2 months had gone by since Kate and Kaku found themselves on Monogatari. Since the night Kaku had given Kate the wedding band- they never held hands again. Kaku was scared they would grow even closer. They were already extremely close, living together, and he knew that the closer they got...the closer hand holding would get to turning into something more. When he got home that night he wanted to cry, cursing the invisible chains that bound him.

Some nights he laid awake, regretting following Kate to Monogatari. While every day being her husband felt like a dream; they couldn't truly be together. It wouldn't be fair since he couldn't promise her forever.

Kate and Kaku walked along the water, reminding Kate of their walks on Water 7. Her wedding band reflected the light off of the ocean, as her hand swayed with each step. She craved Kaku's touch. However, she noticed that since that night- he had been growing distant.

Kaku would go to bed almost immediately after dinner. Their weekend excursions were no longer ever more than 1 or 2 hours at a time before Kaku immersed himself in something else. Alone.

Kate had made many friends through the orphanage, but it was Kaku's company she craved more than anyone's. It even seemed as if she conversed more with Cutter on a weekly basis during their walks than with Kaku. As much as she wanted to bring it up, and ask Kaku if something was wrong- she couldn't. After all; it was her fault he was on this island. She couldn't help but think that maybe he was starting to regret his decision? He went from a celebrity shipwright to a toy shop hand, and one of the most sought after bachelors to having to be married...to her.

She clenched her jaw, mentally giving herself a pep talk. There had been men interested in her before she met Kaku, and she couldn't help but feel that he had feelings for her. There were so many moments on Water 7, as well as Monogatari that backed her theory.

I'll never know the truth unless I try...

Kaku walked as he admired the scenery around them. He wore jeans, and a white polo shirt.

Kate's heart raced every time she looked at him, his orange blonde hair blown softly by the wind.

I need to know...

Kate took a deep breath before reaching over to grab Kaku's hand.

The shipwright shot up, surprised by her action. There was no one else around, and he couldn't think of any reason why she would hold him. He hesitated for a mere second before pulling his hand away. "There's no one here. We don't have to do that." His voice was colder than usual.

Please forgive me, Kate... this is for you...

Kate bit her lip as she clenched her hand. "I'm sorry...I just...wanted to." She was too scared to look at him.

Kaku sped up as he walked ahead of her. "It's getting late. Let's go back to the Inn." His heart was in his throat, and he had to use every ounce of strength in his body to keep a straight face. He could feel Kate's energy drop, and he knew it was his fault. He wanted to be the one to comfort her; not cause her pain.

I'm sorry...

Kate immediately took a shower as soon as they returned to the Inn. She needed time to think, and she imagined the hot water dripping down her back was a hand telling her everything would be okay. She debated ignoring what had happened, but she needed to know what was wrong. What happened on that night? How was Kaku feeling?

If he was feeling regret; she wanted to let him know that he could leave whenever he wanted. He didn't owe her anything.

Her hair was wrapped in a towel, and she wore a dark purple night gown. Kaku laid in bed wearing his work uniform, and was reading a book.

Kate sat down on her side of the bed, looking at the pillow that served as a border between them.

Screw it!

She picked up the pillow and threw it onto the ground, startling Kaku.

He looked at the pillow on the floor, then back at Kate. "Is everything alright, Kate?" He thought that maybe there had been a bug or something.

Kate took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check. She had gone over what to say in the shower. "No, everything is not alright... You've been really cold lately, and I want to know if I did something wrong." She looked him in the eye as she waited for an answer.

Kaku's CP9 training came in handy as he kept a straight face, hiding his dismay. "Oh is that all? No, you haven't done anything wrong. I guess I've just been a bit worn out lately is all." He grabbed his pillow to replace the border. "Goodnight, Kate." A small gasp came from his lips as Kate threw his pillow to the ground, and kneeled towards him.

"Don't lie to me! This is just like the day we left Water 7! You were acting cold, and wouldn't tell me what was wrong! I don't want you to answer because we're living together-I want you to answer and tell me the truth because we're friends and I care about you!" She steadied her breathing. "Are...you regretting coming to Monogatari? With me?" She could feel the tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

Kaku panicked internally. What was he to do?! He couldn't possibly tell her the truth, and he had to give her an immediate answer to avoid her finding out that he was lying. "Yes, that's it."

Kate's voice was almost screaming. "What's 'it'?! Is 'it' being here?! Is 'it' being with me?!" Tears streamed down her face. She hated how they were living together, yet she could never really tell how he was feeling.

He stood up from the bed, turning his face away. "It's all just...too much." He put on his shoes before walking out of the Inn, leaving Kate to cry alone.

He perched himself up in a tree deep in the forest as he sobbed into his hands. He didn't lie to Kate- it was all just too much. How could life be so unfair?! Teasing him with something that could never be his. What were the chances of this ever happening?! What sin did he commit to deserve such punishment?! He wanted Kate more than anything, but him caring for her meant that he couldn't be with her.

Kaku thought about what he would do if he were freed from CP9. He would marry Kate in an instant, find a place to settle down, start a family, and live out the rest of his days with her. There were no doubts in his mind about that. But right now, all he wanted to do was tell Kate how sorry he was...make her somehow understand that it all wasn't by choice.

He was too distraught to think about how he would fix things with Kate once he returned to the Inn. He decided to stay away until tomorrow. He had until the end of his shift to think about what to say to patch things up somehow...

Kate sobbed into her pillow. While he had finally answered her; deep inside she had hoped he would somehow say what she wanted to say to him...

I love you.