I know, I know, I know. It's been much too long since this story has been updated, and about that I am terribly sorry. I meant to make this chapter long to make up for the long absence, but decided instead to simply put it up how it is. The next chapter should be up soon, but I can't promise anything. We have finals next week, and then I'll be gone on vacation for two weeks. So......I'll try to get it out as soon as possible. Thanks to all your reviews, and thank you everyone who is sticking with this story!

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Chapter Six: Friends

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"I refuse to believe that not one girl in all of Shibuya knows where the Prince is," Neku muttered crossly while his partner sighed. Day 2 of the Reaper's Game was proving to be rather difficult, and Syaoran still had not met up with any of his traveling companions.

His thoughts had drifted to Sakura and her possible condition so often that he had been unable to concentrate long enough to scan any one person's thoughts. Neku was eventually irritated enough to send him to question face-to-face. Syaoran had been rather shocked to discover players were capable of talking with members of the RG in shops and restaurants decorated by the Reaper symbol, and wondered how many other important things Neku had failed to teach him.

After spending half of their time limit searching without results, they collapsed in a vacant booth in one of the fast food joints.

"Are you positive there is no other 'Prince' in Shibuya," Syaoran asked.

Neku shook his head. "I'm positive." He leaned his cheek against his hand and stared out the window with a far away look. Syaoran watched as he absentmindedly fingered the black player pin, his violet eyes drifting closed.

Just as a young waitress was heading over to take their order, Neku leapt to his feet, look of determination and triumph on his face. "Got him!"

Without another word, he pushed past the started waitress and ran out of the door, with Syaoran following not far behind.

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Rhyme was the only person who had ever worn Beat's clothing, and even then it was only because she had stolen them from his closet when he wasn't around and had then proceeded to prance around his room in them like a model in a fashion show. Because of this, he somehow felt extremely uncomfortable as he stared at Sakura from his doorway.

The black and white stripped, long sleeved shirt she wore was one of his old ones, and somehow managed to fit her rather well, even though the sleeves had been pushed up to her elbows so they didn't get in her way.

The baggy, khaki shorts were held up with a belt, and hopefully no longer in danger of falling. Her shoes had been replaced with Rhyme's old sneakers, and as an added bonus, Rhyme had placed a white and red baseball cap on her head.

"Sakura-chan! You're so cute!" Rhyme squealed happily, bouncing around the flustered girl. Spinning on her heel she turned to Beat and asked, "Don't you think so?"

A red faced Beat muttered out what Rhyme assumed was an affirmative reply; the blonde suddenly halted, a look of horror on her face. Sakura and Beat stared at her in concern for a moment before she shouted, "The pancakes!" As she rushed downstairs, the two remaining in the room smelled the smoke that had alerted Rhyme.

Beat turned to follow, but Sakura's voice stopped him. "Er…." He turned back to glance at her. "Thank you Beat-san," she said, smiling nervously and hoping he wouldn't get angry with her.

The boy reacted quite differently from what she had expected; he blushed slightly and shuffled his feet in embarrassment. "It's…fine, yo."

"Beat-san, did Fai-san, Kurogane-san, or I do anything to make you mad? I hope you don't dislike us." She seemed flustered, and began talking quickly, stuttering over her words. "I hope us staying here wasn't, or isn't, er, a problem at all. W-we could leave if you don't want us here or-"

Sakura was interrupted by Beat. "It's okay, yo! Really, just…..it hasn't been a good week or anything….." He frowned as he saw Sakura look at him sadly and turned to look away. "I mean, I'm fine! Really, yo! I am! I'm…er, I'm not mad….Just," he paused, glancing at Sakura again. "Don't call me Beat-san, that's weird, yo."

"Okay Beat-kun."

Beat waved his arms in the air. "NO! What'd I say, yo? Just Beat! We-we're…" He turned away from her and began to make his way out of his room and back downstairs where Fai's laughter and Rhyme's apologies could be heard. "….friends, 'kay?"

If Beat had turned back around, he would have seen Sakura smile widely. "Yes, we're friends," she giggled, following him downstairs.