(Author's Note: I had nearly forgotten about fan fiction until I got an e-mail about a review. Thank-you! You all keep me going! I'm really must apologize for not resuming sooner, but I started High School this year, and they actually raised the bar… But for now, I may continue on with my story… Until I get more homework… T.T

I have decided to do reader's responses, so here it goes!

Mua: I know, I'm slow… -hangs head- Forgive me?

Anonymous: I'm glad you like my characters! I was worried that some people would think they were taking over, and not giving the cannon characters their spotlight.

Gamer: You were the final review that got me going again! Thank-you! -hugs-)

Chapter Nine

Leave No Doubt

Meimi looked up at Lina, who had insisted that she stay. Though Asuka had no idea why the other girl was staying when they were only playing cards, Meimi did. Lina's worried that Junior and I might become close through this little get-together. Meimi glanced over at Asuka, who was studying his cards with so much intensity you would think that he was expecting one of them to disappear. If only it was that easy… thought Meimi sadly.

"Hey, Meimi! Pay attention, will ya?" Meimi looked up to find Lina glaring at her. Realizing she had been studying Asuka as intently as he was studying his cards, Meimi blushed, and looked at her own hand.

Before she could begin a movement sent her flying into Asuka, who was just as confused as she was. Dazed, Meimi looked up, to see that she and Asuka were trapped in some sort of yellow bubble, and Meimi noticed that Lina was trapped in her own bubble not to far away. What's going on?

- - - - -

Kimi chuckled as she watched her bubbles at work from just outside Meimi's room. Don't be so surprised, Meimi. Surely you didn't think getting the blackmail was my only goal of the night. Oh no, this second goal is much more important…

With a snap of her fingers Kimi made a half mask. It was black and sleek, covering her face down to the tip of her noise. So close, she didn't want Asuka to be able to really see her facial features. Kimi gave a small cough, clearing her voice. "Hello," she said softly to herself, her voice now sounding remarkably like Meimi's. It was a new trick she had recently found out she could do, mimic people's voices. Satisfied, she quickly put on the mask, before leaping through the window into Meimi's room.

"Hello, all!" said Kimi warmly. At the sight of Meimi and Asuka, she had to hide her smile. Since the bubble had forced them towards the center, they had fallen into each other. Kimi couldn't have planned it better. Meimi was leaning on Asuka, her hands placed on his chest. Asuka was not only allowing her to lean on him, but was supporting her, his arms protectively wrapped around her waist. It must have been instinct to catch the falling girl, but he had yet to let go if her. The best part was that neither of them seemed to realize how close they were.

"A bit cozy, aren't we?" Kimi asked, raising an eyebrow. Both Meimi and Asuka seemed confused for a moment, and looked at each other. That was all it took, and instantly identical deep red blushes broke out across their faces as the moved apart. Or, at least tried to separate. The curve of the bubble made them slide into each other again, and this time they were careful just to sit next to each other.

Despite how she figured she should be acting, Kimi couldn't help but giggle.

"What's so funny?" demanded Asuka, his face still red.

Instead of answering, Kimi stepped forward, and peered in at Meimi. "I guess she does look a bit like me…" Kimi mused. "So, you are Meimi Haneoka, my look alike… You've been stuck here with Asuka for only a few days, right? And already, he seems to love you…" Kimi broke off as stuttering noises from Asuka made her laugh.

"Though, you seem nice enough. I don't mind losing his heart to you! This time, Miss Haneoka, you are actually the thief. It seems you have stolen his heart!" said Kimi cheerfully. To her amusement they both turned a darker shade of red.

"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY? ASUKA IS MINE, SAINT TAIL! MINE! I-" The screams of Lina made Kimi turn.

"So annoying…" she muttered to herself. Calmly she walked over to the bubble, and placed her hand on it. Instantly, Lina was cut off. "Soundproof," she Kimi, for the benefit of her audience. She gave the bubble a light push, and it drifted towards the back of the room. Lina taken care of, Kimi turned back to the couple.

"Here," said Kimi simply. She snapped her fingers, and papers started to fall from nowhere. It was the blackmail, fluttering to the floor around the room. "There are forty seven pieces of blackmail. Make sure you get them all before you leave!"

"What?" was all Asuka could say. Kimi smiled at him, and snapped her fingers once again.

- - - - -

The last thing Asuka saw of Saint Tail were her eyes, before all he was staring at the full moon out Meimi's window. Asuka realized something he had never noticed before. Her eyes are like the full moon… There was no doubt. The silver eyes he had just seen bared a striking resemblance to the moon. He bit his lip, remembering that he had seen eyes like that before, he just couldn't recall where…

"Um… Junior?" choked out Meimi. Asuka looked down, and saw the that had landed partly on Meimi.

"Sorry!" he said, blushing. He helped her up, and was too deep in thought to notice that Meimi was blushing too.

"Saint Tail said pretty weird stuff…" mentioned Meimi. Asuka looked up at her in surprise.

"Like what?" asked Asuka. He watched her carefully as she turned her head down to look at her hand, which was tracing something in the carpet.

"You know… That me being a thief stuff… The bogus idea that I've stolen your heart…" mumbled Meimi. With a shock Asuka realized that she was tracing hearts.

"Uh…" Asuka's hand went to the back of his head, and he tried to laugh, but it was weak. "She not the most sane thief in the world…" he said, trying to steer the conversation away from his feeling. Like he had any idea about love and stuff…

"So… She was wrong?" asked Meimi. Her voice was very soft, and the tone made Asuka freeze. Why does she make it sound so important? he wondered.

Not wanting to answer, Asuka looked around the room. "Where's Lina? Do you think she left?" questioned Asuka, not caring how obvious it was that he was changing the subject.

Meimi gave a deep, shuddering sigh before looking up as well. "I wouldn't be surprised. Saint Tail wasn't treating her like the princess she thinks she is…"

"I wouldn't go as far as to call Lina a princess…" pointed out Asuka.

Meimi offered a small smile. "Yeah, I guess your right. Hey, we need to start picking this stuff up…"

Asuka nodded, looking at the papers that were strewn around the entire room. "Yeah… Didn't she say they were forty seven pieces?"

Meimi nodded 'yes' stiffly, and stood. Coolly, she began to pick of some of the pictures and other papers near her.

- - - - -

Watching from outside the window, Kimi frowned. She had sent Lina home, not wanting any interference. But what is there to interfere with? she wondered. Well, that plan ended up being a complete failure. Can't say I didn't try… If only they both weren't so dense to each others feelings… Or, in Asuka's case, his own…

Kimi shook her head. She just wanted the school's perfect couple to actual become a couple. Was that such an impossible idea? The only people who didn't seem to understand how perfect they were for each other were Meimi and Asuka themselves. Even Seira had mentioned how ideal they were, and Seira wasn't exactly the go-to person when it came to love.

Just about to give up and leave, something caught Kimi's attention, so she stayed where she was.

- - - - -

Meimi wheeled around, and looked directly at Asuka. I can't just leave this… I love him, and I want him to know it! The thought was strong in her mind, but she doubt that she could actually voice her feelings.

Sensing that he was being looked at, Asuka glanced up. At first he wondered what Meimi seemed so tense, and he nearly fell over when he noticed the tears streaming down her face. "Meimi? Uh… What's wrong?" he asked, feeling a bit awkward.

"I just can't… I need to tell you… I… um…" Meimi took a deep gulp. This was so much harder than she had thought it would be. She knew that if she couldn't find the words, she would regret it, but she the words just wouldn't come out. She growled at herself, making sure Asuka couldn't hear. Quickly, she brushed away the tears, and beamed up at him. "Never mind. It's nothing…" she said quietly. Anger with herself she turned around, beating herself up mentally.

- - - - -

Asuka shook his head. Girls… They're so confusing! Can't they just say what they mean? He started to pick up blackmail again, but the image of Meimi with her head hung, tears running down her face wouldn't leave him alone. No matter what he did, Meimi Haneoka was a mystery to him. As he thought it over, he realized how much he enjoyed being confused by Meimi. She was probably the biggest mystery he had ever run into, and he wanted to solve her. Startled, he realized how figuring out Meimi was more important to him than capturing Saint Tail, which had been his dream since Saint Tail had started stealing.

He whirled around, looking at Meimi's back, not quite sure what he was doing. He walked up behind her, wondering what he was feeling. "Meimi…" She turned around, not prepared for how close he would be. He saw her began to fall back, and his arm shot out, wrapping behind her back. Before he could lose his hold, he pulled her back up, and she fell into him.

Her warmth was a comfort, and Asuka wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. "I love you…" he whispered. He felt her stiffen in his arms. Though he was now scared of getting rejected, he didn't want to let her go.

"It's wonderful to be with you… It makes me happy. I love it when your around me. I may act like an idiot, but you just have a way with me… I love you…" Not wanting to hear any protests she might have, he gently placed his hand under her chin, and lifted her face. Hoping she would understand what he was feeling, now that he did, he leaned down, with his other hand still holding her close, and kissed her.

- - - - -

As Meimi felt Asuka's lips on hers, her eyes flew open. She wanted this so much, but she was Saint Tail. She couldn't be with the boy who wanted to capture her! Her feeling couldn't interfere with her work… People needed Saint Tail!

As she try to tell herself it was wrong, she found herself wrapping her arms around Asuka's neck. She went up on her toes, so she could feel even closer to him. She was Saint Tail yes, but more importantly, she was in love with Daiki Asuka. Junior was trying to catch her, true, but he was also the boy who returned her feelings. For now, she was Meimi Haneoka, your normal girl, in love.

She pulled away from him a bit, and looked up into his eyes. The blush she often got around her was now in full bloom across her cheek, rosy with sheer joy. "I love you, too…" she whispered softly. She bit her lip, trying to stop herself from saying the words stuck in her throat. '…but I can't be with you, because I'm Saint Tail.'

- - - - -

Kimi squealed with joy, at the site before her. In celebration, she took off her mask, and threw it into the air, like a college graduate. Her second goal was complete, and thus the night was done. Now all that was left was to tell Seira. As she went to leap onto the roof, Kimi stopped herself, and cast a glance toward the window again.

No, Meimi will want to tell her best friend herself. All's well that ends well! With that final thought, Kimi took her leave, and barely remembered to snap her fingers, her final trick for the night. A gift for the new couple!

With that final thought, Kimi took her leave, and barely remembered to snap her fingers, her final trick for the night.

(Author's Note: How's that? I told you there would be romance… So much fun. You must understand, I'm a fluff writer at heart, and derive great joy from this chapter, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever finish this night… What has it been, three chapters now?

Kimi: So do we all now understand who was involved in the romance?

Asuka: -blushes- Yes…

Meimi: -dreamy eyes- This has to be my favorite chapter…

Kimi: What about the chapter you met me in?

Asuka: Yeah, yeah. Hey, do you know someone with silver eyes?

Kimi: -looks away- No… Can't say I do…

Just as a forewarning, Paulia's is going to keep getting more and more dramatic, because that's just how I've thought out the story… I hope y'all liked my chapter of love! Read and Review, my beloved readers! Please! -passes out cookies- You guys keep me going!)