A/N: And we roll with chappie nine...this is the last one folks.
Now I know that at times I'm antisocial (well, at least when I'm not on the computer)
So a few words: Thank you for the reviews. Honestly. :D As for the speaking thing, I've been trying to figure out a way to stylize it to my liking, unfortunately, this results with my computer being mentally retarded (Can computers be retarded?)
Zurizip, yes it is amusing that I placed thouse names in there. I did happen to have watched Witch Hunter Robin, so hate to break it to ya, but yeah I did it on purpose...I was bored, and not I congradulate you for being the first to notice it (I was wondering who would...)
Time will be of essance soon when my music starts to kick in. I am seriously pissed about it, I'm a bit behind, and I hate playing catch up so for the next few months my time will be scarce. (Hell yes, the underdog will come from behind and bite their asses!) err...
And probably the most important point here, when you are done, please don't kill the author. (me) I'm sure there are some of you (coughcoughmajorcoughmotokocoughkusanagicoughcough) who are ready to kill mefor several reasons (coughcoughthecoughpossiblitycoughthatcoughIcoughmightcoughkillcoughmaycoughcough)
And yes Major, she is badass lol
Inner Universe By: Jun-kei
Chapter 9: A last goodbye: Inner Universe
Mayuka sat in a graveyard. Silently she let the wind caress her, letting her hair flow freely as she watched the sun set. She glanced at two gravestones every once in a while.
"Old man. And No, I didn't for get you either old woman." She muttered, watching two gravestones, subjecting them to a dark look. She stood up, glaring down at them, the sun casting her shadow in a mysterious way.
A toddler, and another girl, who was a few years older than her looked longingly at the gravestones. The toddler was crouched down, her hand touching the cold marble. She shivered as she felt cold rain beginning to pelt down on her, soaking through her black dress. 'We have to go…'
'I'm not leaving!'
'May, don't be ridiculous! We can't stay here!'
'Well, I don't want to leave either!'
'The funeral's over! Mom and dad are dead! And if we don't leave soon Subaru-san will be worried about us! Not to mention you might get sick!' The oldest of the pair grabbed the younger, and despite her protests and fighting, she carried the younger girl with her.
'Hey! Put me down! PUT ME DOWN!'
'Trust me, it's for our own good.'
"When was that?" Mayuka paused in thought. "Seventeen years? Seventeen long years I've been around and I didn't visit. Sorry mom." Her voice was low, as she read the Gravestones:
Here lies Kyosuke and Yuki Kusanagi, husban and wife who left behind their two daughters
1989-2013
Mayuka shook her head. "Hell who am I kidding?" She muttered. "It's been three days since that trial. Technically, I should be up there with you guys…but I won't leave knowing I left something undone…no."
Mayuka sighed. "Well, I want you to know though that I found Motoko again. She's been doing fine. Really. I also wanted to let you guys know I'll be seeing you again soon. That I promise." She paused, listening to the wind suddenly becoming cold.
"Damn it. I'd wish you could just hit me round the head, just like the old days and chide me about not thinking things through a step ahead you stupid woman!" She growled. In the distance thunder roared. "But no, you happen to be bloody six feet under!" She growled. A motion of defeat.
"I really screwed things up this time." The thunder roared again, soon followed by rain. Mayuka sighed. "That's why I said I'll be seeing you soon. I'll straighten it all out and then I'll come and visit you guys here again." Mayuka looked at her watch, a frown on her face. "It's getting late. I've got to go. Bye mom." She turned on her heel, quickly walking away.
Mayuka stood at her spot, over looking. She noted as Batou, Togusa, Aramaki, Yukimura, Ayame, and Motoko walked in, and shrugged.
"Mayuka Yukiko Kusanagi." She turned her attention to the judge. "The jury will now voice the final verdict." Mayuka turned so she could see the same woman stand up, clearing her throat before speaking.
"Mayuka Yukiko Kusanagi. You have pleaded guilty to all charges, is that correct?" Mayuka nodded. "We the jury find you innocent as follows: The first degree murder of Amari Mehiji, and all cyber crime charges made against you by the Mehiji Cooperation. You are also guilty as follows. The first degree attempted murder of Hikaru Mehiji, ghost hacking times one, and the man slaughter of Amari Mehiji."
Mayuka smiled. It was all over now. "The final verdict is immediate de-ghosting."
As soon as those words left the woman's mouth Mayuka looked to see the dread on Ayame, Yukimura, and Motoko's face. "Do you have any final words?" Mayuka remained silent for a while as two guards seized her.
"Wait! I do!" The guards paused. "Can I assume that during this trial you remained in autistic mode?" all members of the trial nodded. "Then what about those bits and pieces of encrypted messages I stumbled upon?" One of the guards paused.
"You picked those up?"
"Of course." Mayuka stood up taller, noting that before her eyes an Internet screen appeared. "Now, you know how I was the one behind 'Kiss of Death' tell me, did you notice that each of those encrypted messages had an attached delayed action virus?" The guard looked panicked. "And yes, I read minds. Sorry buddy, there's no cure."
"It'd take a while for anyone to show symptoms!" The lawyer suddenly spoke up.
"But that's the beauty of it all. It doesn't show symptoms until I say two tiny little words. But despite that, everyone that talked to someone else is infected. And it manifested without your knowledge. So, anyone up to the word challenge?"
"Apprehend her! Quickly, stop her from saying the activation code." The guards quickly grabbed her, trying to cover her mouth. Mayuka elbowed one, regain composure; she jumped to the main floor.
"The name of my little pet virus is BLACK DEATH. Just like the name disease of the early Europe ages. Have fun."
Suddenly all the guards crouched over in agony, holding their heads. Mayuka took one look over to the lawyer, then to Takemura and his father. She smiled giving them the middle finger before she walked over to one of the guards, bending down and taking his gun. Just then a gunshot fired off, barely missing her arm. Mayuka wheeled around, her eyes cold on Hikaru Mehiji.
"Do you really want your death? Cause I have no problem with killing you!" She growled.
"Section Nine! You're the one's unaffected! After her!" Takemura suddenly yelled. Reluctantly she watched as Motoko, shortly followed by Togusa, Ayame, And Batou take out their guns.
"This is crazy! Motoko, she's your sister for god's sake!"
"I don't like this anymore than you do, Yukimura." Yukimura looked on helplessly, but didn't draw his weapon. "Mayuka, don't do anything brash, and we won't have to hurt you." Mayuka smiled at the threat.
"Brash…hmmm, brash…" She surveyed each of them intently, before drawing back the hammer of her gun. They instantly tensed. Mayuka smiled. "Alright, I surrender." She instantly noticed that a few of them relaxed. Suddenly her grip tightened, and she pulled the trigger, shooting the guns out of Ayame and Togusa's hands before rushing towards Motoko. Motoko gritted her teeth, pulling the trigger multiple times, only to stop suddenly, as she noticed that despite being shot multiple times Mayuka was still rushing her. "What the…?"
"You can't always believe what you see. Sorry, I hacked your eyes!" Mayuka called from behind Motoko, as she ran past them.
"After her! She's heading for the roof!" Takemura's voice called out, as he and his father ran out of the room. Motoko looked at Batou, to Togusa, To Ayame then finally to Yukimura. Yukimura glared.
"Go ahead, follow orders. It's no longer in my hands anymore." Motoko stood rooted in place for a moment before she and the others left. She noticed that Yukimura followed.
Mayuka ran, the night air whipping at her. She smiled, slowly skidding to a stop. She stood there, catching her breath.
"Ha, I lost them." She muttered between pants, carefully checking the gun just in case. She sighed, searching in her coat pocket, a smile formulating on her face.
"FREEZE KUSANAGI!" Takemura's voice suddenly boomed.
"Shit." Mayuka scowled, noting at Hikaru followed in with his son.
"So…this is the end for you, isn't it? Not far you can go, it is a rooftop after all. Fall down here and you'll die. Hey, Teddy my boy, make her death looks like an accident."
"What?"
Takemura smiled. "You heard my father, you're going to 'mysteriously' fall off. When the officers come we'll just say you jumped."
Mayuka's eyes widened before she glared at them. "You bastard."
"You have two choices," Mayuka slowly began backing up as she noticed Takemura moving in on her. "Fall off, or we make sure you die nice and slow." Mayuka gritted her teeth, backing up until heel met concrete. Takemura walked up to her. "So, what's it gonna be?" Mayuka smiled.
"Your gun is pointed at my foot. Mine is over your heart. I'm sure you could figure the rest out." Takemura froze afraid to be killed. "Coward…" She muttered. Mayuka took out a clear dart with a piece of paper out, with her free hand. She flicked the dart, sending it sailing through the air, landing perfectly at Hikaru's feet. "Yeah you ass, it's a present for you."
"Nobody move!" Motoko's voice came. Takemura backed up ominously, a frown on his face as Togusa put his gun to his back. Soon, Hikaru was covered by Ayame. "Mayuka," Mayuka turned to her sister who advanced slowly. In reaction, she in turn slowly stepped on top of the concrete ledge. "Don't jump," Mayuka smiled.
"You have better things to worry about Motoko."
Motoko gritted her teeth. "Enough of this charade!"
She smiled at her sister again, but it was different then, sad even. "I know I screwed up."
"That's putting it lightly." Motoko took one step forward, regretting it when Mayuka became unsettled. Regaining some of her composure, Mayuka held out her hand.
"Are you…coming?" The request was desperate, pathetic even. Motoko cocked an eyebrow.
"Where?" She watched the uncertainty cross her sapphire eyes.
"I'm not sure. But I'm going to fix it all."
"How?"
Mayuka seemed uneasy about something. "I'm still figuring that part out." Motoko eyed her evenly. "Nee-san," Mayuka suddenly voiced. "While I did use Section Nine, I have a reason. I can explain…it's just hard to. But in the end, if you don't come with me we'll be on opposing sides again. I'm not forcing you its just that…" Mayuka shook her head. "It's your call. Either stay with the police or help me out."
"What the hell are you doing? She's the criminal; you should have shot her already! Not talk to her, someone like her can't be trusted!" Hikaru's voice broke the quiet moment before a gunshot went through the air. Mayuka barely regained her balance, holding her left shoulder as the gun she stole fell into the dark abyss below the building.
"I'm Sorry, Motoko-san, I'm so sorry, he just took my gun and…" Ayame fell into a fit of sobs, as Yukimura ran over, his gun carefully aimed as he shot Ayame's gun out of Hikaru's hand.
"Mayuka, are you ok?" Motoko asked. Mayuka glared, holding the bullet she just dug out of her prosthetic shoulder.
"So…this is the answer?"
"What…no! You've got it all wrong!" Mayuka smirked.
"Oh do I?" She sneered. Mayuka shook her head. "He's right. I'm a damn fool. For once the ass hole has a point. You are the police. The Motoko I knew doesn't exist." She looked up towards each of them, her smirk becoming a scowl. Yukimura stood up, looking at her, their eyes locked again for a moment. Shaking it off, Mayuka looked back to Motoko. "Sayonara." She muttered, though as she said this, her eyes wandered back to Yukimura's warm ember ones. With that, she back flipped off the building, disappearing suddenly with the aid of her thermo-optic camouflage.
"That was three days ago." Motoko said, as she took another sip of her coffee. She was at her apartment again, along with Kurutan.
"So, that's what happened…and why he's here?" Motoko nodded, noting how her eyes were staring at Yukimura who was sitting at the couch.
"You could say he had a thing for Mayuka."
"Yeah…but, you guys didn't find her did you, not a trace." Motoko shook her head. "Unfortunately no. Considering it was night at the time, she used darkness as a perfect cover I guess. And all you'd really have to do for that is avoid main roads with lights."
"Everything's messed up if you ask me. And what did she mean by all that?" Kurutan's question remained unanswered.
"I…you're asking the wrong person for that." Motoko answered solemnly.
"And his sister," Once again, Kurutan's eyes were on Yukimura.
"She was shaken. Obviously she let her guard down. Nothing extensive training routines won't take care of."
Kurutan nodded. "I see. So, his sister…" She began, stopping without any clue where to continue.
"I sent her to do some field practice with Batou. She'll get over it. She's a newbie, and doesn't have as much background experience as…"
"As what? An ex-militant?" Yukimura suddenly cut in. "How long are you going to keep talking about her?" Motoko sighed.
"There's no need to get all worked up." Obviously, Motoko noted, this wasn't a good response to his outburst.
"I'm not getting worked up! I just can't believe you that you would put so much importance on your job that you were ready to shoot her!" Yukimura suddenly stood up.
"It's all too obvious. If it were Ayame in that situation, I would have gladly taken a bullet. I'd even take on the charges pressed on her, but you…you disgust me."
"Hey! Hey! Cool it!" Kurutan said, dodging what could possibly end up a fight between the two. Motoko, who had stood up, ready to object to Yukimura's accusations sat down again. Yukimura however remained standing. "Yukimura-san, I don't want you two fighting, ok?" Kurutan interrupted.
"Who says I'm going to fight?" His answer was gruff as he walked past her, grabbing his coat and heading for the door. "I'm heading for a drink. I'll see you later Motoko." Motoko nodded. And Yukimura stepped out into the darkness of the night.
"This time I had to have lost them." Mayuka muttered breathlessly, in the middle of a back alleyway. She smiled; she actually managed to give Section Nine the slip. But she knew that if she stayed put it wouldn't last for long.
Despite the protests of her lungs, she began running deeper in the ally. She swore to her self, wishing her damned arms didn't each weigh ten pounds more then they should have. Soon, it became too dark for her natural eye to see. She remained quiet as she heard voices passing right by the alleyway. Carefully, she reached out, finding a fence door blocking her. Unlocking it, she walked through, locking it behind her before running off again. After turning taking turns down different alleys for several minutes, she looked at her surroundings, feeling even more confused than before. Her eyes immediately zoned in on a light source up a head when she heard a voice.
"You there!"
"Shit." She growled. A man approached her slowly, holding a gun. But she was sure she met him before. "Kaisuke, that you?" The huge man shone a flashlight in her face her eyes squinted with the sudden light. She held her hands up to her face to guard her eyes.
"Well I'll be damned. You're later then you said." The man said, as he looked at her.
"I apologize. It was out of my hands." Kaisuke nodded.
"I see. I heard about the trial. Glad you escaped though Mayuka. I guess we don't call you Kage for nothing."
"Like wise. The police know nothing…right?" Kaisuke held the bridge of his nose for a moment. "I heard no sirens coming this way. It's night. It won't be easy to catch someone who went through the alleyways." The man nodded before turning. "But they're a bitch, so let's not stick around. Kay?" Mayuka nodded, Kaisuke then turned off the light. "We don't want to draw attention. In fact, you're closer to the Gin then you thought. So, just follow me."
"That…" Mayuka paused, taking a sip from a sake bottle. "Was three days ago." She took another sip, as she looked at Raven. "I'm sure you know the rest." Raven nodded.
"Yeah, you've been crashing here for three days now Kage." Mayuka looked at him evenly, before turning back to the bar, facing forward again, taking a sip, her hand steady despite how long she sat here, telling her story to Raven, drinking. Mayuka was a seasoned drinker after all. She didn't like the lecherous smirk formulating on Raven's features.
"So, sexy, when are you planning on sleeping with me?" He regretted that statement immediately. For almost as soon as he said it, Raven was thrown against the wall, as Mayuka smashed the sake bottle, like she had the previous seven when they were empty.
"Pig." She growled. Turning back to the front she looked at Kaisuke again who shrugged.
"Ignore Raven. It was no trouble having you here for the past few days." Mayuka sighed.
"I ignore him. Always Kaisuke. Always. He's a waste of time." Mayuka paused, quiet for a moment.
"Kaisuke, do you have anymore sake?" She began her favourite habit of drawing circles on the wood of the bar for some obscene reason. Kaisuke blinked.
"Um, are you still able to walk properly…you've had a lot you know." She stopped for a moment, looking up, glaring at him with such intensity that a normal person would melt under.
"I really don't care." Kaisuke shook his head. He could tell that despite the fact she was holding her composure, she was drunk, smashingly drunk. And it was bad enough Raven had to irk her. For one thing he knew about her, when Kage got drunk, she had the tendency to become rather violent or seductive. And right now, she seemed to be a violent drunk, who hasn't yet gotten angry enough to cause a bar fight.
Mayuka sighed. "Besides, that little scrawny excuse of a man wants me to sleep with him? Who the hell does he think he is?" Kaisuke blinked.
"Yukimura, right? …You like Yukimura." Her face flushed. He wasn't sure weather it was the sake, or her blushing, but she turned several shades of red.
"I'm not sure like…or love even is the right word there." She muttered quietly. "Perhaps…it's more of a…lusting…" Kaisuke raised an eyebrow.
"Well, want to talk about it?" She shook her head.
"No…not really." Silence wrapped around them, only the sound of Raven groaning in pain could be heard as Mayuka started drawing circles on the bar's wood top again.
Suddenly, the doors opened. Yukimura Takeda walked in, soaking wet from the rain. Kaisuke smirked, and patted Mayuka on the shoulder.
"Things are looking up Kage." Mayuka gave him a questioning glance before turning around, bumping face to face with Yukimura.
"Yukimura…" Yukimura smiled.
"I never thought I'd find you here. Hey, are you ok?" Mayuka nodded. Yuki smiled, taking the stool beside her.
"Hey, be careful there my friend, she's had quite a bit to drink today." A glare. Cracking knuckles.
"Kaisuke. Keep the comments in the peanut gallery." Mayuka threatened. Yukimura chuckled.
"You haven't changed one bit." He said, his arm draping over her shoulder. He was happy to know she didn't seem to mind this.
"I wish you could say that to the times too." Mayuka muttered. Yuki nodded before turning to Kaisuke.
"Hey, Kai, get us some sake, ok?" Moments later Kai brought in the bottle. Mayuka glared at him. He knew it was cause he didn't bring her sake when she hailed for it earlier, and he quickly went back to sweeping the floor of all broken bottles. Yukimura took a glass, and poured out some.
"Here," Mayuka gracefully took the glass. She took a sip, and placed it back down.
"Well, I'm glad to know you're ok." Mayuka nodded.
"Thanks…"
Yuki sighed. "About what happened earlier…I'm sorry." Mayuka shrugged.
"It wasn't your fault. It couldn't be helped."
Yuki frowned. "But still…you could have died."
"I never knew that you cared that much." It went from frown to scowl.
"Of course I do." Mayuka smiled.
"And why's that?" A pause. Yuki smiled.
"It's cause…well, I love you…" He expected a shocked expression, a slap even. Mayuka sighed; her shoulders sagged as she leaned on the counter. He didn't expect this; she seemed troubled.
"I…if you want an answer…I'm sorry… I can't give you one… Not now at least." Her voice was soft, regretful.
"Don't worry, I sprung that on you. It would be too much to ask you to answer so soon." Yuki looked at her.
"But if you ask me, you're wasting your time…I don't deserve that sort of thing…" Her voice was inaudible to him so it seemed that all she did was merely whisper something to herself. She noticed this several moments later when she felt his confused ember eyes on her.
"You sure you're ok?"
"Yeah. I'll live." She fell silent after. Staring into pure nothingness. She only stopped to look down and take another sip of sake. Finally, she broke the silence. "Yuki-kun…" He looked up, happy to hear her voice again.
"Yes, what is it?" She looked at him, amber meeting sapphire.
"Could I…ask you a favour?" He nodded. "Could you tell the others I'm alright? And if you can speak to Motoko, could you tell her to meet me at the warehouses in Shibuya tomorrow?"
Yuki blinked. "Why are you-"
"Cause, you're the only one I can trust as much as I do. It's hard to explain why, but I've always trusted you." She looked down again. He assumed she was waiting for a response.
"Yeah, sure." Mayuka smiled faintly.
"Well…it's getting late. I think I should head for bed." She turned on her stool, about to stand up and walk to the back until she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"Wait…you're staying here?"
Mayuka nodded. "It's only temporarily until I make a break. I wouldn't want to cause Kai too much trouble at his expense."
Yukimura nodded. "I see."
Mayuka smiled. "Well then, I guess, I'll see you around hopefully."
He nodded. "Hopefully." Mayuka jumped of the stool. Yukimura noticed something was wrong right away. She seemed disoriented. He jumped down himself, catching her before she fell.
"I guess Kai was right…I had a little bit too much." Mayuka said, slightly dazed, her head resting on Yukimura's chest. He smiled.
"Happens to the best of us. Here, let me help you out here."
Mayuka allowed him to lead her to the back where a bedroom was. The bed was simply covered in white sheets, and in the corner of the simply white room was a beige couch. Yukimura squinted in the brightness of the room.
"Kai doesn't have much taste for colour, does he?" Mayuka shook her head.
"Nope. Cut him some slack, he's practically colour blind." She teased, sitting on the bed.
Yukimura smiled, turning around. "So…I guess, this is goodbye…"
"No, wait." Yukimura looked back to Mayuka.
"Can you stay, just a while longer?" Yukimura paused.
"Do you want me to?" Mayuka nodded. Yukimura smiled, sitting down beside her.
"I guess it was just some quiet time with some one that you wanted huh…?" Mayuka shrugged, turning to look at Yukimura. He immediately noticed it, the strange sense of lust in her eyes.
"Did you mean it when you said those words…or are you just like him?" Yuki blinked, his eyes fixated on her.
"Mayuka…" Mayuka leaned over into him, her lips covering his. After what seemed like an eternity, she moved away, slowly. Yuki looked at her in surprise.
"May…are you sure this is…what you want?" Mayuka smiled.
"When haven't I been sure about what I want?" He didn't need anymore than that, he leaned towards her, kissing her passionately, all while easing her slowly onto the bed.
Mayuka moaned softly, the light of day making the room incredibly bright. She shook her head, listening to another heartbeat. She knew what it was, what had happen, but right now her hangover was all her mind was telling her about. Her shoulders shrugged as she sat up. Yukimura sat up with her, hugging her in a warm embrace. "Hey, you're up." Mayuka nodded.
"Yeah, morning."
She scooted from the covers, heading for a small room off to the side until his voice stopped her. "About…what happened back there last night…" Mayuka shook her head.
"It was unexpected. My fault. Don't worry about it." She said evenly. "I'm going to take a shower." He nodded, knowing it wasn't best to question her while she was still half asleep.
A few minutes later she came back, towel around her neck, her hair damp, in her underwear. She looked over at Yukimura; happy to know he was walking around in his jeans. She went back to where the couch was in the corner. She lifted up a cover that was over it, revealing all her weapons, and her battle leotard.
"Hey, I thought you lost those." Mayuka nodded.
"I had Karou give them to Kaisuke." She answered, taking up her C-Z 75, and shook her head. "He's too nice. Serviced, and he gave me ammo." Mayuka shook her head. "He'd better watch it." Yuki smiled half-heartedly.
"It just means that he trusts you." Mayuka closed her eyes, holding the bridge of her nose.
"That's the thing. Trust is one of the most dangerous gambles you can take in life." Yukimura's eyes narrowed in thought. "Mayuka…are you sure that's what you wanted? Do you regret it?" Mayuka sighed heavily.
"Why do you keep asking me that?" Yuki's expression became serious.
"Well…I…its cause of what Takemura did, I just didn't want you to think of me in the same way." Mayuka shook her head.
"It wasn't what I wanted…that I'll admit. I'm not even sure what it is that I want anymore. However, if I said I completely regretted it, then I would be a blatant liar. And by the way…thanks for the consideration. But it doesn't matter anymore. It's too late to pick the fallen blossom." Mayuka turned around to look at him, noting his black-orange hair was a slight mess, but still as pokey as ever. Then she noticed it; around his neck was a black string with a blue crystal pendent on it. A sapphire stone. "I never knew you were into jewelry." She said, quirking an eyebrow in the process. Yuki lazily scratched the back of his head.
"Nah, not my thing. Ayame gave it to me shortly after mom died. Said it was for good luck." Mayuka nodded.
"I see." Yuki shook his head.
"No, I don't think you do."
May rolled her eyes, all while stifling her own small chuckle. "You're right. I don't believe in luck." She muttered bitterly.
"Should I even ask why?" She eyed him, the look on her face said that the question was forbidden, he knew she wouldn't answer that anyways. Yukimura shrugged. "So…what's next?"
"Yukimura…so far you asked me, but I was wondering, was this what you wanted?" Yukimura remained silent.
"No, I'd only agree because it's for you."
She shook her head. "No sugar coating." Her tone was stern, as she turned back to the pile of clothes, slowly pulling them on.
"Well, I told you one thing, I love you." He watched as she bowed her head in thought, her pants on, she reached for her shirt.
"Hate to tell ya, but words are cheap."
"You certainly seem like that kind of person." Yukimura shook his head, feeling slightly hurt by the comment.
"What I wanted, was you." Mayuka sighed. "Strange, if I do say so myself." She knew he didn't like that response.
"Stop acting so impartial!" A quiet, hollow laugh.
"It's what I do best, don't I?" Yukimura sighed.
"Yeah. But even you have feelings. You've already showed that no matter how you try you can't deny them." Mayuka frowned.
"Feelings? Perhaps their undeniable but you, you really think the reason that I…" Mayuka shook her head.
"Forget it, it's useless explaining such a thing to you." Yukimura growled. "What, was there a reason you're holding back?"
I might as well tell you." She sighed. "I don't want to loose anyone else. I've already lost many of my subordinates back in the war. They were like brothers and sisters to me when we were off duty. No, too many lives, far too many."
"But you shouldn't be afraid." Yukimura walked towards her. "I want to help you. Protect you."
Mayuka growled. "I don't need your damn protection!" Her words stung, Yuki shook his head.
"But-" Mayuka cut him off.
"If I do, you'll die. Just like Kadaji." He reeled. "Kadaji?" Mayuka shook her head.
"We were…very close. Not in the sense of you and I… if you can call us close…" He recoiled…so his suspicions were right, last night meant nothing. She was just using him. "But, we understood each other. He died protecting me. That's why I don't need anyone's protection, cause they'll die just the same." Mayuka shook her head looking at Yukimura. She noted his hurt expression.
"What's wrong?" He closed his eyes, and then opened them again.
"Nothing."
She frowned. "Look, I know you Yuki, I know when something is wrong." She sighed, tired. "I…I didn't mean it that way…what I did mean was that I d-"
"KAGE! WE'VE GOT TROUBLE! SOURCES SAY THAT SOMEONE TIPPED COPPERS TO CHEACKING THIS PLACE! YOU'VE GOT TWENTY MINUTES TO GET OUT OF HERE!" Raven's shrill voice cut through the place, and interrupted her.
Mayuka nodded, pulling on the shirt, and quickly tucking away her gloves inside her pocket. She then grabbed her gun and her swords.
"Let's go!" Yukimura nodded grabbing his shirt.
"Are you sure?" Mayuka nodded.
"Yes. If I'm not here, they have nothing on him. I know it's abandoning him, but it's for his own good!" Mayuka grabbed Yukimura by the arm. "This way." She dragged him to the back door, leading to an alleyway, then she ran off, sure that Yukimura would follow.
"Of all places…you had to pick the graveyard?" Mayuka smiled. He had a point. She had no idea why she came here of all places. She was crouching down in front of her parents' gravestones again. Yukimura took a look at them.
"You're parents, huh?" Mayuka nodded.
"I was three at the time."
Yukimura shook his head. "So…I assume we're parting ways soon…right?"
Mayuka stood up to look at him she smiled at him sadly.
"I guess." Yuki sighed.
"I wish it didn't end this way. Perhaps I could come with you." Mayuka gently placed her hand on his mouth.
"No, please Yukimura." Yukimura nodded. "I don't want your protection. I'll manage on my own."
Yukimura sighed. "I see."
"Just promise me that you'll tell Motoko to come, please?" He nodded, barely able to keep himself from shivering at the helpless, pleading tone in her voice.
"Yeah, I will." Yukimura moved towards her.
"And May?" She looked at him, her expression perplexed.
"What is it?" He leaned over, hugging her, carefully placing his necklace around her neck. Mayuka looked at him, noticing what he did.
"You jerk!" She slapped him. He should have expected that. Yukimura rubbed his face.
"Ow…well, I hope it'll give you some luck." Mayuka sighed, looking at the stone that was as blue as her eyes. She then moved closer to him. He could see how apologetic she was, her blue eyes filled with tears. She gently placed her right hand over his right cheek where she had hit him, her hand rubbed in gently in a circular motion.
"That hurt didn't it?" Yuki shook his head.
"It's ok." Mayuka smiled, that same sad smile again.
"Thank you."
"No problem." He didn't understand why she was acting that way, almost as if she was scared.
"And Yuki," She finally said after a long period of silence. Her voice was quiet. He was about to ask her 'What is it?' until he felt her lips over his once again, the sweet taste of cinnamon on his tongue. He opened his mouth to allow her entrance, her gentle tongue sweeping over his. Her soft hand caressed his face while her left played with his hair, all while his encircled her waist, the other carefully playing with her violet trusses. Slowly she broke apart, staring him in the eyes again; her eyes still brimmed with tears. "Sayonara, Yukimura."
The next thing he knew was that before he could reply she ran, fast and far, and was out of sight in mere seconds.
Mayuka ran for it. She could feel them, the hot tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. She shook her head. The very reason why she went to the graveyard was because it was by the warehouses.
She didn't know how long it would be before her legs refused to move, but she was sure she was reaching that limit. Her breath came in rugged gaps, but she dared not slow down, if only to subdue her emotions, just a little longer.
She had reached her goal. The warehouse where the whole nightmare started. She opened the one leading to the former headquarters of the Archangels. And finally it hit her. She'd reached her limit. She fell to her knees, silently cursing to her self, punching the ground over and over again.
"Damn it!" Her fist hit the concrete, "All of it!" as well as her second fist. She felt the wet hot tears roll down her face, unable to stop them. "How…" She muttered, still punching the ground. "How could she be right? Damn you!" Mayuka regarded her bleeding knuckles with no more than a shrug, banging them into concrete again. "She was right…I was lying to myself…" She paused, looking at her bloody hands.
'They say that the eyes of a person is the window into a person's soul, but when I look into your eyes, I see a tortured one desperately hiding itself from view…so all I'm asking is that you don't make yourself suffer anymore then you already have.'
"Damn her!" Once again fist met concrete. "She knew me…better than I did." She knew it was stupid, she couldn't hurt an inanimate object, but she continued anyways. "How could she… DAMN YOU YOKO!" Mayuka wiped her tears away, collapsing so that she was lying on her side.
"I…I was lying to myself…all this time…" Mayuka closed her eyes for a brief moment. "And I let my emotions get the best of me…I have to get control…just so I can finish this, on my own. No protection, just my own strength."
'You seem to be constantly lying to yourself. Stop bottling your emotions. Because if you keep lying to yourself, you'll destroy who you are piece by piece. '
Mayuka gritted her teeth, why did Kayabuki's words from when they talked have to haunt her conscious of now of all times. "Emotions are useless to a monster…"
'I don't see a monster.'
Mayuka sighed. "Of course Kayabuki didn't see a monster. She only saw her own damned reflection." Her voice broke, becoming no louder than a whisper, but she didn't notice, she was staring off into space again. Mayuka closed her eyes slowly, letting sleep overtake her consciousness.
"Are you serious?" Motoko asked for what he thought was the twentieth time now.
"Yeah, I'm serious." Motoko shook her head.
"She should have left here a long time ago… It would have been in her best interests and then you mean to tell me you guys met at the bar, both got drunk and…" She gave him a skeptical look.
"Well, you know what I mean." She said, noting his messy hair and his open button up shirt.
"What…are you talking about?" he asked, clueless at what she was instigating. She frowned at him, almost seemingly disgusted, especially at a thought that was currently formulating in her mind. A rather dirty thought…
"Must you broadcast it?" Yukimura blinked.
"Eh?"
A sigh, Motoko put her hand to her head.
"Next time before coming here, clean yourself up, button up that shirt, and comb your hair. Anyone can take one look and figure out you were probably with a girl." She gritted her teeth. When she spoke again it was in a hushed tone of voice. "Not like the fact that she's my sister makes this any easier to talk about. But I swear, you better not be trying to beat Pazu's record or something… or you'll dearly regret it."
Yukimura backed away, not liking the sudden threatening tone of voice that Motoko spoke to him with.
"What! I mean, no! Of course not!" Yukimura turned several shades of red at the mention of this. "I don't want to be like Pazu at all…that's just gross!" Motoko shook her head in dismay.
"I thought it was her…" Yukimura nodded.
"Yeah. Seriously Motoko, who else do you think I would," He stopped, noticing the glint in her eye.
"I suggest you don't finish that sentence. It'll be quite beneficial to your health." Yuki nodded fearfully.
"I gladly agree!"
Motoko sighed, looking around the break room as Yukimura silently went to the coffee machine, and came back with one for each of them. She sat down heavily in the chair, noting that Yukimura sat nervously across from her, passing her the cup of coffee. She took it, and barely took a sip before setting it down.
"I had a feeling sooner or later you two would slip up." Motoko muttered. Yukimura frowned.
"What about you and Batou?" The look she gave him suggested he was venturing into dangerous territory.
"That…is something completely different. Me and Batou have a working relation ship…nothing else." Yukimura nodded.
"But you can't deny feelings."
"Shut up." Harsh. The way Motoko intended it to be. Yukimura decided to back down before he pried too far.
"As for your situation Yukimura…I think it's more one-sided." He frowned. He deserved it. One for one, a hit for a hit as they say. But he couldn't stomach that in many ways she was right.
"Now look who's prying." Motoko shook her head.
"No, no. But like I said I had a feeling you might slip up. Eight bottles of sake on May's part didn't help. But in the end, it is what happened. And considering back on Christmas you guys almost did the same thing…"
"Are you serious! No we didn't!" He was flustered now, standing up and nearly knocking over the coffee.
"Ayame walked in on you two sharing a nice long passionate kiss. If you ask me you should be careful how you let your feelings manifest themselves." It was cold brunt comment. Yukimura shivered.
"Now I know for sure where that aspect of her personality comes from." Motoko looked up.
"What was that? What do you mean?" Yuki smiled.
"She's more like you then either of you stubborn asses would admit. She always tries to remain impartial to me. Just like you do with Batou." Motoko frowned silence filling the room. That was until Batou's voice broke it.
"How long are you two going to keep beating around the bush?"
"What? He was here?" Motoko shook her head as the disembodied voice of Batou echoed through the air of the room, until his body appeared though thin air.
"Ok…am I the only one who feels left out here?" Yukimura stated as his eyes went from Motoko to Batou and the expression on both faces was utter calm. Motoko wasn't even surprised. It was obvious, Motoko told him to eavesdrop.
"Motoko…" Motoko shook her head.
"You were gone the whole night. Especially after the chief ordered me to keep a close eye on you. Of course I'd use these measures." He couldn't believe his ears. Batou's face remained grim as he crossed his arms.
"So, you saw Mayuka," Batou stated. Yuki nodded glumly.
"In fact, that's why I came here in the first place." Motoko looked towards him, searching for something. He wasn't sure if his mind was playing tricks on him, but he could have sworn that for a moment those ruby eyes were really sapphire.
"She wants to speak to you Motoko. Right at the warehouses in Shibuya."
"The warehouses at Shibuya? Why the hell would she go there?" Batou suddenly piped. "Yes, it concerns me as well." Motoko stood up, Batou looked towards her.
"So…what's the plan?" She closed her eyes, formulating an answer.
"I'm going. Now." Yukimura stood up as well.
"I'll come-"
"By any chance did she say alone?" Yuki nodded. Obviously the two sisters were able to read each others mind when it came to things like that. Motoko sighed heading for the door, Batou close behind.
"Are you sure about this Major?" The major opened a locker, carefully taking out her gun, all while checking the ammo in it.
"There's nothing to worry about." Batou frowned.
"She won't be u-" A sigh.
"I know. And I know her very well…" She paused, gathering thoughts. "She's armed…she'd be smart enough to do that. That, we both know." Motoko stated, finishing off his thought for him.
"You didn't get to my point." Batou stated gruffly. "She…Mayuka, she's a-" Once again she read him.
"A traitor. I know that too. But I can't help but approach this situation from a more…apprehensive perspective…"
"Apprehensive?" Motoko nodded.
"She's my sister. And blood is thicker than water. These are facts that will remain no matter how hard someone tries to ignore them." She pulled on her black gloves, slamming the locker shut again.
"So…you're really going through with this…maybe you might break through that shell…" Motoko nodded.
"Thanks. That's all we have left is hope. And an understanding of things from her perspective…somewhat." Batou smiled.
"Wow, are you unsure now? That's a first?" She glared, though the intent was playful. She knew he knew. Batou smiled at her.
"Err…on second hand…" She sighed again.
"I know you wanted to say something else Batou…go ahead say it…" Batou's expression became grim.
"Please be careful." His voice pleaded. She knew that wasn't the only thing he wanted to say to her. There was something else. She knew him well enough to know when he was holding back on her.
"I appreciate the concern…I'll be fine." He scowled.
"The last time you said something like that we all thought that for a month you were dead cause the Feds blew your head off!" Motoko nodded, making it a point not to argue back with him. She knew he'd hold that one over her head for a while.
"This time…I know something like that won't happen." He growled lowly.
"It had better not! I-We were worried, for you, that whole time!" Motoko noted his sudden change from "I" to "We" and smiled. He was worried back then. About her. Of all people he was worried for her. She knew his intention and that he purposely changed his words.
Batou eyed her as she moved towards him, and patted him on the shoulder. "This time things are different…" She spoke lowly.
"We lost you once, we don't want that to happen again." She knew he meant "I" and not "We" once again he purposely changed it. "Just promise me you'll come back. Come back to Section Nine. Alive." Motoko smiled.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Eh, don't joke about these things!" She loved it when he got all protective, he finally acted in the one way no person would have guessed when they first saw him: Kind, caring…loving… Motoko wondered silently if Mayuka ever noticed that side of Batou. He looked at her, his expression worried, but he smiled. He knew her for so long, so he knew just what she was thinking about.
"Mayuka…she has her quirks…but I have a feeling she knows more about feelings and emotions then we all would like to admit." Motoko nodded.
"She has a tendency to read people and understand them. I think that's why she acts the way she does." Batou frowned.
"It scares me to know someone like her could use our very tenancies and reactions to things against us if she ever dared tried it." He then smiled. "It makes me happy to know she's on our side."
Motoko blinked slowly. In one slow fluid motion she turned away. "Yeah…it is a good thing." He grunted in response. Motoko decided to take it as a signal to leave and began walking away. Until his voice stopped her again.
"Bring her back…ok? And be careful…" Motoko nodded and continued walking away.
Mayuka moaned, sitting up. Her hangover didn't help. She regretted that over these past few days not only did she get a bullet in an arm, a few broken ribs…but also on top of all that crap she had to go get herself smashed.
She frowned as she looked at her hands; they were sticky with congealed blood, the blood that she had yet to wash away from her hands. She remembered what had happened. Remembered that it was she who did this to herself. She sighed, rubbing the jellied substance from her hands as clean as she could. When she was done she pulled her gloves on, and stared at her hands again, frowning.
'The only reason they don't reek of blood is cause they're prosthetic…' She thought angrily. To many soldiers, it was comforting that they no longer had to smell the liquid of death that they had spilt onto their once clean hands. To her, she just saw it as a curse. No one should have a lighter conscious just because their hands no longer reeked of the blood of men they had known and killed.
She unconsciously rubbed her arms, almost wishing to have the sensation of the little hairs standing rather then the simulated tingling feeling. But there was no use in yearning for what was lost…it could never be gained again. Mayuka stood up, and began walking around the dark warehouse. She quickly placed the scanner over her left eye.
Slowly she walked within the dark space. Nothing moved within the warehouse. There was no sound except the echoes of her own footsteps. Mayuka stopped, the scanner over her left eye filled out readouts on the display. She paused to read them.
"Lying piece of crap…someone's here…I can feel it…"
She muttered under her breath. Sure, some might have thought she was just paranoid, but one thing she's learned was that you couldn't always rely on computers to do your work. They could always be fooled. Senses however, unless their digital, it was much harder to fool feelings like touch and smell. Being a hacker herself she was very strict about that, watching herself to make sure she didn't rely on computers alone. It was her one and only rule...she decided to go with her 'gut feeling' as they call it, and follow her own ghost. Slowly she reached for her gun by her hip.
"Hey! Didn't you already think ahead…you should have tried getting your gun earlier! You never know if the enemy might have theirs drawn." Mayuka frowned. She knew the voice. And slowly she moved to the warehouse door, opening it. Light filtered in through the door.
"Motoko…" Her sister appeared behind her, gun aimed. Mayuka sighed slowly turning around.
"Yes that's right."
Before she could react she felt herself being recoiled about three feet, her face throbbing. "Y…you…punched me!" Motoko scowled.
"What the hell were you thinking, tell me?" Mayuka didn't even have the chance to pick herself off the ground before dodging Motoko's second punch that cracked the concrete mere inches from where she happened to have been. Motoko stood up again, prepping for a second attack. Mayuka slowly scooted away. She knew Motoko would react; she just shouldn't have let herself get distracted. And one thing was that when Motoko got angry, she became colder, even more intense when she usually was.
"I wasn't thinking! That's the way it always was!"
A pang of pain hit her jaw. She saw it coming, but found it impossible to move after staring at the towering form above her. Motoko growled, and picked her up by the shirt.
"Don't give me that crap!" May smiled…that sickeningly annoying smirk on her face. Motoko cursed under her breath hitting her again.
"Wow…were you even trying that time?" Mayuka's hoarse voice said; she smirked again, spitting the blood that acclimated in her mouth in Motoko's face. "I'm surprise you actually made me bleed. Finally, you've actually managed to get strong. Weakling." That comment struck a nerve and she knew it, and smiled. "But I guess after all this it wouldn't matter anymore, I mean, you're despicable. You're still a weakling, so much so that you have to beat on someone who isn't even fighting back."
"That's it! Damned traitor!" Motoko screamed, slamming Mayuka in the wall, hearing as the little air she had left in her lungs escaped. Blinded by rage, her hands went around her neck, squeezing. Mayuka's eyes squeezed closed.
"Do you want me to kill you, you little traitor!" Her voiced amplified by anger echoed, surprising her when she heard the quiet response.
"Not…neces…sarily…" Mayuka whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Then what?" Mayuka opened her right eye with great effort, her hands latching onto Motoko's gently trying to pull them off, but her strength was failing her.
"Let…go…p…please…" Motoko glared.
"How can I trust you, huh?" Motoko frowned when she didn't get an answer. 'Bring her back, ok? And be careful.' Batou's words echoed in her mind, making her start to second-guess herself.
"Mayuka…" Mayuka's right eye squeezed shut, Motoko could feel her arms pulling at hers trying in vain to get them to release her windpipe. But eventually her arms fell to her side. Her struggles became obsolete.
Motoko let go, watching as she immediately collapsed, gasping for air. Mayuka struggled to her knees and began coughing, happy to be able to breathe again.
"A…Are you alright?" Mayuka didn't respond as she rubbed her neck.
"Happy now…" She muttered eventually.
"About what?" Mayuka shakily stood on her feet and leaned on the wall.
"You really don't know…" Motoko frowned.
"Aw, don't give me that crap now. You wanted your revenge. Would it have been more satisfying if I were to fight back? I'll have to remember that next time." Her voice was weak, yet somehow still managed to carry malice in it. Mayuka smirked.
"Who say's they'll be a next time?"
She gave a stifled laughed before an answer. "So you're going to kill me now?"
Motoko growled. "You're sick…"
"Hmm? Oh really? I do believe the term here is 'sadistic' my dear sister. I was always told I had to be cause I supposedly liked pain and inflicting it a bit too much…ah, yes, Kadaji said that to me once. The only thing is knowing if he was joking or serious." Mayuka shrugged. "Oh well. The damned idiot's dead. I doubt I'll be finding out anytime soon."
Motoko frowned. "Why are you disrespecting the dead anyways? What did he do?" Mayuka growled.
"Disrespecting? I have no respect for fools! Especially those who always seemed worried about me, especially those who think I need protection," She paused a second, her voice becoming louder. "Especially those who are stupid enough to try and protect me and put their own stupid life on the line, then to turn around and promise they won't die! They're nothing but stupid fools who threw their lives away for a damned lost cause! Their deaths were meaningless!"
Motoko frowned. "Are you speaking only of Kadaji…or was there someone else that you feared would do the same thing?" She asked, she already knew.
"It's none of your business."
Motoko frowned. "Cruel way to say goodbye to Yukimura, don't you think?"
Mayuka shook her head. "Look, I have a lot of things on my mind. The last time I have ever thought clearly would be over a damned week ago. That little outburst was just a little stress getting to me. And I let it slipped and got over emotional. Don't start trying to read into things."
"Why…are you that afraid of the truth?"
"KUSANAGI!" That question was never answered, for Hikaru Mehiji walked slowly into the warehouse. Mayuka checked her hip again for her gun, glaring daggers at the man. "What is he doing here?" Mayuka flicked her eyes to her sister for a mere second.
"We'll discuss that later." Hikaru smiled as he approached her, Mayuka walked over to him, meeting him half way.
"So…you said you wanted to figure out which side you should be on…tough choice huh?" Mayuka nodded and smiled. "Of course. But I'm no longer a cop, so it doesn't matter."
"Mayuka!" Mayuka turned around.
"Excuse me for a second Hikaru." She muttered, turning back and walking to Motoko.
"May! What the hell are you doing!" Mayuka smiled.
"Trust me, ok? Have faith!" Mayuka muttered, hugging her with her right arm. Surprised Motoko hugged back before her eyes widened in pain.
"Mayuka…trai..tor." Mayuka scowled, looking down at her left hand that made a hard solid blow to Motoko's stomach.
"Sorry, but as they say, 'One for one' I didn't fight back cause I didn't want to feel guilty about doing this." Mayuka remained silent, watching as Motoko's ruby orbs flashed with pain before they closed and Motoko slumped against her. Mayuka gently laid her on the ground and smiled.
"You did that because?"
"Unfortunately, the law of deception is that in order to deceive your enemy you must first deceive your ally. I'm sorry about the conference earlier." Mayuka smiled. Walking slowly towards Hikaru Mehiji, her hands held high in the air.
"I'm on your side Hikaru…I just couldn't blow my cover." Her voice was soft, gentle even.
"So…it was all a lie…including the part about you and Takemura?"
She smirked. "…I wouldn't say all of it was a lie. Now I'm not here to fight." Hikaru nodded, and she put her hands down, placing one on her hip.
"So…you were just trying to get information on the police?" She nodded, suddenly her expression solemn.
"Something wrong?" Mayuka shook her head. He nodded.
"So…are you going to finish off our little friend?" Hikaru's smirk faded as Mayuka's eyes filled with uncertainty.
"Not right now…I'd rather have her awake…hear her scream."
He chuckled. "I love the way you think."
She smiled, but it soon faded. "What's wrong?"
She sighed. "Oh nothing…just that…I have a lot of things on my mind."
Hikaru smiled. "Takemura, right? He's always talking about you. I approve you know. Despite that rough exterior he isn't half bad." Mayuka's eyes flashed with something unreadable.
"That…wasn't the only thing I had on my mind…"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" Mayuka nodded.
"You two…you hate me don't you…I killed his mother for God's sake…your wife."
Hikaru laughed, his voice echoing. "Don't worry girl, her life meant nothing. I only married her because I needed a heir to the Mehiji name!"
Mayuka frowned briefly. "Cruel…" He smiled that same sickening smile again.
"You could even say that we were playing parts as well too. I guess you lost your nerves to inquire though."
"When someone gets killed, it's hard not to lose your nerve. I'm human, you're human. That's the way it is."
Hikaru nodded, stepping closer to her. "You still seem tense…"
Mayuka glared at him, as he slowly put his arm around her. She stared at him, watching for any signs indicating an attack of some sort, all while reaching for her sword, and slowly placing the weapon by his abdomen without turning it on. He watched her too, not noticing the weapon, looking in her eyes for any sign of deception.
Satisfied he didn't see any, he smiled. "I know I can trust you. But tell me…just what are you anticipating?"
"I'm not anticipating anything…" Mayuka frowned. The man laughed, a laugh that was cut short when pain surged through his abdomen, and he doubled over.
"What…the hell are you…bitch?"
Mayuka frowned. "You let your guard down." He growled, and then almost bit his tongue when the blade was jammed in further. "And you were foolish enough to come alone." She kept pushing the blade until it pierced flesh at the other side, and he screamed in pain. "I knew that for this to work it would have to be done by my hand and my hand alone. And that requires creating the constant cycle of trust and betrayal." She still continued pushing in the blade, ignoring her blood stained hands and the fact that the blade had already gone through, there was only the hilt left.
"Are you with the police? Were you conspiring with them the whole time?" He growled.
Mayuka frowned. "No. This was on my own. But I still did betray them."
He glared; she stood her ground, both hands still on the blade. "You didn't hear me earlier…did you?" Another growl.
"Say what?"
Mayuka sighed. "In order to deceive your enemy, you must first deceive your ally. I left you to assume who was who. It is not my fault your assumptions were incorrect."
"YOU BITCH!" Mayuka was knocked down to the ground a second later, as Hikaru Mehiji punched her. Mayuka's hand released the sword as she fell, landing on her right shoulder.
"Lucky…so…someone is here."
Hikaru frowned. "What do you mean?" His voice sounded almost pathetic, as he rested both hands on the sword, pulling it out.
Mauka frowned. "White blood…" She muttered. "I wonder if…"
He growled. "Yeah, but crimson is such a more lovely colour…would you like to see?"
Before she could reply, she brought her arm up, covering herself as the sword hit her flesh cutting right through her skin. She gritted her teeth, noting the blade stopped. "Ah… a prosthetic…right under real skin. No matter, the plasma will eventually burn through." Mayuka cursed to herself, using her left leg to kick his legs from under him. She got back to her feet and smiled. He got careless again. And he dropped the sword. Suddenly the sword was picked up by something invisible and ran around. She checked over her shoulder, noting that in front of her Hikaru limped away, and that Motoko was still on the ground out cold.
"So…someone is here…just hiding." Mayuka frowned, scanning before she noticed something run by, and got slashed on the back. She bit her tongue, urging not to scream in pain. Next, the unknown figure slashed at her arms. She was a sitting duck if she couldn't see what it was she was supposed to hit. Her ears ringed a second later, and she stepped back, being missed by a blow that would have meant certain death and instead being slashed on the cheek. Her eyes darted up, looking at the old sprinklers in the roof. She grabbed her gun, and began shooting.
She squinted, feeling her right shoulder being assaulted. Mayuka frowned, noting the water didn't come on. Seeing a flash she shot at it, but hit nothing.
"Shit." She knew whatever it was, it was coming after her. But they got careless, attacking her shoulder dead on. Taking a gamble, Mayuka leaned into the sword, ignoring her left shoulder's scream of pain as the sword went through it. She placed the gun in her right, her left arm grabbing the blade of the sword, as she shot off a few more rounds. The sprinklers came on, and she smiled.
"Alright…no more hiding…" They disengaged the cloaking, knowing she knew where they were.
And there she stood, face to face with Ikura Karou. She stood there, shocked.
"Well, hello to you too Kusanagi." She was knocked back, barely able to keep her balance when he punched her. He smiled, his fist wound up again, but this time she ducked, knocking him with her right, gun still in hand. Karou laughed.
"You call that a punch," He attacked again, in rage, cursing as she dodged his attack, and grabbing her left arm. She clenched her teeth together as the sword dug in further. As he pulled her to him, she used the fact that his body was unguarded to her advantage, elbowing him in the stomach. Before she knew what hit her, he picked her up, and chucked her into the wall, back first. Her gun flew out of her hand and skidded behind him. She banged against the metal, becoming breathless as all air was knocked out of her, and nearly screaming in pain when she landed shoulder first.
Mayuka struggled to her feet. When she was on her knees, she clenched her teeth as she pulled out the blade, throwing it aside, not caring anymore. She was just about to get to her feet before being kicked hard in the side. He laughed at her attempt.
"You sure are a glutton for punishment!" He teased, kicking her again, over and over. He growled after he realized he was getting nowhere.
"So…how long until you scream, huh?" He muttered, picking her up by the hair "If you did it would make things so much easier." He looked at her squinted eyes, she opened them, pupils dilated, and unfocused. Mayuka smirked, spitting the blood in his face.
"Why don't you go fuck yourself?"
"Why you!" He knocked her head first into the wall. She gritted her teeth again, feeling as they bit her tongue, the metallic taste of blood now completely surrounded her mouth. The third time he did this, she felt the blood begin to run down her face. She felt him backing her head up again, and she carefully planted her two hands, her right on the ground, and her left on the wall.
Again he began to ram her head into the wall, she used all the strength in her right arm to do a hand plant, barely missing the blow, then used her other hand to push her off the wall, giving her the momentum to back flip in the air. She landed behind him, unsteadily on her own feet, falling, she grabbed her gun, then hastily stood up again, just as the slow man finally registered what just happened and turned around to face her.
Before he comprehended what it was she was doing, she began to fire off the gun, not caring how many shots it took. Blood splattered as the cyber brain was blown. But she didn't stop. Soon, the bullets ran out. Twenty-one bullets later he fell. An over kill. Mayuka frowned, and dropped the empty magazine, all while retrieving another one in her pocket. She breathed heavily, walking towards the wall, and leaning on it.
"Now…where did Mehiji go?" She asked herself breathlessly, her eyes darted to the slumped form of Motoko. She walked over to her sister, and placed her to lean against the wall. She then drew back the hammer of the gun, and began walking.
"Hey Kusanagi!" Mayuka spun around to see Hikaru standing at the door.
"See this here?" He showed her a small rectangular device, with a red button on it.
"It's a detonator; it'll start a timer to a bomb…not just the normal stuff. Think about some of the bio crap they had back when you were in the army. That's what I mean. You, and who ever else is in the warehouse at the time." Mayuka frowned, and shot his leg, twice.
"Nice try, but its prosthetic."
"It sill doesn't mean you won't be slowed down." She growled. He smiled, and pressed the button.
"But I'm still closer to the door." He grinned before turning and jogging away because of his injury. Mayuka spun around, her scanner filling out various readings.
"Found it…" She muttered as she ran to the far corner of the old warehouse, finding something in the box. She took her gun out as she grabbed the box, and fired fourteen rounds until the window broke; she quickly glanced down at the time it said:
0:00:55 Fifty-five seconds.
She noticed the scanner continuing the count down and she threw the bomb out the window before breaking out into a full sprint to the other side of the warehouse. During the sprint, she carefully put her gun back in its holster.
0:00:35 thirty-five seconds.
Sliding to slow herself down, Mayuka grabbed Motoko by the arm and roughly slung her across her right shoulder. She dared to glance at the time again, and cursed herself for it.
0:00:25 twenty-five seconds.
There was no way she could make it in time. But she gritted her teeth. She shifted her hold on the unconscious form of Motoko as she started running so that she was holding her sister out in front of her so she was lying in her arms. She sprinted again, knowing that she was slowing down because of the extra weight in her arms. She smiled as she finally reached the door, but then her gut filled with dread when the scanner beeped.
0:00:00
The next thing Mayuka knew was that her grip on Motoko tightened, as there was a loud explosion behind her. She still tried to run until she felt herself being flung forward like some sort of rag doll. Eventually, she pounded the cement, taking it shoulder first to protect her sister, and then everything seemed to go black.
'This just in, in the Kyoto region of town there was an explosion in on of the many unused warehouses. It is not known what exactly has happened, but it is believed that Yakuza were behind it. We will continue to update this story as more information comes in.'
She turned off the television angrily, sighing as she took a sip of sake, her crimson eyes burning.
"So…sergeant…" She muttered. "This is the reply to it all? Elimination…but you're life was too short because you want to make sure all corrupt people have been eliminated…and by your jurisdiction that includes you…what a…very twisted way to look at things."
Jun-kei smiled sadly as she chugged down more of the sake. She placed the bottle down and stood up abruptly, grabbing her coat in the mean time.
"Mori-san?" Jun-kei turned around and sighed as she saw the youth walk into the room. Her hair was short, only about chin length, and violet in colour. Her eyes were a strange gray-blue mixture, but one look at her and a person could easily tell she looked a lot like Mayuka. Yukiko raised an eyebrow, and tried walking forward, nearly falling. She was still quite young and after all, she wasn't used to the prosthetic body.
Jun-kei chuckled, grabbing her keys as she headed for the door. "Take it easy, ok?" Yukiko frowned.
"Why?" Jun's expression became unreadable.
Yukiko continued to stare. "Where are you going? Did something happen?"
Jun shook her head. "I have something to deal with. I'll be back as soon as possible. I'll even bring you a treat."
The ten-year old grinned. "Like what?" Jun shrugged, she knew Yukiko could see her anxiety.
"I haven't thought that far yet. But I really need to leave now." She nodded in response.
"Hey, how bout a teddy bear?" Jun smiled half-heartedly, it was amazing how childlike Yukiko was, so much unlike her 'mother' Mayuka, who often seemed distant to things like childish impulses.
'Mother' she thought the youth had to know. But she could never bring herself to tell her everything, only that her 'mother' was alive. This train of thought led her down a path she knew she had to venture down eventually. What if Mayuka really was dead?
She shook her head, afraid to venture forth. She had to leave this place now, to see it for herself before letting all speculations of the 'what ifs' take control of her fragile mind. Jun-kei reached for the door, flinging it open, and then slamming it closed. She turned to lock it up quickly, and nearly ran out of her private clinic and into her sports car. Turning it on she revved the engine, and wheeled out onto her street, her mind elsewhere.
'Damn you Mayuka, I'll kill you again for dying before me! So you have better not die…you're the only one other than me who use to serve in that unit… After everything that's happened, it would suck for you to die so foolishly when you've already had two nearly fatal brushes with death before. You can't die, not like this!'
Togusa's face paled as he looked at the monitor, and the report Ishikawa was giving him. It couldn't be possible. It just couldn't.
He gritted his teeth. A malfunction? That happened to machines all the time. But both of them made sure their equipment were working perfectly fine. They even checked their guns.
It was a lie, it just had to be, and there was no other explanation.
"Ishikawa, what's the status of the Warehouse?" Ishikawa appeared on the monitor in front of him. He shook his head in solemn confirmation.
"Negative Togusa. The Warehouse…the explosion…. It's completely totaled. The chances of survival are so low that I-"
"No! It can't be possible! This is the Major we're talking about!" Togusa growled, banging his fists.
"I know, but…" Ishikawa started, his voice low, saddened. "I'm sorry Togusa…" Togusa stood up, abruptly, and he turned to leave.
"I'm going to tell Batou."
"No, wait, hold off on that." Ishikawa pleaded. "We should wait…"
The almost natural man growled and glared at the veteran hacker. "Wait? Why should we wait! The major was involved by accident! And Mayuka, she got lucky, she deserved worse than that!"
Ishikawa shook his head. "I disagree…no one deserves death. Sit here until you get your cool head again." He watched as Togusa stood there, breathing heavily.
"I told you I'm going to tell Batou!"
"AND I TOLD YOU TO SIT DOWN AND GET YOU HEAD TOGETHER!"
Togusa smirked. "Now who's the one who's not thinking clearly?" Ishikawa shook his head.
"It doesn't matter. Batou's with the chief. You can go." Togusa raised an eyebrow. "What?"
The man shook his head. "You heard me." Ishikawa sighed. "And even if you don't mention it now…I think we'll be looking into a double homicide soon."
"Double homicide?" Togusa said, raising an eyebrow.
"She had no motive to killing Motoko. Meaning this was most likely that someone killed them…" Ishikawa sighed.
"But," He stood up and stretched. "Before making assumptions, I think we need to get there first. Then we can figure out the puzzle." Togusa nodded, and turned on heel, running down urgently through the hallways of Section Nine to speak to Batou.
A/N: And that's all. Thank you fore reading (And please don't hurt me!)
Read and Review!
And I shall see you (hopefully) soon!
Ja-ne!
Jun-kei
(Come on guys, be nice and show Jun just how much you love her story and she might be able to find some time to post some more! Yay!
Jun's Friend)
pps: Forgot to tell you my friend here insisted on writing a note...yes, I shall speak to her later (rolls eyes) But I had to agree to her writing it...when she's had a bad day and is already pissedshe gets, uh cranky when she doesn't get her way for certain things (sometimes pychotic too...and I should probably leave it at that cause now she's staring at me as though she wants to poison me...bye!)