Disclaimer: Don't. Own. Them.

Wish On This: Hum. K. Decided to update as soon as possible, though writing actually isn't that easy as I thought. Getting it from a scene in my brain to words. Oy.
This one features our favourite cat, ALTO! Hehe. Love that bugger. I hope you all know (you should) who that is. If you don't... Then your going to be a tad confused? And why are you here:O
I've replied to all my lovely reviewers at the bottom. I've never enjoyed having to scroll through replies at the beginning of a chapter. TFN. (As Georgie Nicolson would put it, Tah For Now!)

It had been a quiet Thursday night after Ryou's discussion with Keiichiro. The girls had headed home earlier and Ryou had decided to take a shower.

Ryou exited the bathroom as silently as he could. A bleach white towel was around his low waist. With each step he left a wet footprint on the floor and a small creak from a floorboard to wander the air.
While slipping into flannel pants and a plain white T-shirt, preparing for bed, Ryou thought about the feeling that emerged in him when he touched Keiichiro. The ghost of the warmth played in Ryou's body. He wanted to hold his hand again, just to feel him pump blood and be alive and warm. But it would be awkward to just walk in on him to hold his hand. Very awkward.
Ryou glanced at the red collar on his computer desk, contemplating putting it on. He reached a hand to his neck and slid a finger across the mark. He stared with his unreadable blue eyes for a few moments before smiling softly to himself.

Alto's blue eyes lit up when he saw Keiichiro's door slightly open. He trotted in between the door and the frame with a certain bouncy feline grace.
The first thing Alto's eyes set apon was Keiichiro. He was sitting in a relaxed position on his bed, engulfed in the same coverless book he had been the day Ryou had flung dishwater droplets onto Keiichiro's face.
A jolt of thought reminded Alto to not waste time as a cat. Keiichiro hadn't noticed him yet, so Alto let out a sweetly soft 'mew'. Keiichiro glanced over and became stiff for a moment. He paused, before setting his book down and smiling honestly. Alto gazed back into Keiichiro's eyes for a burning while, until Keiichiro got up and sat in front of Alto. He crossed his legs, and placed one hand on the ground, while the other slowly reached out, contemplated for a moment until he petted Alto's head. Alto closed his eyes to the feel of Keiichiro. It was a silent notion granting Keiichiro the power to take down a barrier.
Alto moved into Keiichiro's gentle petting, until his fur made contact with Keiichiro's pants. Alto opened his eyelids and looked up at Keiichiro, who was smiling contently.
The cat decided to make an action he wouldn't back down from, and had an evergrowing urge to do. Stretching his dwarf body as much as he could, his paws met Keiichiro's right shoulder, and his hind legs had moved to stand on Keiichiro's shin to make him taller. While Alto tensed, Keiichiro's body was cool and collected. Alto wondered briefly what he was thinking. He felt Keiichiro pet his tail twice.
Alto cuddled his nose into Keiichiro's neck, near his pulse. He listened three heartbeats before moving his mouth to Keiichiro's warm cheek and licked him softly. His whiskers tickled at Keiichiro's ear. Keiichiro turned his head and smiled into Alto's neck fur. He kissed the back of Alto's ear before gesturing that he wanted to stand up. Alto pushed back and sat on the floor. He watched intently as Keiichiro turned off the light, moved his book, and settled into bed. Then, without a word said between them but a mew, Alto left to his own room.

Ryou awoke in the fetal position, except for a leg stretched out. His blankets were only half on him, and his radio hummed out lyrics quietly.

We've got a good thing goin' on

B-b-baby

Wanting you so bad is a problem, that I have

And I know that you need me

But it won't come that easy

Ryou stood up abruptly and turned off his alarm. The sudden noise was irritating. He stretched his body and flexed his back muscles quickly, before getting ready for his Friday.

"What did you do, Ryou?" Ichigo squealed angrily as she entered the cafe before any of the others had come. Ryou craned his neck around his shoulder to see Ichigo stomping over to him like a sassy 8-year-old. He almost rolled his eyes, but in the corner of his eyes he could see Keiichiro glance over at Ichigo and himself.
"What're you talking about?" Ryou asked coolly, turning to face Ichigo. He drew puffs of smoke coming out of Ichigo's ears with his imagination.
"Retasu!" She spat out. Ryou blinked stupidly, he could still see Keiichiro glance over now and then while serving customers.
"...Whu?" He managed to come up with.
"What did you do to her?" She practically repeated herself, "She was bawling on the phone to me last night. I'm not quite sure what for but I know she mentioned," Ichigo gestured strongly, "You!"
Ryou cursed inwardly. He'd never meant to make Lettuce cry, infact harm her emotionally in anyway. Damn, damn. Why can't these girls just bottle their emotions or something? Ryou gave a long sigh. "I didn't mean to hurt her feelings."
"What do you mean? How? What happened?"
Ryou flinched at Ichigo's tendency to successfully annoy him. "She said she liked me," Ryou stuck his hand in his pockets boyishly and closed his eyes, "And I told her I didn't feel the same way."
Ichigo relaxed a little, but then shouted "How rude! Boys..." She balled her fists, then jauntily un-balled them.
Boys? What about us? I thought I had a right to like who I like. Ryou thought to himself. "This is precisely why I keep away from girls as friends."
Ichigo snorted, and as the thought of Lettuce bawling on the phone for 15 minutes tore at her brain, she couldn't help but spit a bitchy comment back. "You don't even have any friends."
Ryou understood Ichigo was one to work on impulse, but all he could think was,

Ouch.

Keiichiro must've heard Ichigo, hell, the two nearest table must've heard her, and stepped his way over to the two. He waved at Ichigo and shot a short sweet smile in greeting, then gave a serious expression.
"What? I don't exist?" He asked dully in sarcastic reply to Ichigo's remark. Ryou's eyes softened when he looked at Keiichiro, smiling. Ryou held Keiichiro's index finger with his middle and index finger, silently saying "Thanks". Keiichiro looked into Ryou's eyes and nodded, smiling.
The other girls began filing into the cafe, and Ichigo stuttered for a moment. "Well, I mean, I didn't mean." She groaned with a girly edge, "Oh, Keiichiro! Sorry Ryou, I didn't mean, you know, well, sorry, you know?" She gave a giggle with a snort.
Keiichiro chortled and gestured toward the other girls. "Best get to work, now." He said with his usual charm.
Ryou turned to Keiichiro, while Keiichiro simply moved his eyes to view Ryou. He smirked. "Thanks."
Keiichiro just nodded again. Ryou shook his head, his blonde hair swaying. "No, I mean, for being my friend."
The brown-haired man smiled handsomely, and turned his body to face Ryou.
Ryou paused before continuing, taking a breath though his nose. "You mean alot to me." Ryou shifted under Keiichiro's gaze. "Alot."
Keiichiro gazed into Ryou's eyes like he had Alto's, and spoke softly, "You mean alot to me too, Ryou."
At that moment, the sweet smell of chocolate cupcakes baking in the oven careened to their noses.

Wish On This: Ohmigoodness. Isn't building plot just sooo boring? D: I need some yaoi. I promise some soon. Maybe in 2 chapters or so? For the next chapter I'm planning an appearance from your favourite (maybe) 'ol alien, Kish! (Even though his english voice makes me want to kill myself.)
So anyways. Review repliessss!

Lurel: Thank you vuuury much!

Sakurambo-chan: My faithful and rad first-and-always-reviewer. Thank you very much for following along with me. :3 I enjoy your comments alot.

MewChoco:o It was very pleasant to recieve a review from the person who brought the light of the KeiixRyou relationship down on me. Without you I would've never even thought about this couple, let alone begin writing this story. :D
Oohhh, I don't think my work can even compare to Midnight Watch. I swoon over that story. xD

just a rambling romantic: Simply, thank you!

letryouluv: OKAY I WILL:P