PREYS
by Kamorgana
Preys
Chapter
17: Keys
She was lost to the darkness. Falling into it endlessly, deeper into
the
bottomless void, the anguish lurking in her heart menacing to overwhelm
her, changing into an utter feeling of panic. She knew there was light
somewhere, she could sense it, so close, yet for some reason that she
didn't have enough strength to analyze, even more frightening than the
shadows. Pain and fear were waiting for her there. If only she had
something to hold onto. Tightening her hand nervously, she realized
that
she had. Another hand in hers, solid, reassuring..a warm impression of
being protected, against whatever was threatening her on the other
side,
pushed her out of her slumber.
"Do you feel better?" asked a deep, serious voice next to her.
Misao opened her lids. "Aoshi-san?"
She remembered. She was in the hospital. She had been attacked..
"Don't move your head."
He could see awareness slowly dawning on her. She was still holding his
hand and pressed it tighter. He gave it a slight squeeze in answer, to
calm
the worried nervousness he could sense in her.
"What time..?"
"It's Thursday. A little after 6 in the morning. Do you feel better?"
he
repeated.
She mentally checked her sore body before answering.
"My neck hurts a little. That's all," she smiled, not wanting to make
all a
fuss about whatever happened to her. Yet she darkened after a few
seconds,
as confused memories assaulted her mind. "What happened... No, I know,
but
who.."
"Not now, Misao-san."
It was the third time that she woke up. Each time, she had no immediate
recollection of having been awake before, and each time her efforts to
remember had led her to agitation, confusion and another slumber. The
investigation could wait; she had to recover first.
"I need to know.to remember..Please, help me." She tried to turn more
to
him, letting out a little moan of pain.
He stopped her move, laying a hand on the side of her face. Her eyes
were
pleading. He couldn't resist to those eyes, he realized. His unbidden
reactions to her were puzzling him.
"You were on patrol with Yukishiro. He decided to make a move," he
began,
with reluctance.
" Yes..he was driving so fast. I said to him it was against the
orders..I
wanted to call, but he told me not to.." Her gaze was absent, focusing
on
the memories.
"Where did you go?"
"Someplace else..in the 13th precinct. He said he had a plan. Told me
to
stay in the car.."
"Why didn't you?"
"He was so weird, so..I don't know, I was afraid he did something
stupid..I
went after him, but he was out of sight already. And then.."
She closed her lids to hide her fear.
"You're safe, now."
She turned her gaze into his again. His voice was cold and his eyes
were
unexpressive, yet he had an oddly soothing effect on her. Like at
Okita's
funeral.
"I felt..I can't express it, it was for a second only..You're gonna
think
I'm mad."
"Let me judge," he coaxed.
"Evil. A presence, so mean, so..It has its eyes on me, I felt cold to
the
bones. It was just behind me, but before I could turn around, I felt
that
pain..and then I woke up here.."
She closed her eyes once more. He could see tears at the corner of it.
"Who
attacked me? It was him, wasn't it?" she asked in a small voice.
"We think so," he answered honestly. She wasn't ready to hear more. She
was
brave, but it was too much.
"I'm alive.." She was trying to convince herself. She stayed still for
a
while, savoring the strangely soft contact of his cold hands, on her
face
and her palm. He made her feel better. She suddenly thought about the
other
victims, the ones who didn't survive, and a wave of guilt swept through
her. She could be laying on a morgue table now, all alone, and instead
of
being thankful for having the chance to be alive, with someone, with
Aoshi-
san, caring about her, she was crying over spilled milk. Morning? He
probably stayed all this time..yes, he did, she remembered, he had been
with her all night.. She should stop being so ungrateful and
self-centered.
She re-opened her eyes and made an effort to smile brightly. "I guess I
was
lucky."
We all were, he thought, just nodding absently.
***
Tsunan, Sano and Enishi were already there when Tokio and Saitoh
arrived to
the office. They were gloomy, smoking in silence instead of bantering
animatedly as they usually did. She greeted them but Saitoh didn't and
directly went to sit at his desk. He was obviously still furious at
them
for their behavior last night.
"Is Kondo there?" he just asked sternly.
"We're still alive, so not yet," answered grimly Tsunan.
Saitoh snorted. Aoshi arrived a few seconds later.
"How is Misao?" Sanosuke asked immediately.
"Better. She could tell me what happened, this morning." At Tokio's
questioning glance, Aoshi shrugged. "She didn't see who attacked her.
Yukishiro, I'd like to know why you drove to the 13th precinct."
Tokio frowned. Aoshi's tone was just short of aggressive. That was so
unlike him.
"We'll clear that with Kondo," she began, before hurrying to her office
to
pick-up the ringing phone.
"Ah, good morning, Kondo-san.."
The men exchanged puzzled glances as she put the phone down, the time
to
close the door. No good news, for sure. Tsunan stubbed his half-smoked
cigarette, staring morosely in front of him, while Aoshi was still
glaring
at Enishi.
Saitoh smirked. He had noticed already that Shinomori was losing some
of
his coldness when it came to the little Weasel-girl. That was
interesting.
And gave him a way to respond if the profiler decided to poke his nose
again in his own private matters. He still remembered the conversations
they had after meeting Seta. He hadn't appreciated at all his
insinuations.
The silence was getting heavy. Sagara was glancing alternately at each
of
them, trying to understand. Saitoh's smirk widened. And that was very
entertaining. He felt like laughing at the lost puppy expression on his
moronic face.
"Excuse-me, I'm looking for.." began a feminine voice. "Ah! Here you
are!"
A woman rushed inside to a stop in front of Saitoh and Aoshi, and bowed
deeply. She had shoulder-length hair, curling around her face, small
delicate lips, and her green eyes were just a little too small
comparing to
her face for her to be stunning. Sanosuke swallowed a lump in his
throat as
her gesture revealed a serious amount of cleavage, trapped in a lacy
black
bra.
"Thank you for saving my life."
Tokio came back and her concern faded a while at Saitoh's contemptuous
look
and Aoshi's cautious stance.
"I'm Takagi Tokio, chief of this section. We met briefly yesterday,
Honjo-
san. Thank you for coming so early today."
"Oh, you're commanding here? I didn't get that! You're so lucky!!!! All
these...Oh! Hello!"
Kamatari had spotted Enishi, and gave him a warm smile, along with a
little
wave of her hand. He adjusted his sunglasses, staring at her in
cautious
disbelief. Her smile turned flirtatious.
"You know each other?" asked suavely Saitoh.
Enishi shook his head.
"Yes, we do! You helped me the other day, when this terrible man didn't
want to leave me alone.. I never forget a good-looking guy, less a
gentleman!" she finished with a little laugh.
Enishi shrugged. "Oh, yes."
Noticing Aoshi's dubious glance at him, Tokio intervened. They'd clear
that
later. Along with Kondo's last orders, she thought, sighing inwardly.
"Please take a seat, Honjo-san. There are questions the detectives
would
like to ask you."
Sanosuke approached a chair, and Kamatari thanked him with a wink.
Tokio
nodded to Saitoh, sitting at her place near the board, just next to
their
witness.
"How did he attack you?"
Saitoh Hajime: direct as an uppercut.
Kamatari lit a cigarette, talking with gracious hands gestures. "I've
been
so scared, it's not very clear..I was going to work, walking as fast as
I
could, with that murderer in the streets.How could I imagine that.."
"And still you went outside at night?"
She let out a throaty laugh. "Honey, we don't have much choice. The
club
I'm working for is not what you can call first class; they can't afford
to
pay a cab for their employees. And my boss had been very clear that I'd
better come to work. We have few regulars and they had made
reservations
for the night. We new-halves are popular, lately, but still most of the
customers go to "real" women, as they say. Don't ask me why..No
offense,
sweetie," she added for Tokio.
Tokio had been trying to hide her bemusement at her outrageous manners.
Saitoh's face when Kamatari had called him "honey" had been priceless.
So
had been Sanosuke's when she had revealed her former gender. Yet, in
that
last remark, although made as a shallow joke, Tokio, with her long
experience of witness interrogations, had detected some deep sadness.
"No offense at all," she answered with a warm smile.
Kamatari stared at her for a second, obviously surprised at her serious
reaction. She then sent her back her smile, the green eyes appreciative.
"So, Honjo-san, did you have the feeling of being followed?" Tokio went
on,
as she felt Saitoh growing impatient, by the way he tossed his
cigarette
away.
"Oh, no..I was about to arrive to a bigger street, it's safer, you see,
and
I was relieved, when that man came out of a little alley on my left,
just
next to me. He told me to run. I was so surprised that I stopped, and
then
I saw his face..." Her eyes filled with retrospective terror.
The cops tensed.
"What did he looked like?" asked sternly Saitoh. "I heard you say it
was
Shishio."
"I saw his pictures in the papers, of course. Terribly handsome man..My
style," she sighed, oblivious of the disapproving glances on her. "But
he
wasn't at that time. Not entirely."
"He wasn't what?" snapped Saitoh.
"Only half of his face was normal. The other was..burnt. All shrunk,
you
know, it was horrible. Half of his face was smiling, only..and one eye
was
burnt, too. In the other, I saw death..my death.."
Tokio patted gently her shoulder, before offering her a new cigarette.
"Thanks, sweetie."
"He attacked you before you arrived to the 23th street? I saw you
there,
though."
The woman's pink lips twisted in a little, confident smile. "Ah, you
see,
honey, I'm not that stupid. I had my pepper spray with me, holding it
in my
hand. I know most people don't use that, the streets in Japan are sure,
blah, blah..But a woman has to be ready to defend herself. "
"I wish everybody were thinking like you," approved Tokio.
"I really like you, sweetie."
"So you used it?" Saitoh cut her off. He was getting unnerved at the
"bonding" of Takagi and the witness. They were not here for girlie
talks.
Kamatari turned to him. "I'd like to say that it was conscious, but I
was
paralyzed with fear. He lifted his sword..and it's only when he cursed,
that I realized I had used my spray. I ran, I arrived to the big street
and
there he grabbed me and threw me back in the alley. I tried to stand up
but
my knee was hurting too much.. He sheathed his sword behind his back
and
prepared to take it out again, when we heard people running..he cursed
again and escaped just before you arrived. And I think that's when I
fainted."
"He didn't say anything else to you? Give you a reason why?" asked
calmly
Aoshi.
"No, nothing."
Tokio gave a look around, asking silently if there were more questions.
She
stood up.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Honjo-san. Where is the officer who
escorted you here?"
"He's waiting for me in the corridor."
"You'll be under protection until we arrest Shishio."
"Does it mean I have to stop some..of my activities?"
"You're working in the entertainment business, as far as we're
concerned.
During this investigation, nobody will check further. If you remember
anything else, please contact us. I didn't ask you, how is your knee?"
"Humpf! Why do you think I'm not wearing a skirt today? It's horrible,
all
red and violet and swollen..My legs are my best features, usually.."
A disdainful snort was heard from Saitoh's direction. Kamatari turned
to
him with a mischievous smile.
"Thank you again, honey. I know that I'm lucky to be alive. You guys
can
come anytime, your drinks will be on me! Bye, sweetie, and you're
welcome
also," she added for Tokio, who had called the young officer.
"Take care of you, Honjo-san. I assure you that we'll arrest him soon."
***
Tokio closed the door, a bemused smile still lingering on her lips.
"Interesting person..and she has resources. She owes her being alive as
much to herself as to you."
"So when exactly did you meet her, Yukishiro?"
Tokio's smile faded. What was with Aoshi? It reminded her that she had
to
tell them..
"One moment, please. Kondo canceled our meeting of today. But he gave
me
some directives..without leaving me any choice. I'm still in charge of
this
section, at least until we solve the case. Or until the next mess.
Sagara
and Kitaoka, you get a mention on your services records. Yukishiro.."
"I'm suspended." It was a statement.
"I wish it were that simple. You're off the case only, not suspended.
But
the internal affairs are investigating on your miss."
"Kondo called the rats?" Sanosuke was out of himself.
"He made clear that I wasn't in position to protest. He didn't seem
thrilled, though."
"So Enishi is going to pay for all of us.." Tsunan didn't try to hide
his
disgust.
Saitoh said nothing, just frowning. He would surely not argue on
Yukishiro
getting a suspension for his moronic behavior, and probably a
psychiatric
evaluation, but the rats, and without a preliminary report..that was
fishy.
His eyes crossed hers, wondering if she knew more than she told. No,
she
was obviously puzzled, too.
Tokio sat back on her chair, and turned to Enishi, who had stayed very
still, absorbing the news, a cynical smile slowly twisting his lips.
"Maybe
you can explain now exactly what happened? And how you met Honjo, by
the
way, if it's not too private."
"It isn't. I spent my free time on Monday and Tuesday recognizing the
areas, and studying the maps. I had forgotten about the incident with
that
woman. As she said, a man was bothering her and I had just to tell him
to
leave, no big deal. I was focused on something else. One thing was
bothering me. How could the murderer escape after Sanjo's death without
being noticed? He could have been that lucky, the area is quite
deserted,
but it's famous for the homeless village in the park nearby..wasn't
that
too big of a risk? We can also assume that he was using her car, as it
wasn't found. I mean, Porsches aren't that usual, somebody should have
noticed it.."
Saitoh looked at him with interest. Whatever he was unstable, Yukishiro
had
brains.
"So, I noticed that this area was full of underground parking lots,
because
of the numerous office buildings in the 13th. One particularly
attracted
me, as it wasn't far from where Sanjo's body had been found. I noticed
also, during my wandering in the area, that the service stairs weren't
leading to the 12th precinct, but to the 13th. This isn't indicated on
any
map that we had. If he had arrived and left there, it could have
explained
why the Porsche hadn't been noticed near the Sanjo crime scene. So when
I
heard where he tried to strike, I immediately assumed that he'd use
that
way again. And you know the rest."
Saitoh blew out a cloud of smoke. "It was a good idea," he finally
admitted. "It could have worked. I lost him just after that parking at
the
limit of the 12th and the 13th, not so far from the first crime scene."
"I'll point the fact to Kondo, Enishi. This explains your disobeying
the
orders, and I really think that the internal affairs' investigation is
too
severe in your case. I hope that I can have it cancelled. But why
didn't
you tell us? With back-up, maybe Misao wouldn't have been attacked,"
objected Tokio.
"Hey, I wasn't allowed to the briefings with the CD guys. Do you think
they
would have listened to me anyway? Moreover, it was just a hunch..and a
chance to trap the scum. These amateurs don't know how to be discreet."
"I ran after Shishio for some time..more than half an hour. How long
did it
take you to arrive there?"
"Less than 5 minutes."
"So the other one was there too. Shishio couldn't mug Makimachi,"
concluded
Saitoh.
"Aoshi?"
"It fits what Makimachi told me so far. She followed you, Yukishiro,
but
you were out of sight, felt a presence behind her back and she was
knocked
out. She didn't have the time to see anything."
"The other one would be hovering near the murder scene? That's risky..."
"You see, Kitaoka, it's very common for serial killer teams. When they
don't kill the victim strictly together, the other one has to feel the
excitation too.. Being near the scene is one way to get it."
"But Shishio had alibis for some of the previous crimes, including one
prostitute that you all think Seta killed."
"That murder was the one just after we got interested in him. It was a
diversion," stated Saitoh.
"And they don't always need to share the killing itself. Playing with
the
police is as satisfying for the Slayers as killing, considering their
latest provocation. The important point is that: the other killer was
there..and I think that he's the one who put the body at your place,"
said
Aoshi to Tokio.
"How long to go from this area to your house, by car? 10 minutes?"
Tokio stared blankly at Saitoh for a while. "10, yes, depending on the
traffic. You think they could have been together for that?"
"I don't know. For the little that I saw, he was alone in the car, but
Shishio could have joined the other later, too."
"I do think that the partner was alone, Saitoh. It was Shishio's turn
to
kill, and he must have been frustrated not to. If he had had his
clutches
on Makimachi, she wouldn't be alive, fitting the profile or not. I
think
that the other killer took her with the body to your house just after
he
attacked her. Yukishiro, did you notice anything while looking for
Makimachi? A car parked in an odd position, somebody waiting inside?"
The
profiler had recovered his noncommittal attitude towards the other cop.
"No, it would have attracted my attention."
Aoshi turned to Tokio. "You know, the body in your house was a very
calculated move. You live in the 13th precinct, and it's where Komagata
had
to be found. It fits their modus operandi."
"And Makimachi?" she asked.
"I would say he took advantage of the opportunity. Though I can't think
of
a reason for this, except provocation.."
"Oh, by the way, the precinct inspector called just before you arrived.
He'll fax the report, but he said that there was no broken window and
no
forced entry at your place.."started Sano, shutting up as she paled.
"Moron," growled Saitoh.
"I lost my key..I thought I had lost it.."she murmured.
"When? Where?" asked Enishi, his eyes glittering behind his sunglasses.
She had retrieved her composure when she answered. "On Monday. I don't
know
when, or where. I realized when I arrived home, luckily I was with
Meg.Takani-sensei, and she has a spare one. How stupid, I didn't even
think
about that yesterday."
"And you didn't change the lock?"
She snapped at Saitoh's accusing tone. "I didn't exactly had the time,
lately, in case you didn't notice."
"Where have you been on Monday?" Saitoh couldn't help to be stern. At
the
idea of the murderer having been close to her, he had to make an effort
to
control a sudden outburst of restlessness.
"I went to the office, directly..then to Kamiya's for lunch with
Makimachi
and Yukishiro, and I met Takani-sensei in a restaurant near the office
after work. We went to a bar nearby, in front of the City Hall,
afterwards.
I already called on Tuesday to ask if they found my key holder, but
they
didn't, and I didn't find it here. And no, I noticed no one suspect
near
me, and I don't remember somebody bumping into me in the streets.."she
added dryly, guessing his next question. "But I left my bag without
surveillance on my seat at every place.."
"You don't go anywhere without bodyguards," he ordered, Enishi
approving
vigorously his opinion.
"Sano and I are going to interrogate the places you've been," announced
Tsunan.
"Kamiya's is full of cops, it's unlikely that he went there," remarked
Sano.
"I was there too, and I would have noticed," added scornfully Enishi.
"Check it anyway," ordered Saitoh again.
"It could have been some place else, I didn't pay attention," said
calmly
Tokio. "I'm sorry."
She was used to the idea of the murderer following her, in a sense, she
realized as the panic she had felt the night before didn't reappear.
She
was more furious at herself for not noticing than anything else. That
was a
miss. It was time that she took control of herself, and the situation,
again. She weren't to be ruled by her emotions, and certainly wouldn't
let
them affect her efficiency at work anymore.
Enishi nodded to her, his eyes conveying his support. She smiled back.
He
was the first issue that she had to take care of. And she had her idea
about it.
"Yukishiro, you can't investigate on this as you're off the case.
Thus,"
she added, indifferently, "I will affect you to Makimachi's protection."
He replaced his sunglasses on his nose, puzzled, before a satisfied
glimmer
lit his eyes.
"Count on me. Nothing will happen to her again."
"This is still connected to the Slayers case," objected Aoshi, icily.
"After Hijikata reproached us for overloading his subordinates with
extra-
work, I expect them to be relieved that we won't ask for more personal
to
ensure her safety," she answered with a little, knowing smile.
Sano laughed. "Well done, boss. I knew you wouldn't let them put Enishi
on
the shelf like this."
"I'm not sure it's a good idea."
Tokio contained an exasperated sigh. Aoshi wasn't being sensible. It
was
unlike him again.
"You'd rather ask some precinct cops to look after her?" mused Saitoh,
sending a sideway, ironic glance to Shinomori.
He didn't answer, a frustrated light crossing briefly his eyes.
"No way we let these amateurs anywhere around our Misao," stated Tsunan.
"This is my decision, anyway," stressed Tokio, her tone definite. "Now,
back to work. I'd like to get your reports about last night, too, so I
can
present something to Kondo, and have this ridiculous investigation
stopped."
To be continued..
Author's notes (err.I'm in a chatty mood, sorry):
1 -If the key problem seems sudden: remember Tokio fixing her *spare*
key
at Kamiya's, chapter 14.
Once more I plead guilty (mea culpa, mea maxima culpa) for A/M
waffiness.
S/T are hot, A/M are cute: I can't get out of this.
Aoshi isn't homophobic, BTW. He just doesn't like to be hugged by
unknown
persons (chapter 14 again). Saitoh isn't homophobic, either, just
moronophobic, yet I can't see him as a full-fledged liberal.
Kamatari starts to present *some* seriousness. More later (^-^).
New-half:
Japanese denomination of transvestites and transsexuals (half:
offspring of
a Japanese/gaijin couple, by extension, any half-blooded).
2-Thanks:
As always, to FiruzeKhanume and Mara, for their support,
encouragements,
and comments. L.Sith, than you for your precious grammar check (I'm the
only responsible for the mistakes left) and comments! (^-^)
BTW, I recommend these great stories: L.Sith's "Falling"
(Saitoh/Tokio),
and FiruzeKhanume's "Of legendary creatures and mystical beasts" and
"Moonlight shining over snowfields" (Enishi-centered, but all the RK
characters intervene). I think that these stories are more popular than
Preys, but once in a while, reminding of their existence can't be a bad
thing, in case some new people are looking for a good reading time.
(^-^)
Thanks to the reviewers:
To all, for not being harsh on me for the previous late update, as you
see,
this one was faster (^-^).
Jadegoddess: It was a Saitoh-ish good mood, Tokio-related (^-^). It
didn't
last, either, so I think that the world is safe for a while.hopefully!
On
the other hand, Aoshi is on for being ticked off for a little while..
*I'm
evil*
Nata: Thank you! And no, I won't drop the plot in the middle (^-^)
Firuze: Once again, thousand of thanks for your support! You know that
even
if I try a PWP, I can't help to have a kind of plot (^-^) maybe it's my
age, yes *I've been an adult for too long (T-T)* For our brat, his case
isn't going to get better, and for the reality check of S/T, well, the
first one should strike quite soon. Like next chapter.. *I'm pure evil*
Mary-Ann: Saitoh *is* superman, at least according to a certain Fujita
T.
(^-^) Thanks a lot for your compliments. I hope that the plot won't
disappoint you, and I'm looking forward to read these fics that you
announce in your profile (and of course the next update of "The choices
we
make"!). Merci mille fois pour tes compliments!
Devil: Really, thank you (^-^) Glad you liked it!
Cat: Tear my story apart? I didn't even think of it with the first
review
(^-^), but maybe, indeed, some younger authors could be discouraged by
your
well-intended insistence, and checking if they are native speaker or
not
*before* could be a good idea (^-^). Only, I certainly won't have the
arrogance to "berate" my beta-readers, who are a great help and
support,
but rather the spell check/ grammar check of Words, my own
blindness/ignorance after correcting each chapter several times, and
the
Merrin-Webster Dictionary (thanks, Firuze!), which assures that the
plural
of "prey" is *also* "preys". I'm really glad that these problems didn't
prevent you to appreciate the story (and thank you for your review of
Verdict). For the name problem, if you spoke Japanese, it wouldn't be
such
a mystery (^-^). The order of the names is reversed: the "last name"
(Saitoh) comes first, and the "first name" (Hajime) second. People who
ignore this just apply the western order, and here you have your
confusion.
Yes, calling him "Haji-kun" really deserves a Gatotsu (^-^)
L.Sith: Thank you for your review and for you help! *I really need it*
Next? Hehe..mayhem, of course! (^-^) *Evil rules*
Bonessasan: Unfortunately, these two morons decided to develop feelings
for
each other, forcing me to leave the comfortable coasts of lust *damn
them*
Don't expect waffy developments, though (see A/N). And thank you! (^-^)
KillerNight: Thanks a lot for your nice compliments! I'm not sure I
deserve
them, especially for Saitoh's sexy quality. He has it naturally (^-^) I
hope that the following will still be to your liking.
SilverNimbus: There won't be an update on Mara's site yet, sorry. I
know
that this ban stuff is idiotic, yet I respect the rules. There was just
one
A/M scene in this one, but they'll be on more, later, and I hope that
you'll enjoy her effect on Aoshi's mood until then (^-^). Thanks a lot!
Dadsnavygirl831: Thank you! Oh, this story is a murder mystery, and
other
deaths are likely to happen; I mean, Okita, Tomoe and Yumi are dead
also,
not only Tsubame. It's not a fluffy story, just be aware of it (^-^)
Next chapter: Megumi's presenting the results of the autopsy gives new
perspectives on the case. As for Saitoh and Tokio, here's the title of
the
chapter: "Mayor problems". (^-^)
See you!
Kamorgana
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