A/N: Hello my dear readers! I apoplogize for being gone fore so long. However, I have another chapter for you! And SURPRISE, Chapter 9 is already written. SO, I shall be updating after this chapter in one to two weeks. YAY! No more waiting a whole month. AND, my word count is over 1,000 (big feat for me, guess I'm lazy). So please enjoy! Oh, and we're approaching a crossroads people; we're talking character development. (Readers oooooo and ahhhhhhhhh). Or maybe not. ANYWAY, I hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 8- Raised on High

Two hours later, Sakuno was in an unexpected position. She was lying horizontal on Ryoma's bed, her head hanging off, leaving her view of Ryoma's room upside down. He was on the floor in front of her, his chin in his hands, elbows propping him up. They were currently playing 20 Questions.

"Favorite color?"

"Silver, you?"

"Yellow."

"Birthday?"

"January 14."

"December 24."

"Wow, we missed each other's birthdays." Sakuno actually had a worried look upon her face.

"Don't worry about it. I don't care much for birthdays," Ryoma replied. They were both silent for a while, just staring at each other actually. Sakuno was actually trying to figure out how Ryoma's eyes got so hazel, and Ryoma was trying to memorize all her facial features, so then another "Who are you?" incident wouldn't happen. They'd studied for an hour then somehow ended up playing 20 Questions. Funny how people bond, even while hanging upside down.

"Okay, switch. Blood's rushing to my head," Sakuno sat up, a hand to her forehead. Ryoma took her former position and vice versa. Why they were doing that, we'll never know.

"Any musical talent?" Ryoma spurted out. It was really random and he almost knew for certain she didn't. At that, she blushed a light pink.

"Well, I'm not sure if it's talent, but I do play the violin," she admitted.

"But…" Ryoma trailed off, sitting up.

"I know, you've never seen me walking or taking home a case. I have my own at home."

"How long?"

"Only two years after summer vacation," Sakuno answered. Ryoma merely nodded, his interest having been turned slightly elsewhere, and began concocting a plan. One that was bold and completely out of character.

"Oh! What time is it?" Sakuno asked, remembering real life, where almost every girl wished they were Ryoma's friend.

"Six."

"Well, I've got to go, "Sakuno announced, rising off the floor, stretching as she did so. And then, full shock hit Ryoma. There was a girl in his room!! It was Sakuno!! But they were friends…He shook his head a bit and decided to think on everything before he went to bed. Sakuno gathered her backpack and jacket, soon ready to leave. Ryoma was still sitting on his bed and Sakuno figured that he wouldn't walk her to the front door. She decided to be slightly upset later.

However, he decided to try something different.

She turned around at his doorway and opened her mouth to bid him adieu. But there he was, standing and striding over to her.

"You know, I'm a bit more considerate now, Ryuzaki," he said, leaning close to her face.

"I'm not going to let a girl like you walk home alone," he added, leaning even closer. Now, he was standing over her and even had a small smile on his mouth. Sakuno, to say the least, was slightly unnerved. Ryoma was like, only a few inches from her face, and Sakuno felt herself swallow repeatedly.

"Sure," she finally got out.

"Good," was all he said next, and Sakuno proceeded down the stairs, a bit shakily, wondering what in the world prompted this change in Ryoma; though she had to admit, she did like whatever this was he was acting like. She slipped on her shoes and left out the door after Ryoma.

After a few minutes of walking closely, Ryoma commenced with his plan and nudged her shoulder with his. Sakuno just smiled and nudged back, which elicited a bigger, uncharacteristic smile out of Ryoma.

"So, why did you decide to walk me home, Ryoma-kun?" Ryoma swallowed. He didn't want to toy with her feelings, but a big part of him was really being genuine. Actually, all this was just going to give him ore to think about, but that would come later. By now, Sakuno was looking up at him, an expectant look on her face.

"I think a girl like you wouldn't be safe on the streets, with it getting dark," Ryoma responded.

"But I've walked this way tons of times by myself," was Sakuno's reply. She wasn't sure if she should trust Ryoma in this unknown mood.

"I get worried about you, Ryuzaki. Is that a sin?" he smiled and looked down at her.

"No," Sakuno answered hesitantly. Now she was thoroughly stumped. Ryoma's behavior was unexpected all around. Once they got to Sakuno's house, they stopped at her front door.

"Well, thanks for walking me home, Ryoma-kun," Sakuno said.

'Here goes,' Ryoma thought.

"No problem…Sakuno-chan." Sakuno instantly froze in unlocking the front door and whirled around.

"What did you call me?" she asked, a bit violently.

"Sakuno-chan. We are friends, right?" Ryoma replied, leaning forward again, a glint in his eyes.

"Yeah, but-"

"Good. See you tomorrow." And with that, Ryoma bounded down the steps.

"Uh…" Then Sakuno just gave up saying anything. Hopefully she could figure this all out later.

Ryoma walked home at a moderate pace and mulled over his thoughts. He knew he liked Sakuno as a friend now, and that he was closer to her than any girl he'd ever know, and he enjoyed her company, so…why not be pleasant and call her by her first name? He was sure she would appreciate it, after she got done with her unique facial expressions.

But, what about his reputation? He was known to be cold towards girls and well…people in general, and how would it look if he started being really friendly with Sakuno?

'Ah, to hell with it' was his next thought. Sakuno was different now, more… he didn't know. She was just…indescribable. He liked that she wasn't whiny anymore. He liked that she didn't get lost all the time anymore. He liked that she kept her hair in one braid that hung over her shoulder in that cute way sometimes…WOAH! 'Cute?!' Did that word just pass through Echizen Ryoma's head?! But he liked Ryuzaki and her new attitude. So he figured he might as well enjoy their friendship to the fullest.

Hope you liked it! And now, please, review! I want to know if I did a great enough job on setting Ryoma up to really start being a real friend to Sakuno.