~  Chapter 26 ~

As I Recall …

(three ½ months later)

            Yep. Three and a half months. And a lot has happened since.

            We had all gotten local jobs around the city, and we had slowly been able to pay for clothing and room stuff. We had long decorated our rooms to what we wanted, not to mention the rest of the house as well. We all had grown very accustomed to our new life, as well as to each other, as we all had become closer friends with everyone.

            Mitsukake's gotten more with the 20th century by now. Mits has helped him tremendously along the way; he must be grateful. Speaking of their relationship, it's much more than it was. Let's just say that Mits couldn't be happier.

            Chichiri and I've gone up another step as well, so to speak. We still aren't totally clear on what Suzaku wanted when he sent him here, but he seems to not have regretted it happening. As he had said, and I quote: "I'm really glad to have come here and met you, and everyone else no da." I know I'm just as happy as Mits is.

            Tasuki is right at home here. Both of our new relationships, speaking of Mits and I, don't bother him one bit. We're still all real good friends, after all. He's really the backbone of all of us. What would we do without him?

Both Mits and my birthdays have passed, but only about a month ago. We're happy to have gotten older, because we have more choices and responsibilities … and we don't feel as young anymore. And that's always a good thing, right? We had a big party on both days, and it was a lot of fun. A definitely Sweet 16 birthday … because that was when both of our lives changed. The people we had admired had finally come clean.

I sit here on the dark porch at two hours after midnight, and recall to that time. It had seemed that we had just moved in … just seemed like yesterday when Chichiri had appeared in my bedroom back at home … when Chichiri told me something I wanted to hear, pretty much ever since I met him, and got to know him. It seemed way too soon, but it really wasn't.

I laugh. It's just about damn time something happened too.

The scene wasn't too different, except it was the night of my 16th birthday. I never really had birthday parties in my favor … I didn't think that it was that much of a big deal. Everyone else, however, thought differently.

"You guys … you really shouldn't have …"

Mitsukake spoke up. "You don't turn 16 every day, you know!"

"Yeah … you deserve a party," Mits continued. "When was your last one … when you turned 11??"

I thought for a moment. "I actually … don't remember." I grinned as Chichiri popped out of nowhere and put his kasa on my head awkwardly, so it lay sideways and covered half my face.

"That's some party hat yeh got there," Tasuki said, pointing at it.

I tilted it so it was on my head correctly. "Oh yeah … feel the festivities."

Of course, after a little more of the party, out of nowhere, Tasuki whipped out a bottle of Saké and a shot cup. Of course, his shot cup was a regular-sized beer mug. Without a second glance or word, he started to gulp it down, while the rest of us tried to take it away from him.

The rest of us, meaning not including me … I had managed to sneak out and sit outside. It was quiet out; I wanted some peace and quiet before going inside to a very drunk and loud Tasuki.

I sat on the last step of the porch and watched the unusually desolate street and sidewalk. I was kind of glad we were on the outskirts of NYC, and it wasn't as crowded here. I had situated myself comfortably, closed my eyes, and sighed deeply, finally relaxing and tuning out everything.

Well, almost everything.

I had this annoying, nagging feeling that I was being watched. So I opened my eyes a little and turned my head very slowly to the left, my eyes bugging out as Chichiri sat three inches from my face, staring at me as if I had a huge bug crawling across my forehead.

"DA!!" He exploded and sat back a little.

I jumped. "When did YOU get here?!"

He rested a too-friendly arm on my shoulder like an armrest. "Couple of seconds ago no da. I'm leaving Tasuki to Mits and Mitsukake for now no da!" A sweatdrop rolled down the side of his head. "It's getting a little crazy in there no da …"

"Ah…right." I fumbled for something else to say. "What brings you out here then?"

"Well …" He thought for a moment, taking off his mask. "I never got the chance to get you something for your birthday no da … so I thought I should give it to you now, no da!" He grinned at my confusion, slipped the same arm that was leaning on one shoulder, around both and gave a quick peck on the cheek. It wasn't much, but it said a lot.

I sat there with wide eyes, and this incredibly stupid expression on my face. It must have been pretty weird, because he chuckled and hugged me.

"Happy birthday, Chiri no da!"