I do not own Umineko no Naku Koro Ni (When the Seagulls Cry). Please read until the very end. Enjoy!

From Furniture to Human

Chapter Two: Awkward

"Sorry to disturb you, Milady. Dinner is ready in the main house." Kanon said to me, standing in my doorway.

I felt my heart begin to race. After that dream I just had, I could hardly believe that he was standing in front of me. "Oh, uh… I, uh…" I could barely talk. It was going to take me a while to readjust to the cold, emotionless Kanon after I got to know the warm, colorful one.

"Milady," Kanon said again.

"Um… Thank you…" My voice was starting to crack. "I-I'll be down in a minute." I couldn't control myself. I started to giggle nervously.

Kanon had a bit of a concerned expression on his face. "Are you alright?"

Before I could answer, an image flashed before my eyes: an image from my dream. The image of Kanon on top of me, kissing me. "Uhhhh….." I couldn't really think or speak for a moment. That dream felt so real. And the fact that Kanon was standing in front of me… I just couldn't handle it. "Please, get out." I said without thinking.

Kanon backed out of the doorway. "As you wish." He bowed slightly and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"W-wait…" I say under my breath. But Kanon was already gone, and I was alone. Did I really just tell him to get out? I'm so stupid! I shouted inside my head. I was really letting this whole dream thing get to me. But why? The dream was exactly that: a dream. I shouldn't let it bother me.

I decided to get up and go to dinner. I put my shoes on and headed out to the mansion.

I stepped into the mansion and found my way into the main dining room. The strong scent of miso soup and other delicacies tickled my nose and made my mouth water. I always look forward to whatever the Gouda prepares for us.

For some reason, our seating arrangement wasn't according to Hierarchy like it normally is. We could sit wherever. I took a seat next to my mother and across from Maria. I looked around the dining table carefully. Everything was so beautifully decorated; it was giving off a bit of a romantic vibe. It sort of reminded me of the dinner that was in my dream…

No! I thought to myself, Don't start thinking about that now! You're at the dinner table. Just remain calm and think about it later.

Anyway, after dinner was served and everyone started eating, there was an odd silence in the room; the kind of silence that makes your ears ring. I looked around again. I looked behind Maria, and I saw Kanon. He was practically standing in front of me. I felt my heart start to race again. Geez, what is with me today? I mentally asked myself, there's nothing to get worked up about. Why am I getting so hysterical every time I look at him?

After I calmed myself down for a moment, I finally give in to the deafening silence. I decide to speak, and since Maria is the first one I front of me, I decided to talk to her. "So, Maria, it's October, right? It's going to be Halloween soon. Are you going to dress up as anything?"

Maria was quick and eager to answer. "Uuu! Maria is going to be a witch!"

"A witch?" I giggle. Oh, how adorable, I think to myself. "What kind of witch are you going to be?"

"The Golden Witch, Beatrice! Uuu, uuu!"

As quickly as Maria said that, my Aunt Rosa, Maria's mother, slapped her across the face. "Stop saying those things! You're nine! You should talk about more grown up things!"

"Uuu…" Maria mumbled as she rubbed her cheek.

I felt guilty now. Everyone at the table was staring at me. I made my little cousin get hurt. I knew I should have kept my mouth shut. What is wrong with me? I'm really losing my sanity today, aren't I?

The rest of the dinner was, of course, delicious. The only thing I didn't like about it was the deafening silence. Why wasn't anyone talking? And Kanon. Why did he have to stand in my line of sight?! The whole thing was just sort of… awkward.

After dinner and desert, my cousins and I all starting walking to the guest house. Maria, Battler, and George were engaged in their own conversation, and I just stood off to the side. I didn't feel like talking anyway. I was still trying to get over this whole "dream" thing. Why was I letting it bother me so much? I know I've dreamt of Kanon before, but none of those dreams were as intense and realistic as this… Ugh, I really could use a good knock on the head.

Battler turned and started talking to me. "So, Jessica, how was that nap you took earlier?"

Oh God, why do we have to talk about this now? I thought. "Oh, uh, it was fine. Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering, that's all." He had a mischievous look on his face. "Kanon was sent up there to wake you."

I felt as though Battler was saying these things on purpose. "Yeah, so?" I asked, sounding as irritated as possible.

He giggled. "Did you guys do anything?"

I felt my face turn red again. "What do you mean?" I ask.

Battler got right in my face and said, "You know what I mean." He smiled slyly. "Your hair was a little messy at dinner."

I raised my hand and slapped his face as hard as I could. What the hell is his problem?! I thought.

"For God's sake, Jessica! What was that for?!" Battler shouted, rubbing his cheek.

I stomped my foot and began to pout. "I haven't seen you in six years and you're acting so rude to me! No, nothing happened between me and Kanon, so you can just drop it!" I turned around and started sprinting towards the guest house.

I heard George yell at Battler. "She's right. You should stop being so rude."

"Hey, it's the way I communicate!" I heard Battler say in defense.

I ran into the guest house and slammed the door behind me. From what I could tell, I was the only person in there. I felt my heart race and my breathing was very, very fast and shallow. Maybe running as fast as I could wasn't a very good idea…

I felt a closing sensation in my throat. Oh, that's not good, I thought. I was about to have another asthma attack. I quickly ran up the stairs and went into my room. I needed my inhaler, and I needed it now. I reached into my dresser and pulled out my medicine. Before I knew it, I started coughing uncontrollably. I shook the container frantically before putting it to my mouth and taking a deep breath.

I choked a bit, and then eventually caught my breath. I fell back onto my bed and let out a deep sigh. I could feel my eyes get heavy and they started to feel droopy. I was starting to feel sleepy again, despite the long nap I took not even an hour ago.

It was a little too early for someone of my age to be going to bed. Right now, I bet Maria was being put to sleep. Normally she and I would share this room, but this year she finally got her own room. I sat upright, stretched my arms, and yawned. Why am I so tired? I thought. I figured it didn't matter if I went to bed early or not. I stood up and went to my dresser. I began to put my pajamas on.

Then I heard a knock on the door.

"Um, just a minute." I called. I couldn't possibly answer the door with my pants off. What if Battler was at the door, or… Or Kanon?!

"I'm sorry to intrude. It's only me." I recognized Shannon's voice. "I just wanted to know if you were alright, Jessica-sama."

She wants to know if I'm alright? Why? I thought. I finish putting my pajamas on and went to open the door. As I opened the door, Shannon bowed slightly. "What did you want to know?" I ask.

"I heard you coughing and I wanted to make sure you were alright." Shannon replied.

I gave her a gentle smile. "That's very kind of you. I'm okay now. Thank you."

There was a silence between us that lasted for quite a while. Shannon didn't look up much. She kept her eyes to the ground.

"Um…" she said finally, "may I ask you something?"

I was kind of surprised. "Sure," I respond.

"Did… Did anything happen between you and Kanon?"

I felt my face turn red again. First it was Battler, and now Shannon? "W-why do you ask that?"

"Well…" Shannon's eyes went off to the side. She turned slightly red as well. "I noticed at dinner you kept staring at him and blushing. You turned bright red. A very, very bright red."

Oh, crap, I thought, I didn't even notice I was doing that. Did anyone else see? Gosh, this is embarrassing. "When you ask if 'something happened between me and Kanon', what exactly do you mean?" I ask out of curiosity.

Shannon looked back down at the ground. "Um… Well, uh…"

Oh, I see what she means. I laugh. "Oh, Shannon. Nothing like that happened." I felt that it was safe to tell her about the dream. "Come in and sit down on my bed. I have a story to tell you."

Shannon did as she was told. She sat down, and I sat down next to her.

I told her everything. I didn't leave out any details; not even that kissing part at the end. As I spoke, Shannon nodded and giggled at times, and sometimes she blushed.

When I was done talking, she giggled. "I'm guessing you really like Kanon…"

I nodded.

She nodded in return. "I have dreams like that sometimes…except they're about George-sama."

"Well, I should hope so!" I exclaim. We both laughed.

Shannon's laugh trailed off and she looked at me. "Is that why you seemed so nervous at dinner? Because of your realistic dream?"

I hesitate. "I guess you could say that."

Shannon stood up. "I have to get going now, but it was really nice talking with you, Jessica-sama."

I smile. "You too, Shannon."

She turned around and left the room.

I fell back into my bed. Talking casually to Shannon is quite relaxing. She's such an understanding person. I just wish that she could be more than just a servant…

My eyes were getting heavy again. I could barely keep them open. Time to go to bed, I thought. I turn off the light, get under the covers, and became engulfed in the realm of sleep.

Hey guys! Well, there's chapter two! It's a lot shorter than the first one ;_;

I haven't had a lot of time to write lately. I wrote this quickly because I wanted to have more than one chapter up. I realize this is not a very… engaging chapter, but the story gets better as it goes along. Trust me.

You know what I just realized? Shannon and Kanon are siblings and their names rhyme. Way to point out the obvious XD

XD is my favorite emoticon XD

Oh, and if I make any typos that I didn't notice in spell check, feel free to let me know .-.

Well, that's all for now. Keep checking back for updates and whatnot! XD

~YoshiFan2010 愛