"Muta, I don't mind if you sleep in the bed tonight, you smell like a rose." Haru was extremely grateful that the monstrous cat had let her bathe him with minimal fuss.

"All weeds smell the same to me. I think it's disgusting."

"Whatever you think, just be glad it's dry in here."

Muta grumbled himself off to sleep, and Haru drifted off soon afterward. Soon there was nothing but the sound of the rain and Muta's muffled cat snores.

Kyou was lying awake in the darkness, a sickly pale green glow spread out across the room from his alarm clock. He had layers of blankets piled up around him to keep out the damp of the rain. He glanced over at his alarm clock.

"Three fourty-six?" He muttered to himself, "You've gotta be kidding me."

It's never been this bad before, why can't I sleep? He squinched his eyes shut and Tooru's face flashed on the backs of his retinas. They opened wide with shock. If Akito finds out, he'll be furious. Even worse, he could decide to take it out on her. But Yuki, he spends so much time with her, Akito could take it on her for that too.

Kyou tossed and turned, trying hard to make his mind go blank like Shishou had taught him. Still, he was afraid for Tooru's safety. Even if Yuki was the one endangering her.

Shigure's voice cut the darkness, a mere murmur above the pounding rain, "He's been acting out horribly."

"I don't really care about him, he can do what he likes, it's not like he can go anywhere. We can always put hi under lock and key if we have to. Besides, he's done me a favour, Yuki's been getting a little too close to the Honda girl." Akito's voice was drawling and disinterested. "Is there anything else you have to say, Shigure?"

"Well, Akito, I'm concerned about what will happen to Kyou after this year. He can't very well get a job now, can he?"

"Of course not. If you don't mind I'd like to keep him as far away from me as possible. He can stay with you if you like, if not I have a nice little room specifically designed for those with his 'needs.' Now, if that's all Shigure, I'd appreciate if you would just leave."

Shigure bowed his head and left Akito alone in darkness.

By morning the rain had nearly stopped, it was a light drizzle and the sun was out. "Okay Muta, get out of bed."

The cat just lay there like a lump. Haru attempted to roll him out of bed but to no avail.

"Fatso, get up!"

His ears perked up at that and he looked over and glared at her for a moment before moving his massive body into a standing position. "I thought I told you no more fat jokes."

"The rain's stopping, go somewhere else."

"I want breakfast first."

"Well... okay. You wait here, I'll make you something. We're all out of canned fish so you'll have to be satisfied with something else."

"As long as it was alive at some time and is currently dead for the most part, I'll eat it."

Haru quickly got ready for school and met her mother for breakfast. She made herself some eggs plus some extras on the side. Carefully she sneaked the remaining eggs up to her room where Muta promptly devoured them.

"Now come downstairs with me, and be careful not to get caught!"

Carefully the two made their way down the stairs. "The coast is clear, hurry up!"

"Haru, who are you talking to?"

"Um, nothing mom... I was just thinking out loud."

"Okay... if you say so." Haru's mother just gave her a look that only a mother can give their child and went back to whatever she had been doing in the kitchen.

Haru made it to the door and turned the knob to see Muta instantaneously cover himself thickly in the mud.

"You know, you could have taken the sidewalk, I just gave you a bath you know."

"Well at least I don't smell like weeds anymore."

Haru just rolled her eyes and walked to school.

"Kyou, you look terrible. Are you feeling alright?" Tooru cast a worried glance in Kyou's direction.

"I'm fine, I just didn't sleep well last night. You don't need to worry about me."

At least the edge is back in his voice, he must be feeling a little better. Tooru smiled at this thought, although Kyou really did look horrible. "Just as long as you think you'll be okay."

Kyou shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at his feet. He already couldn't wait for this day to end.