Chapter 49
Iroto sat behind his desk, the light of the morning sun passing through the window. He was slightly nervous as he talked to the man on the other side of the desk. This man had declined to sit down, was merely interested in hearing what was necessary and leaving quickly. Iroto didn't want to hold him up any longer then was needed.
"And I assume the materials are close to being finished?" asked the tall slim man.
"Yes of course" said Iroto. "We are running slightly behind schedule, but it will all be completed very shortly Mr Kline."
"I hope that it is" replied Kline. "My Lord is getting very tired of waiting."
"I understand Mr Kline…sir, that's why we are speeding up production."
"Let us hope that we never meet again" said Kline, turning away. Without a further word spoken he left the office, passing through the factory. He paid no attention to the two people who walked to the side of him as he stepped outside. The girl and man paid little attention to him either, though a spark of recognition could be seen across Munro's face.
Ayumu and Munro moved in silence. They had already been to other buildings in the town that day, setting up their plan. Munro was expecting some entertainment today.
"So what now?" asked Tomo slumped back in her chair. They hadn't found Osaka yet, and now even she was beginning to have doubts. Sakaki had fallen more and more silent over the passing days.
"I'm not sure" said Kimura, crossing his fingers and resting his head against them. "We've searched the village and the area outside. Where could she be?" he said to himself. "She had been acting a bit strangely. I knew I should have kept a watch over her" he said ruefully.
"D-do you think we'll be able to find her?" asked Sakaki. Kimura was silent.
"Sure we will!" said Tomo. "We all know how slow Osaka is- there's no way she could have got far. She'd trip over her feet if she tried to walk fast."
"And there is her stamina" said Sakaki softly. She smiled faintly. "Yes, I think she's still ok. Just somewhere else."
"Lets hope so" said Kimura trying to lighten the mood. "If not Yukari will kill me."
Iroto glanced up from his desk as the door to his office creaked open. Munro entered the room, surprising Iroto. The bespectacled man was used to meetings and specific times. And he hadn't seen Munro for a few days either.
"What are you doing here Mr Munro?" asked Iroto. "We don't have a meeting planned for today."
"I just felt I had to drop by" said Munro. "Long time without speaking, I was missing you Iroto."
Iroto raised an eyebrow as Ayumu followed Munro, entering the room behind the man. She stood still, not saying a word. However she had a focused look- staring right at him. Munro turned and looked at her, before turning back to Munro. He held up his hands.
"Look I found a new friend!" he said. "Isn't she wonderful?" he asked enthusiastically.
"I'm not sure what your point is" said Iroto, pursing his lips. He leant back in his expensive chair. "Why exactly are you here? Do you have any news or are you just here to joke around?"
"Joke around?" asked Munro. "Just because I like to have fun and enjoy myself doesn't mean I always joke around. I'm perfectly capable of being serious."
"I know about what you do Iroto" said Ayumu quietly. "I've heard it from the mouth of one of your assassins."
"I see" said Iroto. "So Munro have you brought her here with you to find out what to do? It's quite simple. She knows too much. I'm afraid little girl, this will have an inevitable conclusion."
"It will?" asked Munro. "What is inevitable?" he asked as he removed something from his pocket.
"Dieter, you work for me" said Iroto in an annoyed tone. "I pay you, you work for me." Munro tutted and shook his head.
"Not quite" said Munro, flicking what he held towards Iroto. A gold coin landed on his chest, the man blinking in surprise. Munro slowly approached the desk, Ayumu standing beside the door.
"What are you doing?" asked Iroto. "I do not find this very amusing."
Munro dumped a bag of coins loudly on the desk, some of them chinking against one another. Munro stepped back with a faint smile on his face, staring deep into the businessman's eyes. Iroto coughed faintly. He almost looked scared.
"I don't work for the money Iroto" said Munro. "And I never will."
"M-Munro!" said Iroto, trying to sound commanding. The man pointed behind him, at Ayumu.
"I found a new person to hang around with" said Munro. "This looks like it'll far more fun then our partnership ever was. I've found a new person."
"M-Munro" said Iroto as his former colleague removed the knife from his belt. He started to scream loudly as Munro slashed away at his hands raised in self defence, then his arms. He yelled for the man to stop, but the knife started to tear into the chest while blood flecked across the desk. Munro continued to hack away, almost as though an animal.
Ayumu moved slightly as she watched the knife slice down. By now Iroto had fallen silent, but the man continued his attack. A few minutes went by and he finally stopped. He turned around to face the girl, the ends of his sleeves covered with blood. Small spots of blood were also on his shirt and trousers. Munro dumped the bag of coins onto the dead man's lap. A few coins slipped out and fell to the floor.
"Guess I won't be seeing you around" said Munro.
"Are you done yet?" asked Ayumu coldly. Munro nodded.
"I'm finished now Miss Ayumu" said Munro. He flicked out with his arm, blood flying off of the blade he held. "Let's get going now. It's time for it all to begin."
"I see" replied Ayumu.
"Are you ready?" asked Munro. Was the girl beginning to have doubts?
"Of course I'm ready" replied the girl. "This town has done bad things."
"And now we have to purify it" said Munro with a faint laugh.
The town was relatively quiet for a Saturday, only a few people milling around near the marketplace as Tomo and the rest of her group walked through. Still some gave them disrespectful glances, but many seemed indifferent now. With Iroto in charge many of the townspeople seemed satisfied. Tomo wondered if they knew anything about the rumours of Iroto's wrongdoings. Then again, they had spent time searching for Osaka- during that time Iroto had done nothing wrong- at least not in public.
"So why are we out here?" asked Tomo. "Doing some shopping?" she asked sarcastically.
"Yep" replied Kimura.
"What?!" asked Tomo. "Shopping? We're here to do some shopping?"
"It has been quite an energy sapping few days" said Kimura. "So I'm treating you two to a nice proper meal to try and rejuvenate us."
"And you're paying right?" asked Tomo.
"Of course" said Kimura. "Today. But don't get too use to this."
"Well I'd be willing to pay for things if you'd give me some money every week" said Tomo. "You know, like a ninja allowance? A ninja in training bursary?"
"That isn't going to happen" replied Kimura. "Ever."
"Ah come on" said Tomo. "Just a little bit? What do you think Sakaki?" she asked.
"Well…" started the tall girl.
"Think about it- we could get equipment, or food or snacks!" said Tomo eagerly. "I could get booze too!"
"And why would I want to give you money? I wouldn't exactly be getting back what I'm paying for" said Kimura.
"Harsh" said Tomo.
"There are things I would give you money for, but I am afraid for my honour I must never mention them at all" said Kimura. He smiled perversely.
"Sometimes you do cool things, and I almost forget what a creep you are" said Tomo in an annoyed (and slightly disturbed) manner.
"Sometimes I almost forget what type of student you are" replied Kimura.
"That's mean" said Tomo.
"Well I'll treat you to a meal to make up for it."
"But you were going to anyway!" said Tomo. "That isn't making up for your insult at all!"
"I've insulted you far worse in the past" said Kimura.
"You have?"
"Well, when talking to Yukari at least. But you didn't hear that." The teacher glanced across as Sakaki tugged on his sleeve slightly.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I don't quite believe it, but I think that's Osaka" said Sakaki softly.
Tomo and Kimura glanced over at the area Sakaki had been talking to. A man slowly approached the market square and behind him walked a girl. It was obvious to see that it was Osaka.
"What's she doing over there? And where has she been?" asked Tomo. Then she peered again, looking at the man. "Isn't that the guy from Iroto's factory?" she asked.
"Yes it is" replied Kimura. "Why is she with him?"
"Ladies and gentlemen! Ladies and gentlemen could I please have you attention!" said Munro, holding up his hands.
