AN: Me's back! ^-^ Les Miz is over ::Sniffles:: I need to keep myself occupied now….::clears throat:: So here's the next chapter fer ya'!

Disclaimer: Ya' know, I seem to forget to put these in ^-^;; FMS doesn't belong to moi.

~*^-^*~

Mitsuki's cheeks were tainted a permanent blush as she stared intently at the stain on the office rug. Takuto sat silently in front of her, also staring at the ground. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair. Why had he done it? What had possessed him to do such a thing? He slammed his fist into the wall next to him and Mitsuki jumped, startled.

"Sorry…" He meant the apology in more than one way. She nodded mutely. He had just opened his mouth to say something when the door was thrown open and Ooshige-san pranced in.

"Arigatou, Takuto-kun! You saved the princess from the beasts!" She laughed, clearly amused at her own joke. Mitsuki let a small smile steal her nuetral face away. Takuto ignored her.

"Ne, what's wrong with you guys, You should be happy that it was Takuto and not one of those-Ooh!" Ooshige-san clamped a hand over her mouth as she realized exactly what she was saying. Mitsuki was searching for Eichi-kun, and here she was babbling about the kiss that they had shared on stage.

"Gomen….I wasn't thinking."

"It's okay." Mitsuki smiled and looked up at her manager. Ooshige-san grimaced as she saw the hurt, confusion, and love radiating through her eyes. She bit her lip and looked away first. Mitsuki had grown up so fast. Too fast. Love in a way that Mitsuki felt shouldn't have been possible in a twelve year olds' eyes. Infatuation? Yes, but full out love? And for who? Was it really directed towards the unknown Eichi-kun? Or was it now steering towards someone else?

"Ne, Takuto-kun, can you change Mitsuki back now? She can't go home like this." Ooshige-san motioned towards Full Moon. Takuto shook his head and sunk lower in the chair he was in.

"My powers aren't fully regenerated. We'll have to wait."

"Oh….well…why don't we go out for a walk or something, ne?" Ooshige-san giggled nervously as the tension in the room grew thicker and thicker. If only she hadn't sent Takuto up on stage. But then what? Mitsuki could have been hurt! Who could go up besides herself? She sweatdropped.

"Ooshige-san, I'm going to take a walk, is that okay?" Mitsuki stood and looked at her. The manager nodded and stepped away from the door so she could squeeze by.

"Be back in a half hour!"

"Hai."

Full Moon's heels clicked down the hallway as she left. Ooshige-san turned to Takuto and sighed.

"Gomen, Takuto-kun. I didn't mean anything, I just….." She sighed, frustrated, and ran a hand through her hair. What a mess she had made. Where was Wakaouji-sensei when she need him?

"Why?"

"Takuto-kun?"

"Why can't it work out?" Takuto looked up and Ooshige-san's eyes widened. His eyes were a deep, stormy color, filled with turmoil and confusion. Hi face was grim and gave of nothing.

"Why can't….what work out?" She was pretty sure she had an idea, but she had to hear it to believe what she thought. She was crazy to think that, right?

"Why can't I be with Mitsuki?"

By Gods, she wasn't crazy. She sucked in a deep breath before exhaling very slowly. What did she say to comfort a shinigami?

"I shouldn't have gotten close to her…I shouldn't have helped her, I shouldn't have-"

"No!"

Ooshige-san slammed a hand down on the table, staring intently at Takuto. He looked back at her, slightly shocked by her sudden outburst.

"No. Don't say that. Mitsuki can finally do what she's always wanted to do! You gave that to her! You gave her hope! How can you say that? If you love her, why would you say that? She's so happy. She's so close to finding Eichi, so close and yet…"

Takuto hissed and turned his head away. He didn't need to hear this. It was enough from Mitsuki and Meroko, but now Ooshige-san too?

"Why is everything about Eichi? What's so special about him? Why can't…..why not…..me?" He looked back up at Ooshige-san, his eyes filled with pain and sadness. Her heart went out to him as she watched him suffering silently.

"Takuto-kun, she needs you. Not just to help her dream come true, but you're her friend, she needs you now more than ever." Ooshige-san placed a hand on his. He stared up at her, his face and eyes neutral once again.

"I can't….I can't keep doing this…." He shook his head and buried his face in his hands, confused and forlorn.

"I can't….I just can't…."

~*^-^*~

Mitsuki sighed as she walked through the campus grounds. The festivities were pretty much done, and only a few people were left, mainly the clean-up crew.

"Why…I'm so confused!" She sank down on a bench and rested her head against the cool metal backing. When he had kissed her, she hadn't regretted it. She had enjoyed it. That's what scared her.

"Ahh, you must be Mi-ki….Ta-kun and Me-chan's charge."

Mitsuki gasped and looked up startled. A tall, slender man with blonde hair and a funny looking black cap on stood before her. She blinked.

"H-how did you!? You're…Izumi-kun?"

"And if I am?" He leaned forward and grabbed her chin in his hand. She struggled, but he moved closer until the tips of their noses were touching.

"You upset Me-chan, and because of you Ta-kun may become a ghost."

"I-"

He placed a finger against her lips and smiled, a dark smile filled with promises of things to come. She found herself mesmerized by his beauty and charm, and slowly reached up to caress his cheek. Izumi grinned and leaned down, pressing his face against her neck.

"You're time has come, Mi-ki. You're year is over."

Mitsuki stared at him calmly, eyes blank, and continued to trace her fingers over his chin.

~*^-^*~

"You will."

"Wakaouji-sense!?" Ooshige-san was both relieved and worried when the doctor walked into the door. Takuto looked up at him, his eyes a silent challenge for him to speak again.

"Do you even know what Mitsuki was like before you showed up."

Takuto reluctantly shook his head, but said nothing more. Wakaouji-sensei sat down across from him.

"She had no friends, Takuto. She was sick and miserable, but she never complained. What right do you have to take the one thing most precious to her away?"

"Every right. Does it matter if I do it now or later? She'll be gone by the spring anyway."

SLAP

A thick, heavy silence followed as a red hand print slowly began to show on Takuto's cheek.

"O-Ooshige-san…." Wakaouji stared at her in shock. She was mad. More than mad. Her hands were clenched tightly into fists at her sides and she stood tall and rigid.

"How dare you." Her voice was barely a controlled whisper, a harsh, raspy, wavering sound. Takuto stared at her wide-eyed, a hand cradling his injured cheek.

"Do you know what you're saying!? Do you really want Mitsuki to just die!? Do you!?" She was screaming now, a shrill sound that echoed throughout the building. Wakaouji-sensei jumped up and placed his hands on her shoulders, trying to calm her down if at all a little.

"You can't want that Takuto, you love her….don't you? Do you really want to see her die without fulfilling the one dream she has? Do you?" Her voice was trembling and her eyes were filled with tears. For the first time in a long time Ooshige-san collapsed and let Wakaouji-sensei cradle her as she cried.

Takuto was about to speak when a strong pang in his chest stopped him. His eyes widened.

"Mitsuki."

"Takuto-kun?"

Wakaouji-sensei asked, but Takuto was already sprinting out the door towards his charge, feeling a great sense of danger.

~*^-^*~

"That's a good girl. This won't hurt at all."

Izumi pulled back from Mitsuki, but she made no move to get up and run or cry for help. She stared at him blankly, waiting. Izumi grinned and held out his palm allowing a small green light to erupt from it. The light grew until he held a glowing bow and arrow in his hands.

"Say goodbye to your Ta-kun, Mi-ki." Izumi snickered as he lifted the bow and pulled the arrow back, setting it into place. He aimed at Mistuki's chest.

"IZUMI!!!"

Takuto hit the shinigami from the side, and the two men went rolling to the side, the arrow shot straight up into the air, missing the intended target.

"You idiot!" Izumi hissed as he jumped into the air, floating. Takuto glared at him from his position on the ground.

"You are a fool, Ta-kun. I shall enjoy seeing you as a ghost." Izumi grinned before disappearing, leaving no trace of anything behind.

Takuto panted heavily, hunched over. He had felt her in danger, had felt Izumi's presence. He turned towards the girl on the bench. She hadn't moved, still staring peacefully ahead of her, waiting for an arrow that was not coming.

Takuto choked on something between a cry of relief and anger and quickly stumbled over to the girl on the bench. If he had only had his powers back, he could have made it to her sooner. He kneeled down before her and placed his hands on either side of her body.

"Mitsuki…" He breathed her name as he raised a shaking hand to cup her cheek. She didn't move, didn't flinch. He screamed in frustration and punched the bench, only wincing as pain traveled up his arm.

"Mistuki, please. Wake up. You have to wake up. You haven't finished singing yet, It's not your time to go. Please, Mitsuki…." Takuto grabbed her body and pulled it tightly against him. She was cold, so cold. A sign that she had truly been ready to leave this world. He held her tighter, burying his head in the side of her neck.

"Please…"

"T-Takuto?"

Her voice was soft, but held confusion and fear. Takuto pulled back until they were an arms' length away before looking into her eyes. They were wide, shocked, scared.

"Thank God." Takuto brought her back to his chest and let out a long shuddering breath. Mitsuki shivered and clung to him before he heard a muffled sound.

"Mistuki?"

She whimpered and buried her face against his shirt. Takuto sighed and just held her. He knew that Mitsuki didn't cry, even though she had been terrified, and only seconds away from death. No, if-when Mistuki's time came, Takuto would be there for her. He wouldn't do it Izumi's way. No, there were other ways to catch a soul.

Takuto murmured in her ear as he rocked her back and forth. He would give anything to have his powers back right now, to be able to change her back into the Mitsuki he knew and loved and to take her far away from everything.

"Takuto…"

She sighed his name before her breathing slowed and she was sleeping in the security of his arms. As he stood with her cradled against his chest, he kissed away the one tear slipping down her cheek.

"They're right Mitsuki. I can't just leave you." He said as he carried her back to where Ooshige-san and Wakaouji-sensei were.

~*^-^*~

AN: Wow, I was on the beginning of my fifth page. I got so into writing this I didn't even realize ^-^;; This chapter was a lot of letting go emotions and describing how each character felt, particularly Mitsuki and Takuto. You see, I feel that a lot of people don't realize (or don't want to) how deep his feelings for her are.

In the beginning, I think he feels for her like a sister. But as time goes on, you know where this is heading ^-^;; But for example, when **SPOILER** They go to America after winning the new artist of the year award, Takuto thinks it was better if he had stayed home because he knows how he feels about Mitsuki now, unlike before back in Japan (Awww!) and then he goes on saying he doesn't deserve her and he's a shinigami and she's human ::sniffles::

I think that's one of the reasons Takuto is one of my favorite anime characters. He's pretty emotional for a guy, and it's not like (no offense) Tamahome and Miaka (Fushigi Yuugi) where they fall in love at first sight (well, nearly close to first sight. Maybe second or third XD). Takuto's feelings are deep, and even Meroko notices it too. Mitsuki and Takuto have a lot in common, and it's not just some shallow crush.

Wow, that's enough rambling for now. Better stop before I get so absorbed in a one-sided argument with myself that I keep going on and on XD Does anyone agree with me? I'd really like to know if this is just me…

~*Neoshipper*~