Chapter 10

I feel so untouched
And I want you so much
That I just can't resist you
It's not enough to say that I miss you
I feel so untouched right now
Need you so much somehow
I can't forget you
Been going crazy from the moment I met you

12/17/2014

'Time Unknown'

"Welcome to the Velvet Room."

Akira's head bobbed up in surprise. "Theodore?" The blonde man smiled and gave her a bow.

"Greetings, honored guest," he said.

"It's been a while." Akira gave him a small smile. "How have you been?"

"Quite well, thank you." He stood back up, straightening his back and staring up at the ceiling of the elevator. "It will be a full moon tomorrow night."

Akira followed his gaze, examining the way the bars crossed over each other like some sick blue cage. "Yes."

Theodore met her eyes again. "How may I help you?"

"I don't know. I just…fell asleep and ended up here." She glanced around. "I suppose that Igor couldn't make it."

"Then, perhaps this would be an excellent time to explain my quests to you."

"Quests?"

"Yes. I have certain requests that, should you fulfill, I'll reward you with items that you can use in the outside world."

"Oh…well, alright. What requests do you have for me?"

... ... ... ... ...

12/18/2014

'8:00pm'

Akira walked side by side with Shinjiro, carrying a bag of groceries in her arms. Shinjiro carried four between his fingers.

"Are you sure that you want to carry all of those on your own?" She asked him again. Shinjiro gave a "tch".

"I ain't a wimp," he muttered.

"I know! I just…" Akira glanced at the bags and tried to reach out for one of them. Shinjiro moved them to one hand, giving her a stern look.

"I got this."

Akira withdrew. "Fine! Fine. But if you throw out your back, it's not my fault, old man." She gave him a joking grin. He harrumphed and walked on.

Akira's cell rang and she swiftly answered it when she saw the caller ID.

"Hey, Akihiko!" She greeted.

"Hey," the boy answered. "What's up?"

"Just finishing some grocery shopping. How about you?"

"Junpei and I are doing some research with Yukari. We're going through some old files before tonight's battle. We haven't found much, but we're thinking of a few places where the next Shadow could show up."

"That's great!"

There was a short pause on the other end. "Is someone with you?"

"Yeah, Shinjiro is. He's been helping me out."

Akihiko sighed. "Good. I don't want you to be alone."

"I can't imagine why! You've been a bit overprotective lately." She didn't realize that he had his reasons; her memories from the week prior were a bit of a blur.

"Just don't give him too much trouble. I'll be back later tonight to pick you up for the Dark Hour."

"Ok. I'll be sure to have something ready for you to eat! I bought lots of protein!" Akira could hear the silverette give a tiny laugh, the sweet kind that was more affectionate the humorous.

"Ok, see you tonight, then."

He hung up and Akira turned back to Shinjiro. The boy hadn't looked at her directly until she put the phone away.

"How's the meathead?" He asked.

"Fine. They may have a few leads on the next Shad-." Akira's foot stumbled off of the curb-they'd reached the end of the sidewalk. The lights had just turned from the "cross" symbol to "stop". Akira had enough time to take in a deep gasp as a sterling silver car sped her way….

There was a clatter above the din-glass shattering and boxes collapsing. A hand threw itself out to Akira's wrist and yanked her back as hard as it could. She crashed into a stone chest as the car whizzed by.

Shinjiro held Akira in his arms, panting wildly.

"You ok?" He asked. Akira stared up into his face, pulse still racing uncontrollably. She nodded. Shinjiro took a very deep breath and met her gaze. His dark eyes hardened and made her blood freeze.

"You an idiot or somethin'?! You could've gotten killed! You need to watch where you're walkin'!"

"I-I'm sorry!" Akira replied meekly. She tried to back away, but Shinjiro's arms held her to him for a moment longer.

"I'll let you go if you promise not to do anything stupid."

Akira grunted a bit in his tight grasp, but nodded. "Ok."

Shinjiro at last released her. Akira glanced down at his jacket-covered muscles and gave a little gasp. She saw the groceries nearby, splayed all over the ground like a poorly prepared dinner. She gave her friend a sad expression.

"What? It was you or the food, kid." He turned away awkwardly, glaring at the street light.

"Maybe we should go back to get more…." Akira mused. Shinjiro glanced at the sky.

"It's getting late. Let's scrap what we can and get back before midnight." He bent over to start scooping up the cans and boxes that didn't get damaged. Akira went to help him as people passed them by with barely a second glance. Shinjiro coughed once, twice. Three times. A hand went to his throat. His blonde companion reached out to him.

"Are you-"

Shinjiro cleared his throat and pushed her hand away. "I'm fine. Let's get back."

... ... ... ... ...

'10:35pm'

Shinjiro helped Akira get home and started helping her cook while she tried to salvage what was left of their shopping list. The entire time he stirred or sliced something, Akira was staring up at him with weighing concern. Shinjiro finally glanced over at her after a while; he realized then that he'd been forgetting more and more often that she had red eyes like Her.

"What?" He asked, annoyed.

Akira frowned. "Are you alright? Your cough was pretty bad on the way home…"

"Tch." He tossed the pan's contents in the air several times before putting it back down to simmer. When he turned around, Akira had approached him. She was right in his face with her damn doe-eyes. "What?"

Akira reached up to touch his neck. She had to slide his black turtleneck down to brush his skin. When her fingertips traced his bare flesh, he flinched, but didn't back away. Akira took that as a sign to keep going, so she trailed over his veins and bones.

"It feels a bit stiff," she commented. "And you're a little warm." She pushed her fingers under his beanie and tested his temperature. He stared down at her as she examined him. It had been so long since anyone had dared to touch him like that.

"You a doctor now?" He was surprised when she didn't give a snaky retort. Akira had gotten lost in his eyes.

"This…has happened before?" She said it aloud, but was more so asking herself than her friend. He felt an odd and familiar jolt go through him. What was going on? What was she seeing in his gaze? She looked liked she'd just seen the ghost of a dead relative.

The front door opened and Akihiko stepped inside. Akira hurriedly pulled away from Shinjiro, her focus completely on the silverette.

"You're home!" she greeted joyfully, rushing to the boy's side. "Welcome back!"

Shinjiro made a noise in the back of his throat as he returned to the food. Akihiko gave Akira a smile and a pat on the head. The girl blushed slightly when his hand touched her.

"How are things?" He asked his best friend. Shinjiro gave Akihiko a glance.

"Fine," the brunette replied. "Just finishing up."

"Well, we'd better eat quickly. We need to meet up with Mitsuru and the others in less than an hour." Akira and Akihiko started to chat excitedly. While they weren't looking, Shinjiro reached up to touch his throat. He let out a clear, brief chuckle. How strange...

... ... ... ... ...

Ta-da! My return!

This is another chapter exploring the life Akira is living with her new friends. However, tonight marks another full moon...what does that mean for our team?

The song attached is Untouched by The Veronicas.