I

I almost didn't believe my eyes as the scene before me registered in the forefront of my thoughts. Blinking slowly underneath my umbrella, my shock only skyrocketed as nothing I had seen before changed. Could it seriously be true, or had I spent too much time writing love stories and poetry in the library again? It had to be, though I did second guess the boundaries of my imagination. There really was a boy, standing out in the middle of the rain, leaning over a dingy looking cardboard box deposited in solitude on the side of the sidewalk. Although I couldn't see exactly what was in it, my question was immediately answered as I heard a pitiful mew emanating from its opening. My heart lurched as the sudden rainstorm picked up intensity, drenching the boy who was taking off his blue blazer through his white collared shirt; what was he going to do?

He gently picked up a soggy gray ball of fur, wrapping it gently into the folds of his now damp jacket with uncharacteristic efficiency and patience. I moved a few steps forward, lost in the trance his strange actions were putting my mind in, until he suddenly stood to his normal height and looked in my direction. Our eyes met for a few moments, and my features flushed as I took in the cool, expressionless black irises gazing blankly into mine. Dear light, he was gorgeous. He towered over me by a good seven or eight inches, but not so that he looked entirely intimidating. There was something kind and easygoing about his stature, although he was getting mercilessly soaked in the downpour.

Feeling like I had to do something, I hastened to his side, lifting my umbrella high enough over my own head and his so that he wasn't caught in the downpour. He stared down at my face again, though I saw a twinkle of humor hidden behind his eyes as he looked at my pin straight arm trying to feebly hold the umbrella without knocking it into his head.

"You were getting soaked." I interjected abruptly, wishing I could keep my mouth shut for once. Why was I explaining anything to him. "I thought it would be nice to give you some help, seeing as that little kitten couldn't do much to protect you from the rain."

He smiled lightly, moving to look down at the kitten being cradled in his lanky arms. "Thank you."

Dear light, his voice sounded like deep-toned angels singing from the heavens. I wanted to pinch myself- this couldn't possibly be a real life person. There was too much perfection going on here. Part of me just wanted to squat down and start writing a new story with him as the main character, but that idea was quickly shot down as I saw him now looking expectantly at me.

"So," I drawled slowly into the silence, looking at the content animal in his arms before smiling up at him. "Are you planning on keeping the little guy?"

His gaze immediately looked conflicted. "Piyo-chan.."

Piyo-chan? That definitely sounded like an animal's name. Did he have a pet already, and couldn't take the poor guy in? I looked at the darkening sky, biting down on my lip as the thought of having to leave the kitten out here in the incoming storms stung at my heart. Dad probably wouldn't be happy about having another animal in the house, but Yui would probably enjoy another companion. He mighty be a grumpy old cat, but still, I knew that there was a loving side to him like there was hidden in every living creature.

"How about we trade?" I asked cautiously, only to see him raise an eyebrow at me. Laughing, I pointed at the kitten and then at my umbrella. "I'll take the little guy home, and you take my umbrella so you don't get anymore soaked."

He paused for a moment, looking at me and then down at the kitten before offering a curt nod of his head. I smiled widely, moving to lift the hood of my worn, black peacoat over my auburn waves before handing him the umbrella. Digging in the left pocket of my coat, I pulled out the bunny hat I had worn into school that morning, looking over at the kitten and down at the opening of the decent-sized hat.

"I think he'll fit just perfectly in here." I said in victory, opening the hat widely with both of my hands. "Do you think you can move him?"

The boy nodded again, putting my umbrella down for a moment to lift the cat out of his blazer and into the hat. I couldn't help but coo as the kitten opened its large blue eyes to stare up at me and purr, its gratefulness to being warm and dry clearly expressed in its wordless exchange with me. I flushed again as the boy smiled genuinely down at me and the kitten, already moving to sling his blazer over his leather schoolbag and lift the umbrella over his head. We stood awkwardly for a few moments before I realized that there was nothing keeping us from going our separate ways.

Sighing sadly, I moved to walk past him, only to feel a hand clamp down gently on my shoulder. Turning around in the now drizzling downpour, I was immediately bombarded by an unexpected question. "What's your name?"

"Hoshi Mizutemari." I smiled warmly, bobbing my head courteously. "And you?"

"Takashi Morinozuka."

I nodded at the dark-haired boy. "Well, be careful on your way home Mr. Morinozuka. Don't catch a cold! Later."

I dashed past him before he could even manage to blink, holding the kitten securely against my chest as I turned the corner towards my house. Takashi Morinozuka: what exactly was he? A kind hearted soul, or just a guy with a soft spot for animals? Somehow, I found myself wishing that I'd get the chance to figure him out. Living in the fantasy world of my stories had always gotten me through the day, but now, I knew that perhaps there was just as much excitement waiting for me out in the real world, wrapped up tightly in the brilliance of a silent, dark-eyed man.

AN: This is just a story I started up a few months back for a friend's birthday. I thought I might put it up so some other people could enjoy! Please review! ~E.F.