Near the Lake
By Hidden-Pen (Original by Allquall)
Chapter Twenty-Five: A Girl of Another Name
"Minamoto, when are you going to give up on that damned case? Seriously, it's been nine years, you aren't going to find her. Even if you did, Kaori is long dead by now, I'm sure." An officer spoke to me.
"I'm not sure yet, something doesn't seem right, I still get photos from her, she has to be alive, she is the only one who had access to them." I protested.
"Chikaru, face it, that case is a dead end, we can't capture every criminal that comes our way." He groaned.
I stood up and moved my hair from my eye to direct it towards him.
"Just because you've lost passion for your job, doesn't mean I've lost it for mine. Mine still burns with the desire to deliver justice, and I plan on doing just that. That's why I'm here, to deliver justice, even if I have to stand alone in it's delivery." My voice was dreadfully serious.
"Chikaru, just go home, get a haircut, and take a damn desk job, you let this field work get to you too much, it's making you paranoid. A lady such as yourself shouldn't be worked so much, I mean you have a wife to think about too." He commented.
"I am thinking about her. I don't want her to have to live in fear that Kaori will come back, I refuse to drop the case until I can prove Kaori is either dead or behind bars." I glared.
"You can't even prove Kaori is alive though." He reminded.
"Can you prove to me she's dead though?" I questioned.
He had no reply.
"That's what I thought. Anyway, I'm going to an old closed down factory that someone reported she had been seen operating in. That girl seems to get around Japan quite well for an invalid." I spoke putting my jacket on.
"When you get killed, I'm not covering for this." He yelled as I walked out the door.
I never seemed to listen to my superiors, as I wasn't the kind of detective that followed all the rules. I hated being held back by regulations, and the court cases all over Japan made policing this city so much harder.
It had been nine years since I decided on this career, nine years since I left LA, and nearly eleven years since the death of my parents. I was still as determined as ever to capture Kaori though. It was that desire to see the face of the person that ruined my life in jail that kept me pushing every day to work harder and harder. To hopefully get at least one step ahead of Kaori, even one step is enough to get her, as that's all it takes.
"Hey, Chikaru, where are you heading?" Said a polite male voice.
"Eric! I didn't know you were in town!" I exclaimed excitedly.
"Yeah, was taking care of some stuff for my dad, so what are you up to officer?" He teased.
"Oh behave yourself." I giggled.
"You going to take me to jail detective?" He laughed.
"I might have to with that attitude." Said I tormenting him.
"Anyway, I was about to head off to an old factory to get some info on a case." I changed the subject.
"Kaori?" He questioned.
I nodded.
"Hop in, I'll drive you there, two sets of eyes are better for looking than one." He smiled.
I stepped into his car as we dove to the location.
"I can't believe so much has happened over the years, and I still find it hard to believe that you're married now." Eric admitted.
"Why's it so hard to swallow?" I asked.
"You just don't seem like a married girl really, then again I wouldn't know what one looks like." He laughed.
"You'll find one someday Eric, it just takes more time." I encouraged.
"Believe me I know." Eric smirked.
"This the place?" Asked he pulling up to an old run down building.
"Looks like it. Come on let's check inside." Said I stepping out of the car, getting my gun ready.
"Here, I know it's illegal, but take this gun, I don't want you going in unarmed." I said tossing him a gun.
I looked around cautiously while entering. I didn't want to trigger any kind of traps Kaori had set, as I knew in my mind that she wouldn't make this an easy venture.
"Hello? Anyone in here?" I asked, not really expecting a reply.
"Alright, you search over there, I'll check this area, if you see anything let me know." I spoke while wandering off on my own.
The place had been corroding for years, and had a faint smell of sewer water to it.
I stumbled upon a file cabinet that had a note attached to the front of it. I plucked said note off of it, and examined it.
The paper read: Look in here Chikaru.
I had doubtful feelings about this one, but something told me that if Kaori wanted to kill me, she wouldn't do it like this. She'd do it in person for sure. She didn't just devote all her time to plotting my death and suffering to not even be able to witness it. None-the-less I was cautious upon opening the metal cabinet
No explosion, no poisonous gas released, nothing. I peered in to find a bunch of files that were thrown together it appeared over time.
I opened one to find several photos of the crime scene of where my parents died, and the police reports as well.
I noticed one folder said "Eric Larkin," on it's cover. Curiously I decided to take a peek at its contents.
Several photos of Eric were in this folder, and papers upon papers about him.
"The bitch has Eric involved too?" I whispered out loud.
Upon closer inspection I could see some facts I had been overlooking. Eric was actually supposed to be engaged to Shizuma years ago as part of a business decision from his father. He had never informed me of that information, which was strange, as he knew I knew Shizuma.
I read on to find photos of him at the crime scene of my parents murder. The photos also showed the same knife used to kill them, that the police could not locate. Beyond that there was a finger print analysis that matched his fingerprints to the knife.
This meant that Eric was the one who killed my family!? But why!? What reason? I needed a motive to go on this as true.
Sure enough it was as if someone was reading my thoughts as I noticed a paper listing share transitions through his father's company. He had taken 49.6 of the entire company's shares without being noticed, as he transitioned them slowly as time progressed. His marriage agreement from his father was that he would provide him with 3 of the company shares so him an his wife could have some money, and with that 3 he would have over 51, which meant that he was trying to steal his father's company without him knowing.
What did this have to do with my family though?
Sure enough Kaori had planned I would ask that question as well, and a text message sent from my mother to my father talking about the incident, saying that it wasn't their business so they should just stay out of it.
It all made sense now, all the evidence was in place.
Eric killed them himself to prevent them from snitching on him for stealing his father's company. He planned on forcing Shizuma to marry him one way or another, and getting the company, thus stealing his father's business.
It all made sense, but the biggest question was, why didn't he kill me? Why did I get to live this long? He clearly showed signs of wanting to make sure the entire family was dead, and yet I'm still alive.
Some reason he spared me, and that would be his biggest mistake, as I didn't go back on the promise I made about catching my parents killer.
However all of this could have been a trick by Kaori to get me to turn on Eric, whom I consider a brother almost. What could she gain from causing me to go against Eric?
"Chikaru, you find anything?" His voice called back to me from the other side of the building.
I could hear his footsteps getting closer and closer, with my heart beating faster at each step. I would take no chances, so I had my gun in hand before I was even able to see him. It laid at my side however, so he didn't know I was onto him.
"Hey, there you are. Did you find anything?" He asked.
"Oh yeah, I found some stuff." I spoke casually.
"Like what?" He questioned.
"Mind explaining this?" Asked I, tossing him the folder.
He opened it slowly and flipped through it's contents.
Watching him flip through its pages and photos, I could see his skin turn pale, and could possibly even feel the vibrations his probably quick beating heart was giving off.
"You never told me you and Shizuma were engaged…" I pointed out.
He was silent still staring at the folder.
"Answer me!" I demanded, my cry certainly shattered the peace.
I pointed my gun in his direction.
"You killed my parents. You sick bastard, you've been lying for all these years, pretending to be someone you're not. You never told me about how you were trying to steal your father's company, or any of that!" I accused.
"Look Chikaru, my father is an ass. He was going to give the company to someone else instead of his own son." He pleaded holding his hands up.
"Why did you kill my parents!?" I screamed.
"They found out about it, I had to keep them quiet." He admitted.
"You killed them just for that!? Your worthless ass didn't even get the company, did it?" I questioned.
He turned away in shame.
"DID IT ERIC!? YOU DIDN'T EVEN GET THE COMPANY DID YOU!?" My voice broke to the heavens.
"No… I didn't… I couldn't get Shizuma to marry me, so I never got the company…" Eric drooped his head in shame.
"You killed them for nothing…" I spoke with tenseness on my tongue.
"Why did you let me live?" I changed the question.
"Originally I was going to kill you too, I was supposed to kill you on that plane when we met, but something happened there…" His voice was soft.
"What happened?" I demanded to know.
"I fell in love with you…" He blushed.
"W-What…?" I blushed back.
"The day I met you… I didn't see the girl that I thought was going to stand in my way… I saw… You…" He replied.
"I love you Chikaru Minamoto. I always have." He turned to face me.
"I had to keep covering things up, to protect you from the truth… Can you ever forgive me?" Asked he.
There was a long silence. He stood up during this silence and approached me slowly.
"No!" I yelled lifting my weapon.
"Stay right there, right where you are! Your ass is going to jail." I threatened.
He frowned and sighed.
"It's inevitable then… If I can't have you… No one can…" With those words he drew his gun and shot mine out of my hand.
I made a run for it and hid behind some of the machines for cover as I continued to work my way through the factory. This was it, the moment I could capture my parents killer was right here, and here I was without a weapon.
"Come on Chikaru! You can't hide forever, this place has only one exit!" He echoed.
"We can be happy together!" He tried to convince.
"Eat shit, pig!" I shouted back.
"I'll make you regret those words!" He replied angrily.
He fired again to show he was serious.
"There you are!" He said seeing me.
He aimed his gun and slowly backed me into a corner. There was no where to run, this was it.
"Chikaru, let's just forget the past. We can live together, and be happy together, what do you say?" He asked one last time.
"Sorry Larkin, I'd rather die than be forced to live with such a worthless piece of shit like you." I replied.
"That Rei of yours doesn't have a dime to her name, and yet you defend her over me?" He asked.
"Rei has more value than just money, which seems to be all you care about, money is the world's curse, that's the first thing I've learned from all this, and the irony is Kaori taught me that." I spoke.
"How so?" Asked he.
"When I spoke to Kaori, I knew she was in pain, that she was hurting, her only existence was to toy with me, and she wouldn't even accept my money to stop. She wouldn't accept it, because it held no value to her. She couldn't use it, nor did she want to. Now I see though, that all this time Kaori wasn't trying to hurt me… She was trying to protect me!" I answered.
"What nonsense." Eric retorted.
"Kaori can't save you now can she?" He smiled evilly.
A gunshot was heard, and his weapon flew from his hand. He turned to see a girl with a smoking gun pointed at him.
"No, but I can." Smiled Rei.
"Rei!" I exclaimed.
"No one harms my wife, got that?" Rei glared.
Eric tried to make a run for it, but Rei shot his foot, thus causing him to fall.
"Stay on the floor asshole, you're going right to jail. I already called the police." Rei spit.
Sure enough the police arrived some time later, and one of which came to speak to me.
"Officer Minamoto, the suspect is dead." He told.
"Strange… Who dies from being shot in the foot?" I questioned.
"That wasn't the cause of death." Said he.
"Really? What was then?" Rei interjected.
"He had a slow acting poison in his system that was killing him slowly. Possibly placed in there about three or four hours ago. We found a puncture in the skin where the needle may have entered." Said the other officer.
"You have any clue how this may have happened?" Asked he.
"Not one." I lied.
He nodded and walked back over to the body.
"Kaori?" Asked Rei.
"Kaori." I responded.
"That girl just keeps making things more complicated than they already were…" Rei sighed.
"The bigger question now though…" I began.
"Hm?" Asked Rei.
"Is if Kaori is even a criminal now… The only people she was suspected of killing were not by her hands, and even now, we can't prove she killed Larkin. For all we know, he could have killed himself," Said I.
"What's your plan Chikaru?" She questioned.
"Only one thing that can be done. Something I didn't want to do from the start of all this…" I sighed.
"Shizuma?" Asked she.
"Correct. If anyone knows something about Kaori, it's her." I responded.
"You haven't seen her for nearly six years Chikaru, she doesn't even know you and I are married, how do you propose to just waltz back into her life and tell her Kaori is alive, after six years of ignoring her, and nearly eleven years of lying to her. It's not as if this was a short term thing, we've been keeping secrets from her and Nagisa for over a decade, how do you think they are going to react to that?" Rei reminded.
"I know what I've done, but they have a child to look after, it would be wrong of me to put them in danger by being around them. I would never put a child's life in danger when not needed, but now I need to talk to Shizuma, as Kaori could have killed someone who wasn't me. If it was me, then I wouldn't want anyone to care, but it wasn't. It was someone else, which means we have no way of telling when Kaori will strike again." I explained.
"How do you plan on telling Shizuma that Kaori is alive?" Rei pointed out.
"I won't if I don't have to." I answered.
"Sneaky as always." She replied.
"Is that a problem?" I retorted.
"Nope, that's one of the reasons I married you." She smirked.
It was nearly two days later when I got a phone call from an "old friend."
"It's nice to talk to you again Chikaru, what's it been? Four years?" They asked.
"Oh, cut the bullshit Kaori. You killed Larkin didn't you?" I interrogated.
"Well, if by kill you mean I poisoned him, then yes I did poison him. He was such a coward about it too, I had never seen a grown man beg for mercy in front of such a weak girl. It was disgusting to even watch, no honor at all, he even died without dignity." She giggled.
"You should talk about honor, you've spent eleven years hiding in the shadows, you won't even meet me face to face, you're the only coward here." I angrily spoke.
"I would if the conditions permitted it, but as it stands, for the time being, I am unable to reach you, as we live in different areas, and you're always on the move. I couldn't possibly keep up with you." She responded.
"Well then, just tell me where you are, I'll come right to you." I smiled.
"Sorry, but you have to figure that out, it's part of the rules." She laughed.
"What rules?" I questioned.
She hung up.
"Hello? Hello!? Damn it!" I grunted.
"Rei, I'm going for a while, I'll be back later tonight." I called out.
"Alright then." Rei answered from the other room.
"I'll make sure I have dinner ready." She added.
I hopped into my car, and set my destination for the residence of Shizuma, Nagisa, and Miyuki Hanazono.
I knocked on their door graciously, hoping not to cause too much disturbance with my presence. At the very least, I hoped they didn't even recognize me. It would be better that way anyways.
"Hello?" Asked a silver haired beauty.
Her face was as gorgeous as ever, and a pair of glasses rested majestically on her ears and the bridge of her nose. She was simply an older version of the lovely Shizuma I had known.
"Hello." I replied.
She giggled while looking at me, and I couldn't blame her. The mess of hair I had acquired over the years made it impossible to determine who I was.
Said hair stretched down to my ankles, and some of the locks in the front went as far as my stomach. Seeing my face was an almost impossible task. Both of my eyes were hidden with hair, the left longer than the right. The right side I could only see through strands, which I had taught myself to do over the years, I can't remember the last time I had used my right eye. Sometimes I would put the hair in front of my left eye behind my ear so I could see better, this was rare though.
"I'm officer Minamoto." I said revealing my badge.
"What seems to be the problem officer." She responded.
"We'll find out." I answered.
"Wait… Minamoto…?" She asked.
"Yes."" Said I.
"Chikaru…? From Lilium?" She was attempting to remember.
"Indeed, it's nice to see you again Shizuma." I smiled.
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed.
"Well, come on in, it's been so long!" She squealed while hugging me.
"Thank you." I bowed.
She sat down on the couch, and I placed myself in the chair across from her. She offered me some tea, which I took graciously.
"So it's officer Chikaru now?" She giggled.
"Only when I'm on duty. I'm actually a detective though." I sipped my tea.
"I see, must be exciting!" Shizuma smiled.
"Not really, this job is a lot of paper work, and there's so many rules we have to follow it makes catching criminals like chasing down terrorists with nerf guns." I laughed.
"But I chose it because I want to do my part and help, and I do enjoy that much." I grinned.
"Wow, that's amazing!" She beamed.
"So I heard you're Dr. Hanazono now?" I questioned.
"You bet, little Nagisa takes much pride in saying she married a Doctor." Shizuma laughed.
"I would too." I chuckled.
"Hey, that ring!" Shizuma pointed out.
"You're married!?" Shizuma asked quite loudly.
"Err, yeah, I am…" I admitted sheepishly.
"Well congratulations! When did you go and get married!?" She nearly jumped.
"Couple years ago." I responded.
"Mom, when is mommy going to be home?" Asked an adorable little girl that had walked into the room and interrupted our conversation.
"She'll be home later tonight, she had to go help your aunt Amy." Shizuma replied.
"Can you go in the other room for a little bit darling? Mom and the officer are talking." She smiled.
"Yes mom." The daughter obeyed.
"She has gotten so big, I haven't seen her since I got the pictures of when she was born." I sipped from my cup.
"You've been so distant Chikaru, it's as if you're living a secret life from us all. Why is that? I thought you promised you wouldn't do that anymore?" Shizuma teased.
"It's not like I wanted to, but it sort of happened without me being able to control it. I am stuck in between all the time. Whether I like it or not, I'm forced to be trapped either in the middle, or in some weird position. Honestly this all has changed who I once was. I sometimes find it hard to imagine that little Lilium girl I was…" I sighed.
"I'm not sure what you mean…" Shizuma admitted.
"Forget it, that's not the reason I came here anyways." I replied.
"So there was a reason?" Shizuma questioned.
"I need you to tell me something" I skipped directly to the point.
"What would that be?" Asked Shizuma.
"I need you to tell me what you know about these, or if you can tell me where they came from, or even if you have the other halves." Said I tossing an envelope on the table.
Shizuma slid the contents out to find several of the half or torn photos I had acquired over several years. Her eyes were filled with puzzlement, and a little shock.
"Where did you get these…?" She choked.
"Someone has been sending them to me for the past eleven years." Said I.
"I have never even seen these kinds of pictures of Kaori. There are photos here of before I even met her. Why would someone send you these?" She questioned.
"That's what I want to know. Let alone how they have so many." I replied.
"I have no way of telling where these are from, I'm sorry. I don't think I have the other half to any of these. How many do you have?" She questioned.
"I'd say a couple thousand maybe?" I guessed.
"Thousand? Who the Hell could have that many…?" Shizuma was fairly surprised.
"Listen, there's more to it." I spoke.
"I'm listening." Said she waiting patiently.
"A few days ago, Eric Larkin died. I think you know him?" I asked.
"Yes, my father wanted me to marry that awful man…" Shizuma faked a gag when she spoke.
"Well, he was poisoned, and we believe whoever is sending these photos killed him. However, I believe there is reason to believe they somehow are connected to Kaori. Is there any place that only you and Kaori would have access to?" I questioned.
"Yes, the old Summer place back near Astraea, I think I took Nagisa there once, but long since never went back. It wouldn't matter though, as my father owns it, and well I'm not exactly in ties with him at the moment. I bet the dumbass hasn't checked it in years too." She laughed.
"Do you happen to have the key to it, since your father won't let you near the property again?" I asked.
"Sure do." Said she pulling the key out of a box she kept under the coffee table.
"Not much use to me now, so you can have it." She tossed the key to me.
"Thank you." Said I standing up.
"It was nice seeing you again Shizuma, hopefully next time it won't be under such circumstances. " I said.
"Chikaru, before you go…" She began.
"Yes?" I edged her to continue.
"What is going on?" She asked for the impossible, for me to explain what I didn't even fully comprehend.
"To be honest Shizuma… I don't even know anymore. I thought I had this all figured out, and this entire game solved, but it looks like the rules keep changing." I sighed.
"What does that mean?" Shizuma asked.
"I can't explain it." Said I.
With those last words I left Shizuma's residence, for what felt like the last time. There was a chance Kaori could actually kill me where I was going. A chance this would be the last time I ever saw Shizuma again, the last time I walked this Earth again.
I decided to make that long trip alone, as in the event I died, it would be best to not say good bye first, as it only would put people through more pain. Most of those people didn't even know I existed anymore, so why should I make them have to learn of my presence again, just so they could endure the pain of losing me again?
Upon arrival, I slid the key into the slot that would grant me access to the possible lair of Kaori. This was the moment of truth.
The door opened slowly as I stepped inside. The first two things I noted, was one there was a terrible smell coming from this place. It smelled of disease and death. The second thing I noted was there was signs of people living here recently, as a candle was still lit, meaning someone had to still be here.
"Hello?" I echoed drawing my weapon.
"If anyone is in here, this is the police. Surrender yourself now…" I spoke slightly softer.
"Kaori, if you're in here, give yourself up, there's no where left to run now!" I yelled.
I was greeted by silence.
I slowly made my way through the house, until I came to a bend in the hall. At the end of the bend I could see a light glow. The glow looked unnatural as I got closer and closer. When I reached the end of the best I gazed in amazement at what I was witnessing.
Computer equipment, left and right. Cables run across the entire room, with no effort to make them look neat. I could see several monitors on and active. The room was dark and the piquant smell of death was masked by the smell of exhaust.
Some of the computer piles were as high as the ceiling, however they all seemed to be hooked to one central point. A chair that was turned the opposite direction of myself.
The only figure I could see in the chair was firstly a hand at it's side, and long black hair that nearly touched the floor. This person hadn't been outside for a long time I was certain.
"Freeze!" I yelled pointing my weapon.
The chair turned rather lazily as the person in it looked my way.
"Put your hands up!" I demanded.
She did as told.
"Get on the floor!" I added to my demands.
"I can't…" They answered.
"Why not?" I asked.
"I haven't been able to leave this chair for some time." They replied.
Upon closer examination, I noticed this girl's skin was so pale, she could pass herself off as a ghost. Her eyes were faded of whatever luster they had left. Her hair had signs of being dyed again and again, showing even the pigment in her hair was leaving her. She was so sick and ill, you could almost feel this girl's pain, just by looking at her.
That wasn't the amazing part however, what was amazing was all the cables hanging off of this girl. There were cables literally attached to her, some dug into her skin even. She had about three just hanging from her mouth.
"What is all this?" I interrogated.
"Haven't you heard of the black layer?" She asked.
"I have." Said I.
"Welcome to it." She yawned.
"This is the black layer? That legend on the internet? What exactly does all of this do?" I questioned.
"A better question would be, what doesn't it do?" She answered.
"With this computer I can see everything. At any given time I can watch anything you're doing." She smiled.
"How are you able to accomplish that?" Asked I.
"Simple. Every electronic device on earth, they're all connected. Connected by electric waves. I can send my brain patterns through said waves, by doing so those waves tell me what you're doing at all times." Said she.
"What're you going to do? Kill me? You'd be doing me a favor at this point." She laughed.
I could hardly pay attention with the smell capping the room. Which I learned was coming from a dead body laying in the corner.
"Well, either way, you're going to jail." I threatened.
"On what charge?" She asked innocently.
"The murder of Eric Larkin." I spoke.
She smiled deviously.
"The law defines murder, as a human killing another human. Which drops two of the supposed murder counts, however Larkin's count can not be charged against me either, as he asked me to poison him." She giggled.
"Why would he ask you to poison him?" I said.
"Because, he wanted to test himself. He made me a deal, if he could win you over, and get forgiveness for his crimes, I'd let him go, and free him from my torment." She replied.
"So you knew Eric killed my parents for some time?" I asked keeping my weapon held firm.
"Correct, so I poisoned him, and if he could get you to side with him within three hours, I'd give him the cure and never bother him again. However he not only failed, but took too long." She sighed.
"So he asked to die if he couldn't, that's still assisted suicide. How did you torment him?" I demanded to kow yet again.
"By just sending him photos, same as you." She smiled.
"That really isn't a crime though." She laughed.
"I've never committed a crime." She added.
"What do you call that then?" I retorted pointing to the dead body laying on the floor.
"That's my servant." She answered.
"Servant?" I questioned.
"Yes, she asked to die as well though." Kaori was quiet when speaking, you could tell how ill she was just from the sound of her voice.
"Who is she?" I quietly asked.
"Take alook for yourself." Kaori encouraged.
Cautiously I leaned over the body and searched the pockets, not taking my eyes off of Kaori. I managed to find a wallet in her pocket. I drew the identification card from said wallet.
"Chiyo…" I gasped.
"Correct." Kaori agreed.
"Why her? She wasn't involved in this! Why Chiyo!?" I yelled.
"Chiyo involved herself. Even down to the last minute she would show nothing but loyalty, but Chiyo had to die. It was unavoidable, and it saddens me slightly, as I'll never know anyone as dedicated as she besides yourself, Chikaru-sama." She smiled.
Chikaru-sama, it was a long time since I was addressed by that name. A name I thought I'd never hear again, but apparently this girl saw me as an older, wiser, respectable person. The irony was, I spent all this time trying to figure them out, but they looked up to me?
"Will you take a walk with me Chikaru-sama?" She asked.
She looked so innocent, how could I even say no? Somehow this girl seemed less of the monster I was envisioning, and more of a human, or a sick girl for that matter. A girl who was dying, and suffering.
"Alright…" I answered lowering my weapon.
She slowly started to disassemble the cables hooked up to her body. She had cables attached in places I wouldn't even think of, even so far as to have one attached to her crotch from under her black robe.
"What are those cables for?" I asked.
"A computer as powerful as this, needs more than just regular human interface. It needs constant touch, it needs total control to operate. Some of the cables are for life support and such too." She answered.
"This way." She pointed after getting all the cables off of her body.
I followed calmly, as we walked through a garden she kept outside.
"So how long have you lived like this?" I asked curiously.
"Probably nine or ten years." Said Kaori.
"Why don't you go to the hospital? They can help you." I negotiated.
"The hospital won't help. They've marked me off for dead years ago. They even offered me the option to end my suffering. They told me not to hope for a cure." She solemnly spoke.
"Still think doctors are heroes? Who have they saved? Who have I saved? Who's the true hero?" She questioned.
She ha a point, the doctors ha marked her for dead, they admitted they couldn't save her, nor were willing to try. They were throwing away an innocent little girl's life. She on the other hand, if had not poisoned Eric, he'd have killed me for sure. She had saved my life, but no one would save hers.
"You may have found loopholes in the system, but I am pretty sure the law can get around them. You still committed a crime, and I still have to arrest you." I sighed.
"Do you think it's that easy?" She questioned.
"What do you mean?" Asked I.
"Have you not realized that a Goddess watches over us?" She stated.
"I thought you were the Goddess…" I slowed my words.
"I told you before, I'm as mortal as you, if I die, I can not be returned to life. It's the rules, all humans can not be brought back after death, thus I can not be a Goddess, a Goddess can live forever." She explained.
"So you're stating the Goddess of the Demon exists?" Said I.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Although I've never seen her, can you deny there is not proof of her existence around us?" Kaori smiled.
"What are you…?" I questioned.
"I told you before… I'm an angel." She laughed.
"How can you be an angel? Aren't angels supposed to protect people?" I pointed out.
"What do you think I've been doing?" She replied.
"Are you not safe from harm now? Is the one who wanted you dead not gone? Do you feel like you're in any danger?" She asked.
"Wait… You're saying the one you've been protecting… Is me…?" I blinked.
"That's what it looks like doesn't it? I've been helping you Chikaru-sama." She smiled.
"Why though? Why were you helping me? Why not Shizuma? Have you forgotten about her?" I interrogated.
"Some things are best left unsaid Chikaru." She winked.
"What about the disappearances in LA? Were you responsible for those too?" I asked.
"No, I had nothing to do with those, and my memory banks do not seem to have access to the data that explains the whereabouts of said missing persons" She answered.
"So was that the Goddess of the Demon?" I pondered out loud.
"It could be. I have no way of telling. Not even my memory seems to have sufficient knowledge of the Goddess She's more elusive than given credit for. No one has ever seen her and been able to talk about it except Rayne's cousin, and Silent. Silent doesn't have a bit of useful information, and Rayne's cousin is such a drunk. I have never seen her myself, but I know she exists." She seemed confident in her abilities.
"Why is that?" I asked.
"Because I have records in my memory of things that are physical impossibilities though normal human methods, meaning there is some kind of superior being at hand." Kaori proudly spoke with her amazing knowledge of the world around her.
"So do you think she really takes people away?" I spoke.
"I am not certain, my records show that individuals that had long suffering lives were released from this world in a strange way. Their life force is still detected here, but their mortal beings are no longer with us, this indicates they must be in another realm or something along those lines. I don't believe the goddess is killing these people, so much as taking their souls." Kaori enlightened.
"So they can come down here and snatch up souls, and then what do they do? I mean what would they gain from this? Being a goddess I hardly believe she is feeding demons, that would defeat the point of being a goddess wouldn't it?" I pondered aloud.
"True, however who are we to question the works of an all powerful being? A goddess such as herself must have a system of divine reasoning." Said Kaori.
"So you believe she really is a goddess, and not just some kind of supernatural human?" I questioned.
"Well I detect supernatural forces however, I can sense a trace of human interaction as well, so it is too soon to determine the identity of the goddess." Kaori spoke.
"Do you think anyone else knows about her?" Asked I.
"Most definitely, it is impossible for her to do all she has without help. As she isn't like other Gods, she is not omnipresent anymore, she can only see and know everything, she incapable of being everywhere now." Kaori informed.
"How so?" I continued the conversation.
"Well, if she has been seen by mortals, that means she can not have a Godly form, because Gods can not walk on the Earth, only send apparitions of themselves. This leads me to believe she somehow lost some of her power, I'm not sure how this happened though, and my records have no further information on the matter." She had a rather monotone voice.
"Let me ask one thing, were you the other girl who saw her when she first arrived?" I curiously asked.
"That would be impossible, as I have never left this country. Therefore I could not be in LA." She responded.
"I sent Chiyo there once to set up cameras and such for me to watch you even further, but other than that, I have had no interactions with people in Los Anglos. I could care less about them as well." She yawned.
That meant the one day I saw Chiyo so many years ago was because she was sent by Kaori.
"What about Nagisa and Shizuma? Did you cause the problems for their relationship too?" I furiously asked.
"No, I did not. I knew of their existence, but my goal was to get you to see and solve them on your own." He voice was sickly and weak at this point.
She placed her mouth in her hands as she coughed and hacked.
"You're quite the girl Chikaru…" She managed to get out through hacks.
"Why's that?" Said I.
"When I look at you, I see what I spent my remaining time protecting was well worth the effort. It may have cost me all the time I had left on the face of this Earth, but really, what is life without living?" Kaori responded.
"Why me though? Why not anyone else? Why did it have to be me?" That was the question that had plagued me for years now.
"I chose you. I see I chose correctly, for if I had not, then Shizuma and Nagisa would not have ended up together, and Eric would have walked free. If I had not interjected, we may not have come to such a pleasant ending." Kaori explained.
"Why did you remai hidden though? Why didn't you come straight forward?" Said I.
"That would require me becoming a public hero. I don't want that publicity, it would mean people would try to save me, and help me live longer. I don't want to live any longer than I have to." Kaori smiled.
"Why's that?" Asked I.
"Living is such a chore to me now. I don't want to endure this task any longer than I have to." She sighed.
"How sick are you?" I worried.
It was strange that this girl, whom had tormented me for nearly eleven years, and I thought was my parents murderer, I was feeling sorrow for. The fact I felt any remorse for her was a sign that I wasn't dreaming, as I had so many times before. All those times I dreamed of capturing Kaori, only to awake to find my mind had tricked me.
"Kaori…" I began.
She paced her finger on my lips.
"Such a beautiful girl…" She started.
"Truly worthy of being called the virgin mother of Lilium…" She paused.
"I have watched over my subject long enough. It is time I left your side, as you've grown up now. You don't need angels watching over you. You are at last strong enough to carry yourself. My love for you however is eternal." She smiled.
She placed her hand on my heart, it was funny to see, as she was a good four or five inches shorter than I.
"I am always here. Gone from this Earth I will be soon, but not gone from your heart. I have placed my love inside of you. I fought hard to get this far, and now I can lay to rest, ad at long last die…" She nearly whispered.
"So that's it then?" I questioned.
"I long for the cold embrace of death more than anything at this time…" She sighed.
"I have long since faded from our world, and entered a new world, but even my own world is not enough to even compare to the real one…" She added.
"I could easily upload all my remaining memory banks and the rest of my mind onto my computers, and live on, however, that isn't the existence I want. Living in the mortal world, without mortal body is almost the same as being dead…" She spoke quietly.
"What happens to humans when they die…?" I asked seriously.
"Wel, supposedly they may go to either heaven, or a demon like purgatory, where you will serve as a demon to pay for the sins you acquired in life." Kaori explained.
"Where will you go?" I asked.
"Definitely not Heaven." She laughed a little.
"Let this be the true end…" She sighed.
I swiftly pulled Kaori into an embrace. I held her tightly and could feel her return the gesture. I was frozen in that moment, as if I wanted time to stop right there ad then.
"Make me proud, Chikaru-sama." She whispered into my ear.
I felt a tear run down my face. I was losing someone who had devoted their life to me, and I had misunderstood and looked down on them for it. It was a mixture of guilt, and sadness. This must have been how Shizuma felt when she lost Kaori.
"How did you know I would find the file instead of Eric?" I asked.
"You are right handed, and Eric is left handed, thus increasing the chances of you going to the right side first, as part of your natural instinct. Thus I hid them on the right side of the building." She explained.
"What if I went to the left side? What then?" I questioned.
"I had faith in you." There was a small silence after she said those words.
I could see the determination she had towards proving that I was as reliable as she anticipated.
"I'm sorry, but you still need to go to jail…" I wiped my tears.
"Still holding to that?" She smiled.
"The law is the law, and you still broke it, even if it was for a good reason." I sighed.
"I guess that's how justice is these days. By the book…" Kaori giggled.
"What's so funny?" I spoke.
"Remember this… Justice can't be written in some book. Justice is what you feel in your heart after you have done what is right. You can't write down a feeling like that." Kaori placed her hand on her heart when she said those words.
"As much as I'd love to spend more time with you, I'm afraid I can not go to jail." She smiled.
"Huh?" I questioned.
She took a step back and hit a switch on the floor. Before I knew it a dart had been placed through my neck. I tried to draw my gun, but I had passed out before I even touched it. Kaori had planed out more than I thought.
I awoke to the sound of a cell phone ringing. It was my cell phone.
"Hello?" I asked rubbing my eyes.
"Sorry I had to give you the slip like that. We'll meet again though, that much I promise." Kaori's voice came through the phone.
"Where are you?" I asked.
"I can not tell you that. However I did call to give you one final message." She giggled.
"What would that be?" I was slightly angry she gave me the slip.
"It's in your home, I left it on your bed. Just remember I need it back, you'll know when the time is right. Just a little something that I want you to hold onto for a while." I could almost feel her smiling through the phone.
"So long Chikaru-sama. I'll see you later." She hung up.
On my way home I was cautious, as for all I know it could be a bomb.
I opened my bedroom door slowly, as I noticed a dark small figure sitting on my bed.
I flicked the lights on to reveal it was a teddy bear. Plain, but decorated with a bow tie. He looked like he was well maintained as well, as it seemed he was extremely clean.
I picked up the lifeless bear and held it between my arms, a sign of my lost childhood. In a way I figured Kaori was trying to give back some of the childhood she contributed to taking from me.
I knew that a stuffed animal could not recover all I had given up to get this far, but it was the thought that counted, and at that moment, my thoughts were on Kaori, and the case that was closed at last.
However all was not done, as there was still so much left unanswered, such as who the Goddess of the Demon really is, and what she truly desires.
Something seemed strange though. Did Kaori predict all of this? Or did she guess? Was this all a big coincidence? Or was there really a Goddess watching over us all, planning this out? Does she know what's going on, or is it a mystery to her as well?
All questions that appeared as though I wouldn't have answers to today at the very least. I was almost certain I would have answers to these questions sometime.
"Chikaru, there you are!" Exclaimed Rei.
"You had a visitor earlier, she had blonde hair, and looked like she was sort of in a hurry. She requested to see you, but I told her you weren't here, and she left." Rei said.
I said nothing as I simply stared at the bear.
"Oh, cute bear, where'd you get it?" She complimented.
"A friend." I smiled setting it on the bed and allowing her to hold me.
"It's good to have you home Chikaru." She smiled stroking my hair.
Home… Where I wanted to be… Where I had longed to be for so long. I had spent so much time trying to get back home, that I hadn't realized… I had made a home here. This was home.
"It's good to be here, I love you, Rei." I had tears running down my face, for the guilt I bared for making my loving wife have to put up with me and my job.
"As long as I have you, I don't care what we have to go through." She coaxed.
"I love you, Chikaru Minamoto, and nothing is going to stop that." She whispered.
I believed her, as I know my Rei would never lie to me.
I never thought through this whole event, I would see that Kaori was a victim, a victim of her own torture, and because of her enduring that torture, I was able to stand here with the one I love.
As me and Rei stood in each other's arms, I noticed the bear still laying on the bed.
It had fallen over and the bottom was visible.
On said bottom I noticed a tag was there, a tag that had something written in marker on it. I assumed this was the bear's name.
"Oshibaru."
The End?
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A/N: The final count for this chapter without the author's note, is 8231 words. It was a long one to write, and I thank everyone who followed us on this quest. It was a long one, and it was probably as hard on you as it was on me. However I leave you with some things to think about with this chapter.
First of all, think of who Chikaru was, and who she became. Compare Chikaru Minamoto, star student of Lilium, to Officer Minamoto. You'll notice how much she changed and grew up.
Also you'll notice there is STILL questions left unanswered, correct? Well that's because this story IS NOT done yet. Yes even with the final chapter, we're not done here. There are still two side stories, (much shorter than this of course) that need to be told. The side stories will answer all the questions that were left hopefully.
The first of those two stories is called, "Sisters." The second is called, "Living Grace." Both of which are important to getting the last bits of information together.
You can interpret the ending how you want, as I'll be explaining it later.
Chikau's tale may be over, but the story of what's going on is not. I'll see you all soon.
Fun Fact: I spent a few days thinking up this one here, as I wasn't sure how I wanted the conversation to go, I did however envision how I wanted it to end.