Sumiko: Hello, my wonderful, lovely readers. How are you today? I'm so sorry I am terribly late. Junior year is killing me, and I'll have to lengthen the time between updates to about a month. I know that this isn't even worth the wait, and I apologize for that. Plus, writer's block is also toying with me. Has been for the past three months.

Anonymous Reviews:

You know who this is : Yes, I know who you are. And I tell you those things to help you pass. Am I supposed to be offended?

Random Fangirl : Oh, thank you so much! Don't worry, I'll definitely finish this story one way or another. I agree that a lot of OCs are really terribly written (though I must disagree and say Midori is one of them), and I am so happy that you find this one acceptable!~

Phobophobia

Chapter 4 : Ailurophobia

That afternoon, while Kimiko was with the delinquents, Midori decided she would take a walk around campus.

It was a very nice day, with only a few clouds floating idly across the sky, and the sun wasn't a blazing, which was nice, since she couldn't stand extreme temperatures.

As long as she didn't get lost, it was an enjoyable hobby - walking around aimlessly. There was always something new to discover, whether she was here, at True Cross, or around her neighborhood.

After about ten minutes, as she was crossing one of the academy's long bridges (it was a good thing she had - mostly - gotten over her fear of heights... or at least, the school's heights), she ran into two girls from her year.

"Hi, um... Okuna-san, right?" One of the girls greeted. The other elbowed her.

"Nanami-chan, it's Okura, and she doesn't talk to anyone, remember?" Well, that was most definitely not true. But Midori was most definitely not going to tell her she had heard her.

"Eh? Really? But... I saw her talking to that one guy yesterday... What was his name...?" She tapped her chin with a finger.

"It doesn't even matter if it's this guy or one of those stupid, giggling, spoiled fan girls that can't tell left from right...you need to make new friends. Please."

"Um... Good afternoon, Yamasaki-san, Hisakawa-san!" she squeaked a little too loudly, and bowed (much too) formally. The first girl gave her friend an I-told-you-so look, and the other simply looked surprised.

"Ah... Good afternoon, Okura-san..." she finally said, her expression wondering whether she had the same anti-social girl.

"Well, see you around, Okura-chan!" Yamasaki chirped cheerfully as they passed her, not noticing her friend's confusion.

"See you... around..." She smiled hesitantly.

She stood there for just a moment, wearing that small, content smile.

It was such a beautiful day...

Or at least, it had been.

"St-Stay, please... Don't come any closer, okay? Stay," she ordered, but her voice was trembling.

It was scary. So, so scary, with fur black as night, and sharp green eyes that were focused solely on her.

"Please, don't touch me," Midori pleaded, backing away from the creature, who continued to stalk closer to her.

If she was the type to scream, she would have.

"Oh, please stay away from me- Wah!"

She tripped over a rock. Of course. Because these sort of things simply had to happen to her. The thing was practically looming over her now.

That... cat.

Quickly, Midori covered her face with her arms so that the beast couldn't disfigure her face with its long, deadly claws...

And it licked her hand.

She almost jumped when she felt the sandpaper-like texture. But she didn't. Peering through her fingers, she could see the animal's confused, but delighted eyes shining despite the lack of sunlight. With a shaky laugh, Midori (very, very cautiously) sat up, and slowly, slowly, reached out to pat his head.

She was honestly surprised that it hadn't tried to eat her.

"...What's a little kitty like you doing here anyways?"

They were within a ten minute's walking distance of the closest building, which was the old boy's dormitory, a place that Midori didn't like for the haunted feeling it radiated.

And could you blame her? The thing was old - the paint was peeling in certain places, and it almost looked like the building was slowly turning a greenish-black color... How could anyone (living or not, human or animal) live in a place like that?

The cat pointedly looked at the very same building, and let out a small 'nya'. Of course.

"There? You really live there?" Midori frowned, but the cat nodded as though there was nothing creepy or scary about living there. "Kind of a scary place, don't you think?" He stared at her for a moment, head tilted, before shaking his head. "Really?" Another nod. The girl's features softened, but her shoulders were still tense. "You're a smart cat, aren't you?"

"Nya!" He straightened proudly.

"You know, I never liked cats. I wonder why that is..." Midori said thoughtfully. The four-legged animal seemed offended. "But you're adorable," she added, and the cat nodded matter-of-factly. "I would take you back to my dorm, but pets aren't allowed. I'm sorry." He stared at her for a little while, before shaking his head.

"Nya..." Smiling, Midori scratched the back of his ear. He purred contentedly.

A moment later, his ears perked, and he took off, in the general direction of the dormitories.

"Ah..." Midori stayed where she was, watching the cat run until it made a turn, leaving her sight. An oddly familiar voice soon followed.

"Hey! There you are, Kuro! I've been looking all over for you! Why'd you just-" A faint nya-ing cut him off. "What? You must've been hearing things - Were you eating raw squid again, or something? Why would anyone-" Another interruption, and Midori could make out a hissing sound, then a loud "Get off of me! Stop that! Down!" Then more hissing.

Maybe she should just walk away...?

"Fine, okay! Calm down, I'll go..." There was some grumbling she was unable to make out.

Yeah, she really should-

Okumura Rin came into view, with a few scratches on both his cheeks, the black cat sitting on his shoulder with his head held high, looking very proud of himself. Spotting Midori, Rin blinked, slowing for a second, before breaking out into a grin.

"Hey - ah, Midori, right?" She nodded. "Uh, I was wondering if-" Yet another interruption by the cat, who jumped out of his arms, and ran toward Midori, who stepped back out of instinct. Not to be refused, the cat ignored her momentary fear, and rubbed his body against her leg affectionately.

"Nya! Nya, nya, nya... Nya, nya! Nya?"

He was trying to tell her something, she knew , but...

Well, this was the first time she had ever been this close to a cat (or any animal, really), and she didn't exactly understand the language.

Apparently, Rin did.

"He wants you to stay over for dinner," Rin translated. His tone displayed no hesitancy whatsoever about what the cat was saying. Midori wondered if it was normal for a person to be able to speak to animals...

"Um... I'm sorry?" Her brain was having difficult processing the bit of information. "For dinner?" Rin nodded, pointing back to the boy's dormitory by way of response.

Technically, it was still early, and she could probably make curfew if she hurried...

"But, isn't that place haunted?"

...She just had to ask.

Rin gave her a funny look.

"Not... really. I've never seen any ghosts, if that's what you're asking." He seemed to have honestly considered her question.

Of course, now, she had another one.

Wait, so he's been in there before? He couldn't possibly... live there, could he? The cat was jumping excitedly around her, unaware of the conversation going on.

Well, if another person had gone in there and survived... Then again, Rin was just like Kimiko, and so probably wasn't afraid of anything... Though, she still wanted to befriend him, even if Kimiko had taken back what she said... And it would help her get over her fears, right?

"...Um... O...kay..."

Her classmate gave her another weird look.

"If you don't want to, it's fine..." The cat didn't seem so happy anymore, and narrowed it's eyes at Rin, hissing again. Midori quickly waved her hands at him, shaking her head.

"No, it's all right with me... As long as I'm not bothering anyone..."

And that, was how she had been invited for dinner with Okumura Rin.

Sumiko: Ailurophobia is the fear of cats.

Because I split it up, this one is only 1,300 words... I'm sorry.

I also apologize for the wait. I have MAJOR writer's block for the next chapter, but animabi really helped me out with her review.

Last Chapter's Question: What do you think of Satan? What kind of demon do you think he really is?

My opinion hadn't changed about him much at all. I mean, despite what he did for Yuri, he doesn't care at all for their children, it seems, and he *********** Yukio to *************. But yes, I do acknowledge that he cared for Yuri. I also acknowledge that I don't understand why, exactly, Satan felt lonely when he already had, like, eight other children, and his own world that he ruled. Hmm... Maybe because he wasn't used to such kindness?

With that said, I don't approve of the Order, either. I mean, they try to do the right thing, and I understand their intentions... kind of...

But that's just me. It's perfectly fine if you have a different opinion, and I swear I won't hate you for it.

Chapter 4 Question: Who is your least favorite character(s)? Why?

Next Update: January 23, 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

~Sumi