-a/n-

I am back! Hopefully, I can update sooner, but the existence of school just happens to be an obstacle. Anyway, thanks for those who reviewed! And I'm telling you (especially Artemis Blues), there really is a twilight vibe here. I still can't get over Edward Cullen! He's worth remembering! Here's Chapter Two of Ninth Life! Enjoy!

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Ninth Life

2. If Smells can be Intriguing

By ©ancercute

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••Mimi••

Few days have already passed since I met Sora, Tai, and Matt or rather my first day. It was almost the end of the week. Still, he never stopped looking at me with questions filling his head, or wrinkling his nose. It creeps me out. The confusion in his face never seems to disappear when he looks at me, yet, he plays it cool. Like he thinks I don't notice. Moreover, he remained his usual quiet self when I join in with Sora, Tai and him. Maybe it was just his nature- being silent.

Today, I was wearing a pair of low waist denim capris, a short black halter top that left my abdomen bare with a dark green leopard spotted jacket, and a pair of black sandals. I love leopard prints.

I took my books from my locker and looked at myself in the mirror before closing it. It was then that I saw a pair of sapphire blue eyes staring at me far behind from my back. I closed my locker and turned to my back only to see Yamato look at me expressionless, a few meters away in his locker. So, I returned his actions. I stared back, but he didn't move his gaze. We stood there facing each other from a wide distance with probably dozens of people passing by. He didn't, and I didn't bother to smile. Was this a staring contest?

That was the only moment I noticed his full features in the whole week, because I never once tried to care to examine his physical outlooks. I was too preoccupied with his behavior. And now that I did, I never realized that he was so handsome, very handsome. His eyes were of course a deep sapphire blue, and matched with his golden gelled hair. He was wearing a blue polo shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, two buttons undone. I could almost admire him. He was an attention grabber. It made me wonder if he ever had a girlfriend before. Or maybe girls madly throw themselves at him.

The bell rang, only to break our little game. He was the first to look away, and walked off. That left me curios… Maybe I should keep an eye on him.

I walked towards my first class. Classes haven't even started yet but what just happened was interesting.

Lunch had finally come and I made my way over to Tai and Sora's table in the cafeteria. They were laughing, looking so happy and normal. Somehow, I was envious of them. They were normal- able to love somebody and know the real them. While for me… It's different.

"Hey," I grabbed a chair and sat down.

"Hi Meems," Sora greeted. "So how's class?"

"Fine I guess. What were you laughing about?"

"Nothing funny," answered Tai. Right. Nothing funny but they were laughing.

Then, Yamato suddenly appeared, pulling a chair between Tai and Sora just opposite from me and sat down, leaning on his back.

"What's up man?" asked Tai.

"The ceiling," he answered in an uninterested tone without a trace of humor in his voice and Tai laughed again. He shot me a glare for a second and turned away. What have I done now?

"Ryo's having a party… and alcohol tonight," he announced with casualty.

"Sure, we're going. You're coming right?" Sora asked me. Then I noticed how he just suddenly became surprised at Sora's invitation, although he was looking away.

"Uhm.. Who's Ryo?" I decided to ask first before giving a direct answer.

"His bandmate. Don't you have classes with him? I heard you do. He even told me you we're sexy," Tai explained with a chuckle. And I swear, I saw Yamato's jaw tighten.

"Oh. I don't pay much attention to other students."

"Hmm.. So are you coming or what?" asked Sora.

"Is it okay?" I asked arching an eyebrow as I turned to look at Yamato, though I wasn't exactly talking to him. I didn't know if he wanted me to be there.

"It's alright," he replied without averting his gaze towards me, and he knew I was somehow asking for his approval.

"Okay. I guess. So did you finish the game last night?"

"Yeah. TK's team won. Too bad Matt didn't get to celebrate," Sora answered.

"What do you mean?"

"He left just a while after you did," explained Tai.

"Oh.."

Maybe he was the one I sensed following me. No, that couldn't be. I didn't see anyone or missed anything. I laughed mentally. That's too egoistic to think of.

I looked at the time, and it was near my next class. I stood up and left the three.

After having two more classes, I saw Sora run towards me as I stuffed my books in my locker.

"What's up?" I asked.

"We'll pick you up later, I mean me and Tai. We don't know where you live."

"Down 9th street. The one with the big black gate."

"Ok. See you later."

"Sure," I waved and headed towards the parking lot.

I drove back home, and took the stairs to my room. I did all my homework, finishing them at exactly six o'clock. It was already dark as I looked outside my window and anytime soon Sora and Tai would be here. But something caught me by surprise at what I saw outside, again.

The light yellow furred wolf was by my gate, sniffing. I looked intently at it and it seemed to feel my watch as its ears twitched. I didn't get the chance to see its face. So I ignored it and I went for a bath.

After I stepped outside my bathroom with a towel wrapped around me, I looked outside my window again. I didn't see the animal by my gate, but on the top of my neighbor's roof instead just across my window. It was sitting, its face bowed down. My eyes narrowed, and I pulled down the curtains. I didn't want any animal watching me, especially this kind.

I pulled on a long dark denim pants and a fit off-shoulder grey shirt with sleeves just above my elbows. It left my stomach bare showing the scar at my back. Then I slipped in a pair of converse and pulled back my hair into a ponytail. Just after I put on light mascara, I heard a honk of a vehicle.

I tucked the window curtain and I saw a silver vehicle parked beside the street. That must be them already. I took one glance at my neighbor's roof, but the dog was gone. So I ran down stairs to meet them.

"Hey," I greeted as opened the gate and went outside, then closing it gain behind me.

"Hello. C'mon, let's go," Sora motioned for me to get inside the car.

"Hi Tai," I greeted him in the driver's seat. He laughed at me and I didn't know what was funny about that. He drove down the street and after a few minutes, we stopped at a big house with several people going inside.

"We're here," he announced.

We got inside. The music was loud, but not too much. There were several people present and I guess there will be a lot more to come. A guy with neatly gelled brown hair came over the three of us.

"Guys! Glad you came. So I finally have the chance to meet Mimi," he said.

"Yeah I know," Tai replied. "By the way, Mimi this is Ryo and Ryo, you alredy know her."

"Hi," I smiled. He too, smiled.

"So where's Yamato?" he asked us.

"He'll come here later by himself," Tai explained.

Soon, people came arriving. People danced with the music, some just drank alcohol and punches. I was sitting on the couch when Ryo came and sat with me, offering me a beer, which I gladly accepted.

"So how's your first week?" he asked.

"Pretty cool I guess. There's no trouble or anything like that."

"Find anything that you think is weird or unnatural?"

I took a drink and thought about that for a second.

"Hmm.. Well, Yamato's pretty quiet, mysterious." Then I heard him laugh.

"I can't say anything about that. That's him."

"I don't know. The way he acts is so frustrating. Sometimes he thinks I smell so bad," I explained.

"I don't think so. You smell fragrant actually."

That made me laugh. "Thanks."

After a while, I decided to have some fresh air outside continuing to drink. While I leaned my side on the post in front of the porch, I saw a midnight blue vehicle turning its engine off. A blonde came out and I figured it was Yamato. The wind suddenly blew and he stiffened.

No doubt, he smelled me again. I was becoming used to that. Though I can't understand why.

He relaxed and turned his way towards me to the porch. Without a smile, he stopped beside me just before he could go inside.

"You really need to stop doing that," I said without facing him.

"Doing what exactly?" he asked in a serious, yet mysterious tone.

"Making me look like I smell nasty."

"You don't," he answered simply, not even surprised that I noticed. "Just different."

I was shocked. He then went inside without even giving me a chance to recover. I smell different?

I went inside, getting another beer to cleanse my thirst. The music was blaring, and it was hot. People were dancing everywhere and there was little space left. The place became a little dim now compared to what I have seen when we just arrived. Ryo came over me looking drunk.

"Having fun?" he asked.

"Yeah, great," I smiled at him.

"You want a drink?" he offered me a bottle of beer again.

"No thanks."

"What a shame. I'll see you around. Drinks are waiting for me.." he trailed off.

As I was just about to turn back, I saw Yamato leaning on the doorframe of the kitchen, looking at me with dark sapphire eyes and hardened jaw, like I was some food ready to be eaten.

I hurriedly turned my back to him as if it was nothing, and squeezed through the people making my way outside to the porch.

••Yamato••

I watched her as she talked to Ryo. I had to admit that she really is different, but I can't deny that she was also extremely beautiful.

So strange… yet fascinating.

Her eyes were a piercingly wonderful pair of hazel, glinting in the dark. Her smell- it's too intriguing, the one thing that keeps me up at night, thinking. And her graceful movements… It seemed… I can't find the word…

Feline?

And as I watched her turn her back, my eyes shot open to what I saw. There on her right back waist was a three marked scar looking fresh like it was just yesterday. If smells can be intriguing, I don't know what I could say about this one.

My curiosity overwhelmed me; so I followed her out.

I saw her sitting, watching the dark empty street as I stood behind her two feet away. There was that smell again, hitting me hard.

"You're doing it again," she said without averting her gaze. She must have felt my presence.

"You're observant," I answered.

"And you have a strong sense of smell."

I didn't answer to that. The seconds ticked with silence.

"You're not going to explain that are you?" she finally asked. Still, I didn't answer. "Why are you always so quiet?"

"I don't feel the need of saying anything," I said and took a sit on another seat. "Would you care explaining me that big scar of yours?"

A guy happens to pass us offering more alcohol, and she took and drank one before explaining. I began to notice that she was getting woozy.

"Hmm.. Well, I got this since I was eight, scratched by some cat. And I hell don't know how it never got healed. But anyway, yes, a cat did this. But I didn't hold grudges. After all, it saved me from those stupid wolves that killed my parents. What a waste. Stinkin' dogs shouldn't exist."

I snorted at her response. At least she could be honest and not make up lies about it.

"So what brings you here in Japan? You're from the States right?"

"Uhm, mostly because I miss home. It's too dangerous for me there."

"And you live with whom?" I asked.

"Myself," she said finishing her last drink. I raised an eyebrow to that.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," I murmured.

Then, she stood up trying to get to the door inside. She was walking in a woozy state that she could have tripped and fallen on the floor if I hadn't caught her.

"You're drunk," I whispered in her ear. Funny, I liked how she smells. Especially her hair, and the part under her ear, and jaw… and her neck. "I should get you home."

"No, no. It's okay. I could handle myself. Promise," she swore as she looked into my eyes. And it looked like she really meant it. So I detangled my arms from her.

When she took a couple of steps, again, she tripped. Still, I caught her.

"Okay, okay," she said. "You can take me home. Dammit."

I took her by the waist and shifted her weight so she can manage to somehow be stable. I took out my phone and left Ryo and Sora a message.

"You know that's not nice," she voiced out. "You should at least let them know."

"It's nothing. They'll understand."

••Mimi••

We walked towards his car while he held me by my waist. I tugged myself closer to him, to his chest and I could smell his strong, fragrant cologne. Was it Bvlgari? Or Calvin Klein? Which ever, I liked it. I inhaled the scent as I rested my cheek on his shoulder. I didn't even realize that my other arm wound up on his waist too. I felt embarrassed, but I liked the feeling too. A warm blush flushed to my face to what I was thinking. Good thing he doesn't see it.

We reached his dark blue BMW, and he carefully laid me in the passenger's seat. I shut my eyes and clutched the seat with my nails. I could feel something different, but not from the alcohol. It was a mixture of emotions. Anxiety, curiosity, confusion… It's making my head spin.

"Are you alright?" a voice asked. I opened my eyes to see Yamato in the driver's seat. I haven't heard him go inside.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine," I answered as I looked away outside. It was dark. Still, I could feel his gaze on me as he started the engine.

I don't know why I was feeling this way. My head is starting to ache, and I was suddenly cold. I'm absolutely sure that alcohol had nothing to do with this. My heartbeat was pounding fast, as if something wrong is gonna happen.

I leaned my back to the seat and looked straight at the road. Something was bothering me and I don't know what. And I was scared that something might actually happen, and I won't like it. It seems very confusing right now.

The car came to a stop. I looked around and we were in front of my gate. Sudden realizations came up to me. Have I been so absorbed about thinking that I left Yamato out in the silence? It was a quick ride and I didn't get the chance to speak to him. I was so rude. And how did he know where my house was? I don't think I've told him before.

"Can you go inside by yourself?" he asked.

I shook my head and grabbed the door. "I guess so.." It came out as a whisper.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am," as soon as I opened the door, he got out. He helped me with myself when I stumbled out, and landed on his arms.

"Sorry," I mumbled without looking at him. Usually, I wasn't this clumsy to my movements. I know they were without flaws as I was used to being feline. But maybe it was really because of alcohol… but I don't think so.

"Don't mind me," he said. I clutched to him as he walked me by the gate and to the doorstep. I unlocked the door, turned on the lights, and he put me down the sofa. My eyes were heavy, and still my head was spinning. I was tired.

I hesitantly looked at his face. "Uhm, Matt. This might sound crazy, but could you please stay with me for the night? Just until I fall asleep?" I looked down embarrassed. "I don't really want to explain right now but I want some company. I'm sorry for being a load to you, please?"

There was silence. I could here his heavy breathing. Stupid I was to ask such favor. I bit my lip and finally lifted my gaze to him.

He was also looking at me. "Sure, of course."

I smiled and got up. He held me again, and I was getting used to it that I might grow attached to his presence. Still, I liked the feeling. It was comforting.

I led the way upstairs to my bedroom. As we reached it, I turned on the lights and grabbed some clothes from the closet. I went to the bathroom and changed to a shirt and a pair of shorts.

When I got back, Yamato was sitting on a sofa.

"Thanks for staying," I said as I crawled to bed under the covers. "It's just that it gets so lonely being the only one staying in this big house."

"Hmm.. You're right. You should get some sleep. You look dead."

I took a last look at him as he did to me. We stared at each other in silence, as I committed his sapphire eyes in my memory before I closed mine. And at last, my heavy eyelids won over me, having his only pair of blue eyes be the last thing I saw as I drifted into sleep.

Before I was completely unconscious, I felt a hand brush my hair from my face, and something pressed on my forehead. The fragrant scent was there too.

But I wasn't so sure.

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-a/n-

Press review! Please, I'm begging you, if you want to know what's next. Then again, see you soon in my next update. Cancercute, out.