Child of the Dark Moon
Yuliy

The sound of a deep breath releasing from someone's lungs echoed through the prison. Blood adorned the walls of the cells and hallway. The scene appeared more grotesque than any of Kuratake's previous murder escapades. The young officer from the Imperial Army tilted his hat down in an attempt to block the sight from his eyes, yet the smell of blood pooling in the shadows didn't allow the major from the imperial army the chance of forgetting the scene in front of him. "We certainly have a mess, don't we?"

He found himself turning on his heels and heading out of the long hall filled with blood. The other location Kurotake struck was within walking distance. He found the next incident scene covered in blood like the first, yet not nearly the same amount. Another deep breath escaped his from deep in his lungs while he took in the riverside embankment and any possible escape routes. In the back of his mind, the major noted the potential turmoil which the escaped criminal would cause while still on the loose.

Upon finishing his own personal examination of the scene he found himself taken back to the station. He headed to the interview room where he found the officer who shot the young man now in the police jail cells. "So..." He watched the young officer carefully while sitting down. "Why didn't you shoot Kurotake?"

"The unidentified young man was carrying a strange weapon with which he was attacking the escaped convict."

"That still doesn't explain why you didn't shoot Kuratake?" The young officer's commanding officer leaned over while his voice raised in anger. The major glanced over, yet found himself not wanting to step too much into the civilian police forces internal matters.

"He was a strange person carrying a strange weapon. There is a reason we're no longer in the age of the word."

"The point your commanding officer's trying to make is why did you prioritize the unknown threat over the known threat?" Hideomi watched the color drain from the young officer's face. "Was the damage Kuratake would cause really worth it?"

"Sir..." The young officer swallowed. "I didn't know Kuratake could jump as high as he did."

The commanding officer of the police officer didn't look the major in the eye. "This is the answer I've gotten from every one of the men, but it makes no sense at all."

The major stood and pushed his chair in. "Well, I'd ask for him to think very carefully about his answer, but it seems as if he already did even if it isn't the answer we wanted."

Hideomi headed towards the jail cell where the young man was located, but a familiar voice greeted his ears when he opened the door. "I've warned you many, many times to behave Yuri."

"It's Yuliy."

"Do you remember what happens when you don't behave and let the beast out?"

"I didn't..."

"You don't get to see her."

"But I've not seen her since..."

Hideomi stepped over. "What are you doing here Lord Iba?"

The head of the Iba family turned towards the major. The man stood in all his noble refinery while his eyes narrowed. The man's hands clutched a rather ornate cane, but his eyes took Hideomi in carefully. Unintentionally the major let the corners of his mouth twitch, but he saw the young man in the prison cell but also the tension in the young man's body. The head officer and another officer stepped in with Hideomi.

The young man sat on the bed with his middle bandaged and cuffs adorning his wrists. At first glance, the young man looked like any other Japanese citizen, but when he turned and looked at Hideomi the major saw the vivid blue eyes and lock of white hair. This chased away any sense of familiarity, yet Hideomi wasn't sure why he thought he should know the young man.

"Hideomi."

"What do I owe the pleasure of meeting out here today sir?" The major heard the head of the police force slightly clear his throat.

"I'm the one who should be asking that question. You are, after all, a major in the Imperial Army, not a civilian officer."

"The Imperial Army's placed me in charge of an investigation regarding a local matter I am not at liberty to discuss, sir." Hideomi watched the man's facial features carefully, yet the man gave nothing away.

"I'm probably far more aware of your investigation than you realize, but I'd like you to release the young man here into my custody."

"And why should I do that?"

Lord Iba ignored him and instead turned towards the head of the police station. "Will you release this young man into my custody."

"Sir..."

"I ask that Lord Iba leave the room. I will speak with him when I am done."

Lord Iba glared at him, but Hideomi didn't care. He instead turned to question the young man once everyone else was gone.

"So..."

"I've nothing to say."

"Uh-huh." Hideomi drew up a chair so he might sit beside the young man. "So there is nothing strange about a young man caring a strange weapon with which he attacked an escaped serial killer?"

"He smelled like blood."

Hideomi's mouth pressed close as he watched the young man. The young man's reaction was certainly not a normal response. "Are you talking metaphorically about how he'd attacked a bunch of people including the young woman."

"That's one way to put it."

The major took another deep breath. Mentally he contemplated what he should say next, yet a bit of curiosity arose in the back of his mind. "What is your connection with Lord Iba."

"Nothing. To him, I am a nobody."

"A nobody." Hideomi straightened slightly. "I doubt Lord Iba would be here if you were nothing."

The young man tilted his head slightly and pushed his lips together. He continued not saying anything.

"So... your name is Yuliy?" The major watched Yuliy turn towards him. No shock appeared on the young man's face nor did the young man say anything. He simply gave Hideomi a rather cold look. The major took a deep sigh. "Alright. I'll be back in a bit."

He left the jail area and stepped out. Lord Iba snapped his walking stick down. "So? Will you release him to my custody now Hideomi."

Hideomi looked the man in the eye. "No. The young man will remain in my custody. I am honestly curious as to what interest this young man is to you."

"You don't know what you're getting into."

"Really? Is there something I should be aware of? Care to explain why the young man was carrying a strange weapon? He's one of yours, isn't he? So what was one of yours doing getting involved in my case?"

"I honestly don't know what he was thinking."

"You mean to say there is someone else you can't control?" Hideomi found this revelation amusing, yet didn't hold back on showing ever so slightly how he felt.

"I've told you Hideomi. You don't know what you're getting into with Yuri, but whatever humors you until you come to your senses on the matter. I just hope you don't end up dead from this folly." Lord Iba turned and left.

The young officer turned. "Is it really okay to get on Lord Iba's bad side sir."

The head of the police station let out a deep breath. "I'm sure Major Iba can handle himself when it comes to Lord Iba."