A New Kind of Feeling

A moon eclipse and a burning sun
Make a shade just for me…
For you I wait forever and a day

Chibiusa lightly tapped her pen into her notebook with her eyes fixed on the chalkboard. Next her gaze shifted, watching curiously as the teacher turned to Trunks.

"Are you alright?" the teacher asked, concern clear in her tone.

His purple head held still for a moment, then bobbed up in down indicating a "yes".

Chibiusa quirked a brow. He sure had been acting strange lately. Well, stranger than usual. He seemed a little tired and though he had always been quiet, he usually was very sharp with his studies. He'd answer questions confidently, without difficulty. He was definitely smart. But lately, he didn't seem on top of things at all, like he simply wasn't focused. Like his mind was elsewhere…

Chibiusa thought back to the incident outside Goten's apartment.

He'd fallen quite hard. She wondered: did he really have a concussion? She questioned whether he had even bothered to see a doctor. Should she have helped him, then? Chibiusa bit her lip. She felt guilty. But then some of that guilt slipped away as she recalled the way he had treated her, speaking to her in that condescending way. Even at the cake shop when Goten introduced him, he had made fun of her name and hairstyle. She couldn't understand how someone like Trunks managed to be friends with someone as nice, down-to-earth and friendly as Goten. They trained at the same dojo...their parents were close friends. Those were the reasons given, but still it didn't ring true to her. They were two boys who couldn't be more different, she thought.

Chibiusa gave a sigh, returning her focus to the chalkboard.

"Chiba-chan," the teacher called.

"Yes!" Chibiusa chirped. Such timing!

"Can you translate the next passage, please?"

Chibiusa pushing back her chair as she got to her feet and read aloud. Something caught her eye and she glanced upwards as she read. She noticed the tall boy a few desks over: Kabuto. He stared intently. Meeting her gaze, he sneered. Chibiusa felt the blush along her cheeks as she stammered on the last line.

The teacher frowned. "Um, you need to work on the pronunciation on the last set," she said in a flat tone.

Chibusa dipped her head with an embarrassed nod and retook her seat. She glimpsed and saw that Kabuto was still staring at her. An odd kind of glimmer was in his eyes as he turned away and returned his attention to the front. Chibiusa blinked, feeling confused. A chill latched onto her spine and she shuddered. That staring. That smile. He'd been doing that a lot lately. It gave her the most uncomfortable feeling. She remembered his words back then:

'Hey, Chiba-chan, have you gotten cuter? Has anyone asked you out yet?'

Perhaps he really did have a crush on her after all. Yet how that happened was anyone's guess.

Chibiusa tilted her head, noticing Mana sitting two seats in front of him.

The confrontation at Tomodachi Sweets still lingered in the back of Chibiusa's mind, but Mana was completely indifferent to them all, like it never happened. However, Chibiusa saw something she never saw before. Mana was extra polite to Trunks. She seemed to bow to him when they crossed paths and often greeted him with a kind "hello". They never spoke much beyond this, but the fact that they even acknowledged each other surprised her. Chibiusa wondered if they had always been like this, or if she were only noticing it now.

Classes came to a close for the day, and Chibiusa was the last to leave, busy with end of the day cleaning duties among other things. Her friends were away for their club meets. Chibiusa decided she wouldn't stick around. Once finished, she gathered her things and left the building. She had stepped only a few feet from the entrance when she saw the silvery-haired boy bracing against wire fencing. He smiled.

Chibiusa's breath caught in her throat. She shyly returned his smile. "Erishi-kun?"

"Chiba-chan," Hiro uttered, hands in his pockets as he approached.

Chibiusa peeked about, noticing there wasn't really anyone else around.

"Are you waiting for someone?" she asked curiously.

Hiro smiled, his amber eyes glittering. He really was handsome. 'Waiting for you.'

"Huh?" Chibiusa faltered, taken aback.

Hiro let out a small chuckle, nervously rubbing the back of his head, fluffing his hair.

"Ah, sorry if that was a bit too forward. But it's true; I was really hoping to see you."

"Waiting for me?" she murmured. She gathered her hands at her waist. She thought about what Momoko and Hotaru had said. Had this boy really confessed?

Hiro then surprised her by stepping forward and lightly grabbing her hands. She gazed up in awe as he towered over her. "Chiba-chan, I really like you. Would you like to see a movie with me on Saturday?"

Chibiusa felt her skin flush. He confessed! She heard it this time, but she couldn't believe her ears. Reddening slightly, Hiro dropped her hands and stepped back. He stared down at his feet.

"Yes, let's go!" Chibiusa heard herself say. She didn't think twice. A date with a cute upper year student? How could she say no?

Hiro looked up suddenly, mildly startled. His face broke into a toothy grin. "Really? Then it's settled! Saturday we meet at 2!" He waved excitedly as he turned and went on his way.

Another week had passed since Trunks had become the owner of a cat.

Another week of a dark cloud looming over his head; a cloud he wanted nothing more than to ignore.

Trunks glared acidly at the blossom petal that had fluttered from the trees above and landed in his hair. He shook his head and flicked a few others from his shoulder as he climbed the steps to his school's entrance. Once inside, he found his usual spot where he shelved his shoes, trading them for white indoor ones. That's when he heard a girl's distant giggle. He cocked his head and blanched. It was Chibiusa. She twirled absently at one of her thick, pink ponytails, her voice light and airy as she spoke with Hotaru. Trunks' eyes narrowed as another approached: a tall and slender boy with whitish hair. He noticed him greet her with a polite wave, and she responded in kind. Weird. Trunks had never seen that guy before. It was clear he wasn't in their grade.

Trunks shrugged it off and bent down to put his shoes away. He stood and began the walk to class.

"Um! Briefs-kun!"

Trunks groaned. He glanced lazily. As he thought, it was another one of those girls. "Uh, Yes?" He hoped this would end quickly, but he didn't have faith. He could see her supporters, girlfriends, grinning and tittering in the distance.

"Um…Briefs-kun, I was wondering um…this." Her hands outstretched and hanging from them was a small and neatly wrapped parcel in shining blue cellophane. "Cookies. I made them myself," she explained.

Trunks smiled courteously, allowing her to place the package in his hands. It would be rude to refuse, he thought. But, once handing it to him, the girl didn't move. She continued to ogle at him, her eyes shining with hope.

"I'm from class C," she started. "My name is Juko Naomi. Do you have someone you like?"

Trunks sighed. "Um Juto—"

"Ju-KO," the girl corrected, frowning slightly.

"Right. Sorry. Juko-chan, I'm not really…"

"Is that really Chiba-chan's new boyfriend?"

Trunks paused mid-speak; his head jerked instantly, eyes zeroing in on the one who had spoken. Momoko had just arrived and another student from their class was asking as she passed.

"Oh yeah—Erishi-san. Yes, he asked her out," Momoko announced with a proud simper.

"Wah! She's so lucky!" the girl exclaimed.

Trunks felt a weird lurch in his chest. His eyes darted back to the place where Chibiusa had been standing but she had since left. A boyfriend? That guy?

'Briefs-kun!'

Trunks lowered his eyes. Haruna was still standing there, pouting and eyeing him expectantly.

Trunks growled, shoving roughly past her. "I'm not interested. Sorry." He ignored the shocked and hurt look on her face as he stomped away and onwards to the classroom.

"What? That's it?" she cried after him.

Trunks paused, half-turning as he mumbled, "Oh, yeah. Thanks for this." He dangled the cookies in his hand before shoving it in his pocket, and continuing on.

Where does my heart beat now?
I can't live without…
Without feeling it inside

The usual group of four decided they would get together to work on an assignment after school. Chibiusa, Hotaru, Momoko and Kyuusuke. But feeling, weary about being "the only boy", Kyuusuke also invited Trunks, who didn't realise that the girls would be in attendance as well. So the now group of five sat at a long rectangular stretch of tables, poring over stacks of books and a stretch of notes in the library. None seemed to notice how awkward Trunks and Chibiusa seemed towards the other, both deliberately avoiding eye-contact and conversation. But the two busily distracted themselves by focusing squarely on their homework, the task at hand.

"So that's how you do it," uttered Momoko thoroughly amazed by Trunks' simple explanation of a complicated concept. "You're a genius! You need to study with us more often."

Trunks laughed it off. "No, it's not that. I just have a lot of time to think about stuff when I'm bored at home. Plus I pick up some things from Mom..."

Chibiusa glared at the page, her cheek rested in her palm. "I would have gotten the answer too," she grumbled enviously under her breath.

Kysuusuke yawned, stretching his long arms above his head "I think we're done for today then. We made a lot of progress."

Hotaru nodded in agreement. "I guess we'll be finished soon, then. Chibiusa will you be free this Sunday? Maybe we can get together?"

Momoko smiled, answering for her. "She has a date remember?—with Erishi."

Chibiusa giggled sheepishly.

Momoko sighed sadly, "Oh, I want a boyfriend too."

Chibiusa shook her head. "Well, we only went to one movie. Is he really my boyfriend?"

"Yeah, yeah,' Kyuusuke interrupted, growing bored with their discussion. "Hey, why don't we go grab something to eat? Since we're all together? There's a place nearby—they make the best udon!"

The others nodded in agreement. Trunks was reluctant, but Kyuusuke and Momoko insisted he come. Feeling as though he were left with no other choice, he tagged along. Kyusuuke led the way, with Trunks beside him. All the while he walked, the girls followed from behind. He heard their continued conversation about boyfriends. He wasn't sure why, but he felt a twinge of hurt and anger at the mention of Erishi. Who was this guy? He had appeared from out of nowhere. With all these other guys lined up around her, why him? There was a surge of mistrust of Erishi that Trunks couldn't quite place.

The restaurant was a casual kind of place with a relaxed atmosphere. Other students, some high schoolers were already there, laughing and enjoying their meals. The five took their seats at a booth and made their orders. Trunks didn't listen as they chatted about random things, his thoughts far. He engrossed himself in eating some of his favoured grilled-meat. Then he heard the name — that wretched name — come up again. He lifted his head, glaring daggers.

"No, I don't know what I'm going to wear," Chibiusa responded tiredly.

Hotaru looked thoughtful. "Maybe we should come over and help you pick? Since it's your second date and all."

Chibiusa shook her head. "No, I'll be fine." She then hid her nervousness by sucking aggressively at her milkshake straw.

Trunks frowned. "You should break up."

Everyone turned to gawk at Trunks, complete shock on their faces. Chibiusa's slurps came to an abrupt stop as she released the straw from her lips and stared.

Momoko was flabbergasted. "Briefs-kun? Why would you say something like that?"

Chibiusa's eyes narrowed. "To say that all of a sudden..."

"You aren't good for each other," Trunks started, his eyes shifting away from hers. "You can't trust older guys, you know."

Chibiusa glowered, clearly offended. "What does it have to do with you?"

Trunks paused, his jaw feeling slack. It was true. It had nothing to do with him. In fact, he wasn't even sure why he had said any of it at all. In his head, he knew he had no reason for the words but yet on the inside he couldn't stop the resentment he was feeling. He didn't want them together. Chibiusa continued to watch angrily at him, waiting for an answer.

Just then Trunks recalled the television show and Minako's response.

The way to a woman's heart…

Trunks' face grew hot. In spite of that angry face, Chibiusa was cute. Really cute. He thought about that time in the photo booth when they had been forced side-by-side. He felt his heart stop now like it did that time. Was she this cute then too?

Chibiusa's glare softened. She blinked then lowered her eyes, looking suddenly very interested in her noodles, though her bowl was mostly empty already.

"Guys—Isn't that Goten?" Kyuusuke said suddenly.

They all turned to see where he pointed. The young store employee had his hair tied back under a white scarf and an apron across his waist. His arms were filled with several gigantic bags of trash as he headed out the door. The boy seemed to hear Kyuusuke, for he turned sharply towards them, his dark eyes widened in surprise. He quickly dropped the bags on the street and then hastened back inside to greet them.

"Oh, hi."

It was Goten.

"What are you doing?" Momoko asked. "You work here?"

Goten shrugged. "Yeah, well just a few hours a week." His voice lowered to a whisper. "But just keep quiet, okay? They don't know I'm only in junior high."

The others seemed as stunned by the news as Trunks was.

Chibiusa stared. "But why, Goten?"

Goten smiled back at her, but didn't reply. He then glanced at Trunks, grinning teasingly. "Hey, are we on for Kame's on Sunday? Or are you busy with your cat, still?"

Trunks gave a slight nod. "Yeah, sure, I'm in."

Goten looked alert, edging away once he caught sight of the manager. With a wave of his hand he gave his final good-bye, then returned, beyond the counter to the back of the restaurant and back to work.

Chibiusa shot a scrutinizing look at Trunks. "When did you get a cat? It couldn't be that one from around Goten's place?"

Trunks frowned. "So what if it is that cat? It has nothing to do with you, does it?"

She drew back against the chair cushion. "That's not the point. That cat might have an owner. Did you even check to see if it was a stray?"

Trunks groaned. He rummaged through his pockets, pulling out some coins and cash that he then dropped onto the table. "I'll leave first. See you later." Trunks muttered, deciding he'd had enough. Without another word, he trudged off and was out the door.

Hotaru shook her head. "Wow. He's weird, isn't he?"

Kyuusuke folded his arms, speaking tenaciously at the others, "I give up. Still think he's just misunderstood? He's definitely a brat."

Momoko sighed as Chibiusa returned to her milkshake. Trunks Briefs was impossible to understand.