I'm sorry it took so long to update, but I was bogged down by school and the like. I hope I can make the next chapter longer... Actually, it's not as short as the first chapter, so I guess it's not too bad.

Kotori Susayski: Thank you so much for reviewing! I hope I really am a good writer, and I hope my writing is up to your expectations. Any predictions so far?

Blackrose108: Why did you mention them? They don't come in until later... much later...

Muffin sneered at him. "And you think you have a good plan?"

"Yes, I believe I do."

-0-0-0-

Taiyaki unlocked the door to her apartment. She was living alone in Tokyo, so she could attend a good high school. She closed the door behind her and stood there for a few minutes, reflecting on the events of the day: Dr. Shirougane, the experiment, and the aliens.

Pretty whacked, right?

She resignedly pulled out her homework, but she fell asleep at her desk after 10 minutes, exhausted. She began to dream...

Water? No, light. It's white and blue... Ripples. I can see a... cat? No, it's bigger, must be a... tiger. Tiger, ears, tail. Tail? It's changing. Now it looks like a person... Nope, the ears are still there, and the tail. A sword? Ha... That must be me. Do I really look that weird? Wait, what... no, who's that? It's... one of those aliens! He's going to... No! Blue explosion... That bird was...

-0-0-0-

"This worked with her, but I don't know if it will work right for you."

"It's alright; I'll be fine."

"Okay, if you're sure..."

bzzap!

-0-0-0-

The train whistle sounded as Taiyaki sluggishly rubbed her eyes. Her alarm clock showed 7:15.

"I'm going to be late! I have to be at the school before 7:30!" She scrambled to change her clothes and stuff her breakfast down her throat while hopping around on one foot, trying to put her shoes on. Grabbing her bag, she rushed out the door and almost fell down the stairs. Miraculously, she flipped over before she could slam her face into the unforgiving wood.

Okay... That's strange, considering I've never been much of a gymnast. Oh, well, I have to get going!

Taiyaki ran down the street, desperate to be on time.

I can't be late today! Wait, I think there's a shortcut here.

She veered off the sidewalk and into the bushes, cutting through the trees. As she broke through the greenery, she didn't notice two pairs of eyes watching her.

-0-0-0-

"Hah... I made it... Whew..." Taiyaki, suddenly self-conscious, quickly picked the leaves from her hair and straightened her uniform. She was supposed to meet someone today, Hiroshi, and she'd had a crush on him for some months now. She had been ecstatic when he had asked her out, over the dozens of other girls vying for his hand. The absurdity of her earlier actions suddenly struck her.

And just yesterday, I wanted to die. Either I changed my mind really fast, or I'm just crazy. Probably crazy.

"Taiyaki! You're here already?" The brown-haired high-schooler waved to her as he approached the bench where she sat, in the school courtyard. She blinked, momentarily surprised by his statement. Usually, she was the one who was late.

"Let's go to the amusement park now," he said, smiling and holding out his hand to her. A faint blush rising to her cheeks, Taiyaki hesitantly took the offered hand and stood up beside her date, who pulled her along toward the train station.

-0-0-0-

"How cute, they're on a date," Muffin simpered sarcastically.

"Stop it, Muffin," ordered Cake. "We're on a mission, remember?"

"Of course I remember, but that doesn't mean I can't make fun of her at the same time." Muffin hmphed and crossed her arms.

Cake sighed again, exasperated(it seemed like he was doing a lot of sighing these days), and floated closer to the trees. One of his pointed ears twitched. "Come on, let's finish the project." He motioned for her to follow him, slightly impatient as he stuck one of his hands into the lush green leaves.

"Alright, coming."

I really, really don't like writer's block. Or homework, for that matter. Anyway, thank you for reading this stupidly short chapter, and don't forget to review!

-Merodi-chan, 11.9.05.