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Spring break had finally arrived to the student body's relief. It was a time to forget the books, pitch homework to the side, and spend a week having fun. Most students seemed to have some sort of activity planned with friends or family, many going on trips to the beach or even out of country.

Through careful planning the group had set up a trip to Jess' beach house for the week. It was supposed to be a fairly large place, well equipped and located on its own private beach. The location itself wasn't far from the city nearby so if the group got tired of lounging on the beach or swimming they were a short drive away to something else entertaining.

It was the day the group was set to leave and Neko had brought over the tour bus Jess had lent the group to use to get everyone down to the beach house and parked it by the dorms. He had never driven anything so big before but he seemed to handle it on the way over just fine. The feline wasn't exactly sure how he had gotten roped into this trip but hey, it was a trip to the beach....why the hell not?

Mitsu had packed the night before and had everything folded nicely in her backpack. With that over her shoulder and Ludwig in hand she waited patiently for Riyo at the door. She was excited and a little nervous about the trip. It was a chance to spend time with everyone all together but at the same time she was worried about Shun and Desmond. She had really wanted Shun to come along and reluctantly he had agreed. Hopefully nothing bad would happen on the trip.

Klyde was nearly ready, he was still rearranging things in his dufflebag trying to fit everything he thought he needed. This trip had been a little unexpected but it was far better than spending a week at home with a father who was on the verge of exploding. His mother had talked him into not kicking Klyde out of the house....at least not yet. He had until he turned eighteen to find a place which gave him only a little more than a month. The vampire really had no idea where to start but he figured he could worry about it later. Why worry about it now when it could wait until tomorrow right?

Riyo had managed to shove all her clothes in her bag... Just above the bottles of alcohol that were apparently more important to her than clothing. As she lifted the messenger bag to her shoulder, one could hear a soft clinging of glass... which made it obvious she was packin' some booze. Not that she cared. Or most likely anyone else on the trip.

She didn't expect her father to be around much, so it really wasn't a big deal... Not that he could stop her from drinking anyways.

Last but certainly not least, she scooped up Tim and headed for the door. "Dad said you could come along as long as you don't scratch the leather of the bus... But honestly I don't care if you do or not." Maybe her father would learn not to furnish his vehicles with such expensive material.

"Shall we Mitsu?" Riyo asked as she met her roommate at the door, promptly opening it and offering her the first step out.

Thank God Desmond wouldn't be going home. He really hadn't wanted to deal with a week of his parents showing him off to all their friends or trying to get him to go 'somewhere special' with them every day.

... But was going on a trip with Shun any better?

Pausing as he packed his suit case, he pondered his current situation. One one hand, he'd be spending a week on a beach with Mitsu. On the other... They weren't alone.

But he really didn't have much of a choice. Mitsu would be hurt if either of them decided to stay back... Ugh..

With a shove, the solid suitcase clicked shut and the vampire was on his way out. "Ready for a week full of sunscreen and umbrellas?" He joked to his fellow vampire, eyes rolling.

And then there was Kohaku.

Riyo had made an effort to stay in contact with the girl, though it wasn't hard since both of them had a computer. They'd talk back and fourth every few nights and try to stay in touch, though it really wasn't the same.

That's why she'd decided to invite her short blonde friend along. It would get the girl out and introduce her to new people, which was what she needed the most. Surprisingly, she'd already made it down and was standing in front of the tour bus. Kohaku figured this was what they were taking... But she wouldn't go in without an invitation. Though, she couldn't help but be in awe. Decadence was not something the small, pale girl was used to...

As her light blue eyes caught site of a familiar face, she smiled and waved at Blade. This would be ten times better than what she was used to, no matter what happened. The fact that she'd be with people she wasn't well acquainted with didn't bother her in the least. They were people, and that's what mattered.

"Hey guys!" Riyo waved at those who had already gathered with the arm that didn't hold an overweight cat... Who was wearing a pair of oakleys.

"Oh hey Kohaku. Glad to see you can come along," grinned Blade as he saw the mute girl accompanying Riyo, giving the three girls a wave in return, "And thanks for the invite."

He was pretty grateful for it and all. Making sure he had a good hold on his bag, he glanced at the others, raising an eyebrow at Shun's stiff movements. Then again, it wasn't too uncommon to see the guy like that. He had a tendency to show up with random injuries here and there though it was hard to say where they all came from.

The thief was also rather amused with the pair of sunglasses Tim was wearing. It was.. oddly suiting in a way he supposed.

Seeing everyone converge together, Shun couldn't help but grimace. This was already a larger group than he cared to be in. His eye settled on Desmond briefly before shifting over towards Mitsu. With the vampire around, he doubted he would really be able to spend that much time with her. He was starting to wonder more and more of whether this was really a good idea on his part..

Slowly, he made his way over towards the wolf girl.

"Are you sure I should be coming along..?" he asked her quietly.

Mitsu was a little thrown off by all the people but most of them she knew. I didn't maker her feel nearly as uncomfortable as it would have used to. Turning to Shun as he began to approach her tail had started to wag a little until she noticed his stiff and lagged movements. Slowly her tail stopped her facial expression mirroring the concern she felt. What....had happened to him?

She would have asked too but he had already thrown out a question of his own. The word 'yes' was on the tip of her tongue but she remembered the last time she had asked Shun and Desmond to hang out. Shun had disappeared shortly after. "I...I would like you to come." Her voice had a hint of sadness to it as she lost her focus on his face and looked around. "I thought it might be nice for you to get to know some other people. Make other friends." Her eyes then settled on Desmond as he was approaching before looking back at Shun looking a little defeated about the situation. She was doing it again, being selfish and asking too much of them both.

"I..I understand....if you don't want to come. I don't want...you to get upset and disappear again." It was upsetting her, it made her feel like she had to choose between her boyfriend and her best friend because they couldn't stand to be around one another. But there was no light at the end of the tunnel anymore, not one that she could see.

"I..I do have something for you." If he wasn't going to go she wanted to make sure he got his Birthday present. Of course, Bent had told her, which made her excited that they would be spending time together on Shun's birthday...well were anyway. While she wasn't all that thrilled about her own she liked to celebrate others.

Setting the back pack down on the ground Mitsu only had to open it up to grab the small box that was sitting on top. She had made sure it was the first thing she could grab. The box itself was wrapped in blue paper, the customary bow on top. Standing back up the wolf girl offered it to the assassin. "Happy Birthday, Shun."

"I thought you knew about the set up on this rig," Neko seemed a little surprised by Riyo's reaction as he peered in. "If that surprised you don't go digging around in any drawers." He warned....he had looked around...there were a number of interesting things on the bus. Honestly he was surprised Jess hadn't cleared the place before giving them the tour bus to use. He was just asking for trouble in the long run.

Tim was just as indifferent about the inside of the bus giving a low meow as if to say 'yeah, so what. I've seen better.' Oakleys really went to the kitties head.

Klyde raised a brown when the janitor came into view as well. The janitor? How did he always end up getting involved. Well, he knew how he kept getting involved but damn it was like the guy was always there. At least he wasn't like a strict parent but the guy didn't much like Klyde either. "Right...bus..."

He had seen Riyo go inside so he quickened his pace a little to follow. Walking toward Blade he offered a sort of greeting to the thief, "Yo." He had made an attempt of sorts to be friendlier. It helped that he never recalled anything that had happened on New Years Eve. If he had this situation would be ending a bit more violently. But as far as he could tell Blade wasn't a bad guy and knew his boundaries.

Stepping onto the bus to comply with Riyo's staggered demand Klyde's eyes widened a little at the scene. "Wow...we'll be riding in this? It's a mobile strip club." He knew how to make the situation just right with his words.

Head snapping back to Neko's direction, Riyo's face twisted into rage. Not rage at him, but her father. "I'll kill him." Obviously he hadn't said a word...

Probably because he forgot.

As for the drawers... "I'll make sure to tell everybody that when they get on the bus..." Gently, she sat Tim down on one of the seats before looking to Kohaku, who seemed to be developing a very red blush on her cheeks. "H-hey. I'm really sorry about this... I know you embarrass easy and probably aren't comfortable with this setup. Do you wanna stay here?"

Looking to Riyo almost immediately as she posed her question, Kohaku shook her head furiously. Riding a mobile strip club was still ten times better than spending spring break alone.

"Alright, well-" Riyo was about to tell the girl to sit down carefully, until Klyde butted in with his own input. "... Yeah. Thanks for that. Now get on the damn bus."

It didn't matter if Riyo advised caution to her or not, Kohaku still thoroughly examined her seat before planting herself in it. Well. It was an awkward start, but that didn't mean it would all be like this, right?

"Yeah yeah. I know Blade. It looks like we stepped into the Emerald Club off Main Street." It was obvious Riyo was a little flustered, considering she'd expected a 'normal' tour bus. Seats here, beds there, nothing fancy. But her father had to take it to a new level of perverted and didn't even mention it to her.

Mumbling obscenities under her breath, Riyo finally had a seat next to Tim, tossing her bag down next to her with a sigh. She pictured very awkward silence in their future...

Desmond was about to board the bus, but decided to wait for Mitsu before he took the first step up. Turning back, he noticed her giving Shun something. Was it his birthday or something?

It was hard to quell the nervousness in his stomach when Mitsu was around Shun. He knew she loved him, and he felt the same way. But it would be like the equivalent of him hanging around Tessa while still dating Mitsu. Not that he would ever tell her that. Desmond knew she relied on the assassin to fill a niche he couldn't.

"You guys coming?" He called out to both of them, trying not to ignore the fact that Shun was there.

"No kidding," Blade replied while looking around. Neko did have a point though.. aside from the obvious strip club qualities it should be a pretty comfortable ride he supposed. Shaking his head to himself, he walked on further in and set his bag onto one of the seats.

"Well... I guess we could always.. look at the pole like the ones on trains and buses to help people stay standing..." he offered, not sure if that would help at all.

When Shun finished unwrapping the little gift, he carefully looked over the charm with a softened expression. He had seen things like this before and had an idea of what it was for before Mitsu explained its meaning. The assassin didn't really believe in karma or luck or anything of that sort, but that didn't diminish the value of the thing. Though it was a small gesture, he felt it was a way for her to try and look out for him.

Done examining it, he went on and placed it around his neck before smiling faintly at the girl. A part of him wanted to hug her, but he refrained.

"Thanks.." he said. Hearing Desmond behind him, he glanced towards the vampire briefly, then looked to Mitsu again, thinking.

"I'll come along.." he answered quietly while making sure he had a good hold on bag.

"Probably more than just hands..." Klyde added setting his dufflebag down and having a seat next to Riyo.

Neko shrugged, "Fair enough, I don't really have to stare at it." It seemed like everyone was here they just had a few stragglers to the bus. "Come on you two we're going to get going." Neko called before moving around to the driver's side of the bus and climbing in.

Mitsu smiled when Shun said it would tag along. She was glad to know he was coming after all. "Then let's go." Mitsu said looking back as Neko called out to them too. It seemed they were jumping at the gun to leave.

Picking up her pace Mitsu moved over to the bus and climbed inside. She had just gotten passed the few steps leading up when her eyes settled on the environment they would be traveling in making her freeze. Her hand had been on the railing leading up to maintain her balance but she immediately retracted it when she spotted the stripper pole in the middle of the bus.

Eyes wide a faint blush started to creep across her cheeks as well. "T...this is..the right bus?"

Face immediately meeting palm, Riyo used her other hand to punch Klyde in the arm. "Yes, thank you for that.." She sighed. Maybe she should've let Neko take it out. OH well, too late now.

Kohaku's face lit up like a Christmas light when Klyde mentioned "more than just hands". And suddenly everything was very awkward...

"Yes Mitsu. This is the right bus." It was obvious Riyo was exasperated at this point. Looking up from the palm of her hand, she noticed everybody was finally on the bus. "Alright guys. Have a seat and whatever you do, don't go looking through the drawers. Just... Don't." Even if she was curious to how much of a sick pervert her father was, she wouldn't touch those drawers with a 30 foot pole. "I've got a deck of cards. Lets just... Play poker or something..."

With an unsure step, Desmond gently took Mitsu's hand so he could lead her to a seat. "C'mon.. Just... Try to forget it's there." He tried to advise... Though he had trouble ignoring its presence himself.

It was going to be a long trip.