"That girl sucks at wrapping stuff." Kyo said aloud to nobody as he turned the gift over and over in his hands. After his weird interview with Hatori he had retrieved the gift from the table where he'd left it and retreated to his safe haven, the roof. Shigure would never in his life climb up too the roof 'to messy' as he claimed, and Yuki couldn't be bothered climbing the roof just wasn't a part of who he was. Tohru wasn't coordinated enough to chance it too many times so that left it as Kyo's domain.

Really it was the only spot in this whole place that Kyo felt he could retreat to and nobody could get at him. Of course people, birds, and just about everything else could get at him on the roof, but it felt safe, it felt like the room he shared with his adopted father back at the dojo, it felt safe. Kyo had even let Torhu a few times and even Yuki once on New Years come up here and share just a small bit of Kyos world.

So naturally with Kyo needing a chance to mull things over he could be found upon such previously mentioned spot. Kyo was running his fingers over the wrapping paper. It almost seemed like a shame to open it, it was the first thing Kyo had ever gotten from someone within his family, from Tohru he could understand that girl was always giving people junk but that Yuki and Shigure chipped in? They must have been bullied into it by Tohrus evil twin who had stayed the weekend they bought it, or made it whatever, that was the only explanation.

'What is it anyway?' Oh yeah he'd have to open it to find out. My first real birthday present since the small one's mom would-' well never mind that. Sticking his hand under the flap on the back he tugged and the paper ripped away, tugging off the ribbon and tearing the paper some more he revealed a smooth black box. aww they want me to marry them…that sounded cheesy even in my head. Popping open the box it reveled a…dog tag. 'or cat tag I suppose'

Kyo picked up the simple chain the tag was hanging from and lifted it up so he could read what it said.

KYO SOHMA, If found please return to 1427 on Doubutsuen Lane, Ikama, Japan

Please do not feed, he bites.

"Oh hardy harhar" How had Shigure talked Yuki and Tohru into this? Frowning Kyo noticed there was something else on the chain, it was a token, Kyo frowned and brought it up to eye level for a better look. It looked golden 'Painted over brass or something' Kyo figured. It looked old, like really really really old. Something out of a treasure in a pirates movie. Holding it Kyo could feel that it was pretty heavy for its size which was about that of a 5 yen piece and just as round. In the middle was a weird backwards S with a line through the middle a twisting vine design circled around the rest of the piece in surprisingly intricate design. Flipping it over he saw that it had a simple heart cut into the back.

This was pretty cool, Kyo had to admit. Kyo cupped it in his hand it felt…warm and nice. Kyo ran his thumb over it, it was-it was 'MINE'. Kyo's eyes flew open from the half mast they'd been at. How long had he been staring at the pendant? And the voice! Mine, that's what it had said. 'what the hell? It's never just come out of the blue like this, why does the cat think this is its? Kyo looked curiously down at the pendent, what about it was making him feel weird? Kyo didn't know but just the thought of that voice popping up in his head made Kyos heart speed up in worry.

"What's the verdict?" Kyo was distracted by a echo-y voice that sifted up through a pipe the stuck out of the roof. Now interestingly enough Kyo may or may not have never mentioned to any of the people inside the house that if people in the house sat near certain vents their voices may or may not travel up through a connected vent to the roof. And if someone for example Kyo was sitting within about a foot he could overhear conversations. Not terribly useful but it was kind of interesting sometimes to hear Shigure torturing his editor.

"Get out of my face Shigure" That was Hatori, hadn't he left by now? "Hatori." Oh Shigure was serious now

"What am I supposed to tell Akito?"

"About Kyo?"

"What else?"

"I don't know, the cat and mouse have always been kept at a distance, so who knows if the ledged is true."

"You mean the Rat stayed at the main house and the Cat at a outer house until it was locked up."

"Well then we don't really have any experience with this do we? Its just a half formed story passed down though the years…however."

"What is it?"

"I can't be sure but from what I gathered from Kyo's body language it might be true, that even if the host doesn't like that Rat they can't hurt them."

"Well who knows for sure, its never stopped Kyo from trying."

"I just hope it doesn't get worse, we're going on half formed by-word-of-mouth crap here"

"Language Hatori my dear."

"Nobody will find your body"

"Picky picky…but you know I just don't know if I will be able to handle it if Kyo starts trying to grope Yuki at the table…that's not gonna happen right? That would be…really hot."

"Freak. . . I don't know, supposedly the Cats loved the rat every generation but each head of the family has keep them separated for over a century so whose to say, but if legends to be believed he's going to start to…erm try to convince the Rat…-Yuki to um"

"Be his?"

"I'm not sure but versions say that the Rat usually responds favorably."

"Do you really think this could be it?"

"The cure to the curse you mean? Well each head of the Zodiac has tried to keep them apart and each one of them has been obsessed with keeping the banquet going for all eternity. It could be, weirder things have happened."

"And they've all happened to us."

"Quite so, I just don't know Shigure, I really don't know."

"Do you think Kyo will be ok? This is the first time that the Cat hasn't been locked up right away."

"Oh starting to care Shigure?"

"What are you saying, I didn't care?"

"maybe"

"Well nobody put up a fight when his mother locked him away, we've tried to protect the other little ones every time its happened to them…its just…he was different."

"We were raised to think he was a murderous monster ready to snap Shigure, its different now. This time round the cat is interacting with the others more then any other generation probably since the first Zodiacs. Its sad to think about it. We're cursed but the cat…that must be a whole new level of hell."

"I never even thought about it until Kazuma dropped a downcast looking child off at my house and begged me to give him some good memories. Give him a chance to live with someone that maybe one day he could think of as family. You know for just a second I was actually scared at the thought, of Kyo! Thinking about it know it seems ridiculous how could I ever have thought that of that child? It scares me just to think about. I didn't realize that I thought of that boy as family until that damned Kazuma took that bracelet off of him. I thought my heart would stop but I wasn't scared even as I watched his body morph I could only think please just don't let they boy break."

"Shigure…"

"I wont let them you know, lock him up I mean."

"I know, I figured as much. I cant really say but I think that for the first time in centuries the cat might just have the Zodiac members- his own family on his side. He grew up in the main house with them-…for a while at least and he's even showed up for births and stuff, he's got Kagura pining after him and nobody finds his presence odd, he part of the family, part of the Zodiac."

"Akito won't like that."

"He doesn't like anything."

"true"

"Well we'll figure it out. I hope."

"More importantly what are we going to do about Momiji?"

"I really think this is what's best for him and Akito's allowed it."

"…alright we'll tell the children."

Kyo sat back, his eyes where wide as he stared at the roof top with unseeingly. 'Well nothing that interesting has been said outta that pipe before' Kyo didn't understand a lot of what was being said, 'man they talk a lot' but he had picked a few things out. Something about that Cat loving that rat 'Im not even going to think about it. Its the stupidest thing I ever heard and I heard wrong anyway it was hard to hear damn it! It would explain the voice when I can't hit Yuki- GOD NO. I don't get it but Im a Schizophrenia that make more sense.

Confused and unsure about what to do about it Kyo pushed it aside, that is the best way to solve problems after all. Taking a deep breath Kyo pulled his knees up to his chest and took deep breaths he almost couldn't believe it, there was a odd feeling that was swelling in his chest and tears prickled his eyes the cat might just have the Zodiac members- his own family on his side that was what Hatori had said.

"Liars" Kyo mumbled into his arms. 'I've always been alone even-…even with Master every now and then I'd see him glance and the bracelet, that damn bracelet imp different they don't- none of them get it.' For the first time in a while thought about his interactions with the other Zodiac. Before he hadn't had to think about it, he was the cat he was unwelcome and alone but now?

Kyo looked up and over the trees as the wind picked up, his stomach was twisting confusedly. His whole life there had never been any hope for him, he had always known that nobody understood him and instead of trying they where just going to lock him away, even when Kagura bullied him or Hatsuharu asked him for directions he knew they weren't bothering with the real him, he wasn't to surprised when Haru stopped talking to him, it had hut so bad but he knew it was coming, but now?

'Mama why don't the other Zodiac look at me? Mama they all turn away, even that doctor guy wouldn't look me in the eyes…I don't like it Mama, did I do something bad?'

"Kyo…don't worry about it, I love you so don't thank about the others. They just don't understand you like I do"

But she had been eyeing that damn bracelet the whole time.

"But now." Kyo murmured to the wind. That was just it wasn't it? Kyo hadn't really assessed his relations to the Zodiac lately but if someone had told Kyo he was going to end up living in a relatively homey environment with members of the Zodiac, he'd have called them delusional. But look at him now, he had no problem stating his mind in front of the others and they all looked him in the eye. The little one didn't fear or avoid him like other others had because nobody did that now, hell people even talked to him like he was…normal.

Looking back it probably had a lot to do with Kagura freaking out and saying she loved him, that had hocked the hell outta everyone. And -and, actually Kyo didn't know what to think, but his chest hurt. On some level Kyo relied he could not bare to give himself false hope but Shigure had said ' "I wont let them you know, lock him up I mean." Kyo took a deep breath and shifted around on the hard tile. "What the hell does that mean you idiot?" Kyo growled. When in doubt get mad huh?

"Oi! Shigure say's he and Hatori need to tell us something get down here!" Yuki's voice cut into Kyo's privet freak out fest. It took a moment to process what Yuki had said and then "What do they wanna blab about?" Kyo yelled back, leaning over the roof to get a look at Yuki. The rat raised an eyebrow "What makes you think I know?" He said calmly sounding amused, "Shaddup" Kyo responded automatically.

"You opened it." Yuki noted. Kyo stared at him blankly. "What are you talking about?" Yuki's face got a patronizing expression. "The birthday present Kyo, what else?" Kyo looked over to where he was gripping the side of the roof, his hand had held on to the necklace automatically and it dangled from his fingers. "Oh um yeah." Kyo immediately felt awkward.

Yuki was just staring openly now, and Kyo stared back 'RAT' "Holy shit" Kyo cried in surprise as the cat monsters voice whispered through his skull, startled he jerked and lost his grip on the roof, for a moment Kyo had the sensation of falling and then a familiar 'oomph' that came with having the wind knocked out of him.'

"What on earth are you doing?' Yuki's surprised voice came through the buzzing in Kyos head. "Trying to fly?" came Kyo's frazzled reply. Kyo was surprised to hear light chuckles. "Listen stupid far be it from me to decide how you spend your birthday but drinking till you drop is hardly productive. Kyo aimed a kick at Yuki, but it was half hearted and he barely had to move to dodge. "Go away." Kyo mumbled. "Just get in the house." Yuki said in him smooth cool way as he disappeared into the house.

"Don't tell me what to do" Kyo said to nobody. Grumbling he picked himself up off the ground. Realizing that he was still clutching the necklace he, after a moments hesitation slung it on over his neck and tucked it under his shirt. He'd go back for the box later.

"Is something wrong?" Any amusement had drained out of Yukis voice, the table was surrounded by grim faces. " Yeah if something wasn't wrong why can't Tohru be here?" Kyo demanded. Shigure and Hatori shared a look. Kyo managed to restrain himself from demanding to know what was up.

"Its about Momiji." Hatori started. "It seemed the boy has reached his breaking point, he ran into his mother and sister while visiting his father and ended up having a break down." "What! is he ok?" Kyo slammed his fists on the table but everyone was used to his being loud and ignored him.

Most parents of the Zodiac had breakdowns but within the Zodiac it was considered far more serious, because when a parent reached a breaking point they usually either rejected the child and abandoned it or the refused to let the kid away from them but when a actual Zodiac reached a breaking point it meant that they hated their life so much, the next step unless someone could save them, was usually suicide. There where even records of little ones off-ing themselves, That was how the dragon before Hatori bit the dust.

"Damn." Yuki hissed. "And he was so strong." Shigure sighed "Strong or not he's still a kid and he's been dragged through hell and back. He was trying to find a better light to his life but I guess seeing his very own family that he wasn't allowed to be a part of just happened one time to many." Kyo winced. 'that sure as hell sounds familiar' Kyo let out a growl, about to demand that they do something about it his head snapped up to confront everyone, and then Kyo got a good look at their faces.

Shigure, Hatori and hell even Yuki were avoiding Kyos gaze, their faces looked sad and if Kyo had to guess he'd say they looked a little ashamed. 'What the hell! Are they pitying me? What do they know!' Kyos eyebrows shot down to show how pissed he was. "The hell is you peoples problems! Stop being weird and lets do something about the kid!" Shigure and Hatori looked up in simultaneous surprise but out of the corner of his eye Kyo could see confusion on Yukis face.

Kyo didn't really interact too much with the other Zodiac but he had something of a special relationship with Momiji. For some reason even though it was unspoken, because they both knew what it meant to be denied as a member of a family they got each other, so Momiji would tease Kyo whenever he came around but instead of flipping out Kyo would just yell at him and give him a whap, then Momiji would cry for someone to come save him but they knew that even though they had that routine they where cool with each other. So Kyo had a soft spot for the young blond.

"Ah well about that." Shigure said. "He's coming here" "What?" Both boys asked. Hatori explained. "We thought it would be best to give him some fresh air and he is really the only one in the main house all day except Akito, we thought maybe if we took him somewhere where we could baby him a little, and ah…keep an eye on him-" Watch him so he doesn't kill himself" Kyo translated. By Yukis serious face he could see he had thought the same.

"So we want everyone to do what they can for him while he's here, since it's that start of the summer we'll have some time to try to do what we can." Shigure finished. Yuki looked troubled but he was broken out of his thoughts by Kyo. "Okay." the cat said agreeably. They all looked at him in surprise. "Oh? Your acting oddly compliant." Shigure noted.

"Yeah well the problem is his family don't want him right? So we bring him here, give him some dolls or something family-ish and fix'em right?" Kyo said stubbornly. "Well ah yes, that was the idea…kind of." Shigure said with a sweat drop. "We'll do our best." Yuki spoke up determinedly. Kyo would never admit it but he kind of admired the spark of determination and worry that showed in Yukis eyes just then. "Ok then and since Kyo seems so on board with this plan Momiji will be sharing his room, good luck!" Shigure said and he was out of that room before they could blink.

"HEY! don't decide that on your own!" Kyo hollered after him. Yuki stood up "Ill go give Tohru a summery so she know what to expect, maybe she can do some good for him, she's done it before." Kyo let his head hang. "He'll be ok won't he? We'll bring him here and take care of him, if he gets away from that place he'll learn that there are some things worth living for, even if it didn't seem like it." Kyo murmured quietly.

Yukis footsteps which had been traveling for the door paused. "You think so?" The rat asked quietly. Kyos answer was barely audible, he doubted they heard it. "It worked for me." after a moment of silence Hatori sighed and stood up, walking past a still Yuki he opened the door. "We'll figure something out, good day Yuki, and Kyo Happy Birthday." Hatori left.

Yuki was still standing there and Kyo began to fumble with the chain around his neck. "Hey listen…I just I mean Im not saying nothing big or nothing but I just it was really nice of you and mostly Tohru but also of you and the damn dog, to get the thing for my birthday and all and I just I was gonna say t-t- well uh thank you and stuff." Kyo finished with a huff 'ooh graceful dumbass' Kyo scolded himself.

Instead of a smart remark Yuki just lifted his head up. "Happy birthday dumbass" Kyo bristled "Shaddup, what the hell are the dog tags for anyway!" He yelled on instinct. "So you can find your way home incase you wind up in a ditch somewhere." Yuki replied smartly and headed out the door. 'Home' Kyo bent his head over the dog tags. "thank you" he said softly. Yuki gave no sign he had heard.

It wasn't until he was gone that it occurred to Kyo that he had forgotten to ask what was up with the gold pendant. 'Oh well I guess I'll ask another time.' Kyo thought as he stood up and stretched, hmm it had been a day full of surprises and now seemed like the perfect time for a nap.

Next chapter we'll be getting into Momiji coming

Review if you want to, all ideas, thoughts, and flames are welcome.

-Just Miki