Chapter Four: Small Clue

How did things turn out like this?

Shinako didn't know how exactly it was possible but that Ken guy, really did act like an animal. Heck, he didn't limit himself to just acting like one, he had the strength to match the act, judging by how he blocked the Bo-staff blow. It wasn't even how he blocked it, it was how easily he pushed her back afterwards.

I knew I was out of practice but have my skills really gotten that low?

Shinako backed up as she regained her balance after having been pushed back by Ken, thinking this situation through, her eyes bouncing back and forth between the blonde guy and the other creep with the glasses, who hadn't done anything yet.

Maybe I shouldn't have quit classes… Aw damn, if things keep going at this rate I'll end up in the hospital like everyone else!

She thought, shuddering again. From what she had heard the others DC members were in really bad shape and it wasn't a part of her plans for the day to end up like them.

"Tché you just got lucky with that last blow, and guess what? It didn't even hurt!" he laughed, insanely loud which did start to tick off Shinako again.

Alright, alright, I admittedly lost practice with the staff, it's not like I've been fighting in the past couple of years, she reasoned to herself, scoffing at Ken as she darted forward again "I'm not done yet!" she spun the Bo-staff, trying to nail Ken from the side yet the former must have been expecting it for he dodged it quickly by crouching; and just as quickly raised himself back to his feet nailing Shinako in the stomach with his elbow and sending her backwards again.

And that inevitably led to her falling on her back again, an ironic echo from when she fell back in the DC room. For once, when she opened her eyes she'd like to see Hibari's glare, instead of this maniac's drooling face. At least Hibari would just bark at her to get up, this guy on the other hand was intent on beating her up.

"Looks like you are done missy!" he laughed once more, a sound that was quickly becoming annoying to Shinako.

"No grudges between us right?" he was obviously mocking her. But, when he brought down his fist Shinako brought up her staff which managed to hold it off for less than a second before it shattered.

What?

Things were looking even more bleak than before. The fist connected, yet, going on adrenaline and survival instinct alone, she summoned enough strength to kick Ken's legs; which made him lose balance and allowed her to struggle back to her feet.

Her stomach was aching and she was already spitting blood, plus she had no weapon as of a couple of seconds ago.

Perfect.

"Woman you're really annoying, landing all of these lucky strikes!"

"Ken."

Shinako suddenly looked past Ken at the other guy behind him. He was just…standing there and watching them…did that mean that he couldn't fight?

"Kakipi, cut me some slack, I'm trying to enjoy myself!" Ken complained looking back at his partner with an annoyed stare.

"We're not here to have fun Ken."

"Well I know that! You keep saying it!"

"Sometimes words don't seem to reach you, for instance, I keep telling you to take a shower and yet you ignore me."

"Kakipi! What's that supposed to mean?"

The contrast between the calm/cool Kakipi and the wild/angry Ken would have been amusing to comment on except for the fact that Shinako was still in pain. Despite that it didn't seem as though she had anything broken and she could still move. I have to get out of here, that blonde guy, he's not normal at all, I have to run, change the set, she told herself and taking advantage of the fact that the two of them were still arguing took off. Though the pain in her stomach and back still bothered her and crippled her speed considerably she kept moving, there wasn't any other choice after all. It was either that pain or the one that came from being beaten to a pulp.

This is just like that time where Ryohei decided it was a good idea to run with weights strapped to our stomachs, she concluded in a coaching effort.

Her eyes widened when she heard rapid footsteps behind her pretty much confirming that she had been followed and her pursuer would soon catch up.

Damnit, at this point…what can I still do?

She felt useless now, weak and that was worst than whatever pain could be brought down on her. The physical pain would eventually subside, but this humiliation? Hardly.

Though, if Shinako knew she was up against two dangerous escapees from the renowned Vendicare she probably wouldn't feel so pathetic.

"Running is pointless!" she heard her pursuer call again and looked over her shoulder to see him lunge at her.

He just keeps becoming more and more animalistic, she thought with a pained frowned and her eyes landed on the trash bins near her.

That could work, was her only thought as she took hold of the lid and threw it straight at Ken. At the distance they were both in, she highly doubted she'd miss and being in mid-air Ken would surely have a tough time dodging it.

The bang she heard confirmed this, yet, Ken had just shrugged it off again, having protected his face with both arms.

But that didn't mean Shinako would just give him time to recover. This was a golden chance after all.

She threw one of the half of the broken Bo-staff towards him, knowing full well that Ken wouldn't have any problem dodging or blocking it.

She was just searching for an opening after all.

And indeed all Ken had to do was bat the Bo-staff away, breaking that piece too, but by now Shinako had gotten close enough to nail him with the other half in the shoulder. She felt confident about that hit until Ken started snickering again.

"You can't hurt me with a weapon like that," he stated simply "Well, if you had aimed for the head you would have probably have a better chance at dealing some damage." He pointed out, with the sole intent of mocking her further.

Without giving her time to reply he kicked her legs from under her, and when she was on the ground he had no qualms about stepping on the side of her face. "I guess, it's over then." He began, faking a yawn and shrugging his shoulders a bit.

Shinako winced at the pressure he was putting on the side of her face and had to let go of the Bo staff to use her hands to try to take his foot off her face. She gripped his leg with as much strength as she could muster right then and then remembered something. This was a lost fight, there was no way she could win right then, so she might as well do something useful.

So, with a little more effort she ripped the bottom of Ken's pants, quite the chunk, yet Ken didn't seem to notice, or just didn't care about it much.

"Ken."

"I know, I know! I just was just finishing up Kakipi." Ken said in an exasperated manner, kicking off Shinako's hands and removing his foot from her head, but the piece of green fabric from his uniform was still clutched tightly in her left hand.

"What…what do you have against the Disciplinary Committee?" Shinako seemed to struggle a bit to make her words clear, yet both of her attackers understood them well.

"This has nothing to do with your little Committee missy," Ken promptly replied and once he noticed her inch her right hand towards what was left of the staff stepped on it.

"You can stop struggling now, it's no use, no use at all" he added on and lifted her by her collar, tightening his grip around it. "Kakipi, do you have the watch with you? "

"Of course."

Watch?

It became painfully obvious she wasn't going to get an answer and was instead shoved against the nearest wall.

"Kakipi who's wasting time now? Hurry up and give me the watch!"

Right now Shinako was having a very time getting her eyes to refocus on the person holding her against the wall, but she did caught the glimpse of something round that shone under the streetlights. She still couldn't understand what was going on at all but she wasn't trying to think too hard about it given the searing pain in the back of her head.

Ken let go of her shoulder and because the pain was becoming too much Shinako allowed herself to sink to the ground and moved a hand to the back of her head.

I'm bleeding? Great…

"Oi, oi, are you listening me?"

Shinako raised her head upwards with some effort, only to find out that Ken had crouched in front of her so that they could be at eye level. He had also raised the shiny, round object Shinako had caught a glimpse of before in between them. "It's a parting gift, treasure it alright?"

Mocking me again…what a detestable fool…

She wanted to come up with a comeback but even when she opened her mouth no sound came out. Instead she just resigned herself to silence. She had done her part already, no matter how minor it might have been, she was sure it would play a big role.

"Another one that wasn't a "hit"…this is getting pretty boring." Chikusa muttered as he pushed up his glasses. "Ken, finish it once and for all."

Ken seemed to roll his eyes, though Shinako couldn't be too certain as her vision was starting to get blurry.

"Heh, goodnight number six!"

It was now 22h and thanks to a fortunate call from a passerby Masayoshi Shinako had already been rushed to the hospital.

Her mother had already been informed and had left work early because of the urgency of the matter and had been next to her unconscious daughter ever since. Being a neighbor and a good friend of the family Kusakabe had been warned of the occurrence too and had gone to the hospital as well; and after great instance convinced Shinako's mother to take some time off to eat something, promising he'd keep an eye on her daughter.

And that's how he was now in the room watching Shinako while she slept and holding the watch that had been found with her at the scene. He had already informed Hibari as well so right now, staying in the room keeping Shinako company was all he could do.

"You're a real idiot Shinako, I thought I told you to be careful." He muttered, leaning back in his chair with a sigh.

He suddenly stood up when he heard the door open, thinking it would be Shina's mother that had come back and was about to greet her when he found himself unable too, out of surprise "Kyo-san?"

Now entering the room was Hibari Kyoya who barely spared the bed a look and choose to focus on Kusakabe "Vice-chairman, where is the watch?" as usual he went straight to the point.

"It's right here Kyo-san" Kusakabe replied and walked over to Hibari to hand him the watch. He would have asked his Chairman what he thought of the situation but he knew he wouldn't get an answer anyway.

Hibari wasn't even paying attention anymore; he just opened the watch, eyeing it more carefully. "I'll be leaving then." He said after a minute or so and pocketed the watch. "Make sure you inform the rest of the Committee of this." He said simply as he opened the door.

"Wait, Kyo-san –"

"What is it?" Hibari his Vice-Chairman off, looking back towards him. Kusakabe however just shook his head and sat back down on the head. "Nothing, Kyo-san."

Hibari didn't reply and he was about ready to leave again when something caught his eye. "What's that?" he demanded now looking at the piece of green cloth that had been placed in a small table in the room, next to the pieces of the broken Bo staff. Kusakabe looked towards the item and picked it up "Ah this… the doctors said she was found clutching this." He explained.

Hibari's eyes narrowed until the cloth seemed to be only thing he was looking at, as he walked towards Kusakabe and took it from his hand. "Is that so? Hn." it became obvious he wasn't going to explain anything to the poor Vice-Chairman.

"Kyo-san did you think of something?..."

"This place is too crowded."

He's dodging the question, Kusakabe thought as he watched Hibari disappear through the door. It really is impossible to read him, he concluded with a small sigh.

His eyes then fall back on Shinako and his whole expression softened "At least if you were awake you could tell us the culprit." He ended up murmuring to Shinako's unconscious figure, ignorant for the moment of the importance that piece of cloth Hibari had taken had.