Reconstruction

By: Aviantei

Chapter Twelve

Report I

"Seriously, thanks," Goro said as he walked into the lab. Setsuko didn't even go to question his words, mostly because she wasn't even looking at him. Goro rolled his eyes at both himself and her—he knew she kept sensors around that sent her alerts when people came in—and strolled over to her chair, turning Setsuko around with a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you," he reiterated, making sure to distinguish each syllable with his lips.

I'm not stupid, came the immediate response, words flashing across the nearby laptop screen. If you're that worried about me not understanding, just use sign language. Then, to prove her point, with a flash of fingers, Setsuko signed, Jackass.

"Sorry, sorry," Goro said, resuming his normal speaking pace. "I just can't get used to talking without sound." Setsuko provided him with a glare and a middle finger, spinning her chair around to return to her work. "Hey, hey, hey, wait a minute." Goro turned the chair back around. "I came here to thank you, not start a fight, come on."

You sure have a funny way of showing it, Setsuko signed, unable to easily reach for her computer. You've thanked me, though, so I'd say go if I didn't know you won't until you tell me what for.

"It's this camera." Goro pulled the piece of tech from its bag, as if Setsuko didn't know what he was talking about. Deadpan expression, she let him continue, "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Man, I have so much data you wouldn't believe. Of course, I guess the data's just as subjective as I am, since it's technically what I found of interest. But you see, that's the thing: pictures are almost like letting someone into your head—I mean, the photographer's. It's like, I can't put my thoughts on the image into it, but for a flash, you get to see what I see, the exact vision from my eyes, and we can know we're looking at the same thing, right?"

I don't want to see a damn thing that goes on in your head. Goro frowned. Really, Setsuko just didn't get it. Sure, she couldn't sense the world the exact same way, but her vision was perfectly fine. Besides, it was the idea behind it that counted, that humans could understand each other even just a little bit. If you've got so much data, shouldn't you report on it? Besides, you're just complimenting me so I'll keep building you better cameras. Loser.

"Oh, you saw through it?" Goro asked, returning his precious cargo to its bag. Of course, he hadn't exactly been trying to hide the intention, either. "But it's not just the picture-taking part. High class hacking enough to get past the security at Ashinaka Gakuen, too. You're our little genius for sure."

Enough, Setsuko signed, her movements growing more forceful. She pointed to the line of spare computers—outdated models, according to her standards—and turned back to whatever circuit board she was building. Tell the boss, not me, she added, words in bold characters across the computer screen.

"Right, right," Goro said, even though she couldn't hear him. Settling down at the computer, he connected his camera, quickly working on sorting out the pictures he had taken for the day. The processing speed was far beyond his personal computer (which Setsuko had also built for him, meaning she was holding out), condensing the process into an hour. From there, he backed everything up on the Setsukumo, only leaving the actual typing of his reports. It was easily the most annoying part, but it had to be done.

If Goro had had his way, he could have easily spent the whole night watching the Strain boy, but sometimes sacrifices had to be made. Goro was content with his current lifestyle, and doing his job was required for it. And while a stake out could have easily counted as work, he had been asked to report in, so there wasn't much choice.

It's not that big of a deal, though, he considered, typing up the necessary details and connecting them to his photos. The boy on the screen ran through the city, his eyes easily sticking out, even from afar—a blazing electric blue. He probably won't leave his little hole except to procure food. Even then, he'll still be there tomorrow. And if not, I just have to follow the blackouts.

It started as a snicker, then Goro just let himself laugh. It wasn't like Setsuko would tell him to shut up anyways.

Next was the report on the Suoh Mikoto's memorial at Ashinaka Gakuen. This one was easy enough to pass by with his photos and just a few descriptors, nothing too heavy. Once both of those were submitted, he had a few other minor photo jobs to send to their respective clients, then update his archives with the new stock photos. Satisfied that everything was where it needed to be—personal or otherwise—Goro cleared the data from his camera, leaving the memory cards blank.

A fresh start.

Closing out all his programs and trying to reset the computer (it was Setsuko's rule to preserve RAM space), the email program forcibly rebooted, and the newest message opened.

To: Jackass
From: Himura-sama
Subject: You're a jackass

Don't underestimate me. I can hack into the Gold King's Palace before the computer even knows what happened.

Goro chuckled, closing the window and completing his task. Passing by Setsuko, he ruffled her hair, resulting in a dull punch to his back en route to the door. "We're counting on it," he said, pleased with his work.

"Eh, you're hard at work. Isn't it pretty late for this sort of thing?"

In all honesty, Goro had come to the room more out of curiosity than anything, but he would also take being able to talk to Sugawara. In contrast to Setsuko, the woman was more old-fashioned, currently sketching and scribbling out notes on papers scattered across the table. Goro took a picture, and almost regretted not taking one of Setsuko for contrast.

Which would be an option if she wouldn't shut down any piece of tech she's ever given me as punishment. I wouldn't even get any of it back.

"I had some personal business interrupt me earlier," she said, looking up the slightest amount. Goro snapped a second photo, and several others after it. Sugawara didn't bother to stop it. Really, the only person that did anything when they had a problem was Setsuko, and that was because she had the influence to back it up. "So I'm making up for lost time. Don't be a distraction, kay?"

"Yes, ma'am." Goro had gotten most of his playfulness out of the way with Setsuko. When it came to other people at this point, he really didn't give a damn. He should probably go to bed at the moment, but leaving his memory card with a number of files that could be measured in double or even triple digits didn't rest easy with him. Even now, all he wanted was some good shots, and had just come to Sugawara's lab because it was the most photogenic place close to home.

Snagging a few more pictures of Sugawara before moving on, Goro cataloged his trip to the back of the room. It was a bit messy, and Goro had to watch his step, but soon enough he was at the table, setting his camera to multiple shots per click. He wanted to record the moment to the millisecond, but actually taking video was out of the question. The only way he could probably take pictures faster was by willing the images into existence.

Actually, maybe I should get Setsuko to work on that for me.

On the table was an adult woman, unconscious. She was naked f, but Goro didn't care about any of that. He could feel the influence seeping off of her, the coiling blackness of her entire person being manipulated. There was no way to put that into a picture, but Goro tried. He needed photographic evidence to match up with his memory. Really, Sugawara was the best at this sort of thing. If Goro wasn't completely satisfied by his camera, he would be jealous.

"Ahh, Sugawara-chan, you're the best," he said, breaking the silence. Really, track and kidnap a few people? It wasn't even a question when you got to see something like this. "Who needs other people anyways? You know exactly how to erase them from existence."

"Well, I'm still nowhere on the level of Kuwabara-san," Sugawara said, raising her voice enough to be heard on the opposite end of the room. "But we're definitely making progress. We should be able to have a fully prepared test vessel soon."

Goro whistled in appreciation. Seriously, everything seemed to be progressing great, at a rate he couldn't even believe. There really wasn't a better time to be alive, and he really believed that. Still snapping pictures of the experiment on the table, he added, "Ah man, I'm really looking forward to it, you know. Just thinking about the future makes me excited. Hey, Sugawara-chan, would you maybe consider carrying around a camera for me?"

"Fujioka-nai, what did I say about being a nuisance?"

Without any semblance of an apology, Goro shut his mouth. She would probably be more talkative later, or maybe she wouldn't. The amount that people wanted to deal with him varied, and Goro didn't blame them. He didn't feel a single thing about it, because words were useless, and people were two-faced, so it was better to just rely on images, preserved in data or ink as truth.

Still, Sugawara-chan, I really am looking forward to it. I promise you.

Saruhiko wasn't really looking forward to it, but work was work, and the fact was that Awashima was busy, so reporting to Munakata—the only remaining person above Saruhiko in rank—was the only option. Taking out the Green Clan members served as some stress relief, but nowhere near enough to erase the itch under his skin, the irritation.

At this rate, Saruhiko was probably going to tear open his burn scars.

Lowering his hand from the reddened skin, SCEPTER4's third in command stepped into Munakata's office. The man was at his desk, a jigsaw puzzle capturing half of his attention, a myriad of digital video feeds holding precedence with the other. Briefly considering just leaving (and dismissing it for the scolding he would probably receive later), Saruhiko cleared his throat.

Munakata looked up at the sound, minimizing the videos with a wave of his hand, though they still played in miniature at the corner of his desk. Saruhiko began, just wanting to go and tear something up to relieve his frustration already.

Preferably that bitch's limbs from her torso.

"I was unable to find any substantial evidence at the scene to tie back to the Strain's identity," he said. "However, I ran into several complications. Misa—tch, HOMRA's Yatagarasu was there, along with two women I've never seen before. During the conflict, several members of Yggdrasil arrived as well. The Yatagarasu and the women escaped, and I disabled all but one of the Green Clansmen. Considering their status, I left them be." He paused, knowing there was one more thing he should mention. "Also Misaki did some damage to the van I was using. You should get that looked at."

Munakata didn't seem to care about the last bit anyway, a pathetic expression forming on the Captain's face. "HOMRA…" he muttered. Oh, fuck off, Saruhiko thought. If anyone had the right to feel bad, it was him, and he didn't. Where did Munakata get off acting like he had lost something important? "And Yggdrasil as well?" Saruhiko provided the minimal nod. "Their interest is a given, but the Red Clan…"

Saruhiko had to agree with that. The Green Clan tended to stick their noses into the places where Strains showed up. HOMRA, on the other hand, didn't really worry about that sort of thing. For the past month, they had been assumed disbanded. Saruhiko hadn't gotten the chance to ask about it, either—not that Misaki would have told him anything. "We just have to assume that it has to do with whatever they're working on now," he said, dissatisfied that was the extent his conclusion would reach.

"Yes," Munakata agreed, probably not satisfied, either. Still maintaining the professionalism of a King, he switched the topic. "And you mentioned two women? Did you recognize them? Were they perhaps Red Clansmen?"

A click of the tongue couldn't possibly convey all the frustration Saruhiko felt, but it echoed throughout the room anyways. "Definitely not." Munakata raised an eyebrow. "They weren't there when I was. And throughout the fight, neither of them exhibited signs of any Red Aura. Whoever they are, they're outsiders."

"Then perhaps they're part of the cause for HOMRA's action," Munakata considered. The idea dissatisfied and satisfied Saru in a nauseating yet gratifying swirl. On one hand, it meant that they were responsible for bringing Misaki back to life. On the other hand went the obvious conclusion: "We should consider them a matter of importance in keeping track of HOMRA. We'll have to investigate them thoroughly."

Saruhiko grinned. If he asked, he was sure he could get the assignment. Then he could track the woman down at his leisure, arrest or destroy her at whatever convenient excuse arose. That request wouldn't be necessary as Munakata added, "You made the initial contact, Fushimi-kun. Is it alright if I leave this to you?"

"Fine by me," Saruhiko answered, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice. It was probably the first time he had responded to his Captain with such enthusiasm.

Munakata readjusted his widened eyes in seconds, but the smile stayed on his lips. "Then at least get some food and rest before you get to work," he said, sounding every bit like a father figure Saruhiko didn't want. "With both the Red and Green Clans involved, we need to be ready for the potential of an emergency. Don't push yourself. We don't want to fail in a critical moment."

The Blue King had a point there. And while food and rest were the last things on Saruhiko's mind, he knew he would have to at least attempt it, lest Awashima come and lecture him about something insubstantial like "worrying the Captain." And at this point, Saruhiko could predict what Misaki would do, so it wasn't like finding him to spill information would be difficult.

He wouldn't admit that, though, so the teenager only rolled his eyes. "Understood," he drawled.

Munakata's smile didn't waver at all. "Good. Then I'll except to hear good news from you tomorrow. Do have a good night, Fushimi-kun."

"'Night," Saruhiko grumbled, heading for the door.

What a bastard.

"Ugh, seriously?"

Following the guide's lead—Uru-whatever—Misaki found himself facing Shizume General Hospital. This normally wouldn't have been a problem; hell, Misaki might have even been impressed. Assuming the Strain victim was actually here, the dude had some pretty sick intuition. But no, none of that mattered, because the place was swarming with SCEPTER4 vans, and Misaki had to hold back a curse to keep them from drawing attention.

Unless proved otherwise, the Uru-dude had just as well led them into a trap.

"Well, this certainly is inconvenient," the guide in question said, holding onto his chin. It was such a casual gesture that Misaki wanted to punch him. Instead, he sulked in the older man's shadow, hoping for cover. Getting spotted now wouldn't be good, especially if Saru had blabbed about their fight earlier. Misaki didn't want to give any Blue bastards an excuse to arrest him. "It wouldn't do good to go in with you, Yatagarasu-san; you'd drag too much attention."

"Yeah," Misaki said, "'cause you calling me that is gonna help out the situation."

With her cat toy tucked under her arm—seriously, what was the point of having that thing if she didn't use it?—Eri signed out a bunch of nonsense to Misaki's eyes. Hitomi translated that nonsense into words for the rest of them. "'They shouldn't recognize you and me—' I mean, me or Nee-san— 'so we should be able to get in without trouble," she said. "'Should we go ahead in?'"

"Hold up, hold up," Misaki said. It was strange being the voice of reason, but it wasn't possible to be too careful when dealing with Saru. At least, being away from him let Misaki think somewhat clearer than usual. "There's a chance that Saru has you tagged in surveillance or something. We can't guarantee they won't know who you are. Even if it doesn't cause trouble now, who knows what'll happen."

There was a silence of words. The three others looked to him, seemingly impressed. Misaki was about to feel a surge of pride before Hitomi crushed it.

"Woah, there actually is a brain in that skull of yours," she said, sounding way more impressed than necessary. A strangled growl fell out of Misaki's throat.

"He is right," Uru-guy continued as if the insult never happened. Eri nodded silently. "I would rather you ladies didn't get caught up in anymore clan struggles today. If I had my way, I'd go in and ask for myself, but I doubt you'd be satisfied with me acting in your place."

The girls shared a glance and signs. Eri's hands moved with practice, a lightning ease, while Hitomi carefully yet slowly spelled out her sentences. Finally, the younger girl nodded, turning back to Misaki and Uru. "That's fine," she allowed, speaking for the both of them. Instantly, her speech switched into awkward formality. "We've already asked a lot of you, Urumana-san, but if you don't mind…" Eri clasped her hands together.

Urumana—that was too long, maybe he'd just stick with Uru—shook his head, a calm smile akin to Kusanagi-san's. "It's really no trouble," he said. "I'll be in and out in a flash. Even if we can confirm her presence, we can come back when it isn't so crowded." Eri tipped downwards in a bow, and even Hitomi smiled a little. Uru tossed a wave, then headed to the hospital, looking as casual as possible. "Then I'll be off!"

Misaki, Hitomi, and Eri moved off to the side, settling down at a café out of immediate sight of the SCEPTER4 cluster. The girls ordered drinks, but Hitomi looked distracted, glancing over to the hospital almost consistently. Eri looked concerned, but only sipped at her straw. "I wonder what they're doing here," she whispered, the speakers of her toy almost too faint to hear.

"It can't be anything good," Hitomi said. Trying to add into the conversation was near impossible for Misaki at this point. He'd rather fight an entire SCEPTER4 squad than try and hold a conversation with two girls solo. Uru had been a better influence on his confidence than he thought. As such, the table fell into silence, only the necessary chatter to the waiter for refills required.

What the hell's taking that guy so long? Misaki wondered. Sure, it's a big hospital, but this is ridiculous. Finding one patient shouldn't take too long, just ask at the front desk… As Misaki tried to work up the nerve to say something, Hitomi stood up abruptly, spilling her drink. Misaki had to dodge out of the way to avoid getting soaked, and Eri looked visibly stunned. "Ugh, what the hell's your problem?!" the boy exclaimed, turning to the culprit.

Except he stopped. He had to stop. Hitomi was staring, but it was blank, almost empty. Her face had an expression he hadn't seen from her before, but one he was familiar with—fear. Misaki gaped, open mouthed, even as their waiter rushed over with cleaning supplies.

"It's him," she whispered. Then, just as quietly, "It's that man…"

[Author's Notes]

Sometimes there's so many moving parts that I wonder if I'm handling this story effectively. But I'm giving it my best, so that's gotta count for something. And with that, chapter twelve is moving along.

Thanks to TheRoseShadow21 for the review on the last update! I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Heheh, I'm really glad that I got to introduce Setsuko this chapter. She's a fun firecracker. Just what are she, Goro, and Sugawara up to anyways? That one I'll be keeping a secret for a little while longer.

For those that are also active on AO3, this fic has officially crossposted over, so you can now read on your preferred platform! I'd love whatever support you have to give~.

Next time, we focus on and around the hospital. Please look forward to it!

-Avi

[08.12.2019]