Chapter 2

Promise

"We won't stay long. Maybe a month.........."

Maybe a month.

That date had prolonged itself prolifically through the winter and now the spring. Larva, and even Shiina, grew restless. But neither could leave, not without the "Guardian". After all, they were only servants to her. And how could Larva dare ask Miyu to leave when she was so happy?

-

"Miss Minakawa, please answer number seven," requested Mr. Fukuda. Miyu rose gracefully from her seat as she clearly stated the answer.

"The Genji Monogatari was written in approximately 580 A.D. by Lady Murasaki Shikibu," Miyu finished softly.

"That is correct. Thank you. You may be seated Miss Minakawa," the teacher requested genially. "Now, Mr. Kawai, if you would answer number eight."

Kawai Aya.......

He was heartthrob of every girl in the class and school; not to be out shown academically, either. He was the all-around best student of Kudou Jr. High. And with his fresh, professional appearance, undeniably charming smile, courteous manners, peerless complexion, swift, ebony hair, he was the epitome of the model young man.

"The answer is that Genji was a Minamoto. Genji being not only his name but also his title: member of Minamoto," Aya answered dignifiedly. Mr. Fukuda smiled gently as he beckoned Aya to his seat.

"Correct."

But he was distant. He never showed his emotions, and though he put on a marvelous façade, always being surrounded by his admiring peers, it was obvious, to Miyu, at least, that there was far more beneath the cool exterior. And Miyu had purposely made a point of discovering it, so had Aya intrigued her.

He lived to please his parents, and seldom himself. He really had no life beyond school, which was why he constantly strived to be an excellent student. And Miyu had to admire him for it. So selfless. So driven. So determined. So passionate. Miyu felt it all.

"Class is dismissed."

Miyu awoke unexpectedly from her reverie as the class gushed through the doors of the room to the awaiting world beyond. Soon she was the only one left behind. Miyu was just about to leave her desk when she noticed a neatly folded paper upon the pale cream wood. When had that gotten there?

Miyu picked it up languidly as she departed from the classroom to a cherry blossom tree that was just beginning to bud. She sat down quietly as she began her assignments, which where few. And as the sun began to set, she remembered the folded paper. What was it?

She opened it slowly, marveling slightly at the remarkable complexity of the folds, so excruciatingly carefully done. But nothing prepared her for what the paper held within.

Miyu,

I love you.

Aya.

Miyu dropped the paper as quickly as she had read it.

Love?

This was no new concept to Miyu, however little and rarely she may have felt it, but........ Why should this human, this marvelous human, love her, a creature that had never given him more than an analyzing eye?

She reflected slowly over her person. She was beautiful, that much she had learned from the many stolen glances which men took from her. She was intelligent; all of her teachers and peers admired her for it. But she was far from social. So what had this human to gain by loving her?

"Nothing but heart ache," she answered herself coldly.

That was all there was to it.

She was the Guardian. She was no human. And as such, she had not the time, nor the desire for such affiliations. There were far more pressing matters to take into consideration. The limitless stray shinma to be returned to the Darkness, primarily.

But how difficult that promise would be to keep she could never have expected.

-

"Here's the book I was telling you about, Minakawa-san," said Aya softly to her ear in the courtyard. It was crowded as Aya lead Miyu to a bench beside a tall oak. His hand clasped gently around Miyu's own as she sat beside him. "I assumed it could prove useful to us in our project on Western ideas on society. I'm still kind of in shock that we were assigned Western mentality on....... How should I phrase this? Love affairs?" Miyu smiled consolingly. That was indeed as close to the name as could be given.

Mr. Fukuda had requested partnered pairs and then had randomly assigned reports on Western ideas. Aya had directly asked Miyu as soon as the project was assigned, and she could hardly refuse. Ironically, they had been given "Western Mentality on Amorous Relations", which was easiest said, least vied for.

"I'm sure this will be very useful," Miyu answered honestly. "I'll start typing up the next section to the report as soon as I can." Aya looked up quickly as he rushed a statement passed Miyu.

"I'm sorry, but what did you say? I couldn't hear you." Aya blushed furiously.

"I said, you could come to my house to work on the project, since after all you'd have to go back and revise it if when we went over it together and we found a mistake. But only if you want to! You don't have to......." Aya finished lamely. Miyu could sense Aya's embarrassment though he hid it artfully. She granted him with a nod.

"Mmmm......... Sure. It's probably best anyway," Miyu assented. "When?"

"Right after school if you can," Aya offered promptly.

"That's fine. I'll meet you right here after class."

-

Hmmmm.......... Gee, did Aya forget his admission of love to Miyu? Is he just playing it off? And why is Miyu being......... nice? This and more, in my next update.

Review Responses

Lucifer's Garden: As you can see, I did.

Rod G: Thanks for the compliment. And thanks for correcting Chisato's last name. I had kind of forgotten, so I'd had to resort to playing it off, as you read........

Tankbbg: Fine. You want a shout out? Okay. WHAT'S UP, LAUREN!!!!!!!! Happy? As for you being confused, well, I told you it would be iffy to begin with...... And wait for Cold Blood, okay? I have an extensive speech due on Monday. I do have priorities.........

BlueDragonsGirl: Awwww........ You're making me blush........

Jenny: You are welcome. And, now you still have to wait till next Saturday.......... I'm so mean........