Whole month went by after the faithful meeting with Akito. I've been working hard to find a way to break the curse snooping around but also took some time to myself. I was now fully installed in Shigure's house and bunked with Tohru since her bed was huge. We installed a small routine among ourselves and life…was good to say the least.

I leaned against one of the beams, slowly inhaling the smoke of my cigarette, running a hand through my now short hair, bringing a strand to my eye level, eyeing the orange streak that had appeared in them. I had noticed it appeared after I made my promise to the Sohma's. As for the length, on a whim and kind of out of anger I had chopped them off. Now I had another break down a week ago, upon finding my wedding dress in my pouch. I had thought that it would have been a good idea to keep it, in case I ever remarried, even if I wasn't married to begin with. But the mere sight of that dress sent me into a tizzy, burning the dress and everything that reminded me of him and them. I had acted on impulse, I know but it had been freeing in a way. Burning the things that tied me to them allowed me to cut the ties completely. Tohru and Yuki found me in a sobbing mess in the bathroom in a pile of my own hair. Tohru of course had panicked and made sure I hadn't cut myself with the scissors while Yuki told me the short hair suited me. It was the shortest I've ever had in my life. They went from the middle back of my back to my chin. I had done my best to make it look good by making them into a fashionable bob with longer bangs in the front.

I heard a sigh behind me. I looked over my shoulder seeing Shigure leaning his forehead on his desk.

'Mii is being a pain again?' I asked and got a grunt for an answer. That meant yes. Perhaps it was more Shigure being a pain to Mii then vice-versa.

We had been on a roll ever since I became his assistant and yet, he insisted to add little touches here and there but I knew that he just wanted to torment the poor woman.

'Just give the manuscript to her already; I don't want her coming here in hysterics again…' I said as I stubbed my cigarette in the ashtray. Hysteric didn't even begin to cover it to be honest.

'But it's so much fun messing with her' He whined making me roll my eyes.

'Whatever, I'm going to make snacks since Tohru's friends are coming over' I said giving him a salute before heading to the kitchen.

' oh Harmony, not your famous pastries again, you make it hard to keep my line with all the delicious things you're making for us' Shigure complained but I knew he'd be the one to put his paws on my cookies.

'Your line psshhh that's bull Shigure' I chuckled, taking out all the ingredients for the strawberry shortcake I wanted to make. I was happy to notice that Yuki had left a small bowl of strawberries that came from his garden. I gathered all the ingredients, levitating them with my magic from the fridge to the counter. I tried to use my magic less and less, since this place was practically a non-magical world. I tried to do things on my own with my own two hands instead of magic but I did indulge myself by doing small things like these with it. It also made cleaning much faster.

-Fruits Basket-

I was adding the finally touches to my strawberry shortcakes when the front door opened and was followed by Tohru's and Yuki' We're home'

I heart Arisa call out a Yo.

'Man it's smell great in here, I bet it's Harmony who baked again didn't she?' I heard her say.

'Oh I can't wait to see what she made for us this time 'I then heard Hana's soft voice.

'I think Miss Harmony wanted to have a go at the strawberry shortcake this time around' Yuki replied.

'Your right and it was a success, thanks for leaving those beautiful strawberries Yuki' I finally made myself known, peeking my head out of the kitchen. I knew I wasn't the most presentable right now. Let's say clean baking wasn't my forte. I probably had flour in my hair and cream on my face.

'Welcome back' I greeted as they gathered in the kitchen.

'I have tea and snacks ready' I said happily, motioning to the little tray I had made that held the finished dessert.

'Wow you didn't have to do that Harmony' Tohru said, clearly grateful.

'It's no big deal Tohru, it occupied my free time, besides I love baking' I said, waving a hand at her.

'How did you learn to bake like that anyways?' Arisa questioned, admiring my little display.

'A friend…' I said, trying to hide the bitterness in my tone. 'Now who wants to try it first? I afraid it might be a bit dry' I said quickly changing the subject as I felt a particular painful itch in my chest.

'Oh do give yourself some credit Miss Harmony, everything you've made so far has been great' Yuki commented as I took the tray and brought it to the living room. I set everything down as we all took a seat around the table.

-Fruits Basket-

'What, again?! How?! I bet you're cheating Harmony' Arisa asked in outrage as I won for the second time in a row. I was surprised myself, I never played Rich man, poor man, I only knew how to play go fish when it came to card games.

'I'm as surprised as you my dear' I smirked behind my cards, earning a small push from the blond.

'Ok I'll shuffle the cards' Tohru volunteered as we all passed her the cards.

'Say Tohru, you haven't had any news from orange top yet uh?' I saw Tohru pause in her shuffling, her bangs now shadowing her eyes. I felt the same chill as the first time I came here when Shigure brought up Kyo. They rarely spoke about him but I would often catch Tohru staring in the distance when she was on the back porch, a worried look etched on her face.

'I-I'll go make more tea' She shakily excused, setting down the cards shakily.

'Tohru' I called softly as I went after her as she made a hasty retreat into the kitchen.

'Tohru…'I uttered softly as I heard her sniffle, her back to me. I gently touched her shoulder, frowning in sympathy. This subject almost seemed taboo in this house. Yuki would be get angry and Tohru would become very sad. This Kyo person, without wanting to, left a gaping hole in this house that only him could fill.

'It's my entire fault' She sniffled, tiny whimpers escaping her. I felt my heart squeeze painfully at the noise.

'Oh darling, come here' I whispered as I pulled her into my arms, pressing her face into my shoulder as her own shoulders shook.

'He left because of me…' She said weakly, her tears steadily wetting my shirt. I rubbed her back.

'I bet he didn't, I think he's out there licking his wounds, he must of taken it pretty hard when you chose Yuki instead of him and before you blame yourself again, it's not your fault, you just liked Yuki better and that's all, you don't have to feel bad for who you love Tohru' She peered up at me with her wide blue eyes.

'What if he never comes back?' She said in a hushed tone as I wiped her cheeks with my sleeve in a mothering way.

'If he cares for you as much as I think, he'll be back, just give him time ok?' I reassured, rubbing her shoulders. She wiped her tears with her sleeve and offered a small smile.

' your right, you sound like my mom when you say things like that' I felt touched, she spoke about her mom often and I more than once caught her talking to a photograph of her mom. I bet Kyoko was a great person and I wished I would have had the chance to meet her. Tohru patted her cheeks as I prepared a fresh batch of tea. When we entered the living room, Yuki was gone and Arisa looked guilty.

'Tohru, I'm really sorry I shouldn't have brought it up… I know how you miss Orange Top' Arisa said, her eyes reflecting her guilt.

'It is different in here without him' Hana quietly commented. Arisa ran a hand through her hair. 'I guess we all miss him too' she added quietly.

'I'll go talk to Yuki' I whispered in her ear before patting her shoulder and went to seek out the rat of the zodiac.

'Outside' The shadow supplied helpfully.

I slipped outside and closed the sliding door behind me. True enough, Yuki was standing on the porch, his fists clenched as his body seemed to shake.

'Yuki…' I said and he turned around quickly, his eyes unreadable.

'How this stupid cat not realized how much she cares about him, how WE care about him…' He said, glaring off into the distance.

'Do YOU care about him Yuki?' I asked, staring off into the forest along with him. I heard him sigh softly, running a hand through his hair.

'I do, whether you want to or not, he grows on people' Yuki said in an almost fond tone. 'He just doesn't realize how important he is'

'and I don't blame him, from what I've heard so far, he's being shun for being the cat of the zodiac, which is unfair, you cannot base someone's life on a mere folks tale. He used to being ignored and hated and doesn't necessarily see the persons that actually care about him…' I said finally meeting Yuki's eyes. We both took a seat on the porch, watching as the sun gradually lowered itself. There was a pregnant pause.

'This issue will need to be addressed however, since it'll be one of the steps to harmony, we need to solve the issues here before moving to those outside of this house' I finally said, turning to Yuki.' You two will need to communicate and not send fists left and right. I don't expect you to get along right away and be best friends but at least meet half way and try to find a common ground you know? Do it for me? If not for me, for Tohru' Yuki looked thoughtful for a second.

'Ok I'll try' He finally gave in. I beamed and ruffled his hair. 'That's the spirit; now let's go back inside, I'm smelling food on its way'

-Fruits Basket-

'You sure you don't want to sleep with us in the bed? We can always make some room.' Tohru asked for the umpteenth time. I had left the bed to the girls while I took a spare futon to lie on the ground.

'I really don't mind Tohru' I insisted as I braided Hana's long silky hair.

'Ok' she said meekly, as she took the ribbons out of her hair and set them aside on her nightstand.

'Ugh I won't eat for another week, you two are going to be the death of me with all this food' Arisa grunted from the bed while patting her stomach. I and Tohru both giggled. We did our small routine before settling in comfortably. I sighed happily as I curled up, holding my starry sky blanket close.

'Goodnight girls' I said softly, sleep already clawing at the edge of my mind. I heard their small goodnight before falling asleep.

'There's an intruder outside' I heard the shadow hiss, making me sit up straight.

'What?' I asked mentally, already getting up, fully alert. I quietly slipped from the room, making as little noise as possible.

'There's an intruder outside the house' it repeated. I slowly slipped down the stairs and froze when I heard the sound of a sliding door sliding open. I slipped into the kitchen, hoping to grab some kind of weapon. I grabbed a pan that had been set out to dry and held it like a baseball bat. I froze as a shadow suddenly presented itself into kitchen's doorway.

' stay back I'm armed! I growled, raising the pan menacingly.

' hey what the hell' A male voice said and the male came towards me quickly. I lashed out, hitting the person with the pan with a distinct thunk. The person collapsed at my feet. I gasped, scrambling for the lights. I turned them on and stared in shock.

' He has orange hair and crimson eyes…' I vaguely remembered Tohru's descriptions of Kyo. Here he was, knocked unconscious by a frying pan. I quickly fetched a bag of ice, kneeling down beside the orange haired male, pressing the bag of ice gently to the forming bruise, resting his head in my lap.

'Uh uh wha-what happened in here' Shigure came into the doorway of the kitchen blearily, blinking his eyes sleepily. He glanced at the male in my lap and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

'our little runaway is finally home…'