Chapter 12
Wednesday, two weeks later.
3:00 A.M.
A small flat in the less respectable section of Tokyo…
He awoke in the darkened room, one look at his surroundings and he knew that she was missing. His keen ears picked up the soft sound of someone typing and muted music playing. He rolled over to see her sitting cross legged on the floor, her laptop in front of her and it seemed the ever present earphones were on her head. Rising he donned and wrapped his robe around himself and walking over he went to kneel beside her and assist on whatever research she was doing, only to freeze at hearing the soft sob that escaped her. Not moving he watched her shake her head noticing that for once her hair it wasn't up in a pony tail or braid but down covering her back looking as if she was surrounded by a silver white cloud. He took another step and could make out the song. It was by an Eric Clapton. As he listened the song ended and then began again. The name of the song escaped him for a moment then he remembered its 'If I Saw You In Heaven'. He watched as she pushed the laptop forward and rested her head on her arms on the coffee table. Her shoulders shook with the storm of her tears. She loved and hated this song. She felt herself pulled into a strong male chest, normally she would fight but now the arms that held her gently were what she wanted. The silk of his robe became soaked with her tears and still he held her. Rocking her gently, as one would a child, stroking her hair with one hand; he waited while the storm consumed her. He knew what caused the storm, the appointed hour was not far and though she knew it had to be done, every instinct within her screamed against it.
Meanwhile, in a home built like a fortress on the other side of Tokyo...
In his study, he sat staring at the sword before him. He hadn't unsheathed it in centuries and lives depended again on it. His was the easiest part. He walked softly through his home. He stopped at the door to each child's room, listening to them sleeping, blissfully ignorant of what the day brought. He continued into the garden stopping at the grave of his long dead mate. "Will they forgive her? Will she forgive herself?" He questioned, knowing only time would answer.
Simultaneously, at a townhouse high above the city...
He looked over the sleeping city. Something tragic would happen today, just what he didn't know. He listened to his wife's soft whispers in her sleep, a smile tugging at his lips. If not for the events fifteen years ago on this day, there would have been a fourteen year old in one room. What horrors did the day hold? Could they survive it? He knew only one thing; he would protect his family with everything within him.
8:00 A.M.
A small flat in the less respectable section of Tokyo…
The hot water had run out an hour ago, yet still she stayed. The cold water from the shower couldn't penetrate the cold gripping her heart. Could they forgive her? Could she forgive herself? She had known this day would arrive, time didn't stop. No matter how much you wished for it too. Stepping out of the shower, she began to prepare. She had a noon appointment, and either she kept it or someone else would.
Meanwhile, in a home built like a fortress on the other side of Tokyo
He watched as the limo pulled away. It carried its precious cargo to a meeting he would have prevented had he been able too. He returned to the garden, hoping its peace would fill him as it often did. His assistant had canceled all of his meetings for today. He opened the paper trying to clear his mind of what would happen in a few short hours.
11:45 A.M.
On a roof top across from an exclusive private school…
She had spent every day for the last two weeks up here watching. She knew the girl would exit first, the boy directly behind her. They would walk down the stairs and over to the bench underneath the cherry tree. Today they wouldn't make that trip down those stairs. She focused her thoughts on the task at hand. Settling into a comfortable position she pulled the rifle and sighted along it's its length. No movement gave her position away.
Tokyo Coroner's Office
The Coroner wasn't use to having such important personages sit calmly in his office. The man had arrived carrying a katana in his hand. The coroner and his assistants were informed that as soon as two gunshot victims, male and female, both fourteen years old arrived he was to be taken to their bodies immediately. No reason was given, but the look on that aristocratic face allowed no debate.
12:00
School corridor
Twin silver haired teenagers walked towards the door. Other than the ride to and from school this was the only time they had together. They had always eaten lunch together under the same cherry tree since first grade. Today was no different. The boy opened the door and allowed his sister to go through first. His sensitive nose caught the scent of his sister's blood just before he felt the explosion in his own chest.
On the rooftop…
She rolled and disassembled the rifle. Putting it back in its case she took a moment to pick up the two shells and place them in the case as well. Slowly she walked to the door and down the stairs. As she reached the exit she heard the sirens of the police and ambulances. She kept walking not stopping, after all what concern did it have for her. Akisame Ka had no connection to those two kids back there.
3:00PM
Coroner's Office…
They'd brought him in. The kids had arrived. The police wanted to question how he had known but one look and the lead detective had bowed and dismissed all his officers. Pulling the katana, he felt its power long dormant rise. He slashed first at the girl and then the boy. He watched as their wounds sealed, and his ears caught the sounds of their hearts beating. Reaching into his suit jacket he pulled the cell phone and dialed. When the voice on the other line answered he said the only thing that needed to be said. "They are fine, daughter." He hung up ripped the SIMS card from the phone and tore it in half. He gathered his grandchildren into his arms and the three walked to the waiting limousine.
7:00 PM
Akisame Ka walked into the bar she hadn't returned to in two weeks. She wasn't surprised to find it empty save for the slob that had hired her a couple of bodyguards and someone who's scent tickled at her nose. She sank into the chair and raised an eyebrow.
"Good job. The boss wants to thank you personal like." She watched as he moved to allow his superior to sit across from her. She sniffed and recognized the scent; this was one of the ones who had hired that scum bag to attack Keiko. She gave the man her most "bored now" expression. He smiled, trying to be charming unaware that he wouldn't leave the bar alive.
"Ms. Ka, you are everything your broker said you were. The remainder of your fee has been forwarded to your account as per your instructions." He waited.
"So who were those kids anyway?" She asked.
"They were the grandchildren of Kenji Yasha of Western Lands Inc. It has taken us seven years and a most beautiful assassin to get those kids" he answered. She could smell his lust for her and it disgusted her. No she wouldn't use Desu on this one, only claws. She smiled, but not for the reason he thought.
"Seven years?"
"Yes. Do you remember the incident at the mall back then?" She nodded. "We had wanted to eliminate them then, as our employer wished, but something went wrong and I lost eight of my best men." She wanted to correct him that it had only been five but why bother. "Well now we have killed Yasha seniors' son-in-law, grandchildren and raped his one and only daughter. Yes our employer will be quite pleased."
Barely managing to keep her emotions under control or her illusions in place she whispered one question. "Who is your employer?" She waited for his answer.
"Oh that I don't know. Only my boss knows."
"Fine," she growled "Who's your boss? Because I think I should inform him what a complete idiot he put in charge of this little operation. Kenji Yasha's daughter doesn't attend Tokyo University. At the time of the attack she was in Seattle Washington working on a construction sight. Your pathetic thug would never have gotten close enough to Leena Higurashi to even attempt what he did to that poor girl."
"How would you know all this?" He asked standing. She noticed the barely perceptible motion to his men to surround her.
"Doesn't matter; let's just say I know Leena as well as I know myself. So I ask again, even though I hate repeating myself. Who is your boss? Name and address please."
"I only know him as Vicious. As to where he lives I've no idea. Why?"
She smiled; forcing herself to relax this was not the time to attack. "Oh he sounds interesting." Glancing around the bar she continued, "This place ever open for business?"
"Actually it opens Friday if we can find a band." He smiled back.
"Well I can help on that front." She leaned forward "I know a band that needs a gig. Interested?" He licked his lips and nodded. "Will the 'Boss' be here?" At his nod her smile widened "Then I'll set it up."
For any reader who might be a Cowboy Bebop fan, no it's not that Vicious. It's just a great name for a Yakuza Boss.