DISCLAIMER: I don't own any anime. TOO bad!!! I just own this fic.

Chapter 3. Sweet Sweet Summer: Part 1
"Guys, guys I've got a big announcement here..!" Charlene said. It was a Saturday afternoon and they were all preparing the summer schedule. "For this year's summer vacation I'm inviting all of you to the beach! One week all-expense trip paid by me, of course. Batteries not included." Charlene announced. "Wow! I'm coming! I'm coming!" Ditta shouted. "Umm, me too." Gojyo smiled at her. "Count me in, guys!" Jenny said. "We wanna go too!" Aki and Aya shouted. "If Ditta's going then I'm going too!" Yujin said. Jenny smiled. "I'll go too!" Omiyage said. "We're in!" Goku, Tomoko, and Kaede said. "I gotta ask my parents first." said Hanamichi. They all laughed. "Just kidding! If you're all going then I should go too! (Now I have a perfect opportunity to show-off to Charlene. I'll court her all over again if necessary.)"

"Okay, guys. are you ready?" Charlene's driver, Elmer, said. They hired a travel bus big enough to accommodate all twelve of them. "Yoroshii!!!" everybody yelled. They're happy to be in such a sophisticated vehicle. It had comfortable chairs and soft couches. It even has a double- deck bed at the back. It looked like one of those vans that actors and actresses use to travel.
The seating arrangement is quite simple. "Partner by Partner." Jenny with Yujin, Ditta with Gojyo, Aki with Omiyage, Aya with Kaede. Charlene was the 0ne who planned this seating arrangement so Hanamichi and Goku sat together and Charlene and Tomoko sat together. But not for long 'cause Charlene exchanged places with Hanamichi so she could sit with Goku. Hanamichi couldn't do anything about it. Tomoko couldn't either so she just stayed quiet the whole trip.
When night came, Gojyo took out his Discman and played rock songs. This kept him awake for about an hour and a half. Slowly, Ditta's head rested upon Gojyo's shoulder. Gojyo pushed hair away from her face. Then he fell asleep as well.

"Okay, guys! We're here!" Charlene said. "Wow!" Tomoko gasped. "Huwaa!!!!" Ditta yawned. "Gojyo-what time is it?" she asked. "Uh, almost 6 am. Wanna watch the sunrise?" he whispered. "That's a great idea! Hey guys!!! Let's check out the beach and watch the sunrise!" Ditta yelled. "Oh, I. I was kinda hoping it'd be only the two of." "C'mon!" Ditta grabbed Gojyo's arm and ran off to the beach. "Kuso." he muttered.
"Wow. isn't this nice? The sand is. white!" Aya said. "Okay, guys. here's the sun!" Yujin said as the sun rose on top of the beach. "It's beautiful!" Omiyage said. "You're beautiful!" Aki said. [long silence] Gojyo held Ditta's hand for the first time.
"Uh, I better go unpack my things." Hanamichi said. Goku followed him.
"You don't have to worry about anything..!" Goku said. "Whattt?!" Hanamichi said, confused. "Hanamichi, I talked to her." Goku said. "You sure did..!" Hanamichi muttered. "She likes you! She doesn't like me..! C'mon, Hana. You're my friend. I could never betray you. Besides. I like somebody else. Chacha's just not my type. She's too outgoing." Goku said. "Outgoing, huh?!" Hanamichi showed Goku his fist.
Day One---April 6 (Sunday)
"So you like Goku, huh?" Charlene asked Tomoko as they prepared breakfast. "Uhh, I guess. but I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me." Tomoko replied. "And why would you think that?! Tomochan, you're simply irresistible!" Charlene complimented. "It's okay, Chacha. You don't need to feel sympathy for me. I've already accepted the fact that Goku will never be mine." Tomoko said. Charlene smiled at her. "Don't flatter me!!!" Tomoko smiled. They both laughed.
"Wanna hear something irresistible? I talked to Goku and." Charlene said. "And what?!" Tomoko eagerly said. "He wants to date you!" Charlene said. "But. I don't understand! I thought you and him." Tomoko trailed off. "You thought me and him were an article? Hehe. Actually I'll let you in on a little secret. I liked Goku. Liked as in the past tense. I thought he was the boyfriend type of guy. He is---only not for me. He made me realize just how lucky I am to have Hanamichi. And I don't care anymore if my Hana takes criminology-I love him!"
"Wow. you've got quite a speech there!" Jenny suddenly appeared. "You're awake! Good! Now you can help us prepare breakfast." Tomoko said. "Oh-before I forget-Goku wants to meet you after breakfast. At the beach." Charlene said.

"Umm, Chacha? May I speak to you for just a second?" Hanamichi said as he entered the kitchen. "Uhh, okay. Let's go outside. Excuse me guys." Charlene said. "if you don't want me to take criminology, that's fine. I'll not take it. I'll take up whatever you want me to take. Please-just forgive me! I didn't mean to yell at you." Hanamichi said. "I didn't mean to yell back. I'm fine with you taking up criminology-I'm just worried that if you become a cop, the risk of you dying will." Charlene cried. "Shhh! I won't die! I'll try not to die for you, at least." Hanamichi said as he hugged the crying Charlene. "It's just that-I can't imagine living without you. I can't bear the thought. I just can't! I love you too much." Charlene sobbed. "It's okay now. And anyway it's just my second choice. My first choice is a basketball scholarship, remember?" he hugged her hard. [dumadrama si Chacha!] (Translation: Chacha's doing a drama!!!)

"Itadakimasu!!" They all said. "Wow! This food is really tasty!" Ditta said. "And no thanks to you, sleepyhead!" Jenny said. "Gomen!" Ditta smiled.

After eating. "You wanted to see me?" Tomoko said. "Uh, yeah, I do. I noticed everybody has a partner except you and me." Goku said. "Umm, yeah. I noticed it too." Tomoko sat beside Goku on the sand. "But what about you and Chacha? Aren't you..?" Tomoko asked. "Nope." He replied. "I'm just her. love adviser. She's a bit too wild for me. I prefer the quiet type. (I prefer those who are like you!)" Goku smiled at her. "Oh, so you do. What did you wanna talk about?" she asked. "I wanna umm. (.oh man I'm shaking!) I. wanna court you. (.there! I said it! Please, please, please say yes!)" ".okay."

"C'mon! I really wanna take a bath now!" Ditta said. "Then take a bath! Who's forcing you not to? There are two bathrooms in this lodge, remember?" Charlene said. "That's not what I meant! Let's go to the beach now!" she said. "Oh no! My parents strictly told me not to take a bath on the first day of arrival! .I think it's some kind of a superstition or something. Anyway we have one whole week! It wouldn't hurt if we take caution." she said. "Hmph! Don't tell me you believe that kind of stuff! K.J.!" she said.

There are four rooms; two for each gender. Ditta, Jenny, and Charlene shared one room while Omiyage, Aya, and Tomoko shared another. For the males: Gojyo, Kaede, and Yujin were in one room and Aki, Hanamichi, and Goku shared theirs.
"I'm just gonna check up on my kyodai Jin. Ja!" Ditta said. "Check up on Jin? .or check up on Gojyo?" Jenny said, laughing.

"Hi! Mom asked me to give you this. It's a new cell card." Ditta said. "Arigatou." Yujin said. "Are you gonna be okay in there?" he asked. "Sure! I'm not a baby anymore, Jin." Ditta smiled. "Wanna join us for a while?" Gojyo asked. "I'm not very good at playing cards; you know that." she said. "I know. But come play with us anyway." He smiled. "Okay." she said.
When Ditta came back to her room, Kaede went outside. Yujin and Gojyo were left inside. "Take care of her. I'll kick your butt if you play her. She is my little sister, after all." Yujin said. "Bro, what makes you think I'll play her? I'm crazy-head over heels about her!" Gojyo said. "Okay. wanna play monkey-monkey?"

Lunchtime just passed and Ditta was getting excited again. "Guys, I wanna explore this part of the country. I hear there's a haunted house near here." She said. "Hmm. sounds exciting! " Gojyo smiled at her. Then they all went outside to take a walk.
"What?! The haunted house is red?!!" Kaede said. "Let's go inside!" Omiyage said. "Hmm. doesn't look like a haunted house to me." Ditta said. "She's right. 'Xavier hospital' .You guys this is a hospital!" Yujin said. "Xxxxavier?!" Jenny stuttered. "I heard this place was shut down because the police found out that the doctors here were torturing their patients. They even showed it on TV!" Tomoko explained.
"We've got another problem. it's raining!" Gojyo said. Ditta rushed over to him. "Let's go inside! There's no other choice!!!" Aya said.
"Guys, my battery's dead. Stupid cell phone! Dying off when you need it..!" Charlene said. "I left my cell phone on my bed." Jenny said. "Me too." Aki said. "Isn't there anybody here who has a cell phone?!" Charlene asked. "Well, I do but I don't have load. I left my extra cell card back at the lodge." Tomoko said. "Oh, wait a minute-I have the cell card Ditta gave me. Here-use it. Pay me later." Yujin said. "Aarg! C'mon! I don't have signal. Thanks anyway, Jin." Tomoko said. "We're doomed!" Jenny said. "I'm hungry." Goku said. "Here-I have bubblegum." Tomoko said. "Thanks." Goku smiled at her.

"Let's roam around, shall we?" Aki said. "Okay. but not too far coz we might get lost." Omiyage replied. "Whoa!!! Look at these fetuses!" Aki said. "EEEWWW!!! They look like aliens!" Omiyage said. "Don't insult hem. You looked like that too, long ago." Aki teased.

"Hey, where are Aki and Miya?!" Aya said worriedly. "I, I don't know!" They said. "Sh*t!!! What is he trying to do here, give me a heart attack or something?! You got me Aki! Now come out!!" Aya screamed. No Aki appeared. "It's not funny anymore!!!!" she added. "Aki!! Miya!!!! Come out this instant!!!" Kaede yelled; but still no reply. "That's it-we gotta look for them!" Aya declared. "Yeah. but it's also a good idea for someone to stay here just in case they decide to go back." Ditta suggested. "Good idea. You and Gojyo stay here then. We all meet here okay? Holler if you find Aki and Miya. So that we'll know. Ja!!" Aya said.

"I guess we're gonna be alone here for a while." Gojyo said. "Yeah. I guess we are, huh?" Ditta said. "A strong wind suddenly blew out of nowhere. It gushed around them, as thunder shrieked. Ditta, as a reflex action, hugged Gojyo. Then Gojyo offered her his jacket, realizing that she's only wearing a sleeveless blouse. "No thanks. You keep it. Just hug me. In this way we'll both feel warm." Ditta smiled.

"Aki?! Miya?! Where are you?!!!" Kaede screamed. "Miya?! Aki?!" Charlene yelled. Croog croog! Another thunder shrieked. "The news didn't say anything about a storm!!!" Tomoko said. "If it's really a storm, we could be stuck here for hours- or worse, days!" Goku said.

"Aki, I think we should go back now!!! I'm getting scared." Omiyage said. "Okay. We'll go back now. They might be looking for us." Aki agreed. "But. where's BACK?! I think we're lost!!!" Omiyage yelped. "Miya, calm down! We'll find our way!" Aki tried to calm Omiyage down. "Let's go this way."

"Help me!!! Yamaguchi-san's trying to kill me!!!" said an old lady. Ditta's heartbeat grew faster. "Go---" she stuttered. "What?! Daijobou?" Gojyo asked. "Help me!!!" Ditta screamed. She had a weird voice. "Ditta! Ditta!" he screamed as he let go of her. "Help me!!!! Yamaguchi-san-he's trying to kill me!!" Ditta yelled hysterically. "Who's Yamaguchi?! Ditta! Don't scare me like this!!!!" Gojyo yelled at Ditta's face. "Help me!!! My son! He's dead!" BUMP BUMP BUMP!!!! "Yamaguchi-san is coming! Hide me!!!" Ditta said. She was shaking with terror. Gojyo carried Ditta and ran to another place.
"Ditta!!! What happened to you?!" he said. Ditta's sweating right now- yes-it's very strange indeed. Plus She's breathing long hard breaths. "Ditta." Gojyo said as her lowered his face to hers. Yes, you guessed it. He kissed her.
"AHHH~!!!" Ditta screamed. Then she hugged Gojyo. "There was this old lady! She came into me!!! We gotta help her!!! Mr. Yamaguchi's going to kill her!!! Gojyo I'm scared!" Ditta cried. "I'm scared too, Ditta. I'm scared too."

Bug! Aya boxed Aki. "You jerk!" she yelled. "Where have you been?! We've been looking all over for you two!!!" Charlene said. "Uhh, Sorry? .we thought you wouldn't notice." Aki said. "Well you thought wrong!!!" Aya shouted. "We thought it was okay, but then we got a little lost." Omiyage added. "Let's go back then! Ditta and Gojyo must be bored waiting." Jenny said.
"Maybe it's a good idea to run, guys. Coz someone's here---and he's holding a knife!!" Tomoko said. "Ahh! He must be one of the doctors!!" Charlene screamed.

"Maybe it's a good idea to go back now." Gojyo said. "You're right. This place is getting creepier and creepier by the minute..! Let's go." Ditta said. "Umm, Ditta. there's something dripping from the roof..!" Gojyo said. They looked up. "Blood!!!!" they ran as fast as they could.

"Wha---they're not here?! Gojyo!!!!!" Yujin yelled. He's getting really, really angry now. "I don't believe them! We had an agreement!!" Aya said. "I guess they got bored." Tomoko said. "Hey-where have you two been?!" Charlene said as they approached the gang. "Let's get out of here! Someone's stalking us!!!" Ditta yelled. "I don't care how hard it's raining!" Gojyo screamed.
Then they all ran outside. After they got out of the fence, the rain suddenly stopped. They all went back to their lodge. "That-is my worst experience ever!" Jenny said. "What exactly happened to us back there?!" Kaede said. "I think we just had an encounter with the spirits." Tomoko said.
"What happened to you two?!" Aya asked. "Well, we were waiting for you guys there when the wind suddenly blew. Then Ditta saw an old lady who's asking for help. Then in a way the spirit possessed her and said that Yamaguchi-san is going to kill her!" Gojyo explained. "I remember seeing her eyes. They were of pure blackness..! It's like, she's reaching out to me but I can't reach her! Then someone. Gojyo?! Did you..?!" she asked. "Yeah, I did. I thought I could drive the spirit away by the 'you-know- what' method. Turns out I'm right." Gojyo said. "What are you talking about???!!!!" Yujin asked suspiciously. "Umm-nothing!" they both said. "And then we just sort of. ran." Ditta said. "But when we decided to come back, blood was dripping all over!" she added.
"What about you guys? What happened?! Goku looked like he was about to cry!" Gojyo teased. "Hmm!!!" Goku said. "We saw a man with a knife, he's probably Yamaguchi!" Hanamichi said. "You know what freaks me out the most?! The rain stopped when we ran out of the hospital just like that!" Omiyage snapped her fingers dramatically. "Ohayou!! I'm Grace, the cleaner here." The woman said. "Grace, don't you think it's weird that the storm just suddenly stopped?!" Aki said. "What storm?!"

"So, did you. feel it?" Gojyo shyly asked. They were outside the lodge having a chat. "You. mean. the kiss?" Ditta asked. "Yeah. did you?" he asked. "Just---a. little bit. Wanna know what really scared me?" Ditta said. ".the blood?" Gojyo guessed. "No. I saw you kissing the old woman. But then I felt a little of it." she said. "Wha-what?! My very first kiss was with an old woman?! Damn!!! I wanted it to be with you so bad!!!" Gojyo said. "It was me. Physically. but not my spirit." She said. "Well what good is kissing if it's not with you, body AND spirit?!" SMACK!!! Ditta gave him their "1 ½th" kiss.
Day Two---April 7 (Monday)
"Wow! The sea is so beautiful!" Charlene said. "You wanna help me with my collection of seashells?" Hanamichi asked. "Ahahaha! You have a collection of seashells?!" Charlene laughed. "Yeah, why not?! C'mon let's find those shells."

"You're still thinking about it?!" Goku asked. "Yeah. it's just that I pity their souls. They couldn't rest!" Tomoko said. "If you ask me, It's more of anger than pity. They played a game on us!" Goku said. "Well, yeah. They did scare the hell out of us-especially you-but still. what if they didn't mean to?"

"Let's go swim." Yujin said. "I don't know how!" Jenny said. "You don't?! It's really simple. You just have to trust me." Yujin said. "By the way, I really admire your concern for Ditta yesterday. Not many people have that anymore nowadays." Jenny smiled. "I may not show it often but I do love her. She's my sister!"

"Gojyo. you'll see her once in a while, won't you? And you'll be able to communicate with her somehow, right? So what's the worry?" Ditta said, trying to comfort Gojyo about the Ohisama (Gojyo's sister, remember?) issue. "But it's still not the same! Why do these things always happen to me?! Every person I'm with always seems to leave me in the end! If it's only possible I don't wanna meet anyone anymore! It's better to be alone in life!!!" Gojyo said. Ditta looked down. She looked offended. "Oh-sh*t I'm sorry, Ditta. I didn't mean that! Well, I did-but except you! I'd die without you! It's just that I feel as if I'm such a bad luck." he said. Ditta looked at him. "You're not bad luck to me." she said, looking deeply into Gojyo's eyes. Here it goes again: "once you pop, you can't stop!" (If you know what I mean.) MWAH!

"Did I really freak out yesterday?" Aya asked. "No. I did. That's why I was so quiet!" Kaede replied. "Well, Aki thinks I did." Aya said. "Who cares what he thinks?! Just kidding. All I'm saying is, don't take it seriously. You now how Aki is. But seriously, I think you were really cool yesterday." he caressed Aya's green hair. "And anyway, he freaked out too, you know!"

"I think it's not nice that you told Aya-chan she freaked out yesterday. I think you hurt her feelings." Omiyage said. "I did? Well, she started it! She yelled at me for leaving the gang!" Aki defended himself. "But still, it's not nice. You have to respect her coz even if she's your twin, she's still older than you by 7 minutes!" she said. "Okay. I'll apologize later." Aki said. "That's my Aki!"
Day Three---April 8 (Tuesday)
"Oh. so that's what happened." Grace said. "But I think you better go back there and say sorry. You invaded their territory." she added. "What?! I don't wanna go back there ever again!" Omiyage said. "Oh no, you have to. Unless you wanna stay here in this town forever! That's what the legend says!"

"Okay. it's decided then. we're gonna go back there tomorrow." Aya declared. "PSST! Gojyo-I wanna tell you something." Ditta said. "There's an oddly familiar characteristic about Grace... I just can't figure it out!" she added. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Yes! I get scared every time I look at her eyes!"
Day Four---April 9 (Wednesday)
"Are your cell phones on?" They nodded. "Okay. let's go then." Charlene said. "We ask permission to enter your territory, sir. We don't mean any harm." Aki said. Then they entered the hospital. "We're so sorry that we entered last time." Goku said. They prayed the rosary. When they finished, a strange thing happened. The old woman materialized again. This time, all of them saw her. "Thank you for everything. You have lifted my curse. Please tell my daughter I love her." Then she disappeared.
Day Five---April 10 (Thursday)
While they were eating lunch, a thought came banging to Ditta's head. "Oh my gosh! I knew it!!!" Ditta stood up. "What?!" Gojyo asked. "Their eyes!!!! They have the same eyes! The feeling of reaching out to the blackness of nothingness! That's it!!!!!" Ditta yelled excitedly. "What? What is it?" Yujin asked. "Don't you get it?! Grace!! She's somehow connected to the old woman!!!" Ditta said. "Ditta-that's it! This is not funny anymore!!! No more of your games!!! What became of you?! You're like a witch now!!! I'm so embarrassed of you!!!" Yujin said angrily. Ditta lowered her head and sat down. "What about you?! Why are you attacking her like that?! Don't you respect her anymore?! Why can't you understand her?!!" Gojyo said. "And you can?! I'm so sick of you following her around like sick puppy!" Yujin yelled. "Well at least he accepts me!!!" Ditta shouted, grabbed Gojyo's arm and ran outside. Yujin stayed behind. "What's the matter with you?!" Jenny said.

"He's being so overprotective! I hate him!!! You're my first boyfriend [Oo, sila na.] (Translation: Yes, they're already official couples.) and he's jealous of you!!!" Ditta cried. "He's being so unfair!" "Shhh. big brothers are like that sometimes. You gotta understand him." Gojyo replied. "What about him?! He should understand me too..!" Ditta cried. "It's okay. let it all out. Let it go." Gojyo said as he wrapped his arms around her.
Day Six---April 11 (Friday)
"Ohayou!!! I'm going to wash the dishes now." Grace said. "Grace, your mother said she loves you." Ditta said. Everyone looked at her (including Yujin). Pang!!! Grace broke a dish. "I. gotta go now." Grace ran outside.
"Last night I called my dad to thank him for hiring Grace. He said he never hired anyone to help us around. I told Ditta and right then and then she knew." Charlene explained. Yujin looked down. "Oh what the heck-let's just enjoy our last day. We're leaving tomorrow!!!" Kaede said.

"Umm. I guess I owe you an apology. Sorry. For being such a jerk to you." Yujin said. "Oh, Jin. You're not a jerk, you're a goofball!!!!" Ditta pinched his nose until it was red. "Ouch! No no, see-you're not supposed to say that. You're supposed to say, 'It's okay you're my brother anyway. Let's kiss and make-up.'" Yujin said. ".there's another person here you have to apologize to. Someone I love..!" Ditta said. "Umm, Gojyo, I'm sorry." Yujin apologized. "It's okay you're my brother anyway. Let's kiss and make-up..!" Gojyo said. "Yucky!!! Let's just crash the beach!"
Day Seven---April 12 (Saturday)
"Guys before we go let's take pictures!" Hanamichi screamed childishly. First, the whole group. Then partners. Then some stolen shots including Charlene and Hanamichi kissing. [Chacha-this is for you!] Then some more stolen shots. and then some more. (Courtesy of Aki) After a while, the girls all went to get their bathing suits. Aya had on a yellow2- piece. Charlene (had none!) had on the shirt of Hanamichi (Just that-no bra nor any underwear.). Ditta wore the dark blue bikini that Gojyo gave her. Jenny had on a neon orange one, while Omiyage wore the 'lifeguard style' one that Carmen Electra used to wear.. Tomoko wore a large oversized t- shirt (She found no point to satisfy the guys.). [Am I wrong, Tomo-chan?]
"Whoa!!" the guys almost fainted when the girls entered the beach. Oh yeah, they took pictures of those too. Goku really fainted when he saw Tomoko in such a "sexy" outfit.

"Okay. time to go!" Charlene announced. "Wait! I wanna take a shot of the hospital." Ditta said. "That's a great idea! Let's go! We might even see Grace and her mom." She joked. And they did. Then they bid goodbye to the ghosts and finally went home.