Okay everybody, I promised this was no longer a one shot and now it's finally here. Chapter 2! I'm not going to bother with any sort of disclaimer because anyone who did own a story wouldn't be putting it on now would they. Hey, that is sort of a disclaimer, huh? Oh well. Next chapter won't even have something like that for a disclaimer. Finally, reviews or not I absolutely promise to have chapter 3 up in one month at the latest. Hopefully sooner. And reviews are bound to make me work faster. Thank you, and sorry for the late update.

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"Hey, Kyo," Shigure called. "How was detention?"

"Fine," Kyo said absentmindedly.

Shigure paused. "Fine? You're not…angry?"

"He was like that all day at school," Yuki said from the kitchen, where he was gathering ingredients for Tohru. "Watch this," he said to Shigure. "Kyo, we're having leeks for dinner."

"Okay."

"We'll be inviting Aaya and Momiji over."

"Sure."

"Oh, this is fun," Shigure said. "We're renting out your room to hobos."

"Okay," Kyo said as he sat down, not even hearing them.

"Oh, I bet this one will get a reaction," Shigure grinned. "Yuki, get extra ingredients, Akito will be coming over for dinner."

"What?" Kyo froze, eyes wide with fear. "What did you say?"

"I said how was your day, Kyo?"

"Shigure," Yuki said seriously. "That went too far."

"You think so?" Shigure shrugged it off. "So Kyo, what's up to put you so out of it?"

"None of your business," the characteristic edge to his voice was back, though he still didn't look particularly upset.

"Well," Shigure scratched his head in thought, "he was in a bad mood when he left for school. Yuki, you said he was like this all day?"

"When he arrived at first hour he was already spacing out."

"I do not 'space out'!"

"So something on his way to school or before school started." Shigure thought for a moment. "What could-"

"Oh, Kyooooooo," a gentle female voice called.

"Augh! It's Kagura!" Kyo jumped to his feet. "I've got to go!"

"Shigure, you'd better open the door," Yuki said calmly. "Before-"

With a large crash the door tore apart, revealing Kagura.

"Never mind," Yuki sighed.

"My poor door," Shigure cried.

"KYO! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?" Kagura shouted, charging Kyo.

"Anywhere but here!"

"KYO YOU'RE SO MEAN TO ME!" Kagura tackled Kyo.

"Some tea, Yuki?"

"Yes, thank you Shigure."

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"Thank you for the wonderful dinner," Kagura gave a little bow.

"Oh, not at all," Tohru said. "I'm always so happy to have you over."

"I'm going to Shishou's," Kyo stood up.

"Oh! I'll come too!" Kagura jumped up and grabbed hold of Kyo's arm.

"To Shishou's?" Yuki asked. "Why?"

"I need his advice on something."

"What? Don't you trust me to be a fountain of wisdom and understanding?" Shigure asked, a goofy smile on his face.

Kyo just looked at him, not even bothering to reply.

"What are you going to ask Shi-han about?" Kagura asked as they left the house.

Kyo was silent for a moment. "I'm not sure you'd understand."

"How can you say that!"

"Sorry, Kagura. But…" Kyo considered how to phrase it. "You wouldn't understand… because you're so close to me."

"You can't see the forest for the trees?"

"Uh, something like that I guess."

"Well, try me anyway."

"You're bound to find out sooner or later. So just wait, okay? I really need to talk to Shishou before anyone else."

"I understand."

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"Kyo. What can I do for you?" Shishou asked as they sat down in a private room in the dojo.

"I need some help. Advice."

"This is very unlike you, Kyo. You always try to do things on your own."

"Yes, but this isn't just about me. But, promise you won't tell Akito."

Shishou's pleasant smile dissolved. "To keep a secret from Akito. It would be bad for me if he found I was keeping secrets, but it would be horrible for you. Akito likes to stay informed."

"I know what he could do to me. But I'm only worried about… the other person this involves. And to keep Akito from getting involved, he can't know. So promise me. Swear that nothing we say here will leave this room"

Shishou sat still, probably consider his options. "Very well. But, if asked about it, could you keep a secret from him?"

"For her, yes."

Shishou nodded. "Is this about Tohru Honda?"

"No," Kyo shook his head. "Although, if Akito discovered what's going on, Tohru would probably have her memory erased. No, this involves her friend, Uotani Arisa."

"That's the yankee if I'm not mistaken."

"Ex-yankee, actually, but yes. She has… we've started dating."

Kyo had been expecting surprise, but if Shishou was surprised he didn't show it. "Does she know the secret?"

"No. Not yet, anyway. But eventually I plan on telling her."

"Akito would be furious."

"I realize that. So, obviously he can't find out. What should I… what should we do?"

"By 'we', you mean yourself and Uotani? Or you and me?"

"Arisa and I."

"What does she know of Akito?"

"Nothing."

"Very well. You cannot keep your relationship secret forever. One day, Akito will learn the truth. What you cannot let him know is that you intend to tell her the secret. When she learns of the curse, no one else can know of it. And I would tell her soon about Akito, and what would happen if he found out. When Akito learns of your relationship, you had best convince him that you are just casually dating, and have no feelings for her. Akito will still have her beaten, but both she and Tohru may be allowed to retain their memories. If she learns of the curse and Akito hears of it, you will never see her or Tohru again."

"What could we do to keep her safe? Completely?"

"You mean to keep Akito from beating her?" Shishou shook his head. "Nothing. That is inevitable."

"That's not good enough."

"Kyo, when you started going out with her you set in motion events that can't be stopped. Even if you stopped going with her, Akito may still beat her as a lesson to you."

"But-"

"Kyo, I'm sorry. I really am. But he's in charge. He controls the zodiac. The only way to keep Uotani completely safe is to stop Akito, and to stop him you'd have to either stop all twelve members of the zodiac from acting, or turn them all against Akito."

"Why don't we?"

"Excuse me?"

"Turn the zodiac against Akito? No one likes him."

"Kyo, you can't!" This had shocked Shishou. "He would kill you for trying."

Kyo sighed. "I suppose it was just wishful thinking anyway."

"Besides, if it could happen, don't you think it would have by now? You and the others are bound to him."

"Shishou. If it came down to a choice between my life or Akito's, what would you chose?"

"Don't let it get to that," Shishou told him seriously.

Kyo wanted to press the question, but nodded and left the room. Kagura was waiting for him outside.

"So how'd it go?" she asked casually. Perhaps a little too casually.

"It… could've gone better. But it could've gone worse."

"So, do you plan on telling me what this is all about?"

Kyo looked at her. She looked odd, somehow. "Not yet."

Kagura slapped him across the face. This hurt much less than her affection usually did, but there was real anger in it. "Kyo, I couldn't help it. I was listening. I can't believe you would do something like this, but even worse, I can't believe you wouldn't tell me about it!"

"Kagura," Kyo began, but was slapped again. "Would you have listened?" Kyo continued. "For years I've been trying to tell you that I don't want a relationship with you. I don't want to marry you. And for years, you've been acting like I never said anything. I like you Kagura, as a friend. And as family. I like you more than I could ever like that damn rat, Yuki. But that's all."

Kagura had tears welling up in her eyes. Perhaps now that Kyo had chosen someone over her, rather than just rejecting her, she would be able to see. Kagura started crying as she ran out of the dojo into the night.

"Are you going to follow her?" Shishou asked from the background.

"What for?" Kyo sighed. "Nothing I could say could make her feel better. Not if I told the truth. I don't want her to suffer, but my presence would only make it worse." Kyo stepped out of the dojo. "She's on her own now."

Kyo started walking back to Shigure's, but stopped partway. He was feeling ecstatic when he got home from school. It had seemed like the whole world just had him and Arisa. But now, he knew he wouldn't be able to ignore Akito, and despite his attitude and annoyance with Kagura he really did hate to see her suffer. He was actually feeling rather depressed now. He changed direction; heading towards the one person he knew could make him feel better. Arisa.

Kyo knocked on the door to the apartment. He had never been inside Arisa's apartment, but he had walked her here after school.

After a bit the door opened, and Kyo was greeted by breath reeking of alcohol.

"Whaddya want?"

Kyo tried his best not to gag on the smell. "Is Arisa here?"

"Arisa? Just Arisa? Now whoddyo tink ya are? That's Arisa-san or Arisa-chan t'you." (Author's note: I realize I haven't been using honorifics in this story, but just for this I used it to show Kyo's closeness and her father's disapproval of it.)

"Beat it, dad. Let my friend in," Kyo heard Arisa's voice from inside the apartment.

"Now, Arisa. I'm yur father. So don' get all snippy wit' me." Despite that, her father left the doorway and Arisa came forward.

"Sorry about that. My dad gets like that when he's been drinking," Arisa said, leaning in the doorway. "So, what's up?" Arisa waited a moment. "Kyo?" Arisa was in a bathrobe, showing off her long shapely legs, and not exactly hiding her ample chest. "Kyo, I know I'm beautiful but you don't need to drool."

Kyo finally snapped out of it. "Don't flatter yourself, yankee." Kyo smiled evilly. "Instead, let me do it." Kyo stepped forward and kissed her. Her arms began to snake around his neck, but stopped as she remembered her promise not to hug him.

"Well," Arisa said as they broke apart, "I feel flattered."

"Good," Kyo smiled.

"So, not that I mind that, but did you just come over to kiss me, or was there a point to your visiting this late?" she put her hand on her hip.

Kyo shrugged. "I was in the neighborhood." Arisa glared at him disbelievingly. "I really was in the neighborhood," Kyo argued. "After I walked here. Actually, we need to talk."

"'We need to talk?' Why doesn't that sound good?"

"Sorry," Kyo said meekly. "But, we really do need to. In private."

"Alright. Let me get dressed and we'll go for a walk. No way we could have a private talk here while my dad is like this. Give me a minute."

"Take all the time you need," Kyo leaned against a wall in the hallway as the door to her apartment closed. "Oh, my," Kyo rubbed the back of his neck, thinking of the image of Arisa he had just seen. "I can't let Akito touch her. What am I going to do?"

"Okay, Kyo, I'm ready," Arisa stepped out of the apartment, in pants and a red sweater, her hair hanging loose like always.

They walked for a while in silence. Most couples may have held hands, but while they had gotten quite used to kissing each other, something like holding hands still felt weird. It was too out of character for the two of them. Finally Kyo spoke up. "Arisa, do you love me?"

"Love is a strong word for having just started going out this morning."

"I understand. It's… just-"

"Kyo," she stopped and turned his head towards her. "I'm kidding. Of course I love you." She gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, which Kyo seemed to just melt into.

"I love you too," Kyo said as they broke apart. "Which is why some would argue I never should've told you."

"What do you mean?"

"Arisa," Kyo squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, "I'm not allowed to love. Don't interrupt," Kyo stopped her from speaking with a finger on her lips. "That's not where I should start. The Sohma family is… not normal."

"Hana said something about strange waves from you, but-" Arisa stopped. "Okay, humor me. How is your family not normal?"

"I'm not ready to tell you that yet. But, some of the Sohmas have special rules that we have to abide by. Yuki and Shigure are among those."

"And you, of course."

"Well," Kyo hesitated. "Yes and no. I have even more rules than Yuki and Shigure. Rules that both they and I have to abide by include the no hugging thing. Also, we must, absolutely must, obey the head of the family. A man by the name of Akito Sohma. He's older than Yuki or me, but younger than Shigure. Among the Sohmas his word is law. And Akito doesn't like it when things happen without his knowledge or approval."

Arisa shrugged. "So, what do we care what he thinks. I do lots of things my dad doesn't like."

"No," Kyo shook his head. "You don't understand. Akito is not just powerful. To the Sohmas he's… he's like God. You think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. Akito isn't just powerful either, he's… sadistic. Some would go so far as to say evil."

"Then why do you listen to him? Not just you but your whole family?"

"It's… complicated. Part of the rules. Anyway, once one of us, a kid named Hiro, decided he was in love with Kisa, another Sohma. They're just kids, so it's probably just puppy love, nothing anyone needs to worry about. Akito, though, decided he didn't like that happening without his knowledge. So when Hiro told him about it he had Kisa beaten up, as a lesson to Hiro. He never even told Kisa why. She may still not know."

"So why are you telling me all of this?"

"It's like I said, my rules are even stricter. You may think you're safe, seeing as how you're not a Sohma, but Akito can still have power over you. He could have you beaten, and me, and could keep us from ever seeing each other, and would possibly punish Tohru. At the very least keep her away from Yuki and me and the other Sohmas. Leaving her in a tent in the woods."

"Over my dead body," Arisa growled.

Kyo nodded. "Unfortunately, that's truer than you know. I suggested trying to stop Akito, but if I tried you can bet that he'd have me killed."

"So go to the police. Murder is illegal, you know."

"No. The Sohmas have too much power, too much money."

"So what do you suggest that we do?" Arisa crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"I… I don't know. I asked Shishou, my adoptive father, for advice."

"And?"

"He didn't have much. Hide our relationship from Akito as long as possible. When he does find out try to pretend we're just casually dating. Not in love. That might reduce the beatings and protect Tohru."

"That's not good enough. Not nearly good enough."

"I know," Kyo sighed. "I said the same thing to Shishou. But, I have no clue what to do. Arisa, I promise I wont let him hurt you, or Tohru. I just don't know how yet. Shishou and I agreed that you needed to know."

"Kyo, I'm sorry, but I have to know. What is it about your family that causes you to live all of these rules? That forces you to obey this Akito?"

Kyo wasn't ready to tell her yet. But, after telling her all this, it didn't seem that there was much reason not to explain why. "Arisa, before I do this, I just want you to know I love you."

"Do what?" Arisa asked, but soon found herself in the arms of Kyo. His strong arms holding her felt so good, but before she could reciprocate the hug he disappeared in a puff of smoke. "Kyo?" she looked around. "Kyo?"

"Down here," a pile of clothes said. Arisa picked up the shirt, revealing a small orange cat. "The Sohma family secret. Now you know."

"Augh!" Arisa jumped back. "You… you're a cat! And you talk!"

"Very observant," the cat spoke. "Tell me, have you ever heard the story of the Chinese zodiac?"

"The story? Uh, a long time ago," she sat next to the cat. "I remember Kyoko said something about it once. Tohru really liked the story."

"Well, let me refresh your memory. Readers' Digest version, God holds a feast for the animals. The rat told the cat is was a different day than it really was. The twelve animals of the zodiac arrived, starting with the rat, and the cat was left out, thanks to that damn rat."

"You said several of the Sohmas had these special rules?" Arisa thought about it. "You hate Yuki. Like, with every fiber of your being. And you're always calling him a damn rat. Do you mean that if I were to hug Yuki he'd turn into a rat? The one from the zodiac?"

"That's right. Yuki's the rat. Shigure's the dog." With a puff of smoke Kyo changed back into his human self. "And I'm naked."

Arisa quickly turned her head as Kyo gathered up his clothes again. "Anyway, the twelve from the zodiac have the special rules. Being the cat, I'm an outcast. I have even more rules. And Akito, he's in the story too. He's God. We live our lives, normal other than the fact that when we hug members of the opposite sex, or when our bodies get weak, we change into the animal whose vengeful spirit possesses us. So when one of us dies, the next Sohma born will most likely be born possessed by the animal."

"Does Tohru know all of this?"

"Yeah. I'm finished changing by the way." Arisa turned back to face him. "She found out on her first day living with us. When someone finds out about this curse, Akito is told. And then, well, almost always, they have their memory erased."

"Their memories erased?" she asked skeptically.

"You just saw a person turn into a cat. I think you should believe that memory erasing is possible."

"Good point," she conceded.

"Anyway, we don't know why but Akito agreed to let Tohru keep her memory. He's obviously using her somehow. But, if he found out you know he would probably beat you, just to teach me a lesson, and then have both your memory and Tohru's memory erased."

"So, who's cursed this generation?"

"I'm not sure you'd know them all. I'm the cat of course. Yuki's the rat, Shigure's the dog, Kagura's the boar, Kisa's the tiger, and Hiro's the ram. Hatsuharu and Momiji you know. Hatsuharu is the ox, and Momiji's the rabbit. Aaya, Yuki's brother, is the snake. Hatori, who's also the one who erases memories, is the dragon."

"The dragon. How exactly does that work?"

"Oh, he changes into a seahorse. Anyway, Rin is the horse, Ritsu is the monkey, and Kureno is the rooster."

"Kureno?"

"You know him?"

"Maybe," Arisa said. "If it's the same one then I met him at work. I had quite a crush on him."

"On Kureno?" Kyo recoiled.

"Come on, we don't even know if it's the same one. And besides, I have a crush on him, but I love you."

"Even… knowing the curse."

"I gotta admit, that is really freaky. But, there's still too many kisses we could have for me to reject you."

Kyo smiled. "Hey, wait. You said you 'have' a crush on him? Present tense?"

"Well, he is way cuter than you."

"Now that won't do. I have to win you over now," Kyo smiled. "Now what could I do to win your affections."

"Well, you are a really nice kisser," Arisa suggested, stepping towards him. Kyo didn't need to be told twice, as he grabbed her hands and bent down to kiss her. He didn't have to bend down very far, as she was almost as tall as he was. They managed to work their way to a bench as they continued kissing, Arisa stroking his face lovingly. Finally they broke apart. "Well, I never did like poultry, anyway."

Kyo just smiled as he kissed her again.

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"I see," Yuki nodded. "Well, that explains his behavior today."

"So what should we do?" Kagura asked.

Yuki thought about it a moment. "I'm not sure. But one thing we shouldn't do is tell Akito. That would harm Kyo, and probably Tohru as well."

"I know. And I don't want to see Kyo hurt, and Tohru is my friend. But what happens if he learns we're keeping a secret from him?"

"Much badness."

"So what do we do?"

Yuki was unsure himself. He may hate Kyo, but he didn't want anyone to suffer Akito's wrath, and he knew it would harm Tohru and Uo as well. "'He who would keep a secret must keep it secret that he hath a secret to keep,'" Yuki finally spoke. "In other words, we act normal. Don't let people know we know something. You and I need to act like we always have around Kyo and Uo."

"I... don't think I can," Kagura said weakly.

"I understand. But you have to try, for Kyo."

"I'll try," Kagura said, tears beginning to form in her eyes again. She had cried for almost an hour before being able to talk to Yuki.

"If you go home like that people will know something's up. Why don't you spend the night here?"

"Okay," Kagura nodded. "But don't let Kyo come see me. It would only make things worse."

"Very well," Yuki nodded.

Kyo came back soon after Kagura went up to the room she'd be sleeping in. He wasn't in as good a mood as when he got back from school, but was in a better mood than he'd been in after dinner.

"So where've you been, stupid cat?"

"Talking with Shishou," he shrugged. "Isn't that where I said I was going?"

Yuki knew he had finished with Shishou before Kagura arrived, but didn't say anything.

"I'm going to bed now."

"Don't go into the guest room."

Kyo turned to face Yuki. "Why's that?"

"Kagura's spending the night."

"Ah," Kyo said slowly. "Then I guess you know?"

"Know? Know what?" Yuki said neutrally.

"Kagura didn't... she wasn't acting odd?"

"No," Yuki lied. "Should she have been?"

"I guess not," Kyo also lied, very confused.

"I'm off to bed," Yuki said, heading up the stairs.

"Yuki?" Yuki turned, annoyance showing on his face. "There's no way Kagura's acting normal. Why are you lying to me?"

"You really are a stupid cat," Yuki said. "If I did know what was happening, wouldn't it be better for you if no one else knew? Rather than everyone but Akito knowing?"

"Ah, I see. So... you're actually doing me a favor."

"How could I be? I don't 'know' anything," Yuki put emphasis on the word 'know'.

"By the way, does Shigure not know what you don't know?"

"No. Shigure doesn't know there's anything for him not to know. Whereas me and Kagura just don't know it."

"Okay, I'm confused," Kyo rubbed his eyes. "But I think I got it. You and Kagura don't know anything, but Shigure doesn't know there's anything to not know?"

"That's right," Yuki nodded. "He went to bed before Kagura got here to tell me what she doesn't know. Same with Tohru."

"Okay, I get it," Kyo said. "Now go to bed before you confuse me out of it." Kyo watched Yuki walk up towards his room. Kyo sighed and made his way onto the roof. He was tired, but there was too much going through his mind right now.

On the plus side, Arisa was his girlfriend. Unfortunately, there seemed to be far more on the minus side of the equation. He was in danger. Arisa was in danger. Tohru was in danger. If Akito discovered that it wasn't just him and Arisa then Yuki, Kagura, and Shishou would be in danger too. Not that he liked Yuki; he barely even tolerated him, and that was mostly just for Tohru. Still, even that rat didn't deserve Akito's punishments.

He laid back with his hands behind his head. If only he had more time. But high school wouldn't last much longer, and then whether Akito had found out about Arisa or not it would all be over. He would be locked up in that room, just like Shishou's grandfather. He wouldn't even be allowed on the roof of that small building. And the only person who had promised to visit him was Akito, but he thought he would've rather been all alone. He trusted Shishou would visit, if Akito allowed it. Tohru would want to visit, but he doubted Akito would let a non-Sohma inside. Kagura might have visited him if not for the night's events. Perhaps she would still want to visit. She might be mad, but she was a good person, and Kyo suspected she would still feel guilty when he got locked up.

Last, but not least, there was Arisa. She had accepted his cat form. That was a start. But no one could really accept his other form. True, Tohru and Kagura had, but that was different. He suspected he would have to commit mass homicide for Tohru to reject him. Kagura meanwhile was still disgusted by his other form, she just felt guilty about it since she realized it was just like how she couldn't change that she was the boar. She knew he didn't have a say in the matter. But those outside Sohma house, and even most of those inside Sohma house, would never accept him. He wanted to believe that Arisa would accept him, even like that. But it was too much to hope for. Even if she would, he wasn't sure he deserved acceptance. But still, he craved it. Perhaps once he was locked up he could use that form to keep Akito away. Not only was it ugly and smelly, but very dangerous. Even Akito wouldn't try to fight against it.

"Kyo?"

Kyo turned towards the voice. "Hey, Tohru. I thought you went to bed."

"I did. I got up for a drink and saw your bed was empty. I figured you must be up here," she smiled at him, but it soon faded. "Is something wrong, Kyo?"

Kyo was silent for a moment. "A lot of things are wrong. But enough things are right. I just need to find a way to keep it like that."

"I won't say 'don't worry'," Tohru sat down next to him. "My mom said it's okay to worry, because it proves that we care. Just as long as we don't get caught up in our worry everything will be fine. So worry, but don't worry too much. Everything will work out."

"How do you do that, anyway?" Kyo asked incredulously.

"Do what?" she smiled her naïve little smile.

"Always remain sure that things are fine. And then turn out to always be right!"

"Oh, I don't know that that's true!" she said nervously. "I don't think anyone's always right. And I mess up so many things, I can't always say things are fine. But I like to believe that things will be fine. In the end."

Kyo frowned. "I don't know about that. I think… I think this time I may have gone too far. I'm always pushing the envelope. School rules or family rules, I'm always doing more than I should. This time I may have done too much."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know," Kyo sat up and set his hands in his lap. "On the one hand, I know I'd be miserable if I hadn't done it. But now I have done it and I'm still miserable. Mostly anyway," Kyo knew he probably had a goofy grin on his face thinking about Arisa. "Tohru?"

"Yes?"

Kyo didn't want to tell her about him and Arisa. That could put her in danger. Well, more danger. "Rin wants to go out with Haru, but doesn't want him hurt. So she's not seeing him and it's making the both of them miserable. So, that's going to work out, right?"

"I'm sure one day things will be just fine for them. For Hiro and Kisa, too. One day Hiro will be Kisa's knight in shining armor," Tohru smiled, but worry showed through her smile.

"But how can things work out… if Akito doesn't want them too?"

"I don't know," Tohru said. "But things will work out. You have to believe it."

"And believing it will work is enough?"

"Of course not," Tohru waved off the comment. "That's silly." That was, however, exactly the sort of thing that Kyo expected from Tohru. "No, it takes effort. But if you don't believe things will work then no amount of effort will succeed. And if you think it will work then you're bound to come up with something."

Kyo nodded. "So then I guess things will be fine with you and Yuki, too? Romantically," Kyo added as an afterthought. Tohru would never have realized what he meant otherwise.

"M-m-me and Yuki?" she stammered.

Exactly the reaction he expected from her. Kyo grinned. "Ah, forget I said anything."

"O-okay," Tohru looked at her lap, blushing furiously. "Well, while we're talking about relationships, what do you think will become of you and Kagura?"

"Nothing," Kyo sighed. "Honestly, Tohru, it's a great romantic notion but Kagura is nothing but a friend and a family member to me."

"I kind of expected as much."

"You did?" Kyo was surprised that Tohru could be in the least perceptive. He had expected her to be convinced that one day he and Kagura would ride off into the sunset together.

"Yeah. Actually, I've always thought… forget it."

"That's a surefire way to keep someone interested, you know. What is it?"

"Just… just an idea I had. It's silly."

"Most of your ideas are silly. Tell me."

"Well, I always thought that a better match for you would be…" Tohru seemed to lose the nerve to speak again.

"What? You and me? I used to think so too," Kyo said honestly.

"W-what!" Tohru almost fell over. "That's not what I was thinking!" Tohru was blushing beet red again.

"Oh? Who then?"

"I always thought… that you and… Uo. I always thought you two would make a cute couple."

"Me and the yankee, eh?" Kyo needed to remember for future reference that Tohru really was more perceptive then she seemed when it came to emotions. "So, how would that work? I'm cursed, and she's, well, she deserves so much better." Kyo shook his head. He had to make sure not to reveal his relationship to Tohru. "And what with Akito getting in everyone's business, he'd never allow it."

"I'm sure that you could figure out something with Akito. And as for deserving better, it's not like the curse makes you any worse a person. You're just as worthy as anyone."

"And you think she'd accept me?"

"Of course. It's not like it's your fault you change into a cat."

"Yeah, I'm sure she'd see that. I mean, my other form," Kyo's voice trembled a little speaking of it.

Tohru paled a little. He had never spoken of it. He had done his best to ignore he even had another form, so even she would know it was a sensitive subject for him. "Well, it's not your fault you can change into," Tohru hesitated, probably thinking hard for the best words, "that. And, I don't think anyone wants to be around… that. But it doesn't mean they don't want to be around you. I mean, even you don't want to be around that form, but it doesn't mean that people won't be around you, even when you are changed. It may disturb them, but they won't shun you for it."

Kyo sighed thoughtfully. He couldn't stand it if people pretended not to mind his other form, like his mother had. But it was true that both Kagura and Tohru had seen it and not shut him out. Besides, that wasn't the real problem. The real issue was Akito.

"Well, I suppose it doesn't really matter that much. Once high school is over then no one will need to worry about me."

"What do you mean?" Tohru looked at him.

Kyo realized that Tohru didn't know he was going to be locked up. He hated the thought of getting locked up like Shishou's grandfather, but at least then he wouldn't be putting everyone in danger. Did that count as everything working out? Kyo doubted Tohru would think so. Or Arisa. Perhaps just accepting it like this what Tohru was talking about. So long as he believed that was his fate no amount of effort could make things work.

"Nothing," Kyo finally answered Tohru. "I'll beat Yuki and have a perfect romance, despite Akito, lasting long past high school." If he could beat Yuki then life would be able to go on. Akito promised. And even as evil as he was, Akito wouldn't break that promise. Things would work!

"What's gotten into you? Are you feeling okay?"

Kyo wasn't sure himself. He had someone he loved who loved him back, so he was happier than he had been in years. But because of that there was more at stake now then ever before, so he was more miserable than he had been in years. Was it possible to be this happy and this upset simultaneously?

"Yeah. I'm fine." Kyo stood up. "Thanks for being here for me Tohru. I'm heading to bed."

Tohru smiled happily. "Anytime."