Hey guys! Thanks for checking out my Blade of the Slayer (BOTS) stories. I hope they're as fun and exciting for you to read as it is for me to write about them. And for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, check out the first part of BOTS called Three Warriors.

I'll take a moment to dedicate this series to my #1 critic and fellow schoolmate: Stephanie, AKA Mama Washu. Thanks for reading all my stories, Mama!

Okay, we may now begin the story!

~Masquerade

Chapter 13: Valentine's Day

"I still can't believe it." I laughed, applying nail polish to Ayla's nails. "You met London before any of us did?"

"He said his name was Lance." Ayla explained. "See, I was in town doing some girl shopping. As I crossed the street to the mall, some shmuck in a speeding car almost ran me over. Then, this incredibly nice guy came out of the blue, and pushed me out of the way of the car. He got my shirt dirty by accident, so he took me to the mall and bought me another one."

"What accent did he have?" I asked, blowing on a finished nail.

"He didn't have an accent." She insisted. American, I told myself. Ayla continued. "Anyway, so he went with me shopping, and he bought everything for me. He was so nice and polite, I couldn't believe he was for real…"

I can't believe he had that much money. I mentally reacted. Ayla buys everything she sees. I was flat broke myself, but I did have enough money to replace Ayla's cherry nail polish.

"…then he asked me out, saying he didn't have any plans on Valentine's day. Neither did I, so I said yes. I never thought he'd be one of the androids…" Then, she started blushing and giggling. I guess it was natural. London was very handsome, and nice, and talented…

"So, where are you going?" I wondered. It was the day of the date, Valentine's Day, and I was on my guard. Ayla's matchmaking scheme would come into play at any moment, and I had to be ready to slap it aside the moment I saw it.

"Nowhere special. Just to the coffeehouse and a walk through the park. I thought I'd show him around a little too." Suddenly, she perked up at an "idea" as I finished the last nail. "Hey, Clara, I just got a great idea!"

"What is it?" I wondered suspiciously, screwing the cap of the nail polish on.

"Let's double date!"

"Double…date?!"

"Yeah, you and Tokyo can come with me and London. C'mon, it'll be so much fun!"

That was the matchmaking plan?! It was too obvious to by Ayla…

"Me…and Tokyo…on a date?" I tried to clear up. "What the hell have you been smoking?"

"Wow." Ayla gasped. "I didn't know you could smoke 7-Up." She started giggling again, and I couldn't help but laugh. This scheme was too foreword and straight to the point, it couldn't have taken Ayla a whole week to plan it. There had to be more to it than just a date.

Still, I had to be cautious.

"No thanks." I declined. "It's a bad idea."

"Oh, c'mon, spoilsport!"

"Even if I wanted to go, Tokyo would rather kill himself than go on a…"

"Oh, he wants to go."

"???????????????" I did not believe my ears. Tokyo wanting to go on a date with me? That had to be a very poor lie. Tokyo and I hated each other's guts, we couldn't go five minutes without getting into a fight, and we usually got violent. The two of us double dating would be a disaster.

"I still say no."

"But Clara, he really wants you to go."

"You probably blackmailed him into it." I accused, walking away from her. "Or you did something to force him. I know you're trying to turn us into a couple, Ayla. It won't work."

"Where ya going?" she wondered.

"I’m gonna go for a walk." I announced. "Don't expect me back for a long time."

"Clara…"

I shut the door behind me, then walked to the front door.

"Clara!" I heard Corey yell from the living room. "Where yu goin?"

"Out for a walk!" I called back. "I won't be back until late tonight."

"Be safe!" he wished me as I walked out the door.

I didn't take Juunanogou, I walked to town on foot.

I wanted to be alone.

***

The town was called Emerald, and it was the second biggest town in the county. Being a rather big town, it was very crowded on Valentine's Day. The crowds of people were very thick, and I couldn't take ten steps without pushing my way through people. Boring a trail of my own through people was very costly, one fat jerk accused me of stepping on his foot and he punched me in the face so hard that I stumbled into the bike lane of the street. I got back at him by jumping back onto the sidewalk and punched him through a glass shop window. I turned on the ball of my foot and walked away in satisfaction as the angry storeowner was hounding the jerk.

I took a couple laps around the mall, but I didn't buy anything. I'm broke, remember? Passing a foot court, I was given brief bliss with the smell of cinnamon buns. Unfortunately, androids couldn't eat. Food particles could shut down our system and we'd either go into paralysis or die. Androids could drink to our hearts content, but we can't eat. Dammit, and I love cinnamon buns! At least, I did in my false memories…

I glanced at a couple of dresses as a dress shop. They looked really cute on the mannequins, but I didn't like them. Too pink for my taste…

Tokyo?! How did he get in my head?! I rapped my knuckles on my skull to get him out, but I had little luck. I took another walk around the mall to get away from him…

…or did I need time to think?

I walked out of the mall, and crossed the street. There was a bench for a bus stop nearby, so I sat down to give my tired feet a rest. I took my boots off, and curled my toes to crack them before slipping them back in my boots. I leaned my head back, and started to think.

I didn't like him, but I didn't hate him either. We were off to a bad start, and were still doing pretty bad. I hated that attitude of his. He wouldn't call me Clara. He was always on the defense, and he couldn't relax or lighten up.

But…he was a good fighter, and he was very smart. He could dish out and handle serious pain if the situation called for it. He never gave up on anything, even if the situation was hopeless. Plus, I'll admit it, he was kinda cute. Kinda, not really.

I couldn't make up my mind at all.

Suddenly, something felt wrong. Something felt cold and frightening. I lowered my head out of a lean, and looked around. People walking by, cars cruising on the road, a few pigeons flying overhead, sun shining, wind blowing, nothing out of the ordinary.

That is, until I looked across the street.

A very tall man draped in a gray cape and hood stood on the sidewalk curve waiting for the light to change. What I felt came from him, and I didn't like it. A very bad aura surrounded him. I couldn't explain it. I felt a little nervous, and I wasn't sure if it was because he looked creepy or if it was something else.

The light changed, and the man crossed on the sidewalk. The bad feeling grew, and I clutched the bench. I started to feel afraid, and I didn't know why. The man started to walk towards me, and my tension grew. I tried not to look afraid, but it was hard. Why was I so scared?

The man stopped right next to me, and tipped back his hood. I could see his face: black, spiky hair, ghostly pale skin, and a black cloth covered his eyes. Was he blind? Then how did he see the light change?

Then he spoke, and it felt like there was no one else in the universe except for him and me.

"Paris Kid?"

I hesitated, trying to figure out what to say to him.

"Who?" I asked, trying to make him think I was the wrong person and leave me alone.

"You are Paris Kid." He easily identified with a small smile. "A pleasure to finally meet you."

He just wanted to meet me? I found that a little odd. Some of my courage came to my rescue, and I uncurled my hands from the bench.

"What? No handshake?" I dared. The man extended a hand from his cloaking cape. I reached up and grasped it. His had was ice cold, and his grip was unbelievable. Suddenly, he squeezed my hand so hard he started to crush it. I winced and cried out in pain as I tried to free myself. He yanked me to my feet, put his other hand around my neck, and then hoisted me up to his face. My feet dangled inches off the ground.

"I knew it!" I cried, struggling for breath. "A dragonoid. Who are you and whadaya want?!"

"I am neither dragonoid or human." The man answered. "I have been sent to kill you…dragon slayer." I smiled at him, coming up with an idea.

"Yeah, well," I gagged, using my free hand to ease his grip, "whoever sent you shouldn't have picked a blind man to do the job." Then I screamed at the top of my lungs the best I could: "SOMEBODY HELP ME! HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME! CALL THE POLICE! HELP!"

The guy just picked the wrong place to jump me: a crowded street in broad daylight.

A crowd formed, and a few brave men pounced on him, but the blind man's grip refused to give. I kicked him in the area of male weakness, and he instantly dropped me. A few bystanders helped me up, and I ran away, leaving the stranger with an angry mob of people. That was close.

I ducked down a narrow alley, and knelt behind a couple of trashcans. I had to hide for a while to let my trail run cold, and give me time to catch my breath and think. Okay, so a spooky guy who refused to introduce himself attacked me. He's a blind guy who was sent to kill me. He said he was "neither dragonoid or human."

Suddenly, I heard a loud BANG! A gunshot! Another one followed it, BANG!, along with running footsteps heading my way. Suddenly, the footsteps fell silent, and I continued thinking.

"Paris!"

Tokyo's voice! Help had arrived! Just to be sure it wasn't a trick, I stayed hidden, and peeked over the tops of the trashcans. Tokyo walked into the alley, and looked around.

"Paris, are you here?!" he called. It was him! I stood up, out of hiding.

"Please call me Clara." I begged. "You're bugging the hell out of me."

"Are you alright?" he asked, hurrying to me.

"I think so." I nodded. "What are you doing here?"

"One of London's friends said I could find you in town, and I heard you screaming for help. What did that man want?"

"He wanted to kill me." I explained. "I think he's with the dragonoids, but he said…"

"Shhhhht!" Tokyo hushed. He put a hand over my mouth, and pushed me back behind the garbage cans. I leaned against the wall, and I heard footsteps walking down the alley towards our hiding place. It had to be that man. Tokyo took his hand off my mouth and squeezed my shoulder. He was nervous. Did the blind man frighten him too? I couldn't picture Tokyo being scared of something… Then I heard the footsteps turn around and walk quickly away. Tokyo's hand returned to my mouth. He wanted to be absolutely sure the man had left.

About five minutes later, Tokyo took his hand away and reached over to his feet.

"Take off your shoes." He ordered. "We'll make too much noise if we keep them on."

"And how do you propose we run without our shoes?!" I demanded.

"We're not running." He explained, standing up and holding his silk shoes in his hand. "We're walking. We'll waste breath and energy running away from nothing. Besides, running makes too much noise. Let's go." I took off my boots and followed him out of the alley. When we came to the street, we put our shoes on, took a long look around for the man, and walked on the sidewalk when we didn't see him.

"Where we going?" I asked.

"Car lot." He answered. "Kaguya bought a motorcycle for me yesterday. She'll be there to let me pick it up. Good timing, too. We'll need something fast to get out of town with."

"Okay." I accepted. Good, Kaguya was here too. She'd be great in a fight, or so I've heard. I've never seen her fight before, but one day I would.

"So," I tried to change the subject, "did Ayla tell you about her plans tonight?"

"Yes, she did." He nodded. "I've been meaning to ask you…what's a 'double date?'"

"Well, you know what a normal date is, right?"

"I have the general idea."

"Well, in a double date, instead of one couple going out, it's two couples. What Ayla wants the two of us to do is go as one couple, and she and London will go as the second couple."

"I see."

"Of course, I’m totally against the idea. Sorry, but the last person I'd go out on a date with would be you. Not that I…"

"Actually, double dating is a good idea."

"WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!" That couldn't have been Tokyo talking! That was his trench coat talking, right? Tokyo would never…

"The main idea of a date is to get to know the other person. I feel we should understand each other better to work as a team in battle. We should understand each other's strengths, weaknesses, and overall personality. The double date could give us that opportunity. Mind you, it has nothing to do with courtship. I have no feelings for you, Paris."

That last sentence made me stop dead in my tracks. I turned to face him.

"What?! Then why do you keep saving me from dragonoids when they attack?"

"Because you're too valuable a pawn to lose in this war. If you died…"

I slapped him, and I slapped him nice and hard. He wasn't effected.

"All you care about is this stupid war! You damn jerk! You don't even care about me at all!"

"Should I?" he growled, coldly looking at me. I felt weak, suddenly. I felt absolutely sick. That icy stare of his stabbed into me deeper than any sword could. His words seemed to tear me apart. I felt anger and hate rise inside of me, making me feel hot everywhere. I felt I had to scream. And I did.

"BASTARD!" I yelled, leaping at him. I flung a punch, but he caught it and twisted my arm behind my back. Pinned against his chest, he got me walking on the side walk in front of him.

"Let me remind you," he said quietly in my ear, "that man who wants to kill you is somewhere in this town looking for us. Your action could have gotten you discovered and killed. Please…don't do that again."

"You…bastard!" I sobbed as I was forced to walk. "You don't care at all…you don't care…"

***

In no time at all, we reached the car lot. Kaguya was waiting by the front entrance next to Glynn and Corey's car, and the stylish Kawasaki that Juunanogou fell in love with. Tokyo glanced at the bike, then started talking to Kaguya in Japanese. He must have been talking about the blind man because she grew worried. She gave him a Japanese order, and he let go of my arm. Kaguya came to my aide as Tokyo went to the bike.

"Are you alright?" Kaguya asked me. I didn't reply. I felt absolutely awful and sick. Kaguya let me get into the back seat of the car and lie down. I fastened the seatbelt over my waist, and Kaguya drove off. I heard Tokyo's new motorcycle thrum behind us. I breathed in and out slowly. How could Tokyo expect us to work together if he felt nothing for me and I felt ever emotion possible for him? I liked him, I loved him, I hated him, I was afraid of him, I wanted to be with him, I wanted to stay away from him, I wanted to kill him…I felt so confused. Tokyo and I had to complete unbalance, and we had to find some kind of equal ground to stand on if we couldn't live with our confused hearts like this forever.

I felt so helpless and emotional.

I cried the whole way home.

***

I fell asleep by the time we got back to the base. So somebody helped me inside and laid me out on the living room couch. I woke up with my head in someone's lap. I sighed and snuggled into it. So soft and warm and cozy…

"Hoye! No goin thay!"

I instantly woke up in shock.

"Corey!" I yelled, bolting up to a sit. The red headed Brit started laughing, and I was so frightened and surprised that I smacked him in the shoulder. That shut him up very quickly.

"Ow…" he moaned.

"I told yu not to du that, Core." London warned from in front of the TV. He and Glynn were playing a fighting game on the Playstation. I think it was Mortal Kombat.

"She slaaped me." Corey complained.

"Well that's just pants." Glynn let slide, then laughed.

"Never had luck with women, that Core." London joined the laughing. I had nothing to laugh about. My hand and arm still hurt. I cracked my fingers as I swung my legs over the side of the couch.

"London, when are you and Ayla leaving?" I wondered.

"Thirty minutes." He answered, switching to his American accent. "I'm ready, but Squeaky's taking forever in the bathroom." Still? My God, human women! "Are you coming with us?"

"I dunno." I sighed.

"Okay then. Is it true you pimp slapped Tokyo?"

"WOT SLAAPPED?" Glynn and Corey asked in shock.

"Where'd you hear that from?" I wondered.

"Ayla."

"It figures." I sighed. "Yes, I slapped him."

"Alraight!" Glynn and Corey cheered. Corey patted my shoulder, but I slapped it away. So Corey hunched over, and gave Glynn a high five. London took the distracted moment to kill off Glynn's character and win the game.

"Nooooooo!" Glynn cried. "No fair, London! Ya backstabbing cheeta!"

"Well, pay attention." London advised. The two grumbled at each other, then turned back to the game.

"I take on the winner next game." Corey called.

"Alraight." Glynn excepted.

"So Clara," London began again, "are you and Tokyo still coming with us?"

"After slaaping him?" Glynn shook his head. "Stuupid question."

"Let her answer." London snapped.

"No." I decided. "I'm really tired, and I just want ta sleep."

"Ayla didn't pressure you into going, did she?" he asked. "I know about her plans for you. You don't have to go if you don't want to."

"Thanks." I sighed, leaning back on the couch. I still felt confused and sick. Maybe it was something that blind guy did to me or not. Was I still mad at Tokyo? Have I finally decided how I felt about him?

There was only one way to find out.

I waited until dark.

***

11:00 P.M.

Tokyo was outside looking up at the stars and the moon. He wore his usual gi and obi but he had bare feet and his hair was tied back. I walked over to him, with my hands over my heart. I stood behind him, and he didn't move. I looked around and smiled.

"One month ago, the both of us tried to kill each other right where we're standing. Now, we stand here as friends, and not enemies." I paused. "Right?"

"Don't try to apologize to me, Paris." Tokyo sighed. "Because I'm not apologizing to you. I meant what I said, and you can't change the past."

I clutched my shirt and squeezed my eyes shut. His cold eyes earlier today were still burned into my mind. With a wince, I tried to block them out, but the image was stuck. I couldn't get it out of my head. It drove me insane. Suddenly, my heart took control. With a desperate cry, I pounced foreword and wrapped my arms around him. He gasped heavily in surprise.

"Stop making me hate you!" I cried, sobbing all over again, snuggling my head against his shoulder. "Why can't I love you?!" I gasped too. What was I saying?

There was a small pause. Then Tokyo pushed his arms out of my embrace, turned to me, and wrapped his arms around me. I held him close to me, laying my head on his chest as he leaned his forehead against mine. I cried into the shirt of his gi as he rocked slowly back and forth gently. I thought I heard him sniffle, surpressing tears from his eyes. I wasn't sure. We stayed that way for a few minutes, wishing the moment would last forever.