A few days later, a taxi pulled up in front of Sohma house. Kaiba and Mei got out their things and took in the sight before them.
"It feels like forever since I've been here... good old Sohma house... or Shigure Sohma house... I actually don't even live here... I live at the Main House... but I like it here better, and am over here so much that Gure-nii just gave me a room."
"Wait... Sohma... you're a Sohma!"
"Yes. I figured you knew."
"No I didn't know!" Kaiba said, paying the taxi driver
"Oh... well I told you Shigure was my nii-san, I figured you'd just make the connection."
"I thought you meant like he was a family friend."
"Nope. He's my cousin/nii-san."
Kaiba rolled his eyes, but none the less smiled at his pretty blonde... girlfriend?
Kyo clenched his fists angrily. He couldn't believe Mei brought someone. He wanted so badly to tell her how he felt, but he couldn't. Mei was apparently seeing someone. Or had just met someone and slept with them, which given Mei was the most likely circumstance.
"I guess I have my answer." Kyo muttered "It's just not meant to--."
There was a knock on the door.
"Kyo-kun? Can I come in?"
It was Mei.
"Yes."
The door slid open, Mei entered, long hair falling slightly amuck, crystal blue eyes shining. Her low rise jeans and small tee shirt showed her tiny stomach. Kyo wanted so badly to just take her in his arms, but of course, didn't.
"I missed you." She said, sitting on the floor, indian style
Kyo sat in front of her.
"I missed you too."
"I"m sorry about the fight we had before I left."
"It's alright."
Mei smiled.
"That's what I like about us Kyonkichi."
"I told you! Don't call me Kyonkichi!"
Mei grinned.
"I know. I just love how red your face gets. It's really cute."
Cute?
"Anyways, what I like about us... is that, no matter how much we fight, no matter how much we swear and say we hate each other... a little while later, all is forgiven."
Mei smiled again, lowering her head. Her hair fell in her face.
"It's like my safety blanket." She said, blushing
Kyo brought his hand to her face, brushing back her hair and tucking it behind her ear.
"Mei... I thought you should know... I realized that I'm..."
"Oh , did you meet Seto?"
"Yeah." Kyo said, lying "Seems nice."
"He is. He and Yuki seem to be hitting it off rather nicely."
Downstairs Kaiba and Yuki sat, drinking tea with Shigure, who was reading. Yuki and Kaiba sat in silence, staring at each other and drinking tea, as if having their own private conversation.
Shigure so freaked out that he stood and left the room.
"Weird." He muttered
"Oh, did you want to tell me something?" Mei asked, looking at Kyo
"No... never mind..."
Mei smiled softly.
"You sure?"
"I can't remember what it was." Kyo said
Mei touched his cheek.
"Well, it's late... good night Kyo-kun, see you in the morning."
That morning, Kyo woke early. He wasn't sure why, but he just couldn't sleep. He got out of bed and walked over to Mei's room. He carefully cracked the door and peered in.
Mei was asleep in Seto's arms, well actually, on top of Seto, in his arms. Her hair was tossled, but she slept peacefully, almost happily.
Kyo sighed and closed the door.
Mei stirred and woke up.
"Kyo-kun?"
But nonetheless, she went back to sleep.
Kaiba had been there for three days now, and was really enjoying himself. Everyone was taking a liking to him, and Mei was happy about that.
What she wasn't happy about was Kyo.
"Kyo-kun..." She muttered "What's going on with you?"
He had been so secretive lately. So quiet with her and she didn't understand why. Not that they were always the best of friends, but Mei felt like she could always talk with Kyo, and he with her.
She found him standing at the entrance to the woods, staring at nothing.
"Kyo?"
He looked at her for a moment, then turned away.
"Hey." She said "I've been looking for you."
"Well here I am."
"Kyo... are you mad at me?"
Kyo turned to her, slightly shocked.
"Why--."
"It's just that... you haven't been talking to me very much lately... and it's starting to worry me."
"I'm sorry." He said simply "It's just that..."
"Just what?"
Kyo swallowed.
"I've been meaning to tell you something... but with your boyfriend..."
Mei laughed.
"Kyonkichi, Seto isn't my boyfriend."
"He's not?'
"No. He's just a friend... with benefits granted. But we talked, and we both decided we like it that way. We're not dating... but we're just... friends. He's going home tonight anyways... actually, his taxi should be here by now... I'll be right back."
Mei hurried away. Kyo took in what she said.
"Not her boyfriend..." He muttered "Weird."
Mei returned shortly.
"Seto's gone... what were you saying?"
"That I wanted to tell you... that I... I l--." He sighed, running his finger through his hair
Mei sat on the ground, indain style and looked up at him, expectantly. Kyo sat too.
"Kyo, whatever it is. Just say it. There's no one here but us.. and you can tell me anything. You know that."
Kyo nodded.
"I wanted to tell you that I realized... that I... I love you."
Mei smiled sweetly.
"I love you too Kyo-kun." She said, ruffling his hair
"No. Mei... I mean, I love you... as in I'm in love with you."
Mei's smile faded quickly, and was replaced with a confused look.
"Huh?" She asked
"I'm in love with you."
"Wha--."
"Mei, I know we fight a lot and everything, but... I realized how much I really care about you. And I understand if you don't feel the same way about me... but... I love you Mei Sohma.. so so much."
Mei's face was blank. Kyo stared at her, worried.
"Mei..."
But suddenly, Mei's lips were on his, her arms wrapped around him.
"I love you too, Kyon-Kyon."
"STOP IT!"
Mei giggled.
The water in the pool was cool around Kyo and Mei. Mei shifted in Kyo's lap, holding onto him tighter as the gentle current rocked Kyo ever so slightly.
"I'm cold." She murmered
"Oh? Do you want to get out?"
Mei shook her head.
"No. I like it here. But I'm cold."
"Do you want to swim? It'll warm you up."
"No, I'm good here." She said, burrying her head deeper in his shoulder
"You know, you remind me of a six year old."
"Well Kyo, that'd make you a petafile wouldn't it?"
"Dammit Mei! I'm just saying that you act like a little kid sometimes."
"Yeah, but it's cute though."
Kyo had to agree, it was rather cute. Mei shifted in his lap.
"Stop wiggling around."
"You know you like it." Mei teased
"Yeah, but here isn't the place for that."
Mei frowned, but none the less stopped shifting. Kyo wrapped his arms tighter around Mei.
"I love you Kyo-kun."
"I love you too Mei-Chan."
Tohru smiled at them from the opposite end of the school pool.
"It's nice seeing them together isn't it?" She said to Yuki
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because that damn cat doesn't deserve someone like Mei."
"Oh."
"Kyo?"
"Hmm?"
Mei kissed Kyo's slightly damp neck.
"I love you."
"You already said that. Now, what do you want?"
"Can we get some ice cream later?"
Kyo nodded.
"Sure."
Mei smiled.
"You sure do know how to treat a girl Kyo." Mei said, facing him and kissing him softly
"God, they're so cute it makes you want to hurl don't it?" Uo said
"My thoughts exactly." Said Yuki "Minus the cute part."
"Don't tell me you like Mei." Uo said
"No. Not like that anyways... but I'm fond of her."
Kyo returned the kiss, his hands slowly reaching for the string to Mei's bikini top.
"Hey Kyo!" Uo shouted "Don't forget you're in a public place and there are others present."
Kyo reluctantly pulled away from Mei's lips and smiled at her.
"Later." She murmered, "Let's go over there, engage in conversation and all that.." She said, sliding behind Kyo and onto his back. He rolled his eyes, but none the less carried her over to the others.
"Hey Mei!" Tohru said, smiling
Mei smiled back.
"Hey Tohru... how've you been."
"Fine, and you?"
"Peachy." Mei mumbled
Kyo looked back at her.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, why do you ask?
"Because you only say peachy when somethings wrong."
"I do not."
"You do to."
Mei rolled her eyes.
"Kyo, I'm fine. Trust me."
"Trust you? Last time I did that I was hog-tied..."
Mei cleared her throat.
"Never mind."
"But I'm fine... and rather hungry." She said "Let's go get something to eat."
"So Mei." Uo said "You don't go to our school right?"
Mei shook her head.
"Nope."
"I don't know much about you..." Uo continued "You live at the Sohma main house?"
Mei nodded.
"Technically, but I'm over Shigure's house so much that you might as well say I live there."
"What about your parents?"
Mei's eyes fell.
"My parents..."
Kyo sensed her awkwardness.
"You know, I'm sick of this place." Kyo said "I'm full anyways... why don't we just go get some ice cream?"
Later that night, Mei knocked on Kyo's door. He opened it.
"Mei." He said "Come to say good night?"
Mei nodded.
"Yes. And to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"I think we should see Akito."
Kyo's eyes widened.
"I think we should... or I should tell him."
"Mei... why?"
"Because... I think as the head of the family he deserves to know."
Mei kissed him.
"Regardless of what he says, or does... it's not going to change anything between us, I promise."
Kyo reluctantly nodded.
"We'll go tomorrow. Good night."