him."

"Oh . . ." she cried out again. "Is this . . . going to be one of the . . . the Zodiac."

"I believe so . . ." said the doctor trying to smile. "It'll be alright."

Yes . . . she briefly wondered if it would be the rat.

Maybe.

She screamed.


"It's alright! Keep pushing!" cried one of the nurses. "It's almost over!"

It was almost over. Ryou still hadn't shown up. She didn't care, she just wanted it to be over.

It was almost over.

Suddenly one of the nurses screamed, and jumped back.

What happened what was wrong?

"Pull it out!" cried the doctor.

"I-I can't!"

"I'll do it!"

She was in so much pain . . . she didn't know what was happening. There was a smell now . . A rotting smell. Was she dying?

One of the nurses was weeping and the other was trying to comfort her. Aimi thought she heard the nurse say, "it's the devil's child," amongst her weeping.

The doctor had the baby, but she couldn't see it. His back was to her. She tried to sit up but stopped when the baby cried.

It wasn't a human made sound.

The doctor started to take it away.

"Wait!" she called out. "Were are you taking my baby!?"

A nurse rushed over to her. "Calm down, Aimi-san! Please!"

"No! I want my child!" she started to sob. What was wrong with her child? How could that nurse say such a cruel thing? She let out a hysterical scream and covered her face.

After a while, she had calmed down some. She sat on her bed, staring out blankly into nothing. Her cheeks still stained with tears. The door opened and the doctor came in.

"My baby?!"

"He is one of the Zodiac . . ."

She stared at him, "Which is he?!"

" . . . The cat . . ."

She sat there in shock. No. This couldn't be happening. Why was this happening? Why her child? She hadn't done anything to deserve this! "No!" she cried out.

"Aimi-san . . ."

"I want to see it!" she cried out. "Just give me my baby!"

"Of course," he opened the door a little more and pushed in a baby carriage. "If I give him to you, he'll transform." He rolled the carriage next to the bed and she looked into it, biting her lip.

He squirmed in the blankets, probably hungry and cold. A little bit of hair flashed orange on his tiny head. On his arm was what looked like a bracelet of white and red beads.

She let out a whimper and put her hand in the carriage, gently stroking the little bit of ginger hair, trying the best she could to keep from crying again.

"As long as the beads are on him, he shouldn't transform to his third form. They're big now, but he should grow into them. As you may assume, breast feeding won't be an option, so you'll have to give him a formula."

She continued to stroke his hair. It reminded her of the ginger she had put in the salmon . . . the cold salmon now. "Kyo . . ." she murmured. The sound of the name made her want to sob all over again.

The door opened again. Ryou, followed by the nurses that were here before. Ryou looked at his wife with guilt and sadness. "I'm so sorry, Aimi!"

The nurses looked at the floor with despair too. Even the doctor was frowning. Everyone was frowning at her. No one was happy at all. She had just had a baby, and there was no happiness! Not an ounce of it. The nurses looked at the baby carriage, eyes of fear and rejection.

Ryou walked over to her and looked into the carriage. "Oh no . . ." he said as he saw the orange hair.

That was it.

She couldn't take it.

"STOP!" she screamed. They all looked at her in surprise. "STOP LOOKING AT HIM! DON'T LOOK AT HIM!"

"Aimi?!"

"Aimi-san, you must calm down," said the doctor.

The nurses look at her with fear. She spotted the one that had screamed at her child. "GET AWAY!" she took a vase that was on the bedside table and threw it at the nurses. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!"

The nurses scrambled about and ran out of the room. Aimi sat up looking for some more things to throw, still screaming, her legs tangled with the sheets.

Ryou threw his arms around her, pressing her face into his chest, where she screamed some more. She stopped thrashing and started to sob instead into his chest. All the noise made the baby start to cry as well.

"Shh . . ." Ryou whispered, holding her tight. He closed his eyes, and a few tears slid down his cheeks. "You'll be alright." She had to be alright. He opened his eyes to see the crying baby in the carriage. If she wasn't alright . . . he glared at the baby. . . it would be that thing's fault.


Three days after, Aimi had some how convinced the doctor that she was well enough to go home. It might have been that the doctor and the nurses were just afraid of what may happen if she stayed. They planned in moving closer to the estate so that Aimi could be closer to the doctor. They were leaving next week.

Unfortunately, Ryou wasn't able to take time off of work. He stood there in the doorway, about to leave, staring at his wife.

She stood there, staring at the ground and holding her arm.

"Are you sure you'll be ok? We could call someone to come and take care of you."

"I'm fine," she said. "I can . . . I can do it. . . take care of the baby."

"Remember to call Doctor Sohma-san, if you need anything, ok?"

She nodded.

He took her face and made her look at him.

"Ok?"

"Yes."

He kissed her. Kyo started crying again. He'd been crying since they had taken him home. "The thing's giving me a headache."

"I'm sorry," she whimpered.

"It's not your fault. Don't push yourself too hard."

He left and Aimi closed the door and went to the stove to heat Kyo's milk up. She went to his crib and looked down at the baby, then the bottle of milk in her hands. How was she going to feed him without picking him up?

She pushed down the side of the crib, and knelt down so that he was eye level. Kyo squirmed and cried. His tiny hands reaches up into the air for a mother. The doctor had been able to feed him before. She could feed her own child. She held the bottle over him, some milk falling on his face. "Mommy's sorry, Kyo. She's doing the best she can." She tried to keep her arm steady, but it kept shanking. After the 4th try, she was able to get the nipple into his mouth. He sucked on it hungrily. "There we go . . ." she cooed. Then Kyo reached up with his hands, finding her wrist and wrapping his arms around it.

POOF!

Aimi dropped the bottle and cried out.

The orange kitten that was there squirmed on his back, his legs up in the air letting out small meows.

Aimi looked under the crib, crying as she tried to retrieve the bottle. The bottle was too big to feed a kitten with. She would have to wait for him to change back. "I'm sorry, Kyo," she said as the little kitten continued to cry.

She got up and got a rag, scrubbing the spot where milk had fallen.

There was another POOF as Kyo changed back. Aimi lifted her head in surprise and rammed it against the crib. This made Kyo cry even more.

"Shh, Shh, Mommy's sorry. It's ok." She put the bottle down and lifted Kyo from the crib, laying him down on the ground. She laid down beside him, at an angle so that he wouldn't be able to grab her again, and fed him the milk. She listened to the suckling sounds that Kyo made and sighed. She braced her arm with her hand, to keep it from shaking.

After a moment, Kyo turned his face from the bottle and milk oozed from his mouth. "You done?" she asked. She took a blanket from the crib and laid Kyo face down on it, and gently patted his back, helping him burp.

Afterwards, no matter what Aimi did, she couldn't make him stop crying. The only time he was quite was when he was eating, but she hadn't seen him sleep. He needed to be held and rocked and comforted. Babies needed that.

She sat beside his crib, on the floor. His cries being etched into her mind as she stared out into nothing. She was uselessly rocking the crib with one arm, hoping it would send him to sleep.

The phone range, but she didn't pick it up. She let the answer machine get it. It was her mother, checking up on her. They didn't know about the baby. They knew she had been pregnant, but nothing else. She wouldn't be able to let her mother hold Kyo.

The message ended and Aimi was still rocking the crib, Kyo still crying.

She got up and stared at the red faced baby. Could a baby cry so much that it died? "Oh, Kyo . . ." she moaned. "Ok." She reached down and took him into her arms. He turned into a cat of course, but maybe he'll fall to sleep.

Kyo purred into her chest and she held him tighter. He was finally quite. The phone rang again.

"Shoot," she muttered. The phone woke Kyo up and he stretched his claws out . She tried to put him down, but his claws were stuck in her sweater. "Let go, Kyo!" she untangled him, and went after the phone.

"Hello?"

"Mrs. Sohma-san? Yeah, were the people that are going to help move your stuff to your new house. When do you want to start that?"

Kyo was screaming in the other room and it was the only thing she could here. "What?"

"You're selling your house right?"

"Excuse me." She put down the phone and ran over to Kyo. "Kyo! It's alright, baby!" she scooped up the little kitten and picked up the phone. "I'm sorry, hello?" Kyo whimpered out little meows and he buried his face into her chest.

The man on the phone laughed. "Is that a cat, miss?"

"Wha . . .?" she dropped the phone. She didn't have any cats. This was her son! She pressed the kitten tightly to her that he cried out, digging his claws into her skin . . . . His bracelet! It wasn't on! It must've falling off the first time he transformed. She rushed back to the crib and pulled the blanket up looking for it. WHERE WAS IT?! She laid down Kyo on the floor so she could have both of her arms. She turned over the crib, looking for it. When she had finally fond it, the floor was a mess of blankets.

Where was Kyo!? "KYO!?" she heard a noise and ripped up a blanket, but it was the phone, the man asking if she was still there. "KYO?!" She picked up the phone and threw it behind her into the kitchen, where it broke. "KYO!?"

Then she heard the cry of a baby, as Kyo transformed into his human form. "Oh Kyo!" she rushed over to him, picking him up, turning him into a cat once again and cried into his soft orange fur. "Mommy's sorry that Mommy's not a good mommy." She held the kitten for the rest of the day.

Ryou opened the door to see the crib over turned, with the blankets all over the place, and the broken phone on the kitchen floor. "Aimi?!" he cried out, looking for her. "Aimi?!" He found her in the bedroom asleep, with Kyo curled up on her stomach, her hand resting on it. "Aimi?" he whispered, but she didn't move. The cat looked up though, his orange eyes stared up at Ryou and he glared back at it. He didn't like the inhuman eyes the cat had, slits instead of pupils.

He closed the door.


A week later they moved into the new house. It was a lot nicer then the one that they had.

"Well?" asked Ryou to Aimi . "Is it everything you ever wanted?" he said with a smile.

Aimi did not smile back, very unlike her. "It's nice," she said.

"Aimi," he took her hands. "I'm worried about you. Ever since . . . you know."

"The baby," she finished.

"Yes, the baby. I don't think it's good for you."

She stared into his face, not comprehending.

"I think . . . maybe . . . we should get rid of it."

She ripped her hands from his. "How can you say that?!"

"Aimi! I mean adoption or something."

"Do you know what would happen to him, with the condition he has?!"

"Well, someone who already know about the secret. They may take it. The family gives a lot of money even to the ones who raise the-"

"Would you stop calling him 'it'! His name is Kyo!"

"Kyo . . ." he said somewhat grudgingly. "But Aimi–"

"Don't talk to me!" Kyo started crying in his room. "I have to go take care of your son." She walked away and Ryou stared after her. Did that mean it was his fault? That the monster was alive, was it his fault?! It was killing her!

Aimi went into Kyo's room. "Hey, baby," she said and reached down to him, but didn't pick him up. Kyo reached out to her and grabbed her finger. She smiled sadly down at him and stroked his hair. "You have pretty hair, Kyo. Yes. Mommy doesn't know where you get it from . . ." Kyo stared up at her with his cat like eyes, and as Aimi looked into those eyes, her smile fell away. Wait . . . she knew where Kyo got his hair color from, and it wasn't from his family.


Aimi opened the refrigerator while Kyo cried in the back ground. It was empty. She went through the cabinets though she knew they were empty too. "I know Kyo . . ." she cried over her shoulder. "Mommy's hungry too." She had to do some serious shopping. There was nothing in the kitchen, nothing in the bathroom. It was amazing they had towels!

She found the last of Kyo's formula and an eye dropper. She realized if he turned into a kitten, she could use the eye dropper. She would feed Kyo first . . . then she would think about shopping. She didn't think she could take Kyo with her, could she? She wouldn't be able to hold him in public. Maybe she could get a babysitter.

After feeding Kyo, she took out the phone book, and found adds for babysitting.

"Hello?"

"Hi this is 'Give a Hug' Baby sitting service! How may I help you?" said a woman's voice.

Aimi was taken aback by the name, before asking, "Um . . . who actually does the babysitting?"

"Well, me and my sisters!"

"Oh ok." She hung up. That wouldn't work. She was going to have to find a male babysitter . . . that couldn't be too hard, right?

Five minutes later . . .

"Well . . .um . .. Do you have a son who babysits?"

"What's wrong with my daughter?"

"Oh nothing, it's just . . . I need a male babysitter."

"What kinda game you playing here?"

"What?"

30 minutes later . . .

"Can . . .you babysit?"

"I told you it's my girlfriend that does it!"

"I just-"

"Listen lady, I don't know anything about kids."

"He's only a baby. He won't cause any trouble."

"Still, I'll probably find away to lose him. Why can't you use my girlfriend? She's free and everything."

"Um . . . my son . . . doesn't like females . . ."

"Man, lady, how do you deal with him then?"

She was silent for a moment. "I . . ." she hung up. It was useless. How long had it been since she got on the phone? 40 minutes? Kyo would be hungry again soon, and she was out of the formula. She could get some more from the doctor. She could walk there and bring Kyo with her.

Yeah . . . and in the estate, she could find someone who knew of the curse to watch him while she want shopping.

She got dressed and put a sun hat on. "Ok Kyo," she said. "We're going on a walk. Sounds fun doesn't it?" She put Kyo in a baby carriage and headed off. The day was sunny, but not too warm. She pulled the visor down to keep the sun out of his eyes.

She let herself in at the estate. "It's awfully quite around here, isn't it Kyo?" she said softly to her baby. She stopped at doctor Sohma's house and knocked on the door. It was answered by his son, the dragon boy, she remembered. The boy looked at her with cool blue eyes, waiting for her to speak, but did not speak himself.

"Hello," she said. "Is your father home?"

"No," he said. "He's out." He turned his gaze to the floor.

"Oh . . . well, I'm out of baby formula. Is there a possibility that you could get me some more?"

The boy fidget nervously. "Um . . .yeah. Hold on." He left the door way.

"Who's at the door, Hatori?" asked one of the servants before she saw Aimi at the door way. "Oh, it's that cat woman!" she said before she hurried after Hatori. The way the servant had said it, made Aimi put a hand over her heart in shock. She should just ignore it. Who cared what other's thought of anything.

"Here," Hatori said, handing her the formula without looking at her. She took it and they closed the door without saying anything.

Aimi pushed the stroller away, a blank look on her face. She took a deep breath. Everything would be ok. She stopped, and opened the blind to see her son. Kyo's face scrunched up at the suddenly light in his eyes and the expression made her laugh. At the sound, Kyo noticed his mother and raised his arms out to her. "There's my little man," she said, tickling him with her finger. "Now we need to find a baby sitter." She looked up. "It's such a nice day, and no one's outside!"

They walked around the estate for a while, Aimi putting down the visor again to shade Kyo. She thought she heard something that sounded like a party and followed the sound.

She ran into two woman who were laughing at a joke one of them told. "Ok, we should probably get back before Katsumi noticed we're gone,"

"Oh, hello," Aimi said awkwardly.

"What are you doing out here all by yourself?" asked one of the woman.

"Well uh-"

"Was the noise to much for the baby?" asked the other.

"We can watch your baby if you want."

"Yeah, if we go back, Katsumi will try to make us get fat," The two woman laughed.

"Did you try the chocolate cake?"

"The what?" asked Aimi.

"Girl, you have to try the cake, come on!" she took Aimi's arm and started pulling her to the party.

"Uh! But Kyo!"

"Don't worry, I got him," said the other woman now pushing the carriage. "I think he'll be alright now. He's not making a sound. Must be a sleep."

"There you guys are!" cried a very attractive woman once they arrived at the yard where everyone was. "Oh, who's this?"

"I'm Aimi Sohma, I'm sorry that-"

"Aimi Sohma? I'm sorry I don't remember you! This family's just so big!" she laughed. "Well come on, come on! Stay awhile!"

Aimi noticed a large banner that said, "The Rat of the Zodiac has arrived!" She looked at the woman in surprise. "You gave birth to the Rat?"

"I know right?" she said, sipping her glass of wine. "He's around here somewhere. I can't seem to find him. Everyone wants to hold him and he keeps getting passed around."

"Congratulations. That is such a honor. You are so lucky."

"I can hardly believe it myself," she said. "I didn't think we'd have another Zodiac child. My first born is the snake." She took a deep breath. "I can't deal with that boy. I don't even know where he is! I haven't seen him since yesterday!"

Aimi gasped. "Oh I hope he's alright!"

Katsumi waved her whine glass. "I'm sure I left him with somebody. I just can't remember who. Would you like something to drink, Aimi?"

"Oh, no thank you."

"What are you going to do with all that money, Katsumi?" asked one of the other woman.

Katsumi raised a finger. "The first thing I'm going to do when I get the chance, is take a vacation! Being a mother is so hard. Ayame gets sent to the principles office every week! The school keeps calling me! It's gotten to the point that I just don't care anymore! Yuki's going to be different though, I can tell you that." She looked at the baby carriage and Aimi. "You know what I'm talking about right? First they need one thing, then they need another. You're child hasn't started walking yet, has it? That's a nightmare. Or when they start talking. That's Ayame's problem."

"Oh no, Kyo hasn't started walking yet. He's only two weeks old."

"Oh really!" cried out one of the woman. "He must be so cute! Can we look at him?"

"Oh no," said Aimi holding down the visor. "I think he's sleeping now."

"Aw, but one little peek won't hurt. I won't even wake him."

Aimi smiled nervously and let the woman crack open the visor a little.

"Oh my God!" she said, and hastily backed away from the carriage.

"What is it?" asked Katsumi as she looking in the carriage as well. "Oh my . . . he is of the cat!" She looked at Aimi. "I am so sorry!"

"You don't have to apologies," Aimi said simply.

"But it must be hard for you!" went on Katsumi. "I wouldn't be able to stand it!" she made a face. "It has to be horrible when he goes into his true form!"

"True form?"

"You know . . ." Katsumi turned her voice into a whisper. " . . . the monster form."

"That's not Kyo's true form!" Aimi cried out.

"Well that what the family's always called it . . . since it reflects his feelings of hatred. It shows his soul."

"What do you know about my son's soul!" Aimi shouted. "I'm sorry, but we're leaving now!" She took the handles of the carriage and stormed out of the party.

She still had to find someone to watch Kyo, but most of the people living here were at the party. The little people she found at their homes, all made excuses that they couldn't. She pushed the carriage uselessly down the street with her head down. She could bring Kyo with her, he was so small . . . how could she carry all the groceries and still push Kyo. He was too small to put in a grocery cart. He couldn't even sit up yet.

She went back home with a sigh. She just wouldn't make dinner tonight. Jyou wouldn't be happy. . . . He'd blame Kyo. She bit her lip.

Oh Kyo . . .