Wings of Desire
By Maria Szabo
Disclaimer: X belongs to CLAMP, its publishers and distributors. This is a work of fanfiction and no profit is being made save that of enjoyment.
Part
5
Karen sat, drinking some tea that Yuzuriha had given her and smoking
a
cigarette that she'd bummed off of Subaru. This is really nasty, she
thought.
He really needs to change brands. She was very tired. Sorata
had been
hounding her for details about the battle, and while she
appreciated
his need for data, she also wanted nothing more than to shut
him up so
that she could sit quietly for a moment and calm her frazzled
nerves.
She was just about to say something, when the CLAMP Academy
Chairman
came into the room.
"He's resting peacefully now." Nokoru Imonoyama had a soft, distinct
voice that
was always soothing. "The doctors couldn't find what made the
wounds,
but they were able to repair most of the damage. He's a strong
man, so he
should recover soon."
"Thank God," said Karen, as the rest of the Dragons of Heaven gave a
collective
sigh of relief. "Does someone need to stay with him?"
"We've sent a helicopter to pick up his wife, she
should be arriving
any
moment."
Of course, she mused, the Mrs.
"And we've set a camera on the Zojo-ji, just in case they try to
return
tonight."
"I can go." Volunteered Sorata. "A blood sacrifice
was made. Odds
are good
they'll try again soon."
"By yourself?" Subaru asked quietly.
"I'll go with him." Volunteered Arashi. She
threw a warning look at
Sorata.
"Just so long as he behaves himself."
Sorata looked hurt. "Nee-chan, as if I would ever treat my future
wife with
less than the utmost respect."
Arashi blushed a little and muttered something under
her
breath.
"I'm still coming with you." She said, more audibly.
Very smart, thought Karen. Subaru was in no
shape to deal with his
nemesis.
Behind Arashi's reserved manner was a mind as sharp as
steel.
"I'm not sure if it'll be the same guy. I threw him quite a
stunner as
he left."
Subaru visibly winced. Karen suddenly felt very sorry for him.
"Well, Nee-chan, do you want to get going?" The monk stood and
offered a
hand to the girl. Arashi merely looked at it, then
stood up on
her own.
"Yes," she replied. "there's no telling when
they'll strike again."
"Hey, at least it's the temple. Could you imagine
having to wait
around the Fish Market?"
"The Fish Market doesn't have its
own kekkai."
"Hey, Nee-chan…wait up!"
The room seemed suddenly too quiet after the two had left. Karen
quickly
finished up her tea, then handed the cup back to
Yuzuriha with a
smile.
"That was sweet of you, thanks."
"Oh, no problem!" the
girl replied. Her inugami barked in agreement.
She stood up and tried to ignore the pain in her body. "And now, I
should be
going, too. I'll call in the morning to check on Aoki-san."
The Chairman stood up quickly, and took her
arm.
"Kasumi-san. Perhaps it would be better if you
stayed here
tonight.
Forgive me, but you look very tired."
"No, really, that's alright."
He smiled charmingly. "No, please, I insist."
"I…" she paused. "Imonoyama-san, do you know what I do for a living?"
"Why, yes, of course. You work in a bathhouse."
"Ah…yes. Do you know what I do there?"
His blue eyes gleamed with amusement. "I do."
"Then you must know why I can't stay here."
"Why, no, Kasumi-san, I don't."
That's right, you charming bastard. Make it
difficult.
"Imonoyama-san…your reputation…"
He raised a perfectly formed finger to her lips. "Shhh.
If you
don't
tell, I won't. Besides, Kasumi-san, it's well known that I cannot
resist a
lady in distress." He raised her hand to his lips. "Please
accept my
hospitality for the night at least. We've plenty of room here."
Damn. Taken or gay? Probably
both. "Well, if you say so."
The Chairman grinned down at her. "Thank you,
Kasumi-san.
Yuzuriha-chan, there's an empty room next to yours, isn't there?"
"Oh. Yes!" The girl needed no encouragement. She grabbed her
hand
and led
her out the door. "Just follow me!"
She followed the girl from the hospital to the main house, only a
short
distance away. The place was huge, and Karen was amazed at how
luxurious
everything was. I could get used to this, she thought, then
stomped
down hard on that thought. No, she couldn't.
Up a flight of stairs, and down a short hall later, Yuzuriha
stopped.
"Here's my room," she said. "Arashi is just over there, and the
boys are
down on the other end of the hall. There's a toilet here, and the
bath is in
this room."
Karen whistled as Yuzuriha opened the door. "Niiiiiice."
"Whirlpool tub. Really good to
soak in. Especially after dealing
with a Dragon of Earth." She winked and gave her a cheeky
smile.
Karen smiled back. "And my room is here?"
Yuzuriha nodded and opened the door, turning on the lights. Inuki
ran into
the room in front of her, turning in excited
circles.
"Imonoyama-san always keeps a couple of extra yukatas in the
dresser
drawer. You can sleep in that, if you like."
"Thank you. I guess I'll sleep well tonight."
"I hope so." She hesitated in front of the door, then
turned
around.
"Karen-san?"
"Hmmm?"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
The girl blushed. "The Chairman was saying about your job…"
Uh-oh. This isn't going to be pretty. "Yes?"
"I…guess you've dealt with a lot of men…" the
poor girl was scarlet.
"You could say that. Why?"
She nervously played with her fingers. "Um, well. There's this
guy…"
"Uh-huh…"
"And, um, I like him a lot…at least I think so…"
Ah, she must be referring to her terrorist boyfriend, Karen thought
with an
inward grin. "I see. And?"
"I know he likes me, too.
But lately, it's been different."
"Different?"
Yuzuriha put her hand on her chest, as if to slow her beating
heart.
"When we're together, he looks at me and I just get dizzy
and…" she went a brilliant red, "it feels…."
"Like you've lost yourself, somehow?"
Her eyes widened. "Yes. I…he…"
Karen came up and hugged her. "It's scary the first time, when you
don't know
what you're doing. It's scary every time, really, but
especially
the first."
"It?" her voice was the
barest squeak.
"Love, honey. Grown-up,
honest-to-God love." She tenderly brushed
her hair
from out of her face. "The kind they write all those silly songs
about.
This guy, I take it he's older than you?"
Yuzuriha looked up at her guiltily.
"He's not pressuring you into anything, is he?"
"No! No! I…" she stopped and reconsidered what she was
saying.
"No, he isn't. He said we should wait." Her tone indicated she
didn't
agree.
"Sounds like a nice man." Karen hugged her again. "Nicer than most,
I assure
you. Sweetie, you don't need to worry. You just listen to your
heart and
you'll be just fine."
Yuzuriha hugged her back. "Thank you, Karen-san. If you need
anything,
I'm just next door."
"You got it, honey. Good night!"
"Good night!"
Karen sighed as she sat down on the bed. Was I ever that young? She
wondered.
But really, Yuzu-chan was so sweet. That fellow better treat
her right,
although it sounded like he was being a gentleman about the
whole
thing. And really, who was she to judge what the girl did? Listen
to your
own heart, Karen…you're falling for a man who belongs to someone
else.
On top of having the oddest feelings about a very handsome
enemy. Yuuto Kigai, she thought, you're an intriguing
man. And just the
sort I
should stay far, far away from.
Enough, she decided. Time for a bath. But
first, she'd check down
the hall
to see if Subaru-san has any more of those god-awful cigarettes.
To be
continued in Part 6
