Chapter 14

"So desu?" Shigure asked, "she's ill, huh?"

Natsuko sighed, "She's burning up. So why did you phone?"

"Nothing….it's not important," Shigure said with a smile, "bye."

"Ok…bye."

"Oi, Kyou-kun" he called.

(Next Morning)

"Kagura, you're still sick, you can't go out."

"Kaasan, I got to find Kyou."

Natsuko frowned, "You got a fever. You'll probably fall down before you find him."

"Demo kaasan"

"Listen to your mother."

"Kyou?" Kagura said looking at the guy standing at the doorway.

Natsuko looked at him and finally said, "Come in. Kyou help me take Kagura upstairs will you? I'll go make breakfast."

Kyou nodded and said to Kagura, "Come on."

As they walked up the stairs she explained, "There's nothing between Yuki and I."

"I know, you're friend, right?"

She nodded and added, "Kyou don't be mad at my mom. She was just being overly protective. I worked it out with her."

"I know."

"Is your mother protective?"

Kyou nodded getting into her room.

"Then you won't blame my kaasan?" Kagura asked hopefully.

Kyou shook his head, "No. Do you?"

"I did initially but I got over it quickly. Since I was small my mom's been like this overly protective. She wouldn't let me hang out with anyone that's not a Sohma, wanted me to be home schooled, no staying out late. Only place I'm allowed to be at was home, school, home. I had to argue with her over all of that, so I use to be very, very angry at her."

"So desu?" he asked and led her to the bed.

Kagura nodded, "Because I felt like she couldn't accept me. I'm a freak and she was ashamed of me. She's scared people will know I'm her daughter, or that my secret will be discovered. So she hides me, confines me."

"But?" Kyou asked.

"I discovered my mom's not so bad. I see how Isuzu, Yuki, and Momiji's mom treats them, and I feel better. And the more I thought about it, the worst I felt for her. To constantly have to worry over someone is very tough and difficult. Can you imagine how it feels to worry over someone 24/7, and the only time you feel worry-free is when they're by your side with no one else around? While I'm at school learning how to do math, how to play softball, or even at recess; kaasan's at home waiting to pick me up from school, wondering what is happening," Kagura said, "it's more stressful for her, ne?"

"I suppose…"

"Even thought I'm a freak, she didn't leave me. Tousan and kaasan get into arguments about me and kaasan always sticks up for me. She didn't blame me for anything, instead she dedicated her life to protecting me. She made the biggest sacrifices for me. What right do I have to be angry at her? She's only doing what she thinks is best for me… If she didn't accept me or didn't see me as her daughter, she wouldn't treat me so well. It's only because she's scared others can't accept me, which is why she tries to keep me separated from others."

'Kaasan only wants what is best for me…she sticks up for me against tousan…Kagura's right, it's not that kaasan can't accept me, she's just scared that others can't accept me for who I am. She only wants to protect me…'

"Kyou-kun?"

He blinked, "You should rest."

"There's one more thing I want to tell you."

"Rest."

Kagura shook her head, "It's important. I…I…"

"You don't have to say it. I know."

"No you don't. I-"

"I might love you," he said.

"Huh? You do?" Kagura asked surprised.

"Isn't that what you wanted to say?" he asked.

She nodded, 'And here I was thinking, he was telling me, he loved me.'

"Though you may not be sure, I am. I love you, Kagura-chan."

Kagura stared at him, "For real?"

He nodded, "Will you forgive me for telling you so late?"

She hugged him tightly and felt tears rim at the edge of her eyes, but this time they were tears of joy, "I was never mad. I'm just so glad you feel the same!"

Kyou wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly.

(One Week Later:)

"You mean it? That bakemono and that baka pig got together?" Akito asked.

Shigure nodded with a smile, "Yes."

"Are they happy?" Akito asked.

"Very," Shigure said.

"We can't have that now, can we?" Akito murmured softly, dangerously, "does she remember their past?"

"No," Shigure said, "what do you plan to do?"

Akito smiled softly, "Help Kagura get to know Kyou better, of course."

Shigure raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

TBC

A/N: Final chapter next week, which will be a very epilogue. Just thought no fic is complete w/o Akito