Here is chapter 8. I'm once again sorry for the ridiculously long wait, and I seriously hope it's worth it. This story's reached over 2500 hits, which is much more than I ever though it would get, and I'm very thankful to everyone who reads it!!

So I hope you all LOVE this chapter, 'cause there won't be many more coming!!

--

Thanks for all the reviews; sorry I can't reply to them all!!

--

Chapter Eight: Hero/Heroine

--

I wasn't ready to see Akito. In all honesty, I wasn't ready to do anything because of how freaked out I was about seeing Akito. Not that that would change the fact that I have a life, and therefore duties to accomplish. No one around here has been much help though, I mean every time I even look at them they either get all teary-eyed (big guess on who that is) or just look at me all solemn. Part of me really wants to believe that this guy won't have a huge effect on me, you know? Maybe it's just a family thing. Still, he is the ringleader of the whole Sohma operation, and I don't think my little interview will go down so well.

What really pisses me off though, is some information Tohru oh-so-lovingly passed on to me. Apparently, Kyo has left out a little segment of his future. I don't know how he could. If I were going to be locked up for the rest of my life, I'd be a little pissed off about it. I guess it's the same way I've just kept that in the back of my mind. I don't want to think about it, of course. That would only make it seem more real, and lately, reality hasn't been so good to me.

The tension's been killing me. Kyo, though, seems like he's perfectly fine. Which just worries me even more. Stupid Kyo.

Hatori's been coming over for, like, briefs over the past few days. We're supposed to meet with you-know-who in about a week. He's been telling me things I've been told my whole life. Don't talk back. Don't be too loud. Try to lay off the violence. Apparently this guy hits back. I might be able to take him, I mean, anything's possible. I know, I know, it's pretty much pointless to be optimistic. Kyo and I will be no more in a week, and I can barely look at him anymore without feeling like I'll bawl my eyes out. Ugh. I'm so sensitive.

The cultural festival came and went without a bang. I submitted my piece to the teacher, but didn't go. I had better things on my mind, and wasn't ready to sit back and talk about America. It seems to me like a long lost dream now, something I'm not sure that I want back. I mean, who said that it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all? Whoever did, they were right, I wouldn't give up this time for anything, even if it were for my own benefit.

And I really hope I don't have to.

--

"Oh come on, you want to go, don't you?" Tohru pressured, leaning in and scanning me inquisitively.

"Not really," I said.

"It's just Kazuma, he won't bite."

"…Gooood." I said slowly.

"OH, please Taki, I know he'd LOVE to meet you."

Yeah I know. We've been going out AWHILE for me to not meet the guy who's practically my boyfriend's dad. I was nervous, so I put it off. If you remember, Kyo meeting my "parents" wasn't great. And my dad was just a sob fest. I just don't want to make even MORE a fool of myself.

"Oh!" she jumped, "I forgot to put the soup in the fridge, I'll be right back."

"You're nervous."

"WHEN THE HELL DID YOU GET HERE?!" I shouted at Hatori, recovering from the EXTREME heart attack the man just gave me. Stupid Hatori.

"A little while ago," he smiled smugly, "You should go." He sat down next to me, studying the wall then turning his head towards me, like always.

"What part of nervous don't you understand? I'm done with nerves for today." He OBVIOUSLY didn't understand the reference, and I didn't elaborate.

"He'll like you, hell," Hee hee Hatori cussed, "if you can get someone like Kyo to fall for you," damn, is this out-of-character day or something? "Kazuma will."

"What about you?"

"He likes me…"

"No," I sighed, "I mean, what about you? You like me," I sat up straight, "I for one, find such an amazing achievement quite notable, my good man."

He nodded slowly, and then looked outside. It was quiet for a moment then he said, "Your aunt called. She wants you in a more…" he looked around, "respectable environment."

I got defensive, "Fine. I'll move in with Kei." There was no real point in me fighting the 'respectable' comment.

"Taki," he said, "She doesn't want you living with them anymore."

"Well. That's her problem. I'm just months away from making my own decisions, aren't I?!"

"Yes-"

"I mean who is she to but in on MY private business! After everything she's put me through? That woman has really no conscience whatsoever! If Dad were still around, I wouldn't even be in this situation! I would be living with-" I stopped, blinking.

"You could move in with me for awhile."

My eyes slid to my right, "What?"

"I'm a respectable adult," he said, still looking out the window.

"You're…" I muttered, "That's… You… I… Hatori…"

"Well Haa-san, I didn't know you were going to STEAL this ray of feminine beauty away from me!"

"AH!" I jumped again, and then started to hyperventilate a little.

"What am I going to do without Taki-kun to talk to? She's the only-"

"Whaa?!" I half-said to both of them, blinking a lot.

"I didn't know you were such a lonely man, Ha-"

Shigure flew through the wall.

"Awww, Haa-san I was just kidding!"

I blinked again. That was so... manga.

He looked back over at me, "It would be nice to have you around, you know."

I smiled, "Thanks, but… What about Kyo? I mean… we only have a week…" I bit my lip and looked down, suddenly embarrassed for some reason unbeknownst to me.

"Everything's going to be fine," he said slowly, putting his hand on my arm. He paused, and continued in a thick voice, "I promise."

"You don't know that," I said, looking at him, "You can't. I'm not going to be able to change Akito's mind, or anything. Even if we're allowed to be together, the rest's inevitable, right?"

He stared at me for a minute or so then said, "I want to tell you you're wrong."

"That would be nice at this point," I muttered, I grabbed his hand, "I mean, I've never really been faced with this sort of thing before. That would be a little comforting."

He spoke quietly, "I wish I could be of better assistance."

"I'll move in," I said, "To get my aunt off your back…"

"Okay."

I took a deep breath and squeezed his hand, "I'll see Kazuma-san tomorrow, and then I'll come by your place."

He nodded.

"Thanks, Hatori."

"It's nothing –"

"No, I mean for this," I let go of his hand, "Even if you're not the best at comforting someone… Thanks."

He smiled and sort of shrugged.

--

I didn't have to tell Kyo myself, word spreads fast around this house. Well, it does when Shigure's here.

"Are you fucking kidding me??" he said when he walked in my and Tohru's room, "You're just going to leave??"

"I'm not leaving, I'm staying with Hatori for a while. In a month I can go where I please, so I figure a week or two with him won't be all that bad."

"We see Akito in a week."

"No shit," I said, "Do you think I haven't realized that?!"

"Well-"

"How come it's now when you actually start caring about what's going to happen?" I snapped, turning my attention back to my bag, which I was now furiously stuffing with clothes.

"You're the one who's been avoiding everything!" He shouted, I could hear him pace behind me.

"You haven't even made an attempt to actually talk about anything serious since we got that damn phone call!"

"You're leaving!" He said, shoving it in my face once again. It was really his only point, because he had to know I was right. He hasn't been taking this seriously, he's been just waiting it out, not trying to come up with ways to make this last week last. It isn't my fault that he comes to his senses now.

I shouted back without thinking, "You're the reason I'm doing it!"

"What the hell are you talking about!?" he growled.

I turned and looked at him, "Maybe we just need a break to calm down before this whole thing. We can be like a real couple or something. Tomorrow I'll go down to see Kazuma like you asked me to, okay? And I won't back out, I promise."

"I don't care what we do tomorrow! You can't leave!"

"Kyo, I-"

"Who knows when I'm going to see you again?!" he shouted, "Do you realize how slim the chance is of us even being allowed near each other in a week?"

This was him freaking out, being serious. This is what I'd been waiting for, though I never realized he'd be screaming it at me. Then again, I never really thought out what I expected. I had no real expectations, because I didn't want any of this to happen in the first place. "It's not doing us any good to be freaking out here. I'm going with Hatori. Tonight's my last night here for now. I'll be back. We'll see each other all day tomorrow. And whenever else. Promise."

"Was it Hatori's idea? Or Akito's?" he inquired.

"Hatori's!! God, Kyo, trust me! Tori-san's not going to do anything wrong. Even if it's for Akito."

"You don't know Akito."

"I don't need to, Kyo."

"You don't know anything."

"I know everything I need to know! You're the one who can't just get that through your head!"

He left me sitting on my bed. I guessed he went to the roof to think; I had a less thoughtful therapeutic moment. I trashed my half of the bedroom, then cleaned the whole thing up; then started ripping up pages of notebook paper like a psychopath until dinner.

Kyo didn't eat with us that night.

--

I couldn't sleep later, as you may have already guessed. I sat on the floor next to my bed, in my huge nightshirt, looking out the window. Tohru was fast asleep, as always.

I wish I could be more like her. As if that would even be possible.

I stood and walked out into the hallway, the boards underneath my feet creaking extremely louder than normal. I tiptoed down the hall to Kyo's room and slowly opened the door, "K-Kyo?"

"Yeah?" he muttered back, "Wait, what are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep," I said, walking over and sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Oh," he said, sliding over and pulling me down next to him (kind of rudely, actually).

"Were you expecting something else?"

"Well not really," he grinned in the darkness, "I just had this dream yesterday…"

I giggled, and then shuddered, "You're a freak."

He chuckled, "Listen-"

"I'm sorry. I know you were just worried about me, and I should be more respectful-"

"No, I'm sorry, I was overreacting, and it's not-"

I pulled myself onto his lap, and he smiled, nuzzling my head and kissing my cheek. I kissed him, and maneuvered so I was straddling his legs. His hand moved up my shirt, making delicate circles on my stomach, making me squirm slightly atop his legs. He groaned, and deepened the kiss further. His hands moved up and his fingers glided over the lining of my bra, and I shuddered, feeling him grin before his lips moved to my neck, grazing my skin ever so softly. I moaned, and he unhooked my bra. I blushed a little as he massaged my breasts, lips never once moving from my neck. My hands traveled up his shirt and roamed his elusive chest, and soon he grunted a little and yanked his shirt off, doing the same to me. I was partly surprised at the sudden charge of aggression, but that wore of almost immediately as his lips moved towards my chest…

Overall, things were pretty good on my front…

Well, that is, until Kyo's hand traveled southward.

"Nope, uh-uh, no way," I said, leaning back, biting my lip, and breathing heavily, "We'll be having none of that, mister."

His eyebrow rose, and I climbed off him, pulling my shirt back on.

"Just, give it some time, okay?" I said, "It's not like I'm leaving forever." As you can probably imagine, I was blushing like crazy, but it wasn't a huge deal, seeing as we were in the dark.

"You say that now," he said, leaning in and whispering in my ear, "But, Taki, that's what they all say."

"Huh?"

--

"Morning," Kyo said, standing next to me, "You ready?" He had this huge grin on his face, which made me laugh, seeing as he didn't really smile that much lately.

"Are you feelin' okay? You're usually not this uppity in the morning…" I said, my brow furrowing and my hand moving to touch his forehead.

He ducked under my arm, "I'm fine, excited, mainly." He looked up at me and grinned again, grabbing my hand.

"Well then," I reached up and pulled my hair into a messy bun, and flipped my bangs out of my eyes, "Let's hit it."

Hatori stood and we all took to the car. He was driving because he was to take me to my new temporary home after or meeting with Kyo's dad. My nerves were getting to me. I had a little clawing sensation in the back of my stomach (which I highly doubted was an alien or evil plant) that just kept stirring up all the things that could go horribly wrong.

I usually try not to let what people think bring me down, but this is totally different. This isn't some girl in class; this is the man who raised the guy I love.

Boy, does that sound funky.

Kyo's hand still hadn't left mine by the time we reached the dojo, which was comforting. We got out of the car and I was straining my neck to see the guy. The place itself was… nice. It seemed so peaceful, covered in flowers and the things the customarily come and go during spring. Kyo glanced down at me, and I was staring around like an idiot.

I was antsy. There was this little part of me, deep down, that thought this was all just some ruse to keep up our own spirits, to try to seem more normal. Nothing about this situation is normal, or will ever be. It felt like I was trying to fool myself into thinking things were going to be okay, and thinking that made everything seem just that much worse. I cast my eyes down and took a breath. Kyo obviously took that as me being nervous and squeezed my hand, and smiled up at him when Kazuma finally made an appearance by the door.

"Glad you all could make it," he said brightly, and I blinked. He looked younger than I expected. He had dark brown hair and eyes, and a smile that put me at ease. He seemed like the kind of guy Kyo would look up to, someone strong, kind, and grounded. Yet I still couldn't help but wonder what he thought of me.

"This is Shishou, Shishou, Taki," Kyo said, gesturing between the two of us.

"Hi," I said, smiling a little.

He responded with a, "Nice to meet you," and led us inside.

The morning part of the day was Kyo's training, which I sat out on, just sat by the door and talked with a few of the others before they left. Time was passing slowly, and I was starting to feel antsy again right when Hatori came and got me.

"Time for lunch soon," he said, grabbing my arm and dragging me to the kitchen where a man was putting food on the table.

I should probably be commenting on how great the food smells and how happy I am to dig in; but I had other things on my mind… or rather, in my range of vision.

When I walked into the eating area, I found that directly to my left was the training area itself. I glanced over and saw Kyo. This is usually no big deal, but there was really something about how he looked. His shirt was off, his hair tousled brilliantly, his skin-

"Taki? Taki-kun? Are you all right?"

"What?! Oh yeah I'm fine. Perfectly okay. Nothing wrong here!" I said quickly walking over to the other side of the little opening, trying as hard as I could not to look at Hatori as long as my face was as red as I felt it. My eyes kept drifting over to Kyo, and I bit my lip as I felt my body heat up. God, I hate hormones. My fingers were tapping on the wall quickly and my knee was bouncing like crazy.

"You okay?" Kyo asked suddenly, appearing right in front of me.

I must have been the darkest red ever by now, but that didn't stop me from answering, "I'm cool." He looked at his chest, now loosely covered by a button-up shirt.

"Doesn't look like it," he said with a chuckle, "Look, there's nothing to be nervous about. You've already got my vote," he leaned in and gave me a peck on the lips. I grabbed his collar and kissed him again, trying to keep our chests as close as I possibly could while trying to keep them far away. He bit my lip and began begging for entrance, which I (against my better judgment since I was in Kazuma's dojo) permitted. My hand slid into his hair, my other still firmly grasping his collar, while his hands moved, one to my neck, and the other to my waist.

"Let's go you two, time for lunch." Hatori's interruption broke us apart hurriedly, and I thought I would spontaneously combust from the combined sexual tension and the fact that I was red-hot with embarrassment. Hatori seemed oddly unfazed; I put this to years of being Shigure's best friend. I jumped away from Kyo and practically sprinted into the dining area, sitting down and trying to lower my blood pressure. Kyo strolled in and sat across from me, looking particularly annoyed, which made me giggle a bit.

"So you two," Kazuma interrupted our silence, and I jumped.

I smiled sheepishly to their looks of concern, "Sorry."

"How did you two end up together?" he asked, happily digging in on his rice.

"Well," I said, "I moved here a few months ago, and transferred to Kyo's school." I stopped talking, overcome with embarrassment as I looked over at Hatori. God, I'm crazy.

"Then you started hitting on me," he muttered to me.

"Uh, no, as I recall you were very intent on pursuing me."

"Was not."

"You broke in to my house!"

"Noooo," he said, leaning in, "you let me in, remember??"

"But then you kissed me. We knew each other for what? A week??"

"Were you in a coma when we started dating?" He said, which made me laugh until I realized it was directed towards me.

"I obviously wasn't when you didn't have the guts to tell Tohru that you liked me," I teased back coolly.

"That doesn't matter, you still can't keep it in your pants when you're around me!" Kazuma and Hatori began this synchronized blinking thing.

I gasped, "You told me you loved me in front of a closet two weeks after we met." His eyes widened, and I smirked. No way he's beating me this time.

"You're the one who wouldn't stop beaming," he said, smiling himself at the comment, which made me blush.

I then smiled in remembrance; "You're the one who acted all knight-in-shining-armor when I got hurt."

"Then you told me you were in love with me. A very special moment for you, I'm sure." He said, somehow glowing with confidence after saying the phrase, 'keep it in your pants' just moments ago in front of his dad. Kazuma smiled at Kyo, and I blushed again.

"Then you jumped me in the janitor's closet!" My mouth erupted.

"Then… you…" he said, searching his mind.

"Then you started really liking swimsuit shopping. THEN you turned into a kitty."

"I am not a kitty."

"You're so cute when you're angry, just like a little kitten."

"Taki," Kyo started.

I giggled and said, "Here kitty, kitty."

"You were jealous of Kagura!" he cried in desperation.

"Me-ow!"

"Well, that's… great…" Kazuma said slowly, nodding a bit.

"And a lot to take in," Hatori muttered.

"What?" I asked, "You were there for most of it."

"Well," he said, running a hand through his hair, "it takes on new meaning when you're moving in with me."

I glanced at Kyo, who was red, and looking at me with a smile, "Overall, it's been good."

"Yeah, it has," I said, smiling back.

"Well, for me," he said, holding up my mp3 player. I wouldn't want to seem utterly materialistic, but next to the man holding the device, that device was the most important thing I owned. It was basically my little digital best friend, and there was no way-, "Come and get it," he said, raising his eyebrows.

"Kyo," I said, taking a deep breath, "That's not funny."

He thought for a second, and leaned in, kissing me lightly, "Yeah it is."

"Kyo, sweetie," I said, "please give that back."

"But it's so much easier to get up and run away from you," he said, standing and leaning against the wall.

"This can't end well," Hatori muttered, taking another sip of coffee. I glanced over at him and grinned; he reminded me so much of Dad nowadays. Right down to the way he drinks coffee.

My thoughts were interrupted with a, "Catch me if you can."

We were off. I was running like I'd never run before, and soon we were back to where we started me shouting, "KYO FREAKING SOHMA. YOU WILL GIVE ME THAT BACK OR I WILL HUG YOU."

"Oohh I'm so scared," he scoffed, "getting a hug from a pretty girl."

"Au contraire my little kitten," I snapped, "you will be a cat, and I WILL find a stupid dog to come here and maul your ass."

"You don't have the guts."

I sighed, "You're right, sorry." I walked over to him, "There's no way I could ever do that to you," I kissed him lightly, grabbing the player from his hands. I then balked at the simplicity of it, "Why don't I think of stuff like that in the first place?"

"Because if you would have tried that in the first place I wouldn't have let you get it back," he said, kissing my cheek.

"Oh well wasn't that just completely pointless?"

"IT WAS NOT!!" Shigure's voice piped up outta nowhere, and when I turned, he was standing behind Hatori, finger-pointing way in the air like he had spotted superman, or was in preparation to hit a disco. "That was adorable!! You kids are just so sweet together!! I just wish I had the pleasure of taking this piece of sparkling feminine beauty for myself!!"

Then everyone got really quiet.

"You all know that evrtyime there's an awkward silence a gay baby is born?" Shigure said, sitting next to Hatori and crossing his legs.

"ANYWAYS," I said, going back to the table.

--Later—

It was getting late. The sky was dark with shades of orange and red, it was so beautiful, but all I could think about is when I'll next see Kyo. I can barely stand him being in the kitchen now, much less being away from him for a few days… I'm pathetic.

"Hey," he said, sitting next to me.

"Hey."

We were quiet for a while, and I kept trying to think up what to say, but I didn't know how to tell him goodbye, especially because I didn't know how long this goodbye would have to last.

"Shishou seemed to really like you," he said softly.

"I'm glad. He seems really nice."

"I want you to know that no matter what Akito says to you, I love you," he said slowly, his voice full of hesitation.

"I know you do, Kyo," I said, "And I love you too, more than I thought was possible," I laughed weakly. He looked at me, and I could feel my heart race, just like it did when we first met. "What?"

He smiled, "Sometimes I really don't think you realize how pretty you are," he stroked my cheek, "It annoys me."

"You're not so bad yourself," I said, smiling back.

"He's not what you think he is, Akito. He'll try to rip us apart, piece-by-piece. Everything we are is up for grabs…"

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

"I hope so," he said, "I really do."

"Stop hoping," I said, "Just trust me."

He kissed me again, "You'd better get going. I'll see you soon."

"Kyo, I-"

"Bye," he squeezed my hand before dropping it and letting Hatori escort me to the car.

I felt my heart sink. He was sure, he was so sure we weren't going to see each other again.

I knew we were, next Saturday would be hell, but the fact that he'll be there made me want it to come as fast as possible. I don't care what Akito says; I just want a real goodbye.

I just hope I don't have to get one.

That's it. Next chapter's the big day.

The story's almost over, and I'm freaking out, so I'll try as HARD AS I CAN to get this next chapter done.

Later!!