Celebrations
by Apple-chan

Disclaimer: insert witty disclaimer remark here

A future fic of sorts. Set approximately 11 years after the Anime. It's Funbari Onsen's 3rd anniversary, and Yoh and Anna's daughter's birthday. And yes, everyone is finally here!^^ Lots of silliness, weirdness, and of course, lots of love!^_^

Spoilers: The whole Anime series.

Warnings: PG-13 for adult situations and mild swearing. Warnings for chapter length.^^;;;

Point of the chapter: LysergXJeanne (mostly), everyone's clothes, Keiko-chan's birthday gifts...and cake and ice cream.^_^


Chapter 7 - The Celebrations Continue


"Ojousan, are you sure you'll be alright? I can leave my cab here for a little while and help you get another one." The Japanese taxicab driver said as he loaded out two suitcases from the compartment of his cab. "And I'll carry these for you while I'm at it. It's the least I can do..." The old man gave his passenger--a young woman of about nineteen, with white-light blue hair and bright ruby eyes, and wearing a black hooded overcoat that was a little bit too large for her--a pleading look.

The said young woman, known to her friends as Jeanne, shook her head slightly and smiled at the old cab driver. "I'll be fine. It's only a couple of blocks more, anyway." She picked up the stroller of her suitcases and wheeled it slowly towards her, then, with the help of the old man, she managed to lug her two suitcases and secure them on top of the stroller.

The old man gave Jeanne's baggage a concerned look. "I should help you out with those. It isn't proper for a young lady to be carrying these things around alone. It wouldn't be right," he added, with another pleading look at his passenger.

Jeanne gave the old man a reassuring smile. "That really won't be necessary. As I've told you earlier, my destination is only a couple of more blocks away. It's straight ahead," she added, nodding her head towards the main street, "and a bit of walking wouldn't hurt at all. Besides, my suitcases aren't -that- heavy now, are they?" She smiled brightly again at the old man.

He shook his head quickly. "N...not at all." He scratched his head and looked around back and forth on his taxicab. "I'm really, really sorry," he told her sincerely. "I had no idea it was going to break down just like that. I didn't check the motor early this morning, something must have malfunctioned." He sighed and gave her an apologetic smile. "Again, I'm so sorry. Since I didn't bring you where you were supposed to go, I think it's only fair that I take just one-half of the standard pay..."

"Iie, it's fine." Jeanne interjected, waving the old man's outstretched hand away and declining the refund he was offering. "You've managed to bring me this far from the airport, you deserve all of that." When the old man gave her a doubtful look, she added, "Well then...just think of the rest of that money as a...tip, coming from me." She declared, nodding her head with satisfaction. "Ne?" She added with a smile.

The old man gave his head another head-scratch as he smiled at her. "H...hai..." he said hesitantly, his eyes wide with surprise. It wasn't very often that he got foreign passengers who were as nice--and as beautiful--as the young lady in front of him. "Arigatou gozaimasu!" He bowed several times. "I wish you a good luck and goodbye and I hope that you arrive safely at your destination!" He added with a final bow.

Jeanne chuckled. "And I thank you for bringing me here as well, Ojisan. And good luck with your cab," she told him. She walked a couple of steps away from the cab, wheeling her suitcases behind her. Then, turning her head back to the old man, she called out, "I'll be going now!"

"Hai!" The old man called out, with a wave. "Mata ne!"

The young woman smiled and waved back as she continued to walk briskly northwards. She paused for a moment to glance at her watch.

Ten minutes to eleven in the morning.

Ten minutes to eleven in the morning of the FIFTH of MAY.

Fighting the urge to groan out loud, Jeanne continued to walk in a fast pace, not even thinking of stopping to take a break. I don't have time for a break...I've had enough breaks already...she shook her head as she recalled the agonizing twelve-hour wait for the delayed flight from London to Tokyo. If it wasn't for that, I would have arrived yesterday afternoon. Engine trouble...all machines seem to be having engine trouble these past couple of days...or perhaps it's just my...luck which is suffering some sort of trouble...?

She gave a long sigh. Maybe it's my luck. It's bad luck that my schedule gets swamped just when I'm supposed to go on my yearly week-long vacation at my friends' Onsen. -My- bad luck.

Either that, she thought, or Marco might have found a way to make sure -I- wouldn't be able to go to the Onsen if -he- wouldn't be able to go...so that he wouldn't have to worry about...Lyserg getting too close to me...she shook her head in slight annoyance. Really, that overprotectiveness of his is getting a bit out of hand...it's not like anything much happened when Lyserg and I fell into the Grand Canal...her cheeks flushed quite a bit at that thought...As much as I...liked it, nothing he should be worried about really happened...She smiled faintly...other than the fact that Lyserg wouldn't let me go all throughout that whole experience...

...and the fact that I...didn't want -him- to let me go...

Jeanne stopped for a moment as she took a deep, long breath. After about thirty seconds, she started walking again.

...Lyserg...

How long has it been since I had seen him last...? She wondered. Ever since she had gotten out of the boarding school and joined the Westminster Missionary, she'd been seeing less and less of the green-haired Englishman. That extended work trip she had in Venice a couple of months ago was the last time she had seen him...as in -really- seen him. Even though this year, she was stationed in London, very near the agency where Lyserg worked, her schedule was so filled up to the brim that she didn't have time for stray visits anywhere...not even so much as to drop by for a couple of minutes to bring him his usual vegetarian lunch--made by her, of course--or even just to say hello to him and his colleagues. The only time she had actually seen him was when they had been both on their way to Federal Express to have something delivered--and even then, their meeting only lasted for about ten minutes before she had been whisked away by the Sisters and he, by the agency.

Back when she was still in the boarding school, free time was something she had a lot of--from early morning breaks to lunch breaks to noon breaks to after school recreation time--and she spent almost all of these times visiting Lyserg at the detective agency whenever he was there. He often accommodated her visits when he wasn't swamped with work; and even if he was, he still welcomed her quite graciously--and so did his colleagues, most of whom have already become quite used to her presence, and often called her "Lyserg's Girlfriend" behind hers and Lyserg's backs...and even in front of the two of them, come to think of it.

Lyserg didn't seem to mind it at all, and neither did she...but the fact is, neither of them quite knew as to...-where- they really stood, in terms of relationship...It was a well-known fact that they were less than a couple. They were friends, that much is true...but something far more...? -That- was quite...debatable. For one thing, even if either of them actually wanted it to be something...close to being more, Jeanne was sure that Marco would never allow it. By heck, Marco didn't even know that -she- had often visited Lyserg at his job...if he ever found out about that, he would probably skin Lyserg alive and throw him in hot oil, for sure.

Not that he's a got right to, Jeanne thought with irony. I -know- he just wants to protect me...but I don't need that kind of protection. I am free to decide whoever I want to see or -not- see...she really wondered when it had happened that Marco became the main person who ran her life for her. -She- was the former X-LAWS leader, and -he- was just barely her second-in-command, for crying out loud!

A large raindrop fell down from the sky, straight onto Jeanne's face. Pulling on the hood of her overcoat, she started walking even faster. I have...a very complicated life...she looked up briefly at the sky, wondering why it was suddenly raining...it's spring, and it's not supposed to rain, it's not even in the forecasts...frowning slightly, she looked down on the paved roads and continued walking. No umbrella, nor even a jacket or a raincoat...smart move, Jeanne-sama...she gave a little sigh as she pulled on the overcoat tighter around her...Lyserg's overcoat...

Even with clothes, you just -had- to be helpless, she berated herself silently. Lyserg paid for the gift deliveries, he paid for the gondolas in Venice...he paid for the bill every single time you both eat at that...coffee shop near the school... and now, his coat. You never even returned his coat. It's not like you don't have your own coat...but still, you choose to wear this...black hooded one...she sighed again. You could have returned this to him long ago, but you didn't...and why is that?

She gave another sigh. Because it's the only thing I have of him. It's the only way I can remember him...him, and the way he protects me...

...The kind of protection that -I- want...

Jeanne finally groaned out loud as she felt even more raindrops falling faster, and faster...and in large, rapid succession. Just when you think things couldn't get any worse...she winced slightly as thunder sounded...THIS happens. My luck is really going down deep under the trenches of the ocean...

More thunder sounded. Lightning flashed. And then, the rain evolved into a full-blown storm.

Jeanne looked up and glared at the heavens. Thank you so much, Lord God, for this wonderful, wonderful rain. Please send me more of it, I'm begging you. This rain, and this long walk, should be enough punishment for me to take...so that I can purge the sins of all the people of this country...and all the people of this world...

Aaargh! She looked around the street for the nearest shelter...there. A small, ancient store. Heaving another loud sigh--which, had Jeanne been a warrior, could have been mistaken for a battle cry--she ran towards the store, dragging the wheels of her suitcases along behind her. I am so late. I am so, so -so- late...she fought the urge to whack herself on the head...And it is just my luck that I can't even call anyone because I forgot my cell phone at the church...she slumped down on the chair in front of the store and gave a loud, unladylike groan.

Ahh, luck. Wonderful thing, that.


*~*~*~*~*~*


Finally. I'm finally here.

Jeanne stepped slowly onto the shaded front steps of the Funbari Onsen Inn. At long last.

She slowly detached her suitcases from the stroller and carefully folded up the wheeled contraption, attaching it to the side of one suitcase. Then, she picked up both luggage and gazed up at the clock at the top of the front door.

Twenty minutes past one o'clock in the afternoon.

Restraining herself from using her own head as a makeshift doorknob, Jeanne took a small step closer towards the door. Then, drawing a deep, long breath, she gently raised her hand, gave the large door a faint knock, and then promptly opened it.

She paused for a moment to draw in another breath, and then, plucking up her courage, she dusted off some imaginary...dust from the slightly damp black overcoat she was still wearing (with the hood on her head to keep the rain out), and gingerly stepped inside.

"Ohayo...I mean, Konnichiwa...OOOFFF!" Jeanne exclaimed as she managed to crash into something solid upon entering. She sighed with resignation as upon impact, her suitcases ended up crashing along with her, and -she- ended up losing her balance and falling over the solid thing she had crashed into. Delayed flight...taxicab engine trouble...the long road straight ahead, coupled with a thunderstorm, and now, this...Lord God Almighty, pray tell me...what's next? She looked up into the ceiling, up to the heavens...my death...? Please God, no...I still have a lot of responsibilities in this world...lots of more people who need my help...and a million dreams I need to fulfill...please, please, PLEASE hold it off for a couple of more years...

But if you can't...if you really can't...then at least, -please- let me see him one last time...

"Ouch." The solid figure she had crashed into began to move.

It spoke, and now, it's...moving...? Jeanne looked up in alarm. I thought I had crashed over one of the coat racks or something...she extended her senses further...

The solid figure she had crashed into was...somehow soft, and incredibly warm. It smelled wonderfully good, too...and felt...safe, somehow...

Jeanne blushed as she realized that she was on top of...someone. The solid figure she had crashed and subsequently landed into was actually a human being. A person.

She was on top of a person. A...man, if the voice of the "ouch" just a moment ago was any indication. Shaking off the hood of the overcoat, Jeanne tossed her hair back and daintily brushed the water out of her eyes to clear her vision so that she could look at the man in hopes of identifying who he was, and to later on try and apologize for literally falling over on top of him. Dear Lord Almighty, I do hope he isn't angry at me...I would hate to have anyone be angry at me now, especially not if this person happens to be one of my friends...but I do hope it isn't...Asakura...Hao...she gritted her teeth slightly at that thought...please Lord, anyone but him...anyone at all...

"...Jeanne?" A voice. A low, shaky, and incredibly husky voice. The same voice that had spoken the "ouch" earlier. That same voice...I know that voice...I know it...she brushed the last drops of rainwater out of her face and looked below her...these trousers...I -know- these trousers...and...that shirt...slowly, she looked up...and those hands...then, she raised her eyes to the man's face...

"Lyserg...?" She said with surprise. No wonder I recognized his voice...but how come it's so...low, so hoarse...and so shaky?

"You're here." He said in that same shaky voice.

Jeanne nodded as she gazed at him with concern. "Yes. I am." She resisted the urge to touch his face...and hold him...He looks so tired...Has he been waiting for me all this time...? That thought warmed her heart. He was waiting for me..."I'm late." She smiled at him in what she hoped was a sincere, apologetic smile.

Lyserg stared at her for long moments, without saying anything. He looked like he was suffering from some inner turmoil. She leaned closer to him and examined his face closely, deep worry etched over her face. "Lyserg?" She tried again. "...I'm sorry." She added.

"...For what?" He finally asked after a couple of minutes.

He's alright. Good. He's finally speaking again...that's good. Managing a bright smile, she replied, "I told you...for being late. I'm several days late. Aren't I?" She gave him another apologetic look. You were waiting for me for so long, and now, all I can do is apologize...that's not enough...

"It doesn't matter," He murmured suddenly, interrupting her thoughts. "What matters is that you're here now. Here, with me..."

Jeanne felt the heat crawling up to her face upon hearing his declaration. "...Thank you," She managed to say in a whisper.

An odd expression crossed the Englishman's face...but it disappeared quickly. "I missed you."

He missed me. He said he missed me. She could feel the heat on her face intensifying...just like the warmth deep inside her heart. "...I missed you too." She whispered.

A slow smile spread across Lyserg's face. "...good."

"LYSERG-KUN..." A loud cheery voice called out from the Tea Room hallway, and then, the loud clicking of a pair of boots echoed as the voice drew in closer. "WHERE ARE YOU? I HEARD SOME CRASHING NOISES AND I WONDERED IF YOU WERE..." The voice stopped abruptly as its owner reached the front lobby and came upon Lyserg and Jeanne, who were still in a very...weird position on the floor near the front door. "...Lyserg-kun," The long haired owner of the voice raised an eyebrow as he surveyed the scene in front of him. "Convent girl," he said with surprise, upon setting his eyes on the light-haired young woman.

Lyserg rolled his eyes and groaned. "Dammit," he muttered under his breath.

"Asakura Hao." Jeanne said in a hard, icy tone, coupled with a brief nod.

Hao smiled at her brightly. "You're here."

"I am." She answered without flinching, her eyes meeting the long-haired shaman's squarely. "...And you, as well."

"But of course," Hao answered with a flourish. "This is -my- brother's Inn, after all." He continued to observe the scene before him keenly, his mouth curling into a knowing grin--this he aimed at Lyserg's direction. "I guess this is how you two greet each other," he remarked, with a slight raising of his left eyebrow at the Englishman.

Lyserg glared at him. "It's not..." He was stopped mid-sentence when Jeanne reached for his hand, squeezed it, and gave him a look that said, let me handle this.

"Even if it is, I don't see how any of that is your business." Jeanne answered. The hard, icy expression on her face was more lethal than any glare on the planet...except, perhaps, for Asakura Anna's glare, but that's another thing altogether.

"Hmm..." Hao leaned thoughtfully against the wall near the coat cabinet. "You got me there." He agreed.

"Yes."

"However, I do make it a point to treat everyone else's business as -my- own." He said cheerfully.

"That's unethical. And treading very dangerously on the immoral side, if I may say so." Jeanne pointed out.

"According to your values, they most certainly are," Hao agreed. "But I prefer to call it 'concern for everyone'."

"Your reasoning is twisted."

"Hai." Hao answered with a smile.

"...and you are, as well."

"Yes, I am." The long-haired shaman said with a nod.

Jeanne gave a long, resigned sigh. Arguing with this guy is particularly pointless...most especially because he always agrees with everything I say..."Lyserg and I are just friends."

Hao nodded. "Uh-huh. So you say."

"So I know. It is fact."

"That's what you both believe. That's what you're -both- trying to make yourselves believe." Hao countered. "However, the hearts know otherwise."

Jeanne and Lyserg gazed at each other thoughtfully, then looked away, both blushing profusely.

"Really, it wouldn't take a genius to guess all of that. And the both of you are pretty smart, ne?" Hao went on. When he didn't get an answer, he just sighed. "...no matter. You'll figure it out." Turning back to Jeanne, he asked, "Anyway...why so late?"

Recovering from her blushing, Jeanne looked up at Hao. "There was a lot of work to do at the church." She paused. "And then my flight was delayed for about twelve hours. After that, the cab that I got into at the airport broke down about a couple of blocks from here. I had to walk the rest of the way."

"Did you?" Lyserg, who had also recovered from his blushing, frowned at her. "You should have called. We could have picked you up."

A sigh. "I was in a hurry, so I didn't think to stop by at any pay phones. And I left my cell phone at the church. I'm sorry I couldn't call." She added.

The Englishman smiled. "It's alright. What matters is that...you're here now." Here...with me...

Jeanne blushed quite a bit again at this. "...Yes. Thank you." She said softly, smiling back at him.

The two of them stayed like that, on the floor, with Jeanne on top of Lyserg, smiling at each other for a good couple of minutes.

Hao rolled his eyes dramatically and sighed. "As sweet as I find this whole scene, I'm going to have to request the both of you to stand up so that you can..." A thoughtful pause. "...make yourselves look more...presentable, so to speak." He finished, giving both of them a meaningful look.

Jeanne and Lyserg gazed at Hao, and they both started blushing deeply again as they realized that they had been on the floor, in that very weird position, for quite a while now. Jeanne stood up first, brushing dust off her clothes. Then, she held out her hand to the Englishman and helped him up, repeatedly apologizing to him along the way. Lyserg took her outstretched hand and stood up as well, shaking his head a couple of times and saying that there was no need for apologies.

Hao sighed again as he observed the couple. It was clear to him that the both of them so obviously...ADORED each other, if the looks, blushes and smiles they shared were any indication. However, they were both too incredibly...polite to even think of confessing to each other. Either that, or they were both too shy to even admit anything...or too deep in their denials...he shook his head. Nothing I can do except...urge them forward just a little bit more...he grinned slightly to himself.

Lyserg glared at him as he helped Jeanne out with her baggage. "The other two packages you took back from the FedEx people are in one of these, right?" He asked her as he pointed to the suitcases.

"Hai." Jeanne answered with a brief nod. "I had them parceled together, then I added a couple of more things. I do hope Keiko-chan likes them..." She said wistfully.

"She will, I'm sure of it. Keiko-chan likes anything that comes from you." He reassured her with a smile. He flashed Hao a dirty look upon seeing the knowing grin that the long-haired shaman still had on his face.

"You paid half for all of them." She pointed out. "They're OUR gifts, not just mine," she corrected.

Lyserg laughed. "Oh, yeah..." he flashed her a brief smile before turning back to the still-grinning lunatic. "What are YOU smiling about?"

Hao grinned again as he waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing, nothing at all." He said breezily.

"Hmph." The Englishman gave him one last penetrating look, before turning back to Jeanne. "So, shall we go up? I think your room's already been--"

"AUNTIE JEANNE!" From the top of the staircase, a voice squealed. Then, a small figure with long blonde hair came trudging down the stairs, faster than a speeding bullet. The small, long-haired figure known as little Asakura Keiko then jumped and attached herself onto Jeanne's waist.

Jeanne laughed as she fell over backwards, directly into Lyserg's arms. She smiled faintly at him, then, turned back to Keiko and wrapped her arms around her. "I missed you." She murmured fondly, stroking the little girl's blonde hair.

"Me too!" Keiko looked up and grinned brightly at her aunt. "Auntie Jeanne, what took you so long...?"

"I got held up. It's a long story." She replied, then nodded her head at Anna, Jun, Tamao, and Pilica, who were coming down the stairs. "Konnichiwa," she greeted.

"Konnichiwa." Tamao greeted back, while Jun and Pilica smiled and gave her a slight wave.

"Hello." Anna gave Jeanne a curious look. "What happened to you?"

"My flight was delayed for twelve hours, then my cab broke down." Jeanne answered, smiling at Anna apologetically. "I'm sorry," she added.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," Anna said, waving her away. "What's important is that you're here...ne, Lyserg?" She gave the Englishman a meaningful look. The person being addressed blushed as he gave a slight nod. "Anyway," the blonde woman turned back to Jeanne, "you must be really tired -and- hungry. Why don't you go up and rest for a couple of minutes? I'll ask someone to send something up for you." Then, turning to her daughter she said, "and then after Auntie Jeanne takes a rest, we can finally have your party and you can finally open all your gifts, ne, Keiko?" She added smiling.

Keiko nodded. "Hai!" She said eagerly. She then wrapped her arms around Jeanne's neck and leaned in to give her a kiss. "I'll leave you with Uncle Lyserg so you can rest." She whispered against her aunt's ear, drawing a slight blush from the latter. And then, she loosened her hold on the young woman, jumped out of her arms, passed by Hao and, ignoring him pointedly, she ran to her mother.

Jeanne smiled fondly at the little girl before she turned back to Anna. "There is really no need to bring up anything for me, Anna-san. I'll just change my clothes and come back down right away. I don't want to hold up this celebration any more than it already has because of me."

Anna shook her head. "It's not a bother. Keiko was the one who wanted to wait for you," She inclined her head at her daughter. "She didn't want to begin her birthday celebration without you around."

"Really?" Jeanne looked at the little girl with surprise. "Thank you, Keiko-chan." She said, smiling gratefully at her little niece.

Keiko grinned happily at her aunt. "You can rest for a little while, Auntie Jeanne. I don't mind. And besides..." she pointed to her white house dress, "I still have to dress up. I haven't finished fixing myself up real pretty just yet." She added.

"...Jeanne! You're here." A voice, similar to Hao's, yet a lot less mischievous, greeted. Yoh, who was with Manta, Ren, and his youngest son Ren-chan (currently being cradled by Ren, as usual), appeared at the doorway from the direction of the onsen.

"Yoh-san," Jeanne smiled warmly. "Manta-san, Ren-san. Ren-chan," she added, smiling fondly at the little light brown-haired baby.

"Konnichiwa, Jeanne-san," Manta greeted, giving Lyserg a knowing wink, which earned him a glare from the latter.

"Jeanne, what took you so long? Lyserg was getting worried!" Ren demanded from the young woman.

Jeanne sighed. "I think I had better explain it all again once everyone is accounted for," she told him.

"AUNT JEANNE!" Two identical voices sounded simultaneously from the second floor landing. Everyone looked up as Yohmaru and Yohnta came down, with Horo-horo and Chocolove behind them.

"Hi," Chocolove greeted with a wave. "It's been a while," He added.

"What took you so long?" Horo-horo demanded.

"Hello, Yohmaru, Yohnta, Chocolove-san," She patted the twins' heads as they reached the first floor and ran towards her, and then, she gave Chocolove a smile. Then, turning to the Ainu man, she said, "It's a long story..."

"...which you should reserve for later," Anna interrupted, "You should rest first, even for just a couple of minutes, alright?" She flashed the young woman a pointed look that left no room for argument.

Jeanne sighed again, then smiled brightly at the older woman. "...alright. I'll rest. But just for a couple of minutes."

"Good." Anna smiled with satisfaction. "...As for everyone," she continued, "you should all go up to your respective rooms and dress and fix yourselves up properly so that we can finally start Keiko's celebration...once Jeanne has rested," she added, with a warning look at Jeanne. "Is that understood?"

This question was met with a resounding agreement from everyone. We have yet to find a person who would actually dare to disagree with anything Asakura Anna says...maybe when Keiko-chan grows up, but right now...no one. Everyone started to head back up the stairs.

Yoh smiled at his wife. Pregnant or no, she was still the same Anna--forceful, commanding, and firm--yet incredibly beautiful. "Let's go, you guys." He told Ren and Manta. "You too, Oniichan," he added as he passed by his twin brother.

Hao grinned at him. "Your wife's quite the general, isn't she?" He commented as he followed his brother.

"...Hai. She is." Yoh flashed his brother a similar grin. "But you'd better not let her hear you say that, or it would mean your death."

Hao chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."


*~*~*~*~*~*


"Hao-sama...why are you so sad?" Opacho asked her master as the two of them reached the second floor landing of the staircase. She was dressed in her usual attire of a dark-orange fluttery coat.

Hao, who had abandoned his trademark white clothing in favor of an all-black wardrobe, shook his head and smiled faintly at her. "It's nothing to worry about. Just that minor predicament with my little niece, that's all..." he sighed as he recalled how Keiko had pointedly ignored him just earlier this afternoon. Halfway upon reaching the first floor, he paused and sighed again.

"Keiko-chan's anger never lasts long," Opacho said in hopes of consoling him, as she hopped down the steps alongside her master.

"Hai, I know." He gave a slight frown. "But the fact that she is angry with me...still breaks my heart." He gave another sigh, then waved his hand cheerfully about. "Anyway, it will be fine! I just have to do something to make it up to her, and I think I know just the thing..." He stopped short at his statement as he and Opacho finally reached the first floor. "...Yoh." He uttered, with surprise evident on his face--and on the tone of his voice--as he looked upon his twin brother.

"Oniichan." Yoh's facial expression and tone of voice mirrored Hao's exactly. It wasn't the only thing that mirrored them right now, though. Aside from their physical appearance, the current facial expression, and tone of voice...Hao and Yoh were wearing the exact same clothes as of the moment.

Hao surveyed his brother critically from head to toe. Black pants, black long-sleeved button down shirt...yes, the two of them were wearing the exact same clothes, probably right down to the brand and the size of the pants and the shirt...except for the boots...Yoh isn't wearing boots, that's a relief...he looked up and raised an eyebrow at his brother. "It's your daughter's birthday. And it's the anniversary of this place. Why are you wearing black?"

"I could ask you the same question." Yoh raised an eyebrow in similar fashion. Except for the hairstyle and the fact that Hao was wearing boots, the two of them looked so incredibly alike right now it was scary...

Hao continued to stare at his brother. "I had these bought specifically for this occasion," he paused, "The boots included." He pointed at his feet.

Yoh frowned at his brother's feet, the looked back up at him. "Anna bought these clothes for me," he explained, "...and I think they have matching shoes, except that..." his voice trailed off as he remembered, then he gave his brother a look. "You're not supposed to wear your boots here."

The long-haired shaman grinned at his twin good-naturedly. "I know that. But that has never stopped me, has it?" he pointed out cheerfully.

Yoh sighed deeply and shook his head, raising his hands up in defeat. "Oniichan, what am I going to do with you?" He muttered.

Hao laughed as he placed an arm around his brother. "Nothing," he replied, pinching Yoh's cheek playfully. "You love me the way I am, ne? Anyway..." he leaned forward and spoke in a low tone, "I have an idea. We could stay this way, wearing the same clothes." Upon seeing the disbelieving look on his brother's face, he added, "I do believe you have no desire whatsoever to change your wardrobe now...do you?"

Yoh shook his head vigorously. "I like these clothes. And besides, Anna bought them for me..."

Hao exhaled. "Yes, yes, I know. Your wife." He rolled his eyes. "I have no intention of changing my wardrobe either." He declared.

"...And what are you suggesting?" Yoh looked at his brother warily. Wear the same clothes, don't tell me he's thinking that...no way. I mean, his hair is longer than mine, and we can't just...he couldn't possibly be thinking that we could actually fool anyone...

...Could we?

Seeing the realization finally cross over his brother's face, Hao gave him a cheerful smile. "Have you figured it out?"

"How are we going to do it?" Was Yoh's answer.

Hao grinned mischievously. "Leave that to me."

"What's going on here?" Ren's voice sounded. The echoing of footsteps were heard as the Chinese shaman, wearing a full dark-blue ensemble, and carrying a wide-eyed Ren-chan (who was dressed the same way) with him, materialized from somewhere near the elevator. He stopped short as he noticed Yoh and Hao whispering at the foot of the staircase. "What are you two doing?"

Hao smiled sweetly. "Nothing." He removed his arm from his brother's shoulder and started to walk away, but not without a parting whisper: "I'll talk to you later, ne?"

Yoh nodded. "Hai." He frowned thoughtfully at his brother's retreating back, then, shaking his head, he cleared away his thoughts and smiled brightly at Ren and at his little son. "What took you so long?"

Ren frowned. "I ran into Horo-horo and got into a little argument about the elevator." He sighed. "Something about waiting and leaving the elevator door open for him...never mind," he said with a dismissive wave. "So what were you and Hao talking about?"

"Nothing." Yoh said quickly, with a smile similar to Hao's. "Nothing at all. Just...you know...Onsen stuff..."

The Chinese shaman raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Really?"

Yoh scratched his head. "Yeah...hey, look! There's Manta and Chocolove at the elevator with the twins..." he gave his friends a wave, as the two of them along with his twin sons approached him.

Ren didn't pursue the subject any further. If Yoh wanted to be secretive with him, that was perfectly fine...especially if Hao had something to do with it. Yup, he's probably better off not knowing...

"Ouch, ouch, OUCH! Oniichan, will you PLEASE stop dragging ME? It's not easy to walk in this thing..."

"You're too SLOW! I don't think you're even supposed to hold it up like that. You should raise your head up high and stand up STRAIGHT!"

"I can't help IT, this dress is LONG! And besides, how would YOU know about things like THAT?"

"Hey, Horo-horo, Pilica!" Yoh called out as the Ainu siblings got down the stairs. "Are you two alright?"

Ren's head snapped upwards upon hearing this. Horo-horo, and...Pilica? I thought they were going to take the elevator...he looked up at the siblings as they descended--at Pilica, in particular...and his jaw dropped.

And he couldn't look away. His eyes followed her as she descended down, struggling because of the length of her azure dress.

Yes, azure. Pilica was wearing a long, straight-cut lacy azure dress with thin spaghetti straps. Except for the flowery print on the dress, which was dark blue, the whole of it was the same color as her hair. On anyone else with light blue hair, the colors would have clashed, but on her...the whole combination was a stunning perfection. A beauty that could not be described in words.

You're drooling. You know that, right...? Upon closer look, it appeared that Pilica was wearing something...glittery on her wrist, around her neck, and on her ears. Jewelry. He didn't particularly adore jewelry on women, but on her, all of it seemed quite...right, somehow...

And there was the fact that the jewelry looked particularly familiar...

"WE'RE JUST FINE!" Ren's head snapped back into attention as Horo-horo shouted. "Pilica's just having a little bit of trouble with her dress..." he glared as he spotted Ren. "We could have gotten on the elevator, but SOMEONE refused to hold the door and wait for us." He added pointedly.

Ren glared back up at him. "You could have waited for the next one." He retorted.

"YOU could have waited for US." Horo-horo corrected. "But you didn't. And now look what happened." He inclined his head at his sister, who was still struggling with her dress, and shot Ren a triumphant look.

"So NOW it's -MY- FAULT?" Ren demanded. Deep inside, though, he wanted to whack himself on the head. You -could- have waited for the sake of Pilica, yet you didn't...he groaned mentally. How many more mistakes are you planning on making this week, Tao Ren? How many more?

"YES!" Horo-horo replied.

"And is it also MY FAULT that YOU didn't wait for the NEXT ONE?"

"We wanted to go down already!" Horo-horo said defensively. "Besides, I was in a hurry."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "YOU were in a HURRY? You should have shown a little bit more CONSIDERATION for your SISTER!"

"YOU should have waited for US!" The Ainu shot back.

"YOU should HAVE GOTTEN on the NEXT ONE!" Ren threw back at him.

"ONIICHAN!" Pilica said impatiently as she reached the first floor landing. "Stop it. Ren-kun..." she turned to Ren and gave him a pleading look. "Both of you stop it, onegai. It's fine."

Horo-horo got down to the first floor landing and assisted his sister. "Alright." He gave Ren a final glare.

Upon seeing the pleading look on Pilica's face, Ren simmered down. "...okay." He relented, throwing Horo-horo a dirty look. But I'm doing this for -your- sake and not for him, he thought silently. He gave the little boy in his arms a smile of apology. "Sorry about that," he muttered to Ren-chan. "Ren-jichan was having a little argument with Uncle Horo..." The little boy just continued to gaze up at him with absolute fascination and adoration.

"Oh! You're all here..." Tao Jun, who was wearing a jade-green Chinese dress greeted from the second floor landing. She looked around as she descended. "Where's Hao-san?"

"Right here!" Hao answered cheerfully as he popped his head into the lobby. "Is everyone down yet?" He directed this question at Tamao, who was coming down the stairs behind Jun.

Tamao shook her head. "Not yet, Hao-sama." She answered. She stopped mid-step as upon being aware that someone was looking at her. "What is -your- problem?" She asked, glaring at Horo-horo suspiciously.

"Your dress clashes with your hair." Was the Ainu man's answer, eyeing the pink-haired fortune teller's long ruby-red dress with distaste.

"And your FACE clashes with YOURS." Tamao shot back. "Leave me and my dress alone, for crying out loud."

"Pure white is a good color for you, Horo-horo-kun," Hao remarked upon closer observation of the Ainu man's white polo shirt and white pants. "It suits you well, in fact."

"Who asked you?" Horo-horo muttered, not particularly sure if Hao was mocking him or actually complimenting him.

Yoh observed his friends from the corner of his eye while he talked with his twin sons, smiling slightly. Then, he looked up at the stairs again as Ryu, who was wearing a purple polo shirt coupled with a pair of dark brown pants, and Faust, donning a yellow polo shirt and white pants, with his white doctor's coat over it, came down the stairs. "...Faust! Ryu! Have you seen Anna and Keiko?"

Faust smiled as he descended. "They'll be down shortly, I gather." He answered.

"Yeah." Ryu agreed. "I think Lyserg and Jeanne-san are on their way down, too." He stopped abruptly upon seeing Jun, then he blushed. "I'll check on the food! See you later, Danna!" He said quickly before he ran down the stairs, speeded up against the floor of the lobby, and deposited himself inside the kitchen.

Jun sighed as she gazed wistfully at the path Ryu had taken. "...he ran away again. And I wasn't even saying anything..." She shook her head and smiled to herself. Playing hard-to-get is -so- not fitting for a guy...

"I wonder what's taking them so long..." Pilica gazed up thoughtfully at the top of the stairs.

"Anna-san is probably still helping Keiko-chan prepare, and as for Jeanne-san...maybe she's still resting, and Lyserg-san's with her..." Tamao murmured.

"Maybe she and Lyserg-kun are...catching up on things," Hao suggested, with a whole world of meaning underneath his tone.

Ren glared at the long-haired shaman. "You have a very perverted mind, you know that?"

"I didn't say anything!" Hao said defensively. "I was merely suggesting that they're probably still talking. YOU'RE the one with the perverted mind, Ren-kun. I mean, I never said that they were actually doing anything like...you know," he paused meaningfully, "...what my brother and his wife do. Right, Yoh?" He grinned at his brother.

Before Yoh could answer, several footsteps sounded at the staircase, coupled with some voices. Four voices, to be exact--one male, one very young, and two female.

"You should really eat a little something, Jeanne. A full meal, I think. I'm going to have Ryu and his staff prepare something for you...the courses for the party later tonight are probably done already..." Anna's voice sounded as she got down the stairs.

"Anna-san, there is really no need for that..." Jeanne's answering voice sounded as she, too, descended.

"Auntie Jeanne, you should eat a good meal first before you have cake and ice cream! And we'll all wait for you!" This was Keiko's voice.

"...You could eat in the kitchens, Jeanne. You know there's a big table out there where I usually ask for all my meals, right? I'll join you." The only male voice, of course, was Lyserg's.

"Kaachan!" Yohmaru and Yohnta called out as soon as their mother got down on the second landing.

"Keiko-chan..." This was Yohmaru. "What took you so long?" He asked as he looked up at his sister, who was wearing a short, lacy lavender dress with lavender flower print.

Keiko hopped down on the staircase, then, she smiled at her brothers as she reached the first floor. "I was helping Kaachan fix her hair up prettily and perfectly." She answered cheerfully, inclining her head at their mother.

"It's settled, then. I'm going to have them prepare something for you. No objections." Anna, who was wearing a simple, short and fluttery white dress flashed Jeanne a firm and decisive don't-argue-with-me-because-you'll-never-win look as she reached the first floor landing.

Jeanne, who had reached the first floor landing as well, with Lyserg right behind her, smiled gratefully at the blonde woman. "Thank you, Anna-san." She then looked up at Lyserg. "You did say you'll come with me, didn't you?"

Lyserg, who was wearing his usual green wardrobe (only without the overcoat) nodded reassuringly. "Yes, I did. Of course I'll come with you."

Jeanne smiled. "Good." She was wearing a short, light-pink dress with a dark pink flowery pattern. "Thank you." Then, upon noticing her friends, she grinned at all of them. "Hi everyone." She greeted.

"Hi," Everyone chorused.

Everyone, that is...except for Yoh, who was staring transfixed at his wife, and Hao, who was gazing back and forth from Anna to Jeanne repeatedly, a look of pure admiration on his face.

Anna walked towards her husband and tapped his forehead gently. "What are you staring at?"

Yoh broke from his trance and looked at his wife. "Ah...anna, you look..." he blushed profusely and shook his head. "Is this why you kicked me out of the room?" Just when he thought she couldn't be any more beautiful than she already was normally, he was again proven wrong. "I mean, you look...more than amazing, you look...uhm, hehehe..." he scratched his head and grinned at her sheepishly.

Anna chuckled and rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushing quite a bit. "Really..." her husband was really quite cute at times...her smile curled into a deep frown as she became aware that someone else was staring at her...Hao. She gave him a dark, withering glare. "And what are YOU staring at?"

Hao got a hold of himself and he straightened out, thankful that he didn't suffer from any sort of blush reflex. -That- would have killed his composure, big time..."Nothing," he said sweetly, looking back and forth again from his sister-in-law to Jeanne. "I just realized how lucky I am to be in the company of the two most beautiful women on the planet." He shook his head. "And my brother and Lyserg-kun here deserve my most sincere congratulations."

Lyserg, who had been glaring at Hao from the moment he spotted the long-haired shaman looking at Jeanne, growled ferociously. "You are NOT allowed to stare," he said pointedly. "And what do you mean by THAT?"

Hao gave a dramatic sigh. "I am congratulating both you AND my brother because you have two of the most beautiful women in the planet so deeply in love with you, is what I meant." He explained, grinning knowingly at Lyserg and at Yoh.

Jeanne blushed furiously upon this statement and she glared at Hao. "Ogling is not a very dignified practice." She told him icily.

"Ah, but whoever said I was dignified?" Hao countered, throwing the young woman a wicked grin, coupled with more ogling at her and at Anna.

Yoh groaned. "Quit it, Oniichan," he chided, slapping his hand directly on his brother's face and turning Hao's head away from Anna and Jeanne. "Find someone else to ogle, preferably, someone who is -not- my wife." He emphasized, placing an arm around Anna's waist and giving his twin a meaningful look.

"Yeah," Lyserg agreed, his glares at Hao unfailing. "Find someone else you can stare at, and preferably not..." he stopped abruptly, upon realizing that he did -not- know how exactly he was going to address Jeanne. My very, very good friend? My special friend? My close friend? My girlfriend? My wife...no, no, definitely not that...my...lover?!?!?!? No, no, of course -not- in the hell that, for Heaven's sake! Then....what? "...preferably not...Jeanne," he finished lamely.

Hao rubbed his face gently, tossed his hair, and gave his brother an affronted look. "Please target somewhere else other than my face next time, Otouto," he told his brother. Then, turning to Lyserg, he said, "Quite possessive, aren't we?"

Lyserg fought to urge to punch the long-haired shaman squarely in the face.


*~*~*~*~*~*


"...I wish that all my wishes will be granted!" Little Asakura Keiko closed her eyes deeply as she uttered these words. And then, taking a deep, long breath, she blew out the three brightly-lit candles of her enormous birthday cake that was situated in the center of the big dining hall table.

Her father beside her chuckled. "Smart wish. That way, you can everything you want, ne?" He ruffled Keiko's blonde hair and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Happy Birthday, my dear sweet daughter," he murmured fondly.

Keiko grinned and hugged him close. "Arigatou, Touchan." She kissed him back. Then, turning to her mother, she smiled brightly and also gave her a hug and a kiss. "Arigatou, Kaachan. You look really beautiful," she added.

Smiling, Anna hugged and kissed her daughter back. "You're very welcome. And thank you," she said, referring to the last comment.

Letting go of her parents, Keiko then took turns kissing and hugging each and everyone of her aunts and uncles in the room. And then, she turned to her three brothers and glomped them, careful not to hurt Ren-chan (who was currently being held by Yohmaru).

"Aishiteru yo, Yohmaru Oniichan, Yohnta Oniichan, Ren-chan!" She exclaimed happily as she hugged her brothers.

"We know," Yohnta muttered, his voice muffled. "We love you too, Keiko-chan."

"Yeah, we love you too." Yohnta agreed. Turning to his parents, he said, "Can Keiko-chan open her gifts now?"

At this, Keiko removed herself from her brothers and went back to her parents and looked up at them hopefully. "Can I? I wanna see what everyone's given me...please, please, PLEASE?"

Yoh gave his wife a questioning look. Upon seeing her brief nod, he turned back to his daughter. "I don't see why not." He looked around the table. "Which one should you open first?"

"THIS one!" Keiko reached for a small, notebook-sized package. "It's from my brothers," She announced upon glancing at the card. She tore the wrapping paper and gave her brothers an excited grin. Yohmaru and Yohnta exchanged a look, before gazing back at their sister expectantly.

Keiko squealed as she raised up the DVD box into the air. "Powerpuff Girls Relish Rampage! Sugoi..." She ran to her brothers and glomped them once again, sending them all falling on the floor. "Arigatou! Arigatou! Arigatou! Aishiteru! Aishiteru! Aishiteru yo!" She exclaimed, jumping up and down with her arms around the three of them.

"Ouch! You're welcome, Keiko-chan!" Yohmaru groaned as he rubbed his back, glad that he was able to shield Ren-chan's head from the floor. Despite that, he couldn't stop himself from grinning. He gave his twin a look of relief.

"Yeah, you're welcome. We're glad you liked it, because you know, that game cost us several weeks' worth of allowance..." Yohnta grinned as well as he threw his twin a similar relieved look.

"Really?" The little blonde-haired girl pulled her little brother close as she looked at the twins. "You did that for me?"

"Yeah," Yohnta answered, rubbing his neck. "So Keiko-chan...you think you can get off us now? You can go on and open all your other gifts," he added with a hint of pleading in his voice.

"Hai!" Keiko jumped up and looked around at the pile of gifts thoughtfully on the table. She smiled at all of her aunts and uncles as well as her parents and brothers, then started opening all the other packages.

One purple-wrapped box contained a mini-kitchen set where you can actually cook real food, and this came from Ryu.

"So I can teach you how to make the best food in the entire planet," Ryu had explained when Keiko had given him a kiss and a hug of thanks.

Another box, wrapped in yellow this time, contained some kind of revolutionized "Operation" game set, which not only included miniature bones and surgical equipment in the repertoire, but also miniature body organs like lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys, to name a few. It's easy to guess who this gift came from.

"You're as morbid as always, Faust," Yoh remarked, shaking his head as he looked on at his daughter, who had gone to the blonde doctor and kissed and hugged him gratefully.

Faust grinned. "It's never too early to start educating her on the anatomy of the human body, Yoh-kun."

The next box Keiko opened was wrapped in multi-colored paper, and was incredibly big--containing two dozen DVDs of both English and American soap operas. This one came from Chocolove. The little girl had jumped upon and down again and again upon laying eyes on the gift, and even Anna was impressed.

"Well...I was around and...I heard that both you and Keiko-chan have a passion for soap operas...I didn't exactly know which ones you would like, so I got everything," Chocolove explained to Anna, smiling fondly as Keiko hugged and kissed him.

The next package the birthday girl opened had "fragile" written all over it. It wasn't quite that heavy, nor that big, but...let's just say it made the little girl curious. This particular package was from Manta, and as soon as it was opened and the contents, revealed, Yoh had turned to his best friend with a look of utter disbelief and surprise on his face.

"Laptop computers are expensive, Manta. And this one even looks..."

"...custom-made," Anna murmured, noting the lavender (Keiko's favorite color) coloring of the laptop computer. She gave Manta a pointed look. "She's too young for something like this. And as Yoh had said, these things are -way- beyond expensive."

Manta grinned as he fondly accepted Keiko's grateful hug and kiss. "No one's ever too young nor too old to own -and- use a computer," He paused, "...and besides," he added dryly, "I own a corporation. Money is not a problem at all." He brightened. "It's designed to suit all of Keiko-chan's needs at her age."

Yoh and Anna gazed at each other, and then at Keiko and their three sons, all of whom were now thoughtfully and excitedly inspecting the new computer. "...Manta, thank you." Yoh said with a sigh, smiling faintly at his best friend. "You've already given us a lot."

Manta gave a mysterious smile. "You haven't seen anything yet."

"Touchan...can me and Yohmaru Oniichan and Yohnta Oniichan and Ren-chan play with the new computer Uncle Manta gave later?" Keiko pulled on the hem of Yoh's shirt and gave him a hopeful look.

Yoh smiled. "Finish opening all your gifts first."

Keiko nodded. "Hai!" She exclaimed as she excitedly jumped up again towards the table and looked over all the other remaining gifts thoughtfully.

The next package Keiko opened was wrapped in red, and no bigger than a pocket book. It was a whole set of Tarot Cards from Tamao.

Anna looked skeptically at the pink-haired young woman. "You've been teaching her about the cards?" She asked as Keiko-chan hugged and kissed the fortune teller gratefully.

Tamao smiled at Keiko, then she nodded at Anna. "She's been admiring my card set for a while now," she explained, "I thought that...since she's been watching me do it and everything, it'd be alright to teach her and even much better if she's got her own card set." She added. "You don't mind, though, do you...Anna-sama?" She asked hopefully.

The blonde woman was about to decline when she caught her daughter gazing at her with the same hopeful look on Tamao's face. "...It's fine," she said with a sigh. Then, she turned to her husband. "It's alright, isn't it...Yoh?"

Yoh nodded and grinned at both Tamao and Keiko. "Sure. It's never too early to teach her those kinds of things. When she grows up, she'll be both a fortune teller -and- an Itako, ne?" He smiled sweetly at his wife.

"Sugoi!" Keiko squealed as she jumped back to the table to open the rest of the gifts.

The next package she opened was the size of a large shoebox, wrapped in turquoise. Inside it were six handmade corn husk dolls. The dolls were of different sizes--except for two, which were alike down to the very last detail and clothing. Two of the dolls were female--a big one and a small one. The smaller female doll looked very much like the bigger female doll, and the both of them had blonde hair. The largest male doll had spiky dark-brown hair, while the smallest male doll had spiky light-brown hair. These dolls came from the Ainu siblings.

Keiko grinned up at the siblings and looked down fondly at the dolls. "That's Yohmaru Oniichan and Yohnta Oniichan...and that one's Kaachan...and me! And then that's Ren-chan...and that's Touchan!" She giggled. "Kawaii!" She exclaimed.

Pilica smiled at the little girl. "They're handmade," she explained. "Oniichan and I got someone from our village to make those for you. Miniature versions of your whole family," She added, with a look at her brother.

"Yup," Horo-horo agreed. "Sure hope you liked them." He gave Keiko a hopeful look. "Did you?"

Keiko answered this question by running towards the Ainu siblings and jumping into their arms, with one hand around Pilica, and the other, around Horo-horo. The little girl kissed Pilica's cheek first, then, Horo-horo's. "They're beautiful!" She declared.

Horo-horo sighed with relief. "I think we might have to add another one to that collection, though," he said, throwing a meaningful look in Yoh and Anna's direction.

Anna glared at him, then, at her husband. "We haven't told anyone yet...so how come -he- knows about it...?" She whispered to him.

Yoh shrugged and scratched his head. "I think they might have known about it before we did," he whispered back.

"Whatcha talking about, Uncle Horo?" Keiko asked curiously.

"Nothing!" Horo-horo said quickly upon seeing the murderous expression cross Anna's face. "Uh...why don't you finish opening all the other gifts, Keiko-chan?"

Nodding, Keiko jumped out of the Ainu siblings' arms and hopped back excitedly towards the other remaining gifts.

The next package she opened was a long and slender one wrapped in shiny jade-green paper. When Keiko finally got the box opened and laid eyes on the contents, she squealed excitedly. She held up a long, Chinese-styled green and gold dress against her and smiled gratefully at her Aunt Jun. Then, she peeked inside the box again, frowned, then looked up questioningly at everyone, at her parents, and at her Uncle Ren.

Yoh and Anna looked inside the box, then Anna gave Ren a suspicious look. "A KATANA? What are you doing giving my daughter a replica of your Hou Rai Ken?" She added with a withering glare.

Ren winced as he suffered from another one of Anna's glares. "...It's for self defense," he muttered in explanation. "I wasn't satisfied with the dress Neesan bought...I wanted to give her something really special..." his voice trailed off as he flashed Keiko-chan a hopeful look.

Keiko was still looking up at him questioningly. "How do I use it?" She asked, gingerly holding up the katana and examining it curiously, before turning back her questioning gaze at Ren.

The Chinese shaman's face brightened. "I'll teach you," he offered. "And your father knows how to use one, as well...we can both teach you." He added with a meaningful glance at Yoh.

"Yeah." Yoh nodded in an agreement. "I have a sword as well, I'll..." he stopped abruptly upon seeing the disapproving look on his wife's face. "Anna...?"

"No." Was his wife's answer.

Yoh sighed. "Come on, Anna...it wouldn't hurt to teach her the basics, would it?" He wheedled, looking at Anna like a hopeful puppy.

She rolled her eyes at her husband. "I said NO, and I mean NO." She stated firmly.

"Kaachan..." Keiko wrapped her arms around her mother's waist and looked up at her pleadingly. "PLEAAASE....? I really wanna learn..."

Anna sighed, looking back and forth from her husband to her daughter...darn it, she couldn't stand saying no to their irresistible pleas..."...alright," she relented. Then, turning to Ren, she said in a warning tone, "...if you even so much as scratch my daughter while you're teaching her, you'll have me to answer to, got it?" She told him pointedly.

Ren nodded quickly. "Yes, ma'm!" He answered, resisting the urge to give a mock-salute. Damn, that wife of Yoh's really scares the hell out of me...

Keiko hugged her mother. "Arigatou, Kaachan!" Then, she ran towards Ren and Jun and jumped into their arms, one hand around Jun, and the other hand around Ren. "Arigatou, Aunt Jun, Uncle Ren," she murmured as she kissed Jun's cheek, then Ren's.

The little girl jumped out of the Tao siblings' arms and surveyed her last two gifts thoughtfully...Kaachan and Touchan said that they'll give their gifts to me later tonight...this means that these two are from...Uncle Lyserg and Aunt Jeanne, and...Uncle Hao...she looked at the large package wrapped in pink curiously, then gazed at the other package of similar size, wrapped in shiny maroon, with two holes at the top. And then, she nodded her head decisively as she took the pink package first and tore off the wrapping paper.

Keiko's whole face brightened like stars when she laid her eyes on the contents of the package. She reached for the topmost box and opened it to reveal a pair of lilac pink leather shoes around her size, with one-fourth inch heels. Under the shoes was another much flatter box containing a beautiful lilac pink dress to match the shoes. And then, right underneath the dress was another box--this time, a lilac pink vanity set containing a large mirror, brushes and combs, hair ribbons in lilac pink, jewelry, a handbag, and other accessories to match the clothes and shoes.

The little girl gazed over all the beautiful things with awed eyes again before she looked up gratefully at Jeanne and Lyserg.

"Do you like them?" Lyserg asked, smiling at Keiko and exchanging a look with Jeanne.

Keiko nodded. "Hai!" She exclaimed. "Everything's so...so...BEAUTIFUL!" She declared happily.

Anna looked over at the contents of the box before gazing questioningly at Jeanne. "These are...where did you get all these?"

"We bought them in Milan a couple of months ago," Jeanne explained, smiling fondly at Keiko before looking at Anna. "We saw those at the window in one of the stores...and everything just had Keiko-chan's name written in them." She added.

"Jeanne and I just couldn't resist," Lyserg agreed. "We just knew we couldn't leave the shoes without the clothes, nor the clothes without the shoes, or the accessories...so we bought all of them."

"Actually, I added a little something extra that I bought from London, as well," Jeanne informed him. Then, she smiled brightly at Keiko. "Take out the vanity box, Keiko-chan," She instructed.

Keiko nodded and did as was told...and she grinned as she held up what looked like a large, lilac-pink photo album, and a thick, lilac-pink notebook with a lock. "It's a scrapbook and a diary, Kaachan!" She announced.

"...For keeping memories and secrets in," Jeanne explained with a smile when Lyserg gave her a questioning look. Then, she turned back to Keiko. "Do you like all of them?" She gazed at the little girl hopefully.

"I LOVE THEM ALL!" Keiko declared, running towards Jeanne and Lyserg and wrapping her arms around the both of them. "They're beautiful and wonderful, just like you and Uncle Lyserg, Auntie Jeanne! Arigatou!" She murmured as she kissed Jeanne's cheek, then Lyserg's.

Hao, who had been standing quietly the whole time, gazing at Keiko sadly while she was opening her gifts and downright pointedly ignoring him, gave Lyserg and Jeanne a curious look. "I thought you only ran into each other in Venice." He raised an eyebrow. "Or did I miss the whole Milan expedition?"

"Milan isn't that far from the main city," Lyserg retorted defensively. "And besides, whoever said that my investigation was limited to Venice?"

"You did." Hao pointed out matter-of-factly.

"No, I didn't!" Lyserg glared at him. He continued glaring at Hao for a good couple of minutes...until Jeanne squeezed his arm and gave him a look.

"Instead of interrogating us on the subject of why we were in Milan when we were supposed to be in Venice--or so you say, NOT that it's any of your business," Jeanne told Hao pointedly, "Why don't you just think about Keiko-chan here, and mind the fact that it's her birthday?" She inclined her head at the little girl. "Besides, I do believe the little thing," she pointed to the package wrapped in maroon, "in that box is having an incredibly difficult time breathing, as the package it is inside of seems somehow constrictive." She finished with a triumphant look at Hao.

"Little thing...?" Keiko echoed, looking up at her Aunt Jeanne questioningly, then frowning up at her Uncle Hao. "What little thing?"

Hao winced slightly upon being frowned at, then, putting on a cheery smile on his face, he pointed at the maroon box. "My gift for you, Keiko-chan," He announced. "I know you're still angry with me..."

"Iie, I'm not." Keiko interrupted as she gazed at the box curiously. Something was yelping inside.

The long-haired shaman's head snapped back upon hearing this. "You're...not...?"

Keiko turned slightly and smiled faintly at her favorite uncle. "I can never stand to be angry at you long, Uncle Hao." She declared. She then turned her attention back to the box and undid the ribbon that secured it. "Besides, it's my birthday! I shouldn't be angry at anybody, ne?" She grinned at everyone as she opened the box.

But before she was able to open it fully, something jumped out and landed in her arms, causing her to lose her balance. She would have fallen over to the floor if Hao hadn't gotten swiftly behind her and caught her.

"You alright?" Hao asked his little niece.

Keiko nodded. "Hai. Arigatou, Uncle Hao," She murmured, gazing up at him and smiling. She then looked down on her arms...and squealed with delight as she realized that the thing that had landed in her arms and made her lose her balance was...a cute golden-brown retriever puppy with a green bundle at the neck. The little puppy barked excitedly, reached forward, and licked her face. She giggled. "Kawaii!" She leaned over at Hao and kissed him on the cheek. "He's perfect! I LOVE HIM!" She exclaimed.

Hao smiled. "Good." He then turned to his brother and his sister-in-law. "I figured you wouldn't be suspicious if I gave her something alive. And besides, I've been meaning to give her a puppy for quite some time now..." he turned back to his niece. "So...what are you going to name him?"

Keiko looked at the little puppy thoughtfully. "I think I'll call him...KOROKU!" She declared. "Ne?" She told the puppy. The newly-named Koroku barked and licked her all over the face, apparently showing his affirmation for the name. The little girl laughed and kissed the puppy's nose. Then she turned back to Hao. "Aishiteru yo, Uncle Hao." She whispered, love and adoration evident on her face.

Hao smiled. "Aishiteru yo, Keiko-chan," he whispered back. Deep love and affection was reflected on the long-haired shaman's face, and as he gazed fondly at his little niece playing with Koroku, he felt that affection--and that love--increase a thousand fold.

He sighed with contentment. Now his heart was full again.


*~*~*~*~*~*


"This doesn't have -any- strawberries in it," Anna muttered in dismay, frowning at the slice of Keiko-chan's chocolate-peanut butter birthday cake with chocolate-peanut butter ice cream on top in front of her.

Her husband beside her swiped a bite of the dessert from her plate despite the fact that he had a slice in front of him. "It's still good," He remarked, licking his lips. "Not too sweet, but very good. Tamao's overdone herself." He smiled brightly at his wife.

She glared at him. "That's -my- cake you're eating," she told him pointedly. "And I don't care if this is good, it -still- doesn't have any strawberries in it. I want strawberries. I want cream cheese!" She said firmly.

From across the table, Yoh gave Tamao a pleading look, and the pink-haired fortune teller smiled at him sympathetically. He sighed. "Anna, I think the strawberry cheesecake I promised you will only be available later tonight...you ate all the other strawberries this morning already," he threw his wife a look of plea. "Can't you just eat this for a while? It's just a snack, anyway. Besides, it's really, really good!" He added. "Please?"

Anna frowned at the cake again, then at her husband. "How MANY times do I have to say it? I DON'T want THIS! I want straw--" she was stopped mid-sentence as a forkful of cake was stuffed into her mouth. She started to glare at her husband...but the glare soon became naught at the instant that the cake slid around her tongue and hit her taste buds. She chewed slowly, savoring the flavor of the cake, the icing, and the peanut butter filling..."It's good," she said with surprise.

Yoh grinned and waved the empty fork he had used to give her cake in front of her face. "I told you."

Smiling slightly, Anna speared a large chunk of cake from her plate and held it out in front of her husband. "Now it's my turn. Open your mouth," she instructed.

Yoh did as he was told, closing his eyes blissfully as the sweet confection entered his mouth...followed by something soft, warm...and much, much sweeter than any cake on the planet...his wife's lips. "Umm, good service," he declared in a slightly breathless tone as Anna pulled away.

She smiled sweetly at him. "Your turn."

At the other side of the table from across Anna and Yoh, Horo-horo had already finished his first slice of cake and was now reaching for another one when a firm hand slapped him. "OUCH! What was that FOR?!?!?" He demanded, glaring at the offender.

Tamao, the said offender, gave him a warning look. "If you wanted more, you could have told me. You don't just go on grabbing the cake that -I- made for Keiko-chan like that, you'll ruin it." She paused. "And plus, you'll mess up the whole table." She stood up, looked over the remaining cake, and turned back to the Ainu man. "How big?"

He glared up at her. "Just...BIG. It doesn't matter." He muttered. "I -know- how to slice a cake. Stupid woman..."

"With ice cream or not?" Pretending that she hadn't heard what he had said, Tamao cut up a fairly large slice carefully and placed it on Horo-horo's dessert plate. "Cake-loving idiot..."

"Whatever." Horo-horo answered without enthusiasm, watching his sister, who was beside Tamao, eat daintily. Just what the -hell- am I doing beside this woman? I should be sitting right over there, beside Pilica, just to make sure that Ren doesn't sit beside her...not that it matters. He sighed deeply. Even if they don't sit together, they're probably gonna go off staring at each other...well, at least they -won't- be as vulgar as these two...he frowned at Yoh and Anna, who were taking turns spooning the cake onto each other's mouths and subsequently kissing each other along the way. Public displays of affection should be banned...if only for decency...he shook his head. Strange. I never thought Anna was one to go with public displays of affection...maybe it has something to do with the pregnancy...

"There." The Ainu man's head snapped up as his dessert plate, laden with a very large slice of cake and the ice cream topping was shoved in his face.

"Thanks." He muttered without looking up as he dug viciously into his cake and shoved several forkfuls onto his mouth.

Tamao snorted beside him. "You ACTUALLY thanked ME. That's new," she remarked, raising an eyebrow at him.

He gave her a look. "It's cake. I'll thank ANYONE who gives me cake." He answered matter-of-factly. "And this tastes pretty good, considering that YOU were the one who made it."

The pink-haired fortune-teller frowned at the insult, but she didn't flinch. "You're just trying to annoy me."

"Yup," Horo-horo agreed as he continued digging voraciously onto his cake. After several seconds, he finished the whole plate and held it out in front of Tamao. "Give me another one."

Tamao rolled her eyes and shook her head as she snatched his plate. "You're such a PIG."

At the other side of the room, Ren looked all around the table and debated where he should sit. There were currently two empty chairs: one was directly beside Horo-horo, and the other, right beside Pilica.

He groaned mentally. Either one of the two terrified him. Sitting beside Horo-horo would mean risking having another argument with him. Sitting beside Pilica would be wonderful--yet terrifying, as well, because it would mean the risk of making another big mistake or worse--the risk of making a complete fool of himself. He would be much safer from the latter if he chooses to sit beside Horo-horo.

On the other hand, there was that risk of an argument...or even worse, a full-blown fight with Pilica's brother. He definitely didn't want that to happen. Nope, definitely not.

But he didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of Pilica, either.

Well...either way, it was a no-win situation for him. Ren sighed. I'd much rather make a fool of myself in front of her than ruin this perfectly good, no longer rainy afternoon by fighting with her brother.

And besides...maybe it wouldn't be so bad...

The azure-haired young woman looked up and smiled as he approached and sat down beside her. "Ren-kun. Where did you disappear to?"

Ren took a deep breath and managed a smile. "Bathroom," he answered. His gazed dropped to the table. "Is that cake?"

"Uh-huh." She nodded. "I'll get you a slice. Wait a moment..." She stood up and looked over at the fairly large cake that remained. "How big do you want it?" She asked.

"Just...just a fair size, thanks." He said, turning his head away and staring down at the table so that he wouldn't look like he was ogling...damn, he did it anyway...do not stare at her back, do not stare at her waist, do not stare at her shoulders...GOD, she's got smooth shoulders...do not stare at her neck...GOD, she's got a pretty neck...and that silver necklace looks absolutely perfect on her...where have I seen that necklace before...? And that...bracelet on her wrist...DEAR GOD, she's got such beautiful hands...and she holds the plate so beautifully...

"Ren-kun? Here's the cake. Should I put some ice cream, too?" Pilica was looking at him with a questioning look on her face. OH, GOD, those eyes are pretty...

"Ren-kun?" The Ainu woman frowned with concern as she looked over at him. Just the face...examine the face, Pilica, but don't look into his eyes...don't look at them if you don't want to melt...she looked anyway. Darn it. Darn it, darn it, darn it...taking a deep breath, she collected every single ounce of her willpower and fought to look away. This is not the time and the place for this...she wasn't having much success with looking away...his eyes were like some kind of magnet...some kind of magnet, and she was the metal, so drawn to it...

"Does Ren-san want ice cream with that? Sit down, Pilica-chan. I'll do it." Tamao's voice broke the magnetic pull, and Pilica and Ren looked away from each other abruptly.

Tamao looked back and forth from Ren to Pilica, then shrugged her shoulders, smiling slightly as she topped Ren's cake with some ice cream. "Here you go, Ren-san! Enjoy it!" She handed the dessert plate to Pilica, who handed it to Ren.

The Chinese shaman reached for the plate with shaking hands...and as he held it, the plate managed to slip from his fingers and it toppled over on the table, contents and all. Blushing with embarrassment, Ren apologized repeatedly to both Tamao and Pilica--most especially to Pilica--then, excusing himself, he ran out of the room, towards the hallway...and, making sure that he was alone, he began rapping his head against the wall.

Great. So your prediction came true. You just managed to make a fool of yourself in front of Pilica AGAIN. Congratulations. He thought to himself as he continued to rap his head against the wall.


*~*~*~*~*~*


In the kitchen, Ryu was walking around and double-checking all the courses for the dinner later in the evening. Jun was assisting him in doing the double-check, and she was having a lot of fun due to the fact that she was able to observe him out of the corner of one eye. Every once in a while, he stole glances at her, and when this happened, he made quite a funny scene, practically falling over on his own two feet and blushing profusely.

On one of the empty kitchen tables, Jeanne and Lyserg were observing this whole scene with slight amusement, while at the same time, Jeanne was eating a light late lunch and Lyserg was enjoying his cake.

"How will I ever manage to eat dinner if I eat all of this now?" Jeanne said with dismay as she looked over the table laden with different kinds of Chinese food.

Lyserg smiled as he shoved a forkful of ice cream and cake onto his mouth. "You'll manage. Just eat a couple of bites and you'll be fine." He paused, thinking, "Or you could try being a vegetarian for today," he suggested.

"Vegetarian? Me?" Jeanne shook her head. "No, I don't think I will, thanks." She looked over at the food in front of her thoughtfully. "Maybe just a little bit of the beef...and some noodles..."

"By the way," Lyserg said, "not that I'm complaining or anything but...how come Marco-san didn't make it this year?" He asked.

Jeanne took a bite of noodles and swallowed, while gazing at Lyserg. "I didn't tell you, did I? The church sent him to Egypt two months ago. He'll be stationed there for a year and a half," she frowned. "Even if he's far away, he still manages to run my life for me. I wouldn't be surprised if I find out that -he's- the reason why I was swamped with so much work these past few days. The sisters don't normally give me that much to do..." her voice trailed off.

The Englishman gazed at her thoughtfully, pondering with his thoughts for a minute before he spoke. "...Well, at least now you can enjoy this evening without worrying about what Marco-san might say or do..." And I'll be able to spend more time with you, he thought to himself.

Jeanne smiled brightly at this. "Yes. That much is true, at least." She agreed. Finally, I'll be able to talk with you...and be with you as much as I can without worrying about what Marco might do to you...

Finally.


*~*~*~*~*~*


Back in the dining hall, Yohmaru and Yohnta were eating from their respective plates peacefully for about thirty seconds when Yohnta's cake-filled fork managed to fly and land on Yohmaru's head.

"Ouch!" Yohmaru groaned, rubbing his head and raising up the fork that had landed on his head. "...Yohnta! You got cake in my hair!"

"It wasn't my fault!" Yohnta said defensively. His elbow had managed to accidentally send his fork flying on top of his twin's head.

Yohmaru raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He said skeptically. He touched his head again and, groaning at the sticky mess, he glared in his brother's direction. Then, he speared a chunk of cake with his fork and promptly threw it at his brother's head.

"Oniichan!" Yohnta groaned as he touched the mess in his head and glared at his brother. "I told you, it was an ACCIDENT!" Having said this, he retaliated by taking a handful of cake and slapping it on his brother's cheek.

The twin brothers took turns shoving cake onto each others' faces, hair, and clothes, thereby turning a little accident into a mini-cake fight.

Hao, who was watching his twin nephews with amusement, observed his brother and sister-in-law out of the corner of one eye. He grinned slightly. They were still having fun, eating cake and kissing at the same time, and were oblivious to the mini-brawn that their twin sons were currently engaged in. Well, he wasn't one to spoil his brother's, nor his twin nephews' idea of fun. He angled his head sideways as a chunk of cake whizzed past him.

Ahh, food fight. He had never participated in a food fight before. It sure looked like fun...

"What the--? What is that cake doing flying across the room?" Anna's voice demanded from Yoh. The blonde woman started to stand up, but her husband pulled her down back to her seat.

"It's nothing, Anna," Yoh assured his wife, as he turned around, caught Hao's eye, and gave him a meaningful look.

"Oh don't mind me!" Hao called cheerfully, understanding his brother's meaning. Clearly, Yoh knew what his twin sons were doing. And clearly, he was encouraging it. "My hand just managed to slip, that's all!"

"WHAT? Asakura Hao, what the hell do you think you're--" She was cut off abruptly as her husband silenced her mouth with a kiss.

Hao grinned widely at his brother's techniques in distracting his wife. Smooth one, Otouto. I guess we're more alike than I realized, eh...?


*~*~*~*~*~*


At the center of the table, Asakura Keiko the birthday girl, looked all around her happily. She exchanged a smile with her Uncle Hao, giggled slightly at what her parents were doing, grinned at all her other aunts and uncles, laughed at what her two brothers were doing, and finally, smiled fondly at her little brother, who was currently holding on to the newest addition to their family--the little puppy Koroku.

"This is my most funnest birthday ever," she declared as she fed Ren-chan some cake and ice cream. "Ne, Ren-chan? Koroku?"

"WOOF!" The little puppy said with approval, wagging its tail happily.

"HAI!" Ren-chan said, bobbing his head and smiling sweetly at his sister.



TSUZUKU.



End notes:

Darn...my brain has been a little addled lately...that new computer virus must have affected me. Aargh! Damn stupid w32.blaster.worm! *throws a dictionary at the computer virus*

TN (Lala), thanks for that bit of info on Anna's birthday.^_^

Corn husk dolls are made from corn husk (duh) and they're very, very, VERY CUTE. To yuri maxwell, thank you so much for this bit of information...and for waking my addled brain up (to functional status, at least) last Saturday afternoon.^_^

The Powerpuff Girls: Relish Rampage is owned by uhmm..Cartoon Network and PS2, I think (No, I don't have this game, I just saw it on Amazon).

Koroku is one of the 108 Stars of Destiny in Suikoden III, so naturally, I don't own him. Though I sure wish I did...^_^

Thank you so much for all of your reviews. To everyone who has been waiting *impatiently* for all the confessions...the coming final 3 chapters is where it will all happen. I'm sorry, I really had to finish these scenes first before I move on to the confessions...hope you all liked it anyways!^_^

Reviews will be very much appreciated.