The discomforting feeling; knowing that she expected and deserved an answer to this… this confession of hers… and yet…

Saying these feelings into words… for some reason…

"I… umm… I guess…"

It just doesn't seem enough to say it into words. It won't even seem enough, even if I want to crush her with all of my feelings…

"I guess that I… Kaho, I…"

But I don't care what happens; I know that she'll stay with me. I know it.

"I love you too…"

Kahoko Hino had been praying, with all her heart, for him to say those words back to her. It felt like an eternity as he slowly, torturously, said it. As he stumbled upon saying it, she couldn't help but realise how hard it must've been for him.

Her hand slowly reached to touch his face, and he cradled her hand in his own as she did that. She traced his features, watching as he grew slightly annoyed of her doing that, laughing softly.

They both jumped out of their skin as they heard a knock on the door. Her eyes met his, and in them, a common thought of "Who is it?" – which soon enough just lead to them looking at each other, staring, knowing nothing else but…

"Do you want any food?"

They laughed as their stomachs simultaneously grumbled, and they slowly sat up. She watched as Len headed out to the door, opening in slightly.

"What food do you have?"

A sudden thump made Kaho decide to stand up and head out to the door as well. She then realised what made that noise.

That attendant fainted? From…

She turned to narrow her eyes at Len – no, her boyfriend – and he looked back at her with his usual expression. She laughed.

Together, they watched the attendant slowly pull herself back up, apologizing profusely for her unprofessionalism, leaving them with free food and drink.

"I never knew you could stop women in their tracks, Len"

He chuckled at her comment as together they brought the food to the small table.

"Well, I never knew you were that courageous to say something such as…"

She blushed again, knowing what he was planning to say.

"A-anyhow, we should begin eating the food…"

Kaji Aoi had thought it hilarious as he watched both Ryou Tsuchiura and Len Tsukimori's faces change as they realised who he was.

Gosh, it's not like I'm there to scout out potential girlfriends.

He had sent off a text message at the end of the day to let Edward van Diem know that the two violinists had come by; much like Edward had expected.

It's more than obvious that Tsukimori wouldn't go into any places other than those he was familiar with, and he was familiar with this place because Edward-san took him to it a few times.

At near midnight, he had finally managed to get out of the restaurant and back at the apartment where he sighed as he finally lay down to rest.

Another day of minding the restaurant is done. It shouldn't be much longer until I get to do other things to understand my father's business. And of course, the connection it has to the Van Diem family.

Edward had smiled as he saw Aoi-san's text.

Knowing people in many places does give you a lot of advantage.

He had sighed, after several days of arguing and talks and discussions; he had finally gotten the all-okay for Kahoko-san to transfer over, so that her and Len would be able to be with each other.

I wonder, Len… I wonder if you have told her about this…

Len suddenly felt the urge to ask something. Something which he hadn't really wanted to ask, mainly because he didn't want to know that she might leave him for her friends. But after… after hearing her say that she loves me, I think I can chance a take. A teeny chance.

"Kaho…"

Her bright eyes look up to him and smile.

"Yes, Len?"

"I…"

Wait, I can't say it. How can I? I want you to only stay with me. That sounds so stupid and cheesy and…

"I want…"

He saw her blink, and pause.

"What do you want, Len?"

He blushed slightly.

There's a lot of things I want right now. I want… to hold you and kiss you endlessly. I want… you to stay by my side forever. I want… to crush you with these feelings of mine that threaten to take over me, to satiate my lust and longing for you… but I… most of all, I don't want to take advantage of you. I don't want to put you in a situation where you have to stay with me. I don't want to hurt you, scared of frightening you…

"I want… to sleep."

The slight dismay on her face was more than obvious, and he felt like smirking because he didn't say what she expected him to say.

"And I want… to hold a certain someone very close to me as I do that."

He watched her stare at the table for a few moments, before hearing her voice.

"I… I do, too. Want you to hold me, that is."

I want you to do a lot more than just to hold me, though, Len… Kaho wondered why, after saying that they loved each other, why she couldn't just make him hers right then and there.

Eep… I don't want Len to see me as an animal or anything, though… I mean… I'm not…

She watched him head to the small bathroom, and leave the door slightly ajar. She could hear rustling, and then the sound of water from the showerhead.

Is it just me… or is he inviting me… I mean, it's not like I'm hoping that he'll…

Curiosity took over as she slowly headed towards the bathroom, taking care not to make too much noise. It was quite a feat, Kaho going on her tippy-toes ever-so gently towards the other side of the small cabin.

Author's Note:well, since this is a T-rated story, I felt that I had to stop right there! :P Fateful Return has been one of my many babies – after Reflections of a Prodigy, and several others – and I would love to give it a fitting close and finale. I really cannot thank all the fans and readers who take time to read my chapters as soon as they realise it's available; especially to those who review!

To me, in order to truly end Fateful Return; I had to go back to what I saw as the quintessence of the LenXKaho relationship. His slightly cold demeanour, her warm affection – which no doubt leads to several sweet moments that change this couple forever

Although, I still haven't written the ending yet – there'll be a few more chapters to go – so I can't really say much other than "please look forward"

Many thanks again, and as I've probably said a few times – review! It keeps this story alive.