Hey guys, it's been a while hasn't it? You have no idea how sorry I am that I let, I think a year, go by without updating this story, but my inspiration just seriously faded. But enough about that, the important thing is that the second chapter you guys have been wanting is finally here! Now as you know I'm making these characters my own here, so don't be surprised that the way they act/the things they say are very different from the manga/anime. The important thing is to enjoy the story right? Not to get caught up in the minute details. Anyway, enjoy the story...

Remember I don't own these characters...


"Transcending Aesthetics"

Chapter 2: Inadvertent Wisdom

"It's been a week since that day, has enough time passed? Should I ask her out on that walk now? What if she's changed her mind? Hmm…" Chad pondered aloud in his apartment.

"It's been a week since that day, hasn't enough time passed? Why hasn't he asked me out on that walk yet? Did he change his mind? Mm…" Tatsuki fretted quietly in her room.

*I need to clear my head; I'm going to take a walk.*

Chad locked the door to his apartment and headed toward the park to find a quiet spot where he could think in peace and hopefully find an answer to his dilemma.

*It shouldn't be this hard to determine when to ask her, after all she already agreed on the walk, so why should it matter when it is I ask her?* "Hmmm…" sighed Chad.

"Wow, that sure was a heavy sigh there Chad, something wrong?" asked Keigo who was sitting on a nearby bench as Chad happened to walk by.

"Keigo... No, nothing's wrong, just thinking."

"Oh? What about?"

"It's nothing, forget it."

"Hmm, judging by your reactions and, even vaguer than usual, responses, I'd say you have a girl problem."

"No, that's not it at all."

"You can't fool me Chad, the signs are all there."

"Okay, seems you're pretty astute regardless of your demeanor, yes I have a certain situation with a girl."

"Ha! See I knew it! You can't fool me Chad. So spill it, who is this girl?"

"Well, I can't do that Keigo, see we're not really in a relationship, we've yet to even go out on a date. That's beside the point though; you don't seem the type to keep it to yourself if I were to tell you, no offense."

"What is it with you people? No one gives me any respect around here! You know there is more than one side to me Chad…" Keigo remarked seriously.

*I've never seen Keigo make that expression before…* remarked Chad to himself. "Multi-faceted Keigo? That does sound a bit farfetched wouldn't you say? Then again, you were able to discern my predicament by simply reading my reactions…"

"Look, forget that, start off by telling me what problem it is you have with this girl, whether or not you decide to divulge her identity is entirely up to you."

"Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt to hear you out. Alright, here it goes. You see, I met this girl a week ago, I've seen her around school, but last week is the first time we've ever actually spoken to each other. Anyway, I saved her from a certain predicament and then escorted her home, as we were walking we started to connect a bit, and she's a wonderful girl, exceptionally beautiful as well. I let it slip out that I thought she was gorgeous, and really that's how I found myself in this predicament, I know she at least enjoys my company, but for some reason I'm still hesitant to ask her out like I promised her I would. Still, I've asked myself a few times already, whether she even remembers that engagement," Chad sighed.

"Wow, well that was certainly a mouthful Chad, but the solution could not be simpler. Just ask her out. You said it yourself that she's already agreed to it, so what's holding you back? I know this seems confusing since it's the first time it's happened to you, and I know the fears that come with this experience are certainly daunting, but you have to go for it man. Trust me, if you don't, you'll regret it…" Keigo advised.

"Hmm, that's pretty sound advice I suppose, though you're the last person I expected to hear it from, again no offense Keigo. Still, judging by your words I'd say you're pretty knowledgeable on this subject, may I ask how?"

"I know it's hard to believe because usually I go around acting like a jackass, but I've experienced love once myself Chad, and it's the most beautiful thing in the world…" replied Keigo, whose voice wavered.

"Are you okay Keigo? You're voice sounded a bit strained."

"Yeah, I'm fine, it's just that this subject made some old memories resurface for a bit… Oh Kaoru…" Keigo sighed.

"Hmm, Kaoru? Who's she?"

"She's the love of my life…"

"You have a girlfriend Keigo?"

"Had, she passed away last year," replied Keigo as an expression of sorrow washed over his face.

"Oh, I'm sorry…"

"Oh, it's okay, I'm the one that brought it up, I guess the wound still fresh…"

"What happened? Actually, forget I asked."

"It's okay… she was in a bad car accident, she was killed instantly… Her image is still permanently etched in my mind, sometimes I wish I could forget her, but it seems as though it's still too soon," Keigo replied amidst strained pauses.

"I had no idea… Do the others at school know?"

"They don't, and I work hard everyday to make sure they don't, hiding behind that obnoxious façade."

"So, your general demeanor, it's all an act?"

"That's right, I'd much rather be perceived as a fool than as a burden…"

"Sounds like you really loved her. I'm sorry for your loss, but you don't give us enough credit, no one would consider you a burden Keigo, not if they knew what happened. Hell if anything they consider you a burden now because they don't know there's a reason for your obnoxious attitude, were they to realize it's simply employed to mask your pain then they would no doubt understand you better and try to help you ease your sorrows. Keeping these feelings bottled up isn't good for your health, believe me. When my abuelo passed away I had plenty of conflicting emotions that I had to deal with, and I was able to once I had a good cry and talked about it with others. You should vent as well, and you'd have someone to vent to if you'd let them know that you're hurting," advised Chad.

"Ah, so there's wisdom hidden behind the stoicism?" Keigo joked. "You're right though, and I know you are, it's just difficult to talk about with others. I have cried though, but maybe it's as you said, until I cry about it with someone else present to console me I won't be able to rid myself of this burden…"

"It's been a day full of surprises for both of us it would seem, as I wasn't expecting such sound advice from you, but I'm glad I ran into you today, you've really helped me put things in perspective. As thanks for your help, I'll disclose her identity… it's Tatsuki," said Chad.

"Tatsuki huh? Well good luck Chad and I hope you find happiness with her comparable, or beyond, to what I had with Kaoru…" smiled Keigo.

"Thanks Keigo, and if you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me," replied Chad.

"Heh, you know if you'd have told me that a week ago I would've laughed…" said Keigo with a smirk as he walked away.

As the two parted ways they both left with a profound sense of satisfaction, as they had both, albeit inadvertently, found the answer to their respective dilemmas…

The sun was setting as Chad made his way upstairs to his apartment, as he approached it he saw a familiar form standing outside his apartment; it was Tatsuki, about to knock on the door.

"Hey Tatsuki, I was just about to call y-" was all Chad managed to say before getting shoved up against the wall, the strength of the shove knocking the wind out of him. *Man she's strong…* thought Chad as he gasped for breath.

"What's the matter with you Chad? It's been a week since you said you'd ask me out, and you've yet to call my house or approach me at school, even once! I thought you liked me…" said Tatsuki, her face flushed in a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

"I was about to-" groaned Chad before being interrupted once more by the strong girl in front of him.

"Forget it okay, I don't want to hear it, I guess this is what I get for opening up to someone…" Tatsuki trailed off. "I thought you were diff-" she began to say before a finger pressed up against her lips, silencing her.

"I'm sorry Tatsuki," said Chad in a raspy voice. "I didn't mean to make you feel neglected, I just had a lot on my mind, I wasn't even sure you remembered what went on that day. I tried to approach you at school, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it, and I tried to call your house, but I'd always end up hanging up after the second ring. I've just never felt like this before so I was a bit taken aback, and of course very nervous…"

"Oh Chad…" sighed Tatsuki.

"Let me finish," he interrupted. "Now that I know you do recall that day, and the promise I made you, I'd be honored if you let me take you out on that walk tomorrow. In fact, since it'll Saturday, we could just spend the whole day getting to know each other better."

"I'd like that Chad, very much," she replied, her expression now softened, her cheeks a light crimson.

As Chad looked down at her tender smile he wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in his warm embrace.

"Huh?" gasped Tatsuki.

"Of course I'll have to go get a check up at the Kurosaki clinic to see if my lungs didn't collapse from that shove…" Chad joked.

"Idiot," she replied as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Well, I should get home before my parents notice I snuck out…" said Tatsuki as they released each other from their embrace. "You'll call tomorrow right? You know what'll happen if you don't right?" she smirked.

Chad rubbed his chest a bit, it still stung, "All too well," he replied. "Just be sure you're by the phone, I'm not good at small talk…"

"Really? I wasn't aware…" she giggled. "Don't worry, I will be," she replied as she made her way downstairs and walked off toward her house.

Chad watched Tatsuki walk off until he lost sight of her once night enshrouded all of the surroundings in its opaque embrace. He made his way inside his apartment, laying down on his bed and closing his eyes.

Elsewhere, Tatsuki snuck back inside her room, her parents none the wiser, she turned off the light and lay down on her bed to rest up for tomorrow.

As they both drifted off to sleep, one last thought flashed across their minds…

*Tomorrow will be a great day.*

Again, sorry it took so long folks, but lack of inspiration is seriously a bitch... =_=

As for chapter 3, well, needless to say it'll probably be a while, so I hope this can tide you guys over until then. I will try to shorten the length of your wait considerably this time, to make up for such a long wait for this chapter.

Oh yeah, and remember to review! That tells me that you guys are still following the story and gives me more incentive to continue it...