The Lovely Tohru Honda, savior of the Sohma Family. That thought was the only thing that was occupying the young man's head at the moment. The idea that some outsider had managed to bring peace and light into the hearts of the cursed was something he could not comprehend. Maybe it was because of the fact that from the day he had been born, his death was guaranteed to arrive faster than the others simply because of the burden he was forced to carry. Maybe it was because of the fact that he had taught that the only way to gain respect was through power, and power meant control. It was a simple matter; he held the core so they could live, and they obeyed his word. And it had worked so far quite well. He did what he pleased, and none stood against him. He was the leader of the entire Sohma clan. He had an obligation to present a strong image when dealing with the multiple business and financial matters that kept the Sohma family wealthy. It was a tiresome task, but he did it gladly because he knew that they all owed him everything, otherwise one of them might be here, hacking up blood every other night.

But all that had changed with her. Tohru Honda, the creature from the outside. She had meet the Sohma family when Shigure let her live in his house. It wasn't long afterwards that the stupid girl learned about the curse. Shigure had come to him asking what he should do. For some reason, the family head had decided not to have her memory erased, thinking she might be useful in his plans. The greatest mistake I ever made. She got inside, and now she will be impossible to remove without losing everything. He wasn't sure how it happened, or how it had happened so fast. But before he knew it the Zodiac cursed were……happy. Happiness, an emotion that those cursed rarely experience. To never know the embrace of one of the opposite sex is a burden that most could never understand. To turn into an animal of the Zodiac would make ordinary people run in terror, or call you inhuman, a monster. That was the nature of the cross the Sohma bore. Disgust by those outside, should the truth ever be revealed.

Yet, she was different. She felt no disgust, nor fear. She simply listened, laughed, and more importantly, loved. Love is a truly powerful emotion. By simply being herself they began to love her, and to want her to be with them. She had a way of bringing light into a room simply by smiling. This is not how it should be. This family is cursed, and the cursed are meant to suffer. She was not part of the Sohmas; the curse was not her burden. Yet despite the chance to forget it all, she chose to stay. She wanted to be with those two boys. She wanted them to live together, to get to know them, talk to them when they were sad. This was unheard off to him. It was unthinkable. Here he sat, alone, in pain, and there they were, laughing, having fun, pretending to be normal. TRY HUGGING IN PUBLIC; SEE HOW NORMAL YOU FEEL THEN, ALL OF YOU.

This whole situation was getting out of control. Even ripping off the cat's costume and revealing the true disgusting nature fob the monster hadn't driven her away, it may have made them closer. And afterwards, the words she had spoke to him, had touched him somehow. To believe that she would be sad when he died. For a split second, he wanted to believe. But after she left, so did the moment and he was back to his normal self. He knew it was all a lie. When he died, all they would do is take some unsuspecting child and make him the next container for the core. And all would be as it was. Perhaps the next head would be a nicer, gentler leader, and the memories of the evil man who currently held the position would fade away.

He knew there was nothing he could do. If he tried to destroy her, everything would break and none of his pets would return. He needed to know he was in control, and he knew he was running out of time.

And then, like a brick to the head, the idea struck him. It was so simple, yet so ingenious. Ringing a bell, he waited until a woman wearing a servant uniform entered and bowed. "What may I do for you, Akito-sama" the women said. "I wish to see Hatori" The servant bowed and ran out, the fear of the summons obvious in her tremble. That was the kind of fear Akito liked. The kind that made them know you were in charge.. The door opened, and Dr. Hatori Sohma entered.

"It is a joyous occasion Hatori. Send message to the entire Zodiac, including those living with Shigure. I want all of them to assemble here tomorrow evening. All are to come, including the Honda girl, and the cat. I intend to announce my successor"

A bit taken back by this, Hatori simply nodded and stepped out to do his masters bidding. But it was obvious he had no idea this was coming. And in fact the idea had just come to him today. He knew exactly who he wanted to take his place. It was someone they all loved, someone they cared for more than life itself. And now they would have her. He would be dead soon and could never harm her again. But she would be here, and would truly be a part of the Sohma family. She could feel what he fealty, know that they only loved you because you kept them alive, and try to keep the family fortune from disappearing. Yes, tomorrow he couldn't wait to see their faces, when he announced that Tohru Honda would be the next head of the Sohma Family