8. Intelligence.

T: Sorry is all I can really say about this very late update…this week somewhat ran away with me, I'm afraid! Warnings and disclaimers remain the same.

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"There's been an unexpected development in the cult case,"

"What sort of development?" Her partner enquires as he places his pen to one side.

"The discovery of Tamaki Akira's body."

"I take it that his death was not registered in the Kiekie," Hijiri remarks.

"That's correct."

"Am I also right in assuming that, just as the other individuals tied to this case, his flame has continued to burn despite the undeniable fact that he is, indeed, dead?"

"You are indeed."

"Yet considering the fact that Tamaki-san and Tetsua-san were close friends it's more than possible that the Onmyoji used his power to extend Tetsua-san's life just as he has extended the lives of those other individuals. That being the case I fail to see how this can be classed as an 'unexpected' development, Kanoe-san."

Her superior smiles a little at her words and remarks, "You are as perceptive as ever, Tsubaki-kun," before passing a photo into her care and saying, "There was an 'item' left with the corpse that has made it clear that a certain individual was involved in Tamaki-san's death and this fact has placed a certain element of risk to taking things a 'face value'."

She has only to take the briefest of glimpses at the photo that Kanoe-san had given her to know what the other is referring to and, passing the picture over to her partner, she enquires,

"Do you think this is a trap?"

"It is more than likely."

"Perhaps you would like to explain what's going on here?" Hijiri enquires as he sets the picture onto his desk.

"Do you remember what I told you while we were in that 'cell' Hijiri-kun?"

"You mean this is something to do with the individual that you talked of, Tsubaki-kun?"

"The hair that you see in the corpse's fingers is his way of letting us know that he's involved, a maudlin calling card that he's used once before."

"He's rather sure of himself, isn't he?"

"Because he knows that he's stronger, that he will always have the upper hand." The words sound a little more down beet than had been her initial intent and she has just opened her mouth to retract them, to find a more positive manner to phrase the thing, when Kanoe-san says,

"I believe that that may no longer be the case, Tsubaki-kun, believe that his actions on this occasion have placed things, at last, in our favor." He pauses and then , guilt flashing across his face, he says, "We need to learn more about why he killed Tamaki-kun, about why he has again drawn our attention to the fact of his involvement and so I am asking you to investigate the matter further. Tsubaki-kun you shall have to forgive me for placing you in this situation, however…"

"It's okay, sir, I understand that it wouldn't be fair to ask another team to take the case now that we've come this far with it, nor is it fair to ask someone unfamiliar with him to get involved in something that might lead to a 'face off'."

"In which case I'll leave the matter in your capable hands." Kanoe-san remarks before pressing the folder that had, until that moment, been held under his left arm, into her care and stepping back out of the room.

……………………………………………………………………………………

He had been curious as to how his partner was involved with Tamaki-san's killer and yet he wanted her to feel able to divulge the tale of her own free will, thus he had not pushed her on the matter and had, instead, enquired,

"We need to learn more about why this gentleman killed Tamaki-san, correct?"

"Correct."

"And the best way to do that is to learn more about the 'true' Tamaki Akira, correct?"

"Correct."

"Then I believe I know where we should begin our investigation."

"Where?"

"In Ebusu with his beloved older sister."

"An investigation you will be conducting as Ishida Ryuichi?"

"I've got little other choice…we were introduced once and, though it was quite a while ago, it's possible she might still recall me."

"As I am under no such risk I would ask that you allow me to retain my own identity on this occasion."

"I'll go and make the relevant arrangements then," He remarks as he gains his feet.

He has just set his hand on the door handle when his partner remarks,

"I promise that I'll tell you everything, Hijiri-kun…that you'll not always be kept in darkness…but I'm not quite ready yet, do you understand?"

Glancing at her over his shoulder, he is greeted with a sight he had never thought to see, for always his partner has seemed nothing other than a confident, mature, woman entirely in control of her destiny. However, looking at her now, at the intense, almost childlike, vulnerability lined on her face, it is clear that this is not, in fact the case, that there is a side to her personality that she has, until now, kept close to her heart.

Smiling both as comfort and in reaction to this unexpected, subtle, show of trust he responds, "I understand," before he pushes down on the handle, opens the door and steps into the hall beyond.

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T: To be safe I'll say expect the update Thursday, however, I'll try and get it up a little earlier! Review?