Souldance

Chapter Four: Suspicion

Author's Notes: Gomen nasai, minna, for not updating in so long. To be truthful, I completely forgot about this story during the school year and while working on my other fics… and for that, I am truly sorry. I realize now how much I enjoyed writing this particular fiction, and will try my hardest to give you more as soon as possible.

~~~

Sierra emerged from the bathroom clean and refreshed, having taken a good long shower and put on new clothes bought by Tech as a gift. She looked around her small but still nice room, the only furniture being a twin-size bed with blue sheets and a glass bedside table, and an oak desk in one corner with a computer terminal.

'It's almost as if he knew that I was coming here,' she thought to herself with a smile, then laughed aloud. 'That's silly. How in the world would he know? I didn't even know I was headed here until Blues decided to ditch me.'

A pang of guilt struck her heart, and her smile faded. Blues. But as soon as the auburn haired robot came to mind, she pushed it away as far as she was able. 'He was wrong. I'm not going to forgive him, especially for just LEAVING me there in the forest to wait for Wily to get me. He's got another thing coming if he thinks THIS human's gonna sit and wait for fate to carry her away.'

"Besides," she muttered with a small smirk. "Tech will take care of me. He always has."

As if on cue, there came a knock at her bedroom door. "Sierra? Everything okay in there? Find everything you need?"

"I'm just fine, Matt! You can come in now." Hastily she finished putting on her shirt just as the door creaked open, revealing Tech wearing a bright grin on his handsome face. He wore a black Metallica t-shirt and slightly baggy jeans, and a wallet chain dangled from his right pocket.

"Sleep all right?"

She smiled. "Yep. Though I miss having about a dozen pillows to curl up on."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I remember you telling me that. That was a long time ago, huh?"

"Sure was... but then, I shouldn't be complaining. It's been so long since I've had a bed to sleep in at all."

"Has it really been that hard on you, Annelle?" Face turned into a frown, he sent over a concerned glance. "You never wrote... so I never knew how you were doing. Are you still angry at me about before?"

"No, Matt, of course not... that was a year ago. No hard feelings from me... and I'm sorry about never writing... things just got to the point where I had to... well, things got to be desperate. That was when Wily first showed up."

Both teens fell silent at the mention of the feared scientist, with Tech balling his hands into tight fists. But suddenly his head shot up. "Say, how'd you like to go to the plaza? It's not quite a mall or anything... but it's got some cool places to go. What do you say?"

"Sounds great! Let's go!" So with Tech leading the way, the two left the small house and walked side-by-side to the plaza.

*****************************

The first thing that surprised Sierra was the high concentration of people. She wasn't used to such crowds, and clung to her companion's arm to prevent getting lost or separated from him. Along the way, he pointed out various individuals whom he worked with, was a common client, or owed him money.

"Oh yeah... here's the arcade," he continued, coming to a stop at the glass sliding doors.

"It's... huge..."

"Oh yeah. I know you're not one for video games, but there's one here that I really think you'll like."

"Huh?" she was puzzled. "What game?"

"Er..." he stammered, scratching his head. "I can't really explain it to you... you'll have to see it for yourself. Okay?"

She laughed at his unusual inarticulate response. "All right. Show me."

*****************************

It was the most insane video game on the planet by far... and in Sierra's opinion shouldn't even be considered a video game at all...

Why? Because it was one hell of a game. It was FUN. Keeping the beat in her head, she stepped on a floor pad in time to the music and flashing arrows of the screen before her. Tech was doing the same to her right, laughing and free-styling some cool moves here and there.

"What's this thing called again?" she called over the roar of the music and the cheers of the crowd that had gathered around them.

"Dance Dance Revolution!" he shouted back. "Isn't it great?!"

"Awesome!"

The song ended, and thunderous applause erupted around them. Letters for both players rolled like a slot machine on the screen, until finally their score was given. Matt: A, Sierra: AAA.

Tech stared in astonishment at the score, then at Sierra, who gratefully accepted a towel from someone nearby to wipe off her face. "Triple A???"

"Is that bad?" she asked innocently. "It's my first time."

"BAD? That's the best score your could possibly get on a song!"

She blushed, her mouth open in surprise. "Um... wow? Can we do it again?"

Tech's grin returned, nodding avidly. "Yeah, it's three songs per game. But this time, let's take it to the next level." Selecting B4U on trick level, they began again.

*****************************

One stood in the rear of the bulking mass of people cheering on the two players, a smirk across his face. He lowered the dark sunglasses on his face to get a better view, but kept them at a level so that no one could see his face. It was imperative that he remain blended... and he was indeed, with the dark, slim jeans and red polo shirt.

'Never thought someone like her could be so coordinated,' he thought in amusement. 'Learn something new every day.'

*****************************

'Like a shooting star
Across the midnight sky
Wherever you are
you're gonna see me fly~!'

The song ended in a great ensemble of drums and synthesizers, followed by the most deafening cheer Sierra had ever heard in her life... she felt that she'd go deaf if it happened again.

"HOLY CRAP!" Many of the onlookers shouted, laughing and pointing in surprise. Sierra had to grin at the attention, fanning her face with one hand. Tech stood directly behind her, looking about ready to either fall over or go blind when his eyes popped out.

"WOW!" was all he could say. She raised an eyebrow at him, then turned back to the DDR screen to receive her score:

Song: Shooting Star
Style: Doubles
Level: Maniac
Grade: AA

This time she had to cover her ears with the rising roar of her fans. Waving shyly, she stepped off from her pedestal of glory to join her friend.

"Let's go... I'm hungry... and it's horribly hot in here."

Finally Tech snapped out of his trance and began laughing. "Same old girl! I know just the thing that'll appease that appetite of yours! Come on." Leading her away from the surrounding masses of people, he felt eyes upon them.

It wasn't just the eyes of entertained DDR fans... these were different... with a purpose. And Tech had the feeling that he knew who they were looking at. Angrily, he tightened his protective hold on Sierra and didn't let up until they were out of the arcade.

"That was so fun, Matt!" she gushed. "Can we go again sometime? I think I'm addicted."

He laughed again, though forced through clenched teeth. "Yeah... sure thing. Let's just get you home for now."

"Huh?" she stopped. "What about lunch?"

He looked at her quizzically for a moment, then slapped his forehead while attempting to forget his foreboding thoughts. "That's right. Well... do you really want to go in those sweaty clothes?"

Blushing, she looked herself over and grinned. "Oops. Might be a good thing to change."

"I totally agree."

"So let's go! I'm starving." The famous smile returning, she blindly turned around and promptly rammed into a passer-by ten paces ahead. Shaking his head Tech jogged to help her up from the pavement.

"I'm so sorry!" she was saying. "Are you all right?"

The stranger merely smiled, and got up while dusting his black trench coat. "No problem, miss. But I was trying to catch up to you... it appears you dropped your purse back at the arcade."

He and Tech exchanged glances, and Sierra's smile faded slightly. "Aw yeah! I did! Thanks!" Uneasily she took the purse from the man's hands, then walked over to Tech.

"Let's go."

"All right."

*****************************
"Who was that, Matt?"

"Mm?"

"That guy who found my purse... he looked so... creepy."

Tech chuckled. "Yeah... he tends to have that effect on people. He's just a friend of mine. Sometimes he's my client, sometimes a co-worker on some of my more difficult jobs. Extra help tends to come in handy on big projects, y'know."

"Yeah. I miss that."

He stopped, taking her hand in his. "Me too."

The pair stood in silence, looking into one another's eyes. Slowly, Tech wrapped his arms around Sierra and simply held her close.

"I missed you, Matt."

"Yeah... I did too." His grip tightened, and he sighed. Sierra gazed up at him in slight confusion. "Are you all right?"

"Huh? Oh. Yeah, I'm fine... Annelle... I want you to know something."

"What is it?"

"Well... just... whatever happens... if anything were to happen... just... I want you to know that my feelings have never changed, and never will. Okay?"

"Of course I know that, silly. And you'll protect me as you always have, right?"

"... Yeah."

She smiled. It was all she needed to hear just before he gently placed his lips upon hers.

*****************************
An hour and a quick-change later, Sierra and Tech waited to be seated at a small Italian restaurant in the plaza. Now Sierra wore black capris and a white sleeveless top with leather sandals, and Tech had freshened up into black jeans and a polo shirt.

"This place is great. The best part is I get a discount for being their frequent handyman."

"Sounds cool."

A waitress greeted them and lead them to a candle-lit table for two, handing them menus before leaving to allow them time to decide on their order.

"So..." he began to break the ice. "You never told me how you made it here."

"Oh... just luck I guess. I mean... I've been able to handle things myself dozens of times before... this wasn't any different."

"Yeah it was!" he exclaimed. "With Wily after you! I'm still wondering how the hell you could get past his robo-trackers! They have built-in DNA finders!"

"Never saw any of those. But how would you know what he was using to find me? I only met up with some 'bot called Elecman."

"Er..." he stammered. "I mean... it's all over the news and everything! Besides,... some of my contacts have inside scoops on Wily and his toys. Keeps me updated in case I have to get outta here at some point."

"Oh. Contacts, eh?" she teased. "You playing Spy or something?"

Tech's face became gravely serious. "We live in dangerous times, Annelle. You have to face the fact that it's not safe anywhere anymore. You can't trust anybody."

She waved a hand in dismissal. "I think I'm a good enough judge of character to determine a person's loyalties."

"Well, maybe. But... you mentioned meeting another 'bot. How'd you get past HIM? It sounds as if it could have been a Robot Master! Those are far worse than the trackers... even YOU know that!"

"Um... yeah. Well, I had a bit of help there."

"Help? From who?"

"Why are you being so curious about it?"

"What? Am I not allowed to care or something?"

Her face softened. "I didn't say that, Tech. Can't I have a life without having to tell you everything? If I didn't know any better I'd say you were jealous!"

"HUH? Jealous? ME? I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Excuse me..." a voice piped up hesitantly.

"SHUT UP FOR A SECOND!"

"Uh... Matt?" Sierra cut in. "You just told the waitress to shut up."

He froze, turning bright red in the process. His eyes raised to the rather insulted waitress to his right, one side of his mouth raising to a nervous grin. "Hi..."

"He'll have to spaghetti special, miss. No marinara sauce please," Sierra finished for him. The girl wrote the order down a bit shakily, nodding, then walked off as quickly as possible.

"What's wrong with you?" she demanded once the poor waitress was out of earshot. "You're scaring even me... being all edgy like that."

"Look, I'm sorry. It's just... you taking on a Robot Master is a frightening thought... and I wanted to know who this guy was who could go and tear him up so easily."

She shrugged, not willing to divulge her secret. "Just some random passer-by. He never told me his name." It was true enough, and it seemed to satisfy Tech; at least for the time being.

The rest of dinner was uneventful, with Tech picking at his spaghetti (and grumbling about too much butter) and Sierra calmly chewing on her chicken parmesan. Afterwards, Tech left his money for the bill with a large tip for the waitress.

" ...So, I finally found out that the problem was that the guy never even plugged the thing in! I told him, and he was all like, 'plug in?' He didn't speak English very well, so I had to show him until he understood."

"Really?" Sierra giggled as they left the restaurant. "That must have been fun."

"Eh... no. Not really. Didn't even get paid... the guy was so frustrated. He no longer calls me... and it's for the better, I assure you."

"Hehe." They walked through the plaza, now almost completely empty except at the arcade, where music louder than that of the DDR machine blared and screamed enough to shake the stores' windows.

"What's over there?" Sierra inquired curiously.

"Oh, that? Just their usual Friday night blowout. Lots of fun, usually."

"Really?!" she squealed. "Why aren't we going?!"

"Huh? You actually want to go?"

"Well, sure! Why not?"

*****************************
It wasn't going as well as Sierra had hoped. Just as she was starting to get comfortable with the loud and animated surroundings, Tech had left to go converse with some of his 'buddies.'

'Hmph, buddies indeed,' she thought to herself. 'Since when does he associate himself with such shady characters?' In an attempt to keep the imposing frown off of her face, she gazed around for any possible people to talk to.

"Hi there."

Speak of the devil... whoever he was. A tall teenager with dark hair and a slender frame was suddenly at her side, smirking somewhat with green-gray eyes aflame with an eerie glowing quality.

"Anyone sitting here?"

"Nope," she answered with a smile. "Have a seat."

"Don't mind if I do. Say, aren't you the one who was drawing the crowds here at the arcade earlier?"

She blushed. "Um. Yeah, that'd be me. You were there?"

"Yes. You were quite a spectacle."

She raised an eyebrow, unsure as to how to receive that comment. "Spectacle?"

"Yes," he repeated. "Don't see many h-- er, any great girls like yourself dancing like that anymore."

"Um, thanks, I think."

"So, you here alone?"

Nerves set in, as did a bad feeling in her stomach. Something about him unnerved her, and she found herself wishing Matt was there with her. "No... I have a date."

"Ah. I see. That goth boy?"

"Huh? What kind of a question is THAT?" she demanded, taken aback by his bold, yet rude observation.

"Ah, sorry. Seems I was mistaken. The guy I saw you with earlier..."

"Is my friend, thank you, and I'll also thank you to leave his clothing choice out of this!"

"Out of what, now?" He raised an eyebrow, angular features illuminated by the flashing red and blue lights of the arcade.

"This! The conversation!"

"Well, aren't we a bit on the defensive side? What's your name, kid?"

"KID?" she was gripping the arms of her chair to keep from punching him in the face. "Who are you to call me 'kid' as if I was one?"

"Heh. You're acting like one."

"What would you know about it?" She was ready to snap in anger, awaiting the point where she could shower him in bruises.

"Oh, nothing. You're just an odd girl."

That did it. Her hand flew too fast to see at his face...

Then suddenly was halted mid-swing. He had grabbed her wrist and was calmly looking her in the eye. "I wouldn't do that. Might be dangerous."

"Let me go."

"As long as you trust me."

"What?"

"You're going to have to trust me, Sierra."

"How did you--"

"There's not much time. Get away from Tech. He's not your friend any more."

"What are you--"

The teen glanced over his shoulder, longish hair swaying at the quick motion. "I'll see you again soon. Listen to me... You're in danger; you have to get far away from here."

He abruptly stood up, and with another smirk sent her way he disappeared into the crowds, leaving Sierra dumbfounded as Matt walked up.

"Hey. Sorry to keep you waiting like that… Annelle? You all right? You look pale..."

She didn't answer for a while, merely staring at the spot where the mysterious boy had vanished. She glanced at her wrist, now bearing a pink ring from the force of her hand grabbed by his. 'How did he do that?'

"Annelle?" Tech repeated worriedly. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Do you want to go home?"

She shook her head to clear it, her gaze never leaving its position. "Yeah... sounds good. Home."

'Who was that?'

*****************************

The youth watched them leave, just as he had when they exited earlier in the day. His eyes narrowed upon 'Tech' in anger and suspicion.

'Be careful, Sierra,' he thought.

*****************************

"Are you certain you'll be all right? Maybe I should call a doctor..."

"I'm FINE, Matt. Stop mothering me... I'll be okay. Just tired."

He wasn't convinced by her response, gently clasping both her hands in his. "Well, all right, but will you tell me if something is bothering you tomorrow?"

She rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but grin at his concern. "Yeah, I will."

He smiled at last, pulling her close to kiss her deeply. She returned it readily, surrounded by his love for her that hadn't died since their paths had separated those months ago.

Breaking apart, he stared into her eyes sadly. "You know I care, right?"

"Yes. Do you even have to ask me that? I never stopped thinking about you."

He looked guilty then, confusing Sierra. "What is it?"

He only answered by kissing her one last time, and taking a large step backwards. "Nothing. I'll see you in the morning."

He left. Sierra, having no other choice, shrugged to herself and went into her room to change into warm pajamas. As she tucked herself into her thick bed sheets, she thought of the strange occurrences that day, reflecting upon the stranger's words at the party. What was there to watch out for? And why did he seem so terribly familiar?

And what was wrong with Matt?

*****************************

"Status, Agent 26501."

"Yes, Dr. Wily." The figure bowed his head before the small hologram before him to acknowledge his superior. "Everything is going according to plan."

"No signs of the troublemaker?"

"Not yet. I don't think he's here at all, sir."

"Don't contradict me!" Albert Wily roared. "I know he's around! I'm not so stupid to think he'd miss a chance to defy me. That girl is the key to my ultimate plans! She must be delivered to me, and soon! Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir. We will get her to you as soon as possible."

"You had better... or I may begin to question where your real loyalties lie, Agent 26501. Don't forget our deal. I have a special tracker just for you, should you decide to defy me."

The underling shuddered at the thought, comprehending completely. "Yes sir."

The hologram of Wily disappeared, and the shadowed figure reactivated his holocomm to make another call. An ominous form took shape amidst the scattered static and interference, beady eyes peering out from beneath a lowered baseball cap.

"Dirk here."

"It's me. We're gonna have to get it done tomorrow. Are you and Blade ready?"

"Yeah, we're good here. Just waiting for your okay."

"Given... at the pre-designated place and time. You know."

"Yup." Dirk nodded. "You sure you're ready to do it so soon, man?"

"What?" the agent growled. "Of course I am! What makes you think I'm not?"

"No reason. Just thinking about that girl... and I'm guessing you are, too."

"Shut up."

"Fine. Dirk out." The image beeped, then vanished.

He was alone again. He didn't want to do it, Dirk was right. But a deal was a deal... and Wily had made his point quite clear. With his own life and the lives of so many others in jeopardy... what else could he do?

The needs of the many outweigh the need of the one.

Wise words, whoever said them.

He only wished he could agree so readily as the others.

~~~

Author's Notes: More to come tomorrow! I promise! And for Creation and Emotion fans: the next chapter will be posted on Saturday, August 10th.

Next Chapter: On a supposed date with Tech, Sierra finds herself in the middle of a trap… set by a traitor. Who will save her from the tightening fist of Albert Wily?