Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This is for Merrow's challenge! *ties headband tighter* Following events from the manga, Chapter 75, I present here, a Kureno X Uo story. There will be angst, soured only by a hint of lemon. This part is told from Uo's POV. No lemon yet.

Part Two - Second Contact

"Is there anything else I can get you, *sir*?"

"I can think of a few things--"

"Perhaps you should think harder...."

"Now iz zat any way to t-talk--"

"Excuse me, miss? May I have a refill please?"

I smile gratefully and excuse myself to help the other table. The so-called gentleman I'd been waiting on for the past fifteen minutes was quickly starting to get on my nerves. He was a regular at the restaurant. And sitting in a booth in a corner this afternoon, he was clearly inebriated. I thought it was too early for the drunks to be out, but in a small way I feel sorry for him. He isn't usually this forward or lecherous.

Still, I'm not interested in finding out the man's life story, either.

Returning with a new glass of cola for the lovely woman who'd given me the distraction, I hurry to yet another booth where an elderly couple had just been seated. I scribble down their request for coffee and tea and hurry back towards the kitchen.

Ah, sweet sanctuary!

"Arisa, order for twelve is up!"

"Arigato, Henry," I shout back with a small smile. Henry is a damn fine cook. For a guy. And he always has a way of brightening my day, if just a little. "You keeping busy back there?"

"Keep 'em coming," he tells me, waving a spatula. "I'm on a roll."

I laugh, shaking my head. It was certainly good to laugh, what with the bunch of customers I had to wait on all by myself. If Shiori doesn't show up soon, I'd be likely to kill. I'm not exactly pleasant when I'm frustrated.

And the fact that my thoughts will not get off of a certain someone that I met a while ago isn't helping me either.

Kureno.

I hadn't thought much about him until Tohru and I talked the day before. Actually, that's a lie. I had thought about him a lot. And awful lot, like horny little daydream dreams and other pleasant thoughts. I just didn't TALK about him as often.

If I did, my friends would know that I really like him.

Maybe even love him.

I suppose I shouldn't be afraid of telling Hanajima and Tohru. They'd both understand. Well, okay, maybe not. But they would try.

Kureno.

You know, I was too stupid to ask for his last name. Tohru thinks she may know him. And he's a Sohma no less. HA! That would be quite funny, at least for the first ten seconds. There's no way he can be a Sohma. Granted I could imagine him being related to Kyo. Although their personalities are totally different, they're a pretty good match in the looks department.

GAH! What the hell am I thinking?!

Okay, sure, Kyo's fun to pick on and all that, and I do consider him my friend, but Kureno is definitely different.

But I'd much rather have him as something else.

Ah, hell, I'd rather just have him...any way I can get him!

I force myself to calm down as I serve table twelve their meal. A mother, a father and two children stare at me as I set their plates before them. I try hard to remember who gets what and I'm amazed I get it right on the first try. I smile politely at them as they survey the food before them.

"Is there anything else I can get you?"

"Iie," replies the mother, picking up her chopsticks.

"Arigato gozaimasu," the father adds with a small smile.

I turn away, checking on two other tables before returning to the gentleman I'd helped earlier. I think he was slowly easing into a hangover, asking for his fifth cup of coffee of the day.

Going back towards the waitress station for the coffee, I let me thoughts turn to him again. You know, this is going to sound totally bonkers, but I think I know why I think about Kureno so much. He's funny and witty, a tad on the ditzy side and clumsy. Oh and did I mention sexy as hell? But those aren't the only reasons why.

I think I think about him so much because...well, he's the first person I could really see myself with, you know. Building a life and a family and all that stuff.

Hey, I told you it was bonkers, but that's no reason to laugh!

I've never had much in the way of family. Not since my folks kicked me out of the house. I've been on my own for so long that it seems strange thinking about a family. I do enjoy my independence. It's what makes me...well, me. Still, isn't it every girl's dream to meet prince charming, fall in love, get married and have ogles of kids?

Believe it or not, I have that dream too.

Just not as often as everyone else.

"Fifteen's up!"

"Arigato, Henry!"

CRASH! CRACK! SPLAT!

"Shimatta!"

"Arisa, are you all right?"

I nod at Henry as he peaks his head through the doorway. I just broke a coffee cup for pete's sake. Although now I have a nice sized cut on my finger, a shattered cup and a puddle of coffee at my feet. Kami what a mess! It's no big deal really, but I have to clean it up or else I'll be walking in it all day.

I sigh heavily, picking up another cup and filling it to the rim. I'll just add it to my list of "things that can wrong today."

Kami, but this day can't get any worse.

RING!

Then the door opens and my day suddenly become a whole lot better.

It's him!

CRUNCH!

"Shi--!"

"Arisa?"

Well, all right, a LITTLE bit better anyway.

~TO BE CONTINUED~