A/N: DO I BELIEVE IT BUT MY EXAMS ARE OVER? But I have another exam in six weeks. Way to spoil my life.
-Imitation Black-
Matsumoto Junki stood wide eyed, jaw slack and hands numb. She had to be dreaming. This was definitely a nightmare; because there was absolutely no way that it was Kanda Yuu on the dance floor. In all the past years she had seen him at events, parties, balls, Kanda had never danced. Never. He declined everyone's offer, so it wasn't that he was said no to her specifically.
She watched when Lavi pushed Kanda to the middle, but never in her mind did she think that he wouldn't walk off it. When Kanda glared Tyki away, she stopped in her tracks. When Kanda grabbed the girl's hand, she stopped breathing. And when Kanda pulled her close, her heart stopped.
It was just impossible.
She scanned the girl he was dancing with. That girl didn't look exceptionally spectacular, only her dress was pretty, she grudgingly admitted. But there was nothing special about her. Why was she even dancing with Tyki in the first place? What made her capture the attention of the gorgeous international model?
She looked familiar though, perhaps, too familiar.
Red hair, green eyes that looked like Lavi's.
Kuroshi Reiichi.
Matsumoto's fists clenched tightly. What was she doing in this ball? This wasn't Reiichi's scene.
It was hers.
Reiichi was never meant to be here. She was just lucky that she was related to Lavi Bookman. Lucky to be selected as Kanda Yuu's designer. Lucky to be under contract with Innocence. Too lucky with her life. Her hands were trembling with rage as she left the scene, not able to stomach watching Kanda with her.
She wandered to the restrooms, scrutinizing herself in the mirror. She had the figure, she had the looks. She was rich. She had suitors after her. So why was it that Kanda choose Reiichi over her? She didn't understand. She couldn't.
Matsumoto left the restroom, wandering along the deserted corridor deeper into the mansion. This place was oddly silent for a home of the members of the Noah clan. The more she walked the more convinced the entire place was empty.
"How does Lavi even like him?" a voice suddenly came from behind her around the corner she turned not too long ago. "Why is he even Lavi's best friend? How can he stand the goddamn irritating attitude of the pri-," A deep breath. "He shouldn't have cared in the first place. I don't even get why he bothered-"
Pursing her lips, Matsumoto speed dialed her bodyguard whom she specifically ordered to make himself unseen the moment she stepped into the event.
"Akira, where are you?" she demanded.
"Along the corridor of where you are, Oujou-sama," he replied.
"I want you to get the girl who's behind me,"
"…Oujou-sama?"
"Don't make me repeat myself Akira," she snapped. "Knock her out or something, I don't care. Just do it."
"Oujou-sama, your father will not be pleas-"
"I don't care what Daddy thinks," she grounded out, frustrated. "Do it. That's an order."
"As you command," he said, but there was a note of disappointment in his tone.
Damn you Akira, she seethed, snapping the phone shut. This was critical. This was crucial. It had to be done.
Cold. It was cold.
Reiichi blinked.
Suddenly water splashed at her, and she spluttered. She tried to wipe her face, but it seemed as though her hands were tied to her back. It also seemed as though her legs were tied. She still felt drowsy, and the previous events were slowly coming back to her.
The smell of chlorofoam.
Reiichi was suddenly aware of another person in the same room as her. High heels, white dress, blonde curls. Lips pulled into an ugly sneer. Matsumoto.
"Mmmrrpph," Reiichi tried to say something, but she was gagged with a piece of cloth tied around her mouth.
She struggled, but the ropes cut deeper into her skin as she moved and it was futile. Was this some sort of sick joke? Did Matsumoto actually kidnap her? It was terribly cliché, she thought, musing at how the scene reflected the many movie thrillers she had watched before. But that was not the time to think about such things, because Matsumoto was apparently insane enough to do it.
The girl merely smiled wider, walking closer.
"I want you to disappear," she stated finally. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. The choice is entirely yours."
Reiichi glared at her.
"Quit Lavi-sama's project. Drop out of the Black Academy. Never talk to Kanda-sama again,"
So this was what it was all about? That she was jealous?
"Do you consent?" the blonde pulled the gag roughly off her mouth, awaiting her answer.
"Lavi is my cousin and I will be in this business," Reiichi immediately snarled. "I don't care what you want with Kanda but you can have him. Untie me you asshole."
The girl in front of her merely chuckled. "That was hardly an agreement, Reiichi," she smiled mockingly. "I'm guessing you want the hard way then."
"Someone's going to find you Mastumoto," Reiichi spat. "And I'll charge you for- mmmrphhhhh!"
Matsumoto knotted the gag harder this time, and it was hurting her jaw.
"You really think anyone is going to help you?" She raised an eyebrow. "This place is deserted. No one will hear you, no one will bother to open an occupied restroom,"
Matsumoto walked over to the sink, bending down to open the cabinet. She smirked as she took out a bottle, putting it on the table. She unscrewed the cap, shooting Reiichi another triumphant look.
"Like I said, the choice is entirely yours," she repeated.
Kanda walked along the back of the manor, glancing at the building. Most probably the girl had wandered off in some god forsaken area of the place, assuming that she was even in the area. His eyes flickered to the second level window when he saw a vague movement before it disappeared as quickly as it came. There were probably other Noahs in the manor, seeing that only Sheryl and Tyki were present, so it couldn't have been classified as suspicious.
He managed to find a glass sliding door leading to the inside of the building, and it was mysteriously open. No reason for them to leave it open at night right? Unless someone else was here too. He stepped in, glancing at the flight of stairs leading up to the personal dorms of the Noah. He figured that if he was caught trespassing, "lost" being an excuse was certainly reasonable.
Climbing the stairs as silently as he could, Kanda couldn't help but notice how entirely creepy the place was. There was no sound, literally. All he could hear was his steps on the carpeted marble floor. He wandered through the second level - past a lighted room but it Kanda wasn't about to barge into it – and found nothing.
He decided to call her. Leaning against the wall in the shadows, he dialed her number.
It rang for the customary few minutes. Hi this is Reiichi, please leave a message after the beep. *beep*
Lavi did say she was uncontactable. But how was he supposed to find her if he had no fucking clue?
He called again.
Ring ring.
Ring ring.
Ring ring.
Ring ring.
Hi this is Reiichi, please leave a message after the beep. *beep*
Kanda swore, putting his cell back into his pocket. Of course she wouldn't just suddenly answer the phone. But something nagged at him to try again. He ignored the feeling, walking on.
A few minutes later he found himself at the staircase again. He stared up at the higher levels, but the second floor hallway kept calling out to him. It was dreadfully quiet, but suddenly Kanda heard a tap from below. There was someone lurking downstairs. Before he could investigate, a whistling sound came from above. A harmless tune was floating in the air, and the sound of someone descending the stairs from the upper level could be heard.
"And then the boy fell into a deep sleep.
Among the grey ashes in the flames shining…"
A young girl's voice sung.
"First one,
then two…"
Kanda went back into the second level hallway, turning into the first corner he saw that was plunged in darkness. The girl's voice became clearer and she neared. He decided to wait for her to pass before sneaking out again. He breathed in silence, and the nagging feeling pulled harder than ever at his chest.
"Fine, I'll fucking try again," he muttered to himself, irritated.
Ring ring.
Ring ring.
Rin-
There was a sound of gushing water, and then it stopped abruptly.
You even have Kanda-sama calling for you.
It was an unmistakable high pitched voice.
I wonder if he'll even look at you when I'm through with you..
"...Rei?" Kanda felt a sinking feeling in this stomach.
There was a distinct sound of fabric ripping.
Too bad Reiichi. That dress just wasn't meant for you.
Water. Water. Where was there water? The pond? The kitchen? The rest room?
Do you yield? We can continue all night long…
A resounding slap vibrated through the speaker.
I'm not asking this time Reiichi. Keep away from Kanda-sama. You're not meant to be in this industry.
Kanda nearly dropped the phone. Matsumoto was doing something to Reiichi because of him? This was ridiculous.
What is it, Akira? A..little girl? This way?
"No matter how many times the ever-passing time return the prayers back down to earth…"
Shit. He had forgotten about the little girl. The model quickly cut the connection, silencing the area. He peeped out cautiously and saw Rhode Kamelot singing and skipping merrily down the hallway. His eyes followed her until she came to a corner stopping abruptly.
"Are you lost, lady?" Rhode tilted her head, smiling sweetly.
There was someone else in front.
"Ah, yes," a voice replied. That high pitched voice. Matsumoto. "This restroom seems to be in use, I'm wondering if there is another I could use..?"
"Just right down the corner," the little girl pointed in the other direction.
Matsumoto scurried off past his vision into the direction Rhode pointed.
Kanda saw Rhode peek curiously forward, humming to herself. She stared at it for a while before shrugging, and continued in the same way Matsumoto went. A few seconds of silence deemed safe enough for Kanda, so he hurried to the area Rhode stopped. He was in front of a door that looked uniformed to the rest of the other rooms and the light spilled from beneath the door, indicating that it was on. He knocked a few times, but received no response.
Reiichi was here, he was sure of it.
He tried to turn the knob, and to his surprise it opened easily. The first thing that greeted his eyes shocked him numb.
Reiichi was sitting on the toilet seat, but her condition was far from healthy. She was covered in a blue substance from head to toe, hair dripping with it. She was leaning in an awkward position with her arms behind her back, most probably tied. Her legs were bound together as well, a gag covered her mouth. Her dress was ripped in half, also spoiled by the blue liquid.
His eyes flickered to the uncapped bottles in the sink. Bleach.
Stepping in cautiously, he realized the floor was wet as well.
Just what happened here…?
Kanda moved to remove the gag first, kneeling down to reach her level. Reiichi coughed immediately, flexing her jaw. She cracked open an eye.
"…Kanda?"
"What did she do to you?"
Reiichi didn't reply, her head was already lolling off to one side.
"Rei," he snapped, moving on to untie her arms. "Oi, stay with me,"
He heard no answer, and once he managed to get the god damn rope loose, Reiichi slumped forwards, but he managed to catch her in time before she fell off. Shit, now his entire suit was covered with bleach. Reiichi was breathing shallowly, and he lifted her head from his shoulder. She was wet – most probably Matsumoto played with the showered head. He couldn't help but notice her forehead was burning hot. A fever.
He froze when he noticed a red smudge on his wrist, eyes trailing to the source. Her neck. It was bleeding slowly, a trickle from her jugular. As he inspected closer, he could make out a few bruises. The girl moaned softly when his fingers brushed over some.
She needed to get out of here.
Pulling out his phone, he speed dialed Lavi.
"YUU! HAVE YOU-"
Kanda cut in urgently. "Second floor, rest room at the end."
He could hear Lavi running. "Yuu, is… she alright? You sound…" Lavi paused for a quick breath. "..off."
He couldn't answer. "Just…get here. "
Lavi only took a minute, but it was agonizingly long. Kanda was forced to take in their surroundings. Shower head on the floor, wet. Reiichi's purse ripped open, wallet thrown at a corner, photographs spilling out on the wet floor. Her handphone was right at her feet, and he saw that the screen was cracked.
"Rei-chan,"
Lavi walked stiffly to them, facial expression blank.
"Untie her legs," Kanda ordered. He couldn't move because Reiichi was leaning her entire weight on him.
Lavi did so wordlessly. Once done, he cupped Reiichi's face, wiping away the bleach, examining her state. He stayed silent, deadly serious as he coolly looked over her condition, assessing the situation. No doubt he had noticed the blood and marks.
"What's going on here?" a voice approached closer.
Lavi's eyes hardened, and Kanda could practically see hate in them.
"Lavi, you handle him," Kanda spoke up after his silence. "I'll get her to the car."
The red head nodded stiffly, standing up just in time Sheryl reached them, blocking his view. Lavi had a death grip on Sheryl, pulling him to a side.
"I thought the Noah had better security," he started off, but his voice was already void of emotion. "Care to explain why this happened?"
Sheryl stared at a blue soaked Kanda carrying Reiichi out of the rest room, noticing the hard glare he was under.
"What happened?"
"That's exactly what I want to ask you," Lavi growled low.
"Bookman," Sheryl frowned deeply. "As much as we have our history, I swear that the Noah clan had nothing to do with whatever unfortunate event that befell Kuroshi Reiichi. It's more insulting on my side to say that security allowed such a thing to happen,"
Lavi was good at reading people, but Sheryl was irritatingly cool with a poker face. It was too suspicious though. "And so it is was purely by chance that you showed up here when I've just found her even though you said you've sent your people to find her?"
"I sent them out of the mansion because it was more probable that Kuroshi Reiichi wandered off on her own," Sheryl explained. "I only came here because Road told me someone was using our private restroom,"
"I will be back tomorrow morning and I want this place investigated," Lavi finally demanded. "If you try to cover anything I will know. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," Sheryl nodded seriously. "We apologize for the situation."
"Tell that to Rei-chan yourself," Lavi gave him a hard look. "I want you to clear the foyer so we can leave without disruptions."
This matter is under wraps.
"Certainly,"
"Sorry," Lavi said once they were all in the car.
He knew how clean Kanda liked to be, and the blue liquid spoiling the car seats was something Kanda didn't like. Kanda did not reply, but merely stepped on the pedal and turned out of the area.
"Are we-"
"Yes." Was Kanda's curt reply.
"Thanks Yuu," Lavi smiled gratefully.
They were heading to Kanda's place, because he knew Panda would definitely not like bleach on their books and papers littering the small complex. Moreover there was no where to put her up because the couch was also home to various kinds of text.
He grabbed her limp hand into his, squeezing tightly. Her breathing had evened out, which was good. But there was still the problem of washing the liquid off her and her dress was ruined, he mourned. He needed female help.
"Lena-chan?"
"Have you found Reiichi, Lavi?" her voice was soft but urgent over the phone.
"Yeah," he sounded grim and he knew it worried the girl over the line. "Listen, could you bring a change of clothes for her? Yuu's place."
"Is she alright?"
"…I hope she will be,"
"Don't do anything stupid okay? We'll be there,"
"Lenalee!" He whined. "I won't do anything stupid how can you say that?"
She chuckled. "You certainly sound grave enough to do so. Don't worry Lavi. We're on our way,"
Tyki itched for a smoke, but he knew he couldn't because the Earl didn't like them smoking in an air conditioned room. Well, the Earl's orders might as well be dammed if he was kept in the dark for half an hour now. The entire family was seated around a fairly large table. They were called in for one of their "meetings" which was usually held on the Earl's whim.
The last time, they were called to discuss about naming Rhode's new pet fish. Tyki didn't get the point because the fish died the next day, predictably.
The said girl was curled up in her chair, licking her lollipop as she flipped through a book. A torture book, he'd bet. The twins were off making their own racket that Tyki learned to tune out, Skin was eating his beloved ice cream. Lulubell was off in Romania for a modeling shoot, lucky her. Wisely was drumming his fingers on the table absently. And that left the Earl grinning into the nothingness creepily.
"So…." He started, trying to make someone say something. "What are we here for?"
"Waiting for Sheryl," Rhode chirped, flipping her page without glancing at him.
It seemed like no one wanted to get it on, so Tyki fiddled with his soon to be lit cigarette. Heck, if no one was watching then he might as well light it. The door suddenly slammed open, but the occupants in the room merely gazed at the direction of the sound.
"Finally," Tyki sighed as he saw Sheryl stride through the door. "What took you so long?"
"The security boys had trouble burning the video," Sheryl tutted, placing a disc on the table. "Thank god they're going to be fired anyway."
Rhode jumped, snatching the disc off the table and twirled it around her finger. She looked fascinated with the reflection of the disc as it rotated.
"Good, good," Earl gestured for Sheryl to sit. "First thing next morning, I want a meeting with the head of Matsumoto-"
"Already done," Sheryl informed him.
"Woah, slow down," Tyki drummed his fingers on the table. "Can someone care to tell me what going on?"
Usually the Earl loved to make a declaration of what was going on before launching into his own ramble about what should be done.
Six pairs of eyes stared at him. No one offered to enlighten the man, so Sheryl took it upon himself to do so.
"Tyki," he shook his head as if he was reprimanding a child. "We're on plan number one hundred and forty three,"
"I thought that was last week,"
"No, that's plan number three hundred and seventy," Sheryl frowned impatiently. "Weren't you listening the last time?"
Obviously not, because all Tyki remembered was Rhode's pet fish.
"Tyki-pyon," the Earl smiled at him endearingly. "We're over taking the Matsumoto group."
"Yeah I knew that," he shrugged. Industry domination. "But what's in that disc?"
"Evidence," Sheryl raised an eyebrow at him. "For Kuroshi Reiichi's apparent kidnapping..?"
"Kidnapping?"
Wisely snorted. "Dude, where have you been? Weren't you aware that Kuroshi Reiichi had a little mischap?"
"Bookman did ask me where she was..." Tyki rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"She was knocked out, gagged and bound in our second floor restroom by Matsumoto's daughter," Sheryl filled him in helpfully. "So we're using that as blackmail against Matsumoto."
"No one noticed this?" Tyki raised an eyebrow. "We have security cameras all over the place."
"Of course we noticed," the other man looked insulted. "But we agreed it was better to let it happen. You were supposed to seduce the girl, not leave her to dance with Kanda Yuu," he continued, displeased. "But at least your blunder brought us somewhere."
"Tyki- you suck!" Debitto and Jasdero cawed loudly, sticking out their tongues.
Tyki ignored them. There was still something not reassuring about this.
"Won't everyone else know that such a thing happened under our tight security?"
"That's why we're firing our security for their apparent inefficiency," Wisely droned, bored. "Anyway the only person who knows that happened was Kanda Yuu and Lavi Bookman wouldn't want such an incident to be publicized heavily."
"We, however, are going to apologize for this unfortunate event," the Earl cut in. "Tyki-pyon, send the girl flowers, bring her out, whatever. Get her on our side."
Tyki rolled his eyes. "You want her that badly huh."
"If she comes, Lavi Bookman and Kanda Yuu will follow," Wisely explained matter of factly. "Unless of course, if you can't do a simple thing like getting a girl to like you…"
Tyki smirked. "Consider it done."
Debitto snorted from the sidelines. "I'd bet I have better luck with her."
"Oh?" The Earl glanced at him curiously. "And how do you know that?"
"She likes our music," he started, but immediately stopped when he realized he practically said that he met her. At the ball.
"Why were you there," it wasn't a question, but a demand.
The Earl was looking at him smiling.
"I-I just wanted to meet her," Debitto spoke up, but his own voice was betraying him. "You guys go on and on and on about her – I just wanted to see what was so special-"
"There is nothing special about her," Sheryl cut in. "The only thing that she's of worth currently is her relationship with Lavi Bookman."
"…I like her," Debitto pouted stubbornly. "I bet I can get her to our side faster than Tyki's womanizing ways."
"I want to meet her," Jasdero added in, matching Debitto's expression.
Sheryl sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Earl?"
"Let them do as they please," the man in charge replied. "Tyki-pyon and the twins can battle it out-"
"I do not want to be involved in their childish game," Tyki pursed his lips.
"Scared you'll lose, Tyki-pyon?" Debitto taunted.
"Or are you scared that you won't win?" Jasdero jeered.
Tyki crushed the cigarette he was fiddling with. Sometimes the twins could really get on his nerves. A playboy extraordinaire failing to get a girl? Blasphemy.
Fine, game on.
Owari.
What Rhode was singing was つないだ手にキスを(Tsunaida te ni kiss wo) also more famously known as Allen's song in episode 93. I wanted to put in the Japanese lyrics but it seemed odd because even though they're all speaking in Japanese, I'm typing everything in English already. I have a little OCD about these kind of things. Anyway I've always imagined Rhode to be singing the song just because all Noahs are hypocritical in their own ways…
I'm sorry I didn't reply the last two reviewers because I was busy mugging, so hopefully this chapter was a better reply haha.
On a happy note, I am watching Gundam 00's movie tomorrow! Banzai!