Oto Border

[Sachi Akita]

Sachi pouted slightly at Nicholas and slouched beside Miyoko. "Told you he was a party pooper," she said quietly. She then straightened up and smiled brightly, "But that was totally awesome!"

She linked her arm through Miyoko's, "Come on, I"ll show you where we'll be resting tonight. You can stay with me!" She said. She then started skipping through the corridor to the back rooms of the cave.

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya looked down at Nori at his side. She was staring into the room. He knew she was scared. Kekeya wanted to help, but when he thought about what he could do, he blushed madly. He swallowed the lump of nrevousness in his throat and opened his mouth to speak, rather shakilly, I might add. "N-Nori... If you want... I mean, you could... say no, but... I just want to be sure you'll be ok... so, i-if you want... I could... maybe, sleep... in here... with you..." Kekeya's blush harshened. He had to look away. It was amazing. Someone as rock solid as Kekeya, so emotionless, so distant, would get thrown into a tizzy around someone like Nori. He seemed as meek and unconfident as... well, Hinata, herself.

[Miyoko Sasaki]

Miyo skipped along with Sachi, happily. "Yay! I get to bunk with Sachi!" She turned and stuck her tongue out at the whole room like everyone else wanted to be her. Truth be told, they were all just the opposite: happy to be rid of them both at once.

[Nori Niigata]

Nori's eyes widened slightly as her attention went from the room around them, to Kekeya himself. His cheeks were nearly as red as hers felt. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn't come. She licked her lips nervously, then opened her mouth again.

"Thats really sweet of you Kekeya, and if you don't mind, I think I'd like the company. But as long as there's light in here, you wouldn't have to sleep close to me if it would make you feel uncomfortable." Nori replied.

She let go of his hand hestitantly to pull off her travel sack in order to get her sleeping bag out. She laid it against the wall and waited for him to place his down. Once that was settled, she sat down in her bag and watched Kekeya for a little while silently.

"Thank you Kekeya." She whispered.

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya swallowed again. "I-if it'll make it e-easier for you... I... could..." Kekeya walked in and placed his pack on the floor. He stood there, twidling his fingers, like he didn't know what to do. He was waiting for Nori's response. He began to slowly unpack a lamp, and then his sleeping bag. He put his near hers. Enough so they were close, but not within contact. He was deciding what to do, if he should move it closer, or farther away. He was still waiting for Nori to say something when he lit the small oil lamp.

[Nori Niigata]

"Thats good, this way I know you're here, even when I'm sleeping. Its kind of embarrassing to be so afraid of places like this. I really am lucky to have you with me." Nori said with a yawn.

She laid down, facing Kekeya and smiled at him. Still feeling a little flustered herself at having him staying so close. But still, she knew that she would be too frightened to be in the room, or even back here, alone without him. In many ways, he was her own torch against the darkness. She let out another yawn, her eyeslids getting heavier, but she didn't want to fall asleep until he was settled in his own sleeping bag.

[Kurakuren Shima]

Kurakuren who had been listening to Kekeya and Nori's conversation started to laugh hard, "Nice going Kekeya, never knew you had in you!" Kurakuren said loud enough for several people to hear it.

[Koga]

Koga walked by Kurakuren and heard his outburst. He sighed and konked him on teh head with a closed fist. "Hey, kid. That balloon in there is already hot enough to pop. No need to do it for him." Of course Kekeya was already blushing madly, but after hearing Koga call him on it, he just had to get up and go yell at them. "Will you guys give it a rest?!?!" Koga sighed again. "Alright, time for beddy-bye, kid." He said while dragging Kurakuren by the head into an empty room. Koga exited and went to the entrance where Nicholas was. He wasn't the least bit worn down.

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya walked back in the room shaking. He wasn't angry, just that embarrassed. He sat down next to Nori with a face as red as paint and and expression that looked like he had just spilled bleach on someone else's new carpet. "I-I-I am s-so sorry about those two idiots..." Kekeya said while looking down.

[Kurakuren Shima]

After being shoved into the room Kurakuren looked at the ceiling and started thinking to himself, "Is Tsukishiro, okay..." He was anxious, he hadn't seen his friend in 4 years and now he was one day from finally rescuing her. "Alright, I got to rest for tomorrow!" Kurakuren said as he laid on the ground and fell asleep almost immediately.

[Nori Niigata]

Nori yawned again, and opened her eyes. She pulled herself up slightly so that she was lifted up by her elbows as she looked over at Kekeya. She offered a sleepy smile.

"Its okay Kekeya, relax. You know how Kurakuren is, he's just goofing off. So don't let it get you down. You should probably go on to bed too. We've had a long day, and have another one ahead of us tomorrow." She said, muffling another yawn.

She laid her head down on her arms and continued looking at Kekeya through have closed eyes. Sleep was closing in on her, and any other time being in this village would bring dark dreams of hurt and fear, but tonight she was sure they would be happy dreams.

"Sleep well Kekeya." She whispered.

[Nicholas]

Nicholas hadn't moved an inch the entire night as his shadow clones had patrolled the area as well as the tunnels he had made, and their luck held out another day - not a single tunnel had been discovered by the time the next evening came. After resting through the day for several hours, Nicholas woke about an hour before sunset, ate, and then waited by the model he had made in the main chamber for Kekeya, Akemi and Kurakuren to arrive.

[Akemi Yamagata]

Akemi walked over to where Nick was waiting and relaxed against the wall. She had spent most of the day attempting to keep Sachi calm enough to where she wouldn't drive the new comers crazy, a task that seemed more difficult since she was now paired with Miyo.

She closed her eyes until the other two arrived into the main chamber, relaxing herself a little more.

[Kekeya Sasaki]

When Kekeya awoke, he was absolutely shocked to see Nori there next to him. It made him jump slightly, but then he remembered. He sat up and stretched. As he looked around, he saw it was still dark, but not as dark. Probably, because the room was all the way in the back. The lamp was still lit, and Kekeya could tell there were some who were already up. Kekeya was trying to listen for who, but then he heard aloud, "Get the fuck off me, freak!" Yup. Mokoto and Illidan were up. Then there was a sigh. Koga was up, although he never went to sleep. Kekeya knew Miyo was up, by the silly sounding footsteps running around, and Sachi was undoubtedly with her. Nicholas was bound to be at the entrance. There was a yawn, then a loud knock. Kiyo had just woken up and hit his head. It was hard to tell if Kai was up, but then there was a bump-sounding noise, followed by an embarrassed, "Excuse me...", which was replied to with a "Hmm..." Chihiro and Kai were both up, as well. Lastly, there was a cheerful humming as gentle footsteps followed. Mosenn was the last to rise, recognized by Kekeya out of memory.

[Nori Niigata]

Nori stretched before she opened her eyes. Once she did open her eyes, she rubbed them gently then reopened them and saw Kekeya. She smiled slightly.

"Good morning," she said before sitting up. She looked around the room to reaquaint herself with her surroundings. She also heard everyone else up and moving around. She guessed that she must have overslept.