Disclaimer: ....

Did I mention how awesome you guys are? ANYWAY..... I'm glad you all liked the last chapter. I had fun writing it. Did anyone notice Lin wasn't there? I didn't notice that until I re-read it a few hours ago... Hmmm. I wonder where he wandered off to? Read and Review as always!

When Jokes Go A Little Too Far:

~April Fools Part Two~

"You're supposed to be dead!" She screamed.

Mai froze. This was not part of the plan.

Liz stared at Mai in horror. For a moment Mai thought Liz was going to pass out but Liz swallowed her fear and stepped towards Mai.

"I come in peace." She waved her hands around and sidestepped Mai. Mai cocked her head to the side. What was she doing? Liz stepped forward and poked her. "Hey-"

"What are you doing here?" Mai asked.

"You're dead!" Liz screamed again. "This defies nature! And it's creepy!"

Mai sighed. "I'm not dead! Calm down."

Liz took a shaky breath. "How can I calm down when you're dead?!" She paused. "Wait, you mean to tell me you aren't dead? That this is just a sick joke that my psychopathic nephew came up with? And to think! I actually cooked him some of my famous mashed potatoes! That is sick, just sick-"

"Liz!" Mai cut her off. "I need you to keep quiet about this, it's an April Fool's joke. How is everyone anyway?"

Liz just stared. "Why are you all white and chalky? Is that part of Naru's ghost costume? If it is, he needs some serious help with that, I remember the last Halloween we spent together he dressed up as a ghost and it was just a sheet with eye holes cut in it. I think he burned the pictures though, maybe not-"

Mai wanted to tear her hair out. This woman never shut up.

"I heard that." Liz said smirking. Then Mai remembered she could read minds. "Now what was it you wanted Hon?"

"You have to play along with this, they stole Naru's tea and he wants to get back at them. Could you pretend not to know about me being alive?"

Liz hesitated. "You might want to ask Lin too."

"Why?" Mai looked around, seeing no one.

"He's outside (Oh so that's where he went...) and apparently he's skilled in the art of knowing when I'm lying." Liz shrugged. "I didn't know where your house was so I convinced Lin into driving me over here. Did you know he never talked the whole way over here? Talk about silent, I don't know how he does it."

Mai knew how he did it, she wouldn't let the poor man get a word in. Yet, he didn't seem to mind. Mai didn't know how they'd become friends in the first place but they had. It had started after Liz had almost broken her neck. Lin was put in charge of watching over her and ever since then, she talked and he listened. Liz motioned for Mai to stay where she was. She ran over to the door and yelled at Lin to come inside.

Liz came back and stared at Mai. "You still look pretty ghostly."

Mai sighed and Lin walked in. He did a double take.

"Aren't you supposed to be dead?" He asked calmly. "And why are you covered in baking powder?"

"Is that what it is?" Liz asked. "I thought for sure she was a ghost."

Lin sighed. Sometimes she could be so slow. "Is this Naru's idea of a joke?"

Mai nodded. "They stole his tea."

That was a great explanation for Lin. Not so much for Liz.

"So?" Liz rolled her eyes. "What is he? A tea addict? And as for the question on how everyone's doing, it's pretty funny, John is hyperventilating, Ayako and Takigawa are staring into space while being curled up in a ball, Masako is super upset but she's trying to stop John from passing out and Yasuhara is ranting about how bad he feels."

"Actually about the tea addict thing-" Lin started.

"I need you to keep this a secret." Mai explained. "At least until Naru calls and says the joke is over."

Liz and Lin nodded. "I can do that- I think." Liz scratched her head. "I'm a horrible liar by the way."

"You'll have to be silent then." Lin looked down at Liz who let out a short laugh.

"Sure." She said rolling her eyes. "The next thing you'll want me to do is stand on my head and juggle brownies."

"What?" They both said at once.

Liz shrugged and turned back to Mai. "Alright, I'll do my best. And Lin can elbow me if I begin to let the secret slip."

Lin rubbed his temples. She was never going to shut up. She might as well just call up John and the others now and tell them all about Mai being alive. Liz glared at him.

"I resent that." She flipped her hair and walked out of the room. She came back in in the span of six seconds. She grabbed her purse and tossed her hair again. "I forgot my purse."

Lin and Mai sighed. "I don't know how she's related to him." Mai said flatly. "I really don't."

"She's worse than Madoka." Lin said exasperated. "But she's entertaining."

Mai had to agree. "Alright, I'll stay here and you can go back to the office and pretend you never came over here."

Lin smiled cunningly and Liz walked back in looking very excited. "That's a great idea!"

Lin glared at her and she quieted. "I have a better idea Mai, that is if you don't mind being in another practical joke."

.xXx.

Naru sat his black book down on the table. He was quite pleased with himself, he had them all going, even Madoka and Liz. He heard the door click open, it must be Liz and Lin.

"We're back!" He heard Liz yell. "Hey what's up with the long faces?"

Naru rolled his eyes. Liz could be so odd. He didn't know how he was related to her at all. He could understand her being related to Gene.

'Aunt Liz is cool, so shut up.'

'I didn't say she wasn't cool.'

'You always were rude. Aunt Liz loves you and you just roll your eyes and treat her like she has the plague.'

'Do not.'

'Do too. Tsk, tsk.'

Liz opened the door and smiled brightly at Naru. "Talking to Gene again?"

Naru nodded. He did his best to look upset, after all, she still thought he was upset about Mai being dead. Liz smiled again.

"The weirdest thing happened. Lin and I went in Mai's house and the funny thing is, it looked as if someone ransacked the place. There was even this red goop in places. It kinda smelled too. Lin said Mai had probably spilled some things and she didn't have enough time to clean with all your tea requests. I just don't know why she'd break the window though."

Naru's Mai's-in-danger-senses went off. "What are you talking about?"

"You mean you didn't go over there?" Liz asked, concern showing through her face. "Maybe someone robbed Mai's house after she died. What a sick person, doing something like that to her house."

Liz hopped up and exited the room. "Well, I'll just go tell the others what happened."

After she left Naru began to freak out. He dialed Mai's number but it went to voicemail. He was beginning to worry. He specifically told Mai to answer the phone if it was his number. He grabbed his keys and exited the room. This was really bad.

.xXx.

Lin and Liz watched Naru bolt out of the office. They had driven Mai to Liz's house and Lin had made a complete mess in Mai's house. Courtesy of his shiki. Liz had to try very hard not to burst out laughing. Even Lin was trying not to laugh. Though, he didn't have to be outside of his office. Liz dialed her number and Mai picked up on the second ring.

"He just left." Liz explained.

"Alright, I know what to do."

Haha, aren't they so devious? Who knew Lin had it in him? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. Read and Review as always!