Disclaimer: I don't own Urusei Yatsura.

"Happy birthday, Ataru!"

Ataru gazed at the large cake which was being held in front of him. He took in how it had been made to look just like him. It was clear even to a simpleton like himself that had been baked with a lot of care and dedication. He lifted his gaze from the treat, grinning at the person who had made it for his special day.

"Shinobu!" he exclaimed. "You remembered my birthday!"

"Of course I did! There's no way I would forget the birthday of the guy I grew up with!"

Shinobu smiled. She was delighted with the Ataru's reaction to the cake she had baked for him. She had a lot of memories of the boy she'd known as far back as her childhood. It seemed like only yesterday since they were a pair of kids. Many years had passed, thought Ataru certainly hadn't grown up mentally. He never failed to get on Shinobu's nerves with his childish ways. She was often driven mad by his immaturity, but she was still willing to celebrate his birthday - even if she couldn't see him starting to act his age.

"So what do you wanna do for your birthday, Ataru?"

"I don't care what I do…" Ataru's eyes twinkled as he gazed tenderly at Shinobu. "All that matters is getting to spend my birthday - with the one I love."

Shinobu's heart raced. What Ataru had just said to her filled her with warmth. For once in his life, he was sounding very tender and loving. He was openly confessing that he wanted to share the one day of the year which was dedicated to him with the person he loved.

A shade of red filled the girl's cheeks. It seemed as though the boy was talking about her.

"Oh, Ataru…" she whispered, parting her lips and closing her eyes as she leaned towards him

"Shinobu…"

Realising what Shinobu was preparing to do, Ataru readied himself to do the same. He moved in her direction as his own eyes closed. His lips braced themselves to press passionately against hers.

"Ataru…"

"Shinobu…"

"Hey, Darling!"

Ataru's eyes burst open as he cried out in shock.

He had just been given another surprise for his birthday - and it was one he was not pleased to receive.

Standing in between him and Shinobu was another girl. His eyes narrowed at the sight of her. He had no trouble recognising this pretty young lady. She was gazing upon him in her ever-cheerful nature - which contrasted with the irritable look he was giving her.

"Lum!" Ataru hollered. "What are you doing here?!"

"I'm here to celebrate your birthday with you, Darling!" Lum beamed, failing to notice how annoyed by her presence Ataru was. "I wouldn't be doing my duty as your wife if I didn't spent your birthday with you!"

"Oh I see…" Shinobu muttered jealously. "When you said you wanted to spend your birthday with the one you love, Ataru, you were talking about Lum?"

"No!" Ataru protested. "You've got it all wrong, Shinobu! I don't wanna waste my precious day with Lum!"

"Darling!" Lum pouted, insulted over being insensitively dismissed by her 'husband'.

Shinobu frowned. She was not buying Ataru's denial at all. She frowned in all her envy.

"Well I'll leave you to enjoy your day with Lum, Ataru!" she huffed. "And you can take your cake from me too!"

With all her strength gathered, Shinobu threw the cake she had made in the boy's direction.

There was a huge splat as the cake flung into Ataru's face. It exploded to cover him in frosting and sponge. The boy was in a terrible mess - and very dismayed at having his little moment with the girl he liked ruined by the alien who was always coming between them.

"Happy birthday, Ataru! Enjoy spending your special with Lum!"

Shinobu stormed off, leaving the cake-covered Ataru alone with Lum as she headed away from the scene, intending to hang out with Mendō instead.

"Shinobu!" Ataru cried as he stretched a frosting-smothered arm in her direction. "Wait, don't go!"

"Forget her, Darling! Your beautiful wife is here to spend every minute of your birthday with you."

Luv giggled brightly as she threw her arms tightly around Ataru. She hugged him closely in all her love for him - before bringing a yell out of the boy as she sent shockwaves of electricity through him.

"Happy birthday, Darling!"

Ataru screamed in rage and pain. His birthday wasn't going exactly how he'd hoped. How it had turned out for him had been utterly shocking.

THE END