Yokozawa and Ritsu had not stopped glaring at each other since they came home from work that evening.

Takano sighed tiredly; he had hoped to get home and relax for a few minutes before cooking food and enjoying his time with Ritsu. But Yokozawa and Ritsu had stood by the doorway glaring at each other for a good ten solid minutes. Takano tried to break them apart but it seemed like they were in their own little world away from him.

Takano placed three bowls filled with soup on the table along with another plate filled with fish and bread. Takano sat down at the head of the table while Ritsu was to his left and Yokozawa on his right.

They're still glaring at each other. Takano thought with an annoyed grunt. He wished they would quit it already; they were acting like children fighting over a toy.

Takano took a bite out of his food while his eyes studied the two. What was up with them? They just met and already they're at each other's throats. Why exactly were they fighting again? Takano wondered.

Finally Yokozawa asks. "How long is this brat planning on staying here?"

Ritsu bared his fangs at Yokozawa. "How dare you call me a brat Human!"

Takano rolled his eyes. Actually, he prefered the silence instead of the bickering. "Both of you are annoying."

"Ha!? I just want to know how long you're planning on keeping this Cat."

Ritsu ignored them. He picked up his spoon and ate the soup Takano prepared for him while Yokozawa argued with Takano.

"Look Yokozawa, it's only until he gets his magic back. That's it. I already explained this to you."

Yokozawa leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed. "I don't have a good feeling about this Masamune."

"It's fine. You worry too much Yokozawa."

Yokozawa glanced at Ritsu and instantly his senses screamed trouble."With good reason." He murmurs.

Ritsu looked up to him at that moment, quietly telling him that he wasn't wrong there.

Takano took Ritsu's finished bowl along with his to the sink. "You're just too over protective."

Yokozawa sighed.

Ritsu shook his head.

"Idiot." Both Yokozawa and Ritsu say at the same time.

Takano glared at them. "Weren't you two enemies a while ago?"

"Well, you are an idiot." Yokozawa started eating his dinner. Ritsu excused himself and headed to the living room.

"Shut up." Takano looked to Ritsu and Yokozawa instantly took notice at the way Takanos eyes softened. "Do you want ice cream?"

Ritsu turned to him. "No thank you-"

"You're spoiling him?" Yokozawa interrupted.

"Human, don't interrupt me." Ritsu snapped.

"And you need to have respect for your elders!"

Takano groaned loudly. "Please don't start aga-"

"Hey Masamune, do you have Sorata's old toys? He's getting bored with his new toys I got him a few days ago."

Takano frowned at the sudden change of topic. "What? Seriously?"

"Well? Do you?"

"Yeah…it's on top of my closet." Takano started walking toward his room. "Hold up, let me get them."

Once Takano was out of sight Yokozawa turned his attention back to Ritsu. "Tell me everything. Now."

Ritsu knew instantly what Yokozawa was asking for and told him straight out. "I am being hunted. Your Masamune is in danger if I stay here any longer." It was better to let this man know now since Takano was a bit ignorant at the danger he was in.

Yokozawa sucked in a breath. "What do you mean you're being haunted?"

"Someone wants me dead. I need my magic so I can protect myself."

Yokozawa growled low. "You're putting Masamune in danger! You need to leave now!"

Yokozawa was surprised when Ritsu nodded in agreement. He was expecting a fight from the child not an instant agreement. "Let me stay for one more day. I almost regained half of my Magic."

Yokozawa nodded slowly though still uneasy about letting Ritsu stay another day. "Tomorrow night you're gone."

Ritsu nodded. "Tomorrow night I'm gone." He agreed.

"Good. I don't want Masamune getting hurt because of you."

Ritsu stayed quiet at this. He understood the human's need to protect his love. In a way he could see himself in Yokozawa when he was younger, he still had fire in his eyes undetered by life.

"I don't want Masamune to be hurt either." Ritsu admitted.

Yokozawa drew back sharply at Ritsus gentle tone. These two were already so attached to each other in such a short time. That was something yokozawa wasn't too fond of observing. He wasnt too keen on just throwing the kid out on the streets but there was no way in hell he was risking Masamune.

Takano came in the room with a small box. "Found i-" Takano frowned at the tense atmosphere around Yokozawa and Ritsu. "What are you two doing?"

"Nothing." Yokozawa got up and took the box from Takano. "Thanks. I'll be going now."

"Ha? But you just got here-"

Yokozawa put on his jacket and grabbed his suit case. "See you tomorrow Masamune." With that Yokozawa took his leave.

Takano turned to Ritsu with a confused frown. "What's up with him?"

Ritsu shrugged. "He's your partner. Don't look at me."

"Ha!? I told you he isn't my partner."

Ritsu waved it away. "Yeah, yeah. But still you should be grateful you have a good friend like him."

Takano grunted. "You're such an odd kid."

"Hmmm…" Ritsu went to stand in front of Takano with his arms crossed. "Thank you for letting me stay here, Masamune. I know I troubled you far enough."

Takano smiled. "It's no problem Ritsu. You're welcome here as long as you want."

Ritsu forced a smile. "Well that's a sudden change. I thought you wanted me long gone by now."

"Yeah, but…" Takano shrugged. "I guess you're growing on me."

Ritsu went to the couch to sit down. "I won't be here long though so i prefer if you don't get used to me."

Takano was surprised at Ritsus sharp tone. "…Do you hate being here?"

Ritsu hesitated as he considered the question. He'd gotten used to Takano's presence already which surprised him. Usually it takes him years to let people in but Takano…so easily?

Ritsu shook his head, it was better not to think about it. Better to leave it alone. "I'm just….home sick I guess. It has nothing to do with you."

Takano crouched own in front of Ritsu and took his small hands in his. Ritsu blushed at the sudden action. What was Takano doing?

"I promise to protect you while you're healing so try to relax and have fun. I mean, why not?"

Ritsu looked at their entwine hands. So warm and gentle. "You're odd Human."

"Why? Just because i want you to have fun?" Takano brushed Ritsu's hair away from his face making Ritsu's heart pound erratically. "I just want to see light in those eyes." Takano shrugged as if perplex at his own words. "They've been dull since you came to me."

Ritsu slapped his hands away. "It's no concern of yours."

Takano wasn't deterred. "Well I'm bored so let me do this."

"Ha!?" Was this Human seriously treating this as a game? Was he crazy or something?

Takano laughed. "Start getting used to me too."

"As if!"

Takano stood up with a huge smirk. "Mark my words; I'll see your true smile."

"You're an idiot!" Where did this come from? Takano was too easily attracted to others, Ritsu concluded. He didnt understand that in reality he was lonely and needed companionship.

But not with me. I cant give him that illusion. I cant stay even if i want to.

Ritsu blinked at his own thoughts. Did he want to?

Takano shrrugged. "Hey since your stuck with me i gatta do something when im bored too."

Stupid, stupid, stupid human! One thing Takano didn't know was that there was no need for him to see his real smile. His no longer existed.

Tomorrow he was gone.

Ritsu bit his lip.

No more Takano. No more human.

No more of his kind touch.

Thats just how things have to go in his world.