Based on the story: Getbackers
Written by: aoi kodomo
Full Summary: The Getbackers finally get their hands on a mission they can really sink their teeth into. However, when the spiritual world starts to cross with reality, will the duo be able to tell the difference between what's real and what's not? Does the ability to communicate with the dead really exist?
Author's Note: All characters of Getbackers are copyright to Rando Ayamine and Yuya Aoki. Any additional characters are copyright to me.
Rating: T
Get Back the Sacred Jewel
Prologue: The Assignment
Spirits … Ghosts … Devils … Angels …
Do they really exist?
When the soul of a person dies, does that soul truly leave this world? Do they continue to walk the streets of humans? Weaving their way through the land of the living, waiting, longing, searching … for a path to get out? Are they trapped? Doomed to remain a lost soul?
Do they have unfinished business? Justice? Revenge?
When a substance of the spiritual world and the real world cross … could this be a good thing? Those able to commute with ghosts … are they blessed … or are they cursed?
No. Don't answer. You don't know, do you?
Think about it … you may have a change of heart once this tale is over …
"This is the address?" Ginji compared the number on his bit of paper to the gold-plated one on the outside of the gate. "Are you sure Miss Hevn didn't make a mistake?"
"No mistake." Ban grabbed a cigarette from his shirt pocket and lit up. "Posh geezers sure know how to make an impression, though."
"It's kind of eerie … don't you think?"
"It's work, Ginji. Don't be such a wimp."
"But look at it! There's a huge dark cloud hanging over the entire building!"
Ban frowned, glancing sideways as he spoke. "I wonder … could that be the weather?"
"There's probably a scary butler at the door."
"Of course there's a butler. Sure have the cash to afford one. Now go press the buzzer, Ginji."
Ginji pouted. "Aww man, do I have to?"
"Don't be such a scaredy-cat! Get out and push the buzzer!"
"But Ban ... the buzzer's on your side!"
Ban's voice came out a low growl. "Gin … ji …"
"Alright! Alright!" Ginji reluctantly got out of the car and walked over to the intercom on the left side of the gate. He hesitated a second before pressing the button firmly. He waited, taking in his surroundings while he listened out for a reply.
The driveway went up a zigzag slope towards the huge property. Ginji had seen a fair share of mansions but this one looked so old. Nothing like the modern ones he'd glimpsed at before. It screamed out for a makeover. The garden was overgrown, the outside of the windows rusty, and not a single sign of life could be seen.
"Ginji … what are you waiting for?"
Ginji turned to face Ban. "Not sure … a deep voice to say, 'Enter'?
Ban tutted. "You've been watching too many horror movies."
"You make me watch them!"
"It was my turn to pick the movie that night! Get over it!"
"You had to pick the scariest one in the store!" Ginji moaned. "I've never been so afraid in all my –!"
"Yeess?"
"Gaaaaahhh!" Ginji jumped a foot from the intercom. He blinked, then leant forward and tapped the device cautiously. "Um, hello? We're here to see a Mr. Sakamuru?"
"I see … of course. Mr. Sakamuru is expecting you. Please, come on through. You will be greeted properly at the front door."
"Err, thanks." Ginji got back in the car and turned to Ban. "See? A scary voice. It hissed at me! Y'know? 'Yeess'?"
"It's just static from the intercom." Ban watched as the gates started to creek open, the hinges screeching for oil. He started to edge the Ladybug up the long driveway. "From the looks of it, this whole place could do with a tune-up." He parked besides some cracked stone steps, turned off the engine and got out. The steps led up to two huge wooden doors, splintered and blackened over time.
"Check it out. Looks like the owners kept the original features." Ban made his way up to the front door. He rubbed a hand over the ancient wood, careful not to graze his skin. "Definitely worth a few bucks on the market, huh Ginji? … Ginji!"
Ban growled. He walked around the other side of the car where Ginji was cowering, grabbed his wrist in a death grip and dragged him to the front entrance. "I'm not backing out of this assignment just because you're scared!"
"I'm not scared!" Ginji tried to tug his arm free. "But I suddenly remembered these scenes from a movie … scary mansion … spooky voice … the main characters always die!"
"Don't be superstitious!"
"I'm not!" Ginji shook his head. "Never mind, let's go! I can live on water for another week. I'm too young to die in a place like this!"
He gave his arm another tug, but Ban held his grip tight.
"Oh no you don't! I haven't had a decent meal in weeks! We're going!" Ban rapped his knuckles on the door, stepped back and waited.
"You can have my half of the payment." Ginji patted Ban's shoulder repeatedly. "That's fair."
"You're doing this assignment with me whether you like it or not."
"But Baaaan –!"
"Don't but me!"
"I don't like this assignment!"
"We haven't even started it yet!"
"I've got a horrible feeling! My skin feels all tingly!"
"My skin feels all tingly." Ban mimicked. "You've got electric currents flowing through your body, you fool! Of course your skin feels tingly!"
"The Getbackers, I presume?"
"Gaaaaah!"
Ginji stumbled back, his eyes widening. He looked at the pale-faced man standing in the open doorway, his stance motionless and a blank expression shadowing his face. But what surprised Ginji more was Ban's look. He'd been so caught off-guard by the sudden appearance he'd given him an electric shock. Ban eyes narrowed at him now. Ginji could see the remains of smoke coming off his hair and clothes.
"Gin … ji …"
"Eh heh heh." Ginji rubbed the back of his neck nervously. Luckily, before he could start apologizing furiously, the man spoke.
"Welcome, Getbackers." He bowed politely. "My name is Hajime Matsumoto. I am Mr. Sakamuru's assistant. Please, would you step this way?"
The duo followed him inside, greeted by a wide stairway that split suddenly halfway, leading up to another floor. Above them the ceiling went to as far as the eye could see, carved with original Victorian-like features at the top. Two corridors went off in both directions on the bottom floor, each lined with many doors, all closed. Ban suspected that each room was just as impressive as the main entrance. He couldn't see all the way to the upper floors, but from the outside the mansion had 3 floors, 4 if you counted the attic/roof, so another staircase would have to be on the first floor.
"Please wait here a moment," Mr. Matsumoto said. "I will tell Mr. Sakamuru that you have arrived."
"Sure." Ban's eyes followed him as he walked away. He turned back to Ginji, seeming like a lost puppy in such a huge place. "You wouldn't have thought someone like you grew up in the Limitless Fortress with the way you're acting."
"The Limitless Fortress is more open," Ginji replied. "This is … so dark and small in comparison."
Ban smiled. "Only you could make that comparison." He grabbed a cigarette from his shirt pocket.
"Please refrain from smoking in here," a voice spoke softly. "I'm afraid second-hand smoke does not do an old man's lungs any good."
Ban kept the cigarette in his mouth anyway. "Don't rich old guys smoke cigars?"
"My boy, this rich old guy gave up years ago." A man appeared on Ban's left, emerging from the dark corridor slowly. He carried himself gracefully, his hands clasped behind his back, however had the essence of someone who had lived many years and had seen many things in life. His eyes were dark, but glinted with kindness. They crinkled when he smiled. His dress sense was casual, a red cashmere sweater, smartly pressed trousers and shoes so shiny they reflected what little light shone from above.
"A pleasure to meet you," he said, running a hand through salt-and-pepper hair. He held a hand out to Ban. "I am Kentaro Sakamuru, the owner of this mansion. You would be?"
Ban grasped his hand and shook it firmly. "My name is Ban Midou. I assume Hevn told you about us?"
"So she did," Mr. Sakamuru smiled. "So then … you would be Ginji Amano, am I correct?"
Ginji nodded and held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sakamuru."
"What polite boys you are," Mr. Sakamuru chuckled. "Very different from what I imagined. Miss Hevn warned me that you were a couple of imbeciles. She told me not to let my guard down. I must admit I was expecting the worse after hearing that."
Ginji blinked.
Ban felt his brow furrow. "She said that, did she?" That two-faced BITCH!
"Sure did," Sakamuru replied. He rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. "Now, what was that other thing she mentioned … something about not making direct eye contact? Apparently one of you had a nervous twitch? Or a tick?" He suddenly pointed at Ban. "Yes, she said it was definitely you, the dark-haired one. She told me you were born with a twitch in your eye and didn't like to make eye contact."
Ban could feel his forehead creasing more. "Huh … is that so?" You just wait, you wench!
"Actually, I'm afraid Miss Hevn's got it wrong." Ginji put a hand on Ban's shoulder. "My buddy Ban has nothing like that!" Please don't say any more!
Mr. Sakamuru smiled. "No, I didn't think he had. Two fine boys your age should be the picture of perfect health. Now, if you would kindly follow me?"
He led them down the left corridor, turning right into the first room.
"I swear, when I'm done here, I'm gonna find that evil witch and cut off that precious hair of hers!" Ban hissed, his fingers flexing into a fist. "Nervous twitch, huh? I'll show her nervous twitch!"
"Maybe Miss Hevn had a hard job telling Mr. Sakamuru about the Jagan?" Ginji whispered. "You do have to make eye contact after –"
"My eyes do not twitch!" Ban snapped. "You just wait! I'll twitch her little neck, and then I'll twitch her little arm, then –"
Ban stopped just as he turned into the room.
Ginji could see he was mentally thinking the rest of the sentence. He smiled, knowing Ban would never carry out such cruel intentions on Miss Hevn.
"Please have a seat." Mr. Sakamuru gestured to the large couch nearest the wall. Just one glance around the room indicated that it was used as a reception room. The furniture was clean, but old fashioned, with 2 small couches and a coffee table in the centre of the room. The curtains were drawn, the chandelier from the ceiling providing the only light.
"Pretty fancy," Ban said. He lifted the loose cigarette in his hand. "Can I smoke this now?"
Mr. Sakamuru nodded.
Ban made no hesitation lighting up. He took a long drag, tilting his head upwards as he blew out the excess smoke.
Mr. Sakamuru watched him carefully. "Would you care for a drink?"
"As long as it's not poison," Ginji muttered.
Ban nudged him hard.
"Nothing for me, thanks!" Ginji blurted, rubbing the side of his stomach.
"I'll pass," Ban said. "Shall we cut to the chase, then? We haven't come all the way from Shinjuku for free drinks. What is your assignment, Mr. Sakamuru?"
"Indeed." Mr. Sakamuru retrieved a piece of paper from his trouser pocket. "I would like you to get this back for me."
Ban grabbed the paper and turned it over.
"Oh, look!" Ginji exclaimed. "It's a rock!"
Ban whacked him in the face.
"Oww! Baaaan!"
"It's not a rock, you dolt!"
"Precisely," Mr. Sakamuru injected with a chuckle. "It's a rare jewel. Stunning, is it not? The beautiful shade of red would be worth 5 million yen alone."
Ban studied the picture more closely. The stone was barely the sized of a kid's marble. It curved in a perfect circle, with darker shades of red woven through the center, giving off the illusion that it wasn't so round. To find such a rare jewel would send the price value sky high. To look for such a rare jewel would be a difficult task in itself.
"I should tell you," Ban warned. "We won't be hired for stealing."
"I've always been an honest man, Ban Midou," Mr. Sakamuru replied. "I can assure you with all my honesty that this particular jewel belongs to me legally."
"Wow, so it's yours?" Ginji took the picture to get a better look. "I've never seen a jewel like this before. Is it a family heirloom?"
Mr. Sakamuru nodded. "It was passed on from my grandfather to my father. When my father wrote his will, he said specifically that this stone would be given to me. However, my father died a year ago from an unknown illness, and although the will clearly states that it belongs to me, he never told me where he kept it."
"Why's that?" Ginji gave the picture back.
"I wish I knew," Mr. Sakamuru smiled. "My guess is that my father wanted to wait until the right time to tell me. Unfortunately now that opportunity will never come."
Ban frowned. "Where have you searched?"
"I've searched everywhere I could think of," Mr. Sakamuru answered. "This mansion was also passed on to me. Obviously I've searched every nook and cranny of this place, but as of yet I've not been able to find anything."
"Maybe this place has a secret room or a safe behind a picture or wall?" Ginji suggested.
"Believe me, son, I've looked. I'm sure one option would be to rip the walls apart, but I'd rather not resort to such measures. I heard about you from a run-in with Miss Hevn. She spoke very highly of you. Two pairs of eyes are better than my old ones, I reasoned. And here we sit."
Ban shrugged. "I hope Hevn told you that we aren't cheap."
Mr. Sakamuru laughed. "That won't be an issue. I'm willing to pay you 3 million yen. Also, I expect you would need to search this mansion thoroughly, so to save the travel from Shinjuku, you are most welcome to stay here. I have many rooms vacant. Would this suffice?"
Ban turned to Ginji. His partner's expression remained neutral and nothing in his face said he wouldn't do it, but Ban could see a slight hesitation in his eyes. He patted Ginji's shoulder, gesturing for him to stand up.
"We'll get back to you," Ban said, getting up also. "Is that all?"
Mr. Sakamuru rose from his seat. "Yes, that is all. Thank you so much for your time."
"We'll show ourselves out. Thank you, Mr. Sakamuru. We'll consider the assignment carefully."
Prologue End
To Be Continued In Chapter One
Author's Note: Apologies if the prologue is long … it's longer than I planned but that's fine. Thank you for your time.
