NXD Case 1:

Stealing Soft Toy Part 1

"Thankyou so much," the lanky guy said.

As swift as the wind, Aidou quickly pushed Yuuki to sit in the chair behind the desk, grabbed Zero who was slouching on another sofa and straightened him to stand next to Yuuki. He quickly got out a pair of glasses and put them on, whilst adjusting Zero's black ones too. Acting all professional-like, he smiled, taking out a notepad and pen, "this is what business office should look like. The chief sits at the desk and her two helpers stand ready for the job."

Zero and Yuuki both eyed this manager, "Aidou..."

"Anyhow, as the records manager here, I'd like you to tell us your name first," Aidou continued with the client, ignoring Yuuki and Zero's stare.

"My name is Lanker."

Aidou nodded, scribbling down the information as Lanker answered his birthday, age, occupation, place of occupation, favourite hobbies/things/TV programmes/books/music/food/film/colour/word/saying e.c.t, relationship at home/with friends/girlfriends, is he a virgin, future ambitions...

Agitated by Aidou's questioning that had nothing to do with the case, Yuuki finally lost her cool and raised her voice, "Zero, clear the office."

Zero sighed, "yes madam." He grabbed the back of Aidou's shirt and lifted him up, carrying him out the room, then plonking him on the floor he closed the door.

"HEY!" Aidou complained, banging the door, "how can you do this to me?"

Ignoring the racket Aidou was making outside, Yuuki focussed on Lanker, "so, you want to hire the NXD to steal?"

Aidou immediately stopped his little tantrum and instead pressed his ears to the door to listen.

Lanker nodded.

"You said it wasn't expensive?"

Lanker took a quick look at Yuuki before staring back down at his lap, "its a handmade soft toy key-ring. Its a pink little rabbit. I-it wa..." he gulped, his eyes constantly glancing around the room. "It was mine but I lost it once when I was out and this person picked it up and kept it since. I tried asking for it back but-"

"You want us to steal the object from that person," Zero stated, "the object a girl made."

Yuuki looked at Zero from the corner of her eye, thinking to herself, why bother stating the obvious? Its obvious a girl is the one who makes fluffy soft toys. What are you getting at?

"Yeah." Lanker said in response to Zero, "its not expensive so-"

Zero smirked, looking at Yuuki, "considering your the head. What do you think?"

Is this a trick question, was what Yuuki asked herself as she took in Zero's expression. She turned to study Lanker and considered the request at hand. "You know where this person lives?"

Lanker gave a little jolt of disbelief, "y-you will help."

Yuuki kept her poker face on, "we'll see." Yuuki clicked her fingers at Zero, who took the signal to fetch Aidou from his misery of being left out the room. She continued, asking again, "where does this person live?"

Lanker smiled as he said the directions to his target's apartment. Aidou rapidly wrote down everything Lanker said.

"We'll keep in touch," Aidou called behind Lanker's back as he left. All fired up, Aidou jumped around the room, packing his bag. "So are we off or what?"

xx XXX xx

Licking the coffee that stained her lips, Rima eyed the mirror in her car. "Hurry up, I've been stalking them for two days already..." Nervously, she stared at the digital clock, it was 3:45, the end to a school day. "Where are you? Move already." She'd almost bit her tongue as a strong surge of excitemet rushed through her. She stepped on the clutch and started to drive in a small but enough distance to trail her prey.

She grabbed her phone that was beeping and read the text: Despite your confidence, Are you certain you'll be of use?

Rima snapped her mobile shut. "Fool - I will get the information I want... No way can the NXD fly out my palms."

xx XXX xx

"So how are you two planning to break in?" Aidou questioned as he studied the relatively old apartment. Aidou waited for seconds but there wasn't a reply. He turned, slightly annoyed to see Yuuki and Zero staring at eachother without blinking, "are you two listening?"

Yuuki took a step closer to Zero, "you know something don't you?"

Zero leaned closer to Yuuki, "I agreed to hang around because you insisted. Why not prove to me that I won't regret that decision."

"Your testing me?"

"You could put it that way if you want," Zero said, "I'll leave this case entirely up to you. I want to see if we reach the same conclusion."

"Is that your excuse to slack?" Yuuki asked, not shifting her gaze from Zero's black glasses, which covered his beautiful eyes.

"I can take care of the external stuff," Zero flattly replied.

What external stuff, Yuuki unsoundly thought. "I see."

From the side Aidou's face had already turned to that of a about to burst volacano. He stomped his feet, "YOU TWO STOP IGNORING ME. I WAS THE ONE WHO DROVE YOU TWO HERE!"

"Its currently 11:27," Yuuki began, "Aidou, you said he'd be at home during this time."

Finally getting some attention, Aidou replied, "He lives alone and spends most his time either at home, at school or playing soccer after school in the school fields. Once or twice he goes to the corner shop."

"A normal life," Zero commented.

Without another word Yuuki started to walk towards the apartment building with Zero casually striding beside her and Aidou anxiously following.

"Shouldn't we be a little more prepared, like grab weapons?" Aidou questioned, "are you planning to enter through the window or-" Aidou paused, slightly confused as he entered the lift along with the two. "Is this going to be a forceful direct break in?"

Yuuki smiled as she reached the end of the corridor. She brushed her fingertips over the name-plate next to the wooden door that marked: Akatsuki Kain.

She turned with one finger against her lips as a sign for Aidou to shut-up. She lowered her voice, "even as a theif, I think its only polite if we rang the door bell and introduced ourselves...don't you think?"

Aidou frantically whispered, "WHAT THE HELL? YOU IDIOT YOU CAN'T DO THAT. YOU DON'T TELL THE VICTIM THAT I AM A ROBBER. LET'S TURN BACK AND ENTER FROM THE WINDOW INSTEA-"

Zero clasped his hands over Aidou's mouth, who tried to break free and protest more, watching to his dismay and horror as Yuuki pressed the door bell. A loud buzz rang followed by a clicking sound as the door slowly opened up.

A tall, messy and pale guy, stepped into view, "who is this?"

Yuuki placed on a business-like look, "I'm a hired theif from the NXD. I'm here to steal a soft rabbit toy of yours."

Akatsuki Kain swiftly swung the door, attempting to lock it but was split seconds too slow as Yuuki kicked it in the other direction, sending Akatsuki Kain to the floor. Zero stepped into the apartment behind Yuuki and Aidou only stared, dumbstruck with his mouth wide open. She really did that, she really actually did, was all that ran through Aidou's mind.

Yuuki reached down towards her boots and pulled out a knife, placing it near Akatsuki Kain's neck, who was now glaring at her.

"Please listen to me," Yuuki said, "I am a theif that wishes to co-operate with you."