~*Miyuki*~
He fell to the ground and I screamed. I ran over and looked at him, puzzled that he suddenly had blond hair. I brushed the hair out of his face and I gasped. “K-Kuori? Oh no, wake up.” I shook him. “Wake up!” I said as I started panicking. I grabbed his phone and called his parents, sobbing and utterly confused. I told them where we were and they came and picked us up. We got to his house, and they carried him to his bed and I followed close behind. They told me I could satay, and I sat down on the edge of Kuori’s bed, and quietly cried for a while.
~*~
“Miyuki…” I looked over and saw Kuori’s eyes were open. I wiped mine.
“Y-You’re awake…”
“What happened?” He asked.
“I, I don’t know…you, were you, but after you were zero…” I had no idea what to say.
“Right…our date…I’m sorry about that ending the way it did.”
“I’m confused Kuori…” Our date?
“That’s why I wouldn’t support you when you wanted me to. I cant help you catch myself.” He laughed a little.
“You? You’re zero?” I was shocked. He slowly nodded. I blinked, and I felt my eyes tearing back up again. He sat up.
“Miyuki…please don’t cry.” He gently touched my arm and caressed it a few times. I shook my head.
“I’m so dumb…”
“No you’re not.”
“Why didn’t I see it?” I looked at him.
“Because I never acted the same way towards you when I’m myself. You can kind of say that Zero is my opposite.”
“You like me, kinda half the time?” I asked.
“No that’s not what I mean…” He shook his head as his door opened. His parents walked in.
"Why didn’t you tell us about the gem getting absorbed into your skin?” His Mom hugged him and I saw his face get red.
“Mom too tight.” He muttered. I smiled a bit.
“Sorry hun.” She let him go then his Dad spoke.
“Let’s see how far it’s gotten.” He took off his shirt, but there were no markings on his skin. I looked when I realized I was staring at him. “Maybe that was what it did, cancel out your power for a while.”
“No it only shows up when I’m Zero.” Kuori said.
“Kuori…” His Mom glanced at me.
“Mai knows.” He nodded. I covered my face and sighed. “Did you want me to change so you can see?”
“That would help.” His dad commented. He changed back to Zero, and the marks were now across his chest and starting up his neck. I just stared. I couldn’t help myself. “I’ll go look it up.”
“I’ll help, Mi sweetie, I think it would be better if you spent the night.” She smiled and they both turned and left the room. I looked over at Kuori, or actually, Zero and looked him over again.
“Um…” I sputtered.
“What’s wrong? Oh I’ll change back.” I watched him melt back to my best friend and I closed my eyes. “It’s a good thing Taisuke’s parents are settled in and he was able to go back with them.” He said casually.
“Yea, I don’t know what to say.” I was still in shock.
“Ask me a question that you’ve always wanted to ask Zero.” He said.
“Why is zero so, attracted to me?” I asked honestly.
“You’re cute, also because were best friends.” I blushed.
“I see.” Does, he like me?
“Next question.”
“Why wouldn’t he hold my hand in the theater?” I asked quietly. I wished he would have done something.
“Didn’t even notice. Completely over head.” He smiled a little and rolled his eyes.
“Will, he do it now?”
“I probably will if we go on a date again.” He stated.
“Ok.”
“Maybe someday I’ll be able to ask you to go on a date with me as myself instead of zero.”
“What do you mean? I know you’re zero now, does it matter?” I asked. He mumbled something and I got really dizzy. “K,Kuori…”
“I’m sorry but it’s not the right time for you to know. You have to forget.” I heard him.
“No, please don’t….” I didn’t want my memory taken from me.
“I already did Miyuki.” I attempted to stand up, but I had zero balance and strength, so I collapsed on the floor. Kuori picked me up and laid me on his bed and leaned over me. “You can’t fight it Mi, so just let your consciousness slip.” He said softly.
“How can, you do this to me?” I tried focusing on his face, but he was getting fuzzier.
“Because I love you and don’t want you to get involved.”
“Kuori…” He, loves me.
“Just fall asleep.” He kissed my forehead. I love him, so, if he loves me too then he should…
“Kiss me, like you mean it. Then maybe I will.” I compromised, even though I knew I would forget it. He kissed me sweetly, and as soon as I let go, I slipped into unconsciousness.
~*~
I woke up and looked around. Kuori’s house? I wondered. I rubbed my eyes and put a hand on my head. “Hey.” Kuori said. I looked up and he was standing in the doorway.
“Kuori?”
“Yeah?”
“Um, just a quick question… how did I end up here again?” I asked.
“What are you talking about?”
“What just came out of my mouth? How, did, I, get, here?” I asked slowly.
“Sorry, what was that?” He asked as he put his hand up to his ear and grinned. I threw a pillow at him.
“You heard me clear as day!” I pouted. “Now really, how did I end up in your bed?”
"I asked you to come back I gave you a call and told you that I was stuck on a problem for our English homework."
“Um, so, how did I end up here?”
"You came back because I called you before you even got to your house."
“O-Oh.” I shook my head. “Well, thank you.” I stood up and swayed. It was like my balance was off center.
"You okay?" He asked walking over.
“W-What’s wrong with me? I feel like something isn’t right…”
"I don't know maybe you should lay back down. My parents don't care if you spend the night." He said. I reached over and grabbed his hand and sat down. I blinked and looked up at him. "Do you feel a little better now that you're sitting down?" He asked. I felt a tear shoot down my face. I was shocked.
“What the hell is wrong with me? Maybe I should get some more sleep.” I said.
"Alright, I'll leave you alone so you can then."
“I didn’t get upset about anything earlier did I?”
"You lost to me in tennis on the wii. Then we practiced more of the play and the part where we both die." I blushed instantly.
“Did we…”
"Yea. You landed on me really hard."
“O-Oh.” Why didn’t I really remember this?
"You hit your head against mine and you passed out."
“Oh, I’m such a klutz!” I slapped my forehead.
“No you’re not.”
"Ha, right! You are such a liar."
"You're right I am, now try to get more sleep. I'll let your parents know you're spending the night."
"Ok. Thank you Kuori. I love ya!" I grinned.
"Love you too now get some sleep." He waved and left the room. I laid down and shut my eyes again. I couldn't have kissed him. No way. I, don’t think I would have the nerve anyway. I thought. I turned on my stomach and closed my eyes again and went back to sleep pretty quickly.
~*~
I opened my eyes and groaned. I wonder how long I slept? I rolled back over and looked at the ceiling. Then I heard talking in the kitchen. I sat up in bed and slowly got up.
