As if it will completely get broken

Pain and sadness are mixed

Kowarechimai souna hodo

Setsunasa to kurushisa ga mazatte

I ran as fast and as hard as I could after the embarrassing awakening I'd had, feeling for sure that the blush I sported even now would never go away. Why had he done that? I knew he was just trying to help me sleep, but must he have made me cuddle him? If I had said or done anything in my sleep to embarrass myself, I'd never live it down!

As much as I hated to admit it, though, that was the best awakening I'd ever had in my life, minus the annoying alarm that woke me up. I had no idea when I nodded off as I studied, and just hoped I could remember the material enough to pass the test that was today.

The last day of school before summer break. I couldn't help but smile at the thought. One last day before I could spend all my time with Takeru. I didn't know what we would do for the time we would have, but I'm sure that we'd find something to pass the time together.

I slowed down as I got closer to the school, panting for air at the exertion. I was unusually early, given the fact that the beach was closer to the school than my apartment was, so I decided to take a bit of time getting there. I adjusted my clothes as I walked, trying to make them less messy. "Can't believe I fell asleep while studying..." I muttered to myself.

Climbing the steps of the school I headed for the cafeteria to buy me a little bit of breakfast, since there was no way that I'd be able to go home and back before school started. I pulled out one of my textbooks to look at while I ate, skimming over the contents to refresh my memory on what I'd crammed last night.

I vaguely heard light steps coming up behind me, but ignored it as I flipped a page, trying to remember where I'd been when I'd dozed off. I paid the price for my inattention when someone grabbed the back of my head and shoved it directly into my rice bowl.

I yelled in shock and jerked back immediately, wiping my face off and whirling around to glare at the now-laughing Nayomi, her high pitched voice grating my already frayed nerves. "Nayomi, why did you do that?!" I demanded, not caring if I let my anger show today.

"Your face needed an improvement, that's all~" she sang happily, putting her arms behind her back and rocking on her feet with this odd grin on her face. I narrowed my eyes at her before sniffing in disgust and turning back to my rice, cleaning up the mess that she had caused.

"Oh come now, it was just a little joke," she pleaded mockingly, circling so that she could lean over me as I sat down and tried to continue reading. "Why can't you just laugh?"

"Because you're an obnoxious bitch that only wants to gain pleasure from my pain," I hissed at her, my short fuse burning closer towards an explosion.

A dark expression crossed her eyes at that, and she opened her mouth to retort when a hand was placed on her shoulder lightly. "Nayomi-chan, what are you and Yukino-chan talking about?"

I directed my glare at the speaker, only faltering slightly as I recognized his voice. "Nothing, Kouta-san. She was just about to leave." I gave her a tight smile, daring her to continue in front of him.

Her lips lifted in a small snarl of frustration, but she pulled back and marched out of the cafeteria, back stiff. Kouta sighed and turned to me. "I'm sorry about that. She's been rather...unstable recently."

"Then keep her on a leash so she won't bite anyone," I snapped before shoving some rice into my mouth, done talking with anyone who was human.

I could feel the sadness coming from the teen boy as he turned away and followed his girlfriend, but I couldn't bring myself to truly care at the moment. I had more important things on my mind, like passing the test and just getting out of this school for the summer.

I reached into my school bag to grab my phone and check the time, only to find the space where I kept it empty. Eyes widening in alarm, I looked through everything for it. "Damn it!" I swore when I realized that I'd forgotten to pick it up back in the cave. "I'll just have to go and get it after school..." So much for going home for a nice relaxing bath.

As more people filled the cafeteria, I put away my belongings and headed for the relative quiet of the classroom, knowing I'd be safe in there, as the homeroom teacher liked to go in there early to make sure all was in order. I needed to do some final studying before the tests came up.

"Thank god it's finally over!"

The guy next to me exclaimed happily as the last bell rang and we handed in our papers, stretching his arms above his head. I couldn't help but feel the same, sighing heavily as I packed my books and stood to leave. I was eager to get out of that place, but I trudged along slowly through the halls, not really caring to push myself after the hard tests.

As I passed a group of girls by the lockers on the way to get my shoes, I heard them giggling and talking loudly.

"Did you see him? He's right by the gate!"

"Yeah I did! He's so hot! Even if he's a bit short."

A loud giggle was the response. "So what? Who do you think he's waiting on?"

"I don't know, but they must love his odd hair. I mean, blue?"

Blue hair... I paused, staring at the girls in surprise. I didn't even notice Nayomi call out from behind me with a false tone of cheerfulness, Kouta trailing behind her. My attention was totally focused on the gaggle of girls and their twittering.

"He's been standing there for almost half an hour now I think. And all he's doing is fiddling with a phone as well."

"Think he's stalking someone?"

"Ew, I hope not! He's too pretty to be a stalker anyway!"

No, no way...

"Hey, earth to whitey!"

A hand waved in front of my face, snapping me out of my mind. I turned and glared at my enemy, scowling. "Not now, Nayomi!"

"Oh, but it's a perfect time~ Me and Kouta-kun were going to go somewhere, you want to come with?" Her voice just reeked of insincerity. Who in the world could stand to be around her?

"No, now let me by," I said hurriedly, darting around her and speed walking away, not caring if she was following me. I nearly tripped down the stairs in my rush, immediately zeroing in on who exactly was standing there at the gates to the school.

Well, less standing and more leaning casually against the brick wall. His face was passive as he played with a familiar blue phone, he was dressed in what looked like some sort of school attire, a white shirt with a blue tie with a sun pin on it, covered by a green over jacket with the sleeves rolled up, stylized waves around the bottom edges. Black bracers with a familiar, flower-like pin on them graced his arms, and his sandled feet were barely covered by the grey pants he wore. His turquoise-blue hair was held back by a band, minus a bit that hung over his right eye and the short ponytail tied at the nape of the neck.

As I stared at this impossible sight before me, I tried to convince myself I was just dreaming. You've stayed up too many nights, haven't eaten right or gotten enough sleep. That can't be him as a human, it just can't...

"Hey, I'm not done talking yet, Yukino-chan!" Nayomi huffed, still behind me.

At the sound of my name the boy looked up, and my ocean eyes met with his dark amber ones immediately. A smirk formed on his lips, and he pushed off the wall and started walking towards me. Feeling like I was in a trance, I stepped forward to meet him, ignoring the suddenly frantic questions of the girl hovering around.

"Hey," the blunette greeted me warmly, and held out my phone to me with a smile. "You left this behind."

I stared at it, then up at none other than Takeru. His eyebrow raised at my expression. "What, jellyfish?"

"Wh...what in the world are you doing here?!" I asked, finally able to comprehend what was happening when i heard the nickname.

A casual shrug was my response, along with an, "I decided to pick you up from school today. If you were tired enough to forget your phone, I figured you were pretty beat."

"Th-that...I..." I stammered incoherently, blushing as I felt multiple stares in our direction from my school mates. I could practically smell their intense curiosity at how this handsome stranger knew the outcast of the school.

"Excuse me," Nayomi said, slowly slinking up with that sweet little smile of hers and nudging me out of the way firmly. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but who are you?"

A sharp glance at her made the dark haired girl flinch ever so slightly, and I couldn't help but feel satisfied at the sight. "None of your business." He held the phone out to me again. I took it with a small smile, blushing just a bit more.

Nayomi's eyes practically bugged out when she saw my reaction, her body going rigid in shock. I stepped lightly towards Takeru to stand by his side, mentally cursing when Kouta came forward.

"Neh, you know this guy Yukino-chan?" he asked casually, reaching forward to pat Nayomi's shoulder lightly. It shook her out of her trance, and she directed a look at me that held nothing short of pure feminine outrage.

"Yes, I do," I replied curtly, glancing at the man beside me. He was much shorter than Kouta by a good bit, but I knew the strength he had. And the best part was that he did to. The air around him was filled with steady confidence, and he was directing a 'go ahead and try something' look at the couple in front of us.

By now most of the other students had stopped what they were doing and watching us, murmering to themselves at this sudden new development. I slid a little closer to Takeru for comfort, and he spared a glance in my direction, his hands shoved into the pockets of his pants as he adopted a deceitfully casual stance.

Kouta smiled some and offered out a hand to the man beside me. "I'm Fujiwara Kouta. I'm a friend of Yukino-chan."

"Acquaintance," I corrected him, rolling my eyes at his insistence on calling me a friend when I most certainly wasn't. Jilted crush was a more accurate term.

Takeru didn't take the hand offered to him, eyeing the teen instead. "I know, she's told me about you." A knowing smirk appeared as he glanced to Nayomi beside him. "And I know about her as well. Nayomi, right?"

She nodded, attempting to keep her calm in front of this handsome stranger. The smirk only got bigger.

"You didn't describe her accurately enough, jellyfish," he commented casually. I sputtered at that, wondering what exactly he meant as a thread of jealousy made itself known.

Kouta coughed slightly. "Um, she's my girlfriend."

"I know, I know. I'm just wondering why you settled for her."

My eyes widened at the implications of those words, and I saw that it wasn't lost on the other two as well. Kouta looked highly uncomfortable, while Nayomi stared at the god in disguise with a shell-shocked look.

"I-if I don't mind asking, who are you to Yukino-chan?" the brunette asked, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"Isn't it obvious?" Takeru announced. Then to my shock, he reached over and pulled me close to him, arm wrapped around my shoulder possessively as he directed a challenging glare at the taller male, daring him to say anything. "You have a problem, bastard?"

I saw a totally different emotion flash across Kouta's face for a split second, one that set the hairs on my body standing on end as he looked unflinchingly into the amber eyes of the Sea God. The tension in the air became palpable, weighing down on everyone in the vicinity. Everyone was now staring at us with astonishment, as the blunette hadn't been the quietest or subtle about his claim at all.

I turned fifty shades of red under all the attention, but I didn't move away from his side, instead meeting the furious gaze Nayomi directed at me. A queer feeling of triumph filled me, and I lifted my chin proudly. A defiant grin spread on my face, and I could tell that she was two seconds away from trying to jump me.

The stand off lasted a few more seconds before Takeru humphed and turned away, dropping his arm from my shoulder to wrap around my waist to steer me. "Let's go, pearl."

I let him guide me, leaning closer to take shelter in the overflowing confidence he gave off, leaving a stunned and silent school behind us. I nodded in the direction my apartment was, and we walked together in a slightly awkward silence. The arm around me dropped after a while, and Takeru put his hand back into his pocket. I glanced at him, still blushing from that rather sudden announcement he'd made.

He noticed my staring and turned those pretty amber eyes to me. "What is it, jellyfish?" he asked, sounding perturbed.

"Wh-what in the hell was all that about?" I asked him, trying to find a reason to be mad at what he'd just done, but I was too happy that he was here with me, actually walking me home, to really work up any negative feelings.

"Oh, that?" He shrugged, looking back ahead. "They were getting on my nerves, asking such questions. It wasn't any of his damned business."

I nodded in agreement, scowling slightly. "He acted like he was my keeper or something. He's never done that before."

"Well, just keep away from him from now on, jellyfish," he said shortly. I glanced over at him at the nickname.

"You called me pearl back there..."

"Eh? I did?" Takeru looked at me in surprise. Did he not mean to say it, or was he just playing with me?

I nodded again, then blushed some. "Wh...why did you make it sound like we're a couple?"

"Hm...I didn't mean it to come out that way, but if that'll help to keep them away from you, they can take it that way if they want." Another shrug.

The words stung me a little on the inside. So he didn't see us as a couple? I swallowed the bitterness of disappointment in my mouth before replying, voice a little cold. "Okay then."

He blinked and looked at me again. "Did I say something wrong?"

Is he really that oblivious?

"No. I'm just hoping that it won't backlash on me after summer break is over," I sighed, deciding that it was okay. I'd hopefully make him change his mind eventually. If he liked me enough to stand up for me and not give a damn about any sort of repercussions, that was a good start.

"Oh? You're on summer break now?"

I nodded, looking at him and smiling happily as I remembered. "Yeah! Today was the last day of school before break started!"

A large smile appeared on his handsome face, and my heart flip-flopped like it always did. "That's great, jellyfish! Now you don't have to stay up late and drive yourself crazy with test preparations."

I scowled at him playfully as we walked up the stairs to my building, having just reached it. I punched in the code and let us inside, walking up to the level where the apartment was. I reached to open the door only to freeze, eyes widening. Takeru looked at me with slight alarm.

"What's wrong?"

"No way..." I opened the door and bolted inside, forgetting to take my shoes off. I heard him protest before following me inside to where I stood staring at the figure sprawled out on the futon in front of the tv. A face turned to see me, and the air caught in my throat.

"M...mom? You're home?"

"Oh, Yuyu-chan~" she sang, leaping up and running over to embrace me, clad in only a tank top with falling straps and a pair of very lacy underpants, but I couldn't bring myself to care as I hugged her back.

"Mom, you're home!" I cried happily, relieved to see her safe and sound after almost three months of not being able to see her.

"Oh sweety, I missed you so much," she murmured, nuzzling the top of my head affectionately. I giggled and stepped back, looking up at her with a bright grin.

A gentle cough reminded me of Takeru, who was watching the whole reunion uncomfortably. I looked back at him and was about to say something when my mother interrupted me.

"Oh my god, you've got a boyfriend!"

I choked on air at the statement, blushing furiously and turning towards her. "Mom! He's not my boyfriend!"

"Oh," she said, sounding sad before smirking in a knowing way. "Well, whoever he is you might want to tell him not to stare at your mother like that~"

"Like what?" I turned and saw that he was indeed staring at my scantily clad mother, a bright red blush on his face and a look of total loss to accompany it. I realized exactly where he was staring at her as well and felt my jeleous side erupt. "Hey, this is my mother you're looking at!" I snapped, glaring daggers at him.

Takeru jumped slightly and quickly averted his eyes, causing my shameless mother to giggle before going back to the futon and flopping down on it again. Huffing, I grabbed his arm and dragged him towards my room, shoving him inside and closing the door behind us.

The god shifted nervously when he saw my expression, holding his hands up to placate me. "S-sorry, I didn't expect her to be...dressed like that."

I scowled at him regardless, feeling slightly ridiculous that I'd been jealous over my own mother and the look he'd been giving her. I dropped my school bag to the side and grabbed a change of clothes before marching to the door. I grabbed the handle and turned back to him.

"I'm going to take a bath real fast. Don't you dare leave this room, Totsuka Takeru!" I hissed at him threateningly, slightly amused to see him take a step back. I could be scary when I was angry enough.

Satisfied he would stay put, I walked out and to the bathroom, intending to get this whole fiasco over and done with as soon as possible.

Takeru looked around Yukino's room for a place to sit, eventually deciding that the area in front of a small table in the middle of the room looked like a good spot. He settled himself into a comfortable position before taking a look around her room, rather surprised at its contents.

It was mainly a theme of white and blue, with deep navy curtains over the single window to hide the light from outside. Small toekns of beach-combing were everywhere, from shells to rocks. He even noticed a small bottle full of sand from the beach, and couldn't help but smirk.

There were only two pictures in her room, perched on the dresser beside her bed. One was clearly of her and her mother, only a year or so old if he had to guess. The other one was of a tiny-white haired girl with a man and a woman, both of whom looked proud while standing on the beach at noon.

The Storm God heard the click of the door opening, and turned to comment on just how fast Yukino was able to bathe when he noticed that it was her mother instead. She had straightened her top and put on a pair of sweatpants, and was currently leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face.

Immediately uncomfortable, Takeru looked away. "Sh-she told me to stay in here while she bathed," he explained.

"Aye, I heard her. She's a hot head, that girl." An affectionate chuckle, and she pushed off the wall to sit across the table from him, leaning in with her chin in her hand. "So, Totsuka, Takeru-san. I'm Manabe Kanawa, Yukino's mother."

"O-okay," he muttered, glancing at her. Why was she looking at him like that? He was reminded of a coy cat playing with a mouse it had cornered. Or Loki about to pull one of his infamous pranks.

"Don't be so nervous, I won't bite." An airy sigh passed her lips, and she pushed her long black hair behind an ear. "I'm just curious about you. After all, you're the first friend she's ever brought home since grade school."

"I am?" Takeru asked, his interest perking. Kanawa nodded, smirking.

"I've been hoping she'd make new friends eventually when we moved here, and I'm glad that it's late than never. So tell me, how did you two meet?"

"It was...well, an accident really." Quickly changing a few details, he leaned forward with his hand on his chin and shut his eyes, playing it casual. "I was in a secret cave of mine at the beach near here and she stumbled in all of a sudden. I didn't expect her to be there and sort of snapped at her, but she just snapped back." A slight smile slipped onto his face as he chuckled. "Then she made me stay and listen to her as she complained about all the problems she'd had at school that day. Yukino didn't shut up for at least ten minutes, I'm surprised she didn't pass out from not breathing!"

Kanawa laughed, covering her mouth to smother the sound. "That sounds exactly like her. Though I'm surprised she opened up to you like that on the first meeting. Usually she doesn't trust anyone at all."

"Well, she was pretty stressed," Takeru sighed, recalling that day in his own way. "I let her vent, and told her she could use the cave as well if she needed to relax."

"That's such a nice thing to do," the woman said, leaning in to listen. Smirking, the blunette launched into how she had come back and started to bug him, only to surprise him with her tenacity and stubbornness. Kanawa laughed loudly when he told her the nickname he used for her, and even harder when he mentioned that he was usually called 'sea monkey' in return. She wiped a tear from her eye as Yukino appeared, hair damp from her bath.

"Hey, what are you guys doing?" she asked, looking at them.

Takeru glanced over and blinked, eyes quickly taking in the rather short shorts she had on that exposed her legs in a flattering manner, as well as the cyan-colored loose shirt with a blank under-tank she wore up top. it flattered her figure greatly, and he had to glance away to stop himself from blushing more than a pink tinge.

A knowing look appeared on Kanawa's face, and she turned to her daughter. "Just finding out how he met you dear, nothing else. My stinging jellyfish," she added, tone teasing.

Yukino groaned and sat down with them, glaring at Takeru. "You told her about that, sea monkey?"

"Yeah. I also told her how you're a big pain in the neck," he shot back, smirking at the infuriated look she had.

"So what are you kids planning on tonight?" Kanawa asked, looking back and forth at the two. They glanced at each other and shrugged, not sure themselves. "Well then, why don't you stay for dinner, Totsuka-kun?"

Yukino sputtered slightly at the suggestion, but Takeru quickly nodded. "I'd love to, Manabe-san."

"Please, call me Kanawa." With a devilish smirk she rose to her feet. "I'll go ahead and get started cooking. You two stay out of trouble."

With that she left, closing the door gently behind herself. Yukino let out a long sigh and leaned back on her hands, glancing at him.

"So what did you tell her?"

"That you came upon me in a cave that was my secret spot."

"So totally not a lie then," she said, grinning. "What do you want to do till dinner's done? Mom won't let me help because I'll just set everything on fire again."

"Again?" Takeru echoed, looking at her in alarm. "Just how bad are you?"

"Really bad, one time, in home ec..."

Holy mother of the gods, my fingers. They hurt from all this typing. xD But this is a special extra update for today for my friend May~ I hope you enjoy this, you plot-guessing fiend!

A thanks to my reviewers, watchers and silent readers once again!