Part 53: Dinner with Draco's Mom 2

(Flashback)

Ichijyo was in the kitchen of his apartment. He was wearing an apron over his clothes with his hair in a ponytail. On the counter and floor were several pumpkins. With him was Walter, his loyal butler, and he was helping him to carve the pumpkins. Ichijyo was also humming a familiar Halloween tune from Tim Burton's 'A Nightmare Before Christmas'.

Both Takada and Leo were watching the pair from the kitchen entrance.

"Don't you think it's a bit creepy that Ichijyo's humming?" Takada whispered.

"He's even smiling," Leo whispered back.

"You know, if you want to help, you can come in," Ichijyo turned to them. He was holding a kitchen knife and there were orange stains on his apron. Behind him was a finished Jack-O-Lantern. He placed his hand to his hips and raised his eyebrow.

Takada and Leo nervously entered. Takada rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, you see, Ichijyo…we were a bit creeped out by your humming…"

Leo added, "And you're smiling all the time today."

Ichijyo sighed and smiled at them. He shrugged, "It's Halloween. Why shouldn't I be happy?" he placed the knife back on the counter and them removed the apron. "If you two don't mind, I'm going to get the scented candles." He walked past them out of the kitchen, "Have a happy Halloween you two," he greeted to them, smiling.

Leo and Takada looked at Ichijyo dumbfounded. They were then brought out of their trance by Walter. Walter was a man in his late forties with short grey hair and a moustache. He also wore a monicle over his left eye and was dressed as your typical butler. He explained, "The young master has always loved Halloween." He continued, "It is his most favorite holiday, next to Christmas that is."

Takada turned to Leo, "And I thought we knew everything abut him."

Leo shrugged, "You live and learn."

Ichijyo reentered the kitchen, carrying an armful of scented candles. He went to the pumpkins and handed several of the candles to Walter. He turned to the two. "You two can either stand there or help out."

Leo and Takada sighed. Leo said, "If you can't beat them, join them."

Takada ran his hand through his hair. "Let's do this," he said as energetically as possible

At this, Ichijyo smiled.

All four of them placed the candles into the pumpkins. Now, the Jack-O-Lanterns were finally finished.

Ichijyo rubbed his forehead with his sleeve, "There, finish. Thanks you two."

Takada winked, "Don't mention it."

Leo threw his arms up in the air before resting them behind his head, "Hey, what are friends for!"

Ichijyo fixed his glasses and laughed.

(Later…)

"What are we carrying these pumpkins for anyway?" Takada asked.

"The rest are for the school's Halloween party tonight," Ichijyo answered, "I volunteered to make a few Jack-O-Lanterns."

"A few?" Leo looked at the pickup truck that Takada had decided to drive. "There are about 50 of them here."

"51, actually," Ichijyo answered casually.

"Including or excluding the ones at your door?" Takada asked.

"Give or take," Ichijyo shrugged. He fixed his glasses and took out a list from his pant's pocket. He read it, "They only need about 40. The rest will be stored in the back."

Takada stretched, "Well then," Takada went into the pickup truck, "Delivery time."

Ichijyo told Leo, "You should go with him, Leo. He needs all the help he needs. I don't want the pumpkins to be smashed before they arrive, okay?"

Leo saluted, "You can count on me!"

Ichijyo gave him a smile and quirked his eyebrow. Suppressing a laugh, he told Leo, "Just go!"

Loe hopped into the passenger side and Takada drove off. Ichijyo walked back into the apartment building, failing to notice the eyes of the Jack-O-Lanterns were glowing green.

(Later…)

Takada and Leo entered the apartment looking haggard. Pluto planted himself onto an armchair while Leo fell back onto the sofa. They were both pooped.

"That was tiring," Leo commented.

"At least it was worth it," Takada answered.

"You were busy flirting with girls," Leo shot back.

"What else is new?" Ichijyo walked in. He was already in costume. He was dressed as Dracula and had his hair down.

"Nice costume," Leo complemented, sitting up.

"It suits you," Takada added.

"Thank you," he told them. He continued, "You two should wash up and get dressed. You two are going to the party as well."

"I don't really have a costume…" Leo told him warily.

"Doesn't your mother make you costumes? Why not wear one of those?" Ichijyo asked.

Leo groaned, "I'm afraid to think what she made me."

Ichijyo asked Takada, "How about you?"

"I may go as a biker," Takada answered, stating his costume choice.

Ichijyo quipped, "A mad scientist would be more suitable for you."

Takada thought for a second, "Not a bad idea. Thanks man."

"My pleasure," Ichijyo nodded

Leo sighed, "I guess I'll see if my mom did make me anything. I'll give her a call."

"You do that, Leo-san," Ichijyo smiled. "Walter will be driving us there. Your mother's bodyguards will be present as well, am I right?"

Leo rolled his eyes, "Uh huh." He scratched his head. "She's still a bit overprotective."

"She just loves you too much. You are her only son," Ichijyo reminded him.

"I guess you're right." Leo pulled out his cell phone and dialed his mother's number. "Moshi-moshi? Okaasan? Happy Halloween to you too. Anyway, can I come over to pick up a costume? There's a party at school. Yes, I'll take Kat too. I think she'll love it. Really? Thanks. Bodyguards? Okay, but just two. Okaasan…Kat and I can take care of ourselves. Okay, three and that's it. Why don't you come as well? Well, I miss you and you have been working non stop and deserve a break. Maybe you can help chaperone? You can't? Too bad. Okay, I'll tape it for you so you don't miss a thing. Doitashimashite Okaasan. I love you too. Ja ne." Leo turned to Ichjyo, "Well I'm off to see my mother," Leo said, making his way to the door.

"See you at the party then," Takada waved.

"How about your sister?" Ichijyo asked Takada, "Aren't you taking her too?"

"Eri? Yeah, she's coming. I'm gonna go pick her up."

"Let's all pick her up," Ichijyo volunteered. "She should ride in style and nothing says style more than a limo."

"You mean…" Takada looked wide eyes at Ichijyo.

"Yes, my limo."

"You should be nice like this more often," Takada suggested.

Ichijyo glared, "I'm only like this on two occasions: Halloween and Christmas."

Takada was taken back by Ichijyo's glare. "Okay."

Ichijyo smiled, "Okay. Now get dressed. We'll all go in an hour and pick up your sister."

"What about…" Takada began asking.

"Leo will probably be going while being chauffeured by his bodyguards. He'll meet us there. His sister too."

"Yep…his sister," Takada grinned.

"Leo will kill you if you try to flirt with her, you know?" Ichijyo warned.

"I guess," Takada thought. "What about your sister?"

Ichijyo narrowed his eyes, "Megami-oneesan? She'll be there." He warned, "And no funny ideas."

"Okay, okay!" Takada raised his hands in a defensive manner.

(An hour later…)

Ichijyo and Takada arrived in front of the school in Ichijyo's limo. With them were their sisters. The two boys got out of the car and escorted their sisters out of the limo.

"Pick us up after 2 a.m, won't you Walter?" Ichijyo reminded his faithful butler.

The butler smiled and tipped his chauffeur's cap and winked. "I will, young master."

"See you later, Walter!" waved a girl with long green hair and blue eyes. She was dressed in a sparkly pink kimono. This was Megami, Ichijyo's older sister.

"I will, young miss," the butler nodded before driving off.

A girl with chin length black hair that framed her beautiful face stretched her arms and smiled. She sighed "That was the best ride I've ever had!" This was Eri, Takada's sister, she was dressed as a princess complete with a frilly dress and a tiara.

"Thank you," Ichijyo smiled. "The best for a beautiful girl."

Eri blushed and giggled. Takada rolled his eyes. He was dressed as a mad scientist, complete with a bushy white wig, black goggles, lab coat and latex gloves. "And you call me a flirt," he mumble.

Ichijyo glared and hissed, "What was that?"

Takada gulped, "Nothing!"

A pink limo pulled up in front of the 4 teens and the doors opened, allowing 3 bodyguards to run up in front of a door and opening it. Leo and Kat walked out of the limo. Kat was dressed as a cat and Leo was dressed…as a prince.

"Meow…" Kat purred, before giggling.

Leo sighed with defeat. His prince costume consisted of a big red hat with a feather in it, tights and a red shirt with sleeves that were a bit puffy on the shoulders. On the left side of his waist was a fake rapier. (Reference: It looks like the costume that Sakura wore in her school play from Cardcaptor Sakura) His hair had been braided. Eri looked him up and down and grinned.

"Lookin' good, handsome," she told him.

Leo blushed and looked down, "Thank you, Eri," he answered shyly.

"Kat," Megami said, "You look cute!"

"Thanks!" she twirled. Her costume consisted of a black bodysuit with a cat's tail worn under a pink maid's outfit. Atop her head was a pair of fake cat ears. (Another Cardcaptor Sakura reference)

"Let's go in and party!" Takada shouted, throwing up his arms.

"Yeah!" Megami agreed.

Kat hooked arms with Ichijyo, Megami hooked arms with Takada and Eri hooked arms with Leo. The boys then escorted their respective dates into the gym where the party was held. All the other students and guests had arrived and were dancing to the DJ.

((No funny business with my sister!)) Ichijyo warned Takada telepathically. Takada gulped and agreed nervously.

Megami rolled her eyes and sent her little brother a telepathic message. ((Ichi…I can take care of myself.))

Ichijyo sighed ((Very well, my sister.))

The music was playing and the 6 teens were soon dancing. The other's looked like odd couples but not Leo and Eri.

"You look really handsome, you know that?" Eri smiled.

"You too, I mean, you look beautiful," he blushed. Eri smiled and kissed him.

"Sweetie!" she giggled.

The group of teenagers continued to dance, not noticing the nearby Jack-O-Lanterns, all glowing with an eerie light.

(Much later…)

"Are you thirsty?" Takada asked Megami.

"Yes," Megami answered.

"I'll go get you some punch. Be right back!" Takada went through the crowd towards the refreshments table. He saw Kat, Leo, Eri and Ichijyo there.

"Hi guys!" Takada greeted. "Whatcha doin here?"

"Watching the twins feed their faces," he indicated to Kat and Leo with his thumb. They were both eating. Eri was sipping a cup of punch but she looked like she was in a daze with glazed eyes. Takada looked at her worried. He poured some punch into a cup and then sniffed it. His eyes widened. "Oh no," he muttered.

"Someone spiked the punch?" Ichijyo asked. Takada nodded. Ichijyo shook his head, grimacing. He picked up the bowl of punch. "I'll throw this out and mix up another bowl."

Eri glomped Leo and kissed him full on the lips. He blushed red. Takada glared and Kat whistled and whooped, "Go Leo!" With a sigh, Takada went back to Megami.

"Where's my punch?" she asked.

"Someone spiked it," he answered.

"Again?"

"Yep. Looks like a common pattern at these parties these days. Don't worry, your little brother's fixing up another batch."

"Mr. Responsible all the way." Megami laughed.

Leo and Eri went back to dancing. Ichijyo returned with another bowl and this time Leo's bodyguard's stood guard near the snack table. They glared menacingly at anyone attempting to spike the punch. At the same time, the Jack-O-Lanterns were glowing with a much stronger and eerie green glow.

To Be Continued…