Mystical Raven- there will be a little bit of love in this one

kimeko-chan123: I must thank you loads for all the reviews

crown172- he sure does like her

Lunapok- Thanks!

The-Silly-Green: yep…..Himeko will NEVER get what she wants

Darkangelslayer- thank you for the encouragement

Chapter 9: Strange feelings

Butch's POV:

After the next few weeks Kaoru and I hung out together very often.

My brother started to ask questions and teased me when I told them it was a girl I was hanging out with – but I never told them her name.

Kaoru and I became good friends but I never saw her at school.

Very soon Boomer announced that Miyako is his girlfriend that distracted the topic of my mysterious friend which both my brothers, Momoko and Miyako were interested in.

Well….. Momoko and Miyako are now good friends with me, they're like little sisters to me…. So I sometime tease Momoko that she really likes Brick, which my redheaded brother doesn't know. He can be really clueless at times.

Kaoru is somehow mysterious to me too. Sometimes our conversation can go in circles, she always avoid as many questions as she can which only made me more curious.

I still feel shivers and coldness around me sometimes that I don't know why, I'm not scared but it creeps me out…..like…a ghost close by?

I would always shake that thought off and carry on with the things I do.

When I don't focus in class, the teacher always, and I mean always picks me to answer the question which I was clueless…but there is always a voice that whispers the answers in my ear…and that voice is very familiar…..but it does freak me out…..

Anyways, it's been nearly three months now and everything is good, except some close call accident like a car almost hit Boomer…. Miyako almost got kidnapped by some gangster….. Brick almost got pushed onto a train track…. Momoko almost got shot by some thief when she went home late….and I almost got hit by scattering glass when I walked pass a tall building….

OK THAT IS ALL ALMOST AND ALL VERY CLOSE CALLS!

But somehow we are all safe. It's strange that only we get into these kinds of troubles.

Anyways! I'm now in my Natural Science class and yet again I spaced out…..

"Mr. Butch Jojo, please give us the answer," the teacher suddenly said.

I was surprised for a second when the teacher suddenly called my name, but then I sighed with annoyance.

The teacher raised an eyebrow.

"The answer is ethanol."

"Um….ethanol?" I said.

The teacher nodded then carried on with the lesson.

I looked around and caught Brick's eye.

I raised an eyebrow but he just mouthed 'What?'

I shook my head and turned back to the teacher.

Finally the bell rang, signaling the start of launch.

I got some food and went to sit with my brothers at a table, soon Miyako and Momoko joined us.

"Hey Butch, you were daydreaming today again right?" Momoko asked.

"Yeah….." I said and took a bite of my burger.

"He spaced out again?" Miyako looked surprised.

Well….Miyako was at her music lesson so she didn't know what happened.

"He's acting like a different person ever since we moved here so we don't know what got into him…." Boomer told the girls.

"Oh….maybe I know why," Brick started to chuckle.

"Huh? What do you know?" Momoko shook his shoulder.

Brick turned to me with a mocking look.

'Oh great, whatever is going through his head isn't good…..'

"He must be thinking of his crush!" Brick sneered.

"What?!"

Boomer, Miyako and Momoko looked at me with shock.

I almost choked on my food.

"Where did you get that idea from?" I asked.

The others' expressions immediately changed. I have a bad feeling…

"Brother! You never told us you like someone!" Boomer said and elbowed me.

I shoved him away. "Why should I tell you? Even if I do like someone I'll never tell you two!"

"So you really have a crush?!" Momoko squealed.

"NO!" I yelled. I could feel my ears growing hot.

"You said you won't tell your brothers then you can tell us! So who is this lucky girl that the cool Jojo brother like?" Miyako asked.

Boomer frowned when Miyako just called me 'cool' but he also looked at me with a smile.

I groaned. "I don't have a crush!"

"That's a lie!" Brick said pointing at me.

I felt very uncomfortable, to be honest, after the past three months I did develop a slight crush on Kaoru, but only a slight; OK maybe more than 'slight' but even if I do like her I will never tell them.

"I'm going back to class," I said and stood up.

"Awwww look! Little Butch is running away now," Brick teased.

I ignored him and walked away from the table.

I walked down the hallway towards my locker.

"So you like someone?" I heard a voice from behind.

I turned around and narrowed my eyes at the person.

"Shirogane, when will you stop bothering me?" I asked.

Himeko looked hurt but I know it's fake.

"But I really love you!" she said.

I snorted. "Well if this will keep you away from me then I'll tell you the truth; yes, there is someone that I like but it's not you, she's someone that doesn't wear a fake mask like you. I've hear you had many boyfriends in the past and they are just toys to you."

"No! But I never liked them, they came to me. I really love you, you're my real first love!" she pleaded and grabbed my arm.

I shoved her away forcefully and took a step back.

"I DON'T LIKE YOU OK! I LIKE SOMEONE ELSE SO QUIT BOTHERING ME!" I yelled and walked away as fast as I can, thankfully she didn't follow.

I turned a corner and sighed with relief, slowing down my step.

"She's a pain in the ass."

I stopped and turned around.

A smile immediately spread on my lips. "Kaoru!"

Kaoru was leaning against the wall. "Yo!" she waved at me.

I walked over to her. "That freak had been following me the whole time since I came here, I just wish she can look for someone else to bother."

Kaoru grinned. "If she really changes target then one of your brothers will be the bad luck guy."

"Why's she like that anyway?"

She shrugged. "She's always been like that, she never changed."

"You know her well?" I asked, surprised.

"Everyone knows that she's a b*tch," she said with disgust.

I shrugged. "Let's just stop talking about her. Do you want hang out this afternoon?"

"Sure," she grinned. "Same place."

I nodded.

Kaoru looked pass me. "Oh great…."

I turned and saw Himeko standing there.

"Shirogane!" I growled and glared at her.

She was shaking. She suddenly screamed and ran away.

"What was that all about?" I turned back to Kaoru.

She shrugged and started to walk away. "See you later." She waved.

I frowned but soon went back to class.

…..

"Kaoru!" I waved as she ran up to me.

"Sorry I'm late, my friend needed help so it took up some time," she said as she reached me.

"Nah, it's fine. Let's play some soccer today," I said and held up my soccer ball.

She smirked. "You're on."

We played for some time but soon I got a little bit tired. Kaoru looks as if she can play whole day on but she said she wanted to take a break.

We sat on a bench and watched the children play.

"Hey."

Kaoru said after a while.

"Yeah?"

She turned to me. "Want to see somewhere cool?"

"Sure."

She took me to the lake where we first met.

But it was different from last time in the daylight. The water sparkled under the sun and was very clear. The lake was surrounded by thick shadows of the trees around it. There were even some flowers here and there.

"It's beautiful right?" Kaoru asked.

"Yeah….." I whispered, "But I never thought you'd like these kind of views."

"Hey!" she punched my arm. "I love nature!"

I chuckled. "Well, you never told me."

"Why should I?" she said and turned back to look at the shining lake.

I glanced at her. "You never really talked about yourself actually…"

Then I noticed her shoulders tense up a little.

"You avoid a lot of my questions about you and your family…why's that?"

She suddenly glared at me.

I took a step back. This was the first time I actually got scared from a glare.

She blinked a few times then softened her gaze, as if only realizing she was glaring at me.

I relaxed a little.

"Sorry…I don't like to talk about myself…"

"Then I won't force you to….." I murmured.

"…" she glanced at me. "Maybe I'll tell you some things about me... but only some OK?"

I smiled. "I'm fine with that!"

It's strange that I smile so much around her.

She sat down and I sat next to her. I was surprised that my body just sat close to her on its own, our hips were almost touching.

"Well….I have two brothers, one older and one younger," she said while gazing ahead, not looking at me. "I have a cheerful mother and a very protective dad…..he always wears a mask and he's very strong."

"That's nice," I said.

"Why?" she glanced at me.

"Well, we don't have a mom and our dad is a jerk," I told her, "He drinks a lot and expects to make a lot of money from his lame job. He sometimes hits us when we refuse to buy beers for him, that's why we moved here. But thank goodness we know how to cook."

She laughed. "But I usually see Boomer is the one cooking most of the time."

I smiled. "Yeah, he's the one that cooked the most even when we're with our dad–" I frowned. "Wait…..how did you know Boomer is the one who cooked most of the time?"

She smiled and stared at the lake again.

"Well, my brothers are actually annoying but when I feel down they're always there for me…." she said.

She ignored my question again.

"I usually trick Shou into doing my house chores, though I don't think you need to do that because Brick is the one who usually cleans your apartment." She murmured.

I'm really creeping out right now. No one knows that me and my brothers can actually do house chores and she said she 'usually see' Boomer cooking. She never came to my home before so how can she usually see Boomer cooking?! And how does she know Brick cleans?!

"Wait Kaoru…I'm serious now…how did you know about what's happening in my home?" I scooted away from her a little. "You…..you're not a stalker…are you?"

She burst out laughing. "I'm only guessing, then why would I sound so unsure?"

It was true…..I can hear that she was wondering when she talked.

I sighed with relief.

"That's not true!"

We both turned and saw Himeko standing not far from us.

We both stood up.

"Shirogane!" I glared at her. "How long have you been eavesdropping?!"

She ran up to me and pulled me away from Kaoru by the arm.

"Don't believe her! She's lying!" Himeko said in a frightened voice, but I presume it's fake.

"What am I lying about?" Kaoru narrowed her eyes.

I felt Himeko stiffen up while she clung onto my arm.

"Butch! She's lying! I know why she knows all about you! You must stay away from her!" Himeko cried and shook my arm.

I shoved her away and took a step towards Kaoru while still facing Himeko. "Shirogane, I know you're lying. You're the one who is stalking me…."

"No!" she cried, "I'm telling the truth! You must stay away from her! She takes lives….. She's dangerous! SHE'S EVIL!"

"Enough!" I snarled and gripped Kaoru's left hand with my right, still facing Himeko.

Both Himeko and Kaoru looked shocked which made my grip tighter.

"I'm telling you this once and for all," I told Himeko in a low cold voice. "You're the one that I should stay away from, not Kaoru. So get this into your head: STAY AWAY FROM US!"

Himeko slowly backed away. "OK…..I'll stay away from now on…just because I need to stay away from her!" she pointed at Kaoru. "I'm warning you Butch Jojo…..she's evil! She's not suppose to be here! She'll curse you…..you and your brothers….and even your friends!"

"GO! NOW!" I roared in rage.

"You're in danger as long as you're with her! Sh-s-sh…." Himeko started to run away. "SHE'S EVIL!"

I was breathing heavily with anger. I still held onto Kaoru's hand tightly.

Kaoru looked uneasy. With her other free hand, she patted my back awkwardly.

I closed my eyes and sighed heavily.

"Sorry…." I heard Kaoru murmur.

I opened my eyes and gazed at her. "For what?"

"For causing you trouble…" she looked down at the ground.

"It's nothing, at lease she will leave me at peace now," I said and smiled.

She suddenly blushed. This was the first time I saw her blush.

"Um….." she looked around awkwardly.

I frowned.

"Ah….you can let go now…." She said in a very soft voice which I could hardly hear.

Then I realized I was still holding her hand.

"Uh!" I quickly let go of her hand and pulled away. I could feel my whole body growing hot.

"We should get going!" I said quickly and turned away, trying to hide my own blush.

"You go ahead, I need to go somewhere else first." I heard Kaoru said.

"OK then….." I turned back to her. I must still be blushing but I didn't care. "Please don't tell anyone about just now…."

"Why would I tell?"

"Thanks." I smiled and…..I don't know what happened to me but my body just moved on its own again. I kissed her forehead gently.

She looks more embarrassed than ever, the same with me…I felt like my whole body is on fire – mostly the face.

"Uh….bye then!" I ran away as quickly as I could.

I ran all the way home and up the stairs, I didn't want to take the elevator right now.

I burst into my apartment and went straight to my room.

"Hey Butch where have–"

I slammed shut my door before Brick could finish.

I leaned my back against the door and slide down against it to sit on the floor.

I closed my eyes and sighed.

'What did I just do?'

Message: Cannot update usually, take some time but still writing.

Hope you enjoyed it.

My other stories:

'PPGZ: Enter The World Of Beast Spirits'

'PPGZ: Secrect Around The Corner'

'PPGZ: Two Masked Life'