North Gates

*He steps towards Sakurai*
I wanted to see something.
*He begins to massage one of Sakurai's fox ears softly*
Do you have any feeling in them?

*blinks and glares up at Daryan, looking to the side immediately as her ears flicker twice*

They... do.

*clenches her fists and stands still, enjoying the massage greatly and glaring at the ground*

*He nods*
I see.
*He smirks slightly and speaks quietly*
When you want me to stop. Just. Say. Stop.
*He begins massaging the other fox ear softly*

*she closes her eyes in frustration and growls in an almost purring manner, enjoying the massage more and more*

*He chuckles a bit*
I see you are enjoying this.
*He smirks once again and continues massaging*

*she raises her hand and grabs Daryan's wrist loosely, glaring at him*

S-Stop.

*He nods, taking his hand back*
Got it.
*He smiles a bit*

*exhales and closes her eyes, clicking her tongue as her ears flicker, catching some sound in the distance*

*He blinks, watching Sakurai's ears flicker*
Hmm...

*she opens her eyes and catches Daryan watching her ears, placing hands over them and covering them up*

What is it?

*He shakes his head*
Your ears were twitching... Is something wrong?

No, I thought I caught a scream. But it was a cicada.

*wrinkles nose slightly and lowers her hands from her ears as they return to their normal position*

*He stares up at the sky*
I think we should continue our conversation inside.

*she sniffs the air and looks back to Daryan*

Why... is that?

*He brings his head back down*
It looks like a storm is coming.

*wrinkles nose and takes a step back, nodding once*

Alright. May we go to the Auditorium?

*He nods*
Of course.
*He walks into the auditorium*

Shizuka walked up alongside Iori, a black clock like jacket with a fur lining placed over Shizuka's shoulders. Keeping her bag at her side, she stepped out through the gates and turned around to wait for Iori, her face sullen and sad, as well as anxious.

*Iori walked through the gates as well and up to Shizuka, taking the bag from her hand gently and giving a small smile in her direction*
Let me hold this for you.
*His free hand went to pat the top of her head*

"Thank you, Iori." She moved her gaze up to meet Iori's, her heartmelting smile playng on her lips, an anxious gleam in sapphire blue eyes. She reached a trembling hand out to hold Iori's hand that had been rested on her head, her breathing shallow.

*Iori let his hand be taken and took Shizuka's smile in. He loved the feeling it gave him*
Are you sure about this Shizuka?
There's nothing you would like to do first?

Intertwining her fingers in his, she nodded once. The simple presense of Iori gave her enough strength to push past the negatives and look out to the positives. "I'm sure." She raised Iori and her hand to her mouth, kissing his fingertips lightly and lovingly.

*Iori fed his courage off of hers. He was ready to do anything Shizuka was ready to do, and with that confirmation, Iori looked down the long road and sighed*
Then...we should get going...
It's good i didnt make many friends here. It only makes doing this much easier.

But...there was still...Moriko and...Suzumi...
*He shunted the thoughts to the back of his head and took his first step*

Shizuka's heart began aching at the thought of leaving. She was leaving Sakurai, Kukai, Daryan, Alexandre, Kasumi, everyone whom she considered her friend was behind her now. Her feet began walking at a regular pace, turning her head to take one last look at the academy. Flinching, she turned her head back and continued walking, tightening her grip on Iori's hand and shutting her eyes in what appeared to be pain. "Just... keep walking..." In an instant, Alphard leaped from a bush to the side of Iori and lightly took a hold of Shizuka's bag for him, his wings now pulled close to his body and his fur an inky black, like that of a black panther.

*Iori looked to his side and smiled at Alphard, giving him a gentle nod*
So, you'll be joining us as well?
Atleast we wont be alone...
*He continued to walk, switching his gaze back to Shizuka*
Sakurai...