Somewhere on Autumn Woods Drive

By Rikku Minouke

Disclaimer: I don't own YYH

AN: Good morning! It's my day and we all know what that means... a lot of updating today haha. Well Vanessia, thank you for reviewing! I think this is what you were looking for -wink-

Chapter twenty-seven

Whenever it came to a fight or flight situation, it was practically hard wired in me to pick flight. I had never always felt more comfortable with running away from the bad things then standing up for what I believed in. It usually ended up back firing on me. But I think that was something you taught me to do. Slowly I was starting to stand up for what the things I wanted.

I could feel the blood pumping through the veins in my arms as I took slow steps toward the door of our apartment. Stopping a foot from our place, I fixated on the door handle thinking about what may or may not happen on the other side.

The sun had set completely by the time Yusuke had left me at the front door. No sound came through the wood panels and I thought maybe he'd gone to work and I would be able to hold off the conversation another day. It was Wednesday after all.

Taking a deep breath I glanced down both sides of the hall as if I was checking for possible exit strategies. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and turned the door knob. One foot in front of the other, I can do this. It's not like I was coming home to my dad or my ex where I knew there would be hell to pay. This is Kurama, he's sweet and gentle and really cares about me.

I chewed on my bottom lip as I pushed open the door and took a few steps inside. Pushing the door shut behind me, I locked the door out of habit. Turning back, I kicked off boots by the door and looked around at our dark apartment. It appeared like he'd left for work and I was off the hook. Sighing, I shrugged off my coat and opened the closet door to hang it up.

"Botan?" Kurama came out of the door to his room. "I wasn't sure if that was the front door opening or not."

"Hey," I said quietly shutting the closet door before looking at him. His face looked worn. The worry in his features added quite a few years on to his appearance. "I'm back."

His was silent while his eyes searched my body as if he was looking for some serious damage. Anything to explain why I had been gone all day. He took several steps closer to stand about a foot from me. Twitching at his side, I had no doubt he wanted to reach out and touch me to find evidence of injury or something of that sort. "You look cold."

"You look like shit." He laughed at my remark, but it seemed like his throat couldn't remember how to make that sound. "Kurama-"

"I'll make you some hot chocolate," he quickly side stepped me to round the breakfast bar and open the fridge for the milk.

"Kurama stop," I sighed and turned to watch him set the container on the counter next to the refrigerator. His back was to me when he lowered his head slightly to stare down at the counter top. "We should talk." Honestly, I surprised myself with how calm I had become since I saw him. I saw his shoulders hitch in a sigh of his own.

"Do we need to?" Kurama turned to look at me and I could see the stress in his eyes. "Why can't we forget about today?" The look on his face broke my heart a little bit. He looked so lost and almost like he was begging me.

"Kurama," I whispered his name. Swallowing the lump in my throat and ignoring the increase in my heart beat, I rounded the bar to stand in front of him. "I don't know what's going on here. But it feels right." I reached up to place a shaky hand on his shoulder. He remained silent as he watched my face. A shallow breath slid down my throat. My eyes rose to meet his as we stood there. It was almost like slow motion to me. But that was probably from the adrenaline.

My toes pushed up as my hand gripped his shoulder. It was barely seconds before my lips touched his. But as quick as I felt the soft pressure of his unmoving lips, it was over and I was settling back on my heels. Biting my lower lip, I looked at his shocked face. His eyes were unreadable now and his mouth was slightly agape in surprise. Stepping away from him, I bit my bottom lip. "I'm sorry Kurama." I whispered. "I make things so complicated and I can't help that." He remained silent for another moment and I nodded to myself, taking another step backwards. "I am going to go to bed early tonight, I think."

Another step back and I was really starting to doubt that he would speak to me again tonight. Licking my lips, I remember how soft his were. A part of me wished he would have kissed me back or reached out to hold me. Then again another part of me knew that I was only dreaming. He doesn't do much without knowing the outcome first.

"Good night, Kurama," I said quietly over the lump growing in my throat. Another step back and around the corner of the breakfast bar.

"Wait, Botan," Kurama said quickly and I glanced back at his face with a little hope in my eyes. "It's barely after six. Would you want to watch a movie before bed? We could order some dinner, if you haven't eaten."

I smiled slightly and nodded. "I'd like that."