Previously on UD...

"Hello?" I called out with no response. Her family must not be here, but if that is the case, then why leave the door unlocked? I ventured into the living room to see a couch with a few straggling chairs, a coffee table, and a small wood pile next to the chimney where ashes stayed meaning it burned out earlier today. I carefully sat Akira down on the couch, taking her shoes off and placing her bag next to the couch before going over to the fire place and doing my best to start a fire to warm up the home.

3rd Person's POV (Present Time)

The fire crackled as HatsuHaru Sohma poked the logs with a poker, biting down on his bottom lip in deep thought. He couldn't understand why he didn't transform when he picked up Akira, he should have transformed into a cow like he usually did but it was normal, as if he was making contact with someone part of the Chinese Zodiac Curse. He knew for sure that Akira wasn't part of the Sohma family, because if she was then he would know about her and would be living in the Sohma Estate just like him. But if he didn't transform... Then what was Akira's Zodiac Animal? Akira groaned catching Haru's attention, slightly turning around to see her waking up. He was gonna just have to ask her rather than throw false accusations at her. Haru sat the poker down in it's original place before going over to Akira who finally opened her eyes. Blinking immensely, all she could see was a big blur but she could make out the fact that she was back in her home

"Here, drink this." She jumped before turning her attention over to Haru who was holding out a cup of lukewarm tea. She cautiously took it, feeling the mug warm her hands. She took a small sip, careful not to burn her tongue as she watched Haru sit down on the coffee table in front of her, surprised it didn't break from his weight considering she got it from a old junk yard a few years back. Haru studied her as she sipped on her tea, noting the fact that her eyes seemed glazed over and looked like were straining themselves to see somewhat. He looked over at where he placed her glasses before picking them up and carefully putting them on her. Akira blinking, getting used to the now clear room and Haru. Akira sat the mug of hot tea down next to Haru on the coffee table, knowing what he was going to ask next, bracing herself for the angry accusations by looking down at her lap

"Are you hungry at all?" With a shocked expression, Akira looked back up at Haru to see him kindly smiling at her

"Uhh- Umm-" Akira sneezed like a mouse, surprising her and Haru

"Just as I thought, you caught a cold. I will be right back with some soup." Before Akira could refuse his offer. He was up and into the small kitchen only being able to fit two people at a time. Akira sighed, looking into the flames of the fire place before looking out at the window next to the bricked fire place to see it had stopped snowing. A few minutes later, Haru came back in with a tray that had orange juice and chicken noodle soup on, mostly the only thing she eats now a days, He sat it down on the coffee table when a idea sparked in Akira's mind

"Hey umm, did anything happen after I fainted?" Akira nervously asked Haru, shocking him once more

"No, why?" Akira sighed in relief, confusing Haru. Was she worried that she would transform when Haru came into close contact with her

"Oh, nothing- Wait, did you say nothing happened?" Akira asked Haru who nodded. A awkward silence fell upon them, them both watching the fire as it danced

"Are you... Like me?" Akira finally asked, not taking her gaze off of the fire. Haru looked back at the brown haired girl before clearing his throat

"What do you mean by that?"

"I- Umm... How to say this properly..." Haru furrowed his brows, leaning forward in anticipation

"Are we both monsters?"

Akira's POV

Haru stared at me, stunned beyond comprehension. This was the only way I could tell him without letting out the fact that I was a Sohma, that his memories of me were erased by Hatori Sohma. He blinked rapidly, now finally understanding what I was trying to state

"Ox." Haru blurted out, stating his Zodiac Animal

"A Ox? You mean-"

"Yeah." Haru confirmed, trying his best not to scare me. I sighed in relief, a smile braking out

"I'm glad that you were there to catch me and not somebody else." I stated, leaning over and bringing him into a hug. His arms slowly wrapped around me, careful that I wouldn't break like a porcelain doll. I was content to be in his arms again, after so long of not seeing him. This was refreshing

"Duckling..." I muttered but I knew he heard me because I felt a smile break out against my neck, his hold tightening

"Duckling and Ox, huh?" I nodded, burying my face deeper into the croak of his neck. Now Haru knew part of the truth.

To Be continued