Hey guys! I hope you like this chapter! It's longer! Hahaha! Remember! I don't own anyone but Aki and the other characters I created! Okay? Hahaha! R&R please! ENJOY!

-Jenry Rye Cherimonde

They rode on their horses and started talking about how long it was since they've seen each other and how Aki managed to meet Miaka and Tamahome.

"I was walking down the street trying to buy the herbal medicine my dad needed for my little brother… When suddenly…"

"Wait a minute Aki… Your little brother was sick? Why didn't your father tell me this?"

"Well… Father didn't want to bother you with your work so…"

"So? So he didn't tell me your little brother was sick?"

"Um... Emperor? I mean Hotohori... Can we get back to the story?"

"Oh... Yeah… Sure… But… How's your little brother?"

"He's fine now… After he drank the medicine that Tamahome gave me…"

"Tamahome gave you the herbal medicine?"

"Um… Actually Miaka did… With Tamahome…"

"Ah… I see… But when did this happen?"

"When Tamahome visited his family… with Miaka… I met them when I saw Tamahome. Well... I've met Tamahome long before I met you... But for some reason... You're much closer to me than he has been."

"Hmm… Yes... Yes… I see… You live at the same village... Right?"

"Yup!" Aki smiled at him but Hotohori seemed to be bothered by something. "Hey Hotohori?"

"Yes Aki?"

"If you really love someone… Should you tell them how you feel? Even… Even if you know that you can't be with that… Someone?"

"Well…"

:FLASHBACK:

Hotohori embraces Miaka and says I love you to her many times.

:END OF FLASHBACK: (What a short flashback)

"Yes Aki… I think you should… It would be better than keeping your feelings to yourself…"

"Ah! I see… Hey Hotohori? Did you tell Miaka how much you loved her?"

"Huh?" Hotohori looked startled at the question Aki gave him. "Um… Yes… Yes I did…"

"Wow… You must be pretty brave to say those words to her… Even if you knew that she has Tamahome already."

"Thank you for saying that Aki… I appreciate that… So… Why ask me that question? Is there someone you want to say I love you to?"

"Well…"

"Well?"

"Um... Maybe?"

Silence filled the air as they rode on for hours. They looked at neither one another as Aki answered Hotohori's question, because deep down inside Aki, she knew that she and Hotohori will never be together. Or will they?

"Um… Aki? Who is this…"

As Hotohori asked who was the lucky man Aki cuts him off by asking him "Emperor Hotohori? Can we rest for a little while? Star is getting tired… (Star is the horse of Aki's dad)"

"Oh okay... Hmm… But we should find a good spot… Ahah! There's a good spot! We could rest there for a while!" Hotohori said as he pointed at the lake.

"Thanks Emperor! I mean Hotohori…" Aki said blushing at him.

"No problem! Let's go!" He looked at her and smiled "Aki… Remember when I visited you and your dad?"

"Yes... I do... You were all dressed up when you came into our cottage…" Aki said making a face.

"And you on the other hand were in your nightdress!" Hotohori chuckled and Aki laughed as they arrived near the lake.

"Oooo... Oh! Yes! I remember that!For the first time ever, I saw you smile..."

"Well... For me it was the first time I saw a beautiful girl in a nightdress."

"Oh... Um.." Aki blushed as Hotohori dismounted his horse.

"I think you should dismount your horse too.Star looks very tired." Hotohori made a hand gesture to assist on dismounting the horse but unfortunately, she slipped andfell on top ofHotohori and accidentally kissed him!

:Aki's thoughts:

Oh my gawd… What have I done… No… We can't be together… Don't think of that Aki… You forgot about him long ago! Don't fall for him again... Please… Don't… Don't let me fall for you…

:End of Aki's thoughts:

:Hotohori's thoughts:

Aki..? Is she the one? Her lips are so soft… But… She might not love me… What is this feeling… Is it… True Love..? Is she really the one for me. The one who will save me... From.. The pain I'm feeling... The loneliness... I'm feeling...

:End of Hotohori's thoughts:

Aki and Hotohori just stared at each other, eyes widened and both very startled. Then, Aki stood up, looked away and walked away.

"Aki... wait..." Hotohori said as he stood up.

"I'm sorry Hotohori... I didn't mean too... I'm really sorry..."

Wow... Hahaha! Um... Nothing to say. Anyway R&R please! Criticism is always welcome!

-Jenry Rye Cherimonde