Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, Yu Yu Hakusho, Sailor Moon, or Yu-Gi-Oh. I do not own some of the OCs in this series, including borrowed from Belletiger, LazerWulf, Ninetalesuk, and a few others. They were submitted to me.

Sorry I haven't written a Gaiden chapter, but I had hoped to release another in tandem with the next Taiyoukai Awakening chapter. Anyway, I apologize for the delay of this series and my movie fic.

A Happy New Year to all. It's 2009. Through the rough times, let's persevere and wish for the best.

Anyhow, time to continue Minako's short love story. This story does hold incredible importance for the Taiyoukai Awakening.

Enjoy.

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An Idol in Love, Chapter II of III

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(Set between The Invasion of the Rajita and the Search for the Kuiper Belt Senshi)

Osaka/American Village Shopping District/Triangle Park/March 12, 2006/12:27 PM

"Hey, Rio-kun! Kohana-chan!" Minako called out from the distance, waving out to get Rio and Kohana's attention.

As they overheard the idol singer calling out to them, the siblings quickly jumped off a bench they occupied. They turned and waved back, giving an immediate signal to Minako.

"She did not just call me Kohana-chan, did she?" The girl shuddered at the 'chan' added to her name.

"Well, you are still a kid," Rio chuckled.

Minako hurried over toward Rio and Kohana. She greeted them with hugs and glanced around the shopping district. Her eyes lit up like Christmas lights as she scanned each shopping venue: from clothing retail outlets to jewelry stores... even toward arcade joints.

"So, where shall we begin, guys?!" Minako asked. "It's so hard to choose!"

Rio and Kohana faced on another and answered simultaneously. "You choose."

"Aw, you two are so kind," Minako smiled.

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Old Navy/12:57 PM

"WOOOOW!" Minako shrieked as she held a pile of shirts, blouses, and skirts. "These low prices are definitely a good deal! Rio-kun, you know where to find the perfect places for shopping!"

Rio watched Minako from the sidelines. "Glad I could help. Buy as much to your hearts content."

"Want me to get you guys anything? I have enough extra money to spend."

Kohana nodded. "No thanks. Really we're fine."

"Oh, come on. I'm sure I'll find you something you'll like," Minako winked as she set her selection pile on the floor. She looked through the kids sections to scan through the perfect selections for girls. "Hmmm." Her eyes suddenly spotted a pair of green pants. "Kohana. You said you don't like pink or anything too girly, right?"

"Yep, that's right."

"How about green?" Minako asked as she held up a pair of green pants.

Rio's sister stared at the pants and nodded with approval. "Not bad."

"Well, why don't you come and try them on?"

Rio smiled as he insisted his sister to follow Minako. "Go ahead. I'll be right here."

"Ok. Tell me what you think." With that, Kohana followed Minako along toward the girls' dressing room.

As Kohana walked in front of her dressing room, Minako handed her the pair of green pants. The girl closed the door behind her and began to change. Minako stood outside the room as she waited for Kohana to finish.

"Kohana. I've been meaning to ask you."

"What is it?"

The idol twitched her nose. "Well, you two are living in an apartment together. You and your brother I mean."

"We do. My brother has been working so hard to pay for our rent and we've been saving up."

"You really do admire Rio-kun for doing all that. You do have a wonderful brother."

"He's all that I've got..." Kohana paused as she finished changing. "Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking if you two ever thought about living in Tokyo. That's where I live. My home is within Juuban," the blonde stared off at the side wall while checking herself out in front of a mirror. "You two are really good people I'd like to hang out with. It'd be a shame if we only contacted each other through long distance ways."

"...I've always wanted to go to Tokyo."

"Have you discussed this with your brother yet?"

Kohana sighed. "Yes, but he feels we're better off here. We left Tokyo after our parents died. He's been trying to cut off any ties from his past. Our past."

"I see. Well, if he feels more comfortable living here, I won't hold that against him."

"But, maybe if I could convince him, he might change his mind. Ok, I'm done!" Kohana said as she opened the door and walked out. She showed off her green pair of jeans. Well, they weren't actually green. They were more an army green. "How does it look on me?"

"BINGO! I love it!" Minako shouted as she walked over and checked her pants. "Nice. It suits you fine."

"How did you know I was into this style?"

Minako chuckled as she bent over and touched Kohana's pants. "This is going to sound strange, but I have this sixth sense when it comes to judging people's taste on clothing. You weren't too hard to guess. You even said you didn't like really bright colors."

"Well, just nothing OVERLY feminine," Kohana kind of blushed.

As Minako stopped, she turned and stared into Kohana's double-colored eyes. "Wow, your eyes are so pretty. Were you always born with those?"

"Yes... and listen I can be very sensitive when it comes to my eyes," Kohana slightly frowned. "I've beaten up jerks who've made fun of me because of these eyes."

"They have...? Oh, those morons. Your eyes are beautiful!" Minako exclaimed. "And I give you big props for having double-colored eyes. That trait alone makes you distinctive from all the other normal people! Forget what they tell you! Say that I approve of uniqueness!"

Kohana couldn't help but smile. She never once received (besides from her own brother) high compliments about her eyes. She could feel that Minako was accepting for the type of person she was.

"Kohana. I only judge people by the type of people they are. In other words, I judge them by personality alone. I make sure I can befriend people I can really depend on."

The girl smiled as she extended her right hand out. "Well, I approve of you as a friend, Minako. You're not like those other idol singers. Your kindness distinguishes yourself from them."

"Kohana, that really means so much to me," Minako smiled as she reached over and hugged the girl. "Thank you."

Kohana was caught by surprise from the young woman's approach. Nonetheless, she hugged her back. "You're welcome. Glad I could be your friend."

As the two girls hugged, Rio watched from outside the door. A smile broadened on the young man's face as he moved back.

"Thank you, Minako-san. If you can make my sister happy, you'd be someone I can trust," Rio whispered.

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Outside Osaka Castle/2:45 PM

"What do you think of Osaka Castle, Minako-san?" Rio pointed to one of the country's most famous castle. "This castle is significant in its role in the unification of Japan. It happened during the 16th century."

Minako observed the castle while taking pictures with her digital camera. "Ah, this will look nice for my new scrap book!"

Kohana tugged on Minako's side skirt. "Can we get a group shot together?!"

"Sure. That's a good idea. Let's take a picture together, Rio-kun! Us with Osaka Castle in the background!"

The young man shrugged. "Sure thing."

"All right!" Minako cheered as she noticed a shrine worker walking by. "Sir, could you take a quick picture of us three with the castle behind us?"

"Not a problem," the man took the camera and waited as the trio grouped together for a perfect shot. He made sure to get everything, including the castle and the three in the same shot. "All set! Ready. One, two, three! Smile!"

The trio responded with smiles as the man took a quick picture. Minako walked over to retrieve her camera and gave a salutatory bow to the shrine worker.

"Thank you, kind sir!" Minako called out as she walked over to pick up bring basket with Artemis inside.

The Mooncat chuckled a little inside the basket as he was happy to see Minako having a good time with her two new friends. As long as you're happy, Mina. It's very good to see you having a good time. Very good to get away from battles for a change.

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Local Arcade/4:23 PM

As they tested each other's racing skills, Minako and Rio played against each other in several races in Burnout 3: Takedown. Kohana stood up as she watched her brother being pushed to his limit.

"Wow, no one's ever contested you like this, brother," Kohana said with a smile.

Rio turned the wheel aggressive and gritted his teeth. "Yeah, but I'm not going to let her beat me."

As she took Rio's gloating to heart, Minako quickly turned the wheel as she by-passed Rio in an instant and pushed the gas pedal all the way.

"Hey! Wait a minute-!" Rio couldn't believe his eyes as he was taken off his guard.

Minako successfully made it to the finish line and grinned. "HEH! You're not so bad, Rio! Good race, my friend!"

Getting off from his chair, Rio replied. "That was a competitive race all right. I was just going to surprise you at that last instant."

"Nice try, but I've driven against the best."

"You're really good, Minako," Kohana complimented the blonde.

"Well, what can I say? I'm not Japan's Racing Queen for nothing! Ohohohoho!" The idol chortled with pride.

Kohana walked beside Minako and raised her right arm. "Sorry, brother, but looks like we've got a new racing champ in Osaka!"

"I demand a rematch!" Rio challenged the blonde.

"Oh, you are SO on!" Minako accepted as she hopped back into the racing seat.

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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan/5:34 PM

Later in the day, Rio and Kohana took Minako to the local aquarium. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is considered one of the world's largest public aquariums in the world. Inside were walk-through aquariums displaying many habitats in large tanks. These were beautiful sights to behold and a popular site to visit, especially for tourists.

Minako was awe struck by the hundred varieties of different aquatic life.

"This is incredible! Look at all these fish!" Minako exclaimed.

Kohana smiled as she watched a pair of clown fish swimming. "Yeah, we were planning to bring you here. What do you think?"

"I love it! This whole day has been fun!" The idol smiled with delight.

Rio walked up beside Minako and placed his hand over hers. "I just want to make sure you were having a good time."

As she felt Rio's hand touch hers, Minako was taken back by this approach and blushed a bit. "And I am."

"Me and Kohana haven't had this much fun with anyone for a long time. I also think it's been good for my sister," the young man said as he eyed his tomboy sister. "Right?"

"Uh-huh! Minako, if you have plans to go out with my brother, I wouldn't mind at all."

Rio smiled as he looked straight into Minako's eyes. "I was thinking about what you and my sister were talking about. About us possibly coming to Tokyo."

"You listened to our conversation?"

Kohana interjected. "Brother, did you?"

"Yes, and I've been thinking hard. Minako-san, if it meant spending more time with you... I think Kohana and I have distanced from our home for too long. Our parents would rather see us living happily and I'd be overjoyed if you could help provide that for us."

"Rio-kun, I..." Minako paused as Rio smiled, making her blush again.

"For Kohana and my sake, I'd be more than happy to move back."

Minako smiled. "I see... so you've finally decided."

"Yes, but that'll take a little time. But, the night is young. There's someplace I'd like to take you. Kohana, I think you know what I'm referring to."

The young girl scratched her chin until she realized what Rio referred to. "Oh right!"

"What do you want to show me?" Minako inquired as she eyed the siblings.

Rio put an arm around Minako. "Oh, you'll see."

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"Oh, sorry, but this is where the EVIL cliffhanger comes into effect! Don't worry though... you guys will find out what Rio-kun and Kohana have to show me next time. And you'll see how those two end up back in Tokyo. Stay tuned for the conclusion of this short romantic tale! This is Minako Aino, J-Pop idol sensation, signing out! Hugs and kisses to all!"

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A/N: The next act will be the final part of this short romance story. Anyway, this little tale will tie into the current on-going Taiyoukai Awakening story. Make sure you guys are reading that in accordance with this one!

Until then, send me a review and a Happy 2009 to you all!