Would you Kill for Love?
I was walking all the way to the address supplied to me by Misao's kidnapper and as the hours ticked by darkness had already fallen upon Tokyo. I walked for my adrenalin was pumping and in truth I felt like I could walk forever. Besides taking any car would be obvious and too noisy. I was not stupid and knew Kanryuu would send lackeys out to track me down and if I walked and lurked in the shadows then no one would find me. His lackeys were dumb after all. I knew they would come, but when and if they did they would be lying dead on the concrete with only me as their last source of human life to ever see and then I'd step over their fallen bodies continuing on, getting closer and closer to Misao with every step.
In truth I had wanted to run, but running would tire my already injured body more. I had to preserve my energy and although this long journey on foot wasn't helping matters much, it would at least let me store a quarter maybe half my ki away for the biggest battle I'd ever be in...and you never know...quite possibly my last battle as well. My life wasn't worth anything and most days it seemed pointless to me. All that mattered was to rescue one and avenge another. That was all.
I glanced up at the cloudy sky, watching lightning flash before my eyes and then the clap of thunder came in an instant. A perfect stormy night for a seemingly endless battle which was actually going to end. There were three options in this battle. Kill Kanryuu, get killed myself or we both get killed. Either way Misao had to live...and that Gien guy will die as well. The heavens opened up and it pissed down with rain, almost blinding my path. I didn't give a shit, the rain was I, cold and harsh, and so I continued along at a leisurely pace. This would piss Kanryuu off immensely. He wasn't one for waiting and yet I would make him wait for as long as possible.
*
I'd known the bastard for years, ever since we were both kids, maybe teenagers and I'd never liked him and vice versa. One rainy day I had to pick up Kaoru-chan from school since by then I drove a beat up car Himura helped me pay for and there he was, looming over my scared to death sister as she desperately hugged her yellow backpack to her chest and held a pink umbrella over her head trying to get away from the looming freak, but was too scared to move an inch. I had slammed on the brakes, the bomb of a car screeching to a halt and got out to threaten the shit out of him for ever coming near Kaoru-chan. I made her get into the car and lock the door and there she sat, cried and watched helplessly as Kanryuu and I exchanged blow for blow over her. That day had been the biggest fight I'd ever gotten involved in with Kanryuu. Usually we had lashed out at each other with lame insults and name calling, but as soon as Kaoru-chan got involved, there were no words, just fists and feet.
Long minutes had ticked by that day, until I slammed an uppercut to Kanryuu and knocked him out cold. I guess since that day I defeated him, he has held a grudge against me ever since. He had wanted Kaoru and I wouldn't allow her to be taken from me and given to him...and so during the years he had always been around, lurking in the shadows with a bunch of lackeys from his private school he went to. I felt them staring at us and was always ready to take on 5 guys even though the odds were against me but they never showed themselves. Kaoru was oblivious during those days.
In the end I guess the influence of our father and the love of a brother to protect their innocent and naive sister overcame me and so I strived to become a cop. I wanted to put away anyone that would harm a defenceless human - man, woman or child - it didn't matter. From the very beginning I knew Kanryuu was bad news and now was the time to end it all. When Kaoru-chan had disappeared I always felt Kanryuu and Yukishiro had something to do with it. After hearing Misao talk about Yukishiro perhaps I was wrong about him and so now all my attention was focused on the bastard Kanryuu. He must have killed her! Now, there were no rules to follow and nothing to live for. It was just me and Kanryuu and we'd fight to the death!
*
I stepped around the end of the street, but instantly went back into the shadows. I was here at last, but the place was a fucking fortress! Guards walked around the high brick fence and I knew under there coats they'd be armed. That stupid kid, Takashi Konishi, was right, this place was guarded well. Now how was I supposed to make my way towards the grounds when it was lit up like a freaking Christmas tree...then it came to me...the 'silencer' Sagara had packed for me. I pulled it out, cocked it back and aimed it at the streetlights lining this side of the street I was on. If I took them out at least I could get close enough until I had to start killing people.
I fired the streetlights one at a time, making sure I timed it well with the thunder so nothing was too suspicious. I hugged the fences of the other mansions in this area, but as the lightning grew fiercer I knew it was only a matter of time before one of those idiots would eventually see me. And then, I saw my opening. Around the side of the mansion grounds one lone guard was stretching his arms above his head and yawning loudly. He wore a thick trench coat keeping him dry and yet he wasn't even paying attention for the fact I'd come racing over and now stood beside him. I gave the moron no warning and no time to call for backup as I knocked him unconscious. Though pure revenge was running through me I wasn't going to kill any of this idiots unless I was fired upon myself. I caught his heavy dead weight form and placed him against a tree out of the way form view of any other guards…at least I hoped so for a while anyway. Searching him for anything that would be handy to me I found that he wore a security wire and a radio was lipped to his belt. Taking the radio and his 44 magnum I decided to climb the tree.
"Now, if I were Kanryuu where…would I be?" I muttered softly to myself while clipping the radio to the pocket of the trench coat and placing the earpiece into my right ear. This unknown man only had one clip for his weapon, which I thought, was odd, but never mind that, for now it was time for some quick surveillance work. I brought out the nifty pair of night vision binoculars Sagara had gotten from who knows where and placed them on. It was quite hard to look around, trying to be careful that I wasn't facing any bight lights or any bright lightning. Tricky…very tricky indeed.
Then something happened. Not in front of me or around me, but through the radio and so…I listened in.
[Tetsuji, has that useless Shinomori shown his face yet?]
[No Takeda-sama, I have not seen any movement from around my area.]
[Noburo what about in your area?]
[Nothing out of the ordinary here Takeda-sama.]
[Yamazaki, what about in your area? Yamazaki? Noburo go check out his position immediately!] Well that was Kanryuu's voice and he was getting pissed off. And now it was definitely time to leave. I took note that the trees branches were pretty close to the brick wall surrounding Kanryuu's estate. Instantly I made my way higher up the tree, judging my estimates at 80/20. 80 meant I'd make it, but injure myself lightly in doing so and 20 meant I'd slam right into the wall. Hopefully, as I heard running footsteps I'd make it.
And I did.
Though I injured myself landing in the darkness on the other side though. How the hell was I suppose to know that Kanryuu had some sick obsession with roses! The thick wall was lined with them and I dove out immediately as thorns started pricking and scratching my legs, hands, neck and face. I remained extra still when I felt an evil ki. I had to silently thank Kanryuu for having such a high wall though, as that's what stood between this Noburo guy and me. Well that and a few hundred rose bushes.
[Takeda-sama I've found Yamazaki.]
[What's his position?]
[Unconscious Takeda-sama.]
[He's here, everyone back to your stations, make sure you check every darkened area the lights cannot get to. I want him brought to me alive and even if you have to shoot him, I still want him alive.] Oh gee should I feel special about getting such treatment from Kanryuu? Che, like I was going to let these morons get anywhere near me. I knew my skills…and I could tell by their ki's they were no match for me. Even Hannya could take these guys out with one arm tied behind his back. They were nothing but a waist of time and thus I continued with my search for an entrance into the mansion.
I headed around the side of the mansion and my eyes caught a hold of something interesting. There were indents into the brick wall plus a large vine creeper grew up and further into the darkness of the house. I could use this to get to the first floor of the mansion where a balcony was situated. I made sure all my weapons were secure, checked out the area to make sure no lackeys were lurking around and made a run for the plant and the wall. I had timed it well with the spotlights of the mansion grounds as when I plastered myself to the vine, trying to cover a bit of my clothing up so I didn't look so suspicious the light went floating by. This seemed way too easy as I climbed my way to the balcony. I hopped over the railing, brought a lock picking device and placed it into the balcony door. It clicked unlocked, but then as my brain registered before, this was far too easy. I mean I knew these guys were dumb, but Kanryuu he was quite smart and I knew that he'd have some sort of alarm system in this mansion if I opened the door. Now all I needed…was a distraction. From my crouched position on the balcony I grabbed the silencer out once more and aimed for one of the spotlights across the yard.
[Takeda-sama, one of the spotlights has been shot, permission to investigate the area?]
[Go ahead, but take backup with you, I'll watch from my screen.] Screen? The bastard had cameras too, which meant I'd either been seriously lucky in missing them all or Kanryuu was watching me this very moment. In any case there was scurrying footsteps from below as several guards headed in that direction. I quickly aimed for another spotlight and shot that as well.
[Takeda-sama, another has gone. Do you think he brought someone with him?]
[Shinomori may be a cop, but he was a street kid first. There is no way he'd risk this girl's life, though I am bitterly disappointed I cannot be her first now. It brakes my hear when Shinomori takes what is rightfully mine.] I balled my fist at his words. I'll fucking kill him if he touches her! I took a deep breath and calmed my raging heart. Just chill Shinomori, Misao will be fine…she'll be fine…now get back to saving her!
At that I jumped back into action, slipping the door open and as I thought there was a timer on the side of the wall where a control system for the major alarm system in the mansion was. Thirty seconds to disarm it, but wait, I'll use this as another diversion. With that thought in mine I headed for the door, opened it up to realise I was in a brightly lit corridor and I swear Kami-sama was on my side when I saw a control box on the floor and brought out the silencer once more. Lights went dead and I hoped cameras as well as I made my way out of the room and raced down the hallway towards the other set of stairs. If I knew Kanryuu, Misao would be on the top floor in the furthermost room away from me. Let's just hope I was right.
[Takeda-sama we have found nothing.]
[Never mind that, he's inside the house, first floor, now get your asses inside!] I could silently hear the alarms going and knew I'd have company really soon. In truth I knew I wouldn't be able to take on all these men and looked out the window as I saw about twenty heading towards the front and back doors. Fuck! Perhaps that wasn't such a good idea. Too late now. Must press on and head further upstairs. I did just that, stairs being taken three at a time and pressed my back against the wall as I quickly peered around then corner and down the darkened hallway. Not a soul in sight. This was too easy, which meant it was a trap. Fine h wants to play dirty…I'll play dirty as well.
I brought out a small torch as I crouched on the carpeted floor and brought out my pager. I hope Saitou is smart enough to do a trace on this damn thing. I programmed I in to page my Captain with a message and then placed it into a pot plant in the corner. Footsteps were running up the first flight of stairs, doors being opened here and there and messages coming through the radio with "all clear". Now it truly was time to get my ass moving. I raced down the hallway turning my head over my shoulder every now and then and yet no men ever came upstairs. It was official that Kanryuu knew all my moves, but fuck him I was hear for Misao and then we'd fight. He'd never let me leave without a fight and I was preparing for that. I noticed one of the doors down the far end of the hallway was opened. Now if that wasn't suspicious then I didn't know what was. I stealthily headed for the entrance of that room and quickly peered inside. My heart slumped in my chest at what I sore. Misao was strapped down to the bed dressed only in her underwear and bra. She had a blindfold over her eyes and one covering her mouth. Soft whimpers came from her throat and that's when I smelt cigar smoke and did a double take in the room to check if anyone was in there.
And there was too. In fact the figure headed further into the light shining down on Misao's shaking body and I narrowed my eyes as I made out instantly who it was.
Mimi Makimachi…and she flipped a knife in her hand.
"Tell me Misao darling, was he worth it, worth all the trouble he got you in?" I narrowed my eyes at the scene as she pressed the knife into Misao's skin, tearing it open and making her choke on her breath.
"Did you enjoy being a little whore to him?"
"That's quite enough." I spoke stepping into the room and closed the door behind me. Mimi Makimachi gasped at seeing me inside the mansion. She was instantly at Misao's neck with the knife and Misao muffled out my name knowing my voice off by heart.
"Stay still Misao, I'll free you soon."
"Don't test my patience Shinomori or I'll kill her!" Mimi Makimachi yelled at me. Lease was that really supposed to scare me? I think not. I stepped a little forward, my hands at my waist ready for anything.
"No, no its you who shouldn't piss me off, I get quite angry when I'm mad." There was a choked sound from Misao when the blade pierced her skin and instantly the silencer was out and a bullet went straight into Mimi Makimachi's stomach. She doubled over in pain and fell to the floor with a loud thumb.
"I told you I can get angry." Misao jolted about the place, but I was beside her in an instant taking of the blind folds and then cut her arm restraints. Instantly she was in my arms and clutching me furiously.
"I knew you'd come, I knew it." I couldn't help but hug her back for a moment before cutting the rope at her feet with a knife I had strapped to my ankle. I stood up taking my trench coat off, watching Misao's eyes water at finally taking note of the bandages around my chest and my head.
"I'm okay. Place this on quickly." She did as I said and then stared wide-eyed at me for all the weapons I had.
"What? I had to come prepared, this isn't some little game Misao, this time Kanryuu means business.""
"You know him?" She whispered softly as I grabbed her hand with mine and headed for the door.
"Aa, he tried to take Kaoru-chan from me."
"K-Kaoru-chan…wait, you mean Kamiya Kaoru?" I looked down at her for a moment before turning my head back towards the hallway.
"Yes, she took our mothers name while I took father's. She was my sister, but she disappeared long ago."
"K-Kaoru-chan…but Aoshi Kaoru-chan's al-"
"Shh!" I snapped at her and ran down the hallway with a stumbling Misao following behind me. There was not a sound…and I didn't like this at all. I headed cautiously downstairs and then entered another room, where instantly lights were turned on. I shielded my eyes for a moment and then instantly placed Misao behind me as I made out the figure standing in the ballroom.
"Why hello Shinomori, its been quite a while ne?"
"Too long, Kanryuu Takeda." He knew all my weapons now and I too noticed he had a kodachi by his side. I'm sure he had others, but right now the kodachi was what I noticed. So I gathered he'd been practicing then? He pulled it out and got into a stance.
"Shall we begin Shinomori?"
* * * *
To be continued…
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