Hikairi, you've been overworking yourself again. Honestly, do you need to keep pushing yourself so hard?

"M-mom...?"

Remember that Tohru is there too, don't think that you have to do everything alone. Let yourself open up and live a little. That is my deepest wish for you.

"But, if I open up, I'm only going to get myself hurt in the end. I need to keep pushing; I need to make sure the two of us never get hurt again..."


My eyes slowly opened as my vision was being greeted by the ceiling, while I could hear off in the distance sounds of birds chirping. It seems mom was visiting me in my dreams, even up in heaven; she is still worried about me. I rolled over in the futon, seeing that my sister was longer sleeping next to me. Though, I could hear her voice coming from somewhere upstairs. I was glad that she was at least feeling a lot better. Climbing from the warmth of the futon, I was greeted soon by the silhouette of someone, letting my gaze look up; it was none other than Shigure.

I honestly was still a bit embarrassed from last night, what with laying my feelings about my mother's death to him. My eyes cast down to my lap for a few moments before gazing back up at him slowly, muttering a light good morning. To which he returned as well. Shigure placed down in front of me a large white paper bag as it caused a look of confusion on my face. I'm guessing he found my expression amusing as he let out a faint laugh, saying that they were my belongings. Wait a second, is he serious? I opened the bag seeing that it had my belongings inside as I looked up at him, completely baffled. "How did you? I don't get it. There was so much dirt, so how.."

I could tell Shigure was taking amusement to my bewilderment as he shook his head, resting against the side of the door. "Oh, it wasn't me. Yuki-kun was the one that got your and Tohru-kuns belongings. Though that reminds me, I've already asked Tohru, but how do you feel about housework?" I couldn't help but give Shigure a look at that question since I don't know why, but I could feel like something perverted or horrible could soon follow after speaking that question. "I'm not horrible at it." I started before letting out a faint sigh. "Though I'm not too good when it comes to cooking. But why do you ask?"

Not even a moment after I responded to him, his face beamed in what appeared to be pure delight. "Welcome officially into the Sohma household! I'm sure that both you and Tohru-kun won't mind the room we'll provide. I believe Yuki-kun is still showing it to her. I suppose I'll also have to make some new house keys while I'm at it." Wait a moment, was what he was saying true?! Just like that he was going to allow us, strangers, to live in his home? All-cause we can cook and clean? Well, maybe not so much me on the first part. I was honestly in such a state of shock since this honestly sounded too good to be true that I didn't hear the loud crashing sound from upstairs. And the sound of, was that crying coming from Shigure?

I followed him soon upstairs, as I would be lying to say I wasn't curious as well as concerned about what was going on. Hopefully, someone didn't get hurt. As we climbed closer to the top of the stairs, I could hear an unknown male yelling. Meanwhile, Shigure let out a sigh. Almost like this was nothing new to him. Peeking his head into the room I assumed was going to be my mine and Tohru's room. Shigure soon announced his presence, worry dripping in his speech. "Yuki-kun, what was that loud noise we just heard? Kyo-kun isn't back, is he?"

I had wondered who he meant by this Kyo person but figured that now wasn't a good time to press and ask. Peeking soon into the room myself, I found my sister holding an orange cat in her hands, asking if it was alright. I had always known my sister to be overly apologetic, so it didn't faze me as something worth noting. But as I was about to ask what happened, I was soon cut off by Tohru screaming in panic. "He just turned into a cat. He was a boy a moment ago. Is it cause I crashed into him somehow? We need to get him to a doctor right away!" Okay, now I was utterly lost. There was no way a cat was a human; that was physically impossible. Though even with the sound of her freaking out to both Shigure and Yuki. I could hear the sound of something above her. Soon seeing a piece of what appeared to be from the ceiling soon smack her on the head.

It sounded like it must have hurt since it looked almost as if Tohru found herself seeing stars. On instinct, I tried to grab her, though tripping on my footing. Tohru soon collided with Yuki while I had fallen back against Shigure. I'm guessing in what I assumed to be his shoulder for a moment; before soon feeling nothing and landing on the floor, as purple smoke had bathed the room. Looking around; and trying to figure out what happened, I found both Shigure and Yuki had disappeared. And were replaced with a dog, and was that a rat? Tohru looked even more in a panic; while I tried to contain the overflowing thoughts that were starting to fill my mind. Since what in the world was going on?!

I had zoned out on my thoughts that when I came back to reality, I was now alone in the room with the sound of arguing coming from downstairs. Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself for what one would say be called supernatural and headed downstairs. As I descended the stairs, the voices only grew louder before being faced with a rat yelling. "Don't blame me; you're the one who got us in this mess, you stupid cat." Honestly, this was too much. I found myself soon collapsing on my knees. The dog looked over to both me and Tohru, speaking and making the arguing stop. Wait a moment, was that Shigure speaking?

"They already know we can speak. Tohru-kun, Hikairi-kun. I'm a dog, Yuki's a rat, and that's Kyo over there; he is also a cat." Shigure explained. "Our family is cursed under the zodiac. Whenever we are hugged by the opposite gender; or come under a great deal of stress, we transform. After some while, we turn back, but we're naked." No sooner as Shigure finished speaking, purple smoke once again enveloped the room. Tohru looked away screaming, while on the other hand, I felt the heat rushing to my cheeks. My eyes made contact with Shigure, soon covering my face trying not to stare.

Tohru and I moved to the living room while the three males got dressed, as I slid my hands down from my face hearing Shigure enter letting out a laugh. "I apologize if you two girls saw anything you might not have been ready to see." Don't worry, even if we wanted to; it wasn't like we could see. Not like I'm saying I wanted to or anything! I'm just saying. But it seemed the two of us learned a massive secret about the Sohma family. Since now it makes sense on the story that Uo had mentioned yesterday, with Yuki pushing that girl from him. It was so no one found out about his family's curse. Looking up to Yuki for a moment, I felt kind of bad for him. It must be rough, always having to make sure of your surroundings and others.

I caught the end of the conversation; something about the year of the cat. I couldn't help but roll my eyes some since it was from just a child's bedtime story. "Kyo-kun truly is an idiot! That with all his martial arts training, you would think he could at least felt your presence." Shigure laughed in what felt like trying to rile the orange-haired teen up. "Shut up! I can't help it if people sneak up on me. But anyway, What are they doing here? They are girls!" Kyo screamed. Seriously does he do anything but not yell? "Who we allow in this house is none of your concern, you stupid cat." Yuki retorted back. What happened next was a complete blur; Kyo lost his temper, yelling once more while smashing the living room table hitting Tohru straight in the face.

As the table fell, I could see that her forehead was bleeding. And that started to now make my anger begin to build. Sure the two of them were egging Kyo on, but honestly, you could have kept your emotions in check! I walked from next to Yuki as in that moment my hand backhanded him as hard as it could, causing Kyo to stagger back a little completely shocked from what happened. "You throw a fit like a child who isn't getting their way, seriously think before you act in this pointless aggression." I left the room, slamming the paper door behind me. Finding myself in front of the entryway before my knees buckled, collapsing on them.

"There I go again, speaking before thinking of my actions, I'm in the end no better than Kyo. Acting out on my anger."Muttering to myself as I couldn't help it, what was I supposed to do when seeing my sister hurt? I could hear the paper door opening with the sound of light pattered footsteps coming towards me. It was silent for a few before I decided to look back. Surprise forming on my face at the sight of Shigure. I stared up at him before looking down."I apologize for what happened. I promise it won't happen again." I kept my head down. Waiting to be scolded or even yelled at, but nothing came. Only the sound of was that a chuckle? Looking up, Shigure was truly letting out a laugh. "It's quite alright Hikairi-kun, I'm just glad Yuki-kun didn't get ahold of him first. And cause any more damage to my home."

I honestly was a tad lost for words; since I thought he honestly would have scolded me. But it's like his home is more important than anything else. Pulling myself back up to my feet, I gave only something of a nod of a response. "I had come to let you know that Tohru had already left for school, and Yuki is about to leave as well. So you shouldn't stay around and be late."I had forgotten about school! I spoke a thank you as before I could hear what Shigure was trying to say. I hurried to where my things had been placed and got myself dressed. I settled into my winter uniform for now since after last night. There was no way I could wear my summer uniform.

Dashing out of the house, I nearly ran into Yuki as I gave something of a half-smile to him as the two of us decided to walk to school together once more. "Honda-san, about this morning." Yuki spoke as my head tilted a little before understanding what he was trying to put the subject on."Don't worry about this morning; I promise I won't tell a soul. It was supposed to be a secret, plus growing up; mom always said it was wrong to gossip." I replied, unaware that Yuki was trying to interrupt me before eventually grabbing ahold of my hand, making me stop in my tracks.

"I believe you when you say you'll keep our secret but, that might not be enough. I'm sorry, but yours, along with your sister's memories of this morning, still might be erased." Yuki paused for a moment, looking down into my eyes."You see, you're not the first group to find out about our family's secret." He then explained how a group of children he played with as a child bumped into him, resulting in exposing them to his zodiac form. Though hearing Yuki speak, I could see the sadness on his face. Let alone feeling the pain that must have been as a child."Yuki-kun.."I tried to speak before being interrupted."Though we can't disobey Akito's wishes, and what he decides, in the end, will be done. So, I'm sorry. You and your sister never asked to get involved in the Sohma family's problems."

"It's fine Yuki-kun, thank you for worrying about Tohru and myself." I started taking ahold of his hands, staring up at him. "But I'm alright. We did find out a big secret after all. So much so it has to be mentioned to the head of your family." Shaking my head a little, I let a small smile grace my lips before continuing. "So I'm fine with losing my memories if it makes your family comfortable, just if they do..will you please continue to be my friend?" Letting go of his hands, I would be lying if I wasn't feeling deep down sad. I don't want to forget him or his family. They were so kind and took the two of us in. And honestly, I could feel like for once I was starting to feel like I could be happy. But I'll be alright.

"You're not sickened by me?" Yuki spoke as I couldn't help but stifle a giggle. Since was that honestly everything he could say after that? "What in the world are you talking about; why would I be?" We continued to walk together to school before stopping in the hallway upstairs near our classroom. "Honda-san, if you and your sister don't have any plans for today. Would you both like to walk home together?" I shook my head since we had the day off before smiling a bit. "Sure! Though please, it's alright to call me by my name. There is no need to be so formal with me." It seemed it took Yuki a few tries and fumbling in trying to say my name. Though for the first time smiled at me, calling me by my name. "Alright, Hikairi-kun." As my cheeks for some reason started to become heated, causing me to excuse myself into the classroom.


"We're back, Shigure-san?" Yuki called out as we arrived back home, as Tohru excused herself to our room to put her things away. I sat at the entrance slipping my shoes off, as the door opened again and finally finding Shigure. "Ah, welcome home Shigure-san." I muttered while he returned one as well. "Now, where could that stupid, clumsy Kyo-kun who got punched by a girl be?" He practically soon shouted, seriously; it was almost like he just wanted to get him riled up again.

We had all soon gathered into the living room, and just as I had predicted, Kyo was fuming from Shigure picking on him. I shook my head a bit while Shigure informed us that it was alright that both me and Tohru were allowed to stay. "Wait, so we won't have to lose our memories?!" I exclaimed as I was sure just from my tone, anyone could hear how happy I was. Shigure laughed. "As long as you keep today a secret. Though there was one more thing, Akito wants Kyo to live here as well."

"You've gotta be kidding me? Dammit, Akito!" I stood there watching Kyo curse and throw a fit once again, while Tohru was thanking everyone for allowing us to stay. I couldn't help myself but let a faint chuckle escape my lips. Only for him to resort to him throwing his anger at me, which I ignored. Thanking Shigure as well as Kyo yelled once more. "Why should I be nice to anyone in this house, especially he-" Pointing at me before his words were soon cut off by Yuki, sending him flying through the paper door. Watching it unfold, I couldn't help but shake my head. And this is how both Tohru and I found ourselves living with the Sohma family. If anything, at least it sounds like it will always be quite lively.