Hey! I'm updating! Happy New Years Day! Wheee, I think this is the closest I've ever updated! Wow! Anywho, not much has changed from yesterday, so... here are thank yous!...

To Kikyotheevilmayden: thank you! I hope you like this chappie.. its kinda sad, but its suspenseful!

To luvisgood: well, I hope 24 hours wasn't too long for ya... I know, I'm horrible, making y'all wait that long! lol

To mimato25cutielicious: well, this chapter takes a new turn, but still has the other story in it. Hope you like!

To Eat.Me: thanks, you too! anyways, hope you like suspence!

To PaochiCute: mystery and suspence... wait till the end of this chapter... hehe... lols.

To lazygirl: haha... I was considering that. I think I'll do that just for you in the next chapter. Lols, something nice to picture in the midst of panic. :)

To lucifers angel666: yup, i know, he rocks! Which is kinda sad... can you imagine how his kids feel when they hear some teenage girl (or boy, ya never know! lols) "OMG, I LOOOOOVE Billie Joe! He's SOOOO Hot!" anyways, thanks!

and here we go!

Mrs. Ishida presents...

Chapter 12

Mimi's POV

I can't believe it. I know it's the logical thing to do, but my heart just refuses to accept it.

"We can't do that!" I say in shock. How can he do this? Doesn't he know what this will do? How much it'll hurt me? Let me fill you in. Matt is still worried about that storm and fires and all that. Reading that article didn't help anything. He wants to leave. Even if we don't run into anyone else for days, he wants to go out and see if we can get out of the Japanese National Park. Not is it plain suicidal, it'll end our pact. Strangely, the last thing concerning me about this plan is the threat of death. It's the fact that it'll bring us one step closer to getting back home, meaning that we no longer can be together, even if he's only in it for the physical aspects of a relationship. Crap. I didn't want this to happen; I got attached again, and my heart will be broken. It's being broken right now. I can't let him know why I don't want to leave. He'd probably get angry for me getting this attached to him again. I bet he can't wait to get to school and be able to pick and choose, instead of being trapped in a cabin with his ex-girlfriend.

"Mimi, if you'd just think about it... we might as well kill ourselves now if we stay here. Don't you get it? We have to get out of here! It's happened before, and I think it's only a matter of time before it happens again!" he said loudly, trying so hard to keep his frustration with me under control. I couldn't let him do this, though.

"No, Matt, I'm sorry, but I think it's a horrible idea!"

"Why!" he asked, near yelling, losing his battle with his anger. Great, what do I say now? I can't just tell him "Oh, gee, I'm sorry... I seemed to have fallen in love with you all over again, and I don't want to leave this cabin because then I have no reason to be near you at all and have you fawn all over me. I didn't want to tell you earlier,"

"Because... because it's... suicidal!" I manage to get out before my stalling gets too suspicious.

"How is it any more suicidal than staying here?" he throws his arms up in the air.

"Well.. think about it Matt! If we leave here, we'll be going out into a place we know nothing about! It's cold out there, we could get lost or attacked by some animal, and not be able to call anyone for help, or starve to death! At least here, someone might swing by and we could be rescued!" I yell back. Silence.

"Mimi, this whole area surrounding this cabin is all trees and shrubs! this cabin is solid wood! We'd burn to death! Besides, if anyone hasn't swung by already, I don't think they're going to any time soon! This cabin is ancient! Even that girl Kira and her boyfriend didn't come back, and they said they were!" he retorted, crossing his arms, but keeping the same tone.

"I wonder why? Maybe, he was being an idiot like you, and said "Gee, I think it's a good idea to go out into the forest! It'll be fun! Besides, who cares that it's cold and windy outside and we could starve to death? And that fire, we'd be so much safer out in it than in this cabin, even though it's stayed up for ages!"" I said in a mocking tone. He growled in frustration. suddenly the wind picked up and shrieked angrily, like it was siding with him. It was weird... it was only one howl, then nothing. Then to our complete shock, someone knocked on the door. To our cabin. the old abandoned, dilapidated cabin that we'd been stuck in for days in the middle of Japan's National Park. We looked at each other, silent, then back to the door, not moving. When we didn't answer immediately, they rapped sharply at it again. How could they know we were here? Did they hear us arguing? Who is it? We slowly and quietly made our way to the door, and cracked it open. Two people, a boy and a girl, stood there. they looked to be about our age, but they were wearing ranger suits. They couldn't be rangers though... they were too young, in my opinion.

"Hello, we're the two park rangers in charge of keeping watch over the park, and we've been sent out to tell everyone in this area to stay where they are. There's a great fire hazard tonight," the brunette girl explained quite calmly. It was sort of creepy. She had such a serene look on her face, like this was all a dream. Her eyes were a piercing black, and she stood just a little shorter than me. I threw Matt a sideways 'I-told-you-so' look. .

"Oh.. umm...alright, but could you give us a ride to the staion? We've been stranded here for days" Matt opened the door fully, revealing the boy to us. He was a few inches taller than the girl, had black hair and brown eyes, and had the same disturbingly calm look about him.

"Oh, we know," he replied quietly. That sent shivers through me, and it wasn't due to the cold outside.

"W-what?" I asked shakily. the girl smiled.

"We heard about two teenagers who got left behind on a school trip. They're coming back for you soon," she replied soothingly. It didn't help much. Something just wasn't right. "But we must insist you stay right where you are. This cabin is safer than out in the fire risk zones."

"But wouldn't it be safer to get out of them before the fires could be started?" Matt asked puzzlingly. The boys look hardened.

"No! It's safer to stay here! Trust us, we know what we are saying!" he snapped, losing the gentleness of his eyes, making us jump a little.

"Alright, um... would you lke to come in for a bit? It's pretty nasty out there..." I replied, slowly. I reeeeeally didn't like this. The girl's white, white face was lit up by a small, haunting smile.

"No thank you. We'll tell the rangers where you are. They've been trying to guess where you went. It's funny to watch, actually," she replied. We smiled a little back at her, in one of those moments where you jsut smile after someone says something, as if you're acgnowledging what they're saying.

"Could you give us just one second?" Matt asked politely. They nodded, and he pulled me back a bit.

"Of course. T.K. and I must be leaving soon, though. (A.N. No, he isn't Matt's brother. it's just a coincidence.)

"Mimi, I don't trust them!" he whispered in my ear.

"What do you mean?" I whispered back.

"Well, they look our age... way too young to be rangers! And telling us to stay in here!"

"Are you saying you think we should leave anyway? Didn't you hear her? They're coming back for us! It's safer in here!" I whispered back louder thna I meant to.

"Mimi, they creep me out! How do you know they're not just someone pulling a prank on us?"

"Oh yeah, driving miles out into nowhere, knowing where we are, just to play some sick joke on us that could potentially get us killed!"

"Exactly! If we stay here, we will get killed! That's why we have to leave!"

"No, Matt, they're real! And I believe them, even if they are creepy! End of discussion, we're keeping them waiting!" I whispered back, ready to apologize for keeping them so long. I know they had to go back out to the rest of the park.

But when I turned around, nothing.

The door was wide open and swaying a little with the wind, revealing nothing but the dark outside. I gasped, and felt another sharp chill run through me. We both walked hurriedly out the door to see where they went. No car, nor truck, not a sign that they were there at all. Could they have possibly had enough time to get back to their vehicle, drive away, and leave me and Matt arguing? They certainly weren't walking through the ENTIRE park... no way, not on a stormy night, when there's a big fire danger!

"Did you hear them leave?" Matt asked me. From his tone of voice, I could tell he was just as spooked as I was. I shook my head.

"Matt, it's cold... let's shut the door..." I said, retreating back into the safetly of the cabin. This was all to weird for me. I was scared. I don't know why, but this was scaring the crap out of me.

"No, Mimi, we have to leave! We gotta get out of the area so we dont risk getting killed!" he replied, moving towards his bags. This pushed it over the edge.

"Matt! You idiot! You are going to get us killed if you don't get off this whole trip where you think you're right about everythng! You're not! We should listne to them! They are rangers! They KNOW what they are talking about!" I yelled.

"I don't always think I'm right!" he yelled back.

"Yes you do! I told you to take a break from your fucking band, but nooooo, you thought you could manage it all! I told you you were biting off more than you could chew with that, me, school, and taking care of your house for your dad, But you insisted on taking it all on, and in the end you only managed to exhaust yourself and drive me away!" I screamed. Id actually been wanting to say that for some time, but never got to. I regretted it the moment I said it, though. His look turned sour, and I could see the hurt I had inflicted in his eyes.

"Fine! Fine, you want to stay here, you can! See if I care!" he yelled back, hastily grabbed his bag, his clothes and everything else, and stuffed it all in.

"What! You're leaving?" I asked incredulously. Of all the stupid things to do!

"Yeah! I'm not going to stay here and roast just because you think it's better to stay here! I'll leave you the food and everything, and I'll see you back in Odaiba!" he roughly zipped up the bag and threw it over his shoulder. Tears were starting to form in my eyes. How could he do this? He was leaving me! And he would get himself killed!

"Matt! You're crazy! You can't go! You can't leave me! You'll be killed!" I screamed at him, my voice breaking. i rushed over and grabbed his arm. The glare he gave me when he turned around made me shrink away a little.

"What do you care? You hate me," he sneered coldly. I wanted to hug him. I wanted to slap him. I wanted to gush out how much I loved him. I wanted to tear him apart for how selfish and stupid he was being.

"Matt... please... no... I can't let... let you go out and risk... r-risk your life..." i sobbed quietly, looking up in his eyes the whole time.

Matt's POV

I couldn't bear to see her in pain like this, but I WILL NOT stay here! I know If I leave, she'll follow me, and be out of danger. I hated being so cold to her. It was hurting me to hurt her.

Mimi's POV

"Mimi, let me go. I'm going. If you want to come, you're more than welcome to. Otherwise, goodbye." he said coldly. I let him go, still silently sobbing, and as he walked out I sank to the floor, now crying hysterically. I can't believe I was letting the love of my life go out into fire country to die. I would regret this the rest of my life. But I couldn't go back after him. Not after evrything that just happened. He'd hate me, rub it in, and I'd be miserable.

How could he do this to me? I loved him! I loved him, and he goes and abandones me!

Of course, he didn't know I loved him still. And by my actions in the past, I'd probably presume that I hated me if I was him. Why didn't I just tell him? Why couldn't I tell him? Why was I still sobbing loudly on this dusty floor in a cabin as the love of my life is going out to die?

I stopped crying.

I got up.

I dusted myself off.

I wiped the tears off my face.

And made a decision.

I would go out, find him, and go along with his crazy plan. I'd tell him exactly how I feel about him. And if we got caught in a fire, so be it. I'd rather die by his side, knowing he knows how deeply I still love him, than stay here, knowing he's going to die, be rescued, and regret it the rest of my life, carrying the burden of his soul on my conscience. I'd better pack all of my things...

Matt POV

It's cold out here, but I could care less. I was kicking myself for how I had just treated Mimi; but if I was going to save her life, I had to go with her weaknesses. I'd apologize about everything,a nd hopefully, she'd forgive me at least a little. I was walking and walking, and waiting for the high pitched call of my name.

I soone came to a road. And I saw a pair of bright lights in the distance. A car was coming this way! I started yelling and waving my arms in the air. We're saved!

The car drove over, picking up speed a little, and came to a bumpy stop in front of me. A ranger stepped out.

"What are you doing out here, son?" an ancient man asked me. He was bald and short, and looked to be about mid 70's. "Are you one of the teenagers that was stranded here?" he asked.

"Yeah... I'm waiting for my friend Mimi to catch up with me... she'll be joing us soon," I said, happy to finally be found.

"Does she know where you are?" he asked. My grin disappeared.

"No..." I said, and told himt he whole story of what had just happened. He narrowed his eyes at me critically for a moment, then turned back ot his jeep.

"Well, come on, let's go see if we can find her," he sighed, and with surprising agility, hopped into the car.

Mimi POV

I had everything packed and was heading out the door when I looked over. The diary was still on the ground. Staring at it for a moment, I decided to take it with me. I don't know why, but I decided to take it with me.

It was dark and cold when I left the cabin. I stopped at the edge of the forest, wondering if I really want to do this.

Oh stop it, Mimi. think about Matt. you're going to regret if if you don't go.

Taking a deep breath, I continued on into the forest.

Matt POV

"You know, that was a really rotten thing to do to do to your girlfriend," the old man said after we had been driving around for a while. I looked over at him in surprise. I didn't really expect that one.

"She's not my girlfriend," I replied hastily, wanting more than anything to avoid this coversation.

"But I can tell by the way you're sulking over there you care about her a lot. And besides, even if you didn't even know her, that's still a mean thing to do," I sighed.

"I know, but I was angry! What else was I supposed to do? She's so stubborn, and I really didn't want to have to tie her up and drag her out of the cabin!" I defended myself, hoping that he would stop nagging me.

"Have you told her?" he asked, not fazed my tone.

"Told her what?"

"That you love her," he replied. I looked over at the old man again. He had a small, knowing smile on his weathered face.

"What?"

"You heard me,"

"Well... no..." I replied. He seemed to know so much already... It seemed kind of pointless to lie to him further.

"You should. Tell her exactly how you feel. You never know what could happen tomorrow," he replied wisely. I let his message sink in. A few minutes later, he added, "My sister died when she was 17. No one expected it. She was pretty, popular, and had a great talent for painting. We were devastated when she died. It doesn't matter how old you are, you never know what could happen tomorrow," he told me. I mulled over that in my mind for the remainder of the trip. I didn't ask him any more questions. Suddenly, his radio came on.

"Hello? Hello? Do you read me?" a voice came out of the walkie talkie. The old man pulled it out of his belt and pressed a button.

"Yes, I read you. What's happening now?" he asked, slowling down a bit.

"A fire has started, in section 4 of the park. Leave immediately. Reports are that is is spreading fast. Over" the radio turned off, and he replaced it back in his belt.

"Section 4?" I asked. If we didn't find Mimi soon, she could really be in trouble.

"Where we just left, and where that cabin you told me about is," he said, going faster. I looked at him in shock.

"We... well.. don't we have to turn back?" I asked, looking behind us.

"Turn back? Are you crazy? Once that fire gets going, there's no stopping it, and if we go back, we'll get trapped!" he said not slowing down a bit.

"But... Mimi! She's out there! In that spot! We have to go back to get her!" I yelled in frustration and fear. What have I done?

"I'm sorry, but I have to take you back to the station! If she's out there, then she's as good as gone already!" he replied loudly. I sank back in my seat, shocked. I killed her. I killed Mimi. Just to prove a point. I killed her, and now I would never be able to see her again, to hold her, to look in those beautiful hazel eyes and hear that angelic voice that I loved. Or maybe not. Maybe she was still alive! Maybe she stayed in the cabin! I looked up determined. We were going over a bumpy spot in the road, so he had to slow down considerably. This was my chance.

"I'm sorry... thank you for picking me up, but I really have to do this!" I said quickly as I jumped out of the jeep and ran back down the road. I could hear him yelling for me to come back, that I didn't know what i was doing, but I had my heart set on this. I had to save her.

Mimi POV

I don't know how it happened. One minute I was walking through dark forest, and another, I'm surrounded by fire. The air around me is making me cough with it's smoke. I can't go anywhere... all around me there seems to be fire, either already there or just spreading there. how long could I last here? The air was getting horribly difficult to breathe... It was thick and black, and I was coughing like crazy. But something seemed ok. Like everything would work out fine. Everything would be great, a little voice in my head told me, if I just sat down and waited. Waited for Matt, the park ranger, my mom... uncle Tom... someone would come get me.

My head was spinning so I sat down. I didn't even mind the dirt. The flowers around me were so pretty... there's a pink one, and a blue one... and one that looks kinda like a head if you turn at the right angle. I'm getting tired of waiting... maybe I'll just take a nap... It's nice and warm here, and soon, someone will come find me. then I can get back to Odaiba, see my friends again... be with Matt again...

I lay on my back and stare up through the burning trees. I can even see stars.

Oh look, what a nice constellation... two people, in each others arms, dancing... it's actually dancing before me... what a lovely couple... maybe when we get back me and Matt can dance like that... and be... a ... lovely... couple...

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Well well, what will happen? Will he get to her in time? I made up Mimi's delirium completely. I've never had this happen to me (being all dizzy-like like that) or surgery or anything. If anyone out there has, please, tell me about it and what it was like, so I might be able to go back and retype it to make it more accurate. Thanks a bunch! Happy New Years! And I'll try to get this finished soon! It's nearly the end!