Disclaimer: I don't own anything. (Though I wish I do)
Summary:
Have you ever heard of Dark Magic? What do you know about them? Natsuki is a rising star in the Fuka Police Headquarter who solves her case based on logic & facts. However, her world is turned upside down when she meets Shizuru. Shizuru lives in a world that can never be defined by logic and facts. What happens when the two meet? ShizNat Rated T for now
"Ara ara, would you all be hunting for treasure, policeman-san?"
Natsuki turned and saw the red eye beauty standing behind them with a serene smile on her face. She was in a sporty attire today, wearing a polo tee with a bermuda shorts and a track shoes.
"A very good morning to everyone." Shizuru greeted everyone and turned to Natsuki giving her an amused look and said, "I didn't know Natsuki is interested in treasure hunting."
"Good morning Viola-san, we..."
Shizuru interrupted Natsuki's greeting, "Ara, Natsuki so formal. Call me Shizuru ne, Natsuki." Shizuru teased. She never expected to see Natsuki again while tracking for Shiho. But it is good to see her again.
"Ahem..erm..." Natsuki cleared her throat. "Good morning erm...Shizuru-san." She was not used to first name basis with a stranger whom she had only met once. And why in the world is she always so friendly!? Natsuki thought, exasperated by Shizuru's friendliness.
"Morning Shizuru, never expected to see you here! Well, we are here for an investigation." Mai chipped in, getting real familiar with Shizuru. "What about you?"
Natsuki couldn't help but rolled her eyes at Mai. There goes Mai again.
"Kanina. I didn't realize that you all are in the middle of an investigation. I hope I didn't interrupt anything. " Shizuru sounded apologetic but her eyes were lit with amusement. Ara did Natsuki just rolled her eyes? "It is a nice morning and so I thought I would take a stroll in the reserve." Shizuru said but made no move to part ways with the group.
Just then the policeman digging on the ground straighten, "Madam, we have located the item."
Natsuki nodded and immediately turned to the bundle half hidden in the ground, totally focused on the job at hand. "Thank you officer. Please call the forensic team as well."
Ara Natsuki is always so serious. But this serious woman is a beautiful woman. Shizuru though, studying Natsuki's side profile.
Natsuki walked forward to take a closer look at the bundle in the ground. Putting on a disposable glove on her right hand, Natsuki flipped open the cloth and saw a skull resting on a pile of bones. Natsuki gently took up the skull and examined it carefully.
"Hehehe..."
Natsuki heard a high pitched giggle from her left. Caught by surprise, Natsuki turned to the source. "Who was that?" Natsuki asked, a deep frown etched on her face.
But there wasn't anyone standing there. Everyone were standing to her right and Natsuki was sure that none of them would make such a girlish giggle.
"What's wrong, Lt Kuga?" Mai asked, puzzled by Natsuki's sudden outburst.
"Nothing. I thought I just heard a giggle. I supposed I am wrong." Natsuki shrugged off the feeling that someone was staring at her.
Shizuru arched her eyebrows in slight surprise. Natsuki must be quite sensitive to hear that.
Shizuru heard the giggle too.
"Tsumugiya Ichinose, is this Munakata Shiho's remain?" Natsuki pointed to the bag of skeleton and asked.
"Yes. Its...its Munakata Shiho's remain." Tsumugiya Ichinose fidgeted on the spot.
Shiho's remain? So he is the one who stole Shiho's remain. Shizuru concluded as she put one and one together.
Ever since the policeman dug up the bundle, Tsumugiya had been a bundle of nerves, getting all jittery. And Natsuki was worried that Tsumugiya might just bolt off any moment.
And it didn't help when Natsuki herself was feeling a bit tense.
So if her remain was here, then her spirit must be nearby. Shizuru thought as she stood a slight distance away from the group, taking in the surrounding.
Just then a thick dark clouds rolled by obscuring what was once the clear blue sky. Animals shock by the sudden change in brightness quickly hid themselves. Flocks of birds were seen flying off in the opposite direction from which the dark clouds came from, leaving the surrounding in silence. The daylight slowly dimmed making it seemed like evening rather than morning. The whole sky seemed dark and gloomy with the temperature dropping a few degree.
"Its kinda getting cold all of a sudden." Mai said as she rubbed her arms with her hands trying to warm herself up.
"It might start raining soon. We need to secure the area first and find ourselves a shelter before the rain comes." Natsuki instructed and bended to pick up the bundle.
Something is not quite right. Natsuki could feel a sense of foreboding as she looked up at the dark clouds moving inland at an alarming speed. Her sense for danger has always served her well and was often quite accurate.
It seems that things may get dangerous from now on. Natsuki thought as she glanced around, trying to pinpoint any potential source of danger. But her perusal stopped when she caught sight of Shizuru standing there with her hands folded neatly on her lap, a serene smile on her face.
"Shizuru-san, would you would like to join us as we move off from this spot? It might pour anytime soon so it is not safe for you to wonder around in the Reserve with no shelter."
"Ara, Natsuki is so kind. Of course it would be a pleasure to have you all for company."
"Alright guys, let's hurry and get moving." Natsuki hurried the group as they secured off the area. The hair on her neck was standing. No a good sign.
As the group moved off, Tsumugiya Ichinose's words during the interrogation echoed through Natsuki's mind - Munakata's ghost is haunting him. I must be getting superstitious man.
Shizuru was the last one to leave the scene. Just before she leave, she turned and looked the the spot where they found Shiho's remain.
Ara, Shiho seems stronger than I expected ne. Strong enough to manipulate the environment. It seems that I have underestimated her. Shizuru mused. I wonder if I have brought enough ammunition. But we have some policemen-san with us. I wonder what Shiho would do next. Shizuru's eyes glint with anticipation of the exchange.
"Shizuru are you coming with us?"
Shizuru turned and gave Mai a smile. "Sorry to keep waiting."
20 minutes went by and they were still in the Reserve.
"We are back at the same spot again." Mai announced after arriving at the same place for the third times - the place where they discovered Munakata Shiho's remain.
Everyone was feeling uneasy.
They had no idea why they kept returning to the same place again and again. They followed the route which was supposed to lead them to the main entrance but each time, the route led them back here. It seems that they were travelling in circle.
"I told you didn't I...she has been haunting me. Punishing me for digging up her grave" Tsumugiya Ichinose muttered to himself as sweat dotted his forehead. "Munataka Shiho is coming! Coming…"
His words loud and clear echoed through everyone's mind.
Natsuki was tensed up. Her hands constantly near her hips so that she could drew her gun should there be a need. She knew they were travelling on the right path but each time the path led them back to where they originally started.
Someone or something might have distorted their sense of direction.
"We will try the other route this time." Natsuki instructed as they continued the search for the exit, ignoring Tsumugiya Ichinose's illogical mutter. There is no such thing as ghost.
Thunder rumbled in a distance as the temperature plunged further.
Natsuki helmed the front while she anchored the back. She too was worried about this whole situation.
"You look quite relax Shizuru." Mai commented as she gave Shizuru a sideway glance. She had been observing Shizuru ever since Shizuru chanced upon them extracting Munakata Shiho's remain. Shizuru didn't even bat an eyelid when she knew that there was a pile of skeleton not far from her nor any sign of distress when it was known that the bundle was her sister-in-law's remain. And she was one cool lady, completely unaffected by the fact that they have been going in circle for a while.
"Ara Mai-san, I am just confident in the ability of the Fuuka Police Officers."
Liar. Fujino Shizuru seems more complex than I thought. Mai concluded.
"Then I should really thank you on behalf of the Fuuka Police Headquarter." Mai replied.
It took about another 10-15 minutes before they returned to the same spot which they started.
They had been doing this for a while. It seemed that they were trapped in this reserved.
They tried using their phone but it seemed that neither of their phones has any reception
"I don't have any reception. What about you Lt Tokiha? The rest?" Natsuki asked looking at her mobile phone.
"No. Me too, no reception..." Mai sighed.
The rest too gave a nil reply.
Looks like phone doesn't work here.
Tension and fear started to spread among the group as they struggled to find their way out.
Natsuki came to a sudden halt as she straighten and asked, "Did you hear that?"
Shizuru arched her brow.
"Hear what?" Mai asked.
"Sound. Can you hear sound of trumpet?" Natsuki repeated and turned to her right. Why would there be sound of trumpet in the Reserve?
"Hmm...I didn't hear anything." Mai cocked her head as she tried to search for any possible sound.
"Listen carefully." Natsuki urged.
Everyone stood to attention trying to catch the sound which Natsuki mentioned.
A few seconds passed and the sound of trumpet became louder and clearer.
Just as the sound grew louder, a cold mist started to descend upon the forest. Natsuki shivered as the mist grew thicker. Her sense of foreboding grew stronger. The sun though high up in the sky when they entered the forest was now obscured. It was dark as night now and coupled with this sudden cold mist that appeared out of nowhere and the trumpet sound that echoed eerily through the silent Fuuka Forest Reserve, sent chill up everyone's spines.
It was impossible to see what is beyond the mist and danger could lurk just around the corner. Going with her intuition, Natsuki commented, "Gather close everyone."
Without any resistant, everyone stood to gather in a circle with Tsumugiya Ichinose and Shizuru in the middle of the circle and Natsuki, Mai and the officer on the outside.
All these while, Tsumugiya had been trembling in fear. Munakata Shiho is coming. He felt it. He should have known that Munakata Shiho would not let him off. He should have known when he heard that Hanakari Seito died a few days ago. Everyone accused of him of killing Seito but only he knew the truth. Hanakari Seito was killed by Munakata. The cops showed him the stone, the weapon that killed Seito. Yes he held it. But he was sure he used that against Munakata not Seito. That night at the Fuuka Forest Nature Reserve, he had went and buried her remain there. But it was there that he saw Munakata Shiho in red moving towards him trying to strangle him. He tried to escape but she refused to let him. And so he took the rock and hit her. Hard on her head. She had collapsed and then he ran. He was sure Munakata has done something to kill to Seito.
"You two ensure Tsumugiya's safety." Natsuki signaled to the uniform policeman and Mai to guard Tsumugiya. "And I will protect Shizuru-san."
"Ara, thank you Natsuki." Shizuru replied.
Taking a quick glance at Shizuru, Natsuki could clearly sense that for some unknown reasons, Shizuru was enjoying this.
"You seem to be enjoying this Shizuru-san."
"Ara, I am just enjoying your protection ne Nat-su-ki." Shizuru replied.
A slight frown appeared on Natsuki's face when she heard how Shizuru pronounced her name.
"Ne Natsuki...What do you think is going to happen? Would there be any danger?"
"I am not sure. But I am here." Natsuki turned to give Shizuru a confident smile. "So there shouldn't be a problem! I will protect you if anything happens."
Shizuru was momentarily stunned and caught off guard by Natsuki's reply. She had planned it to be a joke and never expect Natsuki to take it seriously.
"Ara..." Shizuru's eyes soften as she gave Natsuki a sweet smile. "Thank you so much Natsuki." No one had ever told her that - that she will be protected.
This smile was something which Natsuki has never seen before coming from Shizuru. Natsuki's heart seemed to skipped a beat as she looked on.
Then Shizuru's smile widen as she leaned towards Natsuki, whispering into her ear. "Then Natsuki will have to stick real to me ne Nat-su-ki." Shizuru gave a chuckle.
"What...What..." Natsuki jumped a step back clutching her right ear. The tip of her ear turning blushing red. She...she just felt Shizuru's warm breath on her ear...
But the intimate interaction was broken by Tsumugiya Ichinose hysteric cry. "She is coming! She is coming to get me!"
Tsumugiya Ichinose's words sent a ripple of unease among the people.
The sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder.
Ara, Shiho what are you going to do? Surprise me ne...Shizuru's crimson iris darkened in anticipation. A dangerous smile pulled at her lips.
"Shit! What hell is this!" The policeman exclaimed pointing to the North, capturing everyone's attention. .
A group of eleven people were moving towards them amidst the cold mist, wearing all red. Out of the ten people, two men were playing the traditional chinese trumpets while another two were using the cymbals. And among the rest, four of them were grinning joyously and carrying a sedan chair that was decorated with red sash. The remaining two ladies too were smiling happily and holding onto a basket, throwing red pieces of paper into the air. And heading the group was a man in black with a red sash tied around his upper body.
"My god. What is that? And what are they doing here?" The policeman repeated once again.
Everyone watched seemingly stupefied by what they saw.
Shizuru on the other hand watched the happening in fascination.
"It looks like an ancient marriage ceremony." Mai broke the silence. "The costume, look at it. It is traditionally worn by the Chinese in the ancient China. In the past, when the bride gets married, she will sit in a red sedan chair carried by four servants and accompanied by a band which will play throughout the journey as they deliver the bride to the groom's house. And look at those people." Mai took a breath and continued "Many of them are in red signifying prosperity and happiness in the Chinese tradition. So when the Chinese marries, servant would wear red to celebrate the occasion. Look at the sedan as well. It is also decorated with red sash to celebrate the occasion. And the man in all black with a red sash across his chest, he is the groom. That is the attire of the groom. But...why are these people doing here..." Mai's word trailed off.
"Oh god…Looked at them, shit!" The policeman pointed a trembling finger at that group of people."Did you all see that! They are not walking! They are...they are freaking floating a feet above the ground!" He stumbled backwards, backing away from the oncoming group. "Those people are freaking pale. Too pale to be considered humanly possible!"
"I would suggest that you keep your volume down. It might not be wise to catch their attention." Shizuru's words came as the policeman were about to let out another string of curses.
"Erm...guys...guys, look to the South please. I think we have some trouble from there too..." Mai pointed out.
"Shit!" Natsuki turned to look at the direction and cursed beneath her breathe. This was the first time she has ever seen all this.
They needed no explanation on what it was all about.
There was another group of people 'moving' towards them with the cold mist surrounding them. This group were wearing white and in contrast to the other group, were weeping. Four men in white were carrying a wooden coffin while another two men were playing the chinese trumpet. Leading the pack were two women and men. They were weeping loudly and on their hands were stacks of joss paper and burning joss stick. Occasionally they would threw the joss paper into the sky. It was a wake service.
Just liked the previous group, they were floating one foot above the ground.
And both groups were moving towards them!
"Please forgive me Munakata. Forgive me please..." Tsumugiya Ichinose mumbled as he kneeled down on the floor, kowtowing in the two directions. "Please...please...please...I don't want to die yet...forgive me…"
Shizuru narrowed her eyes as she took in the whole situation. This was something unexpected.
Clashes between the white and the red.
Red worn on human signifies prosperity and happiness while white signify death. One should never wear white to a wedding ceremony and red to a wake.
Guests who wore white to ancient Chinese wedding would not be allowed into the dining area as it would bring bad luck to the couple. White means death and hence condemning the marriage to an end or the newlywed to death.
If someone in his/her family has a upcoming wedding ceremony, he/she should never attend any wake service. This would bring bad luck to the wedding.
Similarly when visitors wore red to a wake, he or she will not be allowed into the hall out of respect for the deceased. When a guest wore red to a funeral, he or she is being disrespectful as red is a colour for celebration.
If anyone in his/her family passes away, her/she should never attend a wedding ceremony.
Happiness and Sadness; Start of a new journey and the end of a journey, the extreme end of human experience. One thus should never come into contact with another.
"Draw your weapons everyone!" Natsuki commanded as she drew the police issued 22 Glock gun and pointed to the oncoming groups. "Do NOT fire yet! What for my instruction!"
"What are we waiting for? They are obviously not human!" The officer screamed and pointed his gun toward the group in white, emptying his rounds at them.
Repeated gunshots could be heard ringing through the forest.
Pulling the trigger again and again, each shot the officer dealt out went through those 'people'.
The sound echoed loud and clear across the whole Reserved.
The round of bullets finally ran out from the panic firing and what's left were the empty clicking of the gun.
Silence resumed.
No sound of trumpet playing from the group in red nor wailing from the ones in white.
The reds had stopped playing the trumpet and cymbals while the whites had stopped crying. Their beady eyes focusing on the officer who currently still had his gun pointed at them.
"Ara, I told you didn't I. Not to attract their attention. Now that you have done it." Shizuru said as she tapped her finger on her chin. "What a trouble ne."
Should I intervene now or should I wait?
The complete silence was like the peace before the storm.
Natsuki shuffled slightly putting herself between Shizuru and the two groups and reached behind her to grab hold of Shizuru's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
When Natsuki was about to let go, Shizuru turned her palm, intertwining her fingers with Natsuki's, clasping her hand tight, refusing to let go.
Natsuki took it that Shizuru was afraid and used her free hand to pat Shizuru's. "Don't worry."
Just as sudden, the sound of trumpets and weeping returned, at a louder volume. Both groups moved towards them at an increasing speed.
Shizuru watched calmly as the two groups drew closer and closer.
Fear spread throughout the the group of humans.
Natsuki watched in horror as the two groups of red and white clashed towards them.
SHIT! That was the last thing on her mind before she blackout.
Natsuki slowly regained conscious.
She opened her eyes and saw complete darkness.
Where the hell am I?
She was trapped in some small dark confine space, too small for her fully stretched out her hands but long and wide enough to fit her whole body. For a moment, she panic. Her breath quickened as memories of her father locking her up in small dark rooms for hours just to punish her filled her mind. The memory nearly threaten to overwhelm her as she struggled to refocused her attention. Natsuki's heavy breathing was loud in the small space.
It took her awhile and quite a struggle before she finally calmed herself down and focused on getting herself out of this confinement.
"Anyone out there! Hello! Can anyone hear me? I am trapped here!" Natsuki banged her fist against the wooden top hoping she could catch someone's attention.
Shizuru glanced around, finding herself surrounded in red. "Ara it seems that I am currently seated in the red sedan meant for the bride." She chuckled softly, oblivion to the fact that she could be in danger.
"This group of ghosts have such good taste in woman ne. I must praise them for their choice of bride, to have choosen a beautiful woman like me as a bride. Hmm...what should I do now? Or should I wait and see again?"
Just as when Shizuru was contemplating her decision, a muffled shout came from beneath her seat, followed by banging.
"Anyone out there! Hello! Can anyone hear me? I am trapped here!"
This startled Shizuru for a while before she quickly recovered her usual calm demeanor. Natsuki is beneath me? Under the sedan? She bended down and knocked at the base of the sedan. The base was hollow. It seems that Natsuki is hidden beneath the sedan.
"Hello!" Another muffled shout.
"Natsuki? Is that you? Can you hear me?" Shizuru raised her voice to be heard by Natsuki.
To be continued...
Omake:
30 minutes went by and they were still in the Reserve.
"We are back at the same spot again." Mai muttered after arriving at the same place for the third times - the place where they discovered Munakata Shiho's remain.
Everyone was feeling uneasy. They had an idea why they kept returning to the same place again and again - Natsuki had no sense of direction! But no one dared to voice it out unless they are tired of living. It seems that Natsuki had led them to travel in circle.
"We shouldn't have let Lt Kuga led the way. We...we shouldn't..." Tsumugiya Ichinose muttered to himself.
"We will try the other route this time." Natsuki ignored Tsumugiya's mumbling and continued the search for the exit.
One hour later…
Natsuki and the rest were still stuck in the Reserved.
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