Author's Note: Neeeeee, here's the first step in making my Hoto-chan happy! *huggles Hotohori plushie* It was sooo hard seeing him unhappy! ;_;

Disclaimer: not miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine! ;_;

~*~*~*~

Desperate Heart

By Sanomi

Chapter Two: You Call My Name

~*~*~*~

Two weeks and a new job later, I had forgotten all about the unusual man and woman.

Back to the usual pattern of High School, avoiding people, and going to work, occasionally interrupted by waking up in the middle of the night to throw up from bad dreams.

The Teacher was babbling about something-- I wasn't paying attention. I did look up when someone entered the classroom. I realized it must be the transfer student; that's probably what the teacher had been talking about.

The student lounged negligently against the teacher's desk as she babbled some more. He fidgeted impatiently for a moment longer before sighing and making his way in my direction.

I glanced around and noticed that the only empty seat was next to mine. He sat heavily, wincing when the desk jabbed into his side. I snuck a look at him: we rarely ever got transfer students in the middle of a quarter.

He had fiery red hair, rather small pupils in his eyes. And I think I spied fangs when he smirked as the Teacher tried to figure where he had gone. Even wearing our school's uniform, he managed to give the impression of rebelliousness. Like he was only wearing it because he wanted to, not because they told him to.

"Hey."

I blinked at him; surely he hadn't caught me looking, I was very good at that.

"Name's Genrou."

I relaxed slightly. He hadn't noticed.

"Does she ever shut up?" he asked, jerking a thumb at the teacher.

"Rarely," I responded noncommittally.

"Ah, that's too bad." He grinned. "So, what's yer name?"

"Saihitei," again I was as noncommittal as possible, and then ignored him, hoping he would take the hint.

Class was soon over, and I was walking down the hallway to my locker when Genrou trotted up.

"You don't talk much do ya?" he said, lengthening his stride to keep up with me.

I grunted and continued walking, and he continued filling up the silence with chatter. Finally I couldn't take it anymore and stopped dead in my tracks.

Too busy talking to watch where he was going, Genrou walked right into me. "Hey, wha'd ya do that for?"

"Why are you trying to be so friendly?" I stared coldly at him.

"Do I need a reason?" He grinned easily, but the grin faded slightly when I glared at him. "Okay, it's cuz you're the only one that seems t'have half a brain n'this crappy school." He cocked his head at me. "And yer interestin'."

"I'm sure. Now, I'd suggest you take yourself in another direction." His grin faded altogether as he realized I wasn't joking.

"Why?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

~*~*~*~

At lunch, I tried not to notice that Genrou had quickly been accepted into the crowd and was chatting up one of the more popular students.

I purposefully looked away and so did not notice the keen glance that he shot at me.

~*~*~*~

School was finally over, and I stopped by my locker to pick up the last of my things. At last, I was a short while away from being home.

Not that home was really better, but at least I had only myself to dislike.

"Hey."

I whirled around angrily. "Now what do you want?" I demanded.

The redhead crossed his arms stubbornly. "I want to talk."

At the obstinate look on his face, I knew he wouldn't give up until his goal was achieved.

"Fine, then. Talk."

He blinked, probably not expecting me to have given in so quickly. "Well, about what you said before."

"Yes?"

"You said I'd find out why I should leave you alone."

"Something like that."

"Yer sarcasm amazes me."

"Get on with it."

"Right. So the morons that make up this school were jus' bursting to tell me all about you. I guess that's th'reason you told me to stay away?"

"Is that all you have to tell me?" I glared coldly and turned away.

"Listen to me god-dammit!" He grabbed me painfully by the shoulder, forcefully turning me around, and slammed me into the lockers. "Why d'you keep on pushing people away?!"

"Been here a day and you've already figured everything out!" I snarled at him.

"No! I just... fuck." He released me and stepped back. "Look, I'm sorry, I got angry." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I just... I don't give a damn about some stupid rumor."

"Even if it's true?"

He blinked. "Well... I don't believe you did it in cold blood. Everybody has their reasons."

"Why?"

"What are you talking about?"

I was trembling. With rage or fear--I didn't know. "Why do you care? It doesn't matter. It doesn't change anything."

"Of course it matters! Ev'rybody needs friends!" Genrou grinned cheekily.

"Which you will find no lack of in this school. So just leave me alone."

"No."

"No?"

"Nope!" He ignored the dangerously soft note in my voice and just kept on grinning. "I like you."

"You make an occasion of shoving people you like into lockers? Should I feel honored?" I sneered at him.

"I said I was sorry! Besides, it was your fault. You wouldn't listen."

"I'm listening now."

"Good." He crossed his arms and smirked at me. "I'm going to be your friend whether you like it or not!"

~*~*~*~

A week later, and Genrou showed no sings of relenting. He really was stubborn. I resigned myself to his presence, refusing to admit that I might actually be starting to like him.

"Yo, Sai!"

"My name is Saihitei," I growled for the sixty-seventh time (I'd been counting). Slowing down my pace a bit so he could catch up. We were nearly at the corner where our path diverged on the way home.

"Sure, yeah. Hey, I was wondering..."

"What do you want, Genrou?" I had learned to recognize that wheedling tone that meant that the redhead wanted something.

"It's my sisters. I told you how horrible they are, right?"

"Yes. Many times."

"I need you to help me, man!"

I stared at him incredulously. "What, you want me to beat them up?"

"Of course not! Although it would be a plus... But the thing is, their work schedule's different today, so they'll home until five, and..."

"Yes?"

"CouldIstayatyourhouseuntilthenbecauseit'stoodangeroustostayhomewithallofthemtherepleasepleaseplease..."

I blinked. "What?"

"Could I stay at your house until then because it's too dangerous to stay home with all of them there please, please, please?"

"Genrou..."

"Oh, please!" He dramatically threw himself on his knees, grabbing hold of my backpack. "You don't know what it's like! They're monsters! Horrible an evil--"

"Fine."

"--an' terrible an'... what?"

"Fine. You can come over. Don't expect a warm welcome or anything. The place is shit."

"That's okay! I don't care!" He beamed at me.

I knew I had given up too quickly, but what was I supposed to do? He was fully capable of being dragged on his knees like that for blocks. Sigh.

~*~*~*~

"So y'really got your own place? You're lucky!"

"No, I'm not," I muttered under my breath. With a sigh, I unlocked the door. In a louder voice, I told him sarcastically, "Make yourself at home."

Apparently, he took my words to heart, slinging his bag on the couch (piece of shit) before making his way over to the kitchen and opening the fridge (another piece of shit).

"Geeze, man, you're worse then any bachelor I know!" He was staring at the nearly empty fridge.

I snorted and dumped by stuff by his. "The difference being I can cook. I just don't often have the money to buy food."

He stared at me in surprise and I stared right back. Then he murmured a soft "Sorry."

"Whatever. You were the one who wanted to come here in the first place."

He was silent for a moment, trying to regain his sense of balance I suppose. "Yeah, well. It's better then being home with them!" He shuddered artfully.

I smirked. "I'm sure." The awkward moment passed, and we were back to bantering. Well, more him trying to be clever and me shooting him down.

Looking back on it, I suppose our friendship was rather unusual. And yet somehow it worked.

Even if I wasn't quite ready at that point to call it a "friendship."

But undoubtedly, that was what it was.

~*~*~*~

How is the second chapter? Do you like it? XD My Hoto-chan is finally starting to open up!

For the next chapter... The story moves along a little, some secrets come out, and they become ven closer friends in spite of it all!

Soon, precious... so very soon *gollum hiss*

XD sorry, couldn't resist!

LONG LIVE LEGOLAS! WOO! Aragorn pretty cool too.

^.^