A New Feeling

            A week passed. Motoko never spoke of the incident to Haruka, or any of the Hinata residents for that matter. She had not spoken to anyone at all, actually. The 'feeling' had been gone since the incident, perhaps because of this. Her kendo studies had been put on hold. Motoko was sleeping in until late morning. She was in a state of depression. Haruka had dismissed the issue until Motoko could calm down a little.

Evening set in on the day of the twenty-fifth. Although that morning was cold, the setting sky let in a warm wind.

"The sky is beautiful," Shinobu observed, looking out the window at the orange sky.

"We should have a cookout!" Su suggested, jumping around the house in her usual hyper self.

"Yes, I think we should," Keitaro agreed. "It's nice and warm. We could sit around a bonfire and everything."

"Then it's agreed. I'll do the cooking!" Shinobu volunteered.

Motoko sat in her room, fiddling around with her desk ornaments. There was knock on the door.

"Yes?" Motoko called out.

"It's Naru, can I come in?"

"Sure," Motoko invited, sitting down on her bed.

Naru entered the room, leaving Tama-chan outside, and closed the door behind her. "We're going to have a cookout in a couple minutes. You gonna come?"

Motoko hesitated in her response. "I think I'll pass," she said finally.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Naru stood there for a few seconds, before sitting down next to Motoko. "What's been wrong with you these past couple days, huh? You've been avoiding everyone since a week ago."

"I've been trying to figure that one out, too."

"What do you mean?"

"It's…nothing, Naru."

Naru took a hold of Motoko's hand. "Listen. Everyone's been worried about you, lately. It's not like you to stay to yourself for that long. I mean, you usually keep to yourself and all, but now, it's more than usual."

Motoko stayed silent.

"Well, will you just come out tonight, just so everyone knows that you're okay?"

"…I'll see you guys outside. Just let me get ready, okay?"

Naru smiled, and stood up. "Don't take too long," she said, walking out the door.

Motoko held up the hand that Naru had taken a hold of. "What is this feeling now? It's not like the one Keitaro makes. It's different. It's…warm. Wait, I think I've felt this one before. Whenever Naru and I have been alone. What is it though? I feel like…like I want more."

Motoko stood up and hit her fist to the wall. "And then again, I don't want the feeling. I don't want any feeling. I want to be the way I was back then – without feeling. Without the feelings, I could go through life so much easier, without anything to worry about. When will that time come back again? Well, I guess the others are waiting for me. I must let this go for now."

Motoko made her way to her cracked door. It flew open, revealing Haruka standing there, leaning up against the wall. "You coming?"

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Ever since Naru left. It seems I have more things to ponder on, ne?"

"Let's just go outside."

"Agreed. Let's…"

Motoko and Haruka then made their way outside to join the others around the bonfire.