Yuka emerged from the basement feeling unbearably heavy with the weight of what he had just learned. A storm of emotions churned within him—confusion, anger, and, strangely, a flicker of satisfaction. A part of him felt a twisted sense of relief that Justin was in chains, finally at their mercy.
"Hmmm, going somewhere?" Linda's voice cut through his thoughts as she strode toward him, her feline eyes glinting mischievously.
He looked at her for a moment before responding, "You, this cat, have no business here." His voice was blunt, his expression unreadable.
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Come on, friend. I have news," she teased.
"Not interested," he replied, already heading upstairs.
"It's about the human girl," she added, her voice laced with intrigue.
That made him stop in his tracks. He turned to face Linda, amusement flickering in his eyes as he wondered how a cat could be so annoyingly smart.
Meanwhile, back at Luca's mansion in New York, unease gnawed at him as foreign images replayed relentlessly in his mind. The shocking part wasn't the images themselves, but rather who they centered around.
"Ken Yuna again," he grumbled, running a hand through his hair while sitting in his office chair, frustration evident in his furrowed brows.
"I see someone's in love," Zarro chimed in mockingly, perched on the desk with a smug grin.
Luca shot him a sharp glare. "Shut it."
Zarro huffed, unfazed. "Luca, do you actually think that crook will keep his end of the deal?" he asked, tilting his head.
That's right... why did I trust him even after last time? Luca thought bitterly. But deep down, he knew refusal had never been an option. If he had rejected the deal, they would all be doomed.
"Zarro, I'll be sure to remind him when I get there," he said, standing up to leave.
"I'm coming with you," Zarro declared, hopping down from the desk, his tail flicking impatiently as he walked away.
Yuna was finally feeling a little better. "Sailin, would you go somewhere with me on Monday?" she asked, leaning against the stairway wall. Sailin, the small cat curled up nearby, responded with an agreeable meow.
"Yuna, what are you doing here?" Yuka's voice startled her. He looked surprised to see her standing so freely. A part of her was still angry with him, but she knew avoiding him was a dangerous game.
"Nothing," she answered plainly.
"Well," he began, grabbing her wrist gently, "it's Friday now, and Luca Marcello is here. Father asked us to have lunch together."
Hearing that felt like an unwanted arrow shot straight at her. She sighed, knowing she had no choice but to follow.
Lunch was short, and of course, completely fake. Sakura played his usual game, trying to show Luca that he and his children were a picture of unity and love.
Afterward, in the quiet of his office, Sakura sat with Luca across from him. "Marcello. I have an offer for you," he said, his tone cool and calculated.
Luca stiffened but did his best to stay composed. "You will get the papers and everything related to that incident, but..." Sakura paused, his gaze sharp.
Luca leaned in impatiently. "But...?"
Sakura sighed. "But you must marry my daughter, Yuna, in return."
Luca felt the final blow he had been dreading. He had anticipated Sakura's demands, but he never thought they would be this... drastic.
"I'm sorry, but—"
Sakura raised a hand to stop him. "Before you reject it, see this." He handed him a black folder.
Luca hesitated before opening it. As he scanned the contents, his face paled, his hands trembling.
"Where did you get this?" he asked, his voice tight.
Sakura smirked. "It doesn't matter. But now you know what's at stake. So... do we have a deal?"
Luca wanted to refuse, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he sighed in defeat and shook Sakura's hand.
Finally, Xander and Ariana arrived at W.O.D. The meeting room upstairs was filled with tension, the flickering map projected on the wall covered with ominous red dots.
"I see you've arrived," Hugo greeted them, his voice carrying an odd tone.
"Sir, Agent Darknight reporting for duty, and Agent..." Xander hesitated, unsure of what to call Ariana.
Without sparing him a glance, she answered herself, "Agent Foxtail."
Hugo's keen eyes flickered between them, sensing the tension but choosing to let it slide. "You," he pointed to Ariana, "Xander, Gru, and Markus." He gestured towards a tall man with striking green hair. "You all will be heading to London. The Yakima Clan is planning to move the chip to Japan."
Xander's jaw tightened as he absorbed the information, his mind racing.
Hugo continued explaining the mission, his tone laced with an underlying bitterness.
"Yes, sir!" they all responded in unison.
"Ariana—" Xander began, but she walked past him without acknowledging his presence, cradling Wince and Darwin in her arms.
Xander could only watch her retreating figure, frustration and regret clashing inside him.