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.

Welcome to a new year. And I hope I can actively write more chapters for Gaiden in 2009. It's not really a resolution, but just in case I get the case of a writer's block.

Anyway, this chapter will conclude the three-part love saga of Minako and Rio. Time to see what Rio wants to show Minako.

Enjoy!

xxxxx

An Idol in Love, Part III

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(Set between The Invasion of the Rajita and before the Taiyoukai Awakening)

Osaka/Sakura Branch Apartment Complex/Kuroshishi Residence/Room #510/March 12, 2006/7:40 PM

As Minako walked through the front door, she poked her head into an apartment room. She glanced around the room as Rio and Kohana stood behind her waiting. Minako noticed a row of beautiful paintings hanging across a hallway, which immediately caught her eye.

"Um, aren't you going in?" Rio asked as he tapped Minako's back.

"Oh, sorry! I forgot that this is your apartment!" Minako apologized as she finally walked into the apartment. "I just kinda zoned out there!"

"It's okay," Rio chuckled while he and Kohana walked inside their den. He closed the door behind him, locking the knob with his key. "Kohana, why don't you go check what we have in the kitchen? I'm sure Minako-san would like something to eat."

"Oh, you don't need to bother! I'm not that hungry!" Minako declined the offer. Suddenly, she stopped as she heard her stomach rumble. "Uh." She gave a quick priceless expression while her cheeks blushed. "Heh, well, guess my stomach thinks differently."

Rio sighed while shaking his head. "Oh, Minako-san. We have enough to feed guests."

Kohana smiled as she walked into the kitchen. "Don't worry. I'll take out something to heat up for all of us!" With that, she went over to the refrigerator and scanned through the essentials they had stored.

Meanwhile, Minako and Rio sat down on the couch together to converse about their day. Before Rio went into any details, the young idol looked back at the painting frames hanging across the hallway, which lead toward Rio's bedroom.

"Rio-kun. Are these paintings yours?"

"Yes, and actually this is what I've wanted to show you," Rio admitted as he got off the couch and took Minako's hands. He then led her toward the hallway decorated with his paintings. "You didn't expect me to be an artist, did you?"

"Absolutely not! This is a surprise!" Minako was awestruck with the paintings. She looked back and forth, analyzing the texture of Rio's paintings. "They're beautiful. You know I ought to introduce you to my friend. Her name is Michiru Kaioh. She..."

"Yes, I know her."

"You do?"

"Well, I've never meet her personally, but I am a big fan of her works. She kind of inspired me."

Minako smiled as the thought of Michiru being an inspiration to Rio made her happy. "Well, that's wonderful to hear. Maybe I should introduce you to her sometime."

"Perhaps. How long have you known her?"

"Several years. I can tell you that we're completely opposite in personality. I really can't see myself competing with you and her in painting."

"Don't say that. You're a popular idol singer. I'd say that is your art of work in progress and you've become a very gifted artist."

Minako blushed a bit as she looked off to her left side. "Well... thank you. That means a lot coming from you." Then, as she was about to speak again, the idol's eyes stared at a very cryptic and frightening painting. "Oh my... now this one REALLY stands out from the others!"

Rio realized which painting the idol alluded to. He walked beside her as his smile faded, only to be replaced by a rather solemn expression. Minako took note of the young man's change in facial expression, wondering what might have upset him.

"That painting is probably the one that really gets me the most," he responded while his voice became nearly quiet as if he whispered.

The painting image itself depicted of two men facing each other off. Both of them wore some kind of majestic armor, both of which were embellished with odd designs. Their faces looked alike as if they were mirror images of each other. However, on the right side, the man appeared to have an impassive face. The man on the left wore an angry scowl as if he were about to attack the other man. At the very center of the painting was a little girl. She wore a saddened expression on her face as if conveying hopelessness in the rather dire situation the painting depicted.

"My god. This really looks… how I can say?"

"Twisted?" Rio asked. "That was my intention."

"I wasn't implying that it was… it's just… did you base these three people off anyone? Anyone important?" Minako asked as she closely analyzed the painting.

As Rio stared at the painting, he shook his head as if trying to shake off some images from his mind. What he saw was a young man similar to his age and listened to his blood-curling screams. Rio grabbed his face and jerked himself back, backing away from the painting.

"Rio-kun?!" Minako spun around, looking at him with concern. "What's wrong?!"

As Rio had his back turned to Minako, he covered his face while breathing hard.

"Rio-kun. Tell me what's the matter," the idol asked as she approached Rio, attempting to put console him. "You just freaked out looking at the picture. Is there something I should know?"

"No… nothing at all…" Rio muttered as it took a few seconds for him to recollect his normal thoughts, removing any images of what spooked him earlier. While taking a deep breath, Rio turned around with a more composed gesture. "Sorry about that, Minako-san. It's just sometimes… even I kind of get spooked by that painting."

"Really?" She asked while looking back at the painting. Her face contorted into a slightly unhinged look. "Yeah, I think I can't argue there. It's sure creepy."

"It doesn't seem to bother Kohana though. Heh, guess I'm more of a softie than she is."

Minako managed to smile, giggling a bit. "Oh poor you. Come on. I think we've seen enough of your paintings. Really, I should get you to meet Michiru-san sometime. I'm sure she can interpret the meaning of that creepy painting."

"Can she do that?"

"Yeah. She's pretty good when it comes to analyzing one's work. Anyway, I'm wondering what Kohana is going to heat up."

Rio led Minako back into the living room as he offered her a spot to sit down. As Minako comfortably sat down, Rio sat beside her. The two stared off at the ceiling until Minako was the first to speak, ending the brief awkward moment of silence.

"Rio-kun, maybe I shouldn't even bothering asking about why you freaked out."

"It's better that way. Anyway, there's also a reason I asked you to come here. You see… I've been giving some thought about going back to Tokyo."

As this was brought to Minako's attention, the female idol turned and listened. "You have? Have you really thinking of going back?"

"Well, for my sister's sakes… maybe. Also, I'd really like to get to know you better, Minako-san. We're completely cut off from each other. I mean… we could always e-mail and call each other, but… I'd rather hang out with you like this. You and me can go out. I'd even like to see you perform in other cities. I know you can be quite a busy young woman."

Minako nodded. "Indeed. Just this week along has and will be busy, but I know you two are going to watch me do my best."

"You are the best, Minako-san. I'm not lying when I'm telling you this."

"Nah, you're just saying that! I bet there are even better idol singers than me in this world…"

"That's not true. You're heads and shoulders above them all. You bring inspiration to those seeking to achieve their dreams…"

Minako let all of this sink in, feeling proud of what she has accomplished as a career woman. She realized that her music not only gained a growing fan base, but has inspired many in the country.

"Don't feel bashful."

"Me bashful?!" Minako was taken back a bit. "Pfft, I'm never too ashamed of anything I do! As long as I make people happy, I realize that I've done my job." The blonde said with overwhelming confidence.

"Well, regardless of how far you go, always count on me and Kohana to watch you perform."

Minako smiled with a wink. "And I'll make sure you two get the VIP passes for all of my shows."

"That works out well for us."

"Anyway, we're going off the subject here. Have you and Kohana finally decided to move back to Tokyo?"

With that, Rio leaned back on the cough and looked up at the ceiling. He gave this initial question some thought as Minako looked at him, waiting for a direct answer. Rio let a smile curl on his face.

"So, does that smile mean anything? C'mon! You're being too vague? Is that a yes?" Minako practically begged for a reply as she gently nudged his side.

Rio shrugged as his smile widened. "Maybe. Maybe not."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Minako blinked, befuddled to where these vague responses were leading.

"You'll know in due time, but let's spend some more time together for as long as you're here."

Minako raised an eyebrow in suspicion as she shrugged and gave in. "Sure, I guess. I've never had a guy make me guess what he's thinking, but I hope I get a straight answer soon."

Rio nodded. "You will. I can assure you that."

As the two carried on their friendly conversation, Kohana stood listening to her brother and her favorite idol singer. She heard everything, including the brief chat regarding the vague painting.

Kohana sighed. Brother, I do hope you gave her a straight answer soon. And that painting… glad you didn't tell her what it really represented. She's not ready to know yet… about what happened to us.

xxxxx

Juuban District/Local Gym/October 24, 2006/7:56 PM

Nearly eight months have since passed. Minako and Rio's relationship still remained intact. She made sure to keep Rio a classified secret to her friends until she was ready to introduce him to them.

After finishing up a daily routine of gym exercises, Minako prepared to walk out while carrying her basket with Artemis inside. As she made her way out of the park, her cell phone went off. Immediately pulling out her phone, she checked the caller's ID and her heart raced as Rio Kuroshishi.

She quickly answered the call and responded. "Hello? Rio-kun?"

"Hi, Minako-san. Good to hear from you."

"You, too. So, what's going on?"

"Do you remember when I told you I've give you my answer."

Minako quickly remembered. "Yeah, that you'd tell me I'll know in due time. It's been almost eight months since you mentioned that."

"Turn around and you'll know the obvious answer."

With that, the idol twirled around and noticed Rio standing in front of her. Minako's eyes widened as she threw her arms around Rio, embracing him for a passionate hug. Rio returned the hug, putting his arms around the girl's lithe body.

"Rio-kun…" She murmured happily. "So, you and Kohana are back in Tokyo!"

"My answer is yes, Minako-san. Kohana and I are back in Tokyo."

"I'm so happy to hear this! When did you guys move back? You didn't even let me know about any of this!"

"Kohana suggested that I keep this a secret and surprise you."

"Well, it sure worked. Your sister's pretty smart," Minako smiled devilishly as she and Rio pulled away from each other.

"We moved here about two days ago. If you want, I can take you to my place."

"I'd love that!" The young idol nodded with elatedly as she stared up at Rio. "So, when do you want me to introduce you to my friends?"

"Whenever you want, Minako-san."

"I'll arrange a time for that, but I'd say let's keep my friends guessing. They'll be pleasantly surprised to see you."

"I'm sure they will," Rio said as he leaned down toward Minako.

As Rio edged close to her, Minako closed her eyes and planted a kiss on Rio's lips. The two lovers shared a deep, passionate kiss. At long last, Minako found the man she has looked for. The Goddess of Love officially was now a lover of her dream boyfriend.

As for Rio, he finally returned to the town where the 'nightmare' all started.

Tokyo. The root of where all of his misery began.

As Rio kissed Minako, he spoke in inner thought. Minako-san. I hope for your sake that you won't be targeted by them as long as you're with me.

xxxxx

A/N: Well, that ends the short love story. I hope it's good enough as is. As for the vague ending, Rio is alluding to something that will be linked to the Taiyoukais.

The meaning of that painting will eventually be revealed down the line (in the third season to be specific). Rio's appearance will open up a big plot that will unfold in the third season. But, keep an eye out for the Taiyoukai's Awakening. Something will unfold.

That is all. Hope you enjoyed this edition of Gaiden. Review it and see you in the next update!