A/N: You wanna know when somebody has too much free time? When they find out the little baseball weight thing used on a pull string of the fan can simulate the phases of the moon. Damn I have too much free time. OO Any who onward with the chapter known as chapter 13. Also, if you so desire you can pop the Lilo and Stitch soundtrack in and listen to it during the next few chapters since it's kinda what I listen to while I type up the chapter.

Disclaimer: see Ch. 9

Word Key:

Text

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

Dream


Tape Recorder


Chapter Thirteen: You Ticklish?

Mitsuru felt the sun filtering through the window onto his face as if it were saying all happy and sunshiny like, 'Come on sleepy head wake up today is a day of happiness.' Followed by birds chirping, if he felt like it there would've been roasted birdies but was too tired to fry them to the crisp he threatened as he rolled over onto his side.

Mahiru had woken up at nine that morning, about the same time Mitsuru was threatening to fry birds to a crisp, and made a grand exit off her bed onto the floor. Her original intent was to climb off the bed but was caught in the covers and in the midst of trying to untangle herself, fell off with a loud 'oof'.

She rubbed her head, "Ow." Remembering what today was she hopped up and forgot the lump forming on her head. "Oh boy am I excited, I'm going to a festival tonight. Whoops hold on one second." She froze half way through a little happy dance, "Crap! I meant to ask him the other day what I should wear."

The pose Mahiru had switched to was one of thinking. She thought back on the past week, the tengu had been avoiding her more than usual. Then again, Mitsuru had his odd little habits and phases. One of those phases included Ms. Pac-Man where he had memorized the pattern of the ghosts on just about every level. (I've only gotten to level 4 so no idea how far the game goes.) This seemed more than a phase though, more like a paranoia of the girl. 'Oh Mahiru you're over analyzing this whole thing, you're half awake and haven't eaten yet.'

For once in her life as she skipped down the stairs Mahiru didn't slip or fall flat on her rear. Upon entering the kitchen she that only Misoka was present. "Morin' Misoka. Where's Akira and -" Before she could finish the question he nodded outside. "They've been out there since I came down at seven."

They were outside running around and the vampire was once again trying to kill the were-wolf. Mahiru sighed, "This is getting ridiculous." She moved over to the back door, what she did next is what made her friends tell her that she should be a pre-school teacher. At almost the top of her lungs Mahiru yelled, "BOTH OF YOU STOP IT RIGHT NOW AND GET OVER HERE!"

The two boys stop and froze right where they were. Akira's ears had popped out and pressed firmly against his head the other had shrunk back behind the were-wolf; she reminded them of an angry kindergarten teacher. Nozomu would know, when he was younger he wasn't able to count how many times the teacher yelled at him for trying to peek up girls' skirts. (a/n: god I made him perverted)

"Both of you, here. NOW!"

They replied in unison, "Yes Ma'am." Then, still in unison, they a few steps forward so that they were just a few paces shy of the back steps and a certain angered blonde girl. "Now, you've been doing this for well over a week and I want to know the reason why."

The were-wolf and the vampire looked at each other then at Mahiru and finally back at each other and shrugged their shoulders. "We really don't know why." The younger stated followed by the older, "We just decided to do it."

"Oh, you had no intent to kill Akira."

"No, Mitsuru already called that job so I just chase him around the place."

"Uh-huh. Well how about I give you a reason."

The two once again looked at each other then slowly nodded their heads. "First off, Nozomu, take your palm and place it on Akira's shoulder." When he did as instructed she then continued. "Now say tag you're it."

"Tag, you're it."

"Now run away as fast as you can. Akira you then go and chase him and do the same thing he just did to you." Akira looked puzzled for a moment then shook his head vigorous up and down before chasing after Nozomu yelling, "I'm gonna get you, I'm gonna get you!"

Mahiru smiled at her handiwork of making some sort of peace between the two before heading back inside. "Princess," Misoka said, "have you ever considered being an elementary school teacher or having a day care."

"It is a possibility."

He nodded his head as she sat down, "Then I shall hope that the class you must teach is a good one. Of course you have other, more pressing matters at hand do you not?"

"Umm…wha-what are you talking about Misoka?" she shifted uneasily in her chair.

The kitsune took no notice as he pick up the newspaper and paged through it. "Well, I heard that there was supposed to be a festival of some sort down by river; you know the part closest to the beach. I figured that you might go there with some of your friends."

"Oh, umm, if you need me to Misoka I could stay here and help with the bar."

"It will not be necessary. I have a feeling that it won't be very crowded here, more people will go to the festival. Nozomu, Akira, and myself will be able to handle it here; it's not like we haven't done so before." He finished as a blonde headed vampire went sailing past the window flying through the air.

'What the heck? Am I seeing things again?' Mahiru thought. "Can I ask one more question?"

"Certainly, ask away."

"Can vampires fly?"

Misoka cracked an eye open and looked at the expression on the Princess's face; it was one of confusion and thoughts of mild hysteria. "Last time I checked, they couldn't when in human form."

"Well…They can now, or at least Nozomu just did."

"Don't worry yourself over it Princess, I'm sure it's just them playing tag."

The girl sighed as she stood up, "You're probably right, as usual." While she was saying this, the girl was getting out a bowl, spoon, the honey nut cheerios, and the milk, intending to have a peaceful breakfast that never really happened often around the Moonshine. Since Mitsuru wasn't up and damning everything it had become quite peaceful.

'Now if only I can find a way to get him out of that shell of his. But he just so stubborn…What the heck is this metallic taste in my cereal?' Mahiru had been concentrating so hard on how to get Mitsuru to open up that she had eating all her cheerios and was now gnawing on the spoon. Quickly she removed the said spoon from her mouth and thought the worst four letter word known to man. 'Oops.'

After that incident Mahiru looked up at the clock and saw that it was already quarter after eleven (11:15) and Mitsuru had still not 'graced' them with his presence. Placing the dirty dishes into the dishwasher to be cleaned with the rest of the dishware, she hurried up the stairs saying about how she was going to wake the 'lazy bum' as she called him.

She knocked gently on the wood of the door before opening it. "Mitsuru?" she asked in a soft voice, "Mitsuru, are you awake yet?"

"Go away, I dun wan any cheese cupcakes ya crazy salesman." Was the mumbled reply from the Tengu as he flipped over onto his other side, "Why dun ya go bother the crazy little old lady down the street with a shot-gun."

"What the –oh he must be dreaming and talking in his sleep; poor guy has some issues." Treading quietly as to not wake him, the blonde girl walked up and shook his shoulder. "Rise and shine sleepy head."

He did some then that he would never do in the waking world and that was blow a raspberry at her before rolling over again so that his back was facing her and pulled the cover over his head; leaving Mahiru with a look of 'did he just do that' on her face. When the initial shock had passed she shook him again only rougher. "C'mon Mitsuru get up."

That, of course, was unsuccessful and after the umpteenth time the human finally gave up on that approach. She stood there for a moment or two before getting an idea; she wasn't sure if this one would work either but it was worth a shot. She moved over to the foot of the bed, found the tengu's ankles and wrapped a hand around each of them; bracing herself with the carpeting Mahiru took a deep breath, counted to three and then with all the strength she could muster pulled.

The plan of dragging him out of the bed would've been successful, if he hadn't grabbed onto the head board at the last second. She knew he was stubborn but, cheese and crackers, this was ridiculous. Releasing him she stood at the bottom of the bed steaming furiously, what had her aunt done to get her up and moving some mornings?

Mitsuru's body had gone limp again but his arms had stayed hanging loosely on the headboard over his head giving Mahiru an idea. 'Well, I could try…nah it won't work. Or would it? I mean, it'll work if he's ticklish, but if not he can except some cold water on his head.'

"Oh Mitsuru, I have a question," she asked as she strolled once again back over to the side of the bed. Mahiru leaned her head down close to the sleeping tengu's ear and asked him in a loud whisper, "Are you ticklish?" Immediately after she began the tickle assault on him.

Mitsuru felt that someone was in his room but had no intention of waking up for he wanted to delay the coming of the day for as long as possible and didn't want that smug ass little voice in his head to have any satisfaction at the fact that he had a date tonight with that damn woman. They had kept shaking him and once even tried to yank him off the bed.

When had finally thought that they had considered defeat he heard the person that he really didn't want to be around ask him a question. Mahiru had asked if he was ticklish, but there was no way in hell he would ever tell anyone that he was.

Before understanding the reason of why Mahiru had asked such a stupid question he felt her start the evil tickle. He curled up into a ball as much as possible but she didn't stop; if any thing that just caused her to persist forward laughing and saying that she wouldn't stop until he sat up and was awake.

"Grr…fine damn woman." He growled sitting up and moving some stray bits of hair out of his face, "I'm up." He glared at her for a while before he started messaging his temple and sighed. "You wouldn't be this persistent unless you had something you wanted to ask me so what the hell do you want?"

"Well…I…" When she had paused Mitsuru had started do the 'Final Jeopardy' theme. "See the thing is," Mahiru started again annoying his attempt at rudeness; little did she know of the scolding a certain little voice was giving him, "this festival tonight, I was wondering what I should wear to it."

He stared at her, "That is your all important, wake up Mitsuru through torture, question?"

"You didn't let me finish, plus you've been avoiding me all week. What I mean by what to wear I was wonder like traditional, modern, what?"

"If you wanna be uncomfortable, look like an idiot, and raise the suspicions of those downstairs you wear the traditional stuff. Other than hat I don't give a shit." 'Or so you say.' "Shut up you're fucking annoying."

She nodded her head, looking a bit hurt, and turned to leave when Mitsuru blurted out, for a reason that he still hasn't discovered, "Uhh, what I mean is that I want you to dress nice but surprised me." Mahiru faltered a bit at the sudden outburst, but all the same turned around at him and smiled.

"One more question, then I'll leave you alone I promise." Before she could ask he answered, "Be ready and around the corner by four." She nodded again and skipped down to her own room to get an outfit ready for that night.

When she had gone Mitsuru fell back on his pillow and lay there for a few moments before he realized that escape was hopeless and also that…he didn't have anything to wear that was appropriate for that night. "Wait a sec, maybe one of those other guys will know what to do. Time to pay them a visit, oh joy." Mitsuru stripped quickly from his night clothes into jeans and a tee-shirt to pay a visit to some mysterious people.

Mahiru, on the other hand, was searching through the vast sea of clothes that she had come to obtain over the past couple of months. After what had seemed two eternities she had finally picked out what she felt to be the perfect outfit. It was pink khaki shorts with a Hawaiian print skirt that tied up at the waist, and was basically like an ankle length cover up skirt. The shirt was a simple Hawaiian blue colored spaghetti tank top and she wore regular blue and gray gym shoes. (I told you all I'm listening to the Lilo and Stitch soundtrack therefore, lot of Hawaiian stuff.)

After putting on the pink lip gloss and eye shadow the girl looked over at the clock and saw that it was only two o'clock. Plopping down on her bed Mahiru picked up the book that was on her nightstand and cracked it open. The book was Star Wars Revenge of the Sith; it was due on Thursday and she still had a bit to go on it, like three hundred fifty-six pages, bit.

To say that time passed shortly was an understatement; in the course of the two hours, two minutes felt like it took three eternities to pass. In other words, it was very, very, very slow. Then four o'clock was finally coming close; Mahiru put her book down and walked down and out the door shouting a quick good bye to the others.

In a matter of moments the girl had gone down the street and turned the corner; if Mahiru hadn't know that Mitsuru would be there waiting she would've thought that he was just some random boy standing there.

She wasn't sure how, but his hair was styled and he would've dropped dead before he'd let something like that happen. He was wearing a bluish green Hawaiian print button down shirt, except for it was completely unbuttoned and revealed a white muscle tee undershirt. Topping it off was his regular slightly faded blue jeans and gym shoes.

He opened his mouth to say something but stopped and didn't open it again until a few minutes later when he asked, "You ready?" She gave him a nod of the head. "Umm…Alright then, let's get goin'." With that statement said, the two started towards the festival; anticipating all that was to come.


TBC


A/N: This chapter is just kind of, a bit on the random side, and written at like midnight. It might be a while before this baby gets updated again because my Star Wars book is due Thursday. I still have a renew for it but the darn thing won't let me so I have to read like the wind in 3 days, I think I can do it. I have both good news and bad news. Good news first: I had an electronic key chain pet and it was a bat and I named it Mr. Bat like Mahiru's. Bad News: It died, I had it for 2 days and I killed it, does that make me a horrible person? I don't know how it died either, I think I over fed it cause I cleaned up it's crap and gave it its shots, I don't know how else it could happen. And now I have a new music thing it is called Elvis Presley, his songs rock. Plus I think this is my longest chapter yet, I checked the word count of the actual story, not the an's and all that crap, and it came out to 2,553 words. Damn I'm a blabber mouth. Well that's it for this note, see ya'll again soon.

Thanks Ya Guys:

JesusGirl883- yeah, dat's interesting, the other day I dreamt that I was pregnant and in the delivery room O.O and now all can stare. And don't ask me who the father was cause I have no idea but I'm hoping it was Viggo Mortensen and I hope I spelled his name right. (a.k.a. Aragorn from Lord of the Rings)
SilverShadowKitsune- glad you're happy. And don't worry about the date I have it all figured out…well most of it anyways.
Scathc's warrior- have fun, here's more and I still have no pudding at my house grr…
Inu romance freak- I am glad that you are having fun reading and enjoying this. : )
Writergirl118- He reminds me of Gollum in a way, like the fact that he's going insane-Wait, that's just me who's the insane one.
BlackLadyCharon- Yes poor Mitsuru, it's funny but wrong. I have a character that comes and goes in my head but he comes more than he goes, he's not from any place at all really, but I seriously wish he'd go back into the deeper confines of my mind where he came from. He's a big jerk.
Elen- I updated as fast as my lazy bum would, I love my reason for why they were fighting, that adds to it being funny.
Rauko-chan- my brother is the same way and he's 23. and as for the name, yeah he is a dumbass, no other way to describe it.
Motokonbaka- yes mentalness is cool and is what I thrive on. 'The book of armaments chapter two verses 9 to 21-And St. Attila riased the handgrenade up on high saying, O Lord bless this thy handgrenade that with it thou mayest blow thine enemies to tiny bits in thy mercy. And the Lord did grin and the people did feast on the lambs and sloths and carpe and anchovies and orangutans and breakfast crereals and fruit bats...(skip a bit brother)...and the Lord spake saying first thou shalt take out the holy pin, then thu shalt count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shall count and the number of the counting shall be three. four shall thou not count no either thou count two excepting that thou then procede to three. five is right out one the number three being the third number be reached, Then lobbest thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch toward thy foe, who being naughty in my sight shall snuff it. Amen'
Ilovekaihiwatari- actually I don't get younger kids into manga, I have no little kids that I can dement since most of them are already set in their ways. I had a four year old tell me my shows were stupid, but that was only because I won't let her watch t.v. at my house when I had a half hour left of the second Ghost in the Shell movie. And I'm not the only one who is late with an update; do you know how long I've been waiting on an update of your story my friend? (I'm not being hostile here I'm just asking that you update please!)
Kelsey R Hill- That is true that there aren't many CM fics, but the numbers are climbing slowly but surely and that brings me happiness
Kyoko-chan- Hell I'm just plain crazy! Lol, glad you like. I always knew cotton candy was evil, even in dreams
It burns- no idea about the peace and war thing between the two (I have something special planned out that comes after the date hehehe me evil) little voice probably will die because; yes it is annoying and designed to be annoying. Hmm…that sounds like a very good sequel idea; I'll ponder over this when my brain has a spare minute.

Later Folks!