FIRST OFF

I would like to thank all those who reviewed and gave me their honest thoughts. AND I also apologize for the most longest delay of this story's life. I have been having some...difficult times with my family and it's been real hard on me so give me some forgiveness! I will apologize beforehand because I may have lost my touch on this story, but I read it over a couple times(also your reviews) and hopefully this chapter will be to your equal liking.

AGAIN! Thanks to every one of you! You make this story live.

Out of All People

Written by: RedFireHead41

I dedicate this chapter to all.

Kyou mentally cursed the world for giving him a school day tomorrow. Despite all his longing to remain at home next to Yuki, the common sense and soft pleas from the rat was enough to make him to go for at least a day. Plus, Yuki added, he needed to spend some time with Tohru and ask for forgiveness for being so harsh. Geeze... Kyou had thought He even thinks of manners when he's like this. Crazy rat boy...

And so, morning was upon the world in quick hours and brought with it a new school day. Kyou groaned as he pulled himself from his bed and lazily made his way to the bathroom. Shower...he needed a shower. He entered the bathroom and slowly dragged his clothes from his body before turning on the showerhead. Cool water shot in several curved yet slightly straight lines onto the smooth surface of the tub. As the water temperature rose to a comfortable setting he hopped in and allowed the warm liquid to trail over the tight muscles of his back. Kyou sighed.

Yuki was right. Never sleep for three days straight in a chair leaning forward. Your back would kill you the day you decide to use it properly.

The cat grabbed the bottle of soap and squirted some of the substance into his hands. He rubbed them together before sliding them over his waking body. After he was done, he rinsed off and began with his hair. Pouring an oversized amount of the liquid into his hand before rubbing it through his hair. Kyou rubbed his aching sculp gently and rinsed the shampoo away after he finished. The shower felt so warm, so relaxing. He was beginning to think that just standing there until hell froze over was a good idea.

"You're going to school you stupid cat."

Kyou growled or rather pouted at the statement, "I hear ya rat boy..." So, taking his sweet time, Kyou turned off the device giving him the relaxing touch of water upon rough skin and climbed out of the tub. He dried himself with a towel and wrapped it around his hips before opening the door to the hallway and stepping out. He was so tired and drowsy that he didn't even notice Tohru exiting from her room already dressed for the day. The young girl didn't say a word, only felt her face flush, and began to walk the opposite way towards the stairs. Kyou opened his door and stepped inside before closing it behind him.

After it took him ten more lazy minutes to dress and finally become awake, Kyou left his room with his backpack over his shoulder and headed into the kitchen. Breakfast was cooking he could smell it. He glanced at the clock above the stove and saw that he had twenty minutes before he had to leave. Quickly after dropping his bag against the wall, he silently made his way to Yuki's door, opened it, and walked inside.

"What're you doing?"

"GAH!" Kyou jumped around and saw Yuki sitting up in his bed looking oddly at him. The cat breathed a few times to regain his calmness and looked over his lover still his his night clothes. The sunlight glowed gently over his blankets covering his slender form. Kyou smiled and sat down on the edge of Yuki's bed. The rat continued to stare at him curiously.

After a comfortable yet strange silence, Kyou gently pulled Yuki towards him as he inched forward and brushed his lips over the softer ones. The rat lifted his fingers to the tanner cheek and stroked the flesh there lovingly.

"I came to see you, you stupid rat," Kyou said softly with humor, "Is it wrong for me to do that?"

Yuki sighed playfully, "You could've at least knocked."

"...I could've, but I guess it slipped my mind."

Yuki sighed again, "Very funny."

Kyou just smiled and finally pressed his lips against that of his lover's. The rat gently caressed Kyou's lips as the other boy took most of the control. He was always so strong and protective, yet behind all of Kyou's kisses he was the shyest most soft kitten he ever tasted.

After more feather-like touches and kisses, Kyou sat up straight and began to look over Yuki's face. Sensing his intent stare, Yuki desperately tried to hide the blush creeping over his face and pulled the covers towards him so they could cover his exposed belly peeking out from underneath his light shirt.

"Don't be embarrassed Yuki, I just want to make sure you're okay before I leave." The cat's tone was loving and truthful; Yuki relaxed for him.

"How's your stomach?" he asked with care. Yuki pulled back his blankets and lifted his night shirt to reveal a pale stomach still battered with vanishing black and blue bruises. Kyou's eyes narrowed in furry since he knew who actually gave those to him, but held it in for Yuki's sake. Gently, he let his fingers graze over the tender flesh of his stomach feeling Yuki flinch whenever he crossed over some of the bruising.

"It's still sore," Yuki answered.

"Then I'll let you sleep rat boy."

Yuki raised an eyebrow and stared cooly at him. "Even when I'm like this you still insult me."

Kyou smirked and kissed his forehead. "Always." In one swift movement, careful not to press down on the bed, he lifted himself to his feet and looked Yuki in the eyes. "Don't go anywhere got it?"

Yuki didn't answer, only stared back with an equal force. He knew his silence would piss the cat off in no time and in three silent seconds it did. Kyou clenched his fists and said firmly, "Got it?"

The rat smirked and replied, "Go to school you stupid cat."

"I don't leave for twenty minutes," Kyou snapped. Yuki didn't even flinch from his voice since he was so accustomed to the kitten's hissing. He simply looked at Kyou to fume the cat's rage more. Kyou's face reddened. "Dammit Yuki, say you won't go anywhere!"

The rat smiled ever-so sweetly, "Yes mother."

"Grr, damn rat!"

"Stupid cat," Yuki remarked. Kyou remained standing, holding himself in place so he wouldn't pounce on the injured boy and make him squeal the correct answer out. How can he be so normal after what at happened. Kyou thought it might be his charm. Oh how the world would laugh at that.

Still not giving the cat the answered he desired, Kyou bent down low enough so their noses were a mere inch apart. He stared deeply into his amethyst eyes and asked softly with a pleading voice, "Please...don't push yourself?"

Yuki smiled and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. Kyou purred against his soft touches and faintly recalled his lover whispering a 'yes' before he pulled away to lean his back against his bedrest. Kyou kissed him fully on the lips just because and headed for the door. He slid it open, turned around to look at his love one more time, and walked out closing it behind him.

When Yuki could hear the cheerful voice of Tohru wishing a good day to Shigure and the footsteps heading onto the dirt path about fifteen minutes later, Yuki sighed sadly. He wished that he could be walking along with them, enjoying the company until they reached school. Most of all, he wished to be near Kyou. Ever since last Thursday his skin would crawl whenever the cat wasn't around him. He felt the need to always be with him like a small child that would cling to their mother's jacket. He parted the drapes of his window, squinting when the sunlight invaded his room, and spotted his love and Tohru walking deeper into the trees surrounding their home. Kyou's face was red from something because he was looking away shyly and Tohru was giggling to herself. Yuki smiled.

If Kyou was safe, he should feel it too.

"TOHRU!" exclaimed Momiji hopping like his bunny-self over to where Tohru and her friends stood. Kyou rolled his eyes at the enthused kid as he talked eagerly with the girl living under the same roof as he. He let his mind drift back to his home where he hoped Yuki still lay in his bed (He better be!) and remained alone. Well, except for Shigure. Kyou felt his self-esteem drop at the thought of spending mostly an entire day alone with that perverted dog.

"Hey Kyou," greeted Haru walking up next to his cousin.

"Hey," he replied.

"How's Yuki?" the cow asked with concern. Kyou couldn't help but feel protective over his lover and said quiet coldly, "He's resting and fine. Nothing to worry about."

Haru looked at him quizzically. "Why the sudden tone?"

"What tone?" Kyou snapped.

"That one," Haru pointed out simply.

"I do not have a tone!"

"Yes you do."

"I do not now shut up!"

Haru sighed and walked away. Kyou glared daggers into the retreating back until the cow disappeared into the hallway. Momiji seemed to notice this and quickly said his farewell to Tohru and the others before hopping off after his relative. Kyou rolled his eyes a second time at the energy the bunny possessed.

"Kyou, are you alright?" Tohru asked looking at the cat's expression. Kyou looked back at her and replied simply, "Just annoyed by that kid's undying energy."

"Oh, Momiji's?" the girl asked.

"Yes, Momiji's," Kyou answered straining the last word.

Tohru smiled hesitantly, "He's just...well...Momiji!"

Kyou looked at her blankly. "Yes. I know that."

And as always, the girl burst into a fit of apologies that were related to mostly, nothing. Kyou smiled at her enthusiasm and gently took hold of her arm so they could get to class. Hana and Uo said good-bye and finally the bell rang signaling the school day had begun.

Yuki perked his head up from his book as knocking sounded on his door.

"Come in," he said already knowing who it was. Like he figured, the door opened and Shigure walked in with an unpredictable smile on his face and a tray of hot food in his hand. "I'm not eating your food," Yuki said instantly. Shigure grimaced and walked over to his bed.

"This is leftover take-out from Saturday, so please don't look at me that way." Yuki checked over the food before placing his book aside and allowing Shigure to place the food tray over his hips. The rat's stomach growled in hunger at the simple display before him and started demanding to be fed. Shigure watched as his younger relative took a sip of water before picking up his chopsticks and picking at his food.

Quietly, the dog slid his way back to the doorframe but never left. Yuki looked up from his food and after swallowing some white rice asked, "Is there anything more?"

The man giggled and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'm not so sure on how to bring this subject up, but to put it plainly and simple for your ears..." Yuki was fully focused on him now as he let his chopsticks rest against his tray. Shigure looked at him hesitantly and finished, "Akito will be visiting us tonight."

Immediately, Yuki felt fear grip his chest.

"Tohru will be at work, so he will be just visiting us: You, me, and Kyou."

"No!"

Yuki's hoarse cry tore at something in Shigure's heart. The dog looked sadly at the floor, a faint smile still lingering on his face.

"We cannot alter his decisions Yuki, you of all of us should know that."

"What does that mean?!" Yuki snapped.

Shigure sighed, "You know what it means Yuki..."

Yuki felt his bones underneath his skin start to shake violently. He lowered his eyes to the floor beside his bed and asked even with his voice shaking, "W-when did you hear of this?"

"Yesterday," Shigure replied.

Yuki cringed. He didn't want to see Akito's face again. If he came over he would sure discover something going on between him and Kyou. What were they going to say?

Yuki wanted Kyou. He wanted his cat! He wanted him right beside him right now, holding his trembling body and soothing his mind. Yuki began to wonder how he became so dependant on Kyou. In one way, it made him feel weak, but in the other way it made him feel cared for and safe. And that was much better than being afraid every minute of your life.

But Akito was coming over tonight.

Tonight!

What were they going to do?

"I'm sorry Yuki," Shigure said softly as he slid open the door, "We have no control over ourselves when he is here. We must obey him. For Kyou's sake and your own, do what he says. Even if it causes you pain, that still means he will never find out about the two of you."

"Shigure..." Yuki whispered softly.

Shigure chuckled and looked back at Yuki with a smile.

"I won't tell him Yuki, neither will Hatori. We've decided that both of you should try to have your love since we were to weak to hold onto ours..."

Yuki looked sympathetically him and nodded slowly. The dog flashed a sweet Shigure-like smile before exiting the room and closing it behind him. Yuki stared at the blank covering of the door until the smell of his food alerting him that it was still there. He scooped another bite of rice and ate it quietly, replacing the feeling of fear with the desire for hunger.

Still...not even Kyou's kisses could banish the fear erupting in his body.

Be without fear in the face of your enemies,

Be brave, and upright that God may love thee,

Speak the truth, even if it leads you to your death,

Safeguard the helpless.

That is your oath!

...and that is so you remember it.

Said in: The Kingdom of Heaven by Godfrey and Balian

A/N: Please tell me if I lost my touch in this chapter. If there are mistakes, I'm sorry but I had to update this chapter before my little brother takes over the computer and I have a busy weekend ahead of me so I wouldn't be able to add it. REVIEW! I beg of you, lol. Give me something to be cheerful about.

FireHead