Navy and Azure
by Apple-chan

Disclaimer: It's his, not mine.

RenxPilica. Contains lots of waff, fluff, angst...and a really, infuriatingly annoying Tao En. Set approximately 11 years after the Anime. Their love knows no boundaries. Their love is limitless, timeless...endless. He completed her, and she completed him...in the most ultimate sense. Yet...love does not always automatically lead to a happy ending.

Warnings: PG-13 for adult situations and mild swearing.

Chapter 6 - Black Triumphs


Ren stared out the window of his private jet, a very worried frown on his face. "Kang, have you tried calling the Estate again?"

"Around five times earlier today, Ren-sama," his secretary answered promptly. "But each and every single time, the only thing they would tell me is that Pilica-sama was either asleep, or busy in the garden and she can't come to the phone." He frowned. "Should I try calling again?"

Ren shook his head. "That won't be necessary." He smiled faintly. "We'll be getting home soon, anyway."

Kang chuckled. "You are anxious to see her, aren't you?"

Ren fought off the urge to blush. "So what if I am?"

"Nothing." Kang said quickly. "...You miss her." He couldn't help but add.

This time, Ren did blush. "Shut up."

"Hai!" Kang nodded cheerfully as he went back to his work. "How was that convention you attended before we left, Ren-sama?"

"Incredibly boring," Was the dry reply. "Honestly, I don't know why I even wasted my time going to that thing. It was all a load of crap." A sigh. "...Well, at least a little bit of good came out of this trip."

"Ah." Kang nodded, understanding what his employer meant. During their stay in Europe--London in particular--Ren was able to visit a couple of his friends who lived there for a short while as he waited for a couple of his business transactions to be completed. "Lyserg-sama and Jeanne-sama looked pretty well."

Ren smirked. "They looked pretty happy, too." He nodded gratefully as an attendant handed him a bottle of his usual drink--milk. "I'll have to remember to knock next time at every door in that stately mansion of Lyserg's, though," he added with a slight wince. "I don't want to walk in on them ever again..." He shuddered as he remembered. "I mean, who KNOWS how much of either one of their..." a cough, "I'll be able to see next time."

"It's good that they finally got together."

"Yeah." Ren dabbed at his mouth with a napkin as he drank from the milk bottle. "Have you finished sorting out all the documents?"

Kang nodded in confirmation, patting the attaché case in front of him. "I have them all right here. I've completely noted everything we accomplished in London, Paris, and Madrid as well. The documents are inside."

"Good."

"I'm sure your father will be satisfied, Ren-sama."

Ren snorted dryly. "If he isn't, tough." He stood up and paced around, running his hands through his hair. "I'm not doing this for him, though," he declared firmly. "I'm doing this for Hahaue, for Neesan, for Jiisama, and for--"

"--you and Pilica-sama." Kang supplied helpfully.

"Y...yeah." He could feel another blush threatening to stain his cheeks. Damn this stupid blush reflex.

Kang smiled at him with amusement. "Shall I start with all the preparations for your wedding?"

Ren choked on the bottle of milk. "Wedding?" He echoed.

"You know--yours and Pilica-sama's?" The secretary said helpfully.

"W...what?" Ren sat back down on his chair at that note. Wedding? What wedding? "What are you talking about?"

"Ren-sama...you haven't asked her yet?" Kang's face was the picture of disbelief.

"Ask her what?"

"Why, to marry you, of course!"

Ren frowned deeply at the bottle of milk in his hand for a good couple of minutes, seemingly in contemplation. Finally, he spoke. "...No. No, I haven't."

"Why not?" His secretary persisted.

"Kang." Ren's voice held a warning note.

"Sorry," Kang said sheepishly. Trying to change the subject, he began, "Anyway, Ren-sama..."

"I can't ask her."

"What?" Kang's head snapped into attention. "What exactly do you mean, Ren-sama?"

"I mean, I CAN'T!" His employer burst out with frustration. "I just...can't work up the nerve."

"So you've never tried?"

Ren glared at him. "I've told you already: I haven't, because I can't." He placed his head in his hands desperately and sighed. "...And I just can't understand WHY I can't. Whenever I'm in front of her, I lose my nerve. I freeze. WHY does THAT happen?"

"It's probably because...you love her." Kang examined his employer's face curiously. "You do love her, don't you?"

Ren looked at him oddly. "What does THAT have to do with my problem?"

"...Everything."

"Everything?"

"Hai." Kang paused thoughtfully. "It's always harder to say something when you really mean it...most especially in your case, Ren-sama."

"Oh?" Ren raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you mean by THAT?"

"N...nothing bad, I assure you," Kang said quickly, wincing as his employer gave him a withering glare. "By nature, you're not really very demonstrative when it comes to feelings, and it's easier for you to simply hide your emotions under...a cover. A different emotion." He explained.

"So what you're basically saying is that I'm a pretentious person."

"N...no, of course not!" Kang looked quite horrified. "I never suggested anything like that! I'm just saying that...it's harder for you to say what you really, genuinely feel. Aside from what I've just said, I think it's also because..." he paused hesitantly, "...you're afraid that she'll reject you."

The realization hit Ren like a sledgehammer. Me, afraid of rejection? I'm not afraid of anything. I can face whatever is thrown to me without any fear. How can I be afraid of something as trite and as trivial...as rejection?

But he knew. Deep inside of him, he knew. One of the main reasons why for six years, he couldn't work up the nerve to confess his love for her, was that. Rejection. In truth, he was very much afraid that she might not harbor the same feelings for him.

What about now? Now, he knew perfectly well that he loves her...and that she loves him, as well. Now, their feelings were out in the open. He no longer needed to worry about rejection. There was nothing for him to be afraid of anymore.

...Right?

"Ren-sama..." Kang's voice broke into his thoughts. "Do you honestly believe there's even a slim chance that she might say no when you finally ask her?"

Silence. And then, a sigh. "...Yes." He confessed.

"Oh." Kang was speechless for a moment. He pushed his glasses up his nose and frowned. "Well...why don't you try asking her when we come back?"

"I intend to do that." Ren furrowed his brows. "At least, as soon as I find the...courage to..."

Kang nodded confidently. "It would be soon, then?" He inquired. "I personally don't know anyone more courageous than you--"

"That's the thing." Ren sighed with resignation. "Every time I'm with her, I just lose all that courage." Another sigh. "I think my courage only works with...friends and enemies, and not--"

"--with the woman you love?" Kang supplied, smiling at him sympathetically. "I think if there's anyone who can do this, you can, Ren-sama."

"I hope so." Ren exhaled. "And I certainly hope it won't take me too long." He paused, running his hands through his hair as he gazed around. "How much longer until we get back to the Estate?"

"Eight hours more." Kang responded. "You should get some rest, Ren-sama."

"I will." Ren relaxed in his reclining seat. "Oh...and Kang?"

"Hai?"

"Thanks." He gave his secretary a small smile.

Kang smiled in return. "You're welcome, Ren-sama."

"...If you ever tell anyone that we've had this conversation, I'll kill you."

Kang chuckled. "You have nothing to worry about. I'll keep this between the two of us." His employer's cell phone rang, startling him for about half a second, but the dark-haired man immediately picked it up and answered.

"Who is it, Kang?" Ren asked.

Kang handed him the phone, an expression of slight worry on his face. "It's En-sama," he mouthed.

A dark frown. "What does he want now?" He muttered under his breath before placing the electronic device against his ear. "What?"

"Have you completed all the business deals?" His father's booming voice sounded on the other line.

"Of course." He answered dryly.

"ALL of them?"

He exhaled. "Yeah. ALL of them."

"Are you certain?" En persisted. "If anything's missing in all the documents, you're going to have to--"

"Father," he interrupted impatiently, "everything is done, alright? DONE. Kang and I made sure of it. What does it matter to YOU, anyway? This is for MY future, NOT yours. Didn't you tell me that?"

"...So I did," the man replied after several minutes of silence. "Never mind. Are you on your way home?"

Ren rolled his eyes with exasperation. "Yeah. Why? You got anything else you WANT me to do?" He asked, obvious sarcasm lacing his tone.

"Don't be disrespectful, Son."

"I'm not, FATHER," he answered with slight annoyance. "I'm just being blunt. Why did you call me?" He wasn't in any mood to prolong this conversation any longer. He was getting increasingly irritated.

"You have one more thing to accomplish before you head on home," En announced. "Something new came up...and it cannot be allowed to wait. You will need to go to Tokyo immediately."

"WHAT?" Ren exclaimed with disbelief. He stood up, muttering a curse under his breath as paced around the floor of the plane, raking his fingers through his hair with frustration. "TOKYO? As in right NOW? Father, I'm going home!"

"No, you're not." En's voice was hard, firm...and icy-cold. "Son, it's extremely important that you take care of this matter as soon as possible." He paused, as if allowing the words to sink into his son's mind. "Ask Kang to tell your pilot to redefine the coordinates of your journey. Go to Tokyo right now."

"I will do NO such thing!" Ren exclaimed with equal conviction. "I will be heading home, Father, and you can't stop me. I don't care about that business deal in Tokyo. I'm NOT going there right now. I need to get back to the Estate. I WANT to get back." I want to be with Pilica...I need to ask her something very important...

En sniffed. "Do whatever you want."

"I WILLl!" He shot back. "I'm going home."

"Just remember," his father continued as if he hadn't heard anything, "...as I've told you before, this isn't for me. This is for your mother, your sister, your grandfather...and most of all, for YOU. For you, and--"

"--for my FUTURE family. Right, right." Ren sighed with resignation. Here we go again with the guilt trip. Why do you always let yourself FALL for these things, Ren?

...Because I love my family. ALL of them--even the one who constantly tries to manipulate me.

My sole weakness, my family...and the people I love.

Hahaue. Neesan. Jiisama.

...Pilica.

"Remember, you're doing this for them."

I'm doing this for them.

"How long do I have to stay there?" He reluctantly asked his father.

"A week or so. Probably two. It depends on how long you'll have to tour around their plantation." A pause. "Kang knows what I'm talking about. You'll have to get the rest of the details from him."

Ren muttered a curse under his breath. Plantation? "...Alright," he said grudgingly. "I'll go."

"Good." He could here the note of triumph in his father's voice...and he suddenly felt the urge to smack his head against the nearest wall for allowing the man to manipulate him once again, when he had all the power to just refuse everything. "We'll see you in two weeks. Make sure you complete the deal."

He let out a hiss of frustration. "Yeah."

"That's it, then." En started to hang up, but Ren stopped him.

"Wait, Father."

"What, Son?"

"Uh..." How are Hahaue and Jiisama? Are they doing fine? How is Pilica? Have you been treating her decently? Why the hell hasn't she called me for the past two weeks? Have you forbidden her to use the telephone? You'd better be nice to her, Father...or you'll have me to answer to when I get back. "Never mind. I'll see you in two weeks." He hang up without waiting for his father's reply. He tossed the phone aside helplessly and rubbed his hands wearily across his face. "...Dammit."

"What is it, Ren-sama?" Kang asked as he picked up the phone from where it had landed--on the floor of the plane.

Ren didn't answer. He gave a long, weary exhale. "Tell the pilot that there's been a slight change of plans." He sighed. "We're not going home just yet."

"But...where are we going?" His secretary wondered.

Ren frowned darkly. "...To Tokyo."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Pilica stared out of the carriage window, her heart sinking several hundred feet way below the ground as she gazed at the grassy, forestry patch of land covering the mountains which would inevitably lead her to the other side of the Tao compound. The place where she was being banished to. The place where she would probably be living for the rest of her life--if Tao En had his way.

She closed her eyes and rested her head against the windowsill. Ren's father wouldn't leave her much of a choice. As much as she didn't want him to have his way, the man was just too powerful for her to handle--and she was all alone. She was only one person...a simple Ainu girl from the snowy plains of Hokkaido...whereas he was a man several decades older than her--several decades more experienced when it comes to dealing with situations and people...and a million times stronger and more powerful than she would ever be. Even though he was only the former and not the current head of the Tao family, he possessed all these things--and plenty more.

She gave a long, deep sigh, feeling the last remaining ounce of her strength leaving her, drifting against the wind as the carriage moved. For the past ten days, ever since she was literally ordered to be...exiled beyond the mountains, Pilica had used up practically all of what she had trying to think up of ways to get herself out of her current predicament. A getaway, a means of escape, anything at all--but her efforts had all been in vain. En was just too powerful, and even her defiance and rebellion--both of which could normally move mountains when it comes to her brother and Ren--didn't do her much good.

In the span of those ten days, she had been sequestered inside her room (the quarters Ren had given her--his father had at least allowed her that, to give him credit) like a prisoner, not allowed to make contact with anyone besides the servants in the Estate. Unless she was accompanied by En's guards, she was prohibited to come out of the room, probably hoping that it would prevent her from thinking up of ways to escape the Estate before the day that she was to be banished.

On the ninth day, the night before she had to leave, Pilica had finally finished the escape plan she had spent so long mapping out inside her room. Even though she wasn't allowed out, she was able to make full use of her time creating a foolproof means that would allow her to slip out of the Estate without anyone knowing, and give her the freedom that she so longed for. At least, that was what she thought. She really should have known better.

Apparently, Tao En was not only powerful--he was smart and cunning as well. And unfortunately for her, he had surmised that somehow or other, she was going to break through all the security he had placed around inside the whole Estate and undoubtedly escape. Much to her dismay, even though she was able to get out of the main walls of the place, she didn't quite expect that security will be waiting for her outside, too. About several meters away from the Tao territory, a couple of guards had caught her and immediately brought her back to the Estate. At that point, she didn't have any more time to plan another escape because she was supposed to leave early the next day. Needless to say, she had been forced to resign herself to the bitter, inevitable truth: she was going to be sent away behind those godforsaken mountains. She was never going to see Ren again. Ever.

A lone tear escaped from her cheek...probably the last of the tears she had left to shed. All throughout those ten days, and especially during the ninth day, when she had come so close...so incredibly close to gaining her freedom, there wasn't a single moment that she didn't cry. It was as if her tears didn't want to stop. Everything inside of her was threatening to burst out in the open. She wanted to scream in anger, shout and whimper in pain...but all she could do was cry in anguish. Tears of hurt. Tears of blood.

Why is he doing this to me? I don't mean him any harm. I didn't do anything wrong!

Yes, yes you did. A little voice inside her head countered. You loved his son. And for him...that's even worse than the gravest of all the sins in the world. He is the past...Ren is the future. And the future means everything to him.

But I can't help it, she protested. I love Ren-kun. Nobody asked me to love him. Nobody asked him to love me. Nobody asked us to love each other. It...just happened.

Exactly, that voice again. And he wants to try and change that. Even it means causing other people pain.

Even if it means causing...me pain?
Then...he's definitely succeeded. More than he could ever imagine.

Pilica knew for a fact that Ren's father was powerful, tyrannical, and manipulative, but she didn't exactly become aware of how much all of that was true--not until during those past ten days. She was unfortunately able to experience all of it firsthand--one of the many causes of her tears. It was evident that, whenever Ren was not in the Estate--which, she knew, was fairly often as he'd much rather prefer to stay with his friends than at his own home, En controlled the whole place much to the point of obsession. Even the plants and trees seemed to snap into quiet, obedient attention every single time he spoke or gave an order. It was as if defying him would instantly warrant an extremely severe punishment. And, judging from the way each and every servant around the Estate cowered at his mere presence, the thought of severe, harsh punishments wasn't quite hard to believe.

Especially not if you've been subjected to them yourself.

The carriage gave a slight, soft creak as the horse galloped painstakingly down the steep mountain, descending towards the central valley--the detached part of the Tao compound, which was her intended destination. Going down meant that she was halfway through with her journey, and it was only a matter of time until she gets there. To wherever she was supposed to go.

Six hours more. Pilica forced a faint smile, shaking her head as the maidservant, who was riding in the carriage with her, offered her a bit of food that they had brought along specifically for this. They had been instructed not to stop if it wasn't extremely necessary, for stopping and taking a break would only prolong their journey and delay their arrival at the central valley. As it was, they were going to arrive there quite in the wee hours of the night. Anyway, as much as she didn't have anymore strength, Pilica wasn't feeling the least bit hungry. Her whole body seemed to agree with her heart...and her heart felt that it was no longer necessary for her to eat. Why would she need to? She was being taken away somewhere...a place very much foreign to her, just so she could be completely separated from the only man she had ever loved in her whole life. To separate her from him permanently. To take her away from one of the people who constituted her whole life, and gave her reasons to live.

Taking her away from him was like...taking away half of her very own life.

Now, she was just an empty shell, and empty shells had no purpose. She was as good as dead.

If I had known from the onset that he had intended on separating me from his son, then I should have just allowed him to kill me. He should have had me killed. That would have been kinder. Anything is better than this. Anything at all.

Still...something in her willed her to live. Deep inside her heart of hearts, she knew that...a slight glimmer of hope existed. There was that slight, minuscule chance that she would be saved.

In the human world, there was a person who existed...one person who was a thousand times more powerful than Tao En. A person who had been known to do things nobody would ever have dreamed he was capable of doing. A person who had beaten En once already in a battle of might, wills, and emotion, and would do so again when the need arises. A person she had complete faith in. A person she has known for a very long time, and whom she has grown to love even more than words can say as the years passed...as they grew up.

Ren would come for her. He would save her...or he would die trying.

And when...IF he does die, then...that's the only time that I would know for certain that there's nothing for me anymore.

...And I can die, as well.

*~*~*~*~*~*

It was very dark, with the moon in the sky serving only as a faint light when they arrived at the central valley. They stopped at what seemed to be the largest property at the heart of the area. It was completely fenced in, with a large gate at the front, and a couple of structures were visible from the outside.

"Is...this where I'm supposed to stay?" Pilica gazed at her surroundings warily as she stepped down from the carriage.

"Hai." Fei, the Japanese-speaking middle-aged maidservant who was with her, answered promptly as she assisted the young woman. "This is the main ranch where they take care of En-sama and Ren-sama's horses and all the other animals for the main Estate." She explained. As she helped lug out Pilica's things, she continued. "Jing-sama is the caretaker of this place. Him, and his family. He's a second cousin of En-sama's," she added. "Ching-sama's cousin's son, I believe." She placed the suitcase down on the ground and surveyed the whole place with a slightly worried frown. "En-sama said that they've already been informed of your arrival, but I wonder if...ah, there's Jing-sama." The maidservant gave a respectful bow as a middle-aged man with pointy indigo-colored hair approached.

"Good evening," Jing greeted, smiling warmly as he looked over at Fei...and then, at Pilica, before he gazed back at Fei questioningly. "Fei, is it?"

"Hai, Jing-sama." Fei bowed respectfully once more. She then gestured courteously towards Pilica. "This is Pilica-sama."

"Ah." Jing nodded with understanding. "Pilica-san. It's a pleasure to meet you." He held out his hand. "En has already briefed me in on the...circumstances." He flashed her a sympathetic look.

Pilica forced a smile as she took the man's hand and shook it hesitantly. She didn't know what she was supposed to say. At the back of her mind, she wondered what exactly En had told Jing about her. It was highly unlikely that En had told him the truth--that she was being sent here to keep her away from Ren...and so that she could permanently be eliminated from his life.

But then again, this place was a part of the whole Tao compound, too, wasn't it? If this was on his territory as well, it was equally possible that, as much as he controlled the land...he controlled the people who lived in it, as well...

Jing squeezed her hand comfortingly, startling her, breaking through her thoughts. "En has a tendency to go a little overboard sometimes." He said quietly. "...I hope you will forgive him."

Pilica's eyes widened with surprise, but she gave a slight nod. She didn't know what she was going to say to him. More importantly, she didn't know what to make of his statement. Did that mean En had told him everything...or only a small portion of the truth?

"Anyway, we should get you inside," Jing motioned for the coachman to carry Pilica's things into the house. "Fei, you are to leave early tomorrow morning, isn't that right?"

"Hai, Jing-sama." Fei responded promptly as she helped out in carrying the Ainu woman's things. "En-sama instructed me to stay with Pilica-sama for the whole night." She turned to the young woman. "Don't worry about anything," she whispered with assurance as they stepped inside the stately house that was about ten times the size of Pilica and Horo-horo's cottage in the fields. "Jing-sama's whole family can speak Japanese." She explained. "His late wife was Japanese, just like you." She added. "You'll be able to understand all of them. That's one of the main reasons why En-sama chose to send you here." A frown. "Not that I approve of it, but...I can't do anything about it." She sighed with resignation. "I'm only a servant."

Pilica managed a grateful smile. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, Fei-san."

Another sigh. "I only wish I could do more."

"You've done more than enough." She told the maidservant. One of the things she was grateful for was that, at least, she had been accompanied by someone who was gracious and kind to her, and did her best to comfort Pilica...even though it wasn't able to do a bit good.

"My children are in the dining room," Jing informed them as they entered the foyer. He nodded at the coachman. "Second floor, second door from the right." He called out. Then, he turned to Pilica and smiled at her kindly. "It's almost time for dinner. Pilica-san...you look like you could use some rest." He paused thoughtfully. "I can have your meal sent up to your room," he offered.

Pilica shook her head. "A...arigatou. But that won't be necessary." She smiled weakly. "I'm not very hungry. I think..." A hesitant pause. "I think I'll just go to sleep." She gave him a questioning look. "If I may, that is."

"But...Pilica-sama," Fei protested. "You haven't eaten anything ALL day--"

"Fei." Jing held up his hand to silence the maid. He smiled at Pilica. "Of course you may. But I'll have a little something sent up to your room just in case. Is that alright?"

Pilica nodded gratefully.

"Good." Jing turned around. "I'll have my daughter show you up to your room." He bowed his head slightly and headed towards the dining room.

"Pilica-sama, I'm going with you." Fei said decisively. "I'm supposed to be taking care of you. I'm not doing this for En-sama, though," she added quickly. "...I'm doing this for Ren-sama. He would want you to be safe."

Pilica managed a smile. "Arigatou, Fei-san."

A few minutes later, Jing emerged from the dining room with a beautiful young woman around nineteen, with long blonde hair and amber eyes beside him. "This is my daughter, Tao Chii."

The girl smiled as she gave a small bow. "Good evening."

"I'll leave them to you." Jing told her. Turning to Pilica and Fei, he said, "I'll see you in the morning." He started walking back towards the dining room. "Chii, come back quickly when you're done, is that clear?"

"Yes, Father!" Chii called out. Tossing her long hair over her shoulder, she turned to the two women and smiled. "Shall we go?"

Pilica nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

"Great. Let's head on up." Chii announced as she stepped on the staircase. Nodding her head slightly at the two guests, she motioned for them to follow her.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Pilica bit her lip as she examined the large expanse of a bedroom she was in--a navy-blue colored room that was to be hers for the next couple of days, weeks, maybe months...or even years.

She couldn't imagine the final two without feeling her heart smashing into pieces. She didn't want to stay here that long. She didn't even want to stay here in the first place. What had she ever done to deserve this?

"I'll leave you now." Chii smiled as she got out. "Oyasumi."

"Pilica-sama, please call me at once if you need anything. Anything at all." Fei told her firmly as she, too, left the room. "Oyasumi."

"Oyasumi. And thank you." She called out to the both of them.

As soon as they had left, she gave a long sigh. She sat down on the bed, fingering with the covers as she tried to straighten out her thoughts and feelings. The room was too navy blue...it reminded her so much of Ren, reminded her so much of what she had been abruptly forced to leave behind. Memories of him, his presence...and his love.

She shook her head vigorously, trying to shake off the pain and sadness which had both been threatening to invade her whole being for almost two weeks now. The only reason why they hadn't succeeded in taking over her completely was because...she had an outlet. She could cry. For the past ten days, she was able to express the hurt deep inside her heart through her tears...but now her eyes were dry. She couldn't cry anymore.

And the sadness was slowly overtaking her.

She rested her head wearily against her hands. Is this what he wanted to happen? Is this how he had intended for everything to end up?

Or does he still have more plans?

What else does he have in store for me...now that I am right exactly where he wants me to be?

She let out a sigh. It doesn't matter anymore. I've come this far. Whatever happens, will happen...and when it does, I'll just have to face it head-on.

And I know...Ren-kun will come for me. He WILL come for me, for sure.

But for now, the only thing I can do is wait.

...And if he doesn't come for you? A voice inside her head asked. If he doesn't come for you...what then? What will you do?

She spread out the bedcovers and lay down on the bed as she contemplated that thought. If...if he...doesn't come for me, then I...I... She rested her head on the pillows and clutched the blankets tightly.

Navy blue blankets.

Navy blue. Ren-kun.

Sighing once again, she closed her eyes, wanting nothing more than to block out everything around her, and everything she felt--physically, as well as emotionally. Wishing for nothing else but to snap back into reality and find out that all of this was just a nightmare she needed to wake up from. That none of it was really happening.

But everything was.

If he doesn't come for me, then I...I... And she fell asleep then, her body physically tired from the long journey, her heart heavy from all the hurting. From that night until early the next morning, her body rested, and for a little while, her heart was at peace.

But her unfinished thoughts continued to echo in her mind all through the night.

...I don't know.

TSUZUKU.

End notes:

Sorry for the chapter delay. I had a major exam to study for during the past two weeks_. I'm not really getting my hopes up into passing that one, but anyway...expect the next chapter sometime next week. Just to make up for the lack of update, it will be a *lot* longer.^_^

Yes, I have no originality. Tao Chii was based from Chii in "Chobits."^^;;;

My desktop wallpaper is a really really cute picture of Iron Maiden Jeanne hugging dear Lyserg.*_* Love it to bits. Too cute. I want to thank Nagumo for that if she's reading this. Anyway, I don't think I'll ever get out of my LXJ mode anytime soon...not if I have that on my desktop. For the sake of this fic, I *need* to get out of LXJ mode and get completely into RXP. So...if anyone's got a picture of Pilica hugging Ren or something to that effect, I would love you to the ends of the earth if you'd send it to me.

Up next: Chapter 7 - Azure Yearns.