The next morning, Tohru and [Y/n] made breakfast for everyone. Kyo stood in the living room, drinking milk. "Certin. I've told you not to drink straight from the carton." Yuki said while drying his hair.

"Morning." [Y/n] greeted while washing dishes.

"Oh. Good morning. I hope you slept well." Tohru greeted as well.

"Lay off, you stuck-up rat!" Kyo yelled, and Yuki kicked him, making Kyo fall and spill the milk. Tohru was shocked. "Oops, looks like you spilled the milk. Go and buy more for us." Yuki said.

"I knew that was going to happen..." [Y/n] muttered while drying her hands and watching the show unfold.

"You jerk! That's it. We're settling this right now!" Kyo yelled.

"A cat and a rat."

Everyone jumped in fear when Uotani and Hanajima appeared behind the sisters. "Uncanny." Hanajima finished. "Oh, hello. Y-You're up. Can I get you something?" Tohru said.

"Jeez, do we need to put a bell on you, Hanaji?" [Y/n] muttered.

"Why do you say that?" Uotani asked Hanajima. "You know, they're like that cartoon...Still, this seems like a fun house to live in. I decided that if I came over and found out that it was a bad environment for Tohru and [Y/n], then I'd do all sorts of things to the two of you."

"What kind of things?"

"Like what?"

"Has anyone ever told you...that your waves are quite nice?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, you don't realize it? Well, that's good, too." Hanajima said.

"Well, we're counting on the two of you." Uotani said and wrapped her arm around [Y/n]'s shoulder while Hanajima hugged Tohru. "Please look after them for us."

Tears filled Tohru's eyes while [Y/n] blushed. "You guys. We're okay. But thank you for...caring so such about us." Tohru said, and [Y/n] wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. "You guys are lame." She said, "Let's eat."

"Yes, let us have breakfast." Hanajima said as she and Hanajima went to sit at the table.

"We'll have to come back and visit here again." Uotani said.

"Yes. I'd like to investigate the Sohma family's strange waves." Hanajima said.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. She's gotta be kidding." Kyo said.

"Um! I promise we'll be super careful, 'kay. Your secret will not get out. Plus they're both really good people. I swear." Tohru said. "Yeah. You guys can trust us." [Y/n] said.

The males gave in. "Fine. Whatever." Kyo said while looking away.

"Yes, they are your friends, after all." Yuki said, and Tohru and [Y/n] smiled. The phone suddenly rang. "I got it." [Y/n] said and went to answer the phone.

"Hello?"

"Is this [Y/n] or Tohru Honda?"

"This is [Y/n] Honda. May I ask who's calling?"

"Hatori Sohma. We met at the festival yesterday. I'll cut to the chase I need to see you and Tohru on your next day off. I have something important to discuss with the two of you. Don't tell anyone other than Tohru about this. You'll come by yourselves as well." [Y/n]'s eyes widened a bit, "If you don't show up. I trust you'll know what'll happen."

"O-Okay. We'll be there."

"Good. And who knows, you may even get to meet Akito." Then he hung up.

[Y/n] sighed. "I guess I don't have a choice." She said.

╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

Kyo came running into the living room. "Hey! I can't find them. They're gone!" He yelled.

"Don't get your whiskers in a knot. They said they were going out with a friend." Shigure said. "Are you incapable of listening when people talk?" Yuki asked.

Kyo blushed. "They never go out, so what am I supposed to think?!"

"Well, I'd say Kyo's hissy fit has shown us just how much a part of the household the Honda sisters have come." Shigure said, "He's positivity lost without our fair maidens."

The sisters stood in front of the Sohma estate dressed in winter clothing. "Wow, this place is huge." [Y/n] said while pushing the glasses up on her nose.

"Tohru! [Y/n]! Hallo!" Which scared [Y/n] and Tohru. It was Momiji. "You're right on time."

"I'm sorry! You startled me!" Tohru said while [Y/n] held her chest to make sure her heart was still beating. The door opened. "Come on in. Welcome to the Sohma Estate."

"Thanks. It's really something." Tohru said.

"Harry's house is down this way." Momiji led the way. 'It's so quiet...It's making me nervous.' [Y/n] thought and folded her shaking hands together. She went to reach for Tohru's hand but decided not to. 'I'm okay. I'll be fine on my own.'

By the time they made it to Hatori's house, Tohru was nervous and out of breath. [Y/n] always went for morning jogs, so she was fine, but Tohru wasn't looking so good. "Welcome to my home." Hatori greeted with his usual stoic look. "I didn't realize the walk here so arduous."

"Oh, it's not." Tohru said with a weak smile.

"Come on in, and have a seat. Momiji, bring us something to drink." Hatori said and led the way. "A drink sounds great, thanks." Tohru said.

[Y/n] pulled off her coat and looked around Hatori's office. She noticed the picture on Hatori's desk. She was a beautiful woman with short hair. 'He didn't seem like the type to date...He seems so serious.' [Y/n] thought and blushed little, 'I think that would be an interesting romantic story.'

[Y/n] noticed Tohru freaking out for some reason. She gave her a questioning look. "Tohru?" Momiji said, making Tohru jump, "What's the matter? Do you feel sick? Harry is a doctor."

"Oh, no! I'm absolutely fine, I swear!" Tohru panicked.

"'Kay. Then why don't we go ahead and sit down?" He said, and [Y/n] nodded. They sat down and drink some tea until Hatori came in.

"So, um. Are you a doctor at a hospital?" Tohru asked, "Did you have to take time off to meet with us here?"

"No. I don't treat anyone outside of the Sohma Clan. I'm the family doctor. Though half my job is babysitting its head. Constantly getting sick is Akito's specialty." Hatori said.

"Plus, all of the Sohmas are super busy today, so nobody will stop by for an exam." Momiji said.

"Huh?"

"They're getting ready for New Year's. It's a big event here for us, so outside people will pitch in to help with the preparations, too, and not just inside ones." Momiji explained.

"Inside?" [Y/n] muttered.

"Outside?" Tohru questioned.

"Yep. See, the members of the main family are on the 'inside'. Remember the tree-lined road? The one that leads to the front gate? We call the resident of that area 'outside' people. I think there are about ein hundert? A hundred of them. There are another 50 living on the inside. And all 150 of us are Sohmas!"

[Y/n]'s eyes widened. "That's a big family." She muttered.

"The only people who can live 'inside' are zodiac members like us, or people who know our secret." Momiji said, "Shii-chan and Yuki are gone now, but they used to live here, too. Kyo was outside, though."

Hatori walked over to his desk. "I don't know how skilled you are at math, but that means even within the Sohma family, a full two-thirds aren't aware of the zodiac secret. So perhaps you can see how outrageous it is for complete strange like the two of you to know it." He said as he sat down, "Ordinarily, I would've wiped your memory as soon as you learned about it. But Akito hasn't given me the order to, for whatever reason. Tell me, do you both enjoy living at Shigure's house?"

"Oh. Yes, we do." Tohru said with a smile.

"I recommend moving out immediately." Hatori said, seriously, with a glare, "Stay away from the Sohma from now on. You seem to think our possessed family is fascinating, maybe even delightful. But it's not. We're monstrous. Loathsome. Cursed. So listen when I tell you: Leave before you regret associating with the Sohmas. Make no mistake, Akito is trying to use you."

[Y/n] was still in shock and noticed the dark look on Momiji's face. 'Is that really what they think of themselves? Is that what Sohma, Kyo, and Shigure think too?' [Y/n] thought.

The doorbell rang. "Wait here for a moment." Hatori said and walked away.

"You should know." Momiji said, "Harry is almost entirely blind in his left eye. He used to have a girlfriend. Her name was Kana. She was really nice. They were even going to get married. But...Akito got angry. So, so angry. Said they weren't allowed to get married, then lashed out, and injured Harry's eye. But you know what? Harry never blamed Akito. As for Kana, she blamed herself. She said it was her fault he got hurt. She felt so guilty, she became depressed. Like she'd never be happy again. Finally, Harry decided to erase Kana's memories. He couldn't stand to watch her fall apart anymore. So, he took away all the memories she had of them being in love. Kana left the estate. Harry cried when she went. But even then, he didn't blame Akito."

[Y/n]'s eyes saddened. She wanted to cry for Hatori. She felt bad for him. Momiji went out to get some fresh air. "Why didn't he blame Akito?" [Y/n] asked as she followed the blonde boy.

"Because...that's the curse. Harry doesn't want to see any more people end up like Kana. He doesn't want the two of you to get hurt by the curse like she did." Momiji said. Hot tears filled [Y/n]'s [e/c] eyes against her will. She realized Tohru was crying as well.

[Y/n] joined her on the floor. "Tohru..."

"Wait, are you crying? Oh no, did I make you two cry? I'm so sorry." Momiji said and checked on the girls.

"It's not that. It's just...Hatori's so kind to be worried about us." Tohru said. [Y/n] grabbed Momiji's hand. "Whatever happens, I'm so glad we got to meet all of you. Even if Hatori is right, and we're being used for some reason, I...still am grateful to have met everyone." [Y/n] said while trying to wipe her tears behind her glasses.

"We'll never regret meeting Sohma and Kyo and Shigure. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't be who we are now." Tohru sobbed.

"And me, too?" Momiji asked with his bangs covering his eyes, "Are you glad that you met me?"

[Y/n] squeezed his hand tighter. "Of course." She said with a small smile, and Tohru nodded.

"Don't look so glum, you three. I promise we're not using Tohru or [Y/n]." They heard and saw Shigure at the door with Hatori.

"Shigure!"

"Doc Hatori here can be a bit melodramatic. It's a character flaw." He said.

"What brought you here?" Tohru asked.

"My gut! It told me to come, Tohru." He said dramatically, "It's a novelist thing. I have a keen sixth sense."

"Clearly a lie." Hatori said, "You only came to check on the New Year's preparations"

"Ugh. The common folk are quick to envy the geniuses. Tragic."

"Genius?"

"You'd never guess it, but those two are best friends." Momiji said, and [Y/n] raised a brow. 'I believe it.' She thought.

"Honestly, with all the worrying you do, it's a wonder you're not bald yet. I keep telling you Akito doesn't mean any harm to Tohru or [Y/n], but you refuse to believe me. Now you've gone and scared the poor girls. What if they actually move out?" Shigure questioned.

"Please. It's okay, really. Just knowing you're concerned about us means a lot, thank you." Tohru said and bowed. [Y/n] bowed with her sister as well. "Yes, thank you, but we're going to stay where we are for now." She said.

"Very well. Be sure to take this with you." Hatori said and placed something on [Y/n]'s head.

"Hm?" [Y/n] looked at the item. It was a camera. "It's the camera from the cultural festival." Hatori informed.

"Why give it to me?" [Y/n] asked.

"Our deal. Have you forgotten it already?" He questioned, "I told you that if you came here, I would surrender the camera to you."

'That's...not what he said. But, okay...' [Y/n] thought, ''My way or the highway', I guess.'

"I forgot. I haven't introduced you two to Akito." Hatori said.

"Um. It's okay, really. We don't mind. I was wondering, though, you're a member of the zodiac, too, right?" Tohru asked Hatori, "Which of the spirits are you?" [Y/n] looked curiously as well.

Shigure began to laugh. "Now that's an excellent question! And the answer is hilarious!"

Hatori looked at Shigure darkly. "I'll call your publisher and tell them every embarrassing thing you've done since you were four." He said.

"Right. Lips sealed." Shigure said nervously.

"I apologize for today. All I did was make you two cry. I'm sorry." Hatori said.

When it was time for the Honda sisters to go home, Hatori volunteered to walk them to the gate. "I'll stay for a bit. I still need to sneak a peek at the celebration set-up." Shigure said.

"And I have a dance rehearsal to get to." Momiji said.

"Dance?"

"Yes, it's sort of like a ritual we perform every New Year's." Shigure said, "Now, Hatori, you behave yourself around young Tohru and young [Y/n]."

"Let's go." Hatori simply walked away.

"'Kay." [Y/n] and Tohru followed. Momiji waved goodbye. "We'll see you later." Tohru said while [Y/n] waved back. The walk was most likely spent in silence. "So, is it true that you're best friends? You and Shingure?" Tohru said, and Hatori looked a bit disgusted.

"Us? Best friends?" He said.

"Well, that's what Momiji said, b-but maybe he was wrong?" Tohru said.

"I'm stuck with him, that's all." Hatori said and continued to walk. 'Stuck...huh? I guess he's not much of a talker.' [Y/n] thought. "Hey, watch your step." Hatori said which snapped [Y/n] out of it. But, Tohru didn't seem to hear and almost fell down the stairs. "Tohru!" [Y/n] called, and Hatori tried to catch her, causing him to change into his zodiac.

[Y/n] rushed down the stairs. "Are you two okay?!" She said and noticed Hatori was a seahorse. She and Tohru began to panic. "What do we do?!" [Y/n] said as she picked up seahorse Hatori. "Water!" Tohru said and fold his clothes. The sisters ran off. "Which kind of water does he need?!" [Y/n] asked.

Before they could put him in water, Hatori turned back into his human form. They laid him down and covered him with his coat. "Hatori. Hatori!" Tohru called as the man was coming to his senses, "Can you hear me? Are you okay? How do you feel?"

"I'm freezing." He said, and the girls blushed. "Um, that's because, under your coat, y-you're...kinda naked." Tohru rambled. [Y/n] looked away as Hatori sat up and put his clothes on. "So you saw?" He asked.

"Oh, no. we didn't look I promise."

"You saw my zodiac form?" Hatori clarified.

"Well, yeah." Tohru muttered, and Hatori facepalmed. "It's not as bad as you think. We were just shocked that's all." [Y/n] said, and remember that Tohru dropped Hatori's shoe. "Oh, your shoes! They're probably by the stair." She said.

"I'll go get them." Tohru said and started jogging. [Y/n] was left standing awkwardly with Hatori. She wanted to ask him if they've met before. "So, you're finally getting married, huh? Congratulations, Kana."

[Y/n] eyes widened with she saw Kana walk by with her friend then she looked down at the ground.

"Thanks, Myuko."

"Well, what's the lucky man like?"

"Huh. My heart always feels calm with I'm with him. His face isn't quite as handsome as Hatori's, though."

"You're terrible. Don't say that."

"Gimme a break, he was the man of my dreams. Even if he never felt the same. I wish I got to tell him 'hi' while I was visiting."

"Easy. You've got a man."

"Congratulations." Hatori muttered, and [Y/n]'s heart broke. It wasn't fair for Hatori. The zodiacs can't even find love for themselves. This is what Yuki meant when they talked about love.

"I'm sorry, congratulations for what?" Tohru said while standing there with Hatori's shoes.

The man cleared his throat "Nothing. Never mind." He said, and Tohru gasp. "Do you see that? It's snowing!" She said while putting down Hatori's shoes. [Y/n] got excited as well to see the small white snowflakes slowly fall from the sky. "Really? Wow!" [Y/n] awed, "No wonder it was getting super cold." She grinned as snow fell into her hand.

[Y/n] turned around to Hatori and noticed the sad look on his face. "Hatori." She called. He looked up at the two girls who were looking back at him with a worried expression.

"You look sad. Is something the matter?" Tohru asked.

"I'm fine." He said and got up, "Tell me, what do you suppose comes of snow when it melts?" He walked closer to them.

"Huh, let me think for a second." Tohru said, and [Y/n] smiled.

"That's easy. When the snow melts, spring comes." [Y/n] said. "That's right! No matter how cold is now, spring will come. It never fails. Pretty mysterious, huh?" Tohru said.

Hatori smiled a little. "Yes. It is."

They continued to walk and finally made it to the gate. "Thanks for walking us to the gate. We appreciate it." Tohru said as they bowed. "Sorry about the incident." Hatori said.

"You're still here? Slowpokes." Shigure said while walking closer to the three people, "Now, doctor, you haven't been behaving improperly, have you?"

"No! He hasn't done anything!" Tohru said.

Hatori began to walk away, "See you later."

"Thank you for inviting us over." [Y/n] said as she and Tohru waved goodbye. Surprisingly, Hatori waved back.

"It was quite rude of him to summon you both here like that. But he's not as much of a jerk as he seems." Shigure said.

"No, he was actually really nice to us." [Y/n] said.

"Well, let's get home." Shigure said and led the way, "All this New Year's prep has me positively famished. Speaking of which, what are we having for dinner?"

"Shigure...Will you tell us...about the Curse?" Tohru asked, and he stopped and looked at the two girls, "Sorry, it's just...It just seems like we should be doing something to help."

"And you are, just by being yourselves. But for now, I don't think I should tell you anything more. I'm sorry." Shigure said. [Y/n]'s look saddened. Deep down, she just wanted to comfort the Sohmas. This "Curse" wasn't a simple as changing into a zodiac animal. They couldn't experience life like average people, and it was hurting them. She felt that she understood them, and yet, didn't understand at the same time.

By nightfall, [Y/n], Tohru, and Shigure made it home to see Kyo and Yuki fell asleep while waiting for them. "I guess it's true what they say. A kotatsu can put even the fiercest demons to sleep." Shigure said, and the girls chuckled.

'I can't believe these idiots actually waited for us...' [Y/n] thought while looking fondly at Yuki's sleeping form. "I'll get some blankets." She said, and Tohru nodded. Whether Tohru and [Y/n] were helping reverse the curse or not, [Y/n] decided that she'll cherish her time in the Sohma house and with her sister.