Note to Disclaimers: I do not and never will own Crescent moon. If you think I do, well…then you need some help! Hahaha! Anyway, please don't sue me. I have nothing to give anyone who does. I'm a college student here, and I NEED money.

A/N: Okie, this is still my first Crescent Moon fic here. I'm still really in love with this little Manga. Anyway, yeah, not all of them are out, so there is some inserted stuff here, Okie? Well, enjoy the fic. Same Author's note in first chapter applies here, basically. This will be rather short, as I just want fluff, fluff, and more fluff! Enjoy!

Word Coding:

'Thoughts'

"Speaking"

Everything Else

Smiling for Always (Chapter Two)

My world has been a world of gray, of pure uncertainty and confusion since that night in the garden with Mitsuru. He's constantly on my mind and in my thoughts—he always was—but it has been far worse as of the late. At work I can't concentrate anymore, I can't work at a decent level. I used to maintain a certain comprehensive level at work; it has been harder to function. Ever since I saw that look in his eyes, a look that made my body tingle all over, I can't get him out of my head. Even school is becoming quite a task, seemingly harder and harder each day. It's only been a week since then, too. My only solace is to swim in the school swimming pool; but even that isn't working to well anymore.

I let out a sigh as I refocus my attention on my much-needed-to-be-finished math homework. College entrance exams are going to start very soon, and I need to do my best in school as well as on those tests. But for some reason, the air in my room is a suffocating warm, feeling very much like a pair of hands trying to strangle me around the neck. Realizing I can't stand it anymore, I lift myself from my chair to throw open my door to allow cool air to enter. To my surprise I find Mitsuru on the other side of the wooden door, standing smack dab in the center of the hallway. I feel my heart pound as my hand clamps around the brass metal of the knob. Mitsuru's hand is raised as though he was prepared to knock, his fist suspended mid-air. My voice catches in my throat again as I open my lips, ending up gaping as I search for words to ask him. Finally, a glass shattering from downstairs breaks the heavy silence that settled between us. I am the first to react, much to my own surprise.

"Mitsuru…did you…need something?" My voice is low, incase I frighten him.

He looks slightly like a deer caught in the headlights, but the look vanishes as quickly as it came. He whirls around, turning his back to me as he stutters out a response. "O-Oboro wants you to come downstairs for dinner now."

I feel a bit disappointed as I watch his back tense, again. "Is that all?" he nods. "Well…I'm doing my homework right now, and it's really important. Do you think you can tell Oboro that I'll be down a bit later?"

"I'm not your delivery boy, you stupid girl!" Mitsuru fumes at me as I take a step backwards. "Tell him yourself!"

Although I am hurt by his words, they aren't exactly unexpected—surprising, yes; but unexpected, not really. However, I am still shaken from his outburst, which is why my next actions makes sense, and I'm sure he isn't all that puzzled by them. "You're so mean Mitsuru! Jeez…it's only a favor, and you're going down there anyway! Fine, then," I push him away from the door. "I'll tell him myself," I shout before slamming the door on him. I hear his footsteps retreat, though not immediately, away from my door. As soon as he is out of hearing range, I reach for my pillow and let out a wail into it, successfully stifling more than 90 of it in hopes to avoid having one of the others come up to check on me. For this reason, it is my initial reaction to scream when I hear a loud knock on my door. I bolt back to it, swinging it open in a flurry. "Yes?"

"Are you all right, princess?" Nozomu is staring me straight in the eyes, his sky blue orbs reflecting concern.

I blush, like always, when anyone is this close to me. Taking a deep breath, I calm myself before nodding cheerfully. "Everything is all right Nozomu! I think I'll come down for dinner now." I step through the door, which is still ajar, and make my way past him to the staircase. "Are you coming?" He nods quickly, rushing after me. When we arrive at the table, I notice that everyone is seated around like normal when we eat—minus Mitsuru. Nozomu has taken his seat rather rapidly, and I think it must be that he is extra hungry from such hard work the week prior. I take my seat slower than he did, pacing myself as I place my napkin in my lap before taking a hold of my spoon. Oboro has served miso soup into our bowls, rice onto our plates and a lot of sushi and sashimi. I watch as everyone starts eating; I feel no desire to consume my food. Akira, who has half a sushi hanging out of his mouth, turns to me and raises a brow. I flush as everyone else's gazes settle on me as well; making me feel as though I'm being inspected.

"Mahiru, are you hungry? Are you sick? Why aren't you eating?" Akira's questions, fired one after another, cause me to stutter, especially when I see Mitsuru enter the room with his arms crossed over his chest in defiance.

"Iie…I'm just…really worried about finishing my homework is all," I reply. I notice Misoka scrutinizing me with his eyes, the stare he's giving me not hidden by his glasses. I flush again, this time even more brightly, as Mitsuru takes his seat next to mine, which has been placed accordingly. As if reacting to his nearness, my body feels as though it has been thrown into a pit of flames as I shy away from him, which I discover is a mistake. He shoots me a glare as he pushed back his seat in blatant anger. All eyes move to him as he stands there, his eyes boring holes into mine. "Ano…Mitsuru, what's wrong?"

"If you can't stand being near me and eating near me, why don't you just say it? I can move! It's not like I enjoy being here, stuck next to such a stupid, idiotic, annoying and childish girl!" He grabs his plate and utensils before dashing from the room, not letting anyone utter a word to him.

"Mitsuru!" I shout after him, ready to follow him; however, Misoka places a calming hand on my arm, shaking his head as he guides me to my seat again. "But Misoka…I can't let Mitsuru…I don't understand…I just…I have to apologize!"

"You didn't do anything wrong Mahiru. He's just being reactionary, like always. You need to stop trying to go after him every time he loses his already short temper," Misoka responds.

"Yes," I say as I resume eating, my mind made up, agreeing with Misoka. But my heart is hurting, angry with me. I always go after Mitsuru…and this time, I didn't. It feels so wrong. Once I am finished with dinner I politely excuse myself and walk calmly through the exit that leads the staircase. The instant I am out if their view I break into a harsh run as I try to find Mitsuru, checking the balcony first, then the back of the bar when the first try fails. I grab onto my skirt hem as I catch my breath, panting slightly from my quick run. Then, I spot him, leaning against the wall opposite the door I just came out of—meaning he is right in front of me, wearing one of the most surprised looks I have ever seen on his face. But it is short lived as his eyes harden and he points his fork at my face, touching the tip of my noise as if daring me to move, for if I do, it will injure me. I stay frozen in place as his already angry eyes narrow at me, his muscles tensing and lips forming another of his famous scowls. I shudder, receiving a small scratch from the point of the fork for my actions—I back away.

"What do you want? Why do you always follow me all the time? I don't need you to check up on me, woman." His reply is venomous, but not like it usually is. I find myself becoming curious, and so, take a step forward, pushing the fork out of my way. He backs against the wall in obvious confusion though he tries to hide it. I want to chuckle but his eyes hold something similar to fear and I stop myself. As if sensing that I am trying to disarm him, he forcefully shoves the fork back into my path, creating a barrier that won't let me through. "What do you think you're doing, stupid onna?" I wince, and his frown deepens. I reach out to him despite his words, which sting me. "Don't touch me!" His voice is quivering as I suddenly rush at him, knocking the fork from his hands and throwing my arms around him. His response is automatic as his arms envelop me in a hug. But it doesn't mean he doesn't try to push me off. "Why are you hugging me? Let me go! Get off of me, you're such a pest!"

"Mitsuru…" My voice trembles as I look into his violet eyes, my blue ones searching for anything that will let me stay in his arms. "Please…stop pushing me away…I'm your friend." His eyes harden again, and I bury my face between the crook where his neck and shoulder meet. His skin is hot, he's trembling and I find myself curling my arms around his back tighter than before. "Mitsuru…you know I'm not like all other humans…it's been 3 years. I care about you Mitsuru…I really do." My words seem to relax him slightly, and before I know what I have started doing, my hands have become tangled in his hair. At this action his body tenses again, and I pull away in embarrassment, my face going about ten shades of red. I look up into his eyes, knowing I can't avoid them. "I'm…I just came out here to apologize…"

"For what?" His query is quiet, low…different. I glance up at him again; shocked by the way he is looking at me. Anger, hatred, hurt, fear, curiosity, want, need—all, and more, are in his magnificent spheres. I am even more shocked that he hasn't asked or forcibly removed my hands from his hair. "What?"

"Ano…Mitsuru?" He says nothing, just continues staring at me. On impulse, my heartbeat quickens as I slowly stand on my tiptoes and cover his lips with my own. I'm not quite sure what I am doing but something in me felt compelled to kiss him, even for mere seconds. 'I just want a small taste of you, Mitsuru…precious tengu…' My thoughts drift off when I don't feel him pull away; instead his arms encircle me, hands resting on my back. As he is already against the wall I can only press him closer to it and I lean on him for support. His lips move slowly over mine, somewhat sensual for someone who I believe dislikes me so. I care not for whatever emotions he holds as I bring my hands from his hair to rest against his chest, bracing myself against him as I attempt to deepen our kiss, which has not yet been broken. I fear the moment will end too soon, and try to hold onto it as long as possible. 'I always thought this would be the other way around,' I muse as I recall thinking that maybe one day, Mitsuru would profess his love for me and corner me, not the other way around. It sounds very much like a fairytale, an unrealistic ending in my own mind—I want chuckle slightly from my throat. A few seconds later he pushes me away, gently. We stare at each other, deep blushes forming on our faces. The next thing I know is him running through the adjacent alleyway—away from me—as the moon shines on my lone figure by the still opened door. I gape, puzzled and deeply hurt.

And before I know what is happening, I have moved away from his fading silhouette, back into the Moonshine Bar. I don't really ever know what happened, and still don't, as I trudge up the staircase towards my room. I all but slam the door once I have entered, then proceed to plop onto my bed, head in my hands. 'Did I…go too far?' My thoughts are jumbled as I feel the need to cry become increasingly heavy; my eyelids begin to burn harshly as I grab a tissue from the box on my desk. 'Mitsuru…why do you continue to run away from me?' I return my wayward thoughts back to my homework in hopes to get something done. But as I take one look out the window, peering into the dark night, I realize my mind is on anything but homework.


The next morning passes me by in a haze, especially since it is Saturday. I do not rise from bed early as I normally do. Last night's events replay in my head over and over again, and I begin to wonder when Mitsuru returned home—if he did at all. Nozomu knocked on my door after the incident but I gave the lame excuse that I was studying, which was a big lie. Now as I lay here, staring emptily at the ceiling in front of me, I find my body responding to Mitsuru's actions, mainly angrily. I want to hate him for doing what he did, for running away from me, for confusing me. But no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to stay angry at him for long periods of time. I am still hurt, my heart aching within my chest as I recall the feeling of his lips on mine, soft, sensuous lips that I want to kiss again—that I need to kiss again. I roll over as I try to erase the sensations from my body, though I know it is rather futile to try and have this happen. Once Mitsuru is on my mind, then he is always on my mind. I shake my head, feeling slightly pathetic as my lips curve into the smallest of smiles as I clutch my pillows. One lone tear rolls down my cheek before I stuff my face into the soft, satin material as streams of tears begin to tip over the rims of my eyelids; luckily for me, they never roll down my cheeks to leave evidence of my hurt.

Each droplet is absorbed by the pillowcase. I can't let anyone see…I can't let anyone here worry or know that I cry so much. The only one who knows is Mitsuru…and for some reason, he is always the cause too. I find this extremely ironic and hiccup as I wipe my eyes, preparing myself to go about the day like it is any of Saturday. My only problem is that is isn't lie any other Saturday. Last Friday, before last Saturday, I didn't kiss Mitsuru…and I didn't want to kiss him again and again. Last Saturday Mitsuru was here, too. Last Saturday I wasn't reckless enough to do what I was about to do when that damned gorgeous Tengu came home.

TBC…

(And there is chapter two. WOOt! Um…same thing applies here, meaning that it will be a shorter story. I might write another one in the end, or a sequel or something…when I've finished or at least progressed with my other fics. Hm…well…that's it for now! Well, please R&R, flame if you want, since you will if you REALLY want to. Thanks for reading.)

Chocomintswirl