Disclaimer: Check Ch. 1

The Misted Glass of an Angel

The food was soon set on the table and much to my chagrin I thought it looked excellent. That might be partly due to the fact that we hardly ever have such delectable meals like this. These only come during my grandmother or late father's birthday. So to see such Japanese food set in front of us on this Saturday was quite a treat.

Everyone waited calmly for both Mitsune and my grandmother to arrive. Mitsune walked in, wiping her mouth. My grandmother hobbled in after her, scrutinizing her every move. She sat down at the table, across from my mother.

I could see the emotions flitting across her face. First there was undecided-ness. She didn't know whether to attack my mother or Mitsune. Next there was surprise as she finally looked over the food set in front of her. Then there was sadness. I think she was missing her home, Japan. The last, set emotion was indifference. Why should she care for such food?

The moment both were seated, the whole group began to dig in. The food was excellent and everyone was in a joyous mood, as the smell of rich, traditional Japanese cuisine wafted around us. My grandmother, however, felt the need to break the mood. From her following comments, we found that she chose to criticize Mitsune, not my mother.

"Excellent Onigiri, Nahoko. Pity you don't cook like this everyday."

"I didn't make it, Mother. Kitsune did." Kitsune gave a smile to my grandmother, who's chewing had ceased.

"It's okay. This Gomaae is horrible, however." My mother's smile lifted. She loved making my grandmother uncomfortable.

"I made that, Mother." Grandma froze, eyes darting back and forth between my jubilant mother and a grinning Mitsune. My grandmother lowered her eyes and ate the rest of the meal in silence.

The silence soon became uncomfortable as my grandmother would lift her eyes and shoot glares at various people. I had to do something. I turned my attention towards Mitsune.

"Mitsune-"

"Kitsune, please."

"Kitsune, where did you learn to cook like this?"

"At home, in Japan. I have to have those skills."

"You're from Japan?" My mother questioned incredulously.

"Yes, I am."

"You dhon't haf a Japahnethe accshent." Kanako said.

"My English language teacher was from here, America. We had to be perfect in our speaking." There were nods around the table.

The conversation continued at a leisurely pace, diffusing the stress felt at the beginning. My grandmother soon retired to bed while the rest of use helped clean up. I wasn't very happy when Mitsune decided to stay. Was it her place to be here? No. So as I cleaned up, I held my face in a frown.

Mitsune seemed to notice this for she asked to speak to me, privately. This time, we went outside, to have our talk. She began confidently.

"I've been here for over three hours and you have yet to smile. Why?"

"I do smile. Just not when strangers invite themselves over for dinner."

"Really? When was the last time you smiled?" I opened my mouth to give her an answer. Nothing came. I stood there like a gaping fish while she gave me an all-knowing smile.

"So?" She ventured. I recovered.

"It's none of your business."

"Either that or…you can't remember when you last smiled. You need to lighten up. Life doesn't revolve around meeting the next bill payment." I was fuming by now.

"Well, that's for you! Life isn't so easy for the rest of us here! We-…I have a family to take care of! To support! You don't! You don't know how hard it is to think about the future for my cousins and sisters! What about my mother? And grandmother? They need to be looked after too! They're getting older and can't support the family! It all falls upon me now! And it doesn't help when some retard straight from Japan comes knocking on our door, using up all the groceries in the house! Those were supposed to last us for a month! And now, here we are, talking about freaking smiling when I could be thinking and assessing the future of those I love! So just leave us to do our own thing, while you do yours!"

There. I was done.

"Done yet?" I stared at her. She wasn't smiling anymore. She looked serious, angry even.

"Okay. Now it's my turn. You don't know what I'm going through and you don't know why I'm here. You don't know how much of a burden you're becoming to your own family because you can only think of the future. You also can't say you're the only breadwinner for the family. What of your mother? Do you think she goes driving out in her car just for the heck of it? No. She does it to help you in supporting this family. You don't know how hard it is for Shinobu to be in a family that doesn't laugh, smile or have fun. You don't know how to have fun. You don't know how to live for the now. You don't know anything of life and how it can be fulfilling to those who search for it. And I never said that you had to abandon your family and shirk your responsibility. No. I think you should lighten up and think for once, how to live for today. That's right. Live for today because you don't know what the hell is going to happen tomorrow. You could die tomorrow because your body doesn't produce enough endorphins because of your lack of smiling, laughing. Where would that leave your family, O Wise One? Without a breadwinner. Right? So live for today and earn for tomorrow. Maybe then you'll discover how money isn't everything. Tell everyone I said good night. I'll be ready for you bright and early tomorrow. You need help."

I was aghast. I couldn't think of a single intelligent reply as she walked away. I had to tell Seta about her. She was horrible. Just horrible. I could feel the tears building behind my eyes, pining to be released. But I couldn't let them. I held them back and walked into the house, announcing Mitsune's leave.

Everyone nodded, smiling and laughing at how great she was. There were no qualms in their minds about her. She was the best thing yet. I said good night and ran upstairs. I whisked my self into my room and closed the door.

From there, I picked up my phone and dialed Seta's number. On the third ring, he answered.

"Hello? Seta? It's Haruka."

"Oh hey Haruka. What's wrong? You sound upset." He could always sense my mood.

"This girl. Mitsune, Kitsune, whatever. She…she's so mean!"

"You sound like you're in kindergarten."

"She told me my clothes were ugly, that I'm no fun to be around. She told me I make my family unhappy and I don't live for the moment! She basically implied I'm never going to be happy and that I'm ruining my life. Is that true?"

"…well…"

"Seta!!"

"It's true Haruka! You don't live for the moment! When's the last time you smiled?"

"You're acting like her! Stop! You're supposed to be on my side!"

"I am on your side! I'm just trying to help out a real good friend of mine! Best friend, if you will."

"…Fine. I'll see you…tomorrow? At the park?"

"Sure. Bring that Mitsune-"

"Kitsune."

"-Kitsune girl. It'll be fun. I'd like to meet her."

"She said she was gonna follow me around anyways."

"Why?"

"She said I need help."

Seta laughed. "Okay then. I'll see you later. Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up, feeling much better. He always had that effect on me. Made me feel better. He had that quality around him and I guess that's why he adopted Sarah. He needed to make someone happy…always. And children are most important.

I got up and went to the bathroom, getting ready for bed. Before I left the bathroom, I looked at the mirror. It was right there. Why not try? I looked around the enclosed bathroom. It's not like anyone was looking. Slowly, I lifted up the corners of my mouth. I brought them down into the normal frown. Then I lifted again. I brought them back down. Lift. Down. Lift. Down.

I continued that for quite awhile. It wasn't that bad, a smile. Almost looked natural. Almost.

.~.

I woke up early the next morning, hoping to miss Mitsune. No such luck. She was in our kitchen, chatting with my stoic grandmother and my mother. I sighed. Darn. I ate my breakfast in silence and continued out the door. Mitsune was right behind me.

She peered at me cautiously before continuing.

"Do you have any friends?"

"Yes I do."

"Really? Who?"

"My friend Seta. He works at one of those big corporations. He has an adopted daughter."

"Do you like him?"

"Of course."

"No, I mean romantically." I looked at her. She was laughing. "No, I don't."

"That's a pity." We stopped in front of Mutsumi's house. I ran up the steps and knocked on the door. Mutsumi soon emerged, dressed haphazardly.

I sighed and was about to point out to her that wearing rainbow socks with slippers and a neon green shirt did not match when Mitsune piped up.

"And you are?"

"Hm? Oh hello! You must be new here!"

"As a matter of fact, I am!"

"Amazing! So where do you live?"

"Here." Mutsumi looked around, frowning.

"You live on my porch? That's not good for your health! You should live in a house!"

"I should?" Mitsune was feigning surprise. "I thought I should live in a garbage can! Those looked so comfortable!"

I made a small noise in the back of my throat. Mutsumi and Mitsune looked at me.

"Look, my mom is going to look after the café today so we can take the ferry over to the financial district."

"Oh! Can I come with you?"

"Sure…why not. Just change before you come."

"Oh. Okay. Oh! I have some of your mail." She disappeared inside for a few minutes before reappearing dressed and with three letters in her hand. We left.

.~.

We were all soon on the ferry, heading over to the financial district of New York. I guess know is the time to tell you that we don't really live in New York. We live on Staten Island. But I consider that New York because it's in New York, the state. Right?

It was there that Mutsumi seemed to meet the man of her dreams. She was looking around, being her usual airhead self, much to my chagrin but Mitsune's entertainment. However, she all of the sudden went quiet. Her eyes had widened and she just stared. And stared. And stared.

This continued for quite sometime before she began to bounce up and down.

"Oh look! Haruka, look! He's so hot! He looks like a man!"

"He happens to be one, Mutsumi." Kitsune said. Mutsumi didn't notice. She was star struck. She was head-over-heels in love. Literally. She stood up but tripped over her own foot, falling flat on her face. She didn't notice that either. We lifted her up back into her seat.

"Wow…Haruka! Bring him over here! Then I can talk to him! And fall in love! And then I can get married to him, have his ten children and be his loving wife. Ahhh."

I was gagging. But Kitsune was watching Mutsumi intently. "Do you really like him?" She asked, the serious look still on her face. Mutsumi nodded vigorously. I sure her head would fall off. Mitsune straightened herself up.  "How much?"

"I would give the world for him." Mitsune nodded once more and took a deep breath. Both Mutsumi and me were watching her now. What was she doing?

At that moment, Mitsune let out a piercing cry. I widened my eyes, winced and quickly turned my head away. I didn't know her.

Mitsune threw her arms around a very confused Mutsumi. She let out heaving sobs that shook her whole body. She convinced me. Mutsumi awkwardly patted her back, not knowing what else to do. Everyone was staring, including the boy. Mitsune noticed also and looked over at him.

"You!" She screeched, pointing a lithe finger in his direction. "It's all your fault! How could you? How?" Mitsune collapsed again, sobbing heavily. The poor man, pointed to himself, looking very confused.

Mitsune looked back up and saw him. She nodded and motioned to him to come over to her and Mutsumi, while her tears continued to streak her cheeks.

"You…you stole it!"

"Wh-hat? The poor boy looked scared. He looked at Mutsumi, who was just staring at him.

"You stole h-her hear-rt!"

"I what?!"

"You stole my sister's heart!" Kitsune screeched, pointing to Mutsumi.

"But she's still alive." I froze. Just great. Mutsumi falls in love with an airhead like herself.

"No! You stole her heart! She's in love with you! My little sister!" Mitsune stroked Mutsumi's head.

"Oh. Um, hi. I'm Jiro." Mutsumi nodded. Mitsune watched her.

"She's Mutsumi. And that's Mommy." Mitsune motioned to me. I did a double take. Did she just refer to me as 'Mommy'?

The boy looked at me and smiled, taking my hand and shaking it. "Hello Mommy. I'm pleased to meet you. You have two very lovely daughters. I was wondering if I could have your daughter's phone number?" He motioned to Mutsumi. I nodded numbly.

He thought I looked old. A perfect stranger thought I looked old. Like a mom. Oh no.

Mitsune got up and took the seat next to me. "It's because you don't laugh." She whispered. I shot her a glare. She reminded me too much of Seta. Too happy-go-lucky.

I hated her.

.~.

Eh. Not the best but pretty good.

Thanks all of you who reviewed my last chapters of 'Drown'! And thanks to Kayrie, Mozzarella, and red52 for putting me on her favorites list!

mr-winkie- Thanks! I tried to get her personality right. But I don't think I did to well here. But I tried, right? Oh and you're welcome! I love your story! It's so captivating.

Mozzarella- I'm glad you're enjoying it! I like Haruka as a main character too. It's different. I was iffy on the last chapters because they were so abrupt. But thank you for the support!

Gotenks01013- I redid the 'Drown' chapters. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! As for the H/K pairing, LoL, you are reading too much into it. I'm sorry I made it seem that way! I have nothing against those pairings, but I wanted to show how Kitsune is paying attention to Haruka and her plight. LoL! Thanks!

Brian, Warrior of Time- Thank you! LoL! Your psycho red head thing was funny! Loved it!

velocet- No problem! You didn't have to review! It's fine, really! Sorry, but there isn't a real H/K pairing. I have nothing against those pairings but sorry! I was just showing how Kits notices Haruka's plight. Yes, you're very eloquent! ^.^ I am messing with the pairings, as you'll see. It's so much fun!

Dark-Hand- You're good at scaring me! When I first started to read it I was freaking out! But then I smiled! Big! An AU in AU? Hmmm-Nice idea…Yes. XYZ has helped me many, many times. It's so funny because you're walking around and someone needs to…yeah…so you just say XYZ and ta-da! You've saved them!

Book of Doom- Aww…Thanks! I was iffy on the humor because it sounded so…typical…But you made me happy! Thanks a ton! The screeching grannies part actually came from the movie. It was classic! Thanks so much!