Togi, Aaron, and Jay jay were waiting for us back at the center. I had almost forgotten we had left them there. Aaron was Ghost type so he wouldn't do any damage to Normal. Jay jay and Togi decided to stay behind with him. They insisted that their level was high enough and they were done with battling for the day.
We walked through the sliding glass doors, James next to Lyra, Ta'jean with one arm over my shoulder as I helped him walk. Togi came running up to us. "Did you win? Did you win?"
I laughed and patted her on the head. "Do we ever loose?"
"Yay!" Togi laughed and spun in a circle.
"What happened to him?" Aaron nodded his head toward Ta'jean.
"Just got a bit roughed up. I'm good now," Ta'jean said.
"Well as long as you are okay, then that is good!" Jay jay came over and put a hand on Ta'jean's shoulder. Ta'jean smiled a large, childish smile.
I couldn't sleep at all that night. The image of Ta'jean laying dead was engraved permanently in my mind.
Finally, I gave up on trying to sleep. I sat up. Everyone was in the room, even James. He was too big to be curled up on the foot of the bed now, and he took one half while Lyra took the other, their backs to each other.
I looked over at Ta'jean, who was fast asleep on the floor. I walked over to him and sat down. He looked so healthy and peaceful, nothing like the dying creature I saw on the field. I ran my fingers though his blue fur. The soft fur seemed to almost comfort me in a way.
Ta'jean rolled on to his back. I quickly withdrew my hand. I had woken him.
Ta'jean looked at me through half open eyes. "What...you doing..." He was still half asleep.
"Nothing!" I felt my face go hot with embarrassment.
Ta'jean had a small, sleepy smile on his face. I wonder what he was thinking of.
"Kenji..." He whispered.
"What?" I asked.
Ta'jean signaled with his hand for me to lean in closer. I leaned in a little closer, still keeping a decent distance between the two of us. "Closer..." he said.
I brought my head down so it was close to his face. Ta'jean grabbed my head with his hands and brought my face closer to his. What is he doing?!
Ta'jean kissed me. Nothing long or sloppy. Just a fast peck on the lips. There was a soft, "Thanks..." Then his hands slipped from my face and he was asleep again, leaving me stunned.
I stared at Ta'jean, hoping for an explanation, but he was out cold. I brought my fingers to my lips. They were warm...
I quickly got up and ran out of the center.