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Chapter 7: Secret Identities Are Rarely Secret

Tohru and Hatori appeared as if they could both use a shot of something very alcoholic. Kyo helped Tohru into a sitting position on the floor, but left Hatori where he was.

Hatori squeezed his eyes shut and massaged his temples. "Aaya… why would you do something so stupid?"

"I told you! To create a stronger brotherly bond with Yuki and get to know him better! Is that so hard to understand?"

"Yes.Yuki is just going to hate you even more now. And do you have any idea what those girls are, or what they'll do to him?" Hatori sat down next to Tohru.

"Now that I think about it, those girls were rather strange, but they look absolutely divine in those outfits I made for them!"

Hatori looked like he was going to throttle Ayame, but Haru spoke up before he could do anything drastic.

"So…you know where they hide out and are keeping Yuki?"

Tohru gasped when she recalled a certain dream she had had a couple of days ago. "Are they in your shop?"

"Of course! Wait…how did you know that?"

"I had a dream, but it was so strange I didn't think it meant anything."

"Well, before you go into a fit of guilt and self-pity I'm telling you that it's alright, it's not you're fault, and you didn't know." Kyo was obviously still trying to comprehend Ayame's logic and actions, and was therefore rather irritable.

"I…wasn't. No one could have known what that dream meant…and it's…silly to beat myself up about it." Tohru puzzled over her words. That's strange, a few days ago and I wouldn't have forgiven myself, even though I couldn't have known what it meant.

"Go make me some tea, Haru," Hatori commanded. "Rin, tell me why you stole my car."

"I needed to investigate." Haru put an arm around her waist protectively as she defended herself against the doctor's impending wrath.

"I could have surmised as much. The question I should have asked is: how did you get my keys?"

"Her." Rin pointed to Mai, who was ogling Ayame. She remained oblivious to the numerous sets of eyeballs that had turned toward her.

"Mai…Mai… MAI!"

"Er…what?" Mai's attention was finally turned away from Ayame.

"How did you get my keys? Why did you take my keys?"

"Rin asked me to get them so I got them. Why?"

Motoko dragged her eyes from Ayame and joined the conversation. "Just leave it at that. So, you're Yuki's brother?"

"Why yes, I am. You know, you would look marvelous in the new maid outfit I've created."

Kyo rolled his eyes. "What? Do you fan-girls fall for every decent-looking guy you see?"

Motoko seemed offended. "WHAT? Are you insinuating that I would be untrue to the unmatched Yuki?"

"Yes."

Motoko's eyes widened in anger and it looked like she was going to try and attack Kyo. Tohru stepped in. "Listen! Listen! Don't fight each other. We have to go save Yuki as soon as we can!"

"Tohru is right. We need to come up with a plan, and fast." Hatori was looking at Mai still, probably trying to figure out how Mai stole his keys.

"Ayame, how many fan-girls are there in the shop?" Haru asked.

"Oh…I'd have to say six gorgeous girls."

Kyo sighed and shook his head. "Well, at least it's not too many. We can probably take them."

"Oh no!" Everyone looked at Mai again. "Murphy's Law! Something awful will happen." Mai gasped. "The Apocalypse!"

The room was silent as everyone stared, dumbfounded, at Mai, until Rin spoke up.

"Who is that girl?"

…

"So why, exactly, are we going to Shigure's house?" Uo glanced at Hana as they walked along the path towards said house.

"Because there are many strong, strange waves coming from it. We need to check it out and make sure Tohru is okay." The smaller girl kept her gaze on the ground in front of her.

"Yeah, I agree with your reasons, but don't you think it's a little late? Its pitch black out here. You know, I think we should have called."

"Phones are useless in a situation like this."

"What situation? Since when do we have a situation?"

Hana didn't answer and they continued along for a while longer until Hana paused. "Wait, there's something coming. It doesn't feel human."

Uo stopped as well and looked up the trail. She could make out something— a man-shaped something— up ahead, "Are you sure you aren't mistaken? It looks like a person."

The person called out, "Hello, you pretty girls, you seem lost. Why don't you let me help you?"

"No. I am not mistaken. That is no human."

The figure walked closer.

"Are you sure, Hana? It really seems like a man, and a pervert at that. If it looks like a duck and acts like a duck…"

"I am not mistaken." The shape came closer until they could make out its features, which were decidedly not human.

"On second thought, maybe you're right."

The man-thing looked at them for a second and then rushed Hana, grabbed her, and bit into her neck.

"HANA!"

Uo rushed the man and tried to throw him off Hana, but he was too strong. Uo saw Hana literally sparking and wisely decided to back off.

It was a smart move, seeing as the next instant he went up in flames, and then burst into dust.

"Hana! Are you okay?" Uo grabbed Hana before she hit the ground, "What did you do to that thing?"

"I'll be alright. I electrocuted him and his clothes caught fire. I think it would be wise to hurry to Tohru now."

"Yeah, are you sure you're going to be alright? What was that thing?"

"Not human."

…

All the lights were on and shining from inside the house, and Tohru had locked all the doors and windows. The eight of them were squished around the dining room table planning and drinking tea.

"So," Rin began as she looked over her cup at Tohru and Hatori, "what did you mean when you asked Ayame if he knew what those girls were? What are they, then, and what will they do to Yuki?"

Hatori didn't bat an eye. "They're gang members on LSD, and we don't know what exactly they'll do."

"Uh-huh." Rin didn't look very convinced.

Motoko was impatient. "What are we doing, sitting around this small table as if nothing important was happening? Who knows what wicked things those fan-girls are doing to my precious Yuki! We must save him with the speed of the gods themselves!"

"Bravo! Well said! Though I must admit I'm not seeing any reason to 'save' Yuki. He seemed well enough when I was there."

"Aaya, what were you doing with Yuki, and how exactly did you think that kidnapping him would create a stronger 'brotherly bond'?" Hatori asked.

"Oh, well-"

"Uo and Hana are at the door!" Tohru cried, leaped up, and ran out the room to said door.

Everyone listened as the door unlocked and opened. "Uo! Hana! What are you— Hana! What happened to you! Oh! Come on, this way!" Worry was very evident in her voice.

Their voices came closer to the living room.

"There are some wicked strange things happening of late, Tohru. We just got attacked by this man-thing who bit Hana! We came to make sure everything was okay with you."

They entered the room and everyone saw what had happened to Hana. She had her hand pressed to the side of her neck and some blood was dribbling down her hand.

"Did they…uh…have ridges and fangs and stuff?" Kyo asked nervously, even though he already knew the answer.

"Yeah, how'd you know that, Carrot-top?"

"A bandage would be very appreciated." Hana voiced her need to the crowd.

"Oh! Right! Right!" Tohru looked very flustered and started to rise when Ayame interrupted her.

"Never fear, my dear! I'll go get those bandages!" Ayame left before Tohru could object, Haru quickly rose and followed him.

"I suppose we should tell them about everything, Hatori. Right?" Tohru asked.

"Secret identity, Tohru. Secret!" Kyo looked rather infuriated.

"Well, it won't do very much harm, and the more fighters we have the better. You see, Uo, Hana, Rin, there are vampires and demons, and there is the Slayer, who is gifted with the power and skill to stop the powers of darkness. Tohru is a Slayer. An American Slayer changed it so that all the potentials became Slayers."

All three stared at Hatori in different amounts of acceptance.

"That makes perfect sense. It explains everything. Thank you for telling me." Hana nodded to Hatori.

"Look, I can believe the vampires and demon stuff, but— Tohru a Slayer? I can't see her slaying anything!" Uo shook her head in disbelief.

"All of it is ridiculous! Vampires and demons are myths! And really, Hatori, slayers?"

Kyo rolled his eyes. "Rin, the Zodiac, remember?"

"Oh, right. I guess vampires and demons aren't a far cry from that."

"Why do you need fighters?" Uo asked curiously, remembering what Hatori had said earlier.

Motoko stepped into the fray. "Prince Yuki has been kidnapped by fan-girls turned into vampires, and we must rescue him at all costs. The devious fan-vamps are holed up in Ayame's shop with poor Yuki at this very moment. We are coming up with a plan to save him!"

Uo noticed Motoko and Mai for the first time, "Hey! You used to be the president of the Prince Yuki fan-club, and you used to be Number Two. What are you guys doing here?"

Mai answered, "We are helping to save Yuki! What else?"

Kyo whispered to Tohru, "That's probably the most sane thing she's said since Hatori found her and Motoko."

"Okay." Uo turned back to the rest of the group as Haru yanked Ayame in the room.

"Here." Haru handed Tohru some bandages. "Ayame tried to escape." He pushed Ayame onto the floor. "Sit. Stay."

"That reminds me, where is Shigure? I hope he's okay. He should be home." Tohru wondered as she patched Hana's neck up. Tohru was now more convinced than ever that she would take up her duty as a Slayer and prevent this from happening to people in the future.

Ayame and Hatori answered together, "He's at the Main House." Ayame started giggling, and Hatori continued, "Shigure will be okay."

"There's something about a grown man giggling that's really creepy." Uo observed as they watched Ayame.

"So, back to the plan!"

Mai became dreamy eyed as she thought. "We'll go in charging with 'The Flight of the Valkyries' playing in the background, and in a heartrending, tragic fighting montage we'll fight hand-to-hand with our fierce enemy! And as one by one friend and foe start to die I'll run to Yuki, but before I can get to him Rika Aida will stop me and I'll be forced to fight with her! But in the end I will win gloriously and free Yuki and he'll declare his undying love to me with the only survivor looking on! Ohhh, it's perfect!"

Everyone in the room, with the exception of Ayame and Tohru, sighed, shook their head, or groaned.

"So, who was the survivor?" Ayame seemed genuinely interested.

"Kyo of course!" Kyo looked rather taken aback.

"I'm not going to watch Yuki declare his love for anyone! How about a real plan— where we don't die!"

"Hey…Ayame is it? How many doors are there in the shop? How do you reach them and where are they located?" Uo questioned Ayame, and they started to plot.

(End Chapter 7)

A/N: The end! Ha, I crack myself up. Just kidding, folks. There are still many mysteries yet to be solved, and a few more characters to be introduced. Once again, thank you ever so much for all my loyal readers. You only have about five more chapters left, so get those reviews in… if you so desire. I know I do. Next chapter: unlike this chapter, which was all exposition and dialogue, chapter 8 will be an action-packed dust-fest.