It's all about the heart

A/N- Hiya!! I'm so sorry for the super long delay!!! My Internet has been down and out of the counting and it's been really hard to get it connected again! Also I have just recently busted my arm and is killing me at the moment ^_^; I'll try and make this chappy longer for my absence also a bit funnier perhaps?

Thank you for the reviewers and I hope that you will keep on reading! I wouldn't be doing this without your support! Anyway I'm going to keep quiet now and on with the story! .....................................................................................................................................

What happened last time-

(Jowy and Riou's room)

"Hey Riou wake up!"

"Just five more minutes Nanami." Riou pulled the blanket over his head and turned the opposite side.

"Come on Riou, WAKE UP!!!" Once Jowy had shouted, Riou shot up from his head.

"Ok" OK I'm up! Wait your not Nanami."

"Well of course silly I'm your b-e-s-t f-r-i-e-n-d Jowy!"

"Yeah I think I know Jowy............anyway where is Nanami? It's odd that she hasn't woken us with that cold ice!"

"Yeah I know it's VERY odd." Both of them nodded and laughed

"Hahaha! Well anyway lets go and get something to eat before she comes!"

"Yeah lets go...Oh wait I need to get changed first so I'll meet you there?"

"Na, I'll wait for you."

"Ok, but first turn around." And Jowy turns around with a bright red face. (A/N Poor Jowy Hehehe)

(A few minutes later)

"Ok done. Now lets go!"

"Good I'm starved!" Both of them jogged down to Hai Yo's and as they entered they saw Nanami and Luc.................... ...................................................................................................................................

Gremio and the cooking contest

McDohl was walking down the corridors of Dragoon castle. He wasn't sure of to where he was going; he just followed his own two feet and 'bang' he crashed into someone.

"I am so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going. Here let me help you up." McDohl offered his hand and helped the 'girl' up.

"No, It was all my fault! I wasn't looking where I was going either.........McDohl?" Kasumi looked at him puzzled.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well I've decided to come and visit Riou, but I'm kind of lost and decided to follow my instincts and they lead me to you."

"Well as long as we've bumped into each other, do you want anything to eat? The cook here is great his name is Hai Yo! And speaking of cooks, were is Gremio?"

"Yeah I would love to have something to eat. I don't know where Gremio is he was behind me a second ago and then he kind of disappeared."

"Don't you think we should find hi...never mind, he's here." Gremio came running up to them panting and shouting

"Young master! Young master! I've found you at last!"

"Where were you Gremio?"

"Umm...well you see I had to go to the toilet and well you know I got kind of lost." As soon as Gremio had said this McDohl and Kasumi fell down Anime style.

"Err...yeah Gremio. Just remember to tell me next time, ok?"

"Ok...So shall we go to Hai Yo's for some lunch?"

"Yeah I would like to meet this Hai Yo, see what he's like." An evil spark shone in his eyes and he looked like he was about to do something nasty VERY nasty.

(In Hai Yo's restaurant with Jowy and Riou)

Jowy stood there in amazement and Riou kept on rubbing his eyes until they were bright red.

"Riou pinch me and see if this is real!" *Riou smacks Jowy in the arm*

"Ouch! What are you trying to do to me?" Jowy took his eyes off of Nanami and Luc and turned towards Riou, suddenly his eyes changing from surprised to lovingly once he set them upon him.

"Sorry Jowy I didn't mean too!" Riou turned to him and rubbed the arm he hit "I didn't hurt you did I?" Jowy loved the way Riou rubbed his skin so gently and the glint from his eyes to show how sorry he was. His voice was like music to him whenever he talk to him "Don't worry I'm fine"

'He is so sweet and innocent...who could of done this to him'

"Ok! Well shall we go and interrupt there little *chat*?"

"Haha, alright let's go" A spark started to glow in there eyes as they made there way across the wooden floor towards the table where the two *lovebirds* sat.

(Back with McDohl and co)

All three of them walked into the restaurant and saw that there were only a few people inside.

"Well I guess it's are lucky day! This restaurant is rarely empty."

"So is it that famous huh? I can't wait to taste the food!"

"Hey Kasumi, could I be able to speak with this Hai Yo? Since he's not busy." Kasumi could see that Gremio still had that evil spark still in his eyes.

"Maybe you can, but Gremio please don't do anything dangerous, please?"

"Don't worry Kasumi. I won't hurt him!" Gremio walked over to the kitchen door and knocked twice. Slowly the door opened to reveal a man in a yellow Chinese tunic with black tracksuits.

"Yes sir, how may I help you?"

"Hai Yo! I want a cooking competition with YOU!" Hai Yo jumped back at this.

"A cooking contest you say! Well I accept. Who will be your helper? Or will you work alone?"

"I will work alone thank you, but you can have a helper a don't mind."

"Then, let the contest begin!" And both of them were giving each other a death glare before setting up.

"Gremio will be Gremio" As a large sweat drop slid down the back of McDohl's head

(With Jowy and co)

Jowy approached Nanami and tapped her on the shoulder. Nanami jumped out of her seat in surprise and turned around to face the rude person.

"How dare you tap.........Jowy? Riou? What are you doing here?" Nanami had a puzzled look on her face.

"Well it is morning and we do eat in this world you know!" Jowy and Riou nodded there heads and took a seat beside the two at the table.

"Good morning Luc! How are you this lovely morning?" Jowy said with a huge smile planted on his face.

"I am fine, what about you Jowy, Lord Riou?"

"We are ok and dry this morning oh and that reminds me! Nanami how come you never can this morning? It's very odd of you not to come and soak us with your evil ice cold water!" *laughs silently*

"Err.... umm...." Nanami's face started to go bright red and hide face with her hands. She looked up and took a deep breath; suddenly she saw movement at the doorway and look towards it. She saw McDohl and Gremio entering with Kasumi.

"Look by the door! Is that McDohl and Gremio? What are they doing here?"

"Nanami as we said before we humans.........did you just say McDohl?" Riou started to search the room with his eyes until he spotted a boy with a green and purple bandanna standing next to a man dressed in a blue suit with a green cape. Riou got up from his chair and look at Nanami,

"I'll let you off this time." And ran towards his old friends

'Phew...that was a close one!'

"Don't think you're done with me Nanami!" Jowy had an evil glint in his eyes as he look towards her and Luc. "Now! Tell me everything"

'Oh no...'

(McDohl and co)

"Hey McDohl! Gremio!" McDohl and Gremio look towards the place where the voice was coming from and they both smiled.

"Riou my old friend! How have you been?" McDohl held out his hand for Riou to shake.

"I have been well! What about you and Gremio?" Riou gladly took McDohl's hand and shacked it.

"We have been great for the past few days. I hope you don't mind if we could stay here for a few days as we need some rest and a more comfier place to sleep if you know what I mean."

"Of course I don't mind you are one of my dearest friends! Stay as long as you want!"

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me, Gremio I saw you talking to Hai Yo a while ago. May I ask why?" A suspicious look came from Riou's face as he saw that mischievous glint in Gremio's eyes.

"Me and Hai Yo are going to have a friendly cooking competition." Riou started to laugh and patted Gremio's back.

"Good old Gremio, always trying to find a little competition. Well let's get the room ready for the event." Gremio and Riou laughed and started to walk off into the direction were the tables were being set up for the competition. An even bigger sweat drop then before fell down McDohl's back as the two started walked off.

"Nothing's changed..." He followed on soon after.

(Cooking contest A/N sorry I'm just going to make this up as I go along)

Good-evening everyone I will be your host Fu ten Chen (Applause)

Today's panel of judges are- Flik. Also known as blue thunder. He has girls running after him 24/7. He likes to eat delicate dishes. 'I'll get you after the contest Fu ten'

Viktor. Also known as bear. People fear him on the outside but on the inside he is a big softy! He likes to eat his meats. 'You better watch what you call me!'

Kasumi. She is a ninja. She likes her spices.

McDohl. He was the leader of the liberation army but now he is travelling around the world with his companion Gremio. He loves his stews.

Viktor and Flik are looking at each other and then at McDohl.

"Hey is that really McDohl Flik?"

"No, it's Yuber. Of course it is you dope!"

"But what is he doing here? Also, where's Gremio?"

"You don't think that he's the contestant?"

"Well let's find out."

"Here is are contestant........................GREMIO!"

"Well there's your answer Viktor."

"No you don't say." As a large sweat drop appeared at the back of his head.

"And now here's the moment you've all been waiting for its HAI YO! Now choose your recipes."

"Okay it looks like they've finished choosing now, LET'S START COOKING!" (Weird music in the background Lol!)

(Viktor) – 'What is up with that music? Someone change it please before I burst!'

(Flik)- 'Viktor doesn't look so good...I hope he don't scream and shout like last time...'

(Kasumi)- 'This music is great. I wonder what McDohl is thinking' Kasumi takes a quick peek at McDohl then quickly turned her head back with a red hue on her cheeks.

(McDohl)- 'Kasumi doesn't look ok; she's a little red. *Sigh* I hope this ends soon...'

Ok the chiefs seem to have finished their dishes. We are going to vote from a numbers one to five with five being the highest and one being the lowest. All right first off we have the starters: From Gremio's side we have crabmeat mixed in with a salad slightly spiced with a touch of olive oil. *Everyone eats some* May we have the results please!

Viktor- 4

Flik- 4

Kasumi-5

McDohl-5

We have some good results here! Now is Hai Yo dish, we have Tomato soup mixed with some basil and pepper. *Everyone eats some* May we have some results please!

Viktor- 3

Flik- 4

Kasumi- 4

McDohl- 4

Some ok results here! Next we have the main course. First off is Gremio with mince stew not too greasy, onions, and carrots with peppers a pinch of salt mixed in with some bay leaf! *Everyone eats some* Results please!

Viktor- 5

Flik- 5

Kasumi- 5

McDohl- 5

Excellent results here! Next is Hai Yo's dish, we have some fried fish in lemon juice, topped with slices of tomatoes and chives. *Everyone eats some* the results please!

Viktor- 5

Flik- 3

Kasumi- 4

McDohl- 4

Not to bad results here! Finally is the desert dish! First off we have Gremio's! Ok so here we have a classical banana split and inside we have vanilla ice cream topped with sprinkles and fresh strawberries! *Everyone eats some* Final results please!

Viktor- 5!

Flik- 5!

Kasumi- 5!

McDohl- *sigh* 5

Excellent results again! Last but not least we have Hai Yo's final dish! We have a vanilla flavoured cupcake filled with chocolate inside, topped with some icing sugar! *Everyone eats some* Final results of the day please!

Viktor- 5

Flik- 4

Kasumi- 5

McDohl- 5

Great results here! Now the moment you have all been waiting for! If my calculations are correct! The final results are: Gremio with a whopping 58! And Hai Yo with a great 50! So today's winner is: GREMIO!! *Everyone claps*

"Yes I won! It was a great competition Hai yo!" A big smile was planted on Gremio's face as he stretched his hand out for Hai Yo to shake, Hai Yo accepts

"You are one of the best chiefs I have ever gone up against! You must teach me some of your recipes one day!" Hai Yo walks back into his grand kitchen and starts to cook again for his costumers. Riou runs up to Gremio and pats him on the back.

"You were great Gremio! I wish I were one of the judges so I could taste some of the food! They looked delicious!"

"Well Riou you're in luck! It so happens that I didn't eat any of the food put in front of me, well not Gremio's anyway." Tears formed in Riou's eyes.

"Thank you!!!!!" Suddenly in a flash Riou was gone like lightning and towards the judges table were the food was sitting. Two huge sweat drops fell down McDohl and Gremio's back as they saw their friend stuffing himself with food.

"Young master, why didn't you taste my food?" Gremio look towards McDohl in a confused way

"I didn't need to taste it Gremio! I already know what it tastes like and that it's the best food ever!" McDohl winks at Gremio and laughs

"You should know that by now Gremio!" McDohl turns around and starts to walk over to the stairs so that he may go outside into the gardens.

'Same old master, seems like it was only yesterday that he was small now he's all big and grown up...does he still need me? No! Don't think like that! The last time you did you made the master fall into tears and distracted him from his work! I must stay alive and keep him company, protect him...' Soon after, Gremio followed McDohl.

(Somewhere in shadow)

'Gremio...He has been by his master for so long that I think he has forgotten me...if only I could pluck up the courage to confront him...tell him how I feel, but what will i say? What if he doesn't like me? Oh cruel word! Maybe I could tell him...at the ball...yes at the ball'

(Back with Riou)

"Ahh...that was great! I'm so full that I can't even move." Riou leans back on his chair and closes his eyes. Meanwhile Jowy gets up from his chair and walks towards him.

"Riou! Get up I has got some great news to tell you!" Jowy's face starts to turn evil like as he attempts to wake Riou.

"Come on Riou! It's about Nanami and Luc!" Riou suddenly jumps up with eyes wide open.

"I'm up, what's the news huh, huh? Come on I want to know!" He starts to jump up and down like a five year old wanting to go outside and play.

'He looks so cute like that' "Calm down Riou! We can't discuss it here, let's go to your room." Jowy starts to walk off down the hallway and Riou follows. As soon as they reach the room, Jowy closes the door and sits on a chair.

"Sit down Riou." Jowy pulls a chair next to him and gestures Riou to sit there.

"Alright, so what's the news?" Riou leans forward with eager eyes.

"Haha you're going to love what I have found out! Well yesterday when you left for the meeting Nanami decided to go to the dojo. Off she went and started training then, out of nowhere Luc comes and ask to train with her! Nanami agreed oh and did I mention they were in the dojo a-l-o-n-e? Well anyway both of them started and when they finished..." Riou was starting to get a little anxious by now and was wondering on what would happen next.

"When they finished Luc won and Nanami was upset and said *I will have to train harder*. Luc smiled and walked towards her saying *Allow me to help you* Nanami got excited and said *that would be great* but then Luc went up to her and brought her in a hug saying *but first let me make you fell better* or something like that and started to kiss her but didn't get to because other people were entering the dojo. That is why today she didn't wake us up because she couldn't stop thinking about him!" Riou fell off his chair in amazement.

"This is...a miracle! No more wet mornings!!!!" Riou ran around the room like mad and jumped on the bed.

'Riou is so sweet when he's hyper...I can't let that go to waste!' Jowy got up and join him in his little celebration party. *Knock, knock* Jowy climbed off the bed and answered the door.

"Who's there? Why good morning Fitcher! What brings you here?"

"I'm here to collect Lord Riou for an important meeting today, and good morning to you too!" Fitcher smiled and looks over at the bed where Riou was jumping so happily.

"You seem rather hyper today my Lord." Riou stops jumping and climbed down off the bed.

"Err...Heehee well there's a really good explanation for it! I will be with you in a minute in the VIP room, I just need to tell Jowy something before I leave."

"As you wish my Lord. Take care Jowy." Fitcher bows then departs.

"Jowy I need you to do me a favour please?" Riou asked with pleading eyes

"Haha, what is it?"

"Would you be able to find Gremio and give this package and this note to him please?" Riou takes them out and hands them to Jowy.

"Of course I will! Know you better hurry up and go! You know what Shu is like when you're late."

"Haha, yeah he would go berserk! Well I will see you later Jowy!" and with that Riou runs off out the door and up the stairs.

'I wonder what's inside the package...No I better not open it, I don't want to upset him...what if it's Gremio Riou loves...well if it is I can't force him to hate Gremio...if only I could... ...........................................................................................................................................

A/N- *Hides under table* don't kill me! I'm tired and my arm is hurting me! I wish I could make it longer but well you know why. Again I am sooooooooooooo sorry for the long update! Oh and I need your help! Remember in this chap there is someone in shadow? Well I need someone from either Suikoden one or two (female please) to suit him you know? Well I'm going to go now! Anyways keep on smiling Jade McDohl AKA Sweet Madison

P.s. I've gotten worse haven't I?