Fan Fiction ❯ Six Years ❯ Chapter 23

Lee awoke to the sound of someone tapping on his door. He sat up and stretched then gazed at the book he had been reading. History. He hadn't meant to fall asleep in the middle of an era. The knock came again and Lee reluctantly switched forms. He walked up to the door and opened it. D looked at him for a moment then stepped inside.

"You look like you just woke up," he commented as Lee pushed his hair back away from his face.

"I did just wake up," he said. "So what's going on?"

"Well I've got some good news. My dad got some pills made to help control any involuntary regression back to our natural state."

"Do you have bad news as well?"

"A couple more of our kind were killed early this morning. They were kitchen workers. I don't really remember the names, though."

"They are such idiots," Lee said as he poured himself a glass of water.

"Yes, I know and there's nothing we can do about it," D replied as he sat down on a wooden chair. "It's sad that they are distantly related to us."

"They don't even know that. They believe that they're their own species."

"I wish they were. Then I wouldn't be so upset."

"I need to eat something," Lee commented and D leaned his chair back.

"My dad says he's got a possible lead," he said and Lee looked at him.

"Really? What is it?"

"Apparently there's a traveling family with a boy around thirteen years old. Ryo's thirteen, isn't he?"

"Barely thirteen. But for them to play a family...."

"The woman is a blonde," D replied and Lee's eyes grew wide.

"No way. Major Izo would never...." he said and D shrugged his shoulders.

"He would if he was ordered to do it. The major would never go against orders. At least that's what my dad says."

"But that would be so humiliating."

"I know. I'd love to see him, though. If it is him, I mean. It would be funny," D said and Lee shrugged his shoulders.

"Well I hope they make it here safely," Lee said as he sat down and picked up a fork.

"You're really looking forward to seeing him again, aren't you? You know he didn't think much of you. I don't mean to insult you."

"No, I know that Ryo didn't think much of me. Part of that was jealousy. I got to do things he couldn't because I wasn't the prince. But I'm going to change his feelings about me. I want to make my father proud."

"Even though he can't see you any more?"

"I know that doing acts to please the dead is pointless but I have to do this. This is why I'm alive. I am sworn to be his companion like your father said."

"Love works in strange ways."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not exactly sure. You almost ready to go?"

"Where are we going today?"

"I don't know. I'll think of a place. We've got to be careful, though. The humans are getting paranoid. Plus, there have been some really weird creatures coming into the city lately. They look sorta like us only much uglier. Plus their wings are tiny and their skin tone is completely different. My dad says they work for Levin and they're just here to put more of the blame on the nobles."

"How did he take over the throne in the first place? It was like he just came and killed Niezon."

"He did. Xylphara was working for him. That's how he was able to do this with no one knowing about it. At least not until it was too late to do anything about it," D said as he stood up. "But let's not brood about it. Let's go out and have some fun. We could terrorize small animals."

"I'll go outside, but I won't hurt any animal," Lee said as he rinsed off his dishes.

"Suit yourself. I only do it as a stress reliever."

Lee picked up his key ring and attached it to his belt. He then walked to the hallway and switched off the lights. He exited the apartment with D behind him and headed down the stairs to the street below.

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Izo sat in a wooden chair and glared at Kana through lightly shadowed eyes. Kana pretended not to notice as he gazed at the menu. Ryo leaned back in his chair and counted the ceiling tiles as Izo picked up his glass of water and drank half of it.

"Have you decided on what you want to eat, my dear? The waiter is waiting," Kana said and Izo handed the menu to Kana.

"The lamb please," he replied in the highest voice he could muster.

"I'll take the ham and our son will have the same," Kana said and the waiter nodded his head.

"Excellent decision, sir. Would you like some wine to go with that?" he inquired and Kana nodded his head.

"Yes. I think some light alcohol would help loosen things up."

"Why couldn't we have just done room service?" Izo whispered, once the waiter had gone to the kitchen.

"Because normal human families go to restaurants to eat. They don't go straight to their room and stay there all night," Kana replied.

"I'm getting tired of this facade, sir."

"It's not that bad."

"Sir, you don't know the mental strain this puts on me. I also don't like the looks I get from the human males. It's like all they want to do is rip my clothes off of me."

"That just proves that they're distantly related to us. Some fires cannot be extinguished. Now we've done more speaking on the subject than we should have. The waters are ever dangerous around us."

"I know, sir but can I make a suggestion? Why don't you play the woman for awhile?"

"I think not. Your body is more suited to it than mine."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Let's talk about something else before someone gets suspicious. You don't want that to happen, do you? I know we're armed but I really don't want to get into any fights."

"There's at least three thousand tiles in this place," Ryo said and Izo looked at him.

"You've been counting the ceiling tiles? You've got more patience than I do, kid," Izo said and Ryo shook his head.

"You've got more patience. You're the one that's been dressed up for the past month."

"Sir..."

"Apologize, Ryo. The waiter's returning," Kana said and Ryo grinned.

"Sorry, Mom," he said and Izo glared at him. He then glared at Kana who was again, pretending not to notice anything as the waiter set the bottle of wine on the table. He took out two glasses and opened the bottle of wine. Kana listened to the light fizz from the bottle then watched the waiter pour the glasses.

"Leave the bottle here, please," Kana said and the waiter nodded his head.

"Your orders should be coming soon," he said and walked away from the table.

"You're ticking me off, sir," Izo hissed and Kana sighed.

"Patience, major."

"I don't have much left, sir."

"It'll be over as soon as we go back to the hotel."

"Right. I'll be normal for the night and then I'll have to degrade myself again in the morning. I want to be normal again for good, sir. When can I go back to actually being myself?"

"I don't know, major."

"That's not a response I wanted to hear, sir," Izo muttered as he unfolded his napkin.

"I'm sorry," Kana replied as the waiter appeared with their order.

"Here we are. Sorry about the slight delay. There was some trouble in the kitchen," the waiter said as he set the plates in front of them.

"Nothing serious, I hope."

"No. Just one of his highness' men doing a spot check."

"Well I hope everything is safe. We'll call you if we need anything else."

"Very good, sir," the waiter said and walked off to the next table. Izo looked nervously at Kana who was calmly picking up his fork and beginning to eat.

"What are we going to do sir?" he whispered and Kana laid down his fork.

"What can we do? If we panic, that's only going to point us out in the middle of the restaurant. Just eat your meal, Izo, and we'll deal with the possible threat as it arises," Kana replied.

"Yes, sir."

"This is really good. I didn't know they could cook so well," Ryo commented, his mouth full of food.

"Remember your manners, Ryo. People are looking," Kana replied.

"Sorry."

"How come you don't laugh at him when he says something?" Izo asked softly.

"He doesn't looks as funny as you do," Ryo replied as Kana raised the wine bottle.

"Some more wine, dear?" he asked and Izo grudgingly nodded his head.

The lights flickered suddenly then died out and Izo looked at Kana. Some women screamed in terror and Kana glanced around in search of the kitchen. Silverware dropped as people tried to eat their meals in the dark and Izo laid a hand on one of his hidden weapons.

"Let's wait until the enemy makes his appearance," Kana whispered as he waved a hand and brought the lights back up. A demon with tangerine eyes looked around in shock and Izo slid down in his seat.

"Not Talson," he muttered. "I can't believe that guy took that nut in."

"General I know you're here. The squirrel told me so. Now show yourself!" Talson cried and Ryo stood up.

"A squirrel told you? Come on. You expect us to believe that?" he asked.

"Don't make him angry! You see that whip? It's not just for decoration," a human from another table said and Ryo folded his arms.

"Can you trust the integrity of someone that says they talk to squirrels? How do you know he's actually working for the king? Look at him. Does he look like a rational person?"

"Shut up! The squirrel told me they came here to seek alliance with the water sprites. Don't make me use this on you boy!" Talson cried and Ryo folded his arms.

"Would you just listen to him? Water sprites? Come on. The king couldn't have an idiot such as this working for him. I say he's one of the ones that's been destroying our homes," Ryo said and Izo looked at Kana in confusion.

"What's he doing, sir?" Izo whispered and Kana shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm not exactly sure but the humans look confused," he replied. "I believe they're trying to decide whether they should believe him or us."

"Enough! I'm sick of hearing you talk! Didn't your parents teach you not to talk out of turn? I guess I'll have to discipline you instead."

"Don't you dare lay a hand on him!" Izo cried and Talson turned around.

"Are you his mother? You'd better teach this kid some manners. Here, be my guest," Talson said and handed his paddle to Izo.

"In my opinion, he hasn't done anything wrong. You're the one that should be punished. I mean, honestly. Turning the lights off in the middle of a restaurant and scaring everyone. That's a crime in itself."

Talson's eye twitched in anger is he patted his paddle. He then put away his paddle and took out his cat o' nine tales. He then spread his severely damaged wings and grinned evilly. Izo folded his arms as he watched Talson. Surely he wasn't planning on using it on him here.

"Woman, you are charged with assisting the enemy. You all should be warned. Don't interfere with the safety of the world," Talson growled and let the tails of his whip fall to the floor.

"Punish me if you must but please do not do it in here. You have already spoiled everyone's appetite. There's not need to frighten them further. Please watch over our boy, my love. I do not wish him to see this," Izo said and turned around.

"Mother, I'm going along too. I will not let him hurt you," Ryo said and Kana stood up.

"You can come out and watch but I don't want you to get in your mother's way. Let her take care of herself first and if she needs assistance then you can help her," he said as Izo walked out to the front of the restaurant. He lowered his head so that Talson couldn't see his grin. He was going to have fun with the insane demon.