Scarlet Lady: The Toshin Quest
By Indigo Siren
Disclaimer: Tekken is © to Namco, and that all characters mentioned from under this label are only used in this fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. No money is being made from this story; it is just for fun. I do however own the basic concept and characters of my own creation.
Chapter 5
"So, what's the scoop with IPD Japan?"
Forest looked up from the long report to Anna, whom was half sprawled out across one her hotel room bed, the mass wad of printed materials scattered around her and on the floor accordingly.
He cleared his throat. "Well, what they've come back with on these latest murder cases, even though they are few, have been randomly spaced all over Tokyo. No close proximity murders, and all the victims have been verified as demons. They've tried to follow that strange water trail we had last time but I think Toshin is covering up its tracks. Being more careful this time around."
"It would appear. As my mother used to say when I was very little, mistakes are the key to knowledge. I think she meant that you learn from whatever mistake you make." Anna said.
He nodded. "Yes, I would think so."
"Toshin said it was after the 'Red Eye', and it lies within a demon's soul, so it's out on the hunt for it." Anna slammed her fist down. "But we wouldn't know where to start or know what we are exactly looking for. I can sense demon's, but I wouldn't know if I'm sensing some other thing about them unless it was plainly obvious."
"You'd be looking for something red." Anna gave Forest a narrow look as he just smiled on.
"Nothing is ever THAT simple."
"Well, I'm just assuming…"
"Assumption is the mother of all screw ups," Anna informed him and flicked over more of their worksheets.
They sat in silence for a moment, staring countless times over everything they had got. Breaking the silence, Forest spoke up tiredly.
"We've been over everything. Are we any closer to a lead?"
"Honestly?"
"Yes, honestly."
She sighed. "No."
Forest slammed down his folder. "This sucks."
"I know it does, but we can't give up. There has to be something that could give us a clue to its whereabouts, and maybe, to whom it might next strike."
Forest stood up, partly frustrated. "It's one in a million that we'll figure that out!"
"Calm down," she said. "At least I'm thinking of a plan instead of throwing a sissy fit."
Forest slumped back into his seat. "Am not!"
Anna grinned. "Oh come on big boy, buck it up! We've got lots of work to do. We have to stay at least a little focused on the job."
Forest sighed. "I can but try."
"That's the spirit," she pushed, rolling off the bed. "What we have mainly is that Toshin has figured its search is for a demon in Tokyo. We at least have our location."
"What if it kills outside Tokyo?" Forest asked.
"Then we're screwed," she said and gathered up her work.
"Anything else?" He inquired.
"Uh… I'll get back to you on that one," she told him, putting away her folder.
He slapped his hands over his face. "Just great."
"You're not helping," Anna warned him in a low tone. "You're being so simple minded about this whole thing. It may not be easy, but there is something there that'll reveal itself soon enough. Once there is an opening, one tiny mistake made on Toshin's part, then we'll have it."
"So, we have to wait for someone else to die, is that it?" Forest snapped.
Anna inwardly winced, but kept on a face of sheer irritability. "I don't know. Whatever happens. I hope not to sacrifice anyone else… demon or not." She almost spat acid with thinking about saving the demons. With her morality, it felt just that tad bit wrong. She hated them after all.
"It breaks me up inside thinking that some innocent person could become the next victim and we don't know what the heck we're doing. How are we going to find it, even stop the damn thing!" Forest was snappy. He was now up and by the window, the chair he'd been sat in backwards on the floor.
Anna grabbed her coat and purse and headed for the door. "I can't think while I'm listening to you bitch like this."
"I'm being realistic!" He shouted out.
"And it's down right depressing when I'm trying to come up with a solution," she growled and walked out, slamming the door.
***
Anna only just realised; she didn't like the alcohol in Japan. Did it taste different to the rest of the world? Well, the taste for it was most acquired. So many different types, and not just your average Guinness, as she usually liked. Being an Irish girl, it was understandable. She relayed her distaste of the rice wine she'd ordered in fluent Japanese, but all she got back was either 'It's good stuff' or 'You have no taste'. In the end, she gave up and left the little bar she'd been sat in for the last hour or so. She'd not been keeping up with the time, as she was in no hurry of getting back to Forest.
They'd wasted the first day in getting to Japan on arguing over the evidence. They'd got nowhere fast and obviously, tension had been running high with Mr. Law. These things effected him more then they did with her. Since this was a demon life or death situation, she didn't know whether to pull herself from the numb of hatred for their race to actually give a damn. But she was suppose to be solving a case, and that should would, whomever was targeted.
After wandering around the streets aimlessly, buying time with the excuse of getting herself some fresh air, she decided it was time to go back to the hotel. Humming to herself, she retraced her steps and headed back along the small, quietening streets, as the darkness began to take effect over the world.
Her mind had been so far up in the clouds, that she was too little too late to sense the demon that grabbed her arm and dragged her into a back alley. Luckily, she was stable on her feet and pulled away, twisting around into a defensive stance against her foe.
"What do you want?" She hissed at the shadowy stranger ahead of her.
"I come with a warning Anna Williams…" The voice rumbled as the figure stepped towards her. The demon looked normal enough, but the eyes glowed an eerie green. There was a lot of power behind those eyes, too much for this kind of demon she sensed.
"How do you know my name?" She asked.
"My lord Toshin knows you…" He informed her darkly.
'A slave demon… now I get it…' She thought, stepping back. "A warning you say? What warning?"
"Stay out of my lord's way. Toshin will make many others pay dearly if you get involved…" He warned.
"Oh, a threat… you think that will stop me?" Anna growled.
"You're making a mistake to ignore this warning," the enslaved demon said.
"Oh, I'll take my chances. I'm not going to stop until I find and defeat Toshin, to save everybody!" She told him boldly.
"Toshin knew you'd be insistent. Hmm, but I know I can be very persuasive," he spat, lunging at her.
She ducked as he leapt over her and she instantly dodged forward, putting some distance between them. She rolled up, bringing up and arm to block as he was quickly on top of her again. His weight was enough to unbalance her when he smashed into her, but she took the chance to hook his arm and switch positions, making him stumble down onto his hands and knees.
Those glowing green eyes snapped a lock on hers, narrowing with fury. This was one annoying game she seemed to be playing with him and he didn't like it. He roared and leapt at her again. She stayed prepared…
… That was, until a gunshot sounded and her instincts told her to hit the dirt. The echo lingered as she waited for any more bullets to head their way. She peeked up from her place on the ground to see the demon froze, choking loudly. She shifted backwards, now in a low stance, watching the demon. Her face turned to that of surprise as the demon crumpled, first dropping to his knees, her eyes in line with the nice gapping bullet hole in his neck. With one last gargled cry, he fell forward, twitched a few times then lay still.
She jumped slightly when she noticed the barrel of a gun just down the alley, now aimed on her. She froze up, waiting to be shot. But the gun barrel lowered much to her relief.
The man behind the gun was highlighted under a shoddy light on the side-wall at the head of the alley. He was young, maybe just younger then her and as thin as a rake. Even though a large, dull brown coat covered him, she could tell there was a hefty bit of muscle to his form. He had a cocky smile on his face and brushed a hand over his loose hanging fiery red hair, though, it could have been described as orange too.
He walked towards her, the spurs on his boots clinking on the concrete. "Demons are bastards, you need to be careful when you go out at night."
She stood, brushing herself down. "I know that for sure."
"I might have guessed. Didn't look like you were going to be the running and screaming type."
She was glad that he at least wasn't making her feel weak or stupid, at least acknowledging her to an independent woman. She looked him over. He wasn't bad looking, and didn't look half-bad in a pair of chaps too. He was a very cowboy like figure.
"I have to ask, when did it become normal for happy go lucky Korean kids to carry around firearms in Japan?" She asked him, smiling sweetly.
He looked quite offended. "Excuse me! Kid! I'll have you know that nineteen is above the borderline age for child!"
"Do excuse me," she said. "I'm not perfect with guessing ages of people I've just met. So, what's with the gun?"
"You can never be too careful," he told her, slipping his gun into a holster on his belt.
"Oh? You always in danger?"
He snorted. "You could say that…"
"I would carry my gun, but I thought I'd be only going out for a drink, not fighting for my life…"
He looked intrigued. "Your job permit you to be armed?"
"I'm with the IPD," she said proudly. "It comes with the work. All the dangerous stuff is expected. So, you see, I deal with demons on a regular basis."
He gave her a rather condescending look. "Couldn't see a pretty girl like you being in the IPD."
She'd be waiting for the downgrading since they'd first started talking. "Watch it, I'm a year older then you. And besides, girls can do just as much as the guys so no pulling any macho crap on me, I get it too much."
"So sorry, don't have to deal with girls too much, unless I'm screwing them."
She raised an eyebrow. "Lovely…"
He laughed, scratching the back of his head. "I'm a lone gun. Freelance bounty hunter at your service. You pay me to kill a rogue demon, and I'll seal the contract in record time."
"You're the kind of people we're told to look out for," Anna said sharply. "You realise your side of things is illegal compared to mine?"
"Of course, that's why I do it," he said, not deterred in the least by her tone.
She sighed. "Typical head-cases. Well, don't go doing anything stupid around this area right now or I might have to turn you in. I'm on a case, and the importance of life and death is on the line right now."
"Oh… I see…" He grinned. "Wouldn't happen to be Toshin would it?"
That surprised her. "What! How'd you…" She paused and composed herself. "What do you know about Toshin?"
He laughed again. "Oh, I've been hired to see Toshin six feet under. A guy back in America went down to this thing, took them a while to get the leads they wanted to the murderer. Lots of demonic investigation was done when they found out it wasn't a just your average person behind it. This guy was a big name. His family wants Toshin dead. I'm the man for the job."
She just stared at him, quite mortified that information could pass along within circles. It must have taken them a while to find out about Toshin though. Anna wasn't too pleased with this revelation. "I can't let you kill Toshin."
His eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
"I said…"
"I heard what you said." He stepped in towards her. "And when did the IPD start protecting the demon scum?"
"I'm not protecting Toshin, I just can't let you go straight out and kill it," she said.
"Oh? For the fact you want to make an arrest?" He jeered.
"Not likely, I want the asshole dead… but it can't be straight up and killed because it's possessing my sister," she seethed.
He stopped there, thought and just gave her a cocky look, one that wasn't exactly friendly. "Well, too bad. Toshin has to die, and it doesn't matter whose in the way because one way or another, I'm making the bastard worm food."
"You'll have to shoot through me then," she said determinedly.
"I'll blast you and everyone else. It doesn't matter to me. Might be fun." He chuckled and gave her a mock salute. "See you later sweetheart. Would be a shame to have to blow you away. You're just too pretty to ignore. Well, good luck!"
He turned away and abandoned her in the alley. She was frozen there with anger at this attitude he adopted against her. Finally, she shook her head and ran after him.
"YOU GET BACK HERE!" She cried. "YOU'VE GOT SOME NERVE!"
She stepped out onto the street where he'd gone, but only to find that he was nowhere in sight. She swore loudly, stomping her foot.
***
Thirty six hours later…
Eddy Gordo sat on the wall facing in to the open yard at the front of a few apartments. He checked his watch and kept an eye on the milling population of police, ambulance and anyone else who had a badge of importance. The area was cut off to the public, as just a few hours ago, it was discovered to be the seen of a murder. Another of the long string of murders under the Toshin case.
It was coming close to midday, and Eddy was hot and bothered. He hadn't managed to catch breakfast because of being called out. He and his team were there first to help with accessing the situation, and of course, an hour ago he'd called Anna and Forest to hurry and move out. Where the hell were they?
It was just with this thought that he noticed a rental car pull up and he jumped off the wall. Anna and Forest both in turn stepped from the car.
"Where have you been?" Eddy questioned angrily.
"Traffic in Tokyo is evil," Anna said with annoyance. "You want us to get here quicker, tell the population in the city to walk to work!"
He let it go and turned to Forest. "You brought all the files and stuff?"
"From what we have so far, yes, we did," he answered.
Eddy nodded and they all walked towards the seen.
Anna noticed people were gathered behind the police tape, wanting to get a look in on this new murder scene. Residents and pedestrians alike had gathered as if it were a social meet.
"HEY! Move along!" Anna shouted out, grabbing their attention as she came through the crowd. "This isn't a free peep show! Someone has died here! Be a little respectful!"
The throng began to disband, quite insulted by the break up insisted by the Irish woman. She ignored there grumbling as they left the scene, grabbing at the police tape and lifting it up so she could climb under.
One of the police officers began to hum the funeral march, filling in some background noise.
Forest shook his head. "As if this is the time for that…"
Anna turned to that officer. "If you seriously want your ass kicking, keep that up."
He cringed, bowing slightly. "Sorry."
"Idiot…" She mumbled and moved along, coming to the main area of where the victim lay. There were police photographers, forensic teams and many different IPD scientists around the shrouded scene. A photographer replaced the blanket after finishing taking pictures and moved with his group back to their big van to start the developing process.
Anna finally came to stand by the big white sheet. Eddy leant down, looked between his two comrades and pulled the sheet back slightly to reveal a face. Forest turned away, feeling quite distraught by this.
It wasn't anything truly bloody or messy, just the fact a horrified, lifeless face stared blankly up towards them. The dead woman's mouth hung agape in a permanent soundless scream, her skin stark white in contrast of the horror she'd seen.
"Her name was Ashitaba Kumoi," Eddy told them.
"Did you have to put a name to the face," Forest said, his voice weak.
Eddy ignored him. "A thirty year old mother of one. She was a demon living in these apartments here. She lived just like everyone else, just gifted with the demon traits. Maybe even could have been classed as a half breed."
"So, she still ended up dead. Another demon target," Anna said solemnly.
"Yes, true," he said, and flipped the sheet back over, standing up. "We looked for the particular things that you originally mentioned. That whole test for that water substance came up negative. All other substances were untraceable."
"But there are other things then?" Anna said, turning away from the white sheet with an involuntary shudder.
"Yes, but they just could be things the woman had picked up when walking around. Dust and what not. We're doing our best to find where some of the substances could come from. It's looking quite bleak. Just average dirt."
"THAT average dirt could come from a place that Toshin is hiding," Anna snapped. "Don't overlook it."
"We're not planning to." He looked back towards the sheet. "Besides that, nothing else came up."
Anna sighed and flicked out her phone. She dialled for the long distance call back to the IPD headquarters in New York.
"Hello?" Lei answered.
"It's me," she said, walking away from the scene with Forest in close pursuit.
"What have you to report?"
She sighed. "Small dirt samples and other substances have been picked up, but it looks like they could be anything but what we want."
Lei gave a sigh of his own. "Anything else that could be an essential link to Toshin?"
"Not a microscopic dabble of spit…" She looked back, shaking her head. "Just nothing. It's been playing it safe."
"If you have anything else to report, call back," he told her.
"Right, later." She hung up, looking to Forest with a shrug.
There was a disturbance coming from outside the walls of the apartment main yard that grabbed their attention, and just like everyone else who wasn't bogged down with investigative work, they were walking over to see what was going on.
A sleek black limo had pulled up and a group of security surrounded a figure that now stepped out.
"Governor Heihachi Mishima," Eddy said as he came to stand by Anna and Forest. "Why does he need to be here?"
"You going to find out?" Anna asked him. "You are in charge on the scene."
Eddy looked rather tired by the whole situation. "Well, nobody else is, so I'd better." He left the pair, who decided to keep in close contact anyway and he made his way towards the ageing Governor, whom was one of the many who ran the large council in Tokyo.
"What brings you here, sir?" Eddy asked as he came in contact with the man. "I'm Eddy Gordo, IPD Japan; I'm in charge on this scene. Can I be of help to you?"
The old man looked past him, resting on a very decorative cane. He looked proud and stern, standing ignoring the mass that was forming around him.
"I came to see this murder scene. There has been many in the Tokyo area and it is becoming quite disturbing to the citizens, myself and the leading council," he said regally.
"We're doing our best, sir," Eddy said.
Heihachi held up a hand. "This murder situation has only been going on a few days, but many people have been murdered without cause or explanation. It seems to have shifted from the big case in New York to here in Tokyo, Japan. I'd really like to know what is going on?"
"The information regarding the case cannot be given out, sir, I'm sorry," Eddy informed him.
Heihachi gave a long drawn out sigh. "Then I will leave a warning with you and the IPD. If you don't wrap up this case soon then I'll be forced to pick my own elite team to be dealing with this. That way, the council will have full control of the situation."
"But sir, you don't have the…"
"You've been warned!" Heihachi's voice rose over Eddy's. He turned back to his limo. "Good day to you."
The old man stepped back into his car. Eddy wasn't planning to back down just yet.
"You don't know what you're doing," the Brazilian said sternly. "Kicking us off the case will just be giving more time and effort for the murderer to go around causing more deaths!"
The window rolled down, the Governor looking out without the slightest bit of care. "The public will be safer in our hands. Now, if you'll be so kind to clean up this mess, maybe people can actually walk around here without feeling too ill. Goodbye."
The limo pulled away quite sharply. Eddy stood there, going red in the face.
"The old geezer doesn't understand what the hell he's doing. He wouldn't know where to start," Forest said.
Anna just stood quietly. Her mind was contemplating action. They had even less time then before now. She hoped that she could stop Toshin before they were torn off the case.
*********************************************************************************
A/N: The clock is ticking. Anna and the crew and very little time left, and to top it off, a myseterious Korean bountry hunter is out for Toshin's blood. (Like we don't know who that is!) Hope to have more for you soon!
By Indigo Siren
Disclaimer: Tekken is © to Namco, and that all characters mentioned from under this label are only used in this fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. No money is being made from this story; it is just for fun. I do however own the basic concept and characters of my own creation.
Chapter 5
"So, what's the scoop with IPD Japan?"
Forest looked up from the long report to Anna, whom was half sprawled out across one her hotel room bed, the mass wad of printed materials scattered around her and on the floor accordingly.
He cleared his throat. "Well, what they've come back with on these latest murder cases, even though they are few, have been randomly spaced all over Tokyo. No close proximity murders, and all the victims have been verified as demons. They've tried to follow that strange water trail we had last time but I think Toshin is covering up its tracks. Being more careful this time around."
"It would appear. As my mother used to say when I was very little, mistakes are the key to knowledge. I think she meant that you learn from whatever mistake you make." Anna said.
He nodded. "Yes, I would think so."
"Toshin said it was after the 'Red Eye', and it lies within a demon's soul, so it's out on the hunt for it." Anna slammed her fist down. "But we wouldn't know where to start or know what we are exactly looking for. I can sense demon's, but I wouldn't know if I'm sensing some other thing about them unless it was plainly obvious."
"You'd be looking for something red." Anna gave Forest a narrow look as he just smiled on.
"Nothing is ever THAT simple."
"Well, I'm just assuming…"
"Assumption is the mother of all screw ups," Anna informed him and flicked over more of their worksheets.
They sat in silence for a moment, staring countless times over everything they had got. Breaking the silence, Forest spoke up tiredly.
"We've been over everything. Are we any closer to a lead?"
"Honestly?"
"Yes, honestly."
She sighed. "No."
Forest slammed down his folder. "This sucks."
"I know it does, but we can't give up. There has to be something that could give us a clue to its whereabouts, and maybe, to whom it might next strike."
Forest stood up, partly frustrated. "It's one in a million that we'll figure that out!"
"Calm down," she said. "At least I'm thinking of a plan instead of throwing a sissy fit."
Forest slumped back into his seat. "Am not!"
Anna grinned. "Oh come on big boy, buck it up! We've got lots of work to do. We have to stay at least a little focused on the job."
Forest sighed. "I can but try."
"That's the spirit," she pushed, rolling off the bed. "What we have mainly is that Toshin has figured its search is for a demon in Tokyo. We at least have our location."
"What if it kills outside Tokyo?" Forest asked.
"Then we're screwed," she said and gathered up her work.
"Anything else?" He inquired.
"Uh… I'll get back to you on that one," she told him, putting away her folder.
He slapped his hands over his face. "Just great."
"You're not helping," Anna warned him in a low tone. "You're being so simple minded about this whole thing. It may not be easy, but there is something there that'll reveal itself soon enough. Once there is an opening, one tiny mistake made on Toshin's part, then we'll have it."
"So, we have to wait for someone else to die, is that it?" Forest snapped.
Anna inwardly winced, but kept on a face of sheer irritability. "I don't know. Whatever happens. I hope not to sacrifice anyone else… demon or not." She almost spat acid with thinking about saving the demons. With her morality, it felt just that tad bit wrong. She hated them after all.
"It breaks me up inside thinking that some innocent person could become the next victim and we don't know what the heck we're doing. How are we going to find it, even stop the damn thing!" Forest was snappy. He was now up and by the window, the chair he'd been sat in backwards on the floor.
Anna grabbed her coat and purse and headed for the door. "I can't think while I'm listening to you bitch like this."
"I'm being realistic!" He shouted out.
"And it's down right depressing when I'm trying to come up with a solution," she growled and walked out, slamming the door.
***
Anna only just realised; she didn't like the alcohol in Japan. Did it taste different to the rest of the world? Well, the taste for it was most acquired. So many different types, and not just your average Guinness, as she usually liked. Being an Irish girl, it was understandable. She relayed her distaste of the rice wine she'd ordered in fluent Japanese, but all she got back was either 'It's good stuff' or 'You have no taste'. In the end, she gave up and left the little bar she'd been sat in for the last hour or so. She'd not been keeping up with the time, as she was in no hurry of getting back to Forest.
They'd wasted the first day in getting to Japan on arguing over the evidence. They'd got nowhere fast and obviously, tension had been running high with Mr. Law. These things effected him more then they did with her. Since this was a demon life or death situation, she didn't know whether to pull herself from the numb of hatred for their race to actually give a damn. But she was suppose to be solving a case, and that should would, whomever was targeted.
After wandering around the streets aimlessly, buying time with the excuse of getting herself some fresh air, she decided it was time to go back to the hotel. Humming to herself, she retraced her steps and headed back along the small, quietening streets, as the darkness began to take effect over the world.
Her mind had been so far up in the clouds, that she was too little too late to sense the demon that grabbed her arm and dragged her into a back alley. Luckily, she was stable on her feet and pulled away, twisting around into a defensive stance against her foe.
"What do you want?" She hissed at the shadowy stranger ahead of her.
"I come with a warning Anna Williams…" The voice rumbled as the figure stepped towards her. The demon looked normal enough, but the eyes glowed an eerie green. There was a lot of power behind those eyes, too much for this kind of demon she sensed.
"How do you know my name?" She asked.
"My lord Toshin knows you…" He informed her darkly.
'A slave demon… now I get it…' She thought, stepping back. "A warning you say? What warning?"
"Stay out of my lord's way. Toshin will make many others pay dearly if you get involved…" He warned.
"Oh, a threat… you think that will stop me?" Anna growled.
"You're making a mistake to ignore this warning," the enslaved demon said.
"Oh, I'll take my chances. I'm not going to stop until I find and defeat Toshin, to save everybody!" She told him boldly.
"Toshin knew you'd be insistent. Hmm, but I know I can be very persuasive," he spat, lunging at her.
She ducked as he leapt over her and she instantly dodged forward, putting some distance between them. She rolled up, bringing up and arm to block as he was quickly on top of her again. His weight was enough to unbalance her when he smashed into her, but she took the chance to hook his arm and switch positions, making him stumble down onto his hands and knees.
Those glowing green eyes snapped a lock on hers, narrowing with fury. This was one annoying game she seemed to be playing with him and he didn't like it. He roared and leapt at her again. She stayed prepared…
… That was, until a gunshot sounded and her instincts told her to hit the dirt. The echo lingered as she waited for any more bullets to head their way. She peeked up from her place on the ground to see the demon froze, choking loudly. She shifted backwards, now in a low stance, watching the demon. Her face turned to that of surprise as the demon crumpled, first dropping to his knees, her eyes in line with the nice gapping bullet hole in his neck. With one last gargled cry, he fell forward, twitched a few times then lay still.
She jumped slightly when she noticed the barrel of a gun just down the alley, now aimed on her. She froze up, waiting to be shot. But the gun barrel lowered much to her relief.
The man behind the gun was highlighted under a shoddy light on the side-wall at the head of the alley. He was young, maybe just younger then her and as thin as a rake. Even though a large, dull brown coat covered him, she could tell there was a hefty bit of muscle to his form. He had a cocky smile on his face and brushed a hand over his loose hanging fiery red hair, though, it could have been described as orange too.
He walked towards her, the spurs on his boots clinking on the concrete. "Demons are bastards, you need to be careful when you go out at night."
She stood, brushing herself down. "I know that for sure."
"I might have guessed. Didn't look like you were going to be the running and screaming type."
She was glad that he at least wasn't making her feel weak or stupid, at least acknowledging her to an independent woman. She looked him over. He wasn't bad looking, and didn't look half-bad in a pair of chaps too. He was a very cowboy like figure.
"I have to ask, when did it become normal for happy go lucky Korean kids to carry around firearms in Japan?" She asked him, smiling sweetly.
He looked quite offended. "Excuse me! Kid! I'll have you know that nineteen is above the borderline age for child!"
"Do excuse me," she said. "I'm not perfect with guessing ages of people I've just met. So, what's with the gun?"
"You can never be too careful," he told her, slipping his gun into a holster on his belt.
"Oh? You always in danger?"
He snorted. "You could say that…"
"I would carry my gun, but I thought I'd be only going out for a drink, not fighting for my life…"
He looked intrigued. "Your job permit you to be armed?"
"I'm with the IPD," she said proudly. "It comes with the work. All the dangerous stuff is expected. So, you see, I deal with demons on a regular basis."
He gave her a rather condescending look. "Couldn't see a pretty girl like you being in the IPD."
She'd be waiting for the downgrading since they'd first started talking. "Watch it, I'm a year older then you. And besides, girls can do just as much as the guys so no pulling any macho crap on me, I get it too much."
"So sorry, don't have to deal with girls too much, unless I'm screwing them."
She raised an eyebrow. "Lovely…"
He laughed, scratching the back of his head. "I'm a lone gun. Freelance bounty hunter at your service. You pay me to kill a rogue demon, and I'll seal the contract in record time."
"You're the kind of people we're told to look out for," Anna said sharply. "You realise your side of things is illegal compared to mine?"
"Of course, that's why I do it," he said, not deterred in the least by her tone.
She sighed. "Typical head-cases. Well, don't go doing anything stupid around this area right now or I might have to turn you in. I'm on a case, and the importance of life and death is on the line right now."
"Oh… I see…" He grinned. "Wouldn't happen to be Toshin would it?"
That surprised her. "What! How'd you…" She paused and composed herself. "What do you know about Toshin?"
He laughed again. "Oh, I've been hired to see Toshin six feet under. A guy back in America went down to this thing, took them a while to get the leads they wanted to the murderer. Lots of demonic investigation was done when they found out it wasn't a just your average person behind it. This guy was a big name. His family wants Toshin dead. I'm the man for the job."
She just stared at him, quite mortified that information could pass along within circles. It must have taken them a while to find out about Toshin though. Anna wasn't too pleased with this revelation. "I can't let you kill Toshin."
His eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
"I said…"
"I heard what you said." He stepped in towards her. "And when did the IPD start protecting the demon scum?"
"I'm not protecting Toshin, I just can't let you go straight out and kill it," she said.
"Oh? For the fact you want to make an arrest?" He jeered.
"Not likely, I want the asshole dead… but it can't be straight up and killed because it's possessing my sister," she seethed.
He stopped there, thought and just gave her a cocky look, one that wasn't exactly friendly. "Well, too bad. Toshin has to die, and it doesn't matter whose in the way because one way or another, I'm making the bastard worm food."
"You'll have to shoot through me then," she said determinedly.
"I'll blast you and everyone else. It doesn't matter to me. Might be fun." He chuckled and gave her a mock salute. "See you later sweetheart. Would be a shame to have to blow you away. You're just too pretty to ignore. Well, good luck!"
He turned away and abandoned her in the alley. She was frozen there with anger at this attitude he adopted against her. Finally, she shook her head and ran after him.
"YOU GET BACK HERE!" She cried. "YOU'VE GOT SOME NERVE!"
She stepped out onto the street where he'd gone, but only to find that he was nowhere in sight. She swore loudly, stomping her foot.
***
Thirty six hours later…
Eddy Gordo sat on the wall facing in to the open yard at the front of a few apartments. He checked his watch and kept an eye on the milling population of police, ambulance and anyone else who had a badge of importance. The area was cut off to the public, as just a few hours ago, it was discovered to be the seen of a murder. Another of the long string of murders under the Toshin case.
It was coming close to midday, and Eddy was hot and bothered. He hadn't managed to catch breakfast because of being called out. He and his team were there first to help with accessing the situation, and of course, an hour ago he'd called Anna and Forest to hurry and move out. Where the hell were they?
It was just with this thought that he noticed a rental car pull up and he jumped off the wall. Anna and Forest both in turn stepped from the car.
"Where have you been?" Eddy questioned angrily.
"Traffic in Tokyo is evil," Anna said with annoyance. "You want us to get here quicker, tell the population in the city to walk to work!"
He let it go and turned to Forest. "You brought all the files and stuff?"
"From what we have so far, yes, we did," he answered.
Eddy nodded and they all walked towards the seen.
Anna noticed people were gathered behind the police tape, wanting to get a look in on this new murder scene. Residents and pedestrians alike had gathered as if it were a social meet.
"HEY! Move along!" Anna shouted out, grabbing their attention as she came through the crowd. "This isn't a free peep show! Someone has died here! Be a little respectful!"
The throng began to disband, quite insulted by the break up insisted by the Irish woman. She ignored there grumbling as they left the scene, grabbing at the police tape and lifting it up so she could climb under.
One of the police officers began to hum the funeral march, filling in some background noise.
Forest shook his head. "As if this is the time for that…"
Anna turned to that officer. "If you seriously want your ass kicking, keep that up."
He cringed, bowing slightly. "Sorry."
"Idiot…" She mumbled and moved along, coming to the main area of where the victim lay. There were police photographers, forensic teams and many different IPD scientists around the shrouded scene. A photographer replaced the blanket after finishing taking pictures and moved with his group back to their big van to start the developing process.
Anna finally came to stand by the big white sheet. Eddy leant down, looked between his two comrades and pulled the sheet back slightly to reveal a face. Forest turned away, feeling quite distraught by this.
It wasn't anything truly bloody or messy, just the fact a horrified, lifeless face stared blankly up towards them. The dead woman's mouth hung agape in a permanent soundless scream, her skin stark white in contrast of the horror she'd seen.
"Her name was Ashitaba Kumoi," Eddy told them.
"Did you have to put a name to the face," Forest said, his voice weak.
Eddy ignored him. "A thirty year old mother of one. She was a demon living in these apartments here. She lived just like everyone else, just gifted with the demon traits. Maybe even could have been classed as a half breed."
"So, she still ended up dead. Another demon target," Anna said solemnly.
"Yes, true," he said, and flipped the sheet back over, standing up. "We looked for the particular things that you originally mentioned. That whole test for that water substance came up negative. All other substances were untraceable."
"But there are other things then?" Anna said, turning away from the white sheet with an involuntary shudder.
"Yes, but they just could be things the woman had picked up when walking around. Dust and what not. We're doing our best to find where some of the substances could come from. It's looking quite bleak. Just average dirt."
"THAT average dirt could come from a place that Toshin is hiding," Anna snapped. "Don't overlook it."
"We're not planning to." He looked back towards the sheet. "Besides that, nothing else came up."
Anna sighed and flicked out her phone. She dialled for the long distance call back to the IPD headquarters in New York.
"Hello?" Lei answered.
"It's me," she said, walking away from the scene with Forest in close pursuit.
"What have you to report?"
She sighed. "Small dirt samples and other substances have been picked up, but it looks like they could be anything but what we want."
Lei gave a sigh of his own. "Anything else that could be an essential link to Toshin?"
"Not a microscopic dabble of spit…" She looked back, shaking her head. "Just nothing. It's been playing it safe."
"If you have anything else to report, call back," he told her.
"Right, later." She hung up, looking to Forest with a shrug.
There was a disturbance coming from outside the walls of the apartment main yard that grabbed their attention, and just like everyone else who wasn't bogged down with investigative work, they were walking over to see what was going on.
A sleek black limo had pulled up and a group of security surrounded a figure that now stepped out.
"Governor Heihachi Mishima," Eddy said as he came to stand by Anna and Forest. "Why does he need to be here?"
"You going to find out?" Anna asked him. "You are in charge on the scene."
Eddy looked rather tired by the whole situation. "Well, nobody else is, so I'd better." He left the pair, who decided to keep in close contact anyway and he made his way towards the ageing Governor, whom was one of the many who ran the large council in Tokyo.
"What brings you here, sir?" Eddy asked as he came in contact with the man. "I'm Eddy Gordo, IPD Japan; I'm in charge on this scene. Can I be of help to you?"
The old man looked past him, resting on a very decorative cane. He looked proud and stern, standing ignoring the mass that was forming around him.
"I came to see this murder scene. There has been many in the Tokyo area and it is becoming quite disturbing to the citizens, myself and the leading council," he said regally.
"We're doing our best, sir," Eddy said.
Heihachi held up a hand. "This murder situation has only been going on a few days, but many people have been murdered without cause or explanation. It seems to have shifted from the big case in New York to here in Tokyo, Japan. I'd really like to know what is going on?"
"The information regarding the case cannot be given out, sir, I'm sorry," Eddy informed him.
Heihachi gave a long drawn out sigh. "Then I will leave a warning with you and the IPD. If you don't wrap up this case soon then I'll be forced to pick my own elite team to be dealing with this. That way, the council will have full control of the situation."
"But sir, you don't have the…"
"You've been warned!" Heihachi's voice rose over Eddy's. He turned back to his limo. "Good day to you."
The old man stepped back into his car. Eddy wasn't planning to back down just yet.
"You don't know what you're doing," the Brazilian said sternly. "Kicking us off the case will just be giving more time and effort for the murderer to go around causing more deaths!"
The window rolled down, the Governor looking out without the slightest bit of care. "The public will be safer in our hands. Now, if you'll be so kind to clean up this mess, maybe people can actually walk around here without feeling too ill. Goodbye."
The limo pulled away quite sharply. Eddy stood there, going red in the face.
"The old geezer doesn't understand what the hell he's doing. He wouldn't know where to start," Forest said.
Anna just stood quietly. Her mind was contemplating action. They had even less time then before now. She hoped that she could stop Toshin before they were torn off the case.
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A/N: The clock is ticking. Anna and the crew and very little time left, and to top it off, a myseterious Korean bountry hunter is out for Toshin's blood. (Like we don't know who that is!) Hope to have more for you soon!