Sorry for taking so long to update! Well... actually, it hasn't been that long, compared to the months it took me to go from chapter one to chapter two. Heh. Anyway, the ideas just weren't coming, but one came to me a few days ago, so I had to write it! This chapter is based on the word Monthly. You get to see a veeeery shy Kiku in this. Enjoy. :)

Even after a month of seeing each other, Kiku was still not quite used to being with Yao. It still took some courage just to touch him, let alone kiss him or even sleep in the same bed as him. To Yao, it was cute. To Kiku, it was humiliating.

"Y-Y-Yao," he stuttered out one afternoon, "c-c-can I... h-hold your hand?"

Poor, sweet thing, Yao thought with a quiet chuckle. "Of course," he replied, offering a hand to Kiku. "You don't have to ask. We have been dating for a month, after all."

Unsure, Kiku took the offered hand, his face a light shade of pink. "S-sorry. I can't help it. Intimacy... is not my strong point." In fact, the last time he came in close proximity to anyone other than Yao, he nearly had a heart attack.

"I know," Yao grinned, giving Kiku a peck on the cheek, which just caused his face to turn even more pink. "Oh, speaking of us dating for a month... our anniversary is this Friday, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes it is," Kiku nodded, squeezing Yao's hand a bit. He had the date in his mind ever since Yao agreed to expand their relationship. It wasn't easy to forget. "So... what should we do?"

Yao shrugged. "I'm not sure... whatever you want to do, love."

Yet again, Kiku's cheeks began to burn. "W-well... you know I don't do well in public. Why don't we just stay here, make a nice meal, just... spend time together, alone?"

A grin came across Yao's face, revealing his brilliant teeth. "Great idea, my sweet little chrysanthemum." Kiku's cheeks were completely red at this point. "Time together alone it is. I must take time to go shopping for your present..."

"W-what?" Kiku exclaimed. "N-no, Yao- you don't need to do that-"

"I do," he replied, cutting his love off with a kiss. "Trust me. And I expect nothing in return."

"Too bad!" Puffing his cheeks out, Kiku let go of Yao's hand and stood straight up. "You are getting something in return!" He headed toward his computer room with a hasty walking pace.

Again, Yao grinned. "Fair enough."

Friday finally came, and it was time for Yao and Kiku to celebrate. They each took some time to shop for the other, and picked out gifts that they hoped the other would adore. Yao made some of Kiku's favorites for dinner- smoked salmon with extra salt, a light vegetable dish, and imported Japanese green tea. Kiku made chocolate cake, a favorite of Yao's, though he didn't eat a piece as he didn't care for chocolate. "A loving sacrifice," he said.

Soon, they decided to exchange gifts.

"Open mine first," Yao said, handing Kiku a small box, a gold bow atop it. The Japanese man opened it, revealing a small, brilliant emerald colored pin, fashioned into a chrysanthemum.

"Jade... chrysanthemum..." Kiku muttered, his eyes wide. "I-it's beautiful." With fumbling hands, he removed the delicate pin from the box, handing it to Yao so he could pin it to the lapel of his shirt. "Thank you so much, Yao."

"I'm so glad you like it," Yao said gratefully, giving the other a sweet kiss. "I was worried that you didn't care for pins."

"Well, I do now," sighed Kiku, his eyes sparkling with adoration as he looked down at the pin and back up at Yao. "O-okay... open my gift."

Kiku's box to Yao was much bigger. Yao thought nothing of it; he knew little about Kiku's shopping habits thus far... until he saw the gift. Inside was a silk garment- a kimono, to be exact- gold and red. Yao's favorite colors. The colors of his country's flag.

"I-I hope it fits," Kiku whispered, "I took my measurements and added a few inches since you are a bit taller than me... a-ah..."

"It's absolutely perfect." Not hesitating a bit, Yao set the box aside and grabbed Kiku's face, kissing him for what seemed like hours. No complaint was heard on Kiku's end. "Help me put it on," he said after pulling away. They stood up, Yao kept a t-shirt and boxers on (to Kiku's request), and Kiku helped tie the kimono around the other's body. Taking a bold move, Kiku undid Yao's ponytail. With his hair down, the Chinese man looked positively stunning. Another bold move on Kiku's part (according to him, at least), he wrapped his arms around his lover's waist and pulled him into an embrace.

"This has been the most wonderful month of my life," Kiku admitted. Yao's smile practically reached to his ears, and he returned the hug, gently snaking his arms around Kiku's neck. "T-thank you, Yao."

"Mine as well, Kiku," he replied, placing several kisses atop the Japanese man's head of jet black hair. "Happy month anniversary."

Unless you don't know what a kimono is at this point, no notes!

Enjoy, review, etc! Au revoir!