Himawari: Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews everyone! I'm glad you all liked that chapter! and as some of you can tell, I do enjoy suggestions! Sorry it took so long to update... writer's block and procrastination are common enemies of mine ;P! love to all of my readers... keep the reviews up guys! enjoy!

Blooming Friendships

Miaka's brown eyes grew wide as the truck passed through the city. Tasuki had told her that it wouldn't be much different than home, but Miaka couldn't help but be filled with wonder as she looked at all of the buildings and people. She was so excited! She was finally starting out on her own life!

Tasuki continued to glance at the girl next to him as he continued on towards the apartment he shared with Nuriko, unable to keep a trademark grin from marking his features. Miaka was so cute when she got excited. She had her little nose practically smashed against the glass of the window with her mouth shaped in a wonderfilled 'O'. With her hair pulled up into two neat little buns and her hand on the glass, Tasuki chuckled to himself about how she looked more like a five-year-old at a candyshop than a young woman headed to college.

Miaka looked up as she heard Tasuki's chuckle, a confused look seizing her features. Tasuki's grin widened at the puppy-like look she gave him.

"Like it so far, darlin'?" he asked, supressing another laugh. Miaka's face erupted into a bright smile and she nodded vigorously.

"Oh, Tasuki! It's wonderful! I can't wait to see the campus!" she squeeled, turning to look out the window again.

"Well, you don't have to wait much longer. We're only about ten minutes away," Tasuki answered. He could practically feel Miaka's excitement as they continued on. Miaka made a little sound that could only be described as a squeel as she turned her face back to the window.

She began making mental notes of any familiar clothing stores, comfortable looking coffee shops, little icecream parlors... and especially if she saw any of her favorite restaurants. Finally, they came to what looked like a giant park... but in the front a large sign sat comfortably beneath a tree. A large acedemic building stretched out behind the park. It was a gray, stone structure that would've been formidable, if not for the loads of students happily lounging in the park and pouring in and out of the front doors. Miaka gasped. They had reached the university.

"We'll head over to my apartement first," Tasuki started. "Then we'll go and get you your schedule. You can stay with me and Nuriko for as long as you need to."

"Do you guys have room?" Miaka didn't want to end up pushing someone out of their room.

"Don't worry about it... we have plenty of room," Tasuki assured her, grinning. Miaka returned the smile. She found that she had come to love that silly grin of his. It was familiar and it made her feel comfortable, no matter the situation.

The black truck pulled into a small apartement complex barely five minutes away from the main campus. They were suprised to find Nuriko's green Volkswagon Jetta out front with boxes upon boxes of his stuff shoved inside it. Nuriko himself looked up from loading and started waving excitedly as the two climbed out of the truck. Miaka barely had time to wave back before she was hugged/tackled by the hyper boy, his long violet hair in the ever-present braid.

"MIAKA-CHAN! It's so good to see you! I'm so glad you're coming here... we'll be hanging out a lot, you and I," Nuriko said at about a mile a minute, pulling back to look at Miaka.

"It's good to see you too, Nuri-chan," Miaka greeted him. Miaka often had problems remembering that Nuriko was in fact MALE as he acted more FEmale than most girls she knew.

"Nuriko... what's going on?" Tasuki asked, motioning to the nearly bursting Jetta. Nuriko seemed confused for half-a-second before gasping.

"Oh, that's right. I tried to call you but your phone service was down or something..." Nuriko was cut off from further explanation, by a tall, handsome man coming down the apartement stairs. Miaka stared.

'He's, He's gorgeious!' she thought to herself, unable to fine a word that would fit the man more perfectly.

"Nuriko, what was I supposed to lable this box..." He started in a smooth baritone before noticing the new arrivals.

"Oh, Tasuki... welcome back," the tall man greeted, putting down the box and stretching out his hand. Tasuki took it and smiled.

"Hey Hotohori. Haven't seen ya in a little while. What's up?" The orange-haired man asked.

"Nothing much, just helping Nuriko move his things," the man, Hotohori responded.

"Move where exactly?" Tasuki asked.

"I was trying to tell you," Nuriko cut in. "I'm moving in with Hotohori.We're... together... now."

Tasuki looked suprised, to say the least, his eyes about ready to pop out of his head. Miaka cocked her head to the side, not understanding what Nuriko was talking about as the purple haired boy shifted uncomfortably in front of Tasuki. Finally, Tasuki's face softened and a wide smile split across his face.

"Well, damn man! It's about time!" He said, happily thumping Nuriko on the back. Nuriko laughed in response.

"Yeah, and I figured... since now you'd be needing a new roommate anyway, maybe Miaka would like to rent out my old room... what do you say?" Violet eyes trained on the unusually quiet girl.

"Well, I hadn't thought about it," she said carefully. "Well, that could be good! I mean, as long as you don't mind Tasuki," she finished, turning to Tasuki. Tasuki probably couldn't have said no even if he'd wanted to.

"Of course not. I wouldn't have it any other way!"

"Sorry miss, but I don't beleive I've introduced myself," Hotohori said stepping forward.

"Oh, right! Hotohori... this is Miaka," Tasuki introduced. Miaka offered her hand and Hotohori lightly kissed it before he let go.

"Ah," Hotohori started, throwing a knowing look at Nuriko. "So THIS is Miaka. Well, it's a pleasure."

"Same," Miaka piped happily. Tasuki let out an inner sigh of relief when she seemed not to notice Hotohori's statement.

"Hey, do you guys need anymore help?" Tasuki offered to change the subject before the brunette could ask about Hotohori's words.

"Naw, we've got it... we're pretty much done anyway," Nuriko responded. "Besides the movers will probably begin unloading soon and we need to be there to make sure they don't ruin anything."

"Oh, ok. Well it was great to see you," Miaka said awkwardly.

"Oh yeah, deffinately!" Nuriko chirpped, tugging Miaka into a sound hug before throwing his arms around Tasuki too.

"Make your move man," Nuriko whispered into his friend's ear. Tasuki managed to avoid blushing, hoping to any and all gods above that Miaka hadn't heard that. Nuriko backed away with a pointed look into Tasuki's gold eyes. He hugged Miaka again before jumping into his car.

Hotohori said goodbye as well and then the couple drove away in the trademark green car. Tasuki shook his head laughing.

"Well, I guess we should start getting you settled huh?" he quircked an eyebrow at Miaka, who smiled and nodded.

"Ok!" She moved to the truck and started tugging her bags out and onto the pavement. "Tasuki? What did Nuriko mean when he said that they were 'together'?"

"Huh?" Tasuki's brow furrowed for a moment. "I told you Nuriko's gay, right?"

"Oh, well, yeah... but I wasn't sure if that's what he had meant," Miaka said, smiling a little sheepishly.

"Oh, yeah," Tasuki shrugged. " 'bout time too if ya ask me. They've both had it bad for a long time. Been drivin' me nuts!"

Miaka giggled as she followed Tasuki into the house. After setting down her bags he gave her the grand tour of the suprisingly spacious apartement. There was a living room with a dark brown couch, a coffee table, and a fairly good-sized television. Tasuki frowned when he noticed Nuriko had taken the sterio, but continued on the kitchen anyway. The Kitchen was a small space but it had a fridge, microwave and small stove. The counter looked out over the living room and gave a clear veiw of the television as well.

A hallway extended straight from the front door and back to a blank wall. As they headed down it, Tasuki pointed out the bathroom on the left and a closet oposite it. At the end of the hall were two doors on either side.

"My room's this one on the left. This one here is yours," Tasuki explained, opening the door. The room was small and simple with a wall closet and just enough space for her bed. Miaka smiled brightly.

"It's wonderful! Oh, thank you Tasuki!" she gushed, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him into a sound hug. Tasuki's face burned slightly from the close proximity, but he returned the hug.

"Well, darlin'. Let's go get your schedule, and then we'll start getting your stuff moved in," he said simply. "Oh, and you should probably start looking for a job as soon as possible too. It'd be good for you to have food money."

Miaka froze. A job, of course! How could she have forgotten about that! Miaka shook a little at the thought of going to all those interviews. She'd known she would need to find work... but she was just so nervous! What if no one would hire her? What if she ended up working with a bunch of jerks? Miaka shook her head when she saw Tasuki's confused look and forced a smile.

"Ok, I'll start tomorrow!" she said in her best cheery voice. Tasuki looked unconvinced, but nodded anyway. They left the apartement and headed to campus.

Himawari: crappy ending I know! I'm sorry! anyway, I hope that you liked it... and as always, reviews and suggestions are more than welcome! just... please no flames... me no likey the flames. anyway, LATER!