Kyo sat up and surveyed his sleeping companion. He didn't know when it happened, and most importantly why it happened, but happen it did. He no longer felt any animosity for Yuki. He no longer had a desire to bet him up every time the met. He just wanted to play games now. He wanted Yuki to like him, to want to play with him. He wanted a playmate, a friend. He wanted Yuki for a friend. The old zodiac story about the rat tricking the cat didn't matter anymore. It was just a stupid, old story. Kyo smiled widely to himself, but it quickly turned into a frown.
What if Yuki still hated him? What if nothing had changed for him? Why should Yuki want him for a friend? He couldn't be somebody's friend. The last time he had tried to be a friend to someone she had died, and it was his fault. Kyo tried to stop the tears from filling his eyes and spilling down his cheeks. The child covered his eyes, suddenly very sleepy again. It had been stupid to think that Yuki would ever want to be his friend short of getting amnesia.
"Kyo?" The cat jumped and almost fell off the couch as Yuki spoke. "Kyo, what's wrong? You're crying. Should I get Shishou?" Kyo desperately shook his head whie attempting to stop his tears. Yuki sat down beside him, wondering what in the world he was supposed to do now. He had never been good at comforting people. "I… I don't know what to do to make you feel better. Maybe I should go get Shishou; he'll know what to do. Are you hurt? Do you feel bad?" Kyo shook his head to all this as Yuki frowned. "Kyo, you can tell me what's wrong. We're friends, aren't we?"
Kyo uncovered his red, puffy eyes and stared, amazed at Yuki. Had he just asked if they were friend? Kyo tried to talk. Yuki's face crumbled as he slid off the couch and began to eave the room. "Yuki, wait, I'm sorry! I want to be friends, I really do. I didn't say anything because you surprised me." Yuki had stopped, and was now looking hopefully at the other child. "I," Kyo started quietly, "I didn't think you would want to be friend with me. That's why I was crying. I wanted to be friends with you, but I didn't think you would want to, and I can't be a good friend although I want a friend."
Yuki seemed to consider this and nodded. "Okay, I'll be your friend." Kyo smiled widely. A friend. He had a friend now. He could really be a friend with Yuki, not like he and Kagura had been friends. He could only hope their friendship would carry over when they were turned back into teenagers.
Two hours later, when Tohru came home, she was met with a new sight. She knew that Kyo and Yuki had bonded over the ice cream, and she had hoped it would continue even though she assumed she was wrong when she walked into and saw Kyo and Yuki standing in separate corners, arms crossed, scowling. Both boys looked over at her, but quickly turned back to stare at the wall. She had no idea what they had done to be put in the corner, but had every intention of finding out. Kazuma was in the kitchen pouring himself a drink. "Hello, Tohru. I assume you saw Kyo and Yuki?" She nodded. "I am happy to inform you that they are friends now." Tohru immediately smiled and clapped her hands.
"This is wonderful! I hope they're still friends when they are turned back into teenagers. Do you think they will be?" Kazuma shrugged.
"I hope so, but we'll just have to wait and see." Tohru nodded again. She really wished they would stay fiends. Neither of them had ever realized how truly alike they were. Even though Akito had no right to change them, it seemed to be turning out for the better. A thought occurred to her suddenly, she asked,
"Why are they both in a corner?" Kazuma smiled ruefully.
"They had a fight. No, nothing like that, no fists. Friends have fights; they fought. Neither of them listened to me when I told them to stop yelling and try to work it out calmly. They both yelled even after that, hurt each other's feelings disobeyed me even more, so I put them in separate corner for twenty minutes. They have ten minutes left. Ayame told me when he left that if need be, I was to punish Yuki, and he told Yuki that also. I didn't think I would need to, but I was obviously wrong. I think Yuki might be having a little separation anxiety. This is the first time he's been away from Ayame since he was turned into a kid."
Tohru thought for a minute. "Maybe that's why he's misbehaving. He's missing Ayame, and he's probably scared Ayame won't come back." Kazuma agreed with her as they went back into the living room where the boys were still staring at the walls. The scowls were gone from their faces shoulders slumped. Tohru couldn't help but feel a little sorry for them. They both looked bored out of their mind and incredibly sorry.
Indeed, they were both very, very, very sorry that they had fought. Staring at the wall was the most boring thing either of them had ever done. Why in the world had they started arguing anyway? Neither could remember the reason, even if their lives depended on it. "Kyo? Yuki?" They both turned to look at Shishou. "Are you ready to apologize to each other?" Both boys nodded. Tohru smiled as they apologized and came to sit on either side of her. She hugged them both, laughing. They squirmed at being held so tightly, but they boys didn't really mind the hug. They didn't get to see Tohru very often because of her work schedule and school.
"Daddy, is anyone coming over today?" Shishou looked up from his newspaper surprised.
"I don't think so. Why are you asking?" Kyo shrugged and leaned against Tohru as she worked on her homework.
"I was just wondering. I thought I heard Shigure say something about someone coming over."
"He didn't mention anyone coming to me, but I suppose there's a possibility someone will come. Were you wanting someone to come?" Kyo shook his head and yawned. He didn't know why he was so sleepy. He had already taken a long nap not that long ago. "Are you tired?" The child nodded against Tohru's arms, eyes already closed. "Do you feel bad, Kyo?" The three other occupants of the room turned to look at him. He didn't answer as Tohru felt him lean even more against her.
"I think he feel asleep." Kazuma knelt beside the child and pushed his bangs away
"He's got a fever. I wish he had told me he was feeling sick." Kyo moaned and opened his eyes as he felt himself being picked up. What had possessed someone to move him? He had been very comfortable snuggled against Tohru. Why in the world did he have to move? He wrapped his arms around his dad's neck and snuggled against him, instantly going back to sleep.
Kazuma frowned as Kyo went completely limp in his arms. What had caused him to get so sick so fast? Maybe it hadn't been fast. Kyo had accepted him as Dad, but he still wasn't one to admit he felt bad, or to complain. The five-year-old woke again as Shishou placed him on the bed.
"Daddy." Kazuma gently shushed him and brushed his sweaty bangs off his forehead. "Why do I keep moving? I want to sleep. Why can't I sleep?" Kyo was crying now, exhausted and miserable.
"I know; it's okay. You can sleep now. I'm going to call Hatori to come. He probably won't have to wake you up though. Just go back to sleep." Kyo made his years stop and focused on his dad's hand petting his hair; he was asleep in seconds. Kazuma left the room and ran into Ayame with Yuki cradled in his arms in the hallway. "Is Yuki sick too?" The man nodded, sighing.
"Tohru said Kyo was sick. I guess they've got the same thing. Are you going to call Hatori?"
"That's what I was on my way to do." Ayame nodded and went past him to get Yuki settled in bed.
Author's Note: Okay, I obviously didn't update regularly. I never seemed to be able to type something up. This has been written for a long time. THE STORY IS ENDING SOON!!!! I might end it next chapter, I dunno. Anyway, PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!! I'm on spring break so I could possibly get another chapter up this week if I get a lot of REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!