Cifra

by Rukatofan

Takato is 22 years old. The love of his life left him one year ago, and he spends his days alone at work and at home. But a fateful encounter with an alien creature just might change his luck, and give him a chance to win her back. (Rukato/TakatoxAlien/Mature. Lots of lemons in the chapters to come.)

7. Chapter 7

~Cifra~

Chapter Seven

-o-

Disclaimer: This story is purely fanfiction. Digimon and all its characters does not belong to me in anyway.

Warning: This story contains mature content and sexual themes. Please do NOT read unless you are 18 years or older.

Thank you for your wonderful comments! I honestly didn't think anybody still found this interesting. I love to see what you guys come up with for what might happen, and I love how you are asking if Guilmon and the other digimon will play a role in this story. The answer is... be patient. Hehe. And yes, yes they will.

This chapter is dedicated to you, thank you so much.

-o-

I moved like a frenzied, rabid animal, punching and kicking and using every skill I had to attack the three men who held the cage with my Kyo. They were on the ground in seconds. I was tempted for a moment to spend the next several minutes kicking them until they coughed blood, but even in my state of anger I could never bring myself to do something like , there wasn't time. The walking tank of a man was rushing at me.

Turning and side-stepping his body, I used his own body-weight against him to topple him to the ground and twist his arms behind him, and pinned my arm around his neck in a move that was designed to choke him till he passed out.

If he had been a normal person, he probably would have. He tightened his neck muscles and protected himself from choking, and somehow managed to get a hold of me. We grappled, using our strengths and exploiting each others weaknesses, until both of us were panting and injured. But while he was much stronger than me, I had ten times his endurance.

I would have out lasted him if they didn't have back up.

When I felt the taser electrocuting me, I was unable to fight back. They didn't stop shocking me, even after I collapsed on the ground, convulsing, until they were sure I wouldn't get up again. By then I was barely conscious.

"How the hell did you get beat by someone like this?" the one shocking me spat. I couldn't see very well from where I was lying on the street, but he was wearing a suit and looked like he was the man in charge.

"This freakin kid is a monster!" the muscle man gasped. He staggered to his feet, then proceeded to kick me ruthlessly in the gut. "I'll kill him!"

"Stop," the man in the suit ordered. His order was obeyed instantly. "We still can use him for our experiments. Bring him along."

"Yes sir…"

I coughed, trying to get up, but I was grabbed and hand cuffed and tossed into the trunk of a car. Kyo's cage was placed inside the cab, out of reach. Kyo! I thought, growing anxious and angry. Was he hurt? What did they want with him? What did they want with me? What experiments! Kyo, hang in there…

I heard the man in the suit get into the car, where Kyo's cage was located. I could hear them like they were right above me.

"Hello, little Erus," he said, his voice dripping with a sinister sound. "Looks like you and I are going to have a lot of fun, doesn't it?"

The engine turned on, and drowned out anything else that might have been said.

I'm going to kill that guy, I thought, furious.

-o-

It wasn't until later that my situation really began to terrify me.

We arrived at some facility, hidden on the nearest mountain. They took me out of the trunk, and though I sprang at them at tried to fight my way through them, they just ended up tasering me again. This time, I really did go unconscious.

When I woke up, my head was in agony, and I was lying on the floor, chained to a wall by both arms and legs. "What the hell?" I groaned, peering around me. It was really cold in here, and while there was about six feet of chain between my limbs and the wall, I didn't have anywhere to go or walk to. I was just stuck there. "So I have enough chain to stand or sit or lie down, but that's about it," I mumbled darkly. "Where is Kyo?"

"Ah, you're finally awake," someone chuckled.

I stood up, watching from my cell as the suited man walked down the stairs and up to the barred door. He smirked at me, with a sort of hungry expression that scared me into silence. I didn't even know what to say to him. I can't place it, but he feels… he feels so dangerous…

"It's common knowledge that Erus get possessive of their Cifras," he said casually, leaning against the bars of my cell and watching me intently. "But it's quite rare for them to care so much about them that they would even disregard their own safety. You must be a very special person."

His expression sent shivers down my spine. "Where is he?" I demanded, unable to make my voice as firm or as loud as I wanted.

"Don't worry, he's fine," the man purred. "For now."

"Let him go."

"Are you really in any position to demand anything from me?" the man laughed. "You're just a stupid human. A Cifra. You don't have any real authority. Isn't that right?"

I scowled, alarm quickly growing inside me. Something isn't right here. Those guys before, they acted like they were capturing Kyo because they hate aliens. But this guy…he's acting like… My eyes widened, and I sucked in a sharp breath of air. This guy was…

"My, my," the grin that spread across his face terrified me. "You are special, aren't you? To come to that conclusion so fast. No one else would ever possibly imagine that I was really an Erus… but you…" the man licked his lips. "You figured it out in just a few seconds."

"What do you want?" I asked, trying to stay calm. He's an Erus! He's probably been disguised as a human for a long time, tricking other people into capturing weaker Erus so that he could absorb their power. That's why he wants Kyo.

"Don't you know what I want?" the human Erus demanded. He opened the cell door, walking toward me with slow, deliberate steps. "What does any Erus want?"

I glared up at him, refusing to speak.

"We want control, my dear human," he smirked. He stood in front of me, just out of reach of my fists, that hungry look in his eyes growing stronger by the second. "We cannot die, only grow strong or weak. The weak reform and regain their strength so long as there are Cifras to use. The strong gain territories, and do whatever they like. I am strong. And someday, my territory will be this whole world."

"So why disguise yourself?" I demanded. "I thought humans were too complex for an Erus to become one." I wasn't about to tell him that I'd already seen Kyo as a human. That was far too dangerous.

"That's true at first," the Erus reached his hand out, tracing his finger along my jaw. I recoiled angrily. "But as we grow stronger," he smirked at my reaction, "we are able to identify with certain human traits. Humans are so very complex, you see, that in the end, any Erus can become a human if he desires it. And if he has the strength to keep it. Of course, it makes perfect sense for me to choose this form, doesn't it? After all, the people of your world will readily serve a human without doubt, when they would despise an alien. You are such simple creatures in the end, for all your complexity."

He stepped forward once more, and this time, his eyes held me in place with his magic. I felt frozen, unable to do anything as he drew close to me and grabbed my chin, lifting my face upward.

"Come, human," he whispered. "Let us go see your poor little Erus. He offered to give himself up to me if I only let you go. What do you think of that?"

Kyo… he would sacrifice himself for me? My heart twisted anxiously inside me. I won't forgive this guy…

He reached down and unlocked the chains from my arms and legs, and then grabbing my shirt with his hand, began to drag me up the stairs. I was unable to escape from him, my mind clouded by his magic. I could barely think straight, and I couldn't do anything except follow blindly as he led me into a different room.

Kyo was chained to a corner, and his body stiffened when he saw me. Takato! He cried out, then turned and glared at the Erus furiously. You promised to let him go, he growled. I thought we came to an agreement.

"What a stupid little Dygon," the human Erus laughed. He kicked Kyo with one foot, knocking him over. "Nobody follows the rules anymore!"

Seeing Kyo get kicked snapped me out of my daze, and without even making a sound, I slammed my fist into the Erus's gut with all my strength. He fell over, choking in surprise, as I fell on him and began to beat him senseless. My eyes blurred over with red.

But then suddenly I was flung across the room by a wave of magic. Slamming into the wall, I slid to the ground and cried out in pain. Every one of my nerves was screaming in agony. It's just like that one time… when Kyo showed me the painful way to cipher…

That was when I remembered what Kyo had said. There were two ways our bodies interpreted Erus magic. Pain, or pleasure.

Neither was a happy concept for me.

"Fool!" the Erus growled, standing to his feet and walking over to me with eyes flashing. I was held in place, unable to move, still trying to get over the sensation of pain in my body. "I was going to let you go after I played with you a little bit. But now, I don't think that will satisfy me any more."

I struggled to stand, but I couldn't even sit up. This is bad, I thought, peering at Kyo worriedly. If I could just reach him, maybe he could cipher some energy and escape from there…but…

"Now, thanks to you," the Erus bent over me, grabbing my neck with his hand and glaring into my eyes greedily, "I am going to drain your body lifeless, and make your precious Erus watch! Then, I'm going to drain all of his power too!"

He slammed me to the ground, pinning my hands above my head with one hand and lifting up my t-shirt with his other. His face pressed down upon me, kissing and biting my neck, and he began to twist my nipples with his fingers.

I could barely breathe. The things he was doing to me physically, touching me and kissing me, feeling my body and grinding his pelvis against mine, all of them were designed to cause pleasure. But the magic that slammed into my body was torturous. Gasping and panting, trying not to cry out or whimper, I could barely handle the pain. All I could see was white, and it took everything not to scream in agony.

What is he doing to me? My mind pleaded. I can't… I can't think! It hurts so much… why is my body so hot?

I was vaguely aware of his hand tearing open my jeans, but when he touched my dick I suddenly became alert. Regaining some control from the shock, I kicked upward with my knee as hard as I could, hitting him in the groin.

He groaned, cursing at me, and bit down on my neck. It sent waves of agony down every nerve in my body, and this time, I couldn't keep from crying out. My mind tottered on the edge of unconsciousness, and I felt him violating my body with a distant sense of horror. How can this be happening to me?

Kyo…Kyo help me… KYO!

The last thing I saw before I lost consciousness was someone standing over the Erus with a chain in his hands like he was going to strangle someone with it, his feline eyes flashing with fury.

Then I realized it was Kyo's human face.

-o-

…to! Takato! TAKATO!

I groaned, shuddering with agony and exhaustion, and found myself waking up in my own room. I was in my bed, and someone was sitting down next to me, leaning over my body.

Shivering, I looked at his face with a feeling of bewilderment. How did I get here? Where is that Erus? Why is Kyo human? I stopped thinking as soon as I saw his face. There was terror in his eyes, and tears streaking down his cheeks. How long had he been by my side, waiting for me to wake up? He must have been so worried…

I turned over onto my back and reached my hands upward, taking hold of either side of his face. Then I pulled him down to me, planting a kiss on his forehead. A shudder ran through his body, and his breath caught in his throat. "Kyo," I whispered, too exhausted to talk louder. "You saved me again. Thank you."

Takato you idiot… he hissed, closing his eyes and trembling as he tried to hold back tears. I could tell that he was angry, relieved, and happy all at the same time. You stupid, stupid idiot… I was so afraid… Don't you know that I can't die, only lose my form for a while? You on the other hand…

Too exhausted to do anything else, I just wrapped my arms around his shoulders and held him, my eyes closing of their own accord. "It's okay now. You saved us, didn't you? It'll be okay now."

He continued to tremble, but he seemed to relax the longer I held him. Finally, he just ended up lying down next to me, resting in my arms until he calmed down. By then, I was feeling a little bit more awake.

"Tell me what happened," I asked him. "How did you get out of your chains? Why are you still human? Doesn't it take a lot of energy?"

He sighed, pulling back a little, and I let go of him so that we could look at each other from where we lay on my bed. His eyes looked red and tired. "When I saw him doing those things to you, it made me so angry," he whispered. "I couldn't do anything but watch. But when you called my name… I…" he paused, looking away thoughtfully. "It's strange, I just found energy that I didn't know I had. I dissolved the bindings and turned human, then used the chains to strangle that Erus to death. He is formless now, and it will take him a long time to regain strength. After that I picked you up and carried you here. It took you so long to wake up…"

"How long?"

"It's been sixteen hours."

"So today is Sunday?"

"You would know better than I."

I sighed, feeling upset and relieved all at the same time. Even after everything that had happened, I was still okay. And it was the second time that he had saved me from being raped. I was incredibly lucky. If not for Kyo, I don't know what might have happened to me, I thought. I'm so glad… so scared… but so glad… my thoughts trailed off as I stared at him. He was watching me with that look; the one where his gaze is so intent he doesn't blink. I chuckled.

"You're weak, right?" I asked, smiling at him. "It's okay, I think you've earned it."

"Are you okay?" he demanded, scowling at me. I don't want to hurt you…

Without speaking, I pulled his face toward mine once more. Before I even knew what I was doing, my mouth was on his, and I was kissing him.

He stopped breathing, frozen in place as though he couldn't understand what was happening. When I finally released him, his eyes were staring at me so wide, it was almost comical.

I smirked at him, amused. "Do you have your answer now?" I asked.

His body tensed up, and lifting himself up, he positioned himself over me with his arms. Takato, he said to me, as though he couldn't open his mouth to speak. Why is it… what did you… do to me?

I could see a faint glow around him for only a second, before it faded. Slowly, I felt like I was beginning to understand. "You gain magic from ciphering my energy, right?" I whispered, looking up at him. "Humans are…we are…" I blushed, avoiding looking at his eyes. "We're very sensitive. Even just a kiss can cause emotions and excitement. Kissing on the lips is…" I paused looking up at him. I didn't know how to continue. "Well you're human right now," I finally stammered out. "So you can feel it, can't you? The feel of someone's lips…"

He frowned, confusion flickering across his face. So while I am human, if I cipher you, then I too will feel the effects of my magic?

"You mean you don't normally?"

He sniffed, looking away from me with a serious expression. "No," he said out loud. "Only the Cifra feels the effects of the magic. It is normal."

I sighed. What was it about him that made me feel so annoyed, so frustrated, and so wistful all at the same time? He really was beginning to drive me crazy. And after what happened, I seriously don't want to think any more. I just want… I just want… I lifted my hand and placed it on his chest, causing him to look down at me once more with a frozen look of alertness on his face. Like a cat, captivated by something interesting. "Kyo," I whispered. "Do you feel that?"

He looked at me, completely silent. With his body bending over me, both of us could hear each other's heartbeat increasing.

"This is the feel of a human hand," I said, my voice barely audible. "If you want, I will show you what it feels like."

Takato… the confusion was back in his eyes, and he began to pull away reluctantly. Are you… what about…

I didn't want to think anymore. My thoughts were already a mess. "I already can't get you out of my head, Kyo," I whispered, growing annoyed. "This is all your fault. After today, when I thought I might lose you, when all that was happening… all I could think about was you."

Takato…

"Shut up," I growled, pulling him down and meeting his lips with my own. I had always been a good kisser. I knew how to be forceful and gentle, at the same time. When to come up for air, and when to stick my tongue in. And I knew that someone like Kyo who had never been kissed, would not be able to resist it.

Because, regardless of the fact that he could use magic to make me feel good, I knew much more about the human body than he did.

I knew how to make him feel ecstasy.

Just once, I thought, turning our bodies and forcing him onto his back on the bed. As I kissed him, I trailed my hands down his chest, tracing my fingers along the lines of his muscles. His body shivered uncontrollably, like he was powerless to stop me. Just once, I want him to feel amazing. I want him to know how much he means to me. Just this once, I want…

I was barely aware of anything after that. I kissed him and touched him until his mind was lost to the fog of pleasure. He began to kiss me back, sucking the energy from my body as well as feeding off his own. It was so much more than usual, his whole body glowed with a warm light that I couldn't see with my eyes. I could only sense it, like something only visible out of my peripheral vision. Our kissing and nipping and touching grew more passionate, and my hand trailed down his now shirtless chest toward his pants.

Wait… I heard his voice in my head. I hesitated a moment, my face against the nape of his neck, and my hand at the button of his pants. What are…what are you… doing?

I lifted my head and looked at him. His face was flushed, and sweat beaded on his forehead. The invisible glow made him seem so warm and appealing, and his expression—it was so innocent it nearly killed me. I want to see more, I thought blindly. More expressions that no one else will see… I unbuttoned his pants slowly and deliberately, watching his face.

No…wait…wait… he cringed when my hand touched his already hard membrane. As I caressed it with one hand, feeling the tip with my thumb, he trembled and suddenly gripped me tightly with his hands. "Ah! Ta…takato…w-wait!" he cried out, and then covered his mouth with one hand.

I nearly lost whatever control I had left. I groaned, closing my eyes so that I didn't have to see his face, fighting my lust so that I could listen to him. I removed my hand, focusing on breathing in and out. It took everything I had. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I won't do more, not unless you want me to. I'm sorry."

A wordless growl rumbled up Kyo's throat, as though he wasn't sure whether to purr or complain. It seemed like ages before I heard his voice in my mind once more. Please, he begged. I want it. I want you. Don't... stop.

I opened my eyes, staring into his face with a burning intensity. "Are you sure?" I asked.

He nodded, his face a burning mess of frustration. Please... he begged silently.

I was all over him after that, kissing him and feeling him, sucking his nipples, nibbling his ear, searching for his weak spots and pumping my hand up and down his shaft. He kept glowing, brighter and brighter with a light that I could feel but not see, panting and crying out with half strangled sounds that he tried to block with his hand.

It got to the point that I couldn't stop myself from doing anything and everything I wanted. I knew somewhere, at the back of my mind, that a little voice was berating me. You always get like this. You always take it too far when you're aroused. Watch for the signs, don't go all the way if he doesn't want it. I knew that. But I ignored it. My mind was filled with nothing.

Nothing but his smell. His faces. His voice.

And I wanted all of him.

Somewhere along the line, we lost all of our clothes in a pile on the floor. Somehow I found myself pinning him down and sucking on his burning shaft. At some point I was moistening my finger in my mouth, and sticking it inside him to loosen him up. Then another finger, then another… and then…

I was positioned over him, watching his face, when I suddenly wondered if I should stop. I stared down at him, drinking in the blush on his face and the tears in his eyes, as he bit his hand in an attempt to hide his voice. His body trembled, red with pleasure and energy, and glowing with sweat and magic. His eyes were squeezed shut, as though he was waiting.

"Kyo," I whispered.

He opened one eye, peering at me as he panted. Takato…

"Are you… can I…?"

He cringed, frustration covering his face. D-don't ask me that again… just… just do whatever… you… want…

I shuddered, barely able to keep myself from slamming into him. Instead, I forced myself to push in slowly. After all, I'd only done it with girls before. What if I hurt him?

"Is that okay?" I whispered, pulling his body onto mine and capturing his mouth in a smoldering kiss. He nodded once. I grinned. "I'm going to move."

He couldn't answer.

In fact, the only thing he could do after that was moan and cry out erotically while I moved inside him, first slowly, then faster and faster until I felt like I could explode. His magic was pouring into me so quickly, I felt like every nerve pulsed with pleasure, and the sensations were so overwhelming I couldn't think at all.

When I hit my climax, I knew that I had never felt anything like it. And likely, I never would again.

Afterward I collapsed beside him, the exhaustion so acute, I felt like I was dying. What if it does kill me? I thought, bewildered. Maybe I went too far…

Takato…that…you… his body shuddered, and he curled up beside me as though he was still in pain. I…twice I… twice I came and still I… he lifted his hand to his mouth, biting it tightly.

"Stop that," I ordered, taking his hand away and kissing it. His eyes snapped open in response, and he stared at me breathlessly. His pupils were so dilated I could see my reflection in them. "Idiot," I whispered, sighing and stroking his hand where he had bitten it. The skin was bruised from his teeth. "It's because you're still turned on. If you don't keep going till you're finished, it'll be painful."

But you are already… His voice trailed off, and he cringed when I suddenly reached down to touch his groin. His dick was hard again, pulsing with desire.

"It's fine," I yawned. "I did whatever I wanted. Right? Now it's your turn. Besides," I smirked, looking into his eyes tiredly and trying not to feel overwhelmed by the weakness in my limbs. "You want it, right?"

The blackness in his pupils seemed like they were burning. And maybe it was because I was so exhausted, but after that, the only thing I could remember was the warmth of his body on mine, and the waves of pleasure that slammed into me.

I'm really going to regret this, aren't I?

-o-

It was the phone ringing that actually woke me up. I fell out of bed, tried to get up, and fell down again.

I couldn't move.

"What the hell?" I groaned, trying to crawl to reach my phone and pick it up. I managed to reach it, and placed it to my ear with a cry of pain. "Ah! Er…yes? Hello? I mean… this is Matsuda Takato…"

"Matsuda, are you alright?" Satou's voice demanded on the other end, too loudly for my headache to handle. "You sound terrible!"

"I think I'm ill," I complained, dropping my head to the floor and lying there without any inclination to move. "Actually no, I think I'm dying."

"EEEHHH?"

I sighed. "No, I'm not dying. Don't be so gullible."

"But you're really sick? You didn't come in to work so we were really concerned. You missed the big meeting, and some things were decided… ah… but Nakamura-san said not to worry about it, that he would speak with you later. I was worried. I don't want you to be in trouble…"

"I'm fine, I'm just not feeling well. Maybe I'm sick or something…" I lifted a hand to my head, alarmed to feel how hot it was. "I have a fever," I said quietly.

"You live alone, right?"

I paused. Why was he asking me this? "Yes…well… I have Kyo…"

"A pet is one thing, but who will take care of you if you are sick? Ah…it's Matsuda-san. He's really ill, that's why he didn't come in."

Was he talking to someone else? I just listened, too tired to do anything but lie there and listen, but I wondered absently who he was speaking to.

"He has a fever. Such a pity, he lives alone, too. Hey, Matsuda! Tell me your address! I'll come by and bring some medicine!"

"That's really not necessary…"

"I insist! If you're that sick, you shouldn't be alone. It's not… ah sorry, what's that Makino-san?"

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. I could have sworn he said… did he say… Makino? Pressing the phone closer to my ear, I tried to listen to her words, but they were too quiet. All I could hear was Satou's replies.

"…yes, that's…oh I see. Alright then. Matsuda, are you there?" Satou asked.

I swallowed. "Yes?" I said hesitantly.

"Makino-san and I are coming to your house, we'll bring your some broth and some medicine. Just rest until we get there, okay?"

"Ah…what? You are?" I felt numb all over. Was this a dream? Was this really happening? Rika is coming over? Even though her Erus is… what if…? I don't….should I be happy or terrified?

"See you later!" Satou hung up, and I dropped the cordless phone to the ground in disbelief.

It seemed a long time later that I was able to drag myself to my feet and observe my apartment. It was tidy, like always—good thing I always kept it that way—but for a pile of blankets and clothing on the floor in my room.

Oh right. Yesterday I… Kyo and I… my face drained of color, and horror gripped my chest.

I had no words.

Stumbling forward, I grabbed the clothes and blankets and threw them into the hamper, and moved to tear the sheets off the bed. But Kyo was still lying there, unmoving, with his face buried in a pillow.

He was still human.

Oh crap! Crap, crap, crap! I held my face with my hands, horrified all over again. What was I supposed to do? We were both naked, and there was…. On the sheets there was… I can't let Rika see this!

As if sensing my panic, Kyo rolled over and looked up at me. His face was darkened with fury. Takato…. He growled, narrowing his eyes.

Craaaaaaaap! I groaned, hiding my face in my hands completely. "Kyo….um…. I'm sorry but… unexpectedly I have guests coming and…."

Takato.

"And you see, they are expecting me to have a cat and…if they see you…"

Takato! His tone grew sharp with anger, and my words died on my tongue. You did this to me, he accused, growling with such severity, it terrified me. I can barely move. What did you DO to me?

"I'm sorry!" I wailed, collapsing on my floor. "I'm so, so, sorry! It's just… I've heard about this but I didn't remember… it's because we're both guys so… that place is… yours hips probably… and the fever…" my voice trailed off when I noticed that the more I spoke, the more furious he looked. I cowered away from him nervously. "Um… I'm sorry… you can…. Take it out on me later?"

His eyes narrowed angrily. A few seconds later, light enveloped his body, and he changed into the form of a cat. He turned away from me unhappily. I expect you to carry me if you want me to move, he huffed.

I swallowed, and did as he commanded as quickly as I could with my aching body. I was so weak, it made me feel faint just to move. When I finally finished changing the sheets and disguising any evidence of what had happened the day before, I put him back on the bed on his pillow, and crawled into bed beside him. My body felt like it was dying.

"Hey," I mumbled. "I feel the same way, you know. You did it to me too. My back and hips are in serious pain right now, and I've got a really high fever. Plus, you've drained all my energy by ciphering me the whole time, so you can't complain, okay?"

He opened one eyes, peering at me sullenly. I still have your permission to 'take it out on you' later. And anyway, I don't have any experience with that kind of thing, so it's much worse for me. You didn't even warn me about this.

"How should I know? I've never done it with a guy before!"

This is still your fault. I never intended to do that much. Whatever happened to getting back your one true love?

"I still…that's….you…AUGH!" I threw an arm over my face, suddenly overcome by tears. I didn't want to look at him. "That's your fault, isn't it?" I whispered. "You're the one making me fall for you like this. What did you expect would happen if you keep making me feel like that every day, and keep saving my life like that?"

Takato…

"After a certain point, I can't resist any more. My heart has been broken for so long, and though you gave me hope to get Rika back that I never thought I could have, you also…"

I couldn't talk any more. Neither could he.

I heard the door to my apartment unlocking and opening a couple hours later, and only then remembered that I had given Rika a key once upon a time. Even after all the confusing things that were happening, it still made me happy to know that she kept it.

My heart was full of happiness and pain.

"Matsuda!" Satou called out quietly, coming into my room with a bag full of medicine. He beamed down at me from beside the bed, as though thrilled to be there. "We've come with gifts!"

I peered sideways from underneath the arm that still covered my face, watching Rika as she stood in the doorway. A bowl of steaming broth was in her hands, and she seemed to be having trouble looking at me. I'm scared to look at her too, now.

"Whoa, your fever really is high," Satou whistled. He set the medicine on the table beside my bed, and rummaged through the bag. "Here we go, take this. I'll get some water and a cold wash cloth. Makino-san, will you help him sit up?" He left the room quickly, not shy about searching my apartment for the things he needed.

Rika swallowed, and hesitantly came to the bed. She held the bowl in her hands, as though afraid to part with it, and finally brought herself to look down at the bed. Her expression faltered when she saw me. "Takato…" she breathed, her eyes brimming with tears. Blinking them away rapidly, she set the bowl aside and leaned over, placing her hand behind my head. "Come on, sit up slowly…"

I allowed her to help me, though my heart seemed to be tearing into pieces the longer I breathed her scent. She pulled my arm away from my face, looking into my eyes carefully. Could she see that I was conflicted? Could she tell how much pain I was in right now? And how happy it made me to see her again?

"You really aren't doing well," she said, sighing with frustration. "What is wrong with you? Don't you know how to take care of yourself? Honestly, you're so stupid."

"Eh? Makino-san, don't be so harsh to him!" Satou declared, coming back into the room. "Matsuda is a very dependable guy! He's sick, that can happen to anyone. Right?"

She looked away, annoyance covering her face. Crossing her arms, she turned her back toward me, but made no move to get up from her spot where she sat on my bed.

I wondered why she was not running. Wasn't she scared for her life? For mine? Or maybe… maybe she really did love me. Maybe…

"Ah, can cats get colds too?" Satou asked, interrupting my thoughts. I glanced at him, surprised, and followed his gaze to where Kyo was lying on his pillow. "He's panting like he's sick, and he doesn't look so good. Makino-san, quickly go get him some water!"

"I can get it…" I found myself being stopped by two sets of hands.

"No," Satou ordered. "You're sick, Matsuda! Swallow your medicine!" he handed me some pills and a glass of water, and scowled at me till I swallowed them. Then, he placed the bowl of broth in my hands. "Drink," he ordered.

I scowled at him, and drank sips of it till he was satisfied. I had to admit, it helped. When I set the bowl aside, Rika was back with a small bowl of water. Her hands were trembling as she brought it to me. "Thank you," I said genuinely, taking it from her with a smile. I turned to Kyo, observing his short breaths and irritated expression. He definitely wasn't feeling well. And it really is my fault. I held the water in front of his head. "Come on, Kyo," I said quietly.

Rika stiffened, alarmed. Her eyes darted between me and the cat, as if trying to figure out what she was seeing, before she resumed her calm exterior.

Kyo, on the other hand, lifted his head and glared at me. I feel terrible! He complained, and I knew that I was the only one who could hear him. This is all your fault!

"I know, I know," I laughed nervously. "You feel as bad as I do, I can tell. Just drink this water, you'll feel better, I promise."

How better? He narrowed his eyes.

"You'll see," I smiled. "And later, I'll buy some sushi for you. Okay?"

He contemplated the water, glared at me some more, and then began to drink from it with the kind of regal behavior that only cats can pull off.

Satou placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "It's so beautiful!" he cried. "A cat-lover and his pet…"

I turned to glare at him, annoyed. "If you're quite finished," I snapped.

He grinned, backing up, and then produced a cold wet cloth. "Here you go, Matsuda, place this over your head, lie down, and get some rest. Okay? I'll go get the sushi for you. Makino, you stay here and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Got it?"

"Eh?" Rika blurted. "Wait…I…"

Satou sped out the door, calling out "I'll be back!" in a far too cheerful voice.

I collapsed on my bed, throwing the cloth over my head and eyes. "He probably knows I'm in love with you," I mumbled. "Don't mind him, he's just trying to make me feel better. You can go if you want to."

The room fell into an awkward silence. For several minutes, the only sound was Kyo quietly lapping up water. And Rika made no move to leave.

"Takato…" she whispered.

Even the sound of her voice brought me both joy and agony.

"I was so afraid," she continued. "All this time, he kept threatening to kill you if I got close to you. He said I could never tell you anything about the Erus. I thought, if only Takato is safe, I'll be okay. And I was so happy that you were free, and that no Erus had captured you."

Slowly, I lifted the cloth from my eyes, watching her face as she spoke. There were tears running down her face.

"But then that day in the ramen shop, when you asked me if I had an Erus…" she covered her face, sitting down on the bed beside me. "I was so terrified! Everything I hoped for was ruined. How could you know unless you were captured by one too? I wanted to die!"

"Rika…" I sat up, about to reach a hand out to her, but I hesitated. My heart throbbed in my chest, and I just sat there helplessly.

"But then I heard all the rumors. You had an adorable pet cat, and you took him everywhere. You ate food in the cafeteria together. You even took him to the vet when he was injured! How can that be? I don't understand!" She turned toward me, her eyes accusing. "I can see it now! You love that thing, don't you? How can you? They enslave people, Takato! They enslave us and torture us! How can you love it and want to protect it so much? Why did you let yourself get captured by one so easily!?"

I grabbed her shoulders with my hands, fire and anger boiling through me. "What do you mean by torture?" I demanded. "Rika, talk to me! What is he doing to you? Is he hurting you? Is that what he's doing to you?"

"No," she sobbed. "I mean, yes… but no! It's not… it's not like I want to feel that way with him. But every time he does it I just feel worse and worse! It only hurts when he punishes me…when I haven't been good…" Her words faded as she looked into my eyes, and I could see fear creeping back into her face. "Takato, don't be angry, please…he's too strong for you. He will kill you."

I tried to be calm, but I was so angry. This was how she'd been feeling, all this time? This was what she'd been going through? And here I thought I was the one suffering…

Takato, calm down, Kyo said. He stood slowly, coming toward us and sitting down at my elbow. Rika recoiled, but with my hands holding her in place, she couldn't pull away. Perhaps it's time we tell her about our plan.

I felt my anger dissipating as I looked at him. My emotions were a tangled mess inside me. I knew what I wanted. But now, it wasn't the only thing I wanted anymore. "Right," I said slowly. "Rika listen… Kyo has promised me that he's going to fight your Erus, and rescue you."

She blinked her tears away, staring between me and the cat without comprehending.

Kyo looked up at her, speaking so that she could hear him. Rika, what you know about us is not entirely accurate. We are not all like that, just as not all humans are criminals. What he is doing to you is unacceptable, and for Takato's sake, I have decided to do everything I can to save you. He paused, holding her gaze with a grave expression. I will give up everything in my power to return you to the one you love.

"I don't understand," she whispered.

"It's okay," I hugged her tightly. "I understand. And we're going to save you. Just go about your life like normal, and wait for us to get a little stronger. We will come get you, and then you never have to worry about him again. Okay?"

"I'm already taking a big risk by being here," she whimpered. Resting her head on my shoulder, she breathed in my scent and seemed to relax. "He lets me do what I like during the day so long as I'm back by a certain time, but only because I'm not his only captive. What about the rest of them?"

"Don't worry. When we destroy his body, they'll be free too," I whispered into her ear.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

She sighed. Mustering up her strength, she pulled away from me and walked toward the door. When she turned back, she smiled at me. "Thank you," she said. "For the first time in years, I feel hope again. It's…it's nice. Thank you…."

I watched her leave, and fell onto my back, tears streaming down my face.

"Do you know what the worst part is?" I asked, staring up at the ceiling.

Kyo didn't answer. He too collapsed on the bed, resting his head against my arm as he curled up beside me.

"The worst part is that I'm in love."

Then aren't you getting what you want? He asked. I am more prepared than ever to come through on my promise, especially after hearing her story.

"I know," I closed my eyes. "And I do love her, more than ever. But that's not what I meant."

What did you mean?

"What do you think?" I cringed. With the arm that wasn't supporting his head, I covered my eyes and cried in silence. I meant I'm in love with you too, idiot.

Idiot, idiot, idiot!

I wasn't even sure who I was talking to.

-o-

I wonder sometimes if the story I end up writing is even close to the one I want to write. Am I even making sense? I don't know. I had high hopes for this story, and looking back on it now, I wonder if it even makes sense.

I guess you'll let me know.

Thanks again for being here, you're wonderful.

~Rukatofan