Thanks for everyone that reviewed! I truly appreciate it =)
Oombala: I'm glad you think its interesting! I do have fun writing this one! But here are the pairings that I have in mind for this fic ;) Mako/Quatre, Rei/Trowa, Ami/Wufei and Minako/Duo It may change but I'm absolutely certain on the Mako/Quatre and Ami/Wufei bit =D This story is going pretty fast but I'm hoping that this chapter will help clear up what's happening.
Preci: Minako is just feeling a bit unappreciated ;) anywho thanks for reviewing special :P
"Get away from her!" Rei's demanding voice called the attention of the male assailant. Was that a fireball? He jumped back and watched as the flame collided with the remnants of the apartment wall. He knew these women were crafty but he couldn't seem to fathom how she could throw fire when she had no visible weapon.
Minako shook away the shock and felt herself being pulled by her steaming companion.
"Ouch Rei, you're burning me," she hissed as she tried to pry her hand away from the woman.
"Shut up Minako and run!"
Makoto was standing in the hallway gaping at the destruction of her apartment. Her eyes seemed so distant that she hadn't even taken notice of the man approaching her with his handgun.
"Mako-chan!" The brunette blinked mindlessly, a sharp sting stabbing at her left shoulder. Confused, she settled her gaze on the agitated spot and sparked dangerously in response. Who the hell shot her after blowing up half of her home? Her emeralds darted to the chestnut haired man who stood with rising uncertainty. He was going to pay dearly.
The blue-eyed bounty hunter hesitated, his heart sputtering as he noticed something strange about the tall woman who stood in the hallway. She was unfazed by the bullet that pierced through her shoulder but even more than that, she appeared to be sparkling? Suddenly the idea of hunting these women was starting to be troublesome as already supernatural events were taking place. What the hell kind of people were they? He tensed as he noticed her fist clench in anger, a ball of electricity forming larger and larger. Beads of sweat were forming relentlessly, his body aching with anticipation.
She hurled the ball towards him, his body already jumping away to dodge it. It was hopeless, the ball seemed attracted to him, the stray shocks pulling the energy to him. He cursed as he sprinted his fastest away from the orb. He jumped over the stair railing and landed hastily on the ground. He looked back and it was still following him. His eyes frantically skimmed the earth for some kind of protection and landed on a trashcan lid. He grabbed it, hoping desperately that it would deflect the angry charge. His heart jolted as he heard it collide with the metal and he released the lid when he felt the electricity shocking his hands. Exasperated, he stood up and caught his breath. What in the world was that?
He looked up to the third floor wherein his bounty most likely escaped. The other apartment residents were now rushing out their doors, the fire alarm system blaring all around. He pulled out his cell phone and punched in a sequence of numbers.
"Is it done?" The guy was always straight to the point, never one to dance around the objective.
"No," the man smiled sheepishly. The man on the other end growled.
"I thought you were the best."
The laughing of the blue-eyed American was less than amusing for the recipient of the call. "I am," he remarked. "But these are no ordinary women that you sent me after."
"What's it to you?" he retorted.
"I don't think the price you mentioned is worth all the trouble…"
There was period of silence on the line, the smile on the American's face still prominent.
"If you can't do it for the price already offered, then I'll find someone else."
He laughed. "Good luck then, my friend." He flipped his phone shut and waited expectantly. Sure enough, the device started ringing.
"Hey old buddy, it's been a long time!" He jeered as he answered.
"I'll pay you another grand." The man replied purposely ignoring the joke.
"Another grand is nice, but I won't settle for anything less than double."
The man groaned. "What?"
"Hey, I don't like to risk my life for cheap you know."
"Fine, I'll pay double."
"I'm glad we could reach an agreement. Now, tell me more about these Sirens..."
Wufei was silent. His venture the previous night led him and his neighbor to a motel where she had fallen asleep immediately. It was difficult for him to try and trace the reason why she had been targeted and even now, he couldn't seem to find a single clue. He didn't want to have to stay and protect her especially when he didn't know how she got into this mess.
He sighed as he leant back on his chair in thought. Dr. Mizuno. The mild-mannered woman was hardly someone he expected to be involved with activities that would lure the attention of vile women. His muscles tensed as he heard her shifting in her sleep. Once the room was again quiet, his eyes traveled slowly to her.
It was unlike him to stick with her for so long. Usually he would take them to the authorities and have them devise a protection plan if the client was innocent enough. However, now he was puzzled by his actions and even more so by his thoughts. Why would he want to protect her until the threat was dealt with? He didn't know her and he didn't owe her anything. Why, he had just barely even met her this week because of their annoying mailman.
A muffled groan sounded from the bed, the doctor finally stirring from her slumber. She stretched out before settling her attention on the Chinese man. She blushed. Waking to someone was quite unsettling, as the doctor had grown accustomed to her lonely lifestyle. It was true that she worked with people everyday but those interactions never extended past mere acquaintances. She had many questions. Questions about what kind of life Mr. Chang led, how he knew to rescue her, whether or not he knew the women that were after her. They had said something about her "friends" but for the life of her, nothing seemed to connect. Perhaps one of her patients was involved with sketchy activities and lured those women to her?
"You don't know why they're after you, do you." By the sound of his voice he hadn't expected an answer because he already knew it. However, being the curt woman that she was, she nodded her head in affirmation.
What a dilemma. They had no clues of the identities of the women with the exception of their faces and Ami was completely unaware of the slightest reason that they could be after her.
They wanted to make an example of her. Supposedly, someone close to Ami had done something to insult them so they were trying to get even. But who did it? And what exactly had they done?
"Well," Wufei said. "If you lie low, withdraw as much as you can from your bank account and avoid using credit cards, your cell phone and maybe dye your hair you can probably evade those women long enough to figure out what their deal is. Or, you could just assume a new identity."
"W-what?" Ami stammered.
"You don't expect me to baby-sit, do you?"
A crimson blush rushed to her cheeks at his question. "N-no," she said. "But—"
"I've got a life of my own and so far you've interrupted it enough."
Now here was the rude man she had grown accustomed to. His angular eyes were stoic as he stood from his seat and grabbed his leather jacket. What was Ami supposed to say? It was true, he had no reason to stay with her but she didn't want to be left alone especially since she was being chased for reasons still unknown to her.
"I-I'll pay you," she cringed as she said this. It wasn't because she was afraid of the expenses it was merely because she felt awkward yelling that statement in a hotel room with a stranger. Well he wasn't a complete stranger but she still didn't know him enough to consider him an acquaintance.
Wufei paused as he mulled over her offer. He wasn't money hungry but his job at home wasn't exactly enticing. The thrill he got last night awoken him to the reality that he was slowly submitting to civilian life in a way that he despised. If she paid him to be her bodyguard, then his job would become obsolete and then he might have more opportunities at reviving his old instincts completely. So what if it was only temporary, at least he wouldn't be stuck in an office…
"Alright," he said. "I'll help you."
The single severely damaged apartment was already taped and swarming with suited police officials. It was a disturbing revelation to find that this was the second apartment tonight that had been broken into. Correlations between both women who were now missing had yet to be made and each looked to be brutally terminal undertakings. A blond man stood grimly at ground level, his cerulean blue hues aching with sympathy. He knew the girl that lived here. She had stood out to him many times before. Her friendly emerald orbs had plastered themselves in his mind, the rest of her smooth features slowly etching themselves in his thoughts. Her auburn curls hung loosely in her ponytail, a green and white sundress adorned with a matching green apron securely fastened around her small waist. He had met her at a local restaurant by accident.
A small smile tugged unconsciously at the corner of his lips as he recalled that night. He had a rough day at work and needed something to distract him. His eyes landed on a café that was still open and he made his way inside. Hardly anyone was in there and he assumed it had something to do with the fact that it was two in the morning. He took a seat on a bar stool with his head buried in the palm of his hands. It took much convincing for him, but he finally took the time to look up and that's when he saw her.
"Looks like you're getting in from a hard day of work," she said as she poured steaming liquid into a cup and pushed it towards him. "Its tea. I made it myself. Helps to ease tension when I've had a rough day so I thought you might enjoy it yourself."
Immediately, the man shoved his right hand into his pockets but was stopped when she put a soft hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry about it," she smiled. "Its on the house."
His heart pounded with appreciation, the cup of tea suddenly becoming his most prized gift. "Thank you," he said as he turned to sip. The liquid was immensely soothing as he found his eyes shutting in deep submission to the healing power of the herbs. She was right, it did ease tension. His mood slowly molded into his usual optimistic mannerisms and he smiled.
"I think this is the best tea I've ever tasted." The brunette's smile was captivating. Never before had he remembered staring so much at a single woman like he was now. Maybe it was because of her kind deed that he felt inclined to know more about her or perhaps it was the fact that she was still smiling at the unsightly hour of 2 in the morning. He laughed. The few strangers in the café weren't nearly as "alive" as she was so he imagined that he would naturally be drawn to her for that reason alone.
"I'm flattered you would think so." A slight tinge of pink stained her cheeks which he took notice of. In turn, he felt himself growing warmer with the intention to learn more about her.
"My name is Quatre," he introduced himself with an outstretched hand.
"It's a pleasure meeting you, Quatre." She shook his hand firmly, a brief feeling of electricity excitingly jolting through his arm. "I'm Makoto."
"Chief."
The memory quickly evaporated, as Quatre's attention was diverted to the officer addressing him.
"Yes?" he replied.
"We didn't find much, but it appears that Makoto Kino wasn't in there alone. The beds in the master bedroom and the second bedroom looked to have been in use. A hair was also found on the couch in the living room and has been sent to forensics. They're brushing for finger prints now and will have results by morning."
Quatre nodded as he heard this and sighed. "Very good," he said. "Make sure the results of all tests make their way to my desk as soon as possible. I want to f—"
"…"
"Um, chief?"
The blond man stood in disbelief as he made eye contact with a familiar braided haired man. He smirked in the direction of the Chief of police and signaled with his head for Quatre to follow him.
"Have those results on my desk by morning," he repeated. "And if anything else turns up, call me."
Without a moment to spare, he followed after the silent promptings of the American. He looked cautiously around and once he was satisfied that there was no one following him, he stepped into a dark alley to the chestnut haired man waiting.
"Chief of police! I can't say it surprises me." His sheepish grin was still the same.
"Duo," Quatre nodded with a smile. "It's been a long time."
The blond walked closer and pulled the brunette into a friendly hug. It was surprising to Quatre to realize how much he had missed his old comrade. Come to think of it, he missed all of his old comrades. Supposedly all those near death experiences somehow tied them all in a bond that he wasn't sure he completely understood yet.
"So what have you been up to, Duo?"
The said man shrugged his shoulders casually with his hands in his pockets. "Same old, same old," he grinned. Quatre scoffed.
"Which would be?"
"I've been dabbling in the bounty hunter business. Nothing really glamorous, ya know?"
A small laugh was earned as Duo spoke. Somehow, Quatre had imagined Duo would engage in that type of career path now that they were able to assume normal, or as close to normal as they could attain, lives.
"It suits you," Quatre remarked.
"Yeah," Duo crooned. "I get that a lot."
His cobalt eyes looked over Quatre as he sighed.
"Sorry about the mess."
Quatre for the first time finally connected Duo's involvement to his current investigation. Agitation and rage nearly consumed him as he realized this.
"You did that?" His temperament was flaring as he thought of the woman inside. Did he hurt Makoto?
Duo nodded in affirmation but hastily started his explanation when he noticed the anger permeating the alley. "I was hired a couple weeks ago to track a group of females called Sirens. They're advocates of a huge underground syndicate, actually they're one of the top agents. It was a little difficult to trace them since no one really knows what they look like. I got a tip that the Sirens were the ones sending threats to that police station that was blown up just recently, so I camped out there waiting for them to show themselves. That's when I saw them. Two women were outside in the front when the place exploded. I didn't see how they did it, but they started running as soon as the explosion hit. At first, I was a bit skeptical about them being responsible since they really don't look like fugitives but along the chase, they exploded a car on the side of the road without touching it. There were no explosives, no nothing. I kept on their trail since I was told there were three of them and I only saw two. Eventually, they met up with the girl that lives in that apartment."
Quatre's throat dried as he listened. Duo was a sharp investigator and Quatre knew better than to question his judgment. However, the thought that Makoto was an agent of a syndicate was hard to conceive. Conflicted, he tried desperately to discern his position on this situation.
"So what happened?"
"I broke in." He paused as he pondered the events further. "These girls," he stated. "They're not normal."
Quatre raised an eyebrow in question. "What d'you mean?"
Duo laughed as he leant on the brick wall of the alley. "I'm not too sure of what I saw," he said. "But it was pretty crazy. I found the names of the three women. Rei Hino, Minako Aino and Makoto Kino. I had Minako cornered and then Rei came charging down the hall with a fireball."
"A fireball?" Now Quatre was wondering if it was wise to believe in his old comrade.
"I know," Duo defended himself. "It sounds crazy, but I have no way of explaining it. And trust me, I wouldn't believe it if I didn't witness Makoto sparkling like a human thunderstorm."
"What?" Quatre's thoughts were static as she tried to consider what was being said.
"I shot her and she started sparkling. Then she threw some kind of lightening bolt at me and I had to run until I found a trash lid to protect myself."
"You shot her?"
This time, Duo was the one to raise an eyebrow. "All this information and you ask me if I shot her?"
Quatre shook his head and motioned for Duo to continue. His own bias was already tainting his judgment as he stood sulking in his confused state.
"Well," Duo continued despite his suspicion for Quatre's unexplained worry. "The Sirens are dangerous women. They take orders from a mastermind of the syndicates and those orders don't usually result in happy things, if you know what I'm saying."
Quatre slowly nodded. This night was starting to be another one of those nights that he began to question why he joined the force. "Thanks Duo, I'm glad you told me."
"No problem buddy," he said with a weak grin. He could tell Quatre was getting a little sullen just by looking at him. The positive demeanor usually gracing his attitude was rivaled by the new conflicting theories acquired.
"Would you happen to know anything about the break in by upstate Tokyo?"
Duo shook his head. "I have no idea. But if I find anything, I'll give you a call."
Both men shook hands before departing into the night. Quatre's heart pulsated meekly as he reflected on the new information. The Sirens. He remembered hearing brief whispers about them but never before had he actually received knowledge about who they were. The underground syndicate had been a huge problem in many of his investigations. Homicides, drug dealings, everything seemed to stem from their organization but he could never get it because their roots were so deeply planted in the legal system. Corrupt officers and judges, he found it difficult to even continue his job. Had he not been in more trying situations before, he probably wouldn't have been able to handle the task of Chief of police in a corrupt town.
He groaned as he continued walking mindlessly. The café was lit just like it was every other night, but there was no smiling brunette inside. The placement of these three women was flawless. A prestigious businesswoman, an elementary school teacher and a waitress who happened to encounter the Chief of Police, no one would ever expect them to lead a double life. He ran a hand through his handsome blond tresses and sighed. Go figure he would find himself falling for an agent of the syndicate.
Thanks for reading! Hope you'll review and hope this chapter helped in clearing any confusion that might be going on. Constructive criticism is firmly appreciated!
JPandS