a/n: i no, ur all in shock. it's so soon for ME to be updating... i understand, but u ppl had me all inspired! and last chapter, i did something stupid... i used 'aishiteru' without a translation... ; sorry about that... it means 'i love you' for all of u who didn't no and were completely lost... don't forget to review this chapter!

disclaimer: baby we were born to run...

Chapter 14: Bowling…?

While, he wondered whether or not she would like the prospect of their date, he knew they would have fun. It had been a considerable time since he'd last gone, but he was sure he'd still be decent…

"You ready?" he called, opening her shoji after a light knock.

"Almost," she responded. "I just have to put my shoes on."

"Okay," he answered. "I'll wait for you outside then."

After she nodded in approval, he slid her shoji shut and went outside. He didn't like to stay in that house any longer than he really needed to.

She came out a few minutes later, smiling. She took his hand and helped him up from the curb and he then directed the way. She took in her surroundings, trying to figure out where it was that they could be going. Not recognizing most of it, she sighed and gave up. After all, she would see soon enough…

"We're here," he announced, pulling her up to his side carefully.

"A bowling alley?" she asked in shock, her eyes lighting up in delight.

"Mmm hmm," he answered, smiling.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go in!" she urged, and this time it was she who was pulling him along.

He laughed merrily, happy that she was so elated over his surprise. In no time they were on their own lanes and setting up names for themselves.

"What do you want your name to be?" she asked. He looked at her as if she were crazy.

"How about my name?"

"Don't you have a nickname you want you use?" She cocked her head to the side questioningly, before saying, "Oh! I have one for you."

"Huh?"

He dully stared at the screen as she typed in, 'Kyon Kyon.'

"Hey!" She giggled and typed in her own name normally.

"It's your turn, Kyon Kyon," she emphasized.

"Yeah, yeah." Though he was grumbling, there was a small smile plastered on his face.

He picked up a ball and threw it down the alley to gain only three pins, sending Kagura into another fit of giggles. Shaking his head in amusement, he picked up another neon pink ball and threw exactly like the last one.

"My turn!" She jumped up and grabbed a fluorescent orange ball and expertly threw it down the lane and got a strike. She leapt into the air, cheering for herself. "I don't think you're going to win this one, Kyo-chan," she teased.

"Yeah, we'll see about that…"

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By the end of the night, Kagura had successfully beaten Kyo in all three matches, leaving him to pay for their games and their shoe rentals. She waited for him by the door, still humming with her victory. He made his way back towards her, holding her jacket in one hand and his in the other.

"Did you have fun?" he asked, helping her into her coat.

"Lots," she answered, still smiling.

He nodded and kept his eyes focused on his shoes for the time being.

"Shall we go, then?"

Once more, he nodded and took her hand, contemplating just how he was going to tell her. Soon. It had to be soon.

"Do you want to get something to eat?" he suggested, trying to buy himself some time.

"Sounds good to me," she responded.

They walked to a little diner a few blocks away and chatted about nothing in particular over dinner. He was getting nervous. His eyes darted from her face to her eyes and then back to his plate. He took a deep breath.

'Now would be a lovely time to say, 'Hey, Kagura? I love you…'

'I know that!'

'Then do it.'

Growling to himself, he looked back up into her eyes.

"Kagura?"

"Hmm? Yes?"

"I… uh, that is to say…"

'I love you! Spit it out, moron!'

"I… Iloveyou!"

"Huh? What was that? I didn't quite catch it," she said apologetically.

'Slower this time.'

'As if I didn't know that!'

"I… I… Kagura, I-I… I love you!"

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a/n: so? how was it? i just have one last note (other than reviews r greatly appreciated...) i'm gonna be changing my account name soon... probly sometime next week to CrazyJaney, okies...? just thought all of u should have a heads up... now don't forget to review, darlings!