Author's Note: As you can see, I have nothing better to do than to sit and write this fanfiction. That's why I update all the time! Anyway, I'm happy to get these reviews that it drives me to update. So keep reviewing and the story will come out faster!

Disclaimer: I don't own Saint Tail, but I do own Mr. Yokaido and Mrs. Yui Kasanugi and their personalities. So don't steal them!

Chapter 5

School that day went by very quickly for Meimi and her classmates. Everyone anticipated the rehearsals of the play after school, most of all, Takamiya. She seemed to float through the halls in her own world. Takamiya was so happy that she was Juliet and her Asuka was Romeo. Though she went around dazed, Meimi seemed less light hearted as usual. Her perkiness had died while her silence brought stares. Seira was concerned, but did not ask why. The last bell rang after the speedy day. Meimi walked out of her class with a blank expression. She reached her locker and brushed her face against its cool metal.

" Are you okay Meimi? You've been acting strange lately." Asuka Jr. asked opening his locker. She looked over at him. He was busily reaching for homework. A thought popped in to her mind.

(I thought you were better than Takamiya. Better than…) Meimi thought to herself. She opened her locker quietly and sluggishly reached for her necessities.

" Yeah, I'm okay. Just a little tired." She responded. Asuka glanced at her dull expression before shutting his locker.

" I'll see you at rehearsals than." He said and smiled. Meimi did not return the smile nor did she look up. Asuka turned and walked down to the auditorium.

(He'll see me at rehearsals. He wants to see me at rehearsals….) Meimi looked off in his direction. (Stop twisting his words Meimi!) She thought angrily to herself. (I thought you were better than Takamiya…) Meimi thought replaying the words in her mind. Her cheeks burned red. She hid her face in her locker before shutting it and running to rehearsals.

" Okay actors and actresses please assemble on the stage!" Mrs. Kasanugi shouted while clapping for peace. The student's chatters died down as the actors climbed onto the stage. Meimi watched from behind the curtain. She watched Asuka talking to Seira, Ryoko, Takamiya, and Sawatari. She jealously climbed the ladder to the above light fixtures. She watched from a birds eye view the well-written story by Shakespeare. The actors and actresses performed beautifully to the very end. The director had them run particular lines over and over. Meimi, bored, leaned against the rail. The hanging platform tilted with her weight. She closed her eyes and thought.

(My job is so boring. I wish I made it as Juliet. Then I could be with Seira, Sawatari, and Asuka Jr. There's no one to talk to up here.) Meimi went through the rehearsal like this to the very end. She climbed down the ladder, happy that it had finally ended.

" Hey Seira." Meimi said to her friend. Seira was wiping sweat off her face as she smiled.

" Stop shining those lights on me Meimi. It gets so hot on that stage." She teased. Meimi smiled. " I have to go to the church today. Maybe I'll have a job for you tonight." Seira stepped off the stage Meimi right behind her.

" Great rehearsal today." Mrs. Kasanugi cheered. She stepped out of the auditorium and walked to her office. Ryoko, unknowing to Mrs. Kasanugi, was following her. Mrs. Kasanugi slammed the door in her face. Ryoko stunned stared at the wooden door. Curious, she pushed her ear up against the door. Two voices came from inside.

(That's strange, Mrs. Kasanugi is the only one in there.) She thought to herself. She continued to listen intently.

" Finally, Yui we will have our revenge. Lina Takamiya's mother is in charge of most of the theaters that we used to work at." Her voice rang venomously through the door.

" Is that we picked her instead of Meimi Haneoka?" the same voice asked.

" Now you are catching on. Here's are plan. At the end of the play, Juliet stabs herself. Instead of having the prop dagger, she will be given a real dagger. That way, we can't get charged of murder. She did it on her own." The first voice explained.

" That'll make her pay for our suffering." The second sneered. Ryoko backed away in terror. She didn't believe what she had just heard. Quickly and quietly, Ryoko ran away. Not knowing who to turn to, Ryoko ran for the emptying auditorium. She found Seira and Meimi talking happily. Ryoko ran up to them in a desperate state.

" What's wrong Ryoko?" Seira asked concerned.

" I heard something really frightening." Ryoko said panting. Her face was wet with sweat and her skin was extremely pale.

" Why don't you come to the confessional with me? We can talk privately there." Seira said putting a comforting hand on her back. Ryoko looked at Meimi who smiled sweetly and nodded. Ryoko followed Seira and Meimi down to the confessional. Meimi waited outside patiently while Ryoko explained the scenario.

" I see." Seira said seriously after she finished. " I'm sure we will find courage and hope within ourselves. The Lord will make sure this incident will not happen. Please let your heart be at ease." Seira said. Ryoko nodded and stepped out of the confessional. Meimi smiled at her before Ryoko left the church.

" So what's up?" Meimi said sitting down on the stool.

" It sounds like our director, Mrs. Yui Kasanugi, has been a bit…touched in the head after Lina's mother fired her." Seira tried to explain nicely.

" How could someone be so worked up about being fired?"

" Probably Mrs. Kasanugi had trouble finding a new job. She had to give up a few sentimental items and maybe even move. Losing a job can put a lot of stress on the mind and body Meimi." Seira said. Meimi remained quiet to think of the situation.

" So she'll probably want revenge. Lina is in danger then!" Meimi exclaimed discovering the situation's dangers.

" Not only her. Everyone on the set." Seira added.

" This looks like a job for Saint Tail." Meimi said happily.

" Meimi this won't happen for another week. This isn't going to be tonight's business. It definitely won't happen at rehearsals. I think Mrs. Kasanugi wants to make it dramatic." Meimi agreed with this explanation.

" We better watch her during practice too." Meimi said. Seira nodded. Meimi stepped out of the confessional. She sighed relieving the building anxiety. Meimi ran out of the church and slammed into a blonde-headed boy about her age.

" I'm so sorry Sawatari!" Meimi said apologizing.

" Haneoka, just the girl I wanted to see." Sawatari said standing up and brushing himself off.

" What do you mean?" Meimi asked while helping brushing off the dirt on his uniform.

" I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Renaissance Days masquerade ball with me?" He said blushing slightly. Meimi, shocked, froze on the spot.

(I totally forgot about that. I didn't think anyone would ask me.)

" Sure. That would be fun Sawatari." She said and smiled. Sawatari grabbed her hand while crying out of joy. Meimi backed away surprised by his behavior.

" Thank you so much Haneoka. I must be the luckiest guy on Earth to be going with the beautiful Haneoka." Sawatari said happily.

" Uh…anytime Sawatari. Listen I gotta run. I'll see you in class." Meimi said prying her hand out of his. She ran down the path leaving Sawatari to bask in happiness. She slowed down eventually to find herself in the local park. The cherry and plum blossom trees were in full bloom as they bombarded the path with their delicate petals. Birds called for their mates from their nests. They sung a serene melody that filled the peaceful air. Meimi walked in and out of the cool shadows casted by the lingering trees. She stared ahead to see Asuka Jr. sitting on a bench feeding the birds. Meimi felt her heart race before she walked up to him. Meimi sat down next to him and greeted him with a smile.

" Watcha doin?" she asked him. Her feet dangled from the bench as she swung them.

" I'm feeding the birds. Do you want to too?" He asked holding up a bag. Meimi spread her empty palms. The feed fell into her palms.

" Why?" she asked.

" Why what?"

" Why are you feeding birds?" she said throwing some of it to the ground. The birds flocked to it eagerly.

" There's a homeless man around the corner that sells bags for a dollar or two. I help him out sometimes by buying some." He said and smiled. Meimi finished her batch and then brushed away the lingering seeds. She looked up at the canopy of leaves. " Hey Haneoka?" he said getting her attention. " Will you go to the ball with me?" he asked. Meimi felt her heart drop to her stomach. She turned her stare to the ground avoiding his eyes.

" Oh…um…I already promised Sawatari I'd go with him." She said sadly. Asuka Jr.'s face dropped with disappointment.

" Oh, okay. Um…then I'll see you at school." He said standing up. He began to walk in the opposite direction. Awkward silence filled the air.

" Asuka, Meimi said. He turned around to look at her. " Save me a dance?" she asked. He smiled and nodded. He resumed walking. Meimi filled with happiness again before dashing off to her house.

Author's Note: Is it me or does nothing work between Meimi and Asuka anymore. First the play and now this! Oh well there is a reason for all of this so I'll write as fast as I can!