Toradora Two

The Celestial 4 of College

Chapter 1/ Prologue: The return of the Palmtop Tiger of Happiness

Taiga´s Pov:

I was back, it felt like an eternity since I last had been here.

Ohashi, a small town in Japan, small but lovely and nice, and right there, right in this little town, was something, no, better said someone I had to see again, no matter what, I had to see this person, more than everything.

It was a day like every other day during summer break, hot and sunny, of course only, if you don´t mind the fact, that it was the end of the Graduation day here at the Ohashi High-school.

Also there still was the fact that I had been away from here, for an entire school-year, without telling anyone but the director, having transferred to another school near the house of my mom, to finally settle things with her.

Of course there were a lot of people, who will probably hold some minor grudges against me right now.

Mostly for the fact that I hadn´t told anyone of them of my departure and decision; also because I never replied to any questions, not even Minorin´s calls.

I just hadn´t the guts to do so, and I could not bear to hear their sorrow, especially not his.

I knew, coming back was the right choice, but I also knew, that coming back means to face the one, who not only was probably the most pissed, but also the gladdest of them all, so I hoped at least.

But what if he didn´t wanted to see me anymore, what if he had a new girlfriend, or just simply didn´t loved me anymore.

Things like this were running through my mind, as I entered the campus in all secrecy, I ran up to our old Classroom, knowing that he would probably come to clean something he had forgotten, at least I hoped for it.

And so I was sitting up here in the classroom, on the desks near the window, observing the ceremony, seeing him running over the campus after he looked up here.

I remained sitting, until I heard the screeching of rubber soles on the hallway downstairs, since it was rather quiet in the school, due to most of the students being out in the schoolyard.

I got nervous the moment I heard a sharp screeching and steps coming rapidly near.

First I was glad, but then I panicked, how I should greet him, happy, reproachful or trying to fake ignorance about my absence, what should I do, how should I face him?

I hadn´t much time to think, so I did the only thing I could think of.

I hid myself in the classroom locker, the same way as we first met after the school day, as I accidently picked the wrong bag to put my empty love letter envelop inside, well here we go again.

I heard how the door slid open forcefully.

There was a brief moment of silence, a sigh and then I heard steps coming closer.

I knew it was him, even without looking through the slits.

I felt that warmth and the familiar feeling, when he is in my presence, the feeling of wanting nothing but to hug him, I smelled the scent of his perfume; the same he wore at the Christmas party.

The Door opened, and there he stood, smirking just as usual.

"Yeah what, I've been here, because I wanted to surprise you!" I stated, my glance shifted to the floor, I was sure he would now soon beginning to scold me, about how stupid it was to go without telling him.

"Is it me or did you have become a bit taller?" He asked, as I stepped out of the locker.

Really was this his only problem right now, we were seeing each other for the first time, after an entire year and all he cares for is the question of me having grown any bit?

"It's got to be you, because I didn´t grew a single millimeter, same old story!" I sighed.

But now it will come, I was so sure of it.

"You know what?" I heard him asking me.

"Huh?!" I asked confused, faking ignorance.

However I inwardly prepared myself, to getting read the most massive riot-act I will ever experience, in my whole life.

"I love you!" Ryuuji Takasu, my (still-want-to-be) Boyfriend and Dog/Dragon, stated.

I was buff, like really, really buff.

I knew I blushed, because my face all went hot and there was a fuzzy feeling in my stomach all of a sudden.

I counted with everything, with him yelling, telling me, he hated me for going away, telling me that he has found another girl, perhaps Ami, or with Minorin.

I was prepared and I had braced myself to endure everything.

I was prepared, for really everything, everything but that.

I saw it in his eyes, he meant it, his eyes, they were so honest, and they looked lovingly at me, just as if never something had happened.

Just as if that one year never has been passed, since the last time he tried to tell me this.

There was not an ounce of anger or wrath, nor minor hatred, not the tiniest bit, only love and love alone.

I was confused, more than I ever could be in my whole life.

Why wasn´t he angry, why didn´t he yelled at me, not as if I wanted him to yell at me anyways, mind you.

But still, why was he so goddamn friendly and gentle with me.

It was almost embarrassing to hear him saying this, especially in such a situation.

"Now what...?" He asked.

I could feel his hot breath on my head, and suddenly I got angry.

Angry because he wasn´t angry at me.

I quickly jerked my head upwards, jumping a little, head-butting him

Logically I hit his chin and as I had intended, there was a satisfying yelp and groan of him.

I wanted him to feel the pain, the same I felt in myself, as I decided to go away.

The pain of my heart right now, which pounded so fast, due to being so over the top happy.

The pain he brought with these words, this bittersweet pain, as he told me that he still loved me.

"What are you saying such embarrassing stuff like that for..., did you supposed to..., eh..., uhmm...!" Yeah what, what was I going to say.

Even if it hurt, why I was now so angry, shouldn´t I rather be happy, that he is not mad at me?

Hell even if I don´t understand it, shouldn´t I feel so relieved that he was not angry at me, or that he didn´t hated me, that he still loved me and still wanted to have me back.

After all it was his good right, to say whatever he wanted to me right now.

"I-i don´t know, I was just..., couldn´t you wait for the right moment or so...!?" I shouted at him.

"Well I could of course, still, I wanted to tell you before you vanish yet again!" He stated a bit annoyed, before his voice got softer almost sorrowful.

I instantly shut my trap, after all, right now, I had no right to order him around.

He was right, he wasn´t even able to tell it to me the last time we saw each other, so I have no right to tell him, where or when to say it.

"I-I-I...I´m sorry Ryuuji..., listen..., I know I should have talked with you about my decision..., b-b-b-b-but I didn´t knew how you would react.

Also didn´t I knew what I was supposed to do, my mom really wanted me to come back and even if she remarried and got a new kid..., she was my mother after all, and she is not that bad you know.

But I think after I saw how worried Yasuko was, as she thought you were in an accident, it kind of reminded me on how worried mom must have been.

And...!" I stated, but was stopped, as Ryuuji simply embraced me.

"I missed you Taiga, so next time you go, please tell me about it..., so I won´t worry that much..., because I know that you are strong enough to handle things, even if you don´t want me to come along with you!" Ryuuji stated, serious, with forceful tone but still gently.

"I-I... I Promise I will, I´m sorry!" I stated dropping my glance back to the floor, still being tightly embraced by him.

I was near crying of all the love he showed me.

"Ryuuji!" I stated.

"Yes, Taiga?" he asked.

"I missed you too and... I love you too, my Dragon!" I stated, looking up to him smiling, my hand on his cheek.

He smiled back and held me close, we were leaning in and were about to kiss, our lips only inches away from each other, as suddenly...

"TAIGA!" We heard a voice yelling, I looked to the entrance, before arms flew around me and a tear-drenched face pressed and rubbed itself forcefully on mine.

"Whoops, seems like we interrupted something!" I heard Kitamura´s voice.

"Minorin, that hurts!" I stated as she continued her rubbing on my face, as it do started to hurt.

"Not more than my heart, where have you been all this time, I was so worried, you never replied to any of my calls and SMS, it was as if you would have been vanished from the face of the earth.

Tell me, did an UFO kidnapped you?!" Minori asked me and I had to laugh out loud, this was so typical her.

Always pretending the worst and most irrational case.

"No, no, don´t worry, there weren´t any UFOs near me the whole time.

But honestly, I would have wished for it, the whole situation was just too awkward!" I stated, patting Minori´s back.

"What exactly has happen anyways?" I heard a new voice, I looked to see Ami standing there.

"Hello you two, good to see you two, well I guess I might tell you, but we better go to a different place.

They all nodded.

A few minutes later:

Said and done and now we all are sitting here at Johnny´s, waiting for our food to come.

"So, tell us, what exactly happened, that you had to be away for a whole year?" Kitamura asked.

"Sigh well, you see.

After my Mother came to get me, and Ryuuji and me vanished to the place of his grandparents and then came back, I found various voice mails on my phone.

Mostly my mom yelling at me, but there also was one in which she told me everything!" I stated, but they looked confused.

I knew they would not get it, no one but Ryuuji and Minorin knew about my fucked up family.

"You know, ever since my father kicked me out from his home, after I kept on getting on bad terms with his ex-wife, I thought about going towards my mother.

However she had a new family and..., well things didn´t went well between us either, so I asked to go back to my dad, because after all I was more or less let in peace by him and his wife, where my mother always tried to butt in my life.

However he didn´t wanted me back, or better said, his new wife didn´t wanted, and so I told him that I only need money to live and that I wouldn´t interfere in his life anymore.

And so he bought me that apartment, I told him to tell mom nothing about it, I knew she would get mad and trying to get me back to live with her, the moment she would found out about it.

Well, in the end it went good for most of these two years, as you know..., but then..., you know, she found everything out.

It was after I had been at her home in the next town, when I had that accident at the ski-resort, you still remember?

I went to her because Dad wasn't in town, but I soon vanished yet again..., I just couldn´t get along with the fact that she started a new family, that she had a new husband, and awaited a new child.

I admit, I hated my life there, she wanted to force me to quit the school and to go on one in her town, she didn´t even cared that I missed my friends and I also missed you, Ryuuji.

As you all know now, I already had been fallen in love with him, during that time, so much that it broke my heart, to be separated from him, not being able to at least seeing him all day.

So during a cloak and dagger operation, I packed my belonging, called a taxi to the next bus station and so I went back to my apartment, telling mom, in a letter, I would go back to dad.

She bought the lie, and after texting Dad about it, he covered me up as she called, but after some time of not hearing anything from me, she again called Dad, who wasn´t in town and who was about to go on holidays with his wife.

She called him, during a school day, on the airport, hearing the flight-announcements over the speaker.

That's how she found out that I wasn´t any near the school, so she thought at least.

After getting an earful of her, on how irresponsible it would be from him to take me on vacation during school, he, shitty as he is, accused her of being irresponsible herself, for never coming to check on me, only when it matches with her agenda.

He blew my cover and told her, that I was living all alone and by myself, in that apartment, since all this time.

Logically, she went furious, she instantly traveled here to get me back with her, however she had no address, but only the one of my School.

So she went there, got my address and so also found out about me and Ryuuji, that's also why she was there at the chocolatier, together with Yasuko!" I told them but mostly to Ryuuji.

"I see, I asked myself how it came that she was there, now things are getting clear to me!"

"Well of course she was not at all amused, as I arrived back at her place, after ignoring her mails for so long, but it was mostly because I ran away from her.

At first she still was furious of me and denied me to go back to you all, she took away my phone, so that I couldn´t call a taxi.

She locked the door by key and hid it, she emptied my bank account, so that I had no money to buy a taxi, she even went so far as to write me out of school.

It was only logical that things were anything but good between us, even though her new Husband tried to mediate between us both.

After the first wrath was laid by the side, after several months, she opened up more.

She really had fear that I wouldn´t be in good hands, after she got to know the truth, about my lonely life these two years.

However she also told me, that she spoke with Yasuko, about our relationship, there she also got to know that Ryuuji took care of me for most of the last year.

She told me that she was glad that I had found you.

She then asked me if it would be possible to try again, for me to live with her and her family.

At first I didn´t wanted to, I told her that I only wanted to settle things with her and then get back here, but she told me that she too would send me money every month, as well as pay for most expenses you would have to take, while helping me with my living.

And so, I knew I couldn´t simply say no, she told me that I should at least try to live along with them, for at least one school-year.

I knew it would break your heart if I would tell you, so I didn´t, even after I got my phone back, I didn´t wanted to tell you goodbye, or make excuses for my absence.

Hell, I wouldn´t even know what to write anyways, still, I was glad about all your SMS´s, it showed me, that even when I wasn´t there with you all, I was not forgotten.

I am most thankful for that!" I stated and bowed.

"You really killed us in that one moment, as the teacher told us you weren't there anymore, we just couldn´t understand it, but I guess, the only one, who could, more or less understand why you went away in the first place, were Ryuuji and Minori, the one single persons you let closer to yourself than anyone else.

And no fear, I can tell you, Ryuuji was faithful and he waited for you, knowing that someday you will come back to us, no matter how long it would last!" Kitamura stated with an honest voice.

"Yeah, just like a faithful dog, waiting for his master to come back home from a long journey!" Ami teased, while Ryuuji poked her with the end of his fork in the face.

"Yeah kind of sounds like that, not, Ryuuji!" I stated, as I looked at him with a teasing smile.

"Hahaha, I admit it, I do felt like a Dog waiting for his mistress, however the moment I saw you today, there was the Dragon returning back into me, and you know what a dragon does?" Ryuuji asked, with that killer smile of him.

It sort of freaked me out, but it also was so familiar that I felt as if I had longed to see it again, well I really did after all.

"No what?" I asked, confused, I just didn´t get what he wanted to tell me.

"A dragon always watches over his treasure and keep it safe from every danger and anyone who tries to steal it.

And you, Taiga..., you are my most precious treasure!" He said and I blushed deep red.

"This is so cute!" Ami shouted in delight.

"It sure is, it really seems as if that one year of your absence never has been passed!" Kitamura stated smiling.

"No matter what, Ryuuji is the one who matches the best to you, Taiga, no doubt about it!" Minorin stated.

"I intent to make you mine, Taiga Aisaka, I will be 19 soon and I will make you see that no matter what, I won´t ever let you go again.

At least not the way you did before, if you go to settle something, I will go with you, to make sure that no one ever is going to steal you from me again!" Ryuuji stated with a serious tone

"I know and appreciate that, sorry again that I left you out of my decision and then wasn´t able to see you for so long.

Still there is one thing that nags me about all of your behavior today!" I stated.

"What is it?" He asked.

"How come you are not furious at me Ryuuji, at least the moment you saw me, back in the classroom?" I asked facing him.

"The first thing you asked me, was if I perhaps had grown, the second thing you told me, was that you loved me, but you never really yelled at me, nor did you said something, like that you hate me for it, why?" I asked.

"Well, you see, actually I do was pissed, angry and a bit disappointed by you, at least for the fact that you didn´t said something at all and that you broke your promise to Yac-chan.

Also that you didn´t at least warned me, before you would go.

I would have understand, you know, hell I would have gone with you.

Me and Yac-chan, we were waiting the whole night for you and the next day I saw that letter of you, and then I heard you weren't even in school anymore, that you had been written out of it.

I admit..., inwardly..., I was a wreck, a nervous angry boy, waiting for his girl to return.

But I also understood you, you wanted to settle things with your mother, so I had no right to interfere with it.

Still that thing with you leaving the school really killed me, at least I now know what exactly happened.

After the first days, after you didn´t answered my messages anymore I thought, for a few days, that you were kind of mad at me for some reason.

But then, after I didn´t heard from you for an entire month, I was inches of coming after you.

I admit I was really worried, that something might have been happen on the way to your mother, but everyone just said that you would be okay.

After months of not getting a message, I had a hard time to convince myself that you still loved me, though only for one or two days, I feared that you would simply have changed your mind all of a sudden.

You know about the marriage and my love to you and vice versa.

But then I told me, what the hell..., there was no way you suddenly would stop loving me, after all we had been through together already.

So I made myself strong again, I told me that I would patiently wait, that I would live my life, just as if you would be only on a long vacation.

That there was no reason to worry about, that I would be back together with you once more, that the day would come, where I can embrace you with love again!" Ryuuji stated and I felt how tears began to roll over my cheeks, I buried my face in his chest.

"You are just too good to me..., i´m sorry..., I really missed you Ryuuji!" I stated, as he held me tight.

"I missed you too Taiga, I will ever be on your side, I swear, from now on I will, after all I finally got my license so I can drive you anywhere you want and I can be by your side in a heartbeat!" Ryuuji stated and I melted away.

"I also really missed this, but now all of us are back together as it I is supposed to be.

Anyways, what are your plans now Taiga, now that you came back, do you go get a job or what?" Kitamura asked.

"I will go to College of course, I will get the best education I can have so that I will be able to have a respectable life with Ryuuji!" I said.

"I see and which one?" He asked curious.

"The Oraniashin College, in the next town!" I stated.

"Cool I also go there, hope we are in one class!" Ryuuji stated excited.

"Maybe we are, you see..., my mom actually is the new principal there, and she knows that I am in love with you.

Also she is thankful to you, for taking care of me, so perhaps she will trust you with another four years!" I said, sweat dropping.

"Wait, seriously, your mom is the principal?" They asked.

"Actually yes, that also was the reason, of why she wanted me to come back home, so that I can go there after I graduate.

You see, as I was in that other school, I was prepared to attend that College!" I explained, before I thought about something.

"But actually this is a real expensive College, can you even afford this, not that I want to mock you.

But I mean, Yasuko still don´t wants you to work I assume and I hope she doesn´t think about taking on two jobs again?" I asked my Boyfriend worried.

"No, thankfully not, actually... I..., uhm..., well you see...!" Ryuuji began.

"Sigh, cut the crap and tell her straight forward!" Ami stated annoyed.

"Stop it, i´m trying to get the right word here!" Ryuuji shouted at her.

"Sigh, in short, he has gotten a stipendium!" Kitamura stated, to cut things extra, extra-short.

"I see, well our grades actually had been magnificent, the last time I checked.

Also I really hoped for you, not to slack off on your lessons, because of worrying too much about me.

Anyways, I knew you make it, and let´s be honest, it would have really wondered me, if you wouldn´t have gotten one, am I right?

Anyways, how about you girls!?" I asked Minorin and Ami.

"We too, I got a Sport-stipendium at the same school!" Minorin stated.

"Me a model-stipendium!" Ami stated, flinging her hair.

"I see, well I guess you are going towards America, as you intended, not Kitamura-kun?!" I asked.

"Yup, i´m going to the same College as Sumire, I too got a Stipendium.

Although..., I heard the College there is even more expensive than here in Japan, still, I will make my best out of it, it´s a chance I got to take!" Kitamura stated.

"I really hope you can get her!" I said with a smile.

"Anyways, do you now still live with your mother, or do you want to move in by me?" Ryuuji asked spontaneous.

"I will see, momentarily I still live with mom, but I also wanted to look for an apartment of my own, during These four years.

She will have it ruff with the baby anyways, so I would feel bad to give her even more work, since I still cannot do much housework.

Also I don´t want to live right next-door to the school, people will think I am a nerd!" I stated.

"How about you Ryuuji, will you get yourself an Apartment or will you stay here and drive everyday with the car over to it?" I asked him.

"Well I got one in sight, still everything is still open so it´s not sure I get it, however I saved all of my money from last year to buy me a small car and to search for an apartment, near the College!" Ryuuji explained.

"It isn´t that big..., but it fits..., so..., if you want to, you can move in..., whenever you want, I only have to tell it towards the landlord!" Ryuuji offered and I was glad, glad that he still wanted me in his life.

"I will gladly take upon this offer, I have gotten a lot better in daily house Chores, though still not as well as you.

Ever since mom was pregnant, I had to help at home anyways.

By the way, I now have a little Brother!" I stated.

"Cool, what´s his name?" Ryuuji asked.

"It´s Akira and he really is cute, even I had to admit that!" I stated smiling.

I still remember how he grabbed my finger and didn´t let go of it for about twenty minutes.

"Geez this really is much to take in, and I wish I could spent more time with you guys, but anyways, I have to go, or else I will be late for my Job!" Minorin stated, she pressed herself at me again.

"See you guys tomorrow, don´t dare to not text me, got it!" She said before she took her purse, paid her part and was about to go.

"See you!" We all stated.

"Ah and Taiga, my dear!" She stated all sweetly.

"Yes, what is it Minorin!" I asked confused, before I was torn by my ear.

"Don´t you dare to run away again, without telling me or Ryuuji anything, got it!" Minori stated before she ruffled my hair.

"Aaaargggh, Minorin stop it, dammit, now my hair is a mess, I tried to get it well done to impress Ryuuji!" I stated while all the other laughed.

"Well I too have to go home I have to pack everything for my travel to America, Sumire and me want to buy us an Apartment together.

We were chatting over video chat, ever since she left.

We were holding up a far-relationship, it was hard not having her here, but now that I soon meet her again, we finally can be together for real!" Kitamura stated, and I was really happy for him.

Ever since his crass confession on the Student council president election, I came over my crush on him.

Now I only wanted him to be happy, as happy as I am with Ryuuji, the same goes for Minori, I wish her all the luck I have to find someone worthy of her, and I guess, same goes for Ami too

"When will you go down there?" We asked Kitamura.

"In a week, everything has been arranged so far, the apartment has been paid for five months in advance, and I think I will get myself an afterschool job, so that we still can afford the money to have a real living, anyways, I got much to prepare, so I will see you guys tomorrow, okay!" He said and we nodded saying our Goodbye.

"Well I guess we go too, I still have to cook for dinner and make Yasuko´s Bento!" Ryuuji stated and we nodded in understanding.

We said goodbye to Ami, who too decided to go home, and paid our bill.

"Well then, off home!" Ryuuji said and so we started our home, he had his hand in mine, it really felt as if never something had happened, my luck sure seemed to be perfect.

We wandered through the town, admiring the calm of the near evening.

"Hey, you know, I am really glad that you still love me!" I said to Ryuuji, out of the blue.

"Same here..., it was hard at first..., to get over the fact that you suddenly weren´t there anymore to be at my side all day.

As cruel as it might sound to you, but I had to admit, I really got used to have you around!" he stated.

"Same here, I think ever since the Beach-house case it got clear to me, that no matter how often and how much I would try to get independent from you, in the end I always would be crawling back to you.

After all, it was you that brought me out of my lonely life, it was you, who showed up every day, who spiced my life with various different flavors, every day.

I think this was something I missed the most without really realizing it, ever since Minori stopped to come over to me.

That I need someone around, someone who cares for me, day in and day out!" I stated with a blush.

"At first I thought that it was so pathetic of me, to depend so much on you all of a sudden, especially after I wanted to kill or at least hit you amnesiastic on our first encounter outside of school!" I said as I remembered back to that night.

The night it all began.

"Amnesiastic, hell is that even a word?" Ryuuji stated jokingly.

"Ryuuji, i´m trying to have a serious conversation here!" I stated enraged but he only chuckled, before he gently stroke my cheek, as I pouted.

"I know, but you are just way too serious all of a sudden, c´mon I think I forgot about that situation, the moment I made you food that night, it was forgiven and forgotten, after all we had one thing in common that time, we both were in love with the best friend of each other.

So in a way I began to relate my own life to yours, the same was as your dad showed up.

I thought that it would be good to have a dad, since I never saw mine, because he never wanted me.

I thought I did the right thing back then, I told myself that such a dickhead of a father, might at least be better than having no father at all.

But in the end, I had to see that even if he was your father, he was never the man you needed, different as him, I wanted to be at your side, not because I had to but because I wanted to.

I guess I thought so the moment I saw that lonely apartment you lived in.

It broke my heart, to seeing you all alone in this giant apartment!" Ryuuji stated and I felt how tears were flowing over my cheek-

"Yeah, and then my nose broke, as I smelled the stench of a years' worth of dirt!" Ryuuji stated again jokingly and I sighed.

"Yeah, guilty as charged, I admit, I really let myself go that time, I admit it, I felt lonely and unloved myself so all alone in that apartment, but then, as I said, I met you and my life changed.

From 0 to 100 I was happy again, happy that someone cared about me, enough to even clean the entire apartment without even being asked for it, still to that time I was so suspicious of you, that I not even thanked you for it that time.

Wait a sec, come think of it, I actually never thanked you for that time.

So, it might be already way too late for it but hey, what´s the fuss, so..., uhmmm, thank you for taking care of me, even before we fell in love with each other.

I admit to that time it felt, as if I suddenly got a big Brother!" I said.

"Yeah I can relate to that feeling, I got so used to have you around even with your bitching and biting, just as if I suddenly had a Tsundere-alike little sister to care about.

Out of this sibling-like relationship emerged a bond of mutual feelings, which at last bloomed to mutual love.

And then,..., yes..., and then suddenly that change from 0 to 100, in less than a night I felt so left behind by you, just like an abandoned Dog!" Ryuuji stated, as we sat each other on a bench in a park, nearby Ryuuji´s home.

"So the little lost mongrel was full of sorrow that I went away?" I asked jokingly.

"The little mongrel was so full of worry for his mistress!" Ryuuji said.

"No matter what I would have returned to you, since you are a dog worth to be cared about.

After all, you were my dog..., no..., wait..., you are right, you are way more to me than a mongrel or a dog at all you are my Dragon, as I am your tiger!" I said and he smiled.

"For since centuries only the dragon can stand on equal ground to a tiger!" Ryuuji recited before he leaned in and kissed me tenderly on my lips.

"One more!" I demanded as he parted, he smirked before he leaned in again and kissed me a bit more passionate this time.

"Keep going!" I said softly and before I really processed what was happening we were making out with each other

And so the afternoon moved on to the early evening.

I was sitting with Yasuko and Ryuuji in their living room.

"Hey Inko-chan, fugly as ever!" I stated at the sight of the familiar bird.

"Re-ret-re-return—return of the Tiger!" The ugly bird stated shivering.

Even if I always think of her having seizures and being ugly as hell whenever I see her, I actually really missed her.

"Oooh i´m so glad you are finally back Taiga-chan, I tell you Ryuuji hasn´t been himself ever since you left.

He kept on working way too much, till late in the evening, as well as studying, he even already got his driver-license, faster than I ever would have expected!" Yasuko stated.

"Yeah well it´s only logical, I didn´t wanted her to think that I slacked off the whole year, I wanted her to see that I reached out for many things.

For example a car, a job, simply that I had a good education and made the best out of the given time.

I wanted to show her, that I would be mature enough to finally marry her, that´s why I worked hard to afford my own car and that's also why I even mostly paid my driver-lessons alone.

I wanted to become more independent from you, so that as soon as I start living with her, I will be able to offer her everything I can give, without having to always depend on you or her parents, I don´t want to become a freeloader.

I wanted Taiga to see, that I would be able to build up our future and hopefully, mutual existence without anyone´s help.

To help her building up our life together with my own bare hands, you understand?" Ryuuji stated.

"So basically you wanted me to be proud of you?" I asked.

"Uggh, well you could say so, in a way!" He stated weakly.

"Geez Ryuuji, there is no way that I can get any more proud of you, than I already am.

I appreciate the fact that you didn´t slacked off on school while I was gone, that you didn´t let go of yourself due to my sudden absence, but that you packed life by its horns and evened us a way to walk later, I am most thankful for that!" I said, as I nuzzled in his side.

"Anyways enough from Ryuuji, I too was worried about you, you know.

You really should have told us that you go.

I was sick of worries and it also was so boring without you!" Yasuko stated, lively and happy as ever, petting my hair.

She still was a good looking, kind and lovely woman, looking like twenty-four, but actually is a crunchy thirty-four.

"Yeah I know, i´m sorry for having left you all of a sudden, but I got some private family business to settle first.

But now I am back and I don´t intend to leave again, I will live with Ryuuji till the rest of my life, so as it shall be!" I stated and I saw him blushing but also smiling happily.

"Really, oh I am so glad to hear that, i´m so happy for both of you!" Yasuko stated, as she pressed her F-Cup, right into my face.

A cleavage to be dead-jealous off.

"Anyways, I got to go to my job soon, so let me something to eat for afterwards, okay!" She said before she went to her room.

"Sure thing as always, just don´t forget to heat it up okay!" Ryuuji stated.

"I won´t, I promise!" Yasuko stated before she closed the door.

"Yeah right, anyways, dinner´s ready, well, here we go!" Ryuuji stated, as he brought us our dinner.

Ramen à la Ryuuji.

"Alright I will speak the grace to god.

Our Lord in heaven, I thank you, that you brought me back my most precious treasure, my girlfriend, Taiga Aisaka, lively and happy, safe and sound as ever, for this I thank you most dearly.

Also I thank you for not letting my mom, Inko-chan and me starving, thank you, amen!" Ryuuji stated and I folded my hands together.

"Amen, well in that sense...!" I said, before he smiled over to me.

"Itadakimasu!" We stated in unison, before digging in.

A Half hour and endless cups of ramen later:

"Phew I really missed to be stuffed that way, no offence to exquisite restaurants, but your food is still the best!" I said, being fully satisfied.

"Hehe, well glad to hear that, I improved my cooking skills to various areas over the last year!" Ryuuji stated with a thumb up.

"It's really a shame, that I missed so many breakfasts, lunches and dinners of yours, after all that Food mom cooks and all the restaurant-food, I really missed to eat with you.

They say that you eat the best at home and that home is where the heart is, therefore, here it definitely tastes me the most!" I said, with a satisfied smile.

"Well then, time to do this!" Ryuuji stated, before he picked me up by my armpits.

"R-Ryuuji, what are you doing?" I asked surprised, as he sat me in his lap.

"Don´t grudge me, but I was dying to do this!" Ryuuji stated, before he nuzzled in my neck and held me close, I felt his hot breath and instantly was remembered on all the days we spent together, I smiled and nuzzled backwards in his chest.

"I really, really, really missed you much, Taiga..., therefore, welcome back home!" He stated and I instantly began to cry again, I buried my face in his chest.

"I´m glad to be back!" I said, my voice thin and hoarse, while he held me tight but gentle, warming and lovingly.

We were sitting there for a while, silently within the dark room, being in a tight embrace, not wanting to let go, none of us both.

"Hey, Taiga?!" Ryuuji suddenly said, slightly nervous.

"What´s up?" I replied worried.

"How long do you stay?" He asked.

"Over the break, i´m back in my old apartment, mom allowed it to me, under the condition that you and Yasuko would take care, that i´m not going to get wasted again!" I replied.

"I see, glad to have you back then..., hey you know what?" he replied to this, way happier.

"No, what?" I asked curious.

"Marry me!"

A/N: Hello, people yes you have seen rightly, this is a new story.

I know what you going to say, I told you I wouldn´t do it, but as so often I got an idea which I simply have to write up, therefore I will write for this.

However, since this isn´t one of the most recent anime, I will write the chapter during my writers block for the Naruto story.

So it's not, that I will write a Chapter every month, still I will try to get the chapters done as fast as possible, hope that all of you like it anyways.

Yours truly, The storyteller and his books.