Kami hummed as she walked out of the grocery store with her bags. She planned to make a big dinner because one of her cousins was coming for a visit. She hadn't seen or talked to him in a while. He lived nearby, but he was always going out and hanging out with friends outside the family. She knew that it wasn't his fault, it was the one way he controlled his curse emotion. She smiled, it was great to have him decide to come and have dinner with her.

"Kami?"

Kami blinked and turned seeing Hatori standing in front of her. He was about to get into his own car, carrying a bag himself. "Hatori." Kami smiled. "Hello."

"Shopping?" Hatori asked.

"Yep. I needed some food so I could cook a dinner big enough for my dad, myself, and my cousin Isamu."

"Is he one of the cursed members?" Hatori asked curious.

Kami flushed. "Uh… Yeah…"

"Let me give you a ride." Hatori said calmly. "So your groceries don't spoil, or you don't accidently spill them."

"Oh… Thank you." Hatori helped her put the groceries in the back of his car. She noticed his own bag was filled with books. "You like reading?"

"Yes, but these books are for Shigure." Hatori said calmly. "He needed reference material… But since he is apparently too busy today to go get them himself, I am."

"So why are you getting them for him?" Kami blinked as she buckled her seatbelt.

Hatori didn't answer right away as he got into the car. "I…."

Kami smiled. "You're a good friend."

Hatori sighed. "That idiot owes me."

"Well I'm glad," Kami smiled. "Because now I'm getting a lift home. Thanks again Hatori. It's a big help."

Hatori nodded. "Where do you live?" Kami told him the address and leaned back in her seat. "So how many members in your family are cursed?"

Kami paused and thought about it for a moment. "There are eighteen of us and the youngest is only seven. From everything we have been told about our curse there can only be the eighteen. When Takuma was born we all felt a little calmer since he was finally here."

Hatori nodded. "Waiting for them is hard…and watching out for them harder."

Kami glanced over at Hatori. The comment seemed to be more of a comment to himself. She smiled. "You and Shigure are the oldest members of the cursed family aren't you?"

"Yes, as well as one of the others… Yuki's brother Ayame."

"Yuki has a brother… and he's also in the curse!" Kami blinked surprised.

"Do siblings not get both cursed in your family?" Hatori asked calmly.

"Well we have the twins are cursed together… but I thought that was just because they were twins… Maybe siblings can be cursed both…" Kami blinked.

"Hmm… Yuki and Ayame are the only siblings affected by the curse." Hatori said calmly. "It's a rare thing probably."

"I guess…. So this Ayame guy… Is he like Yuki?"

Hatori just smiled slightly. "Not really…. He, Shigure and I have been friends though since we were little. We were the first three zodiac members."

"I think that's cool." Kami smiled. "I'm the oldest. And the closest in age to me is still a few years younger… But I don't see her a whole lot any more. Even when we were kids she spent more time with the other closest in age running around being mostly carefree." She smiled slightly thinking of those days. It had been a less stressful time. "But as the next couple started getting born Hitomi and Raine spent more time by themselves than with the others... At least until middle school."

"…So you've had to look out for the younger ones by yourself?"

"Yeah." Kami smiled. "But it's not that hard. I love all of my cousins and I want nothing more than their happiness!"

Hatori parked the car outside the Kibaru main house and smiled. "I hope that you and all your family find happiness then."

Kami flushed slightly and got out of the car before Hatori could notice. "Well… Thank you Hatori." She pulled out the bags. "I hope Shigure doesn't have you run around all day." She turned and headed into the main house. She could hear the car pull away and sighed. I have to be careful… I almost got nervous… Now I need to concentrate on dinner!

"What do you think of the food?" Shigure asked looking over at the younger girl sitting at his table. Yin nibbled on the food.

"….It's not that great." She said coldly. "It could use some more seasoning."

Shigure laughed. "You are different right now then when you're with your family." He smiled and took a bite of his own food.

"…Sometimes I'm like this at home…. It depends on my mood."

Shigure leaned back in his seat. "I understand that." He said seriously. "You have two different faces, and only those who truly know you can see the real face."

Yin paused and looked up at him. He's…. different as well…. He acts like an idiot around the others, but now that we are alone he is more serious. Yin kind of liked it. She had been wandering around in her otter form and had ended up falling asleep in the bushes outside of Shigure's house. When he had walked out to get his paper he had found her and invited her in for some lunch.

"Did you want to read my book now?" Shigure asked holding up one of his novels. When he had spotted Yin eyeing his bookshelf while he warmed up the food, he had told her about his books. She had been interested immediately, but since she didn't want to get any food on his books she had waited till they finished lunch.

"Let me finish the food."

"I thought you didn't like it?" Shigure asked.

"I never said I didn't like it…. I just said it could use some more seasoning." She said calmly as she took another bite.

Shigure watched her and smiled. Once they were finished Yin sat down on his floor and started reading, while Shigure worked on his next novel. They both sat in silence for a few hours before there was a knock on the door. "I'll be back in a minute." Shigure got up and walked out.

Yin blinked and looked up from the book. It was good, but she was curious. So she followed silently. "Here Shigure." Hatori said from the door, handing a bag to Shigure. "Next time you go out yourself."

"But I was busy writing." Shigure wined childishly.

Hatori didn't seem to buy it and frowned. "Don't be lazy…" He paused slightly. "I know you're trying to manipulate me into doing something… But I want you to know I'm not interested in whatever it is." With that Hatori walked off and Shigure chuckled.

"He knows me too well…. So what do you think of the book Yin?" He looked over and Yin flushed slightly embarrassed at having gotten caught spying.

"…It's good…. Can I take it home with me to finish?... I'll return it when I finish it." She shifted.

"Sure… I'd love for you to come back." He smiled.

Yin smiled and picked up the book and her fuzzy jacket that sat on the floor. "Then I'll see you when I return."

"I'm looking forward to it." Shigure nodded.

"Hey Kam." Kami looked up as a young man walked into her house. He short brown hair and instantly started leaning up against the doorframe.

"Hey Isamu!" Kami rushed over and hugged her cousin. "I'm so glad you asked to join us for dinner today!"

Isamu nodded. "I haven't seen you in a few months… and…. I need your advice…" He shifted and looked down. He suddenly turned into a deer and sighed. "Oh man… I got too shy again…"

Kami smiled and hugged the deer around the neck. "It's okay Isa… You know I don't care. Whenever you feel shy you can come to me. You don't have to try and be cool and impressive for me."

The deer smiled and nuzzled up against Kami's hand. "Thanks Kam… I came really because… there is this girl I like…. But…. Every time I try to go talk to her… I get shy and rush away before I transform…"

"Oh?" Kami blinked. "So you can't be as outgoing around her?"

"No… and it doesn't help that she always has other people around her… I've only seen her a few times… But she's so cute…. And she looks really kind…." He sighed resting his head against Kami's shoulder. "What do I do?"

"Give it time." Kami smiled. "You just need to be a little more confident." She got up. "Now let's have dinner and try forgetting about this girl for a little bit… I'm sure everything will work out… But I think it might be harder for you to eat my dinner as a deer." She laughed.

Isamu looked up at her and started laughing as well. He turned back. "Alright… But I hope you didn't make spicy food…"

"Of course not."

Kami yawned as she finished cleaning up. She glanced over and saw Isamu asleep on the couch. After dinner he had passed out pretty quickly. She could tell he really liked the girl, that was the only reason he would get so nervous and his shyness would take over. Will he ever be able to actually talk to her… as long as he is shy he won't… Kami frowned. She wanted for everyone to be happy, but the curse was a big road block for them all. If only we weren't cursed…. If only we were normal… Kami sighed and rubbed her head. Great, now I've got a headache.

She put the dishes away and paused as she looked out her window. Yin was sitting against a tree reading a book. She looked happy enough. Maybe the curse isn't a barrier for everyone… I shouldn't worry. Kami headed back to cleaning up and thinking about what the Sohma boys and Tohru were doing at the onsen. She had wanted to go partly, but she knew that it was impossible to convince Yukio to let her and some of the others go for even one night. He's the biggest road block…. Kami sighed. Happy thoughts! Happy thoughts! Otherwise this headache is going to drive me crazy! She laughed at herself and shook her head. "What good are happy thoughts going to do against a headache?" She smiled. "I guess I'll just have to see where the future takes us, and help everyone stay happy."