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 8
The door gave a sharp creak as they pushed it open, stepping inside. Anna was inclined to feel cautious, but Xiaoyu didn't look in the least bit worried. Somehow, the older woman let this demure calm her down. She gave in to her trusting side for once.
Anna bit her bottom lip as she could feel the many eyes of the demon population of the hostel turn to look at her. Some with hate, some with fear and most with unknowing. She felt her gift kick in, sensing many different demonic essences. None were Toshin; she thanked her lucky stars for that.
They were all different from each other. Many looked perfectly human to her, though there was the fair share of ones that stood out a mile off, all-different shapes and sizes. She followed Xiaoyu across the large room, eyes trying not to glance across the room. Many of the sad faces that surrounded her were children. She told herself not to pity them as she felt their pain snake across her. They led sad lives, and there was no way for her to fix everything that came across her path. And besides, they were demons and she had her principles and fixed morals.
She just wanted to get this over with as fast as she could. She hated being there every second that ticked by, her body quivering as she stepped further in. She hoped this Jin boy would get there soon.
Xiaoyu came to stop near a small group of demon children, maybe a few years younger then herself. She was caring towards them, saying her hellos and making an introduction for Anna. Each were nervous of her but showed no threat. Anna gave a nod to them, nothing more. She didn't want to indulge in these meaningless pleasantries.
Casting away her glance for a moment while Xiaoyu briefly indulged into a conversation, Anna caught the eyes of a rather tall, native-dressed girl, who was giving the hardiest stare. She simply stared back, seeing a flicker of gold cast across the girl's eyes, showing off her demonic side, just before turning and walking stiffly towards the door at the head of the room. Anna gave a silent snort. Demons just plain pissed her off sometimes; now why did this feel like Paul Phoenix was looming close by?
"Hey, come on, Anna," Xiaoyu motioned, now broken away from the children, leading her further on.
"Where are we going?" Anna asked.
"To meet King, the owner of the place," she told her. They came to a stop near the head of the room, the door opening in which the native girl had gone before. Now, she stepped out, and along with her, another demon with the head the form of a jaguar. The rest of him was a very bulky human body. His cat eyes trailed across Anna.
"Well, this is a surprise," he said, surprising Anna by the fact he could speak. His voice was a deep, rough rumble that seemed to roll out with a slight hiss behind it, though; it was not at all an unfriendly sound. She thought she heard a slight hint of a Spanish accent there too, strange as it may have seemed. "Anna Williams of the IPD, here in my hostel."
"You must be King. You watch the news too, I see?" The Irish woman said.
"Ah, no, but I did hear you graced your presence on the television. I have heard of you through higher circles. You wouldn't believe how popular your name is," he told her.
"It's hard to believe it but my name does crop up with many demons," she honestly answered, starting to feel a little more comfortable with this calm welcome.
"Anna Williams. HUH! A name of nothing but disgust to me," spat the native girl beside King.
The harsh eyes of the jaguar headed man turned on the girl. "Julia, cease that at once. She is not here to harm anyone. If she was, I think she would have come in with a little more hostility." He turned to Anna. "Am I right?"
"You sure are," Anna said, trying not to smirk idly at Julia, whom still gave her a harsh look. There was something more that bothered the native girl that was to do with her, Anna thought.
"You are welcome here, Anna, as long as you bring peace with you and not hatred," King said.
"I may not be best chums with the demon race but I'm not here to stir trouble. I thank you for welcoming me here," she said humbly.
"What brings you to my house of salvation?" He asked intently.
"She's meeting up with Jin," Xiaoyu put in. "He comes here today so it's a good rendezvous."
"Ah yes, he does. He's such a kind boy. Jin Kazama is marvel, unlike that discriminative grandfather of his," King said, turning to guide the to some open seats. "He maybe in power but he does nothing truly helpful. He is nothing but a hypocrite and a vicious monster. The demon community is much against him."
"I didn't know he informal about these kind of things," Anna said, going to take once side of a couch that was ahead of her, Xiaoyu going to sit next to her.
King took the seat to Anna's side, with Julia remaining standing behind him. "Yes, he isn't too obvious with it but you know it's there." He sighed, but decided to veer the conversation back to what they were originally talking about. "Yes, well, Jin will be here soon anyway. Can I offer you a drink while you're waiting?"
"I wouldn't mind one. Do you have coffee?" Anna asked.
"I'll have a soda," Xiaoyu piped up.
"Yes we do. Julia, go make two coffees and bring a soda for Xiaoyu. Then please tell Mina and her sister that they can start dishing some food out. You wouldn't mind giving them a hand after?"
"No… I don't…" Though Julia gave a disgruntled look towards Anna, not too pleased she was having to make coffee for the woman. She pretty much stomped off towards a doorway, which had beads hanging across the front. They made a sling jingling sound as she passed through them.
"She seems moody today," King said, shaking his head. "I apologise for her rudeness."
"It's alright. I get some hostility from some of the demon population. You can understand that?"
"Yes, I guess," he said, settling back into his chair. "And since now rumours of Toshin stalking Japan has got many of us on the defensive."
Anna seemed to brighten on hearing that name mentioned. Maybe she would actually get a lot of useful information today.
"What do you know of Toshin and it's actions?" She asked.
"Well," he rubbed his furry chin slowly. "I guess I only know the reputation of how murderous the creature is. And it was figured that it is hunting out the demons for there stronger spirits. Human souls seem easily breakable, so easy to use up."
"Do you know anything about a power source called 'The Red Eye'?"
King gave Anna quite a confused look. "Can't say I have."
"Damn," she muttered and shook her head, speaking up. "That's what Toshin is after."
"I'll have to pass on this information through the groups. Something may come up, but I doubt it. I've heard of many different demonic power items but this one I don't believe has come up within any talk. You may be unlucky there," he said.
"I'm sure something will come. Someone besides Toshin has to know something about it."
"Maybe, but don't be too sure," King said. "But anyway, if this is helpful or not, Toshin has been staying close to most of the demon populated areas. Mostly the hostels like this. Not really any major deaths like have been happening in the openly human populated areas but some of our own have been acting strange. I think Toshin is getting to them somehow."
"Yes, I believe so," Anna said with a nod. "I have the unfortunate encounter with one of Toshin's lackeys the other day. Was saved by a bounty hunter named Hwoarang."
"Now, I know that name," King said quite firmly. "Nasty piece of work from what I've heard. Only ever cast a glance on him once. He is known for pulling off a kill rather quickly. A deadly foe if you are set against him."
"He's on Toshin's tale too. I might have a bit of a problem with him," she said with a sigh.
"You can do it, Anna," Xiaoyu encouraged. "You showed you were tough against those punks. One guy won't even phase you."
"Believe me, not all of them are stupid," Anna told her. "And Hwoarang in particular is as deadly as they come."
"I hope the IPD knows how to deal with Toshin," King said. "What do you plan to do with it once you get hold of it?"
"Who knows. Whatever happens at the time will decide it's fate," she said, almost giving away the fact that she hadn't much of a clue about Toshin, only a few things and that they wouldn't know how to handle it if they tried. But Anna knew she had to save her sister from Toshin's possession, even if death was an inevitable option.
Julia returned with the drinks, setting them down on a small table situated in front of Anna, King and Xiaoyu. The native girl looked around the room with a frown and turned sharply to King.
"I don't think you should keep going on about Toshin business," she said sternly.
"Listening in were you?" King asked, though the girl didn't seem sorry for it.
"How can I not when its something that is sending fear through our kind. And right now, you're starting to make them worried. Can't you see them whispering? The children are scared because they think they'll be the next victims."
"They are protected here. We will do what it takes to keep them out of harms way," he assured.
"You don't get how serious this is to everyone. Your protection will be nothing is Toshin appeared right now," she snapped, obviously worried for everyone's sake.
King stood, taking his mug of coffee. "Julia, I think we should step aside and talk." He gave an apologetic look to Anna and Xiaoyu. "Sorry. I hope to talk to again. I don't think I can help you with much else on the subject."
"It doesn't matter," Anna assured.
He bowed slightly. "We shall speak again." He escorted Julia off through into his office, closing the door behind them.
"Julia's not usually like that. She's normally so nice and caring," Xiaoyu pointed out, picking up her drink.
"I think she has a problem with me," Anna said, taking her own. She eyed her drink carefully, hoping Julia hadn't spat in it, though it looked fine. She sniffed it. Nope, didn't smell positioned either, but it poisons don't always give a smell. She took a sip and prayed she didn't keel over. Nope, tasted fine.
Xiaoyu's eyes widened. "You sure?"
"It's obvious. I want to find out why though."
"She's a smart girl. Comes from America to study here. She's been having money trouble and problems with the demon discrimination. So, she's in between things at the moment. She gets paid for helping out here. I think she maybe a little bitter about your job or something."
Anna just shrugged. Whatever it was, it didn't bother her really. She didn't think she'd have to deal with her again.
Xiaoyu shrugged herself and looked up when she heard the main doors open at the far end. She smiled as a tall young man stepped through.
"Jin's here," she said, prodding Anna's arm and pointing to him.
The Irish woman took in the new entrée and stood, seeing his eyes fix on her. She gave him a slight nod, and he approached quite quickly. His hand extended towards her and she accepted it.
"Jin Kazama?" She asked.
"Yes. And you're Anna Williams?" She nodded. "Good. Thank you for coming. I know Xiaoyu has probably told you some strange circumstances to why I wanted to meet with you but I feel it maybe important."
"It's alright. I'm open to anything that can help my case," she said.
Xiaoyu stood. "I guess I can go help out with serving the dinner. I'll fill in for you Jin while you talk to Anna."
He nodded to his friend. "Thank you, Xiaoyu."
She blushed slightly and skipped off, leaving the two to talk. Anna retook her seat with Jin seating where Xiaoyu had been.
"So, you have information for me. Please, go ahead," Anna prompted. "Anything is helpful to me right now."
"Well, you see, I keep having dreams… visions I would say, and they always involve a distorted face wrapped in green and black… I can feel something about it, something murderous. It's so close, I just know it has something to do with the murders."
"You're a psychic I take it?" Anna asked.
He nodded. "Yes."
"Maybe you're picking up on something. Tell me, what has happened in your dreams?"
He took a shaky breath, recalling the nightmares. "Mainly they are filled with fire. It feels like hell and there are thousands of screaming souls trapped because of this distorted figure. I remember in one of my first dreams, distinctly through the green and black of the prison for these souls, I saw something trying to escape, a red light piercing through it."
"Maybe… it's 'The Red Eye'," Anna mumbled to herself.
"'The Red Eye'?" Jin asked confused.
"It's the power Toshin is after," she informed him.
"Toshin? Is that the murderer?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"This thing is after power, yes. I sense it always so close to me, always trying to grab me. I don't know why. I think it's because it knows I can sense it," he said, a little vague on the idea.
Anna looked him over, but not only that, she reached inside of him with her gift, searching for a sign on some demonic side to him. There was nothing but blankness. Just humanity there.
It didn't make sense? Why was Toshin seemingly mentally attacking a human? Or maybe it was just an accident, something he could pick up on.
"It always feels close to me, like I say," he carried on. "And sometimes, when I go out into Tokyo, I can feel the same presence. Sometimes stronger when I reach the suburbs, but then again, the feeling fades off."
"You might be sensing it," Anna suggested.
"Maybe, but it varies really," he admitted. "It confuses me."
"I know who Toshin is and what it is," Anan did admit to him. "I'm just unsure of what it is truly doing and where the heck it is hiding."
Jin was a little shocked. "You know who Toshin is? Can't you just try and send people out to find it?"
"It's not as easy as it seems. Toshin has covered its tracks. We're having major problems." She sighed. "But you have been rather helpful to me. You think the suburbs is where you sense it most?"
"That's where I get the strange feelings," he said.
She nodded and went quiet in thought. So, what did she have? Toshin was on a power hunt, killing the demon kind for more power. It was hunting out singular demons across the city, but also trying to dig through some of the packed populous of demons for either help or more power. And it was also hanging around the suburbs somewhere. Not much to go on, but somehow it did help. There was a lot she could do with this information. She'd have to tell Eddy and the IPD Japan group.
"It would be good if you stayed in contact with me. You could be of valuable help to track down Toshin." She stood and pulled out a pen and a piece of paper from her back, writing down her hotel number on it. She handed it to him. "This is if you need to contact me. We'll take what you said into account, but if it turns up cold, maybe your visions have nothing to do with the case."
He just gave a slight nod, a little unsure now, wondering what else could be trying to plague him.
She smiled and patted his arm. "I shouldn't worry. Things will turn out okay."
Jin returned the smile. "I hope so."
***
The evening had set in quite quickly, the darkness taking over from when the sun set beyond the horizon. Everything had begun to settle down with the shadows.
Julia sighed, sweeping up the last part of the kitchen and dumping a black bag of trash off to one side to be dealt with in the morning. She was left to lock up behind her since King had retired to sleep early. She quickly checked in on the people who shacked up there. Not as many that normally stopped in during the day, as other did have places they called home, but just stayed there because of problems they did have.
Everything was okay, settled and quiet and she left, locking up the back door, walking away into the cool night.
She felt grumpy after such a long working day, but more so because of Anna Williams turning up. She'd known of this woman as a very hateful demon detective, making sure that she hurt all the demons she had to go after. She remembered her mother telling her that she's met this cruel woman once that broke up a riot for some rights movement. She had been relentless in punishing them. She grumbled under her breath, stuffing her hands into her pockets. She had a strange feeling that Anna's involvement with this Toshin epic was going to stir up a whole load of trouble.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks, hearing sharp loud voices pitch through the air. There was something about the voices that had her scared and she was suddenly taking cover behind a wall. Peeking out, she saw a small group of boys, demons like herself, walking together. She was shocked to see strange glow to their glassy eyes. Definitely something was wrong with them.
"How are we suppose to find the one with 'The Red Eye'? Our lord Toshin knows not of what this demon will be like if they have it?" One said.
"We should be able to tell the difference because of this power source," another answered. "But we have to tread carefully, our lord Toshin has warned us of the one called Anna Williams. She is out to stop us from getting to 'The Red Eye'. But as lord Toshin said, she must die, or better yet, be made to suffer with more death amongst the demons, knowing she is the reason for it."
"It should be most interesting…" The first one spoke again, giving a short laugh, the group disappearing off into the distance, starting to break into malicious laughter.
Julia was shaking. Not just with fear, but with fury too.
"Anna Williams, you're going to pay," she hissed. "I will not let others die because of your interference."
*********************************************************************************
A/N: Uh oh, another person against Anna. Things aren't looking good, but at least the trail is becoming tighter. What will happen next? Find out in the next chapter...
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 8
The door gave a sharp creak as they pushed it open, stepping inside. Anna was inclined to feel cautious, but Xiaoyu didn't look in the least bit worried. Somehow, the older woman let this demure calm her down. She gave in to her trusting side for once.
Anna bit her bottom lip as she could feel the many eyes of the demon population of the hostel turn to look at her. Some with hate, some with fear and most with unknowing. She felt her gift kick in, sensing many different demonic essences. None were Toshin; she thanked her lucky stars for that.
They were all different from each other. Many looked perfectly human to her, though there was the fair share of ones that stood out a mile off, all-different shapes and sizes. She followed Xiaoyu across the large room, eyes trying not to glance across the room. Many of the sad faces that surrounded her were children. She told herself not to pity them as she felt their pain snake across her. They led sad lives, and there was no way for her to fix everything that came across her path. And besides, they were demons and she had her principles and fixed morals.
She just wanted to get this over with as fast as she could. She hated being there every second that ticked by, her body quivering as she stepped further in. She hoped this Jin boy would get there soon.
Xiaoyu came to stop near a small group of demon children, maybe a few years younger then herself. She was caring towards them, saying her hellos and making an introduction for Anna. Each were nervous of her but showed no threat. Anna gave a nod to them, nothing more. She didn't want to indulge in these meaningless pleasantries.
Casting away her glance for a moment while Xiaoyu briefly indulged into a conversation, Anna caught the eyes of a rather tall, native-dressed girl, who was giving the hardiest stare. She simply stared back, seeing a flicker of gold cast across the girl's eyes, showing off her demonic side, just before turning and walking stiffly towards the door at the head of the room. Anna gave a silent snort. Demons just plain pissed her off sometimes; now why did this feel like Paul Phoenix was looming close by?
"Hey, come on, Anna," Xiaoyu motioned, now broken away from the children, leading her further on.
"Where are we going?" Anna asked.
"To meet King, the owner of the place," she told her. They came to a stop near the head of the room, the door opening in which the native girl had gone before. Now, she stepped out, and along with her, another demon with the head the form of a jaguar. The rest of him was a very bulky human body. His cat eyes trailed across Anna.
"Well, this is a surprise," he said, surprising Anna by the fact he could speak. His voice was a deep, rough rumble that seemed to roll out with a slight hiss behind it, though; it was not at all an unfriendly sound. She thought she heard a slight hint of a Spanish accent there too, strange as it may have seemed. "Anna Williams of the IPD, here in my hostel."
"You must be King. You watch the news too, I see?" The Irish woman said.
"Ah, no, but I did hear you graced your presence on the television. I have heard of you through higher circles. You wouldn't believe how popular your name is," he told her.
"It's hard to believe it but my name does crop up with many demons," she honestly answered, starting to feel a little more comfortable with this calm welcome.
"Anna Williams. HUH! A name of nothing but disgust to me," spat the native girl beside King.
The harsh eyes of the jaguar headed man turned on the girl. "Julia, cease that at once. She is not here to harm anyone. If she was, I think she would have come in with a little more hostility." He turned to Anna. "Am I right?"
"You sure are," Anna said, trying not to smirk idly at Julia, whom still gave her a harsh look. There was something more that bothered the native girl that was to do with her, Anna thought.
"You are welcome here, Anna, as long as you bring peace with you and not hatred," King said.
"I may not be best chums with the demon race but I'm not here to stir trouble. I thank you for welcoming me here," she said humbly.
"What brings you to my house of salvation?" He asked intently.
"She's meeting up with Jin," Xiaoyu put in. "He comes here today so it's a good rendezvous."
"Ah yes, he does. He's such a kind boy. Jin Kazama is marvel, unlike that discriminative grandfather of his," King said, turning to guide the to some open seats. "He maybe in power but he does nothing truly helpful. He is nothing but a hypocrite and a vicious monster. The demon community is much against him."
"I didn't know he informal about these kind of things," Anna said, going to take once side of a couch that was ahead of her, Xiaoyu going to sit next to her.
King took the seat to Anna's side, with Julia remaining standing behind him. "Yes, he isn't too obvious with it but you know it's there." He sighed, but decided to veer the conversation back to what they were originally talking about. "Yes, well, Jin will be here soon anyway. Can I offer you a drink while you're waiting?"
"I wouldn't mind one. Do you have coffee?" Anna asked.
"I'll have a soda," Xiaoyu piped up.
"Yes we do. Julia, go make two coffees and bring a soda for Xiaoyu. Then please tell Mina and her sister that they can start dishing some food out. You wouldn't mind giving them a hand after?"
"No… I don't…" Though Julia gave a disgruntled look towards Anna, not too pleased she was having to make coffee for the woman. She pretty much stomped off towards a doorway, which had beads hanging across the front. They made a sling jingling sound as she passed through them.
"She seems moody today," King said, shaking his head. "I apologise for her rudeness."
"It's alright. I get some hostility from some of the demon population. You can understand that?"
"Yes, I guess," he said, settling back into his chair. "And since now rumours of Toshin stalking Japan has got many of us on the defensive."
Anna seemed to brighten on hearing that name mentioned. Maybe she would actually get a lot of useful information today.
"What do you know of Toshin and it's actions?" She asked.
"Well," he rubbed his furry chin slowly. "I guess I only know the reputation of how murderous the creature is. And it was figured that it is hunting out the demons for there stronger spirits. Human souls seem easily breakable, so easy to use up."
"Do you know anything about a power source called 'The Red Eye'?"
King gave Anna quite a confused look. "Can't say I have."
"Damn," she muttered and shook her head, speaking up. "That's what Toshin is after."
"I'll have to pass on this information through the groups. Something may come up, but I doubt it. I've heard of many different demonic power items but this one I don't believe has come up within any talk. You may be unlucky there," he said.
"I'm sure something will come. Someone besides Toshin has to know something about it."
"Maybe, but don't be too sure," King said. "But anyway, if this is helpful or not, Toshin has been staying close to most of the demon populated areas. Mostly the hostels like this. Not really any major deaths like have been happening in the openly human populated areas but some of our own have been acting strange. I think Toshin is getting to them somehow."
"Yes, I believe so," Anna said with a nod. "I have the unfortunate encounter with one of Toshin's lackeys the other day. Was saved by a bounty hunter named Hwoarang."
"Now, I know that name," King said quite firmly. "Nasty piece of work from what I've heard. Only ever cast a glance on him once. He is known for pulling off a kill rather quickly. A deadly foe if you are set against him."
"He's on Toshin's tale too. I might have a bit of a problem with him," she said with a sigh.
"You can do it, Anna," Xiaoyu encouraged. "You showed you were tough against those punks. One guy won't even phase you."
"Believe me, not all of them are stupid," Anna told her. "And Hwoarang in particular is as deadly as they come."
"I hope the IPD knows how to deal with Toshin," King said. "What do you plan to do with it once you get hold of it?"
"Who knows. Whatever happens at the time will decide it's fate," she said, almost giving away the fact that she hadn't much of a clue about Toshin, only a few things and that they wouldn't know how to handle it if they tried. But Anna knew she had to save her sister from Toshin's possession, even if death was an inevitable option.
Julia returned with the drinks, setting them down on a small table situated in front of Anna, King and Xiaoyu. The native girl looked around the room with a frown and turned sharply to King.
"I don't think you should keep going on about Toshin business," she said sternly.
"Listening in were you?" King asked, though the girl didn't seem sorry for it.
"How can I not when its something that is sending fear through our kind. And right now, you're starting to make them worried. Can't you see them whispering? The children are scared because they think they'll be the next victims."
"They are protected here. We will do what it takes to keep them out of harms way," he assured.
"You don't get how serious this is to everyone. Your protection will be nothing is Toshin appeared right now," she snapped, obviously worried for everyone's sake.
King stood, taking his mug of coffee. "Julia, I think we should step aside and talk." He gave an apologetic look to Anna and Xiaoyu. "Sorry. I hope to talk to again. I don't think I can help you with much else on the subject."
"It doesn't matter," Anna assured.
He bowed slightly. "We shall speak again." He escorted Julia off through into his office, closing the door behind them.
"Julia's not usually like that. She's normally so nice and caring," Xiaoyu pointed out, picking up her drink.
"I think she has a problem with me," Anna said, taking her own. She eyed her drink carefully, hoping Julia hadn't spat in it, though it looked fine. She sniffed it. Nope, didn't smell positioned either, but it poisons don't always give a smell. She took a sip and prayed she didn't keel over. Nope, tasted fine.
Xiaoyu's eyes widened. "You sure?"
"It's obvious. I want to find out why though."
"She's a smart girl. Comes from America to study here. She's been having money trouble and problems with the demon discrimination. So, she's in between things at the moment. She gets paid for helping out here. I think she maybe a little bitter about your job or something."
Anna just shrugged. Whatever it was, it didn't bother her really. She didn't think she'd have to deal with her again.
Xiaoyu shrugged herself and looked up when she heard the main doors open at the far end. She smiled as a tall young man stepped through.
"Jin's here," she said, prodding Anna's arm and pointing to him.
The Irish woman took in the new entrée and stood, seeing his eyes fix on her. She gave him a slight nod, and he approached quite quickly. His hand extended towards her and she accepted it.
"Jin Kazama?" She asked.
"Yes. And you're Anna Williams?" She nodded. "Good. Thank you for coming. I know Xiaoyu has probably told you some strange circumstances to why I wanted to meet with you but I feel it maybe important."
"It's alright. I'm open to anything that can help my case," she said.
Xiaoyu stood. "I guess I can go help out with serving the dinner. I'll fill in for you Jin while you talk to Anna."
He nodded to his friend. "Thank you, Xiaoyu."
She blushed slightly and skipped off, leaving the two to talk. Anna retook her seat with Jin seating where Xiaoyu had been.
"So, you have information for me. Please, go ahead," Anna prompted. "Anything is helpful to me right now."
"Well, you see, I keep having dreams… visions I would say, and they always involve a distorted face wrapped in green and black… I can feel something about it, something murderous. It's so close, I just know it has something to do with the murders."
"You're a psychic I take it?" Anna asked.
He nodded. "Yes."
"Maybe you're picking up on something. Tell me, what has happened in your dreams?"
He took a shaky breath, recalling the nightmares. "Mainly they are filled with fire. It feels like hell and there are thousands of screaming souls trapped because of this distorted figure. I remember in one of my first dreams, distinctly through the green and black of the prison for these souls, I saw something trying to escape, a red light piercing through it."
"Maybe… it's 'The Red Eye'," Anna mumbled to herself.
"'The Red Eye'?" Jin asked confused.
"It's the power Toshin is after," she informed him.
"Toshin? Is that the murderer?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"This thing is after power, yes. I sense it always so close to me, always trying to grab me. I don't know why. I think it's because it knows I can sense it," he said, a little vague on the idea.
Anna looked him over, but not only that, she reached inside of him with her gift, searching for a sign on some demonic side to him. There was nothing but blankness. Just humanity there.
It didn't make sense? Why was Toshin seemingly mentally attacking a human? Or maybe it was just an accident, something he could pick up on.
"It always feels close to me, like I say," he carried on. "And sometimes, when I go out into Tokyo, I can feel the same presence. Sometimes stronger when I reach the suburbs, but then again, the feeling fades off."
"You might be sensing it," Anna suggested.
"Maybe, but it varies really," he admitted. "It confuses me."
"I know who Toshin is and what it is," Anan did admit to him. "I'm just unsure of what it is truly doing and where the heck it is hiding."
Jin was a little shocked. "You know who Toshin is? Can't you just try and send people out to find it?"
"It's not as easy as it seems. Toshin has covered its tracks. We're having major problems." She sighed. "But you have been rather helpful to me. You think the suburbs is where you sense it most?"
"That's where I get the strange feelings," he said.
She nodded and went quiet in thought. So, what did she have? Toshin was on a power hunt, killing the demon kind for more power. It was hunting out singular demons across the city, but also trying to dig through some of the packed populous of demons for either help or more power. And it was also hanging around the suburbs somewhere. Not much to go on, but somehow it did help. There was a lot she could do with this information. She'd have to tell Eddy and the IPD Japan group.
"It would be good if you stayed in contact with me. You could be of valuable help to track down Toshin." She stood and pulled out a pen and a piece of paper from her back, writing down her hotel number on it. She handed it to him. "This is if you need to contact me. We'll take what you said into account, but if it turns up cold, maybe your visions have nothing to do with the case."
He just gave a slight nod, a little unsure now, wondering what else could be trying to plague him.
She smiled and patted his arm. "I shouldn't worry. Things will turn out okay."
Jin returned the smile. "I hope so."
***
The evening had set in quite quickly, the darkness taking over from when the sun set beyond the horizon. Everything had begun to settle down with the shadows.
Julia sighed, sweeping up the last part of the kitchen and dumping a black bag of trash off to one side to be dealt with in the morning. She was left to lock up behind her since King had retired to sleep early. She quickly checked in on the people who shacked up there. Not as many that normally stopped in during the day, as other did have places they called home, but just stayed there because of problems they did have.
Everything was okay, settled and quiet and she left, locking up the back door, walking away into the cool night.
She felt grumpy after such a long working day, but more so because of Anna Williams turning up. She'd known of this woman as a very hateful demon detective, making sure that she hurt all the demons she had to go after. She remembered her mother telling her that she's met this cruel woman once that broke up a riot for some rights movement. She had been relentless in punishing them. She grumbled under her breath, stuffing her hands into her pockets. She had a strange feeling that Anna's involvement with this Toshin epic was going to stir up a whole load of trouble.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks, hearing sharp loud voices pitch through the air. There was something about the voices that had her scared and she was suddenly taking cover behind a wall. Peeking out, she saw a small group of boys, demons like herself, walking together. She was shocked to see strange glow to their glassy eyes. Definitely something was wrong with them.
"How are we suppose to find the one with 'The Red Eye'? Our lord Toshin knows not of what this demon will be like if they have it?" One said.
"We should be able to tell the difference because of this power source," another answered. "But we have to tread carefully, our lord Toshin has warned us of the one called Anna Williams. She is out to stop us from getting to 'The Red Eye'. But as lord Toshin said, she must die, or better yet, be made to suffer with more death amongst the demons, knowing she is the reason for it."
"It should be most interesting…" The first one spoke again, giving a short laugh, the group disappearing off into the distance, starting to break into malicious laughter.
Julia was shaking. Not just with fear, but with fury too.
"Anna Williams, you're going to pay," she hissed. "I will not let others die because of your interference."
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A/N: Uh oh, another person against Anna. Things aren't looking good, but at least the trail is becoming tighter. What will happen next? Find out in the next chapter...