Kasugano Urara

When You Are Gone, Neji

2012-01-28T05:18:00.002-08:00

Chapter 1
The First Letter

Tenten stretched her arms as she yawned. She sat up and looked at the clock. 5:02 a.m. She woke up way too early.

Today was going to be different, definitely.

Tenten looked at the empty portion of the king-size bed. It's been like that since he left. Usually, she'd shake him awake until he finally got up and kissed her good morning.

But not today… and not in a while.

Getting off her bed, Tenten sighed. 'You just had to leave, Neji…' she thought to herself, 'You just had to leave…'

She headed for the bathroom, fixed her buns and put her clothes on. She glanced at herself in the mirror and examined her features: her eyes were still a little red from crying last night.

Gloomily, Tenten went down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. If it was an ordinary day, she'd reach for the pan and cook bacon and eggs for her husband but since he wasn't even in the village, she just sat there and buried her face in her hands.

'Why'd you have to go, Neji? You left me alone…'

She recalled the moment that took him away from her:

"Hyuga Neji and Hyuga Tenten, I presume?" the Anbu asked at the door.

Neji nodded as he held the door ajar. Tenten stood beside him, eager to know the Anbu's news.

Neji and Tenten got married only three months ago and moved into the Hyuga Manor. It was just an ordinary Wednesday morning until the Anbu appeared at their door.

"I… have some terrible news," the Anbu said, looking down.

Neji's brow furrowed while Tenten's eyes widened, "What is it?" Neji firmly asked, demanding that the Anbu speak up.

"A conflict between the Main Branch Hyugas and a neighboring village's clan rose." The Anbu read from a scroll, "They are asking for your presence, Neji-sama." (A/C: I don't know what they use in place of 'Mr.' if it's 'sama' or 'kun' or whatever…)

Neji flinched, "I'm not a Main Branch member…"

Tenten could feel Neji's blood boiling. She patted his arm and waited for him to relax.

The Anbu nodded and said, "That is quite understood," he went on, "But your presence is requested by Lady Hinata herself. She says that you will help fix the conflict…"

"No…" Neji refused, "I'm not going to leave the village."

The Anbu rolled the scroll and protested, "But it's an important matter. War might break between the two villages."

The Hyugas exchanged glances. Tenten firmed her grip on Neji's arm and shook her head, almost pleading him not to go.

"Tenten," he whispered, "If I don't go, things might get worst. I don't want anyone hurt… especially you."

Neji faced the Anbu and finally said, "I'll go."

Her sobs grew louder. It echoed through the empty house. "Neji…" she muttered, sniffing, "I miss you so much… It's only been a week… And I already miss you…"

She hiccupped and choked on her tears. She lifted her head and wiped away the tears. She stood up and made herself a cup of coffee. When the drink met her lips, she drew away and placed the cup on the table. It just wasn't the same without him.

Bringing the full cup of coffee with her, Tenten wearily walked to the living room and sat herself down on the couch. She took the remote and clicked the television on.

Suddenly, she saw Neji's face flash across the screen.

'Neji?'

It was the News channel and there was a broadcast on the Hyuga clan's conflict, the very same conflict Neji was involved in.

"Last night, Hyuga heirs Hinata and Neji negotiated with the opposing clan of their conflict and ended in vain. The fight has involved even those who weren't Main Branch members, especially Neji Hyuga. A death threat has been declared on Hinata and Neji by the opposing clan. This has not been proven to be true or if…"

Tenten didn't want to hear more. Now, there was a death threat on Neji. What if that death threat was eventually carried out? She'll never see Neji again!

She slammed her hand onto a cushion and broke down again. She wanted Neji home now. She wanted to hold him close again and never let him go. If she could, she'd go to the village of the conflict and just take him home.

'Neji…' Tenten thought, crying, 'I want you back now…'

Tenten heard the mailbox creak open and then slammed shut. She knew the mail has arrived.

Leaving the cup of coffee on the floor, Tenten went out of the house and inspected the mailbox. There was only one letter inside. It was a white envelope and in the middle was written:

'Hyuga Tenten'

Curious, Tenten tore it open and unfolded a letter. The penmanship was legible even if the writer was obviously in a rush. Not knowing who it was from, Tenten read it:

Tenten,

It's been a week since I left to help the conflict cease. Obviously, our efforts are almost useless. Everyday, Hinata and I have to face insults and threats, accusations and confrontations. All those words shot at me are all bearable.

What's unbearable is being away from you.

We're so far apart, Tenten, having you back there in Konoha and being here in the Land of the Mists. I can't sleep at night, thinking if you're alright there. How are you doing, by the way? I'm not doing well. You know why? It's because I miss you.

I miss your tender wake up call and I miss your presence beside me during those cold nights in my room. I hardly have breakfast anymore. I can't think straight. If you watch the news, you'd always find me there, frowning and sometimes, fuming mad.

But, don't worry so much about me. I'll be okay, trust me. Think of yourself right now. You have to be strong, Tenten. Actually, you're already strong. I should know… I married you because of that.

I hope you're not crying yourself to sleep, but I admit that I do. I regret going here. But it's for the better. I'll be home soon, you'll see.

Take care, Tenten. I love you.

Love,

Neji

Tenten folded the letter back and smiled. She was glad Neji wrote to her. She was getting so worried. Hugging the letter, Tenten walked back into the Hyuga Manor, tears in her eyes.

But, this time, they were tears of joy.

When You Are Gone, Neji

2012-01-28T05:18:00.001-08:00

Chapter 2
To My So Not Little Bonbon

Neji ripped a page off the calendar. He crumpled it and threw it over his shoulder.

"A month!" Neji exclaimed, "It's been a month already, Hinata! What are we easting are time for? It's hopeless!"

Hinata twitched a little on her seat and stammered, "Be patient, Cousin Neji. I scheduled another appointment with the clan head and…"

"Another appointment?" Neji almost yelled, "Hinata, every time we arrive for a negotiation with them, they either won't show up or attempt to kill us… again!"

Hinata tugged her hair timidly, "I know, I know," she mumbled, "But, we have to make this work out, Neji. The village's fate is in our hands. We shouldn't let them down."

Neji sighed. He looked out the window, staring at the round, pale moon. "Isn't your Hokage husband going to arrive?" Neji asked.

Hinata shook her head, "Neji," she said, "Can you keep in my mind that this isn't the only crisis happening now?"

Clenching his fists, Neji growled, "Yeah, but this is one of those important matters that he should prioritize. What kind of Hokage is he?"

Irritated at the insult meant for the Hokage, Hinata stood from her seat, "Naruto is a great Hokage, Neji! Don't you dare talk about him like that!"

Speaking no more, Neji threw his head back a little in acknowledgement. "Anyway," Hinata continued, "Prepare yourself for tomorrow. And be alert. The death threat's on us and we can't rely on our guards alone."

Neji raised his brows in silent reply. Hinata was finally getting a backbone, fortunately, but she was getting so… leading. He noticed that he was getting humble after he married Tenten. He became more sensitive of other's feelings.

Leaving the room, Neji walked along the hallway. He kept his gaze on the wooden floor as he passed the many rooms until he reached his own room.

He pushed the door open, making it slam against the wall. He clicked the light on and was surprised when he found something on his desk.

A letter.

'I hope it's from Tenten…' was Neji's first thought.

He picked it up and read the writing on the envelope. 'It's Tenten, alright.' He could tell Tenten's penmanship anywhere.

He ripped open the envelope and eagerly read her letter:

My Not-So-Little Bonbon Neji,

How are things over there? I'm, as always, fine but I still can't sleep that well without you.

The house is always so quiet without you coming home from missions at 5 p.m., announcing, "Tenten! I'm home!"

Every morning, I turn the television on and the first thing I watch is the news, which I never did before. You know how I hate political things. I'm always waiting for the part where they narrate anything about the conflict.

Anyway, I've been wanting to tell you to look after yourself. I heard of the death threat and when they broadcasted it, I couldn't stop crying. Neji, please, please be careful. I don't want you to get killed or even get hurt. Promise me that you'll be home in one piece, okay?

Gosh, you don't know how hard it is back here. Someone broke in the other day and stole nothing but a drumstick. Odd but it doesn't really matter.

Neji, can you come home now? Haha. I know you can't so do me a favor and finish that argument or whatever that is quickly. The sooner you get home, the better. I'm still missing you, especially your 'Good Night' and 'Good Morning' kisses.

I cry sometimes, still. I'm sorry I can't stop doing that. I can't help it. It just pains me that maybe you'll never come back.

Oh, Gosh…

Remember the first time I had to sleep in the Hyuga Manor? I said I needed time on my own or something stupid like that. I spent the night on the couch and the next morning, I had huge eye bags coz it turns out that I couldn't sleep without you? Well, I now have all the time I have on my own… and I don't want it.

I used to start the day with a cup of coffee and breakfast with you but now, I start the day with a couple of tears and a few words…

'I miss you, Neji…'

Nothing's been the same ever since you left. And I can't get over it, Neji… I can't. So, please… do yourself and me a favor and finish your business there so you can run back into my arms.

I love you, Neji. I miss you.

Loving you,

Tenten

P.S. The Bonbon thing at the start of the letter was just a pun. I hoped it made you smile.

He reread the letter over and over then sighed deeply.

"Yeah…" he said to himself, "I gotta get this done quick. So I can get back home…"

When You Are Gone, Neji

2012-01-28T05:17:00.001-08:00

Chapter 3
I'll be Home Soon

It's been a couple of days since Tenten's letter arrived. So far, the negotiation's making progress and maybe eventually, the conflict will turn out well.

The night was unusually quiet and dull. If he was back at his house with Tenten, they'd be seated side by side by their window, stargazing.

It was one of the things she loved to do. At first, he thought it was childish and juvenile to do so. On his first few nights with Tenten, he'd find her gazing out the window. Then, soon enough, he suddenly joined her. From then on, it was a habit they shared.

Neji held Tenten's recent letter and thought, 'I'll write back now. I might not get a chance in a while since Hinata and I are so busy.'

He grabbed a piece of parchment and began to write down what he wanted to tell his wife:

Tenten,

I hope you're doing okay there. So far, I'm alright, too.

I have some good news. It's going to make both of us feel better:

Soon, I'll be home.

Isn't it great? For the past few days, Hinata and I have been going around, talking and debating with different people and managing to dodge some assassination attempts. And all that will soon pay off.

Imagine, in maybe three months, I'll be back with you in Konoha. I can't wait for this to end.

Tenten, we'll be together again!

I've got a random question for you: When I'm not there, do you look out the window to stargaze?

I hope you do. I haven't done so in quite a while but I try to do so before going to sleep. You know why? It makes me have this feeling that I'm not so alone. It makes me feel as if you're also here with me.

I may not be with you physically but if you listen to your heart, you'll discover that I've always been with you and that's not about to change.

You said that you miss me a lot. Well, I miss you, too, Honey. You know that.

But keep in mind that we're not that distant. We're still under the same big sky. We're probably even wishing on the same wishing star.

Haha. Am I beginning to sound dramatic? I apologize. I just wish I could hold you close right now. There's no one here to tell me that I'm special, that I matter. You're the only one who did so. Man, I want to be back there now.

I have a meeting with the clan head tomorrow morning so pray that this'll work out.

Kisses for you, My Darling Tenten.

I'll see you soon. I love you.

Loving you,

Neji

At the last word, Neji read through his letter and smiled. He was satisfied.

He folded it neatly and placed it into an envelope. Sealing it securely, he pocketed it and walked out of his quarters.

Neji proceeded out of the house's front door and went to look for a messenger who'll send the letter for him.

But, when Neji did find a messenger, he gaped at the messenger with horror.

Before him was one of the Hyuga messengers, wounded and bloodied.

As he stood there, he felt a strong hand grasp his wrists and quickly bounded it.

"Who are you?" Neji yelled out loud.

A kunai was placed before his neck, ready to be slit down his throat.

The intruder cackled behind Neji, "Hyuga Neji?"

With that, Neji shivered at the deep yet unfamiliar voice. He could feel the kunai's cold blade touching his neck's skin. His sweat fell down his cheeks.

"Wh…" Neji tried to speak, "What do you want…?"

The ninja didn't reply immediately but when he did, Neji heard each word:

"I want you dead."

A shine flashed across the shadow of the night. There was a sound, piercing and quick, of a slash from a kunai, followed by a shriek of pain then, a thud. Blood splattered across the ground below.

When You Are Gone, Neji

2012-01-28T05:16:00.000-08:00

Chapter 4
Room 312 at the Leaf Hospital

"Get out of my way! Move it! Excuse me!"

Tenten was frantically running through the Leaf Hospital after the Hokage called for her to tell her the news.

Her eyes were red and teary from the crying she'd stifle. She bit her lip hard to keep any bawling from happening. And she was praying even harder so that by the time she arrives, Neji would still be alive.

Tenten recalled each word from the Hokage, Naruto, as she ran like her life depended on it:

"What do you mean he's home unfortunately? How is his homecoming an unfortunate event?" Tenten screamed.

The Hokage bowed his head and muttered, "I'm afraid that Neji's death threat was carried out…"

Her whole world turned black, "No…" she whispered, "…He's… He's dead?"

Lord Hokage Naruto shook his head and explained, "An assassin was sent to kill him three nights ago. There was bloodshed from both Neji and the assassin but only the assassin died."

"How did this happen?" Tenten demanded that someone answer her.

The Hokage sat back and replied, "I'm not quite sure. Details of the attack aren't present in the report since there are no witnesses. Neji's state is slightly critical, they say…"

"Slightly?" Tenten emphasized each syllable, "According to the report I read, he has slices on his arms, a deep cut near his throat and deadly poison running in his veins. Is that just slightly critical?"

"Calm down, Tenten," the Hokage said, "The medical ninjas are doing all they can! They can't promise any good results, though…"

Furious, Tenten ran out of the office, rushing to the Leaf Hospital.

'He has to be alright!' she thought continuously.

Her feet were numb from the tiring run across the village and it seemed like it took her years to reach the place.

Once she reached the third floor, she approached a medical ninja and asked, "Where is Hyuga Neji confined?"

The medical ninja pointed to the last room at the end of the hall and added,

"He's at Room 312 under the care of Uchiha Sakura (A/C: I'm sorry, I just can't help it. I'm a SasuSaku fan. Apologies to those who aren't)."

Hastily, Tenten nodded in thanks and began running towards the direction of Room 312.

When she finally got there, she pushed the door open without even bothering to turn the knob and yelled, "Neji!"

One of the door's hinges flew off (something that will come out of the Hospital Bill), landing onto the lap of the patient on the cot with a light tap.

Sakura, who was writing observations on the patient gave her an amused look as she said, "Don't worry, Tenten. Neji's going to be fine."

With that, Tenten turned to the man who was seated upright on the cot, "Neji?" she managed to say.

Neji, the patient, smiled back at her and greeted, "Tenten!"

Her tears rolled down her flushed cheeks, "You're back!" she cried. At that, she flung her arms around him and sobbed on his shoulder.

"Hey, easy, Tenten…" Neji comforted her by hugging her back, "You heard Sakura; I'm going to be alright."

Hiccupping and sniffling, Tenten just nodded like a child as she kept on holding on to Neji.

Sakura decided to say something regarding Neji's condition while the moment was going on, "Well," she muttered, clearing her throat, "It seems that his bruises and blisters weren't that serious. We already took care of the slash near his neck and it'll be completely healed in maybe less than a week. Lady Hinata, being a medical ninja herself, did her part on expelling some of the poison in his blood so rest assured, there's nothing to worry about. In fact, Neji can be released from the hospital in a matter of weeks."

With the final word, Tenten's happiness was flowing out. She turned to Neji and said, "I'm so glad you're home and soon, you'll be okay."

Neji nodded and replied, "I'm just glad that we're back together."

Quite some time after all that…

"You'll be home before 5?" Tenten expectantly asked.

Chuckling, Neji answered, "It's just a mission, Tenten. I won't take long."

Tenten teasingly pinched his cheek saying, "You'd better. I don't want to be alone in the house again. I had enough of that when you went to the Land of Mists."

Neji raised his brows and just waved good-bye, "Don't worry, Tenten. I'll be home by 4, promise!"

Tenten waved back and called out, "No! I want you home by 3!"

Rolling his eyes jokingly, Neji said, "Tenten! Four!"

Tenten shook her head, "Be home by 3 this afternoon! Remember to bring home cookies for me, by the way!"

His eyes grew, "Cookies?" he said, baffled.

"Yeah," Tenten's eyes twinkled as a smile crept across her face, "I'm craving, remember, Honey?"

"Oh, yeah…" Neji trailed off.

Tenten again demanded, "Home by 3?"

"Gotcha!" Neji finally admitted defeat.

'Man…' Neji thought in his head, 'I'm gonna be a father…'

Tenten's Troubles

2012-01-28T05:12:00.001-08:00

Chapter 1
No Hair Ties?

Tenten woke up to a beautiful day. Like every other day, she ate breakfest, took a shower, got dressed, blow dried her hair, and then put it up... or did she? Tenten did not put her hair up, why? Because she had no hair ties. As she looked through the heap of junk and clothes AKA her room, she still couldn't find anything. At last, Tenten kneeled down in the middle of the hallway, threw her hands up and shouted.

" (Cough Cough) OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-"

Five Minutes Later-

"-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Screamed Tenten. She would've screamed longer, but the neighbors started yelling at her to shut up.

"Tenten, what the hell is going on?" Snapped Tenten's mother, peeking her head out of her bedroom.

"Oh! Mom, do you have any hair ties?" Asked Tenten hopefully. Tenten's mother pointed to her short hair.

"Do I need any?" She asked. Tenten proceeded her NO! scream.

"TENTEN!" Snapped her mother.

"Yeah?" Asked Tenten.

"Did you ever think of just going to training without your hair up?" Her mother asked.

"...Is that a trick question?" Asked Tenten, her mother huffed. "I'm just kidding. It's just that no one ever saw me with my hair down before."

"But your hair looks so nice down..." The older woman said.

"Yeah, but it gets in the way!" Said Tenten. "I don't want it in the way!"

"Oh get over it Tenten! I'll just buy you some hair ties, one day with your hair down, how bad could it be?"

Later-

Very bad. Tenten vowed herself to not throw kunais at the perverted men who were checking her out.

"Hey baby!" Said a guy. Tenten threw a shuriken at him which whizzed past the guy's head. She never said anything about shuriken...

Tenten made it to her training grounds where Lee and Neji were sparring. Okay, they weren't sparring, but Lee was trying to get Neji to spar with him.

"Come on Neji! Just one spar! I challenge you!" Said Lee.

"No." Was all Neji said.

"Is the great Hyuuga Neji afraid?" Said Lee.

"No."

"Five minutes!"

"No."

"Then you are afraid!"

Tenten sighed. The only thing smaller then Lee's fashion sense was his brain.

"Yo." She said, walking up to her two teammates. Lee and Neji both turned around to their teammate, but, of course, they didn't recognize her.

"Eh? Are you lost?" Asked Neji. Tenten looked confused. Didn't they recognize her.

"Uhm..." She started, but was interuppted when Lee started talking wierd.

"Ah! A beautiful flower! Surely you are the most beautiful creature to walk the planet!" Lee said. Tenten wasn't sure if it was a pick up line or an attempt to make her barf.

"Er... Lee? It's me, Tenten..." She said.

"WHAT! TENTEN!" Shouted Lee, as if Tenten was poison Ivy instead of a beautiful flower, even Neji was shocked. Lee ran across the training grounds and came back with a water bottle in his hands, he drank his water and then spat it all over Neji's face. Neji slowly turned his head to give Lee a scowl.

"GOOD MORNING MY STUDENTS OF YOUTH AND..." Gai trailed off. "Who are you?"

Tenten slapped her forehead.

"It's me Gai Sensei, it's Tenten..." She told. Gai gasped, he ran over to Lee and grabbed his water bottle, he took a drink and spat it all over Neji's face.

"...Are you guys going to do that all morning?" Asked Neji, wiping the mixture of water and saliva off his face.

"It can't be you! We haven't seen Tenten with her hair down since..." Gai stopped to start thinking. Neji sniffed the air.

"Do you smell smoke?" Neji asked in a puzzled voice.

"EVER!" Gai concluded.

"Well my hair's down! Get used to it! Let's just train!" Said Tenten.

"Tenten is right! Let's get down to business! We will spar!" Said Gai. "Lee will spar with Tenten and Neji will spar with me, alright?"

"Yes." Everyone answered, and they went to work.

While Tenten and Lee were sparring, Tenten couldn't help but think Lee was being distracted. But when Lee just stopped dodging her weapons to just stand there and gaze at her, she knew something was wrong.

"Lee! Stop obsessing over my hair!" Tenten shouted, which caused Lee to snap out of his daze.

"I'm not obsessing!" He defended.

"Lee!"

Gai and Neji stopped their spar to look at the two. Gai sighed.

"Okay, Lee and Neji will switch spots okay?" He said. They did as told and continued their sparring rituals.

Tenten was okay now because she knew Neji wouldn't do anything... well... she thought she knew. When they were doing close up combat, she could've sworn Neji stroked her hair.

"EW! Don't do that!" Said Tenten, backing up away from Neji.

"Do what?" He asked, looking confused. Tenten sighed.

"Never mind..." She said. What was she thinking? This was Hyuuga Neji.

They continued their spar without any interupptions, that is... until her hair got stroked again.

"EEP! GAI SENSEI, CAN I SPAR WITH YOU?" Asked Tenten, backing away from Neji. She could've sworn Neji murmer something like 'aw man' or something similar.

"Eh? What's going on?" Asked Gai, looking at Tenten, then Neji, then Tenten again.

"NEJI'S BEING A JERK!" She said.

"What did I do?" Asked Neji.

"You stroked my hair!" Snapped Tenten.

"Why would I do that?" Asked Neji, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know!" Said Tenten. Gai sighed.

"Let's just take a break..." He said.

"No wait-" Started Tenten.

"Don't worry, it's all right! We could all use a break to enjoy our youths! Let's go take a walk around Konoha!" Said Gai.

"All right Gai Sensei!" Said Lee obediantly.

"Whatever..." Said Tenten.

The walk would've been normal but guys kept staring at Tenten, one guy even walked right into a pole because he was so preoccupied.

"Just kill me now..." Tenten grumbled under her breath.

"HEY LEE!" Shouted a voice, the 4 turned around and saw Naruto run up to them. The rest of team 7 caught up later.

"KAKASHI!" Shouted Gai, running up to his rival.

"Hi guys..." Naruto's voice trailed off. Tenten suppressed a groan. "Whoa... you guys got an upgrade..." Said Naruto, eyeing Tenten.

"Excuse me? I'm Tenten!" She yelled.

"Wha... seriously? Well in that case, you want to get some ramen with me?" Asked Naruto.

"No!" Snapped Tenten.

"You're Tenten?" Sasuke said questioningly, pointing at the weapons master.

"DUH! I just said that!" Said Tenten, getting really annoyed.

"Do you guys want to join us? We were going to get some ramen!" Said Sakura.

"Whatever..." Said Neji. The group ditched their rivaling teachers to walk to the ramen place. Sasuke was sort of slugging along in the back while the rest were ahead of him.

Tenten was happy that everyone else were just chattering like idiots so no one noticed her... well... ALMOST no one.

"I like girls with long hair..." Sasuke whispered in her ear causing her to jump.

"EW! YOU PERVERT!" Shouted Tenten, causing the whole group to turn around and look at Sasuke.

"What?" He said confused.

"You just whispered 'I like girls with long hair' in my ear you jackass!" Yelled Tenten.

"Number one, that was just some stupid rumor, and number two, I didn't whisper anything in your ear..." Said Sasuke.

"LIAR!" She screamed, pointing at him.

"Tenten, I don't think he said anything..." Said Naruto, putting his hand on Tenten's shoulder, which made Tenten even MORE uncomfortable, she shrugged Naruto's hand off. The group ignored what happened and continued walking. The others continues their conversation while Tenten crossed her arms. She KNEW Sasuke whispered in her ear.

"I wouldn't stand so close to Neji, he could use his byakugan to look down your shirt, can't blame him though..." Sasuke whispered.

"THAT'S THE FINAL STRAW!" Shrieked Tenten running off. Everyone looked at Sasuke.

"Wasn't me..." He lied.

Tenten's Troubles

2012-01-28T05:12:00.000-08:00

Chapter 2
The Chase

Tenten kept running, even though she was almost out of breath. She was so blinded by just getting away from the 'perverts' she didn't notice Ino in front of her.

CRASH!

"Oh, sorry Ino..." Apoligized Tenten as she helped the blond girl off the ground.

"Oh, that's okay... Uhm... who are you?" Asked Ino, taking a look at Tenten. Tenten sighed.

"It's me, Tenten!"

"Tenten?" Wondered Ino, looking confused.

"Wait a second! Do you have any hair..." Tenten trailed off. "INO! YOUR HAIR'S SHORT!"

"Shikamaru and Chouji said I was beginning to become selfish and I don't want to become that way, so I donated my hair..." Said Ino, smiling.

"Do you have any hair ties?" Tenten asked quickly.

"No, I donated all those too..." Said Ino.

"Great, I'm just going to have to buy some..." Grumbled Tenten.

"Er... Tenten? It's a shopkeeper holiday. All the stores are closed until tomorrow." Said Ino.

"WHAT! NO! THAT CAN'T HAPPEN!" Said Tenten.

"Yeah, I know, I was going to buy this really pretty bead necklace!" Said Ino.

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Said Tenten. "THE WEIRDEST THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING TO ME!"

"Like what?" Asked Ino.

"ALL THE GUYS ARE GOING GA GA AFTER ME! NARUTO ASKED ME OUT, LEE CALLED ME A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER, NEJI STROKED MY HAIR, AND SASUKE WHISPERED IN MY EAR!" Said Tenten. Ino stared at Tenten before laughing.

"HAHA! I highly doubt Neji would stroke your hair and I highly doubt Sasuke would whisper in your ear..." Laughed Ino.

"BUT THEY DID!" Protested Tenten.

"Look, Shikamaru thinks women are troublesome and Chouji never fell for a girl before so if you can get these guys to gaze at you or something like that, then I'll believe you." Said Ino.

"Fine..." Sighed Tenten.

Later-

"Chouji, we've been staring at this board for 20 minutes..." Said Shikamaru, looking at the Go board.

"I know, I just want to make the right move..." Said Chouji.

"We just started this game, if you put a stone down, I won't be able to capture it." Said Shikamaru.

"You can never be too careful..." Said Chouji.

"Hey guys!" Said Ino. Chouji and Shikamaru looked at their blond teammate.

"You remember Tenten right?" Said Ino, stepping aside to show Tenten.

"Er... Hi..." Said Tenten.

"Isn't she pretty?" Asked Ino. Chouji and Shikamaru stared at Tenten with wide eyes.

Silence.

Shikamaru:O.O

Chouji: O.O

"SEE! I TOLD YOU!" Said Tenten, running away again.

"TENTEN!" Cried Ino, chasing after to comfort the poor girl.

"About time they went away..." Said Chouji, finally placing a stone on the board. "You were right Shikamaru, staring at people really do make them run away..."

"Of course I'm right..." Said Shikamaru, grabbing stone out of the Go bowl.

"I can't believe Ino thought we would fall for her..." Said Chouji.

"Ino doesn't know us at all..." Sighed Shikamaru.

Ramen Place-

"I wonder how Tenten's doing..." Said Sakura.

"I think she'll be fine. But she's been acting wierd all morning." Said Gai.

"Hey, is that Tenten outside?" Asked Sakura, pointing. Everyone looked and saw Tenten being chased by Ino.

"Maybe Ino's jealous of Tenten's looks..." Joked Kakashi.

"I'll go help her..." Neji, Lee, Naruto, and Sasuke said in unison, standing up. They all looked at each other in unison.

"I have the byakugan, I can find her the quickest..." Said Neji.

"But I run the fastest..." Said Lee.

"Well I'm her teammate..." Said Neji.

"So am I!" Said Lee.

"Go eat your ramen dobe, I can get her..." Said Sasuke.

"But I'll be able to find her the easiest, I can use Bunshin no Jutsu better then anyone else..." Said Naruto. Sakura, Kakashi, and Gai raised an eyebrow in unison.

"Well I'm the hottest..." Said Sasuke. (RLN: I warned you about the OOCness...)

"What are you talking about Uchiha? It's pretty obvious I'm the hottest." Said Neji.

"Even with the Byakugan you're still as blind as ever Hyuuga..." Said Sasuke.

"While you guys argue over who's the hottest, I'm going to go save Tenten..." Said Naruto.

"Why should you go? You barely know her!" Said Lee.

"Well I can use Bunshin no Jutsu unlike someone..." Said Naruto.

"You're the only one who would NEED Bunshin no Jutsu to do such a simple task..." Said Sasuke.

"WHAT'D YOU SAY SASUKE BASTARD!" Hissed Naruto.

"I WILL FIND TENTEN WITHOUT THE HELP OF NINJUTSU OR GENJUTSU!" Vowed Lee.

"You can't even USE ninjutsu or genjutsu so why are you making a vow like that?" Asked Neji.

"Shut up Hyuuga, no one wants to listen to you..." Said Sasuke, glaring.

"Go fuck Orochimaru you Gay ass..." Snapped Neji, returning the glare.

"QUIET! STOP BICKERING!" Said Sakura, slamming her hands on the table. "YOU GUYS CAN'T FIGHT!"

"WHY NOT?" Snapped all the guys. (Excluding Kakashi and Gai)

"BECAUSE! We have to sell tickets, this is the fight of the century!" Said Sakura, with money signs in her eyes.

"Hmm... this is interesting, I got a plan..." Said Kakashi, poofing away.

Meanwhile-

Jiraiya was gathering 'inspiration' when somebody poofed near him. Jiraiya turned around and saw Kakashi.

"Hey Kakashi, what's up?" Jiraiya asked his number one fan.

"I found good inspiration for your next book." Said Kakashi.

"Oh really?" Said Jiraiya.

"Yup, have you heard of a girl named Tenten?" Asked Kakashi.

"I know every girl in this village." Said Jiraiya, grinning. "What about her?"

"Well apparently, she's the favorite girl. Even Sasuke and Neji are fighting over her." Said Kakashi.

"WHAT! THE YOUNG PRODIGIES! AW MAN! THIS IS GOOD! THANKS KAKASHI! YOU'LL BE GETTING A FREE ISSUE OF THIS ONE!" Exclaimed Jiraiya, unfortunaly, he was so loud, all the girls in the springs heard him.

"Oh shit..." Swore Jiraiya.

"YOU PEVERTS!" Screamed the girls, throwing every solid object they could find at Jiraiya and Kakashi.

Tenten's Troubles

2012-01-28T05:10:00.000-08:00

Chapter 3
Kiba Joins!

The guys managed to get out of the Ramen place, beating the crap out of each other first though, Sakura smiled as she counted her money outside in the streets.

Inner Sakura: Oh man! I'm rich baby!

But what about Sasuke Kun? I should probaly stop him, I mean, he's chasing Tenten! If I want Sasuke to fall in love with me, I need to stop him... She thought, she was about to put the money in her pocket, but her Inner self stopped her.

Inner Sakura: Forget Sasuke! Look at all this cash we got for selling tickets to the fight! We're so rich, we don't NEED Sasuke!

Sakura grinned greedily before counting her money.

Oh, this is the life...

Inner Sakura: HELL YEAH!

Sakura was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard noises, she looked and saw Ino panting from a block away.

"Sigh... she's gone..." Murmered Ino, looking around. She may be stronger then Tenten, but Tenten was faster.

"DYNAMIC ENTRY!" Shouted a voice, Ino quickly turned around but was already kicked backwards.

"WHAT THE FUCK?" She screamed, realizing Lee kicked her.

"How dare you try to hurt Tenten!" Said Lee, pointing at her. Ino was confused. She wasn't trying to hurt Tenten...

"PREPARE TO DIE JEALOUS WENCH!" Shouted Naruto, who pushed Lee away.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Screamed Lee.

"AVENGING TENTEN DUMBNUT! WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE I'M DOING?" Screamed Naruto. Sakura raised an eyebrow, this was getting out of hand...

"To hell with you dobe, I'M the avenger, if anybody is avenging Tenten it's me..." Said Sasuke. Ino's jaw dropped. Even SASUKE was against her.

"I'm her teammate!" Neji and Lee said in unison before glaring at each other.

"Well I'm more sexy!" Said Naruto.

"You are not dobe, I am!" Said Sasuke.

"You said you were the hottest, so I took the title of Most Sexy, and everyone knows Sexy is better then Hot..." Said Naruto, crossing his arms.

"WHO CARES ABOUT LOOKS?" Said Lee.

"The only reason why you're saying that is because you never looked in a mirror, everytime you attempted to it cracked..." Teased Naruto.

"I got a better joke, want to see something funny?" Said Neji, Naruto paused before nodding. Neji pulled out a mirror in front of Naruto's face.

"ASSHOLE! I'M SENDING YOU BACK TO THE DARKNESS!" Screamed Naruto. Ino slowly backed up and ran away while Sakura sighed and walked down the street, knowing her teammate was going to blow up.

Tenten-

"Phew... I'm safe..." She muttered, looking upon the arguing boys who were too distracted bickering that they didn't notice her. She started backing up slowly, when she suddenly bumped into someone.

"HEY! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE..." Tenten spun around and saw Kiba with his jaw dropped and his eyes widen.

"..." Oh shit...

"You smell nice..." He said, with hearts in the background.

"Erm... thanks?" She said.

"IS THAT TENTEN?" Shouted a voice, Tenten and Kiba looked and saw Naruto pointing. Currently, Lee had Neji in a headlock while Naruto was on the floor with Sasuke on top of him. Sasuke stopped punching Naruto across the face long enough to look. Tenten's face paled.

"EEK! THEY FOUND ME!" She shrieked.

"What? You're Tenten?" Said Kiba, confused. Tenten was about to run off but Kiba lifted Tenten off her feet and carried her bridal style, running away.

"WHAT THE FUCK?" Screamed Neji, Lee released him.

"GET 'EM!" Shouted Naruto, pushing Sasuke off of him.

"PUT ME DOWN ASSHOLE!" Screamed Tenten.

"Why?"

"BECAUSE I SAID SO!" Shrieked Tenten, Kiba winced.

"You scream loud..." He grumbled.

"WANNA HEAR ME SCREAM LOUDER?" She shouted in his ear.

"Kiba, what did you do this time?" Asked a voice. Kiba slid to a stop and turned around and saw Shino.

"LET GO OF ME!" Screamed Tenten.

"YOU'RE MINE AND DON'T FORGET IT! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Kiba started laughing evilly while Tenten and Shino stared at him.

"Does he always do this?" Tenten asked Shino.

"Dogs are very overprotective of their territory and mate, Kiba's exactly the same but he's just more insane." Answered Shino. "Put her down Kiba..."

Kiba stopped laughing like a maniac on steroids.

"And let you have it? No way man! That's not cool!" Snapped Kiba. Tenten frowned. When was she an "it"? What was she now, an object?

"I am NOT an it!" Snapped Tenten, slapping Kiba across the cheek. Kiba was so startled he dropped Tenten on the ground, that's where she made her escape.

"YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE! DO DOG SENSES MEAN NOTHING TO YOU?" Kiba shouted after Tenten.

"Oh shit, he's right..." She murmered. She peeked behind her and saw no one. She then slipped into an alley, walking backwards, when no one came in, she turned around and squeaked. Naruto was concetrating his chakra on a clothes line and was hanging upside down. He had a mask on for "disguise" even though she could clearly tell it was him.

"What are you doing?" She sighed.

"If somebody told you I was your average kickass teenage ninja, then somebody lied..." He said in a dramatic voice. She grabbed his mask. (RLN: Don't own Spiderman either)

"Right..." She said. "Naruto." She revealed, pulling the mask off.

"...How'd you know it was me?" He asked. She rolled her eyes.

"It was obvious..." She murmered, suddenly, Lee was next to Naruto, also hanging upside down.

"IT'S THE GREEN GOBLIN!" He screamed, pointing. Lee glared at him.

"Uh... Lee? I thought you couldn't use chakra..." Said Tenten.

"I can't..." Lee answered.

"Then how come you're hanging upside down?" Tenten, Lee and Naruto looked at Lee's feet and saw he was also hanging upside down from a clothesline.

"Huh... wouldn't you know..." Said Lee, the three stared at Lee's feet, looking mildly impressed.

"THERE YOU ARE!" Said Sasuke, skidding to a stop.

"Shit..." Tenten cursed. Then suddenly, Neji slid into Sasuke, causing them to fall over. Naruto grabbed Tenten's arms and walked up the wall, making the dramtic noises from Spiderman when Peter Parker first climbed up the wall with his furry fingers. His walk turned into a run and started jumping rooftop to rooftop. Naruto soared over.

"PUT ME..." Tenten waited until he landed on the roof. "DOWN!"

"Aw, come on, I'm not that bad..." Said Naruto sadly.

"You have a technique that makes you into a naked girl, you were trained by Jiraiya and Kakashi, so I'm assuming you're bad..." Said Tenten, glaring. Suddenly, someone rammed into Naruto, knocking him backwards, the person caught Tenten.

"Wha..." She started.

"Hello beautiful!" Said Kiba, grinning. He jumped down from the building. Tenten clutched her head and started shaking it.

"WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END?" She screamed.

"When RLN feels like ending it..." Said Kiba.

"Yeah, and whatever RLN says goes, cause she's a goddess." Said Naruto jumping down from the building.

"Yeah, she's a total hottie, and toally creative..." Said Neji.

"And don't forget really smart and kind and generous..." Commented Lee, stepping out of the ally.

"She's the funniest and most gifted person alive, she makes me blush because of her supreme goddess like quality and she's definatly better then IHN..." Shino started.

Tenten's Troubles

2012-01-28T05:08:00.000-08:00

Chapter 4
Hinata, Enemy or Friend?

"Alright! Time to make a run for it!" Shouted Kiba, but he didn't move. Everyone stared at him.

"So... when are you planning on running away?" Asked Naruto.

"I... can't... move..." Said Kiba. Tenten hesitated before looking at the ground. She groaned.

"Shikamaru..." She muttered. Shikamaru revealed himself.

"I thought you didn't like Tenten..." Said Neji.

"That was just an act in front of Chouji." Said Shikamaru.

"What a coincidence..." Said Shino, grabbing Tenten and running off. (RLN: NOO! SHINO!)

"WHAT THE... EVEN SHINO?" Screamed Naruto. Lee was about to run after her but Sasuke pushed him away. When he crossed the street, he used his fire jutsu to create a huge fire.

"Aw man, I didn't think getting Tenten would be this hard. Man this sucks..." Said Shikamaru. Neji activated his byakugan to find the quickest way to Tenten while Naruto chased Neji. Lee took off his weights and ran off as fast as he could while Shikamaru thought up a plan. Kiba used his super nose to find Tenten.

Shino and Tenten-

Oh my god, even bug man loves me... Tenten thought. Then she noticed something.

"Sasuke?" Shino came to a stop and turned around but got punched by Sasuke. Tenten, who managed to land on her feet, she ran off while the two silent boys started beating the shit out of each other.

After running her heart out, she peeked behind her and saw no one, but she accidently crashed into someone.

"Huh? Hinata?" Said Tenten. Hinata frowned.

"Who are you?" She asked firmly.

"It's me Tenten! And... you didn't stutter." Said Tenten, when realization struck her.

"Tenten? Oh yeah, Neji bastard's teammate." Said Hinata.

"..." Did Hinata just swear?

"Anyways, what are you running away from?" Asked Hinata.

"Before we get to that, how come you're so... so..."

"Different?" Asked Hinata, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah! Exactly!" Said Tenten.

"I got confidence lessons, and now I'm a new person." Said Hinata. "Anyways, what were you running away from?"

"ALL THE GUYS ARE BEING CRAZY! SASUKE WHISPERED IN MY EAR, LEE CALLED ME A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER, NARUTO ASKED ME OUT, AND NEJI STROKED MY HAIR!" Screamed Tenten, she was about to go on, but Hinata stopped her.

"Whoa whoa whoa... what did you just say?" She asked.

"You cousin stroked my hair." Said Tenten.

"No no, before that." Said Hinata.

"I said Naruto asked me out." Said Tenten. As soon as she said that, a dark aura was coming from Hinata.

"...Hinata?" Asked Tenten slowly, backing up. Hinata's left eye twitched.

"..." Oh god...

Hinata's byakugan flared up.

"NO!" Screamed Tenten, running away.

"YOU CAN RUN BITCH, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE!" She screamed.

Neji and Naruto-

"GET OUT OF MY WAY UZUMAKI!" Screamed Neji.

"WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER!" Screamed Naruto.

"What the..." Said Neji, stopping.

"What?" Asked Naruto, stopping as well.

"Hinata Sama is chasing Tenten, and she looks angry..." Said Neji.

"...Tenten... or Hinata?" Asked Naruto slowly.

Silence.

"Hinata." Said Neji, the two boys looked at each other in unison before chasing after Hinata and Tenten.

Tenten and Hinata-

"Oh god, where did I go wrong?" Tenten muttered.

Flashback

"Hi, I'm Tenten." Said Tenten, introducing herself to Hinata.

End Flashback

"Prepare to die!" Shouted Hinata, ready to gentle fist like there's no tomorrow.

"Hinata Sama!" Shouted a voice. Tenten and Hinata turned and saw Neji.

"Leave me alone asshole! I have to kill Tenten!" Snapped Hinata.

"I can't let you do that!" Shouted Neji.

"Neji, I don't want to do this..." Muttered Hinata.

"Do what?" Asked Neji, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't want to turn your brain into shit but you gave me no choice." Sighed Hinata, activating his curse seal thingamajig.

"AUGH!" Screamed Neji.

"Uhm... hehe... thanks for caring and stuff, I'll pay you back for this one, but I gotta go." Said Tenten, she turned around to leave but froze when Neji screamed again. She sighed.

Why do I have to be a saint?

"Okay look Hinata, I don't like Naruto, you can have Naruto, but you have to leave Neji alone, got it?" Said Tenten. Hinata looked at Tenten, then Neji, then Tenten again.

"...I didn't realize you guys were intimate..." Said Hinata.

"We're not." Huffed Tenten.

"Oh well, good enough for me, but go near Naruto and your boyfriend will suffer the king of headaches." Said Hinata, unactivating the curse seal thingamajig.

"He's not my... oh forget it." Said Tenten, giving up in the end.

"Tenten! Hinata! And... holy crap Neji." Said Naruto.

"Naruto!" Shouted Hinata, running over to glomp Naruto.

"What the..." Started Naruto, but Hinata glomped him.

"Hey Tenten, want some advice?" Asked Hinata. Tenten nodded. "Why don't you ask the Hokage for hair stuff?"

Tenten's jaw dropped.

"Hinata! You're a genius!" She yelled.

"I know." Said Hinata. Tenten then ran towards the Hokage's palace. Run Tenten, run!

Tenten's Troubles

2012-01-28T05:07:00.000-08:00

Chapter 5
When in Doubt, Get Your Ass to the Hokage!

Tenten sprinted toward the Hokage's palace. She was getting closer. 5 feet... 4 feet... 3... 2... 1...

"TENTEN!" Shouted multiple voices. Tenten turned around and saw Shikamaru, Kiba, and Lee.

"THERE SHE IS!" Said Shikamaru.

"DUH! And they call YOU a genius..." Said Kiba, rolling his eyes.

"GRANDMA!" Shouted a voice, everyone turned around and saw Neji.

"Neji? Why did you shout grandma?" Asked Shikamaru. Lee, Tenten, and Kiba were thinking the same thing.

"GRANDMA!" Shouted Neji again.

"...Maybe Hinata killed too many brain cells..." Murmured Tenten. Lee, Shikamaru, and Kiba looked at Tenten, after hearing her.

"Really?" Said Kiba, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey Neji! What's Two plus Two?" Asked Shikamaru. Neji started thinking for a moment; he then started counting on his fingers. He then took off his sandals and started counting on his toes too.

"..." Tenten, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Lee were speechless. Hyuuga Neji had to count on his TOES to figure out what Two plus two was.

"IT'S TWENTY!" Neji concluded, with a proud smile on his face.

"...At least he can count right..." Muttered Shikamaru, satisfied with the fact Neji knew how many toes and fingers he had.

"Or is it 79..." Said Neji, stroking his chin.

"...Or not." Said Tenten.

"Neji put your hand on your chest real quick." Said Kiba, Neji put his hand on his shoulder.

"...Close enough; now try to bite your ear." Said Kiba. Neji tried to do so, which caused Kiba to laugh at the incredibly stupid Neji trying to bite his ear.

"...I don't have time for this..." Said Tenten, running into the palace, the laughs of Shikamaru, Kiba and Lee trailing off.

Tenten ran up the stairs and made it to the Hokage's office, she ran in. The alarming noise of the doors slamming woke up the sleeping Hokage.

"Huh? Wha? What's going on?" Asked Tsunade, rubbing her eyes.

"TSUNADE SAMA! I NEED YOUR HELP!" Shouted Tenten. Tsunade was confused.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"I'm Tenten..." Sighed Tenten, annoyed.

"Oh... your hair's down." Observed Tsunade. "How can I help you?"

"I NEED HAIR TIES! I CAN'T FIND ANY AT MY HOUSE, NOBODY I KNOW HAS ANY, AND THE SHOPS ARE CLOSED!" Said Tenten, Tsunade cut her off.

"I know! I was going to buy this bead necklace!" Said Tsunade. "But apparently, it's a shopkeeper holiday. Who would've known?"

"WHO CARES? Anyways, I need to borrow your hair ties." Said Tenten.

"Why?" Asked Tsunade, raising an eyebrow. "So your hair's down for one day, what's the big deal?"

"It's a VERY big deal. Shino, Kiba, and Shikamaru are chasing me, Neji stroked my hair, Hinata's being scary, Naruto put his hand on my shoulder, Sasuke whispered in my ear, and Lee, for some unknown reason, can use chakra, AND I WISH REDLOTUSNIN WOULD JUST DIE!"

RLN: HEY!

"So? Everybody (Excluding her fans) wants RLN to die..." Said Tsunade.

RLN: HEY!

"And this stuff isn't so bad..." Added Tsunade, ignoring the furious author.

"How?" Huffed Tenten.

"Well... who cares if you end up with these guys?" Tenten's jaw dropped. Everyone was against her today...

"I mean... Kiba and Lee, no... But Shikamaru... with his intelligence, he could become very rich, if you ended up with him, you'd inherit his fortune after his death, and with the shape he's in, he'll definitely die before you..." Said Tsunade.

They hated her.

"And Naruto... well... stay away from him... I think he and that little Hyuuga girl are just so cute together!" Chirped Tsunade.

The Hokage was a LUNATIC.

"I can see why you don't like Shino, with the bugs and all but... his voice is so damn sexy and he's SO mysterious... and... well... Sasuke and Neji ARE the prodigies and ARE geniuses..."

Not anymore... Thought Tenten, remembering Neji's proud smile when he misadded Two plus Two.

"But Sasuke... I don't know... you might want to play it safe with Sasuke, with reviving the clan and all..."

Tenten's face became disgusted.

"But you and Neji could have such cute children together!"

Oh yeah, Main House hating weapon throwing babies, sounds adorable to me... Thought Tenten sarcastically.

"LOOK! I JUST WANT THE DAMN HAIR TIES! I DON'T WANT DEAD SHIKAMARU'S FORTUNE, SEXY VOICED SHINO, PERVERTED SASUKE, OR CUTE MAIN HOUSE HATING WEAPON THROWING FANGED BABIES THAT LOOK LIKE CLONES OF HYUUGA ELDERS WITH TROUBLED CHILDHOODS! I JUST WANT SOME DAMN HAIR TIES!" Screamed Tenten, slamming her hands on the desk.

"I can't give them to you." Said Tsunade flatly. Tenten fell over anime style.

"Why not?" Asked her muffled voice from the floor.

"Because as a medic Nin, sharing hair ties can cause diseases..." Said Tsunade, with her index finger in the air. Tenten stood up.

"WHO CARES ABOUT DISEASES? SOMEBODY IS PROBALY GOING TO RAPE ME!" Shrieked Tenten. Tsunade stroked her chin.

"I wonder..."

Tenten was on the edge of her seat (And she wasn't even sitting on one! That's what makes it so dramatic!) Waiting for Tsunade's startling statement.

"I wonder who would make it to you first..." Said Tsunade, causing Tenten to fall over again.

"I mean Neji's byakugan could find you, but maybe Kiba's smelling could help you though. No... You could beat Kiba in a fair match. Maybe Sasuke, I mean, with the fact of reviving his clan scratched in the back of his mind..."

"I'm sorry I even came..." Muttered Tenten, crawling out of the room.

"Well if you ever want to vis-"

Tenten slammed the door behind her.

Later-

It was hopeless. She would have to run away, change her image, and then switch names. She would become a missing Nin, but it wouldn't matter, she was one of the toughest kunoichi in the village so the female Nins wouldn't be tough to beat... as for the ninjas... they'd die because of her "beauty". Tenten started thinking about a new name. A last name would be nice; yes... as for first name... 1010 would have to do. She was so preoccupied, she slammed into a house.

"Ow..." She murmured, after she fell on her butt.

"What the hell?" Said a voice. Tenten looked up and saw Temari looking at her confused.

"Why the hell did you just run into our house? And who are you?" Asked Temari.

"I'm Tenten! And don't yell at me! I'm depressed T... Tem..." Tenten started. She then started snapping her fingers. She should know this one. She lost to her in the chuunin exams.

"Temari." Temari said bluntly.

"Oh, that's right." Said Tenten. But then Tenten noticed something. She gasped.

"TEMARI! YOU HAVE HAIR TIES!" She screamed. Temari raised an eyebrow.

"You Konoha Kunoichi are slower then I thought..." She murmured. "And they say I'm a dumb blond..."

"YOU HAVE TO KET ME BORROW THEM!" Tenten screamed. Temari crossed her arms.

"Now wait just a second! What makes you think I'll do that?" She yelled.

"All the guys are falling in love with me! But if I put my hair up, I'll be fine!" Said Tenten.

"That's the lamest thing I ever heard! You think I'm going to pity you?" Snapped Temari. Tenten thought for a moment.

"Well... okay... I guess I can't force you..." Sighed Tenten.

"Exactly!" Said Temari, turning around, arms crossed.

"I guess Tsunade Sama was right... I'm probably going to end up with one of these guys anyways..." Said Tenten.

"Yep!" Said Temari.

"I guess I'll just go with Shikamaru. Being rich couldn't be SO bad..." Said Tenten shrugging. She fought back a smirk when she saw Temari freeze in her spot.

"So... err... Tenten was it?" Said Temari, turning her head.

"Yeah?"

5 Minutes Later-

"OUT OF MY WAY!" Screamed Sasuke. Kiba pushed him; Sasuke fell on the floor while Shino, Kiba, Lee, and Shikamaru trampled over him. Neji skipped past him.

"Hey! I smell her!" Said Kiba, looking at Temari's house. The door opened and Tenten came out. The boys' jaws dropped when they saw Tenten with her hair up again.

"Hey guys!" She said happily.

Silence.

"Who's she?" Asked Neji, causing everybody to stare at him.

"That's Tenten..." Said Lee.

"...Ten... of what?" Asked Neji.

Stare.

Chirp Chirp.

"O...kay..." Said Tenten. She started leaving but a voice called her name.

"Hey Tenten! I don't need these." Everybody turned around and saw Temari with her hair down, and her last two hair ties in her hands. (RLN: Temari has FOUR ponytails, she gave Tenten two, but she doesn't need the other two)

"I won't need these." Said Temari, giving Tenten the hair ties.

"Okay, thanks!" Said Tenten.

CLANK!

Temari and Tenten turned around. Tenten groaned.

"What's with them?" Asked Temari, looking at the boys who had their jaws dropped to the ground, gaping at the long haired Temari.

Two Weeks Later-

Tenten was glad that everything was back to normal... well... almost. Neji's IQ was back, but the only thing he couldn't do was add two plus two.

"TWO PLUS TWO IS FOUR!" Screamed Lee, slamming his head repeatedly on a store window.

"That's what I said!" Screamed Neji.

"YOU SAID 40 THOUSAND!" Screamed Lee.

"WELL I MEANT FORTY!"

"IT'S FOUR!" Screamed Lee.

"Lee, you better stop, you're going to break that window." Tenten pointed out. Lee did as told, suddenly, Lee gasped.

"What's wrong?" Neji and Tenten asked, walking over.

"Oh my..." Murmured Neji. In the window, on display, was a book. On the cover was a picture of a beautiful girl with long, dark brown hair while boys were drooling over her in the background. Tenten gulped.

"Tenten's Troubles, by Jiraiya the Super Pervert..." Read Tenten.

Last Breath, Last Word

2012-01-28T05:04:00.001-08:00

She was in a daze, thinking to herself…staring blankly out of the window in her room.

"I've been waiting for so long…" The pink haired beauty muttered to herself.

Sigh... …

When is He coming back?

"Forehead freak! Forehead Freak! ", her friend, Ino called out from the gate of her

house.

Sakura snapped out of her daze.

Ino panted and heaved a long sigh.

"I… Have news…sigh…both good…pant and bad…wheeze…news…" Ino screamed..

Sakura looked confused. "What happened? "

"Sa…Sa…" Ino's voice trailed off.

"Sa…? "Sakura said. "Sa -what? "

"Sasuke-kun! He is back! "Ino said as she continued heaving.

Sakura was shocked. Petrified. Not of fear, not of sadness. But of sheer happiness. She

Ran of the house immediately and past Ino.

"Sakura! Sakura? "Her mother called out from the kitchen. " Where is she going

Now? "She muttered.

Ino ran after Sakura. But stopped shortly after as she was out of breath and out of

Energy. She called out to Sakura. "I HAVEN'T TOLD YOU THE BAD NEWS

YET! "

Sakura dashed towards Sasuke's house.

"Sasuke …Sasuke! Sasuke! "She thought to herself..

She stopped outside his apartment, when she saw a whole crowd. All the ANBU team

Was there. Everyone was crying their heart and eyes out.

"What…what is going on guys? " Sakura asked. She looked puzzled yet shocked at

The same time. Though she looked confused, she looked as if she knew exactly what

Happened.

"Sakura… Sasuke..he…he…. "Naruto said. With that, Hinata burst into fresh, new

Tears.

"It can't be… I don't believe it! No! Haha… I'll go see Sasuke and welcome him back.

Yeah. I'll… be right back. "Sakura said with a troubled voice.

"Her hands trembled as she reached for the doorknob. Everyone moved aside.

It was pitch black in there. A smell of fresh blood and wound filled the air. There was a

Dim light shining from the Sasuke's bedroom. Sakura pushed the agape door.

"Hello? Sasuke-kun? Hello? "Sakura said with fear. What she saw next gave her a

Great shock.

There he was. Sasuke. Lying on his bed, with blood-tainted hands. His whole body

Was wrapped in blood-stained bandages. He laid emotionless on the bed breathing

Heavily.

"SASUKE-KUN!"Sakura exclaimed as she ran towards him.

"Sakura… "Sasuke said as he reached out to touch her silky-smooth face. Traces

Of blood was left on her face.

"Sasuke-kun! What? HOW? "Sakura exclaimed while clutching his hand.

"This can't be happening. No. NOT TO YOU! "

"Ouch. Sakura… please keep your voice down… "Sasuke said calmly.

"Sure Sasuke-kun… "Sakura replied, with tears streaming down her face like pearls

rolling down a smooth surface.

"Hey… I am back… Itachi has escaped. And I have failed. "Sasuke said as he closed

his eyes.

"Welcome back Sasuke-kun…no. You haven't failed! No Sasuke!" Sakura said.

Sasuke opened his deep, black eyes and turned towards her. "Thank you Sakura"

Sasuke brushed his finger against her lips. Then, his mouth curved into a whole smile.

He said, "I haven't got much time left…"

"No…This can't be happening! No!" Sakura cried.

Sasuke started to breath more and more heavily. "I'm sorry Sakura. I am…going to

Have to leave… take care…" Sasuke said.

"Don't leave me Sasuke-kun! Don't disappear again! Please! Stay by my side forever!

I am begging you Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried harder as she hugged him.

"I just want you to know Sakura…" Sasuke said as his voice trailed off. "I…have

Always…and will always… Love you." Sasuke said as he heaved his last and final

Breath.

"SASUKE! " Sakura exclaimed.

Childhood Prince and Princess

2012-01-28T05:04:00.000-08:00

- 7 years back… when they were 5 -

A young Sasuke Uchiha was walking to his usual training spot, where he normally trained with shurikens, when he heard sobbing sounds coming from a nearby tree. Out of curiosity, he walked towards the sound, only to find a girl with a tear-stained face looking up at him. He did not know he girl at first so he just kept quiet. But after a while, he took out the handkerchief that his mom sewed for him and passed it to the girl. She stared at him, then at the handkerchief. Slowly, she stretched out her hand to take it.

A soft," Arigato "could be heard coming out from her mouth before she took the handkerchief and wiped her tears away. Quite a while later, he was tired of standing, so Sasuke bent down to look at her closely. The first thing he saw was the clear, emerald eyes she had. Then he realized what a wide forehead she had. What a shame that it was covered by her long, pink fringe.

She muttered." Aren't you going to make fun of my forehead like all the rest?"

Innocent Sasuke replied. "Why would I wanna? My mummie says that is being mean!"

The little girl was shocked. "This… is da first time anyone said that to me! Thank…you!" She smiled.

"So! What's your name?' Sasuke asked. "I am Uchiha Sasuke!"

"Haruno…Sakura…" She whispered into his ear.

Everyday, the two met up at that tree and normally chat about what happened so far… Not long after, a strong bond had developed between the two… As they were still young, they did not know what was happening, but knew that they liked each other…

A year after that meeting, Sasuke brought a kunai with him.

"Sakura-chan! Sakura-chan!" He shouted at the top of his lungs as he ran towards her. "Look what my nii-san gave me? His Kunai!"

Sakura stared at the kunai. "Wow! Your nii-san is so good. I don't have any other family members 'cept my daddie and mommie, and they say that is too dangerous to gib me…" Sakura pouted as she lifted her index finger to touch her lip. "S-Sasuke-kun! What are you doing?" Sakura asked as Sasuke used the Kunai to carve something on that tree.

"Look Sakura-chan!" He said when he was done carving. He pointed towards the heart he carved. "I told my mommie what I have been feeling! She said it was call. Um. Erm. Lo-Lo-something. Love! Yeah that is it! So I drew a heart to represent it!"

Sakura took a closer look. "Sasuke-kun… why is our names in here?"

"That is to represent the "Love" that we have! That is what my mommie said." Sasuke said with a grin. "From now on, you will be my princess and I will be your prince and someday, I'll marry you!" He declared.

Sakura blushed heavily. "WH –What are you saying! Sasuke-kun! Are you having a fever?" She touched his forehead.

"No! I mean it Sakura-chan!" Sasuke grinned even wider than he did before.

"O-Okay Sasuke-kun." Sakura said shyly, knowing that she felt the same way he did.

Though things took a turn for the worse… While Sasuke and Sakura were playing on a steep hill, they fell off and had a concussion…They lost the memories they had together…

When they awoke from their deep slumber. They did not even remember the name nor face of the other. They treated each other like strangers.

Sasuke went back to his usual daily training routine whereas Sakura went back to crying under that tree. It is not a coincidence that she realized the carving on the tree.

"Uchiha…Sasuke…des ka?" She thought to herself.

Winter Wonderland

2012-01-28T05:02:00.002-08:00

"WOW!" The girls exclaimed. "It is snowing! Yay!"

"Girls can be so noisy"Neji said, rubbing his ears.

"What was that Neji…?" Tenten appeared behind him, raising her fist. Bam! Her fist

Landed on his head.

"Ouch…that must hurt so much. Hehe." Naruto said, chuckling.

"Naruto-kun! Naruto-kun!" Hinata shouted while running towards him. "Let's build a

Snowman! "She whispered into his ear. Naruto nodded back in agreement. Hinata gave

Her usual timid smile. They ran off together after a while.

"Watch out Tenten! Expecting mothers can't do too much running or strenuous activity."

Sakura shouted from the bench where she was sitting at. Tenten returned a mischievous

Smile soon after dragged Neji away.

Sasuke and Sakura were left. They were sitting on two different benches. Sakura started

Fidgeting due to nervousness.

"Oh. My. God. I am here. Left alone. With Sasuke-kun. Oh my GODDD! "She thought.

She started to blush. She peeped at the Konoha heart throb, Uchiha Sasuke, Whom was

Reading a book, occasionally. Not long after, Sakura started shivering as the temperature

Started to drop.

Sasuke noticed that Sakura was rubbing her hands against each other and blowing into them.

"Sakura. Want to sit here?" Sasuke said as he turned towards her. He reached out his

Hand, as if to hold her hand or to welcome her.

Sakura was speechless for a short period. Her legs had moved on their own will, walking,

Towards Sasuke. "Wait! Stop legs, Stop! "Sakura thought.

Well, her legs did eventually stop. They stopped when they reached the bench at where

Sasuke was sitting. She sat down at the other side of the bench. Sasuke looked at her.

He moved to the side of the bench where she was sitting.

"Your hands. They are trembling." Sasuke said as he clasped her hands and blew into them. Sakura blushed more heavily now.

When Sasuke stopped blowing, He looked up and gazed into her emerald eyes. She felt as if she was under a spell. She felt as if she was dreaming.

"This must be a dream! I always thought Sasuke-kun hated me! She thought.

"His clothes. His deep, black eyes. His hair. His smell. No. This is not a dream! He really is here!"

Sasuke inched forward. Not long after, his lips touched her ice cold lips. He could taste the cherry flavoured ice-cream that she had just now.

"Mmmmm" Sakura thought. "I can taste the chocolate flavoured ice-cream that he had just now"

He pulled away first. "I like…no. Love you Sakura." He said.

"I love you too Sasuke-kun!"Sakura replied.

"Plop." They heard.

The new couple turned round to see who was there. Oh no, was their first thought. They have come back.

Both the wedded couples came back.

"S-Sakura-chan!" Hinata said.

"Congrats girl!" Tenten exclaimed as she punched her fist into the air to say hurray.

Naruto had a sly smile on."Oh…" He chuckled at the idea of Sasuke confessing.

Neji was shocked, speechless.

"Stuff it already Naruto! Isn't a Hokage supposed to be serious?" Sasuke tried to change the subject.

Naruto stuck out his tongue .

"Anyway. For now I just you are an official couple huh?" Tenten said as she jabbed Sakura in the arm with he elbow.

"Ouch! That hurts! Stop that!" Sakura shouted in pain, but she also had the intention to change the whole subject.

"Sorry. But for now I guess you will be going in-your-face to Sasuke's fangirls right?"Tenten asked.

"Tell us Sakura-chan! W-Who s-said it first? You or S-Sasuke-kun?" Hinata asked.

"Erm…"Sakura hesitated.

Sasuke then whispered to her, "On the count of three, we start to run, ok?". She replied with a nod.

One. Two. Three!

With that, the couple dashed away from the group. Not long after, they reached the gate of Sakura's house.

"I guess you got to go home now huh." Sasuke said, panting from al that running.

"Yeah. I guess I will see you tomorrow?" Sakura asked.

"Definitely." Sasuke answered as he waved good bye a walked towards the main street.

"Wait!" Sakura called out and dashed towards him. Just when Sasuke turned round, Sakura was in front of him and gave him a peck on the cheek. She then smiled sweetly at him.

Sasuke returned the peck and then his lips curved into a smile. She ran back towards her house and waved goodbye. Sasuke too, waved as he watched her disappear through that door. After that he turned and headed back to the Uchiha mansion.

Party Kiss

2012-01-28T05:02:00.001-08:00

Chapter 1
Innocent Kiss

- 26th march. Sakura's house. 7pm… -

"Thanks for inviting us Sakura-chan!" Hinata said shyly. "No problem! After all, what would a birthday party be without friends?" (A/n: My birthday this year had no people round. And very quiet. So nice…) "You said it!" Ino exclaimed, patting Sakura in the back. "Eh. Where are your parents?" Ino realized. "They went out of town after I told them I wanted the house to myself for my birthday. So they decided to take a vacation." She replied. "All the more better!" Temari shouted. "Stop that Temari." Shikamaru told her.

"Hey Neji?" Naruto asked with dull eyes. "Hn." He replied. "This is a girls party right?" "How would I know?" Neji answered calmly. "We are not girl. Why are we here?" Naruto asked. "Dope. I agree with you for this once." Sasuke answered with the same sort of dull eyes while watching the girls squeal over nothing. (A/n: It has been 2 years since Sasuke came back to Konoha.) Lee said nothing. He just stared at Sakura .(A/n: I thin he is a pervert. Kekeke.)

"Aw right! Time to partay like we know it!" Temari shouted. "You tell them gal!" Tenten said while punching her fist into the air. Soon, all the food were brought out from the kitchen and put on the dining table. "Yay! Let's eat!" Naruto happily said after seeing that there were ramen. "Dope." Sasuke muttered. All of them were happily picking out the food they liked. This was kind of like a buffet to them so they took huge amounts. "Sakura where is the Sake?" Temari asked. "Eh? You want to drink sake?" Sakura said confused. "Of course! Food always goes best with sake!" Temari answered like a know it all. "Ok. If you say so." Sakura obediently went into the kitchen to get a few bottle of sake, not knowing that the sake that her father bought were extremely strong. She poured each of them a cup and then Ino proposed a toast to Sakura's 17th birthday. "Happy 17th Birthday to Haruno Sakura!" They all cheered, disturbing the neighbours in the process. They all gulp the drink down, except shy Hinata who took sips.

- 10pm, after a few glasses… -

"Wakakakakakaka! Finally the party is started!" Temari shouted while standing on the dining table, obviously drunk. Sakura lay one the floor, holding a huge bottle of sake, and kept hiccupping. Sasuke challenged Naruto to a sake fight, seeing who could drink more sake. Hinata kept slamming the table, asking for more, though she was holding a half-full sake bottle. Ino was poking Shikamaru's face while he was sleeping like a baby. Tenten slept with her belly exposed and Neji leaning against the couch, asleep. Tenten woke up, though still drunk. She looked at the boy sitting besides her. Her hazel brown eyes closed as she leaned forward, getting closer to his face till she felt his breath. She then leaned in for a kiss. Her cold, sake filled lips touched his. This woke Neji up. All the people in the room looked at Tenten, eyes wide open. Mouth agape. "I… hic L-love you hic Neji!" She proclaimed, still drunk. Then she fell down, back to her deep slumber, leaving Neji stunned, together with the rest of the people in the room.

Party Kiss

2012-01-28T04:59:00.001-08:00

Chapter 2
Denial

- The next day at Sakura's house, 11.29 am in the morning. -

"Ugh… Man. I have a major headache. What happened yesterday?" Sakura said as she rubbed her head and opened her eyes, only to be greeted by a messy house. "Oh right. We drank sake. Hm?" She said as she looked at the bottle in her hand. "Oh. My. God. This is extremely potent stuff! I thought these were those for amateurs?" She exclaimed. Ino grumbled. "Sakura… keep your voice down! It is early in the morning for god's sake." She said as she threw her slipper at Sakura, then went back to sleep. "Time time. What time is it?" Sakura panicked. Sakura's eyes widened. "11.29? We slept in! Oh no. What date is it?" She asked herself. Ino took her other slipper and threw it at Sakura. "I said pipe down!" She said angrily. "Ino. Ino! Wake up! It is 11.29 am! We slept in!" Sakura screamed in her ear. Ino's eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh my god! Please tell me it is not a weekday." She pleaded. "Lucky for us it is not." Sakura said in relief. "Or Tsunade-sama would kill me!" Sakura said dramatically. "Ok. Let's wake the…"Ino's voice trailed off, after remembering the very "exciting" thing that happened yesterday night. She blushed. "Ino? Are you ok?" Sakura asked worriedly. "Yeah. Just remembered what happened yesterday." She replied. Sakura, upon remembering that, blushed too.

-Flashback-

Tenten woke up, though still drunk. She looked at the boy sitting besides her. Her hazel brown eyes closed as she leaned forward, getting closer to his face till she felt his breath. She then leaned in for a kiss. Her cold, sake filled lips touched his. This woke Neji up. All the people in the room looked at Tenten, eyes wide open. Mouth agape. "I… hic L-love you hic Neji!" She proclaimed, still drunk. Then she fell down, back to her deep slumber, leaving Neji stunned, together with the rest of the people in the room.

- End Flashback. -

"Wonder what will happen." Sakura said as she walked towards Hinata, about to wake her up. "Yeah." Ino replied, making warm towels for them, knowing they'd have a hangover once they wake up. Both Ino and Sakura went from one person to another, giving each a nice and hot towel. Neji was the last to be woken. When he awoke, he was shocked to see to girls beside him then realized they were trying to help, only after making the sofa fall back when he jumped. He took the towel from Ino's hands and wiped his face with it, which then triggered the memory of what happened last night. He looked around, seeing many pairs of eyes gazing at both Tenten and himself. He glanced in Tenten's direction. She looked as if she did not recall what had happened last night, from the looks of her happy and innocent face. He looked down at the floor then heaved a long and heavy sigh. He noticed a pair of feet and looked up. Hinata. "What do you want?" He asked in a irritated tone. "Erm. Neji-niisan. A-about last night. T-Tenten-chan probably d-does n-n-not remember. Like t-the last time Temari b-brought us out. S-She mistook Temari's sake for crysamthemum tea. T-then drank it. She said something bout S-Sasuke-kun too. L-Like yours. But for-forgot it the n-next day." She stammered. "Oh." He replied emotionlessly, though he knew he was upset deep down, to realize that the one he loves knew nothing of her confession or his feelings.

"Well. I'd better be heading home! I think my mom would be worried!" Tenten told the rest. "Sure Tenten! Bye!" They all said. "Tenten. I'll walk with you." The sentence that Neji said shocked everyone. "Had he forgotten too?" Ran through everybody, except Hinata's mind.

-On the way home -

"Hey Neji. Somehow I feel like as if all my worries were gone! Feel quite refreshing!" She said as she looked up to the bright, clear sky and stretched her hands. "Hn." He replied. She looked at him. "Hey. Want to get a bite at the nearby Chinese café?" She asked. "Seeing that you are in such a bad mood." "Whatever." He replied, thinking of something else.

- At the café -

"One wulong tea please and a plate of chicken buns." She asked the waitress. "Sure!" She replied then turned to Neji. "And for you?" "A cup of tea." He answered coldly. "Right." She said before she left the table. The food came soon after and Tenten began scoffing it down like Chouji would. "Eat like a girl." Neji said, looking else where and sipping his tea. "I haven't eaten breakfast. Of course I'd eat like that." She retorted. Not even 5 minutes has passed and Tenten had eaten the entire plate of 10 buns. "Neji was shocked but concealed it. "There. Happy now?" He asked. "Yep! So full. So full…" she sighed happily. He paid for the meal. "Hmmm. You are paying for the meal… Ok! Guess this means I owe you a favor!" She said. "Tenten. Would you mind following me to the park?" Neji asked. "Ok. Sure! But that means you will be using up your owe!" She said happily, being relieved of the stress of thinking what would Neji make her do.

- In Konoha's one and only Sakura park (A/n: Ok. They don't have that. Am making it up.)-

"Tenten" He said when he stopped walking and turned to face her. "Do you like me?" Tenten got a shock. "N-No. I-I don't. No. No!" She said before she ran off.

Party Kiss

2012-01-28T04:59:00.000-08:00

Chapter 3
Futile Efforts

- Pathway of Sakura Park -

Pitter Patter could be heard coming from Tenten's shoes as she ran away from the truth/ Away from her team mate. From the one she loved. Tears which were supposed to roll down her smooth cheek flew in the wind. Those words that Neji said ran through her mind over and over again.

-Flashback-

"Tenten" He said when he stopped walking and turned to face her. "Do you like me?"

-End Flashback-

(Tenten's P.O.V)

No! I don't like him! When did he start thinking that! NO!

I don't like him. Do I?

No. I don't do I!

I just want to stay as friends! I don't want anything to change!

Why? Why did he have to say that! Why is he making my life miserable? First he stole my heart and did not know it. Now this! How much more pain can he inflict on me?

Stupid Neji.

Stupid Neji!

STUPID NEJI!

-Tenten's house -

"Ah Tenten! You are back! Could you help me…?" Tenten's mother's voice trailed off as she slammed her room's door shut. "What's wrong now?" She asked herself, looking worried.

-Tenten's room -

She screamed into her pillow as the tears ran down her cheeks. She tried to stop them, but it was of no use. It just kept coming down.

I hate you Neji!

I love you!

Hate you!

No! Love!

"I hate myself." She muttered. "I hate myself for being weak." "I hate myself for loving you." "I hate myself for meeting you." "I hate myself for missing you" "I hate myself for thinking of you." "Why did you have to do that? Stealing my heart? Why does a rich prodigy like you need it? Jerk." Tenten cried herself to sleep. She woke up at night about dinner time at 6.53 pm. She walked down the stairs in her house slowly, just to realize, she could not cheat her feelings, her heart. She stopped dead in her tracks and ran back up to her room. She curled up in her bed and thought it over. She knew it. She knew she always loved him. She wanted him to notice her. She wanted him to like her.

Why did I run away? What did I do?

Her bed sheets rustled as she got up.

I bet Neji will be angry. He would ignore me! I deserve it. I have been such a jerk. The way I treated him? I am such an awful person. I don't deserve him, nor his attention! I hope he forgives me… Please! Please please forgive me. Wait. How can I just stay here and do nothing!

She dashed out of her room, out of her house and out of her shell. She was ready to take on reality. She headed for the Hyuuga manor.

- Hyuuga manor's gate. -

"Excuse me! Is anybody there?" She shouted. A shadow approached at rapid speed then aimed a kunai at her. As usual, she had dodged it, like when she trains with Neji. "What do you want?" Shouted the voice from afar. "Neji! Is he home?" She asked. The shadow came closer. Closer. Much closer. Till she saw Hiashi Hyuuga, Hinata's father. "No. Neji has not come home. Do you have some business with him?" He asked. "Never mind! Thank you!" She shouted as the distance between them widened. She went back to the Sakura Park, where she last saw Neji. Dark clouds approached and thunder rumbled. She had finally reached Sakura Park. She looked around for a shadow. Anything that gave off a sign that Neji is there.

She found…

Nothing.

Emptiness.

Her knees gave way and she collapsed as it had a huge impact on her. "Pitter Patter" went the rain drops as it fell to the ground. She looked up to the dark, grey sky and her hand reached out to feel it. The rain drops ran down her face and some merged with her tears that looked like pearls rolling down. She had been kneeling on the ground for 10 minutes now. She stood up. "Well. I'd better b going home. Mom must have cooked dinner already." She told herself when she felt a presence coming from behind her. There was somebody on the bench. She turned around and her buns unrolled to become long and straight hair.

She looked at who it was.

Neji.

She gasped and put her hands to her mouth as he walked towards her. "How long have you been here?" Tenten asked when she felt his cold hands touch her cheek. "Long enough." He teased. "I'll ask again. Do you like me?" He asked when he put his hands down. Tenten caught his falling hand. "No. I don't like you a bit. I love you!" She said as she looked up at him, smiling. "I love you Tenten." He said. "I always did. And I always will." He said before he leaned in for a kiss. A long and memorable one.

- Back at Tenten's house when she got back -

She touched her lips. She could still feel his warmth. "Yum." She thought. "Tenten! Where have you been! Didn't you know it was to rain? Whatever am I going to do with you! What have you been doing huh?" Tenten's mother asked angrily. "Having the time of my life mom! I finally got out of my shell!" She said. "Huh?" Her mom looked confused. Tenten giggled as she looked back at her mother from the stairs. Then ran back up.

Promises

2012-01-28T04:58:00.001-08:00

- 5 months ago -

"Neji. Please stay. Somebody else can go right? You need to stay here! Stay here with me! Please!" Tenten begged Neji as tears rolled down her cheeks. She tightened her grip on Neji. "Please!" She looked up at him.

"Tenten." He sighed. "You know that I have to do this."

"Yes but. But! There is only a slight chance that you will come back alive! Not even 10! Stay here!" She cried even harder.

He kissed her. A passionate one. One that seemed to last forever. Till they broke away.

"I will be back. I promise." He said as he leaned in for another. She cried and pushed him away. Not far from him. She stopped.

"You made a promise to come back. Safe and sound. I will be waiting for you till then." She turned round to look him in the eye.

He smiled and said. "I will."

-Present day Konoha-

"Neji. Everyday I wonder. Are you alright? Are you safe? Have you forgotten our promise? Do you even remember me? Have you forgotten?" Tenten sighed as she gazed out of the window in her room. "Come back. Come back to me…" Her long hair fluttered as the wind blew into the pink room. She looked at a person with long, silky, black hair, which was tied up walking past.

Neji?

She rushed down the stairs and out of the house. "Neji!" She called out. No response from the person.

Huh?

"Neji!" She yelled even louder. The person turned round. She was greeted by the sight of a pimple-faced person.

"I ain't no Neji. You'd better get your eyesight check missy." He said rudely before turning away. She could hear him mutter crazy girl, under his breath. She became as deject as she was before.

Hm?

She looked at who was in front of her doorstep. Hinata.

"Hinata-chan? Why are you here?" She put on a fake smile.

"U-um." Hinata looked away, and then looked back at her.

"N-Neji-niisan. H-He is back. B–But injured." She said stammering.

Tenten's heart was racing.

Neji. Hyuuga Neji. The one she loved so deeply. He is back! He really really is back! But wait. Injured? He broke part of the promise. But he can recover. The main thing is that he is back!

She dashed for the Hyuuga manor. She burst through the gates and opened the door to Neji's room. She was shocked at the sight. Her legs gave way.

N-Neji? Is this really my Neji? He is wounded so badly!

She crawled over to him.

"N-Neji? It's me. Tenten! Wake up okay? Come on! Please wake up! Wake the hell up! Don't break the promise! You said! You'd be back! Safe and sound! choke with me! hic don't sniff break it!" Tenten's tears rushed down her cheek and dropped on her light pink shirt as she wailed. She held his body in her hands and hugged it. The blood on his body stained her shirt further. The body was barely recognizable. But she knew it was him. His shirt. His scent. It was really him. She tightened her grip on him. She wiped the blood off his lips, and then gave him a kiss. She hoped that it would wake him up. Though in her heart, she knew. She knew his eyes would never open again. He would never stand, speak nor breathe. He was. Dead.

Hiashi burst into the room. Thinking that somebody had come to take the body to seek the truth of the Byakugan. Tenten.

"I… I am sorry." He said, turning away.

"Neji. Is still alive right?" She asked, running away from the truth.

"Tenten. You have got to accept the fact. That. He is dead." Hiashi said with much sadness in his voice.

"Accept? He is not dead! What is there to accept? He fulfilled the promise we made." She said while touching his cold face. "He came back! Safe and sound. He will be awake tomorrow! We will go for training like we used to. And then head to our favourite little café. Where he will drink his usual wulong tea. And we will talk about the mission he had. Yeah!" She said smiling at Hiashi.

Hiashi heaved a long sigh and then left the room. Tenten smiled at the cold, lifeless body. But soon after, she started to cry once again. "You liar. Liar. Liar! I hate you Hyuuga Neji! You promised me. Promised to me that you would come back safe and sound! Not dead!" She sobbed and ran out of the room, out of the Hyuuga manor and out of everyone's sight.

Nobody had seen her since that day. She locked herself in her house and everyday, sobbing sounds could be heard. Everybody tried to do their best to get her out, but nothing worked.

Wait for me Neji. I will be there soon. With you!

She ignored the banging sounds on her door as she went into a slumber. One that lasts forever. (Insert the song Sadness and Sorrow here) As she went up to her beloved one. She went to get him. They'd be together. Forever.

Split Personality no Juutsu!

2012-01-28T04:57:00.000-08:00

Chapter 2
Meaner Tenten: Bigger and Badder

- Hospital, Tenten's room. -

"Ah! It feels so good to be out! Ouch! Damned sun rays. Hmph." The inner Tenten said as she got up and drew the curtains. "Much better! Not let's see. I am in her body. But that does not mean I have to act like her? Does it? Nope. So let's destroy her life! But won't it ruin mine too? Hm…" She said to herself.

Wait! No! Stop it!

"Hm? You can actually hear me? Anyway. You are in no power to say what I should do. Stop back off, Missy!" She screamed at Tenten.

Argh!

Tenten flew backwards as she felt like she was hit by a big hand, and soon after fell unconscious.

"Hmph. That should shut you up!" She said dusting her hands. "Now let's get out of here." She reached for the doorknob.

- The corridor -

"This hospital is really boring! Argh. Thought I'd see some nicer things. And seriously! How do you deal with this hair of your! It is so irritating!" 'Tenten' said as she undid the buns. "Much better!" Her hair fluttered down to her waist. "Hm? There is someone waving?" She glanced around to see who she was waving to. "Oh great. Me. Great… not." She said with loads of sarcasm as she walked towards the medic ninja.

"Tenten! Over here! Here here!" Sakura said as she jumped up and down, trying to catch her attention

"What do you want?" She said in an irritated tone.

"Well. I was just walking towards your room! Come on. Let's go back. I still need to take your temperature and check that everything is normal!" Sakura said, holding her hand.

"What? I am perfectly fine! Let go! I am leaving now. So Ja ne." She said as she shoved Sakura away and headed back to pack her belongings.

"T-Tenten?" Sakura said in shock.

- Tenten's room -

"Ok. All done. Time to leave this dump!" She said before exiting the room and hospital.

-Hospital gate -

"E-Eh? T-T-Tenten-chan! What are y-you doing o-out of hospital s-so e-early?" Hinata stuttered while holding a bouquet of flowers, obviously for the injured Naruto who came back from his mission yesterday.

Oh great. Hinata.

"Oh nothing. Just that I got well earlier so I was discharged earlier!" She put on a fake smile.

"Oh. Ok! Well. I better get going! These f-flowers m-might wither a-at anytime n-now. See you s-soon Tenten-chan!" Hinata said rushing past her.

Keh.

Huh? I was asleep. Wait. I am still in here?

Shut the hell up.

No I won't! I won't! I have got to get out! Uwah!

A sudden shower of shurikens and kunais happened, leaving an injured Tenten lying there.

Argh. Why? Why can't I use any nin jutsu or any charka here?

"Ha! You can try all you want. But this dimension absorbs all charka here. Ha! So no chakra is equivalent to no nin jutsus. Get it twerp?" She sneered. A little boy looked at 'Tenten' talking to herself. "Mom…" She pointed. "I know. Shush." She took her son away.

- At the hospital -

"Sakura. Is Tenten here?" Neji asked.

"Tenten? No. I am afraid she left a while ago. Neji. You know. Tenten's been acting really weird today." Sakura said worriedly.

"How so?" He asked.

"As in. She is not herself. She is like. Meaner I guess. But you know her. She is never mean. And I mean never." She put her finger to her lips and thought about what happened earlier on.

"That is weird…" Neji said. "What is that jutsu?" He thought.

Split Personality no Juutsu!

2012-01-28T04:55:00.000-08:00

Chapter 3
Welcome Back to Reality

(The next day. 7am, training sessions for Team Gai)

"Neji! Neji!" 'Tenten' called out as she came ran towards the training grounds, which, by the way, was where he was meditating.

"Oh. Ohaiyo." Neji gave her the cold shoulder.

'Tenten' pouted. "What's wrong?"

-Meanwhile, where Tenten really was.-

"Let me out! Argh! Dammit. Eh. There's Neji! Neji! Help me!" Tenten shouted from inside, which by the way, 'Tenten' accidentally said.

"Tenten? Are you inside?" Neji got up.

'Tenten' leaped away.

"Look. She's gone for good. Got that? I am her. I am her inner self." She said.

"Let her go." Neji said calmly, closing his eyes.

"No." She replied.

Neji opened his eyes to reveal the Byakugan.

"Look here. I am her. So I still have her combat skills. And if you hurt me, you'll be hurting her." She got into a fighting stance.

"Looks like there is another chakra flow inside of you. I presume that is Tenten's?" He asked.

"Hmph." She replied.

Sakura pounced on 'Tenten'.

"Gotcha! Now let's bring you to Tsunade, shall we?" Sakura dragged her off.

- Tsunade's office.-

"Tsunade-sama! We brought Tenten." Sakura put her on a chair and tied her with a rope. And after that, ensuring that she can't use her weapons to get her out of the office.

"Good. Let's leave her here with Neji for a while… I need to check something." Tsunade signaled for Sakura to follow her.

So there they were. Neji and 'Tenten'. Neji broke the silence.

"Tenten. Can you hear me? I can't do this without your co-operation. Come on! You've got to wake up! Snap out of it! You are the one in control!" Neji was trying the technique that Naruto had used before. (A/n: Forgot what episode was that! But all I know was that it was during the Chunnin exams)

Tenten was struggling. She tried her very best to get out. She was beat. She gave up all hope of being free... of seeing his face. Till she heard his voice.

N-Neji? I want to see you! Where are you? I can't see in this darkness!

"Follow my voice!" She heard him call. She could once again see that same light she saw before. She reached out to grab it…

Neji. Mom. Dad. Everybody!

-Reality-

"Eh. Why am I tied up? What the hell am I doing in Tsunade-sama's office! Neji? Care to explain?" Tenten kicked up a big fuss.

Looks like she lost her memory of what happened…

"Welcome back to earth and reality." He said.

"Hah?" Tenten looked confused. Then Tsunade barges in, kicking the door down.

Split Personality no Juutsu!

2012-01-28T04:48:00.000-08:00

Chapter 1
Split Personality no Juutsu!

- Hidden village of sound -

"Ok. So Orochimaru is supposedly last spotted here?" Neji asked Tenten. "Yes." She answered. "Ok. So let's go in and get us a leather jacket!" Lee exclaimed excitedly. "Don't get so excited. There might be some spies or traps here." Tenten said. "Byakugan!" Neji whispered as he activated it. "No. No one is around here." He said after scanning the area. "Alright. Proceed." He said as they leapt from tree to tree. "Huh?" Tenten suddenly said, dodging an in-coming kunai. "Keh. Orochimaru's lackeys." Neji said in an annoyed tone before they engaged in a battle. Lee started with his series of punches and kicks before he took out his bottle of wine he carried with him just in case. He pulled the cap out and started to gulp a whole lot down. He became drunk and started to kick the enemy's butt with the drunken fist. Neji activated his Byakugan and hit the enemy's tenketsu points, and Tenten started to rip pages of the scroll she carried along with her and summoned all sorts of weapons and after that used the Sōryū Tensakai, aka Dragon Scattering Destruction. Though that was not enough to defeat them. They were injured alright, but not enough to keep them down. They aimed a jutsu at Neji, but Tenten, noticing this earlier, block it by using herself as a shield to protect the one she loves. Nothing really seemed wrong a first, so they thought that it was a failed jutsu, till Tenten's legs gave way and she felt a sharp pain in her heart. She felt as if she was being ripped into two. Before she blacked out, she saw Neji's face above hers, asking her to wake up.

- In her mind -

Total darkness had her surrounded. She was floating through the massive space. She had ordered her body to moved, but her body wouldn't bulge. Suddenly, she stopped floating. She was resting on the cold hard floor looking into the space, before she saw her reflection. She stretched her hand out to touch the reflection, thinking that she would touch a mirror, but instead, what she felt was heat and skin.

Who are you?

I am you.

No. This must be some sort of a dream. There can't be two "me"!

No it is not. I really am you. Your alter ego. Your, bad side.

What?

All your thoughts that you kept deep down inside of you, are in me. Your feelings, thoughts memories. I am you.

No. This can't be happening!

"Tenten! Wake up! Tenten!" A faint but familiar voice had called out to her.

Neji?

"Hmph." He alter ego said as she vanished, and what appeared to be in her place was a white light. She reached out to grab hold of it. Before Tenten knew it, she was in a room at the hospital with Neji, Lee and Gai-sensei by her side. "Huh? Konoha hospital?" She said as she sat up and rubbed her head. "How did I end up here?" She asked. "A ninja hit you with a jutsu and…" Le was cut off by Gai. "Let's go Lee!" He said before he dragged them out, leaving Neji and Tenten. "Why?" He asked. "Hm?" Tenten snapped out of her daze. "Why did you use yourself to block that jutsu?" He looked at her. "I would not want. A person I love to get in…Oh my god. What did I just say?" She covered her mouth. "L…" Neji was interrupted by Sakura, who came in to check on Tenten's condition. "Ohaiyo! Tenten-chan! Are you better?" She asked worriedly as she inserted a thermometer into Tenten's mouth. "I am much better!" She replied with a huge grin. "I am going out. Get well soon." Neji stood up and headed for the door, without even looking back. Tenten's face got dark. "Sakura-chan. You are with Sasuke right? How do you deal with this sort of attitude?" Tenten faced Sakura, who was writing some notes. "I don't know. I usually ignore it. Thinking he is trying to be cool or something." She said as she stirred medicine and water. "Here drink this. Tsunade-sama is still trying to figure out what sort of a jutsu is that." She said, taking the cup away from Tenten. "Alright. You'd better get some sleep. Or at least rest." She turned around and smiled before she shut the door. "Ignore huh…" Tenten said as she gazed out of the window and fell into a trance. She was back in that world.

Hmph. Still as pathetic huh. Do you think Neji would seriously like you?

… Why am I here? I woke up.

Huh. You can't "wake up". That jutsu that hit you. It will bring you back no matter what. So don't even try to escape.

Oh yes I can. I can go back just like the last time.

Your dear Neji was there. Now he isn't. There you go Safe and sound in that cold cage you put me in for years!

Huh? What? Wait. How did. Let me out!

Oh no. You see. I am going to take over your life. You can just spend the rest of your miserable life here. See you!

No. No! NO! Neji! Everybody!

Christmas Chaos!

2012-01-28T04:37:00.000-08:00

"Yay! Christmas time is approaching! Love Christmas! The beautiful lights on the streets at night… The wonderful taste of cakes… the stunning sight of snow… the gorgeously decorated Christmas trees…" Tenten sighed while on a Christmas shopping spree with her best friends, Ino, Sakura and Hinata.

"Hey! Don't forget the ever important…" Ino's voice trailed off. Tenten drank her latte.

"T-The important?" Hinata asked shyly after she put her hot chocolate down onto the table which the four of them were sitting at.

"KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOES!" Ino and Sakura screamed. The people nearby looked at the both of them. Tenten gagged and the latte came out from her mouth and went onto Ino's face. Hinata blushed and was stunned.

"Tenten!" She yelled and took a few tissues from her bag.

"Sorry! Just that you mentioned the word kissing!" Tenten defended herself. Ino wiped her face.

"Duh there will be kissing! Hello! In case you didn't know, mistletoes are hung up! And if there are mistletoes, there is bound to be kissing!" Sakura picked up her coffee. "Eh. Hinata. Hello? Earth to Hinata?" Sakura waved her hands in front of the still stunned Hinata.

"… eh? EH?" Hinata snapped out of her daze.

Ino sighed. "Better if there was a party going on… then there would be real fun!" She brightened up at the word 'party'.

"If you wanted one, just have one! I mean. You can right? Just invite a few guests, get the food and drinks, decorations, and a venue!" Tenten waved her drink about here and there.

"Hey! You are right! Let's make one Ino pig!" Sakura jumped out of happiness.

"Party! Party! Ok. But where?" Ino asked hyperly.

"Um. It can't be at my place, my parents would kill me!" Sakura shook her head.

"My father would ki-kill me too…" Hinata looked at the white, clean floor of the café.

"Well. Not at mine! My mom would get angry at me for it! She always says something about flowers needing peace…" Ino sighed.

Ino and Sakura turned to Tenten. Tenten looked back at them.

"EH? AT MY HOUSE? WHY?" Tenten went nuts.

"Because! The party can't be held at our places! And besides, I heard that your parents are out of town!" Ino said.

"Eh… That is true…" Tenten shook her cup.

"So it's decided! Tenten's place it is!" Sakura punched her fist into the air.

"W-What about the guests?" Hinata asked.

"Let's see…" Sakura reached for her light pink bag and took out a pink notepad and a pen with ink that was a darker shade of pink. She scribbled some things down.

"These are the absolute need to invite!" She showed us the piece of paper.

-Sasuke

-Shikamaru

-Neji

-Gaara

-Temari

-Kankuro

-Naruto

-Kiba

"Eh! Why is Neji in?" Ino screamed. "He will ruin the mood!" (A/n: Cos like Neji! Hahas.)

Tenten blushed. Hinata noticed it and pointed it out to Sakura. Sakura stared at her with a weird 'Ohoho!" look. Ino continued to babble about the bad points of some people on the list.

"O-Ok… W-What about Th-the drinks?" Tenten asked in a quieter tone.

Ino stopped and looked at Tenten. "Do you have a fever or something gal? You face is really red…" She felt Tenten's forehead.

"N-No! It's nothing…" She looked away, smiling.

"Ok. Anyway. About the drinks and food. We've got to get the food from the new western restaurant in town! And as for the drinks…" Ino said as Sakura scribbled the notes down.

"Oh! The juice shack nearby my house would be nice! And if they wanted soft drinks we could buy them!" Tenten sipped on her latte.

"Great! SO the party details are settled! Now to invite them! Ok. Hinata, please invite Kiba. Tenten, please invite Neji." Sakura said. Tenten blushed again.

"Ino, please invite Shikamaru, Temari, Gaara and Kankuro! You keep in touch with Temari right?" Sakura asked.

"Yup!" Ino smiled.

"I'll invite Naruto and Sasuke!" Sakura concluded. Hinata blushed too.

"Tenten. Hinata. You two are behaving really strange. Are you two having a fever or something?" Ino raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Ino pig! Tenten likes Neji and Hinata like Naruto! Duh!" Sakura pointed out.

"Oh I see!" Ino said.

"N-NO! It's not like that!" Tenten said.

"Y-Yeah!" Hinata spoke up too.

"Rightttttt." Ino and Sakura said sarcastically while Hinata and Tenten continued to blush.

-x With Tenten on the next day x-

"N-Neji?"

"Yeah?"

"D-Do you want to c-come to th-the girl's Christmas party? It is h-held at my house…"

"Why are you stammering like Hinata?"

"…"

"Fine. Time is?"

"S-Seven p.m."

"Ok."

Neji walked home. Tenten blushed. Very heavily.

Banzai!

-x with Sakura x-

"Hey Naruto!" Sakura said. "Sasuke-kun!" She cooed.

"Yes Sakura-chan?" Naruto smiled. "…"

"Do you want to come to the girl's Christmas party? It is held at Tenten's on Christmas and it's at 7 p.m.!" She told them.

"Sure Sakura-chan!" Naruto said excitedly. "Hn." Sasuke 'replied'.

"Yatta!" She punched her fist into the air as Sasuke 'agreed'.

-x with Hinata x-

"E-Erm. K-Kiba-kun? Wo-Would you like to co-come to the Christmas p-party the girls a-are holding?" Hinata stammered.

"Hm? Sure! Where? What time?" Kiba grinned

"Tenten-chan's house… 7 p.m…"

"Ok." Kiba said, before he ran off with Akamaru to do 'Dynamic Marking' again.

-x with Ino x-

"So. Temari! Is that a yes?" Ino spoke to Temari through the phone.

"Aw right! Thanks for the invite! I'll tell Gaara and Kankuro! Ja ne!" Temari hung up.

Well. One left.

"Shikamaru! Do you want to come to the chritmas party the girls are hosting?" Ino smiled.

"Nah. Too troublesome." Shikamaru said.

"You will come whether you like it or not…" Ino said in a menacing voice.

Shikamaru sighed. "Forced again…"

-x At night, at Tenten's x-

"I know my parents are out of town… But what are you all doing here?" Tenten exclaimed when she saw Hinata, Sakura and Ino standing outside of her door, with sleepover materials.

"Eh? There isn't a sleepover?" Hinata asked. "Komedesai then!" She wanted to walk away, but Ino stopped her.

"Come on Tenten! Besides Christmas is tomorrow and we will need to discuss about the deco!" Ino said, barging into the house.

Tenten sighed. Sakura patted Tenten on the back.

-x Later on, in front of the television. x-

"Ok. There will be drinks over there, the food will be here, and games will take place over here…" Ino pointed to the designated areas. Tenten continued to sigh and Sakura took notes, again. Hinata was watching the television.

"And here, will be the mistletoe!" Ino ended, while Tenten and Hinata blushed at the thought of kissing.

"Aw! I love the mistletoe part! I'll be able to kiss Sasuke-kun!" Sakura said, giggling.

"Uh huh! I'll kiss Shika too!" She squealed.

"…"

Hinata and Tenten flopped down. They fainted.

"Ah! Tenten! Hinata!" Ino and Sakura rushed.

-x The next afternoon x-

"Ok Ino! Get the decorations! And get some other drinks besides the ones Tenten is getting! Don't forget the mistletoes! Tenten, get the orders for the drinks! Hinata! Please go to the western restaurant and get our order! I'll re-arrange the stuff here!" Sakura said.

"Ok!" And they all went to their respective jobs.

-x At 4p.m. x-

"Ok! So the decorations are done, And so are the drinks and food! Now time for dresses!" Ino said.

"Eh. EH?" came from Hinata and Tenten, who had no idea they had to dress up.

"Aw right! Way to go Ino! What did you make?" Sakura said, peeking into the bag of clothes.

"You'll see!" Ino smirked.

-x 6.57 x-

"Aw right! Good job at the designing Ino!" Sakura complimented.

"Urgh. I hate this dress." Tenten grumbled.

"…" Hinata didn't say anything.

"Thanks Sakura!" Ino replied.

"Here they come!" Sakura said when she heard the doorbell ring.

They opened the door and saw Neji, Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru and Sasuke.

"Hello! Thanks for coming!" They said in unison.

Ino was dressed in a red spaghetti striped dress, with white edges and a ribbon at the bottom of the dress. The dress ended slightly above the knees. Her hair was tied up in two plaits with white ribbons. She also had a pair of white-silver dangling earrings on.

Sakura was dressed in a sleeveless reddish-pinkish dress that reached slightly above her knee, and she wore a pink choker round her neck and her hair tied up in a ponytail with a bright red ribbon.

Tenten was dressed in a very short-sleeved light red dress that touched her knee; the sleeves were white in colour. She wore a white-silver necklace which had a snowflake in the middle. She let her hair down, to reveal long, curvy hair which touched her waist.

Hinata's was conservative. She wore a long sleeved light red dress, and there was a bright red ribbon round her waist. She had a red and white choker and tied her hair in two ponytails.

"Wow! Sakura-chan! Hinata-chan! You look amazing!" the hyper-active boy said. Hinata blushed.

"I agree with Naruto on Hinata's one!" Kiba grinned. Hinata blushed even more.

"How troublesome." Shikamaru said.

"Hah? I spent so much time on these and that is all you can say?" Ino gave him a punch.

Tenten blushed when she saw Neji. "Nice." He muttered. (A/n: Kekeke. A lil OOC. I know! X.x)

"Huh?" Tenten asked and blushed further.

Nothing came out of Neji's mouth. Tenten looked away, blushing furiously.

Neji…

Tenten giggled.

"Sasuke-kun! How do I look?" Sakura asked.

"Hn."

"I'll take that as a 'nice'!" Sakura grinned.

"Eh! Hey Temari!" Ino said when she saw Temari, Gaara and Kankuro arrive.

"Hey gal! Missed anything so far? Nice outfit! Did you design it?" Temari asked.

"Nope! And yeah! I spent loads of time on these! Looks like it paid off!" She laughed.

"Aw right! Let's get this party started!" Temari said.

"Come on then!" Tenten said.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" they yelled (expect Sasuke, Gaara, Shikamaru and Neji). They all toasted and drank up.

Hinata, Sakura, Ino, Kiba drank the ones from the juice shack. Kankuro, Neji, Shikamaru and Naruto drank soft drinks. Gaara had plain water. Tenten and Sasuke decided to try the new drink that Ino brought.

'These are good!' Tenten thought

-x After a few games, and a few rounds of drinks x-

"Hic!" Could be heard from Sasuke and Tenten.

"Dude. Are you ok?" Naruto asked his teammate.

Sasuke walked over to Sakura and kissed her. Sakura was shocked. "I like…hic! You Sakura! Hic!" Then Sasuke collapsed.

Everybody except Neji, Tenten, Kankuro and Gaara looked at the blushing Sakura.

"Eh… was Sasuke drunk? Oh my god! I brought Sake?" Ino exclaimed when she saw the cover of the drink which Sasuke and Tenten got their drinks from. "Which means…" They all turned to look at the tipsy Tenten.

"Ugh… Eh? Everything's shaking…" Tenten said as she drank more.

"Ino pig!" Sakura flapped her hands around.

"Hic…" Tenten said heading towards to where the drinks station was.

"Eh! Stop her!" Kiba said.

They all went towards the drinks station and grabbed the bottle of Sake, to prevent her from taking it, but instead she headed for something at the side of the station.

"Neji… hic. I… Love you!" She declared, and then kissed him, just like what Sasuke had done. Neji looked really stunned. Hinata was wide eyed. The people in the room looked at Neji's expression. (A/n: Try to imagine it people! It'll be hilarious!)

Tenten broke away and looked up at Neji, who looked at her blankly. She then jumped onto him and cried out, "Neji!"

They fell onto the floor with a thud and she landed on top of him, sleeping.

Hinata looked at the Sake bottle in her hands, and then at Naruto, who was laughing his blonde little head off.

-x Meanwhile x-

Neji tried to get Tenten off, though he kind of enjoyed it. He was blushing furiously.

What did she just…

-x Meanwhile x-

"NARUTO-KUN! DAISUKE!" a very drunk Hinata clomped onto Naruto and plant a gigantic kiss on his lips. "I finally did it!" She said happily before sleeping, just like Sasuke and Tenten.

"Eh!" Sakura said, and then noticed the once half-full Sake bottle, now totally empty.

Naruto stood there, staring blankly into the air.

'Oh great. A Christmas went wrong. People drinking Sake. My fault. People crashing down, and sudden declarations, kissing… Man. I am so going to get killed. Eh! I'm under the mistletoe with Shika-kun! Ok! Here's my chance.' Ino thought

"Shikamaru! I like you!" Ino declared and gave him a really long one.

'I thought she wasn't drunk! Oh I get it. Mistletoe.' Shikamaru thought. 'How troublesome.'

Temari stood there, mouth agape, and then said. "Oh my god. This is one hell of a party!"

-x Author's little ¾ time note x-

Konnichiwa!

As you noticed, there were some OOCs. And sorry to ShikaTema fans out there!

(Bows)

Ok. So this is one hell of a weird party. I mean. People suddenly declaring their love and kissing, isn't really supposed to be. Is it?

(wide eyed.) o.o

This story isn't ended yet people! Continue to read please! No flames as reviews! X.x

- End break time x-

"…"

There was silence after the sudden bold confessions. People were either just too shocked, or they were quiet. From the very start.

It wasn't long before people fell asleep, due to drunk-ness or they didn't leave.

-x The next day x-

"Ugh! Major headache…" Tenten awoke and grumbled.

-Pause-

"OH MY GOD! WHY AM I ON TOP OF NEJI? OH MY GOD! SORRY NEJI!" Tenten screamed, looking at the Hyuuga. Her screams woke everybody up.

"Eh… Ohaiyo Tenten-chan… Eh." Hinata awoke and remembered the events that happened the day before. "AH! I DID IT!" Hinata fainted after what she said.

"Eh. You did it?" Tenten asked and remembered her kiss from the night before. "AH!" She blushed and her face became as red as beetroot. Neji got up.

"ouch…" He said.

"OH MY GOD! SORRY NEJI!"

Sasuke woke up. "What's that noi…" he spotted a blushing Sakura and became silent.

Temari, Gaara and Kankuro woke up. Temari yawned. "That was a great party!" She laughed. Some blushed harder.

Naruto shook Hinata, trying to wake her up. While Gaara told Temari that they were leaving, he had work to do back in the hidden village of Sand. They thanked them for the invitation before leaving.

Kiba looked at all the couples. Before he said. "Well I'd better be going. I have training today." This made all of them remember their missions or training. "M-Me too." Hinata said, leaving with Kiba. Sakura left with Naruto and Sasuke and so did Neji. Tenten went back to her room to freshen up.

-x With team 7 quite a while later, training. x-

"Err. Sasuke-kun? I. I like you too…" Sakura blushed. So did Sasuke. Naruto looked spaced out, after all. He was thinking of Hinata.

'Eh… They are acting all weird…' Kakashi thought, taking a break from 'Icha Icha Tactics'.

-x With Team 8 x-

And so was Hinata. Kiba looked at the spaced out Hinata. Before Shino asked him what happened.

Kurenai listened in too, seeing Hinata's weird behavior. Normally she only blushed at the thought of Naruto, but she was blushing the entire time today.

-x Team Gai's mission to the water country x-

"Youthful friends! What happened? You two are so quiet! Come on and unleash your youthful-ness! Be happy!" Lee said.

"Yosh! You are right Lee! Let us head for the ever youthful Water country!" Gai-sensei cried anime tears and pointed in the direction of their destination.

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

They cried more anime tears before running into an awfully weird horizon which seemed to appear out of nowhere.

Tenten and Neji were left alone. And they started to blush. Before they headed off in the direction In which their idiotic, spandex suit wearing friends went.

While they were leaping from tree to tree, Neji said. "Tenten. Yesterday at the party…"

Tenten blushed. "Y-Yes?" She asked.

"Did you mean what you. Erm. Said?" He asked.

Tenten blushed even more. She answered. "Y-Yes. I did mean it…"

Neji blushed back. Lee looked at them for a while, and then looked at where he was going.

"I…Like you too." Neji said, looking away.

Tenten looked at him wide eyed. She giggled.

"Did you say something? My youthful friend Neji?" Lee asked and noticed the two blushing.

"Oho! I see!" Lee said and snickered.

"Lee! What happened?" Gai asked.

-x At the Hyuuga manor x-

Naruto waited for Hinata at the main gate.

"Y-Yes Naruto-kun?" Hinata blushed.

"Well. Thank you…" He rubbed the back of his neck.

Hinata looked depressed. She thought she was rejected.

"I like you too…" He looked at her.

She brightened up and cried tears of joy.

"Naruto-kun! Arigato!" She said, with tears flowing freely down her cheeks.

Naruto smiled.

300

2012-01-20T07:36:00.001-08:00

'Chocolate skin...Chocolate skin...Chocolate skin...Chocolate skin...Argh!'

Kei Enomoto sat up in her desk and scowled. Completely ignoring her teacher and his lengthy teachings, the mature-looking blonde girl cursed herself for thinking of HER again. 'This is the fifth time today in the last four weeks that I lost control like this!' she thought furiously, 'Why do I have to think of that girl now...especially since me and Kusuda have just become a couple?'

The girl Kei was daydreaming about was none other than Rika Dobashi, one of the more prettier girls in her class. With short wavy black hair and an amazing athlete body, Rika was quite a catch. One of her most noticable features though was her dark skin, which reminded Kei of chocolate. Just thinking about her made Kei feel hungry...

'Argh! I can't think about another girl like that! It's just...it's just wrong!' Kei chastised herself and quickly asked to go to the bathroom. As soon as she was excused from the classroom, Kei ran down the hall with all her might, her mind still reeling with thoughts of Rika in various clothing, including a swimsuit and lingerie.

'Stop it! Please stop it! This can't be true! I can't really be...'

Kei slammed the bathroom door open and walked in front of one of the overhanging mirrors by the sink. Starring at her own reflection, Kei thought of one thing and one thing only: Rika Dobashi. She thought about how they always hung out together, always joked around, always walking home together...

Kei struggled to keep herself from crying out as more and more thoughts of Rika and her beautiful body surged into her mind. 'It's too much...it's too much...please...I can't possibly be like that...I can't possibly...' Tears were pouring down her face now. A smile of disbelief was also present, stretching out her cheek bones.

'I...I can't...this has to be a dream...I love Kusuda, right? I love...I love...' Before Kei could finish trying to convince herself, she pictured Rika lying on her bed, naked and groaning out in ecstacy as she fondled herself...

Sliding down onto her knees, Kei cupped her face in her hands and broke out into powerful sobs. Somehow...it had gotten to this point. Now, Kei couldn't lie to herself anymore. She knew who she really loved...

'I...I'm a lesbian...I love...I love Rika Dobashi...'
Later that day, after kissing Kusuda (feeling guilty all the while) goodbye, Kei rushed home, ran up to her room, and pulled out her cellphone. Her chest rose up and down as she breathed heavily from all her running back and forth.

Staring nervously at the small, palm-sized device in her hands, Kei thought, 'Ergh...can I really do this? How can I just call up one of my best friends, who happens to be a girl, and tell her I love her? It's madness! What makes this all even worse is that I already have a boyfriend. What if she thinks it's all a mean prank or something? What if she doesn't accept my feelings? Or...what if she IS gay, but she's interested in another girl? Oh, shit...so many things can go wrong...Everything's going too fast...'

Taking in a deep breath, Kei decided to risk it all. After plugging in the phone number and waiting a few seconds, Rika Dobashi finally picked up.

"...Hello?" she asked in a voice that seemed to now send shivers up Kei's spine.

Taking another deep breath, Kei said, "...H-Hi, Rika. It's me...Kei. I really need to talk to you about something. Is that okay?"

If she listened close enough, Kei could hear Rika breathing heavily. 'She must have been working out when I called her...' Kei thought, and the vision of a sweaty Rika in a filmsy white T-shirt gave her a strange sensation tingling between her legs. Shaking her head furiously, Kei went back to focusing on the task at hand.

"...So, what do you want to talk about?" Rika asked, having now idea how badly Kei wants to fuck her right now. Closing her eyes and focusing her courage, she could feel her cheeks flush and her heart pound violently inside her chest. Without another second to waste, Kei held the phone up to her mouth and cried:

"I-I LOVE YOU!"

Excellent! Precure Ultra Style!

2011-04-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1
Excellent! Precure First Battle!

It was springtime in Tokyo, Japan. A girl who was called upon a PreCure Mascot named Mocho, and was granted the power of the dragonfly. Her abilities are to fly at top speed of 25 mph, be able to bite (if possible) and opponent with her sharp fangs (if available), and can regenerate herself whenever necessary.

This girl is Cure Dragonfly, also known as Kana Fukuhara, and with her twin sister named Sana, also known as Cure Moon, fought justice within Tokyo.

One day, Sana was awake because of a nightmare she had.

"S-Sister, are you awake?" asked Sana. Kana was fast asleep, unable to wake up to her sister's calling.

"sigh... Kana, you're such a heavy sleeper. Isn't that right, Mocho?" Sana looked down at the little cat -like mascot of the PreCures.

"It's true! It's true, Mocho! We have to find more PreCures in order to stop Rai, Mocho!"

Sana smiled at him and went back to sleep.

The next day, the twins got dressed for school. Kana and Sana had to leave Mocho inside one of their backpacks until recess.

"It's stuffy in here, Mocho..." Mocho whispered to himself, being squished by books and pens and pencils.

"Sana, what are you doing talking to Itsuka? She's not even very nice to you. Why is that?" Kana looked directly at Itsuka Toin, a tough girl younger than the Fukuhara Twins.

"Oh, is that so? Well, we'll talk. That includes you, Kana!"

"Itsuka, I wasn't listening to anything you and my sister just talked about!" Kana covered her ears, trying to ignore Itsuka.

"Don't worry. I'm not gonna pound on you two. I made up with myself and everyone else."

Outside the school, a tall woman dressed in a black trench coat with black sunglasses chuckled to herself.

It was recess...

"So, what did you wanted me to find out?" Itsuka asked Sana.

"Why doesn't she ever talk to me than to Sana?" Kana thought to herself.

The woman in black appeared to them while they were alone.

"Excuse me, ladies. Is this seat..." The woman then fired a ray gun at them, forcing the table to tip of itself and the three girls.

"Taken?" she laughed evilly.

The three schoolgirls grunted and moaned in pain. Mocho finally popped out of Kana's bag, gasping for air.

"It's all mine, Mocho! All mine, Mocho!" He was "grabbing" the air.

"Itsuka, are you okay?" asked Sana, groaning.

"I'm okay," she grunted.

"At least she talks to me still!" thought Kana.

"Are you prepared to dies or to fight?" said the unknown woman.

Mocho looked at Itsuka and shouted, "ITSUKA, BECOME THE RUBY!" and called out for a girl named Princess Yuki. She appeared and gave Itsuka a PreCure Token with a sign of a ruby.

"What's this?" said Itsuka holding the Token.

"It's your PreCure Sign becoming a PreCure, Itsuka," explained Yuki, and disappeared in mid air, leaving it up to the girls and Mocho.

Itsukaherself automatically shouted out her transform cry, known as "PRECURE READY! SET, START!"

She transformed into Cure Ruby, the PreCure of the red gem.

"You look cute in that outfit, Mocho!" giggled Mocho.

The woman fired another shot at the girls, but was stopped by Cure Ruby's attack, known as the Red Gem Spear.

"Shoot! Well, I guess it's game over for you guys anyway. Hehehe." the woman said as she fired another shot at them. Sana and Kana transformed into their PreCureforms. For twin relatives, they can use the PreCure Double Power to transform together.

"PRECURE READY! SET, START!" shouted the twins. Kana, the PreCure leader of her group, transformed into Cure Dragonfly, and Sana transformed into Cure Moon, the PreCure of the shiny moon.

The owman fled the scene as soon as they attacked.

"Who is she, Mocho?" said Mocho. The PreCure Token that made Itsuka transformed, turned into a ring-like device known as the PreCure Ring. Kana and Sana already had their PreCure Rings since they were early PreCures.

Excellent! Precure Ultra Style!

2011-04-16T08:06:00.000-07:00

Chapter 2
Excellent! precure battle in the Night!

"Princess Yuki says thank you for saving the school, Mocho!" Mocho clapped his little paws together.

"So, being a PreCure isn't that bad?" Itsuka asked Sana while looking at her red outfit.

"It's a good thing," Kana answered for her.

"Well, I'm in." Itsuka transformed back into her original form. Sana and Kana returned back to their forms and got Mocho back into Kana's bag. After that, the three girls went back to class, but their teacher didn't even care what Kana and the others did, because she knows that they're PreCures.

After school, the three girls went to a lonely park to talk.

"Mocho, are you going to be alright down there?" said Itsuka.

Mocho popped up from the sandy ground and laughed, dragging his head back down.

"What are we going to do now? Is there anyone else we can fight? I don't want to be powerless unless I feel like hurting a bad guy or two." Itsuka sighed and pushed herself on a swing.

"Not until we find more PreCures around here. sigh... I'm bored and it's almost sunset. Let's go back home.." Sana slept on her sister's lap. Kana looked up at the orange sky, covered up by the grayish orange clouds.

"Mocho, time to go home..." Kana yawned deeply. Mocho popped up from the sand again.

"Aw, I wanna sleep under here, Mocho..." Mochowhined. Kana shook her head in disagreement.

"What if you move somewhere else when we come back here? What if little kids run across here and smash you up? What if you get caved in or whatever?" Kana picked up Mocho, who was crying.

"But I wanna, Mocho! I'm not gonna move, I'm not gonna get hurt, and I'm used to living in the sand, Mocho. I can't die in the sand, Mocho."

"Lucky you," snorted Itsuka.

"The moon's shiny!" cried out Sana who suddenly woke up from her nap.

"OH, NO!" Kana cried.

"It's late! Let's go!" Itsuka grabbed Kana and Sana's hand but not Mocho, because Kana and Sana agreed with Mocho on living in the sand in the park.

At the Fukuhara Twins' house, their single mother, known as Rumi, had a little talk with her girls about staying out too late.

"We're sorry, mother! Please forgive us!" the twins bowed down in front of their mother.

"Okay, okay, kids. Hey, guess what?"

"What?" said the twins.

"Your teacher told me that there's going to be a new student named... Ah, it's Haruk Nanami. She's from America, sinceher father's Japanese and her mother is half American and Japanese, so she moved into this neighborhood because her parents both got jobs in another city near here. She's very nice to kids like you so why don't you go meet her now?" Rumi smiled calmly at her kids.

"That's great and all, but we're tired," said Kana.

"Sister's right, mommy," Sana, the younger twin, agreed with her older twin.

"Okay, kay. Go on up to bed now. You might have some nightmares while sleeping throughout the night."

"Why aren't you going?" asked Sana. Rumi rubbed her head.

"Because I'm busy, now go on. Go, go." Rumi shewed them away while working on a project she has to do at her job.

"Sister, I'm scared about mommy..."

"Don't worry, Sana. She'll go get some sleep," said Kana, unlocking their bedroom door.

"What about Mocho and Itsuka?" asked Sana.

"Mocho's here, Mocho!" he popped up from Kana's bag.

"sigh... Maybe at midnight we can meet Haruka, huh, sis?" Kana said as she was getting ready for bed..

"Maybe so, but... what if she catches us?"

"I'll go ask, then." Kana got out of her bed and went downstairs to ask Rumi if she and her sister want to meet Haruka now.

"Mommy, you awake?" Sana asked her from the steps.

"I am... Why are you still up? It's almost one."

"Can we meet Haruka now, mommy?" she asked her politely.

"I've told you and your sister you can an hour ago, but you two didn't want to. Okay, you can go, but becareful, my little PreCure."

"Mommy, it's only eleven. You're too confused to work all night. Go to bed."

"Okay, Sana. Get your sister and Mocho. You'll need protection."

At midnight, the twins and Mocho were trying to find Haruka's house. They peeked through a few windows, and found it. The living room was filled with moving boxes that were still fresh and new. On the steps leading to the second floor of the house, there was a young girl, a little older than Kana and Sana.

"Knock on the door, Kana. Ringing the bell will just shock them." Kana nodded at Sana and knocked on the door gently.

The young girl looked up at the door but not the window, and got up to use the peephole.

"Who are they? Why are they up this late at night?" the girl asked herself. She opened the door, even though her parents told her not to without permission, and gasped.

"Are you Haruka Nanami?" asked Sana. The girl looked at her and answered.

"I am... Who are you?" Haruka was a bit shy.

"We're the Fukuhara Twins. I'm Kana, the oldest, and this is my other twin named Sana."

"Nice names. My parents wouldn't let me open the door to strangers, but... if you want to come in, that's fine as long as you are my neighbors."

"HEY, WAKE UP!" Haruka woke up her parents.

"Haruka, what's with all that noise? And why didn't you ask us to open the door?" her mother complained.

Her father wasn't mad, he was just standing behind his wife.

"Aren't you going to say something?" Haruka asked her father. He thought about it, but instead he told her that it's alright for the twins to be invited because he knew Rumi since they were in high school.

"Oh, okay. Mother, this is Kana and this is Sana. They're the Fukuhara Twins. They live right across from us."

"Nice to meet you girls. You know, I've met your mother since we were in high school. Did you know that? And my wife here met me when we were in college."

"That's very nice of you to tell us, but you didn't have to," Sana told him politely.

"So, who are you parents?" asked Kana.

"I'm Yuji and this is my lovely wife Lia."

"I love that name," said Sana dreamily.

"What name?" Kana asked her.

"Lia. It's a very cute name." After what Sana just said, she made Lia blush.

"Oh, that's very nice. Thank you so much." Lia bowed to Sana.

"You can take Haruka with you and show her all around the neighborhood, if you want," insisted Fuji.

"Oh, thank you so much," the twins bowed at him.

It was almost two in the morning, and the three girls and Mocho, who was silent while the twins were talking to Haruka and her parents, sat on a bench until the woman who met the PreCures before the other day, fired a shot at Haruka. Mocho screamed and called for Princess Yuki's PreCure Symbol to appear so Yuki wouldn't have to travel back and forth between two worlds.

"This is the PreCure Symbol, Mocho!" explained Mocho. "This symbol will activate when a new PreCure is near, Mocho!"

"It's glowing brightly..." Haruka whispered to herself.

"Time to die, Pretty Cure girls..." the woman said as she fired a big shot at the twins. They used the PreCure Double Power to transform.

"PRECURE READY! SET, START!" the twins shouted.

Itsuka, who hasn't shown up for some time in the dark, came by to give the twins their mail she found on her doorstep. Apparently, the woman shot the mailman, knocking him out cold, letting the woman switch the sent letters and junk mail between the twins and Itsuka. Itsuka gasped at the sight of the woman and transformed into Cure Ruby.

Haruka and Mocho tried to take cover of each other, but the PreCure Symbol was in their way. The symbol gave Haruka a PreCureToken, making her automatically transform into a new PreCure called Cure Cloudy, the PreCure of the clouds. All the PreCures' transform cry were all the same, but their other cries were different.

"Cure Dragonfly ready! The speed of the dragonfly! The excellence of the PreCure! Cure Dragonfly!"

"Cure Moon ready! Shiny luminous of the sky! The excellence of the PreCure! Cure Moon!"

"Cure Ruby ready! The gem of all gems! The excellence of the PreCure! Cure Ruby!"

"Cure Cloudy ready! Shady and rainy all around! The excellence of the PreCure! Cure Cloudy!"

"Another PreCure brat?" the woman gasped.

All chanted and then attacked.

"BEHOLD! THE PRECURE KINGDOM! THE POWER OF HOPE IS WITHIN THE SYMBOL! EXCELLENT! PRETTY CURE!"

"Shoot! Another lame speech," grunted the woman.

"Who are you and why are you attacking us?" Cure Dragonfly forced an answer from the woman.

"My name is Emiko... I work alone and only alone, so point your attacks at me."

All PreCures got ready to attack Emiko.

Excellent! Precure Ultra Style!

2011-04-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

Chapter 3
Excellent! Precure on the Hunt!

"A battle at night? Can we like get her away from here and go back to sleep?" Haruka protected herself with her defensive attacks.

Emiko was fighting two of the four PreCures, while Cure Moon and Cure Cloudy tried to distract Emiko in order for the others to attack her open range. Mocho dodged every single shot fired by Emiko when he suddenly tripped on his short tail, about to be caught by Emiko. Kana raised an arm, shouting, "PROTECT PRECURE MASCOT!" and created a shield around Mocho. Emiko used her gun to get through the barrier and grabbed Mocho and took off.

"Cure Dragonfly! Stop her with this!" Mocho cried out as he used his PreCure Magic to give the PreCures their new handheld weapons.

"PreCures, ready?" shouted Kana. The others nodded.

"Cure Dragonfly spotlight!" Kana shouted as she got ready to attack.

"The power of the dragonfly, lend me your wings! VELOCITY QUAKE!" Kana grew her wings and flew as fast as she could, sending pounding vibrations from her wings to the ground, causing a quake to start.

"Kana's so fast!" gasped Sana.

"Kana, Mocho! Grab me, Mocho!" Mocho reached out his little paws as Kana got closer to him, but lost her grip due to being hit by Emiko's fist.

"Kana!" the girls cried out.

Kana moaned, trying to get up, but was too sore to stand up. Itsuka and Sana helped her up, but Haruka decided to run after Emiko and the kidnapped Mocho.

"Haruka, wait! Don't go!" Sana shouted at her, but Haruka didn't listen to her. She kept going, knowing that she'll save Mocho for them. Kana moaned some more, falling helplessly to the ground. Itsuka sighed knelt down beside her, rubbing her back. The sun almost rose, and the girls were too tired to sleep again.

Just as Haruka disappeared, her parents found the three girls hurt and tired.

"What happened? Where's our daughter?" Fuji helped Kana up, but she wanted to stay down to sleep.

"Kana, Sana, and you... What's your name?" Lia asked Itsuka.

"Itsuka Toin. I live only a block away from them." she answered to Lia.

"Where's Haruka? She has school in a few hours, so tell us where she is!" Fuji growled.

Kana and Sana explained why she left and where she went. The parents understood them and didn't worry too much, only focusing on their family (including Haruka of course) and their jobs. The three remaining PreCures transformed back into their original forms, going back home to tell their parents that they will be gone for a very long time. Rumi Fukuhara accepted her kids' permission to leave the house until they finish dealing with Emiko who ran off with their PreCure Mascot. Princess Yuki appeared in their room before they left, leaving on their desk another PreCure Mascot named Mei. Mei is another cat-like mascot of the PreCure kingdom and is very cautious of her surroundings and everyone she helps and cares about.

Mei hopped off of the twins' desk and onto Kana's bed that was next to an open window. She giggled and jumped off from hanging on to the window, falling on her feet. Mei sniffed the cool air and used her quick senses to dash away to find the others.

The three PreCures transformed back into their PreCure forms, but Mei appeared before they flew off to find Haruka, Emiko and Mocho.

The PreCures got to know Mei a lot more than Mocho, and became fast friends soon after.

"Where's Haruka-chan, Mei?" asked Mei as she hopped onto Kana's shoulder.

"She's somewhere past here, but she's not very close," answered Itsuka.

"Then we should find her quick before she gets hurt, Mei!" Mei insisted.

"We are and we will," replied Kana.

Harukacontinued her pursuit after Emiko, who has captured the PreCure Mascot, Mocho.

Haruka was able to cut the net sack to free Mocho, but was unable to catch up to Emiko again. She ran off to where she's heading.

"Thank you for saving me, Mocho!" Mocho hugged Haruka happily.

"It was not easy. We still have to go for Emiko before she does something worse... Maybe capture all the Pretty Cures and use our powers for her own?"

"Don't tell me that! It could happen, Mocho!" whined Mocho. Mocho hopped off from Haruka's shoulder and watched the clouds of dust from Emiko'sfast legs disappear in the air. Mocho sighed and hopped back onto Haruka's should again. He ordered calmly to meet up with the others, but she wasn't sure how to use her powers yet. Mocho taught her quickly, and she learned it very fast. She is a fast learner.

"Once again, I'm not so good at this! I'm not an expert!" shouted Haruka as she was flying for the first time. Mocho laughed and didn't believe her words. The other PreCures saw her and almost collided with her as she was coming towards them.

"What was that for? You almost broke my arm!" Haruka cried out. Itsuka sighed and knelt down beside her.

"It's not anyone's fault, Haruka. And your parents are waiting for you, are they?" Itsuka looked up at Sana and corrected herself.

"Naw, we told them about you and they agreed with us. We won't come back home until we have done the deed." Itsuka rubbed the back of her head.

"Oh, okay... I got Mocho, and I see we've got a new mascot here."

"Mei-chan, Mocho!"

"Mocho-kun, Mei!" the two mascots hugged each other in delight.

"So cute! I wish I had my camera!" Sana giggled.

The PreCures went off to find Emiko.

Where Emiko was, she kidnapped a young girl..

"What do you know about the PreCure Crystal?" Emiko tried to rip her hair off of her scalp.

"Please... don't hurt me... I had the PreCureCrystal... but I don't have it with me... I lost it somewhere, but I don't remember where I left it... Please spare me, please..." the girl begged Emiko to stop hurting her.

"Tell me this, girl. Why did you lose it?"

"I-I don't know... It was in my bag and I lost it somewhere... That's about it..."

"Fine, I'll spare your life, but if you have some new info on the crystal, tell me as soon as possible."

"Can I tell you who I am first before you go?" the girl asked Emiko before she turned her back on her.

"Sure. Who are you?"

"I'm Nijiiro Momomiya. My name means 'Rainbow color peach palace.' My mother chose that for me because I'm happy as always. What's yours?"

"Emiko. Just plain Emiko. That's all you need to know about me. Do you want to follow me?"

"I have to think for myself before I can begin my actions..." Nijiiro thought for a moment, and told her that she won't be. Instead, she decided to become a PreCure again and go out on her own, since she's an orphan after her parents were killed in an airplane accident.

"Well, that's good. See you someday."

"See you, too, Emiko." The two went their own paths.

"Where's Emiko, Mocho?" asked Mocho.

"What are we going to do with the next PreCure, Mei?" asked Mei.

The girls ignored them, but Kana replied to Mei's question. "Maybe she'll come running to us by accident."

Mei smiled and tried to cheer up Mocho. Mocho smiled back at her and laughed.

"I wanna get down!" whined Sana. Itsuka and Haruka looked at her and sweat dropped.

"Going on foot takes too long for us to get Emiko. Flying's better." Itsuka smiled proudly. Sana looked at her and sighed. Her blue eyes stared at Haruka's brown eyes from a corner and turned away.

"I guess I'm too shy around Haruka," said Sana, "but every time I meet new people I've never even heard about, I get too shy." The girls didn't listen to what she said.

Excellent! Precure Ultra Style!

2011-04-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

Chapter 4
Excellent! Precure vs Emiko! The Final!

"Emiko should be around here somewhere," said Itsuka looking at the ground. She noticed there were some dirt tracks along the road, which means that Emiko has caused a kidnapping and digging up for the unknown child she abducted. Kana closed her eyes and buried her face into Sana's chest. Sana held on tight to her little twin sister and sighed in disappointment of Emiko.

"Why would she kidnapand bury a little child?" Haruka questioned the group. "We don't know why, but there's no struggle here, and no ripped nor bloody clothes lying around, so that must mean that Emiko ripped the clothes off from the child, buried the child, and dashed off with the clothes. But we need to look further into her sick ideas to find out what she's going to do next."

"What do you mean by that, sister?" asked Sana.

"We have to go after her before she does something really bad," she answered her.

Haruka bit her tongue gently, trying not to scream in horror. Itsuka looked up at the sky, knowing that it's already morning. They're still not tired after the battle they had that night, because when they're in their PreCure form, they don't sleep at night nor day.

After Emiko and Nijiiro first met each other and left each other for their own purposes, Emiko herself was still on the move. Nijiiro herself was traveling on foot to somewhere she wanted to be. Nijiiro, as Cure Rainbow, decided to fly off to find a place to stay. She has a home, but her cousins told her to stay out for now just to be safe. She never knew when she'll return. She tried once, but her cousins told her in about a few months, She can come back. Nijiiro once again left the house, but never returned, for she knows that they might give her one or two years to come back and continue to trick her again, again, and again.

"What happened to the child, Mocho?" asked Mocho. He hopped onto Sana's right shoulder while Mei hopped onto the left. Their tails tickled her neck as they swayed side to side and back and forth.

"Kana, what are we going to do, Mei?" asked Mei. Kana tried to respond to Mocho's question after he asked her, but she didn;t want to tell him, but her sister told Mei her answer.

Princess Yuki suddenly appeared before them.

"Did you call her, Mocho?" said Kana to Mocho, who giggled with Mei. Yuki giggled a bit and smiled happily at the girls and the mascots.

"I'm glad Mocho's safe," she told them.

"Why did Emiko tried to capture you?"

"Because she's trying to use our powers for her own purposes, Mocho!" Mocho cried out. Mei comforted him and patted him on the back.

"Well, she'll be gone soon, guys. Work hard and, oh! I almost forgot! These little sticks are called PreCure Maximum Ultra. Each one of these has your Cure Symbol (Cure Symbol is for individual PreCures, while the PreCure Symbol is for every single PreCure used for signaling a new PreCure). You're able to use them, so be careful. I'll be leaving now. Be good to your friend, Mocho."

"I will, master, Mocho!" he laughed. Yuki disappeared in mid air.

"Let's go catch up to Emiko!" Itsuka said.

Kana remember what she was going to say to her group.

"We can use the PreCure Teleport since we have enough power to take us to where Emiko is! It can automatically find her hideout or where she is right now!"

"That's good, but what do we have to do?" Haruka wasn't sure what to do to teleport to where Emiko is.

"Put your hands in," said Kana. Everyone nodded and placed their hands, stacking them on top of the others.

"PRECURE! TELEPORT!" they shouted. They instantly went to where Emiko is. Emiko gasped in surprised, after seeing them use the teleportation power.

"You'd you punks find me here?" she growled at them.

"Because we know!" Sana answered.

"Shoot! I guess we have to settle this in the T.O.P!"

"Top?" Itsuka cocked her head.

"That's right. T.O.P. It stands for Toho Origin Toyo. We have half of the PreCure power, so we need to take yours and that will be it!"

"PreCure ready?" shouted Cure Dragonfly.

"SET!" the others shouted.

"BEAT UP!" they all shouted. Cure Cloudy first attacked using her PreCure Maximum Ultra.

"Cure Cloudy Maximum Ultra!" Cure Cloudy shouted, as the PreCure Stick transformed into a nun chuck. The ends on the sides of the nun chuck turned a deep gray, then had tiny tornadoes surrounding the two sides.

"PRECURE! CLOUDY TORNADO DISASTER!" shouted Cure Cloudy. She spun and twisted her nun chuck around her body, causing a large tornado around her. She flew in on Emiko and spun her around. Emiko still survived the attack, but Itsuka tried to attack next.

"Cure Ruby Maximum Ultra!" shouted Itsuka. Her's transformed into a staff with a little piece of ruby on top.

"PRECURE! SHINING SPHERICAL ACHE!" she spun her staff. It spun aroun around her until a red circle was around her. Then Itsuka used her Cure Symbol on her red glove to control it, sending the red ring towards Emiko, which caused electricity to shoot out.

"MY TURN! Cure Moon Maximum Ultra!" Sana's PreCure Stick turned into a crescent shaped weapon, which looks similar to Mew Ichigo of Tokyo Mew Mew's Strawberry Bell, but the shape isn't a heart, it's a crescent moon.

"GOODNIGHT... MOON BERRY SMASH!" Sana had the best attack second to Itsuka's. The Crescent Berry Bell shot out a shadow of a full moon underneath Sana's feet, which dragged itself underneath Emiko and shot out a circle of light just like an underground water pipe bursts open to the surface.

"FINAL BLOW! Cure Dragonfly Maximum Ultra!" her stick turned into a spherical weapon. She held it up in the sky, making it glow.

"DRAGONFLY... HEAVY ULTRA SMASH!" she shouted as she threw her weapon at Emiko, causing a ball of light to shoot out from it. Emiko was captured inside the ball, and disappeared inside it. She was never seen from again until they go deeper into the secrets and plans of the evil.

"YES!" the girls shouted.

"We've finally got Emiko, Mocho, Mei!" Mei hugged her friend.

"I know we did, Mei, Mocho!" Mocho hugged her back.

A day later, the girls were still on the run, trying to find more PreCures.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:35:00.001-08:00

Chapter 1
The Trix's Plan (Part 1)

One autumn morning in Cloud Tower, senior witches Icy, Darcy, & Stormy were using their vacuums to try to find the new source of energy that they had sensed coming from the planet Earth.

"Do you think this girl could possibly be the last Mercurian Princess, you know, the one who aided the Moon Princess in the destruction of our aunt, Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom?" Icy asked Darcy as she, Darcy, & Stormy looked through the vacuums' image of 14-year-old Amy Mizuno frantically getting her schoolbag from out of her locker.

On Earth in a town called Crossroads, in a city called Tokyo, in a country called Japan, Amy Mizuno was running to Albert Einsten School for the Gifted because she was late for her computer course.

"Oh dear, oh my," Amy said breathlessly still running to Albert Einsten School for the Gifted. "the professor will kill me if I am ever running late again!"

Amy was stopped by Icy, Darcy & Stormy on her way to cram school.

"Ice Coffin!" Icy shouted covering Amy in blocks of ice.

"Let go of me!" Amy screamed at the top of her lungs at Icy hoping that help would come for her.

Over at Alfea College for Fairies, Professor Faragonda got a call from Professor Saladin.

"Saladin," Professor Faragonda said cheerfully. "I am so very pleased that you called me!"

"No time to chat right now Faragonda," Saladin explained. "this entire situation is extremely urgent!"

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:34:00.002-08:00

Chapter 2
The Trix's Plan (Part 2)

"What is it Saladin," Professor Faragonda asked. "spit it out already!"

"My sources tell me that the Trix are in Tokyo Japan," Saladin said. "it appears that a girl named Amy Mizuno has the same DNA as one of the girls that attends your own school, and it also appears that Icy, Darcy, & Stormy want Amy's power for themselves, she may be one of us, though... at this point, I'm not so certain that I want to put any more mystery into Amy's young life, for I can say that Griffin, you, & I all know her history."

"I will go & tell Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, & Tecna about their newest mission." Professor Faragonda said to Professor Saladin.

"And I will let Sky, Brandon, Riven, & Timmy know that they will need to go along on the mission." Professor Saladin said to Professor Faragonda ending the conversation.

Back in Tokyo, Sailor Mars had just thawed out Amy whose teeth were still chattering seeing as she had been frozen in that ice for so long.

"How had this happened to you Amy?" Luna asked the shivering blue haired blue eyed girl.

"Someone had attacked me." Amy answered still shivering with cold chills.

"Was it a... cardian?" Artemis asked Amy whose teeth were still chattering because of the cold she was still feeling.

"No, she was no cardian," Amy answered Artemis disagreeably. "this was a teenage girl in college and she had used her magic to put me under ice!"

"Come on now Amy," Lita said. "we shall all be going to my house for some nice hot chocolate with either whipped cream or mini marshmellows in it."

"That sounds good to me, Lita." Amy shivered.

Back at Cloud Tower, the Trix appeared in their dormitory bedroom where Knut was busily sweeping the bedroom floor for the three Trix.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:34:00.001-08:00

Chapter 3
The Trix's Plan (Part 3)

"Why do I always get stuck with all the cleaning?" the ogre complained.

Icy, Darcy, & Stormy were studying Amy sipping her hot chocolate at Lita's house.

"Quit your complaining, Knut," Darcy ordered the ogre. "and continue with your sweeping!"

Knut didn't listen to Darcy so instead he decided to watch the five sailor scouts with the Trix.

"Are you sure these five girls really pose any threat to us?" Knut asked Icy, Darcy, & Stormy.

"The wimpy mousy little girl that Icy had frozen in Tokyo possessed a great deal of strength," Darcy answered Knut. "after all, she could very well be a fairy, and if she is a fairy... then we will be the ones to kill her."

Back at Alfea, a Red Fountain aircraft landed on the Alfea grounds as Bloom, Stella, Musa, Flora, & Tecna all ran over to greet their guests.

"Are you girls ready for our mission?" Riven asked Musa, Bloom, Flora, Tecna, & Stella.

"Not quite yet," Stella answered Riven also speaking for her four friends. "as girls, we still need to pack our belongings, right girls?"

"Right!" Bloom, Musa, Tecna, & Flora all exclaimed in agreement with Stella.

It never took the Winx Club long to pack, for just as soon as they were ready with their suitcases in hand, Bloom & Sky, Musa & Riven, Flora, and Tecna & Timmy were all set to go to Tokyo Japan where their assignment was.

Back in the town of Crossroads, a cardian had made itself known at Lita's house as Alan & Anne not to mention Icy, Darcy, & Stormy and Knut (disguised as Amy's love interest, Keiichi Stanton.) followed close behind it.

Back on the aircraft, Tecna began having a memory of hers & Timmy's Christmas trip to Gardenia.

Deep inside Tecna's memory, it was on the very same aircraft they were riding on now for their mission, Tecna was talking to Timmy a mile a minute while he was trying to drive the aircraft through a nebula.

"BE QUIET TECNA, I'M TRYING TO DRIVE HERE!" Timmy yelled furiously.

"Uh-oh Timmy," Tecna warned. "we're going to crash into a nebula!"

"And speaking of crash," Riven added insensitively. "how sad, poor Timmy's crashed at the wheel."

"Oh no, Brandon, Sky," Tecna called. "please assist Timmy!"

"We're on it!" Sky and Brandon both called.

Sky unbuckled Timmy from the driver's seat of the aircraft and took him to the back while Brandon buckled himself in the driver's seat and resumed where Timmy had left off.

Tecna unbuckled herself and ran to the very back of the aircraft to kneel by Timmy's side.

"I'm sorry Timmy," Tecna sobbed. "you told me to be quiet, and I didn't listen, I'm so worthless."

Timmy began shushing Tecna, "Tecna, don't talk that way, I love you," Timmy began softly. "trust me, you are not worthless... not to me."

Timmy began to sing a soft love song to Tecna to calm her down.

Timmy: Look at the sky;

Tell me, what do you see;

Just close your eyes;

And describe it to me;

The heavens are sparkling;

With starlight tonight;

That's what I see through your eyes.

Brandon put the aircraft on autopilot and everyone listened as Tecna picked up where Timmy left off.

Tecna: I see the heavens;

Each time that you smile;

I hear your heartbeat;

Just go on for miles;

And suddenly I know;

Why life is worthwhile;

That's what I see;

Through your eyes.

Riven scoffed at the song, "This is no stupid musical." he said.

Musa shushed Riven so she could continue to listen to the song.

Timmy & Tecna: That's what I see;

Through your eyes;

Here in the night;

I see the sun;

Here in the dark;

Our two hearts are one;

It's out of our hands;

We can't stop;

What we have begun;

And love just took me;

By surprise;

Looking through your eyes.

Bloom held Brandon near as the song continued.

Timmy & Tecna: I see a night;

I wish could last;

forever;

I see a world;

We're meant;

To see together;

And it is;

So much;

More than I;

Remember;

Stella embraced Prince Sky as Tecna and Timmy continued singing.

Timmy: More than I remember.

Tecna: More than I have known.

Timmy & Tecna: Here in the night;

I see the sun;

Here in the dark;

Our two hearts are one;

It's out of our hands;

We can't stop;

What we have begun;

And love just took me;

By surprise;

Looking through your eyes.

Looking through your eyes.

When the song ended, everyone but Tecna & Timmy was crying by the song's beauty including Riven, and Riven never even cried for as long as Sky, Brandon, and Timmy had known him.

"That song was so beautiful!" Riven sobbed as Bloom handed him a tissue.

It was Musa who brought Tecna out of her trance.

"What were you thinking about?" Musa asked her roommate.

"Our trip to Gardenia for Christmas when Timmy & I made Riven cry," Tecna laughed. "that was funny!"

"I did not cry," Riven said to Tecna denying the fact that he actually did cry. "you had better take that back!"

Back in Tokyo, Racy was about ready to steal Serena's, Amy's, Raye's, Lita's, & Mina's energy when all of a sudden, Stormy attacked the group of five girls in one shot.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:33:00.000-08:00

Chapter 4
On the Scene

"Electric Twister!" Stormy shouted as Serena held up her crystal star transformation locket.

"Moon Crystal Power!" Serena called out making the startling transformation into Sailor Moon.

The other sailor scouts transformed, Raye transformed into Sailor Mars, Lita transformed into Sailor Jupiter, and Mina transformed into Sailor Venus.

"Hurry up and transform Amy," Sailor Mars ordered. "we could really use the help of Sailor Mercury right about now!"

"Okay okay, don't nag at me anymore," Amy laughed at Sailor Mars. "Mercury Power!"

Back on the Red Fountain aircraft, Tecna was contacting her twin brother, Trenton Lee via webcam.

"Hello Little Sister," Trenton Lee said from over the webcam. "how is your life at Alfea?"

"It is great," Tecna said to her brother over the webcam. "however, we are on our way to Tokyo Japan on planet Earth so we can save five girls of whom we have never even met."

"Do you still remember everything I taught you?" Trenton Lee asked Tecna over the webcam.

"Yes." Tecna answered Trenton Lee as they both signed off their webcams.

"Everybody, prepare for landing," the blonde specialist, Prince Sky said. "Tokyo Japan is coming up fast!"

Back at Lita's house in Tokyo, Amy tried once again to transform, "Mercury Power!" she called out once again.

Again, nothing happened when Amy attempted to become Sailor Mercury.

"What's wrong Amy!" Sailor Moon called.

"I can't transform!" Amy called back to the rest of the sailor team.

"Well that's just too bad," Knut as Keiichi said running at Amy full force. "all we want is your magic power."

Keiichi then pinned Amy up against Lita's living room wall with his bare hands.

"Keiichi... my Keiichi," Amy asked grunting & struggling in pain. "just why are you doing this to me?"

"I love bursting your bubble Princess Mercury," Darcy laughed at Amy. "because this is not your Keiichi."

"Just who in heaven's name are you," Amy asked the Trix feeling baffled herself as Darcy changed Knut back to his ugly ogre self and the Winx Club & the specialists crashed the party. "and just how on earth do you all know about my history?"

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:31:00.000-08:00

Chapter 5
Amy and Tecna Learn Their History

"We are the senior witches from Cloud Tower, my name is Icy," Icy said to Amy. "and these two lovely ladies are my sisters, Darcy & Stormy Trix!"

"What have you done with my boyfriend," Amy demanded the evil Trix. "please do tell me, what do you want with Keiichi!"

"Keiichi, now that's cute, don't you get it now Princess," Stormy said. "Keiichi Stanton is not even this guy's real name!"

"Knut, it's time for you to step up!" Darcy ordered.

The ogre ran at Amy as Bloom shielded the teenage civilian from Knut's attack, "Fire Ball!" she called knocking the hideous ogre onto his fat bottom thus shaking Lita's house in the process.

After the sailor scouts minus Sailor Mercury & the Winx Club won the battle against the Trix & Knut, Luna & Artemis began to tell the five Winx Club freshmen girls all about their roles during the Silver Millennium upon the Moon Kingdom.

"During the Silver Millennium before you five fairies were reincarnated to live upon the planets of Domino, Solaria, Melody, Linphea, & Zenith in the magic dimension, Princess Stella of Solaria was Princess Stella of the Moon as well as the eldest daughter of Queen Serenity, Princess Musa of Melody was in fact Princess Musa of the Planet Jupiter as well as Princess Lita's older sister, Princess Bloom of Domino was in fact the older sister of Princess Raye of Mars, & Flora of Linphea was actually Princess Flora of Venus as well as Mina's older sister." Luna explained.

"What about me?" Tecna asked Luna & Artemis.

"Princess Tecna of Zenith," Artemis explained. "you were the eldest daughter of King Hermes of Mercury also making Amy your younger sister."

"And as my younger sister," Tecna told Luna & Artemis. "I am going to give Amy a most wonderfully precious gift."

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

Chapter 6
Amy's Gift from Tecna (Part 1)

"But I can't transform," Amy stated. "now how am I even supposed to fight evildoers, I feel so useless!"

Tecna took Amy's power stick & used her powers over technology to transform it into a stylish sapphire blue pendant, Tecna then handed the pendant back to Amy, "You can use this to transform now." she told Amy sincerely as the other sailor scouts' transformation tools began to undergo the same exact magical transformation that Amy's own power stick had undergone as the other sailor scouts & the Winx Club then slowly began changing back to their civilian forms.

"What are these wicked cool gadgets?" Serena asked.

"They are your Magic Winx Pendants," Bloom explained to Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, & Mina as the five girls picked up their respected necklace. "these will be quite handy once we get back to Magix within a few days time."

"But," Amy asked Tecna curiously. "how do we transform with these new items?"

"Usually, Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, & I all call out our names then the phrase 'Magic Winx,'" Tecna answered Amy. "but in the case of you & your four friends, you call out the name of your own respected planet, then 'Magic Winx.'"

"What about Darien & the Moonlight Knight," Serena asked as Darien entered Lita's house. "aren't they going to Magix too?"

"Of course I'm going with you girls, Meatball Head!" Darien laughed.

"As long as you are staying with us," Brandon said to Darien. "then you will have to train as a specialist with Sky, Timmy, Riven, & me over at our school, Red Fountain while Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, & Mina all stay at Alfea with Bloom, Stella, Musa, Flora, & Tecna."

"Sounds perfect to me." Darien said in agreement.

"Tecna, major question." Amy said.

"Ask away." Tecna permitted Amy.

"Those three witches, Icy, Darcy, & Stormy, well... they mentioned someplace called Cloud Tower," Amy asked Tecna remembering what Icy had told her. "what did they mean by the name Cloud Tower, just what is it by any chance anyway?"

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:29:00.001-08:00

Chapter 7
Amy's Gift from Tecna (Part 2)

"Magix has three schools," Tecna explained to Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, & Mina. "Alfea, that is where Bloom, Stella, Musa, Flora, & I all go to school and also where you will all be staying, Red Fountain School for Specialists, Prince Sky, Brandon, Riven, & Timmy all go there and Darien will also be staying there, and finally school number three is Cloud Tower where the dangerous Trix, in other words Icy, Darcy, & Stormy all attend classes."

"Witches... do you mean real witches?" Serena asked curiously.

"This simply is not rational nor is it logical," Amy said now sounding like her newly discovered older sister, Tecna for the first time. "I mean, there are no such things as witches!"

"Wow Tecna," Musa joked. "Amy really is your younger sister!"

"Remember Icy, Darcy, & Stormy are very dangerous," Luna said to Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, & Mina. "so that will be the reason as to why Artemis & I shall go with you to the magical dimension of Magix along with the four Stanton brothers who will also be accompanying Darien at Red Fountain as fellow specialists."

"That sounds terrific," Tecna exclaimed. "thank you Luna!"

Three days later, the Winx Club, Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, & Mina, the specialists, Darien, and Kazuyuki, Katsuji, Masaya, & the real Keiichi Stanton went from Earth in the magical dimesion where Serena, Raye, Mina, Amy, & Lita were to be meeting Professor Faragonda for the very first time at the Alfea College for Fairies with Luna & Artemis in hand, and Darien, Masaya, Kazuyuki, Keiichi, & Katsuji were to meet Professor Saladin for the very first time at the Red Fountain School for Specialists.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:28:00.001-08:00

Chapter 8
Amy's Gift from Tecna (Part 3)

"I am so happy that you have finally rescued the last Mercurian as well as brought her back here for protection!" Miss Faragonda was saying to Tecna & the rest of the Winx Club who were standing in her office with the five sailor scouts.

"That and I have learned something totally important about my own past." Tecna told Miss Faragonda proudly.

"Oh really," Miss Faragonda asked Tecna. "and what may this discovery be?"

"Princess Tecna of Zenith was my older sister upon the planet Mercury... Ma'am," Amy answered just before Tecna could even speak. "for once in my life... I am the last Mercurian no longer!"

"That is correct," Tecna said very rationally. "Amy & I both share the same DNA, both you & Professor Saladin were right about Amy & her four friends all along... they are on our side!"

"That is wonderful news," Miss Faragonda said. "and now that the five of you girls had found your sisters from the Silver Millennium, it is now time to discuss the matter of your sleeping arrangements."

"Sleeping arrangements?" Stella asked Miss Faragonda feeling nervous about the entire idea.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

Chapter 9
Sleeping Arrangements

"Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, Mina, the five of you girls will be sharing the same apartment as Bloom, Flora, Musa, Tecna, & Stella, Serena, you & Stella will share a bedroom, Amy & Lita, the two of you will be sharing Musa & Tecna's bedroom with them, and Raye & Mina, you both will be sharing Bloom & Flora's bedroom with them." Miss Faragonda said.

"Alright," Stella exclaimed. "slumber party!"

That afternoon in Stella's bedroom after Stella had magically assisted Serena with unpacking her own personal bedroom, then Stella saw Serena hanging up her Crossroads Junior High school uniform in her closet, "Oh how hideous Serena," Stella exclaimed. "you mean to tell me that you and all of your friends dress like that on school days!"

"Yes, where I come from, school uniforms are mandatory, everyone I know who is either in junior high or high school has to wear a school uniform." Serena said to Stella.

"Fashion tip Sis, since you're here in Alfea, you & your friends don't have to necessarily wear uniforms to class every single day, you can do things in the same way as my friends & I all do them & wear to school whatever you would choose!" Stella advised Serena.

"Thank you Stella," Serena said gently. "I'll keep that in mind for tomorrow morning when my friends & I go to class then."

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:26:00.000-08:00

Chapter 10
Faragnda's Announcement

The next morning, Stella & Serena were late for breakfast in the Alfea dining room.

"Why are you guys so late this morning anyway Serena," Raye asked. "what's your excuse for this morning?"

"Fashion emergency," Stella explained to Raye. "I was helping Serena pick out an outfit so she wouldn't be seen going around Magix let alone Alfea in that hideous not to mention out-of-date school uniform that she always wears."

Amy, Raye, Lita & Mina all still wore their school uniforms while Serena was wearing her pink turtleneck sweater with long sleeves, charcoal pleated mini skirt, white socks, & black shoes with criss cross straps as Miss Faragonda stood up to make an announcement.

"Young ladies, in order to celebrate our Milkyway Galaxy Fairy & Specialist Protection Program here at the schools of both Alfea & Red Fountain too," Miss Faragonda announced. "the Red Fountain School for Specialists is holding a very festive school dance tonight, yes I know that we usually host the school dances, but my good friend, Professor Saladin over at Red Fountain has generously offered to host the dance."

"Escuse me Ma'am," Amy asked Miss Faragonda nervously. "but has your good colleague invited the witches who attend Cloud Tower as well?"

"No Amy," Miss Faragonda assured the blue haired blue eyed girl. "Saladin has not invited anybody who attends the school of Cloud Tower."

"Thank goodness for that." Amy sighed with relief.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T08:25:00.000-08:00

Chapter 11
A Party Crashing Plan

Over at Cloud Tower, in one of the classrooms that very same morning, Headwitchtress Griffin came up to her pupils to make a little announcement of her own.

"Pupils of Cloud Tower, I have some very distressing news," Headwitchtress Griffin said. "the specialists of Red Fountain have invited the fairies of Alfea to attend a dance honoring the Milkyway Galaxy Fairy & Specialist Protection Program that their two schools have created."

"Boo! Boo!" the crowd of young witches in training shouted in unison.

"Yes my students I agree with you, however there is some good news in all of this." the Cloud Tower headmistress said.

"What is the good news?" a young witch named Lucy asked the Cloud Tower headmistress.

"We will be crashing their little gathering tonight!" Headwitchtress Griffin answered Lucy.

Back at Alfea just before the dance at Red Fountain, Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, & Mina were all outside on Alfea's quad with Prince Sky, Brandon, Riven, Timmy, Darien, Kazuyuki, Katsuji, Masaya, & Keiichi.

Stella noticed that Kazuyuki Stanton was looking a bit fatigued as Luna & Artemis had recalled that it was in fact Zoisite who always looked exhausted not Malachite as that was who Kazuyuki & Keiichi really were respectfully.

"Why so tired Kazuyuki Darling," Mina asked. "did you have a good sleep last night?"

But now Kazuyuki was sound asleep, he didn't even bother to listen let alone answer his girlfriend's one & only single question.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

Chapter 12
A Dance at Red Fountain

That night at Red Fountain, Prince Sky was ironing his specialist uniform when Saladin, the headmaster entered the bedroom that Sky & Brandon shared with Darien & Keiichi, "You had best hurry up Sky, the girls are already here!"

"I'll be right there in a minute." Prince Sky said to Saladin.

Saladin then left for what was usually the dining room of the Red Fountain School leaving the young Eraklyon Prince to change for the party in peace.

Once in the now decorated ballroom, Prince Sky saw Bloom giving Darien a cup of the finest soda in all of the city of Magix.

"Thanks for the drink Bloom," Darien said gratefully. "my throat was as dry as a sandy desert!"

Prince Sky grabbed Bloom's left hand after she gave Darien his cup of soda then the Prince of Eraklyon led the last Princess of Domino into a graceful waltz with the other specialists following his example.

Once Sky & Bloom's waltz was through, the school of Red Fountain had begun to be attacked by all the witches from the school of Cloud Tower.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

Chapter 13
Tecna Comatose! Amy Transform (Part 1)

"Give us what we have come here for," Icy demanded Saladin. "give us the Princess of Mercury!"

"Well you cannot have Amy, Icy," Tecna said feeling ferocious determination entering her voice. "Magic Winx!"

Seeing Tecna transforming, Bloom & Raye, Stella & Serena, Mina & Flora, and Musa & Lita all transformed as well.

"Bloom Magic Winx!" Bloom called out.

"Mars Magic Winx!" Raye called out.

"Stella Magic Winx!" Stella called out.

"Moon Magic Winx!" Serena called out.

Sky, Brandon, Timmy, Riven, Katsuji, Kazuyuki, Masaya, Keiichi, & Darien all got their phanto weaponry as the other girls transformed.

"Musa Magic Winx!" Musa called out.

"Jupiter Magic Winx!" Lita called out.

"Flora Magic Winx!" Flora called out.

"Venus Magic Winx!" Mina called out.

Once the other girls transformed into their fairy forms & Serena, Raye, Lita, & Mina had transformed into their newest forms as fairies, Tecna was the first one to nearly attack the three wicked Trix as another young witch in training named Mirta had stepped directly in front of Tecna's & the Trixs' path.

"Get out of our way Mirta!" Darcy ordered angrily.

"Can't we all please just get along without fighting," Mirta asked the Trix & the Winx Club, (Both the old as well as the new members.) "I mean... can't we all just be friends here?"

Darcy had attacked and the attack was just about ready to strike Mirta, that is, until Tecna jumped into the full force of Darcy's attack, thus grabbing Mirta & pulling her to safety just before getting herself terribly injured in the process of the battle.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T07:19:00.000-08:00

Chapter 14
Tecna Comatose! Any Transforms (Part 2)

Seeing Tecna transforming, Bloom & Raye, Stella & Serena, Mina & Flora, and Musa & Lita all transformed as well.

"Bloom Magic Winx!" Bloom called out.

"Mars Magic Winx!" Raye called out.

"Stella Magic Winx!" Stella called out.

"Moon Magic Winx!" Serena called out.

Sky, Brandon, Timmy, Riven, Katsuji, Kazuyuki, Masaya, Keiichi, & Darien all got their phanto weaponry as the other girls transformed.

"Musa Magic Winx!" Musa called out.

"Jupiter Magic Winx!" Lita called out.

"Flora Magic Winx!" Flora called out.

"Venus Magic Winx!" Mina called out.

Once the other girls transformed into their fairy forms & Serena, Raye, Lita, & Mina had transformed into their newest forms as fairies, Tecna was the first one to nearly attack the three wicked Trix as another young witch in training named Mirta had stepped directly in front of Tecna's & the Trixs' path.

"Get out of our way Mirta!" Darcy ordered angrily.

"Can't we all please just get along without fighting," Mirta asked the Trix & the Winx Club, (Both the old as well as the new members.) "I mean... can't we all just be friends here?"

Darcy had attacked and the attack was just about ready to strike Mirta, that is, until Tecna jumped into the full force of Darcy's attack, thus grabbing Mirta & pulling her to safety just before getting herself terribly injured in the process of the battle.

"Tecna," Amy & Mirta shouted in unison. "no! You really must get up and continue to fight, we believe in you!"

Tecna stood up dizzily as Serena began attacking Icy, Darcy, & Stormy all at once. "Lunar Discs!" she called cutting Icy's left cheek with one of the three sharp silver colored frisbee-like discs.

"Are you okay Tecna?" Bloom & Stella asked their courageous comrade.

"Yes, I should be okay," Tecna answered Bloom & Stella then turning to attack the Trix once more she shouted, "Laser Cage!" as she attacked all three of the evil Trix at once.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T07:16:00.000-08:00

Chapter 15
Tecna Comatose! Any Transform (Part 3)

Darcy had attacked and the attack was just about ready to strike Mirta, that is, until Tecna jumped into the full force of Darcy's attack, thus grabbing Mirta & pulling her to safety just before getting herself terribly injured in the process of the battle.

"Tecna," Amy & Mirta shouted in unison. "no! You really must get up and continue to fight, we believe in you!"

Tecna stood up dizzily as Serena began attacking Icy, Darcy, & Stormy all at once. "Lunar Discs!" she called cutting Icy's left cheek with one of the three sharp silver colored frisbee-like discs.

"Are you okay Tecna?" Bloom & Stella asked their courageous comrade.

"Yes, I should be okay," Tecna answered Bloom & Stella then turning to attack the Trix once more she shouted, "Laser Cage!" as she attacked all three of the evil Trix at once.

Now it was Darien's turn to attack the Trix as he threw a long stemmed red rose in the general direction of Icy, Darcy, & Stormy.

The Trix all dodged Darien's attack as Stormy came up with an attack all her own, "Lightning Bolt!" she called as Darien dodged Stormy's attack and Stormy's attack ended up hitting Tecna thus putting the Fairy of Technology into a desperate comatose state.

"No," both Timmy & Amy called out running to the direct spot where Tecna lay in a motionless heap on the Red Fountain ballroom floor. "Tecna!"

Timmy began cradling Tecna within his arms as he tried to share his life energy with her as Amy stood up with the fiery look of determination upon her face.

"MERCURY MAGIC WINX!" she screamed out at the top of her lungs transforming into the last fairy of the planet Mercury right in front of Icelina's, Darcine's, & Stormella's own eyes.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T07:15:00.000-08:00

Chapter 16
Wanting to Avenge Tecna

Darcy had attacked and the attack was just about ready to strike Mirta, that is, until Tecna jumped into the full force of Darcy's attack, thus grabbing Mirta & pulling her to safety just before getting herself terribly injured in the process of the battle.

"Tecna," Amy & Mirta shouted in unison. "no! You really must get up and continue to fight, we believe in you!"

Tecna stood up dizzily as Serena began attacking Icy, Darcy, & Stormy all at once. "Lunar Discs!" she called cutting Icy's left cheek with one of the three sharp silver colored frisbee-like discs.

"Are you okay Tecna?" Bloom & Stella asked their courageous comrade.

"Yes, I should be okay," Tecna answered Bloom & Stella then turning to attack the Trix once more she shouted. "Laser Cage!" as she attacked all three of the evil Trix at once.

Now it was Darien's turn to attack the Trix as he threw a long stemmed red rose in the general direction of Icy, Darcy, & Stormy.

The Trix all dodged Darien's attack as Stormy came up with an attack all her own, "Lightning Bolt!" she called as Darien dodged Stormy's attack and Stormy's attack ended up hitting Tecna thus putting the Fairy of Technology into a desperate comatose state.

"No," both Timmy & Amy called out running to the direct spot where Tecna lay in a motionless heap on the Red Fountain ballroom floor. "Tecna!"

Timmy began cradling Tecna within his arms as he tried to share his life energy with her as Amy stood up with the fiery look of determination upon her face.

"MERCURY MAGIC WINX!" she screamed out at the top of her lungs transforming into the last fairy of the planet Mercury right in front of Icelina's, Darcine's, & Stormella's own eyes.

"Whoa," the Winx Club minus Tecna all exclaimed. "I never thought that Amy of all people would have that kind of power deep within her!"

The others stood back as Amy prepared to attack all the Cloud Tower witches including Headwitchtress Griffin, "Static Bubble Sphere!" she shouted now sending the witches back to Cloud Tower from whence they had come.

Back at Alfea after the rest of the dance was canceled, Headmaster Saladin had carried the comatose body of Princess Tecna of Zenith all the way to the Alfea infirmary where Tecna would be watched over by Timmy, Amy, as well as Ofelia, the school nurse for Alfea College for Fairies.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

Chapter 17
Timmy Watches Over Tecna

"Timmy, you should stay here with the fairies," Saladin said kindly. "your mission is here, Tecna will need you here now more than ever."

"Yes Headmaster!" Timmy told Saladin with a salute of his right hand as Keiichi Standon, Saladin's other top scholar walked over to Tecna's hospital bed & noticed four highly odd cuts on Tecna's comatose body that Nurse Ofelia had not even come across when Tecna had been brought back to Alfea that night after the battle at the dance at Red Fountain.

"May I stay here as well?" Keiichi asked Saladin.

"May I ask you why?" Saladin asked Keiichi.

"The comatose fairy in question, Tecna her name? Anyway, I have discovered something that the school nurse here may have overlooked." Keiichi answered Saladin as Nurse Ofelia came over to Tecna's hospital bed to check the monitor for any signs of Tecna still being able to live.

"Oh? And what might that be?" Nurse Ofelia asked Keiichi.

"This girl, Tecna... well, she has four cryptic cuts on her body, one on her forehead, one on the front of her neck, and two on her shoulders, more specifically, one on her left shoulder, and one on her right shoulder... if you take off the girl's washcloth you will soon see the cut on her forehead," Keiichi answered Nurse Ofelia then turning to Saladin he added, "Amy may need me for her own protection Sir, the same thing that has happened to this Tecna chick may very well happen to Amy, something mysterious as well as wrong is going on around the Universe of Magix... and I simply cannot say that I like it... not one little bit."

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T07:12:00.000-08:00

Chapter 18
More Memories for Timmy

"All right Keiichi you've won me over," Saladin laughed. "you may stay here too."

After Saladin left with the other specialists, more memories from Christmas with Bloom & her family had begun to flash in front of Timmy's eyes.

Within Timmy's memory, a few days before Christmas went by and Timmy got the itchy desire to give Tecna the amulet early.

Mike caught Timmy grabbing the small trinket box for Tecna from under the tree with all the other wrapped Christmas presents.

"Control your curiosity!" Mike scolded the youth.

"Yes Sir." Timmy sighed once again because of the Trix's temporary fatigue spell that he thought was lifted from him, so he lay on the sofa, took his glasses off, put them on the coffee table, and fell fast asleep.

Timmy was having a dream about Tecna, in the dream though, Tecna wore a blue evening dress and around her neck, she wore the emerald amulet that Timmy was to give to her for The Day of the Triton.

4 hours later when Timmy awoke, he saw Tecna staring at him and he saw Tecna was in fact wearing a blue evening dress and around her neck, she wore the emerald amulet that Timmy was to give to her for The Day of the Triton.

"Wake up, Sleepyhead." Tecna laughed.

Timmy rubbing his blurry eyes, finally realized, this was no dream, this was real.

Timmy didn't quite understand why or how Tecna could be wearing the emerald amulet when he was to give it to her on Christmas Day.

"Tecna, where did you get that amulet?" Timmy asked feeling baffled about the pendant that Tecna was wearing.

"I don't know Timmy," Tecna answered. "but it sure is a lovely piece of jewelry."

Timmy was still feeling baffled about the amulet as Flora, Stella, Musa, and Bloom all entered the house in their winx forms.

"Tecna, we saw the Trix here in Gardenia," Bloom panted breathlessly. "hurry up and transform!"

"Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna was thrust backward hard against Mike's favorite chair, she couldn't even say "winx" and complete her transformation because something she was wearing was mysteriously electrocuting her.

"Tecna my love," Timmy shouted running to the location in the living room where Tecna had landed. "Tecna!"

"No!" Stella, Bloom, Flora, and Musa all called out after Timmy as they too ran to where Tecna had fallen.

"Tecna, Tecna, open your eyes please!" Timmy said urgently.

Tecna opened her eyes, "Timmy, I hope you'll understand that I have to go and battle the witches alongside my friends," she said. "Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna was electrocuted once again.

"Tecna!" Timmy called out.

"It is that amulet Tecna's wearing," Flora deduced. "it will kill her in a matter of minutes if it continues to shock her!"

"Tecna, don't even try to transform," Timmy warned. "if you do, you will end up committing suicide," Timmy began sobbing uncontrollably. "don't you see Tecna, I love you way too much to lose you!"

"Sky... Brandon... and Riven... are all battling Icy, Darcy, and Stormy as well, so I have no other choice but to go and fight." Tecna said feeling exhaustion.

"Bloom, Stella, Musa, and I will go and help them in the battle," Timmy said. "Flora, you stay here and guard Tecna!"

Flora detransformed, "Right Timmy!" Flora said.

While the Winx and Timmy were leaving Flora and Tecna behind at the house, Timmy looked back at his girlfriend with a heavy sadness within his heart.

Over in town, the Winx Club and the specialists were having a tough time in the battle with the Trix.

"Are you sure we're doing the right thing for Tecna's safety!" Timmy asked feeling a bit of concern.

"Of course we're doing the right thing for your girlfriend!" Riven called to Timmy while dodging 1 of Icy's attacks.

Back at Bloom's house, Flora saw Tecna sit up on the sofa where Timmy slept at night, Tecna looked as though she had been hypnotized by the beautiful trinket she was wearing around her neck.

Flora looked up Tecna's amulet on the internet and found some dangerous information about it.

"It is called 'The Amulet of the Sirens,' noted for having a cursed emerald in its center, this particular piece of jewelry is very deadly as well as dangerous, the amulet puts the wearer into an unstoppable hypnotic state, the cursed emerald in the middle of the amulet can and will shock its wearer if the wearer tries any transformations and kill the wearer with its deadly shocks until the wearer of 'The Amulet of the Sirens' is dead."

Flora called Bloom and she told her what was going on at her end of the line.

"Bloom it's Flora, you and the others have got to come back to your house and quick," Flora said. "I have no time to explain the situation, Tecna is in grave danger!"

"Hey, I think I see Flora and Tecna down there!" Brandon called.

"Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna said trying to transform but she didn't let the electric shock bother her too much.

Flora had turned, "Tecna!" she called running back to assist her wounded friend.

"We have got to get down there, Flora wasn't kidding," Timmy called. "Tecna's life is really hanging in the balance!"

The other fairies & specialists made it to the spot where Flora and Tecna were.

"Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna called out once again shocking herself by the curse of the amulet.

"Tecna, don't try to transform," Timmy warned once again. "you will kill yourself, and I will not be able to bear that, Tecna, you're the most important person in any world of any galaxy to me, and I shall not have your blood upon my hands!"

"Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna called shocking herself by the amulet once again.

"Tecna isn't even going to listen to reason," Riven called. "she is going to get massacred!"

"No Riven, I'm not even going to let that happen," Timmy exclaimed. "and the reason being is because Tecna is my everything!"

"But she won't even listen, she thinks that the time to fight is now!" Brandon said to Timmy.

"Right now Brandon, I do not even care about that," Timmy called back. "Tecna is still everything in my whole world, and I do not intend to lose her!"

"Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna called getting electrocuted by the amulet once again.

"Stop this Tecna!" Riven shouted.

"Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna called out once again.

Tecna was thrust backwards once again by the force of the amulet's power, but this time she had crashed into an apple tree which knocked the wind out of her completely.

"Tecna!" Timmy called out running to assist his injured girlfriend.

Tecna quickly recovered and opened her eyes.

"Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna called once again trying to transform so that she could fight the Trix alongside her friends and her beloved boyfriend, Timmy.

Bloom tried to pull the amulet off of Tecna's neck but the Winx Club and the specialists all discovered soon enough that the amulet wouldn't come off that easily.

"Oh Timmy," Darcy laughed with satisfaction. "you do realize that Tecna won't live very long while wearing that amulet, do you not?"

"Tecna no!" Timmy called out in agony.

"What a shame you're going to lose your girlfriend Timmy," Stormy said. "and it'll be all your fault."

"Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna called out standing up trying to transform.

"For once Tecna, Riven is right," Musa called out. "you have really got to stop doing this to yourself!"

"Tecna magic... ah!" Tecna called stubbornly trying to transform so she could help her friends battle against the Trix.

"What'll we do?" Stella asked Sky. "Tecna will not listen to reason."

Prince Sky could tell Stella was worried about Tecna's safety, but the prince himself didn't know what to say or do for Tecna at this point in time.

By now, Tecna was laying under the apple tree where she had fallen, and she was breathlessly summoning Timmy to come and sit by her side.

"I really wanted to spend The Day of the Triton with you Timmy," Tecna said in a hoarse whisper. "but it turns out that I'm not going to make it."

"Tecna please don't go," Timmy begged his dying girlfriend. "you are my everything, oh I wish I will never lose you."

"I have to go now Timmy," Tecna said weakly. "this really is my time to go."

Bloom, Stella, Musa, Flora, Brandon, Prince Sky, and Riven all tried hard not to cry as they watched Timmy trying to talk Tecna into staying in the land of the living.

"Good bye, my love." Tecna said, her dying words made Timmy feel heartache for the first time ever in his life.

"Timmy, I know how to lift the amulet's curse," Flora said. "both you and Tecna must sing the love song that you had sung on the aircraft on the night we arrived here in Gardenia."

"But what if the song will not work?" Timmy asked Flora.

"Trust me Timmy," Flora answered. "the love song will work."

Timmy began to sing the song that he and Tecna sang on the aircraft.

Timmy: Look at the sky;

Tell me, what do you see;

Just close your eyes;

And describe it to me;

The heavens are sparkling;

With starlight tonight;

That's what I see through your eyes.

Tecna was still motionless, her body was as cold as ice.

"What's the damage report?" Sky called to Timmy.

"Tecna is as cold as ice Sky," Timmy called back. "she may not have enough power to even sing with me!"

Tecna's voice was still weak but she managed to sing.

Tecna: I see the heavens;

Each time that you smile;

I hear your heartbeat;

Just go on for miles;

And suddenly I know;

Why life is worthwhile;

That's what I see;

Through your eyes.

"Tecna's doing it," Musa called happily. "her voice may be a weak whisper right now, but she's getting stronger as she sings with Timmy and they continue to break the dark curse upon the amulet!"

Tecna's voice was stronger now as she and Timmy continued to sing.

Timmy & Tecna: That's what I see;

Through your eyes;

Here in the night;

I see the sun;

Here in the dark;

Our two hearts are one;

It's out of our hands;

We can't stop;

What we have begun;

And love just took me;

By surprise;

Looking through your eyes.

The song choked Riven up just as much this time as it did that night on the aircraft.

"Sing more, you guys," Riven sobbed. "that song is more beautiful than I remember!"

Timmy and Tecna heard Riven's request as Timmy helped Tecna stand up, they continued to sing some more.

Timmy & Tecna: I see a night;

I wish could last;

forever;

I see a world;

We're meant;

To see together;

And it is;

So much;

More than I;

Remember;

Brandon embraced Bloom as Sky embraced Stella as well as kissed her, and Flora and Musa still watched on as Tecna and Timmy continued to sing.

Timmy: More than I remember.

Tecna: More than I have known.

Timmy & Tecna: Here in the night;

I see the sun;

Here in the dark;

Our two hearts are one;

It's out of our hands;

We can't stop;

What we have begun;

And love just took me;

By surprise;

Looking through your eyes.

Looking through your eyes.

The amulet's curse had lifted and Tecna took the amulet off from around her neck and handed it to Prince Sky.

Prince Sky then chucked the evil piece of jewelry far away to a place where it wouldn't cause any more harm to innocent lovers.

Tecna awoke the next morning by the sound of someone knocking on the door to Bloom's bedroom.

"Come in!" Tecna called, she was still in her pajamas.

Timmy entered carrying a tray with 2 sticky cinnamon rolls and a tall glass of milk on it for Tecna.

"Good morning Tecna," Timmy said setting Tecna's breakfast in front of her. "happy Day of the Triton!"

"Timmy, I think you mean, 'merry Christmas,' do you not?" Tecna asked after she'd finished eating.

"Merry Christmas Tecna!" Timmy exclaimed.

Timmy and Tecna went down to the living room to open their Christmas presents.

Tecna and Timmy both loved their Christmas presents that they each got from Vanessa, Mike, Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Prince Sky, Brandon, and Riven, but they each noticed that they both had 1 more present to open.

Timmy went first, tearing open the wrapping from his gifts, he found the green jacket and the centaur pin from Tecna.

"I love my new jacket," Timmy said. "and the pin will look so great on it!"

"And I love my new sleepwear Timmy!" Tecna said.

Tecna and Timmy both agreed that the holiday of Christmas made the star of their love shine.

Timmy was brought back to reality by Keiichi Stanton & Amy Mizuno singing a very familiar song.

Keiichi: Look at the sky;

Tell me, what do you see;

Just close your eyes;

And describe it to me;

The heavens are sparkling;

With starlight tonight;

That's what I see through your eyes.

Amy: I see the heavens;

Each time that you smile;

I hear your heartbeat;

Just go on for miles;

And suddenly I know;

Why life is worthwhile;

That's what I see;

Through your eyes.

Keiichi & Amy: That's what I see;

Through your eyes;

Here in the night;

I see the sun;

Here in the dark;

Our two hearts are one;

It's out of our hands;

We can't stop;

What we have begun;

And love just took me;

By surprise;

Looking through your eyes.

I see a night;

I wish could last;

forever;

I see a world;

We're meant;

To see together;

And it is;

So much;

More than I;

Remember;

Keiichi: More than I remember.

Amy: More than I have known.

Keiichi & Amy: Here in the night;

I see the sun;

Here in the dark;

Our two hearts are one;

It's out of our hands;

We can't stop;

What we have begun;

And love just took me;

By surprise;

Looking through your eyes.

Looking through your eyes.

"I don't believe this," Timmy exclaimed to Amy & Keiichi. "how could the two of you possibly know that song, it's amazing!"

Amy & Keiichi didn't answer as Nurse Ofelia took off Tecna's wet washcloth & examined the four cuts Keiichi had mentioned.

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T07:11:00.000-08:00

Chapter 19
A Very Deep Mystery

"You are most definitely correct Keiichi," Nurse Ofelia said as Bloom entered with some dinner for Amy from the dining room which included a buttered dinner roll, baked potato with broccoli & cheese, a porkchop, and a glass of water. "this is strange, I don't think anything like this could possibly have occurred in any ordinary fight!"

"Just... just... just what do you mean by that?" Bloom asked the school nurse nervously.

"I mean," Nurse Ofelia said as Amy saw Timmy attempt to hold back the sadness that he was trying to hide. "that these mysterious scars that Keiichi had found run much deeper than what the Trix had done tonight at the dance at Red Fountain."

"Oh great," Amy said to Nurse Ofelia taking a big bite out of her dinner roll as Stella, Musa, Flora, Serena, Raye, Lita, & Mina all entered the infirmary to check up on the still comatose Fairy of Technology. "now I am confused."

"I mean, these cuts came from the claws of an alien monster," Nurse Ofelia explained to Bloom, Stella, Flora, & Musa then she asked Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, & Mina. "do the five of you girls know something here that the rest of us do not, like how Alfea's star pupil could in fact get wounds that were this bad?"

Raye remembered the day when the Winx Club came to their rescue in Tokyo, "It must have been that cardian that attacked Tecna on the day that she & her friends arrived to assist us in the battle against the Trix in Tokyo!" Raye deduced.

"Excuse me," Nurse Ofelia asked concused as Tecna's blue eyes began to open at long last. "but what in heaven's name is a cardian?"

A Desperate Act of Protection

2010-11-27T07:08:00.000-08:00

Chapter 20
Tecna Awakens from Her Coma

"Allow me to explain what a cardian is." Tecna said sitting up in her hospital bed.

"Explain away Miss Tecna..." Nurse Ofelia began as she had just now realized what she had said.

"Tecna," Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, Mina, Keiichi, & Timmy all shouted running over to Tecna's hospital bed. "you're alive!"

"Once again," Nurse Ofelia asked the celebrating crowd. "what in heaven's name is a cardian?"

"Who cares about what a cardian is or how Tecna had gotten injured," Timmy exclaimed. "all that matters is that Tecna is back by my side for good!"

"Oh I give up!" Nurse Ofelia groaned going back to her office as Timmy & Tecna began to sing their song for their new friends.

Timmy: Look at the sky;

Tell me, what do you see;

Just close your eyes;

And describe it to me;

The heavens are sparkling;

With starlight tonight;

That's what I see through your eyes.

Tecna: I see the heavens;

Each time that you smile;

I hear your heartbeat;

Just go on for miles;

And suddenly I know;

Why life is worthwhile;

That's what I see;

Through your eyes.

Timmy & Tecna: That's what I see;

Through your eyes;

Here in the night;

I see the sun;

Here in the dark;

Our two hearts are one;

It's out of our hands;

We can't stop;

What we have begun;

And love just took me;

By surprise;

Looking through your eyes.

I see a night;

I wish could last;

forever;

I see a world;

We're meant;

To see together;

And it is;

So much;

More than I;

Remember;

Timmy: More than I remember.

Tecna: More than I have known.

Timmy & Tecna: Here in the night;

I see the sun;

Here in the dark;

Our two hearts are one;

It's out of our hands;

We can't stop;

What we have begun;

And love just took me;

By surprise;

Looking through your eyes.

Looking through your eyes.

What had felt like a few months which was actually two weeks had passed and so now it was time for Serena, Amy, Raye, Lita, Mina, Luna, Artemis, Darien, Kazuyuki, Katsuji, Masaya, and Keiichi to all once again return to their Earth home of Tokyo Japan, that is until the next time they should ever cross paths with the Winx Club, the specialists, and the Trix in the very near future.

A Girl Worth Chasing

2010-11-13T09:07:00.002-08:00

*This is before Sora died*

I leaned against a tall oak tree. The leaves rustled above me in the soft breeze as I tried to pretend I couldn't see the obnoxious group of girls to my left. They would look at me, then giggle, then look again, then giggle even more. But I was waiting for Najika.

To occupy my time, I tried to create scenarios in my head where I would be the big hero that would swoop in and save Najika before Sora even knew she needed saving. Then, as we strolled off into the sunset, I would look back and just smirk at him. I could already taste the revenge, and it was extremely sweet.

"Daichi!" a girlish voice called.

I snapped back into reality and craned my neck, searching the crowds for Najika. My face dropped when I realized it wasn't Najika that had called my name. It was Akane. I really didn't have the energy to take her little dramas right now. Especially after what she did to Najika.

"Hi!" she said brightly.

I mumbled something that may or may not have resembled "hello" and turned my head toward the line of trees in the distance, hoping that my obvious disinterest would drive her away. It didn't.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly, placing her hand on my arm.

I squeezed my hand into a fist and tried to control the flaming urge to shrug her hand off. It felt so…wrong.

"Nothing," I replied crisply.

I could tell from the look on her face that she finally picked up on the fact that I didn't want to talk to her right now. Her comforting smile faded and her eyes filled with sadness. She took her hand back and started to turn, but she then spotted Najika, who had just skipped gracefully out of the two glass doors. She waved sweetly when she spotted me and started to head in my direction.

Akane turned back to me, jealousy flaming in her eyes. Just as I was about to say something to her, to tell her to leave me alone for good, she grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me. My eyes snapped open even wider and I struggled to pull away. Akane finally let go and looked up at me with tear-filled eyes.

"Don't you like me, Daichi?" she sobbed.

I sighed. I was done sugar-coating. "No, Akane. I'm sorry."

Her sobs became louder as she ran off. I felt like a complete jerk. Not only did I hurt Akane, I hurt my dear, sweet Najika. Oh no. Najika!

I whipped my head around, my eyes scanning the sea of people as a computer goes through codes. In the distance I could just barely see the image of a particular girl racing off into the woods. Oh no. She saw us. What have I done?

Without wasting another second I darted down the hill and towards the trees. It's a good thing I took up basketball rather than piano lessons. Strong fingers wouldn't help in the least right now.

"Najika!" I called.

I was right on her tail now. I knew she could hear me, she just refused to answer me. Little snot ball. Beautiful, amazing, adorable snot ball. All she has to do is stop and let me explain! Simple! But no, she has to lead me on a wild goose chase.

My legs were getting sore and my breathing was becoming more and more labored. Unless this girl has some kind of track history that I don't know about, she's going to have to stop soon.

Right I was. When I sprinted around a corner on the trail, Najika was leaning against a birch tree with her hands on her knees looking less than thrilled to see me. I felt so horrible!

"Najika please!" I panted. "Just…let…me…explain."

"What." she spit. Tears brimmed her gorgeous eyes.

"I was waiting for you when Akane came up to me. I didn't really want to talk to her but I didn't want to be mean either so I said hi. Then I don't even know how it happened but she just…just…kissed me!" I said, disgusted even remembering it. "I pushed her away and was really upset. Upset that she would do that, upset that I had to hurt her, and, most of all, upset that I hurt you!"

She looked up at me, her untrusting eyes still dripping with salty tears. The only thing I could do was stare into her eyes, my face radiating true honesty. She sighed heavily and looked me square in the face.

"Daichi, I love you." she said very seriously.

The shock of the moment must have been evident in my expression. I thought she would be upset. Angry. But then again, it's not very often that I've seen Najika angry for more than a few moments.

"Whaa-" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"I love you," she said again. "You were honest with me. And I could tell that you really felt bad about what happened. And you chased me all the way down here just to tell me all of that! No one's ever done something that sweet for me before…" she said quietly, her eyes filling with tears again. But this time, they were different kinds of tears.

"Oh, Najika, you silly monkey," I whispered, taking her small hand into my own.

She gazed up at me through long eyelashes and I was sure that I had never seen anyone more beautiful.

"I love you…" I whispered in her ear, hugging her close to my body.

Her face was hidden against my shoulder but I could still tell she was smiling. Almost like a reflex, I smiled as well.

"Do me a favor?" she asked quietly.

"Anything," I answered quickly.

"Don't kiss any other girls…" she trailed off.

I chuckled, kissing her forehead softly. "Deal."

Reflections

2010-11-13T09:07:00.001-08:00

It had been a year since they had started to officially go out. Seika Academy's council president Kitazawa Daichi and Fujita Diner's Kazami Najika?

The school had laughed off what they saw were preposterous claims. Until they saw it for themselves.

"Najika!"

The ever-busy orange-hair-coloured girl was bustling around the kitchen. She turned around, and smiled at the boy.

"Daichi! Did you manage to get out of your school council meeting?"

Daichi strode towards her and put his arms around her waist.

"What delicious dessert is it this time?"

She blushes, and he laughs.

Moments before, Najika was busying herself in the kitchen.

"What do I make for Daichi today..."

She took a moment to step outside, and was shocked at the cold. She then had a great idea.

"Hot chocolate!"

She ran back inside, remembering her favourite hot chocolate recipe that Hagio-sensei used to do for her.

She smiled, remembering all the times Hagio-sensei did it for her on those cold lonely winter nights, and shared stories with her.

I hope Hagio-sensei is still alright in Hokkaido.

She heard the bell ring, notifying that someone had come in, but she didn't turn around yet.

Soon enough he has let her go, and is waiting patiently at the main table he sits at for another one of Najika's desserts.

"Here's some hot chocolate for you!"

He blinks, and looks up at Najika's smiling face.

"Isn't hot chocolate... easy to make?"

Her eyes twinkle at him.

"Not this one."

They sit down together with their two mugs of hot chocolate, just looking at the other, silently contemplating.

Eventually, he breaks the silence, smiling at her.

"I can't believe it's been a year already."

She nods solemnly.

A year since Sora, since I recalled everything about the past... a year since I knew the truth of my mother's accident.

He coughs.

"You know I've never forgotten about Sora..."

She nods quickly.

"But... I think he'd be happy right now. If he saw the two of us."

He smiles, and she pauses for a moment, before smiling back at him. He takes the time once more to think back at how much his life had changed with the event of his brother's death, and how much he had managed to find out because of it.

He looks to Najika.

She saved me with her food in the end when I wanted to give up on life because I had accidentally killed my mother in Hokkaido.

She looks expectantly at him, and he hears her voice.

"That's why this is to celebrate everything that has happened!"

He somehow gets back to reality to once again see her smile, and smile back. They clink their mugs, and begin to drink

Letting Go

2010-11-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

"Senpai!" I heard a faint voice, calling out for me, trying to reach me desperately. "Senpai! Please don't go! Don't leave me!"

I heard sobs, and the noises around m grew louder. I then realized that the voice and sobs belonged to Najika-chan.

"What do you need? Why are you crying? Najika-chan?" I wanted to ask... to comfort her and ease her crying. Just like I'd done so many times before.

Suddenly, it all came back to me, in a flash almost. I remembered the accident. Najika-chan was in the competition. She needed help finding her ingredients. I wanted her to win... so I went out in search of what she needed.

I had no clue where my mind was after that... I didn't see the truck heading towards me. But, if I had been paying attention, we wouldn't be here... in this situation right now.

This is all my fault, I realized. I should have been paying attention. But, I wasn't, so this was my fault.

It's my fault Najika-chan is crying. I made mercry, I blamed myself.

"Sora!" Daichi's voice yelled at me. So many emotions were heard in that word... Pain, anger, betrayal, sadness.

I must be worse than I thought, I thought, a bit absent minded.

"T-they said you're in critical c-condition, and t-that you might not make it." Najika-chan wept bitterly. "But you'll show them.. right, Sen-Senpai?" she waited for a second, as if she expected an answer. There was so much pain in her voice, as she talked to me.

I remembered my promise.

I promised I'd tell her my feelings after the competition. And seeing on how things were looking right now... I'd better hurry and tell her now.

Gathering up all of my strength, and doing my best to ignore the pain, I made an effort to say her name.

"N-Naji...Najika-chan." I whispered. I slowly opened my eyes, and saw her tear stained face hovering over mine. And I saw a flicker of hope flashed in her eyes.

Fujita-san whispered something to Daichi, and led him out of the hospital room.

"Sora-senpai..." Najika-chan uttered, drawing my attention back to her.

"I... have... I have... apologize... apologize to you." I told her, trying to conceal my pain from her. Each word hurt me, but I refused to die with Najika-chan under an illusion.

"Please don't talk anymore, Senpai!"

She meant well. I know she did. She just wanted me to live... And if each word minimized the chance of me making it... I know she'd rather me not talk at all. But I needed to apologize.

"I...I'm not... not your flan... flan prince." I confessed, breaking the truth to her.

Her face contorted in pain. Pain... caused by my lies. The second the lie came out of my mouth, I felt horrible... I had been filled with guilt. I hadn't wanted to lie to her, to hurt her.

But I did.

For Daichi.

"I'm... sorry... really...sorry...sorry...ugh." I groaned, reacting from a sudden, sharp pain that I felt.

It dawned on me that my time was almost up... But I wasn't done here. I had yet to explain why I had lied. And I had to return her confession.

"Senpai! Spenpai!" Najika-chan's sobs rang though out the room.

"Get ready to administer the drugs!" A doctor ordered, faintly.

"I'm... sorry... Najika... sorry." I repeated softly.

Sorry for not confessing when I had the chance.

Sorry for lying... for hurting you.

"Then why? Why did you say that?" Najika-chan cried out, the pain clear in her voice.

"Because... I wanted... wanted to be your prince." I claimed. This wasn't exactly the truth... although, it was partially true. It'd have to do for now, I decided.

I felt my eyes close slowly, feeling the world fading.

I welcomed the eternal slumber that would come next... A break from the pain.

I took a last breath, and allowed for the darkness to take over.

'Najika-chan... I love you. Be happy... with Daichi.' I thought as the heart monitor let out an ongoing beep.

"Senpai! Please don't leave me!" Najika-chan cried out. "Please! Sora-senpai!"

I'm sorry, Najika-chan...

Winter Sleep

2010-11-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

Snow? Why was snow falling? Then I remembered. It was February in Japan. Of course it was going to snow. I hadn't noticed that it started to snow. Not until I felt the cold flakes on my face. I had a few in my hair and on my jacket. I looked around and noticed I was still in the park. After I left Fujita's Diner, I had met up with someone who wanted to talk to me. I placed my face in my hands and remembered what had just happened.

.:Flashback:.

From the moment my alarm clock didn't go off, I knew it was going to be a terrible day. First, I woke up late, so I was late getting to work. Fujita-san didn't seem to care much, but we already had quite a few costumers, and he was looking slightly harassed.

"Nice of you to show up, Najika-chan," he said, a vein popping out.

"Sorry! My alarm clock didn't go off," I said, putting my apron on.

I took up a ticket and turned my back on the door. I heard the tinkling of the bell above the door and since I was busy cooking, I didn't greet the costumer. An unnatural hush fell over the dining area. Still, I didn't look. There were a few high school students, giggling.

"Director Kitazawa is so handsome!" one of them said.
"I know!" another said.

I had just finished the order and I turned around. My eyes roamed over the diner and I found him. Daichi Kitazawa. He looked exactly like his father. It was astonishing really. I knew it was Daichi, there was no way it couldn't be. Mr. Kitazawa was older now, and the guy that had just walked in, even though he looked so much like his father, was younger. He looked over at the place I was standing and flashed me a smile. I haven't seen that smile in five years. The feelings I had for him, the ones I had locked away came surging back to me.

After the tragedy with Sora-senpai, I found out that Daichi was my Flan Prince, and we confessed our feelings to each other. After that, we started to date. We were together all through high school. Then he told me that he was going to college abroad. Since I loved him, I accepted his decision. When he left, we broke up. While he went to a prestigious college aboard, I stayed in Japan and went to a local culinary college. I was asked out many times while there, but I always turned them down. There was a part of me that was hoping Daichi was coming back soon and we could be together again. But, he never asked me to wait for him, and I never said I would. So, when he left, I locked all my feelings deep inside my heart and wouldn't let them out for anything.

But, seeing him here, sitting in the diner we used to sit in as teens brought everything back.

"Najika-chan?" I heard a voice say next to me.

I started and looked around. Fujita-san was looking at Daichi. His eyes followed Daichi's progress as he made his way to an empty table and sat down.

"Yes, Fujita-san?" I answered.

"I think you should go take his order," he said, glancing at me sideways and flashing me a sly smile.

My heart started pounding as I took up the ticket booklet and walked around the counter. I stopped beside his table, and I could feel the eyes of every single person in the diner.

"Hi, welcome to Fujita's Diner. May I take your order?" I asked him.

He closed his eyes and chuckled a little as he looked away from me.

"Well, I am supposed to meet someone here, and that person hasn't arrived, so I guess I will take a cup of coffee."

I went back to the kitchen and I poured him a cup. As I was coming back, a pretty blond woman walked in.

"Welcome!" I said, on my back to Daichi's table.

She ignored me and looked around, she spotted Daichi and made a beeline for him, pushing me roughly aside. I stumbled and droped the cup of coffee, getting burned in the process. Fujita-san hurried over and looked at my hand. It wasn't burned badly. He wrapped it up and I brought another cup for Daichi. I placed the cup in front of him and was to walk away when the woman stopped me.

"Excuse me, I would like a cup of tea, please."

I nodded and went and got the tea. I placed the cup down, and before I could leave, Daichi grabbed my arm.

"Hold on, Kazami-san. I need to tell you something."

I froze. Kazami-san? Since when did he call me that.

"What is it, Director Kitazawa?" I asked him.

He let go of my arm and looked over at the woman he had with him.

"This is Fujiwara Yuri. She is my fiancee. We are engaged to be married in a few months."

She smiled at me and spoke in a voice full of triumph.

"You must be Kazami Najika-san. I have heard a lot about you. It seems you and Daichi-san were rather close in your school days. He said that you could make some amazing food. I was wondering if you could make something for me."

"What would you like, Fujiwara-san?" I asked.

She narrowed her eyes and her smile got wider.

"Why don't you surprise me. I will be back for lunch. So, you have between now and lunch to come up with something to fix."

She laughed softly and I walked away. So, Daichi had a fiancee now. I guess he had really forgotten about me when he left for college. They talked for about ten more minutes, then Daichi paid the bill and left. By then, all the students had left and at last, the diner was quiet.

"Who was that woman with the Director?" Fujita-san asked.

"Her name is Fujiwara Yuri-san," I answered. "His fiancee. She wants me to make her something. I don't know what to cook."

"How about some type of soup. It is cold outside. A soup will warm them up," Fujita-san said.

"Yeah. I was thinking about that. How about onion gratin soup and some iced coffee? And I could finish it off with some flan!" I said.

I was starting to get a little excited now. Fujita-san smiled at me and said that it sounded like it would be good.

By the time Daichi and Fujiwara-san showed up, I had a table all ready for them. There were two bowls of the soup and two cups of iced coffee.

"What did you fix me?" she asked.

"It's onion gratin soup. I also made iced coffee and flan for dessert," I answered.

I didn't stay around them. It hurt too much. But, I was lucky that we were getting a lot of costumers. I took their orders then made my rounds. I stopped at the table just as they were finishing up the soup. Daichi looked up at me smiled.

"It tastes just like I remembered. It was very good."

"Yes, it was quite good. I would like the flan now," Fujiwara-san said.

I took the bowls with me and came back with some flan. I placed the plates in front of them and went to clear some nearby tables.

"Kazami-san, we are done with the flan," Fujiwara said to me.

I sighed and collected the plates from them. As the lunch hour dragged on, students were in and out. Finally, at one, Daichi paid for their lunch and left. As the door shut behind them, I let out a long sigh.

"Fujita-san, why does it hurt so much?" I asked.

"What? Are you talking about your hand? Does your hand hurt?" he asked, concerned.

"No. My heart hurts. When I see them together, it hurts. Why is that?"

"It's because you still love him," Fujita-san, smiling slightly. "He was your first love. You can't forget something like that over night."

The rest of the day and evening passed without seeing Daichi and Fujiwara-san. I was glad about that. I didn't know how much more I would be able to handle if I saw them together. After dinner, I closed up shop and started to walk home.

"Kazami-san!" I heard a voice say behind me.

I stopped and turned around. I saw Daichi walking toward me.

"Do you need something, Director?" I asked.

"I would like to speak to you. There is a park nearby. Can we go there to talk?" he said.

I nodded and I followed him to a nearby park. We sat down on a bench and we were quiet for a few minutes. I wondered why were sitting in the park. It was February and it was quite cold. Our breath rose in front of us in white clouds. I was about to speak when Daichi spoke.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Your sorry?" I repeated. "Sorry for what?"

"I'm sorry for getting married," he answered. "Her and I have been engaged for four years now. My dad introduced me to Yuri-san. At first, I didn't want to marry her. I had every intention of coming back to Japan for you. But, I was forced into this engagement. And now, I love Yuri-san. I really do. I still love you though, but the feelings I had for you aren't strong anymore. I am really sorry, Kazami-san."

"That's fine, because, I don't love you anymore," I lied.

He stood up and looked down at me, a sad smile on his face.

"Maybe it's for the best," he said. "Good-bye, Najika-chan."

I heard him say my name and I jumped up as he walked away.

"Daichi-kun!" I yelled, as I dropped to my knees.

.:End Flashback:.

So, here I was, still on my knees in the park. I didn't know how long I had been here, and I didn't realize I had been crying. I was surprised that they didn't freeze. I stood up, and wiped my eyes on the sleeve of my jacket. I took a deep breath and started to walk home. I walked slowly, and the snow deepened. My life was turning into a mess. First, I lost my parents, and then I lost Sora-senpai, and now I was losing Daichi. I loved Daichi. I only told him I didn't love him because I was angry. I stopped walking and looked around. I had passed my apartment. So, I doubled back and climbed the stairs to my unit. I opened the door and flipped the light on. I glanced at the clock to check the time. It was eleven o'clock. I had gotten off work at eight. I had stayed in the park for nearly three hours. I just hoped I didn't have a cold. After I took off my coat, I walked toward bathroom. I was going to take a nice hot bath, then I was going to drink some hot tea, and take some medicine just in case.

As I walked by the calender, I glanced at it and I stopped dead in my tracks. Valentine's Day was only a few days away. I wasn't looking forward to it. As I was looking at the calender, I decided I would make chocolate only for Fujita-san. Before, I would always make it for Daichi and Fujita-san, but I didn't feel right giving any to Daichi. After all, he was engaged. I sighed as I walked to the bathroom.

Valentine's Day

As I walked to work, I groaned inwardly. It was Valentine's Day. I wasn't looking forward to my walk home, or for the work day I was faced with. I knew couples were going to be in and out of the diner all day. I had Fujita-san's chocolate in my bag, and I made some more to munch on if I got hungry. When I got to the diner, I saw a few couples waiting for us to open. I went in put my bag down under the counter and I pulled on my apron. As the first group came in, I realized how annoyed I was with the holiday. Over the past five years, after Daichi left, I had become increasingly annoyed with Valentine's Day. But, this year I downright hated it. I kept up a happy and cheerful face all day, after all, I was the only other employee working here.

After it settled down a little, I reached into my bag and took out the chocolate I had made for Fujita-san.

"Here, Fujita-san," I said, holding out the small box.

He took and thanked me. He opened it and took a bit.

"Najika-chan," he started, "this doesn't taste like your chocolate."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It tastes like something is missing. Here, have a piece," he said, holding it out.

I took the piece and tasted it. He was right. Something was missing.

"Love. That's the missing ingredient," I said.

"Yes. Every year since Director Kitazawa had left, I could tell that your chocolate lost the love you put into making it little by little. Now, that you had lost him to that Fujiwara, you just make it out of obligation. There is no love in it now."

All day, I thought about what we talked about. I didn't know how I was going to continue cooking. I remember all the love I had into a dish, and now it seemed like I had no love at all. My heart felt like it was made out of ice. I was half-way home when I stopped and looked up at the sky. Dark clouds were obscuring the stars and fluffy white snow started to fall. I took a deep breath of the frosty air and let it out. I sighed and continued on home.

When I got home, I saw a car parked in front of my apartment. It kinda looked like Daichi's car, but, I didn't know why he would be here. I suspected he would have been out with Fujiwara-san. As I drew closer, the door opened and Daichi stepped out.

"Good evening, Kazami-san. May I come in for a few minutes? I would like to talk to you."

I was quiet for a few minutes. I really didn't want him to see my apartment.

"I'm sorry, Director, but I would prefer to talk out here," I said, crossing my arms.

He nodded and we were quiet.

"There is something I need to tell you," he said, sounding less formal. "I broke off the engagement to Yuri-san."

"What? Why?" I asked.

"Remember that day we talked in the park? Well, I couldn't get it out of my head. I looked back once and saw you drop to your knees when you called out my name. That image had been burned into my mind. When you said you didn't love me anymore, I knew you had lied. It was then that I realized I loved you. I must have been lying to myself as well."

He walked toward me and he hugged me. He was so warm. And he smelled nice, too.

"But, isn't this going to cause problems for your family?" I asked.

"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," he said. "I just wanted to say I love you, Najika-chan."

My eyes filled with tears when I heard that.

"I love you, too, Daichi-kun," I said.

Little by little, it felt like I was waking from a winter sleep.

A Regular Day

2010-10-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

I frowned when the first rays of light entered through the window and filled the small room with light. I couldn't even recall what time it was when I finally came home and dozed off, but it certainly wasn't all that long ago by the way my brain was refusing to wake up. Turning away from the light I cracked one of my eyes open to look at the clock set by my futon, groaning when I realized that I might as well get up now because it was almost time to head off to the Yomogi Nursery School.

Pushing myself into a seating position, slightly wobbly, I turned the alarm off since there was no point in it ringing in a couple of minutes anyway. As I got up and became more alert I heard running footsteps a sudden cry and the sound of someone falling over, from the room next to mine.

'Guess that means she must be up, then,' I mused, heading to my closet to pick up some new clothes. It was only then that I realized that I'd slept in my clothes. 'Man, I must've been really tired.'

As I began to dress I took notice of her voice groaning and then saying something, before beginning to hum in happiness.

'Probably talking to herself as usual…'

Just as I finished dressing I heard her skipping towards the door and opening it, somehow managing to fall again. She sure was a klutz. I snatched my bag and made sure my latest paycheck was inside before heading to the door and putting on my shoes as I heard her start skipping downstairs, humming again. Shaking my head I headed out and locked my door, wondering how could she be so lively first thing in the morning.

When I reached downstairs she was already by the gate; no point in trying to keep up her pace, I was too damn tired to run even those few meters between us. I kept walking at my regular pace, and I noticed that I almost did catch up to her along the way. Maybe because my legs are longer? I dismissed the thought; no point in dwelling on it.

When she entered the Nursery School she picked up her pace a little, putting some distance between us again. When I entered the school I could hear a door sliding and her distinct voice yelling out 'a bazaar!'. I listened to Sayaka's confuse voice before she insisted.

"Let's hold a bazaar, Sayaka-sensei!" she exclaimed in a keyed up voice.

'What the hell is she plotting?' I asked myself.

"What?" I heard Sayaka's now surprised tone.

"We'll hold a bazaar and we'll sell loads of stuff and you'll be able to pay your debt!" she continued, apparently thrilled at the thought.

'Too bad she doesn't have common sense. Doesn't she realize…?'

"Kobato-chan…" Sayaka continued in a slightly surprised tone.

"If we sell enough stuff, you'll be able to stay here!" she persisted, happily.

'How can she be that naïve?' I ask myself, slightly pissed.

"You know, Kobato-chan…" Sayaka began in a saddened tone.

'Probably feeling guilty since Kobato's so worked up over nothing. As if a simple bazaar could help raise enough money to pay off the debt to the Yakuza,' I frowned at her thoughtlessness. Couldn't she see that she was hurting Sayaka? I paused by the door.

"If we could make enough to stay off of a bazaar, we would've done it by now," I finished in a sour voice, catching their attention.

"Fujimoto-san…" she whispered, turning to look at me, her smile faltering.

I continued, stepping into the room.

"We hardly have any kids enrolled here in the first place; we're such a small school. Who'd show if we held a bazaar? Nobody'd even know about it." I listed some of the reasons why her plan obviously wouldn't work out at all, before finishing with a plain and discouraging, "There's no point."

When the silence and sudden heavy atmosphere got to me I looked up at her to find her head bowed in depression. I kind of felt bad for her, but I wouldn't take it back; I'm that stubborn. Suddenly she raised her head again, smiling as if nothing had happened in the first place.

"Eheh… You're right. I'm sorry. I got carried away, that's all!" she replied to me, with the fake smile still in place, making me feel that much worse for crushing her hope. I was frozen on the spot.

'I'm such an idiot… it's not like she knows, and with that childish personality and no common sense whatsoever, it's not like she could help but come up with that kind of idea, even though it's pointless,' I berated myself for hurting her feelings, though why was I worried about that eluded me.

"I'll go sweep up out front!" she called out as she ran by me, out of the room, fake smile still plastered in place.

The sound of the door closing behind her seemed to eco in the room for a few seconds.

"Fujimoto-kun," Sayaka began, in a dismayed tenor, getting up from her chair, "Kobato-chan looked so disappointed just now when you told her there was no point to a bazaar."

'I know that,' I thought, frowning. But she wasn't done yet.

"I know that ultimately, you're right, but… try not saying it quite like that next time, alright?"

I bowed my head in shame, keeping my eyes on the floor. Sayaka walked towards me and pat me on the shoulder lightly, smiling vaguely even though she was still frowning slightly, probably worried about the girl.

"If you're always that blunt, you're going to end up feeling bitter."

'I guess it's too late for that, I'm already feeling sour,' I thought to myself as she walked past me and opened the door.

As she left the room, no doubt heading to Kobato to cheer her up, I picked up the envelope with my latest paycheck from one of my several part-times and left it on top of the account book on her desk before I left to do my chores.

"A bazaar?" the kids chorused.

"We're going to be selling things here at school. You can sell anything at all, something old from home you don't want anymore, something you've made, anything." Sayaka explained to the kids while I entered the room, finally finished with my chores from that day.

'Well, most of them, at least,' I thought as I sat in my chair, by the piano.

"Oh! You mean like we're playing store!" one of the child exclaimed.

"We can bring whatever we want?" another asked.

"If we're playing store, I want to sell crepes!" one more enthused.

"That's a wonderful idea," Sayaka smiled, "I'm going to write a letter telling your families all about it. Make sure you show it to them, alright?"

"Okaaay!" the joyous choir chanted.

"All right! Now let's all sing our 'See you Tomorrow' song," Sayaka said as I began to play.

See you tomorrow!

I'll be so happy to see you again!

I let my eyes leave the piano, since I knew the keys by heart, and gazed around the room.

All the children were singing and dancing to the song.

My eyes focused then on Kobato.

My frown lessened as I stared at her; I was reassured to see that she no longer wore a fake smile and that she was having fun with the kids. Apparently the talk she'd later had with Sayaka had helped some; or at least I assumed so, since Sayaka had decided to go along with her idea. Well, if anything, the kids looked pretty hyped about it, so maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing.

"What a relief to see Kobato-chan looking so happy again, hm?" Sayaka whispered to me, surprising me out of my gazing and making me lose my concentration, messing up the music, though I carried on anyways.

"Whatever. It's got nothing to do with me," I replied, frowning and slightly pissed at being caught staring at her.

Sayaka giggled at me.

"Looks like growing up hasn't made you any less stubborn, has it?" she smiled.

I promptly messed up the keys again. I didn't need her to remind me of that.

This time the kids noticed my fluke.

"Kiyokazu-sensei messed up! He messed up!" they declared, laughing. I saw Kobato giggling, though I had no idea if it was at my fluke or the kid's reaction.

'Geez, I've sunk low… being made fun of by little kids,' I thought in slight embarrass, blushing slightly.

"Right, right. Let's keep going!" I continued from where I messed up, thinking of Kobato giggling and wondering if she was laughing at me after all.

See you tomorrow!

I'll be so happy to see you again!

I'll see you tomorrow,

I'll be so happy tomorrow!

See you tomorrow!

The kids chorused, but I was far too concentrated in my thoughts to notice.

'She was laughing at me, I'm sure of it,' I made up my mind, not realizing that in my frustration I was playing the song too fast. By then the kids had stopped dancing and were staring.

"H-he's playing way too faaaast!" Kobato cried out, trying to keep up with my frantic pace.

I glanced briefly at her, before I speed it up a notch, amused that she was still trying to keep up. The kids cheered her on and looked at me in amazement. Little wonder, they'd never seen this side of me.

"Go, go, Kobato-chan!"

"Wow, you're fast, Kiyokazu-sensei."

"Kyah~" Kobato kept dancing to the music.

I was honestly surprised that with her far less than perfect coordination she was still able to keep up - I'd expected her to have fallen by now. Finally I decided to take pity on her and finished the music.

She finished dancing as soon as my fingers left the last keys and the kids ran to congratulate her. She laughed and thanked them, smiling brightly.

'Well, at least I made something right today,' I thought, getting up from my seat and helping Sayaka and Kobato to take the kids to the gate, successfully covering up my previous amusement.

Some kids ran along to the waiting parents, while others walked more slowly waiting for their own to show up. I noticed as Kobato waved them goodbye enthusiastically, just as she seemed to do right about everything, while I settled for a more normal pace.

"See you tomorrow, sensei!" some of them enthused while walking out of the gate.

"Right! See you!" Sayaka answered smiling and waving joyfully. Truly, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear nothing was wrong. She was a bit too good at keeping her secrets and I worried about her.

"See you tomorrow! Try and find something for the bazaar!" Kobato cut in cheerfully, before sobering up a little and turning to face Sayaka, "Er! Which reminds me; what exactly should I be doing to help!"

I watched from the corner of my eyes as Sayaka pretended to think about it for a bit, but she'd obviously already thought about something. We all turned around to enter the nursery school again, Kobato keeping her attention focused solely on Sayaka, awaiting her instructions.

"Hmm. Why don't you make us up some posters?" she answered smiling at the younger girl beside her, while I kept my usual glower in place, still staring at them from the corner of my eyes.

"Leave it to me!" she called out, clearly motivated.

As I finished checking out all the rooms and verifying the locks on them I made my way to the teachers room, where Kobato had rushed to a few minutes ago with a bunch of paper sheets, paint tubes and a brush. As I entered the room I noticed her sitting by the table, materials scattered all over it, happily painting away.

Unable to stop myself I leaned over her to peek at her work, and gave it a long appraising look before the only word that came to mind seemed to spill from my lips breaking her cheerful humming.

"Wuzzat?" I asked pointing at one of her master pieces.

"A-a puppy dog," she replied, clearly proud of herself trying to keep the mirth out of her voice.

I paused for a second before pointing to her other painting.

"And that?"

"A kitty," she continued to paint through it, trying to perfect some of the previous brushings. Not that it would do her any good…

"Wow. I feel sorry for all the cats and dogs out there," I exhaled purposefully, heavily, to better convey my disappointment, turning my head away from her 'work of art' with a dissatisfied expression in place.

She quickly turned her head to glower at me; her happiness draining from my obvious less than enthusiastic response to her work. Her cheeks were flushed with what I guessed had quickly turned from innocent girlish pride to embarrassment thanks to my reaction. She growled lightly at me and I refrained from telling her that she wasn't menacing in the least.

Surprisingly, aside from the light growl, she didn't even try to defend her labor from my verbal assault as I thought she would. Maybe she herself knew she didn't drew all that well.

At that moment Sayaka entered the room carrying a tray with what seemed like three steaming cups of tea in it, closing the door behind her, and I took a few steps back from where I was and turned to face her.

"Looks like you're working hard in here!" she commented.

I suppressed the will to roll my eyes at that and let my eyes wander again to Kobato's works. Sayaka came closer stepping in between us, put a cup of tea in front of each of us and sneaked a peak at Kobato's posters.

"Thank you," Kobato answered, both for the compliment and the tea cup, lowering her work onto the table and smiling happily at Sayaka, her bright mood restored.

"Thanks," I replied as well, more absentmindedly. I really didn't have it in me to understand her mood swings.

Sayaka leaned closer putting the tray with her cup down on the table and picked up the closest poster.

"These are your drawings then, Kobato-chan?" she asked as she smiled gently.

"Um! Y-yeah, err, but…" Kobato seemed to panic slightly, frowning in apprehension as Sayaka took the poster and assessed it, choosing then to stare at the floor between us probably worried that she'd react the same way I did, though I was sure she wouldn't even if she didn't like it.

"They're very good!" she praised it finally.

"Uh?" Kobato turned honest wide eyes in her direction, probably shocked. I had to admit I felt rather surprised myself as I stared at Sayaka too.

"What a cute little duck and sheep." She continued, unaware of Kobato's shock beside her and her silent 'What!' expression.

I shook my head at them before picking up my bag.

"Well, I'd better get going," I announced as Kobato stared at her poster trembling in shock muttering about ducks and sheep's. That had probably hurt her more than my act, since she seemed to yearn for Sayaka's acknowledgment.

Sayaka turned to me in concern.

"Another part-time job?" she asked in dismay.

I kept silent for once forgetting Kobato was in the same room.

I gave Sayaka all my attention; she knew why I did this, it wasn't anything new.

Well, the only thing new was probably my ditching classes to work on several part-time jobs to help. Not that I minded or even planned to tell her, even thought she'd already figured that out. I was young, and could finish my law studies later. The debt came first, and I wasn't going to allow Sayaka to carry this burden on her own. I wouldn't leave her like he had.

"…I saw what you left on my desk for me," she continued, her voice clearly laced with guilt, "Are you sure you're alright with this?"

"It's fine, really," I tried to appease her once again.

"Don't let yourself get overworked," she refuted, still worried, hands clutching unconsciously.

I had to smile at that.

"I won't," I answered, "Just make sure you don't overwork yourself either Sayaka-sensei."

I stared at her for a few more seconds before turning my eyes back to Kobato, finally remembering she was still there and caught her looking at me with a weird dazzled expression on her face.

'Maybe I should help her,' I thought to myself mischievously as I picked up a post-it block and a pen and scribbled some words on it.

Coming closer to her I shoved the little square piece of paper in the top left corner of her poster. She looked at it in confusion before she read what I had written.

I watched as her eyes widened and she blushed in mortification once again, starting to tremble in fury. Patting myself on the back for a job well done, I turned on my heels and walked away. After all, I was getting late for work. I just hopped I could make it on time, or that at least Kinomoto would cover up my absence or think of some excuse I could use.

Still, as I opened the room door and walked out I couldn't help smiling to myself.

I really loved riling her up.

"See you tomorrow," Kinomoto yelled back at me as I walked away from one of our local part-time jobs.

"Right," I answered not looking back, waving my hand so he'd know I'd listened.

The night was pretty cool and there was a small breeze blowing that even made me shiver a couple times during my way back to the apartment, so I speed up my pace a little and dressed my jacket to keep warm and get there faster.

I yawned.

I hadn't even realized I was that tired.

'I guess I'm so exhausted on a regular basis that I can't even tell when I'm tired anymore... Oh well, nothing a good night of sleep can't fix,' I thought to myself as I crossed the street and made my way to the residence.

As I came closer I noticed someone coming on the opposite direction. A woman, judging by the long dress and blowing hair. Odd. It was pretty late; I didn't think I'd meet anyone on my way back in the suburbs, much less a woman on her own. Didn't she know it was dangerous around here this late? I checked my watch.

'Yep, pretty darn late.'

When I looked up again I was finally able to distinguish the lithe form.

Kobato.

'I should have known,' I rolled my eyes, 'Only she would walk around this late and be totally ingenuous about it. She's damn lucky if she didn't run into any trouble.'

I suppressed my sudden will to make sure she was alright. After all, it had nothing to do with me and she seemed fine.

As we came closer I noticed she was looking at the ground, in a preoccupied pose and a worried frown on her face.

'Ok, so maybe she's not as fine as I thought, but there's no need to make a big deal about it. Maybe she's just still pissed at me for my 'bizarre unidentified life forms' joke…' I assumed. But then I thought… 'Was she really that disturbed about it? It was just a joke. No way she'd be this worried about it. I tease her on a daily basis and she never reacted like this before. Did something happen, then? After I left?'

Since she still hadn't noticed me she entered the gate and kept walking on. As I was close enough now so I could listen to her worried voice. She seemed to be talking to herself. Curious, I speed up my pace a bit more but kept it silent, so I could listen.

She was walking up the stairs when I could finally distinguish her words clearly.

"… He really meant all that?" She asked herself in a small voice.

Ok, now I felt guilty. Maybe she was like this because of me after all.

"How could he do something so cruel to children?"

Wait a minute. I hadn't done anything cruel to anyone, much less to the children. I decided to listen more carefully, taking care so she wouldn't notice I was right behind her.

"He might hurt Sayaka-sensei, too." she continued, unaware of my presence.

I frowned. There was only one person I could think of that would hurt Sayaka, and I didn't like that one bit. I clenched my hands in anger, but kept silent. I needed to make sure of whom it was before I could beat up the target.

"Do you think he'll actually close the school down? He must be serious if he came to check up on it, right?"

Her worry had lessened my anger a bit, though the news weren't good at all. Maybe she could be trusted after all, if she was this worried about Sayaka, the kids and the school. Not that I was completely convinced of her innocence, but maybe I could lessen my teasing a bit. Still, I had to know who had shown up at the school while I was away.

"'He' who?" I asked, making my presence known.

She gasped in surprise and turned around to face me.

"Fujimoto-san!" she cried in astonishment.

It looked like she really hadn't noticed me behind her at all. I continued to look into her eyes seriously waiting for her answer.

"W-were you listening to me?" she asked, her voice wavering with what I guessed was apprehension.

"I overheard," I replied simply. No way was she getting out of this. "S'hardly my fault if you're talking to yourself out loud like that."

She frowned at my accusation and glowered at me half heartedly as she stood closer to the wall, her back facing it.

"I wasn't talking to my-"

I cut her off by slamming my left hand open on the wall beside her head, effectively trapping her.

"'He' who, I asked." I stood closer to her, lowering my head so I could look her in the eyes.

She pushed herself against the wall behind her as I advanced, probably trying to make space between us, but I only stopped when there was only a palm of distance between our faces. Her eyes were wide in surprise and there was that weird dazzled look in them again, though I couldn't figure out why. She was a little flushed as well, but I brushed it off; it didn't matter. What did matter was the answer I was still awaiting.

"I-I didn't get his name…" she began, weakly, probably still stunned by my actions, "He was smoking. And he smiled a whole lot." She continued.

'Okiura.' I growled mentally. I was sure she could see the recognition in my expression and the furious gleam in my eyes as I let my hand drop from the wall and walked away from her.

"That bastard," I growled more to myself than her benefit.

She seemed to snap back to reality as I walked away because she turned to me again with worry in her voice.

"Do you know him?" she asked, though I was sure she could guess I did.

I suddenly remembered something.

"Did Sayaka-sensei see? Did she see him?" I asked over my shoulder, frowning at the thought.

"No. I was going to let her know," she said, following me, "He said he would close down the school if she-"

"Don't tell her he showed up," I ordered as I opened the door to my apartment.

"Huh? Wha-? But…" she asked in confusion, obviously distressed.

"Just keep it to yourself, understand?" I scowled at her, entering and slamming the door behind me.

"Fujimoto-san!" she called out in concern.

I didn't answer.

I didn't have anything more to say to her for now.

She seemed to understand it, because she didn't push it or even knocked on my door. I appreciated that. I needed time alone to cool off.

I heard her open her door and close it softly, probably afraid to disturb me. But I pushed that thought away.

The only thing on my mind was how that bastard had showed up at the school and how fortunate it was that Sayaka had apparently already left. Thought the fact that he'd been calling the school nonstop was bothersome as well.

'Damn, this all mess was the reason I wanted to go to Law School in the beginning, and now I still can't do anything to help!'

I punched the wall in frustration.

Kobato yelped on the other side. I'd startled her.

I cradled my fist in my other hand and let myself fall onto my futon.

'Then again, the fact that he's been talking to Kobato can't be good either,' I continued my trail of thought, 'I know he's been calling before, since I check the phone bill, but I haven't answered any calls from him, and it doesn't look like Sayaka has either, so that means that Kobato's the one who's been answering. Damn, she shouldn't get involved on this.' I thought, worried for her naïve nature, 'This is the Yakuza we're talking about, the girl's nuts! And he's met her today. What if he'd hurt her somehow? Just what I needed... One more person to protect from that bastard.'

My cell phone rang in my pants pocket.

I reached for it and checked the receiver. I frowned when I saw who it was.

'Doumoto Takashi calling'

'Great, just what I need after a long day of work; someone nagging me to get back to college,' I scowled and turned on my side, dropping the cell phone on the floor beside the futon.

I didn't feel like answering. He'd say the same things he always did, with his unwavering logic, trying to convince me to go back, and I'd stubbornly refuse to do so, because that'd mean I'd have to leave Sayaka on her own.

I wouldn't ever abandon her.

Not like he had.

Until I could find a way to finally help her pay off her dept, I wouldn't leave her. Not even after that. After all, we were family.

'I should be extra careful and pay more attention to the phone tomorrow. I need to be the one answering. I have a few things to say to the damn bastard.'

I sighed.

'I just hope Kobato keeps her trap shut about it.' I frowned, 'Well, might as well change into something else before going to sleep.'

"Good night." I heard her soft unmistakable voice from the other side of the wall, as if she'd read my thoughts.

I got up and changed into a t-shirt and shorts, promptly crawling back onto bed. After I got myself settled I gazed at the wall that separated our apartments before rolling over and closing my eyes stubbornly.

"Hmph."

...

'Good night.'

Like Fat's Rate String Tied Together

2010-10-29T08:23:00.001-07:00

"Yuzuru, I came to this world because my longing to thank you for the new lease of life you had given me so immensely… But I'm glad, because I managed to fulfill that, and it also gave me a chance to realize that…"

"I love you, Yuzuru."

"I'm going to be late…" The white-haired girl whispered under her breath as she quickened her pace, causing her hair and white sundress to flutter in the breeze. She didn't want to be late – she had already made an appointment with her best friend, whom she hadn't gone out with for more than a month, and she only had five minutes left to reach their promised meeting place.

The constant clicking sound of her heels against the floor reminded her about the dull, throbbing pain at her ankle. She had sprained a few days ago during Gymnastics, but she decided that she couldn't wear sandals with such a pretty white dress, could she? Not that Yuri would mind, though, she had never cared much about looks. All she wanted was a true friend that she could trust.

Just then, someone had gently grasped her shoulder, causing her to flip her head around. She saw a red-haired boy looking at her with confused, but determined-looking eyes. "Have I met you somewhere before?" was the first thing he said, his voice deep with genuine curiosity.

She looked at him and blinked. Nope, she didn't think she had ever seen someone that looked like him before. "I'm sorry, you must've gotten the wrong person." She smiled at him, unknowingly dazzling him and leaving him stunned for a few seconds. I have to hurry… She turned and began to walk away briskly, only to be stopped by him once again, his hand firmly clasped around her wrist. "Don't go." That one touch, seemed to spark up something in her mind. Only what? She couldn't recall. A faint memory attempted to surface in her head, but quickly disappeared once again, leaving her head throbbing slightly.

The amber-haired boy seemed to be confused at his own actions as he awkwardly let go of her hand, "Nevermind. I just thought you looked so familiar… even though I can't recall…"

"I'm going to meet my friend, if you have nothing on, would you like to come along?" The words left her lips before she could consider them properly – What on earth was she thinking? Bringing a complete stranger to meet her best friend, who would certainly not appreciate the extra company. Nonetheless, the words had already been spoken, so she had to stay true to them.

"S- sure…" He followed after her as they walked at a face pace, but in silence.

"By the way, I'm Kanade. Tachibana Kanade." She said, turning her head and smiling.

The boy stopped for a second. Tachibana Kanade… that name echoed in his head, seemingly trying to remind him of something, trying to make him realize something very important. "What's wrong?" Her words broke his train of thought.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about how pretty that name was." Gah, there was it all over again. He didn't even know what he was saying anymore, quickly adding something to cover up the embarrassing situation, "I'm Otonashi Yuzuru. Pleased to meet you."

"I'm pleased to meet you too. Now, if we don't hurry, I'm afraid my friend would be very upset." She muttered, motioning for him to walk faster.

"Yuri!" Kanade waved cheerfully at a silky red-haired girl, who was wearing a small frown on her face and scowling at her. "You're late!" She lifted her hood from her head. A white, ribbon blouse, a black hoodie and grey shorts. Like always, Yuri always liked to dress up in her own style.

"I'm sorry… I had some… Issues." She said as she looked at me. "And uhm… this is Otonashi Yuzuru. And my friend here is Yurippe, even though she's mostly known as Yuri."

Yuri raised an eyebrow at Kanade, but then turned her attention on Otonashi and stared… for a long time. "Eto… Yuri? I think you're scaring him." Kanade said sheepishly.

"Oh. Don't take it to heart, yeah. I was just wondering why you looked so familiar." Yuri said casually, slapping Otonashi on the shoulder. "It's like I know you from a past life or something. Funny, huh."

Past life…? Another thought sprung into Kanade's head… this time clearer, still blurry, but she thought she could images of her laughing… fishing, probably, with some friends. Only that she didn't know them – for sure, they looked familiar, but she didn't know them. Maybe she had forgotten, but she had never gone on a fishing trip.

"Well then, I shall just overlook the fact that you decided to bring someone else to our lunch date." Yuri rolled her eyes as she picked a table nearest to the window. Both girls briefly glanced at the menu, flipping the pages at lightning speed, but never really reading them.

"Well, you want Mapo Tofu, don't you?"

"And you, Beef Stew, am I right?"

And they both burst into hearty laughter, simply enjoying being in each other's presence.

"Otonashi-san, what would you like, then?"

"Well, I'm fine with anything, but Mapo Tofu… I guess I'll try something new for today then. I'll have the same as you, Tachibana-san."

But when the tofu entered his mouth, the flavor burst in his tongue so strongly that he had to gulp down mouthfuls of water. Now why then, did he find the taste so nostalgic? It didn't taste entirely new to him – fresh, but it's taste was somehow locked in some distant part of his mind. Did he ever try eating Mapo Tofu before? The dish that was well-known for its utter spiciness.

And as the day passed, he watched as Kanade and Yuri chatted leisurely and laughed, caught up in their own world, apparently forgetting about his existence. He didn't mind, though, somehow he found himself contempt listening to them, their voices ringing in his ears. Like church bells… they seem to radiate a soothing feel. A smile crept up onto his lips.

"Ah… it's already so late." Yuri suddenly stood up, staring at her watch anxiously. "I'm sorry, Kanade, I need to rush home. My siblings are waiting for me to read them another story book, and I can't possibly keep them waiting, I have to be a good older sister, after all, don't I?" And with that, she promptly paid the bill for the whole table and ran off.

"Well, now it's just you and me." Kanade smiled, grabbing his hand and walking out of the shopping mall, towards the train station.

And for some reason, Otonashi thought that he wasn't going to wash his hand when he got home.

"It's never been so crowded before." Otonashi groaned as the duo tried their best to keep sight of each other while jostling in the crowd. "mmsfsiyoa."

"What?"

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" She nearly shouted across to him, a few people separating them now.

"NEVERMIND!" He shouted in reply, as he reached his hand out towards her. She nodded and reached for him too, desperately trying to get closer. And when their fingers touched, he pulled her towards him, unfortunately with too much force, as she landed squarely on top of him.

"Itai…" He rubbed his head and looked down to see Kanade, her ear pressed against his chest.

"I hear you." The whole world seemed to come to a stop at the moment, as if someone had pressed the "stop" and "mute" button. Her whisper was so audible in his ears. "I hear your heart beating." Tears streamed down from her eyes as memories flooded their minds, playing the times which they used to have together, the obstacles that they overcame together, and the very last moments that they had spent together. It was only then that they realized. Maybe this was all meant to be, their seemingly coincidental meeting, her acquaintance with Yurippe, everything, was all already set in fate's hands – a love so powerful, that it could even transcend time.

And so, she thought, she would tell him the very same words that she had told him that day. Those words that bound their souls to each other for all eternity.

"I love you, Yuzuru."

Not Yet Broken

2010-10-29T08:21:00.001-07:00

Part One – First Sign

When I opened my eyes, I simply looked up at the ceiling for a few moments, still dreary from sleep. In the chair beside my bed, I could hear Hinata's soft snores as he slept. Turning my head, I could make out his shape in the darkness, and I smiled. I'm glad that he's with me... I thought happily.

I then began to look around the room, feeling that something was...Off. Suddenly, it began to dawn on me...

I...I'm moving? I thought, shocked. I turned my head each and every way, doing facial expressions that I hadn't gotten to do in so long. This has to be a dream! I thought, not able to comprehend what was happening. I started to move my lips, and I began to wonder, Can I talk?

When I opened my mouth, I was unable to make a sound. However, once I tried it again, I was able to make a small noise. I haven't talked in so long...Maybe my voice is gone? I wondered. I decided to start by trying and say my name. It took me a while, but I finally began to form it...

"Y...Yu...Yui." I finally said softly, surprised that I had actually managed it. Turning my head towards Hinata, I began to pronounce his name, "Hi...Hina...Hinata?" He stirred in his sleep, muttering something, and I raised an eyebrow. I should try saying it louder, I thought.

Bracing myself, I breathed in, and said as loud as I could(Which wasn't really that loud), "Hin...Hinata!" He suddenly jumped up out of the chair, looking around. "Wait, wha?" he said, confused. He looked down at me, and I could make out a smile on his face from the darkness.

"Oh, Yui, you're awake?" Hinata said, looking down at me. "I swear... I think I heard something." he said, scratching his head. "You did." I said plainly, and he stopped scratching his head, and his hand dropped. "Wha-...What was that?" he said. "You heard me." I said, irritated.

Hinata suddenly came to my side, flustered. "Y-Yui! You can talk?" he said, and I nodded. "And you can move! Can you move your whole body?" he asked, and I looked down at the rest of my body, and shook my head, still not feeling anything else.

"This is...Amazing!" he said, standing up and starting to make his way out of the room, heading over to the doctor's office, but he stopped when I said, "Hinata!" He turned back towards me, and I shook my head. "Th-There's no need to make a big deal out of it..." I told him, "Just... Stay with me."

I felt myself blushing, and he looked over at me and sighed, closing the door and walking back over to the chair, sitting down. He leaned over the bed and let his hand run along my face softly. "I...This isn't a dream, is it?" Hinata asked, and I shook my head. I turned my head towards him, and I could see him smiling.

For a few moments, we stayed like that, staring at each other. "Yui..." he said. "H-Hinata..." I muttered. I felt myself beginning to blush even harder as I could see him leaning in towards me... And our lips touched. I-Idiot... I thought, blushing hard, If I could move my legs...I'd kick him for this. Although I knew I didn't mean it...And as the kiss broke, Hinata and I looked at each other...

"There's still that promise I have yet to fulfill to you..." he said, and I tilted my head slightly. Hinata grinned, and began to pull something out of his pocket. "Since you couldn't move before...I didn't know the right time to do this," he said, "But now I get to hear what you're answer is." I was surprised when he knelt beside my bed, and he held up what appeared to be a small, black box.

Opening it, my heart nearly stopped when I saw the ring inside of it. "Yui..." he said, looking at me.

"Will you marry me?" I was unmoving for a few moments, and a few tears started to form in my eyes. "Y-Yes..." I answered, starting to sob. Hinata grinned at me, and ran a hand along my face. I could see some tears in his eyes as well, as he said, "I...I love you Yui..."

Part Two – Happy Days

I made sure to contact Yui's mom as soon as morning came. It didn't take long before she came up to the hospital, and, once she saw it for herself, she began to cry. "Yui..." she said, sobbing, rubbing a hand through Yui's hair. I smiled. Now Yui's mom can be happy, I thought.

The doctor had come in shortly after that, amazed by Yui's small recovery. "It wasn't believed that you'd ever move again..." he said bitterly, but he smiled once he saw Yui moving her head. "Its...Incredible." I grinned, and looked down at Yui, who smiled at me. I slipped my hand underneath hers, and let our hands entwine...

A few days passed, and, after the doctors and medical examiners stopped being hectic, we told Yui's mom what we were planning. She began to cry again as we told her that we were going to get married. "I never thought I'd see the day..." she said between sobs, and, looking up at me, she told me, "Thank you..." She came over to me and gave me a hug, and I could see Yui giggle. I couldn't help from chuckling slightly also, and I could feel a warmth form inside of me...One I hadn't felt before.

A few weeks passed, and Yui had started to move the top part of her body; Her shoulders, arms, and stomach. As the time progressed, I could see Yui become happier and happier, which made me happier in return. We were able to plan out our wedding date, and we decided that we would have it back at Yui's home, since she hadn't been there in so long...

Another month passed by in a flash, and the muscles in Yui's lower body began to rebuild, and she found herself able to walk, although only for short distances. Eventually, she could take walks through the hospital, and, finally, she could join me for walks outside. While we were walking one day, I saw a familiar person across the street, his orange hair gleaming in the sunlight...

"Otonashi?" I said, tilting my head. Yui looked up at me and asked, "What is it?" I shook my head and looked at her. "Oh, uh...Nothing." I assured her, and, looking back, I could see that the person was gone. Must be my imagination, I thought, shrugging, The chances of us meeting again...That's almost impossible.

As another month passed, it became time for Christmas, and I spent it happily with Yui. "Look, Hinata!" she said, pointing out the window. I looked outside, and was surprised to see that snow had started to fall. Yui looked up at me and smiled, "Come on, let's go outside." I looked at her, and nodded. Together, we both walked out of the hospital, and felt the cold snow fall onto us.

Looking down at Yui, I could see her eyes gleaming with happiness, and she stuck out her tongue to catch some of the snow on it. "This is the first white Christmas I've seen..." I said, and Yui nodded. "Me too..." For a few moments, we were quiet, and our hands entwined together, and I could feel the cold-metal of the ring I had given her on her hand...

I turned towards her, and she turned towards me. We looked at each other for a few moments... Before we leaned in... And our lips came together. Then, we embraced each other and watched the snow fall from the sky...

Merely a week later, we had the wedding. It was good that Yui's mom could help us out, since, well, I had no idea what was going to happen. To be honest, all I was waiting for was the moment when I could say, "I do", like I had seen many times before in movies and such... When it came, I was glad, and I could see that Yui was glad, as we leaned in and kissed, the attendants at the wedding starting to clap, and I could hear Yui's mom weeping.

As we left Yui's home, our hands entwined, I could feel warmth inside of me, and I thought to myself, I don't want to ever be apart from her. ...But I wish that could be true. As we were walking, Yui suddenly stumbled, and fell over. "Yui?" I said, kneeling beside her, "What's the matter?" After there wasn't a response, I was quick to react, calling for an ambulance, and trying to wake her up...

"Yui..." I said, looking down at her, unmoving. "YUI!"

Part Three – Broken

Yui had been rushed to the hospital once the ambulance had arrived... Once there, the doctors told me that the recovery was starting to reverse...And Yui was beginning to become paralyzed all over again. In my anger, I grabbed the doctor's collar, and shouted at him, "No! That can't be true!" … But I let him down, and I started to cry, unable to comprehend what was going on...

After all the happiness we experienced, I thought, looking at the ring on my finger, Why does it have to end up like this? I punched the wall, and I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning, I could see Yui's mom beside me, a sad look on her face. "It's not fair..." I muttered, and she came forward and hugged me. "Thank you..." she said, as she started to weep, "...For giving her happiness."

Yui went into a sort of coma for nearly two weeks... I sat by her side every day, speaking to her, and hoping that she could hear me. When she woke up, I was relieved, and it felt like a ton of weight had left my shoulders. "Yui..." I said, setting my hand over hers...

...But all she did was blink. "Y-Yui?" I said, and, after a few moments of no response, I felt myself begin to tear up. N-No...This can't be happening, I thought as I put my head down on the bed and started to sob. After a few minutes, I looked up at Yui, seeing no expressions in her eyes...

I leaned forward, and, once I was merely inches away, I whispered, "I love you..." … And I kissed her. For a few moments, I stayed there, looking into her eyes. I was surprised when I saw a tear begin to form... I could imagine that she was fighting to speak...

"It's alright..." I assured her, running a hand along her cheek, "I know what you want to say." I hesitantly moved back into the chair and sat, starting to cry harder than I ever had before...

I love you too... Yui thought, as she sat there, unmoving, merely blinking, and barely able to squeeze a tear out of her eyes, as it streamed down her cheek.

And they sat there... The familiar silence washing over them...

The happy days may be over, Yui thought, But I want to stay with him...

Forever.

Untouched

2010-10-29T08:20:00.002-07:00

Chapter 1
Second Awaking

I fell to my knees, my tears starting to stream down my face, and my hands reaching forward for the girl who had been in my arms merely a second before. I stared forward in disbelief, not ready for her to be gone yet. I braced myself, huddling up slightly, and gripping my shoulders.

Then, I looked up at the sky, seeing the sunlight starting to fade along with my vision, as I yelled as loud as I could, "KANADE!" …. …. And the visions of everybody I had met in the After-Life...The memories I had gained there...The Tears...The Laughter... The Happiness...

Disappeared... "Just how I got here, waking up in an unfamiliar place... So I shall leave..." I muttered softly as the light enveloped me...

When I woke up, I could see a faint light begin to come from the wall nearby. Hunger and thirst washed over me, and I couldn't move my body. All I could do was watch as the light got bigger and bigger, until it consumed the wall of dirt and rocks, and the figures of a few people emerged.

"There they are! Quick! Get them out of there!" I could hear a rough voice say, and, before I knew it, I was being dragged from the darkness, and out into the bright sunlight outside. Somebody knelt over my body, looking down at my face. "Hey!" he shouted at me, examining my body. "Are you alive?"

I was able to produce a nod, and the man signaled over to two paramedics who came over to me, picking me up and putting me onto a stretcher, then hauling me over to an ambulance, followed by another person who was set beside me. As the doors to the ambulance closed, I looked to my left to see who was beside me...

"Igarashi..." I said softly, and somebody turned my head back to where I was looking up, and began to shine a light in my eyes. After a few moments, a voice said, "This one is suffering from extreme exhaustion... But he'll be alright, let's get him some fluids, and..." the voice began to trail off as my eyes began to close...

I woke up suddenly, sitting up and looking around, confused as to where I was. After a few moments of recollection, I could remember everything... The tunnel collapsing... The train crashing... All of the people I had helped. Sighing, I laid back down, the sunlight from the window behind me pouring into the room, filling it with light.

The door to the room opened slowly, and I sat up once more, watching as a doctor walked inside, closing the door behind him. "Yuzuru Otonashi?" the doctor said, and I nodded. He came over and pulled up a chair beside the bed, sitting down. "My name is Dr. Yurino. How are you feeling at the moment?" he asked, and I shrugged. "Better than before..." I said, realizing how plain it sounded afterward.

Dr. Yurino nodded, and flipped through his clipboard, reading a few things. "Hey," I began to ask, and he looked up at me, "How is everybody else?" Dr. Yurino looked at me for a few moments until he set the clipboard down and stood, walking over to the window and looking outside. "You're really brave, you know that?" he said, not answering my question. I nodded.

Suddenly, he looked down at me, a grin on his face, "Thanks to you, everybody made it out fine...Except for one man, whom had died from blood-loss and exhaustion..." he said, the grin fading. "But you did all that you could... Saving that many people, you should be proud of yourself." Dr. Yurino told me, setting a hand on my shoulder.

I could feel my heart begin to beat hard, and I clutched my chest. Dr. Yurino suddenly bent down and asked, "Are you alright?" I nodded, and Dr. Yurino forced me to lay me down, saying, "You should get some more rest... Your body still isn't back to itself yet." He then picked up his clipboard and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Before I knew it, I was back to sleep...

One Month Later...

I had been out of the hospital for a week, and I had gotten to meet those I had helped in the tunnel, and some of their families... All of those whom I had saved... Those who I was able to give a purpose... Why does it sound so familiar to me? Giving people a purpose...

My heart began to beat hard as it had when I had awoken in the hospital. I clutched my chest for a few moments before it subsided. When I looked up, I could see a boy about my age walking past, pushing a girl in a wheelchair, whom had long, pink hair. As he passed, he looked over at me and gave me a polite smile, and I returned it, feeling something familiar about it...

But I shrugged it off, and began to walk towards a nearby hotel, where I was going to stay for a while until I could truly get back up on my feet and go back to my goal of becoming a doctor. Once at the hotel, I payed for a room, and took the elevator up to the third floor, and made my way to my room. After a few moments, I arrived at it, the left room at the end of the hallway. Looking up at the number above the door, which said '#39', my heart beat hard once more.

Suddenly, the number seemed to change into a sign, which stated, "Principle's Office'. After a few seconds, it changed back to saying '#39', and I looked around me, wondering what had happened. What was that? I thought before unlocking the door and walking in. Once inside, I flipped on the lights, and looked around the room. Not too bad, I thought, throwing my bag down onto the bed and heading over to the window.

Looking outside, I had a pretty good view of a lot of the town I was in. I sat there for a while, gazing down at the people walking by, and the cars driving along the road, and I felt a sort of calm wash over me... However, the door knob to my room began to rustle, and I walked over to it, opening it slightly.

Looking out, I could see a serious-looking guy with brown hair looking at me. "Hey, whats the deal? I was given room #39." he muttered, glaring at me. I opened the door and examined the person standing in front of me. "Well...It must be a mix-up." I told him, and he sighed, walking back down the hall. "Whatever." he said. However, he stopped halfway down the hall, and turned back towards me.

"By the way..." he said, "You look familiar...Who are you exactly?" I tilted my head slightly, and told him, "Yuzuru... Yuzuru Otonashi." He nodded, and looked up in thought for a few moments. He then shook his head and said, "Nevermind then..." before walking off again. "My names Fujimaki." he stated without looking back, as he entered the elevator and descended.

Closing my door, I stood there, thinking for a few moments. Fujimaki...I thought, That name does sound familiar... I walked over to the bed and laid down on it, feeling my chest pound hard for a few moments once again. Setting my hand onto my chest, I could feel something on the edge of my memory...As if I had forgotten something...

As my eyes began to close, and I started to drift to sleep... I unconsciously muttered, "Kanade..."

Untouched

2010-10-29T08:20:00.001-07:00

Chapter 2
Remember Me

When I woke up, I took my time before standing up and getting dressed, just throwing on a t-shirt, pants, and light jacket. Slowly, I opened the curtains, allowing the sunlight to pour inside the room, and causing me to squint my eyes, which were still blurry from sleep.

Looking outside, I could see people making their way to school, work, or wherever they had to be in the morning. I sighed, feeling a pang of loneliness wash over me. I wish I could go back to those days, I thought before I closed the curtain and headed towards the door.

Locking the door, I headed down to the elevator, which was already ascending to the third floor. My heart began to beat hard again as the doors opened, and I could see the same guy I had seen the day before standing there. He raised an eyebrow and looked at me for a few moments, before walking past.

I turned my head and watched him walk over to one of the first rooms on the left, before shaking my head and walking into the elevator. I descended, then stepped off, walking over to the counter and telling the person I was heading out for the day. Then, I stepped outside and began to walk along the sidewalk.

I had decided to get used to surroundings, since I was in a totally new town. It didn't take long before I knew where most of the hot-spots were. Eventually, I came across a cafe, by the name of 'Mattekou Cafe', which caught my eye, so I went inside to see what they have, since I was feeling extremely hungry.

Once inside, I was seated at a table near the front door. Looking around, I could see that the cafe was empty, besides me being there. I hope this was a good choice, I thought, raising an eyebrow. After a few moments, I was finally served by a young waitress that came up to the table quickly, panting slightly, her long, orange hair

"Sorry for the wait," she said, as though being there in a few seconds was a bad thing. "My name is Sekine," the waitress told me, "What would you like?" I glanced down at the menu for the first time, and eyed over it for a moment. "Uh...What do you suggest?" I asked, and Sekine looked up in thought for a few moments. Then, she nodded, and told me before walking off, "I think I know what you'll like!"

As she walked off, my heart began to beat hard for a second, and I looked down at my chest, still unsure of why it often does that. When I had been in the hospital, I had asked Dr. Yurino, but he told me I was perfectly healthy. Setting my hand on my chest, my thoughts were interrupted when the door opened, and a girl with short, white hair walked inside, and was seated at the table near mine

I glanced over to the girl, who's eyes were downcast towards the table, and something in my mind began to wash over me. For a few moments, the gray table she was sitting at became a tan-colored one, and her hair became longer, and she was eating a sort of red-looking soup, with what appears to be tofu in it. I unconsciously began to reach out a hand towards her, watching her eat with a lonely look on her face...

When Sekine returned, and the vision faded. Looking up at her, she set down a tray on my table, and, when I looked at what was on it, I raised an eyebrow. "This is-" Sekine began to explain, but I said, "Mapo... Doufu.", although unsure as to how I know the name of it. She tilted her head slightly, then nodded. "Have you had it before?" she asked, and I shook my head, although I had a feeling that I had.

I got a spoonful of it, and examined it for a few moments before bringing it to my mouth. "Although it's extremely hot," Sekine began to explain as I dropped the spoon into the bowl and started coughing, feeling like my throat was on fire, "It's got a delicious taste afterward!" She handed me a glass of water, which I half-way chugged down. Licking my lips, I nodded. "You're right." I said, taking another bite, and having to chug the rest of my water down.

Sekine giggled slightly. "Here, I'll get you some more water." she said, picking up the glass. "You should bring back a pitcher..." I muttered, watching her walk away. Then, I felt a pair of eyes on me, and I turned to see the girl with the white hair looking at me. For a few moments, we stared at each other, although I couldn't think of a reason as to why I couldn't stop.

We didn't break our gaze until I took another bite of the Mapo Doufu, and I started to cough and wince at the burn in my throat. Sekine returned with a pitcher of water, and I raised an eyebrow. I was joking, but that'll work I guess, I thought as I took a drink. After a moment of recovery, I looked over at the other table, and saw that the girl was gone.

Who is she? I thought, trying to dig deep in my mind to see if I had met her before... But nothing came to mind.

After I had finished the Mapo Doufu, and chugged down nearly ten pitchers of water, I decided to just walk around some more, looking inside shops and other buildings as I went. Once the sun started to make its way down from the sky, I decided to stop at a small park, sitting on a bench and watching the sunlight as it faded.

While I was sitting there, a particular person who passed by caught my eye; A person with blonde hair, with a red bandanna on his forehead, doing a sort of odd dance along the sidewalk. I raised an eyebrow, noticing that the person looked like he might be American. "Uh..." I said to him, and he did a spin and pointed at me, saying, "Come on, let's dance!"

My heart pounded hard once again, and the scenic view of the park changed to a room for a few moments, in which the person in front of me, along with a few others, were standing there looking at me. "Come on, let's dance!" the person said, doing a similar thing as he did before. What is this? I thought, but my vision changed as I was suddenly grabbed by the arm and forced up.

Looking forward, I could see the guy's face, merely inches away from mine. He was looking at me with intrigue, examining me. He then let go of me and stepped back, spinning and point at me once more. "Yo, Otonashi?" he said, and I tilted my head. How does this guy know my name? I wondered. "Uh...Yes?" I questioned, and he set a hand on his chin and nodded.

He then reached out and patted my shoulder, then pointed at himself and told me, "TK! Remember me?" I tilted my head slightly, finally realizing that 'TK' must be his name. "Have we met before, TK?" I asked, and he nodded, then tilted his head, puzzled. "Amnesia man..." TK muttered, taking his hand off my shoulder and shaking his head, starting to walk away.

"Wait!" I said after him, but he kept on walking. "Who are you?..." I muttered, confused. After he was out of sight, I sat back down on the bench and looked around, just then realizing that it was night-time. It's not every day that you see that, I thought with a sigh. A dancer in the dark...

With that, I looked up at the stars up in the sky, seeing some that were dull and some that were glowing brightly. After a few minutes, my eyes began to slowly close, as I began to drift to sleep...

"Thank you, Yuzuru..." I could hear a voice say as I fell over onto my side, asleep...

Untouched

2010-10-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

Chapter 3
Memories

"Sleep Yuzuru..." I could hear a soft voice say, "I'll be with you soon..." I could see somebody standing alone in the darkness... A girl with long, white hair, and golden eyes. Kanade... I thought, Kanade! But her image began to fade in the distance, until it fully disappeared...

Suddenly, I woke up, sitting up and looking around me. Rubbing my eyes, which were still dreary from sleep, I took out my cellphone to check the time. 6 o'clock exactly. I must have fell asleep here, I thought with a sigh. Suddenly, I remembered the voice. Looking around, I couldn't see anybody there besides me. Who's voice was that? I wondered, standing up and giving a stretch.

I decided to head back to the hotel, although by the time I got there the sun was already starting to rise. So, I instead decided to head over to somewhere to get some breakfast. Most of the places I had seen on my previous walk opened at about eight, so I didn't think I'd find anywhere that would actually be open. However, luckily enough, there was one place that was open: Mattekou Cafe.

Once I stepped inside, I was startled when Sekine suddenly popped out of seemingly nowhere saying, "Welcome to Mattekou Cafe!" I looked at her for a few moments, and she did the same. Sekine then pointed at me and said, "Oh, you're that guy from yesterday!" I nodded, feeling odd to be referred to as, 'That guy from yesterday'.

Sekine led me to my table, which was actually the same one I had been at before. Looking around, it was, once again, completely empty. "Is there much business here?" I asked, and Sekine looked around, then shrugged. "Sometimes, but not often." she answered. I then raised an eyebrow at her and asked, "And are you the only person working here?"

Sekine looked up in thought, and I sighed. I'd think she would the answer to that, I thought. She shook her head, and told me, "Nope, most of the people here are either cleaning and cooking over in the back." I nodded in understanding, then told her, "Can I get... Some coffee?" Sekine nodded, then retreated back to the kitchen. I sighed, not sure exactly when I got the liking for coffee.

After a few minutes, there was a crash! And the sound of breaking glass. "Iwasawa! What the hell was that for?" I could hear a deep voice growl from the kitchen. Leaning across the table, I peered through the doorway, and I could see a large-figured man towering above a girl, obviously displeased.

"I-I'm sorry." the girl said, although it didn't sound like she was. I could see a stain on the man's shirt, with what appeared to be coffee. "You can make it again, and you're going to go take it to the customer!" the man said, and Iwasawa glared at him for a few moments before walking off.

After a few moments, Sekine came to my table. "Sorry about that," she stated, "That was the owner, and he's, well..." she started to look for the right way to put it, when I could see the girl starting to make her way to my table, a cup in her hands.

Sekine turned to where I was looking, and she took a few steps back, letting Iwasawa come to me and set the cup in front of me. "Sorry..." she said, not even looking at me. For a few moments, I could sense a sort of familiarity about her, like I'd met her before. "Uh..." I began to say, and Iwasawa finally looked up at me, and my heart began to beat hard...

I had a sudden vision of the girl in front of me, on a stage, in the lone spotlight... An acoustic guitar was in her hands, and the look of depression and sadness was obvious in her eyes...What is this? I wondered as I watched the scene. To my surprise, she looked up, tears forming in her eyes... And she disappeared, leaving behind the acoustic guitar she had been playing...

I was snapped back to reality when I heard my name being said. "Otonashi?" I heard, and I was whipped back to the cafe, and I could see Iwasawa looking at me with surprise in her face. "Uh...Yes?" I said, and Iwasawa suddenly smiled slightly, which was a change from what I had seen earlier.

"Have we met before?" I asked, and Iwasawa nodded, then looked at me and tilted her head slightly. "You...Don't remember me?" she said, and I thought about it for a few moments. "I...Don't think so." I said, and she sighed, sitting down in the seat opposite of mine.

"It's just like when you got there for the first time..." Iwasawa muttered, and I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" I asked, but she did a sort of wave as if dismissing the topic. "I guess I'll let you figure it out on your own time." she told me, grinning slightly.

I was going to ask her more questions, when a booming voice suddenly said, "What's taking so long girl?" Iwasawa glared over at the door to the kitchen, then she muttered, "I wish I didn't work here..." I looked over at the kitchen, then said, "Then why not quit?" She shrugged, and told me, "It's just part-time...Once I graduate, I'll move to the city, and let my music lead me on in life."

Those words felt familiar...And I suddenly had a vision of her and myself, speaking to one another...When did this happen? I wondered, and I snapped back to reality as Iwasawa stood up. "Well then," she said, "See you later, no-memory boy." As she passed me, she gave me a pat on the shoulder, and I turned and watched as she walked off.

"Well, hurry it up!" I heard the voice say again, and Iwasawa said irritatedly, "I know, I know." For a few moments, I was lost in thought, wondering how I could know that girl, without any memory of meeting her at all. "Um..." I heard, and, for the first time, I realized Sekine was still standing there.

"Oh, you're still there." I said, and she nodded. "What was that about?" Sekine asked me, and I shrugged, looking down at my coffee. Lots of odd things have happened lately, I thought, It's as if I've forgotten something very important...

I turned my head to look out the window, and I was surprised to see a familiar person standing across the street. It was the girl I had seen the day before, with the short, white hair, and the golden eyes. I suddenly remembered the image I had in my dream...

Standing up, I put some money on the table, and I made my way to the door. "Whats the matter?" I heard Sekine say as I left the Cafe. Once outside, I could see the girl walking away down the sidewalk. I tried to cross the street, when a car suddenly passed in front of me, honking. "Sorry." I said, as if they could hear me, as I made my way to the other side of the street.

Once there, I looked around, not seeing the girl anywhere. Where is she? I wondered, as I started to make my way down the sidewalk, hoping to run into her. After a few minutes of walking, I stopped, as a sudden memory washed over me...

I could see myself, and the girl, standing in the fading sunlight... "Even now, your heart is beating in my chest..." I heard the girl's familiar voice say, as she set a hand over her chest. "My one regret was being unable to say thank you to the person who saved me..." My eyes widened, as I couldn't believe the sight I was seeing. What is this? I thought, as memories started to slowly seep their way into me...

I started to see things... Somebody with a large halberd... Noda, I thought suddenly, remembering him. I then saw the girls on the stage, playing and singing to their heart's consent... Girls Dead Monster... I could see the rocky tunnels, with traps coming from every way, leading to a large factory... Guild...

All of these memories... I thought, Where are they coming from? Suddenly, I could remember the school in which nobody could die, and in which lived NPCs, which were soul-less people. This place, this Battlefront in which I had fought with many others...

The tears... The laughter...The Happiness... It all began to come back to me. Suddenly, I could recall the people I had spent time with...The people I had helped move on...

Yuri...

Hinata...

Naoi...

Yui...

TK...

Fujimaki...

Noda...

Irie...

Sekine...

Hisako...

Oyama...

Takeyama...

Shiina...

Matsushita 5th Dan...

and...

"Kanade..." I said, a tear forming in my eye. "KANADE!" I shouted as I began to run down the sidewalk, wanting nothing more than to find her... The one I had saved...

And the one that had given my life meaning...Thank you so much...Yuzuru...

Untouched

2010-10-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

Chapter 4
Our Song

After running for what seemed like an eternity, I eventually gave up, and began to walk back towards the hotel as slow as possible, every step full of agony. If I had remembered earlier, I thought, angered with myself, Maybe I could have gotten to her.

As I was walking, with the memories still lingering in my head, I suddenly heard somebody humming a familiar song. My song? I thought, turning my head. I could see a girl leaning against the wall... One whom I had been looking for... Kanade? I thought, quickly turning around right as she stood and began to walk off.

"Kanade!" I said, running up to her and reaching out towards her, everything around me seemingly going in slow motion as my heart raced. As I touched her shoulder, she stopped, and looked down. For a few moments, there was only silence. Finally, she spoke, "Yuzuru..."

The voice was unmistakable. I ran around to her front, and she looked up at me, with her golden eyes that glowed in the sunlight. I was speechless, because of the extreme happiness that was swelling inside of me. I...I didn't think this would really be true, I thought.

"Kanade..." I said, "It's...Really you." She nodded, and set one hand onto my chest, right where my fast-beating heart was. "But...How?" I asked, setting my hand over hers. Kanade closed her eyes, and was silent for a few moments, before answering, "Yuri..."

My eyes widened. Yurippe? An image of the SSS leader came into my head. "But...What do you mean?" I asked, and Kanade looked down at the ground. "Yuri gave me her heart so that I could live..." she said, and I found myself not believing what she was saying.

"So Yurippe..." I began, and Kanade nodded. "But...How?" I asked. Kanade looked up at me took her hand, running it along my face. "I'm not sure exactly how it happened," she told me, "But when I woke up... She was in the bed beside mine. The operation was already done..."

My eyes opened wide, and I felt a tear come to my eye. Shaking my head, I thought, That must be repayment... For mistakenly fighting Kanade for so long... I felt Kanade wrap her arms around me in an embrace, and I did the same back. We stood there for a few moments, and I wanted it to last forever...

...When I heard a familiar voice from behind. "Well Well, Otonashi," I heard someone say, "Isn't this a sight to see?" Turning, I was surprised to find Hinata standing behind me, with a wheelchair in front of him, and on it, was none other than Yui...

I couldn't help from grinning. "You...Did it?" I said, and Hinata nodded. "When I got back...I caught that ball," he explained, "As soon as I did... I could remember everything, and I did what I promised her I would." I looked down at Yui, who, although she couldn't move, I could see happiness in her eyes.

"You know, it's weird to see you like that," I commented, "I'm still used to the over-excited Yui." I looked at her for a few moments, and was wondering whether or not I would get a kick in the face for that back in the Afterlife. Hinata let out a chuckle, and said, "Yeah...But, to be honest... I'm happy this way." I looked up at Hinata, whom had a serious look on his face, for the first time since I met him.

"It's all thanks to you." he said, giving me a smile. I rubbed the back of my head, and said, "Eh, it was nothing." Hinata grinned, then looked down at Yui. "Well, Otonashi," he said, "We've got a baseball game to get to." I nodded, and walked over to him, setting my hand on his shoulder. "It's good to see you again." I said, and he nodded, putting his hand on my shoulder as well. "You too." he replied.

After Hinata and Yui had left, Kanade said to me, "It's thanks to you that they're together" I looked at her for a few moments, then I gave a smile. "Yeah...I guess so." I said. Kanade suddenly entwined her hand with mine, and looked up at me. "Yuzuru," she said, and I looked down at her, "We have a game to get to."

I tilted my head slightly. "What game?" I wondered out loud as she started to lead me down the sidewalk toward somewhere unknown to me.

I was surprised when we arrived at a baseball field. We headed for the dug-outs, and, once we were there, I was shocked by what I saw:

Everybody. In the dug-out sat Irie, Sekine, Iwasawa, Shiina, Yusa, Takeyama, Hinata, and Yui. I turned my head towards the field, where I could see even more familiar faces playing baseball... Noda, Matsushita 5th Dan, TK, Hisako, Fujimaki, Oyama, and Naoi...

"What..." I began to say, speechless. Everybody on the field stopped and turned towards me, and everybody in the dug-out stood up. I looked over at Hinata, who was grinning. "Come on Otonashi," he said, "We've been waiting for you."

Looking around, and seeing all the faces of those people I had met in the Afterlife...It gave me a warm feeling on the inside. As I headed into the dug-out everybody began to greet me. Irie and Sekine simultaneously said, "Hi Otonashi!", while Yusa and Takeyama settled with just a small, "Hello.", being the non-talkative people they were.

I looked over at Shiina, who was sitting in the corner, still looking bored and uninterested. "Hi, Shiina." I decided to say, and she looked up at me, before looking away and saying, "How shallow-minded..." I grinned, thinking that was probably the best I would get out of her.

"Hey, kid!" I heard someone yell. Looking out onto the field, I saw Noda standing there. "Are you going to stand there, or are you going to play with us?" he said mockingly. I raised an eyebrow, then looked over at Kanade who nodded. Turning back to Noda, I yelled back, "If you insist on losing!" Taking off my jacket, I ran out onto the field, and I began to get greeted by the others.

"It's nice to see you again, Otonashi." I heard a voice say, and I turned towards Matsushita. "Same for you, Matsushita 5th Dan." He grinned, and TK came up to me, doing his sort of odd dance as usual, and said, "Yo! Otonashi!" I tried best I could to copy his moves, and said, "Yo! TK!" The three of us began to laugh, and I could hear somebody clear their throat from behind me.

Turning, I saw Fujimaki standing there, looking at the ground. "Well," he said, walking over to me and looking at me, "I guess the least I can say is...Thanks." For a few moments, we stared at each other, then we both gave each other a grin, and shook hands. "O-Otonashi..." I could hear somebody say, and I turned to see Naoi standing there, tears in his eyes. "I-I never thought I'd see you again." he said, sobbing.

I walked over to him and put my hand on his head. "Well, here I am." I told him, and he looked up at me and smiled. "Well well, if it isn't the no-memory kid." I heard, and, turning around, I could see Hisako standing there, with a grin on her face. "I know I said it before, but...Thanks." she told me, and we brought our hands together as we had done before she left the Afterlife.

"This is all touching and stuff," I heard Noda's voice from behind, "But are we going to play or what?" I turned around, and walked up to Noda. "Hm...You don't seem as tough without your halberd." I commented tauntingly, and he had an annoyed look on his face for a moment. "Why you...You're lucky I can't kill you a thousand times here." he said. For a few moments we glared at each other, until he suddenly busted out laughing, and I followed suit.

He gave me a punch in the shoulder and said, "Although you're a brat, you did help me out, so...Thanks." I was surprised to hear that from Noda, seeing as he'd been hostile towards me a lot of the time in the Afterlife. His face suddenly changed to a sad one. "Although...Yuri..." he muttered. I set a hand on his shoulder. "I know you looked up to her," I said, "But I'm sure you'll always be in her memory."

Noda looked up at me and grinned, nodding. "Well, whadda' ya say we get this game under way?" he said, "You can bat first, Otonashi." I nodded, and headed over to the batter's box, where Oyama was being the catcher. "Oh, hey Oyama." I said, and he nodded towards me, saying "Otonashi, it's good to see you again!" He handed me a bat, and I took position, copying the stances I had seen on TV.

Everybody started to take their positions, and Noda stepped up to the pitcher's mound. "Alright squirt," he said tauntingly, "Here comes the heat!" From the dug-out, I could hear everybody beginning to chant, "Otonashi! Otonashi!" I looked over to it, and I could see Kanade standing there, smiling. She gave me a wave, and I waved back.

Turning my attention back to Noda, I began to feel at home... These people...My friends...This is my home now, with all of them...

Noda brought his arm back preparing for a pitch. As long as mine and Kanade's love last...And the bonds between all of my friends lasts...

He brought his arm forward, and the ball flew at me. I swung, and, at that moment, it seemed to go in slow motion...

Clink! The bat collided with the ball, and it swooped up in the air.

Our hearts will beat as one...

Three Strikes, You are Mine

2010-10-29T08:17:00.001-07:00

Hinata Hideki considered himself to be a pretty good player, really. He couldn't say he was professional, not yet, especially not as the child he was, but he had his dreams and that was what was important.

His laid back attitude on his playing, however, did allow for some off days.

This was one of them.

Hinata traced the baseball's trajectory with his eyes and felt his lungs creep into his throat. It was going, going, falling, falling...

"Ow!" The little girl at the crosswalk shrieked, hand instinctively going to the point of impact on her skull. She spun around so fast Hinata didn't even have it in him to think about running, hiding, or ducking for cover. The sudden absence of warmth at his side told him his practice-buddy didn't have any such problems.

The only word he could use to describe the girl he'd hit was pink. From her neon pink sandals to the very top of her head was pink. Her hair, her eyes, her tank top, her skirt, her socks. The overall picture made her look over the top girly, but Hinata met her angry eyes and saw a spirit that couldn't be tamed by the limits of her appearance.

"Did you hit that ball?" The girl shrieked at him. Her bespectacled friend beside her glared at him, looking just about ready to scold him until his head exploded, but she didn't step forward. The offended, though, looked just about ready to snap his neck and save him the trouble of a good finger-wagging, anyway.

Hinata was stuck with two choices: take responsibility for what he'd done, like Mommy said to, or deny it all the way.

When the girls' eyes locked onto the baseball bat his fingers limply clung to, he realized that his two choices were merely an illusion.

"I'll kill-!"

The girls enraged proclamation was cut off by the red sports car that sped down the street at a reckless, breakneck speed. Both girls lost their angered expressions, her friend's face falling short of any emotion at all, but the pink girl's expression betraying a twinge of terror.

Hinata didn't know those two girls. Those two girls didn't know him. But all three of them realized what had happened.

"If we hadn't stopped..." the pink-haired girl murmured, her back to the street, eyes wide, taking the boy before her in with a new light.

"...that could have been really bad." Hinata finished with a harsh exhale. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath.

The two girls' near-accident made him very aware of his heart beating, of every slow, full breath he took.

"...I suppose I should thank you."

Hinata blushed slightly. "Um, you don't have to-"

The girl in pink suddenly smirked something awful. "I said I should, but I'm not going to. That ball really hurt, you know!"

Her voice was strong, not a trace of her earlier trepidation remaining in it, but somehow, Hinata knew she was covering it up. He wasn't like his mother, couldn't read people like her, but he knew, somehow, that she was a mess of confusion beneath her exterior.

"Perhaps we should go, Yui-nyan..." her friend coaxed, gently pulling on her friend's arm. The girl in pink, Yui, for Yui-nyan couldn't seriously be her name, seemed a little hesitant before she nodded.

Before they left, however, Hinata watched Yui pick up the baseball. She examined it for a second or two before that wicked, unruly glint resurfaced in her eyes.

He may not have been able to cover for himself earlier, but he somehow managed to scrape up some sense to avoid the baseball zipping towards his face.

"That's strike one! If you get three strikes, you are mine!"

Hinata Hideki really, truly, hated his off days.

"Man, you really gotta stop doing this," his friend commented dryly. The both flinched when the baseball connected with the glass, flinched harder at the cracks that spider-webbed across its surface, and flinched hardest when the glass ultimately shattered.

Years ago he'd hit a girl with a ball. He figured his off days wouldn't be so horrific now that he had entered high school.

"Ah, crap!" Hinata screeched, throwing the bat down onto the plot of land with more force than the tool required for use.

"You hit the ball, you go get it."

Hinata really, truly, hated his friends on his off days.

He wasn't sure if the walk to the victimized house being short was a curse of a blessing. On one hand, he wouldn't have long to stew in his own guilty, fearful thoughts, but he was also cut short on time to think of a way to lessen the fury of the house's residents.

He knocked with stiff knuckles, steeled for the eruption about to overtake him.

There were footsteps behind the door. Hinata braced himself and silently said a prayer. When the door opened, Hinata cautiously looked up at the woman before him with her pink hair and pink eyes that looked almost eerily familiar.

She looked surprised to see a teenage boy at her door, and asked with curiosity and weariness in her voice, "I'm sorry, we're a little busy over here. Is there a reason you stopped by?"

Hinata would have loved to just walk away. This lady didn't realize that they were probably busy cleaning up after him, and he could walk away, free as a bird.

However...

"What is this?"

"M-mom...um...the guys from the team gave it to me..."

"No. No! How long have you been taking this?"

"O-only a couple of times."

Slap!

"You told me you weren't...Stop. Don't take them. Please don't. If you do, I'll...I'll make you quit...My baby...my baby can't..."

He refused to lie anymore. Making a grown woman cry was inexcusable, and if a simple lie had the power to bring such a strong woman to her knees, Hinata would stop.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. That's...that's probably my fault." Hinata wanted to sink into the flower-decorated welcome mat.

"Pardon?"

"It's...because of the baseball, isn't it?"

The woman's eyes grew wide and nostalgia struck him again. "Did you break our window?"

Hinata bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean it! I'm usually not so sloppy, I didn't know I'd hit your house!" The apologies spilled passed his lips with incredible speed. He almost wished he could hit a ball as fast as he could eke out embarrassed apologies.

The door opened wider. Hinata looked back up to see the woman smiling warmly at him. "I'm glad that you would come in person to apologize. What might your name be?"

"U-um, it's Hideki Hinata."

"Well, then, Hideki-kun, would you like to get your ball? Oh, and it was my daughter's window you broke, so I'm sure she'll have some things to say to you, as well."

The way she said that caused a current of fear to travel his spine, but Hinata choked it back and took a cautious step into the house, slipping out of his cleats and into a pair of guest slippers.

The woman led him to a room towards the back of the house and the first thing Hinata noticed, with a cringe, was the broken window looking out to the empty lot he often used to play at.

The second thing he noticed was a girl with pink hair, pink eyes, and just how well she blended in with the pink wallpaper.

"Yui, this is Hideki-kun. He's here to apologize for the window." When the girl looked affronted, her mother smiled. "Go easy on him, okay?"

The girl stood from her crouched position over the baseball-of-ruining-Hinata's-life and shards of glass. Her mother backed out of the room, leaving Hinata alone with her daughter.

"Yui..." he mumbled. The name and face of the girl was familiar, but he could hardly remember from where.

"You...you...you idiot! Look at my window! Look at my floor! Way to go, Captain Failure of the Failure High School Team of Failures!"

"Ah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to, honest!"

And then Hinata remembered. He remembered a girl who seemed to be genetically all pink with a spitfire attitude. He also remembered how she could have died the day he met her.

"Um...do you want me to help you pick up?"

"Whaaaat? No way! You're an idiot, an idiot that's either just gonna stand there or leave. I can do it myself."

Could it really be her? Really?

Yui bent down again and began gingerly picking up the bigger shards and discarding them into a trash bin (pink, like the rest of the room, and adorned with stickers that matched the Girls Dead Monster posters along her walls).

"Hey...Yui-san, can I ask you a question?"

"No."

Hinata frowned. If she was going to be that way...

"Well, I think I can. It's not like I need your permission."

"Why are you still here, idiot?"

Hinata bent down next to her and removed his baseball cap. He began scooping up the smaller pieces of glass with the visor and dumping them into the bin. He'd have to remember to make sure he got all the tiny pieces out of it later. "When you were younger, did a baseball stop you from getting hit by a car?"

"Ow!"

Hinata jumped and looked over at Yui, the girl having dropped all the shards she was holding, sticking her fingertip into her mouth. "Did you cut yourself?"

There was a pause before Yui nodded hesitantly. After another second she got up and crossed the room to a bedside table, pulling open a drawer and pulling out a box of band-aids. Hinata was surprised that the adhesive strip wasn't pink, but instead a baby blue.

"Hey...Hideki-kun, how did you know about that thing with the baseball?"

Hinata picked up his baseball and tossed it lightly at her after he saw the band-aid was applied. She caught it without preamble, but stared at him in question.

"Well, you see..."

"Oh my God!" Yui screamed suddenly. "It was you! You're the stupid punk that hit me!"

"Didn't I already apologize for that?" Hinata yelled back, consciously moving himself away from the scattered glass.

"You did not!"

Hinata felt something strike his head, hard, and for a moment he saw stars. "Ow! What was that?"

He looked down at the floor and saw his baseball rolling slightly before the carpet forced it to a stop.

Yui sneered at him, a fangy, smug expression that Hinata didn't like. "That's strike two!"

Hinata Hideki did not have any off days. Not since he joined the major leagues.

He swung the bat, warming his muscles.

"Just watch, you pink brat, I'll come out on top of every player when I get famous. And think, then you'll know a famous sports star. Maybe I'll get you free merchandise...if you're nice."

"Hinata, I'll go to your games, okay, but just know that you'll always be the stupid kid that sucks with a baseball to me."

"So mean. Even after all those years we spent trying to be friends in high school..."

"Shut up, we're not even friends! German suplex!"

"Ow! You're crazy, stop!"

"Hahaha! And Yui-nyan strikes again!"

"Enough with the Yui-nyan!"

Hinata grinned. He wondered if she would really show. Then, he wondered why it mattered.

He just knew that it did.

0000000000

When he saw her out in the audience during the last inning, he noticed two things: he wasn't sure how he found her at all and that it was astounding that he did, and that any recollection of what he was doing was completely gone.

Under the gleam of the stadium lights, her hair and eyes seemed to radiate something wonderful.

"Hinata!" one of his teammates cried. He turned just in time to see the pitcher wind up.

When the ball began to soar at him, Hinata knew he had it in the bag.

He also knew he had an evil, ingenious idea.

Doing one last, quick calculation, he swung the bat.

And he ran.

Someone was suddenly shouting, "It's out of here and into the crowd! Home run!"

He smirked. "Yeah, definitely into the crowd."

He looked up just in time to see Yui rubbing her head, clutching a baseball.

When the game was long over, Hinata stood alone at the pitcher's mound, staring at the dead lights and the empty stands.

Something cracked against his skull.

He didn't have to look to know it was a baseball. He didn't have to look to know who threw it.

"Well, Yui-nyan, is that strike three? Guess that means I'm all yours."

He turned around to look at her. She looked dumbfounded for a moment, but then her eyes became suspiciously moist. Hinata knew that he hadn't done wrong, though, because she was smiling.

My Most Precious Treasure

2010-10-29T08:15:00.002-07:00

No shy touch of the hands. No embraces. No kisses.

Strangely, they didn't feel too bad about this. Long strolls to view the blossoming flowers of the springtime's womb or to gaze fondly at the seagulls flapping their wings in the caress of the wind meant much, much more than a modest touch of the lips would have.

She couldn't walk, stand, or even move her arms. She was fully aware of her tragic condition. But he didn't care at all. Because she was Yui, and as long as she was Yui that was all that mattered to him.

It was evening, in a baseball field.

Yui watched in fascination as he swung his bat, and the baseball disappeared into amber skies. "Home run!" she shouted excitedly. Hinata caught her eye and grinned proudly in a boyish manner.

When the night-time chorus of the frogs and crickets began, and the sound of wheels and footsteps on asphalt was just barely heard in the boisterous concert, Hinata suddenly stopped and gazed up. Yui followed his example, and tilted her head upwards towards the dark heavens.

"Wow..." Hinata murmured in awe at the sea of priceless jewels that loomed high and proud above the world.

"Incredible!" Yui gasped excitedly. "It's always been one of my dreams to see the stars like this!"

"Dreams..." Hinata said hazily. "Say... Yui..." she momentarily focused on Hinata with a small smile. "What's your number one dream?"

She took a deep breath, deciding whether or not to tell. Finally, she uttered one word, "Marriage."

"Marriage... huh?" Hinata repeated, turning his gaze back to the stars and then to Yui once more. "Say... um..." He ran a hand through his hair nervously, his face heating by the second. "Yui... um... how to put this..." He shifted uneasily, unable to meet her eyes. "I... may I ask for—no... will you—" he met her eyes with a red face. "Can I... can I marry you?"

"Huh?" a blank expression came over her features, until she realized what he was asking. Her face turned pink with embarrassment, and she squeaked nervously. "But... but... why would you want to marry me o-of all girls? I-I can't do anything. I can't have ch-children. I can't move my arms or legs at all! I'd just be burdening you!"

Much to her shock, Hinata came closer and leaned down.

He hugged her.

"I don't care," he whispered in her ear.

No shy touch of the hands, no kisses, one hug, and one (accepted) marriage proposal.

Even After

2010-10-29T08:15:00.001-07:00

"I might have said it before, but I want to be with you," intoned the orange-haired boy solemnly as the sun streaked down the horizon in the distance, its rays slowly bearing down on the boy.

In front of him was a small, white-haired girl, looking at him passively with great interest in his words. She was standing on the stone steps on a level above him, looking down at the baseball diamond in the distance, where a few students could be seen playing a game. At the level she was standing, her eyes were level with the boy's eyes, looking at him intently as he began to speak once more.

"It's because I…" trailed the boy off into silence, courage not coming to him momentarily for him to say the words he so longed to tell the girl.

The girl took his fumble as an opportunity to walk down the steps past him, stopping a meter away from him as his eyes tracked her progress.

"I… really… love you," the boy said suddenly, an imploring look on his face.

Without waiting for the girl to react, the boy took a big step, in more ways than one, and hugged the girl, gently cradling her in his arms, leaning her against his chest.

"I love you," he whispered once more, loud enough for just the girl to hear him.

She didn't react despite being hugged, but after a short while, she closed her eyes and a small smile appeared on her lips. She snuggled further within his embrace, and she continued to smile serenely for a short while.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" asked the boy tentatively, afraid that his actions may have ruined their current friendship. The thought of losing her caused him to unconsciously raise his voice by an octave.

"I will not accept your feelings," said the girl softly.

The boy felt stunned to his very core; his worst fears were confirmed. Right here and right now, the girl he had grown to love over time, a time whose length he didn't even have the slightest idea of, bluntly said that she was not going to accept his feelings.

In a pained voice, he asked her, "Why?"

The girl opened her eyes, still not looking at the boy, yet still locked in his embrace.

"If I accept your feelings, I'm going to disappear from this place."

Confusion punctuated the boy's facial features, as he could only ask, "Why?"

"The reason that I came here to this place, this 'afterlife'… it was all to thank you, Yuzuru," said the girl.

"What do you mean?" asked Yuzuru, still gently cradling the girl's head in his hands.

"In my life, I was able to remain living because of your heart," said the girl softly, gently placing her hand on Yuzuru's chest.

She wriggled out of his embrace, and looked at the boy in front of her.

"Even now, your heart is beating in my chest," said the girl quietly, placing both of her hands on her chest. "My reason for being here… my life's regret was that I was never able to properly thank the person who saved my life by donating their heart for my operation."

She paused momentarily, and then continued.

"I wanted to tell that person badly how much I was indebted to them. I wanted to completely express my heartfelt thanks to the person who had donated their heart to save my life. That regret was so great that I was able to enter this 'afterlife', a place originally for people who weren't able to live out good lives due to the skeletons in their closets."

"No way…" whispered Yuzuru, completely stunned and blindsided by this revelation from the girl he had grown to love. As he died in the previous life due to starvation and dehydration following a train accident, he had indicated that his organs were available for recovery and transplanting on the health card in his wallet. The odds that the person he had saved in the previous life was the person he had fallen for in the "afterlife" was too staggering to consider. Some people would like to call such a thing as "destiny", or "fate".

"But… how did you know that my heart was the heart used in your transplant?" asked Yuzuru.

The girl walked by him and said,

"I realized it when you first appeared in this world, not knowing anything. You asked me to prove that you couldn't die, so I stabbed you, as you may recall. When that happened, there was a gaping void where your heart should have been. Even now, you don't have a physical heart; that heart is beating within my chest, a clear sign of the regret that led me to this world to begin with."

Yuzuru moved to stand beside the girl, who was looking down at a pool of shimmering water that was located on either side of the wide stone steps that led down to the terrace.

"But how were you able to pinpoint that the heart you received was mine?" asked Yuzuru.

"In the infirmary, when I was recovering from an internal battle that came about from absorbing the five-score of aggressive clones that Harmonics created. While you looked after me, you fell asleep on my chest, right above where my heart is located. Your body recognized the beat of its own heart, and you recovered your memories, which you told me about the moment you woke up," said the girl simply.

Yuzuru was stunned into silence, while the girl closed her eyes momentarily, contemplating her inner turmoil. She also loved Yuzuru, and she had already thanked him. If she accepted his feelings, she would disappear. She didn't know what choice to take; to ignore his feelings so that she could physically exist near him, or to accept his, and by extension her own feelings, disappearing from this world afterwards.

In a heartbeat like that of an angel, she knew the choice she would make. Opening her eyes, she continued to gaze down at the pool of water when she spoke.

"Please… Yuzuru," she said quietly, turning around slowly to face him with a smile on her face. "Say what you told me earlier once more."

The one action Otonashi Yuzuru would not want to repeat. He knew that if he told her what he felt about her once more, she would disappear from this world, leaving him behind. He didn't want that to happen.

""N-No! I can't do that! If I do that, you're going to disappear!" exclaimed Yuzuru in despair. "Your request is leaving me in despair, Kanade!" [1]

Undaunted, Kanade pressed on in her request; to hear the feelings of the person she truly loved once more so that she could finally be at peace.

"Please, Yuzuru!" pleaded Kanade.

A wave of anguish settled over Yuzuru, his hands on his chest.

"No… I just can't do it," he spat out, a pained look on his face, shaking his head vigorously.

"Yuzuru!" implored Kanade.

Yuzuru choked momentarily, and he knew that he had no choice. Tears began to drip from his eyes, while his facial muscles involuntarily twitched due to the bittersweet direction this was headed.

"Prove it to me! I want to also believe what you always believed, Yuzuru!" exclaimed Kanade, looking straight at his eyes. "Living is wonderful, you told me. So please, let me experience what you truly believed in."

And in a fell swoop, Yuzuru was won over against his own personal desires to have Kanade stay with him in this world. He closed his eyes for a few seconds while Kanade looked at him expectantly, the tears continuously flowing from them. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes a short time later; gritting his teeth at the deed he was going to do.

"Kanade… I love you," he whispered gently, belying his fears at what he knew was destined to happen.

He moved towards her and she moved towards him, and they met in the middle, embracing each other, trying to convey the fiery love they held for the other.

"Let's be together forever, Kanade," said Yuzuru, tears pouring down his face onto her shoulders, happy that she had accepted his love and sad that she was going to disappear from this world due to that same thing.

"Thank you, Yuzuru…," whispered Kanade into his chest.

"Stay with me forever… Please…," choked out Yuzuru, dreading the moment she would disappear from his sight.

"Thank you so much… for loving me," whispered Kanade.

"Kanade, I love you!" repeated Yuzuru, the anguish breaking further into his voice, as though he was imploring the heavens not to take Kanade away from him. He felt that the more he expressed his love for her, the more that God would take pity on him and let her remain with him.

She nodded, nuzzling his chest, and replied once more,

"Thank you so much for loving me…"

The two began to slip into calling each others' names, trying to convey the love they felt through saying each others' name repeatedly.

"Please, please, don't disappear on me, Kanade!" wailed Yuzuru in despair, sobbing uncontrollably now.

Kanade didn't mind in the slightest; she was cherishing this moment, a moment that she would surely remember when she crossed over into the next life.

"Promise me… Promise me that we'll meet again, Kanade. I don't care how, when, or where, but I want to meet you again, somehow," spluttered Yuzuru.

"This gift of life that you gave me… Thank you so much, Yuzuru," mumbled Kanade, nodding and nuzzling Yuzuru's chest for the last time.

In an instant, the weight that Yuzuru was cradling in his arms disappeared, and he nearly fell flat on his face due to his awkward position. He knelt on the ground, grabbing at the air, scrabbling for any remains of the girl he had held in his arms mere seconds before, but he found nothing. Not a trace of Kanade. It was as if she never existed, as if she never was in his arms, as if he never told her that he loved her, as if she never expressed that she felt the same way.

Yuzuru breathed wildly, a glazed look in his eyes, the tears still streaming uncontrollably from them. He looked skyward and hugged his own chest, an insurmountable void opening up within himself.

"Kanade!" he screamed in despair, looking skyward to a God he imagined to be there, sitting on his throne, knowing that he took away the thing he cherished the most on this world.

As Otonashi Yuzuru contemplated being alone for eternity in this world with the loss of Tachibana Kanade, he suddenly felt light; in fact, he felt like he was light itself.

"What's happening to me?" he looked at his body in disbelief.

He was rapidly disintegrating into light, and before he knew it, everything in his vision faded to white.

"Mom, I'll go shopping for today's dinner now!" shouted Hanazawa Kanade[2] as she changed from her indoor shoes into her outdoor shoes. "We'll need basil leaves for spaghetti al-pesto, right?"

"The money for the greens is on the counter by the door Kanade-chan!" her mother called from the kitchen as she began to make preparations for kani salad as well.

"Roger that Mom!" called back Kanade as she took the cash from the counter by the door. As she stepped out of the door, the glazing heat of the early afternoon sun bore down on her mercilessly.

"Oh dear; I'm going to need something to shield me from this ridiculous summer heat," she muttered to herself.

She dashed back inside the house to grab an umbrella and a wide-brimmed hat that she placed neatly on top of her neatly trimmed hair that barely reached her shoulders. She noted that it was fortunate that she chose to tie her hair in a ponytail and wear a skirt on this hot day and set out from her house on the outskirts of the city towards the urban shopping district.

It wasn't exactly within walking distance, and to her dismay, her bicycle was in the shop for repairs; an accident the week earlier had left one of the bike's inner tubes busted. She opened the umbrella and sauntered towards the bus stop where she would take a 5 kilometer bus ride to the shopping district.

When she arrived at the bus stop, she saw that it was deserted save for a girl in a tracksuit who appeared to be steadily sweating. Kanade guessed that the girl was jogging to or from somewhere, but under this ridiculous heat? She noticed the girl's yellow ribbon affixed on top of her magenta coloured hair and immediately thought that that ribbon would completely absorb heat. The girl's hair was about as long as Kanade's and something about the girl piqued her interest; it was as though she had seen her before. Oddly, she thought that she had fought this girl before… Oh but no, that was impossible. Kanade was one of the least violent people in her school; sure, she had 1st dan in Shotokan karate but she only fought in self-defense, and ever since she put an unarmed mugger her age in his place did she actually put her skills in combat to use. She sensed that this girl would be really great to spar with, she also felt an onee-chan vibe coming from her for some unknown reason.

Shoving all these irrational thoughts aside, she looked at the girl, who caught her looking at her. The girl with magenta-coloured hair raised an eyebrow, and Kanade looked away in embarrassment.

For the next three minutes she waited for the bus, she felt the girl's eyes appraising her, staring at her, when she finally heard the low rumble of a bus headed toward her direction.

"The Doppler Effect in action," she thought absentmindedly, trying to distract herself from the piercing stare she knew that the girl in the tracksuit had on her.

The bus stopped in front of the station and Kanade got on, giving the tracksuit girl one last look before she boarded the bus. Their eyes met and instantly, both of them knew that they had met somewhere before, but neither could remember the circumstances of this event.

As the bus sped away, Sakurai Yuri[3] was wiping her sweat off, only beginning to wonder where she had met the petite girl in a jacket and skirt before...

Kamiya Yuzuru[4] was late. He was supposed to arrive at the auto-store about ten minutes ago for his shift, yet he was still at his home, hurriedly dressing up in a white shirt, a jacket with the scheme of military fatigues, and jeans.

"Damn, the chief's really going to murder me for being late on a Saturday," cursed Yuzuru.

He had woken up late because he spent the entire evening and twilight hours playing a visual novel. He only fell asleep at 6 in the morning when he was fed up with getting bad ends repeatedly due to innocuous choices such as "watching TV" or "resting and having a snack" after dinner. When he finally got his clothing into order, he left the house in a hurry without bidding goodbye to his parents, cursing the name "Matou Sakura[5]" while he took a brisk walk towards the train station that he lived near to. He had to take a short train ride to get to the shopping district, where he worked in a Mitsubishi auto-store.

Lately, he'd been getting this weird feeling that this day would be an important day in his life, a day that would have a life changing experience occur or something along those lines. As he was standing in the train, he thought about his personal life all of a sudden.

He was quite popular in his school, and he'd often get confessed to by multitudes of girls. He'd always turn them down though, because he was a believer in the single-bullet theory. He felt that his heart had been in someone else's all along, and when he met that person, he would know that she was truly the one.

The train called out his stop and he jostled amongst the other passengers, exiting the station and headed towards the Mitsubishi shop where he worked, dreading the wrath that his boss would have in store for him. He walked briskly, not taking note of his surroundings, when he heard a tune that he swore he had heard once before.

naiteru kimi koso kodoku na kimi koso

tadashii yo ningenrashii yo

otoshita namida ga kou iu yo

konna ni mo utsukushii uso ja nai hontou no bokura o arigatou

He turned to his left and saw a petite girl in a blue jacket and skirt, her angelic white hair in a ponytail, a wide-brimmed hat on her head quietly singing the song while leaning against the wall. She took her phone out from her bag and opened it.

The girl then eased away from the wall and she began to walk away, leaving Yuzuru to ponder just how he knew that song.

"My Song...," muttered Yuzuru to himself.

At that moment, it hit him; this girl was suddenly very interesting to him. He threw away all his worries for being late for work and turned around, walking briskly so as to catch up with the girl who was walking away. He reached her and extended his right hand, gently touching her on her left shoulder.

"Uh, excuse me, do I know you?" inquired Yuzuru in a gentle tone.

The girl turned to face him and their eyes met. In that instant, Yuzuru knew that she was the one, the girl that had his heart. He didn't know how that was possible, but he just knew.

A faint memory stirred within him, and he knew that there was one way to check if he was right.

"Yes?" inquired the girl timidly, looking at him.

"Can I ask you… What is your first name?" asked Yuzuru nervously.

The girl, sensing no hostility whatsoever from Yuzuru, felt that she could trust him enough to tell him her full name.

"My first name is Kanade. My name is Hanazawa Kanade. If it's not too much trouble, could you also introduce yourself to me?" asked Kanade.

Yuzuru's heart jumped in his chest; he was right, she was the one. At that moment, everything came back to him; the events of the "afterlife", his time with the SSS, and most of all, the days where he fell in love with Tachibana Kanade. Though her last name was different, he was sure that it was her. Keeping calm, he said in a steady voice,

"My name is Kamiya Yuzuru. Pleased to meet you… Kanade."

The girl's eyes grew wide and suddenly they shimmered in tears; tears that began to cascade down her face uncontrollably.

"It's you, Yuzuru. After all this time, it's you. I've been waiting my entire life for this moment, the moment where we'd meet again, Yuzuru," whispered Kanade softly.

"It was a promise, remember, Kanade?" chuckled Yuzuru.

"Yes. Yes it was a promise Yuzuru," mumbled Kanade as she moved forward and hugged Yuzuru, dropping the umbrella she held in her hands.

People began to stare at them but they didn't care; against all odds, Otonashi Yuzuru and Tachibana Kanade had met again in the next life.

"Kanade… I love you," said Yuzuru.

"And I love you too, Yuzuru," replied Kanade, tiptoeing and kissing him on the lips.

Another Goodbye

2010-10-29T08:08:00.002-07:00

"When that happens, can you please take care of me in exchange for my mother who is trying so hard taking care of me?" Yui talked, bending her head, tears sliding in her cheeks.

"Leave that to me." Hinata answered, smiling. Not showing the hurt in his face.

"Thanks."

(10 seconds passes by) Hinata's P.O.V.

"Why didn't you disappear, baka?" I shouted at her loudly.

"Simple. I changed my wish." Yui said, sticking her toungue out.

"Why you little..!" I murmured. I raised my hand to smack her in the head but then she interrupted.

"What an award winning performance you just did, senpai." She talked, picking the baseball club while smiling.

"Y-Yeah..well.. Ahehe." I stuttered. The hand I was raising went directly to me head and scratched.

"What're you gonna do now? I didn't disappear. I'm a little bothered about it though." Yui spoke, facing me. With her vampire teeth sticking out.

"If you're bothered about it, then why did you changed your wish?" I talked, rasing one eye-brow.

"'cause. I felt like it!" She exclaimed, raising her arm and started patting my back. Very hard.

"Ouch,ouch. It hurts! Pat me lightly will you? I'm gonna be kind now." I hissed. Closing my eyes tightly.

"Y'know, that's the reason why I didn't tell you about my feelings." She stopped. Looking straight in the ground.

"Reason? What, that I'd be kind and would try not to hurt you? Hey, don't be silly. No way in hell I'll be easy on you. I got some revenge to do anyway." I answered, cracking my fists.

"Revenge? What do you mean?" She asnwered, stepping away from me. As if terrified.

"Haha, you wish I'd forgive you for not asking me to teach you baseball. I'm a pro, y'know."

"No, I didn't know you're a pro. Plus, I don't want someone to teach me baseball if he's stupid." She said to me, smirking evily.

"You idiot. Let's do it, then? Let's see whose good." I answered, twirling my right arm.

"Nah. You'll probably just lose anyway."

"Where does this confidence come from? It's annoying." I said, crossing my arms in my chest.

"Where does it come from really? That's what's also in my mind. Coincedence, do you think?"

Yui started laughing.

"And here you are, laughing like an idiot. Is something funny? Or is there something in my face or something?" I asked, furious.

"Nah, nothing. Just help me pick up this balls." Yui said, serious. She then bend and picked another ball. Straighting again, bent, and picking another ball.

This is going to take ages.

And that's when I decided silently to help her pick some balls. Then some giggle and chuckle interrupted our cleaning. These two idiots; Otonashi and Yurippe.

"What are you two laughing in there?" I shouted at them; clearly furious.

"No, nothing at all."

Two days ago, I learned that this two are madly in love with each other. In other words, they are dating. I found them kissing in the roof top. I almost pissed my pants when Yurippe said 'I love you' to him. She so girly that time that it left me... uncomfortable.

"Che, you guys. Just help us will you? And you -" I pointed at Otonashi "you're responsible for this. It's you teaching her baseball. You better help!" I exclaimed.

"What if I wont?" He shouted back. Holding Yuri's hand.

"Hmm." I grinned and threw a ball at him. Unfortunetly, it missed and he looked at me terrified.

"Just help! I'll set you guys for a date! Promise!" I waved at them and looked at Yui whose about to be finished picking up balls.

"No! Alright! You guys, no need. We're almost done! See ya at the office!" I waved at them and then they showed disappointed expressions and waved back.

"Otonashi-san and Yuri-chan are dating right?" Yui talked, putting the last ball to the basket.

"Yep. They are. Just like us." I grinned trying to hide the blush forming in the bridge of my nose.

"Like us. Yeah." She said, taking my hand.

I looked at her lips. I have my free arm caress her cheeck and I try to reach for a kiss but then she looked back.

"Ah! The rehearsal is already starting! I need to go. See yah!" She let go of my hand and kissed my cheeck and waved.

And she's off. I wonder what's her wish..

(A/N: Does time exist there? Leave the answer to the review. Mwah. Chubachuchu.)

(Months later; Evening) Yui P.O.V.

"Ugh! Yui! Please! Try to sing without your guitar!" Hisako exclaimed at me. Scartching her head for the 10th time.

"Ehh?" I moaned "But I can't concentrate.." I answered, pouting slightly.

"Just try it!" And she smacked me on the head. Senpai... come already...

"Delivery!" A boy banged the door open.

"What- oh. Yui-chan it's definetly for you." Erie faced and talked to me.

"Oh. Senpai!" I exclaimed. I placed the guitar, waved to my band mates and took his hand.

"Finally. I need some freedom there y'know."

"Well, thanks to me, you have it." He laughed evily.

"Not."

"Yeah sure. You have your own right to decide wether or not you believe me."

It was quite for a long time.

He chuckled and talked; "We still haven't kissed, you know."

That shocked me. It was the first time he mentioned the word kiss. And of course, I won't let him. Cause if he will, I'll disappear. Even if it's just a kiss.

"I know. Whose fault is it anyway?" I shrugged.

"Yours, I guess."

"Yeah, maybe." I said sticking my tongue out.

Another moment of silence.

"Can I kiss you right now?" He asked all of a sudden.

I widened my eyes. I blinked not once, but thrice. Unable to believe my ears.

"W-well.." I stuttered.

"I already know your wish, Yui." He spoke, facing me now. His face serious.

"If you know, then why?"

"Cause you look troubled. I promise to fulfill the things I said to you. Dating you, marrying you, everything." He took my other hand and kissed it.

"L-later. After the concert. P-promise." I stuttered. I shaked my hand and ran, blushing.

(CONCERT)

"... Ichiban no Takaramono. " Yui sang, her voice echoing in the gymnasium while the students cheered and others gossiping why she decided to use a accoustic song.

"Why do I have this vibe she'll disappear?" Yuri talked to Otonashi who was sitting in the second floor while sipping tea.

"Yuri, we know what's Hinata's plan for Yui. He wants her to disappear. He wants her to be at peace. He wants her to be there at the living world waiting for him throwing some balls in her window. Let's just leave it to him okay?" Otonashi answered, putting his feet in the other chair.

"I know, I know. But it's just weird. Speaking of which, why are you here? Aren't you suppose to be outside guarding?" She turned around, her eye brows raising.

"Resting. Skipping work. That's all."

"Get your butt right there, now."

"Alright, alright." Otonashi stood, switching places with Hinata. "My turn, pal." He said. "Yeah." He answered, high fiving.

"Yui, it's time." Hinata said, taking Yui's hand as she came down in the stage.

"Haah, Today was very intense. My throat's all dry now." Yui spoke, getting a bottle of water and drank it.

"The song is cool. But why did you choose it?" Hinata talked, walking towards the entrance which led them to a garden.

"Nothing. Out of boredom. Teehee~" She smiled, wiping a sweat forming in her head.

Hinata started laughing.

"What's so funny, senpai?" Yui remarked, smacking him in the shoulder.

"Nothing. I just find the scene funny." He answered. Running a hand in his long blue hair.

"Phew, that was a long walk!" Yui exclaimed as they sat on a bench facing the football ground.

"Indeed." Hinata seconded.

Moment of silence.

"Is it already time?" Yui asked.

"Are you ready?" Hinata faced her, his feet crossed.

"Yeah. Just nervous a little."

"Then let's do it. But before commence it, I wanna say something to you."

"Yes?"

Hinata breathed, and exhaled.

"Yui, I love you heart and soul and if you ever forget me in the living world, you'll be facing the consequence."

"Consequence, indeed." She started laughing, and the she suddenly stopped. She faced him with tears threatining to fall "I love you too."

Hinata placed his hands on either side of her cheeks and caressed it gently. And then, he kissed her. It was a long passionate kiss. And all of a sudden, everything went blank. The girl he was just kissing diappeared, living no mark, except the heat of the kiss and her oh, so sweet scent.

"Rest in peace, Yui. Remember, I love you." He stood up and walked away as if nothing happened. But his eyes was full of tears. Trying not to cry. He closed his hands and shouted;

"I LOVE YOU YUI! I'LL SEE YOU IN THE LEAVING WORLD!" And he walked away.

Beat For You

2010-10-29T08:08:00.001-07:00

This world is a sad, yet kind, place.

The souls of the children with regrets gather here so they can fulfill what they could not do while alive. They are given a chance to let go of their lives and pass on peacefully.

When I discovered this, I too, wondered at my existence in this world.

When would I be able to say "thank you" to that person?

When would I be able to let go of my regrets?

I waited in this world, presiding over the children who came here. I managed the rules to give them the experience they could not have while they were still alive. Because, every day, the heart inside me reminded me of my past, and my regret. My wish.

I waited, for that person.

And one day, he came.

It was fun, wasn't it?

These memories I was allowed to share with you, these moments I had with the friends you helped me make, this world, where our regrets disappeared.

It was wonderful, wasn't it?

I'm glad we were able to meet. I'm glad that I was able to fall in love with you. I'm glad I was able to thank you.

I'm glad I was able hear those words from you.

I'm glad I was able to hear you say, "I love you."

Even now, while the tears run down your face and into my hair, even as you embrace me with all your might, I'm happy. Because you were the one who fulfilled my wishes, I'm content. Because you were the one who helped me accept my regrets, so I have none.

So, don't cry, Yuzuru. We'll definitely meet again.

Because…

Can't you hear this heart, Yuzuru?

This heart which you gave me, this heart which was yours.

Ever since we met… couldn't you hear?

This heart it…

Beat for you.

Thank you.

Cars whiz by on the busy street. The girl leans against the wall, humming a tune. She can't remember where she heard it from, but it is a kind song, a warm song, a hopeful song. She leans, she waits. She's waiting, for something to happen. And as she waits, she hums.

The boy walks by. She is just another girl on the street.

But then he hears the song.

He stops.

He turns.

Somewhere, in his mind, a heart is beating.

Sayonara

2010-10-29T08:05:00.001-07:00

Tonight was the last day to see our friends and family to have fun. Tomorrow, Akihisa, I and the other boys are off to fight in the war. I tried not to dwell on that fact and attempted to focus on the band that was playing onstage, Girls-Dead-Monster.

I casually looked around trying to spot my pregnant wife, Shouko. Entering the room was my Shouko, and Hideyoshi's Minami and Akihisa's Mizuki. The three of us quickly walked to the door and embraced them. After our greetings were said we all went to the dance floor with our respective partners.

As we slowly twirled around the dance floor, I couldn't ignore this feeling in the pit of my stomach. I looked into Shouko's soft sapphire eyes and noticed she was crying. I lifted my hand to wipe away her tears, but she placed her hand over mine to keep it in its place. After another song, I decided to ask her why she was upset.

"Shouko," I whispered gently. "What's wrong?"

Sadly, it seemed that fate wasn't on my side. Time passed by so fast and it was already time to leave. I quickly gave my wife one more hug and a kiss.

"Don't worry, I'll be home soon. I love you." I flashed at her my special smile that was only meant for her.

That was the last time I saw her. The following morning we were already loading into the boats and being separated into teams. I was placed in the one that was the first to attack. The other guys were in a separate boat. The early morning was very cold. Every breath I took felt like I swallowed a handful of needles. We were slowly approaching our destination. It was a small island with many mountains and had very dense dark green forests; A perfect place for cover and to hide. Everyone around me was tense. Some men were saying quick prayers and others were chatting amongst themselves. I looked over at the boat Akihisa and Mussolini were. They both looked grim and tense.

The waves started getting more violent as we got closer to the shore. We finally were able to get off the boat and everyone crouched low and started running. As soon as our feet touched the sand, shots from all around were being fired at us.

We all dove onto our bellies and crawled to what little cover we had. Akihisa's commander, Noda was leading one group towards the mountains.

"Come on men, move it!" Noda's voice rang out with authority.

With my gun held close to my chest I started running to the left side of the island for protection. After a few feet, I felt a sharp pain on the left side of my body.

My legs gave out and I collapsed to the ground. I was on the floor gasping in pain. As I looked around me, I noticed the body count was rising and rising. Slowly we were getting killed off.

"Yuuji! Yuuji!" three voices yelled my name. They sounded so familiar.

I was trying to stay conscious and focus but the pain was making that difficult. I looked for the source of the voices and realized it was my brothers calling my name. They were yelling something else, but the gunfire made it impossible to hear them.

"...Yuuji, Yuuji! Let me go TK, my buddy is out there. Hideyoshi do something!" Akihisa yelled frantically while being restrained by his blond teammate.

"No, let me through! I'm not going to let him die!" Let go!" Hideyoshi roared while being pinned to the ground by five men. They both looked like they were about to cry. They knew what was going to happen.

"Yuuji! Stay with me Yuuji!" A soft female voice commanded as she started to put pressure on my wound that was bleeding heavily.

"Yuuji, look at me." I tried to focus on her face and noticed it was Shiina, Mussolini's girlfriend, with Mussolini right beside her. I cried out in agony as Shiina pressed harder on my wound.

"Oh god, no…" Mussolini whispered to himself as he assessed the rest of my body.

"Yuuji, I don't think you're going to last much longer. You lost too much blood." Her voice cracked at the end as she started to cry.

"Shiina, please do me a favor. Please, tell Shouko and my newborn kids that I love them and that I'm sorry but, I won't be able to keep my promise. I'll always watch over them. Oh, and please t-t-take care o-of them, especially Akihisa that baka." I finally choked out my sentence. I violently started to cough up blood. My breathing started getting much more shallower and I could feel my energy leaving me quickly.

The world was spinning and my head was pounding. My injury was throbbing and I was hyper-aware of everything that was happening around me.

"No, No… NO!" There was this deafening yell coming from both Akihisa and Hideyoshi as they tried to come to my aid.

"Alright, Yuuji… I'm so sorry…" She tried to hold back a sob while turning away into Mussolini's embrace, with Mussolini tearing up as well.

"I l-love you g-guys…" With that final thing said, I took one more deep shallow breath and closed my eyes and let sleep claim me.

10 Drabbles of the Lives Yuuji and Shouko

2010-10-29T08:04:00.002-07:00

I didn't mean it.

I thought I was fucking Hideyoshi, not bad a dream by the way.

Until I woke up that morning to find her in bed, naked.

I screwed up big time. It wasn't Hideyoshi I fucked, I fucked Shouko instead.

Based on the blood on my bed, it was probably her first time.

"Screw You Akihisa!"

Stalkers, cowards and Singapore

Graduation came, and I decided to go to Singapore to study, mostly to get away from Shouko.

Those guys, especially a baka like Akihisa and girls like Minami and Mizuki, will call me a coward for all I care, it's not like I wanted it anyway.

At Singapore however, just when I found a cheap place to stay, I heard from Kouta (or Mussolini) that, Shouko is going to Singapore too!

Tenant, frugality and a freaking huge sword

I was staying with this man, Xiong, who works at the hawker centre at the void deck at the HDB block where I am staying.

Seriously, if it weren't for my English grades, I would find it difficult to communicate with him, with his half baked Japanese and all.

I saw a really huge sword hanging on the wall near his bed in his bedroom, and all sorts of plastic figures and doujinshis that only otakus would buy. It only makes sense where he gets his money from, being a frugal person and all.

Wait a minute; aren't I getting out of point here?

Hunters, friend's daughter and demons

He seemed kind of excited all of a sudden on a common Wednesday.

He told me that, a really cute Japanese girl is coming to his house to stay, that was a daughter of one of his demon hunter colleagues back at Japan.

She is coming this Saturday.

Hold on, Xiong is a Demon hunter? He is kidding me right?

But with that huge sword in his bedroom, that makes sense.

Night, project work and Shouko

It was Saturday, but I had to do a project with some of my new classmates at school. I got home at about 9 p.m., just a few steps away to my apartment however, I saw her!

"What the hell is Shouko doing here?"

Tried to run, but bumped into Xiong, he called to Shouko as if he knew her, wait, he did know her.

"Great, I am so fucking screwed."

Death, family and pregnancy

I did not know what to expect, Shouko and I are now staying in the same apartment and sitting on the same sofa, with her clinging on to me.

She held onto my right arm with a grip so tight, that I can feel my arm losing blood.

I think I felt a bump somewhere near Shouko's waist.

Xiong then told me the reason why Shouko came here.

"My friends, her parents are killed by a dangerous demon back at Japan, to make sure that the demon did not get to her, they had her sent to Singapore, under my care, as you know, Singapore customs officers can be strict, but they could never detect a demon, let alone outfight it."

I really didn't care about the whole demon thing, but seriously, her parents killed? Shouko sure has some whacked family.

There is also something about Shouko I need to ask Xiong.

"Is she pregnant?"

After a few seconds of silence, he fainted.

Love, conscience and comfort

Later that night, I tried to ask Shouko the same question, where I noticed that she changed, she turned timid, and a little autistic, the Shouko I know would be more violent, after all, I did sleep with her and left her alone afterwards. Right now, she didn't even say a word ever since she arrived.

I figured that, if she really is pregnant, then she would be carrying my child, I was the one who took her chastity anyway.

Suddenly I felt something drop on my hand, something wet, and I saw tears started flowing out of her eyes.

"It's okay Shouko, I will never leave you and our child, I swear that something bad will happen to me if I were leave before you." I calmly said as I held her in my arms, and let her cry all she wanted.

I didn't know what came over me.

Was it sympathy?

Was it guilt?

Or was it love?

Devastation, love and UMA

On Sunday morning, I was woken up by Shouko, who cheered up a bit and it seemed that her smile came back.

"Good Morning Yuuji, here is your breakfast." She said, offering me the local Singaporean breakfast, a pair of deep fried doughsticks called "Youtiao" and soy bean milk, all properly served on a tray.

As I ate, Shouko asked me whether there is anymore she can do, accepting her offer (after all I said and done, I found out that I could never refuse her anymore.) I asked her to switch on the TV (I slept with her at the living room yesterday.), the news are on TV, with English subtitles.

Shouko and I as well as Xiong, who came out of the toilet, were horrified at the sight on the TV.

"Tokyo was attacked by a ferocious, giant UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal), Japan used everything she had to fight the monster, and the entire Kanto region was also attacked by a large army of what it appears to be zombies, presumed to be summoned by the UMA..."

For a minute, I thought that, whatever Xiong said about demons, is true.

I really am getting out of point here!

Baka, two-timers and lucky bastards

Out of fear and concern for the others, especially Akihisa, I had to get them here with us, that is, if they are still alive.

I received an email from Akihisa and he is coming here with Minami and Mizuki, now part of his harem.

That lucky son of a bitch! He nailed 2 girls at once! Not bad for a baka!

Hey! Wasn't this about us?

Marriage, friends and twins

First came Akihisa, Minami and Mizuki, then came Hideyoshi and Yuuko, then finally came Mussolini.

All of a sudden, all of us are all staying at Xiong's apartment, until it is safe to return to Japan.

Thank goodness he has spare mattresses.

Even though it was noisy, but at least every one is here safe and sound, Shouko's tummy is getting bigger and we had a lot of fun guessing the gender and naming the child. I took Shouko to her check up yesterday and it turns out, she is carrying twins! Finally, we are getting married this weekend as well! Talk about total happiness! I must be on a lucky streak or something.

I hope that the UMA will not come here this weekend.