AN: It's finally here! The scene all you Haru/Rin fans been waiting for! Please read on! This is my second editing of this chapter. Thanks to Haru and Kisa Lover and Aikaishi for looking at it more closely than silly me! (embarassed).

CHAPTER 7

Fall 1998

Because I love you...

"Is it true?"

"That's just a rumor. You'll have to go Shi-chan's house to see. "

It was early September when I heard a rumor that an outsider, a girl, found out about our curse and moved in with Sensei, Yuki and Kyo, who just returned from training in the mountains. I spoke with Momiji about it. It seemed that he doesn't know much about it either. I wanted to find out more before I go over there myself.

Kagura-neechan went over to see her beloved and to meet this person. I thought the real reason she left was because she was nervous that a girl was living with her neko-chan. After she spend the night at Sensei's house, she returned with news. I was sitting with Rin outside of her house when she returned.

"Oh, Isuzu... Haru-chan, you're here...I met her."

"What was she like?" I asked. Rin just sat silently and listen. Kagura sat beside me and told me and Rin about the girl who found out about our secret. "Her name is Honda Tohru. She was very friendly, polite, and she also complimented me! She agreed to keep our curse a secret and became Shi-chan's new housekeeper!" she said with a light smile. Then, her smile faded. "However, she also said she liked the cat from the zodiac...I won't let her take him from me! She's my rival!"

"I think you are overreacting." How could Kyo fall in love with a stranger? Or better yet, how could he love a girl he couldn't hold?

"I hope you're right, Haru-chan."

Afterwards Kagura went back inside. Me and Rin left Kagura's house and walked to a nearby eatery to have dinner. We sat a corner table in a dim lit restaurant. After we ordered, she remained quiet the whole time. She was worried about that girl.

"Is everything alright?" I asked. I held out my hand to hers. "If it's about Honda-san, there's no need to worry. Kagura-neechan already met her."

"It is not that, Haru," she said looking into my eyes. She had a serious look. "Another to be involved means more trouble."

"With him?"

"Who else?" She frowned and looked away, pulling her hand away from mine.

"Rin...he was the one who let her stay with him. I heard it from Hatori-ni."

"But still..."

"It alright, sweet girl." I reached out for her face and caressed it. "With Sensei, Yuki and Kyo with her, there's nothing to fear."

"Okay, you win," She turned away from me and await our dinner as it being served.

For some reason, she had been avoiding my touches during that time. She was probably a little conscious about a feared someone. I wanted to take that all away...whatever means it takes. Even if I had to force myself to be...the aggressor. I had to show her that its not wrong for someone to love her...

Months later, we didn't get a chance to see each other much because I had to prepare for my high school entrance exams for the next year. For some strange reason... Akito-san wanted me and Momiji apply to Kaibara High, the same school Yuki, Kyo and that girl, Honda-san goes to. I thought it would be fun to go to school with Kyo again. That meant more fights for me.

In late November, I saw her walking home from school. She has been staying in school at later than usual because she had problems with some of her tests. She always had to retake them. I caught up with her and took her out to eat. We talked and laughed about Hatori-ni and Momiji's encounter with Honda-san at her school. It was pretty hilarious that Momiji made a scene at the Kaibara High cultural fesitval. I wish I could of seen it. I also heard that Yuki was wearing a dress, but that was just a bad rumor.

I told her since it was the weekend, she could come over for awhile at my place. Mom and Dad was out again. She only came over when they are not around. I didn't want her to feel arkward and out of place.

"I have some reading I needed to do before Monday. If you don't mind..."

"It's alright...just keep me company."

I made some tea for us and served it on a small table in my room. She was sitting on my sofa catching up with her reading. I watched her in her most peaceful moment ever. We were sitting so close together, like it's natural. We could be even closer if one of us just move closer...

"Rin..."

She looked up at me with the most innocent pair of eyes I seen. If I ask...will it go away? Only one way to find out...

"Do you..."

I must say it or none of us will.

"...want to kiss?"

A shade of red took over her face and her eyes widen and a look of worry appeared on her face. "W-Why?"

"Because I love you...that's why. I don't want to see you with anyone else."

She gave me a frightened look. "I am happy that you love me...but...what about... Haru...what about..." she hesitated and dropped the book she was reading. Then, cried out, "Is it really alright to be seen together?! What about Akito?! What if he...finds out about..."

There she was crying once again. I really hate it when she was hurting all alone. Sweet girl, I wanted to be the one who takes it all away...

"Did you think I pited you? Rin...I always loved you." I moved closer and put my hand on her face and pulled her closer, facing each other. I could feel the heat of her breath. She stared at me with frighten, teary eyes. That aggression I had been holding back took over. All kinds of strange feelings rushed through my body.

"Rin, do you love me? Do you not want me?"

I sat up and brushed her hair aside and pulled her close to me. I immediately forced my lips across hers. Her hands touched the skin beneath my shirt, while kissing me deeply . Her legs sat in between mine as I felt the heat emitting from her body. I pulled her into a tight embrace, run my hands up her back to her head and devouring the feeling of the softness of her lips. The blood in my veins rushed to my rapidly beating heart. Her heartbeat was also moving rapidly along with mine. What was this feeling? Was this what it felt like...to fall in love? It was so addictive...I did an inevitable thing.

I picked her up like a newlywed bride in my arms and pulled her down to the sheets of my bed. She ran her hands under my shirt again...to remove it. I pulled her uniform over her head as we continued to entertwine our bodies into one. Hours of our bodies heated alongside one another and our lips rubbing against one another lasted into the night. Sending me off into a world no one could enter...but us.

Afterwards, I woke up in the morning with her gone. I wondered what happened was just...no...it wasn't. I really did happen...my first kiss...my first lover.

No longer, she will be alone...

AN: Whew. That was tough to write, if you know what I mean (inexperienced love scene writer). The last love scene I wrote was mellow compared to this. I don't write "sour fruits", not because it's not allowed, but because I am uncomfortable writing. This is the best I could do (tries to keep it PG rating). As I mentioned, this is my second editing of this chapter because of my grammar disorientation. Thank you two who helped. Also, there is only three chapters left, plus an epilogue in Rin's POV. Ja ne!