It was the next day, close to noon, and Yuki decided to take a walk down to the beach. Ren had decided to help Mai make lunch for everyone, so he was by himself. He was surprised to find Yumi sitting in the sand, just staring at the ocean. As he came closer, she turned and looked at him.

"Oh, Yuki…hi," Yumi smiled.

"Hello. What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing. Why don't you sit down?"

Yuki sat down beside her as she turned her attention back to the waves. He stared out at the waves, himself.

"I'm sorry that I haven't really talked to you in the months you've been here. That is rather rude of me."

Yumi laughed.

"Oh don't worry yourself about that. That's how it is, sometimes. You know, just assuming things about people in our families due to their animal spirit."

"Where is Kyo?"

"He was still asleep when I got up."

"Ah…"

They were silent for a few moments. Yuki found it hard to speak with the knowledge that she was cursed by the cat. Despite the animosity between her sister and herself, Yumi was truly being polite to him.

"You know…I love my sister…"

Yuki turned to Yumi, not expecting such a confession. Her bangs hung over her eyes as she spoke.

"We don't get along well, but I still care about her. Rat or no rat, that doesn't change. The unfairness of it all just takes over my mind. Our parents always favored her. I've sometimes wondered why there is even a cat when it isn't even part of the zodiac. I'm sorry I'm venting to you, Yuki, I just…needed to this."

Yumi drew a cat in the sand before pressing her palm to the sand, destroying the image.

"I understand. Keeping things in never helps," Yuki responded.

Yumi smiled at him and he returned it.

"You're not bad, Yuki. Can we be friends? A cat and a rat?"

"Why not?"

"YUMI!"

They both turned to see Kyo storming towards them. He stopped a yard away, eyes narrowed and pinned right on Yuki.

"What the hell are you doing talking to him of all people, Yumi?" he said, angrily.

Yumi stood up and walked over to him, placing a hand on his arm.

"I see you're up from your deep slumber. Kyo, I can talk to whoever I want to and there is nothing wrong with-"

"YES THERE IS! "

Yuki stood up with an annoyed sigh.

"You're so controlling, stupid cat. Leave the woman alone."

Kyo's eyes burned a hole into Yumi's, making her shrink a little on the inside. His temper was rising quickly.

"I see how it is. You like him better, huh?"

Yuki and Yumi stared at him in shock.

"Kyo-"she started, but Yuki interrupted.

"One conversation and we're suddenly interested in each other? Get real."

"STAY OUT OF THIS! I can't believe you, Yumi…you…you're…"

"I'm what, Kyo?"

"YOU'RE A DAMN SLUT, THAT'S WHAT!"

The silence that ensued held menace that no longer came from Kyo. Yumi's body shook with the internal wave of rage that was ready to rear its ugly head. Kyo took a step back from her form, regret stamped across his face. Yuki could only stand in shock.

"I hate you."

The sentence was whispered, but the venom within was purely noticeable. Tears streamed down the young girl's face.

"I HATE YOU, KYO SOHMA! You're a distrustful bastard and I can't believe I thought I might…gawd. You're the worst."

"Yumi, I-"

She took off running into the woods, without a glance back. Kyo stood, staring into the trees, unable to move. Yuki brushed past Kyo.

"You're an idiot with a mouth too fast for your brain. I happen to care about Ren, you stupid cat, and there is nothing wrong with me talking to my future sister-in-law. Grow up."

-Later that night-

"She hasn't come back yet?" Ren asked.

All the males, except one had gone out to find Yumi, who hadn't been seen for seven hours. Kyo had sat in the living room staring out of the window. Ren was sitting in an armchair across the room from him. He made to reply to Ren's question. Ren, the typically quiet girl, was controlling her anger well up until that moment.

"How could you say that to her?" Ren angrily confronted Kyo.

Her anger was not as explosive as her sister's, but Kyo could see the resemblance clearly. He looked at Ren blankly.

"Why do you care? You're a rat and she is a cat."

"She is also my sister and twin. Family is more important than the stupid curse we have on us. You two were getting along so well and you just had to go and…and ruin it all. Not only that, you tried to put a smudge on me and Yuki getting along. You're…you're pathetic!"

Kyo let her anger nail him in the chest repeatedly. He knew he deserved it. He had always been this way. Socially inept. Ren suddenly leaned against the back of her chair. Her hand pressed hard against her forehead. Kyo looked at her in alarm.

"Ren-"

"My head…Yumi…"

Kyo stood up and walked over to her.

"What are you talking about?"

She suddenly looked up at him.

"Yumi…something's wrong, Kyo. That pain…it wasn't mine. Please, Kyo…"

He could not believe what he was seeing. Tears streamed down Ren's face.

"I care about my sister, Kyo. Don't ever tell her, but please go find her. Help her and make amends."

Kyo nodded as Amaya walked in. She saw Ren crying and rushed over to her cousin. She looked at Kyo questioningly.

"I'll find Yumi."

With that he ran out of the room and out of the villa and out into the dark woods.