Chapter 4:

Ciarda's POV

Shin pushed me down on the bench and hovered above me. His gaze so intense. I had just told him. Where I came from. How I already knew about him (leaving some details out of course) and how I suddenly ended up in this world. He had been pretty quiet until now. Not revealing any emotion.

His lips pressed fiercely against mine and I was shocked. My lips would not move at once, but then my brain registered what was happening. I kissed back, but as soon as I felt a hand up my side under my shirt, my hand grabbed his and stopped it. A smirk on my lips.

"Don't you dare," I said with a teasing tone.

"I'm sorry, I just-"

"It's ok," I interrupted him. "Caught up in the moment at all, but what I really would like to know is whether you think I'm crazy or not," I said honestly.

"I do not care where you come from or that you somewhat know me already or about my father…" He trailed off and took a deep breath. "I care about you, Ciarda. You as a person. The one you are."

I giggled. "Well, that settles it then! It's out of the way," I breathed out and felt my cheeks heat up.

He chuckled and tucked a strand of hair behind my right ear.

A sharp tone cutting through the silent evening ruined the moment. I scowled at my phone as I picked up.

"Where are you?" Xaria asked.

"On my way home," I answered and closed the phone. Hearing the start of a protest as the call ended. "I have to go," I said and Shin stood up with me.

"Let me follow you home," he said and held out his hand for me.

"Gladly," I said happily and took it.

Though the walk was silent, it was very pleasant. When we stopped by the entrance, he kissed me goodnight before promising to see me again the next day. With a wide smile I entered the apartment and thought that I certainly could get used to this.

Xaria was waiting for me. Her bruise still shining on her cheek. She understood at once that something had happened for sure and I had to tell her everything.

"I'm glad you're finally accepting this world," Xaria said softly and hugged me briefly. "Now, let's get some sleep. We have an interesting day ahead of us tomorrow," she then said.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, you just wait and see."

Xaria's POV

Ciarda and I met up with Ikki early in the morning. Knowing very well that the trio – as we called them – were watching us. We sat down and ate breakfast together. Ciarda mainly quiet, as she did not know him at all. In turn he tried to make conversation with her as her phone rang.

"Oh, it's Shin," she said with a smile.

I raised a brow. "Lover boy wants to see you already?" I teased.

Ikki watched highly interested.

"I promised him that we would meet up again today," she defended.

"So you can get some more heated kisses?" I wiggled my eyebrows. Ikki chuckled.

She pointed her tongue at me and left in a hurry.

"Well, that was interesting," Ikki said calmly.

"She has fallen pretty fast. I think he means more to her than I can even imagine," I muttered and stuffed my mouth with food again.

"At least they are true to each other then," he mused.

"Oh, she secretly had a crush on him for a long time. It's only a matter of time before their status becomes official," I said with my mouth full, making him laugh at how silly I sounded. Then he winked and I understood that something was happening. We were making progress then.

He wrote something down on paper and unseen he pushed it over to me.

I see Toma, it said. My eyes narrowed.

I also saw three girls in the glass of the doors close to me.

"Excuse me for a moment," Ikki said and left.

I noticed the trio of girls close up on me. Without warning I stood up and swung around, a punch ready. It hit the closest one. Then I swung my other arm and hit the second. The third stood staring in shock and I smirked. "You better not mess with me girlie," I hissed. "Now leave me alone and remember this. If you ever try anything on me or Ciarda I will come after you and beat the crap out of you," I threatened.

She stiffly nodded as the other two stumbled their way up and away. Together they ran off, and from the corner of my eye, I saw a blur of orange and yellow. My eyes squinted. I knew it was Toma. His yellow hair tipped with orange and his clothing was not difficult to miss. I pretended not to see and turn. Then I saw a figure with a high newspaper. Oh really… I rolled my eyes and went over to him. Furious I took the paper out of his hands.

"Why are you following me?" I hissed. "I told you I can take care of myself!"

He winced and squirmed in his seat. No doubt he had seen I was perfectly fine.

"What's going on here?" I heard Ikki's voice from behind. I turned and noticed his frown. "I'm sorry. Let's go," I said and walked past him.

He followed me, but when I reached home he stopped me. "You know he cares for you."

"Please don't. I am aware. But he takes it too far. He needs to understand that," I said and removed his fingers from my arm.

"Thank you," he then said.

"What for?" I wondered.

"For telling me and now for showing them that they are not in charge," he said.

"You should see my friend Kera then," I said with humor. Then a pang of sadness went through me.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I might never see her again…"

"Oh."

"But it's ok. I know she would want us to go on. Maybe one day I'll tell you why," I said and unlocked the door.

"I would like that," he muttered and turned to leave.

"Hey, Ikki." He briefly turned. "Thanks for being a cool friend," I said, gaining a large smile. My mission for today was accomplished.

The next day I was back at university and by the time it had ended I had still not seen Toma. A pang of sadness went through me and I knew it was my own fault, but still... I felt like I had to talk to him. Problem. He was not at home. Shin did not know where he was. And I did not have his number.

"Yes?" I answered the phone.

"Hey, it's me."

"Heroine!" I exclaimed happily.

"Sawa and I wondered if you and Ciarda wanted to meet up for some shopping," she said.

"Well, I have a better idea," I said.

Soon we all met by the main street close to Meido.

"So what is this great plan of yours?" Ciarda asked.

"Just wait."

Sawa and Heroine came running up to us with Mine in tow. I raised an eyebrow at Sawa who in turn shook her head in a manner so I would drop the subject.

"Ok, ready to go some window-shopping and then to the design table?" I asked, my excitement shining through.

"This is great!" Sawa exclaimed.

"We aren't going into any shops?" Mine asked confused.

I shook my head. "When you see something you like, you tell me. Later we go back to our place. Take measures and then I draw what outfits you wish for. See it as a gift, it gives me something to do," I explained.

"Thank you," Heroine said.

"It's no problem at all," I answered. "I do this all the time."

"Yeah, my closet is full," Ciarda complained amused.

"What about pay-"

I interrupted Sawa. "No, no paying. Orders from the university, sure. But in my spare time I do it for friends. Free."

It was quite a nice time spent out as we walked around.

I'm so starting my own clothing shop of unique clothing when I'm done with uni, I thought as we walked back towards our apartment.

Once inside the apartment it was major girl time. Heroine and Ciarda started cooking while I started with Sawa and Mine. Bringing them into my room.

"Woah, this is amazing," Sawa exclaimed and inspected some of my rolls with fabric.

"I might have to buy some other types soon, but I'm not complaining," I said as I looked for a pencil. "Aha!" There it was.

"You made all of these?" Mine asked surprised as she went through my closet.

"Most of it, except the styles I'm wearing right now," I said.

"Yeah, it's quite different."

"Why is it a diamond printed to your roof?" Sawa asked.

"Oh, it was there when we moved in. I tried to match it with the rest of my things though," I said, making up an excuse quickly.

"It's nice," Sawa said and smiled. I smiled back.

"It's kind of strange," I heard Mine mutter to herself.

"Dinner!" Ciarda yelled.

"Food!" I said happily and rushed out of the room.

The food went quickly down and soon I was back to helping Heroine while Sawa and Ciarda sat in the living room. Mine kept staying around in my room, which annoyed me somewhat.

"So, what's up with you an Ikki?" Mine then asked.

"Mine!" Heroine exclaimed shocked.

"What? Don't tell me you did not wonder the same thing," she defended.

"We're just friends, that's all," I said and shrugged.

"I'm friends with Shin and Toma, why can't she be friends with Ikki?" Heroine said, her voice a little bit stern. It was almost comical.

"Just saying…" Mine said, clearly annoyed and crossed her arms.

When our guests left I could finally breathe out. Or so I thought. Shin came by to see Ciarda and I decided to give them some time alone and exited the apartment.

Walking around with no real destination proved to become boring and I started texting with Ikki. But he was hanging out with Kent, and the texting stopped. Strangely enough I had not met him yet. However, Ikki said that they often saw each other since they were such good friends. I did not know whether to feel jealous or not. Ciarda was together with Shin now, and we both got uni, I mean we saw each other and talked, but at least as four best friends, we always had someone to spend time with, no matter what. Even if Kera got a boyfriend it was only the first month she would be a little absent before she perfectly balanced the time between us, and even let us meet the guy. Though most of them proved jerks in the end and I so did not want to end up like her. Nevertheless, she was not afraid of getting hurt. She said it was part of life and meant to happen. Not that she had had too many boyfriends. Her computers were her husband in every way. But then again, she was awesome with them. Maybe if she found the right one she would understand the feeling of hurt if it went down the wrong way. I concluded, that was too much of depressing thoughts.

It took a while for me to register that someone was walking towards me. Well, would most likely pass me in the end. However, the hair and clothing gave him away, although he was not really looking where he was going and almost walked straight into me. Our shoulders brushed and his head shot up, most likely to apologize.

"I'm so-" he cut himself off when he noticed it was me. "Xaria," he said surprised.

"The one and only," I joked. The corners of his lips twitched.

"What are you doing out here?" he wondered. What are you doing out this late, you meant, I added in my mind.

"Just taking a walk. Shin came by. Even if Ciarda hasn't announced the relationship yet as a relationship it's quite obvious," I said.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Shin hasn't changed much, but he seem happier," Toma said with a smile.

"Mm. Both Ciarda and I are getting used to this life now. I can't imagine going back," I said aloud. Not really meaning to.

"What do you mean?" His curiosity shone in his eyes and I slightly panicked.

"Eh, uhm… What I mean is that I can't imagine moving back. We like it here pretty much," I said hurriedly.

"Ah." It was quiet for a little and I studied my shoes. "So how is Ikki?" Oh, he didn't!

"He's fine as far as I know. A good friend and all." I waved with my right hand in the air while my left rested above my left hip.

"You need to be careful around him," he said, tone a little bit darker.

"Seriously Toma! Are you kidding me? I caught you, remember? You saw me fight off those bitches. I can take care of myself. And as for being with him? No thank you! That would just be weird. If I see myself with someone in the future, it's not him." I turned on my heels and started stomping the way back I had come from.

I faintly noticed that he was following me. And then a hand grabbed my elbow, making me turn.

"What the-"

A finger was pressed over my lips and I stared wide-eyed into Ukyo's face. Then he moved it and gestured for me to be silent.

I saw Toma run past us. Swearing in the process.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, my anger rising by every second.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to help. I caught some of your conversation."

"Rude," I said and glared at him.

He looked at me apologetically. "Go to his place and wait for him there. It will help, trust me," he said.

"Why would I?" I hissed.

"You're the only one that can keep him in check. You are not of this world, correct?"

I stared at him in shock. "H-how do you know?"

"You just confirmed it," he said and smiled.

"What?" My shock was pretty strong.

"I had a strange feeling. And it felt right, but I needed it confirmed." He shrugged.

"And you don't think I'm crazy?"

He shook his head with a smile. "I have a feeling it was meant to be. It sounds crazy, but I believe it."

"Wow, thanks," I said. "Oh, but please don't tell our other friends?" I pleaded.

"Don't worry." His smile was still in place and he left me standing to make a decision.

So I ran.

I do not know how long I waited. But wait I did. In the meantime, I got a text from Ciarda where she wondered where I was. I said the truth in turn.

I sat outside his door when he came walking. I stood up. Surprise clear in his eyes as he saw me.

"Hey," I said softly. "I thought you might need a friend, and an apology."

He stared at me. "What?"

"I know I was harsh towards you, but gaining my attention by following me around is not the right way. That's just too stalker-ish," I said, gaining a smile. "If you want to let me in I would like to tell you something."

He nodded and unlocked the door letting me in. I ended up sitting on the bed Heroine had been sleeping in when she was his sort of prisoner. I patted the bed beside me and he sat down curiously.

"I am not from this world," I started. I saw he was on the way to say something. "Please don't interrupt." Carefully he nodded. I smiled. "I must sound crazy, but that's why Ciarda and I were so confused when we ended up here and you saved us right after. In my world, this is a series. Sort of. It's quite confusing, but I won't go in on it. It's showing many different universes. I guess we landed here for a reason. With a choice. A path." I looked through my pockets and found the card. I held it out to him. Slowly he took it and looked at it. "I chose the path of the diamond," I said. "I thought in the start this was all a dream. Then I came to realize that this is our new reality. Our world and we belong here now. And I must accept my fate. My feelings were well hidden as I managed to hide them and suppress them with work and other silly things, but it is only so long that I can deny them." I did not let my eyes fall. I was looking deeply into his. "I'm willing to give this a chance. However, you must respect that I'm a strong girl and not afraid to talk back. I like you, a lot actually. Although I cannot say for sure what you feel for me. Either if it is brotherly love or only friendship, I've never felt this clueless."

His expression was soft and an arm sneaked around my waist and brought me closer, sending butterflies through me. My right arm resting on his shoulder while my left on his right side. Then his other hand rested on my thigh and another heat spread. Oh dang, does he know what he's doing to me? I silently wondered.

His lips pressed against mine carefully but I was gladly accepting anything. As our lips moved I could feel myself getting a little bit too much into it considering it to be only the first kiss we shared, but dang it was good and turning me on. Well, not like I would mind if anything happened concerning how good this felt. The fire was great and I pushed him down on the bed, our lips never parting as I straddled his hips. Oh yes, this was going to be great.

Ciarda's POV

Morning. It was morning and I was eating breakfast by myself when the front door unlocked and Xaria came in. Looking very content and a lazy smile on her face. Her eyes shone in satisfaction and I knew too well.

"You didn't!" I accused with a gasp.

"Oh, I did. Pretty much all night!" she said with a yawn and threw herself down on the couch. "And it was great!"

"You barely even know him!" I said shocked.

"Actually, we're getting to know each other. We're together. And we're meeting later out. To talk. Then if I get sex again later I will so not complain." She took a moment to study me and then she gasped. "No! Don't tell me you're still a virgin!"

"Shh!" I felt my face heat up and I knew that I probably was looking very red. "We're still getting to know each other. I don't want to just jump into it."

"It's so much tension in you girl," Xaria complained. "You would really relax if you took him up on it you know. I'm pretty sure he wants it." My blush did not leave my face. "Even Naiya is not a virgin and that says something."

"Stop it," I complained. "Of course he wants to, but I told him it's too soon and he knows how I feel. He knows I'm a virgin as well. I'll take it as it comes." I heard a quiet groan. "What?" I asked with a roll of my eyes. "Plus, Naiya did it once after waiting a long time and then she broke up with him because he suddenly wanted it all the time and she did not see the need of it."

"He can't have been very good," Xaria muttered, then she said, "Let's stop talking about this. I so need a shower to relax again." She grinned and left me alone in the room.

"Oh great. Would have thought she had met with a sex god or something," I muttered as I heard my phone ring.

With a raised eyebrow I opened the flip and then I gaped. Naiya?!