Chia: …your choice in title chapters is lame.
*rages* IS NOT!
Chia: Then what is with the chapter title, dude?
Ok I watched Yugioh Abridged on youtube lately and found a certain catchphrase matched the content of this chapter perfectly.
Chia: Do you own the show?
HA!...I wish. I do not own Yugioh Abridged. But read, review and enjoy!
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"Dude? Can we talk?"
Raph's face was the one expression Keith almost never saw; serious. The day passed with more fun, laughter and a lot of catching up. Erma arranged for Raph to sleep in one of the ranger guest rooms for 'special reasons'. Keith had been getting ready for bed (noting the a.c was turned up WAY too high) when Raph came into the room and said that. The redhead was surprised but he knew that if his cousin was ever serious, something was up.
"Sure." Keith closed the door. "What's up?"
"What do you think of Kate?" Raph questioned.
"What do you mean?" Keith asked, puzzled.
"Is she just your assignment? Friend? Or something?" Raph elaborated.
"Kate's both. She's my best friend and my assignment." Keith answered.
"Really?" Raph frowned. "Listen, Keith. I've known you for years. And I know something's up. There's something going on with you and that girl. And I need to know."
"Wha…?" Keith blinked.
"I saw you two in the park. The crying, the hugging…dude, I heard you talk about your mom to her. You never did that. And the way you look at her? The quick kiss she gave?" Raph said. "There's more to you two, isn't there?"
Ack! Raphael figured it out? Damn it! Who knew he was so observant? Keith always forgot that despite his weirdness and hyperactivity, Raph was still smart in some ways. And he knew Keith just as much as Keith knew him. There was no way the truth could be hidden now.
Keith sighed. "Can you keep a secret?"
"Of course." Raph replied.
"…I….I like Kate. A lot." Keith confessed.
Raph choked on air. "You're crushing on your assignment! You, an angel, is falling for her, a human? Dude I…I….I can't believe it!"
"Neither can I. But I really like this girl. I can't help but feel this way." Keith said. "And it's not like its against the rules! The code never said anything about 'liking' a human. So I'm technically safe!"
"Loopholes?" Raph smirked a little. "Maybe I'm becoming an influence after all."
"Don't remind me." Keith sweatdropped.
"Anyways, y-you like a human. A HUMAN." Raph was still astounded. "Wow…never imagined that to happen. Didn't think it was possible. So, uh…what is it that makes you like this chick?"
Keith collapsed onto the bed. "Gah…how do I explain it? It's….I just am. Everything about Kate, I like. She's beautiful; especially her smile and those sparkling blue jewels she calls eyes. But its also behind those eyes that get to me. Kate's a spirited, sweet, funny, energetic girl. That girl can make me laugh and motivate me to work hard. There's…there's so much about her I adore it's impossible to list it all."
Raph had listened the entire time. But as he did, his skin grew pale and eyes were wide. He was strangely quiet for the longest of times.
"Oh. My. Gawd." Raph whispered. "You're in love with her!"
"WHAT!" Now Keith choked. "I am not!"
"Dude, listen to yourself! You're falling hard for this girl! You love Kate!" Raph told him.
Keith jumped up and started pacing the room, panicking. "No, no, no! I can't be in love! I-it's against our nature! Angels don't fall in love with humans! This shouldn't be happening! I mean, I-I can't be in love! Me? Falling in love? No way! And with Kate? I don't know what I…I….gah!"
"Calm down!" Raph insisted.
At that moment, the door swung open. Speaking of which, there was Kate. Innocent, naïve Kate. Keith froze, unsure what to do.
"Hey guys!" Kate greeted. "Geez its so cold in here!"
"Yo!" Raph covered it up. "What's hanging?"
"Uh…it's bedtime? And this is my room?" Kate raised an eyebrow.
"…right! Total space out! Maybe I outta hit the hay." Raph faked a yawn. "I'll catch ya on the flip side!"
The cousin left the room. Kate went to the bathroom to change into pajamas, striking a some sort of conversation about Raph. Keith gave answers but didn't really pay attention. His mind was still paralyzed from the shock it received earlier. Redhead barely noticed Kate step out in her usual blue pawprint pajamas. Didn't see the girl let her hair down, flowing past her shoulders like a waterfall.
"Hey….um….Keith?"
Keith's mind sort of came to life at that point. He could see Kate looked a bit shy but wanted to ask him something.
"It's...it's kinda weird but um…" Kate mumbled. "It's a bit cold in here. Is it ok if I sleep with you tonight to keep warm?"
The angel blushed a heavy scarlet. Kate did as well seconds after.
"I mean next to you! In the same bed! Just sleeping! Nothing weird!" Kate stammered. "If…if it's ok with you…"
Keith wasn't sure what to make of this. He was still shell-shocked. And the cause of said shock was asking they share a bed tonight. That part of him screamed no while his heart (and possibly hormones) screamed yes. But Keith shivered at the now freezing air within the room. Those blankets wouldn't be thick enough to keep him warm.
"Sure." Keith accepted.
Lights were turned off and the two slipped into his bed; Kate on right side with Keith on left. Kate snuggled close to him, her hands on his chest. Keith, awkwardly, wrapped his arms around her waist. Feeling warmth, though, he drew her in closer to counter the cold. This was….nice. So peaceful and comforting. It felt like Kate was a puzzle piece that fit so well in his arms.
Not just in bed. But everywhere else. They were the perfect partners, a tag-team of sorts. That girl was the perfect blend of sugar and spice. And everything was nice about her. Kate understood him as well as Keith understood her.
Back at the park, with his mom…wow. Keith had never talked about his mom before. Never. It brought back memories that pained him. Yet with Kate, he could share this with her. He trusted her completely. No question in his mind. And Kate…she suddenly cried. She cried for him. All Keith had gotten was pity from other angels. Kate was the first to care about his feelings towards his moms death. She cared about him. Heck, she even called him a handsome young man.
"Am I really becoming a man?" Keith thought.
Sure he'd grown some. And the work outs showed. Keith felt himself hardly change but Kate must've noticed it. Wowzers. A handsome young man. The thought made Keith blush. Every guy, angel or human, always said it took this or that to be a man. But what was the real answer? What made Keith a man? Had to be more than the looks. Was it because he protected Kate?
Why did he protect Kate? Besides being an angel, why put so much effort into this assignment? Sure this was a big deal to the angels and would change the world. But Keith felt there was more. He protected Kate, at first, because they were best friends. Then because he had feelings for her. Which grew into a close relationship. Now? It felt like there was something else. Something…more.
Keith's breath stopped cold when the realization hit him like a truck. Raphael had been right. He had fallen in love with Kate! No….he was still falling for her. Faster and harder every day. His heart soared whenever he was with his sweetheart. No one ever made Keith feel this way. It was unique; a feeling that told Keith he was meant to be with Kate. That she was his one and only.
As amazing as this emotion was, Keith knew he was in deep trouble. If any of the angels found out, he'd be sent back to the angel world and have his wings chopped off. This was breaking rule number one! In all of history, no angel had ever broken this rule. It was unnatural! Against nature! Keith shouldn't be with a human other than to watch over her!
The redhead stared down at the resting girl, who buried herself into his chest. His heart melted; he couldn't help but smile. Keith truly loved her. Suddenly, the angel code didn't matter anymore. He didn't care that he ran a huge risk of a long, painful death in the future. All that mattered was his love for the sleeping girl and how he'd always protect her. He'd already been dancing on the edge when he admitted to liking Kate anyways.
"Kate." Keith whispered.
"Hm?" Kate's voice was muffled.
"I love you." Keith murmured.
Kate's eyes shot open. She looked straight at his own. Keith could see he had given Kate one heck of a surprise.
"What did you say?" Kate gasped.
"I love you." Keith repeated.
"Oh….my…gosh…" Kate blushed. "I…I love you too but…but what about your angel code? Keith, you'll be killed!"
"I don't care. I'll do everything to keep this a secret and make sure you're safe. All that matters to me now is my love for you." Keith told her. "Whether you're human or angel, I love you, Kate."
Kate's eyes were close to overflowing with tears. "I love you too, Keith."
They leaned forward even more and kissed. Keith felt a warm sensation throughout his body, with his heart pulsing faster than thought possible. So this was what love felt like. Keith had wondered once or twice why idiots were so hopelessly in love with their partner. But now? It made sense. Keith was practically drowning in a tidal wave of emotions but he was too happy to care. Like he was addicted to the feeling and the girl that he embraced…and quitting this 'drug' would kill him. When some said love was the most powerful thing in the world, they weren't kidding.
Both drew back after a little bit, staring into the others eyes. Keith fell asleep as he watched over his love.
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Damn it! Another dead end! So much for that lead. Issac sighed and continued working. He was restless, unable to sleep for some reason or another. And he had to be doing something; learning, researching, reading…anything! What better use for this unfocused energy than to study more on Kate's genetics and the chemical X.11?
"Issac? That you?"
At the sound of the familiar voice, Issac hid the notes and closed out the screen files. He had practiced this multiple times, should someone stroll on by and look over his shoulders. Issac turned to the door to see who, though he already knew who the voice belonged to.
"What're you doing up?" The genius asked.
"I should say the same to you." Rhythmi sleepily said. "It's late. Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"Can't. But I'll head to bed in a moment." Issac told her.
The mushroom haired genius was trying hard to keep eye contact. Rhythmi looked quite stunning in a pink nightgown. Who knew an attractive lady like that could be super smart? Not Issac smart, of course, but still impressive. Issac admitted he admired Rhythmi for this. But the likelihood of her being attracted to a not as good looking guy was slim. Especially with his massive scientific intellect. Issac had calculated the statistics one too many times.
Rhythmi started to walk over. "So what're you working on?"
"Nothing of particular interest. Formulas, mathematical equations and such." Issac replied nonchalantly.
"Really? What's that on the screen?" Rhythmi asked.
Issac looked at the computer. Darn it! He closed all but one screen. It held some of the data of the X.11 chemical and equations. Not much information was found yet, due to it being extremely unstable, so there were also estimates and guesses jotted down all over the page. Issac was hoping he'd get somewhere but alas, nothing yet.
The genius played out each response and scenario in his head. Saying 'nothing' would make the girl more interested and have her eventually find out Kate's secret (despite them all being friends, Issac respected privacy). By telling her a complicated math formula, he might bore her and she could leave. Or Rhythmi might see through the act. The only option was to tell her a little bit of the truth and omit everything else.
"It's a chemical I'm studying." Issac answered. "It's known as X.11."
"Really? Cool!" Rhythmi said. "So what's this chemical used for?"
"Er…not sure quite yet. I'm figuring it out. I'd like to also find the composition of this chemical and get it to molecular levels." Issac explained. "But this is a very unstable substance. One little miscalculation could eliminate the sample I have. And samples like these are…er..hard to come by."
"A rare chemical?" Rhythmi looked intrigued.
"In a sense." Issac shrugged.
Rhythmi studied the screen for a bit. Issac knew she wouldn't understand much of the data. But still…what was this girl thinking?
"Why not study smaller samples?" Rhythmi spoke up.
"Huh?" Issac blinked.
"You know, gather the chemical into smaller, multiple samples and test them out. That way if you fail, there's still more you can use." Rhythmi suggested.
Wait. Was she right? Issac mulled it over. He knew that messing with one tiny detail could destroy the entire blood sample. But destroying the sample didn't affect Kate. So the cells were like a domino effect. Destroy one and it eliminates the other cells around it. If Rhythmi's suggestion was right, he could separate multiple samples of the blood cells. If one sample was destroyed, the others wouldn't be affected! Then Issac could dive further and discover more about this chemical! YES! A BREAKTHROUGH!
"Rhythmi!" Issac pulled her into an overjoyed hug. "A million times thank you! You just helped my research!"
"I'm so glad I could help!" Rhythmi giggled.
….
It was a few seconds before they realized they were hugging. Issac let go and turned away, pink in the face.
"Er…I…uh…" Issac stammered. "I'll write down some notes and get some sleep in a moment."
"Yeah I better get to bed…" Rhythmi mumbled shyly.
Issac went back to typing as Rhythmi left the room. He was excited! More research to be done and more to discover! This was incredible! Finally, Issac might be onto something! But why else was he excited? Something else stirred him up.
And why did it feel like it was connected to Rhythmi?
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Oh heads up, a lot of you (some more than others…) have asked for Chia and Wave to return. I can't promise anything about that! *sweatdrop* I do want to slip in some bonus chapters with them and maybe even some of our other ranger friends. Already I scrapped four (and a half) ideas and chapters. So their time will come. Eventually.
Chia: Not fast enough…
Next chapter is coming soon!
