Sorry this took me so long to put up. I've been having mad writer's block. X.x That's why this chapter is kinda short. It's short, but it's sweet! Standard disclaimers apply, kay?

Chapter 4: Seahorses…

"Bit by bit my heart is charmed. With that dazzling smile, let's flee from the endless darkness… hold my hand…" Dan Dan Kokoro Hikaraeteku Field of View.

The coldest day in winter… and I was warm… You smile. It warmed my soul. I loved you and I was afraid to love you… Kana, we're from two different worlds. I am cursed. I am possessed by the vengeful spirit of the dragon… How can I even begin to explain? Kana… please understand… Please…

Hatori sat at his desk, scribbling something down on a piece of paper. Kana stood, silently watching him. Hatori had a focused look in his eyes which told Kana not to disturb him. Sighing inwardly, Kana watched the snow fall from the sky. They had been caged up in the office since the storm had begun. Setting down a cup of coffee in front of him, Kana asked,

"Ne, Hatori, why don't we call it a day?" Hatori stood, stretched a bit and glanced outside.

"It's really coming down…" Thinking for a minute, he continued. "Do you want to stay at my house until the storm dies down? I have an extra futon you could sleep on." Kana smiled and accepted his offer.

"Thank you… "

The usually short walk to Hatori's house from the office was unusually long. The snow had fallen heavily and it was now up to their knees. Fiddling with the keys, Hatori opened his front door and they both tripped inside. Freezing, soaking and numb, they frantically tried to retrieve the heat they had lost. Hatori turned up the heater.

"I'll be right back, Kana," Hatori said, walking down the hall. When he returned, he was wearing a slightly oversized white shirt and black sweat pants. "I apologize, this is all I have that would fit you…" He handed Kana some of his pajamas. Kana accepted the clothes with a smile.

"Thank you," she replied, walking into the bathroom to change. When she finished changing, she handed her soaking, cold, clothes to Hatori.

"I'll put our clothes in the washer. Please, make yourself at home."

It wasn't very long after that before they both became hungry. Since Hatori got his meals from the mail house most of the time, he didn't have very much food. Kana could only make a small pot of ramen. Hatori accepted the ramen appreciatively. After they ate, Kana and Hatori began talking.

"Hatori, I love you so much…" Kana said. "Your eyes are so warm… and your smile is genuine… sweet… it just makes me so happy… knowing you're near…" Hatori smiled.

"Kana… you're much more than I deserve…" They both leaned in closer. Hatori, not realizing what would happen, accepted this kiss with all his soul. Their lips touched and seconds later in a puff of smoke, Hatori was a seahorse. Kana pause and stared for a moment before screaming,

"Water! No! Seawater! Ahhhh!! Which one is it?! Hatori!!!!" Picking the seahorse up, she frantically ran to the bathroom, filled up the tub and threw him in. After a few minutes passed, a soaking, naked Hatori emerged from the tub, a solemn, serious, almost frightened look on his face.

"Kana… I-I can explain…" Hatori stuttered, sounding horrified at Kana's newest discovery. He collected his clothes and put them back on. Kana looked at him with interest as if telling him to continue. "I am part of the Sohma family curse. Every generation, fourteen Sohmas must deal with this curse. Akito… the reason he gets so sick so often is because he holds the "core"."

"You're the year of the dragon then… right?" Hatori nodded. Kana merely laughed, "I don't care what you turn into. I'll always love you, Hatori."

"So… now you know…" Kana started drying Hatori's hair. In an attempt to clear the tension, he said, "You know, if you threw a REAL seahorse into the tub like that… it's probably die… " Kana giggled and left the towel on his head.

"I was afraid of that! But I was so shaken up, I couldn't think…" She paused for a minute. "Now I understand. I was wondering why you never wanted to hold me… you were afraid. So you distanced yourself from people… even the one you love… " Pausing again she said, "But… you don't have to be afraid. Not of me, Hatori… I'm so glad I met you, Hatori… and I'm even happier to have fallen in love with you…" Leaning her head on his, all she could see was his tears.

Is this… is this what it's like to feel free? These tears… they're the frozen snow… melted by the first warm breath of spring…

Hatori's tears initially surprised Kana, but she knew. She knew what he had been put through.

I'm finally free…

Sorry that took me so long. I had to repost this chapter because I had to edit it some more. O.o