Here's chapter 2! I didn't expect to write the rest of this so quickly, but I was in a writing frenzy after finishing the second chapter of 'Fated' yesterday. This took me so long, cos I keep getting off track, but I eventually got it finished, so enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed that last chapter. I really appreciate it.

FireFlies

Act II: Issues

"Ch – Chiaki!" Kotoha stammered, surprised to see her friend standing before her. He looked exactly the same as the last time she'd seen him.

"I thought I'd come and meet you," Chiaki replied, smiling at her surprise as he helped her up. "I wasn't sure if you knew the way back to the mansion from here."

"Oh," Kotoha replied.

"Yeah. I didn't know what train you'd be coming in on, so I've been waiting all day, because, because I wanted to be the first to see you," Chiaki added and Kotoha noticed that some colour had crept into his cheeks.

"Really?" He's waited here all day for me, just to see me, Kotoha thought. Maybe he does feel the same way.

"Of course." Chiaki looked downto see their hands still connected. "I missed you."

Kotoha's eyes widened. He missed me? He missed me! Maybe he does like me too. Should I tell him now? No, wait, what if he only meant he missed me as a friend? But he's blushing and he still hasn't let go of my hand. I missed his touch. I missed him. I missed him too much.

"Kotoha-" Chiaki began.

"I missed you too," Kotoha interrupted. "I missed you a lot more than I thought I would," she added, her voice breaking slightly.

"Kotoha, there's something I need to tell you," Chiaki said and Kotoha could feel his hand shaking in her grasp. She hadn't noticed until then, that they were still holding hands. It made her smile slightly.

"What is it?" she asked. Maybe he's going to tell me now. I hope, I wish he does.

"Kotoha, I-"

"Chiaki!" A voice cried from behind him, startling both of them.

Chiaki turned and Kotoha was surprised to see a girl she didn't recognise running towards them. Kotoha felt Chiaki's hand slip away from hers as the girl came to a stop besides Chiaki.

"Here you are. I've been waiting for ages. Is this her?" the girl asked Chiaki, barely taking a breath as she did so.

"Uh, yeah. Kotoha, this is Momoko. Momoko, this is Kotoha," Chiaki said, introducing the two.

"Hi," Kotoha said, giving the girl a slight wave.

"Hello. I've been so looking forward to meeting you. Chiaki's to me so much about you." Momoko smiled and wrapped her arms around Chiaki's right arm.

"H-he has?" Kotoha was taken aback by the girl's action and her heart saddened. Of course. I should have known. Of course he'd meet someone; we have been apart for a year after all. What was I thinking? God, I feel so stupid.

"Yeah. He said that he had to meet an old friend for some reunion. He said that he didn't know when you were going to get here, but that he'd wait all day. Isn't that nice of him? Of course it is." Momoko's smile increased, as she looked up at Chiaki, who look at her sheepishly.

"Oh." Kotoha couldn't think of anything else to say. She didn't want to look at them. She felt like her world was crashing down, as she began to realise the depth of her love for him and the fact that now she couldn't ever possibly tell him. Tears began to form in her eyes. Stop it. I can't cry. I can't cry.

"Are you alright, Kotoha?" Chiaki asked, concerned.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm OK. It's just being back here, I guess. A lot of memories," she replied, faking a smile that she didn't feel. She looked at the dark sky. "Maybe we should start heading over to Tono-sama's."

"Yeah, I guess," Chiaki agreed, though his voice seemed slightly disheartened.

Kotoha picked up her bag and began to head for the exit. Chiaki followed, Momoko skipping next to him, still holding onto his arm.

Outside of the train station a group of Kuroko were waiting with two palanquins. Kotoha walked towards the one at the back, handing the Kuroko her bag before stepping inside.

"Oh, I guess this is where I have to leave you," Momoko pouted.

"Yeah," Chiaki muttered, staring at the palanquin in which Kotoha had stepped into.

Momoko reached up and kissed him on the cheek. "You'd better tell me how it goes later," she said, slipping her arms from his as she walked away.

"Yeah," Chiaki repeated, watching as Kotoha closed the blind quicker than was necessary.

XxX

During the journey back to the mansion, Kotoha continuously tried to compose herself. She had to appear to be happy, not sad and depressed. But she knew she couldn't stay long, not with Chiaki around, knowing that he was in love with someone else. She had to stay long enough to see the others, but then, she had to leave. She would feign illness, or say that her sister was still ill and she had to go back.

All too soon they arrived at the mansion. It hasn't changed a bit, Kotoha noted stepping out of the palanquin. As she followed the Kuroko up to the main door, Chiaki caught up with her.

"Kotoha, I need to explain," he began, but she cut him off.

"It's alright," she said, shaking her head. "I understand."

"Understand? But Kotoha I-"

Chiaki was interrupted again, this time by loud shouts of "Kotoha! Chiaki!"

Mako emerged at the main door, beaming as she welcomed Kotoha and Chiaki back.

"Kotoha," she said, hugging her. "I've missed you. How have you been?"

"Good," Kotoha replied. She looked at Mako. "I like the tan." She smiled.

"Thanks. We're going to have to catch up as soon as we've had dinner," she said, leading them in. "Genta's apparently making some fancy French food; I have no idea what it is." She laughed.

"Genta's back too?"

"Yeah. You're the last one to get here," Mako said.

"I see. Everyone's all here," Kotoha muttered.

The trio entered the main room, to see Takeru, Ryonnusuke and Genta sat in their usual places. Kaoru sat on a large chair next to Takeru.

"Tono-sama, Hime, Minna," Kotoha cried upon seeing them again.

"Welcome back, Kotoha," Kaoru said.

"It's good to see you again," Takeru added.

"The whole team's back together again!" Ryunosuke cried, wiping his eyes.

"Kotoha!" Genta leapt up and gave her a big hug.

"Thanks, I'm so happy to be back here. I missed all of you," Kotoha replied, once Genta had let her go. She sat in her usual place, remembering how she used to sit there every day, keeping her eyes diverted from Chiaki, who also seated himself in his usual place.

"Now that everyone is here, I proclaim that this reunion can officially begin!" Takeru said, happily.

The Kurokos emerged, carrying tables and trays of food. They were placed in front of the Shinkengers, who gathered around with curious expressions of their faces, apart from Genta, who was smiling.

"Tuck in!" He said, gesturing at the food.

Chiaki looked up at him. "Uh, what is all this?"

"Food from the land of France. There's ratatouille, crepes, truffles and baguettes," Genta said, pointing at the various foods. "You should try it. It really is good," he added, looking at their unsure faces.

They all exchanged nervous glances before clapping their hands together. "Itadakiamasu!" everyone said, before trying the food.

XxX

Whist they ate, they discussed what they had been up to in the last year. Mako excitedly told them about life in Hawaii, while Genta told them about his Sushi restaurant in Paris, which, he told them, was one of the most popular restaurants in the city. Ryunosuke talked about his life as a kabuki and Takeru and Kaoru explained about how things had been in their respective Shiba households.

They've been doing so much, Kotoha thought, as she listened to their stories. All I've done is go to school and help look after my sister. Nothing interesting at all.

She listened with more interest then she would have liked as Chiaki told them about his year, about how he'd decided to go to college, where he was studying Music. He explained to them about how he was learning to play various instruments, and that his favourite was the guitar.

"Do you still play your flute?" Chiaki asked her, making her jump.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sometimes," Kotoha replied, surprised to have been asked the question.

"Maybe we should do a duet. When I'm a bit better at it." Chiaki smiled.

"Yeah, maybe," Kotoha muttered, returning the smile half-heartedly, before looking away. Chiaki noticed and looked down, averting his gaze.

"Hey, why don't you tell us how things are going with Momoko," Ryunosuke said.

Kotoha's head snapped round to look at Chiaki, who lifted his head reluctantly.

"Yeah," Genta said, "what's the deal with you and this Momoko girl?"

"It's nothing really. We're just good friends," he replied, quickly looking at Kotoha out of the corner of his eye. She had lowered her head again and was playing with the food left on her plate, trying hard not to listen.

"Nothing?" Ryunosuke gasped. "Have you not seen Momoko? I mean seriously Chiaki, don't you think she's the most elegant and beautiful girl. You'd be lucky to have her."

"Yeah, but-"

"But what? Think about it. How can you not be attracted to her? Not even in the slightest?" Ryunosuke interrupted.

"I do like her," Chiaki admitted, "but-"

"Excuse me." Kotoha stood up, interrupting Chiaki again. "I need to get some fresh air," she said, trying to stop her voice from breaking. She turned and quickly left the room, trying hard not to run.

"Kotoha," Chiaki muttered, before getting up and following her out of the room.

"What's that all about?" Genta asked, looking at the others. Takeru and Ryunosuke shrugged their shoulders, while Mako and Kaoru shook their heads slowly. Mako then lifted her hand and quickly hit Ryunosuke round the back of the head.

"Ow!" Ryunosuke shouted. "What was that for?"

"Sometime you really are clueless," Mako replied.

XxX

Chiaki ran into the garden. He still hadn't found Kotoha and this was the last place he had to look. Her actions were really confusing him. He peered through the night, trying to see her. He then heard a soft, mournful tune. A tune he had heard before. He followed the sound until he found Kotoha, playing her flute. A Kuroko stood nearby, holding a lamp so she could see what she was doing.

Slowly Chiaki walked up behind her. "Hey," he said, startling her.

"Hey," Kotoha replied, wiping tears away from her eyes.

"We need to talk," Chiaki said and Kotoha looked at him, her eyes wide.

I've already written most of the third and final chapter, but it won't be up til next week, since I'm away until Wednesday. But hopefully it'll be up by this time next week.

Also, thanks to PhinalPhantasy & Crystal Blue Montana for helping me with some of the spellings and things. Thanks.

Song: Issues

Artist: The Saturdays