Oh, this is the cute chapter. Sometimes, I write so much ahead of what I post that I forget what chapter has what in it. Anyways, this is one of the chapters that actually matches the genre label "romance" that this story has. There's a LOT of that planned for the future (unsurprisingly it's mostly gay) but also a LOT of other stuff and trauma, er, I mean drama... Ahem.

A small part of this chapter is a little bit spicy. 0_0'

Nearly two weeks had passed from the time they received the news about Doku-Kage and Tsume. Though they were saddened by Tsume's disappearance, they took some comfort from Seishin Ro's words. It took a while for Michiru to return to her usual self, but even after that, she continued to stay with Shota at night. One night, he went to her room instead, explaining that her room was nicer, so the two of them began to stay together in her room every night. Pan would often join them in the bed for a while before dashing out of the room for his nightly antics around the house while the two of them slept together contentedly.

…

One day, Jaz received a text message from Hizashi asking if he would like to hang out and meet up for lunch for the next day. Things had been a bit different between the two of them since that time they had been swallowed by the jagged lands, and Jaz had been just a tad more distant than usual. Nevertheless, he quickly agreed to meet up and was actually feeling eager the rest of the day and night.

The next day, they met up at the bus stop located about halfway between their two homes. Hizashi was waiting for him, leaning against the bus stop sign and listening to music on his phone with earbuds in. He smiled and removed the earbuds once he noticed Jaz step off the bus and approach him.

"Hey!"

"Hello. Where are we going?" He followed as Hizashi turned and began to walk along the sidewalk.

He removed the earbuds from his phone and shoved them both in his pockets. "Just some little diner place a few blocks down. It's small and old, but they've got awesome food!"

They walked the rest of the way in silence until reaching their destination. Hizashi held the door open for him and the two of them sat in a booth against a large window. A waitress was quickly at their side, greeting them politely and offering a menu to Jaz as she asked what he would like to drink. After, she looked to Hizashi and said, "The usual?"

"Yeah!"

With a bow, she turned and left them.

"Do you come here often?" Jaz asked.

"Yeah, I do." Hizashi replied. "Usually, I come alone." He laughed.

"I've never really gotten out much until I started hanging around with you," Jaz said after the waitress placed their drinks on the table and took his order. "I would really only go to Michiru's house."

"I'm fine staying home," Hizashi told him, "but not by myself. My parents are out of town for the weekend and I'm crazy bored with no one to talk to."

Jaz laughed a little.

"What about you? What have you been doing?"

"Oh, nothing really. Father has been out of town for a while now, working. I feel a lot more comfortable in the house when he's gone…" It was still awkward for him to talk about his father to anyone other than Michiru or Tsume.

"So, those times you spend the nights at Mi-chan's… That's when your dad's around, huh?" Hizashi looked out the window to watch the people passing by.

"Yeah."

The waitress returned with their food, and they thanked her as she bowed again before leaving. Hizashi finished his meal before Jaz and watched the people outside again for a while. When Jaz appeared to be finished as well, Hizashi turned back to him and asked, "Hey what happens to your clothes when you turn into a tiger?"

Jaz stopped, looking mildly surprised. "Huh?"

"When you guys turn into those giant tigers, your clothes are gone, but when you turn back into people, your clothes are there and perfectly fine! Also, you're not wearing any metal bracers right now, but your tiger form has those bracers on the front legs!"

"Oh. Um, well… I've never actually thought about it. It's just always been that way. If I put something on in this form, it goes…somewhere when I'm a tiger. If I put something on as a tiger, it does the same when I turn into a human."

"Hunh?"

Jaz appeared bewildered. "I have no idea how it works."

"Ha! Wow. You guys really are a big mystery, even to yourselves!"

Jaz was distracted. "Where does it go?"

Hizashi laughed. "Oh! Hey!"

"Hm?" He pulled Jaz from his thoughts.

"Let's go to the park!"

"The park? Why?"

"Shaved ice!" He was already getting up to leave.

"Er, o-okay." Jaz scrambled out of the booth to follow him.

They stopped at the front counter to pay. Despite Jaz's insistence, Hizashi would not let the other boy pay for himself. When they left the diner, Hizashi was suddenly back to his usual chatty self, talking about nothing in particular. Truthfully, though he did not have much input himself, Jaz enjoyed listening to him talk. He liked how he was always grinning and cracking jokes, and his tendency to throw in random English words as he spoke, and even his eccentric movements and behavior. He had noticed some time ago that Hizashi seemed to like to dance and make silly gestures, too. Still, every now and then, Jaz still jumped or flinched a little when Hizashi would shout, particularly when it was out of nowhere. And even with his loud, eccentric personality, Hizashi was still polite and used his manners. Jaz found everything about him to be fascinating and wonderful.

When they reached the park, Hizashi led him over to a stand that was selling shaved ice and told Jaz to get whatever he wanted. He seemed to find it amusing that Jaz requested extra condensed milk and remarked on how Jaz seemed to really like sweet foods. Once again, he did not allow Jaz to pay for his own treat. After receiving their shaved ice, they sat together on a park bench to eat. They remained there for a few hours, talking together while watching people come and go. Finally, when the sky began to turn orange and pink, they stood up and began to walk back to the bus stop.

"Are you okay?" Jaz had noticed that, on the way to the bus stop, Hizashi had gotten quieter and less talkative. He was also not smiling. It took some time, but Jaz had finally worked up the nerve to ask him about it. "You seem a bit down all of a sudden."

"Oh, whoops," Hizashi smiled, though it did not seem quite as genuine as usual. "Sorry. I just really don't want you to go."

Jaz was surprised by this and blushed a little. "Oh! I, um, well I could, um –" He was going to say that he could stay longer, but the sun was setting and he did not want to assume anything. "It's getting late, though…"

"Hm? Hey, you can come over to my place, you know."

"I can?"

"Yeah, you can stay the weekend! If you want, I mean."

"What about your parents?"

"Ah they won't mind. They like you!"

"They do?"

"Yeah. Besides, they told me before they left that I could have company over if I wanted."

"Oh, well, if you would like me to, then, um, I could stay." Jaz looked down, feeling his face heating up. "Er, b-but I have to go home to get some things anyway." He glanced back as the bus arrived and slowed to a stop. "Do you…want to come with me?"

Hizashi looked a little unsure. "You said your dad's not home, right?"

"Right."

He perked up and started walking to the bus. "All right then! I don't really wanna meet that guy, 'cause I might fight him."

"H-Hizashi!"

They sat together on the bus, and during the whole ride, Jaz was feeling anxious. He had never invited anyone to his home before. He knew his father would not be back for several weeks, but there was still a fear nagging at him the entire time.

When they came to their stop, Jaz took the lead and led Hizashi a block over into a small neighborhood of tiny houses. At least, they felt tiny to Jaz, compared to Hizashi's home. It was dark now as they approached a house near the middle of the neighborhood, and Jaz reached into his pocket to produce a key.

The inside of the house was rather plain and empty. It was cold and obvious that its residents were often away. Hizashi glanced around as he followed Jaz inside and to his bedroom. Jaz's room was also relatively empty, with a neatly made bed and no decorations or anything interesting.

"It's as plain as Aizawa's room," Hizashi stated. "You one of those 'doesn't care for material possessions' types, too?"

"It's not that," Jaz said as he took a bag from the closet and began to open drawers of clothes. "I just, well, Father, er, I mean…"

"Right." He noticed something out the corner of his eye and looked to see a broken glass bottle on the floor. It was just barely sticking out from under the bed. He picked it up and examined it, noting that it was an alcohol bottle. "You don't seem like the type to drink this stuff."

"What?" Jaz turned around to look and jumped when he saw what he was holding. "I-I thought I cleaned all of… Er, I'm sorry." He quickly went over and took the bottle, turned, threw it into a small trashcan beside a desk, and immediately went back to packing all in one smooth and quick motion.

Hizashi noticed how Jaz was pointedly not looking at him now and his tiger ears were folded back a little.

"I-It's not mine," Jaz said after a minute or so, still not looking at him.

"Yeah. I figured." Hizashi's mind wandered to the scars on Jaz's arms and he felt hot with anger.

"Okay, let's go," Jaz said quickly as he zipped his bag shut and made for the door.

They did not speak during the walk to the bus stop, nor the wait for the next bus, nor during the bus ride or the walk to Hizashi's home. When they entered his house, however, Hizashi smiled and stated that he had ordered a pizza during the bus ride. "You like pizza, right? I should've asked first."

"It's fine. Yes, I like it."

"Great! It'll probably be here in a few minutes. Do you want to watch a movie or something?"

"Sure." He followed him to the living room and over to a small shelf beside the entertainment center where multiple DVDs were located.

"You can pick," Hizashi told him. "I'm going to make popcorn!"

"Didn't you just say that pizza is on the way?"

He shrugged. "Why can't we have both?" He walked off to the kitchen. When he returned later, he was carrying a pizza box with a large bowl of popcorn on top. He placed them both on the coffee table in front of the sofa and opened the box before going over to see what Jaz had picked. "Heh, so you like rom coms?"

Jaz felt a tad embarrassed. "I like this one… Um, it doesn't really matter what we watch."

Hizashi snatched up the DVD case from his hands and brought it over to the player located below the large television. "Works for me!"

While he dealt with the DVD player and television, Jaz went to sit on the sofa and took a slice of pizza. After setting up the TV, Hizashi walked off somewhere. Jaz had just finished his slice of pizza when Hizashi returned and threw a blanket at him, covering his head.

"Ah!"

He laughed as Jaz fought the blanket and pulled it off of his head. Hizashi then turned off the lights and joined him on the sofa, pressing play on the remote before placing it on the table and taking a slice of pizza for himself. After eating two slices, he picked up the bowl of popcorn and held it for them to share. When they had finished with the popcorn later, Hizashi placed the bowl on the table then leaned back against the sofa, slouching a little.

At some point during the movie, Jaz suddenly became aware of the fact that he was leaning against Hizashi. His ear twitched and he suddenly turned his head to look at him. Curious, Hizashi looked at him, too. Jaz felt a rush of heat when he did, because their faces were so close to each other that they were practically touching. There was a breathless moment where they remained this way and could practically feel the heat coming from each other until Jaz made an odd, very faint sound and quickly turned back to the TV. Hizashi did not say anything and turned back too, but Jaz was certain he saw him grin out the corner of his eye. Jaz was sure that his face was very red, and he was thankful that they were in the dark. They continued to watch the movie in silence, but Jaz was hardly paying attention to it now.

It was very late when the movie had finished. Jaz went upstairs to change his clothes while Hizashi cleaned everything up. He met him upstairs in his bedroom, where he watched Hizashi carefully covering the birdcage with a sheet. "Helps them sleep better," he said when he noticed Jaz watching. "You can just stay in here with me on the bed. Unless you don't want."

As nervous as the idea of sharing a bed made him, Jaz really did not want to sleep alone in this big house. Especially since it was the first time he had been there at night. Without a word, he climbed into the bed and laid down, facing the wall. Hizashi joined him after a few minutes. Jaz closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but he really was not tired. He was too anxious to sleep and kept thinking about that moment on the couch. He began thinking about other things, too, which caused his heart to feel light and beat quickly. He should not think of such things…right? After quite some time laying there like that, perhaps thirty or more minutes, Jaz spoke up. "Hizashi? Are you asleep?"

"No," came the reply. "Why?"

Jaz turned over onto his other side to see him lying on his back with a hand over his abdomen. Feeling him moving around, Hizashi opened his eyes and turned his head to look at him.

"Can't sleep?"

"No," Jaz said. He was avoiding eye contact.

"Yeah, me too. I thought I was tired, but I guess not. Heh."

"…Hizashi, are you… Do you…" He was not sure how to ask what he wanted to know or if he even should. "…Do you like guys?"

"Guys? I don't know. I like you, though."

"You –" Jaz winced and felt his face flush with heat. "Is…Is that okay?"

"Hm? I don't know. I don't see a problem with it."

"…What would your parents think about it?"

"They already know."

Jaz was surprised.

"They're not bothered," Hizashi continued.

"…I… I keep thinking strange things. It's making me feel anxious and I can't sleep."

"About what?"

"About you."

"Me?" Hizashi smirked a little. "What kinds of strange things are you thinking about me?"

Jaz blushed furiously and quickly hid his face with the sheets. "I shouldn't have mentioned it! I'm sorry!"

"Ha! What are you sorry for? I don't mind." He looked up at the ceiling for a while. "Hey, Jaz."

"Hm?"

"…Do you wanna, like, do anything right now?"

"Like what?"

"Whatever you want. Like, if you want to, I don't know…experiment a little. I'm down."

"Why would you – Why are saying that?" Jaz asked from behind the sheets he was still holding over his face.

"Probably because I'm in love with you."

Jaz suddenly pulled the sheets down from his face and stared at him. He felt another rush. Truthfully, he really did want to indulge himself in Hizashi, but he was terrified. "W-What do you want to do?" he asked slowly.

"Me?" His face was warm now. "…I want to kiss you. I… Well, honestly, I want to get on top of you right now, straddle your waist, make out with you, and maybe move down to your neck."

"T-That's very specific! And explicit!"

He chuckled. "You asked."

Despite how frightening and explicit it was, Jaz felt a temptation and longing to let him do it. He felt like he was going to lose his mind. "Well then!"

Hizashi looked at him curiously. "Hm?"

"Do it then!"

"Huh? You serious?"

"Yes! I-I, um, I… Please forgive me. I do really like you. I might even be in love with you, too. But I'm being a bit selfish right now. I just really want to know…what it's like…"

Hizashi stared at him for a while, then sat up a little and leaned over him, pulling him closer by the back of his waist until they were pressed against each other. He then lowered his head and softly kissed him, sipping on his lips for a while before sliding his hand down to Jaz's hip and gently pushing him onto his back so he could straddle him. He continued to kiss him, deeper now and holding his lips longer. After a while of this, he lowered his face to Jaz's neck and felt him shudder as he breathed on him. Hizashi softly ran his lips up and down his neck on both sides before finally kissing him deeply near his collarbone.

Jaz let out a short gasp and clung to Hizashi's shirt. The ecstasy was practically unbearable but he wanted more. Without thinking, he took one of Hizashi's hands and led it to where a part of his stomach was exposed from his shirt. As he moved to the other side of Jaz's neck, Hizashi ran his hand up beneath Jaz's shirt, firmly stroking his body before running it back down and up his side. The kisses deepened even more, spurred on by the huffs and small noises Jaz could not help but make. He paused a moment to breathe and felt Jaz's hands against the back of his waist. He let Jaz pull him closer until they were pressed against each other then continued to kiss him.

After some time, Hizashi suddenly stopped and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a different pair of pants on. "Uh, don't ask," he said sheepishly when Jaz looked at them curiously. He rejoined him in the bed and wrapped his arms around him, gently running his fingers through Jaz's hair, and he spoke softly to him. "Sorry, that was too much… Are you okay?"

"Yes," Jaz said quietly against his chest. "It was…my fault, too."

"Still… Let's take it easy from now on. You… I know that was a bit much, but I don't want to push things even further since you're still scared."

"I… Thanks, Hizashi. Um, but I'm sorry, too. I was absolutely, purposefully, trying to see what you would do…"

Hizashi laughed. "Be careful with that! I was way too excited, I had to stop!"

"Sorry!"

He held him closer and sighed. "I love you." He really did not expect a response, but he wanted to say it anyway. When Jaz did respond, Hizashi felt a great joy pass through him.

"I love you, too."

…

"Shota," Michiru called from the front door where she was putting on her shoes. "I'm going into the woods for a while – oh!" She jumped a little when she turned and found him standing beside her. "You…how long have you been right there?"

"I literally just got here when you called my name," he told her. "I was just in the kitchen…" He tilted his head a little. "Did I actually sneak up on you?"

She blushed and looked almost offended. "My Aura Power isn't as strong in human form as it is as a tiger!"

"I was literally right around the corner." He grinned and pointed at her. "I scared you, didn't I?"

Her ears angled backwards and she puffed herself up a little, her face still pink. "You didn't scare me!"

"Sure, sure."

"Don't act all proud of yourself! You still can't catch me during training!"

He looked away, still grinning. "Guess you're too comfortable around me now. I'll end up managing to catch you soon enough."

"As if!" She picked up an empty bag, opened the door, and walked out.

He followed. "What are you going do in the woods? Taking a walk?"

"Pan wants me to get some more ingredients for his medicine." She held up the bag she was carrying.

Shota made a slightly disturbed face for a split second. "Um, I thought you grew the ingredients in the sunroom?"

"Most of them," she told him. "But some of them are better off growing naturally in the forest. I'm also, as you said, talking a walk. Tsume is usually the one who patrols the property every so often, but since he's not here…"

"Right."

"You coming with?"

"Yeah. Hey, Michi. How are you, by the way?"

"Hm? Are you asking me about my brother? It hurts to think about it, but I'm okay. I'll see him again someday, and that makes me feel just a little better."

"Mm."

"How are you?"

"Me? I don't know," he admitted. "You seem to be taking it better than I am."

"Really?"

"You're a lot stronger than I am when it comes to this kind of stuff."

"Girls usually are. Higher pain tolerance, too."

"Do you mean physical? Wouldn't that be dependent on the individual?"

"Sure, but you and other boys couldn't handle the pain we go through every single month!"

He paused a moment, confused, then realized what she was referring to. "Er, well I guess that's true, but what does that have to do with anything?"

She shrugged. "Just saying."

"…You're being petty."

"What?"

"You're still mad that I snuck up on you, so now you're saying a bunch of weird stuff."

"I am not! You're the one bringing it up! Why won't you let that go?"

"Because it's funny."

"Funny!?"

He quickly moved out of her reach as she transformed and swiped a paw at him.

"You're the one being petty!" She growled, but there was a smirk on her face. "You know, you're surprisingly irritating sometimes!"

He smirked. "Yeah?"

She leapt at him, but he had anticipated it and dodged her. "You've got a lot of nerve lately," she said as she half-heartedly leapt and swiped at him.

"What did I do? Hey, you're not trying very hard right now."

"Oh really?" She stopped and coiled herself, springing forward and tackling him to the ground.

"Ow, hey."

"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to antagonize a tiger?"

"No, but that's probably because it should have been obvious. Besides, it's not like you're actually going to hurt me."

"Hmph!" She lowered her head and pressed it against his face, rubbing and nuzzling against him like a giant housecat and preventing him from being able to get back up.

"Mmph, Michi!" His voice was muffled in her thick fur. He managed to push his face free and sit up a little but still could not escape. He started laughing.

"Shota." She stopped and looked at him. "You're laughing again."

He stopped and cleared his throat, grinning as he held back his mirth. She turned back into human form, still on top of him. His breath caught in his chest as she reached up and softly held and caressed his face. He could feel his face heating up and the strange fluttery sensation swelled inside of him. He reached his hand up and stroked her cheek for a moment before leaning closer and kissing her lips. They held the kiss for several moments before pausing, during this time, Shota said quietly, "I love you, Michi."

She smiled softly. "I love you, Shota."

To be continued…

Wow. One big lovey dovey chapter of romantic trash. I love it. Brace yourself, 'cause it gets worse (as in, a lot more romance crap to come). Oh, also, next chapter is quite the opposite of this one: depressing.

Anyways, to anyone who actually takes the time to read this story, or any of my stories, thanks! Hope you like it. If not, I'm honestly not very bothered, lol. I feel like people worry too much about what others think. If you're one of those people, remember this: if you like your story and enjoy writing it, do it! Someone out there will love and live for your story/fan fiction. Trust me. Also, I can assure you that I have read far worse. Just sayin'