Here guys, I'm uploading this chapter now, for I finally finished chapter 7. Hope you enjoy, things are a bit repetitive here, but it's quite necessary for chapter 7.

Umi's POV:

The sunlight streamed into my room, waking me up this afternoon. I had a weird yet peaceful feeling about me, I felt so happy today.

I swam out and enjoyed the afternoon. I soon bumped into Ai.

"Hey UmI!" Ai energetically chirped, "So how was last night? Did he come?"

He? I thought as a smile slowly crept up to my face, You mean Arashi? Yeah, he's wonderful, he came all right.

Ai looked at me strangely which broke me out of thoughts.

"Uh... Yes, he came," I said, trying to suppress the smile that escaped my face.

Ai slowly grinned.

"So, Umi? What did you both do?" she asked, emphasizing the word "both".

"Uh... Nothing really," I said, trying not to think about the accidental "kiss". Ai grinned mischievously. She then swam up to close to me.

"Oh, really? Then why does your face tell me otherwise?" Ai giggled.

"I... um... err... Arashi..." I stuttered. I could tell I was blushing because Ai had burst out in a fit of giggles.

"Oh, c'mon. Umi, just spit it out," Ai said, unable to stop giggling. I sighed and told her everything.

"Are you sure that was an accident?" I asked, grinning widely and giggling uncontrollably. I blushed harder, however I was also smiling.

"Yeah, it was. But I sort of wish it wasn't an accident," I absentmindedly said.

Ai giggled when I said this.

"Oh! So you mean you love him?" she squealed with delight.

"N-no, I mean, I'm not sure of how I feel for him yet," I quickly said

Ai just giggled.

"Really Umi, you're blessed to have found such a nice guy. You guys sound like you're having so much fun together," Ai dreamily sighed.

"Well, I'm still getting to know him," I said, trying to take away Ai's suspicion of my love for Arashi.

"So, are you going to meet him again soon?" Ai curiously inquired.

"Of course! Tomorrow night again!"I cheerfully answered.

Ai grinned.

"No wonder you're so happy," Ai teased.

"C'mon Ai, please just stop it!" I childishly snapped back. The rest of the day was bliss for me. I felt happy yet I didn't know why. I slowly took off the rose-like coral fragment Ai had given me and put it in my room. I would be using it again soon tomorrow.

I was drifting off to sleep because I didn't get much sleep last night and I don't really think Arashi would like to see me sleepy tomorrow, I didn't want to frighten him off with my temper. But dad barged into my room again.

"Umi," dad sternly said, "Have you thought about giving Armik a chance yet?"

I gave a face of disgust. There's no way I'm ever gonna let Armik be my partner for life no matter what!

"Um... not really, dad..." I replied.

"Please Umi, he's very much in love with you, he's sincere and all and he's pretty much a reliable leader," dad pleaded.

In love? I thought, With me? More like my position; and love? Don't make me scoff, he knows not love, just lust. No way am I ever gonna agree. But dad won't let me say no, might as well just pretend to give him a chance and I could make up the rest.

"Fine dad. Just one chance," I said in disgust.

Yuck! I just said that I'd give Armik a chance? This is gonna be a hell for me, not that I have a choice.

"Thanks Umi," dad said, "This'll all be for your own good."

I sighed and just hugged him, no matter how stubborn he is, he's still my dad.

"So, I'll arrange a party tomorrow night," dad said, "We can hold it until morning and you could use all those time to get to know Armik."

I became alarmed, tomorrow night was my date, err... meeting with Arashi!

"Um... Dad, can you reschedule it?" I slowly asked.

"Why, Umi?" dad suspiciously asked.

"Um... Please give me one month to get ready dad, I'm feeling uh... nervous about Armik," I lied. The only thing I was nervous about was the possibility of me ending up as Armik's... urk!

"Fine, Umi. One month," dad sighed.

Phew! Never thought that that would've worked. So tomorrow I can still meet Arashi!

Oh, Arashi, I thought, I wish that you can make it too!

I smiled as I thought up that last sentence.

"Uhh... Umi?" dad asked, snapping me out of my daydream.

"Y-yeah?" I asked.

"Could the main reason why you hate Armik so much, is that you've found a suitable partner?" he guessed.

Arashi was a nice guy, but I'm not sure if he returns my feelings for him.

"N-no! I haven't!" I lied.

"Umi, you being hostile at Armik is quite normal for you but now you utterly despise him! Give me a reason as to why the sudden change in hostility?" he pressed further on.

"I just hate him because he's been flirting with me," I lied.

"Hmm... Fine. I'll give you one month to prepare," he said, obviously not believing my lie, and with that he left my room.

I sighed in relief. Dad almost found out. If he found out about Arashi, he might declare a war against Arashi's tribe.

I just coiled up and smoothed my red hair. I fixed my scales to make sure they were glittering as usual. I began to sleep, I didn't want to be late tomorrow.

I found Arashi's presence more pleasing compared to anyone else's, I wish I didn't have to keep him a secret from my parents.

And with that, I closed my eyes.

Arashi's POV:

I do like them, but I've never seen a real one.

I woke up. It was late in the afternoon and dad allowed me to sleep in- " 'cause you've been busy all night, son" was what he said.

The last words that I heard in my dream were muttered by Umi. She does like roses. Maybe I should-

Then an idea struck me. I quickly rummaged through my room, which wasn't that easy for it was a cave.

Then I found what I was looking for, a huge Sapphire gemstone, it was my most prized possession for dad had given it to me in my most recent birthday. He said it was a symbol of responsibility and that I was to give it to Ikari someday when I asked her to be my... um, never mind. Anyway, I took it up and snuck out to the clearing Kip usually goes to.

I found Kip there again.

"Hey, Arashi? Did this Umi of yours show up?" he inquired while biting at something.

I paled, I wanted to ask him a favour but with him getting all curious...

"Um... Yeah, before you ask any more questions can we please go to your place?" I asked nervously.

"Fine, fine," Kip replied.

We then swam over to his abode again. I took out the Sapphire gemstone and placed it at the floor.

"Woah! What're you planning to do with that?" Kip gasped.

"Umm... It's a secret. But I need to leave this here, don't tell anyone about it. Dad mustn't find out!" I told him.

"Fine. But, just a guess, are you planning on... giving this to Umi?" Kip asked, grinning.

I flushed.

"N-no, at least n-not in that c-condition," I blurted out.

"Ehehehe, I didn't think that you would actually do this kind of thing," Kip taunted, his grin suppressing a chuckle.

"Augh... Kip!" I whined like a child.

"So anyway, Arashi. What did you do last night? Did Umi find you appealing?" Kip swam around as he asked.

I spilled out everything though I immediately regret telling him about the dream and the "accident" that followed.

Kip chuckled at the moment he heard it. I tried to cover my face with my tail but he soon started to speak.

"So, Arashi... First the gem, now you being content when you talked about the accident and your dreams... You must really like her," Kip stated, grinning ear to ear.

I paled.

"We j-just met, s-so don't g-go jumping to c-conclusions," I struggled for a comeback.

"Arashi, are you maybe... in love?" Kip asked, his smile becoming more mischievous.

I froze. Why did I always feel different about her? Why do I enjoy her company? Is it because... I'm in love with her?

"I-I d-don't KNOW!" I yelled, unable to arrange my thoughts.

Kip swam around my tail, obviously enjoying me being tormented. Then, I suddenly remembered that Kip, despite his kind being Water-type, could traverse in land too.

"Hey Kip," I asked, "Could you do me a favour?"

Kip perked up. "Yeah, what?"

I whispered into his ear and he just smiled.

"When do you want it?" he asked, still smiling.

"Before tomorrow night," I blushed as I answered.

"Sure," Kip answered grinning, "I'll do it, seeing as you're very much in love with her."

I blushed harder and bit my tongue.

"So what're you gonna do with the Sapphire?" he asked while pretending to kneel down for a proposal.

I ignored his taunt but still couldn't help blushing.

"It's a secret," I answered, "I know what to do to make the Sapphire a perfect gift to Umi. I guess I'll start working on it tomorrow."

Kip just nodded.

"You better get home now. We wouldn't your dad to get suspicious now, would we? If he finds out about your date, ehehe..." Kip quipped teasingly.

My face was read but I had to agree with him.

"Don't let dad know about the gem, Kip. Thanks," I said as I swam away.

I arrived home late in the afternoon, but dad stopped me in the palace hall.

"Son, there's someone waitin' fer ya in yerr room," he grinned as he said.

I froze. Could that be Ikari? The main reason why I always went out with Kip is to avoid Ikari.

I tried to escape but dad brought me to my room. He then left me alone inside for some "bonding" time or so he says.

"Arashi!" a voice hissed angrily.

I flinched. She cleared her throat and talked to me with her fake politeness.

"I mean, Prince Arashi. Where have you been the past few days? The King told me you were off to train but I didn't see you anywhere in the training grounds," she asked with a false look of concern over her face.

"I don't train there anymore," I stated, "and what are you doing in my room?"

"Only to see you, my charming Prince," she said, the false politeness in her voice starting to rust.

"Please, Ikari, I told you I'm not interested already," I said, I was very annoyed because she just won't take the hint that she's... not my type.

Ikari slowly swam out, muttering to herself.

"Whether you like it or not, I'll pull some strings and you shall ultimately end up being my partner," she muttered.

I found it strange that she gave up and left this early because she was usually persistent. Either way, I was content that she finally left, I simply lay down on my bed and began to think about tomorrow night.

What I didn't know, was that while the two of us were happy, there were also two dark forces who were not happy about this.

Well, I hope you like it, if you do, please do review and leave a comment, however small, but hey, it helps!