Chapter Nine: Ice Cream

Author's Note: Thanks to Elemental Queen for this word. Sorry about not updating. Writers block; don't you hate it?

It was spring time in the Mushroom Kingdom; the sun sent it's gentle rays to warm the land, the sound of singing birds filled the air, and blooming flowers spread out across the country side. It was beautiful weather, and everyone was doing his or her best to enjoy it. Including a green plumber and a flower princess…

Luigi and Daisy sat in the castle garden thinking about the best way to enjoy this wonderful weather. After several minutes of just sitting there silently, Luigi gave up and decided to break the ice. "What do you want to do Daisy?"

"I'm kind of hungry. Let's go get some ice cream! Peach told me that new ice cream place just opened."

"Isn't that the one that's supposed to be really expensive?" Daisy shrugged.

"Yeah. So?" Luigi groaned.

"Come on, Daisy, isn't there something else you'd rather do instead?" She shook her head and leapt to her feet.

"I'm in the mood for ice cream and that's what we're getting. Come on Weegee!" A startled gasp flew out of Luigi's mouth as Daisy forcefully pulled him up from off the ground and started dragging him out of the garden.

Needless to say, they caught the attention of quite a few citizens as they made down the streets of Toad Town. A few people nervously waved to the visiting Princess who waved enthusiastically back. More people waved to Luigi, as he was one of the Mushroom Kingdom's main heroes, and the apparent victim of the situation, but he just waved half-heartedly back. He was too busy stressing about how he was going to talk Daisy out of robbing him of all his hard-earned money.

The bells on the door of the ice cream shop rang several times as Daisy threw the door open and pulled Luigi inside. He shivered as a blast of cold air hit him. It's freezing in here! He thought with a frown. This better be some good ice cream. His blue eyes widened as he glanced at the prices. Some very good ice cream.

The irritation in his eyes faded as he saw Daisy. She was bending over the display cases, her breath fogging up the glass. It didn't seem to matter to her; she was looking at the flavors displayed, but she was several years away.

In Sarasaland, many years ago, an ice cream shop with the same name opened. On the Grand Opening, a mother and her child were making their down the street, eager to try it out. "Come on Mommy!" the child called, grabbing her mother's gloved hand and pulling her towards the door. "All the ice cream's gonna be gone!"

The mother chuckled, her green eyes warming at the sound of those words, so foolish but so innocently spoken. "I'm coming Daisy," she said, allowing herself to be pulled into the shop. Once inside, the crowd of citizens parted allowing the Queen and young Princess to get first choice.

Daisy squealed with delight and ran to the display case, trying to climb up the metal rail that was built on to the side. "Sweetie, why don't you try choosing from down here?" The Queen scooped up her daughter and placed her on the ground. Daisy looked up at her, her lips drawn into a pout.

"But Mommy, I can't see!" she whined.

"Well then, we can't have that, now can we?" The Queen once again lifted up her daughter, this time not setting her down, but continuing to hold her.

"Whee!" Daisy cried clapping her hands. "I'm tall now, Mommy! Just like you!"

"Go ahead and choose what kind of ice cream you want, sweetheart."

"I want them all!"

"Well, you can only have one, so what do you want?" Daisy's blue eyes scanned over the wide variety of flavors, not seeming disappointed at all about her limit. Finally she came to rest over what makes all little kids scream with joy.

"CHOCOLATE!" she shrieked. Her mother nodded in approval.

"Alright." She turned to the server. "One kids cup of chocolate and one kids cup of raspberry." He nodded and dished up their order, smiling down at the eager faced Princess.

"Here you are Princess Daisy. Princess Daisy. Your Highness, can I get you something?" Daisy was jerked back from her memories by the sound of the purple capped Toad standing behind the ice cream talking to her.

"Oh yeah. Sorry." She smiled at him. "I'd like some chocolate."

"And you?" he asked Luigi.

"Uh, vanilla please." Their ice cream was served, their prices rung up (much to Luigi's disappointment), and they were out the door in a matter of minutes. They stood in front of the shop, quietly eating.

"My mom used to take me here when I was little," Daisy said softly, never lifting her eyes from her ice cream. "I always got chocolate, and she always got raspberry." Luigi looked closely at Daisy, and saw that sadness filled her normally happy blue eyes. He could tell she truly missed her mother.

Luigi was at a loss for what to do. He had never seen Daisy like this. Unsure of how to comfort her, he did the only thing he could think of. He slowly took her hand. Daisy's eyes widened, and he just about let go. But then Daisy tightened her grip on his hand and they proceeded to walk down the sidewalk, lost in the sweetness of memories and each other.

Author's Note: Well, will you look at that. A longer chapter and this wasn't even a challenge. Sorry about how long it took to update. Enjoy and review!