(Yatta: yes! Nandate: what was that?)

It was just another day where Team Hokage lazily sit around at the park and talking rubbish—just having fun after they finally defeat (well, in a sense, not really defeat) Kurei and the Uruha Team. And boy, was that tough. :)

 “It seems like a long time since I ever had a rest this peaceful, ne?” Recca said, putting his arm around Yanagi’s shoulders.

 “No kidding,” Fuuko said, playing with her Fuujin. “I thought we’d never have these kind of days where you can just be lazy, sitting around and just talking rubbish—”

 “Like monkeys?” Tokiya said.

 “Eh, Mikagami, lighten up, ne?” Domon said, laughing.

 Koganei grinned. “I love the old days where I always kick butt, though.”

 “Nanii?” Yanagi said. “You should be grateful those days are over, Koganei-san.”

 “Eh, whatever you say, Yanagi-sama…” Koganei said, sweatdrop on his head and scratching the back of his head. “So, as I was saying, I’m grateful those days are over, eh?”

 “We should have a celebration for this,” Recca suddenly said.

 “Eh?” Fuuko, Yanagi, Domon, Tokiya and Koganei said in unison.

 “Seriously,” he said, turning to the rest of the team. “We should have a party or something—and invite everyone we fought in the competition. It would be like a reunion of us celebrating the Hokage Win.”

 “You know what?” Fuuko said, smiling. “As whacked as that sounds, I would actually enjoy that…” *Imagined Raiha coming and blushing a little* “It would be great.”

 Domon look at Fuuko and can only imagine what Fuuko was thinking about. “Eh? If Fuuko thinks it’s great, then I think it’ll be great. It’ll be like a date for us, ne, Fuuko?”

 Fuuko gave a little glare at Domon. “Don’t go there.”

 “Why don’t we have a party?” Koganei asked. “I mean, it would actually be fun… we could even invite Kurei-sama to the party, ne?”

 Recca rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah, that would be a great reunion—‘hi, Kurei! It’s great fighting and beating you! Welcome to the party, enjoy!’”

 “Ne, he wouldn’t mind…” Yanagi said, smiling sweetly.

 Fuuko grinned. “What do you think, Mi-chan?”

 Mikagami shrugged. “Whatever. As if I’m going.”

 “Nanii?” Recca exclaimed. “It’s the party for Hokage, ne?! Even mom and Ganko would be there. How anti-social can you be? Oh wait, we’re talking about Mikagami, I’m sorry.”

 Domon snorts. “Baka, Mikagami! You’ll be there, ne?”

 Mikagami gave them an icy glare. “We’ll just see.”

 “Boy, we sure haven’t changed,” Koganei commented.

***

So the team really worked hard on planning the party and thinking up on whom to invite (that would be hard for a bunch of monkeys… ai... ^^;). Anyway, when it comes to handing out the invitations, people have to have their shares—even Mikagami (grudgingly) accepted that term.

 Recca sighed. “Ai, I hope this party will go well.”

 “No fighting,” Kagerou said.

 “As if—all people that are invited are fighting machines…” Domon thought… “Ah well…”

 “Ai… I miss Gashakura the most, no?” Fuuko said, smiling. “That fight was awesome…”

 “Uh, did we invite Saicho and the others from their team?” Koganei asked Recca, sweatdrop appearing behind his head…

 “Nanii? Of course we did…” Recca said.

 “Even Fujimaru-sama, Recca-kun?” Yanagi said.

 “Oh, drat…” Recca said, turning into Chibi Recca.

 “Nanii?!” Fuuko said. “You mean that guy who humiliates me, ne?!?!”

 Mikagami laughed softly. “Turns out this’ll be as exciting as the match, ne, Hanabishi?”

 Recca stuck out a tongue. “Thought you’re not coming.”

 “On certain occasions, we’ll see, ne?” Mikagami said, smiling.

 “Ai,” Domon said, letting out a sigh. “Don’t worry, Fuuko! I will protect you from that pervert! He will not lay his hands on your precious bod—”

 *Fuuko punched Domon in the face*

 “Ai, that must hurt more than that match with Magensha…” Recca said, laughing.

 “Nanii ten yo?” Domon asked, his lips forming a perv smile. “I love being touched by Fuuko-san…”

 And with that, Domon received another hit, but this time Fuuko used a Japanese fan which appeared out of nowhere… Ne, I guess something doesn’t change…

***

And so, the day of the party arrived… :) Everyone was waiting impatiently for guests to arrive, especially Fuuko-chan… We can all guess who she’s waiting for, ne? Hmm… something tells me it begins with an ‘R’… Wonder who could that be?

 “Fuuko-san, stop fidgeting…” Yanagi said, smiling. “He’ll be here…”

 “What? Who? I’m waiting for nobody!” Fuuko said, embarrassed that even Yanagi realized she’s waiting for someone that is none other than Raiha. “I’m just… I just need to go to the bathroom.”

 “Nice cover, Kirisawa,” Mikagami said, smirking as Fuuko went by him to the bathroom.

 “Shove it, Mi-chan.” Fuuko glared at him as usual.

 “Oh, here comes the first guess, Recca-kun,” Yanagi said as she looked out the window… “It’s Saicho-san…”

 Fuuko looked out. “Heh, he’s wearing something different for a change,” she said.

 “Since when do you look at Saicho’s clothes, Fuuko?” Domon asked with tears streaming down his face.

 “Konnichiwa, Yanagi-chan,” Saicho said as he entered Recca’s house. (Since Recca was the one who suggested the party, his house was the first and last vote :p )

 “No problem,” Recca answered for Yanagi, grinning.

 “Minna, Mikagami…” Saicho said, smiling.

 Mikagami just nodded, obviously in his usual self. “Konnichiwa.”

 “Eh, here comes Fujimaru, ne…” Yanagi said, a little worried. But she lets him in anyway, as she thinks it’ll be a little rude to invite people but not let them join the party.

 “Oy…” Fuuko said, sighing. “I’ll be in Recca’s room, okay?”

 “Eh?! Why my room?!”

 “Do I have a choice?” Fuuko entered Recca’s room and locked it before he could retort anymore.

 “Baka,” Recca muttered.

 Fujimaru entered the house, looking around. “Eh, where’s Fuuko? I still haven’t fulfilled my promise that when she wins, I’ll suck her—”

 *Fujimaru received Domon’s kick on his pervert face*

 “Oo-kay…” Koganei said, sighing.
 
 “Oh, the others have arrived!” Yanagi exclaimed happily, looking out the window. “Even Kurei-sama showed up, Recca-kun… And Gashakura too, Fuuko.”

 Fuuko came out of Recca’s room, smiling. “Aah, it’s time to thank him for that fight, ne?”

 Fujimaru brightens up at the sight of Fuuko and hurried over to her. “Fuuko!” *Goes into Domon-mode when Domon sees Fuuko most of the time* “Want me to fulfill my promise I made to you, ne?”

 Fuuko punched Fujimaru, who went flying in the air. “Don’t even think about it, Fujimaru.” *Have that sour look on her face*

 “Daijoubu ka?” asked Yanagi, who was too nice not to be concerned even with Fujimaru. Ai…

 All of the others who are invited came in, and Gashakura got stuck trying to get in.

 “Kamirinai hodo, I will fulfill my promise, Fuuko…!” Fujimaru said, tears streaming down on his face. (Oh, by the way, ‘kamirinai hodo’ means something like ‘as far as I can try’)

 “Nanii?! What are you talking about?!” Fuuko kicked Fujimaru on the head a few times. “Hi, Gashakura. That was a great fight, ne? We should fight once more.”

 “Yeah, you’re right,” Gashakura said.

 “Fuuko, we could have a fight!” Fujimaru said, grinning. He started waving his “Fuuko Fan Club” flag, grinning all the time.

 “Shut up!” Fuuko said, kicking Fujimaru once again, pinning him on the ground.

 Sweatdrop appeared on Gashakura’s head. “Oh yeah, tell Recca I’ll fix his doorway soon.” *Gave a sheepish grin* Fuuko looked at the destroyed doorway.

 “Itadakimasu!” Yanagi exclaimed happily, bringing out a delicious-looking chocolate cake.
 
 Fuuko, who have a good appetite, took a piece of cake and bite into it. “Ummm… Yanagi, is there anything that you can’t do?”

 “Yes, shout,” Koganei said. He noticed Yanagi looked a little embarrassed and quickly said, “Not that I don’t mind. I mean, if you can’t shout, you won’t be that much of a Fuuko, ne?”

 “Nanii ten yo?! You wanna get killed?” Fuuko said, running around chasing Koganei. “Come here, you little brat!”

 “Aii… and I thought tonight had no entertainment,” Mikagami said, shaking his head, looking at Fuuko who was still chasing Koganei.

 “Shut up, you okama!” Fuuko said.

 “NANII?!” Then Mikagami started chasing Fuuko while Fuuko chased Koganei.

 “Oy, Mikagami! Aren’t you a little old for tag?!” Recca yelled, putting his arms around Yanagi, while Yanagi just smiles crookedly, having sweatdrop on her head.

 “So how’s the party, everyone?” Recca asked everyone, including the ones who just entered.

 “Sugoiiii!!!”

 Recca grinned. “Just as I thought, ne, mom?”

 Kagerou just shrugged and smiled. “I’m too old for parties.”

 “Oh yeah, 400 years is really old…” Recca said, turning to Yanagi. “We should’ve thought about this earlier…”

 Yanagi smiles, but suddenly out of nowhere appear Tatsuko, the referee who was caught kissing Recca on the battlefield before Recca fight the ‘ninja’ Kashamaru. “Recca-kunnnn!!!”

 Yanagi said to Tatsuko a little jealously, “Tatsuko-san…konnichiwa, minna-san. I’m glad you could make it…”

 “Uh-huh, Yanagi-sama!” Tatsuko said, smiling. “Can I have a kiss with Recca-kun? I didn’t finish when my friend pulled me away from him…ne?”

 And with that, Yanagi just delivered her first and probably the last punch to Tatsuko. Everyone was aghast and all jaws open. This is a first of Yanagi hurting anyone.

 “Waaa… remind me to not cross your path…” Recca said, sweatdrop on his head. “Come on, Yanagi, you know you’re the only one, okay?”

 “Aii.” Yanagi looked a little embarrassed.

 “With the right motivation, she would make a good fighter,” Koganei said…

 “Okay… uh, I think that was enough fight,” Mikagami said as he returned with bruises on his face, and so did Fuuko. Koganei only had a little bump on his head.

 “That was fun, ne?” Fuuko said. :)

 “Tasukete…” Fujimaru said out of nowhere. “I need…Fuuko.”

 “No kidding, so do I,” Koku said, grabbing Fuuko’s breasts and hanging on to her as he did before.
 “Aaaaiiieeee!” Fuuko screamed. “Get of off me, you pervert!”

 “No need to be so mad,” Koku said, disappearing.

 Fuuko’s face was as red as Recca’s flame. “That nasty old pervert! If I get my hand on him, I’ll make the wind swept off his feet from the ground!”

 Even Mikagami couldn’t help smiling. “That really resembles Fujimaru, don’t you think?”

 “Eh, Ice Man finally breaks through, heh?” Koganei said, grinning evilly.

 “Shut up, Koganei.”

 “I speak the truth, ne?”

 “Just shut up…”

***

“Well, that was a huge success, Recca,” Kagerou said, smiling. “All the foods are gone…”

 “Sugoi!” Yanagi said, smiling. “All my cakes and recipes are finished…”

 “Yeah, Gashakura stuffed all of it inside himself…” Domon said disgustedly.

 “Yeah? I saw you sneaking off with a plate of cakes into the bathroom, Domon-sama,” Ganko said, smiling.

 “Iie… ah? What are you talking about? I didn’t—ah! Shut up, you little brat.” *Covered Ganko’s mouth* “Eh, if you shut up about it, I’ll give you the leftovers—it’s still in the bathroom,” he whispered.

 Ganko nodded. “Deal.”

 “All in all, this party’s a big success.” Recca smiled with satisfaction. “In fact, I don’t think anyone didn’t have any fun—I know I have fun betting with Kurei and Neon. Joker kept getting Joker cards too.”

 Fuuko, though, looked at the doorway, where Mikagami was already going through. She noticed he had some fun…but not all of the time. He’s quiet—well, he usually is quiet. But he looked different tonight. Maybe she should go and talk to him.

 “You had fun, Fuuko?” Yanagi asked shyly. “I know Raiha didn’t show up, but we tried to invite him. He’s too busy though…Um, he said he had some business.”

 “I had fun,” Fuuko said, but she felt a little stab in her heart when Yanagi mentioned Raiha. He didn’t show up tonight… Well. What can she say? Guess she’s not as important as she makes out herself to be to Raiha. Maybe that “business” was really a date with someone else.

 “You have a funny way of showing it,” Koganei said, smirking.

 “You shut up and you’ll still have your head,” Fuuko warned. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need some fresh air after all of that alcohol breath Fujimaru gave me. And Recca, please try to control Koku, ne? He keeps bothering me!”

 “Not my fault.” Recca shrugged.

 Fuuko picked up an empty can of Coke and threw it at Recca’s head, then went out while she still can. Fuuko searched for Mikagami, looking around. Where could he be? He seems pretty serious tonight—not that he wasn’t serious all of the time, but tonight he seemed really serious. He can’t still not be over Mifuyu, can he? Can’t he just let go of the past?

 “Hey, Fuuko.”

 That greeting caught Fuuko off guard that she almost trip. “Oh, hi, Mi-chan. What are you doing out here when you could be in there?”

 “I’m kinda anti-social, aren’t I?”

 “Oh. Okay.”

 “What are you doing here?”

 “Just…to hangout.”

 “Right.”

 “What? Wasn’t I convincing enough?”

 “I didn’t say that. I just said ‘right’. That’s all.”

 “Whatever,” Fuuko said, sighing. “You have got to stop being so desolated, Mi-chan. You know what they talk about you behind your back or in front of you, don’t you?”

 “Yeah,” Tokiya said. “Whatever.”
 “Don’t you care at all?” Fuuko asked him, exasperated. Once in a while, it wouldn’t really hurt to reveal your feelings, would it? How Fuuko wished that was true with Tokiya’s case. “You are so complicated.”

 “Thanks for the compliment.” Tokiya just looked at the sky, perhaps reminiscing something. Things were awkward for a while, and Fuuko felt a little uncomfortable.

 Say something, Fuuko thought. “Umm… you know, I’m kinda disappointed that Raiha didn’t show up at the party tonight,” she said. “I mean, I was kinda hoping—”

 “Yeah, I know what you’re hoping,” Tokiya said.

 Uh…okay. Fuuko sighed. Could this get any worse? Come on, say something else. “Um. Yeah, well. Maybe, you know, he has a girlfriend or something? What do you think?”

 “What do you care what I think?”

 “Ugh! What is with you? You know what?” Fuuko exclaimed, exasperated. “I give up. I give up trying to talk to you—you’re just hopeless, you know that?” With that, Fuuko stormed and walked away from Tokiya.

 “You know… Those stars reminded me of someone.”

 What? Fuuko thought, stopping at her tracks. She turned to Tokiya, who’s still looking at the stars. “Like who?”

 “Mifuyu…”

 Drat. Shouldn’t have asked him that. Fuuko sighed. “You have to get over her, Mi-chan. She’s gone. You know who the killer is—and the killer is dead, isn’t he? Come on, Mi-chan. You can’t go on with life just thinking about Mifuyu all the time. It’s just…not right.”

 Tokiya sighed. “I appreciated you saying that, Fuuko.” He shook his head. “But unfortunately, someone like you wouldn’t understand what I felt like.”

 “What’s that supposed to mean?” Fuuko asked him, trying to keep her cool. “You don’t even know what I went through, Mikagami.”

 Tokiya just looked at her with ice-cold eyes. “Hmmm” was all that he muttered.

 Inside, Fuuko was enraged, but outside, she kept her cool. “Hmmm, huh? Look, Mikagami, we all know what your story is—and we are bored of it, okay? I mean, like, we totally support you and all, but we just don’t really like it when you mop around and just keep all the things to yourself, okay? We have our problems, but you don’t see us keeping it to ourselves.”

 Tokiya looked at Fuuko. “You’re not exactly the kind of girl who can keep something to herself.” Then as simple as that, he looked back at the stars.

 “Nanii?! Wait a minute, wait a minute! Repeat that again, please?”

 “I said—”

 “Okay, I know what you said, but it just doesn’t make sense yet in my mind, oh wait; now it does.” Fuuko fumed. “Are you telling me that I’m a busybody, that I’m a too-loud girl?”

 “Well…”

 “Okay, you know what?” Fuuko just threw her hands up in the air. “Fine. Whatever. I don’t care what you do anymore—go on, mop around about Mifuyu all year, all decade, all century, for all I care! I have more things to worry about.” She turned on her heels (not her heels or anything, but…oh, you know what I mean) and walked from Tokiya. “I’m sorry I even tried to talk to you—I’m sorry I even bother!”

 Tokiya just sighed. “It’s true what they say, I really am an Ice Man.”

***

“I just don’t get him,” Fuuko said to herself. “What is wrong of letting go of the bitter memories? That’s all I can think about!” While muttering, she washed her daily shirts and hanged them on the dryer. “Whatever. I don’t care. For all I care, he can go and kill himself—not like it’ll bring any changes in the Hokage Team. He’s been so silent, so intelligent, so rich, so icy!”

 “Jeez, Fuuko, why don’t you say that louder so the whole world can hear it?”

 Fuuko spun around to see Mikagami at the doorway of the washing room. “What…what are you doing here?” Embarrassed by being caught speaking to herself, she added, “How did you get in?!”

 “Picked the lock with my ensui,” Mikagami said, shrugging as if it was no big deal.

 “Nanii ten yo?! Are you crazy? You baka! You could be a potential thief, you know that?!” Fuuko said, enraged. Then she realized that she was wearing nothing but the towel wrapping her body. “Oh, okay? You know what? This is a bad time. I just came out of the showers—I don’t need this. I need to cool down.”

 “I believe I can do that for you, being the Ice Man that I am,” Mikagami said, smirking.

 “Shove it,” Fuuko said, shoving her way pass him to her bedroom and locked the door. “And don’t try picking at it with your ensui, you pervert!”

 “Heh, as if I want to.” The tone was casual, yet mocking. What is up with this guy?!

 “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Fuuko shook her head. She dressed herself up in her casual attire and got out of her bedroom. She faced Mikagami and asked him, “Okay. What do you want?”

 “I just want to say sorry,” Mikagami said. “Seriously, you shouldn’t have made any efforts of trying to help me. People failed in doing that for me.”

 “Oh, sorry for trying.” Fuuko just rolled her eyes and walked to her front door. “Now if that’s it, you can happily go on to your own house.”

 “Okay. You sure you’re forgiving me?”

 “Since when do you care?” Fuuko asked him, smirking as he got out of her house. Before he could speak anymore, Fuuko slammed the door in his face, smiling to herself.