A/N: It's been a while DTB community. Missed you guys a lot. I had this story idea but no time to flesh it out (wink, college, wink.) Now with the coronavirus causing college to go online, I am stuck at home :(
I fell down the Misaki/Hei rabbit hole once more (thanks tsuki-llama) and had the itch to add to the fandom again.
The Syndicate has a change in heart once they realize the full monetary potential of the gate. No longer desiring the complete eradication of all contractors and dolls, they focus their efforts on trying to right the wrongs of the past. With BK-201's star gone from the sky, Hei, Misaki, November, and April are tasked by the New Syndicate to collect gate artifacts called "moonstones" before they fall into enemy hands. Along the way, will Misaki finally learn the truth? Hei/Misaki
I took many liberties with the plot. I also have an alternative plotline for why the Syndicate was made/who controls it etc. Season 2 will never be canon for me. This takes place after Hei rescues the doll and gets caught shopping for women's underwear, but Havoc's still alive, November 11 and all are still alive, etc. Also, I really like Bai and Amber, so they'll be here for the beginning, but this is really centered on Hei/Misaki.
UPDATES EVERY FRIDAY
Moonstone
Ch 1: Fried Duck for the Soul
"Hey Chief, how are you?" Saitou asked concernedly. He made to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but she shot him a glare and stepped away from him.
"I'm fine," she said in a clipped voice. "He was just a contractor. It's not like…we knew each other or anything."
"Saitou, that was a stupid question to ask the chief," Kouno hissed. Saitou continued to look lost. He wanted to hold the woman he loved and tell her everything was going to be just fine. It was clear she wasn't in the mood for such sentimentality; well, not from him anyway.
"Come on, Misaki," Kanami said eagerly, "Let's leave work early. I'll take you out to your favorite restaurant. Fried duck—on me. How does that sound?"
Misaki wanted to press her lips further together, but in spite of herself, she felt her lips quirking up in a smile. Fried duck did sound nice.
"I knew it," Kanami smirked. "A bit of food to chase the sadness away." She steered Misaki out of the room, where Saitou was still frozen, hand still out. One day, he was going to tell the chief how he really felt, but until that day…
"Kanami, really, I'm fine," Misaki was saying in the car. "It's not like I haven't dealt with death before, and BK-201 was hardly anyone close to me."
"Misaki, it's okay to feel sad. I felt a little sad too when I saw his star fall last night."
"You did?"
"Yeah, me and Ootsuka were finishing up some software updates for our dolls. After dealing with that contractor with the specter capturing ability, I didn't want any of our dolls to not be able to think a little for themselves and turn back when they sensed danger."
"That's pretty advanced cognitive functioning for a doll."
"Yeah well, they are human," Kanami sighed, looking off to her left somewhere.
"What is it?"
"Oh, uh, nothing," Kanami said quickly, too quickly, for Misaki's taste.
"No, tell me. What was it? Is there someone following us?"
Kanami shook her head as if shaking off some dark thought. "No, no, it's nothing."
"Kanami…"
"I'll tell you about it in the restaurant, okay? More noise in there and more witnesses."
Misaki was getting worried. "What do you mean witnesses? Are we in danger?"
"I don't think so. But there was actually an ulterior motive in taking you out to eat today. We have to talk about something, and I'm not doing it in this car."
Misaki could sense that she wasn't going to get anything out of her friend until they entered the restaurant. Even so, she kept her eyes peeled for signs of danger. Especially now that BK-201 was gone, she imagined there was quite a lot of fluidity within the clandestine organization that hired him. A power shake-up maybe, which could explain the increase in contractor activity since his star fell last night. Kanami wasn't usually this uneasy, but oddly, she seemed to think they weren't in imminent danger…for now, at least.
The entered the Wang Shaotang Hotel. It had been a while since Misaki had been there and the last time she had gone wasn't exactly a happy one. She had failed to save Alice, even if no one else blamed her for the woman's death, but it was also the first time she had come face to face with the infamous BK-201. It was nostalgic, sitting in the restaurant now, watching the other patrons of the restaurant smiling with each other over plates of steaming hot, tasty food.
"Okay, we're here now. Tell me what's happening," Misaki said after they had ordered their food.
Kanami took a quick sweep around the room with her eyes. "You have to promise not to tell anyone else, okay?"
"Just tell me."
"Have you ever heard of Friends of the Gate?"
"Yes, they're that religious organization that keeps handing out fliers everywhere. Gate-worshippers."
Kanami pursed her lips. "Well, not exactly."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, they're more than just a group of passive worshippers. They've managed to amass a collection of dolls and they seem to have a vested interest in gate technology…and how contractors and dolls are treated."
"What? You mean they have a network that's involved in doll trafficking?"
"Well, it's a little more complicated than that. You see, sometime last week, I was just about to go home when a woman just let herself into the observatory. I recognized her as Alma, the founder, from all of the television programs that have been on the news lately. I would have called for backup, but Stargazer seemed to want her to be there. I can't explain it. Nothing happened though. She just wanted to talk with me."
"What about? Why not go through the higher ups? Why approach you?" Misaki could feel her blood racing. After BK-201's death, a mystery like this could really help her get back to her old self.
"That's what I was thinking, so please don't share this with anyone, but Alma shared with me her ideal vision for the future. It was very hopeful and I don't know if I fully believe that dolls can be fully themselves again, or if contractors can be anything other than killing machines-"
"You've met November 11," Misaki pointed out.
"Well, I guess that's true, but he's not like other contractors…Oh, I see what you mean."
"Even if dolls can't be like they were before the gates, it doesn't mean they aren't people too."
Kanami sighed, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You would have liked Alma. She said much the same thing you just did."
"I can't imagine she just came to talk and convert you."
"No, you're right. She gave me a check. A massive check. She wants Astronomics to become something of a doll haven. They said that her organization has been looking into doll psychology and there's something wrong with how we've been programming them all these years, like it's destroying something inside of them. But without programs, they wouldn't be able to do anything by themselves. She says she has evidence to the contrary. Anyway, the check cleared. I didn't know if it was a hoax or not before then, but it cleared. I have no idea what sort of work Friends of the Gate really does to be flinging around this much money in one go. But now we have it and I don't know what to do. What's the right thing in a situation like this?"
Alma wanted to start a doll haven? That was pretty lofty, especially for a contractor. Someone like November 11 might have a soft spot for dolls like July, but not every contractor felt that way, and not every doll showed the type of initiative July showed. Every doll in Astronomics was suspended like a jellyfish in a tank. Misaki found it hard to imagine they could one day live like normal people without being pursued or recaptured by the criminal organizations of the world.
"Who was following us in the car?" Misaki asked suddenly. "Was it someone who knew that Alma had paid you a visit?"
"No, it was probably nothing. Just a girl with lavendar hair that I saw hanging around the office the last few days. I thought it was strange so I asked the dolls to keep an eye on her. It was probably just coincidence she left at the same time we did."
The room was getting more and more crowded as people were coming in for an early dinner. An older man with a cap was talking with the woman at the front desk in a gruff voice, gesturing to his silver-haired companion.
"I'm sorry, sir," the woman said defensively, "But no pets allowed. It's restaurant policy."
"But this ain't no ordinary cat. My daughter, Yin, is blind. This is her seeing-eye cat." Was it Misaki's imagination or did that seeing-eye cat just roll his eyes?
"Oh! My mistake. Of course, we allow service animals to enter our establishment."
"That's what I thought," the man said triumphantly.
"Right this way, sir, miss."
Misaki vaguely recognized the black cat held in the silver girl's arms. She had seen both the girl and the man around Tokyo before, but she couldn't place where she saw them both together, if ever. Was that really her father? He certainly didn't seem all that attractive to have such a beautiful daughter…maybe Yin's mother made up for it.
"Misaki, Misaki, are you listening?" Kanami asked.
"Oh? What, I'm sorry."
"I was asking if you were alright today, with BK-201 and all."
"Oh…" Misaki looked down. "I'm just in shock is all, I think. We've been chasing him for so long. I was sure we were getting closer to figuring out what it all meant. Who he was working for and why. It feels like I've been cheated somehow to have it all just end so suddenly."
Across the room, beneath the din, Huang let out a heavy sigh.
"Are you sure you don't care at all about Hei, Huang? It seems a little overkill to go to the restaurant in person just to see if he's still alive. After all, we did all see his star fall yesterday," Mao said from Yin's arms.
"Shut up, I'm just doing my job. Yin hasn't seen him, he didn't return to his apartment last night, and his star fell. Yet, the kitchen staff here insists they don't need another waiter on board. Something isn't adding up."
Mao licked his paws. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you've got a heart. I kind of miss the bastard too. He was always a riot to be around."
"Never listened to directions, is what you mean," Huang huffed. "I'm surprised the higher ups are even considering me for promotion after all the screw-ups we turned in to them. We barely managed to complete half our missions without Hei flying in and saving the day."
"It's because he cared," Yin said quietly. "…I miss him."
Huang's eyebrows rose. A doll talking of missing someone? Even Mao looked a little startled.
"It's alright, Yin. Hei's probably in a better place now where he doesn't have to kill anymore. I always thought it was odd seeing a contractor who didn't like to kill. But Hei was an unusual one. So tell us about your new promotion, Huang—wait, you don't think they'll split us up, do you?"
"Who knows why they do what they do," Huang said, though he seemed a little depressed about the prospect of splitting up and possibly never seeing Yin or Mao again. And just when he was getting used to working with them too. "The guy said I would be able to work a reputable job again, though when he said I'd be starting was still up in the air. In other words, someone who ranks above all of us is going to get shot in the next day or two. The Syndicate doesn't create new positions. They promote to replace. Listen, I got a weird tone from him. He seemed scared almost, like there's a change coming our way and this was just the tip of the iceberg. A lot more are going to die before the week is out, I think."
"I felt that way too," Mao said, "A lot of in-fighting at the top. It seems that the Syndicate's power isn't so spread out as we previously thought. A network, sure, but the epicenter of this entire thought-experiment, well, it seems to be crumbling, even if the details are a little hazy."
"Where'd you manage to get that weird idea?" Huang asked.
"I had Yin listen in on a meeting."
"You did what?!" Huang hissed.
"Well, you're gone all day and what are we supposed to do with ourselves at the tobacco shop? Yin's a veritable radio station. We just search around until we hit something interesting."
"And you didn't think to tell me?" Huang asked, eyes narrowing.
Mao shrugged. "You never asked. Besides, you don't share everything with us. You still haven't told us what the artifact was that Hei was supposed to retrieve or why you think it's connected to the possibility he could still be a waiter here today. Yin couldn't even find him, and you know that's as foolproof a method as you can get. Are you sure you aren't hiding something from us?"
"Look, cat, I wasn't told anything either, but I've got a brain on my shoulders and I know Hei isn't taken out so easily."
"Well, at least I get some fancy food," Mao said. "Yin, make sure to order me some salmon, will you?"
Yin nodded. She had her fingers dipped discretely in her water glass that she held in her lap. No one would think twice unless they peaked under the tablecloth. She scanned the kitchen and the workers' area once more, but she couldn't find Hei using her specter. It made her feel…sad. Like a stabbing pain in her chest that wouldn't go away. Slowly, a tear trickled down her cheek.
"Hey!" Mao said as a drop splattered on him. "Oh, Yin. Are you crying?"
It wasn't the first time Huang saw her cry, but it startled him none the less. "Here," he reached across the table and wiped away her tears. She reached up to take the napkin from him, but ended up just touching his hand.
"I thought it wouldn't hurt so much the second time I lost someone I loved. I was wrong. It hurts a lot more."
Then Yin went frigid. The glass fell from her fingers and water spilled on the floor. Mao and Huang were just about to help her when her voice rang out, clear as a bell. It was echoed by Misaki's shout a few tables over.
"Hei!"
"Li!"
The man in question was dressed in a form fitting waiters uniform, hair combed back, holding a tray of steaming hot duck, grilled chicken, spring rolls, and rice bowls. His midnight blue eyes widened in shock as he was caught between Misaki and Yin. Even Huang looked like he was about to faint, and was it Misaki's imagination or did that cat look like it was going to pee itself?
No one else in the restaurant seemed to notice anything was amiss, but for them time seemed to stand still. The man known as Li Shengshun flashed Yin's table a cute, apologetic smile before gesturing to the heavy plater of food he was supposed to be serving.
"I'm on break soon," he said with a nervous laugh, but his eyes were sharp and conveyed to Yin a very clear message of confusion. Why were they here at the restaurant where he was supposed to be working undercover? What was worrying them so much that they decided to come in after him? Turning his attention once more towards Misaki, he blanked his face of any of these emotions.
"Um, hi Li," Misaki said, feeling a faint blush rise to her cheeks. The last time they had met, Li had been buying lingerie. "I'm surprised to see you working here."
Hei placed the large plate of fried duck in front of Misaki and continued to unload their meal. "I still have to work to make money, you know. They had to hire a lot of new people after the events of last time, so it's like working at a brand new place." He smiled sweetly. "It's nice to meet you under such circumstances, Misaki."
"Likewise, oh, this is Kanami. I think you've met before," Misaki blushed, hating to remind him of the day when she had asked him if the wig and clothes were for him.
"Of course, how could I forget?" Kanami said, smiling way too brightly for the occasion and giving Hei a knowing look. "It must be fate we ran into you today. Did I hear you right? That you're going on break soon? You're free to join us for a minute here—"
"Kanami…" Misaki whined.
"Misaki's been really down lately. I'm sure talking to you would cheer her up."
"Oh? Is that so?" Hei asked innocently in his Li personality. "I have some friends I need to speak with soon, but I have a few minutes. Is everything alright?" He made his eyes large and round. "Is it about a criminal you're chasing?" He knew the chief was usually at work this time of day, and that she was a woman who was not easily upset. He also knew fried duck was something of a comfort food for her, something she didn't indulge in on a daily basis. All of these signs were pointing at something big.
"Not exactly, Li. I—" She didn't know what to tell him. He had seen the work of contractors at Alice's party, but ME was most likely used to erase his memories of those moments. There was no way she could begin to explain to a civilian what a messier code was or how it was connected to the stars which fell or why the code BK-201 could bring tears to her eyes. "I'm just feeling a little lost is all. I was finally about to figure out a case about someone I had been following for a while, but they suddenly just disappeared."
"You mean, they died?" Hei asked lightly.
"Yes," Misaki said. "I just don't know why I'm so upset. It's not like I knew him at all. We never even really spoke. But I felt that he saved my life on a few occasions or at least spared me. That was unusual behavior for a contr-" She clamped her mouth shut. When she looked back up at Li's face, she was surprised to see that his face was shuttered.
"I had no idea you felt that way about your…work," he said finally. His eyes flickered to Misaki's water glass for a second, and then he glanced surreptitiously to the girl with the silver hair.
"Oh, do you have to go to your friends now? Honestly, I had no idea you even knew them."
"Why is that?" Hei asked.
"Well, I had no idea they even knew each other. But that man and his daughter seem really close. She was crying a while ago and her dad was helping her."
"Dad and daughter, huh?" Hei asked with a small smile. "Yeah, they're a little unusual, but I like them."
"She called you, Hei?" Misaki couldn't help but point out, sounding a tad more jealous than she intended. "I mean, it just seems like you're close, is all."
Hei blushed and nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just a nickname, is all. I probably should go and speak with them. I feel like I haven't seen them in ages. But thank you for sharing your feelings with me, Misaki. It can help to be able to confide in somebody you trust…Kanami must know you very well."
Kanami nodded. "But sometimes it can help to have an outside perspective. You're a good listener, Li."
The man dipped his head. "Please, enjoy your meal."
Hei got up, glanced pointedly at Yin's table, and then walked back to the employee's only area. Misaki was secretly very happy that Kanami made Li sit and talk with her. He really was a very good friend. She should try to see him more often. He had always seemed like such a friendly person that just happened to be alone quite a lot, but that didn't appear to be the case. Those friends of his seemed to be caring people who obviously knew Li very well by the way they were reacting to him. She kept her eyes on them until they too exited the restaurant after him, even as she munched on her fried duck.
"Wonder how close that silver-haired girl and Li are," Kanami wondered shrewdly.
"Oh, shut up," Misaki said.
"You were staring pretty hard."
"No, that's not it. It's just...something feels weird is all."
"Ah, I get it. You're trying to bury your upset about BK-201 by pretending he's still alive. But you can't investigate everyone, Misaki."
"Indeed," a voice sounded from above them.
"D-director?" Misaki gasped.
Hourai stood above them, as a summation of black gloves, a business suit, and a well-trimmed beard. His face looked worn, though, as if something were draining the life from him. Now that she thought about it, something had been eating at Hourai for a while now. Nishijima had been over the office every day for the past week looking frazzled—to the extent that someone as composed as he could look frazzled.
"I wasn't aware today was a half-day, Miss Kirihara, Miss Ishizaki."
"It's my fault, Director, I took Misaki out because—"
Hourai held up a hand. "You two are old enough to make your own decisions. You don't have to explain to me what your reasons are. I only came to deliver a message. Here." Hourai reached into his coat pocket and took out two expensive looking, cream-colored envelopes. They each held a silver seal. "I would have given these to you in the office tomorrow, but the deadline to RSVP is rather short notice. I thought I should give these to you now…while I had the chance."
Misaki frowned. She had never seen the director look so ill at ease. "Pardon me, but is everything all right, Director?"
He looked at her, as commanding as ever. "I expect this to be a one time thing for you both." He said, avoiding her question. "Have these letters delivered to my office as soon as possible."
He then made a hasty retreat. They both looked at the envelopes on the table.
"Well, that was weird," Kanami said. "Hang on, look outside, I just saw something."
No sooner had Misaki leaned to look out of the window than she saw a lavender-haired girl bump forcefully into Hourai. The girl continued to walk down the street, but Hourai had doubled over. Pedestrians ran over to him as soon as they noticed something was wrong. Misaki looked at Kanami. They both understood in that instant that the girl had been sent to kill Hourai and that Hourai had known.
"What is going on?" Kanami groaned softly. "It's like something large is on the move and we can only just see its shadow."
Misaki was frowning, deep in thought. "He knew he was going to die. Yet, he still came to deliver these letters."
"You think we should open them? Even now?"
Misaki shrugged. In a way, she was still numb from the shock of BK-201's death. She wanted to feel reckless. She opened the envelope. In beautiful script, she read the words,
"To Misaki Kirihara, to whom much is owed. You are cordially invited to the marriage of Atlas and Bai."