Love Hara ♥
By: Fuu Hououji
Disclaimer: The story Juline is owned by: Narumi Kakinouchi. ^_^ So, the answer is no, ye deaf ones, I do not own anything. Now, kindly remove your hands from my bubble. It really can't take much more of this abuse.
A/N: Gomen nasai! I realize this chapter is almost two weeks late – I came down with a bit of writers' block. I'm still trying to decide how I'm going to keep this story interesting without too many dramatics. I just hate stories with crummy love triangles. *Snickers* I really hope you don't feel that why about what I'm writing.
♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥
Three young people fiercely scrubbed at the dirty old dojo floor. Something about the way Kio was frequently cursing under his breath was starting to make the situation rather uncomfortable. Juline looked from the distraught Kio to the emotionless Hara and back again. She begrudgingly slipped her hand into the soapy water and pulled her scrub brush from its stinky depths. She started to work on another portion of the floor that she could have sworn had been cleaned twice already. Every minute she stayed in the two boys presents the harder it was to concentrate.
With an aggravated stomp she stood up fully addressing the two young men on their hands and knees. She was ready to figure what was going on when Hara stood up and gave her a charming smile. "I think that looks good, what do you think Juline?" Without a seconds notice Kio was up on his two legs, holding the water bucket and walking towards the door.
Kio mumbled the word, "done." And the other two trailed silently behind. Cleaning the dojos one by one was slow work and it took the three a little over three hours to finish off all six dojos. This morning when Juline had heard that Kio, Hara and herself would be cleaning she was slightly happy because she had thought they would keep her company. But instead both boys had been silent the whole time, ignoring each other for some reason she couldn't figure out. It angered Juline to no end that she had had to deal with two disgruntled young men all afternoon. She gave a deep sigh, riding herself of the anger that had built up.
It was now nearing the inevitable end to the school day. Juline had finished most of her work and was silently sitting in her hard plastic chair. Her eyes fixed on the door; a smile replaced the frown on her face when she saw Hara walk past. She waved to him and he waved back, flashing her another kind smile. Juline exchanged smiles with him turning around to face her desk. She was surer than ever that he had at least a slight crush on her. She suddenly didn't know how to feel. She had always had feelings for Kio but to the best of her knowledge he had never really reciprocated and that was why she hid them from him. Sure there had been little things, like the occasional times he had taken blows for her, but there had never been anything in words that would signify emotional attachment of any kind.
Her brief thoughts came to a halt when the school bell sang its good day to the students. The teacher finished his lesson only seconds before the students rose from their uncomfortable seats talking about random topics that had less to do with school than the teacher probably would have liked. Juline picked up her bag and walked through the classroom door. Her eyes lit up when she saw Kio and she ran towards him. As his eyes met hers the letter in his hands was instantly folded back up and stuffed into his book bag.
"What was the letter for?" Juline asked, grinning mischievously up at Kio. Her voice went slightly flat, "don't tell me it was another challenge letter?" Kio's only reply was a quick shrug. Then he started walking off with a surprised and curious Juline chasing after him. "Kio! What is it! Tell me!" She caught up with him and glanced over his shoulder. Before Kio could get his defenses up her hand had reached into his book bag and snatched the letter. "Tell me what it says or I'll read it right here right now." She threatened earning an annoyed sigh from Kio.
'Well, if she's going to be stubborn about it.' he decided. "Go ahead an read it. After all, Juline, it is a challenge on your behalf." Juline nodded, her smile fading instantly. She unfolded the note and blinked back her surprise.
"I-It's from Hara?" she looked from Kio to the note and back. "Why would Hara want to challenge you? I mean – why would he do that? This is stupid." Juline blushed slightly, handing the small piece of paper back to Kio and resting her gaze on her white boots.
"I don't get it, Juline why do you keep playing that guy?" Kio asked, the irritation in his voice becoming obvious. When no answer was given he continued in a more serious tone, "Do you like him? If not than you shouldn't keep getting his hopes up." Juline nodded.
"I know." He was a little taken aback by her sudden forwardness. "What would you do," she put a hand on his shoulder, "If I said I did like him?" her face was honest; it held a certain sincerity that he didn't trust himself to address.
On the opposite side of the dirt path a young man with short blond hair trudged by. He looked slightly disturbed by something and did not glance in Kio and Juline's direction. Juline noticed the sadness that Hara's face held and sighed. She closed her eyes and ceasing her walking for a moment desperately trying to get a hold of herself. "I don't know what to do." She almost jumped when Kio's hand brushed against her back in a soothing motion. Her head turned skyward as she searched Kio's brown eyes. "Thank you, Kio." She blushed, "I must be the luckiest girl in the world to have a friend like you." Juline turned around and gave Kio a hug.
'No Juline, I'm the lucky one.' Kio thought breaking their embrace. The two headed for the Kenga temple; at times like this training was the best cure. The walk back was quiet for they both had some things to think about.
♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥LOVEHARA♥
AN: What do you think? Was this chapter a little OOC? I think I fixed the problem I was having with Kio and Hara being too alike. Once again, I apologies for my tardiness on this chapter…but a late chapter is better than none at all! ^^ Thank you so much for the reviews!!