Chapter nine

Human nature

"Kyo-kun, I wanted to thank you for coming me to my parents' graves yesterday," Tohru said. Kyo shrugged.

"No problem," Tohru smile brightened.

"Still, Arigato!" Kyo looked at her.

"Why are you always so happy? Shouldn't you be depressed about your parents' death?" he asked. Tohru blushed.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you or anything!" she cried. Kyo blushed and waved his hands, telling her to calm down.

"I don't mean it like that! I'm just curious!"

"Well, being depressed all the time isn't the way to live. My parents wanted me to always be happy so I will, for them," just then the door opened and a middle aged woman walked in and Tohru rushed to help her. Kyo watched her, thinking. 'She's so strong. Even though her life has been so hard, she still walks around smiling. She's almost perfect. I thought I would hate someone like her but-' "Kyo-kun! Can you get me some rice?" Tohru asked. Kyo nodded.

"Sure," 'I don't mind her at all. I kind of like her being around.' Kyo carried the bags of rice and handed them to the woman, who thanked him and left. A few seconds later the door opened and Yuki walked in.

"Oh Yuki-kun! Ohayo!" Tohru greeted. Yuki smiled at her.

"Ohayo," his eyes darkened when they landed on Kyo who glared at him. "Are you actually working Kyo or are you just getting in the way?" he asked. Kyo's eyes flashed.

"You're the one who's getting in the way! If you're here to buy something, buy it!" Yuki glared at him but turned his attention to Tohru and ordered what he was going to buy.

"So has Akito caused you any more trouble?" he asked. Tohru shook her head as she handed Yuki his purchases.

"No. She's actually been really quiet,"

"Really?" Yuki's eyes flashed over to Kyo who avoided his gaze. "I wonder what she's up too," he muttered, gathering his stuff. "Well, I have to go now see you later," and he left.

"You and Yuki seem really close," Kyo said, trying to keep the hurt out of his voice. Tohru looked over at him.

"Well, I have known him for about a year. We've become really good friends. I hope that someday you and I can become close friends as well," Kyo looked over at her smiling face, blushing.

"Why do you want to become friends with me so badly?" he asked.

"Because, you're such a nice person Kyo, even though you try to hide it, you really are. Just like Yuki-kun, you're a wonderful person in your own way," Kyo clutched his fists.

"Just like Yuki huh?" Tohru's eyes widened and she blushed

"Oh no! I didn't mean to offend you or anything!"

"You didn't. It's just, a lot of people think Yuki is so wonderful; it's new that someone thinks that I'm wonderful as well. I guess I just think it's strange," Kyo said. Tohru watched him organize the shelves, smiling faintly.

"People must not have been paying attention if they only think that Yuki-kun is wonderful," she said quietly. Kyo looked over at her.

"No. People just judge by appearances and that's the end of it. Tell me, when you first met me, did you instantly want to be friends with me?" he asked. Tohru's smile brightened as she nodded.

"Yes," Kyo faced her.

"You're lying," he said accusingly. Tohru shook her head and rested her hand against Kyo's cheek.

"I could tell you needed a friend Kyo. You acted tough but I could tell by your eyes that you needed a friend. Someone to share your worries with and someone you could just laugh with. I want to be that person for you Kyo, I want that more then anything in the world," Kyo gripped her hand and lowered it.

"I don't think I need a friend Tohru, I think I'm fine on my own," Tohru's eyes widened then they turned sad.

"I understand. Well, we better get back to work," and she turned her back to him.

"Kyo!" Kyo, who was walking back home, turned around and saw Yuki. His eyes narrowed, suspiciously.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Just to ask you a few questions," Kyo continued to look at him suspiciously.

"All right. But I have the choice to answer them or not ok?" Yuki nodded.

"Ok. First, do you know anything about what Akito is planning?" Kyo looked guiltily away. "Something tells me you do. What is it Kyo? Tell me!" Kyo continued to avoid his gaze.

"All I know is that it has something to do with me. Akito wants me to do something but I don't know what, that's all I know,"

"I bet it has something to do with Tohru. Kyo, listen to me, whatever you do, you can't do what Akito wants you to do!"

"Do you think you need to tell me that?" Kyo snapped, his eyes flashing.

"Well, you never seem to use your brain, even when you really need to," Kyo hissed.

"You damn rat! I swear I'll make you swallow those words!" Yuki laughed.

"That'll be the day," the two stood their, glaring at each other until Kyo slowly calmed down.

"Why do you care about Tohru so much anyways?" he asked. Yuki shrugged.

"I don't know. I guess because she was the first person to like me for me. And why do you like her so much?" Kyo blushed.

"I DO NOT LIKE HER!"

"Fine, so that means I can have her,"

"NO WAY IN HELL WILL I LET YOU HAVE HER!"

"So you like her then," Kyo bit his lip but said nothing. "You told me that she wanted to be friends, what did you say back to her?"

"I said that I don't need friends," Yuki looked at him.

"Oh really? Then you are a bigger idiot then I thought,"

"WHY WOULD THAT MAKE ME AN IDIOT?"

"You are human aren't you? Humans need humans, it's just nature. No matter how hard you try to act like you don't need anyone, you truly you do and that is what makes you an idiot," Kyo glared at him then relaxed and looked away. "I have to go now see you later," and Yuki began walking away but stopped. "One more thing, if anything happens to Tohru, I will never forgive you," and he vanished into the crowd.

"Your later then usual, Kyo-kun," Kazuma said as Kyo slid out of his shoes and walked into the dojo.

"Sorry, I ran into Yuki," he answered.

"Ah. And what did Yuki have to say?"

"He just wanted to see what I knew about what Akito was planning," they stood their in silence, Kazuma watching Kyo, waiting him to finish his thoughts. "Hey Kazuma?" Kazuma smiled.

"Yes Kyo?"

"Do you think that humans need to be around other humans?" Kazuma nodded.

"Yes. We can't survive without each other. We were born craving for human companions, even the people who say they hate other humans, still crave to have human friends it's just nature. Why do you ask?" Kyo looked away, wondering if he should tell Kazuma the truth.

"Tohru told me she wanted nothing more in the world then being my friend,"

"And what did you say," Kyo's eyes filled with shame.

"I told her I didn't need friends. I think I hurt her, you should have seen the look on her face, but she continued to smile like nothing was wrong," Kazuma smiled faintly and knelt beside Kyo.

"Tohru-san is truly an amazing person, I believe that it would help you if you became friends with her, why can't you try it?"

"I'm just not used to people wanting to be around me. I feel so happy but at the same time, I feel like I'm being suffocated but I don't know which feeling is stronger," Kazuma rested his hand on Kyo's shoulder.

"Just give it some time, Kyo. I am sure that the answer will come to you soon," Kyo smiled faintly at him.

"Arigato, Shishou,"

And that is the end of this chapter. I have decided to stop stalling and jump right into the main plot. This way, it won't take me as long to write the chapters. Thank you all for being so patient with me and I want to apologias, again, for taking so long.

UBN