I wish I had a better reason for writing this, but I honestly just wanted to test my skills and write something more intimate than usual. And of course have a bunch of fluff sprinkled in. I hope you enjoy it! This will be a multi-chapter story with some spoilers for the anime/manga. If you've seen past Season 2 Episode 10 (Manga Chapter 64-65), then you should be fine. Otherwise I explore it my own way. (If you prefer to read more mature, sexually intimate version of this story, please visit my Archive of Our Own page if you are of age (/users/TeacupOctopusTopHat))!

It was raining.

Tohru noticed this by the scattered droplets that had suddenly appeared on the other side of the window she was cleaning. She furrowed her brow and let out a soft, "shoot," which was probably the closest Tohru had ever gotten to a real curse word. Living in Shigure's house for over a year and exposure to Kyo's filthy mouth hadn't tainted her yet, and that was quite an impressive accomplishment. The reason for her almost-curse was because she'd forgotten her umbrella in her locker at school. When she left for work earlier that evening, it hadn't been raining and therefore taking it had completely slipped her mind. She continued to wipe the window a little slower now, as she worried about what she was going to do once she was done with her work. The rain did not seem to be letting up anytime soon.

Tohru moved onto the next window for cleaning, mentally scolding herself for being so unreliable. What could she do? She supposed she could run for it, although it was a bit of a trek home and she was already prone to tripping and falling on a clear day without slippery surfaces. She could also call the house and see if anyone would terribly mind bringing her an umbrella. But that would put them out of their way and she'd feel horrible to ask. Yuki usually came to pick her up and walk her home from work, but his student council activities sometimes conflicted with her work schedule. She hadn't confirmed if he was coming today, so she couldn't count on that. She wondered if there was an extra umbrella in the storage room she could borrow. That would definitely solve her dilemma and she would return it as soon as she could. Alight with renewed determination, she scrubbed vigorously on a particularly stubborn spot on the glass and made a mental note to check the room before she left.

But her luck just didn't seem to turn today. Tohru scoured the storage room, but there were no umbrellas in sight. She couldn't even find a spare towel to drape over herself for protection. Additionally, she was wearing her short sleeved school uniform since it was nearly summertime. Tohru sighed, drawing her hand to her lips as they pursed into a worried pout. Now what was she going to do?

She exited the near empty building and hid under the main entrance awning, waiting with fingers crossed for a turn in the weather. She peered out from underneath it at the stormy sky, flinching when a large droplet hit her smack in the middle of her forehead. Wiping it off with the back of her hand, she tried to lift her mood with a light tone of voice, "I guess it's really coming down."

"Sure as hell is."

Tohru gasped and turned towards the familiar voice. It was none other than Kyo coming up the path, an umbrella over his head and another draped on his forearm, his hand casually stuffed into his pocket. He looked a little worn down, his eyes half-lidded and eyebrows low; even his gait seemed a bit sluggish. He hated the rain and his body hated it more, the cat spirit inexplicably causing him great fatigue because of it.

"Kyo-kun! What are you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He sounded irritated, which was partially normal and partially because of the weather. "I figured you didn't bring your umbrella today."

He approached her and wedged his open umbrella between him and the awning to keep them both dry. He then handed her the extra umbrella. She took it gratefully, her eyes shining with happy tears. "Oh, Kyo-kun, I was afraid I was going to get drenched."

She looked up at him and beamed. He returned her smile with a crooked one, tired but genuine. Tohru turned away to open the umbrella; she 'eeped' when it suddenly popped open. "Watch it, will ya?" Kyo barked and jumped back.

"Sorry!" Tohru stammered.

"It's fine," Kyo brushed it off, gesturing her to come on with a flick of his head and the two began their journey home.

"I'm surprised, Kyo-kun. Yuki-kun usually comes to get me after work."

"Didja want him to come instead of me?"

"No! That's not what I meant. I'm very glad you came to walk me, Kyo-kun." She reached out to touch his arm. It was warm compared to her chilled fingertips, even though he was just in a teeshirt and the late spring air was damp. It was such a pleasant feeling that she hesitated pulling away. Both hands now grasping the umbrella handle, Tohru rested her knuckles against her cheek. "I just hope it wasn't too much trouble since you don't usually pick me up. And it's raining..." she trailed off, looking up at him with worry.

"Don't worry about it. It was no big deal." Kyo said, gruffly. He eyed the hand that had just lingered on his forearm. "Watch where you're walkin' or you'll trip."

"Right," she said and obediently looked to her feet. As they walked, the world around them grew quiet; the sound of the rain and their footsteps the only exceptions. The sky had darkened not long ago, but the steady rain made the pavement shine almost like silver, giving the night around them an ephemeral, hazy glow. There was a scent that hung in the air; Tohru assumed that Kyo with his heightened senses could pick up on it too. It was the earthy scent of rain, a cross between musky and fresh smelling, but for some reason still pleasant. It reminded her of rainy days when she was young. Her mother would take her out in the front of their apartment building and together they'd run through the puddles that had formed on the sidewalks and sides of the road. Kyoko wasn't afraid to get her feet wet, literally. As Tohru landed in the puddles, the cold would instantly spread from her toes to her knees. It felt so exhilarating, especially when the air around her was heavy and warm. She got a slight shiver just imagining it, the memory lighting up her eyes.

"Are you cold?" Kyo asked her, his shoulders sagging. "I didn't think to bring you a coat or anything. Figured you had one."

"I did," she said. "But I left it at school too. I'm fine though, I was just thinking about Mom and how we used to play in the rain together when I was small." Tohru was used to telling Kyo about her mother and her past. Her relationships with the Sohmas had only grown deeper over the years since she began to live among them, but Kyo was special. He brought out her happiest stories, and her saddest ones. Regardless of the memory, Tohru felt more and more at ease sharing with him, because he was such a good listener. She wondered how many people knew that about him. "We would jump into these big puddles-" She held both arms out wide, forgetting in her enthusiasm that she was, of course, holding an umbrella. "Eep! Sorry!" she exclaimed as it bounced against Kyo's and then wobbled the other direction. She righted it above her head as he chuckled lightly.

"And it was fun?" he asked, his smile lingering.

"Yes, it was." She returned his smile, meeting his gaze for a long moment. He ended up breaking their eye contact first by dropping his gaze to his feet. After a beat, Tohru asked, "Did you ever play in the rain? I know you don't particularly like getting wet." Kyo, because of their established closeness, had also gotten more accustomed to telling Tohru about parts of his past. Mostly stories that involved Shishou or training, lighter ones, happier ones. He didn't have many, but he preferred to dwell on and share the ones he knew she'd smile at. And when she did, it made him smile to.

"Well, you know I don't get out in the rain much because it makes me so damn tired. But it wasn't as bad when I was a kid. I remember there was this one time, when Shishou and I were leaving the dojo. It had rained all day, so there were puddles everywhere. I remember looking down into the puddles and seeing my reflection." He paused, and Tohru looked at him from underneath the rim of her umbrella. He seemed to be looking far in the distance, farther than she could see, into the depths of that memory. He never finished the story. Sometimes that happened too, and there was a mutual understanding between them not to press.

Kyo was suddenly brought out of his reverie when Tohru, feeling bold, grabbed his hand and tugged him forward. Together they broke out into a run. "H-hey!" He said, startled. She laughed and ran until she found the perfect one. The perfect puddle. Spotting a particularly nice one at the edge of the sidewalk a little ways away, she stopped them, their shoes landing on the brink of the water's edge.

Kyo bent at the waist and tried to catch his breath; a little winded from the spontaneous running and his already depleted energy. Tohru was still holding his hand, and he only realized she hadn't let go yet when she gave it a comforting squeeze. "Let's make a new memory, Kyo-kun."

Shaking his head at her half heartedly, he mumbled, "you dummy," which was all he could manage and was more teasing than chiding. The street lamp standing above them illuminated the puddle at his feet, and Kyo looked into it from his slumped position, seeing his reflection clearly. He could see Tohru next to him. And then he almost got rainwater in his eyes as Tohru plunged her foot in the middle of his makeshift mirror.

He shot upright, trying to avoid more splashing as Tohru stomped again into the puddle again. "C'mon, Kyo-kun. Goodness, it's cold!" Her laughter filled the night, lighting up his senses like an electric current rushing through his veins. Hesitantly, he stepped closer and hovered his leg above the water. He dipped his foot slowly down; as he went farther, he felt the sensation of ice cold water seeping through his sneaker and up his leg. He stood with one leg dry and the other a bit more wet and uncomfortable, not really sure what to do next. Tohru was already ankle deep; whooping and splashing like a child, splattering Kyo's pant legs since he was so close to her. "Tohru!" He stomped back at her, causing her legs and skirt to get soaked. The two began laughing, stomping and kicking and jumping, the quiet and calm of the night completely disrupted, until they were positively soused.

But when Tohru shivered for real, Kyo knocked her on the head with his fist, chuckling as he let the last of the laughter leave him. Though Tohru could still hear him smiling as he sighed, "Alright, alright. Let's get you home."

That's all for now! Hope you enjoyed it~