Hey again! Here's another instalment for you all. Well I can tell you all my friend definitely wasn't happy with the last chapter XD in his words 'Stupid cat's Haha, he loved the rest though, except from Rachel showing up at the end. Well this chapter is going to be worse for him so I guess he'll have to get over it. Anyways hope you all at least enjoy it!

Chapter 6:

Rolling around in bed, Finral despaired.

"I'm such an idiot!" He berated himself, "I should have put up a fight or something. But no, I agreed to bring her back without even a simple 'Are you sure?' Or at least something like that!"

He groaned before rolling over and placing a pillow over his head.

"Why did she look so upset? Am I missing something?" He asked himself perplexed.

He finally gave up trying to sleep and sat up straight.

"Surely she can't have feelings for me, I mean she likes the Captain right?" he was a little hopeful but it quickly died, "Argh stop being an idiot! Why would she like me when there's guys like him around anyways? I'm just reading to much into it that's all! Now stop talking to yourself before people think your crazy"

He stood up and put his boots on. Leaving his room he decided to go for a walk to try and tire himself out. Walking through the hallways on his way to the front doors, he suddenly found himself in the hallway that led to Vanessa's room. As he stood there, he thought back to how they had left it once they had got back from their date. She looked so down but as she uttered a thank you and a good night she had tried to smile. It didn't reach her eyes, which Finral was sure had the hint of tears in them. But before he could be sure she rushed off to bed. Once again, Finral hadn't tried to stop her, just stood there and watched her leave.

"Why am I such an idiot?" he grumbled as he slapped his palm to his face.

Just then the door to Vanessa's room opened. Finral immediately hid behind a wall and the moment he did he realised how stupid, if not creepy, he was being. He casually walked out of his hiding place and acted like he was just passing by. To his surprise it was Noelle that had walked out of the room.

"Oh, it's you" she commented with a little displeasure as she noticed him.

"Erm...Hi" he answered sheepishly at her tone, "Is she mad at me?" He wondered to himself.

"Where do you think your going?" she asked.

"F...for a walk" he answered stunned.

"Well walk the other way"

"Ha...have I done something to upset you?" Finral asked confused.

"Not me"

"So why are you mad at me?"

Noelle sighed calming herself down a little.

"Look I don't mean to be. But Vanessa is a little upset right now and it's your fault"

"Oh I see..." he trailed off and looked rather ashamed of himself.

"Let's go somewhere else. Somewhere that's not right next to Vanessa's door. I'll let you explain yourself I guess. Heads up though, if your explanation doesn't satisfy me, your in for a world of pain"

"Er...ok..." he'd never seen Noelle get so rattled before. Well not with anyone but Asta anyways.

Noelle took the lead and together they made their way towards the front entrance. Sitting down at a table, she indicated for Finral to do the same. He did so, but the whole time he was a little intimidated.

"Now please tell me why Vanessa came back from your date so upset?" Noelle asked staring at him with a small glare.

"Has she not told you?" Finral asked.

"She did, but I want to hear your side of things first"

"I suppose that's fair" Finral sighed before he began, "Well to begin with everything was going great. It was the end that things went wrong"

"What happened at the end?"

"Rachel showed up. They don't exactly get along. I think from the moment they first met they took an instant disliking to each other. Anyways, Rachel pointed out that we have a date tomorrow and that's when Vanessa's mood changed. I don't know why, maybe its because Rachel showed up in general. I'm sure no woman or man wants someone they hate turning up on a date and butting in"

"That's a given" Noelle agreed before raising an eyebrow, "But are you sure that's the only reason?"

"What else could there be?" Finral asked quietly.

"Think you dummy!" Noelle almost shouted, leaning over the table on two arms. She brushed herself off and sat back down and more calmly continued, "Why would a girl suddenly become so upset on a date, if another girl turns up and announces that she has a date with the very same guy the next day?"

"Well I guess if that said girl has feeling for that said guy, then it would be upsetting. But if your suggesting that Vanessa was jealous, then you've got it wrong" Finral answered surely.

"Men are always so oblivious" Noelle groaned.

"And women are hard to understand" Finral counted, "Vanessa likes Yami. The whole guild knows it. So please, if you know differently, then tell me?"

"First things first. Do you have feelings for Vanessa?" Noelle demanded suddenly.

"Why are you asking that?" Finral asked taken aback.

"Do you?" Noelle asked getting annoyed again.

"I don't need to tell you..."

"Just answer or I'll shout this whole place awake. Do you want to deal with a sleep deprived Yami?" Noelle blackmailed. Raising her voice a bit louder she spoke again, "Do you have feelings for Vanessa?"

"Yes! Now quiet down" Finral panicked before sighing, "Yes I have feelings for Vanessa. Ok?"

Noelle went silent. She hadn't expected him to cave so easily. If anything, she had expected him to try and deny a few times first. It wasn't like she was actually going to wake Yami up. She didn't particularly want to deal with him either. Recovering she glanced at Finral who was slightly flushed and staring at the floor. Clearing her throat, she spoke again.

"So why don't you tell her?"

"It's not that easy. For all I know I could only have these feelings because we've spent so much time together lately. I agreed to go out with Rachel to see if I felt anything for her, but the more I think about it, the more I don't want to. I've never felt this way about someone before. Compared to Vanessa, Rachel or any other girl for that matter, isn't even on my radar" Finral confessed, "Besides, I had so much fun with Vanessa on our 'mate date' I completely forgot about Rachel"

"So don't go on the date, it's obvious the feelings you have are real" Noelle suggested.

"I have to. I need to find out the truth for myself. Maybe if we have fun tomorrow, my questions will be answered"

"But you said it yourself, you forgot about Rachel. Besides, from what Vanessa told me, that date you took her on seemed pretty romantic. You don't do that just for a friend"

"I know, I just wanted it to be perfect. My feelings got the best of me on that one" he half laughed before slumping onto the table, "I'm so confused! And if I'm still being honest, I might as well tell you that I'm scared of getting to attached"

"Why?"

"What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if she wants the Captain like we thought?"

"Finral that's not... I mean...You should just talk to her" Noelle stumbled over her words.

"I've messed up. Vanessa probably won't talk to me again. How upset was she?"

"I won't lie, she is pretty torn up about it. But she thinks she's lost you for good to. So of course she'll talk to you. The feelings she has for you will make her do that much!" Noelle let slip before covering her mouth and inwardly cursing herself.

"Her what?" Finral asked confused.

"Oh you know... in the friendship kind of way" she tried to cover up her mistake.

"Noelle?"

"Ye...yes?"

"Does Vanessa have feelings for me?"

"Why would you think that?" she tried to laugh it off failing miserably.

"Noelle?"

"Ok yes... but you didn't hear it from me!" she caved. Far to easily for her own liking.

Finral went quiet for a moment. Obvious joy evident on his face.

"Well now you know why she's so upset. If you care for her like you think you do, maybe you should cancel your date and see how things go with Vanessa. You both have feelings for each other, so really your just going to lead that Rachel girl on"

"I can't just cancel at the last minute can I? I mean, shouldn't I at least see her face to face?"

"But then she would have spent all that time getting ready for nothing. Go see her in the morning and just tell her something else came up. Like a mission or something" Noelle suggested, "Just don't reschedule!"

"I guess. I really hope she doesn't get to mad at me though" Finral fretted.

"If she does, she does. You'll deal with it"

"Thanks" Finral answered sarcastically.

"Anyways, I'm going to bed. Remember, you never heard anything from me. No reason we should both be killed if things don't work out" she got up before finishing with, "Just don't hurt Vanessa anymore then you already have"

Noelle strolled out of the room leaving Finral sat on his own. For awhile after she'd left, he sat in silence thinking. His emotions were running high and he knew that in this state, sleep would be a long way off. Just hearing those words, 'Vanessa liked him', was the best thing he had ever heard. It made everything that had happened up till now click into place. The jealously, the fallings out, the slight blushes she sometimes got when speaking with him. This whole time she had growing feelings for him, just like he had for her. He hoped against hope it was true and that what she had for the Captain was just admiration. Making up his mind, he knew what he had to do.

"I'm going to break things off with Rachel and then I'm going to confess to Vanessa!"

"Hey Magna! Your to slow, are you sure your even trying?!" Luck shouted excitedly through laughs as he darted around the hideout dodging Magna's fire balls, "You'll never get your Yogurt back at this rate!"

"Stay still and let me hit you, you freak of nature!" Magna shouted back annoyed but still enjoying himself, "Stop stealing my things!"

It was Morning and the Black bulls hideout was just as noisy as ever.

"Will you guys quit it! I swear if you so much as touch this picture of Marie it'll be the last thing you ever did!" Gauche shouted at them whilst shielding the said picture of his little sister.

Luck darted in front of him and as Magna shot off another fire ball, it missed it's target and burned the edge of the picture.

"That's it you are going to die!" Gauche yelled as he stood up and joined in the fight.

"It's to early for all this noise!" Vanessa complained as she slumped onto the couch.

"Wouldn't be a normal day with out it" Noelle commented as she sat down next to her.

"Mumble, mumble, mumble" Gordon quietly spoke from where he sat opposite them. They had no idea what he had said, but he was watching the chaos fondly.

"Anyways, how are you feeling now?" Noelle asked Vanessa sympathetically.

"I would like to say better, but knowing Finral's going on that date with Rachel today is just weighing on me like Grey's fat man form is sitting on my back" Vanessa answered honestly.

"That's quite the picture you built there" Noelle commented, "I wouldn't be so sure about that date though"

"What do you mean?" Vanessa asked curiously.

"I'm just saying, things change" Noelle smiled.

"In what way?"

"Morning!" Finral walked in cheerily cutting Vanessa and Noelle's conversation short.

Seeing how happy he was for what she assumed was for his date, Vanessa's heart sank further into despair. Noticing this, Noelle placed her hand on her friends shoulder.

"Trust me, everything is going to be ok"

Vanessa smiled back wryly before glancing back in Finral's direction. He had been caught up in Luck, Magna's and Gauches fight and was currently arguing with them.

"That nearly hit me!" he shouted at Magna.

"You didn't have to send it back my way! Damn portal came out of no where!" Magna argued back.

"Your hairs all frazzled!" Luck laughed loudly as he shot past escaping one of Gauche's attacks.

"I'll show you frazzled!" Magna threatened before sending a barrage of fire balls hurtling after the hysterical blonde.

"Hey Finral, can you use that new spell of yours on me yet?" Luck asked excitedly as Magnas attacks stuck everything but him.

"I'd rather not be a part of this. Yami is going to kill us all as it is when he see's this place"

Spotting Vanessa and Noelle from across the room, he made his way towards them.

"Hey" he greeted them sheepishly.

"Hello" Noelle greeted back not giving away any emotion.

"Hey" Vanessa greeted without looking up. Her voice was strained and Rouge seemed to be glaring up at him from where she sat on Vanessa's shoulder.

"Even the cat hates me" Finral thought to himself.

"Looking forward to your date?" Vanessa suddenly asked with a hint of anger. She had tried hard to hide it with a fake smile, but even she wasn't convinced it had worked.

"I...um...I..." he gave his head a shake and tried again, "Look you probably don't want to hear this but I really am sorry for how yesterday ended"

"It's fine" Vanessa lied, "It's not like it was a real date after all"

That hurt Finral a little. It was true, but he at least thought it might have meant a little more to her, even if it did get ruined in the end. He recovered himself quickly and spoke again.

"Even so I'm sorry. And I'll make it up to you some how, but I have something to take care of first"

"Don't rush yourself" Vanessa smiled again. It came out meaner than she had meant it to, but it was to late to take it back now.

"Erm...When are you meeting Rachel?" Noelle asked trying to fill in the awkward silence that had befell the group. It might not have been the best subject, but it was something.

"I'm actually going to get going now. The sooner the better right?" he laughed before realisation hit him, "Very poor choice of words in front of Vanessa!" He inwardly fretted.

Vanessa stood up and walked out of the room. Displeasure covered her face and she did not look back.

"I'm definitely an idiot" Finral's shoulders slumped as he watched her leave.

"Yep. Your timing is terrible and your wording for that matter" Noelle agreed readily.

"Thank you for pointing out the obvious"

"Your welcome" she answered smugly, "But seriously, good luck. Pissing off two girls in one day should be fun for you"

"Again thanks" he finished sarcastically, "Better get it over with"

Opening a portal he took a deep breath, and stepped through it.

"Urgh! Where is he?" Noelle had sat waiting around the hideout all day for Finral to return. She hadn't even followed Asta as he went out training, "He better have a really good excuse"

It was getting late now and darkness had fell a good few hours ago. Noelle was sat as close to the door as she could possibly get without raising suspicions from the others. Much to her annoyance, Finral still hadn't shown up and Vanessa, who was clearly upset, had gone out for air. Noelle knew that the pink haired witch was thinking that the date must be going well or, went very well and ended somewhere else. Noelle blushed at the thought.

"Get your head out of the gutter Noelle! You mustn't think such things, your a royal!"

Giving her head a shake she suddenly heard voices from outside. She strained her ears to hear over the chatter of the other Black bull members, and confirmed one of the muffled voices belonged to Finral. Jumping up and rushing to the door she shoved it open.

"It's about time!" she began before catching glimpse of someone she had never seen before stood beside Finral.

She was a pretty girl, brown hair, petite figure and a tiny bit smaller then Finral was.

"You must be Rachel?" Noelle asked not hiding how displeased she was to see her.

"Oh, hello, yes I'm Rachel. I take it this guy's been talking about me" she answered politely as she playfully shoved Finral on the chest. Finral in turn looked a little uncomfortable but laughed it off.

"Not really" Noelle answered coldly.

"Oh" Rachel looked a bit shocked at the sharpness of the response.

"What took you so long? And why is she back here with you?" Noelle asked now turning to Finral, "Have you forgot about a certain someone?"

"No, it's just..." Finral began to answer.

"It's my fault, I do apologise. We were just having so much fun, we lost track of time. As for me being here, Finral asked me back for a drink" Rachel cut him off and answered a little coyly as she wrapped herself around his arm.

"That wasn't the plan!" Noelle pointed out loudly to the spatial mage.

"That's not what h..." He was cut off again. This time by someone else entirely.

"I see things went well"

Vanessa stepped towards them out of the darkness and had addressed them with a small voice. Her eyes were teary, but she managed to hold them back as she tried to look somewhat happy for him.

"Vanessa..."

Finral was now fixated on the new comer. He could see how hurt she was and he wanted to wipe those tears away so much. He took one step towards her but Rachel was not going to let him go anywhere. Clinging onto him tighter with one hand, she used the other one to make him face her.

"I had a great time today, now for your reward"

To his shock and Vanessa's dismay, Rachel brought her lips to his and kissed him. She lingered for a few seconds before pulling away and revelling in the response. Finral stood dumbfounded to shocked to speak and Vanessa finally let the tears fall. She rushed past them into the hideout where she was lost from view. Recovering slightly, Finral pulled away from Rachel's grip and made to go after her. Noelle stood in his way however.

"I think you've done enough!" she shot at him before going after Vanessa.

He made to follow again but Rachel gripped him again.

"Let go! I need to go after her!" Finral pleaded as he tried to pull away again.

"Your better off just giving her space. She won't want to talk to you now" Rachel answered smugly.

"Why did you even do that?"

"The question is, are you going to invite me in?" she flirtatiously wrapped herself around his chest and began playing with the cuff of his black bulls cloak. Peeking up through her eye lashes, she continued, "Maybe we can make a night of it?"

The next morning most of the Black bull members were gathered around the main living area. Vanessa was there but only because Noelle had dragged her out of her room along with Charmy, who had witnessed Vanessa's break down as she passed by, both had told her that she shouldn't hide away. She was sat with Noelle and Asta as she picked at her breakfast, no appetite to think of. Finral entered the room and noticed Vanessa who in turn noticed him, she looked away as quickly as they had made eye contact. Rather than start drama so early in the morning, Finral went and sat with Gordon at a nearby table.

"At least he has the decency to leave you alone" Noelle commented as she took a bite of a buttered bun.

"Let's not talk about it" Vanessa said with a voice full of sadness.

"Morning everyone!" a voice, which was far to happy for this time of morning, cut through the hall.

Everyone's head turned to face the voice and to Vanessa's horror, it was Rachel wearing nothing but one of Finral's Tunics.

"Who the hell is she?" Magna asked, attraction clear on his face.

"Is she a new member? Can we fight?" Luck asked excitedly.

"Hey isn't that that nurse from the hospital Finral?" Yami asked from where he sat with a cigarette in his mouth.

"It sure is!" Rachel answered as she walked over to where Finral was sat with his head in his hand hiding his face, "Hey everyone, my name's Rachel!"

So I don't know exactly how many more chapters I can add to this fic. My guess, maybe 2 or 3. I may add a sequel at some point but that depends on demand. I hope you all enjoyed this latest chapter and are looking forward to the next one. Please feel free to review. Until next time!