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Chapter Eight: Cuddling:

-Tsuzuki-

I: Slow Night

I love nights like this. Anna-chan and I resting peacefully after we make love. The rainstorm patters on the roof above us, and she rests her head to my chest. I don't have to read her mind to even know what's she's thinking. Where's the fun in that? She's looking at me right now with those bright hazel-green eyes of hers. The look that tells me she's recharging her batteries, saving her energy for the next go-round.

"What's on your mind right now?" she asks.

I smile and gently pat her on the head. "Not much," I reply.

She frowns.

"What?" I ask.

Anna-chan shakes her head. "Nothing."

"Look, can't I lie here and not think about anything?" I complain.

She giggles sweetly at the seriousness in my voice.

"What?" I ask.

She begins to laugh harder at my whining as I lower my head and sigh. I walked into that one, didn't I?

II: Chatter

I lift my head. "And what were you thinking?"

She stops laughing and smiles. "Me? Not much."

"Not much?"

"That's what I said." I nudge her under the sheets.

She looks me in the eye. "What?"

I shake my head, smiling. "Nothing, just…"

Anna-chan raises an eyebrow at me. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Liar."

"Why? How is it okay for you to think of anything, but not for me?"

"Just is."

I pout at her. "Well, that's not fair."

She gives me a sympathetic look. "Sorry, that's how it is." She pouts in sympathy when my face expression doesn't change.

"Awww… Don't fret. Come, move closer" she says. Anna-chan gives me a little kiss. "Better?" she whispers at my lips.

"For now," I say softly.

III: Eden:

"So what are you doing tomorrow, dear?"

"Not much," she says.

I notice her frowning as she speaks. "You don't sound happy about that."

"I'm bored during the day. I'm tired of look up things on my laptop."

"You know, I envy you."

"Why?"

I pat her on the head, smiling. "You get to stay home and I fill out paperwork and take souls away from their loved ones."

"Still, I'm bored." She grasps my hand. "Can't you help?"

I struggle to find the words.

"Please?" she pleads.

I give her an awkward smile. "I'll see what I can do," I tell her.

Anna-chan rests her head on my chest and murmurs "Thanks,"

IV: Sap

"Did I tell you how much I love you?"

She looks up at me. "No, how much?"

I hold her to my body. "I would be lost without you."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

She kisses me softly, and looks tenderly into my eyes "I feel the same way."

"Say it."

Anna-chan lifts her head. "What?"

"Say how much you love me."

My eyes shift around with a blank stare. "You mean, now?! /Right now/?"

"Yes!"

"I would be lost without you too." I kiss her on the head.

"Look at us," she smiles and sighs. "Just a pair of saps. Big ol' mushy saps!"

I can't help but smile with her. Maybe we are...

V: Heart Rush

I can't remember the last time it felt so good. I feel so… happy. I still get depressed, but lately those times are few and far between. Anna-chan puts me at ease in ways I can't understand. My friends keep me together at work, but I've come to rely on her at home.

Ever since Anna-chan moved in, things have gotten better for me. Even so, a chill runs through my body. How long will this happiness last? I don't want to think about how badly this could end. The possibilities frighten me.

I'm lucky to have Anna-chan and everyone else around me. Even seeing Terazuma's ugly face puts me at ease. However, it could all vanish tomorrow without warning. I screw my eyes shut in panic.

"Is something wrong?"

I look down. Anna-chan's hazel-green eyes stab me in the chest. Please don't look at me like that. You only make it worse.

"Nothing," I lie. "I will be just fine."

Her eyes tell me she doesn't believe me. Anna-chan's not an empath, but still sees into my heart. I decide to try and distract her.

VI: Good Night

I chuckle, if only to reassure myself. "Oh well, you caught me; but I'll be fine. I promise."

"You sure?" my loving wife asks as I hold her in my arms.

"Yep," I answer. "In fact, are you doing anything tomorrow night?"

"No. I thought we had already decided."

I choke back a laugh as I rub her shoulder. "I just want to confirm our plans for tomorrow night,"

She narrows her eyes as I answer. "A date?"

"Of a sort. I figure you might appreciate a little change in routine."

"Ah."

"It doesn't have to be much. Maybe dinner, catch a movie, or go to the park."

She rests her head on my chest. "Mmm."

"Maybe stay in for the night and have dinner."

"Actually, that sounds nice."

"Good night, Asato-kun," she coos in a low smoky voice. I pull the sheet over her dainty shoulder.

"Good night my beloved," I whisper back.