Disclaimer: I don't own X or its characters – they belong to CLAMP.
Warnings: Some OOC.
Notes: I've noticed that less people respond with every chapter I post. I apologize if I'm getting less funny; its hard to remain so when you usually write angst and introspective. To those few that reviewed chapter 4, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Anyway, I still hope you enjoy the following chapter!
Chapter 5 - Goldfishes
"Hello, Dr. Koizumi's office."
"Look, I need to talk to the doctor right away."
"Hold please," the sounds of shuffling, "I'm sorry, the doctor is very busy right now. If you leave your num-"
"No, it's an emergency!" Sorata panicked. There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
"All right, I'll see what I can do," the receptionist replied in a calm voice. Sorata sighed in relief. He could hear distant murmurs from the other side of the line before someone took the phone in their hands.
"Hello? Dr. Koizumi speaking."
"Thank god it's you Doc. Look, a few days ago we brought in a patient called Sumeragi Suba - "
"Ah, yes, yes. Referred by Dr. Sakurazuka right? After he nursed my boy's dog from near death I've been forever grateful to that man. I don't think I'll ever feel like I'll stop owing something to him, even after I saw Sumeragi-san. My boy was so sad too, when our gold retriever got sick. How Sakurazuka-san did it, I'll never understa-"
"Look, I really need to know what's up. Didn't you say Subaru-san would be okay in a day?" The doctor seemed to be in a good mood. Sorata remembered he was much more serious and terse the last time they met. Still, Sorata didn't need to get sidetracked by any unnecessary conversations.
"Huh? Oh, yes. That's right."
"It's already the morning of the third day! And one of our friends also swallowed the pill by mistake!"
"Really? That's too bad."
"Hey! What are you trying to pull?! Just how long will their strange behaviors last?"
"Well, most of the time, it's just a day," Dr. Koizumi laughed nervously, " But I guess I forgot to tell you sometimes it may be more. But three days should be the maximum. Today should be the last."
"Are you sure?" Sorata asked suspiciously.
"Absolutely," although Sorata could not see it, the doctor was bobbing his head enthusiastically.
"Alright," Sorata grudgingly said, and hung up the phone with a short goodbye. He turned to Arashi who looked calm, despite the vibrant rainbow colors in her hair. Apparently, Kamui had decided to dye it some funky colors last night when he was bored, and when Arashi had been conveniently asleep. Yuzuriha looked worse. Her room was closest to Subaru's and he had been playing music all night. Who would've guessed the Sumeragi's tastes extended to heavy metal?
"He says today has to absolutely be the last day."
*************
Subaru Sumeragi was out meditating in the gardens. The sound of flowing water only added to the serenity of the area. Subaru breathed in deeply.
SPLASH!
He opened one green eye to find out the cause of the noise. Kamui was by the fountain, wearing an orange vest, and the typical ridiculous-looking hat that was required of all hopeful fishermen. The boy had just cast his line, and was staring pensively into the water.
"Kamui."
"Shh, you'll scare the fish away," Kamui did not turn around.
"But there are only goldfish in that pond."
"Yes, the elusive goldies! The mysterious monsters of the deep. Oh! The horror stories! People say they've bitten off the arms and legs of unfortunate swimmers before."
"Kamui, I believe you're thinking of sharks."
"Huh?"
"And those are only warped tales. Sharks rarely attack humans. Anyway, if you're going to try to catch gold fish you need different bait."
"You mean they don't like caramel?" Kamui drew up his line and bit his lower lip as he looked at the soppy bit of toffee on the hook.
"Of course not."
"Okay, how about some goldfish crackers?" Kamui pointed at the snack he had brought for himself. Maybe the fish would like something he was eating.
"Kamui, that's sick. I can't believe you're promoting cannibalism. And everyone knows gold fishes eat gold! That's how they get their color."
"Oh, okay! I think Yuzuriha has some jewelry."
*************
"My ring, my ring!" Yuzuriha screamed, running frantically throughout the house. Inuki was running besides her, and barking worriedly.
"What's wrong?" Sorata looked up from the potluck lunch he was cooking over the stove. Arashi was making a salad.
"The ring my grandmother gave me, it's gone!"
"Is Subaru-san still meditating outside?" Arashi asked.
"I think so…but Kamui!"
The two girls ran into the living room where Kamui had been last seen taking a nap. They had neglected to look after Subaru since he seemed to be calming down – the medication was wearing off on him, but Kamui had taken the pill later than Subaru had.
"He's not there," Yuzuriha said. The patio windows were open.
"The gardens!"
*************
"They're not eating it Subaru!"
"I suppose they're full," Subaru answered settling down into the grass with a yawn. He felt so tired all of a sudden.
"Subaru?"
"You know, I don't think goldfish eat gold after all. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I told you that," Subaru's forehead creased in thought. He closed his eyes.
"Nite, nite, Subaru."
Yuzuriha and Arashi stumbled into the garden, where Kamui was serenading Subaru with a lullaby – at the top of his lungs!
"AND IF THE BOW BREAKS, THE SAKURA TREE WILL FALL! AND SUBARU WILL SOB 'SEISHIROU' AND ALL!"
Subaru snored, oblivious.
"Ah! My ring!" Yuzuriha leapt into the water after seeing it flash in the afternoon sun.
"Hey you can't do that, you're disturbing the fishes!"
Arashi held Kamui back with a sigh. She looked at the sleeping Subaru. One down, one more to go.
*************
In a cute little pastry shop miles away, two black clothed figures were having tea.
"Please pass the sugar," Seishirou mumbled around his split lip.
"Of course," /Kamui/ did so, wincing as the sprain in his wrist was aggravated. There was a brief silence as both parties took a sip from their cups.
"Next time, we torture Kamui and Subaru-kun. Not each other."
"Agreed."
TBC…
Next Chapter – Subaru's back to normal, but Kamui's not. What funny business will take place before the bitter (meaning, oh-so-boring-back-to-everyday-life) end?!
Please review. Authors just crave feedback. ^_^