Rim: Yes, I know it's taken me forever to get this chapter out. First I lost the entire story, then gladly found back up chapters up to fourteen, then it's been a hassle between studying for my certification exam later this month and working on this chapter when my ADD doesn't settle in. But I've finally got the work done. The chapter's a little scattered in areas, please bear with me and my collapsible thoughts.

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Chapter 18

Kai's eyes wandered from one novel to the next resting on the custom made cherry shelves in the comfortable little study. To his delight, many of the books filling those shelves were novels that had long gone out of print whilst he was a child; more than a quarter of the bound volumes were books he had never heard about, perhaps written during his grandfather or father's time. For anyone who was a book connoisseur as he was, those wonderful pieces of art excited him. Those books were part of someone's history, of feelings that the author strove to get across to his or her reader. He nostalgically remembered many summer days and rainy afternoons curled up by window becoming lost in those intimate sessions of the author's heart.

Moving away from one set of books on a different shelf, his eyes seemed to light up as he picked up a book from a lower shelf reading the title: Seasons Between Numbers. That book definitely brought back memories he could not believe he had ever let drift to the back of his mind. That book held the most meaning for him than any other book. That book spoke to him in a way he had never had anything call out to him. He could quote that book perfectly now for as many times as he went to the library to read it growing up.

Kenny raised his head from where he was scribbling down words into a black journal –when he no longer heard Kai moving amongst the book shelves of his father's study –to find his teacher examine a navy hard covered book with gold writing inscribed on the spine. Kenny watched Kai's eyes soften, running a hand gently over the book; the ends of his sensual mouth lifting a small smile of remembrance.

Setting aside his pen, Kenny allowed himself to enjoy the view of such an open look. Though Kai was remarkably handsome on his own, looks such as this one his teacher displayed reminded the young teen of what true beauty appeared when one didn't try for it.

"This brings back memories," Kai voiced, suddenly looking over in Kenny's directions as he held up the book for Kenny to read the title.

"You read it often I assume?" Kenny questioned, getting up from the plush, swivel chair settled at his father's mahogany, polished desk to make his way over to where Kai stood.

"Quite so," Kai chuckled, turning the book back to him. "One summer found this book in my close company twelve times before I knew it."

"Twelve times in one summer?" Kenny blinked incredulously. "The most I've ever read a book repeatedly in a short time period has been five. I've only read half of the books in this library thus far, the one you're holding I haven't come across yet. Is it any good?"

"I wouldn't have read it twelve times if it wasn't," Kai smiled. "It struck a cord of recognition in me. I turned to this book many times for answers when I was at a loss for direction. However when I finally thought to own the book for my own collection, it was no longer in print."

"My father must have obtained it in the last edition before it went out of print," Kenny said, examining the book. "If it brings back so many good memories for you, it's worth reading again. You should take it with you on your trip."

"I just may," Kai said.

"Perhaps I can see if my father would be too troubled to part with it," Kenny commented, making his way back to the desk.

"You don't have to do that," Kai replied, placing the book back in its place on the shelf. Kenny looked over his shoulder at his teacher with a big grin prior to sitting back down at the desk.

"But I want to," Kenny said, finding a blush creep to his cheeks, pressing on with the reason to the random act of kindness. "If I'm able to see you smile at something you once cherish, I think it's worth asking on your behalf. Just think of it as one of our first presents…being a couple."

Kai closed his mouth just as he was about to open it, and stared at his student. The thought of what Kenny said to him warmed Kai inside. He suppose it was endearing remarks as such which made him realize he couldn't have pretended that he didn't feel something for the teen any longer than he had already lied to himself. It would take some time –or Kenny graduating from high school, whichever came first –for him to climb over his moral wall about having a deeper relationship with Kenny, yet he knew the steps they were taking wasn't wrongful.

Striding over to Kenny, Kai tilted Kenny's head up, watching the hair fall from those shy eyes. Leaning down, Kai kissed Kenny's forehead, feeling the skin underneath his lips heat from the contact. "Thank you then for your hard work."

"You know you're teasing me again," Kenny stated, pulling back to meet his teacher's eyes.

"If you stopped being so adorable when I decide to tease you, I would not be tempted each time the opportunity comes to do so," Kai countered.

"Teasing me is going to be the death of you," Kenny announced.

"Oh, so you and Tyson are still conspiring against me for this coming school year? Me thinks I shall have to separate you both during class hours," Kai smiled.

"You really think that's going to stop us?" Kenny said widening his eyes to give emphasis he was shocked his teacher thought that was going to be the solution to everything. "Haven't I ever told you that the world could end if I'm separated from Tyson? Do you really want the fate of the world resting on your shoulders?"

"The fate of the world?" Kai raised an amused brow staring down at the teen. "So you plan to be glued to him for the rest of life to prevent the world from ending?"

"Not on your life," Kenny said.

"Then there's no problem separating you two," Kai remarked, positioning himself to sit on the edge of the desk. Tilting his head to the side, he noticed Kenny's handwriting in the book that was on the table. "Are you writing something?"

"No, I'm making a grocery list," Kenny rolled his eyes playfully. "Don't you know that's how I like to spend my free time?"

"You keep that up you little smart aleck, and I'm going to have to punish you," Kai warned.

"Yes mommy, I'll be good," Kenny chimed.

"You've been hanging out around Bryan and Tala too long," Kai sighed, with a shake of his head despairingly. "I knew it was a bad idea to allow you to spend time in their company. You use to be a model student."

"I still am," Kenny beamed. "Just not when I'm around you."

"You're going to make your teacher cry, you know that don't you Mister Shinoda?" Kai questioned.

"I figured as much," Kenny assured. "But I also figured you would get over it eventually, so I didn't lose any sleep over the situation." Kenny laughed seeing his teacher shake his head once more in the same manner as before.

"So, will I find out what you're composing, or not, you imp?" Kai said, changing the subject back to the first initial question.

"Yet another short story that lived in the deep recesses of my mind," Kenny responded. "The idea has been stuck in my head since coming back from the beach. I've finally figured out how to push it out onto paper."

"Do you mind if I read it?" Kai asked.

"It's not finished yet," Kenny answered, closing the leather bound journal that containing his short stories quickly. "Knowing me, I won't be finished for a few more days…probably while you're on your trip to Japan. You wouldn't want to read an unfinished story."

"I can wait until I come back to read it," Kai voiced. "I can do some side reading to keep me entertained long enough until I return, and if not, visiting my parents is enough of a distraction to keep me busy. So, is it a promise that I can read it when I get back?"

"You wouldn't want to," Kenny uttered, pushing himself up from the desk. Making a move to put space between him and Kai, he was surprised when his teacher caught him by the elbow, pulling him to a stop. Kenny shifted his head to find Kai's eyes on him. Kenny lowered his head to the floor, biting his bottom lip anxiously.

"Why would you speculate I wouldn't?" It was obvious the teen was still touchy over the subject of moving forward into the realm of professional writing. From Kenny's school work over the course of the young man being in his classes, Kai instantly recognized there was an enormous amount of potential brewing inside the quiet brunette.

"I…" Kenny faulted.

"Do you remember what I told you months ago?" Kai asked.

"I…"

"The foundation from which you have started may indeed come from your parents, but the bricks you are laying down will not crumble from weak mortar. The structure left after the work is finished shall be unique to the passion in your soul," Kai recited. "I still believe those words."

"It's hard," Kenny admitted. "It's hard to forget I write the way I do because of my parents who are already well established authors. If others compared my style to my parents, I don't think I would be able to push myself to keep going forward. It's scary to think how easily I can be turned down in the same manner of acceptance for my works."

"It's understandable that you have some fear, but you shouldn't allow that to get in the way of what you really love to do. You have tremendous talent, I don't want to see you let that go to waste," Kai stated.

"You really think I can do it?" Kenny gazed up at the man before him.

"Of course I know you can," Kai assured. "So, be more confident about your talent. You have nothing that you should be ashamed about creating a base structure from your parents."

"I'll try then," Kenny promised.

"That's all I'm asking for," Kai nodded, leaning down to kiss the top of Kenny's head before pulling back. The brunette flushed slightly again, smiling up at Kai who moved back. Kenny knew with such assurance on Kai's part, arguing his case was going to be futile.

"Do you have to leave soon?" Kenny questioned.

"My plane is tomorrow evening," Kai replied.

"Then…do you mind if…we have dinner tonight?" Kenny wondered. "Unless you still have to pack…"

"I don't," Kai stated. "All of my packing was done yesterday. I'm free for the rest of the evening, especially with Tala and Bryan out of the house. I would love to have dinner with you."

"I'm—" Kenny's sentence trailed off when he heard the front door to the house opening and closing. With a slight frown, Kenny left the study with Kai closely trailing behind him. It couldn't be his parents, Kenny thought, the both of them left out of town on for a book convention stating they would not be home again until the following week. Making his way down the hallway, the brunette found his parents dragging in luggage. "You two are back earlier than expected."

"Oh, Kenny, we would have notified you, but it was a sudden change. Our editors called us several hours ago to say that the rest of the convention was moved to a different date. We hopped planes and came back home without a chance to let you know," Kenny's mother said, looking at the teen with a light smile before noting the man with her son. "Oh? Mister Hiwatari, hello."

"Hello ma'am," Kai said respectfully.

"Mister Hiwatari stopped by to borrow a book or two from our collection to take with him on a trip," Kenny commented before turning his attention on his father. "He found your copy of Seasons Between Numbers on the shelf, father."

"Have you read that one, Mister Hiwatari?" Kenny's father inquired, his eyes lighting up with interest.

"When I was a little younger than Kenny, I had the pleasure of coming across that book which became my greatest companion. It saved me many times from taking wrongful paths. Before I had a chance to own the book myself, it went out of print. This is the first copy I've come across in nearly twelve years," Kai replied.

"A lot of people considered it controversial for its time," Kenny's father said. "I remember when all the books were pulled from stores and libraries. I managed to snatch up a copy before they were shipped into a large storage warehouse to be eaten by rats."

"I was telling Mister Hiwatari I would see if you minded parting with it, he told me he read it twelve times in the length of one summer. I find that impressive, the most I've ever read a book in a short time span was perhaps five times," Kenny smiled.

"So do I," Kenny's father laughed, looking at Kai. "Since the book will find more company with someone who identified with it, I think it's a good idea to let you keep that copy."

"You really don't have to…it's one of the few remaining books left in print. I could not possibly ask you to part ways with it," Kai shook his head.

"Nonsense," Kenny's father shook his head. "It's been sitting on my shelf since before Kenny was born doing nothing but occasionally being dusted off. I insist you have the book. It's in better company with you, Mister Hiwatari."

"Are you certain sir?" Kai blinked.

"Of course, it's yours," Kenny's father nodded.

"I figured that you wouldn't mind," Kenny spoke up. "Mister Hiwatari was being paranoid about me asking."

"Paranoid?" Kai gave the younger male a playful reprimanding stare. "You do remember that your teacher can give you extra work for such remarks, don't you?"

"I thought you were off duty?" Kenny inquired.

"That doesn't mean I won't forget this by the time school starts back," Kai stated.

"You're not a very good friend anymore then," Kenny said. "I think I'll stick with Tyson then."

"You two get along well," Kenny's mother observed. "It's like Kenny has a big brother now, don't you think, honey?"

"I wouldn't want an older brother like Mister Hiwatari," Kenny said. "He's threatening to give me homework. I think that's not the thing an older brother is allowed to do." Besides on a secondary note, Kenny thought to himself, having an older brother like Kai would definitely get him in trouble on more than one moral level. He could live with being gay; a physical attraction leading to incest was definitely on a more immoral basis than what he cared to go.

"They really do get on well," Kenny's father laughed.

"Mister Hiwatari, you really must stay for dinner since you're here," Kenny's mother replied.

"Honey, Mister Hiwatari should probably get going, I'm sure he still has much to do," Kenny's father remarked.

"No, it's fine," Kai assured. "I would love to take up that offer for dinner. I will have nothing to do when I head for home."

"Good! Make self at home then, Mister Hiwatari," Kenny's mother beamed.

"Please, ma'am just call me Kai, there's no need to be so formal with me," Kai said, a soft smile rising to his lips.

"Then you can call me Jayna," Kenny's mother said, returning his smile, before turning her attention back to Kenny. "Kenny, why don't you take Kai to the living room? Once your father and I take our luggage upstairs we'll be right down."

"Yes mother," Kenny nodded.

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The evening seemed to progress well; Kai being able to speak with one of his favorite writers over dinner towards his publications swept more than half of the dinner away. Kenny's father seemed to take an even better liking to the young teacher when the discussion turn from modern literature to the classic poets and storywriters long gone. By the time dessert came around, things were finally winding down, and it seemed that Kenny's mother was now ready to interrogate the man, at least that's how it seemed to Kenny who was enjoying his apple cobbler with a scoop of ice cream and whip cream.

"So, tell us about yourself, Kai." Kenny's mother sat her fork down, her eyes sweeping across the table to where Kai sat on Kenny's right hand side. "Are you an only child?"

"I have no brothers or sisters however I have two childhood friends I often consider as close to brothers than anyone else I know," Kai smiled, thinking about the two maniacs who he wouldn't trade for anyone else in the world despite how often they drove him insane.

"The kind of friendship I have with Tyson?" Kenny wondered.

"Once it may have been such, now their very presences disturbs any peace my soul tries to grasp onto," Kai shook his head.

"You should be careful they never hear that," Kenny laughed.

"It shall never reach their ears," Kai promised, giving the brunette a quick sideways glance of warning. Kenny ducked his head down, going back to the apple cobbler on his plate.

"Did you graduate from one of the local schools, or did you decide to move here to teach?" Kenny's father inquired, leaning back in his chair.

"I temporarily lived in Arizona for the first two years of my life then moved to Japan until I was six. Then I was settled here, of course I went to school in Greensboro, I did student teaching in Virginia and South Carolina for half a year. When I finally graduated, I decided I would work in Durham," Kai replied.

"What made you want to be a teacher in the first place?" The question came from Kenny's mother who was not yet done sating her curiosity over the young teacher.

"I suppose I have my grandfather to thank for that. He and my grandmother raised me while my parents were always too busy working to care for me. At an earlier age, I learned how important a good education was from him. I remember him always saying 'Kai, the world does not move for you unless you make an effort to move it yourself'," Kai replied. "Grandfather imparted in me the desire to want the world to move when I pushed.

"My decision in wanting to become a teacher came later in life, when I was a little older and my mind considered all the possibilities I could utilize the knowledge acquired thus far in my life. I do believe the first thoughts of teaching came my tenth grade year when I found myself taking several English based courses."

"It's so rare now and days for children to have that sort of mind set," Kenny's father said. "Everywhere you turn, they are involved in meaningless activities. Challenging their mind seems like a waste of time, and parents just overlook how an appreciation for the pursuit of knowledge is slipping away."

"I understand what you mean," Kai chuckled. "If it wasn't for your son, I would have given up on the prospect that children now and days sought out MTV for all their educational needs. I have been blessed to come across Kenny."

"Are you trying to embarrass me in front of my parents?" Kenny said a tingle of red showing around his ears.

"I find nothing wrong in praising your bright mind it has saved me from losing my own in teaching. I don't know what I'm going to do when you graduate," Kai sighed.

'Hopefully you will praise me in other ways,' Kenny thought, the corner of his mouth twitching into a small grin. Kenny couldn't wait to be able to take this relationship pass the platonic nature they were so use to, and the fact he had two more high school years left. Looking up from his thoughts, he found a pair of auburn eyes studying him curiously sideways. A light brow cocked in wonder at what was going through the younger male's head.

"We're hoping that he will decide to follow a similar path as we did when he graduates," Kenny's mother said, giving Kenny a meaningful look. Kenny averted his eyes, knowing the talk about him publishing a book was coming up soon. No matter what, it was going to come and they were going to keep pushing at him to do it until he gave up writing- which he knew would never happen because he loved it too much. Or he would give in to them and finally decide to give some half assed story to his parents' editors who would definitely turn it down in disbelief he could write such unoriginal garbage.

"I think Kenny will follow a good path no matter what he decides to do," Kai spoke up with a light smile. "He's been talking to me about becoming a teacher."

"He has?" Kenny's father blinked.

"I've been thinking about being a college professor," Kenny stated, taking Kai's lead towards distracting his parents. "Mister Hiwatari's inspired me from his teaching."

"Really?" Kai blinked. "I didn't know you had considered a particular profession within that category."

"It's amazing how you can direct us towards where you want. I think that sort of ability is impressive," Kenny nodded. "Of course teaching high school or even junior high school students would wear on my patience, I see what you go through with Tyson. College students lack the immaturity given to their younger counterparts."

"In most cases," Kai chuckled. "Sometimes it latches on and refuses to let go. I'm certain, however that you will be able to make them listen to you."

"I think you will be a good teacher also, Kenny" the boy's mother smiled. "You know that your father and I will support whatever you decide to do in life. Even though we really wish that you would give publishing a book a shot."

"Perhaps later in life," Kenny said.

"Kai, do you have a girlfriend?" Kenny's mother wondered.

"A girlfriend…I'm afraid I don't," Kai replied.

"Why not? A smart, handsome young man like you is still single? I just can't believe it," the woman teased. "I know many young women who would jump at a chance to find a qualified young man to eventually get married to."

"Jayna!" Kenny's father said.

"It's all right, my grandfather invites me to parties with his business associates all the time with single daughters seeking marriage, I'm use to it by now," Kai assured.

"See, Alwran," Kenny's mother chimed. "If you want Kai, I can give my little circle of friends a call. They have very nice daughters and nieces who would be right up your alley. Latrice Kirner, one of the woman I occasionally collaborate with, has a daughter who just went back to school for another degree. She was working as a veterinarian since graduating from college five years ago, but now she's working to become a RN."

"It must be a lot of work," Kai thought.

"I can imagine, there's so much she has to learn," the woman said. "But she's been single for at least two years now. Bless her soul the man she thought she was going to eventually marry was having an affair with a friend of hers. Poor thing has been broken up over it since he went on to marry that girl. She could use a bit of lifting up, if you are interested, Kai."

"I don't think I'm the best person to do that," Kai spoke up. "I'm not very good when it comes to relationships. I, myself haven't been in a relationship since college. After that person, I've been reluctant to get involved again."

"Now is the best time to get back out there and date. You'll never find that person you want to be with if you don't stick your head out and look around every now and then," the woman commented. "I remember when I first met Alwran. I was the shyest thing in the world. I kept pushing every guy away who sought to date me, all because I didn't want to be hurt. But, my husband was persistent, no matter how many times I said no, he would come back to ask me again and again. Eventually, I gave him the chance, and I haven't regretted it once."

"I understand what you are saying," Kai nodded.

"Think about the offer then," the woman smiled. "It wouldn't hurt to consider it, and just think if you fall in love with her and consider marriage, then everyone wins. You will be glad you decided to give it a chance."

"I promise I will consider it," Kai assured, before getting up from the table. "Thank you for the meal. I would love to continue this, but it is getting late, and I should get home."

"Oh my, it's already after ten," Kenny's mother gasped looking at the clock on the wall. "You're right, it is getting late. Please come back and have dinner with us again, some time, Kai."

"I shall, I enjoyed the evening very much," Kai smiled.

"I'll walk Mister Hiwatari out," Kenny volunteered, polishing off the last bit of dessert on his plate and stood up, pushing away from the table. Kai looked down at him, smiling.

"Thank you very much Kenny." The teacher and his student headed out of the dining room as Kenny's parents got up from the table to clear away the dishes. When the two were finally outside, Kenny chuckled slightly, walked the path of the driveway to Kai's car.

"Plan to take my mother up on that offer?" Kenny teased.

"That sweet woman is only looking out for my best interest," Kai laughed. "It's touching to have an experience like that. My own mother would never be so considered as to do something like that unless it benefits her."

"Considering they know think of you as another son, you can have all the experiences you want like that. It's going to be murder on me when I'm finally your age and hear those types of things."

"Do you plan to tell them one day?" Kai questioned, stopping at the driver's side of the car.

"About my attraction to men?"

"Yes," Kai nodded.

"I don't know…possibly when they realize that I've never brought a girl home or dated one. Does your family know?" Kenny looked up at his teacher, leaning against the side of the car.

"My parents heard from my grandfather who has been trying to convert me for years. Once he even went as far as to buy me a professional. I think as long as he's breathing, he's going to try. He wants me to take over his business when the time comes, so having a wife seems important for that," Kai sighed.

"What are you going to do?" Kenny frowned.

"I'll come to that bridge when I have to. For now, I will live in the present," Kai said, reaching down to brush aside Kenny's hair to look in his eyes. "It does no good to fret over the future. He might change down the road, and it won't matter that I'm attracted to a cute face like yours."

"There you go flirting again," Kenny blushed.

"I thought you liked me flirting with you?" Kai asked.

"Perhaps," Kenny said, stepping closer to the older man. His pulse quickened, looking up at Kai, finding those wine colored eyes flickering in the darkness. Kenny's heart hammered against his chest when Kai leaned down, kissing the top of his head. He longed for his teacher to be bold enough to kiss him like they really had a relationship. "Kai…"

"Hm?" Kai said, pulling back a little.

"C-can…can you…" Kenny stammered, turning bright red.

"Can I?" Kai urged.

"Can you…kiss…me good night?" Kenny forced out.

"I just did," Kai laughed quietly.

"No…I mean…on the lips," Kenny whispered. "I want you to kiss me on my lips."

For a long moment, the two of them stood silently. Kenny holding his breath as Kai stared down at him, indistinctiveness dancing behind his eyes. Perhaps he shouldn't have put the older into such a position. Kai must be uncomfortable now, and trying to figure out a way around it.

"You don't have to use your tongue," Kenny blurted out breaking the silence, his face heating up. "It…just a simple kiss…on the lips…that's all I'm asking for."

"I'm sorry, Kenny," Kai said, moving back.

"I…I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable," Kenny said. "I…have a nice trip Kai. I'll see you when school starts." Moving from his teacher, Kenny rushed away from the car, making his way back to the house. Kai watched the boy go, wanting to chase after him, but he just couldn't get his legs to go. Cursing under his breath, he laid his head against the roof of the car, staring at the quarter moon.

It wasn't that he didn't want to kiss the boy. It was more so he knew that if he had, he might not have been able to stop himself from wanting more. He had promised himself to wait until the boy was older to before they took things to that sort of level, however at times it really was torture on his self control and morality. The way Kenny had looked up at him wanting that kiss…

"Will I be able to last out until he graduates?" Kai sighed, eventually pushing himself up to unlock his car door and get in. The coming school year and the year after that was going to be a real test of patience for him, he saw that already.

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Rim: Finally finished with this chapter. Hm, I see that I'm going to have issues with Kai and his good morality with the coming of the next few chapters. It's going to be interesting to see exactly what's going to happen from here on out.