Thank you guys to anyone who has read this story so far. It's currently the only Ami x Ryuuji story in the Toradora section, at least where the filters are concerned, so I guess that's a victory for me! Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the continuation, and possible ending, to Grind.

Chapter 3

Ryuuji nervously pulled at the collar of his black sweater, suddenly feeling much more self conscious than he had when he left the house. He had picked out a nicer pair of jeans, and even showered an extra time before leaving, but still, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

From beside him, Otohime looked to be perfectly at home, gaping at the various cameras and lighting equipment splayed out in front of them as they watched Ami go to work. Unlike her father, she was not at all concerned with her appearance, more fascinated by the process in front of them than anything else.

Ami was currently filming one of the scenes for her upcoming film, and she had invited the two of them to come watch her in action. Obviously, Otohime jumped at the chance, and Ryuuji had no choice but to indulge her, not that he wasn't interested as well. He had always been curious about the process of filming, and was just as interested to see Ami acting, although he kept that part to himself.

Ryuuji crossed his arms and gave an approving nod as he watched her deliver her lines with gusto and passion that he had never really seen out of her before. Sure, he knew she was serious about her work, but he had never actually been at the live filming of a movie before, so the experience was totally different from what he had expected.

"And cut! That's a wrap!" The director called out, and immediately, Ami broke out of her character, sighing in relief. This was still her first film, and she was anything but confident in her acting abilities so far, especially in comparison to the more experienced and seasoned veterans all around her. For the first time in a long while, she was feeling a bit inadequate, although this time, it had nothing to do with a certain man.

She looked out amongst the cast and crew to see Ryuuji and Otohime standing in the midst of all of the commotion on set, and she couldn't help but to smile at how uncomfortable Ryuuji seemed. He was already a self conscious guy in high school, and being on the set of a movie starring several Hollywood superstars was likely making him feel a bit out of place. It gave her a bit of solace to know that she wasn't the only feeling like she didn't exactly belong amongst all of these famous actors.

"Good job today." Several crew members told her as she walked off the set and towards the father and daughter duo currently visiting her. She giggled a bit as she saw how mismatched they seemed to be, with a quiet, thuggish looking Ryuuji tightly gripping the hand of a innocent and hyperactive Otohime.

"So, were you impressed?" Ami asked cockily as she approached Ryuuji, who opened his mouth to speak, but was immediately cut off by his daughter.

"Wow, that was so cool!" Otohime interjected, causing Ami to smile at the compliment.

Ryuuji nodded in agreement, "Yeah, you really were something out there."

"Well thanks." Ami replied, involuntarily blushing at his words. It felt good to hear some encouragement from Ryuuji specifically because she knew that at least he was nothing if not honest. Whenever she was complimented by the cast or crew, if always felt like it was more because it was obligatory, not because of an actual reflection on her performance.

"No, I need to thank you for letting us even come here. You just made Otohime's day." He said gratefully, patting his daughter on the back.

Ami brushed it off with a flick of her hand, "Oh, it's no problem at all. After all, I've been to your job already. I figured that after a month, you should come see mine."

"Ami, who's this?" A well dressed man in a dark suit and with neatly combed hair asked, walking up beside her.

"Oh, Jerry, this is my…" She stopped suddenly. What exactly could she refer to Ryuuji as? He wasn't her boyfriend or husband, as much as she wished him to be, but former classmates seemed too distant for their relationship at the same time.

"Friend. I'm Takasu Ryuuji." He finished for her, extending his hand to shake Jerry's.

Ami slowly nodded in agreement. Of course, he only saw them as friends right now. It hurt her immensely to hear that he only considered her as such, but then again, she didn't have any reason that he really saw her as something more, at least, not yet. Still, it had already been a month after she had set foot inside of his shop for the first time, and she still wasn't any closer to telling him her true feelings. It was something that had to change soon, if she could find a way to do so.

"I'm Ami's agent. Nice to meet you." The man replied, taking Ryuuji's hand without hesitation.

"Now then," Jerry continued, turning to Ami, "Filming has ended for today, so why don't we all go out to eat dinner? I'd like to hear more about your friend here." He said with a knowing smile directed straight at Ami.

She merely looked at the man with a quizzical look, wondering what exactly he was planning.

"Here you go." Ryuuji said as he handed Otohime her plate after he had wiped it down vigorously with a napkin. Especially now that he had a daughter to care for, he always took extra precautions with cleaning and making sure that Otohime was living in a sanitary and safe environment.

"So, Ryuuji, how do you know Ami?" Jerry asked, prompting a conversation.

"We went to the same high school and met there." Ryuuji replied as he finished applying his cleaning treatment to Otohime's glass as well.

"Oh, is that right?" Jerry said interestedly, "You know, Ami did mention a certain guy back in high school a couple times in the past."

"Wh-what are you talking about?" Ami said quickly, cutting him off right before she clandestinely nudged him in the stomach as retribution.

Ryuuji raised an eyebrow at the odd exchange, but didn't really think about it too much. At least, not at the time.

"Daddy, I have to use the bathroom." Otohime said softly, tugging on his sleeve.

"All right, let's go find it." Ryuuji replied, taking her hand and helping her out of her chair to go look for the bathroom, leaving Ami alone with Jerry at the table.

"So, a single father. That's really something. Do you know the mother?" Jerry asked, causing Ami to nod slightly.

"It was Taiga, another one of our friends back in high school. They dated for a while, and they got married right out of high school, but now, he's all alone here in America with their daughter. He doesn't really want to talk about her though." She explained.

Jerry nodded in understanding, "And how did that happen? I thought that you got any guy you wanted back in your modeling days?"

"I did, but he was different. By the time I was brave enough to tell him how I felt, it was already too late." Ami said despondently.

Jerry frowned, "Well then, it sounds like he still doesn't know how you felt, or feel, I should say."

"Are you really my agent? Or are you a psychiatrist?" Ami asked half jokingly.

"Part of my job as your agent is to ensure your mental well being. Not that I don't care because you're my friend as well." He replied.

"Thanks, I guess I really do need some help right now." Ami said gratefully as Ryuuji returned with a satisfied looking Otohime.

"So Ryuuji, back to high school." Jerry said, receiving another elbow in the ribs, courtesy of Ami once again.

"I'm sorry, it's not much, but it's home." Ryuuji apologized as he opened up the door to his apartment, stepping aside to allow passage for Ami and Otohime.

Ami laughed, "No, I'm fine. Truth be told, I do get a bit lonely in my apartment sometimes. In here, it feels cozy, more like I'm back home in Japan."

"That's good to hear then." Ryuuji said with a smile, ducking into the kitchen to get some coffee ready. After dinner, Jerry had to go home early, complaining of an aching stomach, and Ryuuji had invited over her for a cup of coffee before she went home.

While Otohime dashed into the living room and immediately snapped on the television, Ami found that she had free reign to inspect the house that Ryuuji was living in.

It wasn't really anything special from an architecture standpoint. It had a kitchen, bathroom, and a living room, along with a few bedrooms. And from what she had seen, it wasn't really overly decorated either, as most of the walls were left blank, aside from a few pictures of Otohime. So far, nothing even remotely related to Taiga could be found, which heartened Ami a bit. It was good to know that Ryuuji wasn't exactly thinking about her every day.

Suddenly, a phone rang out, and Ryuuji stepped out of the kitchen, picking up the receiver.

"Hello? Yes. I understand. I'll be there right away." He said quickly before hanging up the phone.

"I'm sorry Ami, but could you watch Otohime for a while? There's a problem down at the shop, and I have to go check it out." Ryuuji asked regretfully.

"Sure, go right ahead." Ami replied, causing Ryuuji to nod.

"Thanks." He said before quickly rushing out the door, leaving Otohime and Ami alone in the apartment. Ami walked over to the couch and sat down beside Ryuujis' daughter, who was currently staring deeply into the remote control.

"So, Daddy's gone again, isn't he?" Otohime suddenly asked, causing Ami to sigh and nod.

"Yes. There's a problem down at the shop."

The little girl nodded, looking away from the television, "There always is."

"What do you mean?" Ami asked, brow furrowing in confusion. The meaning of Otohime's words had not escaped her, but still, she was confused. From what she had seen, Ryuuji was a committed father who was doing his best to provide for her.

"Daddy always has to work late, or there's always some big problem he has to fix." She replied sadly, with a hint of bitterness.

"He just cares for you. He wants you to have a better life than he had." Ami said, rushing to Ryuuji's defense.

"But I don't need him to work! I just want to live with Daddy and Mommy! I just want them to love me." Otohime cried out suddenly.

It was then that it hit Ami. The girl sitting next to her really wasn't so different from her at all. They were both struggling for the affection of a man who was never going to really notice, too absorbed in his own problems and goals.

"They do love you. They both love you very much." Ami reassured, although she realized that Otohime was not buying into her words at all.

"If Mommy loved me, then why did she leave me?" She asked, and Ami was at a loss for words. What could she say to comfort the girl? That her mother ran away because she didn't think that she was prepared to take care of her? No, the truth would only hurt more in a situation like this. She had to pick her words carefully.

"Sometimes, people don't see what's right in front of them." Ami offered, hoping that it would alleviate the girl's sadness, "And your Daddy does the same thing. But it's not because he doesn't care about you."

"Are you going to leave me too?" She asked fearfully.

"Of course not. Your Daddy doesn't know it yet, but he needs me, and you do too." Ami replied, sympathizing with the girl. She knew exactly what it felt like to think that you didn't belong, that something was wrong with you. It was a terrible feeling that she couldn't allow this innocent girl to go through.

"You promise?" Otohime asked.

"It's a promise." Ami replied warmly, engulfing the smaller girl in a tight hug.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked as she tightly gripped Ami's back.

"What is it?" Ami asked without hesitation.

"Can I call you Mommy, at least for tonight?" Otohime asked.

"Of course you can." Ami replied happily.

"Thank you, Mommy."Otohime said, savoring the word as it came off her lips, as if she was never going to hear it again.

"Thank you for helping out again." Ryuuji said softly as walked back into his living room, having just put Otohime to bed a few moments ago.

"Oh, no problem." Ami replied sweetly from her spot on the couch.

As Ryuuji took a seat next to her, Ami found that her breath involuntarily hitched as his shoulder lightly brushed hers for a moment. With a small blush on her face, she glanced at Ryuuji, who was too far absorbed in the news to notice her gaze.

Somehow, she was sitting with him, alone in his apartment, aside from his sleeping daughter.

The cups lay empty in front of them on his table, already empty, with little specks of the coffee grinds clumped together at the bottom.

"So, Ami, how do you like working on film?" Ryuuji asked suddenly, surprising Ami.

"Oh, I like it, I suppose." She replied awkwardly, confused as to why he suddenly asked her that.

"Is that the truth?" Ryuuji continued, with a more serious tone.

Ami nodded, although she was anything but sure of her answer.

"It's the truth, or, at least, I think it is." She admitted, conceding to Ryuuji's questioning.

Ryuuji shook his head disapprovingly, "You can't really mean that."

"What do you mean?" Ami asked.

"I mean," He continued, pointing at her face, "You don't look happy at all. In fact, it looks more like a mask that you've put up."

Ami's eyes widened in surprise at his observation, not at all expecting that answer.

"You're feeling out of place, aren't you?" He added, while she continued to look at him in shock, becoming more and more alarmed by his thoughts.

"It's just, I think of all of the amazing things that most of them have acted in, and I say to myself, 'Do I belong here?'" She admitted after a short silence.

"Maybe I just want them to accept me, and I thought that they wouldn't accept the hidden me." Ami shrugged her shoulders, starting to understand what exactly she was feeling. It was the same thing that was plaguing Otohime. The uncertainty, the doubt that she wasn't good enough. It was all the same.

Ryuuji suddenly chuckled, surprising Ami by his change in attitude, "Is that all? Did you forget that there is someone who accepts you the way you are."

"Oh, I guess there is." Ami nodded, understanding Ryuuji's words.

"After all, we are friends, even if I know your real personality." Ryuuji added.

Ami clenched her hands into fists at the mention of that word again. Friends. That's all they would ever be, wasn't it? At least, that's all that he seemed interested in being from what he had said so far.

"Ryuuji, are you really that stupid?" Ami asked angrily.

Not understanding her sudden outburst, Ryuuji shook his head, "What are you talking about?"

"Tell me." Ami said, suddenly pushing Ryuuji onto his back while she straddled his hips, staring deeply into his eyes.

"Tell me, do you really feel nothing for me? I couldn't care less how everyone else feels about me. All that matters to me is how you feel about me. Even after these years, all I want is for you to look at me once like I matter to you. Just once, that's all I ask." She spit angrily at first, but as she continued on, her eyes grew red as small tears streamed from her face.

Ryuuji was speechless. Ami had just poured her heart out to him, and he was speechless. He felt disappointed in himself, that he couldn't see what had been going on in front of his eyes the whole time.

"I understand." Ami said softly, releasing her hold on him and swinging her legs over the edge of the couch.

"I have to go." She said quickly, standing up to leave.

"Wait!" Ryuuji yelled out, grabbing her hand tightly.

Instinctively, Ami twirled her head around to pull her hand away, but she had no time to react as he suddenly grabbed her back with his free hand, and pulled her entire body into his larger frame, still keeping a tight grip on her left hand.

"What are you…" Ami began, but she was cut off by something blocking her mouth. More specifically, it was as if her words were swallowed up by a pair of foreign lips pressing upon hers. Somewhere in the back of her mind, it faintly registered that she was actually kissing Ryuuji, and that it wasn't a dream this time.

But she couldn't think of anything else in the moment as Ryuuji released her captive hands, instead placing his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him while her hands wandered the contours of his chest and then through his messy bed of blue hair. She could taste a faint trace of coffee in his lips, and his aroma was a heavenly mixture of roasted beans and the cologne he had used this morning.

For a moment, it seemed as if time itself had stopped and that they were the only two people in the world as she desperately tried to pull him closer, as if it would prevent him from ever breaking their current embrace. Her brain was completely fried, overloaded by the amount of feelings and sensations coursing through her body right now, fireworks exploding in her ears and heart beating vigorously.

As their lips parted, Ami gently touched a finger to hers, still in shock.

"I guess you're not that stupid." She managed.

"Dad? Are you awake right now?" A small voice called out, accompanied by the patter of light footsteps.

"Otohime! What are you doing up so late?" Ryuuji cried out, suddenly noticing the presence of his daughter and praying that she did not see anything.

"I needed to get some water." She explained before she took a closer look at their position, which was incriminating, to say the least.

"Are you going to be my Mommy for real now?" Otohime asked, immediately causing both Ami and Ryuuji to instantly begin stammering nervously.

However, Otohime didn't give them time to formulate a response before she smiled genuinely.

"I'm glad then!" She laughed.

"I am too." Ami added, leaning her head on Ryuuji's chest.

Yeah, so that's kind of the end, unless you guys want this to continue on. It might be pretty short as is, but it's longer than any other Ami x Ryuuji I've seen so far. Honestly, I would be fine with both stopping it right here, and with adding on a few chapters. All in all though, I think I wrapped up the storyline fairly tightly, so it wouldn't really result in any new developments in their relationship from here on out. Instead, it would probably fall into some one shots from Ami and Ryuuji's life as boyfriend and girlfriend, and maybe later on, as a married couple. At the same time, I'm also thinking of a potential second story arc that would involve some more characters from the original Toradora, since so far, every character besides Ami and Ryuuji has been an OC. However, if there isn't any interest, I'll stop here and now.

Please, if you guys would like me to continue on, please tell me, either in the form of a PM or a review. I appreciate every idea or thought that I get, and I love to hear from my readers, so don't be afraid to leave your opinion in a review!