Author's Notes: Ooooooooo, I'm so jealous! Because of lack of updates, My friends have been getting many more wonderful reviews than me...(glares at LL Jade) But, you shall see! I will catch up!!!....one day......Anyway, enjoy chapter three. Little note on this, I don't know Abacrombie's japanese name, so it will just stay Abacrombie. Yes, it'll be weird, but don't expect any less if it's written by me.

Disclaimer: Don't own it, don't make any money, you know the drill.

Part 3

Denkou.......pssst! Hey, Denkou!

Denkou sighed and buried her head deeper into the book, hoping this will send a sign to Tomago that it's not the time nor the place to be talking. Alas, all hope of getting out of that situation safely was destroyed when Tomago threw a crumpled up note across the room that hit Denkou on the head.

Ow! Tomago, what's wrong with you? She rubbed her head and looked across the room.

Tomago, settle down. Teacher's voice came from the front of the room. She didn't need to turn around from the black board or stop what she was doing to know who it was making such a ruckus.

Read the note! Tomago hissed loud enough for Denkou and the whole class to hear. The children giggled at how he was still trying to hide the fact that he was passing notes, even though for a long while now, it was very obvious what he was doing.

Denkou sighed but opened up the note none the less. By now teacher was turned away from the black board. Teacher was nice, but Denkou could tell she was getting aggravated with the whole situation.

Denkou's eyes could be seen scanning back and forth from both sides of the letter. All of a sudden, she blushed a deep crimson, and glared across the room at a grinning Tomago, him moving his eyebrows up and down in a silly and perverted way. She threw the note at his face, and slide slowly lower and lower into her seat until her face was hidden from the world.

Ow! You gave my eye a paper cut! But he was laughing. And so was Denkou. Try as she may, she could never get mad or lose her temper with anyone. Some may call it a curse, when in actuality, it can be a blessing. The class was snickering with them.

You can't get a paper cut on your eye! Denkou giggled as Tomago picked up the note and tore it into shreds. Jokes shouldn't be remembered as hurtful. he said, still chuckling, I'll have the first case of it ever in history!

Atom and Kenichi were smiling. Denkou, who recently just started attending this school a few months ago (Skunk finally gave into her nagging), had already made friends with four of the boys in her class. Atom: a young robot like her, Tomago: a nerdy egghead computer whizz, Kenichi: A very polite and well mannered young man, and Abacrombie: a big bully who can dish it out but can't take it.

Alright Tomago, are you all set? Can I continue now? Teacher was talking in a stern voice but she too was smiling, and Tomago, embarrassed but still happy, nodded his head in a meek fashion and stuck his nose further into his book. Denkou looked back up at the board and continued writing notes, but her mind couldn't help tracing back to what that note said.

..

So, Denkou...what's it like living with three men? Must be very exciting, eh? Do they give you a run for your money? Tomago repeated the question he asked Denkou in the note, taken that she never had a chance to answer. Abacrombie gave Tomago a high five for this little outburst, and Kenichi couldn't help but stifle a giggle. Denkou glared at him, and the smile wiped right off his face. Um, hey guys...that's not funny... but he was still laughing.

Denkou pinched her nose and lifted her face in the air, as if she smelt something terrible. Hey, what do ya expect? Kenichi licked his finger and shoved it in Tomago's ear. Boys are gross! It's our nature!

Atom had been exceptionally quite. Hanging around with four boys, Denkou finally figured out she was never going to get much respect. It was even worse with the three men at the house. All the burping and farting and scraching.....well anyway, men will be men. But Atom would usually take part in this grossly behavior, but today, something was up.

What's up? Denkou trotted up beside him. The five of them were walking home from school, and decided to take a short cut through the alley way where they first met Denkou. Atom looked at her and smiled. You certainly have a way with knowing when something's wrong, don't you? He popped her one in the shoulder. She rubbed her arm. Call it a gift. Her bag was slipping so she gave it a boost up unto her shoulders. So, what's wrong?

But Atom wouldn't look up. I'm just...you know.... Denkou waited. I mean....they're criminals Denkou.... His face shot up to meet her eyes. The three others were already a ways ahead of them. Hurry it up! Abacrombie sounded impatient. You guys are acting like prissy girls!

Atom couldn't help but laugh at this comment. That's because I am a girl! Denkou shouted across to Abacrombie. He put his hands in a cup over his mouth, You are not! Tomago and Kenichi keeled over in their laughter.

I can still beat you in base ball! Denkou put her hands on her hips and looked over the distance at Ambacrombie and the two other boys walk away. Call you guys later! Atom shouted. Kenichi lifted his hand up as an indication that they heard him.

Atom sighed, and when he turned back around, Denkou was waiting for him to finish what he was saying. I guess I just want you to be careful. You know they're not exactly the safest people to be around.

Denkou laughed, Oh! But what would they ever do without me? I'm the glue that holds that house together! Yes, I know their reputation, but the more time I spend with them, the more they're becoming like family to me.

Atom looked away, Yeah, I guess. I know it may not be too apparent, but we do worry about you. You are part of the group, and you are one of our friends. So...you know...don't be afraid to ask if you need anything.....

Denkou smiled. She might cry. How wonderful it feels to have someone so concerned with your well being, to be wanted and loved so dearly. She gave Atom a big hug. I'm so lucky to have friends like you!

..

Denkou whistled softly to herself as she neared the entrance to the three men's secret base, or as she liked to call it, home. She took out her key to open the door, but was surprised as Skunk quickly opened it up, looked both ways, and then dragged her in. Denkou looked up at him curiously. Cops. Some guy tried to rob the mart across the street. The block is swarming with them....

Sooooo, they haven't caught him yet? Denkou asked with a slight hint in her voice. Skunk looked down at her. She smiled.

So?! And what's it your concern, you little twit! Nooj walked in and stretched his arms up over his head. Hey Skunk. Put some pants on. Denkou had just noticed what she failed to when she got home. Skunk was still wearing what he wore to bed: Boxers and a T-shirt. She blushed. You didn't want to get dressed, Mr. Skunk? But he was too busy glaring at Nooj. Who cares! He shrugged his shoulders and walked over to the fridge, like it was the most normal thing in the world to be wearing underwear at six in the evening. By the way, were you suggesting that I was the one who tried to rob the mart? He took out a can of beer and opened it.

From a chair positioned in front of the T.V, Nooj laughed. And what's so funny? You stupid bag of crap... Skunk hoisted himself up onto the counter and lay down. Denkou watched him and couldn't help but laugh. What a place to rest! She walked over to the sink to wash the dishes from lunch, only to realize that they had already been taken care of. Her smile vanished and was replaced by a look of sheer surprise.

That's exactly what she's saying! Nooj turned his head from the T.V and looked into the kitchen. I mean... Jesus Skunk, hadn't we agreed we'd take a break on this for awhile? Denkou turned around from the sink. Um, guys...?

Oh, this is fresh. Skunk slide off from the counter and walked over to the table. I've been friends with you for how many years?

Nooj cocked one of his eyebrows. What does that have to do with it? I'm just saying it's suspicious that it was right across the street and they still haven't caught the guy.... plus it doesn't help that you're walking around here all paranoid and shit....like you gotta take a whiz really bad or something...

Ummm.... guys? Denkou was watching the two men readying themselves, and readying herself for another argument. Shut up, midget. Skunk lifted his hand to Denkou's mouth to silence her. This is between me and the walrus over there. He pointed his hand across the room to a very confused Nooj sitting in a chair. Nooj rolled his eyes and let his head fall back onto the couch.

Denkou sighed and walked over to the stove. From the sounds of it, this wasn't Skunk's first can of beer today. Talking to him about something serious when he's in this condition would be futile. She'll just have to figure out who helped her with the dishes after he's slept it off. She started dinner.

..

Ah, dinner. The most INTERESTING meal of the day.

Look at what I can do! Skunk put a spoon up to his nose. It fell off. Nooj laughed. You suck. Skunk picked up the spoon and glared at it. I can get this. He slowly tried to balance it on his nose again. It fell. And Denkou laughed.

Raff wasn't much for this type of dinner behavior. He usually took his plate in the other room and ate in his favorite chair while reading a book. Let's face it, being around Skunk wasn't too appetizing. He was drinking another beer. Denkou smiled and ate, but she wasn't hungry anymore. The part of Skunk she liked disappeared when he got like this.

After dinner she heard those horrible noises again. She had finished washing the dishes and the laundry (she'll iron tomorrow) and was in her room sewing buttons on a skirt she was making. When Skunk had too much to drink it always resulted in him spending a ridiculous amount of time in the bathroom. He must hate it. She wondered why he still did it then.

Oh God.... She heard his voice. Hurtful, and Nooj in there patting him on the back. They had been friends since grade school. Nooj sighed, Your friend the toilet bowl. Skunk laughed, then punched Nooj in the arm. Don't make me laugh! It hurts! More moaning and groaning until finally the last of the poisons and toxins were out of his body. They had lowered their voices.

You know, you're always chugging them down....

I know....!

Well, c'mon Skunk....she's here now.....

A long pause.

I know.

She heard his footsteps down the hall, heading to the room the two of them shared. She threw the skirt under her bed and turned out the light as she snuggled under the covers. He walked in and closed the door, but stopped for a moment. She didn't need to open her eyes to know he was looking at her. And her feet were cold and shaking. Finally, he took a deep breath, and got under the covers in his bed.

Denkou finally settled in when she thought Skunk was asleep and got ready to go to bed herself. She found a comfy position and closed her eyes.



Denkou was startled. It took her a while to find her voice, and it really didn't produce any words.

You awake kid?

I'm here. She rolled over on her back so she could hear him better. He paused, and for a minute she thought he had fallen asleep.

I didn't.... She waited. I didn't rob that place.....I mean..... everyone's saying I did, but I didn't! I swear it....!

I know. Denkou sat up in bed so that she was looking at him. Through the dark, he looked so feeble. I believe you. I know you didn't...

For a while, though she could not see him, she could feel his eyes on her.

You're the only one who ever believes me.