Nine
January passed by quickly. The cold days soon passed. Our princess was busy preparing for a Valentine coming up quickly. Our dark angel was just as busy in the Angels' Café working as a waiter also preparing for the holiday.
"Remu-san," Dark called to the back of the kitchen where the old woman was baking. "Were all done for today."
"Thank you," she called back. It was nine and time to close. Remu came out and wiped her hands on her apron.
"Hey, I'm going to take off now," their new employee said at the back door, putting on his jacket.
"See you later, Takada," Dark said to the young man.
"Wait, wait," Remu called. "Here take these home to your mother," she said and handed him a bag. "It's a bunch of herbal tea leaves. And here some of the muffins I just baked."
"Thank you, Remu-san," he said, "You shouldn't have."
"Na, it's nothing. Your mother was a good friend of mine. Now go home."
"Thank you so much," Takada said and bowed. "See you tomorrow Dark, you too Uizu," he said to Uizu which was eating his dinner, strawberries, on the counter.
"Yeah," Dark said and went upstairs. Then a clatter of doorbells rang in the front of the store.
"The store's closed," Remu called.
"Um," a young girl's voice said, "I'm looking for Dark-san."
Remu walked to the counter and Uizu poked his little head just enough to see. There was a girl with brown short hair standing before the door. "Dark-kun," Remu called upstairs.
"Coming," he said and came downstairs. Remu returned to the pastries she was making just a little while ago. This wasn't the first time. Since the café opened there were a lot of girls that came after it closed looking for Dark.
Remu watched the two while mixing in her ingredients. But soon the girl just left. Dark then walked to the back door and locked it.
"Another fan?" Remu asked.
"Yeah," Dark said turning around.
"Hey, Dark-kun, why do you do that?"
"Do what?" Dark asked.
"There's been already seven girls that came already, how come you send them away all the time? Why don't you just hook up with one of them? They're all nice girls."
"That's because I already have one."
"What?" Remu exclaimed. "How come I wasn't aware? Is it the girl you were talking about before? You should invite her to come sometimes. I want to meet her."
"I'm not sure she has all that time," Dark said and went up stairs.
"Young people," Remu muttered under her breathe. Uizu came over to her and she patted his head.
Then Dark came down stairs wearing a heavy trench coat. "You're going out today too?" Remu asked.
"Yeah," Dark said and opened the door and the little balls rang. "Uizu, you coming with me?"
Uizu hurriedly ran to the counter and leaped off of it and landed on Dark's shoulder. "I'll be back at around ten thirty."
"Don't worry. Take your time," Remu said. And Dark left.
He headed to the forest and took out his list. Uizu jumped off of his shoulder and landed on the ground. Dark opened up his cavern where everything was hidden and put his trench coat in it. "Stay here, until I come back alright?" he said to Uizu. Then his took off into the night sky.
Yuki looked threw her journal. Everything seemed to be in place. The festival should run just fine. Well, of course. It's the same every year; it's just that she volunteered to be the head of the festival. Well, it's probably because she felt bored. Since the Angel's Café opened, Dark has been busy and hasn't visited her as often.
She closed the booklet. "I wonder if this stress is appropriate for my age," she muttered to herself. "Well, whatever," she said to herself again. Then went to the bathroom and took a bath. After she finished and changed into her cashmere nightgown, she left the steam-filled room to dry her hair.
"Yo, Hime-san," he said hanging his coat on her coat hanger.
"How many times have I said not to sneak up on me?" she asked him and draped her towel over her shoulders.
"How hot is your water?" Dark asked from her bed, "It creates so much steam the glass outside the bathroom fogs up."
"What does that matter to you?" she asked. "So what did you steal tonight?"
"How do you know I stole something tonight?"
"You're not wearing regular day clothes," Yuki said and Uizu hopped onto her shoulder. "Hello, Uizu."
"Hey you know, Remu-san wants you to visit our café. Do you think you can make time for that?"
"And what? Tell everyone that you come to my balcony and woo me?"
"That's not a very nice was of putting it," Dark said. "And when did I ever start wooing you?
"Well, the people aren't going to think that we're just friendly talking, are they? Of course they'll think of something obnoxious to get everybody's attention."
"I guess this is the experience you get when everyone looks at you since you were born."
"Well, you should have the same experience since you are Kaito," Yuki said. She put the towel away, since her hair was only damp and went over to the bed and tucked herself in. "So what are you guys doing for the Valentine festival?"
"Well, obviously we're going to open a booth and advertise. Why do you ask?"
"If that the case, I might drop by. Then everyone will just think that I like your café's pastries. That can also be the case that I go there often. That will also probably bring the café more business."
"You think very thoroughly don't you?"
"I always do. I've been taught like that."
" You sound a lot like Remu-san," Dark said. "She thinks about every tiny little aspect."
"Maybe Kyo should stay at her place for a while. Maybe the thoroughness will rub off of him," Yuki joked.
"Is that a joke, Hime-san?" Dark asked. "It's been awhile since I've heard one from you. Bravo."
Yuki smiled just a little then looked at the clock. "It's 10:40. I should to go sleep now. I have a lot of things to take care of tomorrow."
"I guess being the head of the festival must make it very hard for you."
"Yeah," Yuki said lying down on her bed and pulled the covers up. "It sure has taken its toll on me. I just hope that it would be very enjoyable that day."
"Well, I'll ask Remu-san to make her specials that day especially for you, alright?" Dark said leaning in toward her face until Yuki can feel his breath on her face.
"I look forward to it," Yuki said and closed her eyes. Dark turned off the lights and left.
It's the day. Valentines. The day where lovers give gifts to each other and joy and merriment fills the air.
"Why do we have to make this holiday such an event?" Yuki asked herself.
"I'm not so sure," her father said. "It's just always been tradition."
"I see." she said as she handmaid pinned up the rest of she hair.
"So how much chocolate do you expect this year?" her father asked.
"Let's not think about that right now since I've forgotten that matter already. And isn't "tradition" that the girl gives her chocolates to the boy and then he returns it on White Day?" I asked.
"I guess that's why White Day's also such a celebrated holiday for us also."
"Just don't put me in charge of that day. I plan on going to the summer villa on those days."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"The people are going to be sad that day"
"Well, they are just going to have to cope with it. I need a vacation."
"Oh by the way, the new police captain is going to be stationed here at Rutile. You might see him around in the palace. I've heard that he's a pretty handsome man."
"You've never seen your own captain of the guard before?"
"No, I've signed a treaty with Lagoone just a few weeks before. It's for seeking shelter when we need it. In exchange their people can go in and out of our kingdom." Lagoone was a large kingdom, well larger than Rutile, up north above Rutile.
"What? That's like letting their kingdom take over ours just for shelter when we don't even need it?" Yuki said getting angry.
"Yuki, listen. If we were to be attacked do you think we, just a tiny little province-country, can stand up to them? What do you think will happen if we don't have people to lean on? Think about the people." Her father was very right about the situation, but Yuki kept being stuborn.
"But that's no notion to just let other's take over," Yuki said turning away from the mirror and facing her father. She was getting angrier by the second at her father's notion. Then someone came into the room.
"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness. Please excuse my behavior, but the public is waiting," an advisor ushered.
"Thank you, Regenei," Theodil-o said. "Let's continue this talk later. See you at the city then, my dear," and with this the king left Yuki. Very soon her maid also left her and she was left all alone in her room.
Just as she was about to leave the room her glass door of her balcony was knocked on. She went over to it and opened it.
"I hoped to catch you still here," Dark said as he came into her room.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have a booth to take care of?" Yuki asked.
"Yeah, but Takada doing just fine. At this time mostly the elders or couples are walking around. Those that are single come out later, or at least that's what Remu-san says. So when you do you plan on going down there, Hime-san?"
"Why do you ask? Are you going to escort me?" Yuki asked, setting herself at her jewelry stand, decided as to what earring she should wear today.
"Of course not," Dark said. He walked over to her and leaned over her shoulder pressing his muscular chest against Yuki's fragile back. He picked out a pair for her. "Here, try these," he said and held them out for her.
"Why of course you would recommend these. They are the pair you gave me on Christmas," Yuki said and started putting the on.
"Yes, but I don't remember you wearing them."
"How do you know that, you don't see me everyday? You can't be positive that I've worn them or not."
"Fine, I don't remember you ever wearing them for my viewing pleasure," Dark said and then leaned in until Yuki can feel his hot breath on her face. "And only for me," he whispered.
"Well, it is Valentine's Day, I guess I'll do this for you then," Yuki said with a cool head, but she can't lie to herself that she didn't like it.
"Then I'm happy," Dark said and backed off. "Although I would have really loved it to see you blush."
"Then you should learn a new move," Yuki said and gathered her things. "I'll see you at your booth then."
"See ya later," Dark said and started for the balcony.
"Wait, Dark," Yuki called from where she sat.
"Yes, Hime-san?" he said just a few steps from where she was.
"Here you go," she said and tossed him a wrapped box. "I know you're going to get a lot of girls all over you and you have to watch the booth so here's a little boost for you."
"Thank you, Hime-san," Dark said and leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I'll be sure not to share it."
"Anyways see you later," Yuki said standing up.
"I thought I used a new move," Dark complained when she didn't fidget.
"A peck on the cheek isn't a new move, it's a step down from kissing," Yuki said.
"Oh well, later," Dark said and then he flew away.
Yuki went to her door and was ready to open it when she peered into the mirror and saw her reflection. The earring really brings out the color of my eyes, she thought. She felt satisfied at this and left is merriment.
"Hey, Dark," Takada called from the booth. "Where have you been? Remu-san was here just a minute ago. Do you know how hard it was to cover up for you?"
"Yeah, of course." Dark said tossing up the chocolate that Yuki gave him and caught it. "That's why I have you do it." Takada glared at him. "I'm just joking."
"Don't joke about sudden death man," Takada said. Dark entered the booth. "Wow, so who is the one that gave you a chocolate this early in the morn?"
"A girl that's very pretty and high in status," Dark said.
"Hey, I got what you needed," Takada said and handed Dark a giant bag. There is two purposes for the bag: Dark doesn't want to carry all the chocolates that he's going to receive, and Remu wants to save on chocolates for her pastries.
"Thanks man," he said and got ready to work.
A couple came over to sample the pastries and as they left the clock stroked noon. Dark set out another tray.
"You're not going to put that chocolate in there?" Takada asked.
"Nope."
"Why? Is she that special?" Takada asked. "Don't tell me you're just going to keep that one."
"Of course."
"Then what about the other chocolates?"
"Those we can use for chocolate icings. This is all part of Remu-san's plan. All right it's noon right now. Brace yourself, the Calvary's coming."
"So what's this girl like?" Takada asked ignoring Dark's advise.
"She's hot headed sometimes and thinks everything out," Dark said.
"Sounds like Remu-san," Takada said then he started preparing for the stampede of hormones that are produced on Valentine's Day.
It was around two when they were almost out of pastries, so they started cleaning up just a little as they were ready to get a break and go to lunch.
"So," Takada started, "among the havoc that was happening, did your beloved come to visit?"
"No," Dark said heaving the gigantic bag of chocolates onto the table where there was free space. "I'm sure she's going to pop up any minute right now. You now she's really busy and we are going to be very busy bringing all this chocolate back to the store."
"Yeah." Takada said. "Hey, do you now when we are going to close this booth?"
"Right now."
"What? It's the afternoon, what about the rest of the day?"
"Just following Remu-san's plan, man. She's the boss, she makes the rules."
"Hey I wonder if Kaito is going to steal something tonight?"
"Yeah," Dark said, "Maybe he's going on a date tonight with a girl."
"You think he has a girl?"
"You never know," Dark said and tried to change the subject. "So Takada, do you have a date tonight?"
"No, I'm going to stay with my mom tonight," Takada said.
"What? Isn't you mom going to help Remu-san tonight?"
"She is? I never knew," Takada said.
"I'm gonna guess that you don't have a date either."
"Yeah. What am I going to do?"
"Don't worry about it," Dark said. "You're not that bad looking. Go on and hit on a girl you like, I'll take care of everything here. I'll even help you, so who do you like?"
"The… princess."
"You cannot hit on her," Dark said after some considering of his words. "She's… engaged to some lord duke guy."
"I was just kidding. And is she really engaged? Last time I check she was a free as a bird," Takada said. Dark gave him a look. "Fine," Takada said, "you know that girl that came just the day before looking for you? Her name's Kirai. She's… she's a childhood friend of mine."
"You like her? She's not a bad girl," Dark said.
"Ok then, I'm going to go now," Takada said as someone caught his eye.
"Hi excuse me," a young girl that was fairly pretty came up to the booth.
"Kirai-chan," Takada panicked, actually he almost jumped out of the booth. "Wh-what are you doing here?"
"Well, I was looking for," she paused a little and looked at both Dark and Takada. She was going to speak, but then Dark spoke.
"Takada, I'm going to go to the café now," Dark said and grabbed the large bag of chocolates and then a smaller bag were he put the pastries that were left over. He made for the exit, but then turned around and retrieved his chocolate then he turned to Takada and whispered a good-luck in his ear as he passed.
"So," he heard Takada start as he walked father and father away from the booth.
Dark walked all the way to the café, which was quiet a distance from the booth. He entered from the back door. "Remu-san," he said as he put down his large bag of chocolates on the ground and the left over pastries on the stove counter.
"Hello, Dark-kun, did you get what I wanted?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's all in the bag. Oh, and Takada might not be coming back today," he said and pointed at the bag. Uizu was sleeping soundly on the counter nearby.
"Did he score with Kirai-chan?" Remu said and started sorting out the chocolates.
"Yes! How'd you know?"
"His mother's been spilling information about him," she said. "Don't you ever listen to your elders? Well anyways, change into your waiter outfit and start working. We don't close until ten today, I hope your girlfriend knows that."
"I'm sure she won't mind at all what time I appear before her. And you know, the way you speak, really makes me doubt you age," he said and headed up stairs. While he was changing upstairs he kept rewinding throughout the day and wondering whether or now Yuki ever showed up. Her face never showed up at the booth. After tying his little bow tie, that he found very difficult to do, he went downstairs.
As he was walking down the stairs Remu came to meet him, her face gleaming with joy, which he took cannot be a good thing for his part.
"Guess who just dropped in?" she asked in a quiet whisper.
"The king?" Dark guessed.
"Oh! So close!" she exclaimed with a loud whisper. "Anyways you'll see when you get down there. I'm going to go up and change, do your job and cater."
Of course at that time, Dark no longer needed to guess whom it was. Obviously it was Yuki. He continued down the stairs and headed for the counter. Yuki was sitting in one of the booth seats. She seemed just happy. While Dark was at the counter he looked out the windows, there wasn't a carriage outside, neither were there body guards or people that looked like undercover bodyguards. Years of thief work, and thousands of eyes suspecting you sure comes in handy once an awhile.
"So," he started casually as he handed her a menu, "I didn't really see you at the booth today, Hime…-sama." He had to remind himself that he was in public.
"You didn't see me off to the side?" she asked casually. "I didn't really go up to the booth, but I did send a handy man to get me something."
"You did," he said. "So where is he now?"
"I sent him away," she said. "I'll take a cup of coffee and a cream-filled butter bread, it was delicious. Compliments to the chief."
"Alright," Dark said and headed off. Soon he came back with Yuki's order. It felt a little weird to be serving Yuki, but she seemed to enjoy it. "Here you go, Hime-sama."
"Thank you," Yuki said and then suddenly stood up. She reached up to Dark's neck. Dark started to blush thinking that she'd make-out with him in public, although no one's watching. But she stopped at his bow and adjusted it a little.
"I'll teach you how to do it properly later," she whispered and sat back down.
"Thank you," he said. She smiled at him, and he almost died being jolted by that.
Then Remu came down, "Oh my, I do hope that Dark-kun's keeping you entertained. That's what I hired him for."
"He's doing fine, thank you," Yuki said. "Actually I met him at the booth. And all I can say ma'am, was that I found your pastries very pleasing." As soon as she said that people came into the café. "The food here rivals that of the chef's at the palace. Maybe even better. I'm sure I'll come visit very soon."
"Thank you," Remu said.
The rest of the time it was just Remu chit-chatting with Yuki and maybe someone from the on looking side comes in to say a few things. Well, Dark was too busy to note anything that they were saying, since the place was filled with reporters and other people. But soon Yuki left and her carriage arrived and took her back to the palace.
"I've never had a better evening," Remu said to Dark when they closed.
"Yeah, neither did your sales every reach the sky," he said sarcastically.
"I know. I must have been tough on you." Remu said. " But I'm so happy that the princess likes our food. Do you know what this means?" Dark guessed it in a split second. "The café's going to be so popular!" Remu started crying with happiness. Dark gave her a hug. She wiped her tears away, "You know what? This is all thanks to you. If I didn't have you I don't know what'd I do."
"Thank you."
"You know what else? I'm going to make Takada work so hard for the next few days because he skipped out today."
"Do kill him though," Dark said.
"I won't. You take off now," Remu said. "I'm sure she's waiting."
"Thank you," Dark said and gave her another hug. "You know Remu-san, you are like the mother I never had."
"Oh, thank you Dark-kun," Remu said.
Dark took his heavy trench coat and left the building. Remu started cleaning up the rest of the things lying around, since Dark had done most of everything. Uizu was sleeping again on the counter.
"Ooh, get up, Uizu. Otherwise you'll grow fat," she said.
