Title: Candy is Always the AnswerAuthor: DarkOuters7E-mail: DarkOuters7@yahoo.comRating: PG-13 I think Hi! This is the sequel to Shopping is Always theAnswer and I think you should read thatbefore reading this. It is possible to read this onealone, but it would be better if you read theother one first. Anyways, I don’t own any of thecharacters except the Mall Ghost. So read andemail me with comments and complaints and whatevers. Sunshine flooded through the window of Haruka’s room,and she sat up, yawned, andstretched. She looked beside her, and saw that Michiruwas gone. She’s probably downstairs,having tea with Setsuna, Haruka thought. She slowlygot out of bed, and started getting dressed.********************************************************** “Setsuna, I must ask a favor of you,” Michiru said. “Oh, what is it?” Setsuna asked. “Seiya and I are going to the mall today. He asked meto help him pick out a gift forHaruka since her birthday is coming up. Well, I knowthat he and Haruka have promised to befriends, but I know Haruka, and I know she’ll bejealous, and she’ll want to come along. If youdon’t mind, could you keep her busy just for today?”Michiru asked. “Of course,” Setsuna said, glad to have someone stayat home with her. Hotaru had leftyesterday to spend the next few nights at the templewith Rei. “Good morning everyone,” Haruka said as she walkedinto the kitchen. She pouredherself a cup of tea and plopped down on the seat nextto Michiru. “Good morning,” Setsuna and Michiru saidsimultaneously. “It’s going to be a lovely day,” Haruka noted,staring out the window, “we should go for adrive to the beach,” she suggested. “I’d love to, but I’m busy today,” Michiru said. “Oh?” Haruka asked, surprised. “Yes,” Michiru said. DING DONG “I wonder who that could be?” Haruka asked. “I’ll getit,” she said as she leaped up fromher chair. “Hi!” she exclaimed as she opened the door to seeSeiya standing there. “Hey,” Seiya said. He and Haruka were on good termsnow, and he was really happyabout that. Haruka was a really cool person if shewasn’t your enemy. “Come in,” Haruka said leading him in. “What are youdoing here?” “Oh, is Michiru here?” Seiya asked. “Oh,” Haruka said, the look on her face gettingsuspicious. “Let me get her...” “Michiru, darling,” Haruka called out, emphasizingthe “darling”, “Seiya’s here to seeyou.” “Oh, I’m coming. Hi!” she greeted as she saw Seiya. “Are you ready?” Seiya asked her. “Ready for what?” Haruka asked, positioning herselfbetween Seiya and Michiru. “Seiya’s taking me to the mall today,” Michiru said,“I’ll be back this afternoon.” “Wait one minute! He is taking you no such place, andif he is, I’m coming!” Harukashouted. “Actually, Haruka, darling,” Michiru said,emphasizing the darling, “we are going alone.I’ll see you later, bye” she said as she gave Haruka alittle kiss on the check and waltzed out thedoor. “But...” Haruka said as the door slammed in her face.She scrambled to find her jacketand shoes. She would follow them to see what they weredoing. Just as she was about to makeher way outside, Setsuna called out, “Haruka, comehere please!” “SIGH! I’m coming!” Haruka called out as she joggedover to Setsuna’s room. “Yes?” She walked in to see around 10 photo albums lying onSetsuna’s bed. “I think it’s about time we organized our photos,”Setsuna said. “Oh, I would really like to, but I’m busy,” Harukasaid quickly. As she turned around tomake her exit, Setsuna grabbed her arm, “But thephotos really need organizing,” Setsuna said,glaring at Haruka. “Ok, ok ok ok.” Haruka said as she plopped down onthe bed.************************************************* “Well, thanks for helping me find a present for her,”Seiya said. “No problem,” Michiru said. “I’m really gonna get it, aren’t I? Haruka was somad...” Seiya shivered at the thought ofHaruka being angry . “I’ll talk to her, don’t worry. And since we’re here,I hope you don’t mind if I look around abit?” Michiru asked. “Oh, no of course not,” Seiya said. Anything to keephim from facing Haruka.***************************************** “Oh, Hotaru looks so kawaii in this picture!” Setsunaexclaimed as she waved it inHaruka’s face. “Yes, she does,” Haruka said. I can’t take itanymore! Haruka shouted within herself. She stood up and said through clenched teeth, “I really need to leave now.” “But...” Setsuna started. Before she could finish,Haruka had raced down the steps.Setsuna ran after her and jumped into the car rightbefore it was going to leave the driveway. “Can I come?” she asked. “Sure,” Haruka said. *********************************************** “Oh dear,” Michiru said, “the zippers stuck,” shesaid as she pointed to a zipper on theback of a dress she had tried on. “If you don’tmind...” “Oh,” Seiya said, his face turning as red as anapple, “I really don’t think I should.” “Oh no, not that,” Michiru started, her face turningthe same shade as his, “just can youget it unstuck? That’s all,” “Oh, well that would be ok. Step out of the dressingroom for a second,” Seiya asked. Hetugged at the zipper. It really was stuck. ************************************************ Haruka was speed walking through all the stores,looking for any sign of Michiru orSeiya. Setsuna was doing her best to keep up. Just asHaruka was about to leave a store, shesaw Seiya unzipping Michiru’s dress.****************************** “There...I...” Seiya started to say but he couldn’tfinish. He was tackled to the floor. Helooked up to see Haruka about to punch him. “I knew I couldn’t trust you! WHY WERE YOU TRYING TOUNDRESS MYMICHIRU?!?!?! You thing!!!!” Haruka shouted. Haruka was blind with rage, and she couldn’t seewhere she was punching. She totallymissed Seiya, and hit a manikin instead. It fell ontopof them. “Get off him, Haruka!” Michiru shouted, trying topull the two apart. No one was comingto her aid because they were off in a corner of thedepartment store, and no one happened to bein that area. Michiru picked up the manikin and threwit, not knowing where. “Ouch!” Setsuna cried as it hit her. “What in theworld is going on here?” she panted.She had finally caught up with Haruka. “Help me get them away from eachother!” Michirushouted desperately. She managed toget Haruka off of Seiya, and Setsuna helped Seiya up. “Let me at him! Let me at him!” Haruka cried,struggling to get out of Michiru’s arms. “Calm down, Haruka. Let me explain,” Michiru said. “What is there to explain? He was trying to undressyou. AGAIN!” Haruka shouted. “No he wasn’t. My zipper was stuck and he was tryingto get it unstuck, that’s all,” Michirusaid. “Oh,” Haruka said, still suspicious. “Are you ok?” Setsuna asked Seiya. “Ya, I’m fine. She missed me,” Seiya said. “I think you should apologize, Haruka,” Michiru said. “I’m sorry,” Haruka said sarcastically, glaring atSeiya. “Well, be glad you hit like a girl, or else I wouldbe dead!” Seiya said. “Why you?!?! I do not hit like a girl! Would you likeme to demonstrate?” Haruka askedas she attempted to lunge forward and punch Seiya.Michiru held her back. “Stop it! If you two don’t settle down, we might getin trouble! Now, I want to stay, but ifyou two misbehave one more time, we’ll all go home!”Michiru said. Silently, they all walked out of the store. As theywere walking they saw Taiki and Yaten. “Hey,” Yaten called out. “Fancy seeing you here.” “Hi,” Michiru said. “What are you two doing here?” “Well, we just wanted to check out some sales,” Yatensaid. “We need to be on our way,” Taiki said, “but if youguys want, we can meet you at theCafe by the park around 8.” “Sure, that’ll be great,” Seiya said thinking, Safetyin numbers. “Ok. Bye then! See you later!” Yaten called out as heand Taiki walked away. They wandered through some more stores, and then theydecided it was time to leave.As they were walking towards the exit, Haruka realizedSetsuna was missing. “Hey, wait a minute,” Haruka said. “Where’s Setsuna?” “Hugh? I don’t know,” Michiru said sounding worried. They retraced their steps, and saw Setsuna in thecandy store. She was running around,her eyes shining like a child’s. “Candy! Candy!” sheshouted as she ran through the store. The mall will close in 5 minutes, an overhead voicecalled out. “Oh, Setsuna, we should be going,” Haruka saidnervously, thinking of what hadhappened last time.The mall will close in 4 minutes. “I want candy!” Setsuna declared. “Ok, we’ll get you some,” Seiya said. He didn’t wantto think about what had happenedlast time he had heard the overhead voice. “We don’t have time, sweetie,” Michiru said, usingher sweet, gentle voice. “Don’t call me sweetie! I’m not a baby!” Setsunasaid. “But I want candy!”The mall will close in 3 minutes. “No, come on!” Haruka said as she started to dragSetsuna out of the store. “No!” Setsuna shouted as she planted her feet firmlyon the ground.The mall will close in 2 minutes. “Oh, no! Oh, no!” Seiya said starting to panic. Hegrabbed Setsuna by the hand andstarted dragging her out.The mall will close in 1 minute. “NO, I don’t wanna go! I want candy!” Setsunashouted.Good-bye. The lights blinked out, and then the overhead lightsturned on. Setsuna stood there for aminute, shocked, but then ran to the candy bins andsampled every kind of candy there was, herface looking as content as ever. “It’s ok. It’s ok. I’m ok. We’ll be ok. Everythingwill be ok,” Seiya was chanting to himself. “Calm down. Calm down. There is no such thing asghosts. There is no such thing asghosts,” Haruka started repeating. Seiya joined in and they chanted together. “Be quiet!” Michiru shouted. “It’s ok. Let’s get toan exit, we know where they are thistime,” Michiru said. After quite a while, they gotSetsuna out and started towards an exit. “Hey, wait a minute. We’re supposed to meet Taiki andYaten at the Cafe. When theysee we aren’t there, they will realize we’re in here!”Haruka said with a sigh of relief. “Uh, you spoke a bit too soon,” Michiru said. Haruka looked ahead of her, and who did she see butnone other than Taiki and Yatenthemselves. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” she shouted. “Well, hi to you, too,” Yaten said. “You guys are stuck in here also?” Setsuna askeddisappointedly. She had regained hernormal mind, and she knew what kind of situation theywere in. “Ya,” Yaten said, “Taiki just had to go to thetextbook store,” Yaten said as he glared atTaiki. “I’m sorry. Don’t get mad at me just because I wantto be smart, and perfect. Well wait, Iam smart and perfect. Hehehe,” Taiki said. “We were hoping you guys would realize we were stuckin here when we didn’t show upat the Cafe,” Yaten said. “Same here,” Haruka said. “Well, let’s find an exit together,” Seiya said.Safety in numbers, he was still thinking. After a few minutes of trudging along silently, Taikiattempted to break the silence. “This is major deja-vu you guys,” he said. “Shut-up!” they all shouted at him. “Sorry,” he said. They walked along in silence for a few more minutes. “Oh great,” Seiya groaned. “What?” Setsuna asked. “It’s another two day holiday,” he sighed. “WHY ME?!?! WHY?!?!” Yaten exclaimed to the ceiling. “It’s ok. We’ve gone through this before,” Michirucalled out. “Well, this is better than guarding the Gates,”Setsuna said. “I think we should just all go to sleep,” Taiki said,yawning. “Good idea,” Michiru said. They walked over to wherethey had slept before, and each ofthem picked a bed.************************************************ It seemed like hours had passed, but only a fewminutes had passed while Haruka lay onher bed. Everyone was asleep, or so she thought.Suddenly, she had to use the restroom. She slowly climbed off her bed, and tip-toed over tothe nearest bathroom, warily lookingaround her as she walked. When she was done, she wasmaking her way over to the store whereeveryone was sleeping when she saw a familiar light. Remember me, my dear old friendI told you we would meet againand now we have, and the time is rightOh, this is such a delight! Haruka stood there, frozen to the ground. She staredas the Mall Ghost flew towards her,and at the last possible second, she broke out into arun. She ran all the way down to the otherend of the mall, and as she was looking back behindher, she bumped into someone, and theyboth fell with a thump to the ground. “AHHH!” Haruka shouted. “Haruka?” the person asked. “Seiya?” Haruka said, recognizing the voice, “Whatare you doing all the way downhere?” “I needed a sweater, so I decided to get one from theSweater Store.” “Oh,” then she remembered about the Mall Ghost,“AHH!” she screamed again. “WHAT?!??!” Seiya asked, panicking. “The Mall Ghost!” Haruka screamed. “Come on!” Seiya shouted as he got off the floor andran towards the direction which theMall Ghost was coming. “NO! Not that way!!!!!!!!” Haruka screamed. Seiya realized that he was going the wrong directiononly a second in time. Hescreeched to a halt, turned around, and came speedingdown towards Haruka, arms flailingwildly. “AHHH!” They both screamed in unison as they rantowards the end of the mall. Theycame to a dead end. “What are we gonna do?” Seiya said hysterically. “We’re gonna die,” Haruka shouted. “What in the name of Time is going on here?” Setsunaasked as she saw Seiya andHaruka running in wild circles around eachother. “Oh, Setsuna!” Seiya said as he flung himself ontoher. “Save us!” Haruka cried as she clung onto Seiya. “Calm down. Get off me!” Setsuna said. “Now, what’sthe matter?” “The Mall Ghost!” Seiya wailed. “I don’t see a Mall Ghost,” Setsuna stated calmly. “Ithink you two need to get somesleep, come on,” she said as she led them towards thestore everyone else was sleeping in. “You two were making so much noise,” Setsuna said,but she realized they weren’tfollowing. She looked behind her and saw that they were huggingeachother in fear. “Now what’s wrong?” she asked. Haruka was staring intently at the Mall Ghost who wasjust infront of Setsuna. “Watch out! It’s the Mall Ghost!” Seiya shouted. Setsuna whirled around and saw empty air. “I don’tsee anything,” she said hesitantly. “It disappeared,” Haruka whispered. She and Seiyalooked around in awe, like twochildren who had entered a toy store. They thenrecovered and Haruka said, “Well of course itdisappeared. It always disappears when someone otherthan Seiya or myself comes around it.” “Hey, is this the ghost that Michiru told me you werehallucinating last time you werestuck in the mall?” Setsuna asked. “Yes, that’s it!” Seiya exclaimed. “Do you believeus?” Setsuna thought for a moment and then replied, “No.” “No one believes me!” Seiya wailed. “Does this looklike the face of a person who wouldlie to you?” he asked Setsuna as he made his face asinnocent looking as possible. Setsuna glanced at Seiya and starting laughing.“We’re going back, you guys, come on.” They all walked towards the store, and as quietly aspossible, got into their beds. Haruka tried with all her might to stay awake, butshe was exhausted, and soon she fellinto a deep sleep.************************************************ She opened her eyes, and she saw the sunlight comingthrough the window. She saweveryone was awake and they were groggily walkingaround. “Good morning,” she mumbled. “Hi,” Taiki mumbled. “Was I talking to you?” Haruka asked. “Uhhhh...” Taiki said thinking about it. “No, I wasn’t. Good morning everyone but Taiki,”Haruka said. “Good morning,” Michiru replied. “Oh no!” Yaten exclaimed, “where’s Setsuna?” “To the candy store!” Seiya shouted as he ran pastthe sleepy bunch. They all did their best to keep up with him, and theyall reached the candy store out ofbreath. They stopped and looked around, and notsurprisingly, there was Setsuna, sitting infrontof the gummy worm bin, pigging out like there was notomorrow. “Setsuna, slow down there,” Taiki said. “Zheesh ura freliciosh!” Setsuna exclaimed. “What?!?” Haruka asked. Setsuna chewed, swallowed, and tried again, “Theseare delicious!” “Mind if I join you?” Yaten asked. “Pig out!” Setsuna invited. They all lunged forward,and started to eat their hearts out.Half an Hour later:Everyone lay across the floor of the shop, groaningand clutching their stomachs. “Hmmmmmmmmmmuhmmmmmmmmgmmmm,” Haruka groaned. “BURP!!!!!” Taiki burped. “How disgusting!” Michiru exclaimed wrinkling hernose, “say excuse me!” shecommanded. “Excuse me,” Taiki said rolling his eyes. “I agree with her,” Yaten said, “you are disgusting.” “You’re a big cockroach, that’s what you are! Andlying there on that floor makes youlook like a dead cockroach!” Seiya said, hiccupingwith laughter. “I agree!” Haruka said. Everyone started laughing, and Setsuna was laughinghardest of all. “This is the best time I’ve ever had!” Setsunaexclaimed. Everyone groaned. “Try going through this twice,” Haruka said, “andwith an insane ghost trying to kill you.” “Haruka, please, you’re making me worry,” Michirusaid, “let’s forget about this ghost andhave fun, ok?” “But I try to forget, the ghost doesn’t forgetthough, it keeps coming!” She exclaimed. “And it tries to kill us!” Seiya added. “Let’s forget about this ghost business!” Yatencommanded, ”I’ve had enough of it! Now,let’s have fun!” “Yes, let’s!” Setsuna said. They walked around themall, going in every store, trying onclothes. They spent their day having fun, and Seiya and Harukawere both beginning to forgetabout the Mall Ghost. Everyone was exhausted afterthe fun-filled day, and they all eagerly wentto bed awaiting the next day which they knew would bemore fun than even this day was. *********************** Haruka’s eyes flew open, and she blinked severaltimes into the darkness. She had asudden urge to go eat some more candy, so she tip-toedout of the store. Seiya had been awake, and he saw Haruka get up andwalk out. I wonder where she’sgoing, he thought, I better go after her so shedoesn’t get into any trouble. He got up andfollowed Haruka. After a while, it became apparent that she washeading in the direction of the candystore. Seiya decided he felt like eating candy too,and was about to call out to her, but suddenlyshe had disappeared. Where did she go? Seiya asked himself. He wandered into the candy store and heard a faintpounding on the wall. He whirledaround in a circle, checking to see if the Mall Ghostwas there but he didn’t see any faint glowinglight. “Let me out!” he heard Haruka’s voice call out. Hecould hardly hear it, but he moved tothe direction of the pounding, which was behind thegumboil bin. “Is that you Haruka?” Seiya asked. “Yes!” he heard a faint reply, “Now let me out!” “How?” “Reach down to the very bottom of the gumball bin andpush, but jump back so...” butshe couldn’t finish. Seiya reached into the bin, pushed, and the wallswiftly opened and pushed him into adimly lit room. There were a few torches on the wall,and he could hear the soft drip-drip onwater hitting the stone ground. Haruka stood just afew feet away from him, fighting the urge tostrangle him. “You idiot!” Haruka shouted, “I told you to standback!” “Oops, I’m so sorry,” Seiya apologized. Haruka justglared at him, “Don’t hurt me!” Seiyabegged cowering in a corner. “Well, I would, but then I would have no one to helpme get out. Who knows when theothers will realize we’re stuck in a secret room inthe candy store.” “We’re dead for sure!” Seiya wailed. “Just don’t say anything, so we can hear if theycome!” Haruka ordered. They both stoodthere, leaning against the wall, for two hours. “Is it morning yet?” Seiya whispered. “Shut-up!” Haruka shouted. Seiya did as he was told. Another hour passed by, and then they could hearvoices approaching. “I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts, diddelydiddley, there they are all standing in arow...bum bum bum..” they heard Taiki singing. “Shut-up!” they heard Yaten yell. “Oh, where could they be?” Michiru asked worriedly. “In here!” Haruka shouted. “Did you hear something?” Setsuna asked. “...Big ones, small ones....” Taiki started again. “Shut-up!” Yaten shouted. “It’s me! Haruka!” Haruka shouted. “Haruka?” Michiru asked, “Where are you?” “In the wall by the gumball bin!” Haruka shoutedback. She and Seiya could heareveryone walk over to the wall. “How did you get in the gumball bin?” Taiki asked. “We’re not in the gumball bin, stupid,” Seiyashouted, “We’re in the wall behind thegumball bin.” “Oh,” Taiki said sheepishly. “How did you get in there?” Michiru asked. “Just reach into the gumball bin and push, but...”Haruka started but her voice wasblocked out by Taiki’s singing. “Some as big as your head!” Taiki shouted as Harukawas telling them to jump backwhen they pushed the bottom. “Ok!” Yaten shouted as he pushed the bottom and incame Yaten, Taiki, Setsuna, andMichiru, and as quickly as it had opened, the doorclosed. “Oh, no!” Seiya cried out. “Haruka you’re safe!” Michiru said as she ran intoher arms. “Ya, I’m here, don’t worry,” Haruka reassuredMichiru. Then she stepped back andshouted to everyone but Michiru and Seiya, “Didn’t youhear me tell you to jump back?” “No...” Yaten said, “Taiki was singing!” Everyone glared at Taiki, and he said, “If lookscould kill, I’d majorly be dead.” “You will be dead, and so will all of us if we don’tget out of here!” Yaten shouted. “Hey, calm down,” Setsuna said, “we are senshi afterall, let’s just blast out of here.” “Good idea!” Michiru exclaimed. “Uranus Planet Power, Make-up!” “Neptune Planet Power, Make-up!” “Pluto Planet Power, Make-up!” “Fighter Star Power, Make-up!” “Healer Star Power, Make-up!” “Maker-Star Power, Make-up!” They all transformed. “World Shaking!” they blast hitthe door and died out. Sailor Uranus just stared dumb-founded at the door.“How..but why...” “I’ll try!” StarMaker shouted, “Star Gentle Uterus!”the attack didn’t even get to the doorbefore it was put out. “Haha, retard,” Sailor Uranus laughed. “Let’s try all together,” Sailor Neptune suggested. “Ok,” Star Healer said. “World Shaking!” “Deep Submerge!” “Dead Scream!” “Star Serious Laser!” “Star Sensitive Inferno!” “Star Gentle Uterus!” They watched as the big joint attack hit the wall andsimply vanished. “We’re dead,” Star Fighter squeaked. “Maybe there’s another way out,” Sailor Plutosuggested. “Oh, come on!” Sailor Uranus said, “we defeatedMistress Nine and all those otherpeople, we can’t lose to a...a...wall...!” “Actually, I think we can,” Sailor Neptune said. “Let’s untransform and just look for a way out,” StarFighter suggested. “But...” before Sailor Uranus could object everyonehad untransformed, and she did too. “Wait a minute...” Yaten started, “there is no doorhere, it’s just a room.” “Oh,” everyone said, realizing that it was just aroom. “Well, maybe there’s a secret passage in the secretroom,” Taiki suggested. “ I wonder how long it’ll take them to realize wecould just teleport out of here,” Setsunapondered to herself, “ Oh, well. I’ll let them figureit out. I’m having fun for once, anyway.” “Hey, you might be right for once,” Yaten said. Hestarted walking around pushing all theblocks of stone. “Help me, you guys,” he said. Sooneveryone was helping, but after pushing allthe blocks, there was no secret passage to be found.“SIGH!” Taiki exclaimed as he ploppeddown on the ground. The floor beneath him opened, andhe fell down without as much as ascream. “Let’s follow him!” Seiya yelled as he jumped intothe hole. “Michiru, I won’t let you, you’ll get hurt,” Harukasaid. “No, I won’t,” Michiru said and she jumped in. “Sigh,” Haruka said as she jumped in after her. She landed on top of Michiru. “Ow!” Michiru yelped as Haruka fell on her. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Haruka apologized. “It’s ok,” Michiru said, “I like it when you’re ontop of me.” Teardrop on everyone. Seiya cleared his throat and said, “Well..uh...as youcan all see, we’re in a hall it lookslike, so we should just wander around and check thisplace out.” “Ok, good plan,” Haruka said as she got up and helpedMichiru up. She dusted herselfoff, and started after Seiya. They trooped down thehall, taking twists and turns, but soon theyended up right where they started. “This place looks majorly familiar,” Taiki said. A groan was heard from among the group. “What are we going to do?” Seiya asked. Setsuna, who had kept quiet the whole time, said,“Maybe, we should take a differentroute, and mark our trail with...” and she walked overto Taiki and grabbed from his pocket andsaid, “gummy worms.” “But what if we need food, and all of it is laying onthis disgusting dirty, stone floor?”Taiki wailed. “We have food, don’t worry,” Michiru said. “Oh, ya?” Taiki asked. “Don’t doubt my Michiru!” Haruka shouted as sheraised her fist about to punch Taiki. “Wait,” Haruka said lowering her fist, “do we?” “Well,” Michiru started, “I do have...” and shepulled out of the pockets of her skirt 10bags full of a variety of candy. Setsuna’s mouth watered. “Hey, if you have so much candy, why don’t we useyours to drop on the floor?” Taikiasked. “Hey, are you trying to steal my Michiru’s food?”Haruka asked. “Uh...noo...of course not,” Taiki squeaked. “Good,” Haruka said grabbing the gummy worms fromTaiki’s hand, “come on,” and theyall followed Haruka through the halls. After an hour of walking they came back to they roomthey had started in, again. “How the hell did we get here again?” Haruka askedmurder in her eyes. She scanned the room, looking at the clueless faces,until her eyes rested on Taiki’sface. Guilt was written all over it. “Taiki!” Haruka screamed. “I was hungry and I ate some of the gummy worms..” hesaid in a speedy sentence. “Some!??!?! Some!?!?!” Try all!!” Haruka shouted,“You huge fat ugly cockroach!” shespit out. “I’m sorry. Spare me Oh Mighty Haruka! Spare me!”Taiki begged as he kneeled infrontof Haruka. Haruka glared at him, stepped on his hand, and walkedaway. “So, any ideas?” Seiya asked. “I wanna go home!” Taiki cried out as he held up hishand. “Shut-up!” Yaten shouted. “I think we should try onemore time, anyone up for it?” “I am because standing around here is going to do usany good,” Michiru said. “I agree,” Haruka said, “Come on,” and she walkedaway. Seiya followed as fast as he could, but he wasfascinated by the ancient secret passage.He would slow down every once in a while to take agood look at his surroundings. One time, hedidn’t start walking until it was too late. “Uh-oh,”he said out loud to himself, “where did everyonego?” He looked ahead and saw the hall empty as if noone had ever walked through it before. “This is not good! This is definitely not good!”Seiya started running through the halls, butthere were so many twists and turns that he lost hissense of direction. He slowed down anddecided that while he was by himself, he might as welllook around.... Meanwhile, back with everyone else.... It took them ten minutes before Setsuna said,“Seiya’s gone.” Haruka jumped around and looked at everyone, wearingthe same puzzled expression aseveryone else. “Let’s retrace our steps,” Michiru suggested, “Maybehe remembered the rule to hug atree and stay put if you get lost.” “There are no trees here,” Taiki statedmatter-of-factly. “Well, duh!” Yaten said. “She said thatmetaphorically.” “Well, do you think he would have followed the rule?”Setsuna asked. Yaten and Taiki looked at eachother and said, “No.” “Sigh, one more problem to add to our many!” Harukaexclaimed. “Well, we can’t just leave him behind,” Michiru said. “I know, we’ll go find him,” Haruka said, and theystarted retracing their steps. Back with Seiya... Seiya walked through the halls at his own leisurelypace examining all the old walls. Hedidn’t know why, but old walls were fascinating tohim. Suddenly, he felt the presence of a dimlight behind him. He turned around and there, beforehim stood, the Mall Ghost. I see your lost and all aloneYou have no way to find your homeWhy, then, don’t you come with me?We’ll have fun, you’ll see! “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Seiya screamed as he ran forhis life. Back with the others.... “Oh, where oh where can Seiya be? OH where oh wherecan he be?” Taiki sang. “Can’t you just shut-up for one second?” Yatenshouted, “One measly second????” “Ok.” Taiki said then, “He’s got long black hair andhe’s...” “SHUTUP!!!!!!!!!” Yaten shouted at the top of hislungs. When he stopped shouted,everyone could still hear someone yelling. They saw a running figure coming towards them, and asit came closer, they saw it wasSeiya. “Run! It’s the Mall Ghost!” he screamed as he ranpast the group. Haruka broke out into a run right away. Everyonestared after them and saw nothingchasing them. “Haruka! Come back! There’s nothing there!” Michirushouted. “Let’s follow them before we lose them!” Yaten said.They all started running after them. ************************************ “Did we lose it?” Seiya said breathlessly. Haruka looked behind her and didn’t see the dimlight. “I think so,” she said. “We also lost something else. The group.” Seiyastated. “No! Another problem to add to our many problems!”Haruka said. “How many times do Isay that?” she asked herself. “Well, let’s just go look for them,” Seiya suggested. “Ok, I guess,” Haruka said forgetting about thehug-a-tree rule. They walked in silence for a while, then Seiyaexclaimed, “Look! A room! And it’s not theone we started from!” “Let’s check it out,” Haruka said. It looked simple enough, with a couch, a bed, atable, a chair, a t.v. and a fridge. “What if the Phantom of the Opera lives here?” Seiyaasked in awe. “You idiot, the Phantom of the Opera lives in theOpera,” Haruka stated. “Oh,” Seiya said disappointedly. “I’m so tired,” Haruka said during a yawn. “But we should look for the others,” Seiya said. “No, I’m just gonna take a nap,” Haruka said as shewalked towards the bed. “Well, I guess I will too,” Seiya said followingHaruka. “Wait one minute!” Haruka started, “this bed is notbig enough for the two of us, and onlyif you were to sleep on top of me,” Haruka and Seiyaboth shivered at the thought of that, “whichyou are not, you can sleep on the bed.” “But...” Seiya protested. “No buts. You go sleep on the couch!” Harukademanded. “Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeee,” Seiya sighed. He walked over to the couch, and even before he couldget his eyes closed, Haruka’ssnores filled the room. He lay wide-eyed on the couch,trying to fall asleep, but he just couldn’t. “Michiru...hehe...” Haruka murmured in her sleep. “Oh, great,” Seiya said out loud. “Oooh, that feels good, Michiru. More...” Harukacontinued, “I love you Michiru...hehe...Ican tell....you love me too....hehehe.” Seiya couldn’t take anymore so he marched over toHaruka and shook her until she wasawake. Haruka blinked several times until she could see aclear picture of Seiya standing overher. “You thing!!!” Haruka started. It was then Seiyarealized that what he had done was afatal mistake. “You woke me up!” “I’m sorry, but...” Seiya started as he slowly backedaway. “I was dreaming, you thing!!!!” Haruka said madly asshe stood up. “Yes, but you see, that was the problem. Yes it wasthe problem, because you see,um...your talking in your sleep made me unable to fallasleep and I don’t know what you weredreaming about, nor do I want to know, because well, Iguess you were enjoying it from thesounds of it, but you see, I was not enjoying it...”Seiya insanely rambled in terror. “Stop babbling! You are such a headache. I wasperfectly content in my dream world,and you had to bring me out of it!!!” Haruka said getcloser and closer to Seiya. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. So very sorry.Please...WAAAAAAAAAA” Seiya started wailing. If itworks for Taiki, it might work for me, Seiya thought. “You are such a crybaby! Wait until I tell Usagi...”Haruka said with an evil grin. The wailing stopped immediately. “Oh, no. Pleasedon’t. Pretty please with a cherry ontop?” Seiya asked. “I’ll think about it,” Haruka stated, “but as fornow, I have to hurt you.” Seiya stopped backing away and cowered in the spot hewas standing in. The blow didnot come. He looked up and saw Haruka staring at him. “I just can’t hurt you,” Haruka said. Seiya smiled,and started walking towards Haruka,and then, BAM, Haruka’s fist came flying into hisface. Seiya fell back and looked up at Haruka,“I thought you said you couldn’t hurt me,” Seiyawhined. “I forgot to finish. I can’t hurt you when you’recowering like you were. Besides, now youknow that I don’t hit like a girl.”****************************************************************** “Where can they be?” Yaten asked. “They’ll be ok. Haruka’s there and she’ll protectSeiya,” Michiru said. “We have to find them. We really need to get out ofthis place,” Taiki stated. “No, really? I thought we should stay in hereforever. At least that’s what I’m planning todo,” Yaten said sarcastically. “Oh, well I’m planning to get out of here,” Taikisaid not having caught the sarcasm. “I was being sarcastic you idiot!” Yaten shouted. “Oh,” Taiki said puzzled. “Ok, should we split up?” Setsuna asked. “Maybe that would be the best thing to do,” Michirusaid. “But what if we can’t find eachother?” Taiki whined. “We should take chances,” Yaten said. “Yes, we might run into eachother or we might not. Ifone of us gets out, then we couldget help or something,” Michiru said. “Maybe we could get Ami to get down here with hercomputer,” Setsuna suggested. “Ya. That’s a great idea. Ami could get us out!”Taiki exclaimed. “Someone has a crush on Ami,” Yaten said. “I do not!” Taiki stated. “Don’t deny it, Taiki. We all know what went onduring that study session you had withher,” Yaten said. Taiki blushed, but didn’t say anything. “I wonder what you two were studying,” Setsuna said,joining in with the fun. “Ok, that’s enough. Let’s split up,” Taiki saidtrying to change the subject. “Ok, I’ll go with Yaten,” Michiru said, “and Setsunaand Taiki go together.” “YES!!!” Yaten exclaimed, “NO MORE TAIKI. I’m sorrySetsuna. Good luck. Come on,”he said dragging Michiru behind him. “Ok, so where should we start?” Setsuna asked. “I don’t know. Let’s go this way,” Taiki saidpointing to a dark hallway. “Ok. I don’t think we’ve been that way before.”************************************* “Who lives down here, anyway?” Seiya asked. “I don’t know. Maybe...” Haruka started. “What?” Seiya asked. “Nothing. Nevermind.” “What?? What??? Tell me. Please?? No one ever tellsme anything!!” Seiya whined. “I was just thinking that...well nothing. It’sstupid,” Haruka said. “I won’t think it’s stupid and even if it is that’sok. Tell me! Please??” Seiya asked. “Maybe...” Haruka started. Who has stumbled upon my home?Who has invaded my privacy?Who dares to make me angry?Whoever you are, you shall be sorry! “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! The Mall Ghost lives here!!”Seiya shouted. “Run for your life!!!!!!” Haruka shouted. “It’s blocking the exit!!!!” Seiya shouted. “Is that you guys?” they heard a voice call out. TheMall Ghost vanished. “Setsuna?” Haruka called out. “We’re in the room thing!” Seiya shouted. “We found you! Cool!” Taiki exclaimed as he skippedinto the room. Haruka and Seiya both groaned. “Where’s everyone else?” Haruka asked. “We decided to split up,” Setsuna said. “Oh, then how are we going to find the others again?”Seiya asked. “It’s luck, bro. Pure luck,” Taiki said. “Ooooooooooooook then,” Seiya said. “What is this place?” Setsuna asked. “Its the home of the Mall Ghost!” Seiya exclaimed. “Ah, yes. The Mall Ghost,” Taiki said rolling hiseyes. “Oh, Setsuna!” Seiya said clinging on to her, “Yougotta believe me!” “I don’t think there’s a Mall Ghost,” Setsuna saidpushing Seiya off her. “We have to start looking for Yaten and Michiru,”Taiki said. “Yes, I hope my Michiru is all right,” Haruka saidworriedly. “She’s fine,” Setsuna said. “Ok, let’s just get away from this place!” Seiya saidas he started walking towards theexit. Everyone followed.********************************************* “How long have we been walking?” Yaten whined. “I don’t know,” Michiru said. “Have we been walkingin circles?” “I really don’t think so. This all looks different.If only we knew which way Setsuna andTaiki had gone, then maybe we could find them.” “I wonder if they found Haruka and Seiya yet,”Michiru asked. “Hopefully. Then we can focus on getting out of here.The mall’s probably open by now.” “Yes. All I want is to go home and be with Haruka,”Michiru said. *Teardrop* “Ahh, well..I need some sleep. We haven’thad sleep in like a long time.” “Maybe one day. I’m not sure,” Michiru said, “I’velost track of time. This is when weneed Setsuna.” “Hey, I think I see something up there!” Yatenexclaimed pointing ahead. “Haruka?” Michiru called out.******************************************************* “Did you hear something?” Taiki asked. “Haruka?” the faint voice called out. “Michiru??” Haruka said straining to hear the voice. “Haruka!” Michiru shouted as she ran in Haruka’sarms. “You’re safe!” Haruka said. “Where’s Yaten?” Seiya asked. “I’m here,” Yaten said as he ran up to the group. “Great! We’re all here. Now, let’s find an exit,”Setsuna said. “I have no idea where to start,” Haruka said. “What if there is no way out? What if we stay in hereand starve to death and eateachother and die and then haunt the halls and watchother people die just like us?” Taikiwhined. “Shut-up Taiki!” Yaten shouted, “If you have nothingintelligent to say, don’t sayanything at all.” “I always have something intelligent to say!” Taikistated. “You go ahead believing that,” Yaten said. “I will!” Taiki exclaimed. “Ok, back to business,” Yaten said ignoring Taiki,“what should we do?” “Hey, I know you’ll think I’m crazy, but...” Harukastarted. “What?” Michiru asked. “What if we ask the Mall Ghost how to get out?”Haruka suggested. “WHAT?!?! Have you gone insane!!!” Seiya shouted. “Well, it was an idea,” Haruka said defensively. “Haruka, there is no Mall Ghost. Please believe me,”Michiru said calmly. “Oh, but there is!” Haruka said. “Come on, let’s go this way,” Setsuna said ignoringHaruka. “We’ll never find a way out!” Yaten said. “Stop being so pessimistic!” Taiki shouted. “Sorry...” Yaten said.After walking for several more hours... “I’ve been walking in this hallway, all the livelongday...I’ve been walking in this hallwayjust to pass the time away...” Taiki sang. “Shut-up! Just please shut-up. For once in youdemented life shut-up!” Yaten begged. “But...” Taiki started, but he tripped and fellbefore he could finish. “Ouchy!” he exclaimed. “Hey, look. It’s a weird trapdoor thingy!” “Where?” everyone shouted as they crowded aroundTaiki. “Please, please, don’t get too close,” Taiki said. “Iknow you want to, but you’re invadingmy personal bubble.” “Show us the trap door!” Haruka shouted. “Ok, ok. It’s right here,” Taiki said pointing to adoor with a little metal doorknob attachedto it. “I’ll open it!” Haruka said as she tugged at thedoor. “It’s stuck!” she exclaimed. “Let me try,” Seiya said, “the trick is the turn thedoorknob before pulling,” and as he didso, the door came loose. Everyone peered through the opening. “Hey, how did we get above the mall?” Setsuna asked. “Above the mall?” Taiki asked puzzled. “Yes. This door is in the ceiling. If we drop down,we’d go right into Victoria’s Secret.,”Michiru said. “This is weird you guys, majorly weird,” Taiki said. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get out ofhere!” Seiya shouted. “We can’t just fall out of the ceiling for the wholestore to see. People are in there!”Yaten said. “Are you saying we wait until the mall closes?”Setsuna asked. “No, of course not!” Yaten exclaimed, “Let’s justwait for the area to clear up.” They waiting until the area they would jump into wasempty. “Ok, let’s go,” Haruka said. She jumped out andlanded on a manikin. Michiru jumpedout after her. “Haruka, that isn’t real,” Michirusaid. “What?” Haruka asked, then she saw the manikin shewas hugging, “Of course it isn’t. Ididn’t realize it was there.” and she quickly stoodup. Taiki jumped and fell on top of her. “Get off me you thing!” Haruka shouted as she pushedTaiki off of her. “Sorry,” Taiki said. Everyone jumped out, and theyall walked out of the store gettingonly a few weird stares. “Well, we made it!” Seiya exclaimed. “Finally! Freedom!” Yaten shouted. “I’m hungry,” Setsuna said, “Can we visit the candystore?” “Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo,” Haruka and Michiruboth shouted as theystarted walking towards the exit, dragging Setsunaalong. “It’s ok if we get stuck in the mall again, though,”Setsuna said. “What? Are you crazy?” Taiki shouted. “No. If we get stuck, we could just teleport out,”Setsuna stated calmly. No one said a word. “WHAT?!?!” Haruka said breaking the silence. “Are yousaying that you knew we couldteleport out the whole time, and you didn’t tell us?” “Yes,” Setsuna asked with a smile creeping across herface. “ARGHURGHARGH!” Taiki exclaimed yanking the hair fromhis head. “What...? But how...? Why...?” Seiya asked himself,puzzled. “I can’t believe this! I just can’t believe this!We’ve been stuck in this mall twice, andnone of us though of teleporting! Well, exceptSetsuna, that is, but she didn’t tell us!” Yatenshouted. No one spoke as they all stood still shocked attheir own stupidity. “This was very fun!” Setsuna exclaimed with delight,breaking the silence. Everyonegroaned and started walking towards the exit. WHAT?!?!?! You could just teleport out of here?Is that the news I hear?Then there’s no chance for you to be stuck here again!I guess it’s the end, my friends. It’s the bitter end.WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Did you like it? Hate it? E-mail me and tell me.