Pale blue eyes and sun-kissed skin belied a handsome face framed with thick black bangs and a high ponytail. His brow was furrowed in concentration as he meticulously filled out his report, making sure to dot every 'I' and cross every 't'. It was part training and part pride that had him so carefully going about everyday business. And part guilt. Behind him, his new partner let out an irritated sigh and Kouga ignored her. There wasn't a chance in hell he would make another mistake like the one he'd made the year before.
Finally, when he was finished, he filed it away and turned to his partner, eying the woman up and down. This was only her second day on the job and though she wasn't much to look at in terms of size or apparent strength, he could feel the power coming off her in stark waves. Grinning rakishly at her, he motioned to the lock-up. "You ready to bust this sucker?" he demanded.
Shiori Kuyō eyed her partner warily, frustrated and past ready to begin the interrogation of the suspect of her first case. Eager to prove herself but still more than will to follow and learn, she was torn between deferring to Detective Senata and going her own way to do the interrogation on her own. Even as she came to a decision and moved to speak, the shrill ringing of his phone interrupted her.
Kouga, well used to the chagrined looks of others, offered up a shrug in apology and answered the phone. The news on the other end of the line chilled his blood and pushed him back to memories of a year ago, when he'd almost lost a very dear friend. His yōki snapping out in erratic waves, he slammed the phone down and stood. "Pass this case off to another team. We're re-opening a missing person and attempted murder," he snarled. Grabbing his jacket and motioning for her to follow, he stormed out of the room.
o.O.o
Word Count: 334
