Amu's P.O.V.

That night Amu lay awake staring at her ceiling, stroking Yoru while he curled himself on her stomach he for some reason found to be so comfortable. Not that she found annoyance in that, in fact his warmth eased her cramps a bit.

Ponder. That would be the best word she could use to describe everything that had happened. She had... possible friends. For the first time in her life she had people she could possibly call her friends. Friends. Funny how a word that people used so freely seemed so foreign to her.

The others had chosen their rooms at various parts in the house. kairi had chosen one upstairs. The other three had opted for downstairs accommodations.

Friends.

"What are friends?" Amu realized that she didn't fully understand the concept when she spoke the word. From what she'd seen with the girls at school it was talking behind each other's backs, faking smiles, making crude remarks about girls who wore things they didn't like or were jealous off, laughing at something mean, crying on each others shoulders over some pointless boy. Guys would basically beat each other up, talk about which girls they did or didn't like and who they wanted to bang, call each other gay, and try to out man each other. They also never stopped touching each other which only further confused our heroine. "It sounds... troublesome."

She scratched Yoru between the ears putting her free hand under her head. "Troublesome."

Then she thought about the day before. It had been fun. She'd been able to act like a child. Something she'd never been granted. With a smile forming on her lips she gave a silent, short laugh. The idiotic playboy actually had his good points, she'd never tell him that though. The idiot would only use it as a reason to look smug.

"It's so weird Yoru." She said to the kitten, his ears twitched at his mention. "I was sure I'd hate him more then anything, but he's actually not that bad of a guy."

"For all you know you could be secretly harboring the tiniest bit of attraction to him."

Amu squinted wrinkling her nose. She pictured his smug smile and arrogant eyebrow raise. Attraction? Rima obviously had no clue how Amu worked. "The day I start liking him is the day Yoru drops the testies and grows some nesties." Amu's face dropped as she realized what she'd just called the female genitalia. "Oh you gotta be kidding me."

She pushed herself up a bit propping onto her elbows so she could look at the small feline. "You know there's only one way to deal with this right?" She took a deep breath. "I blame you."

Yoru lifted his head his tail flicking. He yawned with a bit of a mew thrown in.

"Don't give me sass." Amu warned monotonously. "You know it's your fault for some reason." Staring at him as he tilted his head at her she raised an eyebrow. Then, almost uncaring, he laid his small cranium down and shut his eyes. With a sigh she rolled back onto her back. "My point exactly. You don't even have a good argument."

Rima Mashiro, a girl she'd never talked to before though they'd known each other for years. Showing up at Amu's doorstep and offering to help her keep a secret. But what exactly was she planning. No way would she just be doing it out of the goodness of her heart. Though they didn't know each other that well, Amu knew that Rima was always doing things to keep herself entertained and interested. It's why she'd get dirt on so many people. So that when it came down to it she could pick and choose what to tell people to see how they would react to things.

She was crafty and frightening, intelligent as could be. Someone alike Amu yet different. A devious shrimp with an iron mask.

During the day Rima had only been asking Amu questions about Ikuto and who his family was. While the pinkette could answer some she had issues with others. Family? Other then knowing his sister once had a thing for him (something she hadn't mentioned to Rima) and knowing that he'd been set up as her fiance, nothing came to mind.

The two boys had returned not long after they'd left completely drenched, the rain had started when they'd headed back from their vehicle.

Souma Kukai, Hotori Tadase, Sanjo Kairi. Their first names meant nothing, their last names though... in short their fathers knew Amu's. Business partners if you will. She was also fairly certain he was considering them for her sister's future marriage partner.

His oldest daughter not even out of the door and he was already deciding who his fourteen year old would marry. The perfect daughter. It was doubtful Ami would refuse his request. She'd be married when he wanted.

"Everyone says you need to love your family." Amu whispered.

Eyes beginning to droop Amu shut them. She'd think more in the morning. It was time for some sleep.

Ikuto's P.O.V.

At this moment he was metaphorically slamming his head into the wall as he lay on his side in his bed. In case you were wondering, yes, he was still standing chest deep in denile, and the Egyptians were getting tired of him. But he refused to accept that he would be attracted to another male.

After all, he was a ladies man, key word being ladies. But there was no false hood in saying that Akira was strangely addictive.

And his smile...

A flash in Ikuto's eyes led him to see Akira from the day before give him the first genuine smile. He slammed his head into his pillow. "Shit."

Sitting up he rain his fingers through his hair. Ladies man. Rima was here. Maybe he could sneak out and try a second chance at her.

Part of him was begging him to so he would forget all about Akira, another part of him was saying it would be smart. Of course he went with the nonsensical part and was soon on his way out the door.

He needed to figure out some way to get back his insanity. He was almost willing to try anything if it meant he'd forget about the alluring strawberry. Before he stepped down the first step he paused. Alluring strawberry? Oh hell no. His pace quickened down the steps and he raced through the hall passing the kitchen where Rima leaned against the counter watching him.

It took until he reached her room for his mind to process the fact of her being in the kitchen. Ever so awkwardly, he back tracked, freezing in the entrance. Rima sipped some water raising an eyebrow at him.

"Going somewhere?" She blinked.

"Why aren't you in you're room?"

"Why aren't you?" They stood there in a style similar to a mexican standoff.

"You're trying to forget about your attraction to Akira and thought coming to me meant I'd reconsider you and let you in my pants. That about right?" Rima set down her glass popping her hip as she waited for his answer. When he gave none she nodded. "Thought so. But I have a boyfriend. And when I say that you should just know that he's a bit possessive. Same with me. On another note, I'd cut off your penis before I'd let you get the smallest chance of having sex with me."

"Is that so?"

"Yup. You don't like guys. But you're attracted to Akira."

Ikuto flinched hearing her say that. "What makes you think that?"

"Your reaction." Rima dead panned. "So here's my offer. I help you attract Akira, you two get together, I get to hear about you."

"What makes you think I'll agree? What makes you think I want to 'attract' him?"

"You're whole body screams it. And you'll agree because let's be real, you want to see Akira when the idiot expresses every possible emotion. Especially embarrassment."

He rolled his eyes. "You're dellusional. I'd never like Akira."

"Ahuh. Sure, and you didn't call pinky cute today."

"I'm only trying to figure out what secret he's hiding." The truth slipped from Ikuto's lips.

Rima smiled. "Would you believe me if I said I know everything there is to knkw about Akira? Every, little, secret."

"Is that so?"

"I know everything about everyone. I get bored, and when I do, secrets slip." Rima laced her fingers together. "I'll tell you things I know and help you get with salmon for brains. You tell me things about you."

"No wa-"

"Ah!" Rima hushed him. "Just agree since you're going to anyway."

For some reason, he did.