Bananananananananananananana nananananananananananananana nanananana RITSUONODERAISAMAZING-MAN!

Hey guys! What's up? Let me tell you a little tale of woe from a sad and boo-full author. October 3rd- C on History test. Grounded. October 14th- Ungrounded! October 15th-F on Math Test. Grounded. October 25th- Ungrounded & C on Science Test. Grounded. And I'm actually still grounded =U= I 'accidently' forgot my science book at school that I needed to finish my science project, so I have to use my computer instead. Just wait till your parents aren't home and BAM! Instantly writing. Teheheh. And if you paid attention, the date is 2000 so this chapter is a year AFTER they first star ted talking, (Aka: Christmas, 2000)

Oh and to RiceBunny- The last letter is in italic to express that Saga was reading that letter in real time, as so were his thoughts recorded after. It happens again in this chapter, except with Ritsu's thoughts.

Disclaimer: I dont own SIH or any of the characters~

:D Hope you enjoy! ~


Hope you Enjoy!~

-12/2/2000

Dear S.M,

Hey! It's almost Christmas Time! I'm so excited! And you're birthday is coming up! I'll have to send something! You're turning 17 right? Gee I feel like a stalker… Haha…I can't believe it's been almost two years since I've started talking to you! If you think about it, it's sorta crazy! We've must've killed a bunch of trees huh? Haha. How are you? Haven't heard from you in a while. You okay?

Sorry if I made you mad.

Sincerely,

Ritsu.

-12/4/2000

Dear Ritsu,

Oh sorry…There's been a problem with postal delivery lately…They said they'd make sure you'd get this one though. Yeah, 17 years…3 years of my life in this hellhole; but my time in here is almost over. A year and a few months from now. Yeah, I bet all those hippies and tree huggers really hate us, huh? So…Got any plans for Christmas? Maybe you could take your girlfriend out or something.

S.M

-12/6/2000

Dear S.M.,

Oh gee…That's a relief. Really? Time goes by fast, huh? I'll be a freshman in high school by then...And you will be too, right? Maybe we'll see each other! Haha…My cousin is a hippie. But she's hated me ever since I carved me & my crush's initials into an oak tree last summer…Our family usually holds a big party for Christmas or something like that. Hahaha. I wish I had a girlfriend…I'm single, but there is someone I like. (As stated earlier.) I probably sound like a girl, huh? Haha…Oh. But Anyways, Maybe I can convince my parents to let me visit you on Christmas? I can always try.

You're friend,

Ritsu.

-12/9/2000

Dear Ritsu,

Wow. You're growing up fast. When I first met you, you were a timid little 6th grader. Now, when we finally see each other, you'll be a freshman? I don't believe it. …Doesn't surprise me that you're related to hippies. You're you after all. Ah, a whole room full of people you pretend you like because they're family, but secretly hate. Fun. You seem like someone girls would fawn over…So just ask her out. You're really nice, and if she rejects you, then she's not worth it. That'd be cool to finally see you in person…You never know though.

S.M

You're Friend,

Ritsu.

-12/11/2000

Dear S.M., Yeah…My parent's said the same thing. It feels like it was only yesterday when I was sitting on the swings, eating ice-cream in primary school. Haha! We're related to everyone somehow… I know right? I totally want to spend a whole day with my perverted cousin who always has sex with some random chick/dude, and my annoying aunt who looks like Betty Boop…Eh and the girlfriend thing…It's sorta complicated. I don't even see them anymore...They've advanced into high school. They're three years older than me…And well, I don't think it would ever work out…It's just…wrong.

You're Friend,

Ritsu.

-12/13/2000

Dear Ritsu,
Wow…I don't think I could imagine you on sugar. You seem like the type of person who would get drunk or hyper really quickly…No offence. You're related to Justin Bieber? If I were you, I'd kill him. …Well then, interesting family you got there…Sounds like it's always loud and fun at your place. How is it wrong? If you love someone, then it isn't wrong. We've talked about this before, haven't we? You said it was love at first sight. And if that really is true, then she should give you a chance. Everyone dates, you know? Ever see Family Guy? Louis (the wife) is 7 years older than Peter (the husband). You're really easy to get along with kid; you got a loner in jail to talk to you after all.

Get some guts, kid.

S.M.

-12/15/2000

Dear S.M.,

Lol, I'm underage still so I'm not sure about the drugs thing…but if it's the same as sugar, then I'm screwed. Haha. JB? Yeah, we're cousins. You know that whole 'Baby' song? He wrote that for me. Jealous? Lol. Yeah, it's always fun at holiday time when you wake up to hear moans and you're aunt yelling "WHERE'S THE WAFFLES?!" Haha…Well, um…How do I put this…Don't hate me okay? But...the person I like is sorta a guy…

Goodbye World…You probably hate me now.

Sincerely,

Ritsu.

-12/17/2000

Dear Ritsu,

Okay first off, what the fuck? How could I hate you for that? I mean…you love who you love right? Yeah, it's a bit creepy…and I can see why you said it would be wrong, but that's okay. There are other gay couples out there, right? Um…I think I'll pass on coming to your place for the holidays. …Hm. Figures you would like JB.

-S.M.

-12/19/2000

Dear S.M.,

Sorry…It's just, I haven't really told anyone else but you…Then again I guess they already guessed by now…But he's three years older than me! By the time I'm in high school, he'll be a senior! Even if we do get together, he'd have to leave for college the next year. And well…he's not really the approachable type. He gives off a really cold vibe…I don't know. Yeah….If I were you, I wouldn't want to come here either…

Is it bad that I don't even know his name?

Sincerely, Ritsu.

-12/22/2000

Dear Ritsu,

Oh…that is a problem. Well, most unapproachable guys are really the softie kind of guys. I should know. After all, I thought I had a cold heart before I met you. Maybe you can change this guy too. And even if he is older than you, you could still text or video chat…I don't know. You realize you completely ignored my 'JB' comment? Guess you really are gay, to like him and all. No offence.

S.M.

-12/24/2000

Dear S.M.,

HEYY! First off, I happen to hate Justin Bieber. I only know about him because my friend An-whom my parents also have me planned to marry in the future- plays it nonstop…That and Kaoru keeps torturing me with it…You never had a cold heart! Your one of the nicest people I know! I guess you're right…but I'm not one of the most attractive people out there…I doubt he'd like me.

Sincerely,

Ritsu.

P.S: Happy Birthday!

12/26/2000

Dear Ritsu,

As I quote, 'HEYYYY', I said no offence. You're parents assigned you a fiancée? Seriously? That sucks…especially if you like someone else. I'm assuming they don't know you like boys, right? Am I really? I always considered myself as a loner…I don't really pay attention to what others say about me. You sounded pretty attractive from your description not too long ago…Sepia hair and green eyes right? Really short and skinny? You don't sound that bad. I'd think you were really popular with the ladies myself.

Oh, and I had thought you forgotten about my birthday. Thanks.

S.M.

12/29/2000

Dear S.M,

Eheheh…Sorry about that…Yeah, I keep telling them that I only like An as a friend, but they won't listen to me…Yeah, if they knew I liked a guy, then they'd probably disown me…I'm like that too. Kaoru is pretty much friends with the whole grade, but I only have one or two friends at school. Girls don't really pay attention to me…I'm just the bookworm.

Haha Sorry.

You're friend, Ritsu.


Dear Ritsu,

Don't be afraid to tell your parents. If they don't accept you as you are now, then that's their problem. God made you how you are, and there's no shame in that. If you really don't like this chick, than lay your foot down and demand that it's taken down. Same thing goes with the people at school. If they don't like you, then 1st off; they need to get a life. 2nd off; they must be blind not to see just how much of a friend you could be to them. Being a bookworm isn't a bad thing. It means you're different. And that you're actually going to get somewhere in life, rather than partying all day and all night. Wow…That was a long rant. Sorry about that kid. Anyways, stay cool. Don't let them get to you.

Oh, and you don't have to apologize you know.

S.M.

A rosy-pink blush danced on the teens face as he read the letter his pen pal had written him. 'Since when was he so kind?' the boy asked himself, his emerald green eyes scanning over the paper again, wondering if he had misread it at all. He was sitting at a table in the library-rather, his library- at home, piles of books stacked up all around him. There was but a dim lamp lighting up the room, along with the fireplace that stood tall in the corner of the room.

Ritsu smiled at the letter. He had grown to feel attached to these letters that came every 3 or 5 days, even if he sent his reply merely a day after receiving one. That didn't matter to him though. He was just happy that there was always someone to talk to. Always someone there, to listen to him regardless of what it was. There was someone to laugh with, or cry with, or smile with. Someone who actually cared.

On the outside, they looked like real loving family. Hell, Ritsu knew he should feel lucky. Anyone would love to take his spot in this family. But he didn't feel comfortable here. He didn't feel loved. He rarely ever saw his father, and the only time they really spoke was when his father needed some help, or gave him his 100-dollar-weekly-allowance. 'As they always said, money can't buy happiness.' He thought. And it was true, he wasn't very happy. He missed the old days of his mother swinging him or pushing him down the slide. How his father would affectionately ruffle his hair, and play toss or Frisbee. But his childhood ended long ago. Besides, S.M. has it much worse right?

Surely, his parents would defend him in court. Even with no skill in law or such, they would still fight to the death. But to turn on their own son? Never. He couldn't imagine coming home every day to fighting or screaming. To come home every day, alone, no one else there to talk to. To have his parents glare at him with such intensity if he ever screwed up…Ah, did the boy pity this S.M.

Though the boy never did find out the older man's name, he knew he was right. He should just tell his parents about the subject, and demand that they cancel the engagement. But it wasn't that easy…His parents were too stubborn. He sighed dryly, grabbed a few books, got up, and started to his room. If you were to ask Fujihuko Onodera his secrets to a successful business, he would take a sip of his wickedly sweet wine, look at you with his beautiful grey eyes and say:

I'll tell you my secrets if you tell me just how many punches from a guard an average woman/man can take before they start coughing up blood.

Or if it were Ritsu or Kaoru, he'd most likely shrug them off and give them a cold glare. If you were to ask Aikawa Onodera how she made her ginger-bread cookies just-so-amazingly sweet, she would smile warmly, pull her long tender curls out from behind her shoulders and say:

Get the fuck out of my house.

Same answer goes to Fujihuko, Ritsu, and Kaoru.

Ritsu shook his head. Surely he was adopted…He was not related to these crazy-assed people.

But alas, Ritsu was content with his life. No, now, he was happy. This stranger…One he doesn't even really know in person…This man who everyday gets closer and closer to rotting in his cell, as he 'says' he was framed…Why does he believe him? Why is the young brunette so kind to the stranger? Why did he keep writing letters?

Because, the stranger had given him something. Ritsu was not one to be bribed, but now was a totally different story.

This stranger had heard his silent screams for help; he had seen the sadness behind a tiny crack in his mask of composure. This stranger had grown close to him, erasing the sadness inside little by little, using up every single pink string of the 'For Big Mistakes' gigantic eraser.

Ritsu smiled, as he continued his way through the twisting halls of the mansion.

Ritsu Onodera was not easy to bribe. You couldn't bribe him with cash or gifts. But this stranger of a man he had never even met bribed him with the only thing he desperately needed.

S.M. had bribed him with friendship.