Tohru bustled around the kitchen, stirring the rice and making sure everything was just perfect.

Yuki had helped her set the table earlier, and though there were enough places for all their guests, Tohru had a feeling she should set an extra one just in case.

"We're here!" came a cheerful voice from the front door.

"Oh Momiji!" Tohru exclaimed. "I'm glad you could make it. Where's Hatori?'

Momiji jumped up and down, holding onto Tohru's hands. "Oh, he's still outside with…that reminds me! We brought our own guest tonight Tohru. I can't wait for you to meet her!"

"That's sounds great, Momiji!" Tohru smiled. She had no idea who it was, since she'd met all of the zodiac members by now. But she couldn't wait to meet this person anyway.

"Who is the guest, Momiji?" Yuki's soft voice cut in.

"Her name is Tarja," Momiji said. "I think she's Russian or something."

"How unusual," Yuki commented. Kyo snorted rudely as he walked by.

"Who cares," the cat grumbled. "I just want to eat!"

Tohru panicked. "I'm so sorry Kyo! I'll serve the food right away." Kyo cut her by the hand and stopped her.

"Don't worry about it," Kyo grinned. "I can help myself right?"

Tohru fidgeted with the hem of her blue dress. "I suppose."

"Tarja," Hatori addressed the young woman before she reached the door. She turned to look at him, seeming a bit nervous.

"Yes, doctor?"

"I had an old friend analyze your blood," he stated. Her face paled. No, she thought. What if my secret gets out? I'll never stop running.

"So?" she put on a defiant expression, even though her heart was pounding.

"So," Hatori stepped forward. "Red Wolf, now I know your secret."

Tarja gasped. "I'm screwed," she whispered. Lifting her eyes to meet his, she glared. "That was none of your business! Now I have to hide again."

"It was completely confidential," Hatori informed her. "It seems you're cursed the same as my family."

"Cursed?"

The front door opened and Shigure rushed out. "Oh, Tori-san!" he exclaimed. "You must introduce me to your lovely guest." He raised Tarja's hand to his lips and kissed it.

She withdrew her hand and glared at Hatori one last time before slipping into the house.

Shigure looked after her with a frown. "Did I say something?"

"Don't you always?" Hatori rolled his eyes. "There's something about her I'd like to speak privately with you about."

"Oh Tarja!" Momiji grabbed her hand and pulled her into the dining room. She was brought up to face the judgment of three strangers. "Everyone, this is my new friend Tarja!"

The girl, who she presumed was Tohru, introduced herself as such. "It's nice to meet you!" the girl bowed slightly and smiled. "Please have a seat!"

She did as requested and sat next to Momiji. She looked at the boy with purple hair and a kid with orange hair.

"This is Kyo and Yuki!" Momiji introduced. Tarja nodded at both of them, but didn't really say anything. She was ready to bolt by the time Hatori and the man named Shigure entered.

"I guess we can eat now!" Tohru said happily, while retreating into the kitchen. Tarja sat awkwardly at the table and knew that all eyes were on her. She avoided looking at any of them.

"It's nice to meet you," the purple haired one, Yuki, addressed her.

"Likewise," she replied.

The one called Kyo merely glared at her and she glared back. Tohru chose that moment to bring the food.

"Ah, our little flower has outdone herself again," sighed Shigure, inhaling the heavenly scent of Tohru's magic.

The young girl twittered anxiously. "Oh no, it's really not that good."

"But it is," Yuki insisted. Tarja watched this little exchange with interest. No one seemed to be paying much attention to her by now.

Tohru dumped a load of rice onto her plate, along with the Yakisoba. "I hope you like it," she mumbled nervously.

Tarja gave a light smile. "If it's as good as these guys claim it is, I'm sure I'll love it."

Tohru smiled gratefully and took her place. They all ate in silence, which made Tarja nervous…. especially when Hatori kept staring at her out of the corner his eye.

He watched how she acted, and it was true, she was rather wolf-like. She didn't seem to know how to act around all these people and she was becoming very withdrawn. Not to mention, she was always on the defensive.

Momiji turned to his new friend. "You look sad," he said. "I wish I could give you a hug."

"Go ahead, Momiji," Hatori said calmly. "Nothing's going to happen." The blonde boy looked to the doctor back to the red-haired girl uncertainly. Impulsively, he threw his arms around Tarja.

Like Hatori said, nothing happened. They all sat in shocked silence. Tarja noticed this, and slowly untangled Momiji's arms from around her.

She stood up. "Something is really weird with all you, but I didn't think to realize what it was." She inhaled deeply and looked down at Momiji.

"Rabbit," was all she said. Yuki gasped and she looked at him. "Rat." Going around the room, she sniffed them all out.

She stopped at Hatori. "You were harder to figure out," she grinned. "Dragon of the sea." The doctor snorted. At least she hadn't come right out and said sea horse.

"How do you know all this?" Kyo asked, angrily. "And how can you smell it?"

Shigure chuckled. "Canines like me have good noses, but wolves have an even better sense of smell."

"Wolves?" Kyo asked in confusion. "So, she's a wolf?"

Tarja sat down calmly and began to eat again. "Werewolf," she answered quietly.