Disclaimer: Yami no Matsuei is not mine, it will never be mine. The
characters are the sole property of Matsushita Youko. This story and
concept are the property of Lockeheart (that's me!) - so please don't
steal. I have been working hard on this!
This story is loosely based on the manga and the anime, taking components from both. Some liberalization's taken by me to suit my plot. Hope I don't offend or confuse.
Also once again, original characters are mine, all mine!
So on with the Show!
Interlude Three - Thicker than Blood
By Lockeheart
********************
"Something about all this just doesn't add up."
Tatsumi glanced up from the stack of papers in his hands to look to GuShoShin, who was frowning at the computer screen in front of him. Tatsumi sighed and pushed off his perch atop of the desk behind the librarian, and moved to see what GuShoShin was looking at. "What do you mean?" Tatsumi fought the urge to rub his eyes or yawn. It was three in the morning, and the day shift of Shokan division would be filing through the doors in a couple of hours. Considering Tatsumi was a part of the day shift, it was going to be a very long day. When a mug of coffee appeared under his nose, Tatsumi reached out to take the proffered drink. "Thank you Watari."
"No problem." Watari plopped down in the chair he had vacated earlier to get the trio of them a caffeine boost. 003 was snoozing contentedly upon the desk behind Watari, and Tatsumi envied the little owl. How Watari got an owl to sleep at night was a little perplexing, but Tatsumi did not question the matter. There were more important things to focus upon. Watari peered to the screen that GuShoShin was frowning at. "What's up GuShoShin?"
GuShoShin pointed a feathery finger to the screen and Tatsumi leaned in to get a better look. It was a newspaper clipping, and from the date a recent one, but somehow it had skipped the eyes of the Shokan division. It was little more than a blurb, but its contents were what chased the sleep from Tatsumi's eyes. GuShoShin grimaced and looked up to Tatsumi and Watari in turn. "Does this give any of you goose bumps like it does to me?" He dragged a box around the small clipping and magnified the words. "I mean, just a couple days ago Tsuzuki and I saw them, and now I find this?"
Watari whistled and raised his eyebrows to Tatsumi. "Wow . . . this is huge! How did this escape our attention? Especially considering our connection to it." Watari shook his head and placed his mug down on the desk. " 'Bizarre deaths surround Takahashi household as investigation takes a supernatural turn.' " Watari jabbed a finger at the line and made a noise of disbelief. "Who comes up with these headlines?"
Tatsumi straightened up and began to pace the small length of the room. "Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi were dead . . . they were probably dead for more than a week before Hikaru's body was found." Tatsumi shook his head and paused in his motions to look to GuShoShin. "How could something so vital to the case have been missed?" He frowned and looked down to the magnified clipping. " 'They were found by police when a neighbour complained of a horrible smell coming from the household.' " Tatsumi pulled his glasses off his face to rub at the bridge of his nose.
Everything about this case just got darker and darker the more they dug, and with the muscling in of Enma's elite, it was likely to get much worse. Tatsumi gripped the handle of his coffee mug tightly, and looked to GuShoShin. "Try to look up the police reports . . . anything within the department that could be linked to that clipping. I want to know how they were found, in what state . . . everything."
Watari grimaced and took a sip from his coffee. "Such information couldn't have passed our researchers. It's unbelievable." Tatsumi looked to the scientist as Watari shook his head. "Something or someone had to have hid this information from us. There is no way we could have missed the names of Hikaru's parents in the Kiseki." Watari shook his finger at Tatsumi as if proving a point. "Hell, that fact alone screams foul play! If we had known this before sending Tsuzuki or Hisoka down to ChiJou, we would have never sent them so ill prepared."
Tatsumi pulled his glasses back onto his face in one swift motion, and stared at the mass of papers in his hands. "It wasn't like we had much of a choice in the matter." Tatsumi narrowed his eyes and stared at the information GuShoShin was compiling. Watari had a point, but Tatsumi knew he couldn't act as reckless as his blonde companion, no matter how much Tatsumi wished. "Enma made the decision. Whether this misinformation was an oversight or something more sinister . . . we cannot be sure."
"But to overlook the gruesome potential murders of the child's parents?!?" Watari frowned and whacked his coffee cup onto the desk, startling 003 and nearly making the little bird fall off the desk. Watari turned around to gently pick up his feathered companion. "Sorry 003 . . ." Tatsumi felt just as angry as Watari did about things, but someone had to maintain a level head in all this. It was GuShoShin, who beckoned the two of them over, that saved him from answering Watari's comments.
"Take a look at this. The bodies of the parents were found in the yard, their bodies mutilated and drained of blood . . . just like Hikaru's body was." GuShoShin frowned and pulled up an image. "The potential disturbing thing about all this, not that it isn't disturbing already, is that a single feather was found atop of each body, with the name Hikaru written in blood very neatly upon the white feather." Tatsumi frowned at the image and shook his head as GuShoShin continued speaking. "Remnants of a magic circle were also found, along with a scrawled message in the grass . . . written in blood." GuShoShin pulled up an image of the message. " 'Who decides what is good or evil any ways?' " GuShoShin frowned and Tatsumi rolled that phrase through his head.
"Just a thought?" Watari's voice was loud in the silence that had filled the room, and Tatsumi looked to his friend with a raised eyebrow. Watari gently placed 003 back down upon the desk and grabbed his coffee cup once again. "The police spoke with Hikaru's parents after her abduction, and later when her body was found right?" He took a large swallow of coffee. "But if they were actually dead . . . who filed the missing persons report for Hikaru? And who spoke to the police?"
That thought, and more brought more silence to the room, and it was Tatsumi who cleared his throat to break it. "From what I can tell, the police were trying to keep their discovery under wraps for fear of inciting panic in the general public." He reached down to grab his abandoned coffee mug. "As for the parents, who do we know that possesses some powerful magic, and has an obsessive interest in both Tsuzuki and Hisoka?"
GuShoShin answered that question almost immediately and Watari nodded in agreement with the librarian's answer. "Muraki."
"So you think Muraki had something to do with Hikaru's death?" Watari bit the rim of his coffee mug distractedly as he considered the idea. Tatsumi just nodded to Watari, wanting to let the scientist think. "If so, was this all just some plot to get at Tsuzuki again? Or maybe revenge?"
GuShoShin shook his head and shifted in his chair to face Tatsumi and Watari. "I don't think so, or at least it isn't that single theme. What I mean is, is it just coincidence that he chose a girl with high spiritual powers to use as bait?" GuShoShin pulled up an image of Hikaru. "The strange thing is, every thread I try to pull on Hikaru in the database comes up with a security lock."
Tatsumi frowned as he stared at Hikaru's image. "Is there any indication as to why there is such a high level of protection around her information?" He placed the papers he was holding down on the desk. "There wasn't anything covering up her information before . . . Konoe and I personally checked over her data before handing over the case to Tsuzuki and Hisoka."
"Maybe something has changed? Or maybe the info you looked at was not actually all of her data?" Watari rubbed at his chin and laid out his hand palm up to let 003 jump onto it. "The GuShoShin twins may be the head librarian's here in Shokan division, but the actual database management and input occur at a much higher level than us." Watari idly scratched the top of 003's head, who in turn closed her eyes in contentment. "Can you bypass the security lock GuShoShin?"
GuShoShin tapped a couple of keys on his keyboard, and Tatsumi eyed the process with apprehension. He had a bad feeling about all of this, but until they turned up some proof, Tatsumi's hands were tied. GuShoShin let out a sigh of frustration. "It isn't that easy . . . trying to bypass this could take some time." GuShoShin looked to Tatsumi who just shrugged. "Doing so will undoubtedly bring us under scrutiny, do you still want me to try Tatsumi?"
It was getting worse. Tatsumi rubbed at his temples and closed his eyes momentarily. He had had suspicions, but Tatsumi had not wanted to believe that the institution that he worked for, and believed in, could be capable of such blatant disregard of policy. As a division that routinely got its hands filthy, access to files was usually unrestricted, at least for the GuShoShin twins. "Well we are already over our heads, if our division is going to be damned, I would like to know exactly why." To think that everything had become restricted, conveniently at the same time Tsuzuki and Hisoka were sent down on this damned case, Tatsumi could not believe it.
"Making up for past hesitation?"
Tatsumi looked to Watari who just stared intently back at him. When Tsuzuki was in the fire, Tatsumi had hesitated, wanting to honour his the wishes of his friend. It had taken a boy to show Tatsumi how wrong he was. His hesitation had almost cost Tatsumi much more than he had been willing to pay. Tatsumi clenched his fists and closed his eyes briefly.
"Perhaps."
After the fire, Tatsumi had stayed away from Tsuzuki and Hisoka, at least so much as to give them a chance to find what had formed between the two of them. Tatsumi had found himself in the company of Watari more and more as the days had passed, and Tatsumi had found a sympathetic ear in the blonde scientist, if somewhat brash.
Tatsumi shook his head and looked to the computer screen. It was late, and at least he and Watari had fronts to uphold. "I want you to work on this GuShoShin, when you get through send 003 to find either me or Watari okay?" Tatsumi sighed and gulped the rest of his coffee in one large swallow. "I am going to work with Konoe on his front, and try to wade through all of this red tape." Tatsumi turned to Watari. "I need you to keep working on a safe way to get Hisoka separated from Hikaru and Chymos."
Watari grimaced and lifted his coffee mug to his lips. "While you are at it Tatsumi, why don't you ask us to find a way to bring the moon down and crush Muraki?"
"I just might."
********************
Tatsumi needed to walk, if nothing else to release the frustrations he felt. It had been two days now since GuShoShin came back from ChiJou with the messages from Tsuzuki and Hisoka. Two days that he, Watari and GuShoShin had been madly attempting to make sense out of everything that was happening. Tatsumi was sure that some of the office had noticed his distraction, but hoped that they would just attribute it to Konoe's ongoing battle with the higher ups.
Ever since Tatsumi had nudged Konoe to go talk to the Earl to get information, the chief was a rampaging man. It was encouraging to see Konoe so vehement about what was going on, as Tatsumi was sure that they would need all the strength they could get when Enma's people came. Tatsumi was sure that an inquisitor would be sent from above, the lock down on their division confirmed that.
He looked to the laptop on his desk. GuShoShin had insisted on him using the contraption a couple weeks earlier in an effort to curb expenses, and Tatsumi had agreed. The laptop now held all the information that Tatsumi had been able to collect, his thoughts on things going on, and suspicions. Some of what he had found was disturbing, and it was because of that, that Tatsumi felt the urge to walk.
Tatsumi pulled his no-nonsense face into place, ready to administer his wrath if required. With no cases to take on, Tatsumi had been pushing the staff to complete the backlog of paperwork in the system. At least when the investigation came, they would not be able to complain about that. Tatsumi took a deep breath and straightened out his tie. He would make his rounds, push his people in line, and head over to Watari's lab.
It had become the unofficial meeting place of the three collaborators namely Tatsumi, Watari and GuShoShin, and Tatsumi was sure that few would venture near the volatile place. Watari had been sure to set off numerous explosions to scare off the few who were curious. It was a proven fact that when Watari's lab was exploding, or things of that sort, that soon the scientist would be on the prowl, looking for his next guinea pig, or as Tatsumi had come to call it, the next victim. Tatsumi smiled slightly at that thought and sighed. It was hard not to wish for their regular routine; it would be a relief from the nightmare that they were currently being dragged through.
The Shokan division consisted of a varied assortment of people, but they worked well - when Tatsumi could make sure they were working. Tatsumi rolled his eyes at that thought, not only was he the Shokan secretary, but he was also a legendary master of the office. He knew everything going on in the place, and if he didn't, he was sure to find out before too long. He had managed to grasp the doorknob of his door when a loud yell pierced the quiet.
Concern floated briefly across Tatsumi's face, but he quickly squashed it down and settled on his usual facial expression. In times like these . . . especially in times like these, consistency was key to keeping the peace. His job was more than being Konoe's right-hand man, he maintained order within the division, or at least Tatsumi fancied himself to be able to. Tatsumi breathed in deeply and opened his office door.
What he saw wasn't that surprising, but he assumed a menacing look none the less - consistency was important. He cleared his throat lightly to gain the attention of the two that had broke the peace, and tapped his foot impatiently. "Do I have to ask what is going on here?" He had a really good idea what may have occurred, but it was always better to get the story from those involved.
Watari and Terazuma whirled around; the argument between the two of them squashed by the presence of Tatsumi. Tatsumi noted that Watari's face was flush, his fist clenched tightly. Terazuma had adopted a look of indifference, but even that could not hide the unmistakable bruise forming on his face. Wakaba stood nearby, her hands pulled up to her mouth as if trying to hide her upset.
The silence that filled the main office area was daunting, and Tatsumi sighed inwardly. He didn't like being the bad guy, but if he didn't, nothing would get accomplished. "Well I am waiting." He glanced to both Watari and Terazuma, and when he got no response from the two of them, Tatsumi turned his gaze onto Wakaba.
Wakaba's eyes got very wide as Tatsumi gazed upon her, and inwardly, Tatsumi couldn't help but feel like he was being a bully, but outwardly he maintained his cold stone appearance. It was that look that goaded Terazuma into action, the marked man walking to block Tatsumi's gaze from Wakaba. The sullen man swept his hand in front of him, gesturing to Tatsumi as he finally spoke. "Oi. Leave her alone Tatsumi, she wasn't a part of it."
Tatsumi could see Terazuma's eyes twitch slightly over to Watari and Tatsumi groaned in his mind. It wasn't like he and Watari had enough on their hands with having to keep everything secret from the rest of the division, but for some reason the scientist had opted to bite off more than he could chew.
"And what pray tell, is 'it'." Tatsumi looked steadily at Terazuma, and when the man didn't budge from Tatsumi's cold glare, he looked over to Watari. Watari straightened under Tatsumi's piercing stare and started to fidget slightly. The blonde scientist's hair was unravelled from the ponytail the man sometimes sported, and his glasses were off his face.
Watari raised his brown eyes to Tatsumi's cold blue ones, and for a moment Tatsumi felt as if he could see into Watari's soul. Watari was probably just as frustrated as Tatsumi was, considering all that he knew about the real situation. Shuffling his feet slightly, Watari sent a scathing look over to Terazuma and then looked back to Tatsumi. "Terazuma and I, well we were just having a difference of opinion . . . that's all." Watari sneaked a glance to Terazuma once again. "Someone in this division needs to learn when to keep his mouth shut."
It was with that comment that Terazuma's eyes almost glowed with anger. He stepped toward Watari, a menacing presence in his actions. Tatsumi tensed slightly, as he himself had once been on the receiving end of one of Terazuma's attacks. Wakaba reached out and grabbed a hold of one of Terazuma's arms, trying to hold the part monster of a man back. "And some of the people here in this division need to learn when to let go and hope for the best! "
Tatsumi frowned, confused by the vagueness of both Watari's and Terazuma's comments. "Are you two going to continue being vague or am I going to have to get serious?" With everything going on, Tatsumi had little tolerance for such nonsense, especially when it came to blows. He placed his hands on his hips and continued to stare at the two shinigami.
It was Watari who spoke up first; his brown eyes alight in anger. "The three of us were in the break room when I made a comment about the manhunt that High Council had set upon Tsuzuki and Hisoka." He pulled a stray strand of hair that had fallen across his eyes and continued. "I commented on just how bad of a shape both Tsuzuki and Hisoka were probably in, and how they needed time to heal, not to be thrown into a hellish assignment and then have the higher ups suddenly betray them." Watari scowled to Terazuma who had adopted a neutral stance. "Then this jerk started spouting off insults left and right about ALL of us!"
Terazuma started at Watari's choice of words and Tatsumi sighed inwardly. He would have to have a talk with Watari later on his opinions . . . but first he had to defuse this situation. "Watari, I am sure Terazuma had his reasons for his opinions - "
Terazuma shook his head in anger and glared at Tatsumi. "Damn straight I do!" He jerked his thumb at Watari. "And they aren't insults, more like the truth!" Tatsumi watched Wakaba's eyes widen as Terazuma spoke and he prayed a silent prayer to Enma for strength.
"Terazuma!!" Wakaba cried out in shock, her eyes bright with emotion.
Ignoring Wakaba's outcry, Terazuma continued on with his rant. "All of you are pathetic! How can you expect the two of them to heal if all you do is bemoan their state?" Terazuma glared at Watari and then turned his scathing glare onto Tatsumi. Tatsumi stared back and maintained his firm stance. "And you especially!"
"Really." Tatsumi raised an eyebrow up at Terazuma, his face expressionless otherwise. "Do explain Terazuma." He knew his voice was cold, but he couldn't help it. If Terazuma really knew what was going on, perhaps the man wouldn't be quite so arrogant, but Tatsumi bit his tongue and let the angry man have his say. He would get his own chance soon enough.
"So Tsuzuki had a nervous breakdown, even morons like him are prone to them, but even I know he will get himself back to his annoying perky self. Hisoka hasn't been well since Kyoto, but he has had to struggle with things all his life. He will make it through this as well." Terazuma looked both to Watari, Tatsumi and even Wakaba, which surprised Tatsumi. He had thought that Terazuma would have spared his partner from criticism, but it appeared to not be the case.
"For Enma's sake!" Terazuma made a disgusted face. "We are all shinigami, we all have troubled pasts, it seems to be a prerequisite to becoming a shinigami. Strong ties to life and all that, demons from our previous life? That's old news."
"Terazuma . . ." Wakaba's voice was quiet, but it penetrated the tension between the lot of them.
Terazuma looked to his partner and softened his rant, if ever so slightly. Tatsumi just stood and let the man continue. His people were all a little frustrated at the moment with the lock down, and situations like this were more likely to become frequent. Terazuma glared at Watari, and rubbed at the bruise the scientist had given him. "Enma's assigned Tsuzuki and Hisoka a difficult case? So be it. Shit happens and you deal with it." Terazuma crossed his arms and scanned the room. "Now I agree this sudden manhunt is disturbing, but Tsuzuki and Hisoka are grown men, despite physical appearances. They are SHINIGAMI, they have to be strong or they might as well just pass on now!"
"Strength has nothing to do with this! Tsuzuki and Hisoka are still recovering from a very trying ordeal . . ." The anger in Watari's voice was unmistakable and Tatsumi hoped that Watari would curb his anger. Tatsumi could understand what Terazuma was getting at, even if the other man chose to display it in such a vulgar manner.
"That's just it. How do you expect them to go back to normal if all you do is eliminate anything that is a challenge?" Terazuma rolled his eyes and glared once again at Watari. "All of you are so worried about Tsuzuki and Hisoka going on this assignment, but has it even occurred to you that maybe, just maybe this is just what they need?"
"As much as I don't wanna admit it, the moron has talent, and the kid is no slouch either." Terazuma glanced over to the empty desks of Tsuzuki and Hisoka. "But it seems that I am the only one here that remembers that. Me! The one who dislikes Tsuzuki with a passion!" He gave Tatsumi a knowing smirk. "Kind of sad, if you think about it, eh secretary?"
"You guys want to worry about the two of them then fine. Worry. But for Enma's sake, don't doubt their abilities or strength, or what was the friggin point of saving them from the fire?" Terazuma glared purposely at Watari and Tatsumi. "Think about that for a while."
Terazuma stalked away from them, and Tatsumi couldn't help but feel that Terazuma, despite his crude attitude, was at least for the moment, the wisest of them all. Wakaba followed after Terazuma, concern etched on her face. As he exited the room, Terazuma called out threateningly. "Oh, and Watari, if you ever hit me again you won't have a hand left."
The silence that filled the room was deafening and Tatsumi turned to face Watari. Watari had the presence of mind to at least look sheepish before Tatsumi. "Are you trying to cause trouble or does it just follow you around?"
Watari gave Tatsumi a small smile and rubbed his hand gingerly. "You could say that. Man . . . Terazuma has a hard head." He nursed his appendage, and Tatsumi felt little sympathy for Watari. "I thought he was just blowing hot air . . . but Terazuma actually does have a point."
"You finally see that AFTER you decide that punching him is a good idea?"
"Sorry . . ." Watari smiled and lowered his injured hand. "I just got so angry. He made it sound as if it was a good thing that Tsuzuki and Hisoka are trapped and stuff." Watari shook his head and Tatsumi silently agreed with the scientist. "Underneath that rough exterior, Terazuma is probably just as worried as we are."
"I wouldn't say that to his face if I were you." Tatsumi eyed the doorway that Terazuma and Wakaba had exited. The rivalry between Tsuzuki and Terazuma had always perplexed Tatsumi, but in a way, it showed that they did care for one another. Tatsumi turned to face Watari once again. "If you are done playing for the moment there are some things I would like to go over with you."
Watari let the humour in his eyes drop as he got serious. "As do I." Watari raked his fingers through his hair and eyed Tatsumi. "Konoe is outside the building, arguing with some . . . visitors. The investigation team has come Tatsumi."
Tatsumi maintained his cool expression, but felt a pit of dread form in his stomach. He had hoped that the High Council would wait a little longer before sending down their internal investigation. It seems as if someone up high wanted to squash things, and quick. "GuShoShin?"
"Safe and sound in my lab. I have warned him already. The team won't find him easily."
Tatsumi shook his head and made a line for the front doors of the building. Watari hurried along after him, and Tatsumi fought to calm his nerves. He knew that Konoe wouldn't give them an inch if the man could help it, but Tatsumi wanted to see the investigation team with his own eyes.
The storm had finally come.
********************
"Let us through."
"Until you provide me with the proper paperwork the lot of you won't get a single step into my division."
"We could relinquish you of your post Konoe, let us through."
"Over my dead body."
"That could be arranged."
Tatsumi walked through the front door with the grace of a cat, and Watari trailed after him a couple paces back. Both Konoe and the investigation team turned their heads to look at Tatsumi, and Tatsumi ignored the cold glares of the team. He stepped up to stand beside Konoe. "Is there anything I can help you with gentlemen?"
The leader of the investigation team stared at Tatsumi with piercing blue eyes, and Tatsumi calmly stared back. "We are Trinity. If you know what is good for you, you will tell your chief to back down and let us do our job."
Trinity. So Enma and the Council had sent them after the Shokan division now. Tatsumi calmly adjusted his glasses and adopted an indifferent stance. Trinity was not an investigation team, but executioners of Enma's commands. Tatsumi wondered briefly just what their orders were.
"And just what might be the 'job' that you are trying to complete?"
The Trinity leader glared hatefully at Tatsumi, but Tatsumi just stared back. "Don't think we fear you shadow master. You might be unique but you are just a shinigami." The leader pulled his imposing sunglasses back over his eyes and to Tatsumi, the three of them looked like members of a Yakuza group. It did nothing to help warm Tatsumi's heart to them. The leader shook his head. "We know he is here."
"Who is here?" Tatsumi glared at the Trinity leader with a cold calm. It was as if Konoe and Watari had vanished in the background, and in a sense they had. It was a pissing contest of sorts, one that Tatsumi did not care for, but he knew the Trinity leader would insist on it. "If you have nothing better to do than to threaten us, than you boys must be desperate."
The Trinity leader's eyebrows twitched and Tatsumi knew he had hit a sore spot. The fact that they had not managed to capture Tsuzuki and Hisoka must have been an upset to them. The Higher Ups were probably putting pressure on the group to produce something. "The librarian Mr. Secretary. Hand him over and we will be on our way."
Tatsumi raised an eyebrow to the leader's demand and played it cool. "There is a lock down around our division at the moment, you should know that travel to ChiJou is unavailable at the moment." Tatsumi gave the leader a slight smile. "Besides, if GuShoShin was here, I would not hand him over to you. He has done no crime." Tatsumi prayed that Watari had spoken the truth that GuShoShin was indeed hidden, as he watched the Trinity leader's face redden slightly.
"You are treading on thin ice Secretary."
Tatsumi shrugged slightly and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his index finger. "As are you Trinity. Do not think you can bully the Shokan division." Tatsumi crossed his arms and eyed the blue suited angel with indifference. "Tell the High Council to follow proper protocol, and maybe next time I will let you step into my building." Tatsumi then turned and began to walk away from Trinity, ignoring the sputtered protest of the leader.
"You will not get away with such insolence."
Tatsumi continued to walk forward, looking to his chief and Watari instead. He continued to step up the front steps of the building, adding insult to injury by refusing to look at the Trinity leader. "I already have." Tatsumi paused in his step and looked over his shoulder ever so slightly, letting the Trinity leader see the intent in his eye. "Now take my advice and leave, lest I have to show you what a shadow master can do."
"Stupid Shinigami. You don't understand what is truly happening here. Your arrogance will bring about the destruction of Meifu."
Tatsumi paused and turned around to face the Trinity leader. The shadows around him flared threateningly and Tatsumi glared at his opponent with a cold stare. "Perhaps." He clenched his fists and the shadow of the Trinity leader gained a menacing appearance. "But right now you are the ones who do not understand." Tatsumi watched as the leader stepped backwards slightly. "Now are you going to leave or am I going to have to force you?"
The Trinity leader flapped his wings forcefully and glared up to Tatsumi. "You will be an interesting opponent Mr. Secretary." The Trinity leader mock bowed and nodded his head. "I have no doubt that you WILL be an opponent." Tatsumi eyed the angel coldly who motioned to his subordinates. "Until then Shinigami."
Trinity vanished in a flash of light, and Tatsumi let the shadows around him resume their normal stance. Watari and Konoe rushed up to him, and Tatsumi looked at them grimly. The stakes had just upped, and Tatsumi hoped that they had the winning hand.
"That was a very reckless thing to do Tatsumi." Konoe shook his head and let loose a loud laugh. "But the look on their faces." The laughter in his eyes died as he looked to Tatsumi seriously. "Is what they said true? Is GuShoShin here?"
Tatsumi flicked his eyes to Watari who shrugged slightly. Well he had already tipped them into the frying pan, why not into the fire? Tatsumi gestured for the three of them to enter the building, and Tatsumi looked over to Konoe as they walked. "He is."
"Tatsumi . . ." Watari's voice was quiet, but Tatsumi ignored the question in the scientist's voice. It would only be a matter of time before everything became clear, and the Shokan might as well try to show a united front when all hell broke loose.
Tatsumi sighed as the cool interior of the building surrounded them. He turned around to look to Konoe and to Watari. "We are all going to be a lot more busy I'm afraid." Tatsumi sighed. "Call a meeting chief, there are some things I would like to bring to light."
"No kidding." Tatsumi could hear the slight anger in Konoe's voice, probably from the fact that he had not been aware of what was going on in his own division. Konoe looked over to Watari who looked away guiltily. "Did you know Watari?"
Tatsumi interrupted Watari's reply and shook his head. "Just call the meeting Chief." Tatsumi raked his fingers through his hair. "We have a war to prepare for."
********************
Author's Notes:
I don't know about you, but it seems to me that while Konoe is the chief of the division, it is Tatsumi who seems to be the real power - or at least the biggest threat. Although I don't doubt that Konoe can be just as scary if he wants to be. But you have to admit, Tatsumi makes a much scarier figure, maybe it is the suit, or the piercing eyes, or the ability to engulf people in shadows . . . you choose?
Poor Trinity. They can't seem to get anything done, can they? The elite of the elite, they are still just lackeys for the High Council and Enma in the end. Why didn't I have them just barge in and take GuShoShin? Tatsumi was correct in his words. There are proper channels, and the Shokan division has not been deemed criminal . . . yet. J I just hope people don't think that Trinity are just pushovers. They are restrained in what the can and cannot do. As things shift, those restrictions will change.
I hope the animosity between Trinity and the division was apparent. Think of the arrogance shown in movies when the FBI muscles in on the local police's turf. Pissing contests ensue.
Everything is up in the air right now, but all will be revealed, I promise!
I just want to thank everyone who has reviewed. I know I have had some problems with people's names here, stupid writing fanfic in English when the show / manga is in Japanese form and mentality. I hope it isn't that confusing or anything. I hope you all continue to review my chapters and stuff. It is encouraging and enlightening. As some of the mistakes I have made I didn't even notice until a reviewer said so. I hope readers are enjoying the story, even if it is long winded.
Reviews and comments on my story thus far would be most appreciated. As a wanna be author, it is encouraging to hear from those who read one's work. So even if you have nothing to say other than 'Good job!' or 'You Suck!' I would still like to hear from you. Those who have reviewed already, I want to thank you for your input! It really does encourage me and helps me get these chapters out.
Also I just have to thank Matsushita for creating such wonderful characters! Humour, darkness, romance - all the fun stuff rolled into one! Thank you!
This story is loosely based on the manga and the anime, taking components from both. Some liberalization's taken by me to suit my plot. Hope I don't offend or confuse.
Also once again, original characters are mine, all mine!
So on with the Show!
Interlude Three - Thicker than Blood
By Lockeheart
********************
"Something about all this just doesn't add up."
Tatsumi glanced up from the stack of papers in his hands to look to GuShoShin, who was frowning at the computer screen in front of him. Tatsumi sighed and pushed off his perch atop of the desk behind the librarian, and moved to see what GuShoShin was looking at. "What do you mean?" Tatsumi fought the urge to rub his eyes or yawn. It was three in the morning, and the day shift of Shokan division would be filing through the doors in a couple of hours. Considering Tatsumi was a part of the day shift, it was going to be a very long day. When a mug of coffee appeared under his nose, Tatsumi reached out to take the proffered drink. "Thank you Watari."
"No problem." Watari plopped down in the chair he had vacated earlier to get the trio of them a caffeine boost. 003 was snoozing contentedly upon the desk behind Watari, and Tatsumi envied the little owl. How Watari got an owl to sleep at night was a little perplexing, but Tatsumi did not question the matter. There were more important things to focus upon. Watari peered to the screen that GuShoShin was frowning at. "What's up GuShoShin?"
GuShoShin pointed a feathery finger to the screen and Tatsumi leaned in to get a better look. It was a newspaper clipping, and from the date a recent one, but somehow it had skipped the eyes of the Shokan division. It was little more than a blurb, but its contents were what chased the sleep from Tatsumi's eyes. GuShoShin grimaced and looked up to Tatsumi and Watari in turn. "Does this give any of you goose bumps like it does to me?" He dragged a box around the small clipping and magnified the words. "I mean, just a couple days ago Tsuzuki and I saw them, and now I find this?"
Watari whistled and raised his eyebrows to Tatsumi. "Wow . . . this is huge! How did this escape our attention? Especially considering our connection to it." Watari shook his head and placed his mug down on the desk. " 'Bizarre deaths surround Takahashi household as investigation takes a supernatural turn.' " Watari jabbed a finger at the line and made a noise of disbelief. "Who comes up with these headlines?"
Tatsumi straightened up and began to pace the small length of the room. "Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi were dead . . . they were probably dead for more than a week before Hikaru's body was found." Tatsumi shook his head and paused in his motions to look to GuShoShin. "How could something so vital to the case have been missed?" He frowned and looked down to the magnified clipping. " 'They were found by police when a neighbour complained of a horrible smell coming from the household.' " Tatsumi pulled his glasses off his face to rub at the bridge of his nose.
Everything about this case just got darker and darker the more they dug, and with the muscling in of Enma's elite, it was likely to get much worse. Tatsumi gripped the handle of his coffee mug tightly, and looked to GuShoShin. "Try to look up the police reports . . . anything within the department that could be linked to that clipping. I want to know how they were found, in what state . . . everything."
Watari grimaced and took a sip from his coffee. "Such information couldn't have passed our researchers. It's unbelievable." Tatsumi looked to the scientist as Watari shook his head. "Something or someone had to have hid this information from us. There is no way we could have missed the names of Hikaru's parents in the Kiseki." Watari shook his finger at Tatsumi as if proving a point. "Hell, that fact alone screams foul play! If we had known this before sending Tsuzuki or Hisoka down to ChiJou, we would have never sent them so ill prepared."
Tatsumi pulled his glasses back onto his face in one swift motion, and stared at the mass of papers in his hands. "It wasn't like we had much of a choice in the matter." Tatsumi narrowed his eyes and stared at the information GuShoShin was compiling. Watari had a point, but Tatsumi knew he couldn't act as reckless as his blonde companion, no matter how much Tatsumi wished. "Enma made the decision. Whether this misinformation was an oversight or something more sinister . . . we cannot be sure."
"But to overlook the gruesome potential murders of the child's parents?!?" Watari frowned and whacked his coffee cup onto the desk, startling 003 and nearly making the little bird fall off the desk. Watari turned around to gently pick up his feathered companion. "Sorry 003 . . ." Tatsumi felt just as angry as Watari did about things, but someone had to maintain a level head in all this. It was GuShoShin, who beckoned the two of them over, that saved him from answering Watari's comments.
"Take a look at this. The bodies of the parents were found in the yard, their bodies mutilated and drained of blood . . . just like Hikaru's body was." GuShoShin frowned and pulled up an image. "The potential disturbing thing about all this, not that it isn't disturbing already, is that a single feather was found atop of each body, with the name Hikaru written in blood very neatly upon the white feather." Tatsumi frowned at the image and shook his head as GuShoShin continued speaking. "Remnants of a magic circle were also found, along with a scrawled message in the grass . . . written in blood." GuShoShin pulled up an image of the message. " 'Who decides what is good or evil any ways?' " GuShoShin frowned and Tatsumi rolled that phrase through his head.
"Just a thought?" Watari's voice was loud in the silence that had filled the room, and Tatsumi looked to his friend with a raised eyebrow. Watari gently placed 003 back down upon the desk and grabbed his coffee cup once again. "The police spoke with Hikaru's parents after her abduction, and later when her body was found right?" He took a large swallow of coffee. "But if they were actually dead . . . who filed the missing persons report for Hikaru? And who spoke to the police?"
That thought, and more brought more silence to the room, and it was Tatsumi who cleared his throat to break it. "From what I can tell, the police were trying to keep their discovery under wraps for fear of inciting panic in the general public." He reached down to grab his abandoned coffee mug. "As for the parents, who do we know that possesses some powerful magic, and has an obsessive interest in both Tsuzuki and Hisoka?"
GuShoShin answered that question almost immediately and Watari nodded in agreement with the librarian's answer. "Muraki."
"So you think Muraki had something to do with Hikaru's death?" Watari bit the rim of his coffee mug distractedly as he considered the idea. Tatsumi just nodded to Watari, wanting to let the scientist think. "If so, was this all just some plot to get at Tsuzuki again? Or maybe revenge?"
GuShoShin shook his head and shifted in his chair to face Tatsumi and Watari. "I don't think so, or at least it isn't that single theme. What I mean is, is it just coincidence that he chose a girl with high spiritual powers to use as bait?" GuShoShin pulled up an image of Hikaru. "The strange thing is, every thread I try to pull on Hikaru in the database comes up with a security lock."
Tatsumi frowned as he stared at Hikaru's image. "Is there any indication as to why there is such a high level of protection around her information?" He placed the papers he was holding down on the desk. "There wasn't anything covering up her information before . . . Konoe and I personally checked over her data before handing over the case to Tsuzuki and Hisoka."
"Maybe something has changed? Or maybe the info you looked at was not actually all of her data?" Watari rubbed at his chin and laid out his hand palm up to let 003 jump onto it. "The GuShoShin twins may be the head librarian's here in Shokan division, but the actual database management and input occur at a much higher level than us." Watari idly scratched the top of 003's head, who in turn closed her eyes in contentment. "Can you bypass the security lock GuShoShin?"
GuShoShin tapped a couple of keys on his keyboard, and Tatsumi eyed the process with apprehension. He had a bad feeling about all of this, but until they turned up some proof, Tatsumi's hands were tied. GuShoShin let out a sigh of frustration. "It isn't that easy . . . trying to bypass this could take some time." GuShoShin looked to Tatsumi who just shrugged. "Doing so will undoubtedly bring us under scrutiny, do you still want me to try Tatsumi?"
It was getting worse. Tatsumi rubbed at his temples and closed his eyes momentarily. He had had suspicions, but Tatsumi had not wanted to believe that the institution that he worked for, and believed in, could be capable of such blatant disregard of policy. As a division that routinely got its hands filthy, access to files was usually unrestricted, at least for the GuShoShin twins. "Well we are already over our heads, if our division is going to be damned, I would like to know exactly why." To think that everything had become restricted, conveniently at the same time Tsuzuki and Hisoka were sent down on this damned case, Tatsumi could not believe it.
"Making up for past hesitation?"
Tatsumi looked to Watari who just stared intently back at him. When Tsuzuki was in the fire, Tatsumi had hesitated, wanting to honour his the wishes of his friend. It had taken a boy to show Tatsumi how wrong he was. His hesitation had almost cost Tatsumi much more than he had been willing to pay. Tatsumi clenched his fists and closed his eyes briefly.
"Perhaps."
After the fire, Tatsumi had stayed away from Tsuzuki and Hisoka, at least so much as to give them a chance to find what had formed between the two of them. Tatsumi had found himself in the company of Watari more and more as the days had passed, and Tatsumi had found a sympathetic ear in the blonde scientist, if somewhat brash.
Tatsumi shook his head and looked to the computer screen. It was late, and at least he and Watari had fronts to uphold. "I want you to work on this GuShoShin, when you get through send 003 to find either me or Watari okay?" Tatsumi sighed and gulped the rest of his coffee in one large swallow. "I am going to work with Konoe on his front, and try to wade through all of this red tape." Tatsumi turned to Watari. "I need you to keep working on a safe way to get Hisoka separated from Hikaru and Chymos."
Watari grimaced and lifted his coffee mug to his lips. "While you are at it Tatsumi, why don't you ask us to find a way to bring the moon down and crush Muraki?"
"I just might."
********************
Tatsumi needed to walk, if nothing else to release the frustrations he felt. It had been two days now since GuShoShin came back from ChiJou with the messages from Tsuzuki and Hisoka. Two days that he, Watari and GuShoShin had been madly attempting to make sense out of everything that was happening. Tatsumi was sure that some of the office had noticed his distraction, but hoped that they would just attribute it to Konoe's ongoing battle with the higher ups.
Ever since Tatsumi had nudged Konoe to go talk to the Earl to get information, the chief was a rampaging man. It was encouraging to see Konoe so vehement about what was going on, as Tatsumi was sure that they would need all the strength they could get when Enma's people came. Tatsumi was sure that an inquisitor would be sent from above, the lock down on their division confirmed that.
He looked to the laptop on his desk. GuShoShin had insisted on him using the contraption a couple weeks earlier in an effort to curb expenses, and Tatsumi had agreed. The laptop now held all the information that Tatsumi had been able to collect, his thoughts on things going on, and suspicions. Some of what he had found was disturbing, and it was because of that, that Tatsumi felt the urge to walk.
Tatsumi pulled his no-nonsense face into place, ready to administer his wrath if required. With no cases to take on, Tatsumi had been pushing the staff to complete the backlog of paperwork in the system. At least when the investigation came, they would not be able to complain about that. Tatsumi took a deep breath and straightened out his tie. He would make his rounds, push his people in line, and head over to Watari's lab.
It had become the unofficial meeting place of the three collaborators namely Tatsumi, Watari and GuShoShin, and Tatsumi was sure that few would venture near the volatile place. Watari had been sure to set off numerous explosions to scare off the few who were curious. It was a proven fact that when Watari's lab was exploding, or things of that sort, that soon the scientist would be on the prowl, looking for his next guinea pig, or as Tatsumi had come to call it, the next victim. Tatsumi smiled slightly at that thought and sighed. It was hard not to wish for their regular routine; it would be a relief from the nightmare that they were currently being dragged through.
The Shokan division consisted of a varied assortment of people, but they worked well - when Tatsumi could make sure they were working. Tatsumi rolled his eyes at that thought, not only was he the Shokan secretary, but he was also a legendary master of the office. He knew everything going on in the place, and if he didn't, he was sure to find out before too long. He had managed to grasp the doorknob of his door when a loud yell pierced the quiet.
Concern floated briefly across Tatsumi's face, but he quickly squashed it down and settled on his usual facial expression. In times like these . . . especially in times like these, consistency was key to keeping the peace. His job was more than being Konoe's right-hand man, he maintained order within the division, or at least Tatsumi fancied himself to be able to. Tatsumi breathed in deeply and opened his office door.
What he saw wasn't that surprising, but he assumed a menacing look none the less - consistency was important. He cleared his throat lightly to gain the attention of the two that had broke the peace, and tapped his foot impatiently. "Do I have to ask what is going on here?" He had a really good idea what may have occurred, but it was always better to get the story from those involved.
Watari and Terazuma whirled around; the argument between the two of them squashed by the presence of Tatsumi. Tatsumi noted that Watari's face was flush, his fist clenched tightly. Terazuma had adopted a look of indifference, but even that could not hide the unmistakable bruise forming on his face. Wakaba stood nearby, her hands pulled up to her mouth as if trying to hide her upset.
The silence that filled the main office area was daunting, and Tatsumi sighed inwardly. He didn't like being the bad guy, but if he didn't, nothing would get accomplished. "Well I am waiting." He glanced to both Watari and Terazuma, and when he got no response from the two of them, Tatsumi turned his gaze onto Wakaba.
Wakaba's eyes got very wide as Tatsumi gazed upon her, and inwardly, Tatsumi couldn't help but feel like he was being a bully, but outwardly he maintained his cold stone appearance. It was that look that goaded Terazuma into action, the marked man walking to block Tatsumi's gaze from Wakaba. The sullen man swept his hand in front of him, gesturing to Tatsumi as he finally spoke. "Oi. Leave her alone Tatsumi, she wasn't a part of it."
Tatsumi could see Terazuma's eyes twitch slightly over to Watari and Tatsumi groaned in his mind. It wasn't like he and Watari had enough on their hands with having to keep everything secret from the rest of the division, but for some reason the scientist had opted to bite off more than he could chew.
"And what pray tell, is 'it'." Tatsumi looked steadily at Terazuma, and when the man didn't budge from Tatsumi's cold glare, he looked over to Watari. Watari straightened under Tatsumi's piercing stare and started to fidget slightly. The blonde scientist's hair was unravelled from the ponytail the man sometimes sported, and his glasses were off his face.
Watari raised his brown eyes to Tatsumi's cold blue ones, and for a moment Tatsumi felt as if he could see into Watari's soul. Watari was probably just as frustrated as Tatsumi was, considering all that he knew about the real situation. Shuffling his feet slightly, Watari sent a scathing look over to Terazuma and then looked back to Tatsumi. "Terazuma and I, well we were just having a difference of opinion . . . that's all." Watari sneaked a glance to Terazuma once again. "Someone in this division needs to learn when to keep his mouth shut."
It was with that comment that Terazuma's eyes almost glowed with anger. He stepped toward Watari, a menacing presence in his actions. Tatsumi tensed slightly, as he himself had once been on the receiving end of one of Terazuma's attacks. Wakaba reached out and grabbed a hold of one of Terazuma's arms, trying to hold the part monster of a man back. "And some of the people here in this division need to learn when to let go and hope for the best! "
Tatsumi frowned, confused by the vagueness of both Watari's and Terazuma's comments. "Are you two going to continue being vague or am I going to have to get serious?" With everything going on, Tatsumi had little tolerance for such nonsense, especially when it came to blows. He placed his hands on his hips and continued to stare at the two shinigami.
It was Watari who spoke up first; his brown eyes alight in anger. "The three of us were in the break room when I made a comment about the manhunt that High Council had set upon Tsuzuki and Hisoka." He pulled a stray strand of hair that had fallen across his eyes and continued. "I commented on just how bad of a shape both Tsuzuki and Hisoka were probably in, and how they needed time to heal, not to be thrown into a hellish assignment and then have the higher ups suddenly betray them." Watari scowled to Terazuma who had adopted a neutral stance. "Then this jerk started spouting off insults left and right about ALL of us!"
Terazuma started at Watari's choice of words and Tatsumi sighed inwardly. He would have to have a talk with Watari later on his opinions . . . but first he had to defuse this situation. "Watari, I am sure Terazuma had his reasons for his opinions - "
Terazuma shook his head in anger and glared at Tatsumi. "Damn straight I do!" He jerked his thumb at Watari. "And they aren't insults, more like the truth!" Tatsumi watched Wakaba's eyes widen as Terazuma spoke and he prayed a silent prayer to Enma for strength.
"Terazuma!!" Wakaba cried out in shock, her eyes bright with emotion.
Ignoring Wakaba's outcry, Terazuma continued on with his rant. "All of you are pathetic! How can you expect the two of them to heal if all you do is bemoan their state?" Terazuma glared at Watari and then turned his scathing glare onto Tatsumi. Tatsumi stared back and maintained his firm stance. "And you especially!"
"Really." Tatsumi raised an eyebrow up at Terazuma, his face expressionless otherwise. "Do explain Terazuma." He knew his voice was cold, but he couldn't help it. If Terazuma really knew what was going on, perhaps the man wouldn't be quite so arrogant, but Tatsumi bit his tongue and let the angry man have his say. He would get his own chance soon enough.
"So Tsuzuki had a nervous breakdown, even morons like him are prone to them, but even I know he will get himself back to his annoying perky self. Hisoka hasn't been well since Kyoto, but he has had to struggle with things all his life. He will make it through this as well." Terazuma looked both to Watari, Tatsumi and even Wakaba, which surprised Tatsumi. He had thought that Terazuma would have spared his partner from criticism, but it appeared to not be the case.
"For Enma's sake!" Terazuma made a disgusted face. "We are all shinigami, we all have troubled pasts, it seems to be a prerequisite to becoming a shinigami. Strong ties to life and all that, demons from our previous life? That's old news."
"Terazuma . . ." Wakaba's voice was quiet, but it penetrated the tension between the lot of them.
Terazuma looked to his partner and softened his rant, if ever so slightly. Tatsumi just stood and let the man continue. His people were all a little frustrated at the moment with the lock down, and situations like this were more likely to become frequent. Terazuma glared at Watari, and rubbed at the bruise the scientist had given him. "Enma's assigned Tsuzuki and Hisoka a difficult case? So be it. Shit happens and you deal with it." Terazuma crossed his arms and scanned the room. "Now I agree this sudden manhunt is disturbing, but Tsuzuki and Hisoka are grown men, despite physical appearances. They are SHINIGAMI, they have to be strong or they might as well just pass on now!"
"Strength has nothing to do with this! Tsuzuki and Hisoka are still recovering from a very trying ordeal . . ." The anger in Watari's voice was unmistakable and Tatsumi hoped that Watari would curb his anger. Tatsumi could understand what Terazuma was getting at, even if the other man chose to display it in such a vulgar manner.
"That's just it. How do you expect them to go back to normal if all you do is eliminate anything that is a challenge?" Terazuma rolled his eyes and glared once again at Watari. "All of you are so worried about Tsuzuki and Hisoka going on this assignment, but has it even occurred to you that maybe, just maybe this is just what they need?"
"As much as I don't wanna admit it, the moron has talent, and the kid is no slouch either." Terazuma glanced over to the empty desks of Tsuzuki and Hisoka. "But it seems that I am the only one here that remembers that. Me! The one who dislikes Tsuzuki with a passion!" He gave Tatsumi a knowing smirk. "Kind of sad, if you think about it, eh secretary?"
"You guys want to worry about the two of them then fine. Worry. But for Enma's sake, don't doubt their abilities or strength, or what was the friggin point of saving them from the fire?" Terazuma glared purposely at Watari and Tatsumi. "Think about that for a while."
Terazuma stalked away from them, and Tatsumi couldn't help but feel that Terazuma, despite his crude attitude, was at least for the moment, the wisest of them all. Wakaba followed after Terazuma, concern etched on her face. As he exited the room, Terazuma called out threateningly. "Oh, and Watari, if you ever hit me again you won't have a hand left."
The silence that filled the room was deafening and Tatsumi turned to face Watari. Watari had the presence of mind to at least look sheepish before Tatsumi. "Are you trying to cause trouble or does it just follow you around?"
Watari gave Tatsumi a small smile and rubbed his hand gingerly. "You could say that. Man . . . Terazuma has a hard head." He nursed his appendage, and Tatsumi felt little sympathy for Watari. "I thought he was just blowing hot air . . . but Terazuma actually does have a point."
"You finally see that AFTER you decide that punching him is a good idea?"
"Sorry . . ." Watari smiled and lowered his injured hand. "I just got so angry. He made it sound as if it was a good thing that Tsuzuki and Hisoka are trapped and stuff." Watari shook his head and Tatsumi silently agreed with the scientist. "Underneath that rough exterior, Terazuma is probably just as worried as we are."
"I wouldn't say that to his face if I were you." Tatsumi eyed the doorway that Terazuma and Wakaba had exited. The rivalry between Tsuzuki and Terazuma had always perplexed Tatsumi, but in a way, it showed that they did care for one another. Tatsumi turned to face Watari once again. "If you are done playing for the moment there are some things I would like to go over with you."
Watari let the humour in his eyes drop as he got serious. "As do I." Watari raked his fingers through his hair and eyed Tatsumi. "Konoe is outside the building, arguing with some . . . visitors. The investigation team has come Tatsumi."
Tatsumi maintained his cool expression, but felt a pit of dread form in his stomach. He had hoped that the High Council would wait a little longer before sending down their internal investigation. It seems as if someone up high wanted to squash things, and quick. "GuShoShin?"
"Safe and sound in my lab. I have warned him already. The team won't find him easily."
Tatsumi shook his head and made a line for the front doors of the building. Watari hurried along after him, and Tatsumi fought to calm his nerves. He knew that Konoe wouldn't give them an inch if the man could help it, but Tatsumi wanted to see the investigation team with his own eyes.
The storm had finally come.
********************
"Let us through."
"Until you provide me with the proper paperwork the lot of you won't get a single step into my division."
"We could relinquish you of your post Konoe, let us through."
"Over my dead body."
"That could be arranged."
Tatsumi walked through the front door with the grace of a cat, and Watari trailed after him a couple paces back. Both Konoe and the investigation team turned their heads to look at Tatsumi, and Tatsumi ignored the cold glares of the team. He stepped up to stand beside Konoe. "Is there anything I can help you with gentlemen?"
The leader of the investigation team stared at Tatsumi with piercing blue eyes, and Tatsumi calmly stared back. "We are Trinity. If you know what is good for you, you will tell your chief to back down and let us do our job."
Trinity. So Enma and the Council had sent them after the Shokan division now. Tatsumi calmly adjusted his glasses and adopted an indifferent stance. Trinity was not an investigation team, but executioners of Enma's commands. Tatsumi wondered briefly just what their orders were.
"And just what might be the 'job' that you are trying to complete?"
The Trinity leader glared hatefully at Tatsumi, but Tatsumi just stared back. "Don't think we fear you shadow master. You might be unique but you are just a shinigami." The leader pulled his imposing sunglasses back over his eyes and to Tatsumi, the three of them looked like members of a Yakuza group. It did nothing to help warm Tatsumi's heart to them. The leader shook his head. "We know he is here."
"Who is here?" Tatsumi glared at the Trinity leader with a cold calm. It was as if Konoe and Watari had vanished in the background, and in a sense they had. It was a pissing contest of sorts, one that Tatsumi did not care for, but he knew the Trinity leader would insist on it. "If you have nothing better to do than to threaten us, than you boys must be desperate."
The Trinity leader's eyebrows twitched and Tatsumi knew he had hit a sore spot. The fact that they had not managed to capture Tsuzuki and Hisoka must have been an upset to them. The Higher Ups were probably putting pressure on the group to produce something. "The librarian Mr. Secretary. Hand him over and we will be on our way."
Tatsumi raised an eyebrow to the leader's demand and played it cool. "There is a lock down around our division at the moment, you should know that travel to ChiJou is unavailable at the moment." Tatsumi gave the leader a slight smile. "Besides, if GuShoShin was here, I would not hand him over to you. He has done no crime." Tatsumi prayed that Watari had spoken the truth that GuShoShin was indeed hidden, as he watched the Trinity leader's face redden slightly.
"You are treading on thin ice Secretary."
Tatsumi shrugged slightly and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his index finger. "As are you Trinity. Do not think you can bully the Shokan division." Tatsumi crossed his arms and eyed the blue suited angel with indifference. "Tell the High Council to follow proper protocol, and maybe next time I will let you step into my building." Tatsumi then turned and began to walk away from Trinity, ignoring the sputtered protest of the leader.
"You will not get away with such insolence."
Tatsumi continued to walk forward, looking to his chief and Watari instead. He continued to step up the front steps of the building, adding insult to injury by refusing to look at the Trinity leader. "I already have." Tatsumi paused in his step and looked over his shoulder ever so slightly, letting the Trinity leader see the intent in his eye. "Now take my advice and leave, lest I have to show you what a shadow master can do."
"Stupid Shinigami. You don't understand what is truly happening here. Your arrogance will bring about the destruction of Meifu."
Tatsumi paused and turned around to face the Trinity leader. The shadows around him flared threateningly and Tatsumi glared at his opponent with a cold stare. "Perhaps." He clenched his fists and the shadow of the Trinity leader gained a menacing appearance. "But right now you are the ones who do not understand." Tatsumi watched as the leader stepped backwards slightly. "Now are you going to leave or am I going to have to force you?"
The Trinity leader flapped his wings forcefully and glared up to Tatsumi. "You will be an interesting opponent Mr. Secretary." The Trinity leader mock bowed and nodded his head. "I have no doubt that you WILL be an opponent." Tatsumi eyed the angel coldly who motioned to his subordinates. "Until then Shinigami."
Trinity vanished in a flash of light, and Tatsumi let the shadows around him resume their normal stance. Watari and Konoe rushed up to him, and Tatsumi looked at them grimly. The stakes had just upped, and Tatsumi hoped that they had the winning hand.
"That was a very reckless thing to do Tatsumi." Konoe shook his head and let loose a loud laugh. "But the look on their faces." The laughter in his eyes died as he looked to Tatsumi seriously. "Is what they said true? Is GuShoShin here?"
Tatsumi flicked his eyes to Watari who shrugged slightly. Well he had already tipped them into the frying pan, why not into the fire? Tatsumi gestured for the three of them to enter the building, and Tatsumi looked over to Konoe as they walked. "He is."
"Tatsumi . . ." Watari's voice was quiet, but Tatsumi ignored the question in the scientist's voice. It would only be a matter of time before everything became clear, and the Shokan might as well try to show a united front when all hell broke loose.
Tatsumi sighed as the cool interior of the building surrounded them. He turned around to look to Konoe and to Watari. "We are all going to be a lot more busy I'm afraid." Tatsumi sighed. "Call a meeting chief, there are some things I would like to bring to light."
"No kidding." Tatsumi could hear the slight anger in Konoe's voice, probably from the fact that he had not been aware of what was going on in his own division. Konoe looked over to Watari who looked away guiltily. "Did you know Watari?"
Tatsumi interrupted Watari's reply and shook his head. "Just call the meeting Chief." Tatsumi raked his fingers through his hair. "We have a war to prepare for."
********************
Author's Notes:
I don't know about you, but it seems to me that while Konoe is the chief of the division, it is Tatsumi who seems to be the real power - or at least the biggest threat. Although I don't doubt that Konoe can be just as scary if he wants to be. But you have to admit, Tatsumi makes a much scarier figure, maybe it is the suit, or the piercing eyes, or the ability to engulf people in shadows . . . you choose?
Poor Trinity. They can't seem to get anything done, can they? The elite of the elite, they are still just lackeys for the High Council and Enma in the end. Why didn't I have them just barge in and take GuShoShin? Tatsumi was correct in his words. There are proper channels, and the Shokan division has not been deemed criminal . . . yet. J I just hope people don't think that Trinity are just pushovers. They are restrained in what the can and cannot do. As things shift, those restrictions will change.
I hope the animosity between Trinity and the division was apparent. Think of the arrogance shown in movies when the FBI muscles in on the local police's turf. Pissing contests ensue.
Everything is up in the air right now, but all will be revealed, I promise!
I just want to thank everyone who has reviewed. I know I have had some problems with people's names here, stupid writing fanfic in English when the show / manga is in Japanese form and mentality. I hope it isn't that confusing or anything. I hope you all continue to review my chapters and stuff. It is encouraging and enlightening. As some of the mistakes I have made I didn't even notice until a reviewer said so. I hope readers are enjoying the story, even if it is long winded.
Reviews and comments on my story thus far would be most appreciated. As a wanna be author, it is encouraging to hear from those who read one's work. So even if you have nothing to say other than 'Good job!' or 'You Suck!' I would still like to hear from you. Those who have reviewed already, I want to thank you for your input! It really does encourage me and helps me get these chapters out.
Also I just have to thank Matsushita for creating such wonderful characters! Humour, darkness, romance - all the fun stuff rolled into one! Thank you!