A/N: Chapter 6! Hahaha! Okay, time for some fun in the sun in a bun! Gotta run!

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

~the sixth chapter~

Ah, summer. Here is to the glorious time of year where girls walk about in bikini tops and short shorts, and boys go topless. Here's to the heat, the late night, the firey beat of parties. Here's to summer love, to stargazing, to swimming. To lounging around all day, to being lazy. Here's to no school, to sleeping in, summer's greatest feature...

The alarm beeped and Hitomi cursed, tumbling over the edge of her bed. She cascaded to the floor in a rain of sheet and exhaustedly, she reached up and groped along her bedstand for her alarm clock. Lamp... retainer box... pen... aha. The dreaded alarm clock. She pulled it down and stared at the glowing, battery powered face. Five-thirty AM.... it continued to ring obnoxiously and Hitomi smacked it so that the bell would cease it's obnoxious... belling. She threw it back up on the stand and laid back on the floor, exhaling with a whoosh.

Come on, girl, anything is worth going to the olympics. You can do this.' Hitomi's mental cheerleader jumped up and down, waving pom-poms. But then Hitomi's sanity took hold and the mental-cheerleader went bye-bye. Oh well.

Hitomi sighed and sat up. Right. I can do this, she said as the sheets slid off her favorite pajamas. She slouched to the bathroom and turned on the light, yawning and peeling off her shirt. The light blinded her momentarially, and when her eyes re-focused she walked to the sink and turned on the water. She cupped her hands below the faucet and splashed her face with the good, cold water. That did a pretty good job of waking her up, and Hitomi sighed. wiping her face off with a rag. She pulled on a sports bra and her tight, white track shirt and slipped on her red track shorts. Sighing, Hitomi pulled her plain track sweats over the and slipped on her socks and shoes. Yawning and staggering slightly, she stumbled out of the bathroom and downstairs.

Good morning, honey, said Mrs. Kanzaki pleasantly, her short brown hair tied up in a neat bun. She wore a conservative white blouse under a navy blue jacket, which matched her skirt. Black pantyhoes covered her legs, and her feet fit neatly into a pair of black pumps. She looked up from her newspaper, and smiled at her daughter.

Eat breakfast and I'll take you to the stadium, she said. I'll drop you off on my way to work.

yawned Hitomi, reaching into the pantry and grabbing a bagel. She grabbed a knife and some cream cheese from the fridge, and halved her bagel, buttering the inside with the cream.

So, honey, are you excited? Mrs. Kanzaki asked, taking a sip of her coffee. Hitomi swallowed the large bit of her bagel she had taken, and shrugged.

Kind of, she said, taking another large bite. Mrs. Kanzaki gave Hitomi a knowing look.

I just want you to know that I couldn't be any prouder of you, sweetie, she said. Hitomi nodded, her mouth sticking out in odd spots (she had shoved the rest of the bagel into her mouth at once.) She chewed for a moment and then swallowed, taking a swig of the fruit smoothie she had found in the fridge.

Thanks, mom, Hitomi said, stretching a bit. Mrs. Kanzaki looked at the metal watch on her wrist, and stood, neatly folding her paper.

Well, we should be going, she said. It'll take us a while to reach the stadium.

Right, mom, Hitomi said, putting her dishes in the sink and going to the hall closet. She pulled out her track bag and followed her mom out of the kitchen with a sigh. She seriously hoped everything went well...

~*&*~

Van awoke the next morning to Merle frantically squirming around from where she was stuck in his arms. He sighed, opening one eye.

she screeched, Let me go! Now!

he yawned sleepily, and sat up, releasing Merle. She got up and smacked him across the head with a rolled up newspaper, and then giggled.

Did you know you were sighing in your sleep and mumbling Hitomi's name? she laughed. Van flushed pink.

I was? he asked. Merle winked, waving the paper cone at him.

I think you like her.

stuttered Van, his face flaming. Merle laughed.

Don't worry, she said. I won't tell her.

Van breathed, and then clapped his hand over his mouth.

exclaimed Merle. You admitted it.

You swear you won't tell? asked Van, his cheeks a lovely rosy shade.

On honor of my romance novel collection, Merle laughed.

Why do you even read those things, anyway? They're sick, said Van. Merle shrugged.

They're addictive, and also pretty funny.

How is smut funny? Van asked, confused. Merle shrugged, pulling Van off of his futon couch.

Not sure. Anyway, I didn't wake you up just to tease you. Mrs. Kanzaki called to see if we would mind picking Hitomi up. She has some sort of conference or something, said Merle. I thought you might want to come. Van hopped up off of the couch.

Duh I want to come! Is Folken driving us? he asked.

Folken has work, remember? I'm driving, said Merle, smirking and twirling the ring of car keys around on her index finger.

You'd better not crash us and kill Hi... me, Van said, stumbling to recover from his blunder. He stood up and stretched his back, looking around his room for a good pair of pants.

So you're coming? Merle asked as Vab pulled on a pair of pants.

he said, yanking a red shirt over his head and straighteing it out. He fluffed his already messy hair with his fingers and followed his big sister downstairs.

Van, you might want to eat, though. It's a long drive to the stadium. And, take some food too, because Hitomi'll probably be hungry. And if you eat it I swear you have dish, garbage, and laundry duty for a month.

said Van, rubbing the back of his neck and clumsily pulling on his shoes, which he sloppily tied. You're sounding like an old auntie or something, he said, and walked to the cupboard. He quickly consumed what would be most of the food in the cupboard for a normal family, but the Fanels knew what to expect from their youngest member.

That's enough, said Merle firmly, pulling him out of the cupboard. Van shrugged and held up a box of energy bars.

We'll take this for her, he said.

said Merle, and reached down into the bottom of the cupboard and snagged a Gatorade.

Lets go! said Van, heading off in the direction of the garage. Merle followed him and opened the door. Van hopped into the passenger seat and Merle climbed into the front, putting the keys into the ignition and starting the car. Soon, they were backing out of the driveway and heading off to pick up Hitomi.

We might get there a bit early, said Merle. Mrs. Kanzaki gave us instructions on how to get to the place, and we can watch Hitomi finish up. I suspect she'll want a shower afterwards, and, Van, for god's sake, DON'T do anything to humiliate her.

Like I did the time I came to watch you at soccer practice? Van cackled.

said Merle, sounding nautious. Don't remind me.

But it was only a little bit of temper paint...

Van! I was washing the paint off of the stands for a month! So, shut up and let me drive!

~*&*~

Dilandau walked down the hallway, smirking to himself. He pushed open the door to the staff room and saw Celena sitting on one of the expensicve black leather couches.

You're late, she said, not looking up from the papers she was filling out.

Boss said no to the plan, he said. Celena looked up sharply, a strand of hair falling into her face.

she asked.

Boss said that distracting the girl from our victim is too risky. Are we going or what, since we've been instructed to monitor only, for now? asked Dilandau. Celena sighed, and looked down at her silver wristwatch.

Yeah, sure. Let me finish these papers and we can leave. she said. Dilandau waggled a finger at her.

Why don't you love me? he wailed.

What's to love? Celena snorted, writing something into a blank.

It's called Albatou Enchantment! Celena snorted at this.

No offense, Albatou, but you're not that enchanting, she laughed, capping her pen and setting it down in the expensive penholder. She put the papers she was filling out in one of many identical black boxes, and brushed her hair behind her ear.

You know you want me, Dilandau snickered, hugging Celena. She slapped him sharply and stepped back.

Celena warned angrily, You'd better be glad that you're working on this mission with me or else I'd be busy killing you a hundred different ways right now, she huffed. She crossed her arms firmly over her breasts and stomped away, her stiletto heels echoing on the tile floor. Dilandau smirked and followed. This would be interesting.

~*&*~

Faster, Kanzaki! Faster! You're at the olympics, dammit! You're representing Japan! Run faster or I'll stick my track cleats up your ass! Jump! Higher, dammit, these are the hurdles! And tuck your damned legs in! This isn't ballet! Hitomi gritted her teeth and did everything the coach said, enduring all the abusive language. It wasn't something she was unused to- lost of high grade and professional coaches preferred to insult you rather than pat you on the back. Giving you motivation, or something.

Woohoo! Go Hitomi! Hitomi heard, but she ignored it, only speeding up. She recalled what her coach had said at the beginning of practice to the various different members of the teams:

You're all a bunch of spoiled ninnies. I bet not one of you can jump a hurdle properly, and if you fall down, I'll be damned if you cry. I'm here to whip you into shape for the olympics in three years. By the end of this practice you won't like me. After the week is over, you'll hate me. Within a month, you will loathe me with a passion. Apply the passion with which you hate me to your track, and we'll have a team fit for peewee track meets. Any complaining and I'm referring you to the top. I expect you here every morning at six a.m. in your standard track uniforms. shirts tucked in, shoes tied, wearing socks and sweat bands, and ladies will have their hair out of their face. I expect discipline. I expect your 110 percent. You will want to kill me, it's true, but one day you'll thank me for this. Hitomi put on a final burst of speed, jumped the final hurdle, sailed through the air and landed at the end of the track. She jogged until she could slow down without hurting herself, and then walked back around to the coach. The rest of the team was lining up, too. There was one boy who was eighteen, but the rest were between twenty and thirty. The olympic veterans wouldn't be training with them for another month.

Do a mile, all of you, and hit the showers, barked the coach, Everyone nodded and set off around the track on their cool down. Hitomi jogged along, keeping her pace with the rest of the team. One lap, maybe when she got home she'd just pass out onto her couch. Two laps... she maintained proper breathing, and shook her dripping, sweaty hair out of her eyes. Three laps... only one more lap to go. Two hundred meters, a hundred fifty meters, a hundred meters, fifty meters.... track practice was over. The team let out cheers and made their way to the benches, reaching for their water bottles- most of which were empty. Hitomi grabbed her towel and slung it around her shoulders.

said the boy that Hitomi had gauged to be maybe eighteen. I'm Amano.

I'm Hitomi, she said, breathing heavy. Nice to meet you.

said Amano. He shook Hitomi's hand with a grin, and then sighed, plopping down on the bench.

What do you think of the coach? he asked. Hitomi shrugged, her face red and splotchy.

I think he's trying to kill us, she panted. Amano laughed, and leaned back, his chest rising and falling quickly. Hitomi heard what sounded like an elephant coming down the bleachers above her and then tripping. She turned and saw Van clumsily making his way down through the stands.

Who's that? Amano asked, pointing up at Van. I heard him cheer for you.

A friend, sighed Hitomi, standing up and stretching. Van jumped the remaining few feet off of the bleachers and ran at Hitomi. He threw his arms around her neck and hugged her, effectively strangling her.

Let go, she rasped at him. Van let go and dantily pinched his nose.

You stink, he said. Hitomi glanced down at her legs, which were sleek with her body's water, then looked to her white tee-shirt which was thoroughly soaked through with sweat, and shrugged.

Like you could survive a practice with coach Yoshida, she laughed, and Merle walked over.

Hitomi, you might want to get yoruself cleaned up a bit, she said. We're taking you home since your mom has a meeting.

Hitomi said, and waved at Amano. See you tomorrow.

Amano replied with a wave. Merle and Van followed her to the locker room, and she stopped.

Van, you have to wait out here, Hitomi said, pointing at the ground. Girlies only. Van scowled and sat down on one side of the door.

I'll stay with him, said Merle, standing next to her brother, you know, be sure he doesn't get in trouble, she winked. Hitomi nodded understandingly and stepped into the locker. She was immediatley engulfed by wafting steam and perfume, and she coughed, pulling off her shirt. She dropped it next to her duffel bag and made her way past several women to the showers. She pulled the cheap plastic curtains shut and peeled off all her clothes. She set them on the bench and walked into the spray, letting it wash away her sweat. She shampooed heir hair and scrubbed the grime off her arms, legs, and chest. When she finally felt clean, she dug in her bag for a towel and pulled it out with a grin. She dried herself off, put on a knee legnth denim skirt and a black spaghetti strap top, and threw her towel and nasty track clothes in her bag. She stepped out of the stall and dug in her bag for some deodorant, which she rubbed under her arms.

Hey, new kid, said one woman Hitomi hadn't noticed before. She looked maybe twenty. What's your name?

Hitomi replied.

Name's Misako, said the woman, sweeping a chestnut brown lock behind her ear. I saw you met Amano?

said Hitomi, taking Misako's hand and shaking it.

He's my little brother, Misako smiled. Hitomi raised an eyebrow.

Really. That's neat. You both made the team.

Yeah. Hey, I'll be seeing you around, Misako asked. Hitomi nodded with a smile.

she laughed, walking out of the locker room with a wave. Hitomi smiled as well and pushed through the groups of women around the mirror. She checked her appearance and left- the gap closing up behind her. She slung her duffel over her shoulder and walked out as well, encountering Merle, who was holding Van back by his shirt collar.

he squawked, breaking free of Merle's grip and hug-tackling poor Hitomi.

Hi Van, she rasped, much like the first time he had greeted.

I missed you! he said, sitting on her middle and smiling goofily down at her. Hitomi was very well aware of the compromising situation she was in, and Merle pulled Van off of poor Hitomi by the armpits.

Plese don't do that again in pulic, she said to Van. He shrugged and broke free of Merle's grip, and skipped ahead.

Hang on, said Hitomi, walking towards the other side of the feild. I have to pick up my uniforms and track gear, she said. Merle smiled and nodded, grabbed Van by the back of the shirt and whispered something in his ear. He went pale, nodded, and Merle let go. He stood next to her and stared at nothing, hs eyes wide. Merle looked contentedly pleased with herself.

We'll wait here, she said as Hitomi walked across the feild.

she asked quietly to the woman handing out the uniforms and gear.

Kanzaki Kanzaki Kanzaki... she said, digging through the boxes. She pulled out a black duffel with a small image of the Japanese flag sewn in either end over and Hitomi's last name embroidered on one side in white. You'll find all of your gear inside, including your water bottle. Paperwork is inside. Turn it in to me tomorrow morning- I'll be in my office next to the locker rooms. Any questions and the phone number is on the business card, she said, shoving the duffel into Hitomi's hand. You got it, kid?

Yes, ma'am, Hitomi said. The woman nodded once and then turned, off to help another member of the team. Hitomi walked back over to Merle and Van (who was still in the same, pale, deer-in-the-headlights) position, and tapped him on the shoulder.

Mind carrying this for me? Hitomi asked him. He blinked, shook his head, and went

Would you carry my duffel for me? she asked. Merle kicked Van very swiftly in the back of the leg.

he exclaimed, and then smiled at Hitomi.

Hitomi said, swinging her own purple and green duffel absently. She followed Merle and Van out of the gargantuan stadium and into the yellow wrangler she had failed to notice in the Fanel's garage.Merle tossed the keys up into the air and caught them deftly with a clinking, pressing the remote so that the jeep unlocked. Van pulled the door open and hopped into the back seat, bouncing a bit on the zebra patterned seat covers.

Nice car, commented Hitomi, looking at the fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror.

said Merle, climbing into the driver's seat. Hitomi crawled into the back with Van and tossed her bags up into the passenger seat.

You might want to hang on, Van whispered to Hitomi. Not needing a second warning, she buckled her seat belt and held tight to the bar over her head. Not a moment too soon, either, as Merle started up the car and sped out of the parking lot, cranking up a Def Leppard c.d. Apparently, Van knew the song, and he started singing along, as well as Merle.

I'm kind of thirsty, yelled Hitomi over the noise.

You've got peaches I've got the cream, sweet to taste, saccharine! Van sang, passing a gatorade to Hitomi. 'Cause I'm hot, hot, say what? Sticky sweet! From my head, my head to my feet! Do you take sugar? One lump or two!

Take the bottle, shake it up, Merle yelled. Break the bubble, break it up! Pour some sugar on me, ooh in the name of love! Pour some sugar on me, can't get enough! Pour some sugar on me, come on, fire me up... Hitomi smiled and unscrewed the orange gatorate cap and drank deeply as the song changed. Hitomi knew this song as well, and began to sing along as she, Merle and Van sped off down the highway.

They call me white Devil, black Jesus, Heaven closes, Hell freezes, Ego's trippin', scripts keep flippin', Bloods keep bloodin', Crips keep crippin', Time keeps slippin' and I keep fallin', I can't see but I hear them callin', ballers ballin'... she sang along. Van picked up where she left off.

Players playin', haters fightin', righteous prayin', Don't forget Manhattan keep makin', Brooklyn keep takin', Shook ones keep shakin', no time for fakin', Know what I mean, I ain't choppin' no bars just risin' like cream, If you diggin' the scene, you feelin' the vibe,Throw your hands in the air, scream are you alive!
Singin' na, na, na, na, na, na...

They call me white devil, black jesus... they all yelled at once, swaying back and forth. Hitomi laughed to the wind. This was more fun than she'd had in quite a while. Two songs and several hoarse voices later they pulled into the Fanel's driveway. Laughing, they stumbled into the house, Hitomi with two track bags slung over her shoulder.

Where's Folken? she yawned, still thoroughly exhausted by track practice.

He's at work, replied Merle. Hitomi shrugged and stumbled over to the couch.

If you don't mind, she laughed, I'm gonna take a nap.

Be our guest, replied Merle, throwing Van out of the kitchen (he had been noisily banging pots and pans together and singing Red Hot Chili Pepper's Otherside.')

replied Hitomi, dropping her bags next to her feet and falling onto the couch for a nice nap. Van quietly crept in fifteen minutes later and spread a blanket over the sleeping Hitomi. He gave smiled a bit and looked up sharply when Merle entered the room. She gave him a knowing wink and walked up the stairs. Van sighed to himself and stood up, resolving to figure out his feelings. Eventually, at least.

~*&*~

Several weeks passed in this fashion- Van and Merle picking Hitomi up from practice every day, and her passing out onto their couch for about an hour. Hitomi was always oddly comforted to wake up to Van's blanket thrown about her shoulders, and she supposed that Van didn't want her to get cold. Waking up to Van's fresh, meadow smell was always comforting. One day she woke up to the gentle clang of dishes in the kitchen. She sat up, the blanket falling from around her shoulders, and looked. She couldn't help but laught at what she saw.

Are you making me lunch? Hitomi asked Van, sitting up and stepping over her track bag. Van grinned, sheepishly, a bit of mayonase on the tip of his nose.

Merle left just after you fell asleep. She's got some crazy thing to go to... she said somethign about a job interview and sped away. And since you're usually hungry after you wake up, I thought you might want lunch. But my culinary skills aren't anywhere near Merle's, he said sheepishly. Hitomi laughed and gave Van a hug, inhaling his fresh smell.

It's okay. It's the thought that counts, right? she asked. Van smiled, and the phone rang.

Could you get that, he asked, holding up his flour-covered hands. I'm... er... indesposed.

said Hitomi. She picked up the phone and siad,

Um, like, hi! Is Van there, or something? came a very ditzy-sounding voice.

Er, yeah, said Hitomi. Van's eyes widened. May I ask who's calling? she asked.

Tell him it's, like, Em,

It's said Hitomi, Van smacked himself in the face with a flour-ey hand, leaving a large, white imprint. Hitomi giggled.

Van mouthed, pointing to the black speaker mounted on the wall. Hitomi pressed a button.

Van asked as Hitomi hung up.

Um, like, Van? Why didn't you ever call me? came the voice, now sounding very offended. Hitomi turned around and walked into the living room, her eyes wide.

Because, Emily, I didn't want to call, Van replied.

But, like, Van, hon, I thought we were so totally an item! protested Em.' Hitomi's eyes went wide and she sat down quickly on the couch.

No, Emily, we weren't, he said, sounding mad. I never liked you. You came on to me.

Dude, Van, I don't understand why you, like, had likeevery girl in the school chasing after you, but you only, like, went out with, like, none. Like, I know that those other girls were, like, total rejects, but like what's wrong with me? It's like, after your parents died and Momoko like dumped you you're like a total ice cube or something.

Emily, we're not going into this. I never had any intrest in you, and don't talk about my parents. I have a new life now. Never call me here again, he said, and hung up. Hitomi sat on the couch, her back to Van, her eyes wide. Van's parents had died, and he'd never said a thing. She had assumed something like that had happened. And what was this with all the girls in the school being after him. And who was this Momoko? Hitomi felt a turmoil of emotions stirring within her chest. Van had never told her anything about his past, though she had told him every story of her childhood she could think of.

Van asked, concern evident in his voice. Did I do something wrong?

You never told me! Hitomi exploded, her voice quaking dangerously. You never told me any of it! Your parents, your past... nothing! You've been keeping secrets, Van. Friends don't keep secrets from eachother. She burst out in tears, even though she didn't know why. Go call Emily back and ask her out or something. You obviously care more about her than you do about me.

Asked Van, sounding confused. It was too late, though. Hitomi had grabbed her bag and left in a swirl of blonde hair and tears. Van stared after her, and walked back over to the kitchen. He looked down at the pizza he had been making for Hitomi- a mostly cheese pizza, with a pepperoni smiley face in the middle. All he had wanted to do ever since they first became friends was make her smile. All he had wanted to see was her features light up, her eyes take on a sparkle. Van sighed and put the pizza in the fridge, for baking later. He washed off his hands, wiped the flour off of his nose and set off for Hitomi's house. The front door was locked, and so he pulled himself up the tree and onto the roof. Typical Hitomi- in her upset she had forgotten to lock her window. He carefully opened it and stepped into her room. She was crying on her bed, and didn't notice him come in.

he asked quietly.

Go away, she yelled, throwing a pillow at his head. Van dodged it, and sat down next to her.

If you want, I'll tell you everything, he said. Hitomi only sobbed harder into her pillow. I just never said anything, Van said, a familiar ache sprining up in his heart, because it hurt.

That's the thing, Van, said Hitomi, looking up at him with red and splotchy eyes. You never, ever told me anythin, even though I told you everything! All the good times, all the bad. Now I feel like I can't even trust you. She buried her face in her pillow, and Van took a deep breath.

My parents were Varie and Gou Fanel. They worked for a science corporation, but they never told me the name. Many of the experiments done there were illegal, and one day I got taken in by some of the scientists there. My parents thought I was in the daycare, of course, with Merle and Folken. When they came to pick me up, I was gone. They started worrying, and searched for me. They found me tied down to one of the tables, being doused with several different radiation rays. They were horrified and quit, and worked agaisnt the organisation. About a year ago, they were killed by an agent in the group. Not long after that, I started having pains, and Folken went to medical school, hoping that he could figure out my problem. But then, we noticed agents monitorimg me, walking in the hallways of my school. So, we moved. Folken completed his college training. But he can't figure out anything, and I've seen the agents following us. Hitomi, I didn't tell you because I wanted to protect you. Hitomi looked at him in awe, and reached out to him.

I'm sorry, she choked out, her eyes still red, she ran a finger along Van's jawline. I should have waited for you to tell me yourself. She cupped Van's cheek with her small, and Van clasped it gently.

Maybe things are better this way, Van said. I think the agents are only watching me, for now. But... I want you to be careful, too, Van said quietly, brushing a strand of Hitomi's hair out of her face. Because they know that you're my friend, he said. Hitomi nodded and laid her head on his shoulder, tired from crying. For some reason, though, she was always, always tired. Maybe it was so much track practice. Maybe it was all emotions withing her. But for some reason, none of it could reach her here, in Van's arms. He absently doodled shaped on her back with his hands, and Hitomi smiled. But, deep within her, she was sad. Because this embrace was only friendly. It seemed to her like there would never be anything more between them. Sure, Van had kissed her several times, but it was just taunting and teasing, wasn't it? Hitomi sighed deeply, her arms wrapped securley around Van's middle. Whether or not he liked her, she felt like she had to get this off of her shoulders.

Van, I... she said, pulling back and looking at his rusty-chocolate eyes. What she saw there hypnotized her. His eyes sparkled slightly with apprehension, and greatly sadness. But the most obvious emotion was one Hitomi had never had any experience with, an emotion she had never expected to be directed at her, especially by Van.

Pure love.

It was enough to crack Hitomi's heart into a million peices, and she broke down into hysterical tears on Van's shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, and Hitomi felt a few gentle splashes of water on her bare shoulder, and she knew that Van, too, was crying for the death of his parents. Hitomi clung to him for her life, and did not wince as his hands squeezed her waist tight, almost painfully. She would have done anything in the world fo Van at that moment in time, anything to get rid of his pain. Even willingly take it upon herself. Sniffling, Hitomi pulled back and looked up into Van's eyes. The pain was there, stronger htan before. But so was the love. Hitomi was captivated by the sad sparkle in them, and she unconciously moved her face closer towards his. He bowed his head down, an their lips met in a kiss that blew Hitomi's world and pain away, and caused sparkling, colorful fireworks to explode in her mind. She wrapped her arms around Van's neck and twined her hands through the messy hair at the nape of his neck, deepening the kiss. She heard the garage door opening downstairs, and pulled back.

My mom's home, she said quietly. Van nodded, and Hitomi gave him a smile.

she said, I...I lo... Van smiled at her.

It's okay, he said, seeing her problem, and shushing her. I feel the same way.



My mom, Hitomi said quietly, hugging Van.

Hitomi? Are you home? How was practice?

It was fine, mom, Hitomi called. I'm not feeling that well, though... could I be left alone?

Okay, sweetheart. Get plenty of rest, though. That party's tomorrow night... Hitomi looked up at Van with a smile as she heard the door to her mom's study close.

Do you know what that means? she asked him quietly.

said Van, visibly excited. Free food! Hitomi sighed as Van hopped up and began bouncing around her room singing free food, free food... Hitomi shrugged and nestled under her covers, sighing contentedly. Oh well. It had been nice while it lasted...

~*&*~

Continue monitoring, said Allen to Celena and Dilandau, who were standing at attention in front of his desk. It's obvious that we are still unable to catch him. We will have to wait, and watch, Allen said.

Sir, I have an idea, voulenteered Celena. There is a party tomorrow night that they will both be attending. We can capture him then.

It sounds good, said Allen. So, give me the details of this plan....

~*&*~

A/N: Haha! They're scheming! Sorry I didn't update sooner... I was busy on thursday and friday. Haha! So, anyway, review!