Hitomi opened the door and slipped inside the house. From the sounds coming from the kitchen, her mother was cooking dinner. Hitomi sighed and walked into the kitchen, not sure what to expect from her mother, especially after leaving her with the two young men all day.
"Mom! I'm home!" she called out.
"I'm in the kitchen making dinner!" Mihira replied. "It should be ready in a few minutes. Yuuhi is here for dinner too. Your guests are sleeping upstairs in the guestroom, but I wouldn't disturb them if I were you. They had a rather traumatic day."
Hitomi pondered the cryptic remark for a few minutes, then decided that it would be best to find out from her mother right away. Dropping her backpack by the stairs, Hitomi walked into the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe.
Her mother was dropping some spices into a large bowl and running a finger down the recipe while muttering the ingredients. When Mihira heard Hitomi in the doorframe, she jumped and whirled around. When she saw it was only Hitomi, she relaxed and smiled.
"Hi darling, I was just…just…" Her smile faltered a bit, then disappeared completely. "Hitomi, what's wrong?"
Hitomi shook her head. "You were the one that jumped. You were the one who said that the two guests had a traumatic day. You were the one who invited Yuuhi over…and you never invite guests over. You always go to their house. I'm surprised Yuuhi even knew where to come! I think that you need to tell me what's wrong." Throughout the tirade, Hitomi had become angry, but when she saw her mother's expression, all her anger melted away.
"What's wrong, mom?" Hitomi asked softly.
"I just had a long day, and your guests were having a difficult time adjusting to this new world. If I were you," Mihira said with a faint grin, "I would go shopping with them tonight. They needed clothes, since their shirts were ripped, and the only robes I found them that were large enough…"
Hitomi gasped. "No, you didn't!"
"I did!" Mihira replied gleefully. "The lovely kimonos in those beautiful pastel colors!"
Hitomi shook her head, laughing, having already forgotten her mother's earlier distress. "I'll take them out tonight. I think the department store in Ginza prefecture stays open all night."
"Alright. Get money from my purse…I think that should cover the subway tickets and a decent wardrobe for both of them. Make sure they don't get in any trouble, and buy a pair of shades for each of them, a gift from me."
"I will." Hitomi grabbed a handful of bills from her mother's wallet and walked upstairs. Yuuhi was asleep in her mother's room, tangled in several blankets with a pleased smile on her face. Hitomi gaped for a few seconds, then shook her head and walked on to her room. Every window in the hallway was closed and it took her a second to locate the door handle. Inside, both Van and Kiosun lay on the covers, limbs tangled. As she watched, Kiosun shifted to his left a bit and…
…promptly fell off the bed. Jerking awake with a start, he looked around, confused. Van's eyes had snapped open and closed almost immediately. Muffled laughter could be heard from him as Kiosun muttered something and focused on Hitomi.
"Ah, Hitomi," he said with a smile. "How was school?"
Van sat up and stretched, cat-like. Hitomi shrugged uncomfortably as her breath caught in her throat. "It went well. Amano wanted to be sure that you hadn't molested me, my teachers wanted to know why my homework wasn't done, and Yuki wanted to know if he--" she pointed at Kiosun, "was available."
Van's mouth twitched and Kiosun burst into laughter. Ki finally gained control of himself and shook his head. "No, I'm not available. I'm already married."
Hitomi's eyes widened. "Already? How old are you?"
"He's not exactly married…" Van began, at the same time Kiosun replied, "I lost track."
Hitomi raised an eyebrow. "Not exactly? Lost track?"
Van shook his head. "He never went through the marriage ceremony, but as far as everyone involved is concerned, they're married. He's nineteen years old."
Hitomi looked at Kiosun, who nodded ruefully. Putting aside her questions, she decided to broach the subject of shopping. "My mother suggested I go with you to shop for some new clothes."
The pair nodded. "New clothes would be appreciated," Van said with a chuckle. Kiosun hid a smile behind his hand and nodded agreement.
Hitomi held up the money she held in her hand. "Mom gave me some cash. Do you want to leave now?"
Ki looked nervously at the window as Van cringed slightly. Hitomi glanced in puzzlement at them. Van coughed and said hoarsely, "Is it sunset yet?"
"Yes…just a few minutes ago." Hitomi watched them carefully. Van relaxed and Kiosun shuddered, rubbing a hand over his arms as though they pained him. They exchanged glances and stood up. Van bowed to her and gestured for her to lead the way. Kiosun smiled gently and said nothing, following her into the hall. Then he glanced in Mihira's room at Yuuhi. Seeing that she was sleeping still, he winced and ran a hand through his hair uncomfortably.
"Do you think she's…" Van appeared worried.
"She's fine. She just needs rest," Ki replied in an undertone. Hitomi politely ignored the exchange and bid her mother farewell. Van stopped Hitomi just before she left the house.
"Are you sure we should go out in these?" he asked, gesturing to the kimonos.
Hitomi raked them with a look. "No. Go change into your pants and torn shirts. Otherwise you'll have men crawling over you in seconds." She shook her head and sat on the padded bench near the door. Van and Kiosun trotted upstairs and came back in a few minutes, looking far worse for the wear in their tattered shirts, but seeming amused.
Hitomi looked them over again, critically. Van's shirt was ripped in the front, showing a well-muscled chest and stomach. Kiosun's shirt was ripped at the shoulders and back, revealing a great deal of pure white flesh. However, on both men there were livid burns, red and harsh. In some places there was skin that seemed covered in scars, thin lines that were a shade paler than their regular skin. Hitomi blinked, but the thin lines and burns remained. "What happened?"
"We had a hard time adjusting to the new world…" Kiosun muttered, studying his feet. Hitomi frowned, then shrugged and led the way out of the house.
"Come on. First we ride the subway to Ginza, then we can hit all the department stores."
Van nodded, glancing back at the house once more, then turning to smile at Hitomi. Her heart skipped a beat and she blushed. Praying that the darkness hid her reaction, she wondered about it.
I thought I was in love with Amano…
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Van, we have a problem.
Oh?
That girl is falling in love with you…
That's not good…How can you tell?
Van, you're a vampire! Tune into her heartbeat. Whenever she looks at you, it speeds up.
Kiosun chuckled at Van's string of vicious curses. Hitomi turned her puzzled face towards them, a question on her lips. Van shook his head before she could voice it and grinned at her. "Never mind, it's not important. Personal joke," he added and winked, glad that she didn't know they were telepathic. Kiosun could sense the turmoil in Van's mind as he realized how accurate Ki's observation was. Ki was hard pressed to refrain from bursting into laughter at Van's expression after Hitomi turned back around.
Don't worry, I'll help you find a way out of it! We just have to tell her you're not available.
How? From her statement earlier, about men jumping us if we left the house in those kimonos, she's not partial to the idea.
Actually, I thought she was relatively neutral on the subject. Her mother wouldn't let her grow up with a bias like that. The only reason I think she mentioned that was for our sake.
Hmm…Perhaps. Or perhaps we should simply not mention the fact that my life partner is a male.
Ah, but where's the fun in that?
Van shot a sideways glance at Ki.
Kiosun, please remember that we are her guests right now, and if she threw us out, we'd have no safe house.
Her mother wouldn't let her. Once Hitomi left us in Mihira's care, she gave up all rights to us.
Are you sure about that?
No. But I'm sure Mihira wouldn't allow us to be thrown out.
Fine. So, what do we tell her?
Just be patient. I'll find a perfect time to tell her!
Van winced. This did not bode well…But there was really nothing he could do to stop Ki, so he might as well relax and enjoy the show. Realizing that Hitomi had just said something, he looked at her guiltily. "What was that?"
"I said, we're at the subway station now." Van looked around him and his eyes widened. Subways on either side of him and maps on the wall in front of him caught his eye. In the artificial white light, the colors were astounding, almost as though they were highlighted by sunlight. The subway station was not quite empty, and he and Kiosun were attracting quite a few stares from the people around them. Hitomi led the way to a small booth and spoke rapidly to the man behind the glass. He handed her three tickets in exchange for some of the money, then pointed at one of the subways. Hitomi thanked the man and led the way to the subway.
The subway ride was fairly uneventful, though both vampires were slightly claustrophobic and had trouble remaining calm. Hitomi explained that this wasn't a very common problem, but that if both of them kept taking deep breaths and thinking of open spaces, it would be over soon.
She was right. They disembarked in the Ginza station (which looked exactly like the first) and walked up the stairs into the Ginza prefecture. Hitomi gave them each a map of the area that she obtained in the station and pointed to a small place next to a large blue building.
"That is where we'll meet if we get separated. It's right over there—" she pointed across the street. Van and Kiosun took careful not of the spot and surrounding area and nodded. Then Hitomi led them towards the first white building.
Inside the department store were clothes of all kinds imaginable. Jeans, khakis, kimonos, and school uniforms hung neatly on hangers. Posters and signs in Japanese were hung randomly around the store and the whole area was lit with the same harsh white glow as the subway station. Overwhelmed, Van and Kiosun could only stare, speechless. Hitomi seemed to expect this, and quietly ushered them to a desk at the right side of the store. This side seemed to contain men's clothing, and the young man behind the desk cast a critical eye over both of them. Assessing their injuries, he straightened and looked worried.
"What happened to you?" he asked.
Hitomi answered for them. "They just arrived from America. Their house burned down there, and they came here to stay with me for a time. They have never been here before, so I took them shopping to find clothes to replace the ones they lost."
The young man was skeptical, but the house fire would explain the burns and lack of clothes. "What about the scars? And the ripped clothing?"
This time Kiosun answered. "We're both professional fencers. The clothing ripped when we jumped out of the house."
The young man nodded and bowed slightly. "My name is Aiyuri."
"Van Fanel."
"Kiosun."
"Pleased to meet you. How is it that you speak Japanese so well? You don't even have an accent." Aiyuri asked, intrigued.
"Well, we grew up in a Japanese family. Japanese is our first language, though we never actually lived here." Kiosun replied with a charming smile.
"I see." Aiyuri chuckled and glanced at Hitomi as she returned from browsing the clothing. "Hitomi, are these the visitors you were talking about in school?"
"Yes."
Aiyuri looked at the pair carefully and then back at Hitomi. "So you want me to find them a complete wardrobe? School clothes too?"
"Yes—" she began.
"No." Van and Kiosun spoke at once. Quickly their eyes flicked towards each other and then away. Van gestured to Kiosun, who continued speaking. "We already finished high school."
Aiyuri raised an eyebrow. "How old are you?"
"I'm nineteen. Van is…umm…" Kiosun hesitated. Seventeen was not old enough to be out of high school…
"Also nineteen." Van inserted.
Aiyuri shook his head in disbelief. "You don't look it, Van. Oh well, let's see what I can find for you to wear. Two formal kimonos, enough regular clothes for a couple weeks…How long are you staying?"
"We're not really sure yet…" Kiosun hesitated and looked forlorn. Van slipped his hand into Ki's and squeezed gently, offering support. Hitomi missed the gesture, but Aiyuri saw and made note of it.
"Very well. Let's just get your measurements, and you can decide on a few clothes. Then you can try them on and model for each other." Aiyuri took them into a small fitting room and gestured for them to remove their shirts. Van hesitated for only a moment before shrugging philosophically and removing his shirt. Ki followed suit.
Aiyuri let out his breath in a soft hiss. Of the two, Van had more scars, but Kiosun had a fair number as well. Aiyuri spoke softly, accusingly. "One does not get scars like that from mere fencing. All fencing blades are dull…at least the professional ones. Unless you both are awful fencers—and I truly doubt that—it would be difficult to have so many scars."
Van shook his head and Kiosun refused to take his eyes off the carpet. When it seemed that neither one would speak, Aiyuri shrugged. "Fine. It's none of my business really. I just thought I might be able to help…"
"We don't exactly fence. We fight with swords, much like your samurai. Kiosun's been doing it for longer, but I had a better teacher." Van was reluctant to say more, but Aiyuri pressed on, knowing that Van would answer him anyway.
"If you had a better teacher, why did he give you so many scars?"
Van shuddered. "I don't know…"
"Hitomi doesn't know, does she?"
"No."
"And she doesn't know that you two are lovers?"
Kiosun jerked and retreated a step, folding Van in his arms. "How did you know?"
Aiyuri narrowed his eyes. "I didn't, until you said that. It was a hunch. Two men, living in the same house, both sword fighters, both so aware of each other. You were either lovers or brothers, and when Van comforted you earlier, I guessed at lovers. You don't really look related…the hair, the eyes, and the skin, yes, but the facial structure is different."
"You are very observant." Ki was torn between being angry and rueful. Deciding on rueful, he released Van and nodded at Aiyuri. "I respect that."
Aiyuri took out a measuring tape and began to measure them both, smiling secretly. "Thank you. Hitomi is not going to be happy when she finds out…I do not envy her. She's very oblivious, you know. Her best friend is in love with her crush, her mother and father…" Aiyuri winced. "I shouldn't have said that…"
"We already know." Van obligingly lifted his arms at Aiyuri's direction. "Mihira told us when she guessed about our relationship. It was my fault then too…"
Kiosun shook his head. "It wasn't your fault. Just bad timing. Usually it's me who ends up hugging you at night!"
All three young men laughed and walked out of the dressing room. Aiyuri gave them a flash-tour of the store and helped them pick out ten outfits and a formal kimono each. Hitomi was browsing in the ladies section and didn't return until all three were back at the counter. Aiyuri rang up their purchases and accepted the money from Hitomi. When he gave her back the change she frowned and shook her head.
"This isn't the right amount of change…I owe you a lot more than that."
Aiyuri winked. "I know. Consider the kimonos my gift. After all, I do have a job, so I can afford it." Hitomi gave them each two bags to carry and walked towards the exit as Van and Ki expressed their thanks to Aiyuri.
"Oh, before you go…" Aiyuri rummaged around in the drawer under the counter for a pen and paper. On it, he wrote his name, phone number, and address and handed it to Kiosun. "If either of you need a place to stay after she," he jerked his head at Hitomi who was waiting patiently by the door, "finds out, you're always welcome at my house. I think she's pretty neutral about that sort of thing, but I also think she's got her sights set on Van here." He winked and shooed them in the direction of the door. "Have a fun rest of the night! And don't get into too much trouble!"
Van and Kiosun grinned as they followed Hitomi from the store.
I liked him!
Van's mindvoice was cheerful and bright. Kiosun pouted and mock-sniffed.
I think I'm jealous…
Not like that! You'll always be the only one for me, Ki!
Ki grinned.
I know.
Hitomi looked at them crossly. "Are you even listening to a word I say? I just asked if you wanted to get a bite to eat."
Both laughing too hard to reply, Van and Kiosun gestured ineffectively. Finally they controlled their expressions and shook their heads. "No, we already ate today."
"You've been shopping for hours! Aren't you even slightly hungry?"
"Not really." Something caught Kiosun's eye and he turned towards it. In the distance, a tower rose majestically, every detail outlined in lights. "What is that?"
"Tokyo Tower. It is a duplicate of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. It's a classic place for tourists, school field trips, and romantic couples to go."
Van stared, awed, then replied without thinking. "Do you think we could go there?" he asked, looking straight at Hitomi. She blushed furiously and nodded, hurriedly turning away.
Stupid idiot…never, ever reply without thinking! Why does that silly girl have to take everything in the wrong light?
Van, you're leaking again. Calm down, love. Soon you won't have to worry about her. We still have plenty of time left before sunrise. You and I can grab a quick bite to eat after we find a way to distract her for a few minutes.
How do we distract her?
I think our problem is going to solve itself. Isn't that Amano walking towards us?
"Hitomi! I talked to your mother and she said you were shopping for clothes with Van and Kiosun in Ginza. I thought you might need an escort, but your mother just wouldn't stop laughing when I suggested it."
"I'm fine. Aiyuri just found them some clothes and I was going to take them to Tokyo Tower. Would you like to join us?"
"Of course! Would you like to get something to eat first?" Amano asked. Hitomi nodded.
"Van and I aren't hungry right now, but we wouldn't mind talking to Aiyuri for a while. Would you both like to eat while we wait here for you?" Kiosun suggested.
Hitomi looked surprised. "That would be fine. Amano?"
Amano nodded. "Fine with me. Come on, Hitomi; let's go. See you later!" He waved at the pair of grinning vampires and slipped an arm around Hitomi's waist. Together they walked off into the night, leaving Van and Kiosun surprised and pleased at the turn of events.
They went in and told Aiyuri about the subterfuge, explaining that they needed some time alone, away from Hitomi. Aiyuri was all in favor of it, and promised to cover for them in Hitomi and Amano returned before Ki and Van. The pair left their packages with Aiyuri and left the store.
Finding prey was far easier than they could have hoped. Searching the alleys throughout Ginza, they found a pair of young man just a few blocks away. Leaning against a wall, the first reeked of drugs and alcohol. Judging him to be poisoned, Van and Kiosun turned their attention to the second.
He smelled fine; though there was a drug scent on him, it was obvious he wasn't using them. He glanced around the alley every few seconds, watching for danger. When he decided he was alone, he turned his full attention to the drugged man in front of him.
"I have the drugs with me. Where is the money?"
"Here…" The drugged man gave him a huge handful of cash. The second man handed him a plastic bag filled with a white powder. The first man mumbled something and stumbled away, not noticing the vampires he passed. The second man remained behind and leaned against the wall, hands shoved in pockets and eyes studying the stars.
"You're still in training, Van," Ki whispered. "This prey is yours."
Van didn't bother to reply, but walked nonchalantly up to the drug dealer. Without a sound, he placed his fingers on the other man's chin and drew his face down. The man's eyes looked at Van, at first with puzzlement, then surprise, anger, fear…and then, nothing. He stood, eyes blank, and waited for his new master to give him instructions.
I'm finished.
Record time, too. Good job, Van.
Do we feed deeply tonight?
Yes. He does not deserve to live, and if we can improve this world while we stay, why not?
Why not indeed?
They drank everything the drug dealer had to offer. The last drops of his lifeblood tasted sweet, and their burns slowly disappeared.
"At this rate, our wings should be healed within the week." Kiosun noted absently, licking a drop of blood from the corner of his mouth. Van agreed and searched the man. Finding two more packets of white powder and several wads of cash, he grinned. The drugs were dropped in the nearest sewer, but the money he kept.
"With this, we should be able to pay Mihira back for the clothes."
Kiosun frowned at the cash. "I think we could pay her for the clothes several times over with that."
Van shrugged. "We should be getting back now. We wouldn't want to worry our hostess and her friend, would we?"
As it was a question that he obviously didn't expect an answer to, Kiosun followed without comment.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Back so soon?" Aiyuri grinned wickedly. "You look pleased."
Van closed his eyes and smiled slowly. "I am."
Kiosun snorted and smiled indulgently. "We went to this really nice private restaurant together. We had a really nice meal, and the food has gone a long way towards restoring us."
"I see…" Aiyuri winked at them and leaned against the counter. "Just how private was this restaurant, hmm?"
Since he's being so nosy, he deserves what he gets…
Kiosun sent his telepathic senses out from the building and checked for anyone who might walk into the building. Sensing no one, he grinned at Aiyuri.
"Private enough to do this…" He swept Van into his arms and kissed him heartily, chuckling against Van's mouth when his lover made a startled "mrp."
Aiyuri blushed and averted his eyes. "I deserved that…" he muttered, half to himself and half in apology to the blushing Van and smirking Kiosun.
Kiosun glanced at the door. "Heads up," he said softly, "but I think our hostess and her friend are here."
"I don't see anyone," Aiyuri said in confusion.
"Just wait," Van said. "I sense them too."
As he finished speaking, Hitomi and Amano walked in. Hitomi was flushed and somewhat shy, but Amano didn't seem to notice. He glanced around the store and spotted them, then walked over nonchalantly. Hitomi followed silently, recovering her composure.
"I'm not the only one she's fallen for," Van murmered. "It won't be too bad for her, then."
"You're forgetting something. Hitomi's best friend is in love with him too, though she hasn't realized it yet." Aiyuri watched the pair walking towards them with half-lidded eyes. "I really don't envy her."
Van and Kiosun nodded agreement as the pair came within hearing distance. Hitomi looked up and them and smiled tentatively. "Did you have a nice talk?"
"Yup. And how was your dinner?" Aiyuri picked up a pen and began drawing on the nearest piece of paper as he spoke.
"Fine." Hitomi looked at Van and Ki. "Are you ready to head to Tokyo Tower?"
Ki nodded and the four of them trailed out of the store after bidding farewell to Aiyuri for the third time.
The trip to the Rippongi district was uneventful and short. Before long, they stood at the top of Tokyo Tower admiring the view.
"Tokyo is huge!" Van breathed, stunned. "It's even larger than Fanalia! And Fanalia is a whole kingdom!"
"I must admit, I am impressed." Kiosun gazed around the bright city with raised eyebrows. Beside them, Amano and Hitomi were pointing out the buildings that they recognized.
"My house is in that direction, but I don't think we can see it from here…there's the school, right there!" Hitomi gestured at the places she spoke about. Amano was grinning.
"Too bad Yuki's not here too. She'd love this little outing!" Amano said, leaning on the railing.
"Is Yuki the girl we met on the first night?" Van asked, curiously.
"Yes. Yuki is my best friend." Hitomi answered.
That must be the best friend that Aiyuri said was in love with Amano.
Yeah. Hitomi is so oblivious! She has all the information, but she doesn't realize a thing, even when she spends a lot of time with the people involved. She doesn't realize her best friend's crush, or our relationship, or the fact that we're vampires. She doesn't even realize that we're telepathic, even after we took all that information from her mind. And she still doesn't realize her mother's preferences, though Aiyuri guessed.
Before Van could reply, a redheaded girl ran up to them, barely panting.
"Amano! Hitomi! I went to your house and your mom said you two went with the strangers to the department stores, and when I got there, Aiyuri told me that you had all gone to Tokyo Tower!" Yuki stood with one hand on her hip, gaze accusatory. "Why didn't you invite me?"
Van saw the beginnings of an argument and the diplomatic prince inside of him stepped forward. "It was not intentional, Yuki. We just went to get some new clothes and met up with Amano outside the store. It was an accident, and not a deliberate slight."
Yuki turned towards him, eyes blazing. Seconds later, the anger melted away and was replaced by confusion. "When did you learn to speak Japanese?"
Amano and Hitomi frowned, both realizing what they had missed. Van bit his lip and waited for help from Kiosun. Kiosun shrugged.
"Well…" Van hesitated. "It's a talent from our world. Rapid learning…"
There was a long, disbelieving pause. No one said a word.
Finally, Kiosun broke the silence. "It will be dawn soon. We better get back to the house."
"There's no school tomorrow. Maybe we could give you a tour of Tokyo then?" Yuki asked with a sidelong glance at Amano. All three of the men caught the look, but Hitomi was watching the cars on the street below.
Oblivious.
Yeah.
"How about tomorrow night instead?" Kiosun suggested smoothly.
Yuki shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me. Tomorrow night is fine."
Amano was blushing as he looked at Yuki. Van and Kiosun grinned, knowing that the pair would soon be a couple. Hitomi looked confused, but there was a dawning understanding in her eyes as she watched both of her best friends blush and glance away from each other.
Kiosun watched the unfolding drama and nearly groaned.
It's going to take them forever to figure everything out. I think it's time to shed light on this little love triangle.
Before Van could ask a single question, Kiosun grinned at Amano and Yuki. "Are you two dating yet?"
Van groaned and shook his head. No tact, no diplomacy…
Yuki was now a brilliant scarlet, despite her dark coloring. "No, I…Hitomi…and Amano…"
"Hitomi has a crush on Amano, and because you're her best friend you didn't want to butt in? But you've had a crush on him for sometime, and Hitomi never noticed. I'm not sure whom Amano likes…perhaps you ought to ask him." Kiosun carefully diverted the two girl's attention from him to the object of their affection, knowing that in their slightly stunned state, they wouldn't lash out at him.
Hitomi looked stunned. "Yuki…you always liked him? And you never told me?"
Yuki looked at the ground. "Kiosun was right. I knew you liked him, so I didn't say anything."
Amano looked nonplussed. "You both like me?"
The two girls glared at him and he sweatdropped. Hitomi looked at Yuki. "You can have him."
"Really?" Yuki looked unsure. "But you've liked him for years…"
"So have you. I'll get over it."
She shows a great deal of maturity for her age.
No. She's just after you now.
Shit…I forgot about that…
She won't be for long, though. Heh heh heh…
Just what are you planning? I really don't think it's a good idea to alienate her.
Don't worry, Van! I have everything under control.
Tell me you won't do anything. You can't lie mind to mind.
I…can't do that.
Van shook his head, slightly angry at his lover's attitude. Hitomi and Yuki were hugging and Amano seemed totally at a loss. In a matter of seconds, Yuki was hanging onto Amano's arm and Hitomi was smiling, happy for her best friend. "You make a good couple," she noted, pleased.
Kiosun was grinning like a cat with cream. By being so blunt, he had somehow managed to settle everything between the three earth children. Without any finesse, tact, diplomacy, or social skills, he'd worked everything out neatly. And for some reason, this made Van incredibly annoyed. Realizing that this could possibly be radiating through their link, he surrounded himself with a shield, cutting off the mind signatures around him.
Peace…why does it seem so empty?