AN: Definitely much faster the second write around. I'm actually having fun again writing. Let us hope I can keep up the same pace. Please enjoy.
Part 4:
The scent left by the old grandmother was a few hours old but it was traceable. He had difficulty at first, what with all the competing scents about, but Akihito managed to follow the feint trail.
It was encouraging to know that he was on the right track when he discovered a few partially snow covered shoe prints along the way. Still he took the trek onward cautiously after finding a pungent odor of decay hit his nose a few steps back. He saw bits of bone and fur scattered about. It may have been a rabbit but, he didn't stay long to investigate. His senses urge him to go in hiding, to seek shelter, to mask his scent. However, his human side won out and he stubbornly presses onward.
There were predators about. The trees and shrubs reeked of their scent, thus causing his senses to go into hyper alert mode. With only a week of being a fox and most of that time was inside of a house, his limited experience couldn't tell him what they were but he knew enough from watching the nature channel. With this many scents, he was trespassing on a hunting plane. Fair game in their eyes. So far, he was lucky he hadn't encountered any larger animals.
He should really take heed and rest. He must have been travelling for half an hour or more. Yet, Akihito knew his goal was getting close. He could practically smell the exhaust drifting from the highway at the bottom of the mountain pass around the corner.
As he cut across a large boulder, the wind changed course, blowing downwind from the top of the slope up ahead. His labored breaths cease.
Akihito stood frozen in his steps. Eagerly, he took a bigger whiff. He couldn't recognize the new scent, but his senses communicated danger nonetheless. His own scent spiked in terror.
The wind shifted back in reverse. He felt rather than heard the low growl before he waited no further and charge downward. His luck had just run out.
"Akihito!"
Instead of responding or slowing down upon hearing that name, the young man increase his speed hoping to avoid the person calling. It was the second time that day he had someone recognizing him. He was beginning to think he'd picked the wrong city. Still, Tokyo was the most tempting and sinful choice.
"Hey? Hey! Akihito! Wait up!"
His avoidance tactic weren't working. This one was more persistent. Releasing a hiss of annoyance, the young man decides to kick subtlety to the curb and took off running into the crowd heading in and out of a JR Station that runs to Akihabara.
However, his pursuer kept pace and follow suit. He could still hear the other beginning to raise a ruckus trying to get his attention. The loudmouth should have taken the big hint by now. The young man just didn't want to be bothered.
Despite his annoyance by the run in, the young man kept his head cool and observed the folks lining ahead of him to pass the ticketing booth. Having been through this before, he quickly dug into his back jean's pocket and fish out his subway pass card.
Hearing his pursuer gaining ground, the young man turn to catch a glimpse; he intended to identify the fellow so that he may avoid him in the future, just like the other man with the blond dye job. Like the other, this guy wasn't actually bad looking, with that dark shoulder length hair and tone physique. Not bad at all, almost comparable to his own slim figure. Although the choice of possible outfits favoring a flowery shirt over a thermal and long cargo pants was questionable. He was even tempted to stop and let the other catch up, maybe play with the idea of mind-fucking him for a bit of fun. However, the young man didn't have time for that. His itch to explore and not get caught took precedence. Besides, base upon past experiences, having run in with folks who recognizes his face would make things awkward, for them that is. He could have cared less. Sometimes, he even enjoyed messing up their lives before moving on to other entertainments.
Perhaps he should do the right thing and explain to them that he didn't give a flying fuck, but where would be the fun in that? The young man smirks at his own musings.
"Hey buddy! Get a move on. I'm in a hurry!"
Obviously, the young man commented to himself. Disgruntled by the interruption of his idle thoughts, he turns his attention to the piss off businessman behind him. He gave the old fart an overly saccharine smile then bows his head in apology before he slid his card through the reader immediately. The bar gave way as he brushed pass the gate, stepping aside immediately to pretend looking at the map on the wall. When the same businessman walks pass, he resumes at a steady pace directly behind the guy, making sure to keep his hands inside his jean pocket. A low growl erupted from his throat before he timed the sequence just so and pounce. A quick step and a hard nudge with his camera bag later had the businessman tripping over to fall bodily atop a garbage bin.
The ruckus drew a fair amount of onlookers to surround the poor fool, ensuring his escape route easily.
With a smirk alit his face, the young man sauntered off to catch his ride, never once bother to look back at his pursuer gaping at his back in disbelief.
Kou couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed. He was certain the person he was chasing was his buddy Takaba Akihito. It may have been two weeks since he last saw him, but he was dead sure he can recognize his friend from any angle. Now he wasn't so certain.
Prior to the chase, Kou had been chatting up a storm with this girl he'd met a few days ago at the second hand bookstore. He was setting up a potential date when he caught a glimpse of ash brown windblown hair. He knew that haircut anywhere. After getting her to say yes, he hurriedly said his goodbye and began a quick walk-run across several blocks to catch up with his friend.
But the odd thing was, Akihito didn't stop. In fact, the photographer kept moving even faster. Maybe he was in a hurry for a stakeout or some other job. His friend was the type to be always on the move.
What causes Kou to question whether it was his friend at all was not that bit about the guy avoiding him, but the malicious deed that occurred right before his eyes. Having seen the look-a-like, despite how smooth he went about doing it, deliberately push the businessman like that made him pause in his assessment. His good friend, Akihito, would never do something like that. Not in a million years.
Yet he wanted to make sure. Even though the guy he was chasing had already hopped into a subway cart, the train hadn't left. Kou dug into his pocket and press the speed dial for Akihito's cell. Then wonder of all wonders, the doppelganger plucked out a device, checked it, and turn it off. The connection on his end ceases.
