The next morning, Wally was called to do a simple mission–it should barely take more than thirteen hours to broad. He left without talking to anyone, looking downhearted. No one knew what was wrong, so they never tried cheering him up.

Hoagie noticed during the whole day that Kuki had the usual smile, but something in her eyes that the smile never touched. With a sigh, he pulled Kuki away from the other two teammates at lunch, and closed the door before leaning against it. "What's wrong, number 3?" he asked, looking at her through his goggles.

Kuki gave him an odd look. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her head slightly tilting to the side. "…There's nothing wrong with me." Her voice sounded honest, but Hoagie knew better, and moved to take Kuki's shoulders.

"I have never lied to you," he said clearly, and stared deep into Kuki's eyes. "And I always thought that maybe you would never lie to me, either. Number 3, you know I'm not going to tell anyone unless you want me to. Just please, tell me what's bothering you. You're hiding something..."

Kuki was taken aback, and backed up from Hoagie a bit, eyebrows furrowing. The mask of happiness hesitating a bit. "...I...it's nothing, Numbuh 2. I'll deal with it on my own..." she insisted, and looked away, shy and embarrassed. The look on Hoagie's face didn't convince her to speak, and as she made to walk past him and go out the door, the only thing that stopped him was Hoagie's words.

"...You're in love with Wally, aren't you?"

Violet eyes widened, as she turned around to look at him. "Wh-what!"

A wide smile spread across Hoagie's face. He looked at Kuki with a laughing twinkle in his eyes. "...You are. You're in love with Number 4, and you're worried about him. I can see it–look. It's okay if you're in love with him. It's totally cool with me..." he said, and opened the door for Kuki. "Go on. Go wait for him."

"No! You're crazy!" Kuki looked irritated. "I'm not in love with Numbuh 4! He's my friend, and sure I'm worried about him going on the mission, but I'm definitely not in love with him!" she sounded too defensive. Hoagie smirked at her before leaving him in that room by himself, closing the door as he left. Kuki glared after him then leaned against the wall, sliding down it.

So that's what it was. She was in love.

When Wally returned that evening, the first thing he saw was Kuki out there on the stair, chin resting in her hand. He stopped for a moment; sure the other was just sitting, not waiting for him, he moved to brush past her. She nearly had a heart attack when Wally reached out and snatched the arm of her sweater, and looked down at her. "...Number 3?"

When the other looked up, Wally saw that mask of happiness again, and saw right through it. Kuki looked upset. He sighed before sitting down beside the Japanese girl, eyes soft as he looked into her eyes. "...What's wrong, Kuki?" he asked quietly as he smiled softly. That was what life in what they call a tree house–fake smile. This one was too tinged with worry to be an actual smile...

Kuki blushed softly and shook her head. "There's nothing wrong. How did the mission go?" she questioned. Wally sighed secretly and gave a bit of a shrug.

"Well, ah'm alive aren't ah? I guess that means it went just fine."

Kuki's eyes softened and nodded before slipping her arm into the other's, leaning against him. "...Good..." Wally's eyes widened a little, but took a deep breath and leaned into Kuki as well, closing his eyes and sighing. It had been a difficult mission, and he was happy to be home again. Being with Kuki immediately after filled his heart with warmth, and for the first time in a long time, he was not thinking of anything else.

Wally was sitting in meditation style again in his bedroom. His eyebrows lined as he tried to focus. The more he attempted to clear his mind, the more Kuki seemed to fill it–the look on that pretty face when he had come home, the shy gazes, the sweet smiles, the mask of happiness that covered endless tears. He sighed and broke out of his meditation stance, fingers rubbing his temples. He realized with a start that it had begun to rain outside; lightning light up the room for a moment. He heard a bang; for a moment, he thought it was thunder, but when he heard footsteps hurrying down the hallway, he frowned and slipped out of bed.

"What's going on?" he asked as he opened the door and saw Abby standing there with a frown on her face. The girl looked at him with a shake of her head and gestured to Kuki's bedroom door. Wally heard gentle sobs and another voice, soothing and comforting. "...Who's in there? And what time is it?"

Abby checked her watch and placed a hand to her forehead. "...It's two in the morning. Why number 3 is up and crying at this hour? Number 5 has no idea, but number 2 was passing by and heard her. He made such a noise making it down the hall and into number 3's room that he woke me up." Abby sounded exhausted. Wally sighed, looking at the Japanese's doorway for a moment before he shook his head.

"Go back to bed, number 5," he said softly, and he pressed his ear against Kuki's door, straining to listen. To his shock, he heard Hoagie say, "I'll go get him..." before the door was opened and Wally was found standing there, looking slightly down at him."...What's wrong with number 3?" Wally asked. Hoagie frowned softly, shutting the door behind him for a moment.

"...She wants to talk to you," he said quietly, and stepped out of the way. Wally could see tear stains on his shoulder. He stared at Hoagie for a moment before he nodded and made a move to walk inside. As his hand was turning the knob, Hoagie grabbed his shoulder. "...Wallabee, don't...make her cry anymore, okay?" he asked. Before Wally could react, the American had disappeared into his own bedroom.

Wally felt his heart pounding in his chest. What was that supposed to mean! With a deep sigh, he turned the knob and slipped into Kuki's bedroom. Able to make out the form on the other on the bed when lightning lit up the room. He moved over to her and sat down, lying his hand on her shoulder. "Kuki…… why are you crying?" he asked softly, hearing a soft gasp in return and clasping her arms around the blonde as she nuzzled against him. He could feel tears falling onto his bare shoulders, and closed his eyes, allowing Kuki to climb into his lap.

Kuki didn't respond, he sighed and shook her a little. "Tell me," he said softly, and frowned when the other shook her head. Pushing her back a little, he tilted her chin upward and looked into her eyes. Seeing the lightning reflected in them, he offered a smile. "...Calm down," he whispered, and he touched their cheeks, feeling Kuki's tears soak his own face. There was a moment's pause before he felt Kuki mouthing something against his ear, and he forced her to look in his eyes again. "...What?" he asked softly, Kuki's tears increased as she shook her head.

"I-I can't," Kuki choked. Wally shut his eyes tightly, clutching the other to his strong chest. Kuki gave a little sob in his ear. The Australian felt tears rise to his own eyes as well, then slowly rocked the other. "I-I just c-can't..."

Wally realized at that moment that the attraction he had held for Kuki over the past years had build up and changed. It wasn't just attraction anymore. He loved the Japanese in his arms, and lay the other down on the bed and lie down beside her, pulling her into his arms. "...You can't what?"

Kuki shook her head for a moment then went limp, grasping Wally with all she had. "...I w-want..." she whimpered, and shook her head again. Wally did not have to ask her to finish what she was going to say. Heart aching, he pulled Kuki up so they were face to face, and took one of Kuki's hands, placing it against his chest.

"I want, too," he said softly. Kuki's eyes opened. Wally gazed deeply into them as he leaned forward to press their lips together. He felt Kuki's heart pounding and his own was beating his rib cage in return, and pulled the other closer, feeling Kuki's lips trembling. He parted his own to swipe his tongue across the other's bottom lip, and when he was granted entrance, he felt the other whimper into his mouth, and he stroked her hair softly. The intimate kiss was shared until he could not fight for breath any longer, and pulled away, holding the other's head to his chest.

"...I'm here..."

Nightmare's Blood: …..This talent of the kissing scene was from the experience of most of my yaoi/slash makings. But! I can also put this in straight coupling...!