Title: Plus, Minus
Authoress: shad0wcast
Summary: Caught in a storm and under the stress of the fact that he was alone with her, how would Ryoutaro Tsuchiura survive this moment with the witty and sly journalist, Nami Amou?
Genre: Humor/ Romance/ Hurt/Comfort
Rating: T
Pairing: Ryoutaro Tsuchiura/ Nami Amou

And so, he did brave himself. He mustered all of his courage and stepped into the room, hoping that his goal will be accomplished. How he wondered how this day would turn out, was something that has kept him awake in his supposed sleeping hours and dreaming in his waking ones. The magnitude was something he could not fathom, nor resist at all. He was a slave, a captive, a prisoner.

But all his expectations turned differently, for nothingness instead engulfed him. The room was empty, save for the heater humming lowly. Documents of sorts were arranged in a neat mess on tables. The light flickered in a steady rhythm and the howling winds outside continued to increase its power.

The day he had hoped to be perfect was ruined from the start.

A storm approached in the morning, covering the pristine blue sky with a damp grayness that lulled most toas deeper sleep. Despite the fact that it was summer, that morning felt like the early days of winter. Cool crisp wind danced about and teased everyone.

At the middle of the day, the storm was getting stronger. The weather bureau said that the storm would pass by midnight. So they would have to endure a day fighting off the urge to get lazy and be distracted by the enticing call of the rain. What a turn of event this is.

"Oh, hello."

He spun when that one voice rang from behind him. He smelled her summer inspired perfume, tingling his nostrills and sending a quick jolt of electricity through his body and alerting his senses. "Hey," he greeted back, hoping that he didnt look so stupid. A look crossed on her face and she walked past him to the messiest table on the room. "What can the Journalism Department do for you?" she asked as she filed some papers on to stacks. "Uh, I was just looking around. You know, giving myself a tour." he repled quickly. And instantly, he cursed himself for such a lame comment. He prepared himself for a glance or a sly reply but he was surprised to see her giggle a bit and resumed to fix more of the mess on her table.

"I could help you there," he offered, taking a half step towards her. The light flickered again.

"So, what do you want, Tsuchiura?" she asked softly, her eyes scanning through the words on the pad paper she now held. She drew circles and notes and flipped on the next. His heart stopped for a moment when she asked him in such a different manner. He was about to answer when another figure brushed inside the room, distrubing the moment. "Sorry, Amou-san. I really need to go. I'll catch up tomorrow." a girl said and took her bag from a nearby table and fled immediately. "Alright, take care." Amou still replied even if the girl was out of earshot.

"Uh..."

"Can you get that box on the cabinet?"

"Eh?"

"The box."

He blinked at her and looked at the west side of the room and saw the object. "I thought you wanted to help me? Can you give me that box, please?" she commanded softly, her attention not fading from her stack of papers. Her hands methodologically and expertly seperated the files int their respective pile.

The light dimmed for a while.

"Here," he handed her the object. "Thanks." she said and took the box. Their fingers brushed ever so slightly and yet it left such an intensity on him. The touch of her smooth fingers upon his rough ones was a sensation he couldnt resist treasuring. "You shouldnt be here, you know. Everyone's leaving the school. Classes has been suspended." he told her, his breathing getting a little raspy when he came into her radius. She looked up at him, her blue eyes sparkled for a moment. "I should be asking the same to you, mister." she turned to face him, and crossed her arms. Her head tilted and the outline of her neck and jaw caught him off guard. "Hmm?" she leaned closer, her eyes in their scrutinizing mode. He must have blushed or made an expression that just placed him into an unescapable converstaion with her.

The light dimmed.

The light went out.

The heater breathed out.

Heartbeats ringing loudly in his ears, he blinked against the darkness, breathing as slowly as he could. A soft sigh escaped her and he felt her walk past him. "W-Where are you going?" he asked as he turned slowly, trying to follow her shadow against the darkness. "There's a flashlight somewhere here. Dont move." she said. The dark sky outside only intensified the darkness inside.

A low rumble came from the sky. Thunder. Soon, there will be light. Lightning.

"Found it." she announced.

A sharp cackle clapped against the sky as a sudden flash crossed the sky. But what gathered most of his attention was the clang of the flashlight as it hit the floor, wrecking it open upon impact...

...and her short frightened scream.

"Amou!" he said and tried to make his way across her. He waved through the air as he tried to control his panic. Then, a hand grabbed on to his shirt and pulled him closer. He registered her summer scent.

He felt her slightly trembling frame. So she was, after all, afraid of the element.

"Amou," he said, wrapping his arms around her body. "Sorry," she muttered as she tried to calm herself. "I was just a little bit surprised." she whispered, her airy breath pushing through his shirt and caressing his skin. Another cackle appeared and she pressed herself closer, burying her face on his chest. "It's okay. It's just lightning. You dont have to be scared." he tried to consoler her. "Trauma. From childhood." she gasped as she looked up to him.

His eyes met hers. For a split second, he felt Time stop. He felt nothing else except her body pressed against his. Her essence caressing him, the image of her being embedded on his mind forever. Then, she backed away. "Thanks. I'm okay now." she said and went to turn the switch of the lights off. "No problem," he replied anyway.

"Aren't you going home yet?" he asked when he saw her sit on the chair and tried to continue what she was doing earlier. "Just a little bit more. I'm almost done with these." she replied. "Geez, you cant work efficiently considering the situation." he said.

A soft chuckle escaped from her. "Oh, you underestimate me, Tsuchiura." she said. "Under...estimate? No, I'm just...well, I'm worried about you." he replied. "Worried, huh..." she repeated.

"Let's go home. You could continue that tomorrow." he pressed on. He held her arms immobile and leaned. "Let's go home." he repeated. She blinked back at him and a chuckle rose again. "What's up with you, Tsuchiura? I've...never seen or heard you be like this." she said, her eyes squinting at him.

Is this it? He felt his heart pound faster. Is this the moment to tell her?

Should he go for it? Should he not? Should he take the risk? Should he not?

"Amou,"

"Y-Yeah?"

He gulped and took a breath. But then again, just as he was about to speak, the rain outside became stronger, making the sky seem to be in a fury. He looked out and he...couldnt see much. "Blasted rain," he muttered.

"So, who's going home?" she asked in a snickering tone. He sighed in defeat and leaned his back on the wall. "Looks like we're stuck here for some time, huh?" he said with an airy laugh.

"Ryou,"

His head shot up and his eyes immediately fixed on her. Amidst the dimness around them, surprise was clearly painted on his face. Did he hear her right?

"W-What...did you just..."

A soft smile crept on her face. "Ryou," she repeated and stood. She walked to him and gathered a deep breath. "I've..." she stopped to look up at him. He felt his heart did a rally of beats. "Amou...?"

She leaned closer and her fingers trailed to find his hands. Her soft ones enveloped his. His breathing became obviously raspy and, if there were only enough light source, his face was a bright burning pink.

On tiptoe, she reached up until she was at proper height to whisper in his ear. "Can I?" she started.

His eyes went wide and he almost fainted with the question. Can I what? "Nee, Ryou...can I?" she repeated, her warm breath on his ears. He closed his eyes as he tried to remain calm.

"W-What are you talking about, Amou?" his voice was shaking a bit. A low giggle emerged from her and her hands slipped down to touch his pockets. "H-Hey!" he stepped back, only to have him cornered on the wall.

"My phone's battery ran out. Can I borrow yours for a moment? I'll just send a message to my mom." she asked, this time, on her normal witty way. She giggled as she backed away to stare at his awestruck expression. "What? Did you think that I was going to do something to you?" she said, trying to control a massive laughter attack. After blinking for a few moments, and comprehending the situation, he grumpily handed her his phone. "Ooh, lenient aren't we?" she said and strutted out.

"A-Amou! W-Wait! Don't turn it on yet!" he said when realization slapped his senses. He ran out of the room only to find a still as statue Amou. Her hands were on her side, the phone on her left hand. Did she...?

She looked back at him, her eyes wide and her lips slightly parted. His heart beat went wilder than the storm outside. Why in the world did this have to happen?

He gulped as he tried to take a step. "Did you..."

She looked down and bit her lip. Her hands were slightly trembling. Dear heavens...

"It's not that...I wanted to keep it...well...I failed to realize it at first." he tried to explain. "I know that you might be surprised about it and I'm really sorry for not telling it to you earlier." he added. He felt his knees buckling. He was somehow confused as to why he was being so shy and vulnerable now, when he had even confessed to Hino before. He didn't feel...such weakness at spirit and mind when he confessed to her.

So, why was this happening to him?

"Actually..."

"No, wait. Let me finish what I want to say, Amou." he said. He didnt want to sound so rude but he was afraid that if she cut him off, he might lose what pride was left of him. He swore he looked so stupid now.

And it was in front of her.

Of all people.

Not because she was the nosiest and most annoying journalist he has ever known.

But because...

He wanted her to see him always at his best. He wanted to impress her. He wanted her to notice him too. He wanted to be her world.

"Amou," he walked to her. His frame towered over her, and his shadow slanting over hers, making them one.

"I...I didnt know when or how. It just happened. I hope...you consider that." he said. "I've been planning on telling you this earlier but I jsut cant seem to find the courage to do it. I know it's such a cowardly thing but..."

"Huh? What are you saying?" she cut him off. She handed him back the phone and lightly punched him on his shoulder. "I'm not sure what you're blabbering about. Your phone's battery has run out too." she said and walked back in. His jaws dropped and he looked back to the doorway and then to the phone in his hands.

So...she didnt see it? She didnt see his wallpaper, right? Oh dear Heavens, what would he do if she did learn that his wallpaper was an image of her, hair laid down with the wind softly blowing. A swirl of cherry blossoms wrapped around her, and if it was a streak of Luck or Fate, he was glad with the effect.

He mentally cursed himself and punched himself for being such a dork. He felt his face burn with so much embarrassment. He had almost confessed to her! "Geez, Ryoutaro. What the hell was that?" he told himself as he ruffled his own hair.

"Nee, Tsuchiura," Nami's head popped from the doorway. He looked back slowly and raised his brow.

"I was wondering..." her voice trailed off. "Hmm?"

"...How did you get that shot of me?"