Chapter 4- Determination

It had been a few days since their talk in the kitchen, and lately Kyo had been extremely somber, until someone angered him. Which didn't take much effort. Tohru, on the other hand, had been extremely nice to everyone around her, though her close friends could see through the façade to notice that she was bothered by something. Which she completely denied.

After a long, hard night at her part-time job, Tohru walked home alone on the dark path through the woods. With her pony tails taken down, she trudged silently on, letting her mind drift careless along. She was so deep into her space-out, that she didn't realize that she was home until she stepped into the rays of the porch lights. She went almost mechanically into the house and up the stairs without a "Hello, I'm home!" or anything.

Completely put out, Tohru merely swapped her uniform for pajamas before flopping into her bed. Yet as tired as she was, an hour later, she still found herself thinking instead of sleeping. This isn't going to work," she thought. "I can not get so down, because my friends need me to be strong! But this situation has got me so depressed . . .I will not give up for anything, though! I have to talk to Kyo, now!

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Kyo lay on his usual spot on the roof, his hands behind his head, glaring at the stars. It was kind of late, he knew, but he didn't care. All the poor neko spirit wanted right now was to be left alone.

No, want I really want is to be with her. . . he thought sadly. And magically, as if he had called upon her and demanded her entrance at that exact time, Kyo heard a soft grunt and saw the top of Tohru's head pop up at the edge of the roof. Tohru never handled the latter very well.

She gasped a quick "Oh my goodness!" and Kyo started as her hands flew up and she tipped sideways. Jumping up, he ran to her and caught her hand to steady the latter. Terrified, Tohru looked up at her savior and they stared at each other for a moment before Kyo pulled her clean off the latter and onto the tile of the roof.

"Thank you . . ." she whispered, still shaken.

"What the hell were you thinking? Coming up here late at night all by yourself? In your pajamas!" Kyo barked at the startled brunette. He turned in a huff before she answered and flopped back down on the hard, sloped roof.

"I'm sorry, I know, I was being stupid and clumsy, but. . .I really needed. . .to talk to you, Kyo-kun," she whispered sheepishly, sitting lightly beside him.

"Yeah, well, out with it, so I can be alone again." he huffed, glaring at the sky.

"Okay, I'm so sorry, I'll make it quick. I just. . .I haven't been myself lately, and I needed to tell you that you're right, we can't help the way that we feel." She stopped, shifting her legs and giving her eyes time to water over with tears. "But I don't . . .don't know what to do next. I don't know how we can go on like this. . .oh, Kyo. . ."

She bent her head into her knees, twin tears sliding down her cheeks. Kyo glanced over just in time to see this and jerked back with sudden fear. Oh gawd, she's crying! What do I do now?!" He sat up suddenly and waved his hands frantically. She's crying! Think, damn you, think! But before he could act, Tohru sniffed and raised her head.

"Kyo," she whispered, looking right into his surprised eyes, "will you kiss me?"

His face immediately turned bright red, though it was hard to see in the dark night. Stunned, he sat for awhile staring at Tohru's huge begging blue eyes, his face burning with embarrassment.

"Uh . . ." he said, straightening up, and staring off to his right. "Sure, but . . .ummm."

"Its okay," Tohru interrupted, recognizing his hesitation. "I shouldn't have asked. That was very selfish of me, I'm so sorry." and she started to stand.

"No," Kyo said, grabbing her by the arm before she could move. He bent his head low again, hiding his eyes beneath his hair. She sat back down, closer than before.

They sat for awhile, Kyo blushing even deeper as Tohru just stared at him with big, watery eyes. The crescent moon shone upon her pink pj's, and a warm breeze played with her shining hair. Kyo reached the hand with the white and black beaded bracelet to push back her swaying hair and lightly touched her cheek. She cooed under his touch, and reached out with her arms to finally embrace her love. But he growled fiercely before she reached him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I nearly did it again! Kyo, I . . ."

"Shut up," he commanded. "And give me your hands." Tohru merely looked at him oddly, so Kyo grabbed them himself and tightly grasped them in one hand. "Now, don't touch me." he firmly demanded before he leaned in to caress her cheek and place his lips softly unto hers.

With both their eyes closed, they backed away slowly, overcome by the emotions of the small kiss. Tohru blinked her eyes open and stared at the orange haired boy as he released her hands and felt his lips with the tips of his fingers. He looked up suddenly, and without warning, grasped Tohru tight around the back, smoching their lips together for a moment before they were engulfed in puffy smoke.

The rest of the night, the couple slept comfortably on the roof top in the cool night air, Tohru cuddling Kyo's soft fur into her neck as they determined to value their love for each other, no matter how hard it would be to do so.

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that was almost too romantically sickening . . .but i think its cute! now, you tell me what you think, and if i should write more. . .i'm thinking next time it will be more dark and angsty. . .