Chapter 11:
Gaav's fiery red eyes silently watched a small shadow flitting across the wall in front of him. Turning, he picked up a golden chalice on the table next to him and took a sip from it.
"Gaav."
A small dark-haired boy appeared before the giant man, shoulders slouching, feet shuffling constantly. He had a shrewd smirk upon his otherwise sweet face as he removed a hand from his pocket, emptying the contents of it before the ex-Chaos Dragon. Golden coins glittered on the ground.
Not even bothering to inspect the treasure, Gaav snorted. "What took you so long, you little twerp?"
"Distractions, Gaav, distractions. So what have you been up to, O Noble Leader?"
"The usual kid, the usual. And less of your impudence."
The boy threw himself upon the soft couch and made himself comfortable. Selecting a fresh apple from a basket of fruits, the boy polished it on his shirt before taking a large bite out of it.
"Get off the couch, kid, before I make you do it," the man roared.
Dark eyes sparkled. "I'd like to see you try."
"Huh, same annoying attitude you've got, Phib."
Tossing the apple core over his shoulder, Phibirizo smirked. "But of course."
* * *
Idly picking up a file from his desk, Dynast spun it with a finger, hazel eyes staring blankly at the wall. Life was certainly boring in this era…no fighting, no killing…far too peaceful.
"Dynast sama," rang his bodyguard's voice behind the door, "A visitor."
"If it's Kaze, throw him into the furthest ditch you can find."
` "Dynast san, it is you!"
Following the chirpy voice was a blur of brown as the visitor hurtled through the door and embraced the surprised man tightly. With his breath squeezed out of him, Dynast gasped. "Who…?"
The visitor tilted her head up, revealing her tear-strewn face. It was round as an apple, framed with light brown hair and thick horn-rimmed glasses lay round her midnight-coloured eyes. Sherra coughed, a disapproving frown upon her face.
"Allow me to introduce Suzuki Haruchi. Otherwise known as Tsuchiryuu."
* * *
Xelloss and Luna stood on the roof of their Society's building, trenchcoats flapping in the wind. Placing a foot on the edge, the Trickster leaned against his knee, amethyst eyes twinkling. "All the key players have been assembled."
Luna's brilliant violet eyes flashed against the setting sun. "You've forgotten someone, my friend."
Silence filled the air before the Trickster smacked his forehead. "I was hoping you'd forget."
* * *
"Achoo!"
Philionel glanced over at his daughter, a worried frown creased on his face. "Are you catching a cold, Amelia?"
"Nah, I'm okay, daddy," the dark-haired girl smiled.
Her father grunted, though his face betrayed his concern for her. However, as Amelia began chattering about her new University roommate, he relaxed. At least she wasn't that sick…he smiled as he listened to his daughter, while casually looking out of the corner of his eyes at the people on the street…
* * *
"Xel-chan! Hey, what're you up to?"
Without turning, the violet-haired Trickster continued his leisurely stroll down the street, a grin on his face. "Just moving along, Haruchi…just moving along."
"Oh…" Hurrying after him, Haruchi fluttered her eyelashes. "May I join you?"
"You could have asked without the flutter of eyelashes, Chi-chan. It makes you look like a daft owl with large, blinking eyes…those glasses of yours are over-gigantic." At the pout on the brunette girl's face, the Trickster snickered. "Of course you may."
* * *
Screech.
"Daddy!" Amelia screeched as her seatbelt was stretched to its limit, leaving her face a hair's breadth away from the screen. "What happened?!"
Her father just gaped.
Following his line of vision, Amelia's dark eyes widened, then rolled to the back of her head as she slumped onto her seat.
Peering through the window, Xelloss Metallium rubbed his head sheepishly, while a stunned Haruchi stared at the ex-Princess in horror.
"You killed her."