Chapter three: Week two, Yuki's past

Yuki

I wasn't sure what I was doing anymore. I was so used to being alone that I didn't know how I should act around Kyo. I had been playing it by ear up until now, not wanting to mess things up and be by myself again. I didn't want him to leave. It didn't help that his transformations threw me off. He went from being my cat to a roommate of sorts, not that I minded. He should be able to be himself, whatever form it ended up being that day. In a since, I felt like I was getting closer to Kyo, if only bit by bit. Yet, he still has this barrier around him that insured I never got too close.

I sighed as I pulled on a dark green turtleneck and brown jeans. Perhaps I was rushing it, but I had no idea how long these things took. In all honesty, this all started because of something my brother said. After I had moved out of that awful house, he took me in and set me up with an apartment of my own. I was ashamed to say he paid my bills and gave me money for food while I figure out what I want to do with my life. I was completely dependent on him and I hated it. I had no friends, basically no family, and no interest in anything in particular. Ayame suggested I get a pet so I wasn't 'moping' around feeling 'lonely'. The moping was due to his presence and the headaches that followed. The loneliness however, that was valid, though I would never admit it to his face.

There were times I wanted Ayame around when it got really bad, but I relied on him enough. I was used to being by myself. Even despite being around servants and relatives, I was always alone my whole childhood. I had no control over my life, no voice, it was as if I was a shadow. Private school had been my only real interact with the outside world, a chance for me to speak up and create bonds. Yet all found there was jealousy, envy and feeling like an outsider. I shook my head went in the living room. Brooding wouldn't get me anywhere. I found Kyo holding the laser pointer I had bought for him this morning. He had refused to play with the toy mice and the ball of yarn, so I had no other choice but to changed tactics.

"I don't see how playing with a laser is fun." Kyo huffed skeptically as he examined the metal pointer.

"Hand it over and I'll show you." I told him. He frown and he tossed it to me, already looking board.

I turned on the little red light and began shining it back and forth in front of him. His orange eyes watched closely before he suddenly transformed. I laughed while he chased it around the living room, his tail and ears at attention. Seriously, he is so adorable right now. I shined it around for a good ten minutes before turning it off. Kyo transformed back with a scowl on his face, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Not a word." He warned, but I couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped.

His orange eyes narrowed at me and he changed back into a cat again. If cats could pout, then he definitely was even with anger radiating off of him. I quickly moved over and grabbed him, holding the furball close to my chest. He hissed at me, but made no attempts to break free.

"Silly kitty." I teased and he growled.

He's such a moody cat.

Kyo

Purple eyes new favorite pastime seemed to be carrying me around and sitting me in his lap. He had done that before, but now it was as often as possible. While I had stopped trying to escape a while ago, that didn't mean I wanted to be treated like his new favorite doll. It's so suffocating, do all house cats go through this? I'd rather be on the streets. I won't be tempted by his warm embrace and comfy body, I won't! The last thing I needed was to start getting all . . . domestic.

"Kyo? Where are you?" Purple eyes called from the hall.

I had been hiding in the bathroom closet for twenty minutes. After I woke up nestled against his side, I fled to the cold tile floor and towels in the restroom. His stupid magic hands are to blame. The second he touches me, my insides flutter and I can't bring myself to pull away. I shouldn't have liked the feel of his hands like that. What was he even doing this for? I didn't understand what he wanted from me, why he was so dedicated to seeing through this one month deal.

"Honestly." Purple eyes sighed as he inevitably opens the bathroom door.

My orange fur stood up and I sunk further between the gray towels. I peeked between the closet panels, watching him shut and lock the door. Shit, he's locked me in. At least that's what I had thought until he started stripping. What the hell is he doing?! My eyes couldn't look away as more and more pale skin was revealed. Soon he was bare and turned on the shower, feeling the temperature with his hand. This is so wrong, it's like I'm a pervert. But I can't give my position away! To make matters worse the view wasn't bad at all, he was more muscular than I thought he'd be.

His frame was the same size as mine, but a little on the slender side. That didn't take away the definition of his muscles, no wonder he could kick my ass. He's a good looking guy, the Damn rat. I sighed once the eye candy finally got in the shower. This shouldn't be bothering me. We're both guys! Well, a guy and a half. I snuck my paw out and pulled the closet open as quietly as I could. I could hear the water running over the Damn rat's body and scolded myself when I thought about taking another peek. Now I really sound like a pervert, what the hell is up with me?

"Wha-Kyo!" Purple eyes yelled and I jumped.

I turned into a human and covered my eyes with my hands, a blush painting my face.

"It's not what you think, I swear!" I insisted.

"Sure it isn't." He said sarcastically and I groaned.

No matter what I say, it's gonna look bad. "I'm innocent."

"Sure you are. That's why you were hiding." He scoffed.

"I was hiding because you're so damn clingy!" I explained. "Why do you keep suffocating me with this constant affection?"

It was quite for a moment and all I could hear was the running water. I didn't dare remove my hands and I hoped to get some answers from him as well as changing the subject.

"I'll skip the poor rich boy that had no friends story if it's all the same to you." He stated flatly.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Yuki

I leaned my head against the shower wall and closed my eyes. Kyo was the last person I wanted to have this conversation with.

"Tell me what you mean. I wanna know." Kyo said from the other side of the shower curtain.

"It's not important."

"Obviously it is or else you wouldn't have said anything. Don't milk it, just tell me already." He complained and I glared at him through the fabric and plastic liner.

"I'm not milking it, stupid cat. My whole life was planned out for me, I had no control. I wasn't allowed to have friends, not that I was able to make them. I've been isolated most of my life . . . so excuse me for showing you the affection I never got." I snapped.

I didn't know why I was angry or why I was telling him this. Kyo kept quiet and I sighed, frustrated. Regardless, yelling isn't going to solve anything.

"The old me was awkward and soft spoken. I didn't have the nerve to run away, I just ran to my older brother. He was the one that suggested I get a pet so I wouldn't be alone. Though now I'm at risk for becoming a cat man. " I added, trying to lighten the mood.

"Cat lady, you mean." He corrected, playing along.

"Kyo. You know full well I'm a man. Didn't you see enough before I got in the shower?" I smirked even though he couldn't see it.

He was silent again and I laughed, easily imagining his red face. I decided to spare us both and quickly I finished my shower, curious as to why Kyo merely waited for me.

"Hand me a towel, will you?" I asked after a while. He might as well make himself useful.

I heard him rustle around and turned off the water. A gray towel poked through the side of the curtain and I leaned over to peek at him. Kyo had his other hand over covering eyes, his body facing away from me.

"H-here." He stuttered.

I took the towel and I wrapped it around my waist, stepping out. "Thanks."

He lowered the hand covering his face and glanced at me, instantly blushing. I felt my own face heat up as his orange eyes raked up and down my body.

He looked like a tiger eyeing his prey.

Kyo

Why?! Why does he have to look so sexy after coming out of the shower?! I've never found anyone attractive before . . . curse him and the way his wet dark gray hair looks! I really shouldn't have looked at him. Purple eyes must've caught me ogling because he stepped into my personal space, arms crossed over his chest. He didn't say a word, but raised an eyebrow at me. The action pulled my eyes from his wet chest and back to his slightly flushed face.

"Are you just going to stand there staring? Or are you going to move?" He asked and I inwardly groaned.

I knew he meant move out of the way or get out, but my body decided to take that another way. For the first time in my life, I wanted contact with a human, though I had no idea how bad. My hand shyly reached over and moved his wet bangs out of his face, behind his ears. I couldn't lie, I always knew he was good looking, but I had never wanted someone because of something like that. I couldn't begin to name what I was feeling, my mind was in chaos. What was happening to me? What was this sudden tension?

Purples eyes held his breath as I leaned in closer. My mouth touched his soft lips and his arms suddenly reached out, pulling me closer. The sweet kiss didn't last for even a second. I admittingly whimpered as he took over, his grip almost possessive on my hips. My hands held onto his wet shoulders while his tongue quickly seduced its way past my lips. What is this feeling? My body was getting hot and it was hard to breath. His tongue kept roaming, occasionally sliding around mine. Damn, this feels really good. I thought his hands were magic but his tongue is-

"Mmmm" I moaned into his mouth and pulled away, panting.

What the hell was that?! I spun towards the door and clumsily unlocked it, transforming and diving under his bed.

"Kyo?" Purple eyes called, but I stayed silent.

My eyes were shut tight as my brain fought to catch up with what just happened.

Shit. What is wrong with me?

Yuki

Ever since we kissed, it has been awkward between us. Kyo made a point to stay in his cat form and I never came closer than necessary. Had there always been an . . . attraction between us? I was so hyper aware of his presence, my nerves were driving me crazy. After getting a taste of him, I didn't think I could control myself if I got too close. There was suddenly this want that I had, I would find more excuses to touch him and be more 'clingy' than ever. However, I soon realized how ridiculous we were being. This deal wouldn't work out if we walked on eggshells around one another. I persuaded Kyo to turn human so we could clear the air, problems couldn't be solved by simply ignoring them.

"We need to talk about what happened." I began from my side of the couch. Kyo sat at the other end looking as if he'd make a run for it at any second.

"I didn't know what I was thinking. I . . . we didn't know what we were doing." He said in a rush, almost frantically. "Can't we just forget about it and call it an accident?" He asked and I wanted to punch him.

"No." I said flatly and I took a deep breath. It looks like I'll have to be the adult and properly start this discussion. "I was really surprised you kissed me."

"Don't say that!" He scolded and stood up.

His face had exploded into a blush and I held back a laugh, giving him a fond look instead. "Don't say what?" I asked and stood as well.

"You're so strange, I can't figure you out." He said offhandedly, detracking the conversation.

"What? What do you mean?" I asked, confused. Where did that come from?

"That look in your eyes . . . the way you stare at me is . . . I can't tell if you're faking it or not. It's like some of the things you do are . . . forced." He explained, but I wasn't following.

What is he talking about? Fake? Forced? I'm always genuine, aren't I? Sometimes I hid my feelings, but I would usually act as I was expected to. It wasn't being fake, I was just . . . filtering. But I don't remember being like that around Kyo. Since the beginning, I had been straightforward. Whatever 'look' he was talking about, I didn't realize I was doing it. He's said something similar before.

'Don't you even realize what faces you make? Probably not since they look genuine.'

That's what he had said . . . I hadn't understood him then and I still didn't.

"I'm not forcing anything." I insisted.

He rolled his orange eyes at me, unbelieving. "You still don't get it? You humans are so pointlessly complicated, this is why I prefer to be a cat. It's black and white, simple." He said and I sighed.

More like simple minded. It must be nice to live in a world where there's no gray area.

"Kyo, I have been honest with you since day one. Are you sure the reason you're confused isn't you?" I asked and he scowled, offended.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying you can't think like a cat all the time, you're part human. Try focusing on that side for once." I said.

We were way off topic and I wasn't sure what we were talking about anymore.

"Even if I did, you'd still be the problem, Damn rat. You are the strangest human being I have ever met." He hissed.

It's like talking to a brick wall. "Think about what you're saying. You're not making any sense."

"No human in there right mind would want to keep a freak like me!" He yelled and I was taken aback.

Now I see, this was the problem.

"You are not a freak." I told him and he scoffed. "I mean it, Kyo. You're not. You may be a stubborn and stupid cat, but you are no freak. If you stay here with me, I'll show you. I'll make you realize that I genuinely want to keep you as both a pet and a friend." And maybe something more, my brain added without my permission.

Kyo's eyes widened and he took a step back. I grabbed his wrist, afraid he'd try to flee, and dragged him into a hug. Relief filled me when he didn't growl or try to break free, but his body was tense. We remained silent for a while before he relaxed, his head laying on my shoulder.

"I don't believe you." He stubbornly whispered and a small smile found my lips.

You never make things easy, Kyo. "You may not now, but you will."

"You only have two weeks left." He reminded me.

I tightened my embrace around his warm body. "I know. That's all the time I need."


A/N: Chapter three, done! They kissed, yay! Will there be more smooches to come? I don't know. (okay I do, but I'm not telling :P)