It's new years eve and we are having a little celebration.

This all feels so different;the memories I had gained by being in Kyo's father's body showed alcoholism and despair in the household.

It's strange but I felt like his problems were my problem. It was unpleasant to see how he abused his own child and put his wife under so much stress emotional and even physical sometimes like roughly grabbing her arm yet he also felt anguish and turmoil inside of him and this was a way to cope for him.

Having a child with the 'curse' of the Zodiac cat,he got ostracized by the Sohma family and had retreated to work or drinking,anything to stay away from his home and actively avoided his family.

He inherited a fairly successful business inherited from his father and even had a few servants working in his house with his Sohma Estate.

But his confronting the Sohma family head,Akito even though he was barely a teen yet and had just taken over after his father, Akira's passing to stand up for Kyo and walking out of the family had a cost.

Akito despite his age was already intimidating and had deviously predicted that before he turns 18 me and my wife would be begging him and accept that Kyo was a monster who must be locked up in the Cat house just like all his predecessors cursed with Zodiac of the Cat.

Now we can't set foot in the Estate without Akito's permission and no assistance from any kind would come from the main house like what others in the Zodiac cursed households received.

To both find an affordable living and for the sake of our sanity and privacy we moved to an apartment to the other end of town. Kyo entered Elementary school where no other Sohma kids went and therefore remind him of his curse. Some kids did tease him about his noticeably red hair color(Japanese are weird about anything other than black hair) but very getting away from that cursed family felt like a breath of fresh air.

Kyo's mother,my wife is lot less stressed now. She even smiles now and then. She's a beautiful woman which that man was destroying because he couldn't deal with his problems and I wouldn't be making the same mistake. Maybe that's the purpose God had for me when he sent me into this miserable man's body. Also,about that...

While most of the Sohma family like many Japanese aren't particularly religious they do have rituals based on Shinto and so imagine the shock they had when I started practicing a monotheistic religion as I had in my previous life and stopped referring to the Sohma head as God even if it's referring to the bond which more rather a curse between him and the 13 individuals who inherit the spirit of the Zodiac animals based on the Chinese calender. Supposedly. I'm not sure if that's really the case.

"Little to the right Kyo"

"Like this father"

"Right. Perfect!"

We both moved back and took a look at modest number of streamers we set up as decoration in the living room. Even though it's just three of us this was the first time we were celebrating together as family and was a precious moment. My wife now as much calmer now and even smiled from time to time. This in my eyes made what her husband do to his family inexcusable.

I did wondered sometimes what happened to that man's soul after I ended up in his body. Is he still inside but dormant,returned to God or did he even have a soul?

Ultimately I wasn't too worried about it. What did concern me was that cursed Family,particularly the Head(God forbid I ever even refer to him as Zodiac god) try to ruin our plans.

Somehow he could force to make Kyo to stay with him with just words and we had to be careful and negotiate without testing his patience,which he had almost none.

They still couldn't defy him if he ordered Kyo to return.

"Dear." My wife said standing in the kitchen and looked terrified while holding the phone in her hand "It's from the Estate."

Well speak of the Devil

I quietly walked over to the kitchen while Kyo was still excitedly looking at the decorations and took the phone. I looked at her and she nervously nodded,went to keep Kyo company and I didn't want them to be freaked out by whatever that family demanded. They've had enough.

"Hello. Kazama Sohma here."

"Kazama-san" said the stern voice of an older woman on the phone.

It's the old hag who's the Head maid of the Family. No pleasantries and straight to the point. Now what's her name? Chitanda.

"You must be aware of the of New Year Banquet where all with Spirit of the Zodiac are expected to attend in the main Hall."

"Yes. I know of it."

'where the Cat Zodiac is never invited'

I said under my breath. Just another way to rub it in that someone like my dear Kyo is a monster which the Family can treat like a sub-human. That Family is deeply messed up.

"I'm sorry?"

"Nothing. The Cat is never invited there so I don't think of it."

That was my blunt answer with barely disguised venom in my voice. A had a lot more to say but it would be wise to stop myself.

"Yes well,Akito-sama has demanded that Kyo come tomorrow morning. He will not enter the Banquet but he wishes to speak with both of you."

I stayed silent on the phone and my mind got bit dizzy by trying to process what is happening.

'Just as I was hoping to spend some quiet time with my family.'

I said my family. It's weird since while my memories of past life have become hazy,I am conscious of being in a different body in entirely different country and yet I've fully accepted the man's woman and child as my own and my mind wasn't polluted by his venomous thoughts. That miserable man. Maybe it's because I wanted a family so i feel protective of them.

"Understood. Have a good day ma'am."

Hope I wouldn't have to see you again. That entire family is messed up and would need an act of God to fix them. At least I'll take care from my end.

I put the phone down and let out a breath I had not realized been holding. Just Perfect. My attention turned back to the living room where I heard sound of chatting and laughter.

"This New Year will be great!"

"Indeed my little Kyo. I even made a special dish to celebrate."

"Really mother? What is it?!"

"It's a secret!"

"Ohh give me a hint,please!"

I smiled at the interaction and didn't want to give them the bad news yet.

I sense a storm coming. But all I know is that I'll be there for them.