A.N/: Hello everyone! I'm back! To those who thought I was dead, well...I'm not.
Anyway, I know writing 'sorry' a thousand times wouldn't be enough to make all of you forgive my lateness but still: I'm sorry to have made you wait for two month.
Hopefully those who don't want me dead right now will still read this chapter and enjoy it.^^"
~ Special thanks to Link Fangirl01 who helped me getting out of my textbooks. ~
An overly excited yet anxious Rin leaned against the border of the bridge leading to the Moriyama's supply shop. For some reasons, Rin wouldn't risk it to go wait for his girlfriend on her doorstep, so he simply tried to seem patient, fidgeting and shielding his eyes from the afternoon's blazing sun.
After the whole mess that Saturday had been, Rin and his girlfriend -as he so proudly called her now- had agreed to meet again the next Monday so that he could walk with her to exorcism class. Even though it made Rin walk a lot more than he usually did –since he still didn't possess the precious key to the Moriyama's house- he didn't complain in the least, considering himself as the luckiest half demon on Earth to have a chance to spend extra minutes alone with Shiemi.
Rin looked at his watch for the fifth time since he had arrived. It was about five to three in the afternoon. They still had a couple of minutes left until class started but Rin found himself being more eager to see Shiemi than worried about being late for his brother's pharmacology class. And God knows how Yukio Okumura can scare the living spirit out of his pupils when they come late to his lessons…
Rin sighed as he adopted a more comfortable position against the bridge's stone edge. He listened to the wind, appreciating its cool yet not too cold breeze and the shy heat of the pale autumn sun on his skin. He could finally enjoy it now that he was free of all his anguish thoughts. He had somehow become used to it: finding himself thinking things through too much, being assaulted by depressing thoughts all the time, his feelings getting tangled and tearing him apart… Now he felt so free, so light. It was almost like he didn't have a worry in the world.
Maybe he didn't. Come to think of it: Nice weather, good grades, an adorable girlfriend he loved with all his heart… Well, there was this whole demon issue with the Vatican and the rest of his friends to make it up to but right now, staring at the clouds waiting for Shiemi, Rin couldn't be more at peace. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His tail swayed back and forth near his ankles, following the rhythm of his breath. He lost all sense of his surroundings for a brief moment. Nothing could disturb him in this happy state of mind.
Or so he thought.
"Riiiiiiiiiin!"
Said half-demon came out of his trance and briskly turned his head to find an appalled Shiemi running like a man woman towards him. The thing was, her eyes were tightly shut and she probably didn't have any idea whether she was already close enough to reach him or not. Therefore, before Rin even had time to call her name back, she violently collided with his side and sent them both flying to the hard ground.
"Ow man…" Rin closed his eyes and winced at the fierce pain coursing through his body and the back of his head. He had the instinctive urge to rub the soreness away with his hand but found himself unable to do so as something prevented him from all movement. 'Did I actually break some bones?' Rin wondered incredulously. He contemplated this theory and tried to experimentally bend his knee. Pain shot through his nerves at once and he clenched his teeth tighter. 'It sure feels like it…'
"Ouch…" A small voice interrupted his train of thoughts. He didn't have to open his eyes to recognize it as Shiemi's. "Oh Gosh Rin, are you alright?"
"I…Guess so." He tentatively cracked one eye open to look at her only to meet her green gaze and rosy cheeks right above him. 'Huh? How come is she so close? The only thing I remember is…Oh crap.'
It was only then that he realized the more than awkward position they were in. After bumping into her boyfriend, Shiemi had ended up on top of him with her legs straddling his waist and her hands on each side of his face. Her chest had been pressed against his and her head resting in the crook of his neck barely a minute ago. She now used her hands and knees to support herself as she towered above him, nonetheless remaining undeniably close. The perverted side of Rin couldn't help regretting that she was wearing a red kimono that day instead of the Academy's uniform.
'Dammit!' Rin scolded himself internally and felt his cheeks turn several shades of pink before settling on a red brighter than even Hell's fire. He looked up just long enough to notice Shiemi's were tainted the same color. She was so close. Time stopped like it so often did when he was with her and for a moment, it was just the two of them with no one else on Earth to bother them.
He relished in the feeling of her warm breath tickling his jaw. She replaced her hands with her elbows to support herself so that her heart beat against his, closer to him. He couldn't feel much of her skin, her kimono only let her small delicate hands come out and caress the hair at the back of his neck, the precise spot where he had felt pain a minute ago. They were both driven by instinct as Rin arched his neck slightly under her feather-soft touch and Shiemi very-excruciatingly- slowly leaned closer down to his face. Knowing exactly what his girlfriend had in mind, he began to close his eyes. There was less than an inch left in between their lips when they were rudely interrupted by a loud voice echoing in the direction Shiemi had come from.
"SHIEMIII!"
They froze stiff then stared wide eyed into each other's eyes. Shiemi gasped. Rin's blue orbs filled with genuine confusion and slight fear and her green ones with horror. She hastily stood up and Rin would have voiced his disappointment with a groan had she not immediately grabbed his hand to yank him across the bridge running.
Shiemi let out whimpers of fright between clenched teeth and tightened her grasp on his hand when they heard the voice shouting her name once more. "Quick Rin! Hurry!"
They finally reached the small tower at the other end of the incredibly long bridge leading to the Exorcism supply shop. Shiemi fished her magic key out of her school bag's pocket and clumsily pushed it into the door's lock. As soon as they went through it, they were transported to the seemingly endless corridor of the Exorcism school.
Rin leaned flat against the door, panting as his girlfriend - much in the same exhausted state as him- attempted to catch her breath, her hands leaning on her knees for support.
She chuckled lightly after a while. Rin looked up and arched an eyebrow at her, trying to calm himself by ruffling his dark hair.
"What the heck was that mad rush for?"
Two words from Shiemi were enough for him to understand: "My mom."
"Oh…" He let his bangs fall on his face once more and hoped she didn't notice his scowl at the mention of her mother. For some reasons, he would rather avoid this subject.
"She wouldn't let me go out with you after school so we argued. In the end, I just ran off since it was getting late." Shiemi added further explanation.
'That was why she was in such a hurry…' Rin absent-mindedly looked at his old watch. Class had started ten minutes ago, at this point Yukio wouldn't be angrier because of five more minutes.
Shiemi was still talking about the row she had had with her mother. "…And so she told me all kinds of horrible things about you and it made me so mad! I mean, she doesn't know you at all! She thinks you're dangerous because you're a half demon but that's not true!" Her cheeks turned a little pinker as she added with a sweet smile. "You're you, just Rin and that's all."
He shyly returned her smile, a soft blush creeping on his face. "Thanks."
She giggled and took his hand in hers "I don't care what she says, I'm still going anyway."
He blinked in surprise. "You're sure?"
"Overprotective mother or not, I wouldn't miss your cooking for anything in the world!" She exclaimed, beaming.
With her eyes were closed for a split moment, she couldn't be prepared for Rin swiftly pulling on her hand to bring her closer and give her a small peck on the lips. A bit shocked, Shiemi only just had time to respond to his kiss as he pulled away after a couple of seconds. When she looked up, she found he was smirking.
"I…I guess we should go to class now…" She had to say it, even though it completely broke the mood.
"Four eyes is gonna tear us into pieces anyway, you're sure you wanna go?" Rin inquired, pouting slightly.
She nodded "We have to."
He sighed heavily, giving up. "Alright…" He gave her hand a squeeze and led them to the pharmacology classroom where Yukio's tortures awaited them.
When they reached the door, Shiemi couldn't help but ask "Don't you get a special treatment? You know, since Yukio is your twin brother?"
"Remember it's Yukio we're talking about here." Shiemi let out an anxious giggle and Rin swallowed hard before turning the door knob and entering the classroom.
All eyes were on the couple. Students looked at them the way you watch a deer as it is about to get shot buy a hunter hidden behind the bushes. Yukio studied them like the hunter he was as he aimed to shoot.
A dark aura surrounded him as his dreadfully calm voice dripped with venom and sent chills up the couple's spines. "Mr Okumura…Miss Moriyama…Can you explain to me the reason why you are both late in my class?"
And so the torture began…
"Wow man, I'm surprised you survived the interrogation unscathed!"
"You're sure they are unscathed?"
Neither Shima's or Izumo's voice reached their ears. Rin and Shiemi looked like ghosts, worse, it was as though their souls had been ripped out of their bodies. They stared into the distance, eyes empty, like they couldn't even see what was before them anymore. They remained motionless on their seats on the front row.
Pharmacology class was now over and the Exwires had a fifteen minute break before Shura would come in with her trusted beer cans for the next lesson. Curious at their two friend's state after Yukio's tortures, Konekomaru and Renzo had approached their table. Izumo preferred commenting from afar and Ryuji was still engulfed in one of his text books.
"Well at least they're still alive!" Renzo tried to convince the dark haired tamer.
"Stop saying stupid things Shima." Ryuji said in a warning tone his childhood friend knew too well.
"By the way, do you think Rin and Shiemi are friends again? Maybe something happened this weekend?" Koneko changed the subject, still observing the two as if analyzing them. Rin and Shiemi were basically 'out cold' so there was no better moment to talk about them than now. Izumo blushed brightly, remembering last Saturday's events. She quickly grabbed a book and used it to hide her red face, nonetheless discreetly peeking at the scene before her.
"Why do you say that Koneko?" Renzo asked, scratching his head and watching out for any signs that Ryuji would stand up and punch him.
"They're sitting next to each other again."
A murmur of understanding escaped Renzo and the other two who also paid close attention to the conversation.
"Well observed Koneko…" the pink haired bonze rubbed his chin and looked at his friend with admiration.
"It's a pretty obvious thing to notice besides, since they're all zombie like…" He paused. "Maybe we should do something…"
"You're right!" Renzo cut in then lowered his voice to whisper in the shorter boy's ear, a perverted look on his face. "I could use this to my advantage and finally make Izumo-chan jealous!"
"Wha…What are you…?" Konekomaru didn't have time to ask what the pink haired playboy had in mind as Renzo stood in front of Shiemi, only the wooden desk between them. Since she was slightly bent on the desk and Renzo also leaned down closer to her, there were only a few inches separating the two.
"I'll wake up my princess from her deep slumber with a magic kiss of love!~" Renzo exclaimed.
The other three let out a loud "WHAT!?" as they stood up, completely aghast. Renzo's determination was only increased when he noticed Izumo reacting so he leaned forward until…
"HANDS OFF MY GIRLFRIEND YOU PERVERTED JERK!"
Still making some kind of duck face, the pink haired 'prince' opened eyes as wide as saucers when a sucker punch landed on his jaw and sent him flying to the floor, rolling until he bumped his head hard against the teacher's desk. He started mumbling nonsense with a stupid smile still present on his face.
"Heheh…Did I save the princess mama?~"
"HELL NO YOU DIDN'T!" Rin was now fully awake and ready to go beat the crap out of the idiot who thought he could lay a hand on his girlfriend.
"HEY! Calm down already!" Ryuji was fast enough to react and restrain the feral Rin. 'Somehow, I always knew this would happen sooner or later' he thought.
Konekomaru was quickly checking Renzo for any really bad injury but finding none except an abundantly bleeding nose, he looked at him tiredly and stood up, readjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "He deserved it, though I guess that'll be enough Rin."
"Let me at him!" The half demon snarled, struggling against Ryuji's iron grip.
"Tsk…Boys…" Izumo sighed in her corner.
"You shut up Kamiki!" Ryuji yelled at the one girl who managed to make him explode with two words.
"ALL OF YOU CALM DOWN!"
Konekomaru's outburst managed to silence them all and for a while only Renzo's stupid giggles and the sound of Coal-tars flying around could be heard.
"Hmm…What's going on?"
Rin immediately recognized the small voice that broke the silence again. He got out of Ryuji's loosening grip and approached Shiemi who was sleepily rubbing her eyes. When she opened them again she stared at him questioningly.
"It's nothing, I think everything's settled now." He cast an annoyed look behind him at Renzo before returning his gaze to hers.
She nodded and smiled sweetly up at him. "I'm glad."
"Hey, seems like you two are friends again." Ryuji smirked behind the couple, earning their attention. "Nice to see you settled things, what happened this weekend?" Although it was a genuine question, Rin and Shiemi blushed madly and could only stutter incoherent answers.
"You got it all wrong, idiot." Everyone turned to Izumo who gazed at them with an indifferent look, only the slightest tinge of pink on her cheeks betrayed her true thoughts.
"What? What are you…?" Ryuji questioned, still unable to stand being called an idiot by this eyebrow freak.
"She's right Ryuji." Konekomaru added.
The leader of the Kyoto trio turned around flabbergasted. He could not believe this, was the smartest of his two childhood friends openly insulting him!? Rin and Shiemi silently exchanged puzzled looks.
Konekomaru continued, an amused smirk appearing on his face. "Actually when he woke up, Rin referred to Shiemi as his 'girlfriend', isn't that right?"
Rin blushed harder and shifted uncomfortably under his rival's incredulous stare. "Hum…Well, that's err…Yeah…" He trailed off, ruffling his bangs bashfully. He briefly noticed Shiemi hiding her face behind the long sleeves of her kimono.
A flawless silence ensued. Izumo recalled the memories of what she had observed last Saturday and almost let a 'kyaaa!' escape her mouth when she imagined all the things that must have happened afterwards between Rin and Shiemi. Konekomaru was grinning proudly at the effect this 'revelation' had had on Ryuji since he was still staring soundlessly at the two with his mouth agape. The couple was way too embarrassed to say anything so Shiemi just stared at the floor and Rin kept ruffling his bangs again and again.
"Heheh…The princess is saved! Youhou!" Renzo put an end to the silence as he was still in a complete daze. The Exwires all wanted to do a facepalm at his stupid behavior.
"Maybe we should do something about him?" Shiemi tried, looking at her classmates' blank faces one after the other. Her gaze lingered a bit on Rin's, to which he smirked widely before answering in synch with all the others.
"No way."
Shiemi argued but gave up eventually when Rin whispered something into her ear that Izumo would later beg her to tell. Shura entered the classroom soon afterwards to find Renzo slumped against her desk, looking as though he was about to cry.
He slurred "Am I in the Friend-zone?"
THE END!
Final A.N/: Here it is, this was the last chapter of "Friend-Zoned" (which finally came out...)!
First of all, this wasn't my first fic but it was by far the one that received the most feedback. By the time I'm tiping this, "Friend-Zoned" has already exceeded 7,000 views! This all thanks to you so thank you so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting and following this story!
It was a real pleasure reading all your reviews guys! If by any chance someone is still reading this years later, please do leave a review! I always apreciate to hear what you think and I swear I'll still read them!
Also, since you have waited patiently for so long, I might add a little bonus chapter to this story that will explain Rin's 'reasons' for staying away from Shiemi's mother. Stay tuned, I'll (hopefully) post it soon!
Happy New Year to Everyone! Maybe (and I hope) some of you will keep reading my stories so this isn't really goodbye!^_^
Everyone, thank you so much! 3