(The Night of the Get-Together)

Kippei finished the last of his packing and was about to head over to Aki's place. As he picked up his bag he was stopped by his little cousin.

"Where are you going, Kippei-onichan?" Yuzuyu asked.

"I'm just going out for a couple of days Yuzu, I'll be back before you know it." Kippei said trying to get out the door.

"You promise you'll be back soon?" Yuzuyu said with an innocent face. "Yuzu will be lonely without Kippei-onichan."

"It'll be okay Yuzu." Kippei said sweetly. "I'll be back soon and behave yourself while I'm gone."

"Okay Kippei-onichan, I will." Yuzuyu said.

Kippei walked down the stairs only to meet his mom with a coat at the door.

"Here put this on, Kippei, its cold outside, and it might snow a lot so be careful on your way there." Misako said to her son.

With a smile Kippei grabbed his coat and opened the door. He looked back and saw Yuzuyu standing next to his mother.

"Good-bye Kippei-onichan." Yuzuyu said with a sad face.

"Don't worry I'll be back soon" and with that Kippei shut the door.

As Kippei walked down the street he kept thinking about the night ahead. A whole weekend without having to take care of Yuzuyu. It's not like he didn't like it but it was just nice to have some time away with some friends…and Kokoro. The chill of the air blew in Kippei's face. As he looked up in the sky he noticed that it was starting to snow.

"Gosh, I hope it doesn't stick." Kippei said to himself.

The streets weren't as congested as he thought they would be on a Friday. But that didn't seem to bother him that much Kippei was to focused on getting to his destination. All of the sudden his phone started to ring.

"I wonder who it could be?" Kippei thought to himself. He reached in his pocket and looked who it was. It was his mom.

"Hello?" Kippei said

"Kippei I just wanted to let you know that it is going to snow really hard tonight. So stay indoors." Misako said with slight concern.

"Don't worry mom I will." Kippei said in a reassuring tone, and with that Kippei hung up the phone.

Before Kippei knew it he was at Aki's house. It was a pretty big. But he didn't care he just wanted to get inside, it was freezing outside. Kippei walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. He stood there for a second but then the door opened.

"Kippei, you're here. Come on in." Aki said leading him into a large living room.

As they walked into the living room he saw Shin sitting on the coach and saw Kokoro sitting at the island in the open kitchen.

"Motoki and Tsuchiya are on their way so it'll be just us for now." Aki said walking into the kitchen. "I've got some movies out that we can pick from later, and there is plenty of snacks in the fridge and the pantry."

"Alright cool…" Kippei said "thanks for inviting me."

"No problem." Aki said "Kokoro why don't you come sit on the coach with everybody else?"

Kokoro looked up, then walked into the living room and onto the coach. Once Kippei saw this he quickly took action. He walked over and sat next to Kokoro on the coach.

"Hey there" Kippei said in a cheerful tone.

Kokoro simply looked up at Kippei and gave a very weak smile. Kokoro was wearing a red top with a tank-top underneath. She looked beautiful…. Her light brown hair framed her face.

"You look really pretty." Kippei said quickly.

Kokoro's cheeks flushed to a bright red. He thought she was pretty, but he thought all girls were pretty, so she didn't know if he was serious or just trying to score with her.

"So how is living alone? Have you been getting by okay?" Kippei said

"It's quiet and I'm doing fine on my own. My dad and step mom are newly-weds so I would just be getting in their way." Kokoro said looking down at her hands. "It was my father's idea and I can't say no to him."

"What do you mean, Kokoro?" Kippei said a little concerned.

"Let's just say I can't and leave it at that." Kokoro said.

"Okay…"

Kippei didn't know what she meant but it sounded like she didn't want to talk about it. He hoped that it wasn't too serious considering the emotional things that have happened to her. Not a moment later the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" Aki said as she got up from her seat next to Shin.

When she opened the door the people standing there were, Motoki and Tsuchiya.

"Hey guys, you finally made it!" Aki said cheerfully. "What are you guys doing together?"

"We ran into each other on the way here so we decided to walk together." Motoki said setting her shoes down at the door.

"Well I'm glad you made it here unfrozen." Aki said. "I don't remember the last time it was this cold."

The three walked into the living room and took their seats. Aki sat next to Shin on the other sofa along with Tsuchiya and Motoki sat next to Kokoro.

"Okay, so here are the plans for tonight. Aki said. "First we are going to watch a movie, then later we will start the games, and everybody has to play. That means you Kokoro.

"Wait what games are we going to play?" Kokoro said in a concerned tone.

"Well first were going to play a game of true or dare, and later were going to play spin the bottle. The real spin the bottle, I also have some video games that we can play." Aki said. "You have to play, Kokoro, there is no backing out of this."

"Fine…" Kokoro sighed.

"Hey, Kippei and Kokoro, why don't you guys go get some pillows and blankets from upstairs?" Aki asked. "My room is at the end of the hallway to the left."

"Okay." Kippei said as he got up from the coach.

Kippei let down his hand offering to help Kokoro up. Kokoro decided to take his offer and reached her hand out to his. Once Kippei had a grip on her hand he gently lifted her off the coach, then they made their way up the stairs. Once they reached Aki's room, Kippei walked in front of Kokoro to open the door for her. When Kippei walked into the room the first thing he noticed was how bright Aki's room was with its multi-colored pink, blue, and green neon paint, and many pictures and artwork on the wall.

"Aki must have a really bright personality." Kippei said to Kokoro

"Yeah… She likes bright colors." Kokoro said. "How many do you think we should get?"

"Let's get all of them!" Kippei said. "We'll make a giant pillow and blanket fort."

Kokoro looked at Kippei and smiled as she shook her head

"You're so silly." Kokoro said playfully.

"You're silly!" Kippei said as he playfully poked her.

Kokoro looked at him and thought for a brief moment.

"Should I poke him back? Well I have to poke him since he poked me. I hope he doesn't get the wrong idea." Kokoro thought to herself.

Kokoro playfully poked him back and then Kippei grabbed her hand and pulled her close and started to tickle her playfully.

"Hahahaha!" Kokoro laughed "Kippei stop!"

"Oh I didn't know you were ticklish." Kippei said in a teasing way.

Kokoro wasn't really the type for tickle fights, and she didn't really have a relationship with Kippei, but it was kind of fun. Kokoro tried to escape Kippei's grasp but she failed. She tried struggling but the more she struggled the more he tickled, but all of the sudden Kokoro lost her footing, bringing the two onto the floor. Kippei lifted himself off of the girl balancing himself on his hands and knees. He looked down at Kokoro who was still getting some laughs out. Once they realized the position they were in, they both blushed bright red.

"Uh… s-sorry about that" Kippei said nervously.

"I-It's fine." Kokoro said. "It was just an accident."

Kippei lifted himself off the floor and brought Kokoro with him. Kokoro looked down at her waist which Kippei still hand his hand on.

"Uh Kippei…"

"OH SORRY!" Kippei said retrieving his hand from her waist. "I guess we should start getting those blankets and pillows before Aki and the others get the wrong idea.

"Yeah…" Kokoro said.

When they had about half of the pillows, Kippei paused and looked at Kokoro. Kokoro saw this and looked back at him.

"What's wrong Kippei?" Kokoro said.

"Can I tell you something Kokoro?" Kippei asked.

"What is it?" Kokoro asked setting down the pillow she was holding.

Kippei walked over to Kokoro, his eyes focused on her. He looked down at her. He had to say it now or he may not get another chance at this.

"Kokoro… I like you…a lot." Kippei said nervously.

Kokoro's eyes widened. He liked her. But was he serious or just trying to score with her.

"I'm being completely honest here. I've liked you for quite a while and I just didn't know how to tell you." Kippei said.

Kippei scratched the back his head nervously waiting for an answer.

"Do you like me, Kokoro?"

"Yes"

"R-Really!" Kippei said with excitement. "Then will you go out with me! Please say you will."

"Yes" Kokoro said quietly

"Alright" Kippei said happily. "So… can I kiss you?

Kokoro simply nodded her head as she began to blush. Kippei took hold of Kokoro's hand and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear before placing his hand on her cheek. Kippei slowly leaned down placing his soft lips on hers. As Kippei pulled away they stared into each other's eyes, both filled with passion. It was silent, like the world had frozen around the two, as if only for a brief second. Kokoro went up slightly on her toes and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Kippei wrapped his hands around her small waist and pulled her close to him. All of the sudden the door opened. It was Aki…

"What's taking you guys so…." Aki began "Holy crap!"

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Well here's chapter two. Sorry the first one was so short, but anyway tell me what you think.

Cliffhanger…. I know I'm terrible but I'll have chapter 3 up as soon as I can.

-Lexwolf