PREYS
by Kamorgana
Preys
Disclaimer: RK is NOT
mine,
it's a creation of Watsuki. I borrow it for fun not for money. Don't
sue
me!
Warning: No real violence but lots of swearing.
Preys
Chapter 14: Attack
As Tokio had warned, the beginning of the week had been very busy.
Trying to prevent the next murder presented several difficulties.
Covering one precinct instead of the whole city was certainly an
improvement; still it happened to be one of the largest of the town.
Several principal arteries crossed the 12th precinct but the rest of it
consisted in little roads and alleys, half of them not large enough for
a car to circulate. It was a real labyrinth. The neighborhood was
rather poor, there were very few convenience stores, the other shops
were closed at 6, and the streets at nights there were empty and
silent, in contrast with the nearby City Hall area, with its buildings,
department stores, and also its "pleasure quarter" that ensured busy
and crowded nights. This was the problem: although there was no
prostitution located in the area, most of the prostitutes working in
the other district were living in the 12th, and Shishio could strike
when they were on their way to work.
Sagara had tried his best to convince the pimps, "massage" or "escort"
services providers he knew to shut down for a night, encountering their
reluctance, if not a blunt refusal. It was June, the bonus time, all
this cash in big envelops, and the clients wanted to spend quickly a
part of that money for fun, before, as they often explained, their
wives locked it for purposes as silly as the kids' education fee,
paying the loans, or buying themselves ridiculously expensive and ugly
French handbags. The clients were men, the Slayer was killing only
women: the clients would come, and be more generous than usual. June
was the best time for business and they had made clear that the
business would go on whatever
happened.
So the operation wasn't going to be easy: no significant reduction in
the number of potential victims, almost deserted streets so no
potential witness while the police's presence would be obvious, and
finally this labyrinth as an environment.
***
If she could have all the cops of the city on it, maybe..Tokio was
convinced that Saitoh and Aoshi were right, but it was still a theory,
and all the police stations were going to be on alert. It was a good
cover, though: nobody would consider the contact she had with the 12th
precinct captain as odd. The cops there were to be told only a few
hours before the beginning of the operation; they had to keep secrecy.
Although
Aoshi didn't think that Shishio would change his plan if he realized
they
knew where he was going to strike, better to be cautious..and to avoid
the scoopthirsty media interfering in their operation.
Organizing the patrolling units had been a real problem, too. Tokio had
only 3 teams of detective to coordinate the precinct cops, and she
needed at least two more, according to the size of the area.
Hijikata had been reluctant to "lend" some personal. He had argued that
while the VCS was exclusively on this case, his subordinates had to
follow the other cases that her team had dropped down, overloading his
detectives, and the research on Seta's contacts, overloading the
civilian personal with extra-work. Of course, it was true; nevertheless
the real reason of his attitude was elsewhere. He was resenting the
section for being in charge of the case, and her, personally, for being
in charge of the section. After a meeting with Kondo in her office on
Monday morning, he had agreed to provide men, but had his revenge.
He had demanded that Enishi were not in charge of a unit, and nowhere
near his men. It was such a cheap shot that Tokio had told him, very
calmly but with chosen words, where he could shove his detectives in
that case. Unfortunately, Kondo had still his reservations about
Enishi, and
had taken Hijikata's side.
To her bewilderment, Saitoh, who had been present along with Aoshi,
supported her opinion and, the smirk that had spread on his face when
she had insulted Hijikata firmly in place, had sent a few subtle but
clearly offensive comments to the CD chief. They didn't change Kondo's
mind, of course, and Tokio was absolutely furious. It was her case and
her team, moreover if she had promised Enishi that he would be allowed
on the case, it was not for having him treated like this.
She was still angry when she had to announce to Enishi and Misao that
they were on the side of the operation. She had apologized, yet he had
reacted surprisingly well. He would be freer of his moves if he hadn't
to supervise a bunch of amateurs, he had added with a smile. And he had
taken the two women for lunch at Kamiya's. His mood having blatantly
improved since Saturday, Enishi had even been polite to Kaoru's
boyfriend who had served them; he had also insisted that she and Misao
played darts with him for a few minutes, joking that they should pin a
picture of Hijikata on the target. Tokio had frowned, she didn't say
who had been against him..
Saitoh had.
***
As she had lunch alone at Kamiya's on Wednesday, before going to the
12th precinct station to coordinate the operation, Tokio was barely
touching her food.
The sudden change in Saitoh's attitude was disturbing her.
She couldn't help her thoughts to go into that direction. She had been
out with Meg on Monday night but they had had issues to discuss, and
Tuesday had been stressing, too, she had stayed until late at night to
finalize the details and practical sides of the set-up. It was the
first moments
of calm that she had since Sunday. She wished she could use them for
something else than thinking about him.
Their hostility had been so strong lately, that she had almost
forgotten she used to appreciate some sides of his temper when she was
still working with the DA. Of course, he was a nightmare in a court,
cold, superior and scary, the sight of him only pushing the judges and
the audience to side the defendants. In most of their cases, Okita was
the one taking the stand, he always made a good impression: one smile
and he had everybody in his pocket. When it wasn't possible, resulting
in the few times she had worked directly with Saitoh, of course they
had argued, of course she had been unnerved, but nothing that could
compare to the last year. Though they definitely didn't like each
other, they were respecting each other's professional skills. They even
had been allies on one case
or two, against political pressure, several years ago. He made a first
bad impression, but he was never giving in to the defense attorneys'
attempts to manipulate him. He was usually reducing them to an
embarrassed silence. She had enjoyed catching the play, and the cases
had been won
easily on that. She had even wondered, once she had passed the first
detestable
impression that he had made on her, too, why they couldn't get along
personally while they made a good combination in court.
He had behaved like at that time for the past few days, he was still
distant and cold, and she wasn't spared some remarks, though they
lacked of the venom they contained before; but when it came to work he
had changed. Saitoh had been scarcely tolerating her since she had
taken the command. He had been disapprovingly silent when he agreed
with her, openly hostile when he didn't. Now he was supporting her. Not
only he had taken her side, or approved of her decisions and made
suggestions instead of scornfully question them, he had also told
Enishi about what really happened during the meeting. She couldn't
believed he actually tried to make things easy for her...and didn't
expect to appreciate that much.
Why? Did he change his mind about her?
She remembered suddenly their argument about her visiting Seta, and
shook her head at her own stupidity. He only wanted the team to be
efficient, and focus on the criminal rather than on personal conflicts.
That was all.
He had just had what he wanted and didn't care about her enough now to
behave like a bastard, at the cost of disturbing their work. He was
behaving sensibly; she should be happy and not disappointed. Maybe he
had been right. Maybe getting rid of the sexual tension had made things
better. For him, at least.
Sighing, she finished nervously to fix her spare key on her new key
holder, when a soft, almost feminine voice surprised her.
"Takagi-san, are you feeling well?" The violet eyes were concerned.
"Oh, Himura-san! No, I'm fine.."
"Is there something wrong with the food? You're not eating.." He seemed
hurt at the thought that what he had prepared wasn't good.
"Oh, no.I was just lost in my thoughts." she apologized.
"It's probably cold now..I'm bringing you another plate," he said
gently, taking hers before she could protest. "I know that you're very
busy, but you should take care of yourself," he added with a warm smile.
Very nice man, indeed, she thought, reaching for her lighter. She
understood better why Kamiya Kaoru liked him.
She grinned. She knew she would never stand to be with a nice guy.
She had obviously a preference for bastards..
***
(Wednesday, early evening.)
Saitoh was feeling his anticipation growing, as he patrolled with
Shinomori in the area of the precinct they had been assigned to. He was
glad that the profiler was assuming the radio liaison with the other
patrols. They didn't have enough personal, most of them were used to
traffic or neighboring problems only, and he didn't want to take care
of that bunch of morons. Tonight he would be on his own chase.
He clasped his tongue in exasperation as he heard Harada's voice again
in the radio. This guy knew his job but was such a blabbermouth. He
felt frustrated again as he reviewed mentally the detectives Hijikata
had lend for the operation. Harada and Nagakura were all right, as were
Shimada and Ito, but the partners of the latter were freshly promoted.
He knew what it meant. He had been disappointed in Kondo for shoving
Yukishiro aside. It was ridiculous. He and Makimachi would be more
efficient
than the rookies.
He was observing the almost deserted streets, his senses sharpening
each time he saw a woman, following her path in the car's mirrors. They
had been turning for almost two hours now. Not that his attention was
fading.
*Red Alert, 4-5, woman's screaming.Hey, Sano, wait!*
Saitoh tensed at Kitaoka's excited voice. Shit, they were at the other
side of the precinct. It couldn't be. Tonight was his chase.
Shinomori took his radio. "Team 2, is the red alert correct?"
*Team 3. Kitaoka, we're coming for back-up!*
Moron. A quick look around, just in case, nothing happening here.
*Takagi here. Harada, you don't move until you have confirmation of the
red alert.*
*But.*
*It's an order. Kitaoka?*
*Negative. It's a false alert. I repeat, false alert.*
Saitoh checked on the streets once more. Still nothing.
Kitaoka spoke again. *A brawl, between a girl and her boyfriend. It's
pretty ugly. Can we get one blue team to take care of this?*
*Team P-4. We're coming.*
*Thanks. Sorry for the rush.*
*Hey, that was a shot of adrenalin! Can't wait for the real thing. I
really love my job.*
One day, on his spare time, Saitoh would try to decide who, of Harada
and Sagara, was the dumber. Noticing that Shinomori gave him a knowing,
sideway glance, he shrugged and reported his attention to the
surroundings.
*Harada, can you focus?*
Saitoh couldn't contain a smirk at her scolding voice. Still nothing.
Yet he had that itching feeling..
*Yes Ma'am*
Still noth..A woman coming out an alley they just passed by...
disappearing the next second..
"He's there!" he hissed to Shinomori, rushing out of the car, running
back there, taking his gun out of his holster.
He turned in the alley, spotting a woman crooked on the pavement..
"Shishio Makoto."
He heard her hoarse voice uttering the name, but he didn't stop his
pursuit.
The shadow was almost out of reach. He shot swiftly, hit the shoulder
he had aimed for, having no visibility on the legs, and as Shishio
stopped for several seconds, he ran after him with decupled energy. The
bastard wouldn't escape him, not this time.
When Aoshi arrived on the scene, he saw Saitoh's figure rapidly fading
at the end of the street, and knelt near the victim. He was too late to
join, having warned the other patrols by radio before following Saitoh.
He heard her murmur "Shishio..", before she fainted.
*Shinomori, was the red alert correct? Did you get him?* Sanosuke's
voice was eager.
"Red alert confirmed. Saitoh is after him. In 17-5, I stay with the
victim, she's unconscious but alive. Not a cut. We prevented the
murder."
***
*Saitoh is after him. In 17.5..*
He didn't listen further. He ran the engine, making it roar loudly.
"Enishi, what are you doing? We weren't told to move." exclaimed Misao.
"I have a plan. No, don't call them!"
He drove at high speed, clenching his teeth, almost unconscious of
Misao's protests.
"We just left the 12th! We can't leave our position without referring,
ahhhh!"
She bumped back in her seat as he stopped the car suddenly.
"Stay in the car and get the path of Saitoh if you can!" he exclaimed,
rushing out.
"Enishi, wait!" Oh, shit, he was out of sight already. "Stupid guy,"
she mumbled, running after him.
***
Saitoh was following Shishio in the maze of alleys, managing not to
loose him. He was running in circles, sometimes, probably not knowing
where to go, maybe the pain was already affecting him.. Saitoh ran
faster, adrenalin pumping in his veins, anticipation giving him more
strength. He was about to catch him.
He was ignoring the radio, until he saw a bigger road in front of them.
He knew where they were now.
*Team 3 for back-up!* Harada's voice was feverish. *Saitoh, contact us,
Saitoh, where are you?*
"Direction east, 17-3, .." Saitoh's voice was breathless but annoyed.
He talked again few minutes later. "Shit! I lost visual contact!"
*Where?*
"17-2, intersection 6. There's a parking, I'm going in."
"Saitoh? Saitoh?"
***
Where was he..Saitoh could feel the presence of his enemy. He could
smell the blood. He walked cautiously between the cars and the pillars,
trying to locate him.
He stopped by the middle of the parking, leaning on a wall, and lit a
cigarette. Shishio was at this level, and running blindly was stupid.
The others were arriving. He would have to attempt an escape, or get
caught like a rat. Waiting for the prey to move was an old trick of
predators.
Moron, he cursed inwardly, as Harada's faraway voice raised from his
radio.
He tossed his cigarette away, his senses awoken.He had heard distinctly
a door cringing..He ran in that direction, thanks to Harada he hadn't
been able to locate it precisely. There were two doors there. One was
leading to the stairs for customers. He entered, listening, focusing on
noises, on signs of a human presence. Nothing. Shit, shit. Personal
only, warned the other one..He pushed it, and rushed in as it revealed
unlocked.
Fuck..The bastard was already several levels down. He could hear the
precipitated breath, the footsteps.. He couldn't get back that distance
before the other was out. Just one way. The space between the stairs
was large enough..
Saitoh breathed, tightening his muscles to absorb the physical shock,
and jumped. He got a grip on the iron frame, 4 levels downstairs,
clenching his teeth as his back crushed into it. Throbbing pain in his
shoulder, he ignored it. The exit door slammed as he managed to land on
the stairs again.
The warm air surprised him as he exited; the shadow of the killer was
already far in front of him. It turned right. Saitoh's lungs were
aching as he accelerated, but he didn't pay attention. He wouldn't
loose the trace again. As he turned too, he heard an engine running,
and had just the time to throw himself away as a speeding car came out,
lights off.
His head met something sharp. He tried to notice the made or the
number,
in vain. Blood was blurring his view. Too far to shoot, anyway.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
He took his radio.
"Saitoh. He escaped in a bloody car, lights are off, no made, no
number. He was going west, from 13th precinct, 32-4. Catch him if you
can."
*Understood.*
As Saitoh arrived again in front of the parking, walking this time,
Takagi's voice in his radio announced that Shishio had escaped and why.
He didn't listen to the details and watched around in utter disgust.
The parking seemed underground from the 12th side, but there was a
difference of ground levels, and the stairs' entry was opening in a
street of the other precinct.
Shishio had known exactly were to go. The scum had his way out
carefully prepared. They had been fooled.
***
Saitoh sat on the floor of the ambulance, his feet on the sidewalk, the
opened doors hiding him from the others. He was rolling the muscles of
his right shoulder, to evaluate the damages, when Takagi materialized
in front of him.
"Congratulations," she smiled.
"For what? He escaped," he snapped back, unable to hide his bitterness.
"Don't see the glass half empty. You prevented him to kill."
"Not enough."
"Don't say that to the victim. She, if I can say so, is really
grateful. She asked if she could personally thank you. Aoshi has
already received a big hug," she added with a soft laugh.
He smirked, picturing Icicle stuck in the woman's embrace. "What is the
"if I can say so" part?"
"Her name is Honjo Kamatari. She's still a man on her ID."
She smiled again at his astonishment. "They're taking her to the
hospital. You should go too." she added.
She had put her hand on his shoulder, stroking softly, absently. She
was staring at the blood on his forehead, a concerned expression
filling her gray eyes. He was fascinated. Warmth was spreading all over
his body at this mere touch. Warmth, not heat. It was disturbing, but
felt too good to put an end at it. Feeling his insistent gaze, she
turned hers into it, and paled. She let her hand down, glancing away,
biting her bottom
lip.
"I'll see if I can interrogate "her" there," he announced, aloof.
"I don't think they'll let you. But yes, if you can.." She was still
looking around, avoiding his face. He didn't like that.
"I have to talk to the journalists." She finally turned to him, with
her fake, professional smile. " Get some rest. See you tomorrow."
The medics came back as she walked away. He refused to board the
ambulance, and joined Shinomori in his car.
To be continued..
Author's notes:
Kamatari: He's a transsexual in this story. I want to point that
transvestites and transsexuals aren't the same. The former, straight or
gay (both cases exist) dress as women but they don't want to change sex
(Kamatari in the manga, imo). The latter usually undergo surgery,
because they feel they are women trapped in men's bodies. Kamatari
hence will be referred to as a woman here. The plot only motivates my
choice of changing his gender (particularly the fact that the Slayers
kill only women, but also a later twist).
Superman: OK, I indulged. I alluded in the previous chapter to Saitoh
training physically, yet the stairs stuff is a bit off-limits. Please
bear with me, it only happens here (err..and in the lemons (^-^)).
Shishio's physical resistance is stressed enough in the manga, I
thought I could keep this.
Bonus time: Twice a year in Japan, the employees receive a bonus (June
and December), depending on the companies' benefits. The wives are
usually in charge of the budget, and grant their husbands with "pocket
money". As the amounts can't be predicted, frequently the men try to
spend some of the bonus for their own purposes in secret.
DA stands for District Attorney's office, CD for Criminal Department,
VCS for Violent Crimes Section.
Thanks a million to Mara and Firuze for their support! And Mara, thank
you for your corrections and comments, always so helpful to me!!! (^-^)
Thanks to the reviewers!
Mara: Thank you so much(^-^). As you see my Saitoh fangirl syndrom was
at its worst here! Thanks also for the updates on your site! I wish to
read more from you soon (^-^)
Jadegoddess: I hope that you'll be waiting as much for the next chapter
(^- ^) Thanks!
Devil: Thank you! (^-^)
Leila Winters: There will still be some humor, but the story is also
going to be dark sometimes. I try to keep a balance, it will depend on
the chapters. Thanks for the compliments (^-^)
Firuze: Glad you liked it and sorry for your concentration! Yes, Aoshi
is immune to Megumi's intimidation methods..and also to Tokio, as
you'll see soon (^-^). He's more discreet than our favorites, but he's
the man, too!!! Saitoh and Tokio aren't out of their misery yet..I
enjoy to keep them in denial (^-^). Thanks a lot!!
Flamesolo: Thanks! Hopefully, you'll like the following also. (^-^)
Next chapter: Mm. The Slayers were a bit disappointing, weren't they?
Hehe..
See you!
Kamorgana.
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