Thank you, everyone for your lovely comments. They're really very flattering. I'm glad that you've enjoyed the story so far. By all means, keep them coming. (smiles)


Remembrance- Chapter 3

After their lunch, Kurama and Kei spent the rest of the afternoon just walking around Tokyo, visiting stores and people watching. As they went on, Kei continued to ask him about plants. She was truly surprised to find someone as interested in them as she was, if not more. Kurama had her absolutely spellbound as he talked about the various flowers they saw as they walked along.

It was sunset when the two of them finally rested on a bench in front of a small waterway downtown. The sky had begun to turn an amazing shade of pink and orange, making it look like someone's painting rather than the real sky. Kei leaned lightly on Kurama's shoulder as they watched, his soft hair making a lovely pillow.

"Suuichi, how did you learn so much about plants?"

"Well…Let's just say I've been around them for a very long time."

"Is someone in your family a florist?"

"No, I've…studied on my own."

"Wow. It would take me centuries to learn everything you do."

"That's how long it took me…" Kurama thought as he glanced down at her.

"It seems like all we've been talking about is plants all day long, and yet, we've learned a lot about each other."

"You think so?"

"I know so. I mean, just from today, I've learned that you're a great listener, very soft-spoken, kind and caring, and extremely intelligent. Not to mention a snazzy dresser."

Kurama laughed at her last comment and looked down at her.

"Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that."

"If you don't mind my asking, have you learned anything about me?"

"Yes. I've learned that you like to talk about all the things that interest you, that you like making people laugh, that you're also very intelligent, that you like to read manga, and that your favorite flower and tree are the snapdragon and the sequoia."

Kei got up at Kurama's last observation and stared at him.

"How did you know that snapdragons were my favorite? I don't remember mentioning it."

"When we saw some earlier, you got a look in your eye that told me as much."

"Well, then you're also good at observation."

"I suppose so, but you're also good at keeping secrets."

Kei looked away towards the water at his words, knowing in the back of her mind that if things were going the way that she thought, she'd have to tell him eventually. But not now.

"True. But they'll come to the surface eventually. When the time is right."

"All right. When the time is right, then."

"I'm glad you understand." Kei said putting her head back on his shoulder.

"We both have our secrets. We should feel comfortable when we tell each other about them."

"You have a secret too?"

"Yes."

"Then we have a lot more in common than we thought."

"Indeed."

Kei put her hand under Kurama's and intertwined her fingers with his. Kurama closed his hand around hers, taking in the feeling of her warmth. He felt a twang of regret for continuing to keep such a large secret from her, but knowing that she had one of her own eased him in a way. Nevertheless, it didn't sit well with him keeping something that big from someone he cared for so much, so he decided to tell her…a small portion, at least.

"I'll tell you one thing. Suuichi isn't my real name."

"It isn't?"

"Well, it was the name my mother gave me, but it's not my real one."

"I don't…"

"When I tell you the whole story, it will become clear."

"I see. Well, what is your real name?"

"Kurama."

"Kurama…That's an even better name than Suuichi," she responded laughing. Kurama took her face into his free hand and brought her eye level with him.

"You don't find that hard to believe?"

"A little," Kei replied honestly, "but I trust you. You don't seem like the kind to lie. Surprising, since we've known each other only a little over a day."

The words "I trust you" echoed in Kurama's head. He seemed to feel a small amount of weight come off his shoulders that had been there ever since he knew that he cared deeply for Kei, which was earlier that day. There was still a lot there, however, but he knew that it would disappear as well as time went on. As they both sat there gazing into each other's eyes, Kurama felt himself coming closer and closer to Kei's lips. Kei began to blush, but she didn't pull away. As their lips met, they both felt like fireworks were going off in their hearts. The warmth they felt seemed to spread throughout their entire bodies, making them relax into each other and the kiss all the more pleasant. When they pulled away from one another, they both wore a look of surprise, embarrassment, and happiness mixed together. Kurama was the first to say something.

"Well, that was…"

"Wonderful." Kei finished, immediately blushing more deeply and looking down at her lap.

Kurama squeezed her hand lightly and edged closer to her, lifting her head up again.

"I couldn't have put it better myself."

Kei looked into Kurama's emerald eyes and tears began to well in hers. Kurama looked surprised by this and tried to pull away, but Kei wouldn't let him. She shook her head and laughed lightly.

"Was that your…?" Kurama began.

"First kiss? …Yes. But don't be worried. I'm not crying because I'm sad. Quite the opposite, really."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah. I'm just happy that I had it with someone I really, you know, care for."

"…I feel the same way."

Kei smiled at Kurama, the last bit of light from the sunset setting off her facial features perfectly. She sighed and looked toward it, and began looking as if something was on her mind.

"What is it?" Kurama asked nudging her.

"You told me a bit of your secret, and I feel okay with it, so I'll tell you some of mine."

"Go on."

"…I may come off as a well-off girl, but that's not the case at all."

"Meaning?"

"You'll see eventually. I have to go now. I was supposed to be home a few hours ago, but we were having so much fun, I forgot."

"Oh…Can we meet at the bookstore again tomorrow?"

"I can try."

"Well, I'll be waiting for you if you can. Let me walk you home."

"No! …No…That's okay. I'll…go by myself. It's…actually not that far from here…"

"Why don't you—"

"Kurama. Please?" Kei looked pleadingly up at Kurama, her eyes begging him not to ask anymore about it.

"…All right. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay."

Kei got up and turned to go, but quickly turned around and gave Kurama a kiss on his cheek. She then smiled and turned to go for real. Kurama looked after her as far as his eyesight would let him, which was until she turned a corner at the very far end of the street. He sighed and rose to leave himself, wondering what could make Kei so frightened to let him walk her home. As he walked to his own home, he thought about all the possibilities he could think of and came up with one resolve. He'd find out what it was all about tomorrow, one way or another.