Capu4 CH 3 : Brewing trouble
HOW!
Yukari was beside herself as she watched Kurmu give Tsukune a long kiss goodbye, then turn and give Moka a luxurious kiss. How did Cow Titties get the benefit of that potion? Yukari had to accept that Cow Tits was Tsukune's wife, but WHY was she apparently affected by the potion? She wasn't even there! Listening to them last night was disgusting, the constant moans, yelps and lusty cries that came from Tsukune's room made Yukari want to scream in frustration. They even broke the bed, and then asked her to fix it!
"Should have been me," Yukari said with a sniff.
.
Kurumu leaped of the balcony and flew away this morning feeling very happy with her life. At first, Tsukune had been hesitant, but after she and Moka ganged up on him and stripped while they were kissing him, he began to relax. Upon each of them offering him a breast, he complied and suckled both their nipples at the same time. She wasn't sure what it was, but the shared moment of motherhood, the togetherness of accepting each other's babies as their own, somehow made Moka very special to her. Her heart had nearly burst when she kissed Moka that first time. It was a kiss of true acceptance, they were more than sister-wives. They could all be lovers together! The love she felt from both Tsukune and Moka filled her being. She alreday felt like singing. Today was going to be GREAT. Tsukune and Moka, both hers forever!
"Yaaa-hooooo," Kurumu sang to herself as she soared over Witch Hill and into the city.
Now that yokai were common knowledge, Kurumu no longer had to ride a bus or walk long distances. All she had to watch out for was aircraft. Off to her right, a traffic helicopter was traveling along over a highway, slowly closing on her. Kurumu made sure she stayed a safe distance from it. When the pilot saw her and waved, she waved back. Seeing her destination below, she banked away and dove toward the building at the end of the block that had a large symbol of her name painted on the flat roof.
To avoid disrupting street traffic, Kurumu landed on the roof. Going down the stairs, she came to the apartment turned music studio. "Hi guys!" she said with a hearty wave to the band members sitting around. They waved back, greeting her. All of them had done work with other bands but this was thier first shot with their own.
The manager was all smiles as he came over to her. "Mrs. Aono, there is some paperwork I need you to fill out. May I see you in the office for a moment?"
Kurumu noted a couple band members let out huffs. One rolled his eyes, another shook his head sadly. Kurumu followed the manager, curious about the band's reaction. The instant she went in and he shut the door behind them, she felt his lust rising.
"Mrs. Kurumu, there is a long standing ... shall we say, ritual? That singers must go through," the manager said with a predatory grin as he drank in her body with his eyes.
Kurumu eyed him, and the long couch. His lust was radiating off him heavily now. It wasn't the soft loving kind Tsukune and Moka radiated when she was bathed in theor attentions. This was puse, selfish lust. "You know I'm married," she said evenly.
"Just have a seat," he said in a voice that told of his confidence that she would do what he wanted. "Cooperate and I can guarantee you will become a star!"
Kurumu raised a hand and turned her palm so her fingers were pointing up. Her long nails shot out. "Come near me, and I guarantee you will never attempt this again," she warned.
The manager backed off. "Fine!" he snapped. "I guess we cannot do business. Good LUCK trying to find a singing job in this town!"
Kurumu cracked an evil grin. In a smooth tone, she said, "Oh, I think you will do exactly as I say." The air wavered as Kurumu cast her charm on him. "You worship me," she said.
The man's face became blank. He then cast her a loving gaze and said, "I ... worship you!"
"You will do everything in your power to make this band popular, and you will give me an offering to prove your loyalty to me," Kurumu intoned, and cast another charm on him.
"I will do anything for you, Mrs. Aono!" he cried, his face showing a fanatical glaze. "What can I offer you, my goddess!"
Kurumu's evil grin turned sadistic. The man was middle aged, so he had probably blackmailed many girls hoping to break into the entertainment business onto that couch to satisfy his lust. She had the perfect punishment for him.
.
Moka and Tsukune sat in the office at city college filing out their registration forms and schedules. While Moka was majoring in business, Tsukune was majoring in political science. They would be sharing a few classes together, but it wouldn't be like high school where they spent most of their day together.
"Tsukune, I have space for an eleven or twelve lunch break. What do you have?" Moka asked as she looked over at Tsukne's paperwork.
Looking at his options, Tsukune said, "I can have an eleven thirty or noon, so I guess it's noon then."
"Tukkie, Moka!" Kyoko said with a smile as she came from an office.
"Hi Kyo," they chorused. Moka added, "Are you going to school here too? We're having lunch at noon. Care to join us?"
"Sure. I'm taking the Education major," Kyoko said.
"Come on, let's make our lunch schedules together!" Moka said happily.
As they coordinated their schedules, Ichi came in. Unlike them, he was only here for the general studies portion. After lunch, he went to the temple for religious studies to become a full priest. He found space to have lunch with them before he headed off to the temple. As they talked about their schedules, a few more former classmates drifted in.
In the hallway, a pair of boys noted the group.
"They are all from that Witch School," one said unhappily
"Damn Yokai! They're everywhere," the other grumbled.
"Yeah, but what can we do?"
"Don't know, but we should do something."
.
In the small room lit by old incandescent bulbs with the rows of old school desks and a desk at the front of the room that looked older than even the building they were in, Ren and Mizore sat with a spattering of other students.
Their teacher came in, a man wearing a dark brown trench coat. Leaning on the desk to face them, he eyed his students, then said, "I am Mr. Han. So, you want to be private investigators, eh? Everyone close your eyes."
Once everyone did, he asked, "Who can tell me what is on the back wall?"
Ren and Mizore's hands went up. No others did.
"The purple haired girl."
Mizore rattled off, "Starting from the door, a copy of the private instigator license, two old badges, a picture of the city at night, a request for evidence form from the police department, filled out, one mug shot of you, an old notebook page showing several times and actions of a person named 'subject', three empty shell casings from a pistol along the shelf, a paperclip hung by a pin, an old photo of some woman wearing a suit jacket, and a line of seven police forms. I didn't notice what the forms are for."
"Outstanding!" Mr. Han said. "All right, everyone open your eyes. You must be Shirayuki Mizore."
"Um."
"The young man beside you is Yanagiya Ren," Mr. Han said, nodding to him. "You both attended Witch Hill Academy, and have experience in observing people. I think you will do fine as investigators. Do you plan to be partners?"
"We are partners," Ren said proudly.
"Um," Mizore agreed with a nod.
Mr. Han motioned to them and said, "The rest of you, note how observant they are. Seeing and interpreting what is around you is a vital skill you all must learn. There is another skill you must all learn well that Miss Shirayuki also seems to practice. THE number one rule in this business. Keep your mouth shut. Everything you learn about a client or subjects is confidential. You tell no one who does not need to know, or does not have a warrant..."
.
Without the manager around, Kurumu had a great time singing with the band. They practiced a few songs they band already knew, then worked on one the manager had in his office. The other one Kurumu found while routing around in there, she didn't like. She shredded it and left it on his desk. By early afternoon, the band members were getting tired and Kurumu's throat was dry. Stopping for lunch, Kurumu called home to check on the children, then dug in the manager's office again to find out he had her marked down to have the stage name of 'Mumu'.
"Makes me sound like a cow," Kurumu grumbled. She took the paper out and talked with the band to see if they could come up with a name for themselves. They pondered for a while, batting about ideas. None of them thought the manager's idea of 'Autumn leaves' for the band reflected their playing style. They pondered it the rest of the day as they worked at their new song.
As Kurumu was really getting into the lyrics and singing her heart out, her wings erupted from her back. The band fell dead silent. A dropped drumstick clattering on the floor was heard as the stopped playng.
"What's wrong?" Kurmu asked, looking at their gapping faces.
"You really ARE a yokai," the lead guitar said as he stared at her.
"Awesome!" the bass player yelled.
Another quick discussion named their band. The Flying Yokai.
.
Tsukune thought the had a handle on all of their problems. The baby gates, except for the occasional person tripping over them, were working well. Kurumu came home excited about the new name for their band, and made Tsukune and Moka promise to attend their first 'gig' down on the beach in support of a hotel's event. Mizore came home with Ren in tow to announce they were at the head of their class in the PI school. Tonight's dinner would be in the formal dinning room with Hosoi and Ruby, Sir John and Ageha, Akasha, and Issa with a discussion later on how they were doing.
Before dinner, Tsukune spend some time with the children. Every day, Kurumu went straight for the nursery upon coming home. Today all three of them sat on a blanket on the floor around the inquisitive babies.
Crawling toward Tsukune, Akemi tried to crawl up in his lap. Tsukune took her tiny hands. Akemi kept pushing up and stood. Wobbly, but she was on her feet. "Look!" Tsukune said happily as Akemi wobbled but stayed on her feet, holding a tight grip on his hands.
"Yay Akemi!" Moka and Kurumu chorused. Soon, Kumiko who was climbing up on Moka's knee, stood with Moka's help. "Yay Kumiko!" they cried.
Seeing Kumiko standing by her mother, Akemi turned and with Tsukune's help, wobble-walked over to Moka. Now gaining their feet, Akemi and Kumiko walked with parental support over to Kurumu, then back to Tsukune. They stumbled a few times, but got back up on their feet.
Tsukune was having the time of his life. Two fantastic wives, and his two cute children, all here, all sharing a precious family moment. It was one of those moments he wished would last forever.
"Lord Aono, there is someone to see you," Minori said from the doorway.
"Ruby?" Tsukune asked, thinking it was about the school.
"Some man, M'Lord. He wouldn't give his name."
Tsukune frowned and got up.
Moka's rosary spoke. "Something is not right. Take me with you."
.
Tsukune and white haired Moka descended the stairs to see a man waiting patiently in the foyer below. There was nothing extraordinary about his looks. He was a clean shaven Japanese man wearing a tan suit, standing with his hands folded in front of him. As Tsukune and Moka approached, he bowed deeply to them.
"Lord Aono, Lady Moka, thank you for seeing me," the man said in a formal tone.
Tsukune went to return the bow, but Moka's arm on his held him back. "What do you want?" she asked flatly.
"I was sent merely to deliver a request. Please do not shoot the messenger," he said with a slight grin. "Mr. Kayanaka would consider it an honor if you would meet with him."
"Who is Mr. Kayanaka?" Tuskune asked.
"My employer, M'Lord. I cannot say for certain, but I believe he has a business proposition for you," the man said.
Moka had been looking at the man as if studying him. Holding out her hand, she said, "Give me your gun."
Without hesitation, the man reached into his suit and pulled out a chrome plated semi-automatic pistol. He held it out to Moka by the barrel.
Moka took the weapon. Eyeing it, she asked, "And what type of business requires this type of tool?"
"We have had trouble with very stiff competition of the violent type. That is for my personal protection. I am not a yokai," the man explained.
"You did not answer my question," Moka stated.
"Are you Yakuza?" Tsukune asked warily.
The man nodded. "Correct, M'Lord, but we do not believe in violence unless there is no other alternative," he said.
Angry that the Yakuza would have the nerve to come to his house, Tsukune's face became dark. "Leave," he said heavily.
The man bowed and walked out the door.
Still holding the pistol, Moka watched him leave then barked, "Mizore!"
"Um?" Mizore replied from behind a column.
"Follow him. We need to know who and where his boss is."
"Um."
"Ren! Follow Mizore," Moka barked.
"UM!" Ren said as he jumped up on the stair railing by the second floor, and slide down to hit the floor in a run, heading after Mizore.
Tsukune looked at Moka and the gun. "For a Yakuza, he was very subdued. He didn't even threaten us."
"Tsukune, men like this Mr. Kayanaka do not start out with threats or violence. They want willing partners. He has sent us an invitation. Most likely, he will expect us to reject his invitation, then do as we have done, and send someone to find out who he is. How he reacts now will tell us if we are just a passing interest, or if he means to force us to become involved with him," Moka explained.
"How will we know?"
"That depends upon what Mizore finds, and if she comes back unmolested."
Tsukune's eyes widened. "If Mizore could be hurt, why send her?"
Moka frowned at Tsukune. "You need to study Sun Tzu, as soon as possible," she said in a dry tone.
.
Following the man in the tan suit was too easy, Mizore thought. He walked down the hill to get into a bright lime colored car that was impossible to miss. When the car left, it drove at or under the speed limit. Knowing where the road went, Mizore didn't try to follow the car around the curve of the hill, but went straight to the intersection. The car arrived, and turned to head into town.
Right after the car left the intersection, Ren appeared on his motorcycle. Looking up at the tree he figured Mizore would be spying from, he asked, "Ride?"
Mizore broke cover and shook her head. "Just follow." She then took off in a blur of motion.
.
The lime colored car that shown like a beacon in traffic stopped at a small restaurant in a seedy part of the city. Even a ways behind it, Ren couldn't help noticed where the car pulled off the street. He kept going, passing the parking lot just as the man was walking into the front of the building.
Ren thought hard. He knew Mizore was close by, but he didn't know where. He made a U-turn and went back down the street, parking across from the restaurant. He walked into the place, noting the tan suited man was talking to two others at a booth. He took a counter seat where he could watch them through the reflection of a stainless steel juice machine. He figured wherever Mizore was, she was someplace where she could see them. Ren then felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Please, come join us," a man behind him said.
Ren turned to see the man's dark suit was open just far enough to show the handle of a pistol. Ren got up and went to the table to sit beside the man in the tan suit. The man who'd come to get him sat in the next booth. Across from Ren were an older man, and a younger one who looked like he might be the older man's son. The eyed him with curious smirks.
The man on the inside dipped his head in a bow, and said, "I am Mr. Kayanaka, did you have any trouble following my messenger?
"Too easy," Ren replied.
Mr. Kayanaka grinned. "Some refreshment?"
"Um, uh," Ren said with a shake of his head.
Tapping the arm of the man beside him, Mr. Kayanaka said, "He is not big on words and his yokai energy is very low. I suspect that Lord Aono sent him to test our reaction." To Ren, he said, "You have nothing to fear, young man. We already know someone is watching you. Someone a bit more powerful I think, that would cause some damage if we were to do anything to you. If you would, please tell Lord Aono that I do wish to speak to him about a mutually beneficial arrangement. All above board, I assure you. I would do nothing that might jeopardize Lord Aono's good name."
"What is it?" Ren asked tonelessly.
"I am afraid that is between myself and Lord Aono," Mr. Kayanaka said as he watched Ren closely. "Come to this cafe once Lord Aono has a response for me, please. Are you sure you wouldn't like anything to eat or drink? My treat."
"Thank you, but no." Ren replied in his flat tone.
"And a very good servant you are," Mr. Kayanaka said approvingly. "Lord Aono apparently chooses his servants wisely." Waving a hand, he said, "We are about to have a meal young man. Stay and watch, or report back as you see fit."
Ren got up, gave Mr. Kayanaka a bow and walked out. Crossing the street, he got on his motorcycle and looked back at the restaurant. One of the men was lingering by the counter. If Ren could see him, then he could see Ren. Ren pulled out into traffic before Mizore could meet him. He went a few blocks down, then turned down another street to pull into a parking lot to park between a couple cars.
Ren pondered whether to try to find Mizore, which now could be hazardous to her since he'd been dumb enough to get caught, or just go back and tell Lady Moka he'd screwed up.
"Go home," came Mizore's whisper from under a car.
Quietly, Ren said, "I failed. I got caught, but I met the boss."
"You didn't fail. We know who he is now. Go home, they are watching you."
"See you there."
.
"Sir, if I may, why didn't you teach that boy a lesson in respect?" the man in the tan suit asked.
Mr. Kayanaka cast him a smirk and said, "You do not punish a dog while the master is watching. Especially if you want to have a good relationship with that master. This is not your average vampire we are dealing with. If the rumors are true, then Lord Aono is someone to be handled carefully. I want to undermine Shuzen's empire, not make an enemy that will side with him. That will be all this evening, thank you for your fine service."
Another man in a tan suit came in escorting the band manager. He sat the band manager down where Ren had been. Looking drawn and a bit pale, the band manager stared at the table.
Mr. Kayanaka frowned at him. "There is no need to bring your porno tapes here. Why have you come?"
The new man in a tan suit tossed a box on the table. "He doesn't have it, only this."
Mr. Kayanaka opened the box, pulled up a red cloth, winced, and shut it. "And who did that belong to?" he asked.
Weakly, the manager said, "It is ... mine. A show of loyalty to the lead singer in the band I was forming."
Letting out a snort, Mr. Kayanaka asked, "And who is this singer that demanded your severed penis as a tribute?"
"Her name is Aono Kurumu."
"I see," Mr. Kayanaka said slowly. "You know this breaks our agreement. You can't supply sex videos if you cannot have sex. You still owe me over two hundred thousand Yen. What do you plan to do about that?" He slid the box over to the sad looking manager.
"I will find a way to pay you, Mr. Kayanaka," he said weakly.
"I am sure you will," Mr. Kayanaka looked at the new tan suited man and touched his temple, the signal to kill the man and get rid of his body. "My associate will drive you home. I expect good news soon."
"Yes, Mr. Kayanaka," the manager said. He collected his box and left.
"Fool, he got what he deserved for not choosing his targets carefully," Mr. Kayanaka spat. To the younger man beside him, he said, "Find a new manager for Mrs. Aono's band, and make sure he is top notch. I will provide any financing needed."
"The music business is not very stable. There are safer things to invest in," the younger man replied.
Mr Kayanaka cracked a grin and said, "Over the short term, I agree. This is not a profit driven investment, but one of building friendships. We want to show the Aonos know we are generous to our friends. We very much want them as our allies. That is, unless you are willing to stand against the Shuzens by ourselves."