absolutgirl: Lol I'm not too patient either. Thanks for the review and hope you enoy this!
Chilidog: If you haven't been chased off by the long wait here it is! And lol there is a kiss in it prodded along by you of course!
Kate: Here's your fluff. And thanks for your reviews!
HimeItsukaKitto: What did your name used to be? I'm sure you've changed it! Lol I hope you enjoy this chapter too you've been such a nice reviewer.
Eat.Me.: Thankies! And enjoy!
Authors Note:(Next time I'll reply to your reviews in PM)This is the longest chapter I have ever written and I can't believe I managed to get it all out! I hope it's not too confusing because it switches P.O.V. quite often and the scene changes a lot as well. There are 5 main scenes and it tells you when each new one starts (so it's sort of like 5 short chapters rolled into one long one.) It is absolutely FLUFF filled and its also important because it lets them spend time together. I didn't want them just to be BANG deeply in love :).I hope you all enjoy it heaps! (Oh and PLEASE review you don't know how much sweat and toil went into this chapter! Lol)
Chapter 5: Best Present Ever
Scene I: Setting Off
Mimi would normally have thrown a fit by now and refused to go. Or she would thrown on the ugliest dress she could find and steeled herself to be disagreeable all day. But today things were different. Yolei's voice was still ringing in her ears and she was determined to make this work. Carefully pushing aside her elegant, expensive frocks she found a knothole in the back of the cupboard. Carefully she inserted her ring in and turned. With a small click the lock released revealing a much more interesting wardrobe. Smiling Mimi sat back and took her pick.
Matt paced the gardens outside confused. He was confused as to why he had almost kissed Mimi that other day, he was confused as to how he could hate her and yet kind of like her at the same time, he was confused as to why he had asked her (well sort of) out on a date and he was confused that she was taking so long to dress. Suddenly a young purple haired girl ran up to him blushing furiously.
"F-for you sir," she managed to stammer, breathless as she shoved the note (written on pink flowery paper) into his hand.
"Gee, I wonder whom this is from," he thought sarcastically. As he opened it a faint scent of her reached his nostrils and he felt his muscles tighten. "Quit it," he said to himself. "Just because she happens to smell like my favourite flower is no reason to get all jumpy." At the same time he wondered if the elusive scent had become his favourite before or after he met Mimi…
Shoving the thought aside, he read the note and frowned. Why on earth would she want to meet him by the stables? Why not here out in the open? A suspicious feeling entered his body. She was planning something.
Looking in the mirror, Mimi smoothed down her hair and admitted the effect. Turning she appraised the side on view while still experimenting with various hairstyles. Just then Yolei burst in, breathless and red.
"I gave him the note Mimi!"
Mimi turned her head sharply, "And…?"
"Well I saw him walking towards there and that's all. He didn't say anything but I think he was a little apprehensive."
"No matter," replied Mimi uninterestedly. "As long as he's awed by the way I look that's fine."
"So?" she added pointedly after a few seconds. "How do I look?"
Yolei laughed. "I didn't think I needed to tell you that Mimi! You look gorgeous! Positively amazing!"
"You don't think I'm coming on too strong then?" asked Mimi worriedly. Yolei's forehead crinkled as she examined her then she smiled again. "Even if you are darling he couldn't possible mind!"
Giggling Mimi opened the trapdoor under her rug. "See you later Yolei! Keep your fingers crossed for me!"
"Course I will Mimi! And you! You be careful!"
The trapdoor closed behind her and with a sigh Yolei pulled the rug across it. Surely two young teenagers (royalty or not) gallivanting around together without an escort was a recipe for trouble? Smoothing back her bangs she stepped outside and locked the door. She'd be keeping her fingers; toes, arms and anything else possible crossed too hoping that everything would be all right.
As Mimi walked down the dark steps, a burning torch grasped firmly in her hand, she wondered what surprises the day had in store for her. Coughing as dust motes danced around her she felt around the ceiling for the trapdoors exit. Putting the torch in a nearby bracket she felt her fingers close around a cold metal ring. She gave a triumphant tug, resulting in a loud creak and a whoosh of air as it entered the passageway. Grabbing onto the edge Mimi pulled herself up until at last she was deposited onto the dusty floor of the stable. Grateful for the absence of horse dung she picked her way across the ground and peeked through a crack in the door. There stood Matt looking as cool and unconcerned as ever. With a smirk Mimi pushed open the door and walked outside. She'd give him something to get hot and bothered about for a change.
Matt looked across when he heard the stable door opening and his jaw dropped. Literally. A moment before he would've admitted that Mimi was kind of cute, OK maybe pretty, yeah so she was a bit beautiful but now…man was she hot! He didn't even know princesses had clothes like these! She was wearing an oh-so-short skirt and long brown cowboyish boots that laced up at the side. On her upper half she had a small tight white top with a flag on it that stopped just short of her stomach. Her hair, brown and flowing hung gracefully to her shoulders with little stars in it that caught the light. Her makeup was a lot lighter then the first time he had seen her and all in all he was astounded.
"So," said Mimi pointedly after giving him what she thought was sufficient time to gawp.
"So what?" he answered stupidly still staring at her short skirt. Mimi rolled her eyes impatiently. "So what do you have planned for this date? It had better be something good! I've come to expect the best for my birthday. And you're no exception. Actually seeing how you practically stole my present I should get double from you!"
Matt's sharp retort was cut off when he realised with a gulp that he had nothing planned for their so-called date. He had been so caught up in thinking about his feelings that he had completely nothing to do. But he couldn't possibly tell that to Mimi, he shuddered as he imagined it. When she was through with him all that would be left were his smoking shoes. Trying to keep his calm he glanced around for inspiration. His gaze alighted upon the stables. Without thinking he said, "Well first we're going horse riding."
Mimi raised an eyebrow. "Horse riding?"
"Exactly."
Scene II- Horse Riding
"You have no idea how to horse ride do you?" asked Mimi dryly.
"Of-course-I-do," answered Yamato in between breaths.
"Of course you do. And the reason you can't even get on the horse is?"
Matt stopped his futile efforts and glared up at Mimi perched primly on her horse. " It's just a very tall horse that's all." Mimi raised an eyebrow. "It is!" he carried on defensively. "And you're not very helpful either!"
Mimi smirked. "Fine then. We'll swap horses." Sliding gracefully off her chestnut mare, she put a foot in the stirrup and swung on to the white stallion. "There you go little Mattie baby. You can ride the itty bitty mare."
Swearing under his breath Matt attempted to climb on the mare…and promptly fell off. At this Mimi burst out laughing. Matt just glowered at her. "I don't even know why you wanted to go horse riding if you don't even know how!" she said still giggling. Matt stood up and brushed the grass and twigs from his shirt. "Ha, ha. Very funny. Lets all laugh at poor defenceless Matt just because he never learnt to horse ride." Mimi shook her head indulgently and slid of her horse again. "Look how about we send this mare home and you share the stallion with me?"
"W-what?" Shaking her head, Mimi slapped the chestnut on the rump and watched her gallop across the fields in the direction of the palace.
"She'll know where to go," said Mimi briskly. "They have some sort of homing instinct. Now come on. Just put you foot here and swing the other leg over." For a moment Matt looked hesitant.
"How do I know you won't let me fall?" For a moment there was no answer and then she looked at him
"You'll just have to trust me won't you?"
Tentatively Matt placed his hand in hers, and climbed on the horse. Deftly she swung up behind him. It felt kind of weird having her small arms encircle his waist to hold the reins. Not sure what to say he stared up at the sky.
"Thanks," he managed finally. He couldn't see her face but he was sure she was smiling. "How did you learn to horse ride so well?" he asked as the stallion continued mildly trotting through the countryside.
"Lessons." She replied simply. "Along with free time and practice of course. I've always enjoyed it. The horse we're riding now (his name's Snowfire) he's one of my favourites. I've known him since he was a foal." There was really affection in her voice as she spoke and smoothed down the white mane of the horse. Matt found himself wishing she'd smooth down his hair as well. He caught himself just in time. "I can't possibly be feeling jealous of a horse!" he thought. "Actually I can't possibly be feeling jealous at all!"
"What did you say?" enquired Mimi.
Did he speak out loud? Oh damn. "Nothing! Nothing at all! I was just saying what nice hands you-I mean what nice hooves you have. I mean not you! The horse of course! Because horses have hooves and humans have hands because, heh, that's the way things are you know. Otherwise the horses would be riding us and we'd be crawling around the ground and-and…it wouldn't be very normal." He finished his rambling laughing nervously. There was silence from behind him, before Mimi said.
"Why don't you ride behind for a while? It'll be good practice and it might get your mind off…whatever you were thinking about."
Mentally groaning as they swapped places he tried not to think about her hair, and how silky it was compared to the horse's mane, and how he wanted too run his hands th- He stopped. The last thing he needed was Mimi asking him why his hands were in her hair rather then-
"Um Matt?" said Mimi who was looking at him oddly. "Why are your hands near my butt?"
Shit. It was going to be a long day.Scene III- The Picnic
"I can't believe you didn't bring lunch."
"Hey don't blame me! If you didn't make me meet you near the stable-"
"Which was actually very convenient for you because we were going (snort) horse riding-"
"And you spend so long dressing just to impress me-"
"And since you're such a conceited, pompous jerk-Hey wait a minute! I was not dressing to impress you!"
"And it's not my fault there's no lunch!" They stopped breathing heavily each avoiding the others eyes.
"Well then Mr. Genius I suppose we can eat grass like Snowfire. Either that or we can lie here on the ground and STARVE!"
"Or we could eatthose apples off that tree." Mimi shot up and looked around.
"Where?"
"Right there. In front of your eyes. Oh look even Snowfire seems to have found one." But it seemed Mimi's hunger had taken priority 1in her mind because she didn't seem to register Matt's sarcasm.
"Pick some for me. Nice rosy, red ones."
"Excuse me?" asked Matt incredulously. "Pick some for you?"
"Well," said Mimi shrugging her slim shoulders. "You might as well. I mean you can hardly expect me to reach them." Mumbling Matt walked over to the tree and started picking apples. Mimi massaged her legs as she stared at him. When the sun shone down at a certain angle on his hair it made it look very shiny, sort of like the gold bars her father kept locked up tight. And his eyes…when they were angry they seemed to go all icy blue but right now…they were the exact blue of the lake near where they were sitting. How could eyes be that blue? And how could…Oh. My. God. Was that his chest? Mimi felt her cheeks heating up as she stared at the now exposed top half of Matt. She could only suppose that his shirt had been restricting him from picking apples (that or he was doing this to make her embarrassed but she didn't want to consider that option) because he had blatantly discarded it near the tree. Mimi chanced a quick glance at his face. He seemed absorbed enough. Letting her gaze stray down again, Mimi stared happily while a dreamy look came into her eye.
10 minutes later
Mimi jumped up with a start as someone dropped an apple on her head. "Look Mimi, if you wanted to admire me all you had to do was ask. I'm not selfish. I know I have to share this gorgeous body around." For a moment Mimi was speechless and then her eyes started to sparkle in anger.
"What are you saying-are you implying that I-how could you even suppose-it's a horror to think-" Matt cut off her ramblings with a hand over her mouth.
"It's ok Mimi I understand. What girl wouldn't want to look at me?"
Mimi gawped at him again (though this time in disbelief.) "Oh I see. Make way everyone, stand clear, this is a dangerous are. Matt Ishida's ego coming through now."
"That's right Mimi just admit it and you'll feel be-Hey! What are you saying?"
Mimi smirked. "Good to know that your ego is not affecting your hearing too much." For a moment it looked like there was going to be another argument but then Mimi saw a devilish twinkle in Matt's eye.
"M-matt? What are you thinking of? Now, now don't do anything-rash Matt. You wouldn't want to spoil this wonderful day."
Matt walked towards her casually. "Do you remember the first time we met when we were smaller Mimi? And I…pushed you into the pond."
For a moment Mimi forgot her fear and looked indignant. "Of course I do! And I was in such a pretty dress too! I was so angry at you Yamato Ishida!"
Matt simply grinned. "Aw Mimi, you know I only did it because you looked hot!"
Mimi raised an eyebrow, "In what sense of the word exactly…" her voice trailed off as he approached.
"And the fact is you're looking kind of hot again." And before Mimi had time to say 'Oh no' he had scooped her up and thrown her (for the second time in her life) into the lake. As she surfaced spluttering she glared daggers at him. Matt was nearly in hysterics. "You should have seen your face! And then when you came out of the water!" He did a very bad imitation of what looked like a fish tryingto go tothe toilet. "So you find it funny do you?" asked a disgruntled Mimi. "Well then laugh your heart out!" And before he could say 'What?' she had grabbed his foot and dragged him into the water. As he gasped and spit Mimi giggled. "Now who looks like that hmm Matt?" she taunted annoyingly splashing him with water.
Neither of them noticed Snowfire break his tether and gallop off…and neither of them would have cared if they had. They were having too much fun.
Not that they would admit that.
Scene IV- Lost
Matt looked at the setting sun worriedly. How could the day have gone so fast without them noticing? He looked back, Mimi was still dancing among the tree, painfully unaware that anything was wrong. How was he supposed to tell her anyway? It was his entire fault he knew that. He couldn't expect Mimi to have arranged transport home OR paid attention to where they were going. OK he'd just have to tell her calmly and subtly, make it seem like everything was fine and this wasn't really a disaster. Walking up to her he took a deep breath and said…
"Mimi we're lost." For a minute there was silence when she simply stared at him, hazel eyes wide. Then her face went pale and she sunk onto a tree stump. "Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no. This is not happening. I refuse to believe this is happening."
Matt scratched his head, "Err it's happening."
She got up and glared at him, "This is all your fault mister! Thanks to you my birthday is ruined, my gift is ruined and even my part is ruined!"
Matt's heart sank guiltily but still that didn't mean she had to stand there and insult him! "Well I'm sorry ok?" he muttered. "But I did think you were having a good time." Unbidden a thought sprang into his mind. "I was." Pushing it away he looked up only to see her angry face backing him into a tree. "Now you listen here buddy boy, you will get us out of this mess just like you got us into it! Do-you-understand?" She gave him a vehement poke with each word.
Matt sighed and turned around. Suddenly everything seemed pointless.
"Yeah. Whatever."
Mimi blinked. "Um Matt? What happened?"
"Nothing k'? I'm sorry you had a lousy time and I'm sorry about your party and getting lost. I know I'm a loser, fine."
Mimi looked at his hunched shoulders and felt a twinge of pity rise up inside her. "Matt…? I'm sorry too."
Matt turned around slowly, "For what?"
"For being so pig-headed and selfish. I had a wonderful time today." She walked forward and squeezed his hand. "Really."
Matt smiled, teeth flashing in the dusky light. "I'm glad." Then to his surprise Mimi began to pull him along. "Where are we going?" he asked jogging to keep up.
"To the beach of course!" she replied mischievously.
"I've always wanted to sleep on the sand."
Matt could only gape as she dragged him along.
Scene V- Skipping Stones
Matt stood by the ocean staring out at the distant waves while the little ripples spread along the sand. The moonlight shone down making a beautiful streak through the water and distantly the stars twinkled. He needed to get away for a while. Away from Mimi and away from these troubling feelings. Picking up a stone in his hand he set it skipping across the water.
Bounce, bounce, bounce
He smiled. Skipping stones had always been a favourite pastime of his, and there was something magical about watching the stone skim over the water in the moonlight. Grinning slightly he picked up another stone, if the others could hear his thoughts now! They'd probably think he was going all girly on them. Suddenly a voice from behind him said "What are you doing?"
He jumped and turned around, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw it was only Mimi. He turned back again and threw the stone.
Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounceHe smiled triumphantly. One more and he would have a new record. He felt her step closer to him and tried to stop the blood from rushing to his cheeks.
"What do want?" he asked shortly.
"Are you skipping stones?" Her voice replied laced with a hint of curiosity.
"Err, well yeah." He could think of nothing else to say and yet for some reason he didn't want silence to envelop them again. Urged on by some unseeable force he asked, "Do you want me to teach you?"
Looking back he was rewarded with the sight of her eyes lighting up and a muffled squeak escaping from her lips. "Oh yes! I've always wanted to know how to do this!" She stepped up so their arms were almost touching and he had to fight to make himself not brush into her. Bending down she picked up a smooth pebble and looked at him expectantly.
"Well, um you sort of spin it…" his voice trailed off lamely as he sent the stone skipping in demonstration. She gave a sigh of admiration and tried to copy the hand movement. The stone did a feeble little flop and then fell in the water. Disappointed she picked another stone and tried again. This one promptly sank. Trying to hold back his laughter at the look on her face he moved forward. Taking her hand in his he carefully guided it through the motion. Looking up he noticed her staring at him with a timid expression, almost as if she were seeing him for the first time. Immediately he let go of her hand, a pink tinge appeared on her cheeks and she quickly looked back at the ocean.
He watched her biting her lip in concentration, eyes crinkled up in a fiercely determined kind of way. He watched the look of glee on her face as the stone skipped once on the water, heard her laugh of pleasure as the next one skipped twice.
Something deep inside him welled up, a feeling so powerful he was almost scared. He pushed it away angrily. This wasn't right! He should walk away now before it was too late! But a part of him knew he couldn't leave, an even smaller part knew he didn't want too. He turned back and was surprised to see she had sat down on the sand, with her chin in her hands. With a moments hesitation he sat down beside her. For a while it was quiet, but a different kind of quietness, more peaceful then many they had shared before. After a while she lifted her hand and pointed to the sky.
"What do you see?" she asked shyly.
He followed the graceful arc of her arm longingly. "Snap out of it!" he told himself. Looking up he stared at the night sky. What was up there anyway?
"Stars," he replied stupidly.
She swatted his arm playfully. "No silly! What shapes? Stars make shapes too you know just like clouds."
"So what?" he asked. To tell the truth he'd rather look at her.
"So it's fun! At least I think it is. I've never camped out before." His look was incredulous.
"What? Never?"
She didn't meet his eyes as she answered. "It's not that great being a princess you know. There's more to me then money and fancy clothes it's just no one really cares. As long as I'm safe and well cared for they think it's enough. They don't realize that I need more then that. They think that if they give me jewellery and pretty dresses and cute pets it's all right! All my life I've been trapped inside a palace, trapped with everything a girl could want. Sometimes I just don't understand why the parents who give me so much…can't give me my freedom."
Matt said nothing. This was too much. He didn't want to know about her life, he didn't want to feel sorry for her and understand her and become closer to her. Most of all he didn't want to be another thing that was forced on her, one more aspect of her 'perfect life' that she had no control of because even as he told himself he didn't care, somehow… he did.
Her fingertip brushed his and the reasonable side of him said to pull away. Yet since when had that side even been in control? Grabbing her hand he pulled her out into the ocean. She screamed as the cold waves hit her and then threw Matt a deadly look. " No one ruins my clothes Ishida. No one." The moon appeared again casting a ray of light directly across Mimi. Matt looked at her, hair whipping in the wind, face set, wet clothes sticking to her body like a second skin, he gulped. Mimi came charging at him splashing water as she ran. The salty sea spray hit his face causing him to close his eyes and gasp. Mimi of course took the opportunity to push him into the waves where he fell with a thud on his b- (ahem unmentionables). He gasped again as the cold water soaked his body.
"MIMI!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.
Her voice came to him over the water. "Fair is fair Ishida."
Jumping up he plunged after her, blonde hair dripping off his forehead. With a little squeal of terror Mimi ran farther coming to rest near the sand, out of breath and panting. Laughing now he ran up to grab her while she put two hands on his chest to push him firmly away.
He couldn't tell how it happened. Only one minute they were playing and the next his hand had covered hers on his chest and she was looking up at him startled. This is a bad idea said his common sense. But right now he knew he couldn't stop this. Oh hell! He didn't want to stop this. No sane guy would!
And so slowly he lowered his head to her, closing the final distance until his lips touched hers. To his surprise she didn't pull away. Instead she leant into him, while he tilted her head back to deepen the kiss. As he did so he threw the pebblethat had somehow ended up in hisright hand. He heard it behind him.
Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounceHe smiled into the kiss. A new record.
Hi everyone! Now truthfully how was that?Did you find it too confusing to read because if you did just mention it. I know the writing style might have changed quite often because I did all these parts seperately and actually I did them backwards. So if there are little mistakes it's because I forgot to change something. Did you know Part V was going to be a one shot? Then I changed my mind and tweaked it to fit in here instead! So anyway questions, comments, blatant praise (hehe) please mention it in a review! Anywayz hope you all enjoyed my longest chapter ever and the next one will be up soon because (thisis the surprising bit) it's finished! So the sooner you R&R the sooner you get the next chappie!
Here's a preview!
The king rubbed a hand across his forehead. "What about that maid she's always talking too? The one with the purple hair?"
The queen's face darkened. "She's gone."
Yes finally the plot thickens in the next chapter...Till next time folks!
Crystal