Shadow of the Hazy Moon
By Warm-Ice
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the OCs.
Summary: Why can't the Clamp School Detectives catch this thief? Not a trace, not a clue. All Nokoru could see were the eyes of the shadow of the hazy moon.
Chapter 2: Appointment
"It seems that Dannen-san is more popular than we thought." Akira said speculatively, looking around to find their respective seats among the audience.
"Yeah, it looks that way." Suoh agreed. "How long has she been here again?"
"I think two weeks." Nagisa answered. "I think she's still taking some time to adjust."
"Adjust indeed." Nokoru said with that kind smile. Utako found their seats. As Nokoru pulled back the chair for his lady companion, he couldn't help but say, "I think she's already a shoe-in in our beloved school, don't you agree?"
"What makes you say that, Chairman?" Suoh asked with curiosity, taking his seat.
Nokoru took his seat as well and took out a fan that read, 'Sensitive Ears!'. "Well I've heard many people speak of her." Suoh sweat-dropped.
"Oh. Yes. So have I." Chouoogata said. "I heard that she was quite the beauty and already she had dumped four guys flat on her first week."
"Is that true?" Utako asked, curious about her.
"Well, I haven't seen her do it. My friends just told me." Chouugata answered.
"Did one of those boys happen to be Hirua Chi of the elementary baseball team?" Akira asked.
"Yes, I think he's one of them. How'd you know?"
"Oh well, it's just that a few weeks ago he looked a bit depressed when I saw him. I tried to ask him about it but he didn't seem to be in the mood to talk."
"If that's true, then he must have been one of them. Poor guy. To think that he mustered up all his courage just to get dumped. I wouldn't be like that if a guy came up to me. I'd at least give him a chance. Don't you agree, Imonoyama-san?"
Nokoru smiled, glad that his partner was finally getting comfortable around them. "Yes, I think so too."
Suoh was just about to speak his thoughts in defense of the girl who was the subject of the conversation when suddenly the red curtains with the Clamp School logo on it parted and everyone started to clap.
They all turned their attention to the wooden stage and everyone stared wordlessly for a while. Nokoru couldn't help but let his lips part slightly because of the shock and irony.
"Heaven-san?" he uttered softly.
And there, standing on the middle of the stage with her head down cast, eyes lightly closed, spotlight steady on her form and stray strands of wavy hair cascading down her back and some over her shoulder, wearing a white frilly dress with black outlines, silver ribbons wrapped intricately around her arms and legs and one thick silver ribbon tied around her neck. She looked absolutely…angelic.
She brought the wireless black mic to her lips and began softly.
"Do you have something to say?
I didn't see your smile today?
You don't seem to concentrate
I wish you'd just say what you have to say
And I'll try to understand
Just let me hold your hand"
She started to sing. The lights showered the stage and she finally looked up, opening her eyes, revealing such soft dark brown orbs outlined by long thick lashes. The image could take anyone's breath away.
"What did you say? I don't get it.
That I should love someone else, is that it?"
Suddenly, the soft tune of the piano was replaced by a much livelier tune, inviting people to dance to the quick paced rhythm. A smile appeared on her lips as she looked to the audience. The dancers who wore shiny silver uniforms appeared from both sides of the stage and came out to dance around her.
"Ah-ah-ah-woah….
Don't say it, don't, don't, d-d-don't, don't say it
Don't tell me lies, don't tell me you can't
Feel this love for you (especially for you)
Ready to leave it all behind
Oh baby"
Slowly, her hips started swaying to the music, her eyes glimmering with something both innocent and seductive. She moved in sync with the choreography as she went on singing.
"Ah-ah-ah-woah…
Don't you ever, ever say it
Don't tell me lies, don't tell me you're not
Really the one for me
That I should just leave you behind
I can never bring myself to believe it…"
She walked forward, a sway to her hips as she went. Reaching out to the audience and expressing her lyrics.
"What were you thinking, saying something like that?
Why do you think so highly of me?
Even if I don't always say it
Isn't it enough to feel and see?"
The lights turned colorful and wild, flying from here to there, turning into shadows of shapes. She turned around quickly, her hair whipping the air before her, and returned to the center of the stage, dancing the choreography with the dancers.
"What did you say? I don't understand.
That I should find someone else…
Don't—you—say—it!
Ah-ah-ah-woah…
Don't say it, don't, don't, d-d-don't, don't say it
Don't tell me lies, don't tell me you can't
Feel this love for you (especially for you)
Ready to leave it all behind
Oh-oh, baby
Ah-ah-ah-woah…
Don't you ever, ever say it
Don't tell me lies, don't tell me you're not
Really the one for me
That I should just leave you behind"
They all seemed to slow and fade back into the darkness, leaving her back in her original state; standing in the spotlight in all her glory. The piano returned.
"Cause in the dark
Whose hand was there to hold?
Now in the light
I swear to you I'll never let you… go!"
Her high pitched tune on the last part had awed many and made them clap in amazement as the colorful lights returned and they started dancing again.
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-aha
Don't say it, don't, don't, d-d-don't, don't say it
Don't tell me lies, don't tell me you can't
Feel this love for you (especially, only for you)
Ready to leave it all behind
Oh-woah, baby
Ah-ah-aha-ah-ah-ah
Don't you ever, ever say it
Don't tell me lies, don't tell me you're not
Really the one for me
That I should just leave you behind"
Suddenly as if she was loosing energy, her upheld arm slowly fell to her sides, darkness once again consumed the dancers and she was left under the spot light. She looked up and smiled bitterly, uttering the last words.
"You're such an idiot…"
And it was over. It took a moment for the audience to regain their breaths and clap enthusiastically. Some even going so far as to stand and whistle. She smiled kindly, despite her heavy breathing, and bowed to them.
"That was wonderful!" Akira exclaimed, clapping too quickly.
"Yes, I must admit that that performance really knocked me off my feet!" Utako added, clapping happily.
"I'm so glad we came to see her." Nagisa said, clapping femininely.
"That was impressive." Suoh commented, clapping with a small smile.
"No wonder she got accepted to Clamp School." Chouoogata said.
Nokoru went on looking—scratch that, staring in bewilderment at the girl that stood on the stage, thanking the people who came and introducing herself.
"Thank you all for coming. I'm honored. My name is Dannen Hikiageru and I'd like all of you to know that the money gained from those tickets you bought will be donated to the Musical Arts department." People from the back of the stage and even some from the back of the audience cheered. Obviously the Musical Arts department was quite proud of their little diamond. She smiled again and continued.
"Thank you for coming and I hope you enjoy the show." And with that another song started. It was slow this time.
Slowly, a small smirk grew onto Nokoru's lips.
"Tell me, do you still remember the time…when…
You and I were once together…
Can you still remember?"
"I see. So that's what she meant by an 'appointment'." Nokoru spoke, easing himself back to his seat and choosing to enjoy the show. He supposed a 'congratulations' was in order.
He knocked on the door and a soft voice soon replied, "I'm almost done." After a moment, the door was opened, revealing a cleaned up, much simpler version of the girl Nokoru had watched earlier. She looked at him with surprise.
He smiled triumphantly; glad that he achieved the reaction he had hoped for. Taking out from behind him a single red rose, he greeted. "Congratulations, Dannen-san."
"Uhm—t-thank you…" she said, taking the flower awkwardly. Then she turned to him with an apologetic look, "Gomen. I can't remember your last name. All I remember is Nokoru."
Nokoru's eyebrows raised in surprised but then smiled kindly. "That's alright. I suppose we're even since I don't really know which name of yours I should use."
"Oh, yes." She said, looking down uncomfortably.
Unexpectedly, Nokoru bowed to her like he did earlier that evening, successfully startling the girl again. "My name's Imonoyama, Nokoru. And you are?"
Blinking a bit then smiling, she accepted his outstretched hand. "I'm Heaven Winggates. My Japanese name is Dannen Hikiageru. Please address me with either name you like. I'm glad to meet you…again, Imonoyama-san."
"The pleasure is all mine, Dannen-san. And please, do call me Nokoru instead. I rather like how it sounds coming from you." He said, kissing the back of her hand and straightening his posture.
"Well, now." Heaven said with a smirk. "I hadn't expected you to be a flatterer, Nokoru-san."
Nokoru smiled wider, "Only to make a woman smile, Hikiageru-san."
"I hope you enjoyed the show."
"Of course! My friends and I enjoyed it very much. Actually a friend of mine is quite interested in working with you. She plays the flute and would love to make music with you."
"Really? What's her name?"
"Her name is Azuya Nagisa-san; a lovely young girl from the kindergarten department. She's quite talented in playing the flute. I'm sure you two will get along great."
"Azuya Nagisa. Hm…I'd love to meet her some time."
"Oh, she's just out in the gardens. Would you like to meet her now?"
"Oh—uhm…" Nokoru's eyebrows furrowed at hearing the hesitant tone in her voice.
"Is there a proble—"
"Heaven."
They turned around, hearing the low velvety voice of a man.
"K-Kuya!" Heaven recognized.
Nokoru took in the sight of this man. Slick black hair flowing down around his face, cold brown eyes (much like his sister's) steadied on them critically, pale skin, thin frame covered by a black tuxedo, and a scowl on his handsome features. He looked like a high school student but Nokoru didn't reckon that he was in the high school department.
Quickly, Heaven came to his side and turned to Nokoru. "Nokoru-san, this is my brother, Stefan Winggates. His Japanese name is Dannen Kakoku. Kuya, this is my new friend, Imonoyama Nokoru."
Nokoru beamed up at the man and held out his hand to shake. "It's nice to meet you, Kakoru-san."
Kakoru just narrowed his eyes at Nokoru, making the younger boy falter in wonder. But his wide smile returned, even though he had withdrawn his hand. "Your sister is quite talented. We thank you for choosing Clamp School for her."
"Let's go, Heaven." He said, turning away and leaving.
Nokoru heard Hikiageru sigh softly then she turned to him with an apologetic look. "Gomen. I hope I can meet this Azuya girl soon." She said, smiling weakly then turning on her heels and walking after her brother, leaving Nokoru to watch them walk away.
"Kakoru…" Nokoru said to himself, thinking. Something was familiar about those eyes of his. Something…reminded Nokoru of a memory…