Gun and Blade, Page IV

Monday. Conan had expected this coming. Once Tae had arrived, she was somehow fortunate enough to be in his classroom. She was pale and shaking, as if she didn't want to go through elementary again.

Tae claimed a seat nearby Conan and sat down, still shuddering a bit. Conan couldn't prevent himself from grinning. "Don't think you'll make it?"

She shook her head, her only able response.

"You will," He lowered his voice so only the two could hear the words, "because we used to be in high school."

"And I suppose elementary isn't much of torture as the proper school you're supposed to be in?"

"Quit moaning, Tae! You'll be fi--"

"Hey, it's you!!" Amy screeched as she ran up. "I remember you!"

"Erm, hi Amy...."

"It looks like you already know Conan! Have you known each other long?"

"Well, I--"

"Hey, Amy! Tae, how are you?" Mitch and George had come running up to them. "Nice day, huh?"

"Nice day, my foot! I've been having some bad luck," Mitch answered with a scoff.

"Did you hear about the rivalry between those two crazy guys?"

Conan and Tae suddenly fell silent at George.

"What?"
"Mmph. Nothing," Conan answered for Tae.

"Oookaaay...."

School ended quickly for them and Amy was in high chatter as they left the building. Tae had to look away and yawn occasionally just to place a barrier in her ears. Conan glanced sideways at Amy, listening though uninterested.

"So, you guys up to much?" Mitch asked after seperating themselves within 12 feet of the school.

"I just plan going back home," Tae responded, staring at the ground now.

"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Doesn't look like nothing."

"Just stop it."

"Did I make you mad?"

"Shut up..."

"Mitch, I advise you don't anger her," Conan warned, starting to back away a little.

"Why?"
"Just shut up and keep walking."

"But--"

"Oh, Mitch, can't you just listen for once?" Amy interrupted, shooting a glare at him.

"Erm...right."

"Geez, Mitch, you sure have been nosy lately, huh?"

"Oh, shut it George."

Conan made an attempt to break ranks from the group towards the warehouse, but it seemed Amy was too keen not to let him go yet. Tae found this highly aggravating, for she had noticed Amy's liking towards Conan.

Before Conan could slip away into a dark alleyway, he heard Amy's voice. "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere," he replied with an all-too-innocent tone.

"Doesn't sound like nowhere," George said grimly.

"Erm...uh..."

"Well?"
"He's obviously headed for the warehouse," Tae responded bitterly.

"Tae, what are you--"

"Don't you pay attention to Conan's habits? You could've known by now he was going there!"

There was a silence in the air, nervous tension and flusteration floating. Mitch broke the silence:

"Of course we knew, we were just testing you."

The other two nodded fervently. Tae rolled her eyes with a mutter of "whatever" and turned. "Well? Aren't you going?"

"Oh, erm, right."

Conan, deeply exasperated, strolled down the alleyways and narrow paths directly to the warehouse. The sky was a somewhat gloomy gray, so the bushes and trees were dim. The clouds were immobile, time thickly flowing like blood.

"This...is...taking...forever!" Amy complained, moaning loudly.

"You wanted to follow me," Conan responded through gritted teeth.

They finally arrived at the warehouse. "There's nothing interesting here," George yawned, settling himself on top of a bench. "Just a whole bunch of dusty boxes and some messed up packages."

"I should've told you earlier," Conan growled angrily at this waste of time.

"Why didn't you?" Mitch inquired, a little annoyed by Conan's antics.

"Shut up," Tae simply huffed. "You just don't understand, do you?"

"Aren't you a bit cranky..." Amy commented with a most obnoxious tone.

"I'm going home!" George declared, turning around and heading off.

"Me too!" Mitch called out, running after George. Amy followed without a moment of hesitation, clearly indicating she was breaking ranks. Conan turned to Tae, slightly confused.

"What got you so angry?"

"I had to drive them off somehow," she replied innocently, shrugging. "They're bothersome when it comes to cases like these."

"...Yeah, you're right," he replied stiffly, apparently unable to find an answer.