sight, and says.
"Oh this is terrible mom's picture was still in there. I've got to get here out Mom, mom I'm coming." Tohru
Tohru and Kuro begin digging trying to get to the tent. Yuki comes up behind her, and says.
"Please calm down. You already have a fever." Yuki
"But mom? What am I going to do? If I don't get her out soon she'll be hurt." Tohru
Shigurae puts his hand over Tohru's, and says.
"Don't strain yourself. We'll come back when it's brighter. I think your mom's probably glad it wasn't you in there, and I think she'd be upset if you got hurt now. Don't you?" Shigurae
They take Tohru back to the house, but Kuro stays to keep digging out the tent. Shigurae and Yuki put Tohru to bed, and Shigurae says.
"There isn't that better? Yuki's still looking for some ice if you want it." Shigurae
"I'm sorry." Tohru
"You must be tired. It's a lot to happen in one day." Shigurae
"U hum, I lost my home again." Tohru
"Are you ok?" Shigurae
"Yes, it's sad, but not as sad as other things." Tohru
"Like what?" Shigurae
"Like not telling mom be safe on the day she died. I said that every morning, bye be safe. Except that day I didn't say it. I had a test so I stayed up studying almost the whole night. When it was time for mom to go to work I didn't wake up. I couldn't tell her be safe, and she never came home. I used to think about quitting school working. Mom told me she didn't finish school, but she always wished that she did. When she said that that's when I knew why she worked so hard. It was all for me, and with everything she did I couldn't even get up long enough to say goodbye as she was walking out the door. Not even that one little thing, and then she was gone. So now I have to finish high school like mom wanted me to no matter what. I have to hold that diploma in my hand. I have to for her I can't give up just because of a fever like this." Tohru
"It's amazing. She always seems so cheerful at school. You'd never guess she's been suffering like this for so long. When I was young there were many times I wanted to run away from Soma house, but I never did. I could always find some rationalization to stay. The fact of the matter is I just wasn't strong enough, or I could've left. I could've lived by myself in the woods in a tent. I could've done what she did." Yuki
"You could call it amazing, but I don't think the word does it justice." Shigurae
"No, no it doesn't. Do you mind keeping an eye on her? I'd like to go out for awhile." Yuki
"Where? You're not going to try digging out that tent? You are aren't you. Do you want me to come out with you? It won't be an easy job for you alone." Shigurae
"You're right, but I don't think I said I was going alone." Yuki
"Be safe Yuki." Shigurae
When Yuki and his hordes of rats make it to the tent he is surprised to see the cat Miss Honda brought with her covered with dirt, and obviously very sore yet still digging his way closer to the tent. The cat looks at him with a neutral look on his face, and goes back to digging giving no other acknowledgement of his presence. Yuki finds this cats behaviour to be odd given his previous experience with cats. Yuki and the rats start digging without anymore thought on the issue. The cat looks over at him with a grateful smile on his face. As soon as all the work is done Yuki begins collecting up Miss Honda's things, and Yuki notices the cat rolling around on the cloth Miss Honda had in her hand. Yuki notices that all of the dirt is gone once he finished scrubbing off with a towel, but he still looks rather worse for ware. The cat picks up the wash cloth, and brings it over to Yuki. Yuki takes the wash cloth, and stands up. The cat helps Yuki finish gathering up the rest of the things from the remains of the tent. After they are done Yuki is turning to leave, and the cat jumps on Yuki's shoulder. He settles down, and falls asleep moments later. Yuki realizes that this cat isn't anything like he would have expected from a cat, and therefore he doesn't mind him sleeping on his shoulder. Yuki walks back to the house with a smile on his face.
The next morning Tohru wakes up to a dream about her mother. She sees her mothers picture sitting next to her head. She sits up, and says.
"Mom you're here, but how did you?" Tohru
"Good morning." Yuki
Tohru looks up to see Yuki standing there with Kuro asleep on his shoulder. Tohru turns to face him, and he says.
"How are you feeling today?" Yuki
"Um I guess I." Tohru
"I've brought your things for you. I think this is all of them if you'd like to check." Yuki
"Yuki this must've taken you all night." Tohru
"Don't be silly." Yuki
"So then how did you? I mean there's was so much." Tohru
"It's a secret. Also I had some help." Yuki
"Oh, Kuro. He's such a kind hearted cat." Tohru
"Yes I do believe you're right. I know the place is dirty, and I realize the idea of living with two strange boys might seem a bit awkward. But there is an extra room upstairs you're welcome to stay there if you'd like." Yuki
"No, no out of the question." Tohru
"We're not that strange." Yuki
"No I didn't mean it like that." Tohru
"Of course it won't be free. I do intend To pay you for your services." Shigurae
"For my services?" Tohru
"As our brand new housekeeper. We'll just take these things to your room now. I assume your references will all check out." Shigurae
"Wait I can't let you do this. Not after all the trouble you've gone to already please its to much." Tohru
"Miss Honda we're doing this because we want to. You don't have to worry that it's causing us any trouble, and besides where else can you go?" Yuki
"Well if I'm going to stay here. I'll work for room and board, and that's it. I don't want any money, and I want to know all the rules of the house. I..." Tohru
"Relax it's alright you can do things your own way here. The only thing you have to do is be yourself. Fair enough?" Yuki
"I don't know. Do you think it's a good idea having a girl in the house?" Shigurae
"Naturally now it occurs to you worry, but I wouldn't we'll be ok so long as she doesn't try to hug us." Yuki
Tohru and Yuki are in her room, and Yuki says.
"I apologize for the smell. We've had this room closed off for some time. It's probably best to keep the windows open for awhile." Yuki
A boy breaks through the ceiling, and lands on the floor between Tohru and Yuki. He stands up, and says.
"Yo. Time to pay the piper rat boy I'm here to collect." ?
"Funny I would've thought he'd send somebody bigger." Yuki
"That's right you better get your tough talk out of the way now cause I'm about to wipe that stupid little smirk right off your face." ?
"Oh wait stop don't fight." Tohru
Tohru slips on a piece of wood, and falls on the boy with orange hair. Shigurae comes up to the door, and says.
"Yuki. What were all those crashing sounds I just heard? Kyo's not here is he?" Shigurae
"I'm so sorry are you alright? I turned him into a cat. I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened, but we're going to help you ok." Tohru
Tohru gets hit on the head by a loose board, and falls on Yuki and Shiguray turning them into animals as well.
Tohru grabs her phone to text her boy friend, and then her best friend right after. She asks them what they know about the Soma family. They both tell her that it would be best not to have anything to do with them. Before Tohru has a chance to respond to their texts the postman drives up to the house. Tohru runs down the stairs, and says.
"Call a doctor, or a vet anybody. Oh Mr. Postman it's terrible you see they're animals." Tohru
"Uh, yes they certainly are. Here's your mail." Postman
"No, we gotta do something." Tohru
"Hm I wish my dog was this smart good day." Postman
"Dammit how am I supposed to come up with an excuse if both of you transform too." ?
Kuro having heard all of the racket crawls into Tohru lap to soothe her with his cuteness. The conversation goes on saying.
"Don't you dare try to blame this on us you stupid cat." Yuki
"Go ahead say that again." ?
"Stupid cat." Yuki
"He's right you are stupid, but it has nothing to do with you being a cat." Kuro
Yuki smirks at the orange cat who says.
"Why you little..." ?
"Cut it out all of you." Shigurae
Kuro looks at Tohru who nods at him, and he settles down in her lap.
Shigurae goes on to say.
"Anyway it's to late for excuses. We might as well tell her the truth. Tohru I'm a dog, Yuki here he's a rat. That's Kyo don't let his temper scare you he's got a bit of a chip on his shoulder." Shiguray
"So this is normal." Tohru
"Strange choice of words, but yes our family has lived with this curse for generations. We transform into the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Sorry the twelve animals plus the cat. Anyway whenever our bodies come under a great deal of stress, or we're hugged by a member of the opposite sex we transform. After a little while we change back the only thing is that we're naked." Shiguray
Kuro sweat drops, and thinks into Tohru's head.
'At least these guys have an excuse for essentially stripping unlike Lilly who is just a pervert.' Kuro
'You're right I don't think I'll ever get used to Lilly being such a pervert.' Tohru
'Nor should you grow accustomed to such shameful behaviour, but it's how he is so I'll keep and eye on him.' Kuro
'Thanks Kuro, but I don't think that Lilly would actually try to harm me.' Tohru
'I know that he wouldn't, but it is still a good idea to keep an eye out in certain situations like at a hot springs, or somewhere like that.' Kuro
'You're right that is a good idea Kuro. I remember being nervous about that the last time we were at a hot springs.' Tohru
Kuro smirks, and ends the conversation. The two of them focus back on the situation at hand.
Everybody is settled down in the living room, and Shigurae says.
"Well we must seem pretty strange to you at this point huh?" Shigurae
"But it's not your fault if your family's cursed." Tohru
'A family curse. I guess that would explain a few things. If Yuki turns into an animal whenever a girl hugs him that must be why he pushed that fan club girl in the hall. He didn't want her to find out his secret,' Tohru
"Tohru didn't you say you used wish you could be a cat?" Shigurae
"Yeah u-huh." Tohru
"What's it like seeing the real thing?" Shigurae
'Right it's the cat from the Chinese Zodiac like in the story.' Tohru
"Yes it's hard to believe I know, and I agree the phrase cat-like reflexes doesn't really apply to him. The way he let you fall on him like that, but he is a cat albeit clumsier than most. Surprising really considering the amount of martial arts training he's had. I'm sure he'd tell you the same thing himself if he wasn't so busy brooding like child." Shigurae
"Shiguray please stop heating Tea Kettle up before he explodes. He's to noisy when he explodes." Kuro
"Ugh will you shut-up! I told you it's not my fault. If you want to blame somebody blame her. She shouldn't even be here." Kyo
Kuro glares at Kyo, and Yuki says.
"Leave her out of this. Who we choose to allow into this house is really none of your concern. Your the one who doesn't belong here." Yuki
Kyo gets even more angry, and breaks the table in half. Half of the table bonks Tohru on the forehead, and Kuro becomes enraged when he smells Tohru's blood. He immediately licks off the blood while Shiguray says.
"Oh Tohru your bleeding." Shigurae
Yuki slaps Kyo in the face, and Shigurae says.
"I knew that Kyo was reckless with his temper, but to act like this." Shigurae
"You're still as stupid as ever, and I'm going to prove it to you by giving you exactly what you want. Only this time I won't hold back." Yuki
"Ok, sissy boy." Kyo
Shiguray went to clean Tohru's cut when he noticed Tohru's cat is already doing it. He lets her cat do the work for him, and says.
"This goes back a a lot further than today. Those two do nothing, but fight when ever they see each other." Shigurae
"But shouldn't we stop them?" Tohru
By the time Tohru says this Kuro had drank enough of Tohru's blood to withstand the sunlight, and transforms before moving to follow his masters wish. He punches Kyo so hard that he is sent flying into the yard. Yuki looks at him, and says.
"Why did you do that?" Yuki
"My master wishes for the fighting to stop. Also it gave me a good deal of personal satisfaction to lay out that reckless idiot." Kuro
"Reckless idiot?" Yuki
"See for yourself." Kuro
Yuki looks over at Tohru, and sees the bandage on her forehead. He walks up to her, and says.
"Miss Honda your hurt." Yuki
"Oh it's fine really I'm ok, but I uh I'm not so sure about him." Tohru
"No the only thing he's bruised is his ego." Yuki
"I'm guessing your dreams of being a cat are pretty much shattered at this point." Shigurae
"Well I don't know I wouldn't say that." Tohru
When Tohru lifts up her hand Yuki notices the shackle on her wrist attached to a chain connected to the back of Kuro's neck, but files the question away for later when the chain shatters. Moments later Kuro collapses, and Tohru says.
"Yuki is it ok if I give Kuro a bath before we go to school?" Tohru
"I've got no problem with waiting, but why?" Yuki
"I figured that a nice hot bath would soothe his sore muscles from helping dig out our tent, and sending Kyo flying just now." Tohru