Disclaimer: All standard disclaimers apply. I also would like to add that I do not own the United States of America. By the way, this also means I don't own the LAPD. I just invented my own department but used the same name. But they aren't the same.
Author's greetings: Hey. It's been a while. So, I hope you'd enjoy this chapter. Actually, by the time you read this, my final exams are already finished and it's summer vacation here at my place already. So, hope you enjoy.
Ratings: PG-13 (may fluctuate)
Love Me As Who I Really Am
Chapter VII: Cause and Effect
"He was my boyfriend." Megumi said, her voice flat. "That is, it's was."
Kaoru and Misao gaped at her. A few seconds ticked by. Megumi raised an eyebrow at them both. "What's the big deal?" She asked them, shrugging. "It's not like I was married to him or anything so don't turn something as small as that into such a big deal by-" she gave her head a regal toss at their direction-"gawking at me like illiterate girls."
Kaoru was the first to recover. Her eyes became murky blue puddles on her face as she peered into Megumi's face. "But... how could that be?" Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You live so far away."
"I presume it was a long-distance relationship?" Misao asked. She folded her arms across her belly loosely. "I mean he doesn't look like such a bad guy. He looked kind of nice. And he acted like a gentleman-" she grinned- "even though he doesn't look much like one."
The soon-to-be fox doctor rolled her eyes heavenwards. "Nice? Sometimes. Not a bad guy? I doubt it. A gentleman? That's something I still need to see." She started walking, pace faster than usual. "I am not interested in this conversation."
The two younger girls looked at and grinned at each other. Now here's something they could use against the usually very witty female. They strolled at their usual pace and eventually caught up with Megumi. They had these really mysterious looks on their faces.
"So-" that was Kaoru- "how'd you two meet?"
Megumi sighed and forced an uninterested expression on her face. She crossed the street on a red light. She hoped to lose the other girls in the crowd but they were right behind her. She tried to elevate herself from her body and ignore their questions. But that was impossible.
"Was he really nice? How did you get to see each other? Was he the one who flew from here to there or was it you? Was he okay? Did he indulge in womanizing? Aren't you going to answer us?"
"All right!" Megumi exclaimed, apparently exasperated. She spun around and faced the two of them. The other two abruptly stopped on their tracks and tried to suppress their snickers by forcing serious expressions on their faces, but right then and there, that seemed to be an impossible task, especially when they were seeing Megumi's face turn seven shades of red for the first time. People passed by them, oblivious to everything that was going on or maybe they were just downright stupid.
"All right." Megumi said once again, more calmly this time. "I'll comply. I met Sano on the Internet." She began, her hands moving about expressively. "I was, you know, looking for cases involving medical problems - that sort thing – then I suddenly clicked on something and I was brought to a chat room called BIOChat or the other or whatever and we suddenly entered a conversation involving prostitution"- she looked at Kaoru pointedly, who suddenly cringed at the word –"and I liked him a lot. We talked about meeting and he flew from here to there. So he asked me after several meetings and I said yes. But after a couple of months, I told him I can't bear a long-distance relationship and we broke up." She looked at Misao, then Kaoru and stared at them both cynically. "Satisfied?"
Misao's and Kaoru's mouths were hanging open and they nodded vigorously.
"Good." Megumi heaved a sigh of relief and stoop up straight. "Now, I move that the conversation regarding my so-called love life be closed. Is that fine with you?"
Kaoru closed her mouth and started nodding energetically, fixing an innocent expression on her face. "Yeah, I—ah—I second the motion." She said, nodding while looking at Misao. "Right, Misao?"
Misao bobbed her head briskly, shifting her stare from Kaoru to Megumi all the while. "Yeah, I motion the second—I mean, I, ah, second the motion, yeah, uh, whatever..."
"Good," said Megumi. "That's good... so, Kaoru, regarding your, ah, career as of present, what are you going to do about it?"
Kaoru looked away for a second and said, "I believe I'll just have to continue for awhile, Megumi. Yahiko's life is - let's put it this way - at stake. I mean, Ryu said that I should pay him and the only way I could, no, should, do that is to work for him." She sighed. "Or else he'll either take or kill Yahiko. Life can be so complicated at times."
"No," Megumi stated firmly. "Life can be easy if you will it to be. It is you who either make your life easy or difficult. The choice is in your hands. Do not run away from life's complications, Kaoru. Instead, face and conquer them."
Kaoru gradually smiled but the smile was weak. "Thank you, Megumi."
"By the way, are you supposed to go out tonight?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"What are you going to wear then?"
Kaoru shook her head. "Actually, none. Most of my clothes are skirts, shirts and pants. Some may be sexy but they are rather conservative. Last night, I just borrowed from Misao here." She jerked her thumb at Misao, who immediately nodded. "It's because Ryu said I should look sexy, though I didn't want to, but I've got no choice. I mean, in this job, beauty is paramount."
Megumi nodded. "Right. So, you've got anything appropriate to wear?"
"Is there such a thing as appropriate in Kaoru's job?" Misao asked, forehead wrinkling in confusion.
"Come on," Megumi pulled Kaoru's and Misao's elbows, forcing them to walk at either her sides. "I'll teach you the womanly way to dress. And the womanly way of protecting one's self from a pervert."
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6:17 p.m. at the FBI headquarters...
"I heard from your landlady that you brought home a girl last night." Sano supported his weight by pressing his palm on the surface of Kenshin's desk. "Who was she?"
Kenshin looked up from the folder he was studying. He smiled to lessen the impact of the cynicism. "Someone who's apparently none of your concern."
Sano shrugged and walked away. "Whatever, man." Kenshin heard him muttering.
Kenshin looked back down to the folder and scanned the nineteen-page report. He dropped it on top of the desk and looked back up but he was staring into space. He exhaled. He entwined his fingers together, placed his hands under his chin and supported his elbows on his desk, deep in thought.
Ryu Ban. According to the report, he was the boss of the biggest syndicate in the state, known to smuggle illegal drugs in and out of the country... undetected. He had many connections in high places, as well as in low ones, making him one of the most influential and powerful leaders in the underground world of illegal syndicates. But then, no one would -or, probably, could- prove these accusations. There was once a time when Kenshin was able to find a credible witness who issued an affidavit stating his expose against Ban but a few days later, the said witness refuted his affidavit and suddenly disappeared. Kenshin was sure Ban had something to do with the witness's departure.
For two years now, Kenshin's informants kept telling him that Ban's latest 'project' was forcing unfortunate women into prostitution. But in this type of job, evidences are essential. Lack of evidences and witnesses kept Ryu Ban out of prison. Now, Kenshin has a witness: Kaoru Kamiya. The other thing that can solve the puzzle is evidence. How to capture Ryu Ban in his own net?
"Hey... hey... Kenshin? Kenshin Himura? You there? Yohooo! Knock, knock!"
Surprised, Kenshin's head jerked up. He looked up to Sano's slightly concerned face, evidently disorientated. "Did you say something?" He managed to say.
"I said," Sano started, pronouncing each word slowly, in case Kenshin still needed to bring his head back down to earth, "we are needed at the airport. Stolen antiques and drugs were detected hidden among the cargo."
"Oh." Standing up, he closed several folders and piled them up, one on top the other. "I'm ready. Let's go."
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6:19 p.m. right outside the FBI headquarters...
The man watched as Kenshin Himura and his partner, Sanosuke Sagara, got on a car. The car, then, began speeding away to the direction of the airport. He took out his cell phone as he watched the car race away and eventually vanish from his sight as it turned a corner, wheels screeching.
He dialed the number. It was a personal number and only about two to seven people know it. He waited for a few seconds and he heard somebody take the other end of the line. Nobody spoke at the other end. So you're playing it safe, aren't you?
"Hey, it's me." He said.
The man at the other end heaved a sigh. "I thought it was someone else. What happened?"
"Hey, Ryu," he said, smirking. "Guess what? I just saw the Himura guy and his rooster-head partner get on a car. They're going to the direction of the airport. I guess your strategy worked."
"Good." Ryu Ban felt himself spreading his colorful feathers like a peacock. "Those objects I told my men to hide at the freight section of the plane meant not a thing to me. They're all discarded materials."
"So you're going to do it tonight, aren't you?" The spy asked.
Ryu's eyes narrowed to tiny slits. "I owe you one. I'll call you again."
"But—" the man started to say but wasn't able to continue. Ryu Ban had slammed down the phone and had smashed it to pieces, ending the call.
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7:12 p.m. at the dressing room of the Seduction Hall...
Kaoru looked around the dressing room, looking for Angela. Unlike yester night, the dressing room tonight was like a den of lionesses, ready for the kill. There were redheads, blonds, brown-haired, black-haired; some even wore wigs or whatever to hide the dull color of their hair. Most of the women were watching their reflection on the mirror and applying make-up.
Now, Kaoru decided that she knew the feeling of sardines inside a can. There were more than enough women than how many the room can hold. She sucked in her stomach as a blond ducked and passed by her, pressing Kaoru against the wall.
"Kaoru! Kaoru! Come on over here!"
Kaoru looked around and saw Angela waving at her from across the room. There was plenty of space around her. Kaoru began pushing her way through the jungle of hips, butts, breasts and other womanly curves. She heaved a sigh of relief when she reached Angela and sat down beside her.
She inhaled deeply. "I think I'm going to suffocate!"
Angela laughed. "Same here. You have to get used to this, you know. At this time of the week, we're expectedly busy. Lots of customers." Angela inspected Kaoru from head to foot. She whistled appreciatively. "Wow! Not bad, girl, not bad." She nodded approvingly.
"You think so?" Kaoru asked self-consciously, tugging the short skirt down, hoping that it could at least cover half of her thighs. She was wearing a short, tight, red dress with transparent spaghetti straps. The dress clung to every curve of her body and she felt like she was stripped naked. She was wearing stilettos and her feet already hurt. She wasn't the femme fatale type and she decided she'll never be. It was all Megumi's fault. The dress actually belonged to Megumi and the woman literally forced her to wear the dress. Literally.
"Come on, you look great! Though, you look like you're going to be eaten alive!" Angela laughed as she flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"That's exactly how I feel." Kaoru replied, her saliva sour. "So, what am I exactly supposed to do out there?"
Angela bit her lower lip, seeming to be deep in thought. A moment later, she looked up. "Actually, I don't know. But I saw some girls who just sits at a corner and look at guys then the guy approaches them and poses his invitation. Easy!"
"Easy for you to say." Kaoru muttered, pouting.
"Oh, come on. Everything will turn out fine. The man who was with you yester night looked nice."
"He is nice." Kaoru stated firmly. "He didn't touch me."
Angela giggled. "No wonder you looked like a scared kitty. This will officially be your first night."
"Officially." Kaoru agreed.
"Yeah, officially," the other girl said. She looked up to the wall clock for a sec and got up. "Hey, I have to go on stage now. I have to cover up for Janet. She got sick or maybe she said she got sick but was just bluffing. She came back home last night and spent the whole time throwing up. So, good luck, Kaoru." She began to walk towards the door, easily evading any human obstacle that blocked her way.
Before she completely opened the door, she heard Kaoru's voice call out over the noise inside the room. "Angela, can I—can I meet you tomorrow? For lunch? I want to talk to you about something. My treat."
Angela smiled apologetically. "Gee, I'm sorry, Kaoru. I'm really busy tomorrow. Maybe some other time. See you up the ceiling." She pushed the door open and went out of the room, not bothering to wait for Kaoru's response. I hope she got my message... she had to. If we meet tomorrow, it will still be useless if... Ryu knew all about it. She got up on stage. She elevated herself from her body and did what she always did. She floated around the room but when she looked at the direction of the stage, she saw her body dancing all the while.
At the dressing room, Kaoru sat back down on the bench and watched the other women get ready. "So much for trying to find out anything illegal about Ryu." She muttered. What a weird farewell. See you up the ceiling? That was the first time somebody said that. She thought about it for awhile. Her eyes widened as she eventually understood what Angela meant.
She faked a yawn and moved her head a little to the side as she did so, so as not to look obvious. She forced an impassive look on her face and opened her eyes wide. She scanned the ceiling and found what she was looking for.
A small digital camera was planted at the very corner of the ceiling and it was facing at her direction.
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7:13 p.m. at the airport...
"This is it?" Sano asked no one in particular incredulously. "This is the illegal cargo they were so nervous about? I mean, what's so important about these anyway? I thought there'd be some action involved here. I wanna kick some ass!" He stared disappointedly at the objects lying on the table before them. These objects were nothing but illegal. The cargo contained several grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride 'hidden' inside partly-opened chocolate wrappers, marijuana and some art collections which were recently bought from an auction by a Jose Mercado Buenaventura and these art paraphernalia were not reported as stolen. "If I could give a full opinionated report on this, I'd say this was a set-up. I mean, look at it! It's like as if somebody tried his best to make these things look so obvious instead of hiding them carefully."
Kenshin nodded slowly, thinking deeply. "Same here." He mumbled.
"Kenshin?" Sano peered into his partner's face. "You don't think somebody's trying to keep us away from some place else, do you?"
Kenshin stared at the 'illegal cargo' on the table with suspicious eyes. "I'm not sure..."
"Uh-oh." Sano muttered as he slowly lifted his head. "Kenshin, here comes the police rookies."
"Huh?" Kenshin looked at the direction Sano was looking to. That's when he realized several police cars approaching the al frescoed part of the airport. Their sirens were furiously wailing to the max.
Kenshin and his companions waited patiently and stood their ground. He saw the officers get off their cars one by one and approach them. At the very head was an almost bald-headed man with an inflated belly wearing what seems to be a police uniform. Behind him, the other men had their guns ready and were running towards them frantically like as if they were after some escaped convicts.
As the police closed the distance between themselves and the FBI agents, Kenshin saw the fat man open his mouth to obviously say something, but was cut off when one of the officers behind him yelled, "LAPD! You people are under arrest! You have the right to remain silent! Anything you say or do will be used against you in the Court of Laws!!!!!!" With that, all the men behind the fat man quickly raised their guns and aimed at Kenshin and his companions.
At the corner of his left eye, Kenshin saw Sano smirk. Careful, Sano. Not everything is what they seem to be at first glance.
"Good evening, gentlemen." The officer with the inflated belly said and Kenshin noticed his voice was unbelievably soft. "I'm Sergeant Jim Carter. We received a call from the airport management. Is anything wrong?"
"Illegal cargo was detected hidden at the freight section of that plane, SERGEANT." Sano said, emphasizing the 'sergeant' with apparent mockery. He was pointing at a plane parked several feet away from them. "And that passenger plane, by the way, landed here about an hour ago from Puerto Rico. We've already declared this area around here" – he gestured at the area around them - "off-limits." He paused as he stared at the police force in front of them. "Any ques—"
"Identify yourselves." Carter cut in abruptly.
"Kenshin Himura, FBI." Kenshin answered quickly before Sano or any of his comrades say anything. He took his wallet from his pocket and abruptly flipped it open to give the man a quick glance at his FBI badge, then he returned it into his pocket.
Carter stared at them for a few seconds. Finally, he raised his hand. "Lower your guns." He told his men. They did and immediately scattered to take 'a quick check of the surrounding perimeter'. After that, Carter took no notice of them and just inspected the 'illegal cargo' as if he could do it better than Kenshin himself.
Kenshin stood at one side and watched the two groups around the area. The police and the FBI were not hostile. Civil, yes, but friendly? Definitely not. But they weren't hostile either. It seems that some of the police from the LA Police Department think that FBI agents are so arrogant and so pseudo-sophisticated and vice versa. But, no, they aren't hostile. Other police officers were even asking some FBI agents for information and data for their police report. It's commonly called civility in the name of public service and security of the state.
Then this thought suddenly hit him. Where is Aoshi? He's supposed to be here. Kenshin took out his cell phone and dialed Aoshi's number. After one ring, Aoshi answered his call. "What is it?" Kenshin asked
"Are the police there?" Aoshi suddenly asked.
Kenshin's eyebrow automatically rose. How'd he know that? Kenshin finally had to strain his ear to hear Aoshi's soft but serious and obviously male voice. "Yes."
"Good." After that, Aoshi immediately talked in a voice so serious and urgent but still unbelievably calm. "Himura, listen. You and Sano, get out into the parking lot. Now. The police can handle the situation there at the airport now." The urgency was obvious in his voice. "Right now. You'll miss something if you don't."
Kenshin looked around, still holding his cell phone near his left ear. He saw Sano involved in a rapid and heated squabble with a police officer near the plane. He whistled loudly and when Sano turned to his direction, he snapped his fingers and motioned his partner to follow him. He immediately ran out into the parking lot with Sano right behind.
When they reached the parking area, they stood at the very middle. Sano looked at Kenshin and mouthed, "What is it?"
Kenshin shushed him and said to Aoshi, "What now?"
"Look around. Do you see a red, six-wheel truck? It's not really big but I know you can really see it. There are two men on the front seats wearing uniforms with 'Junie's Warehouse' printed at the back. Do you see it?"
Kenshin looked around the area and indeed he saw the truck. There was already a man in the driver's seat and he was already starting the engine. The right side of the truck was actually facing at Kenshin and Sano's direction and Kenshin saw another man climbing on the passenger seat. He was wearing a blue worker's uniform. Kenshin could read the name at his back: Junie's Warehouse.
"Yeah, I see it." Kenshin said.
"Follow them. This involves Ryu Ban."
"How do you know all these?" Kenshin asked.
Aoshi's answer was not an unexpected one. "People I know. Keep your distance." Aoshi was known for having several connections which supply him with never-before-heard information.
"We will." And the call ended right there. Kenshin returned his cel into his pocket and immediately ran towards his car. "Get on the car." He told Sano.
When Sano saw that he was headed towards the driver's seat, he immediately opposed it. "Hey, hey! Now, wait, Kenshin! I'm going to drive! The steering wheel is my territory!"
Kenshin ran around the car as Sano stood outside the door of the driver's seat. "This car, though, is my territory." Kenshin said as he tossed the car key's to Sano over the automobile.
Then they both got on. As Sano started the engine, Kenshin said. "Do you see that red truck? The one with six-wheels? Follow it."
Sano pulled out and began looking around. "Is this an FBI mission or something?"
"Yeah," was Kenshin's abrupt answer.
Sano began following the truck but was careful enough to keep his distance until they reached the highway. "Uh, what exactly are we gonna do, Kenshin?"
Kenshin smirked. "Kick some ass."
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7:41 p.m. that night...
Ryu watched the screen intently in his office. He was watching Kaoru Kamiya sit there and stare back at him, her gaze unwavering. Did you really think you can outsmart me, sapphy? They've been doing this for over forty minutes already. But the girl was a determined one.
"Ben." He called out.
A tall, muscular man stepped out from behind the shadows. "Yes, boss?"
With a jerk of his head, he said, "Get her. I want her. Right now."
The man exited the room. Ryu waited and just watched the screen. After a few moments, he saw his man enter the dressing room and pull Kaoru Kamiya to her feet. The girl got angry and slapped him across the face. She glared at the camera, glared at him. Ryu felt himself smirk. The two went out of the dressing room. Then Ryu took the remote and turned off the television. He waited.
A minute passed by and the door opened. Kaoru stepped inside the room and the door shut close behind her. She glared at him, the hatred present in her eyes.
Ryu stared back at her. He suddenly smiled, stood up and crossed the distance between them. He walked around Kaoru and embraced her around the stomach. "I saw you go out yesterday with Kenshin Himura. Tell me, is he great in bed?" He breathed in her feminine scent. "I know you're not stupid, sapphy. You're not going to turn traitor on me now, are you?" He said, his mouth near her ear, his voice sexy.
He pressed his right palm against her stomach and he felt her wince. He smirked. "I'm better than Himura, sapphy. I'll show you how good I am. Only I can make you scream back for more, you know." He let his palm move around her stomach in a circular motion. After a few minutes, he felt himself getting aroused. His hand started to move lower.
Kaoru suddenly understood what he meant to do. Using force, she pried herself free from him and, with all her might, punched him. She ran towards the door and tried pulling it open, but it won't open.
"Don't even try. The door is locked from the outside." She heard Ryu say. She spun around and pressed herself against the door, getting very desperate. She saw him walk slowly towards her, taking his time.
When he finally reached her, he took her by the chin and kissed her on the mouth. Kaoru tightened her lips. I'm never going to open myself to you. Not to you, ever. She told herself when she felt Ryu's tongue trying to push past her lips.
With the use of his body, he pinned her against the door. "Don't be so shy, sapphy. I know you want to do this."
TBC
Author's notes: Hope you liked it. I don't feel so humorous right now. There were just some people who thought they know everything about me but they don't, and they left a bad taste in my mouth. Sorry, I'm really tired. Anyway, see you soon. Bye.
By the way, I hope you'll review. I turned a year older last month. That's all. Thanks.
