"Talking"
'Thinking'
-x-x-x-x- beginning/end border
0x0x0x0 change of scene

This chapter:

Kane/Salima and Kenny/Emily

-x-x-x-x-

.:Meanwhile, on the roof of the dojo...:.

"Look, there's Capricorn." Salima pointed to the constellation she had been searching for since the two had taken temporary refuge on the roof.

Kane grinned slightly. "I never could find my astrological sign..."

"Yeah, Pisces has yet to be found by me." The redhead grinned before fishing around in her bag.

Kane blinked and sat up slightly. "What's up?"

"That just reminded me." The girl sat all the way up. "Dang, where is it?"

"Did you lose it in there?" He teased.

She frowned. "I don't know how I could have...aha!" A wrapped parcel was removed from her bag.

"I thought we all agreed we weren't--"

"This isn't for Christmas, it's for your birthday." She then handed it to him. "Happy belated birthday, Kane. I would've given it to you sooner but I had to work out how to put the finishing touches on it..."

Puzzled, the boy opened it carefully; a handmade scarf that was a deeper shade of green that accented his hair slid out of the remaining wrapping paper to pool on his lap. "...how did you manage to wrap this?"

"It took a while..." Salima mumbled. "'Member how it took me forever to pack?"

Her companion frowned, recalling; it had been somewhat suspicious, as the girl rarely cared what she wore. "That's what you were doing?"

She grinned sheepishly. "Yep."

"Thank you." He then carefully wound it around his neck; it was soft and plush, but not fluffy enough to look ridiculous. His thanks earned him a grin. Both lay back down and watched the stars twinkle over head until they heard "HEY!" followed by "Brooklyn's gonna sing!".

"...didn't we have to plead, beg and half-force him on stage that one time in New York?" The nonplussed redhead questioned, now worrying for the other redhead's sanity.

Kane, instead of reassuring her, bit his lip; Brooklyn had come to him to discuss his plan and it was from that that Kane had come up with HIS idea.

"Kane? Is something wrong?"

"No, no..." 'I'm such a chicken! What the hell? Even Brooklyn's able to face his fears--in front of almost every pro in the league--and I can't even confess to Salima alone?' He sighed slightly. "W-well..."

She immediately checked his temperature; she had NEVER heard him stutter before.

"Stop that." He mumbled crossly; her reaction had caused a blush to bloom across his cheeks.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes, thank you for asking." He mentally smacked himself for going all formal on her, as she now looked slightly hurt.

0x0x0x0

"Hello." He greeted stiffly as Salima walked in; Gouki and Jim blinked, as they disliked formalities. (1)

"Hi." She returned, slightly poleaxed.

"My name is Kane." He offered her a hand to shake, movements still stiff.

She accepted it and shook his hand firmly but gently. "Nice ta meetcha. I'm Salima."

"A pleasure." He stated and went to resume his seat.

"Man, what's with that guy?" Jim muttered.

"Chill, Jim." Salima told him. "He's probably just awkward around other teens."

"Yeah?" Gouki raised an eyebrow.

"Being super polite is a way to cover it up." The redhead stated; he had then felt the two guys give him measuring looks.

0x0x0x0

Despite that, when it came time to try to be a team, they had given him a chance; he knew it was because Salima had stuck up for him.

"D'you know about the tournament?"

She blinked. "You mean the one all the guys participated in?"

"Yeah...you see...I like you!" He ended up spitting it out instead of explaining about the tournament.

"I like you too." Salima grinned. "You're a great captain."

Kane nodded, smiling slightly; he knew full well if he attempted a larger grin, she would see through it.

There was a sudden cacophony of squeals from below; that gave him an idea.

"Let us see what is going on, shall we?"

Salima nodded. 'What's wrong with him?' She wondered as she followed him back inside. 'He went all formal on me again...'

0x0x0x0

.:On the formerly vacated porch...:.

Emily sat on the top step, staring blankly out into the dismal landscape. Today was not her day for numerous reasons; the chief among them were: one, Max--her crush--was confessing to someone who wasn't her and two, no one had remembered her birth day. True, there was nothing she wanted...but some acknowledgement would be nice. Even just an anonymous birth day card would've been good...

"Hey."

The redhead turned to find Kenny approaching.

"What?"

"Are...are you okay?" The boy hesitantly sat next to her; close, but not close enough to be awkward or uncomfortable.

"Just go away, Kenny." She mumbled. The last thing she needed was for him to pity her.

"...alright."

For whatever reason, hearing his footsteps fade away only made her feel worse than before.

-x-x-x-x-

(1) - I think it's spelled "Goki" but...I got into the habit with "Youko" and "Ryou" so...it doesn't look right without the "u" xD

Okay, so...obviously, I have a new plan :evil grin:

This is gonna end up more like an actual fic now, but...there will still be the TalaJulia chapter, so no worries.

Anyway, the next installment will be up soon...(and you all know my definition of 'soon')

Catcha next update!
Emma