I apologize for the late update but the fact that I'm still in the most "happiest" years of my high school career.

Honestly, not the most brightest moments of my life.

I'll try my best to update if I can, but I'm not going to guarantee everything.

On the other hand, thank you readers for your most pleasant patience with me.

Enjoy! (fyi reviews are very much appreciated since the ending of the story depends very much on the readers' comments...just so you know)

Chihiro absolutely could not face Haku. She was avoiding him for the past day ever since she ran away from Haku's grip the other day. She couldn't make eye contact with him, definitely not.

Kaonashi (aka in Wakaba Yukito's body) still had the guts in him to speak with Chihiro. She had the gut feeling to punch him in the nose, but she knew her chances of an angry Haku again would increase. She went to school hoping she wouldn't have to confront Haku.

Chihiro thought it was strange, she could keep eye contact with Kaonashi but not Haku. Why? Was he more intimidating? Not particularly. Was it because Haku had a more frightening glare when he used it? Maybe. Was it that she had a stronger reaction to him than Kaonashi?

Quickly she paused, and thought again. But Kanonashi acted rasher than Haku, why would she react stronger to Haku? Suddenly it it hit her, it was her feelings that were stronger for Haku than for Kaonashi who befriend in the spirit world.

When their working shifts were over, they were allowed to attend the festival. Chihiro and Tomoyo took a few snacks before hanging together near the empty sports field. Once Chihiro explained everything that had happened to her, Tomoyo's eyes widened.

"Kaichou did what?!" She exclaimed.

Chihiro hushed her, "It's Kaonashi who is possessing him, remember?"

"But...but..." Tomoyo stared in shock, "He took my daughter's first kiss!"

She narrowed her eyes, "Daughter?"

Tomoyo grabbed Chihiro's shoulder with a sober expression, "My son-in-law, Hiyoshi-kun, was supposed to take it..."

Chihiro removed her hand with slight annoyance, "I'm older than you by a two months Tomoyo."

She then took a massive bite from her lunch and pointed her chopsticks at her, "I had you young."

"Tomoyo..." Chihiro groaned. "This is serious."

"Serious?" Tomoyo said still eating away. "You just told me something you had in you already long ago."

Chihiro raised a brow, "Something in me?"

She patted her cheek, "You're in love with that dragon Chi-chan."

"Really Tomoyo-"

"You've been in love and you're not sure how to explain your situation with kaichou." Tomoyo explained, "You're afraid to lose him and that kiss just proves it." She poked her with the back of her chopsticks, "There's. No. Way. Around it. You're in conflict because your dragon boy saw it happen and you're afraid of what he might say and that he could reject you."

Chihiro then realized that Tomoyo could be right. She was a afraid to lose Haku over that sudden kiss. She was so oblivious, he was by her side the whole time and she was...in love with him? Her cheeks blushed by the thought and tried to hide it from Tomoyo who was already smiling.

She smiled, "It really is love isn't it?"

X

Daisuke knew something was off about Haku. He was a popular image in the classroom and was popular with girls like usual but weirdly enough, he was able to charm a girl at any moment. On the other hand, Daisuke began to find himself in a similar situation with the girls as well.

Daisuke was in charge of the cooking since his classmates were afraid his glare would scare off customers if he worked as the cashier. They were quickly proved wrong when Daisuke was admired from behind the stall's walls. He had to take off his glasses a few times due to the heavy steam from the steamer. Apparently he had a certain blessing from God with his double eye lids, at least that was what Tomoyo said about them. He couldn't understand why Asian girls had a thing for them.

When Daisuke wasn't being uncomfortably stared at he could tell Haku was distracted. He seemed out of it, his usual enthusiasm was still there but he still seemed incredibly tense.

He wasn't used to Haku being so quiet. It was strange and everyone beside him knew it too. Their class clown had actually reached exhaustion, which seemed impossible just the day before. When their shift was over, Daisuke confronted Haku after hordes of girls offered them free samples. Even though he was doubtful that the "free" samples were actually free. The two then decided to sit on the steps near the auditorium's entrance to finish their food.

"Hiyoshi, earth to Hiyoshi" Daisuke called for the hundredth time.

"Hmm?" Haku looked indifferently past Daisuke and seemed in a daze.

Daisuke then sighed and bowed stiffly, "I'm sorry about yesterday."

Then Haku's eyes widened as he quickly felt his forehead, "Are you okay? I think the steam from all that cooking finally got to you."

Daisuke brushed Haku's hand off in irritation, "I'm fine."

Haku then wrapped his arm around him and smiled stupidly, "I didn't think someone like you would have the guts to put their pride aside to apologize. I'm sorry too, I was a bit hotheaded at that time as well cause I was just..."

"Worried about Ogino?" He finished for him. Then Haku went silent again as Daisuke continued, "What happened?"

Haku scratched his head and exhaled heavily, "It's about Wakabe-kun and this certain spirit..."

Once Haku finished telling Daisuke the story. Daisuke felt a twinge of anger, "He did what to Ogino?"

"Kissed her," he repeated.

Daisuke then fixed his glasses, "It makes sense now that you explained this ridiculous situation."

Haku then propped his chin on his hand, "You're surprisingly protective of Chihiro aren't you?"

Daisuke shook his head, "It's nothing like that. She just someone who needs protecting in a certain sense."

Haku looks at him strangely, "Even with a black belt in karate?"

He furrowed his brows, "It's not the obvious. I think you already know the answer."

"No really," Haku's gaze was intent, "I'm curious about your thoughts."

"She has a sense of heroism, protecting those in need," he replied. "That's why Masahiro and I were drawn to her."

"Heroism?" Haku said.

"If the hero protects others," Daisuke continued, "Who would protect them? That's why Masahiro is so protective of her even though she herself cannot protect her."

Then it struck Haku, he had not seen Chihiro for nearly six years, how can he expect to understand her well enough to know her struggles? He then realized something else, "Something happened in the past six years hasn't it? That's why she learned karate."

Daisuke sighed, "Yeah, something happened and I don't think you will like it."

"Tell me," Haku demanded.

He knew there was no going back now and began to tell the story...

X

There was another friend who would always be with us. Her name was Seto Tsukiko, who was even more petite than Masahiro herself and probably even weirder than Masahiro herself. They were always together in middle school, talking about ridiculous things. Sometimes Masahiro would drag me into the conversations and Seto would interrogate me. It was annoying, but I didn't particularly hate it.

But there was one day where Masahiro and I stayed behind to clean and the other two went back home themselves. Masahiro received a call from Seto's mother who seemed to worry about Ogino and Seto since they were expected to be at her house an hour ago. We tried calling them both but nothing seemed to get through.

After a few hours of searching for them blindly, Seto's mother received a call from the police. That was when we heard that both Ogino and Seto were at the hospital. With Seto in critical condition.

When we arrived the police explained to Seto's mother that Ogino and Seto were kidnapped. Ogino had called the police and screaming could be heard in the background.

The police confirmed the rape of Seto. Ogino on the other hand managed to fight back somehow and was able to escape carrying Seto on her back or so try say. They were found laying in the snow about half a mile away and the kidnappers had escaped already.

Seto had survived but she just never seemed to be there, like her soul was sucked out and gone. She wasn't the same and neither Ogino nor Masahiro knew what to do.

She committed suicide a week later, and that was when Ogino changed dramatically herself.

Ogino began to learn whatever self defense was out there for her. Eventually she begun to forget about Masahiro and I. Sometimes we would find Ogino covered in wounds from the fights she would pick with others. She was a mess honestly-

X

"Hangu," interrupted Tomoyo wo was walking over to the two boys. "Are you telling him about Tsukiko?"

Daisuke closed his eyes, "I think he deserves to know."

Tomoyo then motioned Daisuke to move aside as she sat in between the boys. She then asked Daisuke, "Where did you stop again?"

He sighed, "The punch."

"Oh that," she then nodded in understanding. Then she continued:

X

The sun was glowing a bloody red and the weeds grew abundantly behind the school building. Chihiro was standing across the towering figure of Daisuke. "What do you want?" Chihiro asked nearly growling.

Daisuke glared with a certain intensity that matched Chihiro's dangerous presence. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you are causing? You haven't been to school for the past weeks after Seto..." He then trailed off.

Chihiro's face darkened as she spoke through clenched teeth, "If only I was stronger, I wouldn't have to go through all THIS!" She punched a wall beside her then lifted her head again, "You can't stop me Hanagi-kun."

Daisuke flinched at her strong words but did not move, "You can't make me."

Then Chihiro then punched Daisuke aggressively to the ground and placed a foot on his chest. She hissed, "It's all your fault, everything would have been fine if you didn't tell us to go home first." She then revealed a broken smile, "I mean look at you. You're tall with this menacing glare, she could have survived if only you...you..."

"Chihiro!" Tomoyo yelled as she ran across the yard towards them. But Chihiro was deaf to her words and punched Daisuke again. "Stop it Chihiro! Chihiro!"

"Stay back Masahiro-" and another punch as landed on his face as his glasses fell shattered to the ground.

But Tomoyo shook her head, "No...I can't run away anymore...and neither can you Chihiro!" Then out of rashness she ran to cover Daisuke from another blow.

"Idiot!" Daisuke yelled as Tomoyo took a punch.

"Ah!" She fell back and was cushioned by Daisuke's chest.

"Tomoyo?" Chihiro stared in surprise. "What are you-"

"Chihiro," Tomoyo said trying to calm her shaking voice, "Let's stop running away now. Tsukiko is gone...she gone now Chihiro..." She clenched her hands tightly to her chest.

Chihiro shook her head, "She not gone yet! I need to protect her, I need to stop all of those murders, I need to-"

"CHIHIRO!" Tomoyo screamed bursting into tears now, "Wake up! She's gone now, she's been dead for weeks Chihiro!"

"Lies!" Chihiro screamed back then attempted to throw another punch at Tomoyo. Tomoyo flinched, but this time Daisuke had caught her fist.

"Ogino," he said. "Look at us."

Chihiro tried to pull her hand away from Daisuke's grasp but Tomoyo began to hold in to her fist as well. She then slowly lifted her head but faced away from them while biting her lips.

"Look!" Daisuke said with more force causing Chihiro to jump. She then finally looked at the crying Tomoyo and the bruises on both of them.

Tomoyo then wrapped her arms around Chihiro while spilling her tears all over her friend's shirt. "I know it hurts Chihiro, it hurts for us too. It hurts so much..."

Chihiro then felt herself tearing up too. Then her voice began to shake as well, "It all my fault...if only we were faster...more understanding..."

"No," Daisuke patted her head and his face darkened, "It's not anyone's fault Ogino. Seto left us on her own will, no one could have stopped her."

Then under that waning sun, Seto's souls finally passed on. She was lost to us, lost her sanity, lost herself in that cold place where her soul died. Maybe she could have been happier in palace that didn't remind her how impure she really was. But she was gone to us but the remains of her laughter stayed with us forever...

X

"Was that really okay?" Daisuke asked Tomoyo to was munching in the snacks Daisuke had with him.

She looked up at the grey sky and smiled distantly, "Yeah. I think it's the best thing we can do for Chihiro."

"But are you okay with it?" He asked with more force.

She turned to him and said, "I can't pretend to protect her forever. I much as I want to, it doesn't work out that way."

Daisuke looked at her in surprise, "For once you actually sound mature."

Then he was attacked by a flying bamboo skewer.

X

Chihiro was growing impatient, Tomoyo said she was going to use the restroom but it was taking her an awfully long time. She then heard a voice in the distance calling her name.

Chihiro turned to see Haku running towards her. She stood before pausing, she wasn't ready to talk to him yet. Was he still mad? Was he going to interrogate her? Was he going to-

Suddenly she was attacked by a hug from Haku. She then stammered, "H-Haku!?"

He then held her tighter and declared, "I'll protect you!"

"What?" Chihiro was confused.

He then spoke more calmly, "I'm sorry I couldn't be with you earlier."

Then Chihiro realized what had occurred and spoke softly, "They told you about Tsukiko?"

He hesitated before replying, "Im sorry, I wanted to know." He then asked, "Will you let me stay by your side for a while?"

She then rested her forehead in his shoulder to hide the forming tears in her eyes. She then nodded slowly, "Yeah..."

"That would be nice"