A/N: Well, just thought I'd let you guys know that as of yesterday, I am now 16! confetti throw Wahoo! Now I can drive! (Okay...nine months...but still...) I might also get a job, so I might not update as often. But as of now, I am unemployed, so you don't have to worry about that...But YAY! Happy B-day to me!

Chapter 15: I'm Not Ready to Say Goodbye

Suki, Shippou, Kirara, Hana, and Yume sat in front of their parents graves, with sullen faces. It was dark, and the moon reflected off their faces. The twins put their bundles of flowers on each of the graves. No one said a word.

Though, Suki thought some unspoken things to her parents. Mother, Father, I'm taking care of the girls, just like you said. I'm trying to keep things the way you wanted...

She added, And father, I hope you're not upset about me and Kuro. I make sure that your wish is fulfilled someday.

"Onee-san," Hana asked, her brown eyes full of wonder. "What are you thinking about?"

"Um, nothing. Just...thinking..." she replied.

"I wish Kuro-kun would come back." Yume sighed. "I miss him. His ears were cute!"

Suki hadn't exactly told anyone that Kuro was back. She didn't want to endanger them any more. Her sisters knew nothing of what had been going on--all the events with Henka had occured when they weren't home, which Suki was glad for.

"Yes," she said, giving a half smile. "His ears are cute!"

"I wonder how their mission is going." Shippou said. "Kuro said it might take a while."

Suki spotted a flash of black and red in the treeline. "Well, that's probably what's taking him so long. Go on home now, I have to go now."

"Are you coming back soon?" They asked.

"Uh-huh."she nodded. "Go home, its getting late. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, Onee-san!" they said, trotting back to their house, with Shippou in tow. Suki watched them go, smiling. Once they were out of sight, she ran straight for the woods.

"I know you're there!" Suki yelled into the forest. In an instant, Kuro was by her side.

"You're too perceptive, for a human, that is." Kuro teased, smiling back at her.

"Oh yeah?" Suki asked. "Well, sometimes I think you may be a bit dense, even by human standards."

"You're so mean." he said, taking her in his arms. "How was your day?" he asked.

"It's getting better." she said, closing her eyes and leaning against him. "A lot better."

He kissed the top of her head. "I'm glad." Every time he was with her, he fully appricatied her being in his arms, back where she belonged. But he couldn't help but feel a little upset, because he knew if his aunt and uncle were still alive, they wouldn't have to sneak away after dark to be together. They would probably be living the life they dreamed of now, if everything had turned out all right.

It was hard for Kuro, sometimes having to control himself when they were alone. He knew, by youkai standards, that at this age, he should have already been mated. His instincts were becoming strong, especially when he was around her. More than anything, he wanted to fully prove his love to her by touch rather than by telling her.

He had to keep those thoughts silent whenever she was around. He didn't want to let on how much he wanted her. Kuro knew it would only frighten her. And then, his deepest fear might happen, she might leave him for another. After all, he supposed human insticts weren't as commanding as his.

I have to content myself with what I have. He thought, looking down at her.

"Kuro," Suki said, still leaning against him. "I'm cold."

"Oh," He took off his haori and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Is that better?"

She smiled. "Much better." She paused, her smile fading. "Kuro...do you think if...if Mother and Father hadn't...then we might be..."

"What?" he asked, even though he was certain he knew the answer.

Suki continued. "Do you think we might have been married by now?"

He knew the answer, but didn't want to say it. "Don't worry about it."

She lifted her head and looked up at him. "But, Kuro, if Mother and Father had lived, we could have been living together by now. Doesn't that bother you?"

She must know something... "It doesn't matter." he said halfheartedly. "I'm happy, just being here with you."

Her eyes glanced downward. "It bothers me...because, we wouldn't have to hide like this...we could be together, and no one could say anything about it..."

"Suki," Kuro said. "All I care about is that we spend time like this...as long as you're happy, I'm happy." he lied.

"That's the problem, Kuro." she whispered. "I'm not..."

Kuro's black ears on top of his black hair drooped slightly. She was as unhappy with the situation as he was, but they both knew there was nothing they could do about it.

He leaned closer to her, earning a suprised gasp from her. "Suki," he began, "I love you. And, I won't ever stop...I know we can't stop this now, but soon, we'll be together forever. I promise you."

"Ku--" She was cut off as he pulled her closer into a kiss. She kissed him back, with all the love she had. Drowing in passion, Suki found herself leaning against a tree for support, as Kuro bent down and kissed her neck. A new sensation fillled her, one full of excitement, and mystery.

Suki felt a melting sensation in her body as Kuro continued kissing her, each kiss more lustful and passionate, making her sigh with content when he broke the kiss to breathe.

"Kuro," she whispered. "I..."

"What?" he asked, his chocolate eyes sparlking.

Not even now... She met his lips once more. "I have to go soon."

"Can't you stay a bit longer?" he asked, letting out a small whine like a dog.

She grinned. "A bit longer."

As they both met again for another outburst of passion, a lizard on a rock watched them with intrest. It scuttled away in disgust, heading back towards the village.

Soon...that hanyou will pay. Henka thought.

Kiri sighed. She was sitting up in a tree, having gained the habit from her brother, contemplating her relationship with Akuto. He had acted strange the other night; he hadn't fought like he ususally did. he just left it alone. It all seemed to weird.

Why was he like that? she thought. He would usually start yelling at me but...not now...

Her eyes glanced the rising sliver of a cresent moon. Everything's so strange...Before Mother and Father...she fingered her necklace. Before all of this happened...I was so sure of everything. I knew that I had to be as strong as the men, I had to take care not to show any emotion...

Kiri closed her amber eyes. I knew I couldn't even think of...the 'L word'. But now, it seems that I'm thinking about that sort of thing alot, even though I'm not supposed to...

It's because of Akuto. she told herself.

I know it is; these things started happening after I met him. She leaned against the tree trunk and looked up at the thick green branches. After we met...I was never the same as I used to be...

I suppose that's because he's the only other man I've known besides Kuro, and he doesn't exactly count... She told herself. I guess its because of this that I feel so weird around him, but is there something else?

Kiri remembered how it was when he kissed her. How she couldn't move because she was trapped in the spell of his eyes, how she had forgotten everything, even how to breathe, how she had suddenly felt excited for no reason. How before then, it seemed as though they were determined to fight with one another, but after...it was all changed...

I know how he feels for me, and I also know that...there is no way I can return it...My heart wasn't made to feel that way...and if I were to give in, like Kuro did, it would create more problems...And, it would never work out, Akuto and I...we're both to feisty...yes, I couldn't...

Not, that I want to, or anything...It's just that...

Her eyes glanced back to the village.

I'm not made for anyone's love...

She heard the sound of someone running through the forest. Kiri sniffed, and on recognition, it sent a chill down her spine. Akuto!

She jumped down from the tree just as he ran right past. He had seen her, because he stopped running and turned around.

They stared at one another for a moment. Kiri decided it was time to talk. "Akuto..." she asked, "Where are you going?"

He paused, as if contemplating something. "Home."

This took her by suprise. "W-what?" she asked. "Y-you're going--"

"Home." he repeated, cutting her off. "Back to my father's den."

Why do I suddenly feel really sad? she asked herself. "But...why?"

The wolf youkai had a permanent scowl etched on his face. "Because I've had enough of it here. I'm tired of wating around for something that's not going to happen."

"Do you mean helping Kuro out with Suki?" Kiri asked. "B-beacuase, its going to take a while, and planning, but we'll help her get out of here--"

"That's not--" He said, comig closer, making her shiver. "What I meant."

"Then what do you mean?" she asked, looking at those green eyes that did not look back at her.

Akuto paused again, as if trying to find the perfect word. "I'm just tired of trying to kid myself into thinking--" He quickly silenced himself, glancing at her nervously.

"What?" Kiri asked. "What do you mean."

He turned around sharply. "Forget it."

"No," she told him, comig up to him and grabbing him by his shoulder, making him look back, ignoring the feeling that went through her when she touched him. "What do you mean?"

The silver haired hanyou had never seen his eyes so pained. "Kiri...is there something you have to tell me?"

That statement shot through her like an arrow. "S-something to tell you?" Tell him what? About how...how I know? Or how...how I'm starting to think I don't want him to leave?

He took her silence for an answer, and shook her off. "That's what I thought--"

As Akuto started off again, Kiri begged, "Wait, Akuto!"

"What?" he demanded, gaining some of his dignity back. "Listen, sweetheart, I don't have any buisness back here, it's time for me to go and face my father."

"Akuto, we need you!" she yelled, before realizing what she said.

"'We need'? What about you, sweetheart?"

Her eyes got wider. "W-what do you mean?"

Akuto came just across from her, and Kiri couldn't help but notice that they were close enough to kiss... "Well, you could admit it and say you need me."

"I need you?" She started getting angry. "That's ridiculous."

"Then why are you getting all sad that I'm leaving?" He demanded.

Kiri didn't want to answer that question, much less in her own mind. "You're just imagining things, you jackass!"

"Oh yeah? Then explain why you're getting into such a fit about it. Afraid I'd leave without giving you a goodbye kiss?"

Her heart stopped at that statement. "I...I...I'd rather kiss a shape-shifting youkai than you!"

"Too bad I won't be there to see it, SWEETHEART, but I guess there's no point in staying when you've chosen a piece of scum over me, huh?" And then he took off into a whirlwind.

Kiri was silent for a moment, and then yelled, "FINE, GO ON AND LEAVE YOU JACKASS, SEE IF I CARE!" even though she knew he was too far away for her to hear.

Once it sunk in that he was gone and wasn't coming back; when she had waited long enough and was sure that he wasn't going to turn back because it was a joke, her heart plummeted into her stomach. He's...he's really not coming back...

Kiri looked at the darkness around her. But...I don't want him to leave...

Never again...

She had a hard time stemming the tears. Throughout her whole life, she never cried, but now, more than ever, she felt like giving in, and letting tears of sadness flow.

I'm never going to see Akuto again...

A/N: Ah yes, sad. But don't worry! You think I'd give up a character that cool THAT easily?