I had this chapter done a few days ago, but my computer downstairs fried during the last thunderstorm, so I had to steal a laptop from someone to post this ;P :D -Yuki

Deciept

The sun shining, the birds singing, and the wind ruffling through the trees: today promised to be a good day. Students flocked into the school, chatting with friends, telling secrets, and doing last minute copying of homework before it was time to turn it in. However, there was one student who entered the building, with school the last thing on her mind.

"How could I be so stupid?" Motoko Minagawa asked herself as she made her way to her locker. "I couldn't seriously have believed that I could just suddenly change...go from no friends to close friends…go from hating Tohru to being best friends with her…go from having to steal glances at Yuki to eating dinner with him…this wasn't my intention. All I'm doing is causing problems for Tohru…if only I had never befriended her…but…

Clinging more tightly to her books, Motoko stared at the ground as she made her way through the crowded halls. Her mind wandered back to the first day she came to sit next to Tohru in lunch. That day had been the first day in a year that she had actually had someone to sit by…someone to share lunch with…and, Motoko had to admit, that more than anything had been the reason her "plan" had gotten off to a great start. But, as she came to know Tohru more and more, she realized, that behind the happy façade, Tohru was also someone who was just looking for a friend. That Tohru wasn't just another face in the crowd. That Tohru would be hurt if Motoko went through with the "plan". As much as Motoko would have not cared in the beginning, she had come to truly appreciate the Honda girl's company, and the last thing she wanted to do now was hurt Tohru.

A small, sad smile coming to her lips, Motoko looked up. Funny, because that seemed to be exactly what she was doing…or, at least that's what all of Tohru's friends were saying. And what about the Prince? Did he believe that too? Behind his smiling face, and handsome violet eyes, did there spark a suspicion that Motoko was conspiring against Tohru? No, Yuki wasn't like that. He wouldn't get suspicious of someone for no reason. And Tohru, surely she didn't see Motoko as an annoyance, let alone a traitor.

Upon reaching her locker, Motoko noticed the corner of an envelope sticking out of the bottom of it. Pulling the parcel out, she broke the seal (curiously, it was rice ball shaped… XP) and opened up a small letter.

Motoko!

I just wanted to thank you again for helping Yuki and I study. We have our first test today just before lunch. We'll tell you how it went…hopefully well :) Thanks so much for helping us! You're the best:D

Your friend,

Tohru Honda

Staring at the ink, it took Motoko a moment for Tohru's message to register. Then, a big smile lighting up her face, Motoko stuck the letter in her notebook. No, there was no doubt…Tohru saw her as a close friend, and nothing less. "Who cares what everyone else says?", Motoko said to herself. "As long as Tohru and I hang out together, I will try to be the kind of person worthy of Tohru…someone who Tohru can be proud to call her friend…(and then I'll rub it in that stupid carrot top's face XP XD)"

"President Motoko!"

The President of the Prince Yuki Fan Club almost dropped her books, surprised to see Minami appear out of nowhere.

"Mm…Minami…?" Collecting herself, she cleared her throat. "What is it…?"

"I know this is unexpected…but I was wondering…". The pig-tailed girl stared at her senior. "…Why haven't you been showing up to the Prince Yuki Fan Club meetings lately? It's been hard to get anything done without you…"

Motoko stood there, locker open, studying the younger girl. Up until recently, Minami had been the closest thing Motoko had ever had to a best friend. While the relationship had been completely superficial (Motoko was the source of power in the club, and to get anywhere you had to be near her), in a way, the President had developed a slight bond with the girl. However, as much as she may like her, she couldn't be trusted. She couldn't be told the real reasons why Motoko had been "missing" the meetings.

"A lot has been happening lately…what, with all the teachers trying to prep us for college entrance exams…why do you ask?"

"Oh…no reason…just wondering". Minami stood silent for a moment before starting again. "So…how is the plan going? Gotten any dirt on the Honda girl yet?"

A swift shake of the head told the fan club girl no.

"Why not?"

"Like I said, I've been too busy with school work. Now, if you'll excuse me…" Motoko attempted to leave, only to be stopped by the fellow fan club member.

"Motoko", the girl said, in a seriousness the fan club president wasn't even aware she could achieve. "Is everything alright?"

Bewildered by the question, Motoko stared as she tried to think of a response. Apparently Minami was concerned about her…she even had her hand on Motoko's shoulder… "I'm fine…why do you ask?"

A slight smile coming to Minami's face, she responded. "No reason, you've just been busy lately, and I've been worried about you". Giving Motoko ample time to respond, the senior of the two just stared at the younger. "Well…", Minami started, after a few seconds had passed, "I better let you go…seeing as you've got classes to go to…" As she started to walk away from Motoko, she turned back one last time. "Hey…if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here for you".

Motoko's word of thanks went unnoticed, seeing as Minami disappeared as quickly as she had come. Staring after the girl for a few moments, Motoko's mind raced. What had that been about? What did missing a few Prince Yuki Fan Club meetings matter? To be quite honest, Motoko had been avoiding the meetings…but usually on days that that happened the girls were able to run them without question. However, to have Minami come and ask her about it…and say she was concerned about the elder…that was a surprise. Musing to herself, Motoko headed in the direction of Tohru's locker. "Hmmm, maybe she's not as bad as I thought…"

(Oh, Motoko…how wrong you are!)

(For at that very moment, Minami had caught up with the other fan club members and was being interrogated by Rika)

"So, did you manage to slip the microphone onto her?"

Minami nodded vigorously.

"And you are sure no one else was watching?"

More nods from the fan club's vice president.

"Good", Rika replied. "It is imperative that no one, and I mean NO ONE, is to know about this little mission of ours. Agreed?"

"Ummm…President Rika? Should we really be tracking Motoko like this? Is it all right to invade her privacy like this? I feel kind of bad about doing it…" Minami hung her head, now second-guessing the betrayal of her former "friend".

Sighing, the new, self-appointed Prince Yuki Fan Club President folded her arms. "This is a necessary operation. Until we know what is up with our 'former president', the club won't be able to move forward, especially with our 'Get Rid of Tohru Honda Operation'. If my suspicious are correct, and Motoko has actually befriended the little witch, then we will have no choice but to try her for treason…"

The other three fan club members shivered, all knowing the severe punishments that would await Motoko should she be found guilty.

Rika smiled a smile of satisfaction, her point having gotten across to the girls. "Remember: this is for the good of the club…and most of all, for our beloved Prince Yuki…"

"For our beloved Prince Yuki…" the girls repeated.

"All right, meet me outside the Fan Club's tech room as soon as school gets out. We'll be monitoring her from there". As the group dispersed, Rika glanced at a school clock. A sly grin creeping across her face, the girl continued down the hallway. "It's curtains for you, Motoko Minagawa…"

Aura Black Chan- I'm glad you liked it:DI figured Kyo, if anybody, would be the one to figure out what's going on...well, besides Saki. While I probably won't directly mention it in the story, Saki tends to be good when it comes to knowing these things :)

Grrl N- Thank you so much for the review! Although people may not always realize it, but they really do help me write better, since I know people are following it and enjoying it :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter :D

Satar- Ya, once again, sorry for not updating sooner ;) I'll try to get in the habit of writing more...infact, I've officially put this story on the front burner and will not work on my other ones until this one is complete XD

CrazyInsaneAnimeFanGirl- To tell you the truth, I actually don't follow the manga online. I wait until the books are realeased in English, so I'm only up to #11 (I must be the only person on the planet who doesn't read the spoilers XP XD) She does? Oh, that's so cute!