Disclaimer: Let see what was I suppose to write here? Oh yes, I do not own Hikaru No GO.

Jamfase; Thanks for reviewing and I hope you will like this chapter too.

bobo05; It is a beautiful phrase isn't it? I love that idiom spoken by Momiji. Takaya Natsuki has a wonderful way when she writes doesn't she? Really love her works! I actually cried at that part where Momiji's mother rejected him as her child.

Kari05; Hi there! I did make Hikaru rather mean didn't I? But well he is after all very mischievious when he was younger. So I just couldn't help myself but potrayed him onsome of the mistakes he made. About Touya's feelings it will be revealed... read to find out ;) thank you for reviewing always.

Rukia-chan; Hey thanks, I am glad you like to read this even though you are a AkiHika fan. Well I am still looking for a beta reader since sometimes I really couldn't spot the mistakes though I am trying! Thanks you very much for pointing it out to me!

Coiling Death; Now that you mentioned it. Yup, you are right! Yuki and Touya do have many similarities. About Yuii, she is really mean isn't she? LOL! I just have to make someone that cruel to break Touya's heart don't I? I guess I am the one who is mean! LOL

Feely; I came back yesterday and the first thing I did was sit down and type a new chapter! I miss my computer so much! I know that is weird since I should be enjoying myself in my vacation. I did but I couldn't help missing reading and writing! ;p Hope this chapter will be interesting like the rest too.

Chapter 6

The weather in Tokyo was getting colder as days passed on. Touya had been very busy with his tight schedule in GO matches had not seen Akari in days and not to mention he had not visited Eternal Snow for quite a while.

It was a chilly morning when Touya walked along the usual busy street to Eternal Snow. Everyone around him was dressed warmly in their coats and scarf. Touya had a long grey trench coat over him his hands in the pocket of the coat keeping warm.

He pushed the glass door of Eternal Snow opened stepping inside the heated café. He looked around and didn't see Akari and thought that she may be in the kitchen. Her colleague came over to greet him instead.

"Touya-san, it had been some time since you came." Mitani said. "Please take a seat."

"Arigatou," Touya smiled going over to his usual place.

"So you will like your usual breakfast or you want something different today?" Mitani asked.

"I think I will stick to the usual," Touya said.

"Well, will be coming up."

Touya watched Mitani going back into the kitchen. Perhaps he had been there for almost the whole fifteen minutes and Akari was still not around he started to wonder if she did come to work. When Mitani returned with his serving he asked.

"Ano, Fujisaki-san is not working today?"

"Akari-chan?" Mitani looked at Touya with wide eyed. "She hadn't come to work for almost a week. She had come down with high fever and flu, later she got attack with stomach flu. She just kept vomiting everything she eats. The doctor told her to stay in bed."

Normally the small apartment was neat and clean but under some unwanted circumstances it became disarray. Dishes piled up on the sink unwashed, clothes strewn over the living room and dining table, newspaper thrown everywhere. Akari felt like she was in living hell for the passed few days. She couldn't eat anything and her fever had not subsided yet. Well, it wasn't her fault that she forgot her umbrella the other day when she visited Touya's salon. How did she know that there will be a sudden downpour when she was on her way.

Akari groaned as she lay on her bed face down. She was in blue pajamas, a long sleeve blouse with collar and long pants. It was her warmest pajamas she had but still she felt chilly. She felt terrible, her hair was in a mess not to mention looking horrible too. She won't be surprised if she got shocked the living out of herself if she sees the mirror.

The bell rang and Akari fell off her bed awkwardly. She lay on the floor unable to move for a few minutes before the bell rang again. She sat up placed her arms stretched out on the bed pushed herself up with difficulty to a sitting position and placed her heated face sideways on the cooling bed. Not long ago she had just taken her medication and she was feeling rather drowsy at the effect of the medicine.

Touya stood outside Akari's apartment, rang the bell again when there was no answer. Mitani told him that she had stayed in her apartment the entire time. She barely goes back to her parents' place because she never wanted them to fret about her. He started to worry when there wasn't any answer but after waiting for another minute he heard a soft croaky voice at the other side of the door.

"Coming!"

There were a various loud crashes and bangs before the door creaked opened slightly and only Akari's eyes could be seen as she peered over the crack.

"Fujisaki-san, I heard that you were sick and…." Touya said bending over to her, she was looking back at him in astonishment. "Can I come in?"

"Wait a second…." Akari replied and slam the door shut at his face.

Touya stood by the door rather perplexed at her behaviour. He blinked waiting for Akari to open the door again. While waiting he heard the crashes and bangs again but this time there were more noises coming from the other side of the door and then, suddenly…

"OUCH!"

Touya heard Akari yelled and reached for the knob but the door was lock. Akari tripped over the bean bags when she tried to retrieve her panties under the television rank. Why was her underwear there in the first place? She had no idea herself. After hiding all her undergarments, quickly she slipped on her robe and went to the door.

"Fujisaki-san are you alright?" Touya shouted one of his hand placed flat on the door and the other still on the knob. "Fujisaki-san?"

The door swung opened again but this time Akari opened it fully so that Touya could come in which made him almost stumbled into the small apartment at her sudden swiftness. When Touya was in the apartment he could only stare at the worn-out Akari before him. Her usual radiant looks were dull and pale not to mention her eyes looked rather lifeless. She was wearing a cotton yellow robe over her pajamas and her hair looks liked it hadn't been comb in ages.

"Gomen, the place is in a mess…." Akari said softly and uncaringly. At that moment, she didn't want to care about anything anymore but for the stupid headache to go away. "I was cleaning some of my… erm… clothes away…."

Akari had left her undergarments around the apartment and had taken them all away so it won't be so embarrassing when Touya comes in. Touya stepped into her apartment slowly and true enough the place entirely different from the first time he was here.

"Fujisaki-san, are you alright?" Touya asked her as she shut the door.

"No…" Akari replied shortly. "I'll make tea…."

"Iie," Touya stopped her. "I don't want anything. I came to see if there is anything I can do to help you."

Akari turned back to him with a small weary smile.

"You are really nice and polite Touya-kun." She said in a weird whispery voice. "Any girl will be so lucky to have you around…. Not to mention fall for you…"

Touya blushed softly. She wasn't acting normal. That was something Akari wouldn't say out loud.

"Ano, Fujisaki-san…." Touya blinked at her odd behaviour. "Are you really feeling alright?"

"Oh no, my head is about to kill me any minute." Akari giggled slightly. "And the medications I just took seemed to be taking effect…."

"Taking effect…?"

"The doctor said, I will feel light and drowsy after the medication." She replied and flopped down on the floor clumsily. "And may have difficulty to think straight…."

"Fujisaki-san!" Touya exclaimed going over to her side. "I am bringing you back to your room!"

"Iie, I'm making tea…." She mumbled trying to get up but Touya stopped her.

"I don't want any tea." Touya said sternly holding her down. She could even barely open her eyes and true enough she wasn't thinking straight. "I'm bringing you to your room."

Touya picked her up bridal style, she lay in his arm rather limply, her hands dangling at the side and her head lay on his shoulder comfortably. She looked very light and fragile in his arms as he stared at her features closely. All those time, she had been so strong before his eyes seemed rather impossible for this frail looking lady in his arms. Now she seemed like someone who needed protection more than anyone he had met. Besides that, she looked like she had lost a lot of weight too.

Gently as possible Touya placed Akari on her bed, her eyes were closed as she lay on her bed quietly her face turned to one side, there were some strands of hair covering her face messily. Reaching over to her hair, Touya pushed those strands away from her face carefully and tuck them behind her ear.

As quietly as possibly, Touya turned to leave but stopped when he felt a tugged on his sleeve. He turned back to see Akari grapping onto his sleeve looking at him in half lidded drowsy eyes.

"Don't leave," She said so softly that Touya could barely hear. "I don't want to be alone…."

Touya knelt down next to her bed watching her worriedly. He placed his palm on her heated forehead and the other hand holding onto her cold ones that gripped his sleeve not a while ago.

"I will be here, take your rest…." Touya said gently.

Akari closed her eyes again with Touya still holding onto her hand and the other hand on her forehead was brushing her bangs upwards gently.

"You don't have to be strong all the time," Touya whispered. "Akari…."

For the first time Touya called Akari by her name but she did not hear as she had fallen into a deep slumber resting peacefully for the first time since she had gotten sick. However it was both his blessing and curse that she didn't hear him using her name. He didn't know how she will react if she did and he didn't want to lose her in any way. (A/N: Japanese culture, only those who are close to you call you by your name if not they will use your family name)

Touya remembered Ichikawa had told him that Akari was quite wet when she came to visit him the other day at the salon. She must have caught the flu and fever caused of the rain. He couldn't help but felt guilty that she had gotten sick just because of wanting to cheer him up.

The atmosphere was very quiet as Touya sat next to Akari's bed with his hand caught tightly in Akari's grasp. Even she was soundly asleep she didn't let his hand free and Touya could only smile at her childlike behaviour. She always managed to charm him in every way and Touya wondered how anyone could be able to do that to his heart.

Nonetheless, Touya did not stay, soon towards midnight. He slipped out of Akari apartment and went home alone… leaving her in her deep slumber. Touya needed to think what is happening to him.

He was swarmed in silence and darkness alone in his house. He didn't bother to switch on the light sitting on his bed deep in his thoughts alone in his very organized bed room.

It had been almost a year since Yuii left him. He had shield himself away from every female population ever since. Girls who had approached him then always turned out that they were only after his wealth. There was no one which was truthful to his feelings. But when Akari came into his life, he couldn't help but feel strangely attached to her. She was sincere in all her actions. She didn't care whether he was rich, all she ever cared was how to make him laugh and be happy all the time.

Everyday he thinks of the way she smile, the way she greets him and the support she always gave him makes him want to see her even more often. He will find every single reason there is to just see her and to be there for her. What is this feeling? Is it love? Or just a mere crush?

Touya was confused. He had rushed into her aid when she was in trouble. He didn't want to see her hurt and when he found out that she had sprained her ankle he couldn't stop but worry about her. The moment having her in his arms was the best time he ever felt in his life. He just didn't want to let her go. When Mitani told him that she was sick, he had rushed over to her apartment to see her, to see if she was alright. She was constantly in his mind.

Touya sighed and lay back on his bed staring up the ceiling with and arm placed on his forehead.

After leaving her apartment late that night he could still remember how Akari slept holding onto his hand, he couldn't help but just watch her the whole time his heart flew out to her. She had made his heart pound rapidly, something he had never felt before in his life even when he was with Yuii. The feeling was so strong he couldn't stop himself from thinking about her even after he had left her apartment hours ago.

Touya had to admit that he couldn't stop thinking about the extraordinary maiden who had unintentionally stolen his heart but he knew that Akari's heart was still fragile as if it will shatter if he touches it. For now his feelings had to stay hidden, from her and from everyone else. No one must know about this until Akari is ready to accept how to love again and he will wait for that day to come no matter what happens. She had healed his heart and it was time he heal hers. Even Touya had no idea how but he will try.

It was very early in the morning when Akari woke up in her cozy bed her head still feeling slightly fuzzy. She could only remember vaguely about Touya's visit the day before. Slowly she sat up on her bed placing her palm on her forehead. What exactly happened she wasn't very sure. She remembered inviting Touya into her apartment and the rest was so hazy that she couldn't put the picture together though she did remember that she felt someone holding on her hand or she was holding onto someone's hand and felt the feathery like movements on her forehead that was rather comforting.

Without any sudden movements Akari shift out of her bed slowly and headed out her room to be caught by surprised. Her apartment was sparkling clean. She blinked looking around. The dirty dishes on the sink were cleaned, the newspaper strewn everywhere were stack out nicely at the side of the door.

"Please don't tell me Touya-kun clean my apartment!" Akari moaned to herself guiltily.

She noticed a note on the dining table and went to it. She picked it up and read it with surprised.

Fujisaki-san,

I had made leek broth for you. I remembered you said leeks helps with fever. It's in the fridge.

Reheat it before you eat.

Touya Akira

A smile grazed Akari's lips and went to her fridge to see Touya had placed the broth in a bowl covered with a plate on top. She took it out and placed it on the counter. One thought came into her head and she almost ran over to her phone and dialed a number that she never thought she would ever call.

"Moshi moshi?" Akari heard a croaky voice over the other side of the receiver.

"Hikaru?"

"Akari?" Hikaru's voice became more awake suddenly. "Why did you call so early?"

"I have something to ask you."

"Eh?"

"Is about Touya-kun…."

It was time that Akari did something for Touya in returned and she had a plan. It may not erase Touya's sad memory but at least maybe he could be happy on his most important day that happens only once a year.

Akari smiled at her own idea...

"Akira-kun, ano…" Ichikawa looked at Touya sympathecally when he remained in the salon and didn't bother to go out. "Happy Birthday!" She continued in a forced sort of cheery voice. "I had ordered a birthday cake so I thought…."

"It's alright Ichikawa-san…" Touya turned to her with a smile. "You don't have to do this…."

"But…" Ichikawa's smile faded when she looked at Touya who placed a stone on the board without anxiety.

He was practicing GO by himself since Hikaru wasn't free to accompany him that day. He couldn't blame him since he had a son to look after. He understands that Ichikawa was worried for him since this day brings back bad memories.

"Don't you want to go out with your friends?" Ichikawa asked carefully.

Touya looked up at Ichikawa indifferently. Friends? Since when Touya had friends? He was treated with fear and respect when he was just a kid. Everyone his age never was able to talk to him because they feel rather uncomfortable around him. Well maybe except for Hikaru.

"Don't worry about it Ichikawa-san," Touya smiled finally. "I just want to practice before I go for the Ouza match I will be having this coming Christmas Eve."

"Christmas Eve…." Ichikawa protested. "Of all days…."

"There is nothing to worry about Ichikawa-san," Touya turned back to his board. "I am very used to having games on the most special occasions, so it doesn't matter."

Ichikawa remained silent for a moment before they heard the door slid opened and she quickly went back to the counter.

"Ano, I was wondering if Touya-kun is around…." A very familiar female voice said, breaking Touya's concentration.

"Ah, you came the other day didn't you?" Ichikawa replied. "But Akira-kun said he wanted to practice…"

"Ichikawa-san…." Touya called anxiously stopping Ichikawa from her sentence and striding over to the counter to see if his ears were deceiving him.

Ichikawa turned to Touya with surprised, to see him making his way over to the lady swiftly. Touya couldn't believe the one person he wanted to see most was really standing there before his eyes.

Akari turned to him with her usual jovial smile. She looked a lot better since the last time he saw her when she was sick. Her face was rosy again and her hair had that usual healthy glow on it.

"Touya-kun I hope I am not disturbing you in any way."

"No, I was actually…." Touya paused thinking about his practice. "Well, I am studying moves for the Ouza match this coming Christmas Eve. I can't let Shindo beat me can I?"

"Hikaru?" Akari laughed. "I thought you said he won because of luck…."

Touya smiled. "Why are you here Fujisaki-san?"

"I came to see you of course. Actually, I wanted to bring you somewhere but you seemed to be busy right now…." Akari replied softly and rather shyly. "Sorry for disturbing you. Maybe I will come back later…."

"If you don't mind, do you want to…" Touya paused unable to continue remembering of his excruciating past but after seconds tick by, swallowing his own guts he said it anyway. "I mean do you want to have a game with me? If you are free…"

"A game with you?" Akari looked at him with astonishment. "Touya-kun I am only a school Go player… I can't be any help to you."

"If you don't want to I can understand…." Touya replied taking Akari's answer the wrong way, his heart sinking miserably.

"Actually I would love to play with you if you don't mind me being slow and a novice in the game." Akari grinned.

"You would?"

"Hai," Akari nodded and turned to Ichikawa. "How much would it be? I had never played in a salon before…."

"Never?" Ichikawa smiled eyeing Touya before she turned back to Akari. "Well…"

"It's ok Ichikawa-san, let her play for free…." Touya cut her off. "Fujisaki-san this way please."

Ichikawa watched them walking back to the place Touya always used and smiled secretly to herself. This looks like a bright new beginning for Touya. They looked really good together but Ichikawa couldn't help but notice that Akari had an invisible shield around her, an aura that she didn't want to get involved. Nevertheless, Ichikawa hoped that everything will turn out all right in the end.

A game between Touya and Akari begin…

There weren't much laughter to be heard in the salon before. They were more accustomed to Hikaru and Touya's usual quarrels though. The guests turned their heads with curiousity at the oddity of the sound.

"Gomen Touya-kun…." Akari couldn't help but laughed at a mistake she made. "I think that wasn't such a good idea to place my stone there…."

"That's right, it would be much better if you put it here." Touya moved the stones on the board for Akari to see. "There wouldn't that make a better strategy?" (A/N: Sorry I don't know how to play Go so I can't possibly write where the stones are)

"Gomen… I really can't help you Touya-kun." Akari said timidly. "But you helped me a lot in the end. This is the first time I had learn so much in one game. Arigatou…."

Touya blushed at her praise. "It was nothing really."

"Iie, you are a great teacher Touya-kun…. I am glad I came here today."

"That reminds me; you said there was some place that you want to take me?"

"Hai, it is a surprise…." Akari grinned. "I don't really know if you will like it but I know that we will have lots of fun there…."

"Oh?"

The rink was slightly crowded with some teenagers that evening. It was cooling in the winter breeze and everyone had gathered on the open air ice skating rink. Teenagers squeal gleefully as they sped around it.

Akari was enjoying the cooling wind on her face as she skate. She stopped after speeding around the rink one full circle, came back to where she had started and where Touya was standing by the entrance not wanting to step into the ice rink.

"Touya-kun it will be fun…." Akari exclaimed grabbing both his hands in hers. "Come on, I'll guide you…."

"Fujisaki-san, can we do something else?" Touya asked hiding the nervousness away from his voice. "I never ice skate before…"

"Like I said before there is always the first time for everything!" Akari pressed on. "I promise you I won't let you go…."

Touya couldn't help but feel a tiny pang of contentment at what Akari said to him even though he knew that she said that to get him into the rink, also to prevent him from falling and nothing more. Slowly he took the first step into the ice with Akari holding onto both his hands in front of him. She was skating backwards guiding him.

"See it's not that bad isn't it?" Akari asked still holding onto his hand like she promised.

Touya gripped her hands tightly his looking down the ice watching where he was going cautiously. When he got the hang of it, it was true it wasn't so bad when he felt the cooling wind caressing his face.

"Ok, can you let one of my hand go?" Akari asked. "I will still hold onto one of your hands."

She wanted to skate normally instead of going backwards. It was giving her a slight headache for skating the opposite way for that long.

Touya remained silent but released one of her hands. Akari turned around gracefully without letting go of his other hand and skate next to him. Everyone around the ring watched them skate side by side, marveling how beautiful the couple looked together. Akari was smiling up at Touya happy to see that he was actually enjoying it too.

However, the magic of them together didn't last for long when a couple of teenager boys came up to them in top sped brushing passed Touya in a haste which made him lose his balance slightly. Even with Akari holding his hand, he fell back pulling Akari along with him. He landed hard on his back with Akari on top of him her face on his chest and his hands around her. She quickly moved away and pulled Touya up to a sitting position before his clothes get soak in the ice but the damage was already done.

"Are you alright?" Akari asked anxiously. "It must have hurt with me falling on you like that!"

"Iie, I am alright," Touya smiled slightly. He wouldn't mind Akari falling on him everyday if he could hold her close like that.

"I think we should take a rest," Akari said unconvinced. "Here let me help you up."

Akari stood up and pulled Touya up to his feet too. Still holding onto his hand they skate to the exit of the rink and stepped out. Touya felt disappointed when Akari dropped his hand after he had both his feet on normal ground. He wouldn't mind if she held on.

"Do you want something to drink?" Akari asked. "You are wet and I am sure you are feeling cold. I think a hot drink will be good for you now."

Touya nodded.

There was a small stall selling hotdogs and some hot drinks near the rink. Some chairs and table were placed near the place for the skaters to take their rest. Touya bought drinks and they chose a sit away from the crowd sipping their hot drinks together on a small table and with both of them facing each other. There was a short silence before Akari took out a small little light blue box with a red ribbon tied around it and spoke.

"Happy Birthday Touya-kun…"

"How did you know it's my birthday?" Touya asked her with surprised looking at the present Akari had pushed over to him over the table.

"I asked Hikaru, he told me your birthday is on December 14. He was supposed to come today too but he couldn't make it because he had to do something else today with his son…" Akari answered. "And I wanted to make it up to you for helping me out when I was sick. You helped me clean the apartment and you made breakfast for me too. Arigatou Touya-kun…."

Touya was speechless, that was the reason why she came to look for him? He didn't know of course Akari was trying to give him a great time so he wouldn't remember about his horrible past. He didn't know that she knew about it.

"Ano, Touya-kun I wondered if you really had a great time today?" Akari asked rather nervously. "I mean dragging you here without knowing if you will like it, I was wondering…"

"I really enjoyed my time Fujisaki-san," Touya smiled at her gently, even his clothes were wet and cold he didn't know why he felt warmth all over. "You made a very pleasant new memory for me today."

"I did?" Akari stared at him wide eyed and hopefully.

"Yes," Touya answered shortly.

You had made me a new memory with you inside it Akari, and wipe away my dreadful memory of the past that I wish not to remember. Touya thought to himself silently knowing that this is one statement he wouldn't be able to say out loud. Hontoni domo arigatou Akari….. (Honestly thank you very much Akari)

"Open it…." Akari exclaimed excited breaking Touya's thoughts.

Slowly Touya pulled the ribbon loose and opened the lid. Inside was a small keychain with what looked like three GO stones, two white and one black hanging on its end. Touya blinked and picked it up dangling it on his finger and looked back at Akari. She shrugged and giggled.

"I thought about you when I saw that in the mall the other day," Akari explained. "I couldn't help it but got it for you. It is nothing much though…."

"But it meant a lot to me Fujisaki-san," Touya smiled. "Arigatou…."

"What are friends for…?"

Touya smiled gently watching Akari winked at him and sipped on her drink.

"Is that you Fujisaki?"

Someone called from the back of Touya destroying their private time together. Touya watched Akari's cheerful expression changed instantly to dismay staring at the person behind him. He turned around to see three ladies maybe the same age as they were staring at Akari with surprised.

"It is really you!" One of them exclaimed happily. "How are you, it had been a long time!"

"That's right," The second one said. "We were all waiting to compete with you again!"

"How is your leg?" The third added in. "I heard a rumour saying you never came back because your leg was permanently injured. Is that true?"

"Hey girls!" Akari stood up slowly her smile did not return. "I never thought I would be seeing all of you here…."

"Are you kidding, its winter and this open air ice skating rink only opens once a year." The first one smirked slightly. "Are we disturbing you and your boyfriend…?"

"Friend…." Akari uttered quickly, too quickly that made Touya rather disheartened. There was a slightest hope he had that Akari may share the same feelings as he did. "This is Touya Akira."

Touya stood up and bowed politely.

"Ohhh, the Professional GO player…." The second smiled in a flirtiest way at him.

"You know about a GO player," The third one said in slight disgust. "You are weird…."

"You know girls, I would really love to stay and chat but we have to go…." Akari interrupted them taking Touya's hand into hers ready to walk away. "Well, bye…."

"Hey, one of these days I can't wait to get you to compete with me again!" The first yelled at Akari's back as she pulled Touya out of the place.

Akari ignored her and increased in her speed dragging Touya behind her gripping onto his hand tightly. She only let Touya go when they were rather far from the ice skating rink. She placed a palm on her forehead and took a deep breath.

"Who are they Fujisaki-san…?" Touya asked curiously. It was the first time Akari acted so anxious and uneasy talking to people and on the other hand Touya had a strong feeling that she was hiding something back there.

"No one, just some girls from college…." Akari replied not daring to look at Touya in the eye.

There was an uncomfortable silence as Akari kept staring at the ground her hands pushed deep into the pocket of her mink coat. Touya watched expression silently wondering why those ladies could have disturbed her so much. He was positive something must have happen to all of them in the past and it may be something unpleasant to unnerve Akari this much. Those ladies knew something but Akari wasn't giving them a chance to say it but what is it? Touya never knew that Akari had a dark past that she wanted to shut off totally. Even though it may be forbidding Touya didn't care, he still sees Akari as his most precious friend and he wanted to help her.

"Fujisaki-san, you don't have to be afraid to tell me anything," Touya pressed on, looking at her worriedly. She still looked rather disconcerted. "I mean I will always here to listen to you…."

Akari turned to Touya slightly surprised. Gradually she smiled at him softly.

"Don't worry, its nothing bad really." Akari replied comfortingly. "It was something that had disappointed me greatly but it is in the past anyways and I don't really like talking about it…."

There was a short silence with Touya deep in his thoughts. Something disappointing? He always thought Akari's greatest disappointment was Hikaru marrying someone else but it seemed like there was another incident that saddened her. What was it exactly? His thoughts were interrupted when Akari spoke suddenly.

"Wow, look at the time. It's getting late and we should be getting home."

"I'll walk you back."

"No don't trouble yourself Touya-kun…."

"No, I insist…." Touya smiled gently at her.

Finally Akari gave in and Touya walked her back to her apartment in silence. After a few moments of tense silence Touya broke the ice starting a conversation.

"You skate really well…." He began softly and notice by the corner of his eyes Akari stiffened slightly and asked. "When did you start skating?"

Akari was quiet for a moment looking slightly uptight before she spoke.

"At my grandma's house almost ten years ago…." Akari explained slowly. "There was a small pond at the back of her house and that was one time I went to visit her during Christmas when I was first year in high school. She gave me a pair of skates for Christmas and that was when I started skating."

"You were really graceful when you skate…." Touya whispered turning his head to look at her fully.

Akari's eyes widened and turned to Touya. Like always he was smiling kindly at her, gradually she relaxed and smiled in returned. That was a beautiful thing to say and Akari was grateful.

"Arigatou Touya-kun," Akari said softly. "That was the first time anyone had said that to me and I am glad you think so."

"I am only saying what is true…" Touya quickly turned his gaze away from her before his eyes deceived him. He couldn't help but look at Akari with much fondness that he was afraid Akari might see it in his eyes.

Soon Akari's three stories flat came to view and Touya felt rather disappointed that their little journey had to come to an end. Akari walked on ahead but Touya stopped watching her go towards the small building but she stopped before getting to the entrance and turned fully back to him with a huge grin on her face.

"Christmas is coming!" Akari exclaimed. "There will be a small gathering at my café on the Eve then we will be going to Tokyo Central to the huge Christmas tree before the countdown. Can you come?"

"I am having a match on Christmas Eve…." Touya replied suddenly for the first time regretting having an important match on a day Akari had invited him out again. "The Ouza match…."

"Oh right," Akari's widened as she remembered. "Gomen, I forgot that you told me about your important match! But you can still make it after the match! I will wait for you!"

"You will really wait for me?" Touya looked at her rather surprised but pleased.

"Of course, there is no way I am letting you spent Christmas Eve alone!" Her grin returned, held up a hand and punched the air. "So don't forget you do your best in your match! I will be waiting to hear your good news!"

Before Touya could answer her Akari was already heading to the entrance and turned to him again by the door.

"Oyasumi Touya-kun!" She called from the door waving cheerfully before she disappeared into the building.

"Oyasumi…." Touya replied softly even though Akari was no longer there his hand raised slightly in a modest wave before he shoved his hand into his trench coat.

Touya watched the lights came on in Akari's room before he turned away. A small smile grazed his lips as walked into the cold dark winter night alone though he felt that he wasn't as lonely and cold as he was before.

TBC

I am so sorry for the short pause. I just came home from Sydney and wow it is cold there! I am from a tropical country so its hot through out the whole year and lots of monsoon rain too but of course it won't get as cold as below 30c. It was almost 10 and some days below that when I was in Sydney this month; it is middle of winter!

BTW, I am in the middle of chapter 7 now... and about Akari's past, it will be reveal in chapters too come ;) Nothing drastic or dark just another slight disappointment in her life that's all... I wonder what it will be? LOL. I guess you have to read on to find out...