Gomen Nesai! I've been missing for sooooo long on this story, but I totally wrote myself into a corner TT anyhow…back now. Don't know how long it will be before I can update. Oh, and if any of my beloved fans are going to be at Tekkoshocon this weekend (March 31-April 2) I'll be there dressed as Gracia Hughes! Find me if you can XP And anyone just starting this story, make sure you read "And Now I Cannot Touch You" first, or this will make no sense at all…Also, a final note, this story contains MAJOR oocness, I know…so don't tell me that it does.

Disclaimer: If you think I own FB, you're nuts, lol. I do own a Shii-chan plushie though! cuddles it

Chapter 3: Remember When…

Crimson eyes scanned the darkness outside. It had been three nights since Kagura had come to visit…and the cat was beginning to wonder if it had all been a dream. She had looked good…more beautiful even than he had remembered. But she still wasn't herself, not the same her with that spitfire personality he remembered. Then again, he couldn't really have expected her to return to her old self so easily…not after what had happened. He still shuddered in rage at the thought. Haru hadn't been thinking right at the time, Kyou knew that…but the outrage still coursed through him; Outrage more so at Akito than the cow himself. Over the years this anger had simmered down to mere bitterness, but seeing Kagura as she was now…it refueled his anger. There was a rustle from the bushes once more, and Kyou instantly perked up as he strained to see the shrubberies that were just out of his view.

"Kagura?" He ventured in a hopeful tone. He hadn't had visitors today, and the boar would be a sight for sore eyes.

"Yes, Kyou." Came the soft reply as the grey eyed girl stepped from the cover of the hedges she'd been hiding in. She couldn't stay away, she knew as much. She still loved him deeply, but she was frightened to admit it even to herself. Despite what her councilor had said to her all these years, she still found herself feeling dirty…and unworthy, "Tohru…called and said you wanted me to come…and that she couldn't get here this evening."

Kyou smiled, and made a mental note that he would have to remember to thank Tohru when he saw her again. He turned to see Kagura searching through a tattered old bag, shaped like an orange cat, "You still carry that thing around?"

"Only sometimes," She replied, "But I had something to bring for you today, so I needed the room to carry it."

"Ah, I see." The cat gave an understanding nod, "What'd you bring?"

"Some food…I made it myself." With a small smile she continued, "I actually bothered to cook today."

The orange haired boy winced slightly, he remembered her cooking skills. This was the girl who actually managed to burn tea…

"What?" Kagura asked, a tiny spark to her voice as she saw his reaction, "My cooking isn't good enough for you?"

With a blink, Kyou took the food she had offered him, "You know you never could cook." He replied.

The boar chucked a set of chopsticks at him, barely missing the boy in the cage, "I won't bring anything next time then!"

Catching the chopsticks that had been thrown his was the young man pried the lid off the container he held. It actually smelled decent, and didn't look burnt. He ventured a taste. "Hey…this isn't bad. Not good, exactly, but better than when we were young."

Kagura blinked at him, then gave a small smile, "See, I got better."

In the old days she would have tacked on a sentiment about learning to cook just for him, but this time she didn't. Kyou continued to eat the meal, which really was considerably better than when they had been young. He was glad to see she had started getting some of her spunk back, even if she hadn't shown much of it.

Kagura had reached back into the bag, and pulled out a lump of red. The cat quirked a brow at this mysterious blob, "What's that?"

"A sweater." The boar replied, unfolding it to reveal a beautifully knit red sweater. She had always been better at handy-crafts than at cooking, or doing laundry. "Winters coming soon…I thought you might get cold."

As she held out the creation he exchanged his empty bowl for it, "Thanks…"

His tone was a little bewildered, and as he gazed upon the gorgeous sweater he couldn't help but have an image of the old Kagura float to the surface of his mind.

"Kyou! Love! I made you a sweater! Each stitch is full of my love for you! This way my love can always keep you warm! Try it on!" The boar would have shouted, chasing him down.

Kyou of course you have run, resisting until she tackled him to the ground, forcing the sweater over his head.

"See Kyou!" She would have squealed, "Its red to match you're lovely eyes!"

His thoughts were interrupted by Kagura's voice. The boar was sticking the bowl back into the cat bag as she spoke, her grey eyes focused on the task rather than the caged cat, "It's red…I thought it would look nice on you…because it matches your eyes."

"Yeah…thanks." Kyou responded awkwardly, not sure of what else to say.

"Well…I, I'd better get going." The chestnut haired girl said softly. "Bye, Kyou."

"Bye…" The cat replied, giving her a small smile.

Viola. Another chapter…finally! Hope you liked it and I'll try to post again…eventually, lol.