A loud sound jolted Touya out of bed. He had been attempting to nap in the time he had between class and studying with Yukito. As he grabbed the clock next to him, he quickly realized that he had overslept. What was supposed to be a 30 minutes nap had turned into a 2 hour one. He groaned as he fell back on his bed. But then the noise sounded again.

More alert, Touya's senses seemed to awake before he did. His mind sensing Sakura's presence and his nose sensing something baking in the kitchen. Putting two and two together, Sakura had to be attempting to make something downstairs.

Groggily, Touya got out of bed and headed down to the source of the sound. The sight amused him. His little sister stood in the kitchen surrounded by a few big bowls and baking supplies and her face was almost completely covered in flour. Touya resisted the urge to laugh. He wondered how long he had been asleep to not even notice Sakura had come home, let alone started this commotion in the kitchen.

"Brother!" Sakura almost dropped the bowl she was stirring in utter surprise.

"That's a good look for you," Touya grinned, motioning to her face.

Sakura tensed up as her face reddened in utter embarrassment. Touya raised an eyebrow at the defensive display.

"I didn't know you were home!" She managed quickly. "Were you sleeping? Oh no, did I wake you?"

Sakura looked heavily concerned so Touya shrugged his shoulders and lied, "Nah, what are you making?"

As he answered he did his best to fight back the incoming yawns he could feel. He also did his best not to look at the clock. He had been wanting to talk to Sakura for a while. This unexpected meeting seemed like a good enough opportunity. Touya looked over at Sakura and noticed her stirring the bowl with a lot of care. Whatever this she was making had to be pretty important.

"We learned how to make roll cakes at school today," she answered, "but, uh..."

Touya picked up on this hesitation immediately. He narrowed his eyes but Sakura was concentrating on the bowl in front of her and not him.

"There was an issue with um... the oven."

Unbelievable. Touya leaned against the kitchen wall. He could read between the lines. Magic at school? How the hell was that fair? Schools are filled with kids without magical abilities. What did Sakura have to do... put them all to sleep? Wait was that why he felt so tired today? No, Touya snapped himself out of it. He wasn't anywhere near the school and he was tired because he didn't sleep at all last night.

"So, the cakes got ruined," Sakura answered eventually, "and I just wanted to remake mine. That's all."

Touya brought both hands over his face and sighed into them. Pushing off the wall he walked over to the fridge and grabbed a soda. He then turned the sink on and handed Sakura a wet towel. "That sounds frustrating," he said, biting the inside of his cheek. "But why remake it?"

Sakura looked up, clearly surprised by the question. Her face started reddening, deeper this time. Touya felt confused for a moment but then took a step back as he recognized the familiar flushed expression. This was not part of the conversation he wanted to have. He started looking around quickly for something else he could comment on. His eyes went towards a paper cutout, probably the design of the cake that she had made.

"It's for... someone," Sakura answered softly.

"Aw you shouldn't have!" Touya blurted out. He felt like an idiot, but... then Sakura started laughing and instant relief washed over him. He looked back at the design Sakura had drawn. It looked a bit like a hat. Touya took a rather large sip of his soda. He had a strong feeling he knew who this cake was for. The question remained if he was going to comment on it or not.

"You can go back to sleep, brother. I'll be quieter I promise."

Touya shook his head, his mind remembering what he came down for. "It's fine Sakura. I actually... wanted to talk to you about something."

Sakura looked up, her bright green eyes watching him steady as she continued stirring the bowl in her hands. He didn't really know where to start and by the sheer look of intrigue on her face, he could tell she had absolutely no idea what he was about to say. Touya thought for a quick moment and then decided on the easiest topic.

"Yukito and I are dating," he said, delivering the words with such confidence that it almost surprised him. It was not lost on him that this was actually the first time he had said the words aloud.

Sakura's face lit up like Touya had just handed her a giant present. "I'm so happy for you!" she squealed. She set the bowl she was stirring down and jumped up and down clapping. Touya felt a bit taken back. Seeing such happiness on her face filled him with a kind of joy he wasn't expecting. It was almost enough to make him blush.

"I wanted you to hear it from me."

"Thanks for telling me," Sakura giggled, still beaming.

Touya cleared his throat. In mere moments he had managed to become the one uncomfortable. Well, he could always bring up who she was making the cake for. Sakura was still beaming when he looked in her direction again. He couldn't believe how happy she seemed, however… he noted that she didn't seem too surprised.

"I think you two make a great couple, but," she paused, putting on a more serious expression, "you better be nice to him!"

Touya's face fell. "What? Of course, I'm nice to him!"

Sakura laughed as she walked over to a small cup that looked like it was full of green icing.

"Does dad know?"

"Uh," Touya started rubbing the back of his neck. That answer was probably… yes.

"You should tell him," she answered for him, squealing again. "He's going to be so happy."

Touya laughed. "Yeah, I'm sure he will be." If he doesn't start with 'I knew it.' Touya leaned back against the wall as he watched Sakura move from bowl to bowl, taking equal care with each moving part of her kitchen creation. She was gifted in a lot of things. He wondered how aware she was of that.

"I figured I'd tell you first," Touya said and then paused to choose his next words very carefully. "Because you're close with Yukito and... Yue."

Upon hearing Yue's name, Sakura stopped stirring. In fact, she looked as if she was about to drop the bowl she just picked up on the floor. When her eyes came to Touya's, he knew that both of them were thinking the same thing. This was territory that neither one of them ventured into. This was a secret they shared but kept separate. Something understood but never spoken. And he had spoken it.

"Sakura," Touya began, lowering his voice. "I don't know what's going on with you, but I want you to know... that I'm here for you." Sakura nodded but didn't answer. Touya hadn't thought much about how Sakura would handle him bringing this up. Her expression remained unreadable. After a few seconds, she placed the bowl down gently on the counter. Touya kept going. "We all are… me, dad, and Yukito. If you ever need support or someone to talk to... I just want you to know that you can."

Sakura opened her mouth to speak but then closed it. She seemed to be thinking hard, maybe still processing his words, maybe still trying to get over the fact that he was talking about this in the first place. Then cautiously, with that familiar look of concern, Sakura answered. "Touya," she said a bit shakily, "how... do you feel?"

Touya gave his sister a look he hoped was kind and took a step towards her. He took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. It was only going to get weirder from here. "You mean how have I felt ever since giving up my powers?" Sakura looked shocked, but Touya was ready for it. He knelt down near her, drawing her eyes to him. Honestly, he was shocked himself how easily these words were coming out. Maybe he had just been tired of keeping them in.

"I feel great Sakura," he said meeting her gaze, "and my power… came back to me."

With wide eyes, she studied him as if unsure she believed it. But Touya knew that she believed it. This was a truth that Sakura had ignored, had pushed out of her mind because she associated it with guilt. The guilt of not being able to sustain Yue herself. It was time to change these feelings.

"How?" She asked sheepishly as if he'd find it offensive.

But the question, though simple as it was, caught Touya off guard. It revealed something that Touya had been unaware of. He had sensed Sakura's increased power. With it being so crazy strong now, he figured everyone with a hint of magic could sense it. But as Sakura stood in front of him, wearing a sheepish smile and appearing very nervous, it was clear to him that one person didn't know how strong she was, and that was Sakura herself. This revelation wasn't terrible, but it was troubling. If Sakura was unaware of the crazy magic brewing within her then how could she protect herself from anyone who'd come after her for it? Touya looked down at the floor. He couldn't be the one to tell her.

Realizing she was still waiting for an answer, Touya put on his best fake smile and shrugged. "Guess it just needed time."

Sakura nodded, but she still seemed nervous, wearing a more concerned expression than before. "Does… dad know?"

Touya noted how different she appeared than the last time she asked him this question.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "He's never mentioned it to me, but… he's a lot more perceptive than we give him credit for." Touya paused, "like he definitely knows about me and Yukito."

At that, Sakura smiled. The concern leaving her face. "You should –

"Yes," Touya interrupted her, "I'm going to tell him anyway."

She smiled wider. Mission accomplished.

"Sakura, the reason I bring this up... about me and all this," Touya paused to make sure he had the words right, "is because... I want you to know that we can handle our own and that you don't need to worry about protecting us."

Sakura's expression was unreadable, but the smile was still on her face so Touya continued.

"Just focus on what you need to do and know that all of us are rooting for you. You don't need to worry about worrying me or Dad. We're on your side." Touya reached out his hand and gently touched his sister's shoulder. She was giving him her full attention. "I know I'm not the easiest to talk to sometimes…," Sakura smiled and Touya's eyes drifted towards the hat design, "but if you need to, I'll try my best to listen and help however I can."

The next thing Touya knew, Sakura had wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. He looked taken back by the affection but reciprocated, putting his arms around her. When she looked up he could tell her eyes were glistening. She smiled at him with their mother's radiant smile and Touya could see that spark of joy in her that he had seen when he delivered the news of him and Yukito.

"Thanks, Touya," she said softly.

Touya nodded, feeling too emotional to answer.

The phone rang four times before Yukito answered.

"Touya," his familiar sweet voice carried. "Calling to tell me you're running late?"

Touya's lip curled into a grin. "Who says I'm late?"

"That would be the clock next to me," Yukito let out a soft laugh, indicating to Touya that despite this extreme lateness, he wasn't all that mad.

"Yuki, if the clock is talking to you then I think that's your sign to stop studying."

"I'm sure you'd like that," Yukito answered. Though no laugh accompanied his words, Touya could hear his smile through the phone. Alright, he decided. It was time to show his hand.

"Open the door, Yuki. I'm outside."

"Wait - seriously?"

Touya laughed. From where he was standing outside, he was sure he could see the figure of Yukito jumping up from his living room couch.

In no time at all, the door flew open revealing an eager looking Yukito, still holding the phone to his ear. "You could've knocked," he said faking annoyance as Touya stood grinning in front of him.

Deciding to answer only with a shrug, Touya walked inside and catching Yukito off guard, kissed him on the mouth, taking delight in watching his whole face blush before his eyes.

"I spoke with Sakura," Touya began.

Yukito was clearly still flustered. He pressed his fingers lightly against his mouth, where Touya's lips had been just seconds before. "You did?" he answered, trying to compose himself.

"Yeah, and I told her that we were dating," Touya looked up, excited to see Yukito's reaction, but to his own surprise, Yukito appeared expressionless. A slew of questions began racing in Touya's mind. He had been looking forward to this, but this was definitely not what he expected. Touya took a few steps back as Yukito's eyes darted towards the floor like he was guilty of something.

"She… she knew?" Touya asked, completely thrown off. He started replaying the conversation he had with his sister earlier. He had recalled that Sakura hadn't seemed too surprised, but Touya had chalked that up to the fact that he had literally spent most of his time with Yukito and figured everyone had just assumed that they'd find a way together. But, had he been wrong? Could Yukito have already broken the news to her, and… without telling him? Sakura's words played in his head. Thank you for telling me.

"Yes," Yukito answered softly, still looking at the ground. "I'm sorry, Touya, but I believe she already knew."

"But… how?" Touya felt utterly confused. He could barely formulate words.

Yukito took a deep breath in, clearly preparing himself. Touya crossed his arms over his chest in anticipation, hoping to God he would like this explanation.

"I think it was last summer or maybe two summers ago… I'm not sure, it was a while ago." Yukito paused to take another breath. "Anyway… Sakura had confessed her feelings to me. She thought she might have been in love with me."

Touya's eyes widened. He had remembered his sister's schoolgirl crush on Yukito. He had teased her plenty for it. But this time that Yukito was referring to… it was a while ago. They had only just recently gotten together. There was no way she would have known all the way back then. She was magical, but she wasn't physic.

"Anyway," Yukito continued, "after I explained to her that those feelings were platonic… like the kind she'd have for family, I told her that she would find her own special someone, someone that she truly loved."

Touya felt his heart beat faster. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. Yukito took a few steps towards him, his grey eyes were staring intently at him with a kind of passion that Touya hadn't noticed before.

"Sakura then asked me if I had special someone. If I had someone… that I loved."

Touya swallowed hard as he watched Yukito take another step towards him.

"I said yes," Yukito spoke clearly, and confidently, like he wanted Touya to know that every word was the truth. "and she asked me if it was you."

So, she had known. Touya covered his mouth with his hand to stop his jaw from hitting the floor. Even all the way back then, his sister had suspected that they were together. And Yukito. Could he have felt this way about him all along? Did he… love him? Touya stood still, the anticipation tying knots in his stomach

"…and I said yes, but that I didn't know how you felt." Yukito smiled nervously as he took a few more steps forward until he stood right before Touya, but Touya's mind was too busy racing to notice. He stood motionless, feeling like he was in some weird dream. He couldn't believe these words were coming from Yukito's mouth. He loved him. He loved him before they were together. He loved him and he had told his sister.

"Sakura told me that she was sure that you felt the same," Yukito let out a soft laugh. "And I knew that she was only saying that to be polite, but it was nice to hear. In fact,…" Yukito hesitated as if deciding if he should continue or not. "It was actually the first time that I had hope that maybe something would happen between us. Like maybe one day you would walk into my house and kiss me like it was the most normal thing in the world."

Touya felt dizzy. He couldn't place all of the feelings he felt, but there was an undeniable warmth spreading through him. He looked at Yukito standing in front of him, really looked at him. He was so strikingly beautiful. Touya had never met anyone who was so kind and loving. With his cool silver hair, creamy white skin, slender body, and piercing grey eyes that looked through him, Touya had been smitten for longer than he could remember. He had been utterly aghast to find out Yukito had felt the same. It seemed almost impossible to Touya that these feelings could have been reciprocated way earlier. Touya swallowed hard as he noticed, seemingly for the first time just how close their bodies were at this very moment and how much closer they could be.

Yukito reached out and took both of Touya's hands in his, interlocking their fingers. "I know you're probably wondering why I didn't tell you any of this before now," Yukito said as he stroked the back of Touya's hands. "Truth is… I didn't really believe you could feel this way. Even when you asked me out, I think a part of me didn't believe it was real."

Touya couldn't speak.

"I know not much has changed. We've been studying a lot… and I know it's not your favorite thing but to me… even these simple things feel special and different. Just knowing how you feel, Touya… fills me with this joy. It's true you know," Yukito lowered his voice and looked directly into his eyes, "I love you. I've always- "

But Touya didn't let him finish. He couldn't take it anymore. He pulled Yukito into his waist and with two hands cupping his cheeks, pressed their lips together, kissing him more aggressively than he ever had before. Each kiss was laced with purpose and full of a burning desire. Yukito had stoked the fire and now it was at full flame, fueling Touya's every move.

Yukito gave into it as quickly as if he had planned it all along. He had one hand wrapped around Touya's waist and the other gripping his thick brown hair. They stumbled a bit over and into each other as they moved from the kitchen to the living room, where with a sly grin, Touya had pinned Yukito to the couch. Yukito laughed but didn't for a moment take his hands off of Touya.

They kissed back and forth, climbing over one another. Already appearing out of breath, Yukito's chest rose and fell underneath Touya. When Yukito sat up, Touya thought that maybe he had had enough, but with a certain eagerness in his eyes, Yukito raised his arms and lifted his sweater up over his head, playfully throwing it at Touya's legs. Watching Yukito undress unleashed something primal inside of Touya. the next thing he knew, he was throwing his own shirt off and Yukito's hands were undoing the buttons of his jeans.

"Is… this… ok?" Yukito said breathlessly.

Touya stared into his deep grey eyes, seeing his own desire reflected back at him and so much more. "You have no idea."

Yukito smiled as Touya kicked off his jeans and laid down on top of him. Yukito wrapped his legs around him and Touya's mind went blank as he felt the warmth of Yukito's skin against his own. Breathing in the same breath, they traded kisses in the dimly lit room, until Touya pulled away.

"Yuki," he said softly, bringing his hand to his cheek, "you mean so much more to me than I could ever say, but allow me to say this… you have always been my special someone. I love you too."