"Doomed for a certain term to walk the night…"

The chill of winter and the weakness of age were beginning to take their tolls. His once steady gait and vigorous step were now replaced by weak knees and a cane, the result of overexertion. Being preoccupied with other matters, he had neglected to tend to his health, which, true be told, was never very good to begin with. It came as no great surprise, however, for one could not live the life he had lived for the past ten years and expect to remain unscathed. It was a wonder he hadn't gone senile yet.

Sighing, he leaned back into his seat, surprisingly comfortable considering the meager amount he had spent on it. He didn't want any money wasted on superfluous expenses and so had opted for the cheapest seat available. It lay at the back of the train, quite isolated, but ideal in his view. Now he didn't have to worry about prying eyes glancing over his shoulder while he read, a risk he didn't want to take.

What he needed right now was a good smoke, and thankfully he had a match left. He'd have to buy some more when he reached Tokyo. That, and a couple more packs. Nicotine provided some measure of relaxation and peace to his overburdened mind, and God knew he needed it. It was a costly habit, and one he really should have given up years ago but…..he really didn't give a damn.

Inhaling deeply, he let the serenity wash over him, at the same time feeling the clarity of his mind increase. Now sufficiently relaxed, he turned his gaze to the documents in front of him, tattered and yellowed with age. It had taken him two years to find them, and about several months to get them into his hands. Along the way he'd had to bribe four different officials, hack into a dozen computers, break into eight hospitals, and steal about $1,400 worth of equipment. So, all in all, it had been a very costly affair.

Looking over them, he was pleased to see that the examiners had done their job thoroughly, as was evidenced by the detailed notes and photographs. One item in particular caught his eye. Towards the end, after listing what they had found, one of the examiners had added a little note in the margins:

Knife wounds found on the upper thigh and torso as well a deep gash on the back suggest the victim may have suffered some form of marital abuse prior to death. For how a long a period, and to what extent, we are not able to ascertain at this time.

There it was. Now he had Ikari right where he wanted him, caught in a spider's web. It didn't matter what the bastard did now, he had him. All that remained was the location. He was in Tokyo, that much was certain, but where exactly? The capital was a big place, and Ikari was sure to be well hidden. A few weeks, perhaps, before they would come face to face. The anticipation was already starting to get to him.

There was also another matter to be taken care of once he found Ikari. The boy. He could still remember the last time he had seen him, clinging to Yui, only five years old then. The child looked remarkably like his mother, having her pleasant face and gentle eyes. There was some of his father in him as well, unfortunately, as could be seen by the serious look he often wore when in the presence of others. He was quite fond of Yui's son, and had thought of him almost as frequently during the past ten years as he had of his father. The problem of what he should do once he found him still lay heavy on his mind, for it was just important to ensure the boy's well-being as it was to punish his father. Both tasks would require all his strength, and the likelihood that he would still be alive at the end of all this was not good. But there was no stopping now.

So long ago that it seemed like a dream, they had spoken of these matters. On a burning summer's day, he had tried in vain to convince her that she was making a mistake. How, he had asked, how was it possible for her to love someone like him? He could not understand, would not even try to. A small smile had graced her lovely face as she clasped his hands, speaking softly in his ear:

Watch over my son.

That was all. The conversation had ended right there, for she had walked away, leaving him in confusion. He hadn't grasped the full weight of her words until after it had happened; the realization came that she probably knew full well of what would befall her. But if she knew, why hadn't she tried to get away? The fact that she needn't have died still tormented him, drove him to do this. That, and the promise he had made in his heart that day.

I will watch over your son for love of you.