Modern AU

Kamui swore under his breath as he ducked through the bushes, feeling the thorns ripping into his new sweater. Finally reaching the base of the building, he felt around in the dark until he found the familiar footholds. He hauled himself upwards, breathing heavily. He hadn't done this in a few years, and he was slightly concerned the wooden support would give out. Not to mention he was probably ruining the flowers that ran up the side of the building.

Kamui reached up and tapped on the glass window rapidly, looking behind him quickly. He saw no sign of his pursuer, but that didn't mean she wasn't still out there. The window slid open, revealing a very tired-looking Aqua.

"Kamui...?" She mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Instead of responding, Kamui reached up and pulled himself through the window, scraping his hands in the process. He toppled to the floor with a series of loud thuds. Aqua winced, surely someone was going to hear that.

"Is Ryoma still mad at me?" Kamui asked quickly, ignoring her confused expression.

"From the time you walked in on me in the bath?" Aqua smirked. "Yes, he said if he saw you here again he'd kill you."

Kamui shuddered at the thought of the fencer attacking him. "That was an accident!" Kamui blurted, his face crimson.

Aqua giggled. "I trust you, Kamui." She patted the top of his head.

Kamui groaned and stood, looking around the dancer's room. It was still the familiar shade of light blue. In fact, the colour touched everything from the walls to the bedding. The only thing that wasn't a shade of blue was Kamui's red sweater and jeans. As well as Aqua's pink t-shirt and black pants.

"So, what did you do?" Aqua smirked.

"You know how Luna and I broke up awhile ago?"

Aqua nodded.

"Turns out she has a sister, Morginna or something, and she's been trying to get me all week!"

The dancer raised an eyebrow. "Get you?"

Kamui nodded quickly. "Yeah, she's been trying to trap me in these elaborate schemes! Yesterday she was digging a pitfall in my backyard!"

"I imagine Joker wasn't too happy." Aqua commented dryly.

"He had a fit." Kamui said aside. "Anyways, I think she was following me. So I took a few turns and jumped a few fences, and then I came here."

"So you want me to protect you from a little girl?" Aqua grinned and folded her arms.

"Eh..." Kamui rubbed the back of his neck. "...Yeah..."

"Hehe." Aqua giggled. "Alright, just try not to make too much noise, Ryoma is just next door." She pointed at the wall.

"Right." Kamui swallowed.

Aqua turned her attention back to her small desk, where a few sheets of paper were scattered about. Kamui shed his sweater and walked over to the girl, noticing her look of disgust at the papers.

"Another song?" He asked.

"Yes..." She sighed.

"You can do it." Kamui said reassuringly, rubbing her shoulders for emphasis.

Aqua rolled her eyes. "Thanks coach."

Suddenly, a knock was heard on her door. Kamui froze. If it was Ryoma...well he was dead. Simple as that. He was in her room, well past dark, and without giving notice of his visit.

"Aqua..." A feminine voice called. Kamui easily recognized the voice as Aqua's adoptive parent, Mikoto.

"Yes, mother?"

"What was that banging I heard?"

Kamui's heart stopped. Aqua shot the man a glare. "N-nothing, I just tripped."

"Should I send Sakura in?" Mikoto called, a hint of playfulness in her voice. It was well-known that the youngest in Aqua's family was beginning to learn first aid, attempting to become a nurse later on.

"No, I'm quite alright."

"Alright then, goodnight you two." Soft footsteps clicked on the floorboards as the woman retreated from the door.

"..."

Aqua and Kamui shared a look.

"You can't hide anything from her, can you?" Kamui asked, taking a seat on the dancer's bed.

Aqua sighed. "No, not at all..."

"Well, need any help with anything?" Kamui offered.

"No, I finished everything I need to do this week..." Aqua put a hand to her chin. "Unless..."

Kamui rolled his hand, prompting her to continue.

"Well, I did just finish a dance I'm working on for the talent show." She looked at him hopefully. "Do you think you could watch me?"

"S-sure."

Aqua stood and removed the slippers she was wearing. Her bare fee resting on the cool floorboards, she slowed her breathing and began to focus. Catching Kamui's eyes, she couldn't help but avert her gaze quickly.

Slowly, she began the dance. She swayed across the room, her long hair trialing behind her. Kamui couldn't tear his eyes off. As her oldest friend, he had been to numerous shows and dance recitals, but this was something...different. Normally, she was simply dancing. This, however, was like her body was speaking. Telling a story, conveying her emotions, Kamui couldn't find the right words to describe Aqua.

Aqua came to a stop minutes later, slightly out of breath as she bowed deeply. Kamui had to stop himself from clapping, lest he wake the sleeping dragon next door. Instead, he simply sat back and grinned.

"That was...amazing!"

"Truly?"

"Of course!" Kamui stood and grabbed her shoulders, forcing Aqua to look at him. "That was nothing like I have ever seen! It was like you were speaking with your dance...like your whole heart was poured into it."

Aqua blushed at his praise. "Thank you..."

"Thanks for showing me." Kamui nodded and released her.

()()()()

Kamui lay on the floor, his sweater acting as a makeshift blanket. Above him, Aqua lay on her stomach on her bed. Sitting on Kamui's chest was a small bowl of snacks that were quickly disappearing thanks to Aqua.

They were both watching the television, wrapped up in a late-night movie they had found. It was an old movie about a haunted house. Kamui didn't even bother trying to pick a different movie to watch. Ghost stories were one of Aqua's favourite things, and he knew she would put up a fight just to watch it, even if she had already seen it.

Kamui moved his hand up to grab another chip from the bowl, his hand coming into contact right as Aqua was reaching down as well. The dancer quickly pulled her hand back, as if the brief contact was as hot as fire. Thinking nothing of it, Kamui mentally shrugged and reached in, only to find the bowl empty. Sighing, he placed the bowl on the floor.

"You ate all the food." He said plainly.

Aqua scoffed, saying nothing as the movie's credits began to roll. A comfortable silence filled the room, enveloping it in a warm embrace. Kamui yawned, feeling himself slipping into unconsciousness.

"How long have we been friends now?" Aqua asked.

Kamui thought for a moment. "Hmm...fifteen, sixteen years?" He offered, not really sure.

"Hehe, I still remember meeting you in kindergarten."

Kamui smiled at the memory.

"Do...you remember?' Aqua asked.

"Of course, it was one of the best days ever."

Aqua felt her face heat up, glad that the only light came from the rolling credits of the movie.

"The teacher was asking everyone what their parents did for a living." Kamui continued. "And I said; 'I don't have any parents, I'm adopted.' Then, you said the same thing. We talked, and played, and the rest is history."

"Together ever since..." Aqua mused.

"Well, save for that time Lazward took you to prom."

Aqua's face screwed in disgust. "He...was charming at first. Then after he danced with me...he started flirting with the other girls."

"And then I fixed the situation." Kamui chuckled.

"You beat him up!"

"He deserved it!"

"And then you almost got arrested for starting a fight. You're lucky they just kicked you out." Aqua deadpanned.

"And then you came to thank me and we danced in the parking lot, barely able to hear the music form inside the school."

Aqua rolled her eyes. "The sentiment was ruined with your bloody face, black eye, and the others watching from the windows."

Kamui swallowed. "Well...I couldn't just stand there as he hurt you."

Aqua put a hand on his head and ruffled his hair. "Thank you." She said seriously. "That was the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me."

Kamui raised an eyebrow, staring at the ceiling. "Oh? Not Mikoto giving you all the money for lessons, college, a home and so on?"

Aqua peered over the edge of the bed, looking down on Kamui. The soft light of the TV making her golden eyes seem to glow in the darkness. "It was the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me."

Kamui grinned and stared up at Aqua. "Then all of the rumours started."

"The ones about us dating?"

"Yeah...heh..." Kamui felt his face burn. Above him, Aqua's was the same.

"I...wouldn't be against the idea..." Aqua said quietly.

Kamui's heart stopped as the blush exploded on his face. A deafening silence descended on the room, and Kamui felt his heartbeat kick-start back. Above him, Aqua's long hair draped around him. Kamui swallowed and leaned upwards, gently pressing his lips to hers.

That morning, Kamui was promptly attacked by Ryoma.