Chapter 2

A clumsy tumble sends Tohru Honda crashing into Yuki and Shigure Sohma, who instantly shift into a rat and a dog, landing beside Kyo in his cat form. Once the animals prove able to speak, Shigure lays out the truth behind the change: a curse binds certain members of their family to the creatures of the zodiac.

Kyo bristles at a girl invading the house and picks a fight, only for Yuki to best him with ease. Watching the match, Tohru notices how unlike his composed school self Yuki becomes at home. Reminded of a promise to her late mother, she rushes off to class despite everything she has just learned.

Because an outsider now knows the secret, the matter must reach the head of the Sohma clan. Yuki assumes Shigure means to wipe her memory, a measure taken before, yet Shigure is weighing a different path.

At school, Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima chatter about the Prince Yuki fan club while Tohru, who has kept quiet about her living situation, crosses paths with Yuki. He warns that her memory may have to be erased and recalls a childhood incident when a girl's embrace forced the erasure of every witness present.

Trying to stop him, Tohru brushes against Yuki and triggers his rat transformation. He assures her it causes no harm as long as no one sees and thanks her for her concern. She accepts that the family head must be told, asking only that Yuki go on being her friend even if her memories are taken.

Reverting swiftly, Yuki realizes the claim that people recoil from him once they learn the truth does not hold with Tohru, who simply straightens his tie. Back at Shigure's home she senses Kyo's dislike, but Shigure arrives with welcome news: keep the secret, and she may stay with them and retain her memories.

Tohru Honda graces the cover of this thirty-page chapter, which opens the first volume and stands as the second installment overall. Minami Kinoshita appears alongside the main cast, and a flashback offers an early glimpse of Akito Sohma. The chapter follows Chapter 1 and precedes Chapter 3.