Das Konzert version eins
Part Two: Das Ewige Dasein
Chapter Twenty-one:
My Bloody Valentine
~--------An unconstrained performance hides the truth~
Her breath hitched as he slowly detached from her body, the two of them covered in the same dark substance that melted them into the shadows. Casting the weapon aside, he pushed the grime off his forehead. At the same time, she- a woman in her early twenties with a shock of red hair that hung to her waist- wiped the blood from her nose. That break was the least of her worries.
The man straightened up and admired his work. Holding up a camera, he inquired, " Shashin o totte kudasai? "
That red hair had been so pretty earlier, now it was scraggly, damp, and soaked with a much darker shade of red. " I don't... " she had to break off in the middle, the numbing pain increasing by too much. " I don't speak that language. "
The flash popped as he took the photograph. The camera was a newer model polaroid, which stored the pictures face-out in a little frame at the back of the camera body. He watched the thick white rectangle emerge, and the colours slowly blot together out of that whiteness to form an accurate representation of what he saw before him.
" You do now, " he commented.
(@)
Youji lipped wire out of his watch with practiced ease and, drawing out a length, darted across the room towards Crawford. One toss of his hand and an expert turn of his wrist and the weapon was loosed, spinning out in shining silver threads to ensnare his prey.
Without any pre-emptive motion, Crawford moved. The sole of his shoe scraping ever so slightly as he moved from the wall, fists snapping out with unerring accuracy. Within seconds he was stopped again, hands still compacted into fists as the wire slowly floated to the ground around him. Crawford pushed the sunglasses up back to the place they'd been dislodged from, releasing the glare and showing the dark shadows of his eyes to Youji.
Youji watched until the last string had fluttered to the ground. " Doushite... "
" Sou da, " Crawford spoke, " You don't quite know yet, do you? It's so easy to forget that fact. You know Schuldich is a telepath, and Farfarello feels no pain. "
Youji eyed him craftily. " Judging by past events, I'd guess your gaki is a telekinetic. "
" Perceptive, " Crawford observed.
" What does that make you? "
" I am a precognitive; I see the future. "
" So you're nothing but a cheap fortune teller. "
Two sets of sunglasses stared each other down, oblivious to their surroundings but for the other visaed. As the light waned and their company shifted positions the conversation continued in a silent battle of wits. Enemies, mutual, and in a sense, understood.
Finally Youji moved, snapping off the wire and retracting the excess back into his watch. He nodded to his companions, already by the object of their goal. " Birman, Botan, get her out of here. "
Crawford smirked, " Go right ahead and take her. But allow me to give you a little taste of what you cannot see, Kudou Youji... " His tone dropped, draping an eerie feeling over the other man, " As soon as your associate Fujimiya Ran kills Takatori Reiji, we'll have all the information we need, and then... shi. "
(@)
" Sakurasan, konnichiwa, " Momoe greeted, looking up from the flowers she was tending to. She gave the schoolgirl a bright smile. " I'm afraid the boys are all out at the moment. "
" I see... " Sakura trailed off. " I stopped by to see if there was any word about Ayasan. " She stooped and pet Momoe's cat, her face melancholy. She followed the path of the small cat's back with the palm of her hand, contouring to fit as it arched it's back to meet her touch. " I know Kensan said not to but... I'm still worried. "
The door crashed open, tossing the bell violently to and fro abrasively. Sakura jolted upwards, spinning towards the door. Her eyes grew at the sight in the doorway. " Ayasan! "
Ken slouched against the door frame and stuck out his foot to stop the door on it's return. He had Aya on his back, the red head lolling forward on his shoulder, eartails spilling across the dusty deep gray of his shirt.
" Sakura, go and get Omi. He should still be downstairs. " Ken staggered into the flower shop towards the back. " Momoesan, grab me some aspirin please. I've got one helluva headache. "
" Hai, " came the response on both ends. Sakura ran into the back and Momoe pulled the aspirin bottle out of the drawer below the cash register.
Ken's feet dragged. He was tired, and carrying an unconscious Aya on his back all the way here had not been fun. He'd had a hard enough time keeping him on the motorcycle, until finally he gave up a few blocks away. He had parked the bike at the side of the street and opted to just carry his companion on his back. Aya, though thin, was heavier than he looked-- and the black trenchcoat he wore wasn't helping. Ken hefted Aya again, gaining a better grip on his thighs as Omi came rushing up the stairs with worry on his face.
" Kenkun! "
Sweat was running into Ken's eyes, but if he pulled away to fix that fact he was afraid of giving out and just dropping Aya. " Omi... help me out here, would ya? "
" Hai! " Omi moved swiftly forward, grasping Aya by the shoulder and easing some of the weight off Ken's back. Together the two of them managed to get Aya up the stairs and into his room. " We need to get his coat off... " Omi immediately set to work on the many buckles and clasps that hugged Aya's wiry frame.
Ken stood back and stretched his stiff shoulders. For now the important thing was making sure Aya was alright. After that, it was just a matter of figuring out how to avoid whatever Schwartz was planning.
" Kenkun, can you help me please? " Omi said, pushing the coat back and putting a hand under Aya's shoulder. He lifted him into a sitting position and allowed Ken to pull the sleeves off Aya's arms. He bit his lip. " Is he... "
" I dunno... " Ken admitted, sitting on the edge of the bed and intently watching Aya's face. " I got knocked out, and when I came to, Schwartz was gone... leaving just me and Aya on an empty office floor. It's like their whole attempt to put me off rescuing him was a front. "
" A ploy. "
" We're just being played with... " Ken fisted his hand against the thin blanket on the bed. " I hate it! What the hell are they after? "
(@)
" Business or pleasure? "
" Hm? " He looked up at the customs agent for a moment, shouldering his camera bag. " Oh, pleasure, definitely. I love this country. So colourful. "
The agent nodded, smiling formally at him. She stamped his passport and handed it over. " Enjoy your stay, Maekawasan. "
" Thank you. Enjoy your day. "
(@)
Botan carefully gathered Aya into his arms, looking at the young girl with something of a melancholy face. " So that was Schwartz, hn? " he inquired.
Youji stood where Crawford had left him, head bowed slightly in thought. " Yeah... one of 'em. "
Birman picked up her cellphone on the first ring, wandering off on her own to listen.
Botan headed for the door. " Well, let's get Fujimiyasan back down to her room and then we'll head back for any news on Abyssinian. "
" Not only that, " Birman commented, snapping down the antennae on her phone. She looked up at the two men as she pocketed it. " Weiß has a new mission. "
(@)
" Those of Weiß- "
Omi sat forward, his eyes growing. " P-Persia! "
Botan leaned against the back wall. " We sensed a bit of animosity. "
" Rightly so, " Youji commented.
Persia continued, keeping his monotone as he relayed the mission. " Recently a serial killer has entered the country. We received word from America of his entry and have quickly moved into action. "
" This is our problem, why? " Youji asked.
" The problem is that the man, Maekawa Yasuo, has connections with the governments in both countries, making him effectively protected from the law. " A picture came up on the screen to illustrate the man in question. " Maekawa kills his victims, then displays them to take their picture right before they die. He then sells the pictures at high prices to the wealthy. "
" Hidoi... " Omi commented.
" You must kill Maekawa before he kills again. White Hunters in the Night, Fight the Future of this Dark Beast. " Persia disappeared from the screen.
" How many cases have we got going now? " Youji inquired indolently, lighting a cigarette. " We haven't even gotten rid of Raiott yet. "
" I'm working on it, " Omi protested.
" This one doesn't seem so hard though, " Ken brought up, " Go in, kill the target, go out. No investigation outside of finding him. "
" You don't even have to bother with that, " Birman handed Ken her folder. " He's staying at a hotel, incidentally next to Takatori Reiji's building. His room number and all the information is in there. But be wary... he's sure to know we're on to him. "
Youji leaned back. " Aren't you going to ask us if we're in? "
" You no longer have a choice. "
(@)
" Che, " Youji cursed later, when night had fallen and they were standing at the back of the hotel in the folder. " I really don't like the way things are going. "
Omi's fingers rapidly moved over the keys of his handheld device, decoding the security lock. " It can't be helped Youjikun. Birman had a point when she said we've become too much a part of things to opt out anymore. "
" I know that, " Youji protested. " It's her attitude that puts me off: and when I'm put off by a woman you know there's gotta be something wrong. "
Ken laughed a little. " You said it, I didn't. "
" I'm serious, Ken. "
" Persia and Manx have left us to Kritiker, they must have a reason for it. " Omi murmured, distracted by his attempts to open the door. " The simple fact of the matter is that we can't do anything about it right now. Our main objective right now should be to tie up loose ends with all the missions we have going right now and clear our record. Ah- here we go. "
The electronic lock gave a succession of two beeps before the light turned green and the door clicked open. Omi stood from his crouch and pocketed his device. Pushing open the door, he froze in place as his eyes met those of the security guard watching them enter.
Ken froze as well. " Yabai. "
Youji pushed past him and elbowed the guard in the face, smacking his head against the wall and knocking him out. He stepped back and let the body slump to the floor. Flicking his cigarette he turned down the hall and moved forward.
Omi blinked at the body for a second before he hurried after him. " Youjikun, matte! "
" We'll take the stairs, it's not faster but it's less conspicuous. Seventh floor? "
" Um, eighth... " Omi corrected.
" Should pay better attention, I guess. "
" Youjikun... " Omi said, looking up at him.
" Yeah? "
" Daijoubu? "
" No, " Youji sighed. " I'm not. But that's beside the point right now. Let's get this over with. "
" I agree, " Ken inputted. He pushed the stairwell door and stepped into the hallway on the eight floor. There he immediately froze again. Yabai! For the second time that night his mind had only been able to pull out that response.
Takatori paused just outside one of the rooms halfway to the corner. " Hidaka? "
" Must be our lucky night, " Youji muttered dourly. He met Nagi's equally dark gaze.
Nagi placed a hand on Takatori's arm. " Takatorisan, it's become dangerous here. This way. "
Takatori narrowed his eyes at Ken. " All better now, Hidaka? "
Ken swallowed hard. " Yes, sir. "
" That's good. That white hospital gown didn't suit you. " Takatori followed Nagi down the hallway. " I'll see you on Monday. Come to my office first thing, we'll talk. "
" Yes, sir. " Ken said, his heart sinking.
" No time to feel sorry for yourself, Ken, " Youji headed for the room Takatori had just come out of. " Isn't that funny? This is exactly the room we were looking for. "
Omi rested his hand on Ken's arm as he passed, offering small comfort as they picked up on the mission. He took position at the other side of the door from Youji, pressing his shoulder into the wall and listening for any noises inside. There was a low murmur... probably the television. Running water? Omi closed his eyes. It was so much easier when you caught the targets in the act.
Youji's hand snaked out and grasped the doorknob. He turned it silently and with a little push sent the door turning inward. Omi darted in before him, and immediately had to cover his nose and mouth as the smell assaulted him. Youji and Ken paused behind him, forced to do the same.
Two lamps on either side of the bed and the television playing the news illuminated the body splayed out across the bed. The blood was in the process of coagulating on the sheets, and where it had been tracked across the carpet to the western-style private bath. The smell was horrible, permeating everything in the room and bringing tears to Omi's eyes. It wasn't just blood- there was something else in the air... like a strong chemical... but he couldn't make it out.
" Formaldehyde, " Youji gasped. He sucked a breath through his cigarette like it was an oxygen tank, then snubbed it under his foot and headed for the bathroom.
Ken moved after him. " I think I'm gonna puke... "
The sound of running water in the bathroom abruptly stopped. As Youji drew nearer to the bathroom opening a shot rang out and he was thrown onto his back. He hit the ground as Ken and Omi uttered his name and rushed forward to his aid.
Maekawa emerged from the bath with the still smoking pistol as Youji sat up with a groan. " You're quick, " he commented. " I just got into the country today. "
" That's Japan for ya, " Youji said wryly, fingering where the bullet had burned a path through the very pinnacle of his shoulder. Felt like the joint had been chipped. It hurt like hell, in any case. " We don't like to waste time. "
Maekawa smirked. " Interesting. Here I'd heard Tokyo's 'Hunters' were a group of four, not three. Now I feel slighted; I'm not good enough for the full treatment. "
" Stop talking. " Youji winced as he tried to get up further. Dammit, he was sick of getting hurt. It was always his shoulder too. " Ken, Omi, just kill him and let's get this over with. "
" Ho? What would you say if I had information you'd be interested in, Kudou Youji? "
Youji's voice stuck in his throat. His name? How did this guy know his name?
" For my life, I'll give you all the information you need to know on Raiott and what happened to Murase Asuka. " Maekawa smiled, feeling his fate assured.
Omi reached into his coat, fingering the first dart he encountered embedded in the fabric. Asuka, he knew that name. Narrowing his eyes he withdrew the weapon and waited, not willing to do anything without a sign from Youji.
Youji closed his eyes. Had that woman with Shreiyant been Asuka? Did Maekawa have information for real or... or...
" Kill him, " Youji repeated hoarsely.
Omi paused, " Y-Youjikun...? "
Not knowing everything, but having an inkling, Ken blinked at him. " Oi... "
Youji squeezed his eyes shut harder, ducking his head against their painful looks. " Just do it! "
Maekawa lifted the gun, aiming for Omi. Omi was faster, however, and loosed the dart he had out. The projectile clipped the gun, snapping it back before Maekawa fired. In that moment, Ken ran forward and unsheathed the claws on one hand. Using his forearm, he pushed Maekawa into the door frame and rested the sharp blades on the underside of his jaw. Glaring up at him through the long bangs that tumbled over his goggles, he squeezed the other fist, the bugnuks releasing and standing out against the dark shadow of the Maekawa's victim just beyond them. In an instant they snapped forward, burying to Ken's knuckles in flesh and muscle. His aim was true, and after three pulses, he felt Maekawa's heart stop.
Ken pulled out slowly, snapping the still stained blades back into the back of the glove. He was growing to like those stains.
" Ken, " Youji kept one hand on his shoulder to slow the bleeding. " Let's go. "
" Aah. "
(@)
Manx brushed the bangs out of Aya's face. She turned away and looked up at Birman and Botan apologetically. " There's nothing we can do... it's just a matter of waiting for him to sleep it off. " She looked back at the prone figure on the bed. He was so proud, there was no telling what he'd be like when he awoke.
~(@)~
~--------tsuzuku~
Translation notes:
Shashin o totte kudasai? - May I take a picture?
Doushite - 'How'
Sou da - 'that's right'
Gaki - slang for 'kid'
Shi - death
Konnichiwa - Hello
Hai - yes
Hidoi - 'horrible'
Che - 'damn'
Yabai - used as slang for 'this is bad' or 'oh no' literal translation
is 'dangerous' (and even then it's listed as slang)
Matte - wait
Daijoubu - 'are you alright?'
[Written by Inseiko, 2002]