A/N: So after a long break I'm back again with a new (hopefully good…) fan fiction! To all those who reviewed 'A Forbidden Love?' I'd just like to say thank you once again. You guys make this worthwhile! Anyway this is a fic about our favourite Kazu and Emily. Oh and this is set before the GST but after the whole incident with the religion thing that Kazu got involved in. This is a separate story to 'A Forbidden Love?'

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Air Gear, its characters, etc.

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Emily cursed softly as the floorboard creaked loudly under her weight. Shouldn't have eaten all those muffins for breakfast, she grumbled silently. At three in the morning she wasn't at her best. Straining her eyes against the gloom, she quickly surveyed the dim room hoping she hadn't woken any of her team mates. The rounded lumps that represented Kogarasumaru in the darkness continued to breathe evenly in deep sleep, their chests rising and falling gently with their breath. Sighing in relief, Emily fixed her gaze on the kitchen door once more and continued to navigate her way across the room. The bare soles of her feet made quiet slapping sounds with each step.

Why everyone decided that it would be more comfortable to sleep on Kazu's living room floor than to go home to their own beds, she would never know. Well, that's not entirely true, she amended ruefully. In order to raise what Ikki termed their "fighting spirit" before the GST, a party had been organised. Since Kazu was the only one of them with a house big enough to hold them all (not to mention that his parents were overseas), it was decided that his home would play host to the party. However, a little too much sampling of Kazu's parent's alcohol supply meant that many of the team, including herself, were out for the count early on in the night.

Emily did have a vague memory of yelling woozily at Ikki, "I have all the spirits I need Cap'n!" while waving a vodka bottle around and nearly hitting him in the face. Fortunately, with an increased alcohol to blood ratio, Ikki also seemed to gain future sight and successfully managed to dodge her swing. After that, Emily guessed it wasn't too surprising that everyone had decided it would be better if they collapsed on the floor rather than risk the journey home.

Last night's escapades also explained why she now felt like a fire had recently passed through her throat leaving it feeling raw and dry as sandpaper.

"I'm never going to drink again," she whispered fervently as she carefully stepped over one of Buccha's legs. Rather than indulge in alcohol, Buccha had scoffed all the food Onigiri had brought from his family's restaurant leaving none for anyone else. Emily fuzzily remembered Kazu giving out to him about that. Something to do with "drinking on empty stomachs"…

Emily froze in her tracks as a terrible thought crossed her mind. Had Kazu been drunk last night? Frantically, Emily racked her memory but simply couldn't remember. Her memories were too faded as if they had happened a week ago rather than just the evening before. She thought she recalled him holding a glass containing a clear liquid at one point in the night but it could just as easily have been water as anything else. Emily groaned and dropped her head in her hands. Please, she prayed desperately, please don't let me have done anything stupid in front of Kazu-sama!

Continuing the rest of the way over Buccha, she repeated the prayer over and over in her head as if that would make it a reality. Despite her worries though, she couldn't help smiling as she passed Yayoi and Agito asleep on the floor beside each other near the kitchen door. Did the Fang King know that Yayoi had purposefully slept close to him so that the first thing he saw when he awoke would be her face? Emily didn't think so. Agito was so dense when it came to matters of the heart.

Prompted by that thought, but telling herself she was just checking if everyone was still asleep, Emily stole another glance around the room. When she couldn't discern Kazu's shape in the darkness she pretended it was relief she felt. After all, with no memory of what she may, or may not, have done last night it was perhaps better to stay away from him for the time being. Maybe the last thing he wanted to see in the morning would be her face…

A shiver passed through Emily as she stood contemplating that thought. Angrily shaking her head, she regained her resolve. There was no stopping the Girl in Love! Roughly rubbing her bare arms to try and warm them she carefully stepped over Yayoi's sleeping form. It was a good thing Yayoi had thought to cover her with a blanket after she had fallen asleep on the floor or, dressed as she was in only her team shorts and a t-shirt, she probably would have caught a cold. Seriously, where was the heating in this place?

"Good luck in the morning," she whispered to her sleeping friend. Yayoi shifted slightly, almost as if she heard her. Strands of her hair were trapped under Agito's folded arms as they rested behind his head making Emily wonder how they had gotten there in the first place.

Her thoughts were interrupted as a dim strip of light suddenly appeared under the kitchen door. Wondering who else could be up at this hour, Emily approached slowly. She hoped it wasn't Kazu's sister. She had yet to meet the formidable woman who had raised Kazu practically all by herself. Emily wanted to make a good impression and in her current state that certainly wouldn't happen.

Heart pounding slightly, Emily crept forwards, her hand stretching for the handle. In one smooth motion she opened the door then shut it quickly behind her before the increased light awakened her team mates. With a door now between her and her sleeping friends Emily finally relaxed. Forgetting momentarily that someone else might be there, she slumped wearily against the doorframe and breathed a sigh of relief. Now, finally time to get a drink. Her poor throat was parched.

"Are you alright, Adachi?"

Emily gave a muffled squeak and looked up towards the speaker.

"Kazu-sama!" she gasped, clutching her hands to her chest and staring over at the golden-haired boy, "You-you gave me a fright."

"Ah, sorry!" he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

Dammit, why did it have to be Kazu-sama? She wasn't ready to face him yet over what could have happened last night. Her thoughts were in disarray as she rapidly tried to find an excuse for her sudden shock.

"It's fine, Kazu-sama. I just…didn't think anyone was up that's all," she settled for lamely. She could feel her cheeks burning, certain that Kazu would see right through her lie.

"Oh, okay," he said, completely oblivious to her discomfort. Emily breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Now that he crisis had passed, Emily began to relax. Turning to look at Kazu properly for the first time, she opened her mouth to ask him what he was doing there but the words died in her throat before she had even began.

He was naked from the waist up.

Even his hat wasn't in its usual place. For some reason this just seemed to add to the general impression of indecency. His scruffy jeans hung low on his hips as he turned to the fridge.

"I was feeling a bit hungry after the party seeing as Buccha ate all the food…" he trailed off as he rooted through its contents.

"We're a bit low on supplies if you're hungry. Sis hasn't been to the shops yet," he added apologetically, turning to glance at her over his shoulder.

"No…no, it's fine…" Emily replied faintly. She had barely heard him. She was too captivated in watching the play of muscle under his skin as he searched through the fridge. He has a nice back, she thought vaguely, lean and compact. Perfect for a speed rider in other words.

"A girl doesn't always like it fast though!" she whispered mischievously, giggling slightly.

Emily stopped abruptly when Kazu looked around quizzically.

"Private joke," she improvised quickly, answering the unspoken question in his eyes. She already didn't know what she might have done last night and then she had to go and act like a crazy person. Jeez, where were her brains sometimes?

Determined to take control of the situation, Emily strode over to the fridge and bent at the waist beside him. The little fridge was obviously the source of the light she had spotted earlier. Apart from its light the room was in darkness with only the moon to provide any illumination. Emily could still feel her cheeks burning from earlier and hoped Kazu didn't notice.

"This will do," she said briskly, reaching out to grab a carton of soup.

As her arm was stretching for it, it brushed the bare skin of his hip. Emily froze as she saw Kazu shiver minutely and turn away from her to rub his arms as if cold.

"Kazu-sama…" she began, not sure of what she was going to say, one hand still stuck in the fridge but he interrupted her.

"Haha yeah, soup is fine!" he grinned and held one hand out," I'll put it in the microwave for you."

Emily looked at his blue-grey eyes as she handed the soup to him. They were as clear and strong as ever. Maybe she had just imagined his reaction when she touched him…

They waited in companionable silence as the microwave hummed quietly in the background. As Emily sat swinging her legs on the counter and taking occasional swigs from her glass of water, she watched Kazu discreetly out of the corner of her eye.

He leaned casually against the counter across from her, arms folded loosely on his chest. He was gazing intently at the microwave as if deep in thought, one bare foot tapping idly against the kitchen tiles. Every now and then he would move to give the soup a stir.

With a start, Emily noticed she was smiling softly as she watched him standing there quietly. Hanging her head so her hair covered her expression, she let her smile linger. It was one of the main things she loved about him, she realised, the fact that he didn't feel the need to fill every waking moment with idle chatter. He wasn't like Ikki who thought his ideas needed to be heard before everyone else's. He considered other people besides himself. Looking at his eyes as they contemplated some problem, Emily felt an upswelling of love inside her heart.

The ping of the microwave broke into her thoughts.

"I've got it!" she said happily, hopping nimbly off the counter and pouring the soup into bowls. They made their way to the kotatsu table, where Emily gratefully pulled the futon over her legs letting the heat seep into her cold limbs. She groaned in appreciation as her chilled feet finally began to thaw out. Kazu, sitting down opposite her, smiled in understanding.

"Sorry, I forgot to turn the heating on earlier, what with the party and everything," Kazu said in apology. Then as if that thought was the trigger, he brought up the one subject Emily had been hoping to avoid.

"So…good party last night, eh?" he said, leaning back on his hands, "Good thing my sis was at a friend's house for the night or she would have murdered me for letting you guys near the drink!"

"Oh-oh really?" she stammered, hastily taking a gulp of her soup and burning her tongue in the process, "Oww!"

"You okay?" Kazu asked, leaning forward in concern, "The soup's too hot to drink yet."

"I know that now," Emily said sheepishly, feeling like an idiot.

"Must be a lingering effect of the alcohol," Kazu said laughing. Emily couldn't help it. She smiled too. He was just so cute when he laughed. Making a sudden decision, Emily faced him squarely.

"Kazu-sama…did I …do anything," she struggled to find the right word, "unusual while I was drunk?" She gazed at him waiting desperately for his answer.

Kazu considered her question carefully for a moment, gripping his chin and tilting his head back to look at the ceiling.

"Well…" he began slowly and Emily felt her stomach flip, "you did talk to a plant, which you named Herbert, and attempt to sing a few songs with Ikki…but you fell asleep pretty soon after the second chorus of 'Jingle Bells'…if that's what you mean?" he asked, looking at her again.

Emily felt weak with relief. She hadn't confessed her undying love or tried to kiss him! Thankful that nothing had changed between them, she raised her bowl and took a grateful sip, remembering too late about her burnt tongue.

Kazu's peals of laughter followed her as she ran to the kitchen and literally poured water over her tongue.

"It's no' sunny!" she said with her tongue out, glaring at him.

"S-sorry," he gasped, struggling to contain his mirth. Emily sighed then smiled back. How could she remain angry when he had just given her such good news? Besides it was her own fault really. She went to sit back at the kotatsu.

"Hey."

The sudden change in Kazu's tone caused Emily to look up in surprise. He was fiddling absently with his bowl and didn't look at her as he spoke.

"Later on today do you want to…um… go for a run or something?" he glanced at her quickly and seeing her amazed expression he went on hurriedly, "Of course, if you're busy I under-"

Emily didn't give him a chance to get any further. She leaped to her feet nearly upsetting the table.

"Yes, Kazu-sama!" she cried, a huge smile on her face. Kazu stared at her in bemusement, eyes blinking rapidly.

"Er…okay, I'll pick you up from you're house near evening time then?" he asked, keeping the table between them.

"Sure!" Emily beamed, happiness radiating from her in waves. Kazu-sama had asked her out! Okay so he probably didn't see it as a proper date but she certainly did! His voice broke in on her silent celebration.

"Well, we should probably head back to sleep or we won't be running anywhere later!" he joked, grinning at her. Emily smiled back. He was such a sweet guy. Emily loved Yayoi but she couldn't understand what she saw in an insensitive person like Agito. In Emily's eyes, the perfect guy was Kazu.

She followed him silently back through the living room but when she spotted the pale outline of her blanket against the ground, she stopped regretfully. She didn't want to be separated from Kazu. Almost as if he read her mind, he stopped too and looked around for her. Retracing his steps, he bent down and whispered softly in her ear.

"You should have told me you stopped." His tone was reproachful as his breath slid across her skin like a caress.

"I-I didn't know you were going to sleep with me," Emily whispered back then blushed at her choice of words.

Kazu grinned. She could hear it in his voice when he spoke.

"Do you want me to?" he teased. Emily blushed even harder. She had never heard Kazu speak like that before. Was it because they were both whispering in the dark, creating the illusion that they were alone? She jumped slightly when Kazu bent down and picked the blanket off the floor.

"Truth is," he continued more seriously, "you have the only blanket we keep downstairs and I'm too lazy to fetch another one. Guess you're stuck with me for the night." He smiled innocently.

Sighing, Emily sank to the floor. Her palms were sweaty from nerves. Sure she had slept beside him before but that was usually a carefully planned attack executed only after he had fallen asleep. This time they would be going to sleep together. Emily cringed.

Kazu flopped to the floor and lay back, popping his hands behind his head. Emily couldn't help gazing down the lean length of him as he stretched beside her. Raising her eyes back to his face, she flushed to the roots of her hair when she saw him looking at her. Rather than be angry that he had caught her staring at him, he held out one hand to her.

"Come here," he said quietly, eyes burning into hers, Gulping audibly, Emily took it and lay down beside him, resting her head on his chest. Beneath her ear his heart beat strong and steady. The sound calmed her somehow and so when Kazu's arm encircled her and his hand rose to stroke her hair, she relaxed into his touch allowing it to lull her to sleep. She placed her own hand on his chest where his other hand soon rose to clasp it gently.

"Kazu-sama…" she breathed softly, half asleep. Nothing had ever felt as right as lying there in his arms.

Then, just as Emily was finally drifting off, a strange chill of foreboding passed through her. She suddenly knew with an absolute certainty that this happiness would not last. She shivered and Kazu's arms tightened automatically around her. Their strength banished the sensation and by morning she had forgotten all about it.

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A/N: So the start of another story…Do I have a thing for the main couple falling asleep together at the end of a chapter? Yes, yes I do ;) I have to say though that I'm finding this harder to write than 'A Forbidden Love?'…Well not to worry! I still have lots of ideas! Consider this an early Christmas gift if I don't get the next one out before the 25th.

Oh and a kotatsu is one of those tables with the heaters underneath. As always, please review!