Chapter Twelve: An Unexpected Meeting

Silently, Sayo strode through the large, echoing hallways of her Aunts grand mansion. She was dressed in a long elegant evening dress that gently swept the floor behind her. It was made of pure gold fabric that brought out the vibrant green of Sayo's eyes. At her throat hung the dragonite pendant that she had stubbornly refused to take off. It glistened with a pure and innocent sheen, reflecting the soft golden flicker of the many lanterns that lined the walls. A cold expression of pride and anger played across her face, and her eyes shone with hatred and regret. Two guards had been assigned to her and followed her wherever she went. They were completely silent and stone faced, and behaved more like statues than humans. With their long legs and height, they had no trouble matching the scorching pace that Sayo had set and followed her half a pace behind like two shadows.

Even though it had been almost two years since she had last been here, every passage and every stair was painfully familiar. She could almost see specters of her past self playing piano in a sunlit room or standing on a favorite balcony that overlooked the river. How she had changed in just a year. Getting angrier by the minute, she increased her pace, until she was almost jogging. When they finally reached the set of double oak doors that led to the main parlour, she threw them open, taking pleasure in the loud crack they made against the marble frame. Her aunt was sitting on an ornate armchair in the middle of the room. She was dressed in a very tight black gown that displayed every inch of her curvaceous blonde hair was curled and tumbled loosely halfway down her back. Ignoring Sayo's treatment of her doors, she stood up and smiled graciously at her niece.

"Well, don't you look ravishing?" She exclaimed, looking Sayo up and down. Sayo merely glowered at this but Auntie took no notice. "We must hurry; the car is waiting for us outside. It would not do for us to be late." She then swept out of the room, and lightly stepped down the grand staircase that led to the entrance hall. Sayo pursed her lips but followed suit. She had never liked how wealthy people needed such ostentatious mansions for themselves. Nor could she comprehend their need for the constant parties and gatherings in which they attempted to boast their wealth to as many people as possible.

Two butlers stood on either side of the front doors and bowed low as the two women and two bodyguards passed. Auntie nodded an aloof greeting, but Sayo ignored them. The girl remained silent until the group had been seated in a long posh limousine and were speeding away down the long driveway. Once they had passed by the tall iron archway that marked the boundary of the manor's grounds she turned to her aunt.

"Why do I have the honour of being your companion tonight?"

Auntie merely laughed at her cynicism and twirled a curl around one of her long fingers. "I don't need an excuse to bring my favorite niece to spend an evening in a cultured environment for once. In any case, it helps me keep an eye on you. I cannot trust some of my men, and I prefer to know exactly where you are so that I can hand you over to your parents in one piece."

"How thoughtful," Sayo said with venom.

"It is, isn't it?" Auntie replied smoothly. "There have been many questions asked regarding your whereabouts this past year. It is high time you showed your face."

Sayo merely gave her aunt a look of disgust. "So the real reason is so that you don't lose face in front of your peers." Her aunt did not respond so she pressed on. "There is something that bothers me about this situation. As I recall this is merely the one year anniversary of a fairly obscure political figure. Surely a rich and influential woman such as you has much better social occasions to attend. Who is it that you so want to impress?"

This time, her aunt's expression changed slightly. It grew tight and a little haggard. "You have grown sharp, Sayo. The reason that this party is so important is because the host is good friends with the Lorendi family. The great Master Lorendi himself and his son will be attending tonight. It is on orders from the Boss that I go along with several undercover agents. This will be a good opportunity to gain some intelligence on our enemies."

Sayo's eyes grew wide and she fought hard to contain a smirk of satisfaction. "This is going to be interesting." She thought.

"Introducing the beautiful Annabella Myzaki and her niece, Sayo." Came the booming voice of a fat herald who stood wiping his brow at the top of the large staircase.

The ballroom was huge, almost as large as the one back at the mansion. Glistening cherry hardwood covered the floor and seven magnificent chandeliers hung from the ceiling bedecked with crystals and silver ornamentation. The entire south wall was covered with large windows that overlooked miles of quiet gardens and glowed faintly by the lights of the city far away. A staircase led from the front entrance down to the main room. The steps were marble and the railing was pure gold with fragrant climbing flowers covering the delicate latticework.

Sayo swept down after her aunt, looking about her curiously. Surprisingly, this was quite an elite gathering. This man must be well connected. She noticed many prominent politicians as well as famous artists and businessmen. Her aunt wound her way expertly through the throng, stopping every five seconds to allow someone to bow to her or to shake her hand. Surprisingly, many bowed to Sayo as well. She painfully remembered that rich people were experts at sucking up to those with more power or wealth than themselves. Being the only member of her immediate family at the party made her one of the most powerful people in the room. Thus she was inundated with transparent concern for her health and wellbeing, with people she had never seen before acting as though they were lifelong acquaintances.

"Ironic," she thought to herself as she shook yet another hand. "That someone with so much power could be so utterly powerless." Not that she really cared either way. She had been forming a vague plan in the back of her mind. This was the first time she had been allowed out of that mansion since she had first been captured over a week ago. Perhaps there was a chance that she could escape. It was a vain hope but a hope nonetheless and she could feel the anticipation knowing at her insides.

Suddenly her aunt grabbed her hand and pulled her foreword. "You haven't met my niece yet," Annabella said in her sweetest voice, addressing the two men in front of her. "This is Sayo, Sayo I would like to introduce to you Mr. Lorendi and his son."

Sayo looked up, and smiled graciously. Mr. Lorendi was a tall, handsome man with dark hair and exotic eyes. His face was stern and proud, and carried a hint of something that at once fascinated and terrified her. Then she turned to the younger man beside him. It took all of her immense self control not to let her jaw drop. It was Dante.

Dressed in a finely tailored suit, she could barely recognize him, but there was no mistaking the dark curly hair or the chiseled, somewhat foreign features. He showed no sign of recognizing her, and merely bowed his head silently. Suddenly remembering her manners, she swept an elegant curtsey. "It is an honour to meet you, sir," she said smoothly, composing her face into one she hoped resembled her aunts' pleasant yet closed expression.

"The honor is mine, Miss Sayo," he replied vaguely. Turning to her aunt again, he began to dive into the tirade of formal pleasantries that people who didn't like each other always seemed to engage in. Feeling supremely uncomfortable, Sayo excused herself. She doubted that they had even noticed her. As she hurried away, she turned her head and looked back, Dante was nowhere to be seen.

Sayo wandered into the dimly lit hall that adjoined the ballroom and meandered towards the restroom. Even through her reverie, she noticed that one of her black clad bodyguards had slipped out and was following some feet behind her. Feeling her tolerance snap, Sayo halted abruptly, and strode back toward the man.

"I do not appreciate being followed every hour of the day and night," she snarled at him. "If you must know I am going to the ladies room and you can't follow me there so you might as well turn around and rejoin the party. I already promised my aunt that I would not run away a second time and she has far better methods than you of ensuring that I keep that promise."

He merely stood there impassively which further infuriated her. "My god, man!" Sayo almost shrieked at him. "What authority gives a low ranking member such as you the right to follow a young girl to the bathroom? Get out of my sight!"

She turned around again and stalked off, after a few seconds she heard his footsteps retreating back towards the party. Once she had rounded the corner, she sank down on the floor and collected her wits. This was by far the most confusing day that she had ever known.

Then, from further down the hall she heard a low voice chuckle quietly. Scampering to her feet, she smoothed her dress and looked around. Dante stood leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. "I must say, the role of a rich young mistress fits you surprisingly well."

Sayo didn't have a response to this. All the feelings of confusion, terror, and helplessness were crashing down upon her at once. A tear began to fight its way out of the corner of her eye and soon many more followed. Biting her lip, she fumbled for a silk handkerchief that was somewhere in a small beaded bag that she had hung over one shoulder. However, her hands shook so much that the bag dropped to the floor. It opened and her poke balls, pokedex and badge case all spilled onto the floor, rolling in all directions. Hastily, she scrambled around, trying to pick up her possessions before someone else saw them. Bending down, Dante helped her and pressed the bag back into her hands.

"Oh, Sayo," he said before drawing her into a tight embrace. She huddled against his warm and comforting chest and tried desperately to quench her tears.

"Why are you still willing to help me?" she whispered. "Even knowing who I am?"

"What does it matter?" he asked. She looked quickly up at him to see that his dark, wise eyes were as kind and understanding as ever. "Do I denounce you because you were born into the wrong family? You do not have their hearts, Sayo this you have proven countless times. You are a pure and beautiful soul who deserves better. I heard your conversation with that man. Someone who has already run from their evil and corrupt dealings, and openly defied them is not one that I could possibly ever condemn."

Sayo's breathing evened out and she drew away from him, wiping her eyes. "I do not deserve a friend such as you, Dante, thank you. I hope that we will see each other again in the near future."

He frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Don't you see?" Sayo choked out. "If you become involved then I cannot guarantee your protection. My family is much more dangerous than you realize. There is no way that I could live knowing that I caused you to be hurt."

Dante's face grew dark for a few seconds before he grabbed her wrist and began leading her forcefully off down the hall. He dragged her down too many passages and stairways than she could count, never speaking despite her protests. Finally, they emerged on a balcony overlooking miles of magnificent gardens. He softly whistled a long series of notes. With a soft whoosh, his Dragonite landed on the balcony and cast her magnificent amber eyes upon Sayo. She let out a low cry in her throat and nuzzled the girl affectionately. "Take care of her," he told his Pokémon. Gently, he lifted a surprised Sayo up and placed her on Dragonite's back. Then he unfolded the long cloak that he held in one arm and draped it over Sayo's body. It was so large that it completely engulfed her like a tent. "This will disguise you from prying eyes until you are far away from here."

"I can't let you do this for me." Sayo said desperately.

"There are things about my family that you cannot guess as well. This is just as much my escape as it is yours. If I know that you at least are living free and happy, away from this world of ours, then I will feel liberated. Don't worry, I will see you soon." He paused for a few seconds and then looked intently at her. "Sayo?"

Sayo looked into his large eyes, trying to brush her hair out of her face. "What?"

"That necklace suits you."

She didn't have enough time to respond for at that moment Dante nodded and Dragonite leapt off of the balcony. She unfurled her wings and swooped up into the cold night air. Scrambling to find her balance, Sayo looked back and saw the figure of Dante getting smaller and smaller. A surge of excitement, relief, and fear coursed through her as she realized. She was free. Tears coursed down her face and she resisted the urge to laugh out loud in relief. Looking ahead she hugged Dragonite around her large neck. "Let's get the hell out of here, my friend. I still have the Pokemon League to win!" Grunting her approval, the dragon Pokemon put on an extra burst of speed and the pair quickly vanished into the starry night sky.

Back on the balcony, Dante was still watching the darkened sky, his hands gripping the stone railing. "Live and be free, Sayo," He said softly. "Lead the life that I never could." Then, he turned away and slipped inside the darkened mansion.

Well here it is guys, chapter twelve. (Drum roll please) Thank you so much for all of your lovely reviews and comments. I appreciate them. As always please, PLEASE REVIEW! I really need some good solid feedback. Also, if any of you have suggestions for the rest of Dante's Pokemon team, please let me know. I am having trouble assembling a team that fits his image.