Amai Shi
Chapter 12:Unbridled Rage
By AnimayWriteY0
The fiery charred corpse of what remained of the hideous beast in which Sanada slayed continues to burn to a lawless pattern as the small team of Division 3 squad watches on in shock, fear, relief, and confusion all except for Sanada who somehow foresaw this. After the fire finally begins to tone down this gives the squad from above a chance to come down assisting Kei and Sasiki. One of the swat members used a nearby fire extinguisher to put out any remaining flames still enveloping the former monster. In an instant after the threat's neutralized Sanada began to lose his balance due to his sickness and exhaustion. That is until Kei caught him around her arms, now visibly worried that he may have pushed himself way too hard now.
"Sanada! Oh, you shouldn't push yourself like this..." Kei doing her best to keep the sickly Sanada up on his toes. "But thank you for rescuing us..." Though grateful for the save, Sasiki asked Sanada a question regarding what that thing was. It was clear that this thing used to be human at some point, what also brought his attention again is the fact that Kei mentioned about this whole case being nothing more than a trap made specifically for Sanada given how the anonymous tipper wanted Sanada to take on this botched investigation.
"I'll detail my theory back at HQ I believe you two also found some evidence regarding to this catacomb." One of the Division 3 swat members have succeeded in carefully zipping the corpse into a body bag. "The evidence is safe within its containment, proceed in request to extract the body sir?" The commanding swat asks Sanada as the stern eyed detective nods in confirmation. With that a helicopter arrives and descends on top of the group while the man in the aircraft lowers a carrier net down. After securing the body on the net Sanada then whistles to let the officers know it's time to move out. With that, everyone began their ascendance off from the catacombs with the help of pilots offering them a ladder, each individual officers safely climbed out of the Shinito Shrine Catacombs.
[An hour after, back at Kinki Ward Prefecture Division 3 HQ]
Back at HQ, most of Division 3 officers gathered at the planning room as Sasiki and Kei sat at the side covered with blankets to keep them calm and secured after such a scary encounter. Commander Juji is relieved that no one suffered a horrible injury or worse during that botched case. About a few minutes of arguments and deliberation by the group, one of the officers asks Sanada on how he was able to realize that both Sasiki and Kei were in danger? The stern detective stated in a more plausible reason that it was the fact that the person behind the info leak could have easily been affiliated with the Division 5 forces or an acquaintance of some sorts.
"What I believe is the fact that the perpetrator who orchestrated this case has been desperate enough to take me out since they see me as the biggest threat to uncover their plans to capture their next victim mainly my sister..." The stern officer growled out of frustration. Commander Juji finally mentioned on the discoveries at Shinito Shrine. "After further investigation at that location it seems we have hard evidence to deduce the missing cases." Juji looks over at Sasiki. "Yes sir, as me and Kei were searching around in the catacombs, we came across two known locations found underneath the shrine, two rooms resembling torture chambers. My best bet is that the victims were taken there to be sacrificed in some sort of sick cult ritual." Sasiki also added. "We also found a living being who lived in those catacombs." He turns to Sanada. The stern detective nodded as he took over. "The man who I struck down to protect Sasiki and Kei was none other than Hiyaze Fukigawa, a lover of Nanase Ibaraki..."
Many officers look blankly at Sanada in utter disbelief because they believe the Nanase Ibaraki case has been an unanswered case for over 10 decades ago, nearly a century. How can a man have lived for almost 100 years? Sanada soon follows up for a question like that. "It may be impossible for a man to live for that long, but I do believe this has something to do with the supernatural." Sanada hesitantly uses the paranormal as his primary tool to get closer to the truth behind everything.
Many of his comrades laughed this off until they see their stern companion holding his ground on his detail, leading to believe that he is most certainly serious about it. "You can't be serious?!" One of the officers blatantly questions Sanada's mind set. "I'm afraid that it could very well be a possibility. Have you ever heard of the legend of the Wendigo?" Looking around as some had heard of the beast. "Yes, it's a native American legend of a beast who used to be human but is corrupted by a cannibalistic spirit overtaking the host to become a fearsome man-eating creature...But to change into the beast the human needed to be starved and eating human flesh for the transformation to occur." Kei further explains. "That's correct, I would most certainly say that our suspect has isolated Hiyaze from the inside of those catacombs and forced him to survive by consuming the bodies left with him. They did this to him as a cruel punishment for trying to save his lover from their heinous actions."
A few protested as they are unsure if the creature really was Hiyaze but Sanada isn't worried since the blood test and MRI scan of the corpse would give them the answer he already knew. "I'm sure it's Hiyaze, though he became a monster...it wasn't his fault to begin with. It all came down to the same twisted and despicable person who brought so much pain to the victims."
Commander Juji decided to speak. "What about the torture rooms?" Kei answers her commanding officer. "The place used to be the hideout for the group before Division 5 became heavily involved, but in conclusion the group would soon realize that the number of people dying on the same place would create some unneeded attention and could pose a huge problem during their operation. So, the suspected group decided to leave their hideout along with the trapped Hiyaze to live his life in total isolation underneath the Shrine." With that, the day becomes night as Command Juji believes it's time to wrap this up. Most of Division 3 staffs and officers packed their things and went home. Just as Sanada is about to go home via bus travel, Yakimori and Kei stops him and offers him a ride home. With that he gladly obliges, and so the three head off to the Shibumi residence.
Yakimori behind the wheel states that he felt bad that he wasn't there with Kei and Sasiki to even the odds with whatever happened over at the Shinito Shrine incident. That is Sanada cut's in, "That wouldn't matter Yakimori no offense, but that thing could easily chop you to bits. The only way you can kill it is with incendiary weaponry like a flare gun or a flame thrower." Kei then places her arms around Sanada's right arm tightly as he quickly notices. The stern eyed detective in return gave her a comforting hug. "I know, it was scary to have dealt with something so frightening...I'm just glad I got there in time..." Kei squeezes Sanada' arms as she plants her face on his chest feeling the warmth from him as she thanks him for saving her again.
Yakimori looked at the two from the rear-view mirror and smirks seeing as their relationship grew. "So, Sanada my man, how are you doing? You are holding up fine right now?" It was clear that Yakimori is still worried that his partner must have pushed himself during that encounter. "I'm surviving, but it hurt like a bitch the moment I landed...as for my health I believe I can still hold out long enough before the FFI takes a hold of me again…" He turns his head to the side as he watches through the countless people walking by. "It's hard to imagine people like that would not be as worried about some supernatural serial killer on the loose picking out her next prey..." Kei then supports him. "If all else we wouldn't let anyone lay a finger on your sister, not on our watch! Right Yakimori!" Yakimori chuckles and agrees. "Totally, just know we got your back man!" The stern eyed detective leans back and lets out a deep sigh yet states his gratitude. "I appreciate it you two...thank you." For a few more minutes the three have made it to their destination. As soon as Sanada came out of the car he was greeted with a big hug from behind. To his relief it's just his little sister.
"Hey Himiko, sorry that I haven't called you in..." Sanada turns himself around and pats her on the head. Himiko looks up on her big brother with a pouting face while she stares directly at him in a state of panic. "Where have you been?! You should have told me you were working when me, grandma, and Ryumo were gone. When we got home you were gone...I tried to call you, but your phone was turned off…" Sanada scratches his head with a hint of guilt. "Yeah, that's been happening a lot lately now...I'm sorry little sis but I was on an important job." Kei reinforce Sanada's claim that if wasn't for his timely rescue she and her other companion would have been in deep trouble. "Either way I'm home now..." Sanada took a glance at Ryumo as the young brawler nods his head confirming that he has kept the two safes under his supervision. With that this gave Sanada a sigh of alleviation.
After settling down, Sanada is in his room resting soundly while the remaining Shibumi relatives and the two division 3 officers gathered in the living room downstairs. "Thank you for looking after Sanada for us Wume San and Jingo San, but I can't imagine how scary that was when those crooks took you hostage...from a fake lead..." Sajime expresses her deep concern unaware of the lie she was told by Kei since she fears that the actual incident would prove to be surreal to a normal person's view. "It was thanks to Sanada's quick thinking of possibilities he took the initiative to see through the set case." Sajime also asks. "Who is the young fellow with you during that investigation?" Kei simply responds. "That's Sasiki one of the top senior officers in Division 3 just like me and Yakimori here." Yakimori also states his whereabouts. "Right now, he's still living with his mother, heh and let me tell ya he's a huge mama's boy." With that remark Kei elbows Yakimori at his arm with an annoyed glare on her face.
Sajime also smirks at the idea of Kei having feelings for her grandson. "Oh, may I ask you Wume San? Do you have something going on between youself and Sanada?" Kei suddenly begins to tense up while her cheeks flush deep red trying her best to speak but couldn't focus on her voice. "W-well I umm...he saved me twice now and...I just.." Suddenly Himiko came behind her and places her hands on her shoulders and giggles. "You like my Onii chan right? Don't be shy!" Having met with such an awkward moment Kei finally says her true feelings about him. "Mnnn….I-I...um y-yeah...I see him as someone I...love" Yakimori can't help but laugh at the reaction of his female working partner, in which Yakimori is given a quick bonk on the head by her. "Owww! I was just playing with ya! Why'd you gotta be so dang violent?!" Everyone laughs having a wonderful time getting to know each other. However up from above them a certain sleeping Sanada thought otherwise as he's experiencing another painful experience from within his subconscious.
[STATIC…]
Somehow within the world of nothingness Sanada have managed to make his presence known from this empty void at will. Sanada closes his eyes once again in hopes to communicate the lost souls of the girls whose lives were taken from them. A few seconds has passed, Sanada could feel their spirit roaming around the surrounding area. Sanada took a seat in the middle of this dark abyss. With this the stern eyed officer opens his eyes and sees Nanase Ibaraki. Sanada having his eyes looking down, he can feel the weight of his actions taking in the effect as his guilt grew the more Nanase began her advance on Sanada. Whatever punishment he gets whether if it's a curse or acceleration of his FFI virus he's ready to face the consequences on the ghostly girl's behalf.
That is until he felt a gentle touch from both his shoulders as he instantly looks up at Nanase as her tear driven eyes tells Sanada a different story. She gave the detective a warm secured hug letting him know what he did was truly the right thing to do. She separated herself with the detective and began to speak. "Detective, you actually freed my beloved from that damned cursed spirit that took hold of his body and mind...his cries for freedom have been heard and now he can finally rest in peace...I couldn't thank you enough..." Sanada continues to lament for the poor souls as more girls who fell the same fate gathered to comfort the seemingly heart hardened officer. "Don't worry everyone, I'll finally seek justice on your behalf I promise…" They all nod with tears driven down from their eyes. With that Sanada proceeds to sleep soundly in peace for the longest time.
[At Hirano Miyashicho Prefecture 9:30 P.M.]
After such a long day at work especially that seemingly horrifying experience Sasiki finally came home right at the Hirano Miyashikicho block. "Ma, I'm home." Sasiki loosens his tie, took his shoes off and places them on the edge of the entrance wall. "Oh, you're back! Oh my, you look like you've seen a ghost sweetie?" Sasiki chuckles and scratches his head. "You could say that...I happened to have quite a day on the job." His mother blinks twice and then mention to her son that she has some freshly bought bento lunch in the fridge if he's hungry. "Thanks ma, I'll eat that later I just need to lay down." After taking a quick shower, he brushes himself off and checks up on some of his usual loves in life, journal writing. He details everything specifically the events that happened during his years previous to now. For a while he couldn't figure out what he'll write. That is until he sees the picture frame by the coffee table from his right side and analyze it primarily his past father. Sasiki's father too worked under Division 3 and is revered to be the most well esteemed and honorable man within the force.
Sasiki started writing. "Dad...I know that I haven't done as you'd expect during my role as an officer in Division 3, but rest assure you. I will be able to do my best to keep my promise to make ma proud of the man I'll be in the future…" For a slight pause he continues. "I also met this one guy who used to work at the west. He is quite the hard worker and an awesome friend...he kinda reminds me of you." Sasiki smiles while placing the picture frame back to its original spot. Once he felt satisfied with his self-reflection Sasiki excuses himself to the kitchen to eat the recently bought bento lunch. Sasiki quickly warms it up in the microwave and took it to the living room watching television while eating. After a few minutes Sasiki changed the channel to his favorite news channel, once it revealed itself the red head dropped his chopsticks out of shock with what he saw from the screen. [Back at Shinito Shrine after all Division 3 personnel left the scene]
A while ago, after the cleanup crew had taken any necessary evidence around the catacomb's underneath Shinito Shrine. A single individual watches on in a dense cover of greenery while he examines the clearing. Unquestioningly the trap did capture a few Officers of Division 3, but it was not his mistresses intended quarry. What made matters worse is the fact that the opposing police force has managed to gain ample piece of evidence from within the catacombs which spells a bigger problem. Giving them an edge of figuring out the murderer's true identity. If anything, he will end up becoming the next punching bag for Commander Taizo or worse feel the wrath of his mistress for absolutely failing on his mission to bring Sanada into the ambush. What went wrong? For a few seconds he suddenly snaps and realized his attempted anonymous tip. "Hey uhhh, I just happen to find some strange men going into the shrine, I heard Sanada is your best man for this job. It's best for him to investigate." He placed his palm hard on his face and curses himself. "Stupid! Stupid STUPID! How did I let myself screw up that call like that?!" It was all too clear to him that this fatal mistake would cost him his life if he's caught. "Maybe I should ditch…-" Just as he turns around, he's met with an abrupt bump after moving forward. What stopped him is none other than Commander Taizo who happens to be in a furious mood for some reason. "S-sir I didn't know you were here this whole time I..."
The driven intense rage coming from his eyes says it all as he picked up scrawny man from the ground placing him directly at his face. "And just what exactly do you mean by ditching?...No scratch that notion what caught my attention is how you unceremoniously screwed with our mistress exact orders to not be specific with the call and here I see not only our mistress's identity is in total jeopardy to the public, but also the fact that no one has been killed in this investigation!..." For this he drags the worthless trash back to the new hideout. But before he could send this liable ingrate to Mistress Miyazu he delivers him a punishing blow to the man's stomach, the lackey fell over to his knee holding in the pain he received. That power, the unrestrained anger, and worse of all the fate he will soon meet.
The moment they make it to their secret bunker Taizo threw the false informant directly through the door of Mistress Miyazu's room as the injured man tries to pick himself up but was given a hard stomp on his back by his enraged Commander. "Taizo my dear, my my I see you're enjoying your usual pass time with another of our subjects." Taizo kicked the downed man right at the kidney causing the helpless lackey screaming in agony. "My deepest apologies but the plan to remove Sanada has been a huge failure." In an instant, the Mistresses tone became ominously irritated as she simply response. "Come again?" She spoke up in clear disdain.
"It was all in vain, this imbecile had blatantly given Division 3 exact orders to investigate our ambush location. Because of his failure to keep the tip subtle we were given the wrong targets." This has to be a joke. No this is ludicrous, how in the world did this one simpleton manage to screw everything up?! The mistress hands clamp tight to the armrest of her chair as her teeth begin to grit into sharp canines. Taizo then added this man's failure by mentioning that Sanada did come but he was fully aware of the monster's weakness and managed to save the two division three officers from certain doom.
He also added the evidence that were left behind being taken back to Division 3 HQ for analysis giving them an ample edge to finding out the true identity of the twin pony-tailed red head. It got deathly quiet, but suddenly Taizo could feel that life threatening aura coming from his mistress as he backs away from her presence. The silent female murderer came off from her chair approaching her way straight at the beaten man. The moment he took a peek at his soon to be killer. The enraged red head delivers the bastard a kick to his face causing him to slide a good 4 feet away from her. Suddenly something is happening to Miyazu as she begins to rant.
"That...shithead…that Shit...head…That Shithead...THAT SHITHEAD!" She began to scream the top of her lungs in utter fury as she puts all her anger and thirst for pain and suffering out on the lackey. "ARRGGHHHHHHHHHH! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO GET IN MY WAY!" She began to tear the unfortunate man to shreds with her long sharp nails digging deep into his flesh as she continues to claw him from the inside out. Pieces of his skin start to peel off due to her relentless assault on the helpless man. "WHY DO YOU KEEP TAKING AWAY MY CHANCE TO HAVE HIMIKO SANADAAAAAAAA!" She cries out in absolute madness as she bashes the man's skull to the wall repeatably while blood becomes more visible from the wall the more, she plants the man's head to it. Without thinking she saw a nearby scissor hanging from the edge of the table by her left and snatches it. With no hesitation she stabs the already dead man straight at the eyes popping them open as more blood gushes on her face while she loses her sanity the more, she yearns for her new body. "I CRAVE FOR THAT BODY! I NEED IT! WHY MUST I SUFFER FOR THIS, GIVE ME MY HIMIKO!" Miyazu repeatably stabs the corpse into many different places on the body until the scissors she used to impale the dead body broke to pieces.
This is the first time Taizo has ever seen her like that the moment she heard the news of another failed attempt. Even though the commander showed no fear to anyone but with that reaction from his mistress, he dared not incite her wrath. This is the second time she ever felt like this in a long while. She could feel the pain dwelling up within her, it's happening but it's a very slow process. The fact that her prize keeps slipping through her finger angers her so much to the point of taking another life as she yearns for her blood lust and satisfy it. "Hah…hah…hah…" Panting and finally gaining her composure she side-eyed on her loyal subordinate. "Taizo please be a dear...and get me a glass of water with ice..." Taizo nodded as he goes out of the room while the rest of the frightened officers make their way with their Commanding officer.
All alone, Miyazu places herself on the floor laying aimlessly as she stares at the ceiling for the longest time. She slowly and gradually begins to laugh maniacally due to how a lowly unknown guy like Sanada is able to be one step ahead of her plans. Every time she tried to execute a capture on her target Sanada has always have a counter plan to foil hers. "So...it seems that I have underestimated you Sanada…but this time you won't be able to escape with my Himiko! Once I figure you out…and then I'll finally have my time with your precious sister all to myself as you watch in humiliation and defeat..." She cracks into a hideous smile.
Sometime later the screen of many televisions is shown as news report detail another finding of a savagely dead body found by the riverbanks of Kinugasa Babacho. The police report from another Division, the 4th Division has identified the body to be Kiyo Ushima. To the shock of most Division 3 main officers especially for Sasiki back home he knew of Kiyo as one of his friends from his childhood. "N-No way...h-he was killed?" Sasiki lost into despair while he shakes his head denying the thought of seeing him die so horribly. "First my father….now my old friend..." Sasiki watches on in horror.
To Be Continued...