"I still can't believe that you knew Japanese, Serena." Amanda exclaimed for what had to be the millionth time as they finished packing for their trip, something that had taken them almost two weeks. Their plane took off in less than five hours and Amanda was still putting the final touches on her wardrobe that would last her only two weeks. Serena could have packed that much in one suitcase and a duffle bag but Amanda had made her go shopping with here and they now each had six suitcases each.
On top of that they all had to get their outfits for the concert ready as well. You could just imagine how long Amanda had taken for hers while Serena's was very simple. All she had was a white fleece midriff and matching pants with white sued boots to match and moon earrings that matched her pendant. Amanda's had taken two separate seamstresses to make and almost a month of planning. Now everything was packed away and waiting to be taken to the airport.
"That makes two of us. Where I learned it, I don't know." They had discovered that Serena knew better Japanese than the tutor hired to teach them when it had been announced that they were going to Japan. Both a good thing, because that meant at least one of them would know where they were going, and a bad thing because they were constantly asking her questions and getting her to correct their grammar. After two months of practice since the end of school they were all at least able to ask for and understand directions should any of them get lost in Tokyo.
"Aren't you two ready yet?" Joseph yelled up the stairs at them. Serena shot back some sarcastic remark saying of course she was, it was Amanda who was holding up the train. Amanda just rolled her eyes but zipped up her sixth suitcase anyway.
"If there's anything I've forgotten I doubt I'll remember it in the next twenty minutes." Famous last words as just as they walked out the front door she remembered she'd forgotten to pack one of her favorite pairs of boots. Then just as the van was about to roll she remembered her lucky hair clip and had to run back to get it. They where halfway to the airport when she remembered something else but the moment she started to say something Alex rudely covered her mouth with his hand and told the driver to ignore her.
After all was said and done, their tickets in hand and one small carryon apiece, the rest of the wait for their plane was rather uneventful. They'd all been in airports before and although the colors and stores are different they generally are all the same. When the huge continental plain taxied up the j line they all stood at the window to watch as the arm reached out to seal with the door of the plane and its passengers disembarked. Once everyone was off it was another hour while fuel trucks parked under the Jets massive wings to fuel the goliath and large golf carts towing racks with Food and Beverage printed on them trolled around to the far side.
The very last rows of the plane boarded first so Serena and company had to wait until seating was available for the second deck. Then with Alex and Adam racing ahead like schoolchildren and Amanda and Serena waving one last time to their parents, they boarded and climbed the spiral staircase to the second deck. A flight attendant showed them to their seats where thankfully they were not by the boys who were trying to get another attendant to serve them alcohol.
No matter how many planes she would be on Serena knew that every time the plane began to taxi down the runway she would always feel that quiver in her stomach that is half fear half anticipation. The small bits of turbulence during their 14 hour flight seemed to make it worse although she felt nothing while sleeping through the second half. A flight attendant woke both her and Amanda half an hour before their flight so they could look though the window at the approaching land but they could see very little through the surrounding clouds.
It seemed it was raining in Tokyo and the flight grew even more turbulent the closer they got to their destination. Serena fought hard to calm herself when each lurch seemed to bring on an unprecedented bit of fear. She thought she was going to faint then the whole plain made a large bump but then she laughed at herself when she could see lights out her window. They'd just touched down.
Tokyo's airport was packed with people from all over the world. Some spoke English but most didn't. They didn't have to worry much about where to go though since someone from their hotel was waiting for them with a sign. Their luggage was collected then they all boarded a shuttle van that took them to the magnificent hotel for which the radio station was paying. Once they were shown to their rooms they all tossed their luggage inside and went site seeing.
Now instead of having the concert right away, something that would take a lot of worry off of all their minds, the concert was on the first day of the second week they were here. They had a good five days to site see and goof around before they had to get practicing for their five songs that they were going to sing as an opening for the show. Following Serena's advice they all decided to try and forget about the concert and enjoy themselves as much as possible.
Their second day was bright and sunny and they got to actually use the four motorcycles that Joseph had rented for them. This gave them the opportunity to see more of the city and some of its suburbs and the following day they got to catch a game in the Tokyo Dome, but the all agreed as they sat at dinner that night that they missed the street races that had spruced up their evenings back home. Each of them promised the next day to see if they could find out any information and see if that sort of thing happened here, surely it did. Since they all wanted to see, or visit different things they decided to split up and go their own ways to cover more ground.
Serena remembered reading somewhere that some of the suburbs had wonderful views of the ocean and great parks, something that appealed to her. Right off the bat in the morning she rode out of downtown Tokyo and let her bike guide her to where it wanted to go. In one suburb she found a wonderful rose garden by a lake where people could rent boats to go out on the water. She stood there getting hot in her tight biker suit envying the people out on the cool water. Deciding to cool off she got back on her bike and decided to just drive, or she would have if the streets nearby hadn't been blocked by a stalled car.
Rolling her eyes Serena pushed her bike up onto the sidewalk so she could bypass the honking cars and swearing drivers and following them she found the source of the problem. Some hotrod in a Ferrari was broken down blocking the onramp to the nearby highway. Serena knew she probably knew enough about his car to fix whatever was the problem so she parked her bike on the sidewalk and setting her helmet on the handlebars she got of and walked around the drivers side of the window to tap on the glass.
Inside sat a young man looking cool in a black tank top with green overcoat and large sunglasses, which covered half of his face. His skin was rather dark, like someone from the Mediterranean but it was hard to tell through his window. She had to wait until he finished his conversation on his cell phone before he rolled down the window. Her patience fading she asked him what the problem was. He looked at her blankly so she switched to Japanese and tried again.
"I heard you the first time." He replied in perfect English although he sounded rather arrogant. "It was puttering before then at the light it just died and I couldn't get it started again." He told her but his tone made it clear that he thought she wouldn't understand. Not giving in to his attitude she told him to pop the hood then went to the back of the car to wait. That was enough to give him pause since few women he knew actually realized that the engine in his car was in the back.
Mamoru Chiba took a long look at the woman before pulling the latch next to his door. She was not a tall woman but had stature that most women never acquired. Her hair was short like Haruka's but she was much more feminine in looks and actions than Haruka would ever be. Despite the hair she was long in the leg and had a slender figure, one most women would die for and as she looked up at him impatiently he could see that she had the clearest cerulean eyes he had seen in a long time.
"Okay try and start it so I can hear what's going on." She told him and he complied. Serena quickly saw what the problem was and told him to stop." She walked to her bike and took out a small set of wrenches, sockets and a ratchet. She went back to the end of the car and fiddled around with something before snapping the case shut and closing the hood.
There was something about her that struck him wrong, something that he couldn't put a name to. He'd of course never seen her before and she was obviously American but still.
"Okay try it now." She ordered walking up to lean against his car placing her hands on her hips. He had a hard time believing that not even a minute under the hood and she was done but he tried it anyway. The engine roared into life startling the people who were standing nearby to watch and some of the cars behind him honked and their owners cheered. "I'd get this piece out of the way before they start a lynching mob." She told him leaning over so she could see him though the window.
"Good idea. Let me pull over up there and get out of the way. I'd like to thank you if you'd let me." He offered knowing that she'd saved him a lot of trouble getting the car towed and such. She seemed on the verge of saying no but someone behind him cursed loudly and she decided she'd better just to get him moving.
"Deal now move." She ordered getting off the side of his vehicle and moving back onto the sidewalk. She strapped her helmet to the back of her bike then got on quickly so she could follow him. Unfortunately the nearest place for him to pull over was several blocks away outside a kids arcade. Serena pulled her bike in behind another that was already parked outside. She was happy to note that hers was a newer model of the same bike. The man she was following seemed to notice that too as he frowned down at them when he got out of his car.
"We got off on the wrong foot I think." He started pulling off his shades and holding out his hand. "I'm Chiba Mamoru, or as you Americans put it Mamoru Chiba." That sounded a lot like a dig to Serena but she chose to ignore it. Instead she took his hand and shook it firmly.
"Serena Celeste, nice to meet you Mr. Chiba." His handshake was firm but not testing although her fingers chose that moment to start tingling, something they'd been doing off and on since her accident.
"Just Mamoru. Now let me thank you for fixing my car by buying you lunch. This arcade happens to have the best burgers this side of Jubaan." He named off what must have been the suburb. Serena really was hungry and she'd better accept before her stomach started making noises. She nodded politely then stripped of her riding gloves and tucked them in the storage compartment under the bikes seat before locking it.
"After you then Mr. Chiba." She realized that he'd asked her to just call him by his first name but something about this man put her on her guard and that kept her from calling him by name. He looked slightly annoyed but turned towards the sliding doors of the arcade which whooshed open and air conditioned air rolled over them.
Quickly Serena walked inside welcoming the cool air after the heat of the afternoon and decided to make it even better by removing the jacket of her bikers suit and the cool air raised goose bumps on the bare skin of her arms since she was wearing a sleeveless shirt underneath. She missed the appraising look Mr. Chiba shot her when she tossed the jacket over one arm and looked to him to lead on.
Mr. Chiba led them forward towards the counter of a small café decorated in American sixties style and they were about to take a seat when someone called his name. Quickly he looked over to a group of girls seated in a large boot at the farthest corner who were waving him over.
"I hope you don't mind these are just some of my friends, let me introduce you." He said already walking in that direction with a smile on his face. Serena groaned inwardly while putting up a fake smile of her own. This was just supposed to be lunch, not a friendly gathering. But then her better nature got a hold of her and her smile became real as she followed him slowly so she could get a better look at the girls.
There were eight of them in all ranging in age group from preteen to early twenties although most of them looked about her age. The youngest was barely more than a child with dark black eyes and strait cut black hair that came just above her shoulders. She seemed to survey everything with a grave air one reserved for a funeral. There were four of the girls that looked about Serena's age and they were about as different as could be. One had short deep blue hair that had to be dyed but looked absolutely real. She also wore glasses over deep blue eyes and had a book open in front of her.
Next to her sat a young woman with deep rich mahogany colored hair that was tied back in a rigid ponytail letting the hair swing loosely behind her. She was in the process of pretending to beat up the raven haired girl on her left while a blond with the same blue eyes as Serena herself had watched and laughed. Across from the bookworm sat two women who both had green hair although it was different shades, one being a dark forest green and extremely long while the others was aqua short and wavy. Between the one with wavy hair and the giggling blond was a woman that could have easily been mistaken for a boy but Serena wasn't fooled even though the woman obviously dressed to enhance the effect.
As the girls saw Mr. Chiba's companion all of them sat up strait and looked a bit more serious, some even worried. This made Serena want to ask questions but of course she couldn't.
"Hey everyone," Mr. Chiba had switched back to Japanese which wasn't a problem for Serena. "I want you to meet this young woman who happens to be the sole reason I'm here at all. My car broke down and she fixed it before someone decided to push me out of the way." This news seemed especially interesting to the tomboy and the girl with the book and she took off her glasses to get a better look at Serena who just smiled.
"It was nothing, just bobby pins and hairspray, any girl could have done it." She fielded not wanting to stand out. No one believed her but they diplomatically chose not to say anything.
"Okay everyone, this is Serena Celeste Ms. Celeste this is, from left to right, Ami, Makato, Rei, Minako, Haruka, Michiri, Setsuna, and Hotaru. I'm giving you just their first names since it would be hard to remember them all." They each held out their hand for Serena to shake then she bowed to them all as was tradition in Japan surprising them all slightly. She didn't bother telling him that she had perfect recall since he was happy with his opinion of her.
"It's nice to meet you all." Was all Serena could think of to say and they expressed sentiments of the same.
"Well why don't you two join us for lunch? We haven't ordered yet and I'm sure Motoki won't mind you guys grabbing chairs. That way you can tell us what brings you to Japan Serena." The oldest there, Setsuna offered. Serena looked at the woman who had an odd look in her eyes, one that seemed to strike some sort of familiarity between them.
"I'd like that." She found herself saying and even meaning it. She and Mamoru grabbed chairs from the nearest table and sat at the open end of the large booth practically shoulder to shoulder.
"So as the woman says, what brings you to Japan." Minako asked leaning forward as though ready for any juicy gossip to fall. Serena grinned and couldn't help but tell them the truth going through the entire story of the contest, her accident and then the actual competition. She paused when the groups' friend who ran the arcade Matoki came and got their order, then resumed since she'd left off right before the accident. The girls and Mamoru seemed amazed at all she'd gone through. They were even more surprised to realize that they were eating with a real celebrity, despite the fact Serena tried to play it down. Their food arrived and they started digging in.
"Wow you eat fast." One of them commented, Ami with a grin. She was covering up the fact that Haruka and Michiri seemed to be having an argument about something. When Michiri spoke over the rest of their idle chatter they all stopped talking not able to ignore the argument anymore.
"I don't want you going to those anymore. We don't need the money and they're dangerous." She exclaimed nearly slamming her balled up fist on the table. Serena perked up at that, it might be exactly what she'd been looking for.
"So is the rest of our lives, what's a race every once in a while gunna hurt? Besides I need the speed to clear my head." Haruka took the balled up fist in her slender hands and tried to unwind some of the tension there.
"Races? You mean this place actually has street races?" Serena blurted out which was most unlike her but her curiosity had gotten the better of her. Michiri glared for a moment before sighing and waving Haruka her okay to explain.
"Yeah there's an exact five mile course out by one of the bluffs on the other side of the city. Usually at about ten thirty or so Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and some Saturdays some of the racers from town get together and have fun. Why do you race?" she asked almost carelessly. She didn't seem to think much of the other racers, probably because she obviously won a lot.
"I did some back in the states but my friends and I were looking for something to do in the evenings. I think we're all curious to see if the racing is the same and what some of the other racers are like. Think it'd be okay if we showed up?" Some of the girls frowned, others pretended to ignore them and study their food.
"I doubt it would be a problem. Chiba and I are regulars there so if we say your okay it'll be fine." She then took out a pen and scribbled down the address and the time. "Think you can find it?" She asked then handed over the paper when Serena nodded.
"Not a problem and thanks a lot for letting me know. I suppose I'd better get going. My friends will want to know about this." She took the last bite of her burger then made to get up. Mr. Chiba stood as well.
"I'll walk you out." He said simply and in front of all these women she could hardly object. She said goodbye to each of them, shaking their hands again in turn. Her eyes once again met Setsuna's and briefly a flash of understanding crossed between them, although for what Serena didn't know. She smiled at the little girl who looked at her just as gravely as she looked at everything else and told Setsuna to get her ice cream. That'd make anyone smile. With a nod Setsuna wrapped an arm protectively around Hotaru and smiled up at Serena.
"See you tonight Haruka and thanks again." She waved to them all before shrugging on her jacket and following Mr. Chiba outside. He stopped her before she could get on her bike though.
"You serious about this racing thing?" He asked in a most personal way. Serena didn't think he had any right to ask but she told him the truth anyway. Of course she was serious. "Then you might want to go drive over the course while it's daylight. I don't know how it works in America but here the drivers tend to play for keeps." He stood back and she got on the bike and put in the key but not starting it.
"Thanks, I will. Oh wait." She just then remembered something that the radio station had given each of them and going into the storage space for them and her forgotten gloves she fished out an envelope that had about twelve or so slips of paper. "In case you and your friends wanted to go, these are some tickets to the show on Saturday." She handed the envelope over then hurriedly put on her gloves so that he couldn't refuse them.
"The girls will love these." Was all he said and Serena could just imagine Minako's squeal of delight and the fire in Rei's eyes when she thought about going to a concert.
"I know. See you later." And with that she started up the bike and spun the rear tire around so it was facing the other direction before she roared off.
Just as Mamoru Chiba had advised not only she but all of them went over the course described by Haruka on the far side of Tokyo near the bay. It was a good thing they did since there were a couple hairpin bends and one particularly nasty incline in the woods where there could easily be hidden dangers. Serena ran it twice to make sure that she'd memorized exactly how it looked and then putting on dark shades under her already dark helmet visor she ran it one more time to simulate dark. She wasn't going to take any chances of someone catching her unaware.
Afterwards they went back to the hotel to swim and eat dinner, a light one in the girls' cases, a hearty one in the boys. They didn't seem worried much despite the fact that they rarely raced motorcycles it was just simply too dangerous. None of them wanted to die young. For Serena though, the thrill of the race and the barely veiled challenge in both Haruka's and Mamoru's eyes was enough to draw her from wherever she was.
It seemed like days went by in the few hours Serena had to wait before they could leave but when the time came it seemed to fly faster than any time before that she could remember. They each rode their own bikes to the spot where they were supposed to meet up with the others. Serena was torn in two halves, not believing that they were doing this and the other just hoping that she didn't make a fool of herself in front of Mamoru. Wait. Since when did she care what that slightly arrogant man thought about her. Coming to a stop slightly away from the group of lights up ahead she shook her head clear of such thoughts, she couldn't afford any distractions. Amanda waved her up and they approached the larger group together.
Haruka must have been telling the truth for as they came close enough to see people's faces she seemed to be at the head of the group waiting. Bikes and cars alike formed an isle way of sorts that lead to where she and a couple of her friends where leaning against their bikes. Serena took the lead of the four of them and drove strait up to her and parked her bike head on with hers. Haruka was the one riding the later model of Serena's own bike. Haruka looked about to say something distasteful when Serena pulled off her helmet and shook her short locks free. The others did the same while Serena dismounted and walked up to her.
"Nice to see you again Haruka." She said in a friendly voice and the woman's demeanor changed to one that was slightly more welcome.
"You too Serena. Roshi this is the girl I was telling you about, the one who's family wanted to try one of our races. They're from America." She had been speaking in English, quite perfect and accent less Serena noticed. The man next to her, a man with either a very deep tan or very dark skin and short wiry bleached blond hair, muttered something very rude in Japanese. Serena retorted with something equally rude back in his own language which shut him up. Haruka then smiled and Serena got the impression that she had passed some sort of test.
"Glad to see you've made new friends Ms. Celeste." Came a very masculine voice from behind the crowd where a jet black bike, brand spanking new, had just driven up. Mamoru Chiba pulled off his helmet and walked up to stand next to Haruka. He must have heard Serena swear and she blushed furiously.
"Mr. Chiba." She nodded her head towards him and Amanda whispered something behind her back. "Mr. Chiba, Haruka let me introduce you to my foster siblings. This is Adam, Alex and Amanda." She pointed to each one in turn. The boys nodded their heads and Amanda waved her fingers a little, mostly in Mamoru's direction. Serena rolled her eyes and looked back at him almost in apology. She wasn't quite sure but she thought she saw him wink.
"Alright then. The first race will be just us cycles. Two laps around the designated course, the first driver here wins. It's two large to join the race, and Roshi here will be the money holder because I know he's to slow to get away with it." All of Haruka's friends laughed at that and Roshi just sort of glared. Apparently this was a common joke, but it didn't take Serena long to figure out why. When he came out to collect her and the others money he was in a wheelchair although he had both his legs. He whistled appreciatively at Amanda who insisted upon flirting with him despite his previous bad attitude something Serena would have never done. Hell she wouldn't even flirt with Mamoru and he was nice to her, sort of.
When all the money had been collected Roshi rolled back up to where Haruka was going over something with another one of her friends. She patted his shoulder when he nodded at all of them then two of the girls there to watch the races ran out onto the street and repainted a faded neon green line on the road. Someone else set up black lights on each side so the line showed up brightly while some of the other racers began walking their bikes over to the line. Serena got back on her bike then did a similar spin like before kicking a small cloud of dust that rolled over Haruka's bike before she sped towards the line. She stopped only a hairs width from it then sat back letting the bike idle.
The others soon joined her although she had managed to get the premium starting point so that she would be on the inside for the first corner. Mr. Chiba pulled his bike just next to her and looked over with his visor up. Serena lifted hers up as well and looked at him closely, and although he didn't say anything she could have sworn that his eyes, such familiar eyes, were trying to tell her something. She didn't get to say anything though for a rather scantily clad woman pushed Roshi up to the line where he had a starters pistol. Serena slammed her visor back down and Mr. Chiba did the same as they both got into position hunched over their bikes and staring strait ahead.
They didn't get a count down; Roshi yelled ready then the gun went off. This was probably meant to throw Serena and the others off but instead they shot off the line with the others a cloud of dust in their wake. Within moments it was easy to see the different classes of racers. There where those who slowed down for the corners and took it safe, there were those who where still safe but just barely, and then there were those who knew the limits and tried to break them. After the first few turns the first class had dropped behind and the second were beginning to fall back as well. Serena, her family, Haruka, Mamoru and one other racer were in the lead each vying for position as first. Haruka took the lead with Adam and Mamoru just behind at one of the sharp bends but Serena caught up easily on the next corner when they had to almost stop because the last driver swerved sharply in their way.
As they dove into the forested section Adam, Haruka, Serena and Mamoru shot ahead of the others who were still unsure of their ground. Serena hunched over even more her eyes barely above the bug shield of her bike while she narrowed her eyes at the rode. The trees passed by in blurs and the road narrowed to a small tunnel with lines on the outside and a faint on in the middle the lights of their bikes the only mar in the pitch blackness made by the canopy of trees. Small bits of moonlight almost made it through throwing shadows into stark relief on the sides of the road and one time Serena almost jumped when she thought she saw something move. She shrugged it off knowing that she was going to fast for her to actually see something on the side of the road.
After the forested part was a long open stretch before they started their second lap. As they approached the neon green light that they could see even from half a mile away, both Haruka and Mr. Chiba slowed down just a bit, something that was noticed only by Serena who could hear their motors fade away. She knew something was up, but was hardly prepared when large flare fireworks went off just as she passed the line seconds before the others. She heard someone fall back and their bike stop although she didn't dare look back to see who.
The next lap of the track was even more grueling than before. Each of them literally fought for every inch they gained on the others. Serena had to admit that both Mamoru and Haruka knew their bikes well and raced even better. If it hadn't been for the fact that Adam slid into Haruka on one of the corners Serena knew she might have lost right then but not wasting her chance she broke away from the two who were trying to separate their bikes and went barreling after Mamoru who had used the opportunity to his advantage as well.
On the last corner she managed to get just a fraction of a bikes length ahead of him by cutting across the grass on the side of the road. Quickly she opened the throttle and leaned into the bike willing it to go faster than she knew it could. The, road which had already become a tunnel narrowed in her vision until all she could see was that green line ahead of them. With all her focus on the line she pulled inch by inch ahead of her only competition and it was no surprise to those watching when she crossed the line first.
At first she didn't realize she'd won, only that she was incredibly exhilarated and her breath was coming in small gasps as she turned her bike around and headed for where Amanda was jumping up and down next to her own parked bike. She and it were covered in dust and Serena realized it had been her who'd pulled back at the fireworks. Now that she though of it, that was a nasty trick to pull and she was going to give someone a piece of her mind about it. When she made it back to where Haruka already was, how she managed that Serena wasn't sure, she pulled her bike harshly to a stop and ripped her helmet off.
"What the hell was the idea with that stunt back there? Someone could have gotten killed when those fireworks went off." She yelled storming up to the woman who was of course taller than she was and probably much stronger too. Considering, though, that it was Amanda who had almost gotten hurt Serena didn't care and the temper she always had managed to keep in check flared out of control.
"It was only a test to see if you guys could hack it." Haruka didn't seem bothered by Serena's outburst and turned to walk away from the girl. Serena grabbed her shoulder spinning her back around and Haruka's eyes darkened.
"Well your test is all well and good but don't pull that bullshit when it's my family on the line." Serena rarely swore like that showing those who knew here just how pissed she was. Haruka opened her mouth to say something back but her voice was drowned out by the sudden explosion of sound and lights coming up the hill.
"Shit Cops." Someone yelled and there was a scramble for cars and bikes. Haruka glared at Serena then ran to her bike and jammed her helmet back on her head. Serena's family were still on their bikes and they spun around heading back for town. Serena had to run back to her bike but in the process she got a little muddled about which way to go. She had just put her helmet on and was looking around when a black bike pulled up to hers and a voice yelled for her to follow them. She nodded and revved up her bike to follow.
As they were the last to leave the seen it just happened that the police, who looked nothing really like American police since their cars were different colors and their lights didn't flash the same way, decided to go after Serena and the person she was following. They however seemed to know the streets better than the police and after a small chase they pulled into an underground parking lot and went up two stories before stopping their bikes. They listened for a few minutes as the sirens got closer then faded away again.
"Good they're gone." The other person said pulling off his helmet revealing non other than Mamoru Chiba. Serena hid her shock rather well and uncovered her own head always hating the feeling of her hair plastered to her head. "You alright?" He asked getting off his motorcycle and tucking his helmet under one arm. Serena nodded and did the same.
"Yeah thanks for getting me out of there." She said as he started walking towards a door. She guessed that she was supposed to follow him since she couldn't really stand in the parking lot by herself. He led her through the door to a small elevator where he pushed a button and they headed up.
"Not a problem. The firework stunt probably alerted them, I told Haruka it was a bad idea." He seemed to be thinking out loud rather than defending himself which made Serena more willing to believe him than she normally would have since he had slowed down as well meaning he'd known. Serena was still rather upset about that but now the adrenalin was wearing off and she was beginning to feel just plain tired. Not sleepy tired but exhausted. The elevator stopped and they got off on a floor with a very nice interior, plush carpets, and real upholstery around the windows.
"Is this where you live?" She asked in a soft voice not wanting to wake anyone up, if anyone had managed to sleep through the sirens that is. Mamoru had already pulled out a set of keys and was aiming for a door halfway down the hallway and Serena again followed.
"Yeah, my apartment. Sorry if it isn't the cleanest I wasn't expecting company." He said unlocking the door and pushing it open. He flicked a switch on the side of the door and entered holding the door open for her. Quickly, to get out of the hallway where her presence might be incriminating, Serena practically jumped across the threshold and out of his way so he could close the door behind her. She took a quick look around rather impressed.
For someone already accustomed to wealth she was still amazed by how sleek and luxurious his apartment looked. All of his furniture was black although not leather since anyone who's sat in it knows that you stick if it gets warm. The wood also all matched and there was a large but proportional T.V. against the far wall with a nice set of surround sound speakers around the room. A hallway lead further into the apartment but it was dark and she wasn't about to snoop. For how nice the apartment looked she still got the impression that it wasn't lived in. The couches looked brand new and almost like they'd never been sat in. The remotes were lined up not tossed around like those that were frequently used. The only place that was any sort of disorderly was a small desk in a cubby in the wall. It was covered with books and papers and had a well worn chair, obviously used frequently.
"It's a nice place. But what do you mean not clean, I don't think there's a speck of dust anywhere." She joked noticing that it was true. There were no plates anywhere or cups on the black coffee table it was practically spotless.
"Well you never know you could have been one of those anal people who have to have everything in its exact spot or they go crazy." He said with a smile while he took off his jacket and hung it in a closet then held out his hand for hers. Serena took hers off wearing the same outfit from before and rubbed her arms when they prickled in the cool air.
"Like you ya mean?" She said since his description rather fitted his apartment. This elicited a laugh from him, full and rich.
"No, I just don't spend much time here to mess it up, my room is another matter. Don't go in there if you value your life." He said and she laughed as well.
"I know the feeling, I'm a complete sloth when it comes to cleaning my room. Would it be okay to use your phone? I want to let the others know I'm okay so they don't start searching police stations for me." She rolled her eyes but she wouldn't put anything past Amanda and Adam.
"Sure thing it's in the kitchen, but I was about to suggest you might want to hole up here tonight on the couch or something. I wouldn't want to be an innocent motorcyclist on the streets tonight." He offered turning on the light in the hall before looking back at her. The dark décor of the room seemed to match his looks perfectly meaning that she thought he looked rather dashing standing there in his black tank top with the muscles of his arms showing. Serena closed her eyes for a second and banished the thought.
"Are you sure you don't mind? I don't want to put you out or anything." Nor did she want to stay in a strange place with an equally strange man who also happened to be the first man she felt the slightest bit attracted to ever.
"Not at all, I wouldn't want you to get pulled over on your way home and they probably got a good look at your bike." He made sense, just to much sense. Serena agreed with him and he showed her the way to the kitchen, which was just as spotless as what she'd already seen of his place. Black and silver appliances gleamed from deep blue tiled counter tops and twin-matching ovens were stacked one on top of the other next to the microwave. Either he loved to cook or someone he knew did. He left for a moment then came back, she guessed from cleaning up his room or something, to find Serena still staring at the phone.
"Problems?" He asked trying not to smile. She had to be having problems dialing out since this system was different from what she was used to. Serena turned to him and smiled sort of vacantly and nodded.
"Yeah actually. I'm not sure how to get the number for the hotel." She admitted turning to him and grinning. He decided not to rub it in but tossed the towel he'd been holding over one shoulder and went over to help.
"What hotel are you in." She told him and within moments he had an operator connecting him and handed Serena back the phone. He left again to finish what he'd been doing. Serena cradled the phone to her ear and searched her pockets for a piece of paper and a pen she'd have to get the number to his place in case someone wanted to know.
"Your WHAT!" Amanda shrieked into the phone when Serena told her the plan. At first Serena thought that maybe Amanda was worried for her safety but when Alex took over the phone she could hear Amanda in the back round. "Damn it I was gunna go for him. She always gets the good guys." Which wasn't true at all but Adam shushed her down anyway. Alex talked to her for a minute making sure this was all cool with Mr. Chiba which she assured him it was since it was his plan then wishing her a good rest he hung up. Serena scowled at the phone for a moment before setting it down.
"And here I thought he was going to care." She said to herself and the phone. Mamoru had just reentered the kitchen to witness her talking to herself.
"Your dad?" He asked as he pulled down a couple of glasses from a cabinet. Serena shook her head.
"No just my foster brother. I thought he'd be at least concerned about me but…" She left off and shrugged her shoulders. He asked her what she wanted to drink, thankfully he had coke, which he handed her both the can and a glass. She took a long drink from the first before pouring it into the second. She was rather thirsty and after downing that in one shot she got a glass of water from the tap.
"Soda never does seem to quench the thirst does it." He said taking a drink of his on tomato juice. Serena downed her glass of water and got another before saying anything.
"No it never really does. Ugg how can you drink that stuff." She asked pointing to his juice. He grimaced and put it on the counter.
"By holding my nose and pretending its something else. Ami makes me drink the stuff, says it's good for me." His mention of one of the girls she'd met earlier startled him. She hadn't thought that they were particularly friendly.
"Is she your girlfriend?" She asked before thinking about what she said. With a small oops she covered her mouth with her hand. "Sorry I didn't mean to pry." Yes she did, but she didn't say that and tried to squash that thought as well.
"It's alright, and no she's not. I don't have a girlfriend." He said it nonchalantly but his eyes glimmered with some emotion just below the surface and Serena made a mental note not to mention anything of the sort again. It was obviously a sore spot. He straitened up and took a deep breath. He'd thought he'd be able to handle questions like that by now but each time it hit him like a blow to the stomach. Still he had other things to focus on now. "So I've pulled out some blankets for you and made up the couch it has a small bed hidden underneath the cushions, not like a full hide a bed but close. I also grabbed out a pair of my old sweats and a shirt for you, that's the best I have as far as pajamas go." He told her walking out of the kitchen and out to the living room where everything was just as he'd said.
"That's perfect as long as you don't mind me wearing your clothes." She smiled her thanks. "Thanks again for letting me stay here. You really didn't have to."
"It's no big deal. Some of the other girls you met today crash here sometimes when they're to tired to make it home. I'm used to it." He yawned widely which was followed by one from Serena. They looked at each other and laughed a little before he showed her to the bathroom so she could change. They said goodnight and parted ways. Quickly Serena changed and went to lay down in the makeshift bed swearing that she was so awake she'd probably never get to sleep, but she was out before her head ever really sank in to the pillow.