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Chapter Four, w00t! In the words of AnimePirate, "That's Mulan Shaped Cookies, yall!" XD Anyway, I'm starting themes for each chapter, like Im doing with most of my stories now. The themes will always be at the bottom of the page! Reviewer Time: (Unfortunately, I only got one reviewer : )

TheLastRose- Thanks for being such a dedicated fan! You pwn all! high-fives

Chapter 4: Special Delivery

Dj grumpily shoved open the old, creaky door of Nook's cranny and trudged angrily inside. He approached his Tanuki boss and muttered, "I'm finished." Nook grinned from ear to ear. For a rebellious little punk, he did a pretty decent job with the gardening. Nook thought amused.

"Good job, kid! You're not a bad gardener!" Nook gave him a thumbs up but Dj discarded it. Nook noticed his employee's attitude. He seemed to be angrier than he was before. "Uh, are you okay? You seem a little, you know, off." Nook asked, concerned.

"I'm fine!" Dj spat bitterly. Nook looked taken aback. He shows a little compassion and what does he get in return? A big batch of disrespect cookies! Nook was a bit flustered, but he knew that wouldn't help the situation so he plastered a fake smile on his face.

"Uh, okay. I hope everything's okay." Nook responded. "Anyway, your next few assignments are ready!" Nook grabbed a large stack of cardboard packages and shoved them towards DJ. "You're to deliver these packages to the residents who live in the buildings I've marked on this map with red X's." Nook then handed Dj a curled-up map, and Dj snatched it from the Tanuki's hand.

The boy stomped outside when he heard Nook calling for him. "What now?" He whined. "Ta...he...Bi...! Tak...th...Bik! Take the bike!" Tom shouted from inside. Dj examined the area for any sign of a bike and, sure enough, a beat-up maroon bike was parked off to the side of the shop. Dj unchained the bike, loaded the parcels onto the rusty red basket and headed off for his first destination.

After pedaling for a good fifteen minutes, he reached the first stop. Well, at least I'll keep in shape. He thought sarcastically, though there was a bit of optimistic logic mixed in. He unloaded the package with the words COOKIE DOG E on it and approached the house. The house was covered with a hot pink coat of paint and a picket fence surrounded the various flower beds of crimson and white roses near the front porch. Dj stepped up onto the tiny wooden porch and knocked furiously on the door. The door was swung open and out skipped a tiny pale pink and white puppy with a blue and white checkered dress that hung down below her kneecaps.

"Hello?" She squeaked. The pup grinned and it twiddled with a bouquet of fragrant maroon roses next to the door while waiting for a reply. Dj frowned and thought, Just what I ordered, another peppy princess. Great.

"Delivery from Nook's Cranny." Dj answered plainly. The puppy squealed and snatched the package from Dj's grasp. She ripped off the paper surrounding the box and opened it. She took out a gorgeous jade vase that seemed to be a bit transparent. It was beautifully made and was obviously crafted by an expert. Wonder where she got the money to afford that? This town doesn't look like it's economy would be very good... Dj thought.

"Thank you! Thank you!" The dog yelped. "Oh, sorry, where are my manners? I'm Cookie! What's your name?"

"Dj." He replied.

"Dj..." She echoed in awe. "That's such a cool name!" Dj let out a small "Hmph" but Cookie continued. "Oh, yeah! Your money!" She took out a small wad of cash from a pocket and handed it to Dj. "And a little something extra for my new friend!" She ran back into the cottage and soon returned holding a large package. "I had some spare carpets and wallpapers, so you can take them! Oh, and I stuck some extra cash in there, too!"

Dj was a little shocked. Why would this person he barely even talked to give him such a big gift. He was a bit touched. "T-thanks." Dj stuttered in shock. She waved goodbye and closed the door as Dj went back to his bike.

He huffed and puffed while pedaling to the location of his last delivery. After hours worth of biking, he was starting to have severe leg cramps and his whole body began to ache. "Almost there..." He muttered to himself as he spotted the seaside store. He screeched to a stop beside the shop and parked his bicycle at the side. He chained it to a peg slightly sticking out of the wooden boards and he strayed inside.

As he walked through the doorway and into the shop, a high-pitched welcome entered his ears. "Welcome to the Able Sisters! Where YOU are the famous fashion designer!" Dj tilted his head to the left and found the source of the welcome- the peppy youth who had been a nuisance to him since his first second in this forsaken town he resided in.

"Oh, uh, hi there, Dj!" Sophia stuttered. "What are you here for?" Gosh this girl asks a lot of questions! Dj thought bitterly. He held up his index finger to signal for her to wait one second and he hustled back outside to his bike. He picked up the beige box and hurried back inside. He approached Sophia and handed her the package.

"Here." He spoke bluntly. "It's a package from Nook's Cranny." Sophia forced a smile on her face as she took the box from Dj's hands. She didn't look all that pleased to see him again, or at least that she was seeing him and he wasn't apologizing for acting like a jerk. Sophia handed it to Mable and she ripped it open, revealing several strips of fabric. The girls squealed in delight and DJ nodded to signal his leave.

As Dj stepped through the doorway, he felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He turned to see, not to his surprise, Sophia with a wholehearted smile on her face. "Um, DJ? Can we talk for a sec?" She asked. Dj, seeing as how he had no work left, nodded in agreement and the two walked over to a bench near the store. "Listen, Dj, I'm sorry for how I acted before. I shouldn't have screamed at you like that." She looked down at the ground to avoid Dj's gaze. "Will you forgive me?" She pleaded with hopeful eyes.

Dj sat there, stunned. No one had ever acted like this to him. Why is she always so nice? Why does she care about me so much? Why is she apologizing? What is going on inside of me? All of his thoughts swarmed in his mind like a flock of angry bees. Why do I feel like... like caring for someone? Dj also looked down at the ground, his head pounding. "Yeah. I forgive you." Sophia was taken aback. Her whole time with him she had never heard one nice thing. Not one compliment, not one "thank you", not one "please", nothing. And now she sat here, next to that very same person, and he was forgiving her. Dj spoke again, "I, uh have to-"

"Wait!" Sophia interrupted. "I have a special delivery just for you." Dj wondered what it could be. Besides, why hadn't she mentioned it earlier? "Close your eyes." She whispered. Dj did as he was told, although his conscious told him it wasn't the best idea. Sophia approached his cheek, puckered her lips, and laid a small kiss upon his cheek.

Then it hit him. He was kissed- by Sophia. By the same overly cheerful prep that he said he had hated only a few hours before. She couldn't care for him... could she? No, no. Don't let it start. Not again. You'll lose her. Just like you lost everybody else. But, is it better if I admit I love her and get it over with? I may not have a chance later. Wait, what am I thinking? LOVE?! Remember your vow, Dj. Remember your vow. Oh, what do I do? At that moment a tear trickled down Dj's face.

"Dj? Are you alright?" Sophia questioned. No answer. Sophia knew something was wrong, but if she only knew what it was or how to comfort him. She felt the only thing she could do was... this. And at that instant, the two embraced. Sophia held him tight in her grip and Dj, the same boy that only hours ago felt hated and unwanted, sat there sobbing. He couldn't control it. Once he started, there was no way to stop. The pair sat there, Dj leaning against Sophia's body and, for the first time in a long while, Dj Terra felt like he was loved... and that that love was returned.