Rain

"Just leave Elizabeth in the club room, she'll be fine for a night!" Tainaka Ritsu dismissed, feet bouncing up and down on the newest edition to her drum kit, a pair of double bass pedals. She was still getting used to resetting the muscle memory that thought her left leg was the hi-hat instead of the left bass pedal, producing odd double-kicks where there should be the loud brashness of her hi-hat, but overall she was adjusting to the switch pretty carefully.

"Even Yui is leaving Gitah here for the night!" Ritsu exclaimed, as if that were all the further proof Mio needed to be convinced to abandon her bass for the night. In her mind, it was, the tawny-haird girl thought, staring idly at Mio's back as said raven-haired girl looked out the window with dismay at the pouring rain. Thoughts running wild and never settling on one thing for too long, Ritsu closed her eyes as she bounced her drumsticks lightly off the tight snare drumskin.

"Gitah will be okay without me for a night!" Yui chimed in, shoving another piece of cake into her mouth.

"Mm'shides, I've got Azuunyaahn to keep me cmmpany!" The easy-going guitarist spoke happily despite the alarming amount of food in her mouth and the choking hazard it presented.

"Yui-sempai, don't talk with your mouth full!" The junior exclaimed, waving her hands about and indicating the copious amounts of frosting that had made it's way onto Yui's face.

"Azunyan, your concern is touching!" Yui cried, leaping from her seat. Her target was predictable, and almost no one paid attention anymore as Yui latched onto Azusa and rubbed their cheeks together.

"Ugh, Yuiiiii! You got frosting all over my face!"

At this, Tsumugi turned around, her blonde hair waving about her body as her unusually perceptive instincts kicked in, alerting her to the event seconds before it happened.

"Ahh, sorry Azunyan! Here, lemme get that off for you!" And without a second thought, Yui leaned in and licked a streak of frosting from Azusa's cheek, making the girl go wide-eyed and red-faced in a matter of seconds.

Releasing the poor girl as she froze up and began gasping for breath, Yui absent-mindedly put a finger on her chin as she licked her lips. "Cake-chan tastes pretty good when licked off Azunyan!"

"Y-Yui..." Ritsu began...

"I wonder what else would, ne Azunyan?"

There was no response from the stricken girl as she laid on the floor hyperventilating.

"Yui, leave the poor girl alone! You're gonna kill her!" Ritsu said. Mio, lost in her own thoughts, turned around at this with a questioning look on her face.

"What happe-"

Suddenly, a huge streak of lightning illuminated the sky, followed almost instantly by the cracking of thunder so loud that it rattled the windows and felt like it had impacted the five girls in the chest.

Mio squealed in terror and leapt away from the window so fast that Ritsu burst into raucous laughter.

"Bwaahahah! Mio, what the heck was that? You shoulda see-"

CRACK!

Mio brought down a spare drumstick onto Ritsu's head with alarming force, face red from embarrassment and fear.

"Shut up, idiot!" She cried, as Ritsu slid off her stook and onto the floor, clutching her head.

"Agh, baka! That one actually hurt!" Ritsu said, glancing up at the furious girl with tears in the corners of her eyes.

"Good! Maybe you'll stop laughing at me then!" Mio retorted, dropping the drumstick to the floor.

"Mioooo..." Ritsu called softly.

"What?" The taller girl said, not bothering to look at Ritsu.

"It's raining...BARNACLES!" The girl leapt up from behind her drums with both arms in the air, fingers curled into claws, and teeth bared into fangs. Just as luck would have it, thunder boomed once more, the lighting casting dark shadows across Ritsu's face as the power suddenly went out.

There was a muffled thump as Mio hit the floor, unconscious.

Rain

Mio whimpered softly to herself as more thunder rumbled across the sky, although this time it was a bit further away. It was still raining heavily though, and as yet another flash of lightning split the sky, Mio pressed closer to Ritsu under her umbrella and grabbed her arm, holding tightly to it.

Ritsu looked at Mio in surprise, and Mio just shot her a glare, daring her to say anything. Knowing better, and head still aching, Ritsu simply smiled and tilted her head until it was resting on Mio's shoulder. They continued walking, the rain hissing down all around them.

Inhaling deeply, Ritsu smiled and cast her eyes to the sky. Sighing, she slipped her hand into Mio's, feeling the girl grasp it immediately and hold on tightly.

"I love the rain. Don't you?" Ritsu asked, grinning because she already knew the answer.

"No! It's scary!" Mio's face turned red as Ritsu grinned up at her, and Mio instantly fell silent.

Suddenly, Ritsu let go of her hand and extracted her arm from Mio's unrelenting grasp.

"Wh-what are...where are you going? Ritsu!" Mio called out, suddenly feeling much colder and much more alone as she watched Ritsu flash her a grin and a peace sign, then jump out from under the umbrella and take off running.

"R-Ritsuu!"

The tawny-haired girl didn't go far, however, for she stopped a few feet away from Mio and stuck her tongue out at the timid girl.

"C'mon, enjoy the rain, Mio! I do!"

Mio watched with wide eyes as the rainfall drenched her hyper-active friend, soaking her to the bone in a matter of minutes. Still, the lively girl giggled and ran around in circles like it was the first time she had seen the rain.

A few minutes later and a soaking wet Ritsu came back under the umbrella, giggling and grinning like an idiot.

"I wish you had come and played with me, Mio." The girl said, flipping her wet hair back and readjusting her customary yellow band.

"Why, so we can both get sick?" Mio asked. "I'd rather not."

"Oh, come on! I won't get sick! Not as long as you stay over and keep me warm all night long!"

"Wha-N-You-!" Mio spluttered, feeling her cheeks get dangerously warm.

More beautiful laughter from the girl at her side.

"Just kidding!"

Mio was about to reply, but this time, Ritsu dashed out into the rain. Looking around them, Mio realized they had reached their destination. By some unspoken agreement, they had come to Mio's house. Mio relaxed slightly, knowing she would get some more time with her friend before she had to leave.

Ritsu was already up the front steps and opening the door, greeting anyone who might be home loudly. As Mio climbed the steps, she heard silence.

No one was home.

Swallowing dryly at the implications her mind immediately began thinking up, Mio pushed them out of her mind and stepped inside, kicking off her wet footwear.

Closing the door behind them, Mio turned around to see Ritsu winking at her from the top of the step-up area, legs splayed wide and barefoot, once again giving her the peace sign.

"Mio, you go upstairs and change out of your wet clothing, and I'll make us hot chocol-ACHOO!"

Ritsu sneezed violently, then stood there with a stunned expression on her face. A few seconds of silence passed by before Ritsu shook her head, much like a dog.

"Okay! As I was saying, I'll make us some hot chocolate, while you go dry offwachoo!"

Mio couldn't help but giggle at the distressed look on her friend's face.

"Ritsu, go take a hot shower. I'll set out some clothes for you, and then make us drinks." Mio offered, stepping up as well into the house.

Ritsu didn't complain; she wordlessly turned around, and bounded up the stairs as loudly as she pleased.

Shaking her head at her best friend's antics, Mio decided to go get the drinks prepared first. She knew Ritsu took quick showers.

Filling a pot with water, she set it on the stove but didn't turn it on quite yet. Grabbing two mugs from the cupboard, she faintly heard the sound of the shower turning on. She set the two mugs down, then grabbed a tin of hot chocolate powder from the adjacent cupboard and brought it down. Peeling off the plastic lid, she took out the spoon that was inside and ladled one scoop into each cup. After a moment's hesitation, she put a little bit more powder into her own cup.

A second later though, and she sighed. She put another little dash into Ritsu's cup as well.

She'll be mad if she found out. She thought.

Now that that was all done, Mio brushed back her long black hair and turned toward the stairs. She had promised Ritsu that she would pull out clothes for her. Walking calmly up the stairs, her footsteps were light and measured.

Once she reached her room, Mio moved over to her dresser and pulled out a few clothes. She knew pretty much what she would pick out for her, and tried to ignore the heat reddening her face. Out came a pair of white short-shorts, and from another drawer, she produced a yellow sleeveless shirt. She assumed that Ritsu's underwear was soaked as well, but she couldn't do anything about that, because she was sure that her size was not similar to Ritsu's. Definitely not in the chest, anyway...

Turning around, she intended to throw the clothes on the bed then knock on the shower door and let Ritsu know where the clothes were, when a sudden gasp startled her.

"M-Mio!"

Mio jumped at the sound of her name, and turned instinctively, just in time to see a damp towel snake it's way around Ritsu's wet body.

Mio's eyes found Ritsu's, and the girl was grinning widely, obviously surprised, but not embarrassed.

"You surprised me, Mio. Although I guess it's kind of silly, seeing as this is your room..." Ritsu trailed off, realizing Mio was staring at her, but wasn't responding.

All Mio could concentrate on was Ritsu.

Her bangs are down...and she's sopping wet...Her face darkened noticeably, and she struggled for something to say so her reaction wouldn't be so obvious.

"R-R-Ritsu...your clothes..." With that, head down, Mio strode past Ritsu, dropping her clothes at her feet and disappearing out the door.

Ritsu glanced down at the floor, then over her shoulder where Mio was practically running down the hall.

"Baka, there's nothing to be embarrassed about..." She said, bending down to pick up the clothes.

Meanwhile, Mio was downstairs in the kitchen. She turned on the stove, ignoring her trembling hands, and tried to think rationally about what she had seen. Slapping her cheeks repeatedly, she cursed herself for not hearing the shower shut off. She had known Ritsu would take a short shower, too!

Groaning to herself, she tried to suppress the thoughts and feelings that had crept up upon seeing Ritsu; mainly, the desire to ravage her. It certainly wasn't a new emotion, although it usually wasn't that strong...

Ritsu came down a few moments later, clad in the white short-shorts that had been picked out for her as well as the sleeveless yellow muscle shirt. It was fairly open on the sides, and whenever Ritsu raised her arms and was facing away from Mio, Mio would catch glimpses of her breasts. Not that she was looking for anything...

Ritsu 'mmm'ed appreciatively upon the first sip of the hot chocolate, and thanked Mio as they settled on the couch to watch television. It was still quite cold in the house, so Mio opted to cover herself with a blanket. When she sat down on the couch, curling her legs underneath her and draping the blanket across her lap, Ritsu had immediately frowned.

"What?" Mio asked, eyes not straying from the television lest she become entranced by Ritsu with her hair down.

"I'm cold too, you know! Especially in this skimpy outfit you no doubt intentionally picked out for me!"

At this, Mio blushed, and turned her glare on Ritsu. "Don't be perverted, baka!" Ritsu merely giggled, then motioned to the blanket.

"So...can I?" She asked.

Mio thought about it for a moment, then sighed and nodded. Lifting the corner of the blanket, Ritsu squealed in happiness then climbed under.

Mio's eyes widened, and she took a deep breath as Ritsu's ice cold skin touched her own, followed by a giggle from the girl.

"Serves you right!" Ritsu exclaimed. Mio said nothing, and continued to watch T.V.

About half an hour later, and Mio could feel her eyes drooping. Yawning softly, she wondered how Ritsu was doing. About to ask, she was rewarded with a yawn from her friend as well.

"Aww, group yawn. Thanks Mio! That one's your fault!"

"What are you talking about...?"

Ritsu ignored her. "Hey, mind if I lay my head in your lap? I'm kinda tired."

Mio nodded quietly, and Ritsu adjusted her position so she could lay in Mio's lap and cover them both with the blanket. Not too long after, Ritsu's breathing deepened.

Only then did Mio risk gently running her fingers through Ritsu's hair like she had been wanting to all evening. Eventually, she lost interest in the television and settled for watching Ritsu's peaceful face. She smiled.

"So beautiful..." She whispered.

"Ne, Mio?"

Mio jumped. "W-weren't you asleep?" She stuttered.

"Almost." The girl softly replied. "Why do you like my hair down so much?"

"I d-don't." Mio denied. Once again a traitorous blush was creeping up on her.

"Mugi said you told her you did."

"Grk!" The sound of embarrassed choking. Ritsu smiled. Somewhere under the blankets, her hand found Mio's other hand. She grabbed it, and squeezed gently.

"I like Mio's hair." She said. "But you knew that already. Mio is really pretty. The prettiest, I think."

Mio's breathing came in quiet, shallow breaths.

"How come you never ever cut your hair, Mio? Why keep it so long?"

Mio cleared her throat quietly.

"You want the truth?" She asked.

She could feel Ritsu nod in her lap.

"For you. I remember you saying it looked pretty when it was long. I haven't cut it since."

Ritsu hummed softly.

"I do. Mio, you're beautiful."

Mio wasn't sure what to say, her heart hammering in her chest like one of Ritsu's fanatical double-kick drum solos.

When there was no response, Ritsu sat up. Pulling herself closer until their noses were inches apart, Ritsu stared into her eyes.

"I mean it, Mio. Absolutely...beautiful."

Suddenly, the pounding of her heart was too much, the heat in her cheeks too unbearable. Without warning, Mio promptly fainted.

"M-Mio!" Ritsu sighed.

"Jeez, you're gonna make this whole confessing thing as hard as possible, ne?" She said softly, to no one in particular.

A/N: Just something I whipped up real quick while waiting for the rain to stop so I can go drop the subframe out of my 240. Ah well, it doesn't look like it's going to stop any time tonight. So, I'm gonna go get Monster! May develop a second chapter to this intented one-shot. My first foray into the K-ON! fandom. Hope to have many more! Reviews are appreciated.