A/N:
1. Sorry about the slow update. To make a long story short, a major issue in my medical history that I thought over has come back to bite me in the butt, and I might not get much writing done over the next few months. We'll see how it goes.
2. Sorry about the crappy chapter. I had writer's block over every single paragraph of this, and had to fight to put it out. I also learned exactly how hard it is to keep Hei in character while actually having him do anything. God, strike me down if I ever make fun of another author's Hei.
3. Yes, I have a naming pattern for TSB members. It's probably not very obvious at this point. It might become more obvious, or it might be so obscure I have to explain it.
A standing request to all reviews; 1. I hope you DO review 2. I need help. Because everyone got killed off, I have to think of new organization names, contracts, remunerations, and organizational naming patterns. I have all of my friends employed now, and I MIGHT have enough powers to make it through the story. Still, if you have any gems, please EMAIL them to me at .
On with the story.
--
Unlike the night before, the next day was a relatively peaceful one at their workplace. To tell the truth, the restaurant wasn't very profitable except for in special occasions or in the popular times. Most of the working day, the employees took turns working and waiting for more business, none willing to leave for home and give the impression they were replaceable.
It was in one of these such breaks Hei found himself with nothing left to do. The lunchtime rush was over, and only a few afternoon snackers or coffee-drinkers were seated out in the dining area. With the business gone for the moment, they were once again overstaffed. The Human-turned-Contractor-turned-Waiter currently resided leaning against one of the counters, trying to look less annoyed than he felt.
It was all fine and good, to break away from an organization. And, luckily, Amber's dire predictions hadn't come true. It seemed that with all of the chaos that overcame the Syndicate, they had much better things to do than chase after a wild contractor and a doll. It had been simple enough to disappear quietly into the surroundings.
Yokohama had been a good choice of a new hometown. It had been obvious to Hei that they couldn't stay in Tokyo, at least not for a long period of time. There were too many people who knew his face, and might be looking for him there. The bustling port town, however, was quite convenient. It was close enough to Tokyo that they didn't feel too out-of-place, but the enormous and varied population allowed them to vanish in the crowd.
Taking on a new persona had seemed almost second-nature to Hei. Physically, he looked like any other average Japanese man from a distance; A fact that had surely saved his life on more than one occasion. Though he had adopted the persona of a Chinese transfer student with the Syndicate, he no longer needed to uphold that act. His Japanese was flawless, and none would have believed the man had played the part of a Chinese man for so long.
Yin had been harder to hide; Her appearance was rather distinctive, even in a town and country as 'distinctive' as Japan. Her reclusive nature also posed some awkward questions wherever they traveled. Hei had fabricated a story about her having psychological difficulties, but it was still best to avoid attention whenever possible. Anyone who was experienced at all with the Gates and Contractors would see her in an instant for a Doll.
Which is why he was so surprised, unpleasantly so, when he saw what she was doing at the moment. Yin stood in her normal position by the tub of water where she watched dishes, but one hand was dipped halfway into the stagnant, grease-covered liquid. Hei's heart leaped into his throat as he saw her Observation Spirit lingering in a corner. Trying to keep his innocent mask in place, he reminded himself over and over that only Contractors could see them as he made his way to her side.
With a faint flicker and a single ripple, the glowing form blinked out, off somewhere skimming across the water's surface. Hei paused for a single heartbeat, then casually leaned against the counter beside her. She paid him no attention. It didn't really bother him; The employees had all by now experienced her more unusual habits, and normal humans couldn't see a Doll's apparition.
You could never tell just where a Contractor might show up, though.
"We talked about this before, Yin. Can't you wait until we get home?" Yin continued to hold her silence, one hand held into the water. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she turned her head to look at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Can't go home. They're here." If Hei felt any shock at all from the news, he didn't show it. He turned his head slightly, keeping his tone casual.
"Explain. Tell me everything."
"Three Contractors. Two men, one woman. They went to our apartment complex. Knocked on our door." Though he might appear to be at a peaceful calm, Hei's mind was spinning down various escape routes by now, all calculation.
"How do you know they're Contractors?" At Yin's glance, Hei muffled a curse. "Never mind." The only people who could find us here are Contractors. That was remarkably stupid of me. "All right. We need to find a way out. Where are they now?" Yin blinked.
"They talked to the Landlord. One of them has a cell phone; He called someone a few minutes ago." Yin withdrew her hand, wiping it idly against a hanging towel. "They're not doing anything. I don't know who they called." Hei nodded.
"All right. We need to get out." He took her by the wrist, making for the back door to the kitchen as quickly as they could while still seeming casual. Several of the employees looked up, but looked away disinterestedly.
As his hand touched the cold metal of the door handle, it opened from the other side. Hei blinked, stunned for a moment, as two men stared back from the other side of the now-open door. He was the first to recover, taking a step back into the kitchen and motioning for the two to go on ahead. With his other hand he subtly nudged Yin back around the corner, out of sight of the two. Understanding, she quietly moved into an adjoining room where she would be hidden.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to cause a collision at the door." Putting on his cheerful mask, Hei bowed slightly. The two men smiled, coming into the room. One of them, a tall man with short-cut red hair and deep blue eyes, quietly motioned to the other.
"Not at all. It's as much my fault as yours." Leaning in a little closer, he studied Hei intently.
"...Uh..." Not sure how to react, Hei took a half-step back. "Can I help you?" The man laughed.
"I think you can...I believe you're the man I'm looking for. Kenji Takahiro, am I right?" The man looked him in the eye, and Hei knew that he wasn't fooled by the false name. He was well and truly trapped now, but knew he couldn't get away safely.
"Yes, that's me. Sorry, but do I know you?" The redhead laughed, shaking his head.
"How impolite of me. No, you don't know me, but I hope to become very well acquainted soon. I'm Itsuki Katsuo. A pleasure to meet you." He held out his hand, patiently waiting until Hei shook it. The look in his eyes obviously suggested the name was, like Hei's, merely a cover. "I'd like to offer an arrangement that both of us will benefit from. A business deal, if you will." Hei withdrew his hand, all too cheerful,
"I'm very sorry, then. I'm quite happy with the arrangements I've made right now, and I don't think I'm really in the market for a new job." By now, most of the other workers in the restaurant were unusually attentive to their duties, especially those that brought them near to the two. Itsuki smiled complacently, reaching into his jacket pocket. He withdrew a single, white envelope, passing it across to Hei.
"I expected as much. Still, I have to hope you'll change your mind. Please, think on it for a while. In that envelope are the details; Read it soon, if you will. Some of the things entailed are...delicate." He bowed slightly, turning back to the door behind him. "And with that, I'll leave you kind people alone." Hei smiled and nodded, his mask firmly in place again.
After the man was gone, though, the crowd around the waiter took longer to disperse. Eventually breaking away from the questioning onlookers with the excuse of serving coffee, Hei took the first opportunity to rescue Yin from her hiding place and open the letter.
BK-201
Do you still go by Hei?
It's been quite hard to find you, you know. After the Hell's Gate incident, it's as if you vanished off the face of the planet. Still, we are determined, and even the stars can be reached when people of our skills are determined.
It's common knowledge that you haven't participated in the world of Contractors for some time now. I also know that you were cut loose from your organization, and your companions no longer walk this earth. I'm sorry; It's always hard to walk alone.
This leads me into my point. I have a proposition to make you, and I know that it will take some convincing. So, I won't try and do it in a letter. Meet me tonight, under the bridge visible from your house. Bringing friends will make me think you're distrustful.
Dragon
Hei sighed, crumpling up the note. Lighting a tiny spark momentarily off of one finger, he set the ball of paper alight and let it crumble to ash. Yin, who had read alongside him, merely looked up at his expressionless face.
"What now?" He blinked, looking down at her as the simple question escaped her mouth.
"What now, indeed..." He muttered, sighing. "Now, we make it back to the apartment safely."
Hei nearly made it out of the restaurant unhindered. As he reached for his jacket, he heard footsteps approaching from behind. He turned, regarding Natsuki as she approached. Her eyes widened, as if surprised at his awareness.
"Ah, Natsuki...Hello. Sorry, I was just leaving, else I'd stay and chat." She laughed along with him, but the laughter didn't seem to reach her eyes.
"It's fine, I don't really have time to talk for long anyway..." Her voice trailed off. Hei watched her eyes dart around searchingly, the smallest hint of a blush touching her cheeks. Taking a deep breath, she looked back up. "Are you going to leave here, Kenji? I know it's none of my business, only you've just arrived, and I hate to see..." He smiled, waving his hands to cut her off.
"It's fine. But, honestly, I don't know what we'll do yet." He glanced over to where Yin washed her hands, oblivious as usual. "We've had to move a lot, and I really don't want to uproot her again when she's settled down a little. But, there are other circumstances. I've had experience with the people who offered me this proposition before and they can be..." His mind drifted back to all of the troubles he'd had with the EPR, let alone with his own organization. "...Persistent, to say the least." Sourly, he finished, distaste obvious. "Sorry, but we really must be going. Busy time, you know?" Shrugging plaintively, Hei herded Yin towards the door.
"Ah-of course. Sorry for keeping you." Bowing slightly, the cook watched the door shut behind them.
The night took longer than usual to come, it seemed. If either of them were nervous, though, it didn't show in their demeanor. Hei simply cleaned and checked equipment too-long left alone in a closet, polishing or tightening where necessary. Yin was impassive, hardly a change.
"Yin." Hei's voice, breaking the silence, rang over-loud in the still apartment. The girl looked up at him, immediately attentive. Both of them knew that the time for acting parts was long over; Now, it was do or die. Dealing with Contractors was unpredictable at the best of times.
"I want you to take up a position in the general vicinity of the meeting spot. Not too close; I don't want them finding you." She nodded, still seeming unconvinced.
"Why, then? They said to come alone." Hei didn't look up, continuing to care for the intricate series of mechanics that powered his trademark wire.
"One. You need to be within range of the radio system. Two, I want you close enough that I can get to you quickly if they do find out about you. And I need you to be watching in case they try to backstab us, or if the police catch wind of it." The girl nodded, seemingly satisfied. And that was it.
The two parted at the door to their apartment. They were surely being watched, so Yin would leave after Hei and hopefully avoid detection. With one final check of the radio earpieces, Hei donned his mask and was gone into the night.
The sky was already dark, an unhealthy purple glow spread by the light of the city. If one strained their eyes, they could see the dark shadow of the wall surrounding the Gate on the horizon. Now that he was free from the apartment area, his pace began to accelerate. Soon the buildings began to fly by as he kept his mind focused on the goal. There was only one such bridge visible from his apartment, so there was little doubt as to where to go.
"Set." The quiet lilt of her voice was accompanied by the harsh crackle of static.
"Begin watching. Be careful."
"Right." Silence set in again, broken only by the steady tapping of his feet against the concrete.
All too soon, the dim glow of the lights shone above him as he approached the underside of the bridge. No longer running, he watched as four people broke away from the darkest shadows and walked out to meet him halfway.
Two of them were the men who had met Hei at the restaurant, the redhead and his subordinate. Two, though, were unknown. A girl led almost protectively, her simplistic straight black hair set off by clear blue eyes. A man followed close behind her, bright grey eyes shining from behind brown locks even in the shady light.
The grey-eyed man pushed gently past the girl, coming forward to where Hei waited.
"So, you have come. Should I call you Hei?" Behind the mask, the other was impassively calculating the situation.
"Hei is fine. What do you want? I take it you're 'dragon'." With his eyes concealed, Hei was free to look around within reason and escape notice. He noted that Yin's observer spirit was out of sight; For now, at least. Dragon laughed, a heartier sound than one expected at first sight. The light-hearted nature of the expression never reached his eyes.
"Yes, I'm Dragon. Allow me to introduce my companions. This is Otter." He waved towards the girl, who nodded. Her eyes never left Hei, wary points of light in the darkness. "Snake, and his subordinate, Salamander." The redhead from before nodded, a smile that was more of a sneer touching his lips. The man behind him, his sturdily built frame not seeming at all like his namesake, ignored him. Despite the severity of the situation, Hei almost laughed at the poor naming choice of the organization.
"Honored." Hei dryly remarked. "Let me say it a second time. What do you want." Dragon winced dramatically.
"So harsh, my friend. Fine, I'll get down to business." His face lost all of its joking atmosphere as he assumed a solid stance. "I want you to join our organization." He held up a hand as Hei made as if to speak. "Let me finish before you say anything."
"We're known as the Second Bloom. All Contractors know what Amber sought to do. She wanted to make sure that the world was safe for all people, regardless of them being human, Contractor, or Doll. Unfortunately, she did not achieve that goal. But, that does not mean that we should give up."
Is that your answer, Hei?
"We want to pick up where she left off. There's still a lot of ground for us to cover. If we work together, though, it won't seem so far. There's no reason why we should have to hide our existence simply because we're Contractors."
You said you didn't want that anymore!
"We need you. You're a symbol to most Contractors. Amber was the one who made all of this possible. She was there when our stars were born, she fought for us in South America, and she fought and died for us in Tokyo. But you, you're the one who fought alongside her. You're the first star's companion. If you help us, who knows what we could do."
You'll lose the very thing you longed for!
He seemed to be finished with his speech, waiting for an answer. Hei paused a long moment, collecting his thoughts. Then, he slowly and clearly shook his head.
"I'm sorry. I wish the best for you. What Amber was doing was an incredible thing, and I hope that you can follow her footsteps. But, I can't allow myself to be bound to another organization. Not at this time." He knew it was true even as he said it; The world of Contractors was simply too unstable for him to be picking sides. Tipping the see-saw of life too far one way or the other could cause everyone on it to fall off.
"I ask you to reconsider. We need you." Dragon's demeanor had lost all friendliness by now. Hei shook his head, beginning to turn.
"Not interested. Goodbye." As he walked away, the rough dirt beneath his feet gave way. Holding in a cry, Hei quickly sank in to his knees. Fighting to keep his balance, he looked back to see Otter's eyes fading, the faint blue glow around her just visible in the darkness. From the other side, Snake approached with an unsheathed knife.
"I don't think you understand." Dragon seemed all too casual. "We not only need you as a symbol, but your unique powers. Like it or not, you're going to have to come with us." Snake swung the knife down, pommel-first. Hei grasped madly at his own flanged blade, blocking the attack with a flurry of sparks.
Straining his arms to the limit, Hei pushed himself clear of the nearly-solidified mud that had sucked him in. With a final burst, he leapt back, away from the knife as it swung down a second time to where he had been a moment before. In the background, the girl bent down for another go, her body already beginning to glow. His wire caught her around the arm as it reached down, her eyes widening in shock. An instant later, she knew nothing as his electricity sent her into blissful unconsciousness.
The moment cost him, though, as Hei felt tendrils wrapping themselves around his torso. From the corner of his eye, he could see the dark green of the plants as the once-docile grass grown on the riverside exploded out into a wild jungle.
"Trouble. Get out." As he fought to get free from the entrapping vines, Hei had to admire Yin's sense of timing.
"I'mâtrying." Before him, Snake approached slowly, still glowing red and blue. His subordinate had collected Otter, slung over one shoulder, and together him and Dragon began to make their way over. His arms and legs were firmly ensnared, immobile. Their leader opened his mouth to begin his victory speech.
Right on cue, the blare of sirens took on a fever pitch as police swarmed the bridge above. All of the combatants paused despite themselves, glancing upwards in mutual disbelief.
Hei broke out of it first, taking advantage of the others' confusion to break free. Distracted as he was, the redhead Contractor didn't have the focus required to put energy or strength into the animated plants, and it was a simple enough task to rip free with one of his knives and a helping dose of electricity. Even as the small group opposite him realized what was happening and turned, he was gone into the night.
"I'm coming, Yin. It was a setup. Stay where you are, and for heaven's sake pull in your apparition." He got no reply, and hadn't expected one. Radio silence was best in tight situations. As he ran along the darkened streets, Hei thought ahead to the next few days. The two of them certainly couldn't go back to their apartment, and it would be hard to ensure they weren't followed.
Looks like another sleepless night.