It was a good day and a half before those grey-blue eyes fluttered open again, only close again tightly to block out the offending sunlight hitting them. What time was it, he wondered. What day? He tried to piece it together, finding he could not. All he could remember was that he'd come to Narumi to be patched up. The man had carried him home, sewn his wound and wrapped it. For that he was grateful. Speaking of which, where was Narumi? And Gouto for that matter. He always seemed to wake up alone while he was here.

Curious he sat up and attempted to get up and go look for them. Bad idea. This caused enough pain to shoot through his leg to not only make him yelp, but collapse to the floor as well with a loud thump. He just wasn't having any luck at all.

The familiar clatter of footsteps from the hall greeted him, but they were too light, too swift to be Narumi's. Too heavy to be Gouto's. No, the one to burst through the back door into the office was someone he didn't recognize; a woman, even.

She wore a lavender button down and black pencil skirt, her cropped hair neatly combed into place. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, with large eyes wide with shock and a bit of panic. Who was she and why was she in Narumi's house? Once she laid eyes on the boy, she scurried over to his side, attempting to help him up. "Are you all right?" She asked, quickly looking him over for any new wounds. Finding none, she promptly covered him with one of the blankets to give him a bit of privacy. He still wore only his underwear, but had been given a shirt at some point.

Raidou was staring at her with wide eyes, looking more than a little confused. He'd never seen this woman before, nor did Narumi mention her. Instinctively he was avoidant, suspicious. "Who are you? Where is Narumi-san?"

The woman blinked, a little wary herself. She wasn't familiar with the kid either, "Narumi is out on a case, he should be back soon." She answered quickly, eyes darting between the boy and the couch, wondering if she could lift him up that high. "Are you feeling okay? Hurting anywhere?"

"Who are you?" he asked again, eyes narrowing somewhat. Again the woman seemed nonplussed by his reactions. She must have been used to such brash questioning. Instead of getting offended or frightened, she smiled, "Where are my manners? I'm Asakura Kichou, a reporter. Narumi is a friend of mine."

"A friend..." more staring, but now the boy felt like a heel for being so harsh with her. He wished he could hide his eyes under the brim of his hat but it seemed to be missing again... Instead he bowed his head respectfully. "I'm sorry for being so blunt."

The woman waved it off, her usual smile on her face. "Don't worry about it! I'd be pretty freaked too if a stranger was in my house. You're Raidou-kun, right? Narumi didn't give me much more than a name." Meaning he hadn't told her why or how the boy came to his home, or why he was passed out half-naked on his couch with his leg stitched up. "Erm... yes." Because he really couldn't say much else. He hoisted himself back onto the couch with some effort, plopping down to rest. "Asakura-san... Do you now when Narumi-san will be back?"

"Please, Kichou is fine. Asakura-san sounds so boring..." The woman reached into her blouse pocket and retrieved a small, flat device, pressing a quick succession of buttons on the screen. "I'll find out where Narumi is for you, okay?"

Raidou nodded softly, moving to lay down again. "Kichou-san? Have you seen a black cat around here?" Tae stopped fiddling long enough to glance up at him, "He was scratching to get out earlier. Haven't seen him since."

"I see..." He wondered where Gouto could be. "Please let him in when he comes back..." he asked, getting comfortable again. His leg hurt like all get out and was little more than dead weight at the moment, but at least he could still fee his toes. That was a good sign.

The device in the woman's hand pinged and her eyes lit up. "Ah, I got a message from Narumi!" Said message was displayed to him, the text on the glowing screen apparently from the detective.

Me says:

Narumi when are you coming back? The boy woke up!

Narumi Shouhei says:

What? Shit I'm uptown. Make him comfortable and give him pills for the leg. Don't move him!

The woman pulled the device away, chuckling. "Eheh... I guess you got moved anyhow..." She grinned sheepishly, scratching at her neck. "But um... Does your leg hurt? Do you want some painkillers?" Her answer was probably the saddest look she had ever seen, almond shaped grey-blue eyes looking up at her pleadingly. Yes indeed, he wanted some god damned painkillers. And bad. She felt her heart skip a beat. "Wait here, I'll grab you some... Just... Don't move, okay?" Painkillers. Painkillers and juice were needed.

Within minutes the woman had retrieved a cup of orange juice and two tablets for him to take, holding both out to him, a slight smile on her face. "That must have been quite the scrap you got in. Narumi didn't have time to explain, but it looked like you were attacked!"

The boy gratefully took the tablets and washed them down with the juice, famished. He ended up downing the whole thing and requesting more. "It was quite a fall I had. Narumi-san helped me out a lot."

"I'll say! Well, at least he was able to help you... Are you a client of his? A friend?"

"Friend... I think." He assumed that's what they were. Not as if he would really know. He didn't have any friends besides his demons. Yet somehow that response set off alarm bells within the woman's head. "He hasn't gotten you into anything dangerous has he?" The expression on her face was of motherly worry and concern. But why? Raidou shook his head softly, looking like he was about ready to get some more sleep. Nothing much he could do now anyway besides let his leg heal. He thought to ask the women where his gear was. Certainly after a long sleep like that he had enough mag to summon. But with that idea came the realization that having a civilian finding out about the demons in his control would be less than beneficial. He decided against it in the end.

"Raidou-kun? Raidou-kun, do you feel dizzy at all?" She was still there, hunching over him, worrying her bottom lip again. "I'm fine. Just tired." he muttered, letting his eyes slip closed. That didn't stop the woman from fretting, and she sat on the floor at his side, hastily tapping on that small device again. Talking to Narumi? Likely.

Before Raidou could fall back into the abyss of pained slumber, the front door to the agency opened, the man hurriedly toeing off his shoes before making his way to the boy. "Tae, how is he?" The man came into the living area, his eyes carrying the same worry as the night before, only this time poorly masked. The woman, supposedly called "Kichou" replied in hush tones, "I think he's resting again. I gave him some ibuprofen."

"Eat anything?" Strangely enough, Narumi was all business when it came to the boy's condition. His eyes wandered over the boy as he fiddled with the cuffs of his shirt, apparently a habit he took up when he was nervous but lacked a cigarette to smoke it off with.

"I gave him OJ to keep his sugars up. You said he lost a lot of blood?"

The same hand from the other night ran across his forehead, palm slightly covering his eyes. "Temperature is a little high still, but the meds should help... Thanks, Tae." Tae again. Was she Kichou or Tae? Did she lie?

"Narumi-san..?" Raidou finally spoke up, turning his head to look over at the man. Narumi came into his view, standing over him, a relieved smile gracing his tired face when their eyes met. He pulled his hand back, the sweet relieved smile melting into a smarmy grin, his default. "Morning, sunshine! How's the leg?"

"Hurts less now, thanks to Kichou-sans help..." he replied, eying the woman with the slightest of frowns. Narumi quirked a brow, perplexed. "Kichou...?" The expression on his face phased from confused, bewildered, and then annoyed. His attentions turned to the young woman, palm to his face in frustration. "Oh, damnit Tae! You're gonna confuse the kid if you use that name!" He shout, gesturing with exasperation.

Tae gave a mighty pout, getting to her feet to face off with the man, hands on her hips. "If I want to go by Kichou, I'll very well go by Kichou! The guys at work call me Kichou! And if the only way to get someone to call me it is to introduce myself as Kichou, then so be it!"

"Kichou is your penname! And a stupid one at that! Who even calls their kid Kichou?"

"It is not stupid, it's a tribute to feminists everywhere!"

"Kichou, Kichou, Kichou! It's an outlandishly outdated name and it doesn't suit you at all!"

"It is not! Raidou-kun!" She turned her attentions to the boy laying dazedly on the couch, "What do you think of the name Kichou?"

Raidou just stared at the two, eyes shifting back and forth between them. And every time he looked at Narumi it was a plea for help. His head hurt, his leg really hurt, he was exhausted. He did not need this right now, and damned if he was going to say anything about the woman's penname. She was turning out to be scarier than he first anticipated.

As the silence ebbed on, Tae finally relented, sighing. "Ugh, fine, I get it... Sorry, Raidou-kun." She offered an apologetic smile to the ill boy, patting his shoulder with a kind smile. "Asakura Kichou is the name I slap on all my articles. My real name is Asakura Tae... You can call me whichever you want, deal?" She winked, as if that would make her seem less intimidating. It wasn't doing much, yet with a small smile he offered a nod. Thankful that was over now got comfortable again and closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

With a small sigh of his own, Narumi knelt down next to him. That warm hand returned to his forehead, this time smoothing his messy hair into place. Narumi seemed to have a fixation with that short, scruffy pixie cut of his. "Raidou, I'm going to clean your leg again, then do you think you can help me get you to bed?"

He nodded slowly, muttering a thank you to them both. The woman took this as hint enough and went to clean the table where Narumi apparently had supplies laying out, handing over some disinfectant and a washcloth. "I'll get out of your hair. Narumi, I'll text you, okay?"

"Yeah, thanks again for keeping an eye on him, Tae... I didn't want to leave him alone." That tone of voice he had... The detective was worried about him, and deeply from the sound of it. Upon further inspection of his face, it looked like he hadn't slept properly at all. The bags were really beginning to show. "You should get some sleep too, Narumi." Tae was the first to scold him, which was apparently common for the two of them. They must have been close. "If you want me to come by later so you can nap, just tell me."

"If your intention is to exchange information for caretaking, you're out of your gourd. Now beat it." The man muttered bitterly, pulling the blanket back so he could examine the stitching on Raidou's leg. Nothing infected or inflamed, that was a good sign.

Tae stuck out her tongue and collected her purse. "It was nice meeting you, Raidou-kun." She smiled, giving Narumi a good whack to the back of the skull before exiting. The man grumbled but shrugged it off, focusing on gently cleansing the still healing wound.

Raidou watched the exchange curiously, taking note of their word and Narumi's reactions. A strange exchange indeed. Very curious for two people to act like that... Eventually he voiced that curiosity. "Is Tae-san your lover?"

If Narumi had a drink in his mouth, it would have been sprayed on all the nice décor he had set up in the room at that very second. "W-what? What gives you that idea?" He sputtered, face turning bright red. Raidou, of course, showed almost no emotion what-so-ever as usual. Just mild surprise. "You two seem close..."

Narumi, on the other hand, looked like he was two seconds away from cardiac arrest. He set the cloth aside, face planted firmly in his hands. "Gods, it does look like that, doesn't it? Shit..." Not exactly the reaction of a man asked if he was dating a young, successful beauty like Tae. "No, she's not my lover. Tae's like a kid sister, too young for me." He pulled his hands back, offering the boy an awkward smile. "We're just friends. If we were dating, she'd steamroll me in a heartbeat. That bitch is fierce when she wants to me." Not the impression he'd gotten from the woman, but in his line of work he had learned fast that appearances wee deceiving. And Narumi's reaction seemed to justify itself well enough when looking at it from that perspective. "Sorry, I didn't know..." Raidou aid with a small smirk, looking pretty amused. There was much the two had to learn about each other.

Speaking of which... "Narumi-san?" the boy started, face becoming inquisitive once again. "Just how old are you? If you don't mind my asking, that is."

Again it looked like Narumi should be doing a spit-take of sorts. He chuckled nervously, as if the very question caused him some sort of embarrassment. "Eheh... How old do I look?"

Raidou stared up at him, eyes looking over his face for any minute signs of aging or any little flaws. He didn't find many. Little lines here, faint crow's feet barely there. But his skin looked pretty soft and his skin-tone was even. "Late twenties..?" he went out on a limb. The answer itself made Narumi sigh in relief. "Ehn... Close, thirty-two. I guess compared to you, I'm a bit of an old fogy, huh?"

"Not really..." The boy just shrugged. Age didn't seem to be a big deal with him. Then again he was doing a job as a teenager that a grown man should be doing. He had no place to judge. Narumi gave him a pat on the shoulder, an awkward smile on his face. "You're a good kid, Raidou. Also I should probably apologize for leaving you alone with Tae."

"It's fine. I was just startled when I woke up and you weren't here. I was a little short with her."

So he can feel fear... Noted. "Sorry kid, I had a case call and wanted to wrap up the meeting quickly, and Tae just happened to barge in just as I got off the phone... I didn't want to leave you alone so..." He was worried about him, plain and simple, and the idea of having the boy in such a state in the office on his own wasn't flying with him. For once, Tae's presence was useful. "She was probably just as startled as you."

"Mn..." The boy paid the idea little mind. It didn't matter much anyway. He slowly moved to sit up, wincing as his leg twitched and strained. Okay, no more moving that without a heal. "Easy, easy..." Narumi gently pressed him back to the couch by the shoulders, "Don't strain yourself. It hurts for a reason, kid." He chided, pulling the blanket up to his chin, "Say, do you think you've got enough of that mag stuff to use your pixie dust or whatever it's called?"

With a little frown the boy complied, letting Narumi tuck him in again. But he'd at least been on the right track with what he'd been after. "I need my demons. Where are they?"

The detective stood, walking over to his desk and pulling out the kid's summoning apparatus, the sword and gun neatly tucked away beneath the desk. Not far this time, the man was beginning to trust him more. "Third in on the right?" He motioned to the tube he remembered holding the fae from the other day. "Yes, that's right." Raidou was anxious to have her back in his control. His leg hurt far too much to make him efficient. He needed to be in fighting form and quick.

The tube was handed over, the belt set on the dining table just in case. Narumi pulled up one of the chairs to join him near the couch, watching him work intently. "You were out completely the other night. I take it you recover with rest?"

"Yeah." He happily received the tube with a little smile. "Everyone recovers mag while sleeping. That's why incubi visit people in their sleep."

Narumi twitched, "Incubi? Those actually exist?"

Raidou nodded, closing his eyes and concentrating. "There's one in my apartment building." Slowly the tube began to unscrew, pulling itself open to reveal that same unearthly green glow. "He comes to me for mag sometimes. I usually tell him to get lost." Narumi wasn't quite amused by that fact, "...Don't those, like, come sex you up...?"

"Yes." The glowing green sparked, something coming out of it. Narumi could briefly see a bit of an outline before it disappeared. He imagined that was the pixie that Raidou owned, healing his leg. Strange how he could only see an outline... Then again, Raidou did say there were some things only summoners could see, and hear in the case of Gouto. When the glow dissipated, he smiled and pulled the blanket back to check his leg. The redness around the stitching was gone, and it seemed that it had closed up part of the way. Not completely, but a good amount. "Guess fairies can only do so much."

"Dia doesn't do much, but the risk of infection is minimal now..." He returned the pixie to her tube, thanking her with a smile as she went. "Dia... That's the name of the spell, right?" Just so they were clear. Yes, Narumi knew quite a bit about the underground and what the Yatagarasu did, but he wasn't keen on the particulars. That didn't mean he didn't want to know, though. The more he knew about this summoning business, the better. Why? Even he wasn't sure at that point.

As usual Raidou was a little withdrawn at first, but after a moment of thought he was happy to oblige. "Yes, it's a light healing spell." For minor injuries, Narumi was sure. But it helped at least, "Does it help the pain at all?" There was that expression again; worry. The man really did care about him, didn't he? "It's fine, Narumi-san," Raidou muttered to help calm the man's worry. Cold as he was, he really was grateful for his concern and excellent care.

Narumi pulled back, smoothing the blanket over the boy's legs again. "I'm glad." That smile, it wasn't snarky or sarcastic, nor forced so he could hide away another less pleasing emotion. Narumi let his happiness show through, the expression not just on his lips but his eyes as well. And in turn it brought a small one out in Raidou, full lips quirking up just slightly. But just as he was able to relax something important filtered back into his memory. His job. He wasn't supposed to be here. He was either supposed to be outside doing his job or inside doing his homework. He lost the smile. "...I have to go..." he said solemnly and moved to sit up again.

Once more those hands were on him, trying to get him to rest. "Go? Go where?" Their eyes met, Raidou's suddenly as serious as they were calm. "I have to go home. I'm not supposed to be here."

"Kid, you've been out for almost two days. Are you sure that's a good idea?" That worry was there again. Raidou was still injured and he wanted to up and leave again? Was it because he felt he was intruding, that he was in the way? "I don't mind you being here, I really don't. You should rest a bit longer."

"I'm not supposed to be here..." he reiterated. He knew well enough that he wasn't supposed to let others meddle in his affairs. It could cause trouble for himself and his clan. Narumi was just a regular guy, detective or not. Without the clan or the Yatagarasu's blessings he could have nothing to do with him besides friendly banter. Narumi's heart sank, "Raidou... You can't be serious..."

"I say this for you, too. No sense risking yourself if you'll get in trouble with me."

The man had the distinct urge to shake the summoner, "Raidou, why would I get in trouble for helping you? No one else has!"

"You could learn too much. I'm saying this for your safety."

So it was all about the secrecy, what was best for the clan, the Yatagarasu... And Raidou would gladly turn away a helping hand if it meant the inner workings of the organization would be exposed, even to just one lowly detective. He cursed himself, his luck, and his naivety. Of course Raidou would refuse to stay; if the Herald found out he was spending all his time at the agency... Gods, Narumi could just picture himself being black bagged. "Let me take you home." He demanded, leveling with the young summoner. Raidou wanted to protest, wanted to say he could make it on his own. But he refrained. He knew well as the other did that he needed help. Too much movement could pop the stitches and he'd be in a world of trouble again. He agreed with a nod, slowly moving to find his clothes.

At the very least, Narumi could take solace in the fact that he could see the boy home safely.

The neighborhood was not the most pleasant, Narumi noted. Yes, it was near the mall, but the buildings around them were dilapidated, in dire need of paint, and seemingly occupied by a slew of delinquents and vagrants. He knew this neighborhood well; it was the spot of many gang-related cases he had investigated. Drugs, prostitution, even a few murders... And this was the place they put the kid up? Where they trying to force him to see the most terrible side of humanity? How was that going to make him want to protect the citizens of the capital?

"Man, the Herald sure knows how to pick em..." The two stood before one of the many run-down complexes just two streets south of the local shopping complex. Yeah, it was in the shopping district, but it clearly was not taken care of the same way as the mall was. They were almost as bad as the shared housing where the murder took place. "Do they make you pay for it? Or do they?" He asked of the boy, still a little uneasy leaving him alone with that leg of his. "They pay for everything. I'm sent money for food and supplies," the boy muttered from the passenger seat, looking about as pleased as Narumi was that he was going home. "Thank you for your help, Narumi-san. I'm sorry again for calling you like that..."

Narumi hastily shook his head, waving him off, "Kid, I'd almost prefer you did if it meant you got patched up and didn't end up bleeding out on the curb somewhere." He laid it on thick, but only because he wanted the boy to realize what kind of predicament he was in, and that the man was there to help him if need be.

Raidou didn't flinch at the idea but he did lower his gaze. Seems he got the message. But even so he knew he had to put that in the past and keep working. Clutching his sword to his chest he muttered a thank you and got out of the car, heading into the apartment building with a slight limp.

"Raidou?"

The teen stopped just before slipping through the door and turned back to look Narumi's direction. "My door's always open. You know what to do if you need anything." Call him, he was saying. Narumi was offering him help under the table, help he needed at times. Raidou's lips quirked up into the tiniest of smiles. He nodded once before turning away, disappearing back into the apartment building, leaving the older man to his own devices.

The only sound was the soft 'thump' as Narumi laid his head against the steering wheel. This was a real bind. He wanted to help the boy, he really did, but what do you do if he isn't allowed help? You couldn't force him into anything, he was a functioning adult, just in a dangerous situation... The man's mind went in circles, the feeling of utter hopelessness overcoming him. Was there really no way to help Raidou? Could he really only wait patiently, hoping he'd have his wits about him to call if he needed help?

Why do I want to run to him and bring him back?

As Raidou stepped into the apartment he heard the light beeping noise of a message on his answering machine. He quickly locked up and went for it, flicking the lights on as he did. The caller ID was a scrambled mix of numbers and letters. The Herald had called. Fearing the worst he pressed the replay button and went to get changed.

The machine beeped, stating a time and date that was less than an hour ago. "Kuzunoha Raidou the fourteenth, an utter of utmost importance has arisen." The Herald's voice spoke loud and clear, yet somehow lacked any tone. She was all business, as usual. "The Cerberus in which you failed to dispatch has been spotted in the hangars in the Tokyo bay shipping docks. Dispose of it immediately." The line went dead, and nothing else was heard save for "End of final message" from the answering machine.

You'd never see Raidou move so fast on an injured leg. He pulled on a new pair of slacks as quickly as he could and prepared himself for battle. He pulled out healing items and little provisions from the drawers of his dresser and laid them on the low table in the middle of the room. Beside them he lay ammo. As he was loading his revolver he heard a scratching noise at the window; only one thing that could be. Leaving his work for the moment he got up and went to open the window for Gouto.

The cat pounced in and landed on the table next to where Raidou was working. "I take it you got the Herald's message." So he knew as well. Just where had the cat been all that time? "Didn't expect you to come back here."

"I needed supplies." And back he went to work, loading his gun and checking it before tucking his items away in various locations on his person. Gouto's ear twitched in response, "Jouhei, I know it goes against your code, but maybe sit this one out? I can get a rookie on it." He said, noting the boy's pale complexion and sluggish movements. He needed more time to recover.

"A rookie will die." he replied, getting to his feet with a wince. He shook it off as best he could, ignoring the pain and holstered his gun. "I have to do this..." Whether it be a matter of pride or his sense of duty, it seemed nothing was going to stop the boy from going on this mission. Gouto cursed his luck, "Jouhei, are you sure? At this rate you're liable to get your leg ripped off."

"Then so be it," he replied, gathering his sword and securing it to his belt. The cat jumped to his feet, looking a tad bit panicked, "Jouhei, you're no good to the clan if you're an amputee. Listen to reason!"

"If that happens I'll relinquish my sword and commit ritual seppuku." No nothing at all was going to stop this boy. So this was why he was able to acquire the title of Raidou at such a young age; pure tireless and unconditional devotion and loyalty, the strength to get the job done even if he was killed in the process. He truly had the heart of a Kuzunoha.

And it'd be that passion that'd wind him up dead from carelessness. Gouto was at a loss. "...You're not going to reconsider, are you?"

"No." was his flat reply as he went out the door, limping his way to the stairs.

Gouto followed close behind, unsure of what to do. Raidou was skilled, yes, but he was injured and still very much out of it from the previous incident. There was no amount of skill that could save you from your own carelessness, that was something Gouto knew from experience. But what could he do? The boy was not going to heed his words, and whether he was charged as his guardian or not, the Herald's command overrode his advice. And the Herald cared little for failure, as did the organization. Even if Raidou turned down the mission and decided to rest, the Yatagarasu would come down on both their heads.

It was a no-win situation. Gouto cursed his luck.

Then, a thought occurred to him. He may not be able to get another summoner to do this mission for him, but he could certainly track down someone to help him. Perhaps someone that didn't have to report to the Herald. It wasn't in his nature to rely on someone else to help the boy, nor was it exactly kosher with the clan, but desperate times...

Without another word, Gouto set out on his own mission. He had a man to track down.