Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine…
Pirika poured the hot liquid into a bowl and put it onto a tray and walked out. She proceeded through the hallways with ease and just as she was about to turn the corner to the living room, she jerked the other direction and walked down the other hallway. That is when she was stopped dead in her tracks.
Ren unfortunately heard the sudden jerk of china and footsteps going the other direction. He knew that it was Pirika, avoiding him. He wanted to get this settled right away.
"You know, you could stop avoiding me now." He said coldly at the person running away from him. He heard the footsteps stop. Ren got up the sofa and turned the corner to see Pirika frozen in fright in the middle of the hallway. He walked closer to her; the guilt spilling into his conscience. He was the one that told her that she was a "kid". And now, she's no longer the jumpy immature girl he loved. 'Love! Did I just say that!' Ren scowled at himself, but deep inside, he knew it was the truth.
"Fine, I'll go out with you. I like you." Ren said, almost in a pleading voice, almost. He thought maybe giving her what she wanted might help clear the guilt multiplying in his head. She stood very still; her hands clammed to the tray. Little did he know, anger was rising in her. She took a deep breath and turned around. Ren was surprised that she had a straight face on.
"Sorry, Ren-kun, but saying those three words doesn't exactly mean you love me." Pirika said sadly. "Now, if you'll-"
"Well, what do you want me to do?" Ren asked, unsure what he is saying.
"If you hug me, it doesn't exactly mean you love me. If you kiss me, it doesn't exactly mean you love me. Sorry, Ren-kun, but I can't tell you what to do, and neither can anyone else. The only thing that can is your own heart. True love comes from the heart; not from money, not from pity. Good-bye." Pirika said as she retreated down the hallway before she let those tears slip away. She left the shocked Ren Tao standing in the middle of the hallway.
Pirika stopped in front of Tamao's door and gathered herself together. She put on that happy cheerful smile, and made sure she didn't looked like she was in a run-in. She opened the door and stepped in.
"Here's your-" Pirika said, flustered from Ren. But what she saw next, flustered her even more. She immediately jerked back out, slamming their door shut. The sudden motion caused the medicine bowl falling over the tray and crash into a million pieces.
Ren, stood there, lost in his thoughts about the Ainu girl. He reflected upon the very night she confessed up until her rejection a few minutes ago. He remembered feeling so lonely, but he was surprised that he never realized it before. Yoh and Anna were always together, and though they try to be as friendly as possible, they couldn't fill up that emptiness. Ren realized at that point just how empty he was. Being raised up by that evil En Tao, he was taught not to love, but to hate. Thinking back, he realized what he was missing out. He regretted what he had said the other night, four years ago. Yeah, he didn't feel anything that night. He was taken back when the little Ainu girl told him that she liked him. He brushed it off, like a piece of dust, and stepped on it and walked away. Little did he know that that dust was her heart.
He saw just how much he wished to turn back time the next morning. He awoke, realized it was the day when everyone was parting and got out of bed. He was once again the first one out of bed. He remembered walking straight for the kitchen and gulping down his favorite drink, plain ice-cold milk. He remembered that he caught a movement near the doorway, and realized it was the blue-haired Ainu. She was avoiding him. But fortunately, her brother bumped her back into her kitchen. Though he could further examine her, she refused to make his presence known. She simply stared down on the ground with her ocean blue eyes. Strange enough, her brother stood right beside her, lost in thought, something you don't usually see in the pig-headed Horo Horo. It was a sad day indeed, but the mighty Ren Tao would never admit it. He couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered how little the Ainu boy ate and how quiet he stayed. Pirika said her good-byes, except for him. She simply ignored him. And then she left, on the snowboard, without even saying good-bye. 'Well, you could've said good-bye.' A voice inside told him. But his Tao pride blocked his actions as he watched her disappear.
Four years later, he's back. But their roles switched. Ren is now the lovesick person, but was rejected by her. But he still questions if it is love. Her words were truer than ever, "True love comes from the heart; not from money, not from pity." Was he just feeling sorry for her? Was he just saying those words to rid four years of guilt? He didn't know, but he wanted to get this settled. His train of thoughts was stopped by a sudden clash of china and a quick slam of the door. He quickly went over to the sound.
He found Pirika, back facing him, kneeled on the ground, picking up something on the floor. He walked over to her and saw her picking up the broken dish. He walked and kneeled down beside her and starting picking up broken pieces as well.
"Oh, Ren-kun, just leave it to me. You can wait in the living room, and I'll bring out some milk later." Pirika said as she took the pieces away from him.
"Clumsy girl." Ren said after seeing her sweet smile. "What happened?" She immediately turned red.
"Um…I caught Onii-chan and Tamao-chan in uh…bad time." Pirika stammered. The award-winning smirk appeared on Ren's face. 'Great, something to harass the idiot with!' Ren exclaimed with glee.
"Ouch!" Pirika said quickly and jolted. A piece of glass fell and she quickly looked at her bleeding finger.
"Clumsy me." Pirika said and wiped away the blood.
"Pirika-chan! Are you alright?" Ren quickly said and grabbed her hand to inspect it. 'Wow, her hand…it's so soft.' Ren thought as he looked at the small cut. She pulled her hand back.
"It's alright Ren, I'll get it patched up later." Pirika said with a blush and picked up the remaining pieces and went to the kitchen. She was still avoiding him.
She threw out all the broken pieces and cleaned out her cut before applying a band-aid.
"There." She said and went to the refrigerator and took out the pitcher of milk. She took out a glass and poured some out. Filling up another bowl of medicine for Tamao and placed in the tray next to the cup of milk. She walked out of the kitchen.
"What the heck is all the noise?" Horo Horo said as he flung the door open to see Ren leaning against the wall with that smirk on his face.
"So, heard you nearly scared Pirika-chan to death with your infatuation with your new girlfriend." Ren said with a mocking tone. In the background, he saw Tamao turn bright red. Pirika came rushing down the hall.
"Break it up you two." She said as she hurried inside. The tone of voice brought another smirk on Ren's face. It reminded him of how the old Pirika used to be, full of jumpy joy. She's still happy right now, but more like a peaceful happy. She was less energetic and calmer.
"Okay, Tamao-chan, here's your medicine." Pirika said with a smile and handed Tamao the bowl.
"Thank you, Pirika-chan!" Tamao said happily. Horo Horo went back to her bedside as Ren allowed himself in. After giving Tamao the medicine, Pirika turned to Ren.
"Here's your milk, Ren-kun." Pirika said with ease. 'Maybe it's true. I'm really getting over him!' Pirika thought happily. She handed him a full glass of milk.
"Uh…thanks." Ren muttered.
"You're welcome." Pirika said politely and returned to the kitchen. There was silence, except for Horo Horo, who was feeding Tamao her medicine.
"So, when do you want to start leaving?" Ren asked.
"I'm thinking tomorrow. Tamao will need to rest after this." Horo Horo said, not taking his eyes off of his loved one.
"Alright, I'll inform Master Yoh that." Ren said and went out of the room to leave the couple alone. He text Yoh on his oracle bells and sat down for a few minutes on the sofa. 'Great, now what?' Ren thought as he sat there, bored.
"Master Ren? Maybe you should do some training?" Ren's guardian spirit, Bason, said. Ren nearly got a heart attack.
"Bason, what are you doing here?" Ren asked, with a glare.
"Um…you brought me here." Bason said as he sweatdropped. Ren, so wrapped in the thoughts of the reunion with Pirika, he forgot about his guardian ghost.
"That's not a bad idea, Bason." Ren decided after calming down. He took out his Kwan dao and went out to practice.