Chapter 10

Rito was walking along the hallways and passing through various rooms filled with more rich traditional paintings. Rito thought he had wandered around the whole interior of the hotel. He walked down some random steps and finally found the main exit and walked out. Still wandering about, Rito was now moving down the long sidewalk which led to a peaceful park with lots of greenery near a small creek. The sidewalk also projects its way into the inner city of Yokohama. Rito continuously walked but was not far from where the hotel was. He finally stopped when he saw a bench on the right of the sidewalk. He slowly sat down and just kept staring straight ahead of him. In front of him was a big beautiful lake that blended in perfectly with the lightly orange sky which left the grassland being dark.

Even though Rito viewed nature's way of beauty he did not feel happy. As he was watching the lake and hearing the birds chirp it did not give him any happy feeling at all. Rito turned his head for he could have sworn someone called his name. He stared hard to see a strange figure walk up the sidewalk and wave to him. He got up from the bench and slowly walked over to only find Saruyama now standing there with his hands on his hips. When Rito got close enough to fully see him he could see his strange smile. Rito was creped out by his expression.

"Hey, uhh, what are you doing out here?" Rito asked feeling curious.

"I'm out looking for cute hotties to ask out. I hear everybody walks down this way to the park area and city so I'm going to use that advantage to-"

"Alright, yeah I get it. You're gonna meet a girl, she's gonna reject you and you're going to come to me and bitch and moan about it and about how lucky I am!"

Saruyama was now angry.

"Hey what the hell Rito, Why'd you cut me off and snap like that."

Rito was surprised; he had not realized he yelled at his best friend. Rito rubbed his head then sighed.

"I'm sorry. I mean…I went through troubles but this trouble going on in my head is killing me."

Rito sat down on the bench again. Saruyama was now on the verge of curiosity on what's up with Rito.

"Well I could probably help you if you tell me what's up." Rito observed the lake one more time before he got up from the bench again. He walked over to Saruyama. Serious looks were upon their faces but now Rito lightened up a little.

"Alright, but let's along the path while we talk." Saruyama smiled again.

"Sure thing"

Back with Yami

Yami was locked in her hotel room finishing her love novel. She sat properly on the bed leaving her shoes and socks on the floor. Her knees were up and her book was placed in her lap while continually reading word per word.

The sun's rays made its way through the window and shined onto Yami's golden hair. It seemed bright enough to create a small glare around her hair.

It would seem that yami was observing the book and turning each page momentarily. She was only four pages away from finishing what she thinks happens to be one of the most well written love novels on this part of earth.

The sun's light dimmed the room with created shadows around the objects inside the room and including Yami. Her face was red on both sides of her face. She began to feel tension on her face as if she is trying to keep some sort of different expression upon her face.

She moved her hand to all the way to the back of her head, her hands kept losing grip from the book. As she turned the first last page of the book, she slowly read the last paragraph. Her eyes were at complete ease with the few words left to read. She kept closing and opening her eyes slowly. On the last sentences of the passage was written

"I do not care about how you were like; you were just the boy I loved, even if you were friends with the people who would treat the outsiders of school life like crap. But now that you're dead I'll remember…remember to love someone for who they are and what they have that's good in them. Good by…Akio.

After reading those last two sentences Yami had a feeling upon her eyes. Liquid started to fill her red eyes and move its way down her cheeks and fall off the end of her face. More tears were coming and rapidly falling down her face. She never thought she would ever cry again but it was happening at this very moment with no one to witness it.

While the tears seemed to stop for a while she recollected all of the memories in her mind. Not just on this planet but when she was created, to when she was abandoned, to when she became an assassin, to when she came to planet earth and finally to when she experienced all of the fun moments she had with Mikan, Rito and the rest of his friends all the way up to where she and Rito were spending more time together than usual.

The tears now came back to her eyes. The bottom of her eye was covered with water and the drops slid down one after another. Yami grabbed her legs tightly but managed not to let her head down.

"How pathetic, I'm not supposed to cry that easily. But was it over the book or was it…

Before Yami could get her thoughts out Mikan and Yui happened to walk in.

"Hey Yami, I'm not sure where Rito and Saruyama are but we should get ready for-"

Mikan and Yui were shocked at what happened to see. They both had noticed that Yami had been crying. Yui turned to Mikan whose eyes were slightly widened to this discovery.

Yami rubbed her eyes and whipped the watery lines on her face.

"Yami…San?"

Yami turned her head forward away from the girls and the faced it back to them to clear out this situation.

"Umm, I'm sorry… was there something you needed me for?"

"Yeah, we were going to tell you to get ready for the restaurants were eating at." Yui said as she scratched her head. Yami turned her head straight forward again. She then got up from the bed and grabbed her book.

"Okay, let's go." Yami tried to speak normally at Mikan and Yui. They both looked at each other and both of their faces were full of confusion.

Back with Rito and saruyama

Rito and Saruyama walked for three minutes into the peaceful park. As the two friends were walking Rito was telling Saruyama what has been troubling him mentally.

"I really don't get it Rito, what's the problem with hanging out with Yami…despite the fact she's after your life." Rito looked down at the ground with sorrow.

"That's the thing, I don't think she'll accept what I'm feeling if I tell her."

Saruyama was very suspicious. He made a quiet but weird laugh thinking this ought to be a juicy secret.

"Oh tell her what huh huh!?" Rito closed his eyes and tightly balled up his fist.

"Could you take this seriously please?" Rito was filled with small anger with Saruyama but he didn't show it to him. Saruyama started to act serious now as he walked up ahead of Rito by an inch.

"But come on what are you trying to say to her?" Rito stopped walking and so did Saruyama who noticed Rito wasn't walking. Rito moved his head up to the sky; he seemed to be at ease with the orange sky that was staring to get a little darker. He finally turned his head to see Saruyama.

"I think…I love Yami." Rito noticed that Saruyama had said or did anything knowing how serious this actually is.

"So from the other girls around you, you choose Golden Darkness? But I thought you had a huge crush on Haruna." Rito leaned against a small tree that was near a stone wall.

"I did, but I just simply gave up, too much stress for me trying to confess to her though the stress is killing me with Yami."

"I know it seems crazy but, you wouldn't feel how I'm feeling about it Sure she punched my lights out every time I get into some crazy situation but besides that she befriended my little sister, befriended the friends that I have and has helped me and Mikan from random people try to wipe me out."

After hearing Rito's confession, Saruyama placed his hand in his pocket and kicked some rocks around. He then turned to Rito and smiled at him yet again only this time the smile was shown for support to his best friend. He then walked over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder and shook him.

"Well hey look, I'm actually happy for you man even though I'm still jealous."

"Why you" Rito smiled back at Saruyama and removed his hand from his shoulder.

The two laughed together and continued to walk till they came to a signed that had showed them they had walked half a mile so they decided to now walk balk. While walking back Saruyama was concerned about something else on his mind.

"Hey Rito, how are you gonna confess to Yami?" Rito thought about it for a second and then he sighed of short sorrow.

"I don't know. I'm not even sure she would accept what I feel."

"Why wouldn't she. People have already noticed something is up between you two."

Rito moved his eyes away from Saruyama, avoiding his comment.

"And don't be hesitant alright. Just say it and live on with your life with or without her. It may not seem simple but it is."

Rito was hung up on Saruyama's advice.

"This coming from a guy who hasn't had a girlfriend yet" Rito was smiling brightly.

"Hey now I could get a girl if I tried! Speaking of that, now that you want to be with Yami I think I can finally have Lala!"

Rito was quiet for a moment.

"Lala…how would she react if she knew I had feelings for Yami?"

Rito looked at his wrist to see he still had the rubber wrist band he bought from the mall. Looking at the wristband made him smile.

He and Saruyama were both quiet the whole way back, passing by families and couples up and down the path.

Back with Yami and the girls

The girls where all in Yui and Mikan's room preparing themselves for dinner at the restaurant that was right next to where the hotel was. They were only getting prepared with minor things such as perfume, make up lip gloss and other accessories. Mikan was brushing Yami's hair as she was in front of the mirror. Mikan was more curious than anything when she saw Yami cry. Yui was also curious but thought it was just nothing and that she could have miss seen it. Just as soon as Mikan was done she looked at the mirror with Yami and smiled.

"There, you look really grate Yami San!"

"Thank you Mikan." Yami said in her usual quiet voice.

Mikan sighed softly.

"Say where are Yuuki and Saruyama? Risa asked.

"Rito called me and said that he and Saruyama where taking a walk and that they would be outside the hotel at around 8:37." Mikan replied.

"I hope they get back on time." said Run.

While the girls were done with a touch ups they all heard the door open behind them and they all turned around. It was Rin Kujou, one of the bodyguards for Tenjouin Saki. She stood in front of the doorway tall and done properly.

"Everyone if you will, it is going to be time for dinner as Miss Saki has already paid for.

"Your other companions Yuuki Rito and kenichi Saruyama are waiting outside of the restaurant and requested that you all meet them there."

All of the girls walked out of the room and found their way out of the hotel and walked next door to the restaurant they were going to eat at called "Ryōshitsu no shokuhin." It was a place in Yokohama with all of the quality food Japan has to offer. It didn't seem to be a surprise to everyone considering the fact that Saki insisted that they all eat there.

Once the girls arrived Yami had noticed Rito and saruyama standing near the entrance. They all quickly ran over to meet them.

Saruyama was annoyed out of hunger. "What took you so long?

Yui seemed to be more offended than the other girls.

"What took us so long, why where you just walking off to places, you two were probably doing shameless nonsense again?"

Rito looked at Yami. He thought she had looked amazing with her long gold hair. Yami was also looking at Rito but she only noticed one detail, he had the wrist band from "hot Topic" on. She blushed and then moved her eyes the other way and Rito sighed and turned to Saruyama who looked very hungry.

"C'mon already let's go inside and eat I'm starving!" Saruyama said loudly.

Rito open the doors and everybody slowly walked in and observed the areas they were walking by. The restaurant didn't look too traditional; it seemed to be more western looking. A waitress and Tenjouin Saki stepped in front of the group.

"Everyone welcome to Ryoshitsu no Shokuhin one of the top quality restaurants in Yokohama! Since I paid for any of the meals you might order and the total bill for all us you can just come in relax yourselves."

Saki had brought a somewhat devious smile upon her face.

"Poor Lala, it's sad how I don't get to see her reaction when I was able to pay for an amazing hotel and a beautiful restaurant. Not to mention my everlasting beauty."

The waitress introduced everyone to their hibachi table and got comfortable and sat down. Rito of course sat next to Yami. Yami moved her eyes to the right to see Rito sitting next to her. Yami hid her face slightly into the menu. Rito had covered his face with his menu and kept looking over at Yami.

While doing so, Rito didn't realize that Mikan and Saruyama where staring real hard at them while they were also looking at their menus up in their hands.

After a few minutes of looking and a few seconds of ordering everybody had their own side conversations accept for Mikan and Saruyama who were sitting at the table looking bored and sick of watch their friends with each other.

Rito was moving his hand through his hair from his habit of being too nervous in any kind of situation. Yami was completely spaced out, looking in different directions of the restaurant and sighing of boredom. Rito turned his head to Yami and blushed hard. His heart was rushing and he could feel sweat slow building up. He took a deep breath and tried to relax his movements.

"Yami" He said quietly. Yami looked at Rito and on her face was a light pink blush. She was wondering what he wanted to say or ask.

"Say listen I've been… having a great time with you lately and I like the new attitude you put to get into human life." Yami looked down at the table.

"T-thank you, to be honest this is new to me. All of these new meanings and new ways to live and-

"Wait Yami I know what you wanted to say but I need to get this out this time! I love the fact that you treat me and Mikan well and the fact that you actually help me and Mikan from situations and be there for important moments like the holidays.

Yami's eyes were wide and she again like before, she couldn't say anything.

"…Yami you know what else I love?" Yami and Rito's hearts were going fast when Rito grabbed her wrist. It had the other wristband he ought for her on it. Everyone at the square table just now noticed this and where quiet and watching especially Mikan and Saruyama. Rito and Yami turned their heads to find everyone watching them.

Rito swallowed real hard and held Yami's hand more tightly.

"Yami I…I!" Before Rito could confess a strange and noticeable voice interrupted him.

"Oh well look at what I had ran into! If it aint that golden chick and so called tough guy!"

Everyone around the table was looking at the guy wondering who he was feeling of shock and enrage began to rise around Rito and Yami. It was none other than Natsuo and his creepy grin.