I CLAIM NOTHING FOR THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION
ALL CHARACTERS AND WHATNOT BELONG TO MILAN MATRA

Setting

Yuto, Himari, Rinko, Shizuku, and Lizlet have gathered at Yuto's house the day after beating the 9-tails and her master. Relieved to have finally gotten rid of them, the harem has arranged to gather in celebration of being able to live together peacefully for once.

At Yuto's Home

"Himari!" Yuto shouted from upstairs "How are the drinks coming along?"

"Almost done young master!" Himari was smiling as she prepared beverages, but she was uneasy within regardless of the happy times to come. What if young master doesn't need protection anymore…what if…if he can't- Her thought was cut off by Yuto standing at the entrance to the kitchen.

"Himari, I think it's about time for Rinko and the others to get here. Let's finish up prepping ok? Shizuku!" Yuto walked off in search of the loli-snake. Himari sighed as she finished the oolong tea and juice cocktail. She poured individual cups for everyone, but stopped before pouring the last two. She could see the two porcelain tea cups shining in the light, but what she thought about was how well they went together, unlike two cups from different sets. What if I'm…like that teacup? What if I can't be with master anymore?

Yuto came back with Shizuku clinging to his shirt with a few fingers. The snake girl looked like an innocent child, regardless of how powerful and deadly she could be. She spoke up clearly and almost in a formal, unfriendly tone to Himari.

"I'm going to be gone for a little while. I have to go talk to my superiors about the 9-tails' and its master's defeat. You better not do anything while I'm gone cat, or else you WILL face the consequences." She shot the cat Ayakashi an icy glare. She turned to Yuto.

"You better not let that demon get in your head. She might eat you like cat food."

Clearly annoyed, but not wanting to ruin Yuto's good mood, Himari ignored the snide comment. Just you wait, loli-snake…just you wait…

Yuto could feel the atmosphere becoming edgy, so he did his best to get the girls away from each other. He turned Shizuka and himself to walk towards the door.

"Good luck Shizuka, I really hope it goes well for you. Please be safe ok?"

Taking a slight amount of pleasure from his concern, Shizuka answered him a warm, unusual tone.

"Thank you very much Yuto, take care while I'm gone". She jumped into him as soon as they were at the doorway, hugging him around the waist as it was the only part of him in her reach. Damnit, why am I so short!

Himari could hardly contain herself, so she bit her lip to bottle up her annoyance.

Embarrassed, surprised, and blushing Yuto hugged her back, muttering "You're welcome" and "Goodbye" at the same time. Waving goodbye, he shut the door and went into the living room. He was impressed at how well Shizuka had arranged it for everyone. The couch in the very back, the electric kotatsu in front of the TV, and the dishes arranged in a colorful, upbeat manner, it mimicked the atmosphere of a true party.

"Himari, I think it's about time everyone started showing up. It's already five, so let's finish setting the table ok?"

Cheered up that the snake was finally gone, Himari smiled and proceeded to finish setting out the cocktail and tea. While setting out the last napkin, Himari and Yuto reached to straighten it at the same time. As soon as their hands met, they clumsily grasped one another. They looked at each other, both blushing from the accidental, romantic contact between one another. Yuto was the first to pull away, but instead of stammering and slurring his words in confusion like usual; he stood up quickly and bowed his head.

"Sorry" the instant he finished the word he was answering the doorbell, welcoming the busty maid and adorable childhood friend with a warm smile. He was met by Lizlet Chelsie clumsily falling on top of him, pinning him down and suffocating him with her soft, squishy breasts that had no parallel. Rinko was making a fuss about the whole thing.

As Himari watched the scene play out, she couldn't help but feel the pressure in her chest begin to suffocate her being. What was that? Does he…can he not accept me as I am? Swallowing the lump of uncertainty, she joined the group in the middle of the confusion in order to get everyone sat down and ready.

It truly was a long-awaited party. The last couple of months had been nothing but trouble, but now they could finally sit down and relax, take in the peacefulness of being able to do things like this without worry. They munched on the sweets Rinko prepared, gulped down glass after glass of sweet cocktail and tea, and ate some of the best curry Liz could offer. Once they all finished horsing around, flirting, and joking, they all gathered on the couch under a large blanket to enjoy the new Haruhi Suzumiya movie. After x number of hours of watching various other things, the clock struck midnight.

Everyone yawning, they moved towards the Kotatsu in order to warm up before going back home and into bed.

Warmed up and ready to retire for the night, they group headed towards the door. The first to leave was Liz.

"Thank you for coming Lizlet. The curry was delicious! Bring some for lunch tomorrow ok?"

"Ok Yuto! Bye bye!~ "

Rinko followed her out the door, yawning as she grumbled goodnight. Concerned that she might not make it the 30 feet to her house, Yuto ran after her to escort her, leaving Himari alone.

Himari went upstairs immediately so she could watch him as he walked with Rinko. Why can't you walk by yourself Rinko? Just go to bed already and give master back! Her tail came out and was flicking back in forth out of irritation, but stopped and it disappeared as she realized that she WAS an Ayakashi after all, unlike Rinko or Kuesu. Even if master wants to live with Ayakashi in peace, can he really love one? Even with my killer instincts being so unstable?

Himari slumped down from the window sill, and onto Yuto's bed. It smells so nice…master… she curled up atop the sheets, basking in the feeling of being somewhat close to Yuto. I guess…I can't just give up can I? While she was curled up in her blue kimono, Yuto came back home after tucking Rinko away for the night.

"Himari? Himari!" called Yuto, trying to find out where she had gone to. After searching downstairs, he headed up to his room. As he walked in, Himari took notice and jumped out of his bed, trying to put on a façade to hide her embarrassment.

"Ma…Master! What are you doing? Why didn't you knock?"

"I'm sorry Himari! Please forgive me!" Why am I apologizing? It's my room after all...oh well.

She sighed, relieved that he bought it.

"It's ok young master; if you want to make it up to me, could you…ummm…"

"What is it, Himari?"

"Well, can we go for a walk? I'm feeling kinda restless after all the excitement tonight."

"Uh, sure if that's what you want"

They walked downstairs and put their shoes on. As soon as Yuto tossed his jacket on, he was pulled away by his arm.

They walked down the street a little ways, not talking at all. Yuto could feel something hanging in between them, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. It's kinda cool tonight. I wonder if she's alright with it being chilly. He looked at the woman, examining her with thoughtful eyes. She's shivering! I'm so stupid for not getting her a jacket! They stopped at a bench at the end of the street and sat down.

They looked up into the sky, its celestial bodies glowing and flowing across the sky as far as they could see. A shooting star appeared and made its way across the sky ever so slowly. Himari followed it all the way until it burned out, and made her silent wish. She was startled by something being placed around her shoulders, but as she saw Yuto leaning in near her she turned back to the stars, blushing.

She was the one stuttering now "Th…Thank…you….very much…"

"Don't mention it" He smiled warmly. "I should have noticed you were freezing in the first place so it's my fault ok?"

"I'm not cold! I'm just- ACHOO!" she was sneezed from the chills she was getting. Yuto reached over to touch her face. Freezing! Yuto felt so bad for her being so cold. He reached over and grabbed her hand, but this time it wasn't an accident.

"Master!" Himari said, startled at his action, but also feeling her heart beat faster. He just smiled at her as he laid himself down of the bench.

Embarrassed, he suggested that she lay with him so he could warm her up under the jacket. Himari didn't say anything, but she didn't need to. She simply got up as she walked over to him and let his arms wrap around her. Her eyes were closed. This is bliss, I…I want this to happen…more…no, I want this to be my life. She could feel his heartbeat, and he hers.

Yuto broke the silence "I'm sorry for earlier Himari. It's just I…I was kinda scared" his grasp slight tightened, bringing her even closer into him.

"Don't…don't apologize, young master, I was just being an idiot. Please forgive me"

"Himari" he turned her around so he could look into her eyes "Himari, listen to me, I was being an idiot today ok? I shouldn't have ignored what happened. So please, tell me how you feel because of me ok? I want to reconcile with you"

"Master" she smiled "there is nothing to reconcile upon, but I do want to ask you something"

"What's that, Himari?"

"Does it bother you…that I'm….an Ayakashi?"

"What do you mean?"

"M…master…ever since…since you kissed me" her face was cherry red at this point "I can't stop this feeling I get whenever I'm around you. My chest…feels like it's been wounded, but there is neither cut nor bruise. I think…I think this is what you call…love…but can you really love a monster?"

Now just as embarrassed, Yuto tried to answer her as well as himself.

"I...I don't think you're a monster Himari, and I DO like you, but"

"But what? You can't bear to be with a killer? Something that has spilt blood and loved it?"

"Himari, I…I…I liked…your lips…when they….they touched mine…"

Her heart stopped and leapt in an instant.

"Master…" she gazed into his eyes just inches from hers, but instead of going for the kiss, she dropped into his chest.

"You don't need me anymore master…you…you don't need protected so I don't have a purpose anymore. I…I'm an Ayakashi so… I haven't a place in you life!" she was crying and sobbing like a child.

Putting his hand on her cheek, he wiped her tears.

"Himari, you do have a purpose. You're here to be my friend too ok?"

"That's not good enough! Im….I'm only….only good for killing!" Her sobs were making her body shudder form the emotional strain.

He forcefully put her face in front of his, but spoke ever so softly.

"Himari.."

He couldn't speak because he didn't know what to say. His thoughts were a maelstrom and his heart was unrelenting an force within his chest. Startled and dazed Himari spoke his name ever so softly.

"Yuu…to" she paused in the middle of his name because it was so different…from master…it felt good to say for once.

"Himari I…I love…you…" he stammered the first time, but then she gasped from surprise, and he released her and pulled her into a close embrace, their faces a mere inch from touching.

This time, with certainty, he gazed at her with such innocence and sincerity that it made her heart jump.

"Himari Noihara, I love you"

She whispered his name, just before they slowly came closer. Their hearts were beating as one as their lips met for the second time in their lives. This time, it was on purpose and filled with such emotion and heart that the gods themselves could never parallel such a strong display of affection. As they parted, they stared at each other, breathing heavily from the emotions they had conveyed.

"Yuto…lets go back home…t-t-to bed…together…if that's …"

He stood up amazingly fast, and held Himari princess style. He kissed her on the lips once more and answered her unfinished question.

"Of course"

Okay! I want to thank the person who asked for this fic! I'm having alot of fun writing this one because it's soooo different from my other fics :D Anyways, just read all available chapters of Toradora, so the Kawaii is comin' on! Lol, R&R and send me some ideas for stuff!

'Till next chapter, This Taichou is going to bed xD