Another update so soon...Whats wrong with me! Enjoy!
The Disclaimer: I don't own Codename: Kids Next Door, Mr Warburton does.
Tick Tock
The outside of the mall was just as busy as the inside, flocks of people making their way towards the entrance as the same amount of people seemed to come out, passing each other like buses.
Amongst the crowd, sat a few wooden benches, lively conversations taking place on each one of them. All except one.
A bench that stood within the shade of a nearby tree sat a lonely Japanese girl who awaited her friend. Many people passed her but no one saw her, as if she was invisible.
Her violet eyes felt tired and raw from the crying which had only just come to a halt. Mind racing as it just repeated the hurtful words over and over again.
'It's never gonna happen''
'He's mine now!
'We are totally happy!'
You are so stupid!
'He will never want you'
It just wouldn't stop. Also there was Claire's other allegation, 'The sex was amazing.'
The concept repulsed Kuki to the core. She just wanted to be told it was one big lie.
Had they really done it?
A shake of the head was made as she tried to dispel the vision from her brain. Of course they had, who could resist? Plus they had been together for so long and with Claire being like she was, there was no way she would let Wally escape it.
Luckily for Kuki, a helping hand had arrived to destroy those inner thoughts as a car horn sounded. Looking up, the familiar sight of Abby's light blue jeep was seen pulled onto the curb. Abby could been seen in the car window, waving at her friend. Slowly rising from the bench, Kuki made her way towards the jeep, head down in attempt of hiding her tearstained face.
Inside, Abby heard the door open next to her as her friend climbed in.
"Hey, what's the deal?" The spy asked as the keys turned, making the car spring to life once more. "Thought Wally's car broke down or something... So where is he...?" A sniff interrupted her as she turned to see Kuki visibly shaking. Abby wasn't quite sure what was wrong until she saw tears drops drip onto Kuki's clothing. "Whoa what's the matter, Kooks?"
In comfort she rested her hand onto the females shoulder and squeezed slightly. The reassuring action, only made Kuki cry harder.
"I...I.." The Japanese sobbed, incoherent to Abby. Her leader sighed, knowing they couldn't go back to the treehouse with Kuki like this.
"I think you need a nice hot drink, yeah?" A snivel through the tears was all Abby could understand. With a gentle smile, Abby looked at the side mirrors of the jeep, pulling away from the curb when the coast was clear. "We'll go somewhere to have a chat."
The car drove, the mall now a fair distance away as they headed towards the park.
"Screwdriver"
"Screwdriver"
"Hammer"
"Hammer"
The two mechanics were still in Hoagie's room working on the time machine together. It was still a slow and gruelling process but at least it looked better than it did before.
Hoagie couldn't help feel slightly uncomfortable knowing he was the last teen left in the treehouse; Wally and Kuki were shopping while Abby had moved very swiftly to what presumably was to collect them both. Something must have happened to his car, Hoagie had thought. She said she wouldn't be long but she had already been at least 45 minutes.
"Can I just ask you something?" The young Numbuh 2 suddenly spoke, startling the teen. With a carefree smile the teen gave him permission to speak. "Why did Numbuh 1 leave?"
A sad expression, replaced his once happy smile with a heavy a sigh to match. The slim teen trying his best to form the words he needed.
"He was chosen." He simply said as he continued to tweek with the machine while the child had stopped to listen. "It was something he couldn't pass up."
"But why just him?" Numbuh 2 presses, looking closely at his older self for any give away. "Why not you guys too?"
"We just weren't picked, they only needed one operative." Hoagie told him. "You'll know about it before he does."
"I will?" Hoagie nodded.
"As we always say, nerds are rubbish at keeping secrets. When he left us we never thought we could function as a team without him. We just suddenly felt...different. But then Abby took over the role just as he wanted her to. She was a bit reluctant at first but the role just fit her so well, even if she didn't want to admit it."
"That does seem about right." Numbuh 2 agreed, knowing deep down that Numbuh 5 would make a fantastic leader. Something that the time he and his team had spent here so far proved that point. But there was something else that caught his attention. "What do you mean by feeling different?"
Hoagie paused, choosing now as a good time to take a break from his mechanics. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to even tell him the answer to that certain question but he took the risk. Shuffling round to face the child version of himself, both sat facing each other crossed legged on the wooden floor.
"At first we were all fine apart from Wally. He was just withdrawn and so angry all the time...he didn't take the loss well at all. As you probably noticed, Wally had grown much smarter over the years, all which became a result of Nigel leaving. He tried harder at school, grades improved and his temper improved."
"Really?" Numbuh 2 asked in a monotone voice, disbelieving what was being said. Hoagie saw the funny side and laughed.
"I know it doesn't seem like it so far but it's true. As me and Abby said before, he and Kuki hardly argue like they used to and he isn't as boisterous as he was. He's also a very funny guy, even if it is sometimes unintentional." The teen smiled, reminiscing the Australian's dating comment from the mall.
"Kuki however also grew up, no longer an air head and becoming smart, excitable and mature quite quickly. It was like she had slowly moulded into Numbuh 362 or something."
"And you and Abby?"
Hoagie smiled, his eyes looking distant as he recalled the past. "I think we stayed just about the same...The others might tell you different maybe but I dunno... It's hard to think about really."
There was a quiet moment between them both. The 10 year old thankful for the information that had been allowed to pass between the pair. Unlike the other 4 members of Sector V, Numbuh 2 embraced the opportunity of seeing their future in their own eyes; finding the faults and the successes in their lives so far was something no one else could experience.
"Thanks...for sharing" Numbuh 2 expressed his thanks at the teen, who had been very generous at the information he parted with. The teen waved his hand in front of him, not worried about being thanked.
"Nah it's ok, I am happy to help." He picked up the screwdriver to resume work, well aware if Numbuh 1 walked in the room now, Hoagie would be a dead man. "Besides, it must be hard not having anyone tell you anything when so much has changed."
Picking up the spare screwdriver once more, Numbuh 2 could only agree as they continued their work.
Meanwhile, the two female teens wondered through the bustling park while holding a foam cup full of coffee and a chocolate chip muffin each. They sat down finding a nearby unoccupied bench, neither of them speaking yet. Instead they took in the scenes around them.
You could barely see any gaps on the green grass as it was filling with families having picnics, children playing games of catch, frisbee or football. Others were sat sunbathing while dogs were also having fun; playing fetch and walking with their masters. Both teens observed the landscape around them, avoiding the subject looming for as long as possible until Abby couldn't take it anymore.
"So...you gonna tell Abby what happened?" Speaking in a hush voice to distract Kuki from her tranquil state. Her face remaining impassive as she willing herself not to get emotional again.
It was hard knowing where to start.
"Why don't you start from the beginning? When we left you at the mall?"
It was almost as if Abby had read her mind. Taking a breath, Kuki reminisced the events of the last 90 minutes.
"We travelled around a few shops" She started, her voice crackling at first needing her to cough to regain it once more. "We talked...laughed...It was just like it used to be. He eventually found a shirt along with a pair of jeans he like too. And..."
"Jeans?" Abby interjected "He bought something else too?"
"Yes I know, hard to believe isn't it?" Kuki agreed, a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. "Anyway, he bought them in the end, I think we both flirted a little" Her violet eyes darted to look at her friend who was given no emotion away. "Unintentionally of course! I don't know...With him..." She exhaled "It just seems to come from nowhere."
"And he flirted back?" Abby stated, taking a drink of her hot coffee.
"You know what he's like! He doesn't know he's doing it...It doesn't mean anything!"
"Yeah right...I am not arguing this now or we'll be here forever." Abby muttered disbelievingly. "Anyway we're getting off subject. What happened next?"
Composing herself, she tore a chunk out of her cake and popped it into her mouth, along with a sip of her latte. "We walked out the shop and we were about to go get something to eat until we were joined by someone." The look she gave to Abby told her everything she needed. There was no need to guess.
"No!"
"Yes"
"Fuck sake!" Abby cursed. "Why did Claire have to be there?"
"My thoughts exactly." Kuki commented. "She was there with her 'friends' and when she saw Wally, she immediately ditched them."
"Did she talk to you?"
"Not at first, but she had plenty to say when Wally wasn't there." Another sigh came. "I think that's why she didn't say anything straight away, even if she didn't half make it obvious she wanted me to go."
"Well why should you?" Abby countered, taking a large un ladylike bite out of her muffin. "He's your friend too...Please tell Abby you didn't go home then."
"I may have offered...but Wally told me to stay which was sweet of him."
'Well done Wally' Abby cheered mentally, glad he stood up for her vulnerable friend.
"Anyway, she then dragged us...I mean him to another store, you know that new one that just opened."
"Oh the one all the girls at school seem to gush over at the moment?" Abby guessed, her suspicions confirmed as her friend rolled her eyes. "Was it that bad?"
An uncharacteristic cruel laugh came from Kuki. "Yes it was...And I think Wally quickly found that out too." She grinned, remembering his appalled facial expression when he first walked into said shop. "Claire was constantly picking up all sorts, asking him if he liked this, liked that...She would not shut up."
"So how were you left alone with her?" Abby enquired curiously, knowing how very over protective Claire was of her boyfriend.
"When Wally used the last of his money to buy a belt. He went to pay while she interrogated me."
Kuki released a long shaky breath as whose words haunted her again. The water in her eyes now becoming very evident to Abby who sat patiently waiting for her to continue.
"What did she say?" Abby pushed, showing a gently reassuring smile towards her friend who had tears flowing freely down her cheeks now. Reaching into the pockets of her black shorts, Abby bought out a pack of tissues and offered one to her. The offer immediately accepted.
"Sh...Sh She warned me off him...Said I wasn't good enough for Wally and he would never be interested in me ever." The tears streamed from her porcelain face like a waterfall, coming quicker than Kuki could wipe them away. "Basically rubbed my face in it...Saying how happy they were together and how they had sex and it was amazing. And to top it off said I should stop dreaming, leave them alone as he would never want me. "
The words were said so quickly it was amazing how Abby managed to understand all of it but somehow she did. And it made her seethe.
"That bitch!" She growled menacingly, remembering there was more to the story, Abby put her rant on hold. "Please tell me Wally said something." Sadly Kuki shook her head no.
"He didn't know what happened, when he came back I just pretended mom sent me a text to get Mushi from her friends just so I could get away. He was very nice about it, offered me a drive there and even said they could all leave now, but Claire convinced him otherwise."
"Cow" Abby announced loudly, she saw the surprised look on the Japanese's face which looked confused. "Sorry, carry on."
"There isn't much else to say. We said goodbye, I left and text you." Yes that was about the whole story.
"When Abby get's her hands on her, I will rearrange her face...and his too if he doesn't get his priorities straight."
"Please calm down Abby" Kuki whispered, holding the tanned wrists of Abby when her hands came airborne when they waved in frustration. Dragging her arms down Kuki begged her friend "Wally did nothing wrong, he just did what anyone else would do."
"What stand back and watch?" Abby mocked, fiercely getting up to chuck her coffee cup in the trash can with great force. "That's friendship right there."
"He didn't know!" Kuki reminded her leader desperately. "He doesn't need to know! Please! Don't tell him."
The pleading look on Kuki's face, the tear marks now dried on her face from the natural warmth of the sun. Her puppy dog eyes also doing a very good job to sway her. She just had to give in.
"Ok, Abby will try not to."
"Thank you"
"We'll eat as we walk back to the car" Abby ordered, both simultaneously standing up, Kuki throwing away her now empty drinks cup. "I only told Hoagie, I was picking you up so he's probably thinks we got kidnapped or something."
The joke made them both laugh but it was short lived at the arrival of a small toy dog they both recognised. It was a little poodle who was pink in colour, it's curly fur covering its whole body making it look like candyfloss on legs. If Abby's memory served her correctly, this was the same dog that Wally abnormally turned into goo for when he saw it as a puppy. The animal skipped in front of them, the long lead nearly tying them together. As both girls stopped to free themselves from the tape like material, they stopped to see the owner, someone who for Abby was more dreaded than Lizzie.
"Fluffy, of all the people you could say hello to it had to be Kuki Sanban and Crabigail."
"Nice to see you too, Valerie." Abby snarled at her old rival, one to her annoyance she could not escape easily from seeing as they were next door neighbours. She glared at the teen who stood just as tall as Abby, her hair blond and in a curly style held up with pigtails. She wore brown tinted sunglasses, hiding her dark eyes, protecting them from the sun's rays. On her person she wore a pink sun top, a black skirt ending just above the knee and black three quarter length leggings to cover her pale legs. The number of times Abby laughed at the ex waredog during the summer months knowing how her skin burned in the scorching sun so easily.
"I afraid I don't have the same pleasure Crabigail." Valerie tutted, picking up her dog who was too busy jumping up to lick Kuki's hands making the Japanese giggle at the ticklish sensation. "What are you doing here?"
"Hanging out with my friend. What about you? Ran out of paper to eat?"
"You know I am not that monster anymore, I am just an innocent bystander walking her cute little dog...isn't that right Fluffy?" The dog in response licking her owners face affectionately making the teen giggle.
"Yeah, whatever, the only statement true there is 'walking your dog'." Abby smirked, seeing the girls face drop. It was fun to wind her up sometimes. Unable to think of a comeback, Valerie marched passed them, dog in arms. Noticing what was in Abby's hand, she finished with one last jab.
"By the way, your aware of how unhealthy those are?" A slim claw like finger pointing to the half eaten muffin in both their hands. "Keep eating too many of them, you'll only pile on those pounds." And with a cackle she swept away before a reply could be given.
"Shut up Valerie!" Abby called angrily. "She's such a bitch." Taking two last bites to finish the cake, Abby once again took out her frustration on the trash can, kicking it as her rubbish flew into the bin. "Who does she think she is? Come on Kuki, I suddenly don't want to stay here anymore."
Hearing how irritated Abby was, Kuki finished her food in record time, not wanting to upset her teammate further. Running back to the bin Abby had abused seconds ago, the wrapper was dropping inside with a ping. Locating her friend who had stormed back towards the car park while muttering a few curse words, Kuki skipped after her, praying Abby would keep her promise that Wally would never be told about today's events.
Yes...never be told, who do such a thing? At least. Now you know why this chapters called Tick Tock
As you have probably gathered, this story has a few minor characters making an appearance, from a minor mention to sometimes actual interaction. You thought Valerie and Lizzie were bad...there's at least one (maybe more) to come...That's all I am saying as all will be revealed on the next chapter which I am hoping will be an exciting one.
Anyway, I will bid farewell, and see you again soon :)