sorry for the long wait. this is chapter 8. enjoy.

Chapter 8

I am so tired. Perhaps going back to eat the food that Hatori had prepared will make me feel better…

As I walked down the stairs thinking of a better excuse just in case Hatori decides to interrogate me, I bumped into someone.

Somehow, I expected it.

Without even having to lift my head, I know who that is.

Shigure.

"…"

"Kyou-kun! You're back! Do you know how hard we tried to look for you? Oh our precious Kyou-kun is back!!" Shigure hugged me tight.

I rolled my eyes. "Shigure… let me go, my wounds hurt… if they open again, I'm going to have Hatori put a thick needle in your hand right here." I took his hand and poked it just above the wrist and glared at him.

Shigure pulled away and looked at me, surprised written all over his face.

He smiled.

I didn't know what to do.

We stood there for about five minutes.

I am waiting for him to move away, for I am too tired to even speak.

Still, I am surprised that his smile didn't fade and he didn't speak. It must either be a dream, which represents that I have fainted, or a miracle.

Shigure leaned down and kissed me on my cheek.

It is a miracle.

I looked up. "What are you doing?" I pushed him out of the way and started to walk down the rest of the stairway.

Suddenly, I felt light, and I moved without even having to move myself.

Shigure lifted me up and carried me to his room.

Darn it. He's going to call Hatori.

I hate him.

As he walked into his ever-littered-with-books room with the smile still on his face, he put me on his bed and patted me on the head.

"Now stay here alright?"

He came back twenty minutes later with a bowl of ramen.

I ate it.

He watched me finish the ramen, took the bowl away and came to sat on the bed close to me.

"Don't go. Stay here, just like you have before. Please?"

"…"

"I know it hurts you to see Haru and Yuki together but, I can make it all go away. Just trust me and give me some time. I can give the love that nobody has given to you. Please?"

I stared at him, while trying to register all the things he had said into my brain.

"What are you talking about Shigure? In simple words."

Shigure paused for a while, then speak up again. "I love you."

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"Shouldn't you stop following me and go to find Kyou?" Ayame walked past the bushes and trees, getting tired of Hatori following him everywhere. Ayame has been trying to shake off Hatori for past half an hour.

"I… I'm sorry." Hatori kept on walking, the box still in his hand, was making sure that Ayame isn't out of his sight.

"Don't be. Don't worry, I'll start a new life. I won't bother you anymore. Now go." Ayame, getting impatient, turned to Hatori. "It's okay Hatori. I don't know what happened to my hair and my eyes, but I sure do know that you love Kyou. Don't worry because we will still be best friends, ne?"

Hatori started to hesitate. He didn't know who he loves, Kyou or Ayame. "I… Erm… I didn't take the ring…"

Ayame sighed started walking towards the Sohma main house. After a short while, the house is in sight. "We're here."

Ayame looked at the frustrated Hatori and sighed again. "Is there anymore thing you want to tell me?"

Hatori nodded dumbly. "Actually, the ring from years ago, wasn't from me. It was from Shigure. He wanted me to give it to you on his behalf."

Ayame raised an eyebrow. "On his behalf? You mean…"

"Yes, he likes you. He still does." Hatori handed the box with the piece of cloth inside.

"Then how come you have the ring too?"

"Because being the stupid coward that he is, he backed out at the last minute. So, he went to get another ring and wanted me to pretend that they were friendship rings, instead of the love ring he wanted to give to you."

"… … … So… where are the rings now?" Ayame stared at the box.

"I believe Shigure dug it out." Hatori smiled.

"For what?" Ayame continued to stared at the box.

"To give it to you once more. This time, with the courage to say what he wanted to say." Hatori took Ayame's hands and led him into the main house.

"Hatori?"

"Mmm?"

"Can I bathe here? I… I look dirty. I don't want him to see me like this."

"Sure. I'll get you my yutaka later." Hatori smiled.

Ayame walked silently towards the bathroom, still holding on to the box.

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I was shocked. How many people had said "I love you" to me and yet left me for another. I don't want to do this anymore… I have decided… I want to shut myself in my own world. The outside world means nothing to me anymore.

"No you don't. You are just using me." I said coldly.

"I…" Shigure sighed. "I guess… you saw through me. I'm sorry… I… I just need a person right now."

Shigure looked down onto his hands. I noticed there's two rings on his two hands.

"I just needed a person… Ayame…"

I wasn't surprised. He has always been so good to Ayame, especially at the time when Ayame had stayed in animal form because Yuki had broke a rib of Ayame accidentally. Yuki was so guilty then… I still remember Hatsuharu comforting him. Damn it. Doesn't he know that I'm jealous at that time? He's so stupid.

"Ayame will come. If not, you go to him." I stood up, getting ready to leave the house.

"Eh? It's not that easy…"

"It isn't."

Shigure looked down dejectedly and sighed. "Do you want to leave now?"

"Yes"

"Go then… I'll see you some other time…"

I walked out of the room and paused in my steps. "I think Ayame knows."

I continued walking out of the house and back into the forest.

that's it. reviews would be good. and don't worry, i'll update.