EEK. My brain, it works too fast, and too much. I think... Well I got this great idea for a fic, and I just wanted to get it out of my head a little bit. I'm still going to write this out, just to get the idea out! Please read and review so I can get input! Comments are welcomed. Praise is great! Flames are used to improve! Intro into this story was helped by yohko-lily!
Oh! Before I forget! I NEED AN OC FOR THIS FIC!!!! Go to my homepage to get allt he info!
Diclaimer: Rio is mine... Kao-ri is yohko-lily's... and GOD I wish I had Kai, Tala, and Rei. -.-
"Talking"
"Thinking"
Stress a word
Shadow
Chapter 1
"I-I'm sorry Master...but I wasn't able to retrieve the ancient power...their head quarters were too heavily guarded..." Sweat was almost pouring from the young man's body as he remained, apprehensively awaiting the answer from his boss. The room was dark, a single light pouring upon the silhouette with dark maroons hair. On his hands and knees, his body shook, with the anticipation of the words from the leader that sat down behind the desk in front of him. His claws laced lightly together, deep in thought.
"So...you dare to fail me yet again..." His voice husky and low, the malice was dripping through the air. "I gave you a chance to redeem yourself and this is how you repay my gratitude?"
"Oh please, please, Sir. Please give me one more chance," cried the man, his voice cracking. "I know I can get in, and get that power for you. I just need more time..."
"But time is something you don't have," softly spoke the leader. The maroon haired man was pleading like a baby, his body shaking as if he was going to have hypothermia.
"Puh – puh - please. Sir," beseech the man, quivering in fear.
"You had all your chances. And they know who you are. You are useless to me," stated the voice behind the desk. There was a shifting in the shadows of the room, and the man on the floor could hear the footprints and the clicking noises surrounding him.
"No, please. One more chance-"
"I am sorry, I had high hopes for you."
"Sir! I'll do anything! I promise you a victory, I will steal the-"
"Do you remember our first rule? Rule one, everything you know is a deception..."
The man's eyes widened and his face turned a ghostly white shade, as he felted the cool steel pressing up towards his left temple...
---
The neko-jin was walking down the long corridor towards the room of the leader of the Bái Hu Zu. The hallway was long and cold, much like the rest of the underground building. This war, this continuing war had caused all the Bái Hu Zu to run underneath the earth's surface in order to survive. The upper level was taken over by other groups, the Oceanus, the Morgans, and a few others. One in particular, the Hiwataris.
Just the mention of the name made the hairs on the arms of the Bái Hu Zu members to stand on end. They had this ... power. And according to all the high Bái Hu Zu officials, the Hiwataris stole it from them.
And now, they wanted it back. It was theirs, nothing more and nothing less. The leader personally requested for his presence, for the "big assignment". It would all be in his hands.
"Do you remember our first rule? Rule one, everything you know is a deception..."
He heard this through the door, as his hand was placed on the door handle. But as he turned the door handle, there was a blast coming from inside.
Golden eyes watched as the body on its knees fell down into a pool of blood. Narrowing his glare, he growled inside, not really liking the way the leader was handling this war. He was killing all who failed. They needed the men they could have.
"I see I should have arrived sooner," he stated loud enough to bring attention towards him.
"Good to see you, Rei," stated the leader; his tone all friendly and open.
"Do I want to render a guess as to why the floor is dirty, Lee?"
"I think it is more important to know why you are here?"
"I am aware of the situation. You want me to infiltrate the Hiwataris' location of the power," rhythmically stated Rei. Lee crossed his arms and nodded his head.
"Then I leave you with no instructions," he replied. "Just the knowledge that I can depend on you to complete this Rei."
"And I shall take that as a gratitude. I just want to warn you, Lee; I have a plan that I am going to put into play. The conditions that it requires are no Bái Hu Zu can be anywhere near me as long as I am on the upper level."
"And?" questioned Lee, as he was nodding his head.
"And I require plenty of time. I have watched our people rush in and try to just take the power with sheer force, and it is getting us nowhere," declared Rei, his glance casting over towards the corpse on the ground, the stench of death reeking through the room. Lee's glance followed Rei's and he waved his hand at the others behind him.
"Take the time you need. I trust you, Rei. You are the most reliable member of the Bái Hu Zu that I can count on. I am not sure why I did not put you on this earlier."
Rei nodded and stepped aside as the black suits behind Lee walked around the desk and picked up the corpse, dragging it out of the room, the stream of blood following out with him. Turning, Rei started out of the room.
"Oh, Rei?" Turning around, the neko-jin's eyes latched on to those of his leader's "I trust you with this. And remember everything that you'll hear is a deception."
---
The music was blasting; the bass was bouncing off the walls, adding to the jumping of the floor. People were dancing, grinding their hips into the rhythm and into one another. Bartenders were rushing through their bottles; the alcohol was flowing quicker than the people were coming into the place. The casino was a hit, much cash was flying in as little was given in return. But still, the customers came back for more.
At all entrances to the club were bouncers, kicking out many who weren't members of the club. And it took a while to gain acceptance and clearing to get into the club. The line outside went for blocks, waiting to get in. So was the life at The Benu.
In the corner of the bar sat two girls. The taller of the two had dark red shoulder length hair and crystal blue eyes. She wore a dark purple dress that came down just above her knees, a long black coat, and high black boots. Her hair was up and only a few strands of hair hung down, the rest was lifted up into the French twist. Next to her, the shorter one had a razor straight, light blue hair that included bangs that ended at the tip of her nose. The rest of her layered hair fell just bellow her shoulders. She wore a circular pendant around her neck, and just below her eyes were painted two thin, blue stripes. Dressed in a snow-white sleeveless belly shirt and tan cargo pants, her gray eyes were lost in a pair of black ones.
"So, I was wondering if you have any other plans tonight?" questioned the young, handsome, rich man. The girl lost in his gaze placed her finger to her lip seductively and appeared to ponder.
"Hmm. Let me check my schedule," she said. "Kao-chan?" The 21-year-old rolled her eyes and almost let out a groan of annoyance. She didn't really want to play this game, especially not in the Benu.
"I don't think you do. I could be wrong, but last time I 'checked' you were free." Her voice was laced in sarcasm, but the guy was obviously lost in the beauty he was asking out to care to notice.
"Great! There is this restaurant that I can get us in. Very exclusive. I'm probably your only ticket in," he replied, eyes flashing as in hinting anything.
"Ok, he's a bit conceded, but why should I care? I'm finally being asked out on a date!" the 19-year-old thought, getting all pumped up and excited
"Sounds great!"
"Maybe you two should leave now," suggested Kao-ri. "Don't want to get 'stuck in traffic'." The younger girl gave her best friend a quizzical look.
"Traffic at 1 in the morning? Oh!"
"Alright then, my car is-" started the guy, but he was so rudely interrupted when a taller figure shoved himself in between the girls and the guy.
"Sorry to break this up, but the lady seems to have forgotten a meeting she must attend," stated the new man, his cyan eyes casting a troublesome glance into the gray ones. The girl bit her lip, knowing that they had been caught. Her brother was going to be furious.
"Hey, buddy," snapped the guy, pushing the 6'3" Russian to the side. "No offense, but I saw her first. Come on, we don't have to deal with this." The guy reached around and grabbed a hold of the brunette's hand, and tugged her around the tall man.
"Tala, what a surprise," stated Kao-ri, as she jumped in front of the red head, blocking him from her best friend and her "date". "What are you doing down here? Aren't you supposed to be up with your boss?" Tala flashed her a death glare, and placed his hands on her shoulders, making her stomach flip with joy on the inside. She had been crushing on Tala for a few years now, and never before had he touched her. Tala lifted her off the ground and placed her to the side, as he went off after the couple.
But Kao-ri was quick and jumped in front of him again. "Tala, you look nice tonight," she said, pretending to be drunk. "You sure you don't want to go into the closet and-"
"I think you had enough to drink," he stated, but pushed her aside again. "RIO! Get your ass back here!" But the girl was walking away fast, never looking back as they weaved through the crowd. "RIO! BRAT!" Kao-ri grabbed a hold of Tala's hand as he started to walk after her best friend, and pretended to be caught off balance and accidentally fell into a chair next to them. Kao-ri smacked her head on the chair, and fell to the ground.
"OUCH!" She rubbed her head, as it continued to sting. Tala growled and turned around.
"What the fuck is your problem?"
"My problem? You don't even let someone you care about have a damned life!" shouted Kao-ri, giving up completely on the drunk act.
"You staged this, didn't you?" questioned Tala, his eyes flashing in anger. Kao-ri stood up and crossed her arms, a smirk on her face.
"It worked, didn't it?" asked Kao-ri, nudging her head towards the exit, seeing Rio and the guy almost at the exit. Tala growled and dashed off, not before Kao-ri placed her foot in the way, causing him to trip and stumble a few steps.
"Almost there. Just out the door, and I'm free!" thought Rio.
But as soon as she was a step from the door, a large muscular chest blocked her escape. Looking up the black button suit shirt and leather jacket, her eyes came attached to crimson ones. She could feel the daggers piercing into her, and into the guy whose hand she was still holding on to.
"What is going on?"
"Something's going on?" questioned Rio. "There's something going on? What is it?" She turned her head side to side looking around. The man's glare on her was stone cold.
"Don't play with me, Rio," he growled. The guy holding onto Rio's hand pushed her back and shoved the dual haired man in front of him out of the way.
"Leave us alone! I'm going to complain to the owner of this dump about this insolence towards me! Do you know who I am?" questioned the guy, venom spitting out of his lips. Rio, already had let go of his hand, rested her hand on her head and shook it. Boy was he in for it.
As he was gathering his footing, Tala and Kao had already made it over towards the trio. The crimson eyes grew with more hatred than they had originally obtained.
"I don't know who you are, but I know who I am," he spat. "The name's Hiwatari Kai. And I'm the owner of 'this dump'." The man's face almost fell white. "And I don't appreciate any man trying to go out with my little sister over there. Tala, take care of my small business, but for you, Rio. You have some explaining to do-" Kai was pointing his finger at the younger Hiwatari, but then the guy slugged him square in the cheek, knocking Kai off balance.
"Come on, Rio. Lets get out of here," demanded the guy. Rio looked between her brother and her "date". She didn't know what to do. But her choice was made up as Kai jumped up and bull-ran into the guy, knocking him to the ground. Kai landed on top of him, and pinned him to the ground.
"KAI!" shouted Rio. "STOP IT!"
"Stay the fuck out of this, Rio," snapped Kai as he continued to punch the living shit out the guy. By now, many of the clubbers had found themselves some new entertainment. Most of them knew who the owner was, and one of his conditions of being a member of the Benu... NEVER HIT ON RIO! A few people were hooting for the owner to beat the ever-living shit out of the guy who was trying to move onto the forbidden fruit.
"DAMN YOU KAI!" shouted Rio, as she jumped and tackled her brother, knocking him off of the bloody faced "date". Kai tumbled away with Rio across the floor, knocking into plenty of people. Tala ran over and untangled the two Hiwataris, and two more of Kai's men, Bryan and Spencer, came down and picked up the bloody one.
Kai stood up, and came face to face with the man. The other had a swollen right eye and a deep gash was over his forehead and across his cheek. Blood was pouring out of his face. Kai on the other hand obtained no injuries.
"Get out, and never show yourself around my club," snarled Kai. Rio, sitting on the ground, shook her head. "Boys, if you would be so kind to let the door hit him on the way out." Spencer and Bryan nodded as the two dragged the man out of the Benu, and threw him into the back alleyway.
Kai turned towards Rio, his anger soaring off the charts. He pointed towards his office, and stalked off, the crowd splitting for the owner and his company. Tala picked up Rio, and forced her into walking in front of him. Kao-ri followed the three of them silently. She knew she would need to support her best friend. Even if Kai wouldn't want her in their.
---
Kai sat down behind his desk, looking out into mirror that allowed him to view all that was happening in his club, but allowed no access for anyone to see anything or hear anything that went on in there. He sat, hands folded, his annoyed face on. Rio sat down across from him, Tala standing right behind her, and Kao-ri was off on a nearby couch.
Kai wouldn't look at her for the longest time, and Rio knew he was pissed. There was never a time he couldn't talk or look at her that she could remember. They were tight, very tight. Tight enough for her to let him run over her life, basically.
Finally he let out a sigh. "Why do you do this?" Rio looked around at Kao-ri for support, but she shrugged. Her glance went up to Tala, but he was not much more help. Rio settled back onto the figure of her older brother in front of her.
"Listen Kai-"
"You know I told you to stay away from the men in the club," snapped Kai. "Why didn't you listen to me?"
"Because I wanted a life of my own!" she yelled back at him.
"You have a life. By the way, don't your classes start early tomorrow? Why are you up so late? You need to study and graduate from college. You sang already, go home and study," said Kai. Rio sat back and crossed her arms.
"I'm not going," she said. "My classes aren't until afternoon tomorrow anyway, Kai. If you knew all about me, why could something like that slip?"
"Don't tempt me, little sister," he growled. "You might be my family, but I don't take shit like that from anyone."
"I don't see why I even have to go to college anyway?" stated Rio. "I mean Kao-ri doesn't go and she's doing just fine-"
"I don't give a shit what your little friend does-" snapped Kai.
"HEY!" shouted Kao-ri in her own defense.
"-but I do care what happens to you," Kai declared, and then flashed Kao-ri a death glare, which made the girl frown and cross her arms. Oh how she hated Hiwatari Kai. He was such a bastard! "So you are going home right now and you're going to study and graduate so you can get a good job. I don't want to support you until you're dead."
"You're not kidding anyone, Kai. You'd rather me be under your wing until you or I croak," informed Rio with a smirk. "Besides you didn't go to college. So why should I?"
"You and I both know why I didn't go to college, Rio," he stated. "I did not have the choice that you did." Kao-ri raised her brow, interested in this comment. Well Kai noticed this, and quickly ended it there, before he revealed anything to his little sister's best friend.
"Kai. You can't compare me to you," stated Rio. "Besides I am happy with the life I live."
"Yea, because I hand you everything on a silver platter."
"No, I take it back, I hate this life," remembering Rio. "You don't let me see a guy. I'm probably the only girl in the university that hasn't fucked a guy." Kai's temper rose with the idea of his sister and another man together in bed.
"You won't, as long as I'm around," stated Kai.
"What the fuck is your problem? You have girlfriends... no more like fucking concubines at your disposal. But I can't go out on ONE fucking date!" shouted Rio.
"What I do is not at your concern. But what you do is mine. I'm your older brother and only other family alive. In so, it is my duty to watch over you," he informed her. "And I don't want you getting hurt by a man. And I know if you go out with one, you'll get hurt!"
"No, Kai. I won't get hurt if I go out with a guy," stated Rio, ready to break into tears. "I'm hurting now. I'm deprived of having someone else to love me. How do you think that makes me feel?" Kai was silent and turned around.
"Tala, please escort Rio home and make sure she stays there until her class begins," stated Kai. He could sense the protest rising in Rio's throat. "And if she gives you any problem, I will revoke her right to sing at the club."
Rio was fuming angry, her knuckles were turning white from the grip she had on the armrests of the chair. Tala waited patiently for Rio to get up. The girl stood up with a stomp and turned on her heel, storming out of the room. Tala and Kao-ri followed her out of the room, leaving Kai to himself in the dark depths of his office.
---
"Rio, wait up!" shouted Kao-ri. Rio was storming out the Benu, Tala going to go and get the car. Kao-ri caught up with her best friend. "Hey, don't let him get to you."
"I can't help it! He's such a bastard!" shouted Rio in frustration. "One date. Is that so hard to ask?"
"To him, I guess it would be."
"Arg! I hate him sometimes," she stated.
"That's a deep cut," declared Kao-ri. She didn't like Kai either; still she couldn't figure out why he seemed to personally have a vendetta about her.
"What can I do?" questioned Rio. A devilish smile crossed onto Kao-ri's face, and Rio immediately picked up on it. "What are you thinking?" Kao-ri slipped her arm into linked Rio's. She watched, as the red head was pulling around the corner in the black Mercedes-Benz.
"Oh, I have a great plan," she stated. "Tomorrow night, we will show Kai that you aren't a child anymore."
"I'd love that, but how, he's always watching me and normally one of his 'people' is around."
"When we get to your house, we'll get Tala far enough away that we can talk more." The car pulled up and Tala waited patiently as the two girls slowly got into the back seat of the car.
