S.M: Hi Everybody… This is the 4th chapter in the tale of Yuu, Miki and Ginta…

The boring weekend which held quite a few unexpected surprises. First a call from Miki's parents, and Yuu breaks out his birthday present and boy does that gift get to her. He confuses Miki even more than she thought she was. But just when she thought she couldn't be anymore unsure of herself a call from a friend brings unexpected news. And brings more confusion to her troubled heart. But she thinks she may know the answer.

Now on with the-

??: DO IT!

S.M: No!

??: You have to.

S.M: You do it.

??: It's your story.

S.M: So I don't want to do it. What crawled up your shorts… Girl troubles?

??: Serenity Madison… None of your business… Anyway do I have to get Gene Starwind over here?

S.M: Yea! He'll do it, or maybe Fiona?

??: Fine I give in…

S.M: YEY!!! Ok folks… The great wonderfully kind and sweet Van will do the disclaimer for me today. But first… Van what's wrong. Have you told Fiona how you feel, or is she likin' someone else?

Van: Not really any of your business, but no, she doesn't know. Just let me do this. Serenity the Annoying and nosy doesn't own Marmalade Boy, believe me if she did she'd be a very happy and wealthy person. And not trying to live through me… But I am the best Zoid pilot its no wonder she want's to be like me.

S.M: Whatever… Well anyway, While I'm here with The big Ego Van… I hope you'll enjoy the story.

With out me with you, With out you with me

Presents, Phone calls, and Dreams

Marmalade Boy

By: Yui

The weekend passed by uneventful and boring. I stayed in my room doing my homework, and writing in the diary all Saturday, trying to avoid Yuu. But eventually I emerged on Sunday. I went down to the kitchen to get something to drink, and saw Yuu sitting at the kitchen table eating a bowl of cereal and staring out the window. I found myself staring at him for a moment, but broke my gaze and walked up to him, and leaned my elbows on his back. He glanced at me for a moment and looked back out the window.

"Yuu… Not that you really care but I wanted to apologize for Friday. It's not your fault that I slept in late, and that I got myself so upset that I left school. So I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

I finished with bright pink cheeks. I turned to go get myself a bowl of cereal and Yuu grabbed my waist and looked up into my eyes like he wanted to say something but didn't.

"As long as you're alright."

He said. I looked away afraid that I'd spill everything to him, all my feelings for him. And I didn't want to do that. I continued to get my cereal and walk out into the living room. He followed standing in the doorway as he spoke.

"Miki, I want to give you something."

He told me. I looked up from my bowl of cereal into his straight face. He motioned for me to follow him as he headed to the stairs. I took one more lingering bite of my cereal and followed behind him. We went into his room and I sat on his bed. He turned around with a package in his hands that was wrapped very neatly, and it had a card on top of it. He put it down next to me and stepped back.

"I told you I had a birthday present for you… But, don't open it till I'm gone."

I looked at him strangely.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going out for a while."

He told me. I looked at him and hurt was conveyed in my eyes. He looked at me oddly for a moment.

"Ok, well have fun I guess, I'll see you on Thursday."

I mocked as I rose to my feet and left the room. I headed down stairs and finished my now soggy cereal. I tuned everything out but I did hear as Yuu left shutting the door behind him. I went to my room and threw on a pair of Yuu's pants, which I somehow acquired, and a T-shirt. And I was on my way back downstairs but I walked past Yuu's open door and remembered the gift that I had left inside. I contemplated opening it for a moment and walked into hie room cautiously. I knelt in front of his bed staring at the gift for a moment before I finally made a move to grab the card that was on top. And pulled it form the clean white envelope. It was plain only having a pretty bouquet and the words 'Happy Birthday' on the front. I opened it and it was filled with writing. I read the note inside,

~ Miki,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope this upcoming year brings you all the best in luck, love and happiness. I know I rag on you but you're really important to me. And also I'm so sorry I forgot your birthday, I had things on my mind that day, and Suzuka on my arm. But you may be interested to know that I'm going to deal with the issue that's been plaguing my thoughts and hope it works out for the best. I hope you like my present it took some time to actually do. So appreciate it.

Yuu ~

I read it and put it on the bed and stared at the gift as if it was going to tell me what was inside. I slowly tore at the paper and saw a very pretty box. I looked at it closer and saw it had jewelry compartments. It was a big jewelry box.

"This is beautiful but I don't have anything to put in it."

I said to myself. As I opened the side compartment and saw a beautiful beaded necklace hanging. I took it out and looked at it closely. It was made out of clear and light pink beads and had a tear hanging down in the center that had my name in it.

I looked in all the other compartments and found something in all of them. Rings bracelets, anklets, A picture Meiko, and one of my parents and I. I rose to my feet and picked it up, as I did something flew open underneath it and a piece of paper floated out to the ground. I put the gift back on his bed and picked up the piece of paper it was folded neatly and I picked it up and slowly opened it and read it.

~ Hey Miki,

If you found this than my secret's going to be exposed. ~

I paused for a moment just focusing on that one sentence. But forced my self to continue reading.

~ I know it was risky. But I'm not afraid, like you. If you love someone the way you say you do some mystery person than you should tell them at least you'll get it out of the way. But I guess I'm just as guilty as you are. You show your emotions so openly. When our parents got divorced and then married to each other you fought them crying like a baby, and arguing. I was so used to being shocked that it didn't. Youji isn't my real father. And when I learned that I hated my mom, but then I had thank her because if not for her I wouldn't be here. And Youji's a great guy.

But that's just me and how I react to things by not showing my emotions. But you always show and express your emotion so freely. Don't let this guy that you care for change you. Never stop being the Miki… that I love. ~

I stopped on that spot frozen. I couldn't tear my eyes off those words. 'That's why I love you…' kept running through my mind. I was shocked but then I thought 'What if this is another one of his jokes like that time he said he liked me.' I questioned myself.

~ You don't have to take me seriously if you don't want to but I mean it. I don't love Arimi-san. I never have that's why she's back she's trying to get me to go out with her once more. But I don't love her, so that's why I won't, and didn't want to then.

I know you're in love with someone else so that's why I didn't want to be here when you finally found this. I've loved you since the first moment my eyes met yours. That's why I picked on you and tried to help you. I never want to see you cry. ~

That was it that was all he wrote. And I felt my face turning bright red.

"He- he loves me. Or at least that's what he said. What if he's making fun of me again?"

I ask myself. I fold the note up again and stick it in my new jewelry box and go into my room and lie on my bed feeling very confused. I put my head on my pillow and fell fast asleep my head still whirling at the thought that Yuu could possibly like me back. I woke up a few hours later, to the phone's harsh ring. I didn't make any motions to move but it just kept ringing. I fell out of bed and jumped up going to the phone, and picking up.

"Why didn't the answering machine pick it up?"

I asked my self as I picked up the phone.

"Hello"

I yawned. There was silence on the other end.

"Hello… Did they hang up?"

I asked myself annoyed. I was about to hang up when I heard someone speak.

"Um… I'm sorry."

An unfamiliar deep voice spoke, I was surprised to hear such a deep voice on the other end.

"Ok… Who do you want to speak to?"

"Miki-chan"

I was surprised and let out a weird noise and heard the person on the other end laugh.

"It's been so long. I've missed you. How are things?"

"I'm sorry, but who's this?"

I asked. Obviously the person knew me. But I didn't know who he was.

"I'm hurt… You don't even remember your best friends voice."

I looked at the wall in extreme shock, my voice also showing my surprise.

"Gi- Ginta-Kun??"

I asked confused. I heard him laugh and that laugh, I'd know any where. My eyes teared up and I yelled at him.

"Ginta you BAKA! You've been gone for almost 5 years and you have not called or wrote me once. How's that supposed to make me feel? And you talk to Meiko quite often…"

He was silent a moment longer and I realized that in my anger tears were falling now, and I started crying.

"I'm really sorry Miki-chan. I- I was too afraid. I know how you felt about me. And I was scared because I was a baka that day. I've been in love with you since the first time we played Tennis together. And I was just too stupid to tell you."

He told me. I felt my heart flutter slightly at his confession.

"That's not going to do anyone any good now Ginta. You're in America and I'm still here. And…"

"And… you've found someone else you love?"

I stuttered but couldn't deny what he said.

"So he was telling the truth then."

"Who?"

"Tsutomo, he told me that he's seen you before with a guy he knew from his school named Matsomething. And he's even been over your guys house, for your birthday."

"Well so Was Suzuki, Tsuchiya, and Meiko-chan. It was fun. It was just a sweet little gesture because both him and Meiko forgot about my birthday."

He was silent for a long moment.

"Ginta I haven't spoken to you in all this time and all you want to do is lecture me on having a friend."

He sighed and apologized.

"Miki what time will get home from school tomorrow?"

He asked, I blushed and answered him.

"Well I'll be home all day tomorrow. Why?"

I asked him.

"My school has a day off tomorrow, and I wanted to know if I could call you, because I have to go. We're staying in a hotel at the moment. Why are you going to be home all day?"

He asked.

"Well call me tomorrow and I'll tell you all about."

I halfheartedly laughed.

"Come on!!!!!! Tell me what happened. Did you get in a fight… If someone tried to hurt you I'll go over there right now and beat the crap out of them."

"You're ridiculous Ginta that's why I love you."

Before I could take them back, those stupid words fell out of my mouth, not returning. I hung up the phone before I could say anything stupider or he could say anything. I continued into the kitchen still stunned by my conversation. I made me some ramen and was heading back to my room but the next thing I knew I opened my eyes and I was in my room. I sat up and rubbed my head and stretched. I looked around for my food and saw Yuu knelt on the floor in front of his door. I looked at him oddly.

"What are you doing?"

He looked up and smirked. And got to his feet, and walked up to me and put his hand on my forehead.

"You're fine"

He said. I turned red and he left. I was alone in the hallway so I ran after Yuu and hugged him tightly. He turned around looked at me searchingly. I smiled at him, and thanked him for the present he gave me for my birthday. Trying to hide the fact that he admitted that he loved me. 'I'm really confused now. I was in love with you and only wanted him. But after talking to Ginta I still have feelings for him too.' He gave me that cool smile and continued to throw away what was in his hand.

"Yuu, you want to do something tomorrow? Well I mean since we're both not going to school tomorrow."

There was silence coming from the kitchen and I just stood there like a fish on a hook. Till he poked his head out of the kitchen.

"Sure."

He said and went back inside the kitchen. 'It must be early if he's home and not out all night.' I thought to myself as I looked at the clock. It was 11.30 and Yuu was home. I didn't pay it much mind and sat down on the floor in front of the TV and turned on my Playstation and popped in my Digimon game.

"Miki why don't you play upstairs."

I heard Yuu whine behind me.

"Down here's the Playstation, up stairs has the PS2 and the game cube if I want to play my Digimon2 game I need this one. "

"You're bad at these games anyway. You always lose. So why play?"

He asked. I got to my feet and stuck my tongue out and started to storm up stairs. When I heard my voice.

"Well call me tomorrow and I'll tell you all about."

"Come on!!!!!! Tell me what happened. Did you get in a fight… If someone tried to hurt you I'll go over there right now and beat the crap out of them."

"You're ridiculous Ginta that's why I love you."

I closed the distance between my room and myself in no time and sat at my desk thinking things over.

"I love them both. But I've been out of love with Ginta for 5 years. I don't know what to do. I'm going to go out with Yuu tomorrow and have fun and just see if I love him more… I need Meiko!"

I shouted to myself as I put on some pajamas and got into bed.

* Dream *

"MIKI-I-I-I-I-I-I-"

A worried voice wafted through the air. My vision was fuzzy but I saw that I was running, I looked behind me and a giant snake was chasing me. And the path I was running on split into 2. I stopped momentarily to decide which to go down and I was attacked and killed by the large snake.

*Dream end *

I jumped up in a cold sweat after that dream it seemed like I was running from the snake for hours but I had only been asleep for 15 minutes at the most. I caught my breath and lie back sown trying to fall asleep once more.

* Dream *

"MIKI-I-I-I-I-I-I-"

That same unknown voice yelled. I was confused and scared again. I was being chased I really wasn't sure by what. I'd turn to try and see what it was and all I could see was a giant black shape. I ran as fast as I could and the road was split again. And again I stopped to look down each but this time I saw a figure at the end of each. I didn't know whom but I knew they were people.

"Ginta!"

*Dream end *

I heard myself yelling as I jumped up again in a cold sweat. This time I sat up against my wall, with my knees pressed to my chest and my arms locked around them. I stared out my window into the outside darkness, not really able to fall asleep. When I would eventually fall asleep, I'd instantly wake up with images of Ginta or Yuu in my mind. But I'd force them out, and final got some kind of peaceful sleep. But I eventually woke up feeling like someone was shaking me, I jumped up once again. And saw Yuu above me with a strange look on his face.

"What time is it?"

I grumbled annoyed.

"Going on 10.00"

He replied coolly. I banged my head back to the pillow and he pulled me up again.
"I've been up since 7.30. You said you wanted to do something today. So get up and we'll go out."

He said still holding my shoulders I turned bright pink and he let go of me telling me to get dressed. My mind was still racing with those freakin' dreams I had the other night. I mindlessly went over to my closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and an orange T-shirt. I also grabbed Yuu's sweatshirt, which I still had. I yawned and made my way downstairs. Yuu was standing in the kitchen impatiently waiting for me to come down the stairs. He looked up at me when I came down stairs and I avoided his eye contact.

"Do you want your sweatshirt."

I asked him. He looked at me and shook his head, and took his shirt from me and put it over my head.

"You wear it for now. You'll be cold."

He told me. I put my arms through and walked to the door and put my shoes on. Yuu did so too and we were out the door. Walking around aimlessly.

"You OK? You kept making noises on your sleep last night."

"Sorry bout' that just dreams."

I said as I hugged myself tightly.

"Where are we going?"

I yawned. He shrugged and continued walking quietly. We came to a waffle place and decided to have some breakfast. We got some food and the air between us was eerily quiet. We left and wandered around thinking of something else to do. We happened to pass by the local pool and I decided I wanted to go swimming. I asked him if he wanted to and it took some convincing, but I finally got him to agree and I dragged him back home. We got changed and grabbed our towels and a bite to eat. I made us some grilled cheese sandwiches, and rice with teriyaki fish. 'Really good' He was being a jerk pretending to choke on my food. But he ate it well enough.

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S.M: I hoped you liked this latest chapter of my story. Sorry it was a little short. I hope that you'll let me know what you think and how I can make it better.

In The Next Chapter: Miki and Yuu head out to have a relaxing swim, but the way there is anything but relaxing for the pair. And in her mind she's made her choice of whom she loves but will she be able to go through with it if it means possibly losing one of them?? This and more in the

Next Chapter: TBA

On an informative note, after this chapter I'm not sure when the next one will be up. I start school on the 4th but I'll still have a lot of free time. So the next chapter will be up as soon as I can get it up.

~Serenity Madison