Rikku: I thought I would have been able to start this chapter within a few days after I posted the last chapter, but unfortunately, homework got the best of me. (Sigh) Highschool's been pretty tough and I've only had the chance to write on weekends. Ack, I apologize if the wait was rather annoying. ;; Sooo, in return, this chapter is EXTRA long, spanding over 50KB! (My longest yet!)

Thanks to:

Nakashima-Michiyo
aaaa322
lonelysparrow
Sayuri
Rengo
Lena
syaoranz gurl
ElainX
Hannah Kyouyama
Gamefreakgrl
Minday
Deragonmaji
Maria
Tsuki-no-Hoshii
LadyGoddessCeres

And to:

star pana: All the names of the OCs I use in the story are adapted from other anime characters, Japanese singers, etc. Lol, do you really want to hear the story:P Here it is anyway (I'll try to keep it short ;P): Like always, I wasn't paying much attention in class and instead I took it among myself to fiddle with my friend's mini stapler. And for a mini stapler, that thing punches hard. Just then, I pressed the little gadget's top with full force, forcing a staple deep into my finger! Owie... Eventually, I got it out by numbing my finger and as I pulled it out... boy, was there A LOT of blood... eww... (Shudders) Sorry, I meant to keep it short... blech, bad memories...

Rikku: Well, here's the extra long chap that took an extra long time to write… X.x Well… enjoy!

Winter of Love

Chapter 21: The Dawning of Realisation

With my head still lost in the clouds, I absent-mindedly reached into the metal box and pulled a large stack of mail out. But before I returned indoors, I decided to simply run through what was being mailed- even if most of it was going in one ear and out the other. "Bills... bills... cheque- oooh, cheque! ..." I grinned menacingly but skipped the sealed envelope anyway. "more bills... letter... package... ugh, bills... letter from Yohmai-sama... bills- wha, letter from Yohmai!"

I separated the letter from the rest of the junk and checked who it was addressed to. "Miho Sugiyama..." I furrowed my brows in wonder and felt around the envelope, noticing a few rough bumps. I slowly placed the other pile of mail on top of the mail box and tore open the small envelope. Inside was an amazing amount of money along with a small note. "Yohmai... what are you up to now?" I reached for the note and unfolded it to reveal small and messy writing:

My dearest Miho-san,

I send you and your fiancée, Horohoro, my blessings and hope for only the best. I expect the invitation for your wedding in my mail two weeks from now. Congratulations.

Yohmai.

My lips quirked into a small, devious smile. "I guess father hasn't updated Yohmai yet..." I sighed and pulled the wad of cash out, counting it quickly and effortlessly. "Better send this back along with an apology letter... boy, will Horo get a good laugh out of this."

I shook my head, still smiling, as I grabbed a hold of the rest of the mail and walked back inside the shrine. "Guys...?"

Ryou, the nearest person, looked up from the local newspaper he had unfolded in front of him as he sat comfortably on one of the couches, in the living room- like always. "Hey, Miho-chan... sup?"

"Mail duty." I replied, smirking. I emptied my hands of all the mail (besides Yohmai's letter) onto the coffee table. "Where is everyone?"

"Out and about… who knows where?"

"I see… Um, Ryou?"

"Hm?" the 'couch-potato' raised a brow. "What's wrong?"

"Do you have any of the latest magazines with you?" I inquired, still thinking of Anna's remarks on those mischievous books. (Rikku: See Chapter 20.) "Anything about... erm... me?"

Ryou acted quickly by pulling a handful of magazines from under the couch- and judging by some of them, under the couch was the best... hiding spot for them... eeww. He then handed me the latest 'Pop!' magazine which displayed Kamui's face on the front cover. "This should say a thing or two..."

"Thanks." I took the book from him and shoved Yohmai's letter into one of the back pockets of my jeans, walking out of the living room and towards my bedroom. As I weaved through the maze of people and objects, I flipped through the pages of the magazine I had just received, and stopped at an interesting page where the top headline was:

Kamui Aoyama Left At Altar By Multi-Millionaire's Daughter

I smirked to myself. The magazine dated to a few days ago... how did they come up with the facts so quickly? "Hmn... this ought to take some things off my mind..."

Yes, I was still pondering on the choice I made only two nights ago. I was determined to find my mother's murderers... not just to answer certain questions, but to avenge her death in some... non-violent way that didn't involve killing. Of course, I had no idea what-so-ever of how I was going to accomplish that... see, not everything had been thought out yet. I knew Horo was going to be with me every step of the way- that was what he declared that night, anyway... and Manta also added that he was going to do his best to help me as well... But my mind was never settled. That talk... it had somehow glued itself to my mind, leaving me pondering on it every second of everyday. How was I going to pull this little hunt off when I was just so... so... preoccupied...

Without further ado, I began reading the small sized text, spreading across most of the page:

Newcomer to Japan's own celeb charts and temporary guest of every girl's To-Kill list, Miho Sugiyama, the proud daughter of super-millionaire, Akira Sugiyama, shocked the nation as the young girl left Kamui Aoyama, the ideal boyfriend of every female in Japan, in the middle of their wedding.

A few weeks ago, Seiji Aoyama had proclaimed at a press conference that his only son, Kamui, was to be wedded to Akira Sugiyama's daughter, Miho, at the young and tender age of eighteen. Miho is only seventeen at the moment. This wedding, however, had not been "completed" since certain actions that halted the celebration surprised many...

Dressed in a beautiful white wedding gown, Miho walked down an average church's aisle toward Japan's hunk, Kamui, looking anything but happy. Of course, this raised questions to the "audience" and reporters even commented that the dashing brunette was crying. This, however, answers to why the wedding was so sudden and why the two youngster's relationship was so secretive, by bringing out the possibility that this wedding was arranged.

"That's funny..." I frowned, pausing in my walk and lifting my attention from the magazine. "I don't remember any reporters..."

Sugiyama had reached the altar, greeted by Kamui's famous smile and as the Priest began the sacred ritual, there were no objections so far... that is, until the "I do's" came up. Kamui promised his "I do" quickly and willingly, but when Miho was questioned, she replied with a stuttered "I", unable to finish when a clearly unwelcomed, and unfamiliar teenage boy- around the age of 17 at least- threw the doors open, silencing the church with his remark, "Not so fast".

Reporters informed us that the expression on Miho's face seemed more concerned, instead of content... as if she were waiting for something else more important than the ending of the wedding. The arrival of the teenage, blue-haired boy seemed to be what Miho's was anticipating, as shock and anxiety washed over her face when her eyes met his. She astonished the crowd as she left Kamui's side, running down the aisle into the other boy's arms, weeping into his chest. Her "lover", we assume, was whispering soft, incomprehensible words to Sugiyama, then turned to the young Aoyama, stating that he was to "take Miho back". Thus builds more support to the theory that the wedding was arranged... highly suspected that Kamui had agreed to this long before he met Miho-san. (Miss Miho)

It is said that two other people rushed to the blue-haired boy's side just then, one female and one male around the same age as Miho too. Then the statement of "depriving Miho of a certain happiness" occurred, just about concluding the previous theory of the marriage being... arranged. More remarks relating to the "arranged" side of the story began flying across the room and even talk of a "fight" began...

All reporters were then ushered away as Kamui, Seiji, Akira, Miho, her friends and the "intruders" took upon a sandy pit for some... "business". No other information has been released ever since, but reliable sources say that Miho and the three other teenagers were seen leaving Osaka only days ago, leaving Kamui and the others standing before one of Osaka's most famous hospitals, lost of a wedding. (Of course, this also raises another question... What were they doing at the hospital? The "fight" they had been previously speaking of seems to be the answer, but there is no other proof of this.)

So the conclusion has thrilled many girls that Kamui had been left at the altar, but at the same time, Seiji Aoyama comments that his son is a bit "heart-broken" and unwilling to talk about the recent events, claiming that he was "in love". Where Miho and her lover have gone, is beyond anything we, the staff at "Pop!" magazine, are aware of and any information of who the mysterious blue-haired boy really is, is also unavailable.

But, yet, there is still another problem all will ponder around... now, will Kamui's female fans keep strong their loyalty despite the fact that the gorgeous blonde, had actually agreed to the arranged marriage? Is he really so devious as to take a young girl, not even an adult yet, by force in a marriage? Did he really deceive us all with that innocent, soft and gentle cover that may be all an act? If so, are his fans still looking forward to supporting the celeb, or, rather, leave him out to dry? Only time, gossip, and rumours can tell. Megumi Kitano, "Pop!" magazine reporter.

As I finished the article, my mind stirred after re-living the wedding, and I found myself rather... speechless. I slowly closed the magazine, looking ahead as I resumed walking...

I smiled warmly as Horo then walked out of his room, noticing me when I just about reached his side. "Heya, babe." he grinned, greeting me with a soft and quick kiss. "What have you been up to?"

I blushed at his actions, my smile never leaving my face. I grabbed a hold of his hand and waved the magazine I had been reading with my free hand. "Just reading."

Horo took a quick glance at the cover and frowned. (Rikku: Remember, Kamui's face is on the front!) "Oh..." he replied, tightening his grip on my hand. "I see..."

"Don't worry..." I reassured him, still smiling. "I was just wondering what the world knows about us so far... oh, and..." I released Horo's hand and pulled out the envelope full of Yohmai's money from my back pocket and handed it to him.

This seemed to have taken his mind off the magazine as his eyes widened. He pulled the Yen out of the white package and began counting it, looking back at me when he reached the last bill. "Miho... where'd you get this? There's about-"

"-Eight thousand dollars in American money." I concluded, remembering that I had also counted it when I first took out the letter from the mailbox. "I know... Yohmai sent it."

"But... why?"

"Well," I sighed contently, now smirking. My eyes flashed mischievously. "Yohmai seems to believe we're married. I think my father only told him half of the story..."

Horo blushed a deep shade of red, before the same grin he had worn before returned to his face. "Can we keep it?"

"'Course not!" I said, shaking my head and snatching the money back from the shaman. I gave him an apologetic frown. "Listen, my father's going to update Yohmai on what happened sooner or later... and if we do keep the money, he's going to be pretty pissed when he finds out, ne?"

Horo nodded unwillingly. "Sadly... you're probably right... so, we're gonna have to send it back now, right?"

I didn't answer as I studied Horo's expression. Having a rich father for most of my life, I never stopped to realise how effected those without money were... even when I ran away. "I guess Yohmai wouldn't notice if all this money wasn't sent back..."

Horo's face suddenly lit up with a bright, hopeful smile. "You serious?"

I chuckled, grabbing Horo's hand again. "Hai (yes), I am. Besides, we can use some of it to go out today... when was the last time you took me out on a date, anyways?"

The shaman squeezed my hand playfully, and pecked me with a kiss, yet again, but this time on my forehead. "I don't know, but it's been too long... here, let me handle the cash."

Without hesitation, I allowed Horo to retrieve the money from my hands. He grabbed a few bills, making sure the wad of cash looked untouched, and returned it to its envelope. Smiling, he stuffed his share into his pocket and turned to me. "Now how 'bout we spend some of this?"

Before I could reply, a loud knock sounded from the living room, and within seconds, my name was being called out. "Miho! It's for you!"

"That's Ryou's voice..." Horo stated, frowning in thought. "But who could be at the door...?"

It took me a moment, but I finally realised the possibilities. I pulled Horo with me, since our hands were binded, as I marched into the living room, scoffing. "I have a feeling it's..."

"Oi (Hey), Miho-chan! I missed you!"

"What are you doing here!"

"Whoa... calm yourself..."

"I will NOT 'calm myself' until you leave!" I thundered, slamming my fists on the kitchen's table, glaring at the unwelcomed guest. "Demasu! (Leave)"

"I just wanted to say 'hi'..." he snorted, flicking his gaze heavenward. "And to check up on you and your boyfriend..."

I watched as the boy kicked his feet onto the table and leant back in his chair, sighing in annoyance. I took a seat in my own chair, with my fists still glued to the table. "Well, we're fine... can you leave now?"

"I don't get why you're so mad for... I warned you I was coming." Kamui muttered, crossing his arms across his chest. His eyes shifted to his left where Horo sat beside me. "Besides, I thought we were cool..."

"Cool?" I repeated, rolling my eyes. "Un (Yeah), we're 'cool'... but that doesn't mean you have to come over so suddenly..."

"We're busy anyways..." Horo said coldly, keeping a steady glare on the celebrity.

"Isogashii (busy)? Can I come tomorrow then?" Kamui questioned, bringing his feet back to the floor. "Surely, you can-"

"We'll still be busy- this whole week." I interjected, getting up from my seat.

Of course we'd be busy... I was on the look out for my mother's murderer. It'd take more than a week- maybe even months! And I just didn't have the time for petty celebrities... maybe later, but not now of all times.

I took one look at Kamui's confused expression and groaned, turning away from the table and marched away; but I was still able to catch Horo's last remark: "Dude, she's going through a tough time right now, maybe you should leave."

I allowed my feet to take control as they kept on walking and I didn't turn back... This was the hopeless me, anyways... I never knew what decisions to make so I always walked away... but why?

"Miho, chotto matte yo! (Wait for me!)" My 'walk' was suddenly halted as a familiar grip took hold of my shoulder, turning me slightly to face the intruder, himself. "Are you okay?"

"Horo..." I took in a deep breath and released it out in a long sigh. "I won't cry anymore... I refuse to... but whenever this... situation is brought up, I can't hold back my emotions... I feel as if I need to run away... somehow."

"You're just stressed." Horo reassured me, taking his hand off my shoulder to stroke my cheek gently with the back of his fingers. "Don't forget... I'm here for you, all the way. Don't worry about Kamui... he's just being annoying again, but bear with him while he's here... because he's not leaving yet."

"I know..." I replied, chuckling in amusement. I enjoyed Horo's comfort so much. "But somehow, despite how hectic everything is right now, I'm still so relieved..." I whispered softly.

"Doushite? (Why?)"

"Because I have you." I giggled, looking deep into his eyes. I could almost see them glow with happiness. "Of course."

Horo sighed contently, and leaned in, his forehead resting on mine. "And you're never gonna lose me." he said in a soft, almost seductive voice that forced another giggle out of me. "That's a promise."

I felt myself relax, as if all my problems were drifting away because I knew he'd be there for me... it was true, I was so relieved. I grabbed Horo's hand and slowly retreated back, pulling him along with me back into the kitchen where Kamui watched us anxiously. "You can stay." I said quickly, getting to the point. I watched his lips quirk into a smile. "But don't cause too much trouble; we're as busy as it is..." I took another deep breath, debating on whether or not to tell him. "We're going to look for my mother's murderers."

Kamui's smile immediately dropped to a frown. "Oh..." he mumbled. I noticed his eyes flicker with recognition. "I see... maybe I should go..."

Something about his tone of voice hinted on something... but I didn't know what. "Kamui, I'm clueless as to where I'm going to start. I'm going to need as much information as I can get... if you know anything..."

"I don't." Kamui concluded quickly... too quickly. He suddenly got up from his seat and shoved passed me, without a backward glance. "I'm sorry, I have to-"

"Kamui!"

My actions surprised even myself as I watched my hand snatch Kamui's wrist. I kept a strong grip on it as common sense washed over me... he knew something, and he couldn't get away without telling me. "Don't you dare walk out that door!" I hissed, ignoring the astonished look he gave me. "You know something I don't know, which I believe will help in my search... Kamui, I'm counting on the information you have-"

"Just not me, right?" he growled, turning himself fully around. My hand slowly released him and fell back to my side. "You can depend on my info, but just not on me... isn't that right?"

"Nani? (What)"

"Miho, you've spent all your time trying to drive me away... how do I even know whether or not I'm your friend? Now, all of a sudden, I have something you want- are you gonna pretend to be nice to me?" Kamui shook his head bitterly, looking at me in disgust. I felt my shoulders weigh down in guilt as I casted my eyes toward the floor in shame. "It's so obvious how much I mean to you... Well, here's something I gotta say..."

"Kamui, I never meant it that way... you know I-"

"... This time, I'm not going to run after you like a hopeless dog again. You got your pathetic boyfriend to do that, which I'm just not as 'good' as! Just like you want me to, I'm going to walk out- without giving you that information which you actually don't deserve... Don't come crying to me ever again... you had your chance, and you lost it... I don't need you anymore."

His words... they had such a hard impact on me. Strange, because he spoke only the truth. I left him out to dry when I returned to Horo... I was nothing but a selfish ingrate toward him... and now I was demanding him to tell me all he knew... as if I rightfully deserved that information. It was then that I realised just how much he was hurting – of course, I saw the heartbreak in his eyes before, but this was the first time he completely opened up to me. The guilt was affecting me worse than it ever had.

"K-Kamui..." I lowered my head, causing my bangs to cast a shadow concealing my eyes. My eyes were still stoned away from his direction and my hands had formed into firm, shaking fists. "I'm so sorry..."

The celeb scoffed harshly, which, in return, had my view snap back to him. "It's too late for that..." he muttered.

Horo suddenly took a grip on my shoulder and fed a glare to Kamui. "She said she was sorry, what more do you want? You may think she doesn't mean it, seeming as you're so blind with fury and wild accusations, but I know my girlfriend well enough to realise what she's truly feeling.

"So what if she has her share of mistakes… who doesn't? Take yourself, for instance… weren't you the one so willing to forcefully marry a teenage girl without her consent? If anything, you should be the one apologizing – not Miho."

"Pffft. I didn't ask for her pity." The celebrity spat, anger rising in his tone. "Miho… you once told me that pity is for the weak that seek comfort from someone else… just to feel wanted… and that you feeling wanted by me made you feel low… Well, I guess you can say the tables have turned. I no longer search for that kind of 'comfort' from you… I don't want to say it makes me feel 'low', and be just as harsh as you were back then…" (Rikku: See Chapter 15.)

I inwardly winced, wishing I could have taken back that moment…

"… but enough's enough. Pity's just not an option anymore…" Kamui sighed, shaking his head with regret. "I shouldn't have stopped by here in the first place…" and without even a 'goodbye', the blonde turned to face the door. But just as he reached the knob, it twisted on its own and suddenly, without warning, a flustered pink-haired girl barged in, holding a bag of groceries wedged between her torso and arms.

Tamao froze when she realised just who she nearly knocked out- should the door have come colliding into him, that is. Kamui stood about a foot away from the girl, treating her with a look of shock. "Meeeep!" she screeched, clenching the grocery bag even tighter to her chest and snapping her eyes closed immediately with a light blush decorating her already embarrassed face. "G-gomen nasai A-Aoyama-san! (I'm sorry Mr. Aoyama!)"

"Uh… that's okay…" Kamui responded, dumb-foundedly, still eyeing poor Tamao. "Um… are you-"

"Sumimasen! (Excuse me!)" The girl interjected with another weak cry, finally opening her eyes, only to shove past Kamui as she ran through the kitchen and toward the hallway.

The celebrity stared after her for a few seconds before completely changing his mood. "Right… I guess I should go now before my dramatic exit is entirely ruined…" A frown rested on his lips once again and quickly, he headed out the door.

With a tired moan, I shakily stalked over to the door and shut it closed, turning around to lean my back against it, releasing a mumbled 'fuck this' with a great deal of pain.

Horo sighed, staring at me with the softest eyes. He sent me a small smile and walked over to pull me into his arms. "It'll take him time to realise everything he just said… after all, he's still healing from his loss…" The shaman stroked my hair gently as I wrapped my arms around him too. "Don't worry about it… if he really does know something about the murder, he'll spill it out eventually… but for now, it's best if we wait."

"You're right." I replied, feeling every word Horo spoke sinking in. Even in that moment of sorrow and regret, he knew just how to cheer me up. "But it's not just the information Kamui's refusing to give us that has me worrying… it's our friendship. And the trust I fought so hard to gain from him… I never thought he'd snap… but… but now that he has, it's really making me realise just how much wrong I've done to him. I-I'm afraid… now that realisation has dawned on the both of us, I'm afraid I'll lose a friend I never even acknowledged."

Horo didn't answer. And I didn't force anything out of him. He was always that one person I could console in – no matter what the situation… But right then… in that moment of silence… I feared that, despite his previous words, he saw no hope as well.

Rikku: I want to apologize – once again – for taking so long to write and post this chapter… I know most of you were waiting (and getting annoyed too X.x), so I send you my deepest apology and hope that you don't abandon this fanfic and I… But I promise! I'll try my best to write chapters as fast as I can despite all the homework and busy hours doing this and that – just for my readers:)

So… stay tuned guys for the dramatic conclusion of Winter of Love - which is nearing us quite delicately, along with the surprising truth about Emiko Sugiyama's death. (I already know just who the murderer is and how Miho-chan will react.) And also, be sure to read the sequel to this Shaman King fic as soon as it comes out… it may not be as long (meaning it won't spand as many chapters) but it'll be an enjoyable after-series Horo&Miho fans will love:) (This sounds just like a commercial:P)

Don't forget to review!

Dewa Mata!
x-Rikku-x

MUST READ: I plan on re-writing the first few chapters of Winter of Love, so watch out for those too. It is necessary that you read them, as a few changes may affect the outcome of the story and/or better explain events that have happened in the past 21 chapters. All re-written chapters are marked, at the very beginning, with a label, saying: "-RE-WRITTEN-".

Arigatou Gozaimasu.