a/n: yes my deary's its and update! i remember way back when i said i was going to try and wrap this up... well i think now it's true... possibly another 2 or 3 chapters i see... but hey, i could be wrong... review me and tell me wat ya think, will ya?

disclaimer: it's the final countdown... the final countdown...

Chapter 13: Starlight

The week was lost to Kyo as he tried to figure out someway to turn his feelings into words that Kagura might actually have a chance of understanding. Time and time again he became frustrated with his lack of words to tell her, that he'd actually taken out on her a few times, unintentionally. Then had come the usual arguments with the drama and of course, her tears.

He sighed deeply and stared up at the sky from his position on the roof. He knew he would have to tell her soon. The stars twinkled above him, giving him hope.

"Psst," a voice called up at him. Startled, he looked down. It was Kagura.

He gulped. "H-hi."

"Hey. Got room up there for me?"

"Uh, yeah, sure," he stuttered. "I mean, I guess I do."

She giggled. "Silly, the roof is huge… I'll be up in a minute."

He let out a deep breath as she disappeared into the house. He took a moment to ponder how she got in before it became clear; Shigure had forgotten to lock the door again. He shook his head and laid on his back. She would be up here any second now… He closed his eyes and ran through a list of scenarios he'd dreamt up about telling her. He slowly opened his eyes and was greeted with the sight of her eyes meeting his. He jumped up, holding his heart.

"Jesus! Don't do that!" he entreated.

"Oh… Sorry, then," she apologized, plopping down next to him.

He slowly found his gaze drifting from the sky above him, to the girl beside him. Blushing, he tried to tear his eyes away, but found himself unable to do so. She seemed oblivious to his eyes as she concentrated on the stars. Her breath caught.

"It's so beautiful, isn't it?"

"Mmm hmm," he replied absently, pulling his head up towards the sky once more.

She turned her eyes on him once more. "Kyo?"

"What?"

"Aishiteru," she said dreamily, dropping her head to his shoulder.

He felt his throat get dry all of a sudden.

'Now.'

"I… I…"

"Shhhh," she whispered, anticipating his rejection. "Don't talk. Please, just… just stay here with me."

He nodded slowly and wrapped his arm around her. There would be other times. For now he would just soak up the moment.

---------------

Kyo sighed and closed his eyes as he listened to Kagura chatter next to him on their way back from the dojo. He wasn't actually listening, but the sound of her voice was somewhat soothing to him… With a slight shake of his head, he wondered just when he actually fell for her. It wasn't totally clear. He felt a small tug at his sleeve. He cracked open and eye and looked at her.

"Kyo, you're not listening, are you?" He shook his head briefly, smiling slowly. She pouted.

"Sorry, I was zoning," he apologized. Her eyes widened.

"Did you just… say you were sorry?"

"Yeah," he answered, feeling a little awkward. Sure it wasn't the first time he'd ever apologized to her, but… usually he'd never do such a thing over something like this.

She giggled a little over the whole thing before saying, "Well, I was asking if you wanted to go out tomorrow night?"

Startled he nodded almost automatically. "I'd like that."

"Anywhere special?"

"Nah, but I have an idea. I'll pick you up, okay?"

She nodded happily and tangled her fingers with his. "Sounds like a plan."

It would be perfect. He could tell her and get it off his chest, even if the date was going to be completely ridiculous…

'I'll tell her then,' he resolved.

'About time.'

'Shut up,' he retorted.

Vaguely aware that he was arguing with himself, he blinked and stopped, choosing instead to start up a conversation with her once more. Come Saturday night, they would be a happy couple…