~ Author's Note ~
First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU GUYS! TT_TT This is the most reviewed RikuKana fic in the Nura Fandom! I love you guys!
Kana: Here, D.T. Have a tissue.
Thank you so much, Kana-chan. QwQ
Rikuo: How can this shitty story get 49 reviews?! This is impossible!
Tsurara: Yeah! And I'm not even paired with Rikuo-sama!
Rikuo: *mutters* Thank God.
So, who are you guys rooting Tsurara to be with?
Kubinashi: I personally think we should have her killed.
Tsurara: Nobody asked for your opinion, minor character.
Kana, disclaimer please?
Kana: Okay! We all thank Zhane 17, Rose Rain 7, Fede 194, Marchioness Scarlet, Hikage-Sama, Silver Gold Moonlight, Vampire Princess, Nakumare, Nayrael, Kuro Shiro Neko-Chan, Dark Lord 5198, The Crest of Anubis, Dennou Writer, Night Dreamer, Night Star 09, , Micar, Sakura Tsukiyomi Lefey, Skylar-Midnight, Chizora, Ash Covered Warrior, ajiehuang 1997, hannapqc2 and wish389 for supporting this story! Not to forget the anonymous readers!
Rikuo: I still can't believe it has 49 reviews-
Jiro: PLEASE PAIR ME UP WITH TSURARA-SAN!
Ch. 10 – A Face in the Streets
As the wind chime tinkled in the balcony of his new apartment, Kubinashi lay down on his bed, looking at his notes. His legs were tangled together and he was dressed in casual light brown cotton pants and a full sleeved blue shirt. His hair was wet due to the recent shower he had and a towel was placed around on his neck.
Let's see, he thought, staring contemplatively at the notebook on his bed, his pen ready to make notes. The note was found on 19th March while Mr. Niwa was murdered a day later, on 20th. But, according to police sources, Rikuo Nura was in a public function on 12. How could it be . . . . .?
Kubinashi inspected the crumpled note again before staring at the various news headlines. Suddenly, something caught his eye. Oh, so he has two bodyguards? And both have been with the family since they were infants . . . . . . Kubinashi whipped out his cell phone from his pocket and searched for Itaku's number. He walked to close the balcony door – since it was getting late – and had just grasped the handle when something caught his eye.
Someone was spying on him.
Looking closer, he squinted his eyes at a shadow that was behind a lamp post near his house. It was stationary, like it was waiting in ambush for it's pray. The blonde narrowed his eyes. Exactly what spies do.
Suddenly, the shadow moved and a young school girl with dark green hair emerged, waving goodbye to supposedly her friend, who was on the other side of the wall and out of Kubinashi's gaze.
As he watched the girl skip away, he let out a sigh of relief. Closing the door, he went back to his work. Maybe I'm being too paranoid, he thought lying down again. But then, it is the most complex case I've ever faced.
He dialed Itaku's number and made certain notes in his pocket book before Itaku picked up. "Hello?" the young inspector's voice floated "Detective Kubinashi?"
"Hello Inspector" said Kubinashi "Can you get me some information on Ao and Kuro, Rikuo Nura's bodyguard."
"I thought you'd need it" said Itaku, possibly smirking. "So I've already made notes on them. I'll send them to you now."
The detective muttered a "thanks" and then the connection was off. Within a few seconds, there was a whir in his cell phone and Kubinashi checked his inbox. He smirked. There was a message from Itaku.
Skimming his eyes over the contents, the blonde detective was silent for a few minutes before his eyes widened in shock momentarily. Chuckling to himself, he browsed through rest of the information before placing his cell phone in his pocket again.
This is interesting, he thought, making notes. This is really very interesting . . . . . . . . .
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Kana stared at the ceiling of her bedroom as she lay on her back, her limbs spread out in a snow angel position. She groaned before curling up in a fetal position. "Why?" she muttered "Why am I so unlucky?"
Ryuuji knew. That means his whole posse knew. That means the whole college knew. She had no idea what was gonna happen tomorrow. Burying her head in a pillow, she muttered "I wanna die."
This was all Rikuo Nura's fault. Why did he have to call her on a date anyway? Couldn't they have just talked over the phone? She sighed, knowing it was unreasonable. I could've refused too, she thought regretfully.
Natsumi and Saori, why the hell did they have to tell the whole world about it? Okay, so they didn't tell it directly. But still, if they hadn't mentioned it to Kiyotsugu then Kana wouldn't have to spill the beans with Ryuuji eavesdropping on them.
Why am I even blaming them? She thought unhappily. She got up lazily and began stripping off to change into her pink bunny pajamas. She looked at her untouched chemistry homework on the desk and hesitantly got up. As she scribbled on the page, her thoughts wandered off into a different direction.
What is his purpose in all this? God, shall I ask him? She stared tentatively at her cell phone before shaking her head. As if he'd tell it to me that easily . . . . .
After an hour-and-half of hard work, Kana leaned back in her chair and stretching her arms yawned. Her eyes floated over to the 'Hello Kitty' clock on her bed stand and she panicked when she realized how late it was. It's already 11?! Gosh, time flies, she thought, rushing off to draw the curtains of her window. However, something she saw, left her frozen.
There was a face in the streets, outside her house, looking up at her with fierce intensity. A nasty feeling blossomed in the brunette's heart as she collapsed on the floor, violently shivering. As her brown eyes widened in fear, with some effort, she caught the window grill and lifting herself, peered out.
The face was gone.
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As the bell rang signaling the start of lunch break, Kana yawned, gathering her books. Due to last night's incident, she hadn't slept a wink. Could it be a hallucination? But it was . . . . . so real. And her sixth sense buzzed, agreeing with her.
The group met at the cafeteria as usual, Kiyotsugu holding a big newspaper. "Another murder" he solemnly muttered, setting down his lunch tray on the table.
Everyone looked up at him with shock but Kana's face was the most terrified. Thankfully, she regained her composure before anyone could notice. "Who?" whispered Natsumi, her talkative attitude out the window.
"Ikaruga Hibino" said the raven-haired teen, his eyes following the newspaper lines. "It's written he was an employee of the Nura Company."
Nura? Thought Kana, sweat trailing down her forehead. Her nasty omen had started again, in full bloom through her soul. Please not what I think. Please God, please, please, please . . . . .
Fortunately, Saori butted in. Snatching the newspaper from a startled Kiyotsugu, she placed it on a vacant chair and announced "None of this depressing stuff." Giving Kana a wide grin, she said "I and Natsumi are taking our pretty miss brunette on a shopping trip today for her Sunday date."
Sunday, date? Kana was confused for a moment before realizing what her friend meant. Darting her eyes around the cafeteria, she asked her friends "Hey, guys? . . . . . Was anyone, like, talking about me in your classes?"
"No" replied Jiro, chewing on his club sandwich "Why would they?"
"Oh, well" Kana looked down, embarrassed as to how she should properly address the topic. "I just hoped people didn't know about the stuff that happened yesterday" she answered, staring down at her blue ballet flats and twiddling her thumbs bashfully.
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that, Kana-chan!" Natsumi grinned widely, giving the brunette a lively thump on the back. "I don't think Ryuuji has told anyone." Her eyes floated over to the aforementioned teen. "He's too busy with other things" she said with a blank face.
Sure enough, the wealthy boy was outside the canteen with his stoic cousin Mamiru, showing some giggly girls his red hot Lamborghini. "I really wonder how his parents allow him all that though" said Saori, sipping on green tea.
"You have no idea" supplemented Kiyotsugu, shaking his head.
"Oh yeah, guys!" Jiro raised his hand, fishing in his bag for something. "Where did I keep it" he kept on muttering to himself. Finally, with a triumphant grin, he exclaimed "Got it!" As his friends looked on with curious eyes, Jiro slammed down four sheets on the table.
"Umm" said Natsumi "What are these?"
The blonde boy handed one to each of them and explained "These passes arrived at my home yesterday evening. You must fill all the details and post it to the address given below." Placing his feet casually on the table, he continued smugly "Then, my dear buddies, all we have to do is collect the plane tickets and credit cards from the bank and we're off to Paris."
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Natsumi squealed, going off into her starry-eyed, fan girl mode. "We're gonna meet Tsurara Oikawa! Ah, and the shopping, the smell, the sights of Paris~!"
"Tsurara-chan" whined Jiro, head placed on his hands, mouth drooling and eyes closed in bliss. Images of Tsurara in a pastel green summer dress floated into his mind. "She's so pretty . . . . . ~" he muttered, dreaming.
"The shopping, shopping, SHOPPING!" Saori exclaimed, trying hard not to fall out of her seat with excitement. "I'm gonna shop till my feet break!"
Kana laughed lightheartedly at her friend's reactions but noticed Kiyotsugu staring at the passes with a serious face. "Kiyo-kun" she asked, pulling on his sleeve "What happened?"
"Huh?" the raven head exclaimed, snapping out of his reverie. "Nothing" he smiled, shaking his head gently. He looked over to his three excited friends and muttered "I really hope it isn't fake . . . . . I don't want to see them get sad."
Kana smiled at him. "Me too."
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In the Nura headquarters, inside the private office of Rihyon Nura, a crystal paper holder crashed onto the floor, breaking into a million little pieces resembling diamonds. "What?!" Rikuo exclaimed in great anguish, slamming down his hands on his grandfather's imported oak table. "What do you mean Hibino's dead?"
Rihyon, with chin placed on interlaced fingers, remarked his grandson with a cool gaze. "Calm down, Rikuo" he advised. Gesturing to one of the luxurious black sofas, he added "Sit down so we can discuss this like civilized people."
Rikuo, whose hands were balled into fists, glared at the ground before carelessly collapsing on the sofa. Rubbing his temple, he asked in a low voice "Details?"
"Not much is to be said except he died due to strangulation" answered the current Nura head, scanning through a few reports. "Whoever killed him had powerful hands."
"A man" commented Rikuo.
Rihyon's eyes flashed over his grandson before holding their stead in the reports. "Not necessarily. The area strangled was not as large as an average adult man's hands would take. It could've been a man with small hands or a lady with muscular strength."
"Fingerprints?" Rikuo pressed on.
"None" said Rihyon. Rikuo uttered a disappointed groan. "Gloves. A very intelligent assassin."
The white-haired youth covered his face with his hands. "So we've got no clues, no traces, nothing on the criminal." He threw his head back, leaning on an armchair. "People are gonna blame it on Hikage Daito Ryu again, I suppose."
Rihyon smirked. "You're right." Silence settled over the two Nura men. Rikuo seemed to be in a reverie as his red eyes had glazed over and there was a thoughtful expression on his face. Rihyon sat glancing keenly at his grandson, tapping his fingers on the oak desk. With hesitation, he said "Rikuo?"
"Hmm?" was the reply.
Rihyon knew what was to come but asked anyway. "Do you think, maybe, Rihan's-''
Rikuo immediately banged his hands on the desk, his bangs covering his eyes. Rihyon gulped, feeling a bit . . . . nervous. His grandson was dangerous but this side of him was very rare to see. "It has nothing to do with father" the younger Nura said in a low voice, subtle anger and venom in his voice.
Then, standing up straight, he turned around. "I'm gonna go home now" he said, walking away. Stopping at the door, he partially turned back. "You should come back soon too. Mother will be waiting." And the red-eyed young man was finally gone.
Rihyon stared at the closed door, releasing a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "This boy . . . . . ."
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"Hurry up, Kana! We don't have all day!" Saori gritted, pushing Kana inside her favorite boutique; New Look. Natsumi had already started checking out their new collection and was admiring a knee-length, one shoulder cocktail dress.
Kana trudged slowly inside, being pushed by her bust blonde friend. She wasn't really feeling like shopping. How could she, after the events last night? But she didn't want to behave suspiciously. "Can we do this some other day?" the brunette asked in a tired voice. "I feel sleepy."
Saori, who was checking out a black tube top, immediately snapped her head to her friend. "What's wrong with you?!" she angrily exclaimed. "Your date's tomorrow woman!"
"Yeah but it's not like I don't have clothes" whined Kana. I just wanna go home and snuggle into the covers.
Natsumi had now shifted into the accessories section. She was checking a couple of feather earrings. A pretty young girl, wearing the staff uniform of New Look approached the blonde and the brunette. "Good afternoon" she greeted in a pleasant voice, smiling sweetly "May I help you?"
Saori nodded her head and said "Yeah. I'm looking for a couple of dresses from my friend over here." She pointed her thumb at a sleepy Kana. "Could you show some that are cute but for formal wear?"
The girl nodded and said "Follow me." Soon, they arrived at the Formal Dresses section for teenagers and the girl pointed to the several dresses on the numerous racks. "I think this should suit your needs."
Kana looked horrified at the number while Saori just grinned evilly. She quickly grabbed three of the dresses and pushed Kana into the dressing room, all the while chuckling to herself evilly "This is gonna be fun."
1 hour, 38 minutes and 47 dresses later ~
"You-" breathed Saori.
"-look-" said a starry-eyed Natsumi.
"-PERFECT!" the two girls squealed together, joining both their hands. Kana stood awkwardly in the dressing room, fidgeting, a shy blush on her face.
"Y-You think so?!" she stuttered, admiring herself in the mirror. She was wearing a pale pink tube dress which ended just above her ankles. Natsumi had also got her a pair of white pump heels which matched perfectly with her outfit. The dress had a bunch of flowers on the left breast area and pink ruffles on the hem with a simple but striking look.
"I think so?! I BELIEVE it, sweetie!" said Saori, putting an arm around her friend. "Tomorrow, when Rikuo Nura sees you, he'll be blown off his feet!"
"And then you both will get married!" daydreamed Natsumi, joining her hands, the images of her friend and Rikuo Nura exchanging wedding vows flitting through her mind.
"Eeh?!" Kana blushed tomato red. "That's never gonna happen!"
"That might be stretching it a little . . . ." Saori muttered, scratching her head awkwardly "But I'm sure he'll be wooed in no time!"
As the three girl walked out of the shop with their new purchases, two teasing a certain third one, they didn't notice a pair of eyes on them.
The sun had set low in the horizon and the street lamps had already been lit. The sky was a mix of a brilliant orange and a beautiful midnight blue, though the latter part was slowly beginning to dominate the endless firmament.
"See ya tomorrow Kana! I'll come before your date!" waved Saori, going off into the left lane from the intersection. Natsumi had already gone back, since she lived nearer the main town and Kana's house was still three blocks away.
As the young brunette walked through the empty streets, no one in sight, she began to get an eerie feeling in her stomach. The nasty omen. Her surroundings were silently, only the monotonous chirping of cicadas in earshot. As the face from last night flashed into her mind, her soul went cold and she quickened her pace.
The brunette was looking furtively around her now, trying to catch a glimpse of what was wrong. She had no definite proof anything was wrong and thought she was beginning to feel uselessly paranoid until . . . . . . .
She heard it. A footstep that wasn't hers.
But she wasn't stupid. Instead of turning around, she continued walking, acting as if nothing was wrong. When, in fact, everything was. She heard another mismatched footstep. That means I wasn't hallucinating before. Why, God, WHY?
The wind had picked up its pace from a gentle breeze to a lively gust. Kana rubbed her bare arms, wishing she'd put something warmer than her sleeveless light green cotton dress. Another mismatched footstep. The brunette thought about singing a sing but surprisingly none came to her mind.
She noticed her house was only a block away. A sigh of relief left her mouth and a new flicker of courage burnt in her heart. She was getting closer and closer until she could see the familiar peach-colored, two storied building in the distance. Just a few more steps . . . . . .
The brunette slammed the door of her house shirt and made sure to lock it. She could hear her mother lying dinner on the table and father watching T.V – a baseball game. She rushed up the stairs, bags in hand and crawled to her window on all fours. Slightly lifting her curtain, she peeped out. Though horrified, she'd expected it all along.
The face from last night was back, staring up at her room intently.