Karou couldn't even make it out of Enishi's car. As soon as they pulled into the parking lot, Tae was opening the passenger door, and pulling her out.
Worry lines marked her face, and her hands held her by the shoulders as she examined her.
"Kaoru what happened last night?" Tae asked.
She gave her a tight smile and waved Enishi goodbye, who promptly sped off, leaving tire marks in his place.
"Ugh, the nerve of that man! Honestly Kaoru, I don't know what you see in him!" Tae looked her up and down. "But you're okay aren't you?"
"Yes I'm fine Tae," she chuckled.
Tae sighed, rubbing her temples, she turned back to the restaurant.
"Oh gosh! I knew I shouldn't have left you alone. It was that Gohei man wasn't it?"
"Tae. Breathe," she said, hugging her shoulders from behind. "I'm fine. No, it wasn't Gohei. There was another gang shootout last night, and someone broke in. All they stole was a couple of cupcakes."
Tae sighed, and they walked out to the entrance.
"I'm almost done taking pictures for insurance, but I was hoping you could accompany me to the police station and serve as a witness?" Tae asked, taking out her phone.
She nodded, "Of course, whatever helps."
She turned to the storefront and gasped.
Where it had previously just been one window broken that she had left covered last night. Now the rest of the windows, and door, lay shattered as well.
"I take it you didn't know about the other ones?"
All she could manage was a shake of the head.
She sighed, taking pictures of the windows. "Thankfully the insurance should cover most of it, but I'm probably going to have to close up while we get them fixed." She looked back. "You said they only stole some cupcakes?"
She nodded.
"That's strange, not even money?"
"No, and even stranger, he wanted me to... put it on his tab?"
Tae frowned. "Was he a regular?"
"Never seen him before."
"Wait a minute, Kaoru you spoke with him! That was too reckless! What if you got hurt!"
"But I didn't. And I had a broom, it was all under control."
Tae motioned to the windows. "You call this under control?" she yelled!
"Oh come on! He may have been tall, but he was skinny, I could take him!"
Tae turned slowly towards her, lowering her phone.
"This man... Did he have a red bandana?"
"I don't remember... Wait do you know him?"
"Spiky hair?" Tae made hair motions with her hands. "White jacket? Character for bad?"
"So you do know him?!"
Tae groaned, "Nothing but a freeloader that man!"
"You do know him!"
"He used to frequent here a couple of months ago."
"How come I've never seen him then?"
"He always came in the mornings when you had classes. Completely hungover by the way. He opened up a tab with us but never paid. Argh! Let's go!"
Tae grabbed her wrist, pulling her to her car.
"Wait where are we going!"
"The cops! Remember?"
"Tae? Kaoru? What happened to the Akabeko?"
Tsubame stood behind them, her face looking very reminiscent to that of a surprised pikachu.
"Oh crud, I forgot to call you!" Tae exclaimed.
"What's going on?"
"No matter, you can climb in. We're going to the police station." Tae continued forward to her car.
"I'll explain everything on the way," Kaoru said, climbing into the front.
X
Saito looked up as Battousai ran into his office.
"You're late," he bit.
"You couldn't have even managed to clean up before coming here?" Saito sneered, glancing down at the seat Sano had plopped onto.
"I apologize," he said, breathing heavily. "I had some... loose strings to tie up."
Saito glared at him and looked down at his shirt. Where the bloodstain was still clearly evident. Sensing his stare, Battousai zipped up his jacket.
Taking out a cigarette, he closed his eyes and sat back in his seat.
"Any idea where the rooster is."
Battousai shook his head.
He puffed out smoke, opening his eyes.
"I can't believe Katsura put me in charge of you useless buffoons."
Battousai stayed silent and sat down in a seat.
He took another drag, waiting a bit before speaking again.
"Lizuka will not be joining us today. And I doubt the rooster will show anytime soon."
Probably black-out drunk in some alley.
"Do you have the usb."
"Sano has it."
The only thing he let betray his calm façade was the clenched cigarette in his hands. He took another drag.
"I told you to get it." He said, letting the smoke flow out as he did.
"I ran into a situation. And I trust Sano."
"Is that why you showed up late to this meeting bloody?" He looked down at his jacket and back at him. "So much trust you have in your beloved Sano, that he's not even here."
He stood up, pressing the cigarette to an ashtray.
"And neither is the usb. Which was the whole reason for yesterday's shootout."
Battosuai stood up as well. "He'll be here."
"Get out."
"What?"
"I can't stand your face right now. Get out. And take your mission with you."
He slid a manila folder forward.
Kenshin frowned. "But I already have a–"
"I gave it to Lizuka." He pointed to the folder. "New mission. Now get out."
He sat back in his seat.
"And find me that usb!" He yelled as the door closed.
"What," he answered his ringing phone. "Where?" He nodded. "Send me the pictures, I'll be right there."
He tugged on his jacket and walked out. Just in time to see Battousaii walk past a group of two women. And he did not miss the silent words that passed between him and one of the women.
He walked up to them and cleared his throat.
Battousai looked at him.
"Well?" He motioned to the folder Battousai held. "What are you waiting for? Get to it."
Battousai nodded, throwing one last glance at the wide-eyed girl, before running off. And he wondered, how much that girl knew.
"Excuse me?" The other woman said, walking up.
He groaned. "Speak to one of my men, I'm busy right now."
A third head popped out from behind the two women. He rolled his eyes. Great a kid. He did not have the patience for anything else.
"You think we haven't already tried?" The woman with connections to Battousaii said. She reminded him of a tanuki.
"Every time I've come here, I'm brushed off, for not having evidence." The older woman said.
"But guess what, we have evidence now!" Tanuki said.
"Evidence for what."
"A break-in!" Tanuki said.
He sighed and motioned for his secretary to come over.
"I don't have time for this. Take them to Cho."
"We already went to that blond wannabe!" Tanuki yelled.
"And he barely even listened to us!" The older woman said.
He glared at them.
"Listen, we've got several kidnappings and a Battousaii on the loose, I don't blame my men for brushing off a small break-in incident."
"Batt–" Tanuki frowned, catching herself.
He smirked, having just confirmed his hunch.
His phone went off, reminding him of his task.
"I have to go. Install better locks or cameras next time." He looked at his secretary. "See them out will you?"
"Like hell, we're leaving! I bet you're too stupid to even solve our case, much less Battousai's!"
"Kaoru!" The younger of the three whispered.
"Watch your tongue tanuki." He muttered, coming close to her.
Her face contorted into a rage at the name.
He smirked and pushed past them.
A hand grabbed his elbow tightly, and he almost flipped them over his shoulder. Almost. He turned and found the older woman with an insane grip on his elbow.
"Now you listen here, and you listen well. Not only was my restaurant completely wrecked, but my employees were put in harm's way multiple times. By more than one person. Because your men lacked the balls to do anything, even just filing it into the records they refused because it was a 'waste of resources. And now not only does Sanosuke refuse to pay my tabs, and that wretched Gohei have his sights on my restaurant, and that cursed Sanosuke refuse to pay his tabs. But he's now taken a liking to breaking and entering my business, So if you think you or one of your men can brush me off one more time, you've got another thing coming!"
She took a deep breath before continuing.
"Now you're either going to do something about this, or I take this up to your chief supervisor, whoever the hell that is. And I don't think you want to lose your shiny new title do you, Captain Fujita Goro? Lest you forgot you only just transferred here half a year ago, and you still haven't done anything about the gang violence in our city."
He smirked and pulled his arm free. This woman really thought she could threaten him. Remaining unaware of the many dangers he had already saved her, and every other citizen in this wretched city whilst they all slept.
He quirked his eyebrow, but still...
"Sanosuke, you said? As in Sagara Sanosuke?"
"I don't know his last name," the woman said.
"Red bandana, character for bad on the back?"
The woman nodded.
He chuckled and tossed her his business card.
"I don't have time right now," nor patience. "Call me later, so we may discuss the break-in you mentioned."
Both women shared a celebratory look, rolling his eyes, he walked out to his car.
He glanced down at his phone, opening the files. Right now he had more important matters to tend to.
X
After dropping off Tsubame at her house, they were headed to Kaoru's
"Thank you for accompanying me," Tae said. "You were a big help."
"Ah come one, you and I both know you were the one who actually got him to hear us. I only called him stupid."
"And he called you tanuki!" Tae laughed.
"Hey!"
"I can kind of see it too!"
"Tae!"
"Okay okay, why don't we talk about the redhead instead?"
"What about him? There's nothing to say."
Tae gave her a knowing look. "Really? Because those glance between the two of you earlier, say something else."
"Really really."
"Why don't you give him a try?"
"What?! And break up with Enishi? Tae, you know I can't do that." She crossed her arms and looked out the car." Besides Enishi and I, we're hoping to get married after we finish grad school."
"Kaoru." Tae intoned. "You and I both know those are your plans. But what about his? What has he mentioned about it?"
"He's just been busy, with everything. Especially that gala opening lately."
They pulled up to her complex. And Tae turned to her.
"All I'm saying Karou, the two of you have been dating for what seven years, and still he hasn't changed."
"Eight," she muttered.
"Even more the reason!"
"Tae, please not right now."
Tae sighed and unlocked the car.
"Just think about it okay? You don't even have to go out with the redhead, that was just teasing. But Enishi, he just gives me a bad feeling you know?"
"Thank you for driving me home Tae."
"Bye Kaoru."
She waved goodbye to Tae and swiped her access card to her building. Inside, she came across her neighbor.
"Oh hey, Kaoru." He bowed,
"Hey Katsu," she bowed back, smiling.
Katus was always so formal and traditional in her greeting. But she didn't mind, it was a nice change of pace.
"Katsu, the vending machine is stuck again" A man walked up behind Katsu.
She gaped at him. "You!"
"Me?!" The man pointed to himself.
She looked at his spiky hair and his red bandana. And she had no doubts what the back of his white jacket said. She'd recognize him anywhere.
"You broke into the Akabeko last night!"
"You broke into the Akabeko last night?" Katsu yelled.
"You're that chick from last night!"
"Pay up Sanosuke!"
"What?" He yelled back. "How do you know my name!"
"Tae told me all about you. How you never pay your tabs. And you stole cupcakes last night! And you completely wrecked the place last night!"
"You stole something from me!" Sanosuke yelled.
"What are you talking about! I stole nothing!"
"Yes, you did! When I went back it was gone. And you were the last one there."
"You were the one who broke the other windows?!"
"Well, how else was I supposed to get in again?"
"Through the other ones you already broke? Or better yet not break in a second time!"
"And undo all the work you did in covering them up!?"
"You say that like breaking more windows isn't worse!"
"I was in a rush!"
"Guys!" Katsu yelled.
"What!" They both yelled at him.
Katsu motioned to them, and the building. "Calm down!"
"Just give it back!" Sano yelled back, ignoring Katsu.
"I don't have your stupid usb!" she clenched her fists.
He smirked, and leaned back, crossing his arms.
"What?"
"I never said it was a usb,"
She gaped in disbelief; she had just been played by the oldest trick in the books!
"Either way I don't have it." She said, mirroring him.
Fine, two could play that game.
"I know you have it."
"I gave it to the cops earlier when I reported you."
Now he gaped at her. "You reported me!" he yelled.
"You broke in! Twice!"
"It was an accident!"
"Leave or I call the cops on you!" she pulled out her phone.
"Fine, I'll leave! Just tell me, who did you give it to?"
The question took her aback and she froze, unable to think of an answer.
"Well?"
"Uhm... Captain Goro... Goor something."
He cursed and put his hands on his head. "Saito! The meeting! Oh, he's gonna be so pissed!"
He turned to Katsu.
"Gotta go!" he ran out.
"Wait! You still have to pay for," she sighed, he was already gone, "Your tab."
"You know him?" Katsu asked.
"Did you not just listen to our argument?"
She groaned, "Either way, I gotta go too."
"Uhm, see ya?" Katsu said, but she was already running up the stairs.
X
She sat on her bed. Staring at the usb drive.
"What is so special about you huh?"
She said to it, putting it into her laptop, and watched as her mouse icon turned into a small loading circle
"I have a lot of trust that this is not going to give my computer a virus," she said to herself.
A notification popped up,
What would you like to do with this drive?
Open
Import
She clicked on open, and a little folder popped up, giving her previews of several others, all named with dates ranging from the past two years, up until two days ago.
She frowned and clicked on the most recent one.
Input password:
She typed in 'password'
Incorrect
She typed in 'password123'
Incorrect
She typed in several others, all met with the same response.
She groaned, leaning back on her bed.
She checked the time. It wasn't too late...
She dialed his number. He answered on the fifth ring.
"What?"
"Is that any way to greet your sister?"
"Last time I checked you haven't checked in since... New year's, six months ago."
"Hey, give me some slack, I've been busy with school."
"Yeah yeah, whaddaya want.
"Yahiko! How dare you assume I only call for favors!" She shot up in her bed.
His silence spoke enough.
"Ugh, fine. I need help hacking into some files." She said, turning to her computer.
"I take one keyboarding class!"
"You're a smart kid!"
"And you automatically assume I can hack!"
"You have a fancy computer!"
"For video games!"
"Come on Yahiko! Help me out!"
"What do you want me to do busu!"
"Hey! Uncalled for you brat!"
"Let me do my katas in peace woman! Try password or something!"
"I already tried–he hung up!" She huffed.
Closing her laptop, she settled in her bed.
"Unbelievable, what a little brat." She mumbled, laying back down on her bed.
Enishi was also a bit of a techie, he might be able to help her. She laughed, no way, he was to busy nowadays.
A knock sounded at her door, interrupting her thoughts. Quiet and polite.
It could only really be one of two people, Enishi or Megumi. But given that Megumi was still in her summer classes, and Enishi was still busy with the gala for tomorrow, she had no idea who else it could be.
"Maybe Tae?" she whispered, looking through the peephole. She was met with a mass of red hair.
Opening the door, but leaving the door chain, she peeked out.
"Bat-Kenshin?"
"Ms. Kaoru," He nodded in greeting.
"Hold on,"
She closed the door, unlocked it, and opened it again.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to thank you."
"Thank me?"
"For last night." He cleared his throat. "Here," he said, thrusting an envelope into her hands.
"What's–" she paused, in the envelope was a stack of hundred-dollar bills.
She looked up at him, and back down at the money. There was enough to pay her rent and utilities for three months, and still have plenty leftover.
She shook her head and handed it back to him.
"Here, I don't need it."
He tilted his head, giving her a look, and pushed it back in her hands. "No take it, it's my thanks to you."
"All I did was bandage an old wound," she shook her head, "And that is a very large amount of money for just bandaging a wound."
She pushed it back to his hands.
"Then take it as compensation for putting you in danger last night, and for all the troubles you took in bringing me up four flights of stairs."
He pushed it back to her.
"No Kenshin. I can't. That's way too much money."
She pushed it back.
"Besides you didn't really put me in danger, I happened to run into you. So you're not really at fault here."
He opened his mouth to speak, but she raised her index finger towards him.
"No! I don't want to hear it. I'm sure you have more need for it than I do."
"I assure you–"
"Nope!" she covered her ears. "Can't hear you!"
He sighed and stared at her.
She stared back.
His grumbling stomach ended the silence.
She laughed, "You want to come in? I can't cook very well, but I can make some passable sandwiches."
"Oh no, I don't want to be much of a bother."
"Oh, please, you aren't, come on." She stepped aside, letting him in.
He smiled, "I suppose, I could have one?"
She smiled. "One sandwich coming right up. You don't have any allergies do you?"
He shook his head.
"Will do, feel free to sit down anywhere," she motioned to her living room.
X
He was seated on her couch when she came out.
"Here you go, I hope tuna is fine?"
"Tuna is fine," he said, taking the plate.
She stared anxiously, as he took the first bite.
Immediately, his eyes went wide, and his downturned mouth clenched.
"Oh, I knew it, it's bad isn't it?"
He smiled with furrowed brows. "No! It's good! It has a... rather unique and interesting taste."
She covered her face and moaned.
"I'm so sorry. I knew I shouldn't have added that ranch in."
"Ranch and tuna do taste quite good though." He said, taking another bite. "What else did you add to it?"
"Soy sauce," she deadpanned.
He chuckled, "So that's what that was."
"You don't have to keep eating it you know?" She said, trying to take his plate.
He took it back. "No, it's good really. And I was hungry."
She harrumphed and plopped down next to him.
"Hey, I heard what happened to the Akabeko."
"Oh, that?" she sighed. "Yeah, it's all because of those stupid gang fights. They escalate further each day, and the police refuse to do anything about them."
"Were you–did you get caught up in it?" he asked quietly.
She shook her head. "No, it happened long after I left."
He nodded, finishing his sandwich.
Why she felt the need to lie to him, she didn't know. Two lies in one day. She chuckled to herself. She was playing a dangerous game.
"Hey,"
She looked up.
"Thanks also for earlier. At the station. For not saying anything about..."
She nodded "Yeah, yeah no problem."
"Which speaking of," she tapped her chin. "Do you work for the cops?"
He sighed, "In a manner of speaking yes."
"Do they know that... you know, you're–"
"Ms. Kaoru, it's truly best if you don't know, I don't want to put you in any more danger than you already know just knowing my identity."
She looked away, cursing herself for her nosiness.
"Yeah, no that's fine. Completely understand."
His phone rang, and he breathed out.
"I've got to go. Thank you for the food, it was delicious."
She stood up with him. "Okay, I'll see you out."
She wiped off her pants and followed him to the door.
He took out a crumpled paper and wrote something on it.
"Listen, I know you didn't take the money, and you probably want to be as least associated with me as possible now that you know that I'm..." he sighed. "Point is, here's my number. If you are ever in trouble or need any help in anything, don't hesitate. Okay?"
She took the paper and nodded. "Thank you."
She opened the door.
"I take it I'm not going to see you at the Akabeko anymore?"
He paused and stiffly turned to her.
"Well no, not unless you..." he trailed off.
She smiled, looking down. "It's nice having someone to talk to, and you make things less boring at work."
He returned her smile, "Well I guess I'll see you there."
"When it opens again," she added.
He laughed and nodded. "Yes, when it opens again."
She nodded and waved as he headed out.
She didn't see the envelope until after she had done the dishes. It had been lying on her coffee table the whole time.
She gaped, reaching down to grab it. A quick look inside confirmed it to be the same one from earlier.
"That sneaky little–" She yelped, as she bit her tongue.
Running to her balcony, she saw the stupid redhead mounting a motorcycle.
"Kenshin you self-pretentious sneaky jerk! Come back here and take your money!" She yelled.
He looked up, at her raised fist. And while she couldn't hear it, it was clear that his bending over, was not in pain but in laughter. Shaking his head, he turned on his motorcycle and drove off. Raising a silent hand in a wave.
Next Update: 12-11-21
In which the gala night finally arrives, Gohei pays a visit, and Kaoru pays a price for her snoopiness. Until next time :)
A/N: Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! And if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, hope you guys had a great past Thursday lol.