Part 56: Dinner with Draco's Mom Conclusion

The Knights and Jinx went back into their civilian disguises and sat down at the table with Mrs. Hasuma.

Leo spoke in Japanese, "Okaasan, remember not to tell them anything, okay?"

She smiled, answering also in Japanese, "I promise."

Takada interjected, also speaking Japanese, "That is good. No need for them to panic, right guys?"

"I agree," nodded Ichijyo, speaking Japanese as well.

Jen was confused. She had not understood a word they had said. I knew I should've took Japanese class, she thought.

The rest of the Titans woke up and stirred, still a bit dazed and confused. Tim yawned and asked, "What happened?"

"Someone threw knockout gas into the restaurant and tried to rob everyone blind. Thankfully, we caught the guy before he made his escape," Ichijyo lied.

Rachel looked at him suspiciously. Ichijyo noticed the look and whispered telepathically, ((I'll explain later!))

((You better!)) she replied, almost threatening him.

"So friends!" Kori said cheerfully, "Will you continue your tale?"

"I almost forgot about that!" Takada answered, smiling. He cocked an eyebrow at Ichijyo. "May I?"

Ichijyo's eyes narrowed and his teeth were grinding left and right as he glared daggers at his fellow Zodiac Knight.

(Flashback)

The party was still in full swing and it was almost midnight. Most of the partiers were resting at the tables. Leo and Eri were conversing happily while Takada continued to dance with Megami. Kat was left on her own as she pillaged some of the bowls of candy for herself. Ichijyo had recently replaced the spiked bowl of punch with a fresh batch. What he did with the alcoholic punch would remain unknown to those who may concern. Actually, he was saving it for the bodyguards and was going to bottle it later for some adult friends (teachers).

The DJ played another song, a slow song. Ichijyo rolled his eyes and seated himself at a table. A girl came over. She was dressed in a female vampire costume and asked if he wanted to dance with her. He shook his head and the girl frowned before strutting off.

"Why aren't you dancing?" Kat asked, sitting next to the Goth.

"Slow dances are only for those with romantic feelings for each other. I do not have such feeling for anyone here," he answered, sadly. He crossed his arms. "You?"

Kat rolled her eyes, "Do you know how many guys wanted to dance with me because of this outfit. Trust me. A few even dared to ask for my phone number."

"Did you give it to them?"

"What do you think?" she gave him a sly smile and then grabbed his hand. "C'mon! Let's dance!"

"But!"

"No buts! Sides, you wanna keep an eye on your sister and Takada, right?"

"Lead the way."

Eri and Leo danced close to one another, spinning and swaying to the song. It was the perfect romantic setting. Nearby was Takada and Megami and surprisingly Takada did not act like a total horn dog. Actually, Ichijyo had threatened to rip his arms off if he ever touched his sister the wrong way.

Kat and Ichijyo shared a dance and looked into each other in the eye. There was only respect and friendship and no romantic feelings between them. Ichijyo was a total gentleman. However, Kat was not a total lady and pinched him playfully on the butt, causing him to silently yelp and jump. She giggled as she danced with him.

The party was perfect and nothing could ruin this for the teens.

The clock struck midnight.

All Hell then broke loose.

The Jack-O-Lanterns suddenly came to life and grew vine-like tendrils from under them. Their eyes glowed an eerie color of green as they attacked the panicking teens.

"What the Hell!" Leo exclaimed.

"Holy shit!" swore Eri.

"Oh my!" gasped Megami.

"Don't worry, Megami-sama, I'll protect you!" Takada stood between her and the advancing monster pumpkins.

"That is not normal!" Kat exclaimed, pointing at the pumpkins that were eating all the food.

"Since when is anything ever normal?" Ichijyo shouted, "And how is this happening?"

"They're your pumpkins!" Takada retorted, using a foldable chair to swipe away the advancing killer Jack-O-Lanterns. The Jack-O-Lanterns grabbed onto the chair and pulled it out of his hands. "Uh oh!"

Leo had lit up a broom and used the fiery object to drive the pumpkins away. Suddenly, something unexpected happened.

The sprinkler came on.

The sprinklers showered the whole gym with water, putting out the broom and Leo gulped. "Not good!"

Eri shouted, "Yeah, my dress is ruined!"

"Look at the pumpkins!" Megami pointed out.

The 6 teens did and the glow in the Jack-O-Lanterns slowly subsided as they were being drenched with water. Ichijyo immediately inspected one and pulled the top off. He then pulled out the candle and gulped.

Takada and Leo loomed over him. The sprinklers had stopped. Ichijyo rarely gulped and when he did it always meant that he had made a major boo-boo.

"What did you do?" Takada asked, irritated. His costume and wig were drenched.

Leo was wringing the water out of his hat and cape. "Spill."

"Well…" Ichijyo laughed nervously, "It seems that I mistakenly placed enchanted candles into the Jack-O-Lanterns!"

(Present)

"The party was ruined," Leo finished.

"And since then, Ichijyo has never volunteered for any and all school functions without proper supervision," Takada concluded.

Ichijyo had slouches deeper into his chair in total embarrassment. Almost everyone at the table was staring at him. "Please don't look at me," he begged.

Rachel looked at the perfectionist Goth she had come to love and let out a small giggle. Who knew he could make a mistake like that?

The waiter came and Mrs. Hasuma ordered the food. This was the moment Leo was waiting for.

"Jen, can we go talk…" Leo added, "In private?"

A feeling of dread swept over Jen. Was he going to break up with her? Nodding, she slowly followed him to someplace private to talk. Mrs. Hasuma smiled a knowing smile and whispered something to Ichijyo. The young Knight of Invisibility looked intrigued before smirking. This was going to be good.

Leo sighed, "Jen, ever since I've met you, I realized that you were the most beautiful girl in the world and then I got to know you and fell in love with you. What I ever felt for Eri was nothing compare to what I felt for you. However…"

Jen cringed inside. Why doesn't he get it over with? She was almost close to crying.

"I know it's been crazy and all with fighting crime and monsters and stuff and I want you to know that I will always be there for you…"

Jen held her left arm, readying herself for the final blow. She knew it wouldn't have lasted, but couldn't he have chosen a better time?

"Jinx-chan, close your eyes," he told her. She nodded and did as told. Leo took out the velvet box quietly from his pocket and opened it. He took out the ring.

Jen felt something slip onto her ring finger. She opened her eyes and looked at her finger. Staring back at her was a golden ring with a pink stone imbedded in the centre.

"Le…Leo?" she asked, utterly stupefied.

"I…I love you Jinx," he told her. Although he stuttered a bit in the beginning and had butterflies in his stomach, he meant every word. No lie, just truth. "And I always will. Aishiteru."

Jen's eyes welled up with tears and she hugged him. "I love you too…"

"Jen?" he asked, panicking, "What's wrong?" he brought his hands up and rubbed her back gently.

"Nothing!" she said, pulling back to stare into his emerald eyes. "It's just…this ring…I love you too…so much…what does this ring mean?"

"What does it mean?" he smiled, "It's a Promise Ring. Kinda like 'engage to be engaged' or something like that." He rubbed the back of his neck, "I stink at all this mushy romance stuff."

Jen shook her head. "You're actually pretty good at it." She felt Leo wipe her tears away and kissed her on the forehead.

"If you think the ring is good, look what's written on the inside," he said.

Jen took the ring off and on the inner surface was an inscription. It said, 'My Heart, My Love, My Soul mate'. Jen gasped and took in a strong breath of air. She then cried some more with tears of joy.

"Don't you like it?" he asked, confused by her outburst.

"Oh Leo!" she wrapped her arms around him and planted a deep and passionate kiss on his lips. "I love it!" Leo's eyes slid close and he responded to the kiss, sinking deeper into the kiss, embrace and their love for each other.

Jen put the ring back on and looked deep into his emerald eyes. "I'll never ever take it off," she promised, "Ever!"

"Well…maybe…in about 10 years…if our relationship lasts…" he stammered.

"Yes?" she prodded

He sighed, "I'll replace it with a diamond ring?"

Jen got the message. She was the one and she knew that he knew. She glomped him again, kissing him passionately. With a happy sigh, Leo kissed her back.

Suddenly, Leo's eyes slammed open and he pushed Jen gently away. Jen was about to ask but he shushed her. He slowly stalked towards a nearby potted plant and pushed the leaves away.

There was nothing, or so it seemed.

Slowly becoming visible were the eavesdroppers. It was his mother and Ichijyo.

"Awww…that's so sweet!" Mrs. Hasuma said. She held up her video camera. "And I got it on tape too!"

"O…O…Okaasan?" Leo stuttered, face glowing red.

Ichijyo smirked, looking at the ring. "So that's what you got her," he added, "Good taste."

Jen was blushing too and placed her hands to her cheeks. "Oh my god…" she never felt so embarrassed in her life.

"We'll see you back at the table kids," Mrs. Hasuma said, walking away and waving at them. Ichijyo followed suit, smirking.

After the sudden shock, both witch and red Knight recovered. All Jen could say was, "Your mom is so weird."

"You can say that again, Jen," he groaned

To Be Continued…

I know the story ended a little anti-climatically, but this chapter focuses more on Leo(Draco) giving the Promise Ring to Jen(Jinx). Draco's mom spying on them using the video camera and Ichijyo's invisibility power added a little humor at the end.

Next up, the girls strut their stuff on the catwalk. Stay tune for Part 57: They really put Super in Supermodel! Copycat makes a return appearance and guest starring…It's a surprise!