"I can't do this! Why am I doing this?!" Setsuna rubbed his temples as he heard Feia shouting from the bathroom. If he admitted the truth, he didn't want to be doing this either. And if his instincts were right, neither Sadame nor Rhi wanted to go through with this, but they had to. Tonight was going to be one hell of a night for the four of them.
"Because, Feia," the Organic Angel said, leaning on the wall next to the bathroom door, "we're the ones assigned to crashing the strip bar to get the key from a head hancho of Genesis. This is the only way we're going to get in that place and find out what the hell those freak scientists are up to. Lese, Hotura, and Damian have already left for the underground tournament to crack info. We gotta get this key."
"But why me?!! Why do I have to play the part of a stripper?? I don't have the body for this!" Setsuna flicked his gray-blue eyes over towards his fellow angel; Sadame just shrugged as if to say I have no idea what to do, you fix it. The blonde angel scowled a moment before turning his attention back to coaxing Feia out of the bathroom where she had gone to change and had currently locked herself into.
"Come on, Feia. It's just for one night. All you have to do is get the key."
"I don't care! Why can't Rhi do it?"
"Cause I'm playing security tonight," the primal Noin replied from next to Sadame. "And the guy we're going after doesn't go for dark haired latin chicks. This old guy only likes young, little blonde girls." Whimpering sounds came from the bathroom before, finally, the door opened. Wu's little dragon walked out in a see through sheer, hip length pink camisole; underneath she wore the typical bra and bikini set most female strippers wore. Her cheeks were bright red as she emerged, clearly embarrassed by the situation she was getting herself into as well as the clothes and amount of skin she was displaying to people who were clearly not her koi.
"I hate this," she murmured. "I hate these clothes, I hate what I have to do, I hate it all."
"It'll be over soon," Setsuna coaxed, laying a long coat over her shoulders.
"Remember," Kyoko said, lounging on one of Ele's couches at the AC Gym. The Angel Gym's leader had come by to oversee the situation involving Genesis even if her gym was not yet directly targeted. "Get in, get the key, get out. Avoid confrontations, don't use your powers unless you have to. Don't give away who you are or where you come from. And, most importantly, don't give away why you're there. We need this key or the codes Damian is getting will be completely useless."
"Just what does this key look like?" Sadame asked, trying to get a visual image of said object.
"White, credit card like. Typical access card key to a big foundation."
"Any markings?" Before Kyoko could reply, a Heero-type known as Binary stepped forward. He beckoned them over as his eyes seemed to glaze over before displaying an image of a white card etched with the emblem and name of Genesis. Sadame leaned in close for a look; he took a moment to memorize the card thoroughly before stepping back.
"I've got it," he said, looking over his shoulder. "Let's go."
"Good luck and remember what I said. Get back here as soon as you can." Setsuna nodded as he lead Feia out to the waiting car, Sadame and Rhi following closely at their heels.
* * *
The car ride to the strip club was quiet. Feia hoped this night would be over quick and they would succeed in getting the key. Setsuna wished he didn't have to see the dragon put herself through this but he knew there wasn't much of a choice. As Sadame drove through the night, Setsuna's eyes kept flickering over to the rearview mirror on his side displaying Feia's image from where she said next to Rhi. She seemed a little scared, worried, and wishing she were anywhere but where she was. The blonde angel wished there was something he could do for her. He opened his mouth to speak words of comfort to her when he felt the car come to a sudden halt.
"We're here," Sadame said in a low voice as he turned off the engine. Setsuna nodded dumbly in response before getting out and helping Feia out of the car.
"You two go through the front," Rhi said, gently taking Feia's arm into hand. "We'll go through the back. Meet up inside." The angel of humanity nodded before steering Setsuna towards the front entrance. Concerned eyes flickered over worriedly towards Feia once more before the angel turned his attention back in front of him. He whistled low as he stepped inside the brightly lit strip bar.
"Nothing at all like what I expected."
"Well what were you expecting?" Sadame asked, heading for the bar, moving deftly past wolf whistling older men and cage dancing, scantily clad girls. "Something like Angel? If so, you were dead wrong then."
"Very funny," Setsuna replied, trying to ignore the neon spotlights flashing here and there and blinding his vision. "Never knew you had a sense of humor, Sadame."
"Never asked." The Organic Angel simply rolled his eyes as he perched on a bar stool, his fellow angel leaning back against the bar top with his elbows. They waved the bartender away before turning their attention back to the floor of the joint. Two pairs of eyes flickered here and there, scanning faces, looking for the one person who was their target for the night.
"Which one is he?" Setsuna asked, leaning close to Sadame so as not to shout over the sound of music. At the flickering of Sadame's violet eyes, Setsuna caught sight of an elderly man, somewhere in his late 50s, sitting right in front of the stage. His slightly balding head glimmered in the light of the stage, his eyes glazed over as he watched the dancer with an almost vacant stare, a broad toothed grin on his face. Setsuna wrinkled his nose as if he had just gotten a whiff of something foul.
"Him?? He doesn't seem like some top guy working for Genesis."
"He is though, one of their higher ups," the violet-eyed angel said in reply. "And he's got the key we need to get in. They're up to something."
"Aren't they always?" Sadame shook his head.
"This is really big, Setsuna. Bigger than the time they took Hotura, even bigger than the time they took Shirahime and gave us Kakera. Their target isn't just bishonen this time; it's the gym leaders."
"What do you mean?"
"It's too much of a coincidence, everything that's been happening. Mateo dying, Damian's wife and children turning out to be fakes, the dreams Elspeth's been having. It's all just too much of a coincidence. Genesis seems to want the gym leaders out of the picture for a reason."
"Then Kyo...."
"May be one of the next ones. But we're going to stop this before it goes any further. Lese, Hotura, and Damian have gone to crack some information; we're assigned to get a key so we can get in Genesis. The plan is to regroup after this and figure out where to go from there."
"It's not fair that we have to put Feia through this," Setsuna said, lowering his voice and ignoring the bouncy bar girl trying to get his attention. She slinked off, pouting, when she realized he wouldn't pay any attention to her.
"It's the only way, Setsuna. None of us wants to put her through this, but what choice do we have?" Sadame was about to say more when the sound of a woman swearing reached their ears before a body fell at the angels' feet. The man seemed unconscious but there was a smile on his face, one of almost pure, untainted happiness. Before either Setsuna or Sadame could speak, there was the sound of a boot heel smacking against cheekbone before another man flew over their heads and across the bar.
"Anyone else want some?!" Rhi shouted into the crowd as she perched on the bar top at Sadame's right, kicking a third guy in the head as she crossed her leather-clad legs. A blade shot out of her right arm, adding emphasis to her words. One look at the blade and the men started to back off for the moment, seeking out the next opportunity to approach her again.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Setsuna asked, eyeing her from Sadame's left. The primal laughed before quickly downing a shot of Jack Daniels and peeling off the coat she was wearing to reveal a leather corset underneath.
"I'm security and these guys love being hit. You put two and two together, Setsuna. Or do you have a problem with it? If you do, I'll have to throw you out." The fifth level angel evolution frowned at the dark haired bishojo and simply shook his head. Rhi laughed at the unamused look on his face before turning to Sadame, eyeing him with a smirk. "And just what are you staring at, my winged one?" she teased.
"Is that my jacket?" he asked bluntly, eyeing the crumpled mass of dark material she had just peeled from her shoulders, one eyebrow arching elegantly over a violet orb. Laughing, she threw it over his head, a playful gesture towards her koi but one missed by all save for the two angels.
"Getting jealous winged one?" Sadame's only reply was the arching of his eyebrow yet again, drawing out a laugh from Rhi's lean, curved frame of a body. Almost as quickly as the laughter had come it dissipated, replaced by a slight frown as the lights overhead changed color and the music paused for a moment. "Feia's up," was all she said just before bright yellow and white lights illuminated the stage accompanied by a change in music.
A bit timidly the dragon goddess emerged, blushing deeply as she slowly made her way onto the stage. Setsuna's face fell when he saw her. He gripped the seat of the stool he was perched on to prevent himself from darting onto the stage, grabbing her wrist and hauling her off before she did something she would later regret. The look of embarrassment and pain evident on her pretty features made his heart break, his breath catch in his throat. The Organic Angel had to force himself to remain in his seat and watch for now.
She wanted to be anywhere, anywhere at all except on the warm, brightly lit stage with hundreds of pairs of eyes staring at her. Emerald eyes caught sight of Setsuna in a shadowed corner of the bar with Sadame and Rhi. All Feia could think of doing was running over to him and beg to go home. But she couldn't do that, and she knew it. Her duty was here, her mission was here. And her target was staring right up at her, a hungry look in his dark eyes. Dorian Engel, one of the heads of Genesis, her target with the ticket to getting inside the inner workings of the bishonen genetics facility she and everyone associated with her hated so much. The dragon stood in silence a moment, her eyes closed, a pained expression passing over her features.
"Can she really do this?" Setsuna asked his companions, chewing on his lip as he regarded the person he shouldn't love but did nonetheless.
"Yes," Rhi replied, keeping a close eye on Engel. "But she won't like it"
"Poor kid," Sadame murmured. ". She knows what to do, she just has to do it. But she doesn't have to like it and she won't, never will." Setsuna glanced at the pair before turning his attention back to the stage. In the spotlight, Feia had completely blanked her face. The strong blush that had come to her cheeks subsided, her face relaxing as her hips started to move suggestively in time to the music beating from overhead speakers. Enge's eyes watched her with great, excited interested as she grabbed hold of a pole and swung herself around, dipping her head back, letting her hair fan out around her as she spun.
This has to be done, it has to be done and it has to be done this way; there was no other choice. That's what Setsuna kept telling himself as he watched the spectacle in front of him. It was all he could do from knocking Engel out cold and snatching the key. Instead, he forced himself to remain in his seat and let Feia do the work of getting them the access card. He grit his teeth together, watching as she shimmied down the pole, rolling into her hands and knees right in front of Engel, green eyes boring into him. He seemed to like the attention; his portly palms began to sweat as Feia moved in closer, leaning down over him. She put on a teasing smile as she watched his eyes roam hungrily over her body before staring straight down her top; inwardly, Feia was disgusted at being peered at so closely, but she forced herself to keep still long enough for her hand to slip into his jacket. Warm fingers grasped something cool and slick. Slowly she began to crawl away, holding the card tightly in her hand and out of sight. As she got to her feet, Feia spun on her heel, turning to leave as her top fell from her shoulders to crumble into a heap on the floor. She stifled a cry as she felt a thick hand grab her wrist, pulling her backwards.
"Hey little dear," Engel's voice hungrily whispered into her ear. "Where ya going? Show's not over yet."
"I only dance sir," Feia pleaded, trying to loosen his grasp on her wrist. "Please let me go now." He didn't listen to her, his hand tightening its grip on her wrist as he pulled her closer.
"Do ya lap dance sweetheart?" Feia cringed at how closer his hot breathe was to her neck. She struggled harder to get away as her voice spoke.
"No, I don't. Now please let go, I'm leaving."
"I don't think so."
"I said let me go!"
"Excuse me?" Both the young dragon and Engel looked up at the sound of the voice only to find Setsuna standing over them, an annoyed look in his eyes. He kept his vision focused solely on Engel, his eyes unwavering. The elder, portly man brushed him off, continuing to try and coax Feia into his lap.
"Get lost pretty boy. I don't know who you are, and I frankly don't care. I saw her first so she's my playtoy."
"You don't know me?" Setsuna asked simply.
"No, now buzz off!"
"Good. Then you won't have any objection if I do this!" Lighting fast reflexes took over in an instant as a slender hand reached out, grabbing a hold of the back of Engel's head before slamming it off the marble table in front of the Genesis man with a sickening crack.
"What the hell did you do that for?!" Engel howled, holding his bleeding nose in an attempt to stem the flow of deep crimson leaking through his fingers.
"Mother never taught ya to respect a lady did she ya arrogant bastard!" Setsuna didn't give him a chance to protest or retort as he grasped the front of Engel's crisp business suit and threw him across the stage.
"Way to lay low, Setsuna," Sadame said, rolling his eyes as the doors were suddenly thrust open. Dozens of men in black suits and dark sunglasses rushed in, surrounding the same band of bishies from Angel and AC. "Is Genesis hiring the mafia now? Can't they ever do anything on their own these days?"
"Now ain't this shit just funny?" Rhi said in an unimpressed voice as she jumped onto the stage and began yelling in Italian. "You call yourselves mafia?! You're a disgrace to Italy ya jerks! You couldn't protect a virgin in a convent no matter how hard ya freakin tried!" As if to emphasize her point, she promptly sent a man in black sprawling as he tried to touch her. A scream suddenly came to the three battling bishies' ears; turning, they were in time to catch sight of Engel, one hand still pinching his broken nose shut, the other arm wrapped around Feia, trying to drag her out without being noticed.
"Hands off!!" Setsuna shouted, jumping over two guys to reach the retreating fat man. His fist connected with a ringing sound against the other man's jaw, forcing him to release his hold on Feia and fly backwards into a wall. The dragon huddled against Setsuna once released. "You go it?" he asked in a hushed whisper. She nodded almost dumbly as he picked her up.
"Out," Sadame ordered, grabbing a hold of Setsuna's arm and hauling him out, Rhi following, just as the rest of the club started brawling with the mafia wannabes. The four made it back to the car and took off for the AC Gym before anyone had noticed they were gone. The return car ride was eerily silent, even more so than the ride there.
"Welcome back," Kyoko's voice greeted them as they entered the large gothic mansion that was the After Colony Gym. "How did it go?" Without a word, Setsuna took the card from Feia's white knuckled grasp and handed it to his gym leader, who promptly handed it over to Ele. "There's are ticket into the place. You did well, Feia. Go get some sleep hun." Wu's little girl shook her head, struggling out of Setsuna's grasp. She choked back sobs as she ran to the bathroom, slamming the door shut once she was inside. With one silent glance to the two gym leaders, Setsuna followed her.
"Feia?" he called, knocking on the door. He heard sobs coming from the other side followed by the sound of cloth being torn. "Feia?"
"Go away," her choked voice replied. A sigh escaped the Organic Angel as he leaned his forehead on the door. The one he loved, the one he shouldn't love but still did, was on the other side, crying from the ordeal she had just had, and he felt helpless. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and rock gently to sleep.
"Feia, come out please. Don't stay in there alone."
"No one's keeping you out." He paused a moment before grasping the cool metal of the door handle and turning it. Slowly he opened the door and walked in. She sat huddled in a corner of the bathroom, hugging her knees and hiding her face behind a cascade of blonde locks, green eyes focused on the floor. Around her was spread the remains of her clothing which she had torn off in disgust. Sighing faintly, Setsuna closed the door behind him, grabbing a towel nearby. Kneeling in front of her, he wrapped the terry cloth around her shoulders before brushing back her hair to get a look at her tear streaked face.
"Don't touch me," she murmured, keeping her eyes to the floor. "I'm dirty."
"No, you're not," he coaxed gently, trying to draw her out of the box she was pushing herself into.
"He touched me."
"I know. He shouldn't have."
"I always thought the people who touched me would be the people I loved. Now I'm tainted and cheap. No one will ever want me again."
"Don't say that." He watched the shiver that swept over her body as she drew her knees up and closer. He took hold of her hands, trying to draw her closer. Hesitantly she moved closer to him but did nothing else until she felt his arms encircle her, his hands drawing small circles on her back through the towel as his lips lightly kissed the top of her head. At the affectionate caresses, he defenses crumbled as Feia threw her arms around him, feeling safer with him present, as if he could save her from everything.
"It won't happen again," he whispered into her hair. "I swear it."
"You can't swear," she retorted in a low murmur.
"All right, but it won't happen again." She nodded, closing her eyes, feeling sleep starting to drown out her senses.
"Wo ai ni."
"I know. I love you too." Her head came up, amazed he understood what she said. At her bewildered look, Setsuna had to choke down a laugh. "Kyo picked up some Chinese from her mom." Feia nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. Setsuna made sure the towel was wrapped around her securely before picking her up, taking her to her room for some well deserved rest.
"Stay with me," she whispered the moment he set her down on the sheets. He nodded, slowly crawling in next to her, feeling her move and settle next to him as her hand fisted around the front of his shirt. He watched her sleep. He had met this woman years ago; then they were merely sparring partners, friends who enjoyed the other's company. They had grown to be much more. The risks of loving each other was many, especially since Feia already had someone. Deep down, Setsuna knew she would, to some extent, never been his entirely. But he could protect her, and would, with his life.
"Sleep easy, little dragon," he whispered, kissing her forehead before sleep claimed him, allowing the darkness to settle in for some rest.
"Because, Feia," the Organic Angel said, leaning on the wall next to the bathroom door, "we're the ones assigned to crashing the strip bar to get the key from a head hancho of Genesis. This is the only way we're going to get in that place and find out what the hell those freak scientists are up to. Lese, Hotura, and Damian have already left for the underground tournament to crack info. We gotta get this key."
"But why me?!! Why do I have to play the part of a stripper?? I don't have the body for this!" Setsuna flicked his gray-blue eyes over towards his fellow angel; Sadame just shrugged as if to say I have no idea what to do, you fix it. The blonde angel scowled a moment before turning his attention back to coaxing Feia out of the bathroom where she had gone to change and had currently locked herself into.
"Come on, Feia. It's just for one night. All you have to do is get the key."
"I don't care! Why can't Rhi do it?"
"Cause I'm playing security tonight," the primal Noin replied from next to Sadame. "And the guy we're going after doesn't go for dark haired latin chicks. This old guy only likes young, little blonde girls." Whimpering sounds came from the bathroom before, finally, the door opened. Wu's little dragon walked out in a see through sheer, hip length pink camisole; underneath she wore the typical bra and bikini set most female strippers wore. Her cheeks were bright red as she emerged, clearly embarrassed by the situation she was getting herself into as well as the clothes and amount of skin she was displaying to people who were clearly not her koi.
"I hate this," she murmured. "I hate these clothes, I hate what I have to do, I hate it all."
"It'll be over soon," Setsuna coaxed, laying a long coat over her shoulders.
"Remember," Kyoko said, lounging on one of Ele's couches at the AC Gym. The Angel Gym's leader had come by to oversee the situation involving Genesis even if her gym was not yet directly targeted. "Get in, get the key, get out. Avoid confrontations, don't use your powers unless you have to. Don't give away who you are or where you come from. And, most importantly, don't give away why you're there. We need this key or the codes Damian is getting will be completely useless."
"Just what does this key look like?" Sadame asked, trying to get a visual image of said object.
"White, credit card like. Typical access card key to a big foundation."
"Any markings?" Before Kyoko could reply, a Heero-type known as Binary stepped forward. He beckoned them over as his eyes seemed to glaze over before displaying an image of a white card etched with the emblem and name of Genesis. Sadame leaned in close for a look; he took a moment to memorize the card thoroughly before stepping back.
"I've got it," he said, looking over his shoulder. "Let's go."
"Good luck and remember what I said. Get back here as soon as you can." Setsuna nodded as he lead Feia out to the waiting car, Sadame and Rhi following closely at their heels.
* * *
The car ride to the strip club was quiet. Feia hoped this night would be over quick and they would succeed in getting the key. Setsuna wished he didn't have to see the dragon put herself through this but he knew there wasn't much of a choice. As Sadame drove through the night, Setsuna's eyes kept flickering over to the rearview mirror on his side displaying Feia's image from where she said next to Rhi. She seemed a little scared, worried, and wishing she were anywhere but where she was. The blonde angel wished there was something he could do for her. He opened his mouth to speak words of comfort to her when he felt the car come to a sudden halt.
"We're here," Sadame said in a low voice as he turned off the engine. Setsuna nodded dumbly in response before getting out and helping Feia out of the car.
"You two go through the front," Rhi said, gently taking Feia's arm into hand. "We'll go through the back. Meet up inside." The angel of humanity nodded before steering Setsuna towards the front entrance. Concerned eyes flickered over worriedly towards Feia once more before the angel turned his attention back in front of him. He whistled low as he stepped inside the brightly lit strip bar.
"Nothing at all like what I expected."
"Well what were you expecting?" Sadame asked, heading for the bar, moving deftly past wolf whistling older men and cage dancing, scantily clad girls. "Something like Angel? If so, you were dead wrong then."
"Very funny," Setsuna replied, trying to ignore the neon spotlights flashing here and there and blinding his vision. "Never knew you had a sense of humor, Sadame."
"Never asked." The Organic Angel simply rolled his eyes as he perched on a bar stool, his fellow angel leaning back against the bar top with his elbows. They waved the bartender away before turning their attention back to the floor of the joint. Two pairs of eyes flickered here and there, scanning faces, looking for the one person who was their target for the night.
"Which one is he?" Setsuna asked, leaning close to Sadame so as not to shout over the sound of music. At the flickering of Sadame's violet eyes, Setsuna caught sight of an elderly man, somewhere in his late 50s, sitting right in front of the stage. His slightly balding head glimmered in the light of the stage, his eyes glazed over as he watched the dancer with an almost vacant stare, a broad toothed grin on his face. Setsuna wrinkled his nose as if he had just gotten a whiff of something foul.
"Him?? He doesn't seem like some top guy working for Genesis."
"He is though, one of their higher ups," the violet-eyed angel said in reply. "And he's got the key we need to get in. They're up to something."
"Aren't they always?" Sadame shook his head.
"This is really big, Setsuna. Bigger than the time they took Hotura, even bigger than the time they took Shirahime and gave us Kakera. Their target isn't just bishonen this time; it's the gym leaders."
"What do you mean?"
"It's too much of a coincidence, everything that's been happening. Mateo dying, Damian's wife and children turning out to be fakes, the dreams Elspeth's been having. It's all just too much of a coincidence. Genesis seems to want the gym leaders out of the picture for a reason."
"Then Kyo...."
"May be one of the next ones. But we're going to stop this before it goes any further. Lese, Hotura, and Damian have gone to crack some information; we're assigned to get a key so we can get in Genesis. The plan is to regroup after this and figure out where to go from there."
"It's not fair that we have to put Feia through this," Setsuna said, lowering his voice and ignoring the bouncy bar girl trying to get his attention. She slinked off, pouting, when she realized he wouldn't pay any attention to her.
"It's the only way, Setsuna. None of us wants to put her through this, but what choice do we have?" Sadame was about to say more when the sound of a woman swearing reached their ears before a body fell at the angels' feet. The man seemed unconscious but there was a smile on his face, one of almost pure, untainted happiness. Before either Setsuna or Sadame could speak, there was the sound of a boot heel smacking against cheekbone before another man flew over their heads and across the bar.
"Anyone else want some?!" Rhi shouted into the crowd as she perched on the bar top at Sadame's right, kicking a third guy in the head as she crossed her leather-clad legs. A blade shot out of her right arm, adding emphasis to her words. One look at the blade and the men started to back off for the moment, seeking out the next opportunity to approach her again.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Setsuna asked, eyeing her from Sadame's left. The primal laughed before quickly downing a shot of Jack Daniels and peeling off the coat she was wearing to reveal a leather corset underneath.
"I'm security and these guys love being hit. You put two and two together, Setsuna. Or do you have a problem with it? If you do, I'll have to throw you out." The fifth level angel evolution frowned at the dark haired bishojo and simply shook his head. Rhi laughed at the unamused look on his face before turning to Sadame, eyeing him with a smirk. "And just what are you staring at, my winged one?" she teased.
"Is that my jacket?" he asked bluntly, eyeing the crumpled mass of dark material she had just peeled from her shoulders, one eyebrow arching elegantly over a violet orb. Laughing, she threw it over his head, a playful gesture towards her koi but one missed by all save for the two angels.
"Getting jealous winged one?" Sadame's only reply was the arching of his eyebrow yet again, drawing out a laugh from Rhi's lean, curved frame of a body. Almost as quickly as the laughter had come it dissipated, replaced by a slight frown as the lights overhead changed color and the music paused for a moment. "Feia's up," was all she said just before bright yellow and white lights illuminated the stage accompanied by a change in music.
A bit timidly the dragon goddess emerged, blushing deeply as she slowly made her way onto the stage. Setsuna's face fell when he saw her. He gripped the seat of the stool he was perched on to prevent himself from darting onto the stage, grabbing her wrist and hauling her off before she did something she would later regret. The look of embarrassment and pain evident on her pretty features made his heart break, his breath catch in his throat. The Organic Angel had to force himself to remain in his seat and watch for now.
She wanted to be anywhere, anywhere at all except on the warm, brightly lit stage with hundreds of pairs of eyes staring at her. Emerald eyes caught sight of Setsuna in a shadowed corner of the bar with Sadame and Rhi. All Feia could think of doing was running over to him and beg to go home. But she couldn't do that, and she knew it. Her duty was here, her mission was here. And her target was staring right up at her, a hungry look in his dark eyes. Dorian Engel, one of the heads of Genesis, her target with the ticket to getting inside the inner workings of the bishonen genetics facility she and everyone associated with her hated so much. The dragon stood in silence a moment, her eyes closed, a pained expression passing over her features.
"Can she really do this?" Setsuna asked his companions, chewing on his lip as he regarded the person he shouldn't love but did nonetheless.
"Yes," Rhi replied, keeping a close eye on Engel. "But she won't like it"
"Poor kid," Sadame murmured. ". She knows what to do, she just has to do it. But she doesn't have to like it and she won't, never will." Setsuna glanced at the pair before turning his attention back to the stage. In the spotlight, Feia had completely blanked her face. The strong blush that had come to her cheeks subsided, her face relaxing as her hips started to move suggestively in time to the music beating from overhead speakers. Enge's eyes watched her with great, excited interested as she grabbed hold of a pole and swung herself around, dipping her head back, letting her hair fan out around her as she spun.
This has to be done, it has to be done and it has to be done this way; there was no other choice. That's what Setsuna kept telling himself as he watched the spectacle in front of him. It was all he could do from knocking Engel out cold and snatching the key. Instead, he forced himself to remain in his seat and let Feia do the work of getting them the access card. He grit his teeth together, watching as she shimmied down the pole, rolling into her hands and knees right in front of Engel, green eyes boring into him. He seemed to like the attention; his portly palms began to sweat as Feia moved in closer, leaning down over him. She put on a teasing smile as she watched his eyes roam hungrily over her body before staring straight down her top; inwardly, Feia was disgusted at being peered at so closely, but she forced herself to keep still long enough for her hand to slip into his jacket. Warm fingers grasped something cool and slick. Slowly she began to crawl away, holding the card tightly in her hand and out of sight. As she got to her feet, Feia spun on her heel, turning to leave as her top fell from her shoulders to crumble into a heap on the floor. She stifled a cry as she felt a thick hand grab her wrist, pulling her backwards.
"Hey little dear," Engel's voice hungrily whispered into her ear. "Where ya going? Show's not over yet."
"I only dance sir," Feia pleaded, trying to loosen his grasp on her wrist. "Please let me go now." He didn't listen to her, his hand tightening its grip on her wrist as he pulled her closer.
"Do ya lap dance sweetheart?" Feia cringed at how closer his hot breathe was to her neck. She struggled harder to get away as her voice spoke.
"No, I don't. Now please let go, I'm leaving."
"I don't think so."
"I said let me go!"
"Excuse me?" Both the young dragon and Engel looked up at the sound of the voice only to find Setsuna standing over them, an annoyed look in his eyes. He kept his vision focused solely on Engel, his eyes unwavering. The elder, portly man brushed him off, continuing to try and coax Feia into his lap.
"Get lost pretty boy. I don't know who you are, and I frankly don't care. I saw her first so she's my playtoy."
"You don't know me?" Setsuna asked simply.
"No, now buzz off!"
"Good. Then you won't have any objection if I do this!" Lighting fast reflexes took over in an instant as a slender hand reached out, grabbing a hold of the back of Engel's head before slamming it off the marble table in front of the Genesis man with a sickening crack.
"What the hell did you do that for?!" Engel howled, holding his bleeding nose in an attempt to stem the flow of deep crimson leaking through his fingers.
"Mother never taught ya to respect a lady did she ya arrogant bastard!" Setsuna didn't give him a chance to protest or retort as he grasped the front of Engel's crisp business suit and threw him across the stage.
"Way to lay low, Setsuna," Sadame said, rolling his eyes as the doors were suddenly thrust open. Dozens of men in black suits and dark sunglasses rushed in, surrounding the same band of bishies from Angel and AC. "Is Genesis hiring the mafia now? Can't they ever do anything on their own these days?"
"Now ain't this shit just funny?" Rhi said in an unimpressed voice as she jumped onto the stage and began yelling in Italian. "You call yourselves mafia?! You're a disgrace to Italy ya jerks! You couldn't protect a virgin in a convent no matter how hard ya freakin tried!" As if to emphasize her point, she promptly sent a man in black sprawling as he tried to touch her. A scream suddenly came to the three battling bishies' ears; turning, they were in time to catch sight of Engel, one hand still pinching his broken nose shut, the other arm wrapped around Feia, trying to drag her out without being noticed.
"Hands off!!" Setsuna shouted, jumping over two guys to reach the retreating fat man. His fist connected with a ringing sound against the other man's jaw, forcing him to release his hold on Feia and fly backwards into a wall. The dragon huddled against Setsuna once released. "You go it?" he asked in a hushed whisper. She nodded almost dumbly as he picked her up.
"Out," Sadame ordered, grabbing a hold of Setsuna's arm and hauling him out, Rhi following, just as the rest of the club started brawling with the mafia wannabes. The four made it back to the car and took off for the AC Gym before anyone had noticed they were gone. The return car ride was eerily silent, even more so than the ride there.
"Welcome back," Kyoko's voice greeted them as they entered the large gothic mansion that was the After Colony Gym. "How did it go?" Without a word, Setsuna took the card from Feia's white knuckled grasp and handed it to his gym leader, who promptly handed it over to Ele. "There's are ticket into the place. You did well, Feia. Go get some sleep hun." Wu's little girl shook her head, struggling out of Setsuna's grasp. She choked back sobs as she ran to the bathroom, slamming the door shut once she was inside. With one silent glance to the two gym leaders, Setsuna followed her.
"Feia?" he called, knocking on the door. He heard sobs coming from the other side followed by the sound of cloth being torn. "Feia?"
"Go away," her choked voice replied. A sigh escaped the Organic Angel as he leaned his forehead on the door. The one he loved, the one he shouldn't love but still did, was on the other side, crying from the ordeal she had just had, and he felt helpless. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and rock gently to sleep.
"Feia, come out please. Don't stay in there alone."
"No one's keeping you out." He paused a moment before grasping the cool metal of the door handle and turning it. Slowly he opened the door and walked in. She sat huddled in a corner of the bathroom, hugging her knees and hiding her face behind a cascade of blonde locks, green eyes focused on the floor. Around her was spread the remains of her clothing which she had torn off in disgust. Sighing faintly, Setsuna closed the door behind him, grabbing a towel nearby. Kneeling in front of her, he wrapped the terry cloth around her shoulders before brushing back her hair to get a look at her tear streaked face.
"Don't touch me," she murmured, keeping her eyes to the floor. "I'm dirty."
"No, you're not," he coaxed gently, trying to draw her out of the box she was pushing herself into.
"He touched me."
"I know. He shouldn't have."
"I always thought the people who touched me would be the people I loved. Now I'm tainted and cheap. No one will ever want me again."
"Don't say that." He watched the shiver that swept over her body as she drew her knees up and closer. He took hold of her hands, trying to draw her closer. Hesitantly she moved closer to him but did nothing else until she felt his arms encircle her, his hands drawing small circles on her back through the towel as his lips lightly kissed the top of her head. At the affectionate caresses, he defenses crumbled as Feia threw her arms around him, feeling safer with him present, as if he could save her from everything.
"It won't happen again," he whispered into her hair. "I swear it."
"You can't swear," she retorted in a low murmur.
"All right, but it won't happen again." She nodded, closing her eyes, feeling sleep starting to drown out her senses.
"Wo ai ni."
"I know. I love you too." Her head came up, amazed he understood what she said. At her bewildered look, Setsuna had to choke down a laugh. "Kyo picked up some Chinese from her mom." Feia nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. Setsuna made sure the towel was wrapped around her securely before picking her up, taking her to her room for some well deserved rest.
"Stay with me," she whispered the moment he set her down on the sheets. He nodded, slowly crawling in next to her, feeling her move and settle next to him as her hand fisted around the front of his shirt. He watched her sleep. He had met this woman years ago; then they were merely sparring partners, friends who enjoyed the other's company. They had grown to be much more. The risks of loving each other was many, especially since Feia already had someone. Deep down, Setsuna knew she would, to some extent, never been his entirely. But he could protect her, and would, with his life.
"Sleep easy, little dragon," he whispered, kissing her forehead before sleep claimed him, allowing the darkness to settle in for some rest.