Castle Square,The Next Day

The rain had not slowed over the long, freezing night, and the bleak sky made the day look as ominous as an incantaion. Not a soul dared creep in the downpour, save for one optemistic person. The fall of rain was matched only by the soft tha-thumps of light blue shoes making a mess of every puddle they made way to. Nature had her way with things, and as each tiny drop sputtered on the ground, it almost seemd to be a metrenome for a soft and flowing voice.

''Sun-NY days,

Waitin' for them, sun-NY days,

Winter's almost clear,

Summer's almost here,

Can't wait for them sun-NY days!''

Out poured out the voice, with its smooth tones backed by the winter shower made pleasent to the ear neither echoed along walls nor faded through the trees of the square. This spirited vocalist was none other than Nanami. She wore a large fur lined coat, nothing too special, with the hood neatly tied around her small frame. Even with the rain making town life miserable, it was not enough to ruin her day. Not at all.

As the slender female made her slow, yet remarkably filled with numerous puddles splashed dry, way to the Underworld (The alleyways leading to the lower sections of the castle town). The misplaced dock was the only place to buy fish, and trudging through the slums was the least favorable of things to do. Dispite all of this, our Nanami headed on, for dinner had to be made and it had to be made with the freshest of salmon.

The Docks, Sunset.

Taverns. Many taverns have tried to set up after the huge sucuess of Leona but none had ever matched the prestige of the ageless woman and her infamous castle bar. But, for her to keep the finest quailty of areas, she had to give a few of the more--unsavory--patrons the heave-ho. With nowhere else to go, these bumsteaders set up their own filthy drinking rings amongst the areas of the slums.

''Hey!'' shouted a sweet, high-pitched voice, ''Please...I'm trying to sing here sir...'' the frail young woman spoke meekly as a large man in a drunken stupor made a move to touch her. Her dress, once of bright white and yellow fabric stained from dirt and smoke of the murky glided across the dirt floor as she backed away from the man.

''Heh..how about you sing my name?'' the dirty ogre coughed, following her back a little. With her back against a wall, the sick man would have his way with her, and in an unregulated area, and his intoxication, it would not be pleasant. His arms extended out to her, slower than jelly, as the young woman winced arainst the planks of the wall. She had though this would be the end of her innocence, but after a short while...nothing happened. The man lay on the cround with a bleeding nose, and with a familair face filled with anger spat on the agressor.

''When has out town gotten so bad?'' the attacking female asked to herself, the mood from earlier changing drastically. ''I'm going to have to talk to Riou about this...'', she sighed.

''Riou?'' inquired the now relaxed young woman in the dress, finally noticed by her savior..

''Annallee?!'', the jaw on the second girl fell. ''What are you doing in a dump like this?''

''Nanami!'' stuttered the singer, ''I was..just in need of some money...'' she answered, turning away rather shamefully. The poor girl was very modest. So much in fact that she did not wish to throw a large stage feature just to earn what little money she had needed.

''Come on, we'll get you all fixed up and Riou would definately lend you a hand Annallee!'' Nanami said, giving off a warm smile, closing her eyes. She extended a hand with her coat clasped in it to the singer-girl. Her bodice was nearly torn off her dress.

The trip back was quite short. But in the excitement, the bouncy Nanami forgot the fish...again.

The Dojo

Standing amidst the rows of long spears, katana and the like were two figures of unusual prowess. They were adjecent to each other, neither moving save to talk. Both seemed to pierce the other body and manifest some primeval knowledge to sum the other up into one large statistic. To defeat the other as quickly and effortlessly as possible, or else let the fight drag on for countless hours.

I'll show him.

He laughed to himself, waiting since the arrival of the Toran leader, waiting for such a challange to prove who was the more skilled leader, since all of the battles they were in had been as allies. Riou drew his gaze to his trusty tonfar, carved by Genkaku himself, and looked straight at McDohl,

"Mind if I try?"

McDohl in the past never had taken any of his sparring bouts seriously, though as he looked at Riou being tense, he knew something was strange. In any case, the leader of the Toran suspected that Riou still held a grudge against his country. But after a short while, McDohl figured that couldn't be the problem, and had taken his Kai Twin Fang stance, with his battle stick directly out in front of his body.

Just like me and Jowy.

"So you're the son of Genkaku. Is that correct?", questioned the rather cocky McDohl.

"Yes. How do you know of him?, Riou replied, now partially worried.

"Master Kai."

They had both stood toward each other, neither of them moving nor blinking. McDohl gripped his staff in front him so tightly, his knuckles turned a pale white. Even he knew that Riou didn't become the President with ease. Riou had to fight just as he did those three years ago. On the other hand, Riou had been trained since childhood in the way of Genkaku, one of the greatest martial artists, with the exception of his equal, Han.

During the face-off, and totally unnoticed to everyone present in the dojo at the time, a stranger stepped in from the front gates. He was clad in a torn and tattered burlap cloak and hood, his face could not be viewed from under it. He had made his way inside, and still unheard was the clanking sound of a familiar cobalt-blue staff, with the Twin Dragons, strapped to the back of the oncomer.

"Uh..hello?", he spoke out suddenly, but the leaders were dueling through perception. "Hello...?", he stated once more, quite frustrated at the lack of attention. "I try and make a humble return from a trip, and the boy SITLL gives me a tough time....geeze."

Perhaps...she'll notice me? I've been training hard...

Suddenly, forgetting what he had been taught those many years with the Master, Riou was the first to move. McDohl had saw his arm move and immediatly swung his staff in front of him. Riou tried to crash his whole body against his adversary, but from the blue, the cobalt staff intercepted the two. At the other end of it was the stranger, looking quite angry at that since no one had payed any special attention to him, for special he was.

"Hah...ACK!!", cried out Riou, trying to scare the pants off his opponent, until he rebounded from the unexpected blow.

The young man, the one who wore the hood, had removed it and exposed his face. He had long silver hair tied back in a pony, and deep azure eyes, much like the waters of the Great Oceans to the East.

He's back!

Riou had stopped dead in his tracks, arms still hanging in air, either it was just the unexpected blow, or he had thought he had really seen the face of his long lost friend. Dropping his tonfar and running past McDohl without a care of finishing the match, he shouted in delight, "He's back!! He's back!! Jowy's back!!!!"

And to think I have to live with her. At least there is company now..

"Ha!..It's been a long time.", finally stated our favorite young leader, and before long, and with no concern of modesty, he hugged his childhood friend.

Riou and Jowy shared a rather long embrace, quite a while as far as normal hugs go. Riou with many questions, took on the talking patterns of his sister.

It''s been a while.

"Hey Jowy, where were you all this time? Did you see Jillia? Oh...how's Pilika?", were just some of the many inquiries floating through the mind of the young leader. Jowy, who was on a business trip in Harmonia, had been travelling around for a year. He had visited almost every city around the known world. He lost his old clothing style, and wore the birght selection of tropical colors native to the Island Countries. His accent changed a little too. Although there were many chages two things were for certian. He was still a pupil of Genkaku, and he was still the same old Jowy.

"I've been around", he said, referring to his great travels, and really great food. He was always a connoisseur of fine foods since his days in the noble home of the Atredeis'. He laughed, remembering his frequent stops at the secluded house provided for the safe keeping of Jillia, his wfe; and Pilika, his neice, "Fine, they're just fine."

"That's great! We've been doing quite well...Lord McDohl should explain for us later our situation between us,Toran, and Harmonia. Of course you can stay! There's always an extra room up on the balcony with Nanami!" Jowy shuddered.

"Ah...it's almost normal already."

I guess. But what about...her?

Top Chamber of the Castle

The two slender females had seemingly managed to make their way across the entire castle-town unharmed, and had arrived at the uppermost chambers of the castle. That of Riou and Nanami. Nanami immediately went into her room along the side of the entire chamber, and came out just as quick in another set of clothes, and with yet another set in her hands. She zipped along and around the tired Annallee in her usual hyper fashion, and started to take mental measurements.

''Hey!!...you look about my size'' she said, nodding and but was really a bit angry that Annallee had a better figure, ''If you want, you change into dry clothes.'' It was true, both of them were soaked to the bone, and it wasn't really decent for the young woman to wear a dress torn like that.

''Oh...are you sure? I don't mean to intrude or anything..'' Annalee started, but her voice trailed off as her eyes averted to the ground.

''Of course! Nothing to worry about. Ol' Nanami is here to help.'' Shouted the once again energetic Nanami, slowly pushing the reluctant Annallee into her bedroom.

''Umm...'' the young singer murmered. She looked around the strange room while she sat on the bed. It was a strange feeling in her stomach, the second time she had been taken care of so well by others.

''I...'' she started to say with her eyes becoming misty, but cut off as she wrapped her arms around the clothes.

She threw her head back on the bed. The small room was strange, yet comforting. The soft smell of the blankets and clothes wafted through the air, and that too Annallee had grown fond of. Wiping her eyes with her tattered dress sleeve, she quickly changed clothes and admired them. A perfect fit, and comfortable too!

Stepping outside the room, and into the chamber to an impatiently awaiting Nanami, Annallee tried to preform a small curtsie, but the task was quite difficult in the large kimono. ''Ah...thank you very much.'' she said meekly, with a slight hint of red flushing across her cheeks.

Nanami responded with nothing more than a warm smile.

Market, The Next Morning

The next day was bright and sunny. Just as Nanami had spoke of the previous day, the end of winter was near. The warm sun beat down on the stone walkways, and the air was warm enough to wear even the lightest of jackets. Along the way to the market square from the dojo the two reunited friends, Jowy and Riou had made their way.

''What's going on in the world? I don't get out much so...'' our young leader Riou had asked his companion.

''Nothing really.'' started Jowy, ''Except Harmonia. The place is so secretive, that we get confused even if there is the smallest commotion. We think they may be up to something, as usual.'' he sighed as if he were a tired old man. Harmonia was eternally unknown to anyone who had not dared to set foot in the mythical country. It was a land with deep roots in the magic and study, and not a soul ever went a time without worrying if the forsaken land was evil.

The two had arrived at the main doors at the top of the street, past the stores and now at the stairs next to the baths, and on their way to Cafe de Hai-Yo. Upon arriving, the pair immediatly sat at a table, and graciously awaited the arrival of MinMin, the overly bouncy waitress.

The Top Chamber of the Castle

''Hey! You look pretty cute in that kimono, Annallee!'', Nanami said, finally breaking the silence, with a quirky half smile on her face. This in turn caused the other to turn away.

'What is she saying? I can't possibly look...'' Annallee thought to herself, never really finishing. The thinking and the conversation, if you would call it that, had been rudely interruppted by a ravenous growl, the growl of a beast that has an unending hunger. That starving beast was Annallee, and the growl had rumbled from her abdomen.

''How about we get something to eat, no?'' This had seemed to be a good idea for the both of them, and so the pair had made their way to the monolithic stairwell, and onto Hai-Yo Bistro.

Hai-Yo's Grand World Cuisiné, LUNCH!

The old restaurant that was Hai-Yo's during the war had been taken under quite a remodeling. With more plants, trees and scenic paintings from all over the world than the fine museums of Greenhill, it had a five-star look to the rather small establishment. People from all over visited the castle to dine on it's many varieties of food, and today was no different, save the fact that their renouned leader came to have lunch, and accompaning him was the ex-king of Highland.

The restaurant was not packed to the fullest as it normally is, but it had its fair share of patrons. Of these were none other than their president and his friend. But the unexpected party had made their way through the back, which was off limits to non-employees. The first figure had a hand around the wrist of the other, nearly dragging that person who seemed a little reluctant to resist in.

Riou and Jowy had already sat at a table, and still awaited on the rather well endowed waitress to serve the table.

''Is that..Nanami? Hey! Nanami! Over here!'' shouted the once silent Riou. She heard the ever familiar voice and immediately dragged the unfortuante Annallee along.

''Hey Riou! Oh..you never ate last night! After I went and got that fish and all!! How rude.''

''Nanami...you never came back with it...''

''That's right! I went there and I got a little side tracked'', she stuck her tounge out at him and lightly tugged the singer foward, finally letting go of her hand. Annallee bowed lightly and greeted the others at the table.

''Hello.''

''Um..Riou...who is your pal here? He looks kinda cute!'' she giggled, although joking. This caused the said friend to stand, and offer a hand, also in a joking manner.

''Hi. I'm Jowy.''

Nanami, needless to say, tackled the poor boy to the floor, and into a hug that would nearly crush his ribs. She had not seen this lifelong friend in nearly a year, so such actions were expected to be there. Just not expected to be so painful. After a short while, she had gotten used to the fact that he was really there, and hopped up and stood above him.

''You had better tell us about where you've been!''

So the four sat at the table. Riou and Jowy had been talking between eachother, exchanging the occational laugh. While Nanami scanned through menu after menu, heedlessly. "I'll take a...bowl of your ramen and keep 'em comin'..", she started speaking in monotone at first, "..and a few eggrolls, maybe some rice, fried, some tomato soup and a green salad...no..TWO green salads. A girl has got to keep her figure after all!", she snickered. The two boys and the poor old chef stood there amazed. No other girl could eat as much as she, and still keep her slim figure. "Oh and the boys will take care of the bill, as usual!", she brough her hand to her mouth for a giggle. Annallee merely stared down at the top of the table, and continued to wonder why or how she was even there.

Heh. Never modest.

"We'll have a sandwich.", the boys said in unison, still taken aback, since Nanami was right, she definately was famished.

"I'll pay, don't worry about it Jowy.", sudenly said Riou, with a strange, and cheery tone in his voice. His friend was reluctant to accept such an offer without defraying his fair share, but Riou would not back down.

Their food arrived shortly, and as you all know, Riou and Jowy had still sat there with their sandwiches in hand, watching Nanami go through her platters like a tornado. The boys took small bites from their meals, Hai-Yo makes such great sandwiches! Not that his other meals weren't great either.

"She hasn't changed at all", laughed Jowy, remembering back at all the times when they lived together those years ago.

No she hasn't.

"Ugh...I think I ate too much," admitted the much groaning Nanami, clutching her stomach, almost doubling over.

"Oh great..", also groaned, the much annoyed Riou. "Come on, I'll take you to your room."

I thought she'd have learned by now!

"Bu-ut Jowy, you ha-ave to meet with Sirs Camus and Miklotov in a few minutes. I-I'll be fine wi-th Riou!", the sickly girl sputtered as a small stomach pang seemed to nail at her from the inside. "All right, hope you feel better soon!", he replied, and much against his will, he followed her orders, and walked off to the barracks where the Red and Blue Knight captians was on duty.

''Perhaps I can visit Mrs. Yamamoto, she has my dress all clean.'', Annallee stated, turning around quickly that made her hair flip to the side. She headed off in almost a scurry toward the cliff face where the wash lines were.

Much bewildered, Riou let Nanami, who was still complaining and groaning, wrap her arm around his shoulder, and pick her up. He carried her somewhat cradled in his arms, and though he didn't notice, she stopped her fits of pain and had clung tightly to him with a warm smile on her face. He thought she was asleep, but though he was unaware, she had underwent the same emotional sensations as Riou, though contrary to what he though, that was the only thing she kept well hidden from the world.

"Riou?", she asked, looking up to him with a sort of meekness in her eyes. He had never seen her like this before, and had begun to worry if something was worng. "Yeah?" he quietly replied, trying to sound a bit cheerful, just in case.

Something is...different.

"I remember...", she started, trying to think of something remotely coherent, "I remember when you carried me, just like this from Rockaxe..."

What is she...?

"Yeah", he replied with a hint of nostalgia in his voice. It was just the same, except she didn't have a gaping hole in her chest. "Just like back then.", she snuggled up as best she could in his warm grip. She had stayed like this as he walked though the four floors of the castle. Many people stopped what they were doing, for many thought Miss Nanami had been injured again. Some thought otherwise, though they didn't get very good response from the others. Of all the people looking and pondering, Riou and Nanami went on, up flight of stairs after flight of stairs, not caring who stared at the them.

They had attracted attention far and wide, just for this strange occation. As they passed though the halls leading to the Confrence hall, where Shu and the 'Odd Couple', Viktor and Flik, were talking to McDohl who oddly dissappeared for half the day. As the turned to the stairway that lead to the bedrooms of the highly regarded of the castle, even young Nina, who was on her way to see Flik, had stopped in her tracks to watch what appeared to be a procession of a fallen one.

Before long, what actually to them seemed like ages, they had reached the threshold of the fifth floor, where Riou banned anyone from ever coming further without express permission. Everyone who had the nerve to follow turned around dissappointed, for they knew not what was going on.

"And then it started to rain, but did you ever stop running?", she asked. She appeared once again to be asleep, dreaming as though she flying, not carried, through the heavens.

"No, I didn't", he tried to laugh, but only could let out a smile, "Even Bolgan tried to help, but I wouldn't let you go."

She curled up, or tried to, after he said that. She was unconscious at the time, and she did not know that he'd fight for her, even if he thought her as dead.

"You little..." she said, trying to sound mean like always, "...Thanks."

A small rain fell on the castle that day, and Riou finally heard it. Rain would mean that military training might be called off today. The Elite Guard you remain to train in the dojo, and maybe that's where Jowy would be. He stepped to the large chamber door, and pushed his foot against a well worn, and hidden at that, latch at the bottom. It swung open, and a rush of warm air blasted out, and nearly blew his hair on end.

"We're here..", he stated, which was very obvious, but it sounded...right for the moment.

"Don't let me go, Riou", she pleaded, though she was extremly fatigued, and was really not herself. "I want to stay just like this."

He looked down at the precious bundle cradled in his arms, and lightly shook her. He repeated himself with a touch of soft, sweetness in his voice that was never there before, but was dying to be released. He had set her down on a large arm chair that was next to a fire that was always blazing, and he had sat next to her.

"I have to", he replied to her. "A girl of your figure has to get her beauty rest!", he said in a pleasantly mocking tone.

"How do you feel?", he asked with concern, since she did not answer. He thought she may have passed out, but her cheeks were flushed red. He drew closer with small curiosity in his eyes, to inspect her blush.

She sat up, and that seemed to startle Riou. She coughed in a sinister tone and narrowed her eyes, "I'd really expect this kind of behavior from someone else, Riou. "And anyway..", she coughed again, for real this time, "What was that question you were going to ask me yesterday?"

Nanami...

His eyes gaped open wide, and she said that. He was brave enough to admit it to her yesterday, maybe even the day before, but now was the least of all time, since she'd really pay attention to it.

..I love you.

"I..", he started. She had looked at him with her narrowed eyes once again. She wanted to know, and now that he was acting kinder than usual to her, she wanted answers. He had taken a deep breath, and closed his eyes softly.

You said, 'We'll run away...together.'

"Nanami...I love you, I always had, and now...it's different.", he had finally burst out, feeling quite relieved and pressured at the same time. This had startled her, but then she started thinking. This had made her quite angry.

"Come on...I was always your bigger sister, and now's not the time to be jealous over it!", she fumed, if just a little.

I couldn't help that...but if there was something...

Riou stood back up and sat on the large chair next to her. "I didn't mean like that.", he said reassuringly.

"Then...what do you...?", she asked with an unblinking gaze, finally catching on to what he was saying. She had quite a blush under her large eyes, and an even deeper one from the unthinkable thing that happened next. "You don't mean...Riou..?"

Something that I could to to show...

Riou looked down for a small while, taking a breath, all the while his racing heart felt like it would stop any minute. He had thought this out many times since the beginining of the year, and things had it put off. By now he didn't remember anything, except for two things. He had done the first already, and the second whould prove the toughest battle he had ever fought.

"This...", he answered, as his face was but an inch away from her's. She looked at him questioningly, and tried to let a gasp escape her lips, since she could tell by the desparate look on his face. It was too late. Riou had already pressed his warm mouth against her's before she could say anything. It was not a passionate-love kiss, and it wasn't a frendly peck. It was something that has been aching for ages to be shown, and it had been accepted as he wanted it to be.

Just how much.

"Ri..", she tried to say, but she just now felt what it was about. He loved her. More than a friend. More than just his bigger sister. More than anything. She kindly showed him that she accepted the offer by raising a hand to his cheek. His heart felt like it finally gave out. She finally felt wanted by someone, and couldn't have chosen anyone better.

Just like back then.

It seemed as though luck was with them that night. They had embraced, and kissed, for the first time in their lives. They both forgot about everything, even Jowy. Speaking of Jowy, who was just to run an errand for Sir Camus, had made it most of the way up the stairs with Annalee, who was returning the borrowed kimono, by the time Riou admitted his love. They had hurried as they heard gossip and whisper of Riou carrying Nanami. Jowy, not wanting anything possible to be wrong with his best of friends, he picked up his pace, speeding with everything he had in him.

He had ascended to the last step and found the door already swaying open in the wind of the open window. Stepping toward the door, followed meekly by the frail young woman, the two already in the room, preoccupied with each other, did not notice that their best friend, a friend since they were old enough to walk, entered. He thought he knew them in and out. He was wrong.

"Riou! I'm back how's....Nanami..."

Jowy felt flood of anxiety and fear hit him as his eyes took in the scene of the two.

Annallee felt her stomach fall, and a hint of jealousy as her feelings shattered into finer pieces.