Piranha's Retreat: Chapter 4:
Today is the ball. Aka, the same day as a million years ago, the day after my dad discussed his will, the same exact day I was planning to hang out with my friends for a couple of drinks and perform for a ball. Not the alcoholic beverages, more like coffee, cake, and other sweets. I still had to work tomorrow, but hey, who cares about keeping their jobs anymore? And besides I got this really great offer in the countryside, as a doctor.
See, I'm not successful because I don't have the right training, I'm not successful because I wanted to watch over my little brother and my father. And my father's glum mood didn't help much; he would think the world was going to end if he was allowed too.
I woke up early in the morning, make that 3 in the morning. I went to the weight room to run a bit before taking a shower and eating breakfast, and taking care of my faithful dog. As I ran I felt relieved, however I only ran 5 miles, nothing like my normal 10 miles I normally do.
"Hatori! Stop tickling me!" a voice yelled in my mind. No, screaming, "Awe, Hatori, I love it!"
After I took a shower, I opened a scrapbook that I had lying around, the mystery, nothing was in it. I swore that I put pictures into the book, but I could never find it after I put it in. I don't even know how I got that scrapbook in the first place. I must be losing my mind. First I think I've seen Hatori Sohma somewhere before, now I'm having flashbacks that aren't even mine, not to mention that I had a bad case of déjà vu.
There was a knock at my door. I slipped into a pair of jeans quickly and opened the door slowly as I brushed my hair. "Hello, Utau, Rima, Amu." I said, automatically naming three girls who had a glint in their eyes saying that there was going to be a whole lot of squirming.
"Hello, Reiko." They cried in unison. Crap, they were going to make me wear the dress early.
"We came over to make sure you were perfect for the ball." Rima announced rather boldly for someone so short.
"And to use your bathroom, I haven't changed the light bulbs in my bathroom yet." Utau added, flaunting the fact she did not have her own house, even though she was insanely famous. I groaned.
"I was just about to eat breakfast." I said, wondering if I was going to see Hatori again, and to find out how we were going to meet for the ball.
"We'll come with you." Amu said, I must have looked sour because she added, "We won't eat anything, we already ate." She added. Smart of her too, considering only people who were guests were allowed to eat breakfast here, or if you're the daughter of the owners, which was rare indeed.
"Okay, come along." I sighed. They were going to find out earlier then I would like. And then I was really (not kidding) going to be interrogated.
"We have the whole day planned for you today. Pampering to the max!" Rima cried a little loud, which attracted the attention of Hatori, who was about to knock on the door once we opened the door.
"Reiko, I've been looking for you." Hatori said, looking just a tad uncomfortable with the scrutiny of the three girls.
"I thought you didn't know any of the Sohma's." Amu stated quietly.
"But I met him after I said that." I said, looking at a random person, not meeting the eyes of any of my friends, let alone Hatori himself. Then, trying to divert the attention, I said, "Hatori, what did you want to talk about."
"When I was going to pick you up from your room." He stated simply.
"Oh, you can pick me up at-"
"Six o'clock." Utau finished for me, "We'll make sure she's ready by then."
"I was going to say whatever time you wanted, but six is fine with me." I said looking at his amazingly cute eyes.
"Well bye, then, I guess."
"Okay, then, bye." I said, looking around at my friends as we went to get breakfast at a local coffee shop. "Thank god we didn't have to eat at the hotel. That was so embarrassing." I said, munching on a muffin. Hot chocolate was resting in my hand, and coffee was in the hands of my friends.
"Okay, you had your muffin and some hot chocolate, so since when have you been dating Hatori Sohma?" Utau demanded, attracting the attention of several customers.
"I haven't been dating him; he's just my date for the ball." I mumbled to my friends, who looked disbelieving, "I'd tell you all if I was dating somebody." I said, honestly.
Rima, Utau, and Amu looked at me under scrutiny. Until, finally, Rima said, after looking at Amu and Utau, "We believe you. But next time you won't get it so easy."
Utau flipped her hair out of her face, "Oh, yeah, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
"Gee, thanks for remembering." I said sarcastically, playing with a strand of hair that kept on falling into my face, my dark brown hair that I use to dye dark purple with black undertones as a teenager. "But really, who are you going to the ball with, Rima?"
"Nagihiko Fujisaki." Rima stated rather simply. The reactions of Utau and Amu were sort of funny; they're faces were those of shock, pure shock.
"I THOUGHT YOU HATED HIM!" Amu basically screamed in my ears, okay, not the best idea to sit next to a shell shocked girl.
"I do, that's why I'm going with him. I'm blackmailing him, this is so fun!" Great, my friends are just as evil as my old boyfriend, I thought to myself as I sighed in defeat, I was never going to get kind friends, that didn't blackmail my male friends.
"Rima, did you ever think of just giving Nagihiko a rest?" I asked the little doll like creature, who could give enemies a hell of a life.
Her eyes slanted into dangerous gleams, "No."
I laughed nervously before changing the subject, "So when is my magical makeover going to happen?"
"Right after I finish drinking my coffee." Utau announced, I wanted to sink into tar pit.
"Crap," I mumbled, "I'm going to be a guinea pig for the whole day…" my voice trailed off with the little enthusiasm that I had mustered for sarcasm.
Utau, Rima, and Amu all giggled. This marked the first and last day of my life. It's not like I could marry, who would want me?
"Okay, let's go!" Utau cried, success filled her eyes, and triumph filled her actions, okay, I'm scaring myself with the poetic side of me. Now I know why I don't write often.
I groaned as I let myself be pulled by a group of fawning girls.
Okay, so guess who did my makeup? That's right, the part-time comedian, Rima Masashi, and one of my friendly friends, Amu, did my makeup, and Utau did my hair. All in all, it was a relaxing time. I got to help with makeup, hair and nails, whenever the person in charge was being made over. And as I must say, I did a pretty darn good job! Ahh… so modest I am.
By the time we were done, we got into our very pretty dresses.
Utau's dress was a very pale lavender color, shimmery, and floor length. Hugging each or her curves, she adorned some golden and silver bangles and a choker, which completed her outfit.
Rima had on a simple red number, cocktail style. With a 'V' neck for a collar, glass earrings and glass necklaces, she looked like a very bright star, Las Vegas style.
Now, for Amu's attire, she looked simply stunning in her yellow ball gown. It had an empire waist and flowed down to the floor. With a jeweled collar, there was no need for any fancy necklace, but she did where a pretty golden charm bracelet. Her bracelet was given to her by her stray cat, Ikuto, also known as her boyfriend.
I wasn't even in my dress when they were all ready.
"Honey, you need to get in your dress, your boyfriend will come any minute now." Rima cooed.
"He's not my boyfriend." I denied.
"Yet." Amu sang while twirling her hot pink hair.
I groaned as I went into the bathroom, dress in tow, "You know, I don't get why I have to do this." I yelled through the door.
"It's because you're a girl." Utau snorted back.
I stepped out into my room, wearing my dress unzipped, "Can somebody zip me up?" I asked, as I tied the silver sash around my stomach.
"Yeah sure, so what are you going to do with Chestnut?" Rima asked.
"A series of tricks that are even better than sitting and staying. He's going to do jumps and twirls. It's going to be spectacular." I sighed heavenly, "We've been working on it for months."
"But you never seem to put in the effort for anything else. Look where you ended it up, trafficking rich people, you could be this amazing doctor, I mean you went through all the motions like you were going to do something, but you end up here!"
"Are you done ranting about my life, Utau?" I asked calmly. Fixing my bun, and adjusting my dress, I looked in the full length mirror that I had.
With an empire waist, scoop neck collar, and green silky material it complimented the red bow that I donned on the sleeping Chestnut. A knock on the door marked that it was 6 o'clock.
"Hatori, Reiko is ready." I stepped out to see his eyes bulging as much as a serious face could manage.
"Hatori, let's escape while we still can. Chestnut!" I called, using the leash to clip onto my faithful dog. I slipped my arm into Hatori's arm and we walked off, "Don't forget to lock the door!" I called to my friends, who were squealing in delight. Somehow, it felt like déjà vu, almost like I went through these motions before. But, god, did it feel so right!
"You look amazing, Reiko." Hatori stated, his suit looked even more polished. His handsome eyes sparkled as he looked at me, and he didn't even realize that my shoes weren't on properly.
"Thank you so much!" I beamed at him. "Hatori, where are we going? This isn't the way to the ballroom." I said in surprise.
"I know, but I wanted to tell you something," Hatori started to say, only to be interrupted by my mother.
"Reiko, the performance is starting; you'll be on in fifteen minutes." She strutted her stuff right out of our view.
"Well, I guess I don't have as much time as I would have liked, but it'll do." He drew a breath before continuing, "I want to go on a date with you."
"Are you asking me out?" I asked, surprised some over achieving, handsome, smart, and good looking man would want and under achieving, messed up girl.
"Yes, I am." He gulped a little.
"Well I'll have to be inclined to say yes." I stated, looking into his eyes, a feat I have never accomplished before now.
Suddenly a whoosh came from behind me, and my brother stood there. "Reiko, it's better if you go onstage now, that way you can warm up."
"Of course, Tadase. Hatori, your welcome to come with me, see how things are made for a change." I stated, not caring if he saw our warm up gig.
"No, it's okay, I promised I'd meet up with my family anyway. I'll see you on stage, I'll be in the front row, my family reserved those seats to watch you."
"Aww, how sweet," I squealed as I kissed him on the cheek, "see you soon, then, Hatori!"
I raced after my brother, my sweet, annoying brother. Mitsuru was coming tonight, without my mother's knowledge of course, and I was happy, everyone I cared about, even my father, were going to see me perform in front of everyone, and I finally got to bring joy to people's eyes.
"Chestnut, sit." I commanded once we were back stage, and after all, I was the first performer, so it didn't matter I was talking. "Chestnut, dance." I commanded again, and Chestnut did a funny little jiggling dance in front of us. "Good boy!" I said, treating my happy canine friend.
The fifteen minutes had gone by fast, and to my amazement, a loud voice interrupted me and Chestnut's warm-up.
"And now, our first act, our own Ms. Reiko Hotori, performing with Chestnut." The announcer person boomed. Great, now everyone knew my name. How dandy.
"This is it, Chestnut, your big break." I whispered to my dog, as I put a microphone on my dress.
A loud applause ripped through the hall. I saw, through the many bright lights, the Sohma family sitting in the front row, and Mitsuru next too Shigure. Did I happen to mention that I reserved a seat for my dear aunt?
"Thank you, everyone, it's a pleasure to be here today. I wanted to thank the man people who could make this possible, including my trusted friend, Chestnut, who agreed willingly to go through with this." A murmur went through the crowd in amusement. With that I started speaking English in a cool, calm, collected manner, as Chestnut jumped through hoops that got decreasingly smaller. He then did an agility course without hesitation or instruction; all the while I commentated on what we were going to do tonight, switching between Japanese and English.
When I was finally done, I was out of breath, and I gave tons of praise to my little puppy. I bowed, and Chestnut bowed, and the whole place caught on fire, I know it sounds weird, but oh was it true! Okay, not literally but still, it was damn hot in there.
I slipped behind the curtains with one last "Thank you" and went down to mingle in the ballroom (where everyone relocated after the long, entertaining show.
"Great job, Reiko" filled my ears as I searched for the Sohma family, and Mitsuru.
"That was a great performance, honey." My father had told me right after the show, not that I wanted him to be out of bed in his present condition. So I thanked him, and went to join my friends, waiting for everyone else to fall the ballroom. And when it did finally fill up, I went on my impossible mission of finding my Hatori. Wait, look at me, getting all possessive, he's not mine, it's not like he's a slave or anything, so why am I having these thoughts?
I finally found Hatori and his family talking to some rich couple. Momiji pointed to me, and Hatori turned with a small smile, but big enough to make my heart pound.
"Hello guys, did you know that pickles can be poured down pants?" I asked, keeping a straight face as I said it. Silence met my random comment, "What, you never tried?" I asked, pretending to be aghast.
"Stop fooling them, Reiko." A familiarly feminine voice said, happier now that she was out of the clutches of Shigure.
"Mitsuru!" I cried, hugging my young aunt. "I was just telling them something they should know." FAKE innocence, that's right, I could be an actor, a laughing, giggling, horrible actor.
"Mit-chan, such a pleasure to see you again!" Shigure cried leaping out of his skin, looking like he was about to play a practical joke on my poor aunt.
"Stay away, you demon! Ha! I said it, I finally said it! I'm free!" laughed my Mitsu-chan.
Shigure looked shock, "Reiko, want to go dance?" I grimaced, Hatori had just asked me too dance, my worst nightmare.
"Why don't we just go outside for a walk?" I suggested instead. Did I mention that I only dance when I'm drunk?
"But it's cold outside!" Shigure whined.
Whack! "You're not invited." Hatori scolded.
"So, is that a yes?" I asked, poking him on the hand, so romantic right?
"Yeah," He said, he looked so serious but god he was sweet, look at me I'm a school girl with a crush! As we walked, he asked, "So, what are you doing tomorrow?"
I pretended to think for a second, "Either I'm going to work, blow it off and get fired, or become sick from drinking too much, which won't be a problem since I hate any liquor in my digestive track."
"So, work." Hatori summarized from my three choices.
"Yup, unless I get kidnapped by my ex-boyfriend, he got released from prison tonight." I said, looking at the sky, truly serious. After all, he did err… have some problems…
"I'll protect you." Hatori said, looking at me with almost a protective fierceness I've never seen before, not even on my father's face.
"Aw… thank you, Hatori!" I said, looking back at him this time, hugging him. He kissed me. Okay, on the tip of my head, but still, it sent my heart into a never ending soar of a lifetime. We never ever kissed on the lips, ever, so I was curious. Could you blame me for pulling back from a quick embrace and kissing him full on the lips? He looked at me in surprise, but responded happily.
Just as we enjoyed ourselves a little more, a rustle in the bushes pulled us away, literally.
"Reiko, what the freaking hell do you think you're doing?" To think that my father had much strength at all was surprising, let alone rip me away from Hatori, unbelievable. But alas, that's what he did.
"I'm uh… discussing weather!" I came up within the second. Wow, I should probably think before I speak next time.
"Right," Papa said, disbelieving. "tell me the truth. This is your future husband right?"
"Papa!" I said, mortified. Then, he laughed. Crap. I fell into his evil clutches, and all for a joke. He, meaning my father, started hacking all to soon. "Papa, I command you to go to bed, I'll visit you later." I said, becoming all too serious when it came to his health.
"But, Reiko, I want to eat cake!" He whined, when he caught his breath.
"Do you want me to call Ms. Sayuri here? I'm sure she'll give you cake, if you go to bed." I pretended to bargain; I knew he would go back to bed without a fuss; after all, he's been drinking against my orders. And after all, I am his legal doctor, so he has to listen to me. Oh, and back to the whole drunk thing, it's why he was whining like a little kid.
"No, anything except Ms. Sayuri!" Papa yelled, a little to drunkenly, cause the next thing you know, Ms. Sayuri is here, sweeping him off to bed.
She uttered, "Goodnight Dr. Reiko." And she left. I hate it when a thing like this happens; it ruins my reputation of an underachiever.
"You're a doctor?" Hatori asked, looking surprised, bewildered, and slightly hurt.
"Well, duh, were else are you going to find an underachieving, poorly paid hotel doctor?" I said calmly, as I looked out at the pretty flowers.
"And you're the daughter of the owners?" he asked, looking shocked more than anything else.
"Yes, but I don't want to be a doctor, or a daughter of a wealthy couple. I want to make up my own destiny, not have it put on my shoulders." I said, looking at him this time, he had to know the truth.
"It's okay that you kept it from me, I understand. In turn I have something to tell you. I've been-"
"Hatori, there you are, it's time for cake!" Momiji called happily, interrupting Hatori, midsentence.
"Momiji, I'm talking to someone." He said coolly, wiping a piece of hair out of his eye.
"No, no, you go, Hatori, I'm just about pooped. I'm going to go visit my father anyway. I'll see you tomorrow." I said, and just about to scramble away, when he caught me by the hand, and kissed me goodnight, on the lips!
"Goodnight, Reiko." Hatori said, looking well guarded, his feelings, not physically, I'm pretty sure I could take him, even though I never would.
"Night, Hatori, see you tomorrow." I said, smiling while I left to go visit my father.
When I was well out of sight, I was hit with a sudden darkness. And I didn't faint either.
A/N- Oh my god, I got 3, and I mean 3 reviews! I'm so proud of you all who reviewed. Uh... let us see, I got over 3,500 words, I'm working up slowly the amount of words in each chapter. Thank you for all who reviewed, and please keep reviewing when you have the chance. Again, I can't update with at least 1 review.