NA- O.O I just the CREEPIEST thing happen today. Most of this stuff is based on my own life, and we really do have an exchange program set up with a school in Japan. (Only it's in Okinawa, not Tokyo.) Weeeeell, I was brushing my teeth this morning and a thought struck me: Wouldn't it be weird if they came today?

Walk into homeroom this morning, anouncments are giong on, blah blah blah, and guess who walks in? THE KIDS FROM JAPAN! I was like HOLY &*%$!! MOOOOMY!!! LOL I was just waiting for a Kurama look alike to waltz in. ::shudders:: creepiness man...

Anyway, on with the Shoutouts to my wonderful reviewers!! I LOVE YOU ALL!! ::huggles::

reo*nari- Aren't those little boxes fun?? or maybe it's just me. O.o

Koroga, Hiei, & Kurama- ::bows:: I'm honored that my story is to your and Ms. Koroga's likings! Oh and Hiei, your time is coming, just you wait. ::evil laughter::

Wizardess Gal- Nah, thank YOU for reading! I know how it is to read a fic with a really good plot and ideas, but the content is just poorly written. I'm glad to be of service!

devilndisgus24/7- ::bounces around:: Tehee...you'll see! =^_^=

I really don't feel like putting a disclaimer. One's enough, don't you think?

**HEY! Would anyone be interested in being a beta reader for me? I nitpick my stories for mistakes and grammatical errors, but I always seem to miss some and it's really embarrassing/annoying when the damn thing is already posted. Email me!**

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A torrent of clicking keys filled the house as Eris typed madly away at the keyboard, her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. Shuichi peered over the book he had found in the refrigerator.

I wondered where that one went! she had said. He shook his head and grinned at the memory. It was actually a very good book. Something about an orphan finding out he was a wizard.

What are you beating up the computer for?

Wha? I'm not beating it up Eris pouted and kept pounding the keys. You sound like my mother. Eris! Quite pounding on the keys! I can't sleep with that racket!' she mimicked in an unnaturally high voice that sounded nothing like her mother's.

Are your parents coming home soon?

Eh, not really. They're up visiting Jack in the cities. They won't be back until two weeks from now. So until then, it's just you and me, buddy!

She beamed, and then went back to her work, computer keys clacking away.

What are you doing exactly?





Hacking into the school system to issue a snow day on Monday.

Ah. What's a snow day?

Eris paused, mid click. You're serious? At least tell me you've heard of snow? You know, the cold white stuff that falls from the sky in winter?

I know perfectly well what snow is, I was just asking a simple question.

Eris sighed, Sorry, I'm a bit high strung at the moment. Ignore any further snappings like that. A snow day happens when a heavy amount of snow causes school to cancel. This also happens if the roads are too icy and/or slushy for the busses to drive.

See, that wasn't so hard now was it? Shuichi grinned behind the book and turned a page. Eris gave him a deadpan look.

Damn. Thwarted again.

The fiery red head gave a chuckle or two and turned another page. Now why are you hacking into the school system?

I told you, make a snow day.

That's not your real reason. You just want to see if you can do it.

Close, but no. I've done this before and know everything like the back of my hand. It's actually ridiculously easy to get past their firewall. Almost pitiful. How's the book?

Quite enjoyable, thank you. I don't understand this whole Voldemort killing Harry's parents situation though. What was the point?

We're still waiting on the answer to that one. I like to think Lily and Voldy were secret lovers until James found out and had a hissy fit and Lily realized it was really James she loved.

That makes even less sense. I could understand killing James, but why would he murder the woman he loved?

Because if he couldn't have her, then no one would. See, you gotta get in the characters mind. Think like they would, see what they see, you dig?

I dig. I think. Wait, what did I just say?

Don't worry, it's a good thing. AHA! I'm in! she cracked her knuckles and leaned over the keyboard, almost pressing her nose against the computer screen. I'm surprised you're letting me do this. My parents, even Alex, would shit a brick for lack of better words.

She saw him shrug it off from the corner of her eye. I've done worse.

Eris snickered. I believe you. Now leeeets seelunch schedule, hey maybe I could change Taco Tuesday to the pasta bar! I'll put that on my to do listmmm, directory, no, campus pictures, no, those suck anywaypep band schedule, that reminds me, I owe Alex a favoruh, morning announcements! Here we go.

The clicking started again, accompanied by a few mouse clicks. Scrolling down the page, Eris came across the name list for the student exchange program. Scanning it lazily, she almost skipped it when she noticed something was missing.

Hey, how come your name isn't on here? she prodded his leg with her finger and pointed at the screen.

Shuichi came up behind her, face glowing in the light of the computer. He smelled strongly, not surprisingly, of roses. And something else, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

She saw his eyes narrow in thought, almost seeing the wheels turning in that crimson head of his.

I haven't the faintest idea. Maybe you should add me, make someone's life a little easier.

Now why don't I think he's talking about a secretary?

He walked away from the desk, hand trailing along the wood of her chair and absentmindedly running across the middle of her back.

Ayeeee!! Ok ok! I give! Just stop the sexual torture!! What am I saying? Do it again!!

Eris prayed a silent thanks to God that the light was dimming and the flush in her cheeks couldn't be seen. Surely it wasn't healthy to blush so much in one day?

Sure, no problem. She murmured and set to work. Soon the name Shuichi Minamino blinked onto the screen. Wait



What's wrong?

Her hands slapped over the screen to cover the name. Nothing! Nothing at all! Ehehe

Not believing her, he went to see the cause of her odd behavior, well, odder than what seemed normal for her.

Eris hopped onto the desk, obscuring the monitor with her back and began to swing her feet like an innocent child.

What are you hiding? he asked, suspiciously.

Nothing, what makes you ask? she smiled sweetly. His eyes went dangerously serious. She gulped and looked away, finding her nails extremely interesting at the moment.

I think I need a manicure! Yes, that's exactly what I need! I should make an appointment! Shuichi, be a peach and hand me the phone would y-EEP!

He seized her around the waist and attempted to lift her off the desk. Her hands instantly latched onto the desktop, nails digging into the soft wood.

Hey now! What are you doing?! Let me go this instant!

His grip tightened around her waist and he stared into her eyes. Struggling not to show the little worm of fear creeping into her, she lifted her chin and making her own gaze steely to match their color.

I know your hiding something.

It's nothing. Really. Glitch in the pop up ad blocker. Bunch of naughty pop ups, not for innocent eyes.

My eyes are hardly innocent. He let go without another word, leaving Eris feeling suddenly cold. She watched him pick up Harry Potter again, sigh, and lean his head on one hand as he began to read.

Yeah. I know.

**************

Not much talking followed after that. Just the sound of Eris' typing and the turn of a page every minute or two. Who knew the sound of paper could be so creepy?

The sun was now where on the horizon now when Eris looked out the window. Yawning, she checked the computer clock since that was the only that wasn't at least 20 minutes fast.

Only 6:45? Wow! Daylight's saving time really bites. I feel like it's 10. She stretched, wincing as her elbows made that annoying cracking sound.

Ick. I hate it when they do that.

No response from the chair. Eris shrugged and went back to her game of Snood.

Ah crap! That was stupid move Eris frowned as the screen filled dangerously with snoods. The proceeded to bang her head on the desk after losing.

Noooo!!! I was soooo close!! One more would have broken the high sore!! So close! Yet so far away! Ohhh

You're going to severely injure yourself like that.

GASP. He speaks! I was worried for a while there.

Don't, I just wanted to finish the book.

And was it to your liking?

Yes. I enjoyed it a lot.

Good. I'm debating on whether to give you the second one.

There's more?

Eris smirked. Yup! Much more. I can already see you're going to be an obsessed fanatic like me.

Shuichi laughed quietly, drumming his fingertips lightly on the chair arm.

He's got nice hands. Very-



She fell back into reality with a thud, realizing she had been staring.

Ah, sorry about that. My mind likes to wander out on its own, when it really shouldn't she scratched her neck and crossed her legs Indian style.

You look tired, maybe you should rest for awhile?

Eris fought off a yawn, waving him off. Nah! I'm wide-awake! See? She perked up and hopped off her chair with great flourish.

Besides, you have yet to see the Harry Potter movies!!

This interested him. Movies? They have movies to go along with the book?

The first one and the second one so far. But you can't see the second one until you finish the second book. The books are always better than the movies, and I don't want to ruin it for you.

Mmm, alright then.

Eris glowed with excitement, practically bouncing on her feet, and zipped off to her room. Hang tight for a second, I gotta find the dang thing

Flipping on the light, her radar zoned in on the movie laying under her bed.

Now how'd that get there Picking it up, quickly examining it for damage and finding none, she straightened up and screamed.



Clutching her heart with one hand, she forced herself to breathe again, glaring at the giant poster of Kurama hanging over the side of her bed.

Shuichi's gentle, yet concerned voice came room the living room. She could see his form half in half out his chair through the little crack that her door was open.

Eris? Is everything ok?

Yes, don't worry I'm fine. Just thought I saw something.

I better get rid of that thing

She bit her lip, really not wanting to take down her favorite poster. Sighing, Eris ever so carefully peeled it away from the light lavender paint and set it at the back of her overstuffed closet.

Probably should hide the DVD's tooman this is more depressing than I thought. Or maybe I just feel guilty? But of what?

Closing the closet with a click, and a quick flick down of the light switch, she reappeared waving the DVD case with a lopsided grin.

I have no idea how, or why, but the damn thing was under my bed. Scary place that is!

He laughed lightly, comfortably hanging his head to one side, I'll take your word for it. Shall we then?

We shall! OH! Wait, I almost forgot, hold that thought! scampering off to her room again, she wrenched her homemade fleece blanket that Alex had made her off her bed and reemerged with it wrapped around her like a cloak.

Shuichi broke out into a smile that lit up his face, My, now don't you look comfortable!

Eris twirled around, watching with glee as the knotted edges bounced off her legs. Alex made it for me last Christmas. Do you like it? I call it my movie blanket because, well I always watch movies with it.

It was red and yellow with the Gryffindor crest on one side, and black, blue, and silver on the other with little stars that really shimmered.

Yes, it's very becoming of you.

Thank you! Alright now we can watch it. This way! she marched through the kitchen, down the stairs, past the laundry room door and into a cute little room with a massive couch that ran along two whole sides of the room. Against the farthest wall stood a big screen TV and surround sound speakers stuck in each corner.

The floor had a soft rug that made your hair static in the winter. Eris paused a moment to rub her socky feet into the rug, Shuichi looking down at her back curiously. Turning around, she motioned with her finger to come closer.

Bend down here for a second.

Not seeing the glint in her eyes, he was totally unprepared for the little, but painful, jolt of electricity from her finger when she poked him in the chest.

he rubbed the spot, trying to make the now no existent pain to go away.

Eris just giggled and pranced over to the DVD player, popping in the disc. Oh you baby! I thought for sure you would have seen that one coming. And stop burning holes in the back of me head.

Obediently, he averted his eyes to the painting of a sea harbor hanging above one part of the couch as Eris fiddled with the technical stuff.

Isn't that cool? I found it at a garage sale and, ah, persuaded my dad to buy it. I love the brush technique they used for the water. Water is probably the most difficult element to imitate, never mind the effects and all that junk.

Ah, so you are an artist. I knew I was right.

She shrugged her shoulders, turning a dial, then took a small running start and launched herself onto the heavenly comfy couch.

I guess you could say that. I dabble in a little of this, a little of that. Turn off that light, please?

Of course.

Thank you. Now get over here and share this huge piece of holy fluffiness with me; I can't help but think it's going to eat me one of these days.

Adjusting his eyes to the sudden dark, he could make out Eris' head peeking out of a dark mound, which had to be her Gryffindor and stars blanket, squinting at the glow in the dark buttons of the remote.

Well then, I best be close to fight it off then shouldn't I? he said in a light tone, the corners of his eyes turning up in a smile.

Oooh, was that an attempt to come on to me? Now I have to keep me eye on you too. She scooted over a bit and offered a good portion of her blanket up. And here I thought you were a nice boy!

I never said that, you just assumed. Descending into the warm confines of the surprising softness of the blanket and Eris' body heat, Shuichi fell into a very welcome state of content and relaxation.

Ah, so you are a psychotic escapee from a high security mental institution, known as a funny farm around these parts, bent on world domination and going around posing as an exchange student to gain the trust of little short girls and eventually skin them alive in their own basements and wear their flesh as a fashionable hat?
.
.
.
.
.
what would you do if I said yes?

I'd say Welcome home!'