Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Deeper Kyo nor Fruits Basket.

And just for reference: Italics reminiscence

V

Kyo sat on the floor of his room, one of his legs lying lazily on the ground, while the other was prepared to jump up in case of an attack. Well, not like he'd get caught off guard, but sometimes he just felt like hitting something. His head rested against the wall with his eyes closed as he slowly opened and closed his right hand into a fist. Doing this tended to calm his anger, it was a trick that his Master taught him. Suddenly thinking of his Master, he began to think of the time they trained in the mountains for a month. The land he strained his body to the breaking point in, was a breathtaking sight for anyone, even him. Kyo and his Master would often take a break or train under the gigantic waterfalls from above. Thinking of the cool, gentle mist made Kyo suddenly shiver as if feeling its touch all over again.

"Kyo!" A friendly smile belonging to a soft, delicate face such as his would make anyone obey.

Kyo struggled to stand, tiredness shaking his entire body. Darn it! I can't look weak. Not in front of him! Kyo thought highly of his Master and greatly appreciated the time they spent together, although Kyo never admitted it verbally. He never felt the need to. In fact, it was as if everything he thought, his Master knew.

The man let out a soft laugh as he watched Kyo continue to chase a wild chicken in order to catch it for dinner. "Kyo, that will be enough, come back." Even after several hours of chasing, Kyo never gave up on catching that chicken. The number of scrapes and bruises continued to grow upon his body, but he never once complained about them. He wanted to do his best to make his Master proud of him, and giving up and crying about it would get him no where. No. He never once cried in his life. He never knew why, but the tears never came out. He had all the opportunities, all the reasons, but nothing drove him to that length before. Perhaps it was because he had nothing to really expect in life, because he-

The front door slammed open, suddenly someone was upon him. "I got you now, Kyo!" It was unmistakable who that voice belonged to.

"Hotaru, what the hell are you doing?" Kyo shoved Hotaru off and jumped up to his feet, smacking away the "filth" on his clothes.

Hotaru stopped for a moment to think. What the hell am I doing here? He looked around and suddenly caught interest in something in the kitchen. As he made his way in, Akira was making his way out and happened to bump...into...Hotaru.

Now Hotaru was throwing punches and kicks at Akira, creating a fist fight between the two which began tearing down half of the living room.

"Ohhhh...and I just finished cleaning up this mess." Kyoshiro stepped into the room a frown appearing on his face, landing a hard punch on both Akira and Hotaru's heads. "Now that that matter is settled." Kyoshiro turned towards Kyo, sensing a huge storm of anger heading his way. "Ehehehehhe..." Kyoshiro ran out the door, "It seems I forgot something at the convenient store! I'll be right baaaack!"

Yuya stood at the front door speechless. This is how the most popular guy in school lives his life? Her mouth twitched watching both Hotaru and Akira lying entangled on the floor, apparently unconscious. That was when she realized a hard stare directed specifically at her. That's right. This all wouldn't have happened if I never brought Hotaru here. She simply looked up at Kyo and bowed her head, "Gomen...but he was lost in the rain. I couldn't let him stay out there and freeze to death."

Kyo stared at her for what seemed like ages. Okay...he can stop doing that now... Finally, he stepped towards her slowly. One step, then another. When he was about a step away from Yuya, she looked up at him, and then her eyes immediately shifted away. I never realized how...beautiful...he was. He took a step around her and took a look outside, "The rain's stopped. I'll take you home."

Yuya blinked. "N-no! That's alright! I can manage it myself!" Her face suddenly grew dark, but immediately lightened up to prevent suspicion. They however, caught the sudden change in Yuya's aura and raised their eyebrows, wondering what she could possibly be hiding. Even Hotaru held a concerned look on his face, but immediately lost interest and began counting all the planks of wood on the ceiling.

Akira spoke first. "Shiina-san," he began, trying to get untangled from Hotaru on the floor, "don't you find it a bit dangerous to be walking alone this late in the evening?"

Yuya smiled and a droplet of water fell from her bangs. "I'm used to walking home alone, I'll be fine." She turned to leave when suddenly someone grabbed her wrist. She turned to have an expressionless Kyo hand her an umbrella.

Akira nodded, "Just in case. I'll see you tomorrow Shiina-san."

"H-hai." She nodded, her smile growing as she held the umbrella above her head and opened it. With that, she turned once again and walked down the cold, lonely streets of town. They watched her even after she faded into the distance.

"I'm going out." Akira looked at the red-head beside him proceeding out the door, surprised. Let him do what he wants. In the end, he'll only get hurt...again. Akira sighed as he watched his cousin follow the path that Yuya took, half running. She accepted us, even though she knows about the curse. The blind boy leaned against the door way, resting his head on the side. I wonder why...

Yuya walked down the street, occasionally stepping in a deep puddle, causing her toes to become soaked and frozen. She came to a stop and shivered, trying to wiggle her toes so they wouldn't develop frostbite. She sighed, Just a little farther. She glanced to her left and gasped. Every time... Yuya gripped the handle to the umbrella tightly, fighting the tears forming in her eyes. Every time... She fell to her knees and began sobbing. The umbrella fell out of her grasp and splashed in a puddle that lay next to her.

"Hey." A familiar voice appeared behind her. The girl turned to look and came extremely close to Kyo's face who was reaching for the umbrella beside her. She blushed when a raindrop fell from his nose onto her cheek. A finger brushed away the moisture building up beneath her eye. His hand is so warm. She blushed deeper. The back of her hand followed suit, rubbing the remaining tears away. "Did you fall?" He stared at her for a while, searching for an answer.

Yuya nodded quickly, trying to hide her pain inside. "Yeah. I fell. That's all." She glanced at the dark alleyway on her left and shivered.

Kyo hadn't the patience. "What happened there?"

"Nothing." She stood and wrung her skirt of the extra water that crept its way up her clothing.

"Don't lie to me." He reached for her chin and held it gently. They stood like that for a while; the only sound heard was the gentle fall of the rain about them.

"Why should I tell you?" She drew in her eyebrows, causing her forehead to wrinkle half in irritation and half in defense.

"Because..." He paused for a moment. Why should I care, anyway? It has nothing to do with me, and it won't change anything about me. Kyo shook his head and leaned in closer. "...you're crying."

Yuya's eyes widened in surprise. But...even Uo and Hana don't know the whole truth. So, why should I trust him with my most painful memories? "Alright, but..." She rubbed her arms trying to keep warm. "...let's get some shelter first." Yuya took Kyo by the hand and
led him behind her. "My house isn't too far from here."

Author's note:

Gomen! It's been so long since I've updated, but don't worry! I didn't forget about this story! forgets what she wanted to say Uhh...review?