Bloody Roar III: Deception Strikes From Within

Bloody Roar III: Deception Strikes From Within

By Tiger5913

Sequel to Bloody Roar III: Reunited by Chance, a Reflection of the Past

Chapter 2

Familiarizing With New Territory

"Beep, beep!"

The noise sounding as if it were right next to her ear, Uriko couldn't help cringing as the honking continued to blare about the area. Planted firmly in her seat within the six-passenger vehicle, she shifted a bit uncomfortably at the various intonations that rung in her auricles, "Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to choose the window seat…"

"Everything is so loud here," her older sister commented to Strider, who was driving the dark blue van. "I mean, no offense or anything…"

"It's alright," he replied good-naturedly. "That's Los Angeles for you: noise, excitement, life…" His voice grew a little lower. "…And sometimes trouble associates too, of course…"

"We'll take care of that." The wolf zoanthrope spoke up. "All of us handled Tylon and the Zoanthrope Liberation Front back in Japan with no problem; the issues here will be a cinch!"

Sitting next to his fiancée, Kenji let out a small sigh of resignation at his sibling's confident remarks. He turned to glance at the Kenpo student, chuckling softly when he saw her crossing her eyes at Yugo's back, who was aside their driver up in the front passenger seat. The cyan-haired nurse shot a bemused look to her younger sister, but still allowed a bantam smile to make its way over her lips.

Peering out the window, the feline zoanthrope took note of the bright flashing lights that came from various signs plastered all over the place, she squinted slightly at the foreign outlook. Casual restaurants and small shops aligned most of the streets, while every couple others supported more ornate diners and sophisticated department stores. It seemed as if the city was always bathed in light, the electricity never to be fazed or in danger of outages. Even though it was presently nighttime, civilians still bustled about the sidewalks; their ever-lasting energy portrayed by the way that they darted in and out of the numerous attractions.

One place caught her eye as the van slowed to a stop before a traffic light, neon green letters were the first thing that enticed her attention. A couple of people that appeared to be security figures stood outside a set of maroon shaded double doors that lead into a mediocre-sized ebony black building. "Angel's Hell" titled it, and the seventeen-year-old female wrinkled her nose in curiosity after reading the epithet.

"Hey Strider…" she started to say, gaze still trained on the structure even as the light color changed from red to green and they began to drive away.

His pair of cinnamon-colored eyes met hers in the rearview mirror. "Yes?"

"What is…'Angel's Hell'? We just passed by it a few seconds ago…"

A hint of a smile played about his lips at her question. "Rest assured, it's not as bad as it might sound. Angel's Hell is just an adult club, where people go to hang out with their friends, perhaps dance concurrently for a bit, and the like."

"Hmm, sounds like the Teen Zone back at home," Kenji mused with a wry grin. "Only without the minor restriction. So, how old do you have to be at least, to go in that club?"

"Eighteen." Strider informed him. "And if you should want to buy liquor, you must be twenty-one or older."

"Oh, you've been in there before?" The cat zoanthrope inquired.

"Yeah, Uranus and I have both gone to Angel's Hell, anytime that we weren't busy fending off… recreants, we go there and meet with our well-known acquaintances to relax, and just being able to repose together is good enough for her and I."

"'Together'…" Uriko murmured quietly to her fiancé. "And they have the same last name too…"

"Those two are probably married," he agreed, knowing what she was trying to imply.

"Um, sorry to pester you again Strider, but if you don't mind my asking…" the auburn-haired teenager started to ask albeit timidly.

"You're not bothering me at all; don't worry, Uriko. Go ahead." He encouraged her persuasively.

"…How old are you and Uranus?"

"We're both nineteen." The bronze-haired young man answered with a comforting smile. "What about you and… Kenny?"

…Damn freshman year memories… The ninja thought with an inward disapproving grimace. "…It's Kenji," he corrected patiently. "…And Uriko and I are seventeen."

Strider looked rather surprised. "Only seventeen?" His next comment was directed to the Kenpo student; "Are you on the brink of turning eighteen, Uriko? You seem older than seventeen…"

"Oh, nah," she shook her head, flushing slightly at his compliment.

"Mature, and modest too," he smiled at her with his eyes.

Well, isn't he acting…friendly… Kenji fought back the urge to scowl. Why aren't my brother and Alice saying any- He turned to look at the older couple and discovered that they were in a hushed conversation, Yugo having his upper body turned around to face his girlfriend sitting in the seat behind; she had leaned foreword to meet him halfway. -thing… he finished, swearing soundlessly under his breath. By instinct, he slunk an arm around Uriko's slender waist, hugging her figure to his side almost protectively, letting out a sanguine sigh when she gently laid her head onto his shoulder and snuggled more closely to him.

I've got enough crap to worry about. His face twisted into an impassive mask. Have to deal with this guy now, in addition to the unresolved issues that I still have with Unc-Long.

*****

One week prior…

Beads of wet water drops flew wildly as he shook out his hair underneath the dry covering of the white cotton. Stepping out of the steam-filled bathroom, he proceeded across the hallway and strolled into his room. His forest-green sweatshirt had darkened spots upon certain areas dampened by the moisture in his body leftover from the shower beforehand. The black windbreakers that covered his waist down to ankle level provided a flimsy barrier to the chill of the weather.

It's almost six… the mole zoanthrope discovered with a quick glance at the digital clock that sat on his nightstand. I'll go call Riko and see if she's ready to go. He decided silently as he reached over to the top of his dresser and picked up the phone receiver, bringing to his ear before dialing.

"You sure that you want to go with us…?" a masculine-sounding person questioned.

Whoops, Kenji realized that his elder sibling already had the line occupied. He was about to set the receiver back down into the cradle, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice replying to Yugo, "…I could keep a watchful eye over my-your brother and my disciple, should you and Alice be engrossed in your affairs."

…Huh? Watch over Riko and I? The blue-haired teenager quirked an eyebrow in bemusement. We're seventeen years old, almost adults, and perfectly capable of caring for ourselves-

The wolf zoanthrope laughed just then. "Heh, so you want to come with the three of us to America, not to vacation, but to baby-sit Kenji and Uriko?"

What? 'Baby-sit'?!

"Not just I alone; Jane would like to accompany me."

"Well, okay, if you insist on going, I guess we can't refuse, right? Kidding, kidding… But you better order airline tickets for both you and Jane soon. There's only a couple days left before we leave, Long."

Anger replaced his previous emotion as the male youth considered slamming the phone down, but in the end, set it back gently. Still, he could feel a growl rumbling deep in his throat as he thought scornfully, Why the hell do people feel the need to protect me?! My fiancée's I welcome, my brother's I understand, but then came Alan afterwards, and now Long wants to also?? The seventeen-year-old frowned and muttered lowly, "I-am-not-a-damn-child…"

*****

"And… we're here!"

Strider's announcement snapped the young ninja out of the memory that had previously scrolled through his mind. The van pulled to a stop before a set of black metal gates, and the four newbies strove to peer out as their driver lowered his window and entered a code into a small device outside. The tall bars creaked open, allowing the group access into a large complex that possessed multitudinous apartments.

Lights radiated onto them from the center of the courtyard, where a fountain sat, and the middle sprinkled misty water. A stone statue of an angel emitted the cool clear liquid, spraying small droplets out of the top of its hands, clasped together in a prayer that no one would ever hear. Uriko smiled joyously when she spied gorgeous flowers that were planted in the midst of the grassy lawns, all held up by sturdy stems. The colorful petals beckoned to her eyes, shimmering when the moonbeams flashed against their smooth surface.

By familiar instincts, she raised one of her hands and pressed it against the window, almost as if she was trying to brush her fingers against the dainty plants. The pane separated the blossoms from her touch, and her lips curled down a little in slight displeasure as the scenery grew smaller while the van drove further away. Sighing, she sat back into her seat, and smiled when she felt a hand close around hers understandingly: her fiancé's.

"Mmm, this place looks exquisite…" the blue-haired nurse breathed in wistfully. "…And we're staying here?"

Strider grinned and said with a hint of pride in his voice, "Quite a few visitors enjoy staying here at the A.T. Complex."

"'A.T. Complex'?" Yugo repeated questioningly.

He nodded curtly his reply, and they all grew quiet, looking at their new surroundings in slight awe as their guide parked the vehicle in an empty space next to a medium-sized beige building a few meters away. Everyone immediately piled out and headed around to the back so they could get their belongings and slowly start to settle in. Just as Strider was slamming the back door shut, another car pulled up and smoothly slid into the space beside the van, its sleek red coating showing off young age and appearing modernistic. The driver's side opened, and out stepped the green-haired young woman, followed by the feline zoanthrope couple emerging from the rear seats.

"Since it's getting late, I think that I'll just let you all know where your rooms are, so that everyone can turn in." Uranus said decisively. "Is that alright?"

Receiving quick looks of agreement from the others, Yugo spoke for the group, "Yeah, to us, it feels like it's noontime, but we're gonna have to adjust our sleeping hours while we're staying here. So we'll go with what you suggest, and retire for today."

"Well," Strider clasped his hands together. "The eight of us will be sharing four rooms in two separate apartments, but they're right next to each other, so none of you will be that far away from the others, rest assured. Uranus and I will be fine with whatever rooming arrangements you all make, so we'll just wait and let everyone decide amongst yourselves."

"Okay, thanks." The wolf zoanthrope gave him a faint smile, and motioned for his friends to gather around him. "We'll try to get it done ASAP; come on everyone."

"No problem, take your time!" The female escort assured, and then when the guests had turned away, she gestured for her companion to go over to her and the two of them spoke privately.

"So… any preferences?" The assemblage's leader inquired. "First off, does anyone particularly want to share an apartment with them? I think that Alice and I should room with them, since they phoned me, and probably assume that we're the ones 'running this show'."

"That's okay with me, Sis," the Kenpo student informed. "Can I room with Kenji?"

"You don't want to be room with Jane, Uriko?" Her sibling raised an eyebrow while the dark-haired ninja felt his cheeks grow warm at her bold question.

"What? Oh, no, it's not that!" The teenager protested. "I just thought that she might want to be with Master Long, and I don't wanna intrude or anything."

"Hm, thanks runt," the leopard told her with a half-smirk. "Don't worry about her, Alice, I'll keep an eye out for your little sister and Kenji, although I'm sure they're responsible enough to be trusted."

You might think that, but apparently, Long still thinks that I need to be baby-sat, Kenji thought a little bitterly, trying to keep his voice even and calm as he chimed in, "I have no problem being paired with Uriko; it works fine for me."

"Okay then!" The chestnut-haired boxer glanced at his compatriots. "It'll be me and Alice with Strider and Uranus, you with Uriko, brother, sharing with Long and Jane. Is that the final verdict?"

"Oh, what are you trying to sound like, a judge?" His girlfriend kidded with a twinkle in her ruby red irises. "Does that mean a career change for you?"

"Funny, Ally," he replied dryly, although he winked at her. "No complaints? Okay, I'll go tell 'em then."

"Does the master know that they've arrived?" Strider murmured in question to his partner in a hushed tone of voice.

"I beeped the pager," she answered. "So I'm pretty sure she would have received long ago-"

"Um, hey…" Yugo said quietly as he approached the duo. "We're done deciding."

Numerous yards from the large group, the curtain of a window on a second floor apartment was pushed aside as a pair of pupils gleamed with pleasure upon sighting the eight. Loose black bangs flew up into the air as a breath escaped the figure's pursed lips, and as the cat zoanthrope's large brown irises were scanning the area curiously, the watcher's eyes widened in surprise, and made their presence gone within seconds. Admiring the luxurious looks of the complex, Uriko let out a sigh of amazement and jolted a little when she felt two arms wrap around her waist.

Warm breath fanned against her neck as her fiancé commented, "This place is really nice, huh?"

"Yeah…" she agreed, smiling warmly. "Everything looks really nice. But… what's the rent cost for staying here?"

"Nothing." He informed her. "Yugo said that Strider and Uranus took care of it; we just paid for the plane tickets is all."

"…What exactly are we supposed to do here?" the female teenager asked. "Alice and your brother just told us something about terrorist acts occurring here in the States, I think?"

Kenji opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off by his older sibling calling out, "We're gonna be brought to our rooms now! Everyone ready?"

After a chorus of "yes"es, the newcomers followed their escorts into the complex, where they all crossed a large open quad. In the middle of the space were thin black bars that served as the perimeter around a pool, enclosing into its own small secure area. The light from a crescent moon overhead gleamed off the surface of the crystal clear aquarium-colored water. The auburn-haired feline grinned joyously upon spotting the beautiful attraction, and nudged her fiancé gently. Following the direction of her gaze, he met her eyes when she turned her head to face him, and the couple exchanged a shy, but knowing look.

The duo leaders eased into a stop in front of a two-story building with a door on the first floor, and another one that was up a flight of steps. A balcony stuck out on the other side that looked over into the quad; a fresh lawn was around the stairs, and flowers were planted into various dirt patches. The place was nicely decorated, with the right color coordination, and all the trees, flowers, and grass seemed to be kept in consistently good condition.

"Well… which quartet would like to be on the second floor apartment?" the bronze-haired guide inquired of the guests.

"Me!" Uriko immediately exclaimed. "Erm, I mean, please? If that's okay with everybody?"

Her sister giggled at her enthusiasm. "Since you're so eager, I guess it'd be mean of us to say no, huh? Go ahead, I like being downstairs better anyway…"

"Okay then," Uranus offered a small smile, then handed the seventeen-year-old a ring that had two keys on it. "The one marked '62' corresponds to your apartment door upstairs, and number '61' is for the other door that leads into your sister's apartment down here."

"Thanks!" The Kenpo student said, then called out to the others, "Good-night!" With a quick wave, she bound up the stairs, her suitcase bouncing against her leg, and the dark-haired ninja smiled faintly at his friends before trailing right behind her.

When she ascended to the peak, the teenager walked down a short hallway, long strands of her hair flying into her face by the direction of the breeze, and soon reached a sky-blue door. Sticking the key into the lock, she twisted it in a half-circle, then pushed the tall wooden frame inwardly and stepped into the residence. Blinking at the darkness that her eyes met, she quickly ran an arm along the wall beside her and feeling her fingers graze against a little bump, she flicked on a switch, enveloping the room in light.

"Ooh…" a sigh of appreciation escaped her lips at the sight of the dwelling and her light chocolate brown eyes lit up delightfully. Twin black couches that each seated two rested across the room, leaning next to a large glass door, which led to the balcony outside. A relatively medium-sized rug was splayed onto the floor in between the sofas, the Oriental designs etched into it displaying colorful embroideries. The last items in there were a brown cabinet-type structure that had a television set and videocassette recorder sitting upon it.

Setting down her luggage momentarily, she slipped off her footwear and set the pair onto the top shelf of the shoe rack next to the door. Turning to glance at the other features, the young zoanthrope picked up her suitcase again and sighted a doorway that directed into a kitchen that had the usual necessities. A tall white refrigerator sat beside a small stove, and they were both diagonally located from a silver faucet attached to the neck of the sink, while a wide, long, oak brown table served as the dining place-mat.

"Seen everything yet?" A voice behind her questioned lightheartedly.

"Just the bedrooms and bathroom," she replied, knowing that it was Kenji. "And I'm gonna go take a look at them right now!"

Whirling around and heading in the opposite direction that she had been formerly facing, the auburn-haired woman went into another hallway to explore. Soft ash gray carpet that covered the entire apartment met the pliant fabric of her sock-padded feet as she ventured around. She peered briefly into the lavatory, ducking back out after glancing at the neatly aligned ivory-colored tiles, sink, toilet, and closed shower stall.

Now for the rooms… Reaching for the knob of the door closest to her, Uriko stepped into one of the rooms and flicked on the light switch, then emitted a small sigh in exultation. Large blankets with roses and violet flowers spread over a bed that was in the middle of the room, and a nightstand was beside it. Two bureaus were next to each other, waiting for its inhabitants to store clothing into the drawers; the blank walls were the color of fresh icy snow. A window was located a few yards away from the bed, the pane closed and sealed shut, while a light lamp stood nearby.

Putting her suitcase on the floor next to the bed, she thought decisively, I want this to be mine and Kenji's room… Hope that Master Long and Jane will be okay with it…

"Made a decision already, Riko?" came the low chuckle from her fiancé.

"Yup," the young woman said, turning around and smiling at him. "Where are Master Long and Jane?"

"Still downstairs," her companion replied. "I think they're talking to the others and trying to find out more information about our mission here."

"I didn't sleep on the plane at all…" she sighed. "I'm beat. Mind if I turn in?"

"You're gonna unpack tomorrow?"

"Yeah…" even as she was just saying that, the cat zoanthrope took her socks off, and set them atop her satchel.

Kenji put his baggage next to hers, but still donned shoes. "I'm going to stay up a little bit, and get some information from our friends, okay?"

"Okay…" with that soft sigh, she lied onto the bed, on top of the sheets, and drowsily snuggled into a sleeping position.

Smiling, he proceeded over to her and gently brushed his lips against hers, murmuring quietly against her mouth, "Sweet dreams… I'll get you tucked in when I come back later…"

After that, he turned off the light, and closed the door with a silent click behind him as he left the room.

End of Chapter 2