Disclaimer: I don't own KWMS TT_TT *sob sob*

Change of plans...won't be near the computer for nearly long enough to post both Chapter 25 and 'It All Depends' Chapter 6 on Christmas...oops...so instead I'm posting Chapter 25 NOW so that I can do 'It All Depends' on Christmas :)

So Here's the not-so-long awaited chapter!

Happy reading and Merry Christmas 2010

...and she immediately regretted it. She was freezing. Sakura's choice of clothing wasn't the best when it came to winter weather. She shivered, bringing her hands to rub her forearms over the mesh-like sleeves. The click of the door closing behind her brought Misaki back to reality. She searched the twinkling blackness of the roof but couldn't see. She took a reluctant step into the darkness and felt the concrete brush her foot. Her foot? Misaki looked down. Shit. she grumbled silently. There goes another pair of shoes. Not able to see anything, Misaki neared the only lit light on the roof, hoping that the proximity would widen her gaze. And she saw him. Standing by the ledge overlooking the pool. He was hunched over, leaning on the edge. He looked like a shadow in the miniature glow of the light.

She approached him, uncharacteristically nervous. Gulping, she tapped him softly on his right shoulder. He didn't seem to notice.

"Excuse me?" she called to him. The air was still and her voice came out in a terrified sounding squeak. She groaned mentally at her own weak voice.

He turned quickly to her, as if he'd been electrified. The first thing Misaki realized was she could not see his eyes. His brim of his hat fell over his face. She could barely make out the contours of his face through his collar. She could also see a few matted wisps of hair peeking out from beneath the hat. And apparently, he couldn't see her either.

"Who are you?"

His voice was clearly accusing. His tone was a bit deep, but crisp. She recognized that voice! She had heard that tone before, but never had it been directed at her. Suddenly feeling bold and empowered, Misaki reached up and ripped the hat right off his head. It took only a glimpse of his eyes in the dim light for her to drop the hat in surprise. Her shoulders went limp in realization, in relief. Her fingers reached out to trace those familiar emerald eyes, palms resting on the sides of his face. She felt his expression soften under her touch as one of his own hands came to cover one of hers. The name came out of her throat in a strangled cry of desperation.

"Usui!"

Misaki could feel the small forlorn smile tugging at his lips.

"Long time, no see, Pres."

He was right in front of her! He was here. In the moment of that realization, Misaki could suddenly feel the anger bubble and boil within her. How long had it been since she'd seen him? 3 months! In that time, so much had happened, she had never really come to terms with her anger. The hand of hers that was not being held by his retreated quickly from his face. Misaki made a split second decision, and she was sure he wasn't going to like it. She balled her hand into a fist and threw it at him with all her might. She could feel him slip backwards as he moved beneath her fingertips. The unexpected lunge and force with which she hit him sent Takumi to hit his back on the ledge. He rubbed his cheek murmuring a faint "Ow, haven't felt that in a while." He gave her a look of surprise and amusement as he always did...and she was beyond pissed.

"Of course you haven't! You..." she replied sarcastically. Misaki struggled to find her next words. "You...you!"

And just like that, her anger was gone as fast as it came. Quickly filling the space though was all the loneliness she had felt. The sadness she had endured while he wasn't there. Misaki didn't realize she was crying until she felt her face go cold from the night air.

"YOU BAKA USUI!"

...Or maybe there was still a little anger. Misaki sunk to her knees, her muscles finally giving out on her. Through her tears, she barely saw Takumi approach her as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Everything Misaki wanted to say came bursting out.

"YOU!" She pointed accusingly at the figure squatted in front of her. "You know who I found everything out from? Igarashi-kaichou! and my MOTHER! You told them" she spat "but you didn't bother telling me anything at all! You son of a bitch!"

Takumi used one hand to roughly brush back her bangs and used the other to try and stop her from crying by wiping away her tears. "I know. I know Misaki, and I'm sorry." he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers to look her in the eye. But Misaki was unrelenting.

"Of course you are." the sarcasm continued. "Are you an idiot! You left just because someone was threatening me! I can take care of myself! Besides throwing my mother out of the hospital what did they threaten to do to me? Wipe my memories? Increase my family's debt? Or better yet, kidnap me and hold me hostage until you complied!"

"Misaki." Takumi tried again "I couldn't let them do anything to you! You don't understand..."

"No." Misaki interrupted grabbing his collar for emphasis, pulling him, if even possible, closer that he already was. "I don't understand. You're going to have to explain to me why you did such an idiotic thing. You know why? Let me tell you! Because, Usui Takumi, I'm not worth it!"

Takumi stared at her stunned for a moment. "W-what?" he grit his teeth, furious. His voice was a deadly calm. "What did you just say?"

Misaki's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Do I have to repeat myself? You didn't hear me clearly enough?" she took a deep breath and shoved her finger in his face. "I. AM. NOT. WORTH. IT! Get it now?"

Takumi grabbed her by the shoulders. Trying to wrench herself out of his grip, Misaki threw herself backwards, landing on the concrete floor of the roof, Takumi leaning over her, hands still gripping her shoulders. He didn't bother asking of she was alright and Misaki could almost swear the sleeves of her dress would rip if his gripped them any tighter. Suddenly, the tears were gone, replaced with a shocked look. He only glared at her, his eyes glinting in the darkness. Misaki could almost sense the temperature get colder, and she felt her body tense up.

"U-Usu-"

"Don't you EVER say that again!" His voice was menacing, threatening almost.

"Say what?" Misaki gulped.

"You ARE worth it. Do you hear me, Ayuzawa Misaki?" He asked seriously. "You know how they got me? They not only said they kick your mom out of the hospital, they said they would make it so that she couldn't be treated anywhere! Meaning any medical clinic or hospital in Japan. I know how much she means to you, Ayuzawa, and I just couldn't do it. I've been working like a maniac just to finish this. If this keeps up past graduation, they'll follow up not only my but your university application too! Then there go any chances to escape them."

Misaki's eyes narrowed angrily. "I can take care of my own family! If we couldn't go anywhere in Japan we'd go somewhere else! We could always just leave and-"

"-and tell me, Oh Great One, where would you go?" Takumi shot back. "Better yet, where would you find the money to go? You wouldn't abandon your debt, your lifestyle, your home! You know that. Hell, I know that! I couldn't just ignore them and let those bastards that are supposedly my family destroy your life!"

"But whats the point! What merits this sort of thing! Why would you do all that for my family? Why would you do all that...for me?" Suddenly, the reality of the situation hit Misaki like a bulldozer. Her eyes were suddenly clear and focused, but she was panicking. The thought was causing her to hyperventilate. Her flitting pupils returned to look him in the eye. What she saw there scared her. No, it can't be. Its just...impossible! Something Tora had said to her came to slap her in the face. "That fool. He would kill himself if it were to make you happy, do you know that, Ayuzawa-kaichou?" Her voice cracked as the question she was seemingly longing to ask was finally said. "What do I mean...to you?"

As if the question was a magic password, Takumi's grip finally let go of her sore shoulders. He didn't answer. He didn't say anything. His right hand flattened against the concrete over her for support as his left hand came up to stroke her cheek gently with his knuckles. Misaki closed her eyes, letting his touch explain. Her hands fisted around his coat collar. He made her nervous. He made butterflies flutter in her stomach. His hand moved further up and softly brushed back her bangs with the tips of his fingers. Takumi's hand rested on the crown of her head as he bent down and pressed a delicate kiss to her forehead. It was short, but the feeling lingered on her flesh as Misaki's eyes fluttered open in surprise.

Takumi pressed his forehead to hers again, a soft and tender smile spread across his lips. The look in his eyes said everything. Misaki averted her eyes, unable to process the raw emotion she was being shown.

"You always have to be so cryptic, don't you?" She murmured scoffing.

"Always." Takumi murmured back with a small smirk before pressing his lips to hers. Misaki gave in without a fight. She had already come to terms with her feelings, as painful as they were, and she wasn't about to run from them. Ayuzawa Misaki, Student Council President of Seika High School didn't run from anything. Anything. She kissed him back wholeheartedly for what felt like the first time. She couldn't tell how long they kissed, it seemed like forever. When they parted, both suddenly felt like eternity wasn't long enough. And then he murmured it softly into her ear. It was a short statement. A simple whisper in the wind that gave her an answer.

"I did it because I love you."

"What?" she murmured stupidly.

Takumi smirked a bit at her shocked face. "I'm not playing around with you, Misaki. I. Love. You."

She didn't cry. She wanted to, but Misaki felt like all her tears had dried up. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, pulling him into a crushing hug. Takumi returned it, wedging his arms between Misaki and the concrete to hold her, pressing her flush to him.

"I love you." Misaki whispered contently, "Baka Takumi." she added as an afterthought.

"The famous man hater of Seika loves me?" Takumi mocked jokingly "I'm touched."

Misaki could bring herself to say anything else as he relinquished her but "Yeah."

Takumi stood, extending a hand that Misaki willingly took. Unable to resist the urge, Takumi pulled her back into a hug. He held onto her tightly, not wanting to let go.

Shizuko closed the roof door almost as fast as she opened it. Only two minutes of listening to their hushed voices and her face blanched. She looked over at Sakura, who had a similar look on her face, hands muting the sobs that escaped her lips. Kuuga stood paralyzed in shock behind Sakura, face just as pale as Shizuko's, hands gripping Sakura's shoulders as if his life depended on it.

"Do I have to explain any further?" Zach asked, leaning against the railing of the stairs.

"No." Shizuko immediately answered. "You don't have to say anything else."

She grabbed Sakura by one of her arms, dragging her down the stairs, followed quickly by Kuuga. Zach leaned into the railing as Sakura's sobs were finally released with a wail.

"How long before you have to go back?" Misaki grudgingly asked, unconsciously holding him tighter.

"It seems Zach planned it all out." Takumi sighed contently, burying his nose in her hair. "He rearranged my schedule so I have a day off tomorrow. They'll look for me when they need me."

"Zach?" Misaki asked.

"Yeah, short for Zachery. He's technically my assistant, but he's usually off on his own. You should know him. He goes to Seika."

"..." Misaki thought about it for a moment. "No...I don't know anyone by that name."

"Hmm." Takumi figured "odd. I guess he doesn't share much. Full name is Takamura Zachery. He's a half."

"Ta..Takamura-san?" Misaki looked at him, shocked.

"So you do know him." Takumi chuckled. "He's pretty secretive, ne?"

"He...he...ugh!" Misaki leaned her head against his chest for support. "Why am I always caught in between?" she asked exhausted.

Takumi let out a short laugh. It was followed by the loud sounds of the dance dying down, the music finally fading out and the gymnasium doors were opened. Misaki donned a sorrowful look.

"The dance is over." She realized. "I have to go and help clean up. Takumi?"

He was refusing to let her leave. He wouldn't let her go.

"Don't leave." came his strangled request.

"Baka." Misaki lifted her hands to cup his face. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll see you later, okay? You can wait 30 minutes."

"Please." he emphasized. "Don't go."

"Honestly." Misaki sighed. "You think I'm going to let you go after this? No way! You have a day off tomorrow and I know exactly where and how you're going to spend it. I'll meet you in front of the gym when I'm done."

Takumi swept her up for one last kiss before reluctantly letting her go, watching her run off in her broken shoe. He chuckled at the irony. Well he'd have to thank Zach later. But right now, he was more than content with the way things were turning out.

Quick explanation for anyone who doesn't understand the term "a half." Its an expression used in Japan - said in english - meaning that person is half of japanese descent, the other half usually western (refers to North America, in a few cases Europe).