. . .

The whole time she was waiting for a response, she was scanning her enviroment carefully, without moving her head, just her eyes. She honestly felt sick to her stomach, for having yelled so loudly even before. Lilium wondered if she had woken anyone, and this made her feel nervous. Not only because any attention might be directed to her, but she hated being a burden to others. More and more, she thought about it, and only reminded herself how late it was, and how worried her mother would be if she didn't return soon. She had put off the time for far too long now, but she had followed Akimaru for a reason, she just didn't know what yet.

Her breath began to appear visable in front of her very eyes, as the temperature was beginning to drop. It wasn't freezing, just a little chilly. Lilium didn't like extreme temperatures, especially hot weather. So the sudden coolness about them made her feel a little better, and slowly calmed her nerves. All the while she was thinking, she managed to pay some attention to Akimaru as well. Being as tired as she was from the long day, and the running, she nearly missed what he was saying. But when she realized he was apologizing, and trying to convince her it wasn't her fault, her attention was dead on. Out of all the people she had met in the village, she couldn't think of one that would take responsibility over something so petty. She wondered if he had noticed her slightly nervousness, or if he just didn't want her to feel bad. Normally she would protest such words that escaped his mouth, but she couldn't find her voice to speak up.

When if she would like to step inside his house, she stared blankly at him a moment. A perfect stranger she had met only today, and he was offering her shelter from the cold. This day had been odd, indeed. So much had happened, all in one encounter with this boy, Akimaru. And in such little time, he had managed to change her world a little. He was able to convince her that not all people were completely selfish, that the simplest of actions could change another's outlook on life, and so much more. When she stopped thinking to realize she had stood like a statue while he waited for her answer, she began to chew her lip again. "Mm... Thank you..." she said slowly, "But... No, thank you." She let out a long sigh, then smiled again. "I've stayed out far past my curfew, I'd hate to worry my mother anymore than I probably already have." Lilium just smiled at him for awhile, then turned around gracefully. She began to walk, then turned around. "Oh, yeah." she beamed at him, "I didn't get the chance to tell you, when you ran off earlier... Goodnight." Her eyes seemingly closed with glee, as she spun around again, and began in the direction of her house this time...

. . .