Chapter 2

Kyo, let me out! There's something I forgot to show you! Nanori scratched and kicked at the bag until Kyo was forced to let her out so he wouldn't have permanent injury to his back. "It better be important, Nanori! If it isn't…." Kyo trailed off. "I wanted to show you something! It's really cool! Watch this," Nanori said excitedly, instantly changing back into a human. She concentrated, and poof! Kyo saw the ears first. But it was the tail that probably made him go over the edge. "What the hell are you doing! Somebody's gonna see you! You get taken to a lab or something, you idiot!" Kyo screamed, shaking with rage. Standing in front of him was Nanori. Or, Nanori with cat ears and a tail. She wore a school uniform, and looked like she had just stepped out of an anime poster. "Aw, you don't like it? I worked hard to figure this out. Oh, well. Look, I can even move the tail now!" she said, tickling him on the nose with her tail before she transformed back. "Can I eat dinner at your house tonight, Kyo? I'm too tired to hunt," Nanori said. "No, damn it! You can't just barge in like that! Besides, it's your fault for being so annoying today at school!" Kyo fumed, his face set in a scowl. "Ok, Kyo," Nanori agreed. She turned into a cat for no apparent reason and ran to catch up with him. What'd you turn into a cat for, moron? Kyo asked angrily. I think better this way. Besides, I have a question to ask you and I don't want anyone to overhear. Nanori answered, and looked away. What is it this time? Kyo asked, to weary to be very angry. Do…do you hate me, Kyo? I understand if you do. I'll leave if you want, and you'll never see me again. Her voice shook a little at the end, but she refused to cry. I don't want you to hate me, but after what I did, most people would. And it seems like I always do the one thing that will make you the most angry at me. So, I'm sorry for everything. If you want me to leave, please tell me now. She waited a few minutes, expecting an answer, but none came. She turned around, but Kyo wasn't there. Oh, I see. He does hate me. She started to cry. Why does it hurt so much? I've only known him for two days. She started to run.

While Nanori talked, Kyo's face softened. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but something held him back. He started to answer, but at that moment, a girl had run into him and he had transformed. While she was blinded by the smoke, he had run into some nearby bushes. (He was lucky he made it that far. His head was still swimming after the transformation.) So he had to watch while Nanori waited for him to answer. He saw her eyes fill with tears, and he heard her last question. When she ran, he waited a few minutes, and poked his head out of the bushes. The girl who ran into him was still there, looking very puzzled. He didn't think she'd notice him as a cat, so he ran out after Nanori.

He followed her trail as best he could, but he didn't think he would be able to follow it for very long. For one thing, cats weren't exactly known for their tracking skills, and for another, he would turn human soon. And he'd be naked. Still he kept on, shouting her name through the forest. He lost her trail in the middle of a clearing. He kept on in the same direction, hoping she had just changed forms again. He also hoped he would stay a cat for a while. That was kinda weird, because he had never wanted that. Usually being a cat was a nuisance. Now it was actually helpful.

Nanori sat in her tree, still a cat. Her tears had stopped flowing, but the pain was still there. She was just was just about to turn into a chipmunk and go to sleep when she heard Kyo's voice. It was faint, but she could hear it. She turned into a flying squirrel and glided down to the ground. Unfortunately, around that time, Kyo had turned back into a human. Nanori glided right into his face. Um, hi, Kyo. She removed herself as gently as she could. I'm sooo sorry. I couldn't stop. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You probably hate me even more now. She jumped off his face and landed on the ground as a cat. Oh. You'll probably want some clothes, huh? She concentrated and gave him some of the clothes she had seen while she was waiting for him in his room. Thanks. And I don't hate you. I just get mad sometimes. I even get mad at Tohru, and I lo-I mean she's one of my best friends. You're probably one of the best friends I've ever had, right up there with Shishou and Tohru. You and Tohru are the only people outside of the family who know about the Cat's Evil Spirit. And Shishou, you, and Tohru are the only ones who accept me in spite of it. He had been blushing since he first mentioned Tohru, and now his whole face was bright red. Nanori smiled and turned back human. She was so overjoyed that she hugged him, a flying hug that left them both on the ground. Kyo shut his eyes and waited for the curse to take effect. It didn't. "Hey. You're not a cat. What happened? Is the curse broken?" Nanori asked, overjoyed for him. "No, I can still feel it in the back of my mind. It's still there. Maybe I can hug you without transforming because you transform too," Kyo answered cautiously. "Er, you want to try it again? Just in case, I mean," Nanori asked. "O-okay. Let go and we'll try it," Kyo answered, blushing again. They separated and tentatively hugged again. Still, nothing happened. Nanori smiled brightly and hugged him tighter. She looked up into his face, and a strange feeling rose up in her heart. She wanted to be with him forever. She was so happy, and she felt she could and would do anything for him. She leaned forward and captured his lips with hers. Kyo was shocked at first. "Why is she kissing me? What's happening? What is this feeling?" he wondered, the thoughts flying rapidly in his mind. He closed his eyes and responded to the kiss. He sucked on her bottom lip, asking for entrance. She obliged him, and he deepened the kiss. They stopped only to come up for air, both of them panting slightly. "That was… reeeeeeaaaallllly nice. Excellent actually," Nanori said, looking slightly dazed. She giggled. "You know, that was my first kiss. Awesome! It's about time," she said, breaking into peals of laughter. "I'm glad you liked it. It was kinda fun," Kyo said, smiling faintly. "Let's do it again," Nanori said, a strange glint in her eyes.

A few hours later, they walked back to the Sohma house hand in hand. When they were almost there, Nanori kissed him again and morphed into a sparrow. She chirped a goodbye and flew away. Kyo raised his arm and waved goodbye. He walked into the house and received a few suspicious stares from Shigure and Yuki. Tohru just smiled happily and welcomed him home. Oddly enough, her smile didn't have the same effect on him it usually did. He didn't stop to ponder it. He asked for his dinner and went up to his room.

Sorry this chapter's kinda short. I'm kinda having a little writer's block. Perhaps you can help. I'll give you credit for your ideas, so please review! (when you review, makes me

feel like I have friends -)