Shingo ran left and right, swung hard and slammed the soft green ball with force back to his opponent.  Satoru, who was said opponent, missed the quickly flying ball as it zoomed past him.  He nearly lost his balance.  'Shingo-chan!' he called, 'Warn me next time!!'
    Shingo winked, 'Sorry!  Just too strong for my own good I guess!'  The two friends were practicing their favorite game together one day after school.  They had both decided to join the tennis club, the main reason was because Mayuki was on it and Shingo wanted to be around her as much as possible.  Of course, when he joined he dragged Satoru along with him.  Tenko didn't join the tennis club, though, she liked things that didn't involve trying to hit at a ball that was flying quickly for you.  She always watched them practice, though (she loved watching tennis).  It was the playing part she wasn't too keen on.
    At this time, Tenko was sitting on a bench outside the court.  She was cheering them both on and it seemed impossible to tell who she wanted to have win.  Mayuki sat beside her in her cute tennis outfit: a short white pleated skirt and T-shirt that zipped up at the top.  It was great to accentuate her blossoming womanly form.  Her hair was back in a ponytail and there was a white band around her forehead.  On her lap she rested her shiny black tennis racket and waited until the boys were done with the court.
    Actually, there were three different courts the club used to play on, all of which were next to each other.  The boys always liked to practice together and then the girls would practice together, that's just the way they liked to do it.  Of course, they always had coed matches too for fun, but the girls would always complain about how the boys play and the boys would do the same to the girls, so it was just easier to separate them in practice.
    It was a really warm, sunny day.  Shingo wiped the sweat from his forehead and got ready to serve the ball Satoru threw back to him.  Both boys were wearing blue shorts and their white tennis T-shirts, trimmed with blue around the neck and arms and adorned with their names neatly embroidered on the left chest with the image of a tennis racket behind.  All in all, they looked really cute, especially Satoru.  The blue shorts very well accentuated his feminine, dainty legs.  Shingo didn't have any of that femininity to him, though, he was very much male in every way.  With Satoru, it was much harder to say so.
    'Try this one!' Shingo yelled as he threw the ball high in the air and slammed it against the racket.  It went flying for Satoru.  He ran for it and swung, but missed.  He had so much forward momentum, he couldn't catch himself and fell to the ground, scraping his knee against the green court floor.  Shingo gasped, 'Satoru-kun!  Are you alright?' he ran to his friend.
    Satoru sat up and held his injured knee.  'Itai!' he screamed, tears forming in his closed eyes.  Shingo looked to his knee through his clasped hands and saw definite scrapes.
    He felt bad, 'I'm really sorry.'
    'Satoru-chan!!'  The four girls on the tennis team and Tenko came running as soon as they saw Satoru fall.  The girls in his class totally adored Satoru, he was just so cute and so much like them, they often would talk to him about clothes and dolls and stuff like that.  They'd even try to talk to him about boys, but he couldn't offer much advice to that.  They all came around him and helped him up.  He was trying his hardest not to cry out, he just hurt so badly where his knee was scraped.  Tenko was right beside him and was the most worried for him.  She knelt down to look at his knee.  From her pocket, she pulled out a small pink bandage with pictures of cute little bunnies and hearts on it and set it over the scrape.
    Satoru looked down at her, a small tear streaming down his cheek.  She looked up to him with a smile and said bubbly, 'Cheer up!'
    He blinked and saw a glimpse of the pink bandage.  It was so cute, he thought, and his favorite colour too!  A small smile came to his gentle lips as the pain seemed to lift away, 'Thank you, Tenko-chan!'  Satoru blushed a little.
    Tenko stood up again and Mayuki looked to the two boys.  'Well, you've had a very good practice today.  You're both getting a lot better!'
    'Still not as good as you, Mayuki-chan,' Satoru said modestly.
    'All you need to do is practice.  Remember to always keep your eye on the ball, k Satoru-chan?'
    'Hai!' he said in his soft, happy voice.
    'Well, you can practice tomorrow, now it's the girl's time on the court.'  The four other boys on the team all went off the court, leaving only Shingo and Satoru with the girls.  Mayuki looked to Shingo, 'And you're getting much better!'
    That took him off guard, 'You think so?' he blushed as he talked to the girl he liked.
    She nodded, 'Keep it up and you can be the best tennis player around here!'  Her and the other girls each took their courts and were about to begin.  Shingo stood there still, thinking about what she said.  He felt really good to get a compliment like that form Mayuki, the most amazing tennis player on the team.  He smiled and more than ever wanted to be the best he could be!
    Shingo didn't even notice when Tenko took his hand, 'Shingo-chan!  Get off the court!'  She dragged him off the court and then went back to her bench.
    Before he and Satoru went to get ready to leave, Mayuki called back to him, 'Shingo-chan!  Sometime we'll have to have a match, ok?'
    He turned back around and looked to her, almost in disbelief.  He nodded and went back along his way with Satoru.  'I'd love to have a match with you' he said to himself, 'I have to practice so I can be unbeatable.  When I play Mayuki, I've gotta beat her.'
    'Don't worry, we'll practice more tomorrow.'
    'Eh?' he looked over to Satoru.  He didn't realize he was saying those things out loud.  He blushed a little more and laughed at himself.  Once inside the changing room, he gathered his school supplies and everything together.  He and Satoru shared a small locker together.  Shingo didn't feel like changing out of his uniform, so he didn't. Satoru did though, he couldn't stand having the dirty, sweaty clothing on anymore.  Shingo picked up his small black duffel bag, about a fourth the size of Daisuke's, and was about to leave, 'I think I'll go now.' He looked back to Satoru just in time to see him pull his shirt off.  His form was very small, very delicate looking.  His skin was smooth and soft, a light, even complexion.  His chest and arms were dainty, girlish.  He pulled on his regular shirt and nodded to Shingo.
    'See you tomorrow.'
    What scared Shingo was the fact that he was watching Satoru change.  He tore his eyes away and went to the door, 'Bye.'
    Tenko had said she was going to stay and watch Mayuki practice.  That meant Shingo would be walking home all by himself.  It was a very nice afternoon.  But, like I said, very warm.  Along the way home, Shingo stopped at an ice cream stand and bought a cone with three scoops: mint, chocolate, and strawberry.  He happily licked the cold ice cream as he strolled along the sidewalks towards his new home.  When he reached a corner, he heard loud cheering and the distinct words, 'You can do it, hang in there!'  He looked around and spotted the junior high school on the other side of the road.  The cheers seemed to be coming from there.  Naturally, he was curious. Shingo crossed the street and inconspicuously entered the campus.  He walked a little and came to the tennis courts.  They were very crowded with students and all sorts of people standing around the caged area of the court.  Shingo took a lick of his ice cream and gaped at the site.  'There's a tennis match here at the junior high school' a huge smile came to his face, 'Alright!  That means I can watch them play and learn new techniques and stuff!  Then I'll be one step closer to being able to challenge Mayuki and become as good as her!!'  He was so excited and couldn't believe his luck.  He hurriedly ate more of the ice cream cone, but it ended up falling on the ground because he was so excited, and Shingo ran as fast as he could over to the tennis court.
    There were many people standing around the perimeter, watching an exciting match through the fence that was around the court.  Shingo squeezed his way into a spot to be able to see also.  He closed his fingers around the fence.  Girls were screaming around him and cheering, saying stuff like, 'Fight, fight!' and 'Don't let your guard down!'  It was a pretty noisy place.
    He saw all the girls cheering and snickered in annoyance, 'Man, can't they just be quiet?'  Then, he looked into the court.  From what he could tell, there was no action.  Suddenly, like a spark, his attention was caught by something.  He looked harder into the court and observed the intriguing scene.
    To the far end of the court, there was a very nervous looking boy who was clenching the handle of his racket. 'Hurry up and serve already!' he yelled.  He swallowed nervously and stood ready, waiting for action.
    The opponent's light eyes opened suddenly.  His strong mouth was calm, expressionless, there was no hint of nervousness anywhere.  His long fingers closed tightly around the ball in his beautiful hands.  Shingo watched this other player with an unreal fascination.  For one thing, he was unlike anyone he had ever seen before.  Although he couldn't see very well, he could tell a few things about him.  He was wearing all black and his arm against the black fabric made his skin look completely white.  Shingo observed he was a little taller than the other player and he was not anxious about the match he was part of at all.  Before Shingo could make anymore observations, the silent opponent suddenly raised his long arm up, sending the ball high in the air.  Before anyone could really tell what happened next, the opponent leapt forward and slammed his racket against the ball with incredible strength.  The ball shot forward with amazing speed, it was practically a solid green blur.  The boy gasped and tried to swing for it.  As soon as his racket met the ball, the ball passed through it and lodged itself tightly in the fence behind the boy.  The crowd, including Shingo, gasped with amazement.  That had never happened before!  The boy couldn't realize what had happened, he stared down to his racket with the hole in the center in a daze.  The opponent didn't do anything, he just kept still, his face as blank and cold as it had been before.
    The crowd then burst into cheers.  Shingo's jaw dropped, he couldn't believe what had happened.  ' Amazing' he looked to the opponent while the wild cheering was happening, 'He is the strongest tennis player I've ever seen.  He completely blew a hole right through that guy's racket!'  he paused as he gave him another look, 'I have to talk to him, he's just what I need to be the best player I can be!'
    The opponent then turned his eyes to the crowd and focused them on one person: Shingo.  They were cold eyes, cold as ice and they appeared to have no colour at all. Shingo saw him looking at him and straightened up uncomfortably.  It was as if he had heard what Shingo had said!  But he had said those things so quietly, he thought, how could anyone have heard them?  Shingo put a smile on his face and waved to the dark opponent with the expressionless face.  The cold eyes then became colder as they narrowed in what Shingo knew to be a glare.  He could sense he probably wasn't welcome and gasped a little as he saw that.  'This guy is kinda scary' he said quietly.  The opponent kept glaring at him, his face just the same as it had ever been.  Shingo was getting rather uneasy.  He looked all around and slowly backed away from the fence.  Then, he turned the other way, picked up his duffel bag, and ran from the campus as fast as he could.  The opponent watched him leave, but it was utterly impossible to tell what emotion he was feeling.
    Shingo ran a long way.  He was taking a rather long route back home.  Finally, he entered a grassy park and collapsed to his knees to catch his breath.  When he had recovered slightly, he spoke aloud, 'That was really creepy!  That guy just gave me the look of death!  Geez, and I was trying to be friendly too!'  Shingo took a long sigh and stood up again, taking his duffel bag in hand.  He was about to turn to go home when he heard a rustling in the bushes right beside him.  'What the' he turned back to the bushes and saw nothing.  Shingo scratched his head, 'just hearing things.'  He shrugged and turned around again.  As soon as he looked forward, right in front of him on the ground he saw something very out of the ordinary.  It was a gray animal, closely resembling a cat, with long ears that stood up wards and curved gently and thick black stripes all over its body.  There seemed to be large spiky tufts of fur on its back.  Its face was pretty cute, it had big colorless eyes with thin black slits, a tiny black nose and several long whiskers.  In the middle of its forehead there was a shape that almost resembled a cross, though more thick and sharp at the edges.  It had three black stripes that came down from its eyes and several more the came up from its back onto its forehead.  It was about the size of a domestic cat and its very long tail was cautiously flicking back and forth.
    Shingo couldn't believe what he was seeing!  He shook his head and rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't tripping out or something.  'No way!' he said, 'There's no way one of those can be here on Earth!'  But sure enough, straight form Stilatial, here one was!  'Heh, now that's really really weird.'  Shingo decided to approach it with his hand stretched out, it would back up when he did, 'Hey there, little guy.  Just what the heck are you doing here anyway?'  When he came closer, the creature opened its mouth and hissed, displaying its extremely sharp, needle-like teeth.  Before Shingo could follow it, the creature went back into the bushes.
    Then, the winds changed.  There was a sudden strong gust that blew through Shingo's hair and caught him off guard.  When the wind died, he could sense something else strange.  Shingo turned back to the bushes and his eyes were drawn beside the lone apple tree on the top of the small grassy hill.  His jaw dropped again as he set eyes on him again, the silent opponent from the tennis match.
    The creature leapt up onto his broad shoulder and rested there.  All Shingo could do was stare at him'this person that completely crushed the other guy in the game'this  person that glared at him.  Now, at least, Shingo could get a better look at him.  He certainly was dressed all in black.  He had long black pants and shiny black boots, his shirt was short sleeved and tight fitting and the V neckline showed the top of his chest.  His body was lean, lean but muscular and his limbs were long and well proportioned and shaped.  Black gloves covered his hands.  He had one arm down to his side and the other resting on the trunk of the apple tree.  He was a VERY attractive young man in all his features, but his face was the thing that was most alluring.  His face was strong in its structure.  His eyes were narrow and deep with thin black slits for pupils against a very light gray iris.  His eyebrows were relatively thin and his nose was slender and well formed.  His mouth seemed to be in a gentle curve.  His beautiful face was completely expressionless in every way.  There was no hint whatsoever as to what this young man might have been feeling.  Shingo noticed more about him, proving to be of much greater interest to him.  His ears were not like normal ears, they were pointed, and in the middle of his forehead there was a small black hourglass shape that shone in the light.  Then there was his hair.  It was unlike anything he had ever even imagined before.  It was silver.  The colour of pure silver as it shone and reflected in the light.  It was short, but spiked out at the top of his head in several directions, sometimes covering his eyes when the breeze blew.  He looked a lot like someone from a famous rock band, Shingo thought, he was both elegant and outrageous enough.  He didn't seem too bad now either, now that he wasn't glaring at Shingo.  Shingo just forgot about what was past and decided to try again to get to know this mysterious guy.
    'Hi,' he broke the ice, 'I think you were really incredible before, that move you did was awesome!  I wish you could teach me that!'  Shingo called up to him on the small hill.  He just kept looking at him with the very same expressionless face.  Shingo bit his lip, 'Ok' My name's Shingo.  Okimoto Shingo.  Would you like to go to the tennis courts and give me a few pointers?  Because, you really are awesome and I'd love to learn some things from you, if you wouldn't mind teaching me.'
    He blinked his near colorless eyes almost as if Shingo had suggested to kill him or something.  That wasn't good, Shingo thought, he hadn't made a very good first impression obviously.  He then felt like backing away and running to Daisuke's house and forgetting he ever saw this mysterious guy, but he was petrified to do so.  He didn't dare move, he didn't know what this guy might do next.  The wind blew again, blowing the mysterious one's shining silver hair all about, making him look even more intriguing and ever more dangerous.  As the wind blew, Shingo held his hair out of his face, but kept his eyes mounted on him.  He blinked again and without a word turned the other way and walked down the hill away from Shingo.  'Hey!'  Shingo called after him, but he was gone.  There was no way he was going to just let this guy go without even a word out of him.  He wanted to learn about him, there was just something about him he felt he needed to know.  With his duffel bag in hand, Shingo ran up the grassy hill and looked down, but did not see him.  The only thing there was the empty playground, the lonely swings blowing in the wind.  No sign of the mysterious guy anywhere.  Shingo sighed.  He lost his chance to be great, he felt, now he'd never be able to challenge Mayuki'
    Dejectedly, Shingo turned back the other way and was about to walk down the hill again when he became face to face with the mysterious guy!  He almost yelled, 'Oh man, you scared me!!' he held a hand to his racing heart.  The mysterious guy just stood there in front of him.  Standing on a slanted part of the hill, he could easily look into Shingo's eyes.  He had no expression.  Shingo cocked his eyebrow and lifted one side of his mouth.  What was with this guy anyway?  'I thought you left.  How did you do that anyway, I mean, you were there and then you weren't and now you're here again!'  He didn't answer, he didn't do anything except look forward just like he had been doing before.  Shingo thought that was really strange, 'What's wrong?  Don't you talk or something?'  Again, there was no answer from him.  Shingo scratched his head and drew out a long breath.  'Well, that's ok if you don't talk or if you just don't want to talk to me.  But could you at least give me some tennis pointers?  I mean, you must be the best player I've ever seen, but what were you doing at the junior high?  Shouldn't you have been playing with people your own age?'  This mysterious guy looked much older than junior high age.  He looked as if he were about 18 or so, so Shingo wondered why he was at the junior high.  The mysterious guy turned his head to the side, the first movement he had made with Shingo there and took a deep silent breath of the warm afternoon air.  Maybe, Shingo thought, he was going to answer him.
    He stared ahead into the sky and into the buildings and homes that surrounded them.  Then, the mysterious guy actually decided to share with Shingo his voice, and was that ever a treat to hear!  His voice could be described as one thing: incredible.  It was deep and smooth and rich, both calm and gentle, like the waters of a tossed sea after a tempest passed.  It was soothing to listen to and very soft.  It was low, definitely a good bass voice, it was the exact kind of voice that would make any female weak at the knees.  'Speaking only when is needful, letting eternity rest on the thoughts, the signs of true wisdom and purity.'
    'Huh?'  Shingo squished his face together in a very confused manner.
    He turned his cold eyes back to him, as expressionless and calm as before.
    Shingo thought about what he said, 'Hey' that sounds really familiar' where have I heard that before?'
    His silver hair shone magnificently and he answered in his luscious voice, 'The creed of Zanthor.'
    Shingo's eyes must have grown to over the size of his face.  He gasped and his jaw dropped again.  Without even realizing it, he brought his finger up and pointed it to his expressionless face, 'You' you mean'  YOU'RE FROM ZANTHOR?!'
In a movement almost undetectable, he nodded his head once.
    Shingo couldn't believe it, there was another one in Tokyo!!  He brought his finger down and looked at his face.  'That is really' I mean, I wasn't expecting that!'  But then he looked at his features again, the pointed ears, the colorless eyes with the slit pupils, the small black hourglass shape on his forehead, the ghostly pale skin, the silver colored hair.  And, the creature resting on his shoulder.  It made sense then, but it was still hard to believe.  'Wow' well, it's really nice to meet you then!  As if you couldn't tell, but I'm from Aven.  Man, this is really great!' he held his hand out to him, 'Put it there, I'm Shingo in case you forgot, what's your name?'
    The mysterious guy looked onto his face still and seemed to totally disregard his outstretched hand.  'Koji.'
    'Koji?  Well, nice to meet you, Koji-san!'  He waited for him to shake his hand, but he seemed less than interested.  Right when Shingo was about to return his hand to his side, it was suddenly within the hand of Koji.  That was a surprise!  His hand was bigger than Shingo's and very warm.  He squeezed and Shingo's entire tiny hand was held inside of Koji's.  Shingo cringed, 'Wow' you're really strong'
    Koji released his hand and gave no word.  He still had his expressionless face, it never changed, not once.
    Shingo looked to the creature on Koji's shoulder, 'Oh, you brought a pet along?' he reached to pet its head, 'And what's your name, cutie?'
    'Bite me!'  The creature sprang forward and closed its jaws around Shingo's finger.  He yelled like a maniac as the sharp pain shot through him.
    'Jemena.'  Koji said in a condoning voice.  He glanced to her on his shoulder, giving her a very cold look.
    She released Shingo's finger and cowered under his gaze, 'Sorry'
    Shingo blew on where he was bitten, there were tiny red teeth marks.  He looked back to her with disbelief, 'It talks?!'
    'I can do a whole lot more than that too' she said with her black paws over her mouth.
    'This is Jemena,' said Koji simply.
    'Jemena?' he looked to the creature.  'Must not like strangers'
    Without another word, Koji turned the other way and walked down the hill.  Shingo watched and didn't wait to run after him, 'Hey, wait!  Where are you going?'  He ran and caught up with him.  'What about those tennis pointers?'
    Koji stopped, keeping his deep eyes forward.  Shingo looked up at his face, he was much taller than him, about Daisuke's height.  There was no clue as to what he was thinking as his serious face remained unchanging.  Before long he answered in a deep, calm voice, 'Not now,' and continued walking along the grassy field and out of the park.
    Shingo ran and caught up with him, 'That's fine, maybe another time then?'  Koji didn't answer and just kept walking.  'Uh, do you have somewhere important to go?'  Koji crossed a crowded street in the middle of the city and Shingo made sure to stick by him like glue.  Shingo noticed Jemena was no longer on his shoulder.  He wondered where she had gone when he saw a bulge in Koji's shirt.  He figured it out, he was hiding her so that no one would suspect anything.  He smiled up to Koji, 'You're pretty smart, but why won't you talk to me?  I mean, come on, I am a fellow Stilatian, you can't just blow me off like that!  And there are three others staying with me too, what would they think?!'
    Koji then stopped on the sidewalk, right beside a little French boutique.  He heard what Shingo had said and it seemed to hit him deeply.  Shingo could see the side if his placid face, he seemed to be in deep thought or something.  He wondered what was going on.  'Three others?' Koji asked, his voice lovely.
    Shingo nodded.  'I bet you thought you were the only one, didn't you?'
    'Please show me.'
    'What?  You want to meet them or something?'  Koji nodded and Shingo shrugged.  'Well, ok, follow me.'  He led the bishounen down the streets of Tokyo and finally came to the homes.  The whole way, they didn't speak.  Koji wasn't much of a talker anyway.  They walked down the streets, passing grandmothers and children playing.  Finally, they came to Daisuke's street and walked up to his house.  It was a very cute house, pretty good size and well taken care of.  Immediately when Koji saw it, he recognized it.
    'Here it is.  You might not be very sociable, but I'm sure you'll really like everyone.  I'm sure they'll like you too, so come on in.'  Shingo walked toward the house but noticed Koji did not follow.  He stopped and turned to see Koji still waiting on the sidewalk.
    Koji read the family nameplate placed beside the door on the house quietly, 'Mizuno'
    'Koji-san?  What's wrong?  You can come in now!' Shingo called to him.
    Koji looked to him, 'I am sorry, but I must go for now.'
    'Why?!'  Shingo couldn't believe it.  He wanted Koji to come in and meet everyone.  'Are you really busy today?'
    Koji looked down, lost in thought, 'Thank you anyway,' he turned the other way.
    'Koji-san, wait please!'  Koji stopped after he took one step away.  Even he could not resist the pained sound in Shingo's tender voice.  'I'm really sorry if I've seemed annoying to you.  It's just that, you really interested me with the way you play tennis and the fact that you're from Stilatial also.  I hope you can forgive me if I've been a bother' Shingo looked down, ashamed.  Koji heard his words and couldn't help but feel badly himself.  'But,' Shingo started again, 'I think you're really cool and I'd love to be your friend.'
    Something inside of Koji seemed to soften then.  It was all due to the fact that this 12 year-old boy looked up to him so much and wanted to be his friend.  Koji had never had that feeling before, and he liked it.  He turned around and was still wearing his blank face, but there was something warmer about it then.  It didn't seem as robotic and distant toward Shingo anymore.  He looked back to Shingo, 'We are friends.' he said deeply, 'But I cannot be here now.'
    Shingo smiled to him and nodded, 'I understand.  Well, feel free to come back later when you can.  Everyone will love to meet you.'  He waved.
    Then Koji turned the other way and walked off down the road.  Shingo was still smiling as he left his view.  He sighed deeply and thought about the new friend he had made.  'Koji-san, come over whenever you want.'

    The rest of the evening went well.  Hiroshi invited himself over to Daisuke's and Satoru tagged along.  After dinner, they had all decided to sit together and watch a movie in Daisuke's living room.  Everyone plopped down in front of the big HDTV as Daisuke flipped through the various DVDs in his collection.  Hiroshi was very much enjoying his spot next to Yoshiko, which was painfully obvious just by the enormous goofy smile he wore.
    'Ok,' Daisuke thumbed through several DVDs, 'We can watch 'Follow the Dream' or 'Star Battleship' or' 'Hunny Bunny'?!' that was one title he did not recall seeing in there before.  He became red as further inspection of that particular DVD revealed its blatant eroticism and instantly whirled around to Hiroshi, 'Hiro!  What do you think you're doing slipping porn into my DVD collection?!'
    Hiroshi looked around, trying to seem irresponsible, 'What?  What makes you think I would do something like that?'
    Daisuke twitched and heaved a sigh.  He moved that DVD to the back of the collection and pulled out a random one, he was too perturbed with Hiroshi to tell which one.
    'Oh, we need some popcorn!'  Exclaimed Tenko.
    'Yeah, with lots of butter!  Yummy!'  Shingo added, Satoru giggled girlishly.
    Misami was sickened, 'Do you know how much fat is in large quantities of butter?'
    'Do we care?'  Hiroshi and his brother and the twins stood up and ran into the kitchen to make some popcorn.  Daisuke almost wished they wouldn't though, he didn't want them messing up his beautiful perfect kitchen.  It was somewhat like a sanctuary for him'
    Daisuke had prepared the movie, all that was left was to sit down and watch it.  He sat on the floor next to Yoshiko with the remote in his hand.  She smiled to him, 'This is fun, I love having everyone together like this.'
    He nearly melted as he stared at her there.  'Me too.  I just have to make sure and keep Hiro in line once in a while.'
    A few minutes later, they heard some screaming from the kitchen.  Daisuke and the sisters ran to see mounds of popcorn spilling out of the popcorn machine.  Daisuke grabbed his hair and nearly screamed.  Satoru came running to them, 'It was Onii-chan!  He put too much in!'
    'AMOEBA BOY, GET OVER HERE AND HELP ME!'  Daisuke followed Satoru through the popping kernels and puffy white popcorn to the machine and Hiroshi.  He grabbed the plug and pulled, the machine stopped and the last popcorn popped out onto the floor to add to the large pile.  Daisuke looked with vast annoyance to Hiroshi.
    'We're sorry, Mizuno senpai' Satoru felt bad and looked down at the monstrous pile of popcorn.  The twins did the same and Hiroshi tried to sneak away.
    Daisuke sighed, they thought for sure he would blow his top.  But then, to their surprise, he smiled and began to laugh hysterically.  They all looked to each other in bafflement and back to the pile.  They all just had to laugh also.  With a much lighter mood then let into the kitchen, they helped each other clean up and later joined in watching the movie.  It was a lot more fun than it would have been if that popcorn incident hadn't have happened, so in a way it was a good thing!
    When the movie ended, it was really dark outside as night had crept over the city.  Hiroshi had asked Daisuke if he could stay the night to show him some 'cool stuff' he had found on the Internet, but Daisuke knew all too well what Hiroshi's definition of 'cool stuff' was.  So, he had to decline him.  Hiroshi and Satoru left and soon after everyone got ready for bed.  It was actually quite late.  Shingo also hadn't told anyone about Koji, not even Tenko.  The subject never came up and he thought it was kind of cool to have that secret for himself for once.  Daisuke turned off all the lights in the house and everyone went to bed.

    The moon is the guardian of the night, its soft rays embrace with serenity the Earth below.  In the sea of blackness above, it is the one point near enough to allow mortal comprehension.
    Koji's pen stopped.  He looked above to the moon, his subject of inspiration this night.  It was bright, a whitish blue and seemed to do just what he had described in his poetic verse: embrace the Earth below.  Jemena came running to him from the dark room to the small balcony of his apartment, her eyes were shining through the blackness.  They lived in the middle of some very tall building surrounding every side, down below there were cars constantly lining the city's busy roads.  Koji's small apartment was on one of the upper floors.  Right in the middle of the busy metropolis, he was able to find inspiration as he sat out on the small balcony and stared up into space.
    'Ko-chan, what about what that kid said?'
    He looked to Jemena, he was very beautiful in the moonlight.  Koji nodded and stood without a word.  He stepped back into the small apartment, putting the black notebook he had written in on a bed.  Jemena jumped to his shoulder and found her way into his shirt.  Koji left the dark apartment and went out to walk the night streets of Tokyo.
    He stopped when he came in front of the place he had been before.  Daisuke's house' Koji's expressionless face surveyed the home.  He approached it, but didn't head for the front door.  Koji went to the side and jumped a fence into Daisuke's backyard.  He saw the large Sakura tree and some lawn chairs.  He walked silently to the back door.  Koji opened the door and entered undetected into Daisuke's home.  That was one place Daisuke never double checked, he never thought that anyone would sneak into his backyard and use that door to get inside his house!  He was wrong'
    Koji slid the door shut behind him and looked around the home.  Everything was dark and still.  In the darkness of the room, Koji's mysterious eyes glowed like a cat's would as he looked all around.  Jemena poked her head out of the front of his shirt and looked around with him.  Koji began to walk, like a black figure with an unknown presence.  He walked all through the house, the living room, dining room, kitchen, just observing everything and trying to imagine how the Avenions lived there.  This whole time, no one knew about him in there.
    Exploring further, Koji began to walk down the hall where the bedrooms and bathroom was.  He stopped and stood against a wall when he heard one of the doors open.
    Misami yawned and stepped out of her room.  Barely able to see and think, she trudged her way to the bathroom and stepped inside, turning on the bright light.  Koji was standing by the wall across from the bathroom perfectly still when Misami did this.  The light spilled onto him, making him totally exposed until the door shut, cutting off the light again.  Koji's eyes, once they hit the blackness, went back to glowing.  He stood there after he saw her go in and knew he had just seen one of the Avenions.
    Koji didn't want to be noticed by her (not that she would notice him anyway because she was too catatonic) so he left the hall and knelt on one of the tatami mats beside the table.  Jemena crawled out of his shirt and onto the table.  She laid down there and proceeded in going to sleep.  Koji did not sleep.  He kept his eyes open and his mind alert.  As she dozed, Koji slid his large, gentle hands over her silky fur.  There Koji sat and waited for daylight.

    The next morning, Misami was again the first one out of her bed.  She left her room and proceeded in walking to the kitchen to get a little before breakfast snack.  Koji's keen hearing detected her every movement in the kitchen behind him.  Misami didn't notice him at all.  She hummed and found a container of chocolate frosting, which looked good for a sugar buzz.  Misami opened the container and headed for the table only to stop when she caught glance of someone already sitting' someone she didn't recognize.  She gasped and the container fell to the floor.  He was sitting with his back to her, his lovely hand on Jemena's sleeping head.  Misami was frantic, she backed away slowly and ran into the hall, into Daisuke's room.
    'BURGLAR!  DARLING, HELP!!' she ran over to him and jumped onto his bed.  She fell right on top of him, jolting him awake.  His eyes were enormous as he saw her there.
    'Misami?!'
    'Darling!' her eyes were filling with fearful tears, 'You have to come quick!  There's a burglar at the table!'
    'What?'
    'A BURGLAR!  HURRY, GO BEAT HIS BUTT BEFORE HE GETS AWAY!'
    Daisuke shot out of bed, 'A burglar?!?!?!'  She nodded and pushed him out into the hall.  Together, both very much afraid, they walked into the kitchen and peeked to the dining room to surely enough see a stranger at the table.  Daisuke almost froze.  'A burglar!' he whispered.  His heart was pounding with fear!
    'Quick, do something!' she nudged.
    Daisuke had to think quickly, what could he do, that guy could be twice his size for all he knew!  He thought of something and went to his fireplace.  He picked up the tiny fireplace shovel (uh proper name??) and returned back to the kitchen, getting a look of approval from Misami.  He held it firmly in his hands like a sword and gathered all of his courage.  Slowly, Daisuke approached the edge of the kitchen, right beside the table with the shovel firm in his hands.  'Hey you,' his voice came out as a squeak (and a very weak one at that).  He cleared his throat and tried to sound as forceful as possible.  'Hey you!' that was a little better, but his voice was rather shaky, along with his knees.
    Koji had his eyes shut, he set down a cup he had gotten from the kitchen for himself to drink.  He had heard Daisuke perfectly.
    Daisuke noticed he didn't do anything brash.  For that, he was relieved, but he still wanted him out of his home.  'Now, you listen to me, buddy,' he tried to recall the police movies he had seen and make himself sound tough.  'Now, I-I don't want any t-t-trouble!  You just g-get out and get up of here, I mean, get up and get out of here'  Don't make me use my,' he looked to the shovel, 'Tommy gun!'
    Koji's mystic eyes opened and he stood up.  Daisuke wished he could have taken back everything he had just said and just left the guy alone.  Now, it was too late for that.  Koji turned and looked onto Daisuke with the same expressionless, cold face.  Daisuke was extremely scared, his hands shook and he almost saw his life flash before his eyes.  He could feel cold sweat streaming down his face.  Koji approached him and was soon standing right in front of the shovel's tip.  It took everything in Daisuke to hold the shovel up stronger towards Koji's face, it was his only form of a weapon, sadly enough.  Koji just stood there watching him, his face blank, his seemingly colorless eyes looking straight into Daisuke's dark brown ones.  Koji was about Daisuke's height, which only made things more intimidating for Daisuke. Daisuke's teeth were chattering, but he held the shovel stronger and somehow managed to say, 'Get out of my house, thief!'
    Then, Koji surprised him with a hint of emotion.  His thin, exotic looking eyes narrowed into a glare much like the one given to Shingo, only this one had no curiosity in it.  It was just a terrible, but beautiful glare.  Koji slowly moved his hand up to the shovel pointed straight to his face and grasped hold of the long steel shaft.  His black glove tightened around it as he spoke in his soothing, deep voice, 'I am not a thief.'  Then, as if the steel were like putty, Koji effortlessly bent the shaft down like a pretzel. Daisuke's eyes widened.  He took his hand from the deformed shovel and Daisuke looked onto it with wonder and amazement.  It was completely bent, that seemed impossible!  He was afraid, this guy was really strong!
    Misami squealed from behind, 'You you you' you just'  SOMEBODY HELP, HE'S GONNA KILL US ALL!!'
    Soon after that, Yoshiko, Shingo, and Tenko came running from their rooms.  'Misami-chan, are you alright?!' Yoshiko asked worriedly.
    They all stopped when they saw the scene with Koji and Daisuke, still looking at the shovel in awe.  Shingo gasped, 'Koji-san!' he ran up to him.  The others were quite confused.  Shingo smiled to him and was very happy to see him, 'When did you get here and why was everyone screaming?'
    'You know this guy?!' Misami exclaimed as she grabbed Shingo by the shoulder and turned him toward her.
    He nodded and couldn't understand why she was so tense.  He turned his head back to Koji, 'Well, I sorta know him, we met yesterday.  I told him he could come over whenever he wanted and so I guess that's what he did.'
    Misami looked back to Koji, she was still as afraid of him as before.  He was just so scary to her, the way he stood with no expression whatsoever, and the way he so effortlessly bent the shovel into a pretzel!  That was enough to make her just a little unsure of him.  Misami backed up a step and her place was replaced by Yoshiko and Tenko who came up to get a better look at this mysterious newcomer.
    'Shingo-chan,' Tenko whispered to her brother, 'why didn't you at least tell me about him?  It's not like you to keep something from me.'
    'I'm sorry, Tenko-chan.  I guess there just wasn't an opportunity to talk about it, that's all.'  Shingo looked back up to Koji.  He had to look up, Koji was much taller than him, 'Well, Koji-san, I'll introduce you to everyone.  This is my twin sister, Tenko.'
    Koji turned his eyes to the young girl, making Tenko nearly petrified.  She managed a small smile and bowed her head courteously, 'Hi, Koji-san.'  He nodded his head slightly, his eyes flashing a gentle kindness that put her to ease.
    'The girl back there with the red hair,' Shingo glanced back.  He whispered, 'who I think is now terrified of you, is Misami-san.  She's from Aven too.'  Koji looked to her, they could all hear her squeal with fear.  Shingo looked beside him to Daisuke.  He was still looking at the shovel, as if in ultimate shock.  He thought that was odd, but then a lot of things Daisuke had done were odd, so it didn't make much difference.  'This is Daisuke-san, he's the really great guy who invited all of us to stay here with him.  He seems a little out of it right now for some reason, must be a morning thing' When Koji looked to Daisuke again, there seemed to be an unexplainable flash in his eyes.  Shingo didn't notice and went on, 'And this is Yoshiko-san' Shingo blushed and couldn't get anymore words out regarding her.
    Koji looked to her, but this time, his eyes and overall aura seemed much softer.  Yoshiko smiled to him and bowed her head and spoke softly, 'Nice to meet you.'
    He lowered his own head in humble respect for her, this was surprising to all.  'It is a pleasure, Ms. Yoshiko.' His purring voice was low and smooth.  It was very flattering, Yoshiko set a hand to her chest and could feel her heart race.  This incredibly beautiful young man was greeting her so formally, as if she were a royal princess.  She smiled again when he brought his head up.
    Shingo stared at the position between the two and didn't know what to make of it.  'Koji-san?' he asked him, 'Um' he couldn't think.  'Would you like to stay for breakfast?'
    Just as Koji was about to answer, Jemena came bounding in and leapt onto Koji's shoulder, 'I could use some breakfast!' she blurted out.  Everyone's eyes burned onto her.  She looked around to all of them and wished she hadn't have spoken.
    Tenko pointed to her, 'You' you can talk!'
    'How amazing!' Yoshiko stepped closer to her.
    Daisuke finally was knocked from his trance and he stared wide-eyed to the gray, spiky little creature on Koji's shoulder.  He pointed to it with a shaky hand, 'Wh-what the heck is that?!?!'
    'That's Jemena.  She's um' well' a talking version of her species' Shingo tried to explain.
    Jemena sighed, she didn't like being the center of attention.  Koji ran his finger along her soft face to comfort her, Jemena's very long tail flipped around.  Daisuke scratched his head confusedly, 'I feel like I'm missing something again'
    Misami came up behind him and pushed him back further into the kitchen, 'We'll tell you after breakfast, ok love?'
    That left only the twins and Yoshiko with Koji and Jemena as Daisuke and Misami went to make breakfast, Misami wouldn't have done that normally, but she was more than willing with Koji there.  He still scared her.
    The twins and Yoshiko sat at the table and looked to Koji, still standing.  'Come and join us, Koji-san!'  Tenko beamed with a smile to him.
    He shook his head weakly, 'I must not intrude.'
    'You won't, it's fine.  We want you to be here.'  Shingo set a tatami mat right beside him.
    'Please, Koji-san.  Won't you join us?'  This time, it was Yoshiko.  Koji thought a moment and then agreed.  He sat quietly next to Shingo, they were happy he decided to stay.  Jemena jumped off of his shoulder and onto the table, sitting in front of him there.
    Daisuke brought in the breakfast, misoshiro and rice.  They passed a bowl around to everyone, setting Koji's down very nervously.  He and Misami took their places warily.  They wondered why they had to invite Koji to eat with them.  'Itadakimasu!'
    Everyone was enjoying the breakfast, except for Koji.  He just stared down into the bowl and did not touch it.  When she thought he wouldn't notice, Jemena sneaked in little nibbles of his rice.  The others noticed he wasn't eating.  Shingo was worried, 'Koji-san, is everything alright?'
    He looked to him, but didn't answer.  'Don't you like this food?' asked Tenko.
    He looked forward again, his face expressionless.  Everyone had stopped eating when he spoke, 'I would like to thank Daisuke-san for it.' After that, he began eating very slowly and very carefully.  They all stared at him in a weird way.  Obviously, that seemed a little bizarre to everyone.
    What is this guy, a robot or something? Misami asked herself as she watched him.
    Yoshiko and Daisuke looked to each other, both had very different expressions on their faces.  Daisuke wasn't even going to ask and just went back to eating.  They all did and didn't say a word for the rest of breakfast.
    When breakfast was over, everyone went into the living room, provoking Koji to go with them.  The twins sat on the couch and invited Koji to sit there with them, which he did.  Yoshiko sat on a white leather recliner while Misami and Daisuke sat on the floor, as far away as possible.  They all had a few questions for Koji and hoped he would grace them with his answers.  Shingo was the first to speak, he spoke softly to Koji only, 'Daisuke-san knows about us.  We know it's against the rules and all, but he really deserved to know.  So, would it be alright with you if we told him about you?'
    Koji looked across the room to Daisuke, sitting stiffly against the wall.  'He is afraid of me,' he said surely.
    Shingo looked at Daisuke and had to agree.  Daisuke did appear to be rather afraid of Koji.  He sighed, 'Daisuke-san, you don't have to be afraid of Koji-san.'
    That was embarrassing.  Daisuke wished he hadn't have said it in those exact words, especially not in front of Yoshiko like that!  He stood up proudly, 'Afraid?  I'm not afraid of him!  He just surprised me when we first met, that's all!'
    'Well maybe you're not afraid of him, but I am!'  Misami cowered at Daisuke's feet as she whispered that.
    'Good.' Shingo turned to Koji again, he nodded and Shingo knew it was alright with him if Daisuke find out about him too.  'Daisuke-san, now I'm going to tell you a little about Koji-san.'
    Tenko was exasperated, 'Shingo-chan!  I think Koji-san can tell him just fine himself!'
    'Oh, heh, you're probably right, Ten' Shingo looked to Koji.  'Would you like to tell us all about yourself?'
    Jemena jumped down to Koji's lap and he moved his hand to scratch her head.  Koji nodded and Daisuke sat down again on the floor, closer this time, Misami sneaked up closer behind him.  Koji looked forward with his beautiful face and began to tell his own story in his lush, incredible voice.  'I first came to Earth from Zanthor when I was seven years old.'
    ' Zanthor?' Daisuke interrupted already.
    He nodded, 'It is the jewel of purity, the planet of ice and crystal in Stilatial.'
    'Oh' so you're one too?!' he couldn't believe that now there was ANOTHER alien he was in the midst of!
    'Daisuke-san!  Please calm down, Koji-san has a lot he wants to say to us.' Yoshiko said to him, he blushed a little.  She looked to Koji again, 'Go on then.'
    He gathered his thoughts and continued, 'I was seven years old when I was accepted and came to Tokyo.  Those first days I shall never forget'

    Koji and Shingo went to Koji's apartment to gather everything together.  There really wasn't all that much, everything in the apartment Koji owned could all be carried by the two.  He told the owner he was leaving, he was more than happy to let him go since he was so behind in his rent anyway.  When they got back to Daisuke's house, it was up to Daisuke to find a place for Koji to abide.
    He sat down on the couch to think, 'All the rooms up stairs are taken'  Dad's room is' well, there's no way he could be in dad's room' hmm'
    'Could I help you?' Yoshiko's sweet voice was heard beside him.  He looked to her with a blushing smile.
    'Oh, I'm just trying to figure out where to stash Koji-kun.'
    'Any luck?'  She sat beside him.
    'Well, I guess he could always have the room in' no, that room gets so cold and its so dark in there, he wouldn't like that, but it's the only room left.'
    'If it's the only room, I guess you have no choice.'  It was the truth, Daisuke felt bad about it, but it was the only room left that Koji could use.
    He stood up and found Koji standing beside the couch.  Daisuke didn't even hear him walk over there!  He tried to look as friendly as possible and casually share the bad news.  'Hey Koji-kun.  Well, I've been thinking and there's really only one place left you could stay.  I'm really sorry to say that it's kind of a crappy room' I mean, it's really cold and drafty down there, and I think there's a lot of spiders and nasty stuff too.  I'm really sorry, but it's seriously the only room left that you can use.' He took a breath, 'I'll understand if you want to go back to your apartment.'
    Koji looked him straight on with his burning gaze and in his deep sultry voice bid, 'Show me the room.'
    Daisuke, a little surprised, agreed to his wishes and lead Koji to an unknown door at the beginning of the hallway.  It creaked as it opened, a sure sign that the door had not been used in months.  When the door opened, Daisuke could feel the cool, drafty moist air on his face and knew for sure that down the warn carpeted steps lie a place he had never enjoyed going to: the basement.  Now, most homes in his neighborhood didn't have basements, his home was unique for that factor, but Daisuke didn't' think anything too highly of it.  In fact, for the longest time he was actually afraid of the basement!  The furnace was down there and it would always seem to come alive as his tiny feet stepped down the creaky steps in years past.  And yet, even though the furnace was there, the basement always seemed to be cold, cold and drafty.  He would often have nightmares about the basement and would run into his father's bedroom if he was actually home.  When he did, his father would shake his head and grumble,  'Be a man, son,' and then go back to sleep.  But most of the time, Daisuke would be alone and terrified in a house all alone with the scary basement right under his feet. He shuddered suddenly as a cold, disturbing chill suddenly seized upon him from those haunting memories.  Maybe, he figured, with someone down there, the basement wouldn't be as scary.
    He turned back to look at Koji, Jemena on his shoulder.  'It's down here.  Follow me.'  Cautiously, he reached for the light switch right beside the door and flipped it on, but there was no light that came.  That light bulb had been dead for years.  Even better, he thought sarcastically.  Daisuke began his descent down the steps that creaked under the weight of his body in pure blackness aside from the light that came from the doorway.  Koji followed directly behind.
    Finally, his feet were standing on the solid ground of the basement.  He peered around at the big open room.  Over to the side there was something odd, a small fire place that was completely black from the darkness all around.  Everywhere he looked, against the walls Daisuke could make out the appearance of boxes and computer parts, he could see wires and gears and tools just laying around and spilling out of boxes opened on the top.  That was his father's doing.  He always worked, even when he was home.  Daisuke trudged through the room a few more steps and stopped as he came to the back of the room.  On the wall, there was a traditional sliding door that had seriously seen some better days.  Daisuke knew that behind the door was the room he was going to subject Koji to.  He took the initiative to slide the door open to reveal the room within.
    It seemed to have everything already.  Sprawled out in the middle of the room was a bed, well, just the mattresses with no sheets or pillows.  All around, the room was cluttered with small tables and boxes, just as the main room was.  These boxes contained even more computer parts and tools that were all dusty from years of neglect. To the side, there was a small closet along with a row of thin windows near the ceiling that lit the room.  Daisuke felt both bad and sorry for Koji to have to actually be in a room like this.  He sighed and shook his head, 'Geez, I didn't realize this room was like this.'
    Right when he got done saying that, Koji surprised him by walking into the room.  He didn't seem to be bothered by its trashy appearance or unkempt environment whatsoever!  Daisuke didn't say a word, he couldn't think of anything worth saying at the moment, other than telling Koji how sorry he was to have to stay in a room like that, but he didn't say that, Koji already knew he was thinking it.  After looking very closely at the room and practically absorbing ever part of it into his brilliant mind, Koji turned back to Daisuke with an agreeable face.  'It is perfect,' he said, surprising Daisuke further.
    'Are you sure?  I mean, I don't want you to have to-'
    Koji shook his head.  'It meets my needs.'
    All Daisuke could do was shrug.  He wouldn't be able to dissuade Koji even if he did have a better room for him.  'Alright.'
    Koji turned back around, his back now to Daisuke again.  The only descent thing left for him to do was to walk in and give him some sort of 'tour' of the room.  He nearly tripped over a box as he stepped beside Koji.  'Well, this is your new room' I guess.'  Daisuke looked around it.  It was not the prettiest sight in the world, but as long as Koji seemed content with it, he figured it would all be just fine.  'As you can see right now, it's in pretty bad shape.  That's because no one's really been down here in ages.  If you want, I can clean it up for you and move these boxes out.'
    Koji shook his head slowly, keeping his eyes forward.  'That will not be necessary.'
    Daisuke looked back to the clutter.  'O'K' Koji was the weirdest guy he'd ever met.  He didn't mind all the crap that was in the room!  Daisuke thought that was pretty strange.  'Well anyway, so, that's the bed and I can get you some sheets and a pillow from upstairs.  And there's a whole lot of little tables and stuff in here because my dad used to buy them form his work because he'd get huge discounts.  We never knew what to do with the tables so we just stashed them down here.  And that's pretty much all this room is.' There wasn't even anything on the walls!  Just a totally blank, plain, messy room.  Daisuke directed his eyes forward after seeing that Koji's were.  He saw another door on the opposite end of the room.  'Oh yeah!  Well, I guess there is one advantage of staying in this room.  You get your own bathroom!'  Instinctively, Daisuke walked forward to the door and Koji followed him, making sure to walk around all the junk on the floor.  Daisuke slid the door with the rugged wood aside to reveal a relatively neat bathroom.
    'Oooo' Jemena gazed at it and really liked what she saw.  It was actually quite neat and clean, compared to the bedroom.  On the right hand wall, there was a small window near the ceiling, just like there was in the bedroom that let some light pour through.  Even while the rest of the basement didn't agree with the home's colour coordinated patters of black and white, this bathroom was decorated just as any other room in the house.  It had the same steel sink and toilet as the other bathroom, they were set pretty close to each other and were about a step away from the door.  Around the sink was a small counter that was made of shiny black marble.  The floor was made up of smooth, shiny white tiles along with the walls.  Over the sink was a mirror that reflected their images as they stood and a small towel rack with no towels was placed on the wall by the sink.  To the far left side was the steel bathtub with a shower nozzle.  Around it was a translucent shower door with silver rims.  All in all, a very nice bathroom.
    Daisuke almost laughed, 'If I didn't know any better, I would be jealous.  This place isn't as bad as I thought it would be.'
    Jemena jumped down form Koji and then leapt up to the counter by the sink.  She was smiling and seemed to be very pleased with the bathroom, 'I really like it here, it's much better than that apartment was.' She said.
    'So, does that mean for sure you're staying?' Daisuke turned to Koji.
    He looked to Daisuke and nodded.  Although it was hard to tell with his expressionless face, Daisuke could feel that Koji was very happy inside.  'Thank you for allowing me to stay.'
    'Oh sure, no problem.  I realize you uh' aliens probably want to stick together, I know I would.  Just call it Earthly hospitality.' He smiled.  Koji looked forward again with no emotion on his perfect face.  Daisuke cleared his throat, 'Ok then, I'll leave you alone to get settled in.  Oh, and I'll get you those sheets and pillow too.  If you need anything I'll be upstairs.' He turned and left the bathroom.
    'Thank you Daisuke-san!' Jemena called after him in a happy voice.  He turned back and smiled and then left them alone in their new bedroom.  Jemena and Koji looked to each other in agreement.  She sat on her haunches, her tail flicking all around, 'Are you sure this is a good idea?'
    'Would you rather be at the apartment living off of another's expense?'
    Jemena twitched her whiskers as her mouth rose on one side.  'I guess not.  I just hope Daisuke-san doesn't mind the extra company.'
    'Jemena,' Koji came to her and set his hand on her face.  She looked up into the bishounen's eyes, 'he will hardly notice we are here.'  She was satisfied with that answer and smiled to him.  Koji took his hand away and stood by the toilet, looking up to the small window.  'Now I need to'
    Jemena cocked her head gently to one side.  Then, she got a bittersweet grin, 'Oh, you shouldn't have drank so much from Daisuke's refrigerator' Jemena giggled.
    He looked back to her, his eyebrows narrow, 'Just go.'
    She continued to giggle as she hopped down and walked out of the bathroom.  Jemena liked to tease Koji when she could, she thought he needed a little more laughter in his life.  In fact, the whole time she had been with him, she could not remember ever hearing him laugh.  He hardly even ever smiled!  She couldn't understand why that was, but she never bothered to ask.
    Jemena made her way over and jumped onto the mattress, it had surprisingly bouncy springs.  She stretched and yawned and then laid down on the mattress, resting her head on its blue silky surface.  She closed her eyes right as Daisuke came in with the sheets and pillow.  He saw Jemena lying there and thought she was sound asleep, so he carefully walked through the crowded room to the mattress and set the folded sheets and pillow there and then quietly walked out again.  As luck would have it, as soon as he left, Koji came out of the bathroom and looked to the mattress.  He saw Jemena there and the new items brought in by Daisuke.  He walked over to the mattress and sat down on it.  Jemena's head raised to see him there.  He gave her a kind look and took the black cotton sheets in his hand.
    'We are in our new home now,' he said, gaining her full attention.  She nodded.  'We will be sure to be pleasant guests for Daisuke-san and obey his every whim.'
    'Ko-chan,' Jemena wrinkled up her nose, 'why do you have to make everything sound so dire serious?'
    'Forgive me.  It is my nature.'  He had the closest thing he could have to a smile on his lips and Jemena giggled again.  They both decided to do a little bit of work on the room.  They started with both putting the sheets on the bed and arranging the pillow just right and then they moved the boxes around to make a clear path to critical areas.  Then, Koji unpacked the few things he had and set them in their new definite place.  When everything was all finished, Koji fell back against the mattresses, now his bed, and looked around at it all.  His new room, though cluttered and small, would be very good as his new home.  It even was a fairly good temperature for him, a very rare find.  Jemena snuggled up beside him and closed her eyes.
    'I'm sure sleepy, Ko-chan.  Why don't we have a nap now?' she asked while yawning.
    He didn't answer and just brought his hand down by her face to caress it.  Before long, Jemena was sound asleep.  Koji never slept much at all.  In a week's time, he would on the average get anywhere between seven to ten hours of sleep, that's just over an hour each day, and sometimes he just wouldn't sleep at all.  It was all instinct, Zanthorian men never had to sleep much to be able to protect their families.  But, Koji closed his eyes anyway, not intending to sleep, however.  He just closed them and thought.  He knew that then he was in his new place and he thought about what his future would be like from then on.
    Meanwhile, back up stairs, Misami cautiously poked her head out of her bedroom and looked up and down the hall.  'Is it safe now?'
    Yoshiko walked up behind her and opened the door fully, 'Misami-chan, what are you so afraid of?'
    'I'm not afraid!' she blurted out.  Yoshiko wasn't buying it.  She sighed, 'It's Koji-kun.  He totally freaked me out this morning!  You should have seen the way he bent that thing, like it was nothing!  I don't know sis, to tell you the truth,' she came up to her ear and whispered, 'I really don't trust him.'
    Yoshiko was almost exasperated at the way she was talking about Koji.  'That's silly.  Koji-kun is a wonderful young man.  I know he wouldn't hurt anyone.'
    'What's with him always being silent then with no expression?!  It's almost like he's secretly plotting something'
    Yoshiko paused and Daisuke spotted the two as he came out of his bedroom.  He walked over to hear their conversation, he could tell it was about Koji.  'That I don't know, maybe he's just very antisocial.  But I know he isn't plotting anything.  We can trust him, Misami-chan, that is one thing I do know.'
    Misami was still rather wary.  She grabbed hold of Daisuke's hand and held it tightly, 'I hope you're right.  I just don't know what I'd do if he ever came up and hurt a poor weak little girl like me.  Then darling would come along and try to save me, but he would be knocked out even quicker than me.'
    Daisuke yanked his hand away, 'What is that supposed to mean?!?' he yelled, his face red.
    She giggled and tapped his nose, 'Absolutely nothing.'
    'Anyhow,' Yoshiko said again, 'just try to get to know Koji-kun better before you judge him.  All we need to do is become his friend.  Then, you'll see that deep inside he's a very good person.'  Daisuke nodded and Misami couldn't stop herself from agreeing also.  Yoshiko was happy she could change her opinion of him and smiled that sweet, gentle smile.  'Great, well how about we go see him right now then?'
    'Uh, actually I think he may still be unpacking or something.  I was just down there a few minutes ago.'
    Misami was relieved, she wasn't ready to see Koji yet!  Yoshiko was discouraged, 'Oh alright then.  We'll have to do it another time.'
    'Ok!  Then why not go to the mall or something now?' Misami seemed way too enthusiastic.
    Yoshiko and Daisuke looked to each other with smiles that cracked on their faces, 'That sounds like fun,' said Yoshiko quietly.
    'The mall?!  Oh, that would be so much fun!  Can I see if Mayuki-chan can come?!'  Tenko and Shingo zoomed up from out of no where.
    Yoshiko giggled, 'Sure, Tenko-chan.  Would you like to invite a friend too, Shingo-chan?'
    He blushed, 'Uh' I guess so'  I'll go see if Koji-san would like to come.'  He ran and disappeared down the stairs into the basement.  About a minute later he came back up, his face full of less excitement.  'I think he's sleeping'
    Daisuke spoke softly, 'I feel kind of bad for leaving Koji-kun behind.'
    'We can bring him back something nice he would like.' Yoshiko smiled, 'Don't worry, Daisuke-san, everything will be alright.'
    Her assurance comforted him fully and he smiled back.  Yoshiko just had this way of making things totally better, that's what he loved most about her.  And maybe I can get you something nice you would like too' he thought to himself as he felt his affection for Yoshiko growing stronger.
    The group headed off to the mall after joining with Mayuki, Satoru and, of course, Hiroshi.  Daisuke had some money with him that his father left behind.  They would have a very fun time at the mall and would all grow a little closer together, well, except for Misami and Hiroshi, especially after Misami 'accidentally' spilled her strawberry smoothie over Hiroshi's head.  That didn't help their already loathsome relationship at all.  But everyone laughed it off and just enjoyed their time together.  They all thought about Koji for just a minute and wondered what life would be like with him from then on.  Would he always be quiet and antisocial or could they possibly get past that and bring out a different side of him?  There was only one thing they knew for sure, Takamoto Koji was their new silent watcher.