Carmen held the now orange cat in her arms instead of the warm body. She carefully cradled the cat and stroked his fur. They had NOT almost kissed. She had been delusional. There was no way. They were just friends ands that's just how it was. No matter how much she might want to. Ahhh! Stop talking like that Carmen! Get a hold of yourself!
She then searched in the direction of where the sneeze had come from. Apparently it had been from Tohru who quickly apologized, "I'm sorry did I interrupt something?"
Carmen smiled kindly, "Of course not! Kyo and I were just dancing together for a song."
She nodded. Carmen glanced at Kyo who wouldn't look her in the eye.
She gave up and twisted her head around looking for Kisa. She soon found her sitting on the porch. She waved and Carmen smiled brightly back.
Just then Kyo turned back into a human and Carmen averted her eyes as he expertly slipped back into his tight black shirt and cargo pants.
Without a word to her he ran off into the forest. With a quick glance at Kisa Carmen quickly took off after the 16 year old.
She didn't care about all the branches that whipped at her face or all the cobwebs that touched her skin-although that was pretty gross- she could only think of getting to Kyo and finding out what was wrong.
With her will alone she sped up and almost caught up with him. She was about to reach out to him but she clumsily stumbled on a tree root. She cried out in pain.
Kyo instantly stopped and went to her side. She clutched her ankle as she examined his face. It was wet with tears.
She held out one of her hands and whipped his tears with her thumb, "What's wrong?"
He ignored her question and firmly told her, "Let me see."
She insisted, "I'm fine it's just sprained. What's wrong?"
He persisted, "Let me see."
She stubbornly resisted, "No. Not until you tell me what's wrong. And don't think about making me change my mind. I have Texan stubbornness running through my veins."
Kyo not taking no as an answer picked her up bridal style. She then angrily shouted, "Dammit Kyo! Let go of me!"
He shook his head, "Not a chance."
She crossed her arms, "Fine. At least tell me why you were upset."
He looked off into the distance, "I-I was going to kiss you."
Carmen looked up at him astounded. So she hadn't been crazy? She waited for him to continue.
"Carmen I-I am not good enough for you. I don't deserve someone like you. You are so perfect when I am a monster. A cursed beast. I couldn't allow you to throw your life away on me because I'm hopeless. There's no saving me and I know it."
A few more tears rolled down his cheeks and Carmen put both hands on either side of his face, "Why don't you let me decide for myself whether your worth it or not."
She leaned up and stopped right before their lips met. Was he really worth it? Oh Hell yes.
She pushed her lips lightly against his soft ones. Kyo tightened his hold of her and kissed her back with as much passion as he could muster.
When they broke off the kiss they gulped the air neither experiencing something quite like this. In fact this was both their first kisses. Unless you count Kagura's unwanted pecks which Kyo certainly didn't count.
Carmen breathed, "What about now?"
Kyo answered with a small smile, "You get your ankle checked out by Hatori."
Carmen scowled, "You know what I mean."
He chuckled, "Did I mention that your cute when your mad?"
She softened and replied, "Maybe ounce or twice."
He whispered, "And to answer your question I really don't know what's going to happen next. Let's find out together."
She gave him two thumbs up, "That's fine by me!"
He smiled, wow she was beautiful. He chuckled and thought, "No wonder I fell for her in less than a month."