Reviewer Replies:

vivi: fraid you're just gonna have to wait on that one :3 :pat:

inuishima:grin: oh, it's difficult not to comment on that xD but alas, I cannot give it away:squeaks: Can I say that you mentioned someone that Hana might consider? xD by the by, though, if Akito's not the one, her femeninity wouldn't be what stopped me.

Entirely irrelevant, but alas, I'm a politically-minded person, who feels the need to sieze this opportunity as a chance to get on my soap box and say that I like homosexual characters as much as the next gal :3 woot. :holds up YukixHaru flag:

cho: :hyperventalates: I'm updating, I'm updating! x.X lol as fast as I can, I promice!

Phox: for some reason I love your sn, by the way xD it just...struck me as unique :3 and oh. my. goodness. I had honestly never thought of bringing the devil into this o.O lol I might have to do something with that later, actually xD

Chapter summary:sniffle: what can I say? people are sad! D:

Author comments: I'm so sorry to do this to you guys, but I'm taking a month's hiatus xP School is, unfortunately, not slowing down much. Given a month off, I think I can build up a buffer that can tide me over at least for a while. So, unfortunately, there will be no updates for October, but just know that I'll be working up a buffer, which'll hopefully make for more expediant updates, which'll also hopefully make for less agony in the long run, for you. Once again, my humblest apologies, but in the long run I'll be better off writing when I get a buffer built up - it takes that much stress off my shoulders.

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Rough but gentle arms slipped around Yuki, and he found himself blushing and suddenly aware of his nudity. He'd transformed back some time ago, but with Hatori gone he found no motivation to be in a hurry to get his clothes back on. Besides, any time he'd take to dress would pry his eyes away from Tohru. It felt like the minute he stopped looking at her she'd dissappear...he couldn't let his riceball dissappear.

"Yuki," the soft voice was Haru's. The ox held the rat tightly, ignoring Yuki's lack of clothing. As much as he wanted to, this was far too serious an occasion to make a dirty comment. "Hatori came to get me. It's a shame, isn't it?"

Yuki was silent, and merely let Haru clutch him against his chest, while his elbows folded warm and firmly over his shoulders and around his arms. He didn't know Haru could be so tender, but he found himself not caring. Haru's embrace was a wonderful thing to have - it was a thing he could never really experience with Tohru - but nothing could take away the pain he felt right now; it could only help to warm and ease it, ever so slightly.

He had half a mind to beg Hatori to rid his memory of Tohru as well, but he knew the Dragon wouldn't do it. Outsiders could go on with their lives, but the Juunishi were cursed with every last moment of theirs. Erasing Tohru wouldn't do a thing to the pain this caused.

was a very long moment - a period of time, rather; it was much longer than a moment - in which Haru held Yuki tight, trying desperately to comfort the boy, while Yuki was silent in this ox's arms, nothing wavering his tear-strewn gaze at his sleeping little Tohru.

After that moment there was another long period of time, in which Haru was less comfortable, although he still tried to comfort. He looked at Tohru over Yuki's shoulder with sadness in his eyes, to be sure, but he saw this ending as more bitter-sweet than Yuki did. He hesitated saying something for a long time, but it simply had to come out. Haru wasn't one to keep secrets from the one he loved, especially nasty thoughts like he had now.

"Yuki, am I a horrible person?" No answer, not even a quieter silence, or a shifted gaze. Yuki almost didn't even notice Haru's speech, and Haru noted he hadn't exactly given Yuki a means by which to answer.

"...That...I'm a little bit...glad?" at this the silence did grow thicker. Haru found it an odd response, but Yuki gently pushed himself more firmly against Haru's chest, prompting the boy to hold him tighter. Since Yuki didn't protest as much as Haru had anticipated, the cow bravely went on, bearing a little seed of hope that Yuki was open about a different way of viewing the situation.

"She was an outsider," he said carefully, sure to leave out the bitterness that some Soumas might include in the statement, "She never really deserved to get involved in our curse. This way, she can go on to live a normal life. Meet a normal boy, have normal kids. It wasn't likely to work out for long betwen you two, anyway."

Haru's own words made himself sad - he had grown fond of Tohru over the year or so he'd known her - but he was much more concerned with how much his words were hurting Yuki. It was a hard truth to make the boy face, but he seemed to be taking it pretty well.

Haru looked down to the boy that was still reveling in the cow's embrace, staring blankly at Miss Honda laying on Hatori's cot. He showed no signs of bursting into tears - anymore than he already had - or of lashing out to Haru for saying such things. So, bravely, the boy pressed on further.

"She'll be happy, Yuki. You have to let her go. Besides," he tenatively held Yuki tighter. By now the boy was practically in Haru's lap - he would be, had the cow not spread his legs to be able to bring him in closer. With Yuki tugged to close to him, he had the opportunity to rest his chin on the boy's silvery hair, and did so, admittedly enjoying the intimacy Yuki was letting him share. But with the dramatic pause over, Haru lifted his chin and looked back down to Yuki, bringing a hand up to gently stroke aside the boy's silvery bangs as they glinted in the dim light of the room.

"You still have people that love you."

"Like Akito." Yuki's words were a sudden, cold, hard stab to Haru's chest. Airly, the boy pulled back, relinquishing Yuki from his grasp.

"W-what?"

"You heard me," Yuki wasn't cold or bitter in his words. The words weren't malicious - or, weren't meant to be - but, rather, indifferent. He remained staring at Tohru, not caring if Haru held him or not, and he murmured off facts which he believed to be true. It didn't matter that it was hurting Haru, because it was just the way it was.

"You love me in the same sense that Akito does."

"Yuki, don't-"

"You don't even care what I lose in Tohru. You're just glad that I'm free. You think you can manipulate me. You think I'll readily use you for a rebound. I won't, Hatsuharu. I'm sorry."

Haru breathed heavily as he backed slowly away. He couldn't argue against Yuki's words. That may very well be what he thought he could do, even if he hadn't realized his own intent. But how could Yuki even compare him to Akito? Didn't Yuki know that Akito used that room for Haru, as well?

Haru sighed heavily as he pushed himself to his feet, and averted his eyes at the door. "Put your clothes back on," the ox murmured quietly, and left.

-/-/-

"Ahhhhhh! That was so much FUN!" Arisa cheered as she stretched her arms over her head, commenting about their time in the arcade they'd just emerged from. Kyo had seemed intent on treating Arisa to something after they left Hana's; Arisa couldn't really complain.

"What now?" she asked cheerfully. Kyo shrugged and looked the other way.

"I'll...take you out to eat." Arisa slowed her walk and frowned a bit, glancing at her watch. Kyo stopped a few paces ahead and looked back once he realized she'd stopped walking.

"It's only barely 4:30, Kyon-Chan. I'm..not really hungry." Kyo huffed and rubbed fircely at the back of his head.

"Alright, you wanna see if we can catch a movie or something?"

"...Kyo?"

"WHAT?" Arisa was quieted for a moment, while Kyo huffed, trying to get himself calmed down. Hana's mention of his beads had gotten him in a terrible mood, and he hadn't managed to slip out of it yet. Really, Arisa had been bound to pick up on it at some point.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." he spat. Arisa frowned and crossed her arms.

"Don't give me that crap! You've been pissed since we left Hana's house -- what gives?"

"Nothing," Kyo repeated decisively, and somehow, that was that. Perhaps Arisa was in such a good mood she didn't feel much like arguing, else she'd've delved into his mood further. But, instead, she decided to endulge him and let him pay for a movie.
And popcorn.
And coke.
And chocolate-cookiedoughbites.
And supper at the fancy restaurant accross the street from the cinema.
And after that, shopping for groceries she needed at home, which he then generously carried all the way to her house - absolutely refusing to let Arisa carry any - althoug hshe did manage to snag one bag.
And then he helped her to put the groceries away, and was even overly polite to her dad, who, now sober, was eager to converse.

To be honest, Kyo could be quite the noble boyfriend when he wanted to, but Arisa just wished that it wasn't all amidst a bad mood. He just wanted to distract her and keep her from asking about it, and she'd let him.

"Well, I say boy - Kyo - it was nice meeting you."

"Good to meet you, too, sir," Kyo accepted the man's extended hand and shook it firmly, earning an approving smile from the old man. Arisa grinned at the side, noting that her dad would likely insist that Arisa check into this boy if she hadn't already.

"Anything else you want to do tonight, Uotani?"

"Naw, you pooped me out, orangetop."

"Alright," Kyo finally broke a smile, seeing that Arisa was clearly pleased with the way the evening had gone. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Can I walk you home?"

"No," Kyo shook his head a little more decisively than Arisa had anticipated, but she shrugged it off as part of his bad mood.

"Alright, then," she shrugged, bidding him ado from her doorstep. "See you tomorrow." the two shared an affectionate wave accross her lawn, and Kyo lethargically dissappeared down the street, leaving the fish to worry and ponder on her own.

-/-/-

Somehow Haru's visit had inspired Yuki out of his misery a little bit. He finally got off his lathargic ass and dressed himself, and with one last passing glance at Tohru, he silently left, wiping off what tears were left, and meandering bravely down the hall to tell Hatori he was ready.

"Oh, Yuki!" Yuki was taken by surprise when a certain brown-haired Juunishi greeted him outside Akito's door. She jumped to her feet and gave him a smile, a notion that was clearly ignorant of the current situation.

"Long time no see!" the boar threw her arms around Yuki, but was taken aback by the cold lack of reciprocation on Yuki's part. He even bothered after a moment to push her away, and then sank silently onto the bench outside Akito's door.

"Is something the matter, Yuki?" Confused, Kagura slank onto the bench next to him, but was sure to give him his space. Usually when Yuki was like this he'd been to see Akito - hence, why he didn't want to be touched. Since he was here, acting like this, she could only guess that's what the trouble was. When he gave no answer, she had no choice but to assume it was.

"Well, I'm waiting for Hatori to get out here so I can go in to see him - Akito, that is," the girl paused for a moment and glanced up, pondering over that fact. "Hatori came to get me a little bit ago, saying Akito wanted to talk to me. He and Akito have been having quite the conversation since then, though."

Yuki looked down to the fists that were balled up on his knees, and Kagura gave him another mildly confused look. After a moment, though, she returned to a calm gaze towards the wall.

"You don't have to talk about it to me." she said contently, knowing she wasn't exactly the first person Yuki would go to for comfort. Deciding to lighten the mood, she smiled again and turned her head back to him.

"How's Kyo doing? I haven't been able to check up on either of you since school started. He's making good grades I hope?"

Yuki nodded absentmindedly; Kagura let out a meek sigh. Yuki was refusing to let her distract him, and that frustrated her a bit. She drew in a breath, though, to try again, but the door to Akito's room slid open.

"Akito will see you now, Kagura," Hatori reported stoically. With one glance to Yuki he started down the hall towards his room, and the boy followed.

Kagura paused in the doorway of Akito's room, watching after the two men. She hated being worried about Yuki and not being able to do anything about it. Oh well. He'd open up to Tohru, she was sure to cheer him up.

"Kagura," the snap from Akito brought Kagura into the room, and she left her worries about Yuki outside.

"Don't mind them. I wanted to talk to you about Kyo."

-/-/-

Hatori stood quietly by while Yuki gently and carefully took Tohru up in his arms. The duo was silent and solemn as they walked down the hall. Oddly enough, they found Kagura skipping quite happily towards them.

"Are you going back to Gure-san's house?"

"No."

"Oh," Kagura looked surprized, and a little dissappointed. All at once she'd been stopped long enough to catch the bundled-up rice ball in Yuki's arms, and her eyes filled with confusion and panic.

"Is that-!" But Yuki walked calmly by, ignoring Kagura, and Hatori followed suit.

"Check up on Kyo tomorrow," Yuki said softly, "Not tonight. He'll need his space after tonight."

"Now, wait a minute!" Kagura held her hand out and ran for the two young men, frustrated that they hadn't offered to explain what was going on.

"What's the matter with Tohru? Is she alright? Is she sick? She didn't have to go in to see Akito, did she? Did he do anything to her? TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG, DAMNIT!"

She reached forward to grab hold of Yuki's sleeve, but the boy surprised her by managing to balance Tohru safely over his shoulder and free a hand to grab hers. This forced her to look him in the eyes for a moment, and her burgeoning violent side was quelled by Yuki's harsh coldness. He glared directly at her, and Kagura was scared for a moment. Never had Yuki resembled Akito so much, but this cold look of his was all too close to the leer of the sadistic god.

Yuki captured a whimper out of her as he twisted her arm back and shoved her to the floor, taking just a moment to glare at the pathetic-looking boar before silently turning and walking off.

"Don't touch me," he murmured, "Ask again about Tohru tomorrow. Not tonight."

Kagura watched the rat leave with teary eyes. It wasn't like Yuki to be so cold to her. Not that he was ever very warm, but she would expect him to treat Kyo like that - not anyone else. Certainly not her. They always got on tolerably well. Why was Yuki so mad at her now?

Hatori was kind enough to offer Kagura a hand up, and she was glad that at least the dragon seemed to be himself. It could be because he was always cold, so this frigid mood wasn't anything new for him, but he didn't seem mad at her like Yuki did.

"Hatori-" tearful, Kagura latched onto the dragon's sleeve, bringing his attention back to her and keeping him from leaving. "What's wrong with Tohru?" Hatori was silent for a moment, deciding whether now was the best time to break it to her. Somehow he decided against it, and softly pulled his sleeve from Kagura's grasp, leaving the exasperated boar alone in the hall, sniffing over her own worry.

-/-/-

"What do you- huh? What the...?" Of course it was Tohru's obnoxious cousin to answer the door. Yuki watched emotionlessly as she pulled back from the door, inviting him in, and turned to call for her grandfather.

"Yo! Grandpa! That guy Tohru was shacking up with is here!" Yuki was surprised; she sounded worried. So the girl actually was capable of feeling something for Tohru. If only she showed it when Tohru was there to see it. Yuki felt aweful that he was going to have to leave Tohru in the care of these idiots.

"Why hello, there-" the small old man shuffled out of the kitchen with a warm smile on his face, ignoring how Tohru's cousin had referred to the visitor. He grew worried, though, when he saw a peacefully sleeping Tohru in Yuki's arms.

"Oh, my, Tohru..." the man shuffled quickly over to Yuki and brushed his hand lovingly across Tohru's forehead to check if she had a fever. She felt fine, and he shifted his gaze up to Yuki's.

"What's the matter?"

"She'll be fine," Yuki said matter-of-factly, "But her memory's shot. She won't remember staying at my house. Please, don't bring up the subject with her?" by now Tohru's aunt and uncle had joined her cousin behind her grandfather, and they all looked at Yuki with a mix of suspicion, curiosity, bewilderment, and worry.

"Well, if you think that will be best for her." Her grandfather was confused, but willing to go along with it. "What happened?"

"I'm afraid it's a little too complicated to explain. Please, which way to Tohru's room? She does still have one I hope?"

"Oh, yes, of course, it's upstairs," he motioned, and then lead the way. Though she didn't make a big deal of it, Tohru's cousin lightly rolled her eyes. Yuki paid no attention, or didn't notice, and followed the man up the stairs, while the other three house guests stalked curiously behind.

He laid the girl tenderly on her bed, and stood over her, gently brushing his hand across her forehead, and looking adoringly upon her sleeping face. Disregarding the presense of Tohru's relatives, the prince let tears slip down his cheeks, but he kept himself from vocalising them. Quietly, he bent over the girl and brushed aside her bangs to sweetly kiss her on the forehead. He smiled bitterly as he pulled away, and after just a moment of holding her soft, peacful hand and brushing his tumb gently across her smooth rosey cheek, he finally pried himself away and turned to look at the girl's stunned family.

"I hope there's still room for her here. Due to...family problems, we aren't able to house her anymore. I'm very sorry to dump her on you like this, but-"

"No, no, that's alright," Tohru's grandfather insisted, shaking his head gently to Yuki. "We are her family afterall. Thank you for taking care of Tohru up until now. The way I understand it, she was quite happy in your care."

A lump suddenly caught in Yuki's throat. The boy grimaced, glad that no one had bothered to turn on the light, and shoved past the relatives to the door.

"I-I have to go. Thank you, for taking her back in." he gulped, choking back sobs that desperately wanted to express themselves. "Take good care of her."

The four stood speechless just outside Tohru's room, while they watched a shaken Yuki make his way silently downstairs, and heard the door close behind him.

-/-/-

"Yuki," the dragon stopped the boy from getting out of the car right away when they pulled up in front of Shigure's house. The rat had undone his seatbelt and started to open the door, but hearing Hatori murmur his name, he pulled the door shut again and blinked back to the dragon.

"Understand, I know what you're going through. If you ever need- ...I'll be there, alright?"

Yuki's stomach fluttered, and all at once he felt warm. Somehow Hatori offering to guide Yuki through this was one of the most gracious things any Souma family member had done for him. Haru would of course be there for him as well, but Haru couldn't offer advice like Hatori could. Yuki would keep the dragon in mind.

"Thank you, Hatori." the rat managed a smile, though bitter, and quietly ducked out of the car. He lingered on the front porch for a while, while he watched the dragon drive away, and then took a breath, and entered the house. He was sure Kyo wouldn't be pleasant company once he heard the news.

"Ah, Yuki." Shigure cheerfully greeted the teen once he walked in the door. The dog quickly noticed Tohru wasn't by Yuki's side, and he thought he had enough insight to assume the worst. But it didn't put a damper on his mood - hardly a thing ever did.

"I'll tell Kyo for you, if you like. He's bound to be rather testy."

"No," Yuki shook his head, "That stupid cat deserves to hear it from me. He'd much rather hear it from me than you, I can assure you."

Shigure pouted as Yuki pushed past him. Although, he knew Yuki was right; receiving such bad news from a tease like Shigure was - beyond the canine's comprehension - one of the lowest blows someone like Kyo could take.

"You won't find him that way, Yuki," the rat paused after his first stairstep, and glanced back to the dog, who grinned and pointed upwards. "I'd be careful if I were you, he came back in a rather dissagreeable mood." Yuki murmured nonsense under his breath and pushed back past Shigure again, to venture out towards the perils that awaited him on the roof.

-/-/-

"What do you want?" Kyo snapped and sat up when he saw Yuki's head appear above the ladder. Yuki was silent as he continued climbing to the roof, and plopped himself down awkwardly close to Kyo. The cat wrenched and scooted further away, although as to not make a big deal out of it, he didn't go very far.

"Can you handle bad news tonight?" Kyo hmped and laid back on his hands, tossing the prince a shrug.

"Sure. Nothing could possibly beat my rendezvous with Hanajima."

"This will."

Kyo's attention was caught by the rat's timidness. He sat himself up again, and watched Yuki as he gazed towards the setting sun, his knees held close to his chest.

"Go ahead, tell me." Kyo murmured off to the side. "The hell if you're going to shelter me from anything."

"Akito had Tohru's memories erased."

It was blunt, frank, to the point, and took Kyo by surprise. There was a moment of silence - a long, surprisingly comfortable moment of silence - while Kyo gazed absently at the rat, and then diverted his gaze to the sky as well.

"...You and Tohru didn't go on a date, huh?"

"No. Akito had beckoned for me during his chat with the Hanajimas. Of course Tohru insisted on coming along."

"Would it have changed anything, if she hadn't?"

"No," Yuki shook his head, slouching a bit to set his chin on his knees. "Akito had already made the decision before I even got there. Miss Honda wasn't even in the room with me. It must've been something Hanajima said to him - he already knew." Kyo drew his brow together, and shook his head absently.

"No way," he protested, "The Yankee and I went to see Hanajima this afternoon...she said they talked mostly about the curse, I don't think she mentioned Tohru at all."

"But she did. She was probably just wanting to keep Uotani docile. Akito said that Hanajima told him everything. How else would he have found out?"

"Hatori?"

"Not a chance. He wouldn't have."

"What makes you so sure?" the boys had been doing a surprisingly good job of remaining calm around eachother, but somehow now, with the mention of Hatori, friction started building up.

"You and I both know that Hatori is Akito's little blabber-pet. Of course he told him!"

"You just keep your mouth shut about things you don't understand, stupid cat." Kyp had pushed himself to his feet, and now Yuki joined him.

"Oh yeah? And what is it that I don't understand, ya damned rat! Since when are you so protective of that god damned seahorse?"

"Dragon."

"He's a fucking SEAHORSE! Why the big deal!"

"Of course it's a big deal. That's worse than me calling you a kitten."

"Yet you do it all the time, fucking rat. What's it matter? Why the fuck are you so defensive all of a sudden?"

"What's it matter to you? Just leave Hatori out of this."

"Oh, I get it." Kyo snapped, "You're trying to identify with him, right? Because of Kana, right? Fuck that, this is different than Kana, and he's not going to be on your side just because you have one little thing in common. Plenty of other Soumas have loved ones with lost memories and haven't gone running to Hatori for comfort. What about Momiji's mom?"

Yuki just gave the cat a raised eyebrow and a glare. Did he not realize how attatched the blonde was to Hatori? Kyo flushed red and spat to the side.

"Okay, BAD EXAMPLE! So what? You know, you're just going to get yourself hurt again. You think Hatori's ready to be the brother Ayame never was?"

"Shut up. This has NOTHING to do with Ayame."

"Well, he's not. He's on Akito's side - he always has been! I don't know why the fuck you're so stupid and putting yourself out on a limb like that."

"I don't know why you care! Since when do I matter to you?"

Kyo was quiet for a moment, silenced by Yuki's observation. Why was Kyo so concerned with this? He lowered his head and glared to the side, his bangs covering his eyes while his fists clenched tightly by his jeans.

"I'm just...tired. I'm tired of seeing people getting hurt. Even if it is you."

Yuki was silent for a moment, before scoffing and turning back towards the ladder. Tired of seeing people getting hurt. How melodramatically cliche of him.

"Stupid cat." he murmured, and ventured down the ladder, leaving a stressed, angry, confused, and most of all shocked Kyo alone on the roof. It still hadn't sunk in what Yuki's announcement really meant.

Grunting, the feline sluffed himself down on the roof again, and looked after the setting sun, now little more than a dim purple glow on the horizon. It was silent for a moment, while he heard Yuki slam the door shut down below.

Suddenly Kyo wished Yuki hadn't left. He was alone. Tohru...Tohru as gone. The only other person who had ever accepted his true form...no longer could remember it to accept it.

"Tohru..." the cold, hard truth of Yuki's announcement finally started to sink in. A lump settled firmly in Kyo's throat and he sat himself up again, grasping desperately for something to hold or something to punch. His grip just found his shoulders, to which his hands clung tightly, hugging himself in a shiver, tears staining his eyes and cheeks a tragic pink.

Kyo wasn't sure how long he sat alone on the roof, hugging his knees to his chest, while he sobbed quietly into his sleeves. All he did know was that he needed someone. It would be pathetic to run to get Yuki, and likely wouldn't make him feel any better. Shigure would just tease. Who could he go to? He'd go insane if he just sat there, weeping like the pathetic little boy he still was. He hated that he hadn't grown up yet.

"Uotani-" he lifted his head, too many thoughts landing upon him all at once. He could go to Uotani. That's what girlfriends were for, right? But...what if, what if Hatori had told Akito about his relationship with Uotani, as well? What then?

Panic and despiration struck him, and he leapt from the roof, landing a little less gracefully than he normally would have. His foot slipped on the grass and he rolled a few paces, but that didn't stop him from pushing himself quickly to his feet and running down the road, desparate to see Arisa again.

-/-/-

"So, how'd it go?" Yuki had nothing to say to Shigure as he started up the stairs, but the boy paused and stepped back down, glancing down the hall to Shigure's study, where the author stuck his head out again, sensing Yuki still had something to say.

"Kagura's likely to come around tomorrow."

"Oh?"

"M," Yuki nodded solemnly, "Do you think you could keep her away? Tell her to come back again later. She needs to hear the news from Kyo, but-"

"But when he's gotten over the news himself," Shigure nodded, understanding precisely what Yuki was saying. He couldn't help smiling, really. Yuki was looking out for Kyo. And though he'd heard yelling, Shigure didn't think he'd heard any scuffle. The boys seemed to be growing up, even if little by little. It was just ashame this maturity was coming through such depressing circumstances, though. Shigure would miss Tohru and her wonderful housekeeping skills, too.

Yuki nodded, glad he and Shigure were on the same page, and then continued up the stairs, to retire to his room.

He paused just outside his door, and glanced to where Tohru's room was, letting out a sigh. Of course he'd forgotten to bring Tohru's things along. But he couldn't bare packing up her room. Not now. He'd leave early and drop her things off before school tomorrow.

With another heavy sigh he slipped into his room. The rat stood heavily by the door as he slowly pushed it shut. Weary eyes led him over to his bed, where he plopped down, and sat in silence for a long moment. Slowly the boy's head sank to his hands, while his shoulders tensed with sobs. His little riceball was gone.

-/-/-

"Kyo-?" Arisa answered the door to find the pink-eyed cat leaning wearily against the door frame. He wanted so much to sluff against her and take her into a hug, but he couldn't.

"Kyo, what-what's the matter?" Kyo said nothing as he pushed gently past her and peered into the empty livingroom area.

"Is your dad here?"

"He's already asleep," Arisa nodded. "Why? Kyo, tell me what's wrong-" Arisa gently grabbed his shoulders, bringing herself as close to Kyo as she could without triggering the curse. Kyo gasped in despair and sluffed himself down onto the couch, shrugging Arisa gently off of him. She followed suit and sat down next to him, not taking her eyes from his, though he seemed reluctant to meet her gaze.

"Tohru..." Kyo said softly, shaking his head. "Akito, he-" Kyo paused to steady his breathing. Now that he was here, he wasn't so sure he liked Uotani seeing him like this. But it was a bit late now.

He felt Arisa's hand gently graze across his back, trying to help Kyo steady his shoulders. To tell the truth, Arisa was a little afraid. Somehow, she didn't ever imagine Kyo being like this. He was always so cute when he was upset at school, but this was too real. Something had really gotten to him - and the fact that it apparently had to do with Tohru and Akito wasn't calming her down any, either.

"Shhh," She said calmingly, "Come on orangetop, tell me. What happened?"

"Yuki and Tohru - they didn't go on a date," Kyo sighed, "They went to go see Akito. Someone had told him about Yuki and Tohru, and he-he..."

"...Is Tohru alright?"

"Yes," Kyo sniffed harshly in and rubbed at his eyes, giving the Yankee a nod, which relieved her a little. "Yes," he repeated, nodding again and calming himself a little. "She'll be fine. She'll be perfectly fine." A bitter smile crossed his face when he realized something.

Up uintil now, he'd only been thinking about himself - his own selfishness in wanting Tohru to remember him. It was his problem that she didn't remember that night in the woods anymore, not hers. She'd be truly happy now.

And when Kyo really thought about it - she'd still accept him. It wasn't as though her forgetting meant it never happened. He'd still remember, it was possible for an outsider to accept him. Maybe...maybe Uotani would, too.

"What about you?" Arisa asked timidly, "Will you be alright?" She still wasn't even sure what had happened. But from what Kyo had told her about Akito so far, she guessed he must've beaten up on her a bit. Inside she was boiling with rage at the thought, but she wanted to make sure Kyo would be okay before she lost it.

"Yes," Kyo tossed her a surprisingly bright smile and a nod. "I will. I'll be alright." the bitter smile slipped back onto his face, though, as he cast his gaze downward.

"What happened, Arisa... Akito decided he wanted Tohru's memories erased. She hardly knows who Yuki or I am anymore. Just...classmates at school, I guess. She might not even remember me at all."

Arisa was quiet for a moment. She wasn't sure if she liked that better than a physical beating or not. She supposed, if Tohru wouldn't remember anything, then whatever events transpired, she couldn't possibly be hurt by them. Still, it wasn't fair, that Akito could rape the girl's mind like that. It just wasn't right.

"...How's the prince?"

"That damned rat? He's..." Kyo trailed off, shaking his head. He was getting ready to say he was fine, but he knew that'd be a lie. Not that Tohru was any more important to the rat than she was to him, but Yuki was likely taking this harder than Kyo was. He didn't have anyone else to turn to, and he wasn't used to losing people. Kyo was the one who had already been through something like this - worse - with his mother. Yuki hadn't built up the same type of barriers Kyo had.

"He's not so good." The cat sighed. "We'd better give him his space tomorrow, you know?" Arisa nodded, while Kyo went on. "And, not so much flirty stuff. I really like you, Arisa, but...Yuki would be jealous. At least for a couple days, just give him a break."

The blonde sighed softly and clunked her head against Kyo's shoulder. The boy smiled meekly and rested his head against hers, pressing his cheek lightly into her sleek golden hair.

"You wanna stay the night, Kyon-chan?"

"Hm?"

"...we've got the floor or the couch...it's not much but. Well, it would give Yuki more space."

Kyo blinked at her, his face flushing a bit. He wasn't sure if Arisa meant anything more by the question than she was letting on. Dear God, he hoped not. He was no where near ready to be that close to her.

Arisa smiled in sweet amusement when she realized how Kyo had taken the question.

"Nothing funny, orangetop. I glimpse you dropping your pants for anything other than a piss you're dead." Kyo relaxed at this, but still seemed a little nervous about the proposal.

"Listen," Arisa said, a little more serious, "I just think...it might be good for you, to spend a night away from Shigure's house. Tohru's been there as long as you have, hasn't she? At least here, you could take your mind off her for a bit." A smile slid onto the cat's face, and he nodded.

"Alright, Uotani. I'll stay the night."

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awww :hugs Uo and Kyo: they so cuuuute :3 in any case, I hope this'll tide you guys over well enough xP come November I'll have some more stuffs for ya, so hopefully you'll have that to look forward to :)