A/N: Before the story continues, I would like to give a BIG thank you to Melting Snowflake

Elda Aranel,

tinkerflyinbell1210

Emerald Mistress,

x.ectasy.x,

rbzodiac612

Shien!
It was the words from these lovely readers that sparked such a quick update. I promise to get my others updated as well, but work is a pain in the... you-know-what.

WARNING: There's hints of masturbation in the future chapter. This story is rated so because of scenes like that. Feel you can't handle it, read no further. You've been warned.

Traveling by bus is never a fun experience. Not only are you cramped with mutiple people, be it of the same sex or otherwise, you must also deal with the fact you'll be travelling for numerous miles without breaks for food and other nessecaties. Kyo Sohma was quickly realizing the downfall of touring on buses as he stood outside the one bathroom in that bus. His right hand rested under his shirt, gently scratching the flesh found beneath it while his left rose to his mouth to cover the yawn escaping his throat.

Siho had locked himself within the tiny cubicle for the past thirty minutes, and only God knew what the drummer had found to keep him occupied for that long of a timespan. The red eyes of the lead singer were watered over, having only caught an hour of sleep here and there. Risa was still on his brain but the urge to break down the door keeping him from emptying him bowels was far more important than a mysterious girl.

A growl escaped his throat, the boy becoming more impatient as he stood outside the door. Balling his slender fingers into a fist he banged upon the door and suprisingly enough it opened to reveal Siho in a most compromising position. The magazine with Risa on it was in one hand while the other was tending to... his "needs". Kyo found himself staring in horror as crimson swept over the cheeks of both the men, causing the orange-haired male to slam the door with a hurried, "Sorry".

Yet for some reason, Kyo found himself boiling with rage as the scene replayed itself within the mind of the Sohma... It wasn't the fact he stood outside the door while his bandmate released his... "tension", but more the fact the person who starred in Siho's little fantasy. Just knowing that Risa was used to help Siho finish his "buisness" pushed Kyo close to the edge and the more he visioned Siho in that little cubicle the tighter he clenched his hands.

As soon as he realized what he was doing he kicked the couch, still barefoot but that didn't matter. The pain coursing through his leg didn't matter. All that mattered was the thoughts running through his head involving that Risa girl. Who the hell is she? And why do I care if Siho is jacking off to a picture of her? What the hell is my problem?

As the troubled rock-star tried to sort out the thoughts filling his mind, Tohru awoke from a restless night of on-and-off sleeping. Often she awoke in a cold sweat, short, belated breathes falling repeatedly from her lips as she attempted to gain control over her body. It was morning now, even where she was and it wouldn't be much longer until the Cursed bus would be pulling up alongside her own tour bus.

Dragging her tired self from the bed she swore had extra gravity pull, she move begrudgingly towards the kitchen to locate some food. The worst thing about being on these buses has got to be the lack of food, thought Tohru as she rummaged through empty cabinets, tossing empty cereal boxes to the waste dispenser. Padding back towards her room while her tummy rumbled, she began unbuttoning the buttons to the top of her sushi pajamas. Oddly enough the tops didn't match the baggy bottoms which were christmas attire, little elves with presents and christmas tree's covered them, seems the popstar didn't give much thought to her sleeping clothes. Her brown hair was a mess, moreso than it was the night before as she didn't bother to brush the bird's nest. Thankfully, no one would see it as she had minutes to attatch the curly blonde wig and go greet her tourmates.

Within moments she was prepared to go out, smile plastered on, but she couldn't ignore the thumping of her heart as she heard the voices outside her windows. One in paticular stopped her heart, slowed her breathing, caused peals of sweat to dampen her forehead yet excited her... Here we go. I hope he doesn't regonize me! And who would dare recgonize Tohru Honda as Risa? Tohru would never wear those tight, white jeans that Risa currently had on. Or that top that revealed her midriff when she walked. Not to mention that hair, so blonde and bright, hanging in ringlets towards her lower back. Flipping a few of those curled tendrils over her shoulder, Risa exited the bus with a new-found confidence.

"Yeah, yeah. I know," Mumbled Kyo as he listened to Risa's manager give him the details on her client. Profanities came easily from his mouth as he watched Sey walk away to deal with the others. Sey informed Kyo he'd be sharing the bus with Risa so the two could "bond". Hitching his guitar strap higher up his shoulder he strolled towards the opposite bus, pausing only to check out the exiting figure. There was that feeling in the back of his head, that little voice urging him to go towards her and claim the girl right there on the spot. What the hell? I don't even know her... Kyo shook his head, clearing the thoughts for the time being as he watched Risa approach him with an extended hand.

"Risa," Tohru said simply, proud that her voice didn't quaver though she was quite aware of whose presence she was in. The one male who she allowed close enough to her, the one who made her decide that being herself just wasn't good enough. She supposed she'd have to thank him for that, as being Risa granted her major concessions, fame and money, but leading a double life had it's downfalls.

Kyo took the offered hand, giving it a light shake before withdrawing it from the hand of the tiny female. "Kyo. Kyo Sohma, actually." Those red eyes of his peered down to meet her gaze as he begged the secrets of the girl to come forth, reveal themselves so that he could get the thoughts of the stranger, yet not so much a stranger, from his head.

Tohru chuckled, "I know of you Kyo. Seen a few of your concerts." Here Tohru winked, leaving behind the shy demeanor that Tohru had as she completly put herself towards being Risa. "Might I add it was quite the show, and you're quite the looker." Pressing her slender fingers to her lips, palm held before her lips she blew a kiss towards the singer of Cursed. As she walked by him, her hip purposely bumped into his. "Unpack your stuff, Kyo. I'll catch up with you shortly."

With an arched brow, Kyo watched the girl walk away, mumbling a hoarse, "Damn." before continuing towards the bus. "She's good."

XXooXXooXXooXX

Finally finding a place for his few possessions amongst the sea of... pink, Kyo settled upon the tiny pull out couch towards the front of the bus. From the bag at his side he withdrew a worn photograph, staring down at the girl with a lost look in his eyes. "I'm doing it, Tohru. I'm leaving my dream." Shaking his head and placing the picture of the brunette in his back pocket, he began to lounge on the sofabed enjoying the momentary silence. It wouldn't be too much longer before he and Risa were due on stange. He'd open for her, his band would play to her songs (the ones they could manage, anyhow), and he would sing some duet with the girl before his band would finish up the show. This would drag on for months, and during that time Kyo was sure he'd unlock the mysteries of this Risa chick.

Risa giggled as she climbed the stairs of her bus. After departing Kyo, she had spent the rest of the day in hair and make-up in preperation for the show tonight. Clutched in her hands were the words to the song Kyo and she would be peforming that night, and the thought just made her giggle. She just couldn't see Kyo agreeing to peform this song, much less with her in front of an audience of thousands.

"Kyo?" Risa asked tenatively as she opened the door to her living chambers, catching sight of the lounging boy. "Got the song for tonight." The girl sauntered towards him, swinging those slender hips as she moved seductively. Risa enjoyed playing, and oh how fun Kyo would be.

Kyo sat up, sneaking glances towards the female as she moved towards him and plopped down next to him, crossing those pale legs in the process only to reveal another inch of thigh. Damn if he didn't have the urge to toss her in her room and keep her there, not letting anyone see the girl or that body she seemed so eager to flaunt. She's just like Tohru... Slender and petite, frowning, Kyo removed himself from the thoughts and looked towards Risa. "Those the lyrics?"

Risa nodded, setting the papers on her lap so she could look at it while Kyo did the same. "You start. The words in bold are both of us, the underlined is just you, and I'm italics. Your boys have the music down, now we just need to do our thing."

Both went straight to buisness, learning the song in no time. Occasionally Risa would sway, adding something more to her words as she sung and Kyo would simply watch her with wide eyes, as if studying the girl... Odd how he seemed so inclined to touch her. He really needed to solve this little puzzle before it led to something more.

The night drug on. Cursed was a hit, as expected. Risa peformed for the second time, and was a smash. Now was the moment they would do their duet, the moment when both pop and rock would collide, would crash. Kyo carried a stool on stage while Risa appeared from the floor on a black armchair, lounging on the furniture as the band struck the first chords and the song went underway...

Livin' my life in a slow hell

Different girl every night at the hotel

I aint seen the sun shine in 3 damn days

Been fuelin' up on cocaine and whisky

Wish I had a good girl to miss me

Lord I wonder if I'll ever change my ways

I put your picture away

Sat down and cried the day

I can't look at you,

When I'm lyin' next to her

I called you las tnight in the hotel

Everyone knows but they wont tell

But their half hearted smiles tell me

Somethin' just ain't right

I been waitin' on you for a long time

Fuelin' up on heartaches and cheap wine

I ain't heard from you in 3 damn nights

I put your picture away

I wonder where you been

I can't look at you while I'm lyin' next to him

I put your picture away

I wonder where you been

I can't look at you while I'm lyin' next to him.

Letting the band do their instrumental solo, both Kyo and Risa rose from their sitting positions on their respective parts of the stage, and as if on cue moved towards each other. One of Kyo's hands reached out and gripped tightly to the hip of Risa as they faced each other, microphone's distance apart.

I saw ya yesterday with an old friend

It was the same ole same "how have you been"

Since you been gone my worlds been dark and grey

You reminded me of brighter days

I hoped you were comin' home to stay

I was head of the church

I was off to drink you away

I thought about you for a long time

Can't seem to get you off my mind

I can't understand why we're living life this way

I found your picture today

I swear I'll change my ways

I just called to say I want you to come back home

I found your picture today

I swear I'll change my ways

I just called to say I want you to come back home

I just called to say, I love you come back home

Roaring filled the stadium as the song was finished, both parties staring into the opposites' eyes as they struggled to come to terms with the words just sung. Mentally, Tohru was crying. Before her stood the one man she loved, and he was singing the words she longed to hear but he wasn't singing them to her. He was singing them to Risa.

Kyo scowled, releasing his hold on Risa's hip and stalking off stage. He wouldn't return for an encore as his band was supposed to do, instead he made a beeline towards the bus. Moving to the back of it, he climbed the (convinent) ladder to the top of the metal machine and stared down at the parchment in his hand; the picture of her, of the girl he loved and still loved; of Tohru Honda. His gentle fingers caressed the picture as he thought of the past... Allowing his mind to drift back towards the night that he and Tohru had called it quits.

FLASHBACK--FLASHBACK

The stars above them twinkled merrily as if their was something to be excited about. A couple sat upon a wooden bench in a deserted park, staring over the rusted swings and beyond the dusty slide towards the moon that shone brightly. His hand gripped hers as he let loose a sigh, preparing himself for the words that needed to be said.

"Tohru..." Kyo started, turning away from the spectacle before him to face the girl he had fallen so hard over. Those eyes met his own, hypnotizing him as they became blinded with the tears. She knew what was coming... "I--We... can't be." A stray tear fell from those chocolate brown orbs causing something in Kyo's heart to lurch, his eyes immediately swelling with the unshead drips of heartache. "The curse... And my band... It's not going to work."

Tohru stared up at him, knowing the curse referred to the zodiac that dwelled within him. Kyo Sohma held a secret that a select few knew. When hugged by a member of the opposite sex, or extremly stressed out, he would transform into a medium-sized orange feline. Sliding her hand from his she went back to staring at the moon as the tears continue to fall to no avail. "I know," she mumbled softly. "Go chase your dream, Kyo Sohma. I'll wait for you."

Kyo could only stare at the angelic form of the girl before him. She wasn't gorgeous, but she pretty and she was his world. His reason for leading this existance and forcing it upon others. He slid his hand under her chin, cupping her face delicately as he turned her gaze towards him once more. With a stern voice he added, "No, Tohru. Be happy. That's all I can ask for. Be happy." Before the tears could spill from his own eyes he let go of her, slipping quietly into the night and out of her life.

END--END--END

Not too far away from where Kyo was, another was dwelling on that very same memory. She too, had skipped out on the extra peformance opting to make a visit to the concession stand. Cloaking under some random guy's shirt she found in the backroom's, and a ballcap, she bought a pretzel while tears streamed down her face. The effect of being Risa, of being a star was tiring... And Tohru was starting to break. Being so close to Kyo would surely be her downfall.

"You alright, girly?" A deep voice called towards her, and immediatly Tohru went into Risa mode. Turning on her heel, she gave him a beaming smile and a dazzling wink.

"Just fine, honey. I'm going to run along." Puckering her lips, she blew him a kiss not regonizing it was the drummer of Cursed, Siho. A deep flush came across the big man's face as he moved towards his bus, grinning with the news he had to tell his mates. Men...

Growing tired of lounging upon a bus, Kyo climbed down only to catch Risa opening the door and slipping inside. The simple movements of the popstar brought a smile to the rocker's face, which caused him to frown as soon as he caught his actions... Then he thought what the hell? I'm single... We'll be touring for awhile. What's wrong with a little... fling? With the new goal of grabbing himself a hot girl, Kyo moved in towards the bus.

Meanwhile, inside the bus, Risa was doing her usual... Discarding the flimsy pink skirt, and ripping the blonde wig off her head. Keeping the shirt on, she moved towards the back of her bus in search of pajama bottoms as her hands worked to untangle the mess her hair was in...

At the moment, Kyo was opening the door... "Risa? You in here?"

Tohru froze in fear. Kyo was calling out, Kyo was in on the bus! He'd regonize her for sure without the wig and the added make-up. A squeal spilled from her then as she rushed under the covers of her bed, giving a shout. "I'm sleeping... Need the beauty sleep."

A masculine chuckle was Kyo's response before he answered her verbally, "Alright. G'nite Risa." Kyo too, was tired. Tomorrow they'd be off work as they had awhile to travel, so he'd be on the bus all day with Risa.

"Yeah, night Kyo." Tohru shouted back, attempting to control her breathing as she slid on her pajama's.

Phew, that was close. What am I going to do? We're stuck on this bus for awhile, and I can't hide my secret forever...

Heaving a sigh, Tohru grabbed her toothbrush and moved towards the tiny bathroom area. Half-asleep, and beat from tonight's peformance and the panic Kyo just put her through, she stared groggily at her reflection in the mirror. Frowning as she watched her reflection brush her teeth, deciding she'd have to dye her hair to avoid Kyo learning her true hair color or determining her true idenity.

Laying on the couch, Kyo sighed becoming restless. He could hear Risa moving about, and the sound of her brushing her teeth made him realize he had yet to do the same. Retrieving his own toothbrush he moved towards the bathroom, pausing when he saw the girl within.

"What the hell?" He shouted, as Tohru froze in horror. Oh, hell, he was sure to know she was Tohru now...

A/N: Ooooooh, cliffy. Does Kyo really know that's Tohru right there? Or will I think of some evil way to avoid that part for the sake on continung the story? Muahahaha. As always, leave me a review or drop a line. It's nice just to hear what you have to say, be it good or bad.

Ah, yes. The song is not mine. I own it about as much as I own Kyo, which I don't... yet. I'm waiting on the response to my letters demanding Kyo be mine. I'm obsessed. The song is actually Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow -- Picture. I'm sure more were aware of that, but just in case, you know? Now, with this uber long chapter out of my brain, maybe I can finish up some other stories!