"Everyone will leave me at some point. Mama... Papa... Fin. Someday Miyako will leave, and so will you. We can't stay in one place forever." "Maron, I--" Chiaki stuttered. She gave him a sad smile. "I know you said you'll help me get Fin back, and I appreciate that, but there's nothing else here for you. I'm not what you really want. I know you, Chiaki. Don't settle for anything less than yourself, cause you'll never be happy." "Now wait a sec, Maron. You have no idea what I want," he countered. Maron glared at him. "I'm not completely in the dark with what goes on inside your head. So don't get any ideas!" She started shoving him towards the door. "And don't come barging in through my window anymore. It's creepy!" -------------------------------- For the Sake of Maron 3/? By Elysia [ely_chan@yahoo.com] Rated PG "Fight for Love! Chiaki's Test!" -------------------------------- "You're kidding, right?" Chiaki pulled on his uniform jacket. "Nope. I'm gonna make her see how much I really need her." Access flew in lazy circles around Chiaki's head. "But how are you going to do that if she won't let you near her?" The boy glared at the black winged angel. "Don't remind me. I got somewhere last night. Not as far as I hoped, but it was something." "She let you touch her. Big deal." "Access!" Chiaki yelled. "Will you quit dampening my spirits! I thought you said Maron was the most important link to everything." "I said Jeanne was the link, not Maron." Chiaki rolled his eyes. "You forget so easily. Without Maron, there is no Jeanne. Besides, don't you want to get Fin back?" "Don't bring her into this, it's too hard to think about her right now," Access mumbled. "Your mission now is to get Jeanne to believe in her abilities again, not romance her like a giddy schoolboy." Chiaki flicked the angel with his fingers, sending him flailing across the room. "But I am a giddy schoolboy," he grinned triumphantly. "Besides, if I get her to open up to me now, then I can help her believe again." He picked up his bag and headed for the door. "Don't get into any trouble while I'm gone, Access." Said angel looked warily after his charge. "Look who's talking," he muttered. Chiaki smirked on his way out. Good thing he didn't know about the pancakes in the fridge. ***** "Maron! Wait up!" Chiaki ran after the two girls who were several leagues ahead. Miyako called out a hello to the boy and tugged on her friend's sleeve. "Slow down, Maron! Chiaki wants to walk with us." The chestnut haired girl showed no reaction. "Miyako, you were the one who said we needed to get to school early for once. We won't if we wait for him." Miyako's jaw dropped. "Since when were you concerned with getting to school on time? I'm the one who always has to wake you up!" She nudged Maron with her elbow. "Besides, I thought you and Chiaki were--" "Miyako!" Maron said in exasperation. "Just leave it alone. I don't want to talk to him right now. You can walk with him if you want. I'll see you in class." She walked off without giving any other answers. Chiaki finally caught up with Miyako, who was still staring at Maron's retreating form. "She didn't want to wait?" "I've been friends with her for so long, and I still can't figure her out sometimes." She gave Chiaki a penetrating stare as they started walking. "Did something happen between you two?" He blinked. "No, not really." 'Well, she found out that I was Sindbad, that I knew who she was and tried to stop her, and now she thinks I've been lying to her all this time. But that wouldn't affect our relationship, now would it?' Miyako thrust a finger into his chest. "You'd better not do anything stupid, Chiaki, or I'll never forgive you." His eyes grew twice their size. "Me? Why is it always my fault? What if Maron is the one responsible this time?" "Aha! I knew there was something you weren't telling me. Now spill." He blanched. "Uhh... you know, perhaps you can help me out after all, Miyako. You know Maron so well, and I...well, I want to know her better." She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and raised an eyebrow. "Just what do you have in mind?" "You're her best friend. Can't you put in a good word for me or something?" Miyako's eyes narrowed. "And make it look like I'm pining for you all over again? I've already been through that, mister. I'm not going to put Maron through it either." He held up his hands in protest. "That's not what I meant. You know how stubborn Maron can be, and she won't listen to me whenever I try to tell her something important. I think I need to catch her unexpectedly so she has to listen." They started walking again. "Oh, so forcing her to listen is really going to get your message across," Miyako retorted. Chiaki groaned. "Argh, you're just as bad as she is! Can't you just help me out? Please?" She stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "Maron mentioned something about practice this afternoon." She rolled her eyes. "Honestly, if it's so important then you ought to tell her. But leave me out of it." ***** "Maron! Are you trying to beat me again?" Miyako called out to the girl practicing her gymnastics routine. The chestnut haired girl stopped in the middle of the music to smile at her friend. "I'm trying to beat myself, Miyako. You said so yourself that I had to work on a few things." "You'd even skip lunch to work?" Miyako playfully laid a hand on her friend's forehead. "Are you sure you're feeling all right? First you act strangely this morning, and now this. What's gotten into you?" Maron smiled halfheartedly. "As much as I'd love to tell you, Miyako, it's kinda personal. But don't worry about me, I'll be all right." 'It just has to do with my other self, Kaitou Jeanne. You know, the thief you're always trying to catch.' "Hmm, if you're sure..." She tugged on Maron's arm. "C'mon, let's go for something to eat. My treat?" Maron held back a laugh. "You'd treat me to food? Stingy Miyako? Are you sure you're the one feeling okay?" "One more comment like that and you'll miss your chance!" Miyako shot back with a grin. "Let's go!" "All right, all right, just let me change into my regular clothes," Maron replied while rolling up her twirling ribbon. "I'll meet you at the café in ten minutes." She ran into the dressing room and started shoving items into her bag, slipped back into her school uniform and tied up her hair. She ran out of the building towards the school gate, thinking this was a nice change to the normal routine. Maybe she could get Miyako to treat more often. "Maron." Chiaki suddenly stepped from behind one of the trees lining the sidewalk. "Chiaki!" she stammered. "You scared me!" "We need to talk. Please." She shook her head in defiance. "I've heard everything I've wanted to hear." "That's just it! You haven't heard the truth!" Maron turned away. "It's enough. It's over, Chiaki. Go stalk some other girl." "Maron!" he exclaimed, grabbing onto her wrist. "I won't let you go so easily!" She struggled against his grip. "Let go, you're hurting me," she whimpered. "What part of this don't you understand? I don't want you around me anymore! I want you to--" Chiaki suddenly covered Maron's mouth with his, snaking his hands around her waist so he could pull her closer, and effectively shutting up her soft whimpering. His other hand traveled up to her face, caressing her cheek. Slowly he threaded his fingers through her hair, mussing up what she had done minutes before. Maron, on the other hand, tried to protest, but it was no use. Somehow she felt safe within his warm embrace, no matter how much she tried to deny it. 'Oh, Chiaki... I want to love you so much... why can't I?' Mind and heart fought the eternal struggle once more, until Maron finally pulled away from Chiaki, her lips aching for more contact with the man she loved. She ran a hand through her tousled hair, not knowing what to say in such an awkward moment. Words had no meaning. Her eyes searched his, straining for answered to her unasked questions. 'How does he do this to me? And why? Why would someone like him be in love with someone so imperfect as me?' Maron stumbled backwards. "I... I have to go meet Miyako. She'll be worried if I don't show up." She choked on the rest of her words. "I'm sorry." Chiaki solemnly watched the girl run off into the distance. "Maron... someday you'll know. Someday."