AN: At long last! I update! Sorry, I made it two weeks without realizing it... but now I'm almost totally done with the Kisa and Hiro (first) review incentive! I just need to proof it and transfer it from my brother's piece-of-junk laptop to the computer I use to update (laptp is so old and clunky, it would go slow on the internet even if it had the filespace to hold it- aka- no internet on laptop). Also, I started the second incentive, and finished chapter nineteen! I'm also a page done with chapter twenty! Yay! That means you all have at least four more chapters! However, the next update isn't set in stone, because I still have to type it up. As I have to with both of the others... So it might or might not be late. Seeing as my Christmas break starts tomorrow! Yay! Okay, long enough blurb! Also, below is the original author's notes! (ZOMG!)

AN: Starting here, four page chapters! (I other words, four pages of my notebook paper) If I find that I A- don't have enough material for a chapter or B- that I can't update properly with a long chapter or C- that I'm lazy, there will sometimes be short chapters again...

Chapter Sixteen- Concern and Coniving

(AN- did I spell that right...? oh well...)

"Yuki's still gone, eh, 'Gure?" inquired the Hebi.

"Yes," began Shigure darkly, "Nobody's seen him in weeks, and it's been little more than two months without word... Tohru's worried sick, which isn't good in her 'condition'..."

Ayame said with concern, "But isn't Kyonkichi taking care of her? Isn't he doing something about it?"

"Oh yes," reassured the Inu, "He's even cooking for the girl. A bit overprotective, If you ask me, but I wouldn't have expected him to be this positive, so all is good."

"So he is treating her kindly?"

"Quite."

"Splendid... So, Akito has no idea as to Yuki's present location?"

"Not a clue." lies the Inu. "I asked the other day. He has no idea as to the location of the damned one."

Ayame looked at Shigure coldly. "He may be the new damned one in the Juunishi, but he is still my little brother. I still care for him. I would appreciate it if he was to still be referred to if not by name, then as a Nezumi, not a Damned."

Shigure shrugged. "What ever floats your boat, dearest Aya'."

Ayame rolled his eyes.

"I'll be looking for him."

"You won't find him."

"What was that?"

"Nothing! Just a cough!"

"Good... I suppose..."

-

"What's wrong?"

"N-nothing, Kyou!"

"You're still worried about the Nezumi."

She nodded, "Yes."

Kyou looked away from Tohru, struggling to hide the fact that he was jealous, "I'm sure he's fine... he wouldn't want you worrying over him..."

Her expression changed in a snap, from piteous to determined, "I'll be strong for Yuki!"

Kyou sighed. It was hard work to keep her normal with all of those mood swings (AN: she has minor-though-often mood swings...)

(AN: If the chapter stops here, then it's because I forgot to finish typing up the chapter after I ran out of time; mention it in a review and I'll add the missing material to next chapter!)