Chapter 6:

Expect the Unexpected?

Author's Note: Thank you for all your reviews. I haven't gotten all too many, but I've gotten a fair amount. I appreciate those that take the time to read and review my story. All my thanks to you!

Disclaimer: I don't own Mario.

Bounce!

The mattress in room 145 of the Mushroom City V.I.P hotel's bed went up and down as a bored princess bounced on top of it. Holding a TV controller in her right gloved hand, she turned the television on, and switched to the news channel. A little Toad was on the screen, holding a microphone in its hand.

The auburn-haired princess rubbed her eyes, in a bit of surprise. The place behind the reporter looked so familiar... And then it snapped!

It was the sight of the upcoming tennis tournament.

The whole Mushroom Kingdom had to be just as eager as Princess Daisy herself for the upcoming games. They were going to be exciting; full of famous inhabitants from and not from the Mushroom Kingdom. The main focus of this tournament though; the person everyone would be keeping "tabs" on was Mario. The little red-capped plumber had won the hearts of many viewers throughout the kingdom. His courage had made some of the strongest stared with awe; his respect for the princess and nobility had made some of the more proper and upper class section of the kingdom regard him with complete fascination. He was an idol. His brother was much like one too. Though the two were distinguished more as a duo, Mario was defiantly the more famous of the brothers.

Princess Peach Toadstool was another Mushroom Kingdom star. Living in her own castle and respected by many, the princess was always the usual 'damsel in distress'...and yet...she was very popular for it. There were many girls that would do ANYTHING to be in her place...

And at times, the young ambitious princess thought, as she stared at the little Toad on the screen; she could be one of them. She hated to admit it to herself, but she wanted Peach's popularity. She wanted a pre-arranged happy ending. Though Peach didn't see it, she had a lot of things going for her. Through all the kidnappings, through all the conflict and rivalry, there were some good guarantees that would come true because of it.

The first was that it would end someday. That was a given.

The second was that Peach would eventually marry Mario. Daisy laughed. As stupid as the idea seemed at first, the two were perfect for each other. They both cared; admit it or not.

The third would be that Peach would never be forgotten. Everyone would forever know her name. She'd be in all of the history books the little Mushroom Kingdom inhabitants studied. She'd be regarded as a true heroine for all her deeds...

Unlike Daisy.

Had she saved the kingdom? No. Had she been kidnapped a lot? No. Did everyone know her name? Everyone in Sarasaland, that is. But here? Goodness no!

Sometimes Daisy wished she could forget about the whole princess thing and just move to the Mushroom Kingdom to be with her friends. Sure, she had friends in Sarasaland...but none of them were as close to her as she was to Peach...or Mario. And none of them were nearly as interesting.

Mario always had stories to tell. He went on so many adventures that it made the bold princess green with envy. Green. Luigi was pretty interesting too. His mansion was always quite a place to visit...ever since the ghost got taken out anyway. There was a new room to discover every time...

Most of the fun in Daisy's life took place in the Mushroom Kingdom. Heck, even some of her tea sessions with Peach were entertaining. She had no supervision. She had no restrictions...she was regarded as a person rather then a princess. There were no RULES to follow. The only rules to follow were the ones her cousin made.

But most of all, she was FREE in the Mushroom Kingdom. No one cared about what she did, as much as they'd try to hide it. Sure, Peach probably wasn't nearly as worried as her attendants would exaggerate. And at the same time, Daisy didn't worry too much about Peach. Things were under control. Peachy-keen.

Her blue eyes suddenly gazed at the clock on the night table next to the bed she had formally balanced on. She could go now. She had spent about an hour unpacking all her clothes; including several gowns. She gave her suite a "homey" touch by putting some pictures on the tables and her own pillow in place of the one that hotel provided.

She was satisfied. Hopping off her bed and back into her orange high-heels, Princess Daisy headed out of her suite with her purse in hand and hurried over to the elevator directly into it.

Finally arriving on the ground floor, she rushed out and back into the busy streets of the metropolis. She walked over to the nearby bus stop, deciding to take the bus out of town and closer to the castle area.

The green caterpillar-like bus soon arrived, as one of the doors opened allowing the princess to step in. She did so, paying the bus driver and taking a front seat. She liked the front. It was the closest to the action. And besides, she thought with a smirk, I can be the first one off.

The buses in the Mushroom Kingdom usually had extremely long slow lines when it came to getting off the buses. There were few things worse then a slow line...at least in Daisy's opinion.

She gazed at the window, not really in the mood to mingle with the tourists. Time flew by rather fast, considering there were hardly any passengers going to the castle in the first place. No, they were all going south; to the tennis tournament area to get in shape and get tickets for seats.

Finally, arriving near Princess Toadstool's beloved and quite famous castle, the bus stopped, letting Daisy and other various passengers that were going on the castle tour to get off. They all waddled there, while Daisy walked slowly, taking her good old time making note of any differences since the last time she visited. There were hardly any. The last time she had visited was 2 weeks ago.

She snuck over towards a little path she had found herself, that took her pass the castle gates and into the castle courtyard, allowing her to get by without paying. It was a bit of a crime, but when she visited so much there wasn't much logic in forcing her to pay. Besides, she didn't want to wait in another long line, now did she?

And then, almost too suddenly, the princess stopped, hearing a bit of laughter. It must have been Mario and Peach enjoying their picnic....

Daisy sighed. Maybe it was wrong for her to intrude.

But then again, maybe it wasn't. She headed towards the direction of the sound, trying to be as soft and unnoticed as possible. Immediately, she came to a halt, when she saw the back of two familiar people. The one was a tall girl in a beautiful pink gown. Her long blonde hair covered the back of it practically, but the main attraction was the elegant crown on her head. That was Peach.

The other figure sitting next to her was semi-tall, pretty much almost the same height of the lady sitting beside him. Daisy gasped. It wasn't wearing red but green...

Luigi.

There went her plan...

She looked around uneasily. Maybe Mario had gone somewhere for a minute; maybe he was running late. That HAD to be it. If it wasn't then she had come earlier for the entirely wrong reasons. But...still hidden, she decided it was best to eavesdrop on their conversation. It could be interesting, right?

"It's a shame Mario couldn't join us," Daisy heard the girl say, in a bit of a disappointed tone.

"I wish Daisy could 'a joined us too," commented the plumber, in his semi-Italian accent. Everything was "semi" about him. Sort of odd...

"Oh, she's in the city currently," Peach said. "I just got report that she arrived late for lunch," she giggled. "Very like her, isn't it? She always seems to be tardy."

I am not Peach! I'm here an hour early now, aren't I? the princess thought to herself, shaking her head.

Luigi didn't comment on that.

Peach went on. "Goodness, she's full of wild ideas too. She can't seem to get it pass her that Mario and I are simply friends!"

Another silent reply. Maybe he was giving her odd facial expressions instead...

Daisy let out a giggle.

"What was that?" Luigi finally spoke up, his voice shaking a bit.

Oh no! Daisy thought to herself, biting her lip. Busted...

She sank a bit lower into the bush she was hiding behind.

"I didn't hear anything," the first voice said, shaking her head, allowing her long luxurious blonde hair to move with it.

"Oh...I could 'a swore I heard a lady giggle." He commented.

"Perhaps you're imagining," Peach said, tilting her head to the left. "I didn't hear a thing..."

Daisy gulped, watching Luigi's head turn around to look behind him. The bushes rattled.

"Over there!" he exclaimed, pointing. "Something's in the bushes!"

Shoot! Daisy frowned, now completely sure her cover was "gone with the wind".

The plumber wandered over towards the bushes, getting a glimpse of what was hidden behind it. His eyes widen. "D-d-d-daisy?"

Daisy sighed and stood up, rather embarrassed. "Oh, hi Luigi!" she greeted, giggling once again. "Lovely view here, isn't it?"

Final Notes: Thank you for reading. I apologize for my grammar and spelling mistakes...and my horrible job of Luigi's accent. Please review.