. Arranged . Love .

DivineAngel143

. XVI . Grand Finale

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Aww the final chapter, ((sniffs)) I'm going to miss writing this story and worrying on how I'm going to type out the next chapters. Hope you enjoy the last chappie of Arranged Love, you're going to need all the time in the world to read it.

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It's been a full whole month since the departing. Neither Matt nor Mimi heard from each other since, moreover they both felt it was better that way. It was now the beginning of December and it was only a matter of time till Christmas rolled by. The weather soon got cooler in New York City, but there was still no sign of snow, yet.

Mimi sprawled over her huge Victorian bed, her covers keeping her warm. She woke up just a few minutes ago, from the sun shining in between the blinds.  Once her eyes adjusted to the light she stood up from her bed, stretching every muscle before fully standing up. Her flannel pajamas reached the floor and her hair was a bit astray, but before Mimi could comprehend to her surroundings, she rushed to her window and pulled the curtains apart checking for any bit of snow that may have fallen, to her disappointment, there was none. Mimi frowned and left the window, utterly upset there weren't any signs of any bit of snow yet.

It was December, and it was never Christmas without snow.

Once Mimi fully grasped her reflection from a nearby mirror, she dashed right into the bathroom. After 20 minutes later, her once disarray hair-do was now combed and placed in a high messy bun, sending out pieces of hair falling out framing her angelic, pure born face, and giving the bun some eminence in and out. She was just about to pull out some outfits to wear from her nearby walk-in closet until her mom jostled into her room, cell-phone in one hand, and the week's tabloid in the other.

Kat snapped the cell-phone shut and beamed before Mimi's very own eyes.

Mimi raised one well-formed eye-brow and sat down in the edge of her bed knowing full well her mother had news to bring in.

"Were invited," Kat exclaimed vigilantly.

Mimi shook her head in bewilderment and utmost confusion. "To where,"

Kat sat down beside and handed the magazine down to Mimi, which she took gratefully. "To Matt Ishida and Sora Takenouchi's wedding of course, that was just Nan, who called earlier, Matt's mom, do you remember?" Mimi nodded and Kat continued on. "Well as I was saying were invited, the wedding is taking place, somewhere in Europe, I forgot where. But the wedding is scheduled on New Years Day. Such a nice day to have a wedding don't you think?"

Mimi glanced at the tabloid carefully and saw Matt and Sora's picture in the front, words 'Ishida and Takenouchi getting hitched?!' titled in the front. She handed it back gracefully, expression indecipherable, and glanced at her mom. "Well what if I can't go?"

"What do you mean can't go?" Kat asked, through a half pure-lit smile. "We have nothing planned. And don't tell me you have schedules because I've blocked them all."

"But, what about Tai, mom, I can't just abandon him for the holidays." Mimi explained, she was already running out of excuses of not going to the wedding, but her mother seemed to be covering every single one up comprehensively.

"Don't worry your head, darling, he's coming too." By now Kat was a foot, and glancing through Mimi's closet for a suitable outfit for the day. "Now let's see your outfit for today,"

"Mom, I can dress myself, and what do you mean 'Tai is invited', why, and when? Don't you think it's a bit awkward?"

"Since now, they invited him today or so, and if your wondering why, it's because since T.K. is Matt's brother and his girlfriend, Kari, is that her name, is Tai's sister, and, oh you know their connected, like a big web." she laughed. "I mean why would it be awkward? Oh and Yolie is invited to, and that man with the deranged goggles, what was his name again?

"Davis, mom, his name is Davis."

"Right, him, he's invited too. So get moving because were going shopping! Your favorite subject," beamed Kat.

"Mother, it may not be gauche for you but, it is for me." Mimi said.

Kat gave a side-long glance at her profound daughter and pursed her lips, a habit which she did most often, when she was in deep thought, and near the verge of persuasion. "Oh hunny, if this situation is about your betrothal then—"

"No mom it's not about that, well it is a bit but," Mimi paused for a trivial moment and bit her lower lip and held her tongue. "Just forget it it's not important, I'll be ready in a bit."

Before Mimi said another, Kat was out the door and bustling throughout the household.

Mimi ruefully sank back down in her bed and frowned. She hadn't seen Matt since they left the mansion, and she intended not to. Especially since the last kiss he gave her. It was meaningless after all, or so she thought. After all it was quick but it still showed a little meaning to it. But Mimi blocked out the thought, and thought nothing of it except for a well good-bye 'peck on the lips'. Mimi stood up from her bed and stood on the ground, and felt something beneath her feet. She glanced down and saw it was the weekly magazine with which her mother brought in.

It was just a meaningless peck. The same meaningless peck which kept me up throughout the night. Mimi thought. She placed the tabloid aside, and kept the same deliberation in her head while fixing herself up. From dressing to grooming and soon after she thought nothing more of it. She soon finished dressing and applying her make-up and left downstairs. She saw Yolie seated in one of the sofas in the living talking to her mother.

Yolie Inoe hasn't changed much since leaving the mansion either. Except for the fact she no longer wore glasses, but clear contacts. With her eyes visible to the world and no longer covered in huge rims, her violet shaded eyes were remarkably beautiful, and she can pass up as Mimi's twin any day. But since they all knew each other for more than a decade, Yolie was always known as part of the family.

Mimi and Yolie exchanged their greetings to one another, as well as the rest of the people in the household, and sat down at the long breakfast table. After eating a small breakfast, all three women left the household, with shopping plastered in their minds.

I mean what girl can pass up a full-day shopping spree?

.

Matt Ishida stared out of his veranda, a bottle of whiskey in one hand, and a lit cigarette in the other. He never did take up smoking much. He only did it when he felt too much weight was thrown upon him, either that it was just some habit he picked since he was a teen. He wore a pair of dark pants and an open down buttoned shirt, the first few buttons were unfastened revealing a slightly built, light tanned chest.

The night's air was awfully cold, but Matt made no bulge to get inside just yet. He owned a huge complex, with five bedrooms to boot, 2 ½ spacious bathrooms, a living room, dining room, and storage. T.K. and Davis were usually around, but knowing those two they were either out being stupid, or on dates, T.K. with Kari, and Davis with someone. Sora was gone in a business trip, closing and making deals, and was due back tomorrow night.

His azure eyes flowed down to the city lights of Japan that gave out a luminous glow once all the lights from all the houses were out. It made his mind stray back to the city lights in New York, but all in all it was one of the best views you can encounter.

The phone from inside the complex started ringing abruptly, sending Matt jolting out of his thoughts. He took one last drag and placed the cigarette out, before heading in. He slid the glass door open and closed it once inside. Paintings and pictures hung on the walls, and nicely provided furniture made up the whole room. The fireplace was lit and it gave the room a warm feeling. The phone rang productively and it took Matt three quick strides to get to it. He placed the whiskey down and answered the phone hastily.

"Hello," he answered sounding almost tired.

"Oh Matt, finally, you decided to answer. I was about to hang up."

"Mom," He asked.

"Yes, it's me. Anyways the reason I called is to tell you to make extra reservations for your wedding."

Matt gave out and aggravated sigh and sat down on one of the sofas. "Mom, we discussed this already, I don't want any news reporters there or any of your gossiping friends. It's bad enough to see me and Sora's face plastered in every tabloid I notice."

"Oh I know, I know, but this isn't any reporters hunny, it's just Kat, and her family. You know, Mimi and them all."

Matt's jaw tightened for a moment his mother's words sink right in. "Mimi,"

"Yes, I thought you wanted all of them to come? Oh dear, Matt I have to get going, I'll call you back."

Nancy got off in the other line as fast as a beeline before Matt could even respond a word, as if trying to escape.

Matt remained where he was and gave out an exasperated sigh, and muttered 'damn it' every chance he got. He placed the phone down, and retrieved back his bottle of whiskey, and closed his eyes shut for a moment. When he finally opened his eyes thoughts of Mimi ran around his mind like a bolt of lightning surging through the clouds. He remembered it all. He remember the first he saw her. Hell he even remembered what she wore. He remembered the arguments, the fights, the lessons, even the late midnight kiss. And damn it all he even remembered the last peck he presented.

He tried to forget it all though, the Lord himself knew he did. But he couldn't, he was head over heels and he didn't figure it out until he boarded the plane back home. He's been stupid and ignorant, and he'd kicked himself all over for just having the thoughts he had. He was getting married next month and he was having these thoughts now?

But then why was it that he didn't feel the least bit guilty at all for doing so?

He pressed the bottle to his lips and drank it all in one swig, letting the burning liquid slide down his throat, and finally relenting to a night's sleep.

.

Mimi sighed contentedly as the warm bath water encircled her, she off the water that kept on pouring and added a few more bath salts, the trip to all the fines places completely worn her out. She bought a few good outfits, as well as make-up, and some matching shoes. Heck, she even went and had a manicure done, as well as a pedicure. But that still made her feel like something was missing.

Mimi made an effort to relax herself and did so. Her hair was pinned up from falling to her shoulders, and was still wet from the quick shower she took. After a while, she couldn't help but reflect on her memories back at the manor. Mimi shook it away and stood up and wrapped herself with a towel and dried herself. She placed on a pair of flannel pajamas and went on to bed, with the last thought of a familiar blonde replaying through her mind.

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It was already noon at Japan, and Matt groggily stood up and shook off his desire to just crawl back into bed and stay there. He heard the television on and two male voices and knew at once it was T.K. and Davis. He got up and went into the bathroom, doing his daily routines. After a while later he came out, his hair fixed, his face washed, and into a pair of new clothes, similar to the one he wore yesterday.

Matt made his way into the living room, and just as he predicted, T.K. and Davis were there. He greeted them, and went straight into the kitchen and glanced at his fridge. After a few attempts on trying to find something to eat, he gave up and poured himself some cereal and milk to go with it.

T.K. stood up suddenly and went over to the kitchen and sat across from Matt and placed a few sheets of paper before him. Before Matt could ask what they were, T.K. spoke. "Their selling the mansion," T.K. said.

Matt placed his spoon down and took the papers. And after a few moments of reading it through, sure it enough it showed a picture of the mansion and a sign saying 'For Sell'. Matt looked through and tried to find the price on how much they were giving it out and found nothing.

As if sensing his brother's bewilderment, T.K. answered him. "They haven't found an actually price yet, and a whole lot of people are bidding, to try and purchase it, especially your fans. After they found out they were selling the manor you and Mimi stayed in, there were a lot of emails saying they wanted to get it. There's and auction going to be held two weeks from now, and tons people are filing in."

"How do you know all this?" Matt asked, giving the papers back.

"From mom," He answered smoothly. "Since you nor Mimi, or any of us for that matter stay there no longer, Mrs. Tachikawa and our mom decided to sell it away."

When Matt didn't answer, T.K. continued talking. Matt didn't bother to listen though. His mind was occupied with something else, more like someone else.

He glanced back at his cereal bowl, and saw how soggy it became, from leaving it too long with the milk. He made a face and disposed of its contents.

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Sora gleamed at Matt while they went through the preparations of the wedding. It's been two weeks since T.K. mentioned of the manor being auctioned, and sure enough, it was probably happening that very moment. 

"Oh Matt, I'm so excited, I can't wait. I mean just two more weeks, and it's our wedding day!" Sora exclaimed, brimming with happiness. Matt couldn't help but give her a smile, but it was soon demolished once he caught a glimpse of Mimi's name on the invitation's list, and what was worst, was that Tai's name was next to it.

Sora noticed his sudden stillness and glanced at him with worried eyes. "You okay Matt,"

Matt looked away from the names and back at Sora and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine, I'll be right back." He said, and got up hastily.

Sora glanced at the spot he was staring at and saw that it was the invitation's list. She picked it up, after going through it. She knitted her brows concerned, and glanced back at the spot where Matt just left.

.

Tai looked so handsome standing there. His wild brown hair, which was known to be his emblem, was now cut short and his face was as smooth as a baby's bottom was. He looked up from Mimi's dad, and glanced at the befallen beauty that was coming down the stairs, and smiled.

Mimi glanced at him and her heart melted, it always did when he smiled like that. That was the first thing she fell in love with when she saw him, but now she wasn't so sure.

"Hey," He said. "You ready to go?"

Mimi smiled and nodded. "Yeah, just let me go get my coat." She walked over to the hall closet where all the coats and jackets were held and took out a pink sheer coat, with fur lining around it.  There were walking down the steps, as a chilly breeze rushed by. There was still no snow falling, and it made Mimi want to give up hope of ever having a snowfall this Christmas.

Tai led the both of them down to the black sleek limo that was parked near by and opened the door. Mimi soon caught a glimpse of a silver car near by and it made Mimi wonder. "Whose car is that?" She asked, looking up at Tai.

Tai glanced where she was staring at and answered. "It's mine, I needed a ride to come on by and all of my current limousines were in the shop being repaired, and that's all I had."

Mimi looked up at him and glanced back at the car. "Can I drive it?"

He looked back down at her. "Are you sure I mean, you never learned."

"I did learn," She answered almost too quickly, and almost defiantly, and gulped. "I learned from… a friend of mine."

"Matt," Tai said simply. It wasn't a question, more like a statement being said.

Mimi fiddled with the fur on her coat and replied. "Yeah, Matt… listen I… let's just ride the car tonight. I'm tired of limousines Tai. I wanna drive once in a while."

Tai looked at her for a moment, and smiled. "Alright, you win." He walked over to the car bringing Mimi along with him. He unlocked the doors and opened the driver compartment and ushered Mimi in. She smiled and went in. Once she was seated Tai closed the door shut, and went around to the passenger's side. The car was silver, and a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti model.

As soon as they both strapped their seatbelts on, Mimi felt an exciting rush just holding onto the wheel.

"Okay," Tai said. "You want me to guide you through?"

Mimi glimpsed at him and smiled. "Yeah, that would be great."

Tai grinned in return, and started talking and giving her the directions on how to start. But instead of hearing his voice, Matt's own replayed in her head.

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"Their what," Mimi said, almost screaming. She sat back down at the edge of her bed and grimaced.

"Selling the manor," Yolie answered, saying every syllable and word carefully. "I freaked out too when I heard the news as well. But their right Mimi, no one lives there anymore. It's no use to keep it."

"Well, we just have to stop them then." Mimi exclaimed, getting back up and going through her closet for a more suitable outfit.

Yolie glanced at her friend at back at the papers in her hand. "Why, I mean, why stop them?"

Mimi stopped searching and gave out a sigh and glanced at the purple haired woman who was sitting near her bed-post. "Yolie, I think, I made a mistake."

"What are you talking about?" She asked.

Mimi shook her head and lowered her head. "I think I love him."

Yolie nearly dropped the papers at hand, and caught it before it even touched the ground, and glanced back at Mimi. She didn't need to know who Mimi meant she loved, it was plainly written in her face. "Mimi, no," Yolie said shaking her head at her. "No, no, no, you can't. You had your chance, hun, he's getting married."

Mimi stood there with arms crossed. She looked up at Yolie and couldn't help the tears that were coming along. "I know…" She wailed. "But, I can't—I can't help it anymore. I'm tired of lying to myself and to Tai. I can't stop thinking about him. No matter how hard I try, I can't. He's in my mind all day. He even haunts me in my dreams. And I know he's getting married… I know."

Yolie walked over to her and gave her a hug of comfort. "Mimi, don't cry, because if you cry and I'll cry too, and you don't want that." Her voice soon broke apart as tears seeped through her eyes. Yolie hated seeing people cry, especially her close friends, because for some reason it made her weep with them. Yolie dragged Mimi to her bed and she sat down reluctantly.

"I'm so stupid," Mimi sniffed. "I'm so, so, so, stupid."

"Mimi, you are not stupid." Yolie reassured. "Don't beat yourself to the ground."

Mimi relented calmly, and wiped the tears that kept on falling with the back of her hand. She took a few deep breaths and glanced up at Yolie momentarily before looking back down at her hands. "As much as I want to regret everything that's going on I can't." She spoke, her voice was dry, but she paid no heed to it. "I love Tai, I do, I really do, but not in that way as I thought it would be, and I hate making him think I do. I'm going to accept the fact that Matt is getting married, but, I won't hide my feelings for him anymore. And I'm not going to stand by, and watch that manor get sold, because I have my memories there and I want to keep it." She paused, and finally glanced up at her purple haired friend. "You don't think I sound egocentric, do you?"

Yolie took a moment to ponder and answered after a minute or two. "No, I don't think you do. I always knew you liked him, I just never considered myself being right." And smiled at the thought, "Mimi, love, comes in all the wrong places, once you meet the person, you'd just know."

"My grandmother used to always tell me the exact same things when I was little, and when she was still alive." Mimi said, smiling a bit. Her voice was so soft it was barely a whisper, but Yolie heard it all the same.

"Really," Yolie asked. "I got mine from a romance novel."

Mimi laughed feeling like weight lifted off her shoulders, and glanced out the windows, replaying every word, her dear-old grandmother has ever told her.

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Mimi stood there gaping at her mother. "It's sold, what do you mean it's sold?"

"Well darling, someone was bound to bid an appropriate price, and they sold it completely." Kat answered, glancing up from the news chronicle in her hands. "Why does it bother you so much?"

But instead of answering Mimi bounded her with another question. "Who bought it?"

"I'm not exactly sure, the name's anonymous." Her mother replied, a look of curiosity appearing in her brown eyes. "What's with all the questions?"

Mimi glanced at her mother and chose not to answer. She turned around and walked upstairs, only to come back briefly, clad in warm clothes and a coat over her. She placed on a pair of knee-high boots, but paid no attention to her hair, which was smoothed down.

Kat glanced at her daughter before standing up at full height. "Where are you going? Your acting very strange since the whole conversation began. You're not sick are you, darling?"

"No mom, I'm not sick." Mimi answered. She walked over to the door and quickly answered her mother's previous questions before leaving. "I'm going to get that house back."

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Mimi step out of the limo hastily, and glanced at the manor before her. She closed the door shut, and rubbed her gloved hands together, from the winter breeze. She stepped over the threshold and glanced around, looking for any sign of a human being. She frowned a bit, and walked right into the manor. The whole place was quiet, and she gave out a short "Hello?" but no-one seemed to have answered.

She walked right back out, and still saw no one in particular. "Oh shit," She cursed, a little too loudly.

"Tsk, tsk, language like that isn't appropriate for a lady, Tachikawa."

Mimi stiffened, but still kept her pose. She didn't need to turn around to see who it was. She knew the voice perfectly, especially since she spent months with the person in the same room, moreover in the same bed. She turned around and saw Matt himself, standing over the porch. His arms were crossed, and he leaned over the post for support. His blue eyes were dancing with laughter as he glanced right down at Mimi, who then felt like she was captured and weak, standing there helplessly staring at him.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, her voice was caught up in her throat, but luckily she managed a full blown question without making a fool out of herself.

He smiled then, but he didn't move, it was just that godforsaken smile that made Mimi endure. To her, it should have been illegal for him to grin the way he did, especially since it made her blush every time.

"I'm just checking out my house." He answered casually, as if he said the same thing everyday.

"Your house," Mimi inquired, and then regained her balance. "You're the person who bought the manor."

"Oh so you've heard." He stated.

"Why," She asked, and shivered a bit. The ground was dry, but the wind was still endearingly cold.

Matt licked the tip of his lips, and walked down the steps, now being just a few feet away from her. "Same reason you came back here." His voice was soft but his eyes never left hers.

Mimi felt heat rising in her cheeks and it was already too late from refraining them. She straightened her spine, squared her shoulders and tried to say something, but her voice was caught up in her throat.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I thought you knew." She replied, after a moment or two. It times like these, she wished he'd use her desired nickname he gave her before.

He smirked a bit and walked over to her. "Yeah, but I want to hear it from you." He said who was now just a foot away from her.

 Mimi felt as if she was glued to the ground, and as much as she wanted to flee, she couldn't. "I love you," She said simply before she could catch the words that flew out of her mouth, and glanced at her hands. "Its—its wrong I know, but—"

Matt closed her mouth shut, and brought her face up to look at him, his index finger and thumb held onto her chin firmly, but soft and kissed her right then. It was a quick kiss, but it held so much meaning. "That's what I wanted to hear, because well, I love you too."

"But what about Sora," Mimi asked, their faces still close together.

"She's gone," He said, his hand caressing her face. "She left me, saying we shouldn't get married because it was wrong, and that she knew our love was just intimacy, and what about Tai?"

"He let me go," She replied.

Matt grinned. "Good, so does this mean we can get married?" he asked sheepishly.

Mimi laughed and kissed him.

"So is that a yes?"

"Yes," she answered. He let out a whoop, and kissed her again. Only this time, it was much longer, filled with passion, desire and love, and no being could break.

And it was then it started to snow…

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9 Months later…

           

The wedding was held right there, between the manor and the lake, where all the memories were held. The whole family was present, and so were Sora and Tai. Apparently, they found an interest with one another, and both Matt and Mimi were delighted they found each other. The weather was crisp and cool, and colorful leaves, of gold, red, and oranges descended from the trees. The preacher took his place, and started the ceremony.

Mimi was dressed in a dazzling wedding gown that sparkled in the glint of the sun. The dress was strapless, and it flowed exceedingly, it had a light pink shade at the bottom of the gown, and was astonishingly beautiful, also having a pair of matching gloves that reached her elbows to go with it. Her hair was up in a dazzling bun leaving a few strands falling, with little white lilies to go with it. Her bouquet was full of all sorts of flowers, white and light pinks that matched both her and the wedding.

Matt wore an alluring suit. His hair was gelled up, sending spikes throughout all places. He sent his future bride one of his aristocrat grins showing off sparkling white teeth, and proceeded onto to the "I do's".

Before the two knew it, they were sharing their first joined kiss as newlyweds, as everyone erupted in applause, and Mimi was now known as Mrs. Yamato 'Matt' Ishida.

Mimi's grandmother always said that 'Once you meet the right person, your hands always fit.' and where Mimi stood that very moment, both hers and Matt's hand fitted perfectly.

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((squeals)) I'm finally done, and what an extremely long chapter this was. Did you like? I hope so. It took me 4 days to finish, not counting the school days. I'm going to miss writing this story terribly, but I'm glad its finish, because I can now work on my other stories. I also have some new Mimato stories coming up and there enormously different. All I'm going to say is, the story will take place in the 1800s, and no, it isn't a war story, lol.

And if you like, join my Mimato group. The link is located in my bio.

Aoi Senshi: Thanks for being my 500th reviewer! I hope you update you stories soon. ^_^

Vinarimasahiro: Sorry for making you wait a while. Hope you liked the chapter, and thanks for reviewing!

Liliana Moon: I'm going to miss the story too. And yes, I'm feeling a lot better, thank you.

femique: Sorry about the chapter not showing up well, but thanks for reviewing!

Hikari Izumi: I was actually thinking on ending this a Michi and a Sorato and make a sequel, but I didn't want you guys to be disappointed.

Mimato4eva: I'm glad you think I'm an awesome author. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter.

Earth Borne: Sorry if the story seems confusing to you, but I'm working on it. And I'm hoping to update 'Sweet Temptation' real soon. Damn writer's block, lol.

Pan Mezumi aTk: I still can't believe you live where I used to, lol. Hope you update your stories soon.

lazygirl: I finally updated lol. I hope you update your stories soon. And don't worry about that anonymous reviewer, their just jealous.

blondie121147: I'm glad you love my story, and I can tell you're a writer yourself, with all the stories you make. I would read it, but I can't stand Sorato. Maybe you can make a Mimato. I would love to see how you'd put it into words.

To Everyone Else: Thank you sooo much for reading and reviewing 'Arranged Love'. Without your compliments I wouldn't have updated, or worse, finished. I hope all of you enjoyed the chapter, and I hope to see you in my Mimato4eva group. Have a nice day and take kare.

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. P L E A S E . R E V I E W .

Arranged Love copyright © 08.08.03 by DivineAngel143

This story, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.