Chapter 17

Juicy, Jealous and Judgmental

"I didn't cut Shou. I wasn't using any tools that could have caused such things. When he came to me for the eye, it looked like it had already been treated and there wasn't any blood. I mostly just tried my best to find some way for him to keep his eye sight but obviously that didn't work." Tsubaki sighed. I had just told Tsubaki about what Shoichiro had said. Apparently he was lying like I had thought he was. "It was even worse the second time."

My eye brows rose. "He went to you two times? He told us it was just a burn."

"The first time it was but the second time, he came in with a cut on the same eye…come to think of it, it was the day after the murders. Just like the first time, the wound had already been treated. At that point I had given up on trying to bring back his sight. His eye was pretty much hopeless. The most I could have done was try and wash it out but because someone had treated him before I got to him, there was no way I could even touch his eye with out destroying more of his eye sight. That person must not have known what to do when treating such things."

I smiled evilly. "So there was someone else with Shoichiro on the day of the murder."

"We haven't proven him guilty yet Gumi." Tsubaki pointed out.

"So far the evidence points to him so at this time he is the murderer. Until a more compelling person comes along, Shoichiro is our murderer."

We stood in Tsubaki's X-ray room. She had been examining the X-rays of the victims. I was amazed no one has put two and two together. I only had to ask a few questions and we already have a very strong suspect.

"Fine. So if Shoichiro murdered everyone." Tsubaki lifted an X-ray into the light. "From what I've seen, each one died from being either stabbed or choked. Two were choked. From what I can imagine, the choking victims were the long kills while the stabbings were quick and easy. I'm suspecting that the choking victims were Shoichiro's original targets and the rest were added bonuses."

"That's sick Tsubaki. There are no Bonus's when it comes to murder." I looked at one of the X-ray's. "Which ones were choked?"

"Ceoil and Lui." Tsubaki sighed. "I always liked Ceoil. She was a sweet girl."

"Focus Tsubaki. Keep on checking the X-ray's. I'm going to go check out the ware house. See if I can find some clues." I rolled out of the room. I really hate this wheel chair. It makes it impossible to get anywhere. Just as I was rolling out of Tsubaki's doctor's office, Youe came running towards me.

"Gumi, you have to see this?" Youe yelled. When he reached me he immediately spun my wheel chair around and pushed me back into the doctor's office. "Tsubaki, Rai! Come quick! We just hit a major break in our investigation!"

Seconds later, we were all gathered in Tsubaki's office. Tsubaki is one of the only people in town who keeps a T.V. for security purposes. Youe popped the tape into the T.V. and pressed play. For a few seconds, all we were watching was Shoichiro's empty shop at midnight. Then in came Shoichiro stumbling into one of his shelves. He was dripping with blood. Then something flew into the room as Shoichiro walked into his office.

Tsubaki gasped. "Aoki! That was Aoki!"

Aoki opened the door and flew into the room. "I'm sorry Tsubaki…but you always taught me to help all patients. Shoichiro called the office and asked me to fly over and treat his eye. He told me it was a little accident he had at home…I'm sorry." Aoki looked sincere and, honestly, I couldn't see her doing anything to any of the victims. She was just too small. I doubt she could even pick up a knife to kill anyone.

Tsubaki sighed. "You were so inexperienced back then. No wonder the eye was so poorly treated."

"I'm sorry." Aoki was crying now and she hid her eyes with her little hands.

I sighed. "What shall we do boys?"

"It's not an offence to treat victims if they lie about the causes, and since Aoki was so inexperienced at the time, there's no way she could have known what had actually happened to Shoichiro's eye. It just wasn't in her skill set at the time. I say we just suspend her from work for with holding evidence." Rai said smoothly. He really does sound like a police officer.

"Sounds good to me." I turned to Aoki. "Aoki Lapis, you are suspended from work for 30 days."

"I understand." She sniffled which was so adorable. "I really am sorry Tsubaki."

Tsubaki sighed and ruffled Aoki's hair. "Don't worry about it. You couldn't have known. Go home. You can come back to work when your suspension is dropped." Aoki nodded and flew out of the room.

"I say we have enough to at least arise some suspicion but if we really want him to be convicted of murder, we'll have to find some finger prints or something that is his in that warehouse. Since all the bodies are buried and have, most likely, been compromised by the coroner, it would be pointless to dig up there bodies to find evidence. Our best bet is the warehouse." I looked at Tsubaki and Youe. "Tsubaki, you keep looking at the X-ray's to see if there's anything that would only connect to Shoichiro behind the murderer. Youe, search Shoichiro's house for anything that could link him to the murder. He might have the bloody clothes somewhere or maybe the murder weapon."

"You got it boss." Tsubaki and Youe left the room.

"What about me?" Rai asked.

"We're going to the warehouse. I figured if Shoichiro knows were on his trail, he might try to attack me so I need some brutal strength to keep me safe." I smiled. "Plus my arms are tired from wheeling myself everywhere. Do you know how hard it is to wheel my way over grass?"

Rai laughed. "Got it Chief."

By the time we reached the warehouse the sun was beginning to go down a little. I'd say that we only had another 3 hours before our time limit would come up. The warehouse had caution tape around it but when we walked up, Rai just tore the tape right off without a second though. I guess it pays to be the alpha's son. He kicked the door open and it flew open sending a cloud of dust into the air. We both coughed like crazy but when the dust subsided, Rai wheeled me inside.

There were still blood stains on the floor but it had long been dried. The warehouse still many of its machines and even some merchandise that had been ready to be shipped or given to the town. Since the place was a crime scene, it's not like they could use any of the stuff inside. It must have halted production quite a bit. I looked around and noticed a broken window.

"Rai, was that window broken when the murder was committed?" I asked.

"Yes. Everyone figured one of the victims had smashed it trying to escape. There was a little bit of blood on the glass. By the time it was suppose to go to Tsubaki, the class was closed. When I looked for it, it wasn't there. Someone must have stolen it." Rai sighed. "Yet another dead end."

"Damn it. This guys messing with me and I don't like it." I looked at the window. "Can you wheel me over there?" I asked.

"Sure." Rai pushed me over there.

"Lift me onto your shoulders, I want to see if there's anything you guys missed."

"Just be careful. There could be some pieces of glass on the ledge. Try not to get cut." Rai slowly lifted me onto his shoulders. He's really strong. Probably even stronger then Gakupo. I'm a little impressed. When I finally got up there I examined the window. I didn't see anything but as I looked out the window, I noticed something in the trees near the forest. It looked like clothing.

"I see something in the woods, let's go check it out." I looked down at him. He seemed amused that I was on his shoulders. He's such a guy.

"Alright, I'm bring you down." Rai pulled me off his shoulders and into my wheel chair. As we left the warehouse, I saw Gakupo standing on the platform with Shou. Shou was watching us. He seemed interested to see what I found. To bad the most we had was some random piece of clothing in the woods.

Rai wheeled me over to where I thought I saw the clothing. It just so happened to be out of sight of Shou. At least he won't be disappointed if we don't find anything. Sure enough, it was clothing…but it was attached to something. I tugged at it but it wouldn't budge.

"Allow me." Rai tugged hard at the thing and out came a rotted body. I screamed. If there's one thing I can handle its dead bodies. Rai dropped the body and took a few steps back. "This just became a whole lot more interesting."

Seconds later, Gakupo reached us. "Gumi are you alright?" he looked me over for any injuries. I didn't even look at him. My eyes were focused on the body. I pointed at it in pure shock. Gakupo followed my finger and jumped back a little. "I'll get Tsubaki down to examine the body." Gakupo ran towards Tsubaki's office

Rai looked at the body closer. "That looks like…like Seeu. Everyone was wondering what happened to her. I guess, now we know. She disappeared a few days after the murders took place. I wonder how no one found her."

Suddenly, Rai was struck by something. He dropped to the ground and before I knew it I was struck too…and everything went black.

I awoke on the floor of some cement room tied with my hands and feet tied behind my back. Everything was a little hazy but that much I knew for sure. As my eyes adjusted, I noticed Rai next to me. He was awake and slowly regaining his eye sight like me.

"Gumi…are you ok?" he asked weakly.

I coughed. "Yeah…I think I'm fine." I lifted my head. "Are you tied up too?"

"Yeah. I think we were struck by a bat." Rai weakly sat up. "I wonder who did this."

Someone knelt down in front of Rai but I couldn't make him out. He looked a little familiar from what I could tell. "Do you really have to ask Rai?"

Rai snarled at him. "Shoichiro, you have done some low life things but this is definitely the worst."

Shoichiro laughed. "If you had just left things to the way they were then I wouldn't have to kill you both." Shoichiro looked at me. My vision was clear now and it was most definitely Shoichiro. He had a dagger in his hand. "But I'm not gonna kill you both just yet. We still have…" He looked at his watch. "20 minutes before Shou is sentenced to death. Then when you two go missing, well let's just say it will be a happy accident." Shoichiro stood and looked out the window above me. Looks like everyone's curious to see where you are. To bad your gonna miss it."

"Help!" I screamed.

Shoichiro laughed. "Your so silly little girl. This is a sound proof room. No one's gonna hear your little screams." Shoichiro looked out the window again. "I can't wait to watch him burn. Then this will all be over."

"Tsubaki and Youe have enough to convict you." I said.

Shoichiro laughed. "You think Aizo will believe what you say? He hates you and he already decided his verdict before you even spoke." Shoichiro spun his dagger around in his hand. "Face it sweet heart. You lost. You just couldn't play the game and there's nothing you can do about it. Shou is gonna burn and you will have no choice but to watch."

I looked around for any way out but I couldn't find one. I couldn't even figure out where we are. Rai seemed to be evaluating the situation but eventually he came up with nothing.

"Well this has been fun but I have business to take care of." Shoichiro went for a door.

As soon as it opened I screamed as loud as I could, "Gakupo! Help us!" but the door slammed shut before I could even get the "us" part out.

Rai gave me a half smile. "You tried your best."

I shook my head. "Were not done yet. Gakupo will come for us. He has to. He won't rest until were found. You know he won't. He'll find us. He will."

"But will it be too late?" Rai asked. He didn't look to optimistic and I was having a hard time keeping my hope. If we can't break out of her on our own, I know Gakupo will never find us.

I looked up at the window. "Do you think you could find a way to look out that window?"

Rai shrugged. "I can try." He slid his arms under his feet so he had his arms in front of him. He used his hands to push him up then he hopped over to the window. "I think…I think were in Shoichiro's basement. Not his house but his shop. If Youe is still looking through what you told him too, he might find us." Rai sighed. "But he's on stage now so I don' think that's gonna work out to well." He banged on the glass. "Get us out of here!"

"You know that's not gonna work."

"It's better then sitting around and waiting to die." he sat down behind me and began to work on the knots on my hands. "Maybe I can kick down the door."

"That's a thought." The ropes loosened and I slid my hands out of the rope.

"Now do me." Rai held his hands out to me. I began to work on the knots. They looked a lot tighter then mine and I had trouble getting the knot to untie. "He must have really not wanted me to break free." Finally I got the rope untied and we both began to work on our feet.

"I hope we make it in time."

"I'm sure we will. I bet the halt the whole thing until were found." The knots came free and I stood only to fall down when my legs gave out on me.

"Are you ok?' Rai asked as he worked through his knots.

I nodded. "I still can't walk yet. You'd think poison wouldn't leave me so weak."

Rai chuckled. "Cute."

I looked around again and noticed something in the corner. It only took a second to realize it was Seeu, the dead person we found. "Looks like Seeu followed us here too." I shied away from her and into the wall awkwardly.

Rai looked up then back at his knot. "Figures. He probably killed her too. Seeu was one of his girlfriends when he was in middle school. He must be going after everyone he hated. No wonder he wants us gone. He's always hated me and I know he never liked you for the beginning. He's never been a big fan of outsiders."

I weakly made my way up the wall so I could look out. Gakupo was getting Shou out of his cage in shackles. That is not a good sign. "Rai we need to hurry. There putting Shou in shackles." I stumbled back down to the floor. Rai kicked the rope off him and stood. "Let's get going." He looked at the door. "I'll grab you when I break the door down."

"Don't worry about me, just stop them." I gave him a weak smile. Rai nodded then ran to the door. He slammed into it and the wood splintered. He kicked it and a hinge broke. I never knew he was so strong. It's amazing. He doesn't look to muscular but he must be a rock or something cause he's breaking that door like it's no bodies business. He kicked it hard again and then slammed into it with his shoulder. The door slammed open and hit the ground. Rai ran over to me and through me over his shoulder. "Leave me, you can get there faster."

"Oh please, your light." He ran out of the room and down the hall. He didn't even have to break down the door when he climbed the stairs. Then, we were in Shoichiro's shop. Rai tried the door to the shop but it didn't budge. He grabbed a cloth off the counter then threw it over me. "Keep your head down."

"What?" Then Rai smashed right through the glass setting off the alarm. I threw the cloth off me. "Stop!" I yelled. Heads began to turn by the plat form.

"Shoichiro's the murder!" Rai yelled. Shoichiro didn't seem too worried where he stood. He stood on the outside of the crowd. He even looked slightly amused.

"Me? You must be joking. She's just a human." Shoichiro laughed.

Gakupo snarled at him. "Do not talk about my Fiancé like that." He looked at me. "What happened? When I came back you were gone."

"Shoichiro, he knocked us out and then tied us up in his basement." Rai walked onto the stage. Youe grabbed a chair and Rai set me down in it. "And now I will present my case." I looked at Aizo who stood on stage by the cage. "If that's alright with you."

Aizo sighed. "By all means." Aizo nodded at Youe and he jumped off stage. He grabbed Shoichiro by the arm so he wouldn't escape.

I nodded. "Shoichiro killed those people. His eye injury does not consist with what he has told you all. I am unsure what was actually the cause but it is consistent with a stabbing that was yanked away or pushed as the action took place. He has motive for killing everyone. Lui broke up Ceoil and Shoichiro's relationship. Cul allowed his shop to be robbed. Karasu wasn't kind to Shoichiro when collecting his money and Oliver probably was not suppose to be there so his death was out of convenience. Leon owned the warehouse and was probably locking up when Shoichiro came in. Neko separated Shoichiro from his wife and Sonika helped her. His motive is set. Him kidnapping us is proof enough that he wanted us out of the picture as soon as possible. We also can link him to murder of Seeu. We found her body. When we were kidnapped, Shoichiro brought Seeu with us. She's in his basement now."

Aizo stood there in silence and everyone was watching him carefully. Finally Aizo spoke. "All in favor of all charges of murder transferred to Shoichiro?" Everyone rose there hands. "Then by the power invested in me by our ancestors, I hear by sentence Shoichiro to death."

Shoichiro looked like he just got smacked in the face. "No! I didn't do it! She's lying! Why would you believe a human?"

I glared at him. "I'm not a human. I'm a Half Breed and you're a murderer. What I am will not change what you have done. You deserve to repent for your sins and the pain you have caused these people. Death is heavy. Your fate was sealed as soon as you raised your blade."

Shoichiro fought as Youe led him away. Aizo walked over to me. "Impressive work Gumi. Maybe you are worthy of my son after all." Aizo held his hand out to me.

I grabbed his hand tight and shook. "Thank you Aizo. I truly appreciate your blessing."

Aizo sighed. "Yes well I can't hate you after you saved my son from the death sentence."

I smiled. "Any time."

Aizo looked at Gakupo. "Get Shou out of those shackles. He is a free man."

"What about his other sentence?" I asked.

"He's suffered enough as it is for a crime he didn't commit. I believe it's a fair trade. The town's people will agree with me." Aizo explained.

Gakupo loosened the cuffs and they fell to the ground. Shou and Gakupo just stood there staring at each other. No expressions on there faces. Finally, I interrupted there staring contest. "Just hug each other or something. Honestly, what is wrong with men?" I crossed my arms.

Gakupo chuckled. "I didn't want to believe it."

"I know." Shou gave him a half smile. They both hugged each other.

"Shou, go take a shower. You reek."

"Go without a shower for years and let's see how you smell." They both laughed.

"Shou!" Tsubaki yelled. She ran over to him and jumped into his arms. They kissed and it was full on. Tongue and everything. It was kind of awkward but since there relationship has been halted for so long, I think they deserve to enjoy themselves a little.

"Gakupo, would you set up a wedding. I want to marry this woman right now." Shou said as Tsubaki hugged him tight and cried into his shirt.

"Now? Really?" Gakupo asked.

"Yes. Now." Shou seemed more serious then I have ever seen him. Tsubaki gave him a pleading look through her tears.

Gakupo groaned. "I'll perform the impossible and get you a wedding but can't it wait until the morning."

"No!" Tsubaki stomped her foot. "Right now. I don't need a ceremony. I just want to marry Shou."

"I could marry you but you don't have rings." Aizo said.

"Hold on. I'll get them for you." a lady from the crowd said. She looked a lot like Ceoil. "As payment for finding out what happened to my daughter and son-in-law." She ran in the direction of a ring shop.

20 minutes later, Shou and Tsubaki were getting married. Tsubaki asked me to be her maid of honor and Gakupo was Shou's best man, of course. As Aizo performed the ceremony, I couldn't help but think about our wedding. Me and Gakupo…forever. I guess that had been decided when I ran away with him but making it official will be a whole new level of commitment. I just hope that we will get to stay here longer. I don't want to leave. I'm very happy hear. I wouldn't mind staying here forever. Forever…yeah that sounds pretty nice.

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I'm sorry! I know this took forever but I've been super busy and this chapters super short. It's like only 16 pages. That's so pathetic but I can't think of anything else to add to this chapter so I'm just gonna start fresh next chapter. Gakupo and Gumi wedding time. Super excited. That weddings gonna be awesome.

So I've been working super hard cause I really want to go to France this summer so my apologize for not updating sooner. Plus I'm applying to scholarships left and right. Eventually I will win one! Wish me luck guys. I need money for college! I hate everything! Just kidding I actually love everything except my co-worker at my job. She's so mean but whatever.

I have recently become obsessed with Psych and that's 70's shows. Anyone feel me on that. Those shows are so entertaining but my all time favorite American show will always be Bones even though most of the newer episodes aren't very good. Oh and if anyone wants to rant on anime to me, check out my anime watch list, I have every anime I have ever watched with comments. Feel free to take a look. I think I'm gonna work on Kyousei in one voice next. I'm having so much trouble with Oniyuri. Also, I was thinking I might add another extra thingy to Kyousei so keep your eyes peeled. If you like the idea of a new extra, comment please! Everyone comment! I command you! Thanks for reading and please don't hate me for being lazy!

p.s. you guys are probably wondering how I have time to watch TV. but no write. I actually watch TV. and write. I can't focus on a show for long without wanting to do something else so I tend to just listen to shows instead of watching them. Just FYI.