DISCLAIMER - see chapter one
"So, who are these clients?" Monk-san asked as Naru unlocked and office door. It was still early, barely even ten O'clock, but with the lack of details Naru wasn't sure when they would be visiting. Naru opened his mouth to answer as he turned the door handle but found himself cut short.
"That would be us." A gruff voice replied from within. Naru's eyes snapped to the couch as the door swung open. Two middle-aged men sat there, both wearing dark casual clothes. Naru's gaze sharpened as he eyed the pair. How did they even get in here? Monk-san pushed Naru back and stepped in ahead as everyone else appeared in the doorway.
"Who are you?" He demanded warily as he stepped forward, looking more adult than Naru could recall seeing him before. Generally he wouldn't have felt intimidated by Monk-san in the least, even when they were arguing. But now…"And how did you get in here?" The older man added as he leaned on the back of on of the sofas glaring at them, but before they could reply their eyes turned away to the doorway, where Mai stood with a look of terror on her face.
"Not you, not now…" She whispered pleadingly as she backed into the wall, her hands covering her face. It felt like her heart had stopped, ice running down her spine as goose bumps pricked her skin. Lin and Naru stepped in front of her protectively while Ayako went to Mai and put her arms around her protectively, and Masako stood firmly at her side while John stood in the doorway.
"Let's not be so hasty. I am Haru Taniyama, and this is my brother, Shinta Taniyama. We are Mai's legal guardians, and as such, we have come here to collect her." Haru, the older of the two, said calmly with a hint of warning in his voice as his gaze stopped on Monk-san, who was close to recklessly attacking the men in front of him. Monk-san regarded them for a moment as he straightened up to his full height; he wasn't as tall as Lin, but with his muscular frame he still made his point.
"She's not going anywhere with you." Monk-san said firmly, stepping forward and sizing up Haru, who was about his size with short black hair. If it came to blows Monk-san knew he could probably take Haru; definitely if Lin helped. Shinta seemed quite timid; a stare from Naru or a gentle restraining hand from John would probably have him backing off. Haru was the ringleader. Monk-san stared into Haru's dark calculating eyes, both of them doing the math.
"There's no need for violence you know…" The younger brother piped up hastily as he saw Haru's mouth twitch. Shinta was more John's size, and his hair was the same light brown as Mai's and his eyes, like Mai's were soft and gentle. It was hard to believe him capable of any evil.
"We are her legal guardians, and we will take her, whether it is with or without police involvement is your decision." Haru stated coldly, stepping closer to Monk-san so that they were eye level, both glaring hard. Monk-san was winning the battle of dominance physically, but he could see in Haru's eyes that he had one more card to play. Monk-san stood firm. He wouldn't give over, not a chance.
"H-Haru; there's no need for that!" Shinta objected with an almost urgent tone as he laid a hand on his brother's shoulder, falling to the floor as Haru backhanded him across the face. Shinta flinched as he fell, holding his redden cheek as he looked up at his older brother like a kicked puppy. The atmosphere had tense somewhat, Lin and Naru stepping in a little further to cover Mai as John hesitantly stepped into the room, looking down at the young brother almost pityingly.
"Keep out of this you idiot!" Haru scolded harshly before rounding on Monk-san, grabbing the front of his white top. "I don't like you much." Haru almost spat through gritted teeth. Despite the grip, he didn't step too close to the monk, sensing the older man was about his match. He might not win if it got too physical, but intimidation wasn't working either.
"The feeling's mutual." Monk-san replied calmly, ignoring the hold on his top completely. He wasn't about to be rattled by a common scumbag. As far as he could tell the guy was just posturing, but that didn't mean it wouldn't get more physical soon.
"If you resist then I'll sell her…She'd fetch a good price with that pretty face and figure…at least ten million yen I'd say…She is a virgin after all." He thought aloud as he looked over Mai's body, relishing in the small shiver he watched run through her as she looked into his eyes. His vision was cut off as Naru stepped in front of her protectively, completely blocking him off with an icy blue stare. He'd had enough/
"That's where you're wrong!" Naru replied as he walked further inside and pushed Monk-san aside. Monk-san didn't even have time to react as the teen punched Haru in the jaw, his head snapping to the side with the impact. The older man flinched slightly, raising a hand to nurse the offended area with an almost amused smirk.
"So she's a cheap whore. That works for me; I love cheap whores. I have houses full of them, and in brothels the more experience the better!" Haru replied with a grin, laughing as Naru glared up at him, his fists shaking in anger. The only reason the younger teen didn't pounce right then was the firm had that clapped on his shoulder saying 'I understand, but control yourself'. There has to be a way around it…
"Mai!" Naru said suddenly as he went over to her and grabbed her hand. "Marry me." He said urgently. The look on Mai's face would have been comical had the situation been different; her eyes widened as she looked at him in utter confusion as if to say 'You're doing this now?'
"What?" She asked incredulously, part of her unsure she'd heard correctly while the other part couldn't believe he'd brought that particular subject up.
"Marry me Damnit! If you're married your husband becomes your legal guardian, meaning they can't touch you!" He explained hurriedly, seeing the solution dawn on Mai. Technically it was true, and it would have been a good idea under other circumstances. The cold laughter across the room told Mai that flaws in the plan had already been spotted however.
"A good theory, but with a few flaws. Firstly, you have to get out of here and actually marry. Secondly, she can't get married without her guardian's consent until she's eighteen. That's at least a few months away. Sorry to burst your bubble." He added mockingly, watching Naru thinking a way around it. If anyone could think their way about of a paper bag it was Naru. Monk-san could see the cogs turning and lightning speed, bouncing from idea to idea without any luck.
"Alright; you won't give your consent, so how about you?" Monk-san asked, turning to Shinta, who was still on the floor, his hand held to his jaw where he had been struck. Shinta looked slightly stunned as he caught Monk-san's almost imploring eye, shifting his timid gaze to his brother fearfully before shaking his head. "Alright, I don't blame you." Monk-san sighed in defeat, seeing Shinta's gaze drop guiltily.
"I guess it's about time we were leaving." Haru said with a sense of superiority as he went to walk by Monk-san, who stepped in his way. Both men paused and stood firm, their eyes locking once more. Monk-san's jaw clenched tightly.
"You're not taking her." He said firmly.
"I grow tired of this." Haru sighed as he pulled a gun out of his pocket, shooting Monk-san through the chest and looking down at his bleeding form with disinterest. There was a moment of stunned silence as the shot echoed out, even Shinta staring in disbelief at what his brother had done.
"Houshou!" Ayako cried as she hurried forward, feeling Haru grab her hair as she knelt beside Monk-san. "Let go!" She shouted, feeling the hard metal of the gun pressed against her head, the barrel digging into her skull. She could feel her heart pounding as she winced, raising her eyes to the man above her with a mixture of fear and loathing. John hesitated, wondering if he'd be able to barge Haru away without getting Ayako killed. That option didn't look good.
"Alright! We're leaving with Mai. Now!" Haru all but shouted as he tugged Ayako's hair. As her red locks tumbled away from her face Shinta raised his eyes, which widened in recollection.
"Brother wait! Don't I know you?" Shinta asked curiously as he knelt in front of Ayako and looked at her as she found the grip on her hair loosened. She couldn't break free, but she could open Monk-san's shirt and examine the wound. "It is you!" Shinta exclaimed in shock.
"What do you mean?" Ayako asked with something akin to disinterest, not looking up from Monk-san's chest. She used his shirt to wipe away the worst of the blood before fingering the small hold in his chest, unable to tell whether the bullet had passed through or was trapped deeper inside. She also couldn't tell if it had damaged any of his organs.
"It was about three years ago, in Kyoto…" Shinta began.
"Hold on brother!" Shinta cried as he half dragged Haru down the darkened streets, no one in sight as they stumbled towards the hospital, which was miles away. I don't know what to do! Should we even go there? We're wanted criminals! He thought in a panic as he paused, gasping as Haru fell to the ground beside him. "Haru! Hold on please!" He cried as he laid his brother down, wondering what he was going to do.
"What's going on?" A feminine voice all but demanded. He looked up to see a beautiful young woman with long red hair looking down at him, her breath condensing on the air as she looked down in concern. He felt his cheeks heat slightly as he looked up; she really was pretty. She was also waiting for an answer.
"M-my brother; he's been shot!" Shinta replied helplessly, watching as the young woman's dark eyes widened and she pulled off her long white fur-lined coat. She was wearing a smart suit beneath, the skirt hugging her thighs as she fell to her knees, setting her brief case aside. She was suddenly so intense as she gazed at his brother's prone form.
"Where's the wound?" She demanded as she opened Haru's coat, seeing that the white shirt Haru was wearing beneath was soaked with blood. It was fairly fresh; it was still warm on her fingers as she began unbuttoning it. There was a lot of it. He was still bleeding heavily.
"H-His chest. Here." Shinta replied as he pointed to the right side of his ribcage, where Ayako could feel splintered ribs beneath his unbroken skin. Clearly there had been a physical struggle as well as the gun shot. The man was still breathing, and he didn't seem to be having difficulty. That doesn't mean the lung hasn't collapsed…
"Shit! You called an ambulance right?" She snapped as her fingers delicately probed the wound, her expression worried. If the bullet had caught his ribs it could have ricocheted anywhere, and caused damage to any organs.
"W-well no." Shinta replied sheepishly as he ran a bloodied hand through his hair, not even noticing the sticky substance in his hair.
"What? You're brother is dying here! He needs to be at the hospital as soon as possible! Grab my phone!" She snapped, ripping the sleeve of her shirt off and pressing it to the bleeding wound. The shirt wasn't exactly great for soaking blood, but it would have to do. Shinta rummaged in her bag and handed her a sleek silver phone, taking a peek at some of the papers in the bag. All of them with 'Matsuzaki Central Hospital' in the corner of the pages. She's a…doctor? He thought in amazement as he continued flicking through, finding a name. Dr. Ayako Matsuzaki…
"Kaoru! I need an ambulance on the main street! Now! No 'buts'; now!" She shouted before hanging up the phone, just holding the bloody material to the wound firmly. There was nothing more she could do. "Shit! The bleeding isn't stopping! Don't you dare fucking die!" She shouted at Haru as his skin paled. Shinta looked up as blue lights appeared and an ambulance pulled up, paramedics quickly gathering round.
"Dr. Matsuzaki! What happened here?" One of the men asked as they gathered around with equipment. One of the paramedics took over from Ayako, getting a thick pad of gauze to use rather than the shirt. Ayako wasted no time as she got to her feet, taking the more senior role as the paramedics worked on moving the body.
"Bullet wound; it's penetrated three ribs and the lung on the right hand side. We need to get him to surgery!" She replied as she climbed into the ambulance, another paramedic grabbing her brief case. The doors closed and the ambulance pulled off to the hospital as Shinta stood at the side of the road, picking up Ayako's forgotten coat and watching the empty street.
"Don't you remember?" Shinta asked incredulously, as Ayako remained kneeling looking down at Monk-san's wound, which was a lot like the one Haru had sustained. Ayako could have sighed if she could spare the breath. Unfortunately, she had an idiot to save.
"I see hundreds, no thousands of people in a year; I don't remember them all…but then again…I do remember a cold December night in Kyoto." She replied reminiscently, ripping the sleeve off her shirt and pressing it on the wound. "But that's not important right now! I need an ambulance! Quick!" She shouted, ignoring the gun as she turned to John, who nodded and took the chance to run out of the door, a bullet whizzing past his head as he ran for all he was worth.
"Shinta! Stop him!" Haru ordered, turning to look at Shinta as he just stood there watching Ayako work. "Are you deaf?" Haru asked incredulously, unable to believe that his brother had just ignored him. Shinta shivered slightly as he met his brother's gaze with uncertain eyes.
"No…I-I won't stop him!" Shinta replied decisively as he looked up from where he had remained kneeling across from Ayako. He met his brother's gaze fearfully, unsure what the older sibling would do. It was the first time he had outright refused an order, but one good turn deserved another. Ayako had saved his brother; the least he could do was let her try to save the man on the floor.
"I see…In that case." Haru sighed regretfully as he raised the gun and pulled the trigger. He watched emotionlessly as his brother fell to the floor, his hazel eyes wide and vacant. At the wall Mai screamed, diving past Ayako to Shinta's side. This whole time…all these years…I thought it was both of you. I'm sorry Shinta; I'm sorry you got caught up with Haru! I'm sorry I-It's my fault you're dead! She thought as she looked at the vacant eyes, so much like her own. She felt hands on her shoulders and looked up to see Lin, his eyes full of warmth and concern. "Mai, you will get up, and you will come with me, or I will shoot him next." Haru threatened as he shifted the gun to Lin. Lin-san? Why Lin-san? She wondered, seeing something dawn on Haru as he looked between Mai and Lin's shocked faces. "Or perhaps I am mistaken…Very well; this one." He decided, shifting to aim at Naru, who merely glared in return.
"Haru! Stop this!" Masako cried as she stepped forward, the gun shifting to her as she stepped closer. Kneeling on the floor Mai looked up at Masako, realising straight away that it wasn't her. By the slightly dulled edge to her hazel eyes Mai could tell the young medium was no longer in control of her body as she walked closer to stand beside Shinta's body.
"Get back girl!" Haru shouted in warning as Masako's forehead touched the barrel of the gun. Mai was surprised Haru had allowed her to get to close, but perhaps he could sense the difference on some level too. He certainly seemed to be eyeing Masako as she stared up at him.
"Do you not recognise me Haru?" Masako asked, her expression softening slightly in understanding. Haru looked impatient at first, but as he looked closer he recognised the gentle look in her eyes. It was something he hadn't seen for a very long time.
"Hideki, my dear baby brother; I didn't think it possible…So…what do you want?" Haru asked as he shifted his aim back to Naru and stared at Masako, t believing his brother would try anything. Not while he was in the girl's body. He was kind and weak; he wouldn't risk harming someone else.
"I want you to leave my daughter alone." Hideki replied firmly, though his voice was gentle and lacking in conviction. "Do this for me; I am your brother!" He added almost pleadingly. Haru almost scoffed at the thought as he looked at Masako, able to see his brother's inner turmoil as he stared up imploringly.
"Ah, but dear brother, your daughter would make me a lot of money, as would that nice house of yours." Haru replied with an edge of amusement. Mai felt Lin's hand rest on her shoulder assuringly. John had gone to get help. Someone would be here any minute. They wouldn't let Haru take her away from them. Despite that, Mai couldn't help a shiver running through her as Haru's eyes shifted to look at her.
"Is that all you want?" Came a new voice from the open doorway. Haru looked up in surprise to see Fai leaning casually on the doorframe with his arms folded. Fai? But…why is he…"Well, if that's it then perhaps we can cut a deal. I am, after all, the lord of a sizable estate." The blonde added as he stepped inside and looked at the carnage in unveiled disgust. The gun shifted to aim at him, the blonde sighing as he ran a hand through is blonde locks. "Oh put it away. I've come here on business." Fai said as he crossed to a sofa and sat down, pulling out a cheque book and looking at Haru with his pen poised.
"You will pay any price I ask?" Haru asked as he turned away from Naru and Masako, who were just as stunned as Mai. Mai looked to the doorway as an out of breath John returned, not seeming surprised by Fai's presence in the least. John…did he…Mai wondered as the exorcist smiled wearily.
"Of course! Mai is family; I can't let you have her." Fai replied, lowering the pen to the page and waiting patiently. "Well? Name your price." He added as the silence began to stretch. All Mai could hear was the almost deafening tick of the clock as he waited for Haru to speak; the atmosphere was so heavy. She caught Naru's eye across the room, watching as he sized up Haru from the back, wondering if he'd be able to get close enough to tackle him before the gun swung back.
"Ten million yen." Haru named off the top of his head, which seemed rather tame in Fai's opinion. Mai looked stunned as she looked at the blonde; there was no way he'd pay that much money for her.
"Is that all?" Fai asked in genuine surprise, his gaze softening as he caught Mai's stunned expression. All? That's ten million yen! What is he thinking? Has he gone crazy? Mai wondered as her cheeks heated, quite certain that that amount of money would ruin his estate.
"That and the house." Haru replied, half expecting Fai to argue. Ten million yen was a large fortune; more than enough on top of his other black market businesses that he could live like a king for the rest of his life. The blonde looked thoughtful, as if considering it as he looked at Mai. The honey haired girl still couldn't believe what was happening as she caught Fai's eye again.
"How about I name it twenty million, and you leave the house?" Fai offered, writing the numbers as he received a nod. He scribbled his neatly curled signature and tore off the cheque, getting to his feet and holding it out to complete the deal. Really? This is it? It's over?
"What are you going to do about a guardian?" Haru asked as he took the cheque, not particularly caring either way. He'd got more than he'd dreamed of out of the deal. At best he'd been expecting an extra worker and a house to sell off. Mai watched, feeling sick as her uncle caressed the cheque in his hands, his fingers running over the seals and ink. It was definitely genuine.
"I'd adopt her." Lin stated firmly, his hand squeezing Mai's shoulder gently. Mai looked up at the Chinese man with pink cheeks; of all the people she'd imagined might offer something like that she'd never imagined Lin would be one of them. Lin-san…Mai thought, her cheeks heating as his dark gaze shifted to look down at her warmly.
"I would too!" Ayako added firmly from her place beside Monk-san.
"Or me." Monk-san managed weakly, a relieved Ayako quickly hushing him as she laid a gentle hand on his forehead, the other still firmly pressing the sleeve to his wound. Feeling the pressure now that he was awake, the monk let out a small pained moan, trying not to shift beneath Ayako's touch.
"She's always welcome at the church." John offered from his place in the doorway, having caught his breath a little. Mai looked between her friends, feeling her heart ready to burst with gratitude. Across the room Naru caught her eye and smiled softly, though it was a fleeting expression as he returned his attention to Haru.
"I'd ask my father too." Masako piped up as Hideki released her.
"And of course I too am family." Fai added finally. "Now I suggest you leave, and leave quickly. You may have bought the police in Kyoto, but I have many friends in the Tokyo police, and as for the chief…he owes me a few favours." Fai warned politely, his face as charming as usual, but his voice held a deadly undertone, one that shook Haru to the core. It was like watching two tigers interact. They looked at each other, Fai smiling a little as he tilted his head, not in the least concerned. Haru was in Fai's territory now, and he knew it.
"Fine." Haru replied stiffly as he broke eye contact. "Shinta; we're leaving." He called, forgetting for a moment that he had shot Shinta. He put the gun in his pocket and headed for the open door, John stepping back warily as the older man approached.
"He's dead." Mai said quietly, not looking at her uncle as he passed.
"Good riddance…He was useless anyway." Haru replied as he stepped past Ayako, whose eyes widened at that. If the situation had been different she would have given him a piece of her mind; after Shinta had helped to save his life he was just considered useless.
"How could you? He was your brother! He stayed with you all this time, and you killed him just like that! Why?" Mai cried as she looked up at her uncle, who looked down at her with a smirk. Mai felt Lin's hand on her shoulder tighten protectively as Haru stared down at her coldly, her body quivering as she stared back like a deer in headlights. He really didn't care at all. Her reaction amused him.
"He was of no more use to me. If he doesn't obey me, I have no need for him." Haru replied simply before leaving, tears trickling down Mai's cheeks. But…he tried so hard…He did all this to please Haru, and this is what he got in return? It's not fair! Why does he get to go unpunished? Mai thought, gasping as she heard a car horn, screeching tyres and a gunshot. Mai got shakily to her feet and, with Lin's help, went to the window, looking down at the chaos outside. A sleek black car had hit Haru. Its window had a bullet hole in the passenger's side, but it seemed the people inside had escaped unscathed as they stood by the open doors of the car. Blood streaked the road where Haru lay, the gun about a foot away. Is he…dead? She wondered as Fai came to stand beside her, his blue eyes almost emotionless as he looked down at the street below.
"He won't come for you again Mai." He assured as he looked down unsmiling. Fai…you…did you? She wondered as she looked down again, seeing the ambulance arrive. John hurried down to guide them up. "Well, goodbye Mai. I hope you will come and visit from time to time." Fai added charmingly as he left with a warm smile. I really think he did. She thought as she watched Fai pass the driver of the black car and slip something into his hand before he got into a waiting limousine.