Mushi mushi minna, Anya desu~(Hey guys, it's Anya)!
Ah, another wonderful chapter of Washed Away with the Rain, which is probably the shortest chapter yet (excluding the prologue). I'm currently deciding how long I'll make this, I don't want to drag it out too much and I don't want to make it too short. So please, enjoy~!
Also, thanks to everyone who reviews! You guys give me the extra energy to write! For some reason I just can't stop writing this, I find myself writing in all the spare time that I have, and it's unbelievable :O! I've never had a story I've enjoyed writing as much as this one.

Chapter Eight

Ikuto and I were in the grocery store near the produce section. The bear Ikuto had won for me was sitting in the baby seat part of the grocery cart. Since it was a pretty small bear, I had to block the two leg holes with groceries so the bear wouldn't fall out. I accepted the bear from Ikuto, but a part of me still regretted it. I was happy to have the bear, but it made my heart feel confused. Ever since I met Ikuto my heart has been in turmoil, becoming completely indecisive over and over again. I had no idea what I was going to do anymore.

"You owe me dinner." Ikuto told me bluntly while putting some carrots into the cart.

"Excuse me?" I raised an eyebrow. My arms were folded on the cart's handle and my chin was resting on top of my arms. The rest of me lazily leaned against the cart, trying not to make it move but still trying to relax itself.

Ikuto ripped a plastic bag from a roll that was hanging above the broccoli stash. He began comparing apples and throwing the good ones into the bag. "I won a bear for you, paid for your breakfast, let you spend the night, and I even fed you dinner; the least you can do is make me dinner."

He made a point there. I, however, was not giving in so easily. "Bite me. I'm not making you dinner."

Ikuto put the bag of apples into the car and walked over to me. He leaned over so he was level with my face. He inched himself closer; his face was right beside mine. I stared at him with an irritated look on my face. I thought that the best way to deal with it was to show him that it didn't bother me; like they tell you in kindergarten: if they know it doesn't bother you, then they'll eventually stop.

Within seconds he was right next to my ear. What was he planning on doing, whispering into my ear? Of course, he did something that completely shocked me. I felt solid teeth secure themselves around my earlobe. My blood was beginning to boil.

"What do you think you're doing?" I snapped at him, pushing him away from me. I stood up straight; I was totally on guard now.

Ikuto shrugged and replied coolly, "You told me to bite you."

As people around us began to whisper I blushed with embarrassment. I snapped, "It's an expression!"

"Whatever." He sighed, pushing the cart away. "By the way, you're making me stew for dinner."

We went around the entire grocery store getting whatever we needed for beef stew and then anything that Ikuto could eat once I was gone. I made sure he got plenty of band-aids and aspirin; I even hooked him up with a first-aid kit just in case anyone got hurt while in his house. Eventually we got everything we needed, and we were able to get to the grocery line without any troubles. Although I didn't want to go back to Ikuto's house to cook him dinner, I felt obliged to. He had been so nice to me and all, so I wanted to at least return the favor.

The lady at the check stand was a total flirt. She constantly twirled her curly red-brown hair and blushed as she spoke to Ikuto, trying to seem casual. She had freckles specked all over her cheeks and nose, and they looked ugly with the constant blush.

"So, is this your little sister?" She asked while looking over to me.

I raised an eyebrow. Sure, Ikuto and I had similar apathetic personalities, but we looked nothing alike. Our hair color and eye colors were practically opposites and our physical features were way too different.

Ikuto put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in a little closer. He smiled smugly and replied, "My future girlfriend."

I pushed him away and said coolly, "In your dreams."

The girl checking us out seemed slightly disappointed. Her blush faded when Ikuto had put his arm around me, but her hope seemed to be rejuvenated once I had rejected him. Once she had finished checking us out, she seemed completely disappointed. She acted as if she wanted Ikuto to be in her check line forever.

Walking home was slightly rough due to the heavy plastic bags we had to carry in our hands. Ikuto's house wasn't too far from the grocery store, but it was hard, considering that we bought a ton of groceries. We passed through town square again. A lot more kids were out, now. My heart somewhat ached as I realized how jealous I truly was. I always tried telling myself that I didn't need or want friends, but sometimes I wished that I did have friends. I tried not to think about it often, but the topic seemed to be coming up every day.

I was completely relieved when we arrived at Ikuto's house, although I knew that I shouldn't be. After putting all of the groceries away, I started preparing dinner. Beef stew didn't take too long to prepare, considering the way I made it, but since I started at noon I may not be able to eat with Ikuto.

Ikuto plopped down onto the couch and said, "If you need any help, feel free to ask." He flipped on the television, watching some drama series that was showing reruns.

I got to cooking immediately. I had everything that I needed, and I was going to be sure that there were leftovers so Ikuto wouldn't have to complain about not having anything to eat, not like there was a chance I was going to talk to him again.

While peeling potatoes, my mind began to wander. I really didn't want to get involved with Ikuto any further, it would be best for both of us. I decided that after that night, once we had both eaten dinner, I was going to cut off all of my connections with Ikuto. My life was twisting and turning, and I didn't want that. I knew Ikuto probably didn't have any ill intentions, but this life just didn't work out for me. I didn't want to be hurt, not again.

You're so selfish, it's disgusting, I told myself in my head. I replied to myself, I can't help it, I'm just a selfish person.

"Ow!" I looked at my finger. The peeler had accidentally slipped and sliced my finger. Blood began to ooze out of the wound, and it begun to sting like hell.

"What's up?" Ikuto was on the opposite side of the counter in a flash. He looked at my finger and said, "You're really clumsy."

"Thanks for the update…" I replied sarcastically.

He grabbed my hand and put my finger in his mouth, trying to clean off the blood. I had heard girls from my class squeal about this kind of stuff happening in dramas and movies, but I had never actually expected it to happen in real life. My cheeks immediately began blushing lightly, and my heart was beating faster and faster. My body had no idea how to react to this. Was I supposed to be mad? Frustrated? Perhaps I was supposed to be happy? I felt his tongue move over the cut in one slow movement. The feeling was both sensational and soothing at the same time.

He took my finger out of his mouth and said, "I'll get the first-aid kit."

I looked at my finger once he had left. It was still slightly moist from when he had tried to clean my wound. Blood was oozing out again, but this time it wasn't oozing out as quickly as before. My heart began to beat from the memory of Ikuto licking it clean. I felt myself wanting more, and I wanted it to stay like that. I wanted him—

"No!" I whispered to myself. I shoved my finger underneath the sink and rinsed it off with warm water. It was soothing, even more soothing than Ikuto's method, but not as sensational. I brought my finger out from underneath the water and stared at it. I looked at it with a determined face and promised myself something. I promised myself that no matter what happened during dinner, I was not going to get attached to or fall in love with Tsukiyomi Ikuto, no way in hell!

Will Amu really cut off all of her ties with Ikuto? Or will she have a change of heart and end up accepting Ikuto? Being expecting chapter nine: 'As the Rain Ends This, My Heart's Confusion.'

Until next time!

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