Reminders: Please take note. There are back to back scenes in this chapter. Enjoy reading Fallen! :)

Shelf #016

Kuu was left alone in this wonderful garden. Dews twinkled like little stars against the flowers and bushes under the perfect moonlight. A mantle of fireflies also flew about, bringing soft lights to this fantastic place. Kuu paced near the large fountain, breathing nervously and thought about things he wanted to say to Julie. The more he looked forward to seeing her tonight, the more nervous he'd get. He remembered all the tips the three fairies of fashion and Lina had told him. They were simple to do. Kuu noticed nobody had ever gone here to the garden, so it was a more perfect place for him to wait for Julie than waiting at the lobby –– where so many guests might recognized her and everything will be ruined. They must be exiting towards the other side of the hotel, where no one can see her.

After fifteen minutes, Kuu's wait was finally over. A dark man in suit broke the eery silence and informed him the lady had came down. He walked away, and Kuu turned around to prep his breathing and posture. He inhaled deeply, and tried to silently practiced how to sound well.

"Hi. . Hi. . Hi. . ."

Then suddenly. .

"Kuu. . .?"

Kuu turned around slowly and his eyes glued to the figure standing beside the fountain. Just as the fountain's lights lighted up as the water flew up, Kuu's mouth fell.

While she walked silently at the south hallway of the hotel, her stilletto heels echoed in every step, Julie suddenly felt nervous. Yes, she had gone out with men before, but this was her first time to ever actually had a real date with someone. And this time, the date was with Kuu.

It was Lina's plan all along, and she had no choice but to agree with her best friend. It would be hell if she ever saw her enraged with fury. Dealing with Lina was sometimes hard and tough. Then she phoned everyone and they all flew here to Japan and surprised Julie yesterday morning, while she was still sleeping. She thanked them for their efforts, as she hadn't seen Kuu since he was phoned by Yashiro to come over to the hotel. She stayed at the other Miyako suite, on the same floor. Lina and Alexander McQueen, her other close friend in fashion industry, joined hands together and did an incredible job to Julie. Next, after she was done with Kuu quite so fast, as always, Jelly came and did the makeup on her.

Now that she was all dressed up and walking towards Kuu who had been waiting for her at the garden, she already forgot how to walk properly. She was really nervous right now. She could feel her heart would burst out any moment. She was surprised by her awkward feet that she stopped for a moment to take deep breathers.

Behind the stained windows, she could make out Sebastian talking to a dark figure at the fountain. He must be talking to Kuu there, yet she couldn't see through the water how he must have looked. She could only see a shadow. She knew Chris, Gio and Jelly did the magic for him. She leaned back on the wall and closed her eyes. She breathed deeply and tried to practice silently how to sound normal, yet cool.

"Hi. . Hi. . Hi. . ."

She breathe again, just as Sebastian came through the arch. He only looked at her and nodded silently, then walked away. The moment he was out of sight, she opened her eyes and stood straight. Walking fluidly and so smoothly this time, she went to the garden.

She had to go past the fountain to look for him. And there was the figure, tall and straight, his back on her. The hands on the waist, so a bit of the suit was frayed out. Because it was different clothes, she expected him to wear those usual shirt tucked in black flannel pants. She walked closer, and saw that this was a different person. She must be wrong. This wasn't Kuu. He must be also here waiting for someone. But what if she'll get recognized? He might call the press that Scott was actually here in Japan. Suddenly her hands holding the red purse went cold. She was in deep trouble now.

She tried calling out his name, to be sure. Just in case. . . .

"Kuu. .?"

True enough, the figure turned to face her. There was her date. . Kuu. . Julie's eyes went wide.

His hair wasn't floppy anymore. They were smoothed back, and somehow Jelly had amazingly trimmed and cut his hair short in a nice hairstyle that suited his chiseled face. The bangs thrilled her eyes. She did something to his face. The skin was fairer and looked smooth now. His shirt was so neatly tucked in and was the color of his eyes. The cuffs were folded up nicely on the sleeves of his cool suit. Armani just knew what he should wear. The shoes was shining black. Julie noticed he wore a silver watch at last. It suited him so well. Chris must have chosen this one just for him. And was that a cute earring sparkling on his left ear? And the ring on his finger?

Julie's hand was on her lips. This was really Kuu. His transformation from floppy-haired bookshop owner down the street with a heart of gold, to a suave gentleman in a perfect suit with an air of a top superstar that leveled hers, was truly –– a fairytale coming true. And he got a great batch of fairy godfathers and godmothers in the figure of her friends doing the magic. . . .

Julie sighed behind her fingers. Oh God, he was so handsome! The voice on the back of her head couldn't handle the way he looked anymore.

'He looked so gorgeous. . .'

Just as he finished practicing how to sound well, as right now he was obviously nervous than ever, Kuu heard behind him soft footsteps on the pavement. Then a musical, gentle voice.

"Kuu. . .?"

He turned around. Just as the foutain's lights lighted up on the surface of the water that swept up in the air, Kuu's mouth fell. He couldn't believe his eyes.

Standing there beside the fountain was Julie. She was more of a resplendent opera star tonight in gorgeously draped, shoulder-revealing scarlet dress that carved her tight, perfect hourglass figure, with sweetheart neckline that showed big, lovely cleavage. The diamond necklace sparkled around her neck. Her hair was swept up in a pretty updo, with a few tresses of her golden hair hung on each sides of her face. This was his first time seeing her wearing complete make-up. Her long lashes fluttered against her fair skin. The lips were a bold color of red rose. On her hands, she wore white velvet gloves that reached the elbows.

He saw her quite taken aback with surprise as she stared him. Her gloved hand touched her lips. She too couldn't believe how he looked right now. Well, both of them. . .

Silence broke as Kuu walked towards his date. He smiled warmly, his blue eyes twinkled dazzingly as he spoke in such cool voice.

"You look wonderful tonight, Julie. . ."

Kuu saw her green eyes sparkled under the twilight. She flashed a wonderful, warm smile. "Thank you, Kuu. . You looked amazing. . . I almost didn't recognize you. I had to look twice before I tried calling you. . ."

He breathe a sigh. "So. . We shall go where? I had to tell you first that I got no car to take you anywhere tonight. . Taxi's not good for both of us, right?"

Julie chuckled softly with him. He was still her Kuu despite his look. She smiled.

"Leave it to me. . I'll lead the way," Julie said, taking her hand out. "Let's go, shall we?"

#~##~#

AN: From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for all the genuine love and support you've given to my Fallen. . It made me really happy seeing you guys enjoyed the love story of Kuu and Julie. I also had fun writing it! :) It also made me realize that with this fanfic's release, there are actually many SB fans out there who also love to read about other characters aside from Ren and Kyoko. At first I was really worried. Now I get inspiration from you guys and I can finally upload all the chapters to the end, as I'm already writing chapters about two steps towards the ending now. Catch me up! Yeeey! Stay tuned for the next chapters of Fallen. God bless and love you all dears! :)