Chapter 15: When One Door Closes...

Kyou felt brave, that much was true when she thought about the unknown future. That didn't mean that her earlier fears and concerns were gone though. All it meant was that she wouldn't let those negative emotions dominate her life. Despair's attempt at complete control broken by her bravery, Kyou's mind was now able to calmly drift from thought to thought as she knelt there without speaking. Kale's quiet and steady breathing as he slept was the only constant noise that was occasionally accentuated by a sipping sound whenever Kyou or Sanae drank more tea.

"I better go check on Botan," said Kyou after indulging in a few more minutes of peaceful quiet. "Do you have a pillow I can move his head onto?"

"No need for that. I'll let him use my lap while you are gone," chirped Sanae. The baker was already scooting herself next to Kyou to enable an easy transfer of Kale. Kyou didn't move in response to Sanae's own motions and instead simply stared with disbelief.

"Are you sure?" asked Kyou. "I wouldn't want to inconvinence you." That statement while partially true wasn't the real reason Kyou questioned Sanae's suggestion. Although she wouldn't admit it to anyone, even herself, Kyou's main objection was born out of simple jealousy. The idea of Kale resting his head in someone else's lap was just, well it was just ridiculous, that's what it was!

"It won't be an inconvinence. I'll just be happy to help any way that I can," assured Sanae with a gentle smile. The innocence of the reply blunted Kyou's blossoming jealousy, assuring her that the idea of Sanae stealing Kale away was just as ridiculous as she thought it was. When she looked down at Kale's sleeping face she felt the desire to let him rest as long as possible win out over her irrational possessive desire.

"Alright," sighed Kyou in defeat. She slowly slid herself out from underneath Kale while Sanae slid her legs underneath. The transition was smooth enough that Kale only shifted once in his sleep, quickly resuming a peaceful rest once Sanae had fully taken Kyou's place. "I'll be right back," stated Kyou before she turned away and walked out of the room.

Kyou went through the front door that led directly outside from the house instead of taking the longer route of through the store then outside. She blinked when met by the beams of light emanating from the sun that had risen high into the sky. Raising a hand to just above her eyes to shield them from the full force of the sun, Kyou tilted her head up and confirmed that the sun was as high as it was. It's height in the sky was enough information for Kyou to know without looking at a clock that it was getting close to noon. It was only a few more hours until Kale's meeting at the Kindergarten.

"Better wake him up soon," Kyou mumbled to herself as she lowered her gaze to a more level position. She started walking along the path that led away from the door and towards the street. Before she turned the corner and was able to see the storefront where Botan was resting Kyou heard the sliding glass door of the store open and close.

'A customer?' Kyou wondered in her head. If it was as she guessed then there would be no one to greet them Kyou realized. Sanae was taking care of Kale right now and Kyou had no idea where Akio was. With no one to serve them then the customer would probably leave and that just wasn't acceptable to Kyou. She didn't want the Furukawas to lose business just because she inconvinenced them by having Kale rest here. Hurrying her pace Kyou quickly rounded the corner. When she did though the only living creature she saw was Botan who was still laying by the entrance of the store. A quick glance through the window failed to reveal anyone inside with looks up and down the street proving equally fruitless.

"That's weird," Kyou said with a perplexed voice. Although Kyou had been talking to herself the sound of her voice caught Botan's attention. Her ears twitched and she stood up suddenly, quickly turning towards her master with excitement gleaming in her eyes.

"Gof gof!" happily exclaimed the boar as trotted over. Immedately she began nuzzling against Kyou's legs, eliciting a smile from the young woman.

"Sorry for making you wait Botan," apologized Kyou. Botan did not acknowledge the apology. She simply continued to express her joy at Kyou's return by emitting soft 'gof gof's while continuing to rub against her legs. Kyou let out a soft chuckle and squatted down. Kyou looked into Botan's eyes and reached out with her hands to scratch right behind the boar's ears. Botan's grunts became ladened with even more satisfaction and joy upon receiving the physical attention. It was during this exchange of affection between pet and master that an ear splitting scream rung out from within the Furukawas, rendering the once peaceful atmosphere into forgotten memory.

"AHHHH!"

Immediately Kyou was on her feet and dashing into the bakery door before her mind even had a moment to process what she had just heard. If she had stopped even for the briefest of moments she would realized that the scream didn't sound like Kale or even Sanae. Her mind had been sent into panic mode though so such rational thought never once crossed her mind. The only thing that her mind acknowledged was that a scream had come from inside where Kale was. In just a few brief moments Kyou had reached the room where she had left Kale and Sanae. The door had been left open so she was able to instantly see what was transpiring within the room.

Sanae was still kneeling in the same place, as calm and cheerful as she was before. She was the only one in the room though that seemed to be calm. Kale was halfway between sitting upright and laying down, his one good arm pressing against the floor behind him to prop his body up. His face spoke of shock and panic as he looked up at where Sanae was looking also. Where they were looking was at Akio Furukawa who stood a few feet away from them, tears streaming down a face contorted in overly-dramatic anguish.

"Why?!" cried out Akio. "Why were you laying your head in the lap of my woman?!"

"I didn't know I was!" Kale frantically spouted back.

"Do you take me for a fool?!" bellowed the irate husband. "How could you not know?! Before you tried to steal my customers with your delicious baked goods and now you try and steal my darling wife!" Clenched in one of his hands was the baseball bat that Kyou had often seen him wielding. Akio brought it towards Kale, the tip of the bat only a few inches away from his face. "I won't let you get away with it!"

In that moment Kale quite understandably felt panicked. That fear though blinded him to recent memory and as he tried to scoot away from the bat he instinctively tried to use both of his arms to propel himself backwards. Instinct did not erase reality though and the instant Kale tried to use the right arm he no longer had he lost balance and fell backwards. A sharp hiss of pain escaped from between his clenched teeth as the back of his head banged on the floor.

Kale's unintended display of the limitations inflicted by his disability prompted different reactions from each present individual. Sanae rushed forward to help Kale off the ground and make sure he was okay. Akio stood there with a mixed expression of realization and concern, his arm that held the bat going limp as the irrational anger left him. Kyou was almost completely still, her only movements being her body lightly quivering and her lips trembling. In that moment Kyou was no longer in the Furukawa house. She was back in that terrifying moment, arms restraining her as she saw Kale have his head slammed violently against a wall. She wanted to scream out in fear but her body did not have the strength, panic having robbed it from her.

"Fujibayashi, are you okay?" asked a voice. Kyou looked up and was met with the sight of reality. Everyone was looking at her, even Kale who was still sitting on the ground, rubbing the back of his head with his hand.

"Ye-yeah, I'm okay," stammered Kyou unconvincingly. She slowly switched her gaze between Akio, Sanae, and Kale, not quite sure which of them had called out to her when she had become lost in horrifying memories. It was obvious from the concerned stares she got that her reply wasn't believed. "Really, I am okay. What about you, are you okay Kale?"

"Yeah, I'm alright," replied Kale, trying to reassure Kyou with a gentle smile. He gave a grunt of effort as he stood from his sitting position with Sanae supporting him by holding onto his good arm. Akio gave a glare sharpened by jealous anger but he did not threaten with his baseball bat like before. "The scar from the craniotomy can be a bit tender at times, that's all. Oh, and Furukawa-san." Kale turned away from Kyou towards Akio, keeping his smile while doing so though it turned from a reassuring one into one fueled by nervousness. "I humbly apologize for frightening you. I hope you can forgive me." Akio started to growl at the apology but quickly stopped when Sanae spoke up.

"Saunders-san was merely napping while Fujibayashi checked on Botan, that is all," explained Sanae with a cheerful smile spread across her face. Akio did not return the cheerful look. Although there was no longer a blazing anger there were still remnants of suspicion, evidence that Akio still worried about having seen someone else laying their head in the lap of his wife. He tried to voice this concern.

"But I-"

"Akio-san," interrupted Sanae. The tone of her voice was almost as cheerful as before, only the slightest hint of force now behind her words. She didn't say anything else, all she did was look at her husband while smiling. The simple words and action proved to be more than enough to silence Akio. Much to the surprise of Kyou and Kale, Akio's eyes were widened in what appeared to be shock as his body trembled underneath Sanae's gaze.

"Yes dear, sorry dear," meekly replied Akio. He gave a shallow bow to Kyou and Kale, a more reverent one to his wife, then darted out of the room. Kyou and Kale stared at the doorway Akio had retreated through, not quite believing what they had just seen with their own eyes.

"It was a pleasure having you here in our home," chirped Sanae, giving a bow to her visitors. "If you ever need anything or just want to visit please don't hesitate to drop by."

All that Kale and Kyou could do as a response while in their stunned state was give simple nods.

"So that wasn't just me was it?" asked Kale. Kyou jumped a little, having become use to the awkward silence that had hung over them while they proceeded along the second half of their journey to the Kindergarten.

"What wasn't just you?" Kyou inquired as she looked over at Kale as they continued to walk.

"That situation back there, it was weird to you too wasn't it?"

"The Furukawas are always weird," shrugged Kyou. "But yeah, even for them that was strange. I didn't realize that Sanae could scare Akio so much."

"Especially when her voice didn't even change that much," added Kale, prompting a nod of agreement from Kyou.

"Well, what's done is done," said Kyou. "I'm just glad that you are handling this part of the trek better then the first." That was quite a bit of an understatement to Kyou. Compared to that morning Kale was doing a lot better. No longer was he wheezing from physical exertion, looking as if he could collapse at any moment. In fact he had managed to go without any additional breaks and they were already almost at their destination. Admittedly there were still signs of fatigue with the most obvious being his somewhat labored breathing and the fact that he still had to depend on Botan for support at times. Compared to before though it was a difference almost as great as that between night and day.

"Thanks, I'm glad too," replied Kale with a smile. "I guess that nap really helped. I am sorry though that I fell asleep, that wasn't my intention."

"Don't be sorry," huffed Kyou while shooting him a glare. "Since you fell asleep that just meant that you really needed that nap. It sure must have been restful though for how much good it has done you."

"It sure was," simply agreed Kale.

"I wonder why it was so restful though," said Kyou. She brought a hand to her chin as she thought back to his nap, analyzing the memory in her mind. If she could figure out what had made the nap so rejuvinizing for Kale then maybe she could replicate the circumstances in the future whenever needed.

"Well, maybe it was because..." Kale's voice trailed off and he looked away from Kyou. Before he fully turned he face away though Kyou caught a glimpse of a blush that had begun to creep across his face. If he hadn't been using his one good arm to support himself on Botan Kyou was sure he would be rubbing the back of his head like he always did whenever he was embarrassed.

"Because what?" questioned Kyou. Her desire to think of something to help Kale made her ignore his embarrassment.

"Maybe it was because I was resting my head in your lap," Kale replied in a voice restrained by awkwardness. "It did feel really nice..." Now it was Kyou's turn to have a blush spread across her face. Not only did her blush match Kale's in intensity, it exceeded it easily.

"What are yo-, I mean, h-h-how can you say something so embarrassing?" stammered Kyou. She looked away from Kale as well in a vain attempt to hide the brilliant crimson hue her face had become. Kale failed to give an answer to the question and so the two of them fell into awkward silence once more. Kyou didn't mind this however, in fact she preferred it. She hadn't expected a response and she was far too embarrassed to think of anything on her own to say.

Botan looked between the two of them before giving a cheerful 'gof gof' that sounded almost like laughter. Kyou managed to suppress her embarrassment just long enough to shoot Botan a glare. It had little effect though and Botan just gave another mischievous 'gof gof'.

They remained in awkward silence from that point until they reached the Kindergarten. Kale informed Kyou they had arrived early so they decided to wait on a bench shaded by a large tree. Botan, feeling satisfied that she had fulfilled her duty of aiding Kale, trotted over to the shelter that had been designated for her use while she was at the school. In just a few short minutes Botan was lulled into the realm of sleep by the gentle spring breeze that wafted through the schoolyard. Kyou and Kale both remained silent though it wasn't due to just embarrassment now. Much like Botan they too were savoring the peace that was carried by the gentle wind. Eventually that peace was interrupted when Kale and Kyou both saw entering the school grounds the Director that was in charge of the Kindergarten and its operations.

"There he is," pointed out Kale, already rising to his feet. Kyou did the same though unlike Kale who was looking towards the Director she had her gaze turned to Kale, a puzzled look on her face. He wasn't surprised by the arrival of the director even though she was. Did that mean the meeting was with him? The more she thought about it the more she came to the realization that it made perfect sense. Who else would he be having a meeting with? Their kindergarten wasn't particularly large so there wasn't as much staff as there would be at a school. With fewer staff the complexity of the hierarchal structure was a lot more simple, a fact that Kyou had greatly enjoyed during her employment here. That probably meant that the individual who served as Kale's direct supervisor was the Director.

"Good afternoon Director," greeted Kale, quicker to give a greeting than Kyou who was distracted by her thoughts.

"Good afternoon Saunders-san," replied the Director, his bushy mustache twitching as he talked. "Ah, I see that Fujibayashi is with you. A good afternoon to you as well."

"Good afternoon," returned Kyou, giving a respectful bow. As she rose from her bow she looked at the Director. When she did she felt worry creep into her heart. The Director had once said that he always tried to remain jovial because it helped him to look younger. Kyou had always thought that to be a frivolous excuse so he didn't have to take things seriously but now as she looked at him Kyou thought that there may actually have been some truth to that. The Director wasn't smiling or laughing, he wasn't even visibly angry like he had been on a few past occasions. He looked weighed down with sadness and unlike his jovial nature it didn't hide his age but instead accentuated it. Without any impish grin or booming laughter to distract her Kyou saw all the Director's physical traits that betrayed him by showing his true age; every wrinkle in his skin, the bags under his eyes, and the grey streaks in his hair that grew larger every year. In that moment he looked older then Kyou had come to think of him as.

"Shall we head inside Saunders-san?" suggested the Director, motioning towards the main entrance with one of his hands. Kale gave a nod in response and started to follow the Director towards the Kindergarten. Kyou assumed she would be allowed in as well so it came as a shock to her when the Director stopped, turned around and shook his head at her. "I'm sorry Fujibayashi but you will have to wait out here." Kyou wanted to object to this of course, even if the one telling her was her boss. Before she could do more than just glare with equal parts defiance and confusion Kale spoke up.

"It's alright sir," said Kale as he looked briefly at Kyou. "She can be there as well."

"Are you sure?" asked the Director. He looked towards Kale with a raised eyebrow as he awaited a response. When Kale nodded to him the Director let out a heavy sigh. "Very well then, follow me."

Kyou and Kale complied and followed the Director into the building. None of them spoke as they made their way down the halls to wherever they were headed. She wasn't sure about the other two but Kyou was silent out of confusion and fear though she hated to admit that the second emotion existed in her at that time. She had no idea what was going on other than it was something that made the Director sad and that terrified her. The reason it terrified her was because even though she dug deep into her memories Kyou couldn't remember a time she had seen the Director look this way. Whatever was going on then must be really bad and all she had to go on besides that was her imagination.

That fear only grew worse once they reached the Director's office. The Director was someone who subscribed to the idea of scolding in private, praising in public. Because of this the only times Kyou had been to his office was to be scolded. On those few rare occasions though the Director had always been visibly angry. So it was that Kyou found herself headed into a room where nothing good ever happened while her boss had an expression she couldn't remember seeing on him before.

Those fears went unnoticed by the Director who was focused on a set of keys he had pulled from his pocket. After selecting the appropriate one he unlocked the door to his office. He didn't step in though, instead holding the door open and motioning for Kale and Kyou to enter. They of course complied. As she entered Kyou held her breath for a moment not so much by conscious choice but more because of instinct born out of fear. In the moment she took to quietly compose herself the Director entered the room and closed the door behind them while Kale sat in a chair that was in front of a desk that dominated most of the room's decor and space. Kyou quickly pulled another chair to beside Kale and sat in it. The Director also sat down though he sat in the chair that was behind the desk.

For what felt like forever to Kyou the director didn't speak or even make much movement. He simply leaned forward slightly to rest his chin on the interwoven fingers of his hands that were held aloft by arms that were propped up on the desk's surface. Although it was not an eternity like Kyou felt it was still a painfully awkward few minutes before anyone dared to break the silence. The first one to do so was the Director who let out a heavy sigh before leaning back into his chair.

"I'm guessing from how you were talking earlier Saunders-san that you have a good idea as to why I wanted to meet with you," said the Director. Although his words could be interpreted by some as a question no verbal reply was ever given, only a shallow nod from Kale showing that he had heard the Director.

"I just want to start off then by saying that I appreciate all of the hard work you have done for us," continued the Director. "Unlike some people, I know that you are a hard-working incredible young man."

"Unlike some people?" repeated Kyou, interrupting the Director. Opposite of how he had reacted in the past to similar interruptions, the Director remained silent and stared down at the desk instead of Kyou or Kale. Kyou waited a few minutes, expecting an answer to her abrupt question but never got one. She of course would not put up with such silence. "What do you mean ' Unlike some people'?" asked Kyou in a low growl. "Kale is an amazing person! He has done great work in his job, he is kind to all of the children, and he was brave enough to defend me when I needed it. Who could be so dumb to say he isn't the best person ever?!"

In her anger Kyou had stood up from her chair, looking down at the Director with blazing eyes. Yet despite the intensity in her voice the Director didn't flinch one bit. His silent gaze remained fixed on the empty spot it had found earlier. Infuriated even more by the continued lack of response Kyou was about to let loose more harsh words when Kale spoke up.

"It's okay sir," said Kale as he gave another nod to the Director. "You can tell her."

"Tell me what?!" barked Kyou, her voice remaining harsh as she spun her head to look at Kale.

"Take a seat Fujibayashi," said the Director. Even through her rising anger Kyou could tell by the tone that it wasn't a request. The firmness in his voice forcibly dulled her anger, though only enough to get her to shut up and sit down with a huff. Kyou glared at the Director and Kale, switching between the two as she impatiently waited for some more details. Eventually the Director spoke after giving a long and drawn out sigh.

"This isn't a large town when compared to the big cities," started off the Director. "It certainly isn't a small rural village but this town is small enough that we have some of the same problems they experience."

Kyou's brow furrowed as the Director spoke. What did any of this have to do with what they were talking about earlier?! Even as frustrated as she was Kyou didn't dare interrupt, the still fresh memory of the Director's order still resonating in her mind.

"Especially with rumors..." After he said this the Director closed his eyes and shook his head side to side as he gave another sigh, this one more exasperated than the others. "Fujibayashi, were you ever told about those men that attacked you on New Year's?"

"You mean that they were gang members from out of town?" asked Kyou. During Kale's coma Kyou had been told by the police about the people who had attacked her. Being in the depths of depression at the time she hadn't really cared about it and had thus thought nothing of that fact until now.

"Yes, that is correct," confirmed the Director with a nod. Again he paused, taking a moment to let out another sigh. Such reluctance was unusual for the Director, at least in Kyou's experiences with him. The anger Kyou had felt earlier was now quickly being mixed with large amounts of fear and anxiety.

"We don't have many problems with gangs in this town. What little we do isn't that serious, normally it's just groups of troubled youths fighting amongst each other. Rarely do the police even have to get involved," explained the Director. "Because of that any mere suggestion of serious gang violence can send a wave of panic amongst the residents of this town. Panic nourishes rumors, even ones that are completely false and unverifiable." He paused for a moment and looked away from Kyou and towards Kale. "Such as the rumors that say Kale was only involved in the fight because he is from a rival gang."

"What!?" exclaimed Kyou suddenly as she shot to her feet again. Though there was no air of commanding or discipline about the Director as he looked back at her Kyou instinctively sat back down. Though she had enough sense to sit back down Kyou's face spoke of her shock at hearing of the rumor. "That's just absolutely stupid! He got involved in the fight because he was defending me! Who could be stupid enough to think he was from sort of rival gang!? Who started this rumor?! I demand to know who!"

"We aren't sure who started the rumor," replied the Director with a morose calmness that stood as a stark contrast to Kyou's barely restrained rage. "To be honest we aren't even sure when it started. What we do know is that a few days ago we started receiving these." Out from underneath his desk the Director pulled out a handful of letters that he then dropped onto the top of the desk close enough for Kyou to read. Looking down at the letters Kyou saw that the handwriting on some was neat and legible while other letters had characters that were formed by harsh and ragged strokes that loudly proclaimed the hateful message they carried. What little she couldn't help but read as she violently wrenched her gaze away filled Kyou with absolute disgust. In the letters people spoke of how they were scared of Kale and they didn't want him working at the Kindergarten around their children.

"No matter how hard I've tried I can't find where, how, or why the rumors started," said the Director in a low growl that showed Kyou for the briefest of moments the frustration that he was harboring within. "But as you can see the rumors have spread quite far... too far to dispute them now with any sort of effectiveness."

"They aren't true though," murmured Kyou.

"I know," sighed the Director. "I know that with all of my heart..." As his voice trailed off silence crept in and filled the room. All three of them looked down at the letters, the physical manifestation of the result of the rumors having spread. Kyou wanted to look away from them but the shock of such utter nonsense was so baffling that it captured her attention. It was only when Kale cleared his throat that Kyou managed to look away and towards the target of all the rumors.

"I'm sorry you've had to deal with this sir," apologized Kale with a calmness that surprised Kyou. How could he in the face of such lies remain so composed? That however wasn't the only thing about this that she had questions about.

"How did you know about this?" questioned Kyou.

"A few of the letters found their way to the hospital," explained Kale as he glanced at her before looking back at the Director. The vagueness of the explanation left Kyou feeling greatly dissatisfied. It had created more questions than it had given answers. How did people find out he was staying in the hospital? How many had he had been receiving and for how long? Most importantly, why hadn't he told her? Kyou didn't get the chance to voice any of these burning questions since Kale quickly resumed talking.

"I'm guessing that because you called me here that the rumors have spread to more than just the parents," guessed Kale.

Feeling quite lost now in the conversation Kyou decided to ask, "Why would you say that?"

Kale didn't look at Kyou this time. He kept his gaze firmly fixed on the Director. "If it was only the parents voicing their concerns the Director would probably stand up to them, try to dispel the rumors. The fact that he isn't means that he can't and if he can't that means its someone in charge of him, am I correct?" Kyou looked to the Director to see how he would react to Kale's hypothesis. Much to her dismay the Director gave a confirming nod.

"But...how?" Kyou asked. "You are the Director of the Kindergarten, you are the one in charge here."

"We are privately owned," responded the Director. "The ones who fund this kindergarten, our benefactors if you will, they feel that's Kale's presence here will harm business."

"Because of some stupid rumors?!" exclaimed Kyou. The Director sighed before replying.

"Whether or not they are true is irrelevant now. They have decided what they will believe and their mind is made up."

"But the rumors aren't true!" Kyou shot back.

"I know that!" bellowed the Director, suddenly slamming both of his hands clenched into fists onto the surface of the desk, shaking it and the floor as well. The strength of the blows and ferocity of his words made Kyou jump with fright. Kale though remained calm and collected, his gaze not once wavering. "I know the rumors are false! In all the time Saunders-san has worked here not once has he failed in his duties! That is why what they are asking me to do is so difficult!"

This time Kyou was stunned into silence not by the force of the Director's words but by the words themselves. 'Asking him to do what?' she silently wondered. Her mind had only begun to think of the different horrible possibilities when Kale interjected with his voice.

"Director, you have done so much for me during the time I've been working here." The words were soft and full of such sincerity that both Kyou and the Director looked towards him. Kale Saunders, the target of the unjust rumors wasn't growling with anger nor were his eyes burning with hatred; He was smiling. "I can't repay all that kindness by being a burden to you. That is why I give you this." Reaching into his pocket Kale pulled out a folded piece of paper and calmly slid it onto the desk. From there anyone could easily see the writing on the front that clearly designated it as a letter of resignation.

"Kale..." mumbled Kyou.

Kale stood from his chair and looked straight into the Director's eyes. Continuing to give a smile the whole time he bent forward in as deep a bow as he respectfully could.

"You have my eternal gratitude for allowing me to work here. Thank you," Kale said as he continued to bow. Saying nothing else Kale straightened himself back up, gave another smile, then moved towards the door of the office. As his hand gripped the doorknob Kyou called out to him.

"Kale."

There was no reply given. The only sound was the click of the door and the squeak of its hinges as Kale turned the doorknob and pulled it open. Without even looking back Kale walked out the door and started down the hallway.

"Kale wait!" exclaimed Kyou, already standing from her chair. She started to dash forward but stopped when at the threshold. Turning back she looked towards the Director who was simply sitting in his chair and looking down at the resignation letter. Anger rose in Kyou as she waited for a few precious moments and saw that the Director was making no motion to try and stop Kale.

"How dare you do this to him," she spat as she lashed out all of her frustrations, deserved or not, at the Director. Not waiting for a response Kyou turned away and started after Kale, slamming the door shut behind her.

The Director didn't try to respond to Kyou before or after she slammed the door. He didn't even look up from the letter. All he did was clamp his eyes shut and grind his teeth in frustration as he allowed himself to let a few tears fall freely now that he was in the cold embrace of solitude.

"I'm sorry," he quietly groaned. "I'm so sorry."

"Wait right there Kale!" Kyou shouted down the hall to the retreating form of Kale. Despite her firm tone of voice Kale did not comply or say anything back. He continued to briskly walk down the hall and out the front entrance of the Kindergarten. Kyou rapidly closed the distance between them by jogging after him. Just as Kale was about halfway down the walkway that led to the street Kyou grabbed his wrist.

"Don't you dare walk away from me!" she growled at him. The order proved to be unnecessary since Kale had stopped walking the instant she had grabbed his wrist. He kept his back turned to her though, not looking back even as she glared at him.

"Kale...I just-I mean..." she stammered as she tried to find the words that she would want to say. She finally settled for a simple question. "Why? Why Kale, why did you do that?"

Again, no response. Kale didn't try to break out of Kyou's grasp but he continued to remain turned away from her.

"Why won't you talk to me?" Silence still was all that was given. Frustration, confusion, helplessness, betrayal, all of these feelings were boiling over now in Kyou in the form of tears that leaked out from her eyes. "Please talk to me Kale! Why did you quit when you were the one in the right? You shouldn't have done that! You-"

"What else could I have done?!"

Kyou jumped at Kale's sudden yell he let loose as we whirled around to face her. It was such a sudden change not just from the few prior moments when he had been silent but also from nearly all past experiences she had with him. The only other time she could recall that he had ever yelled like that was when he had been desperately trying to defend her. The reminder of that traumatic night made Kyou momentarily tremble and fall silent.

"What else could I even do?!" Kale questioned with his still raised voice. "If I stayed and fought against the rumors I would have lost, you know that as well as I do! It was either stay and force the Director to fire me eventually or quit while I had a pitiful shred of dignity left!" As Kale cried out Kyou looked at him and saw that not only was he yelling but crying as well. Tears were streaming down his face from puffy red eyes and blotchy cheeks that all served as evidence that he hadn't just started crying now. It was then that Kyou realized that Kale wasn't screaming at her, he was screaming at the world. All of the despair piled onto him by recent and consistent injustices and misfortunes had become a torrential storm, one that only by some sort of miracle Kale had managed to keep hidden during the meeting. It couldn't be held back forever though and so now the despair was gushing out of him whether he wanted it to or not.

"You could have at least talked to me," Kyou managed to say with a cracking voice.

"What good would that have done?!" Kale barked in return. "It would have only burdened you to know about it beforehand! This decision was mine and mine alone to bear, it doesn't affect anyone else!"

"It affects me," said Kyou, her voice beginning to gather strength.

"Why would it affect you?!"

"Because we're a couple!" Kyou shouted. The strength behind her words was so great that it smashed head-on into the storm of despair that had ensnared Kale and did not falter. They pierced through to Kale and quieted him,leaving him to stand there with a surprised look on his face.

"We're a couple," repeated Kyou though this time not with a shout but with a voice that cracked with the effort of choking out her words between sobs. "I love you Kale, I love you with all of my heart. Whenever you feel happy I feel happy. When you hurt I hurt. Whatever happens to you will affect me because you are such an important part of my life." Sobs wracked her body, forcing her to cease talking momentarily as she wiped at her face.

"If you had come to me, told me about what you are facing, I may have not been able to change the outcome but I could have at least been able to better support you," continued Kyou. "I'm here for you no matter what. You aren't alone anymore so you need to stop thinking like you are!"

"I..." muttered Kale. Kyou wiped her eyes clear of tears for just long enough that she was able to clearly see Kale. No longer on his face was an angry desperation to fight back against the world. All that she could see was a look of utter defeat that was no longer hidden by any sort of mask.

"I'm sorry," finally said Kale as a fresh wave of tears poured out of his face. "I'm so so sorry."

"You should be," acknowledged Kyou. She did not let her admonishment of his outburst linger for long. She held out her arms to beckon him to her to which he eagerly complied. Kale wrapped his one good arm around her in an awkward hug as he buried his face in her shoulder, letting the tears flow freely now. Kyou gently closed her arms around Kale in a warm embrace.

"I'm sorry too Kale," she whispered to him as he cried. "I'm sorry you have to go through so much." She continued to keep her arms wrapped around him, doing her best to remind him that although he faced a world of hurt he wasn't facing it alone.