Chapter 13

(Kogure)

I didn't feel like getting up as I laid there on my bed replaying last night's scene in my head.

~Flashback~

Rukawa pulled me away, "Sumimasen, Kogure-san. I don't feel the same way…"

I couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

"No reason. I only see you as my oniisan. Gomen nasai."

'Oniisan,' I thought, 'that dreaded word, that's just as bad as friend. Worst.'

"May I ask you one more thing?"

Rukawa nodded.

"Is there someone you like?"

After a long pause, "No."

~End of Flashback~

But I knew it was a lie. How long it took him to answer, that look in his eyes when he said no.

I didn't understand what was going on. Why I suddenly like him. Why I kept thinking about him when I'm with Mitsui. Everything seemed so wrong and I knew it. But I couldn't understand it.

.

(Rukawa)

I walked towards the dining room.

"Ohayou Rukawa-sama! You woke up late today," Hikoichi said, "what happened to your cheek?!"

'Because my human alarm clock didn't wake me this morning and that do'aho Mitsui confronted me last night,' I thought irritably but said, "No annoying morning call. Fell off bed."

"You fell off your bed?" Ayako asked sceptically with a smirk, "well, unfortunately for you, breakfast is all gone. Who cooked breakfast today?"

Sendoh's hand slowly crept up, "Oooops?"

"You should cook a bit more next time. And try to make it taste better," Koshino said, "it kind of taste weird. Actually it does taste weird."

"Sumimasen, because of us the normal amount you cook isn't enough," Kogure apologized.

Sendoh smiled, "Don't worry about it. You can make up for it by cooking Rukawa breakfast."

I looked at Sendoh.

"Uh…Rukawa what would you like to eat?" Kogure finally asked.

"It's ok. I'm going out. I'll eat then," I said.

"Great. You can drive Sendoh into town. He said he needs to buy some stuff," Jin said.

"I can go by myself," he said.

'Huh?'

"Don't be silly. He's going out anyways," Ayako said, "Kaede you will drive Sendoh."

"Whatever."

"Well…thanks…" Sendoh said not sounding very eager.

'What is wrong with him?'

.

(Sendoh)

There was an awkward silence as he drove. I felt like it was my obligation to say something, "Uh…I'm sorry to be of bother…"

"Use to it," he stated.

The silence resumed.

"I saw an interesting show last night about…uh, corn. Actually it really wasn't that interesting…" I admitted, "never mind."

"Then why did you watch it?"

"Because I couldn't sleep and thought maybe it'll bore me to sleep but that was unsuccessful," I said, 'it made me think about you and Kogure some more…'

"Baka."

I smiled, "I suppose I am."

He stopped the car and stepped out, "You coming?"

"Huh? Where?"

He sighed, "Breakfast."

"Oh, sure…"

.

(Rukawa)

I looked across the table at Sendoh, 'Why is he acting so distant and zoned out today?'

I looked at my cup of coffee and decided to add in the stupid cream so he won't bug me.

"Looks like Kogure's words has an effect on you, huh?"

'Kogure?' I looked at him, 'does he thinking that…is this what this is about? That major baka!'

I spread the cream cheese onto my bagel, 'Should I tell him? Why do I have to explain anything to him?'

I didn't like this silent, sorrowful him, "What are you buying?"

"Styling gel and this," he said taking a long sheet of paper out of his pocket, "apparently everyone has stuff they want to buy but is too lazy to actually go buy it. So I've got to help them buy it."

"I'll drive you."

"That's ok. You don't have to. I-"

"How do you plan on carrying all that?" I asked.

He smiled, "Arigatou."

.

(Jin)

"Oi, Jin. What are you doing?" Ayako asked.

"Helping Sendoh gather info on Maki Shuichi. I wonder why he's interested in this man."

"Sendoh is a mystery, ne?" Ayako asked.

I smiled, "A bit. But talk about mystery, Kogure's a bigger mystery. He came back all different. Then there's Rukawa this morning with a swollen cheek and Mitsui claiming to have bitten too hard on a fork and lost his tooth. Now that's odd."

"Duh, they're both such horrible liars, unlike you. Sendoh's odd today too. He didn't freak out about Rukawa's swollen face," Ayako said, "why do you wear this outfit? Don't you feel hot and stuff in there?"

I smiled, "You know it doesn't bother me. And it kind of sounds like you you're trying to seduce me out of my jumpsuit."

Ayako grinned, "Not just the jumpsuit. The gloves, boots and all that good stuff."

Jin laughed, "But I look good in it. Girl's dig the black suit. Plus, I'd feel so naked without it."

"Wouldn't you be naked without it?"

"Ok, you're distracting me from my work with all this naked talk. So why are you here?"

"To get a rematch on that shooting game."

"Ok, give me a couple of minutes," I said and wonder if she knew how I felt…

.

(Sendoh)

I was so excited now. I don't know how the mall can provoke such a positive feeling but I was genuinely feeling giddy. Maybe it was the cheerful, yet noise atmosphere. Maybe it was the familiar surrounding. Or maybe it was Rukawa beside me, it kind of felt like we were on a date. He even appeared to be trying to keep the conversation going.

I looked at the sign indicating where the skating rink was, "Hey, lets go skating!"

"I can't skate," he said.

"It's easy and fun. I'll teach you," I said dragging him with me, 'Kaede use to be like so. He use to come with me to the mall despite…'

I froze, 'They're not the same…or maybe…'

I turned to see him looking at me oddly. First at me, then my hand on his wrist and then back at me. I let go, "I'm sorry! I didn't-"

He grabbed my hand and said, "Come on. Thought you were going to teach me how to skate."

I was confused, 'He actually wants to go!? He's initializing bodily contact?!? He's not pissed off?!'

.

(Rukawa)

I don't know what I was doing but I didn't want to see that troubled look on his face. I sighed, 'I'm actually giving in to him.'

He halted.

"What is it now?" I asked.

He pointed at a large silver band, "Do you see that ring? It's actually two bands joined together but it fits so well, you can't see where they're joined together, and it appear as one."

"How do you know?"

"I use to have one identical to that but…it's gone now."

He looked like he really wanted it, "If you like it, buy it."

He shook his head, "It's not the same…it was-"

He cut himself off and smiled, "Lets go."

I looked at the ring.

.

"See you're doing well," he said smiling encouragingly.

I wonder what world he was on. I was just stand there and letting him drag me along. Standing on two thin blades, isn't hard. But the moving, that's hard.

"I'm going to let go now and you can move towards me, ok?"

"No," I said.

Sendoh laughed, "You'll be fine. I promise to catch you, if you fall."

He let go of my hands, "…"

"Ok, move towards me now."

I felt like a baby learning how to walk all over again. But this was more embarrassing with all these people around watching, and 3 year olds skating better than me.

"It's ok, Kaede. Trust me. Move your legs, slide forward."

'Trust me?' I looked at him and sighed, then shuffled my feet. Then I tripped, over my own feet and fell forward. I swear it had to be my top 3 most embarrassing moments. I never actually tripped over anything before, much less my own feet. And true to his words, he attempted to catch me, most unsuccessful and we both ending up on the ice. But he did cushion my fall.

"That was a good attempt, at least you tried. Ooooh, my butt feels cold. Ok, you didn't need to know that," he said laughing.

'He's laughing again…' I thought ignoring the snickering of the people around me.

.

(Sendoh)

It as amusing watching him be so clumsy. I got up and offered him my hand. He looked up at me, there was something gentler about his eyes as he took my hand.

"Lets try that again!" I said.

"No."

"Aw, come on. I know you don't give up that easily."

"You give bad instructions."

"Oh, you're going to blame it on me, huh?" I said smiling, "you just have to move the momentum of your body forward. You know you kind of glide."

He looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language.

"Ok, ok. I'll guide you and you just kind of follow along, alright?" I said skating backwards holding onto his hands, "and then I'm going to let go and you just follow and continue, ok?"

He nodded.

Five seconds later he said, "Let go now."

"Huh?"

"Let go," he said more firmly.

I immediately did and my back hit the wall surrounding the skating rink and tumbled over it, "Ouchie…"

Kaede actually let out a soft chuckle before composing himself.

"I knew falling for you was going to be painful," I joked.

"Baka," he said but I could definitely hear the amusement in his voice.

.

That Night:

(Ayako)

"Kosh, please stop pacing around in front of the TV. You're not made of glass you know," I said.

"I can't help it. What if Mitsui notice Hikoichi?" he said and turned invisible, "there, is that better?"

I smiled, "Much better. Even if Mitsui does notice him, Mitsui won't harm Hikoichi. And you really got to have some faith in Hikoichi's spying skills."

"Ayako, are you talking to yourself again?" Jin asked.

"Koshino gone invisible. I don't talk to myself, like you," I said.

"I don't talk to myself," Jin said pouting.

"Focus you two," Koshino said, "in case you forgot, Mitsui's a psychic, he can probably sense Hikoichi's mind."

Jin smiled, "Kosh, you can always go to my lab and keep track of Hikoichi's ever move and speak with him through his com link."

"Ooooh, that's a great idea! Ayako how come you never have these brilliant ideas?" Koshino asked and without waiting for a response turned visible and ran off.

"I am quite brilliant," Jin said with a smile.

"So is a light bulb, but it's brainless."

.

(Mitsui)

'What is he doing ?' I wonder, 'he's been walking around for quite a while.'

Kogure stopped in front of a tall apartment and looked up then went inside.

I frowned and watched him go into the elevator then followed the numbers as they lit up, 'Top floor?'

I pressed for the other elevator, 'Is he meeting someone? Who could it be?'

I got to the top floor and couldn't sense another mind up there with him. I opened the door and spotted Kogure there with a girl. The girl had on a weird black helmet that only covered up to her cheeks, 'Who is she?'

.

(Sendoh)

I got onto the roof to find Kaede there.

"…" I smiled, "hey. What are you doing here?"

"Thinking."

I sat beside him, "What about? Kogure-san?"

"Partially, but he'll be fine with Mitsui trailing him."

Kaede looked troubled so I changed the subject, "Do you like the sunrise or sunset more?"

"You?"

"Sunset because that's when the moon comes out. I like the moon, it's beautiful, mysterious, alluring. With the ability to illuminate the night sky, shine as the brightest star of all. Plus it persevere in harsh conditions, like how in the cold, crisp, winter air, it appears even brighter and clearer than usually. It's like y-…it's bewitching."

.

(Mitsui)

"You kissed Rukawa?" she asked, "how did it feel? Was Mitsui mad?"

"I think-"

"Why don't you ask me?" I challenged.

She looked at me, "Oh…"

"You! It's you who's been controlling Kimi-kun."

She smiled, "I think I underestimated you. Judging from what I know about you, you should be busy thinking of a way to defeat Rukawa, getting back Kogure or communicate with Davenport. Instead you chose to follow Kogure. Miscalculations."

"Release Kimi-kun from your control."

"Why would I want to do something like that, now?"

"Then I'll make you!" I said and sent a psychic blast at her but Kogure appeared and it hit him instead.

'No!!'

.

(Rukawa)

I looked at him and said, "I like the sunrise and the sun more. The sun's bright, it's warm. It is the reason all living things exist. Without the sun's ray reflecting off the moon, the moon wouldn't have any light."

"Too bad they can't coexist together, ne?" he asked.

'Great, he's all serious again. This afternoon, he was fine. When did it begin? When did his emotions begin to affect me. When did he began to be so important to me? Or perhaps he always was but I've tried to deny it. Why have I ignored it? Because I feel like, I don't deserve him? He's the kindest person I know. But me…what am I?'

"Look, the sunrise!" he said excitedly.

I watch the first ray of light appear.

'Maybe I don't deserve him, but if he wants to be with me…isn't what he want more important, than what I think? Should I not put him first? And though I may not know what I am, I know who I want to be.'

"Sendoh."

"Hm?"

"Kogure-san is like my brother. Nothing more," I told him.

.

(Mitsui)

"How dare you use Kimi-kun as a shield!"

"Why wouldn't I dare?" she asked coolly.

Something inside me snapped and I attacked her. I grabbed her by the neck and began strangling her. She looked shocked momentarily then smiled, which made me dig my thumb harder into her jugular vein.

I would let go if I were you, she said telepathically, look at your boyfriend.

I turned to Kogure who was at the edge of the building and had one foot over the edge of the building.

You know I don't need a conscious mind, in order to control it. You strangle me and he falls. What's more important to you? Killing me, or saving him? I'm feeling quite dizzy. You got five seconds before I release him and he falls. 5, 4, 3, 2...

.

(Sendoh)

I wonder if he was telling me what I think he is.

"Then what am I to you?" I asked.

"You? A baka," he said softly.

But the way he said that word, it didn't sound like a bad thing. It almost sounded like…a pet name.

I smiled and looked up into the now bright sky. In it I could still see the crescent shape moon, though it was faint, it was still there, 'They can exist together, it's just he's more subtle, so I have to pay closer attention to what he says and does. For him, a single word can mean a lot.'

.

(Hikoichi)

I watch them from the adjacent rooftop. Mitsui dropped the girl and raced to catch the falling Kogure. He grabbed a hold of Kogure's right wrist. I let out a sigh.

I blinked, 'Where did that girl go? I can't even sense her. She couldn't have gone far. What the heck is she?'

Mitsui picked up Kogure and carried him off.

~TBC

A/N: There I didn't kill Kogure, got some ppl telling me to stop killing. *L*

And yes, Koshino can become invisible, that is his mutant power.