Hey everybody, yes I'm posting another story. I should be working on the others, and I am, but I'm little inspiration at the moment, plus I need to be in the mood to write serious, dark stuff, which hasn't been coming to me lately. So I hope you guys can be patient. Fan fiction isn't my first priority, but it's up there!

Disclaimer: I don't know why these are bothered with anymore. If I owed the story, would I really be writing a fanfic about it rather than actually making it apart of the anime itself? Aha, didn't think about that did you? … Okay no I don't own the show… or magna… or anything involving or relating to Higurashi, yes that includes Inuyasha.

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Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Koishiteru-hen Part 1

The bell rung and the kids are hurriedly got up from their chairs and made their way out of the building. Rika ran down the hall back towards the classroom, looking for her blonde haired friend, panting slightly. After all this time, she can't believe she never saw it before. Everyone else could see it, even Hanyuu, even Keiichi though he acted oblivious to the whole ordeal.

Earlier that week...

"Rika. Rika!" The young priestess eyes hesitantly opened to meet with her one of her roommates and best friend, Satoko. The other was hovering above her, shaking her awake as she yelled almost directly in her ears. As they've grown, Satoko has been more hands on with her friends, going so far as to tackle them when they tried to ignore her. She hasn't given up on her traps though, rest assured.

"Mii~ Satoko, get off of me!" And Rika now has no problem showing her discontent with her best friend when she was awakened. Despite her habits when she was younger Rika slowly became less of a morning person and more of a don't talk to me until I've had my morning coffee kind of person.

When Satoko refused Rika began to wiggle from her friend's grasp, before rolling the two off her futon. Now on top of her friend, Rika straddled her Satoko's waist as a smirk overcame her features. Satoko in turn let out a small squeak, her face turning pink at the shame of being defeated by her friend.

"Okay, I'm awake," Rika stated, looking down at Satoko and giving her a poke on the nose. "Happy now?" Satoko gave her cute grin, showing off her fancy tooth as the blush continued to stain her cheeks. Rika remained where she was positioned, looking down at her friend in excitement as Satoko and her broke out in a fit of laughter. This was what Rika loved, being able to enjoy the simple moments with her friends, without worrying that they would end anytime soon. Every day was a new day, a new experience, within the upcoming week would be the Watanagashi Festival of June 1987, exactly four years from the end of that terrible cycle that had no hope of ending, but it did.

Looking back down at Satoko, Rika felt something swell in her chest. It made her feel excited, she assumed it was from all the joy she felt in her new, carefree existence. But it only appeared when she was with Satoko, when they were close, like how they were now. It was a weird, but comforting feeling.

Suddenly feeling eyes watching her and Satoko, Rika turned, noticing Hanyuu with eyes on them as she was sitting up in her futon. Unsure why, Rika felt very embarrassed to be discovered how she was in her state, to be caught staring at Satoko. Rika felt panicked as she tried to hurry off her friend, fumbling and falling off Satoko and onto her own futon. Satoko stopped her laughter and sat up abruptly, concerned at hearing the loud thud from her fallen friend.

"Rika! Are you alright?" She went to crawl over to her friend, who nodded her head with one eye closed as she felt the top of her head where she had fallen. Satoko pulled Rika's hand away from her head as she looked at the small bump closely, unaware of her friend's body tensing up. Rika felt sweat gather at her neck as she looked down, noticing the close proximity her friend was to her. Then she closed her eyes briefly as she felt Satoko's lips pressed briefly on her head before pulling away and standing up. She looked like she was victorious as it showed off in her stance.

"And that is way when I tell you to wake up; you should really listen to me." Then Satoko gave her a wink as she turned back to the kitchen. "Now hurry up and put your futons away guys, we promised to meet up with Mi-chan and the others so we could all see how the preparation for the festival is going." And with that Satoko went back to cooking breakfast. Rika, now realizing that she had to do as she was told gave a muffled yawn and grumbled before turning away from Satoko to do what she instructed. Hanyuu followed suit as she smiled to Rika.

"Morning Rika." The once shy goddess was not as easily embarrassed as she was four years ago, though she did have her moments still. Rather, she had become a sterner person and actually helps out Chie-sensei with keeping the other students in line. Aside from that, she still is quite modest about things concerning herself but quick to jump to motivating others.

Rika looked back down to her futon as she rolled it up. Her thoughts went back to Hanyuu watching Satoko and her and she felt like she should be ashamed that she was acting so, for lack of a better term, shameless. She replied back to Hanyuu with a 'good morning' as they put their futons off in the closet.

Preparation for the day went by uneventful, which didn't bother Rika in the slightest. The three girls had their breakfast before cleaning up and getting set for the day ahead of hanging with the rest of their friends. Satoko dashed out of the house, followed by her two friends as they didn't even make the attempt with keeping up with her, knowing it would only end up in failure. Hanyuu stretched her arms up, a large smile present on her face.

"I have a feeling it's going to be a good day!" She said happily, looking to Rika who was watching Satoko as she rushed ahead of them. Hanyuu bit her bottom lip, glancing from Satoko to Rika, and back again. "Hauu..."

Remembering that Hanyuu only said that when she was felt pressured, was confused or awkward snapped her from her thoughts as she turned to her.

"Hanyuu, what wrong?" Rika asked in concern, noticing the nervousness in Hanyuu's eyes. She wondered what was bothering her friend before wondering if it was somehow related to this morning.

"Hauuhauu, you should be more careful Rika. Lately you're being too obvious about it." Hanyuu said simply, catching Rika off guard, the girl blinked as she took in what Hanyuu had said.

"I mean, all of our friends realized it, but they don't mind... I think. Still, I don't think everyone would accept your choice if the rest of the village found out." Now Rika was confused. What did her friends realize? What was she being so obvious about? And why would it be bad for the village to know about it?

"I can honestly say I don't know what you're talking about." She admitted, curious to know what she herself wasn't yet aware of. Hanyuu's eyes widened as she pushed her two index fingers together and glanced away, making Rika anxious to what she was about to say.

"A-ano --"

Just then Satoko ran in-between them in the opposite direction as she called out.

"We're such idiot's guys! We could just take our bikes!"

Rika and Hanyuu looked to each other, a little taken aback by Satoko's speed, before Rika started laughing and following after her friend, Hanyuu coming after her after realizing she was going to be left behind.

"Wait up you guys, I can't run that fast!"

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Peddling down the hill Satoko and Hanyuu were surprised when Rika took the lead as she went past the two girls. Rika looked back with an out of character grin to her friends, feeling a strange sense of adrenaline pass through her veins.

"Ri-rika-chan!?" Rika looked to the sidewalk to see Keichii, Mion, and Rena watching her past them with startled looks. Then Mion looked past her and gasped.

"Rika-chan, watch out!" Turning around the girl pressed down on the breaks attached to handles. She felt her bike turn as she skitted past Rena and Shion, then it slowed down, falling on its side as Rika fell off the bike onto the grounds of the sidewalk. The bystander's stood in shock, all standing were they were as Satoko halted her bike and hopped of it, letting it fall as she didn't bother to set down the kick stand and ran over to her friend, the others in the ground following.

"Rika!?" Satoko went to her friends side, fear in her eyes when she saw blood on Rika's cheek and knee. A sigh of relief escaped her when Rika opened her eyes and sat up slowly, giving an uneasy smile as a group formed around her. Uneasily the girl looked to her friend's faces, realizing that they must've thought she had broken a bone or something.

"Mou, Rika don't do something like that." Satoko said in exhaust, everyone was still a bit confused as to why Rika, the supposed always follows the rules girl would be pulling such a dangerous stunt. Rika gave her an apology as Satoko helped her stand up. Rika held onto her hand as she looked to their friends, scratching the back of her head with her free hand.

"Mii, sorry everyone. I decided to race Satoko and Hanyuu here. Guess I got a little carried away." Rika said, apologizing to her friends. She looked around to notice most of the other people who were watching had quickly dismissed, thought she was surprised when she saw a few throw dirty looks at Satoko and herself. Four years ago she would've assumed it was because Satoko was a Houjou, but everyone has admitted to not blame Satoko for what happened because of her parents. But then, why were the others looking at her like that?

When Satoko gently pulled her hand out of Rika's, her friend blinked in question but said nothing as she saw Satoko avoiding her gaze. Mion, feeling the tension that was beginning to build help broke the ice with her nervous laugh as she grabbed everyone else's attention.

"Well we should go see how the festival preparations are going." She told the group. Shion nodded happily in agreement, and Keiichi grumbled under his breath.

"As long as you don't volunteer me to help like last time, I wasn't prepared to lift all those crates you know." Keiichi complained, even though his excuse was somewhat pitiful.

"That's sad Kei-chan, first off because you're supposed to be a man. And second, that was the first year, every other year you volunteered yourself so do not even go there." Mion pointed out, a smirk crossing her face when Keiichi flushed red.

Satoko and Rika went back to pick up their bikes. Hanyuu watched as Satoko went past her to get her bike, before walking over to the rest of the group. Shion was snickering with Rena at the argument that Keiichi and Mion were now having.

When Hanyuu went directly to Shion and Rena, they stopped their merriment as they took notice of her serious expression. She talked quietly to them as Rika and Satoko watched the argument between her two friends grow heated. Shion and Rena looked to each other and gave a nod in agreement, which Hanyuu quietly thanked them.

"Alright, let's settle this than with a game!" Mion finally called out, pumping her fist in the air. Keiichi smirked, seemingly waiting for those exact words.

"Same as usual?" He inquired. Mion nodded her head as she explained, just to make the rules clear.

"Yea, me and you, first to the Furude Shrine is the winner, and the loser has to do whatever the winner wants." They duo were grinning at each other, confident in their own ability to win. Mion took a step forward.

"And don't forget Keiichi," The boy just continued looking at her smugly, but when she took another step forward he frowned, wondering what she was up to.

"About rule two," His eyes widened when he felt her push his shoulders, knocking him back. Fighting to keep his balance, the boy stumbled before finally falling to the ground. By the time he looked up Mion was already running like her life depended on it.

"Do whatever it takes to win!!" She called back as she sprinted on ahead. Keiichi fumed as he got up and took off after her.

"Sonozaki Mion! You'll regret the day you messed with Meabara Keiichi!" Shion rolled her eyes as she looked back to the others.

"You know, those two are making a lot of games that don't include us lately." Shion said in a suggested tone. Rena gave a nod in agreement.

"Well at least we don't have to worry about rushing to get to the festival now." Rena added looking over to were Satoko and Rika stood. Satoko was scratching the back of her head as she watched Rika poking at the cut on her elbow she just noticed she had.

"It's stupid to come out here when the festival takes place at the shrine, we live right next door." The blonde said, realizing how illogical it was to meet up with the others.

"Mii, Hanyuu tried to tell you last night at dinner, but you weren't paying attention." Rika pointed out with a smiled. Satoko and her turned to look at Shion as she walked over to them.

"We should go clean out those cuts before it gets infected." Shion gently grabbed Rika's hand as she looked at the cut on her arm. Then she glanced over to Satoko.

"Satoko, take Hanyuu and Rena and head over to the Shrine while I go clean up Rika, ne?" At the request of her nee-nee, Satoko smiled and nodded; throwing Rika a see you in a bit look before heading picking up her bike and leaving with Rena and Hanyuu.

Shion helped Rika move her bike as they walked down a couple blocks before finding a small faucet at the side of a building. They walked down the alleyway, which was lit from the daylight so it wasn't seen as dangerous by any means. Placing the bike so that it leaned against the building Shion went over to turn on the faucet, motioning for Rika to come over. Pulling out a handkerchief she dabbed it with water before pressing it to Rika's scratched cheek. In reply the girl squeaked from the stinging, but otherwise remained unmoving.

"You should be more careful, Rika-chan, what would've happened if there was a car coming your way and you didn't notice?" Shion scolded as she washed Rika's face. The young miko winced.

"Gomen, Shi-chan, I wasn't thinking." Rika told her, she was just so happy. She loved how everything was turning out. Mion and Keiichi were becoming closer, Hanyuu moved in with her and Satoko, Takano was being treated for at the clinic, as well as Satoshi, which she had found out through Irie.

Rika's attention focused on Shion when she noticed the twin let out a sigh as she pulled away from the girl.

"Rika-chan we need to talk." Her tone was serious, and Rika was beginning to feel like she was separated from Satoko and the others on purpose.

"It's about you and Satoko-chan." Unsure as to the reason, Rika felt a blush fall on her cheeks as she lowered her eyes. Shion seemed somewhat embarrassed about the conversation all of a sudden, which confused Rika, but she was also confused as to why she herself felt so nervous over such a topic.

"I'm not saying what you two have is wrong, Rika-chan, believe me. It's uncommon, but not unheard of, still you should be careful." Just this morning Hanyuu was going off about being careful too, what was she doing that was so uncommon anyway, having a Hojou as a friend?

"What's so uncommon about us?" Rika tilted her head to the side in question. Shion rubbed the back of her neck as she fidgeted slightly were she stood.

"Well, for one you guys are so young, and you share a house—" Rika cut her off bluntly.

"Our parent's are both dead." She said calmly, as if it were obvious.

"And Hanyuu lives there now too," Rika continued. Shion faltered, unsure of what to say. Then Rika gave in, feeling the conversation going nowhere.

"Shi-chan, I'm confused. People in the village throw these looks whenever Satoko are together, and Hanyuu was telling me this morning that others 'wouldn't accept my choice' but I don't know what choice that is. I thought everyone accepted that fact that me and Satoko were friends but…"

"Friends?" Shion questioned suddenly as Rika trailed off. This surprised the priestess as she stared at Shion. As if piecing the puzzle together herself Shion mentally slapped herself in the forehead before cautiously looking to Rika.

"Ne, Rika-chan? How do you feel about Satoko-chan?" Though puzzled by the content of the question and what the answer could end of meaning, she replied anyway.

"Satoko is my best friend, she makes me happy. I could trust her with practically anything." Rika closed her eyes, memories drifting back to that ever morning's events. Laughing, wrestling, straddling Satoko and watching as her friend blushed.

"Sometimes though," Rika went on, feeling a bit hesitant suddenly. This caught Shion's attention.

"Whenever I'm with her, there's this feeling in my stomach, and my chest… and I feel warm. More so than usual. It wasn't like this when we were younger but each day it grows stronger and stronger. And whenever we play together, like this morning…" Rika opened her eyes and felt her face flush.

"I felt really embarrassed when Hanyuu caught me on top of Satoko."

Shion paused for several seconds, staring at Rika. Her whole face turned as red as a tomato.

"What do you mean 'on top of'?" Shion asked, her voiced raised a bit as she feared the worst.

"Satoko was trying to wake me up and we started to wrestle with each other." Rika explained, now it was Shion's turn to be confused.

"But if you were just wrestling, why were you embarrassed?"

That was a good question, Rika thought about it.

"Because, because I…wanted… something." She just couldn't place it; none of this was making any sense to her. What did Satoko have that she wanted? But how did this tie in to everything Hanyuu and Shion told her?

"What did you want?" Shion pressed. Rika closed her eyes, unable to think of a good answer. Shion placed a hand on her shoulder, looking closely at Rika's face.

"Think about it Rika-chan, you guys are always together, making faces at each other. You're touchy feely when you think people aren't watching, and even though you're both teenagers you act like a married couple." Shion said all in one breathe, waiting for Rika's reaction.

"Satoko. I want Satoko." Rika's eyes opened as she looked to Shion in astonishment at what that realization meant for her. Even after 100 years, she never had to deal with this before. Never, had Rika had to deal with a crush!

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A/N: Haha, I've been writing this for a while, and just had to post it. Hopefully everyone's in character, and also, later I may end up changing the rating if it all goes the way I want it. Not quite sure how long it's going to be but I do have a storyline in mind. So review and let me know what you guys think and whether or not I should continue.