The morning came and found Fay staring wide-eyed at the sealing with Aya hugging her while sleeping soundly. How did Aya get to her bed and at want time she did not know. All she knew was that she didn't sleep much last night.

She tried to unhook Aya off her and then got up to have a shower. She was tired. All she wanted to do was stay in bed and do nothing.

Coming out of the bathroom she saw Aya awake "Good morning," she said as she walked in her room towel-drying her hair "Please tell me, how on earth did you end up in my bed…..Again!" she laughed "What was it yesterday? Another alien came to abduct you?"

"Laugh all you want but my night-light went off. You know I can't sleep without a night-light. At least if I sleep with someone else it's different," she pouted.

"It's ok. I am just teasing you," Fay hugged her. It was true that Aya was scared of the dark and she always had a night-light on in her room and in the hall.

"Well, I have to go Tigger," Aya said and got of the bed picking up her pillow.

Oh yeah...another of Aya's unusual habits; Fay thought amused, she always takes that pillow where ever she goes; that girl was full of quirky habits.

"Where are you going?" she inquired.

"Oh…I am working today!" Aya said boring "I have to help my editor. I'll go get dressed now," She said and left the room.

"Great," Fay said happily and plopped on the bed. She wasn't happy that Aya had to work, but at the same time she was happy because she was going to stay at home and relax.

After a couple of hours she decided to get online and chat with who ever were on in her list. She turned on the computer and entered to her email address to see if there was something important, but there was nothing. She connected to her messenger and waited to see who was on. Unfortunately no one was online, so she searched for someone to chat through the net.

After surfing through the net, forums and chat-rooms finding only a couple of decent people to chat, Fay closed her computer and went to the kitchen to cook something for her to eat for lunch. She decided to make Risotto since her choices were limited.

"How come you asked me too meet with you on a Sunday?" Yagyuu asked sipping on his wine "You usually stay indoors and sleep on Sunday!"

Niou laughed while playing with his fork "We met some girls yesterday," He looked at Yagyuu seriously.

"Oh! You have met girls before but you never called me out on a Sunday to tell me that," Yagyuu said nonchalantly.

"That's…true! But it seems that these girls are special," Niou said with a smile.

"Special huh?" Yagyuu asked him thoughtfully "Why so?"

"Well, for starters, have you ever seen Sanada fluster over a woman?" Yagyuu said nothing just sat back into his chair looking at Niou straight in the eyes.

"We both know the answer is no. But you should see him yesterday. He was blushing and smiling all night long…and he made light conversation with her on the way back," Niou sipped on his wine "Don't look so surprised. He still was as thick as a wall, but she completely fell for that, or so it seems," he sunk back into his chair to be more comfortable.

Yagyuu looked at Niou mildly surprised "I guess I would like to have seen Sanada blush and smile while in the company of a woman. He hardly does that around us. I guess Renji would like to hear about this," he said laughing lightly "And how did he meet this woman."

"She sung at the club we went. I must admit that she has an incredible voice. She is also very beautiful."

"Beautiful? Your taste in women is very peculiar. For you to say she is beautiful, she must look awesome," Yagyuu pointed out.

"Well….on the outside, she is the type of woman I like. Although she has a fiery personality under that innocent look she portrays, she didn't catch my eye at first glimpse…Sanada though, he was rooted in the entrance looking at her sing as if he was struck by a lightning," Niou laughed "You should have seen him."

"Oh! I am sure he wouldn't appreciate you talking about him like that," Yagyuu said eating a bit of his food. "So she got his interest. Well I hope it turns out alright."

"I hope so too. He has been sulking for far too long. Burying himself in to work. He almost has turned into the person he was in Junior High," Niou said dryly.

"Tell me about your woman."

"My woman….she is best friends to Sanada's girl. She is sexy. And wild," Niou replied with a smirk. "I tested her out last night."

"Masaharu, why do you tend to lead people on? You have a bad boy complex," Yagyuu said with a sigh "You seriously need to stop that. You have a tendency of been crude to people, for no reason at all. Are you so scared of getting emotionally involved with someone?" Yagyuu sighed again "Honestly, you are like Sanada. He tends to withdraw himself from conversations as much as possible and doesn't like to interact with people, for the same reasons you act crude towards them."

Niou just looked Yagyuu. Yagyuu Hiroshi was the only person that could see through Niou and had the courage to voice out his thoughts about him. Whatever Yagyuu was saying was true. He and Sanada were very much alike; no wonder they got along in living and working together. It was as if they completed each other on different levels. Sanada could never be crude towards people and Niou couldn't be antisocial.

""You are right Hiroshi. It's a way of defense for me to be like that. If the woman is no good than no harms done."

"Please do not talk like that about women," Yagyuu said seriously.

"I am sorry," Niou said bowing his head lightly "Anyway…she is very smart and a player, but I am sure it's a defensive way to keep her from getting hurt."

"How did you understand that? I am sure she didn't tell you that in words while you were acting like a complete jerk."

"How do you know I was acting like a Jerk?"

Yagyuu sighed again "I know you Masaharu!"

"She didn't tell me in my face. We chatted over the net." Niou said emptying his glass of wine and refilling it. "Though she didn't know she was talking to me."

"I see…and what did she say?"

"That she met a jerk yesterday, but she would give him another chance." Niou said meekly.

"That's good. At least she didn't turn you down." Niou eyed Yagyuu in return for his comment "You should behave the next time you meet. Show her the guy you truly are."

"I will," Was all that Niou said.

Back at the girls' apartment…..

"I am hooome!" Aya called from the entrance of the small apartment.

"Welcome back," Came the cheerful response of Fay as she bounced her way to meet Aya.

Aya eyed her carefully "What's with the cheery attitude?" she asked smiling.

"Close your eyes and come see." Fay took Aya's hand and led her to the small living room "Open your eyes." Fay said excitedly.

"….." Aya was speechless "Wow…..this is huge. We can't afford something like this," she said starting to feel her friend's excitement. Before her eyes stood a 2 meter Christmas tree full of garments and small Christmas balls and toys. All the presents they had bought for their friends and family were beneath the big tree. The tree looked so odd in there small room but it was so beautiful. Both girls were very happy and excited.

"A-chan close the lights and look," Fay said from behind the tree and turned the switch on as Aya turned the lights off.

Suddenly the room was filled with hundred colors coming from the lights on the tree. Both girls just looked at it hypnotized.

"Wow….this is magical." Aya said still looking at the tree "We cannot afford something like this. Where did you get it from?" she questioned.

"My parents sent me 150000 yen as a birthday gift. So I decided to do a little bit of spending," Fay smiled at her friend.

"Your birthday?" Aya looked at Fay shocked "That was in July."

"Yeah. Well there are known for the love they show towards their only daughter," she laughed "I don't care anymore Aya."

They both jumped on the small couch and gazed towards the tree. Fay popped a CD in the CD-player and the room was filled with Christmas carols, she turned the volume down a bit so she could talk to Aya.

"I am glad that you like the tree. It took me most of the morning and afternoon to finish it."

"It's great. It's really very beautiful. I can't wait to see the look on Kaede's face!" Aya said giggling.

"How was work?" Fay asked playing with a small pillow.

"Boring! I had to help my editor go through tomorrow's articles. I don't understand why I became a journalist in the first place, I hate this job!" Aya said grumpily "I am hungry. What did you make?"

"Risotto."

"You spend money on all of this and yet we are stuck we risotto?" Aya whined "You are unbelievable!" she pouted.

Fay laughed at Aya's antics. It was true; she had forgotten to buy something else while she was shopping.

"Come on Pooh, don't pout. It makes you look ugly." Fay said still smiling

"You know….Niou-san, said the same thing to me last night," Aya told Fay sheepishly.

"Really?" Fay asked surprised "How come?"

"Uummm…I don't remember what we were talking about but he told me that and pinched my nose," Aya replied thoughtfully.

"Oh! Sounds like a different Niou. Are you sure?"

"Yes…he also called me baka!" Aya replied nodding "its true he was different with me than with you.

BEEPppppp

"I think that's my phone," Fay said and got of the couch to fetch her phone.

Niou's number.

'I hope I am not

disturbing.

I was thinking

maybe you would

like to go out with

me for dinner?

"Niou is asking me out to dinner. What should I answer?" Fay asked looking at the message again.

"It depends. If you want to go out with him than go." Aya responded and replaced the CD on the player. Fay had been playing Christmas songs all week and she had more than enough of the Christmas spirit. She popped Sheryl Crows new album on.

"Spoil-sport!" Fay complained jokingly. "I don't know if I want to go out with him so soon. I do want to give him another chance but I am afraid that he will behave like a jerk again."

"Well, he wasn't too much of a jerk when we were together," Fay muttered with her finger on her chin "Go out with him."

Fay typed her respond.

Hey…I don't think

that going out with

you for dinner would

kill me. So, ok.

where do you want

to meet? XD

Let's go eat," Fay told Aya as she got up from the couch and went to the kitchen. Aya followed her and took her phone with her. She was hoping that Sanada would text her at some point and ask her out.

BEEPpppp

BEEPppp

"You have a message too. Probably 'prince charming' will ask you out!" Fay giggled.

"Will stop calling him that." Aya frowned.

~You shouldn't frown like that. It makes you look ugly~ rang in Fays ears as she saw Aya's face frown. She blushed. Aya didn't notice anything as she was grumbling about the food while getting the table ready for them. Why would she blush over a comment made by a man who clearly didn't like her very much. She shook her head and read the text message she received.

Niou's number.

How about 8 o'clock

tonight, we meet at

the Tokyo station,

north exit. I will pick

you up with my car.

Fay's number.

Sounds great.

"Well, I am meeting him at 8 tonight. At the Tokyo station," Fay said a little bit excited.

"Great!" Aya exclaimed "Let's see who send me a message," she said and checked her phone.

Sanada's number.

Good afternoon…I was

wondering if you wanted

to go out with me tonight?

That's if u have no other

plans.

Aya's number.

"Of course. I'd love to!

What do u have in mind?

Sanada's number.

Love to?

How about a movie and

then something to eat?

Fay's number.

Hehe….sounds great.

Where do you want to

meet?

Sanada's number.

At the Asakusa Toho

Gekijo movie theater

8 o'clock.

Aya's number.

Ok :-P

"Well it seems we both got dates for tonight," Aya said with a wink.

"Great. I hope they turn out to be nice guys!" Fay said munching on her risotto.

"Mmmm..." agreed Aya.

At the boys apartment….

"Well, I guess we both have dates for tonight," Niou grinned.

"Yeah," Sanada answered absent-mindedly looking at the messages he exchanged with Aya "Weird," He muttered.

"What?"

"I said 'weird'. Sawada-san's response was weird," Sanada said closing his phone. For some reason he had a funny feeling about his date tonight.

"To be honest, Fay was somewhat cheerful," Niou said lying on the couch.

"Cheerful?"

"Yes…she was chatty and said she'd love to go out with me. Somehow that doesn't sound like her," Niou said closing his eyes.

"We don't know them yet Masaharu. Maybe there different from what we imagine," Sanada said and went to the kitchen to get him and Niou a cup of hot tea.

"Thanks." Niou said as he pulled himself up from the couch and drunk his tea.

"Well, I think we should get ready."

"You are right. I wouldn't want to be late," Niou said playfully.

"You are hopeless!" Sanada sighed and went to his room to have a shower and change. He got in the shower and let the hot water steam away his worries. He felt weird after his message exchange with Aya. Well, he thought, I don't know her yet.

"Are you ready Aya?" Fay yelled from the hall.

"I am coming, I am coming," Aya said hastily. She came running out of her room; she took her time getting dressed and was late. She stood in front of Fay with a happy smile on her face "Damn woman! You look…..sexy!" Aya giggled.

Fay was wearing a black long dress that covered her whole body. The upper part of the dress was of beautiful Lilac Kashmir and was strapless. That dress was a gift from Aya's mom when they graduated from University. Because Aya refused to buy clothes or more accurately dresses, Aya's mom bought it for Fay. She had pulled her hair up in a ponytail and had curled the ends. She put small garments to adorn the start of the ponytail. Last she was wearing a beautiful pair of heels purple in color to match the dress's top.

"Thanks. He said we where going out to dinner. So I thought maybe it would be a fancy restaurant," Fay winked putting on her black coat "I think he wants to impress me. So I should impress him too," She giggled "I see you are wearing jeans again."

"Well, we are going for a movie and maybe eat something later. So I dressed casually." Aya said wearing her winter jacket on and her woollen cap and scarf "Ok. Let's go. I will come with you till the station because I have to take the train to Asakusa for the theater."

"Great."

They were both walking and chatting happily. They didn't notice the odd looks they got from the people walking past by them. They did make an odd pair. One was extravagant and the other was average. But they didn't care. At that moment they were happy.

"Well, here you are. Good luck and have fun," Aya said gingerly and hugged Fay. Then left to take the train to her destination.

It was 10 minutes before 8. Fay was feeling nervous. It's ridiculous to feel this way, when I have only met him once, she thought, and he managed to annoy her to no end with his antics. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around…..

Aya was in the train and was looking out at the scenery of Christmas illuminations decorating the houses. They looked so beautiful. Christmas was one of her favorite holidays. Aya arrived at the Village Theater 2 minutes past 8; thankfully the movie theater was close to the station.

She looked around a bit to see if he was there waiting when suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around….

Niou was driving slowly towards his destination, he wasn't in a hurry. Actually he had left a little bit early. He wasn't feeling nervous about this date. He chuckled to himself at the thought and looked at the cars watch to see the time. It was 20 minutes before 8. He decided to park his car and walk his way to the meeting point. As he strolled down the Avenue leading to the station he looked over some shops. He had to do allot of Christmas shopping, he thought. As came closer to the station and to the meeting point with his date he looked at his watch to see the time again. 5 minutes before 8. He sat at a bench near by and kept his eyes on the people to spot his lady. After a few minutes he spotted a single figure looking around as if she was looking for someone. ~Bingo!~ he thought, and got of the bench and approached the figured. He tapped her shoulder and she turned to look at him….

Sanada was in his car, swearing under his breath. He took his time to dress up and now was late. He drove as fast as he could, not wanting to get fined or anything. He hated being late for dates, he hated being late when meeting with clients too. He looked at the car's watch, 2 minutes before 8. He had to hurry. After a couple of minutes he reached the parking area of the station. He got out of his car and rushed to his meeting point with Aya. As he reached closer to his destination he kept looking around to find his lady. He looked at his watch, 5 minutes after 8. He sweared again, loudly this time and as he turned around, his gaze fell on the back of a lone figure standing by the trees near the sidewalk. He rushed towards the figure and tapped on her shoulder as he reached her. She then turned around to look at him in up surprise….

"You?" said Fay wide-eyed.

"You!" Aya exclaimed surprised.

"You!" Sanada said not believing his eyes.

"I thought it was you!" Niou giggled.

"I am sorry! But there must be some kind of mistake." Fay said once she gained her posture "Is this some kind of sick joke?" she exclaimed angrily.

"I am sorry. But I…could you please tell me your number?" Sanada sighed disappointed.

"My number?...Why?...I got a message from Niou to meet him at the north exit entrance at 8," Fay responded annoyed.

Sanada sighed heavily "I send that message to Aya, but for some reason you got it instead."

"You are joking, right?...Oh!..." Fay stopped as if she remembered something important "Oh my gosh! No…did we?" she muttered to herself.

"What?"

"Me and Aya have the same phone the only difference is the color. But I guess in the dark it wouldn't have much difference. We gave you the wrong numbers," She sighed and put her hand over her eyes.

"So it seems," Sanada said dryly "Well, since you are all dressed up I guess we should go to the restaurant I have booked," He said gesturing for Fay to follow him.

"I guess we could have a quiet dinner," Fay moved towards Sanada feeling a bit disappointed. Apparently she was nervous for not reason. She was stuck with Sanada for the rest of the night. She sighed again.

Sanada's thoughts were pretty much on the same wave length as Fay's. He felt very disappointed to be stuck with Fay and miss the chance to go out with Aya. Well, he could try relaxing with Fay and see if he could open up a little, so he wouldn't be as stiff as a wall, when he did go out with Aya. He really disliked the fact that he had to do this with Fay.

They got in the car and drove to the restaurant that Sanada had booked.

"What are you doing here?" Aya pointed her finger at Niou surprised.

"I told you not to point your finger at me," He said and bit lightly her fingertip laughing.

"Hey..." Aya slapped his shoulder playfully when she registered what he had done.

"You girls gave us the wrong numbers," Niou said giggling.

"That's not poss….Oh!...No….," Aya said as she realized how true Niou's words were "Sorry!" she said putting her tongue out and scratching the back of her head "You see me and Fay have the same phones, the only difference is the color. I guess that we didn't notice yesterday," Aya laughed at the incident "How come you figured out it was me here?"

"'I'd love to' I don't think Fay would have said that to me so freely. She is perky but she would be a bit stiff around me. You on the other hand, are both serious and carefree at the same time. How do you manage that?" He said smiling.

"I don't know…it's the way I am I guess." Aya smiled sweetly.

"Hmmm…I guess," Niou said thoughtfully eyeing Aya carefully "What movie should we see?"

"Uumm…What would you say if we saw 'Die Hard 4' ?" Aya said cheerfully. She felt a disappointed not seeing Sanada waiting for her, but she didn't want to spoil a nice evening, so she just brushed her disappointment off and smiled at her companion.

"Good choice. I never would have thought that you might want to see that sort of movie," Niou said meekly. He wasn't very disappointed at how things had turned out; he had a vague idea of the misunderstanding that occurred with the exchange of phone numbers. He didn't tell Sanada about it because he thought that maybe he could relax with Aya and maybe she would help him with Fay. He never asked help from anyone except Yagyuu and Sanada. But this was different.

"Of course," Aya said cheerfully "Me and Fay have watched all 3 movies together! She wanted to see No 4 too," She pulled her tongue out again.

"Hmm. I might bring her then, next time!" Niou said sweetly. She is very sweet, he thought.

And they made there way towards the queue to get their tickets for the show.

Fay was feeling very weird being in a car alone with Sanada. She never thought her date would turn out to be this way. How did they give the wrong numbers to the guys, was beyond her. She looked to her right and saw Sanada driving thoughtfully. She wondered what he could be thinking.

"May I ask what are you thinking?" Fay looked at him and smiled sheepishly.

Sanada looked at her "Nothing really," He said sternly and returned his focus on the road.

"I am sorry," Fay whispered and turned her face to the window on her side.

Sanada looked at her once again and sighed. He had reserved the restaurant for tonight from the morning. He wasn't sure if Aya would go out with him but he wanted to be sure to have a reservation at the best restaurant in Tokyo. He was never a person that would go through wild expenses or eating at fancy restaurants, but for some reason, this seemed right. Now, he was going on his date with another woman, who disliked him. He turned his car at the end of the road and into a parking area.

"We are here," He said and got out of the car.

"Great. I get to eat with grumpy!" Fay muttered as she got of the car too, but before she followed Sanada into the hotel where the restaurant was she thought of something "Wait a minute…." She took her phone out of her bag and dialed Aya's number.

"Hello?"

"You….You…..I hate you Pooh!...This is all your fault…..You gave the wrong phones….You owe me BIG time for this…!" Fay yelled over the phone.

"I am sorry Fay….I didn't do it on purpose…..Do you think that I like not being with Sanada-san?" Aya pleaded over the phone.

"What am I going to do?...The man is a freaking iceberg!" she looked over at Sanada and she saw him look at her intensely "Oh my gosh he heard me," She whispered.

"Of course he heard you, baka! The whole bloke heard you! Pass him the phone, please," Fay walked over to Sanada and handed him her phone "Its Aya."

He took the phone from Fay "Hello?" he said meekly.

"Ah, hello Sanada-san, I am very sorry! It's my fault for giving you the wrong number. I hope you won't be mad at me," Aya said a bit embarrassed.

"It's alright. I am just a little disappointed," Sanada said as softly as he could.

"Me too Sanada-san. We could go out tomorrow if you would like?" Aya said sweetly.

Sanada blushed "Yes, of course. I'll call you tomorrow morning."

"Great!" said Aya excitedly, that made Sanada blush even more.

"Have a nice time," He whispered softly.

"Thank you Sanada-san. Have a good time too. Fay is a great person. If you talk to her I am sure that you will like her," Aya said sweetly "May I speak with her again?"

"Sure," Was his reply and handed the phone back to Fay.

"Tigger, behave. Please try and relax. Find out about him and I will find out about Niou-san. Ok?"

"Ok!" Fay pouted "By the way, where is he?"

"He is buying tickets for a movie. Now, have fun!" Aya said and closed the phone.

"Who was on the phone?" Niou asked walking up to Aya.

"Umm...It was Fay. She is not very happy about what happened," Aya tried to be serious but burst out laughing when she remembered Fay's outburst.

"Care to let me in on the joke," Niou said smiling happily.

"Yeah...Fay was yelling about Sanada-san being thick as a brick wall and apparently he heard her," she said still laughing "I am sad that I won't be spending this evening with Sanada-san. I was most looking forward to going out with him," she added with a sadden expression "But I am happy to be with you too," she smiled cheerfully.

"You know, you are the only person I know with those mood-swings. How do you even manage is beyond me," he said and walked towards the pop corn booth.

"Hehe...That's what Fay always says," Aya followed him "I can change from happy to sad to happy again in no time," she giggled "Popcorn?"

"It's alright. I'll get them. What would you drink?" Niou asked while they were waiting in the queue.

"No. I will get the popcorn and drinks plus I owe you the money for the ti…" she stopped when she saw Niou glaring at her.

"Do not insult me. I may not be a gentleman 100%, but I do have manners," He said and ordered their popcorn & drinks.

Aya was blushing slightly because of what Niou said. She didn't want to embarrass him. She looked at him and smiled sheepishly. It seemed to Aya that tonight he was more himself than he was yesterday. She looked at him carefully and noticed that he was smiling. He has a sweet smile.

Fay sighed and followed Sanada to the restaurant at the rooftop of the hotel. The hotel was luxurious, she didn't notice the name of it, but it looked like a 5 star hotel.

They walked out of the elevator and into a big luxurious restaurant, with ancient Greek columns adorning the interior. It had royal colors of red and gold everywhere. Fay looked around stunned by the beauty and the luxury. No one had ever taken her to such a place.

"May I help you sir," A man dressed in a black suite asked Sanada.

"We have a reservation by the name Sanada. For two people," Sanada said and put his hand at Fay's back and pushed her softly to take a step forward. He rested his hand at the back of her waist as light as possible, like a true gentleman.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sanada right?" the man asked checking the reservation list on the pod in front of him.

Sanada and Fay both blushed. He then took his hand away "Would you please show us to our table," He coughed.

Fay and Sanada sat at their reserved table. Fay took another look around the luxurious rooftop restaurant. She was speechless. She looked at Sanada and wondered about this man. He confused her to no end.

"Why did we come?" Fay asked softly.

Sanada looked at her "They would have charged me for the booking anyway," He said shifting uncomfortably in his chair "Besides you have dressed up so beautifully, it would be a shame if we didn't come," He coughed and looked away with a tinge of pink coloring his cheeks.

"Oh! Thank you!" she said and blushed furiously. She never expected so much honestly from him. "Aya would have loved this place. Although we would have trouble to get her wear an evening dress," She laughed to break the awkwardness, He was different from all the other guys she had ever met, she thought looking at him going thru the menu.

She thought he was very handsome, in a very serious way! He seemed more relaxed since they met at the station. She could feel that he was trying his best to look social and polite. She looked at him one last time before she picked the menu in front of to take a look at it.

"What will you have?" he asked suddenly.

Fay jumped a little; she wasn't used to hearing such a strong voice.

"Well, everything looks delicious. I think…." She put her finger on her lips "….I will have, fried calamari with potato salad and green salad. Is that ok?" she said sweetly closing her menu.

"It's alright. You can have whatever you want," Sanada said closing his own menu and signaled to the waiter.

"Yes, sir. How may I help?" the waiter bowed politely.

"We would like to start with some shrimp appetizers and green salad. As main dish fried calamari and potato salad for my lady…." He stopped abruptly. He blushed furiously, coughed, picked up his menu and opened it to hide his face. "For me, I'd like grilled salmon and a tuna salad." He said lowering the menu "Would you like some wine?"

Fay was stunned. No, stunned didn't describe how she felt at that moment. She thought she had heard wrong when he gave her order, but the blush on his face showed otherwise. She felt her knees weaken; she would have fallen to the ground if she wasn't sitting on her chair. No one had ever said something like that about her before. My lady, my lady, my lady…kept ringing in her ears. She loved the sound of those two single words. She came back to reality when she heard him addressing her.

"Oh!..oh! Wine? No thank you, I don't drink. Water would be just fine," She said sheepishly.

"Alright, water then and a glass of red wine for me. As for dessert, I will have some vanilla ice cream with strawberries. What would you like?" Sanada asked softly.

"The same," Fay answered smiling delightfully. She was feeling a bit uncomfortable because she liked the treatment she was getting. Despite his coldness and antisocial attitude, he was very polite and a complete gentleman. Then she thought of Niou. She was surprised that she wasn't thinking of him all this time. Sanada's firm voice startled her out of her thoughts.

"Would you excuse me please?" he said and got up from his chair. Fay nodded quietly.

"Shall we?" he said to Aya as he handed her popcorn and drink.

"Sure. Lead the way."

"Hehe…If I wasn't interested in Fay I would definitely go out with you," Niou teased Aya as they were walking to the theater.

Aya pushed him playfully "You wish," She giggled.

They entered the theater and took their seats. While waiting for the movie to start Niou threw some popcorn to Aya.

"Hey! You are supposed to eat it, not throw it," She threw him some too.

"Same goes for you," He said and threw another handful.

They movie started and they watched in silence. Both liked to be quiet while watching a movie and didn't talk until the end. When the movie finished and the lights opened, Niou stretched his feet and hands and looked at Aya. She looked quite happy and seeing her smiling face made Niou chuckle. He got up and extended his hand.

Aya looked up at Niou and then at his hand "Why thank you sir," She said giggling and took his hand.

Niou pulled Aya from her seat "I am glad to be of service miss," He said smirking "Do you want to eat something?"

"Sure. I wouldn't call popcorn food," Aya grinned and hip hopped cheerfully.

"Ok. Let's go get my car," Niou grinned at Aya's antics.

Walking towards the car, Niou's phone rang; he looked at the caller's ID and stayed behind to answer it. He talk for a while his eyes were watching over Aya, who now was trying to figure out which was Niou's car.

"Is everything ok?" she asked when Niou came to stand beside her.

"So…Did you find my car yet?" he asked looking at her amusingly.

Aya looked at him puzzled, she was under the impression that Niou didn't want to answer her question. She decided to brush it off and pointed to a red expensive sports car "That car has Niou written all over it." She then pointed at another car "But my guess is that the blue one over there is yours," She pulled her tongue at him and winked.

"Oh!" he said and laughed "So you think that the shabby car is mine because I cannot afford an expensive sports car like the red one?" he asked with his figure on his lips, looking at her carefully.

Aya nodded and walked to the blue car.

Niou watched her studiously "I guess you are right," He walked up to her and opened the door for her.

"Oh! You are true gentleman," She smiled and got in the car.

Niou closed the door behind her and thought about the phone call before he got to the drivers seat and started the car.

She wondered how two people like Sanada and Niou were friends. Why did her feelings feel afloat when being in the presence of each man? Niou would get her wild side to the surface, but Sanada, he was able to calm that wildness inside her, and make her feel relaxed and important. Why was she so attracted to this man suddenly? She found herself being impatient while she waited for him to return to their table. He likes Aya she though sadly. She would never go her best friend's potential boyfriend. But the atmosphere was so romantic, and the music on the background was making her senses all fuzzy.

Sanada was confusing her. Yesterday she thought he was rude at her yet to day he was such a gentleman. She pushed all her worries and thoughts away when she noticed him approach. She was going to have a good time trying to get to know him. For Aya's sake, she said to herself, yes, for Aya's sake.

Sanada returned to the table as the appetizers were being served. He looked at Fay carefully. She had the most beautiful eyes he had ever saw, maybe not in color, but they expressed so many feelings, as if she was speaking through them. He was mesmerized by her beauty. She was different from Aya. Aya had captured his mind with her incredibly beautiful voice and her sweet face, but Fay was capturing his senses. She was elegant, sexy and faultless like a newly cut diamond. He sat and they started on the appetizers in quiet.

They ate making small talk. They were both feeling more relaxed with each other's presence. Sanada smiled and laughed, which made Fay fluster. The man is exceptionally handsome when he laughs or smiles, she though looking at him smiling delightfully.

After dinner and before they brought the dessert, Fay felt she wanted to test Sanada in dancing.

"I don't dance," He answered stiffly.

Fay gave him her most sweet puppy eyes but he looked away.

"That won't work on me," He said still looking away from Fay. He wouldn't be able to say no if he didn't look away. He was feeling all sort of feelings just looking at her eyes. He was a klutz when it came to dancing, and he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of her. People always said he was handsome and a gentleman, but Yukimura said that he lacked the elegance of a true gentleman.

"Oh, yeah?" was all that Fay said and got up from her chair. She took his hand and pulled him to the dance floor.

Sanada was flustered by her boldness, but complied quietly. He wasn't a man to say no for long to a woman.

They danced to the rhythms of the beautiful ball music. Fay smiled inwardly. She was a great dancer because she took classes in High school, but Sanada was as bad as Aya in dancing. She came closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. This was feeling so nice and so right. Why didn't I meet him first; I need his calm and warmth to make me feel loved; she thought while in his arms feeling his warmth surrounding her.

Sanada was overwhelmed by feelings under Fays touch. He was so engrossed in their dancing that when his thoughts traveled to Aya he stiffened and pushed Fay away from him softly.

Fay was startled by his action and looked at him, but he was looking else where. Aya, she thought. Then suddenly she stopped, she didn't want to dance anymore. She left him and went to the table they were sitting previously.

"Is everything alright?" Sanada asked her softly while he seated himself opposite her.

"Yes. Just got tired," She said with a fake smile "Do you mind if we go? I am not feeling well."

"Sure," He said and got up from his chair to help Fay.

Fay declined his help "I am fine," She said a bit abrupt, that startled Sanada.

After about an hour of driving through the outskirts of Tokyo, Niou parked the car at a parking area. He looked at Aya and smiled lightly "We are here."

Aya nodded and got out the car.

They both entered the restaurant Niou had brought them. It was a western style restaurant, the walls were all covered in heavy dark red drapes; there was a fireplace on the wall facing the entrance. Aya looked around astonished. The place reminded her of the interior of a British Castle.

"So…What do you think?" Niou looked at Aya grinning "Do you like it?"

Aya turned and looked at him with her eyes glittering "It's great! It's really, really great!" she said brightly.

"I am glad you like it," He said gesturing towards a table near the fireplace "There is a table near the fireplace. Let's go."

They settled to the table and picked up a menu "Its all European style food. Wow! It's amazing!" Aya said happily looking through the menu.

Niou looked at her amused. He thought of Fay and her reaction if he ever brought her to this place, he winced at the thought that she might think he was cheap.

"Aya. Would Fay like it here?" he asked seriously and he nodded to the waiter.

"Of course. Although she doesn't look as a person to appreciate small and cozy restaurants, she truly loves them," Aya said placing her menu on the table in front of her.

"That's good to know," he grinned.

While they were waiting for their food to come, Aya was looking around the small Castle-like restaurant.

"You really like this place don't you?" Niou grinned looking at her amused.

"Yeah…I do!" she smiled sweetly.

"You know, Sanada doesn't like this place."

"Eehhh? Why not?" she asked surprised.

"What was Fay wearing tonight?" Niou asked instead of answering her question.

"Hey…what does that have to do with Sanada not liking this place?" Aya said puzzled.

"Hmm." Niou rubbed his chin "Well, Sanada likes traditional restaurants. He is very traditional. But today was an exception. He booked a reservation at the most expensive restaurant." He sipped a little bit of wine "I guess Fay was dressed accordingly when he suggested dinner, although she thought It was me asking her out."

"Umm…That still doesn't really answer my question, as to why Sanada-san won't like this place," Aya said half serious.

"I did answer, but you weren't paying attention to me," He chuckled "He likes traditional places and he loves traditional food."

"Oh!" was all that Aya said.

After eating their food making small talk they decided to stay a little longer, so they ordered coffee and tea.

"Aya, I would like you to call me Masaharu or Haru. I want us to be friends," He said in a serious tone of voice.

"Umm…Sure. I'd love that!" Aya answer briskly.

"Great!" he smiled sheepishly "Would you mind if I ask you some questions regarding Fay?"

"No I don't. But I have some questions too," Aya said firmly.

"Fair enough," He sipped his coffee "What is Fay like?"

"What is Fay like? That's a very good question. Umm…probably a nut-case," Aya giggled "I am just kidding," Niou just smiled at her comment. Seeing him so serious Aya continued trying to be serious enough "Fay, is a complicated person. She also contradicts herself a lot. Most people would say that she is a strong person because of the way she acts. But, that's not true. Fay…she is vulnerable, she craves to be loved. You see, her parents never really cared for her. They used to give her everything but love. They would pay with money and gifts their love," She sipped her tea "I've known Fay all my life. She was always a bit snobbish towards people and she would treat them indifferently. But that changed as she grew up," She looked at Niou and smiled helplessly "This must all sound boring to you."

"No! On the contrary, it's very interesting. I like Fay and would like to get to know her better," Niou reasoned.

Aya looked at him straight in the eyes "You like her and want to get to know her you say. Than why did you come on to her so crudely?"

"Well…I have a defense mechanism towards people I don't know, so I don't get hurt in the process. Being crude is my face to the world, but this is the real me. The one with you tonight," He said seriously.

"You and Fay are very much alike," Aya commented.

"Don't you have a defense against strangers?"

"Umm…To be honest, I don't know. But surely I might have one." Aya said thoughtfully.

"Would you mind continuing?" Niou asked interested to find more about Fay.

"Ok. Fay is a sweet and caring person towards her friends. She still doesn't care so much about what goes around in the world. She lives in her world, including all the difficulties and bumps on the road. As I said before, she craves to be loved. That's why she is most defensive when she meets a new guy. She wants to find a love that will brake her free from all her worries and despairs. She had a boyfriend that she really loved, but he cheated on her with his best friend. So you see he left her with a taboo. She believes she is not worthy to be loved by some guy," Aya paused to look at Niou's face. She was looking for some sort of expression but found none "After Fay caught him with his best friend she turned wild. Not that she wasn't wild to begin with, but during that year she had build up quite a reputation. Me and Arisa managed to calm her down, but sometimes you can see that her wild side wants to rebel. I hope she didn't give you the wrong idea."

"Hehe…I am not going to lie to you Aya. But she did pass the impression that she is rather wild," He chuckled softly.

"Well…you didn't look like a saint either," Aya joked "You were rather sly."

"I guess you are right," He agreed nodding "So how do you think I should approach her?"

"Umm," She looked at him carefully "My advice is that you be yourself. I think she would appreciate that."

"I guess I could try," He sighed.

"Haru-san, were you ever serious about some girl?" asked Aya sheepishly.

"I think I was. I know that I have never fallen in love before," He answered softly glancing at the dying fire in the fireplace.

"How do you know you have never fallen in love before?" she asked puzzled "Sanada-san…Has he ever been serious about someone?" she whispered more to herself than to Niou...

Hearing her question he turned and looked at her carefully "Do you think you are falling in love with Sanada?"

Aya blushed furiously at his question "No…no…no…I was just wondering if he was serious about someone before. I don't know him. How could I fall in love with him," She argued.

"He was serious about one person back in University. Sanada is a very difficult person to be with. But she seemed to love him. Until one day she told him that she was getting married to someone else," He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"What? How could she do that?" Aya exclaimed a little bit too loud and Niou glanced at her. She lowered her head in embarrassment "Sorry."

"That's alright," He said softly.

"Is that why he is so cold to everyone?"

"No, that's just Sanada," He chuckled to lighten the atmosphere between them. The conversation had made both of them very serious, and he never liked to be that serious about anything, including relationships. But looking at Aya, he decided that he found a new best friend to confide in and hang out together "Since Junior High Sanada was always very serious and cold. Well, cold in human relationships not cold insensitive I mean. He is a very caring person in his own way. But never the less, up until today Sanada remains unapproachable. He was brought up in a very traditionally strict family. So he got educated to express as few emotions as possible. He has to be strong and stable. He has just started to melt down a bit, ever since we attended University together."

She looked at him smiling sweetly "So…do you think you are falling in love with Fay?"

Before he could answer her question the waiter came "Sorry to interrupt, but we are about to close. It's already 2 pm. I am very sorry," He bowed and left.

"2 pm? How long have we been here?" Aya said disappointed at the intrusion.

They walked to the car silently, he had paid for everything. He also did something that surprised Fay. He opened the door to his car and helped her in. She was feeling so bad for treating him like this after all the nice moments they shared, but she was confused over her feelings regarding him.

They drove in silence. Sanada turned the radio on, Fay was looking out the window frowning.

"Don't frown. It makes you look ugly," Sanada said dryly.

"Why do you care if I look ugly or not?" Fay snapped and looked at him.

"I don't. You have a beautiful face why ruin it by frowning?"

"Because I want too," She retorted angrily.

"I don't know what happened, but if did or said something to offend you, I am sorry," Sanada said still looking in the road ahead of him.

Fay was stunned. Sorry, he was sorry? Of course he should be; she thought, he pushed me away while dancing. What was she thinking, why was she getting all worked up over something as trivial as that, he was her best friends potential boyfriend. She felt helpless at that thought; she had started to fall for him. But how; when; ~Don't frown. It makes you look ugly;~ that's when she fell for him, no one was so honest towards her before, not even her parents. Only Aya and Arisa, her best friends, and now this man. She looked at him and felt a thump in her chest. She looked away.

They arrived at the girl's apartment shortly. Sanada helped Fay of the car and walked her to the entrance of the building.

"I had a nice time," He said to Fay smiling lightly.

"You know. You should try following your own advises once in a while," Fay said dryly.

"What do you mean?"

She sighed "I mean, smile Sanada-san. Smile. You are a handsome young man, but you spoil that with your seriousness. Did you even know you have a beautiful smile?" she said looking up towards the sky.

"No, no one ever told me before," Sanada said blushing and rubbing the back of his head.

"Well you do. Oh!...a mistletoe!" Fay said with a light smile on her face. Sanada followed Fay's eyesight. They were standing under the mistletoe.

"Ironic. Are the gods mocking me?" she whispered.

Sanada heard everything she said. He looked at her. He felt his heart beating so fast, he thought she would notice how flustered he was. Without thinking, he leaned closer and reached for her chin. He pulled her face up, so he could look at her and bent to kiss her lips. He touched her lips as light as possible, but still managed to feel their velvety touch.

Fay was at a loss of words, when he kissed her. She felt like she was in Heaven. She looked at him straight in the eyes, she need to see his reaction.

"Goodnight," He bowed and left.

"Goodnight," she whispered. The last thing she saw in his eyes was sadness. Why; Why did he kiss me; He likes Aya; because of the mistletoe; with all those thoughts storming through her mind she entered her apartment and headed for the shower. She had to wait for Aya to come back.

"Let's go. It's late," Niou got up and walked to the counter to pay. Aya just followed him.

When they excited the restaurant Aya felt very cold and started trembling. She felt Niou's arm around her shoulder and turned to look at him.

"You are feeling cold," He winked "You are like a little sister to me, so don't worry."

They walked up the car and he opened the door for her again. In the car Aya watched him studiously.

"You never did answer my question," She stated.

"I was never going too," He retorted.

She tried to glare at him, but obviously didn't manage because he started laughing the moment he saw her.

After driving for a couple of hours, they finally arrived at Aya's apartment. He walked her up to the door like a proper gentleman.

"Well miss, I got you home safely," He said and kissed her hand.

"Hehe…you truly are a gentleman!" she said cheerfully. She looked up to the sky and her eyes caught the sight of a mistletoe right above them "Oh! I wonder who put that there?" she whispered.

"Put what, there?" Niou asked and glanced up were Aya was looking at "Mistletoe," He chuckled "It seems who ever put it there planned on getting kissed."

Aya slapped his shoulder playfully "So what if they did. It's a nice thought," She giggled.

She froze one the spot when she Niou's lips on her forehead. She looked up at him "Wh…" he silenced her placing his finger on her lips.

"A kiss for my little sister! Thank you for tonight, I had fun. Let's go out again sometime," He smiled and walked away "Goodnight!"

Aya just looked at him bewildered and then walked into the apartment building to wait for Fay to come.