Minna-san!!!

Ahehe,.. Gomen for really updating so late!!!

I over-enjoyed my Christmas vacation and now that school is back,…

I can't find a time to finish this fourth chapter,…

Graduation is nearing so it's a bit hard to... uuuhhhmm... update...

Really!!!

Gomen Nasai!!!

Anywayzzz,…

I know,…

Enough with my sentiments,…

I'll start the chapter 4,…

CHAPTER 4: THE WELCOME DINNER

Tick

Tock

Tick

Tock

The sound of the clock echoed around the room as two individuals refused to stop their glaring contest. Their other two companion just sweat dropped at their actions. While tension was all around the room, it was a picture of serene night outside. Cool night breeze gently blew the curtains at the dining room while the moon shines brightly, producing radiant rays that lighted up the garden. The flowers and plants swayed with the evening breeze calming anyone who sees it.

It was all but serene inside the Hyuuga manor. Even though Hotaru Imai, a.k.a the Ice Queen hadn't pulled out her Baka Gun yet, you could easily tell that she can't hold back anymore, the way she looked at the Hyuuga who owned the manor tells you everything. She wanted him out of her sight… Pronto!

But what can she do? He owns the house and she is just a visitor. If not for her idiotic sister, who thought that the dinner was such a wonderful idea, she wouldn't be here right now. Also, she wonders why Ruka didn't oppose the suggestion made by the girl. He knew how much she despised everything that talks and describes Hyuuga Natsume.

Whatever the reason is, she wouldn't let that Hyuuga destroy this dinner, full with crab meals and lots of other dishes that will make your stomach growl no matter how full you were. Of course, all these yummy foods are all cooked by the one and only Ruka Nogi, her beloved boyfriend. She took a whole crab, while still glaring at Natsume, and started to take out its meat, slowly cracking its shell as if it was Natsume's bones. Natsume did the same, but instead of crabs he took the fettuccini, loudly smashing the pasta and rolling it as if there was no tomorrow.

Ruka and Aoi looked at each other talking with their eyes; they wanted to say the same thing. "You go first."

"Uhhhmm," started by Aoi, she took the courage of talking first to break the silent fight between the two, "Hotaru-neesama, how did you and Ruka met?" she asked wondering if she had said the right thing.

Hotaru, distracted by the question, almost dropped her crab, but… just almost. She had managed to compose herself before answering the sudden question. Swallowing the crab meat first she answered, "Nani? Of course we met at school then he fell love at first sight with me, and then courted me. He said he will do anything for me and I answered him and we started dating until now."

"Oh…" replied Aoi who doesn't even know what to say. 'She's a bit direct to the point now, isn't she?' She thought to herself. 'How can I even start a conversation if it is like this?'

Ruka who watched the whole scene was quite glad that the two hadn't caused havoc yet. 'At least they act civilized tonight.' he thought. 'Although Aoi doesn't know how to start her interrogation, everything goes fine. I hope.'

The silence was broken by Hotaru asking, "How about you, Aoi isn't it? Whom are you dating right now?" she asked nonchalantly, picking up a new crab and started cracking it once again. This time she's not looking at Natsume knowing fully well what his reaction would be. She activated her hidden camera silently without anybody noticing. She made another new invention, it's called, "Spy Camera in 20 carat Diamond Necklace". It can be zoomed in or out as she moves the remote, the remote would be her 20 carats diamond ring. She had made it for a whole week, thinking about when she will use this, she thought that this invention might help her to be rich, and it certainly did.

'I can kill two birds in one stone!!! Hahaha!!! First testing my newest invention and second capturing Hyuuga's rare reactions!!! Come to me, my money!!!' she thought as she smiled evilly.

Natsume who was eating spaghetti at the moment almost choked on his food by the sudden question. Ruka immediately went to get water while Aoi tried to get out from the shock. When she did, she immediately blushed and stuttered, making incoherent sentences that she doesn't even understand. Ruka came back and help Natsume by patting his back while Hotaru was having a feast inside her. She had captured Hyuuga's shocked expression, choking on food, and angry face. 'One hundred thousand yen each and for a whole set, it would total up to one million ten. I'm getting richer and richer!!! '

"What kind of question is that, Imai?!" Natsume asked as he turned red from anger. He doesn't want his baby sister ending up like their "mother" and he certainly didn't want to talk about it. Maybe it would be much better if Aoi would stay at his house… or maybe not. Aoi might found out his little "escapades" every night.

"Nani? I'm just asking your little sister here, Hyuuga. Doushite? Does your over-protectiveness get the better of you? Are you afraid she had become a playgirl like you?" Hotaru asked straight to the point, not even thinking if Aoi was listening or not. She smirked enjoying every bit of their "civilized talk".

The way she looked at Natsume as if she was taunting him made him terribly furious. He wanted to punch her in the face even if she was a girl, for Pete's sake! "This girl is not any ordinary girl! She is a hardcore blackmailer! She doesn't think about anybody except her money." Natsume thought as he glared at Hotaru wanting to grab her and throw her out of his house.

'Oh no! They are starting! I must stop them!' Ruka thought as he think of something to change the topic. "Ah, who wants more crabs?" he asked desperately trying. Instead of a reply, he only got glares from the Ice Queen and the Playboy. "Ok. I get the point. I'll zip my mouth shut." He said. 'Fine! Let them fight for all I care! He's just my best friend and that Hotaru is just my girlfriend!' He sighed desperately. It's not as if he wants it to be like this. They were just too stubborn and won't listen to him.

"Come on, guys, please stop this nonsense." Aoi said. They looked at her, glared at each other once more before finally sat down and went back to their own business. Aoi sighed as she continued their latest discussion about her date- thingy.

"Well, as for your question Hotaru-neesama, uuhmmm," she paused and thought whether to answer the question or not.

Natsume who was curious also waited for her answer but he grew impatient and said, "Just say it, Aoi." He glared at her demanding for an answer.

"Wha-?! Well, it's just a bit hard to explain, onii-chan." She said as she looked outside. Her eyes seem to be in a daze and it looks like her mind travels somewhere faraway.

"What do you mean?" Natsume asked as he raised his eyebrows. He did not understand how hard it is to say the boy's name that would be his next target.

"It means her relationship is complicated. Baka." Hotaru said while trying to take out some meat from the crab. "She might be in love with a person that is hard to love." She continued as she succeeded in taking out the meat.

"Is that true, Aoi?" Natsume asked while glaring at his little sister. Before Aoi answered Hotaru had beaten her to it.

"I said MIGHT BE… Baka. Weren't you listening to me?" she said while wiping her hands clean. She took the water in front of her and drank it. 'Ahhh… Cold water feels good after eating crabs.' She thought.

"I heard you hag, but I'm not asking you." Natsume smirked at her as if to challenge her. He had, intentionally, changed the subject for her sister's sake. 'I'll ask her later, and she better answer me or else.' He thought.

"Don't look at me like that, jerk. You don't know whom you are facing with." Hotaru said unemotionally as she glared at him.

"I heard that before, emotionally-deprived hag." He said making Hotaru irritated.

"Urusai! Paranoid hentai." She said impassively.

"What did you call me?! You Crazy woman!" Natsume said as he slammed his hands on the table. He is not a hentai, it's just that, girls show their… you know to him.

"Crazy woman?! Who's the one to talk?! Melodramatic baka!" She said as she stood up also. She makes crazy invention, yes, but she's not crazy enough to be called crazy!

"URUSAI!!! YAMETE!!!" Aoi and Ruka said at the same time. Everything seems to have shut up at the sudden outburst. Hotau and Natsume took their seat silently while Ruka and Aoi glared at Natsume.

"Nani? Why am I the only one who received a glare?" Natsume asked.

"Just shut-up onii-chan." Aoi said as she took a very deep breath then sighed and sat. "Let's continue eating now, shall we? It's my welcome dinner anyway."

AT THE SAKURA MANSION

I looked outside my room and what I see was priceless beyond anything that can be bought by money. It was a painting of tranquility outside my room. The cherry blossom swayed gently with the cool night breeze. I walked over to my terrace to see the painting in its full view. I wish I could be a part of it. A part of a precious memory which never be bought nor exchange with any material things in the world.

Now that I have realized it, at least I get to see a breathtaking site like this before I leave this cruel world. This world that is wrapped in a shining fantasy would soon be opened by those people who had seen the reality of reality. Those people who had been woke up from their sweet dreams only to see these harsh nightmares of reality.

The way I see things, I guess, they had all changed. I look at life as if it had betrayed me even though I knew it's just doing its job. Maybe some people look at me like I was giving up. How I wish they were right, yet, they weren't. If I was giving up, then why am I living outside my safe palace? I could just have waited at the hospital until I die yet I chose to fight for me to live, to feel like I am alive.

I pulled my robe tighter, as if it was going to give me enough warm. I had stopped my sentiments cause it only drives me crazy thinking about those things. My mother was talking to a business partner in her conference room… somewhere in this mansion.

I haven't toured this mansion yet. It was so big that I didn't know where to start. Also, we have just arrived and I was sleeping my butt off this whole day. I wonder what Hotaru is doing right now. I knew that she knew I was here. Yet, she still hadn't visited me. Of course, I know her reasons. She thinks I might be surprise because of her sudden visit… blah, blah, blah… then it might lead to complications because of this heart illness… and so on and so forth.

She might even wonder, if I'll call her right now, if I am excited to see her. Of course I am! Who wouldn't be??? After being parted away from your best friend from a very long time, tell me who wouldn't? I guess, I have to make the first move then. I should call her; she might be worried that I'll be surprised if she calls me. That girl, as if I hadn't been careful enough to last for years. I learned to control my emotions well… she don't need to worry, that Hotaru.

Anyway, I went back to my room leaving the peacefulness outside to get my cell phone. I dialed Hotaru's number and waited for her to answer my call. I wonder if she will be surprised that I have called her or maybe she was expecting me to call. Why does it take so long for her to answer my call anyway??? What the hell is she doing? Making new invention, I guess, or again, as always, maybe I was wrong.

"Come on, Hotaru, answer." I said as I grew impatient. I smiled sardonically as I repeated what I have said… impatient??? "Haha!!!" I laughed at my nonsense, "I grew impatient, after a long time of waiting for the cure and not finding one, I still grew impatient?" I said out loud. I slumped on my bed still waiting for Hotaru to answer my call.

I am pathetic, I know that. Then, why does it bother me? I am doing what I wanted to do right now and yet, I don't feel contented. I sighed and was surprised when somebody talked.

"Yes you are pathetic, Mikan. Why are you talking to yourself??? That's a sign of insanity." The cell phone

talked.

"What the-?! Hotaru!!! Did you read my mind?!" I asked, surprised, of course. I felt my heart jumped and… it's tightening as I felt my breath shortening.

"Mikan, what's happening???" She asked worried. Maybe she has heard my gasped and the drawers 'thumped' as I tried to find my medicine in the drawers.

"Uhhh…" I tried to talk gasping for air, "I just remembered, I hadn't taken my medicine yet." I lied. She shouldn't know that I was surprised because of what happened earlier. She even tried to make me call first even though she wanted to call me the moment she found out I was here.

"You are a bad liar, Mikan. Come on Ruka. We're going. I am going there, wait for me, Mikan." She said. I feel her panicking yet she had made a decision so I didn't stop her. I found my medicine and drank it with cool water.

"Hotaru, I am fine now. Ok. I'll wait for you. I am in my room okay?" I said as I took a breath in and let out a big sigh, just like what Subaru-niichan told me if I was having an attack. I felt dizzy, that's why I went to the bathroom to splash some water in my face.

I heard loud knocks on my door and my mother rushing in my room. She called, "Mikan! Where are you?!" desperately. Hotaru might have called her. I smiled solemnly as I looked at my reflection. I am deathly pale, my eyes have dark circles underneath, and I seem a bit malnourished. My pale lips trembled slightly as I was having a hard time clutching the sink to keep a steady balance. It was like the world was spinning.

"Oh! Thank God! I found you!" I heard my mom said, I looked at her but my eyes were quite blurred. "Why didn't you answer back?" She asked walking towards me.

"Because," I whispered then I felt the world spun wildly and everything turned dark.

"Mikan!!!" was the last thing I heard, once again, from my mom.

AT THE HYUUGA MANSION

The eerie silence bothered the four as the tension was beginning to suffocate them. The only thing heard was the sound of spoons and forks that touched the porcelain plates while they were eating.

Nobody wanted to talk, it just feels awkward when they start a conversation after their little fight earlier.

Just then, they heard a cell phone ringing...

"I can feel the pressure

its getting closer now

We're better off without you

I can feel the pressure

its getting closer now

We're better off without you"

"Wow! You like Paramore, Hotaru- neesama???" Aoi suddenly asked.

"Yeah, I like them. It' was just my best friends influence. She is a bit addicted to their songs." Hotaru explained as she went to get her cell phone. She slowly stood up from the chair and walked towards the table near a very large mirror.

"Yeah, as if, you will like a song like that without others influence." Natsume said sarcastically.

"Doushite??? What's wrong about having influence over someone?" Hotaru answered back in a menacing voice. They started, once again, their glaring competition, forgetting that there was a caller waiting for Hotaru's answer.

"Uuhhmm..." Ruka interrupted them. "Hotaru, I think somebody is waiting for your answer." He said.

"Tch... yeah right." Natsume said as he continued eating.

"Onii-chan!!! Please act decently, will you?!" Aoi said as she reprimanded Natsume.

"Whatever." was his reply.

'Idiots' was Hotaru's lasts thought before she answered her cell phone.

I was going to say 'hello' when I heard Mikan's voice. 'Mikan!!! I guess she have realized why I didn't call her.' I thought but was surprised by what I heard from my

best friend.

*pause*

"Yes you are pathetic, Mikan. Why are you talking to yourself??? That's a sign of insanity." I said, trying to cheer her up.

*pause*

I was going to say, how are you when I heard her gasp, not a good sign.

"Mikan, what's happening???" I asked her, worried.

*pause*

"You are a bad liar, Mikan. Come on Ruka. We're going. I am going there, wait for me, Mikan." I said slighly panicking. I knew that I made a mistake. Darn! That was what I have feared of doing that's why I didn't called her right away!

*pause*

I ended the call and told Ruka to take me to Mikan's place.

"Come on Ruka!!! It's not that far from here!!! Let's go!!!" I said while rushing to the door.

"What's happening Hotaru???" He asked me and I also saw the two Hyuuga's questioning looks.

"I can't explain it right now. Later. Let's go." I said for the last time then headed for the door. Before I went out of the dining room I said, "It was such a pleasure to know you, Yuki Aoi. Let's eat together, some of these days."

I heard her shout "thank you" before I was lost in my own thoughts.

"I wonder what's wrong with her and what happend." Aoi said as she took a drink from her glass.

" I don't know and I don't care." Natsume said then remembered something.

"Yuki Aoi," He said as he glared at his sister. "What do you mean by complicated?"

"Huh?" comes Aoi oh- so intelligent answer, but she caught up on what he was saying.

"Oh... that was... uuhhh... hehe... I need to fix my things onii-chan." She said as she tried to escape.

"No." Natsume said sternly. "Explain now." He said.

"Alright... Well..." Aoi started....

HAHAHA!!!!!

I finished it!!!!

the Chapter 4!!!!!

Don't get angry guyz!!!

the title is "The welcome dinner" so I focused on the dinner and added the after dinner thingy...

don't worry...

i'll complete it on the next chapter...

depending on the title... again...

^_^

also, I will be giving PM's to those who reviewed... okay???

For anonymous reviews... well...

i'll just post it here...

konnie: Well,... Hahaha!!! Well, I guess... I think... Maybe... but don't worry, it will be interesting soon... I made this chapter a bit,... not so dramatic... *sigh*... Forgive me...

^_^

thank you!!!!

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