WORSHIP

Akito stood in the study, looking out the window. It had gotten awfully dark.

Tohru had given her bed to the driver, and Shigure had offered his bed to Akito. Everyone seemed to be asleep.

"Akito," Tohru's voice floated in from the doorway.

His eyes went wide. "Yes?" He dared not to turn around and look at her. Even if it was dark, her radiance would still shine through. Akito wasn't dumb.

"Wouldn't it be best if you got some rest? I mean…" She trailed off, not wanting to upset him with her worrying.

Akito smiled softly. She was worried about him! "I guess…" He turned around to face her now. He nearly ran into her. She had been closer than he had thought. He felt her hand briefly brush against his shoulder.

And her eyes… What incredible eyes… His heart longed to stay in that moment forever, but she quickly drew back from him apologizing for invading his space, blushing.

Wait. Why was she blushing?

He could take it anymore. "I'm sorry." He said, and her eyes immediately came up to meet his.

"For this," his finger trailed down her hair. "I didn't know you then. I should've never…"

"Oh," Tohru remembered the incident now. "It's okay, it didn't hurt… much…" She giggled softly. He smiled. She could make anyone smile, couldn't she? "I should be the one apologizing. I should've told you that the ground gets like this when it rains."

Suddenly both of them realized that Akito's hand was still stroking a strand of her hair. Tohru looked up at him, slightly afraid. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to apologize again." Akito smiled seductively.

"For what?" Tohru's voice shook.

"For taking liberties with you," Akito stepped closer.

"But you haven't…" Tohru was frozen as he crowded her space.

"But I'm about to."

Akito brought his lips down to just above hers, letting his breath feather across them first. So they would be warm and moist to the touch. Finally he let their lips meet. It wasn't hot, sexy, or passionate. It was peace.

He suddenly felt a firm hand slide up his chest to his shoulder. He broke the kiss, and looked down at her. Her face was rosy, and all she could say was: "You don't have to apologize. It was totally my fault."

They went into the dinning room, and talked for the rest of the night.

TALKED! Akito never really had anyone to talk to, especially someone who listened and understood as well as Tohru did. When Shigure got up around five thirty, they were still talking over a cup of coffee.

Before he disturbed them, Shigure went back up to his room. "Kyou is not going to like this…" He whispered to himself.