A/N: This sure took a while.

The Curse of the Cat

026. Breakable

While Shinya had been healthily curious about the events that had interrupted their route to class after lunch, Takuya's mother was less than pleased.

'Breaking the rules again,' she muttered, stirring the curry pot ferociously as her son stood meekly behind her. 'What am I going to do with you?'

'But I didn't,' Takuya protested. Which he hadn't; he had simply been in the wrong place at the right time.

Sadly, the Vice-Principal hadn't seen it that way, and therefore neither had his mother.

And he wasn't going to even start on Koyabashi. He wasn't that stupid.

027. Winter

Being grounded was not becoming for Takuya. It bored him, as his room simply did not contain enough entertainment. Cleaning easily clawed its way up to the top of his agenda, but despite its initial appearance the room wasn't as messy as it appeared.

Which left him sitting on his bed an hour later, flicking through sports magazines and being entirely frustrated. Baseball cards were neatly stacked up and piled with a rubber band around them. Soccer ball was under the desk…and staying there elsewise he would be in even bigger trouble.

He half wished a blizzard was going on outside. That way he could have enjoyed the knowledge that the rest of the region shared his difficulty. But as it was, it appeared the bright sunny day was being enjoyed of all but himself.

028. Ignore

Katsuharu didn't return home until after lunch the following day; he had slept at Teppei's for the night – the boy had been happy to have him – and then spent the morning of Sunday wondering around. The park had been full, packed with little kids enjoying the weather with elder brothers or parents. He didn't see his siblings anywhere though, nor did he care where they were, as long as he wasn't around them.

After all, it was because of them he was practically a stranger in his own home. His parents hadn't even commented on his disappearance; they probably hadn't even noticed.

029. Colour

Koji chose to spend his Sunday outdoors, but his choice had nothing to do with the weather…even if that was what he told his father.

Maybe it was his imagination, but the older man had seemed hurt as he departed. Perhaps it was because Kousei had finally gotten a weekend off, only to find his son had no interest in spending time with him.

Indeed, his imagination seemed to be working overtime, because his destination was a new flower shop that had opened in the district. The displays were rather feminine and bright. As he stepped into view it was as though he had been splashed in colour. Roses of red and pink and yellow. Surprisingly, he didn't see any white ones; maybe they were inside. Yellow sunflowers. Ranges of Sakura blossoms clinging to their branches: pink and white. Flowers he didn't even recognise. They were what caught his interest. After all, he wasn't romantically interested in anyone – and even if he was, there was the problem of his family curse.

There was a sale on too. But he didn't go into the shop. He didn't even come up to the glass. After all, there was only one person he could buy flowers for and she was long gone from his life.

And it was pointless to put flowers on a grave.

030. Grace

Koichi first thought he saw an angel flittering about the room, then realised his eyes were still clouded with sleep and it was in fact his mother. Not that it meant his earlier assumption was far off the mark. He didn't realise though he had mumbled as much until his mother laughed.

He blushed, but didn't mind too much. His mother's laughter was worth it.

He yawned and stretched, back arching and paws fumbling the blankets before scrambling off. Tomoko gracefully danced around his tail; she had long since mastered that art.

When she offered her arm, the cat sprung and curled around her shoulder. Soon, he would change back. Become a human who carried a curse and was a burden to all. But as a cat he could enjoy his mother's warmth, and she was happy to give it. Because it made him happy. And a cat caught in the throughs of sleep was simple; instinct ruled. A cat's instinct, wherein no worries existed beyond the smell of milk.

Really, that was the only bright side to it all. That he could curl just a little closer to her in the mornings.