Heyyyyy! ^-^ Sorry for the delay :( I have been extremely busy and it has been interfering with my writing. I was also having a hard time being satisfied with what I was writing, but I'm finally satisfied on how this chapter turned out! Thank you for the all the favs, alerts, and reviews! It made me happy to see and read them all :) I'm glad that you guys are loving this story! ^-^ I hope you will enjoy it :) This is an important chapter ;)

Chapter 16: Steps to Fall in Love: Falling in Love

"Ritsu-san, will you read your novel out loud to me?"

The brunette glanced down at the man lying down on his lap. "Are you sure you don't want to nap?"

The prince smiled. "You are always so entranced by the novels you read, I'm starting to feel jealous. Why not share it with me?"

The town beauty's cheeks flushed. "I-I'm not." He could feel his heart flutter ever so slightly.

The ravenette chuckled. "Will you please?"

"Okay… I'm not sure you'll be interested thought. The novel is called Course of True Love. The main characters fall in love, but were not supposed to. In the end, their life ends as a tragedy; however, the two are reincarnated and majority of the novel details their interactions and how they fall in love again."

"Sounds quite complicated, but interesting as well."

"As cliche as it may sound, I do enjoy this novel. Something about this always strikes a chord in my heart."

"Then will you read this novel to me?"

Ritsu smiled. "Let's begin…"

…

"Shall we continue the novel again or would you prefer to nap again? You seem rather tired." The brunette frowned. He was worried for the other, especially because lately they have not been able to meet often.

The ravenette shook his head. He sighed and lied down on the other's lap, his most favorite pillow in the world. "Read to me please. Your voice always soothes me."

Ritsu ran his fingers through the other's hair and said, "Alright. Please take it easy though. If your are too tired, I would prefer for you to simply rest."

"Where I can truly rest is with you."

Once again, the town beauty could feel his heart fluttering again, which is a common occurrence around the prince. He didn't really understand what this feeling meant, but he would not dwell on this right now. "Let's start where we left off then…"

"Levin, please stop." Sharon pushed the male away. "We are not supposed to be together. We are not supposed to feel this away towards each other."

"Sharon, tell me you don't feel this way then." Levin leaned in closer till their breaths mingled in with one another. "Tell me your heart doesn't beat for me, that your mind isn't filled with thoughts of me, tell me that you don't love me."

"I…" She shut her eyes tightly. In smallest whisper, she responded, "I… can't… You know that… Why must you torture me this way?"

"Because I love you." He closed the gap and pressed the sweetest kiss against her lips.

"Hmm…" Masamune wondered about that statement. He thought, "Is that what it means to love someone?"

"Masamune-san?"

"Its nothing. I just thought of something." The prince smiled at the other.

"Okay…?"

"Please continue."

…

"Will you do me the honor and dance with me?" Levin extended a hand.

Sharon simply scoffed. "Shouldn't you be asking your fiancé over there?"

"Sharon please." He attempted to grab her hand, but she dodged it.

"Levin, you should not be here with me. Go to her…"

"You know Karen means nothing to me." He whispered softly, "You're the one I love."

She shook her head. "Stop please. I cannot hurt someone else because I want to be selfish. Go."

"Sharon-"

"GO. Karen is waiting for you."

"When you love someone, are you supposed to be selfless?" Masamune closed his eyes "Why would want to fall in love if it is so painful?"

"Well, people do say that 'love is blind.' And that when you love someone, you always want the other to be happy at the cost of your own happiness."

"Sounds pitiful to be in love…"

"Perhaps, when you do fall in love, you will be able to understand."

The ravenette opened one eye. "Have you ever loved someone?"

"Can't say I have…"

Both had this one thought in their mind, "What is this feeling I have?"

…

"Sharon, you came!" Levin said delightedly.

A few days ago, Levin made the decision to elope with Sharon. He approached her and asked of her to run away with him. Sharon refused because for them to leave and start a new life together would be impossible. Levin begged and asked her to think about it for a few days. If she decides to leave with him, she can meet him by the place they first met at midnight.

Sharon shook her head. "I came here to say no."

"Please Sharon! We can run away and be together! I love you and I know you love me too."

"Because I love you, I cannot do this. Go back and get married."

"Why Sharon? We can be happy together…"

Sharon offered a sad smile. "You know we can't. We were never meant to be happy together. Go back to her."

"I DON'T WANT HER THOUGH! I want you…" Levin ended in the smallest whisper.

"I don't want you…"

"What…?" Levin didn't understand. "How can you love me, but not want me?"

"Maybe you would understand if you were me." Sharon turned away. "Good bye Levin…" She walked away.

Levin could not move from his spot. He did not understand anything that was happening. "Why can't we be happy together…?"

"To love to someone, but to not want the person you love. How does that even work?" Masamune inquired.

Ritsu pondered for a few moments. "This scene made me think of the same question, but I think that this is simply her way of letting go."

"I see…"

"Masamune-san, are you alright?" The brunette furrowed his eyebrows in worry.

The ravenette looked up from his comfortable position from his lap. "Will you let nap for a few moments."

The town beauty smiled and said, "Of course." He began to thread his fingers through the long, soft raven tresses. "Sleep well."

The prince could not help, but to smile at those words. "What is it that I feel for you, Ritsu…?"

…

"SHARON!" Levin screamed at the horror before his eyes. Seeing that savage stab his beloved incurred his dark wrath. He screamed and attacked angrily and crazily. He slay those who hurt Sharon until the attackers were nothing empty corpses.

"Levin…" He turned around towards the sweet voice that called him. "Sharon…" The tears that clouded his eyes began to stream down profusely. The sight before his eyes broke his heart. His beloved was dyed red in her own blood. "Please… Don't leave me Sharon…"

She weakly lifted her hand, which Levin held onto tightly. "Levin… I'm… sorry…I love…" Death took a hold of her before she could finish her words.

"SHARONNNN!" He brought her dead body into a tight embrace. He did not care if blood colored his clothes. All he wanted was for his beloved to come back to life. Levin could not bear the idea of Sharon being so far from him. He picked up the bloody sword that he laid on the ground.

"We will finally be together Sharon…" And he plunged the long sword through his heart.

"Too dramatic for my tastes." Masamune made a face at this scene.

Ritsu chuckled. "To an extent I agree as well, but these are the moments that readers love the best. That tragic Romeo and Juliet ending is always somewhat touching."

Masamune lifted his arms and grabbed the other's head to bring it close to him, till their noses were barely touching. He thought, "I don't think I can bear to be without you either Ritsu… You already mean too much to me…."

"M-masamune-san!" Ritsu's cheeks glowed a lovely rose red. Ah. And that fluttering in his heart is happening again.

Honey orbs stared into striking blue-purple ones. "Hmmm…." A smirk decorated the ravenette's lips. "Ritsu…"

…

"Have we met before?" Sharon stared at the man before her. Something about him felt so familiar.

The man furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't believe we have met before." Yet, he could not shake off the feeling that he knows the other quite well."

"I'm sorry for disturbing you! I am Sharon Blake." She extended a hand, but she felt something she never felt before, or maybe she has. When the other accepted her hand, the moment their fingertips touched, they both felt an electric shock spiral through their bodies.

"I-I'm Levin Ryder. Nice to meet you Miss Blake."

"Meeting again like that, it just makes it sound like they will have a happy ending automatically." Masamune huffed.

Ritsu chuckled. He found the other's commentary about the novel quite hilarious as they read it together. "This novel is cliche, but there are elements that make it a good novel. Why don't we continue?"

The prince smiled. "Alright."

If we could only be like this forever. Whatever we feel, if we could let these moments last forever, then everything would be perfect. Because right now is just perfect…

…

"We meet again Mr. Ryder."

"I never thought I would see you under these circumstances Miss Blake."

"As your fiancé. Neither of us would have expected that."

"I cannot say that I disappointed though."

Sharon laughed. "Can't say I am either."

Levin chuckled. "Shall we get along?"

"I hope so Mr. Ryder."

"Call me Levin." He extended a hand towards her.

She accepted the hand. "Call me Sharon, Levin."

"Well that was easy for them." Masamune was starting to wonder why Ritsu liked this novel.

"I guess you could say that." Ritsu chuckled. "I'm a sucker for happy endings though."

"That sounds just like you." The prince smiled. "And I like that about you."

Those adorable flushed cheeks appeared again. "You sure know how to sweet-talk."

"Maybe I only know how to with you."

"W-what?" The brunette was completely flustered at this point.

…

Sharon frowned in displeasure. She did not find the scene of a woman hanging off her fiancé's arm appealing. "Levin, who is this?"

"Sharon, it's not what you think!" He gestured to the woman near him. "This is my childhood friend, Karen Stellan. She said she would like to meet you."

Karen plastered a sickly, sweet smile on lips. "Nice to meet you, Miss Blake."

Sharon could see the disgusting jealously swirling in other's eyes that basically implied "He's mine." She simply ignored it and opted to be sweet. "Nice to meet you Miss Stellan." She turned towards Levin, "Are we still going to lunch?"

"Uh yes!" Levin extended his arm towards Sharon, who looped her arms around it. He turned towards his childhood friend, "Karen, please excuse us."

With that sickly sweet expression, she responded, "Of course. Have fun Levin, Miss Blake."

As they left Karen behind, Sharon could feel a sharp glare pointed in her direction.

Masamune said, "So Karen was reincarnated as well. It does add a punch because the two ladies positions are now switched."

Ritsu laughed. "I agree. Don't you find the idea of reincarnation interesting? If we all could be given a second chance in love, when things do not turn out well between two lovers."

The ravenette smiled, "It would be nice if that was possible."

…

"Could you please disappear?"

Sharon squinted her eyes. "Excuse me?"

Karen scoffed, "You heard me. Please. disappear. Do I have to repeat myself?"

"Could you please excuse yourself out of our life? Just because Levin chose me over you, it does not give you the right to be downright rude."

Karen scowled, " If you did not become his fiancé, he would have given me a chance."

Sharon kept a monotone expression. "Well, it is too late for that now. Our marriage has been decided."

Karen hissed, "Bitch…"

"I see you resulted to name calling now."

"Well you cannot deny you are one."

"Well, I believe that term reflects you, not me."

Tension between them soared to unbelievable levels.

"Sharon, Karen, are you two okay?" Levin returned after excusing himself for a moment to talk to a old friend that he spotted.

Sharon stood up and said, "I will be excusing myself, Levin." As she stalked out of the restaurant, Levin frowned at Karen with disapproval. Without saying anything, he chased after his fiancé.

"Levin!" Karen tried to stop her childhood friend from leaving, but he ignored her. "That bitch needs to die…" She seethed with pure anger.

"I liked how the author gave Karen's personality a 180. She was quite sweet and naive in the past life, but now she is worst you can meet."

The brunette laughed. "Everyone changes that's only natural."

…

"Karen stop." Levin growled angrily.

"Levin, I love you! I know you so much better than Miss Blake! I know everything there is to know about you…" Karen said in the most desperate tone possible.

"Karen, I cannot accept your feelings. I have told you numerous times that I am in love with Sharon! I only see you as a childhood friend, but I am not so sure I can anymore." Levin was becoming more exasperated and furious.

She latched onto his arm. "Please Levin! You're the only one for me!"

He pulled his arm harshly away from the other. With completely furry in his voice, "Karen, stay away from Sharon! If I ever hear or see or feel you are harassing her again, I will not forgive you." He turned and walked away as quickly as possible.

Karen's face was streaked with tears and her eyes were filled with rage and sadness. "That bitch will not get away with this."

"I thought you said this novel has a happily ever after?"

"And it does."

"But it seems like Karen is going to kill Sharon off…"

"Shall we continue to find out what happens then?"

"Mmmm… maybe next time." Masamune nuzzled his favorite pillow. "I just want to talk to you."

Ritsu smiled. "Of course, Masamune-san."

…

Ritsu looked towards the sky. The bright blue space already warped into soft colors of reds, oranges, and yellows, but there was no sign of Masamune. He received a message indicating for him to come meet the other over two hour ago. The brunette felt rather disheartened. The ravenette has never failed to come and meet him whenever he sent a message.

The town beauty sighed and decided that he waited long enough. He got up and turned toward the direction of his home.

"WAIT!"

Ritsu turned towards the direction of the voice and the sight of a tired and sweaty Masamune came before him.

"Masamune-san?!"

Out of breath, he tried to say between breaths, "I'm sorry… I'm late… Something happened…thank you… for waiting…"

The brunette rushed towards the other. He pressed his hand against the other's back and began to rub it. "Please sit down and rest."

The two sat down on the grass. While the town beauty leaned against the bark of a tree for support, the prince rested his head on his favorite pillow.

As Ritsu ran his fingers through the others hair, he asked, "Are you ok, Masamune-san?"

The other stayed silent, which made him worry more. "Masamune-san…?"

"My mother told me some news that made me quite unhappy."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

The ravenette shook his head.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Please let me just lie here for a while."

In silence, the two stayed together and stared towards the glittering lake. Ritsu felt concerned for the other, especially because it caused the other to be so distressed. If this was all that he could do for the other, he would gladly do so.

"How do you feel about me?"

That question came out of no where and surprised Ritsu. "M-Masamune-san?"

The ravenette got up from the brunette's lap. He grabbed the other's wrists and pinned the other's body against the tree.

The town beauty was completely flustered and slightly scared at this point. "W-what are you doing?"

The prince stared into the other's blue-purple eyes with intensity, seriousness, and some mysterious emotion. He leaned in till warm breaths mingled with one another "Ritsu… how do you feel about me?"

"W-why?" Ritsu wasn't sure how to react in this situation. He could not move away, especially because the other's strength was too much for him to overcome.

"Because…" The ravenette brushed their lips together. "I think I am in love with you…" He pressed their lips into a soft kiss. The moment their lips touched again, the brunette felt his body go completely limp. The pounding of his heart sped up at an incredible speed. His cheeks felt as if they were steaming. He let the other guide their lips and mold into one another. He felt a slight pinch on his lips, leading him to part them. A tongue slithered into his mouth and brought his into a dancing motion.

Ritsu could to help but feel that this was perfect. So perfect that he could not think of anything other than this moment. The way the other explored his wet cavern made him into a moaning mess. He could feel the slight lick against his now-known erogenous spots in his mouth.

When their lips parted, Masamune felt completely aroused by the sexy sight in front of him. The disheveled state of the other's clothes and composure drew him in. The parted, bruised pink lips were utterly delicious. Those glossy, blue-purple eyes were hazed due to their previous actions. That signature rosy blush made the brunette look extremely ravishable.

As much as he would like to take the other right there and now, he could still comprehend in his clouded mind that that would be taking it too far. He leaned in once again and pressed their foreheads together.

"I love you… what about you…?"

"I…" Ritsu thought about that fluttering in his heart when he was around the other and the peace he found in the other. "I love you too…" That's what it was all along. Yes. It is love.

Masamune pressed their lips into another fierce kiss.

…

They didn't realize that the moment that they met, the first crack formed. The sounds of crumbling grew louder and louder…

I wonder what could be happening hehe ;) The point of this chapter? A lot ;) What's going to happen? Hint hint: eye colors? ;) Next chapter, things will be escalating! Their past will be unraveling much more quickly now. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :) I know it has been slow in the storytelling, but things are starting to pick up quite quickly! I will do my best to update very soon, but I have a lot on my plate too, especially because I have to go out of town for a few days. THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING PATIENCE WITH ME!

Please review! :) at least another 5 is much appreciated :)

Love and Snow Kisses! ^-^