Chapter Five: Invitation to Dine

She had never felt so nervous before in her entire life. Even basic piano recitals couldn't shy close in comparison to the flutters of tiny, annoying butterflies in her stomach. At around breakfast time she had received one of the most surprising, if not flattering, letters in her entire life. Granted, he was not to be there, but all the more better, for she hadn't the tiniest bit of nerve to face him.

Sitting in front of the vanity in her room was nearly as tiring as the waiting. Her mother paced back and forth behind her, instructing the poor maid to do her hair just right. Personally, Chi Chi did not care one bit. Her hair had been perfect the way it had been at breakfast, but, as usual, her mother would hear nothing of it.

"I won't have you arriving at their door in a total disaster!"

Chi Chi sighed once more, aggravated to no end. Outward appearances were deceiving indeed. Had anyone else happened to pop in to the room at that moment, they would figure her to be a perfect angel. On the inside, well---she would much rather turn over all the chairs, the tables, the hair accessories, and even her own mother.

The raven-haired woman jumped slightly in surprise. Alright, so maybe she wouldn't turn her own mother over. She had no such desires to bring the very wrath of heaven upon her, but still.

At last the torture had ended, and she nearly toppled over two of her sisters. Her search led her to Mr. Briefs' study, where he looked to be deep in thought. "Oh, father, I…" Mr. Briefs offered a glance before inviting her in.

"Can I use the carriage? Mr. Son's sisters invited me over to dine with them for supper."

"I suppose—"

"Oh no my dear!" exclaimed her mother as she darted into the study. "I think it would be better for you to go on horseback. It might rain this afternoon, and then you would have to stay the night!" Various gasps from the eavesdropping sisters and a blush from Chi Chi herself sent Mrs. Briefs into a huff. "Well you can't go all the way over there and not see him!"

Bulma nearly raked her hands through her hair. If she hadn't expected company, she would be mighty tempted to go through with it anyway.

Blue eyes intently watched the road as rain pellets struck it with such force, mud splattered under its weight. Her mother had been correct—it had rained. No, not just any rain. The very skies seemed to open up with acres and acres of water. This had been one of the few times it had rained so heavily, so recently. She let out a heavy sigh as she continued on with her stitching.

Hours later, a note from Mt. Paozu Park arrived, stating that the eldest Miss Briefs had been struck with a sudden illness. Mr. Briefs tossed the note on the table in front of his wife. "I hope you are happy my dear. If Chi Chi does die of this illness, it should be of great comfort to know that it was all in the pursuit of your husband-of-choice."

The mood of the parlor lightened only slightly. "Huh, people don't die of colds! She will be well soon, and thus will be able to have the company of Mr. Son and his party." Marron continued to giggle, only quieting once she received the colder end of Bulma's glare.

"Momma, Papa, let me go check up on her. I'm sure she would feel much better if one of us were to be there." Her father agreed, and began to ask for the carriage. Bulma immediately stood and flailed her hands about. "No, no, father. Really, I can walk! The rain has let up now, and it would a good stretch of the legs."

Mrs. Briefs nearly fainted in disgust. "Walk! Three miles! The mud from here to there would alone make you look like a barbarian! You won't be fit to be seen at all!"

"I'll be fit enough to see Chi, which is all I care about!"

She could see the mansion in the distance, and kept her eyes glued to it as she charged through the foot-long, water-soaked grass. The last forty-five or so minutes had been the greatest test of strength. The blue-haired woman had managed to lose one shoe in a puddle of mud (and managed to rescue it), avoided drowning in a two-foot-deep pool, and now only had one fence to cross over.

Needless to say, she did so mechanically as her mother's words echoed back to her. All the water, the mud she had sloshed through…her boots were bound to be dirty. But what of her dress?...All thoughts were interrupted as her foot caught on the top railing of the fence, nearly sending her flying into a most dangerous looking mud puddle. She let out a small shriek as she gripped the possessed rail with both hands, sending her boots sliding, feet over her head, making her arms twist. The poor girl was forced to let go of the railing, but miraculously landed on her feet, in the deep mud.

Groaning, Bulma walked out of the puddle, towards the small orchards, all the while taking in her dress. What a disaster this trip had been. Oh well, there was nothing to be done now. What's ruined is ruined, and she only hoped nothing worse could happen.

"…Miss Briefs?"

Said woman's eye twitched as her head darted up to look into her "greeter's" eyes.

"M-Mr. Ouji!"

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A/N: So, this is long overdue, but I hope it's not a total let down! I am no longer using the book as a reference, rather, only what I can remember. So if some things are similar, my bad! OK? I have this thing practically memorized. Anywho, hope that was nice, short I know, but it'll get longer the more and more inspired I get. SO REVIEW PLEASE!

Ja!

Pearl