Ga Rei Hime
Sixteen
Sara Gallager REALLY enjoyed the feel of riding on the motorcycle. Holding on to Natsuki through her leathers, the rumble of the engine between her legs... it was a hell of a thing. Sadly, she saw they were near the target.
"Turn in here," Sara said in Natsuki's ear as she pointed.
Natsuki pulled in, parked the bike, then they walked up the road to the cozy looking cottage at the edge of town.
"It's like a country cottage out of a story," Sara found herself noting.
"Yeah," Natsuki said, "but why here? In the warehouse district?"
Sara paused, then nodded, "It IS weird, isn't it?"
Natsuki squinted at the house, then shook her head. "Yeah, it feels very weird," she said. She looked at Sara, "What was the plan?"
"Was going to just do a knock on the door and check things out," Sara admitted.
"With me along in case things get crazy," Natsuki noted.
"Pretty much," Sara agreed.
Natsuki looked at the building. It really gave off a profound sense of wrongness, but it was hard to pin down why.
"Hmm?" Sara asked.
Natsuki shook herself. "Well, let's see if anyone even answers the door," she nodded. She looked over the micro-skirt and sexy clothes Sara were in, "Are you even armed?"
"I have my gun, promise," Sara smiled smugly. She hiked up her skirt, showing her panties AND a gun.
Natsuki blushed furiously.
"Come on," Sara smirked as they headed up the walk to the cabin.
Sara had to agree, there really was a odd vibe to the place. It LOOKED just like a cute little house you'd find in a country viillage. But it was sitting in the industrial area of town, and there were no other homes around. Why would you just have one lot with a house there?
Sara knocked on the cheery yellow front door, noting it felt like solid wood.
"Coming," a woman's voice cafe from inside.
"I bet...," Sara murmured.
"Bad girl," Natsuki chided.
Sara smirked.
"Oh, you're new," the redhead noted as she opened the door. She looked them over, "Couples are extra, but you two are hot so I can swing a discount."
"Actually, I'm a cop," Sara said briskly.
The door opened wider and the redhead revealed she was very busty, and dressed in skimpy lingere. "In THAT outfit, honey?" the woman drawled.
Sara produced her ID, making the woman raised her eyebrows. "Give me a second," she turned and walked inside.
"Sara," Natsuki asked quietly, "What does she look like?"
"Huh?" Sara blinked, "Redhead, racked."
Natsuki paused. "I'm seeing a slim blonde," she said.
Sara looked at her in alarm, "Well, I guess we know she's supernatural at least."
"Or psychic," Natsuki agreed.
The woman sauntered back, pulling a robe on. Even though Sara KNEW something weird was going on, she still looked like a redhead bombshell.
Natsuki pulled one of her anti-supernatural pistols and pointed at the woman's head.
"That's a bit much on the first date," the woman blurted.
"You're doing something to us psychically," Natsuki said flatly, "stop it."
"I...," she started.
"NOW. Or I blow your brains out," Natsuki ordered.
The gorgeous woman vanished, leaving behind a still attractive brown haired woman. She was hard to guess at the age, but maybe thirties? And she still had a nice figure, just not as exaggerated as it had been before.
"Happy now?" the woman sighed.
Natsuki lifted her gun, "Yes, actually."
Sara puffed out a sigh. "Actually, we were just here to try to talk with you," she noted, "do you remember a buttoned-up type named Smith?"
"SERIOUSLY?" the woman laughed, "Do you know how many Smiths I get?"
"We have a photo," Sara sighed.
The strange woman rolled her eyes dramatically, "For god sakes... come in."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Mai Tokhia tried not to pay too much attention to Mikoto, who was driving them to the possible target. GOD the tall young woman was yummy tho. Just her type.
"You're drooling," Nao teased, sitting beside her in back.
Mai flushed and went to wipe her mouth, then realized Nao was messing with her.
"Sucker," Nao chuckled wickedly. She then asked Shizuru, "Do we know what we might be dealing with?"
"Sadly, no," Shizuru said, "though according to the Police Chief, this woman's appearance varies wildly."
"Shapechanger? I goddam hate shapechangers," Nao sighed.
"We could have you bind up everybody, then figure out who's who," Mai offered.
Nao scowled, "My thread binding's not that powerful, remember."
"There's Ms Kasuga's bike," Shizuru pointed to the vehicle sitting by a warehouse.
"I'll pull in beside it," Mikoto said, parking her jeep.
All four got out, and Mikoto readied her sword while Shizuru unfolded her blade.
"Are we straight up attacking the house?" Mai asked, flexing her fingers. She manifested her fire magic through her hands...
"We should investigate first," Shizuru decided.
"Not that you don't want to ride to Natsuki's rescue," Nao teased her.
Shizuru pointedly ignored that.
They came around the warehouses, then advanced towards a slightly shabby looking house. It had clearly seen better days, thought it seemed someone was taking care of it. They reached the door, then Shizuru knocked firmly.
It swung open a little, the knock a bit muffled.
"Let's go in," Nao shoved the door open.
"Wait..," Mai grabbed at her but Nao barged in.
"Come on," Shizuru ordered as they hurried after her. They went up a short hall, turned...
Three women were sitting at the kitchen table, drinking tea. Sara and Natsuki looked fine, and the third woman looked annoyed.
"Friends of yours?" the mystery woman demanded.
"Not really," Sara said dryly.
"They're... associates of ours," Natsuki said quickly.
"Ah thought you might be in trouble," Shizuru drawled.
"I don't do groups," the third woman noted. She paused, "Not without paying a LOT extra."
Mai felt herself blush as the woman looked her over in particular.
"Miss Lilith, please," Sara sighed.
"Anyway," Lilith turned to Natsuki and Sara, "YES I occasionally saw your guy Smith. But I didn't kill him."
Sara made a face, "We'll be keeping a eye on you."
"Voyeur is also extra," Lilith drawled.
"Grrr," Sara made a frustrated noise as she got up.
"Thank you for your help," Natsuki said politely.
Lilith smiled sunnilly at Natsuki as she said, "YOU are welcome to come back anytime, tall dark and handsome."
Mai literally could HEAR Shizuru grinding her teeth at that.
"Let's get out of here," Mai said, and they followed Sara and Natsuki out.
"You very nearly fucked things up for us," Sara muttered to Shizuru as they left.
"Your CHIEF called us, you went in without backup," Shizuru answered calmly.
"Hmph," Sara growled.
"Wasn't that a Entity?" Nao asked as they got outside. "Isn't our job as Hunters to...?"
"NAO!" Mai scolded.
Sara addressed Nao, "She at least appears to be harmless. I won't condone what amounts to murder..."
"Easy, both of you," Mai tried to calm things down.
To be continued...
