----I do not own Ayashi no Ceres---

--oOo--

Now it felt as though the ground was falling apart under her feet. What is it that you're hiding from me?

"I'm sorry Aya…I have to go…Goodb-"

"Wait!" she suddenly called out before he could hang up. You're always so eager to get rid of me. "Then meet me at the fair tonight at eight. Finish what you have to and be there." You have to be there.

It took a while before Tooya could answer. Aya could almost crush her phone as she held on to it for dear life.

"Of course Aya…I'll be there." He said in a hurried voice.

"Then don't be late…I lov-"

Tooya had just hung the phone on her.

Aya didn't know how to feel. In her mind she knew she was supposed to feel hurt, but it feels numb. Everything was a blank. The class bell rung but all Aya could hear was a high pitched scream echoing in her head.

After all we have been through, is it really coming to this? I can't do it Tooya, I can't keep pretending everything's alright. Why are you doing this to me Tooya? Huh…but I know…you don't love me anymore…you're going to leave me...

--oOo—

"What did Aya say? Have you decided then?"

Tooya was in the main branch of the Aogiri house. He didn't answer.

"Well?" Yuuhi's father was getting a bit impatient.

"Yes, I have. I'll do it. I'll go." He said firmly.

"A very wise decision Tooya. I didn't think Aya would approve but-"

"I can make decisions on my own, sir. I don't need Aya for that."

Yuuhi's father didn't really mean to offend him, but Tooya was just not himself that day.

"Very well, you understand that the charges will be dropped only if you complete this mission? And that your failure could mean risking your life?"

"Yes."

Tooya's indifferent reactions made Yuuhi's father worry. He was starting to think if he really made the right thing by setting up this contract. His only intention was to help Tooya get out of prison. But by where this conversation was going, it seems like he will be the one responsible if anything bad happens.

"If you're sure then… I'll see to it that the squad learns the blueprints you've made…They'll be ready by next week." Yuuhi's father said as he picked up the telephone.

"I don't need back up. Besides, they won't be able to keep up with the scenario I've planned." Tooya told him.

"But…that's very dangerous!" Yuuhi's father protested. "I know you're very skilled, you're the best one there is, but even you can't do this alone! You just came back from your last mission, you still have injuries…you'll need back up for next week."

"I'll do it tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night?!" Yuuhi's father just couldn't believe how worse the situation has become. "But that's too soon! I won't allow it Tooya."

"It's the perfect time. I'll be able to corrupt their system by then." Tooya answered forcefully. "I won't fail…as long as you keep your word."

By that time Tooya bid his farewell and left the house, leaving the stunned Yuuhi's father nailed to his seat.

"Aya doesn't know about this, does she Tooya?" Suzumi asked. Apparently she had been waiting for him to come out. Suzumi was the one who asked Yuuhi's father to use his power and appeal for Tooya's release. Seeing Aya always depressed when she visited them in Tooya's absence, made her realize that she had to do something.

"She doesn't. But she will soon."

"Are you going to do what you have been planning for this past few months? That dangerous plan to break the enemy's system?" Suzumi concernedly asked. They had been planning this dangerous attack for a very long time, and the government was willing to give anything in exchange for the mission's completion. "Even if you do get released, Aya will not be pleased to see you hurt."

"I know."

--oOo—

"Yuuhi! Chidori!" Aya called out from the crowd. It was almost eight and the opening ceremonies for the fair was about to start. Aya had difficulty approaching them because of the overpowering crowd.

"Hey!" Yuuhi gave her a wave. Chidori was behind him, holding his hand. "Where've you been?" Yuuhi smiled at her.

"Traffic" she said plainly, "Tooya didn't fetch me" there was a hint of hurt in her voice.

"Where's he then? Did you tell him about tonight?" Chidori asked.

"I don't know…but he said he'll come."

Sorry Chidori…Tooya won't come. I know he wouldn't. He just had something to do that's more important than spending time with me.

"The ceremony is about to start." Yuuhi said while peeking inside.

"Let's go inside then. He'll be long, so let's not wait for him, huh?" She said as she forcefully pulled the two inside.

There's no point waiting for him. I'm not disappointed. I'll be surprised if he even shows up when it's already over. There's no point getting sad over it.

Aya, desperately trying to hide her feelings, decided to put on a cheery face for her friends.

"Oh there he is!"

Chidori pointed near the ticket booth at the entrance.

"You're all late." Tooya smiled at Aya.

Aya, still immersed in her thoughts, couldn't believe Tooya was there, in front of her. There, standing, waiting for her in fact.

"Say something." Tooya told her, still with a smile on his face. Aya had her mouth open in shock. She looked at Chidori and Yuuhi, making sure that the both of them do see Tooya too and that she was not hallucinating. It was an awkward moment, as they glanced at one another.

Tooya gave Aya a brief hug as he kissed her hair.

The crowd cheered as the performers finished their last song. Yuuhi and Chidori joined the crowd and shouted for an encore. Tooya was silent as always, but he never stopped smiling.

That rare smile again. Aya thought. She wasn't really paying attention to the performers on the stage, her mind had been long occupied with just one thing. He came…

They waited in line at the restaurant. It took a little while to get them seated.

"That last shop was just a blast! Look what I got for you Yuuhi!"Chidori had just presented him a necklace. "Chidori! You shouldn't have! I'm so embarrassed; I didn't get anything for you!" Yuuhi said as he hesitantly accepted the gift and started putting it around his neck. "I promise to get you something later huh?"

Aya smiled as the two started to get all sweet again. It was such a heavenly feeling to be in love. Aya looked at Tooya, and blushed as she reminisced at how her favorite choker ended up on his neck. Tooya however was having trouble with their orders because the young waitress was kind of flirting him with the menu. Back off sister, that's mine…The waitress suddenly sensed the dark forces emanating from Aya and retreated in the kitchen. Tooya sighed in relief. I'm so jealous…I wished I was as beautiful as you…maybe you'd fall deeper in love with me as I am with you.

"Where did you go Tooya? What did you do?" Aya asked him bravely. She felt more confident then, as she saw that Tooya was back to himself again.

"I went to the Aogiri's main branch. We finished what we were talking about from last night."

You're so stupid Aya, getting mad at something like that. Why didn't you just say so Tooya…you're such a fool too… Aya couldn't help feeling so happy inside. Everything was going back to normal at last. "Oh…Okay." she said plainly, trying to hide how happy she was.

"You?" Tooya asked her. "Why were you late?"

"I told you! Traffic."

"I thought I told you to take the train."

Oh Tooya…I'm sorry…I didn't feel like taking the train then- it's your fault hanging up on me like that…

"You should've taken the train."

Stop worrying about me…Oh Tooya, you do care! You care for me so much. Don't worry…it was just traffic…nothing bad happened to me…Oh Tooya…

"No! You should've fetched me!" she loudly teased, unable to contain her happiness. Yuuhi and Chidori were secretly laughing at the funny scene Aya and Tooya were making. "You should've fetched me! You! You made me take the bus!" she put her hands at her waist and started pointing her fingers at him.

"I'm sorry." He told her while avoiding her searching gaze.

Aya blushed as he saw Tooya took it seriously. You're still the same…you're so submissive to me…I definitely love you so much… She hugged him, and whispered "I forgive you" in his ear.

--oOo—

"Thank you so much Chidori!" Aya said, almost hugging her to death. "Wha- what for? What did I do?" Chidori managed to say. You're the best friend there is Chidori. Only you could make this happen! "You're my angel!" Aya told her.

"You take care of her, Yuuhi! You'll answer to me if she get's hurt! Take care! Bye!" Aya waived at them. Yuuhi gave her a nod, "Take care too you two!"

Aya smiled as she followed them with her eyes. I hope you're as happy as I am right now… "I know you are Chidori…" she giggled as she saw Chidori rest at Yuuhi's back. Their motorcycle had gone out of sight.

Before entering their car, Aya looked at Tooya. Tooya was blushing. He had been looking in the ground and then stared at her with his shy eyes. How cute!

"What?" she asked him cheekily. Oh I know! You don't miss anything, do you?

"What is it Tooya?" she teased again. No sense getting all protective about it. You don't have to be jealous of Chidori you know. You're still my guardian angel…

--oOo--

They arrived home past midnight. Aya insisted on watching a movie and staying up till morning but had second thoughts because Tooya was looking a bit tired.

"Go to sleep." Tooya told her, kissing her cheek. "Good night."

"What about you?"

"I'll take a shower first."

Aya could only smile. Finally, everything was back to normal. Finally, she could sleep soundly without worries. Ceres would no longer trouble her in her dreams, saying Tooya will be taken from her. No more worries. I finally feel safe. Finally.

As she was about to go to deep sleep, Aya heard a buzzing sound. It was Tooya's phone, vibrating in the table near the shower room.

"Tooya?" she whispered. "Answer that" she said irritated.

It won't stop ringing. Who in the right mind would call in the middle of the night?

Wait a minute… Aya, sensing something fishy, got up and went to see who called. Who in the world would call Tooya in the middle of the night?

She got up and, heart racing, dashed to the phone. It stopped ringing but the caller left a message.

I forgot to tell you that I'll be ther again tomorrow night. And Tooya, you really have to explain to Aya. She'll wonder why you left her. Call me soon.

Aya hurriedly scrolled down to see who the caller was.

Sender: Suzumi

This was disturbing to Aya. What's going on between Tooya and Suzumi?