The wind rustling through the trees pulled the detective's focus as he glanced skywards. Something about the breeze in the leaves and the shadows playing tricks on him brought his thoughts back to the first day he laid eyes on the blonde. The way she toyed with him without allowing him to land a hit, verbal or otherwise, on her. Had she been planning all of this before that fateful moment? A long sigh escaped him, his shorter brother glancing in his direction as he continued to work the security system on his data pad.
"This is an advanced system," Yaten mumbled more to himself. "Far more urbane than the one at the mansion."
"Because that one was a ploy," the detective grumbled, his brother stopping to look at him. Although, Seiya knew it took some time for him to break that particular code, Yaten understandably was surprised to hear it was faked. The detective easily read the question in his eyes, exhaling though his pursed lips.
"They wanted us to think we had the upper hand," the raven haired man added as he again glanced skyward. "So we thought that we were the one pulling strings-"
"You need to quit thinking about her," Yaten snorted. Clearly annoyed with his brother's babbling among other things, as he turned back to the codex. "You can't do anything about it other than what you're doing right now. So focus on that, would you?" Seiya nodded, rolling off his back to focus on the building before him. Akihiko had helped set him up with the safe house, and he could only assume that the older man had changed the critical codes since that day. Yaten growled again, suggesting that the cipher was not only changed but significantly more disruptive than Seiya suggested. The detective scanned the roofline again, something inside of him expecting the rogue to make an appearance.
His focus snapped back to the building, a flashing light sounding inside as he looked toward his brother. Yaten wore a look of disbelief, frantically trying to silence the alarm.
"What happened?" Seiya grumbled.
"I don't know, a fire alarm was set off from inside!" Yaten panicked as he continued to tap on the pad. Seiya's focus turned to the building, searching for any indication that there was a real danger. Finally, a light caught his attention on the side of the building. Moving quickly as he could still staying close to the ground, he slinked to the side for a look.
Another flash of bright light escaped the shadows, the detective moving faster to gain a better vantage. As he came upon the last set of bushes, he paused as he saw Prince Demand sending the waves of energy into the air, the light sucked up almost instantly by two figures he did not recognize. In the dark, they looked as if they were wearing long hooded cloaks, details of their visage conveniently concealed. Additionally, he never saw them attack the silver haired man, only blocking his advances. Sirens sounded in the distance and Seiya knew the police were also alerted by the alarms.
"Stay down!" One of the cloaked figures yelled as they finally hit Demand with a powerful strike, the man freezing as if a rope had been wrapped around his form. Panicked, Seiya rose to assist the struggling diplomat, charging through the brush.
"What the heck?" The other hooded figure yelled as a spark of energy was hurled at him. Seiya's brow furrowed as he maneuvered to dodge the attack. As his legs unleashed their power, he felt his feet leave the ground. But instead of his body leaping forward, he felt like he was falling backward. As something solid connected his back, he shifted his gaze to see wild blonde hair moving in the breeze. A thud sounded as they landed on the ground, his form instantly rolling around the black-clad figure to protect it. As they came to a rest, he snapped his head up to meet the light blue eyes glaring at him.
"What are you doing? Are you crazy?" he yelled as he rolled away from the rouge.
"If you rather get fried, be my guest," she sneered as she motioned to where the hooded figures were. Seiya began to rise, but the blonde quickly grabbed his collar and pulled him down. Midnight blue eyes glared at her, but she simply smiled as she pointed to the police, who already had Demand in handcuffs. Seiya turned to look at the silver haired man who was now free of the invisible ropes and subjected to real handcuffs. As he prepared a retort about how unhelpful it is for their one pawn to be in handcuffs, he found nothing waiting for him in the bushes.
~*~*~
"That was so exciting!" Minako squealed as she flipped the hood off her head. Then, she smiled as she flicked her long blonde locks off her face, spinning on her heels and raising a hand in the air in a victory pose as the second hooded figure followed.
"Yes, fighting magical beings under the guise of darkness is a great hobby," Rei groaned as she shed her cloak. She stomped over to where Minako's cloak lay on the floor, grabbing both in a huff as she stuffed them in the storage room.
"Why are you in such a bad mood? I thought punishing that man would make you feel better," Minako shrugged watching the miko move around.
"Knocking him down was very rewarding," Rei grinned. "But we can't let anyone know it was us. So these," she emphasized as she slammed the door closed, "must stay out of sight." Minako nodded in understanding. "I don't know how to get it through your blonde head," Rei sighed heavily as she approached the manager. "They are trying to get to all of us now," the priestess relented, holding the blonde's hand.
"Which is why you strike first," a deeper voice sounded from the door. A squeak rasped through the blonde lips as Rei pushed her form in front of the manager. "Please stay calm. I think we want the same thing," their hands raised in surrender as the owner stepped out of the opening. As the shadow fell away, the figure remained veiled, the hood obscuring their face slightly. Minako looked confused, but Rei's stare never wavered.
"Are you bewitched to think we possibly are after the same thing?" The miko hissed as she moved towards some of her relics.
"I'm sure you know of a way to prove it," he smiled. "Go on," he encouraged, nodding his head towards the jars on the altar. Rei glanced at the blonde, trusting she had her back as she reached into her pocket. She quickly skimmed over the man, expediting to see him studying her movements carefully. But, instead, the visitor remained still, seemingly entertained with what was to come.
"Well, your partially right," the miko smirked as she kicked a ground vase over, a red glowing liquid spilling out and quickly engulfing the floor. Minako yelped as it washed over her feet, Rei gripping her hand tightly to reassure her. They watched as the luminous fluid lapped at the other's legs before wrapping around the long form, covering them entirely to their head. Eyes watching wide as the cocoon glowed for a moment before opening to reveal the brunette Kou brother, his cover completely missing so the girls could see his face.
"Fascinating," he murmured as he watched the viscous liquid lightly fall to the ground. He looked back to the priestess without lowering his hands.
"What was that?" Minako cried as the glowing substance evaporated, kicking the last remnants near her away after she saw it engulfing the visiting brother.
"It's a burning mandala," Rei explained. "It washes all present for the intent, empowered by my aura and the sacred fire to banish those with harmful magic and ill intent towards the shrine." Then, she turned towards the visitor, "I guess that means Taiki is telling the truth." The brunette science officer lowered his hands finally, nodding in agreement with the priestess's description.
"That's right, I come unarmed and with only good intentions," he agreed once again. "I think we are after the same thing."
"And what exactly do you think we're after?" Minako tautly asked before she was slapped on the shoulder by Rei. "That is if we're after anything at all," she quickly added. Taiki just shook his head at the manager's antics.
"We both want to help to free the ones we care most about," the officer clarified.
"Alright," Minako slinked around the officer as she studied the tall man carefully. "What can you do to help?" She challenged. Rei blinked at the exchange, mutual in the question. She was aware of the gifts the girls offered, but what could Taiki provide that they didn't already have?
"I see you're still missing the biggest piece," Taiki smiled as neither girl spoke.
"What are you asking in return?" Rei voiced, Minako nodding vigorously behind her.
"Seems like an important question," Taiki pondered as he folded his arms. "We're after the same thing, as I said. So there is not really an exchange," he sighed. "However, there is a reason I came to you," pausing as he dropped his head. Both girls leaned closer in anticipation at the brunette considered his words. "I think you two are the only ones who could accomplish it, honestly. I need you to stop Tenoh from killing Seiya."
~*~*~
Pale blue eyes narrowed as the small figure fiddled with the lock in front of her apartment. She had been waiting for the blonde manager for some time and already had an excellent idea she was with the miko since they left Demand's hideout. She saw the blonde take off earlier and decided her questions could wait until she knew where the girl was going. It turned out to be a fortuitous idea, as she was unsure what the raven haired idiot was doing at the hideout as well. Maybe he didn't think she knew Demand's hiding spot, but the look on his face when she saved him was worth it. She shook her head as she finally had enough of the girl fiddling with her keys. She slinked down from her hiding spot.
"Need a hand?" She asked as she clicked on her cell phone light above the manager's head. Minako glanced up curiously as to who was holding the light before nodding in thanks. She found the key, opened the door, and motioned for the rogue to follow. Haruka let a deep breath escape her, amazed by the girl's calm reaction. She closed her eyes and focused, reminding herself that no matter what nonsense Minako spewed at her, her mission was not to leave before she knew why her name was on that list.
"Do you want any tea?" Minako cheerfully called as she dropped her bag on a chair, scratching the head of a smiling cat as she skipped into the kitchen.
"Mmhmm?" Haruka hummed as she looked around the room. There was memorabilia in just about every corner, much of it belonging to the Three Lights. Uncomfortable to risk touching anything, she slinked closer to the center of the room, eventually taking a seat on the sofa. Uncertain of what to do until the girl returned, she crossed her arms over her chest, staring at the kitchen door.
"What the? No!" She muttered as the white cat made it's way curiously towards her, settling into her lap as it looked up at her. "Shoo," she called, but the cat just playfully swiped at her hand before finding entertainment with the many zippers on her riding suit.
"Aww, you made a friend!" Minako cheered as she returned with two cups in hand. "Artemis is really particular about who he plays with. He must like you!" Haruka had had enough at that point. Her arms gyrated about to try to keep the cat from swiping any of the hardware on her uniform. "Here, Artemis," Mina cooed, lifting the cat from the rogue's lap and handing her a cup. Haruka released a low grunt as she accepted the tea, happy to be rid of the cat. "I can't think of the last time you visited—"
"That's because it never happened," she snorted. She took a moment to sniff the tea, the deep breath reminding her why she had never visited the manager. "There is some important—"
"You have questions for me, right?" The manager smiled. "To help Usagi?" She nodded. Haruka closed her eyes for a moment, counting quickly to prevent falling into the manager's never-ending questions and bring her focus to the task she had now. "Minako, I need to know—"
"You want to know why those black stones appeared at my house, ne?" Minako smiled as Haruka nearly dropped her cup. Then, carefully setting it down, she looked at the manager curiously.
"Where were you earlier?" The rogue questioned, deciding that was the more probative question given the blonde's guessed so far.
"First," she inhaled as she put her cup on the table. "I need you to promise not to be mad." The rouge tilted her head, surprised by the request, before nodding. "I need you to say it."
"Nani? Why?" Haruka's head jerked back.
"It means more when you say it. Usagi says your a man— woman in this case— of your word."
"I promise I won't be mad at you." Haruka relented.
"But what about Rei?" Minako whined.
"What about her?" Haruka asked, an eyebrow slowly raising as she realized maybe she could get the information without playing the blonde's game. Of course, she knew the manager was with the miko, but now she knew the miko was in on the secret.
"You have to promise not to be mad at either of us."
"Ugh, okay, fine!"
"Oh! And Taiki as well," Minako added with a finger on her chin as she considered.
"What does he have to do with this?"
"Actually, I think you should just promise not to be mad at all—"
"Minako, if you don't tell me soon, I will be mad before I even know what not to be mad about!"
"Geez, you drive a hard bargain," the girl laughed. "Okay then, now we agree," she took a deep breath as she prepared to divulge. "Rei and I made a deal with Taiki Kou."
"Nani??"
"So you won't kill Seiya!" Minako defended.
"Hold on, Minako," Haruka sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I need you to focus for a moment," she inhaled harshly to gain control. Then, she recalled the manager's curiosity about her, decidingly changing her tactic. "I am more worried about your safety," she softly replied, her voice lowering slightly.
"You are?"
"Deeply. I need to know why your name is on that list," she pleaded, looking at the girl through the fringe of her bangs.
"Are you sure you're not going to get mad?" The blonde tried again.
"No, I just want to protect you, as I do for everyone important to Usagi," the rogue confirmed.
"Really?" Minako swooned as she clasped her hands together, the rogue merely nodding. Minako thought for a moment, a smile coming to her lips as she chose the perfect place to start. "Well, when I got the stones, I remembered they looked like the ones we saw during training. But I didn't know where to find you, so I asked Rei. She recognized them immediately and took them from me."
"What happened to them? Did you turn them in to the police?"
"Police? No, why would I?" She thought for a moment. "Oh! Rei said her father found them, and he turned them into the police. But it was after she cleansed them all, so it was nothing to worry about." Minako flipped her hand to emphasize it was no big deal. Haruka nodded, considering that explained why Senator Hino was the other extra name on the list. As thorough as she was, when he turned them in, Michiru likely saw the package was addressed to someone else.
"So the gems are gone, but I'm still worried," Haruka sighed. Minako leaned in, a hand extending to her shoulder. "Without knowing why they were sent to you, I am afraid I may not be as much protection," Haruka bit her lip in fake disappointment.
"Oh! We're in luck! I have the answer to that one." Minako cheered her finger proudly in the air. "Taiki said that they were trying to lure me."
"Lure you where?"
"Some performance they were trying to get me to book for Usagi. I guess they thought they could get the two of us there," she shrugged. Haruka's brows furrowed together, realizing that Usagi was still in danger. She didn't believe she was safe, but she thought there was at least a silver lining. Deep inside, she knew that it wouldn't be true until Wiseman was taken down. She thanked Minako for the information, confirming again that she wasn't angry. She just had something else to check on now. Minako was being tricked into leading Usagi to a trap, a story she had heard before. Mamoru was always the one who was delivering the goods in Wiseman's plans, so why did it suddenly change?
~*~*~
Kakyuu walked the corridor, heading to her office, before she paused in front of Arir's raised hand. She glared at the strange behavior of her long-time butler before the man gestured to the lamp in the hidden hall. Kakyuu leaned closer, the lamp's glass working as a two-way mirror on the parallel hallways of the manor. She squinted as she noticed two figures, likely Seiya and Yaten, in the hall outside of the office. She glanced at her loyal servant again, confused about what was odd about this gathering, until a name caught her ear.
"I can't believe they got to Demand before we did."
"At least the bastard was smart enough to claim diplomatic, political asylum."
"Yeah, but since his home burned down a few weeks ago, they had trouble finding a place to put him."
"Where did they put him again? Can we get him there?"
"He's at the mansion next to the Prime Minister's mansion. We tried to get him there before and couldn't."
"Geez, we must really be out of luck!"
Kakyuu spun on her heels, smiling at her fortune. She gestured to Arir to return down the corridor and deliver her discovery. She knew where to find Prince Demand, and with no more hiding spots left for him, it was the perfect time to enact their plan.