I am really, really sorry! I am so sorry this is coming so late, but hear me out! I did have chapter 4 all ready to go, but at the time, I couldn't find my F-Drive. So I saved it to a disk. I tried to open it on , but the disk jammed. Then, after taking a break, I decided to write it over. But then, I realized my F-Drive was lost. I spent a whole week looking for it. I finally found it in my sister's room; turns out, I left it in there after writing a songfic to Missing. Anyway, I've also had a rough week; my great aunt Sara Seraphine died from cancer and I went to an FFA lock in where I stayed up until 5 in the morning. I went to sleep for about an hour and people kept on making noises and turning the lights on and off; on and off. But that's enough; plus, guess what happened to my so called sprained finger? Yes, it's broken; oh lucky me, the first broken bone in my life. Plus, forensics is coming up and I wrote a play this year. If you want to see it, give me your e-mail address and I'll send it to you. This time is for real; I am not making this into a fic. Anyway, moving on, here's chapter 4.

"Ok, I've timed Ichigo leaving school; once everyone is gone except for the teachers, she waits for Ryou who picks her up. He picks her up around 3:45 and she sits in the front of the building for about 15 minutes until he comes," explained Miwa, who once again was sent to spy on Ichigo. "Ok, so that's when we'll corner her and get the truth out of her. Oh, and I just found out Ichigo has joined that one cram session where you can graduate earlier," Moe said in reply. The bell rang symbolizing study hall was over and the school day had come to an end.

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It was 3:40 when they caught Ichigo sitting on the concrete steps. They knew she was waiting for Ryou. They marched on up to her. A smile came to Ichigo's face; she needed to talk to her friends after a rough day. "Hi guys, what's up? I'm really sorry I haven't seen you a lot, but I just joined cram session and…"

"We know, and we want you to tell us a couple things," Moe said interrupting. Miwa started. "1. Why did you do this to yourself, 2. Why didn't you tell us right away, and 3. Why are you doing this to yourself!" Ichigo looked worried and confused at the same time. "You said why am I doing this to myself twice and I have no clue what you are talking about," she replied trying to hide the truth. "Oh come on; did you think we wouldn't notice? Lets see, you go to the bathroom a lot more, you eat like you haven't eaten in days, you're taking the cram session, you dump Masaya, and we saw you making out with Ryou in the computer room. So tell us why, Ichigo. Tell us the truth," they said together. Tears came to Ichigo's eyes.

Ryou finally pulled up and saw the two girls looking at Ichigo. He noticed they were pretty mad. He put the car in park and walked up to Ichigo. All three of them heard a car door slam. Moe started walking toward Ryou. When she was close enough, with all of her might, she flattened her hand and brought it across Ryou's cheek hard. (Man, people really like slapping him) "You…..you jerk! You've put her own friends against her!" she yelled out at him. More tears filled Ichigo's eyes. Why couldn't people just leave her alone? But she did think half of it was her fault; she should have told her friends. "Alright," she said between tears. "Please, just don't hurt Ryou…will everyone juts please stop slapping him!" she yelled.

"You're right, I am pregnant…..but I am happy with the way I am…..Ryou makes me happy…..and the next person to slap him is going to get a slap back from me!" she angrily yelled. Her friends backed up. "Ichigo…why…?" Miwa asked. Ichigo told them to story of how her feeling that weren't let out sooner took control. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner," she finally ended. Moe silently walked up toward Ryou. "I'm sorry… for hitting you and all… I didn't know everything," she stuttered out. Ryou looked at her; partially annoyed and partially happy she apologized. He just turned around and waved back at her. "Whatever…come on Ichigo…." he motioned for her.

"Wait one minute, will you?" she asked. you tell me what people are saying? It's gonna get rough for me in the next five months until I graduate," explained Ichigo. "No problem," they said together. Ichigo slightly smiled. "Well, see you tommarow," she said while running and waved to them. Ichigo saw them leave, but little to anyone's knowledge, those weren't the only two who had heard the conversation. A figure in the shadows turned around knowing everything about Ichigo.

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Ariel walked up to Keiichiro with two boxes of chocolate. "Um…..i didn't get your name yesterday….," she said. Keiichiro turned around from doing the dishes. "Oh, Keiichiro….i think I know your name though….Ariel, right?" he said smiling. Ariel closer her eyes and held out one of the boxes. "I'm sorry for yesterday…..take this as a token of my apology," she said, waiting for him to yell at her. He was now the boss of her. "Thanks…don't worry, I'm not going to yell at you," he said in reply and smiled at her. (No, I am a Zakuro/Keiichiro fan, nothings going to happen between Ariel and Keiichiro) Just then, Ryou and Ichigo walked in through the door. Ariel went up to Ryou and offered him the other box. "Sorry Ryou…for hitting you and yelling at you and all that crap I pulled off yesterday."

"Today must be a special on sorry's today or something," he replied taking the box. "Don't worry 'bout it kid," he said in reply. "By the way…where did you get this?" he asked. "I borrowed money from Mint…..just put $3.95 on her paycheck and take it off of mine," she replied. "Yeah, and when do I get paid?" she asked. "Cause if you haven't noticed, there is a baby upstairs napping that I have to get stuff for."

Ryou chuckled. "Don't worry; Ichigo and I need the practice anyway. We'll take care of it…of course, it's coming off of your paycheck," he answered. Ariel nodded. "I understand…see you later," she said running off somewhere. She peeked her head around the corner. "Oh, and by the way, I forgot to say this, but you're really taking this whole thing responsibly; usually if a man gets a young woman pregnant, he runs away from it; but you're sticking with Ichigo. Good for you!" she shouted the last line and was gone. Keiichiro, who had heard that finally spoke. "About that….Ryou, Ichigo, I need to talk to you both…privately."

Oooohh…they in for it now…..anyway, I'll try to update sooner. Anyway, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays everyone. If it wasn't for your support, I would've given up my dream as a writer months ago. Knowing some people read and like my work really makes me happy. Anyway, I will try to get in another chapter before Thursday. If I don't, I will try to get one in after Christmas. Tuesday, however, I will be on a trip to Jamaica until after New Years Day. So the next chapter I promise will be up by January 3rd. Anyway, read and review, over and out. –Nibzo, Happy Holidays Everyone!!