I DO NOT OWN ZATCH BELL

Zatch walked down the rough pavement, eyes closed, in a dream-like state. I finally figured out my feelings for Tia. However, something didn't seem right. What could be stronger than like? He pondered, now a confused and troubled expression adorned his face. Could it be...love? He quickly shook that thought out of his mind. LOVE? Please, I'm too young! What is it anyway? I mean, I know what brotherly love is, what mother-and-son love is, friend-love, but romantic love? He put his finger on his chin and stopped walking. Kiyo ran up to meet him.

"Hey little guy. What's up?" Kiyo smiled, and Zatch looked at him, still puzzled.

"What's romantic love?" Zatch asked, completely innocent. Kiyo rubbed his neck, a little uncomfortable. A huge blush crossed his cheeks.

"Well...everyone has their own definition." Zatch stll was unsatisfied.

"But what's your definition?"

Kiyo sighed loudly. "Well...in my opinion...it is when you would go to the end of the earth to help that person, when would die to protect them." Zatch nodde, then asked Kiyo another question.

"Do you love Megumi?" Kiyo smiled instead of blushed, which was surprising.

"Yes Zatch, yes I do."

"Oh." Zatch looked down for a second.

"What's wrong Zatch?" Worry crossed Kiyo's features, and he crouched down and put a hand on one of Zatch's shoulders.

"Kiyo...I-I-I-...think I love Tia." Zatch stll refused to look up. A large blush creeped across his face, as Kiyo whooped for joy.

"Awesome, my mamodo is in love!" He smiled widely. Zatch smiled weakly.

"What's wrong now?" Kiyo asked, annoyed.

"Well...I just have a bad feeling, in the pit of my stomach." He put a hand to his stomach and smiled weakly. "Must have just been too much ice cream or something."

"Tia?" Tia looked up, and from the naked eye, she looked exhausted after the rough night and morning. She was pale, her wrists red and sore, and she was in a cold sweat. She was also freezing. Zeno slid in a hamburger for her to eat. She hesitated.

"Don't worry, it's not poisoned or anything." He spoke with sorrowful eyes. She still hesitated for a minute, then dived into her food. He chuckled. It was somewhere between an evil cackle, and an honest laugh. Just like Zatch's. She looked in his eyes sadly, wishing she was seeing yellow, her favorite color.

"Well, I'm not dying, so you must have been telling the truth." She weakly smiled, attempting at a light joke. He smiled too. An honest, good-hearted smile. "You know, your not so bad when your not mean." He laughed, this time more real and good than evil.

"I guess I'll have to changed that." He smiled to show he was kidding. She smiled too. His smile drooped.

"You still hoping Zatch will come?" She brightened up, before masking her emotions with a face of anger.

I can't let him know I like Zatch, otherwise he might hurt me or Zatch. I can't let that happen. He's still the bad guy. For all I know, he could be playing me. I have to keep my guard up. "Yeah, what's it to you?" She asked with a mean-streak. He looked a little taken aback.

"Just asking, that's all." He answered quietly, rubbing his neck. No wait, I am the all-powerful Zeno! I cannot show her I'm feeling good about her. She'll exploit it! She'll know that I am weak! He had a rush of adreneline in his veins, and picked her up by her shirt collar. He punched her in the mouth, and flung her down. She cried out in pain as she hit the hard floor.

"That's what you get for talking back to me." He told her sternly. The he walked out of the room with an oppressive glow, till he stopped at the door. He looked back and said, "You have pretty hair."