Anime: Hello everyone! Yes, I am still alive! I'm so sorry for making you
wait for...3 months and 1 week! Gomen! Gomen! Gomen! So for making you wait
for so long, I have created a nice juicy long chapter that I have spent 7
hours on! *Laughs hysterically. Laga comes in and wacks her with her big
mallet*
Laga: Sorry you had to deal with that, she just hasn't had her Harvest Moon: A wonderful life on gamecube fix yet.
Anime: It's the best game ever! Play it!
Laga: So after 3 months and 1 week....
Anime: Without further ado....
Laga & Anime: Here is chapter 5 of 'Goddess of the Kitchen Sink'!
Anime: And there is a special surprise for some of my reviewers. Read and find out what it is. Reviewer responses are at the end of the chapter.
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN YU-GI-OH! OR OH MY GODDESS! If I did, I wouldn't be currently agonizing over ways to cover college tuition. Only two more years until college.....goody.....
Laga is my character, got it? You can only use her if you have my permission.
**
Everyone was grouped into pairs, Joey and Mai, Ryou and Serenity, Yugi and Téa, and Tristan with Laga. They were heading towards Domino Park. Once they reached Domino Park, they would head towards Domino Park Central where the Tanabanta Festival was being held. It was also where their class was performing the annual Tanabata play. Before the festival began, the current senior class at Domino High would give a reenactment of the Legend of Tanabata. This year, it was Yugi's class's turn to reenact the legend.
They arrived at the outskirts of Domino Park, and headed towards Domino Park Central. As the group drew closer to Domino Park Central, they saw many booths and rides that were being set up for the festival. They headed towards the stage where many of their classmates were setting up for the play. Once they reached the stage, a girl with long black hair and electric green eyes, wearing a dark green kimono ran up to Téa, waving her arms wildly.
"Leanne-san can't make it! Sick! Sick! Sick! Fever of 105! The play will be a disaster! We're doomed!" She screamed incoherently.
"Okay, Kotori calm down. I can't understand a word you're saying." Téa said calmly to the frantic girl. Kotori Susayki was the class vice- president and in charge of the play. She was also known to panic when things didn't go the way they planned.
Kotori took a deep breath and slowly began to explain to Téa the situation. "Leanne-san is sick, so she can't make it to the play. She can't perform!" She wailed.
"Hmm, that is a problem." tapped her finger on her chin. "We can't do a Tanabata play if we are missing a Princess Tanabata."
"This is a disaster!" Kotori lamented. "Where can we find someone to play the part in such a short notice?"
"How about Laga?" Tristan suggested. All heads turned to Laga. "I'd think she'd make a great Princess Tanabata."
"Eh?" Laga looked up at Tristan. "Me?" Tristan nodded, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
Kotori walked up to Laga. "Well, she does look the part. Kiddo, you're gorgeous!"
"Um, thank you?" Laga replied a bit startled at her comment.
Kotori began to pace around Laga. "And the dress is nice too. Perfect for a goddess. Perfect for a Princess Tanabata. But," She stopped pacing in front of Laga. "Could you memorize the part in the next 15 minutes? It shouldn't be too hard." She went over to the stage and picked up a brown folder. She took several sheets of paper and handed them to Laga. "So could you be our Princess Tanabata?" She pleaded.
Laga briefly looked at the sheets of paper. "Of course, it would be my pleasure."
"Really? Thanks, you're a lifesaver!" Kotori shook Laga's hands. "Your part's highlighted in green." She turned to face the stage. "Okay people, let's pick up the pace! We have a show to do in the next hour."
"Yes mam!" Everyone on the stage said unanimously.
"Remember, we're counting on you." Kotori said to Laga before she went over to the stage.
"Hey guys." Everyone turned around and saw Duke with Miho. "And who might this lovely lady be?" Duke asked when he saw Laga.
"I'm Laga." Laga stepped forward to shake his hand. Familiar with the gesture, Duke took her hand and shook it firmly. "It's nice to meet you, Mr.?"
"Devlin, but no honorifics please. Just call me Duke." He said, while continuing to shake her hand
"Well then, it's a pleasure to meet you Duke." Laga said, trying to discreetly slip her hand out of Duke's.
"No, no, the pleasure is mine." Duke bent down to kiss Laga's hand, but immediately stood upright, when Miho pulled him up by the collar.
"And I'm his date Miho." Miho said, emphasizing on the word 'date'. Duke chuckled nervously, while Miho's eyes shot daggers at him.
Laga smiled at this. "And it's a pleasure to meet you too Miho." She said cheerfully.
"Now if you excuse us, we have to go onstage to practice our lines for the play. See y'all later." Miho said to everyone as she dragged Duke toward the stage.
"I think Miho is going to be a good influence in Duke's life, don't you think?" Mai said to Téa as she watched the pair go onstage.
Téa nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, I think so too."
"Hey guys wanna wander around before the show starts?" Joey asked the gang. Ryou, Serenity, Mai, and Tristan agreed, and began to walk towards the booths. "See ya later Yug." Joey said to Yugi as he ran towards Mai.
Yugi waved goodbye. Téa headed towards the stage, leaving Laga and Yugi behind. Yugi turned to face Laga. "Laga are you sure you're up to this? You don't have to do this, I'm sure we can find someone else-"
"Yugi." Laga cut him off. "Don't worry, I know all about the legend of Tanabata."
"How did you know that?" Yugi asked. "Oh yeah, your mind-reading ability."
"The story of Lady Tanabata and Lord Kengyu is one of my favorites." Laga turned to face the stage. "The first time I heard the story was from Lady Tanabata herself."
"Lady Tanabata?" Yugi exclaimed. "You mean, she's real?"
Laga turned to face Yugi. "Yes, she's as real as you and me. In fact, I saw this morning. She was getting ready to meet her husband. Just like the story says, they are only allowed to see each other once a year on July 7th."
"Which is today." Yugi added. "And today, we hold a festival to celebrate their reunion."
"And to write down wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo plants." Laga said.
"That too." Yugi gave a goofy grin. "But I don't need to write down a wish. I've got you. You can grant me my heart's desire."
"But you first have to discover what that desire is." said Laga.
"But I have a month to figure that out." Yugi responded.
"And I'll be here waiting." Laga said.
"Laga, what will happen if I don't have a wish by next month?" Yugi asked her.
"To be honest, I don't know. Go back to Yggdrasil I guess." Laga answered.
"Yggdrasil?" Yugi questioned.
"Oh, Yggdrasil is the residence of the gods and goddesses, and the Almighty One. My home to be exact." Laga explained.
"Oh." Yugi said. "And if I do make my wish?"
"I'll grant it and I'll go back home. Either way, I leave and go back to complete my next assignment." Laga stretched her arms. "Wish or no wish, I'm still going to enjoy myself, while trying to pry your secret wish out of you. I haven't had a vacation since I became an official goddess, and being a goddess is no picnic."
"Then for having to put up with me for the next month, I'll try to make your stay here on earth as enjoyable as possible." Yugi bowed to Laga. "Your wish is my command."
Laga giggled as Yugi stood upright. "Then I suggest we head over to the stage." Laga motioned to Kotori, who being true to her name, was flapping her arms like frantic bird, calling everyone to come onstage. "We better head up to the stage before Kotori ends up in the hospital."
Yugi nodded in reply. "May I help you memorize you lines milady?" Yugi asked, while offering his arm to Laga.
"Oh, I already memorized my lines." Laga giggled at Yugi's amazed expression. "But we can see if you memorized yours. From looking at the papers Kotori gave me, you're going to be my Kengyu." Giving Yugi a luminous smile, Laga took his arm and they began walking towards the stage.
**
It was 6:00 p.m. Dark blue curtains were pulled across the stage. People were gathering in front of the stage. Children were bunched up sitting in the front, while teenagers and adults were standing in the back.
Behind the curtains, props and scenery were being brought into place, and lines were quietly recited. Yugi and Téa were speaking softly to one another, while Duke and Miho were doing the same. Laga was leaning against the wall, looking at her skirt.
'Lady Tanabata made my formal goddess outfit.' Laga touched her skirt fondly. Lady Tanabata was in charge of creating clothes for the residents of Yggdrasil, being the astral weaver goddess. Laga closed her eyes and recalled the day she first met Lady Tanabata.
* * *
An 8 year old Laga was gliding down the hall, trying to get away from her big sister whose long brown hair, save for a single braid, was cut drastically short thanks to a spell Laga accidentally cast.
"Laga!" Laga winced at hearing her sister's shrill voice. "When I find you, you're dead!" Laga sped down the hall after hearing that last threat.
Laga reached the end of the hallway. She looked at her escape route choices. She could go into the hallway on her left or the one on her right and find someplace to hide, or she could jump off the balcony. Hearing her sister's voice once more, Laga decided to jump off the balcony.
Jumping off the balcony, Laga floated down towards a traditional Japanese-style house. Placing her feet on the ground and being a curious child, Laga decided to explore the private garden she landed in.
She was watching a frog leap from one lily pad to the next in a small pond, when she heard a sliding door open. She quickly flew up a nearby cherry blossom tree. Placing herself on the highest branch, she cast a simple invisibility spell.
It didn't take very long for someone to find Laga up the cherry blossom tree. "Hello." Laga looked down and saw a beautiful woman wearing an elegant purple kimono at the base of the tree. "I know someone is up there. Will you reveal yourself, please?"
Reluctantly, Laga reversed the invisibility spell and revealed her hiding spot. The woman smiled. "That's better. Hello again."
"Hello." Laga responded shyly.
"What's your name?" The woman politely asked.
"Laga." Laga replied.
"Laga, what a pretty name. My name is Tanabata." Tanabata said.
"Tanabata? The weaver princess Tanabata?" Laga inquired.
Tanabata smiled once more. "Well, I haven't been called that in a long time, but yes, I am the weaver princess Tanabata."
"Is it true that you're not allowed to see your husband?" Laga asked.
Tanabata smiled sadly. "Yes."
"Where is he?"
Tanabata looked at the sky and had a wistful look in her eyes. "On an island far away from here."
"My daddy is gone a lot too." Laga had a frown on her face. "My mommy is sad when he goes away." Suddenly, her face brightened. "But she's really happy when he comes home. And he brings lotsa presents for me and my big sister!"
"That's good." Tanabata said.
"Is it also true that you can't see each other because you both did something bad?" Laga asked.
"Yes." Tanabata nodded.
"I did something bad too. That's why I ran away." Laga said, swinging her legs back and forth.
"Really?" Tanabata had her elegant eyebrows raised. "Would you like to tell me?"
Laga bit her bottom lip and thought for a moment. "Only if you tell me what you did that was bad."
"You don't know what I did?" Laga nodded her head energetically. "Tell you what. I'll tell you my story, if you tell me yours. Deal?" Laga nodded in agreement. "But first, could you come down from there?" Laga complied and floated to the ground. "I just made chocolate chip cookies, would you like some?" Tanabata asked.
Laga nodded her head energetically. "I love chocolate chip cookies! Can we eat out here? It's nice and cool outside." Laga asked Tanabata.
"Yes it is much nicer out here than it is inside. How about eating by the garden?" Tanabata suggested.
"Yeah, that would be great!" Laga looked around the garden. "You have a pretty garden Miss Tanabata."
"Thank you. I grew it myself." Tanabata said as they headed toward the house.
"Really? Could you teach me?" Laga asked, skipping alongside Tanabata.
"Of course. It isn't very difficult to grow your own garden." Tanabata said. They reached the sliding doors. Tanabata opened the sliding door and the two of them disappeared into the house.
****
An hour later, Tanabata was teaching Laga how to care for roses.
"And after we prune the rosebush, we can cut some roses off and give them to your sister as a peace offering. I hear she loves roses."
"Uh-huh! She loves roses! In fact, her angel is like a giant rose! Her name is La Rose Magnifique." Laga said, carefully annunciating the French name. Tanabata helped her cut three roses from the bush. "I'm going to have an angel once I start my goddess training. Then I'm going to become a first- class goddess, just like my mommy. I can't wait!" She said happily.
"I'd like to meet your angel once you receive her. Then she can meet my angel." Tanabata said, plucking the thorns off the rose stems.
"I'd like to meet her too. What's her name?" Laga asked, also plucking the thorns off the rose stems.
"Starfisher." Tanabata replied. "You can meet her the next time you come here. Tomorrow if you like."
"Really? Thank you!" Laga said happily, giving Tanabata a hug.
"You're welcome." Tanabata replied, wrapping her arms around the little girl.
"Laga? Laga?" Laga could hear her sister calling out to her.
* * *
"Laga, Laga? Laga, wake up."
"Hmm, huh?" Laga opened her eyes.
Yugi was standing in front of her, his hands on her shoulders. "You fell asleep."
Laga blinked a couple times. "I guess I did." Her mind wandered off, thinking about Lady Tanabata. "But I'm awake now."
"C'mon, the play's gonna start soon." Yugi motioned to the stage. "We better get to our places. As Laga walked toward the center of the stage, she picked up where the dream left off. After her sister landed in the garden, Laga gave her the roses and Lady Tanabata complemented on her new haircut. Her hair stayed that way ever since, for she greatly respected Lady Tanabata.
After that fateful meeting, Laga visited Lady Tanabata everyday until her goddess training began. Out of respect, she began to call her Lady Tanabata, instead of Miss Tanabata. Once her goddess training began, Laga couldn't see Lady Tanabata everyday, but she tried to see her as much as possible. Lady Tanabata became her mentor in becoming a goddess-first class. They became very close, so close that Lady Tanabata considered Laga to be a daughter to her.
Laga sat down next to a loom. She remembered the day she became a goddess first-class. She flew to Tanabata's house and told her the good news. After she invited her to the graduation ceremony, Tanabata pulled out a beautiful silk top with a matching skirt that would be the formal goddess outfit Laga would wear to the ceremony and when she went down to earth to grant wishes. Who knew that Laga would play the part of her mentor and one of her dearest friends in a play, while granting a wish on earth? Laga saw Yugi stand behind the curtain.
"Good luck." Yugi whispered to her.
"You too." Laga replied softly.
**
"Hello everyone!" Téa spoke into her microphone, as she walked on stage, giving everyone a dazzling smile. "And welcome to this year's Tanabata festival!" The audience cheered in reply. "And without further ado, here is Senior Class B performing the legend of Tanabata." The crowd cheered as Téa disappeared behind the curtain.
A few seconds later, the curtain opened, revealing a dejected Laga working away at a loom in a beautiful garden.
Whispers ran through the crowd. "She's really pretty!" Piped one little boy sitting up front. "I've never seen her at school before, transfer student?" A senior from class A asked her friends. "Man, I hope she is transferring to our school. Foreign exchange students are hot!" said one senior from class C. Another senior from class C agreed with his friend, but soon his face contorted in pain as his girlfriend tightly pinched his leg for checking out another girl.
"Once upon a time," Téa appeared onstage as the storyteller, reading from a small binder. "In the age of gods and goddesses, there was a beautiful goddess named Tanabata." A stage light shone on Laga. "She was the daughter of the great Star King, a god in his own right, and was the most skillful weaver among the goddesses."
"Her job was to create and mend clothes for all of the gods." On cue, many elegantly dressed students began piling kimonos, haoris and hakamas on top of Laga. Giving an audible sigh, Laga crawled out from the pile of clothes, sorted them out quickly, and resumed making cloth on the loom.
Téa resumed speaking. "She was so busy doing her job, she didn't have any time to herself. Soon, she became very lonely."
Laga gave a mournful sigh and looked sadly upon the crowd. She resumed working at the loom. "But one day, while she was weaving cloth to make a new haori for the Emperor of heaven," Téa spoke. "She met a handsome sheep herder who lived in the Star Kingdom, named Kengyu." Yugi appeared with a shepherd staff and several students crawling on the floor baaing like sheep. The sheep ran to the other side of the stage. Yugi followed them, but stopped when he saw Laga.
"Hello." Yugi said shyly.
"Hello." Laga replied. They gazed into each other's eyes. 'He has beautiful amethyst eyes. Like the sky after the sun sets.' Laga blushed and turned from Yugi's gaze. He was about to say something to her, but was immediately pushed to the other side of the stage by his sheep that reappeared on stage. The audience chuckled at the comical moment.
"After that fateful meeting," Téa spoke. "Kengyu began to lead his flock past Tanabata's house everyday, just to catch a glimpse of the lovely princess." Yugi and his flock of students passed by Laga again.
"Hello." Yugi said to her.
"Hello." Laga smiled brightly at Yugi, causing him to blush.
"Once they learned each other's names," Téa paused, waiting for the audience to stop laughing. "And got to know each other better, they fell in love."
Yugi came onstage without the sheep kids and bent down on his knees in front of Laga. Taking her hands in his, he said "Laga." Yugi became a bright shade of red after realizing his mistake. Téa stared at him in shock, while the audience stared as well.
"So that's her name." A student from class A said. "Laga. Definitely a foreign name. Must be an exchange student!" The student from class C said gleefully. "Laga, Norwegian descent perhaps?" Guessed another student.
"T-Tanabata!" Yugi said, a bright shade of pink instead of red. "I love you! Will you marry me?" He asked Laga, who was just as pink as he was.
After a few moments later, Laga nodded stiffly. "Yes," She whispered. "Yes, I'll marry you!" She said, throwing her arms around Yugi. Most of the audience awed, Téa was going to rip her binder in half, Joey and Mai were cheering them on, several boys who hadn't reached puberty gagged, while most of the teenage guys were muttering on how lucky Yugi was to have Laga in his arms. Yugi however, was blushing like crazy when he discovered how perfectly Laga fit against him and how wonderful it felt to be holding her. Unknown to Yugi, Laga was also enjoying being in Yugi's embrace. 'He's so warm.' Laga thought. Reluctantly, she let go and said, "But first we must ask for my father's permission." Laga suddenly felt cold without Yugi's arms around her. They stood up and walked offstage, hand-in-hand.
Once they disappeared, several students came out and quickly changed the scene from Tanabata's garden to the Star King's throne room. Once the setting up the scene was finished, Duke, Miho, and many other students went in place as the Star King and Queen and their court. Yugi and Laga walked in and kneeled in front of Duke and Miho, who were sitting in their respective thrones.
"Your highness," Yugi said to Duke. "I would like to ask your daughter for her hand in marriage."
Duke looked at the pair and looked at Miho. "Do you love him?" Miho asked Laga.
"Yes." Laga nodded, her cheeks turning pink. "I love him very much." She looked at Yugi lovingly.
"And you?" Duke asked Yugi.
Yugi smiled at Laga and took her hand. "With all my heart."
"Well then," Duke got off the throne. "Welcome to the family m'boy!" Yugi and Laga stood up, Duke clapped Yugi on the back while Miho embraced Laga.
"And so they were married." Téa said through gritted teeth. Yugi and Laga stood at one end of the stage, holding hands, with eyes only for the other. "But like most couples in love, they forgot about everything and everyone around them."
Several students came onstage. "Tanabata! Where's the kimono I asked you to repair three days ago?" One goddess shouted. "Tanabata! Where's the haori I asked for you to make?" Asked one angry god. The students began to complain to Tanabata about her negligence in her work. "Help!" A student ran onstage. "Kengyu, the sheep have gone amok!" A sheep jumped on top of the student and began to chew at his straw hat. The remaining sheep ran off the stage and ran through the audience. "Tanabata! Kengyu! Are you listening?" The students said unanimously.
"No!" Yugi and Laga shouted back. "Buzz off!" They resumed gazing at one another.
"Sick of being unheard, the unhappy gods and goddesses went to the Star King and told them of Tanabata's and Kengyu's negligence of their work." Téa said.
The students went offstage and brought out Duke and Miho. Duke stormed over to Laga and Yugi and pulled them apart. "Is this what have you been doing every since you two got married?" Duke asked them angrily. Yugi and Laga nodded guiltily. "Then as punishment for your negligence, you are forbidden to see each other for all eternity!" Laga fell to her knees and Yugi held her in his arms
"Darling," Miho went to Duke. "That's too harsh of a punishment!"
Seeing the pleading look on Miho's face, Duke said, "Fine, you can see each other once a year."
"Tanabata and Kengyu were relieved to hear this. For being able to see each other, if only just for one day every year, was a fate much better than being separated for eternity." Téa said.
"But," Duke said, the relief on Laga's and Yugi's faces disappearing. "Kengyu must live on the other side of the Celestial River!" Laga and Miho gasped. Two students came out and pulled Yugi away from Laga's side and dragged him across the stage.
"Tanabata!" Yugi cried out.
"Kengyu!" Laga ran to Yugi, but was immediately held back by Duke. Laga fell to the floor, sobbing hysterically, while Miho came over to her and held her in her arms.
"And so, Kengyu and Tanabata were separated." Téa spoke, as Miho and Laga disappeared offstage. Students came onstage once more, switching the scene from the throne room to a river bank. Two students pulled out a blue sheet and began moving it up and down to create waves. "Unfortunately, there was no bridge across the Celestial River. So when Princess Tanabata on her first visit to the Celestial River," Téa paused as Laga came onstage, she ran up and down the make-shift river. "She vainly searched for a way to cross the Celestial River, knowing very well that there was no bridge for her to cross." Laga fell to her knees and sobbed. "She soon lost all hope and began to cry, lamenting at not being able to see her husband. Her tears were so great, they were brought to the attention of a magpie" The sound of a bird cawing filled the air. Laga raised her head.
One of the sheep students, now turned magpie, flapped his arms like a bird and ran over to Laga. "Princess, Princess, why are you crying?" He asked her.
"Because there is no bridge across the Celestial River." Laga pounded her fists on the stage. "If there is no bridge, how can I cross the river to see my darling Kengyu?"
"Princess, Princess, don't cry anymore." said the magpie boy. "Me and my friends will make a bridge for you!" He said happily. He gave a loud caw and several students came onstage, flapping their arms like wings and cawing like magpies. The two students holding the makeshift river put the sheet down, and the magpie students kneeled upon it, spreading their 'wings' to make a bridge.
"And so, Princess Tanabata crossed the bridge and ran into the arms of her awaiting husband." Téa spoke, as Yugi reappeared onstage.
"Kengyu!" Laga got up.
"Tanabata!" Yugi replied. Laga ran across the 'bridge' and into Yugi's awaiting arms.
"And so, every year on July 7th, Tanabata journeys across a bridge of magpies that will take her across the Celestial River to meet her husband." Téa said as the curtains closed. "And every year here on earth we celebrate their story with their own festival! So thank you watching this year's reenactment of the legend of Tanabata! Have a great time at the festival and my all your wishes come true!" The audience cheered once more as Téa disappeared behind the curtain. A few seconds later, the curtain opened, revealing the cast waving to the audience as they came onstage one by one. When Laga came onstage after Yugi, she received many catcalls from the teenage boys in the audiences, and in doing so they received slaps from their dates. After the crew and director appeared onstage, the audience gave their final applause and departed to the booths and the rides.
Kotori jumped off the stage and stood in front of the cast and crew. "Guys that was awesome! Great job! And I have a gift for all your hard work. We don't have to take down the set tonight!" Everyone cheered. "But you have to come back here tomorrow to take it down." Everyone groaned. "But now you are dismissed, have fun at the festival!" Many of the cast and crew jumped off the stage and ran towards the booths to meet up with their friends. Miho, Duke, Téa, Yugi, Laga, and Kotori stayed behind.
"You guys were great up there!" Serenity exclaimed as she and Ryou and the rest of the gang went up to greet them.
"Yes, the play was a smashing success." Ryou said.
"And it couldn't have been if it wasn't for Laga." Kotori cheered.
"No," Laga shook her head. "If it wasn't for Tristan, I wouldn't be up here."
"Point. Well thank you Tristan for saving the day!" Kotori gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek. "Later everyone, Yugi, Duke, Miho, Téa, Laga, I expect to see you tomorrow." Kotori said as she left to meet up with her friends.
"Well looks like someone enjoyed that kiss." Téa teased a blushing Tristan.
"Ah......shut up!" retorted Tristan. Everyone laughed.
"So we'll separate and meet by the stage at 9. Sound good?" Yugi asked. Everyone agreed with the plan, mostly wanting to spend some alone time with their date.
"Hey, a pie eating contest!" Joey saw at stand several yards away. Addicted to food, he went straight towards it.
"Don't you have anything else on your mind besides food?" Mai yelled as Joey took her hand and led her to the pie-eating stand.
Giving her a wolfish grin, he replied, "Nope!"
"Isn't there anything that you like more than food?" Mai asked.
Joey stopped, causing Mai to bump into him. "Yeah, you." Suddenly, Joey swept Mai in his arms, dipped her and gave her a passionate kiss, leaving her breathless. Cheers emitted from the group. Pulling a dazed Mai up, Joey gave her an impish smile. "Okay, now pie!" They went towards the pie booth, causing Mai to shout in exasperation.
"Joey will never change." Tristan said, shaking his head.
"Uh-huh." Yugi nodded his head in agreement.
"Spaghetti ice!" Miho's eyes lit up when she saw the ice cream stand." My favorite!"
"Mine too." Duke said. "I'll buy us some, my treat." They walked over to the
Téa eyed a nearby cotton candy booth. "Yugi, do you want some cotton candy?"
"Sure." He replied.
"Okay, let's go!" Téa said as she took Yugi by the hand and led him towards the cotton candy booth, leaving Tristan and Laga alone.
"Laga, do you want to play some games before we eat?" Tristan asked her.
"All right." Laga agreed. "It sounds like fun." They began to walk towards the game booths.
Passing by the cotton candy booth, Laga turned her head to see Yugi.
Waiting for their cotton candy, Yugi turned his head to find Laga.
Their eyes met. They both blushed and turned their heads away from the other. Yugi paid for his and Téa's cotton candy, while Laga continued to walk with Tristan. As they went off with their dates, they thought, 'It was just a play...Right?'
**
Anime: Good? Bad? Criticism is welcome, but no flames. If I am flamed, I will most likely sob over the fact that I've been flamed, curse the flamer with bad luck with my Asian abilities, and then they shall be used to keep my freezing house warm. It's April and I'm still freezing my butt off here!
By the way, the Kotori and the Leanne used in this chapter are....
*Laga brings out a drum and begins rapping it loudly*
Kotori Susayski and Silent Dark Angel Knight! Thank you for your reviews. If you don't want your names to be in this chapter, tell me and I'll change them. And for my biggest reviewer....Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you. In fact, I have a surprise for you in the next chapter.
Laga: But you're gonna have to wait a really long time for it, cause she hasn't written the next chapter!
*Anime anime falls*
Anime: But I have the plot figured out and where he'll appear!
Laga: Oh, so it's a guy , your biggest reviewer, and he'll make an app-
*Anime clamps her hand on Laga's mouth.*
Anime: SHH! You'll spoil the surprise! Anyways, review responses!
DJ: Thank you for you reviews. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I didn't have your support. Thank you.
Shang: Yeah, Urd's the coolest! Glad you're liking the story.
Sansi: I'm afraid that's one wish I cannot grant. I'm not too fond of that pairing. But I hope you still keep reading though.
Kotori: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.
Okay, that's the end of the reviewer responses. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope to post the next one sometime soon.....
Make an author's day, review!
Laga: Sorry you had to deal with that, she just hasn't had her Harvest Moon: A wonderful life on gamecube fix yet.
Anime: It's the best game ever! Play it!
Laga: So after 3 months and 1 week....
Anime: Without further ado....
Laga & Anime: Here is chapter 5 of 'Goddess of the Kitchen Sink'!
Anime: And there is a special surprise for some of my reviewers. Read and find out what it is. Reviewer responses are at the end of the chapter.
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN YU-GI-OH! OR OH MY GODDESS! If I did, I wouldn't be currently agonizing over ways to cover college tuition. Only two more years until college.....goody.....
Laga is my character, got it? You can only use her if you have my permission.
**
Everyone was grouped into pairs, Joey and Mai, Ryou and Serenity, Yugi and Téa, and Tristan with Laga. They were heading towards Domino Park. Once they reached Domino Park, they would head towards Domino Park Central where the Tanabanta Festival was being held. It was also where their class was performing the annual Tanabata play. Before the festival began, the current senior class at Domino High would give a reenactment of the Legend of Tanabata. This year, it was Yugi's class's turn to reenact the legend.
They arrived at the outskirts of Domino Park, and headed towards Domino Park Central. As the group drew closer to Domino Park Central, they saw many booths and rides that were being set up for the festival. They headed towards the stage where many of their classmates were setting up for the play. Once they reached the stage, a girl with long black hair and electric green eyes, wearing a dark green kimono ran up to Téa, waving her arms wildly.
"Leanne-san can't make it! Sick! Sick! Sick! Fever of 105! The play will be a disaster! We're doomed!" She screamed incoherently.
"Okay, Kotori calm down. I can't understand a word you're saying." Téa said calmly to the frantic girl. Kotori Susayki was the class vice- president and in charge of the play. She was also known to panic when things didn't go the way they planned.
Kotori took a deep breath and slowly began to explain to Téa the situation. "Leanne-san is sick, so she can't make it to the play. She can't perform!" She wailed.
"Hmm, that is a problem." tapped her finger on her chin. "We can't do a Tanabata play if we are missing a Princess Tanabata."
"This is a disaster!" Kotori lamented. "Where can we find someone to play the part in such a short notice?"
"How about Laga?" Tristan suggested. All heads turned to Laga. "I'd think she'd make a great Princess Tanabata."
"Eh?" Laga looked up at Tristan. "Me?" Tristan nodded, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
Kotori walked up to Laga. "Well, she does look the part. Kiddo, you're gorgeous!"
"Um, thank you?" Laga replied a bit startled at her comment.
Kotori began to pace around Laga. "And the dress is nice too. Perfect for a goddess. Perfect for a Princess Tanabata. But," She stopped pacing in front of Laga. "Could you memorize the part in the next 15 minutes? It shouldn't be too hard." She went over to the stage and picked up a brown folder. She took several sheets of paper and handed them to Laga. "So could you be our Princess Tanabata?" She pleaded.
Laga briefly looked at the sheets of paper. "Of course, it would be my pleasure."
"Really? Thanks, you're a lifesaver!" Kotori shook Laga's hands. "Your part's highlighted in green." She turned to face the stage. "Okay people, let's pick up the pace! We have a show to do in the next hour."
"Yes mam!" Everyone on the stage said unanimously.
"Remember, we're counting on you." Kotori said to Laga before she went over to the stage.
"Hey guys." Everyone turned around and saw Duke with Miho. "And who might this lovely lady be?" Duke asked when he saw Laga.
"I'm Laga." Laga stepped forward to shake his hand. Familiar with the gesture, Duke took her hand and shook it firmly. "It's nice to meet you, Mr.?"
"Devlin, but no honorifics please. Just call me Duke." He said, while continuing to shake her hand
"Well then, it's a pleasure to meet you Duke." Laga said, trying to discreetly slip her hand out of Duke's.
"No, no, the pleasure is mine." Duke bent down to kiss Laga's hand, but immediately stood upright, when Miho pulled him up by the collar.
"And I'm his date Miho." Miho said, emphasizing on the word 'date'. Duke chuckled nervously, while Miho's eyes shot daggers at him.
Laga smiled at this. "And it's a pleasure to meet you too Miho." She said cheerfully.
"Now if you excuse us, we have to go onstage to practice our lines for the play. See y'all later." Miho said to everyone as she dragged Duke toward the stage.
"I think Miho is going to be a good influence in Duke's life, don't you think?" Mai said to Téa as she watched the pair go onstage.
Téa nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, I think so too."
"Hey guys wanna wander around before the show starts?" Joey asked the gang. Ryou, Serenity, Mai, and Tristan agreed, and began to walk towards the booths. "See ya later Yug." Joey said to Yugi as he ran towards Mai.
Yugi waved goodbye. Téa headed towards the stage, leaving Laga and Yugi behind. Yugi turned to face Laga. "Laga are you sure you're up to this? You don't have to do this, I'm sure we can find someone else-"
"Yugi." Laga cut him off. "Don't worry, I know all about the legend of Tanabata."
"How did you know that?" Yugi asked. "Oh yeah, your mind-reading ability."
"The story of Lady Tanabata and Lord Kengyu is one of my favorites." Laga turned to face the stage. "The first time I heard the story was from Lady Tanabata herself."
"Lady Tanabata?" Yugi exclaimed. "You mean, she's real?"
Laga turned to face Yugi. "Yes, she's as real as you and me. In fact, I saw this morning. She was getting ready to meet her husband. Just like the story says, they are only allowed to see each other once a year on July 7th."
"Which is today." Yugi added. "And today, we hold a festival to celebrate their reunion."
"And to write down wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo plants." Laga said.
"That too." Yugi gave a goofy grin. "But I don't need to write down a wish. I've got you. You can grant me my heart's desire."
"But you first have to discover what that desire is." said Laga.
"But I have a month to figure that out." Yugi responded.
"And I'll be here waiting." Laga said.
"Laga, what will happen if I don't have a wish by next month?" Yugi asked her.
"To be honest, I don't know. Go back to Yggdrasil I guess." Laga answered.
"Yggdrasil?" Yugi questioned.
"Oh, Yggdrasil is the residence of the gods and goddesses, and the Almighty One. My home to be exact." Laga explained.
"Oh." Yugi said. "And if I do make my wish?"
"I'll grant it and I'll go back home. Either way, I leave and go back to complete my next assignment." Laga stretched her arms. "Wish or no wish, I'm still going to enjoy myself, while trying to pry your secret wish out of you. I haven't had a vacation since I became an official goddess, and being a goddess is no picnic."
"Then for having to put up with me for the next month, I'll try to make your stay here on earth as enjoyable as possible." Yugi bowed to Laga. "Your wish is my command."
Laga giggled as Yugi stood upright. "Then I suggest we head over to the stage." Laga motioned to Kotori, who being true to her name, was flapping her arms like frantic bird, calling everyone to come onstage. "We better head up to the stage before Kotori ends up in the hospital."
Yugi nodded in reply. "May I help you memorize you lines milady?" Yugi asked, while offering his arm to Laga.
"Oh, I already memorized my lines." Laga giggled at Yugi's amazed expression. "But we can see if you memorized yours. From looking at the papers Kotori gave me, you're going to be my Kengyu." Giving Yugi a luminous smile, Laga took his arm and they began walking towards the stage.
**
It was 6:00 p.m. Dark blue curtains were pulled across the stage. People were gathering in front of the stage. Children were bunched up sitting in the front, while teenagers and adults were standing in the back.
Behind the curtains, props and scenery were being brought into place, and lines were quietly recited. Yugi and Téa were speaking softly to one another, while Duke and Miho were doing the same. Laga was leaning against the wall, looking at her skirt.
'Lady Tanabata made my formal goddess outfit.' Laga touched her skirt fondly. Lady Tanabata was in charge of creating clothes for the residents of Yggdrasil, being the astral weaver goddess. Laga closed her eyes and recalled the day she first met Lady Tanabata.
* * *
An 8 year old Laga was gliding down the hall, trying to get away from her big sister whose long brown hair, save for a single braid, was cut drastically short thanks to a spell Laga accidentally cast.
"Laga!" Laga winced at hearing her sister's shrill voice. "When I find you, you're dead!" Laga sped down the hall after hearing that last threat.
Laga reached the end of the hallway. She looked at her escape route choices. She could go into the hallway on her left or the one on her right and find someplace to hide, or she could jump off the balcony. Hearing her sister's voice once more, Laga decided to jump off the balcony.
Jumping off the balcony, Laga floated down towards a traditional Japanese-style house. Placing her feet on the ground and being a curious child, Laga decided to explore the private garden she landed in.
She was watching a frog leap from one lily pad to the next in a small pond, when she heard a sliding door open. She quickly flew up a nearby cherry blossom tree. Placing herself on the highest branch, she cast a simple invisibility spell.
It didn't take very long for someone to find Laga up the cherry blossom tree. "Hello." Laga looked down and saw a beautiful woman wearing an elegant purple kimono at the base of the tree. "I know someone is up there. Will you reveal yourself, please?"
Reluctantly, Laga reversed the invisibility spell and revealed her hiding spot. The woman smiled. "That's better. Hello again."
"Hello." Laga responded shyly.
"What's your name?" The woman politely asked.
"Laga." Laga replied.
"Laga, what a pretty name. My name is Tanabata." Tanabata said.
"Tanabata? The weaver princess Tanabata?" Laga inquired.
Tanabata smiled once more. "Well, I haven't been called that in a long time, but yes, I am the weaver princess Tanabata."
"Is it true that you're not allowed to see your husband?" Laga asked.
Tanabata smiled sadly. "Yes."
"Where is he?"
Tanabata looked at the sky and had a wistful look in her eyes. "On an island far away from here."
"My daddy is gone a lot too." Laga had a frown on her face. "My mommy is sad when he goes away." Suddenly, her face brightened. "But she's really happy when he comes home. And he brings lotsa presents for me and my big sister!"
"That's good." Tanabata said.
"Is it also true that you can't see each other because you both did something bad?" Laga asked.
"Yes." Tanabata nodded.
"I did something bad too. That's why I ran away." Laga said, swinging her legs back and forth.
"Really?" Tanabata had her elegant eyebrows raised. "Would you like to tell me?"
Laga bit her bottom lip and thought for a moment. "Only if you tell me what you did that was bad."
"You don't know what I did?" Laga nodded her head energetically. "Tell you what. I'll tell you my story, if you tell me yours. Deal?" Laga nodded in agreement. "But first, could you come down from there?" Laga complied and floated to the ground. "I just made chocolate chip cookies, would you like some?" Tanabata asked.
Laga nodded her head energetically. "I love chocolate chip cookies! Can we eat out here? It's nice and cool outside." Laga asked Tanabata.
"Yes it is much nicer out here than it is inside. How about eating by the garden?" Tanabata suggested.
"Yeah, that would be great!" Laga looked around the garden. "You have a pretty garden Miss Tanabata."
"Thank you. I grew it myself." Tanabata said as they headed toward the house.
"Really? Could you teach me?" Laga asked, skipping alongside Tanabata.
"Of course. It isn't very difficult to grow your own garden." Tanabata said. They reached the sliding doors. Tanabata opened the sliding door and the two of them disappeared into the house.
****
An hour later, Tanabata was teaching Laga how to care for roses.
"And after we prune the rosebush, we can cut some roses off and give them to your sister as a peace offering. I hear she loves roses."
"Uh-huh! She loves roses! In fact, her angel is like a giant rose! Her name is La Rose Magnifique." Laga said, carefully annunciating the French name. Tanabata helped her cut three roses from the bush. "I'm going to have an angel once I start my goddess training. Then I'm going to become a first- class goddess, just like my mommy. I can't wait!" She said happily.
"I'd like to meet your angel once you receive her. Then she can meet my angel." Tanabata said, plucking the thorns off the rose stems.
"I'd like to meet her too. What's her name?" Laga asked, also plucking the thorns off the rose stems.
"Starfisher." Tanabata replied. "You can meet her the next time you come here. Tomorrow if you like."
"Really? Thank you!" Laga said happily, giving Tanabata a hug.
"You're welcome." Tanabata replied, wrapping her arms around the little girl.
"Laga? Laga?" Laga could hear her sister calling out to her.
* * *
"Laga, Laga? Laga, wake up."
"Hmm, huh?" Laga opened her eyes.
Yugi was standing in front of her, his hands on her shoulders. "You fell asleep."
Laga blinked a couple times. "I guess I did." Her mind wandered off, thinking about Lady Tanabata. "But I'm awake now."
"C'mon, the play's gonna start soon." Yugi motioned to the stage. "We better get to our places. As Laga walked toward the center of the stage, she picked up where the dream left off. After her sister landed in the garden, Laga gave her the roses and Lady Tanabata complemented on her new haircut. Her hair stayed that way ever since, for she greatly respected Lady Tanabata.
After that fateful meeting, Laga visited Lady Tanabata everyday until her goddess training began. Out of respect, she began to call her Lady Tanabata, instead of Miss Tanabata. Once her goddess training began, Laga couldn't see Lady Tanabata everyday, but she tried to see her as much as possible. Lady Tanabata became her mentor in becoming a goddess-first class. They became very close, so close that Lady Tanabata considered Laga to be a daughter to her.
Laga sat down next to a loom. She remembered the day she became a goddess first-class. She flew to Tanabata's house and told her the good news. After she invited her to the graduation ceremony, Tanabata pulled out a beautiful silk top with a matching skirt that would be the formal goddess outfit Laga would wear to the ceremony and when she went down to earth to grant wishes. Who knew that Laga would play the part of her mentor and one of her dearest friends in a play, while granting a wish on earth? Laga saw Yugi stand behind the curtain.
"Good luck." Yugi whispered to her.
"You too." Laga replied softly.
**
"Hello everyone!" Téa spoke into her microphone, as she walked on stage, giving everyone a dazzling smile. "And welcome to this year's Tanabata festival!" The audience cheered in reply. "And without further ado, here is Senior Class B performing the legend of Tanabata." The crowd cheered as Téa disappeared behind the curtain.
A few seconds later, the curtain opened, revealing a dejected Laga working away at a loom in a beautiful garden.
Whispers ran through the crowd. "She's really pretty!" Piped one little boy sitting up front. "I've never seen her at school before, transfer student?" A senior from class A asked her friends. "Man, I hope she is transferring to our school. Foreign exchange students are hot!" said one senior from class C. Another senior from class C agreed with his friend, but soon his face contorted in pain as his girlfriend tightly pinched his leg for checking out another girl.
"Once upon a time," Téa appeared onstage as the storyteller, reading from a small binder. "In the age of gods and goddesses, there was a beautiful goddess named Tanabata." A stage light shone on Laga. "She was the daughter of the great Star King, a god in his own right, and was the most skillful weaver among the goddesses."
"Her job was to create and mend clothes for all of the gods." On cue, many elegantly dressed students began piling kimonos, haoris and hakamas on top of Laga. Giving an audible sigh, Laga crawled out from the pile of clothes, sorted them out quickly, and resumed making cloth on the loom.
Téa resumed speaking. "She was so busy doing her job, she didn't have any time to herself. Soon, she became very lonely."
Laga gave a mournful sigh and looked sadly upon the crowd. She resumed working at the loom. "But one day, while she was weaving cloth to make a new haori for the Emperor of heaven," Téa spoke. "She met a handsome sheep herder who lived in the Star Kingdom, named Kengyu." Yugi appeared with a shepherd staff and several students crawling on the floor baaing like sheep. The sheep ran to the other side of the stage. Yugi followed them, but stopped when he saw Laga.
"Hello." Yugi said shyly.
"Hello." Laga replied. They gazed into each other's eyes. 'He has beautiful amethyst eyes. Like the sky after the sun sets.' Laga blushed and turned from Yugi's gaze. He was about to say something to her, but was immediately pushed to the other side of the stage by his sheep that reappeared on stage. The audience chuckled at the comical moment.
"After that fateful meeting," Téa spoke. "Kengyu began to lead his flock past Tanabata's house everyday, just to catch a glimpse of the lovely princess." Yugi and his flock of students passed by Laga again.
"Hello." Yugi said to her.
"Hello." Laga smiled brightly at Yugi, causing him to blush.
"Once they learned each other's names," Téa paused, waiting for the audience to stop laughing. "And got to know each other better, they fell in love."
Yugi came onstage without the sheep kids and bent down on his knees in front of Laga. Taking her hands in his, he said "Laga." Yugi became a bright shade of red after realizing his mistake. Téa stared at him in shock, while the audience stared as well.
"So that's her name." A student from class A said. "Laga. Definitely a foreign name. Must be an exchange student!" The student from class C said gleefully. "Laga, Norwegian descent perhaps?" Guessed another student.
"T-Tanabata!" Yugi said, a bright shade of pink instead of red. "I love you! Will you marry me?" He asked Laga, who was just as pink as he was.
After a few moments later, Laga nodded stiffly. "Yes," She whispered. "Yes, I'll marry you!" She said, throwing her arms around Yugi. Most of the audience awed, Téa was going to rip her binder in half, Joey and Mai were cheering them on, several boys who hadn't reached puberty gagged, while most of the teenage guys were muttering on how lucky Yugi was to have Laga in his arms. Yugi however, was blushing like crazy when he discovered how perfectly Laga fit against him and how wonderful it felt to be holding her. Unknown to Yugi, Laga was also enjoying being in Yugi's embrace. 'He's so warm.' Laga thought. Reluctantly, she let go and said, "But first we must ask for my father's permission." Laga suddenly felt cold without Yugi's arms around her. They stood up and walked offstage, hand-in-hand.
Once they disappeared, several students came out and quickly changed the scene from Tanabata's garden to the Star King's throne room. Once the setting up the scene was finished, Duke, Miho, and many other students went in place as the Star King and Queen and their court. Yugi and Laga walked in and kneeled in front of Duke and Miho, who were sitting in their respective thrones.
"Your highness," Yugi said to Duke. "I would like to ask your daughter for her hand in marriage."
Duke looked at the pair and looked at Miho. "Do you love him?" Miho asked Laga.
"Yes." Laga nodded, her cheeks turning pink. "I love him very much." She looked at Yugi lovingly.
"And you?" Duke asked Yugi.
Yugi smiled at Laga and took her hand. "With all my heart."
"Well then," Duke got off the throne. "Welcome to the family m'boy!" Yugi and Laga stood up, Duke clapped Yugi on the back while Miho embraced Laga.
"And so they were married." Téa said through gritted teeth. Yugi and Laga stood at one end of the stage, holding hands, with eyes only for the other. "But like most couples in love, they forgot about everything and everyone around them."
Several students came onstage. "Tanabata! Where's the kimono I asked you to repair three days ago?" One goddess shouted. "Tanabata! Where's the haori I asked for you to make?" Asked one angry god. The students began to complain to Tanabata about her negligence in her work. "Help!" A student ran onstage. "Kengyu, the sheep have gone amok!" A sheep jumped on top of the student and began to chew at his straw hat. The remaining sheep ran off the stage and ran through the audience. "Tanabata! Kengyu! Are you listening?" The students said unanimously.
"No!" Yugi and Laga shouted back. "Buzz off!" They resumed gazing at one another.
"Sick of being unheard, the unhappy gods and goddesses went to the Star King and told them of Tanabata's and Kengyu's negligence of their work." Téa said.
The students went offstage and brought out Duke and Miho. Duke stormed over to Laga and Yugi and pulled them apart. "Is this what have you been doing every since you two got married?" Duke asked them angrily. Yugi and Laga nodded guiltily. "Then as punishment for your negligence, you are forbidden to see each other for all eternity!" Laga fell to her knees and Yugi held her in his arms
"Darling," Miho went to Duke. "That's too harsh of a punishment!"
Seeing the pleading look on Miho's face, Duke said, "Fine, you can see each other once a year."
"Tanabata and Kengyu were relieved to hear this. For being able to see each other, if only just for one day every year, was a fate much better than being separated for eternity." Téa said.
"But," Duke said, the relief on Laga's and Yugi's faces disappearing. "Kengyu must live on the other side of the Celestial River!" Laga and Miho gasped. Two students came out and pulled Yugi away from Laga's side and dragged him across the stage.
"Tanabata!" Yugi cried out.
"Kengyu!" Laga ran to Yugi, but was immediately held back by Duke. Laga fell to the floor, sobbing hysterically, while Miho came over to her and held her in her arms.
"And so, Kengyu and Tanabata were separated." Téa spoke, as Miho and Laga disappeared offstage. Students came onstage once more, switching the scene from the throne room to a river bank. Two students pulled out a blue sheet and began moving it up and down to create waves. "Unfortunately, there was no bridge across the Celestial River. So when Princess Tanabata on her first visit to the Celestial River," Téa paused as Laga came onstage, she ran up and down the make-shift river. "She vainly searched for a way to cross the Celestial River, knowing very well that there was no bridge for her to cross." Laga fell to her knees and sobbed. "She soon lost all hope and began to cry, lamenting at not being able to see her husband. Her tears were so great, they were brought to the attention of a magpie" The sound of a bird cawing filled the air. Laga raised her head.
One of the sheep students, now turned magpie, flapped his arms like a bird and ran over to Laga. "Princess, Princess, why are you crying?" He asked her.
"Because there is no bridge across the Celestial River." Laga pounded her fists on the stage. "If there is no bridge, how can I cross the river to see my darling Kengyu?"
"Princess, Princess, don't cry anymore." said the magpie boy. "Me and my friends will make a bridge for you!" He said happily. He gave a loud caw and several students came onstage, flapping their arms like wings and cawing like magpies. The two students holding the makeshift river put the sheet down, and the magpie students kneeled upon it, spreading their 'wings' to make a bridge.
"And so, Princess Tanabata crossed the bridge and ran into the arms of her awaiting husband." Téa spoke, as Yugi reappeared onstage.
"Kengyu!" Laga got up.
"Tanabata!" Yugi replied. Laga ran across the 'bridge' and into Yugi's awaiting arms.
"And so, every year on July 7th, Tanabata journeys across a bridge of magpies that will take her across the Celestial River to meet her husband." Téa said as the curtains closed. "And every year here on earth we celebrate their story with their own festival! So thank you watching this year's reenactment of the legend of Tanabata! Have a great time at the festival and my all your wishes come true!" The audience cheered once more as Téa disappeared behind the curtain. A few seconds later, the curtain opened, revealing the cast waving to the audience as they came onstage one by one. When Laga came onstage after Yugi, she received many catcalls from the teenage boys in the audiences, and in doing so they received slaps from their dates. After the crew and director appeared onstage, the audience gave their final applause and departed to the booths and the rides.
Kotori jumped off the stage and stood in front of the cast and crew. "Guys that was awesome! Great job! And I have a gift for all your hard work. We don't have to take down the set tonight!" Everyone cheered. "But you have to come back here tomorrow to take it down." Everyone groaned. "But now you are dismissed, have fun at the festival!" Many of the cast and crew jumped off the stage and ran towards the booths to meet up with their friends. Miho, Duke, Téa, Yugi, Laga, and Kotori stayed behind.
"You guys were great up there!" Serenity exclaimed as she and Ryou and the rest of the gang went up to greet them.
"Yes, the play was a smashing success." Ryou said.
"And it couldn't have been if it wasn't for Laga." Kotori cheered.
"No," Laga shook her head. "If it wasn't for Tristan, I wouldn't be up here."
"Point. Well thank you Tristan for saving the day!" Kotori gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek. "Later everyone, Yugi, Duke, Miho, Téa, Laga, I expect to see you tomorrow." Kotori said as she left to meet up with her friends.
"Well looks like someone enjoyed that kiss." Téa teased a blushing Tristan.
"Ah......shut up!" retorted Tristan. Everyone laughed.
"So we'll separate and meet by the stage at 9. Sound good?" Yugi asked. Everyone agreed with the plan, mostly wanting to spend some alone time with their date.
"Hey, a pie eating contest!" Joey saw at stand several yards away. Addicted to food, he went straight towards it.
"Don't you have anything else on your mind besides food?" Mai yelled as Joey took her hand and led her to the pie-eating stand.
Giving her a wolfish grin, he replied, "Nope!"
"Isn't there anything that you like more than food?" Mai asked.
Joey stopped, causing Mai to bump into him. "Yeah, you." Suddenly, Joey swept Mai in his arms, dipped her and gave her a passionate kiss, leaving her breathless. Cheers emitted from the group. Pulling a dazed Mai up, Joey gave her an impish smile. "Okay, now pie!" They went towards the pie booth, causing Mai to shout in exasperation.
"Joey will never change." Tristan said, shaking his head.
"Uh-huh." Yugi nodded his head in agreement.
"Spaghetti ice!" Miho's eyes lit up when she saw the ice cream stand." My favorite!"
"Mine too." Duke said. "I'll buy us some, my treat." They walked over to the
Téa eyed a nearby cotton candy booth. "Yugi, do you want some cotton candy?"
"Sure." He replied.
"Okay, let's go!" Téa said as she took Yugi by the hand and led him towards the cotton candy booth, leaving Tristan and Laga alone.
"Laga, do you want to play some games before we eat?" Tristan asked her.
"All right." Laga agreed. "It sounds like fun." They began to walk towards the game booths.
Passing by the cotton candy booth, Laga turned her head to see Yugi.
Waiting for their cotton candy, Yugi turned his head to find Laga.
Their eyes met. They both blushed and turned their heads away from the other. Yugi paid for his and Téa's cotton candy, while Laga continued to walk with Tristan. As they went off with their dates, they thought, 'It was just a play...Right?'
**
Anime: Good? Bad? Criticism is welcome, but no flames. If I am flamed, I will most likely sob over the fact that I've been flamed, curse the flamer with bad luck with my Asian abilities, and then they shall be used to keep my freezing house warm. It's April and I'm still freezing my butt off here!
By the way, the Kotori and the Leanne used in this chapter are....
*Laga brings out a drum and begins rapping it loudly*
Kotori Susayski and Silent Dark Angel Knight! Thank you for your reviews. If you don't want your names to be in this chapter, tell me and I'll change them. And for my biggest reviewer....Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you. In fact, I have a surprise for you in the next chapter.
Laga: But you're gonna have to wait a really long time for it, cause she hasn't written the next chapter!
*Anime anime falls*
Anime: But I have the plot figured out and where he'll appear!
Laga: Oh, so it's a guy , your biggest reviewer, and he'll make an app-
*Anime clamps her hand on Laga's mouth.*
Anime: SHH! You'll spoil the surprise! Anyways, review responses!
DJ: Thank you for you reviews. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I didn't have your support. Thank you.
Shang: Yeah, Urd's the coolest! Glad you're liking the story.
Sansi: I'm afraid that's one wish I cannot grant. I'm not too fond of that pairing. But I hope you still keep reading though.
Kotori: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.
Okay, that's the end of the reviewer responses. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope to post the next one sometime soon.....
Make an author's day, review!
