well, i've finally decided to make this one a story, probabaly up to four chapters to five... hope i don't ruin the first start of the story by adding the next few chapters.

standard disclaimer applied...

read on guys and tell me what you think!!!!

Chapter 2: It's You

"It's you…" you whispered, your eyes almost bulging out of their sockets from shock and your mouth slightly agape.

To say that I'm shock is an understatement. I probably have the same expression that you have on your face right now.

I mean, who would have thought that the very first person that I would see the moment I walk out of the airport would be the very last person I saw when I decided to leave ten years ago to pursue a medical career in the US.

I saw your hand slowly leave your sides and lifted slowly towards my face. Quickly, I regained my composure and waited for the touch that I deprived myself from for ten years.

Slowly, your fingers touched the skin of my cheek and I could feel those tingling sensation crawl down to my body from the pace that the tips of your fingers touched.

"It's really you…" you whispered once again and all I could do is stare as your face showed too much emotion that I could not keep track of.

Slowly, as if I was caught in a trace by those dark blue orbs brimming with unshed tears, I lifted my hand and placed it on top of your hand, feeling them curve against the skin of my cheek. At that instant, those tears that was threatening to fall from your eyes cascaded down your cheeks as you bit your bottom lip and tried to stop them from falling some more.

But more came and I just felt my hand drop yours gently as my thumb slowly caressed your skin and wiped away those tears that I have caused you.

This seemed to have triggered something in you, for the moment my thumb brushed across your skin, you pulled away from me and hastily wipes them yourself.

I wanted to ask you what was wrong but held myself, thinking that I have no reason to be asking questions after separating myself from you for those long years.

"I'm sorry." You stammered, composing yourself and trying to have the last sign of crying disappear from your face. "I shouldn't have acted that way. I was just surprised to see you here…" Your voice faded slowly as the last words of your sentence passed your lips.

"I know… I was surprised too, myself." I said, placing my hands in my pocket, regaining my composure and letting my cold façade take over the situation.

I never had the intention of coming back here. I had my plan all set the moment I stepped into the plane that would take me to the US. I would take up a medical career and apply my practice there, make a name for myself, probably. But never did the thought of going back fill my mind the ten years I spent there. Until that day that I suddenly felt this force pulling me, telling me to come home… to you… and probably mend the wound that I created in your heart when I left.

But you seem to have no wound for me to heal, standing in front of me looking radiant with your, now, long hair tied up in a pony tail and a midnight blue summer dress.

"You've grown your hair." I commented, finding the growing silence between us deafening.

"Yeah." You said with a smile as one hand crept towards the back of your head and fondled with the pony tail tied at your nape. "Kurei wouldn't let me cut them the way it was before in high school. He said long hair suits me better."

I frowned, seeing her face light up at the mere mention of Kurei's name. If the Kurei she was talking about is the same Kurei who almost killed us all during the UBS, then why the hell is she smiling like that? Unless…

"Kurei and Recca finally settled their differences now, right?" I said, suddenly becoming aware that we seem to be talking like two distant acquaintances, something far more different than the last time that we talked to each other ten years ago.

"Yeah." You answered, looking past me, your eyes roaming the crowd behind me in eager anticipation.

I stared intently for the first time, ignoring the way you seem to be looking for someone, and can't help but be mesmerized by the way you have presented yourself in front of me today. I was surprised by how much you've changed for the past ten years. Gone now are the tomboyish look replaced by a more feminine and captivating Fuuko. Gone now was the teary-eyed Fuuko I left behind, begging me to stay and telling me she loves me replaced by a radiant, more blissful Fuuko. And somehow, I can't help but wonder if I just dreamt of that day ten years ago when I broke her heart and shattered mine into tinier pieces than it already was.

"Fuuko…" I whispered almost inaudibly due to the lump on my throat that I can't seem to get rid of.

You looked at me and once again, I was lost. God, if you just knew what you're doing to me. If only you knew how much I made myself busy just so I could get rid the thoughts of you out my mind. If you only knew how much I would want to turn back time and make everything right. If you only knew just how deep I had fallen…

"What?" you asked, your eyes locking against mine.

"Ten years ago…" I started but was unable to continue, suddenly lost of words to say, to explain. God, I never knew just how hard is it to say, explain, how I really feel.

"Oh that…" you said, hesitating on what to say next. "Never mind what I said ten years ago. It was just a futile attempt to make you stay." Then you flashed me that smile that I loved the most and I just stood there dumbfounded, hearing those words from you.

So it was just an attempt to make me stay? It was nothing more but a mere attempt to stop me from leaving? It was… nothing?

I don't know how long I had stared at her and how long my mouth was slightly agape. It was as if I was suddenly trapped in my own world, oblivious of everything except of that tiny voice in my head echoing the words that seems to pierce through my chest.

The next thing I knew, you were dashing towards something behind my back, seeming like you've suddenly forgotten about everything around you, including me, and I can't do anything but follow you with my gaze, only to see you fling your arms around… Kurei? And did I mention in a romantic way?

It was more than painful. It seems that this is the way that fate decided to get back at me for hurting you ten years ago and I can't help but give him two thumbs up. It hurt, much more than I thought it would. And my cold façade covered up everything… just like it did before.

well??? what do you think??? please don't forget to read and review!!!

and of course, to those who reviewed this fic...

abubi-chan: well, i hope the fic showed how mi-chan ached in this one... although i'm quite doubtful that i was able to describe how much he did... still, i hope you like this one!!!

aoi-chan07: well, there are still some chapters to come. as i've said, i decided to make this one a short story... who knows... you might have the happy ending you're whishing for this fic...

shenhui: yep.. the ending is kinda sad... and yes, as you can see, i continued the fic... although i'm not quite sure of teh ending... let's just see if it would be a happy ending, ne?

jomai: well, i did try to update as soon as possible... hope this didn't keep you waiting... and hope you like this one...

yanagi-chyan: wow, you're really reviewing the fics that i write and to think i like all your fics!!! by teh way, how's this for a second chapter?? and yes, mi-chan has to leave... let's just say that's where the whiole story started...

mikaro: yeah, i was kinda thinking that myself. it just so happened that i suddenly had this rush of idea and i started to write... it ended that mi-chan has to leave though

obsessed dreamer: wow... thanks so much for reading this fic and for the complimetn thrown my way...

yukari: well, i'm a little bit half way there... i do hope i finish this by january next year...

yuki kawaii: wow, didn't know it would make you cry that much... hehehe!!! thanks for liking the fic... i do hope you'll review for this chpater...

there... hows that guys??? well, please don't forget to read and review... please oh please... with cherry on top!!! how about ten reviews per chapter huh??? how's that??? i really want to know what you guys think of my fics...

by the way, masquerade and frost is still in the process so i'll probably be able to update this christmas season... thanks guys!!!!