Welcome to chapter 6!

Pre-A.N: Welcome back after my Christmas semi-hiatus! Please enjoy my chapter, I hope you like it, gonna re-read it later if I see any mistakes. (I need sleep, sleep chazly is sleepy)

He waited in her apartment for over six hours, he soon deducted that she wasn't coming home. He sighed and looked at his watch and then checked his emails. One mail from her came through, her message was enough.

I am busy tonight, fuck off Ryuu.

M.

He grinned, shutting his laptop before leaving her apartment, putting the file on her coffee table. She would have to wait and see what gift he had left for her.

She had taken him to a nightclub. Of course he had been stuttering and making small excuses as to why he didn't think it would be a good idea. But in the end, she got him to go with her. They met after work, she had changed into a flower patterned top and skinny jeans, he was still wearing his red button up shirt, tie and baggy trousers. He looked adorable, she had to admit, blushing whenever she set her eyes on him. She had a small soft spot for men who tried to do the right thing with women. Treat them nicely, take them out on small cute dates like you saw in old fashioned films. She liked the idea of being treated nicely, though she knew deep down that she didn't deserve it.

The nightclub wasn't too full, which he had been relieved by. She ordered some drinks, he mumbled that he shouldn't really drink on top of his antidepressants. She smiled up at him, "Life doesn't have to be about pills, sometimes, you gotta let life be your medication." And with that, he took a shot and gulped it back, widening his eyes at the sudden buzz in his system.

They talked by the bar for a few hours, he looked tired, but never complained about the time. She brought up the conversation of how he became an enforcer, and when he told her the story, she listened. She found it fascinating. When he asked how she kept her psycho-pass so clear, she bit her lip, wondering that herself.

"I don't know," She smiled, it was full of sad memories. "My upbringing to most people would make them become institutionalised. I was brought up in an orphanage in Ukraine where people would beat me daily if I didn't pray to God." She chuckled, "I would always pray that I would be adopted by a couple who wanted a child more than anything. People who wouldn't hurt me. My wish was granted." She glanced at him, he was smiling under his head of hair. She reached out and lifted up his fringe and grinned, "Your eyes are pretty." He blushed crimson. She giggled, "They remind me of storm clouds."

He took a sip of his drink, "I-I um. Thank you."

She cocked her head too the side, "Sho, do you like me?"

He widened his eyes, "I…um…" He gulped the rest of his drink, "I do." He cleared his throat, "I think I've liked you since you first came into headquarters."

She leaned in and looked right into his eyes, "I have too warn you Sho, I am not as sane as I seem." She exhaled, "I am all sorts of crazy, I have just learned how to cope with it." She murmured, looking to the dance floor and looked back to him. "Let's dance!"

"Dance? Here… in front of all those p-people?" He mumbled, she pulled him to the flashing floor, she peered behind her. Once she found a spot, she pulled his hand to her hip, pulling him forward. His crotch pressed against her ass.

She winked, "We're all drunk in here, so why not dance?" She asked, he bit his lip. She felt his guilty arousal, she found it adorable in an odd way that he blushed about it once he noticed it. She spun around, his hands still on her hips. She swayed with him, chuckling to herself. The song wasn't too upbeat, and some couples were resting against each other in a lustful fashion. So when she put her head against his chest, he didn't seem too bothered by it. They danced like that for a while, him holding her, his smell filling her nostrils. He smelt good. Like grassy soap and dark amber.

Hours passed, they were sweating and exhausted when they finally went back to the bar and got some water. He kept looking at her, a small amazed like smile plastered on his lips. She raised a brow, questioning him. His eyes went wide, guiltily, he cleared his throat. "It…it is getting late."

She smiled knowingly, "Your place or mine, Sho?"

He stuttered, his words tumbling over one another. She pulled him close too her, their lips inches apart. "Mine or yours?" She repeated in a whisper.

"Uh…mine?" He questioned himself.

"Yours, then." She giggled, grabbing her bag.

His apartment like most enforcers, was bare and simplistic. She put her coat on the rack and he poured her a glass of wine. "I… don't usually drink. Ginoza left it after a small gathering…" He explained. "I hope it's ok."

She sipped it, a fine vintage, she realised. "Sho?" He looked at her, he seemed nervous. "Sho, how many women have you brought back here?"

He cleared his throat and muttered embarrassingly, "none…"

She smiled, "Am I your first… partner?" She tried her words carefully.

He nodded after a small hesitation. She walked behind him and whispered into his ear, "Do you want me to show you how?"

He blushed again, that same adorable crimson. She saw goosebumps on his arms. He nodded, she held his hand and said, "Take me to bed, then." She winked, "I promise, I will go slow." He seemed both thankful and embarrassed by her sentiment. But sure enough, he took her hand and led her to his ever so tidy bedroom.

For once she enjoyed the events that followed, he may have been a novice to the idea of sex, but his touches were carefully placed. She liked that. She was straddling him, his eyes looked up at her, astonished as slowly she made him moan, gripping the sheets under him and begging her to do whatever she did again and again. She felt for the first time in a long time, pleasure. She had been with many men, but none of them made her feel like that before. Maybe because they all wanted to make her their object. Something to fuck and leave whenever they wished. Sho wasn't like that, it scared her, but she liked him.

She pulled him on top of her and whispered softly, "Show me what you've wanted too do to me since you first saw me."

He did, and it made her dig into his back and moan, sweat sliding down both their temples as they shook in their after pleasure.

They laid beside each other, she laid on her stomach whilst he laid on his side. Their breathing was slightly laboured from their previous experience. He eyed her back and mumbled softly, "You have a tattoo."

"Deceptive of you to notice," she said tiredly.

"What is it?" He asked, leaning up and tracing the base of the tattoo with his forefinger. It was on the lower of her back, his touch made her sigh in comfort.

"A tarantula." She smiled with her eyes closed, "I got it too remind me that I have a past, it reminds me that I need to get stronger from the venom I once had flowing through me." She said, almost asleep.

He nodded, laying back down. "Do you like me, too?" It was sudden, and not a stutter in sight. It surprised her.

She opened her eyes for a moment, "I wouldn't have just done what I did, Sho, if I didn't." Her tired lips slanted into a tired lopsided grin.

"Rheya… I think…" He gulped, unable to finish. She couldn't help but feel guilty hat she knew exactly what he was about to say, but was unsure herself on how to answer him. In full honesty, she didn't know how she felt about anything.

"I know," she smiled, a thread of guilt in her tone. "Give me some time, and I think I will feel the same too. I unfortunately have never had to luxury to feel like you do." She pulled herself closer to him. Resting her head against his warm chest.

I wish I had the time to love you, Sho… she thought to herself, as she drifted into a deep sleep.

It was late — or rather early morning. The sky was an early mix of copper and gray, her neck hairs rose at the sight of it. A bad omen, most would query, she didn't think so, however. Omens weren't things to be seen in the sky, rather things that physically happen in front of you. Sin… Sin was an omen you see all the time.

Her appointment with Saiga was booked once more, and this time she didn't dare cancel it. It would appear rude if she were to cancel on him twice in one day. No matter how cold and exhausted she was, she was determined to visit him. The luxury of a good nights rest would have to come later, when she had done enough to deserve it.

As usual, when she entered the institute, people stared in her direction. The kind of stare that made you wonder what people really thought of you. Whether they thought that you needed to be locked up with the rest of the inmates, or pitied you that you found a reason to visit the inmate. Instead of retaliating, Akane nodded in their direction, she showed her pass to the security man and walked to the elevators. Her breathe hitched slightly, she suddenly realised something quite obvious.

What if Saiga didn't want to help her, what if he turned her away? What would she do…?

The elevator pinged and the doors slid open effortlessly. She walked inside and pressed her floor's button, closing her eyes and sighing a massive breath of air. It had been a rough couple of days. Nightmares and murders were something that didn't seem to mix very well. The sooner either one of those indecencies were solved, the better.

And if they were never solved? She thought to herself, the question again was obvious, it was a question she should've asked herself a lot sooner. Maybe she should've gone to see a therapist, ask them what she could do to clear her mind of the blue eyed man in her dreams that she once called 'friend.' Maybe she should've… but it was too late now, if anything, help from a therapist wouldn't help much at all. She had found her own way with dealing with her nightmares, and Saiga was her ticket to come face to face with it… hopefully.

She felt herself sweat, not too much, but it was there. She was nervous. She drew a shaky breath, her lungs rattling, the doors of the elevator opened and she stepped out.

It was quiet on Saiga's floor, he was one of three inmates inhabiting this particular level. It was expensive, but Saiga was able to afford luxuries. They had recently cleaned the entire level, Akane could smell the bleach in the air. She hoped it wouldn't cling to her clothes, worrying unnecessarily about the smell overcoming the smell of him.

She was greeted by the security guard and one of the other two inmates who asked her if she had read the book he had suggested too her a month before. She shook her head, mentioning that she hadn't had the time. Which was partly true, but truthfully, she had no interest in reading an erotica suggested by a perverted ex-psychologist.

Saiga's door opened before her, his room as usual was oddly inviting. It was always surprising to her how comfortable she felt in this room. The lavish decoration made her feel like she was visiting royalty. Even some of the china in the room would've cost him an arm and leg.

Saiga was sat on his one seater, a book gripped by his hands. As if the book itself for that moment was more important than herself. She read the cover and smiled, "Edgar Allan Poe? I never imagined yourself to enjoy gothic poetry, sir." She found herself holding back a giggle.

"There is something strangely beautiful when you read something from someone who never feared death." He said behind the book, "It is as though truth is the only thing they do fear, but they say it anyway." He peeped over the book, "Are you afraid of death, Tsunemori?"

"Only the idea of death. Dying itself isn't frightening too me. Though the idea of me taking my last breath sometimes makes me hold my previous breath a lot longer than needed, sometimes." She said in reply, a smirk on her lips as she sat opposite him and crossed one leg over the other. "What about yourself?"

"A man like me is forbidden to be scared of death, that right was taken from me by myself only when I decided to help a wanted man in running from the police." He raised a brow as he put the book in his lap, "Or have you forgotten that?"

She winced, her eyes finding the carpet's toggles as entertainment for a moment. "Sometimes, I wish I did." She said softly, she was shocked how sad she sounded.

"And why is that?" He asked quizzically.

She looked up at him, "So I don't have too remember how it all ended." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "It causes pain, unnecessary pain."

"No pain is unnecessary," he said with a hand to his chin. "All pain is there for a reason, the sooner you accept it, the sooner your life changes in another direction."

"Would it be for the better, though?" She asked, her eyes watching him intently. "Would feeling those emotions, really better my life?"

"Who knows? It all depends how you use it. Use pain as your medicine." He smirked, "Don't let it swallow you whole."

She smirked back, "Always the poet."

He smiled fully, that smile that reminded her soulfully of him it was almost uncanny. He held up his book, "I had a lot of help."

With that, she had to laugh. She spotted him watching her the same way she had, with full intent, full curiosity. "Why have you graced me today, Miss Tsunemori?"

She sighed, knowing that the topic would have to come up eventually. "I think I may know some information… though I am unsure as how to use it."

"And you thought of me? I am honoured," he stood up. "Coffee is in order, I gather."

She nodded, and mumbled. "I have had a lot of coffee recently."

"You only drink coffee when you're nervous, it must be serious." He said, pressing the button to the coffee brewer. "I'll make it extra strong, then."

She had to smile again, "Yes, indeed." More serious than you think.

She walked in the night, no one could see her. She was an invisible entity, someone who could not be spotted even if someone wanted too. She was in control in who saw her, and who did not.

She hadn't been answering her phone calls. Nor her emails. The worry was natural, she kept telling herself. She always answered her emails, she was always in the reach of technology, she would have to answer her cries of help.

Was it because of him? The man with black hair? Possibly… maybe he had been stopping her in doing so. She didn't trust him. She didn't trust any man, not really.

She picked up her phone again, checking her messages. She had one. She must've missed it.

Sorry, was busy tonight. What's wrong?

M.

She bit her lip… Busy with whom? A man? She questioned, but dared to message her with it. She would be angry if she did.

Is stage four prepared?

C.

She sent the message, sitting on a park bench and waited. People were coming out of bars at this time of night, drunk, happy and full of sinful lust. She watched them, wondering if she could just follow them home and show them what they were doing with their lives. Let them atone for those sins. Alas, she stopped herself. Another message came through.

Yes. I'll send you the information now.

M.

Another message came through instantly. It came with an attachment.

Message_attatchment

Sender_M

Enjoy.

M.

Oh… I will… she thought she opened up the document and read it carefully.

"So, what you are saying is that this killer is only killing those who sin?" Saiga said, putting down his coffee cup for a moment. He scratched his goatee in thought. "As far as sinning goes, Miss Tsunemori, everyone sins eventually."

"I understand that, and so does the killer. Maybe they'll never stop, at least until we find them. But their motives are clear enough, each person matches to the traditional descriptions of each sin so far. This person is targeting people who have truly forgotten their humanity." She said in reply, her final gulp of coffee was cold. She placed the mug beside Saiga's.

"Humanity…" Saiga sighed, "It is a fragile thing, really. In moments, we go from being human to monster. It is a social and customary construct that this world had unfortunately created, a world where if you do one individual thing wrong, you are no better than the people who have done dozens of implications to their own soul." He filled their mugs again, hovering his over his lips for a moment. "Maybe that is their message."

Akane hugged her mug with her hand, not really wanting to drink another cup of coffee tonight, though she felt herself slowly going into its temptation. She found herself dead in thought, too distracted by the other burning question that pierced through her skull repeatedly, and has done for days now. Where was Kogami?

"Miss Tsunemori, though I do believe that you're truly looking for my help with your difficult case, I also fathom that it isn't the only thing you're asking of me tonight, am I correct?" He drew her from her mindset easily, she looked up dead panned forcing a sigh not to pass her lips. "Something from the past, coming back into light, I presume?" She nodded stiffly, he smiled softly. An odd thing for the man to do, but it comforted Akane all the same.

He sighed, leaning back into his chair and pursing his lips in thought. He eyed her for a moment and then released his lips from their tension. "I regard that he is a big part of your psychosis, how you…process day to day life. He was the main reason you progressed so quickly into your job as an inspector. He believed in you, in more ways than others. It is normal to think of him."

She sighed again, her brain feeling overly tired in a quick amount of time. She could hardly keep from her body from slouching. "He is in my thoughts all the time, Mr. Saiga." She managed to peek at him through her lashes, "I have nightmares about the last time I saw him consistently. It isn't healthy, I'll be the first to admit that." She found a comfortable position similar to Saiga's leaning into the seat position. "It's like he is still nudging me. Helping me when I am stuck, showing me new paths, new clues and ways of thought. It is like his soul is still here, the only thing wrong with that is, I want him to be truly here."

"Akane…" He cocked his head to the side, "I can't help you if you're just going to tell me half the story."

She stood for the moment, suddenly she found it uncomfortable to sit. Her mind went from being exhausted to being completely jittering on adrenaline. She looked at one of the paintings in Saiga's room, a painting of a crusade. It was wondrously painted, probably costing millions of yen. She found herself at peace with the idea of seeing the bloodshed and silent yells of the victims faces, though she felt guilty after she realised her emotions.

"The case and Kogami are connected in one way or another, am I correct?" He asked suddenly, again snapping her from a day dream.

She nodded, "Correct. Sphinx has contacted me, giving me footage of Kogami stood outside of a run down, wooden built bar. It's snowing heavily, and believe it or not he is smoking his cigarette without care in the world. It was him, at first I didn't believe it, but it was him."

"And how does this connect?"

"Sphinx wants me to play a game with them, find Kogami, or the law will. I have to find Kogami before them, and I have no idea how large my window is or will be. They've given me one clue, that wherever he lives now, 'smells like pine.' I looked up places in Japan where Pine forests are located, and it came up with results that there are indeed places where Pine forests still originate." She sighed, catching her breath. "They are circulating several towns that are off of Sibyl's grid. Living in mostly pre-sibyl set conditions. It is well known to be the place where convicts will run off too for a place of peace and quiet for a short amount of time before moving onwards to their next destination." She crossed her arms, as if she was suddenly cold. In reality, she was sweating. "Question being, which one is Kogami in? I have narrowed down two of them. Snowville and Pinewood."

Saiga sipped his coffee, she wasn't looking at him but could hear his slurp. He thought for a moment, obviously thinking through everything she had just said to him. He let out a small gasp of breath, standing and walking a little closer to her. "I have books on such towns." He surprised her, he moved silently to the other side of the room where he picked up a book from his well organised shelf. He flicked through it for a moment before tapping a page, "Snowville doesn't have snow that settles on its grass…Ironically. The forest is too dense for the snow to reach it, so there wouldn't be snow if he were in that town. The video was your clue. He is in Pinewood. Or at least, that is my best bet."

She suddenly did not feel well… He was in Pinewood…

He was in Pinewood.

He was alive and in Pinewood.

Akane had to sit down, her breath was laboured and the sweat on her temple dripped onto her hand. She felt unbelievably hot in that room, she swallowed hard and tried to control her breathing. "C-Can I borrow that book, Mr Saiga?"

He gave it to her, a worried glance headed in her direction. "Miss Tsunemori? Are you okay?"

"I-I need to r-rest." She mumbled, blinking several times. Exhausted. She was so tried that it hurt. "I-I need…re…" She didn't finish, the next thing she knew, her head had hit the floor and then blackness.

Ginoza had gotten the call about Tsunemori's condition at four in the morning, he groggily answered his mobile to Mika's shrilled voice telling him to get down to the hospital immediately and to wake Sho on the way. He showered quickly, throwing on yesterday's suit and popped a mint in his mouth to cover the smell of alcohol. He walked down the stairs to Sho's room, he answered after several knocks.

"U-Um y-yeah?" Sho was still half asleep, he spotted Ginoza and straightened his back. He had love bites on his neck and chest, and he was only in his boxers. It surprised Ginoza, wondering who he could've slept with. He always pitched the kid as gay, or at least too quiet to ever gain the attention of women. It was when he saw a familiar coat on his rack that he sighed and rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Get dressed, we're needed at the hospital. Akane is unconscious." He ordered firmly before wondering down the hall.

So Rheya has gotten to Sho… what is that girl up too?

Sho woke up Rheya from her sleep, she slowly got out of bed and said she was going to shower. He mentioned how quick they were needed, but she waved him off. "Akane doesn't need me there, bitch-face Mika would've said, 'enforcers and Rheya' were needed, if that were the case. She didn't, if Akane needs me, then she'll call me." She smirked, a silent 'I am not one of you guys,' hung in the air.

Sho gulped and nodded, "I wonder how she became unconscious…"

"Well, in my best bet, she overworked and fainted. She hardly eats these days, there isn't much time to do so. She's probably just a little anaemic and fainted from it." She mumbled, taking off her bra and panties. "Now, are you going to join me in this shower, or does duty really call?"

He blushed vividly, "I…Shower? With you?"

"Yeah," she giggled, "final answer, yes or no?"

He bit his lip, "As much as I would love too… I should probably see if big sis is okay."

She walked to him and kissed him softly, "Then go be a cop, Sho. I'll be here if anyone needs me, is that okay?"

"Sure." He said pulling on his jacket, "U-um thanks… for last night." He was half way out of the door, "I'll see you later! I love you!" He blurted, blushing in the elevator by himself when he realised what he said.

Meanwhile, Rheya stood in the shower smirking to herself. "Being thanked for sex, and told that he loves me…wow. There's a first for everything." She touched her burning cheeks, realising she was blushing.

You're falling dangerously into the enemy lines, Rheya, stay sharp.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Like I said, I'll have a re-re-read tomorrow when I have slept. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope you guys had a good time at Christmas.. or whatever holiday you do follow, or if you don't then I hope you had a good time anyway!

What is Rheya up too? Who is M? Who is C? Sho got laid?! AKANE WHY YOU NO SLEEP, NOW LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!

I will see you next time! Remember to Review, I love reading your comments. It makes me happy. :3 TTFN!