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Yet another log in the saga of Shiro's and Alex's cuteness . . .

Sunday late morning/early afternoon, Alex wanders outside and spots Shiro training. They talk and relax, and discuss uniqueness and the significance of their friendship. Some wibbliness, which results in Shiro reminding Alex once again that everything is good and that neither of them are going anywhere. There are also a couple of jokes at Alison's expense.


Although never a fan of the cold, something like low temperatures isn't about to stop Shiro from his daily regimen. After breakfast, he grabbed his katana from his room and went outside to begin training. And as always, he quickly lost track of time. His sword sliced through the air, moving like an extension of his arm.

The cold didn't even bother Alex anymore thanks to his newest discovery about the warming effect of his mutation as he headed down the steps to take a walk around the grounds. He was getting stir crazy in the house and without a skateboard...he was stuck to walking. As he passed the training area, he saw Shiro practicing and Alex could resist sitting down and watching his roommate's graceful movements.

Whatever imaginary enemy Shiro was fighting must have been cut to ribbons many times over. As his movement intensified, he involuntarily began tapping into his powers. A faint golden aura surrounded him, taking his feet off the ground and permitting him to move much faster. He didn't even notice the pair of eyes watching him.

Alex couldn't help the small "Woah" that escaped his lips at the small demonstration of Shiro's power and it was followed by a small impressed whistle. And he couldn't hide a small pang of jealousy at Shiro's control, but it was overwhelmed by the awe of watching the sword work.

But Shiro did hear the whistle, and abruptly stopped in his tracks, floating a few feet above the ground and ready to fly forward and slice the head off the intruder. "Alex? What are you doing?" he asked, his accent unusually thick as he sheathed the katana and landed.

Standing up and dusting off his butt, Alex grinned at Shiro. "Just watching, if that's alright. Was going to go for a walk but got a bit distracted..."

Shiro scratched the back of his head in an embarrassed manner, and forced himself to speak more naturally. "No, it is not a problem. I was just taken by surprise. I usually do not perform for others." He smiled a bit.

Alex couldn't help but smile at Shiro's embarrassment. "I don't see why not. I'm not an expert in much except surfing and skateboarding, but you looked really good. Real natural"

"I would certainly hope so. My cousin would kill me if I was not," he said, his tone mostly joking, but with a hint of seriousness. "Swords have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My entire family values well-crafted blades."

"I guess that a good thing to hold dear, sometimes tradition is best." He nodded at the katana Shiro was holding. "Is that one of your family's swords? It's beautiful..."

"No, my cousin had it made for me," Shiro informed him proudly, holding the sword up by the scabbard. He grabbed the hilt with his free hand and withdrew the sword slowly, revealing the base of the blade. "There is a smith who has been making swords for my family for generations. He is one of the best in Japan."

Alex whistled again, for even though he knew nothing about swords, he could tell by Shiro's reaction that it was special. Not to mention it was beautiful. "Obviously, it's beautiful...I'm guessing it's very special to you then..."

"It's the most important thing I have ever owned," he said, sheathing the sword again. And that wasn't even a tiny stretch of the truth. "The value of a superbly crafted katana exceeds the value of anything else I can think of." He chuckled a bit at that. "I must sound crazy, talking like this."

Alex smiled. "It's not crazy." His smile saddened a bit. "Everyone should have something they cherish that much, it shows what kind of a person they are..."

"So this would make me obsessive?" Shiro sat down under a nearby tree, silently inviting Alex to join him. "It certainly serves to emphasize my . . . chikshou, I do not think I know the word. Anoo, uniqueness?"

Alex puts his hands in his sweatshirt pockets as he flopped down next to Shiro, laughing a bit. "Not obsessive...just traditional I guess." He grinned to himself before glancing over at Shiro. "And you are unique, ask anyone in the mansion. Maybe a bit too unique for some people...but it doesn't bother me."

Shiro smiled and looked at Alex out the corner of his eyes. "As long as it does not bother you, then I will continue with my foreign and 'traditional' ways." He turned away again and looked down at his sword. "Alex, I . . . Nothing."

Alex picked up on Shiro's sudden stop and gave him a questioning look. "What, Shiro?"

"It's silly," he said, biting his lip. "But I want you to know that having you as a friend . . . Life here is easier." He sighed inwardly. Could he be any sappier? "When I was young, my uncle told me that Americans are devils. And while he was partially correct, I suppose he did not know about Americans from Hawaii." He smiled weakly. "This is not the hell I expected it to be."

Alex couldn't help but blink at Shiro's statements and his gaze quickly fell to his feet as blush came over his features. "I...I don't know what to say Shiro...I mean...wow." He looked back up at Shiro, his face serious. "You know my current state of mind, probably better then anyone...so that really means a lot to me Shiro. And I mean a lot." Now a small smile appeared. "Thank you."


"I feel very foolish now," Shiro said with a weak laugh. "I mean what I said, but . . . The words seem silly. I wish I could have put it in a different way, you know?"

Alex nodded a grin on his face. "Don't ya just hate when that happens? Have something important to say and it comes out all sticky sweet..." He placed a comforting hand on Shiro's shoulder. "But I understood what you meant...and it still means a lot to me."

Shiro's smile widened as he relaxed. It had been a spur of the moment comment, and he'd surprised even himself. But something felt lighter when Alex responded. "But if you tell anyone that I spoke like a character from those movies Rasputin loves so much, then I will throw you in the lake."

"Hey, you're threatening to throw a surfer in water," Alex gave him a mock frown. "You're loosing your insulting touch!" But his smile was quick to return. "But I promise."

Shiro snapped his fingers in mock frustration. "Dammit. I will need to think of something more suited for you. Maybe Ms. Dane has some ideas . . ." He raised an eyebrow and grinned, a sure sign he was taking after Alison too much to be considered healthy.

Now he couldn't help but laugh. "Oh don't you dare! I'll have to confiscate Alison's entire stash of Pocky if you do!"

That was not funny. Shiro's eyes widened in horror. "You would not dare," he hissed.

Alex smirked. "Want to try me?"

Shiro glared at his friend. "You are a worthy opponent."

Alex crosses his arms over his chest, a cocky grin on his face. "Isn't that another reason you're friends with me?"

Shiro rolled his eyes. "No need for arrogance, Alex. It does not flatter you." He paused, then grinned. "And besides, arrogance is my specialty, remember?"

Alex couldn't help but laugh. "Oh right, sometimes I forget...I'm sure the others would be amazed, but I do..."

"'The others are worthless,'" Shiro muttered in Japanese, before looking back at Alex and switching back to English. "You are one of a kind, I guess."

"I guess..." He grinned as he leaned back against the tree, his arms behind his head. "But then again, you are pretty alva yourself..."

"'Alva?'" he repeated, confused. "I am not familiar with that word . . . Are you ruining the English language again?"

Alex laughed. "No I'm just speaking surfer again...It means..." He had to pause to think for a moment. "It means to be radical and innovative with little regard for anything else. Basically, one of kind, right back at ya..."

"I'll remember that one," Shiro said slowly, mouthing the word again. Slang still sounded foreign to him, even though he has been in the country for many months now. Alex's special brand especially.

"As you should...you know, I've been meaning to ask you, will you teach me some Japanese?" Alex looked over at Shiro expectantly, wondering what he would say to that.

"Sure," Shiro said, shrugging. It wasn't a big deal or anything. "It's a very difficult language, let me warn you, especially compared to English. Sentence structure and grammar is not at all like what you are used to."

Alex nodded slowly. "Hey, it's the difficult stuff that's worth learning right. And I'd offer to teach you something in return, but I doubt you'd want to learn to skateboard...especially a nonexistent one." Alex smirked at his own little joke.

Shiro scoffed at the thought. "I can fly. I do not need any other mode of transportation." But the comment about learning made him smile a bit. "I will find some way for you to compensate."

Alex raised a playful eyebrow. "Oh really...now I can't help but be curious what you're going to come up with..."

Shiro put on his best Devil Lady impersonation, which was surprisingly apt. "You will just have to wait and see, Alex." And true to Alison's style, it sounded more like a threat than something good.

Alex couldn't suppress the shiver that runs down his spine. "Wow, dude...that was creepy..."

"I think Ms. Blaire is giving lessons in scaring people," Shiro joked, laughing. "They can be quite useful."

"Shiro, dude...I think you already scare half the mansion...lessons from Alison will just scare away the other half!" Alex said, laughing.

That earned a mock-glare. "I do not need the other half, much less want it."

"Oh right I forgot I think I forgot the arrogance thing again...but still Shiro, would it kill you to be nice to people other then me?"

"Alex, I do not want their friendship," Shiro explained, sighing. "I am not going out of my way anymore to antagonize anyone, but I do not want anything more than what I all ready have."

Alex sighed. "I know, I know...But Shiro, what would you have done if I hadn't come back?"

Shiro bit his lip and looked down at the sword on his lap. "I'm not entirely alone," he answered softly. Shinobi, Clarice, Doug . . . But like he'd said earlier, Alex was a different species altogether. "And why are you suddenly so interested in my other interpersonal relationships? Are they that important?"

Alex bit his lower lip. "To be honest yes...I just..." He sighed and looked down at his lap, completely unaware that he was mirroring Shiro's actions. "You're one of the best friend's I've ever had, Shiro, but I guess you could say I worry about you sometimes...I don't want you to be alone if something happened to me...because trust me, it's the worse feeling in the world...And I...I care about you, alright?" Alex shook his head as he realized that what he had just said made no sense what so ever.

But Shiro did understand. He was silent for a couple of minutes, needing time to process what Alex had said and develop his own response. "Alex. First, there is nothing to worry about. I am fine, with or without people surrounding me. Second, nothing is going to happen to you, so you have to stop talking like you are about to die. You are staying right here, and I will not be alone." The vehemence of that statement was almost palpable, especially compared to the softer tone he continued with. "And third, I know you do. And it is mutual."

Sighing and closing his eyes, Alex stayed silent for a long while. Then he opened his eyes and smiled softly at Shiro. "I know you must be getting sick of telling me that...but Thanks..."

"Do I need to staple a reminder to your forehead? 'Alex Summers is not to abandon Xavier's Institute without Yoshida Shiro's explicit permission.'"

Alex laughs at the image. "Hey, didn't I already say I was forgetful in this conversation? Must have drunk to much sea water..."

"Maybe it is because you are a blonde," he said wryly, grinning.

Alex smirked. "Maybe, though you'd be surprised what we blondes get away with."

"It would explain all of Ms. Blaire's behavior." Shiro chuckled and finally got back to his feet. "Let's go back inside, I am getting cold." He extended a hand to help Alex up. "And I need a shower."

"Alison is living proof of the theory." Alex gladly took Shiro's hand and lifted himself up, stretching his arms above his head as he did so. "And I second the shower. You reek, dude..." He playfully waved a hand in front of nose, making a face.

"Aho," he swore teasingly, playfully shoving Alex before making his way back to the mansion. "You are not the freshest smelling person either."

"Yes but they can't smell me from the second floor." Alex threw back as he went with Shiro back to mansion.