A/N: *chases my comp with a baseball bat* Stupid craptacular useless piece of @*&#$!!!

Sorry for the delay!! My stupid comp completely broke down on me, and I lost a lot of my data ... but I think I've finally got it it work ... I hope.

~*~

Chapter 10: Friends First

The book landed with a hard thump as it hit multiple other texts, stacked as high as the ceiling. They - better said he - had taken out as many volumes as he could think of that just might contain something useful to them. Haruka. HARUKA! Ryu shouted, however barely getting a response. She had been staring at the same page for the last hour or so. Yo, cross dresser!!! At least that got her to respond. Hmm? Yeah I said she was beautiful---err, found something? Come on, you're the one who screwed the whole world over, and you're letting me, ME, do all the work!? You could've at least found someone who knew what they were doing!!

Alright alright, I'm looking, sheesh Dad. She started flipping through the pages again, though the words she was reading seemed like jumble to her; her mind kept wandering around until it landed on what she really wanted to think of, Michi. The sea roaring eyes, the silk hair, snow white skin, soft lips; how Haruka longed to know what they might taste like. She was suddenly ripped from her thoughts when screams of terror came from every angle followed by a sharp explosion, the pulse knocking everyone down.

Books and flaming pages scattered the floor, Haruka coughed and stood up slowly, open volumes falling with the pages fluttering. She suddenly called out. Ove--ri-right here. He stammered, holding his arm up. He lay underneath a large oak bookshelf, a good part of his lower half stuck underneath. The blonde gasped and stumbled towards him. Holding his hand she reassured him softly, Look, another one of those things that we'll remember and laugh. attempting a laugh, though it coming out more like a gurgle of a cry. Just hang on, I'll get you out. She mumbled, standing by one of the corners and trying to lift it. It didn't budge at all - these old bookshelves weren't meant to ever fall over. Haruka stop. Go find Michi. he choked out. I'm not going to leave you here alone! The police'll never get here on time! The blonde uttered. You're ... bleeding ... Haru--ka. Friends come first. she gritted through her teeth, feeling the edges of the wood cut into her skin.

Ending that tactic, she searched around frantically for something and found a burning wooden plank. Ripping off a section of cloth from her jacket she put it on his mouth and put his hand over it. It's gonna get a little smokey. she said, trying to make a joke out of it. He chuckled lightly, Remind ... remind me to kill you ... after this. She held the fire close to the shelves, letting them slowly light on fire. Once partially burned, she kicked the wood, embers flying everywhere. Finally throwing the burning plank aside she knelt down to lift the remaining wood up, cursing loudly as she slid it away from Ryu. One of his legs was clearly out of position, she helped him to his feet and outside into the somewhat fresh air. Emergency Rescue crews finally arrived on the scene, and began going in to fish out the survivors. A couple paramedics came rushing to Haruka and Ryu, a stretcher bouncing over the rocks. They laid him down cautiously before returning to their ambulance. I'll come meet you in the hospital. she assured him, when he suddenly reached up to remove his oxygen mask, Mi--chi. Get ... to ... Michi ...