Disclaimer: If I owned this series, then I wouldn't be writing fanfiction about it...Nah, I probably still would...I own nothing except Amaya, and make no profit from this at all.


For the next week Kyuzo and I did nothing but train. His training was difficult and I was beginning to get discouraged. I wasn't getting any better.

"Maybe I'm just not cut out for this," I joked, throwing my katana to the ground. Kyuzo hadn't said one word to me since our first night at Firefly House. Frowning, I sank down to the ground and sighed loudly. "I should probably just give up."

Kyuzo walked over and took a seat beside me. I couldn't help but notice how close he sat to me and it made me a little uncomfortable. I really wasn't sure how to act around him now. I wasn't sure if I should let him know how I felt or if I should just concentrate on my weapons. Feeling conflicted, I emitted another sigh.

"You sigh a lot."

The familiar deep monotone that came from beside me startled me quite a bit. Somehow it made me feel a little better and I joked with the samurai.

"So now you decide to talk to me?"

Kyuzo just stared blankly ahead.

"I suppose I do sigh often, but that's because…I have a lot on my mind." I definitely couldn't tell him how I felt. I was beginning to think I was crazy for loving someone I had only known for two weeks. It felt right, but it felt wrong at the same time. I didn't understand my emotions anymore. I spent some of my nights crying silently, but somehow Kyuzo always knew, and he was there to put an unexpected arm around me.

"What?" he asked suddenly.

"I'm confused," I stated plainly. "I…I just don't understand you is all." His gaze turned to me and he seemed interested in what I was saying. "You are comforting and kind to me, but you are like a stone on the outside. I just wish I knew what went on inside your head." I felt slightly relieved telling Kyuzo these things. "Tell me, please…What are you thinking?"

"That you're bad at using weapons."

I tapped my forehead and chewed on my lower lip. "You're right…But that's not what I'm talking about…What do you think about me personally?"

I felt his entire body go stiff and his eyes looked oddly panicked.

"Are you okay?" I asked placing a hand on his shoulder. Kyuzo moved away from me quickly and I stared at him for a moment, mouth agape. When I regained my composure, I slid over to him again. "What is wrong with you Kyuzo-san? I tell you things about what's going on with me; feel free to tell me what's gotten to you."

He didn't respond, but I wasn't about to give up. I grabbed his shoulders and turned him to face me. "Kyuzo-san. What has gotten to you?"

"You."

I had gotten to him? What did that even mean? Did he detest me? I felt the tears stinging my eyes, but I blinked them back as I stood up. He wasn't about to see me cry. I all but ran back into Firefly House. He hated me. He hated me, and I loved him. I was really in love with him. There was no winning in this situation…It'll be best if I just go home, I thought to myself before letting the first few tears fall.

After crying for some time, I wiped my eyes furiously. Jerk. He was nothing more than a jerk. Our room door slid open and my head snapped up to see who had entered. I shot Kyuzo a disgusting glare and he said nothing as he placed my katana at my feet.

Watching him sit down across from me, I felt the anger slightly begin to go away.

"I can sharpen it for you."

I shook my head at his offer and took a deep breath. I was determined not to cry again. Pursing my lips together, I turned to face him. "What did you mean by what you said earlier?" Once more, I watched as the panicked look came back to him. "You look like you're going to be sick…If I bother you that much I can leave." I went to stand up, but he pulled me back down. "What the hell?"

"No."

"No what? You don't hate me? You don't want me to leave?"

I waited, but he said nothing. "Look," I began. "Just tell me."

"Can't."

The room began to spin. I was so baffled by Kyuzo's actions I didn't know what to do. "Can we take a break from practicing tomorrow?" He merely nodded in response. My stomach started to feel strange so I looked at the floor, hoping the dizziness would go away. My body began to sway on its own and I felt as though I was going to pass out.

"Kyuzo-san…I'm not feeling so well," I admitted running my hand through my hair. Without a word he stood and scooped me up into his arms before laying me gently on the futon. "Y-Yukino-san…Please go and get Yukino-san," I muttered before everything around me faded away.


When I woke back up it was dark outside and in my room. However, I knew I wasn't alone. I even knew exactly where he was and I reached out and placed a hand on his arm.

"Kyuzo-san? What happened?"

"Shichiroji's wife called a local doctor. Said you fainted because you're stressed."

I attempted to sit up rather quickly, but ended up flat on my back again. My head ached something terrible. "I can't afford a doctor!" I exclaimed.

"Taken care of."

"Did you pay for it Kyuzo-san?"

"No."

I assumed Firefly House had footed the bill. For what reason I didn't know, but I promised myself to make sure to thank Shichiroji and Yukino in the morning. Their kindness continued to amaze me. I fought off the urge to sigh, remembering the conversation from earlier that day. A long moment of silence passed over the two of us in that quaint little room. I knew what I was stressing about and I knew the only way to stop worrying about it would be to just flat out tell him.

I allowed another moment of complete silence before mustering every ounce of courage I could spare.

"Kyuzo-san, I know why I am stressed…" I felt him shift in his seat by the futon. "It's because…Because…Well I…." I was faltering and my heart was racing in my chest. My voice started out strong, but began softening as I went on. "I kind of love you," I managed out in a whisper.