Hunting Emerald's Secret
Chapter 12: THE KI-KAMEN BAR
--- Author's comments ---
Hey, I'm back again!! First of all, thank you sooooooo much for your reviews. I wasn't expecting that much. Sorry it took a lot, but FINALLY the science fair is over, meaning more time to continue my fict! ^^
Vespers gained: 4
Vespers remaining: 3
--- Outside Tomoyo´s Mansion ---
Tomoyo and Eriol walked along the garden hand by hand that night. The moon shined on both of them, and that same light landed on both of their gleaming faces. They both sat on a bench and gazed at each other. It was already late (right after the Yunokawa incident) and Tomoyo couldn't go to bed. Eriol had decided to stay with her for a while, since he couldn't sleep himself.
" Eriol... "
" Hmm? "
" When this is over, where will you go? " Tomoyo asked, hoping that Eriol's answer would relieve her.
" I don't know. I mean, whether to go back to school in England, or stay... "
Tomoyo sighed and looked into his eyes, well hidden by his shinning spectacles. She herself had been skipping school, along with everybody else.
" I don't want to be away from you, " she mumbled. " I want to be with you. "
" I also want to be with you... Believe me... Its just I- "
" Who ever said I didn't believe in you? " Tomoyo interrupted him smiling.
Eriol smiled back and kissed her gently on the lips.
--- Morning in the Garden ---
Birds began chirping to a delightful song when Sakura opened her eyes and headed toward the garden, hoping to find Syaoran in his training. She had so many questions that needed answers...
Sakura searched around for a while: through the couple of trees, the daisies and roses, the bushes... But didn't find him. Feeling beaten, she groggily laid herself down on the fresh and green grass.
The past few days had been a blast for her: getting shot in the ankle, jumping from a subway train, exploding away a lab building, going to a haunted house, getting a terrifying prediction from Yuka, almost getting herself in jail, kissing Syaoran, chasing after Kazue, getting herself drowned, not to mention loosing her pendant which contained all of the memories of her mother...
' The pendant! Syaoran hasn't given it to me! '
She had forgotten, since she had been caught up with everything. ' I have to ask him to give it back... '
She squinted as the sun finally made its way up on the sky, giving color to her surroundings. She blinked a few several times when she heard a distinct meow coming from beside her. She turned to its direction to find a black-and-white cat.
" Oreo! " She playfully called its name and started petting it. While she was doing it, she found out that Oreo wore some sort of collar. She examined it, and finally realized what it was... the pendant. Her mouth dropped open in awe and surprise. A note was attached to it, and it read:
" To the cherry blossom who fondly and truly loves her mother..."
She smiled, picturing Syaoran's handsome face and placed the necklace. But was it really he? The old and cold Syaoran whom she knew would never even dare to do this...
" Watch ya doin? " she suddenly heard Saori ask.
" Thinking of someone... " She replied.
" Oh, mind if I join you? "
Saori sat down, before Sakura could answer. They both kept quiet, until Sakura finally asked her:
" Do you think Syaoran is... bad? "
Saori widened her eyes, " Well, he is kinda scary, if you ask me... " Sakura laughed. "... But, he is sometimes ok, I guess. Why? "
" No reason. Just asking. "
--- Hangout ---
The room was awfully quiet. Everybody was doing his or her own businesses: Syaoran was reading a book, Eriol was looking at the newspaper, Tomoyo was in the laptop, and Meilin was fumbling around, away from Syaoran. It seemed rather empty to Sakura, with no Daisuke around. A mist of depression had been cast among them.
Sakura went toward Syaoran, who didn't bother to look. She sat right next to him and leaned closer to get a better view of what he was reading. In response, Syaoran instantly closed the book, just to annoy her. Sakura narrowed her eyes in a funny way making Syaoran plaster a big cheesy grin on his face. 'Of all the nerves!' Sakura fumingly thought.
---
Eriol was reading the Yunokawa incident. It appeared that half of the Yunokawa family had died, except two grandsons and a granddaughter who hadn't gone to the party. He quickly turned the page when Tomoyo neared him, and landed on a big announcement:
~ THE KI-KAMEN BAR ~ (Ki: spirit; Kamen: mask),
BEST PLACE TO GET WILD! A BAR THAT ONLY GETS YOU TO WEAR A MASK. WE DON'T CARE WHAT IT REPRESENTS, AS LONG AS YOU KEEP IT IN THE FACE. TONIGHT FREE ACCESS TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HAVE FUN!
A picture came of a not-to-shabby man, smiling at the camera. A brief explanation came at the bottom. It caught the attention of Eriol.
" Tomoyo, something is definitely wrong about this..." he replied, "... here it says that this apparently nicknamed man, Ryuu (Ryuu: dragon), seems to hold the vesper..."
" What?"
Eriol read the details, " Owner of THE KI-KAMEN BAR, this young man seems to be making a lot of money. He apparently is wearing one of the finest pieces of jewelry, bought from Yunokawa Inc…"
" Must be a coincidence, I mean, there is no absolute way that Kazue could own two vespers without telling us in the first place, knowing that we were searching for them..." Meilin joined in also, overhearing their conversation. She however doubted her statement.
" Well, there is only one way to find out... " Eriol replied sighing.
" Come on, show it to me! " Came in Sakura's voice.
" Why should I?! " Syaoran replied back swaying the book in the air to get it away from Sakura's reach.
" Because if you don't, you are going to get it! "
After several minutes of hard tries, Sakura finally managed to snatch the book.
" Hah! I'll return it to you tomorrow! " Syaoran stuck out his tongue.
Eriol, Tomoyo and Meilin sweat-dropped, "Grow up!"
--- KI-KAMEN BAR Outside ---
The gang gathered outside in the streets. Syaoran took a gaze at the three girls who each wore a mask: a butterfly, cat, and fox.
That day they had planned it all clearly: Sakura, Meilin and Tomoyo would disguise themselves as singers that would ' entertain ' the crowd, while the guys would go and snatch the vesper away from Ryuu (if he had it). They had done some background search on him and found out that he was also owner of a big cigarette company and had the reputation of being in jail a couple of times. To Syaoran, this meant that men would heavily guard Ryuu.
Meilin had been depressed the rest of the day, not bothering to answer any of the questions she was asked, slumping in whatever couch she saw, and avoiding Syaoran at all cost. The rest had practically forced her to come. If they were wrong about the vesper, they would at least have fun, for the sake of Meilin. They also promised her that if Daisuke weren't back by the next day, they would go and search for him.
With the help of Tomoyo, they each wore a different mask, specially designed to cover their faces from nose to forehead. That way, they would have no trouble speaking, breathing, and whatsoever.
The three girls wore sexy outfits, intentionally made to draw attention. Sakura got to have the butterfly mask: a pair of wings with a mix between deep blue, green, and purple, and shades of lighter colors. Her costume consisted on a sparkling blue bikini. The top part was tied at her neck and the bottom part had strands of silk attached.
Meilin's mask was that of a fox. Her costume was similar to Sakura's with the difference of higher contrasting colors, like red, orange and yellow. Tomoyo's mask was of a cat. She also wore the same, only that her colors were darker, like blue and purple.
Their hairs were in ponytails, and they all wore high-heeled shoes that matched, not to mention guns with holsters attached to their legs. (Sakura still hadn't gotten used to it)
Eriol and Syaoran were normally dressed. Eriol's mask was white (like the phantom of the opera) and Syaoran's mask was that of a wolf. Syaoran had neglected the idea of wearing the mask because of his Chinese name meaning (little wolf), but Tomoyo had insisted, and Sakura had practically forced him.
They finally got to enter inside.
The bar was full of people with all sorts of masks and costumes in the two-story building.
On the first floor, there was a set for the singers or bands, and people danced in the rest of the space. On the second floor, which was like a balcony (since you could see the people dancing below) people drank, chatted and had fun.
Once the gang entered, all the guys turned their direction toward the three girls, but quickly returned it, when they met Syaoran and Eriol's glare.
Before the gang's plan would go in motion, they decided to have fun. They all went dancing on the first floor to the upbeat music. Syaoran groaned as Sakura dragged him. He hated doing it, so he stood there standing without moving. Sakura giggled as Syaoran's face reddened when she grabbed both of his hands, forcing him to dance with her. (Sakura's carefree attitude sort of surprised him).
After an hour, they went upstairs and sat exhausted. Sakura offered to get the drinks and went toward the bartender, who also happened to wear a mask. She ordered and waited.
A tall guy, with a dragon as a mask, also went to order drinks, and stayed beside Sakura.
" Great bar isn't it? " he suddenly said. Sakura nodded. The guy grinned.
" You are here for something aren't you? I haven't seen you around... "
Sakura's eyes widened at his question. 'How did he know?'
" Let me give you a clue... Out of the ten in masks, the one with the red glowing eyes owns it... "
Sakura curiously looked at the guy who grinned and left, not worrying about getting his drink.
Sakura returned to where the others were and told them about the weird dragon masked guy.
" He must've been drunk... " Meilin concluded. Sakura sighed wanting to believe her, but she just couldn't.
There was something odd about it, something that didn't quite fit.
--- A few minutes later ---
Sakura, Tomoyo and Meilin went behind the stage. The music quieted down and everybody paid attention.
" And now a trio of hot sexy girls. Let's all give them a big round of applause to them! "
The crowd cheered and whistled when the silhouette of three girls appeared behind a satin curtain. The jazzy music started as the lights dimmed and a spotlight landed on them. They all kept quiet, waiting. Tomoyo started singing.
// I don't, know you,
Don't know those melancholy eyes I see,
Do you even know me? //
Syaoran and Eriol started moving through the gawking crowd. Syaoran couldn't help himself and stopped, just to watch Sakura's singing and movements. He wondered how an innocent girl could be that sexy.
// Your scent is familiar,
Your voice familiar, but those words you speak,
Are not familiar to me. //
The music reached its chorus when Syaoran and Eriol started going up the stairs. Apparently the building had a third floor, in which nobody dared to enter. They both took out their guns, just in case any guards could be near.
// You can't love nobody, unless you love yourself,
Don't take it out on me baby,
I'm not the enemy//
They finally reached a black door. Syaoran and Eriol looked at each other and nodded. They took it down with a kick.
// Are you the man I love, the man I know loves me,
come on talk to me boy,
I'm not the enemy //
The room was filled with men with masks, probably about nine. Syaoran and Eriol started fighting. Syaoran punched a man in the stomach, and made him fall to the floor. Eriol evaded a hit and counterattack with a kick.
Sakura, Meilin, and Tomoyo started getting nervous and worried, for they felt that the fighting had begun and one screw up in their plan would bust them for good. Meilin continued singing.
// Your worries. Your stress,
are both the root of your unhappiness,
You'll buy insecurities. //
Syaoran and Eriol finally made their way through the dead bodies in the ground, to Ryuu, who was shaking his bones out while holding a gun.
// The pressures of being a man is hard,
Don't think I don't understand,
Put a little faith in me. //
Sakura started hearing her own breaths, started hesitating. She felt a stinging pain inside of her that told her something wasn't right. Their plan was working perfectly, although. Then why should she worry?
// You can't love nobody, unless you love yourself,
Don't take it out on me baby,
I'm not the enemy. //
Syaoran neared the dragon-masked guy (Ryuu) calmly, with his hands in the air. He motioned that he gave up, but Ryuu wouldn't drop the gun. Syaoran moved more. The guy started shouting, but they were covered by the music. Yes, their plan was working all right.
// We can't be happy until your happy with yourself,
Come on talk to me boy,
I'm not the enemy //
Sakura couldn't take it anymore. Her imagination was getting wilder each second. Especially when she saw a hat. Not just any hat. No. That same hat she had seen when somebody was peeking at her from the window in Kazue's mansion. The same person that sent her shivers. The same that touched her, that threatened her. The guy was there. Staring at her. Wearing a weird 'bunny' mask that covered his face, but then he started moving, noticing that she had seen him.
// Oooooohhh what I feel is unconditional,
I love you at your best and at your worst,
Don't shove me out. //
Ryuu yelled even more. Syaoran was ready to attack, when the door opened revealing that same guy that wore the hat. When Syaoran changed his view, he made a terrible mistake...
// I'm here for you, I'm on your side//
A gunshot pierced through the building, and everybody gasped. The music stopped. Sakura instantly guessed what had happened and leaped off the stage. She started running to where Syaoran had gone. Meilin and Tomoyo soon joined her.
When they reached the room in the third floor, blood was spilled, a window was shattered to pieces, dead bodies were on the floor, and there was no sign of Syaoran, Eriol, or the guy wearing the hat.
--- Outside ---
Syaoran and Eriol landed outside on the grass. The man wearing the hat had tried to shoot Syaoran, but Syaoran had avoided it by dragging Eriol and Ryuu outside the window. Ryuu apparently had been knocked out. Syaoran decided to search for the vesper in his clothes, but found nothing.
" The vespers not here, nor any type of jewelry! They tricked us! " He yelled angrily.
" You got that right, " another voice came out from behind.
Syaoran and Eriol turned to its direction and saw yet another dragon-masked man with red glowing eyes. That's when Syaoran remembered what Sakura had told him. Out of ten, one was the owner of this bar. They had gotten the wrong one.
" Now, what do you want? This? " He took out the vesper from his pocket. They both kept quiet. " Shy aren't we... or scared? " He laughed. " I've got no idea of what this is, but it's terribly valuable, as I can see..." but before he finished, he was shot down.
Behind the real Ryuu, stood the man wearing the hat. He pointed his gun toward Syaoran, who made no attempt to reach and grab the vesper on the floor.
" Don't do any funny business, or you are going to get it! " He warned. Syaoran shrugged and mumbled, " Whatever ".
The guy suddenly fell on the floor, getting kicked by Meilin.
" Oh yeah! I rock! " She squealed in delight. Syaoran rolled his eyes. ' He was just distracted. If she only knew how strong this guy really is...'
Sakura went to Syaoran; she had a worried expression on her face when she took out her mask.
" Are you ok? " she asked concerned.
" Yeah, " he mumbled.
" What happened?! "
Syaoran told her everything. Apparently Sakura's theory had been right. The guy with the mask had gone after them.
" He was the one wearing a hat and the mask of a bunny, right? " she asked, pointing to the guy that currently was facing the floor.
Syaoran shook his head and took off his mask, " He had a hat all right, but he wore a different mask. It looked like a serpent... "
" What?!" Sakura began to freak out, "...you mean that there are two?! "
If there were two persons wearing the same hat, and having the same purpose, this would be bad. Sakura had enough with worrying for one.
Syaoran felt the urge to calm her down, and so he did, holding both of her shoulders.
" Stop freaking out, and don't worry. If there are two, which I highly doubt, then we will deal with them. I will deal with them. Ok? Everything will be all right... "
Sakura nodded, staring into his eyes. He noticed the little tears that had formed in her eyes; wanting her to smile, he gave her a little of his own rare smile. It worked wonders. He then decided to cup her chin in his hand, and get ready for a kiss...
" Guys, WE HAVE A WINNER! " squealed Meilin, interrupting Sakura and Syaoran, " WE GOT OURSELVES YET ANOTHER VESPER! "
Syaoran gave Meilin the hardest glare making her gulp, and Sakura giggle.
"He-he... well... anyway," Meilin stumbled upon her words, but got interrupted by a laugh.
" It's not over yet! " the hoarse voice of the guy with the hat replied, dashing away.
" HEY! YOU CAN'T JUST RUN AWAY. YOU COWARD! " Meilin yelled, already gaining up courage.
Everyone laughed and decided not to chase after him, since it had already been an exhausting day. However, Syaoran didn't stop glaring Meilin for breaking the special moment that he was about to have with Sakura.
The guy with the dragon mask suddenly appeared, grinning to Sakura.
" Can I tell you something? " he asked her. Syaoran immediately stepped in front of her. But Sakura held him back, reassuring him that the guy was just a friend.
" Yes?"
" Nothing is what it seems in this world. Remember that, " he replied, already leaving.
Sakura got confused. 'What the heck is that supposed to mean? '
" Wait! " she tried calling after him, but he was long gone.
They afterwards went to their places to get some good night rest after this tiring day.
--- ? ---
That tall lean man, and the young lad walked into the office again. The very same guy that Sakura had seen in the bar. The guy with the dragon mask. The man curled his lips into a smile.
" See... that wasn't so bad, was it? " The man asked.
The guy shrugged, " I still don't get it. What do you want again? "
" Ugh, you are impossible! "
The guy now grinned, " Just kidding "
" Whatever. Did you tell her? "
" Not yet "
" Why?! "
" She needs a little bit more time. I'm telling you, I can't just say it. It'll break her heart. Besides, she's almost gotten all of them... She seems happy..."
" Oh, but I'll make sure you tell her. She must know. The legend is coming true... "
" Stop saying that! "
" Well? Are you or are you not going to tell her? "
The guy sighed and slumped in the chair, nodding slightly.
--- Author's comment: ---
Well that's it! I hope that you enjoyed it. I will now update even faster. I'll see ya then! ^^