A/N: Oh wow, too long since an update. I'm sorry. . Life is catching up! Between training at a new job and juggling a ton of other stuff (visit from my dad and my 4 year old brother, pets dying, and working on my original) there hasn't been much time for this. I was planing on another double post, but I'm just too tired to write the next chapter. Another sorry! But I promise to get to it soon!

Anyways, an all Ienzo chapter! :) They are a bit older in this one, teenage years, right before the incident that turns them into Nobodies. Yes, now time for shy Ienzo. :P Enjoy!

26

There was one amazing thing about Radiant Garden: it was almost always sunny. Even though his hair was pulled in front of his face and his gaze cast down, Ienzo still loved the sun. It was bright, fierce, and warm. Today was a special day. At least it was to Ienzo. He was outside today. Granted, it was to run an errand for Ansem. The same Ansem who did not like letting him go out, let alone on his own. And even though the young scientist was now in his teens, time out of the castle was very limited and almost never during the day.

Ienzo sighed contently. A tiny smile graced his lips as he straightened the freshly pressed ascot Ansem had given him for his last birthday. The purple fabric was soft and smelled of laundry detergent. This made him frown a little. The shop owner asked him if he was okay when she noticed the change in expression. Ienzo nodded at the girl who had to be even younger than him. With a shrug, the shopkeeper handed him the package that he was sent for.

Without further delay, the scientist made his was back to the castle. This task took him the longest as Ienzo spent as much time looking at the shops then he did walking. He hated to go back. Stopping in front of Mr. Scrooge's Ice Cream Shoppe, Ienzo wished Ansem had given him change to buy some for himself. But his pockets were empty. Closing his eyes, Ienzo imagined the sweet and salty treat. It had been so long since his last taste. Ansem did not go out often anymore. Not with the new lab almost finished and different projects needing to be finished. His mouth watered at the memory of the tangy mix and was met with the scent of it as other ran past.

"Didn't think I'd ever see you out here again, Ienzo." Cinnamon hit him in the face hard. He blinked his eyes open. The red was even wilder than he remembered.

It made him smile and at the same time, a light blush and heat flushed his face. Ienzo looked away, hoping his sun did not see it. Just lovely, you thought of him as 'your' sun. The pink deepened and he tried not to let it go noticed.

"Heh," The redhead grinned. "Still don't talk I see."

Ienzo actually opened his mouth to say something. But nothing came to mind only a thought. I do now because of you...

The other seemed to have something else going on, saving the silence. "Doesn't really matter as long as you remember me." If his face could be as red as the sun, it would have. Lea chuckled. "I take that as a yes. Here ya go," Blue sea salt ice cream was shoved into view. "I saw you were looking over there. Didn't think that weird old coot would give ya any spending money even though he let you out of the castle."

Reaching out to take the ice cream, their hands touched briefly. They are so soft, wow. Ienzo blushed at the thoughts he was having. These thoughts were not normal were they? Then he chanced a look up at the blue, green gems. They glittered above a genuine smile. He wanted to say something. At least voice a 'thank you' to the slightly older teen.

Then someone called out to the redhead. Lea turned and waved at a girl who was about the same age. "Sorry, Ienzo. Gotta go." The sun still smiled brightly. "See ya later!" Red bounced away after the girl. Ienzo watched as the two joined up with the blue and some others.

Ienzo licked the ice cream with a sigh. "I will tell you next time." He promised to himself.

It was a chilly night. Ienzo pulled the soft hoodie closer to his body. It had been well over a year since he got to go out and to be honest it was driving him mad; so he snuck out. The downside of having to sneak out at night was that there was no sun. Well, got to compromise something. He shuffled along the side of the building in hopes of not being seen. Oddly enough, he hoped a bookstore would still be open or something. A small squeak caught his attention. Ienzo froze at the voice that followed. But the words that were being spoken were much more sultry then if they had been directed at the young scientist. He turned his head down the alleyway to see them. Oh my god, it is Even! His so-called mentor was wrapped up with some strange woman, whispering in her ear.

"I didn't know you were into peep shows!" The voice made him jump. He yelped in surprise and found a hand being pressed against his mouth and the owner surpassed a light chuckle as best as possible.

"Great going, Lea. You're going to get us all caught for being out this late." The blue frowned.

"Well, I wasn't expecting Ienzo to really make a sound." The soft skin left his, taking the warmth with it. There was a sudden crave to be surrounded by it. The thought shocked Ienzo. "After all, he doesn't speak."

Ienzo rolled his eyes. It was just difficult to find his voice around someone so attractive. Oh shit, I did just think that... His face turned red and the veil of indigo curtained the surprise on his face. There was a certain amount of thankfulness about the moon not being so bright tonight.

The blue sighed. "Yeah, well it's getting much to late now."

"Damn, Isa. You used to love being out this late." The redhead shook his head. The wild red had gotten longer and swung with the motion. "Eh, whatever man. Guess we better get back home." The two started off further into town. Ienzo was not sure what to do. After seeing Even, he wanted to go back just in case. But on the other hand, he had not been out in so long. "What about you, Ienzo? Gonna go back?" Embarrassment flushed across his face. He must look odd just standing there. Not to mention he was not speaking. For his age it must be even odder. "Shit, you really did sneak out." Lea walked back up to him as he nodded.

"Let it go, Lea."

The redhead shook his head. "No can do." Isa rolled his eyes then shrugged. "Let's get ya back." Ienzo could do nothing else but to nod and follow Lea. Oddly enough, Isa followed them.

The three of them slid in the shadows of the night towards the castle. But only Lea scrambled with him along the walls to help him over. The last one was too far for Ienzo to jump down on his own so Lea went first. Ienzo looked down at the long, thin yet muscular, arms reaching out to help him down. Closing his eyes, he slid off the wall into the smell of cinnamon. Lea made an 'umph' sound on impact and the surprised weight caused them both to topple over. The young scientist blushed madly as the dulled sun helped them both up. Dazed, he nearly lost his balance.

"Whoa, careful." The voice was soft and so very close. It rumbled through a strong chest and his chin rested on a broad shoulder, ends of red hair tickled his face. No one had ever bothered to ever want to be this close to him before. The hands were not suggestive as they steadied him.

Once he was standing on his own, Ienzo pointed out a ladder in the corner that he had used to climb over in the first place. Lea nodded. His sun turned to leave. The young scientist bit his lip before making one final decision. The redhead turned at the tap on his arm. Quickly, before his nerves reappeared, Ienzo leaned in. "Thank you," Those two words were meant for everything. The locks of red brushed up against his face as he whispered into the others ear, letting the spiced scent back in. "Lea." It was so quiet, he was not sure if the other heard. Only surprised blue, green eyes looked back at him before he bolted towards the castle. He chanced a glance at the doorway to see the sun stopping for one more look back before dropping back over the side. Ienzo sighed. Ansem was right, only trouble could be found outside.