Kami was getting worried. She hadn't seen Miyako in a week. She paced in place as she waited for Hatori. They were meeting up for dinner, but Kami was starting to wonder if maybe she shouldn't have agreed to come. I should be out looking for Miyako. Yukio is starting to get angry. She's going to be in trouble.

"Good evening." Hatori said as he walked up.

"Oh!" Kami smiled and turned around. Hatori instantly seemed to catch on that Kami was upset.

"Are you alright?" He rested a hand on Kami's shoulders.

"I'm fine." Kami walked into the restaurant. Hatori followed her. "I've already reserved us a seat." Kami lead the way towards the seat. Hatori followed silently and then sat down next to her. Kami picked up her menu and started looking it over.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Hatori rested his hand on Kami's. "You don't look well."

"I… I'm worried about my cousin Miyako." Kami looked down. "I haven't heard from her in a week, and none of my family has seen her. I'm scared she's in trouble or hurt."

Hatori was silent for a moment. "Could she have run away? I know in my family those with the curse have all at one time or another thought about running away.

Kami froze. "There's no way! She wouldn't dare try to run away. We are too tightly tied to Yukio. If she ran away she would know she could be punished harshly. Plus Miyako's emotion is loneliness. If she's alone then she'll transform into a ferret."

"I can ask Shigure if he's seen a ferret around." Hatori smiled.

"Really?" Kami looked at Hatori happily.

"Don't worry; I'm sure you will find her." Hatori smiled gently and looked down at his menu. "Let's see what there is for dinner tonight."

Kami smiled. "You really are great, Hatori." He looked at her and smiled back.

"No, I'm just being honest. I know you will not give up until you find Miyako." He looked away from the menu and back at her. "I know you truly care about your family."

"Of course." Kami smiled. "They are my family. Even Shouta, I care about them all and wouldn't be able to stand it if something happened to them."

"You're lucky your emotion is not caring."

Kami laughed. "No, I'm lucky my emotion isn't worry. I'd be a fox right now if it was." She sighed. "I guess I'm lucky."

Hatori smiled at her. "I'm the lucky one to be dating you."

Kami blushed, but smiled anyways.

"Hey." Kami smiled as she knocked on Shigure's door. She waited until Tohru opened the door.

"Oh? Kami what are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to Shigure." Kami smiled. "Is he here?"

"Yeah, he's in his office. I'll show you the way." Tohru lead Kami into the house.

"What are you doing here?" Kyo grumbled as he walked by her. He had two apples in his hands. "And alone?"

"I've come to see Shigure." Kami smiled. "Is that a problem?" Kyo grumbled and walked out. "What's with him?"

"I don't know. He's been really distant all week. He keeps taking snacks and going for walks." Tohru watched Kyo leave. "Come on, Shigure is here." Tohru knocked on a door. "Shigure!"

He opened the door. "What's up? Oh hey Kami." He smiled. "What can I do for you? Did you want to read one of my books?"

Tohru walked off. "No, it's fine." Kami smiled. "I just wanted to know if you saw a ferret anywhere."

"A ferret? Yeah I saw one out near Yuki's garden yesterday. It was black with red paws."

"Really?!" Kami asked excitedly. She recognized Miyako's description instantly. "Thank you Shigure. I'll be going now."

"Alright." He nodded and Kami quickly shot out into the forest surrounding the house. She looked around, carefully scanning the area. She found the garden quickly, but Miyako wasn't there. "MIYAKO!"

There was a shuffle noise a little away. Kami instantly shot towards the noise and found a ferret trying to hide under the tree. "Miyako I know you're there." The ferret didn't move for a moment, but then Miyako poked her head out.

"Kami…"

"Thank goodness." Kami sighed. "I'm glad you're alright."

Miyako moved out and changed back into her human form. "Kami… I…" She looked down.

"I'm glad you're okay." Kami hugged her cousin.

Miyako blinked and looked up. "Kami, you aren't angry?"

"Of course not. I'm just glad you're alright." Kami patted Miyako's head. "I've been looking for you for a while. Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry Kami." Miyako looked away. "I just… I just had to leave. I couldn't stand the curse, I had to run away."

"I understand, but Miyako… You need to come home. If you don't Yukio will get extremely angry and send out a search party for you himself. And when he gets you home he'll be really upset."

Miyako shifted and looked down. "I don't want to go back, he'll hurt me!" She started crying.

"Don't worry; I won't let him hurt you…. But you probably will end up in the room." Kami said seriously. "You have to be prepared for that."

"I don't want to." Miyako cried into Kami's chest. "Please!"

"Don't worry." Kami petted Miyako's head. "I'll protect you from his wrath, but I can only do that if you come now."

"Kami…. I don't want you to get in trouble."

"I'll be there for you." Kami smiled. "Just trust me."

"I will." Miyako looked up. "Alright…. Let's go home."

Kami smiled, but paused as she noticed a half-eaten apple on the ground. It didn't look like a ferret had eaten it, but a human. "What's that?"

"An apple." Miyako blinked.

"Kyo had an apple when he left Shigure's house and went out into this forest…. And that looks like a human ate it, not a ferret."

Miyako froze. "I…"

Kami smiled. "I'm glad you found a friend while you were out here."

Miyako smiled. "Thanks Kami."

"Come on." Kami patted Miyako's head. "We'll head home now. I won't leave your side, I promise."