A/N: here's another chapter, we'll soon be getting down to crunch time so don't be surprised when some chapters start moving at a fast pace—it's all part of my diabolical plan to take over the world. MWUHAHAHAH! Peace –pulls peace sign-
Disclaimer: dum dum dee doo daa…not mines.
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Gatherings
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THE moon was full Friday night, dark clouds drifting lazily across the sky as a light rain descended upon the busy streets of Seiyo. A long, black limo pulled in through the black steel gates of an old studio and sitting in the back, Izzie leaned against the soft seat, her arms crossed over her chest and a bored expression painted to her face. Mae sat beside her, her fingers fiddling with the hemming of her pleated khaki skirt and her large eyes glued to them, Rinrin's egg rested in her lap as Izzie's chara, Tomoko floated only a few inches away from the older girl's shoulder. The two girls said nothing to one another as the limo rolled on through the perfectly smoothed streets of the studio. "It's been almost a year since we've been here hasn't it?" Izzie asked staring out the window and taking in the grey blobs that were once splattered with colour.
"Hmm?" Looking up from her lap, Mae stared at Izzie before glancing out of the window and at the structures, a faint smile pulling at her lips. "Yea, it has." She mumbled before silence overwhelmed them and the limo continued on and after awhile the limo pulled into an empty lot and Izzie opened the back door. Getting out, she dusted off the cream coloured poncho she wore and removed invisible lint from her trousers. Stepping away from the door, she instantly spotted Jouichi leaning up against the wooden double doors leading into the Celestial Five's meeting room. "You're early?" Izzie probed as Maeda made her way out of the car, her large eyes landing on Jouichi and lighting up for a millisecond before darkening. "Not really, I'm simply waiting to escort you in, Hime." He replied releasing his arms and pushing off the wall.
"Jouichi."
"Maeda."
The two fourteen year olds held one another's gazes for a moment, before Izzie nodded and stepped forward. "Then let us not keep Kaito-san waiting any longer." She murmured causing Jouichi to glance away from the blonde. With a curt nod, he moved forward gracefully and took hold of Izzie's hand before moving back towards the doors he had leant against only moments before. With a frown adorning her face, Mae followed behind. The walk was quiet as the trio wandered down the dark hallway, the only form of light coming from the full moon. Climbing up flights of stairs, they reached a door marked C5 and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, with a fire blazing in the fireplace and there seated in a maroon coloured armchair was Kaito, his legs were crossed and his fingers interlaced; elbows propped up on his lap.
Hikari sat on the armchair's armrest, her blue eyes boring into the new arrivals and her hands resting in her lap. "Welcome," Kaito called in an even tone and without muttering a single word to the blond, the trio moved towards the sitting area and plopped down in the three unoccupied armchairs. Izzie stared blankly at Hikari as Jouichi shot a dark glance over at Mae who occupied the armchair beside him. The fire crackled as silence consumed the Celestial Five members and after three minutes and an uncomfortably heavy silence had lasted far longer than any member present would like to admit, Kaito leaned forward. "We all gather here, all representing one of the five elements." He started and Hikari glanced up, a deep scowl etched across her face.
"Water," she breathed before Izzie laced her fingers together and sat back in her chair, legs crossed.
"Lightening."
"Earth," Jouichi nearly grumbled out his eyes flickering towards Mae who grinned toothily.
"Fire."
"And Air." Kaito finished as silence warped the five members
On each person was an egg, an egg that shook dangerously with its respected element before a crack tore through the middle of the shell and five completely different charas emerged. Yawning, rubbing their eyes or staring nonchalantly at the five teens, the charas floated a few inches above their human's shoulder as the dim lighting from the flames created dark shadows obscuring most of their features; just as it did their humans. Leaning back in his seat, Kaito laced his fingers together and propped his elbows up on his thighs, his eyes boring into the impassive faces of his fellow members.
"You all know why we're here. The time has come—the time for us to take charge. From this day forward, the Celestial Five will take action. We will finally bring an end to those pesky Guardians who seemed to outsmart Easter; but not us. It's time that we show those pesky do-gooders that in the real world, good doesn't always come out on top. If you're in, prove it to me." His words were firm and as he unlaced his fingers and brought his right hand forward in a harmless enough gesture the others just stared at it. No one moved, let alone breathed before Hikari pushed her hair out of her face and leaning forward, placed her hand on top of Kaito's.
"In," she murmured and Kaito nodded tightly awaiting the others. Scooting to the edge of her seat, Mae's expression seemed to scream sadist as she raised her thin, pale right hand and placed it atop of Hikari's. "In," she stated firmly and once again Kaito nodded. Jouichi and Izzie weren't as confident or as sure as the others. Tapping his chin idly, Jouichi crossed his legs and stared in a daze at the piled hands before his gaze met Mae's curious one. Frowning he looked away from her and his lower lip protruded slightly before Kaito spoke up. "Jouichi," he called calmly but the dark haired teen knew what was hidden behind it. With a sigh, Jouichi leaned forward and frowning placed his hand atop Mae's. "In," he mumbled and biting her lower lip, Izzie reached her hand forward; face as hard as stone.
"In."
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The sound of the doorbell filled the Souma's house and before Kukai could even shout from his perch on the couch drinking a glass of water and watching a cartoon with Eli, for someone to get the door; Yame was already bounding the staircase fully intended on getting to the door in one second flat. "I've got it!" She shrieked as she jumped over the last three steps and sliding into the door, she pulled back and began to unlock it.
Ripping the door open, jade eyes locked with lavender ones. And grinning broadly, Yame released her hold on the doorknob and grinned broadly at the thin girl standing on her front porch. "Kimi-chan!" She exclaimed, engulfing the younger girl into a warm embrace. "Yame-chan," Kimiko giggled as she hugged the girl back and as they pulled away, Yame grabbed hold of Kimiko's purple and black carryon and grabbing the dark haired girl's wrist, the redhead pulled her into her house. "Kimi-chan's here and we're going to my room!" Yame shouted at no one in particular as she began to lead Kimiko towards the staircase, a broad grin plastered to her face.
"I'm so happy that you made it, Kimi-chan! I really thought that you wouldn't come." Yame stated truthfully and Kimiko shrugged. "That's what friends are for, I'm surprised you didn't invite Maeda." she replied truthfully and Yame nodded, a slight frown tugging her lips downwards. "She was busy," she answered and a thick silence hung over both girls as they clambered up the wooden staircase and down the hall and into Yame's brightly lit room. Tossing Kimiko's bag on her bed, Yame whipped around and grinned broadly at her best friend. "So…what do you wanna do first? You're the guest so you should get to pick." She explained and shrugging out of her coat, Kimiko moved towards Yame's desk and hooked it on the back of the chair. Biting her lower lip, she brushed her hair out of her face and shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know…whatever you wanna do I guess." She said turning to face Yame who looked stumped for a moment before she grinned.
"Okay then!"
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Lying on the floor in Yame's dark room, the glare from the television reflecting about the room as both girls' stared tiredly at the screen. A large bowl of popcorn sat between them, half eaten half untouched as they both tried not to fall asleep during the comedy movie. "Y'know, this was actually a lot funnier the first time I watched it." Yame mumbled as she pushed a few kernels into her mouth and pressed the side of her face against her pillow, her eyelids droopy. "Mm hmm," Kimiko mumbled as she stared at the screen not paying any attention to it at all. Too much was going on in her head for her to watch a pointless film like the one they were watching at the moment.
"Hey, Yame-chan?" She called softly and looking away from the screen, Yame stared at the side of Kimiko's face. "Yea, Kimi-chan?" She replied groping for the remote and pausing the movie; she propped her half asleep body up by her elbows.
Kimiko didn't turn to look at her; instead, she bit her lip and fiddled with a wayward thread on her pillowcase. "I talked to Hinta a few days ago," she started hesitantly and quirking a brow, Yame nodded. "Y-Yea?" She croaked and sucking in a deep breath, Kimiko propped herself up on her elbows and met Yame's eyes.
"He really likes you, Yame-chan. I think that you should at least give it a try—don't wait on Dai or Sora. They're not gonna do anything…trust me, they're not." She pleaded and frowning, Yame plopped down on her pillow and rolled onto her side, back to Kimiko. Neither girl said anything for the duration of ten minutes in which, Kimiko had come to the conclusion that Yame had fallen asleep on her. Tch, so much for being subtle, with that Kimiko plopped back into her comforters and closed her eyes. Unbeknownst to her, Yame was wide awake, her arms hugging herself tightly and her eyes boring into the poster covered walls of her bedroom. She heard when Kimiko's breathing evened out and releasing a jagged breath, she squeezed her eyes shut tightly.
"Hinta-kun."
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A/N: And let's call it a chapter! I know, I know. You're all thinking [especially YOU, Najah-chan] it takes you practically 2 weeks to update and THIS is what you give us when you do? I'm sorry that this chapter was a slight disappointment [please don't hit me with inanimate objects!]. It's been awhile since I've written as these characters and I've sorta forgotten the plot AND the character development thing that I had going for me. Anyway, I hope that doesn't deter your interest in the story and I'll try to update as soon and as often as possible.
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Update January 29, 2010