100 Oneshots Challenge

[9/100]

NOTE: 'Ello! I'm back! School started. I'm sad, but I'll still make time to write. Plus the sight was partially down the other day, so I couldn't work on the chapter.

Without further ado...

Enjoy!

~)0(~

They held their breath.

The door opened.

"SURPRISE!"

She jumped a mile in the air as all of them jumped out of their seats. Except Kai noticed something as soon as she walked into the room.

It wasn't Cinder.

It was a palace worker. Leah, the one in charge of the cleaning crew. She had short black curls that reached her shoulders, dark eyes, and a constant perfect posture.

"Wait... where's Cinder?" Asked Thorne.

Leah gave a bow. "Pardon me, your majesty, but Linh Cinder had to leave unexpectedly to go to a funeral."

"Who's funeral?" Asked Kai, partially desperate for answers. Dissapointment washed through him. This was not supposed to happen! Why would she go to a funeral today of all days, when he had thought he planned every move.

"Linh Adri's funeral, sir. She died from a gangreneous bowel. There was too much decayed tissue for her to be saved."

"But why would she go to Adri's funeral? From what she told me not too long ago she hated her," pipped up Cress, who looked confused and sad.

"I'm sorry, but the only other information I was told was the address."

"Can we have it?" Asked Scarlet, whipping her portscreen out and pulling up a writing application.

"Of course." Leah smiled and wrote the address on Scarlet's portscreen.

"Thank you, Leah," said Kai before she left the room.

Thorne plopped down in a chair. "What do we do now? I didn't really think to pack funeral-appropriate clothes. And like Cress said, why would she go to Adri's funeral?"

"She probably moved on from her past and decided to be nice," answered Kai. It seemed like Cinder to do that.

"I don't think we should crash Adri's funeral. Maybe we should just give her a nice gift. We have the ones we brought, but I think they could be better. One that won't make her hate us, though. Remember she doesn't want today to be a big deal," suggested Wolf.

Thorne nodded in approval. "Any ideas? Anyone?"

When none of them responded, Scarlet spoke up. "We can ask Winter."

"Good idea." Kai took out his portscreen. "She should be out of her meetings by now."

He sent the message.

Kai: Hello Winter. We're trying to think of a heartfelt gift to give to Cinder. Have any ideas?

It took only five minutes for her to respond.

Winter: How about a hand-me-down? We have a lot in the palace here if you want to use one of those.

"A hand me down, eh?" Said Thorne, who ripped his portscreen out of Kai's hands.

"Give that back!" Kai yelled, jumping up and taking his screen back.

"Boys, boys, watch it," said Scarlet.

"Yes, please," said Cress, who stood behind Scarlet. "Have some dignity."

"Fine," chorused both of them.

"Winter suggested a hand-me-down. It's the best idea we have. Anyone object to it?" Kai announced.

No objections were made, only heads nodding in approval.

"We'll then," he said with a mischevious grin. "I have the perfect idea."

And this idea was much better than the last.

~)0(~

The small closet was dusty, making Kai sneeze more than once. His idea would hopefully make her elated after going to the depressing event. He smiled. Even though she missed the party, this would be better.

As long as she said yes.

He found the velvet box in a plastic tub marked "DO NOT THROW AWAY."

He walked out, showing the small box in his pocket so his friends didn't see it. "Got it."

Cinder came back not too long after that. He greeted her. "Hey. How was the funeral?"

She pursed her lips. "About that... sorry I had to leave on such short notice. Adri was a too big part of my life to not go." She looked at her feet.

"It's okay. I understand." He said, taking her hand. "Come on, I have a surprise."

"Kai! I told you not to make a big deal out of it!"

"I promise it's not what you think. Come on! Please?" He drew out the please.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine."

He forcefully pulled her to the large room where their friends were.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Cinder stood, not moving.

Then she let out the biggest grin he'd seen in a long time.

"Oh my stars you're all here!" She practically screamed and ran to all of them, exchanging hugs and words of greeting.

When she went to talk to Cress, he got on one knee right behind her and pulled out the velvet box. It was his mother's engagement ring. Cress stoped squealing with Cinder and her lips formed an o.

They all looked at him, and he was sure his ears turned a dark shade of red.

Cinder turned. "Oh my stars..."

He sighed. "Cinder, I knew I loved you from the day I met you."

Her hands flew to her mouth.

"There's not much more to say. Linh Cinder, will you marry me?"

Through the corner of his eye he could see Cress wipe tears away.

She didn't say anything. He saw a mixture of emotions on her face.

She took a step toward him.

"Yes, Kai. Stars, a million times yes!"

He got up and embraced her.

"This is the best birthday ever," she whispered into his ear.

NOTE: Bet you weren't expecting that! And you all thought Cinder would be surprised because of the party...

*Evil grin*

If you don't know what gangrene is, it's rot. In your body.

Next up, more Kaider! Then I think I'm going to do another Jacinter. Stay tuned!

~Cx3