Wow. Here we are. This story officially has ten chapters!I can't believe I've made it this far. Plus, this chapter is a;most 2000 words. Definately one of the longer ones I've written.

I hope everyone is still having a good time reading this story, and that this chapter is up to par!

By the way, this story is still being beta'd by the lovely and totally awesome Grapefruit.pirate!! Be sure to thank her if you ever meet her!

Yuki Chapter Ten

A few hours after Kyo had put Yuki in his bed, violet eyes fluttered open, exposing themselves to cold air. A painful sting overwhelmed his senses, and his eyes clamped tightly shut. A minute later those same eyes opened a fraction of an inch. This was the boy's almost pathetic attempt to get used to having his eyes open.

Though winter still hadn't ended as of yet, there had been no snow. As soon as his eyes were fully adjusted to the chilly air, Yuki stole a glance out the window. There were small flakes gently drifting to the ground outside. Though he could usually find peace in watching the snow, it proved impossible tonight. For the last week, Yuki had been meaning to tell Kyo that he knew about his and Shigure's conversation. He had in fact woken up after Kyo left. When he heard his name being whispered outside, the mouse stumbled to the door so that he could listen.

He wanted nothing more than to be able to tell Kyo, but couldn't bring himself to put Kyo through more pain then was absolutely needed. Yuki knew that Kyo was suffering because of what Shigure said that night. Yuki also knew that every time he thought about Kyo, he would also think of that night. Just like he was now.

One week earlier

From his bed, the sleepy Yuki had trouble making out the words, but it sounded like this:

"Kyo, do you have feelings for Yuki?"

The voice that had spoken sounded like Shigure. Especially since Shigure was the only other guy in the house.

Yuki sprang up from the bed as quietly and quickly as a freshly awoken Yuki can do, and stumbled his way to the door. He had made it there rather fast, and once there, pressed his ear to the door.

"So what if I do?"

Yuki was relieved that Kyo did in fact care for him. There had been no doubt, but reassurance is always nice.

"Kyo, I hope you know just how dangerous that is. Yes, I understand what it feels like. You want to do everything to protect him. Though sometimes you just can't… Sometimes, it is just easier to let go. Allow things to return to the way they were."

Yuki felt himself crack when he heard Shigure say this. Was he against them?

"Damn it, Shigure! Of course I know what my feelings entail. I'm not stupid. I-"

"Kyo, I never said you were stupid. Sorry, please continue."

"I'm not stupid… I just… I…I love Yuki. I could never give him up. He means too much to me."

The tears that had been building up in his eyes, blurring his vision, had finally started falling. Before long his cheeks were soaked in salty tears.

"Kyo, I honor your feelings, but their validity may become null if Akito and the other zodiacs were to hear of it. In the end, your feelings and Yuki's could mean absolutely nothing. If Akito hears of it, there will be no happy ending. I hope you understand that. Take care of what you have, Kyo, but the path you want to follow may end in tears. You may someday have to let go."

For a moment Yuki pondered that statement. How would Shigure know all of this? Yuki had never seen Shigure with anyone he considered special. Then it hit him. Akito was why Shigure didn't go out with people. Akito had probably made sure that Shigure knew not to let anyone get close. Maybe similar to Hatori's case.

"Shigure, how do you know all of this?"

Kyo had just unknowingly voiced all of Yuki's thoughts in a single sentence.

Yuki heard Shigure's retreating footsteps stop in their tracks. He assumed Shigure had also turned around. His voice sounded like it was aimed at Kyo.

"I once tried to defy Akito, in the name of love. Believe me Kyo, nothing good can ever come of a relationship if it involves the cursed."

When Shigure had left, Yuki could hear Kyo going across the hall to his room. The moment Yuki was sure everyone was gone, he turned so he was leaning against his wall instead of his door, and fell slowly to the floor.

"I guess this family is just one big screw up then."

End Flashback

Yuki had been completely correct when he had said that the Sohma family was just one big screw up. This supposed "family" was nothing more than useless anger and frustration that had no target it could lock onto. All anyone could do was beat themselves up for not being capable enough to do anything.

"I still want to tell him... I really do." If someone had been listening to Yuki when he said this, they would have been able to detect the crack in his fragile spirit. He was nearly ready to cry, and knew perfectly well he would not be able to contain his emotions much longer.

Luckily for him, no was around to hear. This was mostly because it was the middle of the night and everyone was sleeping. An exasperated sight slipped through Yuki's lips. Thinking of everything and how much he knew things had to change, had taken a lot of energy out of the boy. 

The boy decided to change his perch and move from his spot in front of the window, where he had to stand, to his bed, where he fell backwards and simply lay there in a tired stupor.

Violet eyes slowly drifted downwards, and eventually closed.

Tohru

The young brunette was standing just outside the door. When she heard no more sounds, the girl scurried back to her room.

After overhearing Yuki reminisce over a conversation between Shigure and Kyo, Tohru had been too flustered to even come anywhere near knocking on the door. It made her even more delirious in her flurry when she realized the Yuki still wanted to tell Kyo, even though it may anger him. Tohru could not help but admire Yuki. Not just for bravery, no, but for facing the situation with a down to earth attitude. Unlike herself, Yuki could show the world what he felt through his face. All Tohru ever did was hide behind a mask of happiness. It was shameful, really, but if she didn't, she might worry people she cared for. That was the last thing she wanted.

It only took a moment to reach her room. On the door was a cute sign that read Tohru's name in romanji. Below her name read, "please knock first," in curly delicate kanji. Tohru whipped the door open as quickly and quietly as was possible. She ran across the small room and landed heavily onto the bed. Unconsciously tears began flowing from her eyes, and slowly soaked the bed sheet. When Tohru realized why the bed was wet she furiously wiped the tears away. They only began falling more rapidly. Soon her face was red from the sobs that began to rage through her small frame.

"Why...? Why... those two? I want to help them... so much! I want to be... there for them. I want to be there because... no one... was there for...me," She was quietly whispering to herself. It was a continuous chant. Over and over again. Before long, her puffy eyes, swollen from her tears, became sore. Quickly they were falling shut. All the poor girl could do was allow them to drift closed.

The Next Morning- Tohru

A beep could be heard within the confines of Tohru's room. Slowly the girls eyes began to open as the beep brought her to consciousness. Tohru turned off the clock and changed drowsily out of her pajamas and into her uniform. The young woman sat on the bed and gave a stretch to wake up her muscles. After her stretch she stood and began to head downstairs. Then it hit her. What she had heard last night. The crying. Her chant. Everything hit her at once. She stopped on the stairs in mid-step, and brought her foot back to the ground.

"Yuki," Tohru whispered breathlessly. She took a moment to recover from her shock and despair, then faked a smile and continued down the stairs. Tohru headed for the kitchen and sat at the table. She took a moment to contemplate breakfast, and decided on egg and rice.

Tohru stood over the stove after retrieving the eggs from the fridge, and rice from the cupboard. 

She was just about to crack open the first egg when Yuki stumbled into the kitchen.

"Oh! Ohayo, Sohma-kun. Did you sleep well?" Of course Tohru already knew the answer based on what she had overheard last night, but she asked anyway.

Yuki had noticed a slight change in Tohru's appearance. She seemed more forced. Not pure like she normally seemed. "Tohru? Is something wrong? You seem off today."

Tohru cocked her head innocently, "Off?" Yuki sighed and cleared things up.

"You don't seem yourself. Are you alright?" Tohru looked pointedly at the ground. She couldn't seem to look Yuki in the eye after that, the guilt kept building up every second she was interacting with the gray haired boy.

"Yuki..." Yuki's eyebrow furrowed in a questioning stare, and he stood. The mouse walked over to Tohru and placed his hand gently on her shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"What is it?" Tohru 's shoulders slumped in a defeated gesture and she finally looked Yuki in the eyes.

"Yuki, I think we need to talk," Tohru whispered. Yuki nodded and sat Tohru down lightly at the table before sitting down himself. "Yuki, I heard-" At that moment footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. Kyo was awake. There was no way that Tohru would be able to say what she need to say in front of Kyo, so she did the only thing she could. She stood and rushed back to the stove, but while she shot up from her seat she whispered, "Later," to Yuki. He understood, and decided to prepare his school bag for today.

Wow. Intense, eh? The next chapter be Tohru and Yuki's big talk! Oo

Is Kyo ever going to find out?! I wonder...? Is Akito EVER going to find out about the Cat and Mouse? Well, stay tuned for chapter 11(sounds weird being in teh double digits...) because at least ONE of the many questions you have WILL be answered!

Also, Please R&R! It makes me happy to know that you guys(and girls) are happy. And any suggestions you have would be nice too! I DO get writers block sometimes you know!

oh! And based on what has happened so far, how do you think this story will end? The one who gets the answer closest to what I plan on for the ending gets a free cookie and Yuki/Kyo one-shot! So get those guesses commin'!!