Hey! Just so that you know, this may be the last time I update this for quite a while. I'm going to Kuala Lampur, Malaysia for a marching band competition, and that's going to be the 20th until August 6th. I MIGHT be able to update again before the 20th, but we'll see.

Akane: That means that if you review, she's going to update. Trust me. You want that.

Me: And a big, loud shout-out to my reviewers; whom I love! Destiny Xavier16, Punk Rock Kitsune, Stormygio, Kuraki-chan, Ryannravenstarr, DutchyPuppy, and katz341! Huggles!

Akane: What, no IA? Where is she?

Me: *sniffs* she didn't review...

Rena: IMNA KEEL HER WIT AN AXE!

Me: NOOOO!

Anywhoodles, enjoy! *evil laughter*


When the Snow Falls, chapter 9

Emotions.

Ryou opened the door to the house. The music whose bass line had already emanated from the building in gut-wrenching volumes was multiplied tenfold. It took all of my willpower to stop myself from covering my buzzing ears with my palms.

A tanned, muscular boy dashed up to the door and gave me a one-over. Giving him a look of questioning and slight annoyance, he suddenly turned to Ryou and smirked.

"So, where did you pick this one up?"

Ryou froze.

I facepalmed.

The boy feigned innocence.

Ryou cleared his throat and said,

"Nice to see you too, Malik."

Malik laughed loudly, then grabbed both of our arms; pulling us farther into the house. That's when I noticed the number of people. There was a hell of a lot. I was partially expecting this, but this was just too much to imagine.

Ryou kept glancing at me awkwardly as we were continuously dragged into the building. He would dart his gaze away whenever I peered back at him however. Malik would stare at us chuckling, but that was just Malik being his weird self, right?

Malik continued dragging us along until we arrived in the main hall of the house; obscenely loud music playing all of the while. I could feel the curious stares I got from the people standing around. I tried to ignore them, but some were persistent. My discomfort must have shown to Ryou, because at one point or another, he nudged me gently in the arm. Darting my attention back to him in acknowledgment, he smiled slightly. Of course, seeing as his smile is so contagious, I returned an apprehensive grin.

The tanned bit stopped suddenly, causing us to lurch a bit. We were in the middle of what appeared to be a dancefloor. 'Oh shit. Are you telling me-' My thoughts were interrupted by Malik jamming the two hands he was holding (that being mine and Ryou's) and laughing.

"Have fun, you two!"

Our faces turned bright as strawberries. Our hands let go of the other jerkily and somewhat instinctively, and all I could think was 'Lord, Malik. You do know that I'm going to shoot you in the face now, right?'

A slow song started playing over the speakers. Lyrical, moving melodies and harmonies flowed with ease throughout the opening. Ryou nervously shuffled towards me and extended his hand to me and murmured

"Can I, that is, do you want to dance?"

I was beyond apprehensive. I can't dance. Last time I tried, well, needless to say things didn't go well.

"I-I really can't dance to save my life, Ryou-kun. I'm a complete failure at this sort of thing."

Ryou chuckled to himself for a moment then replied

"Neither can I. But there's nothing wrong with trying anyway, right?"

I laughed back at him and nodded.

"Sure, but don't blame me if one of us ends up in a wheelchair!"

He took my hand, and thus began the strange phenomenon known as "dancing".


"Ouch!"

"I'm sorry! Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. This shit's dangerous!"

That general conversation lasted throughout the time that we danced. Feet were stepped on, but what's worse is that at one point, I accidentally kneed Ryou in the crotch. I apologized profusely and felt terrible for doing that.

This is why people don't let me dance. Ever.

As the end of the song was nearing, I began getting a little more comfortable with what I was doing. At that point, one could say I got careless. I tripped over my foot as the tempo got a little more upbeat, and I fell right on top of Ryou. As our bodies collided, as did our lips. Everything was silent after that. A loud wolf-whistle broke the still, and my face flushed bright red. I scrambled off of Ryou, who was also blushing fiercely, and sat beside him awkwardly. I didn't want to see anyone else's patronizing face staring at me. I was afraid to say anything. I mean, I really like Ryou. Not just as friends, but more than that.

I couldn't just sit there anymore. I jumped up from where I unceremoniously fell, and darted out of the room. Ryou raised his head to see me running, but couldn't react fast enough to successfully catch me.

That wasn't how it was supposed to happen. Why is it that every time something happens, it happens in a miserable way? Damn it all, damn it all!


I didn't stop running until I was out of the house. I was halfway down the street by the time I stopped. The air was significantly colder than it was earlier, and an icy wind chilled my bare arms. I shivered, and started rubbing my arms to warm myself up. Suddenly, I felt a cover of soft fabric drape over me. I peered over my shoulder to see the one person that I wanted, yet didn't want; to see standing behind me. Ryou.

"R-Ryou-kun?.." I stuttered. "What are you doing out here?"

Ryou's expression was completely unreadable, and I could feel his brown eyes drown in my deep grey ones.

"Akane-san, are you alright? You seem...sad."

I could feel my entire body shake in apprehension. 'What do I say? I have no idea what to do or anything!' I thought.

"I-that is..." I muttered. "Just...forget about what happened in there."

Ryou's face fell and he walked closer to me. My heart was pounding as he gently grasped my arm, but nothing prepared my for what came after that. His right hand travelled up my arm and caressed my cheek. He fluttered his eyes closed and pressed his cool lips against mine. I gasped slightly, and kissed him back. Gooseflesh covered my entire body as his tongue brushed against my lower lip. I breathed in slightly, and Ryou took the opportunity to let his tongue stray into my mouth.

As we kissed under the pale moonlight, small flakes of snow began falling from the sky.


A/N:

Me: There you have it ^^ Some of you hate me, some of you love me. I love the ones that love me xD

Ryou: You know, I hated you from the beginning. But now, I suppose you're ok.

Akane: Just wait. She's a frigging sadist.

Me: *evil sniggers*

Ryou: By the way, can... I call you Akane-chan?

Akane: *blushes* yeah :D

Me: Bakura~!

Bakura: What do you want, witch?

Me: Disclaim desu?

Bakura: Will you give me screentime?

Me: Only if you do the disclaimer.

Bakura: *sigh* That crazy bitch owns nothing. We are all owned by Kazuki Takahashi, except for Akane. PLEASE SAVE US! SHE'S GOING TO KILL PEOPLE!

Me: Oh Kura, your jokes are so funny ^^ *pulls out a katana*

Everyone: *sweatdrop*

Me: Review? If you do, I'll spare some lives :D

BTW: Shadow-chan can't get me ^^ MWAHAHAHAHHAH!

Shadow: Yes, I can. Insane bitch.

Me: I think someone needs more anger management classes~!