Kay, finally updating!

Sorry this took so long! My computer kinda broke down so I couldn't update until now…

Kariya, the sneaky devil, never let his fellow defender out of sight. He stood there just waiting for an opportunity to take advantage of this situation… and finally, he found his chance.

Kirino stood alone in the long hallway, trudging along slowly.

"Sooo, senpai," He said as he blocked Kirino's path, "I heard about your mother. And you seem to not really care much as opposed o grieving over her. Maybe you're made of tougher stuff than I thought!"

It was a blow in the face, hearing about his lost mother, and to make matters worse, it had to be that bratty Kariya saying this. And he even questioned his love towards his mother!

Kirino stood there, trying to pull himself together as quickly as possible.

He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Kariya," he said in a low, flat tone, "I prefer you don't talk about things that don't concern you."

And that was that.

He turned and walked past him, his mind totally jumbled. He didn't know what to do with himself. He was fighting on the inside and he had no more energy to resist his depression. He could only think of his mother now.

Maybe Kariya was right… I should be grieving over mother's death…

And from that point on, he went mindlessly though all his tasks. He had only half his mind focusing on those things. He just couldn't concentrate. Kariya's words made him believe that he was hopless. He didn't know what to do or how to react to anything anymore. It was a strange sensation, something he had never felt before. It was all really hazy and he knew what he was doing but he didn't feel like he was doing anything. It was almost like he was two separate people. He was himself, his normal self but he was also a depressed being who couldn't make any decisions.

His normal self was preforming all the actions and making all the decisions although he wasn't completely aware of it. That self took over his body and carried out actions that needed to be carried through with. He didn't feel anything from that part of him though. He wasn't quite sure what was happening around him or even to himself, but oddly, he didn't feel the desire or need to find out.

It was amazing how fast he could change depending on only one person's words.

Shindou noticed immediately.

Kirino looked pretty normal to everyone else, even to Kariya but Shindou knew him all too well to not notice that something was wrong.

Shindou needed to know what had happened but he didn't know HOW he could find out.

"Kariya…" He grumbled, "Kariya must have some part in this… I see him constantly stalking Kirino… that creep!"

Shindou went to look for this sneaky, deceitful defender but he kept a close watch on Kirino just to keep him safe from any other possible dangers.

Shindou finally found Kariya after school was over. He was talking to Kirino again, that bastard.

He crept forward to listen in on their conversation, hiding himself behind the wall.

"So, senpai, how are you dealing with your dead mother?" Kariya teased, attempting to bring Kirino down, not knowing that he had pretty much already succeeded his first try.

Kirino just stood there, unable to reply. Even his second self couldn't reply at this point. He knew inside that this topic would hurt him to talk about it.

"You're doing fine? That's good to know."

Kariya was now having a one-person conversation with Kirino. He didn't care at all when it came to Kirino's mother. His only interest was in getting Kirino to a defenseless state so he could more easily take advantage of him… and he seemed to be doing a great job so far…

"Senpai, why don't we head over to my place and hang out of something? You interested?"

Kariya waited and again, he got no response.

"Okay so it's settled! Let's head over now!"

Kariya grinned; he was really enjoying how easyit was to speak for his fellow defender. He grabbed Kirino's hand and started to pull him along towards his home.

Shindou stood shocked. He couldn't believe how easy it was for Kariya to take advantage of his best friend.

You won't get away with this Kariya… If you're playing like this, then so will I!

Shindou approached them calmly and lay a hand on Kariya's shoulder.

"Hey, just wondering, you guys made plans together for this afternoon?"

Kariya snickered.

"Why do you care?! It's none of your business what we plan to do!"

"Well, actually," Shindou paused.

I'm gonna lie… but it's okay, right? Kariya's bossing Kirino around like this unjustly so it would be okay if I did something to get Kirino out of this situation… right?

"Um… well, we already made plans for today so if you don't mind-"

Shindou took Kirino's arm and pulled him away from Kariya. He felt a shiver go up his spine as he saw Kariya death-glare directed straight at him.

He turned and walked off quickly with Kirino.

When he felt it was a safe enough distance and amount of time, he turned back to see if Kariya was still there. And he was. He looked as if he were ready to murder him at any second.

Shindou turned away to look at Kirino.

"Are you alright?"

…

Shindou sighed and turned away. He decided not to waste his breath. Kirino would only continue to be unresponsive anyway.

When they had reached the front of the school, they found Shindou's limousine waiting for them.

His butler stepped out and opened the door.

"How was your day, master Shindou?" He asked, while gesturing him inside.

"Fine."

Shindou gave Kirino a small push. He stepped inside and Shindou followed. Kirino was doing all of this mindlessly and Shindou knew it. Normally, he would have said something to Shindou or commented on the luxurious vehicle he was stepping into by now. Shindou knew something was seriously wrong.

"So," said his butler from the front seat of the car, "is this your, um… girlfriend?"

Shindou felt his face heat up.

"K-Kirino... Kirino's n-not my g-girlfriend!" Shindou stuttered.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My mistake. But you two are a cute couple."

Shindou was now undoubtedly blushing; his face was as red as a tomato.

"Um, th-thanks?"

Shindou turned to look at Kirino to see if he was aware of what was going on and what was being said about him, but Kirino hadn't picked up any of their conversation. He still had a blank look in his eyes.

Shindou sighed, worried sick again.

"Kirino?" Shindou asked as he nudges his arm.

Kirino turned to look at Shindou but didn't reply.

"Um, Kirino…?" Shindou shook his shoulder gently.

"Are you listening? … Kirino…"

Shindou sighed. He couldn't stop worrying about him. But at least he had half a normal reaction, if that's what you would call it.

He slid his hand slowly forward and took Kirino's hand in his.

"Ranmaru…"

Shindou just sat there next to Kirino, his hands holding Kirino's

He sat still for about a minute and then he felt something move. He looked at Kirino. Kirino still looked unresponsive but his hand was now tightly holding Shindou's.

"K-Kirino?"

He didn't respond and Shindou was wondering if he was even aware that he was holding his hand.

Shindou sat awkwardly for the rest of the ride. He was hoping his hand wouldn't become sweaty. He had much regret after thinking that because as soon as he wished that, his hands started to become slightly damp.

Oh, this is just great… Now what?

… I wish there were some way to get your hands to not sweat so much!

He looked nervously at Kirino.

I hope he doesn't notice! … wait, I should just let go…

Shindou was about to pull his hand away but he felt like something was stopping him. He whimpered to himself.

I don't wanna let go!

Shindou blushed at that thought.

His skin is so soft!

Shindou stroked his thumb over the palm of Kirino's hand. He moved it back and forth and back and forth. He just couldn't help himself. It was too tempting to have such a beautiful object in front of him but not be able to enjoy it.

His hands are so smooth… mmm…

Shindou felt an urge to bring Kirino's hand up and kiss it and maybe just put it in his mouth…

Shindou was madly blushing by that point.

He lifted Kirino's hand up slowly to his mouth but just before it made contact he came to his senses and dropped their hands back down.

He looked away, his face now completely red.

What did I just do?! Did that really happen?! aaagghhh, why is it so hard to resist these feelings? This is so weird…

Shindou glanced back at Kirino, only to see that he was still emotionless.

Oh, good! He doesn't know what I did! I would be so embarrassed if he knew!

As they arrived at Shindou's house, only minutes later, Shindou sat up in his seat and squeezed Kirino's hand.

"We're here! Come on let's go!"

His butler came and opened the door.

"Master." He said as he bowed.

Shindou let go of Kirino's hand to step out of the car but as soon as he dropped Kirino's hand, his grip became much, much tighter. He wouldn't let go of Shindou's hand.

Shindou was confused, worried, and yet he was very happy that he wouldn't let go. He stepped outside and pulled Kirino along with him.

And there they were, standing in front of Shindou's house, holding hands.

"And you guys aren't a couple?"

His butler gestured towards them.

Shindou's blush came back.

"J-Just carry our bags!" Shindou said as he looked away from his butler, trying to avoid eye-contact.

They entered Shindou's house and he took Kirino straight to his room. He went and sat on his bed, still holding Kirino's hand.

"You can sit wherever you like."

Kirino stood there, obviously unaware of what he said and probably also unaware of what was going on.

Shindou pulled on Kirino's hand and Kirino sat down next to him.

"Now we just gotta find out what happened to you…"

Shindou sighed.

"I hope it isn't too serious…" He said as he looked up with his worried eyes into Kirino's lifeless looking eyes.

Okay, just letting you guys know KIRINO IS NOT DEAD, okay?

Just making sure you guys know because it might have been unclear.

And do you guys think the moods are changing too quickly?