A/N: 1st things 1st, before I forget, does NE1 know the name of Kagura's mom? Is it even mentioned?

Chapter 8

"Don't you and Ken have a date?" Eriko asked.

Kagura shook her head, "He's nice…wonderful even, but the chemistry just isn't there."

"So desu? Guess you can't force things like that. So have you found out anything about your cousin?" Eriko asked.

"I've been hanging around his house for a week, just for you. I think he probably has a crush on Tohru-chan."

Eriko sighed, "So desu…"

Kagura nodded, "Around her, he seems more docile and considerate. Gomen."

Eriko shrugged, "Don't be. It's not your fault and I just find him cute. Not like I love him or anything."

"Right…"

"And I got my eyes on this new cute guy in Econ 101."

Kagura smiled weakly, "New guy, huh?

.

Kyou frowned, 'An essay of four to six pages on any ancient healing herbs? So troublesome. What should I choose? Juniper? Poppy? Lettuce?'

He went to the computer and fround a novel on the mouse. He picked it up, 'Soul's Tears: Acid Raindrops vol. 2?'

Kyou skimmed through it.

"Hey, that's my book," a girl said snatching it out of his hands.

"…" Kyou snort and typed Acid Raindrops' Review in the search engine, 'what's the big deal about this book anyways?'

A bunch of websites came up. He clicked the first one which actually was an online bookstore, he strolled down to the review section and made a face, 'You got to be kidding me. Everything's: It's so touching and moving. I felt such a strong connection to the characters. It's been a long time since I felt so engrossed in a novel. Sohma-sama is the best! Makes me want to barf, where's the bad stuff? Probably the bookstore erased all the bad reviews so more people would order it.'

Something bumped into his leg. He looked down to see a boar with a yellow dress hooked on its hind legs, a black leather backpack on its back, and wore this really frightened look.

"Kagura?" he hissed.

"Kyou!" she cried quietly with moist eyes.

He grabbed her and carried her between the shelves, "What happened?"

"An accident. What am I going to do? What if I change back now? What-"

"Quiet," he said and holding her like a football rushed into the handicap stall in the men's washroom. He put Kagura down, then put down the toilet seat and the lid, and sat down closing his eyes, "Anyone here?"

Kagura scanned the ground and saw no feet, "Nope."

"We'll stay here till you change back, then we'll sneak out. You should be more careful next time. So troublesome."

Kagura looked at him, it seemed like Kyou's annoyed, but she guess it was justified. She was just grateful for his help, "I didn't expect the little boy to bump into me."

"So he saw you change?" Kyou asked.

"I think I rolled under the shelf before he realized what happened and he was only three, so even if he realized what happened, I don't think he could comprehend what happened."

"You'd still be in trouble if Akito found out."

"…" she frowned, "you won't tell will you?"

"No."

"Arigatou," she said letting out a sigh, "are you mediating?"

"No."

"But you got your eyes closed."

"You want me to catch you changing back naked?" he asked irritated.

"No," she said quickly and smiled, 'what a gentleman. I didn't even think about that. Why didn't I? I was so worried about that outside but in here…'

"So why are you at the library?" Kagura asked.

"Bio report," Kyou said.

"Gomen for bothering you. I should change back soon, ne?"

"Don't worry about it."

.

Four Hours Later:

Kagura still hasn't change back. Kyou never realized a jyuunishi, who was in perfect health, could stay in their animal form for this long. He actually learned more about her in these four hours than he has in the past decade.

"So, do you have a crush on Tohru?" she asked.

He hesitated, "Yes."

"You and her would make a cute couple but you got some competition, ne?" she asked.

"I guess…"

"Ganbat-" she began.

POOF!

"Oh, I changed back. I got to get dress," she said and he heard ruffling sound, then soon after she announced, "done!"

He opened his eyes and felt a searing pain from the bright lights. He rubbed his eyes which were watering.

"Are you ok, Kyou?" she asked worriedly.

"Yeah, just give me a moment," he said.

After getting adjusted to the lights, he stuck his head out the stall and said, "All clear. Let's go."

They rushed out of the stall, just as a guy was coming in. Kyou shoved the guy against the wall and covered the guy's eyes. He tossed his head, indicating for Kagura to leave. She didn't seem to be able to run out quick enough. Kyou let out a sigh and let go of the guy.

The guy looked frightened, "Do you want to rob me? I got no money except for some change and-"

"Quiet! I don't want to rob you," Kyou said, "it was a mistake…bye."

He got out to be greeted by Kagura, "Arigatou gozaimasu, Kyou! I owe you one. I'll help you with your report."

"If you-"

Her cell phone rang, "Moshi-moshi? Kaasan? Where am I? I'm at the library…hai…I'll be home soon…'kay…sayonara."

After she hung up she said sincerely, "Gomen Kyou…I can't help you today."

"Whatever," he said.

"How can I repay you?" she asked.

Kagura looked eager to please, so he said the first thing that came to mind, "You can lend me Acid Raindrops."

She smiled, "Consider it done. I'll bring it to you tomorrow morning. You'll be going on your morning jog, right?"

"Yeah."

"See you then," she called and ran off thinking to herself, 'Kyou's a really nice person and more patient than I anticipated. I was really lucky to run into him.'

TBC

A/N: Alright, minna-san, I won't be speeding NEthing up, nor will I be proceeding at a snail like pace for Kyou and Kagura's relationship. And for those of U who commenting on liking to C Kyou tormented; the next chapter is for U, he's going to get the worst guilt trip of his life. I'll be updating on July 30th.