Attention all Yu Yu Hakusho fans! Go and read K.K. Kid's 'That's life I guess'. It's a brilliant KuramaxHiei story that has nowhere near as much appreciation as it deserves.

DocX still doesn't seem to be working so here is the unbetaed version of chapter 13. Hope you like it! :)

Read, review and enjoy.

The Absence Of Colour

Chapter 13
Haru POV

'Because that's what I've always been told.'

I was speechless for a few moments as my mind processed the words.

'He's just like me. Being influenced by the words of others, by the family, by Akito. Without even being near us, he effects us in such serious ways. It's ridiculous! Can we never escape from it? But he's just like me. Is that why he can understand me so well? How is it that he has had it so much harder than I have and yet he deals with it so much better? He's never resorted to such pathetic measures. Pathetic. That must be it. I'm just pathetic.'

I twisted round a little and pulled Kyo towards me and into an embrace.
I felt him tense. "Err... Haru. What are you doing?" He asked cautiously.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise. I'm not ignoring you or avoiding you and I don't hate you. I don't think of you as a monster at all. I like you. In fact, you might hate me for saying this but, Kyo, I love you."
At that moment, I was glad I was hugging him because it meant I wouldn't have to see his expression when he realised what I had said.
"Hang on. Did I just hear you right? You... love me?" Kyo asked sounding absolutely shocked but, thankfully, not disgusted. It was understandable to be shocked in this situation, I guess, but Kyo seemed beyond shocked, almost as though he thought... someone loving him was impossible...
"Yes, you heard me right. I don't expect you to return my feelings but if you can just not hate me, I'll be content."

"Okay... well, I don't know why you would love me but I definetaly don't hate you." He assured me, though uncertainly.
The bell rang to signify the continuation of classes. I was relieved at this as it meant I wouldn't have to sit here with Kyo after my impulsive confession a few minutes ago. That would have been awkward. I hadn't planned to confess to Kyo but I just wanted to make him feel better. He has such negative views of himself, I just want him to see himself as I do; kind, thoughtful, strong, cute, smart, sexy... the list goes on. He's just... amazing.

The Absence Of Colour

Kyo POV

'He... loves me? Why? Is he serious or is he just playing with me?'

These were the thoughts that were filling my head during my next lesson.

'He thought I would hate him after he told me but why? Should I hate him? Is that the normal reaction? If so, why am I not bothered? Well, actually, saying I'm not bothered isn't quite right. It actually made me quite happy. The only person who's ever said they loved me before was Kagura and I'm not sure she really knows the difference between loving someone romantically and loving someone as family. Surely if you loved someone you wouldn't attack them! Honestly, I'm not sure I know what it means to love someone. Is it possible that I love Haru too?'

I racked my brain for any signs of love I'd heard of.

'Do I think about him a lot? Well, yeah but that could just be because of the situation. Do I want to protect him as much as I can? Yes but that could also be because of the situation. Do I sometimes think he looks hot or cute? I'll admit that that has happened a few times. Do I like it when he hugs me? Surprisingly, yes. Can I even think about life without him? No and if it were to happen it would be miserable. Who do I spend most of my time with? That would be Haru. Do I think of him in the morning when I wake up and is he on my mind last thing at night? Usually, yes. That's often wondering if he's okay and if he's hurt himself again though it isn't always.

Hmm... I seem to be answering all of these questions with yes. How about... Do I want to kiss him? An image of Haru came to mind and I looked at it. I took particular notice of his lips and realised that, yes, I did want to kiss Haru. Very much actually. So... I'm in love with Haru.' And then it hit me. 'Haru's in love with me too, as long as he's not kidding with me, so this could actually work out. I might have a chance at happiness for the first time in my life.

No! I shouldn't get my hopes up. He must be joking. No one can love me, I'm a monster. If I hope and believe, I'm just setting myself up.'

The Absence Of Colour

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