Hey… Sorry about not getting a new part 'til now. I've been having school and family problems. Yeah… Not fun. So, um, uh… DON'T KILL ME!!! 0o

Thanks for the review! God, I was so happy when I read it! That one person knows who they are, so I heart you!!

So, I bring you the next part of… THE RISING SUN!!

The Rising Sun

The sun had almost gone beneath the distant horizon when the gang had reached Kaname's house. Much to his surprise, Amou found his equipment for the party. Amou looked up to the sky and sent a silent prayer.

"Thank you… Tomonori-san…"

"Amou-kun? Are you coming?" Mana looked questioningly towards the distant Amou.

"Ah, um, yes, just a minute. It seems Tomonori-san went overboard on packing. 1, 2, 3…" Amou chuckled. "It seems he packed 5 pairs of socks and all my clothes."

"Aww, it just shows that he cares about you! I think its so touching the relationship you and Nakaura-sensei share. It's like that of a father and son." Mana smiled in the cute, hypnotic way she always does.

Amou blushed and attempted to pick up the extremely large and overstuffed duffel bag Nakaura sensei… um... so lovingly packed. Itsuki started laughing, and helped Amou into Kaname's house.

As the door shut behind them, the smell of Kaname's sister's cooking wafted through the air.

Itsuki immediately dashed off to the kitchen. "Gah! I'll help too!" A cloud of smoke trailed after him.

Kaname shook his head and said, "Jeez… my sister's cooking is like crack to him…"

Mana looked questioningly. "Umm… Kaname-kun? What is cr-crack?"

Shiba and Kaname looked at each other. Kaname quickly replied, "Um... never mind."

"Ah! Kirihara, I"LL take your stuff in." Shiba quickly shot into the living room, carrying Mana's duffel bag, and set it in the living room, where everyone else's stuff was piled in a corner.

"Hey, everybody! Dinner's ready!" Kaname's sister called out cheerfully. Itsuki walked out looking positively euphoric.

"Guys… you're not going to believe it!" He said excitedly, "I've been invited here-

"More like mooching, from what I hear." interrupted Shiba

"-many times in the past," continued Itsuki, unfazed by Shiba's smart remark, "and that means I've eaten-"

"More like devoured..." said Kaname darkly.

"Hey, how can I help it? Your sister's cooking rocks!!" complained Itsuki.

Itsuki never got to finish his "speech" because dinner was set on the table by Mana and Kaname's sister. When the last plate was placed on the table, and when Mana sat down, everybody dug in with gusto.

There was sashimi, taiyaki, onigiri, kimchi, teriyaki chicken, egg fried rice, steamed rice, miso soup, beef sukiyaki, yakisoba, all sorts of oden, ramen, calamari, asari no samamushi , dumplings, yakitori, ika sugatayaki (broiled whole squid), etc.

For dessert, there was green tea ice cream and ohagi. (AN: I'm too tired to type down what all the foods are… sorry...)

When dinner had ended, everyone was stuffed. Even the lightest of the eaters could not resist eating more. "Did everyone get enough to eat?" asked Kaname's sister.

Itsuki groaned happily and rolled off his chair. Kaname sighed exasperatedly.

Mana looked with concern and said, "Kaname-kun? What's wrong?" They both stared at Shiba's pitiful attempt at helping Itsuki up.

Kaname replied, with a hint of amusement in his voice, "This happens every time he comes over." Shiba was now poking Itsuki's sprawled body.

"Um… are we playing any games?" Amou questioned Kaname.

"Sure... why not…"

"Games? Hai! I'm in!" Itsuki jumped up. While doing so, his outstretched hand accidentally punched Shiba in the nose.

"I'll get you for that later, baka." Shiba growled, now cleaning up his bloody nose.

"Shiba-sempai! Are you alright? You're not hurt are you?" Mana rushed over and helped Shiba. He blushed a brilliant red.

"Mana… when something's wrong, you can always expect her to help. It's one of the things that makes Mana, well, Mana!" Itsuki grinned.

"Yes… she is very kind." Amou added, pleased.

"It's at these moments that Shiba looks so hilarious." Kaname chuckled.

"Alright… on with the games!" Itsuki cried.

"Ok! What are we going to play?" Mana said joyfully.

"Well, you'll find out soon enough." Itsuki grinned, poking her nose.

The gang proceeded to play the usual party games- Pin the Tail on the As- I mean, Donkey, Spoon Tag (AN: My personal fav… well, it's one of the games me and my friends play), and had a pillow fight.

Exhausted, Mana blew a feather from her hair and sat down. Everyone played hard, but no one had really wanted to hit Mana, even if it was with a pillow, and vice versa with Mana. In the end, they all just played carefully. Sure, Mana got pummeled down a few times anyways, but it was ok to her. At least they were together having fun.

"Now, let's play truth or dare." said Itsuki ominously. "I'll go first."

"Hmm…who do I choose?" Itsuki gazed at the group. "Ah… Mana."

Mana gulped at the sound of her name. She hadn't played this game in a long time. She nervously gazed at Kaname and scooted closer to him. Of course she would answer their questions, but what if it was about her and Kaname?

Oooooooh… it all comes down to this. Two questions will be answered next time: 1) What is the question, and 2) will I get up off my lazy ass to finish this story? lol Please review!! Love ya all!

xjinchuurikix