It was a sunny day in mid spring. Flowers were in full bloom after a particularly harsh winter, and a pleasant breeze swept over the landscape, while birds sang harmonious tunes, and the kids celebrated the return of warm weather.

I was walking out of the school building, and was headed toward the courtyard to wait for my brother in our usual meeting-place. That was when I first spotted him- He was leaning casually against the side of the school, one hand in a pocket, the other resting at his side. He was quite lanky. His skin was a sun-kissed tan, and his hair was bi-colored blonde and auburn. There was no denying that he was remarkably handsome. He watched me through narrowed eyes, similar to the way a wolf might watch it's prey. I quickly turned my head, not knowing whether to be swooned or intimidated. I stood there uncomfortably for a few moments before I heard footsteps approaching. I turned, expecting to see Ryoga. Instead, I was met with those analytical eyes that had been looking at me from a distance just a minute ago.

"U-um," I stammered, suddenly flustered, "C-can I… help you?"

The boy scanned me up and down swiftly before his mouth curled in a flirtatious smile.

"You certainly can," He said with a touch of laughter in his voice, "You can give me your name."

My eyes widened, and I'm sure my face was as red as a cherry.

I didn't reply. I was too blindsided to form a coherent sentence.

He continued to look at me, the smile never vanishing from his face.

"How rude of me," he said, finally breaking the awkward silence, "I didn't even tell you my own name."

He took my hand in his, lifting it to his lips where he placed a gentle kiss upon my knuckle.

"I'm Richard Arclight. It's a pleasure to meet you miss-"

"Shiro Kamishiro," I interrupted, finishing his sentence for him.

His brilliant smile seemed to widen a bit, and I felt his grip on my hand tighten ever so slightly.

"Kamishiro… Then you must be related to Ryoga Kamishiro, yes?"

I blinked at him in surprise. I wasn't expecting him to know my brother, but then again, he was pretty popular around campus. While he may not have been the brightest or most physically able, when it came to motorcycle street-races, he was the reigning champion. His success had granted him fame and respect from everyone he knew. Of course I was given some credit, being dubbed 'Ryoga's little sister' by my peers. Some people may have been offended by this label, viewing it as somehow being overshadowed by their older sibling. But I wore my title with pride.

"Um, yes. I-"

"She's my younger sister," a voice growled from behind me.

I turned my head to see Ryoga standing just a few inches away, glaring venomously at Richard. He walked closer to stand beside me and pulled me carefully by the arm, thus parting Richard's hands and mine.

"Well if it isn't the street-champion himself," Richard laughed amusedly.

I glanced to my brother. His spiteful blue eyes were like knives, piercing through the other boy. I couldn't help but shiver. I had never seen Ryoga so riled up before, not even when our father was on one of his drunken rampages.

"Why don't you just screw off, Arclight?" He said through gritted teeth.

The redhead laughed again, but there was a more sadistic ring to it now.

"Protective, are we?" He said through an increasingly chilling grin.

I felt Ryoga pull me in a little closer, and he straightened himself so that he stood a little taller.

"Just stay away from us. And mind your own damn business!" Ryoga snapped defensively.

Richard held his hands up in feigned innocence.

"Settle down, Ryoga, I was only trying to have a civilized conversation with miss Shiro here."

I felt my face become warm. Whether it was from flattery or shame, I'm not sure.

"You stay away from my sister! 'Ya hear me?" Ryoga shouted now, jabbing the other boy in the chest with his index finger.

He didn't even flinch. He only flicked his gaze between my brother and me a few times before breaking into a dark laugh.

"Yes, you've made your point," Richard said, resting one hand on his hip. He then turned to leave, but before walking off, he looked back at me from the corner of his eye.

"Goodbye, Shiro. Perhaps we could continue our chat some other time."