Disclaimer: I don't own the characters you recognize.
Summary: An outspoken but gifted artist; a quiet but sharp detective. Can they successfully work together in solving a murder case, despite unspoken attraction and growing sexual tension?
A/N: Rewritten and reposted. The original first chapter lacked direction and showed no promise. Hopefully, the new chapter is much improved. So please enjoy.
Reluctance
by AzaleaFaye
Chapter One: A Night of Unending Questions
A chilled, stunned atmosphere clouded the skies that evening, the air pierced by the charged cacophony of faint sirens, loud camera shutters, and buzzing conversations. An interesting group of people was congregated at Tokyo University that evening: outside the campus, police officers clad in their familiar blue attempted to subdue a small crowd of civilian on-lookers, as reporters in elegant designer suits covered the goings on; while inside the campus, more policemen looked for clues and evidence, scanning the expansive area.
Amidst the throng of people stood two detectives—both dressed in seemingly identical white collared shirts, black slacks, and thin black ties—stoically watching as a gurney carrying a black body bag passed in front of them.
"Hey Kamiya," began the taller of the two, idly running a hand through his bleach-blond hair. "Who put in the call?"
"One of the university custodians," replied Taichi Kamiya, nodding towards an ashen-faced elderly man being questioned by a fellow detective. "He said he was just going about his usual routine, checking each of the art classrooms and whatnot. He noticed that one of the doors was opened, got suspicious, looked in, and found the body…old man made the call at around 8:15 P.M. Now, here we are with another murder case"
"The third in three weeks."
"Yeah…the third in three weeks" Kamiya repeated, shaking his head in disbelief as he pinched the bridge of his nose in slight frustration. "What the hell is going on, Matt? Do you think these murders are somehow connected?"
"I wouldn't rule that out," the blond answered, looking at his partner with stone-faced seriousness. "The first two victims were both Art students here at Todai…I wouldn't be surprised if this girl is too."
"Yamato-san, Taichi-san"
The pair turned around to face a man in his late 40's who clearly had just arrived at the scene.
"Gennai-san," the young men nodded, giving the older, gray-haired man a brief bow.
"Oy Chief, I told you to call me Tai…" Kamiya said with a boyish grin; and with a quick look at his partner, he added, "and good old Mister Stoic here likes to be called Matt."
"Where's the body?" the old man asked, glancing at the blood-stained ground ten feet in front of them, and clearly ignoring the younger man's comment.
"It's been removed," Matt replied. "Civilians were trying to catch a glimpse of the scene. And of course, the media was having a feeding frenzy, trying to get a shot of the corpse."
"And God knows, we don't want that right now…" Tai added with a roll of his eyes. "Better to have viewers at home see a body bag than a bloody murder scene."
"Damn media," the older man muttered, nodding in agreement. He turned to face the detective Ishida. "I'm assuming you've identified the body, but haven't released a name to the press?"
"Yes, the victim's personal belongings were strewn next to the body," Ishida confirmed with a curt nod. "Her name will be released once immediate family has been contacted and have confirmed the woman's identity."
"Good."
"Also, Gennai-san, a purse not belonging to the victim was found within proximity of the crime scene. I think it—"
A loud, ringing noise coming from within his trouser pocket interrupted detective Ishida. With knitted brows, he excused himself from the other two men and answered the call.
"What do you think, Chief?" Tai inquired, staring blankly at the crime scene. Running a hand through his dark-brown hair he added, "There's gotta be a connection between the three murders…"
Before the chief could reply, Ishida came running back to the two men, a look of mixed urgency and excitement etched on his striking, handsome face.
"Gennai-san, I'm sorry but…Tai…we have to go," Matt said calmly.
"What? Why?"
"I'll explain on the way…but we need to go. Now."
Without another question, Tai followed his friend and partner out of the scrutinizing gaze of their police chief. Upon reaching their automobile, Tai glanced at his partner and asked, "What the hell is going on, Matt?"
Cryptically, Matt replied, "We have a witness." And without another word, he hopped inside the car, leaving his partner stunned.
----..--..----
Sora Takenouchi gathered her flaxen hair into a loose ponytail as she walked through the doors of the Tokyo Police Precinct. A weary sigh escaped her lips as the uninviting noise of ringing telephones, cursing (not to mention drunk) convicted criminals, and yelling officers enveloped and welcomed her for the night.
"Any news on the Todai killing?" the blonde officer asked, moving behind the large front desk situated directly in front of the main building entrance. Accepting a mug of coffee thrust her way, she added, "Any leads?"
"None yet," replied a stout man in his mid-30's. "Ishida and Kamiya are already at the scene. And I'm sure the Chief is already there as well…I heard this one's bloody—not like the first two, yah know?"
"Bloody?" Sora inquired, taking a sip of her coffee and inwardly cringing at the bitter yet welcomed taste. Before any of her colleagues could answer, however, the front doors flew open.
As if materializing from thin air, a woman with light brown hair stumbled into the building, her face framed by wisps of hair loose from a once meticulously pinned chignon. Dirt and smeared makeup streaked her pale, porcelain cheeks, and her expensive designer clothes were tattered and torn in places. Despite such a haggard appearance, the woman nonetheless gave off an air of dignity and class.
"Help!"
Without a second thought, officer Takenouchi ran towards the woman, unceremoniously handing her cup to an unsuspecting drunk man who watched the scene, mouth agape in bewildered interest.
"Murder!"
"Murder!" Sora echoed, surprised by the intensity of the woman's chocolate orbs.
"At Tokyo University!"
"Ma'am, we have already been informed of the Todai murder. A team has been dispatched to the scene and—"
"No—you don't understand!" the woman interjected with a frantic cry, tears welling in her eyes, face scrunched in a mixture of frustration and despair.
"Ma'am, please calm down—" said Sora, taking hold of the woman's arms.
"There was blood on the ground," the brunette began in intermittent sobs. Her eyes searched Sora with fearful veracity, as though waiting for the blonde to respond to her frenzied statement. With a whimper, she added quietly, "I saw him."
"You saw him?" officer Takenouchi asked, eyes widening at her small revelation. "Saw who?"
"Him!" the woman screamed, looking at the flaxen-haired officer with unwavering eyes, unaware of the attention she attracted from police officers and civilians alike. A sob once again escaped her delicate lips as she murmured, "He was standing over her…Emi-chan…"
As the woman continued her silent wailing, her head buried on the slightly apprehensive blonde's shoulder, Sora looked at her colleagues in shock. Is she trying to tell me that—But before she could ponder any further thought, the brunette suddenly grabbed her shoulder fiercely and, with renewed fear, gave Sora a look of pure dread.
"He saw me…he came after me…he…"
Comprehension washed over the blonde officer like a heavy tidal wave. Unknowingly, Sora tightened her hold on the woman and, silently and resolutely, turned to her colleagues, who all wore the same stoic mask of understanding.
"Someone get Ishida—NOW!"
…to be continued.
Japan Speak:
-san: suffix equivalent to Mr. or Ms.
-chan: suffix that often denotes friendly familiarity, usually used towards girls.
Todai: A commonly used name for Tokyo University/The University of Tokyo.
A/N: So there's the first chapter. I originally wrote this story for my friend. And, seeing as the original version was untouched for two years, I finally decided to dust off the keyboard and write. So yes, this is for you Annie! As of yet, character pairings are still being debated. Although, I can guarantee that it's probably what most of you are guessing. Only time will tell, I suppose…Just watch for sexual tension and chemistry as the plot moves along. I'm pretty sure the summary already gives you guys a clue...With that said, I have one last thing to add:
Please Review. I would very much appreciate any CONSTRUCTIVE criticism from readers.My rate of updating tends to be directly proportional to the amount of reviews a chapter receives. Hence, more reviews results in faster chapter updates. Oh, and of course, flames will be ignored—unless I read them while I'm in a bad mood.
Thank you for reading! Have a nice day!
AzaleaFaye
