Symptoms of Love

I don't own Fruits Basket.

Chapter 2: Cured With a Kiss

…

"Hey Kagura-san?" His voice broke into her thinking, and she blinked. Looking up, she saw Dai smiling down on her.

"You okay? I think you sort of dozed out." He patted her on the back. However, the mere contact sent a blush to her cheeks.

"I-I'm f-fine," Stuttering, she picked up some more books off the floor and stacked them back in the bookcase.

"Umm… okay?" Dai looked curiously at her, but shrugged and threw some toys into the play box. Kagura continued to stack. The memory of last nights dinner talk was still fresh in her mind, and she had wondered the whole day if she should approach the idea.

"Uh… Dai?"

"Yes?"

His sudden eagerness and attention to Kagura shocked the female. Was what her family thought of Dai actually true?

"Umm… I was wondering…" Kagura trailed off. She wasn't sure she wanted to do this. Was it really worth the rejection?

"You're a strong independent woman Kagura. You survived the curse with your head high and a bright smile on your face. If anyone could do this, it would be you, Kagura. So go for it."

"Doyouwanttogotodinnerwithme?"

The words blurted out of Kagura before she could realize what she had said. Blushing, she pointed her head down on the ground, completely missing Dai's bright smile spread wider on his face.

"You don't have to answer or anything I mean I just though it would be a nice way to thank you for helping me out this time and I know of this nice restaurant near this place and I was thinking it would be a great way to also get to know you more but you don't have to if your busy or someth-"

"I'd love too!" Kagura looked up, surprised. Dai had turned around, but Kagura could literally feel happiness erupting from him. He turned, slightly more composed but still smiling wider then she had ever seen before.

"Meet you there at 8?" She stood stunned at this change of events, but her face broke into a grin as well.

"Sure."

…

"Wow, there's a lot of choices," Dai lamented happily, pouring over the fancy menu. Kagura, who had been to this restaurant many times, sat there and watched him nervously instead.

"What do you recommend?" he looked up, smiling widely at her. She gulped but forced a grin in return.

"I love the salmon and steak here, how about we both get one and share?" she answered, pointing to both dishes. Dai nodded happily.

"Great idea!" He closed the menu and smiled at Kagura. And kept smiling. Both of them sat there grinning at the other, neither willing to start any conversation.

Ah, this was a bad idea, a bad idea, such a bad idea! Kagura mentally cursed herself, biting her lip out of anxiety. Dai looked at her concerned, so she returned to her fake smile.

"So…" Pause. An awkward silence filled the air. Dai took a big gulp of water, and Kagura fiddled with her glass. It was definitely uncomfortable for the both of them.

What should I say? What should I do? Kagura wondered frantically. It was her first time ever on a date, and she was at a lost of any etiquette that came along with such.

"Why did you start working at the daycare?" the question popped out with no though, yet Kagura sighed of relief. She often heard first questions could get embarrassing and was glad hers didn't turn that way.

"Oh!" Dai seemed surprised yet please. "It's just actually pretty interesting. I was just out of college when…"

Kagura zoned out here, instead focusing her attention at Dai's face instead. His blonde hair framed it perfectly, falling gently on the sides and illuminating his tan skin. His pink lips were opened as he shared his story, and Kagura could see two rows of perfect white teeth. His light brown eyes flashed animatedly as he excitedly talked on.

He was more then handsome; he's drop dead gorgeous, Kagura smiled with a dazed look in her eyes. He literally blinded her, being the near perfect person he was.

"…so then I agreed to it, and that's how I got there!" He finished with great enthusiasm, causing Kagura to giggle. Dai was pleased at this.

"I have a question for you though," Dai stilled smiled, but his tone turned serious. "It's a bit awkward though… but…" he rubbed his neck uncomfortably, and Kagura leaned in to hear.

"Why are you so awkward with guys?" he finally spilled, refusing to meet Kagura's eyes when he did. Kagura blushed hard.

He noticed! She realized, her eyes wide in embarrassment. Was I that obvious? They must all think I'm weird for being so awkward!

"Oh, I'm sorry, I mean, you didn't have to answer that if you feel uncomfortable by it," Dai's eyes were in shock, thinking Kagura was angry with him for asking such a question. "I mean I was just curious tha-"

"It's okay, It's okay," Kagura smiled genuinely. This would be the perfect opportunity to clear up all mistakes, at least with Dai. "It's just… all my life I've been… sheltered. I went to an all-female school, and I wasn't allowed to see any boys. The only males I really ever interacted with were other zo- Sohma's." Catching her mistakes, she ended with a discomforting smile.

"Oh! Well that explains a lot!" Dai's returned with a cheesy grin. "I mean, I though… I though you didn't like me, that's all…" Kagura gasped. That was far from the truth!

"What! No!" Kagura semi-shouted, "I mean, you're one of the nicest guys I ever meet, and so kind with the kids and other workers plus you have a real nice smile that always-"

"You're cute when you worry," Dai's sudden outburst stopped Kagura in her tracks. He chuckled, his face flustered. "I mean, you're cute all the time."

"What?" Kagura wasn't sure what to make of this statement. However, before she could inquire further, a new voice broke in.

"Welcome! I'm your waiter for tonight! I'd also like to tell you of our new couple speciality! It's made of-"

"What?" Now both Dai and Kagura's attention was on the waiter. He chuckled nervously.

"Uh… sorry? You guys are a couple right?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes."

"No."

Both of them froze.

"Yeah… I'll be back…" the server made his quick escape, leaving the two too continue staring at each other.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that…" Dai gritted his teeth staring hard at his plate. "I mean, I was going to ask you if... you know…if you… Hey!" At that moment, Kagura dashed from her seat and charged to the door. She couldn't do this anymore; she didn't know what to do!

All of her fellow friends preparations couldn't have readied her for this. This whole date was such a bad idea, how was she going to face Dai the next day?

Dai did like me! Kagura though frantically, But I don't know how to handle a boyfriend! I don't want him to get angry with me for being a horrible girlfr- WAIT. We aren't even dating! I mean, I don't know what to do, I never had a boy tell me his feelings, I can't respond to that!

"Kagura, wait!" Kagura froze, unbelieving whose voice had called out to her. Dai ran up to her, grabbing her by her shoulder.

"Dai-san, I-I don't k-know what t-to say," she stuttered. "I-I'm s-sor-"

"Kagura, I don't care if you really don't think I'm your boyfriend," Dai cut in, his face firm. "I don't care if you aren't looking for a relationship, or anything like it. I have to tell you something, something important." Kagura looked up slowly, her face still red. The male grabbed her shoulders and stared her in the eyes, his face intent on his action.

"I love you Kagura. Ever since you walked through that door your first day, and helped me carry supplies in. I love your great chemistry with the kids, but your awkwardness with the workers. I love how you walk in each day with a bright smile on your face, and you leave each day with the same grin plastered there.

I want to know more about you Kagura. I want to know what you like and dislike, what makes you happy and sad. I want to know about your past, and plans for the future. I want to know what you do so that you're happy every morning, and keep that way for the rest of the day.

I love you Kagura. You're the bright sun that shines so much light in my world. I just…" his face went red, suddenly realizing the weight of his monologue. "I just wanted you to know that…" his voice trailed off, as he looked down in embarrassment. She was still frozen, taking in everything the male just confessed to her.

"I like you too," Dai's face rose suddenly, "I did since I first saw you at the daycare. You're so cute, plus great with kids. I had a crush on you since." Kagura looked down so he couldn't see her reddening face.

"The thing is though… I don't know if I can act like a g-girlf-friend to you. I was so awkward with you, and I've never done this with anyone. I want to change, so I can act appropriately but I don- mmphf!"

Kagura's mouth was met with Dai's sweet lips, as Dai pressed a kiss to her. Kagura's eyes widened for a while, before closing in sensual pleasure.

This was her first kiss ever. She had always seen them in the movies and manga, but to actually live one… it was different from what she expected. It was not passionate, but not just a small peck. It was sweet and cute, but with a promise for more.

Dai pulled away, breaking the moment, Kagura looked down, refusing to meet his eyes. Unfortunately, nothing she ever read or watched could prepare her for this moment, the awkwardness after the first kiss.

"Umm…" Clearly Dai was also feeling the same, scratching his neck and blushing like a tomato. Neither of them moved, both wondering what to do next.

"T-Thank you very much for the kiss!" Kagura shouted suddenly, bowing low to conceal her blushing face.

Why did I do that? Idiot, that's probably not the best move! Kagura though furiously, refusing to look back up.

"Hehe… no problem?" Dai chuckled. "You're so cute…" This forced Kagura back up.

"Wh-What do you mean?" she just about shouted. "I probably embarrassed both me and you thousands of times today, not to mention I practically turned you down when you proposed to be my boyfriend even though I really wanted too, and you call me cute? How dare you!" Kagura huffed and stormed up to him, landing a giant smack on his arm. He didn't budge, but just smiled down at her even wider.

"That's what makes you so cute to me," He started. When Kagura started to protest, he put a finger to her lips to silence her. "Didn't you hear me? I love your quirkiness, your awkwardness, even your stubbornness! That's what makes you you, and that's what I love about you."

Kagura blushed harder, yet her body filled with hope. Even after all her complaints, flaws and ager lashing out at him, he still stood there with a smile, calling her cute. If anything, this made her fall even more in love.

Dai smirked, a mischievous grin crossing his face as if he suddenly remembered something.

"Repeat what you said."

"The whole thing?" Kagura asked in disbelief. She couldn't remember the first sentence, much less any other parts of it.

"Nah, just the part that you wanted to be with me,"

"Well, I don't think it'll work I mean-"

Dai placed his finger to Kagura's lips again, quieting her. "I don't take no for an answer."

Kagura stood in shock. It was so bold yet…

To hell with it. She smiled, her mind made up. All worries disappeared.

"Then maybe I'm willing to try too." Her cockiness showed through. Dai's face broke into his infamous million-dollar smile.

The two walked back to the restaurant, hand in hand, both with wide grins upon their faces. She wasn't sure about what would happen next, but one thing was clear.

Sometimes, the love disease isn't so bad to catch.

...

Yeah, it's late...

~~~EeLgIrL (^.^)