AN: Hey! I'm glad it hasn't been too long this time. And if you're wondering the reason this story took so long to post . . . well, this was originally going to be a one-shot (haha that's pretty much my life story). Now it's just a series of one-shots that are either fluff or angst, which I'm glad for because GOSH DID THIS TURN LONG.

This is rated Teen because, because though this story leans more on the fluff side, there is a reason why it's tagged angst. Kazumi has suffered through a lot of death and has total recall that's more like 'total bad memory recall'. And Khamsin has stuff at home.

I have no idea if that's necessary, but it's better to be safe than sorry. That aside, onto the story!

. . .

Oh, really, do you need this!? Alright *sigh* I'm only doing this once for the story, so listen up attorneys!

Disclaimer!

I do not own Shakugan no Shana. Kazumi, Khamsin, Yukari, Hayato, Shana, Yuji, Hecate, Margery, Keisaku, Wilhelmina, Sophie, Takemikazuchi, Hildegard, Wodan, Flieder, Brigid, Dan Rogers, Fifinella, Justus and Miyu, and any other characters you recognize are not mine and are property of Yashichiro Takahashi and co. When/if they appear in this story, I do not mean to claim them, but rather borrow them.

But really, the proof is that if I owned Shakugan no Shana, Khamsin and Kazumi would be canonically married and expecting their fifth child.

Must I say more.

The girl with light brown locks that reached her waist smiled softly as she was led to the classroom. The boy who led her had long black hair, and he held onto her hand tightly. They stopped as they reach the doorway, and he let go.

The sunrise was barely gone. The trees outside were a soft shade of green. Their leaves rustled in the gentle breeze.

They were much too early for class.

The girl took the boy's hand again and led him to their desks, his next to the window, hers next to his.

It wasn't a romantic gesture. Simply one of close friends.

"Ah, Kazumi-chan?" the boy said softly.

She looked up at him.

"Ah, shouldn't you call me by my actual name?"

Something shifted—even Kazumi wasn't sure what—but it didn't show on her face. Not the way she stood. But something shifted, and they both felt it.

"Khamsin-kun."

"Ah, I know, but my nam—"

"Khamsin-kun," she said again, and his lips twitched, along with his scar.

"Ah, alright."

She nodded, then sat at her desk. He stood there for a moment, watching the world outside. An especially strong wind sent the leaves into a frenzy.

When he did sit at his own desk, it was so that he could pull out a book. She leaned forward to look at the title; An Eye for Quality, by Linelen.

That was a good book.

Seeing as he was going to be busy, Kazumi shuffled through the belongings she kept in her desk, looking for her plain black ribbons.

'Are you sure this will help him remember?' her contractor asked into her mind, and she nodded.

'It will if it feels similar enough to his old braid.'

She tapped lightly on his shoulder, and he quickly looked up from his book with a "hmm?" She held up the ribbons.

"Can I braid your hair?" she asked in a soft, monotone voice.

His eyes softened as he looked at her, and she felt her cheeks heating just enough for a dusting of pink.

He shrugged. "Sure."

She got up and moved to the desk behind him, taking her hair tools with her and sitting on the desk rather than the chair. He pushed his hair over his shoulders and turned back to his book. With a careful touch, Kazumi pulled his hair over his ears, then tucked it behind them. She reached down and picked up her brush.

With careful strokes, starting from the bottom and working her way up, Kazumi brushed his hair and parted it into three sections.

She heard him turn a page.

She moved the hair in exact motions, pulling the images from her memory—the sections had been surprisingly small, and she had to adjust somewhat for the new volume to his hair, but she did her best to make an exact copy of his old braid.

When she reached the end of his hair, she paused for a moment before tying it off. She could see why he used it. It was completely clinical and perfect for battle.

She just held it.

"Ah, what is it?" Khamsin asked, and she glanced up. He wasn't looking her way.

Without a word, she tied off the end of his hair.

"Done," she said softly.

"Thank you," he said, and she didn't miss the stiffness in his voice.

"Do you like it?" she asked quietly, letting the braid fall onto his back.

He paused, then moved his head from side to side. "Ah, it feels natural," he said.

'I'm not sure whether that's good or bad,' the Red Judge said, her voice a little high.

Kazumi moved to her desk again with a tiny frown. It disappeared when she saw his face: she'd never seen Khamsin blush before. She wondered if he was reading one of the romantic parts.

"Where are you?" she asked.

"Ah . . ." he paused. "bells," he said finally.

There was a pause.

"That's helpful," the Red Judge said. "Were you even reading?"

"Ah, I was reading," he insisted. "but I'm not sure how else to describe this."

'Don't be fooled, Kazumi, he wasn't reading.'

'I know,' the Flame Haze said, and a smile tugged at her metaphorical mask.