Disclaimers: All characters belong to rightful owners.
Story concieved by Lee.


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"I hope I can too... I'll try to stop worrying... just-just for now... for-for you." Sasurai's soft smile also grew, her shaky fingers brushing snow from her hair.

"I mean it... it's very cute..." her voice dropped to a soft murmur, "...like you are... I-I-I mean," Sasurai flushed furiously admitting that. He WAS very cute, that fact was in her mind, but saying it aloud, well, that was embarassing.

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"Oh, of course..." Nevan nodded slowly as Sophia asked to speak to him outside, but, always the polite little victim, he turned his head back around toward Shittsui. "I should just tell Mr. Barano where I'm going, though; I'd hate for him to think I just ran out on him..."

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"Th-thank you." Lem murmured gratefully upon hearing that Sasurai'd try to stop worrying for the moment and, more than content with this, he offered the girl another wide, soft, extremely grateful smile. "I... I know that it's hard not to worry, but... but you can miss so much if you're only lost in your worries..."

"I... I..." Of course, his flush only deepened as Sasurai told him that he's cute and, that same foolish smile only spreading, he murmured in a voice that was barely a whisper. "I... I think... I think you're very cute, yourself, Sasurai..."

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"I-I know... I missed so much already..." Sasurai smiled a little brighter, seeing his grateful smile, her self-esteem, which seemed to have been long gone, slowly grew knowing that smile was for her, her reward for wanting to stop worrying, for trying to stop worrying for her new friend.

That smile faded however and was replaced with a look of shock. Surely he was lying-- but Lemy was not one to lie... and the blush, the one of his soft voice. He was sincere, as always. Trembling from shock, disbelief, and joy, the mousy girl blush deepen and she murmured, "You're too kind... you must be... you must-must be..." Biting her bottom lip she grew silent, not knowing what to say to such a sincere... compliment.

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Lukas had a feeling he'd regret asking... but he asked anyway. "Oh? An' what would that be, Sammy?"

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"Well, even if you missed everything, there's still plenty of time to make up for it!" Lem exclaimed happily as he offered the girl another bright smile. Of course, he was still enough of an optomist to believe things such as that and so, of course, he believed it for his new friend and her Mousy companion, as well. Still, as Sasurai's smile faded and was replaced with a look of shock, he found himself wondering if he hadn't said something wrong, said to much, or some other grave sin.

"A-are... are you alright, Sasurai?" He questioned quietly as he reached to lay a gentle hand on her trembling shoulder.

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"Well, it's pretty obvious, isn't it?" Sam murmured as he let his wide grin turn into something just a little bit more lecherous. "I'll just have to let you have the first turn, then, so you can be the one to strain it!"

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Lukas remained silent for a long moment, apparently giving Sam's suggestion some serious thought. Finally, he shook his head, "Can't have that on my conscience, budreau," he replied grinning, "Not to mention that I'd have half of New Eden gunnin' for my ass for puttin' you outta commission."

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Sasurai tensed immediately, out of instinct, when she felt his hand. She on her right hand as she continued to tremble, trying desperately to assess the situation. She didn't want to worry him, to have his enthusiasm and happiness fade because of her tattered emotions and physical habits of trembling or shaking. But... for the the first time ever since... that day, she was... said to be cute... and kind... and gentle, but currently cute was the compliment bothering her.

"I-I-I... I'm fine... I just... I-I..." She looked up at him, then looked back down, and without thinking, she hugged him, trembling, in shock, but happy, "Arigatou... thank you... I-I-I know I say that a lot... but-but-but thank you... thank you..." Mousy squeaked, in shock from seeing his timid, painfully shy friend hugging the onwer of his current perch.

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"Ah, that's such a shame..." Sam sighed mock-heavily as he sadly shook his head. "I imagine it'd be great to be strained by the great Lukas Devereau and, besides, I'd protect you from the mighty throng of outraged groupies! No one'd lay a single finger on your cute little head..."

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Though it was only a simple, sweet gesture, Lem found himself stiffening a bit as Sasurai hugged him and, flushing directly to his roots, he couldn't help but marvel at how... odd this gesture was. Still, shaking it all aside, he rather tentatively brought his arms up so as to reciprocate the hug and, smiling tentatively, he shook his head.

"N-no. That... that's alright." His flush deepening--if that was still possible-- he renewed his smile. "I... I'm just glad if I can make you happy."

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"Well," Lukas drawled, looking rather amused by the conversation, "I'm sure Kiso an'... er... Arvel there'll be glad to console you..." A rather pensive expression crossed his face, but he managed to keep his voice steady and lightly teasing as he added, "You'd never even miss me."

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Feeling him stiffern brought Sasurai back to her thoughts. She almost murmured "what am I doing" and went to pull away, to mumur sorry and berate herself for being an idiot. But feeling his arms go up to return the hug stopped her from pulling away, from hurting herself with words. It shocked her, but comforted her as well.

Looking up at him, she smiled back and slowly, slowly pullded away, "You... you do make-make me happy... Mousy has-has competition..." Though the last comment was a joke, she was sincere when she said he made her happier. He made her happier than anyone else had in a long time.

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"Well, I don't know about that..." Sam tipped his head on side and, in the process, he just happened to lean this same against the shoulder of one of the other two boys. "Sempai and Arvel'd probably be too busy with each other to do much consoling on my behalf and, even if not, I'm not sure that either's much inclined to do so..."

"Still, you're wrong." He shook his head quickly and, smiling sincerely, he again turned his attention to Lukas. "I'd always miss you, regardless. After all..."

"You're my sunshine... my only sunshine..." He started to sing as he threw his arms out toward the Cajun.

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"I... I'm glad..." Lem murmured quietly as he let his arms drop from around the girl. Renewing his smile, he crossed his arms over himself as he reflected on the situation. It was odd, of course, and he wasn't known to give strangers hugs, yet he was glad for this, even if he and Sasurai never crossed paths again. Shaking these thoughts aside, he managed a small giggle. "I... I really don't think I'd be competition for Mousy, though; I... I'm not nearly as lucky or... or anything."

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"You are more than just anything. Mousy may be lucky, but you have... no offense Mousy, but you Lemy-san are-are human." That must've sound bizarre, but it was true. Sasurai finally had a human friend. So perhaps in truth they just met, and in truth she had given a (technically) stranger a hug... but that didn't bother her. What bothered her was knowing that this could be their only meeting, that she would be alone again. Shaking the dark thoughts away she noticed Mousy squeaking with disapproval, "Oh Mousy, you know that you'll always make me happy too!" She giggled, petting the small creature.

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Lukas laughed, inadvertently taking a step or two nearer to Sam. "Aw now, you know better'n that," he chuckled, "I'm just your ol' wet blanket, after all."

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"It.. .it looks like Mousy likes being the center of attention." Lem giggled softly as he returned to his formner position of petting the cute little good luck charm. "I... I'd hate to think of taking his place in... in things..."

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"Not true!" Sam giggled as he extended his arms toward the other in the king of all childish gestures. "You're not _just_ a wet blanket! You're the best blanket which helps me get to all new levels of mischeif... which makes me smile or laugh... who is, basically, one of my bestest friends in the whole wide great world!"

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Lukas again takes another couple of steps closer, but stops while still out of reach, smiling a bit bemusedly. "Well... I'm glad you feel that way, Sammy..."

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