Disclaimer: Oh please.

Reen's ramblings: Started writing this at 8am or so, finished at 1pm. I haven't eaten breakfast yet, hurhur XD Just thought you'd like to know.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Chapter 6

"Check HER out."

Horo-horo and Ren both watched as a pretty junior girl came walking past them. They were sprawled on one of the benches in the school courtyard, thankfully shaded from the glaring sun by trees behind them.

"Thong?"

"Nope."

"Color?"

"White. Hmm, very virginal." Horo-horo sighed happily. "I love the girls' uniforms. The skirts are so sinfully short."

Ren blanched a little. "You're sick."

"You're as sick as I am, you're watching with me!" Horo protested.

"Yeah…but—it was YOUR idea to check out how many girls in our campus wear thongs under their skirts. And I just…happened to be sitting here with you. Yeah," Ren defended.

"Whatever. Hey look, she's wearing one! Hah!" So far they've only seen five or so, and most of them looked like freshmen.

"Whatever," Ren mimicked. He looked around the courtyard for a sign of long, flowing, sky-blue hair somewhere. She wasn't here…probably somewhere inside the campus, surrounded by her pathetic group of admirers. He scowled at the thought.

Someone stepped outside the school entrance, and Ren turned his head so fast he nearly cricked his neck. It was only Hao. Ren watched as Hao flipped his hair over his shoulder—why would any guy WANT his hair to be that long?—before reaching into his pocket for something.

Ren heard a faint scream of "HAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" before a blur of black and brown launched herself at Hao. Ren watched, fascinated, as Hao lifted Opacho up and twirled her around. They both laughed. Ren saw Hao reach into his pocket again, taking out a lollipop, which he gave to Opacho. The little girl squealed with happiness.

"You know, maybe Opacho's the reason why our principal hasn't kicked Hao out yet," Ren remarked to Horo-horo.

"Huh?" Horo-horo forced his attention away from his thong-viewing for a moment to focus on Hao and Opacho. "What do you mean?"

"I think the principal couldn't kick Hao out because his daughter would be mad at him if he does so."

Horo snorted. "What the principal should do is keep his precious daughter away from Hao Asakura. Who knows if the candies he gives Opacho has like Ecstasy or something in it."

"Yeah, or marijuana," Ren muttered, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

"Yeah…WHOA. Who is THAT?"

"Damn it, stop the underwear watch already, Horo-horo!" Ren snapped, keeping his eyes closed.

"Idiot, I'm not looking at her underwear, I'm looking at her face, whoever she is. She's really, and I mean REALLY pretty."

Ren opened his eyes and lifted his head to see who his best friend was referring to. "Oh. Her. That's Mr. Strahnbrad's daughter, Jeanne."

Horo whipped his head around to look at Ren. "How do you know?"

Ren shrugged. "Someone told me before. I forgot who."

They both watched as Jeanne sauntered around the courtyard, apparently looking for somebody.

"I hope she goes over here to talk to us," Horo-horo said eagerly.

Ren scoffed. "You're so pathetic. One, she doesn't know us; two, we don't know her, not really; and three, aren't you going out with Tamao now?"

"Yeah, well, not really." Horo scratched the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "We're not exactly a couple, like officially, but we've been hanging out a lot. She's the nicest, funniest, cutest—"

"Okay, you can stop gushing now," Ren said, disgusted.

Jeanne turned her head in their direction. Her eyes lit up, and she started walking towards them.

Horo-horo's eyes bugged out. "I must have some kind of fifth sense or something. She IS coming over to talk to us!"

They both watched apprehensively as Jeanne came closer…and closer…

…and walked right past them.

"Lyserg, I've been looking all over the school for you!" they heard her exclaim.

Ren and Horo-horo both whipped around to see Jeanne standing over Lyserg, who was sitting on a bench quite behind them. They didn't even notice Lyserg was there all this time.

"Y-You have?" they heard Lyserg ask in disbelief. "I mean, I'm sorry…please, have a seat."

Jeanne twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, looking a bit shy. "No, it's okay…I was just wondering if I could talk to you alone. I mean, not here, it's too noisy…unless you're busy doing something…"

"Oh, no, this is just, you know…I can do these at home." Ren and Horo continued watching unabashedly as Lyserg gathered his books and stood up. "Let's go. Where to?"

"Anywhere that's quiet…not the library though…" Their voices became faint as they walked away.

"What was THAT all about?" Horo-horo wondered aloud. Ren merely shrugged.

"But, damn, that Jeanne's a real head turner! I like Tamao a lot but there's nothing wrong with checking out other girls, right? Right, Ren?"

Ren didn't reply, because his attention was caught by another head turner. Who had long, flowing, sky blue hair, much like his best friend's. Whose cheeks were flushed. Who was currently walking towards them.

And looking like she wanted to wring their necks.

:skip:

"So, uh…what did you want to talk to me about?" Lyserg looked at Jeanne a bit nervously. She had led him inside an empty classroom and promptly locked the door behind them.

Her face turned serious. "Well, I just had an interesting chat with my father before." She seated herself next to him and looked at him expectantly.

Lyserg furrowed his brows. "And?"

Oh, how dare he act like he didn't know what this was about. Jeanne sighed. "Look, I don't know if my father talks to you about me a lot—"

"He doesn't," Lyserg cut in. Then he flushed. "Sorry. Go on, please."

She gave him a weird look. "And I don't know if he told you that I'm not allowed to date but I'm allowed to go to the Prom anyway—"

"He did," Lyserg cut in again.

"—with someone who I will choose, if you get what I mean." She raised her eyebrows at him. "Do you?"

Lyserg frowned. "No." Then abruptly, his eyes lit up. "Oh yeah! I remember now!"

"I'm glad you do," Jeanne said, a bit tartly. "I'd just like to let you know that I'm not too pleased with this arrangement."

He looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry. We can break it off if you want. Mr. Strahnbrad sort of asked me to be your date and I…sort of volunteered." He coughed a little.

She paused, staring at him. He's so cute…ARGH, focus, Jeanne. "Did my dad ask you or did you volunteer? Which is which?"

"Um…both." He ran his hand through his hair. "It's sort of…complicated."

"Well…okay," Jeanne shrugged. "So my dad asked you, you volunteered, whatever, and then you forgot that you had me as your date."

"It's not like that!" he protested. "I just…didn't remember right away…" he faltered.

"Right," she said, looking amused. "Well, I'd also like to let you know that it's okay for me that we're going together to the Prom. I was just a bit angry because I don't like people deciding for me."

"I understand," Lyserg said, looking relieved. "So…we're still on?"

"Yes," she said, smiling at him. "That's all I want to talk to you about. I just wanted to clear up a few things."

They both stood up, Lyserg's hand accidentally brushing against Jeanne's thigh as they did so. He turned red. "S-Sorry…I didn't mean—" Damn those girls' skirts, too short…

"It's okay," Jeanne said, blushing herself.

They walked towards the door. Lyserg, ever the gentleman, opened it for her and stepped aside to let her pass first. She smiled and walked a few steps ahead, when she suddenly stopped and turned to him. "Oh, and another thing…" she started to say, looking at him in the eye.

"Yes?"

She nearly got distracted by his green eyes. They were so…Snap out of it, Jeanne. "I…don't really like going out with someone I don't really know. So I'd like for us to get to know each other more before the Prom comes around. Is that okay?"

Lyserg stared back at her, a smile slowly gracing his features. "I'd like that a lot."

:skip:

"Yoh!"

He turned around, grinning widely, before his mouth dropped open. "Anna!" Yoh stood outside the gym doors, gaping at the blonde haired girl. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," she answered. "Is your practice over?"

"Uh…yeah." He must be in trouble. It was always him who waited for her, not vice versa.

"Did you change already?"

"Yeah. Um, did I do something wrong?"

"Where? In your practice? I wouldn't know, I wasn't watching."

"No, no, I mean to you."

Anna looked at him strangely. "No. Why would you think that? Come on, let's go."

He picked up his gym bag and went up to her. They started walking. Then Anna slipped an arm around his and rested her head on his shoulder.

Yoh nearly stopped. He could feel his face getting hot. What the heck is she thinking up of now? But this felt…nice. He'd always wanted to touch her before, but he never did because he knew she'd pummel him. So if SHE was touching him, heck, he's not going to complain.

A sophomore walked past them, staring at them with his mouth hanging open.

"What are you staring at?" Anna snapped at him, raising her head. The sophomore's eyes widened, and he ran away.

"Anna, you didn't have to—"

"Shut up," she said, punching him on the arm before resting her head on his shoulder again. He merely groaned inwardly in pain.

They entered the school courtyard. Anna spotted an empty bench and steered Yoh towards it. "Let's sit over there." She let go of his arm and walked ahead to sit down on the bench. Yoh noticed she was limping a little.

"Are you alright?" he asked, sitting next to her.

"Yeah, fine, my feet just hurt a little. I've been running around the whole day, doing things…you know." She reached down and unbuckled the straps of her school shoes, wincing.

"Do you want me to massage them?" Yoh offered, looking concerned.

"No, it's okay. Thanks for offering, anyway."

"Well…do you want me to carry you home?"

She glared at him. "Do you want to die?"

"Ehehe, just wanted to help," he said, grinning sheepishly.

Anna sighed, leaning back into the bench as she stretched her legs. Then she abruptly sat up, clapping her hands together. "I just had a great idea. Do you really want to help me?"

"Uh…yeah…"

She glared at him.

"Of course I want to help you!" Yoh said quickly.

"Alright, then. Exchange shoes with me."

Yoh stared down at his rubber shoes, to Anna's baby doll shoes. "I've got a better idea. You wear my rubber shoes and I'll just carry your shoes in my hand and walk around in my socks."

"Are you crazy? Why would I let you walk around here wearing only your socks? Do you think I'm heartless?"

"No! But, I can't wear your shoes, Anna!"

"Why not?" she demanded.

"Because…because…I'll look stupid!" he said desperately.

"Oh, so just because you don't want to look stupid, you'll let me suffer because of my aching feet, is that it!" she yelled.

"Anna, come on! I said I'd give you my rubber shoes so your feet won't ache anymore! It doesn't matter to me if it's MY feet that'll ache!"

"Forget it, then." Anna stood up, hastily putting her feet back in her shoes and walking off, stomping and limping.

"Anna! Anna, WAIT!" Yoh hurriedly slung his bag over one shoulder and ran off after Anna.

"I'll exchange shoes with you if that's what you really want!" Yoh's faint shout could be heard.

Ah, if only poor Yoh remembered he had his school shoes inside his gym bag after all…

:skip:

"Man, what happened to best friends being there for each other, huh?" Horo-horo whined to Ren. "Why didn't you help me?" He was panting, holding onto the bench as he tried to catch his breath. Horo has just spent the last fifteen minutes being chased by his irate sister.

While Ren remained on the bench, highly amused by the show.

"Pilica told me to stay out of it. Just following orders," Ren said, shrugging.

Horo-horo plopped onto the bench, closing his eyes. "Sheesh, my sister is such a harpy. She even scratched me, look! And I don't even know what I did to make her so mad this time."

A shadow fell over them, and Horo-horo sat upright. "I'M SORRY! I'm sorry for all the wrong things I did to you, for ripping your Barbie's head off when you were seven, for cutting a lock of your hair when you were asleep, for burning off your eyebrows when we were nine—"

"What the hell is he talking about?" Hao asked Ren.

Horo opened his eyes. "Hao?"

Hao grinned cheekily. "Greetings."

Horo-horo sighed in relief. "I thought you were Pilica. Thank goodness…do you still have some lollipops?"

The long haired senior paused for a moment, then he shrugged. "As a matter of fact, I do." Hao reached inside his pocket and took out one. "Here."

Horo-horo took it. "Thanks." He unwrapped the lollipop, sniffing it. "Does this have drugs in it?"

Hao gave him a strange look. "No. Why would it have drugs in it?"

"Just checking." Horo promptly put the lollipop in his mouth. "Mmm, shocoweit. Dewishoos."

"Want one?" Hao held out a lollipop towards Ren.

Ren gave him a disgusted look. "No. You guys are such kids."

"Whatever," Hao said cheerfully, unwrapping the lollipop for himself. "So, are you all ready for the Prom? Got your tuxes ready? The corsages? The limo? Your date, most importantly?"

Horo-horo choked. "I have to rent a limousine for Tamao!"

"You don't have to if you don't want to," Hao said. "But the corsage has to match her dress. And your tux has to match her dress, as well. So Tamao is your date! What about you, Ren?"

"None of your business," Ren said sullenly.

"Oh come on!" Horo protested. "You haven't told me who you're going with, either!"

Ren hesitated. "It's—"

"Hey Lyserg, over here!" Hao shouted, waving Lyserg over.

Lyserg walked up to them, frowning at Hao. "What do you want?"

Hao grinned. "Nothing! You're too grumpy sometimes, I just called you. Want one?" He offered him a lollipop.

Lyserg glanced at the candy apprehensively. "Did you put something in this?"

"No! What the hell, why does everyone think I'd put drugs in lollipops?"

"Wouldn't put it past you," Lyserg muttered, but he took the lollipop anyway.

"So Lyserg, did you score one with Mr. Strahnbrad's daughter?" Ren asked, smirking.

"Excuse me?" Lyserg spluttered. "I would NEVER take advantage of—"

"So you're going to the Prom with Jeanne!" Hao said, patting Lyserg heartily on the back. "That's great. I asked her to go with me but she turned me down. She must really want to go with you."

If you only knew, Lyserg thought, popping the lollipop into his mouth to hide a smile.

"So who are YOU going with, Hao?" Horo-horo asked.

"Well, to quote Ren, it's 'none of your business'," Hao said cheerfully.

"Hey Ren, you still haven't told us who—"

"Is THAT Yoh?" Lyserg asked incredulously, pointing.

They all turned to look. Hao choked on his lollipop.

Anna was skipping ahead of Yoh, wearing rubber shoes, while Yoh lumbered behind her, holding onto his gym bag and wearing what looked like a girl's school shoes.

"STOP! ANNA, WAIT!" they could hear Yoh yell.

"IF YOU DON'T CATCH ME, YOU'RE DEAD!" Anna yelled back.

They watched as the two ran in front of them, their mouths hanging open.

"They're acting totally out of character," Hao muttered.

"Yoh and Anna?" Lyserg asked.

Hao nodded. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, Anna," he said, more to himself. "But whatever you do, Yoh is going to win." He smiled serenely.

To be continued