Cuxie: Wow, I think...I think this story's wrapping up.
Karin&Kazune: Already?!
Cuxie: I know. But I have a great idea for a new KK story! A few, actually. And I want to finish some old ones first. I mean, this one's been over a year.
Kazune: So how many chapters do you see left?
Cuxie: Abooouuuut...three.
Karin: Aww.
Cuxie: Don't worry. Be happy.^-^
Kazune:...Poetic.
Cuxie: Imma make up words!!! ROLLETIC!!(Meaning: Of rolling; To be rolled.)
Oh man! Why'd he have to go there of all places?!Karin paced nervously in front of the bathroom door where Kazune had just run in. I've gotta get him out of there. You...You can do this Karin. You're in Kazune-kun's body. You can go in there. Squeezing her eyes shut, her hands clenched at her sides, she thrust the door open and burst inside.
Several unfamiliar faces turned to stare at her, bewildered. She tried desperately to fight off a blush, knowing Kazune would kill her if she made him look girlish in front of people. There were three boys inside, none of which were...you know. Thank God. She didn't see...herself anywhere. He did run in here, didn't he?
Violent gagging sounds came from the handicap stall. Karin blinked and shook her head, remembering why she was there. She turned to the guys who were all staring, confused and somewhat frightened, at the stall. She glared at them. "GET OUT!!" They all jumped, scrambling for the door. She mentally thanked Kazune for being so naturally authoritative. She scared herself a little, screaming like that.
After locking the door, she went to the last stall and tapped lightly on the door. "K-Kazune-kun?" She asked, forgetting their current identities for a moment. "Are you okay?"
"Auuugh..." he moaned and there was more gagging.
He really sounds sick.Karin sat down outside the stall, her face creased with worry. Not that his disgust was all that unreasonable, but this wasn't quite the reaction she'd been expecting. He hadn't even attempted to kill Jin back there. That wasn't like him. "I'm sorry that happened to you, Kazune-kun. I can't believe Jin-kun would...would..." She shuddered, fear creeping into the pit of her stomach as endless possibilities became evident. What if that really hadbeen her? What if Kazune-kun hadn't come when she had? What elsewould Jin have done to her? Jin had always been a bit...pushy. But he had really tried to force Kazune-kun, thinking he was her, to...to...to do God knows what! What had gotten into him?
Karin shook her head, brushing aside a stray lock of blonde hair. There was no use worrying about what could've happened. And besides, she wasn't the one who was possibly scarred for life. "Kazune-kun," she called again. "I don't think you can handle class today. Maybe we should go home." It was quiet. "Kazune-kun? Can you hear me?"
There was a click and the stall opened.
Kazune came out, looking ghostly pale and fragile. His eyes were wide and unfocused and he shook violently. Karin's long hair was limp around his face. He leaned against the stall door, looking as if he might fall over any minute.
"Oh!" Karin gasped and jumped up. Grabbing his arm to help support him. "Kazune-kun, are you okay? Look at me! Say something!"
He turned towards her, his eyes looking straight through her. "...Kuga...kissed me."
"Oh, Kazune-kun!" Karin hugged him. "C'mon, let's get out of here."
She half-guided, half-dragged Kazune with her down the hall, avoiding eye contact with anyone they passed. Kazune seemed to be in some kind of post-traumatic trance or something. He could barely hold himself up and he still looked as if he might keel over any minute. Karin winced. Anyone who saw this would think that was her. She could only imagine the rumors she'd hear tomorrow.
"Kazune-kun!" A black-clad figure came running up to them. Karin sighed gratefully. Micchi! Thank God!He stopped short when he saw Kazune and gasped. "What on Earth--"
"Micchi," Karin interrupted him. "Thank God it's you, Kazune-kun's not feeling well. I'm taking him home. Please tell Sensei where we'll be."
Michiru blinked at her. "What are you--"
"I'll explain later!" Karin said, rushing along, leaving Michiru staring confused after her.
-
Once outside, Karin stopped at the top of the steps, breathing hard. I'll never get us home at this rate. It took forever just to reach the exit. She looked down at the ring glinting against the chain on her neck, wavering. Kazune-kun's body should be able to handle a short transformation. Just long enough to get us home. And it's not like I'll be using any of his attacks.
She shoved the ring onto her finger, shutting her eyes against the blinding white light. She turned slightly, admiring the crisp white cape draped over her shoulders. She'd always loved Kazune's transformation outfits. "Alright. Time to get out of here." She placed her arm around Kazune, moving his around her shoulders so she could support most of his weight.
Flying had to be at least ten times faster than walking. Especially with Kazune-kun the way he was. They reached the house in less than five minutes.
"Okay, Kazune-kun." Karin placed him on the couch. "You rest here. I'll, uh, make you some tea or something." She retreated into the kitchen. I wonder if this counts as cutting class, she thought, setting a pot of water to boil on the stove. It can't. Kazune-kun's sick and he needed to be escorted home. And besides, Micchi should've explained everything to Sensei. We should be fine. Just as she was about to brush off her worries, another thought hit her. But what could Micchi have told her? I didn't explain...but he should be able to make something up, right? Maybe I should have Q-chan call the school... She sighed and stirred in some mint tea leaves, setting the pot and cups on a tray. Forget it. This is all too much.
Karin frowned. Kazune-kun would probably know what to do. I'm doing a terrible job being him."Kazune-kun! Tea's ready!" She went back into the living room, blinked at the deserted couch, and looked around. "Kazune-kun?" Where'd he go? A second ago he could barely walk and now he's disappeared?! "Kazune-kun!" She heard water running upstairs and the pitter-patter of little feet running.
"Daddy!" Suzune came running down the stairs, nearly tripping in his little robe-cape thing, and flung himself into Karin's arms. "Daddy, is Mommy okay?"
"Da--Oh." Your in his body Karin. At least remember that much. "Um, have you seen her?"
"She's in the bathroom."
Again?"Suzune-kun, play down here while I check on Mommy, okay?" She put him down and raced upstairs. The light was on in the hall bathroom and there was the slightly muffled sound of water running. "Kazune-kun?" She knocked on the door. "Kazune-kun, what are you doing?" It sounded like there was a response but it was drowned out by the sound of rushing water. "I'm coming in..." Please be decent! Then she laughed at herself. He was in her body. What was there to see?
"Kazune-kun..." She opened the door, cocking her head at him. He was standing in front of the sink, alternating between rinsing his mouth out with hot water and furiously scrubbing at her face with a wet, soapy cloth. "What are you doing?"
He huffed angrily. "Trying to scrub all the Kuga off of me...you...whoever!"
Well, there's the delayed rage I was looking for, she thought sarcastically. "Kazune-kun, I know this must've been a, um, difficult experience for you, but don't you think you're going a little overboard? I mean, it's not like this hasn't happened before," she said, recalling the one little accident at one of their school plays.
Kazune shuddered at the thought. "This wasn't like that, Karin! His tongue was in MY MOUTH!!" He turned slightly green.
She winced, stepping inside and shutting the door behind her, praying to God that Kazusa, Q-chan, or innocent little Suzune hadn't heard that. It'd be difficult to explain. "Euh...w-well, look on the bright side. At least it wasn't technically your mouth, right?"
He stopped and glared at her. "Oh, right. It was your mouth. That's supposed to make me feel all better, huh?" His tone was cold and harsh and she wondered what on Earth had set him off about that.
"Uh...well, yeah. I mean, if it was me what would you care?"
His eyes flashed with shock and rage. "I don't want him kissing you either Karin!"
Something inside her clicked. Her heart started hammering in her chest. "Why?"
For a second, it seemed like he might answer. He stared hard at her and she forced herself to stare back, unwavering under his gaze. Then, amazingly, he lowered his gaze, shy, and brushed past her and out of the room.
Her head was spinning. Kazune-kun's never shy!She barely had time to collect herself before she ran out after him on the gnawing sense that she needed an answer from him and she needed it now. She caught him by the arm as he was heading into his room, about to lock himself in, no doubt. "Kazune-kun...why?"
He hesitated. "Karin..."
"Why?"
He sighed impatiently and before she knew what was happening, his lips were on hers for the second time that day. It wasn't as urgent as before. It was softer. Sweeter. But he pulled away before she could respond. He looked her in the eye now, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
"Because I'm the only one allowed to do that."
Cuxie: Squee! Cutesol!(Meaning: Cutely...cute.)
Karin: W-Why didn't you tell us this chapter would be...you know...
Cuxie: Kissadled?(Meaning: Containing kisses; Being kissed; Of kisses.)
Karin: Quit making up words!
Cuxie: Aww...someone's got Post-Romantic Confuzzled Disorder.(PRCD for short.)
Karin: What?
Cuxie: You don't know what to do with yourself because you're so high off your lovey-dovey-ness!^^
Karin: T-That's not true!O.O
Cuxie: We'll have the reviewies vote on it. Speaking of vote, I've got a new poll up on my profile! It applies to ALL my stories (that doesn't mean you have to read them all, but, ya know, feel free to) so please go vote! Byeas! And, before I forget, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL ANOTHER CHAPPY!!!^-^