Disclaimer: I do not own Mononoke.

a d o r e.

She watched him.

He stood, hands rested on the railing of the ship, looking out into the vast, empty ocean. And she watched him. Watched the steady ocean air play with his bangs and his chest rise and fall as he sucked in that very air. She noted the way his skin twitched every time the water sprayed him, and how he looked out into the horizon, never blinking, keeping his usual calm demeanor. He was always calm. And she was always watching him.

"Kusuriuri-san, why are you always so calm?"

"I wonder."

"You always say that! Girls don't like guys who are stoic like that, you know!"

Lie. I don't mind.

He looked out into the horizon, unwavering, the sunset adding a warm hue to his pale skin. He looks... (thump) ...beautiful. (thump) And Kayo's heart pounded against her chest — itching, screaming, demanding. He could've popped her heart with his fingers if he wanted to, like a bird cracking a seed. He knew, too. He knew everything. He probably knew what time the sun would rise tomorrow and how many steps it took to get back to his cabin. He probably knew that Kayo was staring at him, and that her lips were just slightly parted. He probably knew that her pupils were dilated, like glass marbles, and that her cheeks were a shade too pink.

The ship docks tomorrow...

"Will I see you again?"

She cursed herself for sounding too desperate, too childish. With sweaty palms and regret in her eyes, she watched him again. And he stood, stiff as a board, still unwavering. The sun continued to set, adding now a shade of purple to his skin. He faced her now, his empty eyes looking into her beady ones, and as he began to walk away (breaking Kayo's heart), he knelt down to her ear and...

"...I wonder."

She couldn't help but hear the smirk in his voice.

.

a/n: Can you tell I like it when he says "I wonder"? I tried to be a little more creative with this drabble than what I usually write and had lots of fun :)