Natsuki grabbed Shizuru from behind and pull her towards the edge of the cliff. Knife still on her neck. They were trapped with nowhere to run.
"Ahn...haha..." a short laugh from Natsuki echoed creepily strange. It's as if the person behind her now is someone else. "How did you found out? I can say, after years of playing cat and mouse...I can praise you for this achievement"
Chapter 16
"Speak the truth, woman!" Haruka shouted loudly as she slammed the desk in front of her.
"It is the truth." the suspect grimaced. "I've told you the truth..." looking down at the desk, she shivered as her lips quivered.
"That night..." she swallowed hard. "I was waiting not far from the house, for an opportunity to meet once again with onee-sama when I saw someone slipping out of the windows. She is Onee-sama's wife, no doubt. As I followed her to her destination and silently waited in my car, then an hour or so after that, I heard a scream.. a pa… painful scream... coming from that house. Then...it went silence. I was waiting long enough to muster my courage, walking to the house and peeked inside..." her hands trembled, she swallowed before continuing. "That man... was tied to a chair...his... his.. neck... my God" she shut her eyes tightly, the image playing back through her mind. She gripped her head hard, her hair already in disarray. Pulling her hair she cried out. "I tried my hard just to erase that picture from my mind. I can't even sleep after seeing it. But then, I remembered...Shizuru... my dear onee-sama..." she sobbed.
"Tomoe!" Haruka barked before one again slamming her fist on the desk.
"That is the truth, officer! Then I remember all the recent cases in the news about the killer. That woman, she killed them! How could she be so cruel? Killing them like that…?" Tomoe clenched her fist hard until it went white. "I just wanted to save my Shizuru Onee-sama from that monster"
"Then, how do you explain this!?" Haruka threw a card on the desk. "This is the blue dragon card, the murder weapon. It was inside your pocket"
"I've told you, I stole it from her. It was inside her desk when I broke into her room. I was trying to look for evidence so I can convince Shizuru Onee-sama to leave her and run away with me. That's when she caught me, and I had no choice but to hide like this. I was afraid she's going to hunt me...she...she's going to kill me too..noooo...cshe's going to kill Onee-sama...cOnee-sama" Tomoe explained in between her sobbing and quivering words.
"Please...I beg you. Please believe me. Please...please save my Onee-sama..I beg you" now she was pleading helplessly as she cried, shrieking weakly.
Sighing, Haruka turned toward Yukino and Ahn beside her. It was very hard to believe such story. It could be a false accusation just to run away from being caught, but...something tells her that she had to investigate this matter. That she'll have to believe this insane woman. This is something she cannot just let go.
"Ahn...what do you think?"
Ahn motioned for them to exit the interrogation room and discuss the matter outside.
Looking downward "Ne, Haruka...Yukino..." Ahn begin. "How close you are to Natsuki? How long have we known her?"
Haruka pause to think "I guess, it's around 6 months ago, after the case of Mr Kei Kosuke, her accountant"
"Then after that, we stop being around her after the case of Mr Hector, right?"
"I..I guess so. It's because we found out that she is not the target." Haruka answered.
"Why?" Ahn ask shortly
"Why..? ..tte...there was no relation between Natsuki and Mr Hector..."
"Speaking of relation in this case.." Yukino interrupted "I can say, there are no relations at all between all the cases right from the start. It as if the victims are random. It might be not planned. The only clue that tied this case is the blue dragon card and the modus operandi."
"Kenichi Gin, Kei Kosuke and Mr Hector...hmm...wait..." Haruka turn towards Yukino. As if knowing what's on Haruka mind, Yukino reached for her laptop and typed in the words.
"Hmm...Smith Co and Hector Security was established the same year. But there aren't any relation with Mr. Kosuke" Yukino explained as she typed on the keyboard.
"Yukino, can you list any company that has any relation to both companies?"
Another tap on the keyboard. "Both company start went off on their business as a subsidiary company of Searrs. It was before Searrs company went bankrupt and was taken over by the Fujino Corporation."
"Searrs? Isn't that...wait..." it was Ahn who cracked the riddle as she abruptly raised and pulled open the door.
"Haruka..Yukino.. If what I think is what it is then, we must be hurry."
...
"When we reached Fujino Mansion, we found Shirai-san tied up on a chair. He is still alive but...it seem he has lost his mind. He repeatedly kept telling us to go to the Summer House as soon as possible but... your place is not an easy one. The only way we can trace your whereabouts is through the records from the traffic camera. What I still cannot comprehend is, how did Mr. Kei Kosuke getting involved in this?" Ahn looking straight up at Natsuki.
Haruka look at Shizuru who now staring back at her but there was no fear in them "Bubuzuke..."
Long lost was the bright and calm demeanor. Right now, the person behind Shizuru was clouded with murderous attention. Her empty eyes narrowing dangerously, yet her lips carved into a thin wicked smile. A face of a monster, a killer with a cold heart.
Yes, Searrs.. isn't this what you want?
I had given you a choice but you choose this..
You choose not to surrender...
Everyone is so greedy and selfish...
So I cannot trust anyone anymore.
A slithering chuckle "He?..aha.. he found out the relationship between the Zhang and the Shang. That's why...unfortunately... I had to kill him and destroy all the evidence… leave nothing behind.."
"Then...why didn't you kill Fujino Shirai?" Ahn asked calmly. In this situation, she had to be in control.
"Tch..tch..tch...No...That won't work" Natsuki's husky voice was dangerously low. "I can't let him have it easy. After all he did. I won't make it easy for him. He wanted me to kill him, so I won't give it so easy for him. This is my justice" pressing the knife a small drip of blood trickle down from the wound it cause.
This is how it should be,
Just as how much you cause pain on me of losing the peoples I love,
You too will have to live through it
"He took away everything from me. My parents, my dear sister Nina, my life... everything! I've gone through hell and out just for my revenge. He had to pay for what he has done. He will feel what it's like losing the one he loves, the one he cherishes most, his one and only family.." Natsuki choked on her words, unable to continue.
"Natsuki... I don't understand..." it was Shizuru.
"Honey... I'm sorry to tell you... your father killed my family. Fujino Shirai...no.. Should I say, Mr. Searrs ordered his men, Kenichi and Hector to kill the Kuga family. Kuga... is my family name..." Natsuki raised her voice. There's a sorrow in it as it's wavered. Vengeance.
"I am... the daughter that survived that massacre, Kuga Natsuki. Just to satisfy his greed, he killed my parent for the blueprint of the NerveGear technology, left no one alive. I barely survived, thanks to the Zhang that found me. I can still remember clearly that rainy night. The night when my innocent little sister lay cold on the concrete. The night I given my soul to devil and I swear to myself that I would do anything, even sacrificing my heart, my life. Everything... I have lost everything, even myself...! He will pay for it"
The event of that night came into Natsuki's mind again, rewinding like an old recording. The never ending nightmare that haunted her sleep.
"Natsuki..." Shizuru touched Natsuki's arm softly, closing her eyes. Feeling the pain tightly gripping her heart as hard as the hand that now grip tightly around the knife.
Closing her eyes, Shizuru could feel hurt inside her knowing what her father had done, how sad Natsuki's past was, what she had been through all this time. She never knew. Now all the questions she had been asking for so long about Natsuki has been answered. The cage that entrapped this sweet girl that she had come to love so much is this. The vengeance she holds, the past she had been through.
Is her love for me true or also just for vengeance?.
Even so, my love for my Natsuki is true,
No matter who she is,
Who she was and who she becomes.
Tears sliding down from her eyes as she inhale deeply, mustering up the courage.
I love you, Natsuki.
I love you so much that hearing this make sme feel so painful that I want to die.
I had promise you my everything
Never would I averting my loving gaze upon you my love.
Therefore...
"My love" firmly and assuredly "If this can make you free from your sadness cage, if my life had any value to you and even just a little, it can take away your pain, then..." Shizuru close her eyes, without hesitate, surrendering. "...take it. I'm giving it to you..." her voice cracked. "I want you to be free from your pain. I'm sorry, Nat-chan. Even right now, when you need the most, this is the only thing I can offer you. Please, I want you to be free of your sorrow."
Offer...
Natsuki's eyes widened at those words as it reminded her of her master and Nao.
Biting her lower lips, she grimaced. Suddenly, Nao's words made more sense to her.
"Ne, Onee-chan. You still remember what father said? Never surrender your body, your soul or your mind until the time comes, not just to anyone.. I finally understand it as I too had fallen in love with someone. I didn't think this as surrendering...more like… offering..."
What have I done?
"..."
What have I done to my life?
"..."
What have I done to Shizuru?
"..."
What am I doing?
Why?
Why?
"Shizuru... " Natsuki gripped tightly around the knife.
"I'm...I'm sorry... honey. It had to come to this... Like the Snow Queen, looks like it is time for Greta to leave Frieyla..."
Shizuru could feel wetness on her shoulder.
Is Natsuki crying?
She never knew.
Natsuki, please don't cry.
I am here for you.
For one she hoped Natsuki will be free after this as she closed her eyes peacefully.
I love you, Natsuki.
You are indeed my most important person.
May you be free...
As Natsuki raise her hand, a loud bang ringing in the air. Everyone froze at their place. In those fleet momentz before the shot, Haruka saw that it was never Natsuki's intention to harm Shizuru as her hand push Shizuru forward. She intended to stab herself. Natsuki's eyes cannot lie to her. She saw it from the start when Shizuru surrendered to her. Natsuki was torn apart. Her resolution wavered.
"Who's shooting! Don't shoot!" Haruka shout panicked and ran towards the body that was now thrown backward to the edge of the cliff. Ahn on the other hand rushing toward the unconscious Shizuru, managing to catch her before she land on the ground.
Extending her hand desperately, Haruka caught Natsuki's hand hanging down the cliff and gripped it tightly. The ocean waves fiercely striking the rocks below them. With the night comes the dark, but Haruka could see clearly the body that now clinging unto her hand. A smear of blood on her shirt indicating the wound from the shot before. A shot to her chest.
"Natsuki..." Haruka clench her teeth. "Hold on.."
Natsuki raised her head and looked directly at Haruka. At that moment, Haruka swear she saw something through Natsuki eyes. Not the cruel and menace killer. But, the Natsuki she knew. Her friend.
"Hold on, Pup. Don't let go.." she could feel desperation inside herself. She didn't want to lose her friend. Not now.
"I'm sorry, Haruka. Tell Shizuru... I love her.." with her last words, Natsuki smiled calmly and closed her eyes. Letting go of her hand, she plunge into the ocean and was lost in the fierce wave below.
Haruka froze in place, her eyes widened in shock, speechless. Her hand still hanging on the edge of the cliff until Yukino pulled her and hugged close her as she cried out loud.
...
Ren Wu Zhang stood tall hovering her view. Drops of rain falling from his umbrella.
"Child, what happened?" there was no answer. Just silence from a still body and frozen eyes. No emotion left behind it, just an empty shell.
"Sir, we found a house nearby..." the rest of the details were told in a whisper.
"I see..." the man dropped to couch near her.
"Hey, child... tell me... how far would you go for revenge? If you've lost everything you had, your family, your home, your life and your heart in just one night...ne, tell me, child, how far would you go for revenge?."
This child must have some reason to live or she wasn't going to make it.
.
He smiled as a wrath flicker in those small green pupils, the child gritted her teeth until her lips bled.
Please survive, child...
No matter what,
You still have tomorrow
Even if it's a cruel fate
Face your fate and live
"What's your name, child?"
She looked directly without flinching at the proud man as she open her mouth
"Natsuki".