Author's Note: I know that I said I was going to do less dialogue, but it just seemed appropriate for what I wanted to do here. Judge for yourself and let me know what you think.

Natsu stared at Tetsumi, who was sitting across from her, his eyes closed. He looked like he had been awake all night. His hair was a mess and he had not touched his food.

"What were you doing last night?"

"….."

"Tetsumi!"

"What is it?"

"Are you still asleep?"

"No, I was just admiring the food that's in front of me."

"With your eyes closed?"

"It helps me get to see the deeper meaning of it."

"Uh huh. I hope you realize that we have class in a few minutes."

"Don't worry about me, I can sleep and listen to Master Jokyou at the same time."

"You better hope so."

With that, the bell for the start of classes rung. Tetsumi did not wake up and mostly slept through Master Jokyou's lesson. He did not eat his midday meal and when it came time for the afternoon training session, he was clearly exhausted. He somehow managed to avoid being seen by the instructors, who surely would have punished him for not doing exactly as they said. At dinner, he ate a few handfuls of food, not really tasting anything. Tetsumi did not even notice the usual questions from the other children about his father. After half an hour or so, he excused himself from table and headed straight for his room. He opened the door, and promptly hit the floor, where he lay for some time, until a familiar voice jarred him from his sleep.

"You do know that your bed is only a few meters away?"

"It may seem close to you, but it might as well be a thousand meters away for me."

"What is with you today? You've been acting strange ever since last night."

"Am I not acting the way that everybody wants me to?"

"So that's what this is all about. Are you still mad about what I said last night?"

"As a matter of fact, no. You are not the reason that I did not sleep last night. There were other things on my mind," said Tetsumi as he slowly sat up.

"You're not fooling anyone, Tetsumi. Everyone can see that you've fallen for me."

"And who told you that? Seems like somebody has a high opinion of herself."

"Admit it, you care for me. Why else would you spend so much time with me?"

"Okay, I do care about you, but not in that way. I just feel sorry about what you've had to go through. I thought that you might like a friend."

"And what gave you that impression?"

"The fact that I don't see you with anybody else."

"Well… I can explain that." Natsu hesitated slightly as she said this."

"Go on."

"It's just that… there's nobody good enough to be my friend."

"So why do you let me hang around with you."

"I'm just using you, seeing that you are the famous son of Okita the demon slayer."

"What purpose could I possible serve to you?"

"I'm using you to get ahead in this place. Haven't you seen how everybody treats you?"

"So you think that by hanging around me, everybody will like you?"

"I don't care if everybody likes me… I just want them accept me."

"Natsu, are you opening up to me?"

"No, I just thought that you would like to know why I needed you."

"Say what you want, Natsu, but I think you like me."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. I never said that I liked you."

"You don't have to. I can see it in your eyes."

"Now you're just being stupid."

"Am I? Or are you just afraid that I might be right?"

"Okay, I'll admit it. I don't hate you. In fact, I can tolerate you, at least more than other people."

"I can see that's the closest that you're going to get to actually saying that you like me, so I'll take it. I like you too, Natsu."

"Say what you want, but I don't like you. It's getting late. I'll see you tomorrow."

"It's a date."

"Don't call it a date, Tetsumi! You know that it's not!"

"Natsu, before you leave, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"If you didn't like me, then why are you planning to see me tomorrow?"

"Shut up Tetsumi! I can always change my mind and forget about you!"

"I like you too Natsu!"

"SHUT UP!"

Along the way from Tetsumi's room to hers, Natsu couldn't help but smile. Here was a boy that was not repelled by her sense of individuality. Maybe she did like him, but she would never tell him. At the same time, back in his room, Tetsumi was also smiling. In his mind, he thought, "Maybe this place won't be so bad."