Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: MKR in no way belongs to me. Not even this cute guy…*starts cuddling with Ferio*

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'…' Fuu thoughts

… Hikaru thoughts

*…* Umi thoughts

"…" Dialogue

Fighting Fate

Chapter 1: Fuu, Hikaru, and Umi

Hououji Fuu pushed her glasses up as she walked down the sidewalk. As a chill wind passed, Fuu hugged her green sweater closer willing the wind to settle. She wasn't surprised at all when it did gently caressing her skin instead of the stinging blasts just a few seconds earlier. With a sigh she pull a golden curl back behind her ear. Looking up at the darkened sky she could only hope that it didn't rain. She hadn't thought to bring an umbrella. Fuu quickened her pace as she glanced at her watch. She didn't want to be late for work. Not again or she would be fired, which would lead to no money for college. Not that being a waitress brought in good money, but it was good enough. With the scholarships she had earned she didn't need anything more.

Going inside the restaurant she let the warmth pervade her system as she headed toward the back to clock in. Tying an apron around her waist she grabbed a notepad.

"Hi Fuu-chan!"

"Hello Hikaru-san," Fuu replied to the energetic redhead that was walking by.

"You're just in time! You can get that table with the two lovebirds. Cause I really wanna go over to that table," Hikaru said with sparkling eyes.

Fuu looked where Hikaru had pointed seeing a darkly handsome man sitting by himself. He was a regular that came in on weekends. Hikaru always jumped at the chance to be his waitress. Fuu smiled. She had just recently begun working at Fainfuudo and was immediately befriended by Hikaru. And although Hikaru insisted Fuu call her Hikaru without the san, Fuu couldn't help herself. She'd always been taught otherwise, and it stayed with her. Maybe she was a bit polite but still.

"That is fine with me, Hikaru-san."

Hikaru went over to the table. Fuu made her way to the other table where a man with forest green hair was cuddling with a blushing girl. As Fuu approached he began to kiss her in a rather intimate fashion causing Fuu to look the other way.

"Stop it silly! The waitress is here," the giggling girl said.

"You look cute when you blush," the green haired man replied smoothly sending the girl into another giggling fit.

"Stop that Ferio! You're embarrassing me."

"What would you like to drink tonight?" Fuu asked politely.

She kept the frown off her face, as the guy looked her up and down rather inappropriately.

"Well…" he drawled out, "If you're on the menu, I'll have you."

"Ferio!"

Fuu's eyes widened, "Sir, I do not appreciate the comment."

"A beauty like you."

The girl next to him looked rather angry. Fuu could understand why. If she had a boyfriend who shamelessly flirted with another girl…well she wouldn't be too pleased. Fuu had been in a relationship once, but it hadn't worked out. They were still really good friends though and saw each other often.

Ferio turned to the girl, "But she doesn't hold a candle to you, Yui."

"You're such a playboy. I don't know why I put up with you!" Yui said with a pout.

"Because you know you're the only one I could ever want," Ferio replied giving her a light kiss.

Fuu waited for the two to finish kissing wishing she were anywhere else but in front of this very publicly affectionate couple.

Ferio finally spoke up, "I'll have a root beer. What about you, baby?"

"I'll have the same."

Fuu nodded and hurriedly left. She wanted to do anything but return to that table. Hikaru came skipping over.

"Lantis is so nice!"

"He doesn't look like one to talk," Fuu said filling a cup with soda.

"No, but that doesn't mean he isn't nice," Hikaru answered happily.

"That is true," Fuu replied with a smile.

Hikaru nodded.

"Hey you two, get back to work. I don't pay you to chit chat."

They both started and got back to work the manager keeping an eye on them every once and awhile. Fuu brought over their drinks and pulled out her notepad.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Yes. I'll have the steak supreme special," Ferio said.

"And I'll have the chicken salad."

"What kind of dressing would you like?" Fuu asked.

"Ranch," Yui replied giving Fuu a glare.

After another twenty minutes their order was prepared. Fuu busily served other tables before giving them their check after they finished their meal. Ferio winked at her as he left. Going over to the table she picked up the tip money taking it out of the napkin. As she did she noticed writing on the napkin. Fuu could barely believe it.

Hey baby. Here's my number. Give me a call sometime. Ferio.

Fuu didn't even glance at the number as she crumpled it up and threw it away with the rest of the garbage.

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While Fuu was busy with her work Shidou Hikaru was thoroughly enjoying hers. Holding Lantis's ordered she weaved her way around the tables over to him.

"Here's your order!" Hikaru chirped out with a wide smile, "Is there anything else you might need?"

Lantis shook his head.

"Okay. I'll be back."

Hikaru went to wait on another table periodically checking on Lantis to see if he needed anything. About an hour later she glanced over to where Fuu was looking at a napkin wide-eyed before crumpling it up. She wondered what it was. She would have to ask her later. Making her way back over to Lantis's table she gave him his check.

"Thank you for coming to eat here. I hope you enjoyed your time."

He nodded.

"Hope to see you again," Hikaru added hopefully.

Lantis half-smiled as he stood towering over her. She was short, but he made her feel extremely so. Her heart jumped to her throat as he passed her and left. Happily humming she cleaned the table and went into the back to finish up.

He smiled at me!

Hikaru could barely contain her excitement. She had served him plenty of times and never once had he smiled. She did a little skip feeling warmth spread though her body as she pictured that smile. Suddenly the chef yelped pulling away from the stove where the flames had leapt up. Hikaru grimace biting her lip, and slowly calmed herself. The flames gradually died back down to their normal height. She really had to be careful of that. One day she would burn the hairs off the poor cook's face. With a sigh of relief she took her apron off. She was thankfully done for the day. Clocking out she went to the small locker room and grabbed her things. On her way out she saw Fuu and went over to her.

"What happened earlier? You were looking at a napkin like it had bitten you."

"The person I was serving left me his number," Fuu explained, "He flirted with me right in front of his girlfriend. He was rather uncouth."

"You get people like that in here! You'll get used to it. I don't have to worry cause everyone thinks I'm a little girl," Hikaru said with a note of annoyance.

Fuu smiled, "I'm sure Lantis does not."

"I hope not," Hikaru said, "I'll see you tomorrow Fuu-chan!"

"Bye."

Hikaru left the restaurant eyeing the sky. It was getting pretty dark. Not wanting to get caught in the rain she started to walk faster as the wind whipped around her. She had let her oldest brother, Satoru, borrow her car since she lived relatively close to where she worked. He had totaled his a few days ago. Luckily he hadn't been hurt. As she looked across the street something caught her eye. Curiosity got the best of her.

Looking both ways she quickly crossed the street and saw the same small blur dart behind a tree. Cautiously approaching she leaned around the tree to see a small bunny-like creature with a big jewel on its head letting out a sigh of relief.

"What are you?"

The thing turned to her as if surprised she could see it. She heard someone shout and next thing she knew the creature jumped into her arms.

"Puu! Puu Puuuu."

"Mokona…?" Hikaru asked uncertainly.

"Pu!"

Hikaru glanced up to see a scary looking woman heading her way. She frowned as the woman turned an icy glare on her. The creature named Mokona started to squirm in her arms.

"Puuu!"

Hikaru took one last look at the woman before heading back across the street. She heard the woman shout toward her but kept going. Mokona seemed scared giving Hikaru the impression to get out of there.

"Hey! Wait!"

Hikaru started to run as the rain began to fall. She had to lose this woman before reaching her apartment. Not paying attention to what was in front of her she knocked into someone.

"Sorry!" Hikaru called over her shoulder to the blue-haired girl that was regaining her balance.

After a few more minutes Hikaru realized she was no longer being chased and made her way to her apartment quickly going inside, when she reached it. She turned on the light and locked the door hurriedly. Mokona jumped from her arms onto the floor shaking itself dry. Hikaru wasn't sure if it was male or female. She wasn't even sure what it was, but it was really cute and from the looks of it cold. Hikaru headed for the bathroom.

"Puuuuuuuuu!"

Barking followed the startled exclamation, and as she turned Hikaru saw Hikari, her dog, eagerly sniffing and licking poor Mokona. She went over picking the flustered Mokona up.

"Now you be nice. Mokona is a friend," Hikaru said patting the dog's big head his tongue lolling out, "See. You don't have to be afraid. Hikari won't hurt you. Now just stay here while I go get some towels."

Hikaru placed Mokona on the couch and left to get some towels. Mokona watched Hikari uncertainly as the big dog sat by the couch wagging his tail.

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Ryuuzaki Umi watched the girl that had just bumped into her run off. She heard a shout and looked over to see a scantily clad woman running after the small redhead. Glancing over her shoulder she shrugged. As the woman ran into a puddle she suddenly stopped short and looked down. With a mighty tug the woman tried to pull her foot free and was released at the same time causing her to fall flat on her face. Umi walked past her without even looking back. Whatever the reason that woman was chasing the small girl; Umi felt it wasn't a good one.

Umi enjoyed the refreshing feel of the rain against her skin. She could imagine her friends gasping in disbelief at her uncharacteristic behavior. It really wasn't uncharacteristic though; it was just another side she didn't show people. She really wasn't going anywhere particular. She just felt like getting out. Even though it was a cold day the rain held no chill for her. Crossing the street she walked into the park and made her way over to the lake. She stood on the dock watching the rain momentarily shape the surface of the water.

"How beautiful."

*Good thing no one is around. I probably look like a mess all wet.*

"Excuse me miss…"

Umi whirled around at the voice, her eyes widening at the tall man in front f her.

"What?" she asked curtly.

"You'll catch a cold…if you stay out here like this…" he stammered out starting to blush.

"I'm fine," she said pushing her hair back from her face trying to get a better look at the person in front of her, "Hey, I know you. You're in one of my classes…"

He nodded.

"Well, are you just going to stand there or be a gentleman and let me share that umbrella with you? Honestly…"

He started moving closer so she would be under the umbrella, "You're soaked through."

"I'm fine. What's your name again? I can't remember," Umi said knowing his name as surely as her own.

"…Paru A…Ascot," he stuttered out.

"Let's get going then Ascot."

She waited a moment before falling in step with him.

"Where do you live?" he asked.

"Why? Are you planning on stalking me?"

"No!" Ascot replied wide-eyed.

"It was a joke," Umi said at the distraught look on his face.

Ascot let out a nervous laugh, "Of course."

Umi shook her head continuing to walk, "I live that way."

They walked in silence most of the way. Umi wasn't sure what to say to him exactly. Truth be told she kind of liked him.

*Kind of…staring at him all during class and missing the lesson does not count as kind of.*

Umi accidentally bumped into him and shivered but not from the chill wind.

"Are you cold?" Ascot asked immediately.

"No, I said I was fine before. Are you going to continue to question me?"

Another silence followed her question as they walked. Umi wished she didn't sound so snappy, especially around him. It was her defense though. Like she would let him know she liked him. She had plenty of better, smarter, more athletic guys drooling over her. She stubbornly turned her head to the side.

"I have a fencing match this Saturday," Umi said wanting Ascot to come.

"I've never seen you fence before."

"Then you should come to the match to see my extraordinary skill," she replied with indifference.

"I would love to."

"My house is right there," Umi said casually changing the subject and watching his eyes widen as he caught sight of the huge house.

Umi lived with her parents still since it wasn't far from the college. Apparently Ascot had never seen such a big house before.

Umi walked out from under his umbrella, "Thanks."

Without waiting for a reply she went to the gate and opened it walking up to her door. She sent one cursory glance back to see him watching her. She flushed before opening the door and entering. She quickly escaped to her bedroom not wanting to hear anything from her lovey dovey parents about being out in the rain, when it was so cold outside. Once inside her bedroom she closed her eyes taking a deep breath and a moment's concentration.

"Ah that's better."

Umi brushed a hand through her now dry hair, wiping a fleck off dirt off her dry shirt. With a sigh she picked up a pillow from her bed hugging it to herself before looking out the window. She could still see Ascot's form walking away. Backing away from the window she laid on her bed spreading her arms out and staring at the ceiling imagining Ascot's soft smile.

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"I'm disappointed Alcyone. You said you could take care of this," a man said sitting across from the woman that had chased Hikaru earlier.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again. The damn thing slipped from my hands. I'll go…"

The man held up his hand to interrupt her, "Forget about that. Find the others and awaken them. There won't be much time with that mage now aware. Go!"

Alcyone started before nodding and sliding from the restaurant seat. She shoved past the waitress coming over to serve them. The girl's glasses fell off, and she desperately tried to regain her balance but failed. The tray of food fell to the floor with a loud crash.

"I won't lose her again," the man softly whispered unaware of the commotion around him.

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Oh and the couples are FxF, HxL, and UxA!

And there's a nice and short chapter one! Tell me what you think about it, kay?

Kyaa Kyaff saying til next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!