Author's note:
This story is a figment of my (er dark) imagination. Similarities to any situation is absolutely coincidental. Please Follow and Review! Thank you.
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS, Clamp does. I do not own the song Ever After, Bonnie Bailey does.
Thank you for the likes and follows!
Here's another chapter just because the reviews I received were amazing!
Chapter 21: Explain Everything, Please
When the three of them entered the penthouse at the eighteenth floor, Xiao Shi found himself surrounded with his old friends. Koko dragged him to a large leather couch and Xiao Shi closed his eyes at the comfort he's feeling right now. He cannot believe that he is here, that he's finally out of the Flying Daggers' clutches and instead, he is with his closest friends since childhood.
'Thank goodness I survived it all and escaped. I miss my life.'
Xiao Shi opened his eyes and surveyed the place. The spacious room clearly screams of his friends' personalities. There was a huge high tech refrigerator in the small kitchen, a spirits/alcohol bar in one corner, a billiards table at the center, different sizes and types of sofas and lounge chairs, another tall refrigerator with a clear glass door that is solely dedicated for beers, and different lighting fixtures because Natsume and Tsubasa dislike bright white LED lights and prefer the soft warm yellow ones, while Koko and Ruka are exactly the opposite.
Kitsu and Mochu doesn't care of any at all. Their opinions are on the type and brand of beers that must be always in stock and chilled since this is where they usually stay during daytime.
Xiao Shi looked at his friends who are settling themselves comfortably on their own seats.
Tsubasa handed him a can of beer and sat on a lazy boy beside him.
"We're sorry it took us four years to get you out, man." he opened his beer and took a sip. Tsubasa is similar to Ruka and Natsume, he is a man with proper etiquette. Unlike the others who were chugging down their drink like they were the ones who haven't had a beer for years.
"Thank you brothers for all your efforts! I don't know how to thank you enough!" Xiao Shi let out a loud sigh after he chugged down almost half of the Asahi. "Ah, fuck, I've even forgotten how beer tastes. Nattie, I think I'd rather stay here first and drink until I fall asleep. I can almost feel my tears coming out." he wiped the corner of his eyes in a melodramatic way "I missed you, Asahi! Where is Kirin? I'll have him next!"
Everyone laughed and they all held their cans up to toast.
At the same time, the elevator gave out a beep announcing that someone has arrived. Everyone turned their head to look for the newcomer to enter the hallway. The penthouse is a wide open space, with different floor elevations and some tall plants to separate the living room, kitchen, and billiards area.
After exiting the elevator, one will walk through the hallway for about a minute before entering the penthouse through a wide arched entryway. You will immediately see the living room and billiards area but not the kitchen.
Since everyone is seated in the living room, the newcomers and the ones seated inside saw each other at the same time.
"Xiao Shi?"
"Xiao Lang?"
Syaoran rushed to where his brother was seated and hugged him. Xiao Shi stood up but he wasn't quick enough that when he was about to take a step towards his brother, Syaoran suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Xiao Shi! Thank the gods that they have rescued you! Natsume told me a few hours ago that his people have plans to take your from Kabukicho. As soon as I learned of the plan, I went with Ruka to help out."
"Ruka! Thank you for saving me!"
Ruka went over to Xiao Shi and hit his arm. "We never lost hope, man. We knew we will find you sooner or later."
Ruka took a beer for him and Syaoran and he sat on a comfortable double seat sofa in front of Xiao Shi. "Damn that was exciting."
"Tell us now what really happened! Stupid Mochu only told us this afternoon that we were moving in the Daggers!" Kitsu complained.
Syaoran sat on the other end of the couch that Xiao Shi was sitting. He took a big gulp and leaned back on the pillow. "I only knew of what we did tonight. For the plans prior that, I do not know, of course."
Everyone turned to look at Natsume expectantly and he let out a big sigh. Of course, it has to be him. He knew every tiny detail of the plan. But Natsume being Natsume…
"Su Mei, Su Yue."
The two women were still dressed in full black stood on both sides of Natsume's lazy boy.
Su Yue was the first to speak.
"Initially, young master Ruka planned to send some of our brothers to spy on the 10 hideouts of the Flying Daggers that we have uncovered. They were to keep watch for two weeks and try to see if any changes will be made, if for example, the security has been suddenly tightened or loosened. But we decided to keep down to just 7 instead, because based on our previous observations from late last year, these 7 locations have the most probability of keeping Young master Xiao Shi."
"These locations are the ones in Kanagawa and Tokyo prefecture. So we sent one spy in each of their branches in Yokohama, Shinagawa, Kawasaki, Kabukicho, Saitama, Akihabara, and Omiya. Of all these places, after three months of further observation and comparison of experiences, we decided last week that the Kabukicho branch is the most suspicious of all. So I sent Su Mei and Su Yue to infiltrate to the innermost circle because that will be where Xiao Shi is." Ruka explained further to the group. He gave a curt nod to Su Mei and she stepped forward to speak.
"One of our brothers informed us that Qian Yuan will send three Oyabuns (Big brothers / Lower Gang leaders) from the Omiya branch to the Kabukicho branch. This is a big news to us because firstly, the arrival of not just one but of three Oyabuns mean that security of the branch is an issue and in a few days, the men under these Oyabuns will also be arriving there. Hence, our initial assumption that Young master Xiao Shi might be there is getting more feasible. To make the plan work smoothly, Master Tono prepared the necessary documents with Qian Yuan's hanko (personal signature stamp), and also helped us to get a temporary tattoo that only the Oyabuns of the Omiya branch has. Finally, the next items are easy. Su Yue and I prepared the face masks and voice changer we need and after acquiring all these, we were taken in the Kabukicho branch smoothly."
"The leader there did not confirm with Qian Yuan how many men he sent over? That seems impossible." Mochu wondered.
"We knew that so Tono called him up using the voice changer that Su Yue made specially to imitate Qian Yuan's voice. And that stupid man probably felt proud and happy that their boss took the initiative to call him so he did not even think of calling him back to confirm everything. I tell you, Nattie, if we have someone like that, please let me kill him with my own hands." Ruka shook his head in disgust.
"Three days ago, Su Mei and I arrived at the Kabukicho's branch. After the verification of the tattoos, the official documents from Qian Yuan, and then the phone call, we were assigned to the upper levels of the building for further trainings of their tasks. By the way boss, we will prepare the report of everything we have learned of the Flying Daggers. We will send it to you as soon as possible."
"Alright. Make sure you don't miss any information. Everything you've learned about the Qian clan and the Flying Daggers, whether it seems important or not, include it in your report."
"Yes Boss." Both women dropped on their right knee to acknowledge the task before standing back up.
Su Mei glanced at Su Yue and she decided to continue the narration.
"It was very difficult to get to the basement, and we knew that they have up to five levels below. We cannot just check every level since it is way too suspicious even if we say we got lost or something. We were running out of time because it is already the end of August uhm…" Su Mei blushed a little and everyone was shocked. This woman doesn't blush! She doesn't even change facial expressions! These twins are very similar to Natsume and the cousins even believed that they were probably triplets and were just keeping it a secret from the world.
Su Yue stepped forward and rolled her eyes. "Su Mei got impatient on the 30th so she changed herself to a young high school student who got drunk in a bar near the Daggers' building."
"Oooooooooooh….." everyone, with the exception of Natsume and Syaoran, murmured as they stared with open mouth at Su Mei. Su Mei felt her face getting warmer.
"Boss, can I turn around so I don't have to face the young masters?"
"You may."
Su Yue cleared her throat and continued.
"Su Mei knew of a man who was assigned in one of the basement levels. We took the risk with him because he looked like he was very easy to --erm-- seduce and we also heard that he liked young girls. So during his break time, we knew that he will smoke a cigarette at the back alley. At that time, Su Mei acted like she was really drunk and was sitting at the street that can be seen from that alley. The guard saw her and immediately went over to flirt with her. When he was getting really comfortable with Su Mei -"
"No! You kissed the shit?" Koko asked in a horrified voice.
"You didn't! Nooooo! I am not worth it, young Su Mei!" Xiao Shi dramatically covered his mouth.
"There was no kissing alright!" Su Mei answered. Her back was still facing them but they can clearly see her clenched fist. Even the killing aura around her was becoming eminent and the Xiao Shi and Koko quickly apologized.
"Anyway, when he was getting really comfortable with her, she lightly hit his acupuncture point and he fell asleep immediately. Su Mei made him drink a truth pill while he was sleeping. Su Mei then hit his acupuncture point again and when he woke up, I joined Su Mei to question him about the matters at the five bottom levels. We were lucky because he sometimes guard Young Master Xiao Shi due to rotation so we formulated a plan to act on the next evening. We then told Young master Ruka and he agreed with us."
"I gathered some of our men to create a huge distraction at a five different bars two and three blocks from the Flying Dagger's. When Natsume informed Syaoran of the plan, he asked to join me so I picked him up after his fight and went directly to Kabukicho. We planted the home made bombs and created chaos in the surrounding area. We know that the Daggers will not be afraid of the gang fights. What they are cautious of is when the police will set out to investigate the buildings and establishment within a half mile radius. They have a hostage so it is necessary to quickly move him to another branch. And when that stupid leader decides on that move, he will find Su Mei and Su Yue conveniently waiting for him to give them the keys to release Xiao Shi's. And then finally, we also placed their getaway car near the back alley where our talented Su Mei showed how deadly her potentials truly are."
"Young master Ruka!" Su Mei whined. She cannot find in her to get angry at him unlike with Mochu and others. Of the organization's younger generation, she only respect Ruka and Tsubasa besides her true Boss, Natsume.
"But it is truly Su Mei who made the escape before the party possible. Thank you, Su Mei. And of course, thank you, Su Yue. With Su Mei's temperament, she will definitely be in deep trouble without you by her side." Tsubasa said.
Su Mei finally faced the group as she and Su Yue bowed towards the young masters. "It is our honor and responsibility, young master."
"The two of you did a great job. You really are my people. Go now and rest well. Prepare the report from tomorrow morning." Natsume dismissed the twins.
Xiao Shi stood up and bent his body from his waist. "I thank the two of you from the bottom of my heart."
The twins panicked and quickly told Xiao Shi to straighten up. They repeated what they said before, it is their honor to save him, the Xiao Shi of the Li clan. And it is both their honor and responsibility to do the tasks appointed to them by Natsume, their Boss of the Black Diamond.
After the twins left the penthouse, Xiao Shi turned to Syaoran and asked,
"What's that fight all about?"
Kitsu and Koko told Xiao Shi and Ruka of what happened this afternoon, from Tsubasa's visit to Syaoran's office until the end results of the fight.
Xiao Shi stared at his older brother in awe and pride.
"And Ye Sha is their best fighter! You have gotten stronger, Nii-san! Congratulations! So, do you think you can join the Wolves with me now, huh?"
Syaoran and Natsume exchanged a look. Everyone saw this and did not say anything. Xiao Shi noticed it too, but decided to talk to his brother about it once they are alone. He knew nothing of what's happening outside his cage so he has a lot to learn from them from tomorrow.
"Xiao Shi, why don't we go back now so you can finally rest properly. We can talk about anything you want to know tomorrow after we get you checked by a doctor and also have your wounds treated." Syaoran stood up and turned to Natsume "We'll be going now. I will call you tomorrow."
"Alright. But did you bring your car? You can use mine if you didn't."
"I brought him here in my Carrera. You know where it's parked." Tsubasa handed Syaoran the keys.
"Alright. Thank you Tsubasa. Thanks guys. We'll leave first. Look at this kid's body. Mother will have my head if she knew that I did not bring her baby to the hospital as soon as we rescued him."
"My friends knew me best, Nii-san. They gave me beer."
Koko, Kitsu, Mochu, and Xiao Shi all gave a loud hoot and raised their half empty beer can in the air.
"To the fights we will go through together as brothers! Kampai!"
And they chugged their cans empty.
Syaoran, Natsume, Tsubasa, and Ruka just watched the four acting stupidly.
"Kids."