Chapter Five: Like a Moth to a Flame

For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been.'

-John Greenleaf Whittier

Friday hadn't been any less odd than Thursday had been. All the new boys and even a few of the old ones were giving her more attention than she really wanted. Her friends continued to make comments that she should ask the more polite than most Lezard out somewhere. Albel hadn't messed with her anymore at least, but he did keep staring at her in such a way she had the idea he wanted to eat her alive.

It was very nerve wracking anytime he passed nearby, more than it had been the day prior and she was relieved that he at least only stared instead of speaking to her. She doubted she could have summoned the bravado of the slap again.

Lezard was very polite as usual and even helped her by proofreading her essay she'd worked on all Thursday evening writing for Mythology class. She really didn't want to have homework so she'd have the chance to go and enjoy herself.

She met another two of the new kids, a shorter grumpy blond kid and a taller girl that was more polite. They'd introduced themselves as Ed and Winry. Ed wore gloves like a couple of the other new students but had seemed more down to earth, albeit a little energetic, than most of the rest did. Thankfully unlike the other new boys he seemed to have some sort of relationship with the girl and didn't stare at her like a lost puppy whenever she was around.

Those were the only other two she'd had the chance to meet, they'd sat with them at lunch and got the general information about the now growing bash at the beach that weekend. As it was looking people were planning to take camping gear or go back on Sunday and it was going to be a full weekend event. Definitely not the small group of friends she'd originally envisioned but it was becoming pretty clear her friends weren't going to let her snake out of it.

By the time the day ended and she'd deflected dozens of gossip questions about her and a lot of the new students being closer than appropriate she was glad that Eri had a club activity and wouldn't be riding home with her today. It wasn't quiet exactly, but it was a healthy break from the constant chatter she'd been dealing with. Ishida had apparently also had a club event and so being able to just sit by herself and think was nice.

She didn't have too much homework, she'd managed to finish it all already in her classes except her math. With Ishida coming to help her with it Sunday it left her with not just the next day free for at least part of the big event but also her Friday night.

"I haven't had a Friday night without homework or being sick in months. Maybe I should go catch a movie." She pondered to herself as she enjoyed the peace of someone not chattering in her ears. "Or just rent one and sit at home with some popcorn. Mom usually works late, Souta has Kendo practice and Grandpa goes down to the center to play Majong. Having the house completely to myself would definitely be a good way to unwind."

The more she thought about it the more the idea seemed appealing. She'd spent so much time lately thinking about boys that maybe an action flick would give her a break, generally she liked the romantic comedy thing but it seemed like her life was quickly becoming one.

A small sigh before she picked up her bag and got off the train at her stop. She started up the stairs as the train pulled off again. It was gone quick and left her with more of the quiet she was so desperately seeking.

Quiet she doubted she would get when her hairs started to stand on end.

Even though she knew he was there a moment before he spoke she still jumped and stumbled when he did.

"Sort of a strange place to call home shivers." Albel caught her before she fell with one hand and pulled her back up, he wasn't even looking at her directly, instead eyeing over the stairs and what he could make out of the shrine.

"W...what are you doing here?" She tugged her arm free after she was steady and stared in horrified disbelief at the demon eyed man standing lazily at her home.

His head snapped back over when she pulled her arm free of his hand, crimson gaze wild but curious. "Something I was wondering myself."

"What the hell does that mean?" Kagome blinked at him without saying it out loud. "Is he here to get back at me? He caught me when I was gonna fall down...but I really never wanted him to know where I live." Was he on the train? I didn't see him.

"Right back to it then." He observed and then snorted, as if he were mildly disgusted. "Just a brief mishap when you slapped me then? If you have nothing to back up being interesting then why?"

"Why what?" He was sounding far more angry than Kagome liked and keeping him talking might at least help her understand what the hell he wanted.

"Why am I drawn to you like a moth to the flame?" He commented then shrugged with a small sneer. "Come on...you do live up in this hovel right?"

"You are here because...?" Kagome left it hanging in open invitation and didn't move a inch from her fifth step perch, she was ready to bolt if she needed to. She had no intention of going up to the shrine with him or letting him near her house if she could help it.

"I like fire." He shrugged again nonchalantly then paused on his step when she didn't follow. Turning slowly and a nefarious grin spreading slowly across his face. "Are you going to run away?"

"Maybe." She answered warily, backing up a couple steps and glancing around for a home or business where someone might be home but no cars she recognized were around. If she could keep him talking another train would arrive in fifteen minutes or so. "I didn't invite you here...why are you following me?

"I already answered that." His tone had been a tad excited but it took on a bored aspect. "Are you stupid as well as afraid shivers?"

"Don't call me that." She frowned just a little. "My name is Kagome."

He hopped down and was next to her before she could react to back up or run away, faster than she realized for certain. She swallowed as he seemed to pierce her eyes with his own fierce ruby gaze. "You reek of fear like the rest of the fools. Don't worry though, I already promised I'd be good. Unless you bore me too much I'm not going to hurt you."

"Much." He added in his own thoughts.

"I..I'd rather you not come to my house...what do you want?" She tried to get on the boat of figuring out what he was after so she could just get rid of him. It was difficult to be brave really, she could still sense that want for violence just beneath his surface.

"You." The answer was something that made her immediately blush and back away from him a few steps again, circling around so she wouldn't end up in the street but a little further up the sidewalk.

"You are crazy. You don't even know me. You met me two days ago." Kagome answered, this was all a bit too much. "I know they said he was a psychopath but now he's stalking me? I thought they might just be overdoing it but they don't even know how bad he is I bet. God, just keep him talking so you can get on the train.

""He walked after her slowly, measuredly, she started to remember Buyo when he was a little younger and sleeker, Albel was trailing her in such a manner that she was reminded of the way a cat might stalk it's prey.

If she hadn't been scared to death and convinced he was a complete mental case she might have found it beautiful. She had to admit it was almost pre natural the smoothness in his steps, for the first time she noticed she didn't hear him at all when he put his feet down.

"Is all of that suppose to matter?" He was still nonchalant when he asked the question, as if he wasn't at all concerned about any of the things she'd mentioned.

"Yes they do matter!" Kagome did her best to sound far braver than she felt. "You have to get to know people and who they are. Not just what they look like."

"I know that you are afraid of me, even if I say I won't hurt you. Which means you don't trust me." He commented, still walking after her very slowly. "I know that you have a temper that gives you at least temporary courage. I know you are the only creature to have ever vexed me like this."

"That's not what I meant. You can't just..." She was trying to sound brave and to reason but her voice squeaked just a little when she backed into the pavement wall around the building.

"He was just herding me...like a sheep. The realization was a bit stomach-turning considering he settled an arm to either side around her on the wall. She could have ducked and got away if he wasn't too quick, but she already knew he was faster than her and she was trapped like a deer and the headlights were his demonic gaze.

"Just what? Want something?" He asked with a smirk.

He leaned closer as if he were going to give her a full kiss but when she tensed and turned her head away from him he chuckled. She felt his lips brush over her neck instead and his nose trailed along her collarbone to her ear.

Her heart was about to stop from beating so hard she was certain. Then she heard him whisper. "I could make you shiver for an entirely different reason you know. Kagome."

Kagome hadn't even realized she'd been trembling until he said it. She stopped as she popped her eyes back open. It took her a few moments of not feeling him nearby, blinking slowly with a mixture of trepidation and confusion. Albel had moved away and was leaning on the wall a couple feet away looking at the sky.

She put a hand on her neck where it almost seemed to be burning lightly and rubbed in hopes of getting rid of the sensation of him touching her.

"Why are you doing this?" She definitely failed to sound brave that time, it seemed more like she was about to cry.

"Again shivers, I answered that one." He shrugged without looking down at her.

"Why did you stop?" She was thankful, but curious.

"It stopped being fun." He shrugged and smirked a bit to himself. "You didn't ask me to quit you know."

"I'm glad you did." She affirmed quickly before he got the wrong idea. "What do you want from me?"

"That was probably a bad question to ask..." She thought with a mental 'doh'. "I just gotta keep him talking a little longer. Why didn't I tell him to get the hell off me?"

"I want you out of my head." He glanced back to her and seemed to be looking her over contemplatively. "Whatever it is you are or you do...you've picked a bad person to make a target of."

"Make a target of what? You are welcome to leave and never come near me again." Kagome commented with a frown. "I think you have a screw loose. "You just keep attacking me...I'm not doing anything to you."

He laughed at that, it made her hairs return to standing on end. "Attacking you? A few words and a touch? You call me crazy shivers..."

"Stop calling me that." Kagome bristled a little, that bugged her so much.

"Stop trembling." A bit of a spark reached his eyes as she started to react. "If that's possible."

She could hear the train in the distance...thank goodness. Likely that helped bolster her reply. "Oh go to hell. It'll be a wonder of nature if you ever find anyone willing to put up with you."

"You seem to be doing stunningly well." She couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. "I suppose you wanna run off on the train when it arrives and be on your merry way then? Is that what's giving you your bravery? First your friends and now an escape route is it?"

Kagome was still backing away from him, the train should be there any second but he was still going on like a madman. She didn't care as long as she could get somewhere safe and tell cops where he was or anyone on board.

"I could just follow you...but that's more work than it's worth." He commented, he was still saying something else when she heard the brakes start to stop the train and thought she was fine.

Until he ran over and picked her up in such a fluid motion her eyes were seeing black dots from the speed. The sensation of being carried felt familiar but she had just started to hit his back and try to pull away with a scream when he set her down and slapped a hand over her mouth to cut off the scream.

"What the hell could I do against someone like that..." She thought frantically as her eyes widened when he put the hand over her mouth, still struggling against him though she thought it was a lost cause.

"Shut up fool! I'm not hurting you." He hissed, and she could tell he was angry now. When she didn't keep screaming but kept struggling he let her go and let her move several steps away.

"What the hell did you do?" She glanced at the long steps and him...the train had just stopped...he'd climbed all the steps while carrying her in the manner of seconds. "What are you anyway?"

She wasn't stupid, she was quickly adding up that whatever this guy was, normal wasn't a adjective that would apply.

"Have I hurt you?" Albel figured another approach might work better.

"....No." Kagome had to admit it was true. Even in the strange sprint up the stairs she'd only felt a little dizzy. It did make her feel a little better, though not much.

"Relax a little." He shook his head and frowned again at himself. "Damn maggots at the school are going to laugh their heads off at this."

"I'm not laughing and this isn't funny." Kagome was getting pissed again. "What the hell are you?"

"I can't talk about it." He answered her with a shrug. "I'm faster than most people."

"You think?" Kagome snapped. "Tell me what you want from me already, not all this crap about not knowing or whatever. Tell me what's going on that you can't leave me alone!"

She had balled her fists and was trying not to cry again, she was so frustrated and still pretty afraid but she was getting pretty angry.

He was quiet and seemed to be thinking, shaking his head finally. "I need to consider something. Don't bother calling anyone shivers...it'll just be worse for them and I figure cutting them up would bother you."

"What do you mean?" Kagome could barely believe what she was saying. "You kill people."

"Not usually people shivers." Albel grinned again at that and she was backing away again. "You know you are hard to behave around? The chase is one of the best parts of the whole hunt."

She stopped backing away when he said that. "He's not human then? No, can't be happening, he must be on some sort of drug or something...he's just trying to scare me more."

He nodded a little, and she noted him seeming to have a more relaxed posture when she wasn't backing away. "Please...I can help you find someone to get..."

"Don't start with that." He frowned and shook his head. "I don't need help."

"That's the lie of the century." Kagome thought back.

"You though..." He had just started to circle her again. "I don't know what to do about you...will you go with me tomorrow to the party?"

"Um...am I going to live tomorrow til the party?"

"What if I said it depended on your answer?" He smiled impishly.

"That wouldn't be a good way to get an honest answer." She wanted to try to reason with him, while he hadn't hurt her yet she doubted that the option was far away. She didn't want to date him at all.

"Feh." He snorted. "I'm not going to hurt you. I told you that."

"I'd rather not." Kagome bit her lip a bit, expecting him to blow up.

The way he stood there contemplatively might have been worse. "It's glasses isn't it? You like that sort of thing? Or is it the older guy thing? Maybe the dork thing..."

"Not that it's any of your business but I don't like anyone right now...I just wanna get to passing grades and not think about boys too much." Kagome answered. It wasn't all the truth but most of it was.

"But you hate me." He pointed out much like a statement. "You are afraid of me."

Kagome wasn't sure what to say, it took her a few moments to get something together. "I'm not too happy with you right now and yeah you are scaring the hell out of me yes but I don't hate you. I don't know you enough to hate you. I just...wish you weren't constantly frightening the hell out of me or confusing me or being rude. It's not really a good way to get to know people."

"I don't normally want to get to know people." He shrugged a little as if he were listening to how to better a routine than getting chewed out by a girl.

"He apparently likes me but he fails socially?" Kagome really really wished that he'd picked anyone else to worry about but she was vaguely curious about what he really was and what he could do. "I think I know what it feels like to walk a tight-rope without a net...but mine's just hanging over a open volcano..."

"Well stalking someone, that generally doesn't help." Kagome commented finally. "A name, likes, dislikes, common interests, usually you wanna be able to talk about those and other sorts of things to get to know someone better. Other friends, family, what you wanna do in life...hell what you like on your pizza. Walking up and..."

She instantly flushed as she thought about him running his nose along her skin and kissing him. She kicked herself when she saw him smirk.

"...and?" he prompted.

"...and doing what you do is wrong!" She finished animately. "I'm not going to the party with anyone tomorrow, I don't know if I'm going at all."

"Because of me." He canted his head curiously.

"Because a lot of people are sorta creeping me out lately with this sort of thing. But yeah you are sure part of that." She affirmed then winced a little as she realized how dangerous she was being talking to him like that.

"I'll not attend if you don't want me there shivers." Albel shrugged a bit. "Will you sit with me on Monday at lunch? Then we could...talk."

He said it like it was an awful thing and Kagome wanted to tell him no, but agreeing might be the only way to get safely though the weekend so she nodded slowly. "Okay...but no more kissing me."

"I'll do my best." He offered, smiling just a little. "I must run shivers...the others are gonna be pissed I told you stuff."

"Others?" Kagome asked nervously, but he'd already bounded off and was halfway down the steps. She closed her eyes and shivered. "Why do I feel I just won a game with death?"

End Chapter

I was looking forward to that chapter, though parts were really difficult to write. Some other faces will get screen time next update. Congrats to the folks that recognized Ed and Winry.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Shiroi - I never watched hakusho. I try not to get into too many series that are super long after Inuyasha and Bleach. They absorb my time.

Kage Otome - Kagome is a miko and she'll have power before too much longer but I can't say how. I think I like Albel a bit too much for how ebil he is, but damn it's a smexy evil.