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Chapter 17
The restaurant we found was a popular night spot among the young urban elite of Tokyo. A couple of film stars here and there incognito. A tycoon and his overly young 'daughter.' I stifled another yawn and decided to skip alcohol for the night. "Tea. And hurry."
Rei watched me with considerable amusment, "Sometimes, you are just like a child."
I gulped down my boiling drink and coughed into my sleeve, "Sometimes?"
"Well, most of the time."
"I try my humble best." I breathed in deeply and felt energy surging back into my tired bones, "Alright. I don't feel like I'm going to die anymore."
"That's certainly a positive." She took a delicate sip of her tea. "So, about the Yamaha account-"
I raised my hand, "No business. I have a rule. During dinner, there is to be absolutely no business done. I only accept phone calls that constitute personal emergencies."
"But you worked through dinner today...er yesterday."
I glared at her, "Stop pointing out my inconsistencies."
Rei smiled at me and was about to reply, when stopped by a beeping in her purse. Her face drained of color and she stood up, "I am sorry Kaitou-san, but I have to take this. Would you excuse me?"
I nodded, then called over a waiter. "Yes, sir?"
"Hold this table for me. I'll be back in twenty minutes."
"Sir?"
"Just do it." I pushed a couple of bills into his hand, clapped his shoulder, and pushed my way towards the nearest exit.
Rei found an empty stall in the bathroom and pulled out the communicator. Sailor Moon's face swam into coherence. "Large scale youma attack. At least twelve of them, both aerial and ground. We need support and fast."
"I'm on my way."
I followed my senses to the scene. I didn;t have my conveniently hooded cloak to protect me this time, but with luck it would not matter. I spotted Sailor Venus and two others I did not know push back a group of four youma with energy and physical assaults. A tall, blond one jump kicked a monster in the head, sending its comrades scurrying out of the way.
I could sense another couple of senshi falling back against a larger group of six.
And of course, Tuxedo Mask was up in the air, tangling with two aerial attackers. I could see rose projectiles scything through the air in blurs of crimson, but it no avail. The flyers dodged and weaved, spitting acidic at their lone antagonist.
Up it is. I vaulted myself high into the air, landing deftly on the flat roof of a sky scrapper. A fierce dogfight reigned as Tuxedo Mask struggled to shed his pursuers. They seemed to not have noticed me, until one of the flyer dipped too low and I leapt up to grab hold onto one of its talons. The sudden weight pulled the creature to the rooftop and we hit the ground hard. I cushioned my fall with some selectively cast magic and stood to face my opponent. The bird/reptile/human type creature looked at me with hard and intelligent eyes. It opened its mouth, probably to spit an acid ball at me. I raised my hand. "First, a question."
It hissed softly as if contemplating whether or not to answer. I sighed, "Look. I'm almost certain that you understand me."
It hurffed amusedly, "You are rather intelligent, human. So what shall we talk off, before we dance?"
I smiled without humor, "Where are you guys coming from? I must say I'm rather impressed. You've done a masterful insertion. One even I might have been proud of."
"Indeed." It paused for a moment, then a chilling smile passed over its face. "I see the resemblance now. Your face is shaded the same way. If you are who I think, then you already know."
I must have looked puzzled for a moment, because it took that moment to spit at me. I threw myself to the side and focused my mental energies to yank its foot out from underneath it.
Without a weapon, I was annoyingly helpless. And more to the point, I was not particularly proficient at the energy weapon thing. I was stuck with more mundane methods of self defense. I pulled my powers around me, forming a sort of positive energy shield. It wouldn't stop a bullet or a determined swordsman, but it might just-
Another ball of acid was spat down my way and I spun, deflecting it it away from me. Okay, now a weapon.
I glanced about the roof and spied a conveniently placed stack of iron rods, likely the leftovers from the original construction. I sprinted over, dodging another acid blast and grabbing hold of a rusty iron bar.
I twirled the bar like a staff and held it in front of me in a defensive position. The monster regarded me a little more warily then threw itself at me with a terrible roar. I spun backwards, picking off its taloned hands with consummate skill. I felt myself breathing a little heavily, but forced my mind onto the task at hand.
The monster, danced around a bit in a silly little jig, before my sensory perceptions tipped me off to the presence of another. It was merely a ploy to hold my attention, as its compatriot tore through the sky like a divebomber, to take me off guard. I did a little jig myself, manuevering around a bit to bring both of them into my vision.
The diving one, suddenly without a target, skidded across the building top, striking sparks up as it went. The creature came to a quick halt and then turned and hissed at me. I lifted my staff and gritted my teeth. The dangers of the situation were obvious. Two creatures, far stronger than me, with greater mobility and lest we forget a ranged attack.
Versus me. With my pathetic mental shield and an improvised staff. I glared at them, feeling the anger course through my veins, radiating out from me like a heat from a flame. Both of them stepped back for a moment, then conversed for a moment in a language that I did not understand.
The one that had not spoken befored intoned carefully, "It will be an honor killing you."
I lifted an eyebrow and replied without irony, "I would like you see you take advantage of that."
The first one crossed the distance in a flash and aimed a heavy cuff at my head. I ducked and swiped the staff underneath its foot. The second, though, was right behind and spun around to whip its tail across my chest. I felt it impact and drive me back six feet, winded and possibly injured.
The fury in my mind grew and I raised the staff again to face them. This time they both came in together, one spitting an acid ball,
the other swinging its tail in the formerly successful move. I dodged underneath both and in a burst of inspiration speared the swinging tail into the concrete. The ground trembled beneath me in the effort and an inhuman wail filled the air.
Ignoring that, I turned to see the other creature preparing to hock another deadly loogie at me and decided to preempt that. I thrust my hand to it neck, gripping it as tightly as I could. Its eyes bugged out at my surprising strength and its hands reached up to pry my fingers from its throat. I snarled at it and squeezed it even harder, imagining that it could feel the heat from my rage.
Surprisingly, it began to gurgle helplessly and then turn ashen white before crumpling at my feet. I felt a new energy course through my body and I smiled evilly as I turned to the speared monster on my other side.
But he was already dead, from a rose to the heart. And that could only mean-
"Kuso."
Tuxedo Mask stepped out into the light, a faintly amused look on his face. "Kuso, indeed. At last we meet."
The blond man sighed and straightened , "I suppose it would be too late to ask you what the hell you're talking about."
In his most urbane and intelligent voice, Mamoru replied, "I would say so, yes. But you could try that anyway."
The blond sighed again, and cracked his neck, "How are the senshi doing?"
Mamoru glanced over the building side and smiled, "Fine. They've cornered the last three and are about to take them out. Which leaves us a little time to talk."
The man laughed, but there was little humor in it, "Ah, what I was most afraid of."
Mamoru chuckled too, but kept his eye on the man. By all counts, this was a wily one. There would be no chances taken. He crossed the roof and put a hand on the man's shoulder. The blond didn't flinch.
I felt the hand on my shoulder and did not have time to steel myself when Tuxedo Mask spun me around to see me face to face.
The surprise in his eyes was a nice, short-term reward, something to keep myself from dwelling on the long term repercussions. I smiled graciously and offered a careful twinkle in my eye.
"It can't be."
I bowed slightly, "Ah, but it is Endymion-sama. How are you doing this fine evening?"
Chapter 17
The restaurant we found was a popular night spot among the young urban elite of Tokyo. A couple of film stars here and there incognito. A tycoon and his overly young 'daughter.' I stifled another yawn and decided to skip alcohol for the night. "Tea. And hurry."
Rei watched me with considerable amusment, "Sometimes, you are just like a child."
I gulped down my boiling drink and coughed into my sleeve, "Sometimes?"
"Well, most of the time."
"I try my humble best." I breathed in deeply and felt energy surging back into my tired bones, "Alright. I don't feel like I'm going to die anymore."
"That's certainly a positive." She took a delicate sip of her tea. "So, about the Yamaha account-"
I raised my hand, "No business. I have a rule. During dinner, there is to be absolutely no business done. I only accept phone calls that constitute personal emergencies."
"But you worked through dinner today...er yesterday."
I glared at her, "Stop pointing out my inconsistencies."
Rei smiled at me and was about to reply, when stopped by a beeping in her purse. Her face drained of color and she stood up, "I am sorry Kaitou-san, but I have to take this. Would you excuse me?"
I nodded, then called over a waiter. "Yes, sir?"
"Hold this table for me. I'll be back in twenty minutes."
"Sir?"
"Just do it." I pushed a couple of bills into his hand, clapped his shoulder, and pushed my way towards the nearest exit.
Rei found an empty stall in the bathroom and pulled out the communicator. Sailor Moon's face swam into coherence. "Large scale youma attack. At least twelve of them, both aerial and ground. We need support and fast."
"I'm on my way."
I followed my senses to the scene. I didn;t have my conveniently hooded cloak to protect me this time, but with luck it would not matter. I spotted Sailor Venus and two others I did not know push back a group of four youma with energy and physical assaults. A tall, blond one jump kicked a monster in the head, sending its comrades scurrying out of the way.
I could sense another couple of senshi falling back against a larger group of six.
And of course, Tuxedo Mask was up in the air, tangling with two aerial attackers. I could see rose projectiles scything through the air in blurs of crimson, but it no avail. The flyers dodged and weaved, spitting acidic at their lone antagonist.
Up it is. I vaulted myself high into the air, landing deftly on the flat roof of a sky scrapper. A fierce dogfight reigned as Tuxedo Mask struggled to shed his pursuers. They seemed to not have noticed me, until one of the flyer dipped too low and I leapt up to grab hold onto one of its talons. The sudden weight pulled the creature to the rooftop and we hit the ground hard. I cushioned my fall with some selectively cast magic and stood to face my opponent. The bird/reptile/human type creature looked at me with hard and intelligent eyes. It opened its mouth, probably to spit an acid ball at me. I raised my hand. "First, a question."
It hissed softly as if contemplating whether or not to answer. I sighed, "Look. I'm almost certain that you understand me."
It hurffed amusedly, "You are rather intelligent, human. So what shall we talk off, before we dance?"
I smiled without humor, "Where are you guys coming from? I must say I'm rather impressed. You've done a masterful insertion. One even I might have been proud of."
"Indeed." It paused for a moment, then a chilling smile passed over its face. "I see the resemblance now. Your face is shaded the same way. If you are who I think, then you already know."
I must have looked puzzled for a moment, because it took that moment to spit at me. I threw myself to the side and focused my mental energies to yank its foot out from underneath it.
Without a weapon, I was annoyingly helpless. And more to the point, I was not particularly proficient at the energy weapon thing. I was stuck with more mundane methods of self defense. I pulled my powers around me, forming a sort of positive energy shield. It wouldn't stop a bullet or a determined swordsman, but it might just-
Another ball of acid was spat down my way and I spun, deflecting it it away from me. Okay, now a weapon.
I glanced about the roof and spied a conveniently placed stack of iron rods, likely the leftovers from the original construction. I sprinted over, dodging another acid blast and grabbing hold of a rusty iron bar.
I twirled the bar like a staff and held it in front of me in a defensive position. The monster regarded me a little more warily then threw itself at me with a terrible roar. I spun backwards, picking off its taloned hands with consummate skill. I felt myself breathing a little heavily, but forced my mind onto the task at hand.
The monster, danced around a bit in a silly little jig, before my sensory perceptions tipped me off to the presence of another. It was merely a ploy to hold my attention, as its compatriot tore through the sky like a divebomber, to take me off guard. I did a little jig myself, manuevering around a bit to bring both of them into my vision.
The diving one, suddenly without a target, skidded across the building top, striking sparks up as it went. The creature came to a quick halt and then turned and hissed at me. I lifted my staff and gritted my teeth. The dangers of the situation were obvious. Two creatures, far stronger than me, with greater mobility and lest we forget a ranged attack.
Versus me. With my pathetic mental shield and an improvised staff. I glared at them, feeling the anger course through my veins, radiating out from me like a heat from a flame. Both of them stepped back for a moment, then conversed for a moment in a language that I did not understand.
The one that had not spoken befored intoned carefully, "It will be an honor killing you."
I lifted an eyebrow and replied without irony, "I would like you see you take advantage of that."
The first one crossed the distance in a flash and aimed a heavy cuff at my head. I ducked and swiped the staff underneath its foot. The second, though, was right behind and spun around to whip its tail across my chest. I felt it impact and drive me back six feet, winded and possibly injured.
The fury in my mind grew and I raised the staff again to face them. This time they both came in together, one spitting an acid ball,
the other swinging its tail in the formerly successful move. I dodged underneath both and in a burst of inspiration speared the swinging tail into the concrete. The ground trembled beneath me in the effort and an inhuman wail filled the air.
Ignoring that, I turned to see the other creature preparing to hock another deadly loogie at me and decided to preempt that. I thrust my hand to it neck, gripping it as tightly as I could. Its eyes bugged out at my surprising strength and its hands reached up to pry my fingers from its throat. I snarled at it and squeezed it even harder, imagining that it could feel the heat from my rage.
Surprisingly, it began to gurgle helplessly and then turn ashen white before crumpling at my feet. I felt a new energy course through my body and I smiled evilly as I turned to the speared monster on my other side.
But he was already dead, from a rose to the heart. And that could only mean-
"Kuso."
Tuxedo Mask stepped out into the light, a faintly amused look on his face. "Kuso, indeed. At last we meet."
The blond man sighed and straightened , "I suppose it would be too late to ask you what the hell you're talking about."
In his most urbane and intelligent voice, Mamoru replied, "I would say so, yes. But you could try that anyway."
The blond sighed again, and cracked his neck, "How are the senshi doing?"
Mamoru glanced over the building side and smiled, "Fine. They've cornered the last three and are about to take them out. Which leaves us a little time to talk."
The man laughed, but there was little humor in it, "Ah, what I was most afraid of."
Mamoru chuckled too, but kept his eye on the man. By all counts, this was a wily one. There would be no chances taken. He crossed the roof and put a hand on the man's shoulder. The blond didn't flinch.
I felt the hand on my shoulder and did not have time to steel myself when Tuxedo Mask spun me around to see me face to face.
The surprise in his eyes was a nice, short-term reward, something to keep myself from dwelling on the long term repercussions. I smiled graciously and offered a careful twinkle in my eye.
"It can't be."
I bowed slightly, "Ah, but it is Endymion-sama. How are you doing this fine evening?"