Blue hitched her bag higher up on her shoulder before crossing the street to the small restaurant across the street from the library. The hands on her watch said it was 5:30 already, but in truth her watch was ten minutes fast. Usually setting things farther ahead than they really were kept Blue on time.

A bell tinkled somewhere when Blue pushed open the door and walked into the small restaurant. The atmosphere was dark and slightly smoky, because people were smoking at the bar, but otherwise the place gave off a very pleasant vibe. Tsume waved at her as much as it was possible for him to without looking silly. He was sitting at a small table that wasn't in the corner of the restaurant, but was a bit away from the rest of the tables, most of which were empty.

"Wow, you're early," Tsume said as Blue sat down.

"Yeah," Blue smiled and set her bag at her feet. "Tiffany let me off a few minutes early. No one really comes to the library near closing time, so we head out early sometimes."

Blue glanced around the restaurant a little bit more, noticing the decor this time. Various old posters and license plates hung on the wall. It seemed as if everything that was used for decoration was antique, and if not it would be in about five years.

"I know the place is a little dim, but it's pretty mellow here," said Tsume. Tsume could practically smell Blue's tension.

"Oh," Blue flushed. "I've just never liked dark places much. I mean, the vibe from the place is good, but I've never liked dark rooms much. Probably has something to do with some childhood thing."

Tsume nodded just as the waitress came to their table, handing them menus and taking orders for drinks. Blue ordered a Sprite while Tsume ordered a Coke. The waitress left and returned quickly with their drinks, then went to assist the other tables. Blue flipped open her menu and scanned down the page.

"So what kind of stuff do they serve here?" she asked. "Like if you had to put it into a category."

Tsume shrugged. "Honestly, a little bit of everything. The burgers are really good, but if you don't like burgers, they have really awesome chicken strips."

Blue took a sip of her Sprite and continued to read the menu. Spicy chicken strips, mild chicken strips, or plain chicken strips. All came with blue cheese, celery, ketchup and fries, and they all cost the same amount. Of course, on the other page there was a variety of soups, pretty much the same soups that you find at any restaurant, but the salads looked totally unique. They had a spicy chicken salad, a Santa Fe salad, and even an Asian chicken salad with almonds and mandarin oranges.

"I'm so torn," Blue laughed. "Everything sounds really good."

Tsume smiled. "Well it's a good thing you work across the street. Maybe you'll get to try everything someday."

"I just might." Blue looked over the menu one more time. "You know, I think I want the Asian chicken salad."

Tsume raised an eyebrow. "That's it? Geez, girls don't each much when they're with guys, do they?"

"No, really, it isn't the amount of food girls worry about," said Blue. "It's the messiness of the food. Normally, I would get the spicy chicken strips, but that can be classified as messy. Salads are just safer."

Tsume folded up his menu and set it aside. "Girls really are complicated, aren't they?"

"I guess if you don't think like one." Blue shrugged. "There are a lot of rules when you're a girl."

"Like what?" asked Tsume. "I mean, I'm not as dumb as most guys, and hey, neither is Hige, but I never thought girls had rules."

"Well, it's because they're unspoken rules," explained Blue. "You know, rules of common courtesy. Like if you have a friend who likes a guy, then you meet him and he decides he likes you, it's against the rules to date him without consulting your friend who liked him first because she had dibs. And," Blue added, "if she hadn't met him first, then you wouldn't know him. But even if your friend says it's ok to date the guy, it's a bit dangerous to do."

"I see," Tsume said. A look of concentration crossed his face, so Blue decided not to say anything, although she really wanted to know what he was thinking about. Before she could ask, the waitress came back.

"What can I get you?" she asked with a smile, but it was a tired smile.

"Um, I'll have the Asian chicken salad and a side of fries please," Blue said with a smile.

"And you, sir?" The waitress turned to Tsume.

"The double bacon cheeseburger for me," he said.

"And would you like fries or baked potato?"

"Fries," Tsume nodded.

"Alrighty," the waitress picked up their menus. "Your food will be out to you soon."

"Thanks," said Blue as the waitress left.

Tsume waited until the waitress was out of earshot before continuing his and Blue's conversation.

"So, what do the rules say about dating a friends ex?" Tsume asked.

"Depends on the closeness of the friend, depends on the guy, how long they dated," Blue listed, ticking each statement off on her fingers. "Really, the rules are guidelines. Not many are really set in stone, so you have to use your judgement."

"Ah," Tsume nodded. "Well, lets say I were to ask you out. Since I dated Christie, who is your friend, would I not be an option?"

Blue felt her face flush and her stomach jump, but was glad for the first time that the whole place was rather dim. When Blue blushed, she blushed. "I didn't know you dated Christie."

"It was a while ago, but before you met her."

"Well, then I'm technically allowed to," Blue thought about the situation. "And since she dated Hige, she isn't allowed to give me flack if I were to date you."

"Interesting."

"Why did you ask?" asked Blue.

Tsume shrugged. "I dunno, maybe because I like you."

"Why would you like me?" Blue took a sip of her Sprite to calm her stomach. This situation was nerve wrecking, especially after what Hige had told her on the phone a few days ago. Blue was not the most trusting of males at the moment.

"Because you're cute, you're nice, but you're tough and can handle yourself," said Tsume. "You saw how Christie acted with Hige. That kind of behavior bugs me."

Blue twirled a piece of her hair around her finger. It had become a nervous habit lately and she wasn't quite sure where it had come from. "Well, what if I were to tell you I like you, but I'm still in love with Hige?"

"As in you would leave me for him if he came back for you? Or you're just always going to love him because he was your first?" Tsume asked while Blue blushed furiously enough to be seen even in the dim lights.

"The last one," Blue's voice shook with embarrassment. "And how did you know about that?"

"I didn't. Lucky guess." Tsume shrugged. "But if you were to tell me that you were still in love with Hige, but wouldn't leave me for him, then that would be okay. I would just have to make you fall in love with me instead."

Blue laughed. "Well, he was my first real love, and from what I hear, girls always have a tender spot for their first loves."

"I can believe that. Besides," Tsume took a drink of his Coke. "You really can't replace the first love someone's ever had. It sucks to compete with that, though. I mean, would you ever date Hige again?"

"I would," replied Blue. "But I wouldn't break up with someone for him. That's just wrong. And besides, he had his chance. If he asks me when I'm single, then I'd consider it, but not while I'm dating someone else."

Tsume nodded. "He doesn't quite know what he gave up, does he?"

Blue smiled and felt her heartbeat race. "Well, I like to think that I'm something not worth giving up."

"You are. You deserve the best guy out there. I'd be that guy if you'd let me." Tsume extended his hand to the middle of the table, palm up towards Blue.

Blue hesitated, then extended her own. "I think I'd like that."

A/N: So, I think this will be the last chapter. (Hides from various flying objects) Maybe I'll write a sequel! Ok, odds are I will, because in my heart Blue and Hige will always be together. However, since Hige is being difficult right now (Only because I made him be...oops.) I think this is a good place to end the story. At least this one. Mwahaha! Not to mention I gotta get back to working on Oasis, my Naruto fanfiction. .

Anyways, leave reviews, and keep on the lookout for a new Wolf's Rain story! I promise there will be one.

Aeorith