Airi tried in vain to compose herself. But her sniffles turned into hiccups as tears continued to stream down her cheeks. Unseen still as she remained in shadow, she made enough noise that nearby students were turning their heads. A sharp yank on her sleeve pulled her down into a bush and she fell hard. A cloth was shoved over her nose and mouth. Was it another kidnapping attempt? She struggled to break free but her assailant was very strong. "Can it or you'll blow my cover!" A deep and oddly-familiar voice hissed in her ear.

She stared at Rin Okumura in absolute shock. They were quite crammed together in the trimmed hedge, she was practically sitting on his lap, and she soon turned as red as he was. He scrubbed at her face a little. "Wipe that mess up, you're dripping on me." He growled softly.

She did as she was told as she marveled at this turn of events. She knew Rin from the Cram School but he avoided her like the plague. He had been ok at first, friendly and a little cocky…until he found out that she was an Oracle. Not that she ever bragged, but it's not like she could hide it. Her talent kept bubbling up to the surface every now and again. Most people find it fascinating but he was immediately repulsed. Ever since then if she walked down the hall, he bolted round the next corner. He always sat on the other side of the classroom, as far away as possible. No eye-contact, no conversation. Even now, he trembled slightly at her closeness. He was terrified of her…because he had something to hide. It was both a terrible secret and a heavy burden; she picked up on that right away. But she knew better than to dive deeper, she wasn't nosy by nature. And currently her path did not involve Rin so she left him to himself.

So…what was he doing? Helping and hiding…?

"Rin!" A sharp voice rang with murderous intent. "I don't have time for this today!" Airi jumped in surprise while Rin reacted defensively. He pulled her in close, covering her mouth to insure her silence. Her eyes widened at the sight of their teacher…his brother…storming down the path. She had never seen him so upset. His face was red with such fury. "Come out now if you wanna live long enough to graduate!" Other students nearly dove out of his path as he marched past, just as stunned as she was. Even when he was out of sight, she could still hear him raging. How bizarre!

Once the moment had paused, Rin relaxed his grip with a sigh. "Well so much for that," he grumbled.

"What…was that all about?" She asked breathlessly.

"I hid his lesson plans," he shrugged. "I figured it was the only way we'd get a chance to hang out. He's been major stressing lately. Everyone knows that too much academia is bad for you."

She giggled at that. "Well playing hide-and-seek is still spending time together."

He smirked at that. "All that exercise too." Then his expression dipped into a soft frown. "So…what's up with you?"

She shook her head stubbornly. "I don't want to talk about it. I'd rather get my mind off of it."

"It's not safe for me to head home yet." He considered that for a moment. "Looks like…we could both use a distraction."

She looked eyed him suspiciously. "Like…together? But you hate me."

He made a face at that. "Don't flatter yourself. Just keep your silly visions to yourself and I'll be fine." He huffed as he crawled out of the bush. He turned around and reached out a hand for her. "So you in or not?"

Anything involving Rin was bound to lead to trouble; she didn't need Insight to know that. But she felt impulsive and took his hand. "Awesome! Let's do this!"

He was surprised by her immediate enthusiasm but it made him smile in turn.

The evening produced a thin drizzle, falling softly on the streets. Many people hurried on their way, anxious to escape the rain. Inukami continued coolly, not even raising his hood. Rain was refreshing and he liked it. And the solitude it produced was an added bonus. He just finished a shift from his part-time job and was looking forward to another quiet evening at home. As he walked, the thumping bass from a nearby club echoed in his sensitive ears. It was a rather catchy tune…was that Fall Out Boy? Feeling curious, he paused by the window. It looked like Karoke night with the mini stage lit up and screens overhead that scrolled through the lyrics. It wasn't really his kind of thing but he did like the song. The dancer on stage wore a True Cross Academy uniform…or at least part of it. Her blouse had been removed and she wore a thin camisole. Her pink skirt spun round as she rocked out to the music. When she turned round, he felt his heart drop into his stomach.

Airi?

Bright colors danced across her pale skin, adding an ethereal beauty. Her long hair was free from its side-ponytail and hung down in soft curls. Her half-lidded eyes added to the seductive lyrics as she crooned:

You're second hand smoke, second hand smoke
I breathe you in, but honey I don't know what you're doing to me
mon cheri but the truth catches up with us eventually…

But she wasn't singing alone. From behind another student, male, came up and ran his hands down along the length of her arms, coming down to enclose her hands that held the microphone. The crowd went wild with cheers. She gently swayed in time to his rhythm, her head turned towards his that nestled close to her shoulder.

Try to say live, live and let live
But I'm no good, good at lip service
Except when they're yours, mi amor
I'm coming for you and I'm making war

Inukami scowled as he recognized Rin. That pain in the ass was nothing but trouble! What was he doing with Airi anyway? She wasn't this silly and she definitely didn't look sober. His ears went back flat against his skull as Rin leaned in dangerously close to her full beautiful lips. She softly replied with, "I still love the way I hurt you…"

Inukami barged in as the song concluded with the final chorus but the large crowd slowed his march down. The pair ended their duet with big goofy smiles. Some else took to the stage to select another song. Rin led Airi to a table in the corner where half-empty drinks sat. She quickly finished hers and reached for his. He laughed as he caught her by the wrist. "Oh no you don't! You didn't earn it yet!" He teased.

Airi looked up at Inukami's approach with a wink. "Here he comes now."

Rin turned to look and burst out laughing. "You're lying! That can't be him. No way!"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Inukami barked, though it wasn't clear who he was cussing at.

Airi leaned back in her chair, with her feet crossed on the tabletop. She raised Rin's glass to her lips. "Go ahead, ask him." She grinned deviously, though her red cheeks softened her dark look.

Rin shook his head in disbelief. "Were you the one who kissed her today?"

Inukami's embarrassment fizzled his temper considerably. "W-What?"

"Apparently some jerk left her heartbroken but she wouldn't say his name. She said that the little heartbreaker would reveal himself after our song. And here you are…" Rin seemed amused by Inukami's awkwardness.

His ears flattened once more as he folded his arms stubbornly across his chest. "That's none of your business," he growled.

"It is you!" Rin burst out laughing, pounding the table. "Damn girl! How do you do it? Drunk as a skunk and your predictions are still spot on!"

Airi finished the glass as the two boys then got into a heated discussion. She set it back on the table with a soft frown. Everything faded into the background, hazy and muffled. She had a terrible feeling of dread swell up inside her, making it hard to breathe. She didn't know what it was yet, but it centered on Iunkami, and it wasn't anything good. About to drown in that sinking sense of dread, she gasped as she felt a hand squeeze around her arm. She looked up to see Inukami yelling at her. His face was twisted in fury and his fangs glistened but she couldn't hear the words. It was hard to rise from the fog that gathered in her mind.

"Didn't you hear me?" He snapped. "We're leaving!" He paused in confusion as her face crumpled as she looked about to cry.

"Here's your last chance to walk away." She whispered. "Take it. You'll regret that you didn't."

He blinked in surprise. She may be drunk but she looked deadly serious all the same. Was she genuine? It sent a chill up his spine all the same. Yet he was desperate to get her out of here so he leaned in closer. "You trust me, don't you?" He purred persuasively. "Then come with me. Now." He forced himself to maintain eye contact though guilt gnawed at his insides. He didn't like the manipulation, it wasn't fair, but it was best chance he had. She still hesitated and Rin took advantage of that. He stepped in between them. "Look man, I don't think that's a good idea."

"And yours was any better?" Inukami glared at him.

"Hey I cheered her up, what's wrong with that?" He huffed defensively.

"Getting her drunk doesn't solve anything! Not that there was a problem to begin with!" Inukami snapped. He frowned as he spotted Airi walking away, gliding unnoticed through the dancing crowd towards the exit. He looked down at the empty seat that had been pushed back under the table. When had she done that? It was so silent it seemed unnatural. He left Rin with his excuses and hurried after her. Once outside, she stopped and looked up at the gloomy sky. Inukami paused at her back, unsure of what to say.

Rin's arm cut across him, holding out the uniform jacket. "Hey, you forgot this."

She turned to accept it with a soft smile. She pulled it on and threw her arms around his neck. "Thanks Rin and I'm sorry."

"What for?" He asked puzzled.

"There you are! At last!" Yukio's voice cracked, thoroughly worn out. He hurried towards them, briefly acknowledging the other two. "Where have you been? I was worried!"

"About me or those lesson plans?" Rin asked sheepishly.

Yukio scowled. "Don't push it brother," he warned as he caught hold of his collar. He made a face. "Have you…been drinking?"

"He got her drunk," Inukami pointed out Airi as she leaned against the lamppost with a silly giggle. Rin looked ready to throttle him but Yukio shook him for good measure.

"We'll discuss this later," he warned his brother but turned a worried look toward Inukami. "Would you please see to it that she gets home safely?"

He nodded. "Yeah, leave it to me."

"No that's a bad idea-" Rin blurted out but Yukio dragged him away. "Like you're one to judge," Yukio snapped irritably.

Inukami grinned in satisfaction. Served the idiot right. "Finally he's gone. Now what were you thinking?" He turned to confront Airi. But she was gone. Not again! He ran to the street corner and saw her slip round another one. How was she moving so fast? He raced to catch up, calling out her name. Airi had difficulty getting her bearings, weaving unsteadily on her feet. Her vision was swimming around but she kept pushing forward. She had to get away, distance in any direction would do. It was reckless to challenge fate but for once she wanted to. Maybe Ryota was onto something then…maybe if she cared enough…wanting to protect someone so badly…

Someone in a hurry shoved roughly past her, causing her to spin around. She fell into Inukami's protective arms and he pulled in her tightly. "Why do you keep wandering off?" He asked in frustration.

"No! You have to go now!" She protested as she struggled to break free. "Leave me and-" She cried out in surprise as he hefted her over his shoulder.

"I've had enough of this nonsense!" He huffed impatiently. "I'm taking you home and that's final." He turned in the direction of campus, ignoring her objections. Thankfully they soon softened into gentle snores as she slipped unconscious. Some peace and quiet at last though now he was left with troubling thoughts. What did she mean…calling him a heartbreaker? That sounded both unnecessary and harsh. To break a heart… hopes had to rise in order to be dashed. All they shared was a kiss. An intense and pleasurable one to be sure, his cheeks reddened slightly at the memory. But just a kiss. That was all. Yet his heart ached at the memory of her confession. I love you Inukami…

His ears flattened in annoyance. Love…what do humans know about love? They throw that word around so freely.

He encountered some trouble at the dorms when he couldn't find her name on the directory. That didn't make sense. Students had to receive special permission to live off campus. The hour was getting late and the rain fell heavier, he had to do something fast. He adjusted his grip on her as he carefully lowered her down to the curb in a sitting-position. He gently patted her cheek, trying to rouse her. "C'mon Airi. Wake up. Wake up, I need your help."

She giggled softly at that. "You need me? Oh that's hilarious."

"Where do you live? I need to know." He pressed the issue.

She slowly shook her head, lazily from side to side. "Nope…too late now…there's no turning back. I warned you…"

He caught hold of her chin. "Not that again! I'm serious." Her eyes met his once more; they were a brilliant shade of blue.

Her hand reached up, gently running along his cheek. She smiled. "I do so like a bit of stubble, it's just the right amount of macho…"She giggled.

"You're more trouble than you're worth, you know that right?" He sighed in exasperation. "I should just leave you here."

That stupid little grin remained plastered across her face. "But you won't."

"Only because I promised Mr. Okumura that I'd see you home. So stand up and show me where you live already." He grunted as he struggled to pull her up to her feet.

She laughed as she wobbled. "My knees have turned to jelly!" Her laughter was light and airy. "I've heard that expression before but I see what they mean now. Watch them wiggle!"

He rolled his eyes and shifted his grip so that he carried her on his back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he flinched as she kissed his cheek. His temper flared at her forwardness. "Thanks Inukami…" she murmured sleepily as her head rested on his shoulder. "For coming…to my rescue…"

His face flushed with a rush of emotion. "Yeah…sure…whatever." He could feel her drifting off to sleep once more and sighed in resignation. He didn't have much choice now; he turned in the opposite direction and headed for home.