A/N: I feel like it's been forever since I've written! Sorry guys, just dealing with studies and all that.. I'll try to make this chapter longer..

Rin-chan: I admit I kinda like Akira... heehee..

Shinomori Kyo: Tora is still very much alive and kicking.. I have plans for him later in the story..

The Sinner of Anger: Thanks so much! I'm so happy!

"Man, what was that all about? Do you have a grudge on me or something?" Benitora asked Kyo later, having been permitted to enter only after what seemed like an eternity of banging on the front door.

What is up with him? It's like he's another person entirely. Benitora thought to himself as he sat across the stoic man.

Kyo had an unreadable expression on his face, making Benitora a little uneasy. He used to be able to read Kyo's face like a book. What had happened to the other man's usually open countenance?

"Um… so where's Yuya?" Benitora asked, longing to see her again.

"She's not here."

"Is she at school?"

"No."

"Is she at work?"

"No."

"Where is she then?"

"I don't know."

"What!"

"Thanks so much for saving me from the rain, um…" Yuya paused, having not known his name.

"I'm Akira, by the way."

"Thanks again, Akira. I'm Yuya."

"Yuya, such a lovely name. I like it." He smiled at her.

Yuya couldn't help smiling back.

"So, where are you off to?" Akira asked all of a sudden.

Yuya fished out a piece of paper from her jeans pocket. "Do you happen to know where I could find Colonial Homes?" she asked.

"Of course, I live there."

"Really! Would you help me get there?"

"No problem, I'm headed there myself." He said as he led the way to the bus stop.

Yuya could tell that this was going to be the start of a new friendship.

Kyo found it hard to keep still while listening to the loudmouthed guy otherwise known as his best friend.

I could have cut out his tongue easily with one flick of my sword. He thought irritably as he sat through Benitora's tirade. Knowing that doing so wouldn't be to his advantage, he just opted to sit still while attempting to tune out the gibberish that was coming out of the mouth of the said man.

"…and now you have no idea where she is!" Benitora paused for breath while Kyo took the opportunity to speak up.

"Would you shut up and let me explain? She isn't in danger. She left on her own freewill."

Benitora was dumbstrucked by what Kyo had just said.

"She left?" He paused, then, "You bastard! You hurt her, didn't you?"

"I did nothing of the sort." Kyo's seething voice caused a pang of fear in Benitora.

"Let's find her then." He suggested quietly.

"She doesn't want to be found."

Benitora gave up, knowing that their conversation was getting nowhere. He slumped dejectedly on a chair.

Well then, I'll be the one to find her.

Yuya and Akira took the bus and got to Colonial Homes by midnight.

"What apartment are you in?" he asked her.

"No. 12."

"I'll take you there." he offered as he helped her with her bag.

As Yuya followed him, she noted how easily he managed to get around even though he was blind.

He acts as if his sight is not impaired at all. She thought to herself.

"We're here."

Yuya stared at the door of her new apartment. She felt proud of herself. She's finally on her own again. Though the feeling of loss was clutching at her heart, she was looking forward to the prospect of a new life.

She took out the key Yukimura gave her and opened the door.

"This is too good to be true." She whispered in amazement as she entered her new apartment, Akira bringing her bag behind her.

She looked around. The walls were painted in soft shades of green. The carpet was plush and soft at her feet. The furniture was brand new. There was even a flat screen TV in the living room.

Yukimura definitely outdid himself this time.

"Do you like your new home?"

Forgetting Akira's presence in the room, Yuya almost jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Yes, I love it."

"Well, I'll leave you alone to get settled then." He said as he found his way out.

"Thanks a lot for your help." Yuya said as she walked him to the door.

"It was my pleasure. If you need anything, just give me a call."

"What apartment are you in?"

"I live right next to yours."

Yuya could swear her mouth was hanging agape at that moment. She was only too thankful that he couldn't see her.

"That's great!" She said a bit too cheerily. She was actually thinking how much of a coincidence it was.

"Bye!" he called out as he went out the door.

She peeked at him as he went down the hallway. Sure enough, he opened the door of the apartment right next to hers and went inside.

Yuya had just come out of school and was still chatting with her friends when she saw a familiar face across the street. Feeling joy surge through her at seeing him again, she quickly said goodbye to her friends and ran to him.

"Benitora!" she called out his name.

He grinned at her. "It's good to see you again, Yuya." He said as he ruffled her hair.

Yuya giggled then pouted cutely, "You didn't even say goodbye when you left."

"I knew you two lovebirds needed the apartment to yourselves." He teased.

She chose to ignore his remark.

"So, where are you staying now?" she asked instead.

"Where else? In Kyo's apartment of course."

She was silent for a moment. "Oh… he let you in?"

"I admit we sort of had a problem at first, but it's all over now."

She didn't want to believe him. She knew how much Kyo had changed. "Really?"

"Of course." Benitora insisted.

Then out of the blue, he said, "Please go back,Yuya. You'll be a lot safer with us."

She shook her head, "I'm sorry, Benitora, but I don't think I can do that right now."

"Don't you love him anymore?"

Yuya didn't want to lie to him nor to herself. "I do." She admitted, torn between the two personas.

"Please, let's not talk about it anymore. Why don't you just walk me home?"

Benitora decided not to push the subject anymore. "Sure, whatever you want."

He held out an arm to her. She smiled and liked her arm with his.

They walked together in companiable silence, both of them unaware of the pair of crimson eyes following their every move.

Yuya was in the midst of preparing her dinner when the doorbell rang.

Leaving her boiling pot of noodles she went to answer it.

She was left speechless, however, upon opening the door.

Kyo was standing there, sexy as hell, a smug smile on his face.

Yuya was getting really annoyed. Didn't he get it through that thick head of his that I wanted to leave? The nerve of this guy!

"What are you doing here?" There was an unmistakable note of annoyance in her voice.

"I'm here to take you back." He said matter-of-factly.

"Well, I don't want to go back!" She was about the slam the door shut but he had already pushed it open and had crossed the threshold before she could even react.

"Talk about forced entry." She muttered as Kyo proceeded to the living room.

He was reclining on the sofa. His eyes were following her every move.

She stood in front of him, arms akimbo. When their eyes met however, she was struck by the intensity of his gaze.

"You should come back." He said evenly.

"Why should I?" She answered back.

"Because you know as well as I do that someone's after you and living by yourself would only make it easier for them to come and get you."

She was caught off guard by his remark. She hadn't thought about her kidnapping at all. She had pushed it back to the inner recesses of her mind, not wanting to relive such an experience.

"Do you know who's after me?"

"No, I don't. Don't be stubborn and just go with me."

Stubborn! He's the one who wouldn't stop coming after me!

"Just leave me alone!" She cried out in frustration.

Kyo stood up suddenly. "Dammit! Can't you see what you're doing to me?"

Yuya was utterly confused. Why was he acting this way?

"What are you-" Her words were cut off as he crushed his lips unto hers.

All coherent thought flew out of her head the moment he kissed her. She unconsciously opened her mouth and he took full advantage of it, perusing the depths of her mouth with his tongue.

Sweet. So sweet. Was all he could think about.

Kyo moved to the sofa, taking Yuya with him. He kept on kissing her fiercely. She, on the other hand, responded with fervent kisses.

She had lain down on the sofa and he was on top of her. Her mind was hazy and clouded with desire. She could feel his lips on her mouth, her cheek, her neck. His hands were caressing her body, giving her much pleasure. She had never felt this way with a man before. The other Kyo had never excited her in this way. This man would love her well. She knew it with certainty.

She bit back a moan, knowing it will only encourage him further. Before she completely lost control, she abruptly pushed him away.

"I think you should leave." She said quietly, not looking at him.

"Fine." She winced at the harshness of his voice.

The next moment, he was gone.

Finally, a make-out scene! Hehehe.. Please review!