Shuichi stood off to the side, secretly biting the inside of his lip as he watched Eris pay for his new clothes.

The clerk rang up the total and began folding the items into plastic bags. $123.46. Would you like to register for a JC Penny's card today and save 10% on your total purchase?*

No, mum would kill me if I did. Eris said nonchalantly and fished out her money.

Alex took a bag. Your mom isn't one for credit cards is she? I swear she glares at me whenever I open my wallet around her.

Yeah, but you've got at least 12 and you're still adding to the collection. What's your debt up to this week?

Alex did a few quick calculations in her head and smiled sheepishly. $1400.56 after tomorrow. I'm workin' on it!

Eris whistled, taking her receipt and looked it over briefly before sticking it in her purse. Now that's impressive. How do you manage to be in credit card debt at the tender age of 16-

-and a half! 16 and a half!

Right. 16 and a half and still be able to save me $200?

Alex shrugged, laughing. No idea! I think I figured you'd kill me if I did anything drastic.

Eris patted her on the head. Good girl, I have trained you well. Now let's get the hell outta here, I'm starting to feel claustrophobic with all these people.

She moved to grab the last few bags, but Shuichi got to them first, taking the handles out of her hand without a word and waited for her to start moving.

Eris looked at him strangely, and then smirked. Alex, I think someone's a little attached to their lovely new clothes.

Alex beamed. Oh cute!

Resisting the urge to roll his yes, he instead smiled and shrugged, following a few paces behind his two companions as they happily gabbled away. The bags in his hand really weren't that heavy with all the light fabric of the shirts and trousers, but felt like a weight on his shoulders.

Reaching the exit doors, Eris noticed the third member of their party was missing.

Hey, now where'd he get off to? Alex scanned the sea of people for the flaming hair of their new friend.

Eris bit her lip, frowning a little. You go on to the car, I'll find him. Turn on the heater too, he isn't used to the cold like us.

Aye aye captain!

If we're not back in five minutes-

Wait longer!

Eris beamed.

With a hard whack to the back that only close friends can understand, Eris slinked through the crowds, looking for a beacon of red.

If I were an extremely attractive, polite, and sensitive teenage boy who was attacked with a can of Axe Body Spray by a perfume ladywhere would I be?

She came upon a large group of excited women, and some men, surrounding something near the Wind Waker Wish Fountain. A faint smell of Axe caught her attention.

Oh crapwell, at least he's not wearin' The Pants. Then we'd have a riot on our hands. All righty then, Eris, what would drive off a large crowd of people?

Her mind drifted instantly to their most recent Homecoming dance where one of her friends had lit off a stink bomb, causing the entire gym to be evacuated and the dance moved to the band room. A pair of imaginary devil horns peeked through her hair.

Whistling an innocent little ditty, she rummaged through her purse, picking out a round purple ball with a green fuse.

I always knew rooting through Jack's firework stash would have its benefits someday. Now, what to light it with?

Looking around, she saw an old man sleeping behind his newspaper, a cigarette hanging on his lip. She quietly waltzed up and nicked the cancer stick away.

Sorry buddy, that there yonder sign says no smoking. I'll have to confiscate this and use it for my own mischievous amusement.

He went on sleeping, head slumping onto his chest even. Smirking, Eris put the burning cigarette to the fuse and watched it ignite. Waiting a few seconds, she aimed it just on the edge of the crowd and waited for the ensuing chaos.

.I hope that body spray stuff isn't flammableaw man!

Eris cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled,

Not expecting an answer, she covered her nose inside her shirt and darted into the mass. Hearing a few people groan and make gagging noises, she figured they had discovered her little gift.

People began moving the opposite way now, pushing and shoving Eris as they did so.

OW! Hey you jerk! Watch where you're going! she snapped at no one in particular as someone elbowed her in the back. She winced as some hysterical lady with three-inch long lime green nails scratched her neck with flailing arms.

The stench finally reached Eris, making her head swim a little and something nasty tasting rise into her mouth. Pushing it away, she fought her way past the dissipating mob to find a very shaken looking Shuichi with his clothes all messed and hair mussed.

Glowering, she grabbed his hand and was surprised when he wrenched himself out of her grip.

Stay away from me!

Shuichi! It's me!

He looked up, relief in his eyes. Thank Kami, get me out of here!

Eris swore she saw a rim of gold in his irises; it sent a quiver up her spine. She nodded, relieving him of the JC Penny's bags, ushering him away from the horrendous reek of a skunk that had just thrown up a dozen rotten eggs.

They nearly ripped the glass doors off their hinges as they exited the mall into the crisp fresh air, both taking in huge amounts to purify their lungs.

Geez, if I had known it would have smelt that bad I would have thought of something else! Eris gasped out and leaned over her knees.

Shuichi laughed tiredly, helping her stand up. Ah, that was your work then?

Eris grinned, leaning on his support as they walked towards Alex and her car. Afraid so. Didn't exactly work out as I had planned.

It was brilliant. Eris looked up to see him smiling earnestly down at her, eyes devoid of the gold now and brimming withsomething else. She smiled back, laughing a little.

What in the name of Sam Hill happened to you?! Alex appeared, half in and half out of her car, eyes practically bugging out of her head.

Shuichi and Eris exchanged looks.



My ass!! What the hell is that?! she pointed at Eris' neck.

Her hand flew to her neck, and made a face at the stinging pain and little blood that stuck to her hand.

Battle scars. She smirked and opened the passenger side door, sat down, and closed her eyes in half sleep.

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

Eris knocked softly of the guest room door. She hadn't heard any movement and didn't want to wake him if he was sleeping.

Come in, was the soft spoken reply. Eris twisted the doorknob, pushing in and finding Shuichi adjusting himself into a sitting position and one finger marking his place in a book.

Eris raised an eyebrow and grinned. I was wondering where that went. I should have known.

He glanced at the book with an amused air and shrugged. It's very addicting, what can I say? I said come in earlier, that means you don't have to stand in the door.

Heh. Yes sir! she ambled in and leaned against the cherry oak dresser. They sat there for a few moments in silence.

Hey, Shuichi, can I ask you something?

By all means. He tilted his head to the side a bit.

You're not feeling guilty about me buying you all those clothes are you?

He looked surprised at this, like he was expecting something else.

No! Of course not-I mean he laughed quietly, trying to grasp the right words. I'm sorry to answer your question with a question, but why did you? I've hardly told you anything about me and yet you insist on trusting me and giving me all these things...but never asking for anything in return. Why?

Eris chewed on her lip and sighed. I wanted to. I don't need anything in return because I have everything you can give me. Give to those who have none, ask for nothing in return and you shall have everything, that's what I believe. I don't need to know a beggar on the street to give him something to eat, and I don't need to ask you what happened to know that you need my help.

He studied her face with new eyes, a deep respect emanating from him.

This is no ordinary girl.



He held a hand up to stop her.

I can't lie to her anymore.

Please, we both know that's not who I am.

Eris smirked. At least not entirely.

They grinned at each other for a moment.

So, who else knows?

She shrugged, moving to flop down on the bed next to him with a sigh, taking note of the little cracks in the light blue ceiling.

Amazingly enough, no one. I don't understand why though, you stick out like a sore thumb.

Eris felt him shift his weight and lean against the headboard. Exactly how much do you know?

She snickered a little. The right question would be: What don't you know?'

A tired sigh met her ears and Eris looked over to see him pinching the bridge of his nose.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have laughed-

No, it's alright. You wouldn't mind me asking how, would you?

She gave him a deadpan look. Do you think I'd refuse?

He gave a small smile. No. No you wouldn't.

Eris rolled over onto her stomach and propped her head up with her hand; or at least tried to before the claw marks on her throat announced their presence once more.

She sat up, rubbing her neck and kept checking for more blood. Gah, stupid pampered witch

Here, let me see.

No, I'm fine. Really.

No you're not. You're in more pain than you're letting on. Please, come here, I won't hurt you, I promise.

Relunctantly, she tilted her head and pulled back the collar of her shirt. He swept back her hair, holding her neck gently in one hand, while examining the gashes lightly with the other. He felt her wince under his touch and glowered.

These are deep.

Yeah, tell me about it. The woman could have taken off my head with the claws she had! I was lucky I only escaped with this! Baka onna

He laughed. You're almost like his twin. It's quite eerie really.

No, Yukina's a lot friendlier than I am.

You really do know everything, then.

She turned her head back, looking him in the eyes. Is that really such a good thing?

It could be.

The warm weight of his hand cradled the good side of her neck and they both realized how suddenly close they were. Eris could feel the color rise in her cheeks; watching him wet his lips, she inched herself closer and was sure he could feel her heart beating like mad.

Just as he began to lower his lips to meet hers-

RING RING.

-the phone rang. Eris turned her head at the last minute, making his kiss land on her cheek.

RING RING.

I better answer thatexcuse me

She unwillingly left him and almost ran out of the room.

Falling onto his back, the bed bouncing a little under his weight, he sighed, closing his eyes, listening to her curse herself into the kitchen. He ran both hands roughly through his hair, pulling out a few strands, and felt like screaming.

Hearing Eris snatch the phone off the wall, he tuned his ears to her voice.

Do you have ANY idea how bad your timing is?! Oh. Oh! Sorry, yes I ordered the sesame seed chicken

Kurama growled, then started laughing, shaking his head from side to side and rubbing his forehead. I'm never eating chicken again

Touching his fingertips to his lips, he could still feel the softness of her skin against them. Closing his eyes, savoring the memory, he smiled.

She called me Kurama...

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

*Don't you hate it when they ask that? It's so annoying! I dunno, maybe i'm just pessimistic like that...

AN- DAMN CHICKEN!! lol It's all the chicken's fault, I swear!! The chicken made me do it!

Reo*nari- yeah I know, but we're going to keep it this way because I have NO idea what I'd do if everyone knew. That would be a hell of a lot more complicated than I'd like to get. As for her dream, well, that'll come into play later. ^_^ keep it in mind though.

Koroga, Hiei, n Kurama- Awww, you say that like it's a bad thing Hiei! Who ever said I was the innocent angel type, eh? ::devilish laugh:: Ignore him, Kurama, he's just mad this story isn't about him.

Teena M.- OOOOO!!! PLUSHIE!! ::pets plushie:: Anyway, yes, leather pants. Leather pants are yummy. I'm glad you have faith in my story! I'll keep doing my best to make this great!

Wizardess Gal- Yes. Yes she is. But aren't we all? Tehee. Poor Kouga. He's a man, forgive his clueslessness. ^_^