This fanfic is currently under construction and the chapters are therefore subjected to minor changes. I apologise for any confusion.

PIE & POISON

Kyon sat on a chair by a small table and began to pour himself a cup of coffee. He then noticed a box of pie.

"Did someone came?" he asked Itsuki.

"Yes. Umi." said Itsuki. "She dropped by earlier to give pie and wish me a speedy recovery before leaving on a trip to her relatives."

"You don't think she met Haruhi and argued with her, do you?" said Kyon as he fumbled on a piece of pie. He thought this was a silly question to ask, but he was still tired, having slept uncomfortably on the extra bed in the ward, and could barely think of anything else to say. Actually, he was simply not in a mood to talk. Moreover, he was not in a mood to talk about anything regarding Haruhi.

Damn this girl and her issues, he thought spitefully.

"Well, perhaps. But I think that's very unlike- " Itsuki was interrupted by Haruhi bursting into the room.

Both boys looked as Haruhi strode over with a grim look on her face to the table.

Itsuki suddenly remembered his role as the optimistic vice-commander. "Well, good morning, Suzumiya-sa- "

"So she brought you pie, huh?" said Haruhi, looking poisonously at the pie.

Kyon wondered whether he should still take another bite to fill his hungry stomach; the way Haruhi glared worried him that she'd somehow make the pie poisonous.

He withdrew his hand and decided to wait until someone else would take a piece. He didn't want to be the next person to end up in a sickbed.

"Yes, Suzumiya-san," said Itsuki cautiously with a smile, "She was going on a trip with her relatives and though it would be courteous to stop by and wish me well."

Haruhi stared at Itsuki for a moment. Itsuki wondered whether he just said the right words.

"Hmph." Haruhi turned and began taking off her jacket.

"The pie's delicious. You might want to try," said Kyon, but regretted his words at once; Haruhi's glare told him if he mentions the pie again, she might really poison it.

Haruhi dropped herself on the couch and crossed her arms.

"I don't like her."

Kyon raised an eyebrow at her. "You mean Umi? Why?"

"I just don't."

Kyon sighed and frowned. This girl…

But then he remembered how Haruhi's intuition was usually on the right spot. Perhaps there was really something wrong with the pleasant looking Umi.

Itsuki thought the same. Perhaps he should notify the Organization to check her background.

"Has she upset you in some way, Suzumiya-san?" asked Itsuki tentatively.

"I just don't like her attitude," said Haruhi, "Anyway, I don't want to talk about her anymore. Mikuru isn't here yet, right?" Without waiting for an answer, she began to fumble impatiently for her cellphone.

- -

There's something unpleasant about Umi and Haruhi was sure about it. This could be the only explanation why, when she met her at the entrance, Haruhi suddenly felt hostile towards Umi. It was a very negative feeling, like…

Jealousy?

Don't be absurd! said Haruhi to herself as she fiercely punched the number 9 on her cellphone. I don't have any reason to be jealous! What would I be jealous about?

It's because there's something baleful and ominous about that girl! Why else would I feel like this?

Haruhi did felt a strange foreboding, like a coming of a storm that Umi would bring along.

She wasn't wrong.

- -

Several miles away, inside a room of a hotel, Umi was having a conversation with her friend on the phone.

"Anyway, have you developed the pictures already?"

"No, my cousin borrowed my camera, so I won't have it until the week after." said a female voice across the phone line.

"Tch, I should have them as soon as possible," said Umi, "Can't you get it from her for awhile?"

"Well, maybe. I could ask her."

"What's the name of your cousin? Is she Sora, the one I've met at the cinema?"

"No, it's Tamao. You know, the one I introduced to you when you slept over? The one that attends North High?"

There was a pause.

Umi remembered the girl, but she also remembered something else. North High… If she wasn't wrong, it's the same school Koizumi Itsuki, as well as Suzumiya Haruhi and their friends who came to return her cat, attended.

"I remember her. Hey, how about we go together to her school? There's also someone I want to see there."

"Oh, really? Is it a guy?"

"Yup, and a really cute one, too."

The girl across the line giggled.

"But he's got this friend, I've met her, and she seems to like him, too, but either she doesn't really know or she just don't want to accept or both."

"Ooh, sounds like a love triangle's gonna develop."

"Well, maybe. But I should give it try, right?"

"Of course! I mean, why not? If he's really cute and single, sure! And if that girl isn't chasing him, too bad for her, good luck to you!"

"Exactly." Umi checked her watch. "Anyway, I should go now, I'm supposed to meet mum at the restaurant. I'll call you back later and tell you more about him, okay?"

After Umi hung up, she walked over to the mirror.

She examined herself. She was a cute enough opponent for Suzumiya-san and she was definitely not going to back down. Once she sets her eyes of something, she must have it no matter what.

To be continued…

© Mademoiselle X

To be honest, I almost forgot about this fanfic. Luckily, someone reminded me to update and fortunately enough, I finished this chapter in one day. So, almond chocolates for those who reviewed! Until next time! - Mademoiselle X