Note : Extra long wedding chapter
CH 9
Kouta's truck, or 'lory' as it was called here, was an odd looking thing. The cab looked normal enough, he gotten a sheepskin cover for the old bench seat, but the tail gate swung out, or if the pins were removed, came completely off. The sides were wood and post, with the upper parts of the sides able to swing down so the sides were waist high, or all the way up the sides came just above Kaede's head. At the front of the bed was a rack with long handled tools. A couple sharp pointed shovels, flat ended shovels, pitchforks, long handled hooks and a couple brooms. Boxes bracketed the tool rack.
One thing Kouta had added to the cab of his truck was a radio / CD / MP3 player and a couple speakers. Not being the newest vehicle, or sporting any extras, Kouta had to put in any entertainment equipment. Kaede was happy he did, music helped drown out the noise of the motor. Kaede enjoyed the ride, watching the scenery and selecting the tunes. Since Kouta was driving she was the 'radio operator'.
The peat came in small blocks and shredded dirt-like clumps. Insisting on helping, Kaede stood with her shovel in the bed of the truck with Kouta. A bucket loader dumped the peat in the bed, then Kouta and Kaede shoveled it to flatten it out and distribute it. Although it was hard work, Kaede cheating some, using her invisible arms to assist, it didn't take too long to fill the bed of the truck. Once the truck was full, Kouta drove onto the scales and got a weight, then went in the office to do the paperwork.
On the way to the Whiskey factory, Kaede laid down on the bench seat, her head on Kouta's lap.
"Comfortable?" Kouta asked, glancing down at her.
"Aye, it is," Kaede replied with a grin. Looking up at him, she asked, "Do ya need both hands to drive?"
"Most of the time."
Kaede closed her eyes and enjoyed her time with Kouta. She felt his arm come down and lay across her neck and upper chest. She moved his arm to her breast, and Kouta recoiled.
"Hon, my hands are dirty," he said.
"Oh." Kaede unbuttoned her shirt and shoved his hand under her shirt and bra, planting it on her breast. "No you won't get my shirt dirty," she explained with a grin.
"You'll be dirty."
"Then I guess you'll have to clean me later," Kaede told him.
"Yes dear," Kouta said with a chuckle. He gently massaged her breast. "This is really nice," he admitted.
"It is. I could stay here all day like this."
"That comfortable, huh?"
Kaede let out a satisfied sigh and said, "If I was a cat, I'd be purring."
"Pur away, we have another few kilometers to the exit."
.
Getting off the exit, Kaede put her shirt back together and sat up, wishing they had a few more miles of highway. In another few minutes they were at the factory. Kouta followed a single lane to the unloading dock and backed up to a large bin that was twice the size of his truak, and mostly empty. So they could leave sooner, Kaede started unloading while Kouta went in to do the paperwork.
There was no unloading machine. Kaede looked around to be sure no one was watching while she grabbed a shovel. She took the tail gate off, then put all four of her arms in a shield at the front of the bed and pushed. The entire load slid out the back and poured into the bin.
Yeah, that was how to unload a truck!
Kaede had a broom, sweeping the remains out when Kouta returned with another man.
"Kaede, you're done?" Kouta asked.
"What ya got, a hydrailic ram on that truck?" the man asked.
Thinking quickly, Kouta nodded and said, "Ah, yeah, thought it might come in handy."
"That saves me work!" the man beamed. "We usually need a load a week, do ya think you can deliver say, every Monday?"
Since he priced his hauls by weight, Kouta immediately nodded. Peat wasn't exactly light, and he'd get a full load every time. "Will do, Sir!" he said heartily. He then remembered something. "Oh, next week we're getting married, so I'll be taking a couple weeks off."
"Congrats. Be sure to contact us when you're available. We may have another job for ya too."
"Yes,Sir, I will," Kouta assured him.
Kouta was having a great day. He was hauling profitable loads and getting to play with Kaede along the way. There wasn't a better job in the whole world!
.
After another small load of lambs up to a new farmer's place, Kouta went home. He and Kaede pulled the roll-up tarp over the bed for the night then went in and saved water (and had some fun) by showering together. After playing all day and in the shower together, they had a good romp before they went down for dinner.
.
In a large unused room on the first floor, Inari and Yuka (to Kaede's surprise) had been working on wedding preparations. A sign on the door announced 'NO MEN!'. Inside, Kaede's wedding dress was all but finished. Emiko and Yuka had made the wedding gown, and had gotten the pink Bride's maids dresses. Inari, who was having fun matching flowers together, was making the bouquets and accessories.
Made of white satin with silver trim, Kaede's gown was stunning to look at. Inari followed the same styling on the train and Kaede's head piece, which was taking shape.
"Dear," Emiko said as she came up beside Inari as she was trying to put the head piece together. "Use the silver thread with this needle to attach the veil. Start from this seam here, right along like this, over to here," Emiko coaxed as she drew a line with her finger, "So the silver highlight will encircle her head."
"That will look pretty. Thank you," Inari told her with a smile. "I want Kaede to look the best we can make her."
"And she will," Emiko assured her. "Kaede is your only daughter, correct?"
Inari nodded. "It is so wonderful I was able to get to know her." Being here with Duncan and her daughter, Inari was so happy she felt she might burst. A tear dripped from her eye. "Duncan has made all of this possible. I love him so much."
Emiko gave Inari a light hug. "I'm happy for you, dear. It's nice to have family."
"It is," Inari said in a sniffle. "This is the happiest moment of my life."
"I'm glad. Just be careful with your stitching, that lace is fragile," Emiko cautioned.
While Emiko helped Inari finish the head piece, Yuka helped Kaede into her wedding gown so any alterations could be done. Looking into a mirror at herself, Kaede was overjoyed at how pretty she looked. "This is ... fantastic, that you so much!"
Studying the dress, Yuka glanced at Kaede with a tiny smile. "Kouta deserves the best," she said.
"I can't wait to show it to him!"
"At the wedding, not before!" Emiko called. "It is bad luck for a groom to see his bride's wedding gown before the ceremony."
"Darn," Kaede grumbled. She wanted to see Kouta's face when saw her in this dress.
Yuka briefly had an impulse to drag Kouta in here and show it to him. She had agreed to support them, so she banished that thought. Studying the fit, she noticed there was extra material at the hips. She pinched in, noting how much extra there was. "We'll have to take it in a bit here."
Emiko went over to look at that Yuka was talking about. She noted the 'extra' was only a centimeter of material. "It's fine like it is, dear. We want a flowing look, not one where it looks like she was poured into it." studying the dress further, Emiko said, "If anything it needs to be taken in up here, around her belly. Accentuate her shape." Emiko pinched in the extra and looked at the result in the mirror.
Yuka noted that made the dress look much sexier. "I thought she wasn't supposed to look 'poured' into it?" she asked.
"I like it," Kaede said, beaming at how she looked.
Emiko took her marker and made the marks on either side of the zipper in the back, where she wanted to take it in. "I have it marked. Kaede, let's get this off and make the alterations, then you can try it on again."
.
In Japan, Connor checked his directions carefully to be sure he had the right place. Walking into the yard if the Maple Inn, he noted the doors had yellow tape in an 'X' pattern over them. A padlock
and hasp were on the door. Walking around the building, Connor found the back door wasn't padlocked. He tried the door. It was locked. A good kick by the lock broke the door open. After he went in, he shut the door behind him. Due to the bright day, he could see well with the light coming in through the windows.
Walking down the hallway, he passed a door that had been pushed in, showing violence had had happened the last time someone was here. Continuing down the hall, he found the room with a oval round plaque with 'Yuka' painted on it. He opened the door and went in.
Inside were suitcases half-unpacked as if someone had been moving in. Connor began searching.
Digging quickly through the drawers of underwear and clothes, he searched for something hard. Going to the closet, he found boxes on the upper shelf. It took a while, but he found what he was looking for. A Music box with 'Lilium' on the polished wooden top of the box.
Re-packing the suitcase with the music box, and as many clothes as he could stuff into the suitcase, Connor packed up and left the house. going back out into the hall, he stopped short. A man in an overcoat was in the hallway, watching him.
"Who are you, and why are you here?" the man asked.
Connor replied in Japanese. With a shrug, he said "My niece, Yuka had forgotten all her clothes. Although she is very cute naked, it's getting cold, so I came to get the clothes she forgot." He held up the suitcase to show the man.
The man pulled out a badge. "Where is Kikumura Yuka?"
"Right now, Probably teaching the girls in class. If you will excuse me," Connor told him and started walking.
"Stop!" The man demanded, and stepped in front of Connor. "Put the suitcase down, and walk away. No one gets hurt."
Connor chuckled at him. "What is so important about some women's clothing?" he asked.
"What is so important?" the man asked. "Why come all the way back here for some clothes."
"She really likes these clothes."
"Put the suitcase down, and walk away," the man demanded.
"Or what?" Connor asked, then added, "If you were a cop, you would arrest me. So, what's the deal?"
Taking on a hard look, the man drew a katana out of his coat with a flourish. ""Put the suitcase down now, or it will get very bloody!" he demanded.
Connor chuckled. "I see, you want a lesson," he said with a grin, and drew his own katana. "Very well, you've met a good teacher." He put the suitcase down to get a two handed grip.
The man backed up a step. "Just walk out," he said firmly, though his eyes showed nervousness. Connor wore a predatory grin.
"Not possible," Connor said flatly, and attacked. He jabbed out and blocked a couple feeble attack attempts by a now very desperate looking man. Connor's moves were smooth and precise, his fast slashes tore up the man's coat as the man flailed, swinging wildly in his attempts to defend himself. Connor backed him into a room. It was only Connor's pulling his thrusts short that the man wasn't on the floor dead.
"Why are you interested in womens clothing, do you wear them?" Connor asked. He thrust in with a quick jab and sliced a couple buttons off the man's coat. As the man tried to counter and his coat fell apart, Connor hit the man's wrist with the flat of his blade, numbing his hand. The man's sword tumbled across the room to clatter on the floor. His eyes went wide at Connor's sword point at his throat.
The man stiffened and raised his hands.
"Well, are you going to speak, or do I give you a shave?" Connor asked.
"We just want to know if any of the residents came back."
"Who is we?" Connor asked.
"I don't know. The boss gave me a badge in case the cops came by. We sure as hell weren't expecting you."
Connor smiled. "That is why you didn't have a gun. You don't want to make any noise and let anyone know you're here," he said.
"Correct," the man said weakly.
Connor backed up and picked up the man's sword. "I'll take this so you don't hurt yourself with it. My niece needs these clothes, so I will be taking the suitcase. Got a problem with that?" he asked.
The man shook his head.
"Good." Connor said. He backed out of the room, grabbed the suitcase and strode out of the house. Having only one sheath, he threw the man's sword up on the roof. Mission accomplished, he strode out the gate and down the street. Connor looked at his watch, he some time to spare before he got packed to return.
.
Duncan inspected the suit Kouta had picked out for the wedding. Traditional black jacket and pants, vest and white shirt. Formal and it fit well. "That should go well with Kaede's dress," Duncan noted.
Kouta looked at him. "You've seen Kaede's dress?" he asked.
Duncan cast him a shocked look. "Me? No! Inari told me a black suit would be a good choice, and Yuka agreed. Passing by the room got me yelled at." Duncan told him with a crooked grin. "Kaede's gown is top-secret."
Kouta chuckled, and said, "It must be really something."
"It's a very special day, so I imagine they are working hard on it," Duncan said. "I offered to buy one, but Inari and Emiko refused. They said this must be Kaede's gown, made just for her."
"I'm glad, it is a very special day," Kouta agreed. He glanced at the mirror again and took his jacket off. "I'll put this up, I have to get changed and take a load of wood over to the Pearsalls'."
"Be careful going by yourself," Duncan cautioned him.
"Oh, I'm not going by myself, Nana and Mayu want to come along," Kouta assured him.
Duncan raised an eyebrow and said, "Then be very careful."
Leaving Kouta to get changed and back to work, Duncan went down to his study to get back to work himself, and found Connor lounging in his chair.
"Back already?" Duncan asked.
"Easy errand," Connor said with a shrug. He held up the music box. "This is what you were after?"
Sitting on his desk, Duncan took the box and opened it. He wound it up and listened. It was the same tune Kouta and Kaede hummed together when they thought they were alone. In music form, the tune held a haunting quality. "Thanks, Connor." Duncan closed the music box. "You know that's another one I owe you."
Connor shrugged a shoulder. "Awww, who's counting?" he asked, then after a pause, added with a smirk, "Until tax time comes due."
"Right."
As they smirked at each other, their faces sobered upon feeling the presence of another immortal. They went out to see Inari standing with Amanda at the entrance.
"Duncan, and Connor!" Amanda greeted heartily. Running over, she gave each of them a hug. "I came as soon as I heard Kaede's getting married."
Noting a metal suitcase sized box by the door, Duncan asked, "Staying for a while?"
Amanda wrinkled her nose at him. "Wedding present. It may come in handy for the newlyweds. I already have the clothes I left up in my room."
"How handy," Duncan said with a fake smile.
"Amanda? Would you like this in the room were collecting the wedding presents in?" Inari asked.
"Yes, please. Do you have wrapping paper?" Amanda asked.
"We do, Yuka had been doing the wrapping, unless you want to."
"Let me do it. There's some things in there that are fragile," Amanda said and ran back over to pick the box up by the handle. "Show me where the room is."
Duncan watched Inari and Amanda head off to the other 'secret room', this one bearing a sign of - 'Kouta and Kaede, STAY OUT!'. "I have to get this down to the church," Duncan said, hefting the music box. "The organ player is sure she can duplicate the tune on the piano."
Connor nodded, and pulled a few sheets of paper from his coat. "It will probably be easier with this," he said. "I managed to get a hold of the sheet music and lyrics for that song,"
"Thank ya, Connor," Duncan said sincerely.
"Hey, this is Kaede's big day, right?"
"Aye," Duncan agreed.
Duncan went off on his errand.
.
Sitting in his car beside the road, watching a residence they suspected an immortal to be at, Carl got a phone call.
"Speak."
"Scout two, sir. Another immortal has arrived at the McLeod place. Profile shows it's Amanda. That's three in one place. This is unprecedented to have so many in one location."
"Listen! McLeod attacked our safe house by gathering immortals together. Have you seen the red headed woman?"
"No sir. If she's here, she hasn't come out."
"Then that is potentially four immortals at that location. They are finally getting that this is a war, and are probably getting ready to attack us again. That means you and number one cannot, I repeat, CAN NOT be caught by them. Take no risks, and do nothing suspicious."
"We are being careful. And we are armed."
"Keep in mind Horton had twelve armed men there. Eight are missing, and presumed as dead as Horton is, and the others ran away. McLeod is extremely dangerous, and he has help. Be very careful you're not even seen."
"Yes sir, we will."
Carl hung up his phone and kept his vigil. He had no doubt McLeod was planning something, he was counting on being ready to strike before McLeod could. Since the safe house in northern France fell, he was on the last of their resources. If they didn't make a successful attack. it would be quite a while before they could mount another attempt.
.
Kaede was happy to see Amanda back. Despite the fact Duncan didn't trust her, Kaede thought of Amanda as another mother. The first thing Kaede did when she saw Amanda, was to tow her down into the 'No MEN' room to show Amanda her dress.
"This is gorgeous!" Amanda swooned as she studied the wedding gown on it's stand.
"Yuka and her mother did most of the work. Inari helps as much as she can. They have done a wonderful job, don't you think?" Kaede asked, beaming with pride.
"I do indeed," Amanda readily agreed. "It is obvious alot of love has gone into making this gown." Her eyes never leaving Kaede's gown, Amanda asked. "Is Yuka or Emiko available?"
"Sorry, they have gone to see Sterling Castle and Edinburgh. There was a tour group going, so they joined it."
"Ah," Amanda said as she stayed fixed on Kaede's gown. "I imagine you are going to keep this beautiful dress for a very long time."
"I am," Kaede said proudly. "It is very special to me."
"I'm happy to hear that."
.
Later that night, Amanda moved stealthily down the hall, ensuring no one else was around. She slipped into the Gown room carrying a small black cloth bag.
.
The day before the wedding day, the more nervous energy everyone had as last minute preparations were made. Amanda took Kaede down town. Curious about what it meant to have your hair, face and nails done, Mayu and Nana went along.
Never having experienced this before, Kaede felt like a queen as a woman washed/dried then cut and styled her hair. Another woman worked on her fingers, shaping and doing her fingernails. The dark pink
polish used on her fingernails was also used on her toenails.
Next her face was treated to the same fine attention, first carefully cleaned, then painted with puffy things and little paint brushes and foamy sticks. Amanda oversaw every detail while the women worked. Kaede had no idea something this silly could take so long. It was well after lunch by the time they were done. Even then, the woman and Amanda scrutinized Kaede's face, looking for an imperfection.
"I think she's ready," Amanda announced, signaling Kaede could finally get up.
Kaede took the hand Amanda offered. Amanda turned her around to look in the large mirror. Kaede started at herself. She was tempted to ask, "Is that me?"
Her hair was shorter, shoulder length and now bore a curly wave to it. It was also an even pink now, no more signs of black, her horns were polished with the same pink as her hair, the same with her eyebrows. Her eyes seemed to be more pronounced. They looked a little larger and wider with the way the shadows on her skin tinted her eyelids and under her eyebrows. With the sweeping shadows, her eyes almost looked pointed on the outsides like cat eyes. Her cheek were blushed, her lips were shiny and redder, and her whole face looked brighter.
"Wow," Kaede whispered.
"Adorable, isn't she?"
"A Princess to be sure."
"That lad she's marryin won't be able to utter a sound when seein'er!"
"I hope he will be at least be able to get out, "I do."
Amanda and the beauty parlor women laughed.
Kaede had a hard time uttering a sound. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Let's go out and see what Nana and Mayu think." Amanda coaxed.
Mayu and Nana gapped at Kaede for almost a full minute before excitedly giving their approval. Amanda took them all to lunch - for they weren't done yet.
By the time they walked from the beauty parlor to the restaurant, Kaede was becoming self conscious. Every guy in visual range was staring at her. When they sat down for lunch, one man ignored his girlfriend to stare at her, which annoyed the girlfriend into leaving without him after she tipped his lunch down into his lap.
Kaede snickered at the woman's actions. She had to wonder, did she look THAT good? "I hope Kouta likes my look," she said.
"I'm sure he will," Amanda assured her. "We'll know tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Kaede asked. "Won't Kouta see me when we get home?"
Amanda let out a sigh. "You poor dear. You can't let Kouta see you now! Once you start getting ready for the wedding, you can't see each other until after the ceremony starts, when you come down the isle."
"What? ... So, where am I suppose to sleep tonight?" Kaede asked, feeling anxious.
"At home, in your room," Amanda replied.
"Then, where's Kouta gonna sleep?"
Amanda shook her head with a grin and said, "Dear, he's getting kicked out until the ceremony tomorrow."
Kaede's jaw dropped. "But, where's he gonna stay?"
"Don't worry, I'm sure Duncan has it all planned out," Amanda said with a mischievous grin.
.
Kouta sat down at a table of the Lenui Inn. As Duncan had directed, upon finishing his day, he parked in the courtyard and got in the car with Duncan and his packed clothes, including the new suit that had been put back into the plastic bag. He'd cleaned up in his room here where he was going to spend the night.
Duncan explained it was going to take longer for Kaede to get ready- since when didn't it take longer for women to get ready for anything? So to be sure he didn't accidentally see her before the ceremony, they were going to have a bachelor party, and he was staying at the Inn tonight.
Kouta did notice Connor and a few of his customers had come in. In a short time, he was known as 'The lad marryin Kaede.', and the drink began to flow heavy.
.
Kaede was happy they were ready for the wedding tomorrow, but not happy Kouta wasn't here. Dinner was a buffet where they snacked and chatted about the coming wedding.
"You're going back to Seattle for your honeymoon?" Amanda asked.
Kaede nodded. "I want to see Uzuki and show Kouta where we live there. Besides, Dad hasn't checked on the Do-jo in how long now?"
Amanda let out a snort. "Kaede, dear," she said in a lecturing tone, "This is suppose to be a vacation for you and Kouta, nothing else."
"It will be, there's plenty of things to see," Kaede replied. "And we'll have a place to stay before we go to Acapulco," she beamed.
"Only you, Kaede, only you," Amanda said with a sigh. Suddenly she snapped her head up and looked towards the front door.
Kaede knew that look. Shortly, she felt it too. She put her plate down and said, "I'll get it."
"Get what?" Yuka asked innocently.
"Kaede, let me," Inari said firmly. She got up and strode out of the room before the knock sounded at the front door.
Amanda and Kaede followed Inari as she strode to the door. Inari swung the door open to see a man slightly shorter than her in plain clothes and wearing a hooded sweatshirt.
"Evenin, M'lady, does Duncan McLeod live here?" the man asked happily.
Amanda recognized him. "Fitzcarin? When did you get in town?"
The man's face brightened. "Amanda, dear," he said beaming a smile at her. His face then went slack as he noticed Kaede. "Check my pulse. It must have stopped for I find myself in the presence of a Goddess!" he exclaimed. Stepping past Amanda, he pulled his hood down with a swipe and bowed deeply to Kaede. "How may I be of service to you, Light that outshines the sun?"
Kaede stepped back, eyeing him.
"Fitz, that's Kaede ..." Amanda began.
"Kaede!" Fitzcarin stated, cutting her off. "What a lovely name for such an exquisite creature the likes I would not have ever believed could exist." he said as he gazed lovingly at her.
Kaede took another step back, eyeing him warily.
"Fitz!" Amanda barked, making him snap out of it. "That is Kaede, Duncan's daughter? BEHIND you is her mother, Inari. Kaede is getting married tomorrow, and her and Kouta are very loyal to each other," Amanda said firmly. "You are standing on treacherous ground at the moment."
Fitzcarin frowned at Amanda. "Oh, now that's a bloody shame. I must congratulate the groom. Where is he?"
"Duncan is down at the Lenui Inn, with Kouta, Kaede's future husband. Fitz, you'll have to behave yourself," Amanda warned.
Fitzcarin took on a mournful look. "Lass, you're no fun at all. Since I am here, I've got to warn you, Those headhunters are at it again. I barely escaped with my life. I came to warn Duncan ..." Shifting his head to gaze at Kaede again, he added, "And his lovely family, that they may come this way. I should probably stay and stand guard over you lovely ladies."
"We can handle them," Inari said flatly. "Mr. Fitzcarin, perhaps you should go see Duncan now." Her tone was ice cold.
Amanda turned Fitz around and pushed him to the door, saying, "Yes, go see Duncan. it's much safer for you there."
"I want to say goodbye to that shockingly beautiful creature you call Kaede," Fitzcarin complained.
"And she will tear you to shreds and scatter your remains to the wind. GO!" Amanda snapped. She pushed Fitz out the door, Inari helped her slam it shut.
Outside, Fitzcarin stumbled a few steps and got himself stopped.
Straightening himself up, he smiled broadly. "So, she looks like an angel and acts like the devil. My kind of woman!" he said happily, and marched back to his car.
.
"Carl, Fitzcarin showed up at McLeod's place."
Carl glanced over at his passenger who was on the phone. "They are gathering their army," he noted aloud. Seeing someone come of the house they were watching, he raised his binoculars. "Yes, it's Demos! Get ready," he said and started the car.
Driving towards the house, he watched Demos walk down to a car parked on the side of the street. The passenger rolled down his window and laid the shotgun across his lap. Timing his speed to reach the parked car the same time as Demos, Carl anticipated the kill. Demos was in front of the parked car as Carl reached it and hit the brakes. His passenger raised his gun and shot. Demos saw the shotgun as it appeared and threw himself tot he side as the shot rang out.
Damn! Carl threw the car in park and got out drawing his pistol. He ran around in back of the parked car as his passenger got out. Leveling his pistol on where he expected Demos to be, lying beside the car. He suddenly found Demos was directly in front of him. He moved his aim as Demos threw a suitcase at him and charged low. Demos' action distracted Carl long enough for Demos to tackle him.
The pistol flew from Carl's hand as he fell. Getting up, Demos stomped on Carl's stomach as he fled around the back of the car.
Seeing his passenger appear in front of the parked car and aim the shotgun at him, Carl pointed to Demos who was in a crouching run beside their car. "Aim for our car!" Carl yelled. Luckily, his passenger did just as Demos slipped into the driver's seat.
The shotgun blasted out again. Carl grabbed his pistol, got up and ran to their car. The driver's door was open, window glass gone, and blood on the frame. Demos was crumpled half out of the car, bleeding from a nasty head would. Carl quickly pulled his long knife and began cutting Demos' head off. Demos twitched and struggled briefly as blood sprayed from the wound. Carl cut through his neck pushing hard to get through the cartilage of his spine. He instant Demo's head was free, Carl pulled the body out, got in and slammed the door shut.
His passenger got in. Carl floored it and got out of there.
One less ally for McLeod, and another victory for him.
.
Becoming involved in a teams dart game Kouta and Duncan played against Joe and Angus. Halfway through a 301 game, Kouta found out he sucked, and despite Duncan being good, Angus was better, and Joe was good enough to support his partner. They had no chance at winning this game. The Joe/Angus team doubled-out with a single dart from Angus, a double 17. Not an easy shot.
"The round's on you laddies!" Angus cackled happily.
"Good game," Duncan told him, and paid for another round of their ales.
"Maybe we can get him so drunk, we have a chance to win?" Kouta asked hopefully.
Duncan shook his head. "Angus was regional dart Champion for seven years running," he told Kouta.
"Only way you're beating Angus is if he passes out," Joe said with a smirk.
"And the man can hold his liquor," Duncan added.
"Come'on, Laddies, another game!" Angus said happily as he retrieved his dart out of the board. "I'll even partner with Mr. Kaede this time."
Laughter pealed out and Kouta flushed and said, "It's Kouta."
Joe's phone rang. Joe hobbled over to by the bar were it was quieter. "Dawson." Joe then perked up as he listened. "When was this? ... OK, thanks. Keep an eye on them but stay clear, these guys are dangerous. Have you contacted Paris? "Yeah, OK, good luck."
Duncan noted Joe's face looked very serious as he hobbled closer. Locking eyes, Joe tipped his head to a table and went over. Duncan went with him. Something was up.
Not sitting down, Joe waited until Duncan was close and said, "Demos was killed by a hit squad, human. They are being tracked, but we don't know where they came from. Maybe some who survived the raid on Horton's place?"
"I didn't think anyone survived from that," Duncan said quietly.
Joe checked to be sure no one else was listening, and said, "An attempt was made on Fitzcarin the same day and time you got Horton. Fitzcarin got away, Demos wasn't so lucky. Be real careful Mac."
Duncan frowned and looked over at Kouta, who was involved with another game. "At least Kaede and Kouta won't be here."
"Yeah," Joe said with a huff. "Thinkin about buggin out?"
"Even if I wanted to, Inari won't have it. Where was Demos killed?"
"Southern Normandy. I imagine they will be hiding for a while," Joe offered.
"I'm not going to count on that," Duncan told him. He then felt he presence of another immortal coming. He looked over at the door.
A moment later, Fitzcarin came in. Seeing Duncan he came over. "Hey Laddie," Fitzcarin said with a grin. "Your Missus said you were here. Have to say, she's not the most friendly type."
Duncan didn't waste time with small talk. "Fitz, ya see any of the men who came after you?"
"Now really. Lucky for me I had to take a leak. Just got in the bathroom when I hard the front door bust in. I hid before they got up to the second floor. They searched the place and harassed the girl I was with. Stayed around turnin things over for a bit, then left. Soon as they were gone, I left out the back," Fitzcarin explained.
"And no one followed you?" Duncan pressed.
Fitzcarin shrugged. "Didn't see anyone."
"That probably means yes," Duncan grumbled. Letting out a sigh, he said, "Stay inside and watch out for Kouta. I'll go check to see if you brought a tail."
Fitzcarin perked up. "Kouta, that lad that's going to marry that vision of perfection called Kaede? You know, Lad, that's like stealing precious nectar from a starving man!"
Duncan frowned at him and leaned close. In a stern tone, he said, "Fitz, Kaede's my daughter, Kouta's my son-in-law. Do anything to or with either of them, and we'll have a BIG problem."
"You sure know how to take a man's fun away, Laddie," Fitzcarin told him.
"Deal with it. In fact, why don't you come with us?"
.
Duncan towed Fitzcarin along with him as he and Connor went out searching for any suspicious people hanging around. The area of the Inn was clear, the only think they found was a young couple making out in a car hidden from the road.
Next they went up to the road to the castle. Useing only parking lights to sneak slowly to within a half kilometer of the castle, Duncan stopped before the castle was in sight. Getting out, they searched and found a vacant car parked in the bushes.
"Recognize it," Connor asked quietly.
"No. Look at the plate, it's not local," Duncan said, showing his dim light on the back of the car.
The car wasn't locked, and the keys were in it. Duncan took the keys and locked the car.
Looking for evidence of someone around, they noted a fresh trail off into the woods.
The camp they found was cleverly hidden. If whoever did it wasn't sloppy, they wouldn't have seen the flickering glow of the campfire.
In the woods, but close enough to the castle that it could be seen, the camp had a dual screen to keep their campfire from being seen from the castle or the road. Two astronomical telescopes were set up. One was pointed at the castle, the other at the field in front of the castle. A deep cycle marine battery was hooked up to a Laptop and some kind of panel. Under a canopy that was angled to help screen the camp from sight, the dying campfire flickered bracketed by two bodies in sleeping bags.
Duncan Fitz and Connor crept up to the bags. On a nod, they began pounding on the men, rudely awakening them. One man tried to pull a gun, he was knocked unconscious before he could aim. Once the men were subdued and tied up, Duncan led the searched through their equipment. Besides the telescopes, they found high power binoculars. On the laptop, they found CCD cameras were set up to watch both directions on the road, looking both ways. For weapons, each man had a .40 glock and an Uzi. There was also an ax and two machetes in camp.
Tying the men to trees, some water woke the men up. Duncan led the disassembly of the camp while the men sputtered and got their senses back. Some items, like the laptop, battery and telescopes, Duncan wrapped up to take. Other things, like their sleeping bags and clothes, Connor got a good fire going, and threw the items on to burn up.
"Fitz, take the guns and ammo back to their car. Just drop it on the side for now." Duncan told him.
Connor eyed the men staring at him through puffy eyes. "Think it's worth the effort to try and make them talk?"
"Not sure," Duncan mused. "I bet all they know is who to watch for. If they knew anything important, they wouldn't be left out here." Duncan eyed the men and added, "Think we should take them farther from the road for we bury'em?"
"No matter, peat bog's not that far away. Tie a rock to'em and toss'em in. Lot less messy, and nowhere near the work," Connor told him.
"That is a better idea," Duncan agreed.
"Hey, we weren't doing anything to you!" one of the men cried.
"You were spying on us," Duncan retorted. Looking behind him, he said, "We'll see if Fitz recognizes either of them before we get rid of them."
"We'll tell you anything you want to know if you promise to let us go."
Connor let out a short laugh and said, "If you're afraid of dying, you should never have come here."
The other man spoke up with a sneer. "So says the one who can't die!"
"Well, now we know who they are," Duncan said.
"And we know we can't let them go," Connor agreed.
The men's heads turned and lifted suddenly, and made a popping sound as their heads turned to look directly behind them. they then went limp, their heads flopping down, necks broken.
Duncan was wondering what happened, then Inari drifted down from above, wearing her nightgown.
"I saw the firelight and came to see what was happening out here," she explained.
Duncan had planned on scaring information out of the men. He frowned at Inari. "Hon, I didn't want them dead, at least not yet."
"Sorry, sweetie," Inari said, and kissed Duncan. "We have a big day tomorrow. You need to get some sleep, not be playing with the bad guys."
"It's not like we can decide when to take care of things like this," Duncan told her.
Inari nodded. "Yes, it is. I'll go take these guys down to the bog. We can get this other stuff after the wedding." with shooing motions, she said, "So go on, go get some sleep and keep an eye on Kouta. Kaede will be very disappointed if anyone's late tomorrow!"
Duncan relented and grabbed the telescopes, Connor grabbed the other gear they had collected.
"How does she do that?" Connor asked, glancing back to see Inari walk off, the mens' bodies floating in the air behind her.
"Inari and Kaede are special," Duncan told him. "Their minds are very powerful, it's not a good idea to get them angry."
"I see that."
Fitzcarin met them on his way back from the car. Looking at them, he asked, "What about those men?"
"Inari took care of them, let's go," Duncan said flatly.
"Twisted all their necks from a distance. It was very impressive," Connor added.
"Kaede just usually makes them explode from the inside," Duncan commented.
"Busts them open like a pinnate," Connor added.
"The most I think was four at once. What a mess!" Duncan said to Connor as he scrunched his face up.
Fitzcarin decided that some beauty should be appreciated from afar.
Pondering what to do with the car, Duncan decided to leave it for now with the weapons and ammo locked in the trunk.
.
Kaede woke early. The alarm didn't go off, no one woke her. She just woke up and ached to put her dress on. In her morning cleaning ritual, she made sure to disturb her face as little as possible.
Amanda was up also. They got breakfast ready, and after everyone ate, they got themselves ready to go - except for Kaede. She wore a plain sweater and jeans, her dress lovingly wrapped in plastic and laid in back so it would not get wrinkled when they left for the church.
On their way, Nana was on her knees in the back seat lookin at Kaede's dress. "Wow, look how it sparkles in the sun," Nana said in awe.
Kaede thought she was exaggerating. Taking a look herself, at first she didn't see anything special. Then they passed through a sun beam. When the sunshine shown on her dress, it did sparkle. In fact, the white cloth seemed to glow, and the seams shown tiny multicolored spots of light on the ceiling of the Land Rover.
"Wow," Kaede said in awe. It was almost like her dress was magical. "Mom, you see this?" she asked.
"See what, dear?"
The moment passed as they passed out of the sun beam. Her dress was still beautiful, but it didn't glow or sparkle. "It glowed when the sun hit it," Kaede explained.
"Oh that is the cloth was made with a very, very light blue dye. That makes it brighter when in the sunshine," Emiko explained.
Kaede nodded, than made sense. "What about the sparkling and the tiny bits of light it gave off?" she asked.
"What?" Emiko asked.
"Yeah, Aunt Emiko!" Nana said happily. "Kaede's dress got all sparkley and all these tiny lights of different colors appeared all over the car roof. It was really awesome."
Behind the wheel, Amanda bit her lip.
"The sun must have caught the silver seams at just the right angle," Emiko said, thinking that was a good explanation.
"I hope the sun is out during the wedding. That was real pretty!" Nana said happily.
.
Kouta stood in the side room with Connor and Daniel, one of the young men who helped him with loads from time to time. Fidgeting, Kouta checked has sleeves, made sure his tie was straight then checked himself for lint.
"This is the 'big one', isn't it?" Daniel asked with a grin.
"Yeah," Kouta agreed absently.
"Got the jitters huh? Guess I would too," Daniel said.
"Just hope I can do right by her," Kouta said nervously. "I mean, Kaede deserves the best. Hope I can live up to it."
Connor chuckled and said, "Kouta just do as you have always done. Be her friend and watch out for her."
Kouta cast him a lost look. "What have I done? I'm not the one who got her away from that facility, All I did there was hold Inari up. I've never done anything special."
"That's not how she sees it," Connor told him. "Despite not being able to do much, you did stay by her. You were there when she needed you. You do little things she appreciates, things only you can do. You give her joy Kouta, we all see that. That is what you do that is special."
Kouta offered him a grin. Looking out the window, he saw patches of sunlight move across the ground were slowly getting larger. He'd been hoping it would be a nice day out.
The door opened. Duncan peeked his head in. "Kouta, we're getting ready, two minutes."
Kouta turned to him and nodded. He didn't even know why, but he desperately wanted to get out of this room. The butteries in his stomach were slowly growing into eagles. They had talked about it, and planned, but now it was actually happening. Kaede was going to walk down the isle to step up on the alter with him and become his wife.
Mrs. Kaede Kikumura.
He'd heard from a giggling Mayu that Kaede had been practicing writing her new name, over and over again with this day-dreamy look on her face as she did.
He really hoped he could live up to being a good husband.
The door opened. Doogal announced, "It's time."
Kouta swallowed and moved to leave, then had a panic attack. "The rings!" he cried.
Connor put a hand on his shoulder and patted his jacket pocket. "I have them right here. Everything is under control." he said reassuringly.
Kouta nodded and went out to the alter, Connor right behind him. The pianist began playing as Kouta took his place beside the priest.
Unlike rehearsal the church was full now. Many faces Kouta recognized, some he didn't. As the music played, far door opened and Mayu appeared, dressed in a fluffy pink dress and carrying a bouquet of flowers. Nana came next, dressed the same. Following her came Yuka as a third Bride's maid. Kouta was surprised at this, he was sure Yuka would never have agreed to be here.
The girls smiled as the came down the isle. Yuka cast Kouta a long glance, Kouta nodded to her, returning her forced smile with a genuine one. He wanted her to know he appreciated the fact she had
accepting him and Kaede, and was here to share their special day.
Kouta also noticed a woman to the side by the pianist stood up and put a music sheet up on a stand in front of her. He had assumed when Kaede came down the isle, the wedding march would be played. That didn't have words, did it?
Once the bride's maids were stationed to the side on the alter, Duncan appeared on the open door at the far end and with him, Kaede.
Kouta's jaw dropped. The wedding gown Kaede wore was white with a Capital 'W', Offset with silver trim. Kaede looked striking. He didn't know why, but she looked even more gorgeous that usual. Like her gown, her face seemed to glow. It was the most beautiful thing Kouta had ever seen.
The pianist started playing again, but not the wedding march. It took three notes for Kouta to recognize the tune.
As the Pianist played, and Duncan and Kaede started to move slowly down the isle, the woman by the pianist sang on a loud, clear voice.
"Os iusti meditabitur sapientam ..."
Kouta saw the same surprise on Kaede's face as he felt as the music box tune, the song they had hummed together so long ago, was now being played for their wedding, complete with a singer singing the haunting lyrics loud and clear. All he could see was Kaede's face. In his mind, the sat by the stream at the zoo, humming that tune back to back with Kaede as they waited to dry off.
Kaede's mind was on the top of the stairs under the streetlight, holding hands with Kouta and humming that tune. In the alcove, where they sat waiting out the rain. The joy she had felt then mixed with the joy she was feeling now, causing her eyes to water as she choked back her tears.
It was their song that was being played. She wanted to run to Kouta and hold him tight. She gripped Duncan's hand hard as she continued towards her love, seeing only his face as he gazed at her, their eyes locking.
Kaede walked into a sunbeam. Her gown glowed, the seams sparkled with tiny lights as the singer sang.
"Kyiiieeeeeri ignius devine Ellison..."
Everyone there gapped at the brilliance of Kaede's sparkling gown, making her look like a Goddess. Kouta and Kaede barely noticed, they were so focused on each other. Duncan timed their step to reach Kouta just as the song ended. He passed Kaede's hand to Kouta. The instant they made contact, Kaede weeping with joy and Kouta close to weeping in joy, they wrapped together in a tight hug.
"Ah, Hon, the ceremony?" Duncan coaxed.
Connor bend close to Kouta to say, "It's not time for that yet,Lad."
Separating except for tightly clasped hands, Kouta and Kaede gazed lovingly at each other. The priest started speaking, but his words were lost to them. All Kouta knew was his breathtakingly beautiful Kaede right in front of him. All Kaede knew was her Kouta, here in front of her to be together with her forever.
"Kouta ... Kouta," the priest said twice to get his attention.
"huh? Yes," Kouta asked, breaking his gaze away from Kaede.
With a smirk, the priest asked, "DO you take this woman, Kaede McLeod, as your lawfully wedded wife to love honor and cherish, until death do you part?"
"I certainly do," he said with all sincerity.
"And do you, Kaede, take this man, Kouta Kikumura, as your lawfully wedded husband to love honor and cherish, until death do you part?"
"Absolutly," Kaede said in a breath. She then remembered the proper words. "I mean, I do."
"Do you have the rings?"
Connor tapped Kouta on the shoulder and handed him the rings.
Gathering his wits, Kouta put Kaede's ring on her finger, She took his ring and put it on his finger. Again, they gazed at each other in pure joy.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
They crashed together, locking lips and wrapping their arms around each other. Another sunbeam shown through the window, Kaede's gown cast the room in a sparkling glow.
While the long kiss went on, Duncan noticed the sparkle from Kaede's gown was coming from something sewn into the seams. In her shoulder a sparkling of light showed itself.
Diamonds. Someone had sewn diamonds into Kaede's gown. By the hundreds of tiny sparkles, that was one expensive dress. He also wondered where all those diamonds came from. The sparkling glow faded as the sun went behind another cloud, but the kiss went on. For quite a while.
Duncan coughed to get their attention. Connor wasn't so subtle. He tapped Kouta on the shoulder. "You need to go to your room before you go any farther," he told them.
Chuckles rose up from Connor's words. Kouta and Kaede parted lips, grinning at each other. Kouta gently wiped the tears from Kaede's cheeks. "I love you so much," he whispered.
"I love you, my husband," Kaede said softly.
Holding hands they turned and walked up the isle as music played.
.
Yuka was stunned, not only by the brightness of Kaede's gown, but more by the amount of affection Kouta and Kaede showed for each other. Her tears were not of joy, but of the now absolute certainty of what Kouta and Kaede felt for each other.
Yuka was locked out, cast aside, left on her own. There would never be a chance for her with Kouta. She decided the day after tomorrow when her mother went home, she was going with her. Mayu and Nana were both spending more and more time with Inari and Duncan. Kouta's fledgling family had no real place for her. Yuka began to realize it never did. Besides, she needed to go back to school anyway.
.
The reception at the castle was a big party. During the first part, Kouta and Kaede were showered with various wedding gifts. Some were practical like kitchen appliances, fancy drinking glasses, mug sets, or the 'Box-o-utensils' that had every large spoon, flipper, gripper, skewer, or knife one could think of. Others were fun items, His and hers bathrobes, a 'honeymoon' kit sporting various embarrassing items, and Egyptian cotton bed linens and satin sheets.
One item they opened was the box Amanda had gotten them. The metal case had compartments with things in it neither Kouta nor Kaede had any idea what it was, or what it was for. Pulling out a small flat pouch with bent needles, Kouta showed it to Amanda with a questioning look.
"Lock picks, in case you lock yourself out," Amanda explained innocently.
Kaede held up a bottle.
"Nitric acid, it's good for all kinds of things," Amanda explained.
"Like what?" Kaede asked.
"Well, it cleans away unwanted metal, mixed with water it's a great anti-weed agent, and mixed with glycerin you can use it to break up things like concrete, or a heavy door you can't get open," Amanda said innocently.
Duncan glared at Amanda and asked in a hard tone, "You gave them a kit to make nitroglycerin?"
Amanda shrugged and said, "What? it's useful stuff."
"For robbing a bank!" Duncan retorted.
"That's not all it's good for," Amanda replied with a frown. Under breath, she said, "It's good to rob almost any place."
They also found 'useful' items like glass cutters, a can of 'fog', small mirrors, stethoscope, gloves, nylon rope, climbing gear, grapple, electrical wire with aligator clip ends, and other things they had no idea what they were for. Kouta came to the conclusion Duncan was right. This was a tool kit for a burglar. "Ahh, thank you," he offered, not knowing what else to say.
Even feeling heady with being married to Kouta, Kaede was starting to put things together. The sparkling in her gown she had found were diamonds sewn in. Alot of diamonds. And now Amanda had given them a burglar's kit. She noticed some things in the kit had been used. Amanda had also questioned about her gown- if she was going to keep it for a long time. Right, Amanda had made a big diamond heist, and for some reason she needed to hide them, as well as what she'd used to acquire them.
It was tempting to just tell Dad now what she'd figured out. Kaede was upset that Amanda would use her like this, as well as use her wedding gown to hide her 'booty', but then again, Amanda had helped her in many ways. "Amanda, thank you for the presents," she said.
The moment she was able to, she was hiding her dress and this kit someplace. Later, she'd get to work getting the diamonds out of her wedding dress. She didn't want it to be confiscated as evidence in a crime. The burglar kit was going in a bog some time soon.
Duncan and Inari gave them airline tickets for them to Seattle, then Acapulco, Rome, Paris, then back home. As well as the keys to Duncan's barge in Paris to help save them hotel costs.
Kouta and Kaede stayed to have the required dances. The father/bride dance the mother/groom dance with Inari and Kouta, and the bride/groom dance. Once those were done, then the dance floor was open. As soon as Kouta and Kaede noted people were becoming more focused on partying, they slipped away up the stairs.
Having the plastic garment wrap for her gown, Kaede took her gown off with Kouta's help. She then had Kouta flatten out a dark cloth, and carefully opened up a seam on the inside of the arm. A dozen diamonds fell onto the dark cloth.
Kouta stared at them. "Are those diamonds?" Kouta asked.
Kaede nodded. "Yes, someone sewed alot of diamonds into my gown, then gave us the tool kit she used to acquire them," she explained.
Kouta's face went slack. "So if someone was looking for them..."
"AND if they recognize these diamonds, then they might confiscate my dress!" she said firmly.
"We need to get rid of them," Kouta said firmly.
"The kit, yes. My dress, NO! We'll take it to Seattle with us, and since Amanda gave us these diamonds, I guess they are ours," Kaede said, beaming him him a smile. She wrapped her arms around Kouta and kissed him. Kouta returned her kiss, holding her and petting her bare back. "We got enough time..."
Kaede cast him a lusty grin. "Yeah, we do..."
