Disclaimer: I do not own Marmalade Boy, but boy if I did I sure would update much quicker.; )

Author's Note (AN): I know finally. How long has it been anyways, about half a year? I'm sorry, please forgive me. Don't ever let me do that again. To tell you the truth the reviews helped me. If it wasn't for all the reviews I wouldn't have updated. Whenever I checked my email I felt so guilty, so thanks to in order:

Coolgirlemily, Chat-chan, Ravenn03, Raifuno Maki, Rising Waves, Fwoggie, Cuiamy, Mr. Lunchboxxx, Babybelle, Aki-tenshi, Kawaiiangel20, punkrt4ji, teenqueen1072, Digipup, vietghurrl, and especially MIKIGIRL. Please don't hate me for taking so long, it'll never happen again. : )

Together Forever

Chapter Four:

After winning the semi-finals, Miki saw a woman wearing a blue jogging suit approach her. When she stood right before Miki she stuck out her hand.

"Hi! I'm Diane Sanders, coach of Florida University female tennis team."

Miki shook her hand flabbergasted, "C-Coach Sanders. Hi, I'm Miki Koshikawa," she introduced herself.

Coach Sanders smiled, "Anyone with an eye out there can see that. You're an awesome player."

"Thank you, I practiced really hard to come this far in the tournament."

"That's what I'm here for," Sanders cut her off. "Florida University is sponsoring a special foreign exchange student program for sport teams only. Each sports department had the responsibility to select a student from a corresponding sports team from an overseas college or University. Afterwards the players would exchange places on the team. The women's tennis team task was to choose a woman from any Japanese College. Wasn't it just our luck that it was at the beginning of a tournament? I was looking through the stats and your name popped up several times," Sanders said.

"Oh," Miki exclaimed, delighted.

I'm going to be honest with you Miss Koshikawa. It was obvious from the start that it would come down to Tokyo University and Kyoto University. Now I see it's down to whoever wins this tournament," Sanders stared down hard at Miki, "Either Saki Himura from Kyoto U. or you Miki Koshikawa from Tokyo U. will be selected for the program."

Miki digested this information, "How long is the program," she asked.

"It'll be for an entire year, or maybe a little longer," she answered.

"An entire year," Miki gasped, thinking of Yuu. 'I couldn't be away from him for an entire year.' "Coach Sanders I can't-"

Sanders interrupted her again, "You haven't won yet, so don't say anything. I was just coming over here to inform you what lies ahead of you if you win. Now I know you want to prepare for your big match tomorrow, so good luck." She held out her hand again.

Miki shook her hand. "Thank you, Coach Sanders. I'll need it against Himura."

With a nod Sanders left to probably analyze every move she and Himura played on video. Miki rubbed her eyes warily, "I would love to go for anything in the world, but an entire year?! That's crazy!"

Miki swung her tennis racket over her shoulder and walked over to the sidelines to get a water bottle. She reached for a white hand towel and gently patted the sweat off her face. Then she just stood there and thought hard about what she must do. She was so preoccupied she never heard Yuu approach.

Yuu walked down the steps toward that would lead him to Miki. When he was just a few feet away, he stopped and stared at Miki. Miki stood over the benches with a towel and water bottle in her hand. He stood there gazing at her transfixed, she was so beautiful. Her sienna brown hair was now already past her shoulders since Hawaii. Her tan skin was glistening with a thin sheen of sweat. She wore her Tokyo University tennis team uniform, her burgundy tank trimmed in white.

He frowned when he realized how short the skirt was. 'I don't think I like the idea of all these people looking at her legs,' then Yuu took another look at her legs and grinned, 'But I can look all I want.'

At that time Miki decided to look up towards his direction, and she seen Yuu looking at her in a dazed, almost amazed state. She followed the direction of his gaze and looked down, down, down…and turned her trademark red color.

"Yuu," she cried, bringing him out of his stupor. He just grinned wider and closed the space up between them.

"Another great match, Miki."

"Thank you," she said beaming. "Now all I have to do now is to defeat Himura and I'll win the entire tournament. Can you believe it," she cried, grabbing Yuu's shirt. "If I win it'll be the greatest thing that's ever happened. A whole new world would be open to me."

Yuu looked down at her shining face; her eyes were filled with tears. He was moved by her happiness. 'Besides me, this will be the best thing to happen for her.' But then Miki continued.

"I'll be able to go to Florida University in America for a year to play tennis," Miki dropped the bombshell.

Yuu looked at her stunned, "What are you talking about?"

Caught up in the excitement of the possibilities, she had forgotten about Yuu's reaction to the news. She dropped her hands from his arms and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I didn't have time to tell you earlier. I'm being considered for a scholarship in a foreign exchange student program. They've been observing our games and they may have watched us practice," she said suddenly remembering a group of people she never seen before in the stands during practice.

"Before my first match today a member from the FU's tennis team told me a little information. Then just a moment ago Coach Sanders briefly explained the program to me." She reached up to push her hair behind her ear self-consciously. "It sounds really nice. Another student will exchange my place on the team so I'll continue my classes there so it's not a problem, and they'll pay for my tuition and board."

He still hadn't gotten over what she first said, "You're leaving. But when-"

"No! No, not yet," Miki broke him off. "I have to win tomorrow and then I'll go. It's not guaranteed unless I win. So if I don't win I won't go," she shrugged, much of her previous enthusiasm gone. "Don't you think that'll be great if I do go," Miki asked, watching Yuu's face for a reaction.

Yuu was speechless; he just stared at her with that same expression of surprise. He opened his mouth as if he was about to say something, but familiar voices interrupted him.

"Miki! Yuu!" They both turned around to see Meiko and Nachan approaching. Meiko was Miki's best friend of many years and she moved away after she had married her teacher. Just recently her rich class parents finally accepted Nachan as a son-in-law.

"Meiko," Miki cried. "How long have you been here? I thought you couldn't make it."

"At first I wasn't, but the doctor said it would be all right to travel."

"The doctor," Miki asked dumbfounded.

Meiko smiled up at Nachan and placed a hand over her stomach, which Miki now noticed was poking out."

"You're pregnant," Miki shrieked. Meiko nodded a soft pink covering her cheeks. Miki grabbed her in a hug, "I'm so happy for you!" She turned to her former teacher Nachan and grinned. "Why, Nachan, you," she teased. He turned the same color as his wife, but he was still smiling proudly.

"I'm three and a half months now, but when the baby's born we want you and Yuu to be the baby's godparents. Will you accept," Meiko asked.

"Of course we will, won't we Yuu," Miki turned to face him but he didn't appear to be listening. "Yuu didn't you hear? Meiko and Nachan want us to be godparents."

Yuu then came back to his senses," T-that's great. Of course we will." On an afterthought he clasped her hand and faced her. "Um, Miki? I'm going to go home to see our parents. I haven't seen them in awhile and I know you want to catch up with Meiko." He yanked her hair gently, "So I'll se you later okay," he told her and began to walk off.

Miki stared after him confused. 'Yuu,' she thought.

"Is everything okay," Nachan asked Miki.

She was still watching Yuu walk away from her. "Excuse me Meiko, Nachan. Why don't we meet at Oyami diner by the University in about," she looked at her watch, "In about fifteen minutes? We can celebrate me making the finals tomorrow," she said with as much cheerfulness she could muster. She turned to leave to catch up with Yuu.

Meiko and Nachan observed them go. "I talked to Miki when she came back from Hawaii and she said everything between them was great, even better than before. She really meant it, I wonder what could have happened since then," Meiko wondered aloud.

"Probably nothing," Nachan responded. He pulled his wife and unborn child into his arms. "It still feels strange," he commented.

"What does?"

"Being around my former students like this. I'm married to one and best friends with some others."

Meiko giggled, "They'll never even let you in a school again." She rubbed her belly again, "We should probably be leaving now. I'm hungry."

"You just ate fifteen minutes ago," Nachan declared.

"But I'm hungry again. Remember I'm eating for two now."

Nachan sighed, "Okay. What do you two want to eat now?"

"I want some ice cream," she replied.

"Sounds good."

"With sardines and peanut butter," she finished.

Nachan (sweat drop), "Let's hope you change your mind when we arrive at the diner, sweetheart."

"Yuu! Wait up!" Miki caught up with Yuu and grabbed his arm. "What's wrong, Yuu? Are you mad at me? Yuu," she cried.

He turned around to face her, "No, of course I'm not Miki." Miki looked into his eyes. Though his lips were smiling his eyes were not; they looked trouble.

"Then what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he gazed intently at her face, which was earnestly looking into his. He couldn't lie to her. "It's nothing Miki. I'm sorry for making you worry. I was just surprised to hear about you going to America. A year's a long time. It's just that we're finally together again."

Miki looked crestfallen, "I'm sorry, I didn't think of that. Don't forget I told you it wasn't guaranteed. I have to win first, and even then they're not forcing me to go."

Yuu realized what he had said and could've kicked himself, "No, that's not what I meant either. I'm happy for you Miki, and this is a wonderful prospect. When you win tomorrow you should go."

'When I win tomorrow,' Miki thought. Yuu has always supported her, except when their parents swapped mates. 'But is the 'wonderful opportunity' 'once and a lifetime chance' good for me and Yuu,' she reflected.

She moved in closer to him. "Let's not think about that right now, okay Yuu? We're going out to eat with Meiko and Nachan and we'll talk about it later. I'm still here in Japan, so let's go have some fun."

"Okay," Yuu said cheerfully, appearing to be back to his old self. "We can't stay out too long; you still need time to practice for tomorrow's match."

"You're right," she said. "Thank you. She swung her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "I love you, Yuu," she exclaimed fervently.

"I love you too Miki," he responded. He bent his head to kiss her. The lips that met hers were desperate, and one thought ran through his mind, 'Just don't ever leave me.'

Thanks for reading chapter 4; chapter 5 will be up soon!

Chapter 5: The Finals. (Of what you may ask? Saki and Miki or Miki and Yuu? gasp The only way to find out is to read the next chapter, coming soon!