Subject: [KOR][FanFic][Lemon] A Kiss?
From: Brian <[email-masked]>

A Kimagure Orange Road story.

Maybe a hint of lemon?

A Kiss?
-----------
She-Hulk ([email-masked])

    Madoka watched Hikaru drag Kyosuke away and tried not to be angry
with her friend. It really wasn't her fault. She removed the empty
glasses and wiped the counter dry. If only Hikaru didn't push Kyosuke
into things. Madoka sighed and wondered if she was really pushing him or
if he went willingly.

    Sometimes she thought that they were growing closer and other times
he seemed to be like a complete stranger to her. She felt like the three
of them were standing on top of a cliff, but there was only room enough
for two and if something shifted one of them would fall. Madoka
automatically began to sweep the spotless floor behind the counter.

    Akane sat in the corner of the ABCB and sipped her drink slowly. She

watched Madoka work and sighed at her graceful movements. She was so
pretty! Akane felt herself blush and cast a quick look around. There was
no one else there and she suddenly felt silly. <I shouldn't listen to
the girls at school. I don't need a boyfriend!> Madoka began to refill
the napkin holders on each of the tables and Akane grew nervous as she
came closer. <It shouldn't matter who you love as long as you love them
with all of your heart!>

    The phone rang and Madoka answered it. "ABCB. Yes. I see. All right.

No, it's fine. Good-bye." She hung up and stared into space for a few
minutes. Akane frowned at her sad expression and was on her feet without
realizing it. Madoka started at the sudden movement and she turned to
Akane.

    Akane found herself staring into Madoka's beautiful eyes and spoke
haltingly. "Uh...I...That is.." She drew a breath and let it out.
"What's wrong?"

    Madoka shook her head. "My father was coming home tonight before
going on to France, but he's been asked to participate in a charity
concert. He isn't coming." She was used to the sudden schedule changes,
but she really didn't want to be alone tonight. Images of Kyosuke and
Hikaru flashed through her mind and she grew melancholy.

    "Would you like to go to the movies with me?" Akane spoke
hesitantly. Since that day she'd tried to push Kyosuke at Hikaru she had
backed off a little. Kyosuke had insisted. But that didn't mean she'd
given up!

    Madoka started to shake her head and Akane's face fell. Madoka
paused and reconsidered. <Why not? It would be better than sitting home
alone.> She smiled at Akane and agreed.

    The movie was a romance and Akane blushed through the whole thing.
She couldn't help it. Every time one of the actors confessed their love,
she felt an incredible urge to do the same. She would then argue with
herself and finally manage to hold her tongue only for it to happen
again. Then the urge would return. Akane kept glancing at Madoka from
the corner of her eye and looking back at the screen quickly whenever
she turned. She could smell Madoka's perfume and the sweet scent was
going to her head.

    She heard her sigh softly and Akane could stand no more. She jumped
to her feet and turned to Madoka. "Madoka, I think you should know that
I-" The house lights came up and she froze as people began to leave the
theater. She turned beet red and stammered, "t-that the movie is over."

    Madoka looked at her oddly and replied, "I know. Are you all right?"

    Akane nodded and stepped out into the isle quickly. She stopped when

she saw who was sitting several rows behind them. Madoka followed her
startled gaze and froze.

    Hikaru was in Kyosuke's arms. They were kissing.

    Akane watched a wall of control slam over Madoka's face and she
moved back to let her pass. Madoka sailed out of the theater and did not
look back. Akane was right behind her.

    <I can't believe it! I thought he-! Well obviously I thought wrong!>

Madoka silently berated herself as she walked home. Akane walked beside
her, feeling the waves of energy roll off of Madoka.

    Madoka opened the door to her home and stopped. The house was dark
and empty. She was suddenly hit by a wave of dread and she shivered. She
didn't want to go in.

    Akane saw her reaction and touched her lightly on the shoulder.
Madoka jumped and looked at her over her shoulder. "May I come in?"

    Relief washed over her as she realized that she didn't have to face
the emptiness alone. Madoka smiled and stepped inside, motioning Akane
to join her.

    The TV was on, but the sound was low as the two girls sat talking.
It had taken some coaxing, but Madoka was beginning to listen to Akane.

    "You know Hikaru. She probably kissed him! Don't believe everything
you see." Akane shook her head slightly as she listened to herself. <I
can't believe I'm making excuses for him! I want her to dump him,
right?> Yes, but she didn't want it to happen like this. With Madoka in
pain.

    Madoka wiped her eyes and smiled a little. "You're probably right. I

guess it just caught me off guard." She held her calm expression for a
moment longer, then it crumpled as the tears started again. Akane was
startled when Madoka hugged her and began to cry.

    Everything she'd ever wanted was in her arms and she held Madoka
gently while she sobbed. "Shh. Let it out." Akane's own eyes began to
tear as she rubbed her back. Madoka was so warm.

    Eventually Madoka quieted and she pulled away from Akane. She wiped
her eyes and tried to apologize. Akane stopped her. "No, don't apologize
for needing a friend. I'm just glad that I was here."

    Madoka smiled and Akane felt her heart lurch. "Thank you, friend."
The clock on the wall caught her eye and she gasped. "It's so late!"

    Akane stood reluctantly. "Yeah, I'd better get home." She stopped as

Madoka caught her hand.

    "No. It's too late to be out by yourself. Stay the night." Akane
hesitated and Madoka grinned. "Good! It's settled. I'll get the guest
room ready and then you can turn in." She was out of the room before
Akane could protest.

    Akane pulled the covers tighter around her and tried to sleep. She
thought of Madoka, lying a few yards away and knew she was wasting her
time. A tree branch brushed against the window and she jumped. Akane got
out of bed, tugging at the hem of the T-shirt Madoka had given her to
wear.

    She slipped into the kitchen and drank a glass of water at the sink.

Akane rinsed the glass and set in in the drain, wincing as it made a
small sound. She headed back to her bedroom and hoped she hadn't
disturbed Madoka.
    As she passed Madoka's door, she heard a muffled sound. Akane
stopped and listened. There. It was a low moan. The distress of the
sound had Akane quietly pushing the door open.

    Madoka tossed restlessly and a gasp escaped her as she ran from her
dreams. She was sweating and her face was a study in fear. Akane moved
to the edge of the bed and wondered if she should wake her.

    She whimpered and her voice was faint. "No....please..."

    Akane scowled and sat down on the bed. <I shouldn't do this, but
maybe I can turn the dream into something more pleasant.> She focused
her mind and felt her astral self leave her body. She slipped into
Madoka's mind.

    It was dark and Akane couldn't see anything at first. The cold fog
caused her to shiver. She imagined a torch and one appeared in her hand.
The warmth seemed to push the cold fog away and she could see the barren
terrain around her.

    A desolate landscape, with jagged rocks and dark, forbidding
mountains looming in the distance. She was standing on a small hill and
Akane spotted a flash of movement below her. She began to make her way
slowly over the treacherous surface, slipping as she struggled to stay
upright on the icy rocks.

    Akane reached the bottom of the hill and stared at what she saw.
Madoka was in the middle of a large black pool and she was fighting to
stay afloat. Akane saw her reach out toward the shore and turned to see
Kyosuke and Hikaru standing there. They didn't notice Madoka as they
joined hands and disappeared together.

    Madoka cried out after them. "No! Wait! Don't leave me! Please!
Don't leave me alone!" She slipped beneath the surface and came back up,
coughing. Akane called to her, but she had gone under again.

    Akane tossed the torch aside and dove in, gasping as the frigid
waters chilled her to the bone. She swam towards the center and dove.
She couldn't see anything and felt for Madoka with numb hands. Her lungs
ached unbearably and she was just about to surface for air when she felt
something brush against her leg. Akane reached down, caught Madoka and
began to race to the surface. They exploded into the arctic air and
Akane drew deep breaths of it's cold sting. She towed Madoka to the
shore and pulled her out of the water. Madoka wasn't breathing and Akane
rolled her onto her back and began to rub her back in hard steady
strokes. She heard Madoka cough and the sound of water washing over the
rocks as she emptied her lungs.

    Madoka felt the cold hands holding her and cried out. Akane spoke
quickly, turning her to face her. "It's all right, Madoka. It's me,
Akane. You're all right now."  Madoka stopped struggling and slumped
against her. Akane pictured a place in her mind and willed them there.

    The sudden change in temperature and lighting caused Madoka to jump
in shock. She looked around her and couldn't believe what she was
seeing. Soft green grass spread out under them and across the low
rolling hills in a rich carpet. Huge trees dotted the landscape and
Madoka could see brilliantly colored birds soaring high above them. She
gasped as a unicorn galloped past and looked at Akane. "Where is this
place?"

    Akane stood and offered Madoka her hand. She pulled her to her feet
and Madoka realized that she was dry. They began to walk. "You're in one
of my dreams." Actually it was one of the astral planes, but that was
just a technicality. "I come here whenever I feel alone or afraid. You
can come here now, too."

    Madoka felt the warm rays of the sun and stared at the lake that
appeared before them. "How is this possible?" She stopped, unwilling to
venture closer to the water.

     Akane sensed her fear and pointed to a couple sitting on the beach
that Madoka hadn't noticed before. "They're the lake guardians. They
protect the water and anyone swims there. It's safe, Madoka."

    Madoka sat on the bank and let her feet slip onto the warm blue
water. The guardians were a mermaid and a merman. She listened to them
talk with Akane and realized that they were old friends. They departed
and Akane turned to her. "You see? There is nothing to fear in this
world."

    Madoka watched the water and spoke slowly. "I don't understand this,

but I'm glad you saved me."

    Akane thought of the dream Kyosuke and Hikaru. "That won't happen,
you know. He loves you, not Hikaru. He just doesn't want to hurt her."
Her voice was flat, resigned.

    Madoka frowned and saw her truly for the first time. Akane looked at

her and couldn't hide the fact that she loved her.

    Madoka inhaled sharply and Akane turned away. "I'm sorry. It's hard
to hide things here. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." She
started to rise, but Madoka touched her arm.

    "Don't go." Akane couldn't deny her. "I didn't know."

    "And you won't know when you wake up. This is playing out in your
subconscious."

    "But-"

    Akane waved a hand at their surroundings. "This place is one of
healing. A place to face all of the things that we try and hide from
ourselves. You see the water and fear it, but it's not the water that
frightens you. It's the step that you've yet to take, Madoka. The step
you're afraid to take." She laughed at the irony. "The step towards
Kyosuke."

    Madoka was silent for a time, then she asked a question. "You'll
remember, won't you?"

    "Yes."

    "How?"

    Akane sighed and decided the truth wouldn't hurt. "Psychic powers
run in my family. A few of us can project ourselves onto the astral
planes."

    Madoka frowned. "Kyosuke?"

    Akane shrugged. "He's family."

    The sun began to descend and Akane rose. "It's time to go."

    Madoka didn't want to leave. "Can't we stay a little longer?"

    "I'm afraid not. You're starting to wake up, that's why the sun is
setting."

    Madoka herself being pulled away and stepped close to Akane. "Akane,

I...."

    Akane saw Madoka lean towards her and froze as her lips touched
hers. She felt Madoka's arm wrap around her and Akane let herself have
this one moment in time. She returned the kiss and felt Madoka slip
away.

    The alarm was ringing insistently. Madoka groaned as she rolled over

and slapped the top of the annoying box. Silence descended once again
and she lay back against the pillows. <What an odd dream!> Madoka stared
at the ceiling and tried to remember the rest of it. She had been in the
water again, but this time.... She shook her head as the memory refused
to surface. All she knew was that she had been safe after that and she
had been warm again.

    There was a knock on her door and Akane poked her head in. "Good
morning! I'm making breakfast if you'd like to...?" Madoka was staring
at her blankly and Akane halted. Uh oh.

    Madoka blinked and laughed slightly. "Umm, yeah. I'll be there in a
minute."

    Akane filled Madoka's cup and returned the pot to it's place. She
sat back down and tried to see if Madoka had remembered. "Pleasant
dreams?"

    Madoka jerked and sloshed coffee over her hand. Akane was beside her

instantly and guided her to the sink. The cold water splashed over the
burn and Madoka felt the flicker of memory again. Try as she might, she
couldn't see the rest of the dream. But certain things seemed familiar.
The way the sunlight was streaking across the table. The smell of grass
from the open window. Akane continued to fuss over the burn and Madoka
realized that she was familiar too. She smelled Akane's perfume.

    "I don't think it's bad." Akane watched Madoka carefully and was
relieved when the puzzled look left her face.

    The door bell rang and Madoka went to answer it. It was Kyosuke. She

stepped back and let him enter, but didn't speak.

    "Hi. Uh, listen, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the pool
with me today?" He was suddenly nervous. Madoka seemed upset. "Is
anything wrong?"

    An image of a large clear lake flashed through her mind and Madoka
laughed suddenly. "No. Nothing's wrong. I'd love to." She turned to see
Akane standing behind her.

    "That's great! I've got to be going, Madoka. Thanks again for
breakfast. See you, Kyosuke!" And Akane was gone.

    Two months later Akane received a package in the mail. She looked
for a return address and found none. Akane felt a shiver of something
inexplicable and tore the paper away quickly. She opened the box and
gasped. Inside was a tiny white unicorn.

shimai