Rue blushed slightly as he watched Mint stomp her foot, dripping wet. He felt his heart melt just by looking at the girl... No way of denying I love her, he thought to himself.

"Rue why don't you help Mint up to her room over at Ms Cartha's inn?" Mira asked polietly, with no idea how much he would love to.

"Uhhh... yeah... sure..." He took Mint's arm, and walked with her nextdoor to the old woman's house. Rue looked away, blushing furiously as he felt her so close to him. He snuck a look at her and noticed to his shock that she was blushing as well.

"Ms Cartha?" Mint called into the empty house. Silence. "Oh well I suppose we'll just have to go up to my room..." She looked down at his hand still rested on her arm. Rue stared at it as well, and felt Mint shiver... from the cold...? Or something else...? He pushed the thought from his mind as he helped her up to the small cluttered room. Mint sat on her bed, throwing her bag to the floor.

"So... why did you come back?" Rue asked trying to make conversation. Mint stared out the window occasionally flicking her soft pink hair.

"Well I was just going to ask you the same question," she answered. Rue smiled- she always used to act so difficult by hiding her feelings.

"I missed this town... and I missed yo- everyone else." Mint looked up startled, but then sighed in dismay. Should I have told her the truth? That I missed her more then anything else? He thought curiously. "So what about you? Why'd you come back?" Mint thought for a moment.

"I guess I missed this place as well... as boring as I thought it was at first... And I kind of wanted to see you again." She gasped and pressed her hand quickly over her mouth as if to erase what Rue just heard. He smiled lightly, his heart pounding furiously in his chest. They both blushed at each other, looking away.

Rue slowly slipped his hand in hers as they sat against the wall on her small bed. She smiled at him, her eyes glittering. He leaned down inching toward her face...

"Oh!" Elena cried, blushing as she opened the door. Rue and Mint sprang apart, breathing quite heavily. The short little girl smiled wryly at them.

"Sorry to interrupt... but Rod just stopped by with some interesting news... thought you'd want to hear but I suppose your a bit preoccupied at the moment..." She giggled at the looks of horror the teenagers exchanged.

"U-Uhhh... we'll come down..."

"N-Not too busy..."

"Alright," Elena said in a sing-song voice, still smiling. Mint followed her out the door, Rue behind. Both didn't notice the fact they were still holding hands. --

"Have you found this child yet?" A tall dark clothed man asked. His white hair flowed in the breeze, his dark eyes flashing with malace.

"We know who the child is..." The shorter man whispered carefully.

"Does it posess the Crystal?" Doll Master sneered, loosing his pacience to his thoughtless servant. The man bowed low, nodding his head repeatedly.

"Indeed sir... This child has a pure heart, and a very powerful energy source seems to be coming from it... We are certain it is the Spirit Crystal." Doll Master smirked, his hands slowly forming into fists.

"Soon I will finally have the power I have long thirsted for... Soon I will rule... Soon I will have the child!" He laughed evily, his eyes shinning. The shorter man ran his fingers through his icy blue hair nervously.

"Cammoron... go to where you suspect this child is... bring it to me... NOW!" Cammoron shivered slightly, but nodded and dissapeared in a cloud of smoke.

"No one will stand a chance against my immortal powers once I have the Crystal..." Doll Master muttered to himself gruffly. "No one..." --

Maya walked through the Gardens of Heaven behind her large stone castle. In her hand she clutched a thin blood-red rose, small drops of dew glittering from it. She sat on the cool grass, her usual blue-white dress spread out amoungst the flowers. She let the soft petals of the rose tickle her pale skin as a smile crossed her face.

"Maya..."

She shook her head. Must have been day dreaming again, she thought to herself. There were gaurds stationed everywhere- How could anyone possibly get into her private gardens?

"Maya..."

She looked up, startled at the familarness of the smooth controled voice. Her heart pounded in her chest as she got up quickly and ran to the edge of the forest.

"Ruenis! Oh tell me it's you!" Maya cried out in desperation. He stood up, and walked over, embracing his love in a long bittersweet hug. When they parted, Maya's eyes flashed dangerously.

"How could you put yourself at risk by coming here?!" Ruenis smiled charmingly at her, and all her harsh thoughts drifted away in the breeze. He pushed a stray piece of Maya's pink hair behind her ear, making her shudder at his touch.

"I couldn't live another day without seeing you again..." He whispered.

"Oh Ruenis... Things have changed... Doll Master is out looking for the child with the pure heart..." Maya's voice trailed off. He suddenly looked curious.

"The child? You mean the one with the Spirit Crystal?"

"Yes... He says he knows who it is... And he's already sent someone off to capture this person... I wonder who it is though..." She looked up at him. "Do you?" Ruenis shook his head softly.

"No... But if I did I would sure like to warn this child... I heard they don't even know their heart really is the Crystal." Maya gasped, her eyes glittering curiously.

"Really? Well that is interesting now isn't it..." Ruenis silenced her with a short, deep kiss. Maya leaned in, but was only rewarded with him pulling away quickly.

"I must go... I don't want you getting into any trouble with me around... I promise you I will come back," he said stepping into the forest once more. Maya nodded as she watched him run off, dissapearing from her eyes. --

Author's Note: Please R/R! I hope you enjoyed my story! I'm still working on the next chapter...