Chapter 17: A Walk in the Park

After the final word from the judges it turned out they managed to win—but it was a tie with some all girl mage school from morroc.

The curtains fell down, the lights tuned down to a less blinding brightness. The cast and crew roared with laughter, everyone shook hands with each other congratulating themselves for a job well done.

Azami Koizumi felt the world slip away under her feet. Being in his arms, in this moment, she felt satisfied. Azami hugged him closer, his warmth, scent and the feel of his toned body against hers… She snuggled up her face against his chest,

Lei loosed his embrace and wiped a tear that fell on Azami's face. For a moment he looked at her with a new light, she seemed so gentle this way. Her features calm, her gentle smile and those now soft eyes. "Azami is everything ok?"

The girl nodded cheerfully, he couldn't help but notice those rosy cheeks and look back at her inviting lips. She sighed as she let go of him.

Lei flashed her a smile. "You were great! I didn't know you could act so well!" he said so enthusiastically.

The smile on her face and the strange glow in her eyes disappeared then and there. 'How can you be so… Insensitive!' she wanted to scream out. Instead she planted her heel on his feet and pushed him away. "I only did that cause I was forced!" she spat.

Lei scratched his head avoiding her eyes. "We better find Yukino then."

Azami frowned. "You're that much worried about her huh?" she said with a little more spite than she had intended to. She wanted to slap herself in the face, she was beginning to sound like some jealous girlfriend.

As Lei was about to turn around Rae slammed into his back, wrapping two arms around him. "Hey you did good perv!" she screamed into his ear. Lei smiled back, her cheery attitude never failed to infect anyone around her, except Azami. Though she did share a trait with her, they had the same mood swings. It would take just a little bit to tick her off.

"Would you mind getting off me?" he asked politely. The girl shook her head and stuck out her tongue. "Give me a piggyback ride to the restaurant!" she said cheerily.

"Restaurant?" he was dumbfounded. He hadn't heard anything about a restaurant.

"It's the drama-club president's treat." said a familiar voice from behind Azami.

"Yukino! What happened! Where were you?" Lei asked with a voice full of urgency.

The brown haired girl was wobbling on her feet. "I suddenly blacked out when I drank a glass of water… It was bitter too. Then next minute I woke up in a closet in the dressing room." she said weakly.

"That's definitely not water." Rae rubbed her chin "But who would've done something like that?"

Azami was gently sucking her fingers, it was a habit she had whenever she was in deep thought. "We could interrogate everyone who was part of this cast and crew?" she placed a hand on Yukino's shoulders and looked into her eyes. "This is definitely not good, her eyes seem vacant and she's turning pale."

Lei leaned over and noticed it too. "How many schools of magic are there?" Azami asked. Yukino bit her lip. "Eleven?" she answered. "Clagestide… It's a common sedative, side effects are temporary lapses of memory… she wont act much like herself the next few hours or so."

Yukino shook her head. "No need, Im feeling fine!" she said. Then she bowled over in laughter. Lei sighed. "At any rate I have to get Yukino to the school clinic, Rae I do hope it's alright if I can't give you your piggyback ride." The redhead nodded once and got off.

"I guess it'll be the two of us Azami." Rae exclaimed.

Azami nodded half-heartedly.

Lei looked at the night sky, it was a cloudless night and a full moon was up. He hummed to himself as he carried Yukino to the Geffen tower on his back. He couldn't get over at how amazing the Geffen park was. Looking around it you'd think you were in a carnival. The flowers all around produced a faint light making it seem like he was in the middle of a sea of stars. Lei looked over his shoulders, Yukino smiled at him "Thank you…" Yukino said weakly.

Lei shook his head. "You don't have to thank me."

Yukino had her arms carefully secured around Lei's shoulders. She leaned her face against the back of his head. "Lei, I'm really proud of you." she suddenly said.

"What did I do?" he asked.

"You still managed to perform well… despite me not being there."

"Don't think about it, you just rest…"

"I think I can walk on my own now."

Lei bent down and allowed her to get off. The distance they still had to cover was pretty far, he figured he'd just carry her on his back when she couldn't walk anymore.

The girl placed a hand on Lei's shoulder. "Hey Lei, I feel kinda weak, would you let me lean on you?" he nodded. He helped her place an arm around him and started walking again.

"So… Was Azami a good kisser?" she asked.

The question caused Lei to stop in his tracks. "What makes you think that?" her head was bowed down. "I saw you guys, I managed to get out but… It was already too late."

"It was ok." he replied.

Yukino dropped down on her knees. Lei leaned over her offering a hand. "Hey, its dirty… Get up." she shook her head. "But… I wanted my first Kiss with you!" she screamed at him, he noticed tears falling down her cheek. Lei knelt down and cupped her cheeks. "Hey, it's just that drug talking, lets go. Alright Yuki." he said gently.

She took his hands and Lei pulled her up. However just as he was going up she pulled his hands towards her, a determined look flashed across her eyes. "I don't like being beaten." she hissed angrily before placing her mouth over his. She parted his lips with hers and her tounge slithered inside his mouth. Lei's eyes snapped open.

Yukino then broke the kiss. "I always get what I want." She said before diving for his lips again. She muffled his protest by deepening the kiss. A hand was on his face and another on his hips. Lei wanted to stop this, but her hot forceful mouth was insistent. Finally after what seemed like ages she pulled away smiling.

"Yukino…" he said, his voice full of wonder.

"Lei?" he heard a familiar voice from behind. He quickly turned around. Both Azami and Rae stared at him with penetrating and fierce eyes. Azami dropped a paper bag on the cobblestone street.

He shook his hands in front of him. "I can explain!"