CCS is not mine...

He found himself standing in front of a modest orphanage. It turned out the kids were orphans and Mr. Flint, along with a group of volunteers, takes care of them. He greeted them around the entrance where he was sweeping the yard. Little kids surrounded them at once and some of them had the same reaction with that blond little girl who called him a prince. Though he was cold as ice as most people would describe him, he always had a soft spot for children especially to orphans because he was also one.

His parents died early in a car accident. He was 9 and his brother was 5 when that happened. They were good parents and the accident left him speechless and Yukito crying endlessly. They didn't know anyone else in the family because it was later that they heard that their parents eloped. An old couple who live beside them who have no children decided to adopt them. They were a sweet old couple who liked to travel a lot but when the accident happened they took the children under their care. Eventually, Yukito calmed down and Yue found his words again. But six years later, Grandmother passed away of old age and shortly after Grandfather followed. The money the old couple left and the money they saved from working part-times were more than enough for the both of them to finish university. Now he was an accountant. And Yukito is a history professor in Seijou High School.

Yue carried a sleepy little black-haired girl who looked not older than five. He smiled at her and she smiled back. Now about seven little kids gathered around him wanting their turn to be carried. He spent the next hours playing with the children.

"Alright children. The snacks are in the kitchen. Give thanks for the food before you eat." It was already 4pm. That was Mr. Flint who just got out of the orphanage. The kids, with Nakuru, all responded merrily. Nakuru led them inside. Yue helped Mr. Flint tidy up the yard.

"Haven't seen you around? You're friends with Nakuru?" Mr. Flint asked him while sweeping the dried leaves when everyone was gone.

"No. Well, yes. I guess. We just met this morning actually."

"Well, it's not surprising because Nakuru gets close to everyone easily."

"She seems close with the children here."

"Her father, well, her adopted father, is a good friend of mine and he finances this orphanage. When Clow died, he left his money in here specifically instructing me to take care of Nakuru and tell Eriol he's sorry if I see him again."

So that was why Nakuru referred to her father by his first name. The old man looked like he hesitated for a moment but then he continued.

"Clow likes to travel around. Usually, he would bring stray children he found here so when he bumped into Nakuru crying on the streets one rainy day he brought her here but she never let go of him so he kept her. Nakuru can't remember any of her early seven years she would claim. All she remembered she told us was her name. She didn't even remember why she was crying. But she would never go out when there's thunder. I guess she was traumatized."

He found himself listening intently to Nakuru's past.

"I think Clow found out about what happened but he said it was better if she truly forgot about it. Eriol was a baby entrusted to Clow by an acquaintance but when he turned 13 their family feud was taken care off and he was taken back. He had a terrible fight with Clow because he didn't want to go but Clow gave him up easily. He thought that was the best thing to do. They were a family, Clow Reed, Nakuru and Eriol even though they're not blood-related."

Spinel meowed between them. Mr. Flint dropped the broom and picked him up. "Of course, Spinel is also family. They found him wandering in Eriol's room three years ago. Nakuru always carried him since."

He never knew Nakuru had a past like that. She was surrounded by a lot of people but when she goes home, she must feel very lonely. She must be hurting but if that was the case no one would be able to tell. One would look at her and think she didn't have any problems. A smile can hide so many things especially a smile as bright as hers.

"But I guess I said more than enough."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"Actually," Mr. Flint smiled at him. "Nakuru was looking at you with a very peaceful expression on her face so I asked her who you are. She told me she has found her prince. She was always telling everyone that her prince will come for her and she will have her happily ever after. I thought at least the prince should know what the princess is going through. She's going to tell you the rest herself one day."

He felt a little embarrassed. "But…"

"I know. Judging from how I know her, she probably just kidnapped you."

He smiled at that. He was right. He was kidnapped in a way.

"She's a cheerful young lady. Ever since Clow found her, she always laughs and smiles you have to worry about her. Even when Eriol was gone and Clow died, that girl never stopped smiling. It was heartbreaking. I wonder how lonely she feels living alone. She made it her duty to cheer everyone up so she would not allow herself to feel sad. Sorry. I'm just mostly worried about her. Please take very good care of our Nakuru."

Before he could say anything, the subject of their little conversation suddenly popped out from the door interrupting them."What are you guys waiting for? You won't have snacks if you stayed longer."

"Yes. Of course. I'm going." Mr. Flint looked at him and tapped his shoulder twice gently before he went inside carrying Spinel.

"We just ate and you're excited about snacks already?"

"It's been hours! And it's food. It's tasty all the same. What were you talking about?"

"You told him you found your prince?" He leaned close to her face just to tease her.

She actually blushed. This girl who bluntly confessed to him was blushing.

"Well, I did find you." And then she kissed him on the cheek and ran inside just as instantly as she did. He did not see that coming. And oddly enough, he didn't hate it. He may be getting a little fond of this lady who never ran out of surprises.

.

Inside, the girl went straight to the comfort room and just stood in front of the mirror hoping her heart would stop beating so fast.

.

It was a noisy snack time because the kids were chattering endlessly with each other. Mr. Flint told them to be quiet in vain and Nakuru just made them louder by making everyone else laugh from her antics. Yue listened. He never liked noise but this one was a very pleasant noise.

They all helped each other clean the place up. Then Yue and Nakuru said their goodbyes. The children were a little sad and told them to come and play with them again. Yue found himself promising them. They left and Spinel followed behind.

"The kids will look forward to your return you know."

"I will come back."

"When will you return here? Oh, when will you leave?" she finally asked him. She had always feared that.

"Tomorrow."

"Oh." He saw her expression faltered but she went on smiling again. "Why didn't you say so earlier? That means I only have this day with you! Hey, look! let's take a picture together. There's one over there." She pointed to a little shop ahead.

"What…"

"I want to have a picture of me and you." She dragged him over there. He was being dragged by her the entire day but he's not complaining. He didn't mind at all.

Nakuru told the photographer to take couple shots and it was his turn to have his fun. She was always hugging him from the beginning but when he put his arms around her waist like what the photographer said, he felt Nakuru jumped a little blushing furiously. So she was a shy one after all. He decided to tease her more. He didn't even know this side of him existed but he was enjoying it. He placed himself behind Nakuru and wrapped his arms around her waist while settling his head on her right shoulder on one pose and he carried her like a princess on the next. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck for support this time looking really red. "What are you doing?"

"I didn't know you were shy."

"I'm not!" she protested and he smiled. "It's there again! Your smile!"

"There's a camera."

"Right." They both smiled at the very amused man who was taking their pictures. Spinel joined them with the other pics. "Yue."

"Yes?"

"You have a beautiful smile." His turn to blush. She always has a way to turn the tables around. "And you look absolutely cute right now!"

"Shut up!" He gives up. She wins again. She was now wearing her brightest smile.

When that was finished, they paid for their pictures and the photographer told them they looked really cute together. They both got embarrassed and the old man just laughed at them wishing them the best.

Outside, they found themselves in awkward silence for the first time. Yue with his hands in his pockets looking to the left. Nakuru with her hands on the back looking at the opposite side. A cat between them head turning left and right. It went on for a few minutes until. "OH NO!" He expected this sooner or later, he was being dragged away by Nakuru again.

They stopped when they reached another corner. Nakuru panting. Cat, however that happened, was already on her head.

"Let me guess… your editor."

"Can't she give up and take a nice rest? I already told her I'll finish it tomorrow. Now I feel really bad for her but she really have to just trust me on this." She said between breaths.

"How are you going to finish when you're running around like this?"

"I have it figured out. I may not look like it but I take responsibilities. If I promised I'll give it tomorrow, I will!"

"It would seem. Where do we go now?"

"Anywhere with you!"

He sighed. "Anywhere won't do."

"Oh we can figure it out along the way." And she walked ahead. He wondered if he had just too much time right now but he followed.

They went inside random shops and she was looking very enthusiastically at a little ruby butterfly brooch. He purchased just because he thought it suits her. She was jumping up and down in gratitude and once again jumped and hugged him on his back. Why does this girl not show any embarrassment in doing this but when he puts his arm around her waist, she goes all tomato? He laughed silently at the thought.

"What's so amusing?"

"You."

She was surprised at that. "You're learning from me."

"Must be contagious to be you."

They went on a park where she made him push her on the swing. They passed by a little gathering where some people seem to know her and persuaded her to sing. She was tone-deaf but she made up with her performance, everybody was clapping their hands happily in the end. When she told him he should sing himself, Yue excused himself on a corner.

"Geez. Sometimes you're boring. Bye guys. We have to go someplace else."

"Bye Nakuru!" they all chorused.

"Where are we going?" he whispered.

"Anywhere!" she smiled.

And they went everywhere just walking on the streets, Nakuru talking about all the people she knows, the people in Happy Willow, the orphanage, her work. He found himself telling her about his brother and the old couple who raised them. He was not much to open up but he found it easy to talk to her.

"They must be really good people, your grandma and grandpa."

"I'm very grateful about them."

"I'm adopted too when I was seven. His name's Clow Reed. He's a little weird because he would always tell us stories about some magic cards or some flying beast guardians or some other fantasy. He told us to always be on our guard because we might be faced with a terrible force that may cause the world's destruction. Honestly, he was so weird!"

"Now I see why you're a little over the crazy side."

"Hey, I'm not crazy! Anyway, I got all my ideas in my work from him. He's a strange guy but he had been a really good father. He treated us as his own children and he made me very happy. He passed away two years ago and I will never forget him."

...

"I had a little brother too." The little silence was broken. "Well, sort of. He too was adopted. One day, a year after I'm found, Clow brought with him another child. A baby. He told me he's name is Eriol. He took my surname because Clow said he didn't have one then so I really imagined him to be my younger brother. We took care of him and he grew up to be one spoiled brat. Our fault perhaps. But then, he was just someone borrowed."

Silence.

Nothing followed and he was not at all accustomed to a silent Nakuru. "How about we eat dinner? It's already 8." He didn't think she wants to tell the story now because she was slightly staggering in her speech and he hated it that she could tell him this story with a smiling face.

Let them enjoy the day. This should be the most eventful day he ever had.

They ate at a nearby restaurant and she was back to her old cheering self again and he was glad. He didn't even know how she manages to talk and eat at the same time but he found it amusing.

"What?" she suddenly said. He must have been staring.

"Do you want to stay over at my place tonight?" He was surprised at himself. But thinking about this cheerful girl going home alone made him uneasy.

Nakuru was looking at him speechless for the first time with a tint of blush on her cheeks.

"So?" he interrupted her trance.

She shook her head quickly and placed her palms on her blushing face. "Oh my! I didn't know you were so forward."

He didn't think of the implications of his invitation. "I was… I'm not thinking of doing that!"

"Doing what?" she was wearing an amused expression on her face. She was teasing him.

"Never mind!" He was turning into a very different man with her.

"I was only joking. I would really love to."

.

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Me blabbering: Okay... it's going to end soon. Just so you know, I'm not thinking too much of the plot while writing and suddenly it turned out like this! I might have complicated things. Oh well. Let's continue.

Happy days!