"..." Talking
'...' Thoughts
Inner Characters
Emphasis


Chapter 10 – Something's are Unexpected

With fingers laced together, the two figures walked down the quiet street, lost in their own thoughts.

They hadn't really gone to the festival, more like they had hung around its edge, watching the dancers and the fireworks from afar.

"I had a nice time tonight…" she said, slightly catching him off guard before he smiled.

"I'm glad, because I did too" he replied with an affectionate smile.

Kira blushed slightly as she averted her eyes from his with a faint smile.

The rest of the walk to her house was spent in silence, but a comfortable one, one where they enjoyed each other's company.

After a while, however, they reached her house, neither one wanting to part, but, just as Kuro was about to turn down the path that led to her house, Kira stopped him at the end of it.

"Wait here for a moment" she said before she ran down the path and entered her house.

She came back moments later, letting her hair down but kept the fringe over her right eye; she had changed into her normal black pants, but, this time, had a sky blue shirt on.

As she approached him, she took him by the hand and led him away from her house, and in no particular direction

"W-What are you doing, Kira-chan?" Kuro asked as he stumbled after her.

Kira looked back at him and gave a small smile, "I just decided that I didn't want to go home just yet; I'd rather go for a walk"

Kuro smiled, quickening his pace so he was walking by her side, "Lead the way, then"

Kira smiled softly, their fingers still laced together, un-wanting to let go as they were taken wherever their minds and legs took them.

--

Coda and Sakura walked to her house, hand in hand as a gentle breeze ruffled at their hair, but, it was gradually becoming harsh.

'It's getting cold…' Sakura thought as she leant against Coda's warm body.

"I think there's a storm coming, Sakura-chan" Coda said absentmindedly.

Sakura looked up at him and found he was looking up at the sky, which was now stricken with dark clouds.

Looks like he's right…

Their pace slowed as they walked, neither one wanting to part ways, neither one wanting to leave the other.

If it was possible, their pace slowed even more as the clouds blocked the once clear and star stricken sky, and it started raining lightly, gradually becoming heavier.

As they neared her street, the rain was now bucketing down, soaking them to the bone and making Coda's long hair droop over his face, covering his eyes.

Sakura giggled as he repeatedly tried to flip his hair out of his eyes, but the rain just pushed it back over his eyes.

After a moment, Coda turned to Sakura with an affectionate smile, never turning his gaze from hers for a while before he sighed happily and turned his gaze forward once more.

She couldn't see his eyes, but she knew something was wrong.

Sakura was about to ask, but was cut off when he spoke.

"I was at the training grounds, Sakura-chan…before I came to pick you up for the festival, and…on that memorial stone you have there…I…I found my father's name…that's what happened to the bastard…I had always wondered what had happened to him…and…now I know…" his voice was filled with so much guilt that Sakura felt like she was going to cry her-self.

Because of the rain that bucketed down and rolled over their faces, she couldn't tell if he was really crying or not, but, she knew something had been stirred in his heart, something...

"Are you ok?" Sakura asked, watching him with concern.

He smiled softly, "Yeah" was his only reply as they approached her house.

There was a long pause of silence as they walked slowly down her street towards her house.

You know, now would be a good time to kiss him…

'What?! Why?'

Do I have to explain everything…?

'No…but, maybe not now…'

Why not?

'Do I have to explain everything?'

…touché

It was only when Coda sighed that Sakura snapped back to reality.

Maybe it would be a good idea to kiss her before you go…

'Maybe…but…if we stand in the rain any longer we're going to catch cold'

Suit yourself…but, if you don't think you should kiss her, at least tell her…

'Tell her?'

How you feel. You know you can tell her anything.

'…true…but I don't go into detail with that…'

I know, but you should at least give her some hint that you love her.

'Alright…I'll think of something…'

They finally reached Sakura's house, both standing on the porch in silence, neither one wanting to leave the other's company.

"Well, here we are" Coda said.

"Yeah" Sakura replied quietly. They didn't know what else to say.

"I guess I'd better go" Coda said.

Sakura nodded, "Thanks for walking me home"

Coda smiled briefly before he turned to walk home in the bucketing rain.

Sakura opened her front door to walk inside before she paused, holding the door open and allowing the little light from inside to filter out, illuminating her face and the rain that was caught in it.

"Coda-kun…!" Sakura called after him.

Coda stopped and turned to face Sakura, already about 8 meters away from her house.

His eyes…they're gorgeous when they're illuminated!

"Umm…I-It's ok if you don't want to, but, b-because it's raining so heavily…w-would you like to s-stay the night…" Sakura asked, stuttering like Hinata did as she blushed.

Coda stood in the rain for a moment, searching her eyes for any fault or disbelief, but found none and smiled.

"T-That'd be…great, Sakura-chan" he replied as he slowly walked back to Sakura's house, where Sakura let him in and shut the door behind her-self.

"Mom must've left a light on for me and gone to sleep…I wonder what time it is" Sakura said as they entered the lounge room.

Sakura wandered over to the fire-place and lit it as Coda seated him-self on the couch before she straightened.

"I'll be back in a moment; I'm just going to change into something dryer and I'll try and find some of my dad's old clothes for you" she explained as she left the room.

Coda stared after her for a moment before he got up and seated him-self before the fire, staring into the dancing flames that reflected in his eyes.

He sighed after a moment and took a silver watch out of his pocket, opening it to examine the date he had engraved on the inside opposite the clock.

26th March…

--

Meanwhile, they found themselves walking through the park…and in the pouring rain, of course.

They were silent, neither of the team-mates knowing what to say to each other.

It was ironic, really; they knew each other so well, and yet they didn't know what to say to each other.

After a moment, however, Kira smiled.

"I wonder what Ino would think if she found out we had spent the night together…" she smiled.

Kuro smiled at the thought, "You really are evil; you know that?"

Kira grinned with a slight giggle, "And you know me all too well"

Kuro smiled softly before he turned his gaze to the stars.

Kira watched the ground pass under her feet as they walked, slowly entwining her fingers with his as they walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Now would be a good time to tell him…

'Tell him what?'

How you feel; you know you can talk to him about anything.

'That's different; besides, I'm not sure I'm ready to tell him'

You know how he feels about you.

She ran a hand through her hair with a sigh, 'There's just so much going on in my mind…but…I'm scared…'

Exactly. Who knows if he'll still be here next time?

Kira bit back tears and shuddered, remembering the last time she lost control and took her demon form, 'No, I won't lose my-self next time…'

Kuro watched Kira out of the corner of his eye; she seemed so deep in thought, but he couldn't even begin to guess what she could be weighing so heavily on her mind.

'I should tell her how I feel…'

She knows.

'I want her to know that there are people who care for her…people who want to stick by her…people who love her…'

What good would it do? You know she's afraid to get close to anyone…you know she's scared of losing them…especially you.

'I can live with that as long as she knows I would do anything for her'

He sighed and kicked a pebble aside, 'I just don't know how to make her see how much we care for her…how much I care for her'

He looked over at the team-mate he loved so much, "Kira-chan?"

"Mmm?" was her reply; you could tell she was caught up in her thoughts.

Kuro averted his gaze from her eyes, "Don't forget that we're here for you…and that I'm here for you"

Kira gave a small, affectionate smile as she turned back to him, "I know, Kuro-kun" she smiled, "Thank you"

He stopped and stared at his feet as he shuffled the dirt, "Kira-chan, you know I really like you, right? Well, it's ok if you don't feel the same way, but alongside me, there are people who care about you"

Kira gazed at him for a moment before she took a step forward and wrapped her arms around him, "You're so dramatic sometimes, you know?"

Kuro was surprised by the sudden movement, but he slid his arms around her and held her tight, more for her comfort than his own.

"As long as we're together there's no way I could forget how you feel" she grinned slightly, "But you'd better not forget how I feel"

"How do you feel?" he asked.

She smiled and pulled out of his arms as she turned and began walking further into the park, "Good question"

Kuro was confused as he stood there and watched her, "Huh?"

Her soft laughter drifted back to him as he jogged to catch up to her, but, as he neared and approached her, he found she had stopped and was looking out over the dock, the moonlight shimmering on the still surface of the water.

Kira's gaze had softened and the emotion in her eyes became pained and filled with guilt that tugged at her heart as old memories flooded into her mind, especially the ones that she just wanted to forget.

Kuro watched her for a moment before he too looked out over the lake, silent as a few leaves danced on the breeze.

'I should say something…'

Actions speak louder than words, you know…

Kuro sighed and looked back at his team mate; her eyes, although her left was sky blue and her right was fiery amber, they were filled with guilt and pain as she stared down at the faded wood of the dock and the still water of the lake, and tears at the corner of her sparkled in the moonlight.

Kuro sighed once more and hugged her tightly, "He'll be alright; I promise"

Kira leant further into his chest.

He smiled at her sadly, not knowing what else to say.

"Kuro-kun…?" she asked as she turned her body towards his even more.

He watched in confusion for a moment as she wrapped her arms around his neck, but, was deeply surprised as she kissed him softly.

His eyes widened in shock for a moment before he relaxed and leaned closer, gently pressing his lips tighter against hers.

After a moment, they separated due to need of air, both blushing heavily before they smiled.

"Does that answer how I feel about you?" Kira smiled.

"Hmm…maybe, but I think I'd need to check just once more" he smiled back as they leaned in once more and happily shared another affectionate kiss, only to separate once more moments later.

"Do you think we should head back now?" Kuro asked, shivering slightly.

"No, but I do think we should get out of this rain" Kira replied.

Kuro smiled, "Ok, just as long as we don't go home just yet"

Kira smiled again, "Deal"

They started to walk again, talking and laughing along the way as they did, fingers once again entwined.

--

Sakura re-entered the lounge room, drying her wet hair with a towel while she tried to balance some dry clothes for Coda under her arm.

"Coda-kun, I found some dry clothes for…" she had started, but noticed his dozing figure by the fire, "…you"

She placed the dry clothes and towel on the coffee table and slowly walked up to him, kneeling by him before slowly pulling his head onto her lap and brushing his wet hair aside.

He was on the verge of sleep, his eyes just open by a millimetre or so, but he wasn't awake either.

I can't believe he fell asleep

Sakura smiled softy, "He's so handsome…"

Her hand found its way down his face and touched his lips.

"I hope he hasn't been kissed yet…"

Ha! He probably has…but, if he kisses you…it'll be your first kiss…

Sakura smiled at the thought, touching her own lips for a moment before she passed her hand down to his chest and stomach.

"He's so well muscled, but so thin…"

He'd protect you with all he had, even his own life, just to save you from any harm…

Her hand moved to the lower half of his stomach, "And I'd do anything for him because I love him"

"I love you too, Sakura-chan…" he whispered with a soft smile as he eyes fluttered lazily open to about half way.

Sakura blushed heavily as he sat up, "Coda-kun! I thought you were…"

"I kinda was asleep, but I just woke up" Coda said, rubbing his eyes.

"H-How much did you hear?" Sakura asked.

"Just that you love me" Coda said as he caressed her cheek.

Sakura flushed a deep crimson as he came closer to her.

"Now, what was that about you hoping I hadn't been kissed?" he whispered with a teasing smile, wrapping one arm around her waist before he locked his lips with hers and kissed her softly, but passionately, lowering their bodies to the ground, his on top of hers.

Sakura was surprised and almost pushed him away, but her eyes fluttered closed and she started to kiss him back.

After a while, he ran out of breath, but he didn't care, he'd rather pass out than push her aside.

Sakura was the one that broke the kiss, due to the need of air, both blushing an equal crimson as emerald green met midnight blue.

Breathing heavily, they gasped air into starved lungs, searching the other's eyes for any hint of doubt in the feelings that had washed over them.

When they found none, however, they smiled and leant back in, sharing another passionate kiss as the heat that radiated from the fire warmed them further before they once again separated, and once again gasped air into starved lungs.

"I'll be back in a minute, I'm just changing…" he whispered before he got up and grabbed the dry clothes off the table.

Sakura sighed happily as she closed her eyes with a smile.

…wow…

'Yeah…wow…'

I wonder what he looks like shirtless

Sakura giggled as she blushed slightly at the thought.

Moments later, Coda returned, and, to Sakura's delight and surprise, he was shirtless.

"The shirt kinda didn't fit me; I hope it's alright" he apologized as he lay by her side, propped up on one elbow.

"…Uh, no…I-it's fine…" her voice trailed slightly

Sakura was too busy examining his body that his apology went almost unheard.

But, the things that almost brought tears to her eyes were the ribs that faintly stuck out and the faint, but horrid scars that covered his torso.

She was brought back from her thoughts, however, when Coda's hand brought her closer to his shivering body, his back facing the fire.

"Cold…?" Sakura asked as she turned and nuzzled into his chest.

Coda erupted in another shiver, "Just a bit"

"Don't worry; I'm sure I'll warm you up"

Coda smiled, "I was hoping that would be the case"

The two fell asleep in each other's embrace that night, waiting for the sun to rise and for a new day to begin.

PLEASE READ THIS!! THERE IS SOMETHING I NEED TO ASK!!

Hey all!

Chapter 10 is up! Like it? I hope so!

Sorry it took so long, I've been studying for tests and I've been sick from my cruise, just a cold, but still, I got it on the last day and I've had it ever since! -

Btw, TO THE READERS; I am unsure whether or not to continue this, even if I have many ideas for another lot of chapters, but I would like to know from whoever reads this if they would like me to continue! Once again, I have many ideas, but I would like to confirm if you would all like me to continue. Please review and tell me if you would like another chapter!

Thanks again!

Ja ne!