(A/N: The final chapter already

(A/N: The final chapter already? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Owel… I hope ya'll enjoyed it. I know I have. Thanks for all of ya'll who stayed with me to the end, which is now… cry… cry… …)

- - -

Whiskers and Wishes

Chapter Seven: Wish Upon A Star

- - -

Tohru glanced down at the orange cat in astonishment, a small smile forming as she cuddled Kyo closer to her heart, the vibrations rattling through his small form shaking to her core.

She still couldn't believe it.

Kyo – her proud and fierce Kyo – was curled up against her willingly, purring like a love-struck kitten.

Uo laughed as she watched him close his eyes as if in a dream, his purring increasing in intensity as Tohru gently stroked his fur.

"Looks like he's giving you his birthday present. Either that, or he just wants to be petted."

"Yes, it seems that way," added Hana, her gaze never leaving Kyo's submissive form. "After all, what other present could a cat give but his love and affections?"

Tohru stared at them then glanced down at Kyo, a single thought swirling around in her brain.

Maybe he thought helping with the cake wasn't good enough… maybe Hana and Uo are right, and this is his real gift to me!

Tohru gently pulled him away from her chest and held him before her, watching as he slowly opened his eyes. Once his bright amber gaze locked onto her, she whispered, "Thank you Kyo… thank you…"

A soft red began to spill into his cheeks, but he didn't look away, and, instead, leaned his head more towards hers. She jumped in surprise as she suddenly felt the rough surface of his tongue brush the tip of her nose, his blush deepening. Heat rose into her own cheeks as she stared at him, her heart beginning to pound.

Did he… he just kissed me, didn't he?! Well, I guess not really a kiss-kiss, but still… to a cat…

He mewled softly, drawing her back to the present. The look on his face showed he was clearly wondering if he had done something wrong, and he reached out a hesitant paw to rest upon her heart, his head cocking to one side. With a warm smile, she held him to her chest, whispering thanks into his ear as he once more curled up under her chin.

It's so strange to see him like this, but I'm glad that he is…

Tohru turned back to her friends and returned their smiles, trying to act as though nothing had truly happened. She gently scratched behind his ears, restraining her glee as his purring started up again. Kissing the top of his head, she giggled as his face turned beet red.

Cat or not, he's still my Kyo, and he always will be…

He licked her cheek then dropped his head in embarrassment, clearly not able to control his actions, but gaining laughs from everyone at the table nevertheless. She hugged him close, trying to let him know that he didn't need to feel ashamed. Visibly thankful, he surrendered to her embrace and buried his face into the nape of her neck, his breath and whiskers tickling her flesh.

No matter what… I will always love him.

- - -

"Bye Hana! Bye Uo!"

Tohru waved in the doorway as she watched her two friends disappear into the woods. Once they were gone, she closed the door and went to the dining room, where the shawl and blanket they had given her were laying on the table. Stealing a glance around the room, she noticed, with disappointment, that Kyo was nowhere to be seen, and, with one check in the kitchen, found his clothes were gone.

So, he must've transformed back.

And there was only one place that he would be.

Wrapping the pink shawl firmly around her shoulders, she rolled up the rosy blanket and quietly walked up the stairs, eerily aware of Shigure and Yuki who were in their rooms, probably getting ready for bed. She didn't stop until she was in front of Kyo's bedroom door.

When her knock went unanswered – as she figured it would – she went inside and headed towards the balcony that was connected to the back of his room. Shouldering her way outside, Tohru smiled as she found a ladder propped up against the house, then slowly climbed it, pausing at every rung in an effort to be quiet. Once she reached the roof, she sighed with relief as she saw him laying on his back watching the sunset.

"Kyo?"

He jumped as she called out to him. Clutching his chest as he sat up, he looked her over, shaking his head in exasperation.

"Don't scare me like that!"

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

Kyo looked away, trying to ignore the heat that was rising into his cheeks.

"Uh - it's ok…" His heart began to pound fiercely as she drew closer to him, and jumped slightly as a pink blanket settled over his shoulders. He glanced up at Tohru when her hands rested on his shoulders, firmly placing the rosy fabric on him.

"What's this for?"

She shrugged then settled next to him, her eyes straying to the sunset.

"It's getting kind of chilly. I don't want you to catch a cold."

"Oh… thanks…"

They sat in silence for a while, just watching the fading pastels slowly disappear into the vanishing light of the setting sun. It wasn't until the sun had fully set, and only a thin line of purple remained, that Tohru broke the easy silence between them.

"Thank you, again, for what you did when my friends were here." She looked at him, smiling as she found his amber eyes were already upon her. A faint blush appeared across his face, but he held her gaze, caught in a deep trance as he fell into her warm stare. "It was really sweet of you to do that."

Reddening profoundly, Kyo forced his eyes from hers, trying to keep his heart from pounding a hole in his ribs.

"Well I needed to something… being a cat and all… I-I had to play the part somehow… and I didn't really get you a g-gift for your birthday…"

"So it was a present! That makes it even better!"

He glanced at her in surprise. Tohru clasped her hands to her heart and beamed at him, her eyes shining.

"Thank you so much!"

"It was nothing really… compared to everything else you got…"

"Don't be silly!" She scooted closer until their shoulders were touching. Grabbing his hand, she intertwined her fingers with his. "It was the best present I've ever gotten!"

What? But… she deserves so much more! How can what I did be better than other presents?

"R-really?"

Tohru giggled then nodded, gaining a small smile from Kyo who stared down at their entwined hands and gently gave hers a squeeze. She grinned at him then looked at the sky.

"Have you ever wished on a star Kyo?"

He nodded, his eyes tracing down her arm and finger to a star high above them as she pointed up to it with her free hand.

"It's always best to wish upon the first star in the sky. That's what mom always said." She turned to look at him, her hand dropping to her side. "Do you do that?"

"Depends on how many stars are there when I get out here."

"Do your wishes ever come true?"

"Sometimes."

Tohru looked back up at the star, her gaze seeming to go even farther.

"I've never really wished on stars. People wish to get things they want, and I already have everything I've ever wanted right here." She squeezed his hand with tender fingers. "I don't think I need anything, and I don't really want much, so I always save my best wishes for my birthday."

Kyo nodded, his eyes never leaving her face.

"And did your birthday wish come true?"

"Yes." A blush spread across his face once again as she lifted his hand and clasped it with both of hers. "I wanted you and Yuki to not fight that much, and you both didn't really fight at all on my birthday or today, and for that I'm really thankful. I also wanted everyone to be happy, and I could feel how happy everyone was, so that wish came true too. And," She locked his gaze, a bright smile forming across her face; "I got to spend my birthday and today with you. You could've left today but you stayed with me, even when I accidentally turned you into a cat. You stayed by my side and gave me the best gift you could've ever given me, and so another wish was fulfilled."

Kyo could feel his heart hammering without relent against his chest, his very soul threatening to ignite within his body by ricocheting of every bone in his ribcage. He felt like he was going to explode, and that his skin was the only thing keeping him together.

But when Tohru leaned against his shoulder, the thunderous chaos he felt, along with his heart, stopped. He could feel her body relaxing against his, their clasped hands resting against her chest.

"Thank you… Kyo… for… everything…"

Her voice was no more than a whisper, and before his next breath, her hold on his hand loosened and she fell into her dreams. He found he could only stare down at her peaceful face, a slight grin starting to form at the corners of his mouth. Being this close, he could smell her fragrance all around her, and he basked in it, loving the very scent. Slowly, his heart resumed its steady pattern, and the raging emotion in his chest swelled to a gentle pulse as he sighed deeply.

This feeling… it must be happiness.

Grabbing her hands that had fallen into her lap, Kyo lovingly squeezed her fingers, feeling, for the first time in his life, that he was finally whole. His amber gaze began to search the skies, skipping across the stars that were now illuminating the moonless night. His eyes rested on the brightest, most familiar one, and then turned back to her. With her special smile written across his face, he bent forward and kissed her forehead, his heart threatening to burst a hole into his ribcage. He paused to savor the moment then slowly pulled back. She leaned into him for more warmth, and he placed his cheek on the top of her head, holding her hands to his heart.

Well Tohru, I guess we're both lucky tonight…

Kyo glanced back up at his lucky star, silently thanking it for the growing moments he now had with the one who he loved most of all.

every one of our wishes came true…

The End… For Now

- - -

(A/N: I can't believe it's over! This was such a cute story to write! Don't worry though, I'm definitely gonna write about these two again! Dun Dun Dun! It's called a SEQUEL… well… let's just say I have a good idea for another Kyoru story and it will kind of go with this one… well, I hope ya'll enjoyed it! Until next time… R&R plz!)