Disclaimer: See chapter one
AN: I apologize for getting the chapters mixed up here. In my haste to update my stories, I apparently got them crossed. So for the readers to both fanfics, I am truly sorry.
Chap. 8
After school...
Once again, another long day of school ended. Kenji accompanied Shin to the exit, but this time, Shin would be going to work alone.
"So Kenji, are you going to the dance?"
"I'm...well...." he stammered.
Shin kept his face straight as he stated, "You haven't asked her yet."
"Who?"
Shin shook his head lightly, "Kenji, don't. You and I both know who I mean."
Kenji dropped his head, "No."
Shin merely took in the answer coolly and stated again, "You only have four days."
"I know."
Shin looked upward, "Sometimes, a direct approach is best for victory."
Kenji narrowed his eyes at the old training words. Focusing on the speaker, "And what about you?"
"I'll go alone." he responded. "I have no one I really want to ask, nor the time to ask anyone anyway."
Kenji cocked an eyebrow at his friend, "I would suggest Rei, but she's already taken."
The cool demeanor faded and he blinked in surprise, "Huh?"
"Uriko told me. Reiji asked her out to the dance while they were decorating."
Shin blinked again. He didn't know about this and he wasn't able to find out the day before because she was already asleep. But he didn't let Kenji see his surprise and casually replied.
"Hm. Well so much for that idea."
"Wouldn't it be embarrassing going alone?" Kenji asked.
"We're never alone." he responded darkly. "We have the shadows."
Kenji looked over at him. "Shadows have no warmth or comfort. Just obscurity."
Shin gave a slight smile, "Perhaps. But perhaps that is my way." With that, he moved ahead of Kenji, "I have to go. See you around."
Before Kenji could respond, a gust of wind marked Shin's disappearance.
**********
Later on...
"He's going alone? Is he insane?"
Uriko had joined up with Kenji a little after Shin left. Together they both of them walked Rei home, but couldn't stay because their families wanted them home early. Uriko tried to convince Rei to come with them, but Rei refused and decided to stay home by herself instead. That only left Uriko and Kenji to walk back to their homes, alone.
"No one goes to a dance alone."
Kenji shrugged, "That's just how he feels. And he has no one to go with."
Uriko looked into the sky thoughtfully and said, "Maybe we should hook him up. After all, he is a bit cute. I'm surprised no one's asked him out."
"Perhaps it's his personality. He...likes to keep to himself." Kenji looked down and spoke softly, "Or maybe...he's too shy."
"Maybe." Her head became downcast as well as she too spoke softly. "But if someone knew him well enough...that wouldn't be a problem."
"I guess not."
A period of silence passed between the two youths as they strode down the street with their heads lowered and their eyes roving the ground nervously as they neared Kenji's house. Simultaneously, their head lifted and they were about to respond to each other when...
"Hi Kenji."
At that moment, Nagi exited the house and approached the two. Kenji's nervousness seemed to have faded away as she came.
"Nagi, hi."
"I'm going out for a walk, but Yugo told me to tell you that he and Alice are going to be a bit late coming back home today." She narrowed her brows slightly, "Something about hunting."
"Okay." Kenji then looked over at his brown-haired companion. "Oh Nagi. I'd like you to meet my friend, Uriko Nonomura. Uriko, this is Nagi."
Uriko was completely stunned by Nagi's appearance. Wow... was all that computed into her brain as she stammered. "H-hi."
Nagi smiled as she made a quick bow, "I've heard a lot about you from Alice. Nice to meet you."
"ThankyouActuallyIhavetogetgoingnowSeeyoulaterKenjiNagi."
Uriko suddenly dashed off, leaving the two of them totally confused by her actions.
"Uh, okayyy..."
*************
Night...
After another day of work, Shin arrived home. The workday wasn't difficult. It was pretty normal. Even though he was tired, he knew he ha homework to finish. Opening the door, he found Rei seated by the window drawing a sketch.
"Konbanwa, Rei."
"Konbanwa, Shin." she responded. "How was your day?'
Shin shrugged as he placed his bag on the floor, "Mm. Pretty much the same. Nothing special."
"Oh. Well it could have been worse I guess." She looked at her picture agian, but didn't move to draw. After a minute, she spoke again, "Shin. Reiji asked me out to the dance."
"I know. Kenji told me."
Rei blinked, but more out of habit than surprise. "Is that alright with you?"
"Of course." he shrugged again. "Why wouldn't it be?" He hesitated, "Although...I've heard some unsightly rumors about Reiji."
"Don't worry. He seems like a gentleman."
Shin nodded lightly as he moved to the refrigerator to grab something to eat. "Okay. Just take care."
Rei however, continued to focus on Shin. "What about you?" she inquired. "Has anyone asked you out?"
"No, but that's okay. I'm going anyway."
This time, she blinked in surprise. "Alone?"
"Yes. Don't worry. I'll be fine." he reassured her. He took a seat on the floor and reached over to grab his bag in order to start his homework. Seeing that it was late, he motioned to her, "Well, you better get to bed then."
"Okay." she responded. She moved from her seat and onto her bed (Kenji managed to buy one) where she lay softly.
"Oyasumi, Shin."
"Oyasumi, Rei."
Shin settled and began his homework. However, he stopped for a moment and stood up to look out at the window. The moon was crescent that night, so there wasn't much to see. Still, it was beautiful. His eyes gazed down and to the side and he saw Rei's sketch. It was a picture of the same moon. Shin picked it up. It was truly marvelous. It was as if Rei had somehow captured the beauty and essence of the moon and placed it on paper. He looked over at Rei in order to tell her what a great job she had done, but the azure-haired girl was already asleep. Shin smiled. She's so peaceful when she sleeps. And so... Shin shook his head as he realized what he was thinking. He never considered Rei anything more than a close friend. Kind of like a sister. At least that's how he tried and half-way succeeded at first. But now, looking at her beautiful features in the dull moonlight, he wasn't so sure anymore.
He finished his homework in half an hour, but fell asleep another hour later...