A/N-Thanks for reviews. Now for the moment everyone's been waiting for…drum roll…um…sorry don't own drum set so guess that idea is gone. Newayz reviews are always nice, so press that button and respond!
Chapter 10
Coughing Akito makes his way towards Hatori's home and lets himself inside saying, "Tell me, who's been sneaking around my rooms?" Shigure looks at Aya in surprise and the snake shrugs responding, his usual vibrant voice hushed, "We didn't know anyone was." Hatori glances at Kyo and Haru when they enter and motions for them to stay quiet. Angrily the Head scrutinizes the ox and demands, "Was it you? No, you're to stupid not to be caught." He glares at the rat when he steps up behind Kyo and gently rests a hand on the cat's shoulder. "It wasn't Haru, I was in your rooms. I wanted to remember why I was so afraid of you before I did something stupid," Yuki says and he lowers his head in obedience when Akito's black eyes narrow with sadistic delight. "Like what, precious rat? Confess that you and that girl are dating? I already knew, but she really isn't your type, now is she? Do you have a secret you wish to spill, Yuki?"
Paling Yuki's eyes dart around for an exit and he says, "I don't have a secret I'm hiding." His violet orbs widen fearfully when Akito stalks towards him. "Why are you using that wench? I'm sure we'd all love to hear the truth," the man says ignoring Shigure's voice that asks him to calm down and he huddles in the corner trying to protect himself from the clan head. "Stand up, rat! You're no better than that monster everyone's fooled by," Akito snarls and sadly Kyo interrupts, "Don't listen to him, Yuki." His heart flutters at hearing his name whispered by the neko.
Beautiful violet orbs gaze up at him trustingly and he sighs saying, "The bet's off, Akito. I can't do it." He walks away with his shoulders slouched in defeat as his normally bright eyes dull. "Get back here, you can't call the bet off! Only I can, I am god and you must obey me," Akito yells before falling into another coughing fit and if the moment wasn't so sobering he probably would have found some humor in it, however all he can do is admit, "I can't beat him, I've tried countless times. I'm not stupid, I know when to just give up and enjoy the little bit of freedom I have left." The slap leaves his check tingling, but he stares past Akito to the endless sky saying, "I'm sorry that you hate me." He slips away ignoring the Head's hollow threats.
"Kyo?" Strange to hear the teen's name flow so freely from his lips and he sits down beside the untamed wildfire known as the cat. The bench's cold stone chills his body but he refuses to move away from the neko. "What do you want," the brash voice demands and his heart hammers in his chest as he bites his lower lip nervously just to stop himself from tasting the teen's fire. "Why do you hate me," he finally asks, his tone soft and curious like that of a child's, and those piercing crimsons burn into him with wonderment. "I suppose for the same reason you hate me. You're the rat, and I'm the cat. If we weren't, then I doubt I'd hate you that is if I even hate you now," the neko confesses.
The sunlight plays beautifully on his orange hair casting a golden glow around the boy and he slightly frowns as the gorgeous boy known as Prince Yuki leans his head against the neko's shoulder. He quietly approaches the teens, keeping to the shadows, and listens to their conversation. "I don't have a chance with you, do I," Yuki says raising a slender hand to caress the neko's tanned flesh and Kyo mummers, "I couldn't do that to Haru. I love him too much. I'm sorry; Yuki, but I don't love you. Perhaps we can be friends, but that is only if you don't sabotage my and Haru's relationship." He smiles relaxing as he revels in the comfort of Kyo's loyalty. The violet-eyed boy looks at his neko in understanding and asks, "What bet was he talking about?"
His own general curiosity caused him to ask the question that had been burning his mind for the last few minutes. "We made a bet that if I could beat you then I'd be free of the cage," Kyo admits running his hand through his wild hair and he gently kisses the neko finally caving in to the urge to taste him again before walking away. "Kyo, I'm sorry that I can't just be friends. I'm sorry that I'm the cause of your troubles," he says gazing at him wistfully and he watches the neko hesitantly touch his lips. "Haru, you can come out now," he calls then glances at the ox when he emerges from the bush and he bows his head unable to stand Haru's calm gaze.
Possessively he pulls Kyo against his chest and he breathes in the neko's spicy scent as the cat nuzzles against his neck. "That was odd," he says as Kyo pulls away to gaze up at him and the neko replies, "This whole day has been weird, but I owe you so we're going out for breakfast rather than chancing Hatori's cooking skills." Tilting his head to the side, he hugs Kyo tightly and inquires, "What do you owe me for?" Sighing the neko tugs him towards the exit and casually says, "Letting me handle this on my own." Slipping his arms around Kyo's shoulders, Haru turns him towards Hatori's and says, "We need our coats and wallets. Anyways, Hari gets mad if I don't tell someone where I am going."
He tunes out Ayame's and Shigure's aimless chatter and sighs irritably glancing at the neko when he's tugged inside by the ox. "Hari, do you want to come with us to breakfast," Kyo asks shrugging into his tan coat and Haru slips into his own trench coat while Hatori grabs his keys from the table. "Pancakes good with you," the neko asks counting his cash and he starts the car with a curt nod. "Should we invite Momiji," he asks and the fury that flashes in Kyo's eyes as the neko goes into an angry tangent amuses him. "I was just making a suggestion. He's with his father today, though. Nice to know you're still the same Kyo."
Sadly he rests his palm against the window and watches them drive away. "I have to get you, Kyo. You don't understand how much I love you. You deserve better than Haru," he whispers convincing himself that the ox is really that stupid and he passively wonders when his feelings had changed. He wraps a scarf around his neck and buttons his coat securely around his body. Sighing he heads outside in search of the perfect spot for a romantic picnic. He sits down in the lonely, crystal wonderland as tears threaten to leak from his eyes. "Why the hell do I love him? Is this some way to punish me for being the rat? Haven't I suffered enough?" Furiously he wipes at the moist droplets that betray him and he climbs to his feet knowing that he had to go back to pretending to be the perfect Prince.
"Do you mourn for the monster?" Immediately the rat tenses and turns around to face him. "Does that filth cause your heart to beat faster? Tell me, precious rat, what does love feel like? I'd like to believe that my family understands that I love them and only wish to protect them, but they turn around telling me that I don't know what love is." He gazes into fearful violets and laughs sinisterly before saying, "What? Is little Yuki afraid? Would you do anything to get the disgusting neko? I can help you. I can train that vile creature to be your slave, however you'll have to be mine. We both win."
Leaning over Kyo's lean body, Haru grabs the salt and smirks when Kyo squirms beneath his weight. Hatori roll his eyes and cuts his ham before saying, "We still have the matter to discuss of your rash decision to sell yourself." Scarlet eyes glare at him then he pokes at his breakfast and says, "Hatori, I'll deal with that on my own. I just want Haru to be safe." He glances down when Haru's hand sneaks it's way onto his thigh and he glares at the ox but doesn't remove the limb.