MysticalDreamer: ::is listening to Ayumi Hamasaki, "Evolution":: WOW! It's an update! ::laughs nervously::
::pulls a large blanket over her head to help her dodge all the random objects thrown at her:: I AM SO SORRY! ::dodges an antelope:: My computer crashed and ::dodges a yellow bean bag chair:: And I had the absolute worst case of ::dodges tray of sushi:: WRITER'S BLOCK! This will be short.. here's the chapter...
Disclaimer: Insert the "fan" before "fiction" and you get "Fanfiction!"
Fanfiction: a story written by someone who owns nothing involving the subject.
Thanks to Ruki, meh editor... and her constant nags about writing
chapter nineteen: world domination
When the last bell rang the next day at school, Rika jumped. She had been completely spacing out and the ring had brought her crashing back to reality. She poked Faye next to her, who had fallen asleep for the millionth time that day.
"You'll never take me alive!" she shouted as she woke up. She blinked a few times and looked around, ignoring some stares she was getting from her classmates in the Study Hall. She grinned and waved at them all.
"What'll never take you alive?" asked Rika, standing up and gathering up all her things, kicking in her chair.
"The flying hamsters... They were rabid and very, very evil," she replied, dumping everything on her desk into her bag.
"Right."
"Don't be like that Rika! They were ten feet tall!"
Rika just rolled her eyes and walked out of the class, Faye running after her. They dumped everything into their lockers and awaited Takato to show up.
"You know what I just realized..." said Faye, slamming her locker shut so that it echoed throughout the halls.
"Hmm?"
"Christmas is coming up very soon," she said. Her face lit up. "I can't wait!"
She rolled her eyes again. "I'm sure you just want presents and stuff."
"Well, duh."
Rika shook her head and laughed a bit. "I know you all too well, Faye-Faye," she said, tapping her friend on the head lightly.
"Always with the freak'n Faye-Faye."
"Of course."
"Rika! Faye!"
The two turned to see Takato running towards them, carrying a book under his arm. He skidded to a halt right in front of them.
"Yo," said Faye, waving her hand ever so slightly.
"Yo?" asked Takato.
"Yes. Yo," she replied, leaning her head on Rika's shoulder and yawning. "And yes I'm tired..."
"Hmm, we couldn't tell," said Rika, rolling her eyes.
"We don't have to worry about Henry coming over," said Takato as the three of them headed out of the building and outside. "He's gotta work."
"Must be nice to have a job," said Faye, zipping up her coat a bit as they exited the building. She pulled her hands in the sleeves as well.
"You want a job?" asked Rika.
"Nope," she replied. "I just want the money."
"Ah, of course..."
The three of them walked on the rest of the way in silence. It just didn't seem like a time for a conversation to take place. Either that, or they were having difficulties coming up with something to talk about that didn't include the little problem at hand.
A few minutes later, the bakery was in sight and Faye took off, running the rest of the way to get out of the cold. Rika and Takato picked up a bit of speed to catch up with her, but she was already inside the building by the time they got there.
"Too COLD!" she shouted as she kicked off her shoes upon entering the house.
"Takato? Rika? Faye? Is that you all?" asked Mrs. Matsuki from somewhere in the living room.
"Yuppers!" shouted Faye in reply. The three walked in the room to find their parents sitting in various places across the living room. Faye waved to everyone and plopped down on the floor between Mr. Matsuki and Rumiko; the latter of the two was sitting in an armchair.
Takato shook his head and took a seat next to his mother, while Rika collapsed next to Faye and they used each other for leaning support.
"So," said Rumiko.
But that was all that was said for a while. It wasn't something too easy to discuss. All eyes kept wandering all around, taking glances at this person, before moving on to that person. None of them knew where to begin.
Rika broke the silent tension. "All right, let's just get on with the matter at hand," she said. Everyone looked at her for a moment, before turning away.
"We've kind of dragged all of you into our mess and I'm sorry for that," said Rumiko. Before anyone could say anything else, she spoke on, "But I also want to thank you all for everything you've done for myself and Rika."
"Rumiko, you know we don't care," said Mrs. Kamiyo.
"Of course not!" said Faye, putting her arm around Rika's shoulder. "We just love our little Rika so much!"
"Shut it, Faye..." she grumbled, pushing the arm off her shoulder.
"Meiko... Thank you so much for taking in Rika like this," said Rumiko.
"It's no trouble," said Takato's mom, nodding her head. "We've grown to love the girl like family in the short time she's been with us."
"Of course you have!" smirked Faye, grinning at Rika with a glint in her eyes. Rika had understood the meaning and she soon directed a hit to the back of her friend's head, while glaring dangerous daggers at the girl.
"Now..." said Rumiko, scanning everyone in the room with her eyes before turning them on her fumbling hands. "Everyone knows what's going on, so I really don't want to bring it up."
Everyone nodded and Rika slipped her arm through Faye's just because.
"The police told us it wouldn't be wise to return home just yet," explained Rumiko. "There haven't been any signs of ... him ...anywhere, so everyone is lost. In the meantime, Rika's been staying here and my mother and I have been staying with a close friend of mine."
"We know that," said Faye. Rika bopped her over the head. "Fine... I'll shut up..."
Rumiko closed her eyes and sighed. "I feel like I'm forcing you all into something, but Rika has to stay somewhere," she said. "Now that the Kamiyos are back, we should figure out where..."
Faye latched onto Rika and hugged her tightly. "She must come to my house!" she said. "Tis her second home."
Mrs. Kamiyo nodded. "I know," she said. "Rika is welcome at our home anytime she wants. She's over there all the time anyway, so it wouldn't really make a difference if she was living there or not, because she sort of already does."
Rika and Faye smirked, as they let go of their hug, but their arms were still linked together.
"It might be easier if Rika were to go to Faye's," said Takato. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to kick her out or anything, but with school and all..."
The three youngest understood this, but to the older folk it was all Greek. Rumiko, however, nodded. "Yes, I understand what you mean," she said. "If someone were to find out Rika was here, well, High School might not be so easy for you two anymore."
This explanation seemed to make it click in the other parents minds, as they all nodded or sighed a 'Yes, I get it now' sort of breath.
"So, then it's decided," said Rumiko. "It would probably be best if Rika were to stay with the Kamiyos."
"Hmm," said Mrs. Matsuki. She turned to Faye's mother. "If something were to come up and you have to leave or something, Rika can come back here until you're return."
Both Rumiko and Mrs. Kamiyo nodded. "That sounds good," said the younger of the two (Rumiko).
Mrs. Matsuki stood up. "Now that that's all settled, I insist you all stay for dinner!" she said, clasping her hands together.
Rika smiled, then something clicked in somewhere in her mind. Memories from that recent night flooded back and her eyes widened. "No," she said suddenly. Everyone stared at her.
"What, Rika?" asked Rumiko, tilting her head at her daughter.
Her pupils shrunk a little as she remembered being chased through the city, eventually going to Faye's and pounding on the door to her empty house... He was there; he had seen her approach the house. He had opened the gate and would have gone in after her. He had to have known she knew the people in the house. Why else would she have tried to get inside?
"He knows," she said softly.
Everyone stared at her again, trying to understand what she was saying. In Rumiko's mind was where it slowly started to make sense first.
"Wait," she said, looking into her daughter's eyes. "You mean..."
"I went there..." said Rika, pulling her knees to her chest and hugging them tightly. "When I was running from him, I went there..."
"Eh?" asked Faye, before it slowly began to click in her mind as well. "Hold on..." she said, putting her hand lightly on Rika's shoulder.
"I pounded on your door, but you were gone..." she said, leaning over and resting her head on Faye's shoulder. She put her arm around Rika's shoulder again, understanding it all now.
"I get it," said Faye, explaining it to everyone else. "You tried to come to our house... but because we weren't home, you never got inside," she stated, her eyes closing partway as she looked to Rika, who just stared at the floor. "But he was still following you when you arrived at my house. He saw you try to get in... So he knows that house is no stranger house to you..."
Faye's explanation made it clear to everyone in the room exactly what it was that Rika had been trying to say. She put her other arm around Rika and pulled her close, hugging her tightly as she closed her eyes and rested her chin on her best friend's head. "Oh, Rika..." she whispered softly.
"Come to think of it, he did call us once as well..." said Mrs. Kamiyo. "You remember, don't you?" she asked her daughter.
Faye nodded. "That was when I was still stuck in my bed," she said. "Our number's been changed since then, but..."
Rumiko seemed to be thinking. She stared blankly ahead, her eyes unfocussed. "Well, this has raised a bit more issues..." she said softly some time later.
"Rika?" asked Takato suddenly. "What do you think?"
All eyes fell on her for a moment, before they all drifted to a different place in the room. She drew in her breath. "I don't want Faye and her parents to get into any trouble with him..." she said. "But I do want to stay there..."
She broke out of Faye's embrace and hugged her knees. "Maybe... I should stay here for a little while..." she said softly, not looking at anyone. "I mean, as far as we know..." she paused for a moment, before speaking again, "Justin doesn't know where I am. If I go to Faye's to stay, he could find me..."
Rumiko nodded, understanding her daughter's logic. "They've got a search out on him... Everyone on the police force, and then some, are keeping an eye out for the man," she said, fiddling with her fingers in her lap. "But he is very smart, as much as I hate to admit it, and he knows what to do in these sorts of situations. He's done it before."
"You could say he's got stealth," smirked Rika, without thinking. It seemed to lighten the mood a bit, as some tensions released.
"I suppose that's true," grinned Rumiko.
"Don't tell me he's a like a ninja!" said Faye suddenly, and seemingly in all seriousness as she looked to the mother and daughter with wide eyes.
Rika shook her head. "He isn't a ninja," she said, bopping her friend slightly over the head for the zillionth time. She grumbled a bit and pat her head sarcastically.
"So then," said Mrs. Kamiyo. "Listening to everything said here and all, I think it's for the best if Rika were to stay here for a little while longer."
Mrs. Matsuki nodded. "I'd feel less worried, as our house is unknown to him, as you've said before."
Rumiko nodded, and then looked at her daughter. "Rika?" she asked.
Rika looked up and right into her mother's eyes, nodding as well. "I should stay here," she said. "And occasionally I'll go to Faye's, just because."
Mrs. Matsuki smiled. "You're absolutely welcomed here," she said.
Faye jumped suddenly and threw her arms around Rika yet again. She spazzed a bit in shock, but allowed her friend to stay where she was. "Rika," she said, "Promise me you'll stay here and only come to my house like you always do."
"Everyday?"
"Well," said Faye, glancing at the ceiling. "I guess it doesn't have to be everyday. But it's gotta be a lot!"
Rika grinned. "Of course," she said. "How could I not? I need to steal more clothes from you."
Faye laughed and hugged Rika tighter and this time, Rika returned it.
And so, everyone talked a bit more, toning everything down into more detail and figuring out everything completely. They had decided that Rika would remain with the Matsukis, as it was probably the best place. She'd go to Faye's at least once a week, so Takato's family wasn't completely "burdened", as Rumiko and Rika had put it, by Rika's presence. And it would stay like that until Justin was caught, or at least until the Makinos could finally return to their own house.
Never before had Rika felt so loved. She couldn't help but smile warmly the entire time she ate dinner, which Mrs. Matsuki had prepared ever so quickly. Everyone chattered on like old friends, laughing and grinning, like it was the best thing in the world. And Rika felt her spirits rise.
After everyone was finished, Rika and Takato said they'd wash the dishes, so the adults wandered into the living room to continue their talk. Faye stayed behind and tried to help, but she really wasn't doing much. Rika couldn't help but whap her with the dish towel.
"I hope you know, Takato," said Faye, lazily drying the same dish she had been for five minutes now, "That I'll be coming over here a lot."
"I kinda figured that one out," said Takato, tossing a fork in the drainer. Rika scooped it up two seconds later and began to dry it.
"And you are welcome at my house anytime as well," said Faye. "After all, I'll be here very often."
"You just said that stupid," said Rika, putting the fork away.
"Psh, so?"
"Are you done with that dish yet?" asked Rika, eying the plate in her hands.
Faye looked down at it. "Oh," she said. She gave it to Rika to put away. "I guess I am," she shrugged, not even picking up another item to dry.
Rika rolled her eyes and put the dish away. The room was filled with silence for a bit, conversation lacking. The idle chatter of their parents bumbled into the room, but it was muffled so they could understand none of it.
Rika put the last dish away and flung the towel over a bar hanging above the sink. Faye had become mesmerized by her's, as she was following the patterns in its design. Rika snatched it out of her hands and she jumped, for the object she had been staring at had suddenly vanished from her sight.
"Thanks Rika," she said.
"You're quite welcome," said Rika, hanging that towel up as well. The room filled with silence again, and it was kinda unnerving. Even their parents seemed to have quieted down a bit.
"Hey," said Rika suddenly, causing both her friends to look over at her curiously. She grinned at them. "Thanks a lot, you guys," she said, watching them grin back. "You've done so much... and I feel like I keep repeating myself, so this is the last time I'll say it. But you're the best. I love you guys,"
"Ohhh Rika!" squealed Faye, hopping and hugging her friend tightly. She turned to Takato and beckoned him over. "Get over here you. It's group hug time!"
Takato shook his head, but walked over and joined the escapade of sorts. Rika put an arm around each of them and no matter what she tried to do, she couldn't get the smile off her face.
XD XD XD XD XD XD
Rika and Takato arrived at school the next day, amidst the talk of their fellow students. Nearly every other word spoke of Christmas and presents, but Rika was too worried about other things to think about it.
"Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiikaaaaaaaaaa!"
She turned and saw Faye bouncing towards her, with Henry right behind her. Before they got closer, Rika whirled around to Takato.
"World Domination," she said simply, grabbing his arm and taking off.
"Dammit Rika!!" they heard Faye shout at their backs as they took off. In the meantime, the two were laughing hysterically.
"I forgot all about that for a while," said Takato as they slowed to a walk. "We still have to organize that whole computer thing. Skateboarding won't really work while there is snow on the ground, however," he said.
"Ah yes," she said.
"Now, why did we suddenly take off like that?" he asked.
Rika shrugged. "Well, they were alone," she said. "I figured we might as well just give them some more time to themselves."
"Found you!" snapped Faye, slamming her hands on Rika's shoulders from behind. She jumped and nearly attacked Faye, before realizing it was her. "Now why did you run away like that, huh?"
Rika shrugged. "I was bored, so I figured I'd run a bit," she said. "And you caught me! Game over."
Faye rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say..." she grumbled, her hands dropping to her sides.
"RIKA!"
"Must everyone shout my name?" she groaned to herself, turning around to see who it was this time. She had to grin. "Hello guys," she said.
"Good Morning to you!" said Stevo, with an Arabic sort of accent.
Phil scratched his head and nodded. "Yes, hello," he said. "We are trying to keep away from Toshi, so we cannot stay here long."
"Okay," said Rika, vaguely wondering why they were on the run.
"We bid you farewell," said Stevo, then two seconds later, they were gone.
"This is turning out to be a very random day..." said Rika, blinking a bit. "A very random day, indeed..."
The four of them headed to class soon afterwards, and the random day turned into a boring one. Classes drove on, and it seemed like today was their slowest day so far. After the jumpy morning, the afternoon turned into snoresville.
Faye exploded at lunch. "I hate it!" she shouted suddenly, causing the other four at the table to glance at her.
"Hate what?" asked Rika, a twizzler hanging out of her mouth.
"THIS!"
Everyone blinked at her. "And this is?" asked Rika.
"The day!" shouted Faye, slamming her hand on the table. "I have never had a more boring day at school in my life! And I Don't Know Why!!"
"Geez..." grumbled Rika.
Faye took an angry bite out of her sandwich and seemed to be glaring at everything in general. She chewed it quite fast and nearly bit everyone else's head off when they stared at her for it.
"God, Faye," said Rika, waving another twizzler at her. "You're like Miss Permanent Pissed Off or something," she said.
"Seriously," said Takato, raising an eyebrow at the girl.
"I am not pissed off!!" shouted Faye.
"They're right, Faye," said Henry, setting down his soda can and looking at her. "You're so edgy today..."
Faye twitched a bit at his comment, which sent Rika and Takato into howling laughter, while Jeri desperately fought to hide her giggle.
"World Domination..." Rika had managed to choke out as she grabbed Jeri's sleeve and left the table, with Takato right behind them. Faye and Henry watched them walk off, slightly curious what this 'World Domination' was they kept talking about. Oh, how oblivious.
Just outside the cafeteria, Rika, Takato and Jeri sank to the floor, slowly calming their laughter.
"We should just lock them in a room or something..." said Rika, leaning her elbows on her knees. Then she froze, as did everyone else. They all looked at each other and grinned.
"Yes!" they said instantly, high fiving in a three way high five.
"The plots thicken..." grinned Rika.
XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD
"What are we doing again?" asked Faye, trudging along lazily behind Rika and Takato as they took the lead down the road.
Rika groaned. "How many times do I have to tell you?" she asked. "We're going to Jeri's for a bit. Her parents took her little brother for some doctor's appointment thing and she doesn't want to be alone till they come back."
"Right, right..." said Faye.
"I really appreciate this, guys," said Jeri, turning around from the very front to look back at everyone. "My house isn't a small one, and because of the storm supposedly coming..."
Rika had to smile as Jeri turned around. The girl had become a great actress in terms of plotting and such. While it was true her parents were not home, they weren't at a doctor's office. Jeri had mentioned something about a family get together, and being so close to Christmas, they would need gifts. So her parents had set out to buy some presents for their little nieces and nephews. In the meantime, she promised her brother she'd take him to an arcade for a day if he went to a friend's house for the afternoon.
Rika vaguely wondered if she herself was the cause of Jeri's new found evil side. She nearly laughed out loud at the thought.
"Well, here it is," said Jeri, standing in front of her house and meekly holding out her hand, as if showing off a prize.
Everyone's mouth dropped as they stared at the fairly large house behind Jeri. She blinked a bit and tried to hide the faint blush on her face as she looked down.
"Holy shit..." said Rika.
"Yeah, Holy shit," said Faye. "Holy, Oh My Freak'n Gods that is Humongous, shit!"
Jeri ducked her head a bit and beckoned for them to follow her to the front door. She jabbed in the key and welcomed them inside.
While Jeri led them to what was assumed a living room of sorts, Rika, Takato, Faye and Henry couldn't help but look around at everything and anything. When Jeri had said her house was not small, she meant it.
"Can I get you guys anything to eat or drink?" she asked as they all plopped down on a coach or chair, still looking around.
"I'm fine," said Henry.
"Me too," said Faye.
"I'm kinda thirsty..." said Rika, restanding back up. "Mind if I come along? I'd like to see your kitchen," she said. When her back was facing Faye and Henry, she winked at Jeri, who nodded ever so slightly.
"Of course," she said. "Takato? What about you?"
"I'm fine," he said. When Rika and Jeri glared at him dangerously, he got the message and stood up. "Although I do have to use the bathroom. Which way?" he asked.
Rika snickered and turned away from everyone while Jeri gave him directions, which were actually quite complicated.
"Down the hall and make a left," said Jeri, sighing a bit from explaining it so much. "Count three doors on the right and go in. It's a small hallway and the bathroom is down there."
Takato gave the thumbs up. "All right," he said. "I got it know!"
So, while Takato sought out the bathroom, Rika and Jeri made their way to the kitchen, which was actually right down the hall a bit.
"My house isn't really that big," said Jeri. "It's very spacious inside, but there are a lot of closets for some reason."
Rika nodded. "My house is pretty big too, although it's one of those older types, where you have to walk outside to get everywhere."
"Oh, I love those houses!" said Jeri.
"You'll have to come over some time then," said Rika.
"That'd be nice," she said, opening a door to what Rika assumed was the kitchen. And indeed it was.
Jeri walked to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water for herself. "Anything in particular?" she asked.
"I wasn't thirsty," said Rika, with a smirk. "But I will take water to get rid of some suspicion."
"Ah, right," grinned Jeri, tossing another water bottle to Rika. They remained in the kitchen for about five minutes, before heading back to the living room.
They stopped outside the door to listen, but only heard Faye and Henry talking about something, and it didn't seem to be of interest. So, they opened the door and walked in.
"Alo again," said Faye simply, leaning back into her chair. Rika nodded and sat down, as did Jeri. The four of them began to talk, about just about anything and everything. It was only when Henry asked what Jeri's brother had gone to the doctor for, did it click that they hadn't thought everything out so well afterall.
"Wait a second," said Rika, trying to think of something to change the way the conversation was going. When everyone stared at her, she blurted out the first thing that popped in her head. "How long as Takato been gone?"
Rika thought about it too. It had been at least ten minutes. Surely it didn't take that long to go to the bathroom, did it?
"Hmm, you're right," said Henry, glancing at his watch. "It's been a while."
"Could he have gotten lost?" smirked Faye, remembering Takato's difficulties with the bathroom directions.
Rika laughed. "If that's what happened, I will never let him live it down," she said.
Henry got to his feet. "Maybe we should go check on him," he said. "I mean, well, see if he actually is lost."
"Good idea," said Jeri, also getting to her feet.
And so Rika pulled Faye out of her chair and they set off, with Jeri in the lead so they wouldn't get lost as well.
"It's not that hard..." grumbled Jeri as she turned down the bathroom's hallway. She pointed to the door and Henry stepped forward.
"Matsuki?" he asked, tapping on the door lightly. "You still in there?"
They waited for a reply, but none came. Henry tapped again, but there was still no answer. Two seconds later, Rika exploded with laughter. "He did get lost!" she shouted, falling backward into the wall.
"TAAAKAAATOOO!!" shouted Faye, cupping her hands around her mouth to make her voice even louder. "WHERE ARE YOOOOOOOU!?"
There was no reply anywhere. Henry sighed. "He couldn't have gotten that lost, could he?" he asked, crossing his arms.
They left the hall and wandered around, tapping on doors. Rika tugged on a door handle, but wouldn't open. She tapped on it. "Takato?" she asked. Further down the hall, Faye and Henry were tapping on doors, keeping Jeri in sight so they wouldn't get lost.
"Shh, Rika, listen," came a voice from inside the room. Rika nearly jumped, but listened carefully. "We'll use this room. Pretend I can't get out, and we can lock them in here... door jammed..."
Rika nodded. "Hey! I think he's down here!" she said. Takato quickly said something else, and Rika memorized it all. She gave a fake tug on the door, and pretended to stumble as it flew open. "What was that all about?" asked Rika.
"I opened this door 'cause I thought I heard something inside, but it closed behind me and wouldn't open..." he said, taking a quick glance at Jeri. She nodded slightly.
"That room's always been weird..." she said, looking inside it. "For some reason, the door likes to stay shut."
"Weird," said Faye.
"What does it look like?" asked Rika, walking inside. Jeri stuck a door jammer in the door to prevent it from closing and followed her in.
Takato, Faye and Henry went in as well and looked around.
"Wow," said Faye. "It's... empty. For lack of better words."
Jeri nodded, thanking Takato mentally for choosing this room, of all rooms in the house. It was perfect.
"Aw man," said Rika. "That water filled my bladder," she said bluntly, running towards the door. "I'll be back."
She walked some distance down the hall, before creeping back towards the room. Jeri was standing in the hallway, just outside it, as if waiting for them to come out. Rika watched as Takato soon exited the room. He "tripped" and fell over, knocking the door jammer away. He cursed to himself and stood up, allowing the door to close.
"Ahh! Takato the door!" said Faye from inside. It slammed shut and Rika slid over, holding the door tightly shut so it wouldn't open.
Jeri whispered something to Rika, and Takato took her place as the door holder. She ran down the hall and opened a door quietly, pulling out a key and running back, thrusting the key into Jeri's grasp. Quickly and silently, she jammed the key in the doorknob and locked it.
"It's not opening!" said Jeri, dropping the key in her pocket and pulling on the handle with a grin on her face.
Takato rammed himself into the door, then twisted the knob again. "It's stuck again..." he said, a wide and downright evil grin plastered on his face.
For a minute or so while they continued their attempts to "open" the door, Rika waited. Then she made her reappearance.
"Hey, what happened?" she asked, a grin on her face as well.
"The door closed and we can't get it open," said Jeri.
"Damn you Takato!!" shouted Faye from inside the room. "If you didn't trip, we'd be fine!"
Rika covered her mouth to avoid laughing out loud. She walked over and with her other hand, twisted on the door knob. "Damn, it really is stuck..." she said, before covering her mouth again.
Jeri grinned. "I'll go see if I can find something to get this opened again," she said. "Rika? Takato? You better come. Will you two be okay in there for a while?"
"I guess so..." grumbled Faye. "But there is gonna be hell to pay when I get out!" she shouted at ones outside. They nearly punched each other to stop themselves from laughing.
"We'll be right back!" said Jeri, taking off down the hall with Takato and Rika at her heels. They stumbled into the living room and burst into laughter.
"We pulled it off!" said Takato, as they all high fived again.
"Soon, the world will be ours," said Rika. "This plan was genius."
"Yes it was," grinned Jeri.
"We'll give them... oh, ten minutes should be good..." said Rika. "Now, there's no guarantee that anything is going to happen, but any longer and they'll suspect something."
Takato nodded. "We'll just hang out here for a while," he said. He narrowed his eyes a bit. "You don't think Faye would really freak out on me, do you?" he asked.
Rika glanced at Jeri, then looked at him. She shrugged. "That all depends on the outcome," she said.
Takato shuddered. "At least she hasn't had any sugar or caffeine," he said. The other two shuddered as well.
"Good point," said Jeri.
All three were curious beyond belief as time passed on by. They wanted to know what exactly was going on in the room. The living room filled with silence, everyone lost in their own thoughts. When Takato's watch gave off a beep, they all jumped.
"Aw, crap," said Takato, leaping up. "It's been passed ten minutes. We better go."
Rika and Jeri nodded and jumped to their own feet, the plotting smirk returning to their faces. Jeri led them back to the room.
Rika tapped on the door. "You guys okay?" she asked.
"Fine!" said Faye, rather quickly.
"We couldn't find anything that might help," said Takato. "So we're just gonna try pulling this thing open again."
"All right," said Henry.
The three outside glanced at each other. "What's with the short answers?" asked Rika in a whisper to the other three. The other two shrugged in reply, as Jeri pulled out the key.
With some silent movement, she had unlocked the door and dropped the key back in the pocket. Takato rammed against the door again, then the three outside pulled on the doorknob and rattled with the door, making it somewhat believable. With a final tug, they pulled the door open and fell backwards, allowing Faye and Henry their freedom at last.
Faye kicked the door as she passed it. "Fiend," she grumbled.
"So, should we head back to the living room?" asked Jeri. Rika nodded, and the hostess led the way back.
Rika and Takato took up the rear and watched their best friends curiously. Their hands occasionally brushed up against each other the entire way, and sometimes it seemed intentional.
Rika glanced at Takato and he the same, as they watched the scene before them. Both of them willing the hands to clasp together, but there was no such luck. They reached the living room with no signs of what had happened, other than the hand brushing thing.
They chattered on in the living room, before a large clock struck six times. They all looked to the clock to see it was now six o'clock.
"I think I should get home," said Henry. "My mom might get a bit worried, especially because it's getting so late."
"Me too," said Takato, glancing at Rika.
"What time are your parents coming home?" asked Faye of Jeri.
"Soon, I think," said Jeri. "I'll be okay for the rest of the time. It is getting too dark. You should all go home."
Faye nodded. "All right," she said. "You must have us all back again sometime. And hopefully we won't waste time stuck in a closet," she grumbled as she got to her feet. Jeri grinned while Takato and Rika stifled their laughter.
Everyone got up and Jeri led them back to the front door. "Thanks again you guys," she said, holding it open for them.
"Don't mention it," said Rika, nodding at her. They all said a quick goodbye, then head off, because not only was it dark out, it was getting very cold. Faye vanished within minutes, running off to her own home with a quick, "Bye now!" and a trail of dust.
Henry was off next, turning to down his street and waving as he picked up speed of his own.
Making sure he was out of hearing distance, Rika exploded. "You did see that whole hand thing, right?" she asked.
Takato nodded. "Yeah!" he said.
"I was staring at them, saying over and over in my head: Clasp! Clasp! Clasp!" she said, pulling her hands in her coat sleeves to keep them warm.
"You're not the only one," said Takato, laughing. "Something must have happened though, because the air between them just seemed different."
Rika nodded. "Oh yes," she said. "Something most definitely happened. But don't worry, I'm sure we will find out. Faye will be sure to tell me first thing tomorrow."
"Ah yes," said Takato. "Henry will probably tell me as well."
"So," started Rika, "All we have to do is wait out the night and whether or not we have a taken a country will be revealed!"
They laughed again and walked on, neither noticing the change in air between them as well.
XD XD XD XD XD XD
MD: The "XD" will be my new spacer, as the stars and squiggle lines don't work anymore. Go figure.
Long explanation note (skip over if you want) :
My computer crashed at the end of last year. I got a new one some time afterwards, but I lost everything (IE: Stories). I managed to get them back after a couple months, but then decides to be stupid and I couldn't upload anything... Actually, I was just being stupid and couldn't figure out that I was using the wrong program or something. ANYWAY! All that combined with the worst case of writer's block I think I've ever had (Staring at the screen for long periods of time with nothing coming to me) led to the verrry long wait for an update... I apologize to you all.
I will no longer put replies to the reviewers because I'm lacking in time. Junior year is supposed to be the most important I guess, so I get piled with work. TT
I will say a very wholesome thanks to anyone who will actually read this chapter and the rest of the story because of the long gap between updates. A thanks is also in place for all my faithful reviewers!
Oh, I'm thinking about starting a mailing list for this story, BECAUSE of the long updates... Let me know what you all think, okiday?
I leave you alone in peace now... so review!