Hehehe. I'm sorry for the wait. I had stuff to do... and yeah. I'm sure that you all had run into that dreadful thing called "homework." Hahaha, but anyways, the long and painfully awaited (Yeah... right. Who am I kidding?) chapter 5 is here. ^_^ Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Saint Tail

Signed, Anonymous

Chapter Five: Realizations and Another Scheme

By Enchanted Pink Jade

*~*~*~*~*

Asuka Jr. sighed with exhaustion. It had only been a few hours since the incident with those three guys, but to him, it seemed as if endless days of torture had passed. He sighed once more and dialed Meimi's number on his phone. All he got was an answering machine, which also meant that no one else was home. Then he decided to call Mimori, knowing that she was Meimi's best friend and confidant, but considering the time and hour, he opted not to.

Asuka gave up placed the phone back quietly into its place, as to not awaken the angelic creature that lay before him. Her face had long lost the disturbed expression, but he knew better than that.

He knew that within her, turmoil resumed its non-stopping, 24/7 job, and he wished that he could do something about. Knowing that he was powerless to do so made him feel useless. The one time that Meimi needed the most help and care, and he couldn't give it to her. It must have been horrible, what she went through.

Those goddamn jerks. How can the male race be so cruel? Asuka thought, as he criticized his kind. They just go around and look for girls who could meet their lusty needs. When they find one, they take her. His gaze fell upon Meimi's sleeping form once again. Her hair was plastered to her face with sweat, but not as much as before. Asuka reached over and pulled a couple of strands that had gone astray, and brushed them from her face. Ever so softly, he caressed her cheeks, lovingly.

If I hadn't gotten there in time for you, I would never forgive myself. I could never live with myself knowing that I could have been there. But I was. I heard you call my name. Meimi. It was my name that you called out into the night. You couldn't have known that I was there... I was talking a short nighttime walk. Was your heart calling out for me? I want to know, Meimi. I want to know... if you love me. Just as much as I love you.

Asuka paused in his reverie and repeated what he had just said to himself.

*Just as much as I love you*

Did he love her? What about Saint Tail? How was he so sure now?

Asuka knew that he had the answers to all of that now. He didn't have to waste his time pondering about it anymore. Not after tonight. When he had seen those guys, and heard Meimi's distressed voice, pleading with them, he was scared shitless. But even so, even before his mind was registering what was really happening, his body had already moved towards the guys with fierceness and anger, just like his heart had.

And about Saint Tail, he knew that he could live without her. She was doing good in the name of God, even if she did those deeds in a way that had people frowning on her. Still, what she did helped other people immensely, more than the police department and its officials ever could. And if he caught her, where would the townspeople be? It was them that she lent her helping hand out to.

And the last and final reason he knew he was sure that he loved Meimi.

He couldn't be without her. Asuka had known her ever since he could remember. They always managed to get into the same class, in any grade. Back then he thought if it as the worst thing that had ever happened to him in his entire life. But when he looked at it now, he knew it was dumb luck, and that he probably had holes for eyes back then too. How could he not have seen her exquisiteness before?

A person noticed her eyes first. The endless deep blue hue that will have you drowned in them the moment you made eye contact. After that, you then see the rest of her. Hair that was as fair, even more so, than silk and velvet. Smooth skin that seemed to glow, and a smile that always shone. A slender and lithe body that was a little small in stature. But her temper, which was as fiery as the flaming red in her hair, more than made up for her lack of height.

And even with your temper, I still love you. Or you wouldn't be the Meimi that I fell in love with.

"I love you, Meimi," he whispered quietly, before he fell asleep, sitting on a chair next to his beloved.

*~*~*~*~*

Meimi's eyes snapped open as she lay in bed. She had had a nightmare.

I was being held down. And there were people.... I can't remember what happened in my dream, but I remember feeling so scared. Hm... That was really weird, she thought, as she rubbed her eyes from sleep. Meimi buried her face in the pillow, and noticed something very peculiar. Something seemed as if it was very out of place. But what could it be? She took in a deep breath.

This... smells like Asuka Jr.

She then sat up abruptly and surveyed her surroundings in the dark room. It didn't take too long for her eyes to adjust to the night. She saw that there was a desk with a lamp on it. Papers, pencils and pens strewn about. A back pack on the desk chair, and small shelves that contained a little collection of books.

Typical things that you would see in a teenaged person's room. Only... These things weren't hers.

She took a look at herself now, and realized that she was wearing clothes that didn't belong to her. It was a very long shirt that would probably reach her knees if she stood up. When did I change? But she knew that she didn't change. When she thought she knew who could have changed her clothes, and put on another one... That pervert! She was just about to get angry all over, when another thought struck her. Why am I in his room? How did I get into his house? She pondered about this for a couple of moments before it all came back to her in full force.

*Because before you go, the three of us are gonna fuck you.*

*Please don't. Please..... stop. Help! Someone!*

*No one will come for you.*

But someone did come for her. Asuka Jr. came for her, and saved her from an irreversible fate... The memories of that night's events were playing through her mind like an old black and white movie, without the sounds. How the guys had snatched her into the alley, holding her down and forcing themselves upon her. How she had thought that she wouldn't come out of it alive. How Asuka came to her rescue in the nick of time. But she didn't remember anything past Asuka's timely arrival. Everything was just after he came. Meimi didn't know how she got into here in the first place.

But to think that it almost happened. She never thought about it really. She knew that it happened to people out there, and she frowned upon the people who committed the crime. She just never thought that it could ever happen to her. She was Saint Tail. The thief that could get away with anything and from anyone. So this shouldn't have happened, right?

Wrong.

"Oh my God, it almost did..." Meimi whispered into the room. Her body shook with her sobs. She didn't know that the flow of tears had started until she wet her dry lips, and tasted a salty tinge.

Not too long afterwards, she was engulfed into someone's strong and reassuring arms. Instead of pulling away, she snuggled deeper into the embrace that brought her much more security that she had ever thought it could. Meimi buried her face into the crook of his neck and put her arms around his neck, to reassure herself that this wasn't some wild and crazy fantasy.

"Asuka?" she queried.

"Don't talk, I'm right here. Go back to sleep, you need it."

Asuka never thought that this day would come. A day when he was holding the one and only of his life in his arms. If only the situation was a little... No. If only the situation was a LOT more different than this....

Right now, he was doing this for comfort. But he still couldn't help the feelings that he was getting, nor could he ignore the way that touching her affected him. His only hope was that she wouldn't think of how she had had a change of wardrobe.

Meimi hadn't seen him. He was sitting in a chair right next to the bed, trying to get some rest, any kind of sleep that he could get. But his eyes wouldn't close. It was as if he was afraid that Meimi would disappear from sight of he blinked even once.

When he did get sleepy, he thought he could hear her stirring. So he opened his eyes and he saw her sitting up, but she seemed oblivious to him. Asuka decided that it was best if he didn't say anything at first

"Meimi, about tonight..." Asuka began. But she didn't say anything, so he went on. "I just you to know that this doesn't change anything. I'm sorry for all of the things that I've said and done to you. I know that I've already apologized before. But I don't think even a thousand plus will ever be enough. I want to make it all up to you. And maybe... Maybe we can even become better friends?" he said tentatively. He waited for her response. But none came.

"Meimi?" he asked again. Asuka stopped and listened. Her breathing was deep and even.

Meimi had fallen asleep again.

He smiled to himself sardonically. God is cruel. I find the one chance to tell her this, and she falls asleep on me. Am I that boring? I guess it'll have to wait for some other time, he had thought ruefully.

*~*~*~*~*

Neither said a word. They just basked in the merciful silence that they were given. Meimi let her words sink into her best friend, before continuing.

"I don't know what to do anymore Seira." Meimi had just finished verbalizing everything that had gone on, without the gory details, of course. The following morning of that night, she went home to freshen up, after telling them that her parents won't be home 'till late that night. She had hastily put on a loose, long-sleeved shirt and a pair of pants.

Unconsciously, she had been trying to conceal herself. From who or what, she didn't know. She just felt like she had to be covered all over before she left the safety of her home. Her hair was still a little damp when Asuka's father came for her, to have her interrogated at the station.

She hadn't wanted this, but she that this was something that she had to do. So in a very stuffing office that had only one exit and no windows, she had told them what happened. It was a spacious room, but Meimi felt like she was suffocating in there.

At least Asuka Jr. was there, giving her his support, for which she was truly thankful for. He wasn't really supposed to be in there, though. Only Meimi and the interrogators. But he insisted relentlessly, so they had to give in.

The people had tried to make her comfortable. But who would be comfortable telling someone the details of how she was almost raped? It was of course a personal matter, one that she didn't feel like discussing with strangers. Then they had the most idiotic gumption to ask her if she wanted to see the files that they came up with about the three men.

*Flashback*

"I see... Look, we've been able to gather some information on the men, and we have an idea on where they might even be. Here, we'll show you." The detective motioned for another man who was holding a manila envelope to come forward.

Meimi stood up abruptly. "No! I don't want to see it! I don't want anything more to do with them!" Asuka was right by her side, bracing her shoulders.

"Calm down... Relax, Meimi." And to the officers, he said, "I think that this is enough for now. You got what you wanted right?"

Without waiting for their answers, he led Meimi out of the room. They had promised that they would find the people who had caused such oppression.

Meimi never did like those kinds of police. Sure, it was their job to do justice as she did, but they remain aloof, cold and uncaring. And their smiles never did quite reach the eyes. She was grateful to get away.

Once they were about two blocks away from the station, Asuka decided to speak up again. "I'm sorry that you had to go through that." Meimi knew that he wasn't only referring to the interrogation, but about everything.

She shook her head, indicating that it was okay. Then they lapsed into another awkward silence.

"I'll go home now. Arigatou," Meimi said quietly.

"No, wait. I'll walk you there."

"Iie. It's okay. You don't have to. Don't worry about me. It's still broad day light, and there are people around." She smiled at him softly.

"Are you sure? Honto?"

"I'll be fine, Asuka. I'll be okay by myself."

At that moment, Asuka looked really crestfallen that Meimi reconsidered her decision. But it still held out in the end, and they went their separate ways.

*End of Flashback*

Meimi had gone straight to Seira, wanting to tell her friend of the things that had happened. They always told everything to each other, and she wasn't about to stop that habit now, no matter how oppressing the matter may be.

So here they were sitting in silence, in the park where they would often meet, and where Saint Tail always received her missions.

Meimi had nothing else to say, and Seira knew that there was nothing she could say that would make her friend forget about this ordeal. And yet, they didn't mind it either. There really was no need for words; all that needed to be said was said in the silence they shared.

*~*~*~*~*

Meimi collapsed tiredly onto her bed that night. Ruby, who over the years had become sensitive to her friend and master's feelings, crawled over to her with a woeful expression; already knowing that Meimi wasn't feeling fine.

Her parents were home, and she just had finished telling them of what happened. But she didn't have to really say much because it turned out that Asuka's father had already filled them in on things. She thought that it was better this way: she wouldn't really have to re-encounter the whole thing over and over.

Before she had gone up, she had assured them for about the thousandth time that she was physically fine. She didn't tell them that it was inside her where the monsters of dread reigned and ruled.

Meimi moaned. "There's school again tomorrow." I'm going to have to face everyone and pretend that everything is going to be okay. I wish that I have something to do right now. Home work even. Anything to keep my mind occupied... so that I won't think about the pain.

Then a thought struck her. Immediately, she went to her desk, grabbed a sheet of paper, a pen, and started writing. When she didn't like a word or phrase she wrote, she crumpled it and threw it into the trash. At least, she tried. Some of the crumpled paper ended up on the floor.

Meimi sat back and sighed. Finished, she re-read her work critically and found it satisfactory. This is what she wrote:

Pain is Pain

Pain is pain, it can't be anything else

Doesn't matter how, when, what, or why.

All you know is that it hurts

And there's nothing you can do but cry.

You smile and put on an act

Making it seem that everything's okay.

When the truth is something painful

And it will be there, everyday.

It's too personal to share

But too much to keep inside.

You're confused, not sure what to do

And your only option is to hide.

No one knows how you truly feel

No one knows the real you.

Everyone thinks your life is going great

If only they knew what you're going through.

You keep your heart in the darkness

So no one can see what's going on.

When what you really want

Is a comforting shoulder to cry upon.

Pain is pain, it can't be anything else

Doesn't matter how, when, what, or why.

All you can do is wonder

If there really is a God, watching from the sky.

Meimi put the paper into her bag and thought about it some. It fits my mood perfectly, she thought. Then she changed and went to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*

When she had gone back to school, she was hoping that things would go back to normal. Sometimes, hoping just isn't enough. It was as if everyone around had some sort of 6th sense, and they detected this sullen mood in her. That day, not one of her friends teased, and instead gave her some space, unknowingly giving her support.

*We don't know what it is Meimi... But we'll be with you anyways. And when you want someone to talk to, you can come to us. We haven't been friends for nothing you know. You don't have to if you don't want to of course.*

Meimi had smiled at them, as in thanks.

But the most astonishing part, it seemed to their fellow classmates, was that she and Asuka weren't speaking to each other. They didn't fight, argue, said "hi", or made any contact whatsoever. Not even any eye contact. But when Meimi wasn't looking, Asuka always took glances at her as if he was hoping to catch her eye. And his features were always full of regret.

That morning when Meimi came through the door, first period, she had brushed by Asuka as if she didn't know him. Asuka started after her in something that looked like astonishment mixed with anger and confusion.

This was something that Rina saw. Meimi would avoid going a way that she would need to pass Asuka, and he did likewise. It was obvious that the two of them were avoiding each other. But why? What happened? What was so bad that they aren't speaking to one another anymore? Rina thought. Did they get into the biggest fight ever, and now they're avoiding each other the best they can. Gee, I hope that it had nothing to do with me, she thought cynically. And if they are apart or not, I must put my plan into action.

It was now lunch, and she was looking for a certain detective... Then she spotted him sitting alone in a well-hidden spot, leaning his back on the trunk of the tree. If she wasn't looking for him, she probably would have missed him.

"Konnichiwa!" she greeted him.

"Oh, it's only you."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

When Asuka heard footsteps heading his way, he had thought that it was Meimi. Hoped it was Meimi. But it only turned out to be Takamiya...

His disappointment was great.

"You know, I came here because I wanted to be alone."

"But if I was Meimi, you wouldn't be saying that now would you?" There. She knew it. She had hit a sore spot, because he promptly shut his mouth.

Rina was still going to go with the plan. She had spent too much time during the weekend trying to perfect this; she wasn't going to back down now. But still, she was curious. What had happened in the last 48 hours that had caused this sudden event?

"What happened between you and Meimi?" she asked. She honestly wanted to know, but to Asuka, she was just being nosy.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you do. Why aren't you guys talking to each other?"

"We're busy."

"Sure you are. What did you do?"

"I did nothing. She did nothing. Nothing happened between us."

"Something obviously did, or you two wouldn't be acting like this. Or avoiding each other." Asuka didn't say anything this time, so she continued. "You're not going to do anything about it, are you? It doesn't really look like you two are going to be making up soon."

"........"

"Here. I'll tell you what. Why don't you---"

Asuka stood up faster than you could say Kaitou Saint Tail. "Mind your own business." Then he pivoted on his heels and walked away. Damn her. He slowed down his pace some and stopped when he reached a small bird bath fountain. Why IS she avoiding me? I didn't want to think that that's what she was doing, but Takamiya pointed out the inevitable...

"Damn it," he cursed loudly, scaring away the blue jays that had been enjoying the little birdbath.

*~*~*~*~*

It was after school now. And Rina wandered aimlessly through the town, just to think about her thwarted plan. Smooth going Rina Takamiya, she scolded herself. That went PERFECTLY. Looks like I'm gonna have to approach him from a different angle.

Then she spotted Meimi, sitting on a bench and writing in something that looked like a journal. It's the same bench that Asuka left the pink journal in. Rina decided to appraoch Meimi from behind to get a small peak... Hoping that Meimi wouldn't notice her, she looked over her shoulder to see.

There was no mistaking it. It was the same journal. Rina looked at the last entry on the other side of the page. And it was signed with 419101.

"What are you doing, Haneoka?" she asked.

Startled, Meimi snapped the book shut and turned around to come face to face with Takamiya. "Oh... um, hi. I was just writing something to a friend."

Friend? But she and Asuka don't seem like... Oh, that's right. They don't know whom they're talking to.

"Do you mind if I sit?"

"Go ahead."

"So, how have you been? You looked kinda out of it in school. You're not sick, are you?" Rina asked.

Meimi smiled at what seemed like Rina's concern. "No, I'm just tired. I think that I need a good rest. That's all."

"Oh... Is there anything bothering you? Because if there is... you can come and tell me. I'll listen..." Meimi looked at her wearily and she added, "I promise I won't bite your head off."

"Why the sudden change in character, Takamiya?"

"Look, I'm sorry about before. You know, about last time. I sort of lost it, and I was in a bad mood. You were nearby, so I took my anger out on you."

The redheaded girl nodded slowly. It sounded like a very good reason. Rina did look very mad that day when she told Meimi to stay away from Asuka Jr. "So, you're not mad at me, and you don't hate me?"

"No... I'm sorry that that's what you thought. It was my fault. And please call me Rina. We've known each other for a long time now. I don't think that we should still be so formal to each other, ne? Is it okay for me to call you Meimi?"

"Sure, I guess. I'm glad that we have our differences out of the way now," Meimi said. And she meant it. From the start, she knew that Rina harbored ill feelings towards her, she never really knew why. But all that doesn't matter anymore, now that they were friends.

"Meimi, you should go home. You look kind of pale. I bet that being warm under your covers sound good right now."

"It does, Taka-- I mean, Rina. This is going to take some getting used to."

"It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Alright." Meimi stood up and took the journal with her. As she walked, she wondered about Rina's strange behavior, but was still glad that they had finally become friends.

Rina watched the girl walk away. "So. Asuka's mysterious confidant was Meimi all along," she said to herself. She laughed at the absurdity of it. This makes things much more interesting. A change of plan is in order. Yes... I think I know what I'll do.

She looked down and saw a white sheet of paper sitting in the spot that Meimi had occupied. "What's this? Must be Meimi's..." She picked it up and read out the first line. "Pain is Pain." Intrigued, she read the rest of it. This was how I felt... when I read the contents of that journal. This is exactly how I felt. Well, Meimi, pretty soon you'll be feeling something else. Something even more than pain. Trust me. I'll just have to...

Rina's train of thoughts stopped as she spotted Sawatari. She got up and quickly made her way to him, the paper, clutched tightly in her hand.

"Sawatari!" she said, getting his attention. Sawatari is just the guy I was gonna look for!

"Oh. Hello there Takamiya. What can I do for you?"

"Funny you should ask..."

*~*~*~*~*

Author's Note: Dun dun dun.... Oh no! Problems, problems, problems. I should have named this chapter "More Problems Arise." Oh well. Hehehe.

Asuka and Meimi aren't talking to each other. Rina wasn't successful with her plan the first time. And now she found out that Hime in the journal is Meimi. So she comes up with another plan.... What has our ever-plotting Rina got in her head this time? She even promised that Meimi will be feeling something more than pain... And what does Sawatari have to do with it?

If you wanna find out, watch for the 6th chapter! Hahaha! I know. I'm a very very very bad girl. Hehehe. And don't forget to review, okay? =)

Oh yeah, and that poem up there, Pain is Pain, that's something that I wrote. So that poem is MINE. Hehehe. Hope you liked it. I also have it posted up with some other of my poems in a thing I named Straight From The Heart. I'm gonna keep all of my poems all in one place, it's more convenient that way. Why am I even telling you this? Hehehe. Yeah...

Ja ne!

~Enchanted Pink Jade

E-mail: lyricalaznangel@aol.com