Um... Hi o.O. I guess Im here to tell you about the chapter... So, yeah. Um, It might be different, because I went through a sick struggle to think of what to write. I had no idea, and I was distressed; you see because 9, 10 and 11 FB mangas had been out for a while and I hadn't read them yet. Yes, I know, its horrid. But, you see, when I did just this week, they turned out to be very similar to my story. So, I had to stop and think of another plot, because the one I already... didn't have... might end up being more like the real story then mine was already. Thanks to my best lover, Color Me Oblivious. She helped me think of the plot. So, clap to her in your comments, please! So, if anyone understood that:

This chapter is going to jump back and forth between Yuki and Kyo, tieing some things up and letting new things known. This leads you up to two very important intense and very-different-from-original-story chapters.

Sorry about the rant, here's your damn story. ) Enjoy. Please.

Kyo woke, and the only surprise was that his awakening wasn't surprising at all. He slowly opening his eyes and sat up, looking around him for a moment. He glances at his watch and read the time of 9:00 am. Just a little later then he usually slept until. But, then again, Shishou's bed's were the best to him.

He slung his legs over his bed and into his slippers; that seemed to be a gene all the Sohma's had. He stretched his bare chest and stood, straightening out his baggy silk black pajama pants. He walked out of the room to find his Master drinking Sake in a chair. Kyo actually smiled.

"Hi Shishou. How was your sleep?" He took the milk out of the fridge and took a swig, getting a look from Kazuma.

But he chuckled. "Just fine. How are you doing?"

Kyo shut the fridge, and after a moment let his hand slide down the handle. He watched his fingers glide one by one off the plastic, dreaming. He couldn't hide it in his face; the wound, the scar, and the longing desire for it to be healed. He needed her back, but he had no idea what to do.

"Shishou... Everything always begins to look up... But then I remember -him-..." His fists clenched and his hair stood on end, he heard himself growl as he began to speak again. "He's ruining everything. I think I can see her again, but if I do they'll chuck me away like I don't matter. That stupid ass hole rat has everything his way, all he has to do is be the heartless jerk he always is and just break her heart to get freedom, I don't even come close to getting off that easy!"

He stopped suddenly and looked Kazuma directly in the eyes, as if he had said to much. "I'm sorry."

Kazuma looked at him, not knowing what to say. He had no power to change anything Akito would decide, it wasn't worth argument. He flung his foot out under Kyo's, tripping him into his arms. He held him up tightly in a hug, knowing that if things continued like this, it might be the last time he did so.

"S-Shishou..." Kyo stuttered. He took a few moments, but soon was feeling rather grateful for the embrace. He buried his face in Kazuma's chest he felt vulnerable, and unsafe.

"Shishou... W-what will I do? Why do I have to go to a place like that? I ... I thought it wasn't my fault." Kyo clenched his hands tighter. He calmed as Kazuma set a hand on his head.

"Don't worry. She won't be hurt. And neither will you, not without me interfering."

He had nothing to tell Kyo, and he didn't know what would happen. But he would help him until the end.

"No! I won't go! I won't go with him, he'll hurt me mommy! Please, mo-"

SLAP

"Shut up, you brat. Go with him; it doesn't matter what you think, this is an adult matter."

"Please mommy! I don't want to go with him! Please don't ma-" Yuki's frantic begging was ended with a punch to the face fallowed by more cruel beatings. "Mommy don't! Please stop, it hurts!"

Yuki broke down into tears, looking up at his mother and the boy next to her; it made him silent. His stare was deceiving; Yuki couldn't make any noise whether he wanted to or not.

He cried out in fear as he watched his mother once more hurl her fist at him-

The sheets fell of Yuki's bed as he threw himself upright. He caught his forehead in his hand and wiped the sweat off his chin. He stood and stipped his clothes. They were disgustingly uncomfortable; not more then he was though. He stopped moving for a few moments as he remembered his dream.

This is stupid.

He grunted, shook his head and put on something comfortable for the beginning of the day. He slid his cold bare feet into his slippers.

He rubbed his eyes all the way to the coffee counter. Everything was normal, Shigure was at the door talking to someone quickly, but not seeing anything of Kyo or Tohru at all was making it rather different. His eyes sunk, and so did his spirits. That stupid cat had ruined everything, just because he was alive. Yuki stared at the reflection in the spoon he held.

He turned it in his hand, thinking about Akito. His childish fears were not easy to get rid of; Akito was everywhere he went. The pain felt so big that he wanted to explode; and now she was gone. He wondered where Kyo had gone after that night. He remembered the building; that evil, empty, horrid cell. He hoped Kyo visited that stupid place. It was where he would go if he didn't behave. But what made Yuki shiver was the fact that he was miserable from avoiding going there himself.

"Yuki, are you alright?" Shigure came out of no where, plucking the bent spoon from Yuki's fist. "Please, that was my favorite spoon. Although, I try to avoid playing favorites with my silverware." He chuckled.

Yuki stared at him; causing Shigure to seriously withdraw from the comedy act. He studied Yuki for a moment and concluded with a speech.

"Yuki; you're very strong. Akito is a very tough opponent to fight; and at this pace, most people would have given in by now. But you ... You're very smart to avoid her. You think it's cowardly, but its being sane. Kyo made a mistake and you know how he will pay; Akito promised you that."

Yuki glared at the floor, clenching his fists tightly. He wasn't strong at all. Shigure was just comforting him.

"But then again. Kyo proved he had a heart and a soul yesterday. She was willing to love him. Where were you?" Shigure questioned him; he wasn't about to choose sides.

"Ugh, Shut up Shigure! I did it because I --" He stopped.

Shigure stopped and grinned. "Hope you aren't Closter phobic." He smiled at Yuki with the most horrid feeling emanating from him. He slid away from Yuki's sight, leaving the door open.

"You're evil!" Yuki snapped at him, his fists slamming the door shut. The force of the swing made quite a noise; the nerves in his eyes flashing images of his mother before him.

Nothing was worse then seeing the woman who threw him out, and was about to throw him away.

It was only dusk outside, but Kyo already lay in an huge pile of blankets on his bed. He rubbed the tips and edges of his ear, listening to nothing but his thoughts and breath.

"Kyo; would you like someone to help you?" Kazuma entered Kyo's temporary room at his Dojo, casting a shadow over the floor from the last bit of sunlight from that day.

Kyo didn't move at first; he blinked his eyes open and licked his finger. His emotions were not straight; Akito had affected him. He might need help after all. He didn't know how; all he knew was that something was making him unsurprisingly cattish. He sat up and stared at the floor.

"Shishou... Do you remember, when I was younger, I set fire to your bed when we were camping, by putting the stick from smores down on it while it was burning?" Kyo's lips curled into a faint smile.

Kazuma chuckled. "A night sleeping with grass between your toes is hard to forget."

"And the time where you and I fell from the trees and into the fish pond?" Kyo laughed a little this time. He sat up and looked at his master.

"I could never forget any of these memories, Kyo." Kazuma studied the well grown child on the bed. "You're so much older now. You've experience challenges. I will never forget the preparations I lead you through."

Kyo looked at his hands, remembering the night that he had a chance to hold her in them; like the soft rose skin he could finally rest his scraped paws on. He made fists, the tickling feeling of her silky hair still nerving through his fingers. "I could never forget. She is the only one who has understood... If she forgot, I could never live on. I would willingly go into confinement; I would have nothing to live for."

Kazuma touched his adoptive son's trembling fingers.

"Please Kyo, you shouldn't say such things. You need to think about this. Life isn't something to take lightly."

Kyo rested his head down again, dismissing his master from his attention. He remembered the times he had spent with her; the times he had taken for granted, not knowing they would end up in something as sorrowful as death.

Kyo had a tray full of decorated muffins in his spread out palm. He looked over the room of seated people at tables, then at his apron.

"What the hell are we doing this for again?" He growled down towards Tohru, who was also dressed in a cooks hat, a short apron over a short shirt and a tray full of Strawberry slushies with straws and mini umbrellas.

"Come on Kyo, don't worry, it will be fun! It's just one day after school, and we get some classes off! Plus, everyone's here." She giggled.

"THAT'S WHATS WRONG WITH IT! Who the hell said I would walk around with a damn apron on? And why do I have to PASS OUT MUFFINS?" Kyo almost threw the tray, but Tohru had put her tray down and steadied his arm.

"Kyo, you don't have to, it's just I thought it would be more interesting if we did it together, that's all."

Tohru went to pick up her tray, but hana-Jimi had picked it up before so.

"Tohru, Im sure that if you try to serve these nice people, you might end up losing some of the product.' Said Hana-Jimi calmly.

Kyo made a hiss type of a noise. "Hey why the hell do you keep doin' that?"

"TOOOHRRUUU!" Said a skipping ball of shrieking glee. Momiji had spotted her and had left his table to make his joyous way to her side. "Tohru, you should come sit with us! Hatsuharu and Yuki are there too!" He giggled and tugged at her apron.

Tohru giggled along, and went with him; since Hana-Jimi had taken her tray elsewhere, and was currently ignoring some girls in the corner who were amused by the fact that she was passing out slushies.

Later...


tohru walked inside, fallowed closely by Kyo. He shut the door and Tohru turned around to hang up her Jacket, watching him as he took off his. He hung it up over hers, looking down at her.

"What, you upset or somethin'?" Kyo looked down at her questioningly.

Tohru shook her head quickly, trying to avoid blushing. "Oh no, not at all, I was just thinking, that's all." She made her way into the kitchen, serving a bowl of snacks on the table above the heater. She sat next to him.

"Kyo?" Tohru hesitated.

"Hm?" Kyo bit into his cracker, resting his head on his hand.

"Would you ever want to forget about what happened today? I knew it wasn't your idea of fun." She set her hands down on the table, seemingly studying the pattern of the skirt on her lap.

Kyo watched her. "It's the only time I had to wear an apron, of course I won't forget it." He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, then looked at her and gave her a smile. "You're ideas are always better then mine, anyway."

Kyo stopped nipping at the tip of his finger. Ever since that night, when he heard her say that, he never wanted to forget anything they had ever done together. And if she ever forgot, he was convinced there wouldn't be a reason to wake from his sleep the morning after.

He stood and looked out across the outside, purring deep inside his chest. He rested his head on the door frame, wondering how long it would be until he saw her.

"I guess... I just have to wait."