Chapter 2 is here! Did anyone notice the reference to the zodiac in the last chapter? That's what happens when you've been reading Fruits Basket most of the time! Don't forget to R&R!!

They were walking down an alley, when Muta suddenly stopped.

"Muta, what is it?" Haru asked.

"Somebody's following us," he whispered. He turned around and went back the way they came. Right before they went around the corner, there was a crash. Haru ran into the alley to find Machida with a bucket on his foot. Haru grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. Good thing she took martial arts.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing!?" she hissed at him. Machida smiled weakly.

"Umm…"

"Don't you dare follow me again!" Haru growled. "Or else!" She twisted his arm some more, just to make sure her point got across.

"Ow ow ow!" Machida whined. Haru let him go, before she could be tempted to break his arm, or worse. Machida looked at her with hurt and anger in his eyes before running off.

"Wow, Chicky, wait till I tell Baron about this side of your personality." Haru glared at him, just daring him to try. Muta flinched a little, knowing very well what she could do to him.

"Whatever. We better get going, Baron is probably worried, not that I would care," he said slyly. Haru blushed a little before following him.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Muta decided to take the longer, more confusing path to the Refuge, just in case somebody else was following them.

When they finally got to the Refuge, Toto and Baron were arguing.

"Baron, you are aware you have to marry a human by the 50-year mark, right?" Toto asked.

"Yes, but that mark is three months away," Baron reminded him.

"Still, you better get going; three months can go by really quickly," Toto said.

Baron groaned. "Don't remind me."

"Well, at least it's not too hard to figure out who you.." Baron glared at him.

"Muta, is that you?" he called. Muta sighed and entered. Haru followed him, shrinking to Baron's size when she walked under the archway. Baron had finally gotten Muta and Toto to help him fix the magic on it. They had also added a little extra, so Haru would be the only human to shrink when she walked under it.

"How much did you hear?" Baron asked.

"Marry human by 50-year mark, three months, pretty obvious who," Haru counted on her fingers. Baron got paler each one she counted.

"I was going to tell you. I just wanted to wait until you were 18," he explained.

"Oh, I'm fine with it," Haru said, making Baron beam. "Just two things. One, what about my family and friends? And two, What happens if you don't get married?"

Baron's smile faltered a little. "We can erase everybody's memory of you. And, if I don't get married, I turn into a demon."

Haru paled a little. "Oh, well in that case, I don't really mind. I just want to say goodbye to mom and Hiromi before you erase everybody's memories. At least I won't have to worry about Machida pestering and following me."

"What?" Baron asked, alarmed.

"He tried to ask Chicky out before, but she said no. Then, when he followed us, we caught him and Haru gave him a sort of preview of what would happen if he followed us again.," Muta said.

"I think I can imagine," Baron said, chuckling at the mental picture. "Oh, I almost forgot, Haru, when should we erase the memories?"

"Well, that depends on how you can do it," Haru replied.

"We can either do it person by person, or send out a cloud of magic over the rest of the city, which would erase everybody's memories of you.," Baron explained.

"I think I like the second one better," Haru decided. "I met too many people and it would take too long if we did it person by person."

"Then you should say goodbye to your mother and friend now, because we can do it tonight.," Baron said. Haru nodded.

"I'll go now then." She hesitated. "I have a bad feeling. I think you should come with me."

Baron nodded. "Just walk under the arch, then I'll ride in your pocketbook. Toto can fly, and Muta will have to lead you."

Haru did as he said. She picked up Baron and put him in her pocketbook. "Are you comfortable?" she asked.

"I'm fine, just leave your bag open a little," he requested. Haru closed her bag until it was just a little open, then nodded at Muta.

"Let's go."

That might have been my longest chapter ever, even if it didn't feel like it took too long. Anyways, like last time, I've got the next chapter in my head, so it should be up tomorrow. And just so you know, school starts on Wednesday, so I don't know how long in between posts I'll need. Just warning you. -Grassina3