Kyou and Yuki are in Kyou's room. They're supposed to be making plans for the trip, Kyou's finally bought the train and airline tickets and had booked hotel rooms. Yuki is supposed to be looking over all their research and trying to draw some conclusions, but Kyou was just being

too distracting for him to keep his mind on the work. It's been two weeks since that fateful morning. It had been such a beautiful morning.

Actually tomorrow would be two weeks since that fateful morning, today was two weeks and two days since Yuki had kissed Kyou. And damned if he hadn't thought about taking another one. Luckily he had been too occupied to thing about that very often.

After "that moment" that morning on the back porch (how else could you describe it? Words just don't do it justice.) Yuki had taken Kyou into his arms, pressing soft kisses against Kyou's sweet sebum scented hair. He tried to soothe away Kyou's tears as the weight shifted into his, the two bodies becoming one mass. It was really a perfect little expression of their affection for one another, too bad Shigure ruined it.

"Con-grat-u-la-tions!" a loud singsong voice bellowed from inside the house. Shigure stepped out on the porch with the most bemused expression on his face and then released party crackers all over the two boys. He instantly went into a tirade about how he always knew such things would happen between the two of them and how proud he was that Kyou and Yuki were following in his and Aya's footsteps. However, all of Shigure's fanfare had been effectively quieted by Tohru's entrance. Tohru stumbled in silently, her eyes slightly downcast. She met the boys' eyes, her head still inclined down as if she were ashamed of something. Slowly a smile bloomed on her face, 'congratulations," she said, and dropped to her knees as she pulled both of them into a firm, just shy of suffocating, hug. Sometimes Tohru was more than an angel, you know. It was one of the most awkward moments imaginable. Yuki was torn between staying with Kyou and Tohru or righteously punching Shigure's lights out. Thankfully Kyou did both, returning Tohru's hug and whispering to her,"Thank you so much," before abruptly standing up, marching over to Shigure and punching him in the jaw.

"Yuki, I'll be in my room." Kyou turned back to smile at Yuki before entering the house.

Yuki could have died a happy man, the whole thing was amazing, Kyou's smile was amazing, for the rest of his life, nothing would need to matter but Kyou.

Each day had been like that for Yuki, Kyou surprising him by finding a new way to be more beautiful, or more handsome, or more charming each time Yuki thought he had figured out who Kyou was. Right now Kyou was on his stomach, supporting himself with his elbows looking over an accounting book biting his lips and scratching his head as he was trying to figure out how to stretch the money he would earn by graduation to cover the cost of this mission. It was so impressive to see him so motivated in a new way, now Yuki could see that flame burning in Kyou's eyes that he thought had been lost. Yuki was really hoping that this would work out between the two of them, that he would never have to live without seeing that fire each day.

Two weeks, their relationship had lasted (Wow . . . Kyou and I have a relationship ) two weeks of Yuki loving Kyou more each day, of Kyou becoming more and more lovable each day. Kyou was giving Yuki far more than he had ever asked for, he was soo blessed, he had to do something in return.

Yuki had already had an idea about a special something, although he might need to bend the rules a smidge to do it. Besides, how would he get anywhere with Kyou if he didn't use a little force.

&

I wanted to keep it a secret, at least for a little while, I know the dumb dog has probably already run off and told the whole family. It can't be helped, it's almost New Year's anyway so I'll confront Akito about it then. I don't want Tohru to be alone this year, so I'm going to ask Yuki to stay home with her this time.

AH! Dammit, I don't know much about anything anymore. It's all going way too fast. All of a sudden Yuki and I are a "couple" and it doesn't make any sense. It's supposed to be a "Yuki loves me" -thing not a "Kyou and Yuki are in love" -thing, and no one has changed the terms of the deal or anything it just ended up with everyone thinking this way. First Shigure saw us and he assumed, then Tohru saw us and I don't know what she thinks; and once Hanajima saw it it was out there and everyone knew.

Before we left for school that morning (after Yuki apologized) I told him that I wanted things to be just between us for now, he agreed. We walked to school together as usual and everything was fine, until the end of homeroom. Yuki turned in his seat to look at me and he smiled (weird,huh) and like an idiot I smiled back (double weird). How could I resist? It was one of those real smiles, his face lit up and his eyes shone and his expression scrunched up all cute-like; you know that special smile that's saved for only me and Tohru. It's infectious.

Of course Hana saw it (she sees everything, she's like a fucking oracle or something) even at the moment I could feel the waves of her energy pushing at mine. Once you've felt that you know what denpa is for sure. It's like this creepy ticklish feeling that you don't notice at first and then it gets stronger and stronger until it overwhelms you. There's no fighting it, you know she's way stronger than you could ever be and if she wanted to she could turn you into a vegetable at any moment. So you don't fight, you endure and it passes. I first felt that when we went to visit Honda-sama's grave last year, she scared me so bad, I felt her absolute control over me. I was afraid of what she might know from looking at me or feeling me in that way, what she would accept, what would disgust her, what she would tell Tohru. But this time when Hana's energy left me I wasn't scared, I could feel this feedback of her energy and she was happy for me. It was this warm buzz that made me feel so . . . I dunno , um . . . tingly, bubbly inside that it made me want to grin and sob at the same time.

Then at lunch.

"Ha ha, Hey Kyon" Uo punched me in the shoulder, " I had no idea. You should have told us, we coulda helped set you two up. Really, we should have seen it, eh Hana, I guess denpa is a bit quicker that my intuition though. Oh! Hey Kyon if you ever need any tips on how to please a man, don't hesitate to ask O.K." she finished with a wink.

"Stupid Yankee, I bet you've never even shared a bed with a man, much less pleasured one." I knew it was a stupid thing to say the minute it came out of my mouth.

"Oh and you have?" She teased at me, raising her eyebrows. She got me there, My ears were red, I was furious, there was no escape, I'd dug myself into hole.

"I'll have you know he's done neither, and I'd thank you not to assume such lascivious things about my cousin."

You should have seen my face when he said that. I'm sure my eyes had glistened, my savior had come.

"He's saving himself for marriage" Asshole, I should have punched him and Uo.

&

"Kyou?

"There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you.

"I wanted to give you something."

They stood underneath an arbor in this quiet garden, surrounded by trees and the scent of spring blossoms.

Yuki gently took a hold of Kyou's arms.

"It's a present."

Yuki looked coyly through his eyelashes at Kyou, before hastily moving so close that their noses were touching. It made Kyou uneasy.

What is he doing?

Then before he could see it he felt it. Yuki's cool lips on his. Kyou's stomach flipped and didn't turn back, he felt as though he was going to vomit up his own heart. And then it didn't end, the huge monster had captured him in the kiss, the gentle clasp of hands on his upper arms had become manacles. Just as unwanted and far more frightening than the first time, the lips stayed in place, stifling any call for help. Then the tongue slid into his mouth, unwanted, stealing something from within, tainting him with something foreign. He tried to fight it, push it out, but nothing would end it until the monster was through with him.

When it finally released him he jerked away and ran, he looked back and the monster just stared out at him with a cruel grin. Kyou ran through the garden, lost in a maze until he saw her.

Who was she, her face was hard to make out, she stood like Kyoko san, but she had brown hair like Tohru's. She reached out her arms to take Kyou into them, he gladly embraced her, clutching the fabric of her clothing tightly so she wouldn't disappear. The arms folded around him, but she wasn't holding him or comforting him.

"I love you Kyou. I love you so much."

It said it quietly, once every few seconds, an infinite loop. It took him another moment to realize she was cold. He looked up into the face of this creature that was his refuge, it was his mother's face.

"SHISHOU! SHISHOU! OTO-SANNN!!!"

Kyou's eyes flashed open in the dark room, all of a sudden his room had become an unfamiliar place with a million dark corners for a dead body to be stashed.

He cautiously stepped out into the moonlight hallway.

As he sat there catching his breath, the thing that upset him the most was knowing that he couldn't give the gift of a kiss to commemorate the two weeks he and Yuki had been together.

He knew that Yuki had been planning something special for the two of them that was supposed to be a surprise, and that Tohru and Shigure had planned to be out of the house. It was something he was really looking forward to, and it really made him feel important to have someone go to so much trouble for him.

Yuki had really become someone different, yes someone that was never ignored, but also someone who had something on the inside. Despite the girlish prim exterior a solid real person inside, someone with a sense of humor, who gets embarrassed, who has quirks, who has strengths and weaknesses and is no longer afraid to let people see them. Seeing Yuki this way, he can almost accept Yuki as the kind of person he could fall in love with.

Which is why he wanted to be able to kiss Yuki tomorrow, to show Yuki that maybe soon he could love Yuki as much as Yuki loved him, but after that dream, it was impossible.

&

Yuki woke to the sounds of bluebirds singing in the trees outside his window. He yawned, sitting up as he stretched, his blankets falling away from him. he cast open the window and began singing.

"A dream is a wish your heart makes

When you're fast asleep . . ."

It was about where the birds began unbraiding his hair and he took off his nightgown that he realized he wasn't awake and this was Cinderella.

However, when Yuki did wake up his morning was comparably Ghibli-esque if not quite Disney. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, it was unusually pleasant for December and Yuki woke up the most peacefully he had in a long while. The comforting sounds and smells of breakfast cooking wafted up to his bedroom. He dressed and went down to the kitchen.

Kyou was by the stove, stirring miso soup, still in his running pants and shirt from his morning exercises. Kyou's hair was damp and sticking to his neck, he absently scratched his stomach while stirring.

"Good morning Kyou."

Kyou jumped.

It was so cute how Kyou surprised so easily.

"Oh! . . . Oh there you are Yuki."

Well where else would I be? Yuki giggled

"Shigure and Tohru left already, the Dog left a note." Kyou gestured to the fridge and continued stirring.

Dear BoysLovers Resident Soul mates,

The flower and I have decided to go out to breakfast. A new authentic french Provençal restaurant has opened up near Aya's shop. How romantic, oui? Aya's meeting us there, we'll be good so don't worry. Please do control yourselves, try to keep out of my study and Tohru's room. We'll see you tomorrow, don't do anything we wouldn't do.

Love,

Shigure

P.S. Tohru says take care and have a good time.

P.P.S . There's a present for you guys under the kotatsu.

"Ouch." Kyou had poked Yuki hard in the stomach.

"Stop sneaking up on me." Kyou flashed him a half hearted scowl.

P.P.P.S Happy Two -Week Anniversary!!!

Love,

Shigure and Tohru

"I haven't opened the gift from Shigure yet," Kyou was now pouring the soup and natto into bowls,"I'm not sure that I want to, what does he think we're going to be doing? ' . . .keep out of my study.'''

Yuki interrupted Kyou's preparations, coming up very close to Kyou and taking his right hand. He pulled Kyou into him so that Kyou's back was tucked into his chest.

"You made breakfast,"

"Yeah . . . well, no one else was going . . .'

He let go of Kyou's hand and took it into his left spinning Kyou to face him as his right hand slid into the small of Kyou's back.

"Thank you."

Yuki looked into Kyou eyes, then released him and walked out into the dining room.

Pause

Yeah, Still Pause

I hope I can move again sometime

O.K. Finally unpaused.

Breathe

Relax, Keep Breathing.

How does he do that?

How does he know how to do that?

How can he be so charming that he takes my breathe away?!

Kyou managed to keep breathing and finish breakfast.

&

Yuki and Kyou had settled down to eat breakfast in a comfortable silence, they exchange glances while they ate, unable to resist smiling.

"I have a surprise." Yuki started . . .

And was abruptly interrupted by a banging at the door.

The most perturbed look appeared on Yuki's face as he rose to get the door. Kyou turned in his seat to watch Yuki leave.

Hiro stood on the porch. Yuki opened to door to a wet, puffy faced, red-eyed little cousin.

"Kisa hates me." It came out a snarl as to keep from crying. "She'll never love me, she wants Haru."

Hiro stomped his way into the dining room and plopped down at the table, Yuki following him.

"Fix it so it doesn't feel like I'm going to die."

Then Hiro cracked, a slight sob that was more like a hiccup came out of him and all of a sudden tears were streaming down his face, mucus ran from his nose, and he hid his face in his arms from embarrassment.

Yuki and Kyou looked at each other hoping the other had a solution to this situation. When it became obvious that they were both clueless Yuki ran to get a box of Kleenex and Kyou ran to get a cup of water. Soon they both returned trying to coax Hiro into raising his head offering their meager aid. Yuki carefully patted at Hiro's head while Kyou tried to make eye contact with the distraught boy.

Hiro raised his head, shielding his face behind his hair as he wiped his face with his sleeves.

"You guys really suck at this." Hiro inhaled shakily. "I mean you'd think that people older than you and in a relationship would know how to comfort someone. I don't know why I came to you guys anyway. Aren't you at least going to offer me sweets like Tohru does. I would think that two guys would know better how to show some hospitality than one dumb girl."

this kid is such a pain in the ass Kyou decided.

"You're right Hiro, were not nearly as hospitable as Tohru, so why don't you GO HOME and come back some other time." Yuki offered, giving Hiro the why don't you just go off yourself smile that was usually reserved for his big brother alone.

"Yeah, we don't need your litlle kid tears raining on our parade so just go home and cry at Hatori or something, you brat." Kyou added.

A frightening scowl appeared on Hiro's face, angrily glaring at his two unfeeling cousins before he dissolved into tears and sobs.

" She . . . hates me, she never wants me around anymore. . . . She won't even smile for me anymore.

"she only ever spends time with Haru anymore . . . ever since I gave her that stupid ring . . .

"Tohru was wrong, even if I do become a prince . . . it'll never be good enough, it'll never be what she needs."

Yuki sighed. He wasn't cold enough anymore that he'd be able to ignore Hiro's anguish, even if the kid was a brat.

"What happened Hiro?"

Hiro sniffed and looked up at Yuki, scowling.

"What, do I have to tell you everything? Just because a kid comes to an older person for help they have to give up information? I come to you with confidence, thinking I can trust you, and I immediately have to make an exchange for the comfort I sought here. What kind of caring adult are you?"

"Yes, you do have to tell us," Yuki grasped Hiro's shoulders and turned him to face the cat, "And Kyou will be happy to listen."

Kyou just gaped at Yuki as he watched him leave the room.