Prologue
There was never any mercy for the Cat of the zodiac. Any of them. They were always locked away as soon as possible and left there to rot. No one wanted to kill one, and they passed off this unconscious show of sympathy by saying that it wouldn't do because the Cat would just keep possessing every time, and wouldn't it be easier for the poor Sohma women to not have to worry so much?
"Push harder, Mrs. Sohma!"
It was sad. Perhaps if those outside the curse's limits knew about the potential of their unborn child to be a zodiac, they would accept it easier. The shock of having your child turn into a strange creature might not be lessened, but at least they would know.
"I can see the head! Just a little bit more!"
How terrible for a newborn child to finally come into this world, and then be rejected by the center of his universe.
"Congratulations, it's a boy."
But for cats, it's worse. They don't turn into a fluffy kitten until after the bracelet is put on.
"Oh god...what is it!?"
What does the child feel when it first transforms? To suddenly change shape and then be thrown across the room by his mother, the only thing saving it being the fast reflexes of someone in the room-if they're lucky.
"Get it away from me! Get it away!"
Does the mother feel no love at all for her child? A bond formed by nine months of responsibility is so easily mangled and torn apart in less than a minute?
"I don't ever want to see that...thing again!"
Don't you love me anymore, Mother?