Myself vs. I
by: Jaha Canon
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Clamp's characters. As my last sentence suggested, they belong to CLAMP.
I'm glad you guys liked my first chapter! However, I looked over it and found several typos and errors (due to the fact I hardly ever go over my work right after writing it). I'm sorry for the confusion and I'll try not to make so many mistakes in this chapter. ^_^
Person who explained CCD thing:
Thanks for explaining the CCD thing, btw! Sorry I can't remember your name right off the bat, but I can't look it up since I don't have internet access right now. But thanks all the same!
Thanks for reviewing and sticking with me!
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Chapter 2:
Akira walked behind Nokoru and Suoh into the Ogawa estate. He carried a backpack on his back containing his 20 faces costume.
"What's in the bag?" asked Suoh.
Akira tried to look calm, "Oh, nothing! Nothing at all!" he was not succeeding.
Nokoru inched towards the backpack.
"It wouldn't have anything edible in it, would it?" Nokoru asked.
"N-no!" stuttered Akira. Actually, it had a small snack in there, but Nokoru would just have to go hungry as long as the suit, mask, and cape sat in there.
Suoh eyed the bag suspiciously, but let it drop. He rang the doorbell and the butler answered the door.
"Is Miss Ogawa Utako in?" Nokoru asked. The trio watched as the butler turned to go find her.
(((Note: In this story, Utako knows Akira is 20 Faces)))
Utako walked up to them. She looked surprised when she saw Akira since she is used to him in costume and she was expecting him as 20 Faces that night. She changed her expression to a smile.
"Chairman Imonoyama! Good afternoon!" she greeted Nokoru warmly. "Hello Secretary Takamura, Treasurer Ijyuin!"
"Good afternoon Chairlady Ogawa! We heard that the Masked Thief 20 Faces will be plaguing you again. The Clamp School Detectives wish to offer you our assistance.
Utako looked at Akira, who was giving her a "help me" expression.
Utako laughed, "Surely you have better things to do than to help me."
"Nonsense!" Nokoru exclaimed. "The duty of a Clamp School Detective is to help females everywhere!"
Utako was starting to get as nervous as Akira.
"Well, I don't think your services are required…" explained Utako, "because… because… It's been stolen already!"
Even Akira jumped back at this, even though he knew she was lying.
"Miss," said the butler as he returned, "the obnoxious high school student and the police force are wondering just where you hid your unicorn statue."
Utako jumped back with an "erk!". Akira's eyes were begging her to come up with some excuse… ANY excuse.
"It… it slipped my mind!" Utako said, chuckling to herself.
Suoh raised an eyebrow and shot a glance at Nokoru, who pretended not to see it and began laughing himself.
Utako regained her composure. "Please follow me." she said as she began walking up a flight of stairs.
"Chairman," Suoh whispered to Nokoru, "it almost seems like she's covering for 20 Faces"
"Don't be ridiculous!" said Akira, breaking in between his two senpai. "Why would the chairlady cover for a thief?"
Nokoru smiled, "Let's not jump to conclusions." He followed Utako up the stairs. Suoh and Akira followed.
Utako led the detectives to a large room, where Ryusuke, Akechi-sensei, and a squad of police man sat.
"Good afternoon, Ryusuke-san! Akechi-sensei!" Akira greeted.
"Akira, what are you doing here?" Ryusuke asked.
"The Chairman decided that the Clamp School Detectives should help with this."
Ryusuke frowned, "Just don't get in the way." he grumbled.
Nokoru looked disappointed, "If I knew that the police were involved I wouldn't have gotten so excited about it."
"Of course the police is involved, they always are." Suoh replied. "Maybe we should leave this case to them."
Akira's face lit up. Could he be able to put off his nightmare a little while longer?
"Doesn't matter, we're here anyways." Nokoru replied.
So much for that, Akira.
At this point, Akira was the only person who noticed Utako leave the room.
Suoh frowned at Ryusuke, who had been glaring angrily at Nokoru since they came in.
Nokoru checking the time. The thief was to come at 3pm.
2:56... 2:57... 2:58... 2:59... 3:00
A grandfather clock reported the new hour.
It looked like the punctual 20 faces was going to be late.
Suddenly a crash was heard. The police, Ryusuke and the detectives jumped up and ran out the door to the other side of the mansion… all except for a confused Akira.
Seeing a chance, Akira quickly changed into his 20 Faces costume, putting his clothes in his backpack and hiding it.
By 3:01, 20 Faces, as he is known to the media, was in the building sneaking to the area of the mansion where the crash was heard. He reached a room where he heard Utako say:
"It's too late, he got it."
Ryusuke cursed loudly, he told the police that they should be going. 20 Faces hid and watched as everyone of them passed. When the coast was clear, he headed back to the room and peered in. Nokoru, Suoh, and Utako were still in there talking…
Suoh thought he heard something in the hallway. His eyes watched the doorway carefully.
He saw a tip of a cape and began walking towards the door.
Nokoru noticed him, "Suoh?"
Suoh didn't respond.
20 Faces broke into a run with the Elementary Division Class Secretary at his heels.
Of all people to be chasing Akira down, why did it have to be the athletic Judo-Aikido-Karate-Kendo black belt!
20 Faces, for the first time, was cornered.
"Takamura-senpai!" Akira said… oops.
Suoh froze. This was a little too familiar.
"Ijyuin-kun?" Suoh asked… startled.
"I have explaining to do, don't I?" Akira said as he took off his mask.
Suoh nodded.
"Okay! I have two mothers, I had a father once, but I never met him. Anyways, he was the original 20 faces. He would steal things for my mothers. And I don't know what happened to him, but now I'm 20 faces, and they ask me to steal things for them." Akira explained really quickly.
Suoh raised an eyebrow, "So you steal for your mothers."
Akira gulped, "Yes. Don't tell the chairman!"
"You steal for women, right?"
"Y-yeah… I guess so."
"I'm sure the chairman would if he could too, and I wouldn't want to give him any ideas." Suoh said, shaking his head.
Akira blinked, "So… you're not going to tell anyone?"
"As long as you don't hurt anyone, Ijyuin." Suoh said as he went to a nearby window and opened it for Akira.
Akira smiled and was about to go out the window when he remembered his mission "The statue-" he started.
"-is right here!" said Utako, who was suddenly standing there.
"Utako-san! How long have you been standing there?!" Akira exclaimed.
"Here!" Utako said, handing Akira the small unicorn statue and his backpack. "Mission Accomplished! Next time you want to steal something from me, don't bother. Just ask."
Akira grinned, "Alright, I'll try not to have to." he jumped out the window.
Nokoru ran in, "What happened?"
"He got away." explained Suoh.
"That's too bad." said Nokoru, disapointment filled his face.
An bubbily Akira ran into the room, "I've been looking all over for you guys!" he said. "So, did you catch him?"
Nokoru shook his head. "Maybe next time" he said.
Akira paled, he looked at Suoh for help
"After paperwork of course, right chairman?" asked Suoh.
"Errr... of course?" answered Nokoru.
-End-