Okay first off I want to THANK everyone who messaged me! I love your suggestions and sweet comments. :D

For all those who like to co-write please wait until I'm done with the whole "medical" stage. Then we can move onto small one shots and diverging plot lines. Alright. Awesome.

Btw I am only going to do FIVE one shots in this story. I've already got one slot (LeeshyLoo) taken. For large, diverging story lines I will pick one the one that seems strongest. First come first serve!

-Deadeye47

XXX

Auntie came around the corner, with two bottles of water in her hands. Her lips were pursed into a slight frown. Moments before she had spotted a distraught Arrietty rushing down the corridor, clutching the fox tightly in her hands. Of course, she hadn't been able to run after the girl right away, so now she walked searching for the borrower.

She exited the building and turned to her left, spotting a small bench. And the object of her search.

She was curled up on the bench, with both legs tucked to her chest and the fox squished between her thighs and body. She walked over to Arrietty, sitting down and startling the girl, who whipped her head up.

"Auntie?" She called. Her eyes were red and puffy, with her hair tangled and astray. Auntie smiled and placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

"Something wrong? How's Shō?" She asked. Arrietty sighed and looked down, squeezing the plushie.

"Okay. I guess"

Auntie shook her head. "You're lying" She handed a water bottle to the girl. "Now tell me what's wrong"

Arrietty placed the plushie next to her side, fumbling with the cap of the water bottle. Her eyes grew large and shaky, suddenly filling with crystal tears and sad hopes. Her mouth quivered and sank, growing lower and lower on her face. She threw herself at Auntie unexpectedly, latching onto the woman and dropping her water bottle.

"I ruined everything! I just. I just was so worried and frayed and I don't know why. Why? I didn't mean to!" Sob. "I just wanted him to know that it's alright" Sob.

"I'm so stupid!" With that she returned to her smaller position, curling up on the bench like a bug. Auntie smiled sadly.

"It's okay. Sometimes we just have to make mistakes"

"That's not helpful" Arrietty mumbled.

Auntie chuckled slightly and leaned to look up at the sky. The city was still quiet, still rising. The usual noises of the day hadn't been set into full motion, and the sky was clear.

"Shō doesn't hate you, you changed his whole life. You're just tired is all" She pushed the girls face up to the air. "Sometimes you just have to face your mistakes and move on"

Arrietty nodded somberly, wiping her tears. "But-but –but Auntie, what is this pounding in my chest? Why do I feel so horrible? I just want to understand"

What was to understand? She was so confused.

Auntie was silent for a moment. "You're in love"

Arrietty lit up like a light bulb, flashing red and pink. Her body twitched and fizzled with embarrassment. "Auntie!" She squeaked.

Auntie laughed and smiled. "Don't worry, I won't tell. Just try not to be so obvious if you're so embarrassed'

Love? This is love? What? How could that be? She's felt love before. Well, sort of. Familiar love, motherly love, the kind that appears when you're with your family.

Okay, so she hadn't felt romantic love before. Perhaps Auntie was right.

"How do you know?" She asked softly.

"Because once I was just as confused and tearful as you are" She said.

'Of course. She's like thirty years older than you Arrietty. Duh.'

"Right. I shouldn't have doubted you…" Arrietty mumbled, trailing off and staring at passing pedestrians.

"Its okay" She placed a comforting hand on Arrietty's shoulder once again. "You shouldn't doubt yourself"

So sappy. So helpful.

Arrietty forced a smile. "Thank you Auntie" She recalled Sho's words in her head. "Do you think there's a place I can sleep?" She asked. Auntie thought a moment and nodded.

"Yes of course. We can just rent a hotel room. Wouldn't that be nice?" She said sweetly, tilting her head.

"What? Be away from Shō? Can't I sleep here?" Arrietty responded, worried.

"Not if you want a proper bed and shower" She warned playfully. "Shō will be alright. I'll go tell him. Please, wait here"

Arrietty nodded and watched her retreating form back into the hospital.

It was all so big, so sudden. The city was huge and overbearing. It was interesting and exciting yes, but most definitely overbearing. How was she supposed to cope with all this?

"No, I'm a borrower, we get through. We always do"

Love. What a colorful concept. It hurt her heart and jumbled her emotions. It was different from what she had known before. But now that Auntie had talked to her and reasoned with her, it all seemed to fit into place. Arrietty let her eyes travel, trying to push the thoughts of love and her outburst into the back of her mind. It all seemed much too complicated for her. What happened to stealing sugar cubes in the dead of night? Only worrying about rats and crows that were now the size of her foot. She had better things to do than to worry about this. She should be worrying about Shō no? But what if he didn't love her back? What if he was just putting up with her? What if? What if? What if?

Arrietty put her hands on her head and shake, not caring about strangers eyes. She was so confused! And worried and hurt and ugh.

Ugh. That's all she could think about the situation at hand. Perhaps after a good night's rest she'd be more adept to thinking. Yes, that seemed right.

"Arrietty?" A voice called. She turned and jumped up, running over to Aunties side.

She smiled at the older woman. "Are you ready Arrietty?"

"Yes" She paused. "I guess"

They walked to the hotel quickly, Arrietty opting for a shower and a nap. Auntie laughed as she awed at the view from their tall room. For a few moments Arrietty was truly happy. Of course, it wasn't like she wasn't happy before.

Just confused.

Yeah.