Rikku: Hey everyone! I know it's been awhile since I last updated but with summer vacation going on, there's barely anytime to type. So, sorry for the late update and making you wait.

Thanks a lot to:

Nakashima-Michiyo: Thanks! :) XD Rurouni Kenshin is that good, ne?

crystalwish: XD I think she should too!

spirit mediator: Thanks!! :D

Sentra: Don't worry, I'll bring Horo-kun back into the picture soon.

saber-kon: Thanks again saber! I'll be glad to read your story- I hope I'll be the first! Lol, I like crying too- especially when giant anime-like fountains come out! XD

chibiwi: Everyone keeps saying that it's sad! :) Of course there'll be a happy ending.

silverphoenix: Thanks for the review! Lol, I know I spell things wrong, 'cause I type to fast. :) Thanks for the pointers.

syaoranz gurl: Thanks!

shaman7: Thanks for reviewing! :)

Rikku: I think I might bring HoroHoro back into this chapter, but then again, who knows? This chapter might be fairly long- you know, a tad bit more than my average amount, so you better bet there'll be a lot of events happening. :)

Good news! I finished the first chapter of my newest fic, which I don't plan on posting up until I finish Winter of Love, but I think I already mentioned that. ;) Once again, check out my profile for details...

Enough rambling, here's the chapter I kept you waiting for...

Enjoy... (D'you notice I say that almost everytime I start a chapter? :P It almost makes it sound mysterious, as if something big were to happen... Oh shit, now I'm rambling again.)

Winter of Love

Chapter 15: Too Close for Comfort?

"You came to see me... what joy!" I murmered sarcastically to the boy sitting opposite of me.

Kamui smirked and layed back on the couch he took to himself. "Of course I came! We're getting married in a matter of a few days and I thought I'd run some things by you first."

I kicked my feet onto the short, but long table that sat between Kamui's couch and mine. I sunk into my own sofa. "Why do I get the distinct feeling that this is more of a play to you than a marriage ceremony?"

Kamui didn't answer my question. "And why do I get the feeling that you're not so thrilled about this?"

I laughed loudly. "Took you long enough."

The celebrity before me frowned. "You're not so accustomed to arranged marriages, are you?"

"Ha!" I snorted. "How could I be? I've never been married before, let alone arranged to!"

My 'fiancee' remained calm. "You really don't like me, do you?"

"Why is it that you always have a question ready for me?" I casted my eyes heavenward in an annoyed manner. "And why is it so hard to believe that there's actually a female in this world that doesn't like you?"

Kamui grinned. "You're making me sound arrogant."

"Only because you are?"

"How's everything in here?"

Kamui and I sharply turned to see the source of the voice. Yoshiko stood in the open frame of the door with the same clipboard in her hands. "I hope you two are getting along."

"Oh we're having tons of fun!" I shouted, once again in a sarcastic manner.

Yoshiko played along. "Oh that's great to hear!"

Kamui cleared his throat for attention. "If you wouldn't mind, could you possibly leave us alone for a-"

"And how is it in this room?" Yoshiko cut him in. She made it seem as if she hadn't heard him, but I knew otherwise. I tried hard to surpress a laugh. "Is it cozy enough?"

I clasped my hands together like a crazed fangirl would have normally done. "It's, like, great! Like, it's never, like, been better!"

I had a feeling Kamui was catching onto our act, but I ignored him anyway. "That's perfect!" Yoshiko squealed. "You know, your father was worried that the game room wouldn't serve as a proper meeting room, but I told him you wouldn't mind."

Kamui sighed impatiently. "Listen-"

"I think I'll be leaving now, enjoy yourselves!" Yoshiko smiled, turning on her heel. She placed a hand on the door's handle before turning back to look at me.

'Help me!' I mouthed.

"Gambatte kudasai! (Keep your chin up!)" I could faintly hear her whisper.

She exited the room without another word. Kamui watched the door shut in her wake before turning back to me. "Who's she?"

I shrugged. "She just happens to be my only friend in this hellhole."

"I see..."

"And here I thought you were nothing but a blind, perverted loser!"

"I don't need to take this." Kamui leant forward, a hard glare darkening his face.

"Then call off the wedding." I stated, leaning forward as well so that our noses almost touched. Time to pull on the charm. "Onegai? (Please?)"

For a moment, we merely stared at one another- before Kamui finally spoke. "You're really cute, you know." he suddenly grinned, retreating back to comfortably lay back into his couch.

I groaned- that wasn't the answer I was looking for, apparently, he wasn't that much of an idiot. "So... you're a shaman, huh?"

"Uh-huh..." Kamui replied, training his focus on the ceiling. "I heard that boyfriend of yours is too."

It was the first time Kamui had spoken of Horo. I fidgetted in my seat uneasily. "Yeah..."

"I've heard about him numerous times." he shrugged. "Baka to have left you, ne? (Fool to have left you, don't you think?)"

I glared at him with such hate. "He didn't leave me."

"Oh?"

"I was forced to leave him... and forced to come here and marry you."

"So then... why'd you tell my father you wanted to marry me?"

"Because..." I bit my bottom lip. "... I have to go through with this or Akira... my father... he'll hurt Horo."

"Ahh... that's the name of your boyfriend." Kamui stroked his chin, as if thinking something over. "Gomen nasai (I'm sorry), I pity you, but-"

"I don't need your pity." I spat. "Pity is for the weakened that look for another's compassion only to feel wanted." I ran through the stats, avoiding his eyes and directing them to something a lot more interesting- for instance, the floor. "Feeling wanted by you of all people couldn't make me feel more low."

"Ouch..." he smirked. "Harsh."

I looked back at him with an expecting glance. "You were saying?"

"Oh, right..." the boy latched his fingers together. "Even though my heart's been torn in two by your tragic tale-"

"Ha!"

"- I'm not going to call off the wedding. Marrying you is for the good of my father's company and your's as well, and-"

"Aha! So that's what I've been reduced to! Thanks, I've been wondering for awhile." I knew I was beginning to get on his nerves, and that was why I continued interrupting him. He could take my annoyance, couldn't he?

"- and every shaman needs a good wife, ne?"

"Not the ones that are actually honourable and don't depend on their fathers to get them girls."

"You can KEEP talking," he chuckled. "I know you're not annoying me."

I clenched my teeth together. "Is this 'meeting' done yet?"

"Almost." Kamui tucked his hands comfortably behind his head. "You're okay with the whole Church thing, right?"

I sighed and relaxed into the couch I sat upon. "Whatever. It's not like I actually have a say anymore..."

"That's the spirit!" Kamui joked. "Don't worry, in years to come, I'll make you the happiest wife ever."

"And how many years will that take, exactly?" I questioned. "20? 50? 100?"

"Haha, very funny." the shaman suddenly pulled himself off the couch. "You'll get used to me, don't worry. And about the wedding..." he stopped his walk over to the door. "Just make sure you're ready and looking good. That's all I came here to say."

I watched him uneasily as he walked out the door and waited for it to shut tight. "Happiest wife? Heh, good luck with that, lowlife kisama... (bastard)."

"Chikuso, (damnit) he's even more of a jerk than before."

"Ahh... he can't be that bad!" Yoshiko smiled. She steadied herself on the edge of the diving board, took in a deep breath, and engaged into the water with a top-ranked dive. I watched as she emerged from the water, taking even more deep breaths. "I mean, he's cute and all."

"...And for some strange reason, I find myself more attracted to an insect..." I muttered. I had my elbows propped on the stoney edge of the pool and my face buried in them. I looked up and sighed. "He's arrogant, annoying and conceited. God only knows how he can fit that FAT head of his through doorways..."

Yoshiko swam to the stairs leading in and out of the pool. She made her way back to the diving board and started up the ladder again. "Maybe he was right... maybe you'll get use to him- given the time, that is."

I laughed. "I don't think there's enough time in the world to accomplish that." I watched Yoshiko dive in once again before I began swimming a few laps, eventually stopping ten to fifteen minutes later. I noticed Yoshiko had been swimming too, but most of the time she had been diving. "Yoshiko-chan... you sure like diving a lot, ne?"

"I guess so." the woman chuckled. "I'm just waiting for your father to install a taller board. Four feet above the water is barely tall enough."

I examined the board sharply. "I think it's fine." I shrugged. "Besides, I'm not much of a diver anyway."

Yoshiko just smiled. She was doing that a lot lately. Particularly because she was on her first vacation since what seemed to be years... I had only been at the mansion for three weeks or so, but I already knew she deserved it. Yoshiko was hard-working and dedicated to her job, and it was about time she had a break. Plus, even though it was her time off, she still managed to make visits to the mansion just to reassure me and make sure I was alright. "Hey, are you hungry? I'll order pizza, Miho-chan."

"Sure." I climbed out of the water and wrapped my body with a towel. I was wearing a blue swimsuit- two-pieces actually. The top was styled like a tank-top, and the bottom like shorts. Yoshiko, on the other hand, was wearing a black bikini. I trotted over to my jeans nearby and fished my hand into the pockets. "Kuso, (shit) I have no money though!"

Yoshiko laughed. She hopped out of the pool but instead of turning toward the diving board again, she headed toward me. She pulled a celphone out of her own jacket which layed beside my own clothes. "I'll pay for it!"

Before I could protest or tell her I'd owe her back as soon as possible, she had already started dialing a number. She pulled the phone to her ear. "Yeah, I'd like to order pizza..."

I had tuned out of the conversation as I buried my head in a towel and made an effort to dry my long hair. Suddenly, I heard faint footsteps and pulling the towel off my head, I realised who it actually was.

"Hey."

"Ahhh!!!!"

Yoshiko swung around rapidly, with the phone still to her ear. Her eyes snapped wide open once she caught sight of my visitor.

I glared daggers at the unwelcomed guest. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Kamui snorted. "Seems someone isn't very happy to see me."

"Of course I'm not happy!" I thundered. Kamui was obviously the last person I wanted to see. "Wasn't one fucking meeting enough? I'm getting married to you! You'll be seeing me EVERYDAY after that! Why can't you leave me alone while I'm single!?"

Kamui laughed and slumped into the sunbed beside me. "Miho Aoyama... I like the sound of that."

"Don't avoid my questions."

"Huh? Oh yeah..." He grinned. "Your father called me over. He said he wanted us to talk more and when he told me you were out swimming, I knew I couldn't miss that." His eyes became suspicious as they eyed my body carefully. Unexpectedly, his hand withdrew from his side as it suddenly found it way to me backside (Rikku: You know what side I mean) with an echoing 'smack'.

"Pervert!" I cried turning on my heel to avoid another slap.

"I think I'll leave now..." Yoshiko said nervously, gathering up her clothes and trotting into the mansion.

Kamui laughed. "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

I pointed in the direction of the mansion. "Demasu!! (Leave!!)"

"Not yet."

"Ima! (Now!)"

"No can do."

"God, you annoy me!"

"Thanks."

I groaned and slouched into the sunbed beside Kamui's. "I give up."

"Ah, come on!" Kamui patted my shoulder reassuringly. "Don't act so gloomy. I'm not that bad, am I? You're only upset because I'm not that... 'Hori' guy..."

"Horo."

"Whatever."

I sighed. "Kamui, that's not the reason..."

"Oh, then what is?" he raised a brow.

I opened my mouth to respond, only to be interrupted by a familiar ring. My celphone. I rummaged through my pile of clothes and eventually found it in the pocket of my sweater. I brought it to my ear curiously... who would be calling? "Hello?"

I heard a faint muffling sound before a voice finally picked up. "Miho..."

I felt my knees weaken once I realised who it was. I quickly pulled myself off the sunbed to walk over to the pool, far from Kamui. "H-Horo?"

"I miss you."

I felt myself on the verge of tears... hearing his voice... for some unknown reason, I could feel it calming my nerves already. "I miss you too..."

"Hey, is that your boyfriend?"

I turned around to give Kamui a harsh glare for interrupting my phone call.

"So that's your fiancee, huh?" Horo suddenly asked.

I turned away from Kamui in mild shock. "I guess Yoh told you then..."

"Yeah... yeah, he did." Horo paused. "Miho, I'm sorry I didn't call before... I was just so confused, I-"

"Horo," I cut in. "you don't need to explain... I'm just so relieved to hear your voice right now."

"I know... it's been too long."

I could already feel the tears that had formed in my eyes roll down my cheeks. But they were soon betrayed by the smile that danced upon my lips... "Horo... if Yoh told you I'm here, then that obviously means you have a plan already, right?"

"Well not exactly..."

I chuckled lightly... same ol' Horo...

"But don't worry," he continued. "I'm gonna get you back before you marry that guy... I promise."

"I'll wait for you then." I whispered, making sure Kamui couldn't hear.

"Are you done?" the celebrity behind me whined in an irritated manner.

I rolled my eyes. "I have to go..."

"He's that annoying, eh?" Horo chuckled.

"Yeah, he is." I sighed. "Goodbye then."

"Bye."

.:::Click:::..

I snapped the flip-phone shut and turned on my heel, walking over to Kamui. He watched me curiously as I leant over so that this time our noses did touch. I watched a slight blush sprawl across his face as he fidgetted in his seat uncomfortably. I bit my bottom lip as I raised a finger to stroke his chin seductively. "Kamui-kun..." I grinned. "Do me a favour... do not speak a word of that phone call, alright?"

He gulped, still blushing a million shades of red. "A-alright."

"Thanks..." I retreated back into a normal standing posture. "I appreciate it."

On second thought... Kamui was going to be very easy to wrap around my little finger...

"Where the hell is the caterer?"

"Baka, I gave you the guest list!"

"You sat on my flowers!"

"Where's Yuki?"

"... Hello? Yes, I'm calling from Akira Sugiyama's mansion, I'd like to reserve a- what do you mean hold?"

"Iie (no), you gave Jiro-san the list!"

"Sumimasen!! (Forgive me!!)"

"Yuki-chan? The make-up artist? She headed up the stairs!"

"Hello? Hello? ... Chikuso, who the fuck does he think he is making me hold...?"

"My flowers!"

"Meep! I have to give the instructions to the caterer! Where is she?"

"Oh Kami-sama! (Oh God!) Yuki-chan fainted!"

"Yes, I'm still on... no, I'm not ordering anything... yeah, I said- wha? No, don't you dare put me on hold again, no, I-... son of a-"

"Call an ambulance!"

"My flowers!"

"What do you mean Jiro lost the list?"

..:::Dingdong:::..

"Aha! The caterer's here!"

"Yuki-chan!"

"Jiro-san!"

"Dude!"

"We forgot to hire the decorater!"

"FUCK, I'M NOT HOLDING AGAIN... NO, YOU'RE THE ASSWIPE!"

"Akira-sama!"

"My flowers!"

"Caterer!"

"Miho-chan!"

"Ahh!" I quickly snapped out of my gaze as I swung around. Yoshiko stood only a few feet away with her clipboard back in her arms, waving to me. I turned back around to glance at the madness behind me. Employees were running around frantically, shouting orders, searching for unknown items, carrying unconcious co-workers to an ambulance parked outside... I sighed and returned my eyes to Yoshiko. "Onegai! (Please!) Don't scare me like that!"

Yoshiko chuckled. "Get over here! We gotta go!"

"Where?" I asked while trotting over to Yoshiko's side.

"We're going to go buy your wedding dress."

I came to a hault inches away from the employee. "Ima? (Now?)"

"Hai (yes), I just got back to work and I'm terribly behind! I still need to hire the decorater and-"

"Well it seems like everyone else already has your back covered, Yoshiko-chan." I pointed out, gesturing to the busy workers which highly resembled an ant colony at the coming on Winter. "With all of them working at this rate, I'm sure everyone will finish their work at least a few days early. I mean, the wedding's scheduled for next Friday and it's only Monday."

"Well, better safe than sorry!" Yoshiko chirped, grabbing my wrist to drag me to the mansion's exit. "Besides, if we don't get this right, there's an eighty percent chance Akira will take out his anger on us, employees, first."

I grimaced. "All this work for, what will soon become, the worst day of my life."

"Yeah, I'd hate to see everyone's face when they find out this wedding was arranged and that you and Kamui aren't even in love!" Yoshiko chewed her bottom lip nervously as she pulled me out the doors and toward the limo. She finally let go of my wrist when the she flung the car's door open.

"So that's the little lie he's been telling everyone, huh?" I said, climbing into the limo.

Yoshiko followed suit. "Yup."

A moment of silence then greeted the air as I watched the scenery move by as we drove away from the mansion and into the city. "Yoshiko-chan...?"

"Yes?" She had been going through a few notes on her well-known clipboard.

"I know everyone else is so excited because they haven't learned the truth yet, but you... why are you so enthusiastic?" I leaned my head against the tinted windows as I watched Yoshiko fiddle with a pen in a nervous manner.

"I'm really sorry Miho... but I'm doing this for my job." she looked up at me with a small frown. "I need to support a family of six and this is the best job I can get. I can't afford to lose this job... and Akira's very observant of me now that you and I are friends... he's afraid I'm going to help you escape or something. You understand right?"

I nodded. I did understand... Akira could be a very intimidating man after all. "It's all right." I shrugged it off and reached for a nearby magazine to entertain myself. The cover on the front showed the name, 'Revealed' and pictures of the hottest celebrities were plastered there as well. Back in the shrine, we hardly ever spoke about celebrities... we were more concerned with the shaman tournament and for some of us, what dinner was going to be. I smiled inwardly at the memories.

For a moment, I merely observed the stars and little captions before my eyes fell about a small picture in the corner. The picture displayed a familiar face... Kamui's. And the caption read, 'Our Hot Prince... Married? Pg.15' I quickly flipped to the said page and ran through the many columns until I finally found what I had been looking for. "Bingo..." I said under my breath, reading the title, 'Kamui Aoyama. Rich, hunky, adored and now... TAKEN!?' I chuckled at the clear stupidity. Just by reading the title, I could already tell it was a female writer. I continued on reading:

'Teenage girls around the nation have been gaping at the newly dsicovered news by Seiji Aoyama only days ago. At a press conference involving his son, Seiji-san revealed to Japan that his only son, Kamui Aoyama, is to be wedded next Friday. His lucky bride-" I snorted at the comment. "Is said to be the daughter of Akira Sugiyama, successful millionaire of Japan's highest ranked computer manufacturing company , Miho Sugiyama. The two met when Seiji and Akira were discussing business at Akira's famous mansion. "They really hit it off," Seiji stated, chuckling with satisfaction. "The two are young but were so deeply in love that Akira and I decided they should get married. Because of this, Sugiyama Inc. and Aoyama Ltd. will now be joining work!"

'Indeed, they are young,' The article continued, 'Kamui had previously celebrated his 18th birthday- the day most girls had checked off on their calenders- and Miho is surprisingly, only 17, not yet an adult.-'

"Whatcha' reading?"

With a startled jump, I turned to the owner of the voice. Yoshiko had been watching me. "Just an article on Kamui and I..."

"Oh that!" Yoshiko grinned. "I forgot to mention that you're now on every teenage girl's to-kill list."

I chuckled and shook my head disaprovingly. "Oh please, don't they have enough sense to obsess over a cuter guy instead?"

"Oh c'mon! You gotta admit, he's quite the looker," Yoshiko flicked her dreamy eyes heavenward. "I know that if I were as young as you..."

Yoshiko then casted her eyes on me when she noticed my glare. "Yoshiko-chan, what's going on up there?" I jabbed a finger to her forehead.

She pouted. "Miho-chan! If you weren't taken, I'd bet you would be falling head over heels for him as well."

My cheeks burned a bright red and I quickly brought the magazine higher up so that it covered my burning face from Yoshiko's view. I could hear her laugh evilly as she pulled the book away from me. "You do think he's cute!"

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"Do not!"

"You'd probably die for him if he was your type- you know... unrich, unfamous..."

My jaw dropped open. She made me sound like a nerd! Without a comeback to spat, I gaped like a goldfish before coming to my senses and snatching the magazine back from Yoshiko's hands. "You know, for a woman your age, you act a lot like a kid. And that's not really good for your health, by the way."

I watched Yoshiko's eyes widen. If there was anything that could hit her hard, it'd have to be comments on her age. "Are you inquiring that I'm old?"

"Nah..." I grinned evilly. "...but I'm also not inquiring that you're as young as me..."

For a moment, Yoshiko merely glared at me. "Shini! (Die!)" she suddenly cried, lunging at me, hands ready to snake around my throat.

Luckily, thanks to my training, I was too fast for her. I tossed the magazine out of my hands and caught her wrists before they could even come in contact with my neck. For a second, she just stared at me in bewilderment. "How did you..."

"It's a secret." I declared, noting her lack of knowledge of my past. I slowly released her wrists and she withdrew them to her side at an equal pace. She eyed me suspiciously before letting out a sigh and shaking her head.

"Miho-chan, you young kids are quite hard to keep up with."

I smirked and brought the magazine back into my hands, mentally jotting down the end of the conversation. I skimmed through the book until I found the spot I had left off at. '... and Miho is surprisingly, only 17, not yet an adult. When we questioned how long they were dating, Seiji hesitated before answering, "eight months". But when we asked teenage fans this question, they told us Kamui had been single for the past months. "He's never been caught dating anyone," one female fan stated. "I mean, I watch everything that talks about Kamui, and none of it has ever mentioned Miho... It's like she popped out of the blue somehow and now they're married!"

'This information leads us, 'Revealed' magazine, to believe that the two have been secretly dating and meeting up in non-public places such as the Sugiyamas' property and the Aoyamas' as well.

'Only two days after the press conference, 'Revealed' magazine caught up with Kamui on a trip to the beach to ask him questions on the marriage. "Miho and I are... tight." he confessed. "I mean, she's a great looking girl and I couldn't help but fall for her so easily,-' Something about this statement had me wondering whether he was lying or not... ' "I think we'd really like to get married now." When asked if this marriage would be displayed on television, the hottie answered with a brief, "no.".

'No further information was released on the couple,-' It was surprisingly beginning to sound like a murder investigation now... of course, with so many female fans of Kamui, maybe this would lead to a murder- mine to be exact. 'But 'Revealed' magazine wishes them the best of luck and Miho, safety, when it comes to Kamui's adoring yet dangerous female fans.'

"Aww... isn't that sweet?" I said sarcastically, returning the magazine to the seat pocket I had found it in. "It almost sounds as if she's wishing that kind of fate on me."

"Ahh, don't worry." Yoshiko placed a reassuring arm over my shoulders. "Kamui will always protect you from killer fangirls." (Rikku: I want a bishi that'll do the same for me! ;P)

"No thank you," I frowned. "I can fight for myself instead of hiding behind that jerk like a coward."

"But isn't it always good to have a shoulder to lean on?"

One pacific memory layed fresh in my mind. Horo had leant me his shoulder when I needed it before... his shoulder was the only one I could depend on... it was strange... but I felt safest leaning on him..."Yeah... we all need someone to lean on... but I already have someone for that..."

In what seemed like a blink of an eye, Friday had arrived. I woke up that morning feeling horrible, but most of all nervous. 'Second thoughts...?' I climbed out of bed slowly and pulled on a t-shirt and jeans. Since I would be gettng my face plastered with make-up later on, I made no haste in skipping the treatment that morning. 'Nah... it's not like I ever had a first thought on it anyway...'

I trotted down the stairs quite sleepily, after all it was only 7am. But it was not until I reached the last step, did I realise I wasn't the earliest person up...

In fact, what seemed to be the whole staff of the mansion were running from one room to another, preparing things and trying on clothes. Yoshiko had agreed to be my maid of honour and other female employees were chosen by my father to be bridesmaids. When the workers realised my arrival, women squeeled and men clapped. Before I knew it, I was being hugged by people I had never even spoken to.

"Congrats!" a girl that couldn't be any older than nineteen cheered. I recognized her... it was Yuki.

"Um... thanks." I said, the feeling of getting married still hadn't sunk in yet and I wasn't quite awake yet either.

"Today's the day!" a man approached me. "Oh sorry, my name's Jiro Takahito."

"Jiro, eh...?" I remembered hearing his name as well.

"Move aside!" a very intimidating female voice was a lot louder than the others. I recognised the owner of the voice as she strode over to me. It was the lady that had been shouting on the phone- but she wasn't angry, in fact she was smiling. She shook my hand hard. "My name's Ayumi Ishimoto. I'm going to drop off you and Yuki Yamasaki- your make-up artist- at Yoshiko's house and they'll take care of the rest."

"So early?" My voice was a bit weary... not because I was tired, but because the feeling of marriage was now dawning on me ever so slowly. I felt wide awake now, but my mind seemed to be put on hold. I only had a few thoughts cramming my brain, but nothing intelligible. 'No, no, no... I can't... not today, not ever... no...'

Ayumi smiled, she was a pretty brunette but her temper was a whole different story. "We have a busy schedule and your father wants to get to the wedding as soon as possible. Now c'mon!"

I felt Ayumi's hand grip around my wrist the same way Yoshiko's had the day we went to buy my dress. In a quick second, Ayumi had me in the backseat of her silver convertible with Yuki in the passenger seat. No sooner than that, Ayumi was whizzing the car away at a speed surely unacceptable with Yuki and I clinging onto our seats for safety.

I struggled to put my seat belt on and when that was finally buckled, I leaned over to talk. "Um... Ayumi, I'm not even dressed properly and I don't have everything I need for the wedding yet!"

"Oh relax!" Ayumi turned in her seat to give me a reassuring pat on my head. "Yoshiko's taking care of your dress and hair and Yuki's doing your make-up. You can do everything at that house and whatever you need we'll have ordered in a mere second!"

I began thinking it over before Yuki interrupted my thoughts. "Watch the road!" she shrieked.

Ayumi turned back to the wheel and quickly turned the car away before it narrowly crashed into a tree. I clutched my seat tightly, sighing in great relief. 'If this ride doesn't kill me first, I'm sure the wedding will...'

As soon as we reached our destination, Ayumi hurried back to the mansion and Yoshiko fitted me into my dress as quickly as possible. It was a thin-straped one that flowed onto the floor and longer. She then did my hair professionally in a high ponytail with the strands in that tail curled. I barely had a moment to glance at a mirror because right when Yoshiko's turn was over, Yuki had snatched me into a chair to do my make-up.

When she was finally finished, I got my first glance at a mirror... I gaped. "I-I look... great." I stammered.

"What, did you doubt us?" Yuki giggled, setting down into a chair.

"No, not at all, I just never thought-"

"You could look this good?" Yoshiko finished. I nodded as she walked over to the door and opened it to reveal a pair of twin boys trying to eavesdrop. "Kasuke, Daisuke," She placed her hands on her hips. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing!" they unisoned quickly... too quickly. They looked around the age of thirteen which I already knew was the year puberty would have kicked in for them. They glanced at Yuki and I and looked away blushing a deep shade of red.

Yoshiko rolled her eyes. Only a second later, a cute little girl that looked about eight walked in. "They wanted to see them!" she chirped, pointing to Yuki and I.

Of course, I had already knew that was coming but it seemed Yuki hadn't yet, as she flushed a light pink and giggled madly.

Kasuke and Daisuke turned to glare at the little girl. "Yuzuki, you squealed on us!"

The girl shrieked fearfully and ran to hide behind Yuki's leg. Yoshiko frowned. "Don't yell at your sister!" she scolded the twins.

I smiled at Yuzuki, who was trembling. She looked up at me and smiled as well. "She's so kawaii! (cute)" Yuki squeaked, bringing the little girl up to sit on her lap. "Hi there cutie!"

I smirked and turned to Yoshiko. "Your siblings, eh?"

She sighed. "Better believe it..." she ushered the twins to leave the room. "Out!"

"Yoshiko!" I could faintly hear a motherly voice sound from somewhere far from Yoshiko's room- which was where we were. "There's someone here to see your friend!"

Yoshiko turned to Yuki and I with a raised brow. "Maybe it's my boyfriend!" Yuki squeeled hopefully.

"Send them in!" Yoshiko yelled back.

Instead of what I would have guessed to be one of Yuki's friend came a familiar face. Too familiar.

"Kamui!" I cried, marching over to the boy in an enraged manner.

"Cool!" one of the twins shouted.

"It's Kamui Aoyama!" the other stated.

"Hey babe." Kamui smirked.

I grabbed his shoulders and began pushing him out of the room, kicking the door closed behind me, leaving everyone in there dumbstruck. When I finally heard the thud telling me Kamui's back had hit the wall, I released his shoulders to glare at him. "How many times do you have to come and see me?"

Kamui didn't answer. Instead, he seemed to be blushing... "Miho... you look beautiful."

I felt my cheeks burn as I turned my gaze away from him. "Kamui, you're not supposed to see me before the wedding!"

"Seriously... Miho," I could hear a slight weary crack in his voice. "You look great..."

"Yameru! (Stop!)" I shouted. "Stop with the complimenting already and leave!" I looked back at him and realised he was already in his tuxedo...

He looked... good.

And...

For the first time...

I felt attracted to him...

"Kamui..." I blushed a deeper shade of red as I found my eyes fixed on him.

"Something wrong?"

"I-I read what you said... in a magazine..." I had no idea why I was acting this way... or why I was spilling my guts out to him of all people. "... you said-"

"That I had fallen for you, I know..." Kamui's blush deepened as well. "Miho, I didn't lie... that's the way I feel."

'No...no... you're lying, stop lying...' "Kamui, you have to go!" I shouted, trying to snap back to my senses as I shut my eyes tightly, desperate to wash away those strange feelings.

"Okay, I'll go, I'll..." He paused and I could tell his eyes were still intensely on me. "...go."

I heard his footsteps slowly walk away and when I could tell he was gone, I opened my eyes slowly.

"What the hell is going on?"

Rikku: Uh-oh... what are these strange feelings Miho's experiencing? Is Kamui really lying or not? How will this wedding end and what will Yoh and Horo have planned?

Stay tuned to find out!!

Phew! What a long chapter! Thanks everyone for reading, don't forget to leave a review!

Dewa Mata!

x-Rikku-x