Eek, I seriously need to update this. Like, now. The last chappy was, what, 5 days ago? Sorry if you've actually taken an interest in this fic and have wanted me to update...I was contemplating between this one and Trapped, but I went with this one. So, I'll shut up now and start writing!
Polaris18: I'll let you in on a little secret, Nik does like Rio. However, the question you should be asking yourself is will that be enough to keep him from turning on her? Sure, I actually know the perfect place to put her, too.Talking about your character now... Oh, and that war thing is over. It was over when they came back from town and Kanone was laughing at whatever Callia said that was so damn funny. I took that as them having made a truce, and then Eyes being in the hopsital just made them even more...umm, trucey? I don't know what to call it, but it's over. Thanks for reviewing!
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Nik had taken Rio to a small diner on practically the other side of town, claiming that they had the best pasta in the world there. Rio sat down, and smiled up at Nik, who took a seat right next to her instead of the usual spot across the table, "So," Nik began, "when are your friends getting out of the hospital?" he asked, feigning concern.
Rio took a bite of bread, and chewed, "Well, Kano..." she smiled, sheepishly as her words were muffled by the bread, then swallowed her food, "Sorry. Kanone is fine to go whenever, but Ryoko is in prett bad shape. She won't be getting out for at least another week." she said, a bit sadly. Once again, the pang of regret filled her body and she blamed herself entirely for what happened, "If only I'd been there..." she thought.
Nik frowned slightly, "Only a week. That doesn't give us much time, and if I'm going to do anything it has to be quick." Then, another idea popped up, "So, once they're out, you're just going back to that hotel? It doesn't seem very realistic, especially since your friend was hurt pretty bad."
Rio smiled, "No, we're moving to a new house once they're ready." she informed him (stupid girl...don't tell him that!), "It's actually around here, I think..." she bit her lip, looking around, "Actually, I'm not too sure where it is, Eyes and Kanone have all that figured out."
Then, Nik saw his opportunity, "Eyes? You don't mean Eyes Rutherford, do you?" he asked, a glint of excitment in his eye.
Rio nodded, a bit proudly, "Yep, Eyes is my friend!" she stated.
"Really? I've been following his career for a long time, but I've never been able to get a chance to talk with him, and I've only seen him perform once live." he said, a little disappointed, "It would be great to meet him, he's one of my idols." Nik knew he was feeding Rio more crap than was really neccessary, but he figured it was better to pour it on than to seem unsincere.
"I could arrange a meeting!" Rio offered, "Oh, he's kind of tied up at the moment, though, with Kanone being in the hospital, and the new house and everything..." she trailed off.
Nik smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry about it. I'll tell you what, once you guys get everything squared away, and are all settled into your new house, give me a call and I'll drop by."
Rio nodded enthusiastically, "Okay!" she agreed, "That sounds like a good plan."
Nik grinned to himself, "That was easier than I thought it would be. Now, as long as I don't screw things up with Rio, and Ryoko keeps her damn mouth shut, everything will go smoothly." he thought.
Of course, Ryoko had done everything but keep her mouth shut, and that had resulted in Kousuke running through every floor, searching for Rio. Finally ending up in the lobby, he came to the conclusion that Rio was indeed not in the hospital. The only place he hadn't checked was Kanone's room, which was where he took of for next. Hoping that Rio was in there, Kousuke opened the door to the boy's room. Scanning the occupants quickly, he saw that the small Blade Child was not among them, and became even more worried for her safety. Eyes' gaze rested upon the out-of-breath redhead, and raised an eyebrow, "Is there a problem?" he asked, wondering where the hell Kousuke had been running.
The latter took a second to catch his breath, and shook his head, "Rio...have you seen her?" he asked, hoping that someone would say that she only went to the bathroom or something.
Unfortunately, Kalelle shook his head, "She said she was going out for a little bit." he informed Kousuke.
"Did she say with who?" he asked, panic evident in his voice.
The older twin thought for a second, "No, just that she was going out, and would return later."
Now, Ayumu became interested in the conversation, "Is there something wrong?" he questioned, noticing the worried state of the Blade Child.
"Ryoko's awake." Kousuke said, "She told me that she remembered who stabbed her."
Even Kanone opened his eyes at this, "Who?" he asked, desperately not hoping it was who he was thinking.
"Nik." Kousuke said in a low voice. He knew how much Rio liked him, and it would break her heart to learn that he was only decieving her. He just hoped he could get this news to the grey-haired girl before Nik got to her.
"Do you think that's who she's out with right now?" Ayumu asked the obvious question that they all already knew the answer to.
Kousuke looked around, hoping that someone would answer the question in the negative, but to his dismay, the other three boys nodded their heads in agreement. Kousuke clenched his fists, "Damn." he said softly, "Why does this keep happening to Rio?" he wondered.
Kanone tilted his head to the side, "What do you mean?" he asked, wondering what else had happened to her. Eyes looked to him for an explanation as well, wondering when he hadn't been there to protect Rio.
"I mean, look at you two." he began, motioning to Eyes and Kanone, "You're together, and neither one of you are planning on killing each other. Niether are Kalelle and Ayumu or Ryoko and I. How did Rio get caught up with the bad guy?" he questioned no one in particular.
The four boys glanced to their significant other, each glad that things had worked for them, but also equally sorry that Rio hadn't been as lucky. When no one answered Kousuke's hypothetical question, the inevitable question came from the oldest of the group, "What do we do now?" he asked.
Kanone thought over his brother's question, "Well, we can't just wait until she gets back, and hope she's safe." he said, very much stating the obvious.
"We have no idea where she is, though." Ayumu pointed out.
Eyes simply looked at them all like they were idiots, "Have you all even heard of cells phones?" he asked, pulling his out. The rest just exchanged embarrassed glances as the smartest of the group dialed Rio's number.
Rio was in the middle of sliding some pasta in her mouth when her phone started to vibrate. Quickly pushing the noodles down her throat, she took a sip of soda and flipped it open, "Hello?" she asked, halfway between interested who would be calling her and angry that her date had been interrupted. She knew it wasn't an official date, but it still felt like one. Of course, if it was an official date that would make Nik her...boyfriend. Rio blushed slightly at the idea, and tried to focus on what the person on the other line was saying, "Oh, hi Eyes!" she said excitedly, "I'm at a resturaunt with Nik. Huh? Now? Can't it wait until I'm done eating?" she asked, now angry that her "date" was not only getting interrupted but cut short, "What's wrong?" she wondered, now a little worried, "Ryoko? Oh, I'll be there as soon as I can." she closed her phone, and looked to Nik a little apologetically, "I've got to go. Eyes just called and said that Ryoko's awake, and she's got some sort of news." she explained, standing up, "I'm really sorry that I have to go, but I had a really good time. I'll call you later!" she promised, and ran off before Nik could get a word in edgewise.
Nik was speechless as he watched Rio jump in a taxi and speed off back towards the hospital, "She's awake already?" he thought, alarmed as he saw his entire plan being ruined, "She can't be awake yet..." This was not how things were supposed to go. Not only would he get any closer to Rio, but now he'd probably be cut off from her all together. Shaking his head, he threw some money down on the table and hailed his own cab, heading back towards the hotel, hoping Turner had an idea.
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Hmm, so he didn't get her. Now all his plans are ruined, right? Who knows...oh, I do! Heh, and knowing me you should know things won't be that simple. I dunno, perhaps Turner has something up his sleeve? Review!