Clockwork Hearts: Chapter 1.

1 year later.

"I, The Ruler of The World, am glad to see peace again in this World. I wouldn't be The Ruler if these people here wouldn't have saved me." told Kuro as she smiled at the full audience in front of her. The group was sitting behind Kuro, watching her as she told her speech. They weren't the cute kids from before. The most of them were now 17 or 18 years old. Except for Yobio, Shizuko and the other youngest. "Please give them an applause." Kuro said, and the audience began applauding for them. Kuro signed Yobio to come up, and she nodded.

"I thank everybody for supporting us! Some of you may have participated in the battle, and fought for the freedom of us! Some died… But we will think about them. Every day! Without you all, we couldn't have made a change in this World. Thank you, everybody!" Yobio told. Yobio smiled, and sat back on her position.

"Let's continue this!" said Kuro for the last time, and walked of the stage. "Thank you so much. I don't know what would've happened if Kouhei-nii-chan was still The Ruler. I'm so thankful." Kuro said.

"You know, if Gumi didn't start the group, we couldn't save The World. Actually, we should be thankful for her… for some kind of reason…" said Sora awkwardly.

"For some reason, you're right. If she didn't start it, we wouldn't be standing here." Takama said. Everyone agreed with this. Suddenly, Yobio started coughing loudly.

"Are you alright?" asked Voya. She kept coughing, and held her hand in front of her mouth. Voya started patting the back of Yobio gently. Yobio's coughing faded. She held out her hand, and gasped. Everyone looked at her to see what was wrong. Her hand was covered in blood.

"What the-" began Sora. "Yobio, you're going to the hospital. Now." Sora said and started dragging Yobio towards the black car waiting for them. Yobio struggled, and got free from the grasp of Sora.

"No! Everything's alright!" reassured Yobio. "There… is nothing wrong." Yobio said and walked back to the group. Sora just stood there, knowing something was wrong.

"Are you sure you're alright, Yobio-chan?" asked Ai. Yobio sighed, and nodded. "If there is something wrong, just tell me." she said and smiled softly to her other self. Yobio smiled back to her.

"Who wants to eat something?" asked Kiba out of the blue. Everyone raised their hands. "Okay! My treat!" he said. They all walked to the black car, and drove towards the city. When they arrived, they walked over to a little café and sat down there. Kiba ordered some drinks and something to eat for his team members. Then, the waiter came up, and placed the food of the members in front of them. Somehow, Yobio got a very special one.

It was a white cake covered in chocolate at the top. Strawberries were placed around the cake in the bottom. There were also white candy roses placed at the sides of the cake, and in the middle was: "Yobiokosu, will you marry me?". Yobio looked around in confusion, but then it hit her. She looked straight to Voya. He was smiling towards her.

"Yobio, will you marry me?" he asked Yobio while sitting down on one knee in front of Yobio. He held out a little silver box, and opened it. A silver ring was placed in there. On top of the ring, there was a little blue crystal placed. Yobio immediately recognized the crystal.

"The Susumusora Diamond…" Yobio whispered. She looked at Voya with teary eyes. "Y-Yes!" she yelled, and hugged him. Some people started clapping, others were 'ah'-ing. The team members were just happily watching the couple. Voya smiled, and hugged her back. He then pulled out of the hug, and placed the ring on her finger, which suited her very well.

"Congratulations!" the team members yelled. Kiba pulled everyone in a group hug.

-x-

"Oi! When are you two are going to get married?" asked Sora to the other couple. Yone blushed, and Kiba just scratched his head, embarrassed as well.

"W-We didn't have plans yet to get married…" said Yone. "B-But we're planning to! Just, not right now." Yone said and blushed even more. Yobio laughed at the stupidness of Yone. Yone glared at her rival.

"You're so stupid!" Yobio laughed. Then she stopped because she had to cough more. Voya patted her, like before, softly on the back. "I-It's alright now." Yobio said. Voya nodded, and dropped his hand to his side.

"Are you getting sick or something?" asked Takama, turning to Yobio. Yobio shook her head.

"It's nothing, I already said. You all don't have to worry…" Yobio said, and folded her arms. "If there is, I will tell you, right? You know me!" said Yobio with a smile.

"Except for the fact that you were Kid…" said Sora. "I can't believe I was a huge fan of you back then." She continued.

"Well, you didn't knew that I was the awesome thief back then. If you would, you would've killed me." said Yobio. "But, I stopped stealing the diamonds, even though I miss them very much… I have to worry about my future right now. You should too, Yone." said Yobio and looked at her. Everyone looked right now to Yone.

"Huh? What do you mean?" asked Kiba, not knowing the situation. Yone sighed.

"Yone here, is also known for her actions as Alice." Yobio said. Yone glared at her for revealing the secret.

"Yone? Is that true?" asked Kiba. Yone sighed again, and nodded. "You're so cool!" he said, and hugged Yone. Yone just stood there, awkward and not knowing what to do.

"Sometimes, I wonder why I've become friends with you…" said Sora. "But, that's because you all are just weird as me!" she said, and everyone laughed and nodded. Then, they shared their dreams, past, and even more: their memories together.

Inspire-chan (2012): I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Clockwork Hearts!

Okay, some of you know already… I think. Yobio is getting the disease because she was too long in her Dark Gaia form. So, that's why she coughed. Ai has more stamina, so she doesn't get the disease that quickly. Poor, Yobio…

Ehm, have you all been reading my homepage? I'm very curious about that… There are some questions answered (or not asked, but probably will be) placed on the homepage. So, if you have time to check it out, I will be very glad! (:

*The Susumusora Diamond: The Susumusora Diamond has been mentioned in Chapter 22 (or Chapter 18 "XVIII") of Photobooks, with the thieving of Yone as "Alice" and Yobio as "Kid".