Author's Note: You know - I don't really have any long distance goal for this. I like Kyo, but I'm going to do a little picking on him. Thank you reviewers! Hello Ron and Sakura! Demented Mind - I have enough problems with my mind without your help!

Baby Steps 3

Deciding Moment

I'm hungry. Tohru said thoughtfully as they walked down the street.

The stop at the florist had been rather short, to Kyo's surprise. Now they were simply touring the city, passing the business building where Tohru used to work, and wandering deeper into the urban jungle.

Well, the park is just around the corner. We can grab something from a vendor.

Rice balls?

Why not? Kyo smiled and gently thumped his companion on the head. Possibly one with a plum.

She laughed at their inside joke before swinging her handbag at him. He took the blow and raised an eyebrow. You still stink.

Hey, I'll have you know that I've learned a few more things from Yuki. I could probably punch hard enough to give you a bruise.

His smile shrank slightly. I'm sure you could.

She didn't miss the change this time and gave him a confused frown. Kyo -

Before she could continue, he crossed the last street to the city park. Tossing a remark over his shoulder, he gave a jab,

Don't just stand in the road, you might get run over!

When the slightly harried young woman caught up, Kyo was already buying lunch from a park vendor. He handed her two neatly wrapped onigiri while biting into his own. They wandered wordlessly to a patch of shade beneath a large maple tree. Kyo could easily tell that Tohru was sneaking glances at him by the way she turned her head to hide behind a curtain of hair. He chose to ignore them and stretched out on the grass munching his tuna centered rice ball.

She finally finished her first onigiri, but didn't move to unwrap the second. Then came the question he had been dreading.

Kyo, does it bother you that I'm marrying Yuki?

He turned his eyes away. It's your choice.

But I want to know how you feel - since I know that you have never truly gotten along in the past. But you are still my best friend.

Kyo growled, fist clenching in the mowed grass. Tohru, don't you understand that the only reason we came remotely close to breaking the Soma curse was because of you? You somehow managed to balance out all of us. You were the center of everything good that happened to us after countless generations of hate. He sat up abruptly but couldn't bring himself to look at her face. It was a balance I was willing, even happy to live with. But now it's changed.

Her voice sounded unsure. It's been two years. I had hoped that you didn't need me anymore. You envied Yuki for things that you can now do for yourself.

Kyo could feel the echo of his cat reflexes as he turned and took Tohru by the shoulders. She squeaked in alarm as he pinned her on the slightly chill ground. His breathing shortened as he looked down into her wide blue eyes.

Tohru, I think I will always need you. You've chosen him, but I've chosen to wait, even if it is in another lifetime, till you need me.

She was blushing again. He knew he ought to pull away and act like his actions were one of a concerned friend, but the temptation was too great. She must have seen it for her lips parted in some argument but before she could, he dipped his head and cut off her protest with a hard and hungry kiss.
He heard a muffled cry, but lost it's meaning in the chaos of taste and touch as he took what the moment would give. Only when the brunt of his emotions were satisfied did he realize she would not respond. He tried to tease her, pulling at her lips with his own, but she only lay there, breathless, but immobile.

Resting his forehead on her shoulder, he realized the consequences. His voice locked in his throat, and his eyes began to ache. The tears came as he crouched over the one he loved but would never have. He should be running and escaping this personal hell, yet could not make himself move from the small shoulder which already carried so much weight. He sobbed,

I'm sorry, Tohru... That was stupid... I should never have...

For a long moment she didn't answer. Finally, Kyo found the strength to pull away, only to find her hands cupping his face and smoothing back the warm orange strands of his hair. Her eyes were deep and sorrowful as a tiny smile turned her mouth.

Kyo, I'll give you that as my apology. I love you. I've always loved the cat. But now things have changed, and Yuki needs me more. You can go on with your life, and start a new one.

Chest hurting, Kyo withdrew, sitting back on his heels. Why can't you say that to Yuki?

She laughed softly. I graduated high school like Mom wanted. I have a steady job now, and can live on my own. But I don't want to. But to stay with the Soma's now, means I have to marry one. Yuki was hurt deeply by Akito. Much too deeply. He's needed me so much, and I've grown to need him the same way. She smiled more widely. Though it took him a while to kiss me like that.

Kyo frowned. I turned into that - thing. Do you think that didn't hurt?

But in a way you are stronger that Yuki in that you accepted it as a part of your curse. What happened to Yuki is something that never should have happened.

Tohru, I don't really care about rat-boy. I just want to know about you and me.

Blue eyes began to gather moisture. Two years ago, if you had asked, I would have said yes. But now, now that I know what you could become in the normal world, I must say no.

Slowly Kyo nodded. His heart still pounded, but his head was strangely clear. Standing up, he turned and walked away, not even hearing the quiet tears left behind.

Author's Note:
Still have 2 midterms and 2 journalism articles.
Um, so I still haven't seen the whole series, so I'm making generalizations. And I don't plan on bringing in the others except for perhaps the wedding. Poor Kyo!