Chapter Twelve: Don't trust a Kemon
"Please, Jason?" Zari asked. The Brooklynite teen was being followed around the café by Zari. He stopped; and leaned against the wall.
"You get my dish duty for the week, and I get first dibs on Keiichiro's latest culinary concoction," he told her, extending his hand.
"DEAL!" she exclaimed, shaking his hand; enthusiastically. "Shikyo!" Zari shouted, sprinting up the stairs.
"What was that all about?" Koran asked.
Jason sighed. "Zari's been in full-blown mother mode. She wants Shikyo to be social, but blondie stuck her with extra hours tonight. So she's been bugging me to take Shikyo to the park, since I'm free later this afternoon."
"And why you?" the Kemon asked.
"I got a midget of a sister, and, considering the other option is Pudding…" Koran nodded, no further explanation required.
"Thank you Uncle Jason," Shikyo cooed. She was clinging to Jason's back, her preferred method of transportation.
"Whatever kid. I needed something to do, since Z's out on another photo shoot," he told her, sounding slightly depressed. They soon arrived at the playground, the same one where Zari first became a Mew.
"Don't go too far!" Jason shouted, as Shikyo raced off towards the jungle gym. He chuckled as he sat himself down on a bench, not far from the structure.
"Cute," Jason mumbled to himself. Yawning, he leaned his head back against a tree; growing behind the bench. "I need a nap," he muttered, closing his eyes. However, he wouldn't get to sleep, as something cold pressed itself against his forehead.
"HOLY SHIT!" he shouted, leap frogging off the bench and diving under the play structure.
"I'm sorry," someone familiar gasped.
"What the--?" Jason began, snapping his head up.
BANG!
"CRAP!" he shouted, clutching the back of his head.
"I didn't know that would happen," Zakuro confessed. She sat next to Jason on the bench, who was holding the can of Coke that surprised him, against the lump on the back of his head.
"It's ok. I'm used to blunt force trauma like this," he joked, offering her a lopsided grin. "But what about your photo shoot?"
"It was in the park. Actually, I just finished up. Your sister's pretty cute when she wants to be," Zakuro told him.
Jason groaned. "I just wish my mom'd stop dragging her and me out to her job. One of the reasons why I'm glad I got the job at the café."
Suddenly, their pendants vibrated and emitted a small chime.
"Jason!" it was Zari's panicked voice on the other end.
"What happened?" Jason asked.
"It's the Kemons. They're attacking downtown. How's Shikyo?" She asked.
"Everything's peachy with a slice of keen here. I've met up with Zakuro, and there's not a Kemon in sight."
"Good. But just to be safe, I'm sending Koran over."
"She'll make a fine mother," Zakuro commented.
"You're saying that like she's not one now," Jason replied, getting up off the bench.
"Hey kid, how bout some ice cream?" he shouted. Zakuro smiled, as the teen guided the goddess in disguise over to the ice cream stand.
"What's with me lately?" she muttered.
"Intagliare?" a voice behind her asked.
"If you don't stop sneaking up on me, I'm going to show you the real reason why women wear heels," Zakuro hissed. "And I don't fall in love."
Koran sighed;and leaned against the bench. "Then lemme just say a few things. Every time I see you two in a fight, and you get hurt, it's always THAT guy," he pointed over to Jason, "who's been kneeling over you, breathlessly awaiting your return to consciousness. And I don't think you mind it," he finished with a grin.
Zakuro was about to retort, but bit it back. Could it really be?
"Couldn't figure out what ice cream flavor you like," Jason and Shikyo walked back over, three ice creams in hand.
"SO I got you a classic, vanilla with hot fudge," he offered her the cone.
"Thank you," she replied, ignoring the sly look she was getting from Koran.
()()()
"She's so peaceful," Jason whispered. The sun had long set. They ended up spending the entire day at the playground, with Jason showing the girls how he managed to swing all the way over the bar. Now, Zakuro and Jason were walking back to the café together, Shikyo asleep in Jason's arms.
"You'd never guess who she really was," Zakuro replied grimly. She brushed Shikyo's bangs from her eyes, accidently knocking off her Hello Kitty cap. And underneath, the girl's cat ears were a content shade of red.
"I guess she doesn't have nightmares all the time," Jason commented, as Shikyo snuggled closer to his chest.
"Or maybe she never had a big brother?" Zakuro asked. "You were a bit out of character today, Jason," she continued, "Normally, you'd be bouncing off the jungle gym."
"Big brother complex, I guess," Jason sighed. "Ever since Dad died, I guess I became both my sister's brother; and father."
"How did he…"
"Car accident," Jason replied mournfully. "January 23, four years ago. Driving home from work, someone was DUI. Man plowed right into my Dad, causing him to hit a street light. Pronounced dead at the scene."
Zakuro gasped, and put a hand on Jason's shoulder. "I'd like to say I got over it, but it's just something…"
The rest of the walk was spent in silence, until finally, they arrived at the café.
"I'll take her in," Zakuro offered.
"Thanks Z," Jason replied; as he stopped to unchain his bike.
"Jason," Zakuro called out, as he wheeled it towards the gate. "If you're not busy Saturday, I can show you around Tokyo, if you'd like."
Jason smiled a bit. "I'm there."
Zakuro walked into the café and it looked like all hell had broken loose. Kea was cussing Makai out, an upset Ichigo was yelling at Kishu, and it sounded like Kurimu was locked in a closet. Zakuro stared for a few moments, but got over the initial shock and went downstairs to put Shikyo to bed.
"Why the hell did you do that? I can take care of myself!" Kea yelled, mere inches from Makai's face.
"I thought I was helping you!" he shouted, not even the slightest bit intimidated.
"You weren't! You just damaged my pride!" Kea shouted.
"Well, that guy was harassing you!"
"I could've handled it myself!"
"No, you couldn't have! You would've overreacted like how you are now! You're such a child!"
"Well not everyone can be an emo flirt with daddy problems," Kea said in a sarcastic baby voice.
"Well not everyone can be a loud, aggressive bitch who treats everyone else like crap and gets away with it!"
SMACK!
"Is that what you think I am? A loud, aggressive bitch who treats everyone like crap?" Kea calmly asked, choking back tears.
Makai touched the red handprint on his cheek in shock before answering in a grim whisper, "No." Then he teleported away.
A grim, awkward silence fell over the café as Kea hugged her stomach and quickly rushed out of the café, blinking back her tears. Moments later the heated argument between Ichigo and Kishustarted up again while Kurimu started yelling to be let out of the closet.
"Why do you get like this every time he emails or calls?!"Ichigo shouted, stomping towards him like a five year-old.
"I just don't like him! I acted civil over the video feed!"
"That's not the point! He's my best friend who helped me through the time you where returning the Mew Aqua back to your planet!"
"I just don't like you talking to him!" Kishu yelled.
"You're such a child! You always do this to me whenever it has something to do with Masaya! You should be grateful! He was okay with me leaving him for you!"
"So!? I don't like the way he looks at you!"
"He has a right to be sad! He let me go for the likes of you!"
"The likes of me? Well I'm sorry I can't be perfect like him!"
"I don't want you to be perfect! I just don't want to have this fight every time he calls!"
"Well, than he should stop calling!"
Ichigo picked up the nearest object, which happened to be a butcher knife, and hurled it at Kishu's head. He didn't have time to duck, but was lucky that only the handle hit his forehead.
"He calls once a month, emails once every two weeks, has a video conversation once every two months, and visits once every a year! I won't cut him out of my life because you are jealous!" she screamed, kicking a table at him, thus knocking him to the ground, and stormed into the kitchen.
Kishu sat up, using his hands to support his upper body, and looked around the café. He was getting sympathetic looks from the guys, while the girls glared.
Kishu knew he was in trouble. For Ichigo had explained the girl code to him once before: 'Break her heart, I'll break your face,' and that definitely applied here. Out of aggravation, Kishu teleported away before he did something else stupid.
In the kitchen, Ichigo was angrily making her way to the back exit, when Ryou stepped her way.
"Where are you going? Your shift isn't over."
"SHIRO-BAKA!!!" Ichigo screeched.
"Would you calm down?" Ryou snapped. However, the time for intimidating the strawberry-haired Mew had past. Breathing heavily, Ichigoreached into the sink, and pulled out a massive knife; Ryou shuddered.
"Ichigo, let's not do anything we're gonna regret," he asked, downright scared.
"Oh no, Shirogane. You've ruined my life FAR too many times!" she screeched again, motioning at him with the knife. He started backing up, afraid for his life. "So now, I'm gonna ruin yours!" she shouted. Ryou suddenly tripped over something, and tumbled backwards into darkness.
Only to her a door slam, and a lock click. "That's for being an ass!" she shouted. Ryou groaned. He'd been taken for a ride by Ichigo.
"Um, Shirogane-san?" a quiet voice whispered from below him.
"Kurimu!" Ryou gasped. He'd fallen back on top of her.
After helping the second fox infused Mew up, Ryou huffed. Then it dawned on him what had happened.
"Hello?! Anyone out there?!" Kurimu yelled from inside the closet.
"Save your breath Kurimu, they know we're in here," Ryou said, sitting down in-between a mop and an empty bucket. Kurimu sighed and sat against the door, facing him.
An uncomfortable silence fell upon the two but was shattered as Ryou said, "I'm so docking their pay." He comfortably rested the back of his against the wall and propped his elbows on his knees, giving him a cute bad boy look, which Kurimu definitely noticed.
Kurimu giggled slightly, earning a raised eyebrow from Ryou, causing her to flush red. "What, do I have something in my hair?" he asked nervously.
No," Kurimu giggled, shaking her head. Ryou's stomach churned a bit. Why was he feeling this way?
"You just look. . . cute like this."
"Cute?" No one had ever called him cute.
"You look like a little kitten who's been locked out of the house in a rainstorm," she told him with a smile. Then, she realized what she'd just said, and clamped her hands over her mouth. "I'm sorry I said that!" she squeaked.
"No, it's all right," Ryou said, turning his head to look at her. "I'm not all that good with girls, to be honest."
When Kurimu figured he wasn't gonna dock her pay, she repositioned herself on a box next to him.
"So how long are we going to be in here?" she asked, with a slight twitch of fear in her voice.
"Well, worst case scenario, they forget we're in here until tomorrow. Thankfully, the bottles of dish soap are in here, and Keiichiro replaces it every morning, so, at the most, we should be in here until he finds us tomorrow morning."
Kurimu gulped, and wrapped her arms around her knees. "Scared?" Ryou asked putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Just a little," she confessed.
Before they knew it, the day came and went and the café was silent, everyone having gone home for they had school the next day.
"It's not like Ryou-san to disappear for a whole night," Keiichiro mused as he walked into the kitchen the next morning. "Maybe he finally went out with one of the girls."
After throwing out the empty bottle of soap, he strode to the supply closet, and had to suppress a laugh. There, at the bottom of the closet, was Ryou and Kurimu, both asleep, Kurimu leaning against Ryou, arms tight around him. Ryou's head was resting on her shoulder, a content smile on her face. Then, the moment was shattered, as Keiichiro politely cleared his throat.
The couple jumped apart at the sudden noise and flushed red as they looked up at the kind chef. They jumped to their feet and silently brushed past the older man, into the dining area, where the Kemon's bodies littered the floor.
"Well I gotta go home before my parents have a heart attack," Kurimu whispered, so she would not waken the Kemons.
"Well, remember to be back here at three-thirty," the blonde said kindly.
Kurimu stepped forwards, stood on her tiptoes, and pecked him on the cheek. Before Ryou could register what happened, Kurimu was already out the door, face flushed red. The damage at home wasn't so bad, apparently Keiichiro had called, saying they had to go on a retreat, so Kurimu only got grounded for two days.
The arctic fox Mew was glad school passed in blur, things between Kishu and Ichigo were weird. Kurimu, Ichigo, and Kishu was walking to the café and met up with the others.
"You have a weird day at school like the rest of us?" Zari asked.
"Yeah, Ichigo and Kishu aren't talking to each other," Kurimu replied.
"Kea seemed, out of it na no da," Pudding piped up.
"I'm standing right here," Kea emotionlessly stated.
"I still exist over here," Ichigo and Kishu said at the same time, glaring at each other.
"Kurimu, will you please tell Kishu that he is in my personal bubble?" the red-head asked.
Kurimu gaped at the Mew leader in surprise and was about to speak when Kishu interrupted her.
"Jason, will you tell Ichigo that I'm not in her personal bubble?"
"Hey man, don't drag--"
"Kurimu, will you tell Kishu to piss off!?" Ichigo screamed, inches away from the alien's face.
"Jason, will you tell Ichigo to--"
"Enough, you two," Lettuce calmly said, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. They both looked like they were going to say something, but Jason and the other two aliens pulled Kishuaway, while the girls did the same with Ichigo.
The rest of the walk was silent and awkward. Finally, they reached their destination and went about their duties. Kea silently cleaned the tables, Zari checked on Shikyo, and Jason rudely woke up the Kemonswith the vacuum while the rest did other things.
The bell jingled as Zakuro stepped into the café with Mint right behind her, looking at the occupants of the café. She strode over to Jason and asked, "Are they still acting weird?"
"Yeah, what happened? I met up with some of them and they're acting completely berserk!"
"When I came in here last night, Ichigo, Kishu, Kea, and Makai were fighting, and I think Kurimu and Ryou were locked in a closet together."
"I leave for one night and the love-train derails?" Jason asked, flashing the young model a cocky grin.
Zakurorolled her eyes at him before walking to the back room to get changed. Several minutes later, the café was up and running with female customers pouring in to catch a glimpse at the new eye candy, the Kemons.
The Kemons were sitting at their back table, with the exception of Mugoi, who sacrificed his manhood and joined Mint's teatime.
"Man Makai, I've never seen you like this," Koran said, leaning back in his chair.
"Koran!" Zari and Shikyo's voice echoed through the café.
"Hey daddy, your wife and kid are calling," Makai mumbled, his face buried in his arms on the table. Koran grinned as he stood up from his chair and went searching for the two. He found them in the basement with Ryou closely examining a watch.
"What's that?"
"Image inducer. It creates a holographic picture around you, making you appear human," Ryou explained, holding out a black watch.
"Why not just make a chemical thing?"
"I couldn't, your DNA is too difficult to decipher. When wearing this, don't let people get to close because it only hides your appearance, it doesn't alter it."
"So if people were to touch my head, they'd feel my panther ears?"
"Yes, and you have to keep your tail tied down or something; the hologram only has a six-inch radius," Ryou explained, snapping the watch on the Kemon's wrist. Everything stayed the same except his fangs, panther ears, and tail, which were all gone now.
"You look hot, but I miss the ears and tail," Zari commented.
"Daddy Koran looks cool!" Shikyo shouted, giggling in amusement.
"Thanks Shikyo," Koran said, smiling at the goddess as he messed up her hair, causing her to adorably glare and cover her head.
"Also, I'm going to give you the codes to get into Shikyo's safe room," Ryou said, pulling up a window on the computer filled with random numbers. "This is so open the first door and--"
A yell, followed by someone rolling down the basement steps, interrupted the blonde scientist. "Ow, sorry guys. I tripped," Takina said, painfully standing up. She stared intently at the codes on the screen before asking, "What are those?"
"Nothing. Is there something you wanted?" Ryou coldly asked.
"Um, yeah. Kishu's locked in the freezer and Makai's depression is scaring the customers," she explained, then noticed Koran."Hey! What happened to you?!"
"Image inducer," he replied, showing her the watch on his wrist."We all get one."
"Does it have to be a watch?" she asked, her face scrunched up in disgust.
"No, you get a bracelet," Ryou said, tossing a tan-ish gold bracelet at her. She put it on and her mountain lion features disappeared, along with her slight fangs.
"Cool! I'll go get the others!" she exclaimed turning to go upstairs.
"Wait! Can you take Shikyo upstairs to Keiichiro? It's about time for lunch," Zari explained, handing the tan-haired Kemon Shikyo.
"Sure," she said, reaching for Shikyo, who began freaking out.
"No! No! No!" she screamed, thrashing around. "I don't want to go with her! She's a traitor!"
"What? What do you mean, Shikyo?" Zari asked, holding the goddess closer and backing away from Takina like she was poisonous.
"Oh, I think she means when she knocked over a table and a cake toppled over, I told Nukai," Takina explained, stepping closer, eyes scanning the codes on the screen behind the Mew.
Zari glanced at Shikyo, whose eyes were pleading to her then at Takina's forced smile before saying, "I'll take her myself," and going upstairs.
"Well, I'll go get the others," the mountain lion Kemon said before cheerfully bouncing up the stairs, not noticing Ryou's icy glare.
Several moments later, all the Kemons had a piece of jewelry that hid their unusual appearance and they were back upstairs in their spot with Koran on babysitting duty.
"Aw! Koran's a daddy!" Nukai taunted.
"Shut up traitor!" Shikyo shouted, causing Nukai to tense up.
"W-What?" he choked out.
"She's still upset that Takina told you she knocked over a table, I'm not sure why though," Koran explained, not noticing Nukai relax again.
"Oh that, yeah sorry 'bout that, sport," the monkey Kemon said with a lopsided grin. Shikyo hid her face in Koran's shoulder and said nothing.
"Maybe she just doesn't like you," Makai emotionlessly said.
"No, I think she's just tired. Better let Zari give her a nap," Koran said, getting up and handing her off to Zari, earning many glares from the female customers.
"Are you ready for a nap?" Zari asked as she hiked up the stairs. Shikyo shook her head no, then sadly rested her head on Zari's shoulder. "What's wrong Shikyo?"
"I never tipped over a cake," she whispered.
Zarifroze in the doorway of the bedroom and stared at the little Kemon girl. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, you have to believe me! You just have to!" Shikyo pleaded, cat ears turning pink.
"Okay, I believe you. Come on, you're sleeping in the safe room today," Zari said, going back downstairs.
"Where are you going?" Takina asked.
"She's scared, so I'm going to take her into the basement for her nap."
"Do want me to stay with her?"
Shikyo's grip on Zari's shoulder tightened as the older one replied with a forced smile, "No, it's fine," then continued downstairs.
Zari entered in the codes and settled the young Kemon goddess into bed before settling herself down in a chair that was tucked away in the corner.
Upstairs was a very different scene. Kea was still an emotionless robot, Ichigo was as hot-headed as ever, Kishu now had a cold, Makai continued to scare customers, and now Zakuro was acting strange.
"Hey Z, we still on for tomorrow?" Jason asked.
"Uh, oh, um, yeah," the young model stuttered.
"You okay? You're acting kinda weird."
"I'm fine," she answered in her normally cold voice.
"Okaaaaay," he said, stretching out the word as he turned away.
"Hi Jason," Kealifelessly stated as he walked by, causing him to do a double take. Her hot pink hair was down and messy, her eyes were glazed over with sadness, and her skin looked even paler. He glanced over to Makaiand saw an even worse Kemon had taken off his image inducer and now was paler than usual, dark circle under his eyes, messy hair, and his head was limply resting on the heart shaped table.
"Man, you guys need to kiss and make up," he said, shaking his head at their miserable states before walking off into the kitchen. He leaned the front part of his body on the counter where Keiichiro was icing a cake and stared at it for a while before saying,"Have you noticed Makai and Kea?"
"Yes I have; I've also seen Ichigo and Kishu. They all look terrible."
"Yeah, we need to do something about it."
"Well, don't lock them in the closet please. I don't think that will work a second time."
"Hey, that was Pudding's idea, believe it or not."
"Well this is something they need to figure out on their own," the chef said as he set the icing tool down.
"I guess you're ri--"
BOOM
"Crap!" Jason shouted, running into the dining room. He nearly got trampled by all the terrified customers as he made his way to the basement where the sound had come from. He arrived on the scene and saw the enemy standing in front of a huge hole in the wall, Shikyo in Grainuin's huge arms. He stood besides the Mew team and asked, "What's going on?"
"A double-cross!" Ryou angrily shouted.
hehe, I'm evil! Now I'm sure that's cliffhanger!
I'll try to update Saturday.
Lots of talking.
Thank you Zephyr for the Jason and Zakuro moment and the Kurimu and Ryou moment.
Stole the imager inducer from MARVEL
I needed to even out the 'evil' Kemon's ranks.
I had to ask my guyfriends how they would react to their girlfriend's ex-boyfriend calling and e-mailing her and doing that video feed thing.