(Disclaimer: Ikigami manga belongs solely to Mase Motoro, but Sasuke Mura and the other unknown characters I am writing about belong to me. The story is just based on the plot line of the manga. If this disclaimer is wrong, then please do not sue me.)

Chapter 9: Day off

Sasuke walked through a field of roses with the sun shining down on her. Sasuke looked at her surroundings as the wind blew around her. She suddenly felt a flower land in her hair. She plucked it off her head. To her surprise it was a Lily.

"Sasuke."

Sasuke gasped and looked through the fields. In the distance was a man covered in the shadows. Sasuke ran toward him with her arm outstretched. The shadow of the man began to walk off.

"Please wait!" called out Sasuke. The figure continued to walk off into the light of the sun. Sasuke leapt toward the shadow.

"Lily."

Sasuke snapped awake at the sound of her alarm. Sasuke sighed and rubbed her head. She shut her alarm off as she got out of bed. She went to the bathroom and splashed her face with cold water. Sasuke sighed.

"Why did I have that dream again?"

Sasuke changed into normal clothes and headed downstairs, where Tamaki and Yoshiro were eating breakfast. Sasuke looked around and asked, "Where's Mrs. Ohtori?"

"Went out early to get to a sale," said Tamaki and then tossed a chunk of rice in his mouth. Yoshiro looked at Sasuke as she went to her seat and asked, "Why aren't you in your medical clothes?" Sasuke smiled as she grabbed a serving of rice.

"The Institution needed pipe repairs, so they e-mailed the students telling us that today is a holiday," said Sasuke happily. Tamaki pouted.

"Lucky you. Yoshiro has work and I have school and work," complained Tamaki. Sasuke giggled and said, "We can try to hang out today after you guys are finished with your responsibilities." Yoshiro and Tamaki nodded.

When Yoshiro and Tamaki were finished eating, they left the house leaving Sasuke alone. Sasuke looked around the empty house and realized that it was the first time she was ever home in the morning during a Friday. Sasuke looked toward the front door.

Sasuke opened the front door and went to the mailbox. The mailbox was empty to her disappointment.

"Of course the letter wouldn't be here now."

"Is something wrong, Miss?"

Sasuke gasped in surprise. She looked behind her and saw a man in jeans and a brown short-sleeved shirt staring at her.

"Everything's fine," said Sasuke nervously. Sasuke and the man stared at each other for a long while. Sasuke suddenly gasped and said, "You're that man I ran into a month ago." The man nodded and said, "So that's why you looked familiar."

Sasuke nodded and then dug in her pocket to his confusion. Sasuke pulled out the beaded bracelet and handed it to the man.

"You dropped this before. I was hoping to see you again to give it back."

The man took the bracelet and smiled.

"I was wondering where it went," said the man. He bowed to Sasuke thanking her. Sasuke blushed slightly and nodded.

"So what brings you here…um?"

The man chuckled and said, "My name is Riri Kinomoto and yours."

"Sasuke Mura."

"A beautiful name," complimented Riri. Sasuke felt her cheeks heat up. Riri turned away from Sasuke and said, "I just came to see what you were doing, so I'll be on my way." Sasuke stared at his retreating back and had a vision of the dream.

"Kinomoto-San."

Riri stopped in his tracks and looked back at her. Sasuke twisted a strand of her hair on her finger and asked, "Are you doing anything today?" Riri smiled.

"Nothing really. Do you want to hang out with me?"

Sasuke burst into a bright smile and nodded.

Sasuke made sure the door was locked and then went to his side with her bag over her shoulder.

They walked down the sidewalk examining each of the stores. They ended up entering a strip mall filled with many pedestrians. Sasuke examined each of the stores in the mall and looked back at Riri.

"Is there a store here you want to visit?" asked Sasuke. Riri thought a while and nodded.

"I've been craving a strawberry smoothie with tapioca for a while, so let's go to Snow Fall," suggested Riri. Sasuke nodded and followed Riri.

They reached a café called Snow Fall and stood in the line. Riri looked at Sasuke and asked, "So what are you getting?"

"Strawberry Smoothie with tapioca. It is the greatest drink around."

Riri chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"Seems we have similar tastes," said Riri. Sasuke gave a slight blush and nodded.

They received their order from the café and sat at a table meant for two. Sasuke sipped her drink and asked, "So how old are you Kinomoto-san and what is your occupation?"

"I just turned thirty-four this year and my occupation is somewhat saving people and you?"

Sasuke fiddled with her straw and answered, "I'm nineteen, turning twenty in a few days. I don't have a job yet, but I am attending a medical institution to get a degree in becoming a doctor." Riri smiled.

"A doctor? That's pretty amazing."

Sasuke nodded and said, "It is amazing pursuing this field of work, but it is also hard because most of the patients die." Riri could see the sadness in her eyes, so he decided to change the subject.

"What things do you like?" asked Riri in a hurried tone. Sasuke smiled and said, "I love sweets, cute things like dolls and dresses, medical studies, and Lily."

"Lily? Is that your friend?"

Sasuke giggled and said, "Lily is my supporter since I was six. When I was depressed, Lily's letters always cheered me up. I have never seen him, but I know that he cares. I would love to meet him someday." Sasuke's smile seemed to be warm as she spoke of Lily. Riri blushed and patted her head.

Sasuke looked at Riri confusingly causing him to withdraw his hand. Riri scratched the back of his head sheepishly and said, "Let's head out to the fountains after we are done." Sasuke nodded and sipped her drink.

After disposing their empty cups, Sasuke and Riri headed toward the fountain area. They reached the area in no time, but saw that the fountains weren't functioning. Sasuke sighed in disappointment.

"The fountains are lovely when they shot out."

Riri nodded and said, "They are lovely, but really tricky. I remember when I was ten I raced toward the middle of the fountains and was attacked mercilessly by the shooting water. I never made it to my destination." Sasuke giggled causing Riri to blush.

"How about trying now?" asked Sasuke. Riri thought awhile and nodded. He walked to the side of the fountains. He took one step into the area and smirked when water didn't appear. Riri walked through the fountain toward the middle.

Sasuke suddenly heard the rush of water and gasped. She looked at Riri and said, "Be careful Kinomoto-San. I think the fountains are now…"

Water sprayed out under Riri soaking him completely. Riri was frozen in place. He looked toward Sasuke and saw her covering her mouth trying to prevent her laughter.

"Don't you dare laugh!" called back Riri. Sasuke burst out laughing clutching her stomach. Riri walked over to her getting sprayed by water at each step. He reached out to Sasuke and pulled her into the fountains causing her to gasp. Sasuke was immediately sprayed by the water. Sasuke stood in the fountains drenched. Riri burst out laughing as he held Sasuke. Sasuke glared at Riri and shoved him causing a flow of water to cover him. Riri stared at Sasuke with water dripping from his hair. Sasuke was laughing as she ran through the fountains. Riri smirked and chased her as she ran. The surrounding people saw them and were laughing as well.

"Isn't that sweet?"

"They must be newlyweds."

"Such a wonderful couple."

Sasuke and Riri couldn't hear them as they played in the fountains.

After playing in the fountains, Riri and Sasuke were leaving the mall strip with towels over their heads. Sasuke rubbed her hair down and looked at Riri.

"Thank you for taking me outside, Kinomoto-San."

Riri nodded as he dried his hair. He looked down at her and said, "You keep calling me Kinomoto-San. That's a very long name, so just call me Riri." Sasuke blushed.

"First name basis? We hardly know each other."

Riri smiled warmly at Sasuke and placed his forehead against hers.

"That's true, but today I feel like that I've known you for centuries, Sasuke," said Riri in a low tone. Sasuke blushed feeling her heart race.

"Riri?"

Riri smile grew wider and hugged Sasuke tightly.

"Now we know each other a bit more," whispered Riri. Sasuke smiled and hugged Riri back.

Sasuke returned to her home with Riri next to her. When they reached the front door, Sasuke looked at Riri and said, "Thanks again, Riri." Riri nodded. Sasuke was about to walk in, but Riri pulled her to him and kissed her on the cheek causing her to blush.

Riri handed her a piece of folded paper and said, "Call me, Sasuke." With that, Riri ran off down the sidewalk.

Sasuke held the cheek Riri kissed and looked down at the folded piece of paper. She unfolded it and saw a cell phone number. Sasuke smiled and held it to her beating heart.

"Riri."

Sasuke suddenly remembered something and looked in the front mailbox. There was no letter to her disappointment. Sasuke was about to head back in, but paused when she noticed the letter lying on the porch. She immediately picked it up. She tore it open and saw the cash and the letter.

You always keep a positive attitude even in the darkest on times. Always smile and happy early birthday.

Lily

Sasuke smiled at the contents of the letter. She kissed the letter wishing to see him.

Riri in the mean time was hiding behind a tree watching Sasuke. He saw her kiss the letter and blushed. He looked at the bracelet he got back from Sasuke in his hand. On the beads was a pattern of a rose except for one bead. That one bead had a pattern of a Lily. Riri kissed it smiling.

"Sasuke."