Chapter 10: The Elegance of a River

We stepped off the bus and into the hot, late morning sun. Suddenly I was glad to be in my swimsuit and a skirt; those jeans would have had me frying! The canoes were already being unloaded. Our job, for the moment, was to transfer our belongings into smaller water proof bags. There was basically enough space for my sleeping bag, a towel, a change of clothes, and my pajamas. I'd had enough trouble surviving on my backpack for two weeks—how I was going to make it through with just this little bag tucked in between the seats of the canoe was completely and utterly beyond me.

"That necklace really is beautiful on you Ichigo," said Zakuro softly as we packed.

"Did he give it to you?"

I blushed and nodded slowly. She smiled gently at me and promised not to tease.

"How do you feel about him?"

"It's hard to say," I finally replied.

"He cares a lot about you. It's very obvious."

"Do you really think so," I replied, lost in thought. My hand found its way to the pendant around my neck and caressed it. Just having something there was so soothing. Zakuro looked at me for a moment and then nodded.

It was true: Ryou had tried to conceal his feelings for the past year, but they could see it… Even I had started to notice it after a while I just didn't want to see it. He always did his best to encourage my relationship with Aoyama; he saw how happy Aoyama made me. The sacrifices he made by keeping quiet. Suddenly I thought back on all the clues I had overlooked in the past year. I never even gave him a chance. I felt horrible. I glanced over at him; his golden hair shrouded his face as he leaned over his own bag packing.

"Ichigo," said Zakuro kindly. "Follow your heart. It hasn't steered you wrong yet." I looked at her and smiled happily. It was about this time that Mint came over and told us it was time to go.

This is so boring, I thought as we floated down the river. Ryou was lying and relaxing in the back of the canoe. I gritted my teeth. And he has the nerve to call me lazy! I dug my paddle in and splashed him with the cold river water.

"What'd you do that for," he snapped.

"Because I'm not going to float out here in complete silence every time we're between rapids."

"And splashing me was more effective than striking up conversation?" I blushed and apologized. He leaned back again and told me to go ahead. I had his attention. I thought for a moment. I knew what I wanted to talk to him about… what I didn't know was how to bring it up.

"It'll have to wait," he said sitting up again. The sound of rushing water was just ahead and the river was rapidly growing choppy. This was it; the first rapid, a level 1.5. Ami had told us the first two were little ones… the third and last rapid of the day was going to be much more difficult, a level 3. He asked me if I was ready. I nodded nervously, checking my helmet and life vest one last time. I went from my sitting position to my knees and began paddling. My job at the front of the canoe was to provide speed. His in the back was to steer.

The first spritz of water against my face was exhilarating. "Rock left," I called to Ryou as I paddled harder to give him the necessary speed to turn. After several twist, turns, and jumps we floated softly back into calm waters.

"That was incredible." I brushed my wet bangs away from my eyes before turning to smile at Ryou. He blushed slightly before smiling back. I looked back to see Purin and Retasu floating down the rapids after us, followed by their canoe. The others seemed to have made it through okay though.

"That was fun!" laughed Purin as we helped them back in. She grabbed the side of our canoe.

"Purin wait!" I cried out. "You're gonna make us-!" SPLASH

Ryou and I both popped up at the same time and looked at each other. Then we looked at Retasu and Purin. And then… the four of us started laughing.

"Go into the Eddy," called Ami as she and Akasaka-sama appeared, followed shortly by Mint and Zakuro. We dragged our canoes and paddles over to the little Eddy on the right side of the river. The shallow, still water gave us the perfect spot to get back in.

The thrill, though exhilarating, was very short. There had been a moment of fear, followed by a rush of adrenaline; it left me more than ready for the next one. Ami pulled up beside us to make sure we were okay before we set out for the next two rapids.

"Hey, Ichigo," I turned to Ryou as we floated along on the calm waters. "What did you want to talk to me about earlier?"

"It's nothing," I said softly. He looked at me curiously.

"It's pretty out here…" I was startled by the comment. "What do you think Strawberry?"

"You're asking me what I think?" He scowled at me for that and called me a baka-strawberry. I decided to let it slide.

"It's beautiful… The colors in the sunset… the wind whispering through the trees in a soft lullaby at night… The trickling of water adding to the medley…" He was looking at me funny. "What?"

"I didn't know you were so poetic," he teased. I pouted and turned away. I felt his hand on my chin, turning me back to him. "Don't pout," he whispered. "You're much prettier when you smile." I blushed a deep hue.

"Ryou," I whispered… Our eyes met and I could feel my heart pounding through my chest. He was pulling me closer, his fingers caressing my cheek… I leaned into the touch instinctually and then…

"EVERY ONE PULL OVER FOR LUNCH," called Ami. Startled, he returned to his seat and began to steer us to the shore. With a sigh I began to paddle… Why did our friends have such bad timing?