After an hour and a half of Eris quoting the movie word for word-

As you can see, I've seen this thing way too many times. No doubt it's completely unhealthy.

-the after credits came rolling up on the TV screen, signaling the end. Eris yawned, feeling completely exhausted and didn't really feel like moving at the moment. Shuichi's shoulder was too comfortable and the blanket too deliciously warm. Slowly, her heavy eyelids began to droop, and her head sank against Shuichi.

Damn teachers and their homeworkshouldn't have run home

 a familiar voice, one she'd heard many times in her dreams, seemed to whisper somewhere far off. She'd answer it later. Maybe.

That velvety voice was even more persistent. Something tickled her neck, bringing her stubborn senses back from their reverie a bit.



The show's over..

sleepy time.

A muffled laugh poked at her groggy brain. The warm thing next to her moved.

come back

Don't worry, I'm right here, the voice said, it's warm breath ran along her cheek. A sudden smell of roses teased her nose; two strong arms carefully placed themselves under her back and knees. After that creepy feeling of moving through the air passed, Eris smiled in her half sleep.

I like this. It feels nice. And warm. Warm is good. Good and safe.

What's this silky thing on my face?

That would appear to be my hair. There was a smile in that tone. Eris leaned into his hold, snuggling into his nicely firm chest, and captured a lock between her fingers.

bad hostess

Don't say that. Obviously you've had a stressful week.

stupid English paperflunking algebrabishie youkai







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

Why do my eyelids feel like they're melting off of my face?

Eris opened her eyes a crack.

Where the hell am I?

Her eyes rolled down, seeing her lavender carpet in a blur.

OK, so I'm in my room. On the floor. Yeah, this makes perfect sense. Why shouldn't I be on the floor?

Slowly shifting her weight onto her arms, Eris pushed herself up into a sitting position, looking around completely confused.

Ugh! Ok, that's just nasty

Wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth, she began to piece together the events that led to her person being on the floor.

We were watching a moviethen it got doneand now I'm here. Wait a minute

Crawling across her room, kicking various pieces of dirty clothing and books out of the way, she pried the bedroom door open and inched her way down the hall to the guest room. She reached out a hand to turn the knob-

May I ask what you are doing?

-and nearly had a heart attack.

AH! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to sneak up on people like that?!

Not that I remember. But you don't usually find people crawling on the floors and opening doors to other people's rooms.

about that, I was just-

-looking for me, I know. It's alright. I figured you would.

Now what's- she took Shuichi's outstretched hand and let him pull her up,-that supposed to mean?

You like to know where everything is.

Eris gave him an odd look. That's creepy. How'd you do that?

He shrugged back one shoulder. You wouldn't know it by the looks of your room however. His eyes flitting down then quickly back up. Er, I think you may want to get dressed.

Looking down, she noticed she had on the clean pair of dark blue pajamas.

Now how'd those get there? And how'd I end up on my floor?

I took you to your room last night. And unless I'm mistaken- Which I am, but what she doesn't know, won't hurt her. -you dressed yourself. Not the faintest idea on how you ended up on the floor though.

I really don't. I swear I put her in her bed

Must have had a dream again. She scratched her head and yawned, wandering back towards her own door. Shuichi followed, watching her movements as she took out the funny looking morning ponytail and close the door with her foot.

He talked to her through the door, leaning against the wooden frame with his arms crossed and looking at the four little angel kitties hanging from the top of the frame. Each one held a heart with a letter to spell out the word He smiled.

Yeah, it's nothing really. I have this reoccurring dream every once in awhile. Eris navigated through the maze of clothes and books to her dressor, wrenching open the heavy drawers and rooting around for something to wear.

What happens?

She threw a white beater onto her unmade bed, followed by a pair of light colored jeans with a few holes in the knees. Hey, it was the weekend. Why get good clothes dirty?

I don't really remember all of it actually. Something about a red pencil falling on the ground.

That's it?

Hey, it's scarier than it sounds. I get this funny feeling in my stomach when I think about it, and it ain't a good one either.

She opened the door for him to enter; grabbing her brush, she attacked her shoulder-blade length black hair, wincing when she hit a knot.

They say reoccurring dreams mean your inner self is trying to tell you something.

Shuichi turned her desk chair around and sat on it sideways, watching fight a losing battle.

She smirked and began to tame her tresses into two braids behind her ears, fastening the ends with red ribbon.

I think my inner self is as wacked out as the real me. I'm a sadistic person, but to inflict fear with a pencil takes some serious mind power.

Eris stopped suddenly, staring at him and began to frown.

You wore those clothes yesterday.

Shuichi smiled innocently, pretending not to know what was going on and scratching the back of his neck. Did I?

Eris crossed her arms and looked down her nose at him. Don't play dumb with me, that's my territory. I don't remember you bringing any bags with you either.

You have nice carpet.

It's purple and dirty, but other than that, yes I do. Don't change the subject, Shuichi.

He regarded her with a cool look, one arm hooked around the back of the chair in an air of complete calm. It was like he had just noticed her and he found something interesting about this strange creature in front of him.

Oh yeah. This is defiantly him. Butnow what?

Eris sighed and uncrossed her arms. Alright fine. I won't ask. Even if I did, you probably wouldn't tell me.

He nodded his head. Thank you for trusting me.

She waved it off and went to her closet, carefully concealing the poster from view, and dug out an oversized grey zip up hoodie and her brother's old leather jacket.

You've already seen me practically naked and didn't rape or molest me, so I figured there was something trustable about you.

Shuichi visibly blanched. How did you-

Eris laughed and threw the leather jacket to him, giving him a wicked grin.

I don't sleep with my knickers on under me jim jams. Now hurry up and put that on so we can get going.

Awww, he's so cute when he blushes!

He obeyed, slipping his arms into the sleeves and adjusting the collar.

And where are we going exactly?

To the mall silly! You can't run around in the same thing day after day. It gets pretty gross feeling after awhile, trust me.

Eris dropped to her knees and extended a hand to reach under her bed, her rump sticking into the air. Shuichi tried not to, but found himself admiring the view.

What are you looking for? You look like a grey squirrel searching for her lost acorn.

My money stash. Do you really have squirrels in Japan? Wow, yeh learn something new everyday

You do have banks here don't you?

This is just for when I don't feel like asking mum to drive me to the bank. AHA! Found you!

She withdrew a light grey tin can with purple snowflakes painted on the sides and a latchable top. She flipped the top open and stuck the wad of money into her pocket.

Alright, now we can go. Eris stopped in mid step, staring at him again. Shuichi got uncomfortable for once and looked away.

What is it now?

She shook her head, smirking. You just look really good in that jacket.

She flitted past him into the kitchen, a slight flush in her cheeks. A small, pleased smile tugged at Shuichi's lips. He followed at a more leisurely pace.

Cool it Youko

Finding a white envelope with her name and a heart written in her mother's loopy script, Eris beamed and took out a few bills to add to the wad in her pocket, then thought a minute and grabbed the little black purse sitting on the counter next to the microwave. It had a pretty red rose and leaves embroidered on it in little tiny beads.

Unzipping it to stuff the money in, she found a slip of paper. Curious, she took it out, looked it over, then laughed.

What's so funny?

She handed it to him, shaking her head with an amused grin and went back to her task.

Ery-

PLEASE use a purse when you blow your food money at the mall. You know what happened last time!

Love,
Mom

Shuichi laughed quietly, setting the note back on the counter and shoved his hands into the jacket pockets.

You had your money stolen didn't you?

She did her nervous habit, scratching and rubbing the back of her neck. come on, we've got a nice long walk waiting for us!

Shuichi looked dubious about this. Couldn't you ask your friend to drive us?

It's a beautiful, sunny day out! Don't be such a b-stop looking at me like that.

Damnit! I knew those eyes were going to get mehe knows what he does to people too. So much for Mr. Gentleman!

Oh fine! But if she screams at me for waking her up at the crack of noon, I'm blaming it all on you.

Fair enough.

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

Twenty minutes later, Alex, Eris, and Shuichi were piled into Alex's black Sunfire and speeding down the highway to the Wind Waker Mall. Eris and Shuichi were holding on for dear life.

ALEX! Slow the crap down!

What are you? One of those cop people you keep talking about?

They're detectives you twit, and no, I'm not, but there IS one behind you!

GAH! Why didn't you say so?!

Eris grinned evilly.

Actually, I was talking about the guy in the backseat, but she doesn't have to know that now does she?

Shuichi grabbed her arm and whispered into her ear. Why didn't you tell me she was a crazy driver?!

I thought I'd surprise you. Surprise! she laughed. Now sit down before she kills us all.

HEY! I'm not deaf you know!

No, but if you don't keep your eyes on the road you will be because I'm going to sever your ears from your head and string them onto a necklace!!



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

Eris practically jumped out of the car, breathing in the fresh air and closing her eyes while leaning against the door, waiting for the others.

A hand felt on the shoulder, she looked up a little startled and met those deep jade eyes that had gotten her into this mess in the first place.

You ok?

Snap out of it Elf! I'm getting antsy!

She glared over her shoulder at her friend. Well then get un-antsy! Eris pushed herself off the car, eyes closed again as she walked. Shuichi frowned to himself.

So much like him

Alex rolled her eyes and sighed. Oh geez, you're not gonna pull a Hie-AH! Stop with the evil looks! I'm sorry, ok? I forgot you hate driving fast.

Woothat was a close onenote to self: tell Alex to stop calling me Hiei. For a little while at least.

Eris smirked and began to walk backwards. Well? Are you two coming or do you want to sit out here admiring the blacktop all day?

Shuichi raised a brow.





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

What's taking you so long in there??

I look ridiculous in these.

Eris was standing outside the men's fitting rooms, waiting for Shuichi to finish trying on the selections Alex kept bringing him. Alex was a much better shopper than Eris. Eris really didn't enjoy shopping for clothes all that much.

Look ridiculous in what? Alex came back from her roving through the clothes racks, a few shirts of various colors hanging over one arm.

These pants!

Pants? I haven't found any- Alex narrowed her eyes at Eris. I told you no leather!!

Pretending to be offended, Eris put a hand to her chest. But I like the leather!

Alex huffed and grabbed her best friend's arm, whispering in her ear. Have you seen the hips on him?? You put those in leather and he'll be ripped to pieces by a hoard of drooling big chested bimbos with too much eyeliner!

Eris smirked, giving a very good impression of a little devil. Yes, but I you mis-interpret my intentions, Miss Alex. I'm the one with money, so my word is law. Nothing says he has to walk out of here with them. We'll just have a littlefashion show.

Alex mirrored Eris and both started into peals of devilish laughter.

What are you two laughing about out here? You sound as if Christmas has come early.

They whipped around; perfect little angel looks prepared on their faces. Eris' mouth nearly dropped to the floor as she watched Shuichi walk out of the little hallway of rooms, buttoning up a very handsome green shirt and a pair of soft black leather pants slung low over his narrow hips. A little patch of skin showed between the waistband and where he had missed the last button; she could just make out the start of a very nice set of abs.

Oh but it has!! THANK YOU GOD!

Hello? Eris? Alex? he looked behind him, confusion in his eyes that matched the color of his shirt perfectly, looking for what they were showing such intense focus on. What are you staring at?

Alex shook her head and blinked a few times. nothing! So, how do they fit? She motioned vaguely with her hand at his ensemble.

Alright I guess. He spotted the new pile of clothes over her arm, his shoulders slumping a few degrees. Without a word, he relieved her of them and walked back into the fitting room, trying to ignore the two sets of female eyes watching him retreat.

Ok, the pants are coming with us.

Eris was still staring at the empty spot where he had stood moments ago.

Oh ass. I mean yes! Oh yes!

Alex rolled her eyes and slapped her smitten friend upside the back of the head.

This woke her up. OW! Hey! What was that for?! She retaliated with a smack to Alex's arm.

Ah! Just trying to bring you back from Happy Ass Land!

Eris crossed her arms and frowned. What are you talking about?

Oh don't feed me that bullshit. You were drooling all over him! He was practically swimming in your drool!

Was not! You're making that up.

Alex smirked and laughed. You know I'm not.

Sighing, Eris fell with her back thumping against the wall and slid down a few inches. Ok, fine. I was. But tell me he didn't look damn fine in those pants!

Actually I think they'd look better on something else. Like my floor for instance.

ALEX! You know they'd go better in the kitchen.

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

AN: Nice mental images, no? ^_^ ::sigh:: what I wouldn't give to really see that fox in some nice leather pants!! And maybe a few other leather things. ::devil smile::

Reo*nari- yeah that wouldn't have worked out too well. Not to mention ruined all me fun!! lol

Wizardess Gal- probably freak out and run away screaming. Or at least that's what I would do. And don't worry, I'm having the time of my life with this thing!! So fun! ::squee::

Starkitty- yeah, I mean, how could you not see that coming?? You're supposed to be the smart one Kurama!! ^_^ As for Yusuke and the others, wellyou'll just have to wait and see!! Oh, and I LOVE the sexual tension between these two. And it wont be letting up anytime soon! Tehee.

Koroga- Eeep! My mistake! ::scratches neck, laughing nervously:: My sincerest apologies about that.
Hiei-::holds bowl of ice cream in one hand and a lighter in the other:: Quiet you, or the sweet snow gets it!!
Kurama- Awww, thank you Kurama-chan! =^_^=