Chapter: 21

Oh my goodness it's been SO long! Sorry about that! I had an anime convention I had to prepare for and go to aaaand I had graduation! So it's been pretty busy! Also I've been going to emotional crap since I've graduated...yeah...it felt like it came too soon, but I guess that's normal...or at least I hope it is O-O. Either way summer has started so I hope to be able to write more! Thanks for waiting! (and as usual I apologize for my usual crappy proof reading~) Reviewing and favoriting is appreciated! ^-^

Sitting back in my chair, I rested my feet on top of the school desk. I picked up my megaphone and placed on my directors hat.

"Alright I have things to do. Let's do this. And action!"

Rin let out a sigh and pushed his hair back.

"Hello everyone. My name is Matsuoka Rin. I previously went to Samezuka Academy. I have a girly name, but I'm a boy. I'm—

"CUT!" I shouted putting the megaphone to my lips. "Too monotone. Put more feeling."

"You're right Cati-chan it doesn't feel quite right," Nagisa agreed.

"Zero points. Put more effort into it," Rei added in.

Tilting his head to the side Makoto said, "Back then you seemed more…?"

"Fresh," I said bluntly, finishing his sentence. "That's what we're missing! We're missing the little perv. Alright Rin show me your flirty side. ACTION!"

"Shut up! You guys told me to do this," Rin said, a hint of blush beginning on his cheeks.

Standing up, I stretched out my back, "We'll pick this up later shark week. Right now I gotta go to drama club and you guys got a joint practice. Gou and Nitori are probably one their way up here now."

Rin narrowed his eyes at me as I began to walk towards the door, "Shark week?"

"Yesh~. Aaaand," I said changing my language to English, "I still haven't had my way with you yet haven't I? Me and you can go head to head a little later. Or let's just say you owe me a favor. I have a few things in mind~."

"W-what?!"

"Bye, bye~," I chimed to the boys as I opened the classroom door.

Giving a final wink I shut the door. I quickly ducked down and put my ear to the door.

I can only imagine what's going through Nagisa's head.

"What did she say Rin-chan!? Why is your face red?! Why did she wink?! Why—"

"Shut up Nagisa!"

Giggling to myself I made my way down the hallway.

I can't wait to have this meeting with the Drama club. The swim boys won't know what hit them. And I won't let them refuse.

*******line break******

"So the costumes almost done?" I asked Miko as I took off my boots from rehearsal.

"You mean the Arabian ones correct?"

"Yeah."

"Yes, those are done," he replied fixing his wig in the mirror.

"Awesome! Now after the play tomorrow, we can work on that music video," I said, giddily swaying side to side.

"Hehe you're sure excited."

"You bet Joker." I said voice laced with English accent.

"Well then Alois, should we get things all ready for 'tahmorrow?" Miko said changing his voice as well.

"Ughhhh, but I don't want to~. Make Claude do it," I pouted walking onstage.

"Claude betrayed you remembah'?"

"Not in this play we're doing!" I called out, stomping my foot, only to trip over myself.

Slipping on my heel I fell backwards and landed on my butt, "WHAAAA!"

"Heh, I thought Alois was supposed tah be good in 'eels," Miko cooed walking up onstage to help me up.

"I AM."

*****line break******

Opening the door to the house I trudged in.

Man I'm really tired…all of this 'trying to keep up with two club thing' has really run me down…Eh I'll be fine. All I got to do is make it through tomorrow and it's easy sailing~

Walking over to the couch, I fell into the cushions face first.

OH SWEET COUCH. HOW I LOVE THEE.

SIE SIND DAS ESSEN UND WIR SIND DIE JAGER!

"UGHHHHHHHHHH…"

Rolling off of the couch I crawled over to my bag and pulled out my phone.

Who the heck is this? It's not any number I know.

I threw the phone back in my bag and laid my head on the ground. There was no way I was getting up, even if that meant taking a nap on the floor. Eventually the phone stopped ringing and there was silence…well until Chang came in through the garage.

"Miss Cati-cati, would you like me to make—Miss Cati? Miss Cait?...Miss Cati there you are. What are you doing on the floor?"

Rolling my head to the side I looked up and saw Chang looking down at me with keys in hand.

"Too tired to get up."

Chang let out a sigh, "You really need to sleep better. You stay up so late, silly girl! And you are always busy-busy-busy!"

Kneeling down beside me, Change hoisted me up in his arms and gently laid me on the couch.

"Remind me how you're this strong at your age?" I asked positioning myself to a more comfortable position.

"Ancient Chinese Secret~!" he chimed walking off into the kitchen. "I'll make you snack you can have for when you wake up!"

"Sounds good," I mumbled, starting to let my drowsiness get the better of me.

Hmmm let's hope I can have that Sebastian dream again…oooh yeah that'd be nice.

DING DONG

For the love of Kakashi Hatake, WHAT NOW!?

Groaning in annoyance, I rolled over so my face was now facing the couch.

"I get it!" Chang shouted running in from the kitchen.

Gosh is this man ever quiet?

I heard his feet skid as he reached the door.

Wonder who it could be? Kiwi will be at her friends until 5. Eh maybe it's a delivery~. HOLY FLIP IT COULD BE MY JUNJOU ROMANTICA STUFF.

Being as giddy as a tired person could be, I waited for Chang to come back with goodies. Although upon opening the door, I realized it wasn't the mail man.

"Hello?" Chang chimed.

"Hi, is Catori there?"

Wait….wait…NO WAY.

"Who are you? You look familiar—RIN-RIN IT'S YOU!" Chang happily shouted.

Quickly lifting my head up, I saw Chang was giving Rin a big bear hug.

What? What?! WHAT?! Why is he here?

"It's been so long since I saw you. You were just dis high!" Chang said, putting his hand at level with his chest.

"Heh, yeah. So, uh, is she home Chang?"

"Oh yeah, she's home. Miss Cati-cati's just resting on the couch. So shhhhh~."

Ducking my head back down, I faced the couch once more. I heard the door close and I heard Chang shuffle back into the kitchen.

So Rin's just standing there by the front door?! Is he staring at me?! Why didn't he just come back later since he knew I was sleeping?! WHY THE HECK DID CHANG LET THE LITTLE FLIP IN?!

As thoughts flew through my mind, Rin made his way over to me.

"I know you're not asleep. I saw you pick your head up."

Rolling over to face him, I narrowed my eyes, "Why can't you just let me sleep? And more importantly why are you here?"

Letting out a sigh, Rin looked to the side, "I wanted to talk to you."

"Abouuuuuuut?"

"You're still mad at me aren't you?"

"Yeah, a bit. I'm not a person you want to tick off."

"Heh, I know. I-uh…I know I made amends with everyone else, and I guess I realized I haven't with you. You did a great deal for me when I was here, and I did a crappy job of repaying you. So I wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you that way."

Staring up at Rin, I had a blank expression on my face.

"Oh and I brought you something," Rin continued reaching down by his feet and picking up a bag.

What's that?

"Here," Rin said handing me the grocery bag.

It appeared to have English on it, so I was curious to where he went shopping. I mean it didn't look like any bag I've seen around here. Looking up at him curiously, I untied the bag and peered inside. I found a koala stuffed animal, some candy, and a shot glass. Picking up the plush toy, I cocked my head to the side.

"What's this?"

"Something I promised you."

Furrowing my eyebrows, I tried to think about what the heck he was talking about. It only took a few moments to come to realize what he meant.

"Wait, so this is….Awwww this is from little Rin!~ These are the souvenirs I asked for you to get me or that you said you'd get me or whatever, from Australia!" I exclaimed hugging the koala.

"Heh, yeah," Rin said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Awwww I can just see little Rin running into the nearest gift shop, all excited, wondering what to get!" I said fantasizing about the whole situation.

"It was something like that."

Looking up at him, he seemed quite content. He was just gazing at me, wearing a warm smile.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"I'm just happy to make you smile again."

I was a bit taken back by his bluntness, but I guess there are still a few things that haven't changed about him.

"Yeah, you liked making me smile a WHOLE lot when we were younger."

"Yeah I sure did."

Peering back down into the bag, I pulled out the shot glass. It had a grassland scenery background with some kangaroos on it, with a big red AUSTRALIA.

"So you still remembered about my shot glass collection, huh?"

"Hey I listened."

"Well it's good to know you listened somewhat. Sometimes during our English lessons you'd be in your own little world," I giggled placing the items back in the bag.

Looking back up at him I said, "And make sure to tell little Rin thank you."

"I will."

There was a moment of silence before Rin spoke.

"So…do you forgive me?

Tilting my head to the side, I gave him a smirk.

"Weeeeelllll I suppose so~, since little Rin gave me such nice gifts~. And besides, you still owe me a favor, no takesy-backsies!" I exclaimed pointing a finger at his nose.

"Alright, I'll owe you a favor," he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Good," I chimed, lying back down, "Now you're welcome to stay, but I'm really tired and am going to take a nap."

"Well that all depends, can I have whatever Chang's cooking up in the kitchen?" Rin said with a toothy grin.

"OF COURSE RIN-RIN! COME SIT DOWN! I HAVE FOOD FOR YOU!" Chang piped from the kitchen.

Rin let out a chuckle before, standing up, "I'm coming Chang."

Closing my eyes, I hoped to God there would be no more interruptions and I could just take a freaking nap! As Rin walked by I felt him ruffle my hair.

"Oi, don't work yourself so hard."

"You ain't the boss of me~," I mumbled into the pillow.

"So when's your next play?"

Letting out a yawn I shifted to a more comfortable position.

"Tomorrow."

"Do you have an extra ticket?"

"You're lucky I still like you shark week."

*******line break********

Jittering around backstage, I went through my usual routine. First: panic, second: doubt, third: worry about x, y and z, and finally: all of the above.

"Are you SURE Kimo and Hikari know about the script changes?! We told them about that right?" I spluttered, clicking my heels as I walked across the floor.

"Yes, we did," Miko replied calmly fixing his makeup.

"WAIT, did we finish the circus—"

"Yes."

"Are all my buttons—"

"Yes."

"Are you sure we checked everyone's cos—"

"Yes."

"I better go and make sure the lights—"

"Cati-chan," Miko said placing his hands on my shoulders, "You always do this to yourself, but everything turns out just fine. We looked over everything yesterday, this morning, and just a half hour ago. Calm down."

"Yes, I know but I have to check everything because of…the incident," I said with a grave expression.

"That was one time and a long time ago."

"Doesn't matter!" I said rubbing my head.

For some reason, I was starting to feel light headed. I'm probably just a bit dehydrated or something. Or maybe it's just because I'm nervous….but still.

"Hey are you ok?"

"Huh?"

"Are you ok?" Miko repeated.

"Yeah-yeah, I'm fine. I think I just need some water."

"Here I have mine," Miko said handing me a water bottle off the vanity.

Walking past me, he headed near the curtain, "I gotta go and open up the play, but make sure to drink that. And by drink I don't mean just a sip. I know how you are about remembering to hydrate yourself."

"Fiiiiinnnne~," I said slipping into an English accent.

"Good then~ I'll see you 'aftah I do the grand opening! And that bottle better 'ee be half gone!" Miko said in his English accent as well.

As he pulled back the curtain and entered the stage, I could hear the applause.

Really glad I decided to tell the audience to applaud in the program we gave them. It makes it feel more authentic, since this is going to be an interactive play.

"Settle down now for we 'ave a great show tonight! See the marvelous—"

I couldn't help but smile at Miko's enthusiasm. He really is the best Joker. Still though… I'm not feeling so hot. I hope I start feeling better. But I should be fine. I'll be alright.

As time passed, I felt myself feel more tired and fatigued, but I wouldn't let that affect my performance. Besides we were at the final act of the play, I just had to pull through for a little longer.

"I still don't know why you're not dead…" Ciel (Azami) deadpanned.

"You can't get rid of me that easily Ciel~. Besides, if I wasn't here, I wouldn't be able to help you with solving who sabotaged the circus act or whatever~," I replied with a smirk.

"I can find who the culprit is by myself."

"Pleeeaaase, without Sebastian, you couldn't do a single thing," I teased.

"Get out of my house, Trancy."

"Fine~, fine~, but I guess you don't want this!" I exclaimed holding up his cane.

"Give it back!"

"Not until you kiss me~."

"You're such a pervert Trancy! Now stop acting like a child!"

We started to run around the stage, and maneuver around the fancy couches and side tables we set up, so it would look like Ciel's manor. As we continued to our little chase, Sebastian and Claude entered the stage with the Viscount Druitt in hand.

"Young Master we found the person who—Young master?"

We ignored them both as I jumped on and over the couch.

"You're too slow!" I shouted.

"Ughhhh!"

"Younger Master?" Sebastian questioned raising an eyebrow.

"Oh such beautiful children~. They remind me when I was a lad. Without a care in the world. How you could just—"

Sebastian interrupted the Druitt by shoving a handkerchief in his mouth, "That's better."

"Your Highness, it was that Viscount Druitt who—" Claude said to only be interrupted by me.

"Hahahaha, you're so weak," I giggled holding the cane up in the air with one hand and holding Ciel back with the other.

"TRANCY."

"Ciel don't push so much!"

"Then give it back!"

"CIEL!"

"UGHH."

We both toppled to the floor and started to wrestle over the cane.

"Get off of me!"

"You get off of me!"

"Lay off the cakes Ciel!"

"You lay off the perfume you smell like a woman!"

"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME!?"

As we continued to argue, we eventually forgot about the cane and just wrestled each other.

"Should we stop them?" Claude questioned adjusting his glasses.

"No, we'll turn him in first…I don't get paid enough for this," Seabstian said, walking away with the Count in hand.

"We don't get paid at all," Claude replied.

"Exactly."

The curtains then dropped down as Ciel and I continued to argue and scream. When the curtain finally hit the ground I was so relieved. My head was spinning and everything felt foggy. It took every ounce of my determination to pull off that last act.

"Hey, you ok?" Azami (the Ciel) asked, holding a hand out to help me up.

Taking her hand, I rubbed my head.

"Y-yeah…"

"You don't look so good to me."

"'ts fine," I stuttered walking near everyone else, so when the curtain rose we could bow together.

Slowly making my way up to Miko I took his hand and tried to look as composed as possible. I could tell he was eyeballing me, but wasn't sure whether or not if I was ok. Azami came up next to me and took my hand as well. When everyone was hand in hand we gave the signal to raise the curtains.

Just a little longer. You can do this. Its….just….

My mind was so foggy now that I couldn't even think. Things were swirling and everything was going in slow motion. As the lights from the stage shined in my eyes, my ears started to ring. The applause echoed through my ears. Raising our hands above our heads, we went down to bow. That only caused my head to spin more. As everyone rose from the bow, I didn't.

My body was so limp and my face was lying against the cold wooden stage. The ringing in my ears was so loud now the all the voices were just jumbled muffles. As I looked out at the audience, they all looked rather concerned. Blinking a few times, I tried to sit up to no avail.

"Catori?!...catori?!" A muffled voice screamed.

I felt pressure on my side and instead of looking to the side at the audience my vision was now directed upwards, looking up at Miko. The words that were coming out of his mouth were disoriented. Nothing made sense. I saw more figures coming towards me, forming a circle. My head was spinning and everything felt numb. The lights were like flames to my eyes. The noise rumbled in my ears, like thunder.

Then everything went black.

Yeaaaaaaaah wasn't sure if to end it there or not or if I wanted to even go this route with the whole passing out thing, but hey, keeping up with two clubs and running around like crazy can take it's toll. I already have ideas for the next chapter and can't wait to write about it! Not sure who is going to be more concerned for Catori (minus Miko, Chang, and Kiwi) that is, but I'm sure they all will be~. and still not sure who's she's going to end up with either O-O. I can go so many ways with this. And as usual any comments or suggestions are welcome! I love hearing what you guys think! C U in the next update!

Cly****

*****shoutouts******

XxSaphirezxX: Awww thanks! *hugs* I do feel A LOT better today ^-^. Hahaha yeah, they will forever have to worry. Catori, a sane one she is not XD. Haha yup, I figured she would just give up eventually. It's hard keeping up with those girls~. And thank you so much! I tired ending season one well and know can't wait to write about season 2! Thanks again! ^-^

Maistyria: Yeah I can't believe it either O-O. I came so fast XD. Ummmm not sure if I'll do a poll...I never thought about that~. I guess for now I'll see how things go and if I still can't choose I might. Thanks for the suggestion! Because yeah, I still can't choose either haha. I hope you liked the new chapter! And thanks for reviewing! ^-^