Fortune's Favorites

by

Nana

Chapter 1

The Assignment

Author's Notes: Guess who's Hitomi Kagewaki? The name, obscure enough to go unnoticed, is actually taken from the anime. Normally, the character goes by a very well-known name. More twists and turns in the chapter! Reviews are very welcome. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Ah, but you know this already!

Kyoto

March 15, 2053

11:45 pm

She laid out the electronic cards and gazed thoughtfully at the arcana before her. Seated across her was her patron, his face hooded in shadow.

"What does it say, koishi?" he finally asked.

"A danger that will pass. Potential enemies must be made necessary allies for the time being," she said softly, her hand drifting slowly above the cards as she read her patron's fortune. "Consequences from past actions may arise to take its toll. Trust no one."

Her benefactor smiled in the shadow.

The last piece of advice need not come from a fortune-teller's mouth; it could easily have come from his own. It was, after all, his creed.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Headquarters

March 17, 2053

8:25 am

The sun was already high in the sky when he entered the building. The glass-and-steel lobby was bathed in harsh white light as he stepped in, a boyish looking police officer who kept his long, dark hair tied in a ponytail. His steps were quick and light, and there was nothing about him to indicate that he had spent the last month or so in the hospital.

There would be other ways, though, for changes to make themselves manifest.

For instance, he knew that things were going to be different the moment he set foot within Homicide. It was there in their eyes. People looked up as he strolled past, and while a few had murmured, "It's good to have you back", he could see them averting their gaze very quickly.

Two minutes into the office, he thought, and he was already struggling with his temper.

Well, this was just cool, he continued in his head acidly. They could do that because they weren't the ones who had no choice in getting an artificial heart. They weren't the ones who lost a perfectly healthy heart the previous month in the first place. Still, it irked him to see the kind of behavior he was seeing now.

As if I've come back as a monster…

The thought stuck even as he realized the impact of those words and tried to banish them away quickly.

Youkai...

In a way, the statement had been correct.

Inside his chest, beating with a rhythm in proper accordance with the dictates of his body, was a thing that could be called just that. Youkai.

The implanted chip within the artificial heart could pick up the most minute signals from his brain and reflexively alter the beating pattern of the heart as needed--a sinoarterial regulator as close to the real thing as one could possibly get.

Now that would have sounded all wonderful and miraculous had it not been for the fact that the world of 2053 had come to look upon anything with an intelligent microchip as unnatural and potentially dangerous.

Gone were the days of wonder and marvel when people believed that artificial intelligence would be the answer to all the world's problems. By the year 2053, artificial intelligence had become the principal tool of crime, the major cause of accidents--it had assumed the invaluable supporting role to the natural deviousness of the human brain.

In fact, alarm had soared so high that governments all over the world had taken desperate measures to ensure that artificial intelligence be kept within a semblance of human control.

But all of this said and done would not change the fact that humanity had come to depend on it for the smooth running of everyday life. Modern medicine could not have attained its current zenith had it not been for artificial intelligence. A.I. had given a new meaning to the development of artificial limbs, artificial organ transplants--everything, it seemed, except the development of the positronic brain. A law passed in 2041 had seen to it that A.I. would not be developed to assume any human characteristic whatsoever.

Even if the law had not been passed, people had come to fear the potential of A.I. so much that not even the medical advantages could allay the mistrust and suspicion of people surrounding artificial organ transplants.

Or transplantees, for that matter.

Could people possibly be so dumb as to think the A.I. chip would inevitably take full control of the body? Possess it somehow? Well, maybe not, people would rationalize, attempt to brush it aside--but the fact remained that a nameless fear lurked beneath the surface of rationality. Thus the derogatory term Hanyou--half human, half machine.

InuYasha's new heart gave a lurch, and he involuntarily reached up a hand to feel its beat. It felt strange only because he knew it was different, and he was sure the people around him had the same idea about him.

Keh, he thought bitterly. Nobody has the right to say anything, as I lost my heart in the line of duty. Literally.

He continued to walk, past the staring crowd, past his table adjoined to that of his partner's, and onto the desk of the Division Chief, Myouga san.

From his desk, Ishida Miroku continued to stare straight into the data pad he was holding, as Myuoga-san spoke to Inu Yasha in low grave tones. He did not bother to look up as Inu Yasha approached his table after his short interview with their boss.

"You're late," was the only thing Ishida said as way of greeting.

"Yeah, well, I've been busy," said Inu Yasha, swinging his coat onto the backrest of his chair.

"You also need a haircut," pointed out Ishida blandly as he gave his partner the barest of glances.

"Feh! Speak for yourself!" Inu Yasha said sourly, eyeing the tiny wisp of ponytail at the back of his partner's dark head.

"My hair happens to be within the department's standard limit," said Ishida coolly.

Well, at least one thing had remained the same: Ishida Miroku was as annoying as ever. Inu Yasha wasn't sure if he was supposed to be irritated or relieved by that.

"No time to waste," said Ishida, standing up abruptly as Inu Yasha was about to sit down. He threw the data pad over to Inu Yasha. "New assignment. I'm sure Myouga-san has filled you in a little. Don't forget to bring your weapon."

Scowling, Inu Yasha snatched at the electronic pad and held it upright in front of him, taking in the details. "What the hell--?" he said after a moment. "There was an assassination attempt made on the person of Hitomi Kagewaki?! Son of the Hitomi Kaneshiro?"

Ishida nodded as he shrugged into his coat. "Yes, as in son of the CEO of the Hitomi group of companies," he said. "The attempt occurred last night in his room, in the Hitomis' private residence. How the assassins managed to get pass the rigid security is a mystery. Naturally, the whole thing has been kept a secret. The press is going to have a field day with this if they find out."

The Hitomi group of companies was the highly successful, highly controversial corporate beast that had brought on the A.I. Age. It was the largest manufacturer of youkai microchips in Asia, controlling virtually a third of the world's market on the matter.

It was no wonder anyone connected to the CEO of such a powerful company would be under attack for a variety of reasons.

"And you're saying this kind of high-profile job has been assigned to us?" Inu Yasha said as he hurried after Ishida to the elevators. "The two of us? You're kidding, right?"

Ishida closed his eyes as he said patiently, "The senior Mr. Hitomi was here personally very early this morning. He's spoken to the Chief of Police and Myouga-san. He said he wanted officers trained in Homicide…with other special talents. Apparently, whoever made the assassination attempt had not been ordinary either."

Inu Yasha was silent as he took this in. Fair enough. If special talents were indeed required, then no team would have been more appropriate in all of Tokyo's finest. Still, Inu Yasha had to wonder what kind of strings dear old Uncle Mushin had pulled to get his nephew this assignment.

When they got to the basement of the building, it was apparent they were going to do this alone.

"How come we're the only ones going?" asked Inu Yasha as they got into their car. "I thought these high-profile investigations are supposed to have the whole red-carpet parade from all sorts of department heads?"

"The photo team and forensics have gone ahead," said Ishida as he started the engine and eased the auto car out. "We're going for low-profile, remember? It can't do to have too many people bustling in at any one time."

"I really don't understand why Homicide has to be called, as nobody actually died."

His patience wearing thin, Ishida opted not to answer.

By the time they got to the streets and heading north to the giant mansion of the tycoon, Inu Yasha had run out of things to argue, and settled down to his daily routine of plaguing Ishida while he was behind the wheel.

"At the rate you're driving, it'll take us forever to get there," he said, shaking his head as Ishida stopped for a traffic light.

Miroku sighed. "And welcome back, Inu Yasha," he said dryly.

Hitomi Mansion was indeed a most impressive private residence, and a very difficult one to penetrate. Designed in traditional wood and cement, it nevertheless bristled with the latest in tech surveillance. A swarm of security men and bodyguards, laser guns nicely hidden in expensive suits, patrolled every aspect of the house and grounds.

The master of the house had personally met them as they got out from their vehicle--a thin, pale man well into his sixties. They had been ushered into the big sitting room with a young man in tow, presumably the son, as well as a private secretary.

"It had certainly been shocking," explained Mr. Hitomi. "Attempts had been made numerous times before; you will understand it is to be expected, given my position. But never has anything happen this close to my family. Naturally, a man will take all steps necessary to make sure nothing happens to his loved ones."

He turned to his son, a handsome, grave-looking young man in his early thirties who, like Inu Yasha, kept his wavy dark hair unconventionally long. He was already dressed for work.

"Kagewaki represents the future of my empire. More responsibilities are being given to him now that I am retiring. It is imperative that nothing happens to him. To think that he had very nearly…" the old man said, shivering slightly.

"It will help if we get an account of the events," Ishida said as he took out his slim data pad and activated the digital recorder.

"Very well," said Mr. Hitomi, as his secretary, a small woman with shoulder-length white hair, silently activated the panel of screens behind them.

"I was asleep," recalled the younger Hitomi as he started his narration

According to Kagewaki and verified by the surveillance camera clips, the intruder had broken in at around 1:39 am. It had been too dark for him to see who it was. It had been able to get in alone, although surveillance outside the house parameters had picked up two or three fleeing shapes when the suspects made their escape. Whoever or whatever it was had been incredibly fast. The cameras were only able to record a dim, blurred figure with long hair tied in a ponytail as it made for young Hitomi's bed.

He had been incredibly lucky. He had awakened just in time. In the ensuing tumult, he had narrowly missed the arm that had made its way onto the pillow where his head should have been.

The intruder had not been given further chances. The bodyguards had stormed in, flashes of laser fire, a shout above the din, "Stop your fire! The young master is in there!"

In the cameras, a struggle had ensued as several guards threw themselves at the suspect. Again, it had been too fast. A second later, it had run past the range of the cameras, had launched itself out the door, outside the house, without getting caught.

"It's not human," they heard a guard gasp in the camera clip as he picked himself up.

The secretary pushed a button on her pad and the recording ended.

"No human would have been dumb enough to even attempt doing anything like that," agreed Inu Yasha in a whisper only Ishida could hear.

Miroku motioned him to be quiet with a slight shake of his head. Aloud, he said, "Of course it's human. What else could it be? And all circumstances point to the suspect as being hanyou. The legs and arms are, in all probabilities, prostethics. The speed tells us that much, as well as the hole left behind on the pillow."

He glanced down at his pad. "The law requires registration of all medical operations being done for prosthetics and implants using microchips. It is logical for us to start tracking along that angle; unless of course, the suspect had his operation done illegally."

Ishida was careful to keep his tone neutral, but Inu Yasha could see a muscle twitch around the older Hitomi's mouth.

In a way, it serves this shark right, thought Inu Yasha acidly. What with the sky-rocketing prices demanded by his company on all their products, it was little wonder some underground and completely illegal little companies had mushroomed to partake of the crumbs left behind by the giant.

For his heart transplant alone, Inu Yasha had been charged with a walloping sum, even though Tokyo metro police had covered a portion of the expenses. Therefore, one had to understand why he couldn't really be sympathetic.

In terms of killers, Inu Yasha was sure Mr. Hitomi and his company had their fair share of enemies. Sending in an assassin with a death wish was feasible enough, but what was quite refreshing about it all was the possibility that the assassin was using something the company had produced as its weapon.

"We'd like to inspect the site of the event, if you don't mind," said Ishida.

Inu Yasha gaped at the bedroom suite. "Just look at the size of this room!" he exclaimed, taking in its massive proportions, its splendid interiors.

"Exactly," said Miroku as he aimed his recorder on the walls blasted by laser fire. "Do you know how many steps it would take for us to reach the bed from here? Yet the cameras show the intruder covering the distance with just a few bounds."

"Ha! He's got no weapon apart from his fists and legs, huh? What say you to that, Tetsusaiga?" Inu Yasha asked as he fondly cradled the handle of his laser sword, tucked snugly in his belt.

"Quite extraordinary," remarked Ishida as he continued to store away data. He was now concentrating on the floor.

"We're never going to get him by going through lawful medical records," said Inu Yasha. "Hell, the cameras couldn't even get a decent picture of him…"

"What makes you think it's a 'him'?" asked Miroku, mildly amused.

"Will you stop calling him an 'it'?" snapped Inu Yasha. "A hanyou's still human, isn't he?"

Miroku raised his brows at that. "My apologies," he said gravely.

Inu Yasha glared at the veiled sarcasm before getting back to the topic.

"What? You think he's a 'her' now?" he asked Miroku. "What's your basis? The fact that he's got a ponytail?"

"I'm just saying we never had a clear shot of the suspect. Whether the suspect is a man or woman is irrelevant. We still have to find out who did this," said Miroku very, very gently.

Inu Yasha's brows twitched at Ishida's tone, but before he could say anything, the little secretary arrived.

"Sumimasen, but Kagewaki-sama is asking if it will be alright with you to accompany him to the company headquarters for presentation?" She said in hushed tones.

"What presentation?" Ishida asked.

"A press conference has been called. Somebody has alerted the media," she answered quietly.

"What is this?" thundered Inu Yasha as soon as the woman left. "I get the feeling we're being used as bodyguards here! Doesn't he have enough of those weirdos around?!"

Hitomi Corporation, Tokyo

Central Conference Room

10:45 am

Smelling a whiff of blood, the media had come in droves for the kill. Apparently, the leak had been too much for the corporation to cover up.

Following protocol, Ishida Mushin had arrived to speak on behalf of the Tokyo Metro Police. And while the incident had been reduced to vague terms such as a "break-in", the implications were too obvious. The chief of Police's statements of "complete cooperation with the Hitomi family" and "have sent the most qualified officers for the case" were drowned in ever increasing queries from the news people.

"It's just as well your uncle came," muttered Inu Yasha, staring at the proceedings with his arms crossed. "Imagine if we were the ones being roasted up there. We can't let the whole world in on who's investigating the case, can we?"

"The fact that the press has caught on is bad enough. No wonder the Hitomis had to call the police in," said Miroku from their corner. "They made it just in time."

"To make everything prim and legal, so to speak?"

"Right."

"Otherwise, there would have been speculation."

"Hai."

"You do realize we're going to fry along with Hitomi?" questioned Inu Yasha. "I mean, this is seriously way out of our league!"

"I know," said Miroku in a low tone, shrugging. "But we don't really have any choice, do we? You know why we were assigned to this case."

Just then, somebody entered noiselessly through the side doors. A young woman, breathless from running, paused beside them as she composed herself.

"Has the conference started?" she asked Inu Yasha.

"Barely. The Chief of Police just finished with his statement," Inu Yasha said, and blinked as the woman turned to him, her grey eyes smiling.

"Really?" she asked. "Then Mr. Hitomi hasn't made his statement yet?"

"Uh, no."

"Good! I was afraid I'd be late. The whole thing was just horrible wasn't it?" she said. "I'm Higurashi Kagome, by the way. I'm in Mr. Hitomi's Programming department."

"I--Inu Yasha," said the stunned officer as Higurashi shook hands with him vigorously.

"You're from Tokyo Metro Police!" she exclaimed, her smile widening as she noted the emblem on his coat. "Will you be a part of the investigation of the break-in?"

"Uhh…"

"Well, I sure hope you'll catch whoever it was really soon!" she said brightly. "I'll see you around then."

A low whistle sounded from Ishida as the girl weaved her way over to her boss. "Cute babe," he said.

Inu Yasha turned to his partner with a thunderous expression.

"What?" asked Miroku, puzzled.

Hitomi Corporation, Tokyo

March 17, 2053

11:47 a.m.

After one hour of grueling interviews, the news conference ended amid a tumult of camera flashes and mayhem. Following the besieged group of police and the Hitomis down the concrete stairs in front of their corporation, Inu Yasha just had to wonder how deep they were in a situation they could not handle.

On the other hand, Ishida Miroku did not seem particularly concerned. He had spotted the young and pretty Ms. Higurashi trailing behind the crowd, and in no time at all had gone over and started an animated conversation with the programmer.

That's Ishida for you, all right, thought Inu Yasha sourly. He had no choice but to follow his partner, and soon found himself walking silently beside Miroku and Ms. Higurashi.

He could feel the woman glancing over at his direction more than once, but he resolutely kept his gaze averted. After all, he wasn't trained in this area of socializing with women; frequently, he left it all to Ishida, who seemed to be born with this special talent.

"Really?" Higurashi was saying. "So you and Inu Yasha belong to the Special Arms Unit of Tokyo Metro Police? That's very interesting, but how is it different from the regular police units?"

"It allows us to carry special weapons, for one," Miroku replied. "The special unit was designed to train the top five percent of police academy graduates based on their respective fighting abilities. So these people aren't just regular police officers, they're special agents. We all know laser guns are quickly becoming passé. Certain jobs require something extra, so…"

"And do you think this attack on Mr. Hitomi was…?"

"Well, we can't really go into details, but yes," Miroku said. His tone turned half-joking. "So! I don't suppose you have somebody in mind who's behind the whole thing, do you?"

The next few seconds were a muddle to Inu Yasha. Apparently, the programmer had murmured something, and he caught Ishida suddenly leaning in closer to her.

"What?" he heard his partner say.

The next instant, Higurashi was shaking her head firmly. "Of course, big corporations would have many enemies," she said. "You will see to it nothing happens to Mr. Hitomi, won't you? Otherwise, I may have to start looking for another job."

Before Miroku could reply to this banter, a shout came out from Inu Yasha.

"Look out!"

He looked up just in time to see an attack about to be launched. There, cutting the corner of the street and heading straight at the Hitomis with the force of a tornado, was a blurred, familiar figure in black. The speed of its advance was so horribly fast that in a blink of an eye it had already covered the distance needed.

A few screamed as it knocked aside several people blocking its way. It advanced implacably on Hitomi Kagewaki, seemingly unmindful of the blast of laser fire from a few stunned policemen. Amidst flashes of camera light, its dark hair tied in a ponytail whipped in the wind as it took a savage swipe at the younger Hitomi.

But it did not gain any more ground.

Clang!

The arm it sent straight at the young man was blocked by a broad band of laser.

Inu Yasha stood there in front of Hitomi, holding off the would-be assassin with Tetsusaiga. More screams rent the air.

"Get them out of the way, somebody!" He yelled, indicating the Hitomis.

"Mr. Hitomi! This way, please!" Ishida's voice sounded above the din. Already, he and Hitomi's bodyguards were already hauling away the two targets to safety.

Inu Yasha's eyes widened involuntarily as Tetsusaiga wavered under the force of the arm. Who--or more importantly, what--was this creature, to have an arm that laser could not slice through? Several inches across him, a pair of bright blue eyes blazed into his.

"Get away, you bastard," growled a deep voice. Suddenly, the figure turned in a graceful arc and executed a powerful kick.

Inu Yasha swung his heavy laser sword at the last possible moment and effectively blocked the assassin's attack.

Realizing that his chance had been lost a second time, the figure in black swore and bounded away, the force of his retreat sending up gravel and dirt.

Inu Yasha watched, astounded, at the cloud of dirt whirling away at the speed of light. Before people could recover sufficiently to understand what had happened, the assassin was gone, leaving behind deep gashes of sliced gravel and cement on the pavements and street.

The assault sent the media into hyperdrive, but the Hitomis had had enough. They barricaded themselves inside their corporation building and refused another round of press con.

From a reception room inside the bowels of the building, Ishida Miroku watched the television screen impassively as the news people outside continued their coverage of the latest, shocking set of events to besiege Hitomi Kagewaki.

"Hmph," he said as he absently turned away from the screen to face his partner.

Inu Yasha had just finished his video police report and was sending it along through Ishida's electronic pad (as usual, he had forgotten to bring his along).

"You don't seem particularly tired," Ishida remarked as Inu Yasha tossed his pad over to him.

Inu Yasha feigned surprise as he thumped his chest and inhaled deeply. "Yeah," he said after a while. "Might be because of a youkai heart, among other things. You may want to measure the extent of my new physical condition in our next combat exercise session."

He suddenly gave Miroku a calculating look. He wouldn't have been surprised if his partner had withheld assistance in the assault just so he could see for himself just how Inu Yasha was faring after his transplant.

Ishida raised his brows at the comment but declined to comment.

"C'mon. It wasn't all that tiring," huffed Inu Yasha. "The loser just gave Tetsusaiga a couple of swings. Big deal. I've seen worse."

"He?" Ishida inquired.

"I'm sure of it now," Inu Yasha said. "It's a he."

"And his arms and legs?"

"A new kind of alloy, for all I know. Tetsusaiga barely made a scratch."

Miroku felt himself frowning. "What the hell kind of material could that be? So far, nothing of the kind has ever been developed," he said.

"Well, we're certain now it exists," said Inu Yasha.

The door whisked open to reveal Ms. Kanna, Hitomi's personal secretary.

"The building has been secured. Mr. Hitomi says you can leave. We have arranged for a helicopter to transport you back to Tokyo Metro Police," she said quietly. "The streets are a bit impassable just now."

"Cool," said Inu Yasha as he got off his seat.

"Mr. Hitomi would like one more word with you before you go," she added before disappearing down the corridor.

Inu Yasha stared after her before glancing over at Miroku. "That," he said, "is one weird secretary."

"Scary," agreed Miroku.

"Let's get the hell out of here."

They were ushered into a private sitting room. The elderly Mr. Hitomi rose from his seat and started forward when they entered.

"How can I possibly thank you enough?" he asked gravely. "Your performance back there was quite exemplary!"

Inu Yasha muttered something to the effect that it was all part of their work under his breath.

"No need to be so modest," said Mr. Hitomi, breaking into a smile. "In fact, we are thinking of giving you and Officer Ishida a reward in exchange for your heroic services earlier on. I will be sending Kagewaki to Kyoto for a while. For some rest and relaxation, you understand. We would be honored if you can spend the weekend with him there."

Both officers bowed low.

"We are honored," answered Ishida. "As it happens, though, we're on duty th--"

"I have already arranged the schedule with your department head," replied Mr. Hitomi blandly. "He says there is no problem in that aspect. So how about it, gentlemen?"

Indeed, there was nothing else left to be said. When the Hitomis called, even the Chief of Homicide could do nothing but bow to their demands.

Posted 10/10/02

Revised 03/27/08