Disclaimer: Saint Tail and other characters don't belong to me and I am not making any profit.
A/N: okie, well I'm reading the English manga, and I have to Book 4, so I'm going totally off that. Sorry if that messes with further storylines... I'm still familiarizing myself with Saint Tail and everyone else, but I immediately fell in love with it! Anyway, I do have a further plotline for this story, it takes a bit more of a serious tone later. That's where the title comes in. So enjoy ^_^
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Melodies of the Wind: Part One: The Detective's Reward
It was dark in the basement of the Yoshinoya Residence-- the only light came from the dim starlight that sparkled through the few, small windows. Saint Tail, clad in her black magician's suit, her hair in its trademark ponytail, slipped silently through the shadows. Her mission: Recover the family quilt that had been stolen from its rightful owner.
Earlier in the week, a young man had come to the church to pray for guidance, and had told Seira Mimori, a girl training to be a Sister, of his troubles. Apparently, the quilt had belonged to his great-grandmother and been passed down through each generation. It was very old and very valuable. Then it had disappeared, and the young man suspected his mother-in-law, who happened to be Mrs. Yoshinoya. He believed she had hired professional thugs to steal it, because he and the rest of the family never saw or heard a thing the night it was stolen.
As usual, Seira told her friend Meimi Haneoke, a.k.a. Saint Tail, of the youth's woes. Meimi was more than a little nervous when she heard that Mrs. Yoshinoya was behind the robbery; the lady was well known for her wealth and power, but also her cruelty and insensitivity.
Nevertheless, Meimi served the Lord, and in his name she would right wrongs, even if that meant going toe-to-toe with one of the most dangerous people in the world. She had then sent Asuka Jr., a boy that attended her school, her calling card. The son of a detective, Asuka was determined to catch the mysterious Saint Tail. Little did he know that she was right under his nose, little unassuming Meimi Haneoke.
It didn't help matters that everytime Meimi saw him, her insides started melting. It didn't make a difference if she was Meimi or Saint Tail, he always set her heart fluttering. This made her job more dangerous, of course, but in a way Meimi appreciated. She loved playing the game of cop-and-robber with the dedicated Asuka Jr.; it added spice and excitement.
So there she was, searching quietly for the quilt in the basement of a wicked woman, dozens of guards above her. She had been looking for a long time, almost an hour, and she was getting nervous. Asuka was upstairs with the rest of the security; apparently Mrs. Yoshinoya had neglected to mention the existence of the basement. Meimi scowled-- it was probably because the woman had other stolen goods stored away down here. Still, she was sure the quilt was here.
Meimi sighed and sat down-- onto something soft. She jumped up and inspected it-- yes! It was the quilt
At the top of the stairs a rectangle of light spilled out across the basement, and Meimi could hear Asuka's voice.
"I wish you had told me there was a basement," he said irritably. "I'm going to check it out real quick-- it doesn't look like Saint Tail's coming tonight." Was that a hint of disappointment in his voice? His silhouette appeared, blocking most of the light. Meimi quickly ducked behind a chest, her heartbeat accelerating. "Hey, are there any lights? No? All right." With an annoyed sigh the teen started cautiously down the stairs.
The door clicked behind him and the shaft of light disappeared. He grumbled to himself and Meimi suppressed a giggle. Dear Asuka, playing detective with her for...*goodness! A year tonight he's been pursuing me!* Meimi realized. The fifteen-year old could hardly believe how Time had flown by.
But now she focused back on the detective-- who was heading her way! Made bold by the avoidance of capture for an entire year, Meimi executed a daring plan. Asuka neared her hiding place.... She waited until he had his back turned then leapt silently and covered him in the blanket, sending them both sprawling to the floor. Asuka gave a small cry and twisted around. The quilt encumbered his movement, pressing his arms to his sides. He was well and truly trapped.
"Saint Tail?!" he demanded of the figure above him, peering avidly into the dim light. A laugh tinkled in his ears and suddenly a gloved hand covered his mouth. A feminine voice whispered,
"Be quite, Detective, we can't have you giving me away, can we?" Asuka struggled uselessly, trying very hard *not* to think about the warm body pressing on him, the soft voice in his ear, the sweet perfume of her hair, the firm yet gentle fingers on his face. It didn't work.
Meimi could hardly breathe she was so terribly excited. What she was doing was so dangerous and exhilarating and it sent pleasurable shivers down her spine. Below her, Asuka moaned through her fingers as he felt her body *move* like that. The thief was suddenly aware of how very close they were. She gulped.
"You know," she continued, trying desperately to sound casual, but her voice was becoming husky. "It's our anniversary tonight. A year since you've started chasing me." she paused. "We should celebrate." And hardly knowing what she was doing, Saint Tail pulled her hand away from Asuka's mouth and leaned down. He lifted his head up to meet her and their lips met in a soft sugar kiss. Time stood still for an eternity, there was only sensation, until, from lack of oxygen, he pulled away, gasping.
Equally breathless and amazed at her own daring, Saint Tail whispered, "Good night, dear Detective," and pulled the quilt off of him and vanished into the night.
Asuka lay on the ground for a long time that night, trembling.
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"Oh, Seira, it was so-"
"Foolish?" the sister-in-training interjected.
"Wonderful," Meimi continued dreamily. Seira rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
"Just be careful," she warned her friend, "Remember, that above all, he wants to capture Saint Tail."
Meimi's mouth twisted into a frown. "That's the problem."
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At school the next day, Lina came up behind Asuka Jr. and coughed politely. He was staring out the window and didn't really notice her. She coughed again. No response. "Hey!" she yelled, and he jumped.
"Oh. It's you." He sighed and turned back to staring out the window. Lina's head started to throb. He was acting like a lovesick puppy! Had someone already managed to nab him?
Lina shrieked and smacked the poor guy on the back of his head. "I'm trying to *ask* you something, dummy!" Asuka rubbed his head and glared at her.
"What?" he asked, annoyed.
Meimi watched the encounter out of the corner of her eye. She saw the turn things were taking. Barely understanding what she was doing, Meimi clenched her hands into fists and counted softly "One, two, three!" Floating outside the window there was now a balloon, a calling card. Meimi's eyes widened in shock when she realized what she had done. A smile grew on Asuka Jr.'s face.
"I will come to the park tonight for hidden treasure. -Saint Tail" he read excitedly. Meimi suppressed a groan. Yes, she had wanted to see Asuka again, and she wanted to keep Lina away from him, but where had that bit about "hidden treasure" come from?!
Asuka Jr.'s green eyes were lit with a content glow. Lina nearly growled. "What was it you wanted again?" he asked, turning to face her again.
She nearly spit in her rage. "All you can ever think about is Saint Tail! That's the only time you're happy! I wanted to see if you maybe wanted to get ice cream today after school... but I guess you're too busy with your precious Saint Tail! Honestly, why are you so *interested* in that guy?"
"*She's* not a guy." Asuka Jr. said calmly. "Sorry Lina, but I guess I will be busy tonight. He smiled slowly to himself. Meimi was torn away from this delicious picture by an insistent tugging. She looked up and smiled obliviously when she saw it was Seira.
"What are you doing?" Seira hissed at her. Meimi shook her head, clearing it.
"I don't know..." she whispered, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. *What am I going to do?!*
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Dun dun dun!!! To be continued!
Things take an evil turn as Lina gets jealous... andother stuff too! ^_~ If you liked, review! What a concept! lol, oh and for those who are waiting for more chapters of HP fics... sowry! Been busy and this struck me over the head! but this summer... *cackles insanely*
~RainShadow