Septic

A/N: Hmm...more than three years between updates. I deserve to be shot in the face. XD Oh, man! I've actually had this chapter written for, like...2 1/2 years...I went on a "I HATE MY WRITING" phase and now I'm trying to make amends! So, here's a little more of my Fruits Basket saga to all those who remember and still care!

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In the course of the past month, Yuki had been poked, prodded, smacked, yelled at, and spoon fed (of all things) by his arch nemesis on a regular basis. It was a wonder that he had survived the cat’s constant mothering! But, he found it strange that even through some of the rougher treatment, Kyo’s compassion had actually been genuine. Even though it seemed Kyo had been grudgingly taking care of the rat, his jabs and complaints were mostly half hearted, and sometimes forced, as if to save face. It had been noticed by all occupants of the house that Kyo’s attitude had changed, though his behavior still carried his characteristic immaturity. Shigure noted the deep well of wisdom that had formed within the cat’s eyes, while Tohru had noticed his sudden interest in helping with the household chores. This change had not gone unappreciated, but the duality was disconcerting. Everyday Kyo would grudgingly approach Yuki, encouraging him to eat, bathe, exercise, or whatever Hatori had prescribed to the rat’s recovery, and Yuki would comply while Kyo helped with a sigh or a kiddingly spat insult. Everyone could see right through his tough façade…Kyo was happy, whether he was willing to admit it or not.

However, Yuki had discovered that when Kyo was not with him, an uncomfortable feeling of vulnerability would plague him. More than once, he had suffered unprovoked and violent panic attacks. Only the cat’s presence would calm him leaving him both confused…yet strangely satisfied. He found himself becoming more and more fond of the cat’s company, even to the point of playfully sparring after a few short weeks.

“Time to get up, you damn rat! Or are you just gonna lay there and die?” Kyo snorted.

“Urr…” came Yuki’s expected response. The month of recovery had cured him of most ills, but it had not yet cured his inability to be a morning person!

“C’mon, get up! Hatori says you have to-”

“Get up and eat first thing to make sure I stay healthy.” Yuki cut in, smirking.

Kyo scowled playfully before tossing a pile of clean clothes at the rat’s bed.

“Just get up, smart ass! We need to spar! It’s as good for you as it is for me!”

“Alright, but if you lose, don’t whine, stupid cat!” Yuki chuckled as he shoved the cat through the door. “Just let me get dressed and I’ll be down for breakfast.”

As promised, Yuki descended the stairs to greet the welcome sight of his housemates eating their breakfast. He happily sat down and ate what Tohru placed in front of him.

“Good morning, Yuki!” Tohru chirped.

“And good morning to you, Miss Honda!”

“Well, you seem in high spirits today,” Shigure drawled.

“Well, with a meal like this who wouldn’t be happy?” The rat replied, smiling at the faint blush upon the onigiri’s cheeks. Kyo rolled his eyes as he shoved some rice into his mouth.

“Hurry up!” the cat said around his mouthful. “I need to kick your ass!”

“You never have and never will,” Yuki murmured, smiling. “But if you insist…”

Yuki quickly finished his meal in a very unprince-like way and excitedly bounded out the door to meet Kyo for another sparring match.

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After a hearty spar, (to which Kyo had expectedly lost…) the boys had decided to make a trip down to the lake to cool down and clean up a bit before heading back home. Kyo insisting that too much exercise might wear Yuki down. On their journey to he lake, they chatted amicably, as if they’d been friends forever, rather than the rivals they had always been.

“Those were some damn good moves, Yuki!” Kyo playfully jabbed at the rat’s shoulder.

“Yes, well, what can I say. I was born to beat you,” Yuki grinned. Kyo scowled at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, yeah. You won’t be talkin’ so big when I finally whoop your ass!” the cat snorted, a pout on his lips. His anger no longer ruled him, and the change was refreshing.

“Probably, because that would be the same day hell freezes over,” the rat smirked! “Anyone would be rendered speechless!”

Kyo couldn’t help but laugh at that, too. It was nice to be like this, together. Kyo had never had a friend quite like Yuki, and he had to admit that he did love the rat’s wit…especially since he was no longer on the receiving end of it’s sharpness anymore.

“You sure know how to cut a guy down, you jerk!” Kyo laughed.

“Years of practice,” Yuki replied smoothly and smugly.

“Yeah, just like your fighting ability. Even when you’re sparring, it shows! I haven’t been beaten that bad since-” Kyo stopped, horrified at what he had been about to say. His face quickly went from grinning to guarded…

“Since when?” Yuki asked, noticing that the cat’s speech had faltered, his own smile falling at the look of fear on Kyo’s face.

“Er- nothing,” Kyo lamely excused, looking pointedly away from the rat. Yuki stopped in his tracks and gently reached out for Kyo’s wrist. Kyo stopped and turned slowly, obviously uncomfortable.

“Since that fight at the main house?” Yuki softly asked. “The one Akito…” Kyo flinched at the mention of the pale god’s name, but otherwise looked away broodingly.

“No,” he mumbled. “I was thinkin’ something else. Forget it.”

Yuki looked at him questioningly.

“Why don’t you ever want to talk about it?” Yuki gently asked.

“It wasn’t exactly the happiest time of my life, you know!” the cat snapped.

“I know. But…It seems to bother you more than it bothers me. And that’s strange, Kyo…Considering, well…”

“What? Considering what?” the red head hissed.

“I know I was tortured by Akito,” Yuki whispered. The cat looked up at him alarmingly. “Don’t look at me like that. I know why, too…But I can’t remember what he did to me. I know something terrible happened but, what was it?” Yuki asked, his voice shaking. “Kyo? Did he do something to you?!”

“What?!” Kyo spat harshly, snatching his wrist away. “No! That bastard didn’t do anything to me!”

“Then why won’t you say anything?”

“What do you want me to say, Yuki?!”

“Well, what happened that upsets you so much? You know what happened to me, don’t you?”

“There’s a reason you’ve suppressed it, and I’d like to keep it that way,” Kyo continued, trying to pull away again.

“Why? How do you know if that’s even good for me?” Yuki asked, his voice holding a thread of warning. Kyo spun around, looking at the rat angrily.

“Here’s a question for you: why do you want me to relive that nightmare by telling you every damn detail?! I won’t do it! I don’t want to go back to that night because to remind you would break you. That’s what he’s wanted all along!” The cat spat, furious! But, his features softened slowly. “I won’t see you broken again, Yuki. I couldn’t stand it the first time and I sure as hell couldn’t live through it again!” the cat hissed as he turned away, roughly rubbing his eyes.

“Kyo…” Yuki whispered. “I-”

“Just shut up and leave me the hell alone,” Kyo groaned, preparing to leave again, but was stopped by a gentle hand on his shoulder. Kyo froze, his eyes to the ground.

“I understand that you’re trying to protect me, Kyo. You’ve done more for me than I can ever fully appreciate or understand…but I have to know if my nightmares are real. I need to know what you’re protecting me from, so I can try to protect myself…I can’t keep running anymore. Maybe, I can help you move on, too. So please…tell me.” Yuki whispered, swallowing around the words that seemed to catch in his throat.

The cat suddenly rounded on Yuki and swiftly punched him in the gut. Yuki stumbled and fell on all fours into the dirt road, crying out at the sudden pain. Kyo looked down upon Yuki, a rueful smile plastered on his face, the sun shining off the streaks of wetness that were once tears. Yuki looked up at the cat imploringly, trying to control his building anger.

“Your nightmares are real, Yuki. And we both had to live though them,” the cat whispered and began to walk away.

Yuki futiley reached out towards the form walking away, trying to find the words…trying to say anything.

“Kyo…” Yuki croaked. The back never turned, he just kept walking. “Kyo,” he spoke again, a little louder, rising to his feet and following after the cat. “Don’t you see? If you’re with me, then my nightmares can’t hurt me.”

The cat stopped and turned around quickly, seeing Yuki on his feet again, though wavering. “What did you say?” Kyo asked. Yuki slowly approached the cat, determined to get his point across, no matter how much his body protested the movement! As he neared, he suddenly stumbled and would have fallen had Kyo not rushed forward and scooped him up into his arms.

“See?” Yuki tiredly chuckled. “When you’re around, nothing can hurt me.”

Kyo looked confused for a moment, and looked down at the lavender-haired one in his arms. He was both touched, and scared by the rat’s admission. This meant Yuki saw him as a guardian, someone who would protect him always. It was as much a compliment as it was uncomfortable. Yuki had basically admitted to putting his life into Kyo’s hands, trusting him whole-heartedly. The redhead blinked repeatedly before helping Yuki to straighten up again. He let the rat lean on him as he guided them both back to the house.

“I’m sorry,” Kyo suddenly whispered, breaking the awkward silence. The Prince felt a great weight lift from his heart when he heard Kyo speak. He was afraid he’d never hear a word from him again.

“Uh, for what?” Yuki replied, confused.

“For hurting you just now.”

“Oh! I should be the one apologizing…I think I hurt you, too,” Yuki murmured.

“No, whatever pain I have is my own fault, you didn’t deserve to get punched in the gut…”

“No, not really…But it’s alright, it didn’t hurt tha-”

“Give me some time, Yuki,” Kyo suddenly interrupted. Yuki was startled by that statement, and was somewhat confused, but then the meaning sank in.

“I think that’s a good idea,” the rat simply replied. They walked the rest of the way home in silence.

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Yuki woke up in tears again.

He never understood why or when that began. He knew his dreams were the cause, but what did he dream? Eyes. He always saw eyes.

Beautiful eyes that held so much love and compassion…but that warmth always seemed too far away. Yuki felt like he was the only one to ever see that warmth. Like it was his own precious gift.

Whose eyes?

And why did he always see Kyo in the end? Was it because the cat was the first person he saw when he finally woke up? But, those weren’t Kyo’s ruby eyes…

Yuki remembered to a point. He remembered hurting Kyo, and that sent a pang of despair through him. He remembered the knife, the threat, and finally the agreement…And he knew Akito had tortured him. The rat knew he was in Akito’s “care” for a short while. But what had gone on was a complete mystery. He could deduce that he was tortured from the scars on his back. But, that wasn’t anything new, really. Akito had always cut him up. Why was this time so different? Did Kyo rescue him mid-torture? Maybe because he had seen what Akito was really up to, it bothered him?

As far as he knew, Yuki was the only one to be tortured in such a way…To hear about it was one thing, but to actually witness it would be another. It would be terrifying.

And Yuki felt scared right now. He wanted the comfort that Kyo could give him. Kyo used to sleep in his room with him during his recovery. But Yuki discovered that he wasn’t comfortable without the cat, so he took to sleeping in Kyo’s room for a while. Eventually, they both reluctantly agreed that Yuki should learn to sleep by himself again, but that it would be alright to sleep together once in a while. Yuki deemed this as one of those “once in a while” times. He really felt scared and insecure, so he snuck into Kyo’s room. The cat begrudgingly allowed the rat into his bed.

“Bad dream…?” the cat sleepily mumbled.

“Yes,” Yuki replied, settling down into the sheets.

“Kay…g’night…” Kyo mumbled and snorted, settling down again himself. Yuki listened to the redhead’s soft snoring for a while. He was greatly relieved to not be alone anymore. The cat’s presence was very comforting, in some uncomfortable ways. Lately, Yuki had been harboring strange desires for the cat…Like wanting to hold him close or to be held by him. Or wanting to nuzzle the redhead’s neck or pet his hair… It really was strange, considering how well they got along now. And the rat didn’t want to do anything to upset Kyo and ruin their new friendship…Especially if these sensations were what Yuki thought they were, then he was in trouble.

True, Yuki had great respect and admiration for the cat. He longed to have the same courage and conviction Kyo had…He longed to have a lot of what Kyo had…Perhaps even Kyo himself. Yuki couldn’t stop himself from blushing at the thought. Maybe he really had fallen for the cat. If that was true, then that would definitely explain why he felt so attracted to him…Even if he was a man…or a cousin…

But looking at Kyo’s sleeping face, Yuki decided that this feeling, this respect, admiration, attraction, and protectiveness was worth it. Kyo was such a wonderful person. He was the first person to ever say they needed him, and that was special. Kyo was very special.

Kyo, his arch nemesis was also his greatest love…

Love?! Of course! It had to be love…and not a platonic brotherly love reserved for family. It was a romantic love. The kind of love that is shared by two souls bound together forever, through everything. Yuki knew he could never leave Kyo’s side ever again…not out of fear for himself, but for love of all that was the man once his rival.

Yes. Love.

Yuki couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and brushing the stray strands of hair from the cat’s eyes. Kyo cutely twitched under the touch and Yuki smiled.

He never thought he could ever feel this way about someone…let alone the cat. He knew he could never act on such emotions…But he certainly could stay by Kyo’s side, for as long as the cat wanted him there.

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Kyo couldn’t help but feel protective of Yuki. There was nothing he could do about it. It was as if the rat begged to be protected…Not that he needed protection from Kyo, as he could kick the cat’s butt every time they went at it. But, that was in physical power alone. Kyo knew that Yuki had many more emotional hurts that were much harder to deal with. So whenever Yuki came to Kyo for comfort, he was all too willing to give it…not to mention he liked the feel of Yuki in his arms. He would never admit that anyone.

Ever since he had gone and rescued the rat from Akito, he couldn’t help but notice all the things he hadn’t before. Like, the sound of his breathing in his sleep. The little sounds he made while he studied. The way he would curl up on his side and hug a pillow when he went to bed. The little crinkles he got by his eyes when he laughed. His warmth. His smell…It was all so endearing…and some of it was intoxicating.

While the sensations and desires felt good, Kyo couldn’t help but feel ashamed for having them. He was sure Yuki would not ever appreciate being thought of that way by his long time rival…or knowing that he was being doted on in secret. Yes, Kyo had done everything he could think of to make Yuki happy…Like having Tohru make his favorite foods more often than normal, and making sure his favorite clothes were always ready to wear, and doing certain chores before Yuki could get to them. Kyo hoped he was inconspicuous, but he doubted it. He really, truly wanted Yuki to find happiness, and Kyo was all too happy himself to provide some.

Kyo had fallen hard, and he knew it.

All he could do was stay by Yuki’s side and give him the support he needed.

He would do it forever if he could.

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My own writing makes me want to vomit profusely. WHOO HOO! Fluff....BLEH!! At least we all get the story, right? Ah, man. I'm sorry guys, I am a terrible person! Hopefully the next update won't be in three years! LOL!