The Night Sky

"Who the hell does she think she is?" I yelled, storming around my room. Yuzu, stood in the doorway and tried to calm me with her presence and words. Though of course, she wasn't the best at giving moving speeches.

"Ichigo-san said that she was a model, right?" Yuzu informed.

"What, do you think I'm stupid?-"

"No."

"-I want to know why she is so angry with me!" I said, trampling my white rug as I ran back and forth across it.

Then suddenly I stopped and felt my hair being strained and stung as my paranoid hands tugged on each strand, "What if- what if I really do have to duel her! Then what if Toshiro dies? What happens when he dies? Will he loose his self awareness? Oh god, that means I'd have to fight her and-"

"Karin," Yuzu interrupted.

My hair swishes to the side as I dart back toward her, walking forward and failing to notice the chair in front of me. I clumsily come to a halt as I barely nudge it and it screeches across the wood floor briefly.

Yuzu took in a deep breath and sighed, "Look at you, you're a mess! You're like me before exams, or when I can't find homework! I'm never the one to give advice! And that's because I'm usually the one tearing my hair out- not you.."

I waited for her to continue to the inspiring part of her words..Nothing.

She giggled loudly and sent a sweet chirp through the air, "You see, I can't even put together a train of thought!"

Then, I know she did just about all she could do. The bump of her shoes to the floor and the small pop of fabric as she slides her feet over the white rug.

The reaction of her touch was slow, I guess because I've been playing REM too often. It was just as soft as ever; her skin, I mean. It lightly wrapped around the cloth of my back and grazed my shoulders. I could feeling the fluffy cotton of her dress and smell her putrid-sweet cherry perfume as she held me close in that beautiful embrace.

"It's just a game, sis," She began comfortingly.

My eyes widened as she continued, "Listen, I know it's tough now; to tell the difference, I mean. But this is the real world and no matter how many people play REM or watch the Game Channel, they can't touch you here. And I..I know that's not the best advice in the world, but I'm not the one who's normally in this position. I just need you to remember,"

It seemed right, what she said. It is. I am Karin Kurosaki. I live in modern day, 2010. There are no elves, no dragons, no Ice Lords. It's-It's all fake- and I have to remember that.

"remember that It's not real," She said.

I stepped back from her hug and nodded, right, I can't get too absorbed. I live in the now, REM is only for work- I have to remember not to get addicted.

But what's hardest to fight, is his existence. I know it, that nothing in REM is real- nothing.

I have to remember then, that Toshiro is also fake.


In The Game

"If you would, maste-" Toshiro began, but stopped as I stomped over to another customer. There were so many people here today! It had started to become the norm: having a long line of continuous customers out the door every day. It's amazing how many people that aren't in the cafe in real life are here. Most of them, obviously, sit in my area. The girls that come in would always stare at Toshiro and ask if he was a server here too. Hell no he wasn't!

"Yes, I'll get that order right in for you," I said, scribbling down an avatar's meal and rushing over to the other side of the room.

"Hello and welcome to the maid cafe- I mean, to Maid's Healing, how may I help you?" God, now I was even getting my locations mixed up.

"Yes, um, I think we're ready to order," A pixie-elf began a bit impatiently, obviously I'd left this customer waiting for far too long.

"Alright," I said as I took out my note pad and clicking the pin, "What'll you have?"

"Um..well the health smoothie with a 500HP bonus, then I guess I'll get some rot-resistant holy bred for the raid..And I think that's it," She said, seeming to double check the order in her head. Then she nodded, "Yeah, that's it."

"Right," I said, attempting to put my things away, "Now onto the next customer."

As I turned to the other side of the room, I felt something strange on my back. No..It wasn't on my back, it was lower. And gradually, as I began to realize where the unidentified weight was, I yelped up and covered my back side with my hands, glaring behind me.

"She's got a nice ass, too, maybe that's how she tamed that pet," A muscular man began, laughing.

"Tamed?" Toshiro asked, his head tilted to the side, "What does that mea-"

"Later," I sighed, zooming past him.

Perverts, I hate them. I would normally give that guy a good verbal beat down, or even then, since I was level 300, I could treat him to a good whack too. But at the moment everything was too busy. Even my section outside was booked.

"Oh, is that a yes then?" The muscular man continued. Eh? Did that ugly bastard say something?

But it was too late to ask him to repeat the question because he was hovering over me and when I turn around, his colossal body was already towering over me. I can smell the scent of wet wool, like the nauseating sweetness of a wet dog's fur. This guy had been fishing recently, probably to get the items to create some new piece of armor. Just last game play, there was a new patch released that added to the old one, feelings were enhanced to that of "ultra stimulated" and the sense of smell and taste was also added. I often wondered how they figure out what it feels like to die or to get slashed, did they have to smelled a wet sheep to know that fishermen smell like that?

I felt rough, callused hands grip onto me suddenly and push me until I bump into the nearest table and hear the clinking as the silverware and plate of the customer sitting at it rattles. They looked up in astonishment and the busy, energetic conversations stopped as all the customers glance in my direction.

Thick, huge hands held tighter as a hideous face peered down on me and smiled maliciously.

"So how's about we go outside right away," He offered. Damn it I wished I knew what he asked.

Right then, all I could do was shake my head from left to right, to refuse his offer. I thought that was the best response. Why am I such a damsel in distress? I should have slung him in the face, right? No, then I'd be reported for injuring another player outside of a duel. And worse- I might get fired from Maid Cafe.

"Is that so, fine then, we can do it here," He laughed as his weight pushed me back onto the table. What was going on?

The person behind me got up immediately with a gasp and stepped back as everyone began to murmur, "what's up?" and, "Isn't that the level 300 maid at this cafe, you know, the one with the rare pet."

Then I felt something that made me jump up in a week squeal. The new patch must have perfected this, because I had never ever known this before, god it feels weird. The man grabbed my boobs! Instinctively, I swung my leg under his feet and tripped him, but as he was falling, he smiled and tripped me too. And then I knew, this wasn't good.

Slow..Slow..I knew what would happen if I were to hit the ground, I have no idea what he asked me, but I know he's fixing to rape me online if something or someone didn't stop the situation- didn't stop me! But everyone in the cafe was just...Just watching me!

Then suddenly a cold hand clasped around my wrist and pulled me up and held me in a slanted position. And as I glanced back, I saw him, quite obviously in auto mode.

And the next thing I remember, I'm up against a strong facade and an arm was stretched across me, holding on of my shoulders. And then, the other arm belonging to this person, has a sword slanted sideways, protectively. He glared at that man with that same intense stare as he lay on the ground.

"You will never touch my lady, peasant," he threatened, "That his, unless you want to die."

My lady? Wasn't it master? Wait? Why doesn't he just call me by my user name..Or Karin! And why does he have to make it so flashy, his "rescue". It made me feel weird..Like before the sectionals in soccer, I always get butterflies in my stomach from the pressure of the game. But this..why was I feeling that then?

"Are you threatening me, kid?" The man asked.

"My lady is unusually flustered at this moment, so if you wouldn't mind, she will be retiring from her obligations," Toshiro said, beginning to walk away with me, his hand still on my shoulder. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him as he steered me toward the kitchen. Everything was so different when he's on auto system. For one, his eyes change color to alert the owner he has gone into auto mode; also known as action mode. They were pure true blue in auto system. I noticed the scent of rain, cool and musty with a slight earthy smell..That's..Yes, I decided that's what he smelled like. It was so refreshing, and powerful, almost like watching a storm's might crash down on the world.

Then suddenly, the man hopped up and began with a huge mallet at hand, "Are you ignoring me, brat?" He slammed the huge thing down on Toshiro's back side. But Toshiro found it so easy to block he. He whirled around and sheathed his sword, taking his bare hand and palm striking the large man's stomach, proceeding to twist it in the wound and hit the same area again with his opposite hand. The man coughed up something like spit and drop his mallet which Toshiro dodged as it carelessly fell with the man coming after it. When his head was level with Toshiro, he was struck once more in the back of the neck and he feel to the ground with a thud.

"Let that be a lesson to you who think you can insult me and violate my lady," Toshiro began, looking down at the man with disappointed eyes.

Toshiro turned back to the audience, watching in awe. He began to the customers, "And that goes for you all as well."

Toshiro snagged my arm and pulled me into him again. I felt both his arms wrapped around me this time, one, from the right side of my body, to my chin which he framed in his hand, and the other, from the left side of my body down to my hip. He cradled me close as I stood there bewildered.

"Though I belong to her, you all must understand that it is the other way around," He began.

With a smirk on his face, Toshiro announced clearly as he lowered himself down to be level with my face. He let go of my chin and stroked his hand down my cheek, "This, is mine."

Finally, I guess it was a lag, but the man he had defeated was announced.

"HealiousTheGreat -1500HP, HealiousTheGreat -3300HP, Player HealiousTheGreat has suffered a one combo kill inflicted by the pet of KuraiHime, Toshiro. KuraiHime looses 16 karma and a level 12 penalty for unsheathing weapons indoors, fighting with players outside of a PVP server or duel, and for succeeding in killing another player." The announcer said.

And I didn't even worry about it. I mean, sure it was bad that I was qualified to be monitored by an admin and will be shortly, but..He was so close, and I feel so hot, even though his cold skin is touching mine. Everyone is standing up out of their seats; everyone was watching! All the fairies and pixies and elves, ogres and werewolves..I Then knew that this is totally going to wipe out the event with the magazines. No, it will fuel to that speculation.

Because Toshiro just said that I belonged to him.


"What where you thinking, you fool!" I exclaimed, bashing him in the back of the head with my hand.

"It pains me- oh wait, I mean, OW!" Toshiro said awkwardly, he still hadn't gotten the hang of expressing anything exclaimed.

"Look, you can't go around saying things like that," I began.

"Master, my auto system is beyond my control," He explained, as if I didn't know that!

"You should try not to take your anger out on him, Karin," Yuzu said.

I whirled around fuming, Yuzu was standing up out of her chair as well. The table in which we sat at hosted a sort of "meeting" between Yuzu, Toshiro, and Ichigo and I.

"That's right, everyone gets embarrassed," Ichigo announced, "More over, we need to figure out just what exactly we're going to do."

"About what?" Yuzu and I said at the same time as Toshiro's "Concerning what?"

Ichigo, sitting calmly at the right most corner chair of the table, leaned over and rested her cheek on her hand.

"Think about it, do you think all of this was just a coincidence," She said.

"Oh get to the point already, I'm already pissed off!" I said, planting my fist down on Toshiro's head. This innocent kid saved me, and on top of that, I looked like a stupid damsel in distress! Ah!

"By my terms, you have a limited membership on REM that allows you to only PM and equipped items. Therefor PVP and duels are not permitted nor are they possible with one of your membership, and yet you are supposed to be attending a duel this evening to establish who is REM's top model. In short, there's no way a buff man just happens to come in, stir things up and involve both Karin and Toshiro, forcing a level 12 penalty onto Karin that requires an admin to watch her, and then just leave our lives without a second report or world PM after his resurrection. Isn't that strange to any of you?" She asks observantly.

Yuzu's eyes widened as she catches on and rushed to open up the player pages. Immediately a thin projection of a person's picture and details like their species and class showed up in columns.

"What's this girl's username?"She asked.

"Ah..what was it?" I turn to Ichigo and she shruged.

"LuvLuvCandy1," Toshiro responded robotically.

We all looked back up at him and he seemed to shrink considerably with all the eyes on him; as if he was afraid he'd done something wrong, "I..My data base records every and all information I undergo after being activated," He admitted.

"Ok, Maybe he's a little bit useful.." I mumbled reluctantly.

"Ok, here it is!" Yuzu said, receiving everyone's attention.

"She's..A pixie recognized for being a top model since summer of 2005 in both the real world and in REM. She joined REM at first to model and never engaged in the combat aspects of the game. From her REM modeling career, she was recognized as a top model in real life with the discovery of her through the game.." Yuzu began, but then stopped as her eyes scanned over more of the profile history.

"You guys!" She exclaimed as she closed the page out.

"Just yesterday she blew all of her finances on level acceleration potions and trainers! And..With a donation of 2 million yen to REM, she was able to become a director as well as an admin of REM!" She exclaimed.

"Which means that.." Ichigo began as we all stared at each other.

Then suddenly, we heard the ringing noise of a player's transportation device.

And there she stood before us, in her virtual flesh and blood. LuvLuvCandy1 flapped back her white hair and stared with a deviant look. It was directed at both Toshiro and I.

"KuraiHime has been assigned a moderator that will report to duty whenever KuraiHime logs in to play REM. LuvLuvCandy1 has signed in," The moderator announced.

A quill and a paper materialized before LuvLuvCandy1 with a dramatic puff of smoke. She grabbed the pin and threw it toward me. I caught it swiftly and snagged the document she shoved in my face.

"The contents of this documents dictate the moderator's all power over the account of the condemned player," She began as I scanned my eyes over the small text of the paper.

"My manager owns all rights over my account, you cannot infringe on my system if she operates it," I said.

"That's why we have this paper here, sign it and I gain control over your account for the next 6 months," LuvLuvCandy1 explained impatiently.

I look back at Ichigo-san who obviously didn't seem to like giving up her paid account to a stranger who loathed me.

I turned back to the white haired fairy; her armor new and polished. It was obvious what she was trying to do,. Train to beat me in a world-viewed duel.

"And if I refuse?" I asked.

"You will be removed from the game," She smirked at the thought.

"I don't recall you ever becoming a moderator," Toshiro began before the quill in my hand touched the paper of the document.

"I don't recall a level 1 ever acquiring a hidden boss as a pet. But by some circumstance she just happened to trigger the hidden quest and happened upon an alternate ending to it. If you're planning on objecting with the law of unfair dictation and you intend to support it with the proof of uncommon occurrences, keep in mind that I can do the same," She snapped at Toshiro.

"Remember that a battle won with handicaps is nothing but a lie," He shot back at her.

"Don't preach to a woman with no course for the future," She sneered.

Hesitantly, I signed the blank at the bottom of the document. After LuvLuvCandy1 took the paper and stored it in her pocket, she laughed before she began bluntly, "I don't play fair, so we'll start with that little pet of yours," She swung her finger out at Toshiro.

"You are the cause of power existing within KuraiHime. You are thereby refrained from any contact with other players and are no longer under the instruction of her," She began.

"One week from now, for the demonstration of the improvement of disobedient players, you will be filmed on television as part of a documentary. Our segment, is one aggressive REM players and their development over a week's supervision from a moderator. And at the end," She explained with a grand, dramatic voice. I guess the duel was in a week then..Phew, I built myself up for nothing.

"We have a duel to see my improvement is sportsman-like combat on REM. But in other words, you want the whole world to see me lose to you. You're putting my only combat source, Toshiro, on probation, and you built yourself up so that you could beat me," I filled in.

"Is modeling that important to you?" Yuzu questioned.

"Life is more than a game," She laughed.

And I could never really put my finger on what she meant by that..


I would only have time to log in during my working hours. So during that time, Ichigo-san allowed me to train with Toshiro in order to prepare for the duel.

"It's not that the duel matters," Ichigo had said, "but if you lose, all those extra bucks and customers go down the drain." She'd winked at me and smirked in her normal cat-like manner.

"If my success is so vital, why couldn't she have just hired me a personal trainer," I mumbled to myself, as I wipe the side of my mouth and get up off the dirt.

Just a moment ago he was a curious little boy, now he's like this weird samurai master. I thought. All these mood swings made it so hard for me to read him. But wait..Why was I trying to read him in the first place!

"Focus," Toshiro sighed, smoothing the dust off his clothes.

"Players' stats are modeled after their physic in real life. It just so happens that you have a raw strength of 82% based off of your body outside of REM. In battle mode, as long as you have the technique and level advantage, you should do fine in terms of combat." He centered his hands in front of his body and widened his stance, "But you seem to have no interest in technique, do you? Power is in the mind on REM, you can bring Luv down with just one hand if you'd pay attention."

"Quit lecturing me..It's hard to concentrate when you..." I looked back up at him and glanced away again.

"What?" He questioned, that clueless look suddenly crossing his face again.

I fell back in the grass and took a deep breath before my eyes slid back down to Toshiro who was stomping through the grass, getting closer and closer to me.

"I never said you could lay down," he informed.

"Who ever said I needed permission," I replied, "I don't exactly care what my image on REM is. It's your fault I became a big star anyway. I'll still have my job if I lose the duel, so what's the point?"

"So you're lacking inspiration?" He asked, walking over and sitting beside me. He crossed his legs and scrunched up his nose.

"I'm still adapting to the presence of 'players'. And my current intellect obstructs me from fully grasping what players need as inspiration. The way I work is through orders. When I get an order from one who is above me, I follow it without question. Though I am starting to see why this way of thinking would possibly be impractical, I believe that subconscious rule is a means to fuel me," He began.

"But I don't have that absolute programing like you do," I retorted, "Sometimes I wish that life were as simple as just following orders. You want to also listen to what your heart says. In my world, there are lots of things that are unpredictable and we program people like you to be able to react to those sudden changes better than us. So it's only natural that I can't seem to find reasons for doing things like you can..Or fight like you can..I can't do anything you can," I admit.

"But chances are I'll never be able to feel things that you can. Isn't it part of life to have pros and cons to being who you are?" He asked.

That was...Spoken as though he were human. In fact, everything he just said was as if an infant where given the ability to speak! Sometimes I wondered if this guy was an alien. His goal..It seemed only to be to receive and fulfill orders, but it be something more..Something that I was just beginning to see on the surface. A need for knowledge, a growth which was long past overdue. He wants to know more, yet he just admitted to not being able to reach all of his goals; he was striving for a purpose that may not be completed. But he still has the resolve to try. All of this, how could a computer comprehend it?

I'll work harder then, too! Because I'm better than him, I'm not going to fall behind. I'll do it because I don't want to be a disgrace. He wants to be what he can't; to have a heart and the body of a human being, I can see that now. And I am only one of those which he wants to be. I'm not going to let my life go to waste; for his sake. So I don't want to be a star, it doesn't mean that I can't try to shine.

I shot up out of the grass with new confidence, "I'll do it for myself!"

Wow, that somehow sounded selfish and corny.


The day of the duel finally came. And many more people showed up than I could have ever imagined! Apparently the teen star against the teen beauty was a popular fetish among REM. Because the server to REM gave an alert of overpopulation when the duel began. The website for REM crashed when the camera began rolling. I never knew that it was such a big deal— that I was such a big deal! Just one photo shoot and I sky rocket to the top of the model social class. How is that? It must be because of that guy. Patiently folding his arms and watching my every move. That awkward being without a class or species. He sparked everything indefinitely and set flame to all of this ruckus. Ironic, though, because he's supposed to be the Ice Lord.

The place of our duel was Central City, what Luv had originally said was out place of battle. We picked a random meadow. But as time went on and we drew closer to the fight, people began to create small tents beside us and bring in portable bleachers. Eventually, 20 cameras and a stadium of sorts wer built around us.

And finally, the time came.

But just before it, Toshiro pulled me aside. He looked me straight in the eye when he said very briefly, "Remember: Power is in the mind. Confidence is everything."

I nod a set out for the duel.

Luv and I pull down each others task bars and select the duel option.

"LuvLuvCandy1 and KuraiHime have begun a friendly duel. The first player to 10% health or lower loses," The announcer began, "Players, please choose your weapons of choice."

"The daggers are my forte," Luv said,eyeballing me with a smile.

"I won't have a weapon for today," I stated.

"What? Trying to act all high and mighty will make you fail quicker, you know," Luv laughed.

"As if you haven't put enough handicaps on me already. I think I can deal with one more," I say, cracking my fingers and bending out my legs.

Now I was sure about it. The reason people were watching this documentary was not to study some girl who was a trouble on REM. No, everyone now really seemed to know that Luv bribed her way into the moderator's system and then onto TV. Everyone today knew I was fighting and unfair battle, but they still wanted to see just how far REM's newest idol could go.

"Let the duel begin," The announcer said.

LuvLuvCandy1 immediately sprinted my way, I did the same. And as she drew her daggers and launched them my way, I really didn't have a clue of how to avoid getting hit. They were way smaller than soccer balls and so much faster. But her aim wasn't too good..Probably a result of the last minute training. The dagger barely nicked the side of my check but it stung like a poison dart as blood leaked out of the cut.

I rushed up and grabbed one of her empty hands; she shoved her danger toward my stomach but I knocked it away with my other hand. She forced her hands away and thrust her foot in a round house toward my face but I used my two hands to block it. Now it was really just a test of martial arts. And I bet I knew a lot more than a model.

Sooner or later, She figured out I was winning. In fact, everyone seemed to be pretty disappointed by the turn out. All this publicity, the huge turn out, no one would have guessed how slow and uninteresting the duel would have turned out to be. But Luv just wouldn't give up.

"You took everything from me!" She exclaimed, trying a punch and missing. I grabbed her hand a forced her on the dirt, but she leaped up again and tried the other fist.

"Then find something else worth meaning!" I respond, dodging her punch as she stumbles forward.

This time, with tears in her eyes, she turns around and tries a punch again. I grab both of her hands and pin her to the ground.

"Beauty is everything," She says after she confirms she cannot squirm out of my grasp, "Modeling was my life! REM started my life! REM is everything!"

And then my eyes widened as I saw what this girl had seen. I remembered what Yuzu had told me, "It's just a game." Not true. And I felt it for a second. REM gives you a second life. But for this girl, REM sparked her success in life. REM modeling was her place to go back to even when real life did not see her in its favor. It was her special place, and even though REM is fake, the modeling studio; the fans that adored her, they were always her support. Even when she was loved by those in the real world. But now, her place to return to was taken by me. I ripped it out without trying..I crushed this girls heart without thought.

I gripped the girl's wrists and pulled her up, wrapping my arms around her body, feeling her soft white hair to my skin. I hold her head down as she gasped.

I began slowly, "I get it now. You said that 'life is more than a game'..REM was your life. Modeling in REM, it was your thing to return to, your home, right? I've seen how real this game can be. Your life, part of it is in this game, isn't it? And I ripped that part of your life away; that part of your heart. I had begun to see it earlier, what this game can do to you. It ties you down so that a part of you stays within it. I'm sorry that I didn't notice earlier," I said.

I held tighter rounder her body, "I'm sorry I hurt you."

And all she could do was keep sobbing.


Luv became a pretty successful model again, I remained at the top for some reason..But she vowed never to give up. Now, she was forced to see me every day when I log in. And for the next 6 months, we have to put up with each others clashing personalities. But it's not as though it's a bad thing. She's just a practical girl. I'm not a fan of people like that. But then again, she has fan clubs to obsess over her..

Her modeling career rose back up when she modeled with me for a REM magazine. She still remains one of the top models of the real world, but she seems a lot more spunky now that she has retained a definite place as #2 on REM's top model list.

"You know, I still had a question I'd been meaning to ask you since the incident with that guy before," Toshiro informed.

"Really, what is that?" I began, trying and failing to undo the curls which had been put in my hair earlier. Today was Saturday, I was only online for a photo shoot with Luv and Toshiro. I was planning on logging out, but I seemed to be staying on longer and longer because I had forgotten that real life even existed.

"The new patch came out yesterday..And it allowed REM to have a time of day and weather," Toshiro explained, "And I was wondering if-"

"Really! So there's a night time now!" I exclaimed happily.

"Today would be the first day that the night sky will be visible and they're supposed to set off 'fireworks'. I was wondering if you could stay logged in until..Well if it's not too much of a problem.." Toshiro stumbled over his request, but I got what he meant.

"Of course I'll stay on so that you can see the sky," I smiled.

"Right.." He said, looking away. And for the first time, I think I saw a hint of...Redness in his face. Blushing? No way that was programed into him! Could he have possibly..Learned from people around him?

The sunset was not the main event, yet it was still beautiful. The mixtures of purples and blues was the inverse of the sunset where I lived. It was always reds and yellows. Lovely, but not like the stars.

As the last light left the sky and a giant full moon appeared in the sky, everything seemed to be unreal. I took in the array of glittery lights as the first fire works began to go off. Only five times did they shoot fireworks. I suppose because REM wanted people to have a chance to see the stars longer. The fireworks interested Toshiro the most. The first one that set off made him jump, he didn't know what it was, and frankly it looked like a weapon. But the second one, a red flower-type firework, exploded in his eyes with a fascination that was so pure and envious, you couldn't help but share the feeling.

When the fireworks subsided, he and I were lying back on the grass and gazing up at the stars, when he began slowly, "Do you have stars in your world?"

"Yeah, but we have so many lights that we can't really see too many of them. At least, not from where I live." I said, playing with the grass beside me. We where in the forest field behind Maid's Healing. And the sight of the starts was stunning from there.

"Is this world fake?" Toshiro asked.

I laughed, "So you heard me say that. In my world, yours is considered fake because my people were the ones to create it. But if you think about it, my people might just be fake to. Fake to whoever created them."

"Yes, but I was asking if...If you.." He started to pause again and stumble over his words.

He turned on his side and, surprised, I did the same.

Looking me in the eye, he set his innocent blue gaze on me, "Do you, think I'm fake?"

My eyes widened, "I-I..I don't—I can't.." I shut my mouth because I couldn't find an answer.

"I don't know what's real sometimes..So I don't think I can answe-"I began, but I stopped at the feeling of a strange sensation.

"Why do you even care about what I think of you?" I asked him.

His eyes shot open and he looked away, blushing. I also began to feel flush and scooted away from his slightly.

"It..I always get this weird feeling," He began, "It's probably a malfunction in my programing..But I just want to try something.."

He sat up and I did the same. Grabbing my shoulders, he turned me to face him. And then, he drew me into him and pressed his lips against mine. His grip on my shoulders stretched down to a wrap around my body. At first, I squirmed with my eyes widened, but I then I figured I should just let him have his way..Because it wasn't like he was bad a kissing..

He was cold all over..I guess because he's an ice lord. It was kinda refreshing though, because I'm always really hot. It felt strangely blissful..

I could feel my hair being pushed up as I shifted to do the same. However, this kiss..It wasn't like the other..We both had our auto systems off. And though it wasn't nearly as flashy as the last one..

I loved it even more.


Author's Notes:

Hey! Long time no see! Sorry it took so long for me to update ^_^ But I've decided to change up my writing style a bit and now I won't be posting raws, but first drafts of each chapter. There are no guarantees that each chapter will be free of homophone problems and grammar slips, but it will be better ^_^. If you all would like me to edit the other two chapters, I can do that too! Though my next update might be a bit slow as a result..Anyways, it's good to see you all! I noticed I had a lot less reviews last chapter compared to the first..I'm not sure what happened but I lost over half of you :( I might get depressed if more of you keep decided not to review..I get lonely, you know?

Thanks for reading,

~*RukiaRocks*~

Reviewers to Thank:

oOoHKoOo

Cereza2000

keroneko13

'

I-kill-U-For-Yaoi

kiwiVega

meggie-moo s

Nemane-chan

yellowbutterfly93