A/N: Pulling out some older ones. I didn't realize how far back some had fallen in the posting order.

Disclaimer: My capacity to own these dear characters is about the same as owning... something very hard to own. Yeah.


The rain thrummed gently against the side of his apartment, creating a soothing break in the wonted silence. All of the books surrounding him went untouched as he reclined on the couch, allowing himself a span of peaceful oblivion, only heeding the endless melody of the rainfall. He rarely indulged in such abandon, but his exhaustion and the calmness which pervaded his darkened quarters gave enough seclusion from reality that he, for an hour and more, closed his eyes and thought of nothing save the stillness.

His tranquility could hardly be expected to last. A soft knock on the door interrupted the solitude—however, he felt fully justified in rolling over, turning his back on the intruder.

When the knock came again, only louder, he sighed and opened his eyes, staring at the couch cushion in front of his nose. Even when he at last decided to allow himself peace, the world refused to acknowledge his decision.

Getting to his feet, he rubbed a hand tiredly over his face and through his hair. Another knock reminded him why he was standing and he sighed, walking to the door. Of all the days for a visitor.

After releasing the locks with decided slowness, he opened the door to reveal a bedraggled creature. She stood with her hands tucked under her arms, her teeth chattering and her hair plastered pathetically over her face, and the whole of her soaked to the bone.

"Harada-san," he murmured, brow drawing together as he surveyed the sorry spectacle she presented, "what on earth...?"

Before she managed to stammer a word, he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the rain. She half stumbled into the apartment, clinging tighter to herself, and mumbled her thanks. She did not bother to peel off her sodden shoes, but rather sank to the floor and tugged out the ribbon hanging limply in her wet hair.

Without a word, he left her where she knelt and went in search of towels. She did not protest his absence, her gaze remaining on the floor. When she was swathed from head to foot in towels and had accepted a mug of tea, he sat down in front of her, lifting one knee and resting his elbow on the ledge created.

"Why were you out in the rain without an umbrella?" he asked at last, quietly. Even with the beating of the rain outside, the stillness within did not want to be shattered.

"I don't know," she said, running her fingertip over the edge of her mug.

He waited a minute for her to offer any further information, but finally queried, "Why did you come here?"

She remained silent for a moment more, then closed her hands around her tea. "Hiwatari-kun... have you ever said something in a fight that wasn't necessarily true, just because you wanted to get... just because you didn't want to listen to what the other person was saying?"

She glanced at him, then dropped her eyes, self conscious. "Because they were right and you didn't like it, and you wanted them to stop?"

"No," he replied simply and she sighed, her shoulders slumping.

After a moment, she mumbled agreement, "No, I guess not."

He watched as she shrank a little further into her covering of towels before he expounded in the attempt to soothe, "I rarely speak to anyone, Harada-san, and it is not as if Niwa is prone to argue. You are the only other person who would have the chance to hear me do so."

She attempted a smile, but dropped her eyes again after a moment. "I guess so. You're not that petty, anyway."

"No. I am instead severe and calculating," he said, shaking his head faintly as he looked at her white fingers. "I would rather show a person error, even if they are essentially correct, all the while keeping an outward calm."

"At least you're nice," she sighed, lowering the mug to the ground. "I'm nasty and annoying about it."

"But you have a conscience," he pointed out, lowering his knee so as to sit cross-legged. "You will not go long before apologizing for your mistakes."

"Sometimes," she said, then ventured a tiny smile at him. "Other times I'll just hit you."

"I think I prefer the apology," he said dryly and she smiled a little more before exhaling and bowing her head.

"Why are you always such a good friend?" she mumbled, pulling the towel tighter around her shoulders.

He smirked slightly, glancing away. He was only a good friend because she extended her hand in friendship to him. No one else outside of the curse would try.

"Because you would hit me if I was not," he answered, earning a soft laugh from the girl.

"I might. I don't just use it for an apology, you know."

"It is a miracle you do not strike me more, then."

She scoffed at him before shaking her head and mumbling the question, "I don't suppose you have an umbrella I could borrow?"

Rising to his feet, he offered her his hand. With a determined sigh, she took his hand and pulled herself up, dropping most of the towels in the process. He pulled out his umbrella from the closet and gave it to her with the instruction, "Next time, bring your own."

"I will try to remember," she replied with a smile. "I prefer taking showers indoors, after all."

He opened the door for her, then dropped his eyes to the floor, humming in the back of his throat thoughtfully.

"What is it?" she asked, observing his face curiously as she wrapped her ribbon around the umbrella's handle for safekeeping.

"You leave with my umbrella," he said, lifting his eyebrow slowly, "and leave me with your puddle. I am not sure I appreciate the trade."

His umbrella lashed out and smacked him on the leg, followed by her words, "Sometimes, Hiwatari-kun, sometimes!"

Smiling slightly as he bowed to her, he said, "You are forgiven."