Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters…

"Okay, everyone file in." Hao said as he opened the front door.

"And what do you think you're doing?" Jeanne asked him. Hao looked at her with much bewilderment.

"Getting into the car?" Hao replied meekly. Ren and Pirika just sat themselves in the back as they entered wearily from the long morning.

"No, Ren-kun do you want to drive?" Jeanne asked. Ren replied with a soft no as he glanced at Pirika, who was nearly falling asleep.

"Fine then, I'll drive." Jeanne said as she took the keys out of Hao's fingers.

"Why can't I drive?" He asked.

"I don't trust you behind the wheels of a car with me in it." Jeanne stated simply. He felt hurt run through him, but expected it as he went over to the passenger's seat.

"Jeanne-chan, you still don't trust me?" Hao asked for the fourth time since he had arrived.

"You're asking me if I trust you?" She answered. Hao pouted and got into the car without an answer. Ren looked at the two with the slightest amusement, but it was erased when he saw Pirika.

"Okay, first stop, the house, to freshen up." Jeanne said as she reared out of the parking lot.

Pirika slowly climbed out of the car and dragged her feet inside.

"Pirika-chan, do you want to take a nap? We got plenty of time; I don't get why Horo-kun and Tamao-chan went that early." Jeanne said as she walked urgently inside the house.

"Well, the two do need bonding time. Besides, I think another engagement is coming up." Pirika hinted. Hao grinned devilishly at Ren.

"What?" Ren asked, a bit defensively.

"Nothing." Hao said and walked inside. Pirika decided that she did need a nap. She went straight to her room, collapsed on the bed and fell asleep with her fancy gown on.

"Pirika-chan, we need to…" Ren said as he entered in the room. He decided that the two really need to get this whole business sorted out. But he found her fast asleep on her bed. He couldn't help but let out a sigh and a small smile. He carefully tucked her in, pulling the covers over her. He looked at the soft face and smiled softly at her. All he wanted to do was stay there and admire her.

"You know, Pirika, how much pain you had inflicted on me? All my life, I've been taught to hate, to fight. But you're right, Yoh did give me a second chance to start over. And just when I thought I knew everything about all that mushy stuff, I didn't want to be a part of it. Love, who knows what is forever or not. But ever since you left Pirika, I-I just can't explain this feeling." Ren said as he sat down, waving his hands around to show his frustration he had went through. "It was a feeling that haunted me every night. I see your face in y dreams always, your hurt face the day you left. You are right; love isn't out of pity or guilt."

"But you gave me a second chance, just like Yoh did. And I thank you for it. You gave me your friendship and care, just like you would to anyone, something I didn't deserve. It has taken me four years, Pirika, four long torturous years to realize that I-" Ren began saying but saw Pirika stirring. She slowly opened her eyes, staring at the figure beside her. In a couple of blinks, she soon realized who it was and she jolted straight up.

"Ren-kun! What are you doing here!" Pirika asked, all of a sudden awake. Ren paled, and then turned bright red.

"Uh…Pirika, I-I…" He began, wondering just how to answer this.

"What?" Pirika pressed.

"I-We need to talk." Ren stated with a sigh. Pirika looked at him then looked away. 'Should I?' Pirika asked.

"Fine." Pirika muttered. He went forward and sat on the bed. Pirika suddenly shrunk back. Ren ignored it, but looked at the ceiling.

"For all these years, I've been taught to fight, to hate. But Yoh had taught me something else. He has taught me that some things in this world are more powerful than anyone can accomplish alone. But ever since that night, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I deeply regretted what I said to you. I was young and I was dumb. I deeply ask for your forgiveness." Ren asked, looking at her. Pirika suddenly dropped her gaze and felt warmth spread through her face.

"So, you're doing all this because of guilt? Because of pity!" Pirika said, immediately angered by his words. Ren paled, not thinking of this to turn up.

"No, absolutely not. These four years may have been of guilt, but when I saw you again last month, and also befriended you, you taught me something." Ren said with a small smile on his face.

"And what's that?" Pirika asked, not really convinced.

"You taught me that we don't actually have to know what is going to happen; we just have to feel it." Ren said, taking his eyes off her again. "And I feel it; deep down in the depths of me, I feel that I love you, Pirika."

Pirika sat there, awed and amazed. Hearing those four words was all she wanted to hear for years. 'But do you want to hear them now?' Pirika asked herself. She couldn't bring herself to reject him. She looked straight into his eyes, seeing longing and much suffering after all these years. She took a few minutes to look back at their relationship.

"PPfftt…you're still a kid, Pirika-san."

"Fine, I'll go out with you. I like you."

"Nope, I'm getting too comfortable." Ren said teasingly. Pirika, determined to get out of here, began to gather snow into her hands. Ren seeing this released the snow in his hands and let it lop on her face.

"Are you…ticklish?" Ren suddenly said as his hands roamed to her sides. Pirika didn't answer him but feared the worse. She was terribly ticklish. She left out a loud giggle as he tickled her on the side.

"What are you looking at?" Pirika asked shyly. Ren turned red also. "N-Nothing." Ren stammered.

Ren, impatient is he, grabbed Pirika by the waist and jumped. "Wha-?" Pirika quickly said as she saw that she was in Ren's arms. "This'll be faster." Ren assured her as he took another leap. Indeed they were winning.

Arms encircled around her waist and pulled her downwards. She turned her face to see the golden orbs of the Tao's eyes. They remained like that for what seemed to be forever to them as Ren landed swiftly on the ground. He still remained dazed in her blue ocean eyes, his arms still around her tiny waist.

He brought her closer and closer as they soon could feel each other's breath on each other's cheeks. They stared at each other, questioning yet they knew for sure. Ren closed his eyes and leaned in and brushed his lips against hers gently. Pirika felt such warmth in his kiss, but as soon as she blinked, she soon realized her surroundings. She pushed him away. Ren looked at her with a pained expression, like his half was torn out.

"I-I don't know." He said truthfully.

"And I feel it; deep down in the depths of me, I feel that I love you, Pirika."

Pirika smiled, knowing what she must do. She looked at Ren fondly and got up from her bed. She turned to him and clasped his hands.

"I love you too, Ren." Pirika said ever so softly. Ren, overwhelmed and overjoyed nearly crushed the girl in his arms. He held her tight, afraid to lose her again. He breathed in her sweet fragrance and felt her soft silky hair brush against his skin. They broke apart for a minute, only to be lost in each other's gaze. And then the gap between them closed, each kissing with as much passion to match their hearts' beatings. When they did broke away, it was because of lack of oxygen.

"Why did you kiss me?" Pirika asked but this time, unafraid of the answer.

"I love you." He replied strongly and firmly. She embraced him and smiled.

"I love you too." She said and they stood like that for what seemed to be hours.