Hey people! Well, this is my first attempt at a Saint Tail fic. =) . I hope that you like it.

Disclaimer: What a surprise to find one, eh? Well, I don't own any of these characters... and so on. Besides, I don't think that even I could've created this wonderful story the way Megumi Tachikawa did...

Note: Asuka Jr. still hasn't caught the mysterious Saint Tail, and the characters of whom we all know and have grown to love are all in their last year of high school.

Anyways, on with the story!

Two Alone

Chapter One: Realizations

By: Enchanted Pink Jade

*~*~*~*~*

Friday morning

I can't believe this! It's been three years! Asuka Jr. thought as he made his way to his first period class, even if he still had 35 minutes until the bell rang. He liked it that way. It was too early, so no other person would be there except for him, and sometimes, the teacher. The teacher left him alone anyways, so he'd have the privacy that he wanted, alone with his thoughts.

Three Years! Three years since I promised myself that I'd catch that damned thief, Saint Tail. And look at me now! I still haven't caught her... Some great detective I am. *sigh* But people still seem to think that I'm good at what I'm doing... So then why can't I catch her?

These past three years, Asuka has grown, and matured some, if not a lot. He had a strong build, and was in shape because of the constant chasing that he did. Many girls would die to have him as their boyfriend. And he knew it. He wasn't the King of Cluelessness that he was before, but he just wasn't interested, always busy with his detective work and school. So, as a result, he left a lot of broken hearts behind in his footsteps. Every so often, he'd go out with someone, just so that he could get a certain someone out of his mind. But dating all those other girls were futile attempts.

Asuka was the one responsible for putting all the other criminals in Jail. Ones that he managed to capture while trying to catch one elusive thief. This was probably the reason why he has won the respect of others and was highly thought of, even if he still hadn't caught Saint Tail. And besides, she wasn't really harming the innocent... She did the exact opposite. Many people have realized that now. And yet the police were still ordered by the mayor to capture her, claiming that she was a vigilante by taking the law into her own hands. She may be helping others, but it wasn't in her job description to do so. On and on went the non-victorious chasings, and people started to wonder why they even bothered. Although, Asuka knew that he was chasing her for a different reason. Something other than the fact that she was a vigilante.

A long time ago, Asuka came to a conclusion: He'd fallen in love with a thief.

Saint Tail.

Beautiful and graceful. Strong willed and kind. Skillful and intelligent, because if she wasn't, then he would have caught her by now. He'd never really seen the real her, but he knew that she was one of the most beautiful females he'd ever had the luck to lay his eyes on. Although at first, he denied it fiercely. It just wasn't possible, was it? Him? In love with a thief? He didn't even know why he was chasing her still. No matter what scheme he'd lay out, she'd find another exit. He was beginning to think if Saint Tail thought that his chasings where just a game... Somewhere deep in his heart and mind, he thought that if maybe he caught her, he'd know the answers, and her identity.

But what about after that? If I caught her, then what? What would I do? Just who the heck could she be? I've come to near encounters with her, where I nearly caught her, but she somehow always manages to conceal her identity from me, even when she isn't wearing a mask.

He made his way to his seat, sat down, and began his morning ritual of staring out the window, thinking of Saint Tail and the previous nights' events. A slight pink tinge appeared on his face.

*Flashback*

He cursed silently to himself as he saw Saint Tail stealthily make her unnoticed getaway; everyone else was trying to avoid the balloons of every size, shape and color that were flying around, creating the chaos and commotion that Saint Tail needed to steal back into the night.

He ran in her direction, knowing that she couldn't have made it that far. Just as he opened the doors leading to the outside courtyard, he saw that she was already on the roof, her balloons ready for take off.

"Wait! Saint Tail!" he screamed. She turned and looked down at him.

"It was nice working with you, again, Detective. But I've got to go now."

"What do you mean?!" He screamed back up at her. She only giggled in response. "I'm not working with you in any way! I'm gonna capture you someday! Remember that! I'll follow you wherever you are, until the ends of the earth!" Is she smiling? I'm serious here! And all she can do is laugh? I'll show her! he thought angrily.

"You're so adorable when you're angry," she said. At these words, Asuka almost lost his balance. You'd wonder why though, because he was standing on his own two feet, unmoving. He knew that she was going to say something, but he wasn't expecting something like that. Blood rushed into his face, causing him to blush. "Don't worry Asuka Jr., I'll return this jewel to its rightful owner!" she said. And before Asuka could say anything else, she flew away into the night, and he just watched her go, too stunned to move.

*End of Flashback*

Can she... have feelings? For me? Just what did she mean by that anyways? She's so confusing. He sighed heavily and glanced at the clock. 20 more minutes.

Suddenly the door to the classroom opened and a girl just about his age stepped in. Saint Tail was one of the most beautiful females that he had ever seen, this girl was the other.

She had the most unusual red colored hair that went past her waist. Her night blue sky eyes, sparkling and tinkling with happiness. She was the campus' beauty. She was no longer the scrawny little girl that she used to be back then. She seemed to float and glide as she walked, with her hair trailing softly behind her. The females envied her full figure and curves. Her hips would softly sway as she walked, which the males found enticing. They all sought after her attention, but she didn't notice them. It was because of some naiveté on her part. And also because her heart was already set on one guy...

Many had asked her out on a date, but she refused each one. So up until this day, she remained boyfriendless and dateless. Asuka had to wonder at that. Is she saving herself until she gets married? As big of an idiot he was, Meimi's looks didn't escape his notice. He'd watched her grow and bloom into a beautiful woman, like the flowers of Spring. He sometimes caught himself staring at her at times, and then reminds himself that his loyalties lies elsewhere. Saint Tail...

But somehow, without even trying, and without her knowing, Meimi had found a place in his heart. He didn't like to admit it to himself, but it was there. That feeling he'd always get when he was around her, and he always tried covering it up by opening his mouth and saying something outrageous, just so that no one would be the wiser. He didn't know how, when or why. It just sort of happened. It crept up to him disguised as friendship, and when he realized that he had been hit on the head really hard, it was already too late.

He sighed even more heavily and moaned. He got along well with her nowadays, not like it was back then three years ago. But some things just never change...

"Good morning Asuka!" Meimi Haneoka said enthusiastically. She looked around only to find that they were the only ones in the room

"Good morning, Meimi," he said half-heartedly.

*B-bump* It's just the two of us. We're all alone right now... Maybe... As if! He only wants Saint Tail, Meimi! In his eyes you can never measure up to Saint Tail! Asuka no BAKA! He only loves her... But, I AM her.

Knowing that he would always choose Saint Tail over her was a depressing thought, although she'd always hide her true feelings, not letting on how she really felt. No matter how hard she tried to befriend him, to get him to like her, the real her... Saint Tail was only a person brought to life with the help of Meimi and Seira, to help Meimi conceal her identity, and help others. She wasn't real. Too bad Asuka can't see that. The idiot. But if he's an idiot, then I'm one too, for falling in love with him, and getting stuck with a one-sided love. He doesn't love me back, she thought sadly.

There were many times when Meimi had thought of letting herself get caught. But she never went through with it. But what if he were to find out who I was? That I really am Saint Tail... What should I do? I know that he would be disappointed, and the image that he'd built of Saint Tail throughout the years would be ruined. He'd hate me. Never want to talk to me, look at me, or be within 2 feet from me. Anything but those things. That would hurt me so much more. He may not know it, but he holds my heart in his hands, and he's slowly breaking it.

"What are you staring at me like that for?" Asuka then asked, startling her from her own thoughts.

"Oh, nothing!" she said, clearing her head from those kinds of thoughts. She took a seat in front of him and sat facing away from the board, looking at him. She smiled and asked, "So, any luck last night with Saint Tail?" It feels kinda stupid asking this question, 'cause I already KNOW what happened.

"No, she slipped away from my grasp once again. But not next time. I know. I'll come up with a plan. Something that she wouldn't be expecting." He had said this so determinedly that Meimi started to have second thoughts. What if... Nah, he can't catch me. Hahaha! He probably says that to himself all the time, she thought, but decided to ask anyways.

"And what might this plan be?" she asked, as she rested her chin on her hands, calmly waiting for his answer.

"It's none of your business, so why should I tell you? It has absolutely, positively nothing to do with you," he said curtly. These words angered her. It has EVERYTHING to do with me! she thought angrily. She was going to explode then and there, Asuka saw it, and prepared himself from the onslaught. He shielded his head with his hands, expecting her to start hurting him, or at least trying to, but the physical contact never came. He looked at her only to see her eyes take on a darker hue of blue. What is that... sadness? Was it something I said? What's wrong with her?

"Ok. Fine. If that's how you feel. I was just trying to make small talk, and be friends with you, but I guess that you hate me so much that you can't stand to be this this close to me, ne? So I'll move," she said softly. She started to get up when a strong, rough, and yet gentle hand brought her back down into her seat. She looked at him, surprise written all over her face.

*B-bump*

*B-bump*

*B-bump*

She thought that I hated her?

"I... I don't hate you, Meimi. What made you think such a thing?" he said quietly, his eyes searing through hers. Meimi only shook her head and made another movement, trying to get out of his grasp. She stood up, only to have him tighten his grip around her wrist as he stood up with her. It's true, I can't stand being this close to you. I feel like I'm going to lose control over myself. It takes all my will power not to run to you and take you in my arms and never let you go. But... "What makes you think that I hated you?" he voiced his last thought.

No escape, thought Meimi. "Because... I... a-no... I..." Meimi tried to say something, anything that would make him let go, but to no avail. The words just wouldn't come out. She wanted so badly to tell him then how she truly felt, but her voice failed her.

Meimi was so frustrated. She tried to hold it all in, but she knew that her bottled up emotions were going to explode soon, if she didn't get away from him. She looked down and said softly, "Please let go of me, Asuka, you're hurting me." At this he loosened his grip, but he still held onto her.

"I -..."

*Ding* *Dong* *Ding* *Dong*

The bell sounded indicating that school had started, interrupting Meimi. The door burst open and their classmates started streaming in. Asuka let go of her hand and she moved to the other end of the classroom, away from him. Meimi sighed inwardly in relief. Saved by the bell. That was close, I almost told him everything!

Asuka watched her all through class, wondering about what she might have said if the bell hadn't interrupted.

*~*~*~*~*

Author's Note: Talk about split personalities, huh? Well what do you guys think? Good? Bad? Does it suck? Well, just tell me in your reviews. Say anything you want. I hope that you liked this!

~Enchanted Pink Jade

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