Under the Sky

"Usagi!" The blonde instantly awoke upon hearing Michiru's tone of voice. "What is this cat doing here?"

"Why're you asking me?" she asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Michiru raised an eyebrow. "You're the one with the biggest weakness for animals." She directed her pursed lips at the feline winding around her ankles. "You're lucky she's friendly."

"And cute! I think she looks like a mini bobcat."

"That's because she's a Japanese bobtail, which means she probably belongs to someone nearby. You should ask around to see if anyone lost a cat recently." That was all Michiru had to say on the matter. She grabbed her violin case and left.

Since Usagi couldn't go back to sleep, she made herself some toast with jam and ate it while Luna watched from another chair. When Makoto returned from her jog she tilted her head at how at-ease the cat looked, as if she owned the place already. "Lucky you," she said to Usagi, "I checked the classifieds while I was out and there were no ads for lost cats."

"Oh, that's great! You know I've always wanted a pet, Mako-chan. My mom is allergic to cats and dogs so I only ever had boring fish."

"I don't think fish count as pets," Makoto commented while pulling ingredients from the fridge. "They're more like decoration."

"So we should totally keep Luna! She'll be our shared pet."

"I'm fine with her as long as she doesn't jump on me when I'm asleep." Luna apologetically lowered her head, earning a pat. "What did Michiru say?"

"She said I should still ask around…" Usagi's eyes abruptly widened. "But what if someone lies about owning Luna and we give her over and they end up abusing her?!"

Makoto sighed even though it was a reasonable concern. "We could ask people to describe her. We'll just put her breed, gender, where we found her, and ask them to describe her markings. If they fail to do so then we'll know she doesn't belong to them."

Usagi grinned at the prospect of telling off people with bad intentions. After getting dressed she went to the nearest store to pick up supplies for Luna, even grabbing all-natural cat food to appease Makoto who believed animals deserved to eat healthy, too. She set up the litter box in the bathroom, placed the food dish at the base of the kitchen counter, and sprinkled a few toys around the living room. Luna only sniffed them before staring up at the girl. "You have to behave, kitty. You have to make a good impression on Michiru, so no shredding the furniture. Mako-chan will be back before me to keep you company."

Luna meowed as she left, causing a pang of sadness. Usagi just wanted to cuddle her all day even though the cat seemed rather stoic and probably wouldn't appreciate the attention. She hoped Luna really was a stray; she didn't want her to end up being someone else's cat. She felt like Luna had entered her life for a reason.

Midterms were greeted with abhorrence. Nicholas had testing all day and Mamoru was undergoing an evaluation, but Joe and Zach were free since they were both working on big projects. Kaelan found them in the conservatory that was now full of exotic fruit-bearing trees, tropical flowers, and water fountains connected to a complex irrigation system. "I think it's time for another party," he declared.

"Don't tell me you want to celebrate Thanksgiving," Zach said. "I'm the only American around here."

Kaelan shook his head. "No, I want to have a star party. The Leonid meteor shower peaks tomorrow night. I thought we could invite the girls again."

"As long as no one passes out by the pool this time. You guys aren't exactly lightweight." Joe set his pruners down and smiled. "We could throw some pillows and blankets in the gazebo. It has a perfect view of the Olympic skyline."

"Brilliant! This is why I let you live here," Kaelan teased. "Someone text the others so they can spread the word."

Mamoru's phone chimed just as he peeled the rubber gloves off his hands. His supervisor raised an eyebrow while he scrambled to silence it. "You're very lucky, Chiba. If that had gone off five minutes ago, I would've made you start over."

"Sorry, Doctor." Mamoru bowed and the woman waved him away; he was free for the rest of the day. He checked his phone as soon as he entered the hall.

"Apparently we're having a party tomorrow to celebrate some falling space rocks. Pass it on to the girls. And Kaelan says us guys have to cook dinner, so pick up ingredients for whatever you want to make."

Mamoru wasn't sure if Zach was being serious and consulted a celestial events app. Sure enough, the Leonids were ongoing. Now that he was no longer stressed out about lab work he thought it would be nice to spend some quality time with Usagi, and he couldn't wait to show her his new car. "Hey, Usako!" he texted. "Would you and Makoto be interested in coming over tomorrow to watch a meteor shower? I understand if you want to rest after all your midterms."

"I still have one left, but that sounds fun! I bet you guys have a great view. Should we bring food or anything?"

"We have it covered. Just be sure to dress warmly. Oh, and I'll be picking you up this time." Mamoru stowed his phone and began the long walk to the library. He turned up the collar of his jacket to keep a persistent chill off his neck and shoved his hands deep into woolen pockets. 'It might even snow before December,' he thought, and wondered if Joe could teach him how to drive safely on ice.

The temperature inside the library was a nice 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but Mamoru wouldn't be staying long enough to acclimate. He spied Ami at the front desk and she looked up when he approached, flashing a smile. "How did your evaluation go?" she asked.

"It went well. I almost got in trouble because my phone went off right when I finished." Mamoru noticed that she was coloring several brain diagrams. "Is that your midterm?"

"Yes. Pretty silly, isn't it? I have to label all the lobes and functions without using notes."

"There's the challenge," he said, but he knew it was a piece of cake for her. "We're having a Leonid-viewing party at the mansion tomorrow night. Do you want to come?"

Ami grinned. "Yes, I do! I was hoping to find a place to watch them since there's too much light pollution here. I even convinced Mina to come with me if I found a place." Her expression suddenly hardened, making Mamoru recoil a little. "I don't think she should be around Kaelan, though."

"Why not? We all know they hooked up."

"Yes, but I had to go with her to get Plan B. Mina told me she hadn't gotten her birth control shot and they didn't use protection." Ami practically glared at him. "Your landlord could have gotten my best friend pregnant."

Mamoru raised a hand to mediate. "He doesn't deserve all the blame. They were both inebriated. They both made the decision not to be safe." Now he knew why Kaelan had wanted Mina's number: to see if she followed up on getting emergency contraception.

"Yes, but if Mina had gotten pregnant, she would be the one suffering the consequences. Kaelan is five years older than her. He should know better."

"I understand your point of view," Mamoru calmly replied, "but I think you should let Mina make her own decisions. This is like when…" He didn't finish saying "when Makoto wanted to keep me away from Usagi". It was clear Ami accepted the fact that her best friend had casual sex, and her concern was valid, but Mina was responsible enough to take care of herself. "I'm sure the guys will agree to an alcohol-free evening if it means you'll both join us."

Ami sighed, then gave a tiny smile. "They can drink if they want, but if anyone tries putting the moves on me, I'll have Makoto beat them up."

"Deal," Mamoru laughed. "See you tomorrow, then!"

The next night, Michiru answered the door when Mamoru knocked. "Usagi is in the shower, so you'll have to wait a few minutes," she said.

"Help yourself to some cookies!" Makoto called from her room.

Mamoru eyed the platter and wasn't sure which one to pick because they all looked delectable. He went with pumpkin chocolate chip, but as soon as he bit into it something nudged his leg and he jumped back from the table. Glancing down revealed a black cat with wide yellow eyes staring up at him. "Oh, that's Luna-chan," Michiru said while pouring a cup of tea. "She showed up earlier this week and someone begged me to keep her. She behaves well enough, so I can't be upset."

The boy held out his hand for Luna to sniff. Her little black nose wiggled slightly, then a pink tongue darted out to lick his fingertip. "I probably taste like leather steering wheel," he chuckled as the cat's ears flattened and she retreated beneath the table.

"Usagi did tell me you have a car now," Michiru remarked. "What did you get?"

"A Mercedes E-Class coupe," he answered. "The guys wanted me to buy something really sporty but I feel comfortable in it."

"That's what matters. When I was still in high school I met someone who taught me how to drive high-end cars like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Porsches. She said if I ever beat her in a race she would buy me any car I wanted." Michiru's fond smile faded to nothing. "It's been a few years since I've seen her. Since I don't need to drive here, I doubt I'd win if we ever did get the chance to race. I'm out of practice."

Makoto had been listening to the story from her room and entered the kitchen once Michiru fell silent. "Sure you don't want to come with us tonight? I feel bad leaving you here all alone."

"I'll be fine as long as I have my violin. Maybe Luna can help me practice– if she lays her ears back I'll know I have the wrong note." The cat's meow of agreement elicited a warm look from Michiru, then she rinsed out her teacup and went around the corner to knock on the bathroom door. "Usa-chan! It's very rude to keep your guests waiting, especially when they offer to chauffeur you!"

"I'm drying off now!" Usagi shouted back.

Makoto sighed, knowing her friend would be another fifteen minutes at least, and began cleaning the kitchen even though it was already tidy. Mamoru slowly ate another cookie, wondering if he should attempt small-talk. He almost choked on the first bite of his third cookie when Usagi stuck her damp head around the corner, her shy expression making him laugh. Makoto planted a hand on her hip. "He's already seen you in your underwear. A towel isn't anything to get excited about." Mamoru still turned around so she could slink past the kitchen. He heard drawers sliding open and closed, then she returned in skinny jeans, short boots, and a white sweater. "About time…" Makoto grouched.

"It's only eight. We still have plenty of time to catch the meteors," Mamoru assured.

"Well I'm hungry," Usagi stated. "We didn't make dinner 'cause you said there was food."

Mamoru nodded. "There is. Nicholas was putting steaks on the grill when I left and Joe made apple cider to keep us warm." They exited the stairwell and stood on the sidewalk for a moment. "It's this one," the boy smiled, placing his hand on the hood of his car.

Usagi's face lit up. "Ooh, it's so stylish!"

"Now you just need the wardrobe to match," Makoto muttered as she settled into the roomy backseat, but she wasn't quiet enough.

"About that…" Mamoru pushed a button to start the vehicle. "Usako, I was wondering if you could go shopping with me before Christmas since you'll be visiting your family. I want to give myself a new style for the new year." He glanced at the blonde sidelong and found her staring at him in awe. "Is that a yes?"

Makoto scoffed lightly. "You have no idea what you're in for."

The two girls bounced fashion ideas off one another during the drive, mentioning many designers Mamoru had never heard of. Once home he parked in the Samurai's old garage space, then led the girls along a path curving around the house. Joe had done a great deal of landscaping to the backyard, transforming the patch of dead grass and bark into a soft carpet of moss. He'd planted winter flowers and shrubs around the gazebo and hung up lanterns of all colors, creating a mystical environment. Nicholas stood before a grill on the deck wearing an apron that barely fit. He heard footsteps approach but wasn't expecting Makoto to suddenly appear over his shoulder. "Smells good," she commented. "I love peppercorns on steak."

He nodded and began flipping them over the low flame. "The marinade is a super-secret family recipe, so I can't tell you what's in it. I will say that the peppercorns are for flavor contrast."

Makoto put a finger on her nose. "I bet I can guess what's in it. I smell orange zest, cardamom, maybe a splash of sherry—"

"Keep it down!" he exclaimed, nudging her with his elbow. "This recipe wins my dad a ribbon every year at the annual barbecue competition in Jozi. It has to stay secret!"

"I'm not going to South Africa any time soon, so you don't have to worry about me stealing his ribbons." Makoto gave him a return bump with her hip. "Is there anything I can eat right now?"

Nicholas pointed at the screen door with his spatula. "Everything's inside staying warm. Help yourselves!"

Makoto and Usagi discovered platters of finger foods including fried zucchini and mushrooms, Panko-breaded oysters, and gorgonzola cheese spread with crackers. "Have at it!" Zach said, startling them. They hadn't even noticed him cooking at the stove. "You two are the first ones here, and Joe and Kaelan are on a mission to collect all the spare bedding in the house. No one's eaten a bite!"

He didn't have to tell them twice. "Wha're oo making?" Usagi asked after cramming food into her mouth.

"Fettuccine with scallops in a white wine sauce." He grinned as the girls practically drooled. "We're also having veggie salad and fresh bread."

"That sounds amazing," Usagi gushed. Makoto agreed wholeheartedly, uncaring how many calories she was consuming right now. They both stood at the island picking things off the trays until Zach offered them each a mug of apple cider, which they happily accepted.

"Are there cloves in this?" Makoto asked.

"Sure are," Joe answered. He was hidden behind a mound of pillows, Kaelan following with down comforters and fleece throws. "That's my mom's recipe. I hope you enjoy it."

Makoto gave a half-smile and set her cup down. "I'll have to savor it– cloves make me sleepy. Need a hand?" She helped carry some of the bedding out to the gazebo, spreading it over the hardwood floor. From the outside it looked like a great bird's nest.

"Hello!" someone called. Kaelan looked up to see Rei, Ami, and Mina enter the backyard. "Wow, this place looks like a fairy garden!" the blonde girl remarked. She beamed at everyone, but when her eyes fell on Kaelan it vanished. "Hey," she said simply.

"I'm glad you could make it," he greeted politely. "There's food and drink inside, or you can sit by the fire if Mamoru ever gets it going."

"The wood is damp! You should have covered it up."

"The weatherman said we'd have clear skies tonight." Kaelan turned up his palms. "Looks like he was right for once."

"There's still moisture in the air…" Mamoru mumbled. He managed to arrange the driest logs into a pyramid.

Rei knelt beside him and placed her glasses on her head. "You forgot the kindling," she said gently. Mamoru groaned as she stuffed newspaper between the logs, then struck a match and blew on the flame.

Everyone sat in chairs around the fire once it came to crackling life, their stomachs growling in anticipation as the scent of grilled beef filled the air. "It's ready!" Nicholas called, and they all but stampeded inside, forks clashing for the largest cuts. Plates were loaded with scallop fettuccine, Mamoru's contribution of chikuzenni, and Kaelan's soda bread.

Usagi was the first to sample the steak. "It's sweet!" she exclaimed.

"But the charring and pepper make it savory," Rei added. Everyone else nodded in approval since their mouths were full.

Nicholas grinned. "So it's delicious is what I'm hearing. I'm glad I got to cook something fancy for a change."

Usagi raised her eyebrows at her best friend. Makoto shook her head slightly and stared at her plate, prompting the blonde to begin meddling. "Hey, Nicholas…" He looked up. "Remember when we first met? What were you doing at the plant sale?"

"Oh, that…" He pointed his fork at Zach. "He sent me to find something."

"What was it?"

"Some flowers to remind me of home," Zach answered. "Indian pink, hibiscus, rain lily, things like that."

"In this climate, those plants would only survive in a greenhouse," Makoto remarked, "but luckily you have one of those now."

"I'd like to see the conservatory after dinner if that's okay." Ami's request was seconded by Rei. Joe and Zach shared a look, more than happy to show off everything they'd cultivated so far.

Mamoru, Rei, and Joe were the last three to finish eating. Since everyone else had gotten comfortable in the gazebo, they handled the leftovers and dishes before joining them. "That was the best meal I've had in a while," Rei said. "I don't do much cooking in my apartment and although the food at Bastyr is good, it's very…"

"Simple?" Joe supplied.

She smiled. "Yes, and it's nice to have a meal with diverse flavors." She blew on her cup of cider, dispersing the steam before taking a sip. "I love the nutmeg in this."

The blue-eyed boy scooted a little closer to her. "I'm glad everyone likes my mom's recipe. It's one of the few things I remember how to make." He suddenly turned bashful. "My dad said cooking wasn't manly. I was always with him in the shop instead of helping my mom in the kitchen. But every Christmas I'd stay inside all day and cook with her. We made ham, bread, and enough dessert to feed the neighborhood. Her cider was always my favorite, though. The smell got me out of bed on Christmas morning."

"Are you going to see your family during winter break?" Rei asked.

Joe sighed. "Maybe. They've been saving up to fly me home since last month, but it's also insurance against horrible winter storms. Last year part of the roof collapsed on us, but me and Dad and the shop guys patched it up."

Rei's hand rose consolingly to his shoulder. Until that evening she had been under the assumption that Joe was just another rich boy rebelling against strict parents. She thought his decision to study environmental science was to spite the people who wanted him to become a politician, but now she knew better. His parents weren't wealthy and haughty at all, just a hard-working couple who'd raised a very down-to-earth son.

Mamoru saw the look they were sharing and turned his attention to the blue-black skies above. Orion and Taurus shone brightly while Leo glimmered near the horizon, and after staring for a few minutes he caught the faint flicker of a shooting star. He wondered why they were called that when they weren't actually stars, just space debris burning up in the atmosphere. Yet only when one was firmly on the ground did the fragments of comet Tempel-Tuttle become something to marvel at. Usagi sidled up to him. "I didn't realize how close this place is to the beach. We should walk down there later." Her suggestion earned a nod.

Nicholas lay on his stomach, a pillow for Makoto as she draped herself across his broad shoulders. Ami sat between her and Zach who kept swatting at Mina's toes as she tickled his lower back. Eventually she gave up and leaned sideways to rest her head against Kaelan's chest. His heart skipped a beat, then he wrapped an arm around her and sought out her left hand, a little surprised and confused when she laced their fingers. Guess she didn't hate him.

The sky gave an unspoken command for them to remain silent. Nobody said a word for the first hour, but then the shooting stars started coming more frequently. Breaths of awe were punctuated by shouts of excitement when a particularly bright meteoroid lanced through the heavens. "I think this is a good time to make a wish!" Usagi hopped to her feet. "C'mon, Mamo-chan!" She led him down the overgrown path to the beach, holding his hand tightly in case she tripped on a tree root. The path reached a steep cliff and became a set of stairs slick with moss, but Usagi raced down them anyway. She picked her way across the rocky shore and came to a stop at the water's edge, letting waves brush her shoes while she stared upward. The meteoroids fell at a rate of at least ten every few seconds, a celestial downpour across the northern hemisphere.

"Usako, look at the water!" Mamoru squeezed her hand as she gasped at the rippling reflection of the sky. The meteor shower seemed just beyond her reach. If she took a step forward it would be like standing in a field of starlight…

Mamoru freed himself from the mesmerizing sight just in time to prevent Usagi from entering the water. He tugged her backward with unintentional strength, causing her to release a surprised squeak. He caught her in his arms and for a moment they were still, Mamoru taking deep breaths to quell his surge of fear as Usagi blinked to bring her surroundings into focus. She craned her neck to look up at his face. "What was that for, Mamo-chan?"

"You were about to… You almost…" He shook his head. "That water is ice cold, Usako! What were you thinking?"

"I… I don't know." Her brow furrowed as she rotated in his arms. "For a second I thought it'd be like floating in space with stars all around me." She also shook her head. "That's crazy, isn't it?"

"Completely crazy," Mamoru agreed. "You would have gotten hypothermia in no time at all."

Usagi laughed at her own stupidity before gazing out at the Sound again. There weren't as many shooting stars now, but a mere minute ago the sky had blazed with streaks of white light. She sighed, wondering if she was a little out of it due to stressing over midterms, and realized how tightly Mamoru held her. She flattened her palm against his chest, feeling his adrenaline-fueled heart beginning to calm. His arms relaxed but he didn't let her go just yet. She wasn't sure if she wanted him to.

"Usako, don't move," Mamoru suddenly spoke.

"Why? What is it?" Her eyes darted around the beach in search of a bear or cougar or some other ferocious animal, but she saw nothing. "What is it, Mamo-chan?"

He grinned at her. "Just hang on to me." She raised an eyebrow as he went to the water's edge, rolled up a jacket sleeve, and plunged his hand into the waves.

"What are you doing?" When he didn't answer she grabbed onto the waistband of his black pants, finding she actually had to hold him back as he stretched even farther over the water. "What are you looking for?" she demanded.

Mamoru straightened, making them both stagger. "This!" He shook off the saltwater and his fingers unfurled to reveal a round, shimmering object. Usagi's eyes widened as he frowned. "Oh, I thought it was a shell."

She laughed at how disappointed he sounded. "It's beautiful, Mamo-chan! The prettiest makeup compact I've ever seen!" She gingerly took it from his hand and wiped away the remaining granules of sand. "It's so smooth and shiny. I can't remember what this material is."

"Nacre, better known as mother-of-pearl," Mamoru provided. The compact glistened with a mixture of ivory, ecru, and silver hues, and he'd only spotted it because it was buried in the sand about four feet from where they stood.

Usagi ran a finger along the compact's slight lip. It had to be an antique, maybe from the Victorian era, and she wondered how it had washed up near shore. Perhaps it was a family heirloom someone lost while sailing out to the ocean, in which case she wanted to return it to its rightful owner. 'But Luna came to me just as mysteriously, and she didn't have an owner…' Her thumb unconsciously slipped beneath the edge of the lid and popped it open.

A smooth white stone streaked with every color of the rainbow sat in the center of the compact. The lid was lined with reflective silver, like a natural mirror, and something fell into her palm a split second after Usagi opened it. She pinched a delicate silver chain and held it at eye level. The pendant was a thin conical version of the stone in the compact, opaque white with rainbow streaks spiraling down it. With great effort she tore her eyes from the bauble to give Mamoru an incredulous look. "Do you really want me to have this? It's probably worth hundreds of dollars."

"I don't need hundreds of dollars." He plucked the trinket from her fingers and fastened it around her neck. Even against her snow-white sweater the stone stood out, and he thought the hint of blue was the exact same shade as her eyes. "I would rather see you smile."

"Mamo-chan…" She blushed and turned from his intense gaze. His eyes were as dark as the waves lapping at the shore and just as compelling, making her nervous about what might happen if she kept staring into them. So many odd things were occurring lately that Usagi wondered if she were experiencing a very realistic, prolonged dream. Mamoru seemed to be changing into someone much different than the boy she'd met at Amabie two months ago. He held his head a little higher and his shoulders back. He no longer looked at the ground when he spoke. Usagi reasoned he wanted the makeover to project his confidence. He had entrusted her with the task of transforming his exterior to match the self-assured young man he had become on the inside, leaving the awkward boy behind.

The young man before Usagi seriously considered kissing her. She was the one who had fostered his newfound self-acceptance, the one who taught him that he had to love himself before loving others. He wasn't sure if his feelings for her were that profound yet, but his heart always skipped a beat when he saw her. Her smile made him glow and the slightest touch lingered on his skin like a ghostly breath, and he was beginning to desire something more tangible. Mamoru realized that Usagi was shivering and quickly dismissed all notions of romantic gestures. "Let's go back," he said, holding her hand again. "You can warm up by the fire."

She nodded and fell into step beside him. As they approached the gazebo she noticed there were only two people nestled among the blankets where Nicholas appeared to be asleep. "Where did everyone go?" Usagi inquired.

Makoto pushed herself into a sitting position. "Oh, let's see… I'm pretty sure Mina and Kaelan went to bang as soon as you two left, Rei and Joe went to the conservatory to talk about medicinal plants, and I'm not sure where Ami and Zach disappeared to."

"And you didn't want to get out of the cold?" Usagi refrained from making a joke about Nicholas keeping her warm.

"I figured it'd be mean to leave this guy all alone outside, so I was waiting for you to come back." She shook him between the shoulder blades. "Time to wake up, sleeping beauty."

Nicholas gave a deep groan and rolled over, rubbing his eyes. "Agh, I didn't mean to pass out on every…" He lifted his head to look around. "Where is everybody?"

"They left," Makoto answered, "and I don't blame them 'cause it's freezing out here!" She shivered after separating from his body heat.

"Help me up," he said, holding an arm in the air. Makoto wrapped her long fingers around his wrist and tugged, easily bringing him to his feet. Nicholas yawned and stretched, then the four of them gathered the blankets and pillows and returned to the cozy interior of the mansion.

"Do you ever get angry with Mina?" Zach asked. He flopped onto his canopy bed to stare at the fabric while Ami stood next to his computer desk. They had come to his room so she could read some of the script for The Last Heart, which she had expressed more than a little interest in.

Her sepia eyes flicked from the paper to him. "Angry about what?"

"This can't be the first time she's gone off with some guy and left you alone." Zach watched her reaction carefully, but to his surprise she just smiled.

"You're right, it's not. But for once I'm not alone. I have more friends now, so there's nothing to be upset about." She paused, almost grinning. "I wonder what she would think if she knew I was in your room."

Zach flashed his smile-smirk. "Probably that we're up to no good… Or rather, up to something very good." Ami actually laughed, hiding her pink cheeks behind the sheaf of papers, and he was encouraged that she found his innuendo amusing. He got up, opened his door, and cleared his throat. "Oh, Ami!" he shouted down the hall, "You are the light of my life, the fire of my loins!" He looked at her expectantly.

"Oh, Zacharie, you have bewitched me, body and soul! I never wish to be parted from you from this day on!"

He closed the door when Mina stepped out of Kaelan's room, snickering. "She actually heard us!"

A moment later there was a knock on the door. "Ami-chan? Are you okay in there?"

"I'm fine! Just looking at Zach's collection of classic literature," she answered.

"Oh, okay. For a second I thought…" Ami giggled as she trailed off. "Never mind, I know he's not your type."

"You are absolutely right about that." She listened to Mina's footsteps venture back down the hall before shooting the boy a look of triumph.

"What did she say?" he asked, since their exchange was in Japanese.

"She wondered if you had seduced me and I told her you weren't my type." Ami turned her nose in the air at such an absurd notion.

Her smugness shifted to apprehension when something dark flickered across Zach's visage. Although he was only four inches taller than her, his hazel eyes became shadowed when he ducked his head and were as cold as the smile gracing his lips. He crossed the room quickly and silently, like a graceful predator. Ami reflexively stepped back but the desk prevented her retreat.

"What makes you believe that, exactly?" Zach came to a stop once the buttons of their jeans were touching. "Do you mean to say that I don't have the ability to seduce you, or that you are simply repulsed by me?"

"I don't mean either of those things," Ami said evenly. "I'm just not like you or Mina. I'm not interested in hooking up."

"But it's not hooking up if there's a connection," he returned, "and we have one." Ami only shook her head, holding her ground as he encroached upon her lips. "Don't believe me? Let me kiss you and you'll definitely feel it."

"No!" She tried to push him away but he caught her hands and held them against his chest. Ami was surprised to feel a calm, steady heartbeat. "Why are you like this, Zach?" He quirked an eyebrow. "One minute we're having a normal conversation and the next you're trying to coerce me into sleeping with you! I don't… I'd never do that. I could never have sex with someone I don't know as well as myself."

Ami blushed while Zach looked her up and down a few times, then he backed off with an almost sly smile on his face. He interpreted this to mean they had to become friends first before he had a real chance at fucking her. Normally he would have given up and focused his attention on someone else long ago, but Ami was worth the wait. "I understand," Zach spoke. "I promise you'll never hear me say anything remotely sexual to you from now on." He hunched his shoulders and donned his best sheepish grin. "It's been a really long time since I was just friends with a girl."

"Oh, well… thank you." Ami placed her hand on the doorknob and paused, glancing over her shoulder at Zach. He certainly looked sincere, like he really did want to try being friends, but she couldn't stifle her suspicion that he had just enacted some scheme to seduce her. Ami was confident she could see through it, though; she was intelligent and intuitive with an eye for even the subtlest details. Zach was simply not clever enough to pull one over her.