$ ssp47's Corner $ Thank you all for the reviews! I'm sorry for the delay but I've had a computer virus over dose, been pc banished and I just got back from vaca and school starts back tomorra! Oo I'm too busy and I'm only 16. Really sucks. Oh and for all the Mars fans out there. There's a nother Mars Manga vol. called Horse with no Name. It has the story of how Rei first meets Kira. Look for it in book stores.

And oh yeah, thoughts are in $'s

-Chapter Four- "Withdrawl"

"What it means to be a Senior: Simple, you're almost free, almost gone from prison(aka, insert definition to your liking)." Tatsuya sighed happily as he jotted the note down in his notebook. "Just a small amount of time left and I'm outa here."

"Yeah." Rei sighed, deep in thought. The two of them hung around the ceiling of the school most everyday after lunch. Lately, like all Seniors, the topic of conversation was the arrival of their graduation. There were only three months left, but to some that time couldn't come fast enough. Too Rei, on the other hand, it was coming too fast.

"So what's going on this time with Kira?" Tatsuya asked Rei, who now had the best impression of a floor mat that he'd ever seen. His hair, wild and spread out on the concrete and his stomach sinking in with the floor.

Rei opened one of his eyes and raised an eyebrow.

"I've known you for a few years now, Rei." Tatsuya explained. "The only things on your mind are Kira and, wait... Kira's the only thing you think about."

"Shut up idiot." Rei laughed. "It worries me when people read my thoughts."

"No seriously, what's going on. I haven't heard a lot from you lately."

"I've been working like a Hebrew slave and... Kira's got a job." The blonde admitted after a few moments of silence.

"Where does she work?" Tatsuya asked, sensing it was more than surface deep.

"At that old bar in the rank side of town." Rei heaved a long sigh and closed his eyes.

Tatsuya's eyes widened but he continued with questions.

"How long has she worked there?"

"Couple weeks."

"Is the pay alright?"

"Yeah."

"Is she harassed at all?"

For a moment he didn't reply and Tatsuya waited.

"I don't think so."

"Then it's just because she's there?"

"Yeah." Rei finally said. "I'm concerned. A lot of rank people go there and she started to work long hours. I don't get to see her like I used too. I was hoping to be around her more with my job cutting back but,"

"It hasn't worked out that way." Tatsuya finished.

"Not only that we're about to graduate and we can't be in that apartment forever." Rei sat up and pulled his knees close to his chest.

"And you don't have any classes together." Tatsuya commented.

"Nope."

"Why would she want to work there in the first place?"

Rei shrugged his shoulders. It didn't make much sense.

The bell rang and as the two arose, Rei's mind filled with the stories of Kira's new adventures. As they were reaching the stairs he thought he could hear Tatsuya wonder aloud,

"Does any of this have to do with that new girl?"

-$$$

In five minutes the bell would ring for the last time that day. The pencil eraser hit her lip as she continued to study, trying to memorize her features. Every night, new sketches arrived from her note book, but each was thrown away. She couldn't remember and couldn't bare such an imperfect attempt. It could very well be possible that her whole being was too immortal to become a sketch on a high school student's note book.

$It's a miracle she's even in the same class with me.$ Kira told herself. $Not only that, but she sits right infront of me.$ The young girl shook her head. $I can't believe myself. I can't even speak to her and she sits right infront of me.$

Behind her, Harumi was scribbling furiously on her test sheet. She glanced up at Kira's back and knew instantly she wasn't paying any attention and only five minutes were left. She frowned and tapped her on the shoulder. Kira's eyes widened in panic and she furiously began her paper, mortified that she had been day dreaming in class again.

"I'm sure I failed that test." Kira said miserably.

Harumi placed her palm on her forehead.

"What were you doing in there? You've been like that everyday since school began. I hope you were day dreaming about Rei."

Kira blushed and quieted.

"It wasn't on purpose er, well..." She paused on the staircase and watched as a brunette young woman descended past the two girls, oblivious to their existence. Harumi glanced at the both of them and then at the woman as she left out of her view.

"I hope I'm not seeing what I think I've just seen." She said coldly.

"No. It's not like that." Kira said miserably.

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know." Kira sat down and hid her face in her arms. "I don't know what I'm feeling and I don't know what to do about it."

"I don't understand." Harumi said with an instinct feeling of alarm. "Tell me about it."

"I can't, Harumi." Kira said standing up quickly. Her eyes went to her watch. "I've got to go now. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Kira." Harumi sighed. "You can't be falling in love..."

-$$$

"Aso, you're late." Keiji said as Kira entered into the bar.

"I know I-"

"I'm not standing here to listen to your excuses." The brunette said calmly. "Just get going." Keiji gathered her long hair behind her head and tied it into a pony tail.

$It's wavy today, probably with moose.$ Kira thought. $Very pretty.$

Susko arrived on the other side of the bar, looking as bald and greesy as ever.

"Bad news, Ladies. Lynne called in sick so I need you to work overtime."

"W-what?" Keiji asked openmouthed. "You know I've got another job to run to."

"But you're here first before you run construction." Susko said roughly. "Just keep your smile and you'll be fine. You've got Aso here with you."

Keiji's eyebrows twitched.

"Aso's a newbie. I need someone with quick reflexes and experience. Hell I might as well make a copy of myself."

Kira caught her glance with serious eyes. Her lips twitched as she was about to speak.

"I can do this, even though I haven't been here long. I may not have experience but you have my commitment."

Keiji's expression changed slightly and she snorted in submission.

"Well there you have it." Susko exclaimed happily. "A pretty face and work ethic, it's going to be a beautiful night."

Keiji was grinding her teeth together but her lips remained sealed.

Kira worked towards the expectations of Keiji faster than the brunette expected. Nevertheless it was time that worked her nights, not work ethic. For many hard working hours it seemed like the doors would never stop opening, the drinks pouring or the dishes piling.

$We are going to die here.$ Keiji thought sarcastically. Kira seemed to share the same thoughts. Finally at twelve o'clock, the last skank left. Both women were weary and their hands ached from the constant movement and soap.

Keiji turned the channel of the TV to the news report as they began to clean.

"Our top story tonight," The TV announced. "a breakout out of the mental hospital by the name of Masao-"

A shriek of breaking glass rang through the ears of Keiji as she faced a ghost like shell of Kira Aso.