Disclaimer: Okay, you should know by now that I don't own HHPAY, and that this is based off the animated characters and not the real people.

FORWARD: Here we go with another installment of the series. If you haven't read the first three, it would be a good idea to do so (Shameless plug...deal with it), although it isn't a must.

But for the rest of you...keep reading.

---Shaddie-chan

SUMMARY: It's trouble for the Oh-gals when Ami ends up sick and unusally irritable. Meanwhile, Joko's got some serious competiton...

TOKYO NIGHTS

PART FOUR: Fame Has A Shadow

In a rather quiet suburb in Tokyo, down a somewhat difficult to find road, there was a very nice house (mansion-like from the outside, it seemed) that belonged to the Onuki family.

The Onuki family comprised of gentle Akasei, Joko, her wealthy but troubled husband, and their three daughters: fussy Yushi, naughty Gojei, and cheerful little Ami. But on this paticular day, Ami didn't seem so happy.

Unusually, Ami was the last to come down the stairs that morning. While Yushi and Gojei jauntily headed downstairs, Ami came moping along as if she were tired and/or sad.

When the three of them reached the kitchen Akasei was pouring orange juice for them. Yushi and Gojei took their cups with nary a word, but as Akasei was about to pour the stuff into Ami's cup Ami angrily took the carton away from Akasei.

''No! I'll do it myself!'' Ami said. But once she had filled up the cup she accidently knocked it over, spilling juice onto the table and some of the floor.

Ami groaned, but Akasei quickly got the paper towels and cleaned everything up. ''It's all right,'' She told Ami, ''These things happen. I'll pour you some more.''

A bit later Ami was stacking blocks while Gojei just sat beside her, thinking.

Finally she spoke. ''Y'ever think about the end of the world as we know it?'' Gojei asked.

''You mean like a nuclear war or something?'' Ami said, not taking her eyes off the blocks.

''No, I think Dad was referring to if he ever catches me messin' with the hot water heater again,'' Gojei said.

Before Ami could say anything else to her sister the block tower fell apart. Ami was furious, as she had just put the final block on top.

It just so happened that Akasei walked by her mere seconds after the tower had fallen. ''What's wrong, Ami?'' Akasei asked, seeing the (very) upset look on Ami's face.

''The tower fell!'' Ami said angrily, pointing to the heap of blocks on the floor.

''These things happen,'' Akasei said. ''Why don't you try it again?''

''No!'' Ami said, then she began to put the blocks back in their box with, I am sure, much impetuosity. Akasei said nothing and simply left her alone.

Ami then got out her sketch pad and crayons, then she proceeded to draw a picture of a big purple bus. When she had finished she tore the page out of the book...and in doing so ripped the picture itself.

That did it. Ami threw the sketch pad against the wall with great fury, just barely missing Akasei, who had just settled down to watch her soap operas.

''What is it now?'' Akasei asked.

''My picture ripped!'' Ami said.

Akasei thought of all the things that had happened to Ami that morning. ''It seems you're having a bad day,'' She said.

''I'm not having a bad day!'' Ami said, storming off to her favorite beanbag chair. She plopped down onto it angrily. ''I just wanna...'' She yawned, ''be left...alone.'' Then without warning she began to profusely rub herself against the chair. ''So...itchy!'' She said, then after rubbing against the chair and scratching herself for some time she fell asleep.

Meanwhile, in an office inside the Shogun Hotel, a somewhat nerdy looking fellow with beady eyes, glasses, a light grey shirt, a blue tie, and black trousers sat at his desk listlessly tap-tap-tapping on the keyboard in a rather dreary state of mind. He was Joko Onuki, owner of the Shogun Hotel and Ami's father (as I mentioned before).

After keeping up this dismal routine for a bit longer, he turned to his most trusted worker, Mariko, who, as usual, stood beside his desk.

''Mariko,'' Joko said with a sigh, ''Am I adored?''

Mariko pondered her boss's question. ''Why ask me?'' She said, ''I don't know those things.''

Joko went on. ''You, Akiko and all the others respect me...at least I hope you do.''

''Oh, don't worry,'' Mariko said.

Joko leaned back in his seat and put his feet up on the desk. ''Yet I'm always so doubtful...''

Well, you should be, Mariko wanted to say, but instead she kept silent.

''When they all see me, what do they think?'' Joko said.

''Again, how should I know?'' Mariko said, ''I can't read minds!''

Joko ignored her. ''Tell me I'm adored,'' He said, ''Just tell me I'm adored.''

Mariko sighed and rolled her eyes. ''Yeah, you probably are.''

''Ah, just perfect, don't you think?'' Joko said, taking a sip of coffee.

Mariko had to deal with this sort of thing quite often. You see, Joko's biggest weakness was that he got jealous of others very easily, and he always wanted to be assured that he was not worthless. Sure, it is understandable, but as Mariko would probably tell you, it gets a bit old!

But such reassurance from Mariko would do him no good in the days to come...

A/N: Okay, okay, I'll try not to focus on Joko so much...but of all my original characters he is one of my all-time favorites...I can't help it (grin)

Anyways, until next time, review me; flamers will suffer in much the same way Mariko does.

---Shaddie-chan

(Also you might want to check out this one fairly new HHPAY fic I have called When The Darkness Has Left)