Chapter 3: Happiness

A windchime rang softly somewhere as a gentle breeze drifted into the Funbari Onsen. It was early, yet, a young maiden of 20 stood outside the closed gate, her ruby red eyes fixed upon a window on the second floor, which was slightly opened.

Her crisp and pretty white western dress swayed ever so slightly, and her long, silvery blue tresses came to a rest on her petite shoulders as soon as the breeze passed. Her glossy lips upturned intoa knowing smile as a blonde head appeared at the opened window before disappearing again.

After waiting a while longer, the gate to the Onsen creaked open, and Anna, recognising Jeanne through her bedroom window, nodded curtly, beckoning her in.

"I'm sorry about arriving so early," Jeanne said, beaming at Anna as the two of them made their way into the living room, "Am I causing any inconvenience?"

Anna shook her head and sat down; Jeanne did the same. "I sent Kanna to tell you about my visit." She said again, seeing that Anna, who was looking slightly worned out, had no wish to speak.

"Yes, Yoh and I saw her spirit 5 days ago," Anna answered quietly, "And her death has sent everyone into a slight shock, with the exception of Marion and Mathilda, who are very shocked and upset."

Jeanne's cheerful expression changed into a look of concern. "How are they, then?" She inquired, but Yoh appeared just then, coming down the spiral staircase with Lyzerg.

"Jeanne!"

Lyzerg uttered in surprise, and turned to look at Yoh. "So that's why you and Anna woke me up so early!"

Yoh nodded and smiled; Even then, Jeanne saw the strain in his smile, and gathered from everyone's tired expressions that Kanna's death has indeed affected them all greatly.

They chatted till Ryu and Jun came down to prepare breakfast, after which Ryu went on a rampage around the house, chanting "Jeanne's back, Jeanne's back!" and waking everyone up.

Surprised and pleased to see Jeanne again, everyone surveyed their old friend with a friendly eye.

In place of the young and naive girl they knew from the Shaman Fight, now, standing before them is a girl who have matured greatly, emitting a kind, motherly aura, and the gentleness Jeanne possessed was still etched deep in her quiet personality,

When Mathilda stepped up to greet Jeanne, her blank lifeless eyes filed with hot, glistening tears. Marion too, placed a hand lightly on her mouth, holding back a choke that threatened to escape her.

Without saying anything at first, Jeanne embraced both young mothers before whispering the verses in the bible that Lyzerg knew so well:

"The Lord is my sheperd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

"Even though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Jeanne let the girls go. "That was Kanna's request," She told them, "Before she died, I was with her, and she asked me to recite this if I should come for a visit."

"Psalm 23, A Psalm of David." Lyzerg broke in, his deep green eyes bright with tears. "That's right, Lyzerg," Jeanne said, surprised and pleased, "You still remember."

For a moment, no one spoke; The children kept their silence and backed uneasily into their own rooms, understanding that they should not interrupt this moment. Then, Pillica spoke, her voice sensible, "The reason why Kanna didn't want to meet us was because she was afraid we would suffer. So all the more we should stay strong, and let Kanna rest in peace. At the very least, that's all we could do for her."

"And when you need someone to talk to, Mathilda, remember that there is always Mayura and I to share your burden." Lyzerg told Mathilda softly, taking her hand and holding it tight. Hao followed suit, and held Marion protectively.

"Erm," Tamao spoke up shyly, "Kanna's hair... Use thatas a link and proof of your friendship with Kanna, and she... She will live in your hearts forever."

The children cast worried looks at each other. "Is mama and papa ok, big sis Areno?"

Soujiro asked in asmall, trembly voice, and Areno, who was holding her tears back, said, with mock confidence, "Of course! That's for sure, because big sister Jeanne will help them."

Kyo, who was comforting Rin by letting her cry on his shoulder, spoke up.

"I don't really understand what's going on, but I do know that we have to, and can do something to cheer those adults up."

"Rin doesn't like to see mummy and daddy unhappy," Rin sobbed in Kyo's shoulder, "So if Rin can make them smile, Rin will do anything!"

"I don't like to see mum so stressed and Mathilda sis looking like she's going to collapse anytime soon either," Fuyu said with a frown, for her crazy playmate aka Mathilda had sunken into a state of depression for the past 5 days, and nothing anyone did could make her play like her old self again, 'But what can we do?"

"We can be obedient little angels so we won't burden them more than they already are." Mayura piped up, looking gloomy, for her spirits were dampened with the thought of her hyperactive mother suddenly losing all her energy. Hana smiled encouragingly and patted her head.

"Heads up, everyone, cheer up! Mayu is right! If we obey our parents, they will be happy too!" he said, hoping that he sounded convincing.

"My mother once said that happiness and laughter is contagious," Asuna said thoughtfully, "So if we kids continue to be happy and do things that will please our parents, they will most likely feel better too!" she concluded excitedly, jumping up and down the bed, her pink plaits bouncing merrily on her shoulders.

"Well then, I know what we can do!" Kyo said triumphantly, "I can ask my mum and pops to get out of the kitchen. We children will cook dinner tonight, and prepare a cheer up dinner party for them!" "We can't do that!" Fuyu exlaimed, horrified, "Rin and Souji are too young, what if they get hurt?" "They won't," Kyo said confidently, "I know the kitchen well enough because I help out in there often, and there is a little wooden table at a corner in whereit's safe for Rin and Souji to help us peel sprouts! Of course, we need someone to watch them so they don't wander around..."

"I'll do that," Fuyu said immediately, "Souji is my youngest and most precious cousin, I can't leave him with anyone else."

"That's biased, I'm your cousin too!" Areno said, hurt by Fuyu's words. "Ok, break it up," Kyo said impatiently, "Areno and Fuyu will look after Rin and Souji, Asuna, you can do the washing since you always help your parents, and you're fast at that- Mayura and Hana will do a little bit of chopping and cooking, while I will be in charge of the stove area. Is that better?" He asked. "You're a genius, Kyo, total smarty!" Hana beamed, "Let's go convince your mum and dad to leave the kitchen to us!"

So that night, after Jun and Ryu had reluctantly agreed to leave the children to do the dinner and promised to keep that a secret from the other adults, the children went according as planned, with Kyo hoping fervently that nothing will go wrong with his precious dinner plan.

Thankfully enough, dinner was served without any casualties, and the adults were pleasantly surprised and touched by their childrens' friendly gesture. Only towards the end of the dinner did they actually find out why the children did this.

"So my darling daughter have been helping out in the kitchen?" Pillica teased as she fed Rin a tiny piece of steak that Kyo had prepared. "Ready to become Kyo's right hand man, I see!" Ren added with a smirk, and Kyo choked. "But why the sudden decision to cook for us? Is it because of Jeanne's arrival?" Tamao wondered. "Tell us, princess, why did you children have this crazy idea?" HoroHoro pleaded Asuna with the silliest look anyonehad seen, and his little 'princess' giggled before saying, very earnestly, "Well, it's because all of you looked very tired and sad about something these few days, and we wanted to help cheer you all up." She began, and Fuyu broke in. "And Kyo came up with this crazy idea, so we asked aunty Jun and uncle Ryu to loan us the kitchen..."

"To prepare this dinner for you!" Hana finished for Fuyu. The children glanced at each other before staring up at their parents, who were all blinking stupidly, trying to absorb this information. "Aah, so we were looking upset, huh?" Yoh said, laughing sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Mayu, I won't lose my energyagain." Mathilda promised, hugging her daughter. "There's one thing Kyo would like to say," Areno said quietly, and everyone turned to stare at Kyo, who cleared his throat.

"That is.. My teacher taught me that life was never intended to be an individual adventure, and that we all need ateam to get through all our worries and trouble," He started, "So I was just thinking, instead of just sticking for our own family members, why don't we all become a 'team', and overcome all our problems together?"

There was a short pause, then Jeanne said kindly, "That is a very wise thing to say, Kyo."

"Alright," Hao said, "I seond Kyo's idea. He's right." "Me too. That makes sense." Ryu added, ruffling Kyo's black spiky hair.

And even after Jeanne left for France again a week later, everyone never forgot what happiness her arrival had brought to the residents of the Funbari Onsen.

Note: I'm back with a very quick update this time! I'm making this a 5- parter, so this is the third chapter. The fourth and fifth chapters will be concluding chapters for this sequel. Enjoy chapter 3 and please review! thx!