"Uncle Mitch, please." I could hear the voices from inside the house. Uncle Mitch had come to Japan, smacked me around a bit, leaving me with a busted lip and a black eye, and an threat for more later. Now he was meeting with the head of the Sohma house, Akito. I heard that Akito could be almost as formidable as Uncle Mitch at times, and that brought back some of my hope.

There was suddenly an loud burst of commotion coming from inside the house. I rolled my eyes. Uncle Mitch was losing it again. I hope he was being conscious of his blood pressure.

"So you weren't as different as I thought." Kyou's voice came from behind me.

"Yeah, so what?' I didn't turn around, due to the state of my face. I didn't want this gorgeous guy seeing me all busted up.

"You could have said something you know." Kyou sounded irritated.

"What do you propose I say? 'Yeah, are you the outcast of a Chinese Zodiac curse? If you are, so am I.' that would have gone over well, don't you think?" I spat sarcastically.

"No." Kyou replied. "It wouldn't have. But there had to have been some way-"

"There wasn't okay!" I shouted, and whipped around to face him. I saw his eyes widen as he saw my face, and hastily turned around again.

"What happened to your face?" He asked, and I wished I could pummel him on the spot.

"Uncle Mitch was kinda angry." I responded, trying to control my anger. I couldn't get into anymore trouble at this point.

"You can't hold your own in a fight against that fat ass?" Kyou sounded as if he was going to laugh at me.

I whipped around again and grabbed him by the collar. "I could if I wanted to. I could have killed him twenty times in the fight, but didn't. I could do nothing while Jesse was watching." I glared evilly at Kyou.

He grabbed my arm and attempted to throw me, but I anticipated this move, and countered. Soon we found ourselves in an all out war of punches and kicks, matching move for move. Finally, I found and opening and went for it. Kyou landed on the ground with a small trail of blood coming out of his mouth.

"Still think I can't hold my own in a fight?" I asked, smirking as I looked down at him. Then I offered my hand to help him up.

Accepting it he replied, "Who's Jesse?"

"That damn rat." We said in unison. His tone was more of a question, and mine was a confirmation, but still... Somehow, I suddenly felt closer to him.

I plopped down onto the steps of the house and patted the space next to me. "So the rivalries are the same here." I sighed.

"Yeah." Kyou sat next to me and sighed as well.

"You're a worthy competitor. You gave me a run for my money." I offered. That was as close a compliment he was going to get out of me.

"You beat me. What's left to say?" I could tell that that was as close as I was coming to one as well.

"Who's the rat in you're family?" I asked, realizing that I had never bothered to ask Hatsuharu or Momiji.

"You know him." Kyou shrugged.

"I do?" I asked.

"oh, Curna -san, can I ask you a question? Curna -san, I couldn't possibly! It's too informal to call you Shawna." Kyou mimicked in a high pitched voice.

"YUKI!" I exclaimed. Suddenly, Yuki didn't seem so hot to me anymore.

"Yup." Kyou actually smiled at me. He seemed like a totally different person now that he knew how much we were alike. In fact, he seemed totally out of character.

"You're different." I said. I wondered if I seemed different to him.

"Well, you know. It's different when you realize that you aren't as alone in the world as you thought. And if you tell anyone that I talk this much or was this civil, I'll kill you." Kyou smiled again.

"Wow. Two smiles in five minutes. I must be blessed." I grinned. This was a rare occurrence for me. Sure I smile more than Kyou did, but it was rare for a genuine grin to show through.

"Hey, you just graced me with the most dazzling grin I've never seen." Kyou grinned back.

"Kyou, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful secret relationship." I laughed.

"Agreed." Kyou and I both quickly sombered as both of our families came out of the house behind us.

"I'm sorry, Shawna. Next time, I'll try and do more." Dean whispered to me as he passed. I nodded.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..." Kaia began, but then shook her head and walked away.

"You." I winsed as I heard Uncle Mitch's voice. "You're one lucky little bitch that these people are genuine Zodiac members. Next time, you won't be so lucky." I relaxed as Uncle Mitch stomped past.

"Oh, and Shawna. Guess who will be living with you from now on?" I stickily sweet voice rang out behind me. "Lovable old me." I turned around to see an annoying looking guy smiling sweetly at me.

"JESSE!" I screamed.