Author's Note:

Hi everyone. This story has been percolating in my head for some time now. I've mentioned it a few times and I hit a ton of road blocks. Even now, I'm not exactly sure what path I'm leading this story to. But because of some advice from some awesome other Ann/Ren writers, I got enough confidence to at least post the first segments. It's not a very long story but I hope you enjoy! Insightful reviews are appreciated!

PS. I'm not exactly sure what to place for both Ann and Ren's ages for the first part. I was thinking 10 at first. But now... maybe 9. I'm thinking that's old enough to be a "BIT" mature. But at the same time... they have that sweet innocence. Your thoughts?

(Age 9?)

It was a rainy afternoon as Ren ran back home with the groceries his parents asked for. He was quite mature for his age. Willingly going out on his own. His parents didn't worry too much since it was just a nearby convenience store a few blocks from their home.

The skies were dark and where ever he walked, there would be splashes from the impact of his shoes. Ren would have been drenched if not for the raincoat he wore. Usually, kids wouldn't be excited to head out in the rain, but for some reason, Ren found it quite pleasant whenever it rained outside. Days like these were when he could think and relax by himself at home. He would drink something nice and warm while he watched the raindrops go down his window. These were the things Ren enjoyed when it rained.

As he continued venturing further back to his house, he passed by the local park where all the kids in his area would play at. He looked at the park for a moment, and then continued walking further. Only then did he realise… he thought he saw someone over there. Ren looked back again. There he noticed, alone underneath the safety of the gazebo was a young girl. She was crying and covering her eyes. Through the sound of the drops of rain, did he hear her soft sobs. Ren paused and wondered. What happened to this girl?

He tried to get a better look of her and realised it was someone he knew. The girl who was crying was the girl he met just a few weeks ago.

Ann Takamaki.

She and her family moved nearby recently. His parents and hers met each other and they themselves were introduced to one another. When Ren met Ann, she was quiet and a bit shy. Ren tried to be friendly and interact with her, but she mostly kept to herself that time they briefly met.

Ann was different than most of the kids in their neighbourhood. She looked different. She was a quarter american and that gifted her with striking blonde hair and blue eyes. In a Japanese neighbourhood, she stood out easily. Luckily for her, she was actually quite fluent in Japanese. So she was at least able to talk with the people in the area. Ren sensed that Ann was actually someone who needed time before she got out of her shell in a new environment so he let it go at that moment. Now here he was, watching her cry alone.

Ren grew up with a strong sense of justice and compassion. He couldn't leave her alone.

He decided to approach her. Slowly, underneath the rain, did he walk towards her. Her sobs growing louder as he moved closer. Soon enough, she noticed him. Ann quickly starting rubbing her eyes. Trying to hide her tears from the boy approaching her.

"Hey… Are you okay?" asked Ren. He tried speaking to her in a calming tone.

Ann continued wiping her eyes. She turned away from Ren's gaze.

"Go away…" Ann said.

Ren paused and wondered. Why was she shooing him away?

"Why? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine… just go away." she said.

"Then why are you crying?"

"I said go away!… You're probably just like them… just like all the others." she said.

Ren paused again. He put two and two together and thought these "others" must have done something to her.

"Did these others… make you cry? Whoever they are… I'm not them. I'm different."

"No you're not…" she said.

"I'm not…? Not what?" he asked.

"You're not… different. I'M DIFFERENT." she said.

Ann finally turned around to look at him. Her eyes were still red and they were beginning to tear up again.

"What do you mean… How are you different?" he asked.

"I'm a weirdo. Because of my blonde hair… and my blue eyes… They kept calling me… a weirdo… a freak…"

Ren finally began to understand. Some of the other kids must have made fun of her looks. How she looked different.

"I-I… just wanted to make friends… but nobody wanted to go even near me… They said to go away…"

Ren began to approach her.

"I don't think you're weird." he said.

"Sniff* "Yeah… right. You think I look like a freak too…" she said.

"No of course not! In fact… I actually like your blonde hair… I think it looks… pretty." Ren said.

It was then that Ann stopped sobbing entirely. She was a bit shocked by his statement. She looked at his face carefully. Seeing if there were any traces of a lie. Ann couldn't get any hint of that at all.

"Do you really… mean that?" said Ann.

"Of course!" Ren brought out his biggest smile.

Ren approached closer and finally went underneath the shade of the gazebo to be safe from the rain.

"Can I… sit beside you too?" asked Ren.

"Uhm… okay." she said.

Ren sat down and then smiled again at Ann.

"Your hair is very pretty. Sure it's not black like the others. But that's what makes yours special. I also like your eyes too. They're so blue. Pretty too."

"Uhm… thank you…" Ann said carefully.

It was quiet between the two of them. Ren wasn't sure what else to say. But a thought occurred to him.

"Hey Ann… Would you like to be my friend…?" asked Ren.

Ann seemed dumbstruck.

"Really…? Are you sure…?"

"Well… I wanted to be friends the last time we met. But I get'cha… you're new here. Not yet used to it."

"Oh… I was shy… sorry." said Ann with an apologetic tone.

"It's okay. So what do you think?" asked Ren.

"What if the others make fun of you… for being friends with me…?"

Ren shook his head.

"I don't care. Then I'd rather not be friends with people like that… I'd like to be friends with you. I'm sure we can be good friends… if you like." Ren once again smiled.

For the first time that afternoon, Ann smiled. It was a nice sweet smile she realised she hasn't done since arriving here in Tokyo. All her life, she had to move around from place to place. It was always difficult making friends whenever she went somewhere new. This was the first time, someone readily accepted her so quickly. She realised that this boy was unique.

Special.

"Okay. Let's be friends…"

Ren smiled.

"I'm Ren again… by the way." he reintroduced himself.

"Nice to meet you again… I'm Ann." she giggled.

Ann began raising her small hand with her pinky out.

"You've gotta pinky swear it… okay? That we'll be good friends." said Ann.

Ren looked from her hand and then back to her smiling face and then nodded.

"I swear."

He brought his own pinky to wrap it around hers and swore as well.

The rain at the moment, finally began to subside. The sun's rays began to shine in between the clouds. Ren felt it was going to be a pleasant evening.

"Hey, Ann. Would like to come over to my house? My mom's baking cookies. I'm sure we'd have a lot. Do you want some?" asked Ren cheerfully.

"Really?… Can I?" she asked.

"Yeah! Let's go!" said the young Ren.

The two kids then began running back towards Ren's house. The young fires of a very long friendship began burning at that moment.