Avenging Angel
Chapter Twenty
Birthday Party and Phone Calls
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the story. Also I have to type this all over again because the computer wouldn't acknowledge its existence first time around. Hopefully it will this time.
Later that evening Usagi was sitting in front of her vanity brushing her hair, and trying to weave it in to a French Braid. She had just finished when she heard a knock on her bedroom door. "Come in." She called out. The door opened and in stepped her uncle Shuuichi carrying her present in the palm of his hand.
"Happy Birthday Usa-chan." He said while giving her a kiss on her forehead.
"Arigato Oji-chan." She answered.
Shuuichi gave her his present, which she unwrapped eagerly, and gasped in delight at the beautiful diamond pendant with matching earrings.
"Oji-chan it's beautiful." She breathed and then gave her favorite Oji a hug. Shuuichi returned the hug whole-heartedly. "Not nearly as beautiful as you are tonight." He replied
Usagi giggled and fastened the pendant around her neck, and then put the matching earrings in her ears. When she was done. She took her uncle's offered arm, and the two of them made their way towards the stairway. When they were half way down the stairs they heard several admiring gasps. (But this time there wasn't any sounds of breaking glassware. Much to Shuuichi's relief. ^o^v) At the bottom of the stairs stood Reiji Takatori. Along with Schuldig and Nagi, but there was no sign of Brad Crawford.
"Usagi-chan…Happy Birthday." Reiji said while giving her his present.
"Arigato Oji-san." She answered him with a small smile, but not that noticeable.
"Aren't you going too open it?" He asked her with a frown.
Usagi sighed inwardly and carefully unwrapped the present. When she was done her eyes widened slightly at what was inside. She carefully lifted it up out of the cardboard box to get a better look. It was a very beautiful and obviously very expensive jewelry box. It was made out crystal, and around it's borders and edges were delicately interwoven strands of gold and silver. The top of the box was colored a deep blue, and in the center was a picture of the Greek Goddess of the Hunt Artemis who was holding a crescent moon as a bow. With an arrow that was notched in to place and ready to fire, and at her side stood a baby fawn looking up at her with interest.
"Arigato Oji-san…it's very beautiful.
Shuuichi nodded his head in agreement. "It most certainly is Niisan." He remarked.
Reiji smiled, happy to see that his Mei liked his gift. "I thought that you would like it. I saw it in a jewelry store, and figured that it would some how suit you." He told her.
Usagi nodded her head, and then asked: "How is Ouka-san doing?"
Reiji sighed "The doctor's are still working on the sample that you found in the pollen." He frowned in frustration. "But they are still having trouble in figuring out how to make the antidote. It's like the poisonous substance used wasn't even from this world."
Usagi nodded her head in understanding. She knew full well that after the battle with Chaos, Sailor Mercury went to her old home world, and while she was there she found an ancient tome of her people who were not only good at healing rare diseases. But they also figured out just what poisonous toxins would be able to bring it about.
'I will have too make a special trip too Mercury and gather up the right herbs and medicines too form the antidote.' She thought to herself.
"Usagi-san…this is from me, and the other two packages are from Crawford-san and Farfarello." Nagi said while handing her one of the packages.
"Arigato Nagi-kun." She said with a smile on her face. She opened up the box and inside was a new digital camera, along with computer software to turn whatever pictures were taken, and turn them in to screensavers. She smiled at him again and nodded her head in thanks.
The next gift was from Crawford and his present was a state of the art laptop computer. 'That explains the computer software to load pictures on the computer.' She thought to herself. "I'll have too remember to thank him for his present the next time I see him." She said out loud.
She then took the rather bloody package that contained Farfarello's present, and peeled the wrapping paper off carefully. She then opened the box, half expecting a severed ear, or some other small body part. Only instead to find a pretty old fashioned hair comb.
"Wow…I didn't expect something like this from Farfarello." She said in surprise. But then she took a closer look and noticed that the top part of the comb was somewhat loose. "I wonder." She murmured and then she gently pulled the loose part upward, and sure enough a small razor sharp blade slid out. Usagi gave out a small snicker and said: "Yeah…I figured as much."
She then noticed that the other people who knew about Farfarello's taste in gifts shake their heads in both exasperation and amusement. She then slid the blade back in to its sheath and fastened it in the upper part of her braid.
Omi then stepped up toward her and handed her his present. "Here's my gift Usagi-chan." He said with a smile. She opened it and found a cell phone that had all the latest features. "Arigato Omi-kun." She replied and then gave her cousin and best friend a hug.
"And here's mine Usagi-chan." Ken spoke up after the two of them separated. Usagi thanked him and opened his gift, which contained a bracelet with small moonstones and opals. He then handed her another present and said that it was from Aya. She opened it and found another hair comb with two silver hair picks that had small crescent moons on them. Usagi made a mental note to thank Aya tomorrow for his gift.
Ken gave Yohji's present next although he handed it to her rather reluctantly. Omi who also knew Yohji eyed it suspiciously. Who knew what the Koneko no Sumi Ie's resident Playboy had bought for her. Usagi who noticed this opened the small clothing box, and parted the packaging paper. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers and her face turned bright red. Along with Omi and Nagi's, Shuuichi's and Reiji's face also turned bright red, but not for the same reason as Usagi's and the others. They also let out a couple of expletives about the Playboy, and what they were going to do to him when they saw him again. Ken and Schuldig were clenching their fists and thinking up various tortures. But decided to just let Usagi's two uncles torture him and instead give him a couple of black eyes.
Usagi snapped out of her shock-induced state, and stuffed the rather revealing articles of clothing back in to its box and closed the lid. Then she stormed to a nearby closet, and tossed the package into it and slammed the door with a growl.
She then turned to face Schuldig who held out his hands in apology and said: "Gomen Tenshi…but my present did not arrive yet in the mail. So I don't have anything to give you right now." He apologized.
Usagi nodded her head in understanding. "That's all right Schuldig-san, it's not your fault." She then mentally added: ~" It had just better not be like Kudou-san's."~ She mentally growled.
Schuldig cocked an eyebrow and replied: ~" Nein Tenshi…it's not. I know better than too give you something like that. Especially since I know that your two uncles would most likely castrate me for doing so."~
A few minutes later Manx walked in and announced that dinner was ready. Just as everyone was heading in to the Dining Room Reiji'' cell phone rang, and he broke out of the group to answer.
"Moshi-Moshi." He said. "Ah…Crawford-san, How are things going at the Prime Ministers Building?"
He listened carefully and nodded his head in pleasure. "Sugareta…call me when the job is done. I want to give the good news too Usagi-chan personally."
He closed the connection and then entered the Dining Hall and took his place next to Usagi at the table and waited as the server handed him his plate.
"Oji-san…what happened? You look like the cat who ate the canary." Usagi asked while she was being served.
"It was just a business phone call Usagi-chan. Nothing important." Reiji told her.
Usagi just shrugged her shoulders and began eating her meal, and soon everyone got in to a festive mood and the celebrations began.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Meanwhile at the Prime Ministers Building:
Bradley Crawford put away his cell phone and looked at his Rolex watch. He knew that by now Akiko was leading the last two threats to Usagi's into the elevator. In a few minutes Chiba Mamoru, and Hino Rei would be walking in expecting a Birthday Party in full swing. Crawford narrowed his eyes 'Speaking of which.' He thought to himself. 'I had better turn on the cassette player.'
Earlier that day Reiji Takatori had given the order that his office employees had better make noises and sounds as if they were at a Birthday Party. Which they gladly did, for they had heard about the contract that had been put out on the Police Commissioner Takatori Shuuichi's beloved Mei, and although none of them cared much for their boss. (Especially since he had done something to their friends and families. Although none of them could prove it.) They wanted to help protect Tsukino Usagi…who was like a daughter, or a little sister, or even a granddaughter.
Crawford turned on the cassette player and the room was filled with the sounds that the employees had recorded. Two seconds later the elevator door outside the room opened, and out stepped Akiko who was pushing a cart of appetizers. Behind Mamoru and Rei followed both dressed in their best evening clothes.
Akiko turned to face them and said: "I will go in first too make certain that she's in there, and if she is I will give you the signal too come in."
Mamoru and Rei nodded their heads in agreement. "Good idea Akiko. At least Ami-chan was able too get the Party plans out of Ouka before she was poisoned." Mamoru answered.
Rei nodded her head and inwardly smirked along with Akiko. Although for different reasons.
Rei's smirk was due to the fact that her only remaining rival was now on a cruise ship bound for America.
Where as Akiko smirk was due to the fact that he knew that Mizuno Ami was now dead and set adrift in the harbor. He had made sure of it because he told one of the workers who was on Reiji Takatori's payroll that the female passenger by the name of Mizuno Ami had poisoned Takatori-san's beloved musume, and was therefore targeted for assassination. He also mentioned that the one who succeeded in killing her would be rewarded handsomely. Needless to say that the worker had spread the news to his fellow workers, and when it came time for the passengers to wave good-bye to their friends and families. Ami was being attacked and killed in her cabin by the worker and his buddies on the other side of the ship.
Akiko walked in to the room and nodded his head at Crawford. He then opened the door slightly to the signal his last two targets to enter. Once they were in Akiko locked the doors behind them and gave them a cruel smirk.
In front of them Crawford took out his gun, while Farfarello who had been licking his knife looked at Rei insanely and asked: "Will killing a Priestess hurt God." Rei backed away in fear and was grabbed from behind by Akiko. Akiko smirked down at Rei and answered: "Hai…Farfarello-san. He would cry several buckets worth." Farfarello grinned insanely and lunged forward.
While this little conversation was going on between them Crawford had Mamoru in his sights and was getting ready to fire. "Takatori-san asked me to give you a message." He said: "Don't ever mess with the Takatori Family!" So saying Crawford pulled the trigger and opened fire.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Back at Shuuichi' home everyone had finished dinner and was now talking about whatever was on their mind while they were waiting for the Birthday cake.
"Well Usagi-chan…how are you doing so far? Are you enjoying yourself?" Reiji asked her while she was having a quiet conversation with Omi on how to cheer up Hotaru after she got out of the Hospital.
"Hai Oji-san…for the first time in a long time. I am actually having a pleasant Birthday, and it's not being ruined by an attack for once." She answered him with a sigh of relief.
Shuuichi and Reiji looked at her in confusion. Along with everyone else who was sitting at the table, and when she saw their confused expressions she explained: "On my last two Birthdays. I was attacked by youma who were always showing up in my district."
"Oh…I see." Everyone chorused.
Just then the cook and some servers came in wheeling a rather large Birthday cake, and several small bowls containing ice cream. Everyone started to sing Happy Birthday and Usagi silently wished that she could disappear through the floor. When they were finished Shuuichi said: "Make a wish Usagi-chan."
Usagi closed her eyes and made a silent wish to her Ginshinzhou that Hotaru would have a speedy recovery. The crystal glowed a little bit in answer to her prayer, and across town Hotaru was bathed in a soft glow for a few minutes, and then the light faded. Hotaru slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She then sighed and murmured softly. "Arigato Usagi-mama."
Back at the party Usagi gave a small sigh of relief and opened her eyes again. She noticed Schuldig looking at her with a faint grin and knew that he had overheard her silent prayer. The cook then cut out a rather big slice of cake and gave it to Usagi along with a bowl of ice cream. The servers in the mean time had also cut out somewhat big slices for everyone else and gave him or her their ice cream.
While everyone was eating his or her cake and ice cream Reiji cell phone rang and he once again excused himself.
"Moshi-Moshi." He said and then furrowed his brows while he listened to Crawford on the other end. "How did it happen?" He asked again and listened to his Head assistant carefully for a few minutes. Then his face contorted in rage. "I'll be right over!" He yelled and then slammed his cell phone shut.
He then returned to the Dining Hall and said: "Gomen nasai Usagi-chan, Shuuichi. Demo I have too go, there has been a problem at both the Ministry Building, and the Hospital." He explained with a look of frustration on his face. "Mind if I borrow Schuldig and Nagi for a few hours? I will probably be needing their services for the rest of the evening."
Usagi and Shuuichi nodded their heads and Reiji left with Schuldig and Nagi right behind him. Usagi then turned to her uncle and asked: "Oji-chan…may I call Setsuna and the others?"
"Of course Usa-chan." He replied and then turned to face Manx who had came in to the Dining Room with a report on something. "It seems that I have some Police business too take care of." He told her.
Usagi walked in to another room and dialed the Outers home phone number. She waited for a few minutes listening to it ring, and then she hung up she then dialed Haruka's cell phone number and after a few rings she answered the phone.
"Moshi-Moshi." Haruka said.
"Haruka-chan…it's me Usagi."
"Koneko-chan! How is your Birthday Party going?"
"It was going just fine until a few minutes ago." Usagi told her. "Is Setsuna-chan with you?"
"Hai…hold on Koneko-chan."
A few minutes past and then the Senshi of Time was on the line. "Hai Hime-sama?"
"Setsuna-chan have you heard anything from the hospital?" Usagi asked her.
" Hai…A few minutes ago. It was mostly because Hotaru-chan has made a complete recovery." Setsuna gave a small groan. "Needless too say Haruka was elated and 'accidentally' mixed up the highway numbers with the speed limit."
Usagi snickered at Setsuna tone of voice. She knew full well that Haruka loved to break the speed limit and race the wind. But then her tone grew serious and said: "Reiji Oji-san got a phone call a few minutes ago. Apparently he tried to finish off Chiba No Baka, and Pyro. Demo something went wrong and Chiba got away, and kidnapped Ouka-san. I was just wondering if he had kidnapped Taru-chan as well."
At the Hospital Setsuna frowned at this bit of news. "Iie Hime-sama. We are all in Hotaru-chan's room and she is perfectly fine."
Usagi sighed in relief. "Thank Selene for special favors." She replied. "Setsuna you and the others stay with Hotaru-chan. Just in case the idiot decides too kidnap her as well."
"Are you sure Hime-sama…one of us can come and watch over you as well." Setsuna asked her. Her voice tinged with worry.
"Hai Setsuna-chan… I'm sure, I have my Oji-chan, along with Omi-kun, and Ken-kun with me."
"All right Hime-sama, but at the first sign of trouble call me, and I'll be there in an instant."
"I will Setsuna-chan…Oh…and Setsuna-chan."
"Hai Hime-sama?"
"STOP CALLING ME HIME!!!!" Usagi screamed in to the phone.
Setsuna winced and rubbed her ear to get the ringing and replied: "Gomen Hime-sama." Setsuna then hung up quickly while chuckling to herself.
Usagi looked down at her new cell phone and let out an ominous growl. As she walked back to the Dining Room she muttered under her breath with a growl: "One of these days Setsuna…One of these days."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile at the Hospital:
Reiji Takatori was standing next to the empty hospital bed where his daughter had once occupied. But his current attention was focused solely on Crawford who was standing there stoically waiting for his employer to speak (and he didn't have very long to wait. -_- )
"How could you let this happen?!" Reiji yelled "Akiko had practically given them too you gift wrapped! So how could you let Chiba-san escape!"
Bradley Crawford sighed and pushed up his slightly broken glasses with his index finger. He let Reiji Takatori yell at him for another minute or so, and then spoke: "I'm sorry Mr. Takatori. Everything was going according too plan. Farfarello and Akiko had finished off Hino Rei, and I had opened fire on Mr. Chiba. The bullet would have hit it's mark, but he was somehow able too dodge it and Farfarello, and then get to the fire exit. Akiko was the first too go after him, with Farfarello and myself right behind him. We chased him down the stairs and in to the atrium. The lights were out so we had split up. I went straight in to the bushes while Farfarello checked the miniature shrub maze. Akiko had joined him he went one way and Farfarello went another. Ten minutes later we heard Akiko give a yell of surprise. We took off the way he had went and quite literally tripped over him. Apparently Mr. Chiba was not unarmed and stabbed Akiko in the heart. We then heard a door slam and hurried to catch him, but by the time we got there he was already in the elevator and heading for the Lobby. I called down to the Security Desk and ordered them too prevent his escape."
Reiji's eyes narrowed. "And?!"
"When we got there both of the Security guards were dead, and Chiba's bloody footprints could be seen heading out the door." Crawford finished.
Reiji closed his eyes in annoyance and frustration. Apparently Mamoru Chiba was both cunning and ruthless when he needed to be. And to make matters worse his plans of telling Usagi that her former boyfriend and friends were dead, and no longer a threat. 'Not only that…demo I just lost a most promising young man who I was going too bring in to my criminal empire.' He thought to himself. Reiji let out an ominous growl and took out his cell phone and dialed his younger brothers number. He heard it ring three times before it was picked up by his assistant.
"Moshi-Moshi." Manx answered.
"Put my ototo on the line. I have some bad news." Reiji told her gruffly.
A minute later Shuuichi was on the line.
Reiji-niisan…what is it? What's the problem?"
"Chiba Mamoru has kidnapped Ouka-chan from the Hospital." Reiji explained. "It's most likely that he will try and use her as bait, to lure Usagi-chan in to a trap. Seeing as how they are somewhat related too each other, and you know as well as I do how Usagi-chan feels about her family and loved ones in danger." Reiji told him.
Shuuichi groaned and rubbed his eyes. He did indeed know how Usagi felt about her family and loved ones being put in danger. He especially remembered a conversation that he had had with her right after her family was buried.
Flashback:
"Shuuichi Oji-chan." Usagi said while they were driving back to Shuuichi's home after the funeral.
"Hai Usagi-chan." He replied while concentrating on the road.
"You are the only person that I will ever acknowledge as family. But in the unlikely event that I ever do start too consider Reiji Oji-san and his children as family. I want you to know that I would never tolerate Mamoru or my former friends harming you or any one else that I care about. Should anything like that ever happen…Selene forbid….I will not rest until they have payed a thousand fold." She told him in a very cold voice.
Shuuichi slowed the car down and parked on the side of the road. He turned toward his Mei with the intent of assuring her that that would never happen when he caught a glimpse of something glowing on her forehead. It was a partially visible eight-pointed star. He then saw her eyes and gasped. The once beautiful sapphire blue eyes were now a cold silver blue.
She looked at him seriously and said quietly: "This I swear by the moon."
End Flash Back:
Shuuichi inwardly shivered and said: "All right…I will put out an A.P.B. on Chiba Mamoru. Hopefully we will find him before Usa-chan finds out."
Reiji nodded his head in approval and then hang up. He then turned to Crawford and the other members of Schwarz and said angrily: "I want him found Crawford. If anything happens too my Musume, I want him found and brought to me. So I can personally kill him myself."
Crawford, Schuldig, Nagi, and Farfarello nodded their heads and bowed. Reiji made a motion towards the door and the members of Schwarz headed out to search for Chiba Mamoru and bring him to their enraged employer.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*
Finished. I wanted too get this chapter done and uploaded before my mom and I headed out to Seattle tomorrow morning. I also hope that you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Signed Magic Cat.