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. Still no lemon. But hey, the title should indicate a little something. =P

Part Four - A Kiss Goodnight

Kami, but I'd never been so happy in my life!

As soon as we left the restaurant I pointed us in the direction of the old burger joint where I used to work. We were both hungry -- practically starving since I hadn't had a bite to eat all day, and I'm told coffee doesn't count -- and it's the place where we'd first met. Actually that was the real reason I wanted to go.

Now I'm not nostalgic or anything, not much at any rate, but I just wanted to be THERE with HIM. Don't ask me why?

And it probably didn't help that all I could do was smile stupidly and gush like a school girl on the way there. I was practically acting like one of those damn Prince Yuki girls for crying out loud! Well, all right, maybe I am a school girl at heart. I mean, I AM in high school after all.

We stopped twice on the way to lunch. Window shopping mostly. The jewelry store had a new set of stones in the window, while the leather shop had this cool looking jacket hanging up front. The price tag nearly made my eyes pop out of their sockets, but it might be worth saving for especially since Kureno actually seemed to like it. He wasn't as impressed with the jewelry though.

That's all right, I'm not really a jewelry kind of girl.

Nearly 45 minutes later we finally make it to the burger place and order our lunches. I wanted the number four: a hamburger with the works. I was practically drooling when I placed the order. I nodded to Kureno to place his order. He looked at me as if something was growing from my nose, but then turned to the menu and ordered a number two: a plain, old chicken sandwich.

Kami but now I felt like a pig. Oh well, when I'm hungry, I'm hungry!

I paid for both meals. Kureno assured me I didn't have to, but I told him that I owed him from before. I didn't really. I just wanted to pay for the meal is all. I was feeling...I don't know...chipper? Anxious? Nervous? Excited as hell?

All of the above!

"No strings attached," I told him with a shrug as we sat down to eat. "You can pay for dinner."

He nodded but said nothing else as we finished our meal and carried on our merry way. Once again he offered me his arm and I accepted it gladly. I don't usually cling to men. I'm not the clingy type, or so I think. But for Kureno, I'd make an exception.

Honestly, I'd make a lot of exceptions!

We strolled along at a leisurely pace, stopping here and there as we liked. He took me into a book store. I paged through some manga while he looked over some very rare American novels. He looked seriously at a case of mystery books and I couldn't help but smile. He seemed very intent on finding one book in particular.

"What are you looking for?"

He sighed. "It's an American novel by the name of "Grapes of Wrath". I'm told it's a very good read and an excellent story about American culture during their Great Depression."

"I didn't know you were interested in American culture and history," I replied, somewhat awed. Learn something new every day.

He smiled brightly at me. "Very much so. I would actually like to finish my schooling in America."

I didn't know he was in school currently. Must be in college because he's easily a few years older than me. "What...are you currently studying?"

"Marketing," he answers, leaning over to look at another stack of books. "I thought about changing it to business though. I've already changed it twice, I suppose I should stick with something, ne?"

"Aa," is all I can say. My mind is still trying to process the information he's giving me. It's really the most I've learned about him since he came to the restaurant to see me. "Where are you going to school?"

"I've been taking courses online for about two years. I had a private tutor for a year and took a few correspondence courses," He stands with another sigh and looks at me a bit sadly. "Because of my cousin, I haven't really been able to attend school. I didn't really graduate from high school either. I've...had a private tutor most my life, at least through high school."

I suddenly feel sorry for asking. This appears to be a touchy subject and the last thing I want to do is upset him. "You know," I say, trying to lighten the mood. "I always thought not having to go to school would be fun."

"Most days it was," he said with a nostalgic smile. "But I didn't really get to interact with anyone my own age."

"Sometimes, that's not a bad thing either," I reply.

"True," he says with a chuckle. "But just once, I'd like my life to be...well...normal."

I let the comment slide as he stepped past me to look at another rack of books. Did anyone really have a normal life? I suppose so, but I'd never really considered it. My own life isn't exactly normal. What type of parents disown their child just because she made a simple mistake?

By the time we left, he'd chosen two other books and purchased the manga I'd been looking through. I told him that it was ridiculous to pay for a book he'd never read -- like an intelligent man like him wants to read 'Marmalade Boy' -- but he only smiled when he handed the book back to me.

"Consider it a gift," he said, taking his books from the clerk.

Window shopping caused us to stop at a few more places on our way to dinner. I found a boutique that sold leather and couldn't resist checking it out. I dragged Kureno -- quite literally -- inside. He seemed flustered and the blush that crept to his cheeks was delightful, but I spared him some pain and didn't take long. He let out a sigh of relief when we left.

I was only joking when I told him he had to pay for supper, and the restaurant he took me into looked very upscale. Words escaped me when we walked in and were seated within minutes, despite the line that was forming at the entrance. The people staring at me with anxious glances made me feel underdressed and rather awkward.

"Is this place all right?" Kureno sounded a bit worried as we glanced through the menus. "If you don't see anything you like on the menu we can--?"

"No, no. No this place is...fine. Just fine."

Actually it was better than fine. They served nothing but the best Japanese cuisine. The prices had me a bit worried, but he insisted that it was no problem. He wanted to treat me to this just as I wanted to treat him to lunch. It was no big deal.

Dinner was followed by a stroll in the park. We didn't talk much, instead basking in the company of each other and enjoying the peace and quiet around us. It felt good to just be there with him. No words. No actions. Just being.

I wanted this day to last forever.

But reality set in with the setting of the sun. It's well after 8 o'clock, or so a nearby chime tells us. We'd spent nearly eight hours in each other presence, and yet it felt like mere minutes. I really didn't want to say good-bye so soon. I suppose that's why I allowed him to walk me home.

Which brings us to the end of the date -- yes, it was a DATE -- just outside my apartment complex.

"This is it."

I watch him carefully out of the corner of my eye as we arrive at my apartment. He's surveying the place with interest. Either he's impressed that I can do so well for myself, or he's sadly disappointed because from the outside the complex looks like a junk heap. In either case, a small smile passes his lips.

"Would you like to come up for coffee or tea?" The question escapes my mouth before it even registers in my brain. I look as surprised as he does, I'm sure.

That small smile disappears from his face. "Gomen nasai, but I should head home for the night. I...I have an early morning tomorrow, with my cousin and all."

Part of me is relieved. A very small, tiny, miniscule even, part of me. I'm not sure I have any coffee left. Damn! But a larger part of me is disappointed and it shows in my voice if not my expression.

"Oh, all right. I understand." It's an awkward moment of silence before I say with a forced smile, "Well...good night, then."

"Arisa?"

I am bombarded by a number of things the moment I turn around. First off, I'm surprised to find him standing so close to me. Secondly, my heart won't stop racing, banging against my ribcage as if trying to escape. And lastly, the sweet taste of his lips as they brush against mine, tentatively at first, until the motion becomes a full blown kiss.

I waste no time, deepening the kiss and extending my tongue towards his. They duel lightheartedly, my hands rising and clinging to his shoulders for support. His hands rest on my hips, giving me leverage. I moan, wanting those hands in other areas, doing other things. He moans in response, his fingers grasping my hips tightly as he uses every ounce of force to take the kiss further.

When we part I feel as if a cover had been lifted from over me and all the air I'd lost was rushing back to me. I gasp, my lungs begging for air. He does the same thing as well, placing a tentative finger to his lips while panting for breath. His eyes meet mine and we stare at each for quite a while, both of us grinning like idiots.

"You sure you don't want to stay," I ask, panting for air.

He kisses me once more, this time on the forehead before stepping back. "I...can't. Don't get me wrong, Arisa, I like you. I liked this. But I can't stay. Not this time."

"Then what about next time?" Although I'm seriously disappointed at the moment, I'm quite pleased with myself for asking this. I force myself to smile, almost giggling at the strange look of awe on his face.

"Next time?" He makes it sound as if there won't be a next time and when he doesn't say any more right away, my heart began to sink. I make to move away but pause as he speaks again. "Next time, I'll stay...if the offer still stands of course."

"Baka," I reply, my forced smile becoming genuine. "Of course it still stands. Open invite, remember that."

"I will."

We lean forward in unison for one last kiss. I'm still disappointed, but I'm heartened by the fact that there will be a next a time and that he will stay...at least for the coffee.

I guess this means I should go grocery shopping tomorrow.

Oh hell, I'm going tonight! The corner mart's open 24 hours. Gotta love convenience.

As he pulls away, he takes me hand and places something in my palm. "Give me a call and let me know when you're free next week. I should be able to get another day off, probably on Thursday, but I'll have to check."

"Okay," is all I can manage.

"I'll see you then. Oyasumi."

"O-oyasumi."

I blink, watching him leave with a look of sadness. But there is hope. I'd get to see him next week. And he did promise to come over for coffee or tea.

Wait! Call him?! But I don't have his number!

Finally I look down at my still outstretched hand. Laying in my palm is a piece of paper with some information neatly scribbled on it. His phone number and email I notice.

And his last name, as Tohru had predicted, was Sohma.

Despite myself, I try not to laugh too hard on my way up to my apartment.

Kami help me!

I'm in love with a Sohma!

~TO BE CONTINUED~