Hey all! As promised, here's a new chapter on Which One? Pick One! I'd like to say thanks to those who reviewed specially... Venus of Love- Argh! I'm having a hard time picking , too! Ceso- thanks for the review! ^_^ and I'm dying for your updates on your fics, too! Aino Yuy aka Usagi-hater- I knew it! Heero was soooo OOC, wasn't he? But thanks for the review. Ashleigh-Kaiba- sorry to disappoint you but Yaten's already pulling his stunt in this chapter. Hehehe…
ON TO THE STORY!
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CHAPTER 9 Yaten On The Go
"Rise and shine, Mina!"
She turned to the side and pulled the blankets over her head. Artemis grimaced and went over to face Minako's covered semblance. "It's already ten o'clock," he wailed out. "You better start your day." Mina gave a muffled sound before removing the comforter and sat up, her hair disheveled from sleep. The white cat couldn't help but look intently at her swollen eyes and remembered her state the night before.
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Artemis lounged on the living room sofa when he heard the doorknob being frantically turned. He jumped off the couch and went to look when all of a sudden, Minako entered and pushed the door shut. He looked at the wall clock and noted that it was only six in the evening. When those two go out, Heero usually brings her home at around eight or nine while Minako tries to persuade him that it was still too early.
"It's not that dark yet outside Minako," noted Artemis. "Heero already brought you home? Let me guess, those cookies you baked did it for your lover boy, right?" This time, the blonde didn't retaliate with her own snide remark but instead went up to her room with Artemis following behind.
She sat on the bed and covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking and inaudible sobs escaped her futile cover. "Mina…?"Artemis softly called out. "Minako, what's wrong? Are you hurt? What's the matter?" Minako couldn't help it. She needed to voice out everything and let her ordeal off her chest.
As Mina spoke, tears ran down her cheeks and Artemis felt helpless as he listened to her. She tried to tell the story in between her sobs and then cried openly when she finished, her hands gripping the bed sheet. Artemis didn't know what to do, whether to tell her that Heero will come back soon, or just tell her to forget about him. He decided on neither of the options and just gently told her to sleep and that they'll discuss it in the morning.
He walked out of her room, her sobs tearing him as he walked away. Please don't let her be heartbroken again, he silently prayed.
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"Get out of the bed now," Artemis urged his friend. She obliged and went to the bathroom, splashing water to her face. "You sure are preppy today, aren't you?" she said groggily and dried her face with a towel. Minako turned to her cat and placed her hands on her hips. "Would you please go out so I can change out of my pajamas?" she insisted. Her eyes followed Artemis as he left the room but before he was out of sight, he called out to her.
"Hurry up or else your food will get cold. Yaten said those bacons are better when they're hot."
"Ok, ok," she answered then snapped to attention when she realized what Artemis said. "Yaten?"
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"Damn. I didn't know breakfast was this strenuous."
Yaten surveyed the kitchen table and felt pleased despite his tired condition. He knocked at her door as early as five thirty in the morning fearing that Minako wouldn't let him in. Fortunately, Artemis was roused awake and opened the door for him. [don't ask me how the cute cat did it. I'm just the narrator here…---jd_anney]
He started working in the kitchen right away, hoping Minako wouldn't wake up before he was done. Now, as he looked at the breakfast he prepared, he couldn't help but feel excited. If a good breakfast doesn't appeal to her, I don't know what will.
Yaten saw the blonde-haired beauty peering at the dining room then looked tentatively at him. He offered her a wide smile and motioned for her to come inside. As she walked up to him, he drank in the sight of her. She wore an orange sleeveless shirt printed with the words STOP STARING. Yaten didn't comply to it and continued his slow gaze over her. Her blue skirt which went up to somewhere above her knees accentuated her long silky legs. The furry bedrooms slippers didn't ruin the splendid image one bit. His gaze went to her lovely face and saw her shy expression.
"Yaten…how…what…why…" Minako started but was cut off by the singer.
"When…where…?" he said with a smile. "Why? Don't you like having breakfast fit for Venus?" He gently placed his hand on the small of her back and ushered her to the table. He drew a seat for her and then sat on a chair opposite hers, his elbow propped on the table. "Go on, eat your breakfast," he urged and pushed a plate of bacons to her. He caught sight of her puffed eyes and Minako seemed to feel his intent stare and looked at him.
"My eyes aren't in the best condition today. I watched this really sad film last night and I couldn't stop crying," she lied with a bright smile. Minako hoped her acting skills would be enough to convince Yaten.
"Really sad?" he inquired. "About a girl being left by a guy?" he said, unable to help himself. He saw her jarred expression for a fleeting moment then her eyes went wide.
"Yeah, how did you know?" she lied again.
Yaten merely shrugged and grabbed hold of a strip of bacon. "Lucky guess, I suppose. Now hurry up and finish your food. We've got a long day ahead of us."
She looked uncertainly at the pies and muffins and sandwiches spread out before her. "I couldn't finish this meal even if it takes me a week! Did you really bake all these by yourself?"
Yaten sneered at her and leaned further on the table. "No," he said sarcastically. "Actually I got a little help from the Pillsbury Dough boy and Betty Crocker." Minako giggled and he fired the next question. "Minako, why don't we go to the mall today- you know, watch a movie and stuff. You and Heero don't have anything planned today, right?"
Her look was a mixture of sadness and confusion as she stuttered her answer. "No plans for today but Heero…"
"Great!" he exclaimed, beaming at her. "Now hurry up and finish your cordon bleu breakfast."
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"All set, Heero?" asked his Arabian teammate. They were back in their base, all suited up for their Gundams. "Yeah, I guess," was Heero's muttered reply. Duo walked up to Heero and patted his back. The Wing Zero pilot turned to look at him, his eyebrows raised in question. "I've already told the other girls, Heero," Maxwell said. "They weren't happy about it, I tell you. Hey, did you have a hard time confessing to Minako? I mean, I saw Wufei telling it to Ami and he was so damned direct about it that she ended up crying her head off. You better give him some pointers on how to lay it to a woman gently or else, they'd end up being separated. Then it would be Wufei's turn to cry-ACK!"
Wufei's clenched fist connected with Duo's arm and he shot the boy a menacing look. "Will you shut up already?" Chang growled then walked away.
Heero gave a curt 'Good job' then walked to his Gundam. "Hey, a 'thank you' beats 'good job' anyday!" Duo called after him. "And who was that 'good job' for? Me or Wufei?"
"Both!"
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Well, there you have it folks! Another chapter. Come on, please make a review. All you have to do is choose the Submit a Review in the menu bar and then click go. Now, that isn't too hard, is it? And look out for Yaten's second part of courting Mina in the next chapter, ok? Thanks a lot! ---jd_anney