A/N- Oh my God, look who finally got up her fat lazy ass to update. Its a miracle, isn't it? I'm sorry I didn't update sooner, guys, but I've been depressed and school has been piling up and you know how that goes. Anyway, enjoy, and don't forget to R&R!

"A journey! Yeah, that's it; I'll go on a journey!" Kyo leapt to his feet, visibly panicking.

"You won't make it." Nim guaranteed, glancing up at the clock and then popping a piece of milk chocolate in her mouth. Kyo was momentarily distracted.

"Where did you get that?"

Nimian pointed at Yuki.

"Well, whatever, I have to leave." Kyo whipped around and began to run out the door.

"He's not gonna make it." Nim purred her voice cheerful and singsong. She heaved herself up and walked casually over to the school windowsill, leaning against it.

"What are you doing?" Yuki questioned, looking over her shoulder. "Oh."

"I told him he wasn't gonna make it, but noooooo he decided to go anyways." Nimian smirked as Kagura launched herself forward and slammed her lithe body into Kyo's, landing on the ground with a resounding THUD.

"Why are you two by the window?" Tohru padded up to the two zodiac members, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"Kagura came to wish her lovely Kyo a very happy Valentine's Day." Nim explained.

"Oh. Why do feel like Kyo isn't too happy to see her?"

"Because he isn't." Nim mused. She felt a small jealous pang in her chest when Kagura held Kyo close, despite the fact that he was struggling to get away. The two felines weren't an 'item', per say, but Nimian felt her animalistic side want to protect what she had deemed as hers. "Should I go help him?"

Neither Tohru nor Yuki said anything, enraptured and amused by the scene before them, but Tohru's facial expressions spoke volumes. The Jaguar picked herself up and headed for the door before jogging down the stairs. As she went, her thoughts ran rampant, like a gazelle struggling to outrun a lion.

Do I care about Kyo?

She had to admit, the concept of love (of the sexual nature) was rather foreign to her. After that kiss, their relationship hadn't changed much. It wasn't any more romantic or awkward; it was just the same as before. Kyo was still Kyo, and Nim was pretty sure she hadn't changed.

But do I want more?

There was the chance that Akito would find out, and that would never end well. He might not be able to hurt Nimian, but killing Kyo would hurt far worse. Then there was the moral part of it, was it wrong? Technically, it was incest, but their blood relation was so far their only true relation was the curse. And then, naturally, there was the question if Kyo even wanted to be anything more.

Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe I was just a substitute or stress relief.

"It wouldn't be the first time you were used though, would it?" Nim laughed aloud rather bitterly as she pushed the heavy double doors open, revealing a courtyard and a struggling couple.

"Kagura! When did you get here?" Nim called cheerfully, skipping up to her cousin. Kagura was momentarily distracted as she turned to beam at the fellow female.

"Hi, Nim!"

Nimian glanced at Kyo, mocked a false expression of thoughtfulness on her face, and then turned back Kagura, motioning for the smaller girl to come closer. When Kagura did so obediently, Nim leaned down to whisper into the boar's ear.

"You know how it's Valentine's Day, right? Well, I was talking to Kyo earlier and he said that he would really like a can of Elbow Grease. He said it helped him with his training. Now, I know for a fact that there's a store in town that sells some, but I can't remember which." Kagura pulled away, eager to complete the quest, but Nim grabbed her to mutter a few more words. "But don't say anything; it would make a great surprise." Kagura nodded earnestly again, and sprinted away, turning to yell over her shoulder.

"GOODBYE, KYO, MY LOVE! I'LL SEE YOU LATER!"

"What the hell did you tell her?" Kyo demanded, sitting on the ground and staring at the disappearing suitor in amazement.

"Sent her out on a Fool's Errand." Nim smirked, holding out her hand for Kyo to take.

"A what?"

"An impossible task. A can of Elbow Grease, to be exact. Apparently, a certain Koneko has been hoping for a can."

"…Seriously, Nim?"

"Well, next time, I can always leave her-"

"No, no it's fine!" Kyo amended quickly. He took her hand and let her help him get up.

"But now you owe me." Nim smiled wolfishly at him, taking advantage of their close proximity, and causing a light pink blush to dust Kyo's face.

"Come on." She looped her arm through Kyo's, and began to walk away from the school.

"Wait, what, Where the hell-"

"Just trust me, Okay?"

An exasperated sigh escaped Kyo's lips, but he allowed himself to be lead away, nonetheless.

"Nim, I really don't think this is a good idea…"

"Stop bitching. I wear the pants in this relationship. Hell, I wear the pants in every relationship."

Kyo blushed lightly at his partner's choice of words, and then glared at the massive beast Nimian was insisting he get on. The horse nickered quietly, and Kyo jumped. Nimian smiled softly, and stepped away from her own horse. She had always adored animals of all types, but horses especially. They were gentle, kind and forgiving. Everything Nim knew she would never have the guts to be. Kyo, however, seemed slightly unnerved by the equine. Nimian walked up behind him, wrapping a muscled arm around his waist, the other arm over taking his, melding the two appendages together. Kyo blushed a fiery red, red enough to rival his hair, and began to stutter horribly.

"Shh, just relax." Nim murmured huskily into his ear, her breath tickling his ear and causing shivers to shoot up his spine. She moved their hands, fingers intertwined, to pet the animal. Kyo stiffened in apprehension, but couldn't maintain enough conscious thought to pull away. As his hand brushed against warm fur, he glanced over his shoulder at Nim. She was staring at the horse with admiration, awe obvious in her amber eyes. Kyo couldn't help himself; he leaned over slightly and pressed his lips to her temple. Nim blushed as well, but didn't pull away, gratefully accepting the kiss.

After a second of just standing there, Kyo's hand on the horse, his lips resting on her, Nim's head on his shoulder, her arm around his waist and eyes fluttered closed, Nimian pulled away. She smiled mischievously.

"Saddle up."

"WHO ELSE FAILED THE EXAM?" Nim yelled loudly, slamming down her pencil and raising her hand.

"I DID!" howled some nameless girl.

"Amen, sister!" Nim laughed, and the two exchanged high fives. Nim then got up and seated herself comfortably on the top of Tohru's desk.

"How do you think you did?" The jaguar asked.

"I think I did pretty well." Tohru beamed.

"Hey, that makes one of us."

Tohru giggled, and then turned her head when the teacher called her into the hall. Tohru got up and obediently listened to whatever he was saying, but Nim couldn't hear, so she sparked conversation with Arisa instead. The girls talked back and forth for a little while until Tohru returned, looking rather forlorn.

"What's wrong?" Nim looked at Tohru concernedly.

"Hm? Oh, nothing!" Her face and demeanor instantly brightened, showing none of the former distress.

"All right…" Nim gave the smaller girl a suspicious look, but didn't pursue the matter.

Nim slid open the front door, a sigh escaping her lips as she plopped her school bag down by her feet. She took two steps forward when she felt a heavy weight slam into her body, knocking her off balance.

"Oooof!"

"NIMIAN!"

Nim opened her eyes to acknowledge the voice, and discovered two bright brown eyes and a cheery smile.

"Momiji!"

The small rabbit giggled and rolled off of the woman.

"I came to visit you!" He explained, grasping her hand and dragging her into the living room. "Do you know where Tohru is?"

"Um, I'm pretty sure-"

"Hi, Nim! Hello, Momiji!"

"Hey, Tohru!" The two chimed in unison.

The group began to converse, and soon enough, were joined by Kyo, Yuki and Shigure. Nim zoned out (again) but was roused by Momiji's loud, hyper voice.

"I call it… Tohru-Nim-and-Momiji's-super-relaxing-hot-spring-white-day-present!" Momiji beamed, throwing his hands up in the air melodramatically.

"That sounds fun!" Nim praised, smiling enthusiastically at the small boy perched in her lap.

"Yeah! And Kyo and Yuki are invited, too!"

"WHAT? I'm not going anywhere with that damn rat!"

"Just shut up and say thank you." Nim growled, wrapping her arms around Momiji's waist and glaring at Kyo. Kyo glared back, but the unofficial staring contest was interrupted when Tohru began to fret.

"What? Oh, no, I couldn't! I appreciate the offer, really, but I have to work, and it wouldn't be right, and-"

"Come on, Tohru! Even you need a day off every once in a while." Nim convinced. She really hated seeing the smaller girl so stressed, and even though she tried to hide it, Nim knew that Tohru really needed to relax. "Money isn't and issue, either. If you won't go for yourself, go for me."

Tohru seemed to weigh the odds in her head before she reluctantly agreed.

"Speaking of money," Shigure began, turning his attention to Tohru. "I got a call form the school today. They said you were late on your dues. Do you need to borrow some money?"

"Oh, no no no, it's fine. I was just a little tight on money last month. I already explained, and they said they would give me some extra time."

"All right…" Shigure gave her an unsure look, but didn't pursue the matter.

Eventually, Tohru politely excused herself for a bath. When she left, Nim stood up.

"I have to go some where, don't wait up for me."

"Where are you going? Can I come?" Momiji asked, all but bouncing.

"No, I just need to run an errand." Nim explained, leaning down to place a kiss gently on the top of his head. "I'll see you guys later."

Without offering any further explanation, Nim calmly walked out the door and started down the street.

Nim pushed open the double doors and walked up to the secretary behind the front desk.

"Hello, Ms. Sohma. How may I help you?" The secretary asked, her voice polite but rather monotone.

"I would like to pay some dues, please."

"All right, one moment please…" The secretary typed swiftly on her computer when her eyebrows furrowed. "But, Ms. Sohma, your dues have already been paid this month."

"Not for myself." Nim explained quickly. "For a friend of mine, Tohru Honda."

"Oh, okay then. May I ask why Ms. Honda couldn't come herself?"

"Oh, she was busy with work." Nim lied smoothly. "Will this cover it?"

Nimian pulled out a wad of bills of her pocket, handing them to the secretary.

"Yes ma'am, I believe so. Have a nice night!"

"You, too!"

Nim walked back out to the street, welcoming the cool breeze that blew her long hair back.

"So, what was that about?"

Nim's eyes shot open to see Kyo leaning against a light post, staring at her rather intently.

"Oh, nothing." Nim dismissed, walking over to lean next to him, their shoulders brushing.

"Paying Tohru's dues?" When Kyo spoke, it was a statement more than a question. Nimian looked away, avoiding eye contact.

"Why?" He asked.

Nimian shrugged. "She does everything for us. She would blow her own brains out if you asked with a smile. Maybe I wanted to pretend that I could be like that. Maybe I wanted to convince myself that I could care." Still avoiding eye contact, Nim kept her amber eyes on the ground.

Kyo stared at her silently, pondering his own thoughts in his head. He plucked up some more courage, he found that he needed that a lot more around Nim lately, and wrapped his around her from behind, resting his chin on the crown of her head. Nimian welcomed his warm embrace, sighing contently and fluttering her eyes closed. And they stayed like that for a while, not moving until Nim almost fell asleep against Kyo. *Please read the A/N 2*

A/N 2- I'm sorry again guys, and now for a little sappiness. I know every author says this, but I really mean it. I truly have the best readers ever, you guys put up with me and my issues and my unpredictability. Thank you so much, and please R&R, reading a review from you guys really makes my day.