Author's Note: Well, Sammy left me in interesting review last chapter and I thought I'd share it with all 12 of you.

Sakana: glares at Riku as he leaves office hold on just a second Riku.

Riku: huh? eyes the young woman

Sakana: can you come here please? asks innocently

Riku: sure worried

Sakana walks by closet, pulls Riku in

1 minute later

Riku comes out with black eye and limp

Sakana: That'll teach ya. laughs evilly

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of Sammy-sama's characters. Nor do I own the Monopoly game or the song Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off by Panic! At the Disco.

……………………………

Chapter 3: The Crashing Tide Can't Hide A Guilty Girl.

"Will you marry me?" He slipped off the edge of the couch, dropping to one knee in front of her.

Ally's eyes went wide, but she didn't respond. This scared Soshi; had he done something wrong? Was he too rushed in his decision?

Tears streamed down Ally's face and she shot off the couch and ran to the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She pressed her back against the wooden panel, sliding down the floor, bringing her knees to her chest. Sobbing, she knew that this was it; she had to tell Soshi, but how?

"Ally?" Soshi ran after her when he realized his love had disappeared from his sight. "Ally!" The door slammed in his face, blowing his hair back slightly. "Ally! What's wrong? I didn't mean to upset you!"

This made Ally sob uncontrollably; he didn't upset her. No, she had disappointed herself. Six weeks had gone by and she never told Soshi what happened. "I can't marry you," she choked out.

"Why not? I- I can change!"

"No, it's not you! I…I…"

"What? You what? Please, tell me."

Ally opened the door, cheeks and eyes red from tears. "Soshi, I can't marry you because…I've been unfaithful," she confessed in a small voice.

"…What?" he asked. Did he hear her right? Did she say she'd been unfaithful?

"I…I kissed another man!"

"WHAT!"

"I'm sorry!" she sobbed. "I never wanted to hurt you. Really-"

"It's a little late for that!" he yelled, pushing past her.

"I'm sorry…" she mumbled, sprinting out of the apartment.

-----------------------------------------

The rain was coming down in sheets; the moon masked by black, ominous clouds. Riku was riding home in a taxicab when he saw a familiar figure with auburn hair. He closed his eyes, shaking his head, but when he looked back up, the person was still there walking along the sidewalk with no coat. "Pull over," he said simply.

The taxicab driver pulled over to the sidewalk, mumbling about how he gets no respect or something to that effect. Riku rolled down the window and stuck his head out slightly, blinking out the offending raindrops. He screamed down the street, "Ally?"

The woman in question turned, and, indeed, it was Ally.

"Ally!" the demon said in disbelief. He ducked back inside the safety of taxi, and beckoned her over with his arm.

She came reluctantly, but when she was by the car's side, Riku opened the door, sliding over in the seat.

Ally stared at the now unoccupied seat and it's former occupant.

"Come on," he said, soothing, but with urgency, noting the impatience of the driver.

She got in and it was now obvious how drenched she was. Her hair was dripping like mad; her clothes clung to her body, but something was odd. Was she crying?

"Ally?" Riku asked worried.

She seemed to collapse like a soufflé put under too much stress, bending over, pressing her head to her knees, sobbing.

Riku was stunned; he had no idea what to do especially since he did not know what was upsetting her. He placed his hand on her back, trying to soothe her.

They arrived at Riku's house about fifteen minutes later, and the demon led the distraught woman inside. He placed Ally on the couch and ran off to get a couple of towels.

Ally tried her best to wipe off some of her tears, and realizing how wet she was, she felt horrible for sitting on his couch, though she didn't move.

Riku came back with a few white towels, and placed one around her shoulders, and gave her the rest to use as she will. She placed one underneath her to keep the couch from getting any wetter and laid one in her lap for lack of any use for it.

"Now…" Riku started, sitting down, obviously worried about the woman he cared for. "What's wrong?"

"It's all over…I broke his heart," she sobbed.

He didn't need to ask who; he knew very well. But how could he console the girl when he had put salt on the wound that was her relationship to Soshi? If it wasn't for him, this would have never happened. If he didn't play with her fire, he wouldn't have to see her cry like this. It made him wonder how Soshi would handle her sobbing like this; if Soshi would handle it better than him. He gritted his teeth slightly; his entire body tensed. What if he was better for Ally than him? What if Ally didn't really want him in the way he wanted her?

Ally noticed his hand go stiff on her back, and when she looked at him, it was obvious he was angry about something. Being in her state, she automatically assumed he was angry at her for running to him to confess her situation with Soshi, especially since she had abandoned him for all those weeks. "Please, don't be mad at me. I can't take anyone else I love being mad at me," she begged, resting her head against his chest.

Riku was surprised that she was against him again after all this time. During the time she refused to speak to him, she became intangible to him like a fleeting memory of someone long gone (though she had always been slightly ethereal to him since the day he met her). He was so shocked, in fact, that he total missed that she had said she loved him, even if it only meant as a friend. He placed his arms around her, shifting slightly so one leg was against the back of the couch, one hanging off the edge and her in between.

"I'm getting you wet…" Ally realized after a few moments of comfortable silence.

Riku just noticed this fact and chuckled at his own obliviousness. "I don't mind…"

The demon looked out the window at the rain while holding Ally. She had stopped crying after a couple of minutes, and now, they'd been sitting like that for a good fifteen minutes, silent: her listening to his heart beat, and him listening to her breathe.

"Ally?" Riku asked softly. He received no response. "Ally?" He looked down at her and saw her eyes closed, lips parted slightly. He smiled; she'd fallen asleep in his arms and he took extreme pride in this fact for some reason. As his own eyelids began to feel heavy, he knew he wouldn't want to have this moment any other way with any other woman.

------------------------------------

The sun peeked out over the horizon, painting the sky orange, gold, and pink. Ally cracked open her eyes, the unwelcome light flooding her pupils. She slammed her eyes shut and nuzzled into the warm blanket under her. Wait…that wasn't a blanket; it was too hard to be blanket. She looked up, trying her best to avoid the morning light coming in through the window, and saw Riku, head resting on one of his shoulders, sleeping. Her eyes flew open. Had she cried to sleep in his arms? Oh, how embarrassing! This wasn't supposed to happen. Why did she run to him? It's not like he could do anything, not that she blamed him for any of this. She sprung up completely forgetting the sleeping form below her, or previously sleeping form. He slowly opened his eyes, stretching. He watched her hurriedly fold the towels from the previous night and unfold them again, dissatisfied with the job.

"What're you doing up?" he asked simply.

"I'm so sorry about all this. I don't know what I was thinking. I must've been a terrible nuisance…" She continued on, apologizing and apologizing.

Riku smirked. "I didn't realized this 'til now, but you become pretty eloquent when you're embarrassed."

She turned and glared at him. He merely grinned. She turned back to her towels, giggling. He got up, smoothing out his ebony hair as best he could, and went over to her and took the folded towels which she was about to unfold for the fourth time. When she tried to protest, he smiled and told her they looked fine.

"Why are you so happy?" Ally asked.

"Because a beautiful girl trusted me so much she fell asleep in my arms last night."

A blush rose to her cheeks. She jokingly asked, "Are you sure you weren't just extremely boring?"

Riku feigned hurt. He hitched his voice up to an unnaturally high level for a man, added a British accent and said, "Well, I never!"

Ally giggled, but quickly looked down, an awkward and unnatural silence taking over her. She still felt embarrassed about last night's occurrences.

Riku noted this and slipped his arms around her, whispering into her ear, "You can always come to me if you need some company, no matter what state your in."

Ally closed her eyes, taking in his musky scent unknowingly, but when she caught herself, she smacked herself mentally for absolutely no logical reason. She knew her relationship with Soshi was over now, but somehow it still felt odd being this close to Riku without feeling a tinge of guilt.

She pulled away and nodded. He called a taxi service for her and once it arrived, they said their good-byes.

As Riku watched her leave, he leaned against the door frame, one arm above his head, and mulled over the previous night and this morning. He realized how much more bolder he felt. The demon figured since he knew Soshi was out of the picture, there wasn't anything holding him back. Then he wondered if she noticed; he never thought she understood the depth of what he felt for her because for the time he had spent with her had to, at least, appear innocent.

Now, that he thought about it, they had barely touched each other during that month; she might have quickly touched his arm, or he might have "accidentally" bumped her leg, but nothing more than that. He remembered during that time he wanted to reach out and touch her, just to prove to himself that she was real, but he had to stop himself for fear of chasing her away. There was an almost impenetrable barrier between them labeled "loyalty to Soshi" that was now, two and half months later, non-existent.

He left the doorway, shutting the door, and once he turned and lifted his eyes from the floor, he saw Takara, staring at him oddly.

"Why did that reporter spend the night here? And why did you never go to your bed?"

He stared at her, trying to think of an answer. "Why don't I make you some breakfast?"

"Seriously, Daddy! Why was she here?"

"I think I'll make eggs. Sunny-side-up or scrambled, sweetheart?" He went into the kitchen.

"Daddy!" She tailed after him, trying to solve this mystery.

------------------------------------

A couple of weeks later, the newfound couple defied all odds and assumptions and remained by the other's side, much to the displeasure of Sakana, shockingly enough.

Ally and Sakana were editing a piece one Tuesday morning, or trying to. Sakana kept begrudgingly answering questions and was so rude to Ally that she snapped.

"Okay! That's it!" Ally spun in her black plush chair to look the younger woman dead in the eyes. "What the hell is your problem!"

"I don't have a problem! You do!"

"Me?…Oh, don't tell me your still mad about me cheating on Soshi!"

"I am!" Sakana yelled defensively, finally locking eyes with her mentor.

Silence fell over the pair as Ally lowered her head, trying to comprehend her student's reaction to this whole ordeal. Sakana turned in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest, but when Ally shot her gaze at young woman, Sakana didn't look angry, but remorseful. Then it clicked; Ally knew why Sakana was acting like this.

"You like him, don't you?"

"Who? Riku! N-"

"No," Ally corrected, calmly. "Soshi."

Sakana fell mute, wide eyed.

Ally smirked.

"I don't!" Sakana retorted.

Ally raised an eyebrow, still mischievously grinning at her friend.

"Fine…I do…" Sakana admitted.

"Then pounce while you have the opportunity!"

"He's a man, not a gazelle!"

"You know what I mean," Ally replied, rolling her eyes.

"I can't…"

"Oh, why not?"

"It just wouldn't be right…"

"Huh? It's not like I'm with him or even want him in that way anymore. I'm not stopping you."

"Yes, you are! That'd be like stealing a boyfriend from a sister!"

"No, it wouldn't. Here." Ally spun in her chair and grabbed a piece of computer paper. When she spun back, she was holding a fake certificate of Soshi's freedom.

Sakana smiled. "What was he? Your slave?"

Ally grinned for a split second before becoming serious again. "Yes…yes, he was."

Sakana busted out laughing and Ally followed suit.

"What are you two laughing about?" Mia asked, staring at the pair like they were crazy.

"Ally is giving me rights to Soshi…"

"Huh?"

Ally's eyes went wide, shaking her head furiously. No one besides Sakana knew that her and Soshi had broken up yet.

"Ally's letting me have Soshi," Sakana stated, oblivious to her mentor's actions.

"But isn't she dating him?" Mia asked, confused not only by Sakana's replies but Ally's frantic movements.

"No. They broke up."

"What?"

"Sakana!" Ally yelled.

"What?" Sakana asked.

"She didn't know! None of them knew!" she whispered, harshly.

Sakana's cerulean orbs went wide. "They didn't?" she replied, horrified by her insensitivity to Ally.

"You're not dating Soshi anymore? Why not?" Mia asked, hurt that her friend never told her.

"It just wasn't meant to be…" Ally stated.

"That's bull and you know it! What happened?"

"Can we talk about this later?" the woman said, rubbing her temples.

"No! Tell me no-" Before Mia could finish, Ally's phone chirped annoyingly.

She spun back to her desk, grateful that it rang then. After picking up the phone and placing it to her ear, she answered, "Tokyo Times…Oh…um, hi, Riku."

"Riku?" Mia said, but was silenced rudely by Ally waving her hand at her.

"Do you need something? Is everything alright?" Ally asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just calling to check up on you…Are you okay?" Riku asked.

"Yeah, yeah…Can I call you back later? This isn't the best time…"

"Sure."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Ally hung up the phone and turned back to Mia, knowing this wasn't going to end well.

"Why did he call? Get tangled up with Naraku again?" Mia asked, curiously.

"No. He's fine."

"Then why is he calling you out of the blue like that?…No…"

Ally nodded.

"You can't be with him! You can't trust him!"

Ally took offense to this. Why shouldn't she trust him? He had never done anything to cause suspicion in the slightest. "I'll be with whoever I want to be with!" As soon as these words escaped her lips, she thought, "That came out wrong…"

"He used to be a double agent!"

"He saved us! If it weren't for him coming to the party to warn us, we might've died!"

"Once! He might have saved us once. He worked with Naraku for years. Think about that." With that, Mia stormed off.

Ally glared at the hanyou's retreating form, but when she was out of sight, she looked at her own lap, and a single tear fell from her violet orbs.

"Ally?" Sakana asked, placing her hand atop her mentor's.

"I'm okay," Ally said, looking up and wiping the solitary tear off her cheek.

Sakana stared sympathetically at Ally; she never knew that Ally was serious in her feelings toward Riku. She always assumed that Riku was merely a fling to Ally, to be used like a tissue, then discarded. Her false beliefs were part of the reason why she was so mad at her older counterpart; she thought she was abandoning Soshi for something that wouldn't last. But who cries over someone they don't truly care about? Sakana looked down, frowning slightly. How could she have underestimated Ally like that? Slowly, but purposefully, she got up slightly off her chair and hugged Ally. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? No, you don't have reason to be sorry. I should have told them," Ally reassured.

Sakana remained silent, allowing Ally to think that was what she was apologizing for.

------------------------------------

Four weeks after the incident with Mia, the entire group knew, and most weren't too approving. Their friends only remembered Soshi and Ally being so happy by the other's side, but that was about 18 months before the trouble started. Almost no one knew the couple was having difficulties so it came as a huge shock when Ally left Soshi to be with Riku.

Soshi, however, was coping rather well. At first, Soshi became recluse, but as time had it's healing effect, he seemed to regain his old self and more. Just like Ally, a heavy burden seemed to be lifted from his heart after Ally no longer played her former role in his life. He came to terms with the idea of not being with Ally, in fact, welcomed it after grieving. He still though did not come to terms with her actions; Ally tried to reconcile enough to be friends but he wouldn't hear of it.

But today, Ally was determined to push all of that out of her thoughts and enjoy herself. Riku had invited her over to play a few board games with Takara and himself, and she couldn't wait. She always had loved Takara and Takara had taken a quick likening to the woman.

"HA! I win!" Takara yelled triumphantly, dancing.

Ally pouted jokingly and Riku congratulated his daughter while cleaning up the houses and hotels scattered across the Monopoly board.

Takara noticed Ally's overdramatic reaction and stated, "Eh, don't be a sore loser! Just because I'm more crafty-"

"You're just lucky!"

"Crafty!"

"Lucky!" Ally said, enjoying the mock argument.

"Now, now, children," Riku said, shooting a condescending look at Ally.

She faked hurt, while saying, "I resemble that remark!"

Riku chuckled and after the three finished putting up the game, Takara scurried off to do whatever it is that Takara does.

The couple walked into the living room and plopped on the couch. After Riku seemed to get comfortable, Ally snuggled into his chest, causing her male counterpart to smile. He grabbed the remote and turned on the TV and flipped through the channels till he found something he thought they both could enjoy.

The two sat in comfortable silence, and this allowed Ally to mull over previous events when she stumbled upon her argument with Mia. Her contented smile turned into a slight frown. It made her wonder, "What did Riku have to gain by trying to warn us? There was nothing…" Typically, though, whatever pops into Ally's head usually gets said within the next five minutes after the idea is thought. "Riku?"

Riku averted his gaze and attention to her, raising an eyebrow. "Hm?"

She looked at the white carpet, thinking, and then asked, slowly, "Why…did you come to warn us that day?" Her intense stare, previously directed at the floor now shifted to him.

Riku tensed his jaw slightly and stared at the coffee table, unsure if this was the right time to tell her.

"I mean," Ally said, noticing his weariness, "you don't have to tell me. I was just curious, but it's not important…"

"It is important," he stated, very seriously.

Ally's eyes widened for a moment. Sure, he was always more serious than carefree, but the severity of his voice cause her to pay full attention. She wasn't sure, based upon his tone, she wanted to know, but he wanted to tell her, so she might as well respect his intensity. "Well…did you have something to gain?"

"Yes. Very much so," he responded, looking at her. Their eyes locked, and Ally noticed that though his eyes conveyed the same sentiment as his tone, there was still something lurking behind the intense attitude. Was he reminiscing? "No," Ally realized. "It's sincerity." Ally urged him by asking, "What did you have to gain? Respect?"

"No."

"Well, what then?"

After a moment, he said, "You."

Ally furrowed her brows. "Me? But I still loved Soshi then. Even if I did leave Soshi for you, that still put your life and Takara's on the line."

Riku fidgeted nervously, not knowing how to put his feelings into words. He was never the eloquent type when it came to professing his heart's desires. "Well, it seemed an equal trade-off. It still does."

"What 'it'?" Ally asked, totally confused.

"You."

"But-"

"Ally, I loved you," he blurted out. Ally's eyes went wide as he continued urgently. "I still love you. I'd always been fascinated by you since you walked into my house that day two years ago. You were the only one who fully trusted me despite my past, and when Takara and I went missing, you were the only one who would do anything for us, seemed to be genuinely worried for our well being. I'd do anything to see you happy and safe. That's why I came to warn the group; I came to protect you the only way I knew how." He had said all this so fast like it had been building up for ages, like a dam under a constant flood, and he finally burst, spilling his heart out.

"Riku…" Ally said, trying to find the right words out of all the thoughts swarming in her head.

His courage staggered as his fears stepped in. "I'm sorry. That was too much information." He sprung up, trying to escape rejection, but was stopped by Ally grabbing his wrist gently. Violet met jade for a moment before Ally got up as well and took his lips with hers.

She pulled away, and looking him straight in the eye, said, "Riku…you were the only one who was really there for me. You didn't judge me for not wanting to be with Soshi anymore. You understood where I was coming from. You listened which is a hell of a lot more than I can say about a lot of people… I love you, Riku."

At this, Riku leaned in and kissed her passionately. After a few moments, they pulled away, smiling. Ally wrapped her arms around his neck, and his arms ensnared her waist.

"Ew…" Takara whined.

The couple's heads simultaneously spun, looking at the ten year old. Ally started giggling, burying her head into his chest, and soon after, Riku began to chuckle.

"What! Is there something I don't get!" Takara asked.

------------------------------------

The next Monday, Sakana was walking the streets of Tokyo, her destination being the nearest coffee shop; she had gone to get both Ally's and her drinks since the coffee at work was atrocious.

The young woman was counting up her money when she ran into somebody. Apologizing profusely, she tried to gather up her money quickly when both her and the person she ran into reached for the same dollar.

"Oblivious as ever, eh, Sakana?"

Sakana's head shot up only to see, "Soshi!"

"The one and only."

"I haven't seen you in so long."

"Too long."

Sakana blushed slightly. "So, how are you?"

"Great, actually."

"That's good…" Suddenly, something possessed the young woman, causing her to feel extremely bold. "You want to go get coffee? I'm going there anyway."

"Yeah, sure. I've got nothing planned."

"Cool." She smiled and thought to herself, "Where did that come from?"

Soshi turned, offering his arm to Sakana, lightheartedly, causing her to giggle while accepting his offer. If only he knew what he was doing to her.

They arrived at the Starbuck's and placed their orders at the counter. The server brought their drinks to them, naming the price, and as Sakana had just getting out her wallet, Soshi was paying for both herself and himself.

"You don't have to do that," Sakana told him, feeling a tinge of guilt.

"It's alright, Sakana. Just remember you owe me your soul now."

Sakana giggled nervously. "Agreed." she said aloud while thinking, "I've already given you my heart."

The pair chose a vacant table by an expansive window to sit and while sipping at the piping hot beverages, they casually talked about nothing important until Sakana seized the silence as an opportunity to bring up an awkward topic. "You know that… Ally's sorry, right?"

Soshi placed his cup down, an almost unnatural expression plastered to his face. It had rage, frustration, disappointment, and grief all mixed together so that it almost scared the young woman. "So?" Soshi asked, trying to remain casual in vain.

"She feels horrible."

"Then why did she do it?"

Sakana, taken aback slightly by this question, fumbled for words. How can she tell Soshi that Ally loved Riku? "I…She…She loves Riku."

"Heh, love." His ginger eyes lifted from the table to scrutinize Sakana. "Did you ever love anybody, Sakana?"

A crimson blush painted her cheeks as she looked down. "Yes."

"And how did it turn out? The relationship?"

"I don't know how it's going to turn out. He doesn't know."

Opening his mouth as if to fire back a retort, he realized he had nothing to retort to. "Oh…"

Sakana gazed into the depths of her coffee while admitting, "I'd like for him to know, but it's so hard to admit it to him. How can you just walk up to somebody and say, 'I love you'?"

Soshi stared at the young woman, knowing full well what that was like. In fact, if Ally had never been kidnapped by Naraku's minions two years ago, he might have never told her. "Well?"

Sakana's head snapped up, having been lost in thought. "Well what?"

"Who is it?"

This was her chance! All she had to do was say 'you'! "I can't tell you." She smacked herself mentally, thinking, "That wasn't you!"

"Why not?"

"Because… you know him," she explained, smiling.

Soshi smiled in response. "Can I get a hint?"

"He's…closer than you think," she admitted, smirking.

Soshi's eyes darted around the room before they fell on Sakana again. "Did you mean that literally or metaphorically?"

She laughed lightly before saying, "Both."

Chuckling, Soshi got up, stretching when his cell phone went off, singing, "Is it still me who makes you sweat? Am I who you think about in bed when the lights are dim and your hand is shaking as you're sliding off your dress?"

"Panic! At the Disco, right?" Sakana asked after he had finished his call.

"Yeah, got it a week ago."

"A little sexual for you."

"Yeah, but it conveys what I'm feeling pretty well."

Sakana looked at him, saddened. She got up and standing close so only he could hear her question. "You're not going to forgive Ally anytime soon, are you?"

"No…Can you blame me?"

Sakana looked down and admitted, "No. You're better than Riku could ever dream of being." She immediately regretted what she said, but despite loyalties to her friend, that is what she thought.

------------------------------------

Note:

:Subliminal Messaging: Buy "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" by Panic! At The Disco. Buy "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" by Panic! At The Disco. :Subliminal Messaging:

I'm done.

------------------------------------

The next day, Ally was sitting in a small restaurant, waiting for Riku when she was greeted by Kagome and Inuyasha.

"Hi, you two," Ally replied. "How are you doing?"

"Oh, good as always, right, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, scolding Inuyasha for ignoring her.

"Yeah, yeah," the hanyou said. The couple slide into the booth seat across from Ally, and a stern expression covered Kagome's face.

"Is…something wrong?" Ally asked.

Kagome leaned forward on her elbows, saying, "Ally… I've heard from reliable sources that you are dating -"

"A liar!" Inuyasha interrupted. Kagome glared at Inuyasha while Ally sighed, exasperated.

"Look, I'll give you two the same speech I've given to Mia, Artemis, Kane, Miroku, Sango, and many, many others. I'm going to trust my gut and my instincts think Riku is a great guy-"

"But-" Kagome started.

"AH!" Ally scolded, holding her index finger up. "My turn. I love Riku and he loves me, and if I'm wrong about him then I'll pay the price."

"That's what you said about that baby shower," Inuyasha grumbled. Kagome slapped his arm lightly, knowing how rude and offensive his statement was.

Ally glared at the half-demon, rage and extreme hurt welled up, threatening to take over. It was then that Riku walked in, and noticing Ally's tear filled eyes, questioned, "Ally?"

"Can we go somewhere else, Riku?"

"Yeah, sure, Ally." The newfound couple left the restaurant, but before they stepped off the sidewalk, Kagome stopped Ally.

"Ally, you know I don't blame you for-"

Ally held up her hand to silence the miko. "I know. Now, if you'll excuse us."

The couple went to Riku's black sports car, but before the demon started the car, he asked, "What happened?"

"The same thing that happened ten times before," she answered, looking at him as a single tear trailed down her cheek.

"You shouldn't get so worked up about this…"

"Why not? I mean, what would you do if someone said all those things about me?"

"I'd punch 'em."

Ally giggled, wiping the tear off her cheek. Riku smiled, leaning over the console, kissing his female companion's temple.

"Where would you like to go?" he asked, starting the car, enjoying the sound of it roaring to life.

Ally contemplated this for a moment before looking at her lover. "We haven't been to Sanctuary in a while…"

"Then would you accompany me to Sanctuary tonight at 9?"

"I would love to."

------------------------------------

A mass of bodies were writhing on the dance floor and Riku and Ally were in the middle of it. A rock beat flooded the club with a whispering voice singing the lyrics, "Is it still me who makes you sweat? Am I who you think about in bed?…"

"Hey, have you heard this song before?" Ally asked, yelling over top the noise.

Her male counterpart contemplated over the many songs he had heard in his lifetime, trying to find a match to the song in question. "No…I don't think I have…"

"Oh…" She had heard it before, on the radio or somewhere. Though she didn't know the whole selection, she knew some parts and began to sing along with the male vocalist. "I've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better fuck, and any boy you'll ever meet: sweetie, you had me…" As she sang these lyrics, she felt her heart sink and her stomach harden. She knew what this song was about; it was about a guy who had been cheated on. So, why was she torturing herself by singing along? "Let's get these teen heart's beating faster, faster!…" She pushed all thoughts to the back of her mind; this wasn't the time or the place. "So, testosterone boys and Harlequin girls, will you dance to this beat and hold a lover close?"

As Ally belted out the song, Riku wondered why she was singing this of all songs? Was it a Freudian slip of hers? Did she believe its message? He sighed, deciding it was best not to question it. The demon pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, turning it on after realizing he had forgotten to.

"Aw, don't do that! Takara will be fine with the babysitter!"

"Better safe than sorry. Besides, for all you know, a call I get tonight could mean life or death!" Riku explained, smirking.
"Yeah, right. Whatever you say…"

The song ended as all things must do when suddenly Riku's phone went off. "Ha. Told you," he said, walking away to answer it.

"One time you were right! Once!" She walked to the bar, ordering a drink, waiting for Riku to finish.

About two or three minutes later, Riku ran up behind Ally, pulling her off the barstool and trying to weave through the crowd.

"Riku! What happened? Is something wrong with Takara?" Ally screamed, ticked at how he grabbed her.

The demon did not reply and continued to march through the unaccommodating bodies. They reached outside, slammed by the cold night air, though Riku didn't seem to notice. The man desperately tried to hail a cab, but since there was many people outside, getting one was difficult.

"Riku!" Ally yelled, jerking her hand out of his iron-fisted grasp. "What the hell! What is so damn important that you have to drag me out like a disobedient dog!"

Riku whipped around, taking Ally by the shoulders, saying bluntly, "Soshi's going to die!"

------------------------------------

dances I am done! I am done! Oh, yeah!…

Sorry.

Well, anyway, this took me FOREVER to finish, but I think it turned out well. Longest of my chapters to! 22 pages! Oh, tear Sammy-sama would be so proud. Oh, my second cliffy, too! I'd figured it would keep y'all interested despite the fact it took over a month to update…smiles innocently. Sorry. I promise to be more punctual next time.

Also, I'm thinking about installing a system where if I don't get a review from someone besides Sammy-sama that I won't post. shruggle I'm a leo so I find that when I get positive feedback, I work faster. I probably won't though because I feel bad for the people who do read.

Will Soshi turn out okay? Who would want to kill him? Will Ally and Riku make it there in time! Tune in next time for:…Sanctuary!