Chapter 1 – Takashima Yuri

Rating: T/M

Previous day went fairly well. We caught Hiroshi, a guy that forced some woman to steal and bring money to him. First, we followed Hiroshi outside the club then Aoi caught him and beat him up. I never really had to use violence. It was Aoi's job.

Only fifteen minutes ago, we had small encounter with Takashi-san. He handed us a file with information about our new target, Daisuke, differently called Die. He was alike to Hiroshi. Only, he was more dangerous. Aoi decided to follow person that was stealing for him and find him that way. Now we were on metro station waiting for girl that worked for Die. I stood near map of metro station holding camera and occasionally glancing at it, while Aoi stood near place where they sold tickets. We were being not suspicious, at least not to young girl that was going to lead us to our target. She wore light grey cap, dark grey hoodie, blue ripped jeans, grey short boots. She had short hair falling on her shoulders. It was of dark brown color and she had cute young face. Bags under her eyes were visible showing her tiredness. Girl had black bag thrown over her right shoulder and she walked in direction of train. I put earphones of my mp3 in my ears, turned on the camera and nodded to Aoi. He nodded back and we both walked into the train. We were both on different side. He leaned onto bar and cast his look onto glass of train keeping close eye on girl that was looking around, searching for her new target to steal from. Soon, she stood few centimeters behind woman with yellow bag and looked around once more. I directed my camera onto her and choose filming option to gain some evidence in case if black moment came and she refused to cooperate. She pulled her hand out of woman's bag with brown wallet and headed to exit, walking out when train stopped. I once more nodded to Aoi and started following her. Aoi and I parted at entrance of small dirty alley. I followed her while Aoi took longer way to go faster. We entered quieter, less populated area with old houses and buildings surrounding it. Girl started moving faster and so did I. There was another, even smaller alley and I stopped near corner to observe her because there was dead end. Door on left house opened and older man with bulky body approached her. Behind them, was fence and I saw shadow creeping up there assuming that it was Aoi. I kept quiet and continued watching them. Fat guy took wallet from her and opened it, counting the money. Displeased expression appeared on his face and when he slapped shocked, teary-eyed girl, Aoi jumped over the fence and in few swift kicks and punches sent guy flying onto the ground. While man was rolling onto the ground and holding his stomach, Aoi looked at him with amused disapproval and threw wallet to the girl who took it with confused and shocked expression. I watched whole scene with same shock and confusion wondering why Aoi gave wallet back to girl and let her go. My thoughts were interrupted when girl ran past me quickly, briefly bumping her shoulder on mine. I remembered her face. I couldn't help it because I had photographic memory.

I walked to Aoi stopping near rolling man on the ground.

,,Aoi! Why did you let her go? She could have some important information!" Aoi hadn't even glanced at me.

,,Do not worry, Ruki. I let her go only this time. You will find her again easily. And she indeed has some important and useful information that could lead us to some big catch. This moron here," Aoi nudgeg man on the ground with his foot. ,, is friend of Kyo, Hyde's right-hand man. I'll question him first and then hand him over to Takashi-san. You should head home and read file on the table in living room. I'll come back later. Now go." I obeyed yelling short ,bye' and running away in direction of our building.

*Later*

I sat on the couch in living room reading file that Aoi mentioned. It was file of that girl we followed today. Aoi was still not home and I had some silence and peace. But it's not like I didn't have it everyday. Aoi rarely spoke. Her name was Takashima Yuri, Height: 167 cm, Birthday: December 12, 1988. She lived in small flat above fish shop with her older brother Kouyou Takashima. He worked in ,, Riviera" club in Ginza district. Club was located in part of district where were all te best and most expensive night clubs and restaurants. Those two lived here for few months without visa and still weren't thrown out from country. They were from Russia. Their father Aleksey Orlov married their mother Midori Takashima and year after, birth was given to them. Their original names were: Natasha Orlova and Ivan Orlov. After death of their parents, they moved to Tokyo and lived there taking new names and surname of their mother before she married Aleksey. Since then, Kouyou has been taking care of Yuri. They had no fighting or weapon skills so it was safe to catch them and take information about Aoi's ,big catch'.

I scanned over pages of file, my memory already doing its job. I closed file and finished drinking vine. If Aoi was here, he would kill me for drinking alcohol. I was already seventeen and I wasn't allowed to drink so I could stay concentrated on my work.

I sighed and went to sleep deciding not wait for Aoi any longer. It was eleven o'clock and he still wasn't here. I fell asleep.

*Next morning*

Aoi and I sat in coffee shop we always visited, drinking coffee. I drank latte macchiato while Aoi opted for black coffee. I couldn't drink that bitter coffee. Black coffee somehow fitted Aoi's personality. Mysterious, dark and sometimes bitter.

I was still thinking about last night. I pondered why Aoi stayed out for so long. That wasn't like him to leave me alone like that. So I decided to ask him.

,,Aoi?" He continued to drink his coffee and read newspapers.

,,Hmm?" I hesitated for a moment wondering if he was doing something personal and if it is appropriate to ask.

,, Why you stayed out so long last night?" His face held no emotion and nothing changed there.

He replied indifferently like always.

,, I had some business to finish. You don't have to worry about that. Drink your coffee." And like that, I stopped asking. Rest of time was spent in silence and tempting scent of coffee. I took my thoughts off what could be his , business'.

*Later*

After short and friendly chat with Akira, barmen , we said good-byes and left coffee shop.

Once again, we parted our ways, Aoi heading somewhere with ordering me to find Yuri and talk to her. I complied and went to search fish shop. I opted to talk with her on nice and kind way. I wondered how would she act if she saw me after thing that happened yesterday. After all, Aoi saved her in some way and she didn't have to work for that fat bastard anymore. So I hoped that she would be grateful. Maybe she didn't even see my face because she ran past me with look cast down. I walked through dirty streets near big river and through loud crowds of fishermen and sellers. Everything had terrible smell of fish. Fresh and rotten. Soon, I came in front of small fish shop with name , Tomoyaki's fish'. Wrinkling my nose, I entered alerting seller with bell above door that rang as I opened the door.

,,Good-afternoon, young man. How can I help you?" There were no entrance to second floor so I presumed that I had to pass through here to get to Yuri's place.

,, I came to visit Yuri Takashima. I'm her friend." I lied. Well, half of it was truth. I wasn't her friend but I intended to be for few minutes of hours so I can get needed information.

,,Oh. I see. Well, she has polite and handsome friend. She must be happy to have someone like you for friend. She finally found friend. Yuri is nice, don't you think. I wonder why doesn't she has any other friends except you." Now I felt a bit guilty for leading is man into false happiness for Yuri. And really, why didn't she has any friends. I nodded at compliments and man's ramblings about her. Finally, he showed me way to her place. After thanking to the kind man, I stood in front of wooden door with sign , keep out!'. Silent chuckle escaped my mouth. She must be one tough girl. Bold red sign proved that. Or maybe that was only her brother.

I knocked three times at door, waiting for someone to open the door. I prayed that her brother wouldn't be here so I can talk to her alone. First, I had to see if she saw me. If she didn't then I could introduce myself as investigator, if she did, then I could tell her that Aoi and I work in special police forces that are kept secret. I made false police badge so my lie could be properly supported. I cleaned my throat and crossed my hands in front taking pose that reminded of police man or police member.

Click of lock was heard and door slowly opened but not fully, only as much as chain allowed it to open and young , pale face of girl peeked through small opening. I smiled cheekily trying to look innocent and greeted her.

,,Hello, are you Takashima Yuri?" She unsurely nodded looking at me with confusion. Obviously, she didn't recognize me so I continued.

,, I came for an important talk to you. I'm investigator, Matsumoto Kenji." I used my real surname and false name, showing her my fake badge. She pursed her lips looking at me hesitantly, then, with meek voice said:

,,Wait a second." She closed door and another click was heard, this one from chain. Door opened fully and she motioned to me to come in. I nodded and smiled widely. Her flat wasn't much big. On left side was brown door slightly opened and I could see sink so I assumed it was bathroom. On right side was small shelve with shoes, sneakers and few little boxes. Above small shelve was hanger with few leather jackets, coats and caps. I recognized the grey cap she wore yesterday. She took me further into flat, into living room. It had light brown couch and T.V. in front of it. I sat there while she brought me glass of water. I thanked her and put glass onto wooden table beside the couch.

,,So, what did you want to talk about, sir?" Yuri asked, taking place in armchair on left side of couch. She entwined her fingers and put her hands onto her lap pursing her lips again. She had dark brown eyes, same brown hairstyle as yesterday, wore white sleeveless shirt and light blue jeans. I carefully looked her over and continued.

,,Please, call me just Matsumoto-san." I told her trying to gain some trust. ,, I've been informed that you were somehow connected to Die-san, man that forced you to steal for him., am I right?" She looked at me surprised and I knew what was she thinking.

,,Don't worry, Takashima-san, you will not be arrested or sued for anything. I just need you to tell me more about him and his friends. Can you do that?" Yuri nodded, sighing than starting to speak.

,, One day, I was walking down the street heading home from brother's club. I accidently bumped into him and apologized. But when I tried to walk away, he grabbed me and accused me of trying to steal from him. I tried to explain that I did not try such a thing, but he kept continuing to accuse me of stealing. There were few men with him. They were all bald and smoked. That's all I noted about them. And also, they all looked dangerous. He said that he will beat me up if I don't start working for him. I was very panicked and scared so I just agreed not really knowing what I am agreeing to. Following days, I was stealing from random people in crowded places and not once I was caught. I would bring money to him and if he was satisfied every time. That continued. One night, he brought me to club with him. We sat with his friends. They were all drunk and talked about money and drugs. I heard one of them mentioning good money for good drugs. He also mentioned name Kyo. They started talking about big deal and cocaine. But that's all I know about that. "

,, I see. What club you were in?"

,, Innocent bullet. I think it was called that. Innocent bullet. It's biggest one and you can find it easily. It's located in Ginza district and stand out the most. It's in the part with expensive clubs. "

I nodded to her information noticing that she had not mentioned that her brother works in one of the clubs. I thanked her.

,,You helped a lot. Thank you very much. I'm sorry for taking your time. " I stood up preparing to leave, glass of water being untouched. She bowed and I bowed back. After shaking her hand, I left heading home content with information I received. It was enough to find Kyo.

-Aoi's P.O.V.-

I cleaned my hands from dried blood and left dirty alley. My approach to problems was different from Ruki's. While he used talking, quiet and civilized way of solving problems, I would beat up anybody who stood in my way. Like I did today. I threw bloody and used tissue onto the ground heading home and hoping to find Ruki there with information from girl.

My thoughts disappeared and all my senses became alert when small click echoed through narrow street in which I thought I was the only one. But it seems that I wasn't.

,,Show yourself!" Low chuckle sounded from shadows of small corner and tall man came out. Walking slowly and graciously, Hizumi came into my view. As always, he wore black jacket with furry hood covering his eyes. His boots clicked on pavement as he neared me, smoking cigarette trapped between slim fingers. Trail of white smoke travel up and passed his face, making him look even more intimidating.

,,What do you want, Hizumi." Hizumi made face of fake disappointment, eyes still hidden.

,,Oh, what a shame. I expected ,hi, how are you?' and warm hug. Is it too much to ask for?"

,,Yes, it is. Now tell why are you here." I spoke with determined voice leaving no place for more bullshit.

,, My boss was very displeased when he heard that you asked around about him and that you want to find him. He sent me to investigate that matter." His boss, Kyo, apparently didn't like when somebody sniffed around in his territory. I was pleased with his discomfort.

,,Tell your boss not to worry and tell him that I wish him all the best. It would be nice to meet sometime. " Without any more words, I left.