A/N: Not going to disappear again, I said, I'll be good, I said... Sorry guys, exams made me keeping my promise a little difficult. Anyway, those are over and I have a chapter up for you. As per request I put in a bit more Hisao and Kaida in this chapter than I originally planned to, hope you enjoy! As always, please review!

Review Replies:

Kaylee-Sempai: I was going for that! So glad that's the image you got because that's exactly how I was picturing it in my head ^_^

Fantasyanimegirl283: Yes, they are a little foreboding, aren't they? There some fluff in this one, I'm going to try and put a bit of KaidaXHisao in the next few chapters, because let's face it you guys waited long enough for it that you deserve a little time to enjoy them ^_^ Thanks, sometime I get a little wrapped up in the story and forget to bring it back to Kyo, I'll try to keep him in it more ^_^

Protagonist of Life: Yay! I was hoping it'd be a little terrifying ^_^ (Which isn't weird at all...) Here in Ireland we've had no snow but lots and lots of wind!

Irgoomer: Yup, it's okay though, she'll be fine, she back to her old self in this chapter, but don't worry I'm not going to just gloss over the nightmares and their effect, they'll be coming up in later chapters ^_^ Good plan, I have fairly basic ones which are more like goals than resolutions ^_^

AniMags: I was going for intense ^_^ So glad you enjoyed it! I hope you like this one too, I'm pretty happy with how it came out ^_^

ShadedStarlight0: I know, you sure are a clever reviewer, I must say. I hope you enjoy this chapter too, please tell if you do!

Without Further Ado, Here's chapter 38!

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"Kaida, you are going to have to let go eventually." Ryu pointed out. Kaida shook her head against the crook of his neck where she had buried her face. She was sitting beside him on her bed, holding his hand. They couldn't hug but that hadn't stopped Kaida from embracing her friend in whatever little way she could.

"No I don't. I'm stronger than you, you leave when I say so." She muttered. Ryu chuckled, stroking her hair with his free hand.

"You know, sometimes people ask me if it's emasculating being your friend, but I always laugh and tell them that you told me I'm not allowed answer that."

Kaida laughed, though the sound was muffled and a little rough. Ryu smirked and pecked her on the forehead. "Come on dragon, where's your tough guy exterior?"

"Where I left it when you told me you were leaving today." Kaida answered, lifting her head up for the first time since she had sat down with her oldest friend.

"Don't be so sappy, it doesn't suit you." Ryu said, ruffling her red hair. Kaida chocked out a laugh, swallowing like she was trying to hold back tears.

"Sorry, I'm afraid I'm going to be sappy for another minute or two." Kaida warned him, resting her cheek back down on his shoulder. Ryu pretended to groan but leaned his head on hers.

"Fine, but just so you know, for the first time in our lives, I'm being the macho one."

"Okay. I think I can live with not being tough for a little while." Kaida said.

"I think I can too." Ryu murmured back.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, the only movement was Ryu thumb rubbing Kaida's hand. Alone in the room, the quiet seemed incredibly loud, not awkward, not uncomfortable, but Kyo didn't feel like it was an easy silence. It was like the two of them were counting every second that went past, knowing it brought them closer to goodbye.

"Hey, Kaida?" Ryu said, his eyes glancing to the clock like he knew his time was up.

"Yeah?" She answered, her voice sounding tired.

"No matter what anyone tells you, you should know that I'm not letting anyone keep us apart. Not for long."

"Ryu..." Kaida began, frowning.

"No, I mean it. We're meant to be, you and me, you scruffy dragon. You know they always say that people have one soul mate who they are meant to fall in love and run off into the sunset with, but I don't think that's true. I think you can have soul mates who are meant to be your friends, stand against everything with you, until the end, and you and me, we're those kind of soul mates. And the thing about soul mates, they always find a way back to each other. I'm crazy about you Kaida, in a totally non-creepy, feel-you-up-while-you're-sleeping kind of way."

Kaida looked at Ryu with wide brown eyes, brimming with tears, a stunned but loving expression on her face. Her mouth fell open a little like she was trying to think of something to say but couldn't think of a decent reply.

"Look, you should probably say something before I start thinking I killed you with my unbelievable cheesiness."

Kaida gave a single laugh, "I love you, Ryu. So much." The tears that had been threatening to overfill finally spilled across Kaida's cheeks. They dripped onto hers and Ryu's hands.

Ryu closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. He kissed Kaida's forehead. "Ditto, Kaida."

A single tear fell down his face, mingling with Kaida's on their entwined fingers.

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"So Osamu finally made Ryu leave, huh?" Kyo asked, turning to the ghostly Kaida. She looked at him with watery eyes and nodded, clearing her throat.

"Yeah, he did." She said, in a slightly strained voice. Kyo's brow furrowed in concern.

"Are you getting all teary eyed?" He asked a little gruffly, Kaida turned away from him and shook her head.

"I'm fine."

Kyo swore under his breath, realising he may have been a little insensitive. "Sorry, I mean, eh... are you okay?"

Kaida laughed a little, "I'm okay, kitten, it's just that certain memories have more poignant feelings attached to them than I thought they would..." She looked back at him with a tight smile, "But I survived this once, I can survive the memory."

She cracked her knuckles and rolled her shoulders, "Now, let's move on shall we? Let's go to a few weeks after Ryu left, I'm thinking about mid December. This brings us to the first sighting of the rat." Kaida said, flicking her wrist and swirling their surroundings.

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"Ready for this?" Hisao asked with a mischievous grin. Kaida chuckled,

"Oh honey, you have no idea how ready I am." She purred back.

"Don't worry, I promise to be gentle." Hisao said, winking at her. Kaida bit her lip and smiled,

"I'm afraid I can't make that same promise." She replied.

"Okay, normally I'm all for thrash talk before a fight but I feel dirty just watching you two. Knock it off." Anju said, pulling two fighting staffs off the wall and throwing one to Hisao and Kaida. They caught them easily and Hisao flicked his up into the air with an easy grin.

"Sorry, Anju, it looks like Kaida doesn't know how to behave herself." He teased. Kaida rolled her eyes and twirled the stick in her hand lazily.

"And it looks like my boyfriend has forgotten how easily his girlfriend can kick his ass."

"This is slightly better fighting talk. Now, if you two could keep it in your pants long enough for us to continue training that would be great."

"We'll behave. We promise." Hisao said.

"Yeah, sure. Just make sure the only staff your using is the one in your hand, cat." Anju warned, moving to the referee position in the dojo. Kaida laughed, taking her position on one side of the large circle that was painted on the floor. Hisao shot Anju an annoyed look before moving into position across from Kaida.

"So, if we can finally begin, let's have a quick run through of the rules. The object of the game is to knock your opponent out of the circle. You may use whatever physical skills you have to do this and the fighting staff you have been supplied with. However, the referee would like to point out that physical skills does not mean sticking your tongue into your opponent's mouth as a means of distraction. Kaida."

"Hey! I only did that once." Kaida protested. "And it proved highly effective."

"Yes, well we're going to put feminine wiles and other means of seduction under dirty tactics. Same goes for claws and teeth, keep the kinky zodiac stuff for the bedroom. Now, if that's everything, you may take your stances." Anju said and Hisao and Kaida both sank into fighting positions. Hisao held his stick out in front of him, two hands gripping the base of it whilst Kaida was opting for a one hand grip, using the other one to balance her in a low stance.

"And... engage!" Anju called out.

Hisao flashed Kaida a smirk and they both darted at each other. He swung for her chest and she darted down and to the left, letting his staff fly over her head. She leapt up from her low stance and attempted to drive her staff into his side but Hisao moved with his earlier swing and it barely glanced off the armour he was wearing. They were facing each other again, both out of the other's reach.

"You two call that fighting? Come on, I want to see some sweat!" Anju taunted.

Kaida winked at Hisao and swung down her staff on him. He blocked it with his own and attempted to get his own hit in but she parried the blow quickly. However Hisao was quick to land a sweeping blow to her knees causing Kaida to fall to the ground with a yelp. He swung his staff down on her again and she had to roll away to avoid it, which brought her closer to the circles edge. Kyo could see that Hisao was beating Kaida with his superior speed and strength and for a moment he thought that Kaida had already lost the fight.

And then he caught a glimpse of golden-brown eyes and he realised he shouldn't write off the dragon so quickly.

Hisao swung at Kaida again and instead of moving out of the way she blocked it with her own staff. Hisao frowned, surprised, Kyo imagined, that his downward attack had been blocked.

Kaida winked at him and Hisao's eyes widened in realisation. He attempted to retreat but it was too late. With a swift kick aimed at his ankles Kaida took his feet out from under him. He fell to the ground clumsily and Kaida used the opportunity to get to her feet and retreat to the middle of the circle.

"That's more like it!" Anju cheered.

Kaida laughed and placed the staff on her shoulders lazily. She cocked her head to the side and smiled sweetly at Hisao. He got to his hands and knees and glared at her with mock anger.

"You going to stay there all day, kitty cat?" Kaida asked, her canines flashing just a little in the light.

"You know, arrogance is not very sporting." Hisao told her, getting to his feet in one smooth motion.

"Arrogance is what losers call a winner's confidence." Kaida said, moving back into a fighting position. Hisao did the same and slowly moved towards her. The two began to circle each other, Hisao still advancing towards her as they did.

"You're going to have to swing at some point." Kaida reminded him.

"So do you." Hisao retorted with a shrug.

"Or I could just wait for you t-"

Kaida was cut off as at that moment Hisao darted forward, his body low and his staff held out at his side. Kaida ran at him as well, and it looked like the two were going to collide at any moment. Kyo felt himself lean forward as they neared each other.

Hisao let out a shout as he swung, Kaida moved her staff in what Kyo assumed would be a block. Instead she stuck it upright against the floor and jumped up, using her staff to propel her through the air. She flew over Hisao's head, tumbling when she hit the ground and coming up into a crouch. Hisao slowed when he realised what she had done but it was too late, Kaida was already turning with her staff in hand, kicking him in the back and forcing him forward another few feet. He stumbled to the edge of the circle but steadied himself. He turned around in time to see Kaida darting at him, hoping to end the fight with one final hit.

Hisao, seeing he would not be able to block the hit, dropped his stick. Just as Kaida hit him square in the chest with her staff he griped it, pulling it down with him, causing Kaida to stumble forward. She released the staff in an attempt to stay on her feet but Hisao had pulled her close enough to grab her wrist now. They fell down together in a heap, both of them out of the circle.

Anju blew her whistle, "And the game is a tie! Well done, you equally horrible fighters."

Hisao and Kaida laughed from their position on the floor. Kaida had fallen on top of him, her legs lying on either side of his. Her hands were splayed beside his head, holding her up.

"Well played." She said. He smiled,

"I wasn't about to lose without taking you down with me." Hisao said with a smirk. He looped his arms around her waist, holding her in place. Kaida smiled and bent down to place her lips against his. Hisao tilted his head forward, kissing her back eagerly.

"Oi! Knock it off you two! No making dragon-cat hybrid babies on the dojo floor." Anju said, throwing a rolled up towel at them which hit Kaida in the back of the head. The two of them smirked and Hisao released his girlfriend. Kaida got up off the ground and cocked her hip to the side.

"Shall we go for round two?"

"Oh hell no, if this is what you two are like after round one I don't want to know what you're like after round two." Anju said, grabbing Kaida's wrist and pulling her away from Hisao so she could stand in between them.

"Now, can you two please go find somewhere else to enjoy each other's company, some of us want to use the dojo for physical activities that don't involve taking our pants off."

Kaida gave Anju a sheepish look, "Relax, we'll behave, I promise."

But Anju shook her head, "Nope, I am not dealing with this whole sexual tension slash wanting to rip each other's clothes off thing you two have got going on. Get out of my dojo." Anju pointed to the door. Kaida smirked.

"Fine, fine. Come on, Hisao, let's leave the great tigress to her training." Kaida said, holding out her hand and helping her boyfriend up.

"Yeah, yeah, go make someone else your third wheel." Anju said, shoving the two across the dojo and through the door. They stumbled out and shot Anju an amused look before she closed the door in their faces.

"Well, that was rude." Hisao said in mock offence.

"Truly, I feel terribly hurt." Kaida agreed, her hand clutching her chest.

"She had a point though."

"Oh, completely." Kaida said with a laugh, she looked up to the sky like she was trying to assess something. "We still have time to kill before this evenings lessons, what do you want to-"

"Kaida." Hisao cut her off with a shocked breath. Kaida frowned, "What is it?" She asked in concern. She turned to look at him, and saw he was staring hard at something with an icy blue glare. She followed his gaze slowly,

"Hisao, what's wrong..?" She trailed off once she what he was glaring at.

Kira was standing from where they stood. He had his back to them but Kyo couldn't help thinking by the tension in his shoulders that he knew that Hisao and Kaida were there.

"Hisao, don't-"

"It's him Kaida, Kira. I can't believe it, he actually came out of whatever rock he crawled under."

"Hisao, come on, let's just go, we shouldn't start anything-"

"Are you kidding me? Kaida, it's Kira. The guy who attacked Anju!" Hisao shouted. From the corner of his eye Kyo thought he saw Kira tilt his head just a little in their direction.

Kaida frowned, "Anju said Haruka-"

"I know what Anju said, but come on, you saw the marks on Kira's arm and besides, doesn't it make way more sense for him to have attacked Anju rather than Haruka?"

"It does but Hisao... You can't just go up to him and start accusing him without evidence. Anju said-"

"What's gotten into you?! Why are you defending him?"

"I'm not, I just think that there is more to this than you-" Kaida stopped in mid sentence, her breath catching in her throat as she started spluttering.

"Kaida? Are you okay?" Hisao said, his earlier annoyance at her dispersing, concern taking its place.

"I'm, I'm fine. Something was caught in my throat, I guess."

" You will not act any differently to Kira than you would have had you never learned this information."

Osamu's orders echoed in Kyo's mind and he swallowed, knowing that it was this that was stopping Kaida from speaking. The god had been careful with his orders, and he knew that she couldn't do a damn thing to show her gratitude to the rat. She had to watch and do nothing as Kira was ostracised.

"Come on, let's go, please." Kaida begged, holding out her hand.

Hisao gave her a hard look but nodded, "Alright. Fine, we can go." He said taking her hand.

They turned away from Kira and began to walk. Just as they began to get some distance between them Kyo heard the slightest whisper on the wind. It was so quiet that he knew the only reason he could hear it was because it was Kaida's memory. Had he been there physically his hearing wouldn't have been precise enough to pick up the three soft words.

"Thank you, Kaida." Kira murmured. Kaida glanced back, and saw the rat's retreating figure moving into the distance. She turned away, shock on her face.

Seemed that even with Osamu's orders, Kira knew she was an ally.

The god's plan hadn't worked, not completely. Kaida smiled a little to herself, rebellion sparking in those golden brown eyes.

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So, Ryu has left us, I'm really sorry to say. I was trying to bargain with myself to make him stay but he has to leave for the sake of plot... Dang it...

Hope you guys enjoyed, Please tell me what you thought, especially about Ryu theory on soulmates! ^_^