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 Kureno's POV. No lemon yet.

Part Three - Other Chances

"Ohayo!"

"Ohayo gozaimasu."

I thought the walk through town would help to soothe my overly excited nerves. Funny, I wasn't nervous when I left the Honke. At least I don't think I was.

The streets were devoid of people, which seemed strange to me at the time. I should've smiled on my good fortune, but it somehow felt...weird. It was nearing lunchtime and there were hardly a handful of people about. The shops looked deserted. Even the ramen vendor I passed was not busy.

And it's such a nice day too.

It should be soothing, this lack of people. Crowds are bad for someone like me. May the gods forbid that I should run into a woman rushing on her way to a lunch date. I should be relaxed and at ease since I can walk freely this afternoon, but my nerves are not so comforted by this. No.

They're much, MUCH worse.

The thought of seeing Arisa again is somewhat...disturbing.

Yet I'm very excited.

Does that make any sense whatsoever?

I pull out a piece of paper and scan it quickly once again. I should have the darn thing memorized by now! It's very important information, but my mind keeps letting it slip away.

Yes, yes. I'm on the right track. I think. I'm certain the intersection I'm looking for is right...over...AHA! Found it!

Placing the paper into my pocket I head for the street corner on my left. It's not a major intersection, but there are quite a few businesses around. One establishment in particular is my destination for the day. The one across the street with the glowing green signature sign.

Kami, am I ready for this?

'You could always turn around and go home,' whispers a voice in my ear.

I ignore the invisible devil on my shoulder and walk across the street as the signal changes. I can hear every step I take echo loudly in my ears. When I finally reach the curb, my nerves are shaking with anticipation and worry. What if she doesn't remember me? What if she's too busy to notice me?

What if she's not even working?!

No. The paper had been clear about her working hours for this week. She'd be there. Tohru had gone through great lengths to help set up her friend. How very daring of her. I'm partially grateful.

And far too anxious for my own health.

'You'll be fine! Just...do it!'

The invisible angle does little to sooth my nerves but it gives me the small measure of confidence I need. Releasing the breath I didn't realize I was holding, I straighten my shoulders and push open the door.

RING!

The place seemed overly crowded compared to the street outside. The restaurant was small, not quite classy but well established. The food smelled delicious and my stomach concurred. I hadn't eaten breakfast, and I skipped dinner the night before thanks to Tohru. I was about to have a seat in a small booth when a loud crash drew my attention to the counter.

It was her.

Kami, she's just as beautiful as I remember her.

Her hair's pulled back into a ponytail, just like the last time we met. Her uniform's a little different, she is working at a different restaurant after all. But she's just as tall, slender and intriguing as before.

Now if she'd just look over this way.

When our eyes meet it's like fireworks being set off on a holiday evening. My nerves start to buzz again, as if set off by electricity. My entire body feels like it's humming and I have to force myself to sit down before I start running for the door.

CRUNCH!

"Shi--!"

"Arisa?"

"I'll clean it up, Henry," she calls back to a large man already emerging from the kitchen. I wonder if he's the owner, or merely a cook. "It's only coffee."

He nods, heading back through the door through which he came. "Call me if you need anything?"

"Just let me know when Shiori gets here will you?"

"Sure thing, Arisa!"

The sound of her name sends chills down my spine and I shiver in delight. I feel downright giddy about being here now. I wonder what sort of dilemma involved crunching glass and coffee. Had she spilled something? Dropped a cup? I couldn't help but chuckle. I bet she looked so cute when it happened....

A small clink brings me out of my happiness. A glass of water has been set before me. Out of the corner of my eye I can see her, standing beside my table. Cautiously I look up, forcing a small smile to my face. It's difficult in the wave of utter panic that erupts in me. It doesn't help that she smiles in return.

Gods but she has such a beautiful smile. More radiant than the sunshine.

"Konnichiwa, Kureno."

The sound of my name from her lips is like a gentle caress. Another chill runs down my spine and I suppress that shiver that wants to follow. My smile becomes a bit more genuine and I nod in greeting.

"Konnichiwa, Arisa. I'm...happy you remembered my name."

She nods in return, her smile growing. "Yeah. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has."

"May I ask...what you're doing here?"

"I'm here to eat," I say motioning to the table with a grand gesture worthy of my cousin Ayame.

"Oh," she says, her smile fading a bit.

"But I...I also came to see you."

My confession stuns her for a second before her smile widens again. "How did you know I worked here?"

A very good question. "A little birdie told me." Ah, Shigure-san would be pleased with that one.

She chuckles, a smirk settling on her lips. "A little birdie, huh?"

I nod, not giving anything else away. "How long have you been working here?"

"Almost a month," she replies with a sigh. "I like the atmosphere here a little better than the burger joint. Not too many nice people came in there."

"I'm a nice person," I say incredulously.

"I'm not saying you aren't." She shakes her head. "Things were just getting bad. I wasn't enjoying my job and I think that's important. So I left."

"Good for you."

"You know, you still haven't answered my question yet?"

"I haven't?"

She shakes her head again. "Nope. You still haven't told me what you're doing here. I'd assume that if you wanted to see me, you'd have a reason, ne?"

Taking a deep breath, and another word of advice from my invisible angel, I tell her, "Well, today is a free day for me. I don't get a chance to get out much, you see."

"What is it you do?"

Another good question. "I help to take care of a sick relative. His illness seems to be getting worse of late and I pretty much take it upon myself to take care of him."

Her smile fades into a sympathetic frown. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Well I've been doing it for awhile so it's really no trouble," I reply with a shrug. "At any rate, I have a free day and I was hoping that...well...I'd get a chance to see you at work and possibly...sort of...maybe have the opportunity to spend a little time with you once your shift was over."

There, I'd said it!

That wasn't so hard.

Not as hard as waiting for her answer.

I had no idea that seeing her again would make me feel so childish. So giddy.

So utterly happy.

"Technically I'm not supposed to get off work for another three hours," she says with a sigh. I can see that she's a little sad about having to work another few hours. I don't mind, really.

I'd wait twice as long or more as long as I get to spend more time with her.

"Oy, Arisa! Shiori's here!"

Biting her lower lip in thought, she holds a finger up for me to wait. "I'll be right back."

Her ponytail whipping around as she turns towards the kitchen, she heads off behind the counter and through a door. My eyes don't leave that door until it opens again and another girl comes out. Must be Shiori. She's a head shorter than Arisa, with short brown hair and a soft look of innocence surrounding her. She busies herself with a bit of cleaning before heading over to check on table.

My eyes quickly lock on the door once again. It's a bit of a strain on my neck as the door in practically behind me over my left shoulder. My eyes even start to water a little, my mind wondering where it was that Arisa could've gone.

I'm a little concerned when more than five minutes pass and she hasn't returned.

"Hey, over here."

As I turn back around in my seat I notice Arisa sitting across from me. And to my surprise, she's no longer wearing her uniform. Instead she was wearing a comfortable looking blue cotton t-shirt. Her hair had been let down, several flyaway strands framing her face. Her smile seemed even more beautiful now.

"Henry told me to go ahead and take off early," she said, folding her arms on the table.

"You sure you didn't have to bride him?"

"Henry? Oh no, he's a big teddy bear once you get to know him," he replies with a wave of her hand. "Besides, I worked a few extra hours last week that I didn't get paid for. This is payment in full." Her smile grew. "So, where do you want to go?"

I took a long breath to think. I hadn't really thought that far ahead. "I'm not sure. Why don't we...just go for a walk and we'll stop wherever suits us at the time?"

"Sounds good to me."

We stand from the booth almost in unison. It took her a moment longer as she grabbed a purse that had been hidden from my view. Her denim clad legs had also been hidden. I take a brief moment to appreciate the cloth wrapped around her slender legs before offering her my arm. It was the least I could do, wanting to be a gentleman and all.

Oh hell, I'm feeling chivalrous!

"Shall we go?

"Let's." She paused to wave to her co-worker, who was busy waiting on a couple at a table. "Later, Shiori!"

Shiori just grinned at us as we left the restaurant.

~TO BE CONTINUED~