Hidden Secrets

Chapter 56

"So, what problems are we talking about here?" With these words, Yaten re-entered the small wooden hut he had left only a few hours ago. To his surprise, Mimete sat at the table with a bandage around her head, giving him a provocative grin.

"Nice of you to make time. Well, call this less of a problem and more of a negotiation attempt. As I've heard, you've got someone dear to me in your hands, and I'd be willing to make an exchange."

Yaten became alert. His brief glance signaled his team outside to wait as he focused his attention on the blonde woman. "What kind of exchange are you thinking of?" he asked, circling her suspiciously.

Mimete, however, remained impassive. "I get Tellu back and a way to escape Tokyo with her, without Kenji or Chiba being able to find us. In return, I'll tell you what I know."

Yaten lit a cigarette, took a seat on the available chair, letting Mimete's words sink in for a moment. "And what do you think you can offer me in terms of information that would be worth letting go of an informant like her?"

"I think quite a bit. For instance, I could tell you the whereabouts of the little brat you've been searching for weeks," Mimete offered.

Yaten tensed slightly; she was talking about Chibiusa. That was interesting, but there was something else on his mind at the moment. "What about Serena? That's what I'm more interested in."

Annoyed, Mimete jumped up and pointed at her head. "Does this look like I know what she's been up to after she caught me? Who could have guessed that this..."

"Watch what you're saying. She happens to be my sister-in-law," Yaten interjected, but Mimete seemed unfazed.

"If we're being honest, she won't be for much longer, and we both know it. So, don't inflate yourself here," she retorted.

Yaten realized that Mimete was in a favorable state for him to extract information. So, he played dumb. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, come on, stop pretending. You've practically lost, Kous. As if Serena would willingly return to you or to Kenji. Kenji didn't want to listen to us and be kinder to her, and she was sold to you guys like cattle."

Yaten refrained from smiling. Mimete knew nothing about Usagi's relationship with Seiya; that was a relief. "Who says she doesn't love my brother?" he provocatively replied, and Mimete immediately took the bait.

"I doubt that. Even though Taiki is always courteous, her siblings will always come first for her, and that's why Kenji will win. She'll come back here."

"Unless you tell us where to find the sister, which brings me back to the question of what you gain from this. Why do you want the green-haired witch back, and why do you want to betray Kenji?"

Mimete rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Because she's my partner. That's why I won't allow her to remain in your clutches. So, what's it going to be? Will you accept my offer? I managed to divert enough of Kenji's money to provide a comfortable life for Tellu and me. I'm fed up with all of Tsukino's intrigues, and then he wants to appoint Rubeus, that good-for-nothing, as his successor, even though I organize everything for him, just because he's a man. Pah..."

This confession momentarily caused even Yaten's features to falter, but he regained his composure. "So, you and the stylist... that certainly explains a lot. However, I wonder how reliable your information will be. After all, you've sworn loyalty to Kenji and are now offering to betray him for me. Who guarantees that you won't stab me in the back at the first opportunity?"

With a snap of his fingers, Yaten extinguished his cigarette in the embers of the fireplace. "This is getting us nowhere. I'm afraid you'll have to trust me now," dryly remarked Mimete.