Secret Cupid
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Chapter Seven
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Thursday, February 14th ...St. Valentine's Day

Rei

Rei sat on the front steps of the temple, overlooking the temple grounds. It was blisteringly cold, but all she wore was her priestess robe. She sipped at a mug of coffee in her hands, her source of warmth. The sun was beginning to rise, signaling the arrival of a new day.

The screen door slid open and Yuuchiro walked out sleepily, yawning. His eyes widened when he noticed Rei on the steps. "Good morning, Rei-san…"

Rei looked up at him and blinked, before smiling. "Morning. Would you like some coffee? It's in the kitchen."

"No, that's alright…" He sat beside her on the steps. "You're up…like really early."

"Yeah." She giggled softly, staring down at her coffee. "It's Valentine's Day. I wanted to start the day off right, with a sunrise and a hot cup of coffee…the perfect way to begin the day, ne?"

He chuckled. "To you, yeah. I like to sleep, like, a lot, though. I didn't sleep well last night though."

She frowned slightly. "I'm sorry…is everything alright?"

"Yeah."

"Anything you want to talk about? Yuuchiro, you do know I'm always here for you if you need me, right?"

His eyes widened and he turned to look at her. She was gazing back at him, a soft, concerned smile on her face. He smiled, nodding. "Thank you, Rei-san…that really means a lot coming from you."

She blinked and blushed, turning to stare out at the temple grounds again. "It's nothing…"

Yuuchiro stretched, leaning back on his hands. "I wonder if there will be many chores today, since it's…well, uh, Valentine's Day and all…"

Rei shrugged. "Shouldn't be many. I'm going to sweep off the path, and that's about it. Hey, later on, remember to put more wood in the fire for the bath. I have a date tonight."

"Oh?" He looked at her, pretending to be surprised. "That's nice…"

"Yep." She stood up and turned to go into the temple. "I have a lot to do today. School, and later I'm going to go shopping and buy a new outfit for tonight. If I don't see you later…Happy Valentine's Day, Yuuchiro." She leaned down and pecked his cheek quickly. She blushed brightly and rushed into the temple.

His eyes became starry, and he fell forward off the steps in a daze.

Grandpa Hino came out of the temple and looked at Yuuchiro, before bursting into fits of laughter. "Get up, boy!"

Yuuchiro's eyes were wild and swirlies had appeared in them. "Eh…heh…"

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Rei rushed out of the school, running all the way to downtown Tokyo to the shopping centre. She walked into a small clothing boutique and noticed two buns moving through the racks, bobbing.

She rushed around and came face to face with Usagi. She giggled. "I could recognize those dumplings anywhere."

Usagi giggled as well. "Baka, quit being mean!"

Rei grinned. "Excited because it's Valentine's Day, huh, Odango?"

"Yah!" Usagi squealed. She held up a long shimmering pink dress. "Look what I'm going to wear!"

"It's very pretty, Odango…come help me find something!" She grabbed Usagi's hand and pulled her to a rack. They began flipping through the dresses. Usagi pulled out dress after dress, holding them up to Rei. The priestess shook her head at each one.

"That one's not right…" "It's not the right color…" "Orange isn't my color…Mina would kill me." "Uhh, Usagi, I'm not your grandmother…" "I'm not your mother either…." "Good gods, I'm not your little sister either!"

Rei plucked a dress from the rack and a delighted gasp escaped her mouth. "Finally! It's perfect!"

Usagi snorted. "I showed you that dress five minutes ago…"

"That one was black, though." She twirled the hanger with the dress around, inspecting the knee length, red dress at all angles. "Yes, it is perfect." She walked to the front, and stood in line to pay for the dress.

Usagi blinked and rushed up to her. "What are you doing! You're not going to try it on!"

"No way. It's perfect. I don't have to!" She paid the clerk, and took the bag with the dress.

Usagi followed her out of the store. "Well, at least I was smart enough to try ON my dress before buying it…"

"I know mine will be fine, Usagi…stop being a baka. I know what I'm doing."

Usagi snorted. "Okay…don't say I didn't warn you."

"Sheesh, Odango…well, I'm going home to get ready…only a few hours before my date arrives…hey, you wouldn't happen to know who it is, would you, Odango?"

Usagi looked away sheepishly. "Mamo-chan told me not to tell."

Rei pursed her lips together and leaned towards the short blonde girl. "I'm your best friend, though…"

"I can't tell…"

"Please, Usagi-chan…?"

"I CAN'T…Mamo-chan said he wouldn't buy me any chocolate for a MONTH if I peeped a word…"

"I'll buy you chocolate for TWO months if you tell me! I'd like to know who the heck I'm getting all dressed up for!"

"I think you'll like him… though you'll never admit it."

"What do you mean?" Rei edged in close to the girl, her eyes wide and curious. "Who IS he…? Is he handsome? Dark hair? Blonde hair? Oooh, what color are his eyes?"

Usagi jumped away. "I can't tell! Chocolate from Mamo-chan is very special! You'll just have to find out yourself!" She hugged Rei briefly. "Sorry, Rei-chan. Good luck tonight!" She turned and fled down the sidewalk, bumping into people and… large poles… on her way.

Rei watched Usagi's injurious trip down the sidewalk for a spell, before turning and walking in the direction of the temple. She sighed deeply, hugging her dress close to her chest. 'I'm so nervous. What if this guy doesn't even like me? What if he's a jerk? Motoki wouldn't have jerks as friends, though… and these guys are supposed to be friends of his… yeah.'

She walked slowly up the steps, staring down at the stone blocks. Reaching the top, she looked up and noticed her grandfather and Yuuchiro rushing around the front porches of the temple. She frowned and walked up to them.

"What are you two doing!" She asked crossly, and they stopped in their tracks.

They hid the objects they were holding behind their backs, glanced at each other, and then back to Rei. "Nothing." They said together.

Rei raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I'm sure. Whatever scheme you're up to, stop it right now. I've got a big night tonight, and I don't want to have to put up with any pranks from either of you, got it? Okay, Grandpa?"

Grandpa looked down at the floor. "We weren't scheming anything, granddaughter."

She shook her head. "If you say so…I'm going to take a bath. Yuuchiro, is it warm?"

"I made a fire a while ago…" He said quietly… very quietly.

Rei looked at him curiously. He was staring at the ground as well as Grandpa, but a blush was crossing his face.

"Yuuchiro-san, are you alright?"

"Fine, Rei-san, fine, Rei-san!" He bowed and dashed into the temple.

She blinked and looked at Grandpa, who shrugged.

"Hmm…" She tilted her head. "He's acting odd." She laughed suddenly. "Well, it is Yuuchiro." She turned and went into the temple and into her room.

Closing the door, she leaned against it and sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "It is Yuuchiro…" She whispered.

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Grandpa tiptoed into the living room and slid the screen door closed "That was close…she almost caught us!"

Yuuchiro looked up from his spot sitting around a dining table. "Yeah." He stood up and looked around. "Do you really think this is a good idea, master? Rei-san and I never see each other outside of the temple… maybe we should go out?"

Grandpa stroked his chin thoughtfully and looked around at the room, where they had set up a dining table and several plants and decorative candles. "I hadn't thought about that. But my casserole will be stupendous, Yuuchiro. You must try some."

Yuuchiro fought back a cringe. "I would love to, master… but Rei and I should go out… we both need out of the temple for a while… yeah?"

Grandpa nodded. "Alright. It is your date. Do as you wish." He grinned wickedly. "Do not be feisty with my granddaughter. My eyes will be watching you!" He poked his eye in Yuuchiro's face… an unimaginable feat considering Grandpa's very short stature.

Yuuchiro gulped. "Ye-yes, master."

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Rei sat in her dress on the front steps of the temple, a sigh escaping her lips. It was dark, the moon rising high into the sky. She stared up at the few clouds desperately, her eyes desolate.

She felt someone standing behind her. A choked sob escaped her mouth. "No one came. It's… it's past 7:00… they were supposed to be here at 6:30…"

She spun around and looked up at Yuuchiro. "Am I that bad, Yuuchi--" She frowned suddenly, noticing he was standing in a suit and tie. "Why are you so dressed up? Are you going out?" She sprung up, and spun around to fully face him, her hair flying out behind her. Large tears were brimming in her eyes as she stared harshly at him. "I'm to stay here, miserable, after being dumped by someone I don't even know, while you go out and have a good time with some girl! That's not fair, Yuuchiro, that's not fair!"

Yuuchiro's eyes were wide, and he took a step toward her. He placed a hand on her cold, bare shoulder. "That isn't it, Rei-san…" He frowned. "Why wouldn't it be fair, though…if I was going out? I'm not supposed to?"

She stared down at her shoes. "You're right, I'm sorry. I just feel horrible right now." She shook her head and looked up at him with a small smile. "Go ahead. Sorry to keep you."

She started to walk past him, but he grabbed onto her arm. "Rei-san…"

She blinked and looked down at her arm, where his hand lay.

He removed his hand and blushed, but reached into his pocket and pulled out the photo of her.

She gasped and snatched it from his hand. "Kami-sama…" She whispered.

"Uhh…sorry I'm late…bad, huh? Late when I live here…" He laughed nervously. "I thought Motoki-san told me to tell you at 7, though. I'm sorry, Rei-san."

She stared up at him with wide eyes. "YOU'VE been my Secret Cupid all along! Oh, Kami-sama!" She shook her head furiously. "Why didn't I figure it out!" She sighed agitatedly. "Darn that Odango!"

She looked up at him to see him blinking rapidly beneath his shaggy brown hair. She laughed slightly. "Sorry, Yuuchiro…I'm just shocked, that's all."

He scratched his head and sweatdropped. "Uhh...okay..."

She bit her lip. "So where are we going?"

"I thought… I'd let you choose…"

Her eyes widened happily. "Really? Oh, great! Come on, then!" She grabbed his arm and dragged him down the steps.

"Uhhh…" He allowed himself to be dragged, all while muttering. "Just…be…sure it's…in my price range…" He sweatdropped.

She giggled happily. "And that is?"

"Free?"

She mockingly glared at him. "FREE?"

He laughed nervously. "I'm…just kidding."

She laughed, and turned back to the sidewalk.

'I wish…' Yuuchiro thought, sweatdropping. 'Any hopes for that guitar…gone now…eh…'

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"Not so bad, is it, Yuuchiro-san?" Rei tilted her head and looked at Yuuchiro's face across the table from her.

He looked back at her with a happy flood of tears streaming from his face. "IT's…PERFECT…"

Rei shook her head, laughing. "Valentine's day and we're at a burger joint. Insane."

Yuuchiro looked happily at the hamburger and fries placed in front of him. "I haven't had good food like THIS in FOREVER."

Rei rolled her eyes and smiled, picking up a French fry and munching on it. "So how do you know Motoki-san?"

Yuuchiro looked up from stuffing the burger into his mouth. "What do you mean?"

Rei tilted her head to the side. "Well, you had to know Motoki from somewhere! It's how you got...involved in this…right?"

"Oh…well, yeah, but…it was Mamoru who asked me…he and Motoki, really…like, they were in the arcade with two guys, and I was…uhh…getting a coke…" He grinned sheepishly. "I had snuck out of the temple to escape chores."

She gasped. "I HAD TO DO EVERYTHING THAT DAY!" She flicked a French fry at him, laughing.

He shook his hair, the fry landing on the floor. "ANYWAYS…sorry about that, by the way…but Mamoru told me about this and that you were involved…so I agreed to it, as long as I got to choose…uhh…you."

She blinked. "Why would you join just for me?"

He blushed. "Uhh…well…like…"

Rei furrowed her brow. "Yuuchiro…?"

"I…guess…I…uhh…well, wanted to spend some time with you outside of the temple. You're always busy with your friends."

"Well, yeah." She bit her lip. "Yuuchiro, you're my friend, though…sometimes I yell at you." She laughed sheepishly. "If you ever want to hang out, sure..."

He smiled slightly. "Yeah…thanks. You haven't yelled today…well, except for a minute ago."

She laughed and held up a French fry. "Not only that, but I have fries I can throw!" She popped one in her mouth. "This is really awesome. We're coming back here again next time." She grinned at him.

"Next time?" He asked, mumbling.

She smiled. "Yeah, sure…you're fun, when…you're not singing."

"What's wrong with my singing?"

"Hey, are you going to finish those? I LOVE French fries."

"REI, what's wrong with my singing!"

"Oh, great, you're not? Good. Yum. These are fantastic."

"REI!"

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Rei ran as fast as she could, laughing. She dashed into the park and hid behind a tree, gasping out giggles.

"REI!"

Yuuchiro chased her into the park and looked around. "Where'd she go…?" He muttered.

Rei jumped out from behind the tree, holding her heeled shoes in one hand. "You wouldn't happen to be looking for me, would you?" She twirled around. "Let's see, what is it what we've been singing when we don't think Rei-san is around to hear? Heartthrob, be mine? Need to get a woman like my motorcycle or things like that? Is THAT the kind of music you write, Yuuchiro?" She was laughing so hard now that she was sitting on her knees on the ground, grasping at her stomach.

Yuuchiro sat on his knees in front of her. "What did they put in your French fries? Are you sure Grandpa hid the sake away from you?"

She stuck out her tongue at him. "I didn't even know Grandpa DRANK sake. He does?"

Yuuchiro laughed loudly. "He hides it from you so you won't yell. And NO, I don't write lyrics like that."

She burst into giggles. "Are you SUUUUURE?" She fell back, but jumped up when her bare back hit the icy tree. "ACK! COLD!"

Yuuchiro stood and reached out his hand. "You haven't already noticed it's freezing cold?"

Rei took his hand and stood. "Wooo…it is. Kami-sama, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time."

He grinned. "I haven't ever seen you laugh like that…"

She sniffed and crossed her arms. "Well…you know, the temple is supposed to be a quiet, sacred place…" She winked playfully, turning and walking onto the sidewalk again.

He followed, walking beside her quietly.

Minutes later, they stood in front of the temple steps. "Home again." Rei whispered quietly. "This was fun, Yuuchiro."

"Yeah...it was…lots of fun." He gave her a small smile.

She smiled back weakly. "Not what you expected?"

He shook his head. "No, it was great. Good night, Rei-san. Chores to do in the morning." He turned and went up the steps. She followed closely behind, watching him go into the temple and retreat into his room.

She sighed, watching his door for a long while before finally turning and going down the hallway into her own room.

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Grandpa poked his head into Yuuchiro's room. His eyes were crossed and critical looking. "You didn't even kiss her, did you?"

Yuuchiro jumped. "Master!"

"You wimp! You didn't even kiss her!" Grandpa started laughing hysterically, and turned and slammed the door.

Yuuchiro grumbled to himself for several moments. Finally, he stood and went to his door, opened it, went down the hall, and stood in front of Rei's bedroom door.

'What's the worst that could happen? She could hate me? Well, she'll yell anyways…'

He sucked in a breath and knocked on her door harshly.

She opened the door with a confused, concerned look, one hand holding onto a half-finished braid. She blinked when she saw him. "Yuuchiro, what's wrong?"

He grabbed her shoulders, pulled her close, and kissed her.

Pulling back moments later, he looked into her wide eyes. "There's nothing wrong with my singing." He turned and went down the hall and into his bedroom, shutting the door.

She stood in the middle of the hallway and looked to the other end where Grandpa, who'd come out of room when he heard the knocking, stood, gawking.

Her eyes were equally as wide, her hand still clinging to her braid. She gulped and went into her room, sliding the door closed.

Standing against her door, she closed her eyes. "It is Yuuchiro."

She sat down on the edge of her bed and finished braiding her hair. 'What am I doing just sitting here?' She gulped.

Biting her lip, she sprung up, left the room, and went down the hallway to stand in front of Yuuchiro's room.

She knocked, and immediately the door opened.

Yuuchiro began spurting apologies, before she placed a hand over his lips.

She shook her head. Leaning up, she pecked his lips gently. "When I kissed your cheek this morning, I wanted to do that instead. Sorry for always yelling at you… you'll get used to it." She grinned. "How about lunch tomorrow? Same place…I need more French fries."

He grinned. "Yeah. Sure. It sounds great, Rei."

"Yeah…like, totally." She winked at him and turned and went down the hall and into her room.

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End Chapter Seven

Okay…so I had difficulties writing out Yuuchiro's character…I don't do so well, writing the rocker/hippyish guy…but I tried, hopefully it's not TOO out of character for him.

I'm SOOOO SORRY it's taken me this long to get this chapter out. BUT, I'm hoping to finish this story by Valentine's Day, so updates should come much faster now!