A/N: The story continues as Sumika chases after Akuma on the streets of Umegae, leaving Ushio in the care of the clueless Tomoe and Miyako.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sasameki Koto.
Along the road, Sumika followed the movement of the crowd. She couldn't see the dark figure in the busy street and for a moment, she thought it was just her imagination until a shadow caught her attention and she entered a dark alleyway warily.
"I admire your courage." a slimy voice echoed from the darkest depths of the alley. Even though it was in the middle of the day, it was dim due to an overhead roof that only allowed a few stray rays to shine through.
"Why don't you come out and face me? Or are you embarrassed by that repulsive face of yours?" Sumika challenged and a distant sound had her falling to her knees as an empty beer bottle sailed past her head. She quietly thanked her gut instinct and fast reflexes.
"I could kill you so easily, so you better watch your tongue!" the raspy voice said.
Rising from her crouch, Sumika eyed the darkest corner at the very end of the alleyway and she could vaguely see a shadow stalking towards her, "Don't underestimate me."
"Oh?" a hooded face emerged from the shadows, "I've seen how close she is to you. I would love to see your face when I finish the business I started with my beloved Ushio. After all, I need to make her pay for what she did to my face."
"Come near her again and I'll call the police."
Much to Sumika's surprise, he laughed, a demonic laughter that sent chills running down her spine, "Call the cops? Be my guest. You know, they used to call me the ghost because I can disappear in a heartbeat with no trails for anyone to follow. Neither the cops nor you could ever track me down."
"There's no need to track you when you're standing right in front of me right now." Sumika allowed herself a small smirk before she charged, right fist pulled back. She was two steps away when gush of warm liquid landed on her head. Stumbling with a grunt, she faltered and quickly backed away, trying in vain to wipe the sticky liquid from her eyes, but more kept dripping down her forehead.
"We will have our fun another time, when I'm in the mood." rough fingers touched Sumika's chin and she took the opportunity to send her fist flying. It collided with something hard, which she assumed was his jaw and followed up the attack with a reverse kick, hearing a satisfied crash a distance away.
"Told you not to underestimate me." Sumika took a fighting stance, forgetting about her vision for now as more of the viscous liquid that smelt horribly similar to rusting iron soaked into her clothes and kept her eyes screwed shut tightly.
"My mistake. You seem to be trained in the martial arts, but unfortunately, I have some other business to attend to. Until another time."
"Oh no you don't!" Sumika tried to follow after him, but without her eyesight, she decided to give up, "I will find you!"
His laughter echoed around her and she frantically wiped her eyes clean before taking in the empty alley before her. Cursing to herself, she nearly jumped out of her own skin when she realised she was covered from head to toe with blood.
"Oh god." Sumika tore off her jacket and dumped the soaking wet article, "This is just plain sick."
She looked upwards and could vaguely make out a bucket sitting on one of the balconies right above where she was standing before the blood was dumped on her.
So he has a partner of some sort, Sumika thought. Twisting the foul smelling liquid from her hair, she started walking back home with her head bowed over, hoping no one would recognize her. The people around her gasped and stared blatantly. Well, who wouldn't when there's a bloody person casually strolling down the street, leaving behind bloody footprints?
"What the hell happened to you? "Tomoe demanded, she was waiting outside the Murasame house for the taller woman when she came marching back with a blood-stained shirt, face and arms.
"It's not mine. I think it's animal blood, or at least, I hope it is." Sumika blanched, glad she was finally home, "Can you hose me down?"
"With pleasure." Tomoe led the way to the back where she washed away most of the blood from Sumika with a garden hose, "That should do."
"Thanks." Sumika muttered, squeezing clean water from her hair and shirt, "I'm going to take a shower now."
"Aren't you going to tell me what's going on?" Tomoe stopped her friend.
"Kazama didn't say anything?"
"She kept insisting on going back to find you, but I managed to get her to stay inside and wait for you."
"Huh. In a nutshell, there's a maniac who's after her."
"Have you told the police?"
"I'm going to."
"Why is he after her? Is this why you two are here in the middle of the working week?"
"That's for me to know and you to never know. Yes to your second question." Sumika walked into the house, sloshing her way up the stairs.
Tomoe grumbled before shouting after her friend, "We're friends, aren't we?"
"Shut up." Sumika entered her room sodding wet and without pause, went into the bathroom to take off her clothes.
"Sumi-chan, what happened? Why're you so wet?" Ushio came in after her, concern evident in her voice and face.
Sumika dumped all her wet clothes into the laundry basket and turned on the shower, sighing when the spray of warm water hit her chilly skin, "I'm going back to Tokyo for the rest of the day. This has gone on long enough, I'm filing a police report against him."
"He was here. I didn't just imagine it. He's here, in Umegae." Ushio whimpered softly, crossing her arms and nibbling on her knuckle nervously as her knees threatened to buckle.
"Yes." Sumika stepped out of the spray of water and grabbed Ushio's hands, intertwining their fingers, "I won't let him come near you. That's a promise."
Ushio's bronze eyes softened as she stared into serious grey eyes, "Thank you, Sumi-chan." Ushio slowly closed the distance between them and buried her face against Sumika's bare chest, enjoying her lover's warm and damp breasts as she wrapped her arms around Sumika's waist.
Sumika's face was set with determination as she returned the hug, squeezing her lover tightly.
"Get out of my car, Hachi." Sumika deadpanned.
"Not until you tell me what's going on." Tomoe replied, arms crossed defiantly and her face stoic as she stared at the stationary road in front.
"Get out." Sumika repeated.
"No."
"It's not my place to tell you anything!"
"You're her lover, you two live together and sleep on the same bed; you're practically married! Don't talk to me about place or whatnot."
"Fine. Stay in the car, I'm going to Tokyo right now." Sumika started inching onto the road, testing Tomoe's resolve. When she didn't even budge, Sumika gave up and drove onto the highway, straight for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
They arrived at the police station by late afternoon. After parking the car, Sumika and Tomoe walked into the main office, asking to file a report.
"Good afternoon, my name is Kimiko, how may I help you?" an elderly female police officer in the standard blue uniform asked politely, gesturing for the two women to take a seat opposite her desk.
"Hi, I'm here to make a report against a man who has been harrassing my partner and I." Sumika said, spreading out the documents she got from Ushio's secondary school.
"I see. Is this your partner?" Kimiko the police officer asked, looking at Tomoe who was slouched in her chair, arms crossed and eyes bored.
"Of course not." Sumika shot a glare in Tomoe's direction, "She's in Umegae now."
"Oh, are you two not residents in Tokyo?"
"We are, we live along the outskirts, this is our address. I brought her to Ume to get away from the man who's been causing us trouble."
"Can I have this man's name?" Kimiko asked, reaching for a piece of paper and pen.
"He calls himself Shotaro Akuma while working at my partner's secondary school, this is what I got from that school, but his real name is Tokaji Akuhei, yo-"
"Wait, wait. Did you just say Tokaji Akuhei? As in Akuma, the demon?" Kimiko looked startled, her wrinkled hands over her mouth in shock.
"Yes. That's him." Sumika said, unable to believe how well known he is.
Tomoe finally decided to join, "May I know more about this notorious Tokaji Akuhei?"
"No, you may not." Sumika snapped, turning her attention back to Kimiko, she asked politely, "Since you seem to be familiar with his criminal record, it shouldn't be a problem to file a restraining order against him, right?"
Kimoko regained her composure and sighed, "Quite the contrary." she stood from her desk and went over to the rows of filing cabinets.
"What? Why?" Sumika watched her work, growing impatient.
"1 year ago, Tokuji Akuhei," Kimiko placed a folder in front of Sumika who stared at an image of a disfigured corpse with the red words 'Case closed' printed over it, "Tokuji Akuhei died in a prison riot."
Sumika was speechless as she looked over the document, memorising ever last detail, "No." she breathed, going over the details that described how he died, "No."
"I'm sorry. The man who's been harassing you is not Tokuji Akuhei." Kimiko said, "Perhaps you would like to make a report without inserting a name."
"No. It was him. Look at this picture!" Sumika took the image she got from Minako and slid it across the desk, "This is Tokuji Akuhei! He's alive and he's working in this secondary school!"
"Please calm down, miss. There are many criminals who looked up to Tokuji Akuhei and many have underwent plastic surgery or put on disguises to be the exact replica of him. I won't be surprised if this is one of the cases."
"No, I don't believe it. Kazama wouldn't make a mistake like that."
"People make mistakes every day. Now, regarding that report you want to make..."
"It is Tokuji Akuhei! I've seen him myself! He even remembered Kazama's name and what he did to her!"
"Might this 'Kazama' be one of his victims?"
"Yes, but I've spoken to him. He was in Umegae just this morning! I spoke to him and he tried to attack me."
"With all due respect, many rape victims tend to suffer from trauma that can stay dormant within them for many years and this trauma ma-"
"Kazama isn't suffering from anything of the sort. If you don't trust her judgment, listen to me. He wants to get his revenge on Kazama for burning his face and for putting him in jail. You guys can't just sit by and let him do as he pleases right?"
"Might I remind you that 'he' is dead. He's been dead for the past year. I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you to leave."
Sumika cursed, not ready to give up, "Let me speak to whoever's in charged here! I know he's alive and if you'd just give me a chance, I ca-"
"Murasame-kun," Tomoe said firmly, "We should go." she eyed the alert police officers around them, their hands reaching for their batons.
"No, Tokuji Akuhei is alive! I don't know how, but he must've faked his death and escaped prison!" Sumika fought against Tomoe but eventually, the short-haired woman pulled her out of the building, "Why did you do that?"
"You were making a scene and unless you want to be arrested, you will calm down."
"But- they said he's dead! He can't be dead! I saw him. You saw him right?"
Tomoe shook her head, "I didn't see anyone suspicious when Kazama-kun froze up and you dashed off into the crowd. I'm sorry."
"No. No, but then... Minako-san! She saw him! And so did all the other teachers!" Sumika took out her phone and dialed Minako's number, "She can testify- the line's busy."
Sumika stared at her phone and dialed again, but it immediately went to voicemail, "Oh come on, Minako-san. Please pick up, it's after school hours!"
"Maybe she's just busy." Tomoe suggested when Sumika's face lit up.
"Minako-san! I'm so glad you answered, listen I was hoping you could come down to the Toky-"
"Hello there, Murasame Sumika." an all too familiar voice breathed and Sumika's face paled.
"What's wrong?" Tomoe asked, worried about her friend's sudden change in facial expressions.
"I've always associated bespectacled women with intelligence, so I'm sure you've already put two and two together." Akuma said unnervingly, "But just in case you don't get it, I'll save you the trouble and tell yo-"
"You monster..." Sumika said shakily, "You... How could you?"
"I don't really fancy such old women, but seeing as this was more of a necessity rather than a want, I didn't have much choice. I can't let you have your way, can I? Oh and don't bother trying to contact any of the other staff members, men and woman alike," he paused and Sumika's knees buckled as he whispered, "They're all dead."
Sumika couldn't find any strength to say anything. Next to her, Tomoe panicked, but her concern for her taller friend fell on deaf ears.
"Now that they've been taken cared off, I can finally set my eyes on my goal: my all grown up, beautifulUshio-chan. Don't worry, I won't leave you out. I wonder, would this be your first time being touched by a man? Ohhhh, how interesting! I can't wait t-"
Sumika didn't hear his next words as her phone was suddenly gone. Two pairs of shocked grey eyes watched a woman with short brown hair wearing casual clothes, scream into Sumika's phone, "Listen here you freaking Akuma! I'm going to track you down! And when I do, I'm going to make sure you're sentenced to death!"
The brunette then hit the end call button and passed the phone back to Sumika with a crooked smile, "Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Kimiko earlier."
"Erm... you are?"
"Detective Masanori. You can call me Mei. My dad was the officer who arrested Tokuji Akuhei 19 years ago so I know quite a bit about that slimeball and that girl Kazama Ushio, well I suppose she isn't a girl anymore, huh? She should be about my age? Anyway, I want to help you."
"Help me?" Sumika was still trying to get over her shock, "B-but he... he just... Minako-san..."
Mei took out her own phone and started typing on it, "I'll send some units to investigate that. What secondary school was it?"
"XxX Secondary School." Sumika said automatically, "They're... are they really all...?"
"Knowing that lunatic, I'd say yes. But now that he knows I'm after him, he's going to be more cautious." Mei smirked and stuck out a hand, "What're your names?"
"S-Sumika. Murasame Sumika."
"Hachisuka Tomoe."
"Nice to meet you. I look forward to working together!" Mei grinned.
"You don't believe that this man is dead?" Tomoe asked, "That's very different from what your colleagues think."
"Tch, they're a bunch of blockheads. Got no room for any imagination up here!" Mei tapped her head, "Nah, I'm just kidding. It was my dad. He was a great detective in his time, but even after he had Tokuji Akuhei sentenced to life imprisonment, he wasn't satisfied. It became worst when Tokuji Akuhei was declared dead in some stupid prison riot. My dad got even more paranoid but he was too old and ill to do any searching. He eventually passed away a few months ago so I took it upon myself to investigate this when everyone else has accepted it as what it is, and I won't rest until that man is declared dead by me."
"He killed them all..." Sumika whispered to herself.
"Wake up! This is reality, Sumika! People are killed every hour!" Mei shouted and Sumika visibly flinched, "Get over it and help me catch him!"
Sumika took deep breaths and nodded, "What do we do first?"
Mei's smile widened.
Sumika reached her house late at night. She had just dropped Tomoe at the lavish Hachisuka mansion and she was mentally exhausted. Climbing up the silent stairs, Sumika entered her room and found Ushio dozing lightly on the floor with Noe lying next to her, tenderly stroking her hair.
"Thanks for staying with her, mum." Sumika sat down next to the pair.
"You're welcomed. Is every thing okay?" Noe asked her daughter worriedly.
"I hope so."
Noe sighed and got up, "I found this in your jeans pocket. Which reminds me, why were your clothes soaking wet?"
Sumika took the small piece of paper from Noe, it was coarse and the words written on it in black ink was smudged but still readable. Sumika didn't bother reading it as she pocketed the paper and thanked her mother, "It's nothing."
"Sumika, your father was very worried today." Noe said from the doorway, "So am I."
"There's no need for you guys to be worried." Sumika faced her mother.
"Is it wrong for parents to be worried about their very rash daughter?" Noe smiled, "We're not asking you to stop caring for Ushio, we just want to remind you that you're still human, just like everyone else. When someone hits you, you will get hurt. When someone shoots you, you will die."
"I'm not going t-"
"I know, but after your father spotted you coming into the house completely covered in red liquid, you can imagine how frightened he was right?"
Sumika dropped her gaze, "Sorry. I didn't know he saw me like that."
"You will always have us to support you. It's only normal to rely on others." Noe smiled gently and walked out of the room, "Good night, Sumika."
"Night mum." Sumika stood to close the door, "I'll be careful."
"That's all we want to hear." Noe then disappeared behind her bedroom door.
Sighing, Sumika took out the crumpled piece of paper and read the smudged words, "See you here at 5 am." at the bottom was an address that Sumika recognized to be in the abandoned areas along the highway between Umegae and Tokyo. She only had a few hours between now and the meeting time, but she was determined to make the most of it.
Crumpling the paper again, she shoved it into her pocket and went to wash up before she crawled into bed beside Ushio.
Sumika was completely exhausted, her brain begged for rest but her body was tingling with impatience to get herself ready to meet and get her revenge on Akuma who, no doubt, was the sender of that note. She was about to get up when Ushio turned around to face her with tired, vulnerable brown eyes
"You're back."
"Yeah." Sumika smiled, feeling much better now that she was staring into her lover's striking eyes, "Sorry, did I wake you?"
Ushio shook her head, "I wanted to be awake when you came back."
"Why? Is everything okay?"
"I'm fine, silly Sumi-chan." Ushio smiled gracefully, leaning upwards to kiss her lover deeply. Electricity sparked and ran down Sumika's body pleasantly, much like the first time they kissed.
"What was that for?" Sumika asked with a huge grin on her face.
"Remember the first time we slept together?" Ushio gazed lovingly into grey eyes.
"How could I ever forget?" Sumika kissed Ushio again, her cheeks turning red.
"I never told you this, but I was so scared. I guess now that you know about him, you would understand why I was terrified."
"Of course, Kazama." Sumika kissed her cheek lightly.
"I thought it would be painful. That it would be a horrible experience."
Sumika stopped her kisses to search brown eyes, "Was it?" she looked genuinely worried, because to her, their first time together was something that she would never, ever forget.
"It was the complete opposite." Ushio smiled and caressed Sumika's cheeks, "When I looked into your eyes, all I saw was love. And when you touched me, you were always so considerate, so gentle. It was nothing like I expected. I could feel your love and I knew right then and there, that you are the only person I ever want to be with."
Sumika's heart swelled with emotions and she dove down to shower her lover with kisses. She couldn't suppress her oversized grin, she was simply overjoyed from hearing Ushio's words, and at that moment, she couldn't be happier.
"The night we made love for the first time," Ushio pulled Sumika up so that they were gazing into each others shimmering eyes before she said, "You made me feel what real love is. You made me forget all about the past, about the pain, the fear. You showed me what it meant for two lovers to make love." Ushio brushed the tips of her fingers along Sumika's slightly red face and she felt her own face heat up from what she was thinking, "C-could you... m-make me forget...?"
Sumika understood immediately what Ushio was asking and gently pushed Ushio onto her back before swooping down to kiss her cheeks, her forehead, her nose, her eyelids, before finally planting a firm kiss on Ushio's pink lips, pouring all her emotions into that one kiss that lasted for eternity in the hearts of both women.
"I love you." Sumika whispered when they parted, her grey eyes seemed almost black, but the small specks of silver reminded Ushio how brilliant and unique her lover's eyes were - as if they were portals into her lover's beautiful soul.
"I love you too." Ushio smiled with tears in the corners of her eyes, "I love you too, Sumika."
Sumika's heart fluttered with immense joy and she dove down to capture Ushio's lips once more, one hand moving to slowly knead Ushio's breast while the other trailed downwards to the waistband of Ushio's shorts. Carefully pulling her shorts down, Sumika smiled into their kiss when she felt her lover was already wet.
Ushio lost herself completely when Sumika's hand slipped beneath her shorts and underwear. She was already very aroused after her lover had kissed her with such intensity. She could only writhe and moan as she felt fingers tease her sensitive folds while a warm hand massaged her breast. Her mind went blank and she returned Sumika's kiss sloppily as the taller woman dominated it with ease.
She turned into putty under Sumika's skilful touch, groaning and clutching Sumika's back desperately as she lost track of time. She didn't know how long their lips were tied up in passionate kisses. She didn't know whether she was screaming or whispering Sumika's name. She didn't know if Sumika was repeatedly saying 'I love you' or if she was just feeling it through the caresses. She was drowning in an endless ocean of overwhelming emotions. She felt so cherished, so loved as Sumika touched her delicately, carefully, beautifully.
She was losing her mind, but made no move to save herself. She let herself spiral into the deepest depths, completely exposed and defenceless, but she didn't care, because her Sumika was already baring her soul and pouring every ounce of love into every kiss, every embrace, every touch, that filled Ushio's very being and left her feeling light-headed.
Sumika, on the other hand, revelled in the softness of her lover's breasts, the taste of her lover's skin, the feel of her lover's lips against her own. She kissed her beloved Ushio's swollen lips as if it was their first time, over and over again. She was determined to show Ushio the extent of her long-term love for the light-haired woman.
A beautiful love that started of as a seed when they were both middle schoolers, slowly growing into something more by the time they were in high school. All their tears, their misunderstandings, their pain, their heart aches, their laughter and smiles, were mixed together and acted as fertilizers that made the lonely seed in Sumika's heart bloom and scatter magnificently, finally turning into a remarkable flower when their lips touched for the first time.
"Sumikaaa..." Ushio whimpered unknowingly.
Sumika gazed at her lover's face illuminated by the full moon outside, and couldn't help it when the words, "You're so, so beautiful, my beloved Ushio." slipped from her lips and drifted into Ushio's ear.
Ushio reached orgasm when she heard Sumika's words. Her whole body shook like never before and she pulled Sumika down, slamming their lips together as her muscles seized up and her hips thrashed wildly against Sumika's hand. She pulled away for air, maintaining her death grip around Sumika's head as she rode her intense orgasm that crashed through her like powerful, relentless waves.
Sumika smiled from ear to ear when her lover relaxed into their bed. To her, there was nothing more beautiful than seeing her lover bathe in her afterglow, her flushed skin glistened with sweat, her lips were swollen and puffy, her light brown eyes darkened with desire, her chest rose and fell steadily. It was a sight that only Sumika has ever seen and left her wanting more.
"Thank you, Sumika." Ushio whispered, guiding Sumika to rest beside her, her arms tucked neatly on Sumika's shoulders as long arms embraced her so gently yet possessively.
"Good night, Ushio." Sumika smirked and kissed Ushio lightly on her forehead, "Sweet dreams."
As Ushio drifted off into a deep sleep, filled with pleasant dreams, Sumika untangled herself from Ushio and reluctantly crawled out of the warm bed.
"I will seal away the ghosts of your past." Sumika promised, her fingers tenderly tracing her lover's adorable cheek.
She then went to the bathroom to get changed once again. She was dressed in midnight black clothes with her hair tied up as she stalked out of the Murasame household, moving like a cat through the shadows before she backed her car out of the driveway and sped down the empty streets with a solid resolve.
Halfway through the night, Ushio sat straight up on the bed, her eyes open without a shred of exhaustion in them. She felt unusually awake, as if she hadn't been sleeping at all. Outside, the first rays of sunlight streamed in from between the curtains, illuminating the room enough for Ushio to realise that Sumika was no where to be found.
Footsteps came from the bathroom and Ushio panicked. She quickly pinched herself to wake up from this dream but when nothing happened, she felt her heart fill with fear that had her rooted to where she sat. In her mind, she screamed for her taller lover, wishing her to be right by her side, dispelling her fears with her comforting presence.
Sumi-chan... where are you? Ushio thought with her eyes screwed shut.
"Mornin' Kazama-kun." a voice that sounded pleasantly familiar reached Ushio's ears and she warily opened her eyes to find Tomoe standing in the doorway leading to the bathroom.
"Tomoe... chan?" Ushio felt so relieved, "Where's Sumi-chan? What're you doing here?"
"I woke up with a horrible taste in my mouth. Trusting my gut instinct, I drove over only to find Murasame-kun's car missing and every one here fast asleep. I hope you don't mind, but I searched your room and found this on the desk." Tomoe explained, handing a folded piece of paper to Ushio who took it with shaky hands.
She opened it and in Sumika's neat font, it read,
To my beloved Ushio, I've gone to Tokyo to settle things once and for all. I can't sit by idly while that monster roams the streets freely. I'll be back soon. Don't worry.
Yours forever, Sumika.
"No... Sumi-chan." Ushio felt her eyes grow wet, but she forced the tears back. Now wasn't the time to cry, "Do you know where she went?"
"No, but I know who to call for help." Tomoe waved her phone, "Get dressed, I'll meet you downstairs." with that, she left the room.
In an abandoned factory, 1 hour ago.
Sumika took cautious steps into the dark factory. She could vaguely see crates piled up on top of each other, forming several stacks scattered across the warehouse. The air was dusty and smelt of filth, it was awfully quiet, the only sounds were her own footsteps and the constant dripping of water leaking some where in the building.
"You truly are a very courageous woman, Murasame Sumika." Akuma commented from Sumika's right and she swivelled around in shock. He was seated on a crate near the wall. In his hand, was an iron pipe that he twirled around with his fingers.
"I didn't come here to chat with a murderer. I came to warn you. If you don't stay away from Kazama, I will turn you into the police."
"What makes you think you can do that?" Akuma rose from his seat and tapped the iron pipe against his open palm, "I've escaped prison once, what makes you think I can't do it again? And that's if you can even convince the police to catch me. I see that detective I spoke to on the phone isn't around to back you up. Were you really foolish enough to come here alone?"
"So you did fake your death."
"Of course! It was so easy, especially when I have a partner on my side." Akuma narrowed his eyes and Sumika saw his gaze flicker to look past her shoulder. But she couldn't dodge the crate that was chucked from behind. She fell unceremoniously to the ground, shoving the remains of the crate off her to scamper away from the two men.
"The road is clear, I don't see any police activity or any other cars. I don't think she's contacted anyone." the newcomer reported. He had black hair and eyes similar to Akuma, but it didn't have the same insane look in his eyes, and his lips were drawn into a straight line.
"You're a fool! That's what you are! Coming here alone, you're a complete idiot!" Akuma exclaimed, "Oh, pardon my rudeness, I want you to meet my son whom I never knew existed until I escaped prison! Isn't this amazing? When I retire, he will continue my legacy!"
"You're sick. You're both freaks." Sumika shouted, rising to her feet and assuming her Karate stance.
"You should be more original with your insults, Murasame Sumika. We've got a looong night ahead of us. Get her, Akuma junior." Akuma smirked with crazed glee as his son lunged at Sumika. She waited until he was within range before delivering a precise blow to his solar plexus. As he doubled over in pain, Sumika rammed her knee against his face, breaking his nose in the process.
Akuma junior yelled out in pain, throwing blind attacks in his attempt to get away, but Sumika was faster. In just 3 seconds, he was lying on the floor, unconscious with blood pumping from his broken nose.
"You useless piece of-" Akuma hollered, "Stay on the ground, I'll handle her!"
"How did you escape prison?" Sumika demanded, meeting Akuma head on. The man was stronger than her and armed with that sturdy bar, so Sumika was forced to go on the defensive, dodging and ducking out of the way.
"I faked my death, obviously! Exploded another body and left all my belongings on his body! It was the perfect plan, and things got even better when I found out it was my son who snuck in that bomb for me! He said he admired me! Said he wanted me out of jail so I can show him what it means to be a true mastermi-"
"As if!" Sumika buried her fist into Akuma's face, spurred on by her adrenaline, "Who the hell do you think you are? You're not a mastermind. You're not someone anyone should ever admire! You're nothing but a rapist and a killer who takes advantage of helpless women before taking their lives unjustly! Do you have any idea how your victim's family members have to suffer? How Kazama suffered?" Sumika kept attacking until the iron pipe started swinging all over, forcing her back once more.
"Like I care? I take what I want, and right now, I'm going to kill you before I kill your whole family, slowly, painfully. And once their blood has been spilled all over your house, I'll take my sweet time to fuck your stinkin' girlfriend's brains out!"
Sumika brought her left arm up and winced when the iron pipe smashed against her forearm, her bones shuddered under the force. Clenching her teeth, she punched Akuma in the jaw and felt it give way under her fist.
"That's for even thinking about coming near my family." she swivelled on her heel and dug her foot into his abdomen, sending him crashing into the crates behind him, "That's for murdering all those teachers in cold blood, especially Minako-san!"
"You bitch." Akuma wheezed, trying in vain to rise from the trap of splinters.
Sumika picked up his discarded iron pipe and walked purposefully slow towards his cowering form. She placed one foot on his knee and shoved it to the ground. Raising the pipe, she growled, "And this is for all your victims who you raped and murdered. This is payback for what you did to Kazama when she was only a little, innocent girl." she brought the iron pipe down with all her strength and whacked the man between his legs.
The scream of agony that followed echoed through the morning air as the sun began rising over the horizon, painting the dark sky a brilliant yellow with shades of orange, blue and pink.
It was a new day.
"Go, go, go!" Detective Masanori barked, waving her arm wildly as groups of police officers armed with guns charged into the factory, their flash lights illuminating the entire building as they searched the area for anyone else.
"What the-" Akuma panted, both hands clutching his groin as he watched the authorities swarm the building.
"Did you really think I was dumb enough to come face you alone?" Sumika asked.
"Job well done, you can remove those wires now." Detective Masanori grinned before turning to face Akuma with an oversized smile, "Tokuji Akuhei, you are under arrest for escaping prison, murdering 8 staff members of the XxX secondary school, attempting to rape and murder Kazama Ushio and Murasame Sumika."
Police officers continued searching the vicinity. Some surrounded the unconscious Akuma junior, leaving their superior to deal with the main criminal.
"You- Where—No! You can't keep me in prison!" Akuma hollered, struggling to lift himself from the shattered crates, "I'll break out! No one can stop me! I take what I want!"
Sumika took a subconscious step back when the crazed man managed to launch himself to his feet armed with a splintered plank of wood.
"I'm the demon! A ghost! You will never—"
Bang.
Hands flew to her ears as the reverberating boom resounded in the air, sending vibrations through the ground up to Sumika's thundering heart and ears.
She watched with mortification as Akuma's body fell limply to the floor. The wooden plank clattered noisily beside him. A trail of blood leaked along the floor, following invisible crevices in the concrete as Akuma's lifeless black eyes stared up at the ceiling.
After what felt like an eternity, Sumika managed to breathe again as she turned to Detective Masanori. The brunette held her revolver steadily. Her eyes showed nothing but steely resolve and relief as she met Sumika's wary gaze.
"It's over, Sumika." Mei's voice sounded distant in Sumika's ears that were still filled with the resonating echo of the earlier gunshot.
"It's over. I'm sorry you had to see that but it's over now. Let's go outside. There's an ambulance that can tend to your wounds and we're going to have to remove the tape on your body for use as evidence." Mei said, tugging on Sumika's sleeve to lead her out of the warehouse.
When an officer walked off with the tape recorder that had been hidden under her clothes, Sumika finally dared to ask the detective, "Will you get in trouble for shooting him?"
"Self defence." Mei dropped her gun into an evidence bag before passing it to another officer who went off in the same direction as the first, "The serial killer Tokuji Akuhei was coming at us, armed and dangerous. I took action to protect a civilian and myself. Isn't that right?"
"Y-yeah, I guess." Sumika looked down at the ice pack she held against her slowly bruising forearm, "I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough, detective."
"No need. I did this for my dad. If anything, I should be the one thanking you for assisting me on such a dangerous mission." Mei smiled, "Instead of getting in trouble for killing the man, I think I'll get into more trouble for getting a civilian involved."
"Reall—"
"SUMI-CHAN!"
Sumika's head snapped to the source of the voice. She was already on her feet the second she heard the familiar voice.
"What're you waiting for? Go to her!"
Sumika did not need to be told twice. Taking off at full speed, Sumika threw the ice pack aside just in time to scoop Ushio up in her arms.
"What the hell were you thinking? I was worried sick! How could you do something so dangerous without telling me! You should've told me! You can't always go off doing your own thing, leaving me to worry all by myself! You know very well I can't lose you, Sumi-chan! You know that!" Ushio cried into Sumika's neck as her feet touched the ground again.
"I'm sorry, Kazama. I felt that I shoul—"
Sumika couldn't finish her sentence as Ushio's palm landed on her cheek, hard. She looked back at Ushio, stunned into silence by the raging emotions in Ushio's eyes and by the stinging pain in her cheek.
"Don't you ever do something so reckless ever again! Sure, I am terrified of Akuma and what he would do if he ever got the chance. But I'm more afraid of losing you than facing him." Ushio reached a hand out to gently caress Sumika's cheek that she had just slapped, "I would choose to face him a million times over, so long as I can go home to you."
"Ushio…" Sumika's tears blurred her vision, "I'm sorry."
Ushio shook her head, "It's over now, though, right? The police… they've caught him?"
"Yeah. That man is no more, Ushio. And I won't ever leave your side, Ushio." Sumika reached out tentatively, smiling when Ushio immediately stepped into her embrace.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Sumi-chan. So, so glad." Ushio hugged her lover protectively, "I don't ever want to lose you, Sumi-chan."
"You won't, Ushio. I'll be by your side for as long as you'll have me." Sumika whispered into Ushio's ear as they continued to hold each other.
"For the rest of our lives then."
"It's a promise." Sumika pulled back an inch so that she could brush her lips against Ushio's.
"A promise." Ushio pulled Sumika towards her, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.
All around them, police officers buzzed around. Tomoe found Detective Masanori and together, they watched as the unconscious Akuma junior was pushed into a police car before a hospital bed was wheeled out of the warehouse, a white cloth covering the dead body.
"He's really dead?" a meek voice asked.
Tomoe and Mei both turned to see Ushio and Sumika standing beside them, eyes trained on the body wrapped in white cloth being transported into the back of an ambulance.
"I've never missed a shot." Mei said matter-of-factly, "You must be Kazama Ushio. I recognize your hair colour from a photo of when you were younger."
"Y-yes. Have we met?" Ushio asked.
"Not formally. My dad was the detective in charged of investigating your case. I carried on his work after his passing. But thanks to Sumika here, I can finally close the case my dad started. She's a ridiculously brave person."
Ushio looked up at Sumika proudly, "Yeah, I know. Thank you for everything, detective."
"Don't thank me. If it weren't for Sumika, none of this would've been possible." Mei smiled, "Well, I must be off. Going to have to deal with the formalities of tonight. I may have to call you in for your witness accounts at a later date so we'll be in touch!"
The trio watched as the brunette stalked off towards the police cars before heading back to their own. It had been a long and eventful morning and all three were eager to return home for some much needed rest.
Ushio held Sumika's uninjured hand in hers, swinging it back and forth. She glanced up at the taller woman with grateful brown orbs. Sumika caught her gaze and blushed.
"Is something wrong?" Sumika asked.
Ushio shook her head slightly, "Nothing. Nothing is wrong now that I have you by my side."
Sumika turned away to hide her embarrassment, instead choosing to glare daggers at Tomoe who was struggling to stifle her chuckles.
"Sumi-chan," Ushio called, brown clashing with silver once more as Ushio continued, "Thank you. I feel as if the dark memories of my childhood have finally resurfaced completely, and you've helped me face and accept my fears. You've eliminated the ghost of my past."
Sumika coughed nervously, leaning closer to Ushio to whisper under her breath, "I love you, Ushio. And I never want to see you be afraid or sad. Ever."
Ushio grinned when Tomoe burst out laughing, much to Sumika's embarrassment. With a gentle hand, Ushio pulled Sumika's chin so that the grumbling woman faced her. Going on her tiptoes, Ushio closed the distance between their faces with her lips, effectively silencing Sumika's embarrassed mutterings and putting a smile on Tomoe's face.
"I love you too, my Sumi-chan." Ushio sighed contentedly, "Let's go home."
-End-
A/N: Thanks for reading you guys! I love you so much! Hope you enjoyed it :D Epilogue coming up next :)