Hey everyone! Sorry I took sooooo long to update... Well, I think it was long. Anyways, Just wanted to thank u guys for reviewing an stuff. Well, I really hope you enjoy this chapter and I'd be happy as hell if u reviewed! :)

Also, I forgot last time the disclaimers and I will probably forget in the future so yet the fact that I don't own air gear or Cold Stones will never changes... Anyways.. to make it clear.

Disclaimers: I do not own Air Gear and never will, if I did you'd know for sure as Kazu and Ikki wouldn't be able to be ten feet away from each other and I'd probably be a hella rich!

I want to thank:

TwinkleNood - Thanks so much for reviewing! I enjoy hearing all the comments! Also, thanks for saying my writings awesome. I really appreciate it, it gave me an ego boost and I continued! So, I hope you continue reading an stuff... Thanks again! :)

ranchan-akari - Hey... I can't thank you enough for review. I love hearing all your comments! :)I also agree there aren't enough Kazu fics.. As much as I like writing them I like reading them too... Also I was thinking about Kazu getting mobbed by one of those two... It would be funny... Mahaha *rubbing hands together while plotting evily* I love the part about Spitfire stalking Kazu too... Geez I'm acting like this is someone else's story and were gossiping about it... Anyways, thanks! And definitely go to Cold Stones! It's THE best ever! Get the Birthday Cake Remix... it's awesome an my fav!

Warmth

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Warmth, the quality, state or sensation of being warm; moderate and comfortable heat. Vehemence or intensity of emotion. Yet it can also mean enthusiasm, affection and kindness. It's a nice sensation, and it makes you feel welcome. Most families emit this warm feeling yet there are few who don't understand and supply this feeling. The opposite of warmth? Cold, icy, unwelcoming. Now this, this is an awful feeling and sometimes it gives out dark thoughts... Being warm is nice and something you should share with others as much as possible... And cold? Well, just look close and try to help those who can't shake the shivers.

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When I came to, I was still lying on the bathroom floor. The blood had stopped and I could feel the burning of the cuts. They were sore. I quickly stood up and found myself covered in my own blood. I started to clean the floor with a rag and once that was done and no traces of blood left, I stripped and stepped into a steaming hot shower.

It felt good and I washed away all dried blood. I got a good look at my wrists. The cuts weren't the worst ones I've ever done. To be honest I had much, much worse ones. After washing my hair and stuff, I shut off the water and stepped back out. I dried myself with a towel and was about to walk out when I noticed my blood stained clothes. I shoved them into a drawer and promised to sneak them in the next wash.

Chiwa was sitting outside my door, asleep, although he woke once I opened it and hit him by accident. He looked up at me wearily and I knew he was asking me why, why I did it. I turned my head and got dressed into my night clothes which consisted of a pair of track suit bottoms and a T-shirt.

I climbed into bed, tired, worn and probably suffering from blood loss. I was starving, having not eaten all day as I left this morning before my sister was up. I should have eaten the ice cream, I knew but I forgot about it.

I felt the bed sink slightly as another form jumped up to my bed. Chiwa didn't even twirl two times before he curled up next to me, resting his head on my chest. He was sad, I knew. He was the only one who knew about what I did, well, the only one left. Not even my parents knew, but then again they forgot about me half the time.

I felt tears stinging the back of my eyes. I wanted so desperately to let it all out. All my pain and anger and suffering. I wanted to break down and have help, be helped. I wanted someone to know and to understand and to be there when I needed them, but no one would be. If they knew what I did they'd try to stop me. I don't want to stop.

I curled up onto my side, and felt Chiwa get up and move to the side I was facing, spin two times before lying down. I could hear myself breathing heavily as I refused to let my body leak the salty tears. Crying wouldn't help me. Crying won't fix anything. I don't need to cry, it's useless.

After all, I haven't cried since I was five.

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When Ikki woke the next morning, he was once again relieved that there wasn't another certain black haired boy lying in there with him. He liked waking up alone and having his own time. Akito had gotten over his crush, if it could be called that, and was now dating Yayoi. He and Agito both loved her now and she accepted his dual personality.

Ikki slowly got out of bed and rubbed his eyes. He walked over to his bathroom and took a quick shower, as he remembered he had his meeting to get to. He was the leader after all. After dressing he rushed down stairs, downed a bowl of cereal and strapped his ATs on before racing out the door. When he arrived at the clearing in the middle of the close forest, everyone else was there, waiting for him.

"You're late." Emily stated.

"Yeah, well being a God an all, I come at my own time." Ikki bragged.

"So, what're we doing today? Running, climbing, fighting?" Buccha asked.

"Talking, and voting."

"Talking and voting... why?" Agito asked. Even though he and Ikki lived in the same house he rarely walked with Ikki anymore. Instead he walked to Yayoi's house and they walked to the meetings and school together, even though she wasn't part of the team.

"I want your opinions, on whether Kazu should become a member or not..." Everyone was silent.

"I say yes!" Emily chirped, Kazu becoming her crush from the first moment she saw him. He was just so kind and sweet, not to mention cute and definitely hot. He would be the perfect boyfriend, he was probably protective too! Soon Emily was lost in her daydream of Kazu swooping her up on a majestic white horse. Like a fairy tale.

"He's okay..." Onigiri mumbles unsurely. "So yeah, invite him if you want."

"I'm not so sure we can trust him..." Buccha announced.

"I say no. We don't know anything about the guy and he's not even that good." Agito spit.

"Well, it's two against two here." Yayoi said.

"What about you Ikki, I'm guessing you want him on the team." Agito said.

"Yeah. I think we should give him a chance. He seems okay and he's pretty good.. I think. I want to see what he can do." Ikki smiled.

"Okay I guess. We'll give him a chance."

"I still think he's worthless."

"Anyways... Meeting over. I'm going to go find our new member and make sure he knows the schedule. See ya!" With that, Ikki took off down the little path that had so many roots clawing at your ATs, it was hard not to fall. Everyone stared at the place he just occupied, blinking as his words finally registered.

"He does realize, Kazu has to say yes first, right?" Emily asked with a blank look.

"Heh, it's not like Ikki will ask anyways. He'll tell Kazu that he's now on our team." Buccha stated.

"No doubt about that!" Onigiri backed up.

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When Ikki found Kazu, he was pretty angry. He had searched the whole area, even Kazu's own house and he wasn't anywhere. But, he was surprise when he did find the young boy. He was sitting next to the junk yard, half asleep.

Ikki smirked as he snuck up on the boy. When he was close enough, he pounced and Kazu let out a yelp as he jumped in shock. When he finally got his bearings, he glared at the spiky haired boy who was currently laughing his guts out at him. Kazu smacked him on the arm, which only made him laugh harder.

"Stop it! That wasn't funny!" The blond boy growled.

"Yeah, yeah it was. Did you see how high you jumped! It was crazy funny." The brown haired boy responded. Kazu grumbled under his breath and lied back down on his back. Ikki joined him when he got control of his laughs.

He paused before speaking. "You consider me a friend... right?" The blond looked shocked by this statement, and unsure of how to answer. He was looking anywhere but at Ikki and it was starting to annoy the other boy.

"I... uh... I don't know... Are we?"

"I consider you my friend."

"Then, you're my friend too."

"I have a team, you know." Kazu looked shocked.

"You do?"

"Yeah. I'm the leader."

"It must be hard, having to protect everyone. What's it like... having people to protect?" Kazu sounded surprisingly sincere. And Ikki felt slightly honored, since he had met the boy, he realized that Kazu was slow to trust people. He was cautious. Yet here he was, asking Ikki such a deep question. He felt like Kazu trusted him.

"Just like it feels when, let say, one of your parents are hurt and suddenly, you get the call saying they're alright again. It's like that. That sense of relief that they're okay. It's a warm feeling inside of you." Ikki was surprised by his own words. Why was he acting so mushy! How come Kazu could bring this out of him, he only knew the kid a few days for God's sake! Yet, in those few days he made a friendship with the boy he wasn't sure he could stand losing.

"Heh... I've never felt that before, as far as I can remember." There was a slightly sad grin on the boys face, as he watched the sky.

"Well, do you want to be part of my team."

"Your team... with me in it... I-I don't know. I'd pro-probably just weigh you down..."

"No ya wouldn't. You're good. Even if they don't know it, I do. You're really good. I know you can ride the junk yard. I refuse to take the answer no from you!"

"Wha!"

"As of now, Kogarsumaru has another team member! Kazu!" Ikki cheered.

"I didn't say I-"

"Come on! You didn't get to try the ice cream yesterday. Lets go get some." Ikki cut the blond off, dragging him down the road. Kazu could barely keep up as Ikki seemed to be blind to the fact that there were no ATs in his feet, only black sneakers. So as Ikki skated along, Kazu stumbled.

"Ikki! Wait! I'm not wearing ATs!" The blond yelled as he struggled to get his small wrist free.

"WHAT!" Ikki shouted, not even glancing back.

"I said I'm not wearin- Ahh!" The inevitable happened as Ikki sped up and Kazu's feet lost their grip on the ground with the sudden jerk. Even though he could feel that Ikki hadn't let go of him, his eyes shut tightly as the ground came closer and closer. He waited for the pain, but none came.

"Geez Kazu! Next time tell me you have no ATs, don't try to do a stunt like that!" Ikki growled and Kazu, cautiously peeked one eye open and finding no danger, opened the other. He blinked as he looked up at the sky and the bottom of Ikki's head. It was only then he realized he was in his new friends arms, being carried... bridal style...

"Let me go! I'm fine!" He growled as he struggled to free himself from the tight grip.

"Well, we won't get there anytime soon if you have no ATs... I'll have to carry you." Kazu didn't like the ways Ikki was grinning.

"Or... I could stop by my house." He said as he jerked his thumb behind him... Pointing right at his house. He loved the way Ikki looked confused and then realization crossed his face as he finally caught on to how stupid he seemed a minute ago. Of course they would stop at Kazu's house.

"Come on." Kazu said as he walked up the the front door, Ikki right next to him. When Kazu opened the door to his house, Ikki was surprised Chiwa was there to greet them. Although it wasn't because the dog was at the door, it was because he wasn't with Kazu earlier. He hadn't seen Kazu without him before, why was the dog at home and Kazu out now?

He watched as the dog licked his masters fingers and rub his head against the hand, asking to be pet, which Kazu did like it was a narutal instinct to him. When Kazu sat down, Chiwa went over to his, sat beside him before starting to give his face a lick, which Kazu winced at.

"Chiwa." He heard Kazu growl under his breath, stopping Chiwa's tongue from lapping at his cheek again. Kazu strapped the ATs on his feet tightly before standing up.

"You're back early." A girls voice said from the hall and bother boys looked over in that direction to see Hino standing there. She was in a pair of jeans with a white T-shirt on and make-up.

"You going somewhere?" Kazu asked, ignoring her question.

"Yeah. I'm sorry Kazu but the only reason I've been home lately was because I took time off work so you could get settled in, but there's been an emergency and they need me right away. I'll be gone for a few days, unfortunately. But I left money under the silverware drawer. I should be back in two days the latest."

"Where do you work anyways?"

"At the local travel agency. It's only part time as I got to collage but I have to drive a bit away to meet with the next town over's agent. Needs to talk to me about something. I'll see you then. Don't forget to lock the doors behind you." With that, she walked out the door and got into her car, an over night bag tucked under her arm. She waved before driving away.

"Well, anyways. Ready to go!" Ikki asked. He felt slightly sad for Kazu, as his sister wouldn't be home for a little while but Kazu seemed fine, so he didn't worry about it. He, Kazu and Chiwa left the house, heading for Cold Stones.

When they got there, they ordered the same things as before. Kazu getting Chiwa an ice cream too. They once again sat outside, in the warm sun.

"Well." Ikki demanded.

"Well what?"

"Try it!" Ikki's posture was excited and he was acting like a five year old on christmas morning.

"Fine!" Kazu plunged his spoon into the cold treat and slowly pulled it back out. He held it in front of his mouth before slowly putting it in. His face immediately lightened up at how delicious it tasted. He took another bit, making sure it wasn't his imagination. It tasted just as good as the first time. The sweetness leaving a tingling taste on his tongue. "It-Its great!"

Ikki was surprised at how shocked Kazu looked. "Yeah, I know." And Ikki began eating his own ice cream. When they were finished they just relaxed for a while, lying on the grass of the park, staring at the blue sky. Chiwa was lying between them.

"So, when does training start?" Kazu questioned.

"Heh, tomorrow. Be ready by ten I'll come get you."

"Can't you just tell me where it is?"

"Too confusing. I'll pick you up."

"... Fine."

"So, you like it here?" Ikki asked.

"Yeah... It's okay. Takes a while to get use to, y'know."

"Probably a lot more open space... right."

"Yeah. And the towns so small."

"Well, we better be going. I'm going to my house. You wanna come?"

"Um... I don't th-think. Well... I.."

"Come on, my sister said she wants to see you again." The two headed off in the direction of Ikki's home. When they arrive Ikki sisters are there to greet them, all four of them waiting for Ikki to finally return and Kazu felt jealous. Because he never had someone waiting for him, he never had someone like Ikki does.

He never felt that warm feeling... The one when you know you're loved and you return it with equal enthusiasm. Well... He felt it once for a short time but now, it was gone along with the the sun that brought that warmth. All he was left with was the bitter cold of lost hope and a dark future. Yet, he couldn't help but think...

What else is new?

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Thats all for now. I hope it was up to snuff. Please review and thanks for reading.

Coolbluerocker.