Chapter Ten – Good Times

When the new couple arrived back to the apartment, Kazume was met with a very frantic Megumi.

"What took you so long? I've been so worried! I thought maybe you were mugged or something!"

Kazume smiled bemusedly. "No I wasn't mugged, I got…distracted" She turned to smile at her new boyfriend, who smiled back.

Megumi peered suspiciously at the two of them until she looked down and noticed they were holding hands. Her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates and she looked up at her best friend.

"Kazume…" When said girl looked back at her she grinned. "Did something happen between you two?"

Kazume grinned. "You could say that." She proved her point by turning around to Arimon and kissing him right on the lips.

Megumi pumped her fist into the air and cheered. "YAY! It's about time you guys! Boo Yeah!"

Kazume sweat dropped when her friend continued to dance around the room. "Uh…Megumi, aren't you overdoing it a little?" The now hyper brunette zoomed up to her, grabbed her hands and spun her in a circle.

Kazume laughed. "Megumi! Settle down!"

Megumi stopped spinning them and let her go, still wearing a large smile. "Sorry, but this is great news! You go to the store to buy groceries and you come back with a boyfriend!"

Kazume giggled. "I ran into him on the way back and well…we just kind of…got talking and before we knew it we told each other how we felt."

Arimon stepped next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Kazume looked up at him and they smiled at each other. Megumi looked back and forth between the lovebirds, she felt extremely happy for them. She had known for months these two were meant for each other, and now that they were finally together, she could sit back and watch her friend enjoy the happiness she more than deserved.

She saw they had now forgotten she was there, while they gazed lovingly at each other. She smiled and decided she would leave them alone. 'I have a dinner to prepare anyway.' Giving them one final glance, Megumi strode out of the door and into the kitchen.

Kazume had vaguely noticed her best friend leaving, but she was too caught up with her boyfriend. She was so high on cloud nine right now that she was oblivious to the rest of the world. 'More like I'm looking down on cloud nine.' She mused to herself. She stepped forward and leaned her head onto his chest. Arimon brought his other arm up to hug her tightly. She shifted in his embrace and looked up to see him gazing softly down at her. She smiled and stretched her face upwards to meet his. They kissed for a few minutes until they were interrupted by a loud growl from Kazume's stomach. She pulled away with a blush and Arimon laughed.

"Guess we better see how Megumi's going, or maybe even lend her a hand."

Kazume rapidly shook her head. "If you want to help her out, be my guest. But I'm not going anywhere near the cooking, unless you want the kitchen to explode."

Arimon gave her a funny look. "You're not that bad at cooking are you?"

Kazume rubbed the back of head. "I really am, if you don't believe me then ask Megumi. She's been a witness to my disasters."

Arimon grinned. "Really? In that case…" He turned and made his way into the kitchen. "Hey Megumi!"

Kazume's face turned to one of horror and she chased after him. "No wait! I was only kidding! Megumi don't tell him anything!"

The hour they ate dinner involved Megumi gladly spilling all of Kazume's bad experiences with cooking. While Arimon howled with laughter, poor Kazume sat in her chair with her head down and her face red with embarrassment. When it was clear her boyfriend wasn't going to calm down anytime soon, Kazume gave him a very irritated glare and huffed.

"Go ahead and laugh, see if I care."

Her serious tone brought Arimons' laughing to an abrupt halt when she stood up and stalked out of the dining room. Arimon called her name out but she completely ignored him and slammed her bedroom door behind her. Feeling utterly confused, he turned to Megumi.

"Did I do or say something wrong?"

Megumi sighed. "Don't take it personally; Kazume's always been a little sensitive when it comes to the cooking. So you're non-stop hysterical laughter might've offended her a little bit. But then again…I did start it."

Arimon felt extremely guilty "I…I had no idea. I didn't mean any harm."

Megumi smiled. "I'm sure she knows that, but I think you should go talk to her anyway."

Arimon nodded and rose from his seat. "Yeah, you're right." As he reached the door, he was stopped when Megumi called out. "Hey, Arimon."

He looked at her. "Yeah?"

She smirked. "Kazume is like a sister to me, so if you hurt her, I'll slit your throat…understood?"

Arimon gulped. "Uh...you got it."

Megumi smiled and waved him away. "Good, off you go then."

Arimon gave her a nervous grin before making his way down their small corridor. 'Girls are scary…especially when they're protecting their best friends.' When he reached Kazume's door, he stood rooted to the floor. 'But then again…nobody has more of a temper on her than my own girlfriend. I'd rather be a prisoner in hell again than be at the receiving end of Kazume's wrath.' He swallowed again and knocked on her door. "Kazume, it's Arimon. Can I come in?"

When there was no answer, he sighed and leaned his head against the door frame. "Look…I'm really sorry for laughing. I didn't realize how sensitive you are about your cooking. I was a selfish idiot and it was wrong of me to make fun of you. Can you forgive me? Please…we only just began being together. I don't want our first night to start with us fighting."

Arimon started when the door suddenly slid open. There stood Kazume, who stared intensely at her boyfriend.

"What you did really hurt." Her emotionless tone sent shivers up his spine. Oh yeah…she was pissed.

He looked at the ground with shame. "I know…it won't happen again."

Arimon was startled when she suddenly let out a tiny giggle. He looked up to see her clamping her hands over her mouth to try and hold in her laughter. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Am I missing something?"

She shook her head and took her hands away, still giggling. "I'm sorry. That was cruel of me, I'm not mad at you."

Arimon's jaw dropped. "Wait…you're not angry?"

Kazume smiled. "I was at first. My disastrous cooking is really embarrassing for me so I take it very seriously if anybody laughs about it. But the moment I was in my room I was already over it and thought that maybe I had overreacted a little." She giggled. "Besides, if our roles were reversed, I probably would've reacted the exact same way."

Arimon let out a breath of relief. "Well if it's any consolation, you more than make up for your lack of cooking skills with your mad motorbike racing. So far I've never seen you lose a single race, you're undefeatable"

Kazume blushed. "What can I say…I just really love racing." She then let out a big yawn which Arimon smiled out.

"Sounds like someone's getting sleepy, are you going to turn in?"

She rubbed her eyes. "Maybe I will…that run-in with Hild wore me out more than I realized. She's exhausting to be around."

Arimon laughed. "Amen to that. Well come on then, I'll help tuck you in."

Kazume smiled brightly and practically flew onto her futon. Arimon made sure she was comfortable before covering her with blankets. When he went to stand up, he was stopped when she grabbed his sleeve. He turned back to see her gazing at him with pleading eyes.

"Can you…stay here with me? Just until I fall asleep."

Arimon couldn't resist her puppy-dog look and smiled at her. "Of course I will."

Kazume scooted over so he could lie down next to her. He settled himself down on top of the blankets and lay on his side so he could face her. Kazume lay on her back so she could look up at him properly. Arimon positioned his arm so that it curled around behind her head and rested next to her shoulder. Kazume reached up and softly ran her fingers down his jaw, while gazing lovingly into his eyes.

"Thanks for tucking me in."

Arimon bent down and leant his forehead against hers. "I can do it every night if you want."

Kazume's eyes sparkled. "Would you? Every night from now on?"

He smiled at how excited she looked. "Consider this our nightly routine."

She rubbed her nose against his and giggled. "I look forward to it."

Arimon sighed. "And one day… I'd like to sleep here as well. So I can spend the whole night holding you."

Kazume cupped his cheek. "I wish for that too…more than anything. But for now, just lie with me."

Arimon smiled. "I will…I'll stay until you fall asleep. That's a promise." He sealed his promise by leaning down and kissing her tenderly. She responded and moved her hand to the back of his head to hold him there. When her grip weakened, Arimon slowly pulled away to see that her eyes were slowly drooping shut. She smiled sleepily at him. "Good night, my Arimon."

He smiled and gently kissed her on the forehead. 'Good night…my Kazume.'

(A few days later at the temple)

Megumi groaned loudly. "Sheesh can't they take their lovey dovey crap somewhere else?"

Belldandy smiled and turned to the couple the brunette was referring to. Since they had started dating; Kazume and Arimon had been practically inseparable. Surprisingly for everyone though, Kazume was the one who took it upon herself to cling to her boyfriend the instant he was within sight. Even so, Arimon never complained about the attention and always returned her affections with a tight hug of his own.

And today wasn't any different; all their friends watched bemusedly as they sat snuggled in the corner of the room whilst completely absorbed in their own little world. Belldandy felt her heart flutter when the pair shared a soft kiss.

Megumi sniffed and turned away. "You know I was really excited for them a few days ago, but they're so mushy all the time it's getting ridiculous."

Her brother rolled his eyes. "Leave them be Megumi, they're in love. And they've only been together for a little while."

Megumi sighed. "I know…I guess I'm just missing my best friend."

Belldandy placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then go talk to her, tell her you miss spending time together."

Megumi contemplated her words while she watched the couple in the corner. Kazume was smiling up at Arimon with her eyes shining brightly. Megumi had never seen her looking so happy in all the time she knew her, and she immediately felt guilty for wanting to tear her best friend away. But at the same time, she really just wanted to spend a day with the girl like they used to before Arimon came into the picture.

Torn between her guilt and desperation, Megumi stood up and trudged out of the room. Her exit, however, did not go unnoticed by Kazume who gazed concernedly at her best friends retreating figure. She turned and looked at Belldandy who gave her a smile and nodded. She smiled back and looked back to her boyfriend.

"Arimon, I have to go."

Also having noticed Megumi's mood, he smiled. "I know… I'll see you later."

Kazume kissed him again before standing up and running out of the room to catch up to Megumi. She raced outside to see her leaning against the large frame of the temple's gate entrance. She walked over to her and saw Megumi appeared to be deep in thought. Her eyes softened.

"Megumi?"

The brunette jumped slightly and looked at her with wide eyes. "Kazume…you scared me."

Kazume smiled apologetically. "Sorry, it wasn't intentional."

Megumi sighed. "Did you need something?"

Kazume frowned at how dismissive she acted. "Did I do something wrong?"

Megumi smiled slightly. "No…you didn't do anything."

Kazume wasn't convinced. "Are you sure? I saw how sad you were when you left the room."

Megumi sighed again. "I just…I really miss you Kaz."

Kazume felt confused. "What are you talking about? I see you every day."

Megumi shook her head. "Not really. We hang out sometimes, but nowadays you're spending all your time with Arimon."

Kazume suddenly felt horrible and she looked at the floor. "Oh Megumi…I'm so sorry. I'm such a horrible friend."

Megumi stepped forward and put her hands on her friends' shoulders. "Kaz…look at me." When she did she smiled. "You're not a horrible friend. The only thing you've done is fallen in love, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's like the saying goes, love is blind."

Kazume shook her head. "It doesn't matter! You're my best friend! Just because I'm dating Arimon now, doesn't mean I have to ignore everyone else! Argh! I can't believe how selfish I've been!"

Megumi chuckled. "Easy there, don't stress yourself. And cut yourself some slack, it's not your fault that you have a boyfriend that's so hot you can't look away from him.

Kazume giggled. "Hey eyes off, that's my man."

Megumi grinned. "You know what they say, you can look but you can't touch."

Kazume pushed her, still giggling. "Whatever!"

Megumi slung an arm around her shoulders. "Well, here's how it's gonna work. This coming weekend, we are going to have a girl's night. And that'll include Belldandy and her sisters."

Kazume stared. "Girl's night?"

Megumi grinned. "That's right, no boys allowed. So that boyfriend of yours will have to live without you because for one night I am stealing my best friend back!"

Kazume giggled again. "Sounds like fun!"

"You two sound like you're having a good time."

The girls turned around to see Arimon walking over to them with an amused smile. Megumi unlatched herself from Kazume and strutted up to the tall redhead. When she was close she put her face near his and leered at him, making the poor man sweat.

"Listen here buddy; I am taking my best friend for one night. So this Friday you are to stay faaaaaar away from our slumber party. You got that pal?"

Arimon put his hands up. "Consider it done, I stay clear of slumber parties, they freak me out."

Megumi narrowed her eyes. "Give me your word, you're not allowed anywhere near, no matter how badly you want to see your girlfriend."

Arimon could swear he could feel her glare burning a hole through his skull. "Cross my heart and hope to die, I won't bother you. I won't deprive Kazume from spending time with her friends." He made it official by drawing an imaginary cross over his heart.

Megumi nodded, satisfied. "Good enough." She then turned and smirked at Kazume. "He's very obedient Kazume."

Kazume smiled and walked over to her boyfriend who was still gazing warily at the scary brunette. She giggled at his nervous expression. "He just doesn't wanna piss you off. He's already done it once."

Arimon swallowed loudly, making the girls giggle. Megumi then started walking back to the door. "Well I'll leave you guys alone then; I don't wanna be around when it gets mushy." She grinned and waggled her eyebrows at Kazume. "Have fun!" She exclaimed loudly before disappearing into the house.

After she left, Arimon let out a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding. "Cripes…she scares the hell out of me."

Kazume smiled at him. "She misses me, that's all

He smiled at her. "I know, she really cares about you. You've got a good friend there Kazume, don't let go of that."

Kazume tilted her head. "That was deep, where did that come from?"

Arimon looked away and frowned. "Just remembering how it was back in the Demon Realm. Friendships are impossible to come by in that place because Demons are very proud beings. They believe sharing a bond like that and having to rely on them is a weakness.

Kazume reached out and took his hand. "But it wasn't like that with you was it?"

He smiled sadly. "No…I was the complete opposite. I had always dreamed of having a friend…to have that special someone that I could just talk to about everything. I felt extremely lonely whilst growing up…and it was that loneliness that made me as bitter as I was when we first met."

Kazume lifted a hand to his cheek and gently turned his face towards her. "Arimon…that's all in the past now. You're not that man anymore; you've become someone wonderful and caring. How do you think I fell in love with you?" She softly ran her fingers down his jaw. "I don't care that you have demon blood inside you, I love you for the person that's in here." She took her other hand and placed it on his chest, directly over his heart, but kept her gaze directly on his. "Don't ever forget how much you mean to me. I love you Arimon."

Her words went straight to his heart. Arimon wanted to cry; nobody had ever told him such kind and loving words than she had at that very moment. And if it were possible, Arimon fell even more in love with her than he already had. Not being able to say anything, due to the emotional lump in his throat, Arimon wrapped his arms tightly around his beloved and buried his face in her neck. Tears leaked from his eyes and landed on her shirt.

"Thank you." He murmured with a quivering voice. "I love you Kazume…I love you so much."

Kazume didn't need to see his face to know he was crying. She just held him close and let him release emotions she knew he'd been bottling up for years. The pain and suffering she could feel from him stung her heart and she allowed herself to shed tears with him. She leaned her head onto his shoulder and whispered soothingly.

"I'm here my love...I always will be."

Kazume continued to hold her boyfriend close while he cried into her shoulder. After several minutes his sobs finally subsided and everything became quiet. He kept his hold on her though and the two just enjoyed basking in each other's embrace. A minute later Arimon finally lifted his head and pulled away from her. He chuckled with embarrassment.

"Gosh, look at me. I'm a freaking mess. Sorry about this Kazume."

Kazume giggled and shook her head. "Don't apologize, my only concern is that you're feeling better…are you?"

Arimon smiled. "Heaps…like a huge load just lifted off my shoulders."

Kazume lifted a hand to his cheek. "As I said, I'm right here whenever you need me."

Arimon expressed his thanks by pulling her close to him and bringing her face up to meet his in a tender kiss. Kazume's eyes fluttered close and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. After a minute, Kazume decided to be a little bold. She opened her mouth a little and traced her tongue suggestively across her boyfriend's lips. Arimon froze in surprise at her forward move but he quickly relaxed and opened his mouth to let her in. Kazume darted her tongue in to meet his and they continued to kiss heavily for the next several minutes. Once or twice Kazume needed to break away for a second to breathe, but she would crash her mouth back on Arimons a moment later.

While the couple stood there making out, they failed to notice someone standing only a few metres away watching them with their jaw practically hitting the ground. After Megumi had left them earlier, she had gone inside to catch up with her brother. She and Keiichi sat inside his room and chatted away, talking over how and where their lives currently were. After a little while Megumi announced that it was getting late and that she needed to grab Kazume and go home to organise dinner. After bidding a hearty goodbye to Keiichi and the sisters, she made her way back through the door she came in and walked around to where she had last left the romantic pair. When she found them, she saw something she definitely wasn't expecting. There was her best friend, pressed up against her boyfriend so tightly they looked they were attempting to merge into one person. They were kissing like there was no tomorrow, their mouths moving desperately against each other while making the occasional moaning sound.

Megumi knew that if she didn't do or say something then they'll keep this up all day. So she cleared her throat...loudly.

Kazume's eyes shot open when she heard a cough to her left and she yanked her mouth away from Arimons. She looked over and saw her best friend staring at her with a raised eyebrow and her arms folded.

Kazume's face turned bright red. "Oh uh…hehe…Hey Megumi."

The brunette rolled her eyes. "Whenever you're done playing tonsil hockey, we need to get going, I have dinner to make."

The thought of food caught Kazume's attention and her eyes lit up. "Oh! Ok I'll be right along!"

Megumi grinned and turned away to let her say goodbye to her boyfriend. Kazume turned back to Arimon and smiled at him.

"I have to go now, will I see you tomorrow?"

Arimon smiled and kissed her forehead. "Of course you will.

Kazume gave him one last peck on the lips before walking away with Megumi. The two girls mounted her bike and rode out of the grounds. Arimon watched them go with his gaze fixed on the driver, not looking away until the bike was completely out of sight. Once they were gone, he turned around and headed back to the house.

(The following Friday afternoon)

Kazume walked back to her apartment with her hand intertwined with that of her boyfriends'. The two had wanted to spend the day together before Kazume was to be snatched away to the girls' night Megumi had planned a few days prior. Arimon's plan was to drop his girlfriend off and leave that place before he could get pulled into the living nightmare. As much as he loved Kazume, he was deadly afraid of slumber parties.

Kazume looked at him to see him looking somewhat frightful and tugged on his hand. When he looked at her she gazed concernedly at him.

"Are you alright?"

He grinned. "Sure…why wouldn't I be?"

She tilted her head curiously. "You looked scared for a moment there."

Arimon scratched the back of his head. "Just planning on avoiding your little party."

Kazume giggled. "Well it is for girls only."

Arimon smiled at her cute laugh. "I'm glad I was able to steal you away for the day at least. Since Megumi is forbidding me to see you at all tonight."

Kazume tapped his nose playfully. "It's just for one night, I'm sure we'll survive."

They turned a corner and the tall apartment came into view. When she spotted her home, Kazume halted in her tracks. Arimon looked over at her when he felt her pull him to a stop.

"Kazume? Are you okay?"

Kazume didn't answer. Instead she grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked his head down to kiss him. Arimon barely had time to respond when she pulled away and leant her forehead against his.

"I'm sorry." She whispered quietly. "I won't get to see you for the rest of the night…I just want to stay like this a little while longer."

Arimon reached forward and put his arms around her. "But you said yourself Kaz…it's just one night."

Kazume shifted her eyes to meet his. "It's too long…"

Arimon chuckled. "We'll see each other tomorrow, I promise."

Kazume's eyes widened as an idea appeared in her mind. 'It's crazy…but what's the harm?' She pulled out of his hug slightly to look at him with sparkling eyes.

"I have an idea!"

Arimon grew nervous from the look on her face. "Uh…what's that?" If it were possible, her eyes grew brighter.

"Why don't you move in?"

Arimon's mind went into shock. "What?" 'Did she just…?'

Kazume grinned widely at him. "Come move into the apartment! Then we'll never be apart!"

Arimon would've accepted without any hesitation if it weren't for a small doubt prodding the back of his mind.

"I don't know if Megumi would like that."

Surprisingly, Kazume just laughed. "Don't you worry about her; I'll make her come around."

Arimon smiled. "Then by all means, I'll be happy to move in."

Kazume squealed and threw her arms around him. Arimon laughed and spun her around with his arms once again wrapped around her waist. He placed her back on the ground but kept his hold on her. Kazume smiled at him before leaning up to capture his lips once more in a kiss. This time Arimon was ready for it and kissed her back full force. As they stood in their embrace, Arimon couldn't help but think about where he was in his life right now. He felt happier than he ever had before, now he was going to start a whole new chapter living with the girl he loved the most. And this time he was going to live life to the fullest the very best he could…with Kazume by his side.

End Of Chapter