First in the beginning, Yuki has some personal issues that he wants to talk about with his wife to be. Things that might make or break their relationship. Then the rest of the chapter is all Tohru and Kyo so sit tight. One good thing to know is that since Yuki is going back to school, you can infer that Kyo and Tohru will get more time together. And that's when the summary of the story starts to make sense. Well I will say more sense.

…Kyo glanced down at the arm that held the beads. "I much rather be the way I was. At least then, I was safe from changing into anything because of the bracelet. Now this damn thing is only good for show." he glanced up at the road again, "But it's my own damn fault. I chose to live like this… If I'm gonna be the outcast in the family, then I might as well be the outlaw too, right?"

Chapter 8 - The Walk

I yawned softly, straightening myself into a full body stretch. It was about time for me to get up anyways. I had fallen asleep on the couch, exhausted from the dangerous night tare I went through last night. I was glad all that was over. Now that I knew Kyo's secret, I felt like he would be easier to talk to and be around.

Speaking of Kyo, he told me he would be back in the morning to see me.

…But he never did come. And even though he didn't, I figured there was something important that he had to do so I wasn't worried at all. Also, I could tell he had been home. The ripped black pants he had on last night, were in the doorway of his room. I also noticed the cup of coco I left for him yesterday on the countertop this morning.

"Good morning Tohru." Shigure was already at the table reading a book. His glasses dropped half way to his nose as he looked down, "Did you rest well?"

"I did." Strangely, this time I wasn't lying. I had no idea what time Kyo walked me back to the house but whatever hours I lost, were definitely restored on that couch I crashed on. "So where's Yuki?"

"…Present." Yuki walked down the stairs fatigued, buttoning his white collared business shirt. "Good morning Shigure… Morning Hon."

Whoa. That caught me off guard. In the two years of being with Yuki, he had never said that to me, ever. I almost dropped the skillet hearing it. "G-good morning to you too."

It didn't bother him and he didn't realize what he said, I don't think. He sat down at the table, still yawning and rubbing his eyes at various times. I actually didn't mind him calling me hon. Sure, it wasn't my first name but it was a name better than my last name.

Meh, nevertheless, I began cooking without a care. Whether I liked it or not, I still had a job to do. I had to make breakfast for everyone else that could still eat just fine.

"So… I have some pleasant news." Yuki announced at the table. "I have a job interview today with a law and attorney office." he concluded with a smile.

"That is good news." I smiled back. Finally the hard work paid off. For two years, Yuki had been going to school full time with barely any breaks in between. After that, he decided to take off one month to be home with us. I was happy that he was here, but I knew it wouldn't last. It wouldn't be long till Yuki found a decent four year college along with a good paying job to take his time. I guess that time was now… "So where is it?"

"Closer to the university. I figured, it needed to be close to that at least." Yuki rested a hand under his chin. "With very little days left here, it might be more convenient if I did that anyways."

"And they said they would take your kind of experience? Keep in mind, you have only been to a two year college." Shigure reminded him, "You need at least four to five years for completing law school, you know?"

Yuki sighed in annoyance. "Somehow I knew you would say that." he frowned, "Just so you know, they are aware of my experience and education. They are still willing to hire me and pay for the rest of law school for me." he turned to me. "And now, paying the rest won't be an issue."

I blushed. "Oh yeah…" I giggled nervously.

"Well that's good that they would pay… I thought hospitals only did that for their soon to be doctors and nurses." Shigure began reading his book again, "…Now we can hope this is what you really want to do."

"Of course." Yuki agreed. "They told me that it might take a bit till I finish, but they pay very well starting out. Trust me, I have no regrets. Even if it takes me hundred years, I will get it done." he reassured us, "Besides, I made a promise." that's when he looked at me again, this time he smiled.

"Ehehe…." I giggled nervously again, turning around to finish making breakfast. I don't know why I was nervous. I guess it was the loving look he gave me that induced me to have butterflies. I could feel he determination had for his goals. Like he was putting all the extra effort for me because I asked him to and because he loved me. I felt so bad, here I was just sitting playing house wife while he worked his butt off.

"If you don't mind, hon… make only one plate for breakfast." Yuki requested.

One plate? "Why?" I questioned him. Unless, Yuki and Shigure no longer needed to eat as well. I turned around to meet my fiancé's face. "Is something wrong?"

Both men looked at each other… "No, no…Just one plate for Shigure. I plan to take you out today, that's all." Yuki replied, recognizing my panicky tone.

My eyes fluttered, realizing how stupid I sounded. I took a deep breath. "Right, of course." How is it that I haven't been able to keep my cool around Yuki? Why must I always think unnecessary things and worry myself to death. I would never know I supposed.

"I hope that's fine with you." Yuki spoke softly. His violet eyes seemed to persuade me in a way I couldn't say no but I grew tired of being paid for and taken out all the time. All he was doing was wasting his money on me…

"Actually that would be great but since you're leaving in a few days, could we just take a walk outside… I would love that more than anything." I could by the expression on his face that he was surprised. I remained quiet as both men looked at each other again and then back at me.

"Um sure. If that's what you want." Yuki stood up. "A walk it is." Finally, we would get some time to talk privately. I always looked forward to having quality time with Yuki. I found more interest in that than him spending his money on me.

"Thank you…" I nodded, pouring scrambled eggs into Shigure's plate. "So… would you like your breakfast now?" I asked him but Yuki shook his head.

"No, later…" he replied, his voice forever sounding so peaceful, "I'll wait for you to finishing eating. I know you must be starved from not eating dinner last night. We can go walk and talk after that." Something must have had Yuki nervous, he never ate before giving significant news. Which I was sure that's why he passed on breakfast until our walk was over. So I passed on breakfast as well. I couldn't eat knowing he had something to tell me so it all played out.

"Actually I'm not hungry."

"Are you sure?" Yuki asked.

I nodded, grinning. "Don't worry… I can always eat later."

"See you kids later…" Shigure stuffed his face.

With that being said, we started our walk and boy was it a quiet one. I took the opportunity to use the silence as a stress releaser. However that didn't last. Yuki parted his lips to speak and before I recognized it, an unnerving shaky feeling filled my lungs. Naturally in a conversation with Yuki, he always tended to stare me down but this time, he looked the other way.

"I leave in a few days…" his voice was abruptly filled with much guilt.

I nodded, walking with my shoulder brushing up against his arm. "…I know."

"…It's going to be hard leaving you for a second time." he admitted.

"…Yes but you will be back." I told him.

"But it won't be like other times where I would visit you on a free day." he locked gazes with me. "I'm going to be gone for a long time and I may not have free days to see you."

My face froze. "Oh…" That actually bothered me, maybe more than I ever thought possible. How long would it take before my heart would break down from missing him? I know this law school meant a lot to him but how long would it before I could see my fiancé again?

"Believe me, I'm much more worried than you." he managed to break a small smile, "I worry about your feelings, your wellbeing, and what patience you have for me."

"Patience I have for you?" I repeated baffled.

"Yes." he answered through his teeth, "What if I'm, not back here… before your tolerance for loneness has exhausted… or will you find someone else while I'm away?"

That long? I wondered. I knew then he wasn't talking about months, he was talking about years. I couldn't imagine being away from him for that long but at the same time, if I had to wait that long, I was positive that I wouldn't grow tired of waiting for him. That took dedication and determination, which I had a lot of. "Of course I wouldn't. You shouldn't think like that, Yuki."

He stopped walking to turn to me. "I know I shouldn't, but it's something I think about frequently." he admitted to me shyly. "Sometimes, I wonder what would happen if I didn't go to law school. I would be home with you all the time, doing activities I enjoy… Then I think, not picking up law school means we would forever be under my cousin's roof with no money for us in the future."

"Yuki…"

He sighed, finally relaxing his gaze. "There's a lot of things I want. Like having our own house and for us to be well off where you don't ever have to work another day for the rest of your life. I want to have money to pay for our wedding when it comes around to It." he sighed again, "But… all that's just a hopeless dream if you get tired of waiting for me."

I wanted those things too, minus not working. I wouldn't allow myself to sit around the house and play house wife like I was doing now. I could tell that he had much time to think about this and maybe… he had come to some realization like I did. Only this realization bothered him and it bothered me because I could see how bad he was hurting from it.

"Yuki, I know how important this is to you and I will wait as long it takes for you." I didn't know why I was promising something I probably couldn't keep. I'm sure Yuki wouldn't be saying all this if he had faith that I would be alright till he got back. Strange, that this bothered him more than him leaving I with Kyo, weird that he didn't even mention Kyo.

"I believe that now but in time we'll see." he said that like he knew that something was going to happen but he quickly changed the subject before I could say anything on that. "Maybe our relationship is too strong for obstacles such as that. On that note, if you ever get tired of waiting, call me and I will come straight home, no questions asked. Then we will get married." he teased lightly, knowing things wouldn't be that easy. I wouldn't allow that to happen anyways.

I giggled. "That wouldn't happen."

"Okay, okay… but seriously, Tohru Honda…" it felt so weird hearing my full name come out of his mouth so seriously like that, "…promise me we will get married when I get back. At least then, I would have something to look forward to once my schooling is finished."

"Really?" My face let up, "As soon as you get back?"

"Yes, we don't even have tell a soul. It can just be me and you…" he smiled at me, "How does that sound to you?"

"It's perfect." I giggled again, grabbing him all excitedly. I didn't realize he transformed till I felt his arm disappear from my grip. "Whoops." My arms waved in a protest. "I'm so sorry Yuki I didn't mean to! I swear I didn't!"

"It's all right hon, don't worry about it." I admit, it must have been frustrating dealing with a girl who still didn't know her fiancé's boundaries to hugging. I grabbed his clothes as we started walking again.

"Yuki…" I spoke after getting over my few moments of embarrassment.

"…Hm?"

"What made you call me hon all the sudden? I mean, it doesn't bother me but usually you call me by my last name." I looked down on him. Could see his violet eyes filling up with confusion.

"I figured it would be something you wanted. Well… really, I thought it was time for a change. I know I have called you by your last name for a long time. It must have been annoying to you. Personally, it annoyed me too."

I blushed, covering my cheeks. "It wasn't…" I lied.

"Well it was to me so I stopped." he replied. "Whenever you're comfortable with me saying your first name, let me know."

I looked down at him again. So that was the reason why he never called me by my first name, because he assumed I wasn't okay with it? "Heh, Yuki… I have always been okay with you calling me Tohru. You don't have to ask my permission to call me that."

Suddenly he transformed back and I dropped his clothes, pacing behind a nearby tree. He laughed lightly, grabbing his clothes I tossed on the ground. "Hm okay… Tohru it is." Then once when he saw me trembling behind the tree, he laughed again.

"And you know, you don't have to be so nervous around me when I transform back…"

I blinked, "But Yuki… y-you're… naked…"

"That's true." he agreed, reaching for my hand. "…Tohru, you're a decent lady but it doesn't make you any less decent of a lady if you saw me naked just once."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Yuki never spoke like that. Then I supposed me seeing him naked was a start, a start for an exposed relationship that I wasn't ready for. I blushed even more, this time I could feel my cheeks becoming hot. "That could be but… still…" Wow could we just maybe drop this topic?

"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. Never mind…" I noticed Yuki was blushing too.

"Heh…heh…" we awkwardly chuckled to ourselves.

Swiftly, his eyes shifted the other way, "Anyways… we better get back to the house, my interview is soon." he continued, "If I get this job, I should be done with school completely in four years."

We turned around, walking the way we came.

"Four years?" I questioned him.

"Yeah… And I know that's a long time but I plan to call you often and write you letters in my free time, if that's alright."

"Of course it is…" I agreed.

"It's not much." he sighed, "…but maybe doing it that way for a while should make you feel like you're not waiting at all for me." I knew by doing this, Yuki was only try to buy time. Promising things that he wasn't even sure he could do once he was back in school. He seemed almost sure that I was going to get tired of waiting for him. He would try anything before that happened.

"I know you're wondering why I keep saying these things."

I just waited, guarded but quite interested.

"I know Kyo will be here still, even after I leave." he frowned at that thought. "This wouldn't bother me so badly if I didn't know what things he was capable of." he explained, "But what bothers me more than that, is how he tends looks at you…"

"I don't think Kyo likes me like that." I tried to enlighten him with my ignorance.

"No not like that." Yuki shook his head, "I mean he looks at you like you're a full course meal."

That I could agree with. Kyo's eyes seemed to reveal that when they turned charcoal black. I knew this and I wasn't worried about it. I also knew that he was capable of harming me, still, I didn't frightened. "Well that's just weird." I just laughed. "But don't worry, I won't allow myself to get harmed."

Yuki just shook his head again, "What never seizes to amaze me is how incredibly brave you are. I know that if any thing was to happen, you would know what to do."

"Right." but after talking with Kyo last night, I had a feeling that he wouldn't harm me. "Thanks Yuki." and now it seemed that he trusted me to be alone with Kyo even if Shigure wasn't in the house. To me, that was a giant step for us in the relationship.

Before I knew it, we were back at the house.

"Eh, I better hurry." Yuki sighed at the time. Breakfast was already over and there was no time for him eat anything. "I'll see you later this evening, okay?" He grabbed some fruit then quickly planted a kiss on my cheek.

"Okay. Be careful." I waved.

Yuki left right away. I noticed as I walked in the house, Shigure was gone too. By the looks of things, I had the whole house to myself. I smiled at the thought, putting on my apron. What better time on cleaning an unoccupied house, however, I was stopped by a gentle humming of an engine.

"Hm. Yuki forgot something?" I wondered.

The door slammed suddenly and I heard keys and a bag drop on a nearby table.

"Hey." a familiar voice called. The mysterious cat was back.

"Welcome home, Kyo." I uttered, tying my apron. I didn't expect him so soon in the day. The way he was dressed, it seemed that he would have been gone all day. He looked that important. He stared at me coolly, bundled up in a black casual jacket with a white collar sticking out. He also wore black casual pants, along with some black dress shoes. I wasn't amazed to see him dressed like this. It seemed that black and white was his favorite colors to wear now.

He took off the scarf around his neck, placing it on the table. "It's only you home?" He wondered, sitting at the table.

"Yeah." I answered, pulling out the mop and bucket. "Everyone left me." I laughed, "So I thought I would get a bit of cleaning done."

"Is that all you think about is cleaning?" Kyo gave me a disgusted look, "I would hate if I had to clean all the time." Well for his information, he never cleaned and couldn't stand to see a broom. So I could understand the look. As for me, I didn't exactly love cleaning but I loved a clean house.

"Well it keeps me occupied." I muttered, keeping my eyes locked on pouring the bleach water into the bucket.

"Well, there are other things that keep you occupied too right?" he questioned before standing up. That's when I looked up to see he was in front of me. "Am I right?"

"Yeah I guess." I shrugged, shyly.

"Come on." his voice sounded eager, "Let's go then."

"Wha?" I blinked, "Where are we going to go?" And what about Yuki?

He was suddenly wary. "I don't know but I promised you that I would take you somewhere in the morning and I feel like crap because I was late coming to get ya."

"Kyo… I…"

"I know you're worried about what he will think, but I don't break promises." Then he looked at me with his daring ruby eyes, almost smiling, "…and isn't that a good enough excuse to break that damn Yuki's rules for once."

I didn't answer, much too embarrassed to even try.

"Or… we can forget what I said and you can go back to cleaning." he suggested, "Only you would have to allow me to help you out… So I won't feel like crap for not fulfilling my promise."

"Fine." I smiled lightly. I wanted to go anyways. "Only one thing?" I asked after a second of hesitation.

He raised a brow.

"I don't want you to feel like you have to take me because you promised… And we don't have to go anywhere fancy."

"Done." the cat rolled his eyes.

"And…" I put up one finger, "Where ever we go, I would like it if you didn't spend your money on me." I felt bad when Yuki did it all the time. I just wanted to go somewhere that didn't require money.

"Okay now,you're asking for too much…" he shook his head. "It's my money and I'll spend it on you however I would want too, damn it."

"I know… but still. Can you do it for me?" my tone shriveled, "Please…"

Kyo frowned irritatedly and shook his head. "Yah, sure… only if you allow me to buy at least one item for you. DEAL?"

"Deal, but it has to be something simple… please." I pleaded.

Kyo sighed, throwing on his scarf and a white flag up at my request. "Geez woman, can't you allow one person to do something nice for you…" After all I been GONE for three years! He cooed.

"I am." I took off my apron, hanging it on the pantry door. "I said yes to you taking me somewhere."

"Yah, after I practically begged you." Kyo frowned opening the front door for me. "People that promise things aren't supposed to be the ones to beg, are they?"

"In theory…" I laughed, suddenly choking right after. "…Kyo… you have a car?" that's funny, wasn't Yuki and Shigure the only ones who had a car, I thought.

"Duh, how do you explain me arriving here to this stupid place… on piggyback?"

"Hehe. My apologies, it's just that…" Well it was just that, it was a really nice car. Something that you would only see rich people having to drive. I don't mean to be ignorant, but weren't rich people the ones who drove suped up convertibles? Speaking of convertibles, his was a clean charcoal black with tan leather seats and blasting sterling silver rims.

"It's just what?" Kyo sighed, "Damn, it's too much isn't it?"

"No, no… It's quite lovely." I giggled, "I just didn't think you had expensive taste like that. I'm truly impressed." I replied as he opened the door for me, "Now… where had you been hiding this thing, I never noticed it."

"What do ya mean? It's been here all along." Kyo answered back, blowing his orange thick strands out of his pale face. "You just never paid attention to it, you… slacker."

"Whoops, I guess I didn't." As Kyo jumped into the driver seat with no effort at all, here I was awkwardly slithering my way into the passenger seat, fidgeting around with the firmness of it, "And… quiet comfy too. Wow…"

"Would you like some… help?" he raised a brow, "Or, we can go in that P.O.S, Shigure calls a car… over there…" he pointed to the sorry looking family van Shigure never took to the junk yard.

Finally, I made it in. "No I'm fine. It's snug. I like it."

"It's more than comfortable, it's hella fast too… so you might want to put on a seatbelt." he suggested, "I'm kinda a speed demon on the back roads." and with a wink in his eye, he started the engine.

I couldn't have taken that comment any more seriously, I quickly found the seatbelt above me and strapped myself in. "Okay ready." but I clearly wasn't, with a blasted push, I went forward. All my blood rushed to my head in a matter of a few seconds.

"Just breathe and hold on to what you want." he vigorously pressed on the gas.

So I did and I couldn't believe how much better I felt. "That's all?" I asked, I thought at least I would be flying out of the car with my seatbelt still attached. That was before I looked over and saw that he was actually going over eighty miles over the limit. It didn't feel like we were going that fast at all.

The other thing I noticed was his bracelet. There it was on his wrist. But I could recall the first night I was out in the woods, I saw them on the ground, broken. I know I didn't imagine that. "Kyo…"

"They scatter every time I go into my alternate cat form but resemble when I'm in human form." He answered without hesitation, "It's the only form my beads can't protect me from. At night, the moon rejects the power the bracelet and that's why I have no choice but to go into beast form when the moon shines on me." he watched the road carefully as he further explained, "So in theory, I don't have to wear them anymore… but I still do…"

I nodded, "I see, it must be nice to wear the beads when you choose, no restrictions."

"The hell it isn't." Kyo glanced down at the arm that held the beads.

"Huh? But why…"

"I much rather be the way I was. At least then, I was safe from changing into anything because of the bracelet. Now this damn thing is only good for show." he glanced up at the road again, "But it's my own damn fault. I chose to live like this… If I'm gonna be the outcast in the family, then I might as well be the outlaw too, right?"

I shrugged as my lip curled, "I suppose." I responded, "Surely you wouldn't be the outlaw forever."

"There you go again." Kyo spoke back, looking at me, "…thinking so optimistic. You think everything will fix itself in time?" he frowned, "That's bullshit. Some people were just put on this earth to suffer, whether you like it or not…"

Actually, in my theory, I believed it didn't matter who you were, bad things were going to come to you regardless. That was something that none of us could prevent, I mean its life. That wasn't optimistic thinking either. I was just always taught to make positive thoughts out of the negative ones. However, Kyo was making negative thoughts out of positive ones.

"Maybe I am thinking optimistically, but it's better than being pessimistic all the time…"

"Wha?" Kyo closed his mouth, sighing. "I am positive, I have accepted my fate and everything along with it. To be honest, I could be getting myself into worse things."

I hid my grin. "Oh really."

We finally slowed down to normal speed once Kyo turned into a busy street. "Yeah, that's right." he answered, "At least give me credit for not being as emo as usual…" But I wouldn't call it emo though. I often compared Kyo's anger to a candle flame. When hot enough, it could really do some damage but was the easiest to put out.

"You are right. I see that you don't get angry like you used to." I agreed.

"That's because I have no reason to now…" he instantly replied, "I always blamed that damn Yuki for my problems. I felt like if I beat him at everything, I could be truly accepted. That would always be the reason for our arguments."

"So you finally got tired of arguing?" I mused lightly.

"Yeah. Oddly, I always wondered why he was better than me, why he was always able to kick my ass each time we fought. It was because he was the calmer, reserved type. While I was the kid with anger issues and no patience."

"Mm…" he did have a point there. Yuki never raised voice and he was always humble and because of that, he was liked by everyone. I guess it took Kyo some separation to understand that.

He glanced at my face again, "Don't you go thinking that I will reason with that damn rat, I still hate him and always will. But I just don't pick fights like I used to. I figured that if I kept my mouth shut he would stop talking crap eventually."

"You don't ever think about him assuming you're weak because you don't fight back?" I teased.

He chuckled at me, "Come on, even that damn rat isn't stupid enough to pick fights with strengths he can't handle. It's clear, if he wanted to test me he would have done it already."

"So what do you think he's waiting for?" I gasped, "Oh my, you don't think he's scared do you?" Afraid seemed a bit off if you asked me.

"Heh…Well wouldn't you be?" the car finally came to a stop in a park. "Maybe he isn't scared of me. For all I know, he could be holding back. But I could care less about him right now." Kyo stepped out of the car, peaking inside, "You coming?"

"Right." it was much easier getting out Kyo's car, then getting in. I heaved a sigh fixing my clothes and straightening my hair. Since we were at a park, I supposed were going to walk and talk more about him. Oh! Which I was totally fine with… because I really wanted to learn more about him and his new beast form.

Then he said, "Sorry we aren't doing to talk about me anymore. I want to know more about you… fill me in on what I missed out these three years."

I froze. How did he know that's what I was thinking? I knew Kyo was mysterious and powerful since I saw him last. But if this man could read my thoughts, I was for sure in deep trouble. As I thought about it, I noticed when we were in the car he explained about the beads without me even asking about them. Like he knew I was going to ask in the first place.

"How did you know that?"

He raised a brow, "…how did I know what?"

"What I was thinking."

Kyo's pale face relaxed, "I don't know what you're thinking. You're just too easy to read." he smiled, walking a few steps ahead of me.

"Oh…"

"If it bothers you that badly, then I be quiet and wait till you ask me the question or say what's on your mind." he suggested pouting.

"It doesn't bother me at all." Though, I never remembered him being that good at reading my face. But like he said, he knew lots of things even though it looked like he didn't.

"If a dog barks at me, I'll end up kicking it. So I suggest we start over there…" he pointed to the sidewalk. So, I followed him, avoiding lots of pets and other animals, especially the dogs. Maybe Kyo was mature but he still had a hint of that teenager attitude left in him.

"Anyways." He blurted out, breaking the silence between us. "What's been going on with you, you're usually not this damn quiet."

There was nothing going on with me. Well, nothing that I wanted him to know about. Not because he would tell or anything but I knew if I talked about my relationship with his cousin he would get worried. Maybe blurt words in an argument with Yuki if it ever came to that. In case you were wondering, I was like this back in high school too and the more I matured, the more I kept things to myself.

"Nothing, really." I responded, keeping my face still so he couldn't read it.

"Hm, really?" Kyo wondered.

"Everything is exactly how it was before you left…" I uttered softly, "I don't see why anything would change now."

His face fell a bit, eyeing my face. "Okay, now you're just lying…"

"No… really." I insisted, "I wouldn't lie…" then I began thinking what really happened over the few years he was gone. "…After you left, I had gotten me a part time job in a bakery but I ended up quitting a month later."

"Why?"

"I didn't like it and I wanted to go to some kind of school." I answered. "Wasn't it you that told me that I needed to tell people what I felt?"

"Yeah, yeah… go on…"

"After that, I and Yuki decided to make a home business doing what we loved most, gardening." I explained, "I know, it sounded like a dumb idea but it wasn't and it brought in a lot of money."

"I see…"

"We did that for a full six months, before our hands turned green and it wasn't long till that died off as well."

"Did you ever go to school?" he asked.

"I did. I ended up going to a school for Art History. I actually learned a lot there." I continued, "In fact I think Art is my favorite thing to learn about and look at now because of it."

"Uh… huh…" he paused, unsure if he comprehended all that. "…go on…" he urged me to continue.

"Oh uh…" then I had lost my place, "Oh yes, after I was done with Art History, Yuki went ahead to a two year college so he could transfer to a four year college. But he still wanted to look for a job."

"Why were you guys so much into looking for jobs?" he asked with a shrewd look in his eyes.

"Because. Shigure was the one to always support us. I told Yuki that it bothered me, he respected my feelings and swore that he would get a job. So from that point on, there was never a time I didn't see a job application or a book in hand, studying law."

"Law, huh?" Kyo smirked, he probably thought it was a dumb idea just because Yuki was doing it.

"Pretty much," I agreed, "Yuki stuck with being an attorney."

"Looks like the rat decided to put away childish toys too and become a man…" Kyo murmured. "…Heh, I don't blame him for that. It's about time…"

"Well I didn't like it at first with him spending so much time away from home but he did visit me on his days off. I was grateful for that and Yuki had his mind on being an attorney so badly, I just couldn't disrupt that."

"Didn't he take off a month of school?"

I nodded shockingly. "Yeah so I wouldn't be lonely at home." I failed to mention that Yuki asked my hand in marriage exactly the same time he came home to be with us.

"So when does he leave?"

"In a couple days." I replied, "He's already found a job close to his school that would take his kind of experience and pay for the rest of his law school."

"Let me guess you paid?" he sighed exasperatedly.

"Well after Shigure paid the first half with his savings. Then I begged to pay for the rest from my own savings."

"Yuki didn't offer to pay?" Kyo frowned.

"Heh, well… I wouldn't let him."

"I see, taking the responsibilities of others and making them your own burden… " he spoke mainly to himself, "…Yeah, that sounds like you…"

"Well I can't help that." I giggled. "…that's just me." For once, I finally got tired of talking. "Well Kyo tell me about you now? I know lots of things have happened to you right?"

Kyo glared at me for a long minute, while we walked suitably slow. "Mm, later… okay?"

"Promise?" I knew I could get him to do anything if I said that.

"Yeah…" he sighed, "Next subject…" he paused glancing around, "Are you hungry?"

"Maybe ice cream." I giggled, pointing to the stand a couple a feet away.

"I meant for food…" Kyo sighed again but his eyes followed my hand, "Wait here okay?" he smiled lightly.

"Okay." I stood silently. Kyo walked over to the ice cream stand, pulling out a wad of cash. It hadn't even been a few seconds since he had been gone and I was getting a bit lonely.

"One chocolate cone…"

"500 yen."

"Hey look over there…" Some male said.

"Yeah check out that hottie, the brunette…" his buddy agreed.

Kyo turned around. "Damn, somehow this feels like déjà vu…" he watched two men, taller than he was, walk over to me.

"Hey there, cutie." one man winked.

"Huh? Oh hello." I smiled, fiddling with my ponytail.

"Why are ya over here standing alone." the other said to me.

"Oh I'm not…I'm," but I was interrupted.

"She ain't alone…" Kyo stared fiercely at the two older men, holding my ice cream. "…and you bastards better leave her alone if you know what I mean." Now, I always thought Kyo was tall even back when we were in high school but these two guys were much bigger than he was and seemed stronger.

"Kyo…" I breathed.

"Whatcha gonna do if we don't leave her alone…" the one of the guys laughed, teasing Kyo and lightly pushing him to anger him more. "Beat us up and take our lunch money…"

"I hate being laughed at…" Kyo grunted and without hesitation, his single free hand reached up to grab one of the guys by the collar. I gasped, watching Kyo lift that heavy man off his feet by a few inches. I could see Kyo veins contracting as he did so. Still, I wasn't sure if that was the full potential of his brute strength.

"Tell me, what was so damn funny… HUH?" Seeing Kyo act like this, was different from all the other times he had gotten himself in rumbles. This time, it actually looked like he was enjoying himself, a twisted grin shot across his pale face. "Let's see how much you'll be laughing once your dumbass face is caved in!"

In a quick instinct, Kyo felt the other man coming. Kyo dropped scared guy and turned around just in time to block his buddy's punch with his own pale hand. Then, Kyo evilly smiled, ruby eyes glowing through elegant orange hair.

"What the hell?" His buddy wondered, trying to break free of Kyo's death grip. But Kyo was too darn strong for them. "Dude w-we d-don't want any trouble…"

"Kyo." I couldn't take it anymore… "You won, it's okay. You can stop fighting." I was actually scared for Kyo. But at my request, Kyo let the guy go and his flunky.

"Here…" Kyo handed me my untouched, perfectly fine, ice cream cone. That was pretty impressive. The two men could see that as they both stared at him in fear. "WHAT?" he yelled.

You would of thought that would have scared them off but of all things, it only took was a one glare, not just any glare but one that reeked with danger and murder; one that could probably melt your bones if you were dumb enough to stare… long enough.

Both men ran as fast as they could… and just like that, they were gone. "You alright?" Kyo asked.

"Yeah they didn't touch me." They didn't even have a chance to talk to me before Kyo came along and saved me. I smiled at him.

"They better not have." Kyo grimaced, "I would have to break their hands, along with their nasty smutty fingers."

"Kyo," we began walking, "…could you really do that?" I'd hope not.

Kyo gave me a smile, much like the one he gave those men, a twisted distorted smile that even I was afraid of. "I don't think you would want to stick around for that." He turned white, and eyes turning incensed. He was obviously playing that gory scene in his head, daring to make it true.

"Oh… oh okay." I quickly shrugged that thought off…