Ikuto blinked once and then erupted in little giggles and chuckles, slamming his palm to his forehead and wondering, What's wrong with me? Sighing, he said, "You're welcome," and laughed. Then, he took some of the chicken and pasta and munched on it, savoring the taste of his creamy alfredo sauce. It tasted better than usual, probably due to his newfound friend. Ikuto's grin was evident even as he ate.

looking horribly confused the neko kept eating, not bothered by it, slurping up his noodle. He was a fast eater and not too messy. Years on the streets had tought him not to wast a crumb and to hurry before someone else got it away from you. once he was done he stood and took his plate to the sink washing it off and humming a tune stuck in his head. It was a tune that someone used to play on the radio every day by one of his dens. He'd never been fond of it but it was catchy. "when are we going to work?" he asked

Finishing his plate, Ikuto stood up and took his plate to the sink, standing behind Hikari. "Hm. I suppose we can go later this evening. I have a new type of muffin I want to try and make anyway." He shrugged, then reached his arms around Hikari and took the plate from his hands. The raven took the neko's place and finished washing both plates. "What, you really like working at bakery?" he teased, sticking his tongue out at Hikari.

He was surprised when Ikuto took his plate but he simply leaned on the counter to stay out of the way. "hey, its nice.....people are different there." he said a bit defensively but still smiling. He'd never been around so many pleasent people. He felt more alive when he worked to serve Ikuto's creation to the many smiling faces. Some of the adults didnt take so kindly to his pressence but it wasnt as if they made a deal about it. Unlike how it was in his old neighborhood.

he hadnt tried to go back there, he also didnt intend to. Sine that night it was clear he wasnt welcome. Somehow looking upon humans a burning built up with in him. Humans......He'd tried o fight the fear and bitterness back but Ikuto, his freind, was the only one of their kind to have ever shown him genuine compassion.

Ikuto exhaled sharply and cringed slightly when he felt the atmosphere change. Perhaps... he thought. Perhaps he's remembering how those other humans treated him badly. He sighed once more before putting the plates on the drying rack and turning to face the neko. "Hikari. Not every human is as horrible as those who hurt you. The fact is that humans are a cowardly species. We treat unknown things with high caution. We think that we're better than everyone else just because we're highly evolved. But in reality, humans are the lowest of the low -- a bunch of scared animals." Ikuto laid his hand on the other's shoulder and smiled slightly. "But if there's one thing I know, it's that you're a better person than every single human in Japan put together. And I'm happy to know you and be friends with you." The raven grinned brightly, the atmosphere clearly lightening up.

Smiling broadly Hikari gave a small giggle. "your no simple human, your my freind.....That much will never change." He considered red eyes perhaps even family. Theyd been through so much together in a short few days. Even seeing him made the neko fill with glee. that rare but wonderful smile, the red eyes, the dark hair. Hikari addored and loved every moment of Ikuto's pressence. More than he thought he'd ever enjoy being with anyone in his life.

Hikari was eager to go out, he had hardly ever spent so much time in on place, even in winter hed roamed from place to place in the city streets, on roofs and in allys but always preffering the backery dumpster for a quick break and a snack.

Ikuto chuckled and poked Hikari's forehead. "You can be sure that it'll never change." Then, he crossed his arms and pondered whether or not they should just go to the bakery now. Sighing in defeat, he added, "Let's go to the bakery now, I guess. Time to make a new creation." Grinning, he walked to the closet and pulled out their uniforms, flinging one at the neko. "And we're off, hn?"

By the time they made it to the bakery, there were many people going in and out, and he could see that the Boss and his wife were inside trying to sort things out on their own. With an amused sigh, Ikuto led Hikari inside and told him to start seeing if the customers wanted anything. If they wanted something that was already baked and on the shelves, he told him to just go ahead and feel free to give it to them.
Wasting no time, Ikuto greeted his Boss and rushed into the kitchen, quickly getting together all of the ingredients needed to make his new creation -- brown sugar and cinnamon muffins. In no time at all, the muffins were trapped in the over, rising because of the heat.
Sighing, Ikuto peered out to the floor to see how Hikari was fairing. Hopefully, no one in this neighborhood would try to bully him.

Puttin his coat on a hook and picking up his apron from a shelf The neko got right to recording orders, serving customers and placing requests for new goods. All in all many responded as warmly to him as he did them but there seemed a glint behind his eye that told of other and undecided feelings. Hikari was swift and efficient at his work but remembered that Ikuto had yet to realy clear it with his boss as far as the boy knew. He did hope to be allowed to remian one of the staff this being his first job and all.

the snow outside drifted along in the streets as a grey sky loomed ahead driving many people into the warmth of the little bakery. This flood of people didnt seem to bother him but a sharp side glance from a person now and again pressed the normaly happy creature's nerves.

Smiling, Ikuto was pleased that Hikari had taken a liking to his job, but he noticed the tension that was forming within the neko and sighed. However, it was at that moment that the boss came up to Ikuto and pat him on the back. The old man was congratulating the raven on finally making a good friend and getting a new co-worker, so Ikuto took that as a "Your friend is hired!" kind of thing.
When the timer in the kitchen went off, the raven rushed to the kitchen and pulled out the four large trays of muffins he'd made. They smelled distinctly of cinnamon with a hint of brown sugar laced in. Looking closely, he could tell that there would be enough for every customer to try them, give him feedback, and still have plenty to sell until tomorrow. So, he took them out to the front and announced that everyone would be able to taste his new creation. Then, he peered at Hikari, and in an effort to get rid of his tension, held out a muffin for him. "Bon apetit, ne?"

Hikari looked to the back as everyone else, though he was close to the kitchen doors. The scent was tempting and glorious to his senses. he had no stronger weakness than the sweet treat Ikuto always managed t provide. Smiling at his he accepted munching it down quickly out of sight and passing out samplers when he was done.

Not a very shy neko to begin with he greated red eye's boss enthusiasticaly saying "i dont beleive ive had the pleasure, Im Hikari" his big smile and brilliant blue eyes laying the charm on any heart.

Ikuto saw the Boss smile at Hikari when he introduced himself, and the raven couldn't help but grin as his boss took the neko and introduced him to his wife and daughter. It was a great sight to see them accept Hikari.
Quietly, as to not drag attention to himself, Ikuto snuck back into the kitchen and started making more of the cinnamon muffins -- customer feedback (ascertained by how many people went "Mmmm" when they ate them) told him it'd be a big hit.
Sighing, Ikuto leaned against the counter and stared up at the ceiling after putting the treats in to bake.

excusing himself and looking to for Ikuto Hikari made it a point to pop up in front of him ith the most enthusiasti grin "this is great eh?" he said still grinning. "theyre a hit like everything else you make." he complimented nudging his freind. "well i should get going before thy all get in a frenzy without my services." Hikari teased at the masses of hungry people that warmed themselvs in the shop.

"Pfffff..." Ikuto stifled a laugh. "Yes, yes, the people are waiting for you." Playfully, Ikuto ruffled Hikari's hair and shot him a bright grin. "I'll help you while they're baking." Taking the neko's hand, the raven took him back on the floor and started to see how everyone was doing -- taking orders and feedback -- with a smile still plastered on his face, looking so natural but still so unusual.

Lookng to red eyes Hikari puased a moment and in wonder. A smile, so handsome and welcome yet on the face of a creature he had known to be full of pain and suffering. It was surreal and to his senses a bit overwhelming. It took the gengltle tug of a child on his shirt sleve to amek the neko come back to himself.

The chilled evening drew on and the shop slowly quieted down as night fal came and went, the many people of the great city making their way home in the powdery snow drifts. Soon there was no one left at all and Hikari had taken to wiping tables.

As the rest of the customers left the bakery, Iktu sighed and slumped over the counter, exhausted. The Boss and his family were also leaving, so he rushed to wave them off. According to the Boss, Hikari and he had the day off tomorrow to go have some fun. "Hey, Hikari!" the raven called out. "When you're done, let's go home. And we also have the day off tomorrow, compliments of the boss." He went into the back room and cleaned everything up, turning the lights off before he went back to the floor. Now, he was dressed in his normal black winter jacket, the uniform slung over his arm.

Once he was finished the neko awaited red eyes, back in his own cloths and ready to go. "what should we do?" he asked not knowing what it was you did on a day off. He'd just always looked for food and played with the neighborhood kids never realy taking part in the human world. There was so much he'd seen but never done that the neko didnt know where to begin. It was exciting and all at once over whelming.

Taking to the streets with Ikuto he led the way home.

As they walked out to the freezing environment outside, Ikuto pulled his hood on, feeling warmer. "I don't really know. I've only taken one day off before, and I somewhat spent the time drinking." He sighed in guilt -- the drinking thing was some futile attempt at stopping his self-deprecating behaviors, but it failed quite badly. "How about we go to an amusement park tomorrow? I know it's cold, but at least the sun can beat down on us. And it's not supposed to snow tomorrow, just sun -- so the park should be open." Ikuto grinned at the neko, wondering what he would ever want to do.

Listening quietly the neko clearly liked the idea but HIkari's smile was suddenly stolen by the shock of snow hurtling full force into his ear. halting a moment in shock and the suddenly shaking his head he looked about for it's sourse, again it came plopping onto his face as the roof shed more off its white fluff. Grunting and shaking the seccond assult off he hurried to catch up with red eyes. Some of the snow had melted in the earleir hours leaving slush bombs to fall under the weight of a fresh powdering. "i should hope theres no more snow" he said irritably cold. "well then what do we do tonight anyway? there plenty of time left to do something im sure."

Ikuto chuckled as the snow fell on Hikari -- just too cute. He stopped and turned around, whipping some of the snow off his head and cleaning up his jacket. "I'm not sure what we should do. There's not much going on around now." Sighing, he crossed his arms and tried to think of something. "Honestly, the only places near here that are open are the alcohol and karaoke bars. Otherwise, I'm at a loss, unless you wanna go somewhere in particular?" He eyed the neko curiously.

sighing the neko puzzled, the fair wouldnt be open and the other things he liked to do humans most likely would not. "well how about we hang out with your freinds?" Hikari suggested not wanting their day off to be all about himself after all. his smile was innocent enough but he had no idea what he was realy asking given Ikuto had isolated himself for so long. Hikari was different and yet the same knowing many people around japa but yet having no real freinds to speak of. the eternal extrovert and rovign bandit he was more of an energetic nuisance then what youd call a freind.

Ikuto cringed slightly, and then pat Hikari on the head. He never had friends after the accident -- he became detached, and thus, they left him without hesitance. It wasn't him that wanted them to leave, they just did. "Hikari," he started softly. "I lost my friends a long time ago." Turning the other way, Ikuto kept his head down and kept walking, aimlessly like he did the day he found the neko bleeding in the streets. Maybe it is my fault... Maybe I pushed them away...
Of course it's your fault, idiot!
Stopping in his tracks and pressing his hand to his head, the raven winced when the voice came back. He desperately wanted it just to go away. But it kept saying those words over and over again, just like always.

his perked ears drooped not having meant to ask such a hurtful question. With a stubborn look and a suddened determined thought HIkari run up beside red eyes "i didnt mean to- well" sighing he gave up and put his ears back lost for words. we'll you went and did it agian, look at him, he's upset. UGH well why not..... the neko thought suddenly deciding on bearhugging Ikuto with no more warning than the grunt he made from the effort of picking his freind up.

Smiling broadly and hugging him tightly Hikari hoped to make up for his ignorent question.

When Ikuto felt the earth leave his feet, he yelped in surprise, covering his mouth after he made that noise. "Wh-Wh-WHAT... ARE YOU DOING?" he yelled, his face turning bright red. He wrapped his arms around Hikari's neck in a flurry of fear -- people usually didn't just pick him up like that. And it was definitely weird. "H-H-Hikari..." he whimpered, clinging to the neko.
It was only then that the raven noticed that the neko gave off such a warm, fuzzy feeling. It felt... amazing, to say the least, and Ikuto calmed down, stilling clinging to him though. "And what do you propose to do, hm? Carry me home?" he teased.

Smiling he hugged his freind close and said "i wouldnt mind." in a soft and and almost childish voice. Holding Ikuto hostange in the air a while as he snuggled his freinds Hikari finaly let red eyes down still beaming, pleased at what he'd done. True his arm had hurt him a bit but he didnt care about that. Ikuto was smiling and thats all that mattered. Starting to walk, whether red eyes was or not, the neko was eager to be out of the cold. he felt spoiled by a warm place to lay in winter but he'd come to love it too much to go back out in the bitter winds and try to sleep in his box.

Ikuto sighed as he was placed on the floor, but ran right after the neko anyway. "Silly, neko..." he muttered, poking Hikari in the back of the head lightly.
The cold was bitter, and the raven definitely wanted to be out of it -- no need to freeze to death.
But, suddenly, he was caught by the arm. It was someone familiar. "Hey, Iku! Long time no see! You finally have your smile back, hm?" The kid that was addressing Ikuto was a former friend of his -- Masaya -- who was actually close to him before the accident. "Hey, let's go drinking to celebrate the reunion!"
"N-No, this is just like you! I don't want to drink, dang it," Ikuto struggled. He reached out to Hikari and mouthed, Help me! "Hikari, at least stay with me in case I get drunk!"