A/N: Once again, I'd like to thank Freddo for some suggestions regarding this chapter. Thanks again!
Chapter 6: Heartcatch PreCure in the Redlight District
She didn't know how she managed to dam the tears, but she held out until she had stepped into her apartment. Smelling of a mix of alcohol, sweat and cheap cologne, Yuri made her way into her bedroom, shoved her uniform under the bed and headed for the bath. She pushed herself through it, and, once she was fully clean and dressed she gave up on holding her feelings in. Throwing herself on her bed, she let her hidden tears flow freely until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Yuri-Chan?" Haruna said.
"Mom?" Yuri said through sobs.
"Come here." Haruna pulled her into a hug and allowed her to cry out her frustrations. She soothed her by running her finger's through Yuri's hair and softly singing. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"
"I just had a rough night, that's all," Yuri replied.
"It was more than a rough night, I know."
"Don't worry about it, I'll be fine." Yuri lied.
"Yuri-Chan, please tell me. I'm worried about you…"
Yuri began to cry all over again. 'I wish I could tell you! But I…I just can't. I don't want to add more stress to our lives.'
"Oh, Yuri-Chan…" Haruna said, thinking, 'Please Yuri-Chan, you have to tell me. I can't help if you don't and I know you're just as stressed as I am, but…' She sighed and looked down to find Yuri sound asleep in her arms. Smiling, Haruna gently laid her down and covered her with a blanket. "Hope you feel better in the morning," she whispered before she slowly made her way out of the room.
The next morning, Yuri woke up late with a pretty good feeling, despite what had occurred the night before. She sat up, stretched and thought, 'What happened last night was just a distant nightmare…I can't dwell on it, it'll worry Mom too much. I just hope she doesn't ask questions.' She then sighed, got up, dressed and headed out, into the kitchen to find it empty. "Mom?" She said before she took notice of a note on the counter.
'I'm out shopping and should be back by two. I know you wanted to run the errands, but I didn't want to disturb you. Breakfast is in the fridge. Love, Mom,' Yuri read, then, she set it down and sighed. 'I might as well call Natsuko-Chan, I know she's been wondering where I am.' She sighed, pulled her dishes from the fridge, and, while her food was warming up, she picked up her cell phone and called Natsuko.
"Hello?" Talili's voice said.
"Talili? Where's Natsuko-Chan?"
"Working."
"Is it possible for you to get her for me?"
Talili paused and said, "No."
"Talili? Who is that?" Natsuko asked as she walked into her parents' office, where, Talili sat on the desk holding her phone.
"You're supposed to be working."
"I'm on break, who is it?"
"Yuri-Chan."
Natsuko grabbed her phone. "Yuri-Chan?" She asked.
"Hi Natsuko-Chan."
"Yuri-Chan, are you alright? You seem to have disappeared these last few days."
"I'm fine, what have I told you about worrying?"
"I know, but…you've been acting strange for the longest time."
"What are you talking about?"
"Ever since you took this job you've been distancing yourself and…"
"I've been busy, that's all. And, you make it sound like I've been gone for years; it's only been a month and a half."
"It feels like years…" Natsuko muttered.
"What is your problem with my job anyway? You act like it's ruining your life."
"My problem is that it's making you act like this! And, it's not ruining my life, it's ruining our friendship with each other and the other girls. I thought we agreed not to keep secrets!" Natsuko snapped, her anger level rising. Though she could usually calm herself quickly, Natsuko knew she had a temper, and when it snapped, there was hell to pay.
"Why can't you mind your own business? I've told you time and time again that it's stress! Stop making a big deal out of nothing!" Yuri snapped back, then, she hung up.
'She hung up on me…' Natsuko thought, staring at her phone.
"Natsuko-Chan?" Talili asked.
"I'm done playing her stupid mind games!" Natsuko said, slamming her hand on the desk. "We settle this once and for all next weekend!"
"Settle what?" Talili asked.
"Never mind for now." Natsuko picked up the phone again and began to text, then, she forwarded the message to the other girls.
'Why can't she mind her own damn business?' Yuri thought, practically slamming her phone down on the counter, then, she sighed and slumped down into the chair behind her, a move similar to the one Erika completed a half-hour later as she sat on a stump in the botanical garden.
"Can't you do this later?" She whined to Tsubomi, who was busy watering the plants. "Or let your grandma do it?"
"Be patient, Erika," Itsuki, who stood nearby, said.
"But we have to hurry! If we don't, the clothes won't be completed in time for our next fashion show."
"Did you get around to asking Yuri-San if she'd join us again?" Tsubomi asked.
Erika shook her head. "I didn't find it right to ask after we've bugged her so much lately."
"It's her own fault," Natsuko chimed in as she stepped toward them, Talili on her head.
"Natsuko-San! What brings you here?" Itsuki asked.
"You know what; you got my text, didn't you?"
"All it said is that you wanted to meet us here before we started working."
"Speaking of that, will you join our fashion show?"
"No. And, drop that talk, we've got more important things to discuss."
"Yuri-San?" Tsubomi said with a sigh.
Natsuko nodded. "I'm done playing her games and have come to a firm decision."
The girls exchanged the same, unsure glance before turning back to Natsuko.
"Next Friday we're all going to stay over at one of your houses, and it can't be mine because that's the weekend my brother visits."
"What about your place, Itsuki?" Tsubomi asked. "I'm sure you have more than enough room."
Itsuki shook her head. "My grandfather's having some kind of training retreat that weekend. Most of the senior students will be staying with us and I was told to keep out of the way."
"Well then, Tsubomi?" Natsuko turned to her.
"I guess we could have it at my house, but…"
"No!" Erika interrupted, jumping in front of Tsubomi. "Let's have it at my house! Then we can plan the fashion show and Mama can help with the clothing!"
"Fine. Does that work for everyone?" Natsuko asked.
The girls looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Good. We'll meet up around seven, and when it gets late, around ten, we're sneaking out."
"What?" Tsubomi, Itsuki and Erika said in unison.
Natsuko nodded. "After we get out, we're going to find Yuri-Chan's workplace. I need to know what it is about this place that she's hiding and why, it may help us to understand her attitude lately."
"But, by then Yuri-San is already at work," Itsuki pointed out. "How are we to find this place if we can't follow her?"
"The fairies will follow her for us and map out a route. Now, listen…" Natsuko went on to describe, in detail, her plan for the night including their escape from the Kurumi's third-floor apartment and extra procedures to use in case the original plan did not go through. "Understand?" She finished.
The girls nodded.
"And you promise that you won't chicken out?" Natsuko asked, throwing a look to Tsubomi.
"We promise!" Erika said.
At that, Natsuko held her hand out and everyone else stacked theirs on top of hers, sealing the deal.
The deal was sealed at the same moment Yuri stopped in front of the window of a local jewelry store. She had stepped out to get a break from the cleaning she had been doing and ended up window shopping. 'That bracelet is beautiful…it would make a perfect present for Mom…' She thought, then, she noticed the tag hanging off of it and winced. 'Or not…I would have taken two months to save for that before all of this happened…but now…there's no chance…' She sighed and backed up from the window.
"Something wrong, Yuri-Chan?" A voice from behind said.
Yuri quickly whipped around and found herself staring at the face of Itsuki's mother, Tsubaki. "Myoudouin-San," She said.
"I haven't seen you around lately. Are you doing alright?"
"I'm fine," Yuri said, half-lying.
Tsubaki smiled. "I talked to your mother awhile ago, she's worried about you."
"I know, and I hate worrying her, but…"
"Is there anything I can help with? I know you've both been under a lot of stress lately."
Yuri shook her head. "Thank you. But, we're doing fine."
"Well, I'm going to help anyway, hold out your hand and close your eyes."
Yuri did as she was told and heard rustling as Tsubaki rummaged through her purse and then touched her hand. "You don't have to do anything, we're…"
"Open your eyes."
Yuri did so, expecting to see money, but found a beaded, blue and purple bracelet instead. "W…What is this?"
"Just a little something I made at the bead shop down the road. It's for luck," Tsubaki said, handing her another. "That's for your mother."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. It wasn't any trouble; I have others for the rest of the girls."
"It's still much appreciated."
Tsubaki smiled and glanced at her watch. "I should probably get going, I have a few other things to do before heading home."
"It was nice seeing you," Yuri said.
"You too, Yuri-Chan."
Yuri watched as she walked off and smiled, thinking, 'She really is kind…I guess that's where Itsuki gets it from…' She then turned down the street and walked right into something, her mind so overtaken by thought that she didn't think to look ahead and ran into something.
"I'm sorry," Yuri said. "I didn't…"
"I didn't think you were the type to forget your surroundings," A voice said.
"Hikari-San?"
"We meet again Tsukikage. Hiroki, you remember Yuri Tsukikage, don't you?" She said to her son, who clung to her hand.
Hiroki nodded, but said nothing.
"Hello Hiroki, how are you today?" Yuri asked.
"Fine," Hiroki replied quietly.
"I told you he's shy. Once he gets to know you he'll get over it. Can you tell her how old you are?"
Hiroki held up four fingers. "Four," He said.
Yuri smiled. "You're a big boy, huh?"
Hiroki smiled back and nodded.
"We were just about go to lunch. Would you like to join us?"
"I shouldn't, I've got…"
"Come on, it'll be my treat. And, it's not anything fancy, I promise."
Yuri thought for a minute and said. "Alright, where are we going?"
"You'll see," Hikari said, then, they all turned up the street and headed into a local, fast-food restaurant with a playground that Hiroki immediately ran off to.
"Sorry it's not something better," Hikari said as she set a tray on the table awhile later. "But, this is his favorite place, and it's a treat to come here once a month."
"It's fine. I don't mind at all," Yuri said as she waved Hiroki over.
"Sit down and eat," Hikari ordered him as she handed him a small burger. "You can play for a bit after you're done."
Hiroki sighed and took a place next to Yuri just as her phone rang. She glanced at the ID and stood saying, "Sorry, but I have to take this."
"It's fine," Hikari waved her off as she set a cup of ketchup next to Hiroki.
Yuri walked off and answered, "Hello?"
"Yuri-Chan? Where are you?" Haruna asked.
"I went out for a bit and ran into Hikari-San, you remember her, right?"
"That girl from work, right?"
"She invited me to lunch with her son."
"Where?"
"It's nothing much, just a small fast-food place. She says I can pay her back by covering for her tomorrow night."
"Alright. You know what time to be home."
"Yes. Bye Mom." With that, Yuri hung up and returned to the table.
"You better eat, Hiroki just asked for your food," Hikari said.
Yuri glanced at Hiroki, who smiled and waved a sticky, ketchup hand at her, making her laugh. "Here," She said as she grabbed a napkin and gently wiped his hands.
Hiroki frowned. "I was saving that for later."
"Oh no you don't," Hikari said. "It's gross, and I don't think Nana would be happy having ketchup stains all over the house."
"Nana doesn't like messes," Hiroki clarified to Yuri.
"And neither do I. So if you ever visit, you better be clean," She teased and gently poked his nose.
"I like her!"
Both women laughed and continued to eat while exchanging conversation between each other and Hiroki, who was easily warming up to Yuri.
"Mommy! Can I go play now?" He asked after awhile. "I'm done!"
"Not until you're clean," She said as she pulled a small pack of baby wipes from her purse and handed him one.
Hiroki pouted, but took it and carefully wiped his face and hands. "Gone?"
Hikari looked him over. "Gone," She confirmed.
Hiroki smiled and ran off towards the playground area, leaving the two women alone.
"He's a really sweet kid," Yuri said.
"Well, he can be a hassle, but I wouldn't trade him for anything."
"He looks like you."
"Mostly, but, he has his father's eyes."
"If it's okay, may I ask about his father?" Yuri asked. "I don't mean to intrude, but, being without a father myself…"
Hikari shook her head. "No, it's alright. I trust you enough to tell you." She then took in a breath and said, "I met his father my last year of college, it got serious, and being young and ambitious, we rushed into marriage after graduation. He was lucky enough to find a job right away, and we quickly moved into an apartment. It was perfect, until I became pregnant with Hiroki. Even though neither of us were ready, I adjusted. I've always been a firm believer in taking things a step at a time and decided to deal with the challenge when the time came. His father, on the other hand, was the farthest thing from ready. I tried my hardest to reassure him, but he managed to convince himself that it would never work. He began working extra hours, trying to get more money and it took a toll on him and our relationship. After Hiroki was born, the stress got worse. I stayed home with him and we made our way with what we had. Hiroki never minded, he was a great baby and adjusted well. Unfortunately, his father didn't see that. Eventually, his true nature came out as the stress wore on. He became easily angered and cast me aside for others, then, one night last winter, he left and never came back. Knowing I couldn't live on my own, I packed up the place and went back to my mother. While she had never fully approved of my early marriage, she complimented me for being wise enough to know I needed help and agreed to take us in. Besides, Hiroki was too cute to turn down. I searched for a job, but, there's only so much you can do with an art school degree. I went through eight places before I found the bar. Though I knew it was a bad place, I was desperate, and slowly, the girls became like a family. I've been looking for jobs in my off time, but haven't found much of anything. I've been taking it a day at a time, and my mother helps a great deal with my search. I've been saving up my money for an apartment and I'm getting close. Hiroki likes to help by putting loose change in our savings jar."
"Does he…?"
"He knows that I'm a waitress, but that's it. I don't feel that he's old enough to know all of the details yet. But, I've decided that I'll tell him one day, when he can understand. What about you?"
"Me?"
"You said you don't have a father either."
"Oh. He's a scientist, and one day he left on a research project and suddenly disappeared in France. The last we heard from him was three years ago. My mother says he's fine, but…"
"I know. It can be hard being optimistic when bad things happen. One more thing…"
"Yes?"
"You're not really twenty-one, are you?"
Yuri sat back, startled at her comment and slowly shook her head. "I'm seventeen," She admitted.
"I thought so."
"How…"
"You pull off adult well and had me guessing for awhile, heck, you fully convinced Sakamoto. But, there's just something about you that didn't sit right with me…I think it's your attachment to your mother, and the fact that you haven't told her about your job yet, even though you're supposed to be legal and old enough to make your own decisions."
"You won't tell anyone, right? I really need this job and…"
"My lips are sealed. Just be careful, alright?"
Yuri nodded.
"Hiroki!" Hikari called. "Come on, we still have to go shopping."
"I hate looking clothes!" Hiroki whined as he came over. "Why can't Nana buy her own?"
"Because it's her birthday present."
Hiroki groaned, earning a soft laugh from Yuri.
"It'll be more special if you help pick it out," She said.
"Mommy already tried that."
Hikari laughed. "He's right, nice try though. Come on, Hiroki." She grabbed his hand and led him out with Yuri following.
"Remember! You're going in for me tomorrow night!"
"I know, see you later," Yuri replied, waving them off.
Hikari waved back and headed up the street.
'She's been through so much, but always manages to smile…She reminds me…of Mom…Not once has she complained about our situation…' Yuri thought, looking at her bracelet.'I could learn a lot from them both…Take things one step at a time…' She sighed contentedly and headed back to the jewelry store, where, she put the bracelet in the window on hold. 'I have two months to pay for it, the should be more than enough time if I take a bit from each pay check. She deserves it…'
Days later, she sat working out her payment plan when her phone rang, interrupting her train of thought. "Hello?" She said, not bothering to check the ID.
"Yuri-San? What are you doing Friday?" Tsubomi asked.
"Why?"
"Erika and I were wondering if you'd like to come to a sleepover at her house. We thought it'd be nice to spend some time together and catch up."
"It sounds fun, but I have to work. I'm stuck from six until two that night."
"Oh…Next time then, bye." At that, Tsubomi hung up, breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Natsuko, who sat on her bed.
"Well?" Natsuko asked.
"She's working from six to two in the morning, it gives us plenty of time to…Are you sure this will work?"
"Not completely. But, if we go by the plan, it should work out. We depart at ten on Friday night, remember that."
Tsubomi nodded.
"Tell the others, I have to get to work."
"I just realized…Yuri-San's never complained about your job."
"I work for my parents, it's different. And, I don't hide my work and break off from my friends," Natsuko said before she turned and left. The look on her face roused suspicion in Kaoruko, who stopped her.
"Natsuko-Chan?" She asked.
"Yes?" Natsuko turned toward her.
"Is everything alright? You seem troubled."
"Everything's fine…I think…"
"What's the matter?"
"It's nothing, really. I can handle it. I've been through worse."
"Alright. But, whatever you're doing, just be careful."
"I will. I promise," Natsuko said before leaving.
Kaoruko stood back and watched her go, secretly concerned, but not wanting to ask any more questions.
"Grandma," Tsubomi said as she quietly approached.
"Yes, Tsubomi?"
"I…I wouldn't worry about Natsuko-San, we're helping her with…a friend problem."
"Would this friend happen to be Yuri-Chan?"
Tsubomi stepped back, her eyes filled with pure shock. "How…"
"I haven't seen her around lately, and I've heard you talking. You're worried, I can tell."
Tsubomi nodded. "Natsuko-San has been trying to fix it."
"It's to be expected of her. Best friends help each other in need, even if one if being disagreeable, Natsuko-Chan knows that. Just promise me that, whatever you're doing, you be careful doing it."
Tsubomi nodded. "I promise." She said, confident that everything would work, until that night came.
"Are you sure this will work?" She whispered to Erika as they made their way back to her room after dinner and a movie.
"No. But, Natsuko-San's in charge, not me," Erika replied.
"That doesn't help!" Tsubomi whined.
"Oh, stop whining, it's time," Natsuko said, leaning on Erika's window.
"How are we supposed to get down from here?" Itsuki asked.
"Easy," Natsuko snapped her fingers and Talili immediately assumed her cape from.
"We'll fly down and let the fairies lead the way. You do have a map, right?"
"Right here!" Potpourri said, producing one from his bag.
"Good, now come on." At that, Natsuko jumped and carefully and gracefully landed on her feet in the alleyway. She looked up and motioned the other girls down.
Next came Itsuki, followed by Tsubomi, and finally, Erika, who stopped to close the window. As soon as she set her feet on the ground, the fairies changed and handed them the map.
"Thank you, now, you guys stay here and cover for us," Natsuko ordered. "Come!" She demanded of the girls as they started walking, following the map by flashlight.
"I like this! It's like an adventure!" Erika said.
Tsubomi shushed her. "We don't want to cause suspicion."
"We're four teenage girls sneaking around with a map, that's not suspicious at all," Natsuko said sarcastically.
"Oh…right…" Tsubomi blushed and they continued on, following a series of long, winding roads and alley ways.
"Are you sure we're in the right place?" Itsuki asked as the streets got darker, gloomier and more ridden with rubbish. She then looked over and watched as Tsubomi shivered at the sight of a drunken man sleeping in a doorway. "This place looks…bad…"
"It's the type of place you only see on crime shows…" Tsubomi said as a man in a trench coat approached.
"A young girl like you shouldn't be sneaking around…" He said, eyeing her chest, disappointed by the lack of one. "Maybe I can offer you something…If you're willing to pay that is."
Frightened, Tsubomi couldn't do anything but stutter, "I…I…I…Don't…"
"She's not interested," Natsuko snapped, pulling her away. "Do not associate with any of these people," She hissed. "And stay with us, there's strength in numbers. You know that."
Tsubomi slowly nodded as they walked on, avoiding various people along the way. Soon, they stopped in front of the building the fairies marked.
"Are you sure this is it?" Erika asked, clinging to Itsuki. They could hear bits of raucous laughter and pulsing, throbbing, bump-and-grind music coming from inside
"It's marked as our ending point," Natsuko said.
"T…This can't be it…" Tsubomi said, shaking with fear. "Let's go home! They must have made a mistake."
"No!" Natsuko snapped. "Mistake or not, we have to check. If she's really working here, there are a lot of questions that must be answered." She then grabbed Tsubomi's wrist and led her inside, grateful that there was no one checking IDs at that moment. Erika and Itsuki followed close behind, holding hands.
Inside, Yuri stood in front of Shizuki as the woman applied makeup to her face and sprinkled glitter on her and her usual, black dress. It matched the attire of the other dancers, half of which wore red for tonight's routine.
"Perfect! This will look great when it's shining in the light, trust me," Shizuki said with a wink before leading her onto the stage.
Yuri took her place and sighed, not wanting to do this, but knowing she had to. Again, she reminded herself it was for her mother and joined the other girls when the music started. She paid no attention to the crowd and went on, not noticing as she danced and began to wind her body around the pole when four, familiar faces slipped in the door.
Erika coughed. "It smells weird here," She said.
"Alcohol…" Natsuko muttered.
"Can we go?" Itsuki coughed.
"No! Start scanning the crowd for the waitresses. One of them has to be…"
"Yuri-San!" Tsubomi said.
"What?" Natsuko turned and followed her arm, which pointed to the stage. Quickly, Natsuko looked the girls over, seeing a familiar wave of dark-purple. 'It can't be…' She thought as the girl turned. 'There's no way…Yuri-Chan? Why?'
"Where are her glasses?" Erika asked, looking at Yuri's slender form as she danced with a fixed, plastic smile on her face that was obviously fake
"I don't know…but…" Itsuki trailed off. "That's her…"
"We have to do something! This place is horrible!" Tsubomi said, shivering against Itsuki as a crowd of drunken business men pushed passed her.
"Why? She looks fine," Erika said.
"She's not. The smile's fake. Look at her eyes," Natsuko said. "They look dead…The amount of misery in them…It's enough to make you pity her…"
The girls looked at Natsuko and nodded.
"What do we do?" Erika asked.
"The only thing we can do, get Tsukikage-San. Her mother has to know. Come on," Natsuko said.
"Wait!" Itsuki said. "Isn't it a bit sudden? Shouldn't we talk to Yuri-San first and…"
"No!" Natsuko snapped. "It's far too late for that. It's out of our hands, and, though I hate to say it, we need help."
The girls looked at each other, absorbing the statement, and slowly nodded. Then, they allowed Natsuko to lead them back outside. Once outside, she pushed passed a college-aged boy trying to flirt with her, grabbed Erika's phone and dialed her own, which she left at the Kurumi place.
"Yes?" Talili answered.
"All of you get down here! We need you!" Natsuko snapped into the phone.
"Why do we need them?" Itsuki asked.
"We'll get to Yuri-Chan's place faster if we fly."
"Why don't we just call her mother?" Tsubomi asked.
"She'd never believe us over the phone. Besides, I think it's better to do this in person."
The girls looked at each other in a way similar to their earlier actions and nodded, knowing that she was right. They then stood back in and alley, hoping to stay hidden and out of the way until the fairies came. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful, and, during their wait they had to deal with three bootleg sellers and a series of drunken college students that Itsuki and Natsuko chased off. Eventually, (and thankfully) they were alone by the time their partners came and assumed cape form upon Natsuko's order. Quickly, Natsuko motioned the girls and they flew of into the night, counting down the time as they did so, knowing that there wasn't much left and praying Haruna would still be awake and willing to listen.
