"What did you say," Koan said putting his seat belt on.

Horo snapped back into reality, "Um, nothing I was just mumbling to myself."

Koan looked over at him, "Well now that you almost killed me to look at some girl can you drop me off."

"Ya ok," Horo replied looking over at the group again, well more specifically looking at one member of that group. As he sat there still dumbfounded, he saw her attention drift away from the ongoing conversation and turn to him. She smiled sweetly at him, causing Horo to blush brightly. He quickly put the truck in drive and sped off thanking the gods that he was far enough away so she couldn't see him blushing like a fool.

"Why are you all red in the face?" Koan asked totally oblivious to what had just happened.

"I'm to hot," Horo quickly lied. He reached over and turned off the heater but at the moment nothing would take the colour out of his cheeks.

Horo was relived when they finally reached Koan's grandfathers, now he had time to gather himself.

'Why did I blush like that? I've had women smile at me before. It's like I'm fourteen years old again. Damn it Horo what the hell is wrong with you?'

But no matter how many times Horo ran these questions through his mind he couldn't come up with an answer. Unfortunately this wasn't the only thing that was bothering him about that girl, she seemed familiar.

"I know I've seen her before," Horo said to himself. Not her really, but her smile. I've seen her smile before.

A yell brought Horo back and he slammed on his brakes as he skidded to a halt, stopping a few meters away from someone crossing the street.

"I'm so sorry," Horo began but stammered off when he saw who it was.

"It's alright, I wasn't paying attention," the girl said. She looked up to meet his gaze; deep brown eyes met his and for a second Horo couldn't form words.

"No it was me, I was thinking about something instead of the road," Horo replied managing to find his voice.

She smiled, "You did look like you were thinking hard about something. It makes me wonder what you were thinking of."

"You," Horo said in his head.

The girl suddenly looked at him strangely, "What was that?"

Horo felt this face glow red again, "I said that out loud didn't I?"

She only nodded, trying hard not to laugh, blushing all the while.

"What I meant to say was that I hadn't seen you around here before. It's a small place so you notice when someone new comes," Horo kicked himself mentally for acting like such a jackass.

"Don't worry I know what it's like. I come from a small village to. Last week we just got our first stop sigh, trust me it was the talk of the town."

Horo was a little relived to know she had bough his lame excuse, "So what village do you come from?"

"The one west from here."

"I use to live there when I was little, but we moved away."

"Well what's your name maybe I knew you?" She moved closer, sending shivers across Horo's skin.

"Horohoro," he muttered, trying hard not to blush again.

Her face changed suddenly into surprise, "Horohoro, is that really you. I though you had gone away for good."

He only smiled back nervously trying desperately to remember who she was.

"It's me Mika. We played together when we were little. I was the one who made you eat dirt."

It was like getting hit by lightning. That was the only way Horo could describe the flood of memories that filled his head. Of course how could he have forgotten Mika? She was his best friend when he was little. Back then they were only four years old. The last clear image he had of her was the day he left his village. She stood by the side of the road, her long hair dancing in the wind like black flames. She wore one of the dresses her mother always made her put on, and as always it was covered in dirt from playing in the woods. Her face was blank like she didn't know exactly what was going on. She had waved goodbye to him that day, and that was the last he saw of her for sixteen years.

"Mika, you've…well you've changed," Horo said. "But for the better," he quickly added.

"You have too, but I see you still have that cute spiky hair," she brushed her hand across his head playfully.

When they were little she used to always bug him about his spiky hair, running her hand across his head to annoy him, but now her hand running through his hair stirred very different emotions. Emotions that felt strange yet inviting at the same time.

Mika looked at him, "So I guess I'll see you around then."

Oh crap she's leaving, and saying 'see you around' always mean one thing. We will part separate ways and I'll never see her again. No! I can't let that happen. Think of something Horohoro! Quick, hurry.

"Mika!" Horo yelled out just as she was starting to walk away. "Each year my village has this little celebration when winter comes. There is a supper, games and a dance. Would you like to go?"

Mika grinned back at him.

"It's lame I know, you don't have to go, I just though we could catch up on old times," Horo stuttered, stumbling over every word like this was the first time he had spoken.

"I'd love to go with you Horohoro," Mika replied her own voice a little shaky with held in excitement.