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I don't own anything, so don't sue me please.

Chapter four

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The bell sounded, indicating the end of class and the beginning of lunch. Teachers wrapped up their lectures while students absent mindedly nodded and packed their things while taking out food and stuffing themselves.

"Hm? Where are you going?"

"To the library, I'll be back at the end of lunch."

"But you haven't eaten anything yet!" The other protested as he latched onto the hem of his shirt.

"I know, but I'm not really hungry, so instead of wasting time (like I usually do) I want to do a bit of research."

The other gave him a flat look but then let his eyes travel down to the lifted shirt.

"Fine, just don't fall asleep in the library, okay?"

"Don't worry Riki-tan."

"Oh I try, but you make me do it anyway."

Hana gave a laugh as he waved bye and walked out of the door. Making his way to the end of the hall and going up the stairwell, up to the floor above, he turned around the corner and walked down the silent corridor. But it wouldn't make any difference if there was a crowd or not. His head was too full with the happenings of the day before to be able to process the surrounding sounds. A tired sigh left his mouth as he closed his eyes, standing in front of the library door. He didn't even get a chance to see what his stalker (lover?) looked like, but his voice. He shivered. He knew he heard that rough voice somewhere.

'Now isn't the time to think about that!' He scolded mentally as he opened his eyes and slid the door open and walked into the room. The smell of books and wood greeted him, dulling his senses and calming his nerves. He walked over to the back of the room and began to loiter around the last shelf, of course, there was the restricted section that was blocked off by another wall that was right behind the last shelf, but Hanatarou never really bothered going in. There weren't any books in there that would interest him anyway.

'But what would make a book a 'restricted' book?'

Wouldn't he like to know.

Glancing up at the top shelf, his eyes sparkled when he saw a book that wasn't there before, in fact, it was the exact book that he requested a week ago. So with a lofty feeling fluttering in his belly, he dragged over the easy step, got on and reached, his fingers brushed over the leather binding as he gently grasped it and pulled it out. He tried to lower himself from the step, but his heel slipped as his weight shifted.

He was going to fall.

He squeezed his eyes shut and waited to be knocked out, but instead felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around his shoulder, arms and all, as his back was pressed against the other's chest. The warmth that he felt with his stalker returned and seeped throughout his body. He feet were set on the ground and the arms unraveled, releasing him as fast as they embraced him. Hanatarou turned around, wanting to say his thanks, but his words got caught in his throat when he saw what he looked like.

A deep Widow's peak.

Crimson red hair.

Tattoos on his forehead and neck.

A terrible glare.

A murderous air about him.

Hanatarou swallowed hard.

A third year delinquent.

"Ah… ah, I, I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean to, uh, I-I'm sorry…!!!"

His words tripped over each other as he backed up against the wall, the leather bound book shaking in his grasp as it was pressed to his chest. The older student looked at him with a surprised expression, but didn't say anything, instead he reached out. Hanatarou flinched and closed his eyes, waiting for the blow or whatever that was coming.

It wasn't a blow.

But a pat on the crown of his head.

"… Eh?"

Hana opened his eyes and looked up, the older boy gave him a kind smile before turning around and leaving.

"…….. Eh??!?!"

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Why did he flinch? He wasn't going to hurt him, so why did he flinch and back away?

Renji felt his cheeks grow hot.

But the sight of him being frightened and backing way apologizing was amazingly cute. Those blue irises were tearing and his shoulders were shaking with the book grasped to his chest… The third year put his hand over his face and dragged it down. He seriously needed to do something.

All he could do was pat his head and turn his heel.

He couldn't risk asking him if was okay or not. Then he would reveal that he was E.W by his voice.

"Ah… ah I, I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean to, uh, I-I'm sorry…!!!"

Renji felt a shiver run through his body. What could he give to hear the same voice in bed? Maybe another letter could calm him down…

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"… Ne Riki-tan…"

"Hm?"

"Do you know the guy with red hair?"

The tattooed boy looked up with a surprised look on his face.

"Do you mean Abarai-senpai?"

"???"

"The one with the tattoos, right?

"Yeah… why do you know his name?"

"Well, he and I met at the Kendo doujo, and he was the one that took me to the tattoo parlor as well." The older boy said as he pointed to his eyebrow with his thumb, beaming with pride.

"Why do you ask?"

Hanatarou looked at the book that was in his hands for a moment before replying.

"He… kinda saved me today…"

"How?"

"Well, when I was in the library, I nearly fell back from the easy step when I took this book, but then he just prevented that from happening." Hanatrou said as he blushed and closed the book.

"I, I couldn't say a proper thank you because I was so scared… he looks like a delinquent so that got me to stutter and back away, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he smiled and went away." Hanatarou looked up to his cousin and gave a soft chuckle.

"I guess you really can't judge someone based on their first appearance."

Rikichi gave a smile, but then had a thoughtful look overtake his features for a moment.

"Say Hana-tan, you own a bokutou don't you?"

"Eh? Un, what of it?"

"Do you own a Nihontou?"

"You mean Hisagomaru?"

"Yeah… do you want to have a spar at the end of the week?"

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Grammar mistakes and typos and spelling errors beware.

Bokutou – Wooden sword, used for practicing and such.

Un – Yes

Nihontou – Japanese sword. You could always say 'katana,' but it's kinda old, and a bit of variety won't hurt any one…. Or will it?

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