Note: Short chapter, I know, but… I feel all lovey-dovey inside….

Note2: Jeeze this site changed formats AGAIN? Anyways, to those of you continuing this story without re-reading the past chapters (PC)… means a perspective change. I'll have to come up with something better than that for my next update. Any suggestions would be nice... anyways, enjoy this chapter. Less hate. More LUV.

chapter ten: moving on...

Their simple breakfast of eggs, toast and tea felt like a meal fit for a king to Roku. It was as if he became a new man overnight. His little charade earlier this morning was no doubt violent, but it had establish that he was, as the Tooga commanded, the guardian of any and all Haibane living in Glie.

He happily ate his meal; a somewhat stupid looking smile pasted on his face as he did so. The girls, with the exception of Hikari, did the same; knowing full well why Roku was shining.

"Hikari," Roku spoke, noticing Hikari's look of concern, "there's nothing to worry about anymore."

"I know." Hikari responded, sipping on her tea, "I'm just… grateful for what you did."

"I'd do the same for any one of you." Roku said, "It's my responsibility."

"Well, 'Mr. Responsible'," Nemu joked, "I think it's time for us to take a quick nap while you do the dishes."

"Yes 'um," Roku joked back, "and I think I'll hit the sack later on as well… long night last night."

The girls agreed, leaving their seats and Roku alone to clean up.

Later

After finishing washing the dished, Roku stepped outside to take a cigarette break before going to bed. He set himself next to the old well in the center of the courtyard, resting his back against the gray bricks. His wings ached, but he fully ignored them, blissfully soaking in the tobacco, the morning sun, the damp air, and the cool atmosphere all at the same time.

He had accomplished something great earlier. Something he was destined to do for the rest of his stay in Glie…

(PC)…

I woke a little later that day, still lying next to the well in the courtyard. Judging by the position of the sun, it was probably late to mid-afternoon.

There was no strange dream, this time, but instead I dreamed the image of a girl dressed in brown. I couldn't quite put my finger on who exactly that girl was, but she felt so familiar… so close to me….

I shook my head, "No use thinking about lost causes…" I whispered to myself.

I was still a little too lazy to get up from my makeshift bed, so I stretched out a bit, making myself more comfortable.

"I should make this my new bed." I said, pulling out my pack of cigarettes. A sudden shock went through my body as I froze in horror; I was out of smokes. "Awww gawdammit…"

later

Since there was still plenty of sunlight out, I decided to walk to town, instead of riding my scooter. And it was certainly worth my while.

The trees were in the beginning stages of metamorphosis. Their normally green leaves were slowly melting away into yellow and red spots. The remnants of geese were overhead, catching up with the rest of their flock, which were no doubt already well ahead of them. Some small bird were heard chirping in the forest, but I knew that wouldn't last. Fall was coming.

The hustle and bustle of yesterday was gone. There weren't as many people wandering about in town, and whoever was outside was busy minding to themselves.

Some cafes were still open, with customers sitting idly, most likely just waiting for the day to end. The small talk from each person that I overheard while passing by was nothing more than that. No news of last nights events. No news of Dante's house arrest. Nothing about me.

I sighed with relief; it was the last thing I wanted to hear.

Entering the tobacco shop across the street from Pops garage, I browsed through the newest shipment of tobacco from the Tooga. The shopkeeper eyed me, probably still wary of the last time we met.

"Mmmay I help you?" he queried. "We currently have a stock of tobacco from the far east, if you are interested…"

"Sounds great," I said, walking toward the counter. "What's your opinion of it?"

His eyes suddenly shined, and his ear turned a bright red. Probably excited to hear that I might be a potential connoisseur.

"Well!" he exclaimed, reaching under the counter and withdrawing a bag full of brown, crushed leaves, "This particular mixture begins with a slight cinnamon… zing to it. After an exhale, the after-taste of sweet chocolate and mint is left in your palate."

"Wow…" I reeled, "Kind of… complex."

"Hmmm?" He returned the bag and retrieved another. "This mixture is a light vanilla mix. The subtle-ness of vanilla and sugar is an excellent way to end a meal."

"Actually…" I said, a little overwhelmed at the selection, "I was looking for an… everyday type of smoke. You know… something that can be used for any occasion?" I thought for a second, as did the shopkeeper, "Something that a person who dislikes smoking wouldn't mind." The thought of Kana entered my mind. I knew she hated my habit, but maybe there was something that would make it a little more tolerable.

He returned the bag and brought out a carton of menthol cigarettes. The word "Magic 3" were printed on its face in elaborate calligraphy.

"I like these." He said happily, albeit bluntly.

As I returned outside with my purchases, I placed a new cigarette in my mouth and lit it. My senses finally calmed, I walked over to Pops garage, curious to see if anyone was there.

To my surprise, Hyouko was inside, sweeping the floor with Naota. I extinguished my cigarette and entered the shop.

"Hey guys," I said cheerfully, "I thought we didn't have work 'till Monday?"

"Nah, I'm just here because I feel responsible for last night." Hyouko said.

"What?" I asked, putting my bag on the counter, "If anything, it was all MY fault."

"Nah, man." Hyouko tossed me a broom, "The party. Dante wasn't supposed to drink."

"Oh… so why you giving me a broom?"

"You're helping out!" Naota chimed in."

I rubbed his black hair, turning what was once a fine combed head of hair, into a mop.

"Little brat…" I said as I began to sweep, "So where's Pops?"

"…um…" Naota began, "He's over at the mayor's house, signing papers an' stuff."

"Oh…" I recalled Pop's actions last night, "I'm… sorry, Naota."

"For?" he asked.

"It's my fault that your older brother is being locked up."

"Don't worry about it, it isn't your fault." Naota said, "He brought it upon himself."

"That's a very mature thing for you to say, son." A voice said from the doorway, "That's good."

Pops entered the shop, removing his derby hat as he did so. He was dressed in a black suit and tie, with a black trench coat on top.

"Don't be like your brother." He ushered in Dante; a stone cold emotion painted on his face. Right behind him was a armored guard; no doubt his personal officer from now on.

Unlike Hyouko and Naota, I faced Dante and made eye contact. His presence angered me to no end, but I was smart enough to realize that doing anything would land me in the same position.

For some reason, the thought of Dante harassing, not only Hikari, but all the other femal Haibane rushed through my mind. The particular image of Dante with Kana stuck to me; infuriated me.

I lifted my chin a bit, to show my superiority, and also to intimidate him. No reaction came from the broken man. I knew he was angry inside, and I knew he wanted to attack me; but the guard behind him was more intimidating than me.

He was quickly ushered away into the backroom.

After the guard and Dante were gone, I faced Pops.

"I-." I began, but was interrupted by a gigantic finger pushing my forehead.

"Don't apologize." Pops said, "It's his fault. You've done nothing wrong."

I didn't know what to say. His voice reassured me that I was in the clear. A sort of aura filled the room, much like that of a church or some sort of holy area. It wanted to make me cry.

But I held it in. I was, after all, in a room full of males.

"Go home, Roku." He said, "And you as well, Hyouko. Go home and rest up. I can tell you need it. Work begins Monday."

(PC)…

later at Old Home

As the light of the sun grew dim, Roku slowly entered Old Home, replacing his nametag to its "home" position. The lights ahead at the main corridor were on, indicating that either dinner was being prepared, or already being enjoyed by the girls and the small feathers. Puffing on the cigarette in his lips, Roku dragged his feet along the heavily used dirt "path" that had been eroded from heavy use, which led from the bulletin board to the front door of the main hall.

"And where have you been?" a familiar voice was heard behind him. Automatically, Roku knew who it was; that tom-boyish tone couldn't have come from anyone else's lips.

"Walking," He responded to Kana, "thinking… smoking…"

"You really should quit that disgusting habit." She commented, flicking the white cylinder away from his mouth. "You're better than that."

"Those are really expensive you know…"

"Which is a better reason why you should quit." She crossed her arms over her chest, indicating how serious she was. Roku paid no heed; it was his choice to smoke, and smoke he shall.

"Whatever." Roku said, picking up the half extinguished blunt and replacing it on his lips. "I can do…" he puffed, "whatever," he blew smoke toward Kana, "I want." He ended his sentence with a sheepish grin, fully extinguishing his cigarette by crushing it under his shoe.

"Hmph!" Kana pouted, fanning the smoke away with her hand, "Do what you want; It's time for dinner anyway." She started to walk away.

"Kana, wait," Roku said, holding onto the girl's wrist, "I need to talk to you."

"Hmm?"

"I-," The boy began, "I don't know how to put this, exactly…"

"What is it?" a look of concern grew on Kana's face.

"What do you think of me?" He asked bluntly.

"What?" She blushed profusely, something out of the ordinary for her to do.

"Come on…" He groaned sarcastically, "I can't be THAT bad, can I? Tell me the truth. You think I'm evil? Bad? Am I a good guy?"

"Well…" She thought for a moment, "You're okay, I guess…" She felt uncomfortable in that awkward moment.

"That's it?" Roku snorted.

"Hmph!" Kana put her hands on her hips, "What do you mean that's it?"

"That's kind of a vague answer, don't you think?" He took a deep breath through his nostrils, "Here, lemmie tell you what I think of you."

"This I'd like to hear."

Roku walked over to the middle of the courtyard and looked to the heavens, possibly looking for guidance from the emerging stars in the evening sky.

"You're cool that hang out with," He bagan, "you can be serious and still be a joy to be around. You're spunky; I like spunkiness, it's probably the most attractive part about girls. You're attitude has some flair about it, it's like you have all the time on your hands to come up with a wittry, but truthful remark. And, above all else, you're cute…"

By this time, Kana was wide eyed, and red all over; she hadn't expected this from Roku.

"Jeez, since this morning, I couldn't stop thinking about you…" He turned to face her, "After what happened last night, with Dante and Hikari, I felt something inside me click. I felt that… it could have been you in Hikari's shoes; and lord only knows who could have stopped me from bashing Dante's skull in…"

Kana was still speechless.

"Kana," Roku walked to her and held her hand, "It's been, what? 4? 5 months since I've been here? I feel like I don't have much time left in Glie. Something greater is destined for me, but I don't know when and where, but I can feel that it's coming. The cold hard truth is: is that we Haibane do not that the gift of a long life here. Sure, 9 or 10 years may seem like an eternity to you, but that a fraction of a second for me. I really don't want to waste my time here…"

"W-What…I-I…" Kana stuttered.

"What I'm trying to say is, Kana, is…," He stared deeply into her brown eyes, "I've fallen for you…"

disclaimer: with the exception of Roku, Gordon, Magdalene, Naota, The town Mayor and the names "Horton" for the old clothes dealer, and "Dante" for the assistant baker, I do not own any characters that have made an appearance in the story. I did this for fun, not for money. If you own these characters, please don't sue me. Please don't ruin my fun. Also, if you wish to paste this onto your site, please ask permission first and give credit where credit's due.