CHAPTER ELEVEN
Melting Point - Spring Has Sprung
"You should have come to school that day, Hoshi." Mushi said next week, in homeroom.
"Yeah, right." Hoshi sniffed. "I had much more fun at home. It was warm, the heater was on, and I watched The Days Of Our Lives."
A few people rolled their eyes. Why did Hoshi have to make everything she did seem so much bigger and better?
They just ignored her after that.
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Soon, the snow began melting. The lake became a lake again instead of a frozen pond, and animals started coming out of hibernation.
"It's still not warm enough to go to the beach." Ino complained on September 1st.
Chouji laughed. "Ino, you know the weather only becomes beach weather around the end of October, start of November!"
"Yeah," Ino grumbled. "But I never liked it much...hey! There's Sasuke! And...who's he with? It'd better not be Sakura...oh! No, I do believe it's Matsuri!"
"Matsuri?" Shika looked lazily over at the situation. "Oh boy, how troublesome..."
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"It's not fair." Matsuri was saying, sitting on the bench next to one Sasuke Uchiha. "I mean, nobody seems to remember that my birthday's in ten days time! Especially not the one person whom I wanted to remember it..."
"Your sister?" Sasuke asked her, but he had a feeling he already knew the answer.
"No," Matsuri sighed. "Emma's birthday is in sixteen days, she's preoccupied which is fine. It's...Garaa...I want him to remember it...but he doesn't..."
Sasuke listened to Matsuri, well after the first bell had gone, but neither of them cared. They had each found a friend in each other.
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"What were you talking to my sister about this morning?" Asked the accusing voice of Emma.
Sasuke jumped. He hadn't heard her come up to his locker. She was standing there, not with her hands on her hips or anything, but there was suspicion in her hazel eyes. At times, Emma could be the stronger of th two sisters.
Sasuke replied: "It's none of yo..." He stopped when he saw the look on her face. "Oh, wait, I guess it is. Well, if you must know...you know her birthday's on September 11th (yikes)..."
"Of course I know." Emma replied calmly.
"Well, she's upset because no one seems to remember it, especially not that Garaa Sabaku guy..."
"That Garaa Sabaku guy is the guy Matsuri likes." Emma informed him.
"Yeah, I kinda figured that." Sasuke nodded. "Anyway, she doesn't think anyone cares, or remembers that it's her birthday..."
Emma sighed. "Actually, Sasuke, someone's been meaning to talk to you, so I suppose I'll do it..." She pulled Sasuke closer and whispered in his ear, unawares that Kankurou was watching from across the hallway.
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Pencils were tapping against desks. Heads were in hands. It was maths class again.
"Who knows the answer to this question?" Asuma asked his year eleven maths students.
"I do!" Emma and Neji both called out.
They exchanged a glance, and Neji grinned. Emma grinned too, but then said: "Three-thousand sixty...uh...nine..."
"Point two." Added Neji smugly.
"That is correct." Asuma said.
"How come you're so smart?" Emma asked Neji.
He shrugged. "It's a form of art. Smartness is as smartness does." He replied, and she giggled.
Kankurou, across the classroom, was turning livid.
Hmm... Thought Mushi. If Emma's gonna go out with Neji, then that leaves Kankurou free for Hoshi...
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"I think spring is my favourite time of year." Matsuri said on Saturday morning, when the smell of freshly bloomed lavender came in through her open window.
"I agree." Emma said, coming into Matsuri's room via the door that connected the bathroom that connected their two rooms (that makes no sense, I know). "Though, that might only be because of the birthday..."
"I know," Matsuri smiled. "On September 17th..."
"And?" Emma prompted.
"Oh, mine too, on September 11th." Matsuri shrugged, getting out of bed. "But, it's no big deal."
Yes, it is. Emma thought.
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Later that day, Matsuri's Mum came into the living room to find her two daughters putting on jackets.
"Going out?" She asked them, and then saw the girls's science homework on the desk (they're in the same science class, with Kurenai). "Did you finish your homework? Well done, Matsuri."
Matsuri beamed, and then her Mum checked Emma's homework.
"Emma, half of these aren't done."
Emma was still shrugging into her coat. "So? Half of them are done. I'll do the rest when I get back from practice."
"Practice?"
"Yes. Matsuri and I are rehearsing with Kankurou and the others, for our spot in the Battle Of The Bands." Emma reminded her.
"You remember, don't you Mum?" Matsuri asked her.
"Oh, yes of course, but Emma you have to finish these problems before you go."
"But then it'll be too late." Emma protested. "Kankurou, Garaa and Temari are going to go and see The Disturbed Tribute at Competitor Stadium tonight, so I can do my homework when I get back."
"No, you'll do it now." Matsuri's Mother was firm.
"You can't tell me what to do." Emma said, she's getting defensive, people! "I did whatever I wanted for three years of my life, and I loved it! You're not my real Mother!" As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted it. She had always called Matsuri's parents Mum and Dad, and she'd always considered them to be her parents.
Matsuri gasped, and her Mother paled a little.
"Very well," She said tightly. "Do as you wish." And she turned around and walked out without another word.
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"Emma, what are you doing?" Temari asked her.
They were halfway through their practice, and Kankurou had announced that he had to use the can.
Emma had practically flung herself at her backpack, taken out a piece of paper and begun scribbling away at it.
"She's finishing her homework for Kurenai's class." Matsuri informed them, as Kankurou came back. "Mum wanted her to before but...uh..."
"It's okay." Emma and Temari said at the same time.
Matsuri just stared at them. Garaa was acting very busy checking the sound equipment.
"I mean," Emma explained. "It's okay to talk about our family matters with these guys. Heck, they practically are our family, Matsuri."
"And what I meant," Temari smiled. "Was that it's okay to talk about fighting with parents around us. We understand. Actually..." She said, trailing off and glancing at Kankurou.
He groaned. "Oh, we have to go and visit this rich old lady who's apparently our great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great..."
Temari glared at him.
"Great-great-great-great Grandmother," Kankurou finished quickly. "Give or take a few."
"I...see..." Matsuri nodded.
"Would you like to come with us?" Garaa spoke up, which he doesn't usually do so of course everybody listened. "She's apparently nice enough..."
"A bit senile though." Kankurou added.
Temari hit him over the head with a paper fan.
"Sure, we'll come." Matsuri grinned.
"Does she know anything about this?" Emma asked, holding up her paper. The question she was stuck on was about single-cell reproduction.
"Ah, I doubt it." Temari said, sweatdropping.
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"Hey, come quick!" Hanabi shouted.
Hanabi rarely shouts, so of course Hinata, Hiashi, Hizashi and Neji all came running.
"Look!" Hanabi cried, pointing out the window. "A robin!"
"It's the first robin of spring!" Hinata exclaimed, forgetting to be nervous or stammer.
"Hooray for spring." Neji said sarcastically. Spring was Neji's least favourite time of the year, because spring was when his Mother, Naomi, had died. It was when Hinata's Mother, Hanako, had died too.
They'd been on the same plane.
But, Neji reasoned, they wouldn't be dead if Hinata's Mother hadn't suggested the trip!
It was all Hanako and Hinata's fault.
Neji was sure of it.
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"Mum?" Emma stepped into the kitchen that night.
Matsuri's Mum was cooking vegetables, but turned around and said: "Yes dear?"
"I don't deserve to be called that," Emma sniffed, and held out her homework. "I'm so sorry about what I said!" She cried, suddenly flying into the older woman's arms. "I didn't mean it! I love you like you were my real Mum, you and Dad and Matsuri are so good to me! I'm sorry I'm the way I am!"
Matsuri had come into the kitchen too, and she felt tears well up in her eyes watching her sister break down completely.
Matsuri's Mum (who we'll call Genevieve, shall we?) put down her cutting knife, and wrapped her arms around both of her daughters, who were both crying now.
"Emma," She said. "I wouldn't have you any other way. Of course Hanko and I consider you our dear daughter."
Emma sniffled, and hugged Matsuri and their Mum even tighter. "I don't know what I'd do without you." She said, as Matsuri wiped her eyes for her. "Thankyou."
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MEG: Aww, isn't that sweet?
GARAA: No.
MEG: Aww, you're just jealous Garaa-Chama! (Hugs him)
MATSURI: MEG-SAN!!
MEG: Oh, sorry Matsuri-San… (Leaves Garaa alone)
SHINO: Meg would like to say to R&R please.
MEG: Thanks Shino! (Hugs him)
SHINO: Get away from me! (Meg does).