Fated: Part Five

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What was with him today? He was usually up before anyone else, but.... Shaking her head slightly at the sudden thought, Mrs. Wong made her way to her son's room. If anything, he was up and playing that game instead. No... there wasn't anything wrong with it; it was just that school was more important! With a sigh, she opened the door.

"Henry--"

A small "nnn" entered the air. What was that? She slowly trailed her eyes down to the bed.... Among the misshapen sheets and pillows... was her son. Coughing (and mouthing a possible curse or two), he rolled over and put his back to her.

Mrs. Wong gasped. Her baby was sick! Rushing to his side, she asked, "How do you feel, sweetie?"

Gee... did he look that bad...? What did she think-- that he felt 'okay?' Well... in short-- he felt like crap. Complete and total crap. And what really sucked was that he rarely got sick... meaning that when he did, it hit him hard. Without moving-- or saying what was truly on his mind-- he mumbled, "Well, Mom, I don't feel peachy... that's for sure."

~*~

"What's goin' on? Is Henry here, or what?!"

As always, school had been a real... drag; the worst part about it was that it was only Wednesday.... Two more days before they could have an actual break (although that break only lasted two days). Still... school wasn't all that bad. You got to do some pretty fun stuff sometimes! And yet... the 'fun stuff' didn't happen that often....

Kenta looked around quickly. Nope-- didn't see him anywhere! He was 'out of sight, out of mind...' well, sort of. "Maybe he... went home," he suggested. Usually they all walked home together, but perhaps....

"No!" Kazu cried. It couldn't be true! It just couldn't! "K... Kenta...?" Oh, please... please, please, please....

What was wrong with him? "What?"

"I just heard that... Henry's sick!" Kenta stared at his friend in shock. It was awfully early in the school year to be sick! You were supposed to get sick during winter-- ya know, right before Christmas break?

"Henry's sick?"

Both boys turned their heads to the speaker; Jeri stood there, head tilted slightly. Poor Henry.... She knew what it was like to be sick when the weather was nice and there were people to play with! He must be so... lonely. "Is he?" she asked once more. It wasn't nice to try and trick someone, so she had to make sure.

Geeze! This girl had excellent timing! Whenever something was left hanging, there she was! Kazu groaned and nodded. Darnit... no one to battle with. What about Kenta and Takato, you ask? Well... they were challenges at times, but... he needed a real challenge! An actual obstacle to surpass! A mountain to face! A--

"Hey, guys...? What's wrong?" Takato glided his eyes from Kenta to Kazu to Jeri. If anything, this 'master of reading emotions' could see that Kenta was in slight awe, Kazu was bummed, and Jeri was worried/sad. Gee... he was getting better, wasn't he?

Jeri shook her head gently and looked over to Takato. "Henry's sick, and Kazu doesn't think it's fair...." Sure... he hadn't said so out loud, but Jeri was a pretty good judge of character. When someone thought highly of something, they let out in some way.

"I never said that! I just-- um-- I...," Kazu stuttered, feeling embarrassment rise to his ears. Dagnabbit... why him? Why? "Ya know what? I feel like doin' something else today!" Oh yeah... change the subject! Anything to take the blame away, eh? He went on:

"Anyone in the mood for a movie?"

"Sure... why not?" Kenta grumbled, sighing. It didn't matter... he hadn't been to the movies for a while, anyway. "As long as it's not some American movie...."

Did she really want to go...? No... she actually wanted to see how Henry was feeling. Maybe he was all alone at his house and was bored out of his mind! Ooh... she hated times like that; perhaps he did, too.... "Thanks... but no thanks," Jeri whispered. She'd go home, make him some soup and find a good book! That should cheer him up! "I think I'll go see how Henry's doing...."

The two roughhousing boys eyed the poor girl suspiciously for a moment, chuckling to themselves. Why did she want to see him? And alone?! Before they could say anything rude, she turned heal and walked off; she seemed to be humming to herself lightly. Well then... wasn't she strange...?

"Really, Chumly-- I don't know what you see in her!" Kazu claimed, throwing his arms into the air. Poor guy, head over heals for a nut....

Kenta clapped his hands and exclaimed, "'Saw,' Kazu!" His glasses gleamed as he spun to face their 'quiet' friend. "He doesn't seem as interested as before...."

Takato felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. What was Kenta talking about? What did he mean? "I-I don't know... what you're talking about."

"Kenta's right-- you've 'calmed.' What's up?" Now this was interesting! Chumly was about to spill something big, wasn't he? Just how big, though...?

Sweat dripped down the side of Takato's face. Nothing was really wrong... it was just the freaky way his friends were staring at him that was bugging him.... In reality, he didn't really know what was changing... the only thing that was really different was his new friendship with....

No! She was just a friend-- nothing more! He hadn't known her long enough to... to.... "I just don't think I like her anymore...," he stated plainly, congratulating himself for not shrieking 'RIKA IS JUST A FRIEND!!!' Man... that wouldn't sound too good in front of loudmouth Kenta and wise guy Kazu....

"Hey-- if you say so...."

"Yeah...."

Once that little tidbit was off his shoulders, he began to make his way to Rika's house... as in walking away from his friends. Would they even notice...? Well....

"Chumly! I thought you were gonna see a movie with us!"

"Don't leave! I don't want Kazu to pick the movie!"

~*~

"Hey... how are you doing? I heard you were sick, and I... no-- no. Hello, Henry! I hope you're feeling better! I mean-- I heard you were sick and all, so.... No... that won't do.... Henry-- hi... yeah, I know.... I was just wondering if you were feeling better.... I-I brought a book! And some soup, too! Wait... that's too... giddy.... Ooh! What do I do?"

The walk to Henry's apartment wasn't that long... and Jeri was having some difficulties, as you could say.... There she was, walking to a friend's place, and she was practicing what to say! Why on Earth would she need to do that? She never made a 'script' when she talked to anyone else, so... what made Henry so different?

As she walked up the stairs, the different greetings ran through her mind. Maybe she'd just blend them all together in some way.... Who knew? Besides, Henry was her friend, so she could say wherever she wanted! But... she didn't want to sound stupid in front of him! Why?

"Oh...," she muttered, realizing she'd forgotten her hand puppet at home. Not that it mattered... Henry may even think it was stupid to carry around such a thing.... She shuddered at the thought... then wondered why she had done so. 'What's going on with me...?' she wondered, preparing to knock on the door.

Well-- here went nothing!

~*~

Right now, he was longing to be in school.... Being forced into bed rest was no fun... especially when his computer was next to his bed.... I mean, really! It just sat there... tempting him! He could almost hear its voice... chanting his name as if it needed his help. He just wanted to....

"Henry Wong! You stay in bed!" scolded his mother when she had come in after sending his siblings to school. When she opened his bedroom door... he had somehow gotten over to his desk; the computer was already booting up. She instantly shut it off and piled him back into bed. "If you move around you'll just stay sick!"

After that 'fond' memory, he scowled and rolled over. The worst part was having an over-protective mother.... She dared not leave the house until he was better. Which meant that he was 'Mommy's Baby Boy' for the time being.... Yay... what fun.

How much time had passed since his scolding...? Then again... who cared? It sucked to be sick, and he just wished that there were antibiotics for every single illness known to man.... Too bad there weren't... oh well. Looks like he'd just have to be sick for a couple of days.... Hey! Maybe he'd be sick until the weekend! Yeah! That wouldn't be so bad! And he could easily catch up on his homework!

"Henry? Someone's here to see you!"

The boy rolled his eyes. Probably Kazu or Kenta.... Those guys were so pitiful.... Knowing them, they came to either joke about his sickness or beg to play a game of cards. "Tell them that if they don't want to get sick," he called raspily, "they shouldn't come to see me!"

As if not hearing a single word he had just spoken, the door opened. A voice rang out softly: "I don't care if I get sick...."

What the... Jeri? As she shut the door behind her, all he could do was stare. What was she doing here? And furthermore-- how did she know where he lived? Not that it mattered... he was just sort of glad that he had someone to talk to. And yet... he was unable to say anything... nothing. Why did her presence make him... oh, I don't know-- uneasy? Finally, after she had moved his computer chair over to his bedside, he found his tongue. Said he:

"So... Jeri? What--" a cough escaped his lips before he went on "-- are you doing here...?"

Jeri felt a slight burn on her face. Eh...? Was this an embarrassed blush...? Or was it one for something else....? Oh well-- no worry! Clearing her throat, she hastily murmured, "I guess I just wanted to check up on you...." Realizing what she'd meant, she laughed nervously. "I-I mean-- I sort of volunteered to see how you're fairing...." Whew... that was close!

Did she say...? But then why would she...? Man! Why was everything in life like a puzzle-- one that had millions of pieces? Every time he felt as though another piece had been set down, it felt like five more were being ripped off! Agh... was everybody's life as complicated as his? "Oh... well, thanks," he whispered. Geeze! His throat was beginning to sting now! "I've been bored out of my mind!"

Giggling, Jeri quickly unwrapped her freshly-made soup. Chicken noodle.... Not very good, being tossed together so suddenly, but they say that gifts from the heart are special in their own way.... She faintly wondered if he even liked that kind of soup; after brushing that thought aside, she thrust the bowl into his chest with her head down. No... she didn't want to look into his eyes yet....

"Eh...?" Henry looked down at the offering with curiosity. What was it...? Soup? She... made him soup...? He stuck his nose out and sniffed in lightly. Smelt... good. He didn't know what to do.... Well, for starters....

"Thanks," he mumbled, placing both hands on the warm bowl. Man-- it smelt really good! And all that his mom gave him was bread and rice and some ginger ale.... This topped them all! Food!

She cautiously lifted her eyes; her breath held in her throat. There! The spoon scooped up the liquid and noodles (of course, there were some chicken and carrots, too)! Up... up... up... into his mouth! Please... like it.... Please don't spit it out and say, 'What is this?!' Leaning forward gently, she asked, "Well...?"

Turning to her, he exclaimed, "Great! I-I've never tasted anything quite like it!" Was he sucking up with a little flattery, or was he being truthful...? Actually, a little bit of both... heh.

Jeri blushed madly. My... never such a bold compliment before! She... she wasn't that good! He must've been hungry-- yeah, that's right! "You're just saying--"

"I mean it!" He took another gulp, feeling the warm soup rush down his sore throat. Nice flavor, and not too hot; it was as if it were perfect! "Just right!"

Oh dear.... What... what was this feeling running through her? It made her feel so warm... and happy; she just wanted to keep it inside of her.... But it also made her nervous... and scared. Ooh! What was it?! "Thanks...," she whispered. A smile formed on her face-- a small, nervous one. Henry was so kind.... Oh, she almost forgot! Said she:

"I-I also brought... um-- a book! I thought that we could maybe...."

"That... would be nice...."

And so they read together... both wondering what that new, warm feeling inside of them was....

~Meanwhile....~

"We are the weirdest herd I've ever seen!"

Kenta groaned. Why had he let Kazu choose the movie...? Especially when stuff like "Inuyasha: Toki O Koeru Omoi" was in theaters now! Why...?

"Haha!! Yeah! Poke your eye again, ya little creature-thing!"

With another groan, the 'ever-nice' Kenta slumped in his seat and ignored his friend's antics.

~*~

Finally, after two days of waiting, it was Saturday! Kids could finally be free to run around the park all day and sleep in and eat whenever they wanted! The only thing they had to listen to was their parents threats and scoldings.

As for Takato, Jeri, Kazu and Kenta.... Well, now that Henry was pretty much healthy again, they decided to all go visit him; maybe they could play a game or two as well! The best part was that if Henry was still semi sick, one of them could possibly catch it! What joy-- being out of school for a couple of days! Who cared if it wasn't winter yet?

Man... he had a nice apartment. Big enough for the whole family.... Well... yeah. Henry had a slightly bigger family, anyway, so....

Takato, Kazu, Kenta and Jeri were piled up on Henry's bed. Luckily for him, Henry was able to sit at his computer; after all... he was the only computer literate kid there.... As he explained the rules of the game and how to play, he thought of his father. He still hadn't come home.... Really, it was starting to worry him.

"Henry-- what's wrong?" questioned Takato. "You look... distant." He had something on his mind, didn't he? But... what?

Henry shook his head quickly and smiled. He zoned out.... That was happening more often now, too.... Was it because his dad was gone? Was it because...?

This time, Kazu waved a hand in front of the blue-haired boy's face. "Hel-lo?" Ooh... boy. He was out of it! Maybe he was sick... no! He wanted to play some games today! He didn't want to go home and be bored out of his wits! He wanted challenge! He wanted--

"I'm fine, everyone...," Henry reassured them quietly. No time for worries.... He would ask again about his dad later. "Now then, who's in for a game against me?"

~*~

"Hey, Rika?"

The redhead shook her head and looked over to her companion. It was strange, really, how not that long ago she had no friends and didn't care. Nowadays, she felt as though she couldn't live without hearing that stupid goggle-head's voice. Sighing, she answered, "What?"

Oh, geeze... how to say it? I mean-- he'd never been anywhere with Rika but her house, and now he wanted to ask her to walk around with him...? Come on, Takato! You can do it! "I was wondering.... Do you feel like going to the mall?" Her eyes flashed; he gulped. "Eh... I mean, I-I just wanted to check out the card collector's store... and wanted to...." Darn it! Why was he being so clumsy with his words right now? What the heck was wrong with him?

Rika stared at him plainly. He... wanted to go shopping? Why? She didn't have that much money, and it was highly unlikely that he did as well.... Still... he had been there to comfort her the other night... as a friend. Why shouldn't she try to be friendly?

But... what if they were there...? Who were they, you ask? Why, they were her classmates. If they saw Rika with some boy, why... they'd have the time of their lives! She wouldn't be able to stand the jests made about that.... "I... don't know...," she muttered; her anger towards her schoolmates was burning softly in her voice. Takato flinched.

"That's... okay. If you don't feel like--"

Oh well! If they're there, they're there! If anyone says anything, she'd just beat the crap out of them! Rika stood, walked into her room and snatched up her black jacket. It wasn't very cold out, but she enjoyed wearing it. Perhaps because it made her look more... frightening. "Let's go," said she, jumping off the porch and heading to the streets.

Did she just...? But she.... No. He decided that it was better to just... go with the flow. "Wait up, Rika!" He quickly jogged up to her and began to walk at her pace. This... was the first time they actually went somewhere together! Chock one up for Matsuki!

Little did they know... the mall had some interesting things in store for them both.

~*~

It seemed that knowing someone didn't always help out in the future.... And now, as he stood there wondering why he was needed, he also realized that past mistakes and secrets didn't always help, either."What do you want...?"

The man appeared from his office, a small picture frame in one hand. "Yamaki!" he greeted with fake generosity. "My friend-- it's been a while."

A long while indeed... for the last time was when.... "Answer me," he demanded. "Don't give me some line of crap-- I know you want something!" Just like last time....

The other man's eyes gleamed within the darkness of the room. "Mr. Wong? Ms. Akino? Please bring up the nearly completed DM program." He then turned to a woman with a pair of headphones on and asked, "Allow us to hear some of the Dream Waves, Mrs. Joinu."

As the information popped up and the sounds echoed throughout the room, Yamaki closed his eyes. No... not this. How could that man be able to do what was claimed impossible so many years ago...? How?! "Ho... how...?" he finally managed to rasp.

So then... he recognized the code, eh...? The man laughed. "You must choose who to confide in more carefully, my old friend." Glancing down at the picture in his hand, his tone became more serious. "I need you for the final transitions and labeling. You do... remember how to do this, do you not...?"

No... after putting his faith in him, he.... Yamaki was cornered... and there was no way out. 'God, have mercy on the people...,' he thought silently. Straightening himself out, he pulled out a pair of black sunglasses; they completely hid his sea-like eyes.

"What do I need to do...?"

~*~

A/N: Gomen ne for the wait, mina-chan.... I have my reasons... some of which will soon be out on my ff.net info.... I really don't feel like talking much about them, so I'll just... ramble on about some that I do! First of all... fourth nine weeks of school-- get the picture? Just got my report card, and I must say... 4.0!!!! Also, over Easter break, my mom decided to clean out the attic (also known as my room...). Let's just say that my sister keeps her toys and junk (barbies, legos, and anything else she owns) on one side while my bed and dresser fits the other; now, though, all that is on her side is the legos and our TV stuff.... *sigh* My room looks empty. Doing this also kept me from the net... for I see quite a few stories that I haven't read in a loooonnng time! And finally, one of the main reasons it took me so long to write this.... I had writer's block!!! I mean it... it just wouldn't come to me! I have this whole story planned out from A to Z, but the words wouldn't flow! *sniffles* I realize now how much I HATE writer's block....

Don't worry, though-- I'M BACK! I have two new stories on the way, plus one in the process of creating! Oh yeah! I love writing! I don't think I could live without it! Part six may be out soon after this one, too! Here's the preview:

Fated: Part Six

I Think I....

Why...? Why had he stopped her? That spoiled princess needed to have her teeth knocked down her throat! If only she'd been able to make Kimiko feel at least a little bit of pain.... But he had stopped her. With only the slightest touch, he had made her back off....

How...?

"Well, well, well-- if it isn't Rika 'the hell demon' Nonaka!"

Rika snapped back into the world of reality. That voice.... Kimiko! She felt a growl crawl up her throat. Ooh... she just wanted to-- WHAM!-- hit her! You know, make her feel the pain she'd caused!

Humph... it was no fun now.... Tossing a strand of hair away with great ease, Kimiko asked, "So, then... where is he? That guy you were with?" Her opponents eyes fell to the floor. Good... she had her right where she wanted! "He left, eh? Didn't like hanging with a tomboy who has no feeling whatsoever?" 'Fight me, Nonaka... fight me and see if you can beat me this time...,' she muttered within her mind. How many times had they fought? How many? She was not going to let Rika get away with embarrassing her like that! And in front of the entire school, too!

How... dare she.... She had no right making such careless claims like that. "You don't even know him!" Rika proclaimed, fist drawing back. Kimiko didn't even know that stupid goggle-head! He... he was her only friend-- well, excluding her grandma. He sat there and listened when she talked; he laughed and tempted to make her laugh; he was there when she cried.... Her clenched hand swung forward. All she had to do was to shut her up.... All she had to do....

Rika stopped right at the girl's nose. No... she had promised him-- hadn't she? Fighting wouldn't get her anywhere, anyway... she knew that. She sort of always had... but it was just a hype that she enjoyed. Still... not now. "This is stupid," she muttered. "I don't want to waste my time one something like--"

"Oh, REALLY?!"

THWACK!