Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters…simply the plot…that's all.
"Wake up, Onii-chan! I want to see 60 pushups and 120 laps around the house! Wake up!" Pirika said as she shook her sleepy brother awake. He simply turned around and went back to his sweet slumber. Nonetheless, his sister succeeded in waking him up.
"But Pirika, it's only 8 in the morning!" Horo Horo said as he pulled the covers over his face. Pirika pulled them off and dragged him out of bed. Horo Horo felt the sudden impact of the hard cold floor. He jolted up and lazily followed his sister.
"Why do I still have to train? Hao's dead!" Horo Horo whined.
"Who knows what evil may come up next? Now get dressed and get going!" Pirika ordered. Horo Horo reluctantly did as he was told and walked outside to start his training. He heard a knock on the door.
"I'll get it!" Horo Horo said as he went towards the front door. He opened it and was taken back.
"Tamao-chan, what are you doing here?" He said gapingly as he greeted an exhausted pink haired girl. She wobbled a little on her feet as she held on to the doorpost for support. Walking up that mountain was not an easy task. Her legs gave away as she started plummeting towards the dirt ground.
"Tamao-chan!" Pirika said as she rushed over to her best friend and caught her.
"P-Pirika, hi…" Tamao said weakly.
"Are you alright?" Pirika asked her tired friend. The pink haired girl nodded slowly. She attempted to stand up. She succeeded but still needed support from Pirika. The blue haired girl dragged her friend inside and disappeared off to the bedroom. Horo Horo, confused, followed the girls.
"So, Tamao-chan, what are you doing here?" Horo Horo asked as she caught her breath.
"I'm here to tell you that Yoh-sama and Anna-sama are getting married. Yoh-sama has invited you to stay at their house until the wedding." Tamao said shyly.
"Really? They've finally decided to make it final then?" Pirika said with joy in her voice. 'At least they're happy' Tamao thought sadly. Pirika suddenly snapped, realizing the feelings of Tamao.
"Oh, are you alright about this Tamao-chan? You did have a…" Pirika started, but Tamao waved her off.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Pirika-chan. They're meant to be." Tamao said with a whisper. Her head kept low, as a sudden gleam came to her eyes. "Anyways, I'm suppose to bring you two to the house until the wedding. It'll be just like the old times and we'll have so much fun." Tamao said happily. Her sudden sadness suddenly covered.
"Well, Tamao-chan, how about you stay the night? The sky is already getting dark and traveling with two girls around in the middle of the night is not very sensible for Onii-chan." Pirika added reassuringly.
"Oh, if I'm not causing a burden." Tamao said hopefully. The last thing she wanted was to hassle someone.
"Very well, you can stay under one condition." Horo Horo said with his arms folded.
"What is it, Horo-kun?" Tamao asked, almost afraid. His appearance loosened and he put on that cheeky smile again.
"If you'll cook for us!" He said jokingly. Tamao smiled and nodded.
"Certainly, but I'm afraid I'll need lots of food to fill that stomach of yours." Tamao said happily as Pirika exchanged laughter among each other. Everyone knew of Horo Horo's humongous appetite. Tamao quickly escaped to the kitchen. Horo Horo and his sister stayed behind as they watched her retreating figure. They knew all too well that she's not alright.
"Is it okay to leave Tamao by herself? And in the kitchen too?" Horo Horo said as he voiced his concern, afraid that Tamao might do something stupid. His sister stood by the door.
"Tamao-chan may not be well right now, but I'm sure after some time, she'll get over it." Pirika said optimistically and went off.
In the kitchen, Tamao emptily washed the pile of dishes in the kitchen. Her hands seem to have a mind of their own as they worked without Tamao knowing. Her head, however, was off somewhere else. 'Why didn't Yoh notice her? Why did it always have to be Anna? Doesn't he notice how she felt and why she cared? Tamao, you're so foolish! How can you just let someone like that tear up your heart? Yoh and Anna are destined to be together; no matter how hard you try, Yoh will not like you. The two were meant to be.' Tamao kept repeating in her head as she aimlessly washed and cooked. She didn't realize that tears had already shown themselves as they spilled down her cheek, the tears she tried so hard to hold back in the house. A jolt of pain from her finger made her realize that she was in Pirika's house.
"Ouch!" Tamao said and instinctively grabbed her finger. She watched the red blood ooze out of her small cut. The knife went clattering to the ground.
"Tamao-chan!" Horo Horo rushed over to her side after hearing the noise. But to be truthful, he was secretly waiting outside. On a usual day, he would have just waited outside because of the wonderful scent Tamao's dinner gave off; but today, she needs to be carefully supervised.
"Horo-kun, what are you doing here? I'm sorry, did I take too long making dinner?" Tamao suddenly freaked, hoping she didn't take too much time. He quickly grabbed her finger and examined it.
"It's a small cut. Don't worry, you'll be better in no time." Horo Horo said and went over to a cabinet and took out a band-aid. After washing the small wound, he gently placed the bandage on.
"There." Horo Horo said and finished up. Tamao went back to her cooking. "Do you need any help?"
"Um…could you cut these vegetables while I cook the meat?" Tamao asked, not wanting to trouble him.
"Okay." He said and went to wash his hands.
"Thanks." Tamao mumbled and went to work. The two worked in silence; Horo Horo did not want to disturb Tamao, seeing that she was already. The work was soon disappearing as the two worked fast to prepare dinner. As the two set the table, Pirika appeared and offered help. It wasn't long before everything was ready and everyone took their seats.
"Wow, Tamao-chan, this looks great!" Horo Horo, said amazed at the feast before him.
"Don't forget, Horo-kun, you helped too." Tamao said with a smile. Together they ate, and not one of them dared to say anything for the wedding. When dinner was finished, Tamao began clearing the table.
"Tamao-chan, would you like some help?" Pirika asked, though she didn't wait for the reply and started working.
"Thanks!" Tamao said and smiled her thanks. Pirika went over to the sink and began washing the dishes Tamao had put in.
"You know, Tamao-chan, are you really okay?" Pirika couldn't help asking as she washed the dirty dishes. Tamao paused for a second and then tried to quickly cover it up.
"Sure, I'm fine. Definitely!" Tamao stuttered as she quickly wiped away the table. Pirika didn't press on and the two started working in silence. When all the chores were done, Tamao took a quick bath and went straight to her room. She didn't want to talk anymore. She laid down on her futon and pulled the covers over her. She blew out the flickering candle and attempted to sleep.
Horo Horo wanted to check on Tamao, but seeing the lights go out in her room, he went to his bedroom. He whispered a good night to Tamao as he passed her room.
Tamao stayed awake. She couldn't sleep. She saw Horo Horo's shadow pass by her room, probably going to his room. After hearing both Pirika and Horo Horo going to their rooms and seeing the lights go out, Tamao crawled out of her bed. She quickly put on her clothes and tiptoed outside. She looked around, seeing nothing in the hallways and proceeded to the door. She latched it open and felt the chilly, yet refreshing breeze blow in. She shivered slightly, but it felt so welcoming as it blew away all her unwanted thoughts.