Well now! Sorry for such a LATE update, but I've been so busy with school, and upcoming college in the next couple months. I really do appreciate all you guys have done, and think you deserve a new chapter for a New Year. In fact, my New Years Resolution is to have ONE NEW CHAPTER EVERY SUNDAY. :D Anywho. More later, read on!!!

Tohru was laughing as she and Kyo burst in her doorway, sopping wet and dripping water on a very clean carpet. "Just kick off your shoes, okay? I'll go get you some towels." She managed to gasp between giggles. She had found it amusing that, for as tough as he was, Kyo couldn't stand water. You would think that the curse would rid him of that nuisance. She smiled, as she walked down the narrow hallway, to the linen closet.

Kyo couldn't help but find the place impressive; white and freshly painted walls, matching furniture, semi-expensive paintings hung decoratively amongst the walls. All of it fit so well, and so...not clumsy. He chuckled, memories of a very spacey Tohru; a girl he had often caught from falling down the stairs on several occasions. No doubt she had changed, but he didn't know for sure whether this was a good thing or not.

"I hope this works for you, Kyo. If you want I'm sure I can find something dry that could possibly fit you?" Tohru approached him and his thoughts, towel held out for the taking. "You can't exactly be comfortable sopping wet like that, and I'm sure you can't go back out into that rain just yet either..." Her eyes were concerned, but also enticed; his wet shirt clung closely to his body, enveloping the muscles there perfectly, as she traced the ridges with her eyes.

"Um, it's fine. I should...go, anyway." he shook his head, taking the towel, before running it over his hair, soaking up the water there; he could be wet all day, but it only bugged him when he couldn't see through his own eyes. "Mind if I stay a few minutes to warm up?" he didn't expect any pleasant answer. Afterall, they really hadn't talked in years.

"No! Not at all. In fact, I was going to offer I pull out the sofa? It doesn't look like the rain is going to stop soon. But if it does, you may leave when you like." Tohru smiled warmly, a smile that seemed to heat Kyo's bones, awaking the very fire he had felt for her for so long. "But for now I'm going to make something to eat. I think....Rice cakes fit the occasion!" She walked off gingerly, her bare back facing Kyo, a lace tank top still damp against her body.

Kyo didn't say anything, he couldn't say anything. All he could find himself doing was looking at her back, tracing her body from her neck, to the bare calf muscles that peaked from her plaid skirt. Tohru was never the muscled type, and still wasn't. But something about her was slim and defined. Like Kagura...but less obnoxious, and not nearly as abusive. Kyo smirked, biting his tongue at the though. He didn't like thinking ill of Kagura, since they had been getting along and all, but it didn't mean she hadn't made it difficult to think highly of her.

"Kyo? Do you like your plain, or a certain flavor?" His thoughts were interrupted by the girl cooking in the kitchen just a few feet away. "No offense, but I can't seem to remember after so long...?" He turned into the kitchen, picking up the ingredients on the counter before looking at her in reply.

"Plain is fine. Say, you make mine, and I make yours?" he offered, trying to sound nonchalant. But all he really wanted to do was watch the grown woman move; she had a way of flitting about happily, without a care. Something in her had changed in three years. Was it because of me? His thoughts lingered, disturbed by a metallic clang that sounded through the empty apartment. He had dropped his spoon. "ah..." Idiot...he shook his head, disgruntled.

"I'll get it!" Tohru jumped to the ground in reach of the spoon, just as Kyo had done at the exact same moment. Bumping heads, Tohru's body simultaneously fell forward, directly into Kyo's lap, her skull knocking his chin. "s-s-sorrry!" Tohru gasped, her hands planted on the ground to get up, just as his clasped around her wrists. Tohru froze.

Kyo had ignored the throbbing in his chin by now, excited with Tohru in such a position as his lap. Sure, it wasn't very convenient in the way it happened, but he was happy to have the chance to bring it up. Now's my chance...his hands grazed up her wrists, grabbing her forearms, and pulling her farther into his lap. "Did you mean it? What you....said. All those years ago?" his voice was quiet, almost regretful, as he felt the girl's body stiffen in his own. Maybe I shouldn't have brought it up...

"...y-yes..." Tohru whispered back, her head hung low as she took advantage of his failing grip, to get out of his arms. Standing up, she turned to him. "And you? Did YOU mean it? The very words that broke my heart and severed my life from your family?" her eyes were quizzical, searching for an answer as he stood to meet her. In fact, exceed her, given his height.

"...No. Why would I?" Kyo's brows furrowed in the middle, showing a sign of pain, a sign of loss; the loss he had suffered all that time ago. "I just couldn't...I didn't...." he chook his head, meeting her gaze from beneath his damp hair. "I didn't know what to say...to make you know the truth."

Tohru closed her eyes, expecting the worst, yet ready to face whatever that truth may be. She managed to look at him again as she spoke. "What truth?" She had leaned against the empty counter now, the fallen spoon forgotten as she glared him down.

"That...I loved you too." he looked up as she gasped, taking the chance to move closer to her. "I still do too...If...You'll have me?" he sighed, bowing his head to the side to firmly look her in the eyes.

"I...I don't..." Tohru shook her head, unable to hold his gaze when she spoke. Of course she wanted him. In fact, she wanted him now. I don't have the courage to do that. She sighed, looking back at him. "My feelings haven't changed." she blushed, the pink color rising in her cheeks, traceable through the sides of her face, and just over her delicate nose.

Kyo released an exasperated breath, moving even closer to her now, pinning her to the counter as he spoke. "Do you mean it?" his voice was at her ear now, his warm breath traveling down her neck, and making her spine flutter in protest. "Could you forgive me?" he leaned his head down lower, finding the gap between her neck and shoulder, running his full lips across the flesh, exciting more nerves in the both of them.

Tohru winced, his breath enticing; welcoming. She couldn't think straight with his body so close to her own, his lips on her skin, his hips pressing her against the cold stone, his abdomen so close she can actually touch it. "Y-yes.." she admitted, her neck arching back, as Kyo hit a nerve, all kinds of warmth flooding her body.

His hands traced back up her arms, finding her neck, and shifting her face to his own. Before she could say anything, his lips were against hers, moving slowly as they both grew more comfortable with the touch. Tohru was far too clueless and shy to be with any boy before, and Kyo had run from this kind of touch for his entire life; it was a new experience to both of them. Tohru gasped softly, as Kyo's hands found her hips, lifting her effortlessly onto the counter behind her, placing himself between her legs as they became closer in height. Her gasps for air had opened her mouth, allowing Kyo to kiss her more vigorously, something she had replied to with more kisses, her own face feeling hotter than before.

Kyo felt so much in the kiss; something he had been deprived of all his life. It traveled through his mouth, down his throat, and below his belt line, to places he never knew possible. Is it the same for her? He had wondered, his hands grazing her bare legs, playing with the hem of her skirt. He moved his hand back to her knee, tracing her thigh all the way to where her panties were-lace again-tugging at the fabric with gentle anticipation. Tohru moved forward in response, begging for his attention as his hands slid underneath the hems of her undergarment, finding a clean shaven patch, damp with a warm fluid. Kyo chuckled, "I'm pretty sure that's not because of the rain, Tohru..." his voice was rough with anticipation and eagerness as he stroked her, moving his lips down her collar bone and to the lining of her blouse when...

~

The two of them jumped, Tohru giving Kyo a questioning glance when his belt started to buzz against the stone counter, signaling that somebody was calling. Kyo rolled his eyes, not daring to move from his position as he reached back to his belt to retrieve his cell phone.

"Hello?" he tried his best to mask the hoarseness in his voice, as another deep voice spoke on the other end, causing him to sit up straight. "Yes, I know. The rain held me up a bit. I'll be over in about twenty?" Kyo looked at Tohru, still flustered and pink from the previous arrangements. "Yes. See you then." he sighed, closing the phone and returning it to its case.

"W-well?" Tohru managed to whisper, her voice seemingly forgotten as she looked at Kyo, his hand still resting up her skirt. "Was that Shigure-san?" her eyes traveled to the doorway. He has to leave...

Kyo nodded, leaning into her to kiss her once more; less frantic and demanding as the last, before pulling away and saying, "Yes. I need to get over there and help move the rest of my things. The rain is fine by now for me to leave." he nodded, trying to reassure himself more than her. "When can I see you?" his eyes searched her face, "This weekend?" he offered.

"Sure." Tohru agreed, jumping off the counter as the two of them walked to the door. "I have class and work all week. Maybe Saturday." she smiled, as he opened the door, turning to her.

"Saturday it is." he nodded, kissing her once more before turning and running west toward Shigure's house in the forest. He may not have been the super human cat anymore, but his training left him extremely fit. Saturday...he smiled, finding it quite easy to ignore the rain.

Tohru shook her head as she smiled, her arms folded as she walked back to the kitchen. So much for rice cakes...she sighed, all the ingredients and unopened packages laying amongst the stone counters. Her feet padded over to the very counter, leaning over as she picked up the forgotten spoon. "Culinary fields are fields of artwork," she quoted her teacher, "And utensils, their tools." Sure came in handy tonight...

That's it for this chapter. It's 4 AM, but I wrote The 'encounter' like I promised. If you didn't read above, I plan on making a new chapter AT LEAST every Sunday from now on. But for that to work I need REVIEWS and IDEAS; What do YOU want to see happen? Another love feud? A certain scene?

Anywho. More to come. And ALSO. Sorry for the new name change. Again. This time I'm using my real name, so it shouldn't change anytime soon. :D Read. Review. Repeat: MAKES ME HAPPY