Dark Chocolate, White Diamonds

By Dixxy

Chapter Two: A Little Bit of Normalcy

(Kento)

Out of all the things that I've found in the least bit shocking, one thing stands out about the most. It wasn't when I got my armor. It wasn't the first time I saw Ryo's sure kill rip through Toyama or anything that happened during our first war. Not the knowledge of my extra magic from my torture sessions. Not the knowledge of the Senshi. Nope. None of that.

The most shocking thing I'd ever heard was when Keisha told me she loved me.

We had been in the middle of a battle, fighting for our lives. I KNEW Trulpa had plans to kill me and Keisha could only guess that she'd end up dead, too. When things began to look bleak and we couldn't hold off the Tin Heads anymore, Keisha had turned to me and blurted out that she loved me. I didn't know what to say to that for a long time.

Yeah, I decided I was in love with her later and told her so. And I am in love with her. Keisha is one of my only reasons for living anymore. I lost everything but my friendships with Sage and Cye and my armor, though I even lost that for a while. And suddenly, even when I have almost nothing, someone cares about me despite all that.

But why me?

It's been a question I'd been asking myself since after we toasted Trulpa. Why me? Why was I the one she wanted to spend time with? To share an embrace with? To be carried off over a shoulder by (well. . . she wasn't too fond of THAT, but she's so cute when she's angry, you know?)? To hold when she's nervous or kiss when she's happy?

Why me?

It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I wanted to take Keisha out to see a movie or something, but the phone line was busy. Meaning I had to go over there myself. After begging Mike to let me borrow his car (I'd only gotten my license two and a half months earlier and hadn't gotten my hands on a car yet), I drove to Keisha's house to ask her if she felt up to it.

Parking the blue Nissan on the curb infront of the townhouse the Narrlobi family called home, I knocked on the front door, then waited patiently for someone to answer. While I waited, I looked around to see if someone was outside, or even in they were home. Keisha's little orange bug sat in the driveway, so at least she was around.

Evan opened the door. He waved. "Hey, Kento, looking for Keisha?" he asked.

"Yeah, is she available?" I asked.

"She slept in late. She just got out of the shower a few minutes ago," said Evan. "C'mon in."

"Thank you," I said, stepping inside. Evan went upstairs, saying he was going to tell Keisha I was there. Mrs. Narrlobi wheeled in from the kitchen, a bright smile on her face. I liked Mrs. Narrlobi. Nice, middle aged woman with dark hair that was just beginning to gray. Her eyes were bright like Keisha's, only older and wiser, maybe a little more naïve. Heck, Keisha's eyes had been war torn. Her mother hadn't had that happen yet. Dainty and soft hands clutched my hand as I extended it to greet her. "Good day, Mrs. Narrlobi."

"Hello," she said. "Everything all right?"

"Oh yeah!" I said, rocking back on my heels as I scratched the back of my head. "Just wanted to see if Keisha felt like going out to see a movie or something, that's all. Great day to catch a movie. I swear, I've never seen the lines this short for a LONG time and I don't want to pass this opportunity up."

"Ask her," said Mrs. Narrlobi. "She should be-"

"Hi Kento!" Keisha was running down the stairs, buttoning up the top button of a nice orange blouse. She smiled at me, giving me a greeting kiss before grabbing her shoes, which were sitting by the door. She sat down and began to pull them on, giving me the rest of her attention as she tied the laces. "What's up?"

"Feel like catching a movie or something?" I asked.

She cocked her head to the side, straightening her headband. "Any special reason?"

"No, not really," I said. "The movie theaters are all dead. Everyone's out Christmas shopping. This is the PERFECT time to see a flick! So, whaddaya say? Movie or lunch or making out in the back of Mike's car, maybe driving to Mexico to get to some weed or something?"

Mrs. Narrlobi laughed, lightly slapping me on the shoulder. I smiled back. "Jerk."

"A movie, eh?" said Keisha. "What's playing?"

"Doesn't matter to me, just don't bring me to some sappy chick flick," I requested.

"That sounds nice," said Mr. Narrlobi, coming in from another room. Mr. Narrlobi was definitely older than Mrs. Narrlobi. He'd shaved his head recently, leaving only a mustache and beard behind. Bright blue eyes greeted me, a hint of joking in them as he stated his next comment. "Just keep your hands off her while you're there."

"Dad. . ." said Keisha, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Okay, we'll wait until after we leave the movie theater," I said. I got a deep belly laugh from the older black man and a "give me a break" look from Keisha's mother. "Hey, I apologize Mrs. Narrlobi. Not my fault you gave birth to one of the most beautiful girls on the face of this planet." Keisha blushed and giggled.

Her mother was not quite as amused. I was starting to cross the line with my harmless joking and I knew it. "You watch yourself, young man. Or else I'll sent Evan out to skin you alive," said Mrs. Narrlobi. Evan coughed, looking around innocently. He knew very well who'd win if the two of us were to ever fight. I'll give you a hint: it wouldn't be Evan.

"I know, I know," I said, holding my hands up in mock defense as the wheelchair bound woman swatted at me yet again. Keisha laughed, hanging on the side of the door frame as she waved at her family. "I'll take care of her and try to make sure she comes back in one piece. Nice talking with you!"

"Be back by nine," said Mrs. Narrlobi.

"Yes, mother," said Keisha. "C'mon, Kento. Let's get going."

That evening, I went to bed feeling happy. Keisha and I had a ball between going to the movies and lunch. We hung out around some of the different spots at town, just being a normal couple. No evil demons, no crazed Amazons, no nothing. We were just being regular old Kento Rei Fuang and Keisha Narrlobi.

The day had long since ended and I was now in my room. I reached over onto my bedside dresser and picked up a picture frame. It was a picture taken the previous summer of me and Keisha hugging cheek-to-cheek. It had been taken a few days after we returned from the Under City. The Charles River was behind us, a few rowers behind us, highlighting the wide grins on our faces.

Sometimes whenever I look at the two of us, I still think about our differences. Yeah, we have a lot of interests and what not in common, but. . . she's black and I'm Chinese. I can't tell you how many times we'll be out to lunch and we'll get these cold stares from people, some just surprised, some looking disgusted. The first few times we didn't understand why it happened until this one old woman told us to find someone "of our own kind". I wanted to give her the tongue lashing of her life, but she made me think, and we realized it.

Yeah, we'd thought about it before. After we kissed, even Keisha said that she was scared about how people would feel is we ever got together. I understood that feeling, too. If I ever decided to go home, and I was still with Keisha, would my parents except my cross-racial relationship? I didn't think my brothers and sisters would care, and my Uncle Qin would just say they should be glad that it wasn't a black MAN I was in love with. My parents, though. . . I wasn't sure.

I stopped and thought about it. It had been so close to a full eighteen months since I'd seen them, sixteen months since I'd last spoken to my mother over the telephone to tell her Cye and I were both okay. I felt a pit forming in my stomach. I missed them. I missed everyone back in Japan, including the other two Ronin Warriors.

Speaking of the other two Ronin Warriors, they hadn't responded to the letter we'd sent them several months back. I understand that the postal service can take a long time and all, but it seemed like it was taking too long. What if it was lost in the mail? What if someone else got it? I could help but be worried about it. What if something bad had happened to them and we weren't there to help them?

Relax, Kento, I thought to myself. They're tough. If something happened they'll be okay.

I heard a knock. "Who is it?" I asked.
"Your worst nightmare."

I laughed. "C'mon in, Sage," I said. Sage stepped in, wearing a pair of flannel pants and a Patriots jersey. The last living Flitteree wore a lot of football stuff as of late- his favorite shirt was a blue, long sleeved shirt with yellow sleeves and the number "14" (his number on the football team) on the front, also in bright yellow. If he wasn't wearing that, he was in a professional team jersey or some other athletic apparel. Kind of funny to think Sage had gone from the serious thinker in blazers and trousers to a full-blown jock in jerseys and jeans.

"What's up?" he asked, sitting next to me on my bed.

"Thinking," I said.

My friend gasped in mock shock. "You're thinking! Egad!" He put his hand over his heart and began to stagger over to my bed, eventually plopping down next to me. He looked over at me with wide, mischievous eyes. "Want me to call the papers? That's a rare event," said Sage. I shot him a look, getting a laugh out of the "overgrown fairy", as I called him. "I'm just kidding you. Penny for your thoughts?"

"I'm just thinking about how much our lives have changed since we had our first war with Talpa," I said. I put the picture frame down. "Just a year and a half ago, we were completely different people. I was a loud mouthed idiot and you were quiet and serious. Now we've almost switched personalities. I think more often, and you're getting into trouble more often."

Sage took on a thoughtful look. "Me, maybe, but you? You still have your moments as a thickheaded jerk," he said, punching my lightly in the arm. "But you're right, it isn't as often. I'm the one that gets the detentions now. YOU get reprimanded once in a while because Keisha gives you the stink eye before you do anything. I'm a wild child."

"It's because you're getting more in tune with your species," I said, poking him in the stomach. Sage swatted my hand away, mumbling something about the Pillsbury dough boy as he crossed one of my ankles over the opposite knee. "Finding your wings has given you a lighter, happier attitude towards life. You used to be a stick in the mud, remember?"

"Maybe," he said, scratching his head. He cleared his throat and stood up, ready to announce why he'd decided to come into my room. "Anyways, I came in looking for the five bucks you owe me from last week. Remember? The ice cream and soda you didn't have enough to pay for?"

"Oh yeah," I said. I stood up. "Let me get my wallet and I'll pay up, all right?"

"Okay," said Sage. I grabbed my wallet and began to sift through the bills inside. I had only recently received my paycheck and my finances were in much better order than they had been in the previous week. I pulled out a five and passed it to my friend. "Sleep tight." I nodded as he left the room. I then crawled under the covers, turned off my lamp, and went to sleep.

This chapter was something of an explanation of Kento's feelings on his relationship with Keisha and her family, and a little on his feelings of his new lifestyle. Er. . . kinda pointless note but I didn't feel like jumping into the reviews right away for some reason.

Harry: No, this one is part of the Senshi series. I don't have many plans for anything outside of EoIv2.0, the Princess story, and this one as far as Ronin stuff goes. The Thanksgiving scene was supposed to further show how the Senshi are trying to get the boys to adjust to like in America, and at the very least Kento seems to like it! Unfortunately, Ryo and Rowen don't make a showing until the next story, and, on Rowen's part, the first impression isn't all that great. Course I need to get through Oh, Lucky Me first. Grrr. . . damned writer's block.

Aynslesa: Yup. Thanksgiving. Just a nice, happy way to start off the story. Yeah, Kento doesn't have too many romances going for him, which is why I have so much focus on him and Keisha even when it isn't there story (note them in the prologue for the Cye/Sara story and the "two dollar slut" talk in Amazons).

Kar-chan: Yeah, she brings out a whole new side to him, doesn't she? Yes, Kento would love Thanksgiving, so since this story has a slight Kento focus, it only makes sense. Ah, okay on the Dreamcast thing. Why would Sony sue, though? Your brother woke you up to play those games? Had it been me he would have gotten a good idea on what Kento felt during the entire Sand-striker episode (smashed into a wall with a wrecking ball, building fallen on top of him, punched in the groin, ect.).

Winter: Don't sweat it, I don't always understand everything I read all the time either. Yeah, Lunar kicks butt. Chrono Cross kicks even more butt because it has characters like Glenn, Serge, Glenn, Norris, Glenn, Karsh, Glenn, Marcy, Glenn, ZOAH, Glenn, and did I mention Glenn? Gee, bet you can't guess who my favorite character is. He's the victim- er, main character in all of my CC stories with the exception of one, but only because he's sharing the spotlight with four to five others.

One more chapter to go before bombshell #1 hits.

Dixxy