“T-Tokiya?” Fuuko asked, his name stuttered, as she was momentarily surprised to find him there.  She regained her composure and eyed him warily, not finding within herself the playful spark of mischievousness that that always delighted in the chance to tease the Ensui wielder.

Tokiya seemed to note her lack of enthusiasm and for a moment, she thought concern reflected in those fathomless icy blue depths—but that wasn’t possible, right?  Tokiya didn’t feel sorry for anyone, and even if he did, it would probably never be because of her.

“What are you doing here Tokiya?” she finally asked, sighing slightly when all he did was stand there.  Tokiya shrugged, every movement he made was graceful, even if it was just flicking back a piece of his long silvery hair like he did so now, it still never ceased to amaze her how much grace he could put into the movement.

“Thought I’d go out for a walk.  Never thought I’d run into you though.  And least of all into a moping and depressing you,” he said softly, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips, as if his lips didn’t know how to form a fully-fledged smile.  “And now that I think about, you haven’t been acting like the old Fuuko I knew…” Fuuko jerked in surprise.  “…In fact, you’re acting the total opposite of the way you were a year ago.”

Fuuko stared at him, gaping like an idiot with her mouth opening then closing because she didn’t know what to say.  What could she say?  Of all the people to notice her actions, she would’ve never suspected it to be Tokiya who confronted her with it!

Tokiya sighed, running a hand through his long hair, the silky strands sliding between his fingers before falling around his shoulders once more.  “Fuuko…I know that you’re probably shocked, surprised to say the least, that I would suddenly express a concern—yes, it is concern,” he added when he saw her doubtful look.  “—Over the way you’re acting, but frankly, the distant depressing image you project nowadays doesn’t suit you.”  He gave her a lop-sided smile.  “And if anything, it’d look better on me than it does on you.”

Fuuko blinked at him, hoping he wouldn’t notice the suspicious brightness of her eyes.  “W-why would you care if I…I look the way you’re saying I do?” she asked, unable to keep the slight tremble in her voice.

She was just so overwhelmed with emotions.  Anger that he’d stick his nose in where he didn’t belong, surprise that he had been the only one to say anything, and a sudden warmth that flowed over her because his concern filled her with a hope that there was someone yet to notice her and she clung to that thought like one dying would grasp onto their chance at life.

Tokiya hesitated, and Fuuko watched on in even more surprise when his cheeks turned a shade darker.  Tokiya was…blushing?!  He was surprising her more with every second he stood before her, and slowly the weight of despair that had settled itself over her ebbed away bit by bit.

“I—ano…I just didn’t like the way you were taking my spot for being the ever-silent and distant one,” he managed to say gruffly.  Fuuko felt the ghosts of a smile etching across her face, and while she may not have noticed, Tokiya did, including the newfound light in her eyes.

“Really now Tokiya?  Well, I wouldn’t want to take that away from you so I should stop moping around and start living, ne?” she teased, grinning widely now.   She glanced at her watch and cringed.  “Know what?  I think I’ve been neglecting the arcade far too long—those bakas there probably think they can reign Street Fighter now that I’m not there to kick their ass!”  Fuuko shook her head, long tresses swaying.

“That’s it!  Come on Tokiya, you’re gonna accompany and bear witness to the return of the Almighty Street Fighter Player—KIRISAWA FUUKO!” she shouted, pumping her fist into the air as she leapt from her spot on the ground.

Grabbing the surprised Tokiya by his hand, she practically dragged the water elemental master with her sudden burst of energy and renewed genkiness.

It was only after trying to move forward that Fuuko noticed that she wasn’t moving at all.  Looking back, she saw that it was Tokiya who stood rooted to the spot that was keeping her from going because he held her back.  She would’ve shot an irritated question at him had it not been for the solemn look in his eyes.

Pausing, she waited for him to speak.  “It won’t be the same as before will it?” he asked softly, still in that gentle calm voice of his.  Funny how she had never noticed that he did speak with emotion, it was just so subtle and gentle that you overlooked it for emotionless.

“Fuuko?” he asked, gripping her hand tightly in his.  She jerked out of her reverie and hesitated, tempted to ask what he meant.  But she knew what he meant.  She knew exactly what he was asking.  Sighing in defeat, the light fading slightly from her eyes she answered, in a voice even softer than his, she answered.

“No.  It’ll never be the same.”  She didn’t offer to elaborate, and he didn’t ask.  Before they continued on, she turned around to face him again.  “Tokiya?”  He looked at her questioningly, prodding her to go on with his eyes.  “I—I just wanted to thank you.  For what you did today.”

He flushed slightly, something he never did even in the most awkward situations.  ‘No need to thank me…” he trailed off, and seemed to be thinking about something.  Licking his lips, he managed to say without too much of a problem, “To…to tell you the truth, out of everyone in the team, you err…you made me feel most at ease…Yanagi always managed to soothe me but with your stupid antics and surprising wit, I…well…I always found a reason to laugh although I never did.” he finished, face turning an interesting shade of bright red.

Fuuko didn’t know whether or not she should be insulted or pleased with his confession.  Shrugging, she grinned at him.  “I’ll take that as a compliment thank ya very much,” she said, winking good-naturedly at him.

Tokiya let out a breath he hadn’t even known he had been holding in relief, he’d been afraid she’d attack him or something with his awkward wordings.  (Insert *sweatdrop* here)

“Now, are we gonna just stand here all day in embarrassment or are we gonna haul ass and get to that arcade?!” Fuuko asked, mock scowling at him.

Tokiya grinned at her, although really it was just a slight quirk of the lips but it was good enough when you counted the fact in that Tokiya rarely ever smiles.

Together the two made their way to the arcade in comfortable silence, but not before dropping their linked hands when they realized just how intimate the contact was and the smiles people would give them as they made their way.

~

Author’s Insane Comments:

O.O;  Weeell…what do ya know!  I might be on schedule after all!!!  A chapter a day!  And I think I’ll wrap it all up in the next chapter…^_^;  I hope that despite It being short all of ya’ll are enjoying it so far…uh…and if you’ve noticed, Tokiya is MAJORLY OOC.  ^^;  And as you might have noticed, I’m trying to state that fact every chance I get so that avid RnH viewers won’t come after me with torches aflame because they think I’m some dimwitted bimbo who can’t get the personalities of the characters correct.  >.<

And since I’m feeling refreshed and clear-headed, I won’t jump around like a chimpanzee and revert into genki-mode.  O.o;  Gomen ne to those of you if I scared you in my last chapter.  ^^;  I try not to since that tends to drive off my readers…*wary look*…Unless of course you’re about as genki and wacked out as I am.  ^_~  Anyhoo, gots to jet and remember to send all C&C to BishounenOtaku@fangirl.org because that would be MUCH appreciated!  Aragtou!  Mata ne!!!