Hello everyone! Sorry it's been a while since I've updated. Its summer and I have a lot of time on my hands and get lazy. Keep me motivated and on track with reviews. Enjoy (9 pages guys!). :)

I was thinking of taking out the first part but just decided 'fuck it!'


I woke up the next morning to Shion shaking me awake yelling something about breakfast. I pushed him away from me along with a line of profanities. He just told me I shouldn't use that type of language and that I should hurry before breakfast got cold.

Inukashi's parents were as cool as parents could get. They are very laidback and act a lot like teenagers themselves; the only time I ever saw them worked up was when it came to their dogs. They liked me enough me too. They believe that children should learn from experience so they allow their daughter to do as she pleases as long as she stays out of legal trouble. I commend them for their parenting style.

When I walk into the kitchen, they greet me with a warm 'good morning' and a plate of hot food. Inukashi is leaving the table as I'm sitting down.

"Good morning sweetheart." I greet her with a smile.

"Good morning fuckhead." She says back to me with the same mocking smile I gave her.

"Enough you two." Shion says sitting next to me.

Inukashi and I both give the same annoyed 'tch' before continuing what we were going to do.

There are a few quiet moments as I begin to eat. Inukashi's parents join as at the table. They ask Shion a few questions being that they have never had the boy in their house before. He answers them sincerely with a smile. I look away from him before I puke up my breakfast. Inukashi comes back carry something in a blanket and a bottle. She sits down next to Shion and uncovers what she is holding.

"A puppy!" Shion squeals like a child.

Inukashi is holding a small tan colored puppy in her arms. He is probably a few days old because his eyes are still closed.

"Cute, isn't he?" Inukashi's mother says proudly.

"Adorable. May I hold him?" Shion asks Inukashi.

"You have to be careful." Inukashi says.

She cautiously places the puppy in Shion's arms. He grabs the puppy firmly without hurting it. Inukashi then proceeds to feed it with the bottle she was holding.

It doesn't take long for Shion to offer his help. Inukashi's parents jump at the offer and after dishes are washed we are outside washing dogs. I sit in the shade as I watch Shion and Inukashi work. It takes most of the day being that all the dogs are big breeds. Inukashi would bitch at me every other dog for not helping. Shion seemed to be enjoying himself and the dogs seemed to like him too. It's late in the afternoon when we finally leave Inukashi's house. Shion promises to come back soon and help again. Inukashi's parents are thrilled.

"Today was fun." Shion says as we start driving back to his house.

"If you like washing dogs, then you can say it was." I say back.

"I like them. The dogs are all so sweet. It's too bad my mom is allergic or I would have as many dogs as Inukashi does. I like her parents too. They're honest, hardworking people."

"I can't argue there." I agree. Inukashi's parents have almost become like a second family to me.

Shion gives me a big smile.

It doesn't take long for us to reach Shion's house.

"Thank you Nezumi. I had a nice time this weekend." Shion says as I stop in front of his house.

"Think nothing of it but don't expect me to do this again." I say with glare.

Shion just smiles. "I wouldn't dream of it. See you tomorrow." He says closing his door.

I wait until Shion enters his house before going home.

It's not late but I'm tried. I get home and quickly make a small pot of soup. My parents called while I was away to say they would be gone for few more week. I go upstairs and take a shower before heading to my room. I grab a random book on my way to my bed. I let myself sink into the mattress before I start reading. I read for about an hour before sleep becomes too overbearing. My last thoughts are of Shion. He is still as strange as ever. He is still ghostlike and yet so prominent. I still don't know why I agreed to take him with me. God, I'm an idiot! Hopefully this will all blow over and become a far-away memory. Come tomorrow we'll be back to our regular lives. He'll be the straight-A class president who everyone admires and I'll be the town's least likely to live pass twenty.

The week starts the way I least wanted it to. Somehow, Shion now considers us 'friends.' He just started walking next to me out of nowhere, greeted me as if he had every day. I noticed people staring at us. He didn't seem to. It just got worse after that. Unlike last week when he joined Inukashi and me during lunch, he was already sitting at our table when we arrived, huge smile and all. At the end of the day, he walked with me outside asking about my day. I wanted to punch him in the face so bad but there were too many people around.

The week continues that way. At first it is too overwhelming. Inukashi had to stop me at one point before I tackled Shion down and killed him. After a while, all his talking and questioning became background sound. I was even able to start reading during lunch while he just babbled on and on with Inukashi.

Other students continued to stare at us as well. I noticed this from day one. Shion seemed to be completely oblivious to all the strange faces our fellow classmates gave us. I wasn't surprised really. What was the star child doing with the soon-to-be deadbeat? I would let people watch as long as they didn't start talking shit. I was used to getting all kinds of unfriendly looks.

It's Friday (the most sacred day of the week if you ask me). With the week being over I would think Shion would give me a break from his constant presence but he is already sitting at my regular lunch table with Inukashi. I sigh and walk up to the table as slowly as possible.

"Hello Nezumi! How was your English test?" Shion asks as I sit down.

"Easy as cake." I answer him. English had to be my best subject.

"Cocky." Inukashi smirks.

"Says the one who was trying to cheat." I smirk back.

Inukashi tries thinking of a smart comeback but she just sticks her tongue out at me and a 'fuck you.' I give a triumphant laugh.

Lunch goes as it had for the past week. I would never admit but I had almost gotten used to it even if it had only been a week.

"Shion!" a female voice calls. She sounds a bit angry.

We all look up to see vice-president Safu walking towards us. She looks pissed.

Safu has to the most intelligent girl I have ever met. She has been best friends with Shion since before he got sick. She is president of nearly all the school's clubs. She takes no bullshit from anyone and I really like that about her. As for her looks, I've seen better. She dresses like a grandmother and is way too pushy.

"Safu, what are you doing here?" Shion asks.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I've been looking for you everywhere!" Safu practically yells at him.

"What for? We don't have any club meetings." Shion says unfazed.

Safu's face is that of surprised. "It's Friday! Don't you remember what we always do on Fridays?"

Shion thinks for a moment. "Ah, it's our movie night. I completely forgot."

Safu's face turns stunned and then angry. She takes Shion by his wrist and pulls him away. He tries telling her to stop but it's no use – hell has no fury like a woman's scorn.

I laugh. This is really makes up for all of Shion's annoyances this week.

"I just have to hear what she says to him. Keep my seat warm, 'kay?" I say to Inukashi.

"You're such an asshole." Inukashi sticks out her tongue again.

I bow and walk in the same direction Safu and Shion did. They didn't go far. Just behind the cafeteria. I stop at the corner so they don't see me.

"How can you forget, Shion? We've had this tradition since we were little kids." Safu says exhaust.

"I'm sorry." Shion apologizes, "I've just had a lot on my mind recently."

Safu sighs. "Like what? Like you said you haven't had any club meeting and even if it is our senior year it is only starting."

"I know. It's just-I've-I can't-"Shion stumbles to find words.

"Is it about what I said?"

"No!" Shion answers back immediately. Now this I have to hear.

"I know how it must be weird for you but I really do mean what I said. I really do love you Shion, and more than a friend." Safu says.

"I-I know that. I understand it's just…you know I don't feel the same way. You know I have feels for someone else." Shion says.

"I know."

"So…can we cancel movie night just for tonight?" Shion asks.

"Yeah." Safu sounds sad. "But you owe me double next week." Her voice picks up a little.

There the sound of someone getting punched.

"Ow! Okay, fine, just don't hit me. That hurt!" Shion says.

Safu gives a small laugh. "That's what you get for not taking boxing classes with me. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay." Shion replies.

I take that as my cue to leave and push off against the wall to walk away. I decide I don't want to go back to the lunch table and head to the roof. I need to analyze what I just heard.

On the roof I sit against the railing and look up at the sky. It's pretty clear for a fall day.

I think about Shion and Safu's conversation. Everyone knew that they were close; you could consider them unrelated siblings. Without a doubt they loved each other but now their love was unequal, too different types. Safu loves Shion romantically while Shion has romantic feelings for someone else. It really isn't all that strange. In a small town like this it isn't so bizarre that best friends eventually get married.

The thing that got me was that Shion likes someone else. It isn't that I'm jealous. It's more like I'm interested. I doubt the boy knows anything about love or sex. I doubt he had ever read a romantic book because he wanted to. We read Romeo and Juliet in the ninth grade because it was required. I doubt he would have picked it because he was simply curious and had an actual interest in Shakespeare. Shion is just a lost cause with other things other than Calculus and Psychology.

I sigh and stretch as I hear the bell ring. A few more classes and then I get to go home.

"Shit." I curse under my breath.

The sky was absolutely clear during lunch and the weather cast had said nothing about rain but it was raining now. It wasn't a major storm but it was still raining hard enough that you would get wet whether you ran or not.

I lean against wall and decide to wait until it clears up a little.

"Hey there Nezumi." A voice calls.

I see Shion walking towards me. He has his usual smile even though he is carrying three large textbooks.

I give him a quick nod to let him know I acknowledge his presence.

"What are you waiting for?" he asks.

I give him an annoyed 'tch'. "I don't know if you've noticed but it's raining cats and dogs outside."

"Ah, that makes sense." He says. He drops his books next to me to dig through his backpack. It takes him a minute but he finds what he is searching for. "I have an umbrella. I'll trade you a semi-dry walk to your car if you give me a ride home."

I almost wanted to laugh. Here Shion was making deals. "Okay then." I say standing up. "But not to your house. I have to drive all the way down south just to come back up again and I'm not doing that in this weather."

"Okay. Just let me tell my mom real quick."

He takes out his cell phone and calls his mother. It doesn't take him long which is a little surprising. I expected him to tell her over and over how much he loved her and how he'll miss her for a night.

We're standing outside now. It really should be raining cats and dogs. Shion tells me to carry at least one of his books so that he can hold the umbrella. I resist at first but give in and end up carrying two.

It's isn't a far walk but we had to walk slowly. I entered through the passenger door and crawled to the driver's seat dropping Shion's books in the process; Shion followed shortly after. Once the door is closed, I turned on the heater and backed out the parking lot.

"So what happened to your movie night with Safu?" I ask.

"Oh, um, well, we decided to cancel it." Shion answers.

"Why?" I ask.

I can see Shion's face getting a little red. "It's none of your business."

I laugh. "You don't have to get so defensive. I was just asking."

"I'm sorry." he sighs.

We reach my house shortly after.

"Let me go open the door and I'll come back for you." I say.

"Okay." Shion hands me his umbrella.

I go open the front door and come back to get Shion. He already has his books and backpack in his hands. Once inside, I turn on the lights and lead him to the living room.

"You're house is nice." He comments.

"Thank my mother." I say back.

Shion sits on the couch placing his books on the coffee table. I settle on making some soup to warm us up. My Macbeth soup should do. I head towards the kitchen and start cooking.

"Smells good." Shion suddenly appears.

My reaction is minor but I still hope he didn't see it. "Thanks."

"What kind of soup is it?" he asks.

"Macbeth soup." I say holding my arms bent over my head with my fingers like claws.

"What's in it?" Shion asks.

"Oh, you know; just your usual eyeball of newt, frog fingers, and batwings."

"What?" Shion now sounds surprised.

I laugh. "I'm kidding. There's some carrots, celery, and potatoes. I promise I didn't put anything weird in it."

Shion breathes a sigh of relief. I laugh again. He is simply too gullible.

After a few more minutes the soup is done and we're eating in the living room. It's starting to rain a bit harder now.

"This is absolutely delicious!" Shion compliments.

"Thanks." I say.

We eat in silence. It isn't awkward. It's almost pleasant. It really is different from Shion's constant chatter at lunch and I'm really grateful for that.

"I'm going to take a shower. You can go after me." I say while we were washing the dishes.

"Okay but I don't have an extra set of clothes." Shion says.

"I'll let you borrow some."

He nods and smiles. His smile has gotten less annoying now that I think about it.

I go upstairs. "Don't break anything." I call.

"I won't!" Shion calls back.

My shower is quick. I don't want to take too much time while Shion is downstairs doing God knows what. A speedy dry and change of clothes and I'm back downstairs. Shion is just sitting on the floor with a book in his lap.

"Shower's free." I say.

"Okay." Shion says turning around to face me.

"I didn't know you used glasses." I comment sitting on the couch.

"They're just reading glasses. My vision is a little bad because my eyes are red. The lack of color exposes my blood vessels to more sunlight than the average person." He explains.

"Oh."

He smiles and places his book down before going upstairs. I sigh and sink into the couch before I get up again to search for a change of clothes for Shion. I dig through one of the boxes my mother keeps of old clothes to donate to Goodwill. I knock on the bathroom before entering.

"Here Shion. I found you-"I start.

"Nezumi!" Shion gasps.

He is only in his boxers staring at himself in the mirror.

I take this as a chance to make fun of him. "So you like staring at yourself in mirror, eh?" I smirk.

"It's not that!" Shion yells.

"It sure looks like that way."

"Stop it!"

"Hm? Found yourself alluring? Think you're sexy?" I tease.

"Stop!" Shion clutches his ears trying to silence me out.

"I can still talk louder you know!"I yell taking a step towards him.

"Stop Nezumi!"

I stand back and rub my chin as if examining him. "Now that I think about it, you really are pretty sexy, especially with that red scar of yours'."

"Stop!"

"It's almost like a red snake. It's quite charming." I say in a low voice near his ear.

"Enough!" Shion pushes me back.

I'm ready to jump at him and give him a piece of my mind when I see he is close to tears.

"Shion?" I ask.

"You think I like this? That I choose this?" he is angry and screaming with every ounce of his rage.

"Shion, wait-"I take a step forward.

"No! You wait!" he points a finger at me. "I hate this! My eyes, my hair, and especially my scar! I look like an absolute freak! Sometimes I wish I would have died!"

His last statement hits me. He would rather be dead. "You're an idiot!" I yell at him.

"What?"

"You heard me! There are so many kids and families out there who aren't as lucky as you, who have lost people they loved! How do you think you're mother and Safu would feel if they heard you say that? You're mother quit her job so that she could take care of you! Safu missed so many days of school that they almost held her back! You should wear that scar like a medal! It's fucking proof that you fucking survived!"

Shion looks away. I could see that he is crying though. He should be. He should ashamed of what he said.

"Shion, look at me." I say in a much softer voice than before.

He shakes his head no. I grab his chin between my forefinger and thumb and force his face upward.

"Open your eyes." I command.

After a few seconds, he does what I said. It's the first time I notice how red his eyes really are.

"Don't be ashamed of how you look." I say in a stern but soft tone. "You are lucky to be alive and should love yourself. How do you expect anyone to love you if you can't even love yourself? You're beautiful and I mean it. Treasure yourself more."

He gives a small nod. I let go of him and place the clothes I brought him in his hands. I leave without another word. I feel ten pounds heavier as I walk back downstairs. Shion is just so exhausting. I sink into the sofa the moment I sit down and sigh. I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose.

After I don't know how long, Shion appears. He still looks a little shaken up.

"I'm sorry." he says.

"For what?" I ask.

"You're right. I shouldn't say such stupid things. If my mother or Safu heard, it would break their hearts. From now on I'm going to be thankful because I'm alive."

I give him a small smile. Finally he is talking sense. "Yeah, well, I'm sorry for teasing you. I guess I took a bit too far."

"It's fine. You told me I'm beautiful and that made me happy." He smiles widely.

I stop in my tracks. Out of everything I yelled at him he has to bring that up.

For the rest of the night, we do nothing exciting other than playing a few card games and watching late night television shows. Shion seems to be enjoying himself. He smiles and laughs a lot and he doesn't fail to give a reaction when I tease him.

When I turn to place our cups in the kitchen sink and come back, he is already asleep on the couch like a little kid. I check the clock on the wall and see that it is a little past twelve.

"What a kid." I murmur to myself.

I get a blanket out of the hall closet and throw it over Shion. He cuddles right into when he is fully covered. Almost cute. I turn off most of the lights before sitting back in the recliner. I stare into the darkness of my house. It's familiar and safe but it feels a bit off because Shion is here. I can hear his breathing, soft and even, as he sleeps.

Shion. He is just so frustrating and complicated. I understand how he can feel different, feel ugly, but to say you rather be dead is just unacceptable. After our fight, he apologizes and continues as if nothing has happened. He acted as if I haven't screamed at him. And before that, he said me calling him beautiful made him happy. Why did I say that? Did I really find Shion beautiful? I really don't have a preference when it comes to someone I like; if I like you, I like you. Did I like Shion? I really did think his features were alluring; his white hair, red eyes, and that snake of a scar.

I sigh and close my eyes. I need to get him out of my head.