The moon was luminescent and full that night, hanging low in the sky and lacing the calm world below with silvery luster. One could spy a solitary figure lying on the roof of a home bordered by a deep forest on all sides on this mystical night. His tawny eyes blinked lazily in the moonlight, but his mouth twitched irritably, contrary to the rest of the peace.

Dammit, what does she see in that stupid rat? He's just an arrogant, weak… Kyo sighed and stopped himself; it was pointless. Yuki had asked her, and she agreed.

Tohru…

The boy closed his eyes and let the light breeze cool his head.

….

Tohru hadn't seen Kyo around after dinner, and she couldn't help but worry a little. Frowning slightly, she finished drying the dishes, then made her leave upstairs.

The first place she checked was the roof.

Tohru quietly pulled herself up the small ladder and peeked over the edge of the roof. The girl let out a relieved breath when she saw him and smiled to herself. However, that comfort soon faded from her mind. She knew Kyo well enough to know he usually sought solitude on the roof when something heavy was on his mind.

As she began lifting herself onto the roof, Kyo's eye opened and stared at her. Tohru blushed slightly, afraid she had woken him, and scooted a little closer.

"Kyo-kun? Is everything, um… alright?" she prodded gently.

Again the boy was struck by how compassionate her large, brown eyes were, but he still felt somewhat torn about his rival's date with her.

Kyo shut his eye again. "Peachy," he said a little edgily. When he sensed no movement, his gaze returned to her and said, "You know, you can stay, if you want. I don't mind."

Tohru crawled carefully across the tiles and stopped beside him, hugging her knees. "Kyo-kun, is something… on your mind?"

Kyo didn't move. Tohru actually wondered if he had fallen asleep, he looked so peaceful.

"No. I'm just exhausted from that… idiot running around our house all day."

Timidly, Tohru smiled and looked up to the moon, admiring the allure of the night.

The moon… It's so full tonight. It seems so content to just watch over the Earth, shining like a big nightlight…

That thought did not bring solace. The girl knew how her friends suffered, and somehow, she prayed, somehow she wished to be a comfort to them.

As Kyo rested beside the small girl, he reflected on his relationship with her.

Tohru, you've always been right there when I needed you. I'm weak, and I'm never there when you need me. Maybe… maybe you're better off with Yuki.

The boy grimaced for even allowing himself to think such a thing. "I don't care if it's hopeless, dammit!" he yelled, sitting up and startling Tohru. She gave him a puzzled look that was returned with grumbling from her hot-headed friend.

I won't give up yet.

…

Ayame had gone back to the main house after dinner to visit with Hatori, whom he hadn't spoken with in awhile. The two men were sitting around the table in Hatori's house, and Hatori having just made tea, were sitting in silence for once, sipping leisurely.

"I'm proud of Yuki," Ayame mused, tea sloshing around in his cup as he tilted it back and forth in his hand. A secret, triumphant smile hung from his lips.

Hatori smirked and took another sip. "You're being so brother like, Aya. And what do you mean?"

Ayame rested his chin in his free hand that was propped on the table. "He asked Tohru-kun to the dance. I'm glad to see him… open up a little more, you know?"

Hatori simply nodded.

As character would demand, Ayame sat up quickly with an outlandish wave of the hand, accidentally spilling tea all over the table, and called loudly, "After all, we should all grab these romantic chances by the horns and live life to the fullest without hesitation!"

Hatori sighed, and stood to grab a dishtowel from the adjacent kitchen.

Aya, you have good intentions, but you really need to think things through more. Shaking his head, Hatori thought, Sometimes you can't change fate. Sometimes it's futile.