PREYS
by Kamorgana
Chapter
20: Unthinkable
"Am I interrupting a friendly breakfast? With the Slayers in the
streets, I
was expecting more activity here," began Takeda, in place of a greeting.
"We happen to be so busy that we don't have the time to eat elsewhere,"
countered Tokio, with a gracious smile, contrasting with the hostile
glares
that even Aoshi was sending him. "And since only the chief of police
would
be allowed this kind of remark, should I congratulate you for a
promotion?"
Sano muffled a laugh, and Saitoh answered her, in utter irony, ignoring
the
man's mere presence: "Not in a world where the sun rises every morning."
"You shouldn't take it so haughtily, Takagi-san, but it will a personal
delight to see you loosen your attitude. Come in," he added as somebody
knocked on the door.
Harada and Nagakura entered the room, reluctantly, following Hijikata,
whose usual icy demeanor was altered by a glowing self-satisfaction. He
was
holding a blade, and papers, newspaper articles, Tokio realized after
closer observation, in transparent plastic bags used to transport
evidences.
Enishi stood up. Sagara and Kitaoka were glancing around, at loss,
Aoshi
had lifted an interrogating brow, and Tokio was glaring at her two
enemies,
too shocked to see them invading her section to talk.
"What is that about," Saitoh asked contemptuously, blowing away some
cigarette smoke in the direction of Hijikata's face. If he recalled
well,
the man couldn't stand it.
Hijikata nodded to Takeda knowingly, before answering with a dirty look
at
Saitoh: "Detective Takeda is going to tell you. Come in, Inspector."
Tsukayama Yutaro appeared. He was red with excitation and pride, and
Tokio
knew that something was very wrong just by Takeda's triumphing smile.
"So?" he asked the boy.
Tsukayama pointed his finger at Enishi. "It's that man. I'm sure of it."
"100%?"
"Yes, sir."
The thin man turned to Enishi, to announce suavely and solemnly:
"Yukishiro Enishi, you're under arrest for the murders of Uramura Mari,
Sanjo Tsubame, Komagata Yumi and the attempted murder on Honjo Kamatari
and
Makimachi Misao." He added, in that overly dramatic way of his: "Seize
him!"
Nagakura and Harada advanced somberly towards the young cop, whose face
was
the portrayal of astonishment.
Tsunan and Sano rushed out of their seats. They couldn't believe their
ears, they didn't really understand, except for one thing: somebody was
threatening to arrest their friend, and they wouldn't let him down.
Standing in front of Enishi, they confronted the two other cops, fists
tightened, ready to fight.
"Come on, Kitaoka," pleaded Nagakura. "We don't like it either."
"YOU BASTARDS, HOW."
"Sagara, shut up!" snapped Tokio, finally getting out of the trance she
had
been in for a few seconds, the time to realize what they had said. At
her
steely, authoritative voice, everybody turned to her.
"Nagakura, Harada, hold on a minute," she ordered.
"You don't have any authority on my subordinates. Proceed," Hijikata
countered coldly.
"I said stop!" Tokio had barely raised her voice, and was glaring at
the
three men standing near the door, yet her words had been enough for the
two
detectives to dismiss their superior's order. Saitoh couldn't see her
face,
nevertheless the little blond moron gulping told him exactly how
intimidating she must look.
"How dare you come in here, with ludicrous accusations, and make a
scene?
How dare you lecture me on the limits of my authority when you don't
know
yours?" she hissed, confronting Hijikata.
"These accusations aren't the least ludicrous, we have eviden.."
Tokio shot a deadly glance to Takeda, interrupting him, unlimited
contempt
filling her voice: "I'm talking to my counterpart here, not to a mere
detective. Shut your dirty, delusional mouth."
"Your rudeness won't change the facts. Yukishiro is the other Slayer,"
answered Hijikata, shrugging.
At that moment, Enishi burst out in a loud, hysterical laugh, breaking
it
off suddenly to stare at the intruders, hate and spite shining in his
turquoise eyes: "You, scumbags, I'm going to."
"Close your mouth, Yukishiro," warned Saitoh. "They'll use it against
you."
Tokio shot a one-second, thankful look at him, before adding
soothingly:
"Everybody knows that the whole idea is ridiculous. But we won't let
them
aggravating your disciplinary case with threats, will we?"
He had shut up at Saitoh's intervention, but retrieved his calm only at
Tokio's words. She nodded, encouragingly, and was about to address
Hijikata
again when Kondo came in.
"What the hell is happening here?" he asked Hijikata, obviously
surprised.
"We were right, Kondo-san. We found this. There's no doubt. We just
hurried
the procedure a little."
"Good try to cover your ass, Toshizo," mocked Saitoh, unnerved at the
self-
confidence of the guy, who talked to Kondo as if he was senile. The
chief
of police was staring at the blade, taken aback, his face then
expressing
some sorrow.
"Kondo-san, I want an explanation. Did you let that happen?"
He looked sadly at Tokio. "I'm sorry, but I have to let them arrest
Yukishiro. We can't dismiss the evidences."
Sano and Tsunan roared in disbelief. Tokio argued, her own incredulity
tainting her voice.
"You believe that he can be a Slayer? Kondo-san, his sister was a
victim!
It's absolutely."
"And so? Seta killed his stepmother. The sister was probably the same
kind
of bitch..it would explain his unhealthy obsession with you, too,"
mused
Takeda, caressing his moustache.
Saitoh managed to control his impulse to hit the guy, but not
Yukishiro.
Before anybody could react, being too shocked at Takeda's insult, he
threw
himself at the offender, with an animalistic yell, punching him hard in
the
stomach.
It took Harada, Nagakura, Tsunan and Sano to prevent him from harming
the
IA detective further.
"You see..he's.. violent.."uttered Takeda as soon as he retrieved
enough
breath, nodding towards an enraged Enishi.
"Detective Takeda, this attitude is."
Tokio shook her head, not listening to Kondo's angry scolding. Takeda
had
gotten what he wanted. She closed her eyes a second, while the
situation in
the room was going to hell. When she opened her lids again, Aoshi was
reproaching Takeda with his provocation, surprisingly stepping in favor
of
Enishi. Saitoh and Hijikata were exchanging covered, sophisticated
insults,
Tsunan was trying to calm a still enraged Enishi with the help of
Nagakura,
and Sanosuke was arguing heatedly with Harada, not forgetting to send
one
or two menaces to "kick his sleazy ass" at Tsukayama. Kondo, instead of
intervening, was stepping between Hijikata and Saitoh, obviously
awkward
because both of them were his former partners.
She did expect the maelstrom to take over her, too. It didn't. Her mind
began to function clearly again, analytically. They had been too far.
They
were attacking her subordinate. She had to defend Enishi and her
section.
She couldn't count on Kondo, just on her team, and she was the leader
of
that team. She had to act in consequence. She had been too passive, too
emotional, but from now on, she knew that her brain would control her.
A
strategy prepared automatically in her mind, like it was always the
case
before this mess.
"Enough," she murmured, before ordering: "ENOUGH!!!"
In the suddenly retrieved silence, she turned to Enishi, and winced
when
she realized that he was handcuffed.
"Please, calm down," she asked softly. She kept on gazing at him until
his
anger vanished, and she saw the realization hit him, before he fell
into a
kind of lethargy. Well, he wouldn't lose control again. She could
develop
her course of action without further complications.
She then spoke to Kondo, in a tone of polite reproach. "As you aren't
intervening, and that this place, in spite of these people's actions,
is
still MY section, you will forgive me for this outburst."
The wooden face accused the shock, but he just nodded, to Saitoh's
surprise. The Kondo he knew would never have excused a subordinate
talking
to him like this. He wouldn't have let Hijikata and Takeda overstepping
his
authority, either. He stared at his former mentor, noticing for the
first
time how tired he looked. He didn't keep close contact on a personal
level
with Kondo after they stopped being partners, even when he was
directing
the section; they had had their first private conversation in years the
night Okita died. He knew, on the other hand, that Hijikata was still
maintaining friendly relations. It would explain why he had talked to
Kondo
like this. Maybe their boss was really getting old, and Hijikata had
realized it already. Maybe he wasn't as competent as he had been, maybe
he
had lost his energy and will, and was now easily manipulated.
"I demand an apology, and a disciplinary procedure against Detective
Takeda
and Captain Hijikata. You had obviously no idea of what they were doing
here. They had no right to come to my section, insult my subordinates
and
me, and provoke a brawl, in order to make up for their professional
frustrations."
"You can demand anything you want, it won't change the fact that he's
the
other Slayer," snorted Takeda.
"Enough!" Kondo responded angrily. "Takagi-san is right. I authorized
you
to investigate on the basis you had, but certainly not to proceed to an
arrest without referring to me before. I'll have a word with your
superior
about it, and Toshizo, we'll talk later too. But I can't prevent the
arrest, though."
He was looking almost apologetically at Tokio when he spoke the last
sentence.
"Can I know, then, what proofs you have against Enishi? The arrest of a
police officer isn't something that should be treated lightly. If.."
She
stopped suddenly as a new thought hit her mind, and Saitoh voiced it
for
her.
"Did you already tell the media, or do you have at least the brain to
wait
after he is actually behind the bars?" he asked Hijikata scornfully.
"Toshizo, I hope you didn't." As the tall man shook his head
negatively,
the chief of police went on: "Let's be clear. It's out of question that
a
word of what happened here goes to the press. If what you think is
true,
it'll be a storm, and it will taint the whole police forces of the
city. We
can't allow this without certainties."
"I told you that we have proofs."
"Why don't you tell us what they are, so we can dismiss them?"
challenged
Tokio.
"Not in front of the culprit."
"Suspect." Aoshi rectified calmly Takeda's assertion.
"Anyway, it's against the procedure to discuss the case against him
while
he's there. He can use it to have the trial cancelled, or manipulate
our
information. Don't pretend you ignore that fact," added Hijikata for
Tokio.
"Now, you talk about procedure?" asked Tsunan, in outraged dismay.
"They're right, Takagi-san. There's nothing I hope more than all this
to be
a terrible mistake, yet we have to be prepared for the eventuality. And
no,
I can't remove the handcuffs, I'm sorry," he added as she was opening
her
mouth to ask for it. "Yukishiro, I'm sorry, too, but the appearances
are
against you. I hope that we'll clear that."
Enishi turned to him, his void gaze slowly regaining some liveliness,
and
he grinned cynically. "Not as much as I do."
"I want to talk to him privately."
"No."
"In this room, and only one minute," granted Kondo, sending finally a
warning glance at Hijikata. At last, thought Saitoh, unnerved at the
gall
of the other cop, who was behaving like HE was the chief of police.
Tokio hurried to Enishi's side, and they took a few steps apart from
the
group.
"Listen," she murmured, "I know how ridiculous it is. But we have no
choice. Please, follow them. I'll call the best lawyer I know, and
he'll
get you out of this, if we can't discard their so-called evidences
within
the hour. I'd like to promise you that you'll be out tonight, but they
seem
decided to create problems. Can you be patient?"
He nodded. "I can't believe it. Takagi-san, I didn't.."
"Of course you didn't. They don't believe it themselves. And should I
remind you that I trust you?" she added, in a pitiful attempt to smile.
He tried to answer it, managing a painful grin, yet she saw in his gaze
that he felt better. "I trust you to get me out."
She patted quickly his shoulder. "Don't loose faith."
"Time to go," announced Hijikata. "I'll accompany the culprit,
excuse-me,
suspect to his cell. Takeda, you can explain the case."
"And are we supposed to believe that you're going to pay attention so
that
nobody sees him?" intervened Saitoh again, correctly interpreting
Hijikata's intention to do all but that.
"If anybody asks, Yukishiro is arrested for punching Detective Takeda
during an interrogation on his miss," ordered sternly Kondo.
Saitoh sent a self-satisfied smirk to the chief of the CD, while Sagara
and
Kitaoka were assuring Yukishiro of their support, and the little group
finally left.
Takeda was caressing is moustache again, delighted at the turn of
events.
Saitoh observed Takagi. She seemed, in opposition to those last days,
perfectly in control. Only the iron color of her eyes and the steel in
her
voice told him that she was on the path of war. She had looked like a
lioness defending her offspring. Not surprising. She had a motherly
side,
even more towards Yukishiro, as he had noticed several times. It was
obviously enough for her to recover her full capacities. She had been
lately only reacting to the events. Yet now, he was sure that she was
taking the lead again.
"Present your case," she demanded dryly to Takeda, lifting a brow as he
made a step towards her briefing seat. "Not in a million year," she
smiled,
passing in front of him to take possession of her chair.
Kondo had sat at Takani's desk, and as Takeda was standing in front of
the
board, the young inspector advanced towards the one Aoshi formerly
used.
Four pair of righteously angry, mockingly daring, icily hostile and
dangerously upset eyes resting on him made him retreat and stand in
front
of the door. Tokio let out a bemused smile.
"So, entertain us with your ridiculous ideas, Takeda," teased Saitoh.
"Oh, I can't wait to see you lose your gall. There's not much to say. I
went to the 13th precinct yesterday morning to get the report on the
Makimachi scene, in order to evaluate the gravity of Yukishiro's miss.
I
met then Inspector Tsukayama, a very promising element, if you want my
advice, Kondo-san.."
Tsukayama proudly stiffened, eyes lighting at the compliment.
"Yeah, what a recommendation," said Tsunan, deadpan.
Saitoh smirked, and even granted a grinning Sagara with a knowing look,
after sharing one with Aoshi.
"Kondo-san, I can't go on if they.."
"Detective Takeda, I'm in charge here. You have to refer to me before
Kondo-
san," stated Tokio, indifferently. "As you cleverly pointed, the Slayer
is
in the streets, so spare us your personal opinions. And Detectives,
let's
keep our comments for later, some remarks have to be made only in
private,"
she added with a sweet smile at Kondo, and a significant glance to
them.
The chief of police nodded to her, satisfied at her intervention.
Saitoh stared at her, appreciative. Pretending to scold their behavior,
she
was just warning them not to say anything concerning Yukishiro in front
of
Takeda. Never know what the snake could do with it.
Slightly disturbed, Takeda went on. "Tsukayama-kun was on the verge to
call
the central police station, to give them the result of an initiative on
his
part. Given that a criminal always comes back to the scene of the
crime, he
stayed after the others at your house, Takagi-san. And a few minutes
before
you arrived with Detective Saitoh.."
"Who was assuming her protection," provided calmly Aoshi as Takeda had
let
his voice trail suggestively.
"He saw a man taking a post of observation in front of him. He
preferred
wisely not to act alone, as the man didn't show any other suspect
intention, he assumed that he might be a cop. He was right: I won't
create
an unsustainable suspense now, he described this man to me and it was
corresponding to Yukishiro. You've been witness to the identification.
Ironic, isn't it? I called Captain Hijikata immediately about it, and
we
asked Kondo-san to let us verify further Yukishiro's doing."
"That's why you cancelled the meeting."
Kondo nodded. "You have to admit that sneaking like this was strange.
Although I only thought that he had psychological troubles."
"We had access to your reports yesterday afternoon. Our suspicions were
reinforced when none of them mentioned sending Yukishiro there, or
charging
him with Takagi-san's protection. You'll have also to admit that his
behavior during the set-up is a sorry excuse for somebody as supposedly
clever as Yukishiro. The real fact: there is a hole in his time slot.
He
was alone with Makimachi, miraculously near the place where Shishio
escaped, against the orders, and didn't call for help when she
disappeared?
Puh-leeze. All I see is an opportunity to commit the crime."
"And?" asked Tokio. "I guess you have more?"
"A witness who saw him in your garden, by the hour when the corpse has
been
deposed to your place."
"Impossible!" yelled Sano, reflecting the atmosphere of shock that was
filling the room. Takeda grinned, satisfied to have at last shattered
the
self-confidence of the team.
"Who?" questioned simply Tokio.
"An anonymous call, late last night," answered Kondo as Takeda
pretended to
hesitate. "Hijikata called me early this morning, to get the
authorization
to search his apartment. I couldn't refuse; this was too much of a
hint.
Although we still have no idea about the identity of the caller, her
descriptions were too accurate to be discarded."
"So you attracted Yukishiro here to be sure that he won't show up."
Kondo
winced inwardly at the disdain written on Saitoh's face. He had never
thought that his former partner would ever look at him with this
expression.
Saitoh was disappointed. Yes, Kondo was getting old. He absolutely
agreed
that the facts surrounding Yukishiro had to be investigated, but not in
this way, not manipulated by Takeda and Hijikata. Moreover, Kondo had
chosen himself the man to be a part of the section, he should thus
grant
him a little more credit. Saitoh had difficulties believing that
Yukishiro
could be a serial killer, that Kondo and himself could have been so
wrong
on the man, though his practical, distrustful mind didn't totally
discard
the possibility. Kondo was nevertheless accepting it too fast. It
wasn't a
leader's stance. He reported his glance on Takagi. Her attitude was a
bit
naïve, yet she was standing for her subordinate.
Saitoh thoughtfully took a puff of his cigarette. He would have never
thought that comparing her to Kondo could turn to her advantage, at any
rate.
"And you found that blade. And these papers?" she questioned,
disabused, as
Kitaoka and Sagara's bewildered faces showed that they just understood
what
the sword Hijikata was carrying earlier really meant.
"Articles about the Slayer case. He's obsessed, and we have the weapon.
He's guilty. Undeniable evidences. "
"Don't you see it's a set-up!" exploded Sano, supported by his partner.
"Sagara, just a minute, please. Old or new?"
"What?"
"The articles, old or new?" she repeated patiently, as if he was
mentally
retarded.
Saitoh's eyes glittered. He knew this way of interrogating.
"As far as Hijikata told me, old ones," reluctantly answered Takeda.
At her little smile, he was sure. She was acting like in court. She was
analyzing, letting him talk, giving him confidence, and now was
prepared to
hunt him down. He could say that at the mere way she was staring at
Takeda.
He relaxed on his chair, the taste of his cigarette suddenly less
bitter.
"So, let's see what you have. Interpretation of Enishi's doing. Easily
dismissible. An anonymous phone call. Irrelevant in court. Old
newspaper
articles. Can be related to the loss of his sister. Yes, you really
have a
case here," she announced, disdainfully.
"You forget the blade."
"You have to prove that it's Yukishiro's AND the murder weapon."
"I'll ask Hijikata to send it to the forensics ASAP."
Tokio nodded to Kondo, and turned again to Takeda. "You have basically
nothing. Your previous scene was unnecessary."
"I saw him! I'm a witness, I can testify in court!" protested
Tsukayama,
eagerly.
Saitoh let out a wicked laugh, and felt Aoshi's utter amusement. Tokio
smiled quite cruelly to them: "I would really enjoy to interrogate him,
wouldn't I?"
"HEY!"
"Shut up, Blondie," snapped Tsunan, oblivious of Kondo's disapproving
snort.
"You have nothing that can justify your actions of this morning,"
repeated
Tokio to Takeda, coldly.
"Until we have the blade analyzed. And now that the CD is in charge,
I'm
sure that we'll find other evidences. I think that my report is
finished.
Well, let's go, Tsukayama-kun. You can give more information to the
powers
in charge. THEY are competent. Kondo-san, I'll see you later, you'll
excuse
me not to bear with the detestable attitude of these people."
He bowed mockingly to Tokio, and they exited.
"Kondo-san?" Tokio was outraged, her voice reflecting Saitoh's
expression
as he turned to the chief of police.
"Hijikata is right. Your investigation would be biased."
"And not theirs?" she retorted, bitterly.
"How do you intend to explain that to the media?" Aoshi asked very
calmly.
"They don't know about the other Slayer yet, but be sure that they'll
find
out about Yukishiro. They'll look for a reason why the VCS has been
shoved
aside, and we're in for that scandal you're afraid of."
Kondo realized that he didn't even envision the question. Shinomori had
a
point. So had Takagi. He felt so tired, the light headache he had felt
since the morning changing into a throbbing, mind-paralyzing pain. He
crossed Saitoh's amber eyes. He never saw anything but respect in them.
Now
Saitoh looked at him like he did with the bureaucrats he despised. He
knew
what his former partner thought. He had created the section, he had put
Takagi at the head of it, and he had chosen Yukishiro. And he wasn't
supporting them, he had let Hijikata and Takeda go too far. He had been
so
busy avoiding to be accused of favoritism, of balancing the powers and
lobbies inside the police forces, that he ended up being unfair to
them. He
had behaved like a politician, not like a cop. He had to change that.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much that he could do. He couldn't believe
that
Yukishiro was guilty, yet there were too many facts, and the
investigation
had to be at least partially given to the CD and the IA.
"I let you on this case and you keep talking to the media, you're still
in
charge officially. But in reality, you are only tolerated; so avoid
crossing paths too much with the CD. Clear?"
"Crystal," she answered, sounding relieved.
Tokio and Saitoh looked at each other with satisfaction. Hijikata would
certainly not appreciate seeing an occasion to talk to the media vanish.
"I have to go, and I'll warn Hijikata about the situation. Keep me
informed. I hope that you can find something," he added.
They all stayed silent for several minutes after he had gone. The
events
had been so sudden, and so surreal, that they needed a little time to
get
fully the meaning of it. Enishi was accused of being Shishio's partner.
It
was ridiculous, yet, yet..they actually had several facts pointing to
him.
Facts, and material evidences.
"Boss, what can we do?" asked finally Sano. There was a definite worry
in
his voice. "It won't be as easy as you said.."
She smiled confidently. She was worried, too, but it wasn't the moment
to
show it. "We have to prove Enishi's innocence, of course. Let's start
with
what can get him out of this situation the most easily. Alibis."
Saitoh approved, a satisfied glimmer lightening his eyes after a few
seconds of reflection. "Sanjo's murder. If I recall well, you all went
to
Kamiya's after you left the office."
"Sagara, you told me that you three were still there when I called from
the
City Hall!" exclaimed Tokio, enthusiastically.
Her smile faded as Sagara and Kitaoka shared a somber look. Tsunan then
watched morosely his cigarette consume in the ashtray, while Sano
answered,
depressed.
"He didn't go with us. Not directly."
"He went to the office directly after our expedition against Kanryuu,
in
case we had to answer for it immediately. My clothes were soaked with
blood, I went home to change," explained Tsunan.
"He went to have a shower and change before joining us, while Tsunan
and I
went first, after waiting for the results of the turf at the company's
desk. The pub was busy, but Jo-chan and Sae saw us arriving."
"He came only a few minutes later, yet he wasn't with us during part of
the
murder time."
"And considering your expression, I guess that it left enough for him
to
commit the murder," finished Saitoh.
"But we can have alibis for the other murders. For Uramura, we were on
a
stake, and if Komagata has been murdered the week before.."
"This is irrelevant," interrupted Aoshi. "Uramura and Komagata are
Shishio's victims. Yukishiro needs an alibi for Sanjo, and for the day
before yesterday."
"And it seems that he has an alibi for none," stressed Saitoh. "So much
for
this."
"What can we do?" repeated Sano, at loss. "How come he has a blade? He
never said anything about it."
"I could explain that," stated Aoshi. "Yet the fact that you don't know
about it isn't good. It seems secret, hence suspect. Kitaoka, did you
know?"
The young man shook his head negatively.
"Maybe Jo-chan.."proposed Sano.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Tsunan was slightly aggressive towards his
friend,
for the first time ever, to the other's knowledge. "She hates his job.
And
she hates when he talks about Tomoe. He certainly never told her that
he
kept articles about her murder."
"Calm down, and listen. The situation may seem more difficult than we
thought, but don't forget that Enishi IS innocent. I'm going to call a
lawyer for him, and then call Takani-sensei, to explain to her the
situation, and the importance of the analysis of the blade. I want you
to
continue the investigation as you intended to before the arrest. Focus
on
it, and we'll have another briefing later. The sooner we arrest the
real
slayer, the sooner Enishi is out of trouble, don't forget it."
Her words, and the confident authority in her voice, had an immediate
effect on the young cops.
Saitoh's gaze followed her as she left the room. Not bad, Takagi, not
bad.
To be continued..
Author's notes:
Thanks a lot to Mara, FiruzeKhanume, L.Sith, and Mary-Ann. Your
support,
corrections, suggestions and comments are precious!
Saitoh can seem way too lenient with Enishi. Nevertheless, he isn't
here
following the code of honor of samurai, Bushido, or the Shinsengumi
laws.
He is committed to the police forces, and their code of honor is to
support
their colleagues. This explains that (^-^) (see his conversation with
Kondo
in chap 1 of Verdict).
About the information for Enishi, in some countries, the suspects don't
have access to the information on their case before they are officially
charged of the crime by a judge or a prosecutor (not by a cop). I saw a
Japanese legal drama, long ago, which made me think that it was the
case.
It might be wrong, though (criminal law isn't my field). Thanks to
L.Sith
for indicating me that it was different in the USA, hence this note
(^-^).
I have a very limited sympathy for rich spoiled brats, so Tukayama
Yutaro
is definitely not one of my favorite RK characters. Nevertheless, I
only
transposed there his behavior of the manga (eager to please the wrong
master and quite stubbornly obnoxious).
Uramura is the name of the lieutenant of police in Tokyo, in the manga.
Uramura Mari is here the prostitute killed by the Slayer before Tsubame
(^-
^).
Sorry for another late update. Real life has been really busy. I
thought of
updating last week, but a nasty flu and some computer problems
prevented me
to (T-T).
Thanks to the reviewers:
Mary-Ann: Merci beaucoup! I'm glad that you like the evolution of their
relation, and writing a Saitoh POV is always a perilous expedition.but
torturing him is so much fun! Well, you know the news, now..
Jadegoddess: As you see, no real worries on that level (^-^)
L.Sith: Thank you! I really like writing these moments, I'm so glad
that
you enjoy them (^-^)
Devil: That's a very good way to put it! Yes, they have both too much
pride. Thanks a lot! (^-^)
Bonesassan: I hope you found it believable, too..Let's say that it
won't be
their only argument. Thank you (^-^).
Romiross: Thank you, I'm very glad that you like the story! As you see,
this kind of Enishi/Misao interaction is a little difficult now, but
Aoshi
certainly will be brooding on other Misao-related subjects.(^-^)
Pnsmith: Thanks a lot! Character development is what I prefer, again,
I'm
glad you like this point (^-^). I can't answer your question now, of
course, but indeed, the key was pointing at Kenshin..and at other
people (^-
^).
Dadsnavygirl831: I like Yumi a LOT! She is one of my favorites, lately.
I
like Tomoe, too (but I like almost all the characters). The characters
don't die in my stories because I don't like them, but because it has a
meaning linked to RK, gives a clue, is important for the development of
some action, has an effect on the characters, so in summary because the
story demands it. I'm glad that you like it, and I will post
Irresistible
along, yes (^-^). Thank you also for your review on The Blade and The
Beautiful (no listening to Eminem then, it seems, LOL). (^-^)
Silvernimbus: Oh, yes, I think it was the maximum of sweetness that
Saitoh
can allow! For Saitoh's POV, I try to stay faithful to who he is in the
manga, I'm very glad that you think it's IC. There will be more
Aoshi/Misao
moments, starting with next chapter (though their romance should
conclude
in the sequel), I had to focus on my main couple first (^-^). Thank you
also for your comments on Irresistible!
Phoenixessence: Sorry I let you waiting for this one, and thanks a lot
for
your compliments (^-^).
Cat: I'm glad that you still like this story (and no, I meant that
prey,
the *noun*, has two plurals according to the reference dictionary).
(^-^)
Queen of the Bloody Hearts: Thank you (^-^)
Next chapter: Some people trust, some other doubt: high tension for
all.
Aoshi manipulates; Saitoh appreciates. And Sano helps.
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