Chapter 19: Camping

"Eh?" the girl blinks as she stares at the person at her door, his broad frame leaning against its frame almost lazily as his hands sit in his pockets. Red eyes bore into her, casual and harmless at first glance. However, she knows that they are annoyed and ruthelessly disappointed. "Camping?" She honestly doesn't remember agreeing to anything like that.

But all the same, Yuji nods his head and shifts one foot behind the other, "Yea, camping. Remember? We made plans to go camping before the year started. You said that we don't hang out enough and suggested that we do something. I wanted to go bowling or to the amusement park but you insisted on something longer". Pulling a little booklet from his left front pocket, something the green haired teen has had a habit of carrying since he was young, he flips it open to a specific page and turns the booklet around for her to look at. There, in his neat scrawl reads 'Camping with Maki-chan for five days'. He turns the page, showing what date they planned on returning. "Now do you remember?"

Tatsumaki purses her lips, her brows furrowing, "...Kind of," was she sleepy when she was talking to him about this? Because the memory is incredibly fuzzy. Looking over her shoulder, she purses her lips. Inside and up the stairs, sleeping on her bed is a certain blue haired teen, his body coverd in Yuji's clothing and his limbs strewn all about. They had stayed up pretty late the night before, kissing and snuggling, doing stuff newly made couples do. Nothing sleazy of course, but enough that she wouldn't want to tell her childhood friend about it. A hand is placed over her neck towards the nape where she knows a certain mark to lay, just barely hidden by her shirt. Yea, Yuji really wouldn't take well to any of that.

"You can bring someone else if you want," Yuji states simply, "I was actually thinking about inviting the basketball team and the Stride team as well".

"Hah? Why?" She thought that it was just going to be the two of them five seconds ago.

"Because when Satsuki went to Aomine's house to see if he wanted to go shopping with her, her parents told her that he was spending the night here. Your hand is staying on your neck for too much of a long time for it to just be stiff, meaning that something must have gone down between the two of you- something that was bound to happen eventually- and you're afraid to let me know. Just so you know, I was the one who encouraged him to act on his feelings if that's how he felt for you. Looks like I was right".

The Stride ace blinks, wide eyed. Her surprise is further risen when arms wrap around her waist and pull her back into a broad and strong chest, lips proudly resting on her neck before the chin to those lips are rested on her shoulder. "Best advice I've ever taken from someone. You're not a bad guy, Nobuyuki," Daiki's voice rings next to her, only letting her startled heart settle down just a tad. At least it wasn't some stranger.

Yuji rolls his blood colored eyes, "Yea, whatever. Hurt her and I break you," they both knew those words were bound to come at some time. "Congratulations though," at this, he watches his childhood friend settle into the firm hold that envelopes her. "So are you two coming or not?"

Tatsumaki pauses, "You heard everything didn't you?" Daiki nods against her anatomy, "Do you wanna go?" She'd rather not leave him behind but regardless of if he goes or not she has to- apparently she said she would and as a female of her word she is obligated to attend the event.

The tanned male shrugs his shoulders, "Sure. I don't have anything better to do". Plus, it will allow him to ward off any other men trying to make a move on the girl in his arms. He's seen the way Satoshi has looked at her from time to time. And Imayoshi is a sly mother fucker. If those two are going, then certainly Aomine will be going as well. "The basketball and Stride team regulars, huh?"

"Just those who can make it. It's going to be a casual outing rather than some training camp like last time. So not everyone is coming. So far I have you two, myself and Satsuki, Imayoshi, Satoshi and perhaps Sakurai. And my friend Yasei from the girl's volleyball team".

"...She's the second year girl you went out to the festival with, isn't she?" Tatsumaki suddenly grins, "Yasei huh? She wild like her name?"

Yuji blushes but does not bother to hide it, knowing that the girl before him would only tease him more. Coupled with the fact that Aomine is giving him a look of 'you dog you' there's really no point in denying any of it. "Yes," he agrees, "That is who I went with. I think you and she would get along well".

"Well now I have to go," Tensai urges, "I mean, you basically set up Daiki and I up; I don't wanna miss returning the favor".

"There's no favor you need to return," Yuji insists, "Seriously. Don't meddle". Last time she did, it was because she dubbed the girl not worthy of Yuji. She had been right, but that doesn't mean she had to spook the horses in the pasture to the point of nearly trampling both partakers of the date. And the time before that, it was a horrid match that she had insisted on- that didn't end up good either. Poor girl is probably still afraid of the snakes she so loved from afar. Collecting himself from his momentary trip down memory lane, he clears his throat and continues, "Anyways, Aomine see if you can go. Contact Tatsumaki if you can or can't. Regardless of whether he can or cannot, Tatsumaki meet me at the train station in two hours".

The white haired girl raises a hand to salute the retreating green haired male as he turns and leaves her property without another word. Stepping back with Aomine's tug, she closes the door and sighs. Well, she's going to have to pack fairly quickly. And getting to and from Aomine's house is going to take an hour give or take the time it takes for him to pack as well if he can go. "So, before I go pack...Is there something you want for breakfast? I can cook most basic meals and some more fancy ones if you want".

But Daiki has different plans. Now with privacy given back to him and his girl- that's got such a nice ring to it- being turned around in his arms to face him he has different plans. "I'm hungry for something else," he shamelessly hints at as he brings his face lose to her own, a predatorial smirk spreading across his face. If there's one thing that they learned about one another, it's that Daiki is certainly the dominant being- not to state the obvious. And not to say that Tatsumaki is not as well- she knows what she wants and when- but his seem to even over take her own desires. And she, finding the dominance actually kind of hot, crumbles under the brash advances of his person. So when she squeaks and backs up against the door upon his command, he is more than just a little amused. There is arousal there as well- how could it not be with her crumbling under his kiss like she is, and with the fervor she returns the lip lock they enter?- however he is careful to keep it at bay. He knows that it's too early to ask for something too intimate unfortunately. His lips move against her own in a deadly dance of careful breathing and experimental angles and a tongue war. As one hand keeps him from crushing her against the door and the other keeps her close still, he can feel her person trembling under his palm at the small of her back.

What a nice reaction.

Still, when she breaks the embrace to catch her breath, she stares up at the navy eyes with swollen lips pulled into a playful scowl. "That's not breakfast".

"Plenty of nourishment for me," he intones, grinning almost cruelly when she turns a brilliant red. Still, he stands and pulls away from her, missing the softness and warmth of her body already but dealing with it all the same. "I should just go and pack right away. Like I said, my folks are pretty cool with what I do now a days. And since I'll be home before the curfew they set for me last night that'll give me extra points towards them saying yes". Silently he adds that if he tells them that Tatsumaki will be there, they'll say yes almost instantly. They've taken a shine to the girl, and he can't blame them to be honest.

The green eyed girl blinks but nods even as her new lover opens the door and makes to leave. However, she calls his name causing him to pause. Bravely does she step forward, jerk him down by the collar of his borrowed shirt and steal another prolonged kiss. However she releases him before he can twine his arms around her waist and make it even deeper. She grins, realizing that kissing is swiftly becoming her favorite passed time with him- and it probably will be for a little while, being in the honeymoon phase of their relationship- and shoos him when he stays. "Go get packed. Email me when you're on your way back; there's plenty more of that when you get back". That much she's certain of. The bronzed teen flashes her a lopsided smirk before he nods and jogs off her property, keeping his pace lazy and not at all in a hurry. Once she has the door closed again, she turns and sets up to get ready.

Approximately one hour and forty minutes later finds Tatsumaki leaning against a pillar within the train station waiting for the rest of those apparently going camping with them to arrive. Already with them are Sakurai and Satoshi. Oddly enough, upon seeing the latter, Daiki had decided to take a hold of her hand and pull her close. She wanted to, but didn't ask him about the suddenly possessive movement. It isn't surprising though, as he comes off as a possessive person to begin with regardless of what it is- if it's his, it's his. That, and she's a bit flattered by it- though by no means would she let it get out of hand. She's heard about relationships ending badly because the guy or girl was too possessive, which is something she wants to avoid at all costs. Never the less, those left to appear are Imayoshi, Yuji, his friend Yasei and Satsuki.

"Oh? It looks like you two are pretty cozy," a voice brings her attention to a position to her left. Tilting her head in greeting, the captain of the basketball team smiles widely upon seeing the joined hands of the two freshmen, "Did you finally admit to her your feelings, Aomine?"

But Daiki merely grunts and scowls to his senior, "Shut it, Imayoshi". It should be obvious that he's laid claim to her. Even more so as her current shirt, a simple light blue shirt to go with her black short shorts, cannot cover the mark he has left on the junction of her neck and shoulder. His grip on her palm tightens as a low growl rumbles through his chest as though doing so would make him appear dominant.

Imayoshi merely smiles his usual smile, letting the dangerous glare bounce off of him harmlessly, "Good morning Tensai-chan, you're looking as lovely as always". Tatsumaki tilts her head, curious towards the sudden nick name. "Ah, you seem confused as to why I added that honorific. One of the reasons is because I heard about your part in the End of Summer race- it was something to behold I hear. And you've also managed to tame Aomine. That is a feat in and of itself".

"Winning that race was nothing," she denies blandly, her thumb making to coax her other half into a calmer state by silently running over the back of his hands and making little circles there. She doesn't like the way this guy is talking to Daiki. Sure he seems pretty nice, she'll admit, but not right now. "I didn't do any taming either so you better keep your eye out".

"Ahh, of course," the senior merely chuckles and nods. Now he turns his attention to Sakurai, "Good morning Sakurai".

"G-Good morning Imayoshi-senpai".

"Good, everyone is here," the familiar sound of Nobuyuki's voice catches the attention of those within the group, eyes though land on two people instead of one. Standing next to Nobuyuki is an unfamiliar young woman. Her hair is a fiery red, long and wavy as equally long bangs frame her heart shaped face. She is of average Japanese woman size- in other words petite- but curvy like a vixen and slim as any good athlete should be. Like starlight, her eyes are silver, shining even in the shadow of the train station as a smile spreads across her face. "I'm glad you could make it. Before we go, I'd like to introduce to you my friend Kazefujin Yasei. She's the Vice Captain of Touou's volleyball team. Kazefujin, you may know them in passing but I'll introduce them to you anyways. To our right you have Sakurai Ryo, the Shooting Guard of our basketball team. Next you have Imayoshi Shoichi- the Captain of the boys basketball team. Next to him is a team mate of mine, Satoshi Jiro, he is a regular and all-rounder for the Stride team. The blue haired guy you see there is Aomine Daiki- the basketball's ace. Finally you have-"

"Ah! I know you!" Yasei's voice is confident and her face is bright as she suddenly steps forward and away from Yuji's side. Instead she opts to take Tatsumaki's only free hand. "You're Tensai Tatsumaki!" She exclaims as though a child meeting their favorite cartoon character for the first time. "You have no idea how big a fan of yours I am! I went to go see the End of Summer race and was amazed more than usual! I didn't know you could move that fast!" Stepping closer and seeming to not even notice Tatsumaki's discomfort. "I have so many questions for you. Like how tall are you really? When's your birthday? What's your favorite color? You never answer the reporters to I'm dying to know!"

Broken from his moment of being stunned, Yuji blinks and then sighs. Leave it to him to like a Tatsumaki fan. It doesn't make things bad for him, it just makes some things awkward. "Kazefujin, Tatsumaki doesn't-"

"And you're going to keep on wondering," Aomine states as he pulls Tatsumaki from the girl's grasp. It had been irritating him that the girl was holding on to her for far too long. But when the white haired girl began to try to gently pull away only to be held on to, that's when he decided it best to give in to his urges and act. It doesn't surprise him in the slightest that he even sees women as enemies when it comes to the girl now hidden behind his broad back. His girlfriend after all is more than just a good role model to look up to. Even he realizes this. But that doesn't mean that the weird bitch needs to touch her. "You're crowding her".

Yasei's frown turns to a slight frown, "Oh, I didn't know that Tensai-sama had a bodyguard even this early into her career". What a shame. She wanted to get to know the girl better. She had said yes because it was Yuji asking her to come. But with Tensai-sama there as well, it just makes the camp trip potentially better- or rather it did. If she's got a bodyguard that she'll have to fight against, then things will be a little strained when it comes to getting close to the younger girl.

Aomine's lips pull into a sneer, "I'm not her bodyguard," though he's certainly acting like one, "I'm her boyfriend".

"Huh?"

"He's not lying," Tatsumaki insists as she meets the admiring gaze of the older girl. Never before had Tatsumaki actually ever met one of her fans. She's more than certain she has at least a few. But she never bothered answering the reporters' questions because they were annoying and the flashing of their cameras hurt her eyes. Thus, she's never actually gone so far as to meet any fans either. This new meeting only further makes her want to avoid them if they're all like Kazefujin. "He is my boyfriend," though her hand splayed across her back is an obvious silent sign of thanks.

Before anything else can be said, the sound of clapping feet across the concrete and panting breaths are heard over the small gathering. It takes a moment, however when they are close enough, it's easy to distinguish that the runner is a girl. A girl whom doesn't at all seem to be that good at running from the sounds of it. Whipping around the corner is a pink haired girl, her stunning red eyes clenched shut tight- though how she manages to continue forward without running into anything is unknown to all save maybe Imayoshi- as she finally comes to a halt. Opening her eyes, she slumps over to put her hands on her knees in an attempt to catch her breath. "Sorry," she heaves her breaths, "I'm late".

"It's fine," Yuji assures swiftly, thankful for the distraction. Out of the corner of his eye he spots his childhood friend slowly creeping out from behind Aomine. That's something he takes a note of- she's not good with obsessive fans. For obvious reasons he hadn't known that before. He supposes it is a good thing that Aomine was around to be gruff- the white haired girl can be too nice or her own good. "I told you all to come here at this time so that you'd be early by fifteen minutes regardless of whether you'd be early or late".

Blinking almost curiously, Tatsumaki sighs and then smiles, "That's something only you would do". Ever the planner, of course he would take into notion the possibility that someone would be late. Not even after she says this, though, her attention is brought to the sound coming from around and above them. Announcing something that clicks in her mind as important, she points out, "Isn't that our ride?"

There is a dull, bland even, silence that surrounds them.

"...I had not planned for someone to be this late," the relationer admits before bursting into a run, his pack and other belongings bumping against his back and legs with each bounce and spring of his rushed steps. "Run!" The sound of troubled footsteps follow after him, wanting nothing more than to catch their train ride to their destination.

(Untouchable)

They had been lucky enough to catch the train to the mountains, the door having closed behind Satsuki- whom Tatsumaki had been kind enough to tug along to keep her from being left behind- not even a second after she entered the cab. The train ride had been five hours of basic silence and some conversation. Some of it was just stories shared between the teens, another portion being random questions about one another- though for Yasei towards Tatsumaki it wasn't so random but instead organized and well thought- some of which were answered and others avoided. Aomine ended up falling asleep on Tatsumaki's shoulder, using it as a head rest and her entire person as something of a life sized body pillow. It irritated her until Satoshi was kind enough to help her free her arms to allow for some amusement. From the train ride, they had to take a two hour bus ride, on which this time it was Tatsumaki whom fell asleep. Aomine was more than happy to hold the girl, going so far as to drag her into his lap where she curled up rather nicely like a content cat. This earned him an annoying jibe from Imayoshi, but other than that the ride was fairly calm. And then came the hike to their spot- an unknown point in the woods that was not an actual campsite but rather literally in the middle of nowhere.

Tents were set up, there being three in total. One for the girls and the other two for the boys for obvious reasons. Surprisingly, only Tatsumaki, Imayoshi and Yuji know how to camp in the way they plan- this they found out during their traverse. They know how to make a fire pit from scratch, how to store some water other than in the containers Yuji had brought with him as well as how to hunt and skin animals- or rather scale them in terms of Imayoshi's skills. This left them as heads of the group in terms of survival.

"So...Now what?" Aomine questions as he leans back on his hands, legs stretched out as far as they can go. Next to him sits either of the only important people there. On his left sits Satsuki, on his right is Tatsumaki. "We're camping, we've eaten dinner and cleaned up after ourselves, so now what do we do? Bring out a guitar and sing a song?" Tatsumaki suddenly snickers, into her glass of water, a grin slipping across her lips. Bothered by her snicker, his brows furrow as he frowns her way, "What?" He was serious. This is the first time he's been camping for real- the 'fake' camping he did was at a site with his folks. So what should they do now?

The ace runner further grins at his irritation, finding it funny despite his scowl sent her way, "Sorry. It's just that your question was so innocent. It was kind of cute". This only gets her less amusement sent her way. Obviously her big bad boyfriend doesn't like the idea of being 'cute' even if he was called as such by his own girlfriend.

At her free side, Imayoshi snickers, "A question as innocent as that certainly does go with his baby face, doesn't it Tensai-chan?" He smiles wider upon a snarl being thrown his way. However, the white haired girl throws her head back and laughs loud and proud fearless of what nocturnal animal she may have woken up in her roaring. But her response is not the one he was hoping to get from her.

"Baby face? Aomine? No way," she grins to the gray eyed male, "Daiki's face is angular like a man's already. It's only going to get even better as he gets older. That's what I think".

"So Aomine-san is definitely your type of guy, Tatsumaki-sama? Rough exterior with a soft spot only for their lover?"

"I believe we have asked you to stop trying to ask questions like those, Kazefujin-san," Satoshi interrupts lightly. Though he cannot help but wonder himself. Is Aomine Tensai's type? The kind that is literally the embodiment of tall, dark and handsome? He can't say she blames her- he's heard that plenty of girls now dislike her for taking Aomine from them. Not only that, but most girls like guys that are taller than them, not the other way around. Tensai towers over everyone there save for the blue haired male, after all which only further points out her own height as none of them are on the short side save for maybe Momoi.

Yasei rubs the back of her red locks sheepishly, "Sorry about that. I couldn't help myself".

Satsuki laughs, "I know what you mean, Kazefujin-chan, I get the same way when it comes to opponents of the basketball team".

"Ahh, but when you get like that, it's actually useful and not in the slightest annoying," Imayoshi points out, a fearless jibe towards the volleyball player. He smiles off Yuji's dangerous stare, finding it cute that he would so loyally protect the girl whom is technically his senpai. "I have an idea. Perhaps we can tell scary stories? That is a classic, I believe". He takes silent note of Tatsumaki's sudden stiffening, though this movement is carefully covered up as she leans back onto her elbows and she offers an easy smile.

The first thought that runs through her head is 'oh no' however she refuses to settle on this notion. The only one who could possibly tell a story good enough to seriously scare her is to her left. Maybe the person across the fire to her or the one next to her, but no one else. Yuji isn't angry at her- she's done nothing to him that could be considered worth revenge lately, having been sucked into Daiki's life and her own as well. Aomine probably won't be interested enough to get into it. So in all reality she has to keep an eye out for Imayoshi...Great. That's still not exactly a good thing- she after all hardly knows enough about him to tell when he's about to do something mean or rude or anything else for that matter. With him smiling like that all the time and the only moments his eyes are open is when he's on the court, he's a blank book to her.

"I don't see why not," she allows all the same as Yuji catches her gaze. She prays that he's the only one that sees the slight fear she knows to be in her eyes.

"I've always loved a good scary story," Yasei allows as she rolls over onto her stomach, having formerly been on her back. "I hope you guys can think up something good! I'm really hard to scare".

Satoshi pauses, pondering. He too has heard that telling scary stories around a camp fire is the norm. But he's really never been one for social gatherings such as this- or parties for that matter- so he's not completely certain that he'd be any good at it. Carefully his blue and gold- he had opted to keep his contact out, as maintenance would be troublesome during camping he assumed- eyes roam over those he couldn't call friend but are not completely just acquaintances either. Trying to find an answer that would make him happy as them as well, he continues on with his silence. Until finally he relents and agrees with a near stoic nod, "It seems like an alright activity for the night".

In the mean time, Satsuki brings her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around those in order to curl up in a ball, "Do we have to? I'm really not good with ghost stories to be honest". As she admits this, a sheepish smile spreads across her pretty face. "Yuji can attest to that for me. Right cousin?"

The red eyed male looks into orbs that reflect his own in the fire. Finding it okay to support her as she asked him to- as opposed to a certain female- he nods, "Satsuki gets nightmares easily. She tends to cling to the nearest person when frightened". And that just so happens to be himself or Aomine.

"That's fine," Imayoshi points out, "Momoi-san can cling to Aomine, Kazefujin-san can cling to Satoshi and Tensai-chan can cling to me if she too gets scared".

"Like hell she will/ I'd actually rather curl up to Daiki, thanks," two voices intertwine. One sounds more than just a little angry, and the other is a simple statement to decline the offer the sly senior had so kindly proposed.

Aomine bears sharp white teeth at Imayoshi over Tatsumakis head, his shoulders stiff and drawn back. A sound akin to a growl- a noise he naturally makes to ensure dominance over this matter- rips from his throat without remorse. He doesn't care if it sounds far too human to actually frightening or if it actually does work. He just wants to get his point across. "I'll protect Tatsumaki if she gets scared," whilst uttering this, one of his arms stretches out to brush against one of her own though she still lay back onto her elbows, their limbs crossing.

"I also have to oppose to that," Yuji admits, "It would be odd for a girlfriend not to curl up to her lover if she were to become frightened". Silently he scowls Imayoshi's way. He had invited the senior because he was a fairly nice guy- even if he did have his quirks, his habit of casually insulting someone being one of them- but he does not approve of the fact that it was suggested that Kazefujin would curl up to a man that is not himself. Yes, Yuji is letting his own jealousy speak for him rather than the logic that he makes certain laces his words.

"Ho~?" The eldest there cimes, "It would seem I stepped on some toes. Forgive me".

"I'm sure you were just playing around, Imayoshi-senpai," Kazefujin grins, though there is malice in her eyes as well. Never the less she brings them back on track, "So, scary stories?"

"Perhaps we should keep them short in order to preserve time," Satoshi points out, if the stories are too long, not everyone will have a turn. Unknown to him, Tatsumaki thinks that it would be just fine if only one story was told- or better yet, none at all.

"Good idea, Satoshi," Yuji praises. "I suppose I'll start if that's okay with everyone?" Silence greets him, "Very well". Glancing to the white haired girl across the fire from him, he silently sighs and opts to take it easy on her. " 'The Moores are having a baby.' I glanced up from the table, surprised. 'They got the okay?' My husband nodded. 'The paperwork came in today, so I heard'. He lowered his eyes in sorrow. 'Poor Joanna'. 'She's only 53,' I breathed. A bead of sweat dripped down my brow, landing on the cool, concrete floor of the bunker. I tried to remind myself to be thankful for this place, this concrete tomb, but it grew more difficult each day. Perpetuum Technologies, the company that sprung up just in time for the largest nuclear war the world had ever seen, had designed the vault to sustain one thousand people for as long as it took the surface to be inhabitable again. Exactly one thousand people. Poor Joanna indeed".

Silence greets him in turn, however it is his very crush whom turns to him with a bland face. "Nobyuki-kun, that one was lame".

"No one said what kind of frightening it had to be," he defends himself. Ah, this is what he gets for going easy for the sake of the bond he has with another girl. Daring to look her way, he shrugs lightly, "It is a frightening concept, however. Think about it. If you were in Joanna's position, how would you take it? Only fifty three years old and due to be executed all for the sake of a new life when yours only just hit the half way point at most? You could not run away, as the lands above you are tainted with chemicals and not capable of sustaining life any longer. You, out of all the other 'elders' were chosen. To live that way is frightening at least".

"...Meh," she's not impressed.

But Satoshi is, "I understand. It is a fear of death that you were hinting at in a slightly abstract way". He nods his head once, "I would be most certainly frightened. To be unable to run, let alone away, is a terrifying thought". Leave it to him to think of running in general first. "I suppose I'll go next," he initiates after a moment. "I don't know why I looked up, but when I did I saw him there. He stood against my window. His forehead rested against the glass, and his eyes were still and light and he smiled a lipstick-red, cartoonish grin. And he just stood there in the window. My wife was upstairs sleeping, my son was in his crib and I couldn't move I froze and watched him looking past me through the glass. Oh, please no. His smile never moved but he put a hand up and slid it down the glass, watching me. With matted hair and yellow skin and face through the window. I couldn't do anything. I just stayed there, frozen, feet still in the bushes I was pruning, looking into my home. He stood against my window".

Silence lingers over the group of teens until finally Kazefujin sighs and shakes her head, "Man, you guys suck at telling scary stories. Short or not they should have some sort of impact".

"Forgive me, it was a thought that merely popped into my head," Satoshi defends himself where as Nobuyuki opts to stay silent.

Tatsumaki can't help but sigh a sweet breath of relief, hidden as best as it can be, when once more a story fails to truly send her on the alert. Yuji had been kind enough to her to hold back, and Satoshi just simply isn't the kind of person to really tell stories like these. With another breath she plasters a smile onto her face, though she does not notice the careful gaze Aomine gives her from the corner of her eye. Seeing her stiffen and then suddenly relax twice now is odd. She doesn't look cold and there's no one touching her other than him and his arm. So what has her so worried? "My turn," she chimes. Sitting up and leaning forward now, she crosses her legs over one another and rests her elbows on her thighs. Carefully she maintains her smile though her voice is certain to become too happy for effect. Out of anyone there save for maybe Kazefujin, she knows that it's not just the story but also the person telling it that gets someone. And so she begins with a calming tone- like that of a mother consoling her child, "Don't be scared of the monsters, just look for them. Look to your left, to your right, under your bed, behind your dresser and," she adds a chuckle though she can feel her own story giving her goose bumps and rising the hairs on the back of her neck. A stiff tension comes to her shoulders as her eyes roam around. While Satoshi and Yuji only look a little bit weary, Satsuki seems to be shifting nervously and Kazefujin appears to be entrapped with the warning. Imayoshi holds that familiar smile, amused if nothing else, and while Daiki seems to pay off his own superstitions, she can see his jaw has locked if only a little bit. Her smile vanishes, warping into a distressed frown as her eyes grow wide. Slowly she looks up, gaze locking onto nothing in particular save for the branches and leaves that so kindly shield them from the starry night. "But, whatever you do...Never look up. She' hates being seen".

Ahh, she shouldn't have done that. Now she's got herself a bit spooked. Wonderful.

Yasei's lips pull widely from side to side, showing the lot of them an excited grin even as she rolls her shoulders due to a shiver that tip toes across them and down her back. "Man! Now we're cooking," she chimes happily. She's obviously more than just a little pleased that someone had brought up a good story. Playfully, she looks up only to see leaves and branches as the story teller had. And then she looks left, right and behind her for good measure. "Sure gave me a little spook!" Leave it to her favorite kohai to meet her expectations. "Oh! My turn! My turn!" More than just a little excited, the second year sits up in her spot, gathering her hands in her lap as she beams. Oh man she hopes the others like this one as much as she does! "I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me, 'Daddy check for monsters under my bed'. I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering," now her voice, much like Tatsumaki's did, dips down and takes on the sound of a frighened child, her lips turning down and her eyes becoming wide with false fear, "'D-Daddy... T-Th-There's somebody on my bed'".

"Oh, that one was a little scary," Imayoshi intones, "What would be more interesting is if he felt breathing on the back of his neck or something".

Aomine rolls his eyes, "That would only happen if it were a movie. In real life he'd be dead the moment his son said that".

Satsuki slaps his arm with the back of her hand, not at all pleased. Shivering slightly both from fear and chilled legs, she scoots herself closer to the fire which appears to be dying down. "Aomine-kun you jerk! Why would you say something like that?!"

"Ow! I was just saying the obvious Satsuki-"

"Momoi-san! You have to call me Momoi-san! It's even more important now that you've got a girlfriend! What if people start talking and spread rumors that you're two-timing her?!" Red fury is sent to meet annoyed blue eyes, her pretty face scowling at the young man at her side.

Again the ace rolls his eyes, "Why would I two time someone like Tatsumaki for someone like you?" Sure, she's got large breasts, and honestly he still likes them. But hot damn feeling Tatsumaki's against his chest is even better. Not to mention, she's way too bossy and whinny for his tastes. His words however earn him yet another smack, causing him to declare his pain and rub his arm. Damn girl's got too much experience in slapping him for her own freaking good. "I'm just saying! Damn, woman- If you hit me, I'm telling everyone what your lucky panties look like". This seems to work, as the girl's face becomes a brilliant pink and she stiffens. The glare however is no less dangerous. Around them, snickers and looks of amusment are passed this way and that. An 'oh, do tell Aomine-kun' from the ever mocking Imayoshi rings between them all earning a few more amused snickers. Of course, Satsuki being the main target of this joke doesn't approve as it causes her face to further brighten up with embarrassment and anger. Happy with his win, for now, he sighs and looks into the cooling fire. However he tilts his head as familiar hands set to work on bringing it back to life. Almost like magic, heat flickers to life, becoming visible to the naked eye in the form of licking flames. These starving tendrils begin the long quest of devouring the carefully placed wood and tinder with glee, the center of each tongue seeming to be brighter than the last fire.

Satoshi notices the difference as well and tilts his head curiously, "Is it me, or is the fire brighter this time around?"

"It's wonderful~," Momoi chimes, her legs and a good portion. "Tensai-chan, I didn't know you were so good with making fires". She had seen the girl working as Aomine was talking towards the end of their argument. Tatsumaki in the mean time shrugs, not at all phased by the praise. She's good with fire and how to build a long lasting pit and nothing more. Some people would say 'Yea, it's because I'm a bit of a pyromaniac' or something along those lines. But the white haired girl has never really felt the urge to play with fire like those people do; she likes fire and all but she respects it too much to challenge its hidden temper. "Anyways, I guess it's my turn," Satsuki states. "So I lost my phone…," she begins slowly as she looks from person to person carefully. "Last night a friend rushed me out of the house to catch the opening act at a local bar's music night. After a few drinks I realized my phone wasn't in my pocket. I checked the table we were sitting at, the bar, the bathrooms, and after no luck I used my friend's phone to call mine. After two rings someone answered, gave out a low raspy giggle, and hung up. They didn't answer again". She sighs, trying to add her own theatric hint to her little story. However, she finds it's more difficult to do than the other two girls had made it seem. Contorting her face into something of a frightened expression she finds herself struggling to hold it. "I eventually gave it up as a lost cause and headed home. I found my phone laying on my night stand, right where I left it".

"Okay, that's spooky," Yasei points out. "I mean, especially if you live alone. Right?" She does not notice Tatsumaki's tension and then shiver. After all, the partial albino does live in a house all on her own. God forbid she ever forget her phone, think she lost it and call it in hopes of finding it.

Daiki shrugs his shoulders, "But only if you live alone. Otherwise it's really not worth the time to worry about". He pauses and eyes the girl whom shifts closer to him. Is she cold? However upon closer inspection, he hides his shock if only a little bit. She's...Scared? Is Tatsumaki superstitious? That would explain all her shifting even during her own story, and why the fear she portrayed at the end seemed so real. He could choose an easy one out of the few that have popped into his head. However...A competitive part of him wonders that if Imayoshi is going last then he will most likely choose something that could be dubbed the creepiest of the stories. Not wanting to be out done, with this in mind, he subtly shifts his frame closer to the girl in order to shroud her from the shadows that she perhaps thinks are out to get her. As she leans back on her elbows, her shoulder brushes against the arm that crosses one of her own. He meets her gaze plainly, not bothering to admit nor deny that he did move closer for her sake. His eyes then drift over to the fire and watch as the tongues lick at the sky. Relentless and merciless despite being tame. And then he begins his tale, "The last thing I saw was my alarm clock flashing 12:07 before she pushed her long rotting nails through my chest, her other hand muffling my screams. I sat bolt upright, relieved it was only a dream, but as I saw my alarm clock read 12:06, I heard my closet door creak open". He does not bother to move with the words, letting them imagine on their own what it would seem like if he were putting more effort into the story. He figures that his rough voice is at the very least enough to give the story some texture. A cough to his side hides the whimper the girl just let out just barely loud enough for him to hear.

"Not bad," Imayoshi praises as his squinty eyes look over the expressions of the others. While Nobuyuki appears to be slightly stiff, at his side Kazefujin shivers with barely hidden glee and fear mixed into one. A masochist the girl seems to be when it comes to spooky things. He wonders, how high is her threshold for such matters? Next to her and Aomine, Satsuki nibbles at her lips, her eyes wide and slightly moist as fear looms in her eyes. Satoshi still seems unaffected, the blank look on his face not changing. A little surprising, but Imayoshi takes the challenge all the same. It would appear that the blue and gold eyed first year is not one whom scares so easily. On Imayoshi's other side, his hidden grays notice the stiff posture that is carefully hidden on Tensai-chan's form. Her eyes every now and then glance behind and above her, seeking the shadows that dare to creep around her. Her arms and shoulders are stiff, her legs oddly still. She refuses to look away from the fire, and she has yet to agree that any of the stories were horrid as Kazefujin insisted. "I suppose I'll take my turn then. However, mine is a bit longer than the others I'm afraid so bear with me".

No one opposes, giving the senior the 'okay' to begin.

His smile drops, his normally tilted eyes opening to look each and every person in the eye from behind his black rimmed glasses. The cheery tone that he normally takes to is replaced by something darker, more sinister. "This is not a story," he warns lowly as though growling out the words, "This is me. I'm here. I'm shifting the words that you're hearing, altering them from whatever the person talking is saying. I've been here for...Awhile. For as long as you can remember, anyway. Sometimes I say your name as you're falling asleep, or whisper urgently in your ear. Do you remember the time that I screamed, throwing panic through you and setting your heart racing?" Imayoshi laughs, his lips turning up into a mocking smile. He can see that his little tale is getting the reactions he was looking for- even from the seemingly ever stoic Satoshi whose eyes glow with a weariness to them. Yuji's shoulders have become straight and stiff, his own gaze narrowing carefully and his lips pulled into tight frown. Heh. He looks like a stern old man like that. At his side is a wide eyed Kazefujin, her pretty silver orbs shining with moisture as tears brim from mere fear. Her fingers absently play with her shoelaces, a motion he realizes is an attempt to keep her mind grounded and away from the possible truth of the story. Momoi looks anywhere but to him, mainly gazing heavily into the fire. Her lips move as though whispering something along the lines of 'It's not real. It can't be real' over and over. Letting the silence linger, his eyes trace to the blue hues of of a certain dark skinned fellow. His face is impassive and bland. Blank even, as though not even this story could get through his thick hide. However, he shoves his momentary surprise to the side upon seeing the biggest reward. It had been his goal, after all. In Aomine's lap- having gotten up shortly after Imayoshi began his story- the slightly smaller teen curls up between his spread legs and buries her face into his shoulder. Her body trembles within the silence, her fingers clutching to his shirt as though it were a life line- and it probably is for her. So cute, the girl is.

He chooses now to continue with a mocking chuckle and hissing words. "That was fun. You're wondering who I am," he shrugs, "That's only natural. But, of course, you already know. I'm you. I'm the real you. I'm the mind that existed here before you stole my body, before you forgot about being a parasite". He spits the words out, face breaking into a momentary snarl. "I'm the child who looked the wrong way, asked the wrong question, saw the wrong thing… But I'm not so little any more. You may have forgotten me, but I'm still here. I've always been here". Here, he takes a moment to take in a deep breath and release a guttural sound. Something of a mix between a growl and merely a low talking voice. Dark and meaningful, he puts pressure into each word, conviction lacing his tone, "And I'm going to get out". Silence once more looms over the small crowd as his gray and open eyes take in reactions. Unfortunately, he was hoping for some sort of jump at the end of his story. Wanting a better reaction, he decides that more is needed. He laughs, dropping the fearsome look on his face and once more squints his eyes to hide the manipulative grays behind the lids. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm not that good of a story teller. Not even Kazefujin-san is mentioning how badly it sucked".

Upon hearing her name, Yasei blinks as she stops zoning out on purpose. Brought back to reality, her starry eyes stare him down. "Huh? That wasn't a bad story at all. It sounded so real". She grins, shivering in memory, "Seriously, where did you learn that from?"

"I'm sorry, I never took you to be afraid of spiders that much," he allows, "I'll keep that in mind for next time".

"You weren't talking about spiders," Nobuyuki points out, his brows furrowed in confusion. What is this guy pulling? Is it an act? Or maybe he had fallen asleep during the story and imagined Imayoshi telling that darker tale to them? No, he's certain that he was awake. So just wha-...Oh. Yuji pauses and narrows his eyes ever so slightly, his posture becoming less rigid upon figuring out the man's plans. He sees. He understands.

Imayoshi pauses, "I'm certain I was. Remember, it was about the woman on the beach whom had a spider lay eggs under her skin?" He prompts from the young second year.

"I do not recall," Satoshi admits, "You mentioning a single thing about spiders".

"Actually," Momoi admits, "I think I do. It's weird though; I'm normally not frightened by spiders". Frogs on the other hand are a completely different story. Get her even two feet near one of those slimy, sticky, gross creatures and she's bound to have some sort of fit. She can thank Aomine for that, actually.

Tatsumaki fiddles with the hem of Daiki's shirt as she huddles into his embrace that protects her from the shadows that dare threaten her well being. She hides from the shadows cast by the fire she had so kindly made, human figures swaying and twisting behind everyone, and the shadows of trees and bushes that threaten to consume them. Her mind is too busy trying to figure out how to calm down. The rational part of her says that there's no way Imayoshi could have been telling a different story while she heard such menacing words that reminded her of things that actually have happened to her before. That he was playing dumb for extra affect. The other side, which is currently winning the battle, insists that Imayoshi probably was telling the truth and had actually been saying stuff about spiders. In her ear, which calms her down a little, a familiar voice rumbles.

"Stop playin' stupid, ass," Aomine insists as his lover crowds into his hold as though a frightened little lamb with the wolf being Imayoshi, "You're freaking out Tatsumaki".

Dropping the innocent look, the senior smiles kindly, "Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten the all mighty Tensai-chan. It would seem that even a great athlete like her is beatable by her fears. Wouldn't you say so?"

"I said shut it," Aomine grunts and stands, "We're goin' to bed. Come on Tatsumaki. You can sleep in the third tent with me. Imayoshi can bunk with the others". Not taking no as an answer from the others, he glares once more at the ass whom had dared to send Tatsumaki's imagination free- a most likely intentional move- and guides her into the third tent after grabbing her things from the girls' tent. He feels no remorse as he literally throws out Imayoshi's belongings, though he's kind of disappointed that the bag didn't land in the fire like he had planned, the senior's quick reflexes keeping his stuff safe.

(Untouchable)

Tatsumaki sighs as she lay next to Daiki in their combined sleeping bags, having made one large bed out of them when she had been woken up from a nightmare for the second time after departing from the others. Currently curled up to his chest like a helpless kitten, she snuggles her face into the warmth that is his person. However, her entire person tenses when she hears movement outside their tent. Soft and gentle like the wind, the steps announce the being just before she senses rather than sees them just outside the door. "Daiki," she whimpers lowly as to not let the unknown know that she is aware of their presence. If they are a murderer whom has already taken the lives of her friends, then she wants to be able to launch a counter attack as fast and soon as possible so that she and Daiki can run away to get help. Uttering his name a second time, she is met with tired and sleep glazed eyes, "There's someone outside the tent".

Alarmed by the girl's fear, a defensive snarl spreads across his lips like it would for any wild animal whom is currently cornered. He sits up, bearing his shirtless self to the cool air of the evening fearlessly as he holds Tatsumaki closer to him by the shoulders now. "Show yourself right now," he demands darkly.

They are met with silence.

However, as the door is unzipped and a smiling face pops their head through the opening, the two tense teens can't help but relax and look on in exasperation. "Ah, I didn't mean to wake either of you up- forgive me. But it would appear that both Satoshi-san and Nobuyuki-san are determined to take up the entire tent despite their smaller statures. I was wondering if I can join the two of you". Having been mainly looking at Aomine up until that point, the Captain's gaze turns to the still huddled girl, "Oh, I didn't mean to scare you Tensai-chan". He steps inside and places his sleeping bag on her other side, "You can sleep between Aomine-kun and I. And if you get frightened again, you can just wake me up and I'll make everything all better".

He is met with silence.

And then, "LIKE HELL YOU WILL! SLEEP ON THAT SIDE OF THE DAMN TENT!" The sound of rustling and that of a body hitting the wall of a tent and nearly knocking it on its side is heard loud and clear through out their little site. "BASTARD!"

"AOMINE-KUN SHUT UP!" Momoi screeches back, causing ears to ring despite the distance.

As though to agree with both yelling figures in one go, Kazefujin admits, "Why don't we all be quiet? Imayoshi-senpai, you should probably go back to your tent!" Before Aomine blows a gasket or murders his own Captain.

"I would prefer it if I could go back to sleep now," Satoshi requests blandly.

Inside his shared tent with the all-round runner of the Stride team, Yuji rubs his temples, "And here I thought things were going to be peaceful".