Sealed With a Kiss
~Author's notes~
Hello, hello... suzanami again! ^_^ This is kinda one of those "alternate universe" fics. Fuu-chan is eighteen, and of course Hikaru and Umi are the same age, yadda, yadda, yadda...
Fuu, Ferio and co. are © the very cool CLAMP. ^.-o The fic is © the very cool (hah, just kidding... ^^; ) me, suzanami-baka! Nyarp! Sankyuu Peach for all your help with this! ^.- ::blows kiss::
Dedicated to FuuMegami and Peach Goddess, with luv...
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Hououji Fuu shivered, wrapping her jacket tighter around her shoulders against the icy wind. Her hair blew into her face and she sighed heavily. 'I just brushed it out, too,' she thought with a frown, pushing herself forward. She was almost home...
She finally reached her apartment building and eagerly hurried up to her apartment, shaking her head back and forth to get the now-melting snow off. She just wanted to take a nice, long bath.
"I'm home!" she called as she unlocked and opened the door. There was no answer. "I wonder where Umi is?" she murmured. "She probably has a date... Ugh, in *this* weather?..." She shrugged and slid her coat off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. She was too tired to hang it up right now.
She ran a hot bath and stripped off her cold clothes, slipping into the steaming water. She sighed contentedly, smiling to herself. 'I guess I have the apartment to myself tonight,' she thought. 'For once, Umi-san doesn't have her friends or guys over...'
A frown came to Fuu's face. She was a little jealous. Umi had always been so social, unlike herself. Fuu had always been shy and reserved and not very social. Men weren't interested in her and she figured that they never would be. 'I wish I was as pretty as Umi-san,' she thought, sighing, this time in frustration. She couldn't help being a bit of a romantic. She wanted to have a good career and... a husband... But she had dismissed that dream in highschool.
Fuu glanced at her hand and noticed that it was beginning to wrinkle. "Maybe I've been in the bath long enough," she muttered, smiling to herself. She got out of the tub, drying herself and wrapping a short, green terry-cloth robe around her slender body. She brushed out her hair so it was straight. 'Well, until it dries, that is,' she thought with pursed lips. Her short, golden hair was naturally a little curly and she could never get it to go straight.
She walked out of the bathroom and into the living room, the soft carpet nuzzling her bare feet as she walked over to the glass door of the balcony. It had gotten windier outside and the cold night wind tore through the branches of the tree hovering over the balcony so fiercely she thought they might snap off.
She hugged her arms to herself, leaning against the wall. She watched the night for a few minutes more before turning around and heading to her bedroom. There was nothing else to do tonight except sleep.
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Fuu was awoken the next morning by a shrill scream. She jolted awake and sat up quickly. "Umi-san?!" She leapt out of bed and tore into the kitchen where she saw Umi waving her arms at the toaster where her Pop-tarts were flambeé-ing nicely.
Fuu sighed. Another morning, another Pop-tart fire. Fuu grabbed the box of baking soda -- she knew exactly where it was by now -- and poured it onto the toaster then pulled the plug. She turned to her roommate, glaring.
Umi sweatdropped, rubbing the back of her head nervously. "Er... 'Morning, roomie!"
Fuu sighed again and checked for burns on anything. "You're lucky you didn't get the cabinets this time," she scolded, frowning. It was then that she noticed another person in the room.
He was a little taller than Umi, with wild green hair pulled into a short ponytail, a slightly tanned complexion, scars across his nose and cheek, and the most beautiful eyes Fuu had ever seen. They were deep, gold, and curious as they wandered up and down her bare legs.
Fuu felt her face flush. She was wearing only a large T-shirt that barely covered her underpants for pajamas. "Eh..."
Umi noticed Fuu's discomfort. "Oh, Fuu. This is Ferio. Ferio, this is my roommate, Hououji Fuu."
"It's a pleasure," Ferio murmured, his eyes fixed on hers.
Fuu felt her heart melt as she gazed into those golden depths, then she remembered her manners. "Oh, uh..." She managed a nervous smile. "The pleasure's all mine," she smiled, feeling her hear skip a beat.
"Ferio's an old school friend of mine," Umi added, tossing the charred Pop-tarts into the sink.
"Umi-*san*..." Fuu protested. "Not in the *sink*..."
"Oops, sorry..." Umi grinned sheepishly, her azure eyes sparkling with a teasing look in them. "I forgot... You gonna put something more on?" she added, gesturing with the knife she was holding to Fuu's long, bare legs.
Fuu felt the heat rise to her cheeks again as she peered at Ferio. "Oh... Yes." She turned to Ferio. "Excuse me."
He nodded, smiling. "Hurry back."
Fuu hurried into her room, trying to calm the red on her cheeks. She heard Umi laugh, then say in a playfully scolding voice, "Now stop, you flirt! Fuu's a little shy" and the sound of Ferio's laughter. His laughter made her stomach flutter, and she couldn't help but smile.
Out in the kitchen, Ferio leaned against the counter, watching his best friend making cereal. "At least you can't mess *that* up," he smirked.
Umi pointed her spoon at him. "I don't need any of your smart-ass remarks, mister," she frowned.
Ferio laughed and shook his head. "So," he said, lowering his voice. "Tell me about her."
"Huh?"
"About Fuu."
Umi blinked at him. "I thought you were just flirting."
He smiled coyly. "She's really cute. Does she have a boyfriend?" Umi shook her head. "What?" Ferio blinked. "A girl *that* cute doesn't have a guy?"
"She's shy, I told you," Umi murmured. She grinned at him. "Besides, you've never had a girlfriend before, Mr Nineteen-and-very-single. You're pretty good-looking yourself."
"Well..." Ferio drummed his fingers on the countertop. "I've been on dates, yeah... But I could never really get interested in anyone." He shrugged. "I mean, I'm not too popular with the ladies."
Umi giggled. "You're too much."
"What?"
She put her hands on her hips, smiling devilishly at him. "You're so thick-headed, you know that?" He just blinked at her. She shook her head. "Ferio, Ferio, Ferio... You don't notice every other girl checking you out?"
He shook his head and Umi sighed, exhasperated.
Just then, Fuu came back in the room. Ferio turned quickly to see her. She was wearing short cutoff shorts and a baggy gray sweatshirt. She tapped one stockinged foot, glaring at Umi. "Umi-san..." Her voice was like angels singing... "I told you not to leave that piece of charcoal in my sink!" And she was so cute when she was scolding Umi!
Umi rolled her eyes, picking it out by the corner and tossing it into the trash. "Better, *Mom?*"
Fuu giggled. "Much."
Ferio cleared his throat and the girls turned to him. "Umi and I were going to go to the park today. It's warmed up since yesterday..." He smiled at Fuu. "You wanna come with us?"
Fuu smiled at him. 'Does he like me?' she thought, blushing a little. 'He's so handsome...' She blinked slowly. "That would be lovely. Let me put on some jeans and get my shoes."
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"I can't believe it was so cold last night," Fuu commented, stuffing her hands in her pockets and looking around the park. The snow hadn't stuck last night, but it was still chilly enough that they could see their breath. She took a deep breath. "It smells so sweet out here..."
'Not as sweet as you do, I'm sure...' Ferio thought, looking at her longingly as she walked next to him, Umi on his other side. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold air and her green eyes bright. Ferio had never seen such pretty eyes in all his nineteen years, and they just sucked away his soul... Into their infinite depths... He'd never been so entranced by a girl before; there was something special about Hououji Fuu. Very special...
Umi noticed how he was looking at her friend, and she decided to see if Fuu would pick up as much interest in him as he had in her. "Ne, Fuu..." Fuu turned to her, her curls bouncing. "I just remembered that I had to work today. Do you mind hanging out with Ferio for a couple hours? I'll be back at one. You guys can meet me at the apartment."
"I..." Fuu hesitated. She wanted to get to know Ferio better, but she was afraid it would be a little awkward without Umi there. But she was almost sure that he was interested in her, and she wasn't going to miss this oppertunity. "It is all right with me if Ferio-san doesn't mind."
"No objections here," Ferio mumbled, sending a thankful glance to Umi, who winked and ran off with a wave.
The two of them walked in silence for a few minutes, neither sure what to say. Finally, Ferio spoke up. "You know, you don't have to be so formal with me. In fact, I'd rather that you didn't."
Fuu looked up at him. "Huh?"
"When you refer to me as 'Ferio-san.' It makes me feel... I don't know..."
She blushed. "I'm sorry... What do you *want* me to call you?" she murmured, looking down.
His eyes softened and he reached over, tilting her chin up. "Just 'Ferio' is fine," he whispered, gazing into her eyes.
Fuu felt the heat rising on her cheeks, but she didn't want to move. He was looking right into her eyes, right into her very soul. And his eyes... They were so deep, so gentle. Right then, she lost her heart to him. And she didn't really want it back...
After a moment, they both flushed and looked away, blinking nervously. "I... I'm sorry..." Ferio mumbled, shuffling his feet. "I shouldn't have touched you."
He looked up quickly as he felt her cool fingers brush along the back of his hand. "Don't apologize," she whispered, looking at him in such a way that could've made even Hitler himself melt.
They stood in silence again, looking at each other. Ferio wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms, but... he hardly even *knew* her. But... "I'd really like to get to know you, Fuu," he said softly.
Fuu's eyes softened. "Really?..."
He put his hand on the small of her back. She blinked, blushing at him. "Yeah, I'd *really* like to spend more time with you... You seem like you're such an intelligent person, so full of life and... love..." He bit his lip, cursing himself for saying that out loud. He suddenly noticed that her eyes were wet. "Fuu... Are you okay?"
Her eyes widened and she wiped them hastily. "Y-yes... It's just the cold..." she stammered, trying to smile at him.
Ferio sighed, smiling. "What do you want to do?"
She thought a moment. "Unless you have something in mind, I wouldn't mind just sitting and talking." She nodded towards a bench along the sidewalk.
Ferio grinned. "Great. Talking's always good."
They sat on the bench for a little while, fidgeting, unsure of what to say. Finally Fuu spoke up. "How long have you known Umi-san?"
Ferio leaned back on the back of the bench. "Since we were about ten. We've been best friends since we were twelve. I haven't seen her since we got out of highschool, and when I got a letter inviting me to come over and spend some time with her, I was pretty much thrilled." He turned to Fuu. "How long have you known Umi?"
"Not quite a year," Fuu replied, trying to avoid eye contact, afraid it would cause her to stumble over her words and babble like an idiot. "She isn't home as much as I am since she's always going on dates or out with friends..."
"Don't you go out on dates?" Ferio murmured, scooting closer just a tiny bit so she wouldn't notice.
Fuu blushed. "Well, I... I'm not very social... And..." She turned her eyes away. "... Guys aren't that interested in me, anyways..."
"Oh, bull," he replied, sounding a little annoyed.
Fuu looked up, wide-eyed. "Huh?"
"Fuu," he said softly. "How can you think that guys aren't interested in you? You're so pretty and cute and sweet... I've never been more interested in a girl than you..."
Fuu felt her cheeks get redder yet. "Ferio..."
"I... I really like you, Fuu," he murmured, scooting closer. This time, Fuu definately noticed. He ran his fingers through her hair. It was amazingly soft... "Fuu, I know I've only known you an hour or so, but... I really, *really* like you. I've never cared about anyone so much..."
Fuu stared at him, her eyes growing wider. "Ferio..."
He suddenly pulled away. "I'm sorry, Fuu... I... I'm sorry. I don't know what I was just thinking..."
Her eyes narrowed sadly. "Then, you didn't mean what you just said?"
He shook his head. "No, I meant every word. It's just..." He looked into her deep, emerald eyes. "It's just that I'm sorry for coming on too strong..."
She leaned closer, laying her head on his shoulder. His eyes widened in surprise, but he slipped his arm around her shoulder, hugging her close. "Ferio, you didn't come on too strong at all... I was just a little surprised that you were pouring your heart out to me like that." She looked up at him, smiling. "It makes me feel special, like you trust me."
He smiled back, rubbing his hand up and down her arm to warm her. "You *are,*" he assured her. "You're very special."
Fuu blushed as he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "F-ferio..."
"Would you... like to do something later tonight?" Ferio requested.
"Like what?..."
"Like... go out on a date," Ferio said, hugging her tighter to him gently. "Dinner? A movie? Come back here for another walk?" he suggested. 'Please, please say yes...' he thought.
She leaned out of his arms, sighing. Ferio's eyes were so pleading... Even if she had wanted to, she could have never said no. She smiled sweetly. "Of course I would."
The grin on Ferio's face stretched from ear to ear and Fuu felt her chest get tight as she looked at him, a fluttering in her heart. She'd never fallen for anyone like this... And she liked how it felt.
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"I'm home!" Umi called, entering the apartment. She looked around. Fuu and Ferio were nowhere to be seen. She glanced at the couch and saw Fuu's jacket tossed on it. So they were home, but where...
"Aw shit..." Umi cursed. "What if they..." She tore into the bedroom. She didn't want Ferio getting *that* into her friend. "You *guys*--" she began as she threw open Fuu's bedroom door. "Huh?" There was no one there. She checked every room in the apartment. There was no one else home.
Umi frowned. "I guess they aren't home yet," she muttered, flipping her hair over her shoulder absentmindedly. "But then where *are* they? It's almost two..." She had actually *had* to work, but until the park, she was just going to skip a day.
She heard the door opening and laughter and she hurried out to the entranceway. "There you two are!"
"Oh, hello, Umi-san," Fuu smiled. "We didn't keep you waiting, did we? When you weren't here at a quarter after, we went out for a little while."
"Didn't you get our note?" Ferio added.
"Note?" Umi glanced at the counter. "Oh... Yeah..." She looked at her two friends. Fuu was hugging a plush fox to her chest, smiling up at Ferio, who had his hand on her arm. Umi grinned to herself. 'A match made in heaven,' she thought proudly. 'Umi, you are *too* good.' "Whatcha got there?" she asked aloud, motioning to the plush that Fuu was huggling.
"Oh... this?" Fuu blushed and glanced at Ferio.
We passed a shop and she saw it in the window," Ferio explained. "I saw how she was looking at it and I bought it for her." He shrugged.
Fuu nodded at Umi, still blushing. Umi noticed that Fuu seemed to have a special affection for this particular plush toy. Because Ferio had bought it for her, no doubt. "So," Umi said. "What do we have planned tonight?" She grinned at Fuu and Ferio.
Fuu's eyes widened and she looked at the floor, blushing slightly. "Well, Fuu and I were just gonna hang out around town..." Ferio said.
"Unless you had something planned, Umi..."
Umi smiled and shook her head. "Nahhh... I want you two to hang out together." She elbowed a blushing Fuu in the ribs. "Go out and have fun."
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"It's chilly out," Fuu mumured, rubbing her arms to warm herself.
"Maybe you should've worn a heavier jacket, ne?" Ferio said gently. He hesitated a moment, then slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer as they walked. Fuu's cheeks were pink, but he couldn't tell if she was blushing or if it was just from the cold.
"Mm... Fuu?"
"Hm?"
"I'm really enjoying spending time with you tonight," he said sincerely. He stopped walking and turned to her, smiling warmly.
She smiled back at him. "I'm enjoying it as well. I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself this much," she replied softly. She let out a little sigh. "I'd like to see more of you," she whispered, tilting her chin down and peering up at him.
Ferio couldn't stop the grin on his face. "Really?"
She nodded. "You're so sweet. I've never met a boy like you before..." She gave him a sweet grin. "I'm glad that Umi-san introduced us."
"You can't be as glad as I am," Ferio replied with a wink, getting a blush from Fuu. They were silent for a moment before Ferio said, "It's almost eleven. Do ya want me to walk you home?"
Fuu smiled at him, linking her arm through his. "I'd love it."
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~More author's notes~
Well, that was cute. ^^ I'll try and get chapter 2 out ASAP, cuz I have way too much fun writing this stuff. ^_- And yeah, Hikaru is gonna be in the next chapter.
~Author's notes~
Hello, hello... suzanami again! ^_^ This is kinda one of those "alternate universe" fics. Fuu-chan is eighteen, and of course Hikaru and Umi are the same age, yadda, yadda, yadda...
Fuu, Ferio and co. are © the very cool CLAMP. ^.-o The fic is © the very cool (hah, just kidding... ^^; ) me, suzanami-baka! Nyarp! Sankyuu Peach for all your help with this! ^.- ::blows kiss::
Dedicated to FuuMegami and Peach Goddess, with luv...
____________________________________
Hououji Fuu shivered, wrapping her jacket tighter around her shoulders against the icy wind. Her hair blew into her face and she sighed heavily. 'I just brushed it out, too,' she thought with a frown, pushing herself forward. She was almost home...
She finally reached her apartment building and eagerly hurried up to her apartment, shaking her head back and forth to get the now-melting snow off. She just wanted to take a nice, long bath.
"I'm home!" she called as she unlocked and opened the door. There was no answer. "I wonder where Umi is?" she murmured. "She probably has a date... Ugh, in *this* weather?..." She shrugged and slid her coat off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. She was too tired to hang it up right now.
She ran a hot bath and stripped off her cold clothes, slipping into the steaming water. She sighed contentedly, smiling to herself. 'I guess I have the apartment to myself tonight,' she thought. 'For once, Umi-san doesn't have her friends or guys over...'
A frown came to Fuu's face. She was a little jealous. Umi had always been so social, unlike herself. Fuu had always been shy and reserved and not very social. Men weren't interested in her and she figured that they never would be. 'I wish I was as pretty as Umi-san,' she thought, sighing, this time in frustration. She couldn't help being a bit of a romantic. She wanted to have a good career and... a husband... But she had dismissed that dream in highschool.
Fuu glanced at her hand and noticed that it was beginning to wrinkle. "Maybe I've been in the bath long enough," she muttered, smiling to herself. She got out of the tub, drying herself and wrapping a short, green terry-cloth robe around her slender body. She brushed out her hair so it was straight. 'Well, until it dries, that is,' she thought with pursed lips. Her short, golden hair was naturally a little curly and she could never get it to go straight.
She walked out of the bathroom and into the living room, the soft carpet nuzzling her bare feet as she walked over to the glass door of the balcony. It had gotten windier outside and the cold night wind tore through the branches of the tree hovering over the balcony so fiercely she thought they might snap off.
She hugged her arms to herself, leaning against the wall. She watched the night for a few minutes more before turning around and heading to her bedroom. There was nothing else to do tonight except sleep.
____________________________________
Fuu was awoken the next morning by a shrill scream. She jolted awake and sat up quickly. "Umi-san?!" She leapt out of bed and tore into the kitchen where she saw Umi waving her arms at the toaster where her Pop-tarts were flambeé-ing nicely.
Fuu sighed. Another morning, another Pop-tart fire. Fuu grabbed the box of baking soda -- she knew exactly where it was by now -- and poured it onto the toaster then pulled the plug. She turned to her roommate, glaring.
Umi sweatdropped, rubbing the back of her head nervously. "Er... 'Morning, roomie!"
Fuu sighed again and checked for burns on anything. "You're lucky you didn't get the cabinets this time," she scolded, frowning. It was then that she noticed another person in the room.
He was a little taller than Umi, with wild green hair pulled into a short ponytail, a slightly tanned complexion, scars across his nose and cheek, and the most beautiful eyes Fuu had ever seen. They were deep, gold, and curious as they wandered up and down her bare legs.
Fuu felt her face flush. She was wearing only a large T-shirt that barely covered her underpants for pajamas. "Eh..."
Umi noticed Fuu's discomfort. "Oh, Fuu. This is Ferio. Ferio, this is my roommate, Hououji Fuu."
"It's a pleasure," Ferio murmured, his eyes fixed on hers.
Fuu felt her heart melt as she gazed into those golden depths, then she remembered her manners. "Oh, uh..." She managed a nervous smile. "The pleasure's all mine," she smiled, feeling her hear skip a beat.
"Ferio's an old school friend of mine," Umi added, tossing the charred Pop-tarts into the sink.
"Umi-*san*..." Fuu protested. "Not in the *sink*..."
"Oops, sorry..." Umi grinned sheepishly, her azure eyes sparkling with a teasing look in them. "I forgot... You gonna put something more on?" she added, gesturing with the knife she was holding to Fuu's long, bare legs.
Fuu felt the heat rise to her cheeks again as she peered at Ferio. "Oh... Yes." She turned to Ferio. "Excuse me."
He nodded, smiling. "Hurry back."
Fuu hurried into her room, trying to calm the red on her cheeks. She heard Umi laugh, then say in a playfully scolding voice, "Now stop, you flirt! Fuu's a little shy" and the sound of Ferio's laughter. His laughter made her stomach flutter, and she couldn't help but smile.
Out in the kitchen, Ferio leaned against the counter, watching his best friend making cereal. "At least you can't mess *that* up," he smirked.
Umi pointed her spoon at him. "I don't need any of your smart-ass remarks, mister," she frowned.
Ferio laughed and shook his head. "So," he said, lowering his voice. "Tell me about her."
"Huh?"
"About Fuu."
Umi blinked at him. "I thought you were just flirting."
He smiled coyly. "She's really cute. Does she have a boyfriend?" Umi shook her head. "What?" Ferio blinked. "A girl *that* cute doesn't have a guy?"
"She's shy, I told you," Umi murmured. She grinned at him. "Besides, you've never had a girlfriend before, Mr Nineteen-and-very-single. You're pretty good-looking yourself."
"Well..." Ferio drummed his fingers on the countertop. "I've been on dates, yeah... But I could never really get interested in anyone." He shrugged. "I mean, I'm not too popular with the ladies."
Umi giggled. "You're too much."
"What?"
She put her hands on her hips, smiling devilishly at him. "You're so thick-headed, you know that?" He just blinked at her. She shook her head. "Ferio, Ferio, Ferio... You don't notice every other girl checking you out?"
He shook his head and Umi sighed, exhasperated.
Just then, Fuu came back in the room. Ferio turned quickly to see her. She was wearing short cutoff shorts and a baggy gray sweatshirt. She tapped one stockinged foot, glaring at Umi. "Umi-san..." Her voice was like angels singing... "I told you not to leave that piece of charcoal in my sink!" And she was so cute when she was scolding Umi!
Umi rolled her eyes, picking it out by the corner and tossing it into the trash. "Better, *Mom?*"
Fuu giggled. "Much."
Ferio cleared his throat and the girls turned to him. "Umi and I were going to go to the park today. It's warmed up since yesterday..." He smiled at Fuu. "You wanna come with us?"
Fuu smiled at him. 'Does he like me?' she thought, blushing a little. 'He's so handsome...' She blinked slowly. "That would be lovely. Let me put on some jeans and get my shoes."
____________________________________
"I can't believe it was so cold last night," Fuu commented, stuffing her hands in her pockets and looking around the park. The snow hadn't stuck last night, but it was still chilly enough that they could see their breath. She took a deep breath. "It smells so sweet out here..."
'Not as sweet as you do, I'm sure...' Ferio thought, looking at her longingly as she walked next to him, Umi on his other side. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold air and her green eyes bright. Ferio had never seen such pretty eyes in all his nineteen years, and they just sucked away his soul... Into their infinite depths... He'd never been so entranced by a girl before; there was something special about Hououji Fuu. Very special...
Umi noticed how he was looking at her friend, and she decided to see if Fuu would pick up as much interest in him as he had in her. "Ne, Fuu..." Fuu turned to her, her curls bouncing. "I just remembered that I had to work today. Do you mind hanging out with Ferio for a couple hours? I'll be back at one. You guys can meet me at the apartment."
"I..." Fuu hesitated. She wanted to get to know Ferio better, but she was afraid it would be a little awkward without Umi there. But she was almost sure that he was interested in her, and she wasn't going to miss this oppertunity. "It is all right with me if Ferio-san doesn't mind."
"No objections here," Ferio mumbled, sending a thankful glance to Umi, who winked and ran off with a wave.
The two of them walked in silence for a few minutes, neither sure what to say. Finally, Ferio spoke up. "You know, you don't have to be so formal with me. In fact, I'd rather that you didn't."
Fuu looked up at him. "Huh?"
"When you refer to me as 'Ferio-san.' It makes me feel... I don't know..."
She blushed. "I'm sorry... What do you *want* me to call you?" she murmured, looking down.
His eyes softened and he reached over, tilting her chin up. "Just 'Ferio' is fine," he whispered, gazing into her eyes.
Fuu felt the heat rising on her cheeks, but she didn't want to move. He was looking right into her eyes, right into her very soul. And his eyes... They were so deep, so gentle. Right then, she lost her heart to him. And she didn't really want it back...
After a moment, they both flushed and looked away, blinking nervously. "I... I'm sorry..." Ferio mumbled, shuffling his feet. "I shouldn't have touched you."
He looked up quickly as he felt her cool fingers brush along the back of his hand. "Don't apologize," she whispered, looking at him in such a way that could've made even Hitler himself melt.
They stood in silence again, looking at each other. Ferio wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms, but... he hardly even *knew* her. But... "I'd really like to get to know you, Fuu," he said softly.
Fuu's eyes softened. "Really?..."
He put his hand on the small of her back. She blinked, blushing at him. "Yeah, I'd *really* like to spend more time with you... You seem like you're such an intelligent person, so full of life and... love..." He bit his lip, cursing himself for saying that out loud. He suddenly noticed that her eyes were wet. "Fuu... Are you okay?"
Her eyes widened and she wiped them hastily. "Y-yes... It's just the cold..." she stammered, trying to smile at him.
Ferio sighed, smiling. "What do you want to do?"
She thought a moment. "Unless you have something in mind, I wouldn't mind just sitting and talking." She nodded towards a bench along the sidewalk.
Ferio grinned. "Great. Talking's always good."
They sat on the bench for a little while, fidgeting, unsure of what to say. Finally Fuu spoke up. "How long have you known Umi-san?"
Ferio leaned back on the back of the bench. "Since we were about ten. We've been best friends since we were twelve. I haven't seen her since we got out of highschool, and when I got a letter inviting me to come over and spend some time with her, I was pretty much thrilled." He turned to Fuu. "How long have you known Umi?"
"Not quite a year," Fuu replied, trying to avoid eye contact, afraid it would cause her to stumble over her words and babble like an idiot. "She isn't home as much as I am since she's always going on dates or out with friends..."
"Don't you go out on dates?" Ferio murmured, scooting closer just a tiny bit so she wouldn't notice.
Fuu blushed. "Well, I... I'm not very social... And..." She turned her eyes away. "... Guys aren't that interested in me, anyways..."
"Oh, bull," he replied, sounding a little annoyed.
Fuu looked up, wide-eyed. "Huh?"
"Fuu," he said softly. "How can you think that guys aren't interested in you? You're so pretty and cute and sweet... I've never been more interested in a girl than you..."
Fuu felt her cheeks get redder yet. "Ferio..."
"I... I really like you, Fuu," he murmured, scooting closer. This time, Fuu definately noticed. He ran his fingers through her hair. It was amazingly soft... "Fuu, I know I've only known you an hour or so, but... I really, *really* like you. I've never cared about anyone so much..."
Fuu stared at him, her eyes growing wider. "Ferio..."
He suddenly pulled away. "I'm sorry, Fuu... I... I'm sorry. I don't know what I was just thinking..."
Her eyes narrowed sadly. "Then, you didn't mean what you just said?"
He shook his head. "No, I meant every word. It's just..." He looked into her deep, emerald eyes. "It's just that I'm sorry for coming on too strong..."
She leaned closer, laying her head on his shoulder. His eyes widened in surprise, but he slipped his arm around her shoulder, hugging her close. "Ferio, you didn't come on too strong at all... I was just a little surprised that you were pouring your heart out to me like that." She looked up at him, smiling. "It makes me feel special, like you trust me."
He smiled back, rubbing his hand up and down her arm to warm her. "You *are,*" he assured her. "You're very special."
Fuu blushed as he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "F-ferio..."
"Would you... like to do something later tonight?" Ferio requested.
"Like what?..."
"Like... go out on a date," Ferio said, hugging her tighter to him gently. "Dinner? A movie? Come back here for another walk?" he suggested. 'Please, please say yes...' he thought.
She leaned out of his arms, sighing. Ferio's eyes were so pleading... Even if she had wanted to, she could have never said no. She smiled sweetly. "Of course I would."
The grin on Ferio's face stretched from ear to ear and Fuu felt her chest get tight as she looked at him, a fluttering in her heart. She'd never fallen for anyone like this... And she liked how it felt.
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"I'm home!" Umi called, entering the apartment. She looked around. Fuu and Ferio were nowhere to be seen. She glanced at the couch and saw Fuu's jacket tossed on it. So they were home, but where...
"Aw shit..." Umi cursed. "What if they..." She tore into the bedroom. She didn't want Ferio getting *that* into her friend. "You *guys*--" she began as she threw open Fuu's bedroom door. "Huh?" There was no one there. She checked every room in the apartment. There was no one else home.
Umi frowned. "I guess they aren't home yet," she muttered, flipping her hair over her shoulder absentmindedly. "But then where *are* they? It's almost two..." She had actually *had* to work, but until the park, she was just going to skip a day.
She heard the door opening and laughter and she hurried out to the entranceway. "There you two are!"
"Oh, hello, Umi-san," Fuu smiled. "We didn't keep you waiting, did we? When you weren't here at a quarter after, we went out for a little while."
"Didn't you get our note?" Ferio added.
"Note?" Umi glanced at the counter. "Oh... Yeah..." She looked at her two friends. Fuu was hugging a plush fox to her chest, smiling up at Ferio, who had his hand on her arm. Umi grinned to herself. 'A match made in heaven,' she thought proudly. 'Umi, you are *too* good.' "Whatcha got there?" she asked aloud, motioning to the plush that Fuu was huggling.
"Oh... this?" Fuu blushed and glanced at Ferio.
We passed a shop and she saw it in the window," Ferio explained. "I saw how she was looking at it and I bought it for her." He shrugged.
Fuu nodded at Umi, still blushing. Umi noticed that Fuu seemed to have a special affection for this particular plush toy. Because Ferio had bought it for her, no doubt. "So," Umi said. "What do we have planned tonight?" She grinned at Fuu and Ferio.
Fuu's eyes widened and she looked at the floor, blushing slightly. "Well, Fuu and I were just gonna hang out around town..." Ferio said.
"Unless you had something planned, Umi..."
Umi smiled and shook her head. "Nahhh... I want you two to hang out together." She elbowed a blushing Fuu in the ribs. "Go out and have fun."
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"It's chilly out," Fuu mumured, rubbing her arms to warm herself.
"Maybe you should've worn a heavier jacket, ne?" Ferio said gently. He hesitated a moment, then slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer as they walked. Fuu's cheeks were pink, but he couldn't tell if she was blushing or if it was just from the cold.
"Mm... Fuu?"
"Hm?"
"I'm really enjoying spending time with you tonight," he said sincerely. He stopped walking and turned to her, smiling warmly.
She smiled back at him. "I'm enjoying it as well. I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself this much," she replied softly. She let out a little sigh. "I'd like to see more of you," she whispered, tilting her chin down and peering up at him.
Ferio couldn't stop the grin on his face. "Really?"
She nodded. "You're so sweet. I've never met a boy like you before..." She gave him a sweet grin. "I'm glad that Umi-san introduced us."
"You can't be as glad as I am," Ferio replied with a wink, getting a blush from Fuu. They were silent for a moment before Ferio said, "It's almost eleven. Do ya want me to walk you home?"
Fuu smiled at him, linking her arm through his. "I'd love it."
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~More author's notes~
Well, that was cute. ^^ I'll try and get chapter 2 out ASAP, cuz I have way too much fun writing this stuff. ^_- And yeah, Hikaru is gonna be in the next chapter.