Undying Love – Cruel Intentions

Author's Note: Yay! Another new chapter! *cheers* You'll notice that after reading this chapter… that the main plot has finally picked up. Hopefully, everyone will like this chapter. I've already planned for a couple of more dilemmas, characters, and twists to appear in the future. I'm sorry that this chapter came out later than usual… but there was Christmas, and all of those other family gatherings and stuff… and I was really busy this week, to say at the least. I'm starting school this coming Monday… so I thought it would be best to at least release one more chapter before school.

I'll try my best to update every week, once school starts. Hopefully, I'll have time to update… even with all of my exams coming up. *grins* And by the way, I would like to thank all of the people that reviewed over the last couple of days; I'm really happy with all of the positive input/reviews! Thank you for your support! Please enjoy this chapter… and remember to read and review!

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Special Author's Note - demi-god: To demi-god, I'm a little confused about your review. Could you please re-phrase what you are trying to say? I really like the input you've contributed about my chapters… and it's given me some new insight. But the last sentence of your review has left me clueless. Because for one thing… my story isn't rated R… so I don't know how to write you a reply.

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Special Author's Note - Sydni Nelson: To Sydni Nelson, I'd prefer if you didn't send me your story through e-mail. I'm not allowed to receive e-mails from people I don't know… since I've gotten quite a bit of viruses from received e-mails in the past. *frowns* I think it'd be better if you just put up your story on FF.net. Even if you think the story needs a little bit of work, I'm pretty sure it's okay to put it up. For one thing, you'd be able to get more than one person's input on your story…

If you are interested in putting up your story, you'll have to register an account on FF.net. From there, you have to Log-In to your account, and you'll see a blue sidebar on the very left… with various opinions of all sorts. Next, you just click on 'Read Me First', and follow the simple three-step procedure… which will tell you everything you need to know about posting up a story.

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Chihiro groaned in frustration, as she made tried to make herself comfortable on the thick, puffy red material… which would be what she was going to sleep on for the night. Sure, she had to admit the fact that sleeping on the floor… which faintly reminded her of the camping trips she used to have with parents, wasn't as glorious as sleeping on her fluffy pillows, warm comforter, and expensive pristine sheets. But… it wasn't like she could have everything she wanted all the time, could she? Being too spoiled wasn't such a great thing.

Besides, Chihiro knew that Rin tried her best to find the best sleeping materials for her… and though the sleeping conditions weren't all that great, she had to admire the commitment and care that Rin had shown for her. Rin was certainly a good friend, regardless of the lack of similarities that they had between each other.

Speaking of friends, Chihiro's train of thought returned to her original thoughts for the night… which happened to be focused on a certain boyfriend. She sighed in disappointment and shook her head, still thoroughly disappointed in Haku and his painful words.

'How… how could Haku say something… something as cruel and heartless as that, and it was over nothing, too. How could he think so horribly of me? I still don't understand what I did… that was so utterly wrong. Today, I told him I loved him… wasn't that enough to prove something? Oh… how will we ever face each other now, when he's already made me cry?' Chihiro thought to herself, hugging her legs, which were closely touching her chest. She sniffled; this was going to be a long night.

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A few minutes later…

Rin kept her obvious stare on Chihiro, as she had watched an array of emotions playing on Chihiro's features for the last couple of minutes. Rin wasn't stupid or blind; she knew that something was definitely going on between Chihiro and Haku… something negative. Rin wondered what was bothering her best friend; Chihiro and Haku seemed more than fine when they were being left all alone in that dark, but beautiful, forest. Could it have to do with that commotion downstairs, two hours ago?

"Hey… Chihiro, could I ask you something? That is… if it is okay with you…" Rin exclaimed softly, making sure to choose her words carefully… as to not anger or disappoint Chihiro more than she already was.

"Yeah… okay…" Chihiro replied solemnly, though her sadden expression, which represented one who looked like being in a funeral, didn't convince Rin… that Chihiro really meant what she said. Rin frowned at this predicament; she knew that it probably wasn't the best time to be asking Chihiro questions. But… it was apparent that Chihiro and Haku weren't talking to each other anymore; something wrong definitely happened while Rin wasn't in their presence.

"Well, I notice that you and Haku aren't talking to each other anymore…" Rin commented softly, as Chihiro gave Rin a grumpy and disappointing look that said: 'No, duh… you think?'. Regardless of the serious and unconvinced stare that was blatantly directed at Rin, the female bath worker continued the conversation nonetheless. "So… what happened between you and Haku?"

Chihiro let out a most aggravated breath, before whispering… "Do you really want to know? Do you really, really need to know? Because to be honest, I'm not all that up for it."

"Chihiro…" Rin said in a reprimanding voice, giving Chihiro a concerned and considerate glance. "I know you don't want to talk about this, but if you don't… do you think things will get any better? Look, I consider you my best friend… and since you are my best friend, I take it upon myself to help and support you in times of need and pain. How can I lend a hand if you won't tell me what's wrong?"

Chihiro took a small breath, as she took a few moments to take Rin's words into deep consideration. Chihiro knew it as much as Rin did; Rin was right, things weren't going to get any better as long as she kept the whole situation to herself. Chihiro needed some friendly advice and help from a good friend. "Okay, Rin, okay. Well… the whole thing first started when…"

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Two hours ago, near the front of the bathhouse…

"I'm fine." Chihiro replied softly, still entranced by her hero's beautiful blue eyes. "Thank you so much for saving me…"

"Raisuke. I'm Raisuke Usagi." the young man supplied, saying his name with an air of smoothness and elegance, something that was so unlike her own boyfriend, Haku. "And what is your name, pretty lady?"

'Oh! Bad Chihiro! Bad… bad… bad Chihiro! You shouldn't be thinking about other guys in such a way… much less think negatively of your boyfriend! Oh… what ever would Haku think of me if he found out I was admiring another man?' Chihiro scolded herself. After all, it wasn't very nice of her to think of other guys… when she already had a boyfriend as wonderful and caring as Haku. 'But then again… it's not like I'm not lying to myself, this Raisuke is pretty… cute, and charming, and… devilishly handsome.'

An apparent blush crept on Chihiro's lively cheeks, as she thought of the last bit. 'Devilish handsome? What has gotten into me? This is just a guy… nothing more. I shouldn't be acting like a childish schoolgirl, especially since I already have a boyfriend!'

Chihiro finally ended her… yummy and interesting thoughts there, before replying: "Oh? My name is Chihiro Ogino, but some of my friends call me 'Chi', for short."

"That's a most beautiful name… but then again, I guess that's just a perfect name for someone as pretty and enchanting as you…" Raisuke flirted shamelessly, as an obvious pink flush flooded Chihiro's flawless face.

Raisuke gently released the grasp he had on her waist, as Chihiro's sandaled feet touched the wooden floor, which was still slippery. Chihiro gave Raisuke a grateful glance, as he acknowledged her gratitude with the suave nod of his head, before taking her hand and kissing it sweetly. Almost immediately, as if Chihiro was under some kind of spell, she had stopped worrying about how she should act in front of this attractive guy. Instead of pulling back her hand, she giggled at the charming antics of this beautiful stranger, as Raisuke started whispering teasing little phrases into her keen ears.

Unfortunately, unknown to Chihiro and Raisuke, her boyfriend had seen the whole thing. It was one thing when Koji, Chihiro's best friend, had kissed Chihiro… but it was a whole new ballgame when his rival… his arch-nemesis, was flirting with Chihiro! Overall, Haku was going to puke; it was a most revolting and demoralizing sight. It also wasn't very surprising that Haku was on the very verge of just proving to Raisuke what belonged to who; after all, how dare he touch Chihiro?!

Driven by pure instincts, Haku approached the unknowing pair, as he roughly grabbed Raisuke's shoulders, pulling him down to the floor. THUD! The surprised crowd watched as the blue-eyed spirit slammed to the ground, behind first, on the wooden floor. Ouch… that definitely had to hurt.

Tragically, Haku's own advances had backfired… as he watched her girlfriend in complete horror and shock. What the hell is she doing? Haku stared hopelessly as Chihiro helped Raisuke get up from the floor, offering her hand to Haku's rival and enemy, who Haku loathed with a fiery passion. Who's side is she on… anyways? As if things couldn't get worse, Chihiro nicely asked the blue-eyed male if he was all right. What's going on here? I'm her boyfriend, the last time I checked! Doesn't something seemed terribly wrong with this situation?

Afterwards, Haku and Chihiro's eyes met, as the couple stared at each other in silence. Haku crossed his arms defiantly and impatiently, waiting for Chihiro to finally realize the fact that he was her boyfriend, not Raisuke. Haku glanced hopefully at Chihiro, as he saw her mouth open slightly. 'Yes! This is it… Chihiro's finally listened to the call of reason! It's about time she's paid concerns to me, her boyfriend… instead of that arrogant, conceited, self-centered, no-good Raisuke…'

Sadly, Haku's miracles and hopes were going to take a huge plunge… "What do you think you were doing, Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi? Have you gone mad?!" Chihiro screeched angrily, giving her boyfriend a most disapproving and deathly glance. 'Okay… something's definitely not right about this…' Haku noted to himself. 'Not only did she call me by my full name… but she even screamed as me! This is bad… very bad.'

"No, I have not gone mad…" Haku pointed out sensibly, giving Raisuke a long and unfriendly glare, before pointing his accusing finger at the blue-eyed male. "All I'm trying to do is teach a certain someone what belongs to whom…"

Raisuke smirked at this accusation, but knew it was best not to say anything at this time. What didn't come out of his mouth couldn't be used against him… and besides, he knew that being unresponsive to Haku's foul words would just anger his rival even more. Not only that, it seemed like that Haku's own girlfriend, who was undoubtedly the most pretty girl he had ever seen, was taking care of any troubles he would have with Haku. Things couldn't have gone any better.

"And what is that supposed to mean, Haku?" Chihiro asked dangerously, one eyebrow rose in question.

"Well… a certain, dishonest playboy named Raisuke should back off from what belongs to another person…" Haku spat out darkly, giving Raisuke another death glare. Raisuke gave Haku a most mischievous and smug grin in return. Meanwhile, Chihiro was absolutely fuming at Haku's words…

"What am I all of a sudden… some piece of property? I don't care what kind of male-dominating urge you have, Haku, but don't you dare include me in this. And that is also no excuse to be shoving Raisuke to the floor in the first place! Apologize to him… NOW!" Chihiro placed her hands on her slender hips, impatiently waiting for Haku's apology.

"No. I'm not going to apologize to someone like… him." Haku emphasized the last bit in disgust, before sputtering out angry words and accusations. "And besides… why are you worrying about him, anyways? He was the one who was touching you in certain places, which mind you, were hardly innocent. And not only that… you weren't doing anything to prevent those… advances. What was I supposed to do… just watch silently as some other guy feels up my girlfriend? I'm your boyfriend, remember? Or have you already forgotten?"

"You are being so melodramatic! God… you are treating me like a child again! Look, okay… I admit that perhaps, in some ways, Raisuke might have been wrong for his… advances. But, you can't just push other people down without telling them why. And in this case, you should be grateful to Raisuke… because he was the one who caught me before I tripped and fell to the floor! Besides, why are you even acting like… like this? You've been acting so different lately, I can hardly notice the real Haku that I've been dating anymore! " Chihiro huffed.

Haku seethed in his pool of anger and jealousy… as he watched his own girlfriend defend his rival. I can't believe she is so blind to… this; how can she not see through Raisuke's act? And to make matters worse… she is also taking Raisuke's side… "Well… in times like these, I need to be a different Haku. Honestly, what do you expect me to do? You've given me no other choice… because it seems like every time I turn my back on you, I worry whether or not you are going to be parading with some other guy… like Koji or Raisuke, in this case!"

Chihiro's cinnamon eyes widen in surprise and shock, before the heavy accusation fully registered in her mind; tears started to flow down her cheeks. How could he think so lowly of me? I've always been truthful to him… and this is what I get in return? "So that's how you truly perceive me then, isn't it? I've always been so honest with you… and yet, all I get are these false accusations in return. How could you think so… so low of me, even after everything we've been through?"

Haku watched silently as his girlfriend broke down in tears; one urge of guilt flooded his senses. But just as quickly as the guilt passed into his body, that same guilt left from Haku in a faster fashion. This time, he would not comfort Chihiro… or wipe away her tears. What Haku said was true… and he had no intentions of taking back his words; not after he saw how Chihiro did absolutely nothing to stop Raisuke's advances or flattery. And so… Haku forced himself to turn his back on his own love, before whispering the words:

"I've never wanted to develop any negative thoughts about you. But… as much as I want to deny the truth, my eyes tell me differently… and my sight does not lie. I know what I saw… and I meant every word. Even until now, I still have my doubts about our love… and it makes me wonder if you are truly the right one for me."

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"Oh Chihiro…" Rin cooed, as she hugged Chihiro… while more heartbreaking tears tainted Chihiro's pretty face. "I'm sure that Haku didn't really mean those words… he's always so "not Haku" when it comes to Raisuke. Please don't blame yourself or him for this; it's all just a big misunderstanding, that's all…"

"Don't lie to me, Rin. If anyone could read him clearly, it would be me… and his eyes told me everything I needed to know; he wasn't lying about anything he had said… and he did mean every word."

"Chihiro… oh, you know it's not true. You love Haku very much… and I know Haku feels the same way about you…" Rin exclaimed quietly, trying to cheer up Chihiro from her gloomy mood.

"I know we love each other… and that there is no doubt about our love; it had… and always will be there. But this argument has truly opened my eyes, and I wonder if dating each other was the right decision. Even with love, it is not enough to save or preserve this kind of relationship… there needs to be some sort of trust between Haku and I, too." Chihiro murmured softly, before saying the last bit of truth in an almost deaf whisper… "Sadly, I believe that there is no sense of trust between us; our love is just not enough to save our relationship anymore."

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Across from Chihiro and Rin's bedroom, two attractive river spirits were also conversing… except of slightly different things…

"I really do not see what you find so great about this… this Chihiro, you speak of. I got a real good look at her today, and she looks like nothing more than a stuck-up whore…" an arrogant, feminine voice drawled.

Raisuke smirked at her fiery, red-haired cousin, Hikaru… who had arrived to work at the bathhouse since yesterday. As usual, even after months of not seeing her, she hadn't really changed… she was still a bitchy and envious woman. It was quite amazing, to say at the least, how far Hikaru's ambition and deception could go. Even with Hikaru's sexy and delicious looks, her alluring black eyes, her silky crimson hair, and her rich and reputable family background… she was still quite the bitter and cunning river spirit. And right now, she seemed absolutely jealous of Chihiro, not that he really cared.

"It seems like someone is jealous! But then again… you always reek of the foul odor of envy 24/7…" Raisuke taunted evilly, smug with the irritated look that appeared of Hikaru's face.

"Oh please. Me… jealous of someone like that?" Hikaru spat disapprovingly, not even bothering to call the "whore" by her name. "She can't even compare to me… much less make me jealous. Besides, what do you see in her… anyways?"

"Well, you shouldn't be one to talk. And besides… I could ask the same thing of you. What do you see in some bastard like Haku? Have you forgotten the fact that he is my sworn nemesis, not to mention, that he already has a girlfriend? Not that I don't want to get my hands dirty with someone like Chihiro…" Raisuke exclaimed cockily, licking his lips eagerly.

Seeing Raisuke's actions, Hikaru immediately made a face of disgust; Raisuke definitely had bad taste. How could he like that slut… and say that she had false opinions of Haku? But then again… it did not really mattered whether or not she or Raisuke was right, after all, Haku and Chihiro were both dating each other; they were both taken. Hikaru frowned at this detail with a great dislike; that slut didn't even deserve Haku… that Chihiro simply wasn't good enough to satisfy someone like Haku. Oh… if only Haku was single, then someone, such as herself, who was way more superior to Chihiro, could have her own chances with Haku…

"Oh. My. God! That's it!" Hikaru squealed maliciously, rubbing her hands together.

"What's 'it'?" Raisuke asked boredly, wondering what new, sadistic ideas Hikaru conjured up now.

"I've got the perfect plan to split up that slut from my Haku!" the red-head professed confidently, grinning like a banshee.

"Hmm… a perfect plan, you say?" Raisuke asked, interested in what Hikaru had in mind. It was no secret that often, Hikaru's plans were in no doubt… flawless and successful… most of the time.

"Yes… a perfect and effective plan to split up the "dream" couple, which is another one of my ingenious ideas. But, as you've probably guessed… I need you so this plan can be completed properly."

"I'm not doing anything without a reward. What do I exactly get in return for my wonderful services?" asked the blue-eyed river spirit, very interested in his cousin's offerings.

Hikaru glanced contently at Raisuke, knowing that he would definitely like his reward… "In exchange for services rendered, you'll get Haku's own girlfriend… Chihiro."