CLUB-S
Part 4: Research
.o.o.o.
Yusuke had rummaged through the files on Matsui, reasoning that if he knew more about him then he might know more about his enemies. After- a man's enemies speaks a lot about who they are…
The only problem was that this guy was the poster child for the model life. He was charming, outgoing, and might be the apparition who could finally form a bridge between the Reikai and the Makai. So then, who'd want to kill him? That was the burning question that circulated through the young human-demon's mind.
- - -
As for the personal data:
Matsui was born in 1895 and had first become aware of the spirits around him shortly after the turn of the century as a small child.
By the turn of the century, he had formalized a grasp of the paranormal and later became involved in spirit work. He eventual served as the partner of a previous spirit detective from 1912 to 1919. He, along with the spirit detective and an unnamed third person worked on investigating countless cases.
After seven years, he retired from the work. However, he was forced to come out of retirement and took over as official spirit detective when his former partner was killed in 1925, though he only held the role for 3 years as he trained a successor who replaced him in 1928.
In t the age of 37, he traveled to the Makai and wasn't heard of for some time, he returned 10 years later and it seemed that the violence around the border between the worlds had greatly reduced.
He received honors from the Reikai High council with a promise of one day working along side them.
He returned to the Earth in 1942 and acted as the mentor to the current spirit detective and the one after him, retiring from the role entirely in 1956
He passes away from a heart attack in 1967 and took a new form in the Spirit world.
- - -
"Wow," Yusuke remarked to himself. "Someone kept busy." He then turned around and set the file down. "But who was the mysterious third man?" He thought out loud. It bothered him that there was a blank spot in the records, but that matter could wait till later.
Yusuke walked outside and spotted Toshiro at the far end of the grand hall, speaking to someone on some kind of communicator.
"Hey, who were you talking to?" Yusuke asked in a friendly tone.
Toshiro turned around and smiled. "Oh, I was just checking up on a few contacts of mine- I may be able to find someone who is connected to the Red Claw'."
Yusuke smiled at the new development. "That's good; I can't wait to meet him." For him, the investigation seemed to have stalled for the moment.
A man then walked up to where they stood. "Gentlemen," he began. "I assume that you are the agents working on this unfortunate case?"
"Yes sir." Yusuke replied in an uncharacteristically cordial tone. Something about this man made him want to respect him. It was almost like the air around him was made more pleasant by his presence.
"I am St. John Halcon." He announced. The man had fair skin and long dark curly hair that hung down around his face. "I hope that you are able to resolve this matter soon."
"So do we." Toshiro replied politely.
"Well then, I won't keep you waiting any longer, good luck." He spoke and then left.
.o.o.o.
The two of them stood before what could best be called a prison. It was a place where spirits who were beyond conventional help were placed.
"What kind of punishment is this, anyway?" Yusuke asked. "How does a low-rank demon end up a lifer in a Spirit World prison?" He asked as they descended a flight of stairs into the lower levels of the complex.
Toshiro nodded. "He was captured a few years back smuggling weapons into the Makai." He explained. "He refused to give up the names of his conspirators so he was put in this place to see if he'd change his mind after a few decades of isolation." He added as they passed through a large doorway.
"How long has he been down here?" Yusuke asked.
Toshiro shook his head. "Just over seven years- he continues to refuse to give up the informartion."
"And you're just letting him stay down here?" Yusuke asked, somewhat surprised.
Toshiro regarded him. "It may surprise you, but the Spirit World makes provisions against cruel and unusual punishment against criminals, and demons are not outside of this protection."
"King Enma values basic human- eh 'apparition' rights?" Yusuke asked, slightly taken back.
"Yes, the 3rd Summit Declarations provided for the basic humane treatment of our enemies." Toshiro paused. "It's much the same as the Geneva Convention on the Human World."
"No torture then." Yusuke remarked and then frowned. "Well, If he's a demon, then he'd always place loyalty and honor over his own wellbeing."
Toshiro laughed oddly. "That's all well and good, but as you'll see- his loyalty has earned him nothing but abandonment by his fellows and endless imprisonment."
They now entered the lower levels and made their way down a darkened corridor.
"Than why not take his own life?" Yusuke asked
"Because I plan on living to see that day that –thing- you call a hero be destroyed!"
Both men stopped and looked into the dark cell and eventually spotted the stooped figure in the shadows. He was gawky and dark green-skinned with long white hair that hung down his shoulders and back.
"Bolen?" Toshiro began. "We need to talk."
.o.o.o.
A woman sat in a chair on a raised stage, watching the inhabitants on the lower level of the chamber. A thin red curtain obscured her from the view of the others.
She raised a gloved hand inhaled the smoke from the cigarette through the long narrow holder in he hand. "Beruka! Come to me at once!" She exclaimed.
A woman entered the covered stage and approached her from the side. "Yes, my Mistress?" The woman was dressed in a tight black strapless dress with a slit that ran all the way up to the top of her right thigh. She was also wearing a pair of dark-red round sunglasses on her head and a black feather boa around her neck.
The other woman looked up at her, puffing out a stream of smoke. "Tell me, my deer sweet Beruka, do you have faith?" She asked coolly. Her face concealed by the protruding brim of her black military-style cap.
"Faith?" she repeated nervously.
The mistress smiled at her demeanor. "Do you have faith in divine retribution?" She asked at length.
"I'm not sure Mistress." Beruka replied nervously.
"You should, I do." The other woman replied. "I plan on making my own form of divine retribution." She replied suddenly as she stood up.
Beruka looked at the other woman. She was tall with long shapely legs contained in tight black thigh-high zip-up leather boots, complete with stiletto heels. Her narrow waist and ample bosom was barely held in place by a matching tight leather corset. Her arms were covered with long black leather gloves that came mid-way up her fore-arms.
"In the mean time, see to it that the guests in the lounge are quite content with their distractions." She instructed her. "I shall attend to the next client in the cells personally."
"Yes, Mistress." Beruka replied, bowing slightly before her.
The Mistress pulled a lever and a compartment opened up. She removed a long thick whip and a small box. "I imagine the Duke of the West Tower will be expecting nothing less then the finest and most exquisite agony."
.o.o.o.
In the area called the "lounge", countless customers sat and lay around, smoking and inhaling the toxins from the countless chemical-laden hookahs that were scattered around for use by the patrons
A short figure tilted his head back and looked up at the ceiling. "The rumors were true, all of them." He remarked. He then placed the tube into his mouth and inhaled the smoke again. "So, she's here after all." He added with a devious smile
He smiled idly as she glanced over at another demon nearby him. The male demon was in a rather suitable daze with a busty female sitting in his lap. The man smiled back at him.
Hiei returned the smile unassumingly. He sat and watched as the female straddled the male's waist and looked into his eyes. She pulled back the side of her undone gown and kissed him roughly on the lips.
An almost voyeuristic smile passed over the face of the smaller, dark-haired demon whose face was eerily highlighted by shadows.
Hiei had been to this place a few times before when he heard rumors of unusual activities going on. He also was interested in meeting the woman called "The Mistress". But it seemed that she was 'occupied' at the moment. He sighed as he watched the other people in the lounge either getting high of the toxins or having sex.
The lounge was like something out 19th century earth. Hiei recalled something- an Opium Parlor! He smiled to himself. A place like this could give a healthy young male like him ideas!
This was the kind of place you came to find just about anything. "Perhaps, Mukuro might accompany me next time." He thought as the image of the taller female passed through his thoughts.
Twisted as he was, he grinned at the idea of his Lady Lord dressed up in some skimpy outfit with a whip. Still, it suited her in a way. Mukuro liked to be in control of things.
Silently, he resolved to show her just how loyal he was to her…
(- End of Chapter 4 -)
.o.o.o.
And now we finally get a proper look at the den of the enemy. I liked the idea of this chapter a lot, and after a few re-writes, it came pretty well. The villains are starting to flesh out as well.
As for Hiei- well, he just sort of worked his way into the story. I needed to change things around a bit. Yusuke was carrying a lot on his own, but it was important to bring back another familiar face.
I can only imagine the kind of things that must go on behind the scenes in the demon world. Hiei and Mukuro was really have this whole Marquis DeSaide thing going on!
Later,
-Bojack727