Chapter 15

Arriving in LA, Mark's entire world was nearly dropped on its head. The sights, the people, the lights, the tourist scammers, it was so much to take in.

Approaching the curb, a limo approached and stopped right in front of Monica. A man in a nice suit hopped out and helped with the luggage before opening the door for the duo.

"Where to, ma'am?" The man asked.

"Club Yuno." Monica answered.

"Right away, ma'am."

Monica lazed back in her seat while Mark was in awe at the amount of fancy liquor and lights.

"Impressed?" Monica asked.

"I mean-" Mark chuckled. "Yeah, it's-" he stopped himself as Monica pressed a button on the interior of the limo.

The spot between them opened as a small tray emerged. It settled and opened, smoke flowing out all fancy like before showing multiple different strands of weed.

"Jesus, how much do you smoke?" Mark asked.

"Let's just say "there can never be enough." Monica answered as she pulled out a pre rolled doink from the slot.

It hissed before closing and returning into the seat.

Lighting it, Monica took a few big puffs before offering it to Mark.

"This is only one of the many, many ways to loosen up and have fun here in the City of Angels." Monica said. "Just wait 'til we get to Yuri's."

Sharing the doink for the trip, Monica and Mark left the limo once it pulled up outside Club Yuno.

"Alright." Monica said as she flicked what remained of the doink away. "Here is where the fun begins."

Approaching the door, the duo were suddenly stopped by a massive bouncer.

"Can't you two tell?" The bouncer asked. "Closed. Come back later."

Monica smirked before speaking.

"Tell your boss "The blood rose wilts." Monica said.

The bouncer hesitated.

"Go on." Monica urged him. "She'll know what it means."

Using his walkie to radio up, he got hold of Sasha.

"Hey, Sasha, I got a couple down here." He said.

"Tell 'em to fuck off." Sasha dismissed. "Not open yet."

"They have a message." The bouncer replied.

"Ugh, what?" Sasha groaned.

"The blood rose wilts." The bouncer answered.

There were a few seconds of silence.

"Send 'em up."

The bouncer moved to the side, allowing Mark and Monica to enter. Taking the elevator up to the club, the doors parted and the duo stepped out to a gaudy, highly expensive dance floor.

Mark spotted a door in the ceiling, likely for a disco ball. Fog machines lined the floor. There were setups for lights, as well as a DJ booth and multiple booths for sitting and ordering beverages.

The bar was stocked to the brim with only the finest liquor.

"What the fuck?" Mark exclaimed.

The coloring of the entire room was mainly lilac and black, giving off a dark vibe. Which was textbook Yuri.

"Sasha!" Monica said excitedly as she approached the bar tender, going in for a hug. "Mm, damn. How long's it been?"

"2, 300 years?" Sasha shrugged.

Glancing over Monica's shoulder, Sasha spotted Mark standing a few feet away.

"Who's the stud?"

"New addition to the family." Monica answered.

"Which family in particular?" Sasha asked.

"Werewolf."

"Ooh." Sasha grinned. "So, Hannah has her eye on this one, huh? And, being your usual competitive self, I'm pretty sure that means you also have your eye on him, too. Gotta snag a taste of that before Hannah, right?"

Monica grinned as she leaned forward to whisper.

"I actually got a taste before heading over here, as well as another sample on the way here." Monica said proudly, as if the act were an achievement of sorts.

"You dirty little bitch."

The two chuckled while Mark was left confused and nervous.

"So, you gonna introduce me to him or what?" Sasha asked.

"Right." Monica stepped to the side. "Mark, Sasha. Sasha, Mark."

Reaching back for her pack of cigarettes, Sasha took one out and lit up as she checked Mark out.

"I can tell you're gonna be popular with the locals." Sasha stated as she blew a cloud of smoke.

Back in Japan, Sayori and Natsuki - Kimiko and Makio were sitting and talking about what to do next.

"Well..." Makio took a drag off a blunt. "I've taught you how to operate your own small drug bis, as well as helped you learn a few of the street basics." Makio handed the blunt over to Kimiko. "With your werewolf strength, there's really no need to know how to fight since you could knock just about anyone out with one punch. But, if you wanna learn, I can help with that too." Makio suddenly hopped to her feet. "As for now, we gotta meet up with the others."

"You know where they are?" Kimiko asked.

"LA." Makio answered as she stretched. "Little nightclub called Yuno. Yuri thought she was so clever when she came up with the catchphrase for it."

"What catchphrase?" Kimiko asked.

"Yuno the one." Makio answered. "When talking about the club and someone asks "which one" that was her go to line. Each and every time. Anyway, pack your shit. We're heading for the airport. Yuri should have a private plane waiting for us."

"She should?" Kimiko asked.

"You'll see." Makio said before heading into the other room to grab her suitcase. "C'mon. Faster we get there, the faster you and Mark can..." She trailed off.

"Can what?" Kimiko asked.

"Oh, don't play innocent with me." Makio rolled her eyes as Kimiko went to get her things. "I think you've sold enough drugs, as well as done enough yourself, to just say fuck it and throw caution to the wind. I mean, if little miss innocent is daring enough to break the law and smoke some weed, then why not just say "fuck it" and make the first move?" Kimiko finished packing her last few things and met Makio at the door.

"We both know he's too much of a gentleman to ask for it first." Makio continued. "If you wait, you might just end up waiting. But you also have competition that won't wait forever."

"What do you mean?" Kimiko asked.

"Monica." Makio stated. "She loves butting herself into romances to make it a triangle. If you're not careful, she might just mount that pole before you do."

Kimiko's face flushed red with both embarrassment at the thought of "mounting Mark's pole" as well as anger at the thought of Monica stealing him away.

A taxi pulled up and the two climbed inside.

"Airport." Makio told the driver.

"Why would she do that?" Kimiko asked as the car began to move. "She wouldn't betray her friends like that..."

"She doesn't see that as betrayal." Makio informed. "Given each of us has immortality, she believes that everything will happen sooner or later. She just isn't so fond of the "or later" bit. On top of that, she doesn't view physical pleasures as cheating. Once their thoughts drift from her entirely is when she believes she's being cheated on."

Kimiko was silent for what felt like hours.

"Just... Don't be surprised." Makio added. "I know Monica, and I hate trying to justify her actions, but other than that, you know she isn't a bad person."

Kimiko remained silent, her thoughts filled with images of Monica and Mark.

After paying for the taxi, Makio led Kimiko to the plane.

End of Chapter 15