AN: Here's the third chapter of Here I Stand. I meant to post this earlier but was sadly delayed by internet problems. I hope all my reviewers enjoy this next chapter.

CHAPTER THREE: Come Back To Me

Wensday, Fourth Period:

Okay, this is getting weird. Even by Sohma standards.

She's in practically all my classes.

Maria, the new girl. She looks about twelve, but she's in the same grade as me, and in almost all my classes. How weird is that?

Tohru loves her, she thinks she's absolutely adorable. Its really funny to watch, she treats Maria just like Kisa, and Maria lives for it.

So I have gained a new shadow, Maria follows my lead because she doesn't know anyone else, but what about Ouo? I feel like I'm loosing her. She said she was falling in love with me, but she ignores me and avoids my gaze.

Truthfully, I don't know how I feel about her, but when she turns away from me like she did two days ago, I feel like my heart fill burst. But, is that love? Or just a crush?

I wish feelings came with a instruction manual. (AN: Don't we all, poor Kyo.)

I'm going to try to talk to her at lunch again, I really need to see how she feels. But there's more then that. I am still me, the stupid, bloody rat, as Maria would say in English terms, and the curse still lives. I transform when ever I hug a girl, so what the hell am I supposed to do about Ouo?!

If she says she loves me, then got to close, she would know my secret, and Akito would have her memory erased, and I cant let that happen. She might forget all love for me, and then I would have to watch from afar while she grows up, and finds a wonderful man who can make her truly happy. That would kill me from the inside out.

Sixth Period:

I'll start from the beginning.

The bell rang for lunch, and I jumped up and followed Ouo out the door. When we were out in the crowded halls I grabbed her arm, trying to make her look at me. And it worked. She spun around and stared at me like she longed to see me but also wanted me far away.

"Please come to the roof with me." I begged, " I really need to talk to you."

She said nothing but nodded agreement, and headed towards the stairs, she pulled against my grip, and I knew I couldn't have restrain her even for a second if I hadn't had so much training with Master. But I let her go. She had agreed to come with me.

I followed her up to the roof, which was perfectly deserted. She walked strait to the railing leaning into the breeze, letting it tease her hair into her face. I walked slowly over to stand beside her.

"Why did you avoid me?" I asked her quietly.

"Because I don't know if I can trust you Kyon. Its hard to love someone, but its so much worse if they don't love you back. So I don't if I can trust you to love me as much as I love you. So how do you feel Kyo?"

"I-I don't know. But I've loved you for so long, I cant even tell you. I love everything about you Ouo. Your tough, you defend yourself and your friends, and on Friday you told me you loved me. How do you think I feel?"

She looked me in the eye then blushed and smiled in a very un-Ouo like way. The she turned back to me and kissed me again. In some way this time was different then last time.

It wasn't too much of a surprise this time, and this kiss was a little more passionate. Then she started to move her arms around me, and I pulled away. She was so close! I had almost transformed on the spot! If she ever found out what I really am, I don't know what I'd do. And I know she would hate me, how could anyone love a man whose only half human?

"Ouo, I cant give you a good reason, but I just cant hug you. Its not that I don't want to! God, I would give anything to be able to, I just cant. Please trust me on this." I had said, then leaned toward her and kissed her again.

When we pulled away she sighed and said, "I'm sure you have your reasons Kyo. But it would be really nice if I could hug you, to make sure all of this is real."

I took her hand and assured her it was, then we both went to lean against the wall and eat lunch.

And now its sixth period and I'm here, sitting with Maria on my left and Ouo behind me, and I'm finally happy. Ouo does care about me, and I care about her. Now my big problem is the zodiac curse, and trying to find a way to get her to understand, but without really understanding.

At Home:

Its still Wednesday, but now I'm on the roof of my own home and not the schools. I finally thought of something that is a huge risk, but might work.

I'm going to tell Ouo about the curse, but somewhere private, like maybe on a date or something. If she can understand me and still love me then we'll have to keep this secret, and not tell anyone that she knows. If she can understand and stops loving me then I guess I'll have to ask Hatori to erase her memory, without telling Akito.

I really hope she can understand, because I want her to still love me, the real me, well not the monster part, but the cat part. I guess I'll have to test it to find out.

End Of Chapter

AN: So now, will Ouo pass the test? And can she love Kyo for who he really is? (still wearing his bracelet for now)