The Greyest of Blue Skies

By Night Imp

Chapter 2

It has been brought to my attention that the black-haired ninja woman (whom I decided to name 'Miyae') was actually Susumu I the show…that kinda throws a kink in my plans but oh well…there were a lot of things that kind of escaped me when I watched PMK (and apparently that was one of them) and on top of that, it's been about a year since I've seen it. Thanks so much to Sahara for letting me know! And sorry to everyone for the confusion…I guess Miyae is an OC after all ( .

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Akesato decided to the walk to the police station the next morning. The station was, after all, only four blocks away. Besides, it was sunny, and it would help her to become more familiarized with the city than riding around in a cab.

There were less people around than she had expected, and many shops were still closed. She pulled her coat around her a little tighter- it may have been sunny, but it was still chilly- and turned the corner. Still, nothing looked familiar. She sighed. That man…what was his name? Akito…Akira…oh yes, Okita…he was probably right. She would probably leave this city knowing nothing more than when she arrived. But at least she would try, and that was certainly an improvement over doing nothing.

Across the street, Susumu sat on the roof and watched.

The secretary looked up from her typewriter and greeted Akesato with a warm smile. "May I help you?"

"Yes, I'm Officer Yoshida, I'm here to…"

"Oh yes, the woman detective!" The woman interrupted with a slightly more forced smile. "I was told we were expecting you." The smile faltered slightly. "I must say…you're taking a lot of chances coming down here…"Akesato started to ask the woman what she meant, but the other's smile brightened again and she resumed her speech. "No matter though, you look like you can handle yourself. Lieutenant Okita's desk is all the way back on the left, in front of that glass office there." She pointed to where she was referring. "He will be able to help you with whatever you need. My name is Ayumu, by the way, I'm also here if you need anything."

Akesato nodded and thanked Ayumu before proceeding to the long-haired Lieutenant, who was currently speaking into a phone. He cut his conversation short when he noticed her approaching, and had hung up by the time she stopped in front of his desk.

"Miss Yoshida, it is a pleasure to see you again."

'Officer Yoshida, and I had hoped to speak with Toshizo Hijikata."

"I beg your pardon…officer." He replied to the correction. "Captain Hijikata is busy at the moment, but if you would like to wait, you're more than welcome to have a seat." He gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk. "Would you like some coffee?"

"That would be nice, thank you." She answered as she sat down.

He stood and walked to a small room not far from his desk, and called back to her from the doorway. "How do you like it?"

"Black, please."

Akesato noticed that the door to the office behind Okita's desk bore a plaque with the title 'Captain T. Hijikata' emblazoned on it. Through the large interior window (or glass wall; she wasn't entirely sure how to classify it) she could see the man inside was on the phone. Okita returned with two mugs, handing one to her. She thanked him and sipped it, keeping one eye on Hijikata.

"While I'm waiting, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask you about a few of these names. If I can find them, they might give me some sort of lead."

Okita nodded and clasped his hands on his desk.

"Did you know my father?" She asked as she pulled a slip of paper, along with a pen and notepad, from her purse.

Okita cocked his head slightly to one side. "I met him when I was young, I'm afraid I don't remember him too well though."

She nodded and looked at the slip of paper. "Do you know anyone by the name Keisuke Yamanami?"

"Oh! Why yes, he's one of our detectives! He's not here right now though, he might be back later, otherwise check back tomorrow and I'll introduce him to you."

She smiled and nodded. "Thank you. What about a woman named Miyae?"

Okita thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Nothing comes to mind."

She nodded, and ventured another name. "Yamazaki?"

Okita paused, slightly surprised. "Ah…yes…actually…" He debated the merits of telling her about Susumu. He knew the man did not like his privacy invaded, and she probably would get more information from Ayumu, anyway. But still… "Our secretary, I believe you already met her? Ayumu. She's married to Hijikata, now."

"Oh really?" Akesato glanced back over her should at Ayumu.

"Um…there's…also her brother, Susumu."

"Susumu?"

"Yes…" They both glanced at Hijikata, who was now off the phone. "Hijikata could no doubt tell you more than I can." He gestured for her to follow him as he rose and knocked at the door. He was answered by more of a grunt than an actual response. He opened the door and entered, Akesato close behind.

"Toshi?"

"I'm busy." He remained focused on paperwork in his hand, smoking his pipe, his back turned to them.

"Officer Akesato Yoshida would like to speak with you."

Hijikata turned around sharply, taking the pipe out of his mouth and setting the paperwork down. He stared at them for a moment. "Sit down, Yoshida."

Akesato sat across from his desk and Okita retreated outside, closing the door behind him.

"What do you want? Hijikata asked.

"I want to know what happened to my father."

Hijikata leaned back and closed his eyes, the pipe back in his mouth. For several minutes he was silent. Akesato had the feeling that he had not been told anything about her coming.

"So you're an officer." He finally said.

"Yes."

"How on earth did a woman get into the police academy?"

"Someone owed my father a favor."

Again, he was silent. Looking at him now, she began to remember him. He would come over to her father's house quite often. Her father would send her to play in her room, and he and Hijikata would sit and talk quietly for hours in the den.

"Just what do you expect to find here after eighteen years?"

"Some sort of answer."

He opened his eyes and regarded her.

"I have some names. Someone has to know something." She continued. "You, Keisuke Yamanami, Miyae…" He frowned, and she eyed him curiously. "You know something of Miyae, don't you?"

"Nothing. Are those all the names?"

"Ayumu and Susumu Yamazaki."

Hijikata thought for a moment. He was not about to let her interrogate Ayumu. But Susumu…Susumu didn't know much of anything significant about the disappearance. And as resourceful as this girl seemed to be, it was possible that she would be able to find him. Perhaps he could put her to use and let her lead him to wherever it was that his little spy had disappeared to. Hijikata fought back the urge to smile. She was certainly a bother, but at least now he had a use for her.

"I think your best bet would be Susumu."

"Really?"

"If anyone could tell you something, it would be him."

"Where can I find him?"

That is what you're going to be telling me. "I'll give you his last address." He got out a piece of paper and started writing it down from memory.

"When was the last time you saw my father?"

He frowned at the sudden interrogation. "The day before he disappeared, here at the precinct. I'm afraid I know just as little as you, Yoshida." He handed her the piece of paper, hoping to get her out of his office. "This is the man you want to find."

---

Okita walked slowly through the park, and eventually sat on a bench facing toward the bay, though you couldn't see it through the thick afternoon fog. Seagulls could be heard overhead, and a few waddled around on the grass in front of him.

"So who is she?" A woman's voice asked from behind him. Okita turned around and smiled at the lovely female façade of Susumu.

"Who, the blonde woman? You must be getting lazy in your retirement, you're actually asking me instead of finding out yourself."

Okita giggled. Susumu only glared at him in response and sat down on the bench next to him.

"Her name is Akesato Yoshida." Okita said.

"Any relation to Toshimaru?"

"Yes. His daughter."

Susumu smiled slightly. "Of all the women out there, you go and choose Yoshida's daughter."

Okita looked surprised. "Huh? Oh, oh I'm not dating her, if that's what you think. No, she's here to find out what happened to her father."

"Oh dear. Hijikata must not be very happy."

Okita shook his head. "No, he wasn't."

They were both silent. The fog crept in further off the bay and the seagulls flew off. A young man strolled by, hands in his pockets and a cigarette hanging from his lips.

"Ayumu has been asking about you."

"I'm sure."

"What can I tell her?"

"Nothing."

Okita looked at Susumu, but said nothing and turned to look at the ground. "It breaks her heart, you know," He glanced at Susumu again; Susumu only stared straight ahead. "Well, I should get going."

Okita stood and walked away. Susumu glanced at his receding form before the fog caused him to disappear.

"Yeah, I know it does." He murmured softly to himself. He sat there for a moment longer before slowly standing, smoothing his dress and heading back to his home. He was not looking forward to it. But then, rarely in his life had he ever looked forward to returning home. He had never had a reason to.

When he and Karen were together, he had a reason. For that short while, home was where he actually had wanted to be. Now it was only cold, and empty. He could handle the dark and the quiet, but it was the cold and emptiness that got to him.

He crossed the street and continued on, stopping at a crosswalk to wait for a car to pass. He studied the street ahead of him, and continued on. Across the street, some men outside a bar whistled to him, shouting catcalls. He ignored them and continued on.

It was some blocks later when he noticed Akesato a short ways ahead, walking into a small store. On a whim, he followed her in. Keeping one eye on her, he wandered around the store, trying to think of something he might actually need to buy, while studying the real reason he went into the store. Up close, he decided that she was quite pretty. Her blond hair was pulled back in a bun, and she wore a knee-length, conservative brown plaid dress with low-heeled brown shoes. When she headed to the counter to pay, he picked a random item off the shelf and fell in line behind her. She set her purse on the counter and took her wallet out to pay, but a few stray papers found their way out with her wallet and onto the ground. Susumu bent and picked them up.

"Oh, thank you." Akesato laughed slightly as he handed them to her. He simply smiled in response. She looked at him for a moment longer before turning back to pay. She gathered up her purse and purchase and turned to leave, but stopped and turned to Susumu. "You know, you have really pretty eyes."

He blinked in surprise. "Oh…thank you."

She smiled and walked out. Susumu watched her leave.

---

Living in San Francisco like I now am, I no longer have an excuse not to visit Oakland (other than lack of time), and therefore I will try to do so soon so I can hopefully describe the surroundings more accurately, kay? )

Hm, rather dull chappie, yes? And short, too. But never fear! There's more to come!