OMG! Yes! It ish updated::dies: I'm sooooooooosorry for making you guys wait so long for this. :profuse bowing: Gomen nasai! School's a bitch. > Anyhoo, I'm already working on the next chapter so it shouldn't be that long til it's up too. Sorry I can't thank each of my wonderful reviewers individually this time since there are so many of you and I have about an hour and a half to write a five page essay on how I can fix the energy crisis in America. :explodes: Anyhoo, here it is! The big chapter number 5! Heehee! Have fun you guys! Ja.
Chapter 5: Preparations for a Surprise
Leon woke early the next morning, in an incredibly good mood. He quickly showered and changed, getting ready for an eventful day. There were a lot of things he needed to do before dinner time, and most of them would take him right through Chinatown. So, he decided to walk. There would be no possible way for D to catch him while he was out if he never saw his car. And besides, he could use the exercise. A smirk played on his lips as he thought of D. He's gonna be in for a real surprise today. He grabbed his wallet and keys and strolled down the sidewalk, humming quietly to himself.
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D was awake early as well, but not nearly as cheerful. He had not slept well at all and for once, you could tell. Despite his youthful features, the dark circles around his eyes were very evident. He could barely keep his eyes open long enough to fix his morning cup of tea. He was seriously considering going back to bed and simply closing the shop for the day. Unfortunately, Q-chan would hear nothing of it and squeaked furiously at the mere idea. Reluctantly, D fed the animals and opened the shop for business. I've never felt so heavy before. I wonder if this is what it feels like to be heartbroken...
The floor was swept and all the cages cleaned but it seemed as though those would be the only chores D would do that day. It was well past afternoon before anyone walked through the door. He sighed heavily as he heard the soft steps of a woman entering the shop. I had hoped to make it through the day without a customer but oh well. He plastered a smile to his face and stepped around the corner.
"Hello. And welcome." D greeted as pleasantly as he could. "What can I do for you?" The woman shook her head and waved her hand dismissively.
"Sorry to be so rude," she began quickly, "but I'm only here to deliver a message." She pulled a scrap of paper from her purse and handed it to the dumbfounded kami. She smiled sweetly at him as she turned to leave. "Now I know why Leon spends so much time here." She winked childishly at him and scurried out the door before D could collect his thoughts. ...why Leon spends so much time here? What did she mean by that?
He shook his head, shrugging off her words as he turned his attention to the note in his hand. It was written in Leon's scratchy handwriting, barely readable by any standard, but, having seen enough of it, D could read it fairly well.
D,
I know I already apologized for the other day but I still feel like I need to make it up to you. Meet meat the cafe down the street at 6 tonight. Don't be late.
Leon
D stared hard at the note, wondering if Leon had caught some rare disease that made him suddenly turn nice. Make it up to me? That doesn't sound like Leon at all...I wonder what he's up to... He glanced up at the clock. Hmm...it's only 3 now...that gives me about two and a half hours to tend to the shop and get ready. That way I'll have plenty of time to get to the cafe and wait for Leon. A small smile appeared as he walked to the back of the shop, though no one but a little ball of fur and teeth caught the reason for the kami's change in mood. T-chan growled quietly but resigned to stay under the couch and glare at the door. As long as he doesn't expect me to be nice to the damn human, I suppose there's no harm...
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Leon was tired. He had spent the entire day pulling strings and calling in reservations to make sure things went as smoothly as possible. He'd had breakfast with Jill who, after a lengthy explanation, had agreed immediately to help in any way she could. She had already taken the note he had written by the shop and was keeping an eye on things at the office to make sure the chief didn't catch him out and about when he was supposedly so sick he couldn't even move. She's such a good friend. As much as I put her through on a daily basis She still takes the time to help me out when I need it.
He smiled at the thought. It was very true. Every time he'd gotten himself in a jam, Jill was always there to help him out of it, even when it meant putting her own well being on the line. She was unconditional in everything she did. Well, almost everything. He glanced at his watch and nodded to himself. Good. One more phone call and I'll head down to the cafe. If everything goes as planned, this will be very interesting...in fact, it'll be a hell of a night whether it works or not!
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The pet shop was dark and lifeless. Q-chan sat on the window sill meeping softly as he waved to the retreating figure of the count. D smiled, waving in return. I'm glad Q-chan stayed behind to watch the shop for me while I'm out. This way it really will be just the two of us. He nearly giggled, barely stifling his excitement. He had himself worked into a near giddy state by the time the cafe came into view. This is silly. What am I so worked up about? It's not like there's anything special about this. He's just trying to make up for running out on me. No big deal.
He sighed, the giddiness falling away as he thought about the reason Leon had asked him to show up. It really isn't anything special. He didn't even ask me himself. He sent that lovely young lady to. Most likely his girlfriend or something. He sat down on a bench in front of the cafe, feeling his previous depression returning, only to look up as a white limousine pulled into view.
