Chapter 4

Well, I was listening to Wicked when I started this chapter, but I switched to amazing German Techno music. Thought I'd shake things up a bit! Mmm-sa mmm-sa mmm-sa mmm-sa - - - Uh . . . techno sound effects. : )

Okay, a short author's note: College starts up again on Monday, Jan. 14. My updates might start coming a little less frequently, but I promise at least one update per week.. I'm going to try to get as much written before Monday as possible so I can update maybe twice a week.

Disclaimer: I still no own DN Angel : (

Their hotel was called the Sheraton Princess, and it was set amid the chaos and tumult of Waikiki. Outside, performers did their best to attract a crowd and earn money. There were musicians on every corner - on their way to get breakfast, which was only six blocks from the hotel, they passed three drummers, one saxophonist, a flutist and two beat-boxers. They also passed a man with two parrots sitting on his shoulders and a juggler.

"Wow! This place is amazing!" Riku said, dropping a dollar in the hat of the saxophonist. He quickly played a trio of notes right at her as a thank you and she nodded in return. Risa, however, was unimpressed.

"Yeah, it's interesting, but I thought it would be more . . . tropical than this."

"We're in Waikiki, Risa. It's a tourist haven."

"Well, I know that, but I just didn't expect the city to be so big!"

"Ugh! Not again!" Riku said, glaring toward the crowded entrance to Perry's Smorgy - their breakfast restaurant for the entire trip.

"Don't worry, Riku. Look, the line's moving fast!" Risa was right - all the students had to do was flash their food voucher and they were permitted to enter the restaurant for free.

"Well . . . there had just better be enough seats. . . ."

There were. About ten minutes later they found themselves in a circular booth in the corner with Diasuke and . . . yep . . . Hiwatari. Perry's Smorgy was an open restaurant - meaning birds could fly in whenever they felt like it. They never bothered the customers, but actually added to the scenery. Sure, there was a roof over their heads and a wall at the front for the door, but the entire right wall of the dining area was completely gone. There was even a small pond , blocked off by a wooden fence.

All their plates were piled high with food - Risa and Riku especially, breakfast being their favorite meal. The only person who wasn't eating was Hiwatari. He didn't really seem to be himself - he was staring into his cup of coffee through heavy lidded eyes. His expression was dazed.

"Hiwatari-kun, aren't you going to eat?" Diasuke asked.

"Nah." He said, taking a sip of coffee and grimacing slightly. "I don't eat breakfast."

"What?!" Both Harada twins exclaimed, then Riku added "Don't you get hungry?"

He shook his head.

"Um . . . a-are you feeling alright?" Risa asked. The implied meaning was "You're not going to pass out again, are you?"

He nodded. "I'm not a morning person. It takes me a while to wake up . . . well . . . you know." He muttered, and they all understood. Another side effect of low blood pressure.

"So, what's on the agenda today?" Riku asked, trying to break into conversation. Diasuke pulled a folded up itinerary out of his pocket and looked.

"Let's see . . . Tuesday . . . Tuesday . . . ah, here we go." He looked. "Well, after breakfast we are to report back to the hotel . . . ah, we're going to take a tour of the island!"

"So today is basically us riding around on a bus?

"I guess." Diasuke shrugged. "Well, this should be interesting."

"Oh, yeah." Risa grinned. "Riku, mom said she wants a coffee cup! Do you think they would have any at the mall?"

"Probably. You can get her one there. I'm going to wait until we visit the Polynesian cultural center."

"That's . . ." Diasuke looked at the itinerary again. "Next Monday." Just like in school, they had Saturday and Sunday off. They also had the afternoons and evenings to do whatever they wanted. Risa planned on spending all her time on the beach and in the shops.

"Is that really all you're going to have, Hiwatari-kun?" Diasuke said nervously. "It will be a while before we have lunch."

"Really, I'm alright." Hiwatari said softly. He took his glasses off for a second and rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself up a little more.

Risa took a drink of her pineapple juice - she was normally not a fan of pineapple, but this was amazing - and looked from Riku to Diasuke, knowing they were going to want to sit together on the bus ride to the Dole plantation. Which meant she was going to sit next to . . . oh . . . great.

------------

"Hiwatari-kun!" Risa tapped her feet. "Not this time! I get the window seatthis time."

Hiwatari's eyes opened slightly, and he sat up. "What are you talking about?"

"You got the window seat on the plane. If all you're going to do is sleep, then at least let me have the window seat so I can enjoy the scenery!"

"Hmm." He looked a little annoyed, but scooted over so she could sit by the window. She squeeed past him and flopped down.

"Um . . . thank you."

His response was to close his eyes and lay his head back.

"Hmph!" Risa crossed her arms and looked out the window.

Pretty soon they were heading down the street. Their first stop was a good way away from Waikiki, but fortunately the landscape was enough to keep Risa occupied - once they got out of the city at least. She stared in amazement at the ocean. The water was blue - actually blue! While she was used to an ocean view from her bedroom, the waters there were grey and bland. She had never seen such a beautiful sight before. Maybe when Dark showed up . . .

"Having fun with Hiwatari-kun?" Riku asked, snapping Risa out of her reverie. She and Diasuke were sitting behind them.

"Riku, be quiet." Risa hissed, but Riku continued, grinning.

"He must be really tired. Are you going to let him sleep on your shoulder?"

"Riku! Diasuke, make her stop!"

"Ah, I'm not getting in the middle of this!" Diasuke gasped.

"Good idea. You should probably stay out of it." Riku said, but her tone was loving. She turned back to Risa. "So, will you two be spending theentire trip together?"

"No! Leave me alone, Riku!"
"No way, this is my chance! You teased me about Daisuke, now I get payback." Riku said, grinning. "Besides, I wouldn't actually let you like Hiwatari. He's nice and all," She glanced at Diasuke "but . . . he seems kind of strange."

"You know, Harada-san, it's really impolite to talk about someone behind their back, especially when they're right in front of you." Hiwatari turned around and gave Riku an icy look.

"H-Hiwatari-kun!" She gasped, turning as red as Diasuke's hair. "I-I'm so sorry!" He simply turned around and closed his eyes again. Riku glowered. "You know what? You should've mentioned that you were awake!"

"You shouldn't have been talking about me." He replied calmly, only frustrating her more.

"Since when do you care what I think? Since when do you care what anyone thinks?"

"Riku-" Risa began.

"I don't." Hiwatari answered. "But nonetheless, it was impolite of you." He glanced around at his red-headed friend. "Don't you agree, Diasuke?" Now he was just being mean.

"Wha-wha-wha hey! Don't bring me into this!"

Satoshi just smirked at him and turned back around.

"Hiwatari-kun . . . I'm really sorry." Risa murmured, not wanting Riku to hear. He simply waved it off as if nothing had happened.

"Hey, we're stopping!" Someone said. Everyone looked outside and gasped - they had stopped in front of a small but welcoming beach.

---------

I would like to thank the ONE PERSON who reviewed for my last chapter. (Glares at everyone else) Look, if the chapter sucks, don't be afraid to tell me! I at least want SOME feedback! It's what keeps a writer going!