"Oi!" Kurogane yelled from the mouth of the alley. One of the vampires was attacking the blond man.
Hearing the hunter's voice, Kamui quickly backed off. The three turned to see the newcomer advance towards them with his sword drawn. Kamui observed him with interest before turning back to Fay.
"Looks like we'll have to catch up later," Fay smiled. Without a word the vampires jumped to the top of the building behind him and were gone in the blink of an eye.
"What did they want?" Kurogane said as he put his sword back.
"Oh, nothing much," Fay smiled as he started walking back towards the café.
"Where did the girl come from Flourite?" Kurogane asked not moving from where he stood.
"Saya is my little sister," Fay replied as he continued walking. "Now are you gonna spend the rest of the night in this alley?"
BACK AT THE CAFÉ:
"Saya does your brother know those guys?" Syaoran asked in a worried voice as he saw Kurogane head in the direction Fay had gone with the two vampires.
"Sort of," Saya said in way that told Syaoran she didn't like talking about it. Knowing this, he decided not to inquire her further. Tomoyo on the other hand had not noticed so she said to Syaoran in a lower voice, "those two are very strong vampires. Maybe you should go help."
"You don't need to," Saya said looking at Syaoran, "those two don't cause trouble. Besides," she added with a small smile, "my brother knows how to take care of himself. You shouldn't worry."
"So where are you guys staying?" Saya asked her tone cheerful all of a sudden.
"We're still looking for one," Syaoran replied looking out to see if he was needed. "Know of any such place?"
"Well," Saya replied thoughtfully, "if you guys haven't found a place by now." Closing the register, she replied, "I doubt it you're gonna have any luck finding one before dark." Syaoran cast a worried glance in Tomoyo's direction. If it had been just him and Kurogane, that wouldn't have been a problem, but now, was a different case. Sure, she could easily take down vampires like them, but Syaoran just didn't feel comfortable with the thought of Tomoyo, whom he considered an elder sister, battling such wretched creatures.
"I take it that she is not a hunter," Saya said.
"No," Tomoyo shook her head, "I'm their researcher."
"I thought so," Saya said, "how about you guys spend the night at our place? We have a couple of spare rooms and I don't think Fay will mind."
'That's great.' Syaoran exclaimed looking relieved, 'I mean…if its not trouble for you.' He said feeling a blush creep up his neck. Saya just laughed in return, her laugh. It was so much like Sakura's.
But sakura is dead, Syaoran reminded himself.
"Kurogane are you alright?" Tomoyo asked in a worried voice as she saw the hunter enter the café after the blond cashier. Saya hurried over to her brother to talk to him.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Kurogane waved his carelessly. "Come on lets get going. We still need to find a place to stay."
"That's okay Kurogane," Tomoyo replied beaming at him, "we already found one."
"Okay, but we still have to get there," Kurogane replied impatiently. The sooner they left that idiot Flourite, the better.
"My brother says you guys are more than welcome to stay," Saya said as she walked over.
"Great thing, kid," Kurogane replied distractedly as he hurriedly picked up the shopping bags from their table, "huh?" He stopped turning to face his companions, "WHAT?" he exclaimed, eyes wide as he dropped all the bags from his hand.
"Well, we won't be able to find any other place before dark," Tomoyo replied, "and Saya says that they can accommodate us for the night."
"No," Kurogane said decisively.
"Why?" Tomoyo asked a bit puzzled.
"Because I just said so,"' Kurogane said once again picking up the bags, "I'm sure we can find some place else. I don't want to trouble them."
"They said they don't mind," Tomoyo replied.
"I said 'no'," Kurogane replied firmly. "Hey, kid," he said looking over at Syaoran, who was lost in thought, "Explain it to her."
"Huh?" Syaoran asked as he came out of his reverie.
"I said tell her," Kurogane said patiently, "that we can find some other place."
"Oh…erm... well," Syaoran sputtered.
"What is it?" Kurogane said as glared at the boy.
"I-I-I think that maybe we should stay." Syaoran said not looking at his teacher.
"You're outvoted Kuro-tan." Fay said cheerfully as he walked up. "We haven't been properly introduced," Fay said bowing towards Syaoran a little, "I am Fay D. Flourite." Fay said kissing Tomoyo's hand slightly, like a gentleman.
"Tomoyo Daidouji," Tomoyo smiled.
"Syaoran Li," Syaoran introduced himself shaking is hand.
"Ah yes," Fay smiled, "Saya mentioned you earlier today. So Kuro-tan," Fay turned to Kurogane who was glaring at him, "how long have you been in town?"
"How many times do I have to tell you?" Kurogane growled menacingly, "my name is KUROGANE!' his voice rose with each word.
"Aww, is the mean Kuro mad?" Fay said mockingly.
"Shut up," Kurogane said crossly.
"Please excuse me for five minutes while I lock the place," Fay said waving his hand around, "then we can retire for tonight."
"You two seem to know each other," Tomoyo said eyeing Kurogane as he glared at nothing in particular.
"…" Kurogane grunted.
"Sorry?"
"I said I worked with him some years ago," Kurogane replied in a low voice.
"Then why didn't you say so earlier?" Syaoran asked a little surprised.
"Because," Kurogane replied, "the last thing I wanted was to be stuck with him again."
"Why?" Tomoyo asked.
"Cuz, he is an idiot." Kurogane replied simply.
"That's harsh Kuro," Fay said pretending to be hurt.
"Anyways," he said brightly, "we are done for the day so now we can leave."
"Oh no, Miss Tomoyo," Fay said looking over to Kurogane with a sly grin, "you don't have to carry all that stuff." Taking the couple of bags she was holding, he dumped them into Kurogane's already full arms, "let Kuro-tan hold them." Tomoyo giggled at the look on her boyfriends face as Fay took her hand and led her out of the café in a charming way. Saya and Syaoran followed the angry hunter. If glares could have killed, then Kurogane's would have killed Fay a thousand times over. Fay held the passenger door of his car open for Tomoyo and then got behind the wheel himself. Saya got in the back.
"Hey Kuro," Fay said cheerfully as he started the engine, "you can follow us in that jeep of yours." Syaoran looked over at the elder hunter nervously as he got in the passenger seat of the jeep. Kurogane started the engine. It was taking all of his willpower to stop himself from breaking the neck of that idiot Fay. Syaoran had never seen his teacher so angry before in the two years which he had spent in his company.
"Here we are," Fay announced brightly after fifteen minutes as they stopped outside a bungalow. Fay pushed a combination to unlock the gate and they drove up the driveway into the garage. The gate automatically closed behind them.
"Welcome to our humble abode," Fay said as he turned on the light of the living room.
"I'll show you where you guys can freshen up before dinner," Saya said as she threw her bag on the sofa.
"Uh…I hate that guy," Kurogane groaned to himself as he watched Fay chatter on happily with Tomoyo, Syaoran and Saya.
"When did he get a sister?" Kurogane thought because as far as he knew Fay had never mentioned any relatives to him before. He was one weird vampire hunter and he still hadn't changed. He still had that happy-go-lucky nature and that annoying smile never slid out of its place.
Wonder why he is keeping his eye covered? Hethought, maybe he had some sort of accident. But, the Fay he had known never had any accidents. Sure, he was carefree and careless, but nothing ever did happen to him. He never had accidents. It was like he carried around some sort of charm to ward of bad luck.
"What are you doing sulking in the corner for Kuro-tan?" Fay asked looking over at the musing hunter, "Why don't you join us?"
"I think he is still mad at me for hiding his sword Sohi," Fay chuckled as Kurogane just glared.
"But Kurogane's sword is Ginryu," Syaoran said with a confused look in Kurogane's direction.
"He had another one back when we worked together," Fay replied, "but, I hid it and accidently forgot where."
He winked, "anyways, he was never able to find where and because of that he is still mad at me."
"I'm not mad because of that," Kurogane said as he got up and walked out of the room. "I'm mad cuz you won't leave me alone.'
"Hyuu. Look at the time." Fay said glancing at the wall clock. "It's one a.m. already. Saya please show our guests where they will be sleeping. I'm pretty sure they must be very tired."
"Sure," Saya said as she got up from the floor cushion.
"And, I think," Fay said, "you should take the night off too Saya."
"What? No!" Saya exclaimed, "Fay I…" she started but he cut her off.
"Saya please rest for tonight," Fay said quietly. Saya opened her mouth in protest but then after thinking something she closed it once more.
"And I will know if you try to sneak out," Fay said as she led Syaoran and Tomoyo towards the guestrooms. Saya just huffed angrily in return and kept walking. Syaoran noticed something on the back of Saya's neck. It was a strange sort of tattoo. A feather entwined with runes, in the form of a circle. It was strange and Syaoran had the feeling he had seen that symbol before.
"You and Kurogane can sleep in this room," Saya said as she opened a door to reveal two separate beds, a sofa and a television set.
"Tomoyo's room is this one," she said opening another door.
"I think I need to talk to my dear brother." She said as they walked in their respective rooms, "I'll be in the living room for a while f you need anything. So, I guess goodnight." She waved and walked back towards the way they had come.
"Hey, Tomoyo," Syaoran said looking towards the living room to make sure Saya was there, "if you're not very sleepy could I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure," Tomoyo smiled.
"Great." Syaoran walked in and closed the door. He didn't want to be overheard.
"Don't you think there is something about Saya and Fay?" Syaoran said as he sat on the edge of her bed.
"What do you mean?" Tomoyo queried.
"Well I get the feeling that they were hiding something," Syaoran replied, "even Kurogane seems to be hiding something."