Chapter Twenty -

The next day was Haru's funeral, which the whole family attended.

Yuki and Kyo payed their respects together, Yuki clutching onto Kyo, the cat squeezing back. The ox's face looked so pale and peaceful. Yuki leans over and gives him a gentle peck on the cheek. "Thank you." He whispers before bursting out into tears.

Silent tears made beautiful treks down Kyo's cheeks and Yuki wanted to kiss them away. The whole thing seemed to be Yuki's fault. He was beside himseld with guilt. He should've accepted Kyo's feelings when he first told him. If he hadn't been so confused, things might have turned out better. It was all he could think about through the funeral service and the ride to the cemetary.

"Don't blame yourself." Kyo whispers. It was as if he had read Yuki's mind. "It's my fault." Yuki mumbles. "It's all because I rejected you in the first place." Kyo squeezes the rat's hand as they walk from the grave site, to Hatori's car. The burial service had been beautiful, and everyone knew Haru would have love it. Of course by now, he would be hollering at everyone to cheer up. The ox never did like it when people were sad.

"If you say it's your fault because of that, then ultimately, it's my fault. I shouldn't have told you like that. I probably shouldn't have freaked out when you said you didn't feel the same." The cat looks sheepish as they crawl into the backseat of the car.

"It's not your fault Kyo, and I'm glad you told me your feelings. We wouldn't be together if you had kept it a secret. I never would have realized how much I care for you, if you hadn't left. What's that saying, 'You never know what you have, till it's gone.' I think that's it." The rat says resting agianst Kyo's side. Tohru and Hatori smile at them from the front seat. Shigure had decided to ride with Kureno and Akito. Hopefully his talk with the Sohma God, was going well. The rat decided to change the sad subject.

"I hope Shigure's conversation goes well." Kyo nods. "Me too. If he doesn't succeed, I'm not sure what I'll do." Yuki didn't like the cat's tone. He didn't want Kyo to run away, and for him to never see his love again.

"Kyo, I'm not sure I like that. You must promise me you won't leave me again." Tohru and Hatori had been having their own conversation, and at this point go silent to listen to the cat's reply.

Kyo looks shocked. "Of course I won't leave you. Never, never ever! Do you hear me?" Kyo grabs Yuki's face in his hands and looks him straight in the eyes. "I will never abandon you." Yuki feels fresh tears well up in his eyes. "I'll hold you to that promise." He whispers.

Hatori had been observing the scene in the rearview mirror.

"Let's hope there isn't a reason to test that promise." He says.

Yuki notices the worry in the dragon's eyes, and knows there could be serious trouble.

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On to chapter twenty-one. Tally-Ho!