Catarina was stuck. She couldn't move further from where she was no matter how hard she tried. No matter how much she tried thinking,she couldn't complete the song. Although there was no rush, Catarina wanted to complete the song within next week.

For completing a rock like song for HEAVENS, Catarina had decided to seek advice from the only person she could think of when it came to rock.

"Kurosaki, can you tell me more about rock?"

"Rock?"

"Yes,I need some ideas for my song."

"Alright. Rock is..."

And so Kurosaki began describing what rock is with all his passion. Catarina could feel his love for rock from the other side of the phone.

However,it did not help the woman to get any inspiration.All she got was how much the silver rocker loved rock.

Catarina sighed for the umpteenth time that day. She had been trying to complete the song to no avail.

It's so frustrating! She slammed her hands on her face. Sitting in front of the piano all morning for nothing was really getting to her.

Why am I in a block again?! She kept glaring at the piano.

Eiichi chose that time to descend down the stairs from his bedroom. Hearing his footsteps,she shifted her gaze from the piano to the brunette.

Why is he home now? . . .Oh right, he somehow has two days off in a row.

"Oh Catarina, you're still here?" Eiichi asked once he saw the female sitting by the piano. She was sitting there too when he left the lounge to head to his room.

"Unfortunately yes." She sighed.

". . .Did you hit a block?"

"Not a block.A boulder!" Catarina dramatically threw her hands in the air to picture a huge sized boulder. The bespectacled man sweatdropped.

"Can I help?"

"I don't think you can. I've already asked the king of rock,Kurosaki.But it didn't help."She sighed again.

"I see..."He felt bad for the struggling composer.

The female rubbed her temples. What should I do?

"Hey,how about you go with me now?" Eiichi suddenly suggested.

"Huh?"

"You won't get anywhere just by sitting there. You need fresh air."

"...Yeah,I guess I really need fresh air."

"Then come with me.I'm going out."

"Where?"

"You'll find out later. For now,let's go."

"W-wait a minute."

After fixing her hair,she followed Eiichi to where ever he was going.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

Eiichi dusted off a tombstone and began polishish it. The place was too quiet.

"Eiichi,where are we?" Catarina finally asked.

"My family's grave."

"Your..." Catarina's eyes widened.

Then is this where...

Eiichi looked at her expression and said, "Yes,this is where my mother is laid to rest."

I thought so.

Eiichi continued speaking, "The anniversary of her death is next week. But I don't have any off time that day to visit here.That's why,I decided to come today."

"I see...But is it alright for me to come here?"

"Of course. You are our valuable composer and my friend."

Valuable composer. . . Catarina showed a small smile after he answered her question.

"Oh. . .Um, won't Eiji come?And your dad?"

"Eiji has the day off on her death anniversary. He will visit then. As for dad, I don't know when but he will come when he gets time."

Catarina nodded in acknowledgement.

"Could you hand me that bucket of water?"

"Sure,here you go."

A few moments later, Catarina decided to ask, "Did she like roses?"She looked down at her hand which held a bouquet of red roses that they bought earlier.

"Yes."

"So is that why you bought these ro-ouch!!"  Catarina suddenly cried out in pain.

Eiichi turned to look at her. "Whats wrong?"

"A thorn," she looked at the source of the stinging sensation on her fingertip. It was quite a large thorn that was attached on one of the rose's stem. "Guess they missed it."

"Let me see your hand."

"Hmm?" She held out her right hand for him to see. There was a cut of nearly two centimeters on her index finger.

"Wow,that's bigger than expected." Catarina commented.

Eiichi stared at her finger as a drop of blood wells up there.In the next instant...

"E-E-Eiichi!?! What are you-ahh!"

The brunette put her fingertip in his mouth.Catarina could feel his tounge and the warmth of his body.Her face becomes red when a faint sucking sound is heard.

"E-Eiichi?!?" She squeaked in a flustered way. But the man didn't paid her any mind and continued what he was doing.The female was too shocked to pull her hand back.

"There,this should be good.The thorn didn't get stuff in there,so you should be fine," Eiichi calmly said.

"E-eh?O-okay, but why did you do th-that?!" She tried to keep her voice as low as she could since they were at a cemetery.

"To debride the wound,"He replied simply.

"B-but why .....th-that!?"Her faces started to get redder when she recalled his actions.

"Do what?"He knew what he did but it was amusing to see the girl so flustered.

"....S-s-su..Licked the wound!" She stuttered again.

"You don't want some infection,do you. We don't have any antiseptic right now. This was the only way to stop any contamination."

"But that..."

"Or are your fingers too sensitive?"

"No!Th-that's not it!Just.."

It's just TOO EMBARRASSING!

"Besides,it is your dominant hand. You won't be able to work if it hurts."He finally let go of her hand.

"Alright. . .Thanks."

"Anytime."

Eiichi began arranging the roses.He checked if there was any thorn there.

"Looks like they only missed that one big thorn,"The tall man spoke.

"...I see."

The fragrance of incense trails fills the air. It felt too tranquil, as if the time has stopped flowing.

Eiichi started speaking, "It's been many years since she passed away,nearly fifteen years."

He looks up at the sky. "I was young when she left us. But I still remember her clearly."

"..What kind of person was your mother?" Catarina quietly asked but then hurriedly corrected, "Sorry,I shouldn't pry too much."

He glanced at the blonde. "No,it's alright. . .She was an amazing woman. Perfect,I say." He smiled softly as his eyes closed in reminiscence.

"She was really kind,gentle,beautiful, patient yet strong willed and powerful. She loved music.She would follow what she thought was right." Catarina smiled lightly when she saw the joyous glint in his eyes.

"She had the tolerance of a saint to tolerate dad. Even after he hurt her several times, mom never thought about leaving him. I remember her saying something like she loved him too much to even think about leaving him. She loved all of us till she passed away from illness."

". . ."Catarina quietly stared at the tall brunette.

"Eiji resembles her so much. He's exactly like her even though he doesn't remember her clearly.Day by day,I'm seeing mom in him more and more."

"Really?"She curiously stared at him.

"Yes.He got the exact same traits of mom. He's too kind,sweet,gentle, patient and strong willed. He got her soft features.He's an angel just like her."

"I get your point."

"Unlike me,who is more like dad. I get most of my traits from him. I'm nothing like mom or Eiji."He smiled sadly. "I'm not someone like them."

"No!" Catarina's sudden raise of voice caught him off guard.

Unconsciously,Catarina grabbed Eiichi's hand, taking him by surprise. "Don't say that! I may not know your mother but from what you told me, I can tell you are just like her. You're kind,gentle,patient,honest and tolerant. Don't speak like those qualities doesn't exist in you."

She continued, "As far as I've seen, you aren't like your father. You care about all of us too deeply. You look out for everyone that you forget about yourself. You are always ready to take the blame for anything. You are ready to sacrifice anything for HEAVENS. I can say for sure that Raging Otori doesn't possess such qualities." She took a breath.

"Both you and Eiji are angels. And you helped Eiji grow into such a wonderful person. You could do so because you are a wonderful person.So. . .I don't like it a single bit when you lower yourself like that. You are our leader.You need to be more confident like the way you are when it comes to your music. You are adored by millions,Eiichi. Everyone loves you for who you are. So please don't speak about how you aren't amazing or a wonderful person."

A gentle breeze passed by them as they stared into each other's eyes. It was like the time started passing slowly between them. Catarina still gripped Eiichi's large hand between her smaller ones as she awaited his response. Eiichi's lips were slowly parted while what she said continued repeating inside his head. He watched her hair gently swaying in the wind, her icy blue orbs looking straight into his lavender orbs.Her lips were pressed in a thin line. Some of her hairs came in front of her face, giving her a mystical look.

"Catarina. . ."

That moment Eiichi tucked the stray hairs behind her ear with his other hand.

"Thank you." He whispered."I appreciate what you said...It makes me really happy. And I'll believe your words." The soft smile on the brunette's handsome face was enough to make her smile back at him.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

"Mm,the food here is so good." Catarina's eyes sparkled in contentment.

"It is. That's why I eat here whenever I come by," Eiichi replied.

The two were at a casual restaurant after their visit to the cemetery.The two were sitting beside the window.

At that moment,a flash of lightning got reflected in the glass and a loud boom echoes.

"Eek!"Catarina flinched at the sudden loud noise. She and Eiichi looked out the window. Dark clouds kept swirling in the sky.

"It's going to rain,"stated Eiichi.

"I hope it passes soon,"mumbled Catarina.

This doesn't look good...

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Before the pair could leave the restaurant, heavy rainfall started pouring down hard. The gust of wind started growing stronger too. It wasn't possible to tell whether it was afternoon or night because of the dark surroundings.

But they managed to reach the station in the storm. Yet...

"You have to be kidding me..." Catarina stared at the screen in disbelief.

"It's not good." Eiichi stated while staring at the screen too.

In the screen was a notice that the trains were out of service due to the sudden heavy storm.

No way...

"Of all the days,the storm had to come today...What now?"She weakly questioned herself. Her eyes met Eiichi's.

"...We can take a taxi."He tried proposing.

"In this weather?" Catarina raised an eyebrow.

"...yes."

"It took us more than an hour to come here.A taxi is going to take double the time."

"I know. But we can try."

"...alright."

However,they were out of luck. The storm started getting more violent.

"No one's willing to go so far in such weather," Eiichi stated the obvious.

"Mm-hmm." She sighed. Now what do we do? They had been trying to catch a ride home for an hour.Yet they failed.

With a sigh,Eiichi started,"...We have no choice but to stay the night. Let's search for a hotel."

"I suppose you're right."

So they finally decided to stay in the nearest hotel.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"I'm sorry sir but we only have one room available."

The words the receptionist told them was like another hit on the head to Catarina. Eiichi,who was under disguise,facepalmed next to her in defeat to the weather.

"What?" Catarina asked for confirmation.

"We only have a single room available. Due to the cancellation of the trains, all other rooms got booked."

"No way..."

"We were too late." Eiichi whispered to himself.

The receptionist continued, "I am certain the other hotels are under the same situation."

Yeah...that makes sense unfortunately.  She helplessly turned to Eiichi.

"...I say we take it before losing it too," He told her.

". . . . I see your point." With a sigh, she nodded her head.He booked themselves a room for the night.

Spending the night in a room with someone was very uncomfortable for Catarina who was used to stay alone.  At least there's the 'bed' or 'couch' option. Eiichi had the same thought.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Sue this hotel. Why didn't anyone sue this place before!?!

Catarina's cheeks became pink when she found only a bed on the room. There were NO COUCHES or even chairs. Eiichi's cheeks also became pink when he noticed the lack of another sleeping spot.

Sue.this.place.peasants!

The blonde started feeling really awkward there.

"Uhh. . . .eto..."

"...I guess we don't have a choice..," Eiichi quietly said.

"...We don't."She sighed again. How many times did she sigh that day?

Deciding to give in to the situation, the pair decided to share the bed. After taking showers in turns,they order room service since they can't go down to eat. Someone can recognize Eiichi. Then didn't forget to notify the others that they won't be returning for the night because of the lack of  transportation.

Later, they decided to turn in for the night. Both face away from each other. It was awkward for them to sleep together. But the tiredness of the day caught up to them, sending them to a slumber while the storm raged outside.

                                       To Be Continued.