Hello Everyone! Wow guys my last Fic Lock and Key got some good feedback and some of requested a full series. Now so you know this one will contain some spoilers from season two, but I'm not going to follow that all I'm going a whole new direction with it for the sole purpose of it being only a RakuXChitoge pairing. I will blab more on the bottom so I'll allow you to read!

As Always Everyone please support the Official Release and Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing from this show nor it's characters... obviously

It was summer vacation, the sun was out, kids were playing in the water, high school students were planning trips to the beach, or to hang out. Yet there was a group of girls who were grouped together in an empty classroom. The conversation was less than lighthearted than was being talked about outside while students left for their summer vacation. Instead these girls were now standing with harsh cold reality. Marika had finally told them what she had been hiding ever since she came to this school.

All the girls stared in shock of Marika's confession…. She was slowly dying and was told she would have less than a month to live. Chitoge stood there with a dumbfounded looking her eyes, Tsugumi had a straight face, but you could tell her eyes were full of sorrow. Kirosaki was shedding tears down her face, while Haru was trying to comfort her older sister while she herself was shedding tears. How could this girl with so much passion and will have only a month to live?

"Are you serious?" Chitoge looked right into Marika's eyes and waited for an answer.

"Indeed I am." She replied with a sorrowful look "I would not lie about such a thing."

For Chitoge she couldn't help but speculate knowing the girls' trickster personality, but all the signs were there that she was telling the truth. In truth she had been looking paler as the school year went on and her time spent here. Chitoge just didn't want to believe it, she wanted it to be some kind of prank held by this girl. Yet she knew that this girl before her was truly dying inside.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?! We could have helped!" Chitoge exclaimed

"How?" Marika looked at her with a firm gaze that made Chitoge stop "My father is by no means pour or even middle class. He tried his best to find a cure, putting whatever he could into finding a cure for my disease, and yet here I am still. I didn't say anything earlier because it was starting to fade away with my current treatment, but it merely came back and stronger. That is why now I come to you all to grant me one request."

"Anything Marika." Kirosaki agreed with tears in her eyes "How could we not?"

"Onodera is right." Tsugumi finally spoke "It would be very rude, and even though we may have not gotten along we are still friends."

Marika looked around at the girls feeling warmth in her heart knowing she had great friends. She felt a burning sensation around her eyes and found that they were tears beginning to form and fall. She moved her hands to her eyes and wiped the tears away before they had their chance to fall. She would remain strong through this ordeal, she had promised herself that she would.

"I would like to spend at least one week with Raku." She finally said "Despite all our hardships I truly do love him and that would make me happy."

The girls all looked at one another, and each had a small smile on their lips. Of course they would grant her this there is no sense in this petty rivalry. This is one of her last wishes how could they not grant her this?

"Do you really think that we would say no?" Haru spoke looking at Marika with a smile

Marika shrugged a little and everyone giggled for a little. This is one of the few occasions where they agreed on something and really shared a common laugh with one another.

"I also have one more request." Marika said after calming down and putting on a more serious face "You cannot tell Raku what my condition is."

Chitoge was first to speak up "That's not fair to him Marika. Even though everything we've been through he still cares about you I thought you would be the one to tell him first?"

"It's the fact that he does care and would fight against it." Marika responded making everyone silent, they all knew it was true "You know as much as I do that he does whatever he can do to help us when we're in trouble. It's who he is, and it's the reason we fell in love with him is it not?"

Once again the girls stood there in silence. They all knew how he would react with the situation, he would fight as hard as he could to save her and only end up getting hurt more. They all remembered the times Raku had come to their aid or made them feel better as if they truly meant something to someone. He may not realize but he has helped more than they could ever be thankful for.

"Alright Marika." Chitoge spoke "I won't tell him but you should when you feel it's right."

"I will Chitoge I'm not that cruel, after all I truly believed he would be my future husband." Marika cast her eyes down

It was really now that she realized she would never to get have that dream, no matter how much she fought against fate. The thought pained her so much that she was about to shed tears that she has fought to keep in but in flash of gold she enveloped within a hug from Chitoge. One by one the other girls wrapped Marika in heartwarming hug. When the hug broke off Chitoge was still there resting her forehead on Marika's.

"I just want you to know that we will take care of him." She whispered to her

With tears still threatening to fall she whispered back "I know you will, but one more thing Chitoge….. I still hate girls with long hair."

Chitoge started to giggle, and ended up in a laugh along with Marika. Everyone else got pulled in to the infectious laughter. This was truly one of last times that Marika would be able to truly laugh from the heart with these girls.

. . .

"So what's this all about Marika?" Raku let out exasperated sigh being tugged by the ever persistent Marika

"Just some alone time with me that's all!" she responded with a smile "You're always spending time with the others, why not me?"

"I never really saw it that way you were always there at some point." Raku said with a confused look "But you seem to have your mind made up so I'll go along with it. Where shall we go?"

Marika giggled a little and pulled Raku to a nearby restaurant "My father got us reservations for here lets go!"

"Alright alright geez calm down." Raku said with a slight chuckle "She must really been wanting to do this, well whom am I to object."

Marika had been planning this even before she asked the girls for this week, but she just wished it wasn't under such grim circumstances. This whole was planned from this Monday till this Sunday. She would make sure it would go through unless Raku wanted to contribute which she would indeed hope he would. Though this time through her goal isn't make him fall in love, no it's just to be with him as much as she can.

The entire day they did everything that was on her list for the day. They went all around town window shopping and even did a little bit actual buying. Marika was enjoying every moment of it. She didn't want the day to end but sadly the sun began to set in the horizon. She was sad, but was instantly happy when Raku offered to walk her home to her penthouse. As they walked it was in comfortable silence. Marika had a small smile on her face thinking of what she would do tomorrow.

"Hey Marika?" Raku asked as they continued to walk

"Yes?" Taken out of her thoughts by his voice

"I was going to ask Chitoge and the others tomorrow, but instead would you like to do something with me tomorrow?" He asked in a sorrowful tone, but it was related to her but to the event in which it was

Marika didn't notice but nodded her head eagerly, she was being invited by him and they would be alone "Of course wherever you want to go!"

He nodded in return "Be sure to wear something nice tomorrow ok?"

"Of course I'm a proper lady." She held her head high

. . .

She found him standing by the bus stop in rather nice clothing, a nice jacket with a white dress shirt, khaki dress pants. He was also holding flowers in his hand and incense. He looked over and saw her and waved her over.

As she got closer she spoke "Did I make you wait long?"

He shook his head "No not all right on time actually here's out bus."

She looked at the bus in confusion but nodded in understanding. When they boarded and the bus took off she waited till they were out of the city to finally ask "Where are we going Raku?"

He looked at her for a moment and finally said "To my mother's grave, today is her anniversary with my dad and her death."

She sat there in shock. That explained a lot, she had always wondered why he never really talked much about his mom around anyone. Though another thought crossed her mind, fate has a cruel sense of Irony and humor. Yet she didn't look down on the moment any less because she was happy that he had decided to do this with her and not anyone else. Though she was confused as to why. She did not question it any further, for the fear she would slip up on her end. This would definitely not be the best time to reveal that to him.

For the rest of the trip they remained in silence. When they reached the memorial it was any normal one you could see. This surprised Marika, with his family's funds they should be more capable to get a grander grave than this.

"I don't remember much about my mother, but I was told by my father she was more stubborn than him." He chuckled "She died four years after my birth."

"How sad." Marika nodded "I always wondered why you never talked about her."

"Well it was because I really didn't know much about her." He said with a small smile "I asked and I would get so many different stories from everyone."

"Sounds interesting tell me." Marika urged him on and so he did

For the next hour he recollected all the stories about his mother that he had required and remembered. At the end they finally rested the flowers upon her grave and burned the essence paying their respects. The slowly made their way back to down to the bus stop to catch the bus back to town.

"How come your father didn't come?" Marika asked

"If he is seen in this town he would be immediately throne out he is not allowed back here thanks to his 'business'" He air quoted "So I come here and pay our respects for both of us. It's the least I can do for my family."

"I thinks that's very good of you Raku." Marika said with a smile and they boarded the last bus homeward bound.

. . .

I has been two days since their trip to the memorial and both Raku and Marika have done lots of things over the course of them and Marika couldn't be happier except for the pain in her back.

"I don't what it is." She murmured to herself as she sat in her room waiting to go meet with Raku to go the theme park today. "I've taken my pain medication so it should be going away by now."

Starting yesterday when she tripped on her dress when climbing stairs she fell wrong and something in her back pinched. It almost made her break down, but she held strong and finished the day. Now it was nothing but a dull ache now, but it was still there and that is what concerned her the most.

"I can't cancel anything now or he'll be suspicious and I'm not ready to tell him yet." Raku had almost caught her with her illness when she was taking medication and for the rest of the day he was cautious, but he still went along with it.

"I will not be giving this up because of a little pain, I've waited so long for this and I will not waste the time they gave." She balled her hands into fist and put on face and walked out of her room shutting the light off, for one last time.

As she walked out into the sun she felt the heat hit her all at once. It was almost impossible to breath but then a cool breeze blew through. Today was the perfect time to go to the theme park. She'd always wanted to go with him and today was that day. She waved down a taxi and it took off towards the theme park where they were supposed to meet. She exited the Taxi and found him waiting patiently on a bench in a nice pair of jeans, and short sleeve t-shirt.

"Raku!" She called over to him "Sorry to make you wait it was terrible traffic." She lied

"It's alright it wasn't too long of a wait." He said with a smile "Now let's go! I've been itching to go all day!"

She giggled at his childish behavior and obliged him. The walked up to the gate and Marika showed the passes to the guard and she let us through without another word or search. Which struck Raku as odd but Marika had that taken care of ahead of time that 'guard' was her personal assistant. As they entered it almost seemed that Raku was going to jump right of his shoes it was cute to her.

"What do you want to go on first Raku? Since you've never been I'll let you decide." Marika said over to the excited teen

"Alright how about a slow start? Those over there look fun!" He pointed over to a ride that were shaped like giant green and red apples that spun around.

"Alright let's go!" Marika replied with a smile.

They rushed over and got in line, and soon there were in their own apple. In the middle was a simple metal plate attached to a pole that went through the floor. Curious Raku grabbed ahold of the metal plate and tugged. The apple ever so slowly began to turn, and with bit more of a tug it made a full spin.

"Oh I get it!" Marika giggled and grabbed the center piece

"Wait! Marika NO!" Raku tried to stop her but it was too late

They were spinning around and around to the point the only one laughing was Marika and Raku was trying to hold in his breakfast. Then the ride itself began to spin, only making matters worse for Raku.

"MAKE IT ST…." Raku tried to shout but if he opened his mouth now he would truly lose his breakfast.

The ride only lasted merely a minute but to Raku it felt like an eternity. When the ride came an end their apples was still spinning, but Marika easily stopped it by grabbing the wheel, and it came to a halt. Raku was thrown from the ride, right through the Exit gate and landed on the ground. Marika got off as if nothing was wrong in fact she was laughing and enjoying herself.

"You're right Raku that was fun let's keep going!" She laughed and walked over to him

He was going to shout but seeing how happy she was he couldn't bring himself to do so. So he smiled and laughed along with her. When he got up he brushed himself off and they both went off to on to the next ride of the day. They were having fun, laughing, and she couldn't be happier. To some it would look they were a genuine couple, and she was fine with that. She would allow herself to fantasize this moment.

They stopped for a light lunch not wanting to get sick on rides, though Raku ate really light for this reason alone. Marika on the other hand couldn't bring herself to eat much even though she knows she should but she couldn't bring herself to do so. After their lunch they rode a series of rides the last one being a roller coaster that ended a bit rough and hurt her back but she fought through it there was one last thing she wanted to do before she left today.

With a hidden pained look she asked "Hey Raku can we go on one last ride this evening before we leave?"

"Sure, but are you ok that last one didn't really end good and the staff just closed it for maintenance." Raku asked with a concerned look.

"I'm find just jerked my back is all, anyways lets go before the line builds!" She grabbed his hand and started to tug him along

Shortly they stood before the Ferris Wheel, and it was rather tall but that's what was perfect about it you could see many beautiful sights from the top. Raku looked a bit nervous but that was probably he'd never been up a Ferris Wheel with a girl before, but Marika would behave herself.

As they rode to the top they sat on opposite sides of the carriage looking out the window. It would be an understatement to say the view was great, it was beautiful! The blazing orange sun lighting up the sky with receding waves of blue, purple, and red throughout the sky. The colors of the buildings heightened and toned as if they were a painting that was brushed by an expert artist. This view would forever remain in their memories. Yet like all the things their view started to fade as they were now on the trip down.

When they exited the Ferris Wheel they made their way to the entrance. It had been a beautiful day, and they had made the best of it. As they flagged down their Taxis Marika was given the first one and Raku told her good bye and that he would talk to her later and shut her door.

. . .

Marika arrived at home around eight in the evening after a terrible ride home in long traffic. What made it unbearable was her back was in agonizing pain, and she didn't have any pain medication on her until she got home. She got in her elevator and pressed her floor and it shot up causing more pain. Her breaths were haggard as she approached her floor. Her eyesight was getting foggy. The doors opened before her and she took a couple steps forward. As she walked forward she didn't even hear her father call out to her welcoming her home. The last thing she remembered was her legs going numb and falling to the floor and everything had gone black.

That Night-

Marika had been rushed straight to the hospital with a frantic father and assistant in the ambulance. She was rushed into the ER and didn't awake until that morning to only find the pain gone but at a heavy price.

The doctor spoke to her with a grave tone "Ms. Tachibana, I regret to inform you that you are paralyzed from the waist down."

She was lying in a hospital bed and was staring at the doctor dumb founded. That was that pain was? Now what was she going to do? Raku was supposed to go with her shopping again today, but now she wouldn't be able to do that without telling him. She wasn't ready for that yet she wanted to tell him tomorrow. The doctor pulled her out of her thoughts to give her one last statement.

"I have one last thing to tell you Ms. Tachibana." He looked at her again "I already told your father since you were unconscious, but by the looks of your immune system, and your bodies current condition you won't be able to live after tomorrow more than likely you will pass by tomorrow evening."

It was as if fate was slapping her against the face. How cruel could this be? The day she would tell her beloved Raku she was dying was the day she would die. She just couldn't believe it, yet here was all the proof she needed. Her legs were gone, and her body was physically weak even though yesterday she felt fine. It was as if her body had decided to eat up the last of her time in a hurry. She looked at her lifeless legs wishing, begging, them to move, but they continued to be motionless. She didn't know what else to do but pick up her phone and dialed Raku's number.

"Hello Raku?" Marika asked into the phone in a calm voice "I won't be able to go out today father has some business for me that I can't get out of. Sorry for the late notice."

After a minute she hung up the phone and turned to face out the window with almost a lifeless look in her eyes, but there was still something there. It was the only thing that was keeping her from giving up. She was supposed to have another couple of weeks and yet that was taken from her as if she hadn't deserved it. As the time seemed to tick by nurses came in to make sure she was comfortable give her food that she didn't eat and water to drink. When evening rolled around she brought her phone and made a couple of phone calls to certain people that she knew she could count on.

The Next Morning-

It was a cloudy outside, but it wasn't supposed to rain just overcast in the forecast. The Ichijou household was unusually quiet but that was

"Young Master you have friends at the door!" One of the goons called out to Raku who was in his room lazing around in his casual clothes.

He sighed as he got up and went to the door to find Shu, Ruri, Chitoge, Tsugumi, and both Onodera's at his door. That didn't concern him, what did was their faces they were down, and Shu who usually had a small smile on his face was also serious.

"Hey everyone what's going on?" Raku asked with a tinge of anxiousness

"Raku we need you to come with us to the hospital." Chitoge spoke first "It's important that you do so."

"Ok but can you tell me why?" Raku asked now confused

"Lets go man we'll talk on the way." Shu said with a sad smile on his face

Raku looked over the crowd and noticed one face was missing, and he spoke quietly "Where's Marika…."

Everyone tensed at that mentioning of her name, even Shu who had been trying to prep himself all night and morning for this. This did not go unseen by Raku, and he pressed further.

"Guys where's Marika!" He spoke more urgently and everyone avoided his gaze and at that point he knew

He felt himself go numb, as they went to a nearby parked car that everyone piled in and in it found . Along the drive he told Raku everything that was wrong with her, but told him nothing more leaving the rest to his daughter as she had requested. They arrived at the hospital, the clouds seemed ever darker in the sky as they walked into the building. They entered the nearest elevator and follow Mr. Tachibana to his daughter's room where she awaited their arrival.

Raku stood in front of her door, and rested his hand on the handle. Yet he just couldn't give it the strength to push forward. From behind came a gentle hand and he looked to find Chitoge looking at the handle with her eyes. On the other side Kosaki pressed her hand against theirs. Shu, Ruri, Haru, and Tsugumi placed their hands on his back giving him the reassurance that they were all there together. He pushed down on the handle and the door opened and he took his first steps into the room.

There she was dressed in a dress that they had bought together the other day, a beautiful blue and orange dress that fit her well. But her skin was deathly pale and what hit him the most was she laying down with a tired smile on her face. Not sitting up with a bright smile, no this was the look of girl who accepted her fate and was waiting ever so patiently. He walked over to her bedside where she met her eyes.

"Why?" Raku spoke quietly, it was the only thing that filled the void of quietness in the room. The only thing being the heart monitor making any sounds.

She smiled a bit more before she spoke quietly "Because Raku you would fight to hard and hurt yourself along with me. I didn't want that."

"How long?" Raku spoke again

"Since I came here to this lovely town." She responded "I didn't tell you because it had the possibility to go away, but luck was not on my side."

"So the entire time you were like this you didn't tell me you were more concerned with me instead?" Raku spoke again quieter his hand clenched into fists

"Only because I cared about you Raku, I didn't want you hurt, that's all I wanted, but also I didn't want to give another false impression and receive pity." Marika spoke her words full of truth

Raku was silent for a few minutes, and it was painfully quiet "Idiot." He spoke finally catching everyone off guard "You thing I was that petty? Yes I would have fought against it, but I'd rather tried than do nothing at all!"

Shu came from behind and grabbed his shoulder reminding him to be calm. He was thankful he was here, but he knew despite everything Shu was also taking it hard.

At that moment felt something in her body lessen and she beckoned Raku closer and she whispered, with her hand on his face, ever so quietly "Be sure to fall in love, and be happy Raku and love enough for me too. Just be sure she's the right one, because you were the right one for me. Thank you for everything Raku."

Raku had tears in his eyes but nodded and whispered back "You're welcome, hopefully I'll see you again, and I promise Marika."

With a smile on her face, her hand fell from his face and the heart monitor fell flat. Raku fell to his knees, tears falling down his. Shu was crying but tried to stand firm his shoulders heaving. Tsugumi had a grim face on with a few tears falling. Ruri was had her head turned trying to hold back the tears, but instead held her head onto Shu's arm. Chitoge had her face buried into her hands her shoulders heaving with sobs. Both the Onodera sisters were hugging each other letting their tears fall onto each other's shoulders. Like that Marika Tachibana had passed away, but to most who saw her that day at least she died, with a smile on her face.

. . .

It has been two weeks since Marika's funeral and none of the group of friends have made an effort to contact one another. The world seemed to stop for them, and yet it had continued around them without yielding. The sky outside was beautiful, but yet Raku Ichijou was inside of his room, in his big home as he had been the past two weeks since the funeral. He ate very little, he refused to cook at all, and he never left his room except to use the restroom or bath.

The Yakuza family did not know what to do for their young master. They were at a loss as where to begin. Raku's father decided to leave the boy to his own devices knowing full well what the boy was going through. He knew that shortly he would no longer be alone, if his assumption was to be correct.

Later that afternoon the doorbell sounded throughout the house hold. Curious one of the goons checked to find a certain young blonde Mistress at the front door.

"Hello is Raku home?" Chitoge asked with a straight face and determined look in her eyes.

Well guys yeah I know, what a trip. I know this was a bit Raku and Marika centered but I had to set it up like this for it work, and I'm sorry for all the Marika lover's out there I'll make it up to you by making a RakuXMarika oneshot for you! This was honestly painful to right I found myself tearing up as I was writing it. I will be continuing and I hope for your guy's support! ChaosOmega8 and the others who requested this hope you enjoy it so far! If your new leave a Fav or Follow, and if you have an idea for something for me to write shoot me a message or leave it in a review! I do read reviews guys I love feedback it helps me write better! Also if your looking for more Lock and Key, In Love with the Target, and Fallen Campione! are some of my other fics if your interested! Alright enough for now

As Always Everyone please support the Official Release and Enjoy!... the time till the next chapter or release I suppose I don't know? *shrugs*