Authors Note: I'm back! From being dead for about... er... months? And I mean months - though I did post an Eriol + Tomoyo fic some time ago - Don't get what I'm saying? Well, I was formerly Kari Crystal but I'd changed my pen name to litecrystal.

Anyway...

I'm not sure what's the meaning behind the paper crane. Some say it's for good luck while others believe you give the crane to the one you love... I'm using the second one in this fic because I remember hearing something about it when I was young... real young, so I don't really remember clearly... 

Another note, I don't know what Rika's grandmother English name is, so I'd used her Japanese name instead.

Anywho...

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Paper Cranes

By: litecrystal

Summer was gone and autumn was setting in, turning the once green leaves to golden brown, shades of red and even gold. The sun was hiding behind the clouds casting a shadowy layer over the land, creating a nice, lazy affect in the atmosphere. A gentle breeze was picking up, giving it the true, crispy autumn's day the season was known for.

Everyone was outside enjoying the warm day. Kites were seen in the sky, blue ones, purple ones, yellow - any colours were seen reaching up to the cloud-scattered sky. Some were out shopping, preparing for winter, which was definite to come after autumn. Others, were just doing anything, as long as they enjoyed the day, it was fine with them. 

But not everyone was outside with the crowd. Some prefer to spend the day outside in their backyard, as this was where Rika Nonaka was found. Inside a small temple located in the beautiful Japanese garden, sitting against the stone marble, leaning against the table, hovering over something that seems to be fancy colour paper, with her usual look of indifference on her face. Her grandmother was also with her, who was folding the small colour paper.

"That is how it is done, Rika" smiled her grandmother, holding up a freshly folded paper crane and handing it over to her granddaughter. Taking it from her grandmother's hands, Rika studied the little creature. Its wings were gracefully folded and spread out, one of the two holds that were sticking up was bent representing the head, while the other was left for the tail. As she studied it closer, she noticed that it seemed to flicker, glowing if she didn't know any better. But of course, that was impossible for she knew, that the crane was made out of paper. But that didn't stop her from focusing in the paper origami further. At one point, she could have sworn that it looked like it was about to fly off. Now, intrigued - and curious - she examined it even more so to such an extent that she didn't hear her grandmother calling her.

"It's time for you to try Rika" handing her a selection of small different colour paper.

"Huh?" Rika's head shot up from the studying the crane to meet her grandmother. "What was it?"

"Go ahead Rika, give it a try" smiling at her, her eyes twinkling, still holding out the origami paper.

"But I don't know how to make the stupid bird... nor do I want to." Why would she want to waste time making some stupid un-flyable bird wannabe when she could be... could be - whatever it was, it was better than folding paper.

"It's not stupid Rika, do you not know of the meaning behind the crane?" her grandmother spoke, ignoring the last comment and acting if Rika's previous words didn't affect her, if so, it made her more determined to show the younger child. Her eyes now twinkling even more, picked out a Sakura patterned paper and shoved it into Rika's hand. 

"I'll tell you as I show you" said her grandmother, her tone clearly stating 'you're making it and you're also going to like it'. And with that twinkle still in her eyes, never leaving it, Rika didn't have the heart to turn her down. Besides, she always enjoy spending time with her grandmother.

"'Kay..." as rebellious as she can be sometimes, she never did things on purpose to spite her grandmother. Knowing better, she positioned herself to face her grandmother, placing the paper on the table. 

"First, you fold to two opposite tips together and then, fold it in half" her grandmother showed as she followed.

There was silence for a few minutes, and getting annoyed by every growing second, Rika finally spoke up "So, what's the deal with the bird?" she said, trying to sound uninterested - not that she was - but knowing wouldn't hurt. They were both now folding on making the wings of the crane.

"I was wondering when you would ask" smiling at the young girl. She could remember back to when Rika was only a child, full of energy (as she still is now, but also add to that list - impulsiveness) so innocent, so much to learn from life. She would tell Rika stories of her time and also about the past, where kings ruled the land, warriors fighting for what they believed in - their country. The child would be there sitting and staring contently at her, waiting for her grandmother to continue. But that was a long time ago. The child was now grown up, and has grown out off story telling, the grown child would now make her own stories. Seiko would always reflect of those days, but that was the past, now was the present, and now, she had an opportunity to tell her granddaughter another story, and not only that, the meaning of the crane is a custom to their culture. She wanted to keep at least some tradition - that's why had ask Makino to design the house traditional Japanese - and it's time that Rika knew a bit more about their culture.

"Well they say, a paper crane is very special. It's from the -" she pause for affect, Rika rolled her eyes "- heart"

"... Oh" the last word losing interest in her. She heard this plenty of times before - from the heart stuff, all the same, meaningless non-

"Not like that Rika, it has far more deeper meaning behind it" her grandmother answered as if reading the teenager's thoughts. She knew that Rika didn't understand things from the heart very well, about emotions, feelings... well, to be more exact, she believed that Rika didn't care but was still willing to tell the girl knowing that it will intrigue her somehow.

"This cranes has a meaning behind it, it's traditional Japanese Rika -" at this, she gave Rika a look "- It's not like those things you read in those girl magazines -" now it was Rika's turn to give her grandmother a look "- not that you read it of course, I was just saying it's not...." she paused, trying to find the right word to describe it "... shallow"

Rika couldn't help but laugh at the word her grandmother choose "Shallow?"

Her Grandmother instead of being offended, smiled "Well, true is it not?" 

Her granddaughter smiled that rare smile, only reserved for those she cared about "I guess so grandma"

"Now back to what we were talking about" now looking serious as though it was a promise of letting her granddaughter know "It is said that the crane is a symbol from the heart, it is only given to a love one and no one else. It's as if there is magic in it"

Rika snorted at that. "How do you know that they don't just give it to anyone? It is a paper after all" stressing the word 'paper' as if trying to convince the older women that paper did not contain magic whatsoever - it was just made out of cellulose, and lots of it.

"They just do" Seiko smiled mysteriously.

Rika was now starting to doubt her grandmother's sanity. How was a crane, a paper crane at that, able to stop one person from giving it to someone besides their loved one?

Well, she just has to find out for herself didn't she? Piece. Of. Cake. She will just make a couple of dozen, go to the highest building in the city, and then let the little bird wannabes go falling down to her so called 'destined one'. And if that bird has magic in it, it should stop her from letting them be the next victims of gravity. Then later, maybe she'll go back down the building to see what happens, might be an interesting sight to watch.

A muffled giggle drew her attention back to reality, she looked at her grandmother to see that she was trying to hold back a laugh, and seemingly, it was failing.

"What's so funny?" she demanded. She didn't like anyone making any sound - let alone laughing - when she was thinking or devising a plan. It simply annoyed her.

"I know that look" giving Rika a knowing smile.

"Huh?"

"That look, it's the same look you have when planning on proving someone wrong. I've seen you wearing it around Henry a few times." Now Seiko was looking straight into Rika's violet eyes and in a serious tone, she stated "But it's true, it's only meant for your true one"

Truly convinced that her grandmother had totally lost it, she simply nodded and asked, "So, this bird, it's meant-"

Her grandmother let out a laugh "It's not called a bird Rika, it's called a crane." 

Decided that they were sidetracked enough, Seiko got back to continuing on showing Rika the making of the crane. They were now almost finished, just the head to make. A minute or so later, they were done.

"That wasn't so bad now was it?" smiling cheerfully at the girl across from her.

Rika just 'hmph' in response

She wasn't really listening to her grandmother anymore; she was now, actually looking at the cranes that she and the lady sitting on the other side of the table had made. Once again, her grandmother's one seemed to be glowing, while her just looked like, well, like a normal paper crane. Were her eyes playing tricks on her? She asked herself as she continued looking from one crane to the other.

"What is it Rika?" noticing the girl's vision jumping back and fourth.

Since this was her grandmother she was talking to, Rika decided to go ahead and say it "Yours seems to be glowing, mine looks... normal" she said and made a face, disgusted by the last word. She didn't like normal things, normal meant that you were like the rest of the other people. Completely absorbed in their own feelings, and not aware of what's really going on around them, which left them weak, defenceless, something that she shall never be. She will make certain of it.

The lady gave her a warm smile "Maybe that was because I was thinking of someone special while making it"

"Grandpa?"

Her grandmother gave her another warm loving smile before going into a daze, no doubt thinking back to when her husband was still with her. The memory was short lived as the sound of the doorbell was heard, interrupting the past. Rika started to get up but her grandmother stopped her "Don't worry honey, I'll get that, and while I'm at it, I'll make us some tea." Giving Rika a final smile, she got up and headed toward the door back into the house leaving Rika alone outside.

Alone, Rika was now free to study the 'crane' without her grandmother amused watchful eyes on her. The little thing was really glowing. It also looked quite nice, not too bad. Though it did not resemble a real crane in any way - a real one had legs - but it was still quite breath taking nonetheless, simple, but beautiful.

The sound of the Japanese designed door opening made her look up. Expecting to see her grandmother walking out, with the tea tray in her hands, she instead saw a handsome, tall young man with dark blue haired and grey-silver eyes walking in. It was Henry, her best friend for six years with a friendly smile on his face. Even at the age of 19, he still hasn't lost that seriousness aura around him, always thinking. She chuckled at that.

"Your grandmother told me that you would out here" he told her, walking up to where she was.

Rika choose to remain silent.

"What?" Henry said in a teasing smile "Don't I get any 'hello'?"

She shot him a glare. She couldn't help it, it was a reflex action.

"And hello to you too" he said, laughing softly. He took the seat that was previously her grandmothers; so now, he was across from her. Looking around, he noticed that there was quite an amount of origami paper lying on the table. Picking one up, he asked, "What are they for?"

"Making paper cranes" finally deciding to break out of her little period of silence. It does get boring after awhile.

Henry raised an eyebrow "Oh?"

"My grandmother was teaching me how to make one" she informed him, showing him the one she had made.

"Cute little thing" Henry complimented, and made a little show of petting the thing.

Rika snorted "It's not a thing, it's a -" pausing - obviously trying to find a least something decent to call it - and then smirked "- 'Symbol from the heart'" reciting what her grandmother had told her earlier.

Looking up from the crane, Henry shot her a curious look "Oh, really?"

Rika made an impatient sound "Don't you know the significance of the crane?"

"Care to enlighten me?"

She eyed him, as if to see if he was telling the truth, then looked away "Can't be bothered"

He laughed at that "Thought so, well, you can at least show me how to make one"

After a little arguing and death glares on Rika's part, Henry finally managed to convince her to teach him how to make one.

"Take a piece" Rika said, pointing to the selection on the table. Choosing a grey-black gradient style piece, Henry waited as Rika choose a violet one with little plum blossoms on it and turn to face him. "You see Henry, making a crane isn't just folding paper, origami is it art of paper folding" Rika lectured on to Henry. 

Henry shot her a look only to see  that corner of her lips turning to a curve, she was trying to hold back a smile, and by the tone of her voice, he could tell that she was teasing. You don't know a girl for about six years and know nothing about her. "Oh -" deciding to play along "- really? I never knew, oh please go on" and made a flick of his wrist indicating for her to continue.

"Seriously Henry, you know nothing..." shaking for head in mock shame but with that rare soft smile on her face.

Seeing her smile, he took it as encouragement and continued playing along "I would have a least known something if you told me the significance of the crane" he shot back.

"Whatever..."

And so, they started. As they continued to make the crane, Henry studied Rika, making sure not to alert her sixth sense. Though she was showing him, she wasn't exactly teaching him. She was more like just making it and expecting him to keep up. It looked as though she was preoccupied - in deep thought, and by the way she was concentrating on the crane, it seemed as though the crane meant something to her.

When they were finally done, Rika examined her one, and this time - much to her surprise - it was glowing. 'You don't mean...' she questioned herself as she glanced a look at Henry and turned back straight a way before he could see '... that I -'

But Henry didn't miss it "What's with the look?" he said, interrupting Rika's thoughts and giving Rika a lazy smile. You can't help but relax in the atmosphere that the garden created, especially in the company of Rika. Though he never told her - but he suspected she knew - that he found her quite amusing, and cute too - he never told her that either, not if he wanted to risk facing that temper of hers, even after all these years, she still hasn't quite lost it. - Through the years, she had grown quite beautiful.

"Here"

"Pardon?" he said as he was pulled away from his thoughts by the sound of her voice. He refocused back on Rika, who was now holding out her paper crane, her face - neutral.

"Take it" waving it in front of from. Not having the patience to wait for him, she just took his hand and placed the crane on top of it.

Speechless, Henry accepted it, bringing the crane closer to him. He never thought that Rika would actually make him something. Touched by the fact that she did, he looked closely at the crane. Something caught his eyes, tuning everything out, he focused more on the it. What he saw was that it was glowing. 'Wait a minute...' looking up to meet Rika's violet eyes '... does this mean...' Then it hit him, she must have.

Giving her a true, genuine smile, he thanked her and in return, he picked his grey-black crane from the table, took Rika's hand and placed the crane on her palm.

Was she hesitating? He asked himself as he noticed that she didn't bring it straight to her after receiving the crane, she was looking at it as if she was uncertain of something, and having some internal battle with herself. When she looked at him, he saw a longing for understanding in her eyes, but it only last for a second, for the next second, it was replace with her usual expressionless look.

"Thank you"

'She does' he then smirked, he couldn't help it - Rika was rubbing off on him 'Then it's time that I tell her...' but by his way - she was seriously running off on him. - Knowing a girl for six years - especially Rika - and not learning any of her tactics was just not possible, not in his case. He knew her too well (though every once in a while, she did confuse him), and it's about time that he'd played one of her games on her.

"I know" he said, grinning ever so innocently - It begins.

She raised an eyebrow, "Huh?"

He was now smiling sheepishly at her. "I know Rika"

If she was confused, she didn't show it. "Congratulations! You know something, I guess that mind didn't go to waste after all" sarcasm dripping from her voice. She didn't like not knowing. She could tell that he was up to something; it was there in his eyes. Rika narrowed her own eyes, she just had to wait and see what it was.

"The meaning..."

"What meaning?" she was obviously now growing impatient.

"... behind it....." if he was testing for how far he can push her patience, he was almost there.

"...... the deeper understanding..."

He was there now.

"Oh, out with it already!" she was only met with laughter as she angrily glared at the boy across from her. "You do know I can reach you…" she lowly threatened.

He stopped laughing and was now smiling at her. She narrowed her eyes once again; there was something more to that smile...

He couldn't help it, not now that he knows. He had wished but believed that it would never happen, especially since this was Rika he was talking about. He looked straight at her, his eyes speaking for themselves.

"The meaning of the crane Rika, I know what it means, and how you only give it to your true one" his voice, not hiding the emotions he felt.

Rika can only stare back at him in shock... 

... and, something else......

Understanding.

- End -

And a little omake ending... I had to write this part in ^^ so don't take it seriously.

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Unknown to them, Makino and her mother were peeking outside, watching, as Rika leap towards Henry... 

... Fist in midair.

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Author's Note: Okay, so I kinda gave the paper crane magic, you can say it has ancient magic in it. I wanted something deeper...

Though it may not be that long, but writing doesn't come naturally for me. I only write when I have inspiration.

Now to answer some questions that is definite to rise after reading this.

1. No, Rika's grandmother did not ask Makino (Rika's mother, I believe that's her name) to design the house Japanese.

2. I do not know if the crane is a custom, I'd just said it was for the sake of the fic.

3. Yes, I do know that Rika's mother is also called 'Rumiko'. I choose 'Makino' because I remember reading it off some message board.

I hoped that you'd enjoyed it and please remember to review.