Mercy Me

"I love Paris in the spring time, I love Paris in the fall. I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles. I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles. I love Paris every moment, every moment of the year. I love Paris, why oh why do I love Paris? Because in Paris I can get away with murder. Ha, ha ah." The man paused lighting a clove cigarette from the candle near the archway. Savoring the taste he looked once more to the high vaulted window heavy with rainwater falling in little streams to the pavement below. "Father Hallbrook come out would you. You know well enough I cannot come in."

"Out of my sight demon! Why bother an old man?"

"I mean no bother. Take your time." He stood leaning just under the over hang of the doorway. "I can wait."

"I'll not be trusting a man who can't enter a church." Julian called back turning away to finish his work. All around him in the small record room were parchments and papers strewn about. Leather bound books flagged with notes and scribbles on notebooks. All his life's work, started when he was but a man of twenty. He knew he hadn't much time to retrieve his research and God knows Jin would need it. He just needed to buy time till Jacques could arrive.

"Oh come now." The man called again. "It's so nice out there's no point in me coming in out of the lovely rain." Frustrated he tossed the cigarette butt into a puddle and cracked his neck harshly. " Singin in the rain, just singin in the rain. What a glorious feeling I'm happy again." He paused laughing manically again. "Look old man I know who you are, so cut the crap and get out here. I'll hunt you down no matter where you go."

"Fuck off back to hell where you belong! And no more show tunes!" He hurriedly placed everything in the box he'd prepared. He had to get it to someone they'd not suspect. Glancing through the images in his mind he knew what he had to do. "Jin my boy I hope you're more shrewd than your father was. We'll just send the package to the angel of your heart then." A soft knock on the door was all Julian needed, as he sealed the box and pressed the label tight.

"Monsieur Hallbrook are you ready?" A young man holding a motorcycle helmet asked.

"Yes Jacques. Here get this package to the address as soon as you can." Julian said checking his weapons while the youth stared in confusion.

"Monsieur." He said furrowing his brow. "You are to come with me."

"I cannot Jacques. Not if you want a safe get away." Julian grasped the boy's shoulders tight. "Drive fast, and safe. Not reckless. Stick to main roads they'll be looking for a runner. Remember sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight. I've taught you all I can I only hope it will be enough." Pausing Julian slipped his sword and belt around Jacques and fastened it.

"Julian, no." He protested gripping his mentor's arm fast. "I cannot take it, the blade…is yours."

"She's yours now."

"I have yet to take my vows. I am no priest yet, I cannot have a sword until…"

"Jacques. Shut up and tell me you remember how to use it."

"Yes. I do."

"Good, now go. You have your ticket?" Jacques nodded. "And the letter for Father Hayashi?"

"Yes. I have everything." Jacques turned and knelt securing the package in his backpack. "You know I never thought it would be like this. I thought yeah sure I'll go and fight, hardly any priests join the order these nowadays, but this…" He said fastening his helmet and heading to the door. "It's like a movie."

"Welcome to the casting call." Julian smiled and looked to the window. " I think Lemier is the only one out there. Go before he gets suspicious and finds you."

"Father Julian." Jacques stopped gritting his teeth slightly. "I will remember all you have taught me."

Running down the steps he stayed close to the shadows listening as the demon outside continued to taunt Julian. Still nervous and young he prayed as he crept down the stairs leaving behind his teacher. Jacques had still so much ground to cover, he was expecting Father Hallbrook to be at his side for much longer. Listening to the growing anger in the demon Lemier's voice he knew there was nothing he could do.

Straddling his motorcycle a block away, he looked back to the church. He could hear Julian and Lemier shouting, fighting. He wanted to go, to help in some way. "Julian, I don't want to waste your efforts." He said. As he started the engine a screams echoed in the Parisian streets. He knew in his heart what it was. Hesitating he held in his pain as he sped off to the airport. "God, please forgive me."

He stayed on the main roads just as Julian had instructed. Keeping his eyes open he tried not to be too jittery as the attendant scanned his bag and smiled when she gave him a suspicious look as he had no other luggage than the back pack. Stepping onto the aircraft he relaxed into his seat and opened the bag eyeing the plain brown box with it's packing tape seal and hurriedly written label.

"Fuu Savakis." He said calmly touching the address with his fingertips. "At 312 Damascus Street, apartment fourteen in Saravelle New York. I wonder," He mused. "Will she know what to do with this box?" Jacques zipped the bag back up and leaned back in his seat clutching the bundle tightly. "For even I am not sure what Julian has planned."

"A katana." Mugen said shaking his head in disbelief. "Why in the hell would a priest have a katana? Family heirloom perhaps?"

"Sort of but…never mind." Jin cast his eyes down as he folded his hands. "You couldn't possibly understand."

Mugen snorted moving to the window to smoke again. "You know, I'm not a complete imbecile." He said with a glassy stare as he observed the snow clouds. "I may not seem like it, I know. But honestly what are you going to lose in telling me something honest instead of sidestepping all my questions?"

"Mugen." Jin said smiling a little. "That's the least crude statement I've ever heard from you."

"Yeah well don't expect too much of it." He said smirking. "Now are you gonna tell me the truth or not?"

"It's a long story." Jin said. "And I have a place to be soon." He stood and moved to his room gathering a few things, among them his sword. Mugen stood lazily in the doorway, his cigarette gone. "She's a fine blade. Forged for my father and now it is mine. The markings on it change as the times do. A name, a symbol, a simple representation for each demon killed. Both for my father's time and mine. The sword and I we are one in the same."

"Then why are your father's kills on it still? You said he was dead."

Jin sighed as he placed the sword in it's casing. "Memories do not die Mugen. No matter how much you wish they would they remain. The sword will always remember its masters, regardless of who wields it. The only change will be when the hands change. When Hayashi blood no longer controls it." He pulled up a sleeve of his shirt, revealing the marks on his skin. "Every mark that is on the sword is on me. It is the nature of the work."

"Papa?"

"Jin, my son come now don't be afraid." Dorian Castor beckoned his young son forward.

"What are they papa? Do they hurt?"

"They're reminders Jin. So that I remember why I do this. Why I stay away for so long. Do you understand Jin? Why I must be away?"

"No, I want you here with mom and me."

"Someday...you will understand."

"What if I forget?"

"Memories never fade my son, never."

"Damn." Mugen breathed eyeing the patterns. "What are they?"

"Names, mostly."

"It looks like there are more than the sword."

"There are, some of them are battle scars, it is not just a victory list." Jin pushed the sleeve back down and pulled on his jacket. "I have a few things to attend to." He looked at the clock, it was close to one already. He still had time to gather his thoughts before his meeting.

"Okay, where are we going?" Mugen said following Jin to the living room again.

"No, Mugen. I am going you cannot."

"What? No fucking way am I staying here all by myself."

"Afraid the boogie man will get you?"

"No, I just figured." He paused and looked away. "Forget it, I'll hold down the fort. I just thought maybe you trusted me."

"Nope." Jin said simply. "I don't even like to leave you here un attended, but really can you blame me?"

"No, I wouldn't trust me either. But uh just so you know, you can."

"Do not follow me. I wont be long. A few hours back shortly after dark."

"It's already getting dark." Mugen said looking at Jin quizzically. "Where you going anyway? Who are you seeing?"

Jin paused at the doorway he didn't remember saying he was seeing anyone. " Take care Mugen."

He watched Jin shut the door and headed to the window to watch him. His steps were not hurried, but his stride was determined. Mugen watched him for a moment before grabbing his own coat and slipping out the door. "You're going somewhere important." He said to himself. "And there might be a fight. I can tell preacher man. You're worried." Smiling like a coyote he followed just behind him.

For hours he followed Jin as he walked almost meaninglessly all over the city. Mugen stopped in at a liquor store for a bottle of rum, losing him for a moment. After going down a few turns he soon caught up again. As the snow started falling he wondered who the priest was meeting and why he seemed wary. Frowning he realized his bottle was empty.

"Damn." He said under his breath. "Hmm, I'll find you again, but first I need a re-fill."