AN: I wish to congratulate myself for uploading this a few weeks apart from the last instead of months. Haha! The only reason why this took so long was I was writing both 10 & 11 at the same time so… yeah, the next upload wouldn't be too far from this. Read and enjoy! =)

CHAPTER 10: COURAGE

"Who's that?" Chihaya asked, as she peered towards Arata's vibrating phone. They were aboard their flight to Tokyo from Okinawa early in the morning. It was only after she went back to the party that she realized that Arata went back to the hotel. His mood had been flaky all night, and that morning was no exception.

"It's nothing." He said as he turned his mobile off. She managed to catch a glimpse before it died down.

"Why aren't you answering Shinobu-chan's phone call?" Chihaya asked, confused.

"She's just being annoying. Don't worry." He replied dismissively. As far she can remember, both of them were working on the same project in Osaka. She wasn't the type who calls anyone incessantly.

"It may be urgent. She doesn't usually call, does she?" She urged. Though she was her rival in Karuta, she was a good friend. They used to go out to shop after they finished high-school, but she got busier the past few years due to Karuta and work.

Arata didn't answer. Instead, he snatched a magazine from the airplane seat pocket and began to read. He didn't like answering these type of questions, and good for him, Chihaya wasn't the inquisitive type.

Chihaya turned from him to the window instead.

"So. How was your meeting with Taichi?" he asked, as he flipped the magazine's pages. Chihaya froze for a moment, but it didn't go unseen by Arata.

"It was ok." She replied nonchalantly, as she put her chin on her palm.

You didn't look like you were. Arata thought darkly. He saw how they interacted in the dance floor during the wedding. He saw her as she went out after a confrontation with him. He knew Chihaya had feelings for Taichi that started during the time he was away, he wasn't that stupid. It was pretty much obvious to anyone who's looking. She wouldn't admit it though, and he couldn't hold it against her because what he did to her was far more dreadful.

If he wasn't very much pre-occupied with Shinobu's threats that evening, he would've rubbed their being together in Taichi's face.

"I see. So he's getting married ahead of us. That's great news. We should shop for a gift some time before I leave again for another project. What do you say?" He suggested, as he sensed Chihaya's discomfort.

"Sure." She replied curtly. Taichi's face as he bowed to her was replaying in her mind at that moment, tugging at her heart.

"Chihaya," Arata called.

"Nani?" she replied blankly.

"Happy Anniversary," Arata smiled as he handed her a beautiful diamond-encrusted Charriol wristwatch. She stared at it in disbelief, looking from the watch to Arata who was smiling brightly at her. He clasped the watch in her wrist as she stared at it in wonder.

"A-arata…" she said, dumbfounded. She had worn expensive jewelry and clothing before, not to mention she owns a few of them. But what surprised her wasn't the price of the stuff he bought, but his painfully frugal boyfriend who actually bought it for her.

"I know I'm a lot busier these days. And I still haven't made up for forgetting our anniversary. But… could you forgive me? And still take me as your forgetful but loving boyfriend?" he said earnestly as he held her hand in his and kissed it. That little act made her smile, and felt guilt inside. Here was her fiancée, and she was pining for a friend who's already in love with someone.

"Of course, you forgetful but loving boyfriend. I love you." She replied, as she kissed him in his cheek. It was rare for him to be so sweet.

"I love you too" he replied, as he gave her a full kiss.

"Sooooooo. How was it?" Chihaya pestered as Kanade went to help her in her kimono. They were at Kanade's Traditional Clothing shop, choosing a kimono for Chihaya who will be accompanying their school's Karuta team in the National Karuta Match.

Though she chose to be in the field of education, she was still managing their shop whenever she has time. Literature and teaching remains to be her passion, and she doesn't see herself giving it up anytime soon.

"How was what?" she asked innocently.

"Your honeymoon!" she exclaimed loudly, as few patrons turned to look at her. Seeing the attention she'd just made, she then coughed in embarrassment. Kanade laughed at her friend.

"Are you really sure you want to know?" she teased as she made final adjustments to her kimono. Though Chihaya was forward and aggressive, she had zero knowledge when it comes to romance. She'd been dating Arata for years, but Arata was as inexperienced as she was, making them both virgins until now.

"Okay. So I don't." She blushed, as she realized what she was asking. She couldn't believe she was asking sexy details from someone she knew so well.

"Seriously, you're 26 and you and Arata have gone steady for 6 years, and you're still a virgin?" she teased. She went to look at Chihaya's profile in the mirror. The green kimono with the flowery embroideries gave her a very regal look. It was enough to make everyone fall head over heels for her.

"Hey! No fair! We're the same age! You only got ahead because you married first!" she pouted, as she gazed at herself in the mirror.

It's kind of stifling at the arms…but it's beautiful. Chihaya thought, as she stared at her reflection

"Not…exactly…" Kana-chan replied meekly. Chihaya just stared.

"Kana-chan! You guys…did…did that before marriage?" she gaped in horror as her friend tended to the other kimonos they were trying as an option. She was clearly avoiding her question.

"Kana-chan?" she pestered.

"Argh! Yes! Last year! When he asked me to marry him. So…so is there anything wrong with that?" Kanade retorted as she blushed like a tomato.

"No..no… Haha…really…" Even though Kanade and Tsutomu were the first couple to officially date, they were shier than any of them in the team. Knowing how sneaky they were made Chihaya think highly of them, and made her think of how senseless she really was.

"Chihaya, I don't always do Karuta like you to miss out on all the fun." She teased.

"Haha. Very funny." Chihaya said in sarcasm as her friend laughed.

"But have you talked to Kaichou? I saw you guys dancing at the party, but I didn't know what happened after. How was it?" Kanade asked. Chihaya was quiet for a moment, remembering what transpired that night.

"Well…we're okay…I guess." She lied, trying to brush off the conversation. Kanade knew their Star-crossed love story, and she knew the little woman was pining for the both of them.

"Are YOU okay?" Kanade asked, rephrasing the earlier question. She knew her friend was lying. She saw her eyes when she gave them a swift goodbye at the night of the wedding. Something may have triggered her tears that night, and it can only be because of one person…

"I…as long as he's happy Kana-chan… I'll try to be…" she replied with a sigh. She sat down on a cushioned seat, as she remembered Taichi's face as he bowed in front of her. He was different from the man she grew up with, the man who helped her in fulfilling her dreams.

"You know, it's kind of funny…" Kanade started as she sat right next to her. Chihaya looked at her blankly.

"Kaichou had the same reaction as you are when he learned of you and Arata. He was forcing himself to be happy for you, but I see how painful it is for him…" she continued, smiling wistfully at the thought.

Chihaya remembered all the times Taichi had been there for her, the matches, the littlest errands, the long distance calls… she can't believe that she didn't notice. But if she did notice, what next? She'd be forced to choose between Arata and Taichi who were both close to her heart. She can't risk choosing Taichi over Arata who loved her all these years; She wouldn't want to lose her best friend either just because she chose Arata. She knew how cowardly it sounded, but if she had to choose then, who would she pick?

She was still in deep thought when her phone suddenly rang.

"Hello?" she answered. A few minutes later, she was rushing outside the store in panic.

"Sensei!" Taichi exclaimed, as he barged through the Harada-sensei's hospital room.

Her sensei was sprawled in his bed, with supporters attached to his legs. His eyes were half-closed, and he could tell from his appearance that he was drugged so that he wouldn't feel his limbs too much. There was a little crowd in the room; his wife, Tsuboguchi-san, his children, and Chihaya, who was seated at his bedside. It was her who called him frantically a few minutes ago. It was a good thing they haven't left for their trip to Kyoto yet.

A strange feeling swept through him as his eyes fell on her. She was wearing a floral green kimono. She may have been supervising her high-school club's Inter-High Karuta Match that day (which explains the costume, as Kanade won't let her wear something so simple in all official Karuta matches, player or not) She was startled by his entrance. He saw tear streaks in her face, and it could only mean something awful, he dreaded.

"How are you feeling Sensei?" Taichi asked softly, as he went to the foot of his bed. Harada-sensei's head turned towards him slowly.

"Matsuge-kun. What took you so long?" He smiled, as he gestured him to come nearer. He went to the side opposite his wife, putting him close with Chihaya who gave him space.

"I'm okay. But these idiots keep on telling me I won't be able to play!" he said scornfully, pointing to Tsuboguchi-san and Chihaya who sweat-dropped. A knock came through the door, revealing the doctor who came to do his rounds.

"What's the diagnosis, doctor?" Taichi asked him as he approached his Sensei.

"Well, aside from the obvious advanced arthritis, his deteriorating health can no longer support his sport. It will only cause him more injury if he continues to aggravate his knee." He replied patiently as he went to check his records by his bed.

"These idiots. They keep on underestimating my willpower. I've been diagnosed with arthritis 10 years ago but I could still play!" he ranted. They sighed as he went on a tirade of his accomplishments which was met with just "hai"s and "hmmm" from the attending physician.

"Well, you should be ok in a few days. But if you stress those knees, you're gonna lose them Harada-san." The doctor said seriously. Harada-sensei immediately shut up at his words. They stayed in silence after the doctor went out, and Chihaya felt they were the longest and the most dreaful silence they ever had.

"Hiroshi…Matsuge-kun" Harada-sensei called after awhile.

"Hai, Sensei?" Tsuboguchi-san replied as he and Taichi went nearer.

"You've been under me for God knows how long. I want to see my society producing a Meijin. And I won't die unless it happens. You understand?" He demanded, fire burning in his eyes as it bored into theirs. Taichi suddenly felt pressured.

"Sensei." He called, he wanted to protest, to tell him he's not good enough, to come up with excuses. And just when he was about to do just that, Harada-sensei stared at him. He suddenly saw the aging lines of his face contrasted with the youthful fire in his eyes. He wouldn't take them, that he suddenly realized.

"And you. I haven't seen you in the Dojo ever since you came back. Start practicing this week, you understand?!" he barked.

"Ha-hai.. sensei." He replied. And though he could always quit, he knew it was a promise never to be broken.

A few minutes later, Chihaya, Tsuboguchi-san and Taichi were seated outside the room as Harada-sensei changed his clothes. They were in silence for a while when Tsuboguchi-san said to them;

"I'll be transferring to Sapporo next month." He quietly said, as he stared into space. Taichi and Chihaya who was seated beside him stood up in surprise!

"What?! But what of Shiranami?" Chihaya demanded, fear gripping her heart as she felt the pressure of managing the Dojo alone. She doesn't know if Taichi will stay to manage the Dojo with her, and with Hiroshi-san going, it will definitely pose as a scary challenge.

"I know… I'm the only one living here, my wife and little Shinichi went to back to our house last month, and it's hard keeping up with the distance." He said as he bowed his head. He was all about Karuta too, but it was different now. They knew even if he wanted to take his Master's place in Shiranami, his family was more important.

"I see." Taichi said, as he looked at him. This was a huge responsibility, he knew. And he had to start shaping up if he wanted to take on the part.

"It's on you now, Chihaya. Taichi." He said seriously, as he tapped their shoulders to go back inside the room.

"But Harada-sensei…" Chihaya started, knowing what the old man will probably say.

"He won't forgive me of course. But he'll understand. As much as I love Karuta, I have a family to take care of. So will you take care of the Dojo?" he said with a small smile as he turned to them.

"I'm not sure if I can, Tsuboguchi-san." Taichi said, Chihaya snapping her eyes to him.

"Are you going back to London?"

"No.. I don't think so. But I'm planning to set up a clinic, and I don't know if I'll still have the time" Taichi explained, his head bowed. Then he continued, with certainty in his voice,

"…But I'll be there. I'll support the society. I'll help."

"Taichi…" Chihaya breathed a sigh of relief as he gave her a small smile. It was them working together again.

"I'll give you my schedule next week. I'll be in Kyoto this week, so can you get by without me for a while?" he asked as Hiroshi-san went back to Harada-sensei's room.

"Hai." She nodded. She tried concealing her excitement, but she was an open book. She could only hope Taichi didn't notice.

"Just call me if there's anything you need." He said as he turned to walk away.

"Hai." She replied at his back, then suddenly he stopped.

"Do you want me to drive you home?" Taichi offered. She suddenly felt warm butterflies in her stomach.

"Yes, thank you Taichi." She replied, a beautiful smile gracing her face.

It was a quiet ride with occasional questions about the Dojo and Harada-sensei. She couldn't think of anything to say anyway, and before she knew it they were already at her street.

"Thank you Taichi. Would you like to come in?" Chihaya said, as she removed her seatbelt.

"No, I'll pass. Satoko's waiting for me at the house." He replied curtly, feeling somehow awkward.

"I see.." Chihaya replied. She was sad their night would end in another awkward silence, but she couldn't do anything to get him to lighten up towards her. He walked her to their front porch when her mom opened the door.

"Is-is that you Taichi?" her mom gasped, as she stared in wonder at Taichi. She was seated in a wheelchair, and at her level, it magnified Taichi's height and splendour even more.

"Ayase –san," Taichi smiled as he bowed politely to the old woman. Chihaya's mom was ecstatic.

"It's you! You've grown up so big! And so handsome! Come in! Come in!" Chihaya's mom squealed as she held his face for a moment before pulling him in.

"B-but…" Taichi looked like he was going to protest.

Haha. Thanks mom. Chihaya thought happily, as they went in their house.

The minutes turned to an hour when Chihaya's mom offered dinner. They were now in their living room when suddenly Chihaya piped up,

"Taichi"

"Hm?" he acknowledged, as he drank his coffee.

"Can we play a match?" She'd been dying to play him again, and yes, to talk to him normally as they usually do. He looked like he was going to refuse because he didn't reply right away, but then he said;

"I won't go easy on you."

After two matches an hour later, Taichi finally decided to call it quits. It wasn't that bad though, he lost with a 10 and a 7 card-difference in Chihaya's favour. And it was the first time he played in years.

"Well, that's to be expected. It's been years since you last played." Chihaya said with his exact same thoughts.

"Airy now, aren't we?" he sneered.

Some things really never change. He thought sneeringly to himself.

"I'm just telling the truth you know. Aside from the fact that you're up against a Queen." She said happily as she counted the cards. If she's heard by someone who doesn't know her, theyd probably label her as real airhead.

"Yes, I'm well aware." He sighed, as he cleaned up the mess they did in their living room. He really needed to go home now.

"Taichi…" Chihaya called to him.

"Hm?" he lifted up his head to see Chihaya looking at him hopefully.

"Can we be friends again?" she asked, hope filling her eyes. He froze at her request, knowing full well how awkward it may seem after all the things that went between them.

"I know there'd been many misunderstandings between us, but we'll be working hand in hand for the society." She continued, as she played with her fingers.

"I see." He replied, not really agreeing or disagreeing with her.

"What do you love about Satoko-chan?" Chihaya asked suddenly, not really looking at her. It was then that he realized that instead of waiting for his approval, she'd rather start getting friendly. He sat closer to her in the floor of the living room with his head in the couch.

"Why are you asking all of a sudden?" Taichi wondered, as he remembered her asking what his type of girl was, way way back.

"I just wanted to know what kind of girl caught your fancy." She replied, looking at him innocently. It took him a few moments to reply.

"Well, she's sweet. She's noisy. She gets what she usually wants and she's very hard-working." He breathed, suddenly realizing that he could also be describing Chihaya. She possessed all those traits. Her hand suddenly went to his knee. She was drawing circles on it, like when they were kids.

"I see. You're really in love with her, huh?" she wondered blankly.

"What about you? How are you and Arata?" he asked her back. He took her hand and with his finger, he drew symbols in her palm like what she did earlier with his knee. She smiled, though he couldn't tell if it was because of their little show of affection or because of the mere mention of Arata.

"We're good. He's just been busy lately." She replied, as she put her head in the couch.

"Like always." He sneered.

"Fine. Like always."

"When do you plan to get married?" he asked, turning his face toward her in the couch. He knew it would still hurt, but he had to had that dose to really turn back to being her friend.

"We…don't have plans yet." She replied. He didn't understand why, but he felt a little bit happy upon hearing that.

"I see. Well I wouldn't marry you if I were him. You being high maintenance and all." He sniggered as he felt her palm slamming towards his chest.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Chihaya glared.

"You sleep everywhere, get drunk easily, space out a lot, aaand you're only inlove with Karuta." He derided as he stood up.

"I am not only inlove with Karuta!" She complained as she sat straight. Taichi extended his hand as sneered at her.

"Really? You fell in love with Arata because he was good at Karuta!" He mocked as he remembered the snotty and frail boy they met when they were young. Arata wasn't much of a looker nor he had stellar grades (he had, but his was up par)

"Hey! It's not only because of that! He has good qualities too you know!" she complained while standing up with Taichi's support.

"Like what? Karuta?" Taichi retorted.

"You – " she growled as she threatened to hit him. It was a good thing he knew self-defense.

"Haha. And you're violent. Seriously." He commented, as he held her arms, threatening to make contact with his neck.

"I don't always love Karuta! I do have other preferences too you know!"

"Like what? Daddy Bear and Snowmaru?"

"Well yeah…and you." She said honestly. It was about to get awkward again when Taichi commented;

"Me? I'm a Karuta player too, remember? We had the same journey." He said, as he removed his grip on her outstretched arms.

"Yeah. But you were my childhood friend. And we used to love ice cream and video games." She replied, nostalgia filling her voice. She must've really missed him, he could tell.

"YOU loved ice cream. I hate that stuff you know that." He pouted.

"See? It's not only Karuta." She retorted, as she smiled brightly. It was then that he realized how close they were, with her just a few breath away. He blushed .

"It's getting late, I really have to go." He excused, as he took his jacket and hurried to the door.

"Taichi!" Chihaya called out.

"Thank you. See you next week." She smiled, suddenly feeling happy that they were talking normally again. He saw her smile before finally exiting the house.

Karuta…and you. Taichi recalled Chihaya telling him. If there was anything she really loved about her, it was her honesty. It wasn't really hard to like her. Hhe was about to turn a bend some minutes later when she saw a familiar face in his side mirror kneeling by a bench. He culd tell the woman was in pain, with the way she was clutching her stomach. He parked his car nearby to check.

"Wakamiya-san?" he called. The woman didn't reply, but before he could ask if she was okay, he saw her hand clutching her yellow pants… drenched in blood.

AN: Hmmmm. Nasty. So I figured that if they were to get any more intimate, they'd need to start warming up. Aaaaaaand yes, the drama is up next. Do let me know of your thoughts though. It's a pleasure and a learning experience really. See you next chapter! =D