40 Shady Dealing
The Infiltration Mission Commences.
We've been here for three days and so far, nothing. Kotori took a sip of her tea and focused her gaze meditatively on the low, warm glow of the floor lamp, the only source of illumination in the main room of her lodging. He's turned over every stone that he can get away with, and I've provided as much of a distraction as I could. I'm just amazed that no one has seen through our act just yet – there should be at least one person among this group of thieves and lowlifes that can penetrate genjutsu. A low scuffle of feet in the hallway gave her cause to glance up towards the door, arranging her features into a suitably affronted expression with which to greet the returning Taiki. What's even worse is that I have to sit here and play the serving wench while he goes out and has fun. How many times has he gone to that club, anyway?
A key turned, unlocking the door, and Kotori sifted through an assortment of mercilessly sharpened words to fling at her cohort when he entered. These died on her lips, though, when not one man but three ghosted in through the door and looked over the premises. Remembering her role, Kotori let a scared squeak escape her mouth and adopted an expression of petrified fear. "What – what's going on? Who are you?"
The last of the group glanced out into the hall to make sure that it was empty and then shut the door, locking it from the inside and nodding to the first, the obvious leader of the group. "Oh, don't worry about us. We're only here for insurance in case your friend – what did he say his name was, Kohaku? – tries something funny. Our boss likes to make sure that all deals carried out in his town are fair and square." Kotori recognized the alias that Taiki had chosen for himself but said nothing, instead keeping her full attention focused on this suspect-looking trio. "Miyuki, isn't it? A pretty name for a pretty lady. Your man must've paid a nice bit of cash for you."
Let me handle this, the Nekomata suggested, a proposal that its host accepted only reluctantly. Oh, hush. Not even a paper bag over the head could help these three get any, and this is just to help you play your part. Sometimes you're just too much of a tightass for your own good. Well aware of the scrutiny her actions received, the demon moved a hand to adjust the neckline of her sleeping robe, to smooth down a stray strand of silky copper hair. "You'd like to know that, wouldn't you? Well, gentlemen, that's just… personal."
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"I'm out. Looks like you win again, hot-shot."
An easy grin from the young man. "Guess I'm just lucky, huh?" Earnings were gathered and a passing hostess was called over with an idle hand wave, a folded bill extended in his fingers for her to take. "Another round for these fine gentlemen, if you would, and keep the change." Putting his money inside his tunic, the young man all present knew as Kohaku got up from his seat at the gambling table and bowed once in farewell to the group whose pockets he'd recently lightened. "And now I'll say goodbye. I have some minor business to attend to, and then I must call it a night." Beckoning another hostess to escort him, he made a discreet inquiry as to the location of the privy and was led there by the blushing young woman. I've done well. Even in my disguise it's hard for them to keep their eyes off of me, he thought to himself as he followed his companion out of the main establishment to an outbuilding that housed the restrooms and other private facilities.
His absentminded musings were then diverted by the presence of another pair returning from a similar errand, a cheerfully intoxicated older man and his female escort. As they came into sight, the man could be heard telling an incredibly off-color joke to which the hostess giggled demurely and replied, "Jiraiya-san, please! My poor ears…"
"There's much worse where that came from," was the muttered retort, falling into momentary silence as the two pairs approached one another. A brief flash of recognition passed between the man and the youth, the first nodding in acknowledgement of the other and commenting, "Nice to see you again."
And he might be the third person we're working with. I can't be sure, but I'll bet Tori-chan will have better luck getting the truth out of him. I'll mention this to her when I get back to the hotel… "And you, sir. A pleasant evening to you." Returning the nod, the younger man gestured to his escort that they should continue on their way.
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"So, a hot piece like you wouldn't happen to have any sisters, would you?"
Kotori could not help an inward disdainful snort at this feeble line, a snort that the cat-demon echoed aloud. "I'm an only child. And before you ask, I don't think I'll be available anytime soon."
A calculated eyebrow-raise. "You think so?"
The Nekomata shrugged. "I don't think my dear Kohaku would be inclined to share. He is a very selfish man and more than enough to keep me occupied." In spite of her projected confidence, the demon could not help but note a raw agitation gnawing at the edges of her host's consciousness. You don't like where this is going either, do you, it grumbled to Kotori, who gave an agreeing murmur. That boy should be careful.
"We'll just have to see about that. You see, Masuyo owns this town and he doesn't like it when strangers come in and start nosing around where they shouldn't." A thoroughly unnerving smile, then, "Unless, of course, your man wants to join up. In that case, the boss will want some collateral to ensure loyalty – like, say, a pretty chunk of change or something else valuable."
Oh, hell. This thought came in unison to both demon and host, and the look of dread on the young woman's countenance was not unfeigned. We won't be able to carry out the mission if we're in hock to some sleazy crime boss, the cat grumbled to Kotori, expecting her to agree.
Much as the idea was repellent to her, Kotori still could not deny the inspiration that it brought. Or will we? Our goal is to infiltrate and gather information, and how better than to get close to the source!
"What's the matter, little lady? You look scared." The leader of the thug trio grinned down at his captive, relishing the worry on her face. "You have nothing to worry about – it's your dear Kohaku that you should be worried about. He'll be very dead if he chooses wrong." Rising from his seat near the shock-paled girl, he removed his outer robe and tossed it to her. "You might want to wear this for now over what you've got on. It's kinda chilly out and we can't wait for you to change."
Face blank in incomprehension, the demon caught the garment tossed to her and looked down at the coarse cloth. "Where are we going?"
"Didn't you listen? We said we're insurance in case something goes wrong. Now get up and get moving."
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Be careful…
The two words snapped Taiki to full alertness, dispelling the pleasant lull he'd fallen into during the course of the evening. He'd since finished his business and now stood at the washbasin rinsing his hands off. "What the hell was that?" he wondered, unconsciously glancing around to make sure that he had not been followed even though he was sure that the room was empty. "It sounded almost like her. What's going on?" Taiki glanced back to the mirror to make sure that his false front had held up despite the psychic shock he'd received. "The only time I hear her is when something's about to go very badly…"
Though no further words were heard, a growing sense of worry still nagged Taiki as he dried his hands with a small handkerchief that he kept tucked away in a sleeve of his robe for such purposes. He returned the cloth to its place and forced himself to fall back into the role of the unassuming Kohaku, pleased with that night's successes at the gambling table and ready to return home to the company of his mistress. Sliding the door open, he stepped out on to the path and looked around for his escort to return him to the main building. A flinch tensed his back when he realized that the young woman was long gone, replaced instead by a duo of hired muscle. "Um, hello?"
"Hello, Kohaku," said one, grabbing Taiki's right arm in a rock-solid grip.
"Please come with us," added the other, snagging Taiki's left arm and easing the youth back down the path towards the main building. "The boss would have words with you."
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Even though she was not in control of her own body, Kotori was still well aware of the stares and catcalls she attracted as she was led through the darkened streets by her captors. So now I'm little more than a bargaining chip, she seethed as she and the demon walked. I am so going to kick his ass when this is over. About ten minutes later the quartet reached their destination, which Kotori recognized with a sinking feeling as the gentlemen's club that Taiki had visited over the past few nights in his quest for information. She saw the nervous greetings the hostesses gave the three men as well as the guardedly sympathetic looks aimed her way. It seems that women come to this place for one reason and one reason only, she told the cat, who growled something thankfully incomprehensible even to its host. All the more reason to kick his ass.
She was guided through the common room of the establishment, past the bar and the kitchen and up a narrow flight of stairs at the rear of the building. Upon reaching a plain wooden door at the top of the stairs, the leader knocked two times, waited, and then knocked again. "We've brought the first guest, sir. Do you want to see her?" Hearing the muffled affirmative reply, the leader opened the door and held it open for Kotori to pass through with a mocking bow. "After you, miss."