Disclaimer -...see last chapter.

The Loner:Well, here's the second chapter. Sorry, Kouji's a bit meaner then usual, but that makes the story more interesting:)

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Conquests of Love

Chapter 2 - Blood Boils

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"Wait...I think I see something," Takuya said, squinting. Kouji nodded.

"Yeah, me too, looks like a jungle or something," said Junpei, his eyes straying from it to Izumi. "We'll finally be able to eat, and drink, and, and...uh...keep Izumi safe!" he exclaimed. Kouji laughed dryly, sarcastically.

"Poor Junpei, he's just so tired and hungry, but he can't admit it, eh? Has to say that it's for Izumi's sake?" Kouji mocked, his eyes flashing with ice.

"Shut it."

"Pfft."

"Kouji, why do you have to be so mean?" Izumi wondered out loud. She instantly regretted her words.

"None of your goddamn business, Orimoto."

"That's it, frikkin loner, time to die," Junpei shouted and ran at Kouji. Kouji smirked.

"Gonna fight me, fat boy?"

"Damn right."

"No, you guys! Stop! We're a team, remember?" yelled Takuya and Zoe. "Plus we have Tomoki here, he's 8! You really wanna set a good example for him, huh?"

"I don't care!" screamed Kouji and Junpei back.

Junpei threw a punch at Kouji who with the reflexes of a wolf dodged easily, ducked, and swung his foot in a wide arc, swiping Junpei's feet under him and causing him to fall on the hot sand. He instantly got up, his face burning.

"That's ENOUGH!" Takuya lunged and caught Kouji offguard, stopping him from attacking Junpei. Kouji snickered.

"OK, I think I proved my point." Kouji said, and starting walking toward the wierd jungle.

"What's your problem, Kouji?" Izumi yelled at him. He stopped momentarily.

And sighed.

"Look, all you guys, I'm sorry. It's hot, I'm tired, hungry, thirsty, blood boils, you know?" he said.

"Not good enough. Come here!" Izumi commanded. Kouji's jaw tightened again.

"I'll wait for all of you at the oasis over there," he yelled back, ignoring Izumi's last comment. Izumi fumed and ran after him.

When Kouji was far out of earshot, Takuya was talking to Junpei. "I don't think it's a good idea to mess with that guy, he does martial arts."

"I don't care, he's just a worthless kid to me!" Junpei yelled. "Plus, he's being totally mean to Izumi, and she didn't even DO anything!"

"He said he was sorry!"

"That's not good enough!"

"Dammit, it won't do any good if we fight as well. Let's just go to the oasis and calm down," Takuya said. Junpei nodded and started walking.

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Izumi caught up with Kouji a little while later.

"How can you be so insensitive, you jerk!" she screamed. Kouji shrugged and kept walking.

"It wasn't my fault," he answered.

"Huh? You provoked him!"

"His fault."

"He was just caring for me."

"I said I was sorry, didn't I?"

"Look at me when you say that," Izumi said, grabbing his shoulders and turning him around.

"I'm sorry."

"Try again."

Kouji sighed and looked into her eyes. *They're...beautiful..* he thought. *Wait, what the HELL did I just think??? Not good*

"Look, Izumi, I'm really sorry, OK? I'll apologize to the gang when they get here. I was just..."

"A prick," she finished for him with a wink. Kouji's eyes narrowed.

"Don't talk like that."

"Or what?"

"Or...dammit...I dont have to answer that." With that, Kouji walked away into the jungle.

Izumi giggled a bit and started running back to the rest of the gang.

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A/N-Good? Bad? Really bad? please review! the 3rd chapters in the making already.