"Honestly, that surprises me. Everything is so light and cheerful here. And then there is this group that is full of hatred and rage?Why?" Zaria went back to the pot to pour herself another cup. "How can they be so angry when everyone else is so happy here? I mean, except for me...and maybe Gu Cheng..."

"I don't know. It feels weird. Like it is too much sometimes." Hideki scrunched up his nose as he ruffled the spiky bits of hair sticking out from the top of his head. "That sounds weird. But sometimes I catch myself thinking that maybe I should be more sad, after everything that happened."

Hideki finished the newsletter and then moved to a couch where he opened up a book that he was working his way through. Zaria ruminated while finishing her second cup of tea. She picked up the newsletter and finished reading, noting how even the articles that would have been sad click-bait in her own world were surprisingly upbeat. So and so moved on after a horrid car accident, family to hold a celebration in their honor at XX address on YY date. The idea of holding a celebration to remember someone's life appealed to her greatly, but it was worded almost like everyone should be happy the person was no longer alive. In theory, it was amazing and wonderful. It was just so...different.

The front door opened, and Gu Cheng walked in, looking surprised to see her. He quickly buried the expression and removed his shoes before walking down the hall toward the bedroom and the shower attached. Zaria frowned, wondering if he was rushing to shower so that he could wash off certain smells. Something finally clicked in her head. No, that wasn't right.

Before any time could pass, and she could potentially lose the thought that had been tickling the back of her mind, she followed him to their bedroom.

"Why did I immediately think that you were washing off that woman's scent as soon as you got home?" She asked him, barging into the bathroom before skidding to a halt. Gu Cheng paused, his shirt still on his arms but already pulled up and off of his body. She stared at his well-defined arms and chest for a solid ten count before huffing and turning around. "I'm sorry I came in without knocking, but I need to say this stuff now. Why did you look surprised to see me when you walked in?"

"I don't know if now is the best time to -"

"Dang it, Gu Cheng!" She turned back around, trying not to stare at the delicious muscles on display. "Please, tell me now, I won't get angry and start a fight."

He stared at her for a moment, irritation on his face. "I thought you might have gone over to his apartment while I was gone."

"Right! And I thought you were out running through the meadows with wolf girl. Doesn't that seem weird?"

Gu Cheng sat down on the edge of the bathtub and crossed his arms. He did not respond, just stared at her.

Zaria sighed. "Gu Cheng. Take a deep breath. Do you believe that I would cheat on you?"

A wrinkle of confusion appeared on his brow. "No...".

"And are we still together?"

He nodded his head sharply.

"So why is it that you seem so certain that I am with someone else?"

"I..."

"Right!" She stabbed her finger triumphantly in the air. "I know you wouldn't cheat on me. That's not the kind of man you are. So why are we both snapping and poking at each as if we really believe it was possible?"

The room grew quiet, and Zaria slowly lowered her triumphant finger. She watched as Gu Cheng stared at the wall across from him and fought to keep her eyes on his face. "Gu Cheng?"

"No, you are right. I know that I have thought it before as well, but then it doesn't seem important anymore. You have done nothing to deserve the words I have said to you."

"And I am sorry for what I said to you this last week. So, do we agree that something weird is happening?"

"Mm." He uncrossed his arms and put his hands on the edge of the tub at his sides. Zaria sucked in a loud breath and tore her eyes away to stare at the back wall. "What's the matter?"

"I should go."

"Why?" He leaned forward slightly, his eyes focused on her. The muscles in his chest flexed, and she gave up, fleeing for the door.

"Because you look like a giant slice of cake sitting in front of someone on a diet!" She called behind her, closing the door in a rush. There was a moment of silence, and then a husky laugh leaked out through the gaps around it.

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Zaria didn't trust herself not to take a peak once the shower started, so she ducked back out into the hall, fanning her face with her hand. "Hooo... That man could make a monk drool..."

The shower seemed to last longer than normal, but it gave her time to clean up the teacups and pot. When Gu Cheng came out, his short hair still glistening despite being towel dried. She handed him a glass of water, then busied herself so she wouldn't concentrate on the little bump bobbing up and down in his throat as he swallowed.

"Okay, so we know there is a problem. And there are no computers here like we know of them, so no easy way to look things up. Would it be worth trying to get to the library? Would there be a book that would tell us why people are so happy?"

Gu Cheng leaned against the counter, smirking at her flustered expression. Zaria walked to the opposite side of the island and wiped off an invisible spot, waiting for the smirk to fade. When it didn't, she finally snapped. "Dang it, Gu Cheng, you know you are hot, so why are you acting like it is some hilarious thing that I think you are?"

A calm drawl came from the couch. "Well, if you two are going to start making out, I think I will just go for a walk."

Zaria's eyes opened wide as she stared at Gu Cheng. She had forgotten the boy was sitting on the couch, even though he was in no way hidden. She had been too distracted. The front door opened and closed as Hideki left, and she burst out laughing. "Oh my...I seriously forgot he was there. Look what you made me do!"

"Oh? It is my fault you can't stop thinking about taking advantage of your poor, innocent man?"

She felt a shiver down her back as he walked around the counter, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "What poor innocent man? I don't see one here." Zaria dodged around the counter, keeping it between herself and the beast stalking her.

"Hey Zaria! We were won..der...ing..." Yamada and Yuto stopped as soon as they exited the hallway to the bedrooms,flushing when they saw the playful behavior of the two adults. "Uhm, we were wondering if we might all go out for dinner tonight? Not that your cooking isn't good."

Zaria laughed as Gu Cheng sat down on one of the chairs with a slightly disappointed shading to his features. "I think we can do that. Did you have somewhere in mind? You know a lot more about the city than I do, and where we can use our Consul cards." Zaria set up a pot of water over the heat source and got out two tea cups. She reached her hand across the counter, frowning for a second as a thought invaded, wondering if he had progressed to holding the Lykos woman's hand. Yes, something was definitely not right. Why would that thought even be provoked?

"Great! We will send a message to make sure it is okay with Yuto's dad. But he won't mind!" They put on their shoes and left excitedly, pulling their coats on as they went out the door.

Zaria stared at the door, a thoughtful expression on her face. If the internet was not an option, and libraries focused on the happier side of things as well, would it be helpful to have access to someone who had lived for hundreds of years? The idea was not appreciated by the gentleman sharing the room with her, but when asked to think about it, he admitted that his only reason was not to be jealous. After turning it over in his mind some more, he told her that he didn't think it would be a good idea if he was there when the questions were asked.

"I don't feel in control enough to go into a situation like that right now," he said in a voice that was as sullen as she had ever heard from him. "I feel like my emotions are too unstable."

"What can I do to make you feel more comfortable, then? I know that neither of us are in control of our emotions right now. I don't want you angry or sad because you are thinking horrid things. Can I take Rika or Hideki? How would that make you feel?"

Gu Cheng accepted the cup of tea she handed him while he sat and thought. "I don't like that you have to think of things to keep me from getting jealous. But maybe it will keep the jealousy from turning into something worse. Would she agree?"

"I guess we find out!" Zaria pulled out her phone and sent a message to Rika before setting it to the side and concentrating on her tea. Being across the counter felt wrong, so she moved around to the stool next to Gu Cheng and leaned against him while she waited for a response. Whether it was the tea or the warm body against hers, she felt herself calming down once more. Gu Cheng was breathing evenly and leaning his head against the top of hers. By the time her phone lit up with a message from Rika, she was half convinced that all the jealousy and anger she had been feeling was all in her imagination.

"She says she would be happy to go with, and was wondering if it would be better to bring in Speaker Vlachos as well. Two different minds to work the problem with us. Would you feel comfortable having someone else know what is going on with us?" He nodded, so she sent back a response agreeing and setting up a time for them to meet at Yasuo's apartment.

After dinner with the boys at a place that served burgers the size of her face and enough fries to last a family of 6 for a week, she met Rika and Speaker Vlachos outside of the townhouse so they could walk up together. That way, there would be less cause for a flare-up on Gu Cheng's end. She would not be alone in the Japanese Speaker's apartment. The boys convinced him to play the card game with them while he waited, knowing he needed a distraction. Zaria felt affection welling up inside for the teenagers with their thoughtful action. At the top of the stairs she cupped Gu Cheng's cheeks and lightly tugged his face down to kiss him softly before letting go. "I'll be home in just a bit, hopefully with some ideas or answers. Okay?"

Gu Cheng nodded and kissed her forehead before stalking across the landing and through the door leading to their temporary home. Zaria watched him close the door, the smile sliding off of her face. Now that she knew something was definitely wrong and that it was something about the world that was behind both of their mood swings since arriving, she felt awful putting herself into a situation that would cause him anger or unhappiness, even if he also knew that nothing would happen with two chaperones with her. But she wasn't lying. She really did hope she would be coming back with some answers to try and make up for the discomfort she was going to have to cause.