Hi, it's us again! STUPID PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN REVIEWING! Therefore we're back with a NEW chapter! Here goes!

~~~

Reporter: ::crying:: K-Kouran-aiiiiiii...

Kouran: ::giggling over by Tomo (minus the make-up):: Sorry, Mr. Reporter Guy, I've decided to join the Seiryuus...

Tomo: ::sticks out tongue:: Get your own girl!

Reporter: ::has an idea:: But, Kouran! Don't you remember? You're ENGAGED!!!

Kouran: ::freezes:: ::looks upset:: But... but I LIKE Tomo!!!

Tomo: I like you too, Kouran!!!

Reporter: What about Chichiri?! Kouran - Don't you remember his scar?!!! His gorgeous blue hair... His cheery greeting!

Kouran: ::sniffles:: But... but... HOW COULD I HAVE BEEN DISLOYAL?!! Chichiri-sama!!! ::rushes to the other side of the checkpoint building, where Chichiri is::

Tomo: ::looks confused:: Um... what just happened?

Reporter: Sorry, I'd love to explain it to you, but I have my job to do! We'll be back after these commercials!

~~~

::Mitsukake and Nakago walk on::

Nakago: Hi there, viewers! I'm Nakago, and this is my pal and singing partner, Mitsukake! We two have the best voices you'll hear in Konan, Kutou, Hokkan or Sairou! Isn't that right, Mitsukake?

Mitsukake: ............... ::plainly means "yes"::

Nakago: Well, anyway, look for our new CD: "Dragon and Phoenix Combined - The Vocal Wonders of Suzaku Seishi Mitsukake and Seiryuu Seishi Nakago!" This amazing song collection includes hit songs like "Blue Eyes, Blue", "Hidarite ni kioku", "Hokou (Wandering)" and "Sora ga Mieru"!! Plus, FOUR new, never-been-heard duets by the two most smooth-voiced followers of Suzaku and Seiryuu! Buy it now!!!!

~~~

Reporter: And Chichiri, who is IN THE LEAD ::Kouran looks happy:: has finished his ten minute break and is off! ::Camera shot of Chichiri in chibi running along::

Kouran: ::is in her cheerleading outfit with her pompoms again:: GO CHICHIRI! GO CHICHIRI! GO CHICHIRI! YOU RUUUUUUUULE!!!!

Reporter: Er... right. In just a few minutes Nuriko, who is in second place, will be finishing his break and will be on Chichiri's tail. Let's see how Chichiri's using his start. Is he taking it easy, before the others catch up, or is he taking advantage of the extra -

Kouran: Who cares! HE'S WINNING!

Reporter: Er, yes. Anyway.

Miboshi: ::sidles up to Nakago:: ::whispers:: Hey, Nakago! I have an idea!

Nakago: Oh, really? This better be good, Miboshi...

Miboshi: How about we tie up that pretty little Kouran chick, leave her in a warehouse, write a ransom note and tell Chichiri he has to give up his win to get her back!!

Nakago: Hmmm... I like it! Let's do it.

Miboshi: ::sneaks up behind Kouran:: ::throws a sack over her head:: ::carries her off::

Reporter: So, Kouran, I was thinking... about your engagement... ::turns and sees that she's gone:: Uh, Kouran...?

Miboshi: ::carries Kouran over to Nakago:: ::Miboshi and Nakago tie her up and gag her with duct tape::

Nakago: ::Holds up that book, 101 Uses for Duct Tape and grins:: Once again, this book is useful!

Miboshi: ::flips through it:: Ooh, a duct tape bag... I could get a pretty pink one...

Nakago: Um, Miboshi, we're in the middle of something here... And anyway, I think magenta is more your color...

Miboshi: Oh, right. Sorry.

Nakago: Okay, you write the ransom letter, I'll guard the hostage.

Miboshi: ::looks annoyed:: No, how about you write the letter and I'LL guard the hostage?!

Nakago: You DARE to admonish ME, vermin?!!! ::lightning crackles::

Miboshi: O_O... I'll go write the letter now...

Nakago: ::smirks::

(The authors would like to thank Demon Diary, Volume 1 for the inspirational quote)

::Miboshi goes off::

Nakago: ::circles around Kouran:: So... my pretty prisoner... Soi isn't here... how about you take her place?

Kouran: Mmmmm... Mmmm mmm mmm mmmmmm! ::points to the duct tape on her mouth::

Nakago: Ah, yes... ::rips it off:: So, would you like to take her place?

Kouran: ::has no idea what Soi does for Nakago:: Okay, mister! That sounds fun!

Nakago: ::smiles eeeeeevilly:: All right...

Miboshi: ::comes back in at just the wrong moment:: Okay, Nakago, I dropped the letter where he will find it!!

Nakago: ::looks annoyed:: Er... good. Now go away.

Miboshi: But, don't you want to see Chichiri's face when he finds the note?

Nakago: Videotape it for me.

Miboshi: But...

Nakago: How DARE you admonish ME, vermin?!!!!

(Thanks again, Demon Diary!)

Miboshi: Er, right, I'll just go now... ::levitates out the door quickly::

Kouran: So, what exactly DOES Soi do?

Nakago: Well... ::whispers in Kouran's ear EXACTLY what Soi does::

Kouran: Ewwwwwwww!!! With YOU?! I'm not doing that!!!!

Nakago: Well, if you insist... ::smiles evilly::

(And we'll be back after these messages!!!!!!)

~~~

Chichiri: Do you find your hair is rather... boring?

Chiriko: Do you find people totally ignoring you because you don't stand out enough?

Both: Try M.A.P. hairspray!

(Don't ask. Just don't.)

Chichiri: it will make your hair go from this...

::shot of Chichiri looking mad, with his bangs all floppy and Chiriko sniffling with his hair down::

Chiriko: ...to this!

::shot of Chichiri looking happy with his bangs up again and Chiriko looking happy with his hair normal again::

Both: Try M.A.P.! It's the only hairspray that will REALLY make your hair stand on end!

~~~

Nakago: I suppose Soi does other things too... Gives me foot massages... brings me whatever I want... brushes my hair... ::goes on and on:: Would you prefer to do those things?

Kouran: Uh, okay...

Nakago: Give me a foot massage! NOW!!!!

Kouran: ::looks scared:: ::takes off Nakago's boots and socks:: Ew, the smell!!!!!!!! X_X

Nakago: You DARE to insult my FEET, vermin?!!!!!! ::lightning crackles::

Kouran: Um, I mean, what a lovely smell! Just like... flowers!!

Nakago: ::smiles::

~~~

Miboshi: ::sitting in mid-air with a video camera::

Chichiri: ::running along:: ::sees the note lying there on the grass:: Hmm, I wonder what that is, no da? ::picks it up and reads it as he runs:: ::gasps:: K-Kouran!!! NOOOOOO!!!!

The Note:

DEar cHIChiri,

WE HaVE yOur K0uRaN. GiVE uP y0uR cHAnce aT wINNIng oR eLsE!!!

-AnOnyMOUs

Chichiri: ::chibi eyes start watering:: Nooo! My Kouran! ::sniffles and stops running::

Reporter: ::runs up and picks up the note:: Well, this is amazing! Chichiri has gotten a ransom note! Will he sacrifice his win in return for the woman he loves? And if he doesn't, what will happen to Kouran?!!!

Chichiri: Of course I'm going to give up my win, you idiot, no da!!!!!

Reporter: Touchy, touchy...

Chichiri: ::face the crowd:: Okay, everyone out there, I've STOPPED RUNNING, no da! Let Kouran go, no da!

Kouran: ::runs out to him:: Oh, Chichiri! He was making me give him a FOOT MASSAGE!!! ::sniffles::

Chichiri: ::gasps:: Who?! He shall PAY!! Who was it, Kouran?!!

Kouran: Um... ::wrinkles her nose:: I forget his name.

Chichiri: ::sighs:: That's my Kouran...

Kouran: ::sweatdrop::

::Laugh track::

~~~

End! And just to remind you... if you don't review, it may be quite a while until Month of Torture gets a new chapter... It's getting harder to get inspired for it, anyway... so REVIEW!!! Got that?!!!

~Taira and Kouran, Mizu-Ryuuseisui Inc

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (mizu) O----------------------O (ryuuseisui)