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--------------Chapter 5-------------

A knock came from the cherry wood door, then the golden door knob turned and Kuronue poked his head in.

“Yo! Kurama! Is Nozomi feeling any better?”

Kurama glared at him, still holding Nozomi as she tried to dry her eyes roughly. “What is it you want now?” He asked irritably, not wanting to see any of his men at the moment.

Kuronue walked in, followed by Yomi, who closed the door behind them. Both looked around at the mess. As Yomi continued looking around the room, Kuronue knelt down in front of Nozomi and looked up at her with a caring look on his face.

“Nozomi… I’m sorry about what happened. Truly…” He said softly, putting a hand on her left knee, causing her to look up slightly at him.

“Kuronue…” She hiccuped, then flung her arms around his neck and hugged him, crying into his shoulder.

Kuronue, not expecting this, was taken aback by her sudden movement. But, as she cried into his shoulder, he soon wrapped his arms around her hesitantly, noticing the dim fire behind his boss’s eyes. He soothingly rubbed her back, trying to calm her down.

“There, there…” He said quietly as she quieted down little by little, until she was just crying silently while sniffling every now and then. He held her out at arms length. “So, are you feeling better now?”

“Mhm…” She said quietly, wiping her eyes roughly. “Sorry…”

“There’s no need to be.” Kuronue smiled, then stood up, helping her stand as well. “Yomi and I are here to help you and Kurama clean up your room. So, why don’t we get started?”

Nozomi glanced around her room, eyes still red from crying. “I’m going to need the help, so thanks…” She said it quietly, yet loud enough for the whole room to hear her.

“Right! So Yomi, go get the cleaning supplies.” Kuronue ordered, pointing at Yomi as Nozomi began to slowly pick up papers from the muddy ground.

Glaring at him, Yomi turned and exited the room, while Kuronue was walking about. He checked her bathroom, which was completely white except for the light and dark blue accessories. The towels were neatly in place, and the trash can was empty. He then closed the bathroom and went to check her closet, which was near by the door to the bathroom. As he opened it, he let out a gasp.

“What is it, Kuronue?” Nozomi asked, looking up from her picking up of papers.

Kuronue looked back at her. “I’m surprised there’s no pink in here!” He almost shouted, pointing in the closet.

Nozomi sighed. “I hate pink. Why is it that most men believe that all females adore that color? I detest it! It sickens me…” She said quietly, continuing to pick up the papers on the floor.

Kurama looked up at Kuronue, who only shrugged, then entered her closet. It seemed to swallow him in darkness as he went deeper into it. “You have a very big closet, Nozomi!” He called back, not sure if she had heard him. He noticed that there were different types of clothes in there, all sorted by different colors and sizes and designs.

Kuronue soon walked out of the closet, closing the door behind him. “I’m surprised, but it would seem as if they didn’t attack both your bathroom and closet…”

“I’m glad they didn’t… It would take a lot of money to just get them cleaned, and I wouldn’t want to waste the money…” Nozomi said quietly, placing the papers she had already collected on a clean spot on her bed.

She went and began clearing her desk from the few papers and books that remained on it. Kurama had begun picking up the papers that remained on the muddy floor, disgusted at his men’s work. As Nozomi and Kurama finished picking up the papers and books from both the floor and desk, a knock came from the door.

“I’ll get it.” Kuronue volunteer immediately, not even giving the other two a chance. Rushing over to the door, he opened it and looked into Yomi’s glaring black eyes.

“Here are your supplies, Kuronue…” He said quietly, handing over an arm full of cleaning supplies.

“Um...thanks?” Kuronue responded hesitantly, taking a step backwards to help keep his balance, but failing miserably and tripping over his own feet, landing with his back against the floor; the supplies still in his arms.

Nozomi rushed over, a worried look on her face. Kneeling down next to him, she managed to get a few out of his arms, enough to help him sit up again.

“Are you okay, Kuronue?” She asked quietly, still having that worried look on her face.

“Augh... Apart from my head hurting like hell... Yeah... I guess I’m all right.” He smiled at her. “Thanks, Nozomi.”

She nodded in reply, then began picking through the supplies that Yomi had brought. “Hmm... Let’s see... We don’t need this... We need this...” She murmured, sorted through the supplies.

Kuronue and Yomi watched in silence, watching her work. Kurama glanced through the side of his eye, wondering what was happening, exactly. He noticed that the door was still open and saw one of the men trying to hide while cleaning mud off of a wall. He seemed to notice that someone had seen him and disappeared from view.

“Hmph... I see...” He said quietly, having an amused smile on his face and stood up; his eyes closed.

“Huh? What’s up, Kurama?” Kuronue asked, looking back at Kurama.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” He replied quickly, noting that they obviously had no clue he was aware of what they were trying to do. Walking over, he knelt down next to Nozomi and began looking into the pile that they needed. “Do we have all of the supplies we need in order to make this room spotless?”

“No... We’re missing the most important one...” She said quietly, looking down at the last two bottles that were in her hands. She stood up and began heading for the door. “I’ll go get it...”

Yomi grabbed her suddenly and pushed her up against the wall, but not roughly. His face burned red as he held her by her shoulders. She blinked, confused.

“Is...something wrong Yomi?”

“...no...” He said in a quiet voice, his throat closing on him.

She tilted her head slightly, trying to see his face more clearly. “Then why did you-”

“I...wanted to tell you that I was going to go get it... Just...tell me what it looks like, okay?”

She blinked twice, then smiled sweetly. “Thank you. But first do you think you can let me go?”

He let go at once, his face turning an even darker shade of red. Both Kuronue and Kurama had amused facial expressions, but watched on in silence.

“Okay. The thing you’re going to be looking for is a big white bottle. The paper on it says Deido Multi-Purpose Cleaner. You can’t miss it, it’s pretty big. Oh, and don’t forget to bring back a lot of rags too! Thanks again.” She explained, smiling again.

Kuronue and Kurama exchanged a glance as Yomi slowly walked out of the room. Looking back at Nozomi, they noticed that she was walking towards her closet.

“And where are you going?” Kuronue asked as Kurama helped him to his feet.

She paused and looked back at him. “I’m going to change clothes, if you don’t mind. I don’t want my already ruined uniform to become completely wasted. And don’t you dare think about coming in here. Besides, even if you did, you wouldn’t be able to find me. See you in a few!” And she slammed the closet’s double doors shut.

“Do you think she knows that Yomi likes her?” Kuronue asked, glancing at Kurama with an amused look on his face.

“Most likely, but I’d rather not assume. Now, assist me in picking up the rest of the scattered papers and books.” Kurama replied, closing his eyes briefly before heading towards a far corner to pick up a book.

It was bound in black leather, and looked as smooth as water before it is broke with a splash. Around the corners were golden threads forming vines in swirling forms. Kurama could feel his natural curiosity building up inside of him as he noticed that there was no title on the cover. There was a silver ribbon keeping the small black and gold book closed, and he believed that if he were to open it, it would not be the same if and when he would try and bind it again.

Placing the small book in the left pocket of his pants, he returned to picking up the remaining few pieces of paper. The closet doors soon opened again and Nozomi came back out, wearing a baggy red short sleeved shirt and black pants.

Kuronue couldn’t help but stare at her. “Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”

She glared at him. “What the hell do you expect me to wear? This is my home! I choose whether I want to wear something comfortable or not!”

“Yea, I know but...”

“’But’ nothing. Now, let’s just wait for Yomi to come back so that we can do some serious cleaning.” She cut him off, crossing her arms across her chest while looking away with her eyes closed.

“You seem to be in brighter spirits.” Kurama said amusedly, watching her with his emerald green eyes.

She looked at him, then looked back up at the ceiling. “I tend to be that way... Just don’t try and annoy me. I cried, which means that... Do you remember how I was the first day we met? Well, when I found Youko and the others in my house? How cold I was?”

“Uh...yeah... What about it?” Kuronue asked, obviously not getting it.

“I become like that. It’s just that, right now, I’m around people that care for me, at least I hope so. And I don’t want to be mad at people that are trying to help me.”

“I see...” Kurama said quietly, giving a small smile. “Then we should consider ourselves honored to be on your good side, am I right?”

“Yep. That’s about it.” Nozomi replied, smiling brightly.

There came a knock on the door and Yomi re-entered, a stack of rags in one hand and the big white bottle in the other.

“Is this the right bottle?” He asked quietly when she came over to look at the bottle.

“Yeah, it’s the right one. Thanks again, Yomi.”

“You’re...welcome.” He replied, noticing what she was wearing and giving an awkward facial expression.

“What? Oh, don’t tell me that you don’t like this either?” She asked, obviously slightly irritated.

“Uh... N-no! Of c-course not!” He stuttered, his face going slightly red again. “I just thought that i-it looked....” He trailed off, obviously at a loss for words.

She shrugged, ignoring him. Taking some of the cleaning supplies, she handed them to Kuronue. “You go and start cleaning the floor, starting over there.” She ordered, pointing into the far left corner.

His icy blue eyes flashed dangerously. “I don’t take orders from anyone other than Kurama.”

She glared at him. “If you don’t take orders, then why did you even bother to help me clean my room?”

“Just do it, Kuronue.” Kurama assured him, not wanting to have to deal with more conflict. “I am giving her temporary leadership in this situation.”

Nozomi didn’t respond to Kurama’s kindness, but instead continued to glare at Kuronue until he snorted and went to work. She then turned to Yomi. “Get all of the sheets and pillows from my bed and take them to get cleaned. There’s a washing machine and dryer in the basement.”

“Um...Nozomi?” He asked hesitantly, not wanting to get on her bad side.

“What?” She snapped, her blue eyes flashing dangerously.

“Uh, well...” He grew nervous, not knowing how to say this.

Thankfully, Kurama stepped in once again. “He isn’t used to human appliances. If you like, I could go.” He offered, nodding at Yomi’s thankful look.

“Fine... Just be careful.” She replied, the coldness slipping away from her voice. She turned back to Yomi. “You can go and help Kuronue with cleaning the floor.” With that said she got a few rags and one of the cleaning bottles and headed for her desk.

Kurama had gathered her bed sheets and was already heading down the stairs. Yomi closed the door behind him, briefly forgetting his and Kuronue’s plan. He remembered too late, but knew that there was nothing he could do now except what Nozomi told him to do. He blushed at the thought, but quickly went to work as she shot him an irritated glance.

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