Velvet Underworld: Chapter Seven: Miserable Lies
Author's Notes: Zooming again on present time! Last we left of Strafe assassin Hiroshi Nakano is now over at the Weiss' side as Ken Hidaka successfully got to him. And now, We hear Ryuuichi Sakuma's explanation. Make your bets! Does anyone else show up or what?
Thanks again for bearing with my long dormant phase. School's been killing my 'me time' often. Might as well make the most of semestral break.
IMPORTANT:
Oh, for people who had just started to read this. Please look for my list of stories through the author search, because these are NOT the first three chapters! Sorry, when I started working on this thing, I was kind of a newbie on using And I wasn't quite aware of the CHAPTER MANAGEMENT part of it all. The first three chapters are AN EYE FOR AN EYE, PUNISHMENT ON THE WHITE CROSS and SCHATTEN. Blind Game Again is chapter four. Thanks so much for your reviews.
He winced as he stirred slightly. He couldn't open his eyes, nor could he get rid of the throbbing pain by the side of his head. He felt that he was paralyzed or at least bound to something, as to why he couldn't move. He let out a soft moan, he was in pain and he was slightly confused. He was starting to wonder if he was dead and if he had gone to hell. He started to imagine that he was tied down to hot, burning ground of flame and sulfur, and that when he would open his eyes, Satan would be the one staring at him. And he would say that it was about time that he got here. That he had been waiting for him.
But his dark blue eyes slowly opened and found himself staring at a young girl with purple hair, kept in two braids and light green eyes staring back at his own. She sat across him, her legs crossed as she held a CD-man in her hands and as she smiled at him, almost sarcastically.
''So, you're awake.'' She said as she pushed the stop button on her CD-man.
Hiroshi snickered and laughed. ''And I didn't know that Satan was a woman – '' he looked around. ''I didn't think hell would be so ordinary, either.''
''Oh, honey.'' Burmese said as she kept away her electronic device and sighed as she got up. ''You're not in hell.'' She paused and walked over to him. ''Then again, you're not in heaven either...''
Hiroshi tried to move, but saw that he was tied down to a chair – his hands and his feet as well.
''Is this how you treat your guests?'' he asked, laughing softly.
''Are you really this charming in personal?'' Burmese said as she frowned slightly. ''Nakano Hiroshi-san... I'm a big, big fan of yours and I would normally treat you differently if the circumstances were different. But as it stands here and now, I'll be asking the questions, here.''
Hiroshi kept silent as then a gun was aimed at the side of his head.
''Who exactly do you work for?'' she said. ''I'd usually be a lot nicer, but we don't have much time. Takatori might get away if we blunder around anymore...''
The young man did not say anything and winced as she pressed the barrel of her gun harder.
''Kotaete nasai.'' She said again. ''Who are you working for?''
''You might as well pull that trigger, because I'm not saying anything.'' He knew she probably wasn't going to kill him until she got any real answers from him. It was a good bluff, however.
''Burmese.'' Youji said as he went down the stairs. ''Don't scare our guest away.'' he grinned at Hiroshi who looked at him.
''Who are you guys anyway?'' Hiroshi asked. ''What's the use of bringing me here?''
Ken soon followed Youji, Aya and Omi came down as well. Ken looked at Hiroshi and he frowned. But he wasn't really angry. But he did mean business.
''What did you want with Masato and Hanagata's schedule?'' Ken asked. ''It doesn't look like you're working for the Police, either.''
''If I worked with the Police, I wouldn't be planning to kill Masato or Hanagata, now would we?'' Hiroshi answered. ''It looks like we pretty much have different bones to pick with those three scum-bags.'' He then paused and continued in a lower tone.
''But...Masato's dead now...''
Aya paused and looked at him, and studied him carefully.
Omi paused and handed Burmese a folder, she opened it and sighed as she read.
''Hiroshi Nakano, Aged Nineteen – Currently living in Tokyo. After the incident with Shindou Shuuichi's death, you quit Bad Luck as well, parting ways with N-G records. Then, someone picks you, Yuki Eiri and who seems to be a new member of your assassin group.'' She looked at him.
''That was Sakuma Ryuuichi.'' Youji said as he nodded. ''Lead singer of what was once Nittle Grasper, they re-united and they're actually still making albums now.'' he laughed and sighed. ''What a hectic schedule. You sing and you kill.''
''It still doesn't answer why you would want to go after those three anyway.'' Ken continued. ''Were you given the same mission we were?''
Hiroshi continued to stay quiet. Ken then approached him and grabbed him by the shoulders.
''Ken-kun!'' Omi called in surprise.
''You were, weren't you?! You're doing this to find the one resposible for Shindou's death! It's one of the three of them, isn't it? Answer me!''
Hiroshi looked at Ken and paused. Studying him carefully, he didn't understand why Ken was so desperate to find out the truth about what his motives were or who he really was. He started to think that maybe it was because he might've known what it was like. To lose someone or something important. It looked like he understood how it felt.
Then again, why would he be doing this if he didn't?
But the mission was still clear. Hiroshi was not to tell a single soul.
He continued not to say anything.
Aya watched him carefully.
Manx stood a few steps away from the table.
''Eh. They said that it wasn't their first encounter with any of them.'' She said with a nod. ''The first time was when Siberian opted to get Masato and Hanagata's schedule. There was a little conflict and Siberian managed to get away, but still he was hurt.'' She paused.
Persia was turning back as he sat on his chair. Not looking at her, he spoke in a clear voice.
''Have we got the necessary data?'' he asked.
Manx nodded as she took out a folder, she opened it and started to read. ''Strafe, the assassin group was started only a year ago. We looked up the members of the team and investigated each of their cases. It's members, Nakano Hiroshi –Hermes, Yuki Eiri – Ares and...'' she trailed off. ''Sakuma Ryuuichi, an underground backup member, going by the codename Prometheus.''
Persia did not say anything. Manx continued.
''I have a few news articles that have relations to the history of their involvements.'' She looked up. ''Would you like to see them?''
Persia turned his chair to her direction, she approached and handed him the files.
He flipped the pages and studied each headline carefully.
BAD LUCK LEAD SINGER: SHINDOU SHUUICHI, FOUND DEAD AT GRASSFIELD.
YUKI EIRI'S MANSION: RIGGED WITH BOMB; BURNED WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD; 25 DEAD.
SHINDOU'S KILLER; STILL UNKNOWN : FUNERAL ON THE 3RD.
He stopped at the last headline.
UKAI NORIKO'S NITTLE GRASPER: DAUGHTER UKAI SAKI MISSING.
Eiri paused and looked up, wincing as a piece of cloth wet with anticeptic came down on his wound.
''Hold still na no da.'' Ryuuichi said calmly as he cleaned the wound. ''If we don't clean this, it'll get infected.''
Eiri had wanted to slap himself silly ever since Sakuma Ryuuichi had stepped into the picture. He had to make sure that he wasn't seeing things. Ryuuichi was the one who would usually wear bunny suits and act like he was three despite the fact that he thirty-one. And seeing him handle a gun professionally and work hand grenades without screwing up was very suprising. He didn't want to ask questions that would've been meddling.
But he had to ask sometime.
''What are you doing here, Sakuma-kun?'' he asked cooly, wincing slightly as Ryuuichi cleaned the sword cut by his left arm.
Ryuuichi laughed slightly and started to bandage it. ''I didn't think you would expect me to be doing this.'' He said as he paused and looked up, he smiled at Eiri and then tended back to the wounds.
''You've been doing this for quite sometime now, haven't you?'' Eiri asked again.
''You've been doing it longer than I've been actually.'' Ryuuichi said with a nod. ''I started a few months after you and Hiroshi did. Then, Hera decided that I stay as a backup member in case you needed assistance. She only told me to move to help you when this mission finally came.''
Eiri paused and looked at him.
''Your reason... wouldn't have anything to do with Ukai Saki's disappearance, now would it?'' he asked.
Ryuuichi fell quiet, Eiri went on.
''It was reported a year ago, too. A few months after Hiro-kun and I started in Strafe. I was scanning the newspapers and I saw it. Saki-chan was missing after she was playing inside her home?''
Ryuuichi nodded. ''Noriko-chan was at N-G with us, recording the next album. Her husband had to go cause he was called off somewhere. She promised that she'd get home right away. Saki-chan was playing outside at the time, waiting for her mother to get home. No one knows anything after that – Noriko-chan got home and Saki-chan was gone...''
He paused as he finished bandaging Eiri's wounds.
''You should've seen Noriko-chan...'' he said, trailing off more sadly now. ''She was so broken and she was so worried about Saki-chan, she wasn't the same. And who would expect her to be after that? We had to cancel the coming concert, and she had to go home back to her parents for a while. And until now... we still haven't found Saki-chan...''
''Now, this is the only way I know how to find her... Someone approached me and asked me about it... Pandora. You know her, don't you? She is the one who approached you as well, am I right?''
Eiri nodded and looked at him as if asking him to continue.
''Then I agreed. If it was the only way that I could find out what really happened to Saki-chan... If I can find out if she's still alive or not. '' he sighed and leaned back on the chair. ''If I can bring back the smile to Noriko-nechan's face again.''
There was a long pause of silence between them, when Ryuuichi looked up.
''I'd been quiet for a while, until this case came up.'' He said, rather seriously now. ''Just when Saki-chan disappeared, the whole case of young girls from the age of six to fifteen was still going on. '' he nodded. ''Saki-chan was six.''
Eiri sighed as he lighted up a cigarette. ''It should have some kind of a connection.''
''What about Hiroshi?'' Ryuuichi then asked. ''Who were those guys who took him?''
Eiri was about to shrug as he didn't know or had absolutely NO idea who the hell they were, when the door opened and clicking sounds were heard as heels made contact with the cement floor.
''Weiss Kreuz.'' Pandora said as she tossed her dark hair and nodded. ''Just one of the assassin groups working for Kritiker. Lead by Persia, also going by the real name of Shuuichi Takatori.'' She held up a folder and looked at them. ''Four members, being composed of Abyssinian, Balinese, Siberian and Bombay.''
Eiri walked over to her and took the folder, opening it and scanning through the pages. It was them, the men they encountered during the chase after Masato and Hanagata.
''The one Hermes encountered was Ken Hidaka, Siberian.''
''Why are you here, Pandora?'' Ryuuichi asked as he got up and stood beside Eiri. ''Do you have a plan to get Hiroshi back from Weiss then?''
''They must have information on us, too. If that's the case...'' Eiri said shutting the folders and looking at her.
Pandora gave a slight frown before she pointed to the monitor, which opened.
''That's why I'm here to give you your mission.'' She said in a stern and clear voice.
The shadowed figure of Hera, yet appeared again. ''Strafe, a new mission has arrived. Putting aside the chase for Takatori Reiji, I assign you to a new mission that brings in suspicion.''
She paused.
''Weiss Kreuz, only one of the assassin groups supported and funded by the organization of Kritiker, lead by the Chief of Police, Shuuichi Takatori – going by the name of Persia. With them, they have taken the lives of many people involved in dirty politics themselves.''
''But we do that too, don't we?'' Eiri asked as he raised an eyebrow. ''Hera...''
''I am not saying that they're wrong, Ares. But then, they are not right either. And the main point here is that they have interfered with our mission more than twice. First, Siberian's encounter with Hermes and then during the main mission when you were to finally put a stop to Masato and Hanagata.'' She paused. ''They have discovered the idea of Strafe, and that certainly must not happen.''
There again was a tense moment of silence, Ryuuichi frowned as he glanced at Eiri and then back at the monitor.
''Ares, Prometheus and even Hermes. Hear your mission now...'' she cleared. ''Go after the White hunters of the night, known as Weiss Kreuz and put an end to their crimes. Punish them accordingly.''
The monitor went into static before it went off.
''There is no refusal in this mission.'' Pandora said as she turned away. ''And this is the only way you will get Hermes back. No doubt, Weiss was given the same mission as you were. They will kill him before he can get away.''
''I'll be waiting for you a few blocks from the Flower shop. The location is all in that folder and so is all the data that you need to know about them. You're running out of time, hurry before they get to Hermes!''
Ryuuichi looked at Eiri who was looking at the folder in his hand. He noticed that Eiri's expression gave away the fact that he didn't believe in all the things that Hera was telling them. That their boss was not telling them the whole story or the whole truth about Strafe's connection with Weiss. There might be truth in the fact of what he was thinking, Hera was hiding something more.
''Come on, Ryuuichi-kun.'' Eiri said as he turned away.
''Ah? You're agreeing to the mission?'' Ryuuichi asked, almost surprised.
''We've got to get Hiro-kun back.'' Eiri answered as a matter-of-factly and calmly. ''Besides, the only way we're going to get down to real business is if we confront these Weiss assassins once and for all.'' He paused before he continued. ''Before they get to us.''
Ryuuichi sighed and smiled to himself. He shook his head as he followed.
''It's no use.'' Ken sighed as he shook his head, glancing at Hiroshi from a far. ''He's not going to say anything.''
''You think? We've been interrogating him for ONLY the past hour and a half.'' Youji said sarcastically. ''And he still hasn't said anything.''
Hiroshi grinned and sighed. ''I told you, you might as well as pull the trigger.'' He said.
''Don't tempt me.'' Burmese mumbled impatiently, as she then looked up. ''So, now what?'' she asked. ''We wait until someone arrives with something on this guy?''
Just then, Manx walked down the stairs. She paused and gasped as she then saw Hiroshi tied up to the chair, she gasped softly in surprise as she looked right at him.
''Strafe...'' she trailed off.
''Strafe?'' Youji repeated as he looked at her.
Omi paused thoughtfully for a moment and looked up. ''Sou ye ba – I do remember Schuldich calling them Strafe...'' he looked at Manx.
''Is it another assassin group under Kritiker?''
Manx shook her head.
''Strafe.'' She said holding up a folder. ''An assassin group lead by Hera, going by the real name of Izumi Katsuyo. They only started about a year ago, with two main members – namely, Nakano Hiroshi and Yuki Eiri. And of course, their backup member – Sakuma Ryuuichi.''
Everyone was quiet as she went on.
''The Chief of Police funds Kritiker, we have no other ideas how Strafe came to be. But they were given the same mission as you four. To kill Masato Hajime, Hanagata Yuri and Takatori Reiji. We suspect that someone else from Chief of Police is funding them as well.'' She nodded. ''There are no other detailed explanations than this.''
''Did you get the real details behind Masato and Hanagata's deaths?'' Ken asked as he looked at her.
Manx let out a slight smile. ''Iie.'' She said with as she shook her head. ''I'm here because of your new mission.''
''New mission?'' Omi trailed off.
The monitor went on and there was the shadowed figure of Persia as he began to talk.
''Weiss. You have a new mission. You must accomplish this immediately to move on and prevent Takatori Reiji to get away with his crimes. No doubt that he was responsible for the deaths of your two other targets. '' he paused. ''But this mission is important.''
Suddenly, the pictures of Strafe flashed on the screen and Hiroshi's eyes widened in surprise.
''Sore wa...'' he was starting to get it now. And something told him he was in very big trouble.
''Strafe. An assassin group working under someone who goes by the name of Hera. Their source and their organization is unknown and they have been responsible for deaths of a few people involved in the Japanese Parliament and Government.'' He said.
The four kept watching, somewhat in awe of their new mission.
''They have been interfering with the Kritiker and Weiss missions for more than twice, and they have discovered Weiss' identity. Not being under Kritiker, or any other known organization – they are nothing but mere murderers.''
The words echoed in Hiroshi's mind.
/They are nothing but mere murderers.../
/You can't seriously be thinking that this is all plainly right. Getting rid of the scum of the land? That's the coating on this whole thing, isn't it? Whatever you do, a sin can't wash away another sin. Killing is considered one of those, isn't it?/
/Whether you killed someone or not... I don't care. You're my friend and you saved us out there, you did a good thing, it always will be that way to me/
He looked down, his eyes looked blanked and his face expression almost lifeless as he heard the words.
''White Hunters of the night! Hunt down these beasts of darkness and bring them back to the light!''
And the screen went static and off.
The young men were quiet until Youji spoke up.
''Since, we've already got one of them... does that mean we should get a move on?'' he asked.
''But why all of the sudden?'' Omi asked. ''Why would Persia, prioritize this mission? Why would he ask us to kill them when they're doing almost the same as we are.''
Aya was quiet, until he looked up, scowling as he nodded. ''We were given the mission. They interfered with us. That's how it should be.''
''Aya!'' Ken said as he looked up. ''You can't be serious! There's got to be something wrong!''
''I can understand if you'd want to kill me...'' Hiroshi said as he looked up, glaring quietly at Aya. ''But may I have a chance to retaliate then?''
Aya paused and looked at him before he spoke again.
''We can't kill him yet. Let him stay here until his companions come. Then we move.''
''Aya!'' Ken insisted again. But he knew once Aya was determined, that he would not be able to be talked out of it. He glanced at Hiroshi who was quietly waiting.
''So, you're using me as bait?'' he asked.
''Looks that way to me.'' Youji said again, but he sighed and looked up. ''There is something suspicious about it.''
Manx shook her head. ''Persia's orders are clear.'' She said, remaining loyal to her boss' words. ''Watch over him. No doubt that Strafe was given the same mission already, and are on their way to rescue Hermes.''
She was about to turn away when suddenly, Aya looked up. He didn't look surprised, but he looked as if he was sure there was something wrong.
''Omi!'' he called.
Omi looked up and blinked. But his eyes widened as he was suddenly pulled aside, everyone in the room was surprised. Manx and Burmese took a step back as they took out their guns and aimed.
Omi tried to struggle as his arms were being held back. Suddenly, a sharp blade was right under his chin, and on his neck. He glanced behind him as he kept still.
''Don't move, Bombay...'' Eiri said as he coldly looked ahead, at the other Weiss members and their two informants. ''Well, since we're here – we might as well say Tsukiyono Omi.'' He held the sword.
''Yuki-san...'' Hiroshi trailed off silently.
Eiri looked up at Hiroshi and then looked over at Burmese and gestured towards him. ''Untie him.''
Burmese was about to protest when Eiri pressed the blade slightly harder. Omi winced, she was taken a back and she glared malevolently at him. She walked towards Hiroshi and started to untie him.
There was silence in the room as Burmese untied Hiroshi. Eiri kept the sword blade under Omi's chin as he watched Hiroshi get up from the chair and back away from them.
''He's free!'' Ken said as he frowned at Eiri. ''Now, let Omi go!''
''No. I can't do that.'' Eiri said, looking at him sharply.
''Teme! – '' Ken started to head for him, when a bullet suddenly passed right in front of him coming from the other direction. He backed away and looked up as he then saw Ryuuichi aiming his gun – he was standing a few steps away from Burmese.
''I wouldn't do that if I were you.'' Ryuuichi said, almost brightly. ''The backup is here to stay na no da.''
Ken gritted his teeth as he moved back. Youji frowned as he looked up.
''What do you guys want?'' Youji asked.
''We just want to ask you about a few things.'' Eiri continued. ''First off, Persia already gave you the mission to kill us off, didn't he?''
No one answered. Eiri pressed the blade to Omi's neck. The young boy winced and Ken was almost outraged.
''Omi!'' he called. He glared at Eiri and took a step forward.
''Let go of Omi!'' Ken demanded.
Ryuuichi kept his gun aimed at Ken. ''Take one more step and you're both dead.''
''Answer our question... were you or weren't you?''
Before Ken or Youji could say anything, suddenly – Ryuuichi's eyes widened as he felt a sharp edge aimed at his back. He frowned and glanced behind him and saw a glimmering blade of another Japanese sword and angry, yet calm violet colored eyes staring into his own.
''Same disposition.'' Aya said as he held the sword. ''If you don't let go of Omi, he dies.''
The room was in utter silence as anyone waited for anyone else to move.
She sat in her office as she finished her cup of coffee. Setting it down beside her, she leaned back and closed her green colored eyes as she sighed and crossed her legs. She tossed her dark auburn hair back as she turned her chair to the direction of her office window. On her desk, were a couple of open folders and a few files she had been looking through. Her name was brandished on a golden plate by the side: Izumi Katsuyo.
She opened her eyes again as she took out her celphone and pushed one number on speed dial. It rung for a few times before someone answered and she spoke.
''Eh... So, Strafe has made it in Weiss territory.'' She nodded. ''Did you make sure that Ares and Prometheus were willing to do this mission?''
She listened to the answer before she leaned back a little more.
''Sou... I trust that you'd handle everything from there, Pandora.'' She said as she then took the phone away from her ear and hung up.
She looked outside the window and frowned slightly.
''Takatori Shuuichi...'' she trailed off as she then let out a soft sigh. ''It's been a long time since then...''
She turned back to her work and picked out one file, where there were pictures of the four Weiss assasins, she looked through their files as she nodded.
''I can't let you get in the way this time...''
TSUZUKU