~REVISED: Notes at the end~

Ruki woke up and sat up, and then flopped back onto her pillow, "Dammit, it's only Monday..." she muttered. She forced herself to sit up. She thought about last Friday. She hadn't found Tomoki for Iori. But she would today! She felt annoyed at these thoughts. But she felt a connection with Iori. In one way, she was doing it for herself. Maybe because he reminded her of herself? In some small way? Ruki wasn't sure, and shrugged, hoping these thoughts would go away as well. But, as she got up, she continued to think. After she had learnt what she had learnt about him, she didn't seem to see him as annoying as she had originally thought. For a little while, she waited for her mum to walk in and tell her to get ready, then remembered she'd left for Kyoto, for some stupid photo shoot. Same every year, the "Sakura models" took place every spring, the same time as Ruki's birthday. Obviously her mother had been there when she was very small, but at five...

"Mommy! Where're you goin'? It's my birthday! Daddy's not here anymore, and I don't wanna be alone for my birthday!" Young Ruki padded out onto the steps outside the front door of their old house, as her mother was outside, packing her trunks into the car.

Rumiko turned to her, her fake smile plastered on her face, "Ruki-chan, sweetie, you won't be by yourself! I've called Momoko round to babysit you. You remember Momoko, yes? She's that really nice friend of mummy's', who played with you at that meeting mummy had, yes?"

Little Ruki felt tears in her eyes, "First Daddy goes, then you have to go! I want my family to spend my birthday with me! Why? Why d'ya have to go!" she cried, the tears really starting to stream down her face.

Although she couldn't remember much from when she was five, she remembered that day very clearly. She got more and more used to it, until she was eight and she didn't care anymore. These thoughts linked to another.

She slapped her forehead, "Oh no! It's my birthday! And everyone is gonna throw me a surprise party!" She got up and shuddered, "Oh no! This is gonna be such a pain!" She rushed into the shower, got showered, ran back to her room, threw on her clothes, ran downstairs, and quickly made breakfast. At 7:45 she grabbed her backpack, and walked out the door

She almost laughed as she thought about how she was younger, when she had just started school, and used to call "Ittekimasu!" ("I'll be leaving.") And her mother would always reply "But you'll be back here before you know it!" and she would smile, not that horrible fake one she always used these days, but that sweet one she always used to have.

Ruki shook her head, trying to shake away her thoughts as she walked, "Whoa, I'm getting in way too deep here!" she said aloud.

"Getting too deep into what, Hime?" said that oh-so annoying voice.

She looked to Ryou, "Okay, you are in grave danger of getting torn apart, is that what you want?"

"Well..." he said, casually, "Juri asked Takato to ask me if I could bring you to see her at lunch, she needs to speak with you urgently!"

Ruki rolled her eyes. She knew damn well what was going on, "Why can't she tell me earlier than that?" she asked,

"Because it's something only in classroom A5."

"That happens only at lunch?"

Ryou grinned, "Yep!"

'Real convincing' Ruki thought. She contemplated on telling Ryou she knew, but she was intrigued at how they'd get her to A5, so she left it.

They walked, with Ryou's usual insignificant talk, and Ruki's annoyed, short replies.

When they arrived, Ryou's fangirls flocked round him. They ignored Ruki altogether, and looked extremely upset. Ruki wasn't sure as to why.

They dragged Ryou away, but not without him calling, "Don't forget! A5!"

"Whatever." she said quietly.

She turned, to find Jenrya, whom had also just arrived. "Hi." he said simply,

"Uh... Hi." Ruki replied.

"So, you realised yet?" he asked casually.

Ruki stared at him, "How did you know?"

"I figured you'd get it."

"Heh, you figured right." she replied,

"Yeah, she'd figure that, even if she doesn't get other things." Miyako said slyly, walking over to them.

Ruki turned on her immediately, "What's that supposed to me-! Ugh... Whatever." She turned and stalked away.

Unknown to Ruki, Miyako did a thumbs up to Jenrya as he rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"What did she mean?" She muttered to herself.

"Who's bugging you now?" Asked Kouji's voice, from behind her.

She turned, "You..! No one in particular, just everything!" She wasn't sure why she'd told Kouji this, nor did she care what his reaction would be, though his reaction surprised her.

"Yeah, I know how you feel, everyone here is so...stupid..."

Ruki snorted, "Yep, that's about it."

Kouji shrugged, "Here's what you do... You get through each day don't bother complaining. You can't change anything."

Ruki raised an eyebrow, "And you don't complain?"

"Never said you couldn't complain outside of school."

Ruki snorted again, and almost smiled. Almost. The bell rang.

"Later." Kouji mumbled, and walked away.

Ruki walked toward her classroom. Once she reached it, took her seat, and got out her things, she looked to the front of the classroom. Saki-sensei seemed even more tired than normal, as he wrote several kanji that meant nothing to Ruki.

The first two lessons passed, and, break was spent with just Ken, as Koushiro and Miyako were on an errand. Ruki had her suspicions, but wasn't too bothered, she was just curious as to how they would get her to her "party".

As lunch approached, Ruki was becoming more and more curious. Everyone was acting normal. Juri was talking with her, and doing that annoying "link-arms" thing, Takato was being his normal shy-self, talking with Junpei, Jenrya was talking with Alice, though not getting much of a response. Hirokazu and Kenta were skulking in the corner, up to something or rather, and Ryou was being... Well... Ryou!

As the bell rang, everyone Ruki knew filed out very quickly.

Ruki raised an eyebrow, 'Yes... Very inconspicuous...' she thought, amused. She left the classroom, and walked down the hall - she made sure she didn't head to A5. As she walked, she saw Kouji leaning against the wall, his arms folded. As she past, he opened one eye, sighed, then said loudly, "Hime at 3'o'clock! ...guys, please don't make me say that ever again..."

Ruki was completely bewildered, "Hu-?" Someone laid one hand on her shoulder, and another covered her eyes. Ruki wasn't sure how, but she could immediately tell Ryou had his hand on her shoulder.

"You! Get the hell off m-!"

"Sorry, Hime!" Said Ryou's cocky voice, as she heard Hirokazu and Kenta exclaim, "Phase 1 - CAPTURE THE PRINCESS - COMPLETE~!" And so she was dragged to, she assumed, class A5. Also, she was seething.

"Dammit, Ryou, I know you're responsible for all this! You couldn't pull of a surprise party if you were paid!" When they reached A5, all hands were taken off her.

She was about to turn and yell, "What the hell do you all think you're doing?" when she noticed the decorations and such, and everyone she knew were gathered round.

"Happy Birthday!" they all shouted in unison. Everyone was smiling, and a few were talking amongst themselves. There were banners of red, black, blue and dark green draped across the room. Tables with all sorts of cakes and sweets laid out, there was onigiri laid out on another table, and other foods, and a large cake on one other. Ruki was dumbfounded. It reminded her so much of when she was young; when she'd celebrate her birthday with her family and nursery friends.

She felt Ryou put an arm round her shoulder, "So, what'cha think, Ruuki?"

Ruki pushed his arm off, still dumbfounded, and slightly in awe that people were able to do this. All this for...

She then remembered her place here, "What do you all think you're doing? All this for me? I don't need this, let alone want it!" She walked out of the A5.

Everyone looked after her, taken aback.

Ryou turned, "Ruki! Ruki, wait! Please! Everyone tried and-!"

Ruki stopped, "You bring me here against my will, you throw some party I don't want, and then expect me to just play along?" she turned to him, outraged, "You really expect me to be happy about it? You-!"

"Ruki! Look, we thought it would be fun! And about dragging you here, I'm really sorry, but you knew about the party, not that I'm surprised but-"

"Who told you I knew?" Ruki cut in immediately; Jenrya had just been labelled a blabber-mouth.

"Huh? Miyako-chan, why?"

"That..." Jenrya had just been stripped of the "Blabber-mouth" title and it had been given to Miyako instead.

'But...' a voice echoed in her mind, 'you never said they couldn't tell others you knew...'

"Let me handle this!" said Orimoto Izumi, whom was now standing behind Ryou, hands on her hips, "Guys are crap at the sort of thing anyway." she said matter-of-factly.

Ruki snorted, but couldn't help agree.

"Err... Thanks, Izumi-chan." Ryou said, scratching his head.

"Anytime! Now, go away, me and Ruki-chan have got some serious talking to do!"

'Who is she; my mother?' Ruki thought, annoyed, but then she realised; Izumi was acting very different. Not all quiet, saying what people wanted her to say, but being very open about her feelings.

As Ryou turned to walk away, he murmured to her, "Glad to see you're being normal!"

Izumi looked at him, "Thanks! Glad somebody noticed!" and made a thumbs up.

Ryou nodded and grinned. "Enjoy your girl talk!" and he went back into A5.

Ruki glared after him and then at Izumi, "What is it?" she demanded.

Izumi grinned, "Well... I was thinking, about what you said all that time ago. Well... I will keep my "real self" to myself, unless I'm around people who don't mind or care - like you! And Ryou-kun. And... Takuya-kun, Kouji-kun, Tomoki-kun and Junpei-kun... Maybe?" She laughed, and then continued, "And maybe you should do the same. I mean, has anyone noticed yet? You're not yourself, ne? I mean, maybe that little outburst of pride back there is more like you, who knows? Well, I can tell, therefore... I must be a real friend! Yay! Ruki-chan!"

Ruki stared at her, was this really that Izumi she met the other day? "...Eh?" was all she could say.

Izumi stretched her arms into the air, "Well, I can be myself around you! But I can't so much around others, especially since..." she looked at the floor sadly.

Ruki said nothing, and waited awhile.

After that while, Izumi demanded huffily, "Well? Aren't you gonna ask?"

Ruki felt taken aback, and then shrugged, "Why do I need to? My life doesn't depend on it!"

Izumi glared, then giggled, "You sure are different to any "friend" I've ever had, Ruki-chan!"

'There's that annoying informality again! What is with this school? They don't know me!' was all Ruki could think.

Izumi giggled again, "Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say, or ask, is that you stay at the party! I think everyone who helped could become those friends who truly understand you, y'know?"

Ruki shrugged. She wasn't feeling so angry anymore. Well, at the rest of them. Ryou on the other hand... Her stomach rumbled, "Fine! But I'm only going 'cos the food looks good, and I'm hungry, okay?"

"Of course you are!" said Izumi slyly, and turned to go back. She looked over her shoulder and said, "Oh, Ruki-chan, consider me one of those people who understand you, okay? A friend, okay? See you in a minute!" and she walked back in.

Ruki wasn't sure how to react, but her rumbling stomach made her go back in.

As the party passed, (Ruki spent most of it at the food table) various people she'd met before talked to her. She wasn't sure of the last time she'd talked to this many people. She wasn't sure of the last time she'd actually had fun. She then quickly reminded herself that she wasn't having fun at all. She was there for the food.

Eventually Miyako came over to her, "Well, birthday girl! How's the grub?" Ruki remembered Miyako had said she'd bring food from her family's convenience store.

"It's pretty good. I'm guessing you brought it?" Ruki said, not thinking.

Miyako blinked, "Y-Yeah... I knew you'd found out about the party but didn't think you'd know details unless you overheard our meetings... Oh." She'd caught on, and laughed, "Good one, Ruki-chan! Sneaky!"

Ruki raised an eyebrow, maybe Miyako wasn't that bad, "I don't know what you're talking about." she said, innocently. She then looked at the food on the tables, "Ya know... You people didn't need to do this..."

"Well, people wanted to!"

"But why for me?" Ruki asked quietly, refusing to look at Miyako.

Miyako folded her arms, "Honestly? I don't think it was all about you. I reckon you had about 20% to do with the reason. I think a lot of people just wanted to throw a surprise party! And you're so reluctant to have a party at all, how could we not have a surprise party? It's a dream situation!" Her eyes were sparkling now, "And it's gone great! We actually staged a kidnapping and got you over here...!"

Ruki was so taken aback by this, she looked at Miyako, "That's... the most honest thing anyone has said to me for awhile..." She told Miyako, and laughed.

Just for a second.

She realised she'd just laughed, as did several people close by. Juri, Ryou, Takato and Jenrya, who had all been talking nearby, stopped and looked over. Then they looked back at each other, speechless.

Ruki coughed, trying to hide her embarrassment, "Y-Yeah..."

Juri giggled, and Miyako, also stunned, laughed as well. Ryou looked over at Ruki again and smiled. Not that she saw him. He knew if she had seen he'd only be glared at.

"W-What?" Ruki asked defiantly.

Miyako gave her another sly look, "Never mind~!"

Juri walked over to them, "Ruki-chan! How about getting some cake now?" And without waiting for Ruki's response, she linked arms with her and half-dragged her to the cake table. They lit some candles and sang happy birthday.

"Make a wish!" Hikari called.

"I'm not a child y'know!"

Ryou walked up beside her, "But surely you have a wish?"

Everyone started echoing things like "Yeah!" and "Oh please Ruki-san/chan!"

Ruki gave them all a sweeping glare, "Fine! B-But I'm only doing it to stop you all from bugging me...!" she turned, 'I'm not gonna make a wish!' she told herself.

But as she blew out the candles, a sentence, a wish did pass in her mind. But it was so quick, she didn't notice it.

Everyone applauded, and then the cutting and eating of the cake commenced. Near the end of lunch, Jenrya scratched his head and said loudly, "Guys... We oughta clean this up, or we could get in trouble..." Everyone else looked toward him and nodded reluctantly.

"Yeah..."

Eventually the bell rang. The party broke up as they headed to their classes. Everyone waved to Ruki as they left though.

When the last lesson ended, and Ruki left the school grounds, she felt lighter. Happier. Her problems had all seemed to have left her temporarily.

She took her old route that day, as she had a ton of homework, and was gonna get into trouble fairly soon, as she had missed a few deadlines.

Ryou walked beside her, and said quietly, "Thanks for coming to the party."

Ruki snorted, "Didn't have much of a choice now, did I? Considering you guys dragged me there..."

"I'm sorry, Ruuki! I wasn't sure-!" Ruki cuffed him over the head, but not hard.

"I don't care! At least I filled my empty stomach!"

"Well, I really am glad. I mean, I've never seen those guys pitch in, and work so hard. They really do wanna be friends with you Ruki, maybe there's something that binds us all? Heh!" Ruki didn't bother looking at him. "Heyy, listen to me! Haha! But I really do think they wanna be friends, even if they're all nuts."

"And you're not?"

Ryou laughed, "Nope! I'm the sanest of them all!"

"Of course you are!" Ruki humoured him,

"Why thank you, Hime!"

Ruki rolled her eyes. "...But ya know, I don't think they do desperately want to be my friend or anything. That's stupid. Miyako-san said it herself - they just wanted an excuse to throw a party."

Ryou didn't deny this, "...Does that upset you?"

Ruki shook her head, "Actually, I was kinda happy she was so honest."

"...Is that why you laughed?"

Ruki decided not to answer that.

When they got to their usual fork in the road, she clapped her hand to her mouth.

"What's wrong?" Ryou asked immediately,

"I forgot to speak with Tomoki-kun!"

"What about?"

"None of your business! Dammit. I guess I'll have to do it tomorrow..."

"Well, I could make sure you remember!" he said cheerfully,

"Hmph. I can remember myself!"

"Fine, but I'll still make sure. Anyway, I better go, I've got to get to my job; I'm behind payment of the rent and-!" he then put his hand over his mouth, "Forget that!" he said quickly.

He made to walk away but Ruki had grabbed his arm, "Rent?" she asked, bewildered,

"It's complicated, um... It's not what it sounds like though!" he said, without looking at her, "Anyway, I've really gotta go, see ya Ruuki!" and he pulled his arm from her grip, and ran off.

Ruki stared after him, "Ryou...! Now I think I about I know nothing about him..." she shook her head. "Not like I really care! ...But that sure did sound weird... Rent?"

Ryou was starting to become more of an enigma to Ruki now. He wasn't as shallow with just a few oddities about him to her anymore. She was confused more than anything.

She threw her hands in the air and let them drop by her side. "Ah! He's such a pain! Dammit! I've got homework anyway!" And she headed home. Despite all that, she still felt a little cheerful.

/

~REVISED: I made massive dialogue changes here XD Added quite a lot actually o: And the usual grammar/spelling checks. Wow, I've edited 2 chapters in one day. I'm quite proud of myself, actually. 8D Until next time, enjoy~