Chapter 8
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Luna glared at Tori. It was getting into the night and still they hadn't heard anything.
" You are crazy. You should never have put up that poster. Now I'll never hear anything about my family. "
" Luna, you have to give it time. Someone is bound to know something. "
" And because of your add they won't answer now. " she crossed her arms and turned away from him.
" Hey I know your upset, but you have to give it time. "
" Well we don't have time! " she snapped. " I have to find out all I can before - " she trailed off.
" Before? " he prompted.
" Before it's too late and the people that know anything lose their nerve. "
Tori didn't think that that was what she meant but let it go. Luna was touchy on this subject and he didn't want to set her off more. He watched as she got up and went to stand at the window and look outside. The moon was starting to rise when she sighed.
" Who was I kidding. " she whispered bitterly. " Why did I think that I was ever good enough to find out that I truly belonged somewhere. "
" Hey that's not true and you know it. " Tori stood up angrily. She turned her purple eyes on him over her shoulder and he saw sadness.
" Let's face it Tori. You're the only one that I can talk to. Imagine, if I hadn't crashed into you when you were escaping for your life, I would still be alone out there, somewhere. "
" I think we would have met somewhere if we hadn't met there. " Tori replied coming to stand behind her.
She shot him a small smile and then turned to look out the window. Tori sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders. She leant back into his strength and sighed.
" Luna listen I -" he was cut off as his mobile started to ring.
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Meanwhile
Li knocked on the door of the two-storey yellow house and got no answer. He walked around the back and knocked on the glass doors that lead to the living room, but no one answered. He climbed up the tree and looked inside the window. From the look of it inside - he would guess that it was Avalon's room. It had Sakura ll over it. And by the looks of things, by the messy bed and the clothes on the floor, she had been here recently.
He jumped across from the tree branch to the roof and managed to get the window open. He ducked inside and closed it after him. The smell of Cherry Blossoms and Roses assailed him as he looked around the room. It was a nice room, but that wasn't why he was here.
He walked down the stairs and saw no one. He paused and let his detective skills kick in as he looked around the living room. He spotted the notepad on the table and walked over to have a look. He picked it up and studied it. It had been written on, but what he had no idea because the page that was above it had been torn off. He picked up the pencil lying forgotten on the table and used the lead to blacken the page of the notepad.
When he was done he tore off the page and walked over to the door where he held it up to the light to see what lay hidden beneath. He saw Sakura's scribbled ideas of what may link the murders together and studied what she had written. He caught himself smiling as he recognised his own thought ideas in her scribbles.
Ok, he thought. Now I know what she was thinking before she left the house. That meant that she could possibly have done what he thought she had. He was about to leave to go in search for her when his stomach grumbled and he shot the fridge a look. Maybe he would grab something to eat first and then chase her down.
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" Stop being nervous. You'll make them nervous and less likely to tell you anything. "
" How can I stop being nervous when someone rings up out of no where offering me information! " Purple eyes flashed.
" Luna, please just try to calm down ok. " Tori watched her pace, leaning back on the wall.
" Fine. " she stopped and crossed her arms.
They heard a noise behind them and they turned to look at the old woman as she shuffled up to them. They were at the edge of the main street as the woman on the phone had asked. She looked at the Tori and then she spied Luna and her eyes went wide.
" Kami-sama, " the old woman breathed shuffling forward. " You look just like
Fraita. "
" Who? " Tori asked frowning.
" My Mother. " Luna shot him a sideways glance explaining.
" Oh. "
" My, my. I can't believe the resemblance. " she touched Luna's cheek and turned her to the light. " Oh yes. Definitely Fraita. " she smiled and then sadness over-rode her joy and she stepped back.
" I saw your add. I nearly lost my cane when I saw it. Not many people talk of Mikazukigata these days. "
" May I ask why? " Luna stepped forward desperation in her eyes.
" Ah that's right. You were very small when she sent you away. You would not have remembered. "
" Please tell me everything. " Luna said. " I have no idea why I was sent away. Why did they do it? "
" You mean Kitai didn't tell you? " the old woman asked.
" Kitai? Who is that? " Luna asked looking at Tori in confusion.
" Oh my dear, " the woman chuckled. " Kitai, your brother. " seeing Luna's slack jaw she stopped laughing.
" Bro- " Luna felt like she had been punched. " Brother? " she choked.
" You mean you didn't know? " the old woman asked stunned looking at Tori and then Luna.
" I have a brother? " purple eyes were wide and stunned.
" I think we better sit down and have you tell us everything you know. " Tori said pushing Luna onto a chair.
" Well there's isn't much that I know, but as far as some knew Kitai was your half-brother. "
" Nani?"
" Fraita had an affair with a man before you were born. She named her son Kitai and soon fell pregnant to your father and had you when he was two. "
" Kami-sama. " Luna choked and stared at the older woman. " She had an a-a-affair? "
" Oh yes quite a charming man he was the man who seduced your mother. But he was not who he seemed. He was into things that he - shouldn't have been. " she paused.
" Did things that would put any man behind bars if you follow. Some tried to warn your mother, but Fraita wasn't interested. She fell hard and she later paid the price for it. "
" What happened to my brother? " Luna swallowed hard. " Why did I never see
him? "
" Well there was some speculation as to why she did what she did, but I know. The man that had seduced your mother found out that she had born a child and thinking that it was his, confronted Fraita about it. Fraita knew by then about his evil ways and feared that he would take Kitai away from her and bring him up in his image. Fraita was petrified and so sent her son away. To where I have no idea. She thought that if she could get him away from his evil father, then at least he would have a chance to live a normal, happy life. "
" But the plan backfired. " the old woman said shaking her head sadly. " Fraita didn't have a chance to hide you and her lover thought that you were the child that was his and so demanded that Fraita give you back to him. Fraita fought long and hard to keep you but with the court trial and hiring a lawyer, Fraita was bankrupt. If that wasn't bad enough, your father found out about the affair and left your mother. Fraita was destroyed. "
" So she struck a deal. Her lover would pay Fraita's bills and settle her debts and in return she was to give him you. Fraita was ruined. She was forced to give up her remaining child to a monster or be completely ruined. She needed the help and her lover knew it. So her lover took you away and Fraita tried to pick her life up. Fraita once spoke to me. She was trying to find you and then she was going to try and get you back, but days turned into months and months turned into years and here we all stand today. "
Luna had tears streaming silently down he face. Now she knew the truth. She wiped at her face and met the old woman's gaze.
" Where is Fraita? I want to speak to her. "
" Oh my dear, Fraita died nearly ten years ago. She's buried up there with your
father. " she pointed to the cemetery behind them.
" I know they parted ways in the end, but we knew they loved each other and would want to sort out their differences in the next life. "
Luna let a small sob escape her before she buried her head in her hands and cried. Her mother and her father were both dead and the worst part was that she now remembered.
She remembered coming down the stairs and hearing another argument. She never knew what the fights were about, but now she knew. She would run outside and go and hide behind the willow tree at the teahouse and listen to the water as it blocked out the sounds of her parents fighting. That's why she felt safe and had played there often. She remembered being taken away and listening to the monster before her tell her what was expected of her now that she was his.
She gasped lifting her head to stare at nothing as horror sank in. Something cold grasped her heart and made her pant with the terrifying truth. Her father's anger and her mother's fear of loosing her faded into the background as she realised the one thing that changed her life forever.
" Oh my God, " she whispered. " My mother's lover was Morimoto. "
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Sometime Later . . .
The room was silent and dark. The only light came from the small crack in the curtains. The digital clock in the corner told the time with big red numbers. The numbers changed as the phone rang. It rang four times before it was answered. There was quiet on the end before a deep voice spoke quietly.
" . . It's time. Arrange a trip and make sure it's for an extended stay. "
The line went dead and there was a pause before the phone was replaced in its cradle. A shadow stood and reached for a small mobile phone on the table. The mobile rang a few times before it was answered. The call was ended with a small beep. The message had been passed on.
An evil smirk flashed in the semi darkness.
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The Next Day . . .
Li was getting frustrated. She hadn't returned home last night. He'd tried finding her, but everything that he thought of turned out to be bust. No one had seen her and he'd be damned if he knew what kind of trouble Avalon was getting herself into. So here he was sitting at a small table, at a small cafe, drinking a coffee hoping it would somewhat wake him up, while he studied the notes Sakura had jotted down.
Nothing seemed to be making any sense to him either. He'd looked over the victims and nothing made a connection. Why were these women being targeted? And did they have a connection with Sakura? He sighed and ran his hands through his messy hair. Was Morimoto the one behind this?
He folded the paper and put it back into his pocket. It was time to try one last lead and he hoped to God that she hadn't gone to the prison to see Morimoto like she had mentioned once before. He'd have to throw Jiang's name around a bit to get access, but he didn't think that would be much of a problem.
He paid for the coffee, smiled to the girl behind the counter and made his way to the street where he hailed a taxi. He watched the city pass by. Things were starting to come to a head and he hoped he would be able to get to Sakura before she fell. He'd caught her so many times now that he was determined not to let her down this once. No, despite the fact that his pride had been hurt with her lack of honesty, he would be damned if he was going to let her get away from him again. And when he found her . . . he hoped he'd find her and soon.
Li greeted the men, as he was lead into the security room. Getting in hadn't been a problem. No wonder. Meeting those dark and commanding eyes behind messy bangs would have given anyone clearance. Li told them why he was there. He was investigating a disappearance. He didn't mention that it could possibly be connected to the murders for that would close whatever door he had opened to get in here. He described Sakura and asked to see the security cameras from the last two days.
They were more than helpful. They collected the security footage and Li leaned over the desk while one man typed away and then played the data from the last two days. The first day brought nothing but on the second - the day before. Li paused the screen and looked at the young woman. He couldn't see her face. He watched as she was searched and before she entered she turned and right there, a familiar face flashed before she turned and went inside.
" Who did she request to see? " Li asked.
" Ah, that would be - " the guy looked through the files. " Prisoner 978976. Yoshi Morimoto sir. "
Cold swept through Li as he watched her sit down and wait. So she had done what he'd hoped she hadn't.
" Do you mind if I watch this? " Li asked.
" I don't think it will be a problem Mr. Li. " the man replied. " Hope it will be
helpful. "
" Thank you. " Li sat down and waited until he was alone before he played the footage.
And soon became frustrated. He couldn't make out what they were saying. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make the dialogue out. He saw Sakura jump up and say something before she left and he saw the cold, calculating look on Moto's face and wondered what the hell had happened.
Li tracked down the man that had helped him and asked him if it were possible to clear the background noise. The man tried his best but they didn't have the technology for the job. Their voices were just too quiet for the program to pick it up. He apologised at the dark look on Li's face.
" I want a copy of this footage before I leave. " Li commanded and walked out.
Damn it!
Li's fist thumped the wall. Sakura had walked right into the demon's den. Did she have any sense at all! He spoke briefly with the head guard and took the copy of the footage before he left. He made his way back to Sakura's house and pulled his laptop from his baggage and set to work.
He inserted the cd into the drive and waited while it loaded. He reached for his cell and dialled Eriol's number. He answered after several rings.
" I need your help. " Li said and clenched his jaw when he could hear the smirk in Eriol's voice.
" Is that so? " he purred. " What can I help you with? "
" Avalon saw Morimoto in prison yesterday around 12 o'clock pm. I have her on the security footage speaking with him. "
" Dear God. " shock rippled through his voice. " Is she crazy? "
" I'll question her sanity later when I find her. " Li replied as he typed away at his computer. " But at the moment I need someone who can work some technical magic for me.
You're resume said you're good with that sort of stuff. I want you to get the conversation off this footage and enhance it so I can hear it. "
" Why Xiao Lang, " Eriol replied. " You honour me. You actually pay attention to me. I'm so happy. "
" Save the soppy crap for later Hiragizawa. Every second counts. Can you do it? "
" Send me the footage and I'll see what I can do. I'll have to use Duchess's computer. "
" Duchess? " Li frowned in puzzlement. " Who the hell - "
" Not now. Just do it. "
" Who died and made you boss? " Li muttered.
" Heard that. You want my help, you're going to have to super nice to me. "
" Did you know that black mail is against the law. " Li stated. Eriol laughed and Li snorted angrily.
A few minutes later Eriol was signing into his computer (which was back at his home) and accessing the programs that he needed through Madison's computer. Li sent him the footage and waited while Eriol opened it and muttered to himself as he worked away furiously. Li sighed as he waited on the other end of the phone and the frowned when he heard another voice on the other end of the phone.
" . . Hiragizawa what are you doing on my computer! " Madison demanded as she spotted him in her office. " You better not be messing around with my work. If you so much
as touch an invoice you're toast! "
" Calm down Duchess. " Eriol shifted his shoulder so he didn't lose his mobile and Li on the other end as he typed.
" I'm helping Li. " Madison's eyes widened.
" Li? As in Xiao Lang? " she snatched the phone from his shoulder and ignored is protest.
" Li-san? " she asked breathlessly.
" Daidoji? " Li's voice sounded surprised. " Why are you with Hiragizawa? "
" He's my body guard. " she said and refused to disguise the distaste at the fact. " Protective Custody and all. "
" Hiragizawa is your body guard! " Madison cringed at the rising note in his voice.
" Hai. " she replied and held the phone away from her ear as he raged on.
" Guess he doesn't like the idea either, " Eriol smiled at her over his shoulder.
" Typical. A guy can't get a break can he? "
" Hai, hai. Li-san calm down. " Madison tried to soothe him. " Have you heard any news on Sakura-chan? "
Eriol paused for a second before he started typing again as he worked on the file.
" You know that I can't disclose any information Daidoji. You're not even meant to know about her while in pro - "
" Something's wrong then isn't it? " she breathed fretfully.
" Daidoji what did I just say - " Li stated.
" Oh my God! "
" Now Daidoji calm down. " Li said but she wasn't listening to him. Her gaze was riveted on the screen.
" What is Sakura-chan doing with Morimoto! " she screeched as she saw the footage over Eriol's shoulder.
" Now Duchess- " Eriol began.
" Hiragizawa! " Li fumed on the other end of the phone. Was this case going to be full of rule breaking?
" Now Li, " Eriol took the phone back from Madison. " I'm doing my best here for you. Give me that much. "
" You are meant to keep your witness from finding anything out - "
" I know, I know. Spare me the lecture. In case you haven't guessed, this one is a handful. "
" Well if you would learn to butt out of my life - " Madison began.
" Duchess as much as I love arguing with you, I'm really busy here. "
" Well if you think I'm going to let you handle this without me, " she pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. " Think again. " her violet eyes flashed with determination and he sighed.
" Ok Li. This is all that I could do. " he said and put the phone on loud speaker and clicked play.
" I would love to take credit for those lovely little killing sprees Miss Avalon, but unfortunately I don't have the luxury of being able to stake claim to them. "
" You lie."
" Oh I underestimated you my dear. " his voice was cold.
" I want you to send that to me pronto. " Li's voice was emotionless and had a cold edge to it.
" Sending it already. " Eriol replied.
" Why did Sakura go see him? " Madison asked. " She was meant to be here in China. Why is she not with you Li-san? "
". . . . . . "
" Li-san? "
" Madison, lay off for a bit ok? " Eriol said softly giving her a look. " I'll explain it all later. "
" Daidoji, you haven't heard from Sakura have you? " Li asked over the phone.
" Iie. I haven't heard from her since I came to you last asking for help in finding her. "
" Arigato. " Li replied and then sighed. " I'm going to go over this footage and then see where that leads me. Arigato Hiragizawa. Job well done. Ja. " he hung up.
" Did he - " Madison looked startled.
" I think he did. " Eriol replied stunned.
When did Li ever thank anybody? Least of all Hiragizawa!
Li sat back from ending the call and felt desperate. Why would she do something so dangerous? Why would Sakura face Morimoto when she knew how dangerous he could be? Because she wants to put and end to it. He stiffened when the answer came to him. All along he knew how desperate she was to put an end to all the fear and the danger to her family. He had turned away from her and knowing she had no one else that could help her, she had taken the mission onto herself and now it would seem she was determined to discover the truth behind these murders and her own troubles. But didn't she realise how much trouble she was putting herself into!
Li ran his hands through his hair and sighed deeply. He reached over and pressed the play button and listened to the conversation again.
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Sakura was walking down the street towards her house when a cold shiver went up her spine. She stopped and looked behind her, but there was nothing there. Frowning she continued on her way. Maybe she was imaging things. She had spoken to Morimoto two days ago now. It was natural for her to be wary.
Feeling her skin crawl after confronting him, she had booked into a hotel and had remained there for the last two days. But now she had emerged once again and was going to head home and try and figure out how these murders connected to one another. There had to be an answer and she was sure of it.
She stopped at the corner of the road and remembered that she had to get more groceries. She spotted the side street that acted as a short cut and started walking down it. The day was bright and clear and she allowed a small smile to adorn her pretty mouth. The wind messed her bangs and she brushed them out of her eyes annoyed. She would have to get them taken care of soon.
She heard the car coming but payed little attention to it. Cars came and went all the time. The screeching of tyres made her look up and gasp. She struggled as she was grabbed from the open doorway and tried to scream when she was dragged closer to the car. She lashed out but she was no match for her captors. Pain lanced her head and everything went black.
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Li bolted awake when his phone rang. He'd fallen asleep on the couch in front of his laptop. He reached for it and answered it groggily.
" Li? " Eriol's voice rang loud and clear.
" Yeah. " he groaned rubbing his hands over his eyes.
" There's been more murders. " It took a couple of seconds for the information to sink in.
" Nani! " he jumped up and paced around the room. " When, Where - How? " he demanded.
" This morning. " Eriol replied. " It's all over the news. "
" Hang on a sec. " Li found the remote and turned on the tv. He watched in horror as the details were given.
Three women. Killed similarly. All the same street. No known reason as to how the killer got to them.
" Oh God. " Li breathed. " Please don't tell me Kinomoto is one of them. "
" Umm, there's something you should know. " Eriol's voice was grim. " One of the women was of similar height, colour and has green eyes as Kinomoto. You haven't found her yet have you? " Eriol asked quietly.
" She was not killed! " he yelled angrily. " There is no way -! "
" But you haven't found her yet have you?"
" Stop it! " Li demanded trying not to fall apart. " Tell me where this murder happened and let me handle it! "
Eriol passed on the details and then before he hung up he told Li that Jiang wanted to know his whereabouts. Li promised he'd deal with it before he hung up. He looked around the room at his scattered notes and then back at his phone. Sakura was not dead. He would know. He dived on his suitcase and bolted upstairs to the shower. He knew he should book into a hotel, but if there was a slight chance that Sakura may return home, then he wanted to be here when she did.
He'd argue about it with her later.
For now, he had a murder investigation to crash.
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Later that Morning
Once more mentioning Jiang's name as well as flashing his badge got him into the crime scene. Forensics were taking photographs as they studied the still form of the dead girl. As far Li could see the girl was sprawled on her stomach blood pooled beneath her. He stepped forward to take a closer look when one of the detectives tried to stop him. Li shot him a cold glare and had the satisfaction of seeing him flinch before he demanded what Li was doing there. Li nodded towards the still form and stated that he was there investigating a missing person and that he thought it was connected to these murders.
The guy was reluctant to let him pass but stepped aside and walked behind Li as he came to stand near the dead girl. The girl was tall and had a nice shape. Her auburn hair glimmered in the sunlight coming in from the window. Li stepped back as the Coroner came in to remove the lifeless girl. Li felt his blood go cold as the girl was turned over before she was lifted onto the stretcher.
At first he thought it was Sakura laying prone and lifeless on the stretcher and his heart stopped and his blood went cold but then he noticed that the girls face and mouth were thinner, not as full and lush as Sakura's. The second thing he noticed was how she had been killed. He felt bile rise in his throat when he saw the huge gash from her throat to her chest. The poor girl had felt all of it.
Feeling shaky as the black bag was zipped up and was taken away, Li left the detectives and walked out the door and leaned against the wall in the hallway and tried to take a deep breath. He ran his hands over her face and tried to gather himself. God, he'd thought that it had been Sakura. His heart had stopped when he thought it.
The detective came out and took one look at him and he frowned. Li pulled himself together and then set about asking as many questions as he could without pushing his luck.
The three women were known by friends and family and none had mentioned a love interest or that they had been seeing other people. All three women had been expected to have a quiet night the night before and as far as anyone knew. How the killer had gotten in no one knew. Either he was a magician or he was highly skilled in removing any trace of himself.
Li thanked the reluctant detective and left as soon as he could without seeming suspicious. He made it back to the Avalon's house in one piece and then sat down in front of his laptop and sighed. So much had happened in the last couple of days. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the scrunched up bit of paper from Sakura's notepad and put in on the table. He sat back and closed his eyes tiredly. Sakura's face flashed into his mind but it wasn't her smiling and being happy. No, the image that came to mind was her lying prone and still with her blood spilling out of her.
Li sat up swearing and tried to shake the picture of the dead woman from his head. He opened his eyes and came face to face with the little piece of paper that Sakura had jotted her notes on and then it hit him. It was like a he had flown into a train at high speeds and been knocked senseless. Everything made sense. The killings, the similarities everything. He opened the paper and looked down at her scrawl and understood it all. How could he have been so blind? He knew it all; why the killer murdered in threes. It was staring him in the face and he couldn't believe no one had picked up on it until now.
He snatched up his mobile and dialled Jiang. Screw protocol, this was an emergency.
TBC
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BW2 Wow! What a cliff-hanger! Dodging daggers and flying fruit. Ok, ok, ok! I know most of you are probably hating me right about now for leaving it there, but I had to I swear. I mentioned before that I only had a couple of chapters left before it is finished; well I think the next chapter will be it.
But what a revelation huh? Who could ever guess that Luna had a brother and a mother who was romantically involved with Morimoto? Bet that was a bit of a shock. Well I have some more surprises for you so look out lol.
I've forced myself to sit down in my chair and type this for you guys and some times I've come close to decking my computer in sheer frustration. I think my computer needs to be more supportive. You see when my mind starts to wonder, I think it should flash up on the screen in big, red numbers - GET BACK TO WORK! It would certainly make me come back to reality and stop daydreaming lol.
Anyway if you have any comments please review and let me know. I won't know what you guys think unless you tell me. So please click on the little button down the bottom and review me. Take care and till next time.
Tami