DISCLAIMER : No, it's not. Now, where's my flux-capacitor... ( shameful Back to the Future reference )

It was 1:30 in the morning when Hatori finally left Tohru's room, Kagura close behind him. He had insisted she be the only one in the room with him while he examined Tohru, seeing as she was also a girl. The pair paused at the top of the stairs.

"Thank you, Kagura," Hatori said. "You've been a great help. But you're tired. The others are too. Take Hatsuharu, Momiji, and yourself to the car. I'll be there shortly."

"Alright. Goodnight, Ha'ri."

Hatori stood in the hall for a moment before heading back downstairs to confront Kyo, Yuki, and Shigure.

Shigure and Yuki sat at the table. Kyo was sprawled out on the porch outside the open screen doors. All three looked at Hatori with expectant eyes. The dragon spoke.

"She's managed to stabilize a bit. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon to check up on her. Call me if something happens."

And with that, he walked out the door.

Shigure stood to head up the stairs. "I think it would be best, considering Tohru's condition, if one of you stayed with her tonight. You can take turns if you like. I'll leave it up to you. Goodnight," he said, heading toward his room.

Yuki and Kyo sat in silence, both wanting to stay with Tohru, neither wanting to start an arguement.

Yuki looked over at Kyo. The cat was now seated on the porch, a wash bowl in front of him. He was gently washing the dried blood off of his hands. Yuki noticed how Kyo's hands moved in slow little circles, as if the boy were doing this unconsciously. It was as if Kyo's mind was elsewhere. Yuki spoke up.

"You stay with her tonight. I'll go to school tomorrow and make up some excuse for us. I'll only stay as long as it takes to convince her friends and teachers of whatever story I can think of. Keep an eye on her."

Kyo stopped scrubbing.

"Thanks," he said, staring blankly at his hands for a moment before going back to scrubbing.

Yuki slowly climbed the stairs, pausing by Tohru's door.

" 'Be safe'. You taught me that phrase, Miss Tohru. How ironic, that the one day I forgot to say it...." he said quietly to the wall before going into his own room and collapsing on his bed. "....that the one day I forgot to say it, I almost lost you."

Ten minutes had passed before Kyo finally brought himself back to reality. His hands still had some blood on them, though not Tohru's. He had scrubbed for so long that his hands were now raw, resembling the knees of a child who has fallen on the pavement.

'Tohru!'

He remembered the rat's words. Yuki had allowed him to watch over Tohru and he had been stupid enough to space out on the porch. He was surprised Yuki let him near Tohru now. After all, it was Kyo's fault that Tohru was hurt. He was the stupid idiot who turned into a cat. He was the weakling who couldn't manage to scare away the stranger. She had depended on him, given him her good luck charm, and he had failed her.

He climbed the stairs slowly, paying close attention to the little specks of blood on each stair. There had been so much blood. Tohru's blood. It was on him, Hatori, Yuki, Kagura, the floor, the car, the street.... everywhere but where it was supposed to be: in Tohru's fragile little body.

Kyo slid the screen door to Tohru's room open and shut it after himself. The room wasn't particularly dark because though the lights were off, moonlight bathed the room through the window Hatori had left open. Tohru lay in bed, fast asleep. Kyo pulled the chair from her desk over next to the bed and sat down. Even in this light she looked so pale, yet still like the angel she was. The cat grabbed her hand.

"Tohru, I....." Kyo's heart felt as though it were going to snap. Tohru meant so much to him. She had accepted him in all forms, and was patient enough to learn the true meanings behind some of his angry words. He remembered the times when the two of them would sit on the roof and talk about this and that. But never once had Kyo told her how important she was to him, or how much he really loved her. He didn't know if it was pride or fear of losing her.

Suddenly he felt something weakly squeeze his hand. "You what, Kyo?"

Kyo looked down to see Tohru's half open cerulean eyes peering up at him.

"Tohru!" he said with a start. "I thought you were asleep!"

"I was, but I felt something warm on my hand and I woke up." she noticed the look on his face and her exhausted eyes widened a bit. "Kyo, what's wrong? Oh! I promised you I would stay awake until you came back... I am so sorry............. I didn't mean to worry you.... I'm so sorry....." Tears began to form in her eyes.

"You're damn right you had me worried! I thought---- we thought we'd lost you!" he saw the guilt flood Tohru's eyes and realized the anger in his words. She had just finally come to and he'd already managed to hurt her. Maybe he really was a stupid cat.

"Tohru... I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound that way. But you did have me worried sick. I thought you were never gonna wake up."

She squeezed his hand again. "I'm ok now, Kyo. You don't have to worry anymore. You should go get some sleep. If you wear yourself out, you might get sick..."

"I'm not leavin' if that's what you're after. I'm staying right here. I'm not....... I'm not leaving you again......"

And with that Tohru brought Kyo's hand up to her face, snuggling it against her cheek. If the light had been on, she would have seen the cat's red face.

"Thankyou......... and Kyo?"

"Hmm?"

"You never really left me...." Tohru said softly, drifting back into sleep.

Kyo laid his head down on the edge of the bed next to Tohru's pillow and fell asleep soon after.

"No.... I guess not..."

Shigure was the first person in the house to wake with the sunrise the next morning. He had managed to get some sleep, but worry for Tohru had kept him up most of the night. Not to mention the muffled whispers he heard coming from her room. THOSE he had to investigate.

The dog quietly slid the screen to Tohru's room open and what he saw brought to his face the biggest smile that he had had in a long time. Yuki had to see this.

"Yuuuuuuuuuki!" he said in a sing-song voice as he flung open the screen to Yuki's room. Apparently the rat hadn't got much sleep either. He was already dressed and sitting at his desk, scribbling ideas for stories to tell the teachers. Shigure's happy voice pierced the thick cloud of gloom hanging in his room.

What? Why are you smiling? Is Miss Honda awake? Shigure? Shigure? Would you get that stupid grin off your face and just tell me what's got you so cheery this morning?"

Shigure motioned for Yuki to follow him. He lead him to the still slightly open door to Tohru's room and told him to take a peek.

Inside, Yuki saw Tohru asleep and Kyo asleep in a chair next to her bed. Tohru's fingers were wrapped around the strong hand that seemed to caress her face. It was so cute Yuki had to smile, though he felt a twinge of jealousy. Why'd he have to let Kyo watch her? Geez.....

"Should we wake them up?" the dog asked.

"No." Yuki replied, closing the door and walking down the stairs to get his shoes on for school. Shigure met him in the entrance hall, slipping on his own shoes.

"Shigure, where are you going?"

"I have to take a trip to the main house," he answered. He was going to leave it at that, but Yuki's expression caused him to continue.

"Don't worry, he'll watch her."

And with that, the two Sohmas walked outside and parted ways, each to take care of his own business.

Kyo lifted his head and chuckled.

Those two didn't even realize he had been awake the whole time.

"I guess the stupid cat's a real good actor," he muttered. His hand was still on Tohru's face, which had now managed to gain a little color in it. He pinched her cheek lightly.

"Tohru..... wake up...."

"Hmm.... Kyo?"

'Wow, she woke up fast...'

"Kyo! Good morning! Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No, and you aren't making it if that's what you're thinking. You're gonna stay in bed!"

"But Kyo," she sat up and started to move her body toward the edge of the bed. "It's my jo......"

She paused, looking down. Then, much to Kyo's surprise, she started to massage her legs. First slowly, then quicker and quicker until it seemed as though she'd rub them right off.

"Tohru, what are you.." He noticed the frightened look on her face.

"Kyo.....!"

"WHAT?!"

"I..... I can't feel my legs......."

The cat's mind went into a spin.

'No...... This isn't happening! This can't happen! Not to her...... please God, not to her....'

Chapter 4 is finished. What? You thought I'd let them get off THAT easy? Tsk....Tsk.... Please R & R. And thanx again to my reviewers! I'm glad I could cause you so much emotional stress. - Chapter 5 will be up soon.