Author's Note:
Hi! ^_^ yes, yes I know, I've uploaded two chapters in one night. But can you blame me? I wanna know your reactions with this fic! ^_^ hehe...anyway just to inform you, there will be two new characters in this chapter. These characters are originally mine and are initially characters from my other fic unfinished. I haven't uploaded it here in ffnet yet coz I don't know when I'll be able to start on that story again. For now I'm focusing on this one. ^_^ Don't forget to drop some comments! ^_^
Disclaimer:
I don't own any CCS characters except for those two guys I've mentioned above. They'll be playing a big role in the story soon. ^_^
CHAPTER TWO: Under the moonlight
"She should be in her bedroom now, Miss," a small, dark-skinned maid answered the woman in front of her. She immediately recognized her as one of her mistress' friend.
A frown immediately creased on the lady's face as she tossed a braid behind her, "She's still asleep at this late hour?"
The maid silently nodded, "Miss Tomoyo had been staying in her room like that for a week. She was even having her meals there. If she would go out, it would be only to ask for something, then she locks herself up again. We're starting to worry about her."
The lady thought for a moment, "It's okay, I'll go talk to her." She finally answered as she made her way inside. She had been a childhood friend of Tomoyo and a regular visitor that she knew her way into the Daidouji Manor.
She knocked once at the familiar door but there was no answer. Losing her patience, she knocked again, this time hearing an irritated what?
"Tomoyo, when are you planning to get up?" she asked as she put her hand on her hips. She smiled as she heard a loud thud inside the room and footsteps that hurried to the door. "I thought you'd never get up."
"Chiharu!" Tomoyo cried as she wrapped her arms around her and ignored her friend's last statement, "When did you get back? How are you?"
"Hey, one question at a time!" Chiharu laughed as she hugged her back excitedly, "What are you doing all locked up in your room for a whole week?"
Tomoyo slowly closed the door behind her, not wanting her friend to see what she's been doing, "Just...something." She told her. Chiharu raised an eyebrow but Tomoyo had already dragged her to the garden, telling a maid to bring them something to eat. "Where are Naoko and Rika? Have you seen them already?" Tomoyo asked once they were settled on a comfortable place in the large garden.
"Yeah, I've seen them yesterday. They were as excited as you were when they saw me." Chiharu replied as she took a bite on her cookie.
"How are your travels?"
"Uh! Tiring!" Chiharu rolled her eyes and waved a hand lightly, "But it was really great. It's just that Takashi was a pain guide all the way. It almost makes me doubt he'd ever been in Europe before."
Tomoyo laughed heartedly, "But surely he has. After all, he did say some of his ancestors were English."
"Which makes me doubt even more."
Tomoyo laughed again. It was really fun seeing those two quarrel since Chiharu wins most of the fights, and it mostly starts with Yamazaki with his lies. And yet after everything, they were still bound to be together. Yamazaki had proposed to Chiharu a few months ago before their travels. At first everyone thought he was lying again, but a few desperate pleas and crazy stunts somehow convinced them that he was actually sincere about her.
"Anyway, I almost forgot to tell you."
"Hmm?" Tomoyo stopped laughing.
"My father had been invited to a business party but he gave the responsibility to Takashi since he said he'll be taking over the business soon," Chiharu blushed, "Takashi almost pleaded me to come and I can't go to a business party alone! I'd die! I already asked Rika and Naoko to come, and you'll have to come too!"
Tomoyo thought for a moment, "But is it okay? I mean, we're not even invited."
"Of course it's okay! We'll just say we're representatives of my father. Besides, what are they going to do, throw us out when I have a formal invitation letter?" Chiharu took out a big card made out of thick, dark blue paper with silver ink and string and waved it in front of Tomoyo.
Tomoyo sighed, "Okay...I'll come."
Chiharu almost shrieked in delight and hugged her friend excitedly. "Thanks Tomoyo, you're the best!"
~ ~ * * ~ ~
A tall man on black tuxedo stood in front of a large, oval window. He looked out with a far away look on his face as he absently swirled the contents of what's left in his wine glass.
He felt the door open, the person not even bothering to knock on his door. But he never turned around; he knew who had invaded his little privacy.
A man, just as tall as he is, stared at his still form, his serious expression never wavering. "Everything's ready as you said." He told him, his voice echoing in the big study room.
He slowly turned to face the person. His impassive cerulean eyes met his partner's serious ones. "Where are the files?"
The man placed a brown envelope in the mahogany table that separated them. "This is all the information we have gathered over the years." He answered, his chestnut brown hair looking messier in his every movement. He was answered with a simple nod.
A flash of doubt somehow washed through his partner as he watched his friend carefully reread the documents. The information they have gathered seems barely enough to initiate their plans. "Eriol, are you sure you want to do this now?"
Eriol lifted his gaze to his friend. He knew he was just being concerned. After all, this is the only reason that he is still standing there alive and talking to him. He ran his hands on his jet-black hair and sighed. "Syaoran, you know this is the only best time to commence our plans. Whether we have more information or not isn't the case. With perfect timing and planning, everything will turn out just the way we premeditated it."
Syaoran watched him with thoughtful eyes. Eriol was always the type who plans his first step before doing anything and none of his plans ever failed before, why would it now? Eriol would never make a mistake to ruin what he had been planning all his life.
With a determined nod, Syaoran patted Eriol's shoulder. Yes, everything will go according to plan. "It starts soon, we should get ready."
~ ~ * * ~ ~
Tomoyo looked around for her friends. Every corner of the big ballroom was swarming with groups of men in tuxedos and flirting women giggling and moving about as if showing all their jewelries, new gowns and feathered masks.
She was a bit surprised herself when Chiharu had told them that it would be a masquerade party. Why would business groups have a masquerade party? Naoko on the other hand had been giddy about the whole thing and insisted on making their masks.
She sighed. It was such a tiring night. The moment they've stepped in she had been surrounded with men. Her friends too, that she had lost sight of them in the great room.
She took notice of the room again. When they came in she couldn't help but gasp in surprise at the beauty she beheld in front of her. The room was really big. Bright chandeliers hung on the ceiling that they looked like close up stars. The light cream-colored walls were draped with dark blue curtains. The gowns of the ladies moved with ease that they looked like flowers spread on the carpeted floor. Flowering vines had made its way to the verandas making it almost look like enchanted.
An orchestra played soft music in one corner of the room. Some of the guests have already gone dancing. Tomoyo had already been asked thrice, but she had lightly refused. Her high heels are already killing her and she seems to be feeling a little tipsy from the wines she'd been drinking from the gentlemen that had been talking to her.
When she turned around, she saw the blonde haired guy that had been taking most of her time walk towards her. Wanting to run him off, she hid behind the curtains near her. She saw the confused expression of the boy before he walked away.
With a sigh she turned around the other way and the sight had caught her breath. She was in one of the verandas of the room, but it shows the most beautiful part of the mansion. The full moon shone brightly on the cloudless, midnight sky and stars had spread above her. Below her was a garden, the most beautiful garden she had ever seen. There were flowers everywhere, some of which she couldn't even identify, vines of every type had made its way up to the veranda she was on. Without much hesitation, she had hurriedly gone down past everyone, almost ignoring some of the greetings and stares.
From above the balcony stood a young man in white tuxedo. He had noticed the raven haired beauty that had ran off towards the door. Drinking his red wine empty, he walked away with a smile on his face.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
"You what?!" A tall, young man growled angrily at the three broad- shouldered men wearing black uniform tuxedos and black shades, "I can't believe you lost one little girl...for the nth time!"
One of the bodyguards built up some courage to talk, "S...she said she'll only be out in a minute...*gulp* sir..." he stuttered.
"You know damn well that she'll never be only out in a minute!" he answered sarcastically, "Damn!"
"Touya."
Touya looked around to see a man with gray hair and round glasses peeking through the door with a worried expression on his face. Touya cursed again under his breath as his friend motioned for the trio to go outside. He placed a hand on Touya's shoulder and Touya started to mumble with practiced control.
"She did it again," he started as he leaned his weight on the table with both strong arms, "my sister has run away again! Damn it, Yukito!"
Yukito's hand gripped him harder, "I understand how you feel," he said with genuine sincerity, "but we have to go now, the client is waiting on the other room. We can find her later."
Realizing the importance of the meeting, he let Yukito lead the way to their new client with another muttered damn!
~ ~ * * ~ ~
This is all too beautiful...Tomoyo thought as she silently walked on the curving path of the large garden. No...not just large, it's humongous! She couldn't even think of a better word to describe it. The place is practically magic she felt like she was walking in dream land.
Flowers of every kind bloomed everywhere that their scent was almost enticing. Bushes had been neatly trimmed and fountains of cherubs were found everywhere.
Unable to resist the temptation anymore, she took off her mask and shoes and slowly glided her feet on the soft grass with her eyes closed, as if feeling the very serenity of the place. A small smile had made its way in the corners of her mouth as she continued her measured walk in the gardens. She remembered when she was just a little girl, they had a villa somewhere and they used to go there with her mother and father every summer. They also had a garden then she called her magical garden where she would play all afternoon until her father calls her and carries her worn out body into his strong arms.
The smile slowly faded on her face. Her father...she had to find him, find out what happened to him, why he had disappeared. She had started again where she had left off years ago on her little expedition in finding out the answers to her questions. The large metallic box she had kept on her secret compartment had been found useful to her. It contains her father's laptop, some of his documents and business schedules. Thank goodness the computer was still usable. The whole week she had spent almost sleepless in her room had been fruitful. She was able to find out some connections that would lead her to her answers. And one name had clearly carved into her mind. Reed.
A small sound had shaken her from her thoughts as she whirled around, only to find a tall, young man wearing black tuxedo and a mask that covered half of his upper face, obviously surprised at her sudden action.
He was quick to change the expression on his face, replacing it with an assuring smile, "I hope I didn't surprise you." He said gentlemanly, although he knew he did. Tomoyo stared at him for a moment, not finding the words to reply. Somehow she felt mentally naked from being caught off guard. As if sensing her uneasiness, he continued, "Why are you here in the garden?"
"And why are you?" It's safer to answer a question with another question. It was one of the many things she had learned from her father.
As if understanding, he smiled and decided to answer her first, "I'm not really fond of parties. I'm merely here for...business." He carefully said. Somehow Tomoyo had sensed something mysterious in this man. Something he's been carefully hiding. Oh how the mask he wears suits him!
His baffling features quickly vanished as he smiled at her again, his blue eyes glinting with unexplainable ease, "And I assume you don't like parties as well?"
Tomoyo frowned in obvious confusion before understanding dawned to her as she looked at her bare feet. She quickly struggled to put on her high heels as stains of pink tinted her snow-white face. She heard him laugh heartedly before taking her other shoe and kneeling in front of her, offering his broad shoulder for support. Although utterly surprised with his actions and embarrassed, her pride clung on to her as she refused to hold him for support, but letting him help her with her shoe nonetheless.
"Thanks." She said almost weakly he barely heard her. But he did, and he smiled at her as he stood up. He was too close then that she even saw the color of his deep blue eyes that matched his mask and the shade of his jet black hair under the moon light.
She hadn't realized she'd been staring at this man until he spoke, and another batch of pink shades once again colored her cheeks.
"It's already getting cold, my lady, I suggest you go back." He had said smoothly.
"And you?" she asked. She realized she had been asking questions all the time with him.
"I'd like to walk around for a while. I'll go back later." He smiled as he walked her to the front door and walked back to the gardens when she called out.
"What is your name, sir?" she asked as she held the cold handrail of the front steps of the mansion.
"I believe the use of the masks of this party is to hide one's identity." He smiled again, "Good night, my lady." And then he walked off again, his suit mingling with the darkness if not only for the moonlight that shone on them.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
An amber-eyed boy watched carefully about him before raising his arm once more to check on his watch. Perfect. They were right on time. He watched above him and saw two men in gray suit following a man in black, obviously a body guard or a messenger. He looked sideways and caught a glimpse of a tall, broad shouldered man with fiery red hair who smiled knowingly at him. He answered with a nod and turned the other way, spotting a man with long, gray hair and a cool expression on his face who nodded at him. He answered him too with a nod. Everything is going according to plan. Now where the hell is Eriol?
He motioned for the two to stay where they are while he slowly moved unsuspected by the other bodyguards guarding their posts as he mingled with the other guests in the party. Spotting the door in plan, he slowly entered. As if on cue, the two men went there and stood in front of the door as if guarding it.
The man with fiery red hair looked around almost impatiently. "Where the hell is he?" he growled.
"Stop fidgeting, Keroberos, or the guards will notice you." The man on his side said, his cool expression never leaving his face.
"Shut up, Yue, I know that! I'm just a little edgy about this, y'know what I mean?" he whispered, as a guard passed by them.
"I know." Came the reply, but Keroberos never heard him when he spotted the black haired man standing near the curtains of the left veranda of the room. Giving him a nod, the man quickly went out.
"Don't worry everything will go according to plan." Yue reassured him. Keroberos stared at him for a while. He knew Yue was never the type to give kind, comforting words most of the time. Maybe he was just as jumpy as he is.
"I sure hope so." And I hope the gaki makes it out alive.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
"Eriol."
Eriol turned around and saw a woman wearing a low, red neckline dress. "Syaoran has moved."
Eriol nodded. "Spinel, ready the vehicle." He told the man with black hair who had been staying near the veranda. With a nod, he fled to execute the task at hand.
"Eriol, why are you staying here in the garden?" the woman in front of him asked before he turned away.
It took him a minute before telling her the truth, "The anxiety is killing me."
Nakuru knew he wasn't lying, although it's so hard to believe Eriol was actually tensed over something since he was always the type who kept his cool. Well maybe she couldn't blame him at all; this is one major step they had taken over the years. The files they had gathered had only informed them of people connected to their mission, but not everything they needed to know, even though they were already a big organization. It only proves how big their enemy is.
Closing her eyes, she silently prayed for the success of this mission.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
Syaoran glanced sideways before turning on the next corner. The room should be just right on top of him. He quickly pressed his back on the wall when two guards passed him by. He sighed when they didn't notice him and he continued his quiet voyage to the unknown. The blueprints they were able to gather were found useful as he took another turn and saw a staircase. He slowly walked up and pressed himself still on the wall as he took a peek. Four guards, he counted mentally. He should be able to get them all.
Proving his skills on the field, he launched a sudden attack on the first two who was obviously caught surprised. Both were easily knocked down as he threw a punch on the other one. Busy with the other, he didn't notice the other guard draw his gun and missing him just barely. With a high kick, the gun flew on the floor and Syaoran hit him hard on the stomach causing him to fall unconsciously.
He wasted no time as he searched for the key in their jackets with great alacrity. The sound of the bullet was enough to send another thirty men on his back if he didn't act fast enough. Almost sighing in relief, he took out the silver key from one of the men and quickly opened the door.
Syaoran never gave notice to the study room in front of him, as he went directly to the safe behind the painting. He took out a gadget and a small, pocket computer and started unlocking the key codes. A sweat trickled down his face as he got another error.
Damn!
He tried again but it was another error.
Damn it! He cursed again. His mind was already whirling. He could already hear some troops heading his way. Still he forced his mind to think, concentrated on the task at hand.
"Hey you! What do you think you're doing!" he heard a man behind him. As much as he wanted to punch the guy, he kept on breaking the code.
"Stop right the..." the man's sentence was cut off short. Syaoran couldn't help to whirl around, only to find a smirking Keroberos and a serious Yue on the door.
"What the hell are you doing, gaki? Are you getting yourself killed?" Keroberos growled as he punched another guard.
"Hurry, Syaoran." Yue said as he too elbowed an enemy. A part of his mind thought how they knew he was in trouble when he remembered Keroberos' good hearing sense. Grateful for the back up, he continued on his computer, when at last click! The vault flew open! But his rejoicing was cut short when he didn't see the object they needed.
"What's taking you so long, damn it!" Keroberos barked impatiently.
"It's not here..." Syaoran said, almost unbelievingly as he placed his hand inside as if for reality check.
"What do you mean it's not here?"
"It's not here! That damned box is not here!" Syaoran cried frustratingly. Yue turned around him after knocking out another enemy.
"If it's not here, then we better get out fast, more guards are coming!" he warned.
Syaoran let out another curse as he obliged to Yue's decision, taking out his anger to one of the guards who had bravely launched himself on the fierce boy.
Damn! All those planning for nothing!
"Come on!" Keroberos shouted as the three ran to the hallway.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
"Gentlemen, I'll go directly to the point." A man on a white tuxedo said as he poured wine on the glasses of the two men. Touya had silently prayed he would, he was already itching on looking for his sister he couldn't resist tapping his foot impatiently if it wasn't for Yukito who gave him a look that said just-a-little-more-while.
"I want you to find these." The man took out sketches of two keys. Touya's brow creased as he took one pad.
"You want us to find keys?"
The man nodded. "They are important keys. There are three of them, these two are missing, and the other is with me." He took out a key from his pocket, with a moon carved as its handle.
"Here are some files we think might be of great help." Another man came,0 handing Yukito a brown envelope and a diskette.
"We want you to report to us as soon as there is any progress." The man in white told them. "Here is the first down payment." He signaled a bodyguard and brought a suitcase which he placed on the table. Both men's eyes opened widely at the sight before them. The suitcase was going to make them a hell of a rich man!
Touya's expression turned cool again, almost forgetting his problem with his sister, "You want us to find the keys that bad?"
The two men stared at him with cold, impassive eyes. "You two are detectives. Your job is to find what the client wants and you get paid, nothing more." The man with dark brown hair answered him with a straight face.
Just then a knock on the door was heard and the tension in the room ceased. The man in white motioned for the door to be opened, revealing a panting guard.
"What happened?"
"Sir...someone broke into the study room." The guard panted.
"What?!" the two exclaimed. Fists were clenched hard as the man in white turned to the now standing detectives.
"I'm very sorry for the interruption. Please, don't forget to inform us of any progress. Excuse us." With that, both men walked away, leaving two astounded detectives behind.
"Well then, I think the meeting's over." Yukito said as he composed himself. Touya could only nod as he collected all their things and followed Yukito outside, fists clenched from a feeling he couldn't quite put a finger on.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
A girl cautiously took a peek sideways in the dark corner of the manor, hiding behind the bushes of roses. She carefully tied her long, auburn brown hair into a bun, as if that simple movement could bust her from her hiding place.
I can do it this time. I can run away and become as free as I want! She thought ecstatically.
With a deep sigh, she held the necklace tight, silently praying for everything to go well. She had planned this so well! Oh what could possibly go wrong? The place is dark, with only the moonlight to guide her way. With the necklace her late father had given her and pocket-full of money as her only possessions, she moved stealthily into the dark...
Only to be run over by someone.
With a loud thump she found herself lying on the soft grass, her back aching from the impact.
"Ow..." she could only muster.
"What the...!" she opened her eyes when she heard a man's voice on top of her only to be caught up into his deep, brown orbs. He was ruggedly handsome, with his hair all ruffled, and even with that frown on his face. Somehow, he too looked slightly taken aback, for when he saw her, he couldn't take his eyes off her.
"Damn it, gaki, what the hell are you still doing there?" both woke up from their trance when they heard a man call out behind their still forms on the ground. From the background they could hear many footsteps and shouting.
"Damn." The man on top of her cursed as he quickly stood up, accidentally pulling her necklace.
"Hey!" she cried, but he was too fast to catch. She only caught a glimpse of the man who yelled at them who seemed to have smiled at her and gave an informal salute and wink before running his way. "My...necklace..."
"Hey girl!" she spun around when she heard someone call her when she was faced by what seemed to be around forty men, "have you seen three men running this way?"
"Um..." her mind was whirling that she didn't even know why she told them the opposite direction when she too wanted that man to be caught and give her back her father's only remembrance to her, "I saw them went that way." She pointed to the left and then the forty of them were off.
When she was once again left alone, she felt her shoulders slump. What am I going to do now? She thought with a weary sigh. Just then, her arm was yanked back, but not as hard.
"Ow!" Not again!
When she looked up from her captivator, the blood on her face drained as she stared at the angry eyes of her brother. From behind him she could see Yukito looking somewhat disappointed and worried. Looking up to her brother again, she gulped when she heard her brother's words.
"We're going to have a long talk once we get home, Sakura."
Hi! ^_^ yes, yes I know, I've uploaded two chapters in one night. But can you blame me? I wanna know your reactions with this fic! ^_^ hehe...anyway just to inform you, there will be two new characters in this chapter. These characters are originally mine and are initially characters from my other fic unfinished. I haven't uploaded it here in ffnet yet coz I don't know when I'll be able to start on that story again. For now I'm focusing on this one. ^_^ Don't forget to drop some comments! ^_^
Disclaimer:
I don't own any CCS characters except for those two guys I've mentioned above. They'll be playing a big role in the story soon. ^_^
CHAPTER TWO: Under the moonlight
"She should be in her bedroom now, Miss," a small, dark-skinned maid answered the woman in front of her. She immediately recognized her as one of her mistress' friend.
A frown immediately creased on the lady's face as she tossed a braid behind her, "She's still asleep at this late hour?"
The maid silently nodded, "Miss Tomoyo had been staying in her room like that for a week. She was even having her meals there. If she would go out, it would be only to ask for something, then she locks herself up again. We're starting to worry about her."
The lady thought for a moment, "It's okay, I'll go talk to her." She finally answered as she made her way inside. She had been a childhood friend of Tomoyo and a regular visitor that she knew her way into the Daidouji Manor.
She knocked once at the familiar door but there was no answer. Losing her patience, she knocked again, this time hearing an irritated what?
"Tomoyo, when are you planning to get up?" she asked as she put her hand on her hips. She smiled as she heard a loud thud inside the room and footsteps that hurried to the door. "I thought you'd never get up."
"Chiharu!" Tomoyo cried as she wrapped her arms around her and ignored her friend's last statement, "When did you get back? How are you?"
"Hey, one question at a time!" Chiharu laughed as she hugged her back excitedly, "What are you doing all locked up in your room for a whole week?"
Tomoyo slowly closed the door behind her, not wanting her friend to see what she's been doing, "Just...something." She told her. Chiharu raised an eyebrow but Tomoyo had already dragged her to the garden, telling a maid to bring them something to eat. "Where are Naoko and Rika? Have you seen them already?" Tomoyo asked once they were settled on a comfortable place in the large garden.
"Yeah, I've seen them yesterday. They were as excited as you were when they saw me." Chiharu replied as she took a bite on her cookie.
"How are your travels?"
"Uh! Tiring!" Chiharu rolled her eyes and waved a hand lightly, "But it was really great. It's just that Takashi was a pain guide all the way. It almost makes me doubt he'd ever been in Europe before."
Tomoyo laughed heartedly, "But surely he has. After all, he did say some of his ancestors were English."
"Which makes me doubt even more."
Tomoyo laughed again. It was really fun seeing those two quarrel since Chiharu wins most of the fights, and it mostly starts with Yamazaki with his lies. And yet after everything, they were still bound to be together. Yamazaki had proposed to Chiharu a few months ago before their travels. At first everyone thought he was lying again, but a few desperate pleas and crazy stunts somehow convinced them that he was actually sincere about her.
"Anyway, I almost forgot to tell you."
"Hmm?" Tomoyo stopped laughing.
"My father had been invited to a business party but he gave the responsibility to Takashi since he said he'll be taking over the business soon," Chiharu blushed, "Takashi almost pleaded me to come and I can't go to a business party alone! I'd die! I already asked Rika and Naoko to come, and you'll have to come too!"
Tomoyo thought for a moment, "But is it okay? I mean, we're not even invited."
"Of course it's okay! We'll just say we're representatives of my father. Besides, what are they going to do, throw us out when I have a formal invitation letter?" Chiharu took out a big card made out of thick, dark blue paper with silver ink and string and waved it in front of Tomoyo.
Tomoyo sighed, "Okay...I'll come."
Chiharu almost shrieked in delight and hugged her friend excitedly. "Thanks Tomoyo, you're the best!"
~ ~ * * ~ ~
A tall man on black tuxedo stood in front of a large, oval window. He looked out with a far away look on his face as he absently swirled the contents of what's left in his wine glass.
He felt the door open, the person not even bothering to knock on his door. But he never turned around; he knew who had invaded his little privacy.
A man, just as tall as he is, stared at his still form, his serious expression never wavering. "Everything's ready as you said." He told him, his voice echoing in the big study room.
He slowly turned to face the person. His impassive cerulean eyes met his partner's serious ones. "Where are the files?"
The man placed a brown envelope in the mahogany table that separated them. "This is all the information we have gathered over the years." He answered, his chestnut brown hair looking messier in his every movement. He was answered with a simple nod.
A flash of doubt somehow washed through his partner as he watched his friend carefully reread the documents. The information they have gathered seems barely enough to initiate their plans. "Eriol, are you sure you want to do this now?"
Eriol lifted his gaze to his friend. He knew he was just being concerned. After all, this is the only reason that he is still standing there alive and talking to him. He ran his hands on his jet-black hair and sighed. "Syaoran, you know this is the only best time to commence our plans. Whether we have more information or not isn't the case. With perfect timing and planning, everything will turn out just the way we premeditated it."
Syaoran watched him with thoughtful eyes. Eriol was always the type who plans his first step before doing anything and none of his plans ever failed before, why would it now? Eriol would never make a mistake to ruin what he had been planning all his life.
With a determined nod, Syaoran patted Eriol's shoulder. Yes, everything will go according to plan. "It starts soon, we should get ready."
~ ~ * * ~ ~
Tomoyo looked around for her friends. Every corner of the big ballroom was swarming with groups of men in tuxedos and flirting women giggling and moving about as if showing all their jewelries, new gowns and feathered masks.
She was a bit surprised herself when Chiharu had told them that it would be a masquerade party. Why would business groups have a masquerade party? Naoko on the other hand had been giddy about the whole thing and insisted on making their masks.
She sighed. It was such a tiring night. The moment they've stepped in she had been surrounded with men. Her friends too, that she had lost sight of them in the great room.
She took notice of the room again. When they came in she couldn't help but gasp in surprise at the beauty she beheld in front of her. The room was really big. Bright chandeliers hung on the ceiling that they looked like close up stars. The light cream-colored walls were draped with dark blue curtains. The gowns of the ladies moved with ease that they looked like flowers spread on the carpeted floor. Flowering vines had made its way to the verandas making it almost look like enchanted.
An orchestra played soft music in one corner of the room. Some of the guests have already gone dancing. Tomoyo had already been asked thrice, but she had lightly refused. Her high heels are already killing her and she seems to be feeling a little tipsy from the wines she'd been drinking from the gentlemen that had been talking to her.
When she turned around, she saw the blonde haired guy that had been taking most of her time walk towards her. Wanting to run him off, she hid behind the curtains near her. She saw the confused expression of the boy before he walked away.
With a sigh she turned around the other way and the sight had caught her breath. She was in one of the verandas of the room, but it shows the most beautiful part of the mansion. The full moon shone brightly on the cloudless, midnight sky and stars had spread above her. Below her was a garden, the most beautiful garden she had ever seen. There were flowers everywhere, some of which she couldn't even identify, vines of every type had made its way up to the veranda she was on. Without much hesitation, she had hurriedly gone down past everyone, almost ignoring some of the greetings and stares.
From above the balcony stood a young man in white tuxedo. He had noticed the raven haired beauty that had ran off towards the door. Drinking his red wine empty, he walked away with a smile on his face.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
"You what?!" A tall, young man growled angrily at the three broad- shouldered men wearing black uniform tuxedos and black shades, "I can't believe you lost one little girl...for the nth time!"
One of the bodyguards built up some courage to talk, "S...she said she'll only be out in a minute...*gulp* sir..." he stuttered.
"You know damn well that she'll never be only out in a minute!" he answered sarcastically, "Damn!"
"Touya."
Touya looked around to see a man with gray hair and round glasses peeking through the door with a worried expression on his face. Touya cursed again under his breath as his friend motioned for the trio to go outside. He placed a hand on Touya's shoulder and Touya started to mumble with practiced control.
"She did it again," he started as he leaned his weight on the table with both strong arms, "my sister has run away again! Damn it, Yukito!"
Yukito's hand gripped him harder, "I understand how you feel," he said with genuine sincerity, "but we have to go now, the client is waiting on the other room. We can find her later."
Realizing the importance of the meeting, he let Yukito lead the way to their new client with another muttered damn!
~ ~ * * ~ ~
This is all too beautiful...Tomoyo thought as she silently walked on the curving path of the large garden. No...not just large, it's humongous! She couldn't even think of a better word to describe it. The place is practically magic she felt like she was walking in dream land.
Flowers of every kind bloomed everywhere that their scent was almost enticing. Bushes had been neatly trimmed and fountains of cherubs were found everywhere.
Unable to resist the temptation anymore, she took off her mask and shoes and slowly glided her feet on the soft grass with her eyes closed, as if feeling the very serenity of the place. A small smile had made its way in the corners of her mouth as she continued her measured walk in the gardens. She remembered when she was just a little girl, they had a villa somewhere and they used to go there with her mother and father every summer. They also had a garden then she called her magical garden where she would play all afternoon until her father calls her and carries her worn out body into his strong arms.
The smile slowly faded on her face. Her father...she had to find him, find out what happened to him, why he had disappeared. She had started again where she had left off years ago on her little expedition in finding out the answers to her questions. The large metallic box she had kept on her secret compartment had been found useful to her. It contains her father's laptop, some of his documents and business schedules. Thank goodness the computer was still usable. The whole week she had spent almost sleepless in her room had been fruitful. She was able to find out some connections that would lead her to her answers. And one name had clearly carved into her mind. Reed.
A small sound had shaken her from her thoughts as she whirled around, only to find a tall, young man wearing black tuxedo and a mask that covered half of his upper face, obviously surprised at her sudden action.
He was quick to change the expression on his face, replacing it with an assuring smile, "I hope I didn't surprise you." He said gentlemanly, although he knew he did. Tomoyo stared at him for a moment, not finding the words to reply. Somehow she felt mentally naked from being caught off guard. As if sensing her uneasiness, he continued, "Why are you here in the garden?"
"And why are you?" It's safer to answer a question with another question. It was one of the many things she had learned from her father.
As if understanding, he smiled and decided to answer her first, "I'm not really fond of parties. I'm merely here for...business." He carefully said. Somehow Tomoyo had sensed something mysterious in this man. Something he's been carefully hiding. Oh how the mask he wears suits him!
His baffling features quickly vanished as he smiled at her again, his blue eyes glinting with unexplainable ease, "And I assume you don't like parties as well?"
Tomoyo frowned in obvious confusion before understanding dawned to her as she looked at her bare feet. She quickly struggled to put on her high heels as stains of pink tinted her snow-white face. She heard him laugh heartedly before taking her other shoe and kneeling in front of her, offering his broad shoulder for support. Although utterly surprised with his actions and embarrassed, her pride clung on to her as she refused to hold him for support, but letting him help her with her shoe nonetheless.
"Thanks." She said almost weakly he barely heard her. But he did, and he smiled at her as he stood up. He was too close then that she even saw the color of his deep blue eyes that matched his mask and the shade of his jet black hair under the moon light.
She hadn't realized she'd been staring at this man until he spoke, and another batch of pink shades once again colored her cheeks.
"It's already getting cold, my lady, I suggest you go back." He had said smoothly.
"And you?" she asked. She realized she had been asking questions all the time with him.
"I'd like to walk around for a while. I'll go back later." He smiled as he walked her to the front door and walked back to the gardens when she called out.
"What is your name, sir?" she asked as she held the cold handrail of the front steps of the mansion.
"I believe the use of the masks of this party is to hide one's identity." He smiled again, "Good night, my lady." And then he walked off again, his suit mingling with the darkness if not only for the moonlight that shone on them.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
An amber-eyed boy watched carefully about him before raising his arm once more to check on his watch. Perfect. They were right on time. He watched above him and saw two men in gray suit following a man in black, obviously a body guard or a messenger. He looked sideways and caught a glimpse of a tall, broad shouldered man with fiery red hair who smiled knowingly at him. He answered with a nod and turned the other way, spotting a man with long, gray hair and a cool expression on his face who nodded at him. He answered him too with a nod. Everything is going according to plan. Now where the hell is Eriol?
He motioned for the two to stay where they are while he slowly moved unsuspected by the other bodyguards guarding their posts as he mingled with the other guests in the party. Spotting the door in plan, he slowly entered. As if on cue, the two men went there and stood in front of the door as if guarding it.
The man with fiery red hair looked around almost impatiently. "Where the hell is he?" he growled.
"Stop fidgeting, Keroberos, or the guards will notice you." The man on his side said, his cool expression never leaving his face.
"Shut up, Yue, I know that! I'm just a little edgy about this, y'know what I mean?" he whispered, as a guard passed by them.
"I know." Came the reply, but Keroberos never heard him when he spotted the black haired man standing near the curtains of the left veranda of the room. Giving him a nod, the man quickly went out.
"Don't worry everything will go according to plan." Yue reassured him. Keroberos stared at him for a while. He knew Yue was never the type to give kind, comforting words most of the time. Maybe he was just as jumpy as he is.
"I sure hope so." And I hope the gaki makes it out alive.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
"Eriol."
Eriol turned around and saw a woman wearing a low, red neckline dress. "Syaoran has moved."
Eriol nodded. "Spinel, ready the vehicle." He told the man with black hair who had been staying near the veranda. With a nod, he fled to execute the task at hand.
"Eriol, why are you staying here in the garden?" the woman in front of him asked before he turned away.
It took him a minute before telling her the truth, "The anxiety is killing me."
Nakuru knew he wasn't lying, although it's so hard to believe Eriol was actually tensed over something since he was always the type who kept his cool. Well maybe she couldn't blame him at all; this is one major step they had taken over the years. The files they had gathered had only informed them of people connected to their mission, but not everything they needed to know, even though they were already a big organization. It only proves how big their enemy is.
Closing her eyes, she silently prayed for the success of this mission.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
Syaoran glanced sideways before turning on the next corner. The room should be just right on top of him. He quickly pressed his back on the wall when two guards passed him by. He sighed when they didn't notice him and he continued his quiet voyage to the unknown. The blueprints they were able to gather were found useful as he took another turn and saw a staircase. He slowly walked up and pressed himself still on the wall as he took a peek. Four guards, he counted mentally. He should be able to get them all.
Proving his skills on the field, he launched a sudden attack on the first two who was obviously caught surprised. Both were easily knocked down as he threw a punch on the other one. Busy with the other, he didn't notice the other guard draw his gun and missing him just barely. With a high kick, the gun flew on the floor and Syaoran hit him hard on the stomach causing him to fall unconsciously.
He wasted no time as he searched for the key in their jackets with great alacrity. The sound of the bullet was enough to send another thirty men on his back if he didn't act fast enough. Almost sighing in relief, he took out the silver key from one of the men and quickly opened the door.
Syaoran never gave notice to the study room in front of him, as he went directly to the safe behind the painting. He took out a gadget and a small, pocket computer and started unlocking the key codes. A sweat trickled down his face as he got another error.
Damn!
He tried again but it was another error.
Damn it! He cursed again. His mind was already whirling. He could already hear some troops heading his way. Still he forced his mind to think, concentrated on the task at hand.
"Hey you! What do you think you're doing!" he heard a man behind him. As much as he wanted to punch the guy, he kept on breaking the code.
"Stop right the..." the man's sentence was cut off short. Syaoran couldn't help to whirl around, only to find a smirking Keroberos and a serious Yue on the door.
"What the hell are you doing, gaki? Are you getting yourself killed?" Keroberos growled as he punched another guard.
"Hurry, Syaoran." Yue said as he too elbowed an enemy. A part of his mind thought how they knew he was in trouble when he remembered Keroberos' good hearing sense. Grateful for the back up, he continued on his computer, when at last click! The vault flew open! But his rejoicing was cut short when he didn't see the object they needed.
"What's taking you so long, damn it!" Keroberos barked impatiently.
"It's not here..." Syaoran said, almost unbelievingly as he placed his hand inside as if for reality check.
"What do you mean it's not here?"
"It's not here! That damned box is not here!" Syaoran cried frustratingly. Yue turned around him after knocking out another enemy.
"If it's not here, then we better get out fast, more guards are coming!" he warned.
Syaoran let out another curse as he obliged to Yue's decision, taking out his anger to one of the guards who had bravely launched himself on the fierce boy.
Damn! All those planning for nothing!
"Come on!" Keroberos shouted as the three ran to the hallway.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
"Gentlemen, I'll go directly to the point." A man on a white tuxedo said as he poured wine on the glasses of the two men. Touya had silently prayed he would, he was already itching on looking for his sister he couldn't resist tapping his foot impatiently if it wasn't for Yukito who gave him a look that said just-a-little-more-while.
"I want you to find these." The man took out sketches of two keys. Touya's brow creased as he took one pad.
"You want us to find keys?"
The man nodded. "They are important keys. There are three of them, these two are missing, and the other is with me." He took out a key from his pocket, with a moon carved as its handle.
"Here are some files we think might be of great help." Another man came,0 handing Yukito a brown envelope and a diskette.
"We want you to report to us as soon as there is any progress." The man in white told them. "Here is the first down payment." He signaled a bodyguard and brought a suitcase which he placed on the table. Both men's eyes opened widely at the sight before them. The suitcase was going to make them a hell of a rich man!
Touya's expression turned cool again, almost forgetting his problem with his sister, "You want us to find the keys that bad?"
The two men stared at him with cold, impassive eyes. "You two are detectives. Your job is to find what the client wants and you get paid, nothing more." The man with dark brown hair answered him with a straight face.
Just then a knock on the door was heard and the tension in the room ceased. The man in white motioned for the door to be opened, revealing a panting guard.
"What happened?"
"Sir...someone broke into the study room." The guard panted.
"What?!" the two exclaimed. Fists were clenched hard as the man in white turned to the now standing detectives.
"I'm very sorry for the interruption. Please, don't forget to inform us of any progress. Excuse us." With that, both men walked away, leaving two astounded detectives behind.
"Well then, I think the meeting's over." Yukito said as he composed himself. Touya could only nod as he collected all their things and followed Yukito outside, fists clenched from a feeling he couldn't quite put a finger on.
~ ~ * * ~ ~
A girl cautiously took a peek sideways in the dark corner of the manor, hiding behind the bushes of roses. She carefully tied her long, auburn brown hair into a bun, as if that simple movement could bust her from her hiding place.
I can do it this time. I can run away and become as free as I want! She thought ecstatically.
With a deep sigh, she held the necklace tight, silently praying for everything to go well. She had planned this so well! Oh what could possibly go wrong? The place is dark, with only the moonlight to guide her way. With the necklace her late father had given her and pocket-full of money as her only possessions, she moved stealthily into the dark...
Only to be run over by someone.
With a loud thump she found herself lying on the soft grass, her back aching from the impact.
"Ow..." she could only muster.
"What the...!" she opened her eyes when she heard a man's voice on top of her only to be caught up into his deep, brown orbs. He was ruggedly handsome, with his hair all ruffled, and even with that frown on his face. Somehow, he too looked slightly taken aback, for when he saw her, he couldn't take his eyes off her.
"Damn it, gaki, what the hell are you still doing there?" both woke up from their trance when they heard a man call out behind their still forms on the ground. From the background they could hear many footsteps and shouting.
"Damn." The man on top of her cursed as he quickly stood up, accidentally pulling her necklace.
"Hey!" she cried, but he was too fast to catch. She only caught a glimpse of the man who yelled at them who seemed to have smiled at her and gave an informal salute and wink before running his way. "My...necklace..."
"Hey girl!" she spun around when she heard someone call her when she was faced by what seemed to be around forty men, "have you seen three men running this way?"
"Um..." her mind was whirling that she didn't even know why she told them the opposite direction when she too wanted that man to be caught and give her back her father's only remembrance to her, "I saw them went that way." She pointed to the left and then the forty of them were off.
When she was once again left alone, she felt her shoulders slump. What am I going to do now? She thought with a weary sigh. Just then, her arm was yanked back, but not as hard.
"Ow!" Not again!
When she looked up from her captivator, the blood on her face drained as she stared at the angry eyes of her brother. From behind him she could see Yukito looking somewhat disappointed and worried. Looking up to her brother again, she gulped when she heard her brother's words.
"We're going to have a long talk once we get home, Sakura."