-Cecelia-

I groaned as I opened my eyes. I didn't have to move at all and my muscles were screaming at me.

'I knew it was gonna hurt, but I didn't expect it to be this bad.'

I thought as I pushed myself up into a sitting position. I took a deep breath before getting to my feet. I stumbled a bit, but I managed to keep my balance. I walked to my closet and pulled on a pair of grey shorts and a dark red tank top. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail before heading downstairs for some breakfast. I stopped in the doorway when I saw Katsume sitting at the granite island. He looked up when I came in and I ignored him as I went over to the stove and started making breakfast for three.

"I'm surprised you can even move human."

He said in that condescending voice of his, but I just ignored him.

"Yeah yeah, whatever."

I said as I got the eggs out.

"How do you like your eggs? Sunny side up or over easy?"

I asked without turning to look at him.

"I don't eat eggs."

He said and I simply took that in mind for later before taking out three eggs instead of four, then put the carton back in the fridge.

"Why are you suddenly being so nice?"

He asked and I could hear the curiosity in his voice and wanted to smile.

"I'm not going to willingly start a fight with someone who hasn't done anything to piss me off. I'll be nice to those who are nice to me."

I said with a shrug, trying not to wince when I did, then set the food on the countertop just as Daiki and Hikaru walked in.

"Morning boys."

I said with a smile and they blinked at me in shock before smiling back.

"Good morning Cece."

Hikaru said and I stopped with a piece of bacon halfway to my mouth when I heard him call me that.

"W-What'd you call me?"

I asked surprised and he looked at me confused.

"Cece. Am I not allowed to call you that? I'm sorry."

He said and I shook my head at him.

"No it's fine. There's only one name you can't call me, but I don't have to worry about that because you don't know it."

I said and he looked at me confused and I smiled at him.

"You guys should eat."

I said as I dug into my own food. I noticed Daiki was staring at me and looked up at him as I finished my orange juice.

"Is something the matter Daiki?"

I asked and he blinked before looking me in the eye.

"Oh no, I was just wondering why you were in those clothes. Are you planning on going somewhere?"

He asked and I laughed as I put my dishes in the sink. I noticed that Daiki and the others had put their dishes in the dishwasher and I pressed the button to start it.

"Yeah, I'm gonna go for a run then I'll stop by the gym for a couple of hours. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll manage to scrounge up the money before tomorrow afternoon."

I said with a smile before heading towards the door. I stopped on the stoop and laced up my sneakers.

"You're gonna do what! You're in no condition to be doing any of that."

I heard him shout and smiled at him as I stood up.

"Listen Daiki, you don't know me well enough to know this, but if there's one thing I never do it's quit. As long as I'm breathing I'm gonna try my best to do the things I love."

I said before waving goodbye to them and heading out the door. I'd do the chores once I got back.

-Hikaru-

"She's going to kill herself."

I said and Daiki nodded in agreement.

"She's determined, I'll give her that."

Katsume said and Daiki and I both turned to look at him in shock.

'Did he….did he just compliment a human!'

I wondered in disbelief.

"I think one of us should follow her to make sure she's alright."

Daiki said and I nodded.

"I'll do it. You two stay here."

I said before heading out the door before either one of them could protest. I didn't trust Katsume to be around her, and Daiki, well I'd just feel better if I was the one following her.

It didn't take me long to catch up to her. I kept my aura hidden and put a decent distance between me and her as I followed her. She was jogging along the roads of the town. She waved and smiled at people as she passed and they returned the favor. I followed her until she got to the gym. I followed her inside, but then I lost sight of her.

'Where'd she go?'

I wondered looking around the crowded gym.

"You know, if you're going to follow me you should at least do it secretly."

I heard a soft voice say and turned to see Cece standing next to me with her arms crossed over her chest. I blushed at being caught.

"Sorry."

I said rubbing the back of my head. She sighed as she lowered her hands.

"You know, sometimes you're as bad as a lost puppy."

She said and I looked down at my feet. That insult kinda hurt, even if she didn't know she'd insulted me.

"I guess it's a good thing you're cute. Otherwise I might not forgive you."

She said and I looked up at her in shock only to see her smiling at me.

"Well come on then, if you came all this way the least you can do is watch me fight.'

She said and I smiled at her.

"Okay."

I said as I followed her over to the ring from yesterday. I saw her motion Algo over to her and heard them talking before they both got up onto the stage.

"Alright, despite yesterday's defeat our champion is back for more!"

Algo called out and everyone turned to look at him.

"Who here is willing to challenge her?"

He asked and hands shot up like crazy. I watched as one after the other guys climbed up into the ring only to be beat within mere seconds. She was unbelievable. She had a full on fight with Katsume yesterday after having already fought against others and she was still able to fight even now.

"You ready to go Hika?"

I looked up surprised and saw Cece smiling at me. I had been so absorbed in my thoughts that I hadn't even realized time practically flew out the window.

"You're done already?"

I asked and she nodded.

"For today."

She said as she headed out of the gym. I looked over my shoulder at all the guys she'd beaten and they looked worse than she did yesterday after her fight with Katsume.

"Hey! Wait up!"

I called after her as I ran outside to catch up to her. We walked in silence and I noticed she didn't even seem the slightest bit tired. She wasn't even wincing when she breathed, unlike yesterday.

"So, how are you feeling?"

I asked quietly and saw her turn to look at me before smiling and looking back infront of her.

"I feel better than yesterday. I may be tired, but there's just something about fighting that makes me relax."

She said and I looked at her in awe. This girl was simply amazing.

"Hey Cece…"

I asked and she looked at me.

"How come you weren't afraid of me and the others? Anyone else would have been scared out of their minds."

I said and blushed a bit when she laughed.

"I suppose you're right on that one, but then again I'm not like everyone else. You see, my family goes back to a long line of priestesses and monks and my grandmother told us all about the demons we used to fight in the older days, but then how we eventually learned to live in harmony with them. I've always been open minded, that and I don't really like boring, so I guess meeting you guys made my life a little exciting you know? It would have been no fun if I was afraid you guys, now would it?"

She asked with a smile and I stared at her in complete astonishment.

'Her family is descendants of priestesses and monks! No wonder her aura feels different from other humans. I wonder if she can use any of her miko energy? Probably a good thing if she can't though, because it could mean bad news for Daiki, Katsume, and I if she could.'

I thought before realizing she'd said 'us' instead of 'me'.

"What did you mean when you said us?"

I asked and noticed she tensed.

"I just meant my family."

She said, but I could smell the lie as soon as she said it and it made me frown. She normally was always so honest, why would she suddenly decide to lie now?

"Oh, look at that!"

She suddenly called out and I looked up as she ran across the street to a petshop. I followed warily. She didn't own any animals that I knew of, so what could she possibly be doing running into a place like that?

"Thank you!"

I heard her cry out as she walked back outside. I noticed she had a red dog collar in her hand and I looked at her confused.

"Exactly what is that for?"

I asked and she smiled at me before motioning for me to come closer. I looked at her skeptically before bending down so I was at her height. She was only five feet after all, I was a couple feet taller than her.

I felt her hands wrap around my neck and I felt my face heat up, before I felt her put something around my neck. When she pulled back I stood up and brought my hands up to my neck to see what she'd done. My eyes widened when I realized she'd just put the dog collar on me.

"What the hell! Do I look like a pet to you or something!"

I asked blushing like crazy. I started to take it off, but stopped when I saw the look on her face.

"I thought it looked cute. I didn't mean to make you mad. I'm sorry Hikaru."

She said and I genuinely thought she was about to start crying.

"H-Hey, don't cry. It's fine really."

I said and she looked up at me.

"Really? You don't mind wearing it?"

She asked and I blushed at the way she was looking up at me.

'What harm could really come from wearing it? It is in my favorite color and it does look really good on me. Not to mention the fact that she bought it for me.'

I thought before sighing.

"I'll wear it."

I said and she squealed in joy and I looked at her only to have her jump at me and wrap her arms around me. I froze, I didn't know what to do.

"You're suppose to hug back silly."

She said with a laugh and I blushed before slowly wrapping my arms around her waist and hugging her back.

"Come on, let's go home before those two decide to wreck my parents' house."

She said before grabbing my hand and pulling me along after her. I blinked in surprise at our joined hands and couldn't help but smile as I followed Cece back to her house.

'I'm not so sure I want to go back to our Dimension anymore, I'm starting to like it here.'

I thought as we walked inside. She let go of my hand and I frowned, but when she turned and smiled at me I couldn't help but smile back.

"Come on, you and Daiki can play the Xbox with me."

She said before running into the living room where Daiki was laying on the couch. I watched as she threw him what she called a 'controller' before pressing a button on some device and a game of sorts popped up on the T.V screen. I shook my head and smiled before going to join them.

'Yeah, I am definitely getting used to being here.'

I thought as Cece explained to Daiki and me how to play a game called Halo 3.