God, I've been SOO out of it lately. Writer's block, lack of free time, studying (ACT's are coming up in June for me). Hence, updates happen slower (Despite the fact that this story is already up on Quizilla and updating here is simply a matter of copying and pasting), but you all bear with me. That makes me happy and keeps me going. :smiles: Thank-you!

For the next few days, Kyo refused to talk or have any interaction with the dog or rat. One wrong word, and out comes Kyo's secret affections for Yuki. Well, assuming Kyo actually does like the rat. He's unsure for himself.

Damn that Shigure, now he's got me thinking about it. Why the hell would I like Yuki?

As Kyo spent his time contemplating his thoughts, Yuki was feeling no different than usual. His weird dreams had died down and no one had bothered him about the kiss. He was feeling rather content until one afternoon when he was in the kitchen. Feeling hungry, he decided to practice making riceballs the way Tohru had taught him. He got his rice and set up the rice cooker. Just as he was about to begin, the curtain to the kitchen was pushed open and Shigure stepped in, his nose in the newspaper. Yuki looked up only for a minute before looking back down and getting started on his riceballs.

"Hi, Shigure." he said

"Eh?" Shigure poked his nose over his paper and his eyes landed Yuki, making a smirk appear over his thin lips.

He closed up his newspaper and placed it down on the counter, still smirking like a mad man, and crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the archway.

"I know something you don't knooooow." He said in a sing song voice.

"Excuse me?" Yuki looked over at the dog, a puzzled expression on his face.

"I know a secret about Kyo." Shigure raised an eyebrow, "Want me to tell you?"

"Not especially." He said and took some rice from the cooker, forming it into a ball, "I don't care."

"Suit yourseeeelf." Shigure said with his sing-song voice, "It's really good."

"I'm sure it is." the rat replied, not really listening to the dog.

Shigure chuckled to himself and walked out of the kitchen, certain that his plan would work. What was this plan? Drop hints to Yuki about the secret until he gave in, of course. And so, that's just what Shigure did over the next couple days. He'd smirk a little when Yuki was around and pick at Kyo about the conversation in front of Yuki. Though it was absolutely torturing Kyo and fully annoying Yuki, it was pleasing Shigure to no end and he continued on with it until the following Saturday afternoon. Yuki was sitting in the dining room reading a book. Elbow on the table and his cheek in his hand, he sat quiet and content. Shigure came in, smirking like always, and sat down next to Yuki. Neither said anything for a minute, then Shigure leaned over and peered into Yuki's book.

"Whatcha readin'?" He said, sounding like a curious 5 year old.

"A book." the rat replied flatly.

"What's it about?" Shigure said and read a few lines on the page.

"Two guys living together."

"Oh really?" Shigure smiled, "Are they friends?"

"Not really. They were forced to move in together. They don't like each other very much."

Shigure placed a finger on his chin, pretending to be in thought, "Do they, perhaps, secretly like each other?"

Yuki glanced over at the dog for a second, slightly amused (but mostly annoyed) by the question, "I'm not entirely sure yet. I'm only halfway through."

Shigure little game of 20 Questions continued "Any...signs of affection?"

"Not really." Yuki turned the page.

"Aha!" Shigure said somewhat loudly, "Not REALLY. This means, they most likely do like each other."

"Maybe." Yuki said sighing, "Feel free to read it when I'm done and find out for yourself."

"Oh, I don't need to read." Shigure said somewhat airily, "As I have my own real life version of that story in my own house."

Yuki raised his eyebrow and looked over at the dog, a look of disbelief on his face, "WHAT are you talking about?"

"Well, this situation sounds a lot like you and Kyo."

"How so?" Yuki was getting more and more annoyed by the minute, but he wanted see where Shigure could possibly going with his theory.

"Well, when Kyo came back from the mountains, the two of you were forced live together." Shigure crossed his arms over his chest, "You don't especially like each other but...well..."

"Well what?" Yuki put his book down.

"Oh, nevermind!" Shigure laughed and stood up waving his hands at Yuki, "It doesn't matter. It's silly."

Hook, line, and sinker. Shigure had him. Yuki was intrigued. The rat was nibbling on the cheese, and all that was left was to snap the trap. And Shigure was more than ready to snap it. He made his way to the door and was about to walk out when Yuki spoke.

"What were you going to say?" He said, not looking up at him.

"It's nothing really. Besides, it would involve me telling you Kyo's little secret, but you said you weren't interested so..."

"Then tell me the secret, and then tell me what you were going to say."

Shigure's mischievous grin faded into a soft smile. Suddenly, all the euphoria in teasing Yuki had disappeared.

"Yuki...the secret is something pretty big." He said softly, "And not to mention a bit strange. Something tells me that, you sort of already know what it is, but I'll tell you if really want me to...you have the right to know."

Yuki glared up at the dog, "Just tell me the stupid secret."

Shigure sighed a little and nodded.

"Well, there's no other way to say it. After the physicals, I sort of deduced why the two of you had been acting so strange lately." Shigure made his way back over to the table and sat across from Yuki "My suspicions were confirmed after my talk with Kyo. I simply said 'Kyo, I think you like Yuki' and he didn't deny it. He didn't say anything actually." Shigure leaned his elbows on the table and laced his fingers together, then rested his chin in them, "But all the signs are there that it's true. And, those same signs...I see them in you too, Yuki."

Yuki closed his eyes tightly, not sure how or willing to respond. His stomach was churning. He'd gone so long without any thought of the matter, and then it all comes back so suddenly. He couldn't really handle it.

"You're an idiot Shigure. What you just said made no sense." He stood up from the table and headed for the door, Shigure followed him with his eyes.

"Yuki, I really did want to read your book here." Shigure held it up, "Do you mind?"

"Go ahead..." He said softly, "I don't care."