A/N: Thanks, all you wonderful people who like my story!!! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update, but my puter's server is pissy, and I can only get connection with the internet at like 9 am, 11 pm, and on Sundays. Which is why I'm posting now! So a great big shout out to my awesome reviewers.
@_@: …eep!
Jezunya: arigato gozimasu!
Ashley-chan: thanx for the review, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Red Fox: Aww… you're so sweet! Yes after 10 books of a shy and quiet Kira, I got fed up and opted for a look at her alter-ego… dun dun DUN!
Shae: go kira! Go kira! Yeah, she's cool, I know. ^.^ arigato!
Paula: thank you much!
December's Girl: Always happy to please! I hope you like this chapter as much as you liked the first one!
Chibi Horsewoman: Thank you for the awesome review! It sounds like your devious brain has come up with a super-duper ficcmeister with Sailor MARS our very own blond gigolo. Just kidding! Rei is NOT a gigolo! He's a sweet, caring, and oh-so-adorable tough guy, and is entirely devoted to Kira alone! So there.
Heather: WOW! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I'M GLAD YOU LIKED MY PLOT! I DO TOO! SEEING AS I'M AN AVID MOTORCYCLE FAN, AND TIRED OF THE WEAK KITTENISH KIRA, I THOT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA! I'M GLAD YOU AGREE!
Xsexylilbabygrlx19: Thank you for the great review! You were my first ever reviewer! ::sniff:: huggles!
Now, enjoy the next installment!!!!
Kisses,
Fallenangel
Kira Aso stared lethargically at the peeling plaster on the ceiling of her room. She had woken up in the ER with strange doctors huddling over her and waving sharp things. Needless to say, she had been more than a little frightened. I hope that poor doctor has something to put on that shiner…she mused. I wonder how long I'll be stuck here… She reached for a magazine on the table next to her bed, but a stabbing pain in her back and shoulder foiled that option. With a sigh, she let her eyes drift back up to the ceiling.
But seconds later, a quiet knock on the door jolted her out of her reverie. "You're gonna hafta come in by yourself, 'cause I sure as hell can't get up and open the door!" she called, wincing slightly. Who on earth…
A tall young man stuck is head skittishly in the room, brushing his longish white-blonde hair behind one ear. "Um…hey."
She raised an eyebrow and wiggled her fingers, feebly gesturing him forward. "Do I know you?"
He edged into the room, closing the door behind him. "Well, kinda. I'm the guy you were racing against when you fell."
She managed a nod, and pointed at the chair next to her bed. "Sit."
He sat. "Well… I brought you this-" he reached behind him and pulled out her helmet, slightly worse for the wear, but cleaned and polished. He noticed her look and grinned. "I've been in the waiting room for the past," he glanced at the clock behind him. "oh, three or four hours, and I didn't have anything else to do…"
Kira felt a smile curling at the corners of her mouth. "I'm Aso Kira." She said, holding out one hand. He grasped her hand gently, and winked. "Kashino Rei."
She blinked. "You're Kashino Rei? The one that won the Suzuka 4-hour a couple years ago?"
To her surprise, he blushed slightly. "Yeah… well, it's not that amazing. Someone does it every other year…"
Kira grinned. "But you were only 14! I didn't even start racing until I was 14!"
Rei raised an eyebrow. "How old are you now?"
"Sixteen last March." She replied, trying to reach a pillow to prop herself up with.
Rei grabbed one, and, ignoring her protests, gently stuffed it in behind her. "You've only been riding for two years, and you can keep up with me?! I don't mean to brag, but not many people can even get near enough to even smell the exhaust from my bike!"
Kira snorted. "Well look what happened to me for my troubles!" she made a weak gesture encompassing her bed.
Rei looked chagrined. "How bad is it?" he asked.
She frowned. "Broken collarbone, one broken arm," she ticked off the points on her fingers. "a broken rib, and three partially fractured vertebrae. I won't be riding for a while."
Rei started to put a hand on her shoulder, but thought better of it, and settled for awkwardly patting her hand. "Did the doctor say exactly how long?"
"I'm stuck here for a few days, and after that I'm not allowed to walk for a week, then I get a cane for a month, then I can walk, but no lifting. Best case scenario, I can ride in three months." (A/N: I have no idea how long it takes to heal from all those injuries so this is figurative. Bear with me here. ^.^) She sighed, and absently smoothed wrinkles from her blanket. "Nothing I can do."
There was an unbearable silence for a moment, while both of them struggled for something to say.
"I locked up your trailer and your jeep for you, but there still sitting down on the track. Is there someone you want to call to pick them up?" Rei finally asked.
Kira sighed agitatedly. "Actually, I just moved here. I don't know anyone yet, besides you, my landlord, and some guy I asked for directions, and I think he's kinda mad at me…" she looked up at him silently for a moment. "I know I just met you and all, but do you think you could drive them back to my apartment for me?"
Rei thought about it for a moment. "Are you sure you can trust me? I mean, what if I just took the bikes and drove off into the sunset? I am a racer after all, and those are some sweet machines!"
She smiled. "Well I don't know if I can trust you, but I guess there's only one way to find out, right?" she pointed weakly towards the countertop across the room. "There's a plastic bag over there. In that bag, there's a key chain. The key to the jeep is the one wrapped in black tape, the key to the apartment is the one wrapped in white tape, and the key to the garage is the one in green, and the key to the padlock to the trailer is the one wrapped in red."
Rei grabbed the bag, and easily found the key ring, along with a broken silver necklace, several rings, and Kira's numerous licenses. "Why do I need to know all these keys? I thought I was just driving the trailer back to your apartment."
Kira looked uncomfortable. "Well, since you're going over there, I have I few things that need done. I was going to ask my landlord to do it, but the more I think about it, the worse the idea sounds." She caught his raised eyebrow. "When you meet him, you'll know. Now," she gestured Rei closer. "My purse is in the passenger side of the jeep. Make sure you take it in to the apartment with you. I live in the Kanno apartment complex, building G, suite 38. Got that?"
"Kanno G38." Rei repeated.
"Okay," she continued. "You can stow you bike in the trailer for the drive. I think there's an extra clamp in the bench… Now when you get down there, next to building G, there is a small warehouse-looking garage. You can park the jeep and trailer in there. Make sure you lock it when you leave."
"Extra clamp in bench, small garage next to building, park jeep and trailer, lock." Rei dutifully recited.
Kira smiled. "Good. Now, once the garage is locked up, head up to my apartment, which is on the third floor. The door sticks, so you have to shove it kinda hard. I need you to close and lock all the windows, and turn off the heat. Now, I should warn you, I have three cats."
Rei groaned. "Great. Animals."
She laughed. "They're not so horrible. Ritsuko is a kitten, and a sweetie. Takashi is the old Persian, so he won't bother you, because it takes time away from sleeping. But Kenji is the one you need to worry about. He was previously an alley cat, so he's kinda rough looking, and he doesn't like strangers. His name is actually Ronin, but I usually call him Ken-chan. Be careful with him. Now, in the bathroom, there are three cat carriers. You can just pick up Ritsuko and dump her in the smallest one, and Takashi-sama will just stroll into his if you put his catnip ball inside. But Ken-chan might give you some trouble, but I'm sure you can handle him. In the pantry there is a bag of dry food for Ken-chan, and several cans of wet food for Ritsuko and Takashi-sama. Put all of it in a bag, along with all the cat toys in the basket on the counter, the baggie of catnip treats, the litter box – you might want to empty it out first – and the large bag of kitty litter in next to the carriers in the bathroom. Remember all that?" she asked him.
"Three cats in cat carriers, cat food, litter box – empty first – and litter." He rubbed his eyes. "I'm really starting to regret this…"
Kira laughed, and pinched his cheek. "Don't be silly. Once the cats are in the carriers, you have all their stuff, all the windows are locked, and the heat is turned off, then I need you to bring it to me. And don't forget to lock the door after you."
"Question?" Rei interjected. "How do I get all that stuff to you? I only have a motorcycle. I can't fit three cat carriers and a bag of crap on there with me!"
She tapped one finger against her lips. "All right. You can take my jeep. But no snooping, alright?"
Rei sighed and nodded. "Alright. I have no idea why I'm doing this, so you better be thankful!" he stood awkwardly, and grabbed the ring of keys. "I'll be back soon."
Kira smiled at him. "Thank you so much, Kashino. It really means a lot."
Rei reddened slightly. "It's Rei, alright?" he sort of bowed awkwardly, and closed the door behind him.
A couple hours later, Rei was standing outside suite 38, building G, Kanno apartments. He had taken care of the trailer easily, and the garage had been locked behind him. Now he stood outside Kira's apartment, her purse in one hand, and the keys in the other.
With a sigh, he unlocked the door, and shoved it open.
A/N: Well? Like it? Hate it? Tell me! WARNING: Flame at your own risk. Constructive criticism welcome.
Thank you for reading!
Ja ne,
Fallenangel
