Author's note: Don't own this anime. Wish I did but I don't so don't sue me! Please read and review.

Chapter One:

The cat is a fool. The cat is an idiot. The cat doesn't belong. Kyo…you don't belong. You never did and you never will.

Kyo woke with a gasp. The sunrise peeked through his windows, making him squint. Downstairs, he could hear Tohru preparing breakfast for him, Yuki and Shigure. And herself of course. Dammit I guess I overslept. I hate that. Now I won't have time to practice. Master is going to be furious with me. I haven't been working hard enough.

After getting dressed, Kyo dragged himself to the bathroom to wash up. He splashed cold water on his face and looked at himself in the mirror. His eyes looked tired. He thought about his dream. He didn't know where it came from. It had seemed like so many voices had been shouting at him over and over. He could hear one in particular. Kyo violently shut off the water with one hand and slammed his fist with the other onto the sink. He glared at his orange hair. He smoothed it down hurriedly and ran downstairs.

"Good morning Kyo!"

Kyo found himself looking at Tohru's smiling and cheerful face. There was something about this girl…she always made him happy. But just as he was about to smile and return the greeting he caught Yuki staring at them. Damn rat! So instead, he mumbled a small hello and sat down to eat. He could feel Tohru's questioning gaze and slumped down lower.

"Kyo? Is everything ok? You seem a bit stressed?"

Kyo was saved from answering when Shigure pranced in singing at the op of his lungs. This went on for about five minutes.

"Dammit! Will you shut up? You're driving me insane!"

Without waiting for a reply, he took off at a run from the house. Once he was out of sight, Kyo slowed to a walk. Why am I so on edge today? I just…I don't know…woke up so pissed off! I don't know why. This is so frustrating…

"Kyo."

Kyo looked up to see none other than his teacher and friend, Kazuma Sohma.

"Master! What are you doing out here? Is something wrong?"

"Yes Kyo. I need to speak with you. The sooner the better."

"Ok."

"Perhaps we should go back to Shigure's."

"Uh…ok Master."

Kyo turned on his heel and started heading back to the house. He could hear Kazuma following right behind him. He ignored the questioning looks from everyone as he headed up to his room. When he turned back, Kazuma was not there. He found him downstairs talking with Tohru.

"It's so nice to see you again Tohru. It's always a pleasure to speak with you."

"Oh no! Really, the pleasure is all mine." (Kyo could practically hear her blush.)

He listened to the chit-chat from the top of the stairs until he heard Kazuma excuse himself and come up to Kyo's room. The two of them sat across from eachother. Kazuma sat perfectly upright, leaning back on his legs. Kyo sat with his legs crossed and his back hunched over. He looked at Kazuma curiously.

"Well…? What's wrong, Master? You said that you needed to speak with me."

"Yes. Kyo…I want you to know that I do not want this and that I did everything I could to prevent it."

Kyo's hand immediately clasped over his beads. He remembered that night when Master took them. That painful night. Kazuma saw the gesture and shook his head, indicating that that was not why he was here.

"I'm sorry Kyo. But the time has come. Your fate has been sealed."

Kyo's head jerked up and he saw tears in his beloved Master's eyes.