AN: Greetings, fellow carbon-based life forms. (Speaking of molecular physics, Za Jiang noodles actually do have something to do with it, on a deeper level. [If you have watched "Little Miss Sooga," then you know what I mean.]) Anyway, before Pucca's plan of world domination comes to fruition, she would first appreciate it if all of you would read and review this brilliantly contrived chapter. (*cough cough*). Enjoy!

"Tobe!" called Yunxu from the entrance of his hideout.

There was no response.

So he invited himself in. Around him were Tobe's ninjas in hammocks. Some of them were sleeping with drool leaking out of their mouths. Others were karate-chopping flies that were buzzing in their faces. And one of them was playing a gameboy.

'Jeez, I don't think I've ever seen such low-maintenance ninjas. They probably don't do anything to help Tobe,' Yunxu mused.

To make sure Tobe was there, Yunxu climbed up the ladder that led to his bed. And he arrived at the top platform to, sure enough, see Tobe…sleeping in a curled-up ball with his thumb in his mouth.

'And no wonder his ninjas are so lazy! They've never been properly trained if this is what their boss is like!' he finished his thought.

Yunxu pulled out a random bucket of water from behind his back (as they so often do in cartoons) and dumped it all over him.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAA!" screamed Tobe, jumping out of bed wildly to stare at Yunxu.

Yunxu stood in place grinning at him.

"WHY YOU SON OF A—"

He put a hand over his lips. "No no no. DON'T you finish that curse, mister. It's the first day of your dare. You agreed to do this. So now we really should stick to our word, shouldn't we?"

Tobe glared at him.

"Anyways," began Yunxu, "didn't I wake you up two hours ago? You weren't supposed to go back to sleep. Now you don't have time to shower or eat breakfast."

"But…but…" whined Tobe.

"No buts. You'll survive. Right now we need to get you changed."

"Changed?" questioned Tobe. "But I always wear this suit!"

"Yeah, well it only marks you as an evil ninja. Besides, don't you ever get tired of wearing the same clothes every day?"

"No!" he snapped.

"Well too bad, 'cause when I said we needed to get you changed, I didn't just mean your clothes."

Tobe grunted and glowered for a second…before lowering his head in defeat.

"Good! Fortunately, we happen to be about the same size. So I'm letting you have these. I don't need them anymore."

He handed Tobe a pair of casual, dark-blue hakama pants and a white T-shirt with the symbol of yin and yang on the front. He stared at them.

"Well go ahead and try them on," urged Yunxu. "I'll be right outside."

Tobe groaned and unfolded the clothes.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

A few minutes later, he emerged in his new attire. Yunxu turned his head to look.

"Not bad. Not bad at all. Lemme just add a couple more touches."

He then gave Tobe a pair of tabi socks and zori sandals. When he was done putting them on, Yunxu finally took his ninja mask off, revealing his dark hair tied in a ponytail.

"Congratulations," said Yunxu coolly. "You now look like a normal, civilized member of society."

"Whatever," replied a not-so-amused Tobe. "So what do I do next?"

"Well, now that your appearance is complete…you should probably go perform some acts of kindness. You know, like helping an old lady across the street, giving a hug to someone in need, adopting a stray puppy, playing—"

"Playing some insipid game with children, handing money to a filthy hobo, I GET IT!" barked Tobe.

"Super!" exclaimed Yunxu, grinning. "I'll just leave you to carry out those deeds."

'Finally' Tobe thought as Yunxu walked away.

"However," he said sharply, turning his head to look back at him, "don't you even think about being mean to anyone……I'm watching you."

A part of Tobe was actually intimidated when he looked into the glassy stare of Yunxu. Especially his clouded eye, which was the very color of the sky before a storm. If he gazed hard enough, he swore he could even see lightning.

Tobe swallowed…and nodded his head.

And Yunxu knew that nod meant he understood. So he departed.

AN: Done. Again, kind of a short chapter. You know, I meant for this chappie to be somewhat humorous. It started out to be that way…but the ending is kinda dramatic, is it not? Oh well. It's cool either way. Anyways, all that matters now is getting the next chapter up! I'm really getting somewhere with this! I will not let anything impede my work! So bring on pain, plague, and pestilence! Nothing will stop me now!

…Except for school starting in a few days. But have no fear; it won't completely stop me. It will probably just slow me down a bit……now now, just because I didn't write for months while I was in school last semester doesn't mean you can't trust me to work on it this time! ^_^' hehe………Stay tuned!

~Omega~