Due to the fact that I haven't gotten any new reviews since I posted this second part as an add-on to the first chapter, I'm going to try posting it as a separate chapter. Hope fully this will get your attention.

NOW R&R! OR I SHALL CONSUME YOUR SOULS!



"Angels Would Fall"

By: Nizuno Mikomi



Aoi swung back around to face the computer and stared intently at the computer screen, contemplating the enigmas of human existence in an endless array of pixels. She could feel the presence of the lanky street fighter across the room, could feel his dark eyes on her, sweeping over her form, as clearly as if he had physically touched her.

*Wish he would . . .NO! DAME! Bad Aoi, bad hormones.*

One corner of her mouth twitched, a sure sign that she was irritated. Resisting a strong urge to turn and return Sano's gaze, she poured her consciousness into the computer program, fingertips flying over the keyboard like small birds. The clattering noise of the keys filled her thoughts until she all but forgot about the man sitting just across her living room, watching her every move. Her jaw tensed imperceptibly.

*Damnit, Sagara Sanosuke . . . get out of my head! Out, I say!*

The rate of her typing increased until it was almost inhuman. Staccato taps filled the echoing silence between them, filled Aoi's mind with an endless numbing pattern of letters and words, filled the entire sphere of her existence it seemed. But not that lonely, empty part of her soul . . . that tiny ache that always remained, that forced her to put on the mask of a tough, emotionless automaton, that guarded her tenderest feelings . . . .

It . . . protected her . . . . didn't it?

Clenching her teeth against a scream that was threatening to rise from deep inside her, Aoi typed even faster, her hands a blur from the wrists down, fingertips striking the keys so hard they began to ache. She ignored the dull pain beginning to reverberate through her carpels, even when her eyes threatened to tear up. She gritted her teeth harder and choked on the rapidly rising scream of frustration welling in her soul, struggling to keep silent, but it was a losing battle and any second now she would completely lose her cool . . . .

Strong warm hands closed around her wrists and pulled them away from the keyboard. Aoi started and jerked her head up.

"Aoi . . . what the hell are you trying to do?" Sano asked her. "Do you want to break something?"

*Maybe I do . . . .*

"In a way, yes," she answered, yanking her hands out of his grasp. "A board would be nice . . . or somebody's head." At that, the street fighter hesitated and backed up a step. Aoi glared at him tiredly. "Not yours, Tori Atama." She put an elbow on the desk and cupped one hand around her forehead. "Not unless . . . never mind."

"Not unless what?" Sano pressed her.

"Nothing. Nan demo nai desu."

Sano leaned in and gave her his patented "that's-a-load-of-bullshit-and-we-both-know-it" look. "Come on, Aoi. I've been around you and Mikomi and the other chicks long enough to know that 'nothing' is girlspeak for 'something.' Now spit it out."

Another tired glare from Aoi. "I don't wanna."

"You feel better if you talk about it."

This time, the glare was wide-eyed and vicious. *Eek . . . .*

"Who are you, my shrink?! I don't WANT to talk about it! Especially not with you!"

"Why not?"

"Because, I . . . because." She slouched in the chair and crossed her arms stubbornly.

*Yup, exactly like Mikomi.*

"Ah-HA! Now we're getting somewhere!" Sano pulled up a chair, sat down, and proceeded to annoy Aoi further. "So . . . you've got a problem, you don't wanna talk about it, and my guess is it's got something to do with yours truly, 'cause you REALLY don't want me to know about it."

Aoi glared at him even more viciously, if such a thing were possible. "Annnnnnd, your point is?"

Sano grinned triumphantly. "My point is . . . . " Aoi's heart thudded nervously.

*Shit . . . is he really perceptive enough to figure me out?*

Sano slumped dejectedly. "Actually, I have no point. I have no idea what your problem is." Silent sighs of relief from Aoi.

*Damnit, I wouldn't HAVE this problem if her weren't so . . . so . . . NO! I won't even THINK it!*

"Aoi," his voice broke into her thoughts.

"Nani?" she answered, her voice shaking more than she meant it to.

"Nothing really," the ex-gangster shrugged. He paused, then looked directly at her with dark eyes that seemed to smolder. "Just this." Catching her chin between finger and thumb, he leaned forward and brushed his mouth over hers, lightly . . . once . . . twice . . . three times was too much. Aoi yanked his hand away and practically threw herself backwards, out of the the chair, turquoise eyes wide and shocked and PISSED.

"Why you conniving little sonuva . . . ."

Whatever creative insult she was planning to unleash never made it out, as she suddenly found herself pinned to the wall. She had just enough time to splutter something foul enough to scorch an iceberg before Sano's mouth closed over hers and all rational thought ceased.

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MWAHAHHAHAHAHAAA! Cliff-hanger-ness of DOOM! I'll require at least ten more reviews before I'll consider posting anything else. And maybe it'll WORK this time . . . ja ne! ^.^