Ryume and Hikuro were having the time of their lives. They both laughed and smiled nonstop that day. Hikuro took Ryume to lunch, ice cream, a store where they both bought cheap bracelets, and to a peaceful park near the lake. Neither of them were going to forget this day.

It wasn't until around six-thirty that night did the two sit down and rested their feet. Ryume leaned against the wall of a building on a bench and sighed. She closed her eyes and listened to her surroundings; the laughter of kids, someone selling fruits, the bell of a shop door opening, and the steady breathing of Hikuro near her… getting closer? She opened her eyes once she felt his presence close enough and blushed as she stared into his brown eyes that were only centimeters away from hers.

Hikuro grinned and wrapped an arm around her, bringing her closer and making her blush. "So you have fun today?" He asked softly, putting his cheek on top of her head.

"The best." Ryume replied and relaxed, enjoying the warmth of her best friend beside her. Then she looked up at the sky and saw that it had gotten unusually darker. Probably just some passing clouds. She thought, sure of herself.

The main road cleared more and more as it got darker. There was still sun but it still felt mucky and humid. Ryume's hair was bugging her. She straightened herself and fixed her hair, smoothing it down. Looking at Hikuro's own hair, she smiled as she saw his long dark bangs cling to his face from the sweat and dampness. He looked back at her, confused.

"Your hair's all over your eyes." She said simply and moved his bangs with her hand gently. His curious wondering eyes followed hers as she fixed his hair. Moving his long hair, Ryume gazed into Hikuro's eyes, which she thought were wondrous. The color was a dark brown with a golden ring, calm and yet active. He never blinked. Just stared at Ryume's own eyes.

"What are you doing?" Hikuro laughed.

"I've never seen you without your hair in your eyes. Just curious." She said and put her hand down. But as she was doing it, Hikuro grabbed her hand and yanked it gently towards him, making Ryume fall into/onto him. He smiled devilishly and lifted up her chin. Ryume blushed dark pink and looked away.

Hikuro's smile faded into a calm once and he made Ryume face him again, bringing her closer and closer to him. Her lips were finally near his and he breathed softly, sending shivers up Ryume's spine. Done with that, he pressed his lips against hers. He held them there for a few moments before backing away but still having his arms around her. Ryume's face was red and she laughed slightly, hiding her face in his chest. Hikuro laughed and hugged her more lovingly, if possible. Kissing her forehead, he asked, "Are you that embarrassed of kissing me?"

"It's not that." Ryume mumbled through his shirt. "…Not exactly…" she added even quieter. Hikuro chuckled quietly and continued to hug Ryume, letting her move so that she could breath. With her cheek still on his chest and his arms still around her, they sat there in their own thoughts. Ryume broke the silence, "So why did you suddenly ask me to spend the day with you?"

Hikuro shrugged. "I thought it was about time we did, right?"

"I guess. But I don't think that's it"

"Well… It isn't…" He said nervously. Ryume looked up at him and he looked away. "Well, you see, Kiba and Naruto dared me to ask you out." Ryume got up and looked at Hikuro with no emotion on her face but wanting him to go on. "Umm… Well once they told me to, I was really shocked. But then I thought, 'hey, what the heck?', maybe I should." He paused and added very quietly, "And besides, I'd want to ask before that Sasuke would…"

"What?" Ryume suddenly said.

"I have to say it, Ryume! I wanted to ask you before Sasuke could. I don't… I don't want him to have you all to himself. He doesn't deserve you-"

"He what?" Ryume burst out, shocked and her mouth hanging open.

Hikuro growled to himself and looked away. "Forget it. I wasn't supposed to say anything."

"What are you talking about?

"Nothing! Okay? Just forget it! Forget I said anything!"

No. I need to know what you're thinking so I can fix any problems." Ryume said.

He shook his head. "Is that all you can think about? Solving other peoples' problems? Just worry about yourself and your own life. I'll take care of mine, okay?"

"You're saying it like what I'm doing doesn't satisfy you." Ryume said quietly.

Hikuro gritted his teeth. "Do you really want to know why? It's because you worry too much about Sasuke. It's like he's your diamond. Well you know what? You're my diamond! And yet, I feel like you act like I'm just a friend and nothing more." His voice was getting louder and he was now on his feet.

Ryume just shook her head, "That's not true, Hikuro. You know that's not true."

"Whatever. I don't want to hear it." Hikuro growled. "I thought maybe I could solve this problem by spending time with you all day but I guess that's just not enough."

"How can you say that?" Her voice was now feeble and small.

"Because it's damn true!" Hikuro said a little too loudly. Most of the people in the streets had left and whoever was left paid no mind to the two on the side.

Ryume's eyes started to water, ignoring her conscious telling her to run away. Just a few seconds ago, she sensed the downpour of the rain from the storm coming closer. But she was too busy chocked by the turn on events that she didn't even notice the quiet rumble of thunder a few miles away.

"Well?" Hikuro asked. "Aren't you going to say something? Or are you too ashamed?"

Ryume looked up at Hikuro, her eyes full of tears, "You know what I'm ashamed of? I'm ashamed of allowing myself to be best friends with you. I'm ashamed of thinking that I'd risk my life for you. I'm ashamed of asking you why you brought me here because I was truly happy. I'm ashamed of feeling like a spoiled brat to you."-she took a deep breath and said loudly-"And I'm ashamed of loving two of my best friends!" And with that, she turned around, sobbing, and ran off into the haze.

Hikuro watched her go, frozen in shock. "What have I done?" He said quietly. "Best friend. Risk her life for me? Truly happy? Spoiled brat? I wasn't thinking that… She loves me?" He swallowed a lump in his throat and shook his head. I need time to think… And he walked in the opposite direction that Ryume ran off to.

He was only walking for three minutes did he see a figure running towards him. "Who the hell…?"

Sasuke?!

"What the hell? I thought you were on a mission." Hikuro said.

"Shut the hell up!" Sasuke snapped, out of breath. "Where's Ryume? Tell me NOW."

"I don't know and I don't care either." Hikuro said stubbornly and looked away.

Sasuke stopped and looked at Hikuro suspiciously. "What happened?" He ordered.

"You." Hikuro snapped. "That's what happened."

"What did you say to her? Where is she?

Hikuro growled and yelled, "I don't know where the hell she is! And it's none of your damn business about what I said!"

Sasuke gritted his teeth, "So you did say something!"

Snarling, Hikuro threatened Sasuke, "Yeah, so what? I just told her how I felt about your ass and how I wasn't anything to her. You of all people should know it's true. What the-?!"

Sasuke roared and punched Hikuro in the face, sending his crashing into the wall of a building. "What the hell were you thinking?! You dumbass!" Sasuke yelled.

Hikuro got up and rubbed his badly bruised cheek. "What the hell was that for?"

"I did that for my anger." Sasuke said. "And I'm not done yet!" he charged towards Hikuro and tackled him. They both fought and punched each other for a moment until a roll of thunder sounded. Sasuke stopped and looked up into the sky. Hikuro saw an opening and landed a punch on Sasuke. Sasuke growled and charged at Hikuro again, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the concrete wall, knocking the wind out of him. "And what I'm about to do next is for Ryume!"

"Go ahead. I don't care!" Hikuro snarled.

"Fine you idiot!" Sasuke snarled back, still holding Hikuro by the collar, "Now listen to me! You really don't get how much Ryume likes you, do you? No… she loves you. Haven't you even noticed that yet? Best friend? Huh? Tell me you idiot! Have you noticed yet or not?!"

"Ugh! Damn it! I don't know! Just stay out of it!"

"No! Ryume is my life and I won't stand back and watch you ruin her. Now listen you piece of garbage, I ran my ass off all day looking for you two. Kasaigaru wanted me to pass this on to you but I see that it's not wroth telling you anymore."

Another roll of thunder, this time louder.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Damn it Hikuro! Ryume's terrified of thunder! She's scared of storms! Don't you get it? Kasaigaru wanted me to tell you to watch out for her! What a fool I was to listen to him!"

Hikuro's eyes widened, lost for words. He looked away, "You're lying. I… I don't believe you."

Sasuke's eye blazed as his grip on Hikuro tightened. "Fine damn it!" He let go of Hikuro and backed away. He hesitated, "How hard was she crying?"

No answer.

Sasuke's eyes hardened, "You know but I don't. If you really cared about her and want her so much instead of me, then you shouldn't want to have her sobbing her heart out all night. Because you know she will." It was silent for a few seconds before a light flashed through the dark sky followed by a loud roll of thunder. Hikuro still hasn't said anything. Sasuke sighed angrily. "Fine. Kasaigaru doesn't want me to interfere. So I'll let you decide. But if she's not back home in two hours, I'm looking for her myself. So what's your choice? Will you let her cry all night, scared and all alone? Or will you keep all the words you said to her and everyone else about how much you cared about her and how she was your only best friend. Find her and solve everything. Or let her go…?" His footsteps faded into the dark.

Hikuro stood in the middle of the road as the downpour of rain came down on him. His long bangs covered his eyes and his body was slumped. He couldn't stop the thoughts that flooded at him…

"Hey Hikuro! I missed you!!" "Ugh, again? But we always spar!" "It's okay, I'll pay for the meal. It's all on me!" "Aww, Hikuro you're the best!" "Hikuro! You came!" "That's right! Hikuro's my best friend!" "Hey! Don't you dare mess with him!" "Rynn! Stop teasing Hikuro!" "Umm, Hikuro? I just wanted to say… Thank you and you're the best!" "You were always by my side and you're the best for that." "Hikuro… As a best friend… I love you."

"AHHH!!" Hikuro yelled at the top of his lungs and fell to his knees, clutching his head. "What have I done? I ruined a once in a lifetime friendship! The only best friend I had! I lost her! My diamond, my jewel… No…" A tear slid down his cheek.

"I have to find her."