by Haruka

He was going to kill them all. Slowly, and in the most painful manner possible.
"SHUT UP!" He yelled.
The din in the car stopped so abruptly that Taiki felt backlash in his ears, but at least they were quiet. And wet. He sighed and tried not to look at the mess they were making of his mother's car.
"Okay, you guys," he said firmly. "This has to stop. This bickering is what led to our being totally soaked."
"Actually, the _girls_ are what led to that," Tiger Eye said sourly. Even though tigers liked water, they didn't particularly like it while fully dressed.
"Don't blame us!" Jun Jun protested. "We didn't do anything!"
"Didn't ?!" Yaten stared at her incredulously. "Are you out of your mind?! LOOK at us!"
"I'd rather not look at you," the green-haired girl replied. "I might have nightmares."
Taiki opened his mouth to silence them but to his surprise, Hawk Eye beat him to it. "That's enough!" the pink-haired boy commanded. "Didn't any of you hear what Taiki just said?! Be quiet and listen for a change!"
The group grudgingly fell silent.
"Thank you, Hawk Eye," Taiki said, giving him a tired, but grateful smile.
"No problem. Most of them are my family, after all."
"You don't have to apologize for us," Tiger Eye mumbled.
"Okay, now listen up and _maybe_ we can avoid more disasters," Taiki said. "From now on, Hawk Eye and I are directing how this surveillance goes and anyone who doesn't like it can get out and walk home now."
"Walk?!" Ves Ves exclaimed. "But it's gotta be miles! And who died and made you King, anyway?!"
"I'm driving," Taiki replied.
"So what makes Hawk Eye so special?!" Yaten demanded. "_I'm_ your brother!"
"You're also a born instigator and a loudmouth," Taiki said frankly. "Hawk Eye has a little maturity."
The others began protesting while Hawk Eye tried not to blush. He glanced in Taiki's direction and received the reward of another tiny smile.
Yaten noticed the exchange and frowned.

If mermaids existed, Seiya was sure that Fish Eye would be counted among their numbers. It was obvious from the sparkle in the luminous blue eyes that he would happily dive overboard into the lake. As it was, he was resting one arm on the boat's edge, trailing his other hand lovingly in the water. He smiled over at Seiya. "Feel like a swim?" he asked.
Seiya wasn't sure whether Fish Eye was serious or kidding. He decided to be on the safe side and grinned. "Why, do you?"
"Always," Fish Eye laughed. "But it's easy for me, I can magic myself a bathing suit."
"That's a convenient talent to have," Seiya remarked. "Can't say that I have the same ability, but I'm always ready for adventure." His eyes twinkled. "If you don't mind seeing me in my underwear on the first date."
Fish Eye laughed. "I'll go in first and stay submerged until you're ready."
Before Seiya could reply, Fish Eye had magicked himself a bathing suit and dove into the water. Seiya began to undress, not sure exactly how long Fish Eye could hold his breath even Changechildren must have their limits. As soon as he'd stripped to his underwear, he jumped into the water himself.
The shock of cold hit him but didn't surprise him as much as finding Fish Eye right in front of him under the water, grinning. He didn't seem to be in any hurry to refill his lungs with air, but Seiya didn't have any such luxury of time and surfaced as soon as he could. Fish Eye came up as well and laughed merrily. "Isn't it wonderful?"
Seiya didn't mention that it was a little cold for his taste he'd get used to it. Besides, the water felt somewhat warmer when he was this close to Fish Eye, who looked really pretty with beads of water shining on his eyelashes. He cocked his head. "Just how long can you stay underwater without breathing, anyway?"
"Indefinitely," Fish Eye replied. "It's one of the advantages of being half fish." He floated blissfully on his back. "When you think about it, there really aren't too many other advantages to being my kind of Changechild _except_ for being able to enjoy the water like no one else." He looked over at Seiya and smiled. "Remind me to show you the necklace I'm making sometime. I'm harvesting the pearls myself on family trips to the ocean."
Seiya grinned. "You can dive for pearls without scuba gear? That's so cool!"
"Fun, too," Fish Eye said, then added without thinking, "there's the added benefit of eating the oyster afterwards."
As soon as he'd said it he realized his mistake and fervently hoped Seiya wouldn't pick up on it. But of course, he did.
"Um, you mean you eat the oyster raw?" Seiya said hesitantly.
Fish Eye considered lying, but decided he didn't want to deceive Seiya like that. "Yes," he admitted. "It's natural for me to eat raw fish and other ocean life. Does that bother you?"
Seiya thought seriously for a moment. "I guess not," he answered. "It's like sushi, after all, only your food is fresher than most."
Fish Eye smiled radiantly at him and Seiya knew he'd said the right thing.

"I'm freezing!" Yaten complained with a shiver. "If I die of pneumonia I'm taking all of you with me."
"Don't worry about it," Taiki said dryly. "When Mama sees her car upholstery, she's going to kill us, anyway."
"Aw man, you're right!" Yaten looked around at the filthy seats and soggy carpeting. "If I get spanked because of this I'll never forgive Seiya!"
"Seiya's not supposed to know we were here, remember?" Taiki pointed out. "We can't tell Mama what we were doing, either."
"Fine, so you make up a good lie and then let her wear herself out on you first."
Hawk Eye gave Taiki a concerned look. "I hope you don't get into too much trouble."
"Thanks, but it's a foregone conclusion that we will," Taiki answered. "Not just because the car is a mess, but because we didn't exactly ask before we, uh, borrowed it."
"Guess we're all in the same doghouse then," Hawk Eye said. "We sort of took our parents' car without really waiting for permission."
"_And_ we all went out without asking," Tiger Eye said with a sigh.
"We four will be okay," Ves Ves said with confidence. "After all, _you_ were driving. _We_ just went along for the ride."
"No way!" Tiger Eye protested. "If we're in trouble, you're in trouble!"
Jun Jun shrugged. "None of us will be in trouble if we snitch on Fish Eye lying about his date. They'll be too mad at him to bother with us."
"You can't do that!" Yaten exclaimed. "Your parents may call our parents and then Seiya might get in trouble!"
"_No one_ is snitching on Fish Eye," Hawk Eye said firmly. "Is that clear?" He looked significantly over his shoulder at the Quartet. "He'd probably be grounded until school starts, and if _that_ happens, his only hobby until then will be making your lives miserable."
"He's right," Cere Cere sighed.
"Palla Palla won't say anything."
"Neither will we," Ves Ves muttered and Jun Jun nodded assent.
"Smart girls," Hawk Eye nodded.

"Michiru!" Kurama called out. "Phone for you!"
The beautiful green-haired girl skipped lightly down the stairs and accepted the receiver her brother held out. "Thank you, Kurama. Now don't you dare listen in on the extension."
"When did I ever do that?" he asked in wide-eyed innocence.
"The last time you were Youko and a call came for me. You quoted snippets of conversation to me all evening!"
"That was Youko," Kurama said dismissively.
"You're one and the same when it comes down to it," Michiru said, but gave his red hair an affectionate ruffle. "Go on, give me some privacy."
"Okay." Kurama shrugged and walked away. "But I don't know why you need privacy to talk to your drycleaner."
"What?!" Michiru exclaimed, then spoke into the receiver. "Hello?"
"Michi?"
"Haruka!" Michiru's lovely face broke into a smile, then she shot a look at the empty doorway. "Hmm. Little brothers."
"Listen, Michi, you were supposed to be Fish Eye's alibi tonight before my parents messed up our plans, right?"
"Yes, that's right," Michiru said. "I've tried to stay out of sight and not answer the phone in case his parents find out."
"It may be too late," Haruka said. "Fish Eye and Seiya were at the restaurant where my parents took us."
"Oh no!" Michiru gasped. "Were they seen?"
"I spotted them sneaking out, but I don't _think_ my parents did."
"If they were sneaking out, they must have seen you first. Poor Fishie."
"He wouldn't have to sneak around at all if he'd been honest with his parents about the date."
"Oh, don't be too hard on him, Ruka. It can't be easy for him right now, what with Hawk Eye and Tiger Eye giving him a hard time."
"Michi, the best thing that could happen to Fish Eye would be getting caught," Haruka said firmly. "He'd probably be forbidden to see Seiya again, and _that_ would be doing him a favour."
Michiru paused a moment. "Then why didn't you point him out to your parents when you saw them?"
"Because I'm not a snitch and it's not really my business."
Michiru smiled. "I love you, you know that?"
"The feeling is very mutual," Haruka said huskily.
"I think I'm getting cavities."
Both Haruka and Michiru started at the third voice on the line, then Haruka yelled, "Yui, get off the phone and lock yourself in a jail cell because that's the only thing that'll protect you from me!"
Yui laughed and hung up the phone.
"Little sisters," Haruka grumbled.
Michiru couldn't help but laugh.

Tiger Eye was leaning so far forward his nose was practically pressed to the windshield. "He's naked! I _swear_ he's naked!"
"He is _not_!" Yaten argued. "I tell you I saw him just before he jumped in and he was wearing underwear!"
"We didn't particularly want Fish Eye seeing _that_ much of him, either!"
"They're only swimming, calm down," Cere Cere told him.
"Yeah!" Jun Jun piped up. "Fish Eye doesn't have enough imagination to do anything else."
"Aw, shut up, he does so!" Tiger Eye snapped.
"Tigger!" Hawk Eye yelled. "Don't say that!"
"But I only meant -- "
A sudden loud honking sound made everyone give a startled shriek. They all turned to Taiki, who had a hand over his mouth in horror.
"I leaned forward for a better look and accidentally hit the horn!"
Hawk Eye looked quickly out at the lake. "They're still splashing each other. I don't think they heard."
Taiki slumped in his seat. "Thank goodness."
"You look like you're about to faint," Palla Palla commented.
"That's because I am, dear."
Hawk Eye placed his hand over Taiki's and gave it a squeeze. "Relax," he said with an encouraging smile. Taiki felt his colour rushing back to his cheeks and managed a faint smile in response.

Fish Eye was having the time of his life. Seiya was a strong swimmer, and obviously enjoyed the water. They splashed and chased each other, squealing with delight and not caring if anyone heard. Fish Eye couldn't help but steal underwater peeks at Seiya in his underwear and decided he had a fairly nice physique. Not overly muscled, slim, and well-toned. When Fish Eye climbed into the boat, he asked Seiya if he liked sports.
"I love all kinds of sports," Seiya replied, his arms resting on the edge of the boat as he bobbed in the water. "I play football, baseball, basketball you name it."
"Nothing personal, but you don't have the build of a football player," Fish Eye extended a hand to Seiya to help him out of the lake. "Don't you get hurt?"
"That's always a risk for anybody, but I'm fast, and they have to catch me first." He winked. Fish Eye pulled him into the boat, then politely looked away. Seiya grinned.
"Don't pretend you haven't sneaked a look already. I know better. It doesn't bother me as long as you weren't repulsed."
Fish Eye giggled even though he was blushing. "Okay, you caught me." He frowned slightly as Seiya shivered. "You're going to freeze soon. We should go back to the van."
"Good idea. I've got a change of clothes in the back, so as long as my hair dries before we go home, no one will be suspicious." He glanced at Fish Eye. "What about you?"
The Changechild snapped his fingers and his curtain came down to hide him from view. When it rolled back up, he was in the same outfit he'd left the house in. "Ta-dah!"
Seiya shook his head in admiration. "I want one of those."
Fish Eye studied him thoughtfully. "Do you have any magic at all?"
Seiya hesitated, then winced. "Ouch!" He stuck his finger in his mouth. "Spwinter," he mumbled past it.
"Here, let me see." Fish Eye bent his head close to Seiya's to examine his finger.

"What are they doing?!" Tiger Eye cried. "They're kissing, aren't they?!"
"I don't know, they're too far away and my night vision isn't as good as yours," Hawk Eye said, biting his lip. "They're awfully close, though."
"They've only got about an hour or so before Fish Eye has to be home, so they'll probably leave soon," Tiger Eye remarked, shifting in his seat for a better view.
"Ow!" Yaten cried. "Hey, watch where you're putting those big paws of yours!"
"You should be so lucky as to have my pretty hand touch your person," Tiger Eye retorted. Yaten's green eyes widened.
"Why, you "
"Palla Palla is bored," whined the smallest girl.
"Don't worry, I think things will liven up soon," Ves Ves said.
"Why's that?" Taiki asked.
"Because the boat's coming back to dock."
Everyone looked out at the lake and saw she was right.
"We have to move the car before they get close enough to see it!" Taiki moved to turn the engine on, but Yaten threw himself across the seat to grab his wrist.
"No, they're too close already! They'll hear the engine and see the lights!"
"Tiger Eye, come on!" Hawk Eye reached across Yaten and his brother to fling open the door. "We have to push!"
The two Changechildren were soon putting their muscle into pushing the car back out of sight, and Taiki ran to join them.
"Hey, why don't you help them?" Jun Jun asked Yaten.
"There's no room for a fourth person up there," Yaten replied.
"Besides, you might have to break a sweat," Ves Ves said dryly.
"At least you could have stayed out of the car so they wouldn't have to push your extra weight," Cere Cere remarked. Yaten shot her a glare.
"My weight certainly isn't equal to the four of you, and I don't see _you_ leaping out there."
"Doesn't matter now," Jun Jun commented. "They've got it rolling pretty well."
"Um, Palla Palla wants to know why the boys are so far away ...?"
The girls and Yaten looked up to see horrified expressions on the boys' faces even as they rolled further away from them down an incline.

"I can't believe I forgot about that dip!" Taiki cried as they chased the car.
"That's no way to talk about your brother!" Tiger Eye declared.
"I _meant_ the dip in the road!"
"Just RUN!" Hawk Eye yelled.
The boys could hear what could have been either screaming or cheering as the car missed a turn at the base of the incline and slowed to a stop just short of hitting a tree.
Taiki reached it first and flung open the door. "Is everyone all right?!"
Yaten's eyes were closed and he was white. "Next time ... I'll push."
"That was _awesome_!" Jun Jun exclaimed.
"Wild!" chimed in Ves Ves.
"Palla Palla wants to do it again!"
"Too bumpy," commented Cere Cere.
Hawk Eye and Tiger Eye slumped against the car while Taiki walked around it. "I don't think there was any damage. Unbelievable."
"Well," Hawk Eye managed a weak grin. "At least we're out of sight."
Taiki chuckled. "Let's get in and once I've had a moment to stop shaking, we can park by the main road and follow them when they come out."

Michiru looked up at the knock on her bedroom door. "Come in!"
Setsuna opened it and smiled at her daughter. "Hi honey, I've come to ask you a favour." She frowned slightly at the closed curtains. "Why is your window all shut up? It's a warm night."
"Oh, um, I was trying on my new sweater earlier and shut the curtains then forgot to open them again," Michiru replied, then quickly changed the subject, "What was the favour?"
Setsuna held up a book. "Would you mind taking this cookbook over to Nuriko's for me?"
Michiru went pale. "N-Nuriko's?"
"Yes, we were talking earlier today and I offered to loan it to him, but I couldn't find it at the time. I just came across it in the pantry."
"Couldn't it wait until tomorrow? It's dark out."
Setsuna looked puzzled. "It's right next door, honey. And since when does the dark frighten you? I'd go myself, but your aunt is supposed to call long-distance sometime tonight and I don't want to leave."
"Can't Kurama take it?" Michiru asked desperately. Her mother began to look irritated. "He and your father are playing some kind of video game in the den. However, _you_ don't appear to be busy, so why are you resisting so hard?"
Michiru thought fast. "I pulled a muscle swimming earlier and wanted to rest my leg."
"I didn't notice you being in any particular pain this evening," Setsuna remarked. "Besides, the best thing for a sore muscle is exercise so it doesn't stiffen up." She held out the cookbook with an unyielding expression. Michiru reluctantly reached out to accept it.
"Thank you," her mother said and left the room. Michiru gazed helplessly down at the book cover.
"'Fifty Ways to Cook a Fish'", she read aloud, then sighed miserably. "I know one: Blow their cover."

End of chapter 8

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