Chapter 12: Life on Both Side's Aren't So Cheery Part 1

Princess Sango

Yuki's eyes fluttered opened as he took in the extra warmth, to find Tohru there and he smiled as his hands moved some stray hair away. She only sighed in her sleep and rolled closer to him when someone came running into the room, "Daddy!"

Yuki looked at his son, who looked slightly scared yet is calming down when he saw his mom and dad both safe in bed. "What's wrong Kazuki?"

"I didn't know where you were, I was worried!"

Yuki smiled as he stood up, trying to untangle himself from Tohru. Standing up he saw his son by himself, taking in his appearance. He had his eyes, hair yet you could see the brown that highlighted it when the light touched it just right. Smiling he pulled Kazuki close, "You don't know that much yet do you?"

"What do you mean daddy?" Kazuki asked innocently.

"I guessed correctly I see, well I'll tell you when the time comes. For now why don't we go see what the other's are up to?" Yuki asked his son as he nodded and Kazuki grabbed his father's hands and pulled him to the kitchen.

"Hey you two, great to see you up!" Tomiko greeted as she made breakfast in her blue nightgown, seemingly at home here already. Leaning down she kissed Kazuki's forehead, and he giggled.

Then Shigure, a mad Kyo, and a very moody Kagura walked inside, "What's that?"

Tomiko grinned at the orange headed guy she had just met yesterday, "It's a foreign dish called Matzo Brie. I like it and it seems Kazuki and mom liked it, but if you want me to I can prepare something else?"

"No that's okay, maybe we should try something different for once," Yuki answered before Kyo could complain.

"Okay!" Tomiko said giving a smile and turning back to the stove.

Everyone sat down and wanted to ask her questions, after all Kazuki was a Sohma, so he was quickly accepted to the group. This girl, Tomiko on the other hand might as well be a foreigner herself. "So Tomiko how long has it been since you've lived with Tohru-kun?" asked Shigure.

"About five years, I was living there before Kazuki was born so he's known me since he was born. Mom is so nice, even when she was moody, and she never let the kids in the neighborhood give up. Her home was a shelter for all of us, since our parents didn't care. Whenever the words, 'I can't do it,' came out of our mouths she'd frown and shake her head and tell us, 'I'm pregnant and still working, living, and going to school, what would happen if I gave up?' We'd all stop complaining after that," Tomiko answered, as if it was a story she made up, not a true tale.

The Sohma's sat there in awe as this teenager sat there and so casually told Tohru's life, no drama, just plain facts. Then Yuki asked, "Do you know about the curse?"

"Yeah, I thought mom sent that in a letter, well anyway, I do know about it. I just haven't had the chance to see it happen," Tomiko answered.

Then Tohru came inside with Ayame, Hatori, and Kana, "Good morning everyone!"

"Good morning mom! Breakfast if ready!"

Taking the food off the pan and throwing them onto dishes she placed them in front of each person, and Kazuki smiled as Tomiko added syrup to his plate. When she sat down and they all started to eat, but everyone couldn't believe the food could taste so good even with the looks.

"Looks like you took after Tohru-kun with cooking," Hatori answered.

"Yup, mom taught me everything, well almost," Tomiko said, looking at Tohru with some water in the corners of her eyes.

"Why don't you go outside for a walk, to clear your mind Tomiko-chan, I'll clean up for you," Tohru suggested as Tomiko didn't need any bribing as she ran out of the room.

"She's still slightly sore about being an only child, her mom was pregnant when she died," Tohru said half-heartedly.

"But mommy, she has me! I'm her brother right?" he asked, hoping those words could help her.

Tohru smiled and him and nodded, "Yes you are her brother, maybe not by blood, but that never mattered to her or me."

He smiled and continued eating and when he was done Tohru smiled at him when Hatori cut in, "I believe he should know about the curse Tohru-chan, after all he is going to be put into a public school. It's something he should know, and since the dragon varies from form to form it's very important to know which one he is."

Tohru took in a deep breath, "Can Yuki and I talk to him about this, alone?"

"Hai, come on, let's leave them to talk," Hatori said as the rest of the Sohma family went into the family room to wait patiently.

"Mommy, daddy, I don't understand." Kazuki asked them, slightly scared.

"Kazuki-chan do you remember that story I keep telling you, about the zodiac?" Tohru asked.

"Yes, and I remember the story you told me, along with Tomiko, your own versions. Mom, you were that woman and daddy was that guy, but I could never figure out the cloud that told me the one important fact, what do they have to do with the zodiac?" Kazuki asked, as if he got ten years older in a blink of an eye.

"Well, Kazuki, I'm the rat and you were born under the year of the dragon, so you're the dragon. The head of the family is who you report to if anything is to happen to us, Tomiko, Tohru, or I got that? Even the other two Uncle Ayame or Uncle Shigure would be good people to turn to," Yuki explained.

Kazuki smiled and nodded, "So how do I transform?"

"When you're hugged by the opposite gender, it was difficult on your mom and me but we obviously had no problems…" Yuki said, drifting off to that day when Tohru gently nudged him.

"We still have to talk to Hatori and find out which form," she said gently as she unhooked the necklace from her neck and they walked into the living room.

"You ready? We set the water for him, just in case," Hatori informed them.

"Hai," Tohru answered as she leaned down and hugged Kazuki and soon came face to face with a dragon face that you would think was imaginary. His white scale face with the silver mane and long slim body was shown as if there was no person.

"Mom is this really me?" asked Kazuki.

"It's you Kazuki-chan, and don't worry you'll change back soon."

As if on cue he changed back and Tohru smiled as she put the necklace back on herself and helped him put his clothes back on. Hatori on the meanwhile smiled and thought, 'At least I don't have to worry about water bills…'

TBC…