You guys, I am so sorry I couldn't update earlier, but I have an excellent excuse! I was hit by Hurricane Frances and I didn't have any electricity for two and a half days. ((sob)) I never knew how much we relied on it.... And now here comes Ivan. This is the first time since 1964 that three hurricanes have hit Florida in one year. And it's headed straight for me. Category five by the time it gets here, so if I don't post another new chapter by Christmas, I probably won't ever post again. So scary! ((sobsob))

And also, the graffiti thing was a bit random, but then, so am I, so, so is Kass. ((bizarre glances)) Anyway, I do random things to cope with depression, like, last time I wrote all over my wall. And before that I cleaned out my closet and before that ..... You guys don't wanna hear this. You want the story. So here it is.

Oh, before I forget. Ajiya, (did I spell that right?) if you read any Fruits Basket story on f-f-net, read "Darkness Drowning." It is indescribable. So amazing words cannot explain it. It makes my story look like it was written by a three year old. All of you other readers should read it too. In fact, everyone forget about my story and go read "Darkness Drowning." Seriously. It's that good. Now get. Go read it. Now. Stop reading my story. Go. Stop reading now . . . . Ugh. Never mind. ((gumbles stubborn readers grumbles))

Standard disclaimers apply. (When have they not?)

After Haru had agreed to go illegally paint pictures on someone's wall, Kass dragged him down to the store as fast as she could. She quickly bought four cans of every color spray paint the store had in stock, shoved two of the plastic bags in Haru's hands and carried the others herself.

After walking in silence for about ten minutes, Haru finally blurted out: "I'm sorry. I – I wasn't in control of myself." (A/N: for some reason that seems totally out of character... but I don't know cuz I've only read 43 pages! Which ain't a lot for a manga... Sorry this note is so long!)

Kass stopped walking, as did the young man beside her. She turned to him, and he held his breath. For some reason her opinion mattered more to him than anyone else's. She smiled and he exhaled slowly.

"If I cared about one thing you did when you weren't yourself, would I have invited you to come graffiti stuff with me?" she grinned at him. She gave him a peck on the cheek, then quickly grabbed his hand and tugged. "Come on! Let's go doodle on walls!"

"Wow! You're really good at this! And you've never tried it before?" Kass said as she stared at Haru's work. He had painted a seemingly random design, but one which seemed to fit perfectly. "It's beautiful!" she beamed at him, and he gave her a small smile of his own. She pulled out a black can to put the finishing touches on her art, a withered rose in the kanji symbol for love, then signed it, K.H. in English letters.

Two months later

Haru entered Shigure's house without knocking, since he came over almost every day now. This was his second time walking here alone that he hadn't gotten lost this week. He strode into the kitchen, getting himself a glass of water and heading into the living room. Unfortunately, the only one there was Shigure.

"Oh, hello, Haa-kun! You just missed Kass-san! She left a little while ago with Kyo-kun. Yuki-kun and Tohru-san went too. I think they're at the arcade. Should be back in a little while," Shigure said.

"Alright, I'll hang out here, then," Haru replied, casually taking a seat next to Shigure. He pulled a small paperback out of his pocket and began reading. Shigure was about to say something when he heard the front door slam open.

"Kyo-kun?" Shigure called out. He was answered with the sounds of Kyo and Kass arguing, yet again.

"You cheated!" Kyo screamed.

"I did not! I'm just better at video games! Get off it! You lost! I won! Go away!" Kass screamed back.

"No! Not until you admit you cheated! You rigged all the games!" Kyo continued stubbornly.

"How?!" Kass cried out in frustration. "How could I have rigged every single game in the entire arcade?!"

"I don't know, but you did!"

"Listen to yourself! You're paranoid!" Kass shouted over her shoulder as she entered the living room. Spotting Haru on the couch, she rushed over. "Hey, Haru!"

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Kyo's upset cause I beat him at every game in the arcade."

"Hey!" Kyo screamed, following Kass into the room. "Stop chatting with Haru and get over here!" Kass and Haru ignored him.

"So, where are Yuki and Tohru?"

"Oh, we met up with Ayame on the way up there and they decided to hang with him for a while. Luckies," she grinned. "I guess they're still with him."

"Stop ignoring me!" Kyo grumbled. Receiving no acknowledgement, he stormed out and shouted over his shoulder, "Jeez, you guys are disgusting! Confess already and get it over with! You're too pathetic to look at any more!"

Shigure grinned at Kass's confused face and Haru's shocked one. Haru understood, but Kass, of course, didn't. "I'll leave you two alone," he said, still grinning, as he stood and strode out of the room.

"Uh, Haru? What did he mean, confess?" Haru opened his mouth, and-

"Kass-san? Kyo-kun? Are you home already?" came Tohru's voice from the front of the house.

"Yeah!" replied Kass. She shrugged at Haru and stood to go see Tohru and Yuki.

Haru sighed when she was out of earshot. "I thought so. She doesn't feel the same."

Next Chapter:

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't go in there!"

"Isn't it sweet?"

Sorry this is so short. I planned to write a lot more, but I just found out that the Alafi (sp?) River was most affected by Hurricane Frances, and that's where my best friend lives! So I gotta go try and get a hold of her! See you guys in the next chapter!