Roaring Tales – Short Story Collection

By. Indigo Siren

Disclaimer: Bloody Roar © copyright to Konami (Hudson Soft). The use of characters from the franchise is for non-profit entertainment purposes. The only elements that are owned by the author are the story premises, which should not be copied in any way. All rights reserved.

A/N: 'Quite Taken' (Kenji x Uriko) – Was a gift story for a fan of this pairing.

Quite Taken

Infatuation, intrigue, admiration… They were words that didn't even get close to describing how she felt about him.

Uriko Nonomura couldn't even put words together when she thought of Kenji.

Kenji Ogami. The most handsome, mysterious boy she'd ever come to know.

At first, it has begun as a strong friendship as he truly began to fit in with his peers and enjoy the world around him, one that he'd never really connected with before. She'd been there as his support, being the friend he needed so dearly.

But then it all changed. The way she saw him had been completely turned upside down, inside out – but not in a bad way at all.

Every time she rode on the back of his bike, every time he waited for her after classes, every time they spoke on the phone together, she'd felt that warm, tingly feeling her sister Alice had talked about so much.

Love...

She couldn't exactly openly talk about it. For one thing she was embarrassed, and another thing, her mother, Alice, and maybe even Yugo would be on her back in an instant. Anytime she'd mentioned love in the past, there were always lectures about her being too young, and that she had her whole life to think about boyfriends and such, and that these were the years to focus on understanding herself.

That's so stupid! She thought indignantly. You can't stop love, no matter how old you are! I'm nearly fifteen for crying out loud!

And now, she was becoming more and more desperate to tell Kenji, but couldn't help but feel so awkward. She knew she'd been acting strangely in front of him recently, and she was worried that he was taking it as she didn't want to hang around with him anymore. They'd had so many difficult and busy years that had really tested their friendship, and now she wanted to see if after surviving through blood, violence and school quizzes, if they could become anything more.

Uriko was resolved. She was going to tell him.

It was a perfect Friday evening, and she'd lied to her ever-doting mother, saying she'd be out late studying at friend's house, but instead, the minute she'd stepped outside, she'd bolted like lightning to the nearest phone booth and called Kenji. Thankfully it was him to answer and not Yugo. She'd been brief and told him to meet her at the sea front, near the ice cream shack. There were no questions asked , she wouldn't let him enquire too much and left him with no choice as she hung up, running all the way to the meeting place at a break-neck speed.

When she arrived, the sun was already setting, a nice orange and red glow off in the distance, the colour a light glimmer on the ocean surface. The cat Zoanthrope sat on the long, stone wall overlooking the front, dangling her legs over the side, peering down at the long drop to the sands and rocks below.

Wouldn't want to fall down... She shuddered involuntarily, but gave a snort of laughter straight afterwards. There was no way in hell she was going to ruin this chance to admit her feelings to Kenji. Though, if all went terribly wrong, she could easily throw herself down onto the rocks.

She hummed to herself, trying to clear her head of any nervous thoughts. Instead, she thought about how cold it was starting to get, though she didn't really feel it too much in her long blue jacket and matching bottoms. She was usually into shorts, but the weather was too cold for them now.

I wonder if he'll come? She thought, idly rubbing the back of her head. I don't think he'd NOT come if he knows I'm waiting here. She brushed back her short crop of hair, fawning slightly. I knew I shouldn't have had my braid cut off. She missed playing with it quite a lot, particularly when she was nervous. Maybe I'll just grow it back! I wonder if Kenji liked my braid? OH! What does it matter if he did or didn't like my braid?! Does he actually like me more than a friend?

She wished she'd had longer to calm down; to stop making herself feel worse. But her sharp hearing picked up the sound of squeaking bike brakes and she snapped around to see the former ninja assassin, stepping off the apparatus and onto the curb, walking it up to where she was sat. She gave him a warm smile in greeting.

"Hi Kenji, I'm glad you came," she said.

The mole Zoanthrope looked a little worried, but the smile made him relax somewhat. "You wanted to see me? Is something wrong?"

"No, no!" She assured, having noticed his uncertain expression. She had to keep smiling, despite how weird she suddenly felt around him. "Come and sit with me!" She patted the wall next to her.

He lithely hopped up to seat himself next to her as asked. Uriko felt her insides turn to jelly. Her Kenji, well she hoped, was his average self. So simple in his T-shirt and jeans, but to her, he made anything so plain look so wonderful. She had to hold back a sigh of content, not to sound stupid or anything in front of him.

There was silence at first, the boy expecting her to talk first. Unfortunately for her, everything she wanted to say was caught in a lump at the back of her throat.

Great! What a time to get cold feet! She cursed herself inwardly.

"Uriko, are you alright?" Kenji inquired, quite worried how the usually bubbly girl had become so quiet. She nodded quite rapidly, putting on one of her big, goofy smiles to best to show everything was okay. Though, she felt kind of silly now. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?"

Clearing her throat, she decided to just get on with it and not complicate the situation with stupid silences and pointless smiles.

"I wanted to tell you something," she admitted, fidgeting. "Something I wanted to tell you in person."

"Okay…" He answered, leaning back, looking at her in anticipation.

She gulped, finding that she could only look at the sunset as it dipped behind the ocean, rather than looking at his handsome face. "You know, we've been friends for ages. I can trust you with so much and I know I can always depend on you…"

"That's what friends are for," he said, smiling. She looked to him as he answered, almost falling off the wall in a giddy at his smile. A silly thing, but love made her feel lightheaded and even more of a klutz.

"Well… these things… they've made me think," she continued, wondering how she could express her feelings without too much embarrassment. She went back to not looking at him to steady her nerves. "And… I really need to tell you…"

"Tell me what?"

"I… well…" She had to clear her throat again. "Kenji, I… I…"

"Uriko?" Kenji urged with wonder. This wasn't like her at all.

Her fingers dug into the wall and she squeezed her eyes shut. "I LIKE YOU!"

There was a pause, only a short one after her quick outburst, before he spoke. "We're good friends, I know you like…"

"No, no, I don't think you understand," she said quickly. "I mean I LIKE you. REALLY LIKE you. Umm, well… I guess I could really say I… I love you…"

Kenji was stunned into silence, staring at her intently. Uriko turned to look at him, her stomach twisting in knots as she held his gaze, searching her eyes. She suddenly felt compelled to explain herself.

"I… I know it's weird, since we've been good friend and all, and that I suddenly have feelings for you. I don't know how long I've had them. It seems like forever when you're around. You're so nice to me and you treat me with respect, and you never make me feel small like most of the boys in our school. You always make me feel so warm when you speak. You really do have a nice voice you know. And I think you're really cute too! Your eyes, you hair; I really like your hair! It always looks so soft, and I keep getting the urge to touch it! I just like everything about you… I… I…" She stopped her babbling when she saw the gobsmacked looked on his face. She felt really embarrassed now, getting a sudden sinking feeling. "Oh! Why am I saying this out loud?! I'm sorry, Kenji. I've probably made you feel all weird about me now! I'm so stupid!"

He didn't even respond, just staring at her, blinking in surprise. Uriko cringed and pivoted in her seat to stand back on the walkway.

"I'm so sorry I brought you out here. I feel so silly now. You probably hate me now for ruining our friendship forever! I'll go… I'm so sorry…" She was stopped from leaving as he quickly took her arm by surprise.

"Uriko, stop! Slow down! In fact, sit down!"

She promptly sat back on the wall, staring at him in anticipation, heart beating so fast she thought it might explode.

He took a deep breath. "This all seems so weird to me. I'd never have guessed. Well, for a fact that I've never really been in love with anyone before, so I don't know anything about feelings. It's so surprising… I mean, why? I'm really confused why you're telling me this now."

She looked down, trying not to feel sad. In the distance, she could feel a premonition of rejection. "Because, if I didn't tell you, I thought it would eat me up inside. I wanted you to know, because I hoped there was something more between us…"

He looked out to the sunset, returning to silence. His face was one of contemplation. Uriko felt uncomfortable in the heavy quiet. It was all out in the open now, and somewhere inside she'd wished she'd not said anything in case he'd not want anything beyond a friendship with her. She was tempted to walk away, but a slight movement revealed she wasn't going to go far…

… He was still holding her arm.

He looked back at her, locking his eyes with hers. She inwardly jumped, for the first time seeing a strange light in his eyes. It was slightly scary, but in another way it was comforting, even reassuring to her.

"Uriko," his voice was almost a whisper, as if he was afraid of anyone else but her hearing what he had to say. "You were the first true friend I ever had. You're the one who introduced me to all the amazing things in life. You've done as much for me as Yugo has; you've made my life worth living. You helped me understand emotions." He was getting closer to her, bodies and faces only inches apart. "And all these wonderful things you've said about me, they've stirred something inside... made me feel wonderful to be in your presence. To know that besides everything that has happened, that you can stand to be around me, and that you're not physically repulsed by looking at me."

"Repulsed?" Uriko shook her head resolutely. "I'd never be repulsed!"

He smiled warmly in response to her conviction. "You're an angel... my angel, Uriko." And the distance was gone, his lips pressing feather soft to hers; quite timid in its gesture, but nice nonetheless.

Uriko was shocked.

He's kissing me?! What do I do?! Wait, stupid! Kiss him back! KISS HIM BACK!

Not even considering another option, she accepted his kiss, bringing her arm around his neck supportively. He released her arm and drew his around her waist. With her other arm free, it joined its companion around his neck.

It was a nice first kiss between them, not too needy or too heavy, just a graceful touch of the lips with both sides revelling within the other's affection.

Parting, they were both blushing brightly. Neither was willing to easily part from their embrace and she decided just to rest her head against his shoulder, a contented sigh parting her lips.

"Thank you," he murmured into her ear.

She looked up at him. "Huh? Why?"

"For loving me," he said. Her cheeks burned as her blushing deepened.

They stayed in this position for some time, enjoying the wonderful comfort it produced. To understand the warm embrace of a lover, to know that they'd be spending many more times like this in the future, they were both satisfied. It was for sure that they both meant their feelings.

"It's getting cold, don't you think?" He asked her. She merely nodded, rather lost for words for once in her entire life. "Do you want to come back to my house for a bit? Yugo's not around. Busy with work."

Her heart fluttered. "Well, uh, yeah! Mother isn't expecting me back for a bit anyway."

"Don't worry, I won't pounce on you," he assured, laying a soft kiss on her cheek and breaking the embrace, taking her hand as she hopped off the wall.

He climbed onto the seat of his bike, holding it still so that Uriko could stand on the back, hands on his shoulders.

"Kenji?"

"Yeah?"

"No worries?"

"I think we have nothing to worry about," he affirmed.

"And about everyone else?" She asked.

He shook his head. "What does it matter? We're not doing anything we're not supposed to."

"Yeah, you're right." She beamed. "Okay, onward driver!"

He chuckled and pushed off, cycling off towards home.

He'd come out expecting something bad, and instead was coming home with a girlfriend. What an intriguing night it had been.