Well, here's the next chappie, everyone. I'm currently miserable and sick, but of course you didn't really need to know that, I just felt like alerting all of you. LOL. This chappie, however, was written when I was well, I was just too sick to move the computer to type it. I was really weak. Anyway, here it is. Notes!

firzy: Unfortunately, I'm not the best person in the world. I do have a Yuki/Tohru/Kyo love triangle story, but it has a different spin on it than most, just like this story. Anyway, it's called "Dancing." Your choice if you want to check it out, though. :)

Chapter 16

"You found it didn't you, Hatori? The spring, just as I said you would," Kana whispered to the dreaming Hatori.

"Yes, I found it; unfortunately all I can do is watch as it touches everyone around me. I reach for it, Kana, but I can't touch it," he said.

"Hatori," she breathed sadly. "The spring is not only here for those without sadness, without pain. Do you think Mayu hasn't been through heartache, through suffering? She suffers now, every day, for you. She knows it is possible for Hatori Sohma to be happy."

Rin's heartbeat shook her entire body. She was afraid, truly, genuinely afraid. She touched her hand to her lips. Haru's warm love was still upon them.

"Hatsuharu," she whimpered, throwing her head in her hand, weeping her soul out. "Damn you, Akito!" Her tears grew bitter with anger and rage, but only for a moment, then they returned to sadness. "Damn you, Akito." She sniffled, raising her head slowly and straightening up. There was no use crying about it; tears wouldn't solve anything. She touched her fingers to her lips once more. Suddenly she furrowed her brow, her face wrought with decision. She had to have him, no matter what. She would find a way around Akito; she couldn't live without him any longer.

I kissed her, no, she let me kiss her. Still, it doesn't matter; we kissed.

Haru trudged through the woods, hands in his pockets, shoulders hunched. His emotions were uncontrollable, but he didn't know what it was he was feeling; there was no one word to describe himself. His heart felt lighter than air but yet heavy. He wanted to cry for joy but yet for sorrow. Yes, he had kissed her but no, it wasn't as fulfilling as it could have been had her heart been completely open. She was still closed off from him, and, for all he knew, everyone.

Mayu collapsed onto the bookstore counter facedown, head buried in her arms. Why was it impossible for her to visit Kana without coming back crying? She and Tatsuya were so happy together, why couldn't she just be happy about their marriage? She was; she was glad that Kana was happy and content, but there was that one soul she couldn't forget about. Hatori.

Oh, Hatori!

There was nothing left for her to do but weep. Suddenly she heard the bell jingle and she whipped up her head hurriedly only to see the tall man enter, his black hair glistening in the sunlight. The tears flowed harder now. She felt horrible because she knew deep down that she had always wanted the best for Hatori and Kana, there had always been that element of jealousy. She had wanted him so badly, but now that she had her chance he was in pain, left to hold the memories of the past by himself; Kana could forget. Yet she knew that she wanted to be the woman who would save him. Deep down in the depths of her soul she was being selfish. She couldn't look at Hatori any longer, but threw he head back down into her arms on the counter. Suddenly she felt a hand under her chin and felt her head being lifted up. Hatori looked deep into her tearstained face, eyes filled with sadness.

"You're crying," he said tenderly. He removed his hand from under her chin and gently moved it to her cheek. He cupped a strand of free hair around her ear lovingly and placed his palm lightly upon her cheek again. Mayu closed her eyes, drinking in his warmth. His skin on hers felt so good; it was intoxicating. Mayu had never known this feeling; even Shigure had never touched her so. Outside, just before entering, Hana halted, peering thought the glass door. She smiled as she drank in the wonderful waves emitting from her brother, but she still felt pain. She wanted to erase that pain, permanently, no matter what it took.