Notes are at the end...

A whimper of frustration, deep within the dark haired boy's throat. He blinked, splashing away tears that threatened to fall down his face so like the rains that fall in the early spring... Wiping his hand across pale cheeks, he regarded the other with a frightened gaze. "Geru-chan... I don't think I can do this."

Geru regarded the other with calm that was eerie, when compared to the chaos within dark brown orbs. Yet within quiet blue-grey eyes, Geru held the other captive. "Yes, you can." He replied simply. "If I can, I *know* you can, Sato-chan."

Sato sniffled, blinking, dark lashes batting. "But it's so hard, Geru-chan..."

"But you can't give up." Came the matter of fact reply. Geru held out his hand. Sato, who had sat upon the ground this entire time, regarded the hand, judging if he should accept the help or not. He reached out, small hand grasping the other, and was helped up to his feet.

Geru smiled. "We can do this together, okay Sato-chan?"

Sato blinked, hope in his eyes. "If you're here for me, then I can do anything, Geru-chan."

The other child smiled, "If you say so, Sato-chan... Now, let's do this. I know you'll like it... Then we can do it together."

Sato giggled, clapping his hands together in front of his face, his eyes sparkling with delight. "I want to, Geru-chan! I want to ride a bike with you..."

Geru nodded, just slightly, and grinned. "I know... I'm sure I'll be better than you, but I'm sure you'll do just fine. Even with those short legs of yours..." Mischief danced within deep blue orbs, and Sato started to reply, and then noted the look of joking within Geru's eyes.

Instead of jumping to conclusions, he giggled. "Just watch me, Geru-chan! I'll be the best you've ever seen!"

Geru shrugged slender shoulders. "We'll see... Now, first things first."

Sato nodded, then looked down with apprehension in his eyes at the fallen bike. Fallen. He'd already fallen once. He didn't want to fall again. Would... He lifted his gaze, heavy pain deep within, a child's pain. "You won't let me fall again, will you, Geru-chan?" He asked, breathless.

Geru nodded, "Hai, Sato-chan... I'm sorry I let you..."

"No!" Sato was quick to step in. "You didn't let me fall. I know it was my fault. I wasn't paying attention." He furrowed his brow, in thought. "But you won't let me, this time, so it's okay..." The deep look faded away, replaced by a simple smile.

Geru nodded, unable to form a complete reply. A simple yes would have to do, so he nodded. "Hai, Sato-chan..."

Sato smiled, relieved, then picked up the bike, gripping the handles tight. His knee throbbed still from where he had skidded, and he knew that if his friend knew how much it still hurt, then he wouldn't make him go on with this. But he had to do this, for the same reason... In a way.

"You can do it..." Geru urged softly, taking a step back, so he was in no way in the way.

Sato only hoped the other was right. He threw one leg over the bike, pulling himself up as his foot touched the petal, steadying himself with his right foot that still gripped the earth... I can do this. I have to.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. Closing and then opening his eyes, he started to push off, and pedaling, and then...

Wind was rushing by, and he felt a surge of joy as he realised that he was actually doing it. He was riding the bike! "You're doing it! You're doing it!"

He knew enough not to look back, because he'd fallen enough for that day. He was riding the bike, and the fact that he was... It made him feel like he could do anything. Even the sting in his knee was fading away. He was doing this... Cause Geru-chan had supported him.

He circled the path, then came back, wobbling a bit as he slowed down. He practically fell off the bike as it stopped, stumbling forwards the throw his arms around Geru. "Geru-chan!" He cried, knocking them both back onto the ground. Geru grinned, and looked up at him...

Seriousness flashed in his eyes. "See, I told you so, Satoshi."

He stuck out his tongue in reply, poking his friends nose. "Don't be such a baby, Shigeru," he giggled. "I knew you'd be mad cause I'm so good..." Light danced within his eyes, and he started to laugh then, as did Shigeru.

"Whatever you say, Sato-chan! Whatever you say!"

Reality slammed into the teen, and his head snapped up. Sighing softly, Satoshi leaned forward, forehead pressing against the cool glass... The three of them, Kasumi, Takeshi, and himself, had taken shelter from the rain in the safety of the Pokemon Centre. Outside, it looked as if the world had been swallowed by heavy grey...

Somehow, it had brought up memories of the past, and with that, thoughts of Shigeru.

He tried not to let it show when these moods swallowed him hole, but it wasn't something he could stop. He knew Kasumi and Takeshi were worried about him, but they knew not to question him. If only for the fact that they had already tried... And it had bore no fruit.

Shigeru...

He found himself trying, trying as he had a million times before, to figure out why they had parted ways, how they had once been so close, and how they had so suddenly became rivals. Thrust into the same dream, maybe it made sense that they had grown apart...

That didn't mean he had to show it.

Of course, he always fought back when Shigeru dripped acid words upon him, accusing him of being inept, a loser... Nothing meant more than the words he wished were instead coming from the other teens mouth. But no... The days where Shigeru was there for his best friend, to hold him up when he felt alone... Those days were long ago, and far away, hidden so deep in his heart...

He sighed a heavy sigh, and heard footsteps behind him. Glancing back, he found Kasumi standing there, worry etched on her features, Togepi held close... Yet when she spoke, it was not to question, just to invite. "You really should come and have some of the soup, Satoshi. Joi-san brought some out..."

Satoshi pondered over her words. Kasumi... She insulted him, as much as Shigeru did, maybe even more. So why didn't her words effect him the way that Shigeru's did? It didn't make sense... He nodded, and she flashed a relieved smile. It was obvious that she hated when he got this way. "That's great!"

She took his hand, and Togepi 'Bree'd!' as she pulled him towards the couch. Takeshi was smiling, glad that Satoshi had been pulled away from his thoughts. As the two sat, Kasumi's hand lingering for a moment to give Satoshi's a reassuring squeeze before she set Togepi down; Pikachuu hopped onto Satoshi's shoulder, chirping.

"I'm sorry I had you worried." He said with a smile, to Pikachuu, yet to his friends as well.

Takeshi offered him a bowl, and he accepted it, as Pikachuu removed herself from his shoulder. "Thanks, Takeshi..." He said softly, leaning back into the plush depth of the couch. His mind was wandering again, as he spooned a bit, blowing on the hot substance to cool it a bit.

I wonder what Shigeru is up to...

He found out, then, for the door to the Pokemon Centre was thrown open and a soggy redheaded form stumbled in. Satoshi coughed, inhaling hot soup, and if Kasumi hadn't reacted fast enough, would have spilled it in his lap. "Shigeru!" He yelped.

Across the room, the wet form brushed at its hair, gazing towards the sound of his name. Shigeru's look hardened for a moment, then softened into something that could almost be called a smile. Closing the door, the almost smile evolved into a grin. "Fancy seeing you here, Satoshi."

It was surreal. Detached. Across from him, Shigeru sat, towel across his shoulders, hair drying. He had changed, thanks to the extra clothing he had in a backpack with him. And in his hands, he held a bowl, and was sipping the hot substance of the soup. Strange enough, he had appeared in a way which Satoshi thought better suited himself...

Aren't I the one that stumbles around lost in the country side? Where is his car? And those cheerleaders? Maybe he expected to be out for a long time. He *did* bring the backpack with him...

The last thought was echoed in Takeshi's next words. "So, where are your cheerleaders?"

Shigeru paused, exhaling softly. "They're in Tamamushi... I left them there with the car, so I could have sometime alone." He paused, again. "I didn't expect it to rain."

Takeshi nodded, a solemn look in his eyes. And then Kasumi spoke up. "It's kind of strange."

Shigeru looked as if he was going to say something, but didn't feel like he wanted to expend the energy. Instead, his eyes flickered towards Satoshi, and that grin appeared. "You know, you've been staring."

For the second time that rain choked evening, Satoshi nearly dropped the bowl onto his lap. "Was not!"

Flame danced in Shigeru's eyes. He was about to retort, when Kasumi spoke again, completing her earlier comments. "Like I was saying, it's strange... You're actually being nice."

"What can I say, I'm a nice guy."

Satoshi nearly choked on his soup, so he sat the bowl down on the table in between the twin couches. "To who?"

"Maybe to you, if you're lucky."

The words caught him by surprise, and he was left staring - openly, without regret. "Really, Shigeru... You're weird."

He shrugged. "I told you, I needed time to think. Clear my mind... sort things out..."

An insult died unspoken on Satoshi's lips, and he sunk back into the safety of the couch, gazing down at Pikachuu, curled up asleep beside him. "Yeah..."

"So what are you doing here, anyways?"

"Us?" Takeshi spoke up, when Satoshi made no attempt to answer. "Just traveling. Following where Satoshi leads..."

Shigeru looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm heading towards Tokiwa. In time... I'm thinking of passing by and challenging the Gym leader for my Greenbadge." Takeshi nodded, a serious look in his eyes.

"I'm sure Satoshi will be heading there... He needs his eighth badge. Right, Satoshi?"

Satoshi made no move to answer. Kasumi pinched his arm, twisting the flesh. "Really, Satoshi! You need to pay attention."

He made a pained look, rubbing his sore arm. "Sorry, sorry... what are we talking about?"

Shigeru chuckled. "You never change." He set down the empty bowl, and leaned back in the couch. A mirror of Satoshi's position...

"Have to." Satoshi replied with a sigh. "You're the one that's different, Geru-chan."

A strange look flashed across Shigeru's face, as he sat up, staring at Satoshi. "Did you...?"

Satoshi blinked, "Huh?" And then realisation hit him, and he gasped. Oh great... I said that out loud. "Um... sorry..."

Question was mirrored on Kasumi and Takeshi's faces. 'Geru-chan?' Takeshi mouthed, and Satoshi shook his head. "It's not important, Takeshi. Huh, Shigeru? It's not important, is it?"

The surprise was slipping away from Shigeru's features, much like the falling rain on the window panes. "No... not important at all."

Night had fallen. With the ensuing darkness, the Gym leaders on leave and aspiring Pokemon Masters found themselves drifting off and falling asleep. Satoshi, however, wasn't so lucky. Sleep came, yes, but it would not stay. He was thinking too much... That and the soft open and close of the front door had him curious.

Who had woken? What was of such interest outside, on a cold wet night such as tonight? Pikachuu made an annoyed noise as he slipped out of his sleeping bag, gazing around the darkened room. He couldn't tell who was here, and who was gone. His only clue...

Lightly, he moved across the room, towards the front door. He opened it a crack, listening. He could here nothing, except for subtle drops of rain. Even though the storm had broken off hours before, the land around was still drenched. He took a deep breath, and opened the door enough to admit himself entry to the outdoors...

Now where...?

He paused. It was Shigeru, as luck would have it. He sighed, closing the door. Despite the fact his mind screamed quite audibly at him to just go in and go to sleep, another part of his body wanted to ask 'Why?'... And so, he listened to his heart, and walked out towards Shigeru.

Leaning against the low bar that was the bicycle rack, Shigeru heard him, yes, but did not look towards him as he moved closer. "Shouldn't you be asleep, Satoshi?" His voice was tired, yet a trace of venom was on his tongue... A tone that had not issued forth earlier. Yes, Shigeru had been almost...

"Nice. You were being nice to us."

"Is that so hard to believe?" Shigeru asked softly. He had not yet turned towards Satoshi, and he reached up and wiped a hand across his face, taking a deep breath of the cool night air. "What do you want?"

"I want..."

"A lot. I want to be a Pokemon Master, I want to keep my friends, and Shigeru... Most of all, I want to know why. I want to know why we couldn't... Why we had to become rivals."

He noted, thoughtfully, that he had spoken that aloud. He didn't seem to mind. Shigeru took a deep breath again, then looked down at him. Something glistened in his eyes, something Satoshi couldn't quite place...

"Why? We were children, Satoshi..."

"Best friends..." Satoshi echoed softly. Shigeru went on, his features twisting at the softly spoken words.

"...children move apart. Whether they were good friends..."

"Best friends..." Satoshi said again. His gaze had dropped to the ground. Shigeru gathered his resolve. Each time Satoshi said that...

"...or just acquaintances..."

"Best friends, Shigeru. We were BEST friends. They don't just drift apart..." His voice was heavy, and tears threatened to spill down his cheeks.

"You're wrong..." Shigeru replied softly, so softly Satoshi almost missed it.

Satoshi looked up, blinking back the unshed tears. That same light that glistened in Shigeru's eyes... "No, I'm not. It had to be something else, Shigeru. We pushed at each other, we pushed so much until we couldn't stand to see each other. But I have my memories, Shigeru. I can't understand WHY you would push me away..." His voice caught, and words trailed off. "I can't understand why I'd push right back."

"Maybe... Maybe we realised it was the right thing." Shigeru replied, after eternal moments had passed by. Satoshi shook his head.

"No... that doesn't make sense, Shigeru. I... I ask myself everyday, Shigeru... I ask myself every day... WHY?!"

The tears that he had held back began to fall, leaving hot trails down night chilled cheeks. Shigeru reached out, a mechanical motion, one that no thought went into at all. He wiped at the tears with his sleeve before he even knew what he was doing.

"So do I, Sato-chan. So do I..."

Satoshi's voice caught, he found himself suddenly unable to speak. Had...? Had he imagined that? Or had...? Had Shigeru just...? Yes, he had.

"Shigeru...?" He spoke up again, after what seemed like an eternity had passed by. An eternity, in the matter of moments... Shigeru titled his gaze down towards Satoshi, reaching out, and taking his hand.

"If I could change it, I would. If I could go back, I'd give up wanting to be a Pokemon Master... If we could stay friends."

Satoshi stared in a blend of wonder and shock. "We can have our dreams, and our friendship... Can't we?"

He dreaded the answer. Because they had lived it for five years...

"Have we?" Shigeru asked ever so simply. Satoshi knew he was right... And that's what hurt.

Silence clung to the space around them, as heavy and still as the fog that rolled in near the line of trees. Boiling, softly, without a single sound... Tearlike raindrops splattered down from on high, as the sky broke open. The rain was falling again...

Shigeru was still holding his hand.

It was a quiet moment, one broken as Satoshi grabbed the logical answer. "We should go inside."

Shigeru seemed to muse over his words, and then he nodded. "You're right..."

Fingers lingered for a moment longer, untwining as he pulled away, walking passed Satoshi into the waiting warmth of the Pokemon Centre. Satoshi heaved a heavy sigh, then turned to follow after Shigeru's retreating figure...

The next morning was a blur. Satoshi woke early, to the eerie silence that was the Pokemon Centre after a night of rain. Nurse Joi was already moving around. "Ne, Satoshi, do you want to help with breakfast?" She asked with a smile, as he sat up in his sleeping bag. He looked up at her, and nodded.

It would give himself to think about.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to pull his thoughts away from Shigeru, and the night before.

He got up, Pikachuu waking as he did. She gave a sound of annoyance, as she chirped his name, "Pikappppi?"

"Hmm, Pikachuu? I'm gonna help with breakfast... You can sleep some more until then."

She shook her head in the opposite of an affirmative, as she hopped up onto his shoulder, clutching the fabric of his shirt to stay on. "All right, all right..." He laughed, softly, following after the Nurse.

Yes, breakfast gave him something to think about. Something that wasn't the night before.

Something that wasn't Shigeru.

Yet speaking of Shigeru...

"Where did he go?" Satoshi asked softly. Breakfast was ready, they were all awake, yet now... Shigeru was gone. Kasumi glanced towards Takeshi, then finally to Satoshi.

"He had to get going, Satoshi."

That made all the sense in the world, and Satoshi nodded, focusing his attention on the task at hand. That task being the ingesting of the food that was before him. Something felt off, something he felt that should have been addressed the night before. Sighing, he finished the food, and set down the bowl.

"Hurry up, I want to get moving towards Tokiwa today..."

Kasumi glanced to Takeshi, who nodded. "Of course, Satoshi." He turned his gaze, catching Kasumi's attention. They both wondered what weighed so heavily on the boys shoulders...

"I don't want to talk, guys. Just stop it..." His shoulders slumped, as he walked along. Pikachuu kept to her accustomed perch - the ground was muddy, and she didn't want to get dirty. That, and she was worried about Satoshi. Worried about him in a way that they all worried...

"But..."

Kasumi's words were easily cut off. "No buts, Kasumi. I don't want to talk about my feelings..."

She frowned, worry in deep sea eyes. "Whatever you say, Sato-chan! Whatever you say!"

He nearly tripped, yet instead stopped. A flash of auburn and stormy blue danced at the back of his mind. His shoulders trembled, and he clenched his fists... Yet he turned back to her, and smiled a smile that was far too sweet.

"Don't call me that, Kasumi. Please don't..." His shoulders trembled again, and he turned away from her, stomping down the muddy path. Pikachuu clung to him, trying not to fall off.

"Pi! Ka chu, pikapi!" She said, in a harsh tone.

"Sorry, Pikachuu... Sorry." Satoshi's tone has lost the edge that it had bore when he last spoke to Kasumi. Now there was only helpless thought...

"Pi pika pikachu... Pi, pikapi?" Pikachuu asked, worry evident in her tiny features. Her little paws clutched even more of his collar, tugging.

"I'm okay..." He said softly. She didn't seem to believe.

"Pika?" She asked, one last time.

"You don't have to worry about me..." Satoshi replied. Emotion had fled his voice. Sighing, his stomping melted into softer steps.

Kasumi had watched the dialogue between the two, then jogged to catch up, falling into step beside Takeshi. She looked up at him, and he at her. They both knew this wouldn't be the end. They also knew sometimes, sometimes you just didn't press the matter...

Maybe not now. But in time...

"When I was seven, Shigeru helped teach me how to ride a bike."

That was how the camping had begun. Satoshi leaned back against a tree that bordered the edge of the camp, and Kasumi and Takeshi sat near the fire towards the center. Kasumi lifted her gaze away from the dance and leap of the flames, moving towards Satoshi. She sat beside him, and Pikachuu hopped onto her lap. Stroking the Pokemon's ears, she tilted her face to look at Satoshi.

"Really?" She asked, once it was clear that he waited for someone to urge him on.

"Hai... I've been thinking about this all day. All yesterday, too... Then he had to show up. And he left me, again. He left me just like he did before we started our Pokemon journeys..."

Kasumi's face twisted in a look of sympathy. "Oh Satoshi... Friends do that, sometimes."

He was shaking his head. "No... he said the same thing, ya know. Last night... He said the same thing..." His gaze stayed transfixed upon the night sky, not moving an inch. The stars held his attention, and the words would not stop. "We were best friends, Kasumi. Best friends don't just stop being best friends. But we did... The dream of being something great tore us apart. We..." He sucked in his breath, his eyes closing and then opening in a blink that lingered. "We ruined something important, something we should have held onto..."

Pikachuu, by now asleep, pika'd softly. Kasumi put her hand on Satoshi's shoulder, glancing towards Takeshi. She didn't know what she was supposed to say.

"Well..." She began, but she couldn't form any semblance of coherent speech after that. Sighing, she moved her hand away from his shoulder, and leaned back against the broad base of the tree, the same tree as he.

"It'll turn out okay." She spoke up, finally. As if Shigeru's actions the night before hadn't been... off. Now, Satoshi was... This was just a weird couple of days, right? Because the longing in his voice...

She shook her head, clearing away thoughts she wasn't sure if she wanted. "Maybe you should just get a good night's sleep, Satoshi. That'll be best."

He finally broke his gaze away from the sky, and looked towards her. "Do you think that will work, Kasumi?"

She looked straight back, and smiled. "Hai. You'll feel better in the morning..." Picking up the sleeping Pikachuu, she handed her to Satoshi. "Get some rest."

Satoshi nodded. "Hai... I think I will."

Standing, she moved back to her place by the fire, as Satoshi went about readying himself for bed. Sighing, she looked to Takeshi. "There's just... something. You know... it's all off."

He nodded. "I know what you mean. I know what you mean, Kasumi... It doesn't seem right at all." He paused, looking off into the distance. "Yet at the same time, it feels completely... Right."

She nodded. "That's what I thought..."

The moments of lingering sadness were catching up with him. It hurt so much... He was thinking so much on the subject. All he wanted to do was collapse, and cry. It's all he wanted... It would be so very simple to give in to the tears. So very simple... Only this time, he didn't know if there would be any purpose in crying them.

The only person who would care, was not here. No, they would care... They would ask what was wrong, but they just wouldn't understand. Who could understand the depth of pain that clutched his heart, and made it hurt just to beat?

Life was... life was pain.

And his dreams. They weren't the only dreams that matter. He could see his dreams, yes, but someone else held dreams just as close...

Even though his dreams were different than what they had been... what, less than a year earlier? Yes, his dreams were different. Different because they were haunted by the image of a dark eyed boy who...

He questioned himself nightly. How could he wake up, one day, and then... How could it all change so quickly? How could it...? Wasn't he supposed to want one thing, and only one thing. He wasn't supposed to want anything else.

Maybe he was just afraid. Maybe...

Everything hurt. Nothing made sense anymore...

"What are you doing here?" Satoshi was breathless. They had reached Tokiwa, the gym that had been closed down for repairs the first time he had passed by... Something was telling him he knew this would happen, but still... "What are you doing here, Shigeru?"

The other shrugged, auburn hair glinting under the sun. "I need a greenbadge." It was that simple...

"Well, I'm gonna get mine first!" He replied hotly. Bottled up emotion was leaking out, bit by bit.

Shigeru smiled, a drawn out smile. "First come, first serve..."

Satoshi began to reply, but Shigeru had already turned and made his way up to the guards. "I challenge the gym leader to a battle!"

He was let in, and Satoshi watched in frustration... the doors closed, and then he sighed. He turned back to the others, and smiled. "Come on, let's go get lunch."

Takeshi nodded, "Sure, Satoshi..."

I feel like I'm missing something important. "Ne, Satoshi...?" Kasumi spoke up, softly. Satoshi looked across the table,

"Hrm, Kasumi?"

She bit her lip, deep in thought. Wondering if she should touch the subject again... "You gave up pretty fast with Shigeru, why was that?"

He shrugged, sipping his soda. "I don't know... He deserves it more, I guess."

"But Satoshi, you've worked so hard for your badges..." Takeshi started up, yet Satoshi shook his head.

"Not really. Kind gym leaders give them to me. I'm not Shigeru... He's such a better trainer than I. I don't even know why I ever said I wanted to be a Pokemon trainer..."

Kasumi was stricken, "Really, Satoshi!" He looked up, staring straight at her. Anger twisted her features. "That's it, get up right now!" She pushed out of the chair, walking around the table to grab his arm.

"Kasumi?! What the?!"

She pulled him up. "I'm tired of this pity party you seem to live in! The world doesn't hate you, Satoshi. You're our friend, and you've worked very hard to get where you are. Now, are you just going to give up NOW?!"

His eyes trembled, like he was trying to hold something in. Instead of speaking in anger, he sighed, and dropped his gaze. "You're right..."

Takeshi stood. "Then let's go..."

Satoshi nodded. "Hai...!" They don't have to know the truth...

The bill was paid, and they left the cafe behind them, Pikachuu perched on Satoshi's shoulder, Togepi in Kasumi's arms...

"Well, here we are." Again...

Kasumi nodded, setting Togepi down. "Bree!" Pikachuu hovered around the young Pokemon, and Satoshi moved forwards. The guards were gone. Maybe... He glanced back, and both Takeshi and Kasumi shook their heads. They weren't going to let him get out of this...

"Well, at least you can help me with the door." He spoke up, as he tried opening it. It wasn't exactly working the way he wanted it to... He couldn't make the thing budge.

Kasumi and Takeshi took their positions, and the door was pulled open. Light filtered into the darkness. Satoshi wiped a hand across his brow, relieved. And then...

"Shigeru?!"

He was being held close, and Satoshi knew that tears were going to spill if Shigeru didn't open his eyes. "Shigeru!" he cried again. This time, the boy he held groaned softly. Stormy eyes flickered open...

"Satoshi?" he asked softly. As if this was the last place he ever thought to find himself...

"What happened, Shigeru? Are you all right?" Even then, the tears sparkled in his eyes. Ever since he had last seem him at that Pokemon Centre...

"I'm okay..." Shigeru replied breathlessly.

"But... what happened?" Satoshi asked, giving into the tears. They glistened on his cheeks, clipping down his face.

Shigeru reached a hand up, wiping at the tears with his fingers. "You shouldn't cry, Satoshi..."

"Shigeru?" He asked, punctuated by a sob.

"I'm really okay, Satoshi. Just a Pokemon... I'm glad I had the girls stay at the hotel, today. I'm glad you didn't get hurt..." That sentence, Satoshi realised, made no sense.

"Huh? What, Shigeru, what are...?"

His words were becoming more and more coherent. "See, I'm glad I went first. I hurt you before, I couldn't forgive myself if you... again... I couldn't."

"Shigeru...?" This was making no sense.

"I like you holding me, Sato-chan..." He spoke again, a grin upon his lips. Satoshi felt his cheeks flaming.

"Shi...Shigeru!"

He chuckled. "What?"

"No...nothing..."

"Do you think they even notice?" Kasumi asked softly.

"That they're being watched? Or...?"

"Both. Well... The truth, Takeshi. Do you think they notice it?"

He pondered the question. "I would hope so. Otherwise, it would hurt even more... If they didn't."

She nodded. "Hai..." And then she laughed, softly.

"Kasumi?"

"Hmm? Oh, sorry... This is odd. He's blind, but we're..."

"We're noticing before either of them do." he finished softly.

She nodded. "Yeah... Oh well. I guess we hang out around Satoshi too much. He... I don't know how to explain him."

"It makes my head hurt just thinking about *trying* to..."

She grinned. "You're very right, Takeshi. Very right..."

Jitensha ni notte (Riding a Bicycle)
Cardcaptor Sakura - Tsukishiro Yukito Image Song

Here are the romaji lyrics, in case you're interested. I looked for an English translation, but I had no luck... Gomen ne. Yes, this song inspired this fic. When I saw the title... I just *had* to. It's so cute. *snuggles* And Yukito's voice... *melt* I don't care if his seiyuu is female (I think, at least)... Pretty voice. *-*

Haru ga yatte kita
Kyou wa ii tenki
Neko mo yane no ue
Akubi shite iru yo
Doko ka ni ikitai na konna toki wa
Ooki na o-musubi wo o-bentou-bako ni
Tsumekondara

Atarashiku katta
Jitensha ni notte
Kimi to kawa-zoi wo
Ran-ran-ra hashitte 'ku
Midori no kouen ni tsuitara sugu
Kamera wo toridashite narande nakayoku
Kinen shashin

Onaka ga suite kita yo
O-bentou wo tabeyou
Kokage ni natta shibafu ni
Futari suwatte sukoshi hito-yasumi

Oishii kuuki to yude-tamago hoobareba
Nan da ka shiawase harukaze ni sasowarete
Tanpopo ga fuwari to tonda

Aozora ni ukabu
Kumo no hikousen
Minami no shima e to
Ran-ran-ra hitottobi
Iruka ga janpu shite asonde 'ru yo
Hajikeru nami-shibuki houseki no you ni
Kirameite 'ru

Kimi ga boku wo yobu koe
Dandan ookiku naru
Youyaku me ga sameta n' da
Yume wo mite 'ta yo kimochi yokatta yo

Neboketa egao ga yuuyake ni akaku naru
Sorosoro kaerou atataka na hidamari ga
Mune no naka kienai uchi ni

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