Volume Three- Despair Aura

Despair Aura
Volume Three
Sora Kazuma
March 26th 2005

Phase Seven- Relationships

Nomiko opened the door to his bedroom, threw his bookbag down on the floor and quickly locked the door behind him. The fox lifted its head from the covers, staring at him calmly with bright gold eyes. �How did things go today, Nomiko-sama?�

The boy stripped off his jacket, hanging it in the closet and switched on the radio, turning it down low. �Better then yesterday.� He said finally, looking over at him. �I brought home all your papers to grade. My bookbag weighed a ton. I hope you�re happy.�

The animal�s tail wagged sheepishly. �I�m sorry�. I would have gone in to get them myself but then I would have just been a bother to you.�

Miko blinked his cerulean eyes, looking over at him. The sound of his voice� �Thank you�for not coming in. You need to rest anyway.� He started over to the bed, kneeling beside it. �Don�t move- let me check those bandages of yours.�

The fox laid comfortably as Nomiko unwrapped and redid all the bandages, paying careful attention to spots that were worse then others. �You�re amazing. I can�t believe you�ve healed this much in only three days. The spots here on your neck,� He ran his fingers over the scabs visible on the glossy fur. �They�ve just about completely healed. And here-�

As he went to motion to the ones on his chest the animal moved its head, resting the side of its face in his palm. Nomiko blushed as it closed its eyes contently for a moment before moving away and softly lapping at his hand, one single stroke with his tongue. �Thank you�for watching out for me.�

�I-It�s nothing.� He replied quickly, trying to blow it off. When the fox laid his head back down, it curled it�s tail back around it so that it hid most of its face and let out a low sigh. Miko blinked. �Satoshi�what�s-�

He was cut off by knocks to the door. �It�s just me guys.� Rose�s voice echoed through.

Nomiko went over and undid the lock, swinging open the door. �What�s up?�

Rose was dressed in a short dress and knee-high boots, her long raven hair done up nicely with curls in the front. �Serina and I are going out tonight with a couple of boys from school. I just wanted to let you know that I�m leaving. Also,� she smiled. �You don�t have to worry about anybody being here for your date tomorrow.�

Nomiko saw the fox�s head jerk up out of the corner of his eye, ears pricked. Great. He hadn�t wanted Satoshi to know�

�Mom works all day tomorrow and I�m hanging out with Serina, so you guys will have the house to yourself. Don�t kill the house, on either occasion.� Her steel blue eyes wandered past him to his bed. �And you rest up Aura. I�ll see you later, okay?�

The fox wagged its tail, thumping against the bed to that response.

�Bye guys.� She smiled, heading down the hallway to the front door.

Nomiko shut the door, locking it behind him. �Well at least she won�t be around to bug me.� He sighed.

�You have a date tomorrow?�

He swallowed at those words, his cheeks blushing. ��Kinda.� He admitted. �Sakura-san is coming over to help me with my English paper since writing isn�t exactly my strong suit."

�I see.� He nodded, laying his head back down. �I�m going to get some sleep so that you can work on your homework in peace.� He replied, shutting his eyes.

Nomiko just watched him for a moment. Satoshi was never this distant. He was always smiling or joking, or teasing him in someway. This�wasn�t him. He was being to quiet and every time he talked there was evident pain in his voice.

The sound of the boy�s stomach kicking in threw him out of his thoughts. He hadn�t eaten since lunchtime and it was going on seven.

A thought struck him and he smiled. Satoshi probably hadn�t eaten all day.

He went out to the kitchen, rummaging through the frig and pulling out stacks of packaged deli meat. Grabbing bread, cheese and mayonnaise, he made himself a huge triple-decker sandwich before making an even bigger one for Satoshi. Struggling to hold both paper plates as he opened the door, he twisted the knob, backed in and shut it behind him. He watched the fox�s ears perk up at the sound of the door and then his nose began working and his head shot up into the air.

�Are you hungry?� Nomiko flashed him a smile, coming over to sit next to him. He sat the paper plate down in front of the fox�s front paws. �Here. Dinner is served.�

�Nomiko�� He looked up at him. �I can�t eat this in this form.�

�Well then, transform.� He shrugged. �It�s no big deal.�

�If I transform into my human form, there�s a possibility I�ll put you and your family at risk. I can guarantee you Naga�s still after me. I�ve been saving it since I don�t really have the power to transfer for long anyway.� He replied. �Thanks for the effort, but I�ll just go hungry.�

Nomiko huffed. �Look. I made you that food-� He picked the sandwich up and grabbed the fox carefully by the scruff of the neck. �And you�re going to eat it, whether I have to shove it down your throat or not.� He went for the fox�s jaw and it snarled, fangs exposed. Still Nomiko didn�t let go of it. �You have two options Satoshi and if it takes getting bitten to feed you then damnit, that�s what it takes. You�re in no condition to argue. So transform and eat the sandwich like a normal person or I�ll force feed you myself.�

�If I transform, there�s a possibility you could die! It�s not worth it!� He replied, trying to break free of the hold Nomiko had on him.

�Don�t you think I know that?!� He snapped. �I know that, but still it�s a part of who you are! If this guy�s after you because of that reason, he has no morals about life at all. You should be who you want to be, regardless of other people. If it means I�m taking a risk so you can do that, so be it! And I�m sure my mom and Rose would feel the same way. You should stop hiding.� He let him go, dropping the sandwich on the bed. �And stop acting so depressed. It isn�t like you.�

With a sigh, his human form appeared on the bed, long locks of dark hair falling over his shoulders and in his face. ��Thank you.� He said softly.

Nomiko smiled. �You should eat up. And then, if you have the strength, you should go get a shower.�

He lifted his head, bright gold eyes watching him, surprised. �What?�

�Your hair�it�s matted with blood. You wounds have healed enough that the hot water would probably do you some good. Don�t worry- Mom�s pulling an all-nighter at the office and Rose and Serina are out partying. They won�t be back till early tomorrow morning and then I know Rose is just going to crash when she comes in. You�re safe, trust me.�

�Alright then.� He nodded hesitantly. �Can you get me some towels then?�

�Sure.� He got up, leaving the room and stalking into the bathroom. At least Satoshi was up and his mood had lightened a little, though it looked like he was still upset over something.

He pulled out a stack of towels from the closet, made sure shampoo and conditioner were readily accessible and had just opened a bar of hand soap when the tall, lean form limped into the bathroom.

�Here you go.� He told him. �I�ll be out in the living room when you get out.�

Satoshi picked up the stack of towels, leaving himself all but one. �Here, take these. You�re probably going to need them.�

Nomiko nodded, taking the towels and setting them on the floor in front of where he was crashing on the couch with his sandwich. He found the remote and turned on the TV. Saturday night- something good had to be on.

He found salvation from boredom in the form of an anime that most of his friends had been talking about in class last week. They were re-airing the pilot episode so at least he wasn�t out of the loop.

He didn�t hear the bathroom door open, but the sound of scampering feet quickly caught his attention. He looked up just in time to see the fox come limping down the hallway, looking more like a drowned rat then a fox. �Here.� He quickly laid two of the towels down on the couch and then patted the space beside him.

The fox nodded slightly, pawing its way up onto the couch beside him, while Nomiko began carefully drying him over with another towel. �I�m so sleepy now�� Satoshi�s voice came in, deep and drowsy.

�Get some rest then.� Nomiko assured him, grabbing another towel to dry him and then two more to wrap around his body as he had immediately begun to shake.

The fox�s edged closer to him, resting his head on his thigh. �Thank you...for taking care of me. I feel like such a burden to you and your sister. I honestly�don�t belong here. The only thing I can do to repay you both is to try and be close to you- to gain your friendship, and I can�t even do that right.� He sighed softly as his body trembled. �I�ve never�had any one close to me before. Not even my sister was considered a friend. That�s why�I want to protect you, with everything I have. In the hope that�we could be friends��

Nomiko listened as he spoke, his fingers running through the drenched fur on top of his head. He pulled him closer, so that the entire upper body of the animal was laying across his lap, its head rested in the crook of his arm. ��You worry what other people think of you to much.� He told him, his voice barely over a whisper. �Stop trying so hard to impress people. Rose and I both like you, for being you. Yeah she doesn�t know about your human form, but I do, and after getting used to the fact of who you really are, it doesn�t change who you really are to me. Satoshi�� he swallowed, his cheeks blushing. �You are my friend.� �You might even be more then that.� The words just wanted to place themselves out in the open and Satoshi blushed badly, restraining himself from saying them.

Satoshi lifted his head sleepily, nuzzling his face momentarily against the boy�s chest before dropping back down to his lap. �I can�t thank you enough��

Nomiko smiled, turning his attention back to the TV. Satoshi would need to sleep and he was feeling tired to as it was.

--

The next thing the boy knew, the doorbell was going off. He opened his cerulean eyes staring blankly at the TV a moment. The clock was reading 10: 32. Time to get up and go to bed.

The doorbell rang again and he glanced over at it. �Damnit�� He slid out from underneath the fox, and then walked to the door. Most likely it was one of his crazy neighbors coming over to rant with his mom.

�I�m sorry, Mom�s not-� He opened the door and then blinked at the sight of Sakura Itsuki standing there, schoolbooks in hand.

�Oh, good morning. Sorry Tatsuya-kun, did I wake you?� She blushed slightly. �I�m so sorry! I should have called first.�

�No, no, it�s okay.� He shook his head quickly. �I fell asleep on the couch last night. My alarm�s probably been going off for hours now.� He opened the door further. �Come on in.�

�Are you sure?� She smiled. �I didn�t mean to bother you. I can come back later if you want.�

�No, it�s all right.� He assured her, closing the door behind her. �Just�let me get changed.�

�Okay.� She nodded. �This apartment�s really nice.� Her green eyes fell on the creature lying on the couch watching them and she smiled. �Morning Aura, how are you?�

The animal�s tail began wagging in response to his name being called and he nuzzled her arms as she sat down next to her, sending her into giggles. �You are the cutest thing, you know that?� She told him, tapping his nose. �It�s a shame you got hurt. What happened to him Tatsuya-kun?�

She looked up just as he came back down the hall, dressed in khakis and a black t-shirt. �You look good in normal clothes.� She admitted with a slight blush.

Nomiko blushed, averting eye contact with her for a moment. �Thanks Itsuki-chan.�

�Tatsuya-kun,� She started again after a moment. �What happened to Aura? He�s so beat up�did you find him like this?�

�No, um, eh�he got into a fight with another dog the other day. Thursday night I think?� He swallowed. The story wasn�t entirely a lie.

�Aw, you poor thing!� Sakura comforted the fox, scratching him under the chin and behind the ears. �You�re such a small little thing compared to most dogs like Labs and Sheperds. But you have to be the prettiest dog I�ve ever seen. He really does look like a fox.� She smiled at him before turned to Nomiko. �So, come on, let�s get started on this work.� She opened her textbook, setting it down on the coffee table. �Did you grab your rough copy?�

�Yeah. Here.� He fished through his binder, pulling out a packet of papers stapled together and heavily corrected with red pen.

The girl glanced it over, her bright emerald eyes darting down the pages as she skimmed through it. �It�s not bad. Trust me I�ve seen worse.� She smiled, pushing back a lock of her wavy crimson hair. �There�s a lot of potential in this- I like your topic a lot.�

�Really?� His eyes lit up.

�Yep. You did a pretty impressive amount of research on it too. Okay.� She set it down on the table, pulling out a set of pens from her pocket.

�Those are just like the pens the teachers in English have.� He blinked, recognizing the slim silver pens.

�Yep. I�m a pen fanatic. I asked our teacher to order me some because I like them so much.� She beamed at him. �Now,� she pointed to a piece of his script. �This sentence�it shouldn�t be in this paragraph. It belongs down here on page three, not page one.� �Are you serious?� He blinked.

�Yep. See, it fits more with the feelings you�re trying to convey here then in a paragraph like that.� She pointed them out to him.

��I see what you mean.� He nodded. �You�re an excellent teacher Itsuki-chan. I never would have thought��

�Thanks.� She beamed at him. �Now, onto��

The next three hours went on in that fashion, revising and editing Nomiko�s paper. It looked nothing like the original copy and the boy felt sorely stupid for the mistakes he was shown but at least he could write a final copy with this. However in return he was helping Sakura with the project they had been given the day before in Physics, helping her with theories, equations and history. She worked on that while he wrote up his final draft, the fox not moving from his spot on the couch.

The sound of Nomiko�s stomach growling cut through the silence and he blushed embarrassingly. �I haven�t eaten all day... and food sounds really good right about now.� He dropped his pen. �Let�s say we take a break?�

�Sure. I hope you don�t mind feeding me; I�ll pay you back.� Sakura blushed.

�No, it�s no problem at all.� He said quickly, getting up and offering her a hand to stand.

�I insist.� She giggled. �I hope you don�t have any plans for lunch tomorrow, because I�m going to pack you a lunch.�

�Really, you don�t-� He started but was stopped when she put a finger to his lips.

�Just accept the offer, please.� She told him with a smile, heading into the kitchen. �So what are we fixing?�

Nomiko was silent for a moment in shock, his face bright red. �Um, uh,� He opened the refrigerator, scanning it from top to bottom. �Not sure. There�s cold pizza in there if you want some.�

�Sure!� she smiled, taking out the box as he grabbed a bag full of deli meat. She blinked and then smiled. �What�s that for?�

�Sa- Aura.� He swallowed, almost slipping up. �Aura.� He repeated quickly, holding up the bag. �Sadly. I�ve been spoiling him since he got hurt.�

�You�re so sweet.� She giggled, taking a slice of pizza and holding out another for him.

They headed back to the living room, Nomiko opening the bag and tossing two or three slices of ham up onto the couch, only to get scarfed seconds later by the fox. Silence fell over the room again and Nomiko had just about polished off his slice of pizza when Sakura�s face suddenly went red and she lifted her head.

�Tatsuya-kun,� She started, her eyes shifting to avoid looking at him directly. �Do you have a girlfriend?�

Nomiko just about choked up pizza crust in response. Aura lifted his head, ears perked, eyes wide.

The boy cleared his throat quickly, feeling the heat rise up into his face. �I wish.� He said after a moment, trying to keep from blushing to badly.

Her emerald eyes danced. �Great! Tatsuya-kun, if it isn�t to much trouble, would you consider going out with me?� Her face went red as she watched him and she quickly continued. �I�ve always had a crush on you; and you�re such a nice guy. I hope you�ll say yes.�

Nomiko was in shock. All this time the girl of his dreams had liked him too�and she was asking him out�he felt like a wimp. A wimp who could do anything at the moment, but still a wimp. A flash of Yoshikawa�s kiddish face raced through his mind and he inwardly hung his head. He couldn�t go against his best friend. There was no way he could do that. �It doesn�t matter how badly he feels for her if the feeling isn�t mutual. And besides, Nomura-kun doesn�t seem like the jealous type.� Those words resounded in his head and he immediately recognized that voice. Satoshi!

He looked up, his eyes widening at the site. The fox was standing, ears flattened, tail tucked between its legs and yet it was growling softly, those amber eyes watching him determinedly. No, more then determinedly. Possessively. Nomiko blushed badly, looking away. �I�ll�think about it.� He said after a moment.

�I understand. Thank you for even listening to me. I just, really like you, Tatsuya-kun.� She smiled at him.

A sharp bark cut through the air a second later and both looked up at Aura who was standing, watching Sakura daringly. Nomiko was somewhat awed by his behavior. What was he thinking, and why was he acting like this?

�What boy?� She leaned up, ruffling the fur on his forehead. �Are you jealous that I�m trying to take your master away from you?�

Both Nomiko and Satoshi tensed at that, looking at one another, but Sakura paid it no mind, stroking the fox behind his ears. �I don�t think you have to worry about that Aura. You master will always be your master. I can�t take him from you.�

Immediately the fox relaxed into her touch, licking her fingers. The girl giggled, patting his nose as she sat back down on the floor all the way. �Sorry boy, but I got to get back to this work. I�ll play with you some more later.� She told him as she picked up her pen.

Nomiko watched the fox lay down and blushed, looking down at his own work. Still, those intense gold eyes never left his form.

Phase Seven- End

-Character Profile-

Naga Shirou
Birthday: April 24th
Age: Unknown (Estimated Age: 25)
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Element: Earth
Bloodtype: AB+
Height: 6� 8�
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Teal
Occupation: Kitsune Hunter

--

Phase Eight- Jealousy on Both Ends

�Thank you so much for having me over. I really had a lot of fun!� Sakura bowed at the door, flashing Nomiko a smile. �I�ll see you in school tomorrow, okay Tatsuya-kun?�

�Sure.� He nodded, with a slight smile back. Hers was contagious and after what she had asked him this afternoon, he felt like he was on cloud nine at the moment. Exhausted and with cramped fingers from writing out a ten-page paper, but still on cloud nine.

The girl�s vibrant green eyes shifted past him to the couch where the fox was lying. �I�ll see you later Aura. Rest up and get better okay?�

The fox lifted its head, wagging its tail in response. She giggled. �Alright then. Bye guys!� she waved, heading out onto the porch and heading for the steps to get her out of the apartment complex.

Nomiko shut the door, leaning his side against it as he locked it. His cerulean eyes shifted to the fox. �Well, that�s done. You didn�t have to stay out here the whole time. You could have gone down the hall and laid down if we were distracting you.�

�It hurts to move.� He replied. �He really did a number on my leg.�

�Let me check your wounds today.� Nomiko walked over, sitting down on the couch beside him. Looking the animal over, he was still amazed how fast they were healing. �Is it possible you could have broken something?� He asked him.

�No�I don�t think so. Bruised something is my guess.� He replied. �It doesn�t hurt as badly today as it has the past few days. I think I�m going to go back into school tomorrow.�

�What?� Nomiko blinked. �Are you sure?�

�The wounds on my face have all cleared up and as long as I dress heavily I shouldn�t have any problems. I was exhausted that one day I went to the school to find you, but I felt alright. I think I can try staying for an entire day and see how it works out.� He sighed. �You really should have said yes, you know.�

�Yes? To what?� He blinked.

�To Itsuki-chan. When she asked you out. She�s the girl you�ve been crushing on for a while now, right? You should have told her yes, right away.� He replied.

Nomiko blushed. �I� I didn�t want to say anything in front of you.� He said finally.

�Me?� Those gold eyes blinked. �Why?�

�I didn�t want you to get upset with me.� He admitted after a moment, not meeting his gaze.

The fox turned its head away as well with a soft sigh. �In any case, my opinion and my say don�t matter. It�s what you want to do, Nomiko-sama. If you really like Itsuki-chan, then you should tell her right away, so she doesn�t get the idea that you�re not interested in her.� He stood up, weakly hopping off the couch. �This is what you wanted, right? Then go for it.�

Nomiko dropped his head slightly, long locks of raven hair hanging in his eyes. �This isn�t�� For some reason an overwhelming wave of guilt was washing over him. Satoshi�s words had held no feelings, just light pieces of advice and yet they felt like they were lashing into him with contempt. �Damnit��

The fox sat down, cocking its head to the side. �Are�you alright?�

�Will you stop playing this off like it�s nothing to you?!� Nomiko snapped, looking up at him, his cerulean eyes flashing. �You�re acting as if this is nothing to you, even though I know you�re upset! I saw the way you acted when Itsuki-chan mentioned it- saw the way you glared at her and then me!�

The fox lowered its head, its eyes closing. Nomiko gritted his teeth. He still was not going to say anything. �Tell me,� He started after a minute, his voice lower but still holding the same irritated tone. �Seriously, tell me what you want.�

The animal�s ears pricked up at that and then flattened to the sides of his head as he turned away. �What I want�it doesn�t matter.�

�Satoshi,� He said, his voice dropping threateningly. �Tell me.�

The animal growled, the fur on it�s back bristling. It looked up at him, those bright amber eyes narrowed slightly, dangerously. �I want�you.� He said finally before turning and scampering off down the hall, running even with a bad limp.

Nomiko laid his head back against the couch as he heard the bedroom door slam. �I figured.� He murmured after a moment with a sigh.

This was almost too much to take in. First the girl he�d had a thing for for years and now the handsome teacher who had been sleeping in his room with him disguised as a fox. Both liked him and he liked both of them too.

�No matter what, Satoshi�s still my teacher. He�s an adult, he�s a couple years older then me at least, he has a job and his own place�there�s no way I could possibly get into a relationship with that guy. If my mom found out I was dating him she�d kill me, my sister would probably have a cow and the news would be all over the school. He would probably lose his job�� He shook his head. �It�s not worth it. I�ll help him out with this Naga guy since he�s after him but after that, that�s it. There�s no other reason to stay involved.�

He got up, heading down the hall. �Satoshi,� He opened the door to his bedroom only to find the window open, curtain flaring in the breeze. The sound of thunder echoed throughout the room and as he went over to shut it, it began pouring outside seemingly out of nowhere. Thick dark clouds had covered the city seemingly out of nowhere, showering the metropolis and blocking out the last of the sunset. Nomiko sighed, leaning his head on the window. �Is this�my doing?� He asked after a minute. Reaching a hand out into the storm he watched the beads collect in the palm of his hand, forming a small circle in the center. Watching it, he moved his fingers back and forth. The mass changed shape with his slight movement, forming a small sphere-shaped pendant of liquid in his hand, growing bigger and bigger with each drop of rain falling into it. �The powers of Scorpio�the Zodiac Master�� He lifted his head off the window frame. �I thought it was all just a joke. Then again, after seeing Satoshi transforming back and forth between his forms, I guess nothing surprises me anymore.� He crushed his hand together, the water blasting out of his palm, falling back into the storm. He shut the window, sitting down on his bed. �I didn�t ask for this power. I want to know who gave it to me, so I can give it back.� He laid back on the blankets. �I just want to go back to school, have a normal day and not have to worry about foxes, or abilities or anybody else, or having to hide things from my mom.� He pounded his fist into the mattress. �I just want it to go back to being normal!�

--

Standing out in the storm on the rooftop of the apartment building, the form a beautiful young woman watched the storm rage, not minding the lightning or the thunder or the pelting rain. Her jeans and t-shirt were drenched and yet she showed no sign of being cold. �Owh,� She brushed back her long violet hair, her ice blue eyes staring up at the sky. �Feeling a little upset, young master?� She asked the storm with a slight smile. �Is it because you�re guardian is gone? Aw, you shouldn�t be this upset- he is only a fox after all. A cute one, but still a fox.�

�Saitou.� A gruff voice spoke up. The woman turned recognizing the form of a massive black wolf standing there in the rain, his cyan eyes flashing with every stroke of thunder.

�Naga.� She smiled. �I should have figured you would be here. Your foxyboy just left. He went-� She pointed north. �Thatta� way.�

�Watching the boy?� The wolf asked after a minute, ignoring her comment.

�He�s�interesting. Trying to figure out whether the storm is his. It was supposed to rain tonight.� She beamed at him, her pigtails hitting against her neck as she tilted her head.

�The boy is the least of my worries. It�s Satoshi that I�m after.� He snapped.

�You don�t have to explain your weird tastes to me. I don�t really care who you�re after. As long as I�m not on your wanted list we�ll be just fine.� She replied, resting a hand on her hip.

�You are.� He snarled. �But you�re not at the top.�

�Fun.� She smiled. �I�ll look forward to it when the time comes.� She winked before she took a step back and jumped off the top of the building, disappearing into the rain.

--

�Nomiko,� Rose shook her brother away the next morning. �Come on, get up.�

The boy blinked his eyes, sitting up. �What time is it?�

�Its about time for us to be leaving. Come on, hop in the shower real quick. Are you okay? You don�t look to well.� She told him, helping him up.

�I didn�t sleep very well last night.� He admitted after a moment, heading to the bathroom.

�Have you seen Aura around?� Rose asked, her steel gray eyes darting around the room. �I didn�t see him at all last night.�

Nomiko swallowed. �He got out last night. He has his collar on though, so I think he�ll be alright.� He told her quickly when he saw the look of worry shoot across her face.

�Poor guy� I hope he didn�t get drenched. That storm last night was really bad. Part of downtown lost power and they didn�t get it back until early this morning.�

Nomiko spun around. �Are you serious?�

She blinked. �Yeah. Nothing major happened though. Nobody was killed or anything. It�s just rare we get thunderstorms that bad.�

Nomiko hopped into the shower with the sinking feeling that it was his fault. He soaked his head in the steaming water before getting out, snapping his fingers. He had learned a small trick with his powers that involved evaporating water to steam. By snapping, all of the water rose off his body gathering with the steam in the top of the shower stall. As soon as realized he�d used his powers to do it, he huffed, grabbing a towel and pulling it around him. He didn�t need these powers, and he didn�t need Satoshi around either. He left his hair wet so it was easier to style and then raced back to his room to throw on some clothes. He could hear his sister and Serina talking in the living room as he ran his fingers messily through his hair and grabbed his book bag. Sitting there on top of his desk were all the papers he had brought home for Satoshi to grade. After staring at them a second, he grabbed them, shoving them into his folder as he closed it and slipped it in his bag. �Alright guys, I�m ready to go.� He said heading down the hallway. He blinked upon entering the living room as both girls shut up. �Hey,� he started after a moment. �Where�s Yoshikawa?�

The girls looked at one another, trying to contain grins. �Um, onii-chan,� Rose started. �Did Itsuki Sakura by chance ask you out yesterday?�

His face went red before his mouth could move. �Yeah,� He said after a moment, knowing that he couldn�t hide it now that his cheeks had gone red.

�I told you!� Serina cried, her brown eyes lighting up.

�H-How did you guys know about that?!� He demanded after a moment.

�She told her older brother�who�s a friend of ours.� Rose said, grinning. �Onii-chan, Nomura-kun knows about it. Hell about half the school practically knows about it. The Itsuki kids are practically the most popular kids in school.�

�You know Nomura-kun has to be pissed.� Serina added, looking at Rose. �He�s liked her since they were little kids.�

�No,� Nomiko shook his head. �There�s no way. Yoshikawa�s my best friend.�

�Yeah, but you�re trying to take his girl away from him.� Rose pointed out. �Did you tell her yes?�

�I told her I�d think about it.� He replied before he had even thought about it. Why was he having this conversation with his sister and her annoying best friend?

�Aw man!� Serina laughed. �You should have said yes! A girl like her, if you don�t say something to her, she�ll have a new guy by the end of the week.�

He narrowed his eyes at her. �Itsuki-chan hasn�t had a boyfriend in months and their relationship lasted almost a year. Don�t even talk like you know her.�

�We don�t need to know her. We know what her brother�s like.� Rose stood up with a satisfied grin. �Well this has been fun, but if we don�t get going, we�re going to miss the train.�

Nomiko huffed, walking to the door and slamming it behind him. He kept a safe distance from his sister and Serina all the way to school and upon getting there went straight to his homeroom. Everyone in the building had been regarding him with stares since he came in and he had been ignoring them. What the hell?

He slumped down at his desk, resting his head on his arms. He just wished he could sink into the chair and disappear.

�Tatsuya?� His teacher blinked her eyes. �Aren�t you supposed to be aiding for Mr. Tsugara this morning? He came back today, you know.�

�Oh�� He swallowed, standing up. �Right.� He grabbed his things, slinging his bag onto his back.

�Here�s your papers for today. Tatsuya�are you sure you�re feeling alright?� The teacher asked him.

�Yes mam, I just didn�t�sleep last night.� He explained, taking the papers from her. His motivation to be here just went through the floor.

�Well, take it easy today. I�ll tell the nurse to look out for you, in case you start feeling to bad.� She smiled lightly at him and he nodded.

He hesitated at the physics room door. This was the first time he had ever dreaded walking into this classroom. Shoving open the door, he sat his things down on the front desk and went to the office door. The light was on- he was here. His hands trembled for a minute on the doorknob before he turned the handle and pushed open the door, stepping inside.

Satoshi looked up from his papers, his gold eyes flashing through emotions for a minute behind his thin-framed glasses. �Good morning.� He said politely, although it came out completely void of emotion.

�I�m here.� Nomiko replied awkwardly after a moment, his eyes not meeting his gaze. �I brought your papers with me. You left them at the house last night.� He swallowed. �I�ll go get th-�

�Nomiko.� Satoshi stood, taking off his glasses and tossing them on top of the files along with his pen. �About last night�I�m sorry, for what I said. I�ve decided, I�m moving out of the apartment I�ve been staying in and getting a new place. I�m not going to hide anymore and I�m not going to burden you and your sister. Thank you both, for looking after me.�

The boy swallowed. There was that overwhelming wave of guilt again, clogging up his throat, choking him, letting him barely breathe. �F-Fine.� He said after a moment, turning away from him. �Do what you want. I�ll be back with you papers in a moment.�

Satoshi collapsed back down in his chair, resting his face against his hands to hide his trembling lips or his pain-filled eyes. �If I was doing what I wanted, I�d be sleeping at the foot of you bed for the next eternity.� He whispered against his fingertips, racking back his shaggy raven hair.

Phase Eight- End

-Character Profile-

Kage Tsugara
Birthday: May 29th
Age: 19
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Element: Wind
Blood Type: O
Height: 5� 7�
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Gray
Occupation: Model

--

Phase Nine: Confrontation of Feelings

The two spent the entire first period in silence, at least with one another and Nomiko sat upfront trying to concentrate on his work, only to find that nothing worked out in his head. He got frustrated, annoyed and with the waves of doubt and guilt flooding over him, constantly irritated. Just as the period changed and the seniors were filing out he slammed his pen down on his desk, resting his head on his arms defeatedly.

�You�re excused.� Satoshi told him, walking by the table on his way to pick up the senior�s projects. �Go ahead and take the second period off. Head to the nurse�s office and relax for an hour and then head back to your classes. If you leave your books I�ll check them over and leave them for you for fifth period.�

Nomiko gritted his teeth. They were back to just the student and teacher relationship and for some reason it was annoying him more then the physics work. He stood up, determined to tell him off with the whole thing when the bell rung. The door to the room opened and the juniors started coming in. Satoshi brushed past him with a small smile. �Just go ahead and go. Don�t worry about it.�

The look on his face made the boy want to rip his own hair out. He was acting polite and nice and yet for the first time he had never felt so far away. He was standing right in front of him and somehow didn�t even seem there. He was completely distancing himself from him.

Nomiko huffed, heading for the door at practically a run and dashing through the hall of crowded people. He needed to get away from all of this. He needed to be able to breathe.

His feet didn�t even stop until he had made it outside before he collapsed on the steps, his head in his hands. He was so messed up right now, so confused and stressed�how could one person just walk into someone�s life and turn it completely upside down?

�Tatsuya-kun?�

He blinked and then looked up at the recognition of the voice. Sakura was standing there a ream of copy paper stacked against her chest. He blushed slightly as she looked at him with concern. �I was making copies in the aiding office and I saw you run through the lobby�are you alright?�

�Yeah.� He nodded quickly and even as he said it it sounded bitter. He sighed. �No, not really.�

She sat down beside him. �It�s about the fact that everybody knows, isn�t it?� She blushed slightly after a moment. �I�m sorry. He overheard me talking about it with my mom and he just had to tell everyone. He�s such a jerk. I can understand you being upset- it�s a little hard on me too.�

He smiled slightly at her. At least he wasn�t alone in that aspect. ��Have you seen Yoshikawa this morning?� he asked after a moment.

�Yeah�� She blinked. �But he�s been acting weird all morning. He�s been slumped at his desk all day�says he hardly slept last night.�

He chuckled ironically. �That�s makes two of us.� He said, guilt lingering in his voice. �Say, Itsuki-chan,� He started after a minute with a sigh. �If�you cared about someone enough, is there a such thing as a doomed relationship?�

�Huh?� She blinked her bright emerald eyes. ��No, I guess not.� Her cheeks reddened slightly. �Why? What�s going on Tatsuya-kun?�

�I�m not sure myself. I�m so confused right now.� He rested his forehead on his arms.

She reached over, putting a hand on his shoulder. �I�m sorry Tatsuya. If I put this on you by what I said yesterday, then I�m sorry.�

�About last night, �I�m sorry, for what I said��

�No,� he shook his head, looking over at her. �If you meant it, don�t apologize.� He ran his fingers through his long bangs. �It�s just�� He sat up slightly. �A friend of mine�he�s kinda stuck.�

�A friend of yours? Is it Nomura-kun?� She asked, moving closer to him.

�Nomura? No. But still�you see, there�s this guy friend of his that he kinda likes. The only problem is that this guy is older then he is, and it could be trouble for them if they were to go out and then�there�s this girl that likes him too, and he likes her. He�s kind of torn and because he�s confused I�m confused and-�

�I see.� She smiled. �That�s a difficult situation. It all comes down to which one of them your friend cares for more.�

�What?� His cerulean eyes blinked wide.

�Sure.� She nodded. �If his feelings are more true to the guy then the girl, then it should be better to try and make that relationship work, even if it�s the harder situation. If he lies to himself, he�s just going to end up hurting all three of them. I think�his priority is to figure out which one he wants to be with. Has he told you anything like that?�

�No�� she swallowed. �He hasn�t. But I think I know what to tell him now.�

�See?� She grinned. �The best thing he could do is explain the situation to both of them, and the other should reasonably see the reason. That way no one�s really hurt by it.� She stood up. �Well, I have to get going or Sensei�s gonna wonder where her extra test copies are. I�ll see you back in class, alright?�

�Alright.� He nodded slightly. �Oh, and Sakura�� He called, turning around to look at her. �Thanks.�

She blushed when he called her first name but smiled. �No problem Tatsuya-kun. Wish your friend luck for me, kay?�

--

Satoshi looked up from his desk, her gold eyes widening slightly at the form standing in his doorway. �Tatsuya��He forced himself to use his last name since there was a class going on outside of his office.

Nomiko stared at him, trying not to let any emotion cross his face. �I�m not coming to class today. I want you to meet me outback of the school this afternoon, by the basketball court. I�m not going to go into this right now, not while you�ve got to teach.� He turned away from him, lowering his head. �See you then.� As he left he realized a particular member of the class looking up at him, an eerie junior with unsettling reddish brown eyes.

After that the day couldn�t pass by fast enough for the kitsune fox. He had all of his things packed up when the last bell rang and he was heading out the door, right after his students. He had been waiting for this all day and yet he was dreading seeing him again.

--

Nomiko was leaning against the fencing that surrounded the concrete corner, his hands stuffed into his pockets. He lifted his head at the sound of the footsteps, looking straight at him and yet at the same time, not meeting his gaze.

�What�s this about?� Satoshi asked after a minute. �You evidently wanted me alone- the basketball team isn�t practicing today. There�s nobody around.�

�Don�t flatter yourself.� Nomiko snapped, standing up straight. �I came here to draw a line to this.�

�To what?� Satoshi blinked.

�Our relationship.� He huffed. �I�ve tolerated it this far. You�re my teacher, Satoshi Tsugara, and nothing more. I helped you out, and I�ll continue to. We�re going to find this Naga guy, and we�re gonna take him out, that way you don�t have to hide anymore. That way you can get on with your life and I can get on with mine.�

�You think he�s the only one?� His teacher raised his voice finally. �Naga�s tough and still he�s nothing compared to some of them�� He looked away from him. �Fine. I�ll disappear and pull away from you. I�m sorry to have asked so much of you. I just thought, that maybe��

�There would be something between us?� Nomiko cut him off. �I just met you! How could I even�you�re still my teacher!�

�Is that the only excuse you can come up with?!� Satoshi hissed, catching him off guard. �Forget it then!�

�Wow, look at the tempers clash!�

Both blinked totally thrown off by the new, third voice. Nomiko�s bright blue eyes flashed, looking for the person frantically, but Satoshi had already pinpointed him, standing up on top of the fencing. Those gold eyes widened. �Maruka?!�

Nomiko looked over at him then up to the boy standing there watching them, his arms folded across his chest. He recognized him immediately as the boy who had been watching him earlier today in the classroom- those crimson eyes hadn�t changed and neither had the clashing navy blue hair.

The boy smirked. �Wow Tsugara-sensei I�m impressed. I must say, when I found out you were one of the kitsune I didn�t believe it at first but after Naga-sama returned in the state he was in�well�� He grinned. �Things changed. But with a no-beat underclassmen? I see now. Things must be over the student-teacher relationship, huh?� He looked over at Nomiko and his eyes narrowed. �And you�re the one all the rumors are flying around about. You don�t look so special to me!� He held up his hand, black kunai appearing between each set of his open fingers. �Let�s see how well you fair against this, brat!�

Nomiko blinked, but in the time it had take him to prepare for the attack, it was already coming at him. Those blue eyes widened and he took a step back, just in time to be overshadowed by a taller form.

�Take this!� Satoshi yelled back, a wall of wind flying up at the line of throwing knives. They sliced right through his attack, two hitting him in the shoulder and the other two lower in his chest.

�S-Satoshi!� Nomiko gasped as he watched his shoulders slump, body recoiling from the hits.

�You should have done your homework Sensei. I�m an earth-elemental.� He made another set of kunai, following up with a second round while his opponent was still staggering from the first blow. �And as you should well know, Earth attacks nullify wind attacks, making your powers quite useless. Why do you think I was picked to carry out this mission?�

�Satoshi!� Nomiko put a hand but he just jerked away.

�Get off me.� He glared at him, gold eyes narrowed at the boy split seconds before another set of kunai hit him in the legs, bringing him down to his knees. He coughed, blood trickling from his lips down the side face to slide off his chin. Sixteen of these rock-hard daggers were pinned into his body now.

�You�ve got nothing left.� Maruka laughed. �I didn�t think it would be a problem, but that was too easy. Are all foxes just as weak?�

�Hey asshole,� Nomiko huffed, looking up at him. �Why don�t you shut up?�

�Don�t start acting like you�re so tough!� The boy hissed. �You�re nothing!�

�Satoshi was hurt to begin with you prick! You were picking on a creature which wasn�t at full strength!� He snapped back.

The senior�s face blushed. �I didn�t even want to attack Tsugara-sensei! If he had just stayed out of my damn way��

Nomiko�s eyes blinked wide. �I was... his target? Then Satoshi�was�protecting me�� That wave of guilt had grabbed hold of his throat again, immobilizing his words. After all the things he had said to him, he would still risk his life�

�You�re not even worth my time!� Maruka materialized another full set of rock kunai. �Just die, so I can get out of here!� The knives were launched at Nomiko but they never reached their target. A wall of water stopped them before they reached his level, dissolving them into nothing.

�What?!� Maruka gasped. �He�did he just conure water�out of thin air?!�

�You caught me on a bad day.� Nomiko glared at him. �And I�m not in the mood to play games.� He reached out, snatching water from the wall and compressing it in his hand to form a sphere. �Eat this!�

He threw it straight at him and as it flew through the air it crystallized into ice, falling a part into several spheres. Maruka jumped off the fencing, dodging the attack, but he hadn�t been ready for the one waiting for him on the ground. Nomiko had moved behind him, moved so fast he hadn�t even registered it until he had gotten a dagger of ice straight through his shoulder, followed by a kick to the face. He went flying about ten feet backward, his body connecting with the concrete ground. For a second he laid there before he staggered to his feet, blood trickling down the side of his face and gushing from the wound on his side. �I have no choice�� He smirked. �You surprise me kid. I guess�I�ll be seeing the two of you soon.� His body disengrated right in front of him, nothing remaining but a pile of dirt.

Nomiko finally caught his breath, dropping to his knees as the circular wall of water around him disappeared. His entire body ached and he couldn�t stop shaking. He wasn�t aware of what he had just did but at the same time he had watched it happen and felt the strain it put on his body.

The sound of a series of hacking coughs broke him from his hazy trance and he looked over cerulean eyes wide at the form struggling to sit back up. One hand was shakily holding him up while the other reached for one of the kunai and yanked it from his body, growling at the pain that hit him. �Satoshi��

Nomiko struggled to his feet, his legs feeling like hundred-pound weights. �Satoshi�� He walked over to him slowly, resting beside him as he pulled out kunai number four.

He looked up through his long wild raven hair, managing a smile. �You did good. I bet you�re exhausted.�

�Satoshi, you�re losing massive amounts of blood. We have to get you to a hospital or a doctor, or�even my house would-�

�No.� He cut him off. �I�ll head back to my place.�

�You are in no condition to be going off by yourself!� He snapped. He reached down to grab his hand. �And pulling these out like this-�

Their fingertips touched and Satoshi snarled. �Don�t touch me! I can do this myself!�

�Will you stop?!� Nomiko hissed. �I�m sorry for what I said! I just didn�t�I just didn�t want you to leave I guess.� He ran his fingers through his sweat-drenched black bangs. His face was starting to burn but he had to say this. �I didn�t want things to go back to the way they were. I like the chaos that happens when you�re around.�

Satoshi downcast his head, hiding behind his long dark hair. He dropped the hand from his chest, stabling himself because his body had begun to shake.

Nomiko averted his eyes from him, blushing. �You�re so�self-sacrificing, and so kind. You need to decide to do something for yourself and figure out what you really want. You�re indecisiveness has had me confused as hell all day.�

�I�m sorry.� He murmured. �I really am sorry. Miko-sama�� He started to fall over, his body transforming back into the fox, his head falling to rest in Nomiko�s lap. ��Thank you.�

Nomiko smiled, reaching out to run his fingertips over the fox�s crimson fur. �Just take it easy, alright? I�m gonna take the long way but we should be home by night fall.� He wrapped his school jacket around the creature�s bloody form, lifting him gingerly into his arms. �Just hold on Satoshi.�

Watching the two head off, Saitou stood on top of the school building a smile on her face. �So you�re guardian came back to you. I�m happy for you, young master. You two really are cute together. I�m also impressed. You forced Maruka to retreat. That�s no easy task. I think it�s about time I step in and help you out.� She stood up, violet hair blowing in her face. �Because poor Satoshi is gonna die if he keeps taking the hits for ya.� She giggled slightly. �Tomorrow, young master�.tomorrow.�

Part Nine- End

Author�s Notes- Volume Three is finally done! I felt bad because I�ve been neglecting it lately for Forgotten Memories, so I figured I�d put out a new volume of this before I went on to FM Ch 14. -*glances between Satoshi and Yugo*- I love you both, really! ^^ I�m just really sad and I have a thing for guys with gold eyes. -* falls over, twitching in her pathetic-ness*- Okay, Volume Four! Saitou makes her appearance in front of Nomiko and she starts crushing badly on Satoshi, which of course, puts Miko and Satoshi at each other�s throats again. Nomiko still hasn�t told Sakura his decision but he�s determined to salvage his friendship with Yoshikawa and Naga and his henchmen just can�t stay quiet long enough for poor Satoshi to heal! The next volume looks like crazy fun, I promise! Until I write again!

Sora Tokumi Kazuma

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