AN: Hey guys! I'm back from my forced hiatus from FF; my phone was off for the majority of July. I hope that you all are enjoying your summer and staying cool. Thanks for your support and I love you all.

XOXO,

Raku

PS: However, I've managed to add some more of my original work to my personal blog under my other writing alias. Feel free to check it out at: .com

"… But who are you?" rang within my ears in mockery as I stared at the girl whom I held so dear to my heart in pure horror.

She doesn't remember me?! No way! This has to be some cruel, sick joke!

Taking a moment to lick my bottom lip, I sat down beside her legs. "Odango, you know that now isn't the time for jokes, right?" I tried, hoping with all my heart that she was joking.

Please let it be so!

But, based on the look of dismay on her face as she eyed me warily, I already had my answer before she opened her mouth.

"No, I'm really not joking, sir. I don't really know who you are at all, " she stayed with a shake of her head before a scowl found itself on her face. "But why do you keep calling me 'Odango'? I'm not a dish or something! My name is Tsukino Usagi!"

I'd normally smirk and even chuckle at her cute reaction to my nickname for her, but with the new revelation of her current condition – I wanted nothing more than to hit myself for not preventing this earlier.

I shouldn't have left her alone. I should've heard the horn! It should've been me who got hit by that cursed car, not her! Why didn't I -?

"Anou … are you okay, sir?" her angelic voice was like a cold glass of water to my thoughts as I forced myself out of my self-deprecating mood.

Odango needs you to be strong right now.

Clearing my throat, I straightened myself up. "Yes, I'm okay, Odango. I'm always okay. My only concern right now is your health, " I reassured her.

She bit at her bottom lip, eyes staring at me as if they could see right through me. "But you seem sad because of me. Are you my boyfriend or something?"

Her boyfriend? I wish! I've been wishing for years now and …

That was when it struck me at that moment. My eyes stared at mine and Odango's interlocked hands as my mind started to fill with all the images of what my next possible words would be.

No way! I can't betray her trust like that! You are her best friend, not her lover. She'll never forgive you if you were to deceive her like that!

I hated that I had a conscience at the moment as I felt my resolve fade away with my thoughts. But a glance at our joined hands again, then into her eyes and I found myself shoving my conscience aside with my next few thoughts.

Maybe she wouldn't mind this … Maybe she'll be happy with this arrangement … She'll forgive me, and we'll laugh about all of this when she finally regains her memories.

I gritted my teeth at my last thought, already envisioning the look of disappointment and disgust that she'll most likely give me after all of this, but …

She just might fall in love with me because of this …

And with that, I gazed right into her eyes. My hands grasped onto hers, giving them a small squeeze.

Her eyes peered at mine with the curiosity of a child. Ingenious, innocent, a hint of trust …

Here goes nothing …

"Odango, I am your husband, " I finally managed out, ignoring the pang of guilt that pierced my gut at that exact moment.

Her eyes widened to the size of saucers at my 'revelation'. "My husband?" she gasped. The innocence and a tinge of guilt evident within her tone made me want to stop with my impending lies that'll seal this façade of mine, but something inside of me refused to allow the truth to flow from my traitorous lips.

With a nod, I sealed the deal with the next few words that flowed with such ease – I felt absolute disgust at myself for doing this to her.

"Yes, Odango, I'm your husband. We've been married for 3 years now."

"For 3 years?" she whispered, averting her eyes away from mine in shame.

I gave her hands another squeeze in reassurance, even though it was mostly for me at that moment from the bile building up inside my throat at my actions.

Too late to go back now though …

So, swallowing down the guilt, I went on with the little charade I've begun. "Yes, we've been married for 3 years but it's a secret, " I confirmed.

Her face scrunched up in confusion. "Why is it a secret? I thought that our friends and family would be happy for us."

Nice point. Now what to say to that?

My tongue came out to wet my lips that felt suddenly dry at that moment. "We keep it secret because they don't approve of us. They wanted us to split up years ago since we are so different from each other, " I explained to her, taking a moment to run my fingers through my hair. A nervous habit of mine that she'd normally call me on, but since her memory is gone – there's a slim to none chance of her doing such a thing at this moment.

"I see … " she murmured, bringing her gaze up to mine, "Are we happy though?"

As friends, we are even if you don't love me as I love you. As lovers, I don't know but I'll try my best to do so.

With that in mind, I nodded and kissed her knuckles tenderly. "We are very happy together, even though we do have our disagreement sometimes because of my job and the nature of our marriage."

All of this is coming out of my lips as if it were some script written for a movie, or even some lyrics to my favorite songs … it's appalling!

But I buried the guilt once more deep inside of me, drowning out my conscience with thoughts to 'validate' my current actions.

You've waited years to have her … Now is your chance to … All you have to do is act the part of loving husband and this could all end in happily ever after! You deserve to be selfish after years of watching her pine after guys who didn't even give her the time of day! So, lie! Lie with all your heart's content!

I squared up my shoulders as I forced my smile onto my face to complete my transition of the monster that Odango would surely find me as whenever she does remember everything. However, a tiny corner of my heart hoped against hope that my delusions would actually come to life and that we'd end up happily living in blissful ignorance as a 'husband and wife' with children and a white picket fence till we're old and grey.

Yes, that is exactly what your future will hold.

"Umm … If you're my husband, what is your name? I feel terrible that I don't remember it, " her voice brought me back into reality from my miniature daydream of us growing old together.

Taking her into my arms, I ruffled her hair that was loosened from their trademark odangoes. "My name is Seiya Kou – your handsome, sexy, super talented husband who you've had the joy of locking down 3 years ago!" I boasted to her with a playful wink, ignoring the tightness forming within my chest. The emptiness now making itself at home inside my heart for this betrayal to myself and Odango, but I allowed myself to cling to the beautiful delusions my mind was feeding me that fueled the fire of my resolve.

She gave me a look that showed how unimpressed she was by my introduction. "Did I know that you were a cocky jerk before I married you?" she snorted with a roll of her eyes.

That's my girl!

Barking a laugh at her reaction – the very first, genuine one I've had since before the accident, an actual smirk tugged at my lips. "Oh, yes! You were very aware, but you obviously loved it since you married me!" I chuckled, enjoying the pink tinge coating her porcelain skin now.

"Stop teasing me!" she pouted, smacking at my arm. "You are such a jerk for someone supposed to be my husband!"

"But you know that you still love me, even if you don't remember me!" I laughed for a few extra minutes before my features hardened to a more serious one. "And if you don't love me, I can always help you fall back in love with me again."

The blush on her face faded away when she caught sight of the look on my face. Her eyes widened at my declaration, mixed emotions dancing inside of them.

"Seiya …" I could hear her breathe as I leaned in close to her.

"Yes?" I breathed back, allowing my feelings to become unhinged for this moment. My mind gone after I drowned myself within the jewels she called eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"Courting my wife for the second time in my life, " I replied. My lips brushed across hers in a ghost of a kiss.

"But what if I never remember you nor anything that makes us us, " she worried out loud.

I leaned our foreheads together. Our eyes meeting for the third time that day since her awakening from her mini coma. "Then we shall make new memories … " I stated with finality, feeling incredibly drawn to her lips at that moment when my eyes drifted down to them.

I could feel the tension evaporate from her petite form as our lips drew closer together to meet again since the day of the accident. My heartbeat drummed inside my ears with every inch that disappeared between us. My lips already craved the sweet taste of hers, to quench its thirst for more of her softness. A butterfly's touch of a kiss was only a breath away from having our lips interlocked in a passionate dance of sorts.

Just one more inch and I'll be consumed by this angel …

"USAGI-CHAN!" screeched a familiar voice, making me and Odango separate in a heartbeat before a blur of pale blonde sped between us.

Damn it all to hell!