"Ah!" A loud, shrill scream filled the house.

The door barged open, and Ringo and Ikki rushed into Oki's room to see what was wrong. Ringo started to twitch at the sight which lay before her eyes, and Ikki merely stared with disbelief.

Akito was sleeping soundly, unaffected by Oki's screaming. His lanky arms were wrapped around the girl's torso affectionately. He seemed to be having a peaceful slumber as there was a smile on his face. The girl on the other hand, was close to tears.

"Gerroff, gerroff, GET OFF!" She made one last attempt to push away the dark-blue haired boy.

Thump!

"OW!" cried Akito, "What was that for Oki-chan~?"

Ikki snapped out of his stupor, and pulled Akito away, yelling at him.

Akito was mumbling something along the lines of, "I wasn't doing anything! I only slept next to her because Oki-chan was having a nightmare, so I wanted to comfort her. Did I do something wrong Ikki-kun? ~ "

Ringo sighed, and walked into the room. She seemed annoyed that the poor girl was traumatized again, and so soon after her encounter with the Skull Saders at that.

"Sorry, Akito's just a little childish, and doesn't understand the concept of personal space. Anyway, now that we're all awake, why don't you freshen up? Breakfast will be served in a half hour." She smiled warmly at the younger girl, hoping to calm her frazzled nerves.

"Okay," Oki whimpered, still frightened from the earlier event.

When everyone was gathered downstairs, Mikan started making bacon and eggs. Ume had already eaten, and was sewing more of her… interesting dolls, muttering silently. Ringo took a seat at the small, square table. Oki followed and sat to the right of her, while Ikki sat to the left. Beside him was Akito, who clasped his left arm. As the lot of them started to eat, Akito pouted, and turned to face Oki.

"I'm sorry for before Oki-chan. I really didn't mean to scare you~" guiltily, the child like boy muttered, looking down the entire time.

She smiled and started rubbing the nape of her neck sheepishly, "It's alright Akito-kun; you meant no harm. Besides, my nightmare did stop suddenly. I guess I should thank you for it."

All the while, Ikki was squirming in his seat, for once ignoring the food placed in front of him.

"Oki, you have to join my team! Kogarasumaru has started to gain popularity, and we need more people!" Ikki's eyes bulged out- to him he thought he was being cute, but actually he was pretty scary- and he started to plead "Please Oki-chan? Please, please, please, pleeeaaa-"

Oki interrupted while smiling sweetly, "Sure Ikki-kun…seems like fun. It is the weekend right? I'd rather do something than do nothing. Ringo-chan, you're coming too right?"

Ringo answered with a nod. She seems better; I guess a good night's rest makes the difference. The way she was covered in bruises… the plum haired girl shuddered involuntarily, I'm just glad Agito came in time. Guess some people like the Magaki never learn, I mean even after Ikki disbanded their team and when the police somehow caught up with him. She was brought out of her reverie when Ikki shouted with joy.

Ikki smiled and exclaimed happily, "Well, come on! We're going to practice soon. Get your ATs on."

Oki went up to her room, and relished in the permeating scent of salty brine. For some reason, Oki always felt safest when she was near the ocean, and liked to keep an air freshener which transported her senses to the shore.

As she rummaged through her bag, she pulled out a pair black wheels embedded in removable wedge-style soles, the regalia core of the Ocean Road, and placed it in a secret pocket, hidden away from prying eyes.

Oki then took out a pair of dark blue platform boots with the soles missing. A design of foamy waves and white mist was artfully painted on the sides. The girl pulled out a different pair of soles with a pair of white AT wheels embedded in them. She attached them to the boots, and placed them aside.

She fished out a bunch of clothes, and laid them in a neat pile atop her futon. Separating each item of apparel, Oki quickly changed into a simple graphic tee designed with waves and a hem that reached mid-thigh. She paired it with fitted black spandex capris that reached halfway to her calves.

The girl pulled on her ATs. Tears gathered in her eyes from sentimental attachment at the pair. Her mother had acquired the wheels and helped Oki built her ATs from scratch. Remembering her... Oki quickly slapped herself to stop her mind from going down that path. Snatching up the free sky-blue strands, she tied it up high on the back of her head into a ponytail using a hair tie.

Ringo giggled when the younger girl stepped out of her room, and said "Well Onigiri's going to be disappointed."

Oki, both startled and confused, just gave the plum haired girl leaning against the wall a blank stare. The two girls descended the stairs, and were received by an over-anxious boy, and a carefree one.

"Come on! You took forever up there! Oh! Nice AT, by the way." Ikki uttered impatiently, grabbing Oki's hand, and pulling her out of the house.

"Fuck, this bitch is worthless. I don't get why you want her on the team." Agito snapped, as he easily rode next to them. He was curious though, so he took a peek out of the corner of his eye, making sure no one noticed his interest. He stared at her face, almost getting lost in her deep eyes; he quickly shifted his attention to her A-T, then the road.

She sure is pretty isn't she Agito?

Fuck! I don't care about her, Akito. She doesn't seem strong at all.

His mind drifted to this morning after the embarrassing incident that he swore Akito only did to rile him up. His attention flitted to the request Oki had made.

"Agito-san, please tell no one of my secret." The blue haired girl pleaded ever-so-softly, that morning.

Agito shook his head to get rid of her image in his mind. He quickly disappeared, leaving the others to follow behind.