Author's Note: Sorry to all readers! I was away on vacation for a week then I got sick. I promise you that this chapter makes up for it. Thank you to all reviewers. I was so surprised when I came back to have so many! The number doubled. Maybe I shouldn't update as often. Just kidding! Thank you to Alpha Draconis1, Seto's Magician Chick, Kate, TigerlilyAnn4, CuteCameraChick, Hikari7, and chibi-chan (new reviewers!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Saint Tail, Romeo and Juliet, or Phantom of the Opera. And the list goes on…
Chapter 7
Meimi retreated back to the eager Sawatari who, as it seemed, did not notice the two embracing. She looked back at him to find his gaze fastened to her. She smiled gently wishing she were still in his arms. Sawatari practically dragged Meimi onto the dance floor tearing her eyes away from Asuka. He whipped her around violently.
" So what was that event about?" Sawatari asked innocently. Clearly, the display had been blocked for him.
" Oh…just some Cinderella skit." Meimi said focusing on staying balanced. In sense she was not lying. This kind of presentation had happen once before to the poor Cinderella in a fairy tale. Meimi smiled to herself when she realized that her life was like a fairy tale. Thief by night, lovesick teen by day; life didn't get anymore complex than that. But it did. Meimi realized when she sat down at the nearest table after being lugged around by Sawatari that the boy she loved was the one desperately trying to catch her. Her smile was swept away when she thought of Asuka's reactions if he ever caught her. Her heart felt heavy as she excused herself to the bathroom.
The empty bathroom welcomed Meimi as she stared at herself in the mirror.
(What if he finds out?) Meimi thought to herself. She watched her blue eyes well up with tears. She ducked her head shamefully.
" He won't find out." Meimi said quietly to herself. Her arms quavered as she leaned on the cold marble counter.
" He won't find out what?" A voice asked behind her. Meimi shot her gaze up to see Takamiya staring at her confidently. She had a light green ball gown on. " 'He' as in Asuka Jr.?" Takamiya asked revengefully stepping to Meimi's side. Meimi did not return the hot glare as she only stared straight into the mirror. Her lower lip began to tremble nervously. Meimi breathed deeply recovering her composure. " Don't think I didn't see that little scene between you after you danced. Everyone saw." Takamiya said trying to catch Meimi's glance in the mirror. She grabbed her arm forcefully forcing Meimi to look at her. " What don't you want him to find out? Huh? Maybe it's a secret that would ruin your relationship, maybe your whole life?" Takamiya said jabbing each word hard.
" I'm on to you Haneoka. I know your secret." Takamiya said letting go of her arm. She picked up her mask and walked briskly out of the room. Meimi looked down at her arm at the spot that was just held. She felt her legs tremble as she gripped the counter for support. After a few moments, Meimi straightened herself before stepping back into the public gym.
" Will everyone please move to the auditorium to see the school's production of Romeo and Juliet." The principal's jubilant voice boom over the loud speaker. Meimi rushed to the auditorium to change into her behind the stage outfit. It consisted of a black sweatshirt and black sweatpants. Meimi was overheated but didn't care. She stared at Asuka who had changed into his Romeo costume. She walked over shyly to him.
" Good luck." She whispered into his ear. He smiled and turned around to see Meimi smiling brightly at him.
" How 'bout a kiss for good luck?" he asked hopefully pointing to his cheek. Meimi giggled and nodded happily. She brushed her lips up against his warm face. She retreated to tilt her head cutely before walking back to her assigned area. Asuka watched her until she stepped out of his sight.
" She was talking to herself in the bathroom Asuka." Takamiya said softly behind him. He lagged his shoulders before turning sluggishly around.
" Will you leave her alone?" He said annoyed.
" She hiding something from you. She said something like 'He won't find out.'" Takamiya said smiling at her discovery.
" It could be about someone else you know. Did she say that she was talking about me?" Asuka asked impatiently.
" Not exactly…" She trailed off.
" My point precisely." Asuka jutted in before she could object.
" Five minutes until show time!" Mrs. Kasanugi shouted. Students hustled to their positions nervously. Asuka trotted away happy that he could leave Takamiya alone. He ran to the left side of the stage to pick up his necessary props. He was handed his medieval hat, which he plopped it on his head. Next he took his sword in hand and held it above his head.
" My excalibur!" he said proudly. Sawatari appeared next to him grasping his sword and laughed.
" Wrong story Asuka." Sawatari said grasping his own glittering sword. He looked over Asuka shoulder and stared at his sword. " Yours is different than mine. Look, yours has writing on it." Sawatari said pointing to a brief message inscribed at the handle of the sword.
" I will come tonight for Juliet's Dagger. Saint Tail." Asuka Jr. said reading it carefully. " Juliet's dagger?" he asked bewildered. Asuka quickly dug through the props in search of the barrel.
" Looking for this?" Takamiya said dangling the dagger in front of his face. " With this, I can finally catch that rotten thief and prove to you that it is-" Takamiya's voice said gradually rising dramatically.
" We're on!" Mrs. Kasanugi warned the students. Lina's voice faded away as the opening medieval music blared by the nearby the speaker.
" Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; whole misadventured piteous overthrows do with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, and the continuance of their parents' rage, which, but their children's end, nought could remove, is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; the which if you with patient ears attend, what here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend." The student said finishing the prologue and bowing. The music faded as the audience applauded. Meimi adjusted the lights when needed as she watched the play from above. Acts 1, 2, 3, and 4 passed by quickly. Act 5 commenced as she breathed heavily knowing what was going to happen. She peered down at Mrs. Kasanugi who was twitching with anticipation. Meimi placed the light in the necessary place before walking out of the light. As her body was concealed by darkness, she could hear her breathing fumble. Sweat dribbled down her forehead as she brushed it away hastily. " Please may the Lord forgive us for the tricks up our sleeves." Meimi said quietly. " 1, 2, 3!" she whispered. The air exploded with confetti. Meimi desperately caught each bit in her top hat. She sighed relieved when she looked around and no one seemed to notice her presence. She jumped over the railing and slid down the ropes for the curtains softly. She stopped and looked around before jumping off and hustling to the prop room. She opened a trunk to find a mask and a cape. (Perfect.) She thought grabbing both."O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die." Meimi heard Asuka yell on the stage.
(That's my cue.) She thought. Meimi avoided all the backstage members and climbed back up to her position. She saw Asuka lying lifeless on the stage. Meimi felt a chill run up her spine. (It's not real.) She assured herself.
" Yea, noise? Then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!" Takamiya said dramatically. Meimi stood up on the rail balancing herself steadily. She felt her body fill with adrenaline as she let go of her grasp. Miraculously, she did not fall.
" This is thy sheath;" Takamiya shouted drawing the dagger above her chest. Meimi glanced quickly over at Mrs. Kasanugi who seemed to be holding her breath. Meimi, realizing she was holding her own, released it before beginning her act. She kicked one of the nearest lights so it swiveled onto her. As the light left the stage, the audience's attention drew to the figure standing on the high railing.
" Beware, the Phantom of the Opera." Meimi said in deep booming voice. Takamiya stopped in time to stare up at her. The white mask used by the Phantom covered Meimi's face. The cape had deep red velvet interior while the outer color was black. Asuka woke from his death to glance up at the figure.
" Saint Tail!" Asuka Jr. exclaimed scrambling to his feet.
" Aye detective. Hand thy dagger over!" Meimi said outstretching her hand. Takamiya, dazed, looked down at the dagger in her hand. She grasped it tightly before getting up.
" You'll have to pry it from my own hands to get it!" Lina exclaimed. Meimi paused before speaking.
" Very well then." Meimi said jumping off the railing. The spotlight seemed to follow her as she glided to the floor. Her cape transcended around her body moving on its own will. In her opinion, Meimi thought this gave her a more intimidating look. She outstretched her hand once again. " I will give you until the count of three to hand thy dagger to me." Meimi said. " 1…2," Takamiya backed up now clenching the dagger with both hands. " 3." She said walking forward quickly. A gust of wind was released from her palm as it soared through the air and around the dagger. Takamiya felt an upward pull on her hands as the dagger slipped out of her grasp. As it drifted up, Takamiya felt a sharp pain in her palms. She looked down to see a path carved by the dagger in her skin.
" Blood…" she whispered. Meimi nodded her head truthfully. The dagger glided into Meimi's hands gently. She went to turn around to escape to see Asuka Jr.'s sword's tip at her nose.
" You won't get away from me this time. Drop the dagger." He said clasping the sword with both hands. Meimi remained motionless. Her lips cracked to reveal the words.
" I don't want to hurt you detective." Meimi whispered gently. When she saw the fury still in his eyes, she sighed with regret. " You leave me no choice." Meimi placed her forefinger on the tip of her dagger. " 1…2…3!" she said. The dagger grew rapidly to the length of Asuka's sword. " Please, just let me go." Meimi pleaded. Asuka remained unmoving. Meimi, taking this as his answer, placed her sword next to his. They clashed in the light. They remained staring at each other before the swords were brought to life.
(I don't want to hurt you Asuka. Please, why won't you let me go?) Meimi thought. Her insides burned with grief as the battle continued on. Since Meimi had been there at the rehearsals, she knew every move and counter.
" Give it up Saint Tail. I have slain Tybalt and Paris, you will surely not win!" Asuka said finishing his routine. Now that he had no moves to follow, he had to act on instinct. Asuka looked at the thief in front of him and evaluated the situation. She fought and parried every move he gave.
(What is holding her down?) Asuka Jr. said still raving in battle. (The cape…) Asuka Jr. drew his sword above his head and brought it down on her black cape. The sharp edges dug into the wooden stage holding her down. Caught off balance, Meimi stumbled to the ground. Her sword fell from her hand. The instant it touched the ground it returned to its normal shape.
" Now, remove thy mask and show thy person beneath!" Asuka said picking up the dagger and pointing it at her neck. Meimi gulped nervously.
" You!" A voice off stage shouted. Mrs. Kasanugi tromped on stage and grabbed the dagger from Asuka's hands. " You have ruined our revenge. Now we will never forgive you!" Kasanugi shouted.
" What should we do with the street rat, Yui?" Kasanugi asked to herself.
" We will slit her throat so it is the last breath she will ever take." She told herself.
" I rather prefer a stabbing scene."
" Fine. In the stomach. After we get her, Takamiya is next!" Kasanugi shouted. Lina on the opposite end of the stage, collapsed with surprised fright. Mrs. Kasanugi glowered over Meimi. Meimi began to shake with fear. Asuka, not taking in the scene fully, threw himself between the two.
" Don't touch her!" He growled.
" Get out of the way boy!" Kasanugi shouted kicking him in the gut. Asuka doubled over in pain, unable to move. Yui stepped over him and tightly grabbed the dagger in her hand. Her hand began to shake rapidly. " Just do it already!" She told herself sternly. Kasanugi swallowed her fear and unleashed the dagger into Meimi stomach.
" Ughh…" Meimi winced in pain. Blood tricked down her outfit. She grabbed the dagger that was protruding in her chest. Asuka crawled over to her painfully.
" Saint…Tail. Don't die, I still need to catch you." He said staring at her. She smiled at him. She took one hand off the dagger to let it gently graze his face.
" Detective, did you know that a candle is at its brightest right when it fades out?" she whispered hoarsely. A bright light surrounded her startling everyone. When it diminished, Saint Tail and the dagger were gone out of sight. The only thing left was the pool of blood where she laid.
Author's Note: Oh what! Another cliff hanger?! See I already know what's gonna happen but you don't! What irony! So you better review or I won't update! And that will torture you cause you don't know what's gonna happen and I do!