In a way, "Little Moments" is just a compilation of all my 5927 oneshots. They're still getting published, but at least they're not taking up a bunch of space on my story list – I don't want a million and seven stories (sorry, YG, I stole your special number).

Thank you to all who reviewed, faved, put on alert, etc.

Chapter two is called "Cats and Dogs." I don't own KHR, Gokudera or Tsuna. Akira Amano does. If you want to complain, go to her, not me. I will not be able to answer your questions – though, if you want to have a heated discussion related to KHR, I'm all ears.

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Cats and Dogs

Aoi's Grocery, next to TakeSushi, across the street from Dearly Divine Clothing. I knew this town and everything about it at the back of my hand. The Mango Inn just slightly down the block from Chinese a la Sato. Namimori was truly my home, the town I grew up in and, if I played my cards just right, would never have to leave. Turn the corner to find Nami Pet Rescue Shelter.

Walking these streets, the sun on my face, the crisp autumn air all around and my best friend at my side, I felt invincible. I felt like there was nothing else I would ever need to learn.

The Nami Pet Rescue Shelter was one of the only places I had never been. Since my mother was allergic to cats, dogs and just about every other creature with fur or four legs, I was never able to own a pet. Sure, I had Natsu, but he was a box animal, hypoallergenic, didn't count. When Gokudera and I walked past the place, we saw a cat sitting in the window, its green eyes glowing as it stared down anyone who came too close to the building, and two large dogs romping around behind a chain-link fence.

A lull had recently come in our conversation, so I watched the beasts at play for a little while. We were halfway down the street when I couldn't see them anymore. I looked straight forward again, shoving my hands awkwardly into my jacket pockets.

But those dogs could not escape my mind. "Gokudera-kun," I said, turning my head subtly towards him.

He looked at me right away. "Yes?"

I paused for a second, and then I asked, "Do you think that animals – like, cats and dogs – have feelings?" He and I just narrowly missed running into a street light.

His lips curved upward. "Of course, Tenth," he replied. "They're real, living creatures just like us." He twisted his watch around on his wrist until the face was visible again.

I took a big step forward to catch up with the longer-legged Gokudera. "But, uh…"

"Yeah?" he said.

This time, I looked him straight in the face. "But if a cat or a dog were to ever lose its master, someone it loved…"

He drew a breath. His face suddenly had color. It caught me off guard slightly, and I quietly gasped.

"…If it could cry, would it?" I finished.

Gokudera's smile gradually dissipated and his eyes went skyward as he pondered the thought. His head turned to the crosswalk up ahead, and I looked at it too, surprised to say I was just a little disappointed that he didn't answer me right away this time. I slumped my shoulders.

His voice was low and serious when he found his best reply. Cold, white smoke from the chilly temperature deflated out of his mouth just as the words did.

"Well, I know I would," he said.

I suppose there are still some things I could learn.