X-X-X-X
Chapter 36
X-X-X-X
I hissed as one of Tomoyo's bodyguard slowly poured hot water on my frozen arm. It was covered with a towel so the heat would be absorbed in it and not just run off my arm. Despite going in and out of consciousness until I woke up for good before this happened...part of my body is still frozen so I had to endure this much. Since we were in the bathroom and I did have to strip once I managed to unfreeze my arm enough, but damn...the material for the biker suit is amazing. I can't even feel the cold from the ice or the heat from the hot water. Tomoyo left all this to her bodyguards considering there wasn't any other female that could help me with this.
"How is it, Lucy-san?"
"Still can't turn my arm very well." I said as another held a hot towel to the frozen ice on the collar.
It took at least an hour until I could strip myself of my coat and biker suit. Neither woman mentioned the ugly bruise on my neck...taking their leave once their job was done. I decided to take a shower when I noticed in the mirror...that the mark on my neck was gone. Huh, wait...my ankle felt better too. I released a small sigh before quickly showering, dressing myself in a plain shirt and skirt combo. I can deal with it much later, right now...I want to drink or something. I headed downstairs, braiding a portion of my hair all the while.
"What is with all the noise?" I questioned seeing Shougo and Nokoru on their phones...looking way too pleased with themselves.
"Lu-hime! Please lift the alcohol ban!" Fai said hugging me all of a sudden.
"Hu-ah...why?" I asked not bothering to push him away.
"Please~?"
"We have to drink for Sakura-chan's first victory~!"
"She's unconscious, I doubt it would count unless she is awake."
"Please?"
"..." I thought about it and I decided to let it go. "I'm getting so drunk, I forget my name."
"Yay!"
"Ah! Whoever is ordering alcohol, I want the sweet stuff!"
"Of course, of course!"
It didn't take long before a party began...and I pulled out the alcohol Yuuko gave to me. I didn't hesitate to drink one bit even if it was the bitter stuff, which wasn't as bad as i thought. The problem I had though...I couldn't get drunk despite the fact I managed to outdrink almost everyone on Shougo's team. I already got several people to knock out...but I know for sure I won't be able to stand the taste of whisky and brandy on a normal occasion.
"You're a strong drinker despite your small stature! I like it." Shougo said with a sleeping Primera beside her.
"I'm drunk, but it doesn't feel like it." I saw Syaoran waving his gloves around calling it Hien. "Hah...I guess I got this from my father...he is a pretty damn strong drinker..." I muttered pouring more alcohol into my cup.
"Another shot." Shougo said holding out his cup.
"Lucy! Let's spar!" I glanced at Syaoran as he smiled at me. "I want to improve myself more!"
"Ahahahaha..." I almost forgot I lost to him...I hope Kurogane forgot this fact too or he might hold true to his promise of increasing my training. "I'll pass."
"You fight?"
"I use a naginata." I pulled out my cellphone and I began recording Syaoran in his drunken state. I smiled as I watched him 'train'. "Syaoran is so cute..."
"Is he your younger brother?"
"I like to think of him as one, but no, we're not related."
"Hm."
"I'll tease him with this later..."
I hummed softly under my breath, a soft tune...but it was sorrowful. I couldn't get that man's face out of my mind...the fact that someone I knew...or I think I knew...has his body under the control of the one known as Lucius. So many things don't make sense to me, my mind is in pieces...like a puzzle that was incomplete as pieces were missing. I shut my eyes, leaning back in my seat. Shougo ended up falling asleep after a while, probably due to exhaustion rather than alcohol related.
"You drunk?" I looked upwards and I saw Kurogane upside down. "Your face is completely red." Kurogane said taking the bottle out of my hand.
"I wonder if I am drunk...but my mind is as clear as always. How's the hand?" I questioned tugging on my hair.
"Fine." Kurogane said drinking the last of my alcohol.
"...Don't lie." I stood up grabbing his left hand. "Let's get it treated."
"It's fine."
"Kurogane, please..."
"Do as you like then."
I gave him a small smile, heading to the bathroom to grab the first aid kit. As we were the only two awake, I think he doesn't mind the fact that I'm basically manhandling him. I had a lot of practice bandaging during our time as soldiers...not that it was all fun and games...I got hurt a shit ton during that time now that I think about it. Fai wasn't always around and I learned how to bandage myself up from Setsuna.
"You got better." Kurogane said as I cut off the excess bandage.
"Considering I burned my hands on a semi-daily basis, I had to learn." I stated with a small smile.
"Hm..." Kurogane was staring at my face and I could feel myself sobering up a bit...not that I ever felt drunk. Kurogane reached for me, tugging down my collar to look at my neck. "It's gone."
"Yeah...I noticed earlier."
"Your ankle?"
"Better too."
"You don't know what's going on at all?"
"Nope." I ran my thumb across the back of Kurogane's hand. "You know...it's a bit weird, but...I don't...think I want to go home anymore."
"..."
"It's scary...to know that if I return...there is the possibility that whoever wanted to kidnap me might try to make use of my loved ones...or...or whoever...whoever that man was...is somehow connected to me yet I do not remember."
"You knew him?"
"I think so...but...at the same time, I don't."
"The ghost called him Lucius."
"I..."
"You knew him." This time it wasn't a question. "I saw the look on your face."
"..."
"He also said it was worth the effort obtaining that body. He also called you Luciana."
"But my name has always been Lucy. The only reason why my sisters and I have identical names is because my parents thought it would be funny. I don't even..." I paused, the name did sound familiar now that...I think about it. "At least...I don't think I knew anyone by that name..."
"You think?"
"..." Memories that don't make sense...forgetting things...I want to make sure of something...I saw my right eye earlier...I need to make sure. "Kurogane...was my eye always this color?" I lifted my bangs up, showing him my right eye. "Because...last I remember, my right eye was always brown."
"Your eye wasn't always like that?"
"Not that I knew."
"Hold still." Kurogane held my bangs out of my face as he moved closer. I was already starting to lose the redness in my face...but it just had to come back in full force. Why is he so close?! "Your eye is blue, but the pupil is white. It doesn't look unnatural despite its odd coloring. Can you still see?"
"Yes."
"Ask the wizard about it."
"Eh...?"
"I don't know much about magic, but there's something weird about that eye of yours."
"Gee, thanks." Kurogane removed his hand from my hair. "In the morning...or something..."
"You going to bed any time soon?"
"I don't want to..."
"Nightmares?"
"Something like that. I'm going to make breakfast for tomorrow. You want anything specific."
"Nothing sweet."
"Of course." I looked around the room. "...After I get some blankets for everyone. I doubt everyone is comfortable like this..."
It took me a bit of time to get everyone covered in a blanket and moving them around a bit so they were more comfortable. Once that was done, I tied my hair up into a loose bun so I can make preparations for tomorrow's breakfast. Some honey tea with a bit of ginger...it'd be good to let it soak for a while and so it's cold, I'll leave it in the fridge. I began muttering to myself as I cooked. In truth, while I cooked as if I was focused on it...my mind was elsewhere. There is so much I want to know, but...more and more, I'm left with only questions.
"Hah...I wish I could confirm that guy's face though..." I muttered a bit depressed.
"If that's what you want I don't mind helping."
"E-Eh?!" I cut my finger by mistake and I hissed, sticking it in my mouth. I turned around to see Tomoyo standing at the doorway with a smile. "Tomoyo."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's fine..." I pulled my finger out of my mouth. "What do you mean you can help me?"
"In truth, the airship had cameras all over. Some of them were destroyed, but we were able to capture the image of the one who grabbed you."
"...Please print me a copy."
"Already ahead of you."
"I thought I was the only one awake."
"I just woke up. I heard someone in the kitchen."
"Really?" I turned to the time...it's been four hours since I started. I looked around noticing I already finished making bread and I was making cinnamon rolls for some reason. "I guess my mind was elsewhere..."
"I can tell." Tomoyo walked towards me, offering me a picture. "This is the best shot we had of his face. I had my people make the image clearer as well."
"...thank you." I took it from her, tucking it into my pocket. "Are you hungry? I'll make you whatever you want if we have the ingredients."
"Then can I please have an omelet?"
"Alright, one omelet coming up!"
Once her omelet was ready, I put it down in front of the young president. Since that was about done...I guess I had nothing else to do until the cinnamon rolls were done cooking. I didn't feel like eating much so I just toasted some of the bread and put some jam on top. I nibbled on it while thinking about everything that has happened to me so far. When I started this journey to the point...where I met the man with the face of someone I think was a friend.
"Still...I wonder..." I muttered staring into space.
"L...cy...Lu...Lucy?" I looked upwards at Sakura. Oh, she woke up. "Are you okay?" Sakura questioned with a small frown.
"Hm? Ah, I drank a lot earlier so maybe I'm still a little drunk." I said with a small blush on my cheeks.
"You drank?" Sakura asked a bit surprised.
"Ah. It turns out, I have a really high tolerance. I had outdrank everyone." I stood up, tucking some stray strands behind my ear. "Are you hungry? I'll make you something really quickly before I go wake everyone up."
"Eh, but..."
"It won't do if a cute girl's stomach is heard rumbling! Also, breakfast is the most important meal of the day so you should at least have something."
"Then...Some toast?"
"Jam or perhaps some honey?"
"Jam?"
"Strawberry or blueberry?" I held up two jars with a smile. "How many pieces of toast as well?"
"E-Eto..."
"Don't worry so much about it." I was teasing Sakura, but seeing her so flustered was cute. "I'm going to pour some drinks for everyone. I bet they'll regret trying to push themselves in a bit."
"Hm?"
"Lucy-san is really nice, right?"
"Lucy is always nice. She's a bit like a mother or a big sister."
"My! That's so nice! So, which of those two men is she interested?"
"Two men...Kurogane-san and Fai-san?"
"That's right!"
"Tomoyo...I can hear you..." I looked in her direction with a strained smile. "Also, please don't mention my love life because I don't have one."
"Even though you were close to both of those men? I saw you last night~!"
"Eh...?" What did she see...? I want to ask, but her face is smiling in a way that scares me a bit. "I'm...going to go wake everyone up now...it's already morning...Hm...it's dried already so I'm good here."
"Lucy, what do you need a frying pan and ladle for?"
"I always wanted to do this once! I never get the chance since everyone in my family wakes up earlier than I do!"
"Huh?"
"My, she's very funny!"
I proceeded to wake everyone up by hitting a ladle to the frying pan. It was more than enough to shock everyone awake. I released a happily pleased smile despite the fact more than one person was grumbling about how I woke them up. When they did complain, I only continued to smile, but it shifted a bit so it was darker and I had a dark aura behind me...I learned it from Setsuna when I was under her care...but more like I suffered this exact same way that I managed to figure out how she did it.
"Don't tell me you plan on letting all my hard work go to waste? I have breakfast ready along with tea. I didn't sleep a wink last night either so...?" I questioned letting the threat hang.
"Sorry...mother..."
"She's like a mother..."
"Who the heck is your mother?! If I was your mother, do you think I would let a bunch of minors drink?! I'm talking about you and your friends, Nokoru!"
"Ah..." Nokoru smiled at me, but I could tell he was nervous under my stare. "Thank you."
"...Hm...You're a cute kid so I'll forgive you." I like cute children, a lot. Between being stuck with a bunch of handsome men, I would rather be with pure innocent children. It might be a bit weird, but...I'm a bit awkward with men I'm not familiar with. Children are cute...and tend to forget things quickly when distracted. "Food is on the table over there along with drinks. So hurry up and eat so you get over your hangovers."
"Don't go against mama..."
"She's too strong..."
Like I said...! WHO THE HECK IS YOUR MOTHER?! Ahh...my head hurts now. How annoying. While everyone was eating, I returned to the kitchen to get more tea...it was already starting to run out. I hummed a small tune as I flickered about the kitchen. When the picture slipped out of my pocket, I knelt down to pick it up...but I couldn't stop staring at the man in the photo.
"Who are you really...? Who am I even...?" I questioned quietly.
X-X-X-X
Chapter 36 Ends
There isn't much to add at this point...let's see. Everyone I know says I sometimes act like a mother. I projected that onto Lucy a lot...but seriously, with this group...and you being an ordinary person, wouldn't you feel worried all the damn time?! If I really was there, not only would I feel useless...but I don't think I could keep up half the time. Also...Lucy's drinking ability isn't normal. Just letting you know. Until the next time then my dears! Bye-bye~!