Tamao shifted her gaze from the anxious looks of Pilika-san and Ren-san. Her day started ordinarily enough... but she did not expect to be suddenly kidnapped when she was about to prepare Horo-kun's lunch. Boy, oh boy won't he be displeased.

Tamao pouted. For some reason, she continued to stay by his side... maybe it was because he appreciated her simple creations, and complimented them greatly, maybe it was because the two of them were so much alike, maybe because... they were just happy to have each other's presence.

Nothing Will Keep Us Apart... Except Onii-chan

           фChapter Three: Better today, than in our Wedding Day

           © Jess-chan/Kari

Pilika pulled off a rather awkward smile and flashed it to Tamao who had been quietly watching the two of them... Where did Ren get such a crazy idea~~~?!

In the name of everything good... the plan was absolutely... insane... was the word for it... but ABSOLUTELY perfect...

Shaking her head rather vigorously Pilika wondered why she never thought of the idea in the first place.

"I have to go for a while..."

Both females looked up to him, Ren inclined his head towards the door. He felt two pair of eyes bore down his back as he reached for the door, leaving his future wife and Tamao alone in the room.

He was desperate.

He wanted Pilika so badly, he even resolved to this...

It wasn't really bad actually; he would've even called it a stroke of genius. He just hoped Pilika would be able to persuade Tamao. She was after the only hope he had left!

"Tamao-chan..."

"Hai?"


"Can you—can you... um... do me a favor...?"

Pilika tried hard not to look at Tamao straight in the eye. It made her uncomfortable to lie to one of her closest friend, but—she Tamao could be trusted and she would understand—NO she should understand.

"Sure, Pilika-chan... You know I'd do all I can to do everything for you."

Too late... She had locked gazes with the pink-eyed girl, and the sincere, warm smile that spread across her lips, was enough to send the gut feeling of guilt all over her.

Horo Horo paced around the cramped living room of the apartment he shared with his sister.

It was already past twelve o'clock...

... And Tamao always arrived at twelve o'clock sharp or earlier... but never late.

Only the fact that she was gone made him feel uneasy.

Somehow he felt it was his responsibility to look after her. In his eyes she was so fragile and delicate... someone to be treated like glass... though he sure didn't treat her that carefully.

Contrary to popular belief... Tamao was not all a nice girl—err... she IS, but not that all angelic and such... the young seeress sure can slap (^^;; must be something she learned from Anna-san)... he had once teased her about her infatuation with Yoh-sama, and he had made a comment which hit somewhere below the belt.

He sighed. He had learned at least one thing... Tamamura Tamao was sensitive.

Argh!

Where is she?!

12:25 the clock read...

Damn, he was getting really worried...

Besides... his stomach was craving for some of her wondrous masterpieces... a slice of New York Cheesecake sure sounded nice right this momement.

Tamao stared at Pilika who had hung her head in shame. The young Ainu had poured out the whole story to her just then.

The whole engagement thing, Horo Horo, the young couple's initial worries, and everyone else's reaction...

Well, she certainly approved of it.

True love, as she would like to call it...

Ren patiently waited for Pilika and Tamao's conversation to end.

Pilika had suggested that he leave the two of them together in private. Tamao might've felt uncomfortable about the whole discussion...

He sighed. It was really hard for Pilika to lie... he wanted to tell Tamao-san the truth but he didn't think she'd believe it...

He looked up when he saw Pilika emerge from the room a smile on her face, shortly followed by Tamao who gave him the same smile.

Actually what surprised him was the fact that she came over and congratulated him.

With a wink, and a rather mischivous smile; Tamao left a confused Ren and a grateful Pilika in the Tao Mansion.

She had promised Pilika, and she would try to help her.

Now to deliver the remedy for the sweet cravings of a certain Ainu...!

Tsuzuku

Thanks go to the following people... I practically LURVE you guys!

Ren-Tao: Gomen... this chapter isn't any different from the first one... -____-U I'll try to make it longer after my quarterlt exams are done...!

c-erika: ^-^ hey, thanks! I've never developed the habit of updating fastly sadly... so... -__- but I try!

Kitsune Asakura: Nope. I have a hint for you... Anna is certainly NOT going to kill Horo-sama (Lor-chan will kill me instead), but it DOES have Tamao on it... heh, heh... I don't know if the story's original since I haven't read Japanese fanfics... watch out for the twist^-^

Kookiez: TT_____________TT hai gomenasai... I really update so slowly, and very short chapters... but I try my best, which I hope is good enough, and please update Crossed Paths!

Apple-chan: Yes, yes we all love Ren-chan... Everyone is cute, so adorably cute... thank you very much! I hope this chapter wasn't THAT late...

Dawnsama:  glad you like it... ^_______________^ I hope this chapter was entertaining as the last one

Black-thief: Sheesh, master, try NOT to be so demanding~~~! You know how pressuring school is... ___

ValarSpawn: I'm very sorry but I can't comply to your wishes... I just don't think I'd be able to do a HaoxJun since there is a minimal character of Jun here, and absolutely zero of Hao's... and no offense please. But I do not think that the pairing agrrees with my taste... please understand, and thank you for the review.

Jade Tao: it's no use... no matter how many times people would tell me to update fast I still won't be able to... -___-;; thanks anyways!

Ice mage1014: Very happy to know you love it^-^ Heh, heh this one's for you ice mage-san thank you very much!