Author: Ankara Stark
Title: Reoccurring Nightmares
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I've said it before and I'll say it again: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its affiliates, but I do own this story. ;)
Chapter Five
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The rest of the morning moved at an unbelievably slow pace; it was almost unbearable for the people who lived in the dojo. Noon had already passed and none of the dojo's inhabitants were talking with one another; the tension so thick that one could practically cut it with a knife. Even Sanosuke said that he was going to leave before Kaoru talked him back into staying… Even though she was annoyed with the fighter, She didn't seem to want to be left alone with just Kenshin and Yahiko for company. But that quickly changed by lunchtime and Sanosuke ended up leaving. Both the lunchtime and dinnertime meals were served and eaten in complete silence, the only sound heard was the clanking of dishes or the clicking of chopsticks in the bowls. No one dared to speak, and even if they did, they didn't know what to say.
After cleaning up the dishes from lunch, Kenshin decided to do some of his usual household chores, hoping that they might help break some of the tension for him. Kneeling on the ground before the washtub he had fallen into earlier that morning, he rolled up the long sleeves of his gi and set to work. Grabbing the nearest piece of clothing, he stared down at it for a moment before plunging it into the icy-cold water. Then he placed it against the scrubbing board and commenced scrubbing. It was Yahiko's gi… Oh, Yahiko, Kenshin thought, releasing a silent sigh. Sometimes I love that boy, other times I could almost hate him, that I could. Yahiko had earned a special place in Kenshin's heart. Born the son of a Samurai, Yahiko had an extremely proud and independent spirit. But sometimes, he also had a need for himself and Kaoru; they were his family now that his real family was dead and Kaoru had taken him in like he was family; she took them all in that way; Himura Kenshin, the ex-Hitokiri Battousai, the legendary manslayer-turned-wanderer, Myojin Yahiko, the pick-pocket-turned swordsman, Sagara Sanosuke, the ex Zanza, fighter for hire, and even Takani Megumi, the ex-opium-dealing doctor. Kaoru had taken them all into her home, no questions asked, and treated them with the respect and dignity that none thought they deserved. They had become not only her friends but instead her family. But the events of this morning had left no doubt in Kenshin's mind as to what he thought about Kaoru and what she thought about him in return. Their relationship wasn't that of friends or family like Kaoru's was with Sanosuke or Yahiko, that much was for certain. But at the same time, they weren't lovers… heck, they hadn't even technically kissed… so what exactly were they? He really didn't know.
Kenshin had been scrubbing the floor of the dojo when he heard someone clearing his throat behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, his gaze fell upon Sanosuke who was sitting upon the front steps, watching him clean. "If you're going to stay around here all day long," Kenshin began as he turned back to his scrubbing, "you should at least help out with some of the chores, that you should."
"Why?" The fighter argued with a lazy grin upon his face. "It looks like you and the little missy have it all under control. And besides, you've also got Yahiko scrubbing the floors in the training hall; you don't need my help." He stretched and put his arms behind his head, letting out a contented sigh. "This is the way things were meant to be, Kenshin," Sano continued, ignoring the fact that his friend was hard at work scrubbing the wood floor as he lay back against the house's support pillar. "Eating good cooking, lounging around a clean dojo, seeing the fox and then gambling the night away. How could things get any better than this?"
"By having you actually win back some of the money you've lost when you gamble so that you can help pay me back for all the food you've been eating, you freeloader," Kaoru replied dryly, suddenly appearing next to Sano on the front step, a broom in hand. "Besides, didn't I already ask you to go sweep the inside of the dojo? Somehow I doubt you could have done that already…" she commented, arching one perfect eyebrow. "Anyhow, I had to go into town to get us some rice for lunch. I could have sent you to do it, but I figured I would be nice and instead of making you walk all that way just make you sweep the dojo." Continuing on in her high-and-mighty tone, Kaoru was completely oblivious to the fact that Kenshin was watching her every movement as she talked very expressively with her hands waving about in the air. Sanosuke, however, was anything but oblivious to this fact. His gaze was fastened on Kenshin, whose gaze was glued to Kaoru. But Sano's lack of attentiveness ticked Kaoru off because he wasn't paying any attention to what she said. The Kamiya-Kasshin master scowled at the man sitting before her on the porch and decked him upside the head with the broom, earning a yelp of surprise from him. "Hey! Are you even listening to me, you rooster head?!" she snapped in annoyance, releasing the broom handle and letting the cleaning utensil fall to the floor harmlessly. "I was telling you about how nice I was by making you sweep the dojo rather than walk all the way to the market!"
Rubbing the backside of his head, Sanosuke looked down at the broom that was now lying on the floor and glared up at the small woman standing before him. "Yes, I heard you the first time, missy," he growled.
"Then you should have at least let it be known that you heard what I was saying," Kaoru retorted, her hands on her hips in her typical defiant stance.
Putting his palms on the steps, the thin man pushed himself up, rising to his feet and stepping down so he was on ground level with Kaoru. Standing, the man towered over her, still glaring down at her while he did so. "Maybe I didn't want to do so. Maybe I don't care if you're talking- I don't have to listen to you anyway. You don't run my life, little missy!"
Gritting her teeth together in anger, she raced up the few steps and straightened up to her full height, glaring at Sanosuke from an almost eye-level point-of-view. "You'll listen to what I have to say if you want to keep eating here, you good-for-nothing---"
"Maa! Maa!" Kenshin interrupted, standing up from where he had been kneeling on the floor. "Sano," he began, giving the fighter a very serious look. "Kaoru-dono works very hard every day in order to keep food in our stomachs and a roof over our heads. The very least you could do is help out around the dojo by doing whatever chores she asks you to do."
"Look," Sano argued, waving his hand in the air. "You do whatever you want. If you want to be her little puppet, you go right a head. But I sure as hell don't have to take this. And besides," he shrugged. "I've already lost my appetite." He shoved his large hands into the pockets of his white pants and turned to the redhead, ignoring Kaoru completely. "If you want me, Kenshin, I'll be over at the Fox's." With that, he turned and walked away from them, out the dojo gates until he was out of sight.
Her face turning beat red, Kaoru nearly launched herself from the step after the retreating figure in anger. "Why you--"
Quickly reaching out and grabbing her around the waist with one arm, Kenshin pulled her back onto the porch, away from Sanosuke before she could fully launch herself at him.
"Mou!" Kaoru cried out in exasperation, not taking notice of her current position. "I just don't see whatever it is Megumi sees in that idiot! That man infuriates me! I mean it! He's nothing but a rotten, gambling, swindling freeloader who does nothing but drink and lounge around all day while everyone else around him works! … And what the hell did he mean by that 'puppet' comment anyway? You're not my puppet! It's not like you do everything I tell you to or like you're--" When Kenshin didn't interrupt her ramblings, she whirled around to face him, her mouth opening to question him, but no question ever came. They both just stood there, with his arms wrapped around her waist, standing nose-to-nose in the middle of the afternoon. Neither made a move to break contact and instead stared straight into the other's eyes.
Kenshin closed his eyes and sighed in frustration, once again futilely trying to push the memories of the morning's events from his mind. Focus, he thought to himself as he tried to focus all of his attention on the task at hand; as usual, during lunch, Yahiko had been eating in his usual unappetizing manner and ending up getting more food on his clothing than in his mouth. He had spilled most of his food on his gi and now the older samurai was trying to clean the stains out of the uniform before they set in completely. Right now, the younger swordsman, Yahiko, was in the dojo, still doing all of the practice strokes that Kaoru had ordered him to do from their brawl earlier that morning in addition to an extra two thousand strokes that she had suddenly demanded of him for some reason or another when Kenshin had gone off to change into yukata. His own clothing had dried by the fire for several hours before he changed back into them. Even though Kenshin wouldn't say anything about it, he knew why Kaoru had ordered the boy to do so many extra strokes and he felt himself smile slightly. Poor Yahiko, though- he didn't stand a chance at not having extra things to practice whenever he ticked his instructor off, intentionally or not. Sometimes, though, the young boy deserved what he got. Sometimes, he could be a real troublesome person… Kenshin frowned slightly, remembering that it was the fault of the young boy that had been the reason he wasn't able to kiss Kaoru that morning. If it weren't for his interruption, Kaoru may have been his by now—
Well then, interrupted his other half, breaking into his thoughts. Shouldn't you be happy that he interrupted us? After all, we were really getting it on with Kaoru…
No, we were not, he thought irritably, arguing with his darker side. I was… and, well, I guess I should be glad he stopped me, he reluctantly agreed with an inaudible sigh. Who knew what might have happened had Kenshin given in fully to his own emotions and desires? It was a thought that both captured his curiosity and also worried him.
The ex-hitokiri dunked Yahiko's gi back into the water and placed it against the board again, unconsciously scrubbing more vigorously than he had the first time and sighed. Even though he was glad Yahiko had stopped him before they went too far, it was still frustrating nonetheless. He could still feel the warmth of Kaoru's yielding body in his arms; smell the jasmine scent of her hair in his nostrils and feel the silky smoothness of her skin beneath his hand, the heat of her skin against his lips… and yet he could do nothing more than just cherish those memories and dream of them. He'd never get another chance to hold her like that, even though part of him wished to, his other half held him back. He didn't want to tarnish her reputation or smear her purity and only Kami knew what would happen if his emotions were to get out of control… the Hitokiri inside him might be released, and that was something he most definitely could not risk. Kaoru meant far too much to him for him to let something like that happen. He needed to protect her, no matter what the cost. But he couldn't help how he felt and found his thoughts soon returning to a certain petite-muscled female. Twisting the material in his hands tightly, he wrung out the excess water and gave it one vigorous shake. Wiping his wet hands upon the pant legs of his hakama, Kenshin stood up from the washtub full of sudsy water and hung the single article on the line with the rest of the drying clothes. Satisfied with his completed job, Kenshin bent down and emptied the tub of water, turning it upside down and resting it on the ground so it would dry properly.
The sound of crashing bokkens broke him away from his thoughts, directing his attention to the practice hall where two small figures stood in profile, facing one another in fighting stances, their weapons together in the air. Kenshin had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't realized quite how dark it had become outside until he looked at the two shadowy figures; it was going to storm, from the look of the sky and clouds. The only light that was afforded to him came from inside the practice hall, not letting him make out the features of the two figures that stood facing one another. One was the small, straight-lined figure of a boy, the short, spiky hair giving away his identity in an instant. The other, a slightly taller, more curvaceous form easily recognized as a woman with long hair tied behind her head in a long, flowing ponytail stood before him. After a few moments, the taller figure suddenly struck out at the smaller, less-intimidating figure, their weapons clashing once more in the crisp winter air before she backed away a step. Kenshin remained standing by the clothesline, continuing to intently watch the two figures fight in the training hall… Well, watching the female figure, anyway. He didn't really watch the other figure that much; his eyes were practically glued to the female's dark form and he found himself unable to look away. Even in the growing darkness of the incoming storm, she was still utterly breathtaking in his eyes. After readjusting one article of clothing that was hanging on the line, Kenshin reached up to the shoulders of his gi and untied the bindings that held his sleeves up so they would remain dry while he washed the laundry. He slips the thin rope of material up into his sleeve and put it in a little pocket inside there. The clashing of wood-on-wood resounded throughout the property, letting those who walked by the dojo walls know that swordsmen were hard at work on the property.
"I guess I'd best go to town and pick of some fish for dinner before it storms," Kenshin murmured to himself. Reaching into his gi, the swordsman removed a very old and worn pouch and checked through it to see how much yen he had. Turning toward the two fighters who were still attacking and blocking one another's attacks, he raised his voice. "Kaoru-dono, I'm going to town to get us some fresh fish for dinner before it storms. I will return soon, that I will."
The sounds of fighting stopped for a moment as he heard Kaoru's reply. "Okay, Kenshin. Just let me put away my bokken and I'll go with you--"
"No, that is quite alright, Kaoru-dono," the redhead standing near the dojo gates interrupted, glancing back over his shoulder and the two figures standing at the entrance of the fighting hall. "You stay and practice with Yahiko. I'll get the fish on my own."
"Yeah, ugly. Kenshin doesn't need you to go with him. He can go to town himself!"
"Shut up, Yahiko-chan!" came Kaoru's feisty retort. "I'm going with you, Kenshin, so just wait a minute and I'll be right th--" her voice abruptly came to a halt when she glanced over at the closed dojo gates, only to find no Kenshin in sight. "Mou!" Was Kaoru's cry as she pouted ever-so-slightly and crossed her arms in-front of her chest. "That man is so damned stubborn!"
When Kenshin returned to the dojo about an hour later, he was surprised to find the place practically deserted. Yahiko was nowhere to be found and only Kaoru was present. Sitting on the front step, Kaoru rested with her chin on her hands, her elbows resting on her knees. She was staring at the front gate when he entered through them and raised her head when he came into view. "Kenshin!" She stood up and ran down the front steps toward him.
"Kaoru-dono, is something wrong?" The older swordsman queried as he closed the gate behind him. "Where is Yahiko? Is he alright?"
"Yahiko is fine," Kaoru replied, stopping next to him. "He went to the Akebeko while you were out to see Tsubame and help Tae by starting his work shift."
"Oh, I see," Kenshin commented absently, his mind not really focused on the young swordsman their conversation revolved around. He began walking toward the dojo, seemingly lost in thought. Kaoru walked alongside him at a rather slow and relaxing pace. After a few moments of silence, Kenshin finally spoke up. "When did he leave? Have you been here alone for long?"
She simply shrugged her shoulders, her arms swinging lazily at her sides. "He left only about ten or so minutes after you did. It seems that he wasn't really all that interested in training today," she commented blandly, as if trying to think of something to talk about. "But he did, however, seem very interested in getting to the restaurant so that he could see that certain young waitress he's had his eye on," she added with a sly wink, smiling and glancing sidelong at Kenshin, hoping her comment would earn her a smile from the man walking next to her. Her smile soon faded, however, when she glanced over at him. His eyebrows were furrowed slightly and eyes were clouded over as though he were deep in thought. "Kenshin?" When the redhead did not reply, Kaoru stopped walking and put a hand on his forearm, stilling him. By this time, they had already reached the front step of the porch. She turned her body and turned his so that they would be facing one another as they stood. "Kenshin, are you alright?" she asked hesitantly. "You have been acting very strange lately," she began slowly, uncertain as to how the man before her would react. "What is the matter? Is there something that I can do to help?"
Wordlessly, Kenshin finally looked up at her, his warm gaze meeting hers before he finally nodded. "I'm fine, Kaoru-dono. You should not spend so much of your time and energy worrying about this unworthy one." Reaching up, he gently touched a strand of hair that fell over her ear.
Her blue eyes widened, amazed and shocked at this open show of affection. What is happening to him? Why is he acting so differently all of the sudden? Is he leaving? That must be it- he's leaving. He's going to leave me! I can't let him! Her mind began to race, overeating, and her body reacted to her last thought. Kaoru launched herself at the swordsman, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. "Kenshin, you aren't thinking of leaving, are you? You can't do that! Please, don't do that… You, you can't do that!" she reiterated, finding herself stumbling over her own words again and again. "You can't do that to Sano, to Yahiko and Megumi… To me! Not now, not ever!" Even though she shocked herself by her sudden, bold action, her hold on him tightened as she began to weep into his magenta gi, soaking the material with her tears. Her lips brushed against the smooth skin of his chest as she inhaled a scent that was distinctly Kenshin. She pulled him closer and closer… he just couldn't get close enough.
Equally surprised at her sudden outburst, Kenshin leaned down sideways and lowered the fresh fish he'd bought at the market to the front step, the fish still wrapped in its protective coverings so it would not get dirty. He then wrapped his lean arms around the woman before him in a comforting fashion, holding her body as it trembled against his. "Shh… Shh, Kaoru, I'm not going anywhere," he murmured appreciatively into her ear, the warmth of his breath sending a shiver of delight down her spine. He stilled his body and tried to ignore the feelings of desire that welled-up in him at the feel of her lips brushing against him. His hand stroked soothing circles on her back, comforting her as her sobs began to subside. "I'm not leaving you, that I am not." Shifting her slightly in his arms, he brought one hand up to stroke along her jawline until he could use that hand to gently elevate her face so that she would be forced to look up at him. Red, blood-shot eyes stared back weakly into his gentle lavender ones, the dire state of distress in her eyes wrenching his heart. Ignoring the surprisingly strong urge he felt to kiss away her tears right then and there, he instead lifted the hand that raised her face a little higher to wipe away the solitary tear that trickled down her alabaster cheek. He then asked why she thought he was going to leave, even though he himself was not sure he wanted to know the answer.
Sniffling softly, she turned her face away, unable to look at him as she whispered her rely, "You… you've been acting so different lately. You haven't been yourself." When she noticed his stance straighten slightly, she quickly rushed to say the rest of what she was thinking. "Sano and Yahiko noticed it, too… Yes, even they have noticed that there is something different about you. We've all been worried, Kenshin."
"There is no reason to be worried, Kaoru-dono… Really… I'm fine," he murmured, hugging her to him once again before relinquishing his hold upon her. He couldn't possibly tell her about the dreams; not now, not when she was obviously already so upset. He'd have to tell her when she had calmed down.
Why do you have to tell her at all? His darker side asked. She doesn't need to know about it. It wasn't her dream, after all; it was ours.
Yes, but she cares about us, Kenshin argued back. She has a right to know.
Not right now, she doesn't, the other side retorted. Look at her- look how upset she is. She wouldn't be able to handle the truth right now in the current state she is in. Just let it go for now and hold her while you still can…
"Now," Kenshin murmured, breaking from his thoughts and trying to change the subject, "this unworthy one needs to start making dinner if we want to eat tonight," he said with a gentle smile. "Would you like to help me with it?"
Noting the turn in conversation, Kaoru paused for a moment, wondering if she should pursue the issue or just let it drop for the mean time. Seeing the look in his eyes, she decided the latter and finally nodded in response. "Hai, Kenshin, but you know what Sanosuke and Yahiko are always saying: I'm not a very good cook…"
"Your cooking is perfect, Kaoru-dono," he replied with a smile. "And besides," he asked with a devious little smile, "who could possibly screw up cooking something as simple as rice?" Kenshin let out a yelp when she smacked him in the back of the head. Smiling, he bent down to retrieve the wrapped fish from the front stoop and turned back to Kaoru, extending a hand in the air toward her. "Are you coming?"
Smiling at the gesture, Kaoru blushed slightly and slowly accepted his hand, slipping her own into his larger one, her blush increasing when he gave it an affectionate squeeze. Together, the two of them walked into the dojo to begin their cooking.
~*~
Author's Notes: I hope that this update will be enough to hold you guys over ^_^;; I'm afraid that I have been too busy in the past few months to update this story, as I've been going full time to college and working two jobs! Eep… Anyhow, since I got my wisdom teeth pulled a few days ago, it has given me the opportunity to just sit down and focus on my writing a bit. :)
Okay, I've updated chapters 2-4, editing them and making a few minor changers here and there- nothing drastic by any means!
Now on to the reviews!
GeminiDragon: I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed chapter four's installment! I was so nervous about how you guys would react ^_^;;
Angle1: *Watches her stomp* O_o;; Poor Kenshin. I hope Kaoru gets to him before you do!
Tsuki Karasu: Hopefully you have not gone too insane since the time of my last update ;)
ShilviGrl/Amyjenc1: Hehe, I'm glad that my explanation helped to clear things up for you! Hopefully it made enough sense and I didn't just go on incessantly rambling as I'm sometimes known to do… I mean… err, dammit, there I go again! ^_^;;
Ami-chan15: I most certainly will!
Ren-Okye: Psst, c'mon, would it really be Yahiko in the story if he didn't do something to piss the readers off? ;) *waits for the flames to come from Yahiko fans* hehe
BabyKaoru-Sama: Oh, thank you so much ^_^ That really means a lot to me! I hope that you have, indeed, been writing more fan fictions!
Hells-angel8: Thank you very much for your kind and appreciative words. The scene between Kenshin and Kaoru in their "romantic delirium" had to have been one of the most fun scenes to write so far in the story… I really enjoyed it and I'm glad you did as well!
Sephira jo: Ah, thank you kindly! It is really great to see how readers keep coming back to this story. It really means a lot to me to know that you all are enjoying it!
Eep! No sticks, though :P Play nice, hehe
Lere: A… lemon? *shrinks away* I'm afraid to unleash my evil writing powers on a lemon fan fic… It is tempting, though, I will give you that. ;)
Disturbed-demon-gurl: Description is definitely the best technique an author can use during stories like these… It not only helps to bring the reader into the story, but it also helps the reader in conveying the story by making him or her also feel like he or she is right there, a part of the story rather than just a narrator.
Gracianeko: Wow, someone certainly likes to read into the story. : ) good! Actually, Kenshin does know that he's built up the wall between him and her once again- he intentionally put it there- because he's afraid that if he gets too close to her again that there may be some… consequences. He loves Kaoru dearly, but because of that, he doesn't want to open himself up to her because he feels it would not only hurt her, but also bring pain upon himself. I hope that helped to answer your question, hon!
Nate0130: Hehe… depends on who you ask. : ) There are a few selective authors that I choose to read because I truly love their works and feel that they are unrecognized masterpieces.
Kouri: Thanks for the… mochi? *blinks* ^_^;;
Arizosa: Hehe, I hope that I've captured his personality correctly. *glances around nervously and jumps into a fire-retardant suit in fear that the Yahiko fans won't come around to flame her*
Polka dot: Shh.!! Yahiko's fans will hear you O_o
Koneko Battousai: Thank you kindly… Yeah, I've been unfair to Kaoru in this, haven't I? Teasing the hell out of her by holding Kenshin in front of her, only to pull him away again… *sigh*
Nanakilover/Brukaoru: Hahaha.. I'm sure he'd love that order ;)
Neko: The Cat That's Everywhere: Meow?
I'm glad that you're hooked! Sorry to have left you for so long without another "fix" for your reading addiction! Hopefully this chapter's installment will have sufficed for the mean time ;)
LiLV13TaNhDaO: Include a link to one and I will ;) I was actually having some problems trying to locate your profile on here for "LilAzNStar" :/
Crystal Shower: Thank you kindly! I appreciate your wonderful comment!
Demonic: Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay Okay … Phew ^_^;;
Thunder sister: Evil? Yes. Sad? Yes. Ain't it grand? ;) hehe
Zeus the Moose: Well, there is a good side to Yahiko… the boy's heart really is in the right place, most of the time. : ) You know… when he's not interrupting Kenshin/Kaoru or insulting all the characters left and right… ~_~
May Storm: More romance? Ask you shall receive, my dear. ;) *runs off to plan the next chapter*
Sessha Kenshin: I'm glad to hear that Kenshin approves! ^_^ Your kind words mean a lot to me! Thank you so much!
Anime Brat: O_o … *Puts a hand over her tummy* Don't hurt me…. I'll write! I'll write!
AnGeLiK-NiKoLe: Indeed. Suspense is something I love using in my stories ;)
HiEi FoR sALe: Hot? Ohh yeeaaah… It'll get hotter, too! Keep checking back!
Clemen: I'm glad that you're still hanging in there. ^_^ And I will take care, once I'm feeling better from this surgery. Hope you do the same as well and take care of yourself!!
Luraia Soul: Nah ;) I figured I'd be a bit more lenient on the poor boy… for now. : ) He'll get what he has coming to him later on. Bwahahaha!
Kyia Star: Woohoo, reviewer 90. Lucky you ^^ I'm glad that you're liking the story so far! Thank you for your kind comments, Ariel : ) Uhh… I'm online when I'm not a) asleep because of the medicine, b) asleep because of the medicine, or c) asleep because it's bed time :P hehe. Actually, you can catch me on AIM or Yahoo a lot now a days. Did you sign up for this coming semester's (spring) college classes yet?
Tenika Dragon: Wow… I really appreciate your comments! ^_^ They truly mean a lot to me, especially since English is somewhat my major (Mass-Communications). *hugs* Thank you so much!
Aureus-Alae: Yes, you caught onto my devious plan: Add the romance, but hold the actual kissing until later. You've figured me out. ;)
Luraia Soul: Hello again! ^^ Glad you liked it! Ciao!
Ruichan: Yes, that mask of his is incredibly hard to get passed. He only let's you see what he wants you to see and nothing more. A truly incredible character.
Aureus-Alae: No! :P hehe j/k I'll keep updating it as soon as I possibly can.
YoukoKurama201: Evil? Aye. But then I wouldn't be me if I wasn't, now would I? hehe. ^_^