Author's Note: IT'S FIIIIIIIIXED WELL. I've just realized I left Elsword comics at the title month soooo.. it's gone now. You know, the thing about loosely connected one shots is that you can replace them and nothing on the timeline will change. Ha.

air to this chapter is Santa Maria by Kenshi Yonezu and A Thousand Years Pt 2. by Christina Perri and Steve Kazee~

EINE KLEINE
Twelve Kisses
a KagePro fanfiction

X. May

"Ah~ Isn't it just wonderful to see people so in love~?" Kano commented casually, entering the living room and plopping next to Kido on the love seat. He gave a playful grin at Seto and Marry who were huddled on the couch, making the two blush plus Seto adding a 'shut up'. He snickered, stretching his body and yawning. "I think I know what I want for my birthday later~"

"We are never going to a camping trip again." Kido glared at him, crossing her arms.

"Eh! You say it like everything went wro-"

"Nor go fishing."

"What! But-"

"Neither will we go on a road trip."

"Kidoooo! That's unfair!"

"It's not unfair. Half of the time we wind up getting lost even though, of course, you know the way."

"Well, we won't be this time." he was pouting. Kido didn't think he was even aware of it. "I think we should go to Marry's place~" he declared, grinning at Four. "What do you think? It's been a while since we went there, and I don't think any of the new members have ever seen it yet!"

"Really?" Marry's face lit up, her eyes wide and hopeful when she glanced between Kido and Seto. "Can we? Is it really okay? Even if it's your birthday?" the last was directed back to Kano who simply nodded.

"If Kano's okay with it." Seto murmured, patting her hair. "Kido?"

"I suppose we could."

"Great~! It's settled then! Tomorrow~"

"Later." One swats him again with her pillow, "Happy Birthday, you little shit."

"That's harsh, Danchou! If it's already my birthday then you can't hit me anymore!"

"There is no such rule."

"It's unstated!"

"However because it's your birthday that I would consider it."

"Really?" now the three of them said this together, and Kido briefly thought of hitting them all.

"Yes but if you do anything stupid, I'd revoke it."

Kano let out a shaky laugh. "That bothers me."

"It's better than a guaranteed hit though." Seto snickered, moving to ruffle his hair. "Happy Birthday Kano."

"Happy Birthday Kano! We'll have lots of fun later! I'm sure the flowers are beginning to bloom, so it will be beautiful." Marry smiled, trying her best to stand on her toes and ruffle Three's hair too. "We could sleep there too if you guys want!"

A wide grin. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Then I suggest everyone should now go to sleep. We'll go early tomorrow so we could arrive before mid day."

"Alright.", "Okay!"

"That includes you." Kido murmured, glancing back at Kano who hadn't moved a single feet from his space at the loveseat.

"Yes, yes. I probably will."

"If you wake up late, we're leaving you."

"What! Now that's unfair!"

"I'm just joking." she rolled her eyes, a smile hidden under her red jacket as she followed Two and Four to the hallway.

Kano's lips curved at the sight of his three friends chatting animatedly and happily. He hears Seto briefly tell a joke - something about a chicken crossing the street - and he shouts a loud "To be a fried chicken (then Konoha could eat him)!". Kido snorts loudly but Marry laughs outright. His smile turned goofy when Seto poked his head back to the living room just to give him a look, then they are gone to their respective rooms.

With the sanguine thoughts of a tomorrow as bright as his comrades' smile, he retrieves a rose from his room and heads outside through the window.

After all, May 10 had never been his day.

"You should've slept already when I told you so."

Kano stifled his yawn behind his left hand and tried not to look too guilty when he glanced at Kido and murmured a frivolous, "Sorry." After a long debate within himself when he got back to the base, he ended up sleeping for less than two hours before getting a troublesome wake up call by Konoha and Momo. He suspected Hibiya and Shintaro were the ones responsible for dousing him with water but he was hauled off the mattress and into the comfort room before he could do so much else. Seriously, he sneered, Kido wasn't the only one playing nice today. If he got that kind of treatment early in the morning, he would've made sure no one would have a relaxing time the whole day until he was asleep. Subtly of course. Being too conspicuous had never been his taste...

The whole Gang threaded further into the forest, and by the looks of the familiar trees, they were getting close. Seto, Marry and Momo were on the front, Hibiya was with Konoha in front of Shintaro, then him and Kido to his right.

"...any farther?"

"Come on Goshujin~ We've only walked for...twenty two minutes?"

"How do you know? You-"

"I've been keeping time~!" Ene bops out a timer from the screen then grins.

"-can't even walk."

"If you have a problem with walking, roll then!"

"Can we eat that?"

"No, for the last time those mushrooms are not edible!"

"Oh."

Kano watched them for another few seconds with a soft peaceful smile, well, until he spots something moving beneath a thick bush of flower buds. He stops to examine it, even kneeling, then scoops them before anyone even noticed.

"You know what I like about outdoor activities?" He said jovially and chuckles at the wary look Kido sent him.

"What?"

"Pranks." before another word is spoken, he yanks Shintaro's jacket and shirt, dumping several-

"WHAT THE HELL KANO!" Seven screams, freaking out at the slimy- IT'S MOVING- "OH MY GOD- WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!" He grabbed the back of his shirt and started wiggling, his other hand flailing about as he jumped, screaming the deceiver's name once more.

"What's going on?"

"Onii-chan! What do you think you're doing?"

"Kano what was that!"

"Uncle looks like he's dancing."

"Nonono! Don't take your clothes off!"

"I didn't know Goshujin is a great dancer!"

"Here let me help."

"SHINTARO DON'T TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF!"

All combined with Kano's boisterous laughing and three seconds later, his whine.

Down on the ground clutching his head Shintaro waved his arms at him, "WORMS? REALLY, KANO? REALLY? WORMS?"

"But can I eat it?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Konoha don't!"

"I'm sorry."

"No Kano. Sorry won't cut it this time." He looked up, meeting the teary eyes of Shintaro Kisaragi...and that's how he knew they were done. "Retribution, Kano. Don't you sleep." But he would've been a lame prankster if he ended there. So in a swift move, he picked up the fallen worms and threw it against Shintaro's face, then made a dash for it before Kido could get a hold of him for the second time.

"ShintaLOSER!" he called out once he got the head start knowing he could easily outrun the NEET. This would cost them an hour to get back to the trail, and when he got caught he knew he'd have several head bumps, bruises and a sore body for the following days. Was it worth it? HE COULD HAVE THROWN SOME AT KIDO TOO.

"It's beautiful, Marry." Momo muttered as they walked the expanse of the wooden bridge to the mouth of the tower-like building surrounded with clear water. A flock of birds lowered to chirp near them as if greeting their Mistress upon return from a long journey, and maybe in a way it was.

"They said hi and miss you." Seto said, his eyes crimson. "Some of them are children of your friends."

"Oh, hi!" Marry smiled happily. "I miss you guys a lot too!"

Five's eyes twinkled, "Seto-san's Eyes are really cool..!"

"Back then I didn't think it was." He murmured. It was past noon when they managed to reach the lake side to Marry's birth house. Once they reached a certain area on the bridge, he stopped. "I saw you here. For the first time. Remember?" Seto kind of want to wrap his arms around Marry too, but canted because of the presence of the gang. Later, when it's just the two of them and maybe even a warm hug. But she takes his hand in hers, smiling happily when their glance met and she pulled him along, pulled him with her.

"Of course I do!" Marry claimed, laughing when Two almost tumbled on his feet before he got a good bearing and ran the same pace as her.

"Auntie, are you okay?" Hibiya asked, the lot of them watching Two and Four. Momo was quiet for a moment too...before she burst out with a squeal and pulled Hibiya's hand with her.

"They're so sweet!"

"How about those, can we eat those?"

"Well they are fishes." Shintaro shrugged.

"Don't! You've been eating way too much again!" Ene huffed from her Master's phone. "On top of that you don't have a fishing rod."

"He could just jump in and catch some."

"Shut up Great Dancer Goshujin-sama-"

"So much for calling me Master."

"-and you wouldn't know, they might be Marry's friends."

"Maybe we could swim later!"

Shintaro, Ene and Konoha turned quiet then, and even Kido stopped to look at Kano...just in time to see him get pushed him off. He came down with a loud splash, sputtering water when he resurfaced. "-my birthday! It's my birthday! How can you guys do this to me! I feel so betrayed!"

A moment of silence.

"Kano is it easy to catch those?" In retaliation, Kano tried to pull Konoha down by the hand he was pointing the aquatic animal with, but the latter had mistaken it for an sos signal so he merely helped the cat get to dry land.

"Too strong for you." Resident HikiNEET mocked, restarting the trek to the tower.

He supposed he didn't have his Eyes on, but he was too aggravated to care. Kano took off his black hoodie, squeezing the water out. "I'll show you, NEET. I'll show you the true meaning of revenge!" And he would have sprinted the distance too, pulling Shintaro with him down the lake if Kido hadn't offered her hood.

It was very sweet of her.

"Tsubomi~!" he whined instead, hugging her side. He got a rather painful pinch on his side but it was worth it.

After cleaning the tower and eating their late lunch, the gang pretty much was split into places. With a rather well executed hot sauce prank on soda, Kano turned into a cat with a flash of his red eyes then fled away leaving NEET-kun to fire cans at him after almost reaching a 0% hp. Guess his maxed Accuracy level had only stayed within the...range of point and shoot games. Marry and Seto disappeared to the door too; to the grave probably, because Kido knew they weren't the only ones who needed elephant walks. It was near sunset by the time everything had settled down. The main surprise for the missing celebrant was going to begin at dinner, so everyone had a few hours more to spare. Those vacant hours is spent in an impromptu trip to the cliff side, where unsurprisingly sat Seto and Marry.

"We should go here more often." Momo said, occupying the space next to Four.

"I'd like that."

"Yeah." Silence flitted over them.

"How deep do you guys think this is?" Hibiya asked, peeking beyond the fence with Kido automatically grabbing his hood.

"Deep enough to break your neck, that's for sure." Shintaro muttered, taking a peek himself.

"That's scary."

"The very reason you two shouldn't lean too much on the fence." One chastised "Wouldn't want a casualty today."

"Kano's still gone?"

Kido met Seto's eyes, then let out a soft sigh. "Yeah."

"That guy... seriously."

"That's good too." Momo murmured apprehensively. "Onii-chan might push him off the cliff."

A crossed look. "Who permitted you to disclose my plan, Momo?"

"E-eh! I was joking!"

"WELL I'M NOT."

A pitiful silence had passed over them, then Seto's gaze was on Kido again. "I guess you better look for him. If Shintaro disappears here and saw him first, we'll find ourselves today with a dead birthday celebrant and a member in jail."

Ene snickered. "A HikiNEET in jail. Imagine. Going Hikikomori in jail."

Marry tilted her head. "Aren't all people in jail Hikikomoris?"

"That's exactly why he'll fit in just fine."

"THEY'RE PRISONERS. THEY CAN'T LEAVE." Shintaro scowled. "And can you people please not talk like I'm not here?"

A pause.

"Did you hear something, Marry?"

"U-um... Shintaro sai- I mean... no! No! I didn't hear anything at all!"

Kido huffed the beginning of laughter, and she spun on her heels. "I'll go look then."

They were all suddenly quiet, waiting for the Leader to be out of earshot before someone spoke again.

"Is it okay to leave the two of them alone?" Marry asked.

"That's...kind of the plan."

"You guys are gross." Hibiya groaned.

Kano wasn't really that difficult to find.

She found him curled up on the same meadow he slept on the first time they met Marry, his head was poking out the hood of her violet jacket, too unguarded to be considered awake. But then again, he could be using his Eyes to take her by surprise. She sat at the space above him, merely observing for a few seconds before lifting his head and placing it over her lap.

Ah, he is sleeping.

Brushing the fringe away from his face, did he know that he was actually vulnerable when asleep? Kido could see faint white marks of old scars, something he kept hidden almost every moment of his waking hours, because he hated all the questions that came along with it. And as she ran her fingers above the one on his left cheekbone, the knot in her stomach tightened. The knowledge that she somehow caused one or more of these was just... I'm sorry. She wanted to tell him. But did she mean it? He's too much of an idiot for himself...though most of the time, for others. He would probably continue being one, and stay as one.

Why can't he just ask for help?

He's cheerful and outgoing, social, approachable, welcoming... but in reality he kept to himself all the things that made him. Kano is ridiculously troublesome like that. He was willing to go beyond his capabilities, to ruin himself, to let himself suffer, even dealing with the impossible, just for the people around him. Just for that person. He was unfair. And stupidly selfless. And I just wanted to help.

He whispered a name; she clenched her fists, and then it dropped to her sides.

In that position did Kano found himself merely minutes later.

"...Kido?" her name came out as a rasp, and he tugged gently on her hair before she met his gaze. "Are you okay?"

"I am. Did I wake you up?"

"It's no big deal." he murmured, snuggling to her lap. "Besides, I'm more comfortable now."

She wouldn't tell him what she thought of, what she felt. Not right now.

"You're not okay." Kano blinked up at her, touching the tip of her jaw. "What happened?"

Kido shook her head. "Nothing. Seto just said I better look before Shintaro does something more stupid than you for once, like pushing you off the cliff. Not that you don't deserve it."

He chuckled softly. "Is that why you're being affectionate?"

She didn't answer quite as fast. Her eyes scanned the meadow, then she let out an indignant noise, looking down before flicking his forehead.

"No."

"How cruel." Kano said, taking her hair on the sides of her face with both of his hands. "And you shouldn't bother. I'm too awesome to be captured by HikiNEET-kun. I was just caught off guard at the lake. There won't be a sequel in his Revenge to Kano series."

"That sounds stupid."

"Ah, now there's the Kido I know."

"Don't make me hit you."

"Of course, of course, wouldn't want that."

She turned quiet. Kano's eyes never left her face though, and he was wondering what nice of a deed did he actually do today to deserve this.

"Were you having a nightmare?"

"No." he didn't really know the difference between a nightmare and a dream now; he supposed he only had one variation of dreams to even bother placing a name for it. "Why did you ask?"

"You said Nee-chan's name in your sleep."

"Oh." Kano thought he saw hurt flash in her eyes, but when she looked down at him again it was as if it never existed. He smiled at her. "No, no it's not a bad dream. Did I make you worry?"

"No." She shrugged. Liar.

But that coming from him is highly amusing.

"So what did you dream about?"

"Are you going to believe me?"

"It depends. Is it disturbing?"

"I kind of like it really."

"Then what is it about?"

The corner on his eyes crinkled, then his lips curved shortly after.

"We were finally free of this. Everyone happily went their own ways." He curled her hair around his fingertips. "Do you think it could happen?"

"Why couldn't it be?"

"I don't know."

"Liar. You do, don't you?"

"I want it to happen, but I don't actually want it to happen." his arms dropped to his sides. "Just the idea of it. Just thinking about it." he paused. "But I suppose it's too selfish to even think like this."

"...are you scared we'll actually leave you alone?"

He laughed quietly. "What are you saying? I'm not."

"You seem to be doing it all day."

"Running away from the worm-prank was my self-preservation kicking in. Although I admit, I should've thrown some at you t- ow! Kido,it's still my birthday! You promised!" he rubbed his cheeks, then left his hands there as guard against her violence. She snorted. "Yeah, and running away after the very awesome, you have to admit it was, prank on Shintaro's soda is also reasonable since he was likely to murder me then and there. Did you see his face? That is the face of a person who trash talked players but then lost the game. Or one that got trash talked and still lost."

"I am seriously considering of handing you over right now."

"But it's my birthday!"

"You're abusing it."

"Why wouldn't I?" she pinched his arm this time. "Oww... I was just joking!"

"Sure you are."

"Yes. Then about the alone part, I don't think I ever was this afternoon." his grin was teasing, and Kido felt alarmed at the sight of it that she raised a questioning brow. "I have this!" he tugged on her hood. "This is basically Kido. Without the hood you're Tsubomi. And we're in a field of Tsubomis." They were, she remembered. Is this why he likes it here?

"You're not making any sense." she said instead.

Stifled laughter. "I just woke up. Do I really have to?"

"Never mind what I said. You don't make sense all the time."

"Don't I?"

Kido shrugged. "You don't."

She can't help but feel uncomfortable at the look he gave her, and she had to struggle not to hurt him again because of it.

"Stop that."

"Stop what?"

"That-" she wiggled her index all over his face in a complex motion. "-deranged look you give to let people know you're pleased."

She shouldn't have said that. He replaced the look with a frown. "Is this better then?"

It's better if you don't have a face at all.

"You still look insane." she paused. "Actually, I'm starting to think that's your normal expression."

"Ouch. That's not how you treat someone whose birthday is today."

On second thought, maybe him without a face is far more disturbing.

"Yeah, well what do you want Mr. Today-is-my-Birthday?"

He perked up in mischief. "I can ask for anything?"

She freaked out again. "No."

"Whaat... What's the point in asking then?"

She glared at him, "Just... Only if it's possible or I can give it."

His right hand is slow to rise to the back of her head, "Of course you can. I never ask for anything I know Kido can't give."

She was quite sure that if he placed his fingers against her chest, he would immediately feel the fast beating of her heart. Her brow creases unknowingly because of this fact, and she hoped dearly he won't notice just how much...all of these simple gestures can affect her.

"... it's not like I have anything more to ask for anyway." he whispers, holding her gaze with his. "Kido?"

A soft utter. "What?"

"I already got everything I want today." Then he gives her one of those rare smiles; the ones in which his eyes was first to light up, his lips slowly to follow, revealing his crooked endearing grin. It was beautiful and genuine and Kano, and for that single moment she finally understood what it was that Marry and Momo meant when they say their heart skipped a beat. Because it did. Right there, in the place she least expected but fitted the most. With him.

Then he raises three fingers - his pinky, ring and middle finger.

"Anytime soon Konoha is going to jump in the lake, I just know it, probably dragging Shintaro and Hibiya with him. I'm not sure about Kisaragi though, with her dying in-hahaha I'm just kidding Kido, so you can stop looking at me like that." he dropped his middle finger. "And we're going camping later, unfortunately so. The four of us barely fit Marry's bed, so someone's probably going to suggest sleeping outside, which I will make sure everyone agrees to, by the way." the only one left is his pinky. "I still kind of wanted the road trip, but getting lost in the wood being chased by you guys was really fun too."

She gave him a look of disbelief. "You planned this. That's why you wanted to come here."

"Maybe." his voice was a murmur. "But it's more appropriate for you to say that it was just a piece in the puzzle."

"Huh?"

"Promise not to laugh at me?"

"It depends if it's amusing, of course."

"Prepare to laugh then."

"I will. Say it."

His eyes focuses to the sky, the setting sun. For once it is not a consuming red but a vibrant shade of yellow, enveloping them both in a soft glow. Making his surroundings ethereal. Making this very single moment with her ethereal.

"I wanted to see everyone happy. That's what I want for my birthday."

Her eyes were wide for a moment, and when she regained her composure she smiled kindly. "You're doing an awful job at it then."

"Whaat? And here I thought I finally got the gang to take a break from their usual boring lives."

"But it's truly thoughtful of you."

He paused for a moment, staring at her again and then he laughs. "Thank you."

"Kano?"

"What is it?"

"I have something I want to ask you."

"Then ask me."

"I...um," she glares at the somewhat innocent-curious look him, because of course if it's not difficult and troublesome it would never be Kano. "H-have you eaten lunch already?"

"I have. With you guys. Soda prank. Remember?" he continues curling the her hair against his fingers, watching it twirl then loosen. "Is that what you really wanted to ask?" He was making fun of her again!

"No!" she is defensive. "I just..."

"Hm?"

She was bright red. "I'm going to say it."

"Okay. Say it."

A deep breath.

"Can I kiss you?" his eyes are wide, because he was expecting a spectrum of personal questions that he knew he was going to answer honestly if she asked then. But no. She chose that one, and he was staring up at her with wide eyes and cheeks stained red, he knew, because he was feeling before he could even think.

"I-it's okay, i-if you don't want to..." but she is fragile and so is he. This is an invitation, and the kind of situation that he wouldn't even dare throwing himself into again, because he already knew what it was like leaving yourself out there for someone else to take and potentially, to destroy. He knew what it was like to be rejected by her, and if she ignored him again he didn't think he could survive it a third time. He won't say he would die because he wouldn't. He thinks it would be just...very, very painful.

Her chest was heaving; he knew she wasn't aware of it.

But the reality of the situation sinks in him, and despite the tint on his face he suddenly felt stupidly happy. So he laughs, and when Kido tried to put on a cool, macho look he laughs harder.

"What do you think you're doing? You can't just-"

"Yes. Yes you can Kido." he grins. "You can kiss me anytime you want."

She pursed her lips, openly blushing and glaring, then he watched her eyelids drop before closing his. He could feel her erratic breathing against him for one second, then a soft press against his lips the next. His right hand was at the back of her head then, trying to make the most of the awkwardly perfect position they were in.

Kido wonders about what this would make them now. Him, and her. Because her heart pounded harder just at the memory of what she did. I'm not sure yet. She wanted to tell him. And in some foolish, nonsensical way, she kind of already told him. Can I kiss you? Because she didn't even considered doing this to someone else. She didn't want to. She hopes he doesn't ask her about it though, because she really don't know what to say.

She releases him just four seconds later, and the look on his face is Kano at his most vulnerable moment. He suddenly sits up, grabbing the back of her neck, and kisses her again.

The door was still closed but the light in the tower signified everyone was most likely inside already, and she had to not-so discreetly send Seto a message before turning back to face Kano. He stood there with his usual grin, minus the hood that he had already returned to her. His face was still somewhat red and she kinda knew he was just indulging her because the moment the door opens is the moment that it disappears. Her eyes drop to the color of his kiss-stained lips, then when he takes a deep breath she smiles.

"This is it, huh? The surprise?"

"Yeah. Everyone worked hard for it."

"Seems so."

"You're going to like it."

"Even if it's Marry and Kisaragi baking me a stone cupcake, as long as everyone's there I think I'm going to like it."

"Really? A stone cupcake is enough?"

He gave a teasing look. "Yeah, but I'll just probably throw it at Shintaro."

"Ah speaking of Shintaro, you still need to watch out for him. I don't think he'll ever give up on you."

A whine. "Can'y you just get him to stop?"

"No. That's your problem, and it's your fault. Regardless if it's your birthday."

"You're cruel."

She snorted.

The two of them loitered for another stolen moment.

"Are you ready?"

A nervous laugh. "I was a minute ago, but right now I don't think I am."

She reaches out, catching his cold fingers in hers.

"Now?"

And he smiles. "Now."

CHAPTER END

I kinda.. -mumbles- not like this chapter that much compared to others because it didn't turn out the way i want it at all... BUT WELL UH HUH YEAH

Next Chapter:

Heat. Strangers. Fourest

"Want more."