Disclaimer: You know the drill

AN: This chapter is a little short. Sorry.

Chap. 3

"Shin?"

Kenji edged his way into the room space where Shin was still sleeping by the window. As Kenji moved toward him, he noticed that Shin's wings were no longer his hands, but rather, they were swept on his back. His now talon hands were driven deep into the desk he was sleeping on. Kenji quietly made his way closer.

"Shin?"

The call was a mere whisper, but it was more than enough for the eyes to flash open, revealing the deep, honey yellow glare. Before Kenji could react, Shin suddenly leaped at him, tearing his talons from of the table as he pounced onto Kenji. Kenji wasn't ready for that and was floored to the ground. Shin instantly raised his claws to strike when Kenji called out.

Shin, it's me! Kenji!"

The harpy eagle zoanthrope blinked and shook his head slightly. When he came to his senses, he remembered what had happened.

"Kenji? What are you doing here?"

Kenji planted his hands on the floor, "I was looking for you. But I didn't think you'd attack me like that."

Shin blinked again and hastily lifted off of Kenji, "My apologizes. I...reacted."

Kenji lifted himself off the ground as Shin reverted back into his human form. His clothes were still wearable, although his shirt now had two holes on its back. Kenji dusted himself off and gave Shin a penetrating glare.

"What were you doing here?"

Shin noticed Kenji's look and half-ignored it, "I was sleeping. You weren't supposed to find me here."

"I almost didn't." Kenji countered. "But did you know that moles had a great sense of hearing?"

Shin blinked and scratched his head, not noticing Kenji strange attempt at humor, "I knew I forgot something." He turned around and looked out the window. "Well, since you know, I might as well tell you the rest." He sighed, "I've been so exhausted lately and I had to get some rest. You know that we can revitalize ourselves faster in beast form, so I thought that by sleeping this way, I wouldn't be so tired later."

Kenji nodded, but retorted, "Even so, it's only temporary. Eventually, your human form will be too drained. And you can't control your transformation like that."

Shin knew that was true as well. If a zoanthrope becomes too drained in their human form, they would automatically change into their beast form. If that were to happen to Shin while he was in school, everyone would freak out. The world in general was still skeptical about zoanthropes as a whole.

"I know. I just...needed to sleep." Shin muttered. He looked down, "School, work, home. I don't get that much time to rest."

Kenji merely watched him. He already knew that Shin was straining himself with all that he did, but wasn't aware that he had gone this far. He then realized something.

"Rei doesn't know, does she?"

Shin turned and gave a slight chuckle, "No. She suspects, but no." He looked up and glared; his human glare not unlike his eagles. "She doesn't need to know. I have to be strong for her." His voice lowered, "Even if it is a facade."

Kenji placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, "Come on. Let's go for now. We can talk about it later."

Shin gave another chuckle, "That's my problem. I don't have a later."

******

The rest of the school day went without incident. When the two boys returned to class, they said nothing about Shin's little nap. After school, Uriko and Rei began to walk back to her apartment.

"I hate math."

"That's the fifth time you've said that, Uriko."

Uriko frowned, "Well he's the sixth. I hate math."

Rei shook her head, amused. Although Uriko was pretty bright, math was just her pet peeve.

"It's not that bad."

"Oh, don't get me started on you." Uriko shot back. "I saw your face when Mr. Izami gave us that assignment."

Rei's face flushed. She was doing alright in math herself, but she seemed to have developed Uriko's distaste of it, but to a much lighter degree.

"Well..."

"Hey guys."

Kenji wheeled up from behind them on his bike and braked beside them.

"Kenji, hi. You caught up after all." Uriko smiled.

Rei smiled as well, but said nothing as Kenji answered, "Yeah, well, I just had a few things to do."

Suddenly, a thoughtful smile formed over his lips, frightening Uriko slightly. Kenji was never the type to smile openly.

"Say, what are you guys doing for dinner?"

Now both girls looked at him strangely...

***********

Saori-san's Restaurant...

The restaurant was fairly small, but well lit in the public square. Inside, the place was poorly furnished, but had comfortable atmosphere. As waiters moved through the customers to get their orders, the cooks in the back were hastily creating the meals. Among them was a young man with honey-yellow eyes. He was moving quickly to get the foodstuffs ready for the cooks to use. As he was pulling out a box of rice, one of the servers up front called him. A lovely woman with midnight black hair and green eyes.

"Shin-san. Taraki couldn't make it in today, so can you work up front in his place for a bit?"

Shin nodded, "Sure thing."

He removed his apron and washed his hands before exiting the back and out into the dining area. As he did, he turned to grab the order from the woman who had called him.

"Okay, table seven called for this one so hurry up."

"I'm on in Saori-san."

The woman smiled, "I owe you a big one, Shin."

Shin nodded and took the food to the designated table. As he did, he looked over at the meals briefly. 'Hmm. This food looks like something Uriko would eat.' He was well aware of the girl's unusually high appetite. 'Okay, table sev...'

Shin stopped abruptly as he saw who was sitting at the table. Rei, Kenji and of course, Uriko.

"Hiya, Shin."