Heheheh... sorry? I know, I know. It's been awhile, but I have a better excuse than homework right now. I'm moving. Yup, so that means I'm busy packing up. It's a wonder where I even found the time to write this chapter... Okay, well, enjoy!

And I dedicate this chapter to all you people who have reviewed! I love you all! MUAH!

Disclaimer: I do not own Saint Tail, though I wish I did.

Signed, Anonymous

Chapter Six: A Rendezvous

By Enchanted Pink Jade

*~*~*~*~*

It was lunchtime in the school, so of course there would be people everywhere, making it hard for you to spot the person who you're looking for. But it couldn't be that hard, right? She just had to find him, and make sure that things were clear between them.

There he is. "Finally," Rina muttered under her breath. "Oi! Sawatari!" she yelled, getting his attention. He was with a group of friends, taking about God knows what. When she yelled, he looked in her direction, nodded and said something to his friends. He was probably telling them that he'd be right back. Then he headed over to where Rina was standing.

"You don't have to repeat yourself. I already know what to do."

"Okay, then. Good. Let's go to a place where there aren't so many people."

"The upstairs hallway?"

"Fine. Whatever."

They started their trek up the stairs and into the empty hallways. Their footsteps could be heard echoing in the vast open space. Everyone else was either downstairs or they headed home to eat.

"You want Meimi to be happy, right? That's the only reason you agreed to this," Rina finally said.

"Mmm. I care for her a lot, yeah. She's one of those people who are special; moreover, she's unlike everyone else. You can tell just by looking at her," Sawatari said with a fond-like smile.

"Oh..."

"I really don't know why you're doing this though. Why did you come to me for help? I'd think that you were capable of doing this for yourself. Anything Rina wants, Rina gets. Right?"

Instead of answering him, she asked him a couple questions of her own. "What's so special about her? What do you see in her? And why..." Why does Asuka Jr. like her so much? Always her? How long has he felt this way? The day they met? Seven years ago... When?

Sawatari looked at her as if she had suddenly become an alienated species, and it was the first time he had ever seen one of the type. "I don't know where you're getting at. You're supposed to be her enemy, rival. Romantic rival," he said, and then smirked.

"Just answer the simple question, that's all I ask. I don't need your attitude, I already have one of my own."

Sawatari's smirk faded away then, seeing that she was serious. "Well, I don't really know... It's hard to say. It's like, Haneoka is something that words couldn't even come close to describing." Sawatari looked outside, towards the grounds in deep thought.

Rina didn't say anything, so he continued. "She's always so full of warmth and laughter, which by the way is the sweetest sound you will ever hear. Her eyes have so much fire in them, very bold, and too intriguing for her own good. Her honesty and her candidness are so much like magnets, you're drawn to her immediately. You just can't resist. She's as beautiful outside as much as she is beautiful in the inside." Sawatari stopped there, waiting for her Rina to laugh at what he had just said; instead, she said nothing. "Well, that was just my opinion of her."

"Apparently, you're not the only one who shares that opinion."

"Okay, look. You've told me what you planned, and what I have to do. But I still don't get you're reasons."

"That should be obvious by now, you know."

"Yeah.. yeah. Okay, so it is. But I still don't understand-"

"Well of course you don't understand. You're of the male species," Rina said, and laughed. This is something that I must do.... Have to do, and will do.

"Hey, what's the supposed to mean?" he asked in what was clearly confusion, thus causing Rina to laugh even harder. "Come on, we should start getting our plan into action," Rina said, when her laughter finally subsided. Sawatari muttered and grumbled under his breath, but Rina just giggled. Alright Meimi, Asuka. I hope you're prepared. Rina is on the case!

*~*~*~*~*

"I really think that you should go and talk to him. Avoiding each other is doing neither of you any good, Meimi."

"I don't know... I just couldn't face him. I was too ashamed."

"Then stop being ashamed. There really isn't anything here for you to be ashamed of."

"Well, how should I go up to him then? What am I supposed to say?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe something along the lines of 'I'm sorry Asuka. After all that's happened, I hope you understand. Can we go back to being friends again?' Well, you can choose to say that last part. Not many people were sure anyways whether you two were friends or enemies."

"Seira, you're not helping."

"Yes, I am. Like a beacon of light from God, I am guiding you to the right path," Seira said sarcastically. Meimi winced at her friend's tone of voice. They have been sitting there for awhile, basking in the silence, when all of a sudden the subject of Asuka comes up. Meimi knew that it was wrong to be treating him like he was nobody, but she couldn't help herself, in spite of her feelings for him.

"..........."

"Meimi, you can start out by inviting him over to your house, or just pull him aside after school in a secluded place and start explaining yourself."

"........."

Seira sighed in exasperation. "What am I going to do with you?"

Meimi sighed as heavily as well. "I'm sorry-"

"See? Those two little words aren't so hard to say. Now go up to him and say them."

Meimi chose to ignore the nun-in-training's remark. "I really thank you and appreciate all that you've done for me now, and all that you've done for me in the past. Without you, I don't know where I would be. We've been through so many things together. But this... I don't know anymore. I just don't. I used to know my place, and I used to be standing on firm ground. But now I'm falling into a deep abyss, and I don't know how to get out. Maybe you can do something for me?"

"Uh-uh. Meimi, this is something that you have to do for yourself. I'm sorry. You know that when you need help, I'm always by your side. It's only this once am I going to let you walk off alone in the dark."

"I know. I know. But it didn't hurt to ask."

"No, it didn't. So you'll talk to him soon? Everyone has noticed how different you two have been acting lately. And let me tell you now, the things that people are thinking are much more worse than the truth."

"Yes. I'll go talk to him. Today. I don't want to drag this out any longer than I have to." What will he say to me? What will he think? What will he do? Meimi asked herself. Asuka, you can say anything you like, just don't break my heart by telling me that you hate me...

*I'll always be there, for you. You can count on it*

That's right, you said that you'd always be there for me. You were like my Knight in Shining Armor... This time, I have to save myself, and keep you from turning away from me...

"Good," Seira said, satisfied that she had finally gotten through the thick skull of her friend, who just a few moments ago was being too stubborn. Then the bell rang, signaling that lunch was now over.

"Well, we ought to get to class now."

"Matte! Haneoka!" a voice called out from behind them. Meimi and Seira turned around, only to find Sawatari heading right for them.

"What is it, Sawatari?"

"Oh nothing. I was just thinking that we could walk together, since we all have the same class next."

"Oh, okay. Let's go then," Meimi said, and started walking.

"Actually there was also something that I wanted to ask," Sawatari said hurriedly.

"What is it?"

"Well, if it's not too much trouble, could you meet me at the Renge Café later at four o'clock?"

Meimi stopped in her tracks, and Sawatari turned around to face her, waiting for her answer.

"Sure, I guess. I'm not really busy."

"Great. I'll see you there, then. Bye, Haneoka. Mimori." He saluted and grinned, and then walked ahead.

"What was that all about?" Seira asked. Meimi just shrugged.

*~*~*~*~*

"Come on, Asuka. It wouldn't really hurt to come, would it?"

"Get. AWAY. From. Me."

Rina frowned, Asuka was being really difficult, but that didn't mean that she was going to give up on him. This was her plan, and she was going to go through with it all the way.

"Come on, just come to the café at about four."

"Why should I?"

"If you do, after this, I wouldn't really be a bother to you anymore." Of course I won't be of a bother to you anymore, not after this. You'll be thanking my with your life. Well, maybe you won't go that far, but still...

Hearing this was very tempting to Asuka. It sounded really good to his ears. "You won't bother me anymore?" he asked. As good as it seemed, something's were just good too be true.

Rina held her right hand up. "This a swear and this I vow. It's a promise, don't doubt me now."

"Whatever. Fine, I'll come. But I'm holding you to you're promise."

"Of course. I always stay true to my word." What Rina wants, Rina gets, she thought, and laughed inwardly. "Meet me there five minutes after four. I'm positive that you'll find something there that you would really like."

"4:05. Okay, I'll be there."

"Great. I'm going to go to class now. I'll see you then. Bye!"

Asuka watched her run off. What the hell could she want this time? If she's going to be nosy like she always is, I'll leave. I'll just go, so that she'll stop nagging me. She'll keep her promise...

Of this, he was sure. He recalled that one time when they made a bet about Saint Tail's identity. If she lost, she would stop pestering Meimi about being Saint Tail. If she won, he would go out on a date with her.

But she lost.

And she never did pester Meimi again about being Saint Tail, or even suggest it. Of course Meimi wasn't Saint Tail. She just couldn't be. Meimi... What's wrong? Was it something that I did? And why are you... Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of class.

Asuka cursed loudly, for he was now late for class.

*~*~*~*~*

Meimi sat patiently, waiting for Sawatari to come back from his errand. They met, and they talked awhile, but he still didn't say why he wanted to meet her here. She asked, but he said she'll have to wait until later.

Well, it's not like I have anything else better to do, Meimi thought sourly. And I still have to talk to Asuka Jr.....

"Hi, Haneoka. I'm back." Sawatari came to their booth and sat down. "Have you ordered anything yet?" Meimi shook her head. "Alright, I'll get something for you." He then gestured for the waitress to come over. "We'll have one large milk shake, and two straws."

When the waitress left, Meimi asked, "Why order just one milk shake and then request for two straws?" Sawatrai just laughed. She could be pretty naive at times, but that fact only made her much more adorable than she already was. He looked over to where Rina was sitting, not too far away, and hidden from Meimi's sight. She gave him the two thumbs up and he smiled and nodded.

"You know, you look real cute when you're clueless," he said, turning back to Meimi.

"Oh..." Meimi said lamely, for she really had nothing to say to that. And her cheeks had taken on a little pinkish hue. Asuka has never said anything like that to me, and Sawatari is being very nice to me. He always has. We never fought with each other. He always complimented me, and he even defended me whenever Asuka was teasing me. It almost seems as if he would better... so then why does my heart still yearn for someone else?

*~*~*~*~*

I really don't want to be here right now. What does she want with me? It's like I can't get rid of her. Hopefully, after this... His train of thought was cut off as soon as he stepped into the café.

"I'm glad you could make it. And you're right on time, too."

"Well, what's so important that I had to come and see you here?"

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Come on, there's something I'd really like to show you. Or more like someone."

Asuka didn't know where she was heading with this, but he let himself be led anyways. It looked like she was leading him to a booth that was already occupied. A guy... Sawatari? And a girl who had her back to him... Meimi? What are they doing here? And together?

Asuka looked at their table. There was one big milk shake right in the center of it, containing two straws. He didn't really like what he was seeing; furthermore, it looked as if they were getting really cozy with each other. Sawatari was sitting a little too close to Meimi for Asuka's liking. And it really looked like a date to him... What else could it be? Damn that Sawatari.

"Come on Asuka, quit dawdling and pick up your pace." He's falling for it! Plan number One, Part A: accomplished! Now, onto Part B.

Asuka didn't say anything, but Rina could see a really deep scowl forming on his features. Good, he's getting angry.

*~*~*~*~*

Author's Note: Dun Dun Duuuuunn. Hehehe. Well, what do you think of it now? I looks like everything is going real smooth for Rina, huh? Will she succeed? Not much mushiness is in this chapter, but I'm sure you understand why. After the ordeal, of course things will be different between the two. And Rina is being VERY sinister right now. I didn't make the Rina in my other stories like this one... but oh well. I had to write is this way to have my story flow smoothly.

Looking back into this chapter, I kinda realized that I'm straying off of the journal line, but I'll get back to that. It plays another important part in my story. This is just another one of those fill-ins.

Did I disappoint you people with this chapter? I really want to know. I sort of rushed it because I know that I haven't updated in awhile.... And I don't think that I'll get the next chapter out any sooner either. Believe it or not, I want to improve my writing skills. But If I get a lot of people breathing down my neck to get it out, maybe I will. =).

*sigh* I blabbed. Okay, well, until next time, ja!

~Enchanted Pink Jade

E-mail: Lyricalaznangel@aol.com