AN: Ehehe, sorry for the delay. I haven't been working on my research paper at all… But it still was a very busy weekend. Anyways, thanks for reviewing! The action will pick up again soon, don't worry.

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It was a pleasant day outside- the sky was hindered only by faint wisps of clouds, giving the sun the freedom to belt out as much light and heat as it could muster, almost as though it was savoring the little time it had before the cold of autumn could fully sink in.

That went for some people, as well.

"You kids should be outside! It'll get cold soon, so enjoy the weather while it lasts!"

Kyo found him and Tohru kicked out of the house, although the literal sense only applied to him. Rubbing the sore spot on his back, which had no doubt taken the form of a foot-shaped bruise, he turned his head to fix a glare on the woman.

"I'm injured, don't you remember?!" He snapped. Tohru's mother replied with a smirk, stepping forwards and slamming a hand down on his head, tousling his fiery hair.

"Well, aren't you lively today?" She teased, slipping back into the house to avoid a furious jab of the teenager's fist.

"Get back here, you da-"

"Kyo, let's go!" He looked down at the hand tugging on his sleeve, then shifted his gaze up to Tohru's face, which greeted him with a small smile. She held a list in her other hand- her mother had requested- or rather, forcefully suggested- that they do some shopping while they were out.

"Alright." He followed Tohru out of the diminutive, yet tidy yard, an awkward silence immediately rushing in as they went. Kyo found himself frequently glancing at the girl, quite uneasily, especially due to her silence. Eyes narrowing, he dropped them to the ground, biting back a bitter sigh. She was probably terrified of him- he could still feel her neck between his hands, the tremors through her own as they attempted to loosen his grip. He had seen it in her eyes when she awoke, as well.

He had seen it all too clearly…

"Tohru? Tohru! Wake up!"

He shook her shoulders, her dainty frame seemingly frail within his own strong hands. She wasn't cold, but her face was extremely pale. Her breathing was only slightly ragged… So why was he panicking so? Was it because he would most likely be killed by her mother, or was it simply because he had harmed one of the only people to ever accept him so blindly?

A hand rose to lightly brush against his arm, Tohru's large brown eyes opening steadily as she woke up. At first, she seemed disoriented, but as he released her to sit on her own, her hand traveled up to her throat, and for one moment- though it seemed incredibly long to him- her eyes moved to him, fearful and apprehensive. Although she quickly moved her gaze away, the full weight of that look had already settled over him.

"Tohru…" He closed his eyes, turning his head away. The words died in his throat- why couldn't he say them? Was he too ashamed? He had seen many similar faces, too many, in fact- though not so many that he had a chance to simply forget them. He couldn't forget them… Not when it was him that had caused so numerous people so much pain…

He couldn't say the simple words, "I'm sorry."

"Kyo?"

His eyes snapped open, hesitating for a moment before giving Tohru a questioning look, allowing her to continue with his attention. But when he turned his eyes towards her, he found her still facing forwards, her head bowed forward slightly.

"What is it?" Kyo watched her, unsure where this was leading. But, by the hint of nervousness in her voice, he could take a fair guess.

"About this morning…" Her voice was still tentative, obviously unsure how to continue. He didn't bother filling the silence- what was he supposed to say?

"…If you have anything you want to talk about, I'll listen."

His legs nearly buckled in shock. Why… Why would she say something like that? Didn't she blame him- fear him, even hate him? Did she forget what he had done to her? Tohru gave a hesitant look over her shoulder, cheeks slightly pink in embarrassment as she realized how completely odd she sounded. "I mean…" She began again, this time turning around. Her eyes remained averted to the ground, however. "I don't think you did something like that on purpose… I could… feel it, I guess."

"Why are you doing this?" Tohru blinked in confusion, raising her head as he spoke. His fists were clenched, and a furious glare held his eyes. "Why are you taken care of me? Is it out of pity?" He continued, his voice an angry growl. "Well I don't need your pity- you know nothing about me! I don't need anyone's pity! I don't care if I was replaced- thrown away like trash! I don't…" He broke off abruptly, gritting his teeth in frustration. He didn't need to pour out his problems on her. She didn't deserve it- not like him. He had earned his fate, obviously- how many people had he killed in his line of work?

More then he could count…

"Kyo… I don't really know what kind of life you've led, but…" She gave him another one of her cheery smiles; "I hope some day you'll trust me enough to talk to me, and let me help you." Embarrassment surged within him, and he turned his head, at a loss for words.

"For now, let's go shopping." She took hold of his hand, and began to tug him down the street. At first, he was surprised, but he allowed himself to be towed along, a rare smile making its way onto his face.

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Kyo followed her in to the store, taking a few moments to observe the bustling building, teeming with other shoppers. He couldn't help but feel slightly claustrophobic as they squeezed through the people, having been in confinement away from such surroundings for so long.

"Excuse me!" Tohru called out, though her soft voice was unheard in the mass. She was having an extremely hard time forcing her way through, due to the fact that she wasn't a forceful person whatsoever. Kyo sighed, grabbing her hand and moving in front of her, ignoring the complaints as he began to plow onwards through the group. He shouldered through, the finally relaxed a bit when they came upon one of the less occupied areas.

"You could try to more assertive, you know." Kyo let go of Tohru's hand, then folded his arms as he gave her a sidelong look. She nodded, smiling in an apologetic manner before beginning to search around the aisles for the listed foods.

"Kyo, what do you like to eat?" She inquired curiously, shifting the weight of the foods she had picked out. He observed the various rows of foods, mulling over the question. What did he like… He hadn't tasted real food for so long, until he found himself in Tohru's house… where she just happened to feed him leek soup… He was absolutely positive that leeks were his lease favorite…

"Fish." He answered, having recalled eating it before and enjoying it thoroughly. Tohru went to retrieve some, checking whether it was fine with him before gathering the rest of her things and heading over to pay for it.

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It was nearly pitch black- his room was always dark, and he liked it that way. It suited his tastes, and some would often say it reflected his tainted soul. His mouth twisted in a rather sadistic smirk at the thought, long, pale fingers running through his raven hair.

He got to his feet, taking a moment to adjust his slightly rumpled clothing before moving to the door, sliding it open. He didn't leave, just leaned out to search out one of the guards that usually stood at his door.

"Yes, sir?" One had noticed the door and walked over, giving him a quick bow as he spoke.

"Has he died yet?"

The guard shifted his eyes away uneasily, not exactly comfortable with how easily his leader could speak of past comrades, even if they no longer served him. However, he was more concerned with how the easily excitable- and hot tempered- man would take the news.

"No, sir. He escaped, killing a large group of our men in the process. They most likely suspected him to be near-death and lowered their guard…"

"What fools… If that's the case, they deserved it." The man brushed past the guard, chuckling coldly. Contrary to some concerns, such news pleased him greatly. Someone who simply gave up and died off in jail wouldn't have been worthy to join his family in the first place… Even if he was simply trash.

Walking down the hall at a relaxed pace, he stopped at one of the doors and rapped soundly on its surface, making an annoyed face at the lack of response. He knocked again, although this time made a point in increasing the volume.

"Sorry, master, I didn't hear you at first." A young man's voice spoke from inside the room, the door sliding open to reveal a slightly feminine face. He waved a hand in a dismissive gesture at the apology, the smirk widening upon his face.

"I have a job for you."

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AN: Please review :3