THREE:TWIST
He could've bet all his money- considering he has any- that his evil eye is nothing compared to the ingenuity of this day's imagination.
For one, Hevn was still in her unalluring and unexposing attire (though it's not that successful giving the chest that she has), still wearing that no-nonsense attitude as she went closer to their table.
She does not need to make a point. He always knew she was no dumb blonde.
But Ginji, for the first time, was suddenly unchibi-like when he saw her. Instead, he left him, went up to her, smiled, slowly held her hand and gripped it tightly- yet warmly- as if offering protection as she was led to their table.
Protection. From him. Damn Jagan.
But none could compare to the shock he'd felt now. He actually felt the joints of his jaw loosen as it fell from his face at the new sight he then saw.
To top it all off, as if the successive events were not yet enough, a familiar- and slightly unwelcome- man suddenly went with her, towering over her in her back.
How did she suddenly become so important to have someone like him as her audience! Was he offering protection from him, too!
Yet it's clear that it's not only him who's still taking it all in, confused why he's ever there. Ginji didn't seem to notice him at first, but when he looked back at her to smile as they went to his direction he had that shocked look but wisely didn't say anything.
And it's even clearer that Hevn herself is not at all happy with his presence, either.
Who would love to see one's former captor-slash-kidnapper again, anyway? And to see him so healthy and well, too as he towers at your back…he can only imagine Hevn's profound discomfiture.
"Yo," was all he could say, lowering his glasses in greeting. At least most of the guilt he's feeling a while ago is gone, after seeing Hevn's normal facial expression.
A slight nod from the guy. And a smile. Not a smirk or a cheeky grin. He actually really smiled.
Is his Jagan working against him or what?
"What suddenly brings an audience like you here, Kagami? Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else, like say, Babylon City?"
Before he could come up with a reply, Hevn gladly did it for him.
"He's been hired by Mister Takatori to spy on me. Apparently he was not that open when he told me that he's laying this meeting on my hands," Hevn spat, the edge intentionally evident in her voice.
"Like that is ever new to you," Ban replied, trying to lighten things up. He knew a very pissed off Hevn, alright.
She snorted. While Ginji's getting over-protective with that look.
"You know that's not it, Miss Hevn. I thought you already fully understand Mister Takatori's orders as I told them countless times a while ago. I am to escort the mediator and the retrievers to him, and to be able to do that, I had to get to you first."
"And that's not spying, when you, without notice, just crashed into my apartment a good two hours earlier?" He could almost see sharp fangs coming out.
"It's called escorting, Hevn."
"Oh, and to where? To my prison cell again perhaps? And what would you call that then, Kagami?"
"Call it whatever you like, Hevn. I'm here to do my job."
"As you always do." Was he just thinking it, or did he really hear that venom in her voice?
"Miss Hevn, please, we've been through this over and over again. I reckon we shall leave now."
"My apologies. As you wish then, Master Kagami." Then she made a snaky curtsy.
The former captor and captive, talking in first name basis already?
"Ginji, Ban, it's so nice to see you so punctual again but I fear we must leave now. We do have a very persistent chaperone here." And with that she turned to Kagami. "After you then, right? After all, with you around, my directions are unnecessary," she said with voice like leather, raising her hand as if giving him the way.
Kagami merely blinked. Ban snickered. Ginji reddened.
"C'mon, Hevn, be nice to the guy. At least he's being very helpful," Ban remarked as he placed his arms on her shoulders, massaging them seductively, wickedly trailing toward her bust. "Calm down or we won't have the job anymore."
"Ban, stop!" with overprotective fury, Ginji gushed. Kagami gave him an odd look.
"I fear our limousine has not yet arrived. That would give us free time to do whatever you wish then, at least," Kagami said, looking at his watch then at them. "Are you two always that close?" He was directing it to Hevn.
"Ever since we first met, right, Hevn?" Ban replied instead, feeling mischievous again as his hands trailed down to her slender waist instead, massaging all the way. While Hevn, as if molting, hair pricked AND still fuming, barely slapped the offending hands and said nothing further.
But Ban felt something else to even recognize her reaction, especially after he saw something flicker in Kagami's eyes, and he had to know why.
"Why are you asking anyway? What is it to you then?"
"Nothing. I'm merely satisfying my curiosity." A shrug.
But Ban felt that there is something more. After all, he is a genius at that area of expertise. "Oh, really? So you're getting too personal in your questions now?"
"Ban, stop. This will lead us to nowhere," Hevn hissed, not that very patient anymore. A slick black limousine can already be viewed from their line of vision.
"I just find it fascinating to inquire. After all, have you really seen two professionals getting that intimate in their line of duty, more so, in front of the public?" It was evident in his tone of voice that he was questioning their 'code of ethics'.
"SO NOW YOU'RE SUDDENLY THE GOD OF WISDOM AND MORALITY!" Hevn finally erupted, very ferocious now. Ginji's getting smaller and smaller by the commotion they've made.
"Oh, well, our free time is satisfyingly spent, isn't it? Our limousine has finally arrived and we never even noticed it," Ban cut in, placing his arms more possessively- if not also more intimately infuriating- over Hevn's shoulders, a surefire sign that he didn't give a damn to Kagami's preaching. "So, shall we go now, honey?"
If looks could kill, he'd be dead on the spot. His Jagan was definitely no match to hers.
"Follow me, then," Kagami turned to lead, and it was obvious that whatever unanswered questions there were will remain unanswered.
ooOoOOoOoo
The hallway was dark and gloomy; the interior was simple, elegant and surprisingly popular for the elite. A glance here, you'd find a supermodel casually sipping her wine with one of the CEO's of the highest-grossing textile corporation. Another glance there, you'd had a fill of the most sought-after singer in the Asian continent, forking his salad. Another side would seat the director and producer of the highest box-office breaking movie in Japan. The other side would be the owner of that real estate agency who just saved another minor one into the verge of bankruptcy. The list is endless.
The place seemed perfect…and inappropriate.
No wonder this is found in the farthest- and most complicated- corners of the town.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Ginji squeaked, uncertainty finally getting the better of him.
"It is safe to assume that your client this time has more taste. And he does have a status to defend."
"We know that, blonde guy. But in a place like this?" Ban had a point. The restaurant was close to crowded.
"Please be assured that we already have a reserved place to settle in, and it will be perfect for your convenience. Mister Takatori was very particular about that."
"I'm sure he is." This time, it was Kagami who tensed at Hevn's feral remark.
"Hevn--"
"So where is Mister Takatori so we could finally settle the arrangement?" Which does not include you, a$#&e.
The unspoken words were as clear as the rays of the sun.
"Follow me, then." Money-loving b&#h.
"How romantic," Ban supplied. Bakas.
Ginji squeaked again.
ooOoOOoOoo
After moving from the dining place to a darkly lit narrow alleyway carefully disguised by marble Dorian columns and white chiffon curtains, then sharply turning left (then right then left again) to reveal a door that would soon lead to a starlit pathway amidst a garden of hyacinths and lilacs- an odd combination-and finally to a barely lit conventional Japanese house with a shadow of a solitary figure seen by the entrance door, they've finally reached their client.
Mister Takatori.
When Kagami slid the doors open, there he was, sitting in front of a table, enjoying his tea. Though the scene looked all too natural, nothing in the person is.
He is nothing but intimidating. And he made sure of such.
Instead of a business suit- as what they normally expect- he was wearing an ordinary looking polo shirt with matching khaki pants, though the fabrics were of finest quality. And a white laboratory gown to finish it all off.
He was in his mid-sixties, slightly graying hair at the temples in the forest of mostly dark auburn tendrils, very clear crow's feet in his coal black eyes- which only accentuated their intensity, a graying beard, a strongly set jaw, a hawk-like nose. He was a very handsome specimen when he was young, that was quite sure.
There was no tie. No cuffs. No formalities.
His eyes were enough.
When he finally regarded them intently and before Hevn could start with the introductions, Kagami gladly did it for her.
"Mr. Takatori. The mediator and the retrievers have finally arrived."
Hevn, though clenching her fists, bowed in respect and smiled meekly.
"Thank you, Kagami. You may return to your post now." His voice gave hints of gentleness, though his eyes remained stern. Silently Kagami bowed and went to the far side- the dark corner- of the room, together with the other special guards. It seemed Kagami was the leader there.
And they realized that their client would never afford mistakes.
"Miss Hevn, I am glad. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, retrievers. Your reputation highly exceeds mine. Your mediator and clients do speak highly of your performance. Please now, have a seat."
Ban's and Ginji's mouths were agape as they sat together with Hevn. They slightly understood Hevn's high appraisal- or else she won't have a job, either- but they never thought their clients would follow suit.
Or rather, they don't pay as highly as they preach. Or they may have paid highly, but a high percentage might also be taken as a mediator's commission…
A slight cough from Hevn- intentionally done- brought them back to their senses. And less than a second they soon struggled for the right words to make out a response.
"We are greatly honored to have you as a client, too. Sir. Now we can surely eat again--"
"It's a pleasure receiving five million yen from you, too, Mister Takatori--"
There was no hiding in Hevn's humiliation. While Takatori- the older and more sensible one- seemed to understand them more fully.
"Mister Takatori, may I formally introduce my agents, Amano Ginji and Midou Ban. So I guess, let's get to business then, shall we?" Hevn started, trying to regain her bearings. Time to get the money rolling once and for all. Kagami's eyes rolled on the other corner.
"I've already informed them about your offer and with the help of your chaperone-" Kagami's eyes flashed "-we've arrived safely to fully discuss about this mission."
"Yes, the details." And this brought a change from the man's former friendly features as his eyes took a sharper look. "I shall start, then. The reason why we prefer you from the others is your high success rate, and we need that just as possibly miserably as you might need your money," he bluntly said. "As what I have stressed earlier, I am perfectly aware of your reputation. You always got a way of being able to escape from missions entailing higher risks."
Barely able to. This silent addendum seems to hang in the air around them. Hevn gave a warning glare to Ban.
"And just as expectedly, we need that kind of luck in this mission, too. I personally cannot afford any mistakes in this one. I won't pay five million- even higher-" (Ban, stop) "-if I am not desperate for this success and if I am not sure with my choices. But I have complete trust in your mediator." And with this a fond glance is given to Hevn.
Now where the hell did that come from?
"What I need, more than ever, is your focus and commitment, and, in the worst case, your life. If you think what I ask is too much, you may forget everything has transpired now."
There was a pause. Then Ban finally replied. "So what will we retrieve from whom then?"
Slight smile. "I need you to retrieve a box." And as if they heard right, the retrievers looked at each other and at him. "A box?"
"It's what's inside I'm completely worried about. I believe you've been briefed about the nature of our business." They nodded their assent.
"Our inventions and discoveries are mostly medical and…exploratory. Unfortunately, somebody from our company took one of our most valuable explorations from us. It was HIS team which was assigned to develop the contents of that box. His name is Doctor Mitsuki Sendoh, and we believe that he is in Zebulon right now, about to give that box to a certain Shuukra." With the mention of the name, his stature suddenly tensed.
They thought they heard wrong. "Z—Zebulon?"
"I'm afraid I can't say more, only that what has been stolen from us had been our major project all these years. Kagami will escort you there when you're ready--"
"I do have a question." Ban suddenly said, lowering his glasses.
Takatori was uncertain for a second, but finally gave in. "Let me be of service to you then."
"How come he's in Zebulon? Are you hiding information that we need to know?"
Takatori's gaze was unnervingly steady, matching Ban's. "I'll leave you to your mediator with that. Though with the information I have gathered about you two, I doubt you need to be spoon-fed with the details to be able to see the bigger picture. And like what I've said, you don't need to know."
"So when do you want them to be there?" Hevn suddenly butt in.
"As of this moment, your payment has already been transferred to your respective accounts." They both gagged again. "I have your mediator to disclose me with that."
They both looked at Hevn with great doubt- no doubt- who just coughed profusely.
"Time is really of the essence here. The thing you're retrieving may not be a radioactive material, but it has a half-life of seven days, and it will start the moment it is released." Pause. "It was taken from its preservation cask three days ago."
"We won't have any unwelcome transporters for this matter?" Ban inquired, thinking obviously of that certain scalpel-ly doctor.
"Knowing Zebulon, I doubt he needs one," Takatori replied. "I need that box- with its contents- two days from now. For clarity, it's shaped like a prism, with the label RE005."
It really must be important if he stupidly babbles like that, Ban mused. And he suddenly stood up, taking the matter in his hands as he offered his hand to their client.
"It is a deal, then. We shall deliver that box to you- whatever it is- to your hands 12:00 noon two days from now, in this very same place."
"Let me tell you then that I am pleased," Takatori slightly smiled, accepting his hand and standing up, too. Soon Ginji and Hevn followed suit, signaling the end of their meeting.
Then finally after that, Takatori traveled his eyes towards Hevn. "Ah, before I forget, Miss Hevn, allow me to apologize for what has just transpired in your apartment. I was not able to brief you beforehand but please be rest assured that it was all done for your best interests."
Hevn's smile was forced and weak. "I completely understand, Mister Takatori. Your chaperone had sufficiently done his job with the explanations." Bull's eye.
There was a very awkward pause after that. Then Takatori anxiously smiled. "I see."
"So do you still have your complaints, Hevn, or may we go now?" Ban remarked, about to smoke a cigarette.
Hevn shot him another glare at that. "What the hell do you mean?"
"Ban and I had decided that we leave tonight, Hevn-san. Apparently the situation is more urgent than what we thought or expect. Leaving now would give us more time to track this Doctor Sendoh and retrieve RE005." Ginji decided that he do the talking instead of Ban.
"Wha—you two had already decided? But when? How?" Suddenly Hevn looked very perplexed.
"Why, by communicating, of course. So, Mr. Babylon boy, are you ready to escort us to Zebulon or what?" The smoke has already left his lips.
"But Ban, you're going to Zebulon!" Did he actually see that panic in her eyes?
"So?"
"But…but you're not ready, damn it!"
"Hevn, since when have you become a great judge on that? We're always ready for everything!"
"Hevn-san, please don't worry about us. We will get back to you to be of service to you once again. We get backers are always known for our 100 success rate, remember?" Ginji enthusiastically replied, trying to cheer Hevn up.
"Ah, so koishii has been very worried about me." The pervert finally forgot his cigarette as he threw it, then went to Hevn and snaked his hands around her waist, his face dangerously close to hers.
"You stink, idiot." Her voice was formal, but her eyes were all full of uncertainty.
"Admit it, Hevn, you're just missing me." And he moved closer for an attempt for a kiss, much to Ginji's horror, Takatori's surprise and Kagami's scrutiny.
That did it.
After a few seconds, Hevn's fist was deeply engraved in Ban's cheek.
"Then rot to death there, bastard! See if I care, you diabolic perverted jerk!"
And with that she purposely went to Kagami. "What are you waiting for! Will you dispose of this wretched snake immediately or do I have to do it myself!"
ooOoOOoOoo
The four of them were finally situated in the secluded spot somewhere in the mountains, a few miles away from the meeting place. Mister Takatori has finally said his goodbyes, stating that a meeting can't be kept waiting.
"I am surprised by your eagerness to have this done, retrievers, but you likewise have captured my respect in greater bounds." And with that he bowed with such seriousness and left, together with his guards, towards the waiting limousine.
But not after he regarded Kagami.
"Kagami, please be reminded of your duties to escort Miss Hevn to her home after the retrievers have departed."
If none of those previous displays of affection bombed them, this one sure did.
"With pleasure, Mister Takatori." Earning another fiery glare from Hevn.
Ban looked at the large expanse of land before them. "So, what will we do with the doctor after we have retrieved the box?"
"Nothing. He is not your concern but the box."
"So, how do we get there, Kagami? Through a portal? Will we be sucked in? How does Zebulon look like?"
"You ask a lot of questions, Midou Ban. Although I suspect that with your nature you know what to expect."
"What about that guy Shuukra? What will we do with him, then?" Ginji asked.
He sighed. "Nothing. Like I said, if you don't need to meet up with anyone in order to get the box, then don't. You barely have time, anyway."
And with that he went to the other edge of the ravine and closed his eyes. A few moments his chanting could be heard.
"Zebulon is the land of a lot of atypical creatures," Hevn finally remarked silently.
"We know that, Hevn," Ban snickered.
"Don't go there."
His hearing must be really wrong this day. "What?"
She sighed, and then looked at them. "I said don't go there."
"C'mon, Hevn, isn't it a little late thinking about your money stealing schemes?"
"Ban, enough!" Ginji warned him again, his overprotective self returning.
Kagami's voice intensified.
"I obviously am not thinking about money right now. But you wouldn't believe me anyway," her voice slightly wavered but she pulled back her composure and looked back at them. She then walked towards Ginji and gave him a peck on the cheek, making him red all over. "You come back to me in one piece, okay? You have much more use here, and perfectly alive to be exact."
"H-hai, Hevn-san!" was all he could manage in a squeak.
After an affectionate smile, she then moved away and slowly moved to Ban and stood in front of him. Suddenly, her hands grazed his slightly swollen cheek. Ban stilled. There was something in her eyes he couldn't name, as if she knew something is going to happen.
"However horrible may you be sometimes, you still provide me with my monetary needs. So better not feel so much at home there, Midou Ban."
"Don't I get a kiss?" he attempted for the last time, his eyes hidden in his dark glasses.
Much to his shock, Hevn took the glasses off, and her amber eyes bore into his dark blue ones. Long and hard. Then, suddenly, she laughed.
"You will be alright, after all." And she went to Kagami. "Your portal is waiting!"
Ban slowly followed a still-flattered-from-Hevn's-kiss Ginji as he replaced the glasses, his mind working.
When they arrived, Kagami had that intense look in his eyes over again. "So I assume everything's mended?"
The silence answered him instead. He then turned his back after handing Ban a rolled map. "High technologies won't do there, so my abilities would be more convenient. Unknown to Doctor Sendoh, that box had a tracking device implanted on it, giving you the exact trail of RE005 by a red dot. Your own trail will be marked with a blue dot. Be here two days after, at exactly 12:00 noon. I won't wait for you." And with that he completely turned away and left them.
"Bye, bye Hevn-san! See you in two days!" Ginji said.
Ban merely lowered his glasses again and raised his hand, while the other hand's pulling Ginji toward the portal. "C'mon now or we'll never be able to get to that damn box!"
And just as soon as she saw the dark glasses, they were gone again.
ooOoOOoOoo
At first, there was darkness. Then after lighting his cigarette, everything came to light.
"Hey, Ginji, what are you doing there? Come over here," Ban ushered.
"Coming! Hey, Ban, don't you think we should start tracking RE005 now?"
"Let me smoke first, will you? And besides, what's the point of hurrying. We're already here so we might as well feel comfortable."
"Ah, I don't feel so comfortable here, Ban," Ginji suddenly replied, albeit more anxious.
"What the--? What's wrong?" And when he neared, his cigarette was again forgotten for the second time.
They both shrieked and ran.
ooOoOOoOoo
Hevn didn't even bother to look at him when she left the clearing.
"They'll know before they'd even get here. Especially him."
"Stop talking to me." Her voice is deadly icy as she intentionally paced faster.
His mind was mentally counting to ten before he spoke. "Hevn, please, stop. There is no way in bloody hell will I allow you to leave without me."
"Oh there really is no way. No way, right!" she declared, every word laced with sarcasm, as she hurried on, still not looking at him.
"Hevn, listen--"
This time she whirled around with so much force she almost stumbled. "NO YOU listen, jerk! Leave me alone, you hear! I don't need you or Robert to be suddenly so touchingly caring about me! I don't want it! I don't NEED it!" and she whirled back again, only that Kagami's arm was gripping tightly around hers.
"Goddammit, what the hell is wrong with you, woman!"
"Wrong! I'll tell you what's really wrong, bastard! Shuukra is part of this, and you didn't even tell ME!" Finally, after all the frustration she'd felt, she cried.
"And what will you do then, Hevn? Save their asses?"
Hevn didn't bother to reply as she continued walking. But Kagami turned her around, which made him taste her palm, the one Ban just tasted a few moments back.
"I swear Kagami, if anything happens to anyone again, I'll--!" And with that she braced herself and left him again.
"You care for them that deeply?" He tried again. "You care deeply for him?"
Still, nothing.
"Damn it, we did all that we could, Hevn! Why can't you just accept our reasons!"
"The same reason why you can't accept mine, Kagami."
Kagami's voice was desperate. "Can't you even have a little more faith?"
"What for? I already have my fate. And it does not include your RE005. It includes him. So please, if you'd still love to stay here then feel free, I'll go home alone."
Kagami didn't try again as he looked at the deadly stare he's receiving. A few moments, they were both tucked comfortably in the limousine as they headed for Hevn's apartment.
And gradually, as they silently left, she could again faintly smell the falling dried brown leaves and the lazy red moons.