Lulz. It's chapter 4. My sister's birthday was a few days ago. Raaawrrr. Bizz's sister is happy, and so is Bizz. Bizz likes talking in third person. Like PiX. Teehee. Akira was silent in the last chapter, but he gets an important role in this chapter. Mwhaha. Akira's so awesome. But yeah, I know this chapter's title kind of sucks. x.X; Sorry 'bout that. And I noticed it's kind of short too. But the next one will be longer.. x3

Papersak: Evil Zukin comes in later, don't worry. This is the part where other characters are introduced out of nowhere, and Zukin does get a happy, yet random ending along with the others. x3 But thanks for reading:D

BunniesAreDistractions: Thanks for readingg. :D Yes, I like making characters cute. Teehee.

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Chapter 4- Friends Stick Together

Natsumi had a hard time waking up that morning. She felt dizzy, and didn't know if she should have even gotten up that day, but she did anyway. It was 9am... and it was raining. Violet woke up on her own a few minutes after Natsumi did, and noticed that she was out of bed already. She was in the bathroom taking a shower, but Violet knew something wasn't right. After Natsumi had gotten out of the shower and got dressed, the two realized that they had run out of breakfast foods already. Natsumi's mom was still out as well, and so, even though it made the teen girl feel worse then when she had gotten up, she put her jacket on again to keep her dry, and gave her cell phone to Violet. "I'll only be gone for a little bit," She told the PiX, "So if anyone calls me, then just tell them I'll be back. But, this way, you won't feel too lonely. I just don't want to have to drag you outside with me, it's kind of bad out there. I'm going to get us some food now. Remember what to do if my mom shows up." She then left the house, even though the PiX didn't want her to. She got kind of worried. She knew Natsumi was sick, but Natsumi had tried to hide it.

Time had passed, and Violet grew even more worried. Natsumi should have been back by now. The PiX looked around the house, and noticed the slip of paper that Emi had given Natsumi. It was on a table, scattered about with other things. She took it and Natsumi's cell phone, and dialed Emi's number. Emi answered.

"Hello?" Came Emi's voice.

"Emi... it's Violet," The PiX replied.

"Huh? You sound kind of upset, is something wrong?" Emi asked in concern.

"Well, Natsumi went to get food, and I know she's sick," The PiX's worry caused her to talk in first person again, "But she went out anyway in this rain. And she hasn't been back for a while. I'm afraid, Emi."

There was a pause, and Emi suddenly said, "I've got another call, hold on."

"Okay..." The PiX replied.

Emi switched her call. "Hello?"

"Emi," returned the voice, "It's.. Akira."

"Akira? Wait, is something--"

"It's Natsumi," He interrupted, "Yuni made me call you because she's sort of.. freaked out right now. You see, we found her passed out in one of the shortcuts around where Alice lives. Not a lot of people seem to go through there, so we don't know how long she was like that."

".. Is she okay.. ?"

"Yuni and I managed to get her in the hospital. She's really sick, apparently... but I don't know much more about it. Gah, hold on, Yuni wants to talk to you." There was silence for a few seconds, and then Yuni's voice came on. "I'm scared, Emi. We only just met Natsumi, and I was already starting to get to like her. Akira tries to act all tough, but I know deep down, he is really worried too. He doesn't have to act all calm for me... but I guess it's just the way he is..."

"Well, Violet is on the other line. I'll call you back."

"All right.."

Emi switched the line again. "Violet... are you there?"

"Yeah... I'm still here." The PiX was still talking in first person. It was hard, since talking in third person was a habit, but she managed.

"Well... I guess Yuni and Akira found Natsumi. She's.. in the hospital now."

"... Is Natsumi okay?? What's happened to her?? Is she--"

"We don't know yet. She's really sick, though."

"... I knew she shouldn't have pushed herself..." The PiX replied quietly. She felt some kind of guilt shower over her. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if Natsumi were to die. And what about her mom? Thinking about it made her feel like just jumping off of a cliff and ending it now.

"Hey, it'll be okay," Emi replied, her optimistic side showing, "But you mentioned that you needed food, right?"

"Yeah... but you don't have to worry about me..."

"Aw, don't worry. Listen, do you still remember where the clothes store is?"

"Um... yeah..."

"Well, meet me there again. I haven't had anything to eat yet, either, so maybe I can get us both something to eat. It looks like this rain might clear up soon, and I have a couple of umbrellas lying around, anyway."

"You won't get sick too, right?" The PiX asked. She didn't want anyone else hurting themselves because of her.

"No, I won't, I promise," Emi assured her, "It'll be okay. Maybe we can even see Natsumi in the hospital later on . If you want to, anyway."

"... I would want to... very much..."

"Okay. Well, I'm going to call Yuni back now. Maybe I can get her to come as well. I'll see you later."

"Okay. See you.. Emi."

The two did meet together later on. As they went to get food, the two talked about a lot of things. Violet even told Emi who she was and where she came from- which included why she was so tiny- and Emi didn't get freaked out or anything. She just kept on listening as the two bonded for a while, and they eventually met up with Yuni and Akira later on. Rage had seemed to be busy at the time and Alice was always doing her own things, anyway. Emi tried to keep everyone optimistic and humorous, but it was hard. Especially for Violet, who didn't have much of an appetite the entire time. Emi, Yuni, even Akira tried saying things that would make her feel better, but right now was just a weird time for the little PiX. And in the middle of their lunch, Natsumi's cell phone rang. Violet was too afraid to answer it, so Emi answered for her. "Hello? Who's this?"

"Hello. Do you happen to know my daughter, Natsumi Kuzuki?"

-End of chapter 4-