The Thin Line Between Truth and Trust
- Chapter Six -
"Damn you!"
"It just gets better and better, doesn't it?"
"Shut up!"
"Tell me. Tell me who's ordering this."
"That really wouldn't be necessary."
It was dark, extremely dark as Mimi threw herself to the floor after the first noise. Was that a shot, or was it thunder? Silence now answered her, save the faint noise of scuffling that was still continuing: the voices had stopped. She was behind the couch; it was still dark. Perhaps, perhaps if she could move herself..Rolling herself so she would remain completely hidden if the lights came back on, she listened, still hearing the rain and the onslaught of the lightening and thunder. Somebody was moving around; but it was hard to tell whose silhouette the window illuminated briefly.
Mimi's heart thudded in her ears as it seemed that several blows were being dealt and taken; and most likely returned; as suddenly the sound of something large seemed to collide with something else, resounding in yet another crash. The coffee table! Mimi's thoughts screamed, and yet she remained quiet, trying to keep herself focused and prepared for anything that might come her way.
Of course, the dark was very obstructive to her dilemma. Mimi was unable to tell whether Tai or Izzy had won the fight; whether it was still continuing, or if there were a chance for her to run out of there and contact some sort of help. Like Takeru. She flinched mentally. Her feelings; whether they existed or not for the blue-eyed blonde; were not the question here: and neither should she be thinking of his sexual appeal. The fact was, she had been alone for over a year and took care of herself then, running from Taichi's madness, as she herself deemed it.
Ten minutes, Mimi thought, giving an affirmative nod so as to consent to it. Ten minutes and I hear nothing else, I'm getting up and out of here. Figuring that for the time, she would be reasonably safe. She had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach had Koushiro 'won' this little battle, he would have been up and looking for her. Then again, Taichi would be looking for her too, wouldn't he? He had all that time before. Bastard. She pulled herself up, but was trying to stay under the shield of the couch. The door to Koushiro's study was open, and now she could hear someone muttering and moving items around, rummaging almost.
"Come on, Izumi, where did you hide the…?" Mimi could faintly hear the person muttering, and her heart sank as she stepped back to the couch, half-wanting to collapse in shock, yet she was not so. Shimatta…it's Tai.
Just as suddenly, the telephone began ringing. She heard Taichi swear in the other room as he continued his rummaging with seemingly renewed furor. Hopefully he's forgotten about me, Mimi thought, but she realized that even if she could find the phone in this darkness; it would be better not to move.
"Hello. No one can come to the phone right now. Please leave a message after the tone."
Mimi crossed her fingers. Not many people might have Izzy's number; it's a good thing it's an automated message and not his own voice..Hopefully the caller would realize that something was wrong and get over there immediately.
"Koushiro? Are you there, Koushiro?"
"Something the matter, Angel?" The girl's voice in the background asked.
"I shouldn't have left. Izzy, it's me, Angel. Is everything all right? What's going on? I'll be right over." The machine clicked off.
"Damn you!" Mimi heard Taichi yell, but then he stopped; and after another small crash was heard, he seemed to be laughing. Mimi was torn; should she run over and try to do something to hinder him from escaping? Suddenly there was a cold hand on her arm, and she nearly shrieked, but stopped herself.
"Sorry," Koushiro whispered. His hand was covered in a wet substance. "I didn't see you."
"It's fine." Mimi turned her head back in the direction of the study. "But Tai, he's found something-"
"I'll handle it." Koushiro said grimly; Mimi didn't like the sound in his voice. "If it kills me, I'll handle it. You get out of here, quick while you can. I'll hold him off for a little while; he won't get past me, until Takeru arrives-"
"No!" Mimi said, her voice rising slightly. "We have to do something to slow down Tai; but you're too weak to handle it on your own. I'll distract him; he tried to kill me in the first place." Pulling away from Koushiro she stepped towards the door, only to get pushed against the wall by Taichi who was slamming past and hit her head hard on it and sank down. The lights had come back on as she hazily saw Koushiro jump towards Taichi; and they started to struggle; but then everything faded to black quickly as if the lights had gone out again, and she could no longer distinguish any of the shouting that was taking place.
: -: -: -: -: -:
"What the hell happened?" A familiar male voice was loud and echoed in the small apartment and reached her unconscious ears; she was unsure if she were still in a dream or waking up from one.
"Oh my god..this place is a mess.." A woman's voice gasped.
"Koushiro! Kari, see if he's still breathing; we've got to call Jyou and the others…"
"Angel! Look, over there; Mimi's in the corner. If Taichi were here we must have interrupted him.."
Footsteps came rushing in her direction as she felt herself beginning to come back into consciousness..
"She has a bump on the back of her head and some nasty looking bruises; but in much better condition than Izzy.."
"He's breathing, Angel! Oh he's awake! Izzy! Angel, give me your phone; I'm going to call Jyou and Sora; we're going to need to go to the hospital and then have an emergency meeting.."
"Kari is that you? I'm fine-Angel, good, you made it-I-" Koushiro's voice was low, and coming out very slowly, as if he were still having trouble with speech, but Takeru's voice cut him off.
"Shhh, careful, they might have bugged the place," Mimi felt arms reaching under her body; she was being lifted; Takeru was carrying her to the couch. "Can you get some ice, Kari? Here's my phone-" He had placed her on the couch and presumably flipped his cellular phone to Hikari.
"Yes, thanks!" Footsteps were heard leaving the room. Mimi opened her eyes, blinking and trying to focus. Blue eyes stared back into hers.
"Mimi!"
"TK!" She said after a moment. "I'm fine, you can, you can-" She stuttered as she pulled herself into a sitting position on the couch.
"What happened?" Takeru asked, nodding as he stepped over to Koushiro. Mimi glanced around the room; the lights were back on; the coffee table in front of the couch was overturned; a few feet away a bloody and hurt looking Koushiro was sitting, one hand massaging at his temple, the other covering a spot on his shirt that was discolored by blood. Mimi felt the back of her own head and found that her hair was also slightly matted.
"I don't recall, exactly." Mimi replied after a moment. "After the lights went out, that is; and Tai and Izzy were fighting; Tai pushed me against the wall.."
"Tai escaped…" Koushiro said, in his slow, ragged breathing, his deep eyes rolling slightly upwards; "I have some new..information.."
"Here's the ice," Hikari came running back into the room, her face completely masked in concern. Mimi tried to see if there was any falseness in her speech or in her manner; but she couldn't detect any. Not then, anyway, and yet she felt slightly uncomfortable in the younger woman's presence. "I called them…Jyou's sending an ambulance, he was at the hospital, and I couldn't contact Sora…we'll have to try her again." She flipped the phone back to Takeru.
Takeru nodded. "Great…here, help me with Izzy, and give Mimi some of the ice."
"Here, Mimi." Hikari said; handing her one of the towels filled with ice. Mimi took it and placed it behind her head, flinching slightly at the abrupt chill it brought the back of her scalp.
"Thanks.." Mimi's voice trailed off, still attempting to focus. "I'm quite surprised that I'm not dead. I'm sure Taichi came in here with the attempt to kill me, if not worse. The first time he surprised me by coming up behind me and knocking me down. He works pretty quickly when he's motivated. Nearly shot me a few times too." Her voice carried over a slight bitter edge.
Takeru nodded, grimly. "It's my fault. I should have made sure that you were more secure. They seem to have a rather peculiar way of operating."
"They're moving too quickly," Koushiro said, shaking his head. "I attempted to stop him, but it was already too late. Your guess is as good as mine what can be done. Check the room; I keep my files more hidden than he might look."
Takeru nodded and went in.
Hikari sighed as she looked over Koushiro's wound. "We all knew it was dangerous; knew it as soon as we all were involved. Some things cannot be let be.."
Mimi said nothing, but eyed Hikari carefully, trying to understand her stake in any of this. "Do you love Takeru, Kari?"
"Why ever do you ask?" Hikari said, turning, raising an eyebrow. "I love him more than others would, yes, and more than I love others, but that is none of your concern, be as it may."
Takeru came back into the room, his face slightly ashen. "He's got your laptop, Izzy."
Koushiro sighed, his voice still drawn and raspy. "In that case, I have failed. We can only hope that he doesn't understand enough about the coding. As for us, we've got to act fast; to make sure the gates remain locked."
: -: -: -: -: -:
"Who's there?" Sora hissed, not moving from her spot by the radio. The rain seemed to be subsiding, but the weather was still strangely cold, an unnatural chill was in the air. She squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to answer the phone, which rang several times, or open the door, which someone was now knocking at.
If it's the police, I should just give up, then. Sora mused. It's not like I could have done this forever. She hardened her crimson stare as se looked to the door. If the person doesn't leave, I'll answer it, maybe. It might just be some wanderer desiring shelter. Funny place he or she should come to. For am I not Sora the queen of all that is health, love, and healing? A smile played about her lips. Or so I was, once, long ago.
The person at the door continued to knock, so with a groan, Sora pulled herself up and let the smirk fall back off her face as she walked towards the door. "I'm coming, I'm coming."
Sora reached the door and grasped the handle, then slowly drew it open with a fake, tentative smile which promptly vanished with a gasp and an almost cry of despair when she realized who it was, standing at her door.
The shadowy figure smiled at her, with his dark features, matted down hair, and yet that playful grin. "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist."
Grimacing, or forcing herself to, rather, Sora said nothing, but began to close the door.
"Ah, ah; don't you know it's rude to let one stand out in weather such as this?" Her visitor said, blocking the door. "I would advise you let me in for a few moments and hear me out. Help you get up to speed on some recent events."
"You think you're so all knowing." Sora hissed, stepping back. "Nonetheless, make it quick. I have plans to attend to."
He stepped inside, chuckling slightly to himself before facing her. "Bull. You have nowhere to go but here; you believe that you can avoid the world, your duties, your friends, enemies, the truth, life.." He laughed. "You think you can avoid it all…"
"What do you want, Taichi?" Sora glowered. "Or perhaps I shall call the police. Whose blood is it you're sporting?"
He grabbed her arm, whirling her body so she was pinned against the wall and she gasped; though she was aware with his stature he did possess great strength. It was something she admired about him, once: his strength, but not his stubbornness and willfulness. But it was painfully clear that reasoning was beyond him now. They had their roads; the black and the white; and yet it all became meshed in shades of gray. Sora bit her lip, closed her eyes, and took in a breath before meeting his fiery eyes.
"Well?" Her voice said, echoing slightly in the dull closed shop. "As you obviously have my attention."
"I just wish to inform you that what you all fear is to come to pass. There is so escaping that destiny now; it is all set in motion. And nothing is going to stop it."
"You are more involved than you have ever cared to say; you were against me from the beginning of it all. I don't know how 'they' all came about, or how you got roped into it, being we can guess, it is, mostly you.." Sora said, as her eyebrows rose, ignoring the slight twinge in her arm where it was now twisted.
"You guess a lot, my dear Sora." Taichi smirked now; his manner was almost a calm one, and Sora couldn't begin to guess the situation to which he came from. "Did you honestly believe I would not return? You have a final chance, to cleave with me, and forsake this, this greater good, so you support, and have a chance at far much more, as you deserve, or else…you can join the other traitors."
"Is this you speaking?" Sora asked derisively. "Or is someone programming you, spoon feeding you these lines to try and waver my alliance? I have no more to say to you, considering your sudden knowledge of all things eloquent stand a snowballs chance in hell."
"Now now, my lady sky, you don't want to tread into something we may both regret. For as little use you are alive; it would be a fair waste to see you dead, and I would hope we wouldn't part on such terms." He released his hold on her for a moment, allowing her to turn and see his face.
Sora patted his face with her hand in an 'I'm not buying this' manner, as a mother scolding a young child with temperance and grace. "Who's behind this, Tai?"
"They are. They began it; but I'm to finish it. It's my struggle. Our struggle. These words are nothing more than words; I have finally discovered the hidden beauty in them that some might have thought me incapable of."
Sora frowned. "How very..Hitler-like of you."
Taichi laughed. "Perhaps; but I know what's going to happen. I am not going to risk anything for a bunch of ingrates anymore. Once they realize what we've been up against as children, what we prevented from happening to them in the first place. They can and will unlock it. It's going to happen, whether you like it or not. So which price are you willing to pay? Or rather, which role will you choose?"
"I can't turn myself away from the cause. You tried to have your own sister killed, for crying out loud!" Sora said, turning away, half in shock, surprised that he was even asking her this. Surprised that he was even back here. What would she be to him? A tool? Someone he could spread his domination over? He had already turned against her once.
"But you already have. You already let me into your heart once. I'm a drug you can't get out of your system. A very powerful drug, Sora, even more potent than your..heroin, shall we say? If you stay in this cause any longer, you will truly and honestly have nothing. You say the greater good. What greater good than this? It will help you rise above this..this flower shop, and above the heroine madam, unless you need widen your network. You are so jaded by the world, and yet you keep the blinders on. You know I speak the truth, and yet you refuse to taste it."
"You're just tricking me. Earlier you left. What happened between that and the time you returned?" Sora turned back around to face him, staring into his deep eyes and glaring.
"A lot happened. I always could read your heart and mind, and you may renounce me now, but there will be a day that you won't. And on that day, I'll wait for you. The angels can't win all the time, Sora, and you're far from one." Taichi turned away and strode towards the door, leaving Sora staring after him, full of confusion, doubt and fear.
"You're wrong, Tai," Sora said to the closed door after he had gone, picking up an empty flowerpot and flinging it in her furor. "You're wrong!"
Collapsing against the wall, hr breath catching in raspy half sentences, she closed her eyes.
: -: -: -: -: -:
This situation is becoming intolerable. Takeru thought, in his pacing back and forth. It all goes back to that text this afternoon, but what of it? The time is coming too soon; and we don't have enough to get the gates..
"Is Koushiro going to be all right?" Mimi's voice interrupted the young blonde's thoughts as he passed a hand through his damp hair; damp from sweat and frustration.
"I think so," Takeru said, looking at her. "What about you? Jyou said that you might have a concussion."
"If only a slight one." Mimi replied.
Takeru nodded, then walked towards Kari. "Keep her active; I'm going to look for Jyou."
Hikari nodded, and he could again taste the kiss and smell that scent of cinnamon by looking at her as he passed her by and stepped into the wide, blank hallway.
Takeru didn't like hospitals much; they were prisons of a sort: Houses of healing; yet they had never done him any good. Having spent little time there himself, he didn't understand why they could seem safe and yet so strange at the same time. Koushiro had said that he had failed; but he wasn't the failure. Takeru felt that all of this was his own fault somehow; if it wasn't preventing Yamato from leaving last year, or stopping Tai and whoever his supporters were from going over, or protecting those who needed it most.
The blue-haired man stepped out of the room, looking slightly grim as he adjusted his glasses. "Koushiro's told me enough," he said, as soon as he and Takeru were eye to eye, and quite alone in the corridor. "You are blameless. Obviously Taichi planned to strike at some point; there was no mistaking that." His voice was low, and it troubled Takeru.
"Taichi got the laptop. One can hope that not enough information was in there for him to do anything.." Takeru said, shaking his head. "Honestly Jyou, I don't understand why you didn't just reassume being leader of this. I don't think I can handle it."
Jyou smiled a little at him. "This seems your fight more than anyone else has a right to, Angel..I have not much to offer."
"You don't think that –they- can get through to here, though?" Takeru's voice was a whisper. "Even at the hospital. We'll have to set up an emergency meeting as soon as we can; we can't get through to Sky, though."
Jyou frowned, a worried look crossing his face. "That is strange. When we last spoke to her, she seemed no worse than her usual self. You don't think the police caught up with her..?"
Takeru shook his head, "I hope not. Perhaps she's just gotten overly paranoid and wants to stay undercover for a while. We may need new recruits, though.."
Jyou nodded grimly. "Even so; our time has run short. With who we have may be enough; to thwart him and his plans and missionaries."
Takeru sighed, "There is still so much which we must speak of, of what I must tell you, and yet this is hardly the place to do it."
"Soon, Angel. My heart forebodes that worse is still yet to come, and is not the time for conversation. We can only hope that Sky gets and replies to our messages, and that we get Koushiro hidden. For still alive he alone knows all; and anything that can and will happen may backfire on us. After all, Taichi is gone; but for how long?"
"That," Takeru said, closing his eyes with a shudder, "Is something we cannot answer."