Hello there! Apologies for the huge delay but here is a second chapter :] I haven't had much inspiration lately but thanks to the second season of Chihayafuru, it replenished enough for me to write this. I want to thank the people who kindly left reviews and follows, it means a lot :] Disclaimer: I do not own Chihayafuru or its characters.

Sunlight filtered through the fiery red and rich golden leaves that lined the walkway towards Mizusawa High School. The students chatted excitedly, having just returned from a long weekend. Chihaya strode towards the huge wrought-iron gates with her Karuta t-shirt tucked messily into her skirt. She was completely oblivious to the stares and whispers of the other students.

Beauty in vain.

She was reciting some Karuta poems in her mind when she spotted Taichi. His salmon hair standing out from all the other students browns and blacks. Chihaya felt a little surge of happiness upon seeing her close friend, even though his behaviour had been a bit confusing as of late. He was fixed in conversation with a boy she didn't know and every so often he would flash one of his dazzling smiles as he laughed at something the other boy had said.

Confusion laced into the happiness she had felt just a moment ago as she recalled the conversation they had had last week.

Taichi had been engaged in a call, with his girlfriend, Chihaya had presumed at the time. He seemed to be agitated over something and had finally told Chihaya; ''I'm thinking of breaking up with her.''

Chihaya was shocked as she didn't know where the sudden outburst had come from. Was he the type to get bored easily? When she questioned him on it, he simply shrugged it off as ''Complicated.'' Before striding off, leaving her alone with a million questions buzzing in her head.

He had been fairly distant since then, avoiding her and more worryingly, avoiding practice.

Panic crept into the jumble of emotions that was starting to take over Chihaya.

Did I say something wrong?

She shook her head and mentally slapped herself. She had had this conversation with herself since the day it happened. She decided that today would be the day she would get it all sorted.

The bell chimed for lunch and Chihaya started.

Scraping her chair back, she flung herself towards the classroom door.

Next class.

She reached Taichi's classroom and swung open the door; ''Taichi!''

Every eye in the classroom fixed on her and she felt her face go hot. Every eye except the amber ones she was looking for.

"He already left." Chihaya recognised the boy that Taichi had been walking with earlier. She spun on her heel, "Thanks!" She called over her shoulder as she raced down the corridor.

Her feet pounded against the laminate flooring. She ran so fast that people had to jump out of her way in fear of being barrelled over. She ran until something caught her attention in her peripheral vision. Stopping, she looked out the window and saw Taichi by the schools back gate. She ran.

oOo

Taichi shuffled uncomfortably as his girlfriends blue eyes filled with tears. He felt sick to his stomach and his hands felt horrible and sweaty. He swiped them on the leg of his trousers and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry I had to tell you it this way but that's the truth."

God, he felt awful.

Anger flashed in her watery eyes, "So that's it? You find someone else and just ditch me?" Her hands flexed and relaxed as she chewed over what Taichi had told her. He was in love with someone else.

"For how long?" She glared up at him. Her usually pretty face was contorted as a fresh wave of tears flowed down her blotched red cheeks.

Taichi tried to swallow but his mouth was as dry as a summer desert. "Uh, Um..." He faltered, "Before..." He swiped a hand through his hair.

This is so awkward.

"Before?" She screeched the word and Taichi was almost glad he was splitting up with her. Now that he had seen this horrid side to her.

He looked into her eyes, "Yes, befo-"

"-Taichi!"

Smack.

His words were cut short by a slap across his left cheek. He stood there, mouth agape in shock as his now Ex stormed away from him. He lifted his hand and tentatively touched his stinging cheek.

Guess I deserved that.

A scuff of shoes on the gravel made him turn around.

Chihaya stood before him, her golden eyes wide with shock. She looked a little disheveled; her usually sleek hair had fallen out of her ponytail and was hanging in wisps around her face and her cheeks were rosy with exertion. Despite this, she still looked beautiful in his eyes. She panted slightly, trying to catch her breath then opened her mouth as if to say something then closed it again. This happened a few times before Taichi sighed.

He strolled over to where she stood and planted himself in front of her. She glanced up at his face and he saw her zero in on the redness that was probably adorning his cheek by now.

oOo

Chihaya ran full pelt towards the school gate, she could see Taichi. He had his back to her and looked as though he was deep in conversation.

"Taichi!" She called before, Slap!

The noise echoed around the empty school yard and she froze in her tracks. Her eyes widened as she saw a small female storm away and Taichi hesitantly touch his cheek. He turned and met her eyes and she felt a little jolt go through her. She felt guilty having stumbled upon such a scene. He walked over to where she stood and he just stared at her. His left cheek was beginning to turn red.

She didn't know what to say. The guilt was bubbling inside of her until finally she said; "I'm sorry, this is because of me isn't it?"

An expression flitted over Taichi's face. One that she had never seen before.

She continued, "I shouldn't have called out like that, it must've startled her or something. Why else would your girlfriend slap you?" She laughed nervously and avoided his eyes, instead focusing her attention on the seemingly fascinating pattern on his tie.

"Ex." He said the word so softly she almost missed it.

"What?" She didn't dare to lift her gaze from his tie.

"Ex," He repeated; "We just broke up. And no, it wasn't because of you shouting out." It seemed as though he had more to say but when he didn't continue, Chihaya decided not to press. She had never had any experience with boys and relationships, so she struggled to think of something to say. She chewed her lip before saying; "I'm here if you need someone to talk to."

That sounded like something a good friend would say, right?

She could see a ghost of a smile on his lips, that disappeared almost instantly. He patted her on the head. His hands were hot and the pressure felt comforting, even though it really should've been herself giving the comfort. He started to walk away, leaving her standing alone and staring at the now empty path leading out of the school.

Her emotions warred with each other and she turned to see him walking away. His frame getting smaller and smaller. Before she knew what she was doing, her body was in motion. She ran towards him, clearing the distance in a good few strides. She grabbed hold of his wrist and pulled him behind her. He protested and pulled against her but she ploughed on, pulling him along. They ran through the school; up sets of stairs and down corridors until they came to a set of sliding doors, the sign above displayed the word; Infirmary.

Chihaya flung the door open and began to rake through the cupboards, leaving Taichi standing in the doorway. She found success in one of the furthest cabinets and pulled out a first aid ice pack. She turned to see Taichi, who was still standing at the door. His expression was blank then his eyes travelled over the ice pack. Chihaya could almost hear the click as he finally put two and two together. He sniggered and swiped a hand across his face. He strolled into the infirmary and sat on one of the little stools, motioning to the stool opposite him for Chihaya to sit down. She complied and cracked the pack in her hands releasing the chemical and the pack went chilly.

She lifted the pack and pressed it to his cheek. He winced but then relaxed as the coldness numbed the sting. The two sat in companionable silence. Chihaya held the pack on Taichi's cheek as his eyes slowly shut.

"Thank you," He murmured.

Chihaya smiled at her friend; "Any time."

Her phone chirped indicating a text message. Taichi tried to move away but Chihaya held the ice pack to his face.

"Its fine, I'll get it later."

Once again they fell into silence but this time Chihaya didn't feel worried. The aura around Taichi seemed lighter, like a weight had been lifted from him.

"You know," Chihaya began, "Everyone at the club has been pretty worried about you."

Taichi smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Myself, mostly I think." His eyes fluttered open and caught hers, the amber orbs glinted underneath his long eyelashes like molten gold. She dropped her gaze to his knee.

He shifted on the stool, his knee brushing hers and he reached up, cupping his hand on top of hers that held the ice pack. He leaned into the ice pack and their hands.

Chihaya glanced up and was startled at the look in Taichi's eyes. "Don't say things that will get my hopes up."

He stood abruptly, his hair falling over his face. "Thanks for the ice pack." With that, he turned on his heel, leaving Chihaya staring after him open mouthed.

As she packed up her things a short while later, she pulled her blazer from her bag and saw something flashing in the dark depths of her school bag.

The text.

She pulled the device out, expecting the text to be from her sister or Kana. Her heart leapt into her throat when she read the senders name.

Wataya Arata.

So there you have it! :] I haven't written in a while so it's great practice for me. I seem to favor Taichi in this chapter, most likely because of the little screen time that Arata receives in the anime. I may even be swaying more towards Taichi x Chihaya ? Who knows! Once again, thank you for the lovely reviews and hope you enjoyed this little chapter :] ~Christy