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... Gleam ~ Darkness of Light ...

Chapter II: A Feeling At My Fingertips

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Pensivly, I leaned against the far wall of the shrine, a little bit away from the rest of the crowd. Shishiwakamaru and Suzuki had finally arrived, and now we were just waiting for Kurama. Genkai, whom sat at the read of the room, said that he was due any minute.

Oh Gods, why can't this just be over? Why must I be tortured so?

My eyes, always the betraying ones, lifted to catch a glimpse of Jin. He was floating as always, looking thoughtful and bored. He must have felt my eyes on him, for in an instant he was gazing back at me with a titled head. Now he wore a tight smile and waved. I blushed, and prayed that my cheeks weren't as red as I thought they were.

"Oi, Touya why're you all by yourself? C'mon and join us, we don't bite!" He said playfully, taunting me, making me ache.

I cleared my throat and averted my eyes from him. "I ... uh ... " He didn't wait for me to make up some lame sounding excuse. He just floated over with ease and grabbed my right wrist.

On the inside, just from that simplest of touches, I felt an electric wave travel from my wrist, to my head and then to my feet. My heart raced. "C'mon, c'mon!" he cried, pulling me towards the group as I was still recovering. "There, that's better!" he said triumphantly, my cheeks most likely still blazing. Instead of looking up to see Jin though, I looked at the rest of the group. Suzuki was the closest, standing just in front of me. He had an arm leaning against Shishiwakamaru and a wide grin appeared upon the 'Beautiful Soldier's,' face as I looked at him. Then he just winked.

Am I that obvious!?

Nervously, I cleared my throat again and crossed my arms, with him floating next to me. If my heart didn't slow down soon, I'd have a heart attack.

But then I'd have nothing to worry about ... I thought sinesterly.

Just then, Kurama decided to make his entrance. He slid open the door and closed it before he even looked at us. He was dressed in a long overcoat and had a sly look upon him.

"About time!" Rinku shouted.

"Maa, the man's got work!" Chuu scolded, pulling Rinku's hat down over his eyes.

The red-headed young man walked over to Genkai and thanked her, then eyed us over, as if examining us. "I'm glad you all were able to make it here," he said calmly. "So gather that you all realized the hidden message I included?"

Chuu scratched his head. He was to my left. "Hidden message? I didn't get one of those ... But I liked your poetry!" he grinned and laughed.

"Heh," Kurama started again, "anyway ... I need to ask a favor from you all. You see - there is trouble in the Makai ... Each Ruler of their own third of the plane has called upon their own respectable fighters to help them-" he continued.

None of us said anything, to disturb the speech, although in all honesty I was not really listening. I did not need some story to convince me to help Kurama, I looked up to him and of course I would help him. I took this oppertunity to close my eyes and attempt to breath calmly, still basking in feeling Jin's presence so close.

Suddenly I heard joyful cries and I snapped my eyes open, seeing everyone with satisfied expressions.

"I can go shopping for more sake!" Chuu cried, then laughed loudly.

"It'll feel good to get some exercise!" Jin reasoned, stretching, then finally settling down upon the ground to stand. "Like the old days ... but ... not evil and better!" he laughed and elbowed my side again. "C'mon Touya, you'll be my partner, right!?"

The questions caught me off-guard. The thought of possibly hurting Jin ... But mind you, I was all for the physical contact!

Oh Gods! What am I saying!? "I ... uh ... "

Jin laughed again. "That's all you've been saying today! Are ya tired? Sick? What'sa matter?" he tilted his head.

My heart went off on its own again ... Was Jin ... worried about me?

"Eh? Touya?" he continued.

"Ah! Touya!" Thank God for Suzuki ... he came up and patted my shoulder. "You said you were going to go out for a run with Rinku and me, remember?"

"I ... uh ... yes!" The look in the blonde's eyes commanded me not to say otherwise. He knew anyway ... didn't he? That look he gave me when I blushed ... yeah, he knew.

"Maa ... Then you better get back soon, Touya. I want to start training!" With that, the red-headed Master of Wind flew off to laugh with Kurama and Genkai.

I looked at at Suzuki and let out a breath greatfully. "Thank you, Suzuki- san. I-I think that you pretty much know- ... " I needed someone to talk to ... didn't I? And who better then Suzuki? I mean he and Shishiwakamaru ...

Suzuki smirked down at me and dragged me by the shoulder. "Come on Loverboy," he said simply and Rinku followed suite.