Just a quickie on the character's age in the story:

Rika – 17
Ryo – 18
Jeri – 16
Takato – 17
Henry – 18
Kazu – 17
Kenta – 16
Suzie – 12

~oOo~

A Ryuki Fanfiction

Checkmate

Chapter Four: View

Summary: AU. A modernized Romeo and Juliet. Rika's the infamous Ice Queen at an all girls school. Ryo is the famous charming King at an all boys school. They both meet at one of their mutual friend's party. He fell for her. She told him to bugger off. Will he be able to charm the Queen or fail?

~oOo~

Previously in Chapter Three:

"Oh no! You're not serious about taking her home with you are you?"

"Well, it's better then nothing right?"

Henry hesitated to answer, "well..."

"Well what? It's a solid idea. My dad's in England and won't be back next month. She could...she could sleep in the guest room! Or my room and I can just sleep on the couch. Come on, it's not like I'm going to take advantage of her."

"That's why I'm worrying," Henry replied bluntly.

Ryo rolled his eyes, "oh come on! Don't tell me you don't trust me with a sleeping drunk girl staying over at my house?"

"...yeah I don't trust you."

"Oh well, doesn't matter. Anyways, I'll see you tomorrow alright? Have a fun time tonight! Later!" Ryo walked away from Henry, but still obviously still hearing his last words.

"Don't do anything stupid!" Henry shouted.

~oOo~

Ryo, still carrying Rika, gently placed her feet on the ground as he waved his hand to call a cab. A red and white cab pulled up from the curb. Ryo carefully got Rika into the car and he followed after.

The car drove away from the Hotel. Ryo told the driver to go to west thirty-ninth, apartment building number six hundred and ten. The driver gave a nod and made a smooth turn.

The ride was silent, Rika's head dropped down and leaned on Ryo's shoulder. His head turned to look down at the sleeping red head. Whatever she must have drank must have been fairly strong – or she just cannot tolerate alcohol whatsoever, even if the drink itself is weak.

A buzz was felt in Ryo's pocket, he took it out and realized Takato has called him.

"Hello, Takato?"

"Hey Ryo. I heard from Henry. How's she holding up? Jeri was a little upset when she found out..."

"Eh," Ryo looked at Rika once again and then to his left as he watched the scenery, "she's doing well. Sleeping actually."

"Alright – hey – Jeri! W-wait-"

"Hello? Ryo?" It was Jeri who was talking now. She managed to take the phone from Takato.

"Hey, Jeri right?"

"Yeah – how's Rika doing?" she asked nervously.

"She's doing fine. Just sleeping. Do you know if she is able to tolerate alcohol or not?"

There was a long pause from the other line, but Ryo still heard breathing, "well...Rika's never fond of drinking...she really hates the taste of any wine and alcoholic beverages in general – but even if she drank something to get her drunk, I'm sure she would have noticed it...I feel like such an awful friend..."

Her voice went higher each word that was said. Pauses in between and even heavy breathing. He heard Takato reassure the brunette on the other line.

"Hello? Ryo?" it was Takato again.

"Yup, I'm here."

"Well, we're going to go celebrate some more. Take care – oh and Jeri said that if you ever so touch Rika in any way, she'll personally hunt you down and murder you..." he replied uneasily.

Ryo laughed, "you sure got yourself a handful huh Takato?"

Ryo could practically see Takato's reaction, "s-shut up! Good night!" the line went dead and Ryo put his new phone in his pocket. He really is thankful to Henry that they all got a special phone with a special plan made just for them. Made him feel...special.

The cab pulled up in front of the apartment building. Ryo gave the driver the money in exchange for the change. Ryo took Rika and carefully carried her out of the cab. Once again, he carried her princess style.

They arrived at the front door. Rika's feet were on the ground once again. Ryo was rummaging through his pockets to find his house keys when he heard Rika mutter something incoherent. The ringing of the keys attached on the key chain was melodic. Ryo put one of the key with a green cover on the top into the keyhole and the door was opened.

Ryo used his foot to hold the door in place as he got Rika in side.

The brunet carried Rika to the elevator and pressed the button. The letter "G" lit up and a simple ding was heard. The elevator doors slid open and the two got inside.

His finger absentmindedly pressed the button five. He could feel the cart moving up and the faint sound of cheesy elevator music. He looked at Rika who was in his arms and smiled. He's going to probably fix her a class of water and Advil. He made a mental note to wear a helmet just in case she wakes up.

Ryo once again grabbed his keys and shoved another key with a yellow cover into the key hole. He turned the door knob and threw the door opened. Ryo flicked the lights on and entered his home, kicking the door closed behind him.

"Alright. We're here. Now I need to get you lying down," he said to Rika, obviously knowing she could not hear him.

Ryo walked into his bedroom carrying Rika with him. He placed her on top of his bed. His head tilted to the side as he watched her sleep. She looked quite peaceful and genuine. Like she was showing her true self instead of hiding behind a fierce exterior.

He did something that shocked him. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. He knew this was moving fast – especially since they just met. He got up and left the room to get her a glass of water and advil just in case she were to wake up anytime.

~oOo~

It was early in the morning. Rika groggily woke up from her long nap. She felt her head pounding heavily and couldn't even get herself to sit up properly without groaning in pain.

'Ugh...w-where am I?' she asked herself. She was now certain she was not in her room, in her home.

Rika looked to the right and saw a glass of water with two pills next to them. She furrowed her brows and shrugged. Taking the pills and swallowing the whole cup of soothing liquid.

She felt a bit better, still a little dizzy, but at least her head wasn't making a racket. She noticed that her new touch phone was blinking blue. She wondered what it was and pressed the middle circle button under the screen and realized she had gotten a bunch of texts and missed calls from her friends and family.

She read the texts that were sent from Jeri. Most of them read if Rika was doing alright and how her mom and Grandma were worrying – well her mom was mostly spazzing and freaking out that her daughter hasn't come home yet and hasn't contacted them.

She read the one single text from Henry, and it read: I called your home and assured your mom and Grandma that you were going to be staying over at my place because Suzie wanted to spend more time with 'us big kids'.

Rika laughed while shaking her head. It was just like Henry to make up the most ridiculous excuses. Most of the missed calls were from Jeri, again. A couple from her mom and Grandma. One was surprisingly from Kazu – but once she heard his message, he was only calling to ask if he could spend more time with her. Rika gave a disgusted grunt and placed her phone onto the end table. She got up and walked out of the unknown habitat until – that is, she saw him lying on the couch with unopened eyes and a slight snore.

"Dammit to hell..." she muttered. She sighed and tried to look for a piece of paper and a pen. Thankfully she found them in a drawer in the kitchen. She quickly scribbled something. Grabbing a piece of tape, Rika stuck the note in Ryo's hair. Her lips twisted into a half smile and half frown. Her shoulders relaxed a little before leaving his apartment building. She was happy that it was the weekend and not a weekday, or else she would have been late to school.

~oOo~

Rika took the cab and was headed to Jeri's place. She sent a text to her and made a phone call to her home to tell her mom and Grandmother that she's alright and just going to Jeri's place next.

The drive stopped just a block away. Rika thanked him and gave his his money – telling him to keep the change as she rushes out the taxi doors. Rika's feet were starting to pain her. The heels she wore were nice – but uncomfortable to walk in for a long period of time.

She reached Katou's residence and had her hand took a hold of the brick wall popping out to make her steady. She was already about to fall flat on her face because of the heels.

Rika managed to take a few baby steps and entered the quaint restaurant and saw Jeri peek her head out of the kitchen. "Oh my god! Rika!" she hurried over to her friends side and led her to sit down, kicking off her heels while she was at it.

"Are you alright?" asked Jeri.

Rika winced, "e-eh...I'm good...feet hurts like hell though...I had to walk down the streets to find a freaking taxi. Do you know how painful it is to wear heels!"

The brunette laughed, "yes Rika. I do. You just need to get used to them! Or find heels that are actually comfy to walk in for hours."

The red head rolled her eyes, "obviously you would say that. Every time we hung out you would always wear heels – and if we're at a mall or whatever you would go to the shoe store that had cute shoes and heels!"

"Now, now Rika," Jeri started, waving her hand to dismiss Rika's protest and whines, "enough about heels. Where did you go anyways?"

Rika paused for a moment. She didn't really want to say that she randomly appeared in Ryo's bedroom – besides, Jeri would get the wrong idea. "Henry's..."

Jeri quirked a brow, "really? But, I just talked to Henry last night and you weren't even to be seen...come on Rika, please don't lie."

She sighed, "fine, fine! I'll tell you! But, don't get all in over your head got it?" she warned. Jeri nodded.

"I..." she looked at Jeri's suspenseful face. "I was at Ryo's place..." Rika heard Jeri gasp and her mouth open, wanting to say something – but of course Rika beat her to it, "it wasn't anything like that okay! All I remember was passing out at the party and waking up in his room with a hangover! There was a glass of water and two Advils just sitting on the end tables of his bed! I even saw a text from Henry saying that he helped make up a lie for me and told my mom and grandmother that I was over at his place!"

Jeri stifled a chuckle. Rika's body fell in defeat. Her shoulders slumped down and her head was tilted, "I didn't ask for that asshole to bring me back to his place!"

Her friend gave an understanding nod, "I know...I...also have a confession to make..."

Rika looked at Jeri wearily, "it's not something that will get us into big shit now is it? Because I'm already in huge shit! God dammit all," she cussed.

Jeri twiddled her thumbs and looked around the room. Her lips were pressed down together, making it seem like they disappeared in her mouth, "w-well...actually it might not get you in trouble...m-more like...it will get me in trouble..."

Rika immediately knew what the brunette was thinking, "oh god...you...you didn't...get deflowered did you?" she asked quietly.

Jeri's eyes opened wider and her face was redder than Rika's hair, "n-no! I-I didn't...w-we didn't...i-it was j-just um...f...e...pl...a..."

"I'm sorry?"

"Fo...pl...y..."

"Come again?"

"Fore play!" she hissed.

Rika went silent. Blinking at her friend. "What...the...hell...Jeri!" she seethed. Jeri knew the scolding would come.

"You know you shouldn't be doing this! You're too young to be...to be doing these sort of things! And...why goggle head! I knew you had weird tastes in guys but – him? This is going way below the belt!"

Jeri's brow knitted downwards, her hands on her hips as she glowered at Rika, "what do you have against Takato? He's the most sweetest guy there is to known! Just because you didn't get laid doesn't mean you can take your frustration out on me!"

Rika stood up abruptly, causing the chair to hit the floor, "excuse me! I do not want to get laid! Especially not with Akiyama! You of all people should know he's not my type! Basically all these guys are not my type!"

Jeri scoffed, "oh please." Her eyes rolled. Her voice was now dripping with bitter sweet. Rika hated the tone she used whenever she got angry. "You say that he's not your type right? Well I bet he is! And I bet you that you will develop some sort of feelings for him as well as actually wanting him! Don't be so fast to shut an opportunity out like that! That's always been your problem! You've shut everyone out so they won't be able to get close to you! You've been doing that since your dad left!" Jeri quickly realized the doomed words that were just said and covered her mouth.

"I-I'm so sorry! I-I didn't mean it like that Rika!"

Rika however, took ever word Jeri said like a bullet. She's told both Henry and Jeri what had happened with her father – he basically got up and left her and her broken mother alone to fend for themselves. Her eyes drooped and her face paled.

"Rika?" Jeri said softly.

"I-I'm going to go...s-sorry." Rika quickly grabbed the thrown heels and ran out of the shop, not bothering to put on her fancy shoes. Rika heard her name being called from Jeri. Over and over again – but she didn't look back. All she did was continued to run.

~oOo~

Ryo had woken up several hours after Rika had left. He took the note out of his hair and it read: Thank you – Rika.

He gave out a good laugh and went into his room so he can put the note into his desk drawer – sentimental value of course.

He got a text and checked to see who it was.

Kazu: Hey buddy! I heard you took Rika home! Lucky bastard!

Ryo shook his head and quickly typed back to the blonde.

Ryo: You're being dellusional. Nothing happened. She was wasted and passed out at the party. So I had to take her to my place – no sense in getting her into trouble if I took her to her place right?

Kazu: STILL! You took THE RIKA NONAKA to YOUR place! Any guy would have loved to be in your shoes!

Ryo shook his head and rolled his eyes, "you've got to be kidding me..." he groaned. He quickly typed back to him, saying how he needs to get his priorities straight and explaining himself that he'd rather not take advantage of someone who was all vulnerable already. He hurriedly left his room and finished brushing up before exiting his home.

Not even a minute had pass that he started thinking about what Kazu had said to him. He shook every thought and words that entered his brain and focused on meeting with Henry at his place.

His slim tight dark jeans fit perfectly albeit the rough troubles of putting them on as they clung to his legs. A short sleeved navy blue and gray sweater landed perfectly on his upper body, comforting him warmly but still giving a nice breeze made him a bit happier with the day. He felt his phone buzzing and decided to ignore it, thinking it was just Kazu being Kazu and spurting out nonsense about last night fiasco.

His phone buzzed yet again. Being fed up with having people giving him strange looks, he took out his phone, he took a small glance at some mothers covering their child's eyes. 'What the – what the hell do they think I have?' he shuddered, taking his phone completely out and giving the mothers a small glaring pout before checking to see who was constantly annoying him.

Kazu: Ryo! Buddy! Tell me some details at least! What happened?

Kazu: Ryo? OI! You there?

Henry: Hey – is it okay if I invite three more people?

Takato: Ryo, hi. Uh...what's up?

Ryo laughed. Replying to his friends texts.

Ryo: NO Kazu. Go get your own woman if you're so desperate.

Ryo: Hey Henry – nah, that's fine with me! Like I always say, the more the merrier right?

Ryo: Hey Takato – I'm doing fine...how about you buddy? You and that Jeri girl got pretty chummy eh?

He turned the next corner and saw a familiar red head. A smirk pressed up against his face. His eyes danced with sheer playfulness.

"Rika! Hey! Rika!" he called out. But the red head didn't respond. Ryo furrowed his brows in confusion as he ran to catch up with her.

His long legs caught up to the girl pretty quickly. He placed his hand on her shoulders but did not expect what came next. She turned around and instead of the usual pale purple eyes fiercely looking at him and the same face structure and boldness, it was more soft and her green eyes stared at him.

"O-oh, I'm so sorry miss...I thought you were someone else..." he apologized, scratching the back of his head.

"I-it's no problem!" she said faintly. Her red face blended well with her hair as she quickly walked away to a man, presumably her boyfriend. He gave Ryo several death glares before walking off with the girl in his arms.

Ryo let out an uneasy chuckle, "o-oh boy...alright...no time to stall, gotta get over to Henry's place..." he moved his feet quickly to the Wong residence just ten blocks away from where he was.

Two and a half blocks away, he began to get tired and desperately needed to replenish his thirst.

"Dammit...might as well tell Henry that I'll be late..." Ryo took out his phone and dialed up Henry's number by double clicking his contact name. The tone rang until he heard a click.

"Hello?"

"Hey Henry? I may-may be a bit late...I'm still on my way...why do you have to live so far?"

"Ha ha. Why don't you just take the bus? Or a cab?" he asked. His voice was broad and low but the same boyish him was kept hidden underneath the serious tone of his voice.

"It's better to get some exercise you know! Anyways, I think I'll make it to your place soon. See you later," he replied.

"Alright, see you Ryo."

Ryo stuffed his phone back into his pocket. He began to run on the spot before dashing down the block.

oOoOoOoOoOo

A/N: Okay so. Really long update huh? It's already 2012 now...sorry about that you guys. Motivation for this story was replaced by a schist load of other stuff. I may not be able to update for a while though. However, if I find the time, I may update this story randomly ha ha! Anyways, have a nice...2012 year 8D

-TakashiRika-