"Yashito Hina. "
Slapping a file onto a small Tea table, the lead investigator on the case calmly closed his eyes. He lifted his cup to his lips as Hijikata and Kondo examined the photo that had been pushed from the manila folder as it landed. Mori had barely arrived a few minutes before. As Hijikata waited, he had finished cleaning the last of Muzai's horrible disguise from his face. Now, he and Kondo sat with their legs folded, studying the newfound evidence.
The dark haired detective placed his cup on the table, and his chocolate eyes swept over the two as they opened the folder. His casual business clothes suggested that he had been awake for days; ripping and running to find the newest suspect. His white button up was slightly winkled, and suspenders hung over his shoulders. The man's blue tie matched his pants with a white pinstripe pattern. The man raised his hand to the stubble of his chin as he leaned over the table and pointed at the picture.
"Her hair is the same length as the girl in the video, and we haven't found her remains. Aside from that, it's the same color."
Hijikata and Kondo nodded, still curiously eying the photo. Glancing at the detective across the table, Kondo raised a brow.
"This is great, Mori-San! I really gotta thank you for all your hard work!"
A tense, bashful smirk curled the man's lips, and he waved the words off.
"Not a problem, it's what I do. I'm just glad to have a big case like this to make my name. I've studied long enough." The latter half of the statement was mumbled under the man's breath, and Hijikata glanced up at him.
"You said you haven't worked a case like this before, didn't you?"
Nodding, Mori placed a hand on the table. He scratched his head, and his smirk grew wider as he confirmed the vice-commander's question with a single motion.
"No, I haven't. Most of my cases are about break-ins, or wives trying to catch their husbands. Still, I know how to do my job. The real aspect of it, at least. Gotta admit, it doesn't allow for much sleep."
Kondo murmured an agreeing tone, and Hijikata set the blonde's picture on the desk. Her eyes were brown, and lips were plump. If the vice-commander didn't know any better, he would expect her to be a college sorority girl. The kind that stays out late, drinking with men and being generally flirtatious or indecent. But Hijikata knew, without a doubt, this girl was a killer. Her expression spoke loudly enough. He had seen that look many times before; pure rage.
The Detective opened the file and pulled out a typed up sheet of paper. The girl's name was written in bold print, to the side of the sheet, and as Mori offered the paper to Hijikata, Kondo scooted to his side. The vice commander took the sheet, and glanced over it; not surprised to find the girl's information.
Blood type B, family deceased. She graduated only two years ago from a community college. Worked at a grocery store. She seemed like a regular girl. What caught Hijikata's attention was her reason for admission. Psychotic episodes. Apparently, the girl had random flashes of hysterical crying, or screaming while she was at work. She would be stocking the shelves one second, and the next she would be throwing everything onto the ground. Pulling her hair out, and shouting for no apparent reason. Her boss had suspected something unacceptable had happened to her. She was commonly an object of lust for the customers. But after the third time of her random snapping, he called authorities.
A mental evaluation was requested, and the girl was dubbed unstable. Obviously.
"After discussing it with the team, we did a bit of research. She's had a habit of going to the hot springs just outside of town whenever she needs some time away."
"Hot springs?" Kondo echoed, and Mori offered a slight nod before continuing.
"We have reason to believe that the group split up after the incident. It's the only logical explanation, and even if they didn't, she's likely to show up there... Now, about that tape I had sent here. There were people waiting outside for the group, and a set of tire tracks by the forest. We're trying to watch the car now, but the tracks were spotted a bit late. Mostly destroyed by the fire hose, but there was one clear spot that we photographed and measured. This was more than an inside job."
Silence fell over the room, and Hijikata stared at the investigator over the paper in his hands. Damn, he was good. If exposure was what he wanted, he was definitely going to get it. After a case like this, his name would be famous. Mori would be highly sought after, for any big cases that arose. It was a pleasure working with him. The Shinsengumi didn't have much to do with him gathering all the evidence. They just had to review what he found, and point out anything they noticed. Seeing his opportunity, Hijikata spoke up.
"In the stairwell, when the nurse screamed. I thought I heard her say 'Yoshi-Sama'."
Though the vice commander received a sideways glance from Kondo, Mori nodded. He held one hand up, and his smirk grew more prominent.
"Exactly. She did, but here's the thing. Yoshi's remains were found. He's dead, so even if he did have something to do with it, he's out of the picture. There had been some drama with his uncle that needs to be taken into consideration. But for now, the Yoshi lead should be kept in the back of our minds. We know it's there, but it has to fall into place at some point."
Hijikata hummed in agreement, and propped a cigarette between his lips as Kondo turned to him.
"Toshi! You were right!"
Oh, the satisfaction. Yes. Hijikata had been right; of course he had! If nothing else, Hijikata knew his job. He had spent an ample amount of time studying that tape. As Hijikata was internally praising himself, Mori stood up. The Investigator straightened his tie, and a low sigh parted his lips. Once more, he rubbed the stubble of his chin, yet murmured something about cleaning up.
"Alright, that's all I have for you today. By the way, I checked with the hot springs. There is a reserved room for Yashito. It's booked for a week, starting in three days."
"Really?!" Kondo was the first to speak, and both men stared up at Mori with wide eyes. He nodded, and shoved his hands into his pocket. Tired posture betrayed his attempt at sounding up to par, yet the man continued.
"Mm, so I suggest checking it out. Undercover, of course. Anyway, I'm gonna get outta here. Gotta get some rest, I been up for two days, and I got an anniversary with the wife in two more. Little girl's birthday party in a week, and I'm too damn tired to think straight. I'll be taking the day off, no calls, please." Smiling, the man turned to the door. He murmured the words "Good luck" as he waved over his shoulder and in a matter of seconds he was gone.
The moment the door closed, Kondo turned to Hijikata. A warm smirk had curled his lips, and the vice commander curiously watched as he motioned after the Investigator.
"He's a good guy. Hard working."
Nodding in agreement, Hijikata set the paper he had been reading on the desk. So they had it. A lead, a name, a place and date. Now everything was about to start. It was going to get serious. Nothing else seemed as important as reviewing the evidence once more.
That night, as Hijikata laid in his bed, he couldn't help but wonder if the news crew was still pestering Muzai. If they left for the hot springs, would Muzai be trapped in her apartment? Not that anything could be done about it. Still, the thought remained in the corner of his mind; nagging and demanding attention. The vice commander turned over in his futon, mentally shooing the thought. It wasn't like she could say anything; their evidence was safe. But that wasn't the issue. If she couldn't talk, she couldn't tell them. And if they were demanding her to speak, she would be even less useful. About as interesting as a box full of rocks. In short the woman would be reduced to a mass of expressionless, lock-jawed nothingness; only good for pictures. Even then, she would avoid eye contact.
Snorting to himself, Hijikata allowed a dream to fall over him.
In the morning, as Hijikata was running a criminal history check on their newest suspect, the door to his office was pushed open. The person hadn't knocked, and the vice commander glanced over his laptop as a certain sandy-haired captain walked into the room. The silence of the room remained intact as Sougo leaned against the door; a slight smirk tugging at his features. Ignoring the teenager, Hijikata eyed the mass of text that had appeared on the screen. He picked out the useful lines, and read over them as his hit the print button. From the looks of things, this Hina girl had an odd fascination with knives. A second was spent reading the information, only to be interrupted by Sougo.
"We got a call."
Once again, Hijikata glanced at the captain, slightly annoyed that he had come to his office to tell him that. Sougo was smugly peering at him through his deadpan mask.
"Well go handle it already, I'm busy!" Snapping the words, Hijikata stood up. He had to go to the printer. As he started from the room, he noted the odd air surrounding Sougo. Once he reached the captain's side, he glanced at him from the corners of his eyes. Alarmingly, Sougo was grinning at him. Hijikata paused, and turned to face him; unable to conceal his worry. Most likely, he was going to die. This was Sougo's "Die, Hijikata" face.
"Okay. I'll tell Zai-Chan you were too busy to watch her throw herself from the ledge of her apartment, but you have clean up duty." Casually stating the nature of the call, Sougo shrugged and started from the room. The vice commander frowned in confusion. He couldn't help but snatch the teenager back by the shoulder, and turn Sougo to face him. The words sent panic down his spine, and caused his stomach to churn. This had to be a prank. Sougo was just playing. Muzai wouldn't do that... Right?
"What?" As he demanded the information, Hijikata started to shake Sougo, maybe a bit too hard. The captain remained expressionless, yet his eyes started to daze, as the shaking grew more violent.
"What did you say?! Are you joking?! OI! Say something! Is it true?!" The more Hijikata shook, the less responsive Sougo grew.
Eventually, the vice commander was left with nothing but a limp sadist. Sougo slid to the floor "out of it", as Hijikata released him. Well... That was new. For once, Hijikata killed Sougo. A voice in the doorway snagged his attention, and Hijikata turned to find Kondo running by.
"Men! Stop fooling around! My little girl! We need to get to my little girl!"
Holy fuck- it was real. Sougo wasn't teasing Hijikata. And he had shaken him to death for no reason. He'd get over it. Filled with adrenaline, Hijikata rushed to the garage. He had to get there. There was no way that Muzai would do something like that. Still, he had to find out. Had to go and see for himself. What would make her do something like that? She had been perfectly fine the day before! Hijikata wasted no time in getting to his car, and speeding from the garage. The man could barely work a cigarette between his lips. Red lights were run, sirens blared, and the adrenaline rush of running code set in as Hijikata sped to the apartment. Ahead of him, Kondo was doing the same, and behind him, three more cars followed. This was bound to be insane.
Upon arriving, Hijikata found a large group of bystanders on the side of the building. Kondo was already out of his car; holding a megaphone to his mouth. Sure enough, on the side of the building stood a single woman. She was much too far up to make out her expression. Much too small to recognize. Shoulder length brown hair and casual shorts and a tank top gave her away. Hijikata gawked up at the woman that was peering down at the crowd. Cars swerved to a halt behind him and in a matter of seconds, the scene was being secured. The air was hot, and Hijikata tore his jacket off; still shocked.
"Is it because I haven't spent enough time with you?! Daddy's sorry honey, but it's just been so busy! You're worrying me! You don't have to do this to get my attention! You haven't even met your mother yet!"
Members of the Shinsengumi pushed through the crowd, which buzzed with anticipation. The men set up bariers, and pushed the bystanders back to allow ample space for Muzai to fall. So she didn't crush anybody else on her way down. A news crew was on scene, and stood beside Kondo; camera and microphone ready. Overhead hung a helicopter, no doubt recording Muzai's expression. The news lady turned to Kondo, microphone extended.
"It seems this is the woman's father. From what he's saying, her complicated family life, which was deprived of fatherly love and contact has led her to this ledge, in which she will throw herself from to express how lonely and neglected she is... Sir, would you like to tell us about your daughter?"
The camera settled on Kondo's grieved expression. With clenched teeth, the man stared up at Muzai's tiny form.
"She- She's the best daughter anybody could ever ask for! She was going to take care of me when I get old! I didn't spend enough time with her! This is all my fault!" From the sound of Kondo's voice, Hijikata could tell that the man was holding in tears.
Out of nowhere, Sougo appeared and took the megaphone from Kondo. He peered up at Muzai and spoke in his usual deadpan voice; just a touch louder.
"Don't worry Zai-Chan; I'll tell everybody at the studio. Try not to make a mess, and if you can, land on Hijikata. Aim for the one that eats dog food, and styles his hair with mayonnaise."
This was ridiculous. Nobody was doing anything, and Hijikata's limbs had frozen. She was really on the ledge. Really about to kill herself.
"This doesn't make sense."
Swiveling around to face the familiar voice, Hijikata found the hippy. Sachiko was staring up at Muzai with her arms crossed. Her chocolate eyes flicked to Hijikata for a split second, only to return to her friend.
"Zai's never said anything about this before. She wouldn't do this. She would never kill herself. I mean, sure, she's depressed, but..." Pausing, the girl shook her head. "That's a given, not being able to handle social situations will do that to you. Talking is a big part of life; most people take it for granted... But look at her... She's frozen. Does that look like someone that's fed up with life?"
Gazing up at Muzai, Hijikata continued to frown. Sachiko was right. Muzai's hands were together, under her chin. She was leaning towards the window, trying to make herself smaller. Trying not to fall. Her posture was closed. She was trying to stay up there, not throw herself from the ledge. But why was she there to begin with?
No more words were exchanged before Hijikata slammed his car door shut, dropped his extinguished cigarette, and dashed through the crowd. He shoved everybody aside, and ran straight to the door. The man mashed the code into the keypad, and behind him, the news crew shouted.
"The Shinsengumi is making a move! They're going inside!"
Ignoring them, Hijikata rushed into the building. He jammed the button for the elevator multiple times, yet it was too slow. He didn't have time to wait. He couldn't sit still while Muzai was only a breath away from slipping. Shaking his head, the vice commander hissed under his breath and changed direction. He ran through the hall until he found a door to the stairwell, and started up. His footsteps echoed throughout the room. It was as if his body was moving on its own. The man ran up multiple flights of stairs with no physical repercussions. If he was winded, he had no clue. His limbs switched to auto drive, and only one thing hung on his mind. He had to get there before she fell. Muzai couldn't have done this. She wouldn't. Last he saw, she was smiling and laughing as usual. She was happy when he left. What had changed?!
And if she hadn't intended to wind up on the ledge, she couldn't call for help. Not with all of those people down there. Not in public. She was literally backed against a wall. Bursting from the stairwell, Hijikata searched for the proper hallway; for Muzai's door. It seemed to take forever. Every second stretched on, and every apartment was wrong. Once Hijikata found the elevator, he located the proper hall. From there, the man rushed to Muzai's door, only to find it locked. He didn't bother to knock. The man slammed his shoulder into the door, and it barely budged from the force. Still twisting the handle, Hijikata rammed into the door once more. It bucked, yet didn't open. All he could hear was his own breath. A steady stream of pants escaped the man, and his heart pounded within his ears. As if it would burst from the exertion.
Stepping back a bit, the vice commander charged the door. The moment he collided with it, it flung backwards, and Hijikata nearly lost his balance. He caught himself on his palms, yet didn't spare a second before rushing across the living room and to the window.
The vice commander snatched the curtain back, only to find Muzai. She had either heard him, or seen him, and was facing the widow. Large hazel eyes locked to the Hijikata's and the woman placed her palm on the glass barrier between them. A second passed, and Muzai started to slap her palm against the window. She frantically hit the glass, and obvious panic twisted her features. Hijikata gripped the window, yet when he tugged at it, he found it was locked. From the inside. That was impossible. She could not have done that on her own.
Quickly unlatching the pane, Hijikata snatched it upwards. The frame bumped Muzai, and the woman's gaze snapped to the ground below her as she waved her arms; hoping to grasp something. In the fraction of a second, she had lost her footing. She dropped, and time seemed to slow as Hijikata reached through the window, towards her. One arm grasped the frame, and Muzai's hands swiped at his. His heart dropped. She couldn't fall. He had made it this far. It wasn't fair. He hadn't been trying to push her. He couldn't let her go!
Not yet! Not ever!
In the nick of time, Hijikata snagged the woman's hand. He was practically out of the window with her; holding onto the frame and bent completely over. Muzai gripped his hand with both of hers, her jaw open as if she was shocked, or would scream. As if she was just as amazed and terrified as him. But he couldn't let on to the fact that his mind was flooded with fear. Two panicking people never solve situations; they just freak each other out. Blood pumped in the man's ears, and he could barely hear the screaming crowd below. They had shrieked and screamed as Muzai had slipped, yet were cheering once they found that Hijikata had caught her. But now he needed to get her back up. With one hand, that was a task in itself.
Muzai stared up at the man's determined scowl. Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates, and as Hijikata attempted to lift her, she surprised herself, and him as well.
"Toshi- save me! Don't let me fall! Don't let me go! I'm scared- help! Help- help me!"
Her voice was solid, nothing near a whisper. Trepidation hung in her voice, and Hijikata pulled with all his might. This was a tough situation, and the woman was kicking her feet; not making it easier.
"You're not- gonna fall- Muzai! Just calm down- hold on!"
With a grunt of effort, the vice commander managed to bring Muzai closer. Sweat had started to bead on his neck and face as he tightened his grip on the woman and the window.
"Listen- If I let go of this window, we're both goin' down. Muzai- I need you to calm down, stop kicking! Can you find some grounding? Can you put your feet on the building?!"
"Y- Yeah!" A moment passed as the woman attempted to find solid wall to plant her feet. Muzai started up at Hijikata, before flicking her eyes to the crowd below.
"Don't look down! Look at me!" Demanding the woman's attention, Hijikata remained still as she brought her gaze back to him. The helicopter above them sent strong gusts of wind over the pair, making the situation no easier. Hair wildly whipped at the woman's face, and wind raked through Hijikata's raven locks.
"I need you to walk-"
"I can't! I can't-" Cutting the woman off, Hijikata shook his head.
"Damn it- Walk Muzai! Do it! Walk towards me; I'm not letting go!" Shouting the command, the man pulled Muzai towards him. The people below were barely dots among the concrete. As Muzai attempted to do as instructed, Hijikata pulled her up. She wasn't heavy, that wasn't the issue, but lifting her with one arm after running up multiple flights of stairs and breaking a door in was no easy feat. When the woman was close enough, and almost over the seal, Hijikata leaned all of his weight back.
She came forward, and he wrapped an arm around her back as they crashed into the apartment. The woman landed on top of him, and a chorus of cheers sounded outside. Immediately sitting up, Hijikata grabbed Muzai's shoulders. He forced the woman up to her knees, and she peered up at him. Her eyes were still wide, and brimming with tears.
"What happened?! What were you doing?!"Unable to help himself, the vice commander shouted the words. Muzai shook her head and quickly wiped her eyes with both hands; shaking.
"I- I didn't do anything! I would never- I came out of the shower and there was a man in here! He had a gun, and I-" The woman choked up, and dropped her head, still covering her eyes. Low pants parted Hijikata's lips, and he stared at Muzai as her body shook with a sob. The man couldn't help but frown. A man with a gun? In her apartment? And what? She decided to crawl out the window? Though he wanted more information, it was clear that she was too shaken up to tell him. She was crying; terrified.
Without a word, Hijikata pulled her into a tight embrace. One hand gripped her shoulder, and the other wrapped around her back as Muzai buried her face in his vest. The woman sniffled, and Hijikata placed his chin on top of her head, murmuring.
"It's alright... Calm down..."
His hand slipped from her back and into her hair as he placed his lips against the woman's forehead; still staring at the window. It had been locked from the inside... She had to be telling the truth...
"I've got you, it's okay..."
A/N: Yay new chapter! (took long enough)
Still, I hope you all enjoyed, and thank you all for your reviews and patience :)
Was that exciting enough? hehe, I was nervous as I was typing it!