A/N: More hurt. So much hurt. I guess I just hurt the ones I love. Aha…. Still.

"A double jack, two shots of tequila, three of whiskey and a bourbon. Bottles, of course." Rima shoved the menu back at the bartender, who's resting bitch face became a wall of absolute bitch. Rima prepared her own condescending counter. "And make it snappy with a smile or no tip."

This seemed to adjust the bartenders' behavior quickly enough. She shrugged, flipping her hair back and scanning the crowd. It had been a while since she was on a date and normally Kain's continuous selflessness would be enough to deter her from her own actions. But, he was in the city on business so, she would indulge as much as she'd like.

Her eyes scanned the crowd as she pulled out her braids, shaking the hair free. Although her agent had insisted to keep up the Lolita act for as long as she could, she still hated her sleek hair in braids. After all, there were several Goth models who were allowed to wear it down. Plus, she reasoned with herself as she scrolled through her messages, I don't want someone with me because I look twelve.

She felt her lips curl into a rough smile as she clicked Sayori's profile, scrolling through the photos. She stopped on the only photo where Sayori's smile was real. The voice startled her. "You weren't kidding when you said you were borderline alcoholic. But then, that's by people's standards, right?"

Rima felt her throat dry as her eyes trailed up to meet her dates. "I mean… Wow."

Sayori blushed at the comment, tying her purse to her arm. "Are you always so articulate?"

"Sorry. Here." She held up a finger and downed one of her shots, turning to the other girl with a smile. "I'm Rima and, you must be, my type?"

She laughed. "Hell of an amazing pick up."

"As long as it keeps you laughing, I'll see if I can turn into a truck."

"Okay, okay. Funny lady."

"No, no. Ri-ma. Okay, that was stupid."

"No, I like it."

Rima tapped the bar, drawing the attention of one of the bartenders. "Can you move our drinks to the table and can we also get two fruity cocktails?"

The bartender nodded, gesturing to the waitress. Rima offered her hand, her smile broadening once her date accepted it.

"Okay," Sayori started once they were seated in the corner booth. "When did you know?"

"Oh, jumping into the hard questions." She answered. "Probably when I was about… Ten or eleven. Or hit puberty. Whichever came first."

"What was the scenario?"

"I think I was watching some stupid animated film and I had a crush on one of the main characters. Printed it out during the first kiss like any good stalker would and pasted my picture there instead. Parents weren't happy."

"No, I think every parent wants to know that their lineage will continue."

"Like, what does that even mean? Course your lineage will continue – I exist, hello." Rima smiled at her own joke as Sayori snorted her agreement. "What about you?"

Sayori's expression turned serious. "Probably… The year I went to boarding school. Just one person. And, I kind of…"

"Sailed on with that kind of knowledge?"

"Exactly. Never made a move on her."

"Do you regret it?"

Sayori shook her head. "It… Wasn't really like 'come here, I want to date you' type of thing. More like… An awakening like 'oh, Sayori, you like girls' type."

"Please tell me you're not one of those boring people who only focus on the girl without realizing the dude's pretty good looking."

"Oh, I hate that type. Admit that the guys hot and move on!"

"Right? I mean, just cause we play the same field doesn't mean that I can't appreciate their game."

"Exactly."

Rima tried to hide her grin as they both sipped one of the many beverages. "I feel like I have to explain something."

"Hmm?"

"I'm never going to be able to finish this." She toyed with the end of her hair. "I was just nervous so I… panic… bought."

"I make you nervous?"

"I'm… Really good at putting my foot in my mouth and I didn't want to screw it up."

"The people who say they don't want to screw it up usually aren't the ones who do." Sayori grasped Rima's free hand, running her thumb over the knuckles. Rima met her eyes, a slow smile crossing her face. "We've talked for five weeks and yet, it feels like I've known you a lifetime. So, Miss Touya… I'm interested."

"Food. Check. Candles… Low music…" Rima nodded to herself. The second anniversary year was something only those who settled or were actually in love made it to. Rima spun around the kitchen, eagerly hoping to find the small blue box.

"Looking for this?" She froze, the smile fading. Turning around slowly, she scowled at Ichijo leaning against the door frame, the velvet box in his hand.

"Nice of you to show up. You going to the airport tomorrow?" Rima asked.

"No. I don't need to see my husband rocking against another man."

"You were never married."

"By human standards, we were." He set the box down, gesturing to the set up. "What's all this?"

"Unlike the emotionless robot who never says I love you, I'm going to spend forever with Sayori and I'm doing it tonight so I at least have something to look forward to."

"Right." He leaned against the counter. "Don't you need the approval of your parents first?"

"They'll come or they won't." She snatched the ring, sliding it into her back pocket.

"Shouldn't it be more… romantic?"

"She gave me the a-okay on throwing it at her wherever we were and saying 'I choose you, Pikachu'. I thought this would be more… elegant."

"Mm…" His gaze never lifted from the counter.

"You know something I don't?" She questioned, crossing her arms over her chest. Instead of answering, he pulled out his phone and slid it towards her. With a raised eyebrow, she read the message. Instantly, the blood started to boil, the anxiety bubbling. "No."

Ichijo nodded. She scoffed, starting to pace the kitchen. "No… Just… No."

"I'm sorry."

"Why…" She slid to the floor, using the cupboard door for support. "Why not Aidou and Souen?"

"You're closer to me."

"Go to hell! I'm closer to Senri than you."

"And closer to Kain therefore…"

She bit her lip, batting away the tears. "I… I won't do it."

Ichijo sank to her level, resting a hand on her arm. It took all of her resolve not to curl into him. "With Kain leaving, you're the bigger influence."

She tried to swallow, one tear sliding down her face. "I'm… I'm not…"

Ichijo nodded, standing now. "I don't like it either."

"Do you know what he's trying to achieve?"

"I have my suspicions." Silence. He continued. "Make it natural."

"Yeah… 'Hey, Sayori, I know last night I said I wanted to spend my life with you but tonight, I decided I wanted some other broad'." She ran a hand through her hair. "Tak… This has to stop."

"I know."

"No, you don't know." She pointed at him, her point deflating. "Right… You do know."

"You honestly forgot?" Rima shook her head. She wasn't aware of the fluids escaping her eyes or nose until Ichijo handed her a tissue. "No crying."

Rima stood, trying to recall the fastest way to do this. Running a hand through her hair, she pulled out an empty container. "Empty the second plate, drink the wine and make sure she doesn't see you."

He nodded once as Rima took the chance to read the message again. Touya – break it off.

She was glad that Sayori was always late for everything. It made it easier to ensure she could enter the headspace of the personality she called 'bitch'. Only, it was so much harder when she heard her voice. "I'm home."

A couple steps. Rima covered her mouth. "Ri?"

Rima stepped out of the bathroom, avoiding Sayori's eyes. Even after all this time, all she'd seen… Rima exhaled softly, knowing the innocence had never dwindled. Sayori ran to her, examining Rima's arms, her legs, her face. With a furrowed eyebrow, Sayori turned her face. "Baby girl?"

Don't… She smiled. "Hey, babe."

Cautiously, Sayori gestured to the table. "What's… Going on?"

Happy anniversary! I'm cheating with Ichijo and you were just a game. Rima knew the amount of damage that'd do. She couldn't do that. Not to Sayori. "New girl at the shoot came over."

"Oh?" Sayori sat on the couch. "She nice?"

"Very nice." Rima sat across from her. "Very abrasive."

"Abrasive? I wouldn't acquaint that with… nice." Sayori inhaled, exhaling slowly. "You slept with her?"

No, no, no! No, baby girl, no! Please, see through the lies I have to tell! Rima nodded once. Sayori blinked back the tears. "How long has that been going on?"

Rima did the quickest calculation she could. "Five months."

Sayori nodded, pressing her tongue against her cheek. "While I was doing my debates?"

Silence. Inside Rima's head, she was screaming. She could feel Sayori shifting through her emotions. "We could try counselling. If I haven't been here enough, I should at least be told that."

Rima could feel her heart breaking. "I… I think we need a break."

How am I such a coward? I can't… I can't even… Say something worse… "Yeah, that's normal for couple counselling. I'll move out for a bit and we can figure this out. We can survive anything. You said it yourself."

Rima jerked her hand away from Sayori's reaching one. She felt her throat swelling up. "I think we should see other people."

Sayori nodded slowly. "I mean, I'm not going to be here forever so, I'm not going to dissuade it."

"Why do you have to be so damn accommodating? I'm a cheating, lying bitch and I want to break up!" She thought she had said it in her head while she fumbled for the words.

"… If that's how you feel." Rima's head snapped to Sayori, the words moving but no sound coming out. The brunette had her back to her. "But, those aren't the words I'd ever use to describe you."

"Just leave." She whispered to herself more than Sayori. "And don't look back."

The human did as she asked. Rima collapsed to the ground, the tears falling easily. She took the ring from her pocket and threw it across the room, tearing at her hair.

All throughout the departure, she knew she was broken. Kain hugged her tightly, continuously eyeing her. She knew he could see past the façade. Shiki was quieter when they were alone together for the brief moment. He took her hand and squeezed it. "It's not forever. You know it's not."

"Takuma?"

"Sayori. She's asking where she went wrong."

It took Rima all her resolve to keep herself from crying then and there. She arrived home alone, sitting on the floor with her back against the sink's cupboard. She let the water run against her back. Just another casualty in a war I never fought in. She tried to smile at the thought and closed her eyes, feeling the electricity flowing from her fingers. Two seconds and it'd be over. But then, it wasn't.

"The hell you trying to do!" Someone screamed at her, turning off the tap. She was surprised that he wasn't burned by her, her eyes resting on the blackened tea towels. He crouched before her, the purple eyes trying to get her attention.

"Why…" She spoke, the anger bubbling to the surface. "Why does Kuran want you so damn much? You're nothing special."

Kiryuu's expression softened. "Do you want me to get Sayori?"

Anger, anxiety, sadness… She shook her head vehemently. "No. What I want is for you to take a long walk off the shortest pier and keep going."

"T-"

"No." She scrambled to her feet. "I lost everyone I ever cared about because I don't even know!"

"You think you're the only one who lost someone today?" Kiryuu's words sank into her.

"I di.. I didn't mean it like –"

"No, you did." He ran a hand through his hair. "But, Kain basically ordered me to look after you so…"

Rima turned her face away from him. She'd focus on her grief for him after the Sayori hole healed a bit. "I don't want to be here."

"Yeah, Sayori's not going to freak out that much about it."

"No. I mean I don't want to be here."

Kiryuu studied her over his shoulder, eyebrow raising. "Am I on sui—"

"I just don't want to be in this apartment." She could explain it later. She was waiting for him to understand. How is this man considered smart?

Finally, he nodded. "Okay. Where do you want to be?"

"Distract me."

"Here." He set the suitcase down next to the cabinet.

"Why are we here? Won't Kain get mad if I'm here?"

"He shouldn't. He left it to me." Kiryuu straightened, watching her carefully. She knew she was shaking, the tears brimming. "Do you want to be left alone?"

She shook her head violently. "I just… I sleep when I'm sad."

"The Master's yours."

Rima lay in bed for hours, the shaking and uncontrollable sobs that burst forth kept her awake. Still, no matter what position she tried, her eyes wouldn't close. Perhaps she was spoiled.

Finally fed up and overly tired, she marched to the spare bedroom and banged on the door hard. Kiryuu opened it, gripping her wrist as she was about to 'knock' again. The violet eyes were darker, red rimmed just like hers. "You only need to knock once."

She nodded, following him into the room. "Uncomfortable?"

"Can I sleep with you?"

Kiryuu raised an eyebrow. "I only sleep with girls who are –"

"I mean actually sleep. No funky business."

"You mean funny."

She rolled her eyes and sat on the bed. "Do you miss Kain's arms around you?"

Perhaps that was the wrong thing to say. He hung his head, his fingers gripping the side of the bed. Shaking. Broken. He swallowed hard. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I miss Sayori's."

"You need to be held to fall asleep?" She nodded at his glance. He blew out a lot of air, nodding to himself. "Kain owes me for this."

"And you owe me for Sayori." She muttered under her breath. He threw back the cover and let her crawl into bed, choosing to sleep on the top sheet himself. One of his arms snaked around her waist as he rested on his back. "Can you sleep on your side?"

"Huh? Oh." He adjusted his position as Rima wrapped her arms around him, one hand stroking his hair. He almost chuckled. "Kain tell you that?"

"Mm. He said stroking your hair calms you. Well, that and tea."

"How does Sayori calm you?"

"Kiryuu." She tsked her tongue several times.

"Yeah, not doing that."

Silence. She curled further into Kiryuu's arms. "Kiryuu?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you love Kain?"

"Are you going to sleep after I tell you?"

"Maybe."

Silence. He bit his lip. "I loved the idea of Kain. Living in the country, enjoying our lives. Maybe a few kids."

"Kain doesn't want kids."

"I was thinking of treating it like the 'it's here so, get attached' dog." Rima snorted. "What about you?"

"In the city where she could be a senator. I'd have to go underground for a few years and become her stay at home wife. One to two kids."

Silence. Kiryuu spoke this time. "What happened?"

"Ichijo got a text from Kuran." Her nails dug into his shoulder. Silence. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Hey, all I needed was Kuran and I'm siding with you."

"Akatsuki!" Souen's voice was loud. Rima held her head and covered her ears with a pillow. Sayori snickered.

"Five more minutes…" She voiced, nuzzling Sayori's neck.

"No." Her eyes flung open, Kiryuu literally shoving her away from him.

"Sorry." She muttered.

"Do I smell like Sayori or something?"

"No… I was having the alternate reality dream where I didn't have to leave her." She smiled sadly, the tears threatening again. Kiryuu purposely kept his eyes hidden from her.

"Akatsuki!" More banging. Kiryuu opened the door once Rima was sitting on one of the bar stools. Souen stormed in, her accusing glare turning to Kiryuu. "Where is he?"

"He left two days ago." She was impressed with how well he kept his composure.

"But…" She checked her messages.

"Morning guys. Is there coffee?" Aidou asked, his version of welcoming amusing to Rima.

"Coffee just turned on."

"I love coffee." He muttered to himself, helping himself to a mug.

"Hana…" Her eyes met her fiances', her bottom lip quivering. "We missed it."

Aidou shook his head. "It's not forever, Ruu-"

"You." Souen flipped around, her lip still quivering as she placed her thoughts onto Kiryuu. "You're the reason. I don't know how –"

"Oi!" Rima shouted, stepping between her and Kiryuu. "I get that your upset that you missed Akitty's departure but that was because Kain doesn't like parties."

"Says his harlot."

"Harlot?" Rima questioned. Aidou and Kiryuu exchanged glances, both wondering if they'd have to step in.

"You have Kiryuu's scent all over you."

"Course I do. He's upset."

"Just jumping straight for whoever will put out or give you intel, right, Kiryuu?" She almost spat. "You never loved Akatsuki."

Rima spun around as Kiryuu's fist broke the mug. The hitches in his breath. Rima nodded to herself, her eyes on Souen's. "Shut up. You know nothing. You can make all the guesses you want but, in the end, you know. Nothing."

She wrapped an arm around Kiryuu's frame, helping him to the bedroom. "See yourselves out."

Not even thirty seconds in the room, Kiryuu held one of Kain's hoodies in his arms, muffling the cries. She sat beside him as he grew calmer, helping him wipe off any evidence onto a tissue. Silence. He met her eyes again. "I didn't get to say goodbye."

He lowered his head. She wrapped her arms around him. For now, she'd be his rock. And, he'll be hers.

A/N: This chapter was all over the place. Basically, Rima's pushing down her emotions for Sayori because she can rationalize Kiryuu will never see Kain again (as is the entire point to him going to America – until Ruuka gets her way, that is) whereas she and Sayori can reconcile. Also, quite a few people are going to be complaining that Sayori shouldn't be okay with Rima's cheating. Just hold tight, hold those complaints cause I know why she's 'okay' with it.