Van: Thank you Falcon Strife! (beams) You really had been an inspiration to me!

Hao: I'm really getting anxious!

Manta: Why! Why me!

Van: Oh come off it, it was a request from clowneyes to have you in a dress. FORCED.

Hao: How come I don't get to see it? (whines)

Van: Patience, Hao. I own not a single scrap of Shaman King.

Ch. 7 Mission Impossible

"NO! No no no no no!" Manta shouted furiously.

"Please! Manta-sama, calm down!"

"What do you mean 'engagement party'? And what's with this dress?! And what's the big idea keeping me in the CELLAR?!" Manta furiously struggled out of the dress and the many hands that were holding him down.

"Forgive us Manta-sama! But please hear what we have to say!" pleaded a maid.

"I'm not listening! It's clear that the people my father hired have sick minds!"

"Manta-sama, please!"

"Who in their right mind would force a guy in a dress unless they clearly have something wrong in the head?!" Manta shrieked. He didn't pay attention to the fact that his voice reached a rather feminine pitch.

"Manta-sama, we don't have a choice! Mannoko-sama isn't here, she ran off, and today is her engagement party! Oh Manta-sama, if something were to happen!" the butler's face contorted with thoughts of being laid off and fired and his three children starving!

Manta paused in his struggle. "What?"

"We're very sorry, Manta-sama. Mannoko-sama's fiancee is going to be there and will be heartbroken!" Said a maid.

"Besides," added another, "You and Mannoko-sama look quite similar! No one will tell the difference!"

"No one except my father."

At that, the servants and maids all fell down in spirits.

One servant sighed. "Oh my friends. I truly did enjoy working with you all."

"Gregory! Don't talk like that!" pleaded another.

Manta twitched. They were giving him the old guilt trip again.

"That's right! What about your children?"

"We'll manage, somehow. I could always go back to the dishwashing job I had during-"

Unfortunately, Manta fell for it. "Alright, I'll do it." He sniffed as he put on the scratchy, lacy, fluffy, princessy dress.

Show me what it's like

to be the last one standing

Teach me wrong from right

"Thank you Manta-sama! Your sacrifice will not be in vain!" Said one maid powdering his nose.

And I'll show you what I can do

Say it for me, say it to me

And I'll leave this life behind me

Say it if it's what saving me!


"So since the location's kind of far, I decided that the best way would be by the bus. Of course, since this service is free, the driving would be a slow- Ow!" Mannoko clutched her head and rubbed it gently.

"Uh, er, oh! Are you ok, Mannoko?" said Pilika struggling not to burst out in pure laughter.

"I'm fine. That's weird, there's a bump on my head..." Mannoko mumbled to herself.

Ren glared at the spirits, of which Bason shrinked back automatically in fear

"Well now, that that's settled, why don't we go?" Hao said grinning.

"Wait!" said Pilika. "Someone has to take care of the inn! It's Yoh's request, after all."

Everyone stared at Pilika.

"What?" Pilika said confused.

A few moments later, she screamed on how it was unfair, that Manta was her friend too, and she's stuck doing nothing save watching an inn with boring spirits.


Meanwhile, with Manta who was already dressed promptly, given quick lady lessons, and wished an insane amount of luck, he or rather she was driven to the five-star restaraunt of Rat-A-Too-Lee's! (Van: Not Ratatouille! XD)

"Rat-A-Too-Lee's? This is a five-star restaraunt?" Manta decided not to question the matter further. With as much grace and poise he could muster, he walked on those really tortuous heels and lifted up the hem of his dress, so as to not get it dirty. He handed the list dude his invite, stated his name, remembering to keep his girlish falsetto alive.

The man took the invite and let Manta in, but not before whistling and saying to himself, "Am I turning pedophilic?"

Manta huffed indignantly. The nerve! At the thought, he suddenly realized something.

'I'm THINKING like a woman! This dress is haunted!'

Before he could panic over the so-called "haunted dress", he found his father seated among a group of business people.

"And when is your lovely daughter arriving?" said one smiling.

"She should be coming at this time." Mansumi replied smiling back.

"Ohohohohohoho!" The two laughed.

'I know what you're up to, Mansumi, and don't think you'll get away with it!' The man thought gleefully.

'Hm! This guy thinks I'm an easy nut to crack! Well, we'll see!' Mansumi thought smirking.

"Oh! And who is this beautiful young lady joining us?" Exclaimed the secretary.

Mansumi turned around, but his look of relief became one of horror. "Th- This is-"

"Mansumi Oyamada's daughter, Mannoko Oyamada." Manta interrupted smiling. 'I'll explain later!' He signalled at his father.

Mansumi quickly regained himself and signalled. 'You better!'

Manta sat down and greeted each and every one of the associates with the politeness that he was always taught. So far, so good.

"My my, Mansumi. Are you alright?"

"Ah, it's nothing." Mansumi said.

"Ah, and I suppose it's time to meet your fiancee!" Said the earlier businessman. He gestured to a man on his right.

Manta leaned forward eagerly to catch a glimpse of his future brother-in-law.

"Morinozuka Takashi." (from Ouran High School Host Club)

Manta stared at the guy. Virtually, he pictured Mannoko standing next to him in holy matrimony. The idea was too much! This guy is what? 6 feet tall? And don't even question Mannoko's height! Manta struggled not to laugh. The tallest man marries the most-virtually-challenged woman!

(snort.)

"Mannoko, as you remember, Morinozuka had been your childhood companion. You've had quite a history together... Although you two had been the same size back then, if you don't mind me saying."

"O-Oh..." Manta said with a huge stiffling smile. "Yes, I remember now."

"You two even played tag and hide and seek together!"

Manta's mind theater began reeling.

(Manta's mind theater)

A flower field in full bloom and spring. His sister ran through it giggling.

"Hey! Hey! Wait up!" Mannoko gushed chasing after the big guy.

Soon, the roles switched.

"You better hurry up! You're it!" She said joyfully.

Mori ran after holding a wedding ring.

(end theater)

Manta snickered and covered his mouth at his father's glare.

"Of course, you remember that Mori is a man of few words."

'Mannoko talks 24/7!'

"Morinozuka is usually laid down."

'Mannoko usually causes trouble!'

"He even does kendo very well!"

'Ok... That could work.'

"He had always been the faithful guardian of Hanninozuka-sama," said the man gesturing to a small child-like boy.

Hanninozuka smiled. "I'm glad, that Takashi is getting married to a cute wife!" He snuggled his bunny toy.

Manta smiled. "Ah. How... Nice."

The food was exquisite and the music... Classical.

Mansumi then stood as does the other business associates to talk of plans regarding what happens after the engagement.

Mori scooted over to Manta.

'Eh?' Manta thought suddenly noticing Mori.

Mori while still looking away reached over for his hand.

'Oh no no no no!' Manta quickly snatched it away.

Mori took a moment to pat Manta's shoulder. "Ah."

Manta's eyes widened in surprise. He spoke!

"It will be fine..." Mori said reassuringly.

Manta's eyes widened even further as Mori's face grew near.

Suddenly the lights went off.


Van: Bwahaha! I am terrible! XD

Hao: I didn't even get my part of the chapter! (pout)

Van: I said patience is a virtue, but the readers probably already knew that. ;

Hao: Well, the next one better be good! And who's this trying to steal my manta?

Van: Relax! Mori's a guy from a another series called Ouran High school host club. He wouldn't hurt a fly!

Hao: That doesn't change the fact that he's going to kiss Manta!

Van: kukuku! I update despite the fact that this fic is awful... How sad.

Hao: Are you even listening to me?!

Van: R&R pretty please!