AN: I've resolved that at this rate, I can't get much more than one chapter out a week. Sorry. But I can't commit to more. So I hope this suits you. In any case, I'm almost done with chapter twenty-three. Also, I wrote this a while ago, so I kind of ten dot forget what I've hinted at. So, some things in this chapter that seem relevent and important, may not be. Don't think of them as loose ends. In my mind, they aren't. Also, I've been thinking in one-liners thanks to the former Douglas Adams lately, as I'm finally reading The Salmon of Doubt. You probably should, if you like the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. -cough-

Chapter Twenty-One- Leaving and Plotting

Kyou was getting used to sighing lately, as he once again let out a breath.

Why else would he tell Tohru to be selfish, but for the very reason he was leaving? (AN: I forgot what that line was really supposed to mean. Sorry. I think it has something to do with what's in the next paragraph... Heheh...) The former Neko closed the top of the box and tried to push the fact that he'd have to find a place to live for he and Tohru to live soon from his mind.

She only spoke up because she was unselfish, and Shigure took advantage of that... ridding them of his house. 'You'd think he'd have her stay, if only for the food...' he thought heavily.

His thoughts broke away from that as something in the hallway was caught in his peripheral vision.

"I told you to let me carry it!"

Tohru smiled, "I can manage..." she hefted the box containing her belongings into an easier to hold position.

He rushed out and took it from her hastily, "You can, but it's not good for you to strain yourself!"

Shigure popped his head out of his study, exactly the same way he had before, "Are you two almost done?"

The Onigiri looked about, scanning the immediate area, "I think so..."

"We have our belongings; can we please take some of your things? Like the wok or rice cooker? You're kind of, you know, shoving us out the door..." said Kyou.

The Inu (AN: Dog, if you forgot) rolled his eyes, "Leave the refrigerator and what's in it, but you can take any kitchen stuff. Just be gone soon." his head disappeared back from whence it came.

Tohru blinked, "Um... Is it just me or is Shigure-san a-"

"Prick? Yeah." Kyou snorted.

The Onigiri blushed furiously, "I wasn't going to say that!"

The former Neko raised a brow, "But you were thinking."

"Whatever..." Tohru said moodily, "You're not always right, you know."

it didn't take Kyou much to decide that she wasn't herself, that he shouldn't fight back, so he came back with a "default-Kyou" reply, "Look, just don't piss me off. I don't know how I'm going to handle living at Sohma House again, even if it is with Shishou (AN: They are staying with Kazuma until they find a place of their own. But it's more adjacent than the same building, so it's not technically the same house or anything. To clear that up.)."

Tohru smiled, "But it'll be fun! We'll get to visit the other Juunishi every day!"

Kyou hefted the two boxes, "I don't know if that's such a good thing..."

-

"How is he doing?"

"I'm surprised that you care."

"What if I do? I know you know how he is."

"Can I trust you, today?"

"I doubt it."

"Then I'll tell you, as I know you speak truthfully, and anything else you'd say would be a lie."

"Well?"

"I've nearly pushed him to comatose. He's stopped eating."

"Excellent."

"How so?"

"Everything is going according to my plan..."

"Are you plotting again?"

"... would it matter if I said 'yes'?"

AN: ... ... ... yeah...

A reviewer (not saying who, but you'll probably know if you go back and read the reviews) recently criticized me for spelling "Kyou" with the "u". And that "that's not how the Japanese write it blah blah blah...". I'd like to rant about it now.

I add it for my own reasons. Also because, when using Romanji, that indicates the "o" sound that it is in Kyou's name. It's not necessarily how one would properly spell it, when looking at it from a stickler's point of view. But, you see, that's not the point. In all political correctness, Kyou is the way one would go about spelling it, for that's the correct pronounciation. Kyo is very simple, but lacking. It's only three letters, for one, and someone naive might very well say "Kee-ew" or "Kee-ah" or something incorrect of that respect. I'm not saying that I'm perfect or right, but that you have to see my point of view if you're going to critisize something so minor about my story. Needless to say, this person is a repeat perpetrator (I have no idea how to spell that off of the top of my head) of critisizing me over stupid things that I'm never going to change, and saying nothing helpful or kind, or even flaming, in their reviews. I tend to cherish every review, but when they get annoying and abusive, I draw the line. This person is on my block list.

Thank you for putting up with my rant. Now that that's out of my system, review! And to you (ebil person), you'll know who you are when it won't let you review. Ha. Please do review, everyone else.

(Don't let me scare you!)