Well, well. I'm back. Yes, I left you to stew for a while, but please, don't complain. I don't know if I can handle it right now. My Mother broke her ankle and she's as full of animosity for her children as always. We wait on her and can hardly leave her alone. She can't use her crutches so she sits in her room all day. While Dad's at work (75 percent of the time) it's just me and my sisters caring for the house, the dogs, and Mom. Plus, the meds haven't been doing wonders for her mental state, which was already pretty messed up, so Mom's pissed at everything and everyone right now. Ah, good ole' Mom.

To make matters worse, the vacation I may or may not have mentioned? Went down the tubes. I could be in Florida right now, on a beach, soaking up the sun. Instead I'm in the gameroom of my million and one degree non-air conditioned house which hasn't been cleaned like, at all in the past two weeks. Oh, and did I mention I could be in freaking Florida right now??

Also, my family seems on the verge of running out of money. AGAIN. Thank God for my parent's ability to balance a checkbook...

Straight down the crapper!

Yech, I apologize for the bitterness, but the only other way I have to vent is cry, and I'm not really able to do that. I don't know why, but my tears don't work.

This chapter is dedicated to my now-deceased dog (Who passed away around the time my Mother broke her ankle and Florida failed) Mindy. RIP. We miss you dearly, Min.

NOTE!!: I made some Japanese grammatical errors in my last chapter. Why? Because I do not practice my Japanese. I am lazy and apologize. Daisuke should have been 'Daisuki' (Stupidest. Mistake. Ever. Made. By. Anyone.) and 'Aisheteruze' is the stronger form of 'I love you.' It's also more personal. Well, I fail.

"A-Aaya-san," Ritsu whispered quietly. "Daisuki."

He didn't move. He didn't breath. He'd just said the absolute last thing he'd ever wanted to say to Ayame. But in the midst of his terror, he felt something else.

Sohma Ritsu, the monkey of the zodiac, the only son of two Onsen workers, felt exhilarated.

A huge burden slid off of his back. Ritsu felt like he could fly if he tried. He didn't have to hide any more. He didn't have to mourn his love.

Before Ayame could respond beyond his expression of shock, Ritsu moved forwards till his lips were pressed against his Elder's.

His lips were soft and smooth on the snake's. For a second, Ayame couldn't respond. Then, he was pressing back passionately. Reaching up, his hands found their way into Ritsu's hair. The soft silk between his fingers and the warm lips masking his own filled Ayame with a deep feeling of elation. Ritsu, adorable Ritsu... He pulled his younger closer with the hand that wasn't stroking the Monkey's hair. His senses all dulled down to the one most important: the sense of touch.

When they finally broke apart, both Ritsu and Ayame were gasping for air. For a second they both just sat there, panting, each one trying to come up with something worthwhile to say.

"I-," Ritsu began, trying to explain. However, he was interrupted by Ayame.

"Rit-chan," said the snake. His expression turned to one of true happiness as he looked over at Ritsu. "Did you mean it? Did you mean it when you said that you loved me?"

Ritsu blushed bright crimson and faced the table. For a second he stayed like that, before he finally looked up, jaw set in determination.

"Yes," He said, a little loudly. "Yes I do. I don't care if people think It's strange. I don't care if they make fun of me. I came to work here and caused trouble for you, Ayame-san. But you were patient with me so eventually I learned how to do work correctly. I want to stay here with this exact job forever. I want to be able to see you every day. I want you to talk freely with me. That's what I want."

Ayame sat there, stunned. Ritsu had not only stated his feelings boldly, he had also confessed his love to Ayame. In an almost trance-like state he reached out and cupped Ritsu's chin in his hand.

Daisuki.

Why? Why, of all people, had charming and attractive Ritsu chosen him?

"You... Want to... stay with me," began Ayame, sitting up a bit straighter. "Even if someone comes along and offers you a better job?"

"Only for my Parents would I ever take another job," said Ritsu.

"What if you meet someone prettier?" asked Ayame.

"I won't," said Ritsu.

"But if you did?" pressed Ayame.

"Then I'd probably just treat them like everybody else," said Ritsu. "I already have someone beautiful that I feel close to."

"What if our family doesn't approve?" asked Ayame.

"Then I don't care," said Ritsu. "I'll tell them that, too. I can't be forced to love a different person."

"And what if I were to go poor?" Ayame forged on.

"Then I'd take on another job to help support you," said Ritsu matter-of-factly.

"And if I got into an accident and was disfigured?" asked Ayame.

"Then I'd take care of you," said Ritsu.

Tears filled Ayame's eyes. He leaned forwards and fell into Ritsu, pulling the Monkey close. For a second Ritsu stiffened, but then he relaxed and wrapped his arm around the other man. His hands absently stroked Ayame's soft hair as Ritsu rested his chin on top of Ayame's head. A few weak tears straggled down his cheeks.

"Ayame-san," said Ritsu aloud. "I'm so happy you found me, that day in the park. I'm so glad it was you. I wouldn't be happy now if it were anybody else."

"What are you talking about?" Asked Ayame through his tears. He sniffled delicately before continuing. "You've helped me, Rit-chan. Having an adorable worker like you gave me inspiration! I'm not lonely when I'm with you. I feel like I can tell you anything... Anything at all."

"Then tell me your feeling for me," said Ritsu. His face became sad as his grip on Ayame loosened. "Tell me the truth. How do you honestly feel about me?"

Ayame smiled brightly through his crystalline tears. Sitting up, he took both of Ritsu's hands into his own and brought them to his lips. Placing a delicate kiss on each hand, he finally looked up and began to speak.

"I love you, Rit-chan," he said. "I was always fascinated by you. You've always been beautiful, did you know that? I wanted you to work for me and I was so happy when you agreed! I'm trying hard now, Rit-chan. I want to make it up to my Brother. I want to be a good person, one that helps people. And you're the one who gives me courage! I want to quit, but I just think of how much you've been through and how you're still the same sweet, kind person you always were and I know I can't. I want to apologize properly to Yuki. I want to help Hatori overcome his inner struggles. I want Shigure to stop doing nothing with his life. You make me able to help those people. I don't know where I'd be without you, Rit-chan. I want you to stay here forever, with me. If that's what you want, of course."

"Of course!" exclaimed Ritsu. "That's what I want!"

Ayame leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Ritsu's lips.

"Move in with me, Ritsu," he said. "I'll take care of you. I'll work hard for you and I'll eat a nice warm meal with you ever night in this apartment."

Ritsu blushed and beamed at the same time.

"A-are you sure you want me to move in?" he asked.

"There's nothing I'd like better," said Ayame.

"Then I will!" cried Ritsu. "I'll move in with you here, Ayame. I'll be here every day and night for you. I'll help you with your work and I'll help with anything else that needs done. I'll listen to you when you want to talk and I'll be so glad every day that I'm so lucky! I'll help you achieve your goal with your close friends and Yuki. For you I'll do anything!"

Hands locked into one another as their respective owners kissed again.

Loneliness... Insecurity...

I don't feel any of it when I'm with you!

Well, it's late, I have a headache, and I haven't slept well for the past while, but to be honest? I don't hate this SHORT (... Damn me...) chapter.

To clarify, the only thing left is the epilogue to it all.

Well, thank you all again!