Wow. I hope you'll be please with the amount in this chapter, as I've slaved over it for a few days. People have suffered because of my bad mood due to lack of sleep, albeit a few other factors came into play too. Eurgh, I sound like I'm still in my history exam. On the one hand, blah blah blah. On the other hand, blah blah blah. Thank God I don't have any more exams left.

I celebrated my birthday in the middle of the exams, so it put even more of a delay on this chapter. Still, people need a mention, as usual, for putting up with me.

Shini, my wonderful, wonderful Yami. She has borne the brunt of my messed up mood these last few days. She has also, despite my bad attitude, beta-ed as usual. She deserves so many thanks, you wouldn't believe.

Elsalhir, for helping me come to a few decisions over this. A little… moment in a scene was going to be cut. Then with help, decided to leave it be.

Mirai Shinranui! My 100th reviewer! I owe you for your honesty, and I hope that this chapter has improved on some of the mistakes that are evident in previous chapters. I'll try and talk to you on msn soon, and if I don't catch you, then I'll send you an e-mail.

That's it I suppose, so enjoy the new chapter.

05/07/04: Edit! After talking through some stuff with Mirai Shinranui, I re-posted this chapter. Hope it's a little better now.

I hated Monday mornings, they were always sluggish, and I never could find the energy to drag myself out of bed. More so this morning, as the bumps and bruises suffered on the weekend were now very sore indeed. How is it that it takes a couple of days to actually feel the pain?

I had to force myself to brush through the mass of tangles, otherwise known as my hair, and after fighting a loosing battle, sighed in defeat and pulled it into a ponytail. God knows, I wasn't in the mood to wrap it.

Without really paying attention, I grabbed some clothes, only noting that they didn't clash, and shoved them on, and with a tired yawn, walked into the living room.

I was greeted with the glorious smell of bacon and eggs as I slumped down onto the sofa, picking up the remote, and switching the TV on. I distantly noted that I'd stopped on some form of anime, and leant back, relishing in the comfort of the seat.

"That's a new look," Yuuri chimed, placing a plate onto my lap. I nodded tiredly, and gratefully took it, tucking into the delicious sandwich that Yuuri had prepared.

I, for the life of me, couldn't place exactly what had happened yesterday. Well maybe in bits and pieces, but not as a whole.

"Boris said that… that Kai was the one who saved you." I looked up at him, and he took a quick gulp of juice. I just nodded a little and took another bite of the sandwich. I remembered the note from Kai, and the clothes. How could I have forgotten?!

"I- Did you know… that Boris and Kai went out?" Yuuri asked, and I nodded again. That seems to be all that I can manage lately, I think my mind is too exhausted to comprehend speaking.

"Yeah, Kai was the one who introduced us." I almost choked on my drink. My tired mind finally grasped the concept of speaking.

"He did?!" So Boris and Kai had gone out, the relationship had fallen apart, and Kai then introduced the two of them? I was seriously beginning to think this world was more tightly linked that I'd first believed. I switched the TV off. This was slightly more interesting than the programme that was on anyway.

"Yeah. My family were pretty close to Kai's, so we grew up together," he said, picking up the empty plates. I followed him into the kitchen with the glasses in my hand, and placed them into the sink.

"He was… nice," I admitted, some strands of hair falling into my eyes.

"He is. Although Boris doesn't trust him, I think their relationship kinda… I dunno, hurt him, I suppose." I nodded in understanding. "Boris isn't one to forget things like that too quickly. Although he is happy that Kai introduced us." Yuuri winked, and I blushed a little.

Yuuri tugged at my jumper.

"This is nice, not your usual style… who bought it?" I smiled at him, realising just what I'd put on. It was the jumper Mao had bought me the last day I was in China. It wasn't anything special, but it was nice. Plain and black, Mao had always said that I should wear more black.

"It was from a friend of mine in China, a going away present." We smiled at each other, and then Yuuri dramatically linked arms with me.

"So then, shall we be off to the College of Dooooooom!" We both laughed as we left the apartment, of course Yuuri locked it before we continued down the hall.

It didn't take long to get to the college; in all honesty, it wasn't that far from the apartment. We ended up talking a little about our pasts during the walk there.

Yuuri had grown up in close knit with Kai and his family, so they knew each other pretty well. Kai was, and still is to Yuuri's knowledge, a genius, and my silly red-headed friend joked that at least I might be able to uphold a decent conversation with him. I think I bopped him playfully on the head for that comment.

I told him about my friends, school, and how I'd spent a lot of time in the library. I'd cautiously left out any hints at what my father did to me, and I didn't mention my mother at all. I guess, even though we were friends, I wasn't quite ready to tell him everything yet.

Yuuri has never seen my scars; my father was clever in that way. He always made sure that wherever he left a mark it could be covered by an item of clothing. My back was an intricate pattern of scars, and there were a few on my feet. So he really didn't have anything to question on about the gaps in my past.

Upon arrival in the school, we went our separate ways. I headed to my science lesson, and Yuuri (who had first lesson off) to the store cupboard. I don't even want to think what 'they' would be getting up to in there, all I hoped was that no one heard them.

Unfortunately, most of my hate club were in the same science class as me. So as soon as I sat down the jeering began.

"Hullo G-ei," the 'leader' said, and the others laughed. They seemed to believe it to be some wonderful joke, I just thought that they were morons for finding something like that funny.

"You're lucky that guy came to save your ass Friday, you would have been so dead," he informed me. His 'goons' gave out some dumb laugh, and they repeated equally as dumb, 'Yeah, so dead.'

I didn't have to listen to them much after the teacher came in, he was enough to make anyone shut up. Although even he couldn't stop them from tormenting me in other ways.

Halfway through the experiment, they nudged me in my back. I, of course, being the epitome of grace, lurched forward and knocked the beaker of boiling water over. Some of the water landed on my hand, and I gave out a painful hiss. The beaker itself rolled off the table and smashed.

The whole class went silent after that.

I think most of them knew it wasn't an accident, well not after that little group burst out into laughter. The teacher didn't seem to find it amusing either, and sent the whole group out of the class.

At the time I had my hand shoved under freezing cold water, which believe me is verypainful. I knew that I was going to get the blame off them for their sending out, and I wouldn't put it past them to actually kill me this time.

I kept myself close to Max in the next few lessons, not wanting to be alone when the 'gang' decided to come and trouble me. Although it wasn't until lunchtime when they actually did, and I'd decided to stay in school because I was too afraid to leave the grounds by myself.

I sat at a table with Takao, Max and Yuuri when they came in. I think Yuuri was the only one who noticed my worried face; Takao was too busy stuffing his gob full of food, and Max was laughing.

"Heroni! Ogah ear!" Roughly translated as; 'Hiromi! Over here.' I buried my face in my hands as she walked over. Takao had, unknowingly, caught some unwanted attention. At the feel of a hand on my shoulder, I lifted my head out of my hands.

"Hm?"

"You ok?" Yuuri asked, his tone worried. I nodded slightly, but he didn't seem convinced.

"Yeah, just peachy," I told him, using my fork to flick whatever crap I'd picked for lunch. I wasn't in the mood to eat anymore.

Hiromi took a seat next to Takao, swinging her bag under the table. She looked at the blue haired boy in disgust as he shovelled large amounts of food into his mouth. She sighed and turned to Max.

"You seen the new teacher?" Max shook his head, indicating 'no'. Hiromi let out a dreamy breath, and stars danced across her eyes. Takao paused in his gobbling, and laughed.

"Oooh, he's so cute. He's sooo sexy. I just want him to jump me and fuck me senseless!" Takao put on his best girly voice for that, and laughed again. He stopped however when Hiromi whacked him across his head.

"That is sooo not funny Takao!" She squealed, crossing her arms and huffing. We all laughed, mine more of a chuckle. Nobody was laughing when 'they' came over though, especially not Takao. If anything, Takao hated them the most next to me. I never found out why though.

"What do you want Arisugawa?" Takao growled, pushing his plate away. I knew what he wanted, it was pretty obvious from the way he was glaring at me.

"Me and the cat have some unfinished business, so stay out of it Kinomiya," I subconsciously leant back in my chair, trying to put some more distance between us.

"What if I don't, you gonna hit me Arisugawa?" As much as I believed Takao disliked me, he hated him more. So any way to get on his nerves was good enough for Takao.

"You're not worth my time Kinomiya." He leant across the table and grabbed me by the collar. Most of the hall was watching the commotion, and it was a wonder that a teacher hadn't broken it up by now.

"You're so dead Kon." He breathed in my face, and let me go, landing a punch where his breath had been previously. I flew backwards, smacking into a chair on my descent. Max was at my side in seconds, relaying questions that I didn't pay attention to.

"That's it you bastard!" Yuuri yelled, before launching himself onto the teen, sending them toppling to the ground.

They scuffled, Yuuri landed a few good punches, and Arisugawa failed to block them. My red-haired roommate continued to beat him down, until Boris appeared from nowhere, managing to restrain him.

"Yuuri stop it," Boris managed to say, struggling to hold back my furious friend.

"Oh let me at him, I will so fucking kill the bastard!" Yuuri tried once more to get to the beaten teen, but Boris kept a firm grip. Takao took the chance to speak up.

"So help me god Kuznetsov, if you don't let him go, I'll punch him." Takao glared at the bleeding Arisugawa, and I felt a sense of happiness that all these people were standing up for me. Even the ones who disliked me.

A few teachers headed over to the group, and glanced at Boris holding back Yuuri, myself bleeding from my nose, and Arisugawa bleeding from a few cuts.

"Alright Ivanov, Arisugawa, my classroom now," one of the teachers said, he glanced at Max and me, "Mizuhara take Kon to the nurse's room and get him cleaned up. Everyone else, back to what you were doing."

I watched Yuuri walk away, and he flashed me a quick grin over his shoulder. I smiled back as Max dragged me toward the nurse's room.

"Are you ok Rei-san?" He asked, and I distantly noted that Takao was following behind us.

"Mm-hmm." I nodded.

"I swear, one day I'm going to ram Arisugawa's head down a toilet, or something like that," Takao said, and I laughed. He may not mean to, but sometimes Takao lightens the mood. Normally by saying something stupid, but all the same, it makes me feel a little better.

"I doubt you'll get the chance," Max said, chucking an arm around the blue haired teen's shoulders. I looked at the blonde questioningly.

"Arisugawa is the headmaster's nephew, and he has no patience with him. He was on his last warning… so no doubt he'll be sent back to Okinawa." I felt my mood lift with the last few words. Back to Okinawa. That meant he wouldn't be able to bully me, and his little group would fall apart with no leader.

Maybe this whole thing was predestined to happen, so it would turn out for the better in the long run. Meh, who knows?

It didn't take all that long to get me cleaned up, the nurse fussed around me, muttering about 'kids today'. By the time we got to our form room, it was near the end of lunch. Yuuri was surrounded by a hoard of girls, whom he was telling what happened. Of course exaggerating for that little extra attention.

"…and then just as he was about to hit me with his plate… Oh hi Rei-chan!" See what I meant about exaggerating? I joined him, and some of the girls flocked around me.

"Did it hurt Kon-san?!"

"Are you ok?!"

"Would you like to go out after school?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at them. I thought Mao was bad, but at least she backed off a little when I needed my space.

"It hurt a bit, I'm fine, and I'm sorry but I have plans," I told each of the girls in turn. They looked slightly dejected as they left, and soon the whole crowd that had been surrounding Yuuri dispersed.

"Was he the one who…" I nodded, already knowing Yuuri's question. My red-haired friend scowled, but stopped as I gave him a long hug.

"Thank you Yuuri-chan…" That was how we sat for a few minutes, just simply hugging. It's a small gesture, but very meaningful, for a hug can mean a many number of things.

I was lucky with my next lesson, for no one who had been involved in the scuffle during lunch was in this class. I guess I was lucky in the fact it was Music, too. Seeing as it is, in a way, an outlet, whether you play or listen.

When I arrived, there was no teacher. Which was strange, as he was normally around before any of the students started to appear. Dismissing the thought to the back of my head, I got out my guitar, and started to check it was in tune.

A pretty red-haired girl, who I was quite good friends with, came over and sat next to me on the table, her legs dangled over the edge and she started to swing them.

"Hey Rei-kun," she greeted, and simply watched me tune the guitar. This was normally how we spent the first few minutes of every lesson. "Did you hear?"

"Hear what, 'Yuki-san?"

"That the new music teacher starts today?" Miyuki said, swinging her legs a few more times. I remembered what Hiromi had said at lunch about the new teacher, it hadn't actually clicked that it would be the music one.

"I'd heard something, yeah," I told her, as I finished tuning the guitar. She nodded.

"Mm, he's cute." She tucked some of her red hair behind one ear. "Rei-kun?"

"Yes 'Yuki-san?" I smiled at her, and she smiled back.

"Can you play that song? The really sad one, the one by those English singers?" I laughed, knowing the one she meant. It was the one she'd caught me practicing the other day in the form room. It was by one of Yuuri's favourite bands, and I'd said I'd learn it for him.

"'Course I can, and its called 'Starcrossed' 'Yuki-san." She blushed the same colour as her hair, and I chuckled a little. "Don't expect me to sing it though, just play to the end of the first chorus, 'kay?" She nodded, and I began. She hummed along a little when I got to the chorus.

When I'd stopped, she wasn't the only one clapping. I looked up, and over to the door. I was baffled by who was leaning on the doorframe.

"Very nice." He walked to the front, taking a seat. He turned and addressed the class. I was still too stunned to do anything but stare. "Think you've guessed by now, but, I'm your new music teacher." He smiled, and winked in my general direction.

"Hiwatari Kai." Ok… stunned-ness is gone, now I'm getting slightly angry. Why the hell didn't he say… what am I going to do? I picked up my guitar and started strumming 'Starcrossed' again.

That's how I spent the lesson, playing 'Starcrossed' laced with anger, and hammering my poor head with thousands of questions. I was not amused; this was not supposed to happen at all. Kai was not meant to be my teacher! He was supposed to be a very hot stranger, who just happened to ask me out.

"I think that's about it for this lesson, so why not leave a little early?" Oh goodie, did he just have to be so perfect? Letting us all leave early. Damn him, and his stupid plan to get everyone to like him. Well not me, I wouldn't let- wait, did he just say something?

"Mind elsewhere Kon?" I stared at him; I think I missed something here.

"What I said was, could you remain behind after class for a while please, so I can have a word." I looked at him. Remain behind? Oh god, no, no, no! I can't do that! I will not be in a room with him alone, not after this. Help!

"S-sure," I say with a smile. Oh, why did I just say that? I'm such a baka, why can't the floor just open up and swallow me whole. I tap my foot on it. Nope, not looking like it's going to swallow me anytime soon.

"Great. Alright, the rest of you can leave then." A few small cheers erupted at being let out early. I don't think many, if any, teachers let their class leave early. Suddenly it was just him and little old me, alone. In a classroom, alone.

"So…" He said, moving to sit next to me.

"Y-you're my teacher?!" I erupted, acting a little too shocked. He looked at me and smiled.

"It would seem that way, yes." I gave him a glare, or the closest thing I could conjure to one.

"We can't do this then!"

"What do you mean Rei?" He genuinely looked like he didn't know what I mean. I wasn't falling for it.

"You know exactly what I mean sensei." He winced at my tone on 'sensei'. "We can't go out… it's- it's a…" I paused. Exactly what was it?

"What is it?" I think I'll just say the first thing I can think of. What was that thing from that programme? What was it called? "Rei?"

"Violation of ethics!" I shouted, taking him by surprise. "We can't do this, it's a violation of ethics!"

"So?"

"So! I don't fancy having my scholarship revoked, thank you very much," I told him with as much venom as I could muster.

"You won't Rei, I promise." He placed his hand on my shoulder, and to my surprise, I didn't pull away. I leant into it.

"We shouldn't," I whispered, leaning on him. He wrapped his arms around me a little.

"You're right, we shouldn't." I felt tears in my eyes; I can't believe how much I wanted to be with him. I didn't know him!

"Then we can't," I said helplessly. This was coming to an end before it even began. I-I couldn't believe this.

"I said we shouldn't. Not we can't…"

"Are you suggesting-" He nodded, releasing me.

"Why not? I mean, I want to. Don't you?" I whipped around to face him.

"Of course I do!" I reply, perhaps a little too eagerly. He laughed, and in return I turned a similar shade to Miyuki's hair.

"That's good then. It may be, as you say, a violation of ethics. Yet I'm willing to forget that, if you are?" I nodded.

"I-Why?" I couldn't help but let the question slip out. I really am and idiot, asking such a stupid question.

"What do you mean why?" I sighed, running my fingers through the ends of my hair.

"What I mean is, why me? Why not someone else? What's so special about me, that you'd… take a gamble." I felt arms snake around me, and pull me close. Why is it that after only knowing him (speaking wise) for a couple of days… this felt so… so right?

"You're… a puzzle," I tensed. Is that why? I'm just something to solve, he feels nothing? "I didn't mean it like that silly…"

"E-explain then."

"I feel like… I'm drawn to you. In every single way. There's something about you that intrigues me, yet exactly what… I'm not sure. I want to know you, be with you." He paused, and I felt him messing with my hair. "I can't stop thinking about you, so please… just be with me…"

I feel tears stinging the edge of my eyes. He felt so much; he just asked… this couldn't be a dream. At least I hoped it wasn't. I think I'd die if it was.

"I-I don't know what to say…" Which I don't. I honestly can't say anything nearly as meaningful or heartfelt as what he just said.

"Then don't say a thing." And before I know it, his lips have touched mine. Just briefly, a matter of seconds in fact, a minimal brushing. Yet somehow it's sweet and not demanding… just small.

"I…" He kissed my forehead, and released me, leaving me slightly baffled and blushing. "I should go, Yuuri will be wondering where I am…"

"Of course," he said, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. Which believe me, nothing in my life is obvious anymore.

Just as I'm about to leave, after grabbing all my belongings, I turn at the doorway.

"Kai?"

"Yes Rei?" I blush.

"Thank you, for everything…" He looked at me for a second, his red eyes running all over me.

"It's nothing. Now go, before Yuuri has my head on a platter." I chuckled a little, and left him with my last words.

"See you Saturday, then?" He smiled.

"Of course you will." I waved, and left the room, walking down the corridors with a sense of euphoria. This day got better and better, despite some of the pains laced in-between. A possibility of Arisugawa getting sent back to Okinawa, everything with Kai being alright.

"Rei!" I turned around sharply, only to brace myself for extra weight. Yuuri had a knack for glomping me suddenly, I was lucky not to fall flat on my back.

"Hey Yuuri-chan," I said, and notice Boris following behind, looking slightly flushed. I do not want to know what they've been up to.

"Where have you been?! I was looking for you, then Miyuki-san said you were in the music department, so I headed over here," Yuuri cut off from his rambling, and poked my cheeks. "Are you blushing?!" I was? Oh no.

"No! I-I'm not!" I tried to argue. Yuuri raises an eyebrow.

"You so are Rei-chan, what's up?!" He released me, and caught my arm in his own, proceeding to drag me down the corridor.

"Just…" I look around quickly, and see Boris. He narrows his eyes and sighs.

"Fine, fine." He turns to head down another corridor. "I'll catch you later Yuu-chan, Rei." We both wave our free arms. Then, I take a breath and tell him everything.

That is to say, when I first saw Kai, to him appearing now and again. Being saved, spending the night, and- what just happened in the classroom. All the while Yuuri remained silent, listening. Yet when I finished, even he was surprised.

"He said that?!" I nodded at him. "Oh my god Rei, the man is hooked!"

"What do you mean, hooked?!"

"Boris made all the moves in their relationship, from the asking out to the first kiss." He took a breath and continued. "For Kai to even brush lips with you like that has its own significance." I smile… Kai really cares for me.

"So when are you going to fuck?" I felt my eyes grow wide, and I spluttered.

"Wh-What?!" I can't believe he just said that. I cannot believe it.

"Oh come on Rei. You're completely ga-ga over each other. Hmm." He pressed his finger to his chin, seemingly thinking. "I'll give it… a week!"

"Yuuri!" I said, in my best warning tone. "It's not like that at all."

"I know." He smiled, and we were nearing the apartment. "Kai… is a hard person to gain trust from, and even harder to gain love from. You have something special happening here, don't mess it up… alright?"

I nodded, unable to comprehend everything Yuuri just said. There must be a lot more to Kai than meets the eye, that's for sure. I mean, for him to take a chance on me… well, I must mean something to him. I don't know, maybe he sees a little piece of him in me… somewhere.

As soon as we stepped into the apartment, I headed straight for my room. I have some serious thinking to do before I head to work, and I need to clear my head before I try to act 'natural' for them.

I know I can't mess this up. It's the one thing I do know. If Kai is willing to take this chance on me then I have to trust him, yet I don't know what to expect. I'm not exactly someone who knows what they're doing when it comes to relationships.

Maybe… I can talk to Yuuri. He seems to have everything in his relationship under control. I can't help but re-think that as I hear a bang on the wall. I know exactly where I'll get asking him for advice… and that's nowhere.

So if not Yuuri then who? Not Boris, he'd freak if I said anything about Kai in front of him. Not to mention… I'm scared he'll kill me. Max, no way. Takao… forget about it. Who the hell can I ask for some advice?!

I slump on my bed, and gaze at the photo on the table. It's an old one, taken maybe two-three years ago. Rai and me, in the park. That was such a nice day, yet it wasn't funny when he chucked me in the lake. That's the photo taken before, with his arm slung around me, and both of us smiling.

That's who I'll ask. The one who'll accept me for me, no matter what. He'll have some good advice, he always did.

I'll phone him tomorrow, see how everyone's doing too. It's been a month already, it seems like so much longer since we last talked.

I raised a hand to my lips and touched them, remembering where Kai had placed his own, not even thirty minutes ago. That was the first time I'd had a kiss, albeit a small one, but my first all the same. I hadn't been expecting it, that's for sure.

I got up from the bed, and grabbed some clean clothes, hurriedly putting them on. I brushed through my hair quickly, and left the room.

"See you later Yuuri, I have to go to work!" I heard a squeak and a bump, and can't help but chuckle to myself as I opened the front door.

"Ok Re-Rei-chan, see you la- Boris get your hands away from there before I bite them off!" I laughed again, and closed the door behind me, my spirits high.

I think my life somehow took a turn for the better, don't you think?

Three cheers, it finally got finished. Most of this veered away from my plans for it. For one, the moment between Rei asking 'Why him?' and the little brushing of lips was going to be cut, because I wasn't too sure about it. Yet it stayed, so be happy!

Before anyone brings it up in a review, Miyuki does not have a crush on Rei. That scene between the two is based on something my nii-sama and me do.

Chapter 9 has been started, and I'm hoping it should be ready for next Friday. So fingers crossed, ne? Don't forget to leave a review!