CHAPTER 4: URIKO'S GOOD INTENTIONS
"I don't want to do this, Rei," Uriko muttered as they looked at the ship that contained their target, already docked. "I don't even want to be here."
"Uriko, I know that but we have no choice. Your family depends on it."
Uriko frowned. She never expected this to happen to her. She remember how she used to be a normal school girl before this mysterious man kidnapped her family and forced her to steal for a living. She hated everything she did for that bastard but Rei, who also was caught up in this predicament, was convinced that it was the only way to make sure her family was unharmed.
The black-haired girl too a deep breath and just as the night wind blew in her face, she stared to run down from the hill next to the docks towards the ship. Rei just followed. They crossed the boarding grounds and ran up the board to the entry to the ship, meeting the guard. . .
"Hey! What are-"
He never finished. Rei took him out with one single punch and cleared the path for Uriko. She stepped into the boat and followed her instincts, heading left quickly and passing several doors. Thankfully, no one was occupying the hallway or rooms and as she turned the corner, she found the cargo room, door already open. Several employees were lugging a load of ancient Japanese antiques and items. . . and laid eyes on the Tengo girl.
"What the??" one let out. "What are you doing here? This is a private ship! Get off!"
Uriko shook her head while looking down, closing her eyes. She knew what she had to do.
"Gomen. . . {Sorry. . .}" she whispered. . . and then charged. . .
---- ----
--TWO DAYS LATER-
"Did you hear?"
"What?"
"The museums new exhibits were stolen from the Water Port two nights ago."
"Two nights ago? Why are they just finding out?"
"The people at the museum just thought that it was running later but once they did. . . Man! I had a report due on those artifacts and now I can't do it!"
"Who robbed the place?"
"Two guys on the ship said that two Tengo High students did it. . . How crazy is that? I don't believe that for a second. However, the police sure are over it. I heard that they got Tengo High on lockdown. . ."
Sakura S. believed the whole thing. She eavesdropped on two sophomore's conversation at lunch and had a strong feeling about it. Obviously the ones who robbed the boat were the same one who put her sis and soon-to-be- brother-in-law in the hospital. They were coming out tomorrow but the dark Sakura planned on settling things a lot sooner. Two hours later when the final bell rung, she Ashura Warped right to the outer gates of Tengo High and waited. They were still police cars all around the school but the students were coming out of school.
{I wish I knew who I was looking for} Sakura S. said inside her head as she looked at the front gate and laid eyes on a girl with brown eyes and black hair going into two short pigtails. Instantly she felt a strong aura from her and concluded that she had met one of the infamous duo.
"Hey, you! Don't move. I've got some things to settle with you!"
---- ----
Uriko's day at school was horrible. She knew it as soon as she walked up to the front gates that morning and saw so many police cars and officers around and in the school. They even interviewed and inspected every single student at school and she was lucky that she didn't give herself away right then and there. The faculty, especially the principal, was furious and after what the punishment was for the entire school, she just wanted to go home to her empty abode and rest. However, as soon as she laid eyes on the Tamagawa Minami girl that she remembered from about a week ago, she knew her day was only going to get worse.
"You again?" Uriko asked as she ran towards her. "Listen. . . I'm not in the mood and I don't want any trouble. . ."
"Oh, sure. You were begging for it as soon as you hospitalized my friend and sister!"
Uriko gave a shocked look. "What? You mean we. . . did that. . .?"
Uriko really didn't want to do that. She was just wrapped up in the moment that she didn't noticed or cared. The dark skinned version of Sakura frowned slightly, puzzled from Uriko's concern.
"I'm really, REALLY sorry about that," she apologized. "It's just that. . ."
"That what?" Sakura K. asked.
Uriko paused while looking away. She couldn't tell her. She wasn't even supposed to be talking to anyone besides Rei for fear of what would happen to her family. . . but what if this Tamagawa Minami student could help? She had to try. Uriko was sick of stealing. . . she sighed and pulled her close so that no one overheard.
"Well there's this guy who kidnapped my mother, brother and sister and forced me to go stealing and stuff to get them back. I hate him. . . and I hate doing this. . ."
"Doesn't it ever come to you that. . .?"
"If you're talking about going to the cops then forget it. After what I did then I think I'd get arrested, too. Besides, if he found out he'll kill my family on the spot."
Sakura S. frowned. "Oh. . . Well, then. . . what-where is this guy?"
"He moves around and I don't even know his name or anything."
"Oh. . . So what's your name?"
Uriko Naiko."
"The same last name as the new mall that's being built, huh?"
Uriko gave a short smile. "Yeah. . . Lucky, huh?"
"I guess. . ."
"I just feel bad about all that I've done. I wish there was some way to. . ."
"Uriko. . . let's move and talk. We can't stay here and expect everyone here to not notice us. Besides, I'm due to visit my sis and friend."
---- ----
"Still no response, Sakura?" Darrell asked as both lay on their hospital beds. Sakura just hung up the phone next to her and sighed.
"No. . . Kei must still be upset at me for what I said. . . I just wanted to apologize. . . I'll do that as soon as I get out of here. . ."
Darrell just looked up at the TV hanging above him and stayed quiet. He still had a bit of difficulty trying to understand what the people said on those shows but since he was taking extra Japanese classes for fun, he was getting used to it. Just then, the door swung open and revealed Sakura's dark side, fresh from school. . . well, not exactly.
"Sorry I'm late," she said while walking in.
"Heh. . . you're 40 minutes late," Darrell mumbled. "Don't worry about it. We forgive you."
"Spare me the sarcasm," she shot back while touching him on his taped up stomach. He winced for it still hurt a bit and stopped talking. Sakura K. just giggled while looking at her sis. . . then gasped.
"YOU!! What are you doing here??"
"What?? What??" Darrell asked, startled. He looked behind Sakura S. and his eyes went wide. "It's IS YOU! What are--?!"
"Please, guys!" Sakura S. pleaded. "Chill out! She's okay!"
"What do you mean by that??" Sakura K. yelled out. "She's the one who put me here!"
"But I just. . . wanted to apologize. . ." the Tengo High girl added. "Besides, I need your help. . ."
Silence filled the room for a while before Darrell asked, "Why should we help you?"
"It's the matter of my family. . . I can explain everything. . ."
---- ----
"Oh. . . okay, Uriko," Darrell managed to say. "I think that we can forgive you. . . to an extent. We have to find out who this guy is and what he's up to."
Uriko formed a uneasy truce with the teens she helped beat up with Rei and now planning went into effect. Sakura K. was now out her bed, trying to walk around as her stomach was still hurting a bit and her sister was helping. Uriko sat next to Darrell, who was up in his bed talking about their new problem. Darrell still felt uneasy around her. On the other hand, Uriko felt funny. . . as if she felt attacked to him in some way.
"So. . . can you help?"
"I think so. I'm not exactly a detective but if Sakura could track down disappearing high schoolers then I bet we can do this."
Just then the door opened up to reveal the nurse of the room, wearing a smile.
"Sakura Kasugano and Darrell Markis? You're ready to go. Just fill out some forms and you'll be on your way. . ."
---- ----
About 20 minutes later, the four of them stepped out as Sakura K spoke up.
"So. . . where do we start?"
Uriko was about to answer but a shout cut her off.
"URIKO!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?"
"Rei. . .?" Uriko let out, stunned by hearing such a yell from her friend. Rei was right at the entrance of the hospital, giving a strong look of disappointment.
"Rei! It's not what-"
"You don't know who they are??" Rei cut her off again. "You aren't supposed to be talking to anyone besides me. If that guy finds out. . ."
"Too late, my friend. . ."
Uriko's eyes widened by the last comment as a figure appeared behind Rei. . .
{It's him. . .}
---- ----
Sakura: Who IS that guy?
Uriko: I'm not telling you. It'll spoil the cliffhanger. . . somewhat.
Sakura (rolling her eyes): Whatever.
Darrell: While Sakura and Uriko continue their little conversation. . . make sure you stick to this story. It's getting good! Chapter 5 will come soon. . . unless DeNice gets hooked to SSX3 this week. If so, go read some other fics. It won't come for a while. . .
Sakura: WHAT are you doing stealing my spotlight?!?
Darrell: Uh, oh. Gotta go! (runs)
"I don't want to do this, Rei," Uriko muttered as they looked at the ship that contained their target, already docked. "I don't even want to be here."
"Uriko, I know that but we have no choice. Your family depends on it."
Uriko frowned. She never expected this to happen to her. She remember how she used to be a normal school girl before this mysterious man kidnapped her family and forced her to steal for a living. She hated everything she did for that bastard but Rei, who also was caught up in this predicament, was convinced that it was the only way to make sure her family was unharmed.
The black-haired girl too a deep breath and just as the night wind blew in her face, she stared to run down from the hill next to the docks towards the ship. Rei just followed. They crossed the boarding grounds and ran up the board to the entry to the ship, meeting the guard. . .
"Hey! What are-"
He never finished. Rei took him out with one single punch and cleared the path for Uriko. She stepped into the boat and followed her instincts, heading left quickly and passing several doors. Thankfully, no one was occupying the hallway or rooms and as she turned the corner, she found the cargo room, door already open. Several employees were lugging a load of ancient Japanese antiques and items. . . and laid eyes on the Tengo girl.
"What the??" one let out. "What are you doing here? This is a private ship! Get off!"
Uriko shook her head while looking down, closing her eyes. She knew what she had to do.
"Gomen. . . {Sorry. . .}" she whispered. . . and then charged. . .
---- ----
--TWO DAYS LATER-
"Did you hear?"
"What?"
"The museums new exhibits were stolen from the Water Port two nights ago."
"Two nights ago? Why are they just finding out?"
"The people at the museum just thought that it was running later but once they did. . . Man! I had a report due on those artifacts and now I can't do it!"
"Who robbed the place?"
"Two guys on the ship said that two Tengo High students did it. . . How crazy is that? I don't believe that for a second. However, the police sure are over it. I heard that they got Tengo High on lockdown. . ."
Sakura S. believed the whole thing. She eavesdropped on two sophomore's conversation at lunch and had a strong feeling about it. Obviously the ones who robbed the boat were the same one who put her sis and soon-to-be- brother-in-law in the hospital. They were coming out tomorrow but the dark Sakura planned on settling things a lot sooner. Two hours later when the final bell rung, she Ashura Warped right to the outer gates of Tengo High and waited. They were still police cars all around the school but the students were coming out of school.
{I wish I knew who I was looking for} Sakura S. said inside her head as she looked at the front gate and laid eyes on a girl with brown eyes and black hair going into two short pigtails. Instantly she felt a strong aura from her and concluded that she had met one of the infamous duo.
"Hey, you! Don't move. I've got some things to settle with you!"
---- ----
Uriko's day at school was horrible. She knew it as soon as she walked up to the front gates that morning and saw so many police cars and officers around and in the school. They even interviewed and inspected every single student at school and she was lucky that she didn't give herself away right then and there. The faculty, especially the principal, was furious and after what the punishment was for the entire school, she just wanted to go home to her empty abode and rest. However, as soon as she laid eyes on the Tamagawa Minami girl that she remembered from about a week ago, she knew her day was only going to get worse.
"You again?" Uriko asked as she ran towards her. "Listen. . . I'm not in the mood and I don't want any trouble. . ."
"Oh, sure. You were begging for it as soon as you hospitalized my friend and sister!"
Uriko gave a shocked look. "What? You mean we. . . did that. . .?"
Uriko really didn't want to do that. She was just wrapped up in the moment that she didn't noticed or cared. The dark skinned version of Sakura frowned slightly, puzzled from Uriko's concern.
"I'm really, REALLY sorry about that," she apologized. "It's just that. . ."
"That what?" Sakura K. asked.
Uriko paused while looking away. She couldn't tell her. She wasn't even supposed to be talking to anyone besides Rei for fear of what would happen to her family. . . but what if this Tamagawa Minami student could help? She had to try. Uriko was sick of stealing. . . she sighed and pulled her close so that no one overheard.
"Well there's this guy who kidnapped my mother, brother and sister and forced me to go stealing and stuff to get them back. I hate him. . . and I hate doing this. . ."
"Doesn't it ever come to you that. . .?"
"If you're talking about going to the cops then forget it. After what I did then I think I'd get arrested, too. Besides, if he found out he'll kill my family on the spot."
Sakura S. frowned. "Oh. . . Well, then. . . what-where is this guy?"
"He moves around and I don't even know his name or anything."
"Oh. . . So what's your name?"
Uriko Naiko."
"The same last name as the new mall that's being built, huh?"
Uriko gave a short smile. "Yeah. . . Lucky, huh?"
"I guess. . ."
"I just feel bad about all that I've done. I wish there was some way to. . ."
"Uriko. . . let's move and talk. We can't stay here and expect everyone here to not notice us. Besides, I'm due to visit my sis and friend."
---- ----
"Still no response, Sakura?" Darrell asked as both lay on their hospital beds. Sakura just hung up the phone next to her and sighed.
"No. . . Kei must still be upset at me for what I said. . . I just wanted to apologize. . . I'll do that as soon as I get out of here. . ."
Darrell just looked up at the TV hanging above him and stayed quiet. He still had a bit of difficulty trying to understand what the people said on those shows but since he was taking extra Japanese classes for fun, he was getting used to it. Just then, the door swung open and revealed Sakura's dark side, fresh from school. . . well, not exactly.
"Sorry I'm late," she said while walking in.
"Heh. . . you're 40 minutes late," Darrell mumbled. "Don't worry about it. We forgive you."
"Spare me the sarcasm," she shot back while touching him on his taped up stomach. He winced for it still hurt a bit and stopped talking. Sakura K. just giggled while looking at her sis. . . then gasped.
"YOU!! What are you doing here??"
"What?? What??" Darrell asked, startled. He looked behind Sakura S. and his eyes went wide. "It's IS YOU! What are--?!"
"Please, guys!" Sakura S. pleaded. "Chill out! She's okay!"
"What do you mean by that??" Sakura K. yelled out. "She's the one who put me here!"
"But I just. . . wanted to apologize. . ." the Tengo High girl added. "Besides, I need your help. . ."
Silence filled the room for a while before Darrell asked, "Why should we help you?"
"It's the matter of my family. . . I can explain everything. . ."
---- ----
"Oh. . . okay, Uriko," Darrell managed to say. "I think that we can forgive you. . . to an extent. We have to find out who this guy is and what he's up to."
Uriko formed a uneasy truce with the teens she helped beat up with Rei and now planning went into effect. Sakura K. was now out her bed, trying to walk around as her stomach was still hurting a bit and her sister was helping. Uriko sat next to Darrell, who was up in his bed talking about their new problem. Darrell still felt uneasy around her. On the other hand, Uriko felt funny. . . as if she felt attacked to him in some way.
"So. . . can you help?"
"I think so. I'm not exactly a detective but if Sakura could track down disappearing high schoolers then I bet we can do this."
Just then the door opened up to reveal the nurse of the room, wearing a smile.
"Sakura Kasugano and Darrell Markis? You're ready to go. Just fill out some forms and you'll be on your way. . ."
---- ----
About 20 minutes later, the four of them stepped out as Sakura K spoke up.
"So. . . where do we start?"
Uriko was about to answer but a shout cut her off.
"URIKO!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?"
"Rei. . .?" Uriko let out, stunned by hearing such a yell from her friend. Rei was right at the entrance of the hospital, giving a strong look of disappointment.
"Rei! It's not what-"
"You don't know who they are??" Rei cut her off again. "You aren't supposed to be talking to anyone besides me. If that guy finds out. . ."
"Too late, my friend. . ."
Uriko's eyes widened by the last comment as a figure appeared behind Rei. . .
{It's him. . .}
---- ----
Sakura: Who IS that guy?
Uriko: I'm not telling you. It'll spoil the cliffhanger. . . somewhat.
Sakura (rolling her eyes): Whatever.
Darrell: While Sakura and Uriko continue their little conversation. . . make sure you stick to this story. It's getting good! Chapter 5 will come soon. . . unless DeNice gets hooked to SSX3 this week. If so, go read some other fics. It won't come for a while. . .
Sakura: WHAT are you doing stealing my spotlight?!?
Darrell: Uh, oh. Gotta go! (runs)