Chapter 2 or What happened on this fine day.
"Well, it's go time. Ugh, I'm so nervous right now, I think I might puke. I rearranged the folds of my shirt, pushed a brown lock behind my ear, tried a smile in the glass of the window...
"You can come in, dear!" said a voice on the other side of the door. I think that was the teacher. So I took a deep breath, opened the door and faced the curious looks of the class. I immediately noticed the mop of fiery red hair sticking out. If it's not the redhead from before! That might actually be fun! I smirked, took a few steps, and bowed deeply.
"Hello. My name is Sarani Kage. I moved in Azumano recently for my Dad's work. Please take care of me."
I then straightened myself and waited for their reaction. Well, I did not have to wait long: everyone jumped from their seats to ask me questions. It's incredible how fast things can go from calm to messy, it was as if the class had exploded. And I was suddenly assaulted by a dozen pupils, all brandishing something. A notebook, an agenda, a phone, a camera...
Wait! A camera?
WTF? I don't want to end up on the net! I glared at the boy waving it in front of my face while asking questions so fast I couldn't understand. O-kay, that will not do. I feigned to slip, stepped on the boy's foot, making him yelp and drop the camera... That I caught without him noticing and put on the teacher's desk. Yep! Great one, Kage! I guess the training Dad made me go through can actually be useful. I then slipped away from the crowd, checked the unoccupied desks, and chose one without any males around: a lone desk in the back of the class, between a window and a doe-eyed brunette with more ribbons in her hair and clothes that I've seen in most dolls. Ugh. I've never been a big fan of bows, pink, ribbons and glitter, and that girl was like... a Ribbon Queen. Good thing she doesn't seems interested in me.
Time passed a bit too quickly for my tastes. Before I knew it, the dreaded lunch break was on us. I bolted for the door as soon as the bell rang, too quick for anyone to follow, and ran for dear life to the nearest stairs. My goal? The roof. The flat roof I had noticed when coming in the building. After some dead ends and wrong turns, I finally pulled open the last door, and stared in awe.
"Wow... "
It was so calm. The sky was bright blue and without a single cloud, and the air already felt more pure and salty, with a light chill from the winter.
I filled my lungs with oxygen, sat in a corner, unpacked my lunch, my IPod, my book. (In case you're wondering, I multitask rather well, so eating while reading is no great feat to me.) All the while thinking about what I had learnt about my classmates. So far, I had memorised the names of four of them: Saehara Takeshi, the camera boy -he loves journalism, cooks like a chef, his Dad is in the police-, Risa Harada -has a twin named Riku, sit next to me, is in love with a "Mr Dark" and the way she talks about him is slightly disturbing, in the fangirl kind of way- and last but not least, Niwa Daisuke, alias "the redhead" - Nice boy, too innocent for his own good, easily bullied, cute as a bunny. Still... I wonder if Niwa is not schizophrenic or something... He spent the whole morning muttering to himself like if he was having a conversation while glancing left and right whenever I looked at him. I swear I caught him blushing again. So yeah, there are some really interesting people around here. And why in the Star's name does the name "Dark" sound familiar? Oh well... I think I'll find out soon enough. For now, I should just enjoy my day. I miss home.
Afternoon.
When I returned in class, there were only a few people inside. Some boys, a pair of girls... And from the looks of things, they didn't leave at all. Hm, interesting... So they were the only ones that weren't in hysterics about me, it seems... Niwa was here, his fiery hair clashing with the white of the walls, talking to a girl with short brown hair, and the same face as Risa's. Probably Riku Harada. It seems like they like each other, that's good to know. That girl looks tough enough to drive bullies away should one have a go at that chibi-eyed boy. I turned around. Not anyone else that I knew, of face or of name. Nor anyone that seemed interesting. But at the corner of my eye, I noticed something blue; It was a calm-looking boy with big glasses, his dark eyes looking at a notebook. His hair was the most incredible shade of blue I've ever seen. Darker than baby blue, lighter than sky blue. Almost azureean. Wow.
The bell rang, breaking the spell. I turned around and tried to find out where was my seat. As I was sitting down, the rest of the class arrived, looking winded. Heh! So they DID chase me all over the school grounds! Too bad for them if I know how to hide!
I took out my books as soon as the teacher came in. Time to work. I was determined to spend the hour working and trying to understand the current history chapter, but as time passed, my thoughts began to wander. My gaze circled the room, passing over every head focused on their notebooks. All except one. The blue-head. He was gazing at the window not one book opened. Hell, he didn't even have a pencil on his desk! I gently elbowed my neighbour.
"What?" she whispered.
"Who's that boy next to the window? The one with blue hair..."
She looked over my shoulder and chuckled.
"That's Hiwatari Satoshi. He never studies. Rumor is that he already graduated, and went to a prestigious university. He's cute, don't you think?"
I frowned, and ignored the comment. "If that's true, why would he come back to high school in a little god-forsaked town?"
She shrugged. "Dunno, don't care. Every girl in Azumano likes him, and he turned each one down. That guyis gorgeous, but he's a lunatic."
I nodded. Very interesting, indeed. I made a note to myself to make a little research on that guy. And got back to work.
Time passed slowly. I could hear the clock ticking in my head as I tried in vain to focus. But you should know me better. My mind was long gone before I could even realise it. I dreamt of home. Of Sukai. Of my now lost friends. Of my father. Of...
RIINNNNG!
WTH? Half the class jumped, me included. The sound was coming from my backpack, and I had a good idea of what it was, and why it was ringing. I'm going to kill you, Dad. I took out the phone, ignoring the whispers of my classmates, and opened it. Yep. Good guess.
"Excuse me for a minute. It's my dad, so it must be important. It better be." I said before exiting the class without even waiting for the answer.
"Hello dad."
"Hi, Kage, how are you doi..."
"Cut the crap, dad. I was in the middle of a class. Doesn't that count as 'busy, call me later'?" I heard a little nervous laugh.
"Well, you see, I've got some news from my friend, and..."
"Get to the point, dad, I haven't got all day."
Deep breath. I braced myself for a long tirade.
"I'vegottostayuntiloneinthemorningtonightformyjobsoIwon'tbehomeattime!"
I took a time to process what he had said.
"And... let me guess: the house is locked and you forgot the key?"
"... How did you guess?"
"Do you have any ideas of where Sukai or I might sleep tonight?"
"Um... No?"
"Are you sure you're not a complete IDIOT, dad?"
"Well..."
I paused. Sighed. And continued in a softer tone.
"YOU break the news to Sukai. I will try and arrange a sleepover with my classmates, and she gets to gut you later. Is that all?"
"Well... Actually, I forgot to bring a meal with me. So if you could..."
"You're a moron, dad. And you owe me big time." I said before hanging up.
Pissed, I glared at the black screen. How was I supposed to buy a meal for dad WITHOUT MONEY, find a place for my sister to stay tonight, and actually FIND the museum, me, who could get lost in a train station filled with signs? I sighed again. It really WAS my worst day ever.
"Great way to start school...
Kurosuke's PoV
I sighed, phone still in my hand, and finally allowed shivers to run up my spine. Brr... It really sucked. Kage could be scary when she wanted to, and you better not be in the neighbourhood when she was pissed. I closed my phone and put it in my pocket.
"Who was it?"
I turned around. It was Saehara-san. I let out a smile, and said:
"It's alright. That was my daughter, Kage."
"You sure? You looked pretty scared."
"Yeah, she is quite creepy whenever she's angry. Got it from her mother." I said, smiling. My friend tilted his head, looking at me strangely.
"What?"
He shrugged. "You've changed, Sarani-san. The Kurosuke I knew twenty years ago was a ruthless warrior, a brilliant strategist who never let emotions get the better of him."
I grinned. "I'm still him, you know? I'm still the man who could shoot a man's ankle when he was running away. But I've become a husband, a father. I learnt how to smile, how to enjoy life, to hope for the future of my family, and not my country... I'm sure you would understand, you have a child too, right?"
My friend shook his head
"Just... Let's just get to work, okay? Dark is announced for midnight, so we still have 9 hours to prepare. Do you have a plan?"
"Why, yes of course! But I can't tell you anything until my daughter gets here."
Saehara-san frowned. "Even if it's your daughter, how do you think she would help catching Dark?"
"I grinned. "Trust me, Saehara-san, if someone can find out about Dark's mystery, it's Kage. She is incredible at figuring things out in a critical situation."
"Let's hope so..."
Kage PoV
When I came back in class, I was greeted by wide eyes and dropped jaws. Even the teacher looked flabbergasted. I sweatdropped.
"Let me guess... Everyone heard?"
Collective nods. I sighed.
Just.
Great.
"Sorry. You would be angry too if you had suddenly learned that you won't be able to go home tonight because your father has some 'emergency' at his workplace, won't be able to come home at all, and, what's worse, 'conveniently' forgot to leave keys under the rug... I don't even know where my sister and I will sleep tonight..." I finished bitterly.
"Is that true?" said a soft voice. I chuckled dryly.
"Well, I already know I'll have to go at Dad's work to bring him dinner. What's concerning me is my sister. If she can't get home, she's going to panic." I added, refusing to swallow myself in self-pity.
There was a moment of silence, then the same soft voice said:
"She can stay at our home, if you want. It's actuall quite large..."
I looked at the owner of the voice. It was Risa's twin: Riku Harada. I blinked once. Twice. Then my brain finally processed what she had said, and a smile lit my face. I beamed.
"It would be perfect! Thank you! Thank you so very much!"
It was at this moment that my classmates realised something: the safest way to get to my heart was through my sister. My Sukai.
"So... Good evening?"
Sukai laughed. "Sure! Work hard, be nice, and have fun!" she said, quoting Dad. And then she got serious.
"Be safe, okay? And don't forget to kick Dad's ass for me."
"You bet I will." I chuckled, putting a light kiss on her forehead.
And then I was off. It was 5.30 pm, and I had just left my sister in the Harada twin's care, after borrowing just enough money to buy something to eat. I would return the money tomorrow, first thing in the morning. With that thought, I ran down the alleys, making my way to the museum.I would have to stop at a market or something -I still needed to buy that bento- but if the informations Risa had given me were exact, then I just couldn't get lost. Besides, I planned on get there quick. I had a strange feeling about tonight. Something was telling me Dad didn't make me come just for a bento. But who knew what was going on in that strange head of his? I made a note to myself to ask him, and maybe grab a can of Coke at the market: if I was going to stay awake and on guard tonight for whatever Dad had planned, I would need the extra sugar and caffeine.
I was so deep in my thoughts that I almost missed the marketplace. My shoes screeched loudly against the hard asphalt at my sudden skid and stop. And it made the people around twitch. I smirked, waving off the irritated glares, and entered the market. In the next five following minutes, I had bought a very large bento that I could share with Dad, a bottle of beer for Dad and a can of Coke for me. Maybe I'll just try to bribe him into telling me what he has planned if he doesn't want to. I know he just LOVES this brand of beer. I don't know if tonight will be fun, but it certainly won't be boring. And with that idea in mind, I started running anew.
-15 mins later-
Aww, man! I panted heavily beside the guard, totally out of breath. I was near the museum's back entrance, and getting blocked by the security that my DAD commanded was not in my list of priorities, so I straightened myself and asked politely.
"Excuse me. I need to see Mr Sarani Kurosuke, the special agent that was called for tonight. It's really urgent."
He eyed me suspiciously, making me reel instinctively.
"What?"
He continued with his strange look. "Are you one of Dark's fangirls? Because if you are..."
"Wait!" I stopped him. "Isn't that the 'famous' thief everyone is talking about?"
Nod. The gears in my head began turning lightning fast.
"Why would Dad mae me come here just to arrest a petty thief, he should know better than this... Unless..." My eyes widened as I finally realised. "... he's the reason why we moved in the first place! The 'mysterious thief' is Dark!"
I bolted for the door, leaving behind me a very confused man. Dark. If it really was because of him that we had to move on... Then he was going to pay, pay dearly for messing with my life! I had just branded him as my prey. And I never ever let one escape. I stormed in the camera roomand gripped Dad's arms like if my sanity depended on it.
"Dad! It's him, right?"
Satoshi's PoV
Stunned, I stared at the girl gripping Sarani-san with vehemence. Messy hair, panting heavily, eyes glinting with a crazy look... Where was she coming from? And did she just call Sarani-san 'Dad'? I was sure I had already seen her somewhere, but I couldn't rmember. Let's see... Pale skin, black hair... very average height...
:: Sigh... She's in your class, Satoshi-sama. The new student, remember?::
I tensed. Now, what was that, just now? Krad ACTUALLY answering me? I huffed.
:: Shut up, Krad.::
Well... He was still right. It really was the new girl, the one that tripped Saehara-kun at the beginning of the class. Sarani Kage, I think. So, it means her father... really IS Sarani-san? The special agent that came to resolve Dark's case and has a list of military honors longer than Krad's ponytail?
:: Hey! What's wrong with my ponytail?::
::Did you hear me when I told you to shut up?::
I focused on the conversation going on between father and daughter.
"So that's why you wanted me here... To lure him out?"
"Well, more like study him. You're the only one I know that wouldn't focus on his looks or his skills but focus on the task at hand and make a full and precise job without fail. Besides, you always notice everything when you really want to, you've got a very logic mind, and last but not least, Dark wouldn't hurt a girl." said Sarani-san with a warm smile.
"Hmm... If only for security and proofs, I would need my 'special kit', you know?"
"It's right here, I took it with me this morning." he said while pointing at his desk.
Kage then made a blinding smile, positively beaming, and cradled the bag to her chest
"Thank you, Dad. I won't disappoint!"
She kissed him on the cheek, then took off her jacket, ignoring the stares from everyone in the room, tied a belt around her waist, and put on it a pouch on one side, and a gun in a holster on the other. She then slid the bag on her shoulders, checked her gun, loaded it... Every single move was screaming professionnal. Her grin was huge, almost exalted. Did that strange girl really think she could catch Dark when everybody had failed? I heard the demon within me chuckle when he read my thoughts.
:: I would like to see her try, it could turn out to be interesting... ::
Kage's PoV
I fastened my belt, checked my pouch, loaded my gun. Everything there. I was moving fluidly, expertly, but my mind was elsewhere. On tonight's chase. I was scanning the room for my special boots when my eyes crossed blue ones. Oh, right! Hiwatari was there too, and judging from his insign, he was the Supreme Commander of the police force. And he couldn't be more than fifteen years old too! Well, I couldn't complain since I was myself a special (and unofficial) agent, but still... I would have to check his files if Dad didn't already. I found my boots next to the door, and as I was putting them on, a strange thought came to my mind. It could just have been a trick of the light... But for a second, I could have sworn his eyes were golden...
I breathed in the night air with pure bliss. It was chilly but revigorating. It was almost midnight, and according to the notice -what thief in his right mind would leave a notice, seriously?- Dark would strike at midnight and steal the Dragon's Pearl. I had not seen the artwork myself, but it was supposed to be a masterpiece, so I just COULDN'T let him have it. I focused on my situation. According to the police, Dark's favourite way to break in was by the roof. So here I was. I had let the police put as many traps as they wanted, and asked Dad to give me all the keys I would need. I checked my watch. Three, two, one, and...
DOONNG!
The bell rang at a nearby church. That was my signal. I put the recording device on and hid myself behind a wall, my dark clothes and hair blending in the shadows. At the last ring of those bells, I heard a clamor come from the crowd outside the museum. I prepared myself. Seconds later, a strange flapping sound came from behind me. I slowly turned my head and... Great Stars in Heaven! Petrified, I could only watch in shock as emhe/em landed, his mighty black wings curving behind him. Why didn't anyone tell me that Kaito Dark was an angel?
End of chapter 2
Next chapter: Witness to an angel fight
For whoever wonders what my OCs look like:
Kage: She has dark brown, almost black hair that look almost ginger when the light is right, very pale skin (she gets sunburns easily), and bright green eyes.
She's 15, 5.2 feet tall, pretty thin, with long toned legs and usually dresses in dark, green or blue flannel and jeans. And she likes to put braids in her hair.
She likes reading, drawing, resolving enigmas and sprinting. She's a genius when it comes to puzzles, knows how to use a gun as well as a sword, and is very possessive of anything she considers hers, including her little sister./embr /emShe's also an adrenaline junkie, living for the thrill of danger. She plans to enter the Special Forces like her father, and become a legend of her own.
Kurosuke: He's Kage and Sukai's father. He's 46, has black hair, tan skin and green eyes that Kage inherited. He's 5.6 feet tall, wears reading glasses, and when he's working on the field, he just looks scary. When he isn't, he just has a stupid grin on his face that annoys everyone.
He is a special agent, that was employed by the State until the birth of Kage. He's still an amazing sniper, a brilliant strategist, and knows a lot of people in both police force and the underground.
He personnally taught his daughters how to shoot, fight and hack a computer but if there's one thing he forgot, it's how to pick a lock. And they're NOT happy about it.
Sukai: She's Kage's little sister. She's got curly light brown, almost caramel hair, lively hazel eyes, and very tan skin. People say she looks like an angel. She's 12, almost 5 feet tall.
She loves sports, especially classic and modern dance, playing the flute and painting her nails. She can hack through most security systems, is pretty good at eavesdropping, and is a star of gossip. Her speciality is spying and collecting information.
She's quite innocent looking and seems harmless, but beware! Her wits are as sharp as her sister's.
Hope you enjoyed!
