Sheltered, you better keep the wolf back from the door
He wanders ever closer every night
And how he waits, baying for blood
I promised you everything would be fine

Been wondering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanton ways
I want to learn to love in kind
'Cause You were all I ever longed for

– Mumford & Sons.

I was positively anxious.

Tennoji seemed as calm as ever, well, as calm as he could be given his personality. Nevertheless, he was definitively calmer than me. I kept getting lost on thought at the office and as soon as Hanai seemed to be suspicious, especially because the rest of the squad hadn't been informed about our case, Tennoji had quickly dragged me out of the office. The following conversation, which rapidly turned into a slight argument, was cut short by a phone call. Much to my relief, they were finally sending the crime scene investigators to the crime scene and our presence was expected.

''That only took them two hours.'' He sighed as I hung up, hopefully channeling his frustration with me onto them.

''Well, you know them. Their procedures are a bitch to work out and they have to get clearance for everything.'' I spoke as we got in the car. ''Honestly, I'm a little surprised that we're even allowed at the crime scene while they're processing it. I've rarely seen them work, it's quite interesting to watch.'' I hummed as the car was brought to life.

''I didn't know you like to watch.''

''Well,'' I started and glanced at him, immediately noticing the god-awful smug grin on his face and I groaned, ''seriously, Tennoji!'' I punched his shoulder as an attempt to stop that proud look on his face.

The look really suited him, though…

''Fuck, you make it so easy to mess with you.'' He laughed as we pulled out of the parking garage.

''You're just fucking immature.'' I smiled before exhaling heavily. ''Seriously, though, I'll get a grip when we get there… This is… If it's the same killer or an apprentice… I can't fuck this up. Not just because of my old chief because it's… it's…'' I wasn't sure how to finish my sentence, but he didn't give me time to it anyways.

''You don't have to explain it, I get it… plus you sound so sappy, don't embarrass yourself.''

I glanced at him and expected to see that specific grin on his face, but it was only half-hearted. I didn't comment on it and allowed myself to imagine, that maybe he understood. I hadn't given it much thought, but he seemed a bit like me at that point. The look he usually had in his eyes had to be there because of something, some reason or someone. At least, that's what I chose to believe in that moment.

A silence fell between us as we approached the end of the city. It was a pleasant silence and I watched the streets passing as I rethought everything. It had to be connected, my gut feeling told me that much, but I knew I needed evidence before I could do anything.

''We're here…'' He murmured next to me and I looked up.

Sure enough, several cars were parked outside and people were bringing several cases from cars inside. We each took a deep breath and glanced at each other before stepping out. I admired the CSI. They did the dirty work and delivered the results to the rest of us, usually without complaint, and they stayed professional. Unlike a certain redhead at times…

We introduced ourselves, receiving a pair of questioning looks from a few, clearly wondering why we were there before they had finished, and it was obvious that they expected, that we wouldn't get in their way. I did my best to seem calm when in reality; I was itching to get back inside the bedroom. All I needed was the card, then I could present my theory to Kirisawa and figure out where to go from there. However, much to my frustration, only one was assigned to go through the clustered bedroom. Tennoji read me like a book and kept an eye on me. He must have noticed my frustration, but he stayed silent, knowing that he couldn't really say anything that would calm my nerves. All we could do was waiting for him to finish.

It took an hour before we were allowed to enter the room. I nearly flew inside and quickly approached the roses, which looked rather depressing at this point. Tennoji followed me. I quickly glanced at him, noticing the slight change in his expression. I couldn't quite tell what it was, but he looked somewhat nervous.

I sped down as I approached the flowers, nearly afraid to touch them, and I held my breath. My eyes scanned the bouquet, searching for a little envelope or a simple card, but it came up empty. I glanced around the room quickly as my pulse began to drum in my ears. It had to be here.

''Sorry, can I borrow a pair of gloves?'' I asked the man who was about to leave the room and he quickly handed me a pair of rubber gloves before leaving. ''Thanks.''

I went around the room, trying to imagine where she possibly could have put it. Considering how clustered the room was, it wasn't exactly an easy task. I checked the bulletin board, looking beneath receipts, old birthday cards, handouts from meetings and printed emails, but there was no card. My attention switched to the desk, checking the calendar again, looking through piles of paperwork and in the drawers. Again, my search came up empty.

''Please, please, please…'' I muttered beneath my breath as I continued my search, well knowingly that Tennoji was watching my gradually frantic movements.

My pulse drummed in my ears as I looked around, even going through the piles of clothes. I desperately needed that to find that piece of paper but no matter where I looked, I found nothing. I was about to give up when I noticed the trashcan. I grabbed it as quickly as I could and swiftly looked through the content.

''It's not here.'' I breathed before looking through it again. ''It's not here.''

''Wood…''

''No…'' I murmured before looking around again. ''It has to be here.''

''Wood.'' Tennoji raised his voice before approaching me, but I didn't react to it.

''No. No… It's here. I know it's here.'' I was about to turn around, but the sudden grip around my arm prevented me from it.

''Outside. Now.''

''No, I just need-''

''Now.'' His tone was sharp and his eyes bore into mine.

We stared at each other for a moment before I realized what was happening. I shook free from his grip and stormed out of the room, pushing past people in the hallway before reaching the outside. I took a deep breath as I hid behind the car and ran a hand through my hair. A pair of footsteps approached me and I closed my eyes, waiting for some stupid comment about my behavior.

''Let's get back to the station. The results from yesterday should be done soon.'' His tone was back to normal although it was slightly strained.

He went back to his side of the car while I let out a breath I had been holding. The car door opened and I straightened my shoulders and followed him inside. I had lost my grip for a moment, but it was enough to be utterly embarrassing. In truth, there where no one I wanted to impress more than Tennoji, and considering what he had just seen, it wasn't going great.

I couldn't look at him as I slumped into the passenger seat and I kept my eyes focused on whatever was outside the window as he started the car. Oh god, I was acting so childish and I rolled my eyes at my own behavior.

''Listen,'' I started and took a deep breath, ''I fucked up, I know that, so let's never talk about this again.'' I spoke quickly but still kept my eyes away from his direction.

''It's fine, we all go crazy about something… at least you left without causing a scene.'' He mumbled and we both fell silent.

Neither of us said a word as we drove back to the station and we only exchanged a few words before I went back to the office and he went to get some food. Much to my relief, the office was empty except for Hanai, but he was immersed in his paperwork, and sure enough, a brown envelope was waiting for me on my desk. Hanai looked up and acknowledged my presence as I walked to my desk and sat down. I nodded at him before beginning to work.

By the time Tennoji returned, happily munching on a sandwich and carrying a brown paper bag and a coffee, it was clear that we had absolutely no new leads in the case. I groaned in dismay and began rubbing my temples when Tennoji sat down on his usual spot on my desk, glancing at the papers before taking another bite. He placed the coffee before me and flipped through a few of the pages.

''Looks like we got squat…'' he basically summed up what I had I just spent on hour working on. All while casually eating a sandwich.

''Your observation skills lack nothing.'' I huffed and leaned back in my chair. ''There's no fingerprints, no trace of the killer on the victim, no footprints or tire prints. We have no witnesses or suspects.'' I spoke as I flipped through some of the scattered photographs and papers on my desk. ''We have no leads.''

''We have to wait for the results from the Ayane house,'' He spoke as he stood up and went to his desk. ''It fucking sucks, but at this point, we can't do much else than wait.'' He hummed and sat down.

''Yeah…'' I sighed and looked back at my messy desk, noticing the coffee. ''Hey, you left your coffee.''

''Nah, I thought you could use some.''

I stared at him in disbelief and a small smile found its way to my lips.

''Thank you.'' I smiled.

He hummed something as a reply before looking through some other case files on his desk. I took a sip, taking a moment to appreciate the dark taste and the fact that he had bought it for me. Then, I went back to looking through the files, there had to be something.

However, after another hour of looking through everything for what felt like the third time, I was none the wiser. I hated cases like this. Getting nowhere and having nothing to do besides waiting left me restless. As if things couldn't get worse, Kirisawa called me into his office.

''How's the case?'' He went straight to the point as soon as I had closed the door.

''It's… not progressing at the moment, sir. We have the results from the crime scene, but there's nothing to go on. No fingerprints or anything that we could use to identify the suspect with and we've found no witnesses.'' I explained and couldn't quite hide my frustration. ''I found the restaurant they might have met at, but none of their workers remember seeing them there and there're no security cameras. As things are now, we can't proceed before we get the results from the victims house.''

''This case could turn cold if we don't find anything.'' He hummed and seemed lost in thought for a moment.

Then his phone rang.

I stayed quiet as he answered it and simply watched as his expression suddenly changed. I could tell that something was wrong, but it could be about any case our division was currently handling. He said little, presumably because he received information and had nothing to give in return.

''Yes, I understand. I'll send the assigned detectives right away.'' He spoke before hanging up and his eyes returned to me. ''There's been another murder and it looks like it could be the same suspect.'' His tone was grave.

Serial killers were often difficult to handle and a hard thing to control compared to other crimes, especially when we knew little about the suspect. Nevertheless, it was news that could either help my case or only make it worse, depending on if the suspect was the same and if he had made a mistake. I was rooting for both scenarios.

''Where?''

''A couple of blocks away from yesterday's scene. I'll send you a message with the address, go out and get ready.''

I nodded and turned around, already halfway out the door when he addressed me again.

''Bring Tennoji with you.''

''Of course.''

Spin around, round, round me
Collide without a sound
Caught up in your gravity
I don't know how
Run away, way, way from me
The spirit only I can see
I need you now 'cause I don't know how
I don't know what, what
I was afraid of, I was afraid of – Sara Hartman

The scene we arrived at was strikingly similar to the one we had seen yesterday. Another abandoned building, this time a warehouse, and another young woman left dead on the concrete floor. The difference was that she had not been dead for more than a few hours. Rigor mortis had not yet affected the limbs, suggesting that she died somewhere between two to six hours ago. Bluish marks had begun to show on her throat and it certainly suggested that she had been strangled as well. Her getup was similar; a pretty dress, high heels but no purse. Yet, there was something off about her clothing.

''Tennoji.'' I called him over as I stared at the body and frowned.

''Yo.'' He spoke as he appeared next to me.

''Look at her dress.''

''What about it?''

I kneeled down and grabbed a pair of gloves from the kit next to me.

''It's too loose…'' I hummed and touched the fabric carefully.

''Maybe it's just too big for her.'' He watched me as I shook my head.

''No, I think it's unzipped… excuse me!'' I looked up at got the attention of the mortician and a technician who were engaged in conversation. I noticed that it was the same technician that Tennoji had spoken to yesterday. ''Are you done taking pictures? I want to turn her.''

''Yeah, go ahead.'' The technician nodded.

''Alright, give me a hand.'' I grabbed another pair of gloves and handed them to Tennoji when he joined me on his knees.

He didn't question it and helped me turn her, keeping her on her side as we looked. Sure enough, the zipper was open, which explained why it had looked loose on her, but it was what was underneath the dress that made a chill run down my spine.

''Cutmarks…'' He spoke beneath his breath as we both stared at what looked like a chaotic pattern of shallow lines in her skin.

''This is…'' I murmured and lifted the side of the dress, revealing how her whole back had been turned into a map of cuts.

''Hey! You might want to take some pictures of this.'' Tennoji called out, quickly resulting in every technician in the place looking in his direction.

The cuts were shallow enough so she wouldn't bleed too much, but considering how many of them there was, it would have been painful. The cuts were long and straight, looking as if the suspect took his time carving them into her skin. I had to swallow before I could get myself to look away.

This changed things…

''Maybe…'' I spoke but had to take a breath as the technicians and the mortician approached us, taking over. We moved away, allowing them to work. ''Tennoji, if this is the same suspect, maybe he's been torturing her all night, not killing her until a couple of hours ago.'' I glanced up at him.

''We can't be sure that it's the same culprit. At least we have an eyewitness this time. He should be back at the station by now.''

''I'll head back and question him and check if we have any missing person's report that matches the victim. I want you to stay here and learn more about the crime scene.''

''Yeah, sure.''

''Good, call me if there's anything. I'll see you back at the station.''

I left him the technicians and took a cab back to the station. I went straight to our supposed eyewitness, but despite getting my hopes up, the description he gave me was close to useless. He had only caught a glimpse of the suspect, so the only information he could give was, that the suspect was a man and had been wearing a black jacket and jeans. Given the strength it took to strangle a person using only one's hands, we had already assumed that the suspect was presumably a man. The man must have seen the disappointment on my face and apologized that he couldn't provide more information.

In all likeliness, we were back to being stuck.

I was mentally exhausted by the time I got back to the office and Tennoji walked in just as I had sat down. His expression told me everything I needed to know as he went straight to his desk. Given the look on his face, I stayed silent as I knew that neither of us had any new information and he looked agitated. I gave him a moment before I turned in my chair, intending to update him on the current status, but my glance moved to the door as the rest of the team walked in.

At least they were in high spirits. Each of them had either just finished a case or made some important progress and as much I didn't mind hearing their chatter, Tennoji's mood only worsened. I prayed that Hanai wouldn't use the situation to start the usual bickering with Tennoji. I wasn't sure how it would go and I kept glancing at him out of the corner of my eye. Much to my relief, they all focused on finishing their paperwork so they could head home.

During the next hour, everyone except Tennoji and I went home, Hanai being the last of them leaving at seven o'clock. I exhaled and leaned back in my chair when they were all gone. Tennoji got up just as I was about to talk to him, so I kept my mouth shut as he left the room, leaving me in the empty office.

It was suddenly weird to be there all alone, but I busied myself with checking the database for any new missing persons' reports but nothing had changed since I visited the office earlier. I glanced at the closed door before standing up, deciding that coffee would probably be a good idea at this point.

Just then, the door opened.

I expected to see Tennoji walk back in and I unknowingly smiled as I turned to look, surprised when I saw someone else. The man seemed surprised to see me as well, but his demeanor didn't change while I recognized him. It was the technician from earlier and I spotted the envelope in his hand.

''Oh, that was quick.'' I smiled politely as I approached him.

''Well, there wasn't much to work with.'' He confessed and smiled when he saw my disappointment. ''Don't worry, I'm sure you'll catch the guy.''

''I sure hope so.'' I sighed deeply and accepted the envelope from him.

''Don't work too late, miss.'' He smiled and I watched him as he left.

Not a second later, Tennoji appeared from the opposite end of the hallway and entered the room with a slightly more relaxed expression. His eyes fell on the envelope in my hands and my glance found the two cups of coffee he had in his.

''Oh.'' We exclaimed a similar sound simultaneously and I let out a short laugh.

''You just missed the guy who brought it.'' I smiled as I sat back down at my desk. ''But considering what he said, there's probably nothing useful.'' I grimaced.

''Would explain why they finished it so quickly.'' He spoke, suddenly sounding tired rather than annoyed, and approached my desk.

I nearly waited for him to sit down and was somewhat surprised when he only sat down one of the cups before moving to his own desk.

''This is the second time you've bought me a coffee today. What's the occasion?'' I smiled before taking a sip.

''Eiki complained that there wasn't anymore in the break room and I didn't want to wake the dragon.'' He grinned at his own joke and glanced at me.

''I… really can't argue against that.'' I laughed softly. ''Either way, thank you.'' I smiled and watched as his grin turned into a small smile instead.

''No problem.''

It pulled all of my heartstrings and I felt heat creep into my cheeks, prompting me to turn away. I took a deep breath before opening the envelope and examining the papers inside. Just like the previous case, there wasn't much information.

''Well,'' I sighed and let the papers fall down, ''it's the same again, no fingerprints, no clues or leads, just nothing.''

''There wasn't anything special about the crime scene either. The door was supposed to be locked but apparently, some teenagers found another way in and unlocked the door. They used it as a hangout place or something, so their fingerprints are all over the place, but they all have alibies that check out.''

''There hasn't been filed a missing person report that matches out victim and the autopsy is postponed until tomorrow morning.''

A small silence followed my last sentence and a moment passed before either of us knew what to say.

''Right now, we have nothing.'' Tennoji mumbled what we were both thinking.

I stared helplessly at the pile of papers and photographs on my desk.

''At this point, we might as well go home.'' I sighed and looked at him.

''Well, we're not getting any shit done when we have no leads.'' He exhaled heavily and stood up, grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair. ''I'll give you a ride.''

''It's alright, I can catch the last train.'' I smiled and stood as well. ''But thanks.''

''Wood.'' He turned and looked at me as he fixed the collar of his jacket. ''I'm offering you a ride home, don't make me do it twice.'' He smiled, but it was a smile I rarely saw.

As I felt a familiar heat appear on my cheeks, all I could do was nod while I was momentarily captivated by his smile. He was making it hard to ignore that silly crush…