A/N. Pyon, pyon! Fumu, fumu-yeah, yeah! Howa, howa! Kira, kira-yeah, yeah, yeah! XD I finally got my sister interested in Shugo Chara! *evil grin* Lol, well that's my random moment for today. Speaking of Shugo Chara and this story: I FOUND THE PERFECT ACTION SONG! So go to this spaced link: http:/ www. youtube .com/watch?v=GpVGxYPwR90 &feature=autoplay& list=PL0E1803 3D74F 4D158 &lf=results_ma in&play next=9 or type in "High Speed Action; Shugo Chara" It fits perfectly!
By the way, don't be offended if I don't use your ideas. (Sorry, twilightfunatic, but there's a reason -that I've just made up- that MS won't use magic to heal Wendell) It wouldn't be fun to read if everything was predictable, right? But I promise, if you give me something really creative, I'll use it! ^^ It's just, everyone expects MS to use magic. I thought it'd be interesting for a change. XD
Anyways, enjoy your chapter! Every review comes with a free cyber present (for Christmas and New Years)! ^^ HAPPY EARLY NEW YEARS!
Chapter 19: Boy Brawl
"Ow," I hissed, trying to pull away from Mr. Firay's grasp. "Stop it! That hurts!"
Mr. Firay sighed for the umpteenth time. "I need to disinfect the cuts, Daphne."
"Why couldn't you use magic? It's probably less painful," I muttered. I know I used to stray away from using magic, but I was getting impatient. He suddenly tensed, applying pressure on my cuts. "Ow!"
He blinked. "Sorry," he paused. "But know this: fairy magic isn't as good as regular healing. Fairy healing usually uses the cocoon -which takes a long time, and you feel the same pain. So in short, this is better, so just let me finish."
"Yeah, stop being a baby," Wendell called from the couch.
I turned to scowl at him. "You made more of a fuss then I did!"
He blushed slightly and looked away from me with a huff. When he did, I saw the bandage wrapped around his head. I felt guilty immediately. I couldn't imagine how much shock he was going into now. In the car, we had explained to him that Mr. Firay was Puck's older brother, but not about the gang. Actually, I didn't even know that much about Mustardseed and the gang...
Suddenly, Mr. Firay forced my head back to the front. I immediately locked gazes with him. His gaze was so piercing it made me embarrassed and I had to look down at the floor.
Mr. Firay continued to gently clean my cuts with disinfectant and cotton balls. Every now and then I'd hiss in pain, but Mr. Firay's constant, regular breathing kept me calm.
After what felt like forever to me, but in reality was actually only five or so minutes, he was done. He placed two band-aids on the biggest cuts, and left the rest alone.
"You know, if you weren't so clumsy, you wouldn't have any cuts," Mr. Firay informed me, a smirk playing at his lips.
"Shut up," I muttered, turning pink. "The only reason I fell was because Wendell threw me off balance the first time. And the second time I was tackled down football style, so I don't think this was my fault."
Mr. Firay sighed. "I'm sorry. I knew something was going to happen. I should've stayed closer."
I shook my head. "I didn't expect to have to leave the diner. We had parked right next to it."
"But Daphne didn't see the no parking sign," Wendell added.
I snatched the box of band-aids from Mr. Firay's hands and chucked them at Wendell. They hit him in the bandaged area and I heard him suppress a groan of pain.
"But still," Mr. Firay continued. "I got you into this mess. The least I could do is protect you from getting hurt, and I couldn't even do that. What's worse is that I dragged another person into it. And it's another teenager on top of that."
I placed my right hand on Mr. Firay's shoulder. He looked at me flatly.
"I hate this. I hate how I was dragged into this. I hate how Wendell was dragged into this. I hate being injured. I hate everything about gangs and wish I was never involved with them."
Mr. Firay blinked, looking surprised. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.
"But since it's too late for all that, all I can do is my best to stay safe, keep you safe, and now keep Wendell safe. I don't want to see anyone else get hurt."
Wendell snorted. "Save the soap opera stuff."
I scowled, stuck my tongue at him. "Nyeh!" I looked for something else to chuck. Mr. Firay chuckled, patting my head.
"You're a good girl, Daphne."
I half-smiled. "But why do they hate you so much? So much that they'd even go after one of your students?"
Mr. Firay smirked. "Remember? I told you I did something bad. And I left the gang, which just makes it worse."
"But what did you do?"
Mr. Firay shrugged. "Who knows?"
"Matt."
Mr. Firay raised his eyebrows. "You remembered to call me Matt!"
"Don't change the subject!"
"Wendell," Mr. Firay said, turning to look at him. "Are you ready to hear my tragic story of woe?"
Wendell rolled his eyes. "It better be good. Otherwise I'm going to beat the shit out of you for dragging Daphne into something so dangerous."
"Wendell!" I cried, half shocked, half amused.
Mr. Firay chuckled. "Trust me, I'll let you beat me up anyways."
"Right. Now explain to me from the beginning. Everything."
Mr. Firay sighed and began to explain. I already knew the story, so I went into the kitchen, aiming for something to drink. After a few minutes of fruitless searching, I returned to the living room, empty-handed.
Mr. Firay glanced at me, pausing in his story. "Need something?"
"I'm thirsty."
Mr. Firay chuckled. "Sorry, I haven't been to the grocery store lately. There's some change on the counter. Grab that and go down to the vending machine."
I opened my mouth to refuse, but Mr. Firay's look gave me the impression that I wasn't allowed to say no. I turned on my heel and went to the counter, swiping the change off of it and clenching it in my hand.
"I'll be back then..."
Wendell grunted in reply and I couldn't help an amused smile from slipping onto my face.
I exited into the apartment hallway and headed left. It took me a moment to realize I didn't even know what kind of things the vending machines had, let alone where they were. I hesitated before continuing down the hallway.
What kind of fancy apartment was this to have vending machines? I furrowed my brow, but continued until I made it to the stairwell. There weren't any vending machines in sight. I frowned, and went down to the first floor.
There were three doors now. I peeked through one, which seemed to lead to the parking lot. The other lead to another hallway, and the last led to a room with the vending machines in it.
I went in and made a beeline straight for the machine. I popped in the coins and pressed the button for a coke. It dropped down and I bend to pick it up, immediately pressing it to my sore cheek.
I let out a contented sigh. Oh the wonders cold drinks could do for wounds.
Suddenly, there was a pair of hands on my shoulders. I jumped, letting out a strangled cry, and knocking my can of soda against my cheek, making me hiss in pain. I struggled to get free of whoever had a grip on my shoulders.
When they finally let go, I turned to see a very tall, young man with messy chestnut hair grinning at me. I stared at him curiously for a moment. Why did he look so familiar?
"Daphne? You remember me?"
"Umm..." I hesitated.
The brunette frowned in mock disappointment. "I'm slightly offended that you don't remember me..."
I bit my lip, quickly thinking. Who was this man? I know I had met him before, but I couldn't remember where. But he wasn't an enemy...maybe one of Mr. Firay's friends...
"Sage!" I said suddenly as the name popped into my head.
His expression brightened, and he nodded, a grin back on his face. "You do remember me!"
"Yep," I responded, smiling slightly.
"Are you going back to Matt's apartment?" Sage asked me, surveying me with his green eyes.
I looked away from his gaze and nodded.
"Me too! I'll accompany you!"
I nodded, and together we set off back to the stairwell and towards Mr. Firay's apartment.
"So...how are you?" I asked, trying to be polite.
"As British stereotypes say, I'm jolly good! I'd ask how you are, but it looks like you're a little down for the count."
I chuckled. "You could say that..."
We started climbing the stairs tot he second floor. Sage held open the door that led to the hallway for me. I nodded in thanks.
Sage studied me seriously. "Were you attacked?"
I nodded.
"Where's Matt?"
"Back in his apartment with Wendell."
"Wendell?" Sage repeated.
I took a deep breath. "Long story-"
I was interrupted by a loud crash from down the hallway. Sage and I exchanged startled looks. Muffled yelling could be heard now, and I sprinted the last steps to Mr. Firay's apartment.
I burst through the door, surveying the place quickly.
I caught sight of Wendell and Mr. Firay just in time to see Wendell punch Mr. Firay in the face. I gasped, running towards Wendell.
"You stupid bastard!" Wendell shouted, bringing back his fist again.
Mr. Firay stood there, making no indication that he was hurt, and also not even attempting to protect himself.
"Wendell!" I cried, attempting to stop him from punching Mr. Firay. "Wendell!"
He ripped his arm from my grasp roughly, making me fall forwards. Mr. Firay put out his arm to steady me. Wendell attempted to shove Mr. Firay's arm away and steady me instead, but only managed to knock his hand into my bad cheek.
I groaned in pain, falling over the two of them anyways. Mr. Firay managed to stop me from falling completely. He effortlessly placed me upright on my feet again. I rubbed my cheek gently, glaring at Wendell. He looked back at me guiltily.
"Daphne, I'm sor-"
"What are you doing?" I demanded. "You can't punch a teacher, Wendell!"
"Daphne, it's okay," Mr. Firay cut in. "I deserved it."
I twirled around, staring at him in shock. "How did you deserve it?"
"For making you involved with those gangsters!" Wendell responded, glaring angrily at Mr. Firay. "I didn't know they were after you precisely, let alone it was this asshole's fault."
"Wendell," I reprimanded sharply. "Watch your mouth. And it's not completely his fault!"
Mr. Firay sighed, shaking his head. My heart was pounding so hard I swore people ten miles away could hear it. My hands shook, and my breaths came short, quick, and quivering.
"You could get her killed!" Wendell accused, crossing his arms.
"I know the consequences well, Mr. Piper," Mr. Firay snapped, returning the glare.
"It's not his fault!" I repeated, turning to glare at Wendell. "I'm the one that followed him the night at the fair!"
Wendell's eyes widened slightly. "The fair?"
I quickly shut my mouth, blushing. That was right. I hadn't told Wendell about that incident!
"What do you mean, Daphne?" he demanded.
"I got Daphne caught up in a fight," Mr. Firay told him before I could think of any excuses.
I opened my mouth to protest, but Wendell pushed my out of the way, after Mr. Firay again. I stumbled backwards, and a different pair of arms steadied me this time. I turned to see Sage frowning at the pair in front of him with a sober face.
I turned to them as well now. Mr. Firay had Wendell's arms locked behind his back. Wendell scowled and tried to pull himself free, but it was a fruitless attempt. Let's face it -Mr. Firay was super strong.
"You need to calm down," Mr. Firay ordered.
"Like hell I'll calm down! You put Daphne in danger!"
"I put myself in danger!" I told him exasperated. "Don't listen to Mr. Firay! He's lying!"
"Daphne," Mr. Firay said sharply.
"Just stop fighting," I begged, my eyes beginning to water. "Please..."
Mr. Firay's hard gaze diminished and he released Wendell, whose expression had softened as well.
"I want to go home," I told the pair.
"I'll bring you," Mr. Firay offered immediately. "It's too late to walk."
I shook my head. "No."
Mr. Firay looked at me in surprise. "I'm not letting you go myself."
"I'll go with her," Wendell interjected, scowling at Mr. Firay.
I shook my head again. "I don't want to go with you either, Wendell."
His expression now matched Mr. Firay's.
"You're not going alone," they both warned together.
"Oi," Sage cut in. "I'll take her."
Mr. Firay's attention snapped to the man behind me. "When did you get here?"
"Who's he?" Wendell demanded.
I groaned, holding my head. "Enough questions! I want to go home."
Sage put a hand on my shoulder. "Trust me, I'll get you home safely."
Mr. Firay narrowed his eyes slightly. "You better."
Sage chuckled. "Unlike you, I'm not interested in high school girls."
I glanced at Mr. Firay, who stared at Sage, looking stunned. Sage smirked, and I couldn't help a small amused smirk slipping on my lips as well. It was impossible that Mr. Firay felt that way, but it was still amusing to see that expression on his face.
A/N. This chapter might've been slightly confusing so I'll try to go into depth with it in the next chapter, hopefully. The characters are a little OOC (who am I kidding? I made Wendell go all freak on MS; he's not a little OOC), but what can you do.
I have a feeling you guys will really like Sage's character. Puck's probably only going to show up once or twice, so Sage will make up for that, as will some of MS's split personality-ness. XD
Until...Monday! :O The last four-days-update. WAH! Well, I might be able to do the same for Spring Break if I don't go traveling, so let's be hopeful! ^^
Paalam for now (Good bye for now!)
~Lara