AN: Chapter 5. Need I say more?

DISCLAIMER: For the nth time, Magic Knight Rayearth is not mine. hehehe…I'm just one crazy fan who do nothing but drool over Rayearth all day long…and plots new stories with this crazy mind of mine.

Chapter 5: LIGHTEN UP MY MIND

Umi lit up another cigarette. Her hands trembled as she fingered her cigarette. After a few tensed minutes she got up from her seat and paced on the pavement.

"What the hell are we supposed to do, Ferio?! Up until now Hikaru still hasn't spoken to me! I bet that Hououji kid brainwashed her and told her that she should keep her distance from us! Grrr! When I get my hands on that Hououji kid…I'm gonna make her feel sorry that she crossed the path of Ryuuzaki Umi!!!"

Ferio looked up at Umi, "Do you want me to do something, Umi?"

"Hell yes! I want you to beat that Hououji into a pulp and make her beg for mercy!!!"

Ferio stood up and chuckled, "Umi, calm down. Maybe a little threatening and scaring will do her good. I don't think that Hououji kid is that tough, you know. And besides," he said, throwing to the ground his own cigarette and placing his arms around Umi's tensed shoulders, "If Hikaru found out that we hounded her good friend, she might be angry," he finished.

Umi threw her hands up on the air and moved away from Ferio's embrace, "I don't care what Hikaru might think and feel!!! All I wanna do now is to teach that Hououji a lesson she'll never forget in her life!!!" Umi answered.

"But that would create some problems. Although I haven't seen that Hououji, I heard that she's the smartest kid in our college, and beating up the hell out of her will surely force the Dean's office to investigate the matter and they'll be sure to find out that we are the ones who did it. We could be in serious trouble," Ferio explained.

Umi crossed her arms across her chest stubbornly, "I don't ca--"

"And if that happens, Hikaru will surely be angry with us, and getting her back will be next to impossible. She'll be so angry that she'd wish she'd never met us. And that will be the end of our friendship with her. Umi, you told me that one of the nicest things that happened to your life was Hikaru and me. Would you want Hikaru to go away because of your whims?" he cut off, hitting the logical side of Umi.

Umi was silent. All she did was breath in and out, her chest heaving with every air she took in. After a few moments, she finally turned to Ferio with defeat in her eyes.

"But what are we gonna do to Hououji?" she asked.

"I'm going to talk to her, maybe scare her or something, and tell her to back off Hikaru and stop meddling with out lives. I'm going to get her to accept our bidding without using any force," Ferio answered, smiling up at Umi.

Umi sighed and looked down, "I don't wanna lose Hikaru…" she said quietly.

Ferio came up to her and this time, he placed both arms around her and pulled her for a tight hug, "No one's going to lose anyone. I promise you that, okay? Everything's going to be all right, you'll see," he reassured, rubbing Umi's back comfortingly.

Umi pressed her face on Ferio's chest then let out a long sigh of relief, "I know. It's just that…I'm just not used to have Hikaru so angry with me like this. I jut wanted to…make things right again between us, you know? Like it always used to be…" she sighed.

Ferio only nodded. "You two have been friends since forever. I can only understand how you feel,"

"I already miss her so much, and it's been only two days since we quarreled! I can't believe Hikaru had such great hold on my emotions," she continued, hurt evident on her face.

Ferio chuckled and pushed Umi away from him, "You know, if you do really miss her a lot like what you've said, why don't you break the ice first? And tell her everything you wanted to tell her. Tell her that you're jealous with that Hououji kid. I'm sure she'll understand,"

Umi blushed, and she punched Ferio's chest when she saw the smirk on his face, "You baka! I'm not jealous! Why would I be jealous?! How dare you suggest such thing!!!" she exclaimed.

Ferio continued smirking at her, a playful smile at the edge of his lips, "Whatever you say, Umi-chan," he continued.

This time, Umi hit him at the back of his head and chased him around with a wood, "You idiot! Come back here! I'm not through with you yet!!!"

Ferio ran around the grounds laughing, "Admit it. You're jealous with that Hououji!!!"

"Admit it!!!"

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Fuu waved Hikaru goodbye as they separated at the corner of Third Street and Seventh Street.

"See you tomorrow, Fuu-chan! Take care!" Hikaru called out, lifting her book bag in the air.

Fuu lifted her bag as well, "You also take care, Hikaru-san! And please call me up as soon as you get home!" she yelled back.

Hikaru nodded, "Will do!" before the redhead disappeared on the crowd. Fuu shook her head then continued walking. When she passed by a lamppost, she was startled when a voice spoke from behind.

"So, you're the famous Hououji Fuu, huh? The respected genius in the College of Medical Technology. I only knew you by name, and even then I haven't seen any picture of you. But now, I've got the chance to talk to you up close. That is, if you've got a minute or two. I'll be fast,"

She turned around, only to be shocked to see Fujuiwara Ferio behind her, leaning on the post, a snicker on his handsome face.

Ferio, in turn, upon seeing Fuu for the first time in his two years at Tokyo U, was taken aback by her elegant beauty. Right from the mop of brunette hair that curled inward gracefully, to the wide green eyes, high cheekbones, cute little nose, luscious red lips, and down to her tender figure, Ferio could do nothing but just stare at the angelic beauty before him. He suddenly lost his voice and his mind as well, for he was oblivious of everything but her and him, alone at the street that lead to her home.

Fuu, on the hand, stared back at the boy she secretly loves. After a few minutes, she broke the silence by clearing her throat and looking at Ferio pointedly, trying very hard to ignore the look of admiration she saw in Ferio's clear amber eyes.

"So. Fujuiwara-san. What do you need from me that you bothered to go here at this time of the day?" she asked casually, stealing a glance at the setting sun.

Ferio snapped out from his trance and looked at her intensely. "Do you…do you really like Hikaru as a friend?" he asked. Shit! That's not what I'm supposed to tell her! He mentally kicked himself. He'd seen many beautiful women in his life, all of which he'd dated. But he still preferred one girl over them all, his girlfriend Umi, because for him, she's still the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on. But now…seeing this brunette beauty in front of him made him lose himself completely. For the very first time that he laid his eyes on her, he already felt a certain feeling that he didn't feel every time he's with Umi. And now…

Fuu blinked. That was not the question she was expecting! "Anou…are you sure that's what you really want to talk to me about?" she asked tentatively.

Ferio shook his head to clear his thoughts. Goddammit! I cannot let Umi down! "Anou…I…actually I wanted to talk to you about Hikaru…"

Fuu took a step closer to him, and not they were directly under the light, "Yes? What is it?" she asked once more, looking at her watch. It was already 6:15.

Ferio shuffled his feet on the ground, unsure of what to do, I'm sorry Umi…but I'm taken by Fuu's beauty. And I think we'll have to let go of that plan of yours. "Yes. I wanted to talk to you. Because as you very well know, I'm a friend of Hikaru, and Umi decided that we should tear the two of you apart because you're causing problems on Umi and Hikaru's friendship. But seeing you just now…I don't think I can bring you harm or even say something bad to you…" Ferio trailed off, his cheeks coloring a bit.

Fuu visibly blushed, and she bit her lip to keep her self from smiling. "And what do you want to talk instead, Fujuiwara-san?" she asked.

Ferio looked up and his face broke into a small smile, "Oh, Ferio will be fine. You don't have to be formal. After all, you're the brainy one between the two of us," he suggested.

This time, Fuu was unable to keep a smile off her face, "Alright, Ferio-san, if you insist," she answered.

Ferio's grin widened, and he scratched his scar on his cheek, "So, do you really like Hikaru as a friend?" he asked.

Fuu nodded honestly and looked up at the sky, "Hai. I really like her very much as a friend, that's why I'm trying my best to keep her from her bad deeds, even if that means going up against you and Ryuuzaki-san. I wanted Hikaru-san to change and be good once again," she answered. "Would you stop me?" she asked him softly, looking him directly in his eyes.

Ferio shook his head and walked up to Fuu. "No. In fact, I'm getting tired of all these bullshit in my life. I wanted to change, but I can't leave Umi alone. She…needs me badly, and it was bad enough that Hikaru left her. It will be the end of her if I left her too,"

It was now Fuu who shook her head and smiled up at him, green eyes locking with amber ones, "Iie. Hikaru has not deserted Umi. What kind of a friend do you think Hikaru is? She's finding a way to get Umi to change too, you know! Of course, I'm helping her, but with the knowledge that you wanted to change as well, I think Hikaru's plan will be executed smoothly," she interjected.

Ferio smiled down on her again, "I'm on the plan now?"

Fuu nodded, "Sure! That is, if you really wanted to change,"

"Yeah. I want to follow Hikaru and change as well. It's about time I make my parents proud of me,"

"That would be wonderful! I'm sure Hikaru will be thrilled!"

Ferio smiled, then he looked shyly at Fuu. "Uh, Fuu? Can I…can I walk you home?" he asked uncertainly.

Another blush crept up Fuu's face, but her eyes were showing the happiness she's feeling right now. "Uh, that would be lovely. And arigatou," she answered.

"Don't mind it. It's…my pleasure,"

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Umi paced along the park near her house. She had been in the park for over an hour already, but still Ferio was nowhere. She glanced back at the big clock at the park's gates: it read 7 on the dot. Letting off a deep sigh and an angry cry, she slumped back on the bench and stuffed her cold hands inside her jacket's pocket.

After a few more minutes, she stood up once again and threw her hands on the air, "Goddammit Ferio!!! Where the hell are you?!" she screamed.

She heard a few rustles behind her, and then a soft voice, "Ferio's not coming. He sent me here instead,"

She turned around, her heart pounding painfully in her ears. Sure enough, her eyes met red ones. "What the heck are you doing here?" she snarled, trying to hide her nervousness.

For already three days, she and Hikaru were openly avoiding each other. Whenever they saw each other at the hall, they walked directly without throwing a glance at each other. One time, when she opened the door to the ladies room, she saw Hikaru at the counter, fixing her hair. She immediately turned around and closed the door, leaving Hikaru alone at the ladies room.

On that same day, she parked her car beside a new, flaming red sports one, the owner she do not know, and just as she was about to enter her car, she heard voices from behind, and she saw Hikaru and Fuu talking excitedly about some diethylene glycol and the results of the experiments. The two must have not noticed her because they continued to walk past her and into the red sports car. But just as Hikaru pressed the alarm off from her car remote, the redhead turned her head to her side, and their eyes met. Hikaru immediately fumbled for an excuse and told the brunette that they have to get back to the laboratory and the two took off.

After that, they started avoiding passing by each other's classes, and during the classes that they were in together; they sat as far away as possible from each other. It was really a great change for Umi's part, being away from Hikaru for as long as three days and not be able to talk to her or even glance at her. It hurt her to think that the friendship they nurtured for six years will just be thrown out the window just like that. And she couldn't help but blame that brunette Hououji kid for her and Hikaru's fight. She was tempted many times already to just approach Hikaru and tell how sorry she was, but pride always held her back. If she was going to lose Hikaru, then so be it, but it doesn't mean that she have to lose her pride as well.

So now, seeing and hearing Hikaru's voice once again was a refreshing sight for her. She wanted badly to flung her arms around Hikaru, hug her best friend tight and just forget all about the horrible things that happened to them both for the last couple of days. But she wanted to hear an explanation as well, so she held back and allowed Hikaru to walk closer to her.

She saw Hikaru swallow a lump on her throat, and she heard her best friend clear her throat. "So. Umi. Anou. Ferio…Ferio sent me here to…talk to you about…certain things…"Hikaru said.

She nodded, and then she stepped forward. "Uhm…okay. What are we supposed to talk about?" she asked innocently.

Hikaru's mouth turned up, and she couldn't tell whether her best friend was amused or irritated. "Why, our fight, of course. Was there anything more important to talk about other than our three-days-old fight?"

She bowed her head, avoiding Hikaru's intense gaze. "Uhm…"

Hikaru closed the distance between them and placed her arms around her shoulders, hugging her tight, "Umi, please look at me. Are you still angry? Please forgive me. I really didn't mean to yell at you like that. And I promise, I'm not going to do it again. Just don't…get angry at me again, okay?" Hikaru said, her voice breaking.

Umi suppressed a sigh, but then her arms came up from her side, and then she found her self hugging Hikaru back tightly. "I'm not angry anymore, Hikaru. I'm just…hurt…"

Hikaru pulled back, then looked her at the eyes, "Hurt? Of what? What did I do to make you hurt?" she asked, amazed.

She bowed down her head again, but Hikaru tipped her chin up so they were looking each other directly in the eyes. "…I was kind of hurt to think that you would rather choose Hououji's company than mine, and what you said on the phone really tore my heart up. It hurt me so much when you told me that you'd much be pleased with Hououji's company than my company, and then you also told me that at least, Hououji was helping you in bringing out the true Hikaru, whereas all I do was dope and I don't care about anything at all," she said.

"Umi…"

But she didn't let Hikaru finish. She shook her head and walked a few steps away from Hikaru. Now that she has started talking, it seems that all she wanted to do was to talk and let out all the doubts she was having ever since she and Hikaru quarreled. "The thing is, there were really nothing much that I care about. Sure, I care about my looks, my reputation, and my dope. But you know what? I'd give it all up if it means that I'll still have you by my side. You know, if you would only tell me to stop taking in drugs, I'd happily oblige and change. Why? Because your friendship means the world to me. You and Ferio were the only good things that happened in my life for the past six years, and the thought of losing you is like saying that I'll be living in this hell without my soul."

She walked to Hikaru again and took the redhead's hands in hers, "When Hououji came, I was really jealous and scared that I'd lose you to her. I forced you to cancel your appointment with that Hououji so you won't have the time to get that close with Hououji. But then…you still pushed through your experiment and when I butted in, you bit my head off and told me that there are more important things than being with me,"

"I know it sounds lousy and everything, but I really wanted you all for myself. Just the thought of sharing you with your other friends scares the shit out of me. I mean, of course when the time comes that you already have your boyfriend, you'll be spending more time with him and less time with me. And that leaves me with only Ferio by my side. But Ferio's not enough. I want my best friend to be by my side. Always," she finished quietly. Her hands were trembling. This has got to be the biggest speech in her life, but she doesn't care! Even if it looked like she was baring her soul to Hikaru, then so be it! This was one of the rare times that she showed any emotion, and she was happy to have Hikaru as her audience. She have to make Hikaru understand the ordeal that she was going through, because she needed her best friend to make her change and help her in everything.

Hikaru had tears in her eyes when she was finally finished talking. "Umi…I didn't know that you'd feel that way. Of course I won't leave you no matter what! You're my very best friend in this whole wide world! You were the one who saved me from depression and befriended me when I was just starting high school! Because of you I was able to deal with my depression and own pain. You helped me into becoming a better person than I was, but I am still searching for the real me, you know? And Fuu-san happened to be there to help me search deep within me what I really wanted with my life. And I wanted to straighten out my acts and change, but I'm pulling you with me,"

Hikaru placed an arm around her shoulders and squeezed hard, smiling down at her with tears spilling from her eyes, "Whether you like it or not, the two of us are going to turn in a new leaf and start our lives all over again. We'll be serious students from now on, and we won't be picking up fights anymore or do drugs or steal. If you want, we can seek the help of our guidance councilor, if you think that we can't do it all by ourselves. We'll convince Ferio to change with us, and the three of us will be helping each other again, just like before," Hikaru said.

She nodded happily and smiled warmly at Hikaru, "Yeah. I'm going to make myself change. I'm going to stop being sorry for myself because of all the misfortunes that happened to me,"

"You know, Hikaru, I was just insecure of myself, because whenever I see a happy family, I couldn't help but think that once upon a time, my family was just like that; happy, complete, contented. But now, I realized that Mom and Dad were never really happy when they were together. They were so formal that you wouldn't think they really are the famous business couple Mr. and Mrs. Ryuuzaki. It was only when the three of us were together that the two of them showed any emotion,"

She glanced at Hikaru and found the redhead listening intently at her. This was the first time she told this part of her family story to anybody, and it's a relief for her that Hikaru's her listener and not anybody else. She was certain that Hikaru would understand her, "And now, as I look through the past and my parent's current life, I must say that they made the right decision of separating. As I can see, they were perfectly happy with the way things were going around their lives. It was just me who has a problem," then she shook her head and smiled again at her best friend.

"But all that's gonna change now. A new Ryuuzaki Umi will be born the moment that the sun touches the early horizon tomorrow morning."

Hikaru nodded and hugged her again, this time, with so much tender and support. She leaned on her best friend and let the warm embrace fill up her senses. "I'm so happy for you Umi. At long last, you're starting to heal, and it's a good thing. You'll never truly find happiness unless you forget the past, and just now, I believe that you're starting to let the pain go. The memory trip did you good, believe me. And don't you worry, Umi-chan, I'm here. We'll help each other. I promise," Hikaru swore solemnly, gazing at her eyes with so much intensity and sincerity that she found her eyes filling up with tears again.

That's what she likes about Hikaru best. Her best friend knew her better than she knew herself, and often than not, Hikaru was quick to read her thoughts and voice out her feelings even before she can think or feel it. Just like now, that her best friend pointed out to her that she was on the road of recovery and healing after such along time of suffering.

She squeezed out Hikaru's hands that she still held in hers. Yes, the road to recovery didn't sound so far away now, especially because she has her good old best friend to guide her and be with her every step of the way. They're going to help each other heal. And soon, there will be new Shidou Hikaru and Ryuuzaki Umi born in this face of the Earth.

She's sure of it.

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"It will be good, Umi-chan, you'll see. And the moment you see and talk with Fuu-chan, you'll realize that she's not so bad after all. You're just blinded by your jealousy that's why you thought the worse of her! But she's really kind! Promise!" Hikaru said. They were on their way to Fuu's house, where Hikaru planned to introduce Umi and Fuu to each other formally.

Umi punched Hikaru's arm lightly, her cheeks matching Hikaru's hair. "I'm not jealous of her!" she hissed, trying to look angry but failed miserably.

Hikaru just laughed at her and rolled her eyes, "Suuure Umi-chan, and pigs can fly," she replied.

"Actually, they already did. Remember the film 'Spy Kids II'?" Umi said.

Hikaru snapped her fingers and laughed, "Oh yeah! Pigs can fly now! But only in fiction films, Umi-chan, so you're still jealous of Fuu-chan!" Hikaru answered.

Umi laughed, and followed Hikaru as the redhead squeezed her way between tall bodies and rushing pedestrians. Then they turned Third Street and walked up ahead. There were three lampposts ahead, and Umi saw three houses lined up at the end on the street, and she saw more roofs on either sides of the street.

"This is a pretty quiet neighborhood," Umi observed, looking from side to side. There was nothing on the side roads but lines of grasses and tall trees. But fifty meters away, Umi saw a factory and a few stalls.

"It is. That's why Fuu-chan's family never thought of transferring to another place because they love it here. For a quiet family like them, they love the quiet and peace here," Hikaru answered.

Drops of water fell from the black clouds, and Hikaru was quick to open her umbrella and let Umi in on the safety of her umbrella. "That was expected, huh?"

Umi nodded as they slowed on their pace. Umi doesn't know how to walk in the rain, and to top it all, she was wearing white crisp jeans and navy blue shirt. "The rain finally fell after all these days,"

When they neared the top of the street, they noticed two lone figures under the rain, standing at the middle of the street. The umbrella was pulled down to their thighs, so Umi and Hikaru did not have a good look of who the persons might be. But then, Hikaru sucked in her breathe, and she froze on her tracks.

"U-U-mi…" she trailed off.

Umi looked ahead of her, and through the green umbrella, she saw Ferio and Fuu's figures.

And they were kissing.

Umi held her breath, and then let them out slowly. She just stood there, completely oblivious of everything. She hardly felt as Hikaru's arms went up on her shoulder. She hardly heard Hikaru's soothing voice of comfort and reassurance. She hardly realized when Hikaru slowly steered her away from the place. In fact, she hardly felt anything other than that numbing pain and sickness at the pit of her heart. When she and Hikaru were already walking down the road, she wriggled out of Hikaru's embrace and ran as fast as she could away.

"Umi! Umi! Come back here! Umi!" Hikaru shouted, but Umi turned at the junction and was lost at her sight. She sprinted forward as well and followed Umi. She knew of one place where Umi might go, and she's praying as hard she could to Kami-sama that she finds Umi on that one place that was Umi's hiding place.

"Oh Ferio, Fuu…if something would have happen to Umi, I won't forgive you two. I swear…" she muttered as she looked forlornly at the black sky, as another lightning split through the heavens. Umi was afraid of lightning and thunder, and God only knows what Umi might be thinking right now, running in the middle of heavy downpour, and with lightning in the sky. For all she knew, Umi might have gone straight home.

Then she shook her head as she continued to run. No. Umi-chan will not seek the comfort of her house right now. What she needs is a quiet place to think, and the perfect place is the park near my house, she thought.

With that, she ran faster, her feet hitting the pavement hard. Puddles of water splashed on her jeans as she made her way on the park as fast as she could. It's a wonder that she didn't caught up with Umi when she was running at this great speed, but she figured out that Umi might be running at even faster pace. When she saw the park's gates, she let a small smile spread across her face, her tension decreasing a little bit.

She quickly went to the pond, and saw who she was looking for seated on the iron fence, legs dangling at the other side of the fence, white pants turned to black. But what moved Hikaru most was the lost look on Umi's face, and the tears that cascaded carelessly down on her pale cheeks.

She walked up quietly behind Umi. She heard Umi sniffle and cough, then she heard her silent whimper of despair. Her heart went out for her best friend, and she placed both arms on Umi's waist.

"Gomen, Umi, it was my entire fault that you had to see Ferio and Fuu…in that situation…" she apologized, wishing with all her heart to take back what they saw.

Umi coughed then placed one shivering hand on Hikaru's arm. "There was nothing to feel sorry for, Hikaru. Both of us knew that sooner or later, our relationship has to end. I just didn't realized that Ferio's found the right girl for him when I was just on the brink of changing, and I needed him to guide me as well, you know," she answered.

Hikaru tightened her arms around Umi, and let the blue-haired beauty to cry her heart out. After a few minutes, Umi turned to her with a sad smile on her face.

"I'm not angry. Really. After all I do not love Ferio that much. I just…needed him and his support, you know,"

Then she gazed out at the pond. Her eyes traveled the length of the water as tears formed at her eyes again. "I haven't realized up until now how much I relied on Ferio to work things out for me, how much I leaned on him for support. But now…he's somebody else's man. I don't know if I have to feel sorry for myself or what, but I sure am one lucky girl to have Ferio by my side for almost six years," she said, a little hint of her old cheerfulness entering her lifeless voice.

Hikaru said nothing, so Umi continued. "Don't be mad at Fuu, Hikaru, onegai. I know she didn't mean it. After all, feelings like love are quite hard to quench, you know,"

Hikaru nodded. "I know. Fuu's got a thing for Ferio for quite sometime now, but I didn't think she'd sneak up behind your back just to get Ferio," she answered, a hint of anger on her voice. Her eyes flashed, and her body tensed. Umi took notice of how Hikaru's arm muscles clenched and unclenched, and she was quite nervous because she had never truly seen Hikaru angry.

"Hikaru…you should calm down, okay? I'm okay, really. Hurt, but I'll survive. After all, I don't really love Ferio. Our relationship, as you very well know, was roughly based on our need for each other. And now, I think Ferio has already moved on and found the right love for him. So don't be angry, okay? Be happy for them, because not all people in this world find happiness that easily. And after all that Ferio has gone through, I think he deserves the happiness that I know Fuu can give him," she said.

Hikaru loosened up a little, and Umi turned to her with a smile on her face, "You're pretty special, Umi-chan. You really are. It was quite hard to believe that you're the same troublesome Umi-chan I know of since high school. You have such a big heart and the world has not seen it yet," then she hugged Umi tight and whispered.

"I bet your boyfriend will feel very privilege to have you as his girl. Believe me, Umi-chan, and someday you'll be happy as well just as Ferio's happy right now,"

"I hope so too, Hikaru, I hope so too,"

AN: R/R again… I will be away for two whole weeks…I'm gonna go to the province to visit my paternal grandparents and spent time with my cousins as well…so I'll enjoy this summer vacation very much!!! After those two weeks, I'll update as soon as I can and finally end this story!!! I think there were only eight or nine chapters…but I'm not sure…

Peace, men!

(.)-(.)