Author's Note: Hi. Please beware of the somehow "mature" scenes that will follow in the chapter. But don't worry, it won't be something you expect. Anyway, please leave a review. Thank you so much! :D

Chapter 9: Little Bit Of This

The next night, the tamers were at the Urazoe residence while they were having karaoke and some drinks because Kazu requested Takato that they order beer for their celebration tonight. At that moment, Takato was choosing a song since he was supposed to start the singing party for the night. However, he was on the brink of getting drunk because he already had a bottle of beer. The tamers must have thought that Takato was the worst kind of person to get drunk already.

Takato:
Once upon a time
Not so long ago

Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike
He's down on his luck...it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love - for love

She says we've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - we'll give it a shot

Chorus:
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin' on a prayer

Then, there was Jeri. She was busy watching Takato as he was singing. The two had just gotten together last night and they were inseparable as ever. When her boyfriend was finished singing, she decided to sing a song dedicated for him.

Jeri:
There are times
When I look above
And beyond
There are times when I feel your love
Around me baby
I'll never forget my baby
(I'll never forget you)
There are times when I look above and beyond
There are times when I feel your love around me baby
I'll never forget my baby

When I feel that I don't belong
Draw my strength
From the words when you said
Hey it's about you baby
Look deeper inside you baby
Dream about us together again
What I want us together again baby
I know we'll be together again cuz

Chorus:
Everywhere I go
Every smile I see
I know you are there
Smilin back at me
Dancin in moonlight
I know you are free
Cuz I can see your star
Shinin down on me

(together again, ooh)
Good times we'll share again
(together again, ooh)
Makes me wanna dance
(together again, ooh)
Say it loud and proud
(together again, ooh)
All my love's for you

After Jeri sung her song, there came Alice. She chose the song "My Happy Ending" because it resembled her and Ryo's odd friendship.

Alice:
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh...
So much for my happy ending
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh...
Let's talk this over
It's not like we're dead
Was it something I did?
Was it something you said?
Don't leave me hanging
In a city so dead
Held up so high
On such a breakable thread (breakable thread)
You were all the things I thought I knew
And I thought we could be

Chorus:
You were everything, everything that I wanted (that I wanted)
We were meant to be, supposed to be but we lost it (we lost it)
And all of the memories, so close to me, just fade away
All this time you were pretending
So much for my happy ending

Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh...
So much for my happy ending
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh...

Ryo sensed the feeling that Alice felt while she was singing. He decided to dedicate his song for her as a loyal best friend, and at the same time, his love. He chose the song "You and Me" by the Lifehouse.

I dedicate this song to my best friend and my future girlfriend, Alice McCoy! Ryo thought with a grin in his face. I hope she realizes that I love her that much.

Ryo:
What day is it? And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time

Chorus:
'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you

Well, after Ryo sung, he immediately drank beer and made a toast with his friends. Rika and Henry drank their glasses that contained tinges of beer. Rika had to watch for her alcohol because she never drank after she died and miraculously survived years ago.

I just hope I won't get drunk! Rika thought. Oh wait! Maybe I should sing at least.

The auburn-haired woman stood up as she took the microphone and chose a song. The others glanced at her oddly because they remembered that they only forced Rika to sing karaoke during her thirteenth birthday years ago. And now, they were seeing a Rika Nonaka who wanted to sing in front of them. Well, for Rika, she chose "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum.

Rika:
Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor.
Reaching for the phone 'cause I can't fight it anymore.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind?
For me it happens all the time.

Chorus:
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.
Said I wouldn't call but I've lost all control and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without.
I just need you now.

Henry saw Rika who was singing and he even admired her more. The auburn-haired woman's expression while singing made his heart melt and realize how much he wanted Rika once more. He took a spare microphone that was lying on the couch and stood up. Henry eventually took it from there.

Henry:
Another shot of whiskey, can't stop looking at the door.
Wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before.

Rika was taken aback when she heard another voice singing with her. When she turned around, she saw that it was Henry. She blushed at the sight of him singing with her and her heart pounded wildly because he had a beautiful voice. The friends were already witnessing their almost romantic moment.

Henry:
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind?
For me it happens all the time.

"Wooooooh!" their friends cheered for them as well.

Eventually, the two of them began singing in chorus.

Henry and Rika:
It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now.
Said I wouldn't call but I've lost all control and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without.
I just need you now.

Henry:
Oh, whoa

Rika:
Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all.

With this, Henry looked at Rika and realized that something was right with what she just sang. He only smiled at her, leaving Rika very much petrified with the expression she had for her.

Henry and Rika:
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.
And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without.
I just need you now
I just need you now.

Rika:
Oh, baby, I need you now

When the couple had finished singing, they were unconsciously looking into each other's eyes. The beat of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name" brought the two back into reality. Eventually they went to the couch and sat down. Even if they were sitting next to each other, they were feeling a bit awkward with what just happened earlier.

"Okay, guys!" Kazu declared.

Kazu:
Shot through the heart
And you're to blame
Darling, you give love a bad name...

An angel's smile is what you sell
You promise me heaven, then put me through hell
Chains of love got a hold on me
When passion's a prison, you can't break free

Oh, oh, you're a loaded gun (yeah)
Oh, oh, there's nowhere to run
No one can save me
The damage is done

Chorus:
Shot through the heart
And you're to blame
You give love a bad name (bad name)
I play my part
And you play your game
You give love a bad name (bad name)
You give love a bad name
You give love a bad name

Not long after, the friends had finished singing and were already hitting unconsciousness. Rika was the only one who tolerated beer mainly because she only drank a few glasses as well as Henry. In order for her to stop drinking and cause some damage in the house she was staying in, she decided to go to the room where she was staying.

Crud… Rika thought. I feel sleepy but not drunk.

As she made her way upstairs, she only had Henry in mind because they sang another duet for the second time. She was wondering if she could give the relationship another chance. After all, it was clear to her since Henry had been beside her all the time since their high school reunion and was the one who was making her happy.

What if I confess to him that I still love him? Rika thought. Would everything change?

Eventually, she made it to her room and flopped herself on the bed. She immediately took her bag and started fidgeting for something. When she got it, she fished it out and it was the black notebook that had the story inside it. She took her pen as well and began to write as well on her bed. Her heart had beat once again as she realized that her inspiration to write the story was with her in this vacation.

Now I can write the ending! Rika thought as she started writing all her thoughts inside the paper. I already got the inspiration to write already!

Meanwhile, Henry sensed that Rika was no longer in the living room. He sensed that the young woman wanted to rest already but he did not want to stay with his friends who were already hitting the unconscious state. He decided to follow her and walked towards the stairs.

As he was walking the hallway, he could not help but relish the moment that occurred earlier. He and Rika had sung another duet. It was clear to him that he was still in love with her and he wanted to straighten their relationship and give it a try once again. He eventually arrived at Rika's door and knocked on it.

"Rika?" he called out.

Inside, Rika heard someone on the door and knocking. She was still writing and she was thinking of the right words to end the story.

"They kissed and it was alright with the world," Rika read the story. Finally! I'm finished with the story!

But the knocking was still persistent so Rika decided to hop off the bed and walked towards the door. When she opened it, she was surprised to see Henry standing on the door.

"Henry?" Rika asked, startled with the fact that Henry was in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

Henry turned and saw Rika. "Hey… Why did you go up?" he asked.

Rika let out a snort as she answered his question. "I don't have the plan to get drunk here. I'm not in my own house. And besides, I'm really tired with all what's happening around here. I need to rest."

Henry laughed. "And here I thought that you lost your voice because of what we sung earlier."

"Impossible!" Rika answered and walked towards the bed and sat on it. "Anyway, back to my question, why are you here as well?"

Henry walked towards her and sat beside her. "Because you're not there…"

Rika gave him an odd look. "Henry… I'm serious!" she said.

The blue-haired young man laughed at his girl's confusion. "Well, I didn't want to drink that much and knowing Ryo, Takato and the others, they might pull me into a never-ending drinking session that would leave me a terrible hangover the next morning."

Rika laughed. "I never knew Takato could be the one who would be bad with alcohol."

"Those two brown-hairs are the pits!" Henry agreed as he sat beside her.

"I know…" Rika answered. However, because of Henry seated beside her, she felt embarrassed with him singing with her during her birthday and today. "Uh… Henry?"

Henry looked up as she called him. "What is it?" he asked. "Are you mad at me because I sang with you earlier?"

Rika shook her head and sighed. "No. In fact, I'm happy because you're singing with me. I didn't know you had such a nice voice in singing."

Henry let out a goofy smile. Usually he was never praised regarding his singing voice. He used to be praised whenever he decoded a correct program inside a computer.

"Thanks…" Henry said and realized that this was a perfect time for him to admit his feelings for the girl that never left.

Rika smiled and this caused Henry to smile as well. With this, she fidgeted something in her phone and searched for messages. Henry took a deep breath and decided to say the words that would probably damn him with his life.

"Rika, what if I told you that I still love you?" Henry asked seriously.

Rika slowly turned her head around and stopped what she was doing. Did she hear it right? Henry was still in love with her?

"What?" Rika asked, trying to make sure if she heard it right.

Henry looked at her intently. "What if I told you that I still love you?" he asked.

Rika's heartbeat doubled as Henry said those words. She did not know what to say even if the fact that she still loved him engulfed her already. She needed proof if he still loved her.

"You're wrong…" Rika said slowly as she heard Henry's answer. "You're not in love with me anymore."

Henry felt that he got stabbed in the chest because of her denial. But he insisted to try harder so that Rika would believe him.

"But I do. I still and will always do," Henry answered, trying to assure Rika that he was telling the truth. He would always tell the truth, no matter how it would be good or bad.

Rika wanted to see if he was really sincere with it. "Then prove it, Henry. Prove to me that you still love me."

Not long after, Henry moved towards Rika's face. When they were only inches apart, he pressed his lips on hers and sealed his words with his kiss. Rika was taken aback when Henry kissed her but she closed her eyes and began to kiss him back and began letting her lips brush against his gently. Rika's heart doubled in beat as they shared the feelings that had been kept throughout the years.

When Henry felt that Rika was kissing him back, he used his tongue to gain entrance in which she allowed. Their tongues were dancing in fire and Henry's breath sent shivers on her spine. Eventually, they had to part away for air.

He kissed me… Rika thought. Now I'm sure that he loves me so much.

With this, Rika threw her arms around Henry as she realized that his love for her never ceased.

"I'm sorry, Henry… I'm sorry for leaving you… I feel as if I don't deserve your love anymore," Rika said and she was amazed with herself since she did not let herself cry anymore.

Henry only kissed her head and embraced her again. "It's alright… I understand why you have to do it. Please don't be mad at yourself… You still deserve all the love in the world. I love you, Rika, and that's all that matters right now."

Rika looked at her former boyfriend as she got lost in his grey eyes once again. "I…"

"It's okay if you're still sorting your feelings…" Henry answered reassuringly. "I'm not pressuring you to answer me. At least you knew how much I love you and I still do."

Rika let out a sigh and decided to tell the truth. "Oh… Henry… In reality… I still love you too… You're the reason why I couldn't move on. My memories with you always remind me of why I left you. My heartbeat may have ceased when I died but nothing will replace you inside there. I'm sorry, Henry, for being afraid to let you know how I felt."

Henry only smiled as he knew that his love also loved him that much. "Oh, Rika… You made me happy with what you just told me."

Rika wore a look of confusion. "I did?" she asked.

"Of course!" Henry smiled. "You made me happy once again now that I know you still love me too."

Rika let out a devious grin as she realized that she could make other people happy despite her cold personality. "Okay."

With this, Henry took one of her hands and kissed it, making Rika turn pink with the gesture. As he returned Rika's hand to her direction, he decided to ask the final question now that both feelings were mutually reciprocated.

"Will you let me again show how much I love you?" he asked sincerely. "I want to start again with you."

Rika only pinched Henry's cheeks. "I don't want to start again…"

"Why?" Henry sounded almost disappointed.

"Because I want to continue where I left off, you idiot!" Rika answered with a smug grin.

With this, Henry only laughed with Rika's remarks. He decided to kiss her if she spoke once again.

"And I…" she trailed off.

Rika was stopped short when she felt Henry's lips on hers once again. Now her heart rate doubled as she felt the loving kiss that Henry was giving her. It felt good with someone kissing her and exchanging emotions as well. They may have grown apart but love was still there. They broke off with smiles on their faces.

"You're becoming more experienced, huh?" Henry teased her with the way Rika kissed him. It seemed so passionate for him.

"Not quite," Rika answered with sarcasm and Henry caressed her face.

"I love you, Rika," Henry said with a smile.

"I love you too, Henry." Rika smiled.

Meanwhile, back at the living room, Takato began to wonder where Henry and Rika were.

"Hey!" he remarked as he saw no sign of Rika nor Henry. "Has anyone seen Rika? Or Henry?"

However, he only gained no replies from his friends.

"I don't know. Earlier, they were here and now, they were gone!" Alice remarked.

Since Kazu also knew of Rika and Henry's probably newfound relationship, he had a weird and startling hypothesis.

"I think they had sex!" Kazu replied in a humorous manner.

"KAZU!" Jeri and Kenta said in unison. "You're such a pervert!"

Kazu only covered his face in shame. "Sorry!" he added. "That's what I thought of them!"

"Maybe they slept already in each of their rooms since Rika's been yawning already during the drinks session," Alice explained, trying to cover up her friend innocently because of Kazu's remark about her and Henry.

"Sleep with each other? Yaah! You're really jumping to conclusions, Kazu," Ryo answered as well.

Suddenly, Alice also yawned. "Anyway, I need to sleep. I'm feeling heavy with the drinks and lack of sleep combined!"

Eventually, the blonde stood up and walked upstairs. Ryo saw Alice walking upstairs.

Where's she going to? Ryo thought as he wondered where Rika would be off to.

He likes a certain yellow-haired blonde, Alice thought sadly. I may be a blonde but he only thinks of me as his Baby Girl and nothing else. I shouldn't have trusted my heart when I had the chance. Maybe I should've stayed in America in order for me not to have heartbreak just like this one.

Back at the living room, Takato was drinking beer with Jeri. Fortunately, he was not that drunk to make himself do the unthinkable at times.

"Long live the tamers!" he cried as he raised his glass in the air.

The tamers raised their glasses in the air. Ryo was glad that he had to be the last one to drink the last part inside the bottle.

"Dude!" Kazu commented as Ryo drank the last portion. "You must be the lord of all bars and parties!"

"I know right, Kazu," Ryo replied but the reason behind his drinking was the fact that Alice did not even get to notice him. But right now, he wanted to tell Alice his feelings for her.

"I'm sleepy already," Jeri complained as she drank the last glass. "I need to sleep."

Eventually, she stood up and walked towards the stairs. Just as she was making her way upstairs, she saw Takato who was already racing with her.

"Hey, Takato!" Jeri said with a smile.

"I'm going upstairs," Takato answered.

With this, they simultaneously walked towards their rooms located upstairs.

Meanwhile, Ryo went upstairs as he saw Takato and Jeri who had just vacated the stairs. He decided to see Alice inside her room and he walked towards the room where she was in. when he was already there, he saw that Alice was there and her arms wrapped her legs.

"Alice?" Ryo asked.

The blonde looked up. What's he doing here? Going to talk to me about how he felt with his blondie?

Since he got no answer from the blonde, he approached her and sat beside her.

"Are you okay?" Ryo asked again.

Alice nodded and this caused Ryo to move closer.

"I'm okay," Alice answered even if she was hiding her pain very well. "What makes you think I don't look okay?"

With this, Ryo threw his arms around Alice lovingly. The blonde was surprised with what he just did.

"Uhm… What's this?" Alice asked, apparently surprised with the hug. What is this?

"Alice," Ryo went on after he broke apart for a few minutes and looked at Alice in the eye. "I know that you don't want to hear this but I just want to tell you this. I love you and I really do."

Alice felt her heart race in anticipation. Why was Ryo telling these things to her?

"I thought you like a blonde," Alice answered seriously. "You can't love me, Ryo."

Ryo laughed at Alice's cluelessness. He wanted to explain everything to her about how he truly felt for her.

"You are my crush that has a beautiful yellow hair, Alice," Ryo answered with a smile.

"Are you sure you're not drunk or something?" Alice asked dubiously.

"I'm not that drunk just to tell you the truth. I had to tell you this. I realized that my heart truly belonged to you even if you think that I had a hard time proving it," Ryo answered, apparently guessing the young blonde's thoughts.

"I…" Alice stammered. "I don't know."

"Please let me make it up to you. I've been calling you 'Baby Girl' but now I really wanted was you to be my real 'Baby'," Ryo said sincerely. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Eventually, Alice was startled with Ryo's question. Now she knew that it was not just a dream but now a reality.

"Really?" Ryo asked with a smile, delighted with the idea that she would be with him.

"Yes, Ryo." Alice nodded and smiled shyly.

"I love seeing you smile, Alice," Ryo answered as he caressed her face even more lovingly. "I'm sorry if you feel that I take you for granted but you're wrong. I love you and I realized that after karma took me because I only saw you as a friend before. You're not just a rebound to my former crushes. It's just that it took me a while to realize your worth when you were gone already."

Alice could not believe it. "Are you really sure?" she asked.

"Are you still doubting of my feelings for you?" Ryo asked with a smile.

Alice smiled. "No. But I wanted to make sure that you're worth not doubting anymore."

Henry and Rika were sitting in one bed, thinking of something to do. They already kissed earlier and yet, they were not sure if they would do that again sometime.

"Henry, are you sure of what you just said?" Rika asked, trying to be sure if Henry was not joking. "I think you're just influenced by the alcohol or beer that we drank!"

"No, I'm not influenced by anything, Rika," Henry assured her. "I'm only influenced by my heart right now. And my heart tells me that you're still the one I love."

"Okay," Rika answered as she sat down. "Thank you, Henry."

"You're welcome." Henry smiled at his lady love. "I love you, Rika."

Eventually, Henry moved his face to meet Rika's and gently pressed his lips on hers. Rika's heartbeat started to quicken with love as their lips were now sealed over each other once again. Their lips brushed gently against each other for a few moments which sent a warm feeling throughout their bodies. Henry's right arm snaked around Rika's neck as he deepened the kiss while Rika slowly parted her lips to invite his tongue into her mouth once again and her right arm traveled on Henry's back. The couple sat on the bed kissing, both savoring their love on this special night. They both did not want to stop and Henry laid his hand on Rika's back and guided her so she could lay down on the bed. Henry was already on top of Rika and they were still kissing each other passionately.

I love you… Henry thought as he was kissing Rika while he was on top of her.

Because of the extreme passion that he felt, Henry's lips broke away from Rika and went towards her neck. Rika felt good with Henry's warm lips coming close to contact with her neck so she unbuttoned a button for him to access.

As he was getting too close to comfort, Henry realized that he could not strip Rika's clothes because he respected her so much. Seeing that she was unbuttoning one button of her blouse, he decided to stop her.

"Rika, as much as I wanted to be your first, I think we need to get a little higher so we could be really intimate with each other," Henry said as he smiled at the confused woman.

Rika's face turned a bright shade of red as she realized that a part of her undergarment was seen already by Henry. She felt embarrassed at the thought of her getting it on with Henry.

"Sorry, it's just my hormones," Rika explained as she buttoned already her blouse upwards. "And sorry if you already saw my undergarment right now."

Henry only laughed at the joke. "It's okay. I'm sorry too for losing control. "

"It's okay," Rika answered and suddenly felt herself wonder. "Where were we?"

Henry smirked and pointed to her lips. "Right here."

Then, the next thing Rika knew was Henry's lips were crashing on hers once again. Another moment of passion was going on inside the room. He was contented with reaching first base because second base and beyond was not a good idea for returning couples especially when they had been apart for six years.

I never knew that Henry could be a damn good kisser, Rika thought as Henry placed her hands on his back.

I never thought Rika could kiss me like this, Henry thought as well as his lips was brushing against Rika's.

Moaning was not an option since their friends were still singing their hearts out downstairs so they were quiet as they continued making out in the room. But they had to part for air as they realized that both of them were panting already. When they broke away, Henry lied beside Rika and placed his arm around her shoulder.

"I love you," they both said in unison.

Eventually, they grabbed the blanket that was underneath them and placed it all over their bodies.