MIDNIGHT ILLUSION II

In a supermarket located in the center of the city, Tsuzuki happily stood at the sampling counter as the promoter stared starry-eyed at the important and droolsome Tsuzuki-sama of the Sacred Forest. He devoured the small bite-sized pieces of cake as the promoter handed him one after another.

Jin appeared beside Tsuzuki, pushing a trolley. "Tsu-chan...er...I think that's enough...let's go! We got shopping to do..."

Tsuzuki stubbornly moved along to the next sampling counter along the alley and bedazzled another promoter who hurriedly gave him all the cupcakes on the tray.

Yue came along, zapped Tsuzuki several metres away from the sampling counters and glared, "Be thankful I didn't remove you bodily!"

Tsuzuki pouted as he finally consented to troop along with the group as they strolled up and down the supermarket alleys to all the disbelieving stares of the other ordinary Sacred Foresters.

Whispers and fingers jabbed at the foursome as they discussed what to buy. Ran studied a can of tuna with great interest while Tsuzuki stared fixedly at a packet of ready-to-bake cakes. Jin obligingly lifted the packet of cakes and placed them into the trolley.

"Now, concentrate on our purpose!" he whispered to Tsuzuki who was movements away from giving Jin a tight hug of thanks.

Yue uneasily avoided the gaze of the many other shoppers as he stood behind a pillar while picking out the best brand of pasta. He grumbled a little about "being too eye-catching.." and rummaged through a shelf of cans while Ran chose the ham at the Cold Meat section.

~*~

It was four relieved guys who walked their way to the silver station wagon carrying large shopping bags full of groceries.

"Whew, what a tight squeeze..." Ran meant the queue and crowd. He got into the driver's seat and the 4 were on their way back to the Wicked Mansion at the edge of the city.

"Whose good idea was it again to cook for our Himes?" Tsuzuki blinked a little.

"Erm...well, I thought we could pamper them sometimes...?" Jin grinned.

"Oh good! I love cooking!" Tsuzuki beamed gaily.

Yue turned slightly green and white as he remarked casually, "Say, Tsuzuki, why don't you entertain the girls while we do the cooking?

Tsuzuki stared at Yue in slight hurt, "Yue-chan...why??"

Ran gave an apologetic chuckle, "We could all do with healthy bowels..."

Tsuzuki was a picture of a disappointed child as he sulked a little in his seat and refused to talk to the rest anymore despite Jin's continuous gentle prodding.

~*~

Jigs was engrossed in her detective novel as she laid calmly on a recliner. Fila on the other hand was looking all sleepy as she moved her pencil across the blank paper expertly. Keax as usual was resting on the couch while surfing the Internet on her Titanium powerbook aimlessly.

There was a polite knock on the Tango lounge door. Fila called, "Come in."

Peter bowed as he informed, "Tsuzuki-sama, Yue-sama, Ran-sama and Jin-sama are back."

Jigs' head jerked up from her book and Fila stood up abruptly. Keax closed the laptop, handed it to Peter who bowed the three out of the lounge.

Fila, Jigs and Keax stood at the Main Hall, staring incredulously as servants and maids hastened to help unload the bags in the station wagon. The 4 bishies stepped out of the car and went up the stairs.

"Where did you guys go?!" Jigs asked in surprise as Yue and Ran hugged her.

Tsuzuki was still rather unhappy as he sought comfort in clutching Fila tightly and lamenting, "They wouldn't let me cook!"

Keax blinked and looked up at Jin who smiled, "We're gonna cook for you girls!"

~*~

The crowd of 7 gathered at the massive kitchens of the Mansion. After everything was taken out and stored Yue gestured to Tsuzuki, hinting him to lead the girls somewhere so the rest could cook. However, Tsuzuki grinned in mischief as he snapped his fingers and the rest found themselves out of the kitchens' large metal swinging doors. The doors were bolted shut and Ran hammered at the doors in exasperation.

Tsuzuki's muffled voice came as he called in delight, "You guys go relax and get ready to sample a magnificent feast~!"

Fila shook her head in resignation as she stopped the rest, "Maybe we should give him a chance..."

Keax agreed sort of reluctantly as she yelled, "Hoei, Tsu-kun! Remember to set the computerized recipe-generator on!"

Tsuzuki's affirmation came again. Jigs tugged the shirts of her bishies gently, "Miracle perhaps?"

The remaining 6 made their way doubtfully to the rest area in the Riqche dining hall.