Standard disclaimers apply!

The two boys left the room, and everyone remained stared after them amazed.

"I don't know what's more incredible, Yuki-kun offering or Kyou-kun accepting." Shigure said.

"I'm so glad they're getting along!" squealed Tohru.

Kisa agreed. "Yuki is so nice, and Kyou…Kyou was less scary…"

Momiji giggled. "Kyou's not scary Kisa, he's just blunt, rude, and doesn't know how to talk to people. But he's a nice guy sometimes, at least that's what Tohru says."

Tohru nodded. "I'll make some soup now." She hopped up and left the room.

"Where's Haru?" Kisa asked out of pure curiosity.

"We were pondering that question earlier…" said Shigure. "I do hope he didn't get himself lost again…Anyhow, I should call the police. An intruder is reasonably serious in this house." He walked off mumbling something to himself.

Kisa frowned. "I hope Haru's okay…"

Momiji just grinned. "Haru can take care of himself."

Sad to say, at that very moment Haru was waking up in very real danger. He was chained to a wall in a room he had never entered before. Dammit! Black thought. What did you get us into? I have no idea…hopefully Yuki will notice we're gone. Grow up…Yuki doesn't care. At this point he cares more about Kyou than you ! How do you know? Everyone does.

Then a man entered. A very hideous man. He had few teeth, and all of the remaining were yellow. His fingernails were in desperate need of a trim. His gray hair fell halfway down his back. He smiled a toothless grin at Haru.

"Hello, sweet child. I brought you something to eat." The man held out a plate of a green substance that might have been soup.

Haru wrinkled his nose. "That's okay…I'm not hungry."

The man continued to smile. "Okay, child. We will be here together for a long time."

Just great… We have got to get out of here… Remember…this was your idea…not mine….

Tohru hummed to herself as she made the soup. Just the right amount of everything! She thought proudly when she tasted it. I hope Kyou-kun likes it.

She grabbed the soup and headed for Kyou's room. She opened to door and tiptoed in. Kyou was sleeping again. I love watching him sleep. He's so…so adorable. I want to help him through this. Without realizing what she was doing, Tohru leaned in and gave Kyou a kiss.

Kyou woke up and sat upright. Tohru pulled back, thoroughly embarrassed. Her elbow hit the soup bowl, and, of course, it spilled.

"Hot!" Kyou yelled as it hit him.

"Oww!" Tohru shouted as it splattered all over her as well. "I'm sorry, Kyou-kun." She hung her head.

Kyou stared at her. "It's okay…," he said. "I was half-awake anyway…"

"I'll clean your sheets off, then you can rest again."

"Okay…"

That night, Shigure gathered the children. Kagura had calmed down and left earlier, and Haru had never returned, but no one commented on their absence.

"I think it would be best if you go to school tomorrow." Shigure said. "Kyou-kun, of course, will stay home."

Yuki nodded. "We should return to our routines."

Tohru agreed. "Kisa-chan, would you like to spend the night?"

Kisa nodded. "If it's not too much trouble…the walk to school is shorter from here anyway."

"That's quite alright." Shigure said. "Now, I want everyone to get a good night's sleep. I've called the police about the intruder, so don't worry about that tonight." That comment was directed at Yuki.

All the children then left the room, except Yuki.

"Shigure, I don't think Kyou really is better yet." He said slowly. "I also think you're not telling us something."

Yuki has good instincts. But I fear something terrible may occur if I tell him too much. "Yuki-kun, you are very perceptive, so I will tell you. I do not believe Kyou is well, either, but he believes he is feeling well, so I forbid you to talk to him about it. I don't wish to speak about this anymore…talk to me in the morning. Good night." Shigure walked away yet again, leaving Yuki irked and confused.

The next morning everyone dragged themselves out of bed and walked to school. When they arrived, Arisa and Hanajima pummeled Tohru with questions.

"What happened to orangey? Why weren't you at school?" Arisa asked.

"I detect waves of worry. Is something wrong Tohru?" said Hanajima.

"Ah…." Tohru wasn't sure what to say. Yuki saved her.

"It seems Kyou has a bit of the flu. He, stubborn as always, refused to rest and wound up making a fool of himself. He wasn't well enough to come to school. Honda-san is concerned, but I believe it will pass."

Tohru nodded. "Yes. Now hurry or we'll be late for class."

"Okay…" Arisa quickly moved on to other things, but Hanajima still sensed something amiss. Tohru might need my support. I should watch out for anything out of the ordinary.

While everyone else was at school, Kyou prowled around unhappily. My leg really hurts…I might not be able to train for a while. Dammit!

He wandered outside. Sitting on the porch, he had time to think. I can't believe I keep falling apart. But somehow, even when I did, nobody laughed. Even that rat Yuki…they all wanted to help…to help me.

He heard a rustling in the bushes. "Who's there?"

No response. "You better as hell not be trying to sneak up on me!" he growled.

"Who's sneaking up?" A man grabbed him from behind.

"Who the hell are you?" Kyou shouted as he threw him off. "What do you want?"

"Aw, Kyou. We just want to help. We'll give you what you want."

More hands appeared, pinning him down. "Lemme go! Get off! Shigure, get your ass out here!"

"Shut him up!" A voice commanded. A voice Kyou recognized. Then someone put a hand over his face. He couldn't breathe. Eventually, he passed out.

Ohh suspense! Hehe. More coming really soon, don't worry.