A/N: please read – It seems that no matter how many times I go over chapters, I always miss things. I re-read some of my other chapters and literally cursed at myself for missing some grammar errors. So if you see any in this chapter, I'm sorry. When I have the free time I plan on going back to the other chapters and fixing the mistakes I see.

I also seem to have difficulty writing chapters that don't have a lot of action in them.

I know that when I posted How To Catch A Cold, I mentioned that I would get around to getting this up. I'm surprised it happened so soon! lol.

Anyway… I know you guys are anxious to see what happens to Kazu, but I have to torture you just a bit longer, sorry, heehee.. Always keep them askin' for more I always say!

OH! If you haven't read the opening notes of my one shot How To Catch A Cold, I mentioned how I'm still looking for people willing to do fan art for Folly and Sin chapters. I do recall having an offer before, if you're still interested, let me know.

Thank you: I had lots of nice, long, wonderful reviews this time around!

Slifer: Knowing that the race kept you that entertained is a compliment. You're right in saying that Kazu has no choice now but to grow as a person, and I'm really looking forward to writing his growth. I also agree with you on Ikki and Ringo's relationship. For some reason, even when I try, I have trouble seeing them together as anything more than friends or brother and sister. Maybe I'm just too bias with Kazu, though. That's a good possibility. Hmm…

E-san: From the sounds of it, you're about as attached to Kazu as I am, sympathizing with him and all. It's fun when you're able to do that, isn't it? I think that's why I love writing him so much. There's so many realistic things about him for people (and me :P) to relate to. And yeah, as much as I rather have Ikki glomp Kazu over Ringo, I do like Ringo's character, when she's not crying for some reason or another.

Emi Sue: Aww, you got nervous, hehe. I'm so happy to hear that you were that attached to the screen during those parts. It's flattering to hear as a writer. And don't worry, lol, I shout at stories on the screen all the time, and gain funny looks from the people around me at the time.

Blizzaris: Oh dear, I'm sure everyone was just waiting for that chapter. It was about time something decently exciting took place, amirite? I was really hoping that the chapter wasn't too confusing, or that people didn't have too hard of time picturing certain things, 'coz I was really feeling like it wasn't coming across too clear. I'm super happy to hear that you and everyone enjoyed it so much, and don't worry, all of us girls are guilty at one time or another for asking other people what they're thinking. We can be tomboys for all we know, asking 'what are you thinking' is just in our nature I think.

Arani: Daww, hunny try not to imagine such horrible things. Although I can't promise anything. You are very beautiful with words in your review, my dear, making my heart melt with your flickering flame comparison. I know you and the rest of the readers are just waiting for some Ikki and Kazu action, but just hold on a little bit longer, Ikki will get a clue and then everyone will be happy. Or least we'll hope.

ren'ai-iki: Yup! He lost! Like everyone else you're just gonna have to wait and see what happens next. And a story for me!? You're always so nice to me, and I appreciate how you're always trying to put a smile back on my face. I hope soon you'll get into the AG vibe and start something of your own one day.

kyou-ryouko: glad to make your day! I do that all the time, makin' noises when something I like has been updated. Sorry for the super long wait, though. I hope this makes up for it.

DevaGlenn: Don't worry about not reviewing for the other stories or chapters. Just you letting me know that you read them and love them is enough to make me happy, thank you! By the by, you have good tastes in pairings.

shiningtears: Ikki and Kazu ARE very cute! I'm sorry for taking so long. And I thought it would be cute for Kazu to be so attached to his hat that he would wear it on his head even while he slept.

Lefty: Don't worry! Though I guess I can't really say that, heh. It's nice to come across other Kazu fans like yourself, who can also relate to all the things I put him, er, I mean, all the things he seems to go through. Thank you for your compliments on the plot and especially on the characterization. Sorry about the grammar errors. As I've state, I plan to go back and fix those. Glad to be able to convert you to the IkkiKazu ship. This pairing could always use more fans.

minoki: Thank you! Here is the next chapter for you!

manicalpha: Mind? I don't mind at all! In fact I would be honored! I'm glad you like it enough to link it. Do you mind me asking the link to your journal? You're right, where in the world are all the Ikki Kazu fics!? They're so hard to come by and in my eyes its such an obvious pairing!

Saapasjalka: Thank you, I was really worried that the title Rush, well, sucked. I think we all have our ideas of what certain couples should be like, I'm just glad I could come close to matching your image of them. Sorry for leaving you off with a sorta cliffhanger, and even more sorry that this chapter isn't too action packed, but at least it's done. I had such a hard time getting it done.

--

Air Gear

A fiction by Crimson Vixen

Unexplored Terrain

Ikki wasn't sure why the place Onigiri's dad worked at wasn't a big hit. He certainly did love the noodles that the man served him. Buccha could easily second the notion. In fact, the large rider sat right across from him, practically inhaling the contents of his bowl. Ikki had to stop, mid-slurp, to peer over the rim of his own bowl and watch him devour his meal, just because it was that fascinating to watch him eat.

Onigiri's dad went through the motions he always did when Ikki stopped by. He would tell him where his son was, or complain about how he had no clue where he went. He would ask Ikki if he wanted something to eat, for here or for the road, and then hint at how he still expected a tip, regardless of his friendship with Onigiri or the fact that he used to work for the man. But Ikki shrugged it off. That was just business, right? And Onigiri's dad was cool, when he wasn't leaping down his throat for one thing or another. When he wasn't harping about shit that didn't matter to him.

Of course, every now and again, when one of his good moods set in, he would get a good deal on his food. Extra portions, for example.

There wasn't much business today, it seemed. Not that it was ever crowded, but it did get a bit more people than it used to. Ikki and Buccha were currently the only people on any of the booths. Buccha was really going at it, and it was only after the large boy set his bowl heavily down, did the crow finally open his mouth.

"Have you always been like that?"

"Hmm… Huh?" Buccha muttered, a single noodle clinging to the side of his mouth until he slurped it up.

"It's impressive the way you eat like that. Have you always been like that?"

"Haha, no, not always."

"Ah," Ikki nodded idly, and took a sip of his drink, leaning back in his seat. He halfway listened to the sound of Onigiri's dad in the back, messing around with dishes and glasses. Cleaning, probably.

"Ikki."

The crow downed the rest of his drink and looked to Buccha with wide eyes.

"Hmm?"

"You feeling sick? You look out of place."

It caught him by surprise, really. He didn't feel like he was acting 'out of place' or anything, nor did he really think he was giving off any vibe to make Buccha think such a thing.

Well Ikki never liked to make people worry about things they didn't have to. So he easily decided not to explain to Buccha how had been having a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach since earlier today. He didn't want to say how he felt knotted up inside, not knowing what it was that was wrong but just knowing that there was something. Something, well, out of place. And he didn't want to share how frustrating it was knowing that you wanted to make that feeling go away but not knowing where or how to start fending it off.

So yeah, he guessed he was a little scrambled, but it was a feeling he was hoping would pass.

Suddenly irritated, Ikki set his cup down a little harder than before, which totally defeated the purpose of trying to keep things from Buccha because the much larger boy only grew suspicious. He eyed Ikki curiously, until the crow sighed, defeated.

"Maybe a little," he offered with a shrug and not much else. He made sure to make it sound final, and thankfully Buccha caught the hint and didn't press the matter, but he didn't forget it either. For the rest of the meal he eyed the other boy suspiciously. Then after they were finished, and after they waved Onigiri's old man goodbye and were walking down the street, his small eyes were still glued to the back of Ikki's head. He was studying him as if the back of his head had all the answers.

Ikki had his hands stuffed deeply into his pockets. It was one of those days where nothing had really gone wrong, but everything didn't feel right. He puckered his lips in thought, slowing down a little so Buccha would catch up and skate alongside him. Expectedly, he did, and after the silence became too uncharacteristic for him, the larger boy spoke up.

"You know," he offered softly. "Comrades are for more than just support in a race."

Ikki eyed the other boy, smirking just a tiny bit, truly thankful for Buccha's concern. He liked being a team leader and being in charge of looking after his teammates, but it was good to know that they were also looking out for him in return.

"I'll keep that in mind," Ikki breathed, stretching his arms out over his head at he walked.

--

--

Just as they were passing the school, he saw something familiar out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head, he spotted Emiri, in the process of letting her hair fall from a ponytail. She was wearing her track clothes, probably just finishing up a few practice runs. They made eye contact.

"Ikki! Hi!"

"Oh," Ikki stopped in his tracks, hands now resting behind his head. He stared at the girl with half lidded eyes. "Hey there."

As the girl busied herself by dusting herself off, Ikki took note that she was alone. Which was odd, since she was either always accompanied by Yayoi or accompanying Kazu. Either or. He didn't bother beating around the bush.

"Where's Yayoi?"

"Hmm? Well, she's uh…" Emiri blushed, letting her eyes drop to the ground. "She's with… Onigiri."

Both Ikki and Buccha blinked owlishly and then asked her the same question at the same time. Maybe they didn't hear her right.

"What?"

Onigiri folded his hands neatly over his lap, trying to hide his nervousness. Which was hard, considering Yayoi could be very intense when she wanted to be. Her abrupt and direct behavior made small boys cry, and Onigiri couldn't help feeling a tad intimidated by the girl. Currently, she stood there with her arms firmly crossed, face screwed into that of extreme irritation.

Onigiri felt as though he had been called to the principal's office to have a punishment cast upon him for his dirty deeds. Only difference was… this was worse.

"Go on," Yayoi nearly spat, chin held high as she looked down on him. "Explain yourself."

In return, Onigiri stuttered, unable to really think of a way out. There was no excuse. He fiddled his thumbs and stared at them so as not to stare at her. After all those times he went racing through crowds and eyeballing up girl's skirts, he never thought one of those girls would actually pull a 180 and catch him. And of all the girls, it had to be Yayoi that did the catching.

Really though, what made it awkward was that she didn't catch him looking up other people's skirts. She caught him looking up her skirt. She was just too fast for him. And he wasn't expecting it. And if he told her the truth of what he was thinking right now, it would probably only land him in deeper trouble.

"I'm waiting."

The answer was simple in his head, but in words they wouldn't sound right.

'Coz her legs were prettier than everyone else's. 'Coz she was prettier than everyone else. Because out of all the girls he's pissed off, her face is the cutest when mad. Because she had the nerve to retaliate.

And right now, he really admired how she could stand so tall and proud, even if she was trying to hide that embarrassed blush on her round face.

But he couldn't say any of that, so he shrugged instead.

"I can't believe you would stoop so low!" she barked, giving him a good slap on the side of the head. "It's so disrespectful. Do you actually think that they like being-"

She stopped when Onigiri reached out and grabbed her flailing wrist.

"You wouldn't take me seriously if I told you."

Yayoi slowly lowered her eyes down to him, lips tight in restraint from all the things she should say to him, but instead she sighed and let her guard down. Onigiri's eyes looked sincere enough, so why not give him another chance?

"…Try me."

--

--

"Ikkiiiii!"

He knew that voice anywhere. He managed to turn around just in time to see Akito leaping at him, arms held wide and mouth spread into an open mouthed smile. He knocked the wind right out of Ikki's system when he finally latched onto the crow. Akito rubbed his nose lovingly into the other boy's shirt, cooing something or other.

Ikki gently tried to pry the small boy off, just like always, smiling nervously and trying not to make a scene. How could someone with such a fierce second personality be so damn clingy? And for some reason, Akito's most affectionate moments tended to be in front of other people, or those who judged him, like Mikan, the very person who called it a good day when she could poke fun at his sexuality. As per usual, she was snickering behind her hand while at the same time, not really trying to hide the fact that she thought it was funny.

Ikki growled in his throat and tried a little harder to get the boy to let go of him. Eventually he was able to unwrap those tiny arms from his waist.

"Akito… why?" he muttered hopelessly, pleading with his eyes when the shark finally looked at him.

"Why what? I just like being around you, Ikki!" Akito cheered, big grin in place. He moved in to give another giant hug but Ikki easily sidestepped it, holding out his hand to block him should he try again. It didn't discourage him in the least. "I was hoping me and you could do something together today!"

"Well isn't that a coincidence!" Mikan blurted from the other side of the room, enjoying it a little too much. Ringo walked into the room at that moment, her face confused but quickly catching onto the situation. "Ikki was just saying how much he wanted to spend more time with you!"

Both Ikki and Ringo blushed as Akito gasped excitedly and bounced up and down in giddy amusement. Easily he latched onto his arm and rambled about how happy he was and started listing off all the fun things they could do that night.

The crow shot an apologetic look Ringo's way. No doubt the girl was feeling rather befuddled. Then he shot an evil glare towards Mikan. Lastly, when Akito looked up at him again, he made sure to smile. It wasn't that he didn't like being around the boy. He honestly enjoyed having quality time with his friends, and with Akito, but the way Akito so openly blabbed rather suggestive things without knowing it, or the way he stole hugs and kisses like it was normal… it was all a little overwhelming sometimes, when given in large enough doses.

Sometimes Ikki even wondered if it really was just innocent affection, or if Akito knew the things he was implying about Ikki. He obviously had to quarrels about his own sexuality, but as far as assuming Ikki was the same… Well, for that, Akito was either very oblivious, or very clever.

"I… guess we could go out for ice cream or something," Ikki slowly started to crumble under the pressure, shoulders slumping when he realized Akito wasn't going to let up. Besides that, he really did need to get out a little bit more.

"Maybe you two can share a cone," Mikan smirked devilishly, eyes narrowed in mischief. Ikki jerked his head towards her, enraged, mouth already forming some nasty comeback when Akito cut him off.

"Can we?" Akito asked innocently, tugging at Ikki's sleeve, eyes sparkling with the idea.

"Let's just go," he muttered, taking a hold of Akito's sleeve and heading for the door. Mikan was, once again, laughing after him. All the crow could do was grind his teeth.

Once outside and away from that she-devil, Akito slid his hand into Ikki's, quickly lacing his fingers through the other boy's before Ikki had a chance to prevent it. Ikki sighed heavily, eyes sliding to the side every now and again to make sure no one he knew saw him holding hands with the boy. If he pulled his hand away it might just cause a scene. It was bad enough dealing with shit in his own home. All the girls at school swooned at the thought of them living under one roof. And then they voice their stupid little fantasies, making Akito blush and thus, making it all seem true.

It was all just some messed up cycle, really.

But Akito was a good guy with a good heart. A good friend and a good member of their team with perception skills to be envious of... And once you got past the homo quirks, he was really fun to be around. And yeah, Ikki would admit that Akito could be cute at times, just not so much when it's directed at him. Girls loved it, while the boys fumed over it because boys are not meant to act that way. As shallow as Ikki thought it sounded, he didn't want to be thrown into that category because of the way Akito acted towards him.

Of course, with being around Akito so much, things like that didn't seem all too abnormal anymore.

Akito pulled him a little faster once the ice cream was in sight. Ikki turned up a small smile. Such a simple thing like ice cream was a good (and tasty, mind you) way to get your mind off of everything for a while. For instance, Ringo seemed to be a little more skittish around him for reasons he couldn't place. Mikan's jokes were growing more frequent. Iron Clock was nagging at him every chance he got and was starting to give him a headache with all his interfering. Kazu's behavior was shifting into something he didn't recognize. And of course Ikki would never forget about his night in the alleyway. He was sure that crap wasn't over with yet.

In retrospect, ice cream didn't cover all of that. But if anything, it was a good start.

Ikki shook his head to clear his thoughts, realizing that they were standing in front of the counter, and that Akito had already ordered and it was his turn.

"Oh, sorry. Uhhh… banana split, I guess."

His dug his hands into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. As he grabbed a few bills he noticed Akito's face narrowing in thought. The crow didn't even have to ask before Akito voiced his thoughts.

"Maybe that's what I should have gotten…" the small boy mumbled softly, holding his vanilla cone with one hand and tapping his lip thoughtfully with his other. Then, without even asking, and Ikki wondered how he didn't see it coming until after it was over with, Akito leaned over and stole a lick from Ikki's banana split. Ikki blinked, taken aback for a moment before he pulled his cup away defensively.

"This one's mine. You got yours."

This, of course, only made the boy feel guilty right after the words left his mouth. The expression Akito was making now was the kind of thing that made girls swoon, and people like him, frown.

"Eh, sorry. Why don't you grab an extra spoon and we can split it down the middle?"

Akito agreed eagerly, and to Ikki's relief, didn't mention the obvious pun that they were splitting and banana split. The crow rolled his eyes and shook his head lightly as he paid the man at the counter. Akito was quick to arm himself with a spoon and was even quicker to sit himself close enough to touch arms with Ikki. He dug right into the banana split, humming his approval with the first spoonful.

"Ikki, why are there strawberries in a banana split?"

"Huh?" Ikki mumbled, letting the current ice cream in his mouth melt. "I dunno."

After that question Ikki honestly pondered, why were there strawberries in a banana split? Akito plucked one with his fingers and dropped it into his mouth.

"Now I'll taste like strawberries!" he said proudly, puckering his lips and fluttering his lashes. He even stole a kiss before Ikki could back away. It was quick and subtle, but it did taste like strawberries. Ikki blinked.

"What was that for?" he asked, rather calmly.

"Because I wanted to!"

"Because you wanted to," Ikki mimicked idly, looking off to the side. "Of course. But why?"

Akito giggled.

"Why not?"

And then the small boy continued to enjoy his ice cream. Ikki stopped eating – well now let's take a look at that statement. Because I wanted to. Why not? Was it really that simple? Do something just because you want to? Technically, Ikki thought, you didn't need a reason to do much of anything.

It wasn't long before Ikki realized that Akito was staring at him with wide eyes. Ikki got his question out before the other could.

"So like… what are you thinking when you do that stuff?" Now was just as good a time as any to bring up such a matter. Akito giggled again, smiling big and scooting even closer.

"Ikki," Akito cooed, as if the answer was just so obvious and he was a fool for not seeing it. "When you're curious about something, you're supposed to explore it. That way you won't be curious anymore. You're never curious about it? About anything?"

Ikki could only stare. For a long, long while. Long enough that Akito wasn't sure Ikki would ever answer. Long enough that the ice cream had melted around the strawberries and bananas.

Akito always had a way with words. Always had a way of making Ikki think about things in a new light. He could easily tell that Akito was questioning him on how he felt about… them, as an item. He was trying to see if he ever thought about it. 'Coz if he was curious, he should just do something about it. And when he really looked at it, it was a really good way to look at it. After all, you never know until you do something to change it. You can't have an opinion about something that you've never done.

So with Akito always trying to move in on him and sneaking kisses and crawling into his bed, why hadn't he given it that much thought? Just ignoring it didn't mean that it wasn't there. And granted, if he wasn't curious about anything before, he certainly was now.

Of course, if word of that got out to anyone, he would deny it.

After all, if it were up to him, Ikki would never even allow himself to question such a thing as precious as his sexuality. But Akito, as usual, was right. If something is there and you are curious, then do something about it. Right now, he wondered if taking action would make or break all the flirting that Akito had done up till now. If he would confirm his masculinity or bring even more questions upon himself. He was a little afraid of the latter.

Ikki reached out, slowly. He wasn't even sure what he was doing. But he knew that his hand was inching towards the bottom of Akito's shirt, and that Akito's face was filled with surprise and shock. His big eyes followed Ikki's hand, unsure what to do, what to say, what to think. And then Ikki's hand found its way up Akito's shirt, his fingers ghosting over the smaller boy's skin.

Akito let out a small laugh, startling Ikki and making the crow jump. Once his nerves settled, he brought his other hand over, and lifted Akito's shirt up, pushing him onto his back in the process.

Strangely, Ikki didn't feel repulsed at himself, like the way he expected to. He didn't feel like anything going on here was wrong, just different. In fact, he felt a surge of something unfamiliar. It egged him on, making him smooth his hands over Akito a little bit more, forcing his mind to race with too many thoughts at once.

He did jerk his hands back though, holding them up in the air as if surrendering, when he realized where they were. They were in public – how could he forget? People were starting to form a crowd around them, watching them in some sort of fascination.

But out of all the eyes, Akito's were the ones that caught him. They were wide and longing, gazing into his own. It was like he was questioning the crow, silently asking and pleading that it was all real. That Ikki had just given into curiosity and explored the possibilities.

Akito had to be honest with himself. He wasn't expecting it. Regardless of some of the crowd still gathered around them, Akito puckered his lips and closed his eyes. Perhaps after all those little chaste kisses, this one could be the one he was waiting for. The one where Ikki would return it, with feeling. But to his disappointment, Ikki placed a hand over his ever so ready lips, and gently pushed him back.

"Sorry. No," the crow said quietly, starting to feel really uncomfortable with all those eyes on them like they were some show for the public. Granted, he had started it all but that didn't make them any less annoying. He shot Akito an apologetic look as he grabbed his sleeve and, leaving their unfinished ice cream behind, left the scene.

As he trudged back home, his mind began to wonder into places he wished it wouldn't. For instance, Iron's words were beginning to make a lot more sense. After all, was it really being perverted, or was it something else? Something like… honesty and straightforwardness. Or having no shame in who you were and what you liked. In a way all of that was admirable.

No… no. Ikki bit his bottom lip and picked up the pace. Whatever it was, whoever was right, Iron would always be a pervert.

--

--

For some reason, when Ikki and Akito had gotten back, ice cream was the farthest thing from his mind and Akito looked as though he thought things would lead to other things once they were home. But Ikki had too much to think about. Another thing that baffled the crow; Kazu hadn't come home that night, and now that it was Monday morning and he was sitting in class, he couldn't help but wonder why Kazu hadn't shown up for class either.

…Which led him to ask himself why the other boy would disappear like that without informing anyone of his whereabouts, or if he was avoiding him for some reason or another. But why would he do that?

That boy was just leaving him with unanswered questions left and right.

And although he had much more important things to worry about, his growing issues with Kazu were what occupied his mind today. As well as Emiri, expectedly, but what else was new. The girl sat staring at the empty seat with a look of longing in her large eyes. She would sigh every few minutes.

Ikki sighed upwards, blowing his bangs out of the way and letting them rebelliously fall back into place. He lazily placed his chin into his hands and let his eyes droop. The nights had gotten longer, or perhaps he'd just had that much more trouble sleeping. It felt like even though he already had enough to deal with, more kept on piling onto his plate.

For instance, along with the usual, Akito had steered his brain into previously unexplored territory, and Kazu had not only ceased to talk to him since the other day, but had fallen off the face of the planet.

The 'usual'… Hmm. He didn't want things like homicides and questioning himself to be a daily occurrence. But without taking any action, that was slowly what they were becoming.

Ikki squeezed his fists a little. How frustrating. It was times like this that he was thankful their teacher was so scatterbrained. She never noticed when her students weren't paying attention, or she just didn't care, too concerned about other, unrealistic things. Even when she did, she never had it in her to raise her voice or confront anyone. To put it simply, she was a pushover, and Ikki took advantage of it this day, sliding his eyes over to the side to stare out the window and run the same questions through his head over and over again.

He didn't have to look over to the other students. He could feel Ringo's worried eyes on him. He wished she would stop being so overly concerned. It only gave him more to deal with in the long run. Not that he didn't appreciate it.

When the bell rang, it startled Ikki. He shook his head to clear it and followed the shuffling of students as they filed out of the room. Ringo lingered behind the crowd with him, walking alongside him once they were in the hall. Ikki flung his bag over his shoulder and eyed the girl.

"Well?"

"Well what?" she blinked.

"I know you wanna ask. Go ahead."

Ringo bit her lip in slight embarrassment. Was she that predictable? "Alright, fine," she said. "What's on your mind today?"

"More like what isn't?" Ikki blabbed, perhaps a little too quickly. There was no use hiding that something was distracting him today – anyone with half a brain could see it. Still, he wasn't sure why he was letting Ringo pry into him so easily. Quickly, he tried to save himself. "There's just a lot going on. I'll be fine."

Still, Ringo kept walking next to him, onto the sidewalk. Her hands were folding in front of her, her fingers fiddling over one another in nervousness.

"Is this about that night when you… you know…"

"What, with the police?" The crow perked his head up a little bit. He could tell Ringo was reluctant to bring it up, thinking it was a rather touchy subject. It wasn't touchy, per se, but it was sitting in his mind amongst everything else. Mikan was probably still pissed at him for dragging the police into something that could put Storm Riders at risk. And he hadn't even heard much of anything about it in a few days, which was both unnerving and a relief. "I wouldn't think too hard about it."

"Is that really all?"

Ikki laughed a little. "Nothing I can't take care of by myself. Thank you, Ringo."

Ringo smiled at the boy. Ikki seemed a little more willing than usual to open up to her, and that was a good sign. She couldn't wait for the day when he felt fully comfortable sharing his problems, his issues, his life, with her. And until that day came, she was willing to wait.