Ga Rei Hime

Twelve

Jokingly called a professional 'scary grandmother' and current head of the Agency, Fujiko Mine got the report on Natsuki and the situation in Fuka. While she didn't like the situation, she had to agree: Fuka was a potential crisis and they needed to keep an eye on it.

"But leaving four Hunters there?" Miyu Greer asked, her assistant looking a little alarmed. They were both in her office, Fujiko behind her desk, Miyu sitting in front.

Well, she was an assistant and body guard. Like many employees of the 'office' part of the Agency, she was a former Hunter, having lost her arm in the line of duty. The weapons guy had build her an artificial hand with a spring loaded concealed sword.

YES, she can shiv you with a muscle twitch.

"With no disrespect to Shizuru, Mai and Nao, they're not exactly the best of our best," Fujiko noted. "And Rena Sayers has constantly asked for more back-up."

"Point," Miyu admitted, having seen many of Rena's requests. She added, "I did prepare that report on Fuka you asked for..."

Fujiko sat back, "Hit me."

"It was founded by a family named the Kazahanas. They actually deliberately chose the location because of the naturally occuring supernatural vortex there," Miyu noted. "They apparently thought they could do a magic ritual to call down a 'Red Star' of some sort."

"Wasn't the area hit with a meteor strike at one point? Last century? I understand it flattened the whole area," Fujiko recalled.

"Apparently they succeeded?" Miyu shrugged slightly. She continued reading, "Anyway... the University was founded, and the town has a long reputation for occult stuff. That, and a lot of spiritual monsters of course."

"Isn't the Mayor of Fuka Mashiro Kazahana?" Fujiko noted, frowning.

"Yes, and she's apparently a direct descendant of the occultists," Miyu answered dryly. "We have no evidence she's up to anything, but Rena is keeping an eye on it."

"Remind her to keep us updated," Fujiko rubbed her eyes. "The combination of a historical cult with everything else we're dealing with can't be good."

"Yes ma'am," Miyu made a note. "Is there anything else?" she asked.

"That's it for now," Fujiko smiled wryly, watching as the young woman left the office.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Mashiro Kazahana listened as her Deputy Mayor explained. "Wait," the purple haired woman blinked, "the Hunters are staying?"

Haruka Suzushiro sighed, "Yes Miss. Apparently something about the city is connected to their ghost hunting."

Yukino was there too, taking notes. "Problem, ma'am?" she asked.

Mashiro sighed too as she said, "No, not specifically. I'm just concerned it will disturb the peaceful life in our city."

Haruka rather doubted that, but she wasn't going to argue the point.

Reading through her reports Mashiro noted, "So we think John Smith didn't just run off with the stolen money?"

"He might be a victim of whatever is hunting hookers and their clients," Haruka agreed. "That is not confirmed," she added, "but the police are looking into it."

"I don't envy the poor cop digging into that," Mashiro mused.

In another part of town, Sara Gallagher sneezed.

Yukino observed, "I strongly suspect it'll end up being leaked to the media too. We should be prepared to deal with inquiries."

Haruka groaned softly, knowing that would likely fall to her and Yukino.

Mashiro gave her a sympathetic look. "Is there anything new that's come up?" she asked as the meeting wound down.

Yukino did the dirty work, "We are almost certainly going to have to ask for a budget increase when City Council next meets."

"No one wants to hear that," Mashiro grouched.

"Agreed, but wages go up, as do costs," Haruka shrugged. "Short of firing staff and not replacing them, which I do NOT advise, we need more money," she said bluntly.

"Make up a good presentation," Mashiro said, "lots of official looking graphs and whatnot. We'll have to sell them on it."

"Will do," Yukino agreed.

"Well, that wraps things up," Mashiro said, and ended the meeting. Both women left, and Mashiro rang for her helper.

"Yes, ma'am?" Fumi Himeno smiled warmly, the tall woman wearing a maid outfit.

"Is lunch ready? I'm hungry all of a sudden," Mashiro admitted.

"Of course, ma'am...," Fumi agreed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Miss Kasuga...," Shizuru Fujino started.

Natsuki winced slightly, "Just call me Natsuki. Please."

The day after their encounter at the police station, the group of Hunters, Rena Sayers and Natsuki were meeting in one of the city's many coffee shops. They had various things to go over, including how they might go about working together.

Shizuru smiled slightly, looking at Natsuki thoughtfully. "Then please call me Shizuru," she purred, putting her hand over Natsuki's.

Nao and Mai exchanged an amused look. While Shizuru was career focused and kept her mind on the job, she also has a type. Stoic, serious, and tall, dark and handsome. And they figured Natsuki was pressing ALL her buttons.

Natsuki blinked, then continued, "So, your Agency has agreed not to kill me?"

"We weren't going to kill you...," Mai started.

"Eh. Exorcising her would kill her," Nao cut her off. "Don't kid yourself."

"LADIES," Rena Sayers sighed.

"Sorry," Mai and Nao chorused as Shizuru sighed.

"Anyway," Rena turned back to Natsuki, "YES, we've contacted our superiors and the order to grab you is rescinded."

Natsuki nodded, "Fair enough." She continued, "I've mostly been working in assisting the local cops. There's also the missing person's case..."

Shizuru nodded attentively, smiling at Natsuki.

"Er...," Natsuki shifted uncomfortably.

Mai bit back a chuckle. "We do normally work seperate from the police," she pointed out.

"Actually, we might consider working with them," Rena said. She looked at little sheepish, "Not long ago I ended up nearly being shot by an undercover cop."

"What?" Nao blinked.

"Long story," Rena added.

:Well, the chief suggested we work with Officer Gallagher," Shizuru shrugged, "that should work." She smiled at Natsuki as her voice dropped to a purr, "And I'm sure you can help."

Natsuki looked away nervously. "I should.. go check on things. Stuff," she said hurriedly. She got up, "Excuse me."

"I think you scared her off," Nao quipped once she was gone.

"NAO," Mai growled.

Rena sipped her coffee, "Cut Natsuki some slack. Her squad of government spooks got murdered, she was decapitated, came back from the dead and now she's just trying to cope."

"oh," Nao said quietly, having not really considered all that

"AND she kind of assumed we Hunters were all out to kill her," Mai added.

Shizuru looked remarkably sheepish.

Somewhat impishly Rena added, "You also have competition."

"What." Shizuru said flatly.

"Our liaison officer, Miss Gallagher, wants to work VERY closely with her," Rena offered. She did not mention her own confused feelings around Natsuki...

"Ah see," Shizuru murmured, frowning.

"On to other things," Mai decided to change the subject as she observed, "we can't camp out at that little hotel forever."

"It's hard to bring someone home to band with these two prudes next door," Nao added.

"Hey," Mai made a face.

"We will need a local base of operations," Shizuru agreed. She looked at Rena, "Could you assist us in finding somewhere to rent?"

Rena burst into laughter.

"I take it rentals are tight?" Shizuru sighed.

"This is a university town. Rentals are ALWAYS tight," Rena was still chuckling. "I'll see what I can do," she added.

To be continued...