Tohru tenatively awaited the moment the bell would ring, signaling the end of class. Her eyes glanced back and forth restlessly from the dry-erase board to the clock. Every tick of the second hand, seemed to echo in her ears—each one louder than the last.

TICK TICK TICK

Tohru discreetly peeped over her shoulder behind her.

"Eep!"

She quickly looked away and stared down at her desk. Kyo was sitting a few desks behind her, staring gaping holes in the back of her head. She released a quiet gasp, as her eyes widened in something like fear. The intensity of Kyo's gaze alarmed her, she rarely—if ever—had seen him so seriously.

"All right class" the teacher said as she finished up the last word on the board, "For homework tonight—"

No, no, no, no, no… Tohru chanted rapidly in her head. She stared at the teacher hopefully, giving out the nights' homework meant…

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Finally! Kyo's unusually serious demeanor was broken by a small grin as he looked at the teacher, This means that class'll be over soon! And then… His gaze drifted from the teacher, and downwards towards Tohru.

RIIIIIIIIING

Students quickly leapt out of their seats, and rushed towards the door. A couple other students milled around, taking their time, and doing some last minute chatting before making their way towards the door.

Tohru stood up unsurely from her desk, she dared not look behind her again. Biting her lip, she gathered her notebook in her arms, she could no longer hide at her desk.

She glanced up, and caught Yuki staring at her with a look of concern. Somewhat startled, Tohru opened her mouth to say something, but (for once) could not form words. She shrugged helplessly as she gave Yuki a pained look.

Yuki said nothing. He remained quiet and stoic—though a small frown intruded upon his face. Instead of holding Tohru's pleading gaze, Yuki turned his sight behind her—where a serious looking Kyo was approaching.

"Tohru"

Tohru cautiously turned towards the voice. Her eyes were wide with apprehension as she stared nervously into Kyo's unsmiling face.

Kyo opened his mouth to speak, when he saw Yuki eyeing him distastefully.

"Come on" he said gruffly as he reached for Tohru's arm and headed towards the classroom door.

Tohru nearly cringed expecting for his grip to be as rough as he looked, but was shocked by the tenderness of his grasp. She looked up with surprise at Kyo, but he did not return her gaze, his face was filled with determination for privacy.

"Uhm…" Tohru glanced behind her at Yuki, who remained impassive as ever. She looked back into the face of the determined Kyo, his hand was on the doorknob and her turned it.

"Come on" he repeated less seriously, and gave another little tug onto Tohru's arm. Unable to resist, Tohru was pulled into the hallway swimming with students, leaving Yuki alone back in the classroom.

The two struggled against the currents of traffic flow. Tohru huddled closely to Kyo—trying to prevent from being separated.

Eventually, the flow of students died down, as the last few echoing footsteps were followed by the banging of the cafeteria doors. The two stopped by a row of shabby lockers, and Kyo glanced around making sure of privacy.

"Kyo-Kun, what is it?" Tohru asked worriedly (isn't she always?), "Why do you need to talk to me?"

"Um…" Kyo was silent for a moment as he tried to choose his words, "Look, I…" he gave a defeated sigh as he leaned against the wall, "I don't know…it's just…" he gave another sigh as he raked a frustrated hand through his fiery hair.

"Is this about Hiroko-Kun?" Tohru asked, tilting her head to the side slightly.

Kyo tried to retain a twitch at the name, instead his head jerked towards Torhu as his body tensed as he entered defensive mode.

"What makes you say that?" he asked as he attempted to force his body to relax. His eyebrow rose intimidatingly as he awaited Tohru's answer.

Torhu gave a warm smile which threw Kyo off, "Well it's obvious that you and Hiroko-Kun don't, er…" she bit her lip as she searched for the right word, "…don't get along too well" Kyo gave a snort, "So I figured…" she gave a shrug.

Kyo stared at her curiously for a moment or two more before looking at the cracks in the wall opposite him. Instead of denying it, Kyo gave a half shrug as his mouth unknowingly pulled into a slight frown.

"There's just something about that kid that doesn't feel right" Kyo said finally.

Tohru looked away guilitily, "I…I think so too" she said softly.

"Oh…sorry" Hiroko, not looking very sorry. "My mom died too, I've gotten over it" and he shrugged to show his indifference.

Tohru slid her arms up over her arms as if fighting off the chills, "He's just…cold, and when he does smile…it doesn't reach his eyes. Hana-Chan used to be like that" Tohru recalled.

"So why are you always with him?" Kyo asked gingerly, trying to hide his jealousy.

Tohru's eyes flashed as she looked Kyo in his eyes, "I don't think that he was always like that" she said, "Something horrible must have happened…"

Kyo felt slightly guilty.

"He needs a friend" Tohru said, finishing her sentence with a bright smile, her eyes flashing with something different this time, "I know" she said nodding her head, "I was so lonely and miserable…I just need to stay by his side"

Kyo opened his mouth to protest, but then closed it.

"Well…I don't like it, but I get what you're saying" Kyo shoved his hands into his pockets, "Just…don't get too close, alright?" he asked worriedly.

"Thanks Kyo-Kun," Tohru flashed another smile, "And don't worry about me! I know I'll be fine cause I have Hana-Chan and Uo-Chan with me!"

"That's not very reassuring" Kyo muttered.

"And of course I have you and Yuki-Kun…" Tohru blushed slightly, which did not go unnoticed by Kyo, "So I know I'll be fine"

The two stood in the empty hallway in awkward silence.

"So, uh…" Kyo said after clearing his throat tensely.

"What?" Tohru turned to face Kyo.

"Er…" Kyo's face had turned an unsightly shade of crimson. Tohru's eyes widened as her eyes focused on Kyo's lips which were at level with her face.

Quickly backing up, Tohru was also blushing, "I'm…so sorry" she gushed, "I didn't realize I was that close…"

The two looked away from each other.

"Er…"

"Um…"

"Well…"

"Yeah I…"

The two looked at each other, and then quickly looked away from each other again.

"Hey…I think we should get to lunch, the others might start to worry" Kyo said, his face still burning.

Tohru gave a nervous laugh, "Um…yeah. Okay!"

While the air was still awkward between them, they walked towards the cafeteria doors, the dull roar getting louder with each step.

As Kyo pushed the double doors aside, Tohru followed him meekly, and the dim rumbling cascaded into a full blown blast of noise.

"Oh hey!" They heard someone shout.

"Good, they're here!" said another.

"Let's get it started!"

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((cowers)) OMG. I am SOOO sorry I haven't updated in such a long time. Argh, but at least this chapter wasn't completely sucky…much. Lol, but rest assured I am not dead (Lord knows I thought I was). But high school's been a betch. Trying to maintain my GPA while balancing my nonexistent social life is not easy as I thought. It's been over four months, but I'll try to do it more frequently (how many times have I said that already? XD). Thanks, and please review. Just wondering will still read this story after I've been neglecting it for so long. Toodles!