Reunited

Chapter 9: Game Night

The six of them sat on the brown carpet in the living room, listening to Butch as he spoke. Kaoru sat cross-legged in her white tank top and black soccer shorts. Momoko sat near Kaoru, playing with her hair, twirling it around her fingers. Even though she was in jeans and an orange camisole, she was still warm. Miyako was leaning against the sofa, clutching her knees, in her cute white blouse and blue skort. Butch was leaning on the coffee table in his yellow t-shirt and jeans. Brick was on his left, in a muscle-tee and jeans. Boomer was sitting on the left of boomer in a blue t-shirt, white jacket, and jean shorts.

"First things first." Brick said. "If we're going to play the games, we'll be split up into groups of two. The Red Team, Green Team, and Blue Team. Obviously we know who goes with who." Everyone nodded. Momoko scooted towards Brick. Butch pulled Kaoru closer to him. And Boomer sat down near Miyako.

"Why do we need to do this? What games are we playing?" Kaoru asked, trying to sound indifferent even though she was scared to ask the question.

"I'm guessing all the fun ones. Truth of Dare, Would You Rather, etc." Boomer answered.

"Strip Poker, Naked Twister" Butch added. Kaoru punched his shoulder. "And let's not forget Spin the Bottle." Butch added mischeviously, but seriously.

"I'm out." Kaoru said. "If there's Spin the Bottle, count me out."

"Why? Little Kaoru is afwaid of a wittle kiss?" Butch said, mocking Kaoru, who hit him in return. "I mean, it's not like this will be your first kiss or anything, right?"

"What?! Of course not!" Kaoru replied, blushing. Momoko and Miyako exchanged uneasy glances. They both knew for a fact that what Kaoru said was 100% false.

"Then it's not as if it would matter to you, right?" Butch said, grinning.

"What?! A kiss is still a kiss! I wouldn't do something like that!"

"Sounds like something coming from someone who hasn't had their first kiss yet." Butch taunted Kaoru, just adding more fuel to her raging fire.

"What about two years ago? When we defeated you?" asked Momoko, who stepped up, afraid if Butch pushed Kaoru any further.

"I thought you guys said that wasn't a kiss." Boomer replied.

"Yeah, I mean, after it, it was just an air kiss." added Brick, who was smiling.

"Look, nobody is kissing anybody, alright?! No Spin the Bottle!" Kaoru shouted at Butch.

"Fine." Butch sighed. "We're voting. All in favor of Spin the Bottle, raise your hands!" Butch's hand shot up, and it was the only hand in the air. The rest just stared at him.

"Bastards." he muttered. Butch sighed again. "Then let's start with Truth or Dare." Butch pointed to Kaoru. "You first. Truth or dare?"

Kaoru was about to ask why he had picked her first, but she was too tired to argue anymore. She was about to say truth, but she knew what Butch was going to ask. "Dare." she said bravely. But as soon as the word left her mouth, she knew she was going to regret it.

"Oh really?" asked Butch, leaning toward Kaoru. "Pretty brave, aren't you? Alright." Butch paused. "I dare you to... play Spin the Bottle!" Kaoru hit Butch again, even harder.

"Baka! We voted that we wouldn't play that!"

"Fine. But here's the rule to our Truth or Dare: you refuse a dare or refuse to answer a question, and you take off one piece of clothing." Butch grinned.

"What!?" the three girls shouted together.

"When did we decide on that?!" Brick and Boomer shouted in unison. Momoko just shook her head.

"There is no way we're doing that." Miyako said.

"But I sorta agree with Butch." Boomer said. "When the three of us played Truth or Dare together, the penalty was being punched. But the strip-thing that he just thought of right now is not happening. And there's no way we could hit you guys... after what happened. There has to be some sort of penalty."

"A kiss?" Momoko asked. Everybody looked at her. Kaoru glared. "I mean, it's not as bad as stripping or punching, but let's face it, we don't really want to kiss each other, right?" Momoko knew the words she said were a complete lie. She did want to know what it was like to kiss Brick. To feel his lips on hers. But there was no way she would kiss him now, at least not in front of the other four.

"Speak for yourself." Butch said, as he pulled Kaoru closer. Kaoru sighed. She really was too tired to fight back. But what made him think that after a date, they were suddenly a couple. Chill, Kaoru. He's just joking. Don't overreact. But Kaoru and everyone else knew, that even what Butch said was a joke, it was partially true.

"But yeah. That's a good idea. Perfect penalty." Butch said, seriously this time. Momoko regretted suggesting the idea. "But I guess I can't dare you to play Spin the Bottle. How about a rematch?"

"Huh?" Kaoru asked.

"You know, wrestling match?" As soon as Butch mentioned this, Kaoru's eyes lit up. She was waiting for a chance to kick his butt. The only reason he won before was because she got distracted. She remembered what happened earlier that week.

"Hell yeah! You're on!" Kaoru shouted. "I won't let you win this time!" Butch laughed.

"Let me win? You lost because you got distracted."

"I'll beat you to a pulp. In PPGZ form of course." Kaoru added.

"Fine." Butch moved over as Kaoru stood up and moved back. She pressed her belt and transformed.

Powered Buttercup!

Buttercup stood above Butch, looking at him from below in her green outfit. Butch just studied her from head to toe.

"Wow. You look great in a skirt." Butch snickered. Buttercup's cheeks flushed from anger and embarrasment as she realized that Butch had a full view of her panties. She quickly sat down. "You guys look really cute when you transform." This time, all three girls blushed. Butch stood up. "Ready, Buttercup?"

"Ready to beat you." She stood up again.

"What's my prize?" Butch asked.

"Excuse me?" Miyako asked.

"If I win, I'll get some sort of prize. Last time it was a date." Butch explained. "This time, how about... a kiss?" Butch joked.

"Yeah. You can kiss my fist." Buttercup replied, clenching her fist and holding it up right in front of Butch's face.

"I've got one!" Brick exclaimed. "If Butch wins, Kaoru has to call him 'master' for the rest of the day." The girls stared at Brick. "You know... like a maid?"

"That's perfect!" Butch said. He looked at Buttercup, who just stuck out her tongue.

"If I win, you are not allowed to say another flirty or perverted thing for the rest of the day." Buttercup said.

"Deal."

"Deal."

"Ok..." Momoko said. "Start on 'Go'."

3... 2... 1... Go!

The green team was battling each other, Buttercup's hands pushed Butch's shoulders. Butch was trying to push her back. Butch's strength won over Buttercup's, and they fell to the floor. Butch was on top, trying to pin her down. Buttercup kept trying to push him off. For a second, she won over and pinned down Butch. Butch was shocked at her strength, but he rolled back, and once again, Buttercup was pinned down. She pushed him off and jumped up. She pinned Butch down, with his face to the floor, and twisted his arms. Butch winced at the pain, but managed to kick off Buttercup, who flew to the other side of the room. Buttercup hit the wall because of Butch's powerful hit. She stood up and her eyes seemed to glow. You're going down. She raced towards Butch, who had just stood up, in hope of tackling him. But he moved away the second she was about to leap, and Buttercup tackled the air and fell to the floor. Butch had her in a headlock, and she desperately tried to push him off. But he was too strong. Buttercup managed to squeeze out and push Butch down, holding him down with both hands. Shit! He's stronger than he was before! When we had our first fight, we were equal in strength, but now he's about twice as strong. Or was he going easy on me? Buttercup stared at Butch, her eyes meeting with his. The emerald eyes were locked on each other, and did not dare to move away. The other two girls watched silently as the two fought, but the boys cheered on Butch. But everything melted away. Buttercup focused on nothing other than beating him, not for the prize, but for her honor. Sweat rolled down her forehead, yet Butch seemed unfazed. Clearly, he was not giving 100%. Butch easily pushed her off, pinning her wrists down to the floor, his knees at her hips. Butch was grinning. He knew the fight wouldn't take much longer. Buttercup tried to push him off, but it was no use. She closed her eyes and gave up.

"Butch wins!" Brick shouted. Butch got up off Buttercup, who stayed on the floor, her eyes closed.

"Come one, my little maid. Get up." Butch smirked and sat down next to Buttercup.

"Urusai. I'm tired." Buttercup stood up, and transformed back to Kaoru. She sat down, crosslegged. "How the hell did you get so freaking strong?" she asked, wiping sweat off her forehead.

"Hm? Brick, Boomer, and I have a special bond. So when one of us needs extra power, we just borrow it."

"WHAT!? Zurui shita! You're only supposed to use your own power!"

"Who said?" Brick said. "We never agreed on that." Boomer shrugged. Kaoru growled.

"Yaro!"

"What was that, servant?" Butch leaned towards Kaoru, his hand to his ear. Kaoru put on a fake smile.

"Congradulations on winning, master." Momoko and Miyako knew how pissed she was.

"That's more like it." Butch grinned. "Yo red team, your turn."

"Well this should be interesting." Boomer said. "I guess guys ask the ladies."

Brick turned to face Momoko. "I guess so. Truth or dare?"

Momoko closed her eyes for a second, to think of the right answer. Truth? Dare? Which one? "Da-" she started to say, but quickly stopped herself. "Truth."

"Someone's a little scared? I guess you're not as brave as your friend." Brick smiled. "Huh... what would be a good question?" Brick thought out loud. "What was the best adventure you had as PPGZ?"

Momoko's eyes lit up. "That's an easy one! Time-traveling was probably the best."

"Hell yeah! Did you see how kick-ass we looked, even in the Edo era?" agreed Kaoru.

"The outfits were really pretty." Miyako added.

"Okay... I thought it would be more interesting, though. You know, like kicking bad guy butts." Brick said, a little disappointedly.

"Oh, we didn't leave before kicking evil's butt to the next millennium, of course. Now that was awesome." Kaoru said, grinning and remembering the good times. "Oh, blue team. You're up."

"Sure." Boomer turned to Miyako. "Truth or dare?"

"Ano... D-dare?" The way Miyako had answered made it sound more like a question than an answer, to see whether she had made the right choice.

"Dare, huh? Are you good at singing?" Boomer asked, leaning toward her, looking to her eyes.

"I wouldn't really say th-" Before Miyako had a chance to finish, Boomer had grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

"Sing for us?" Boomer asked, thought it was more like a command than a question.

"Um... I don't really... um..." Miyako looked at her feet. She felt everyone's eyes staring at her. The room seemed to turn around her, and she couldn't make it stop. She seemed to be swaying side to side. She heard their voices, but they seemed to drift away, just like the rest of the room. She closed her eyes, and everything melted around her. And then she worked up the courage to sing.

Himawari no hana utsumukanai de

Taiyou ni mukatte kokoro hiraite

The others were amazed at the sound of her voice. So sweet, so pure, it sounded what each person thought an angel sounded like. Especially Boomer.

Orenji iro no T shatsu sukoshi iro aseteta gogo ni

Koi wo shite mayotte naita mainichi ga ima nanto naku kasanaru

Itsukara darou eiga no you ni kakko bakari tsukete itanda

Himawari no hana ryoute hirogete

Mata tsuyoku naru tame kokoro hiraite

Jibun ni tsuita uso no kazu dake toomawari shita michi

Hiraita arubamu soredemo egao wa hikari ni mukatteta

Nando mo arau jiinzu to tomo ni tsuyoi kaze ni sakaratte ima

Even though there was no music playing, Miyako's voice seemed to light up the room. Miyako had kept her eyes closed, so she was unable to see the others gape at her in astonishment.

Himawari no hana mizu wo ageyou

Sukoshi tsukareta me ni sora wo utsushite

Himawari no hana ryoute hirogete

Teritsukeru hikari ni subete wo misete

Himawari no hana utsumukanai de

Taiyou ni mukatte kokoro hiraite

Miyako's sweet voice drifted off at the end of the song. All five of them applauded. They knew she deserved it.

"Was it really that good?" she asked.

"Uh, DUH! That was beautiful!" exclaimed Kaoru, who ran up to hug her friend.

"I had no idea you could sing!" added Momoko. "That was... just amazing!" The boys would've showered her with compliments, but they were speechless. After they were created by Mojo, they saw few beautiful things in this world, because they were destined to only see and create pain and suffering. But Miyako's voice was one thing they had seen that was as beautiful as the world they lived in. And so, Boomer's heart opened up a little more.

After a few more rounds of Truth or Dare, followed by seven rounds of Would You Rather, the clock had ticked all the way to ten o' clock. After tea and desserts, along with some chatting and TV, it was already 10:43.

"Oh, shit!" Kaoru exclaimed. "Momoko! Do you see what time it is?" Momoko eyes darted to the clock.

"No way! My parents will kill me!"

"What is it?" asked Miyako, who stepped out of the kitchen, holding the second tray of tea and cake. "What time is i-- oh no!" Miyako nearly dropped the tray as she saw the time.

"Guys, sorry, but we gotta go." Kaoru said as she darted to her jacket and shoes. "See you tomorrow, I guess."

"What? Leaving so early?" asked Boomer, who turned his head around from his spot on the couch.

"Early? I'm definitely sugar-free this month!" Momoko said as she ran upstairs to grab her backpack. Boomer and Butch just shrugged. Miyako set the tray down on the coffee table and ran to Kaoru.

"Are you sure you guys want to leave now?" Brick asked.

"Duh! Do you see how late it is?" Kaoru asked, while slipping on her sneakers and jacket. She slung her grey and green backpack over one shoulder.

"Uh... that's why." Butch pointed to a window.

Miyako made her way towards the window. "What are you ta-" Miyako froze in place. Outside, it was completely dark, with no moon in sight. Greyish-black clouds covered the sky, and rain poured onto the empty streets. Trees were shaking from the powerful wind, and it's sound could be hear even from inside. A single bolt of lightning lit up the sky with a flash, and several followed. Miyako screamed and fell on her knees, covering her ears and closing her eyes. The loud roar of thunder made Miyako's loud shriek sound like a squeak.

"Miyako!" Kaoru ran towards Miyako, and so did Boomer, who jumped over the couch.

"what's wrong?" asked Boomer.

"It's the storm, she's been afraid ever since she was a small child." Kaoru turned to Miyako and squatted down. "It's okay, it's just a small storm." Kaoru said calmly, trying to soothe Miyako. Momoko heard Miyako's scream and trotted downstairs.

"This can't be good..." Butch said out loud, but quietly enough so Miyako didn't hear.

"What's wrong?" asked Momoko, who froze at the bottom of the stairs, here eye's looking less strawberry-pink and more blood-red.

"There's a storm in the area. It's suggested to stay inside." Brick said, who sat near Butch on the couch, watching the weather channel. He slapped his palm into his forehead. "Shit." Momoko ran to the TV and sat on the floor.

"Well, what the hell do we do?" Kaoru asked, trying to shout over the wind, rain and thunder.

"I guess you guys have to stay here. This looks bad." Boomer said, standing behind Miyako.

"What?!" Kaoru and Momoko shouted.

"I'm serious. There's no way that's safe." He pointed outside as a tree crashed to the ground.

"B-but... My parents! There's no way!" Momoko shouted.

"Momoko..." Kaoru said calmly. "I think they're right. You can try calling them, but I don't know. A cell phone in this weather?" As soon as Kaoru said 'call', Momoko zipped out her cell phone and texted her parents, Kaoru's, and Miyako's.

"But... where do we stay?" Momoko asked, quietly this time. Boomer walked over to all the windows and closed the blinds.

"You guys can take our beds." Butch said, grinning.

"Butch, so not the time to be joking." Kaoru said, pissed.

"Who said I was joking? You guys will take the beds, and we'll figure something out."

"I don't think so..." Momoko said. Kaoru calmed down Miyako, who stood up, but with her hands still over her ears. She sat down on the sofa, leaned back, and closed her eyes.

Kaoru stood up. "I guess we'll take the couch."

"But it doesn't unfold or anything. It'll only fit one of you." Boomer answered.

"Do you guys have any sleeping bags?" Momoko asked. The boys replied by shaking their heads. "I guess... we'll take the floor."

"Whoa... that's not right!" Brick stood up. "As our honored guests, you deserve better than the floor."

"Honored guests?" Kaoru laughed. "More like prisoners." Momoko and Kaoru laughed together.

"Maybe my slave would prefer to sleep in my room?" Butch asked, suggestively.

"Keep dreaming, yar- I mean, master." Kaoru winced as she pronounced the dreaded word.

Boomer looked over at Miyako, who had already fallen asleep on the couch. Boomer ran upstairs and returned with a blanket and pillow. He gently lifted up Miyako's head and placed the pillow underneath. He covered her with the blanket, and sat down on the floor.

"I guess you two will take one of our beds, and Butch and I will share a bed." Brick suggested.

"Fine. But they take your room." Butch said, grinning. "I mean, you suggested it." Brick sighed. Kaoru started taking her shoes off again, and Momoko leaned back on the couch. Everyone stayed quiet for a few minutes, not because of awkwardness, but because of the hectic ten minutes that had just happened.

Momoko and Kaoru were sleeping on Brick's bed by midnight. Both were laying on top of the covers. Kaoru was facing the the wall, and Momoko was right next to her, facing the other way. Momoko was tossing and turning in her sleep, because she saw a sweetly familiar dream.

"So what is the Pythagorean Theorem?" he asked me, not taking his eyes off his notes. I struggled to get the correct words in my head. It impossible; I was focusing on something else. His red hair looks so cute like that, so messy and wild. "Uh, hello? Earth to Momoko?" I looked up, and our eyes met. Pink and crimson, interlocked. I wanted to pull away, because I could feel the red-hot sensation burning in my cheeks. But I didn't dare to move my eyes an inch. They just stayed there, eternally locked with his.

I wanted to say something so badly; I couldn't bear the silence. But it wasn't uncomfortable-- in fact, it was the opposite. The silence was pulling me in, swallowing me whole. Actions speak louder than words, right? So I made my move. Slowly inching my hand toward his, he pulled away for a second, but then put his hand on top of mine, our eyes still locked on each other. I quickly looked away, knowing that he saw my face become entirely beet red. He tilted his head to meet my eyes again. And we both leaned closer and closer, until our lips touch.

This sensation, this feeling! It's incredible. I just want to melt away in his arms. His strong, muscular arms-- one which was wrapped around my waist, and one behind my neck. Where were my hands? One was touching his hair, and one was draped around his neck and shoulders. We fell down together, our eyes closed, but our lips together.

Momoko woke up with a jolt. She checked the window. Still pouring outside. And dark. Very, very dark. She checked the alarm clack. Dammit. 2:43 am? Momoko was sweating, and she was unsure what the reason was: the extremely warm temperature of the house, or her recent dream? Memories flooded back to her. She tried to shake them out of her head, but it didn't work. The dream was etched into her brain, seared into her memory permanently, just like the other dream. She wondered why: because the dreams were just so enjoyable, or because she didn't want to let them go? Or both? Momoko licked her lips, and she realized that she needed a drink of water before she would sweat out all of the water left in her body, dehydrate, and shrivel up like a raisin. Momoko got out of the bed, holding onto the post for balance, as her sweet dream had made her dizzy. Momoko quietly trotted down the stairs in the clothes she wore to school the previous day, as she had no pajamas with her. As she walked down the stairs, she saw Boomer sitting on the couch, near the sleeping beauty herself-- Miyako. Boomer wore a small pair of glasses, and was in a light blue robe, and was holding a book. On the coffee table was a small lamp.

"Boomer?" Momoko rubbed her eyes. "What are you doing up so late?" Boomer quickly looked up.

"Oh... just reading..." he answered slowly.

"At 2:50 in the morning? What about school? Aren't you going to be super tired?"

"What about school? Did you see the storm? It won't clear up until around today evening." His eyes traveled back to the book. "Therefore, I can read without worry."

"Yeah, but why so late?" Momoko walked to kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. She walked back to the recliner chairs near the sofa and plopped down.

"Well, why not? Besides, I'm also looking after your friend here." Boomer gestured towards Miyako. "The storm really scared her."

"Yeah, I know." Momoko look a gulp of water. "She's sorta been a crybaby ever since eighth grade. But thunderstorms really scare her."

"We all have our weaknesses."

"Yup." Momoko took another sip. It was kind of hard to talk to Boomer, who was more focused on his book. "What are yours?"

"My weaknesses?" Boomer looked up at Momoko questionably. Momoko nodded. "I don't know. The boys weren't really designed with any weaknesses in mind." Boomer paused. "But thinking back, remember how you girls won two years ago, against us?" Momoko just nodded again. "Well then, I guess our only weakness would be... love." Momoko looked up at him.

"Love, that's awfully corny. I mean, all we did was blow a kiss."

"Yeah, I know, but it's just a theory. I mean, a kiss is a symbol for love, right?" Momoko didn't answer out loud, but just drifted off into her own thoughts. I guess it is.

"So let me get this straight, you're the brains of the operation?"

"Mhmm. I just let Brick take all the credit." Momoko laughed out loud, and then sighed.

"Dammit... I'm. So. Tired." Momoko leaned back.

"Then go to sleep."

"If only it was that easy."

Boomer looked at Momoko. "It usually is. Insomnia?"

Momoko sighed again. "Nah, it's not that. I just can't fall asleep." Boomer sighed. "Wait... insomnia is... oh okay. Yeah, it's that thingy."

"What's up? What's bugging you?" Boomer asked. Momoko blushed and looked away. As if she could tell Boomer.

"Um... just some... girl troubles..." Momoko answered slowly, improvising her excuse.

"Wow, is it that time of month again? You did seem rather... strange today." Boomer laughed, and Momoko lightly threw a pillow at him.

"It's not that." Momoko sighed.

"You can tell me. I'm a great listener. That, and I love secrets." Boomer closed his book and looked at her. "Tell me."

"Forget it." Momoko picked up the glass of water and headed upstairs.

"Love?" Boomer asked. Momoko froze in the center of the stairs. She turned around and looked at Boomer.

"What makes you think that?"

"Lucky guess." Boomer sighed. "That and it's pretty obvious."

"What are you talking about?" Momoko laughed nervously.

"Don't play dumb. You know what I mean. And I have a similar problem. In fact, everyone here does."

"I have no idea what you're trying to say." Momoko turned around and headed upstairs.

"It's only natural, Momoko." Boomer said. Momoko stopped again. "We're created out of the DNA of the PPGZ. It's only natural that we are drawn to our colors, our creators."

Momoko let out a laugh. "Mojo was your creator, not us."

"We're drawn to each other like magnets. I know you can feel it. Everybody can."

"I don't know what you'r--"

"If you don't know already, you'll find out soon enough." Momoko turned around and headed to the bed without another word. But both Boomer and Momoko knew that what Boomer had said was true. She wasn't sure if everyone else could feel it, but she certainly could.

Author's Note:

I have moved the old author's notes to invisibleheart (not hearts) dot weebly dot com. You can find the link on my profile. It's my little website with a general blog, FF blog, author's notes, pictures, and more. Please visit if you aren't lazy enough to click the link! Ty! :D

-IH