Author Notes:

Thank you all so much for your kind reviews! Its exciting to see that people are interested in what I'm writing. To answer some of your questions- yes, I do realize that I am incredibly cruel for ending the last chapter in a cliffhanger. But guess what! It isn't going to get any better. So, nyyaaaah! Also, there were some questions on if "fennecfoxrawks" is an OC or not. Well, I'm actually going to torture you all with that! Why? Because I'm not telling'! I'll leave it at this- you may OR may not know the identity of that character. She may or may not be an original character. I will tell you nothing! Hah! Also, Hatori's online name will be revealed in this chapter. So…no need to answer that question here. ;) Oh, and 'gure'slilinu'.. AHH! I had SO used that fixing Shigure line in this chapter! But I removed it, as to keep you from thinking that I was using your material. I about spit my cornflakes all over my monitor when I read that, thinking "Psychic! That chick is PSYCHIC!" Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I am not Natsuki Takaya. Good enough?

A Mabudachi Story:

Chapter Three

By Ayame Kazeai

'Fennecfoxrawks' never met Hatori in that chat room that night, or any other night for the following four days. He couldn't help but wonder if maybe he had said something wrong. Sure, it had been only twelve lovely days of knowing her, but gods… he already knew he so well. "It must have been something I said…" he thought to himself. Nostalgically, he began to flip through their old emails.

"lawofthedragon-

I really enjoyed talking to you tonight. It's so weird to actually, you know, level with someone. I mean, I have friends that are way smarter than me and all that I suppose I could talk to about this, but they are the intimidating kind of smart. You had asked me what I wanted to be once I go to and graduate college…well…I don't know! Maybe a zoologist. I have this thing for animals. Or maybe I'll be a nurse. I have a friend that wants to be a doctor, so he could use a good-looking' thang like me to do all the hard work! (Just kidding!). What about you?

Anyway, catch you later!

-fennecfoxrawks"

"fennecfoxrawks-

Sounds rather entertaining. I actually have dreams of being a doctor myself. If your friend fails to hire you to sit there and look charming, I will. Haha. Sorry this took so long to reply- my dad was bothering me. I had some family thing to do deal with. Anyway, hope to chat more soon.

-lawofthedragon"

"lawofthedragon-

Yeah, family stinks sometimes. I wish I wasn't part of mine sometimes… though, I'd rather have a father that bugs me than one that is an non-existant as mine. I'll chat more later.

-fennecfoxrawks

PS: I'll take you up on that job offer!"

"I'm just overreacting… the problem with a crush is how insecure it makes one feel" he thought with a wry smile. Hatori let out a sigh and relaxed in his chair. A hand went up to brush fingers through his hair, and settled against his chin. "I'm being silly…being let down by some girl on the internet, of all places." he said to himself.

And just as he started to sign off for the evening, an IM popped onto his screen.

"fennecfoxrawks: Hey…"

Hatori blinked, then leaned forward in interest.

"lawofthedragon- Oh, hello there. Where have you been?"

"fennecfoxrawks- I've had family problems…"

Hatori's eyes flitted to the picture that laid next to his monitor, and typed in response "Heh, I feel your pain."

"fennecfoxrawks: Did you miss me?"

"lawofthedragon: Of course."

"fennecfoxrawks: How much?"

Hatori smiled.

"lawofthedragon: Too much!"

"fennecfoxrawks: Aww!"

"lawofthedragon: Hey, let's do something sometime."

He put himself on the line. Twelve days of knowing someone wasn't long, but he felt like he had known her forever. And after a few minutes of silence, he had her response:

"fennecfoxrawks: Okay."

♥

"HAAAAAAAAATORI-SAN!" Ayame squealed as he took a seat on Hatori's desk and, coincidentally, the homework that sat on top of it.

Hatori's eyes slowly rose to the cause of his distraction. Moments later, Shigure appeared on the seat in front of him. The two seemed in an incredibly good mood today- the kind that almost made him worry, at that.

"Yes?" he asked quietly.

"I just organized my first official event since taking over the ever impressive role of Student Body President, Tori-chan!" he replied proudly, and put a hand to his chest "YES! I, Ayame Sohma, have organized the SPRING FORMAL!"

Hatori offered a rare smile in reply. "I'm glad to see that you have put your creative nature to good use."

Shigure, who was (forgive me for the pun) grinning like a dog, held up a finger in the air and added "You haven't heard the best part yet!"

A quick nod of agreement came from Ayame. "YES! Our Spring Formal Extravaganza this year is to be a masquerade ball! Everyone shows up in formal attire and a face mask, and we all dance the night away in the arms of the unknown! Then, at the stroke of midnight, the masks are removed, and the identities revealed."

Applause came from all around them. It was no surprise to see that Ayame's breath taking performance had attracted quite a crowed. He took a bow from his perch on Hatori's homework. "Thank you, thank you."

But Hatori was too deep into thought to notice the commotion.

"A masked ball…"

♥

"fennecfoxrawks: Wow, he sounds like a blast!"

"lawofthedragon: Who, my eccentric, unrealistic friend? Interesting, yes. He has his good qualities, but sometimes he's over the top."

"fennecfoxrawks: Over the top adds excitement!"

"lawofthedragon: Hah, excitement and gray hairs."

It seemed like after the long four days of being apart, the two chatted more than ever. While fennec remained a bit to herself when it came to talk about their families and friends, Hatori had become an open book. He finally felt like he had found someone to confide in. He had also found the kind of person that he knew he could eventually fall for. So, it was without question… he needed to meet her.

"lawofthedragon: Hey Fen?"

"fennecfoxrawks: Yes?"

"lawofthedragon: Think back to a few days ago…"

"fennecfoxrawks: Thinking…"

"lawofthedragon: When I asked if you wanted to 'do something sometime'."

"fennecfoxrawks: Vague memory…"

"lawofthedragon: I've come up with a something."

"fennecfoxrawks: Details?"

"lawofthedragon: Masquerade Ball at my school. Friday night, 7 pm. Faces covered from the world until midnight, then we unveil."

And with that, it was decided. Hatori would be meeting his Cinderella.

♥

"So, I asked Akito-san for permission…" Shigure began, "…I had to 'alter the truth' slightly, so to say…"

"Mm? What did you say to her?" Ayame asked before slipping another grape into his mouth. It was a lazy afternoon and the boys were just relaxing. Ayame was sprawled across Hatori's bed with a bowl of grapes at his side, in a way that might cause one to think of Cleopatra a la Elizabeth Taylor. Shigure sat next to him with his back against the wall, fighting off Ayame's hand swats as he attempted to steal his grapes. Hatori, however, sat on a nearby chair- legs crossed, posture perfect, and hands folded on his lap.

Shigure thought for a moment, then answered "Well, I told her that we had a study group for a project. We didn't want to be out late every night this week, so instead we're going to get it all done in one evening."

Hatori nodded. "Very good. And were we given permission?"

"Yes. She said that we have to be home by 1 am. She even said that she might send out people to check on us, and if we're late…"

Ayame rolled over onto his back and ran a finger across his neck, as if demonstrating their punishment. The three boys laughed heartily.

"Crazy how we're under the tyrannical reign of a 10 year old…" Ayame added after the laughter died down.

"At least she's letting us go!" Hatori replied with a smile.

"Too true." Shigure replied, then turned in interest to look at Hatori. "So, what is the plan with you and your cyber darling anyway? Is she going?"

Hatori nodded. "Yes, she is. She is going to meet me at the school…thankfully, she knows where it is located. We've arranged to meet in the center of the dance floor near that lovely disco ball that Ayame so unnecessarily placed there. She said that she will be wearing white, and I will be wearing a rose, as to help her to find me. From there, who knows… the only bad part is that her mother will be there to pick her up by midnight, so we might miss the unmasking. Think you could call it a few minutes early, Ayame?"

"Mmm, sure. I think I could swing that for you." Ayame replied with a smile.

♥

"Wow, Ayame…I think you've actually outdone yourself." Shigure exclaimed, hand resting on his chin, as he surveyed the scene of the ball. Just from the outside it looked amazing. Hollywood styled lights waved back and forth from the ground, emitting beams of light up in to the sky as far as the eye could see. Cars, limos, and other luxury vehicles pulled up to the front doors, which were open just enough to see the lights and decorations, to drop off their riders. It was glamour in it's best state. Even all of the fellow students were beautiful. Tales, top hats, sweeping evening gowns, and of course…stylish, face hiding masks on everyone.

Ayame stood proudly, hands on his hips, as he smiled and took in the grandeur that was his first social event of the school year. "Yes, well.. I'm Ayame! Would you have expected less?" he replied with a wink. "But for now, my darlings, I have things to tend to. I need to make sure everything goes by perfectly. I'll catch up with you two soon." he added, then ran off to take care of business.

The two remaining friends shrugged to one another, and started on their way through the doors. They were in the grand ballroom of the local Hilton, a place typically reserved for political balls or conventions or other high-end events. Crystal chandeliers hung from every possible place on the ceiling, showing that too much was never enough. The floors were a beautiful red and gray marble, and huge Grecian styled columns were tucked away in ever corner. There was crystal literally everywhere and curtains, streamers, balloons, and other décor in shades of pink, purple, and lavender. It was almost like a scene out of a storybook fairytale…you know, the kind where the princess finds her prince amongst the frogs all begging to dance with her?

"Well, I'm off to do my thing. Good luck with your date, Haa-chan!" Shigure cooed playfully as he clapped his friend on the back. Before he could even make his way away from Hatori, a group of girls rushed up to him.

"Oh, Shigure-san! We wanted to know if you'd… if you'd dance with our friend!" a pretty girl with long black hair asked nervously. Two of the girls nodded while another girl looked away with embarrassment.

"Depends…are you that friend?" he replied smoothly, and ran a fingertip along her jaw line.

The girl stammered. Oh my. Did Shigure Sohma just t-t-touch her! Another girl shoved her to the side suddenly, stepped up, let out a huge heaving sigh, and said "No. It's our other friend." as she pointed to the blonde-haired girl standing nearby, who continued to keep her eyes away from him in embarrassment. "She's had the biggest crush on you fore-"

The girl suddenly looked to the two and whapped her friend on the back of the head. "No, Mizuki! Please don't!"

Mizuki looked over her shoulder at the girl, shot her a dirty look, and replied "Mii, with that kind of attitude, you won't get anywhere in life."

Shigure held his hands up as if he were under arrest, took a step back, and said "Now now ladies. There's enough Gure-chan for everyone. But for now, I must go and find Ayame."

"A-a-Ayame…-kun…." the girls all cooed dreamily.

Hatori turned his back on the spectacle as Shigure excused himself and took his leave, and in perfect time too, considering that just as he turned his attention to the doorway, everyone else seemed to as well. There was an angel in their midst.

End Note: I didn't want to make this one sooo short, but then I decided to make the entire meeting part into it's own chapter.. which wasn't what I had originally planned. I am so sorry that it's another cliffhanger! I will strive to make things better! GOMEN NASSSAAAAAAAAAAAAII-flails arms around-