Kano was confused. Why was she so comfortable around him? Didn't she understand he was a guy and she was a girl?! And that meant attraction and lust and passion and more cold showers? He sighed, rolling over to look at her.

Yes, they were in the same bed. But it wasn't like they were going to do naughty things. She was sound asleep, lying on her stomach with her face turned toward him, her hands clenched into her pillow. He sighed again, pushing a strand of hair out of her face.

Why was he going nuts over her? She was just a girl. He had met and dated girls before. Never one like this... He stared up at the ceiling. It was 3 am, and he hadn't slept a wink so far. He was too preoccupied with her. And he was also afraid if he fell asleep, they'd wake up in an awkward position and she'd pound the crap out of him. He knew she wasn't ready for anything besides friendship. So why was he?

He glanced at her again. Well, if she weren't so pretty it wouldn't be a problem! He smirked, as a trail of drool landed onto her pillow. She'd kill him if she ever heard him refer to her as 'cute'.

He rolled away again, determined to get sleep. He figured they'd go do something together tomorrow. Maybe like a date.

He smirked. It'll be a date when hell freezes over...

-+-+-

The next morning, much to Kano's relief, there was no awkward waking-up situation. Kaoru was taking a shower in his bathroom when he woke up, so he sauntered out into the kitchen in his boxers to make something for breakfast. He gave one good look at a carton of eggs and settled on cereal. He whipped out a box of Rice Krispies and poured himself a bowl. He also grabbed a mug of coffee. He was calmly eating his cereal, trying to get his brain to start its normal functions, when Kaoru peeked her head into the room, blushing.

"Kano?"

"Yeah?"

"Um... can I borrow some of your clothes or something?"

"Don't you have extra in your bag?"

He watched her blush and whisper something.

"What was that, Matsubara?"

She looked over at him, her face turning redder. He grinned.

"I... I only have underwear... and an extra bra..."

"Yeah, go ahead. Just wear whatever you can find that fits."

She smiled at him. "Thanks!" And with that, she was gone.

He went back to his cereal, dumping out the coffee. His hormones provided the boost he needed for the day. He shook his head. If she found anything that actually fit, he'd treat her to ice cream.

-+-+-

"So, Tobidogu... what's with the ice cream?" Kaoru looked up at him questioningly, sporting an old pair of soccer shorts and a large shirt.

He grinned. "I felt like it, Matsubara. Are you saying you don't want any?"

"Hell no. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and step on it!"

"Yes ma'am!"

The two waited in line at the stand, then went on a walk through the park. The rain from the day before created open blooms in flowers, as well as dewy grass and an abundance of bugs. Kaoru and Kano went to an open field and started up a soccer match, until Kaoru jumped into a tree screaming her head off.

"Kaoru?" Kano stared up at her disbelievingly.

"Um... well, you see... tsk... the thing is..."

"Spit it out, Matsubara..."

"I'mafraidofspiders..."

"You're WHAT?!"

"I'mafraidofspiders..."

Kano put a hand to his ear. "You're WHAT?!"

Kaoru looked down at him, pissed. "I SAID I WAS AFRAID OF SPIDERS, DAMN IT! AND THERE WAS A FRIGGIN HUGE ONE!!!"

Kano blinked. Spiders... out of everything in the entire world, she's scared of spiders...

"If I kill it, will you come down?"

"Maybe..."

"Fine. Where was it?"

"On the ground."

"No shit, Sherlock. Where on the ground?"

"Like, over there somewhere..."

"Okay... gimme a second."

Kano walked over to the area Kaoru had pointed to. Such a tough girl, and she's scared of spiders... He chuckled.

"ARE YOU LAUGHING AT ME?!"

Kano turned his head around to look at the girl screaming from above.

"What makes you say that?"

"Your huge smil-OH MY GOD, KANO IT'S ON YOU!!!"

Kano looked down to his shoe, seeing a daddy long-leg spider crawling over it. He bent down and picked it up by its leg.

"This guy? He can't hurt you, you know."

"..." Kano heard a thunking noise, but shook it off. He was fascinated with the spider.

"Seriously. These guys are the nicest kind there are. You don't need to worry."

"..."

"I'll bring him over to you to show you, okay? There's no need to be afraid, Kaoru... KAORU?!" Kano turned around to see Kaoru, who had fainted from the tree.

"God... well that didn't work out well. She's going to get a concussion one of these days." He walked over and shook her awake.

"Kano, I swear if you ever do that again I'll kill you."

"What did I do?"

"You... you TOUCHED one! That's disgusting!"

He laughed. "Kaoru, you're such a girl..." He got up, pulling her up as well. "So, let's continue our game...?"

"Yeah. But if I see another spider, you're in charge of killing it, you understand? If you don't, I won't hesitate to beat your ass in."

Kano smirked. "What if I collect spiders, just to put in a jar and give to you for your birthday?"

Kaoru stared at him in horror. "You wouldn't dare!"

Kano only returned the horror-stricken look with a cheerful smile.

"When is your birthday, exactly?"

"Psh, you're too late for that. It was about 3 weeks ago, mid-August."

Kano grinned, an idea popping into his head. "Then I'll take you out to dinner tonight!"

Kaoru stared at him. "WHAT?!"

"Yes! Due to the fact I missed your birthday, I'll take you out on a splendid date tonight to make it up to you!"

"But... I don't want to go on a date... you have to get dressed up and stuff..." She wrinkled her nose.

Kano grinned at her. "Which is exactly why I want to take you out. I know you'll love getting ready with your two girly friends, eh?"

Kaoru punched him in the shoulder. "I hate you, but thanks."

"But thanks?"

"Yeah... everyone always forgets my birthday because it's so near the beginning of school. Normally no one even cares." She turned to smiled at him. "So thanks. What time will you be by to get me?"

Kano blinked, shocked. She's... she's ACCEPTING? "Um... how about 7-ish?"

"Okay, see you then!" And Kaoru was off in a heartbeat.

Kano blushed.

-+-+-

Demon: DAMN IT!! WE HAVE A 911 SITUATION HERE! HELL JUST FROZE OVER!!!