Hello everyone!

I've been pretty busy these past weeks with work, so I couldn't update. Also I had to rewrite this chapter a couple of times because I wasn't satisfied with it. I finally am. It was a very emotional chapter to write for me, because I got to experiment and dig into the character's fears, dilemas and truest desires. It was certanly interesting and very insightful. So, I hope you enjoy it too.

But first, let me thank all of you who reviewed, favourited or follow this story. Thanks for showing your love and support.

Guest1995: Heey! I'm sorry for hurting your feelings with every chapter and making you go through all this drama hahaha! Anyway, thanks for the review and your honest opinion on the chapters and on the characters, I love to hear from you!

Votte Femme: Hello! Hahaha yeep, they share a very unique bond *-* And thanks for reviewing I'm very happy you like my work so far!

Ari-Satria: Hi! Yeah I know I took forever to update, but I didn't have the inspiration and I wanted to wait until it came back before writing something mediocre, but I'm so happy you had the patience to wait and review! And I am glad you enjoyed the sexy time with Makishima in chapter 11~ More will come soon!


Previously~

She breathed deeply before finally taking his hand and walking away from the edge.

''Remember tonight…'' He began to say.

''For it is the beginning of always'' She finished.

There was no turning back now.


Inferno


Chapter 13:

Shiori Tsukiko

Makishima's apartment

A new path opened in front of Shiori. She was no longer fighting her doubts and instincts. She had decided to embrace them and to do that she needed Makishima. She took his hand and felt a shiver ran down her spine. She wanted this, she wanted to follow this path, but still, she was afraid to get lost and not be able to return. She feared being swallowed by the goals she had set for herself and not being able to recognize herself. She didn't want to get too close to Makishima. She didn't want to cross the boundaries again, because she didn't trust herself to find the strength to come back from that dark place in one piece.

Then a thin cape of water covered the entire city in a few seconds. Everything got submerged under the water; the city became silent, everything stood motionless. The rain fell on their faces. Shiori felt her shirt wrap around her body tightly. The water ran down her face and her body, but she didn't feel the cold; there was a wild fire burning inside her.

''Let's go inside'' He whispered. His voice didn't reach her. She just stared at his moving lips. She let go of his hand and he turned around.

She watched him take some steps forward and she smiled bitterly. It reminded her of when her mother walked away from her. She had turned her back on her and had walked on, without looking back. Shiori stood frozen in place, under the persistent rain. Then, Makishima turned around and looked at her. She stared back before she shook her head slightly and hurried to follow him inside. Shiori walked behind Makishima, following him down the hallway.

''Where are we going?'' She asked, staring at his back.

''I want to show you something'' He replied.

She decided to follow him, silently. Makishima stopped in front of a closed door and opened it. They stepped inside and Shiori quickly recognized the room. It was his study. She had been there before.

''Why are we here?'' She asked stopping on her tracks, near the door. She felt like an intruder, even if he was the one who had guided her there. He entered the room and walked towards a wardrobe. He took a towel from inside and offered it to Shiori. She looked at him reluctantly but finally took it. She brought it to her face and dried the rain drops.

''You said you wanted answers.'' He answered then, calmly. He stopped in front of his desk and looked over some folders that were on it. ''Here I can provide you with some'' He raised his head to look at her. All of a sudden Shiori felt nervous. But she had asked for that, she wanted this. Shiori stepped inside the room, closing the door softly behind her and walking towards him. He watched her move with a pleased expression and when she was close enough, he dropped a folder in front of her. She took a look at its content.

''You might want to memorize some of this information'' He started to say. ''It might come in handy'' She looked up from the folder with a confused look. Makishima smiled at her confusion, but said nothing else; instead he walked away from her, towards the shelves. Shiori took a look at the sheets he had handed her. They were profiles of people; apparently all of them were part of the MWPSB, more specifically from Division 1. Shiori looked at the pictures attached to the documents.

''Who are these people?'' Shiori asked.

''You once asked me who was after me. That's them, the hounds of society'' He replied. ''They had been trying to track me down for quite some time…and they came pretty close to do so'' he confessed.

''You mean at Oso Academy?'' She asked. He smirked.

Shiori took in the information in silence as she turned to the next page, trying to retain as much information as she could.

''You should know why they are after me too''

''Apart from your crimes'' Shiori ventured. Makishima smiled.

''Apart from my crimes'' He confirmed ''Sybil wants me for another very specific reason'' Shiori looked at him ready to hear the truth. ''They can't control or judge my actions with their system. I am capable of controlling my psycho pass levels and keep my hue clean. That's why I've been invisible for such a long time''

''What?'' Shiori asked shocked. ''But… how?''

''I don't have the answer'' He confessed. ''I've been like this since childhood. No matter what I did, my hue wouldn't get clouded. It was always pure white. Sometimes I would even put myself into stressful situation just to see if something changed''

''Then, you are Sybil's blind point'' Shiori whispered ''They can't see you, which means this society can't see you'' Right after she said that she brought a hand to her lips.

''My existence doesn't make sense in this society'' He agreed.

''Is this why Sybil wants to take you down so desperately?''

He smiled.

''I guess we'll have to ask them''

After that he turned around and walked away towards the book shelves, giving Shiori time to think and to process all the information. She bit her lip.

Pure white

She looked at his back, staring at his white shirt, white hair. If you didn't know, his smile could easily fool you. He seemed gentle, wise, pure...

Shiori had never heard of anyone capable of keeping his hue clear all the time and for it to be so pure. She thought about Rikako; her cold eyes and sadistic smile. The killer inside her was also in Makishima. Shiori couldn't even begin to imagine Makishima's sins. But Sybil considered him good, while Rikako was evil. The system was flawed and that was why they were trying to erase Makishima's existence. To cover theirs flaws and mistakes.

If the system is not accurate and is unable to judge everyone with the same eyes and using the same criteria, it means it's flawed, that it doesn't work, hence it must be taken down.

An unsettling feeling started to built inside her. She was so immersed in her thoughts she didn't hear him come closer to her.

''These are some names you better remember'' He said referring to the files she had in front of her. Shiori took a step back, surprised. She registered what he had just said and lowered her gaze to the file. She had to focus, so she took the file between her hands and read the names that were on it as her eyes wandered:

Akane Tsunemori. Nobuchika Ginoza. Shinya Kogami. Tomomi Masaoka. Shusei Kagari. Yayoi Kunizuka. Shion Karanomori

She stopped when she read the next name: Reira Arakaki

''Reira…?'' She said aloud. Shiori had a bad feeling about it. She didn't understand. She was supposed to leave all this once the box with her genetic material arrived to the MWPSB Headquarters. ''How did she…?''

''I must confess that was an unexpected outcome… but it proves that with the right motivation you can get everywhere'' Makishima commented. Shiori felt silent; she didn't plan that. If Reira was in Division 1 and Shiori decided to finally side with Makishima, there were high chances they would eventually meet. What would she say to her then?

Shiori closed the file. It was then when she caught a glimpse of a newspaper extract. She turned the page and saw a picture of Rikako Oryou. An uncontrollable shiver ran down her spine. Her cold eyes and stoic expression looked back at her. She forced herself to look away as she read her file. She froze when she read her body had been found in pieces, mutilated by an animal. There was no way Rikako Oryou could have escaped the police when they arrived at Oso Academy, and what was even less possible was the estate her body was found and its circumstances. Shiori had no doubts that Makihsima was behind that. He had disposed of her. She looked up to meet Makishima's intense and expectant gaze.

''Why?'' She asked.

''She turned out to be a disappointment'' He simply said with no remorse or trace of emotion in his voice.

Shiori frowned.

''Is this the fate I can expect if I disappoint you?'' She asked looking at him. It wasn't as if she was defending Rikako or didn't think she deserved that fate, but it was somehow unsettling the way he managed the situation. Once again their differences came to the surface.

''I doubt you will'' He replied. Shiori tried to read between the lines of the simple reply, but she found nothing. He was being honest, he truly believed that. He didn't think she would disappoint him.

''How can you be so sure?'' She asked. ''Did you know from the beginning that Rikako Oryou would disappoint you?'' Makishima's smirk grew wider.

''Not exactly, but I was aware that she lacked… perspective''

''Is that why you are showing me these files?'' I asked. ''To gain new perspectives?''

''You could say so'' He said walking around his desk ''But I mostly want you to be prepared''

''Prepared for what?'' Shiori asked with genuine curiosity.

''For our next mission'' He said directly. ''I want you to come with me'' He added. Shiori was speechless.

''Come with you?'' Shiori contemplated the idea. She would leave that apartment and step into the outside world, once again.

''You don't think you are ready?'' He asked her.

''It's not that.'' Shiori replied as she walked away, towards the window of the study. She rested her side against the glass. ''I just don't understand why you would want me there. Do you trust me enough to risk this mission?'' She asked. ''You don't know what I'll do once I'm outside''

''I don't fear your betrayal'' He said walking towards her. ''You want to get your answers as much as I want to get mine.''

The shadows of the room made it difficult to interpret his blank expression. He approached the window looking through the glass. The silhouettes of the buildings were blurry and so was his reflection. Shiori looked at him, trying to figure out what was on his mind. Was he still playing his games? Was it all a test?

''We might not see things eye to eye, but we are not that different. We were alone in this society, unable to find our place. We were told what to think, how to act, which made us realize just how different we were'' Makishima's voice filled the room. His voice echoed inside her head. She raised her eyes to him.

''Our society might be corrupted, but there's more to it. We are still people; you can't give up on that. Even if they betray you, even if they disappoint you… you have to hold onto that'' Shiori spoke. ''You can't blame a sheep for the pastor's actions''

''Oh, but you can'' He replied and after a short moment of silence he proceeded ''Let's look at it from another perspective, Shiori. Who would you say holds more guilt in a crossfire, the one who pulled the trigger or the one who gave the order?''

Shiori contemplated the dilemma raised.

''We don't know the circumstance of those two people involved'' Shiori tried to reason. ''Maybe, whoever pulled the trigger had no other choice…''

''We always have a choice'' Makishima interrupted her ''The one that gave the order knew the consequences of such an act. The one who pulled the trigger decided to ignore these consequences, he decided it was worth it to obey the orders and so he shot. He decided that the other person's life was worth less than theirs. That's a choice''

''Sybil is who gives the orders then?'' Shiori tried to establish the relation between the two situations.

''Sybil is like a tumor in our brains. And just like a cancer, the sickness spreads to the rest of the body'' He said ''Nowadays people are just chess pieces that can be spared. We hold no value to those who run this society. There will always be a replacement for us''

Makishima raised his hand and placed it on Shiori's cheek. She enclosed her eyes and breathed deeply. The closeness started to cloud her thoughts. In her mind there was no longer the man that shot or the one that gave the orders or the sheep.

''Are we still playing chess?'' She asked unsure. She was at loss. Were his words and intentions genuine?

She looked inside his eyes and felt breathless, lost in his amber eyes.

''Shiori, I wasn't playing and I wasn't lying. But it is up to you to decide if that is true''

Shiori's chest rose erratically as she parted her lips to speak.

''Makishima…what do you want?''

He smiled and for the first time he let see something else than just the surface. He looked tired and somehow…relieved.

''Right now… I just want you'' He said and kissed her. His lips were placed softly on top of hers. That kiss was nothing like the ones they had shared the night before. His hand moved from her cheek to her neck as he deepened the kiss. She placed her hand on top of his. This time there was no rush, no anger, no regrets. She kissed him back, surrounding his neck with her arms, trying to bring him closer. His lips moved from her lips to her ear.

''I'll make it up for last night'' He whispered before lowering his mouth and kissing her neck. His hands were on her hair, he ran his fingers down her back. Makishima held her close to his body. He sat her on his desk and continued to kiss her exposed skin of her neck as they work on undressing each other.

That night they held each other like the lovers from the novels they used to read.


Reira Arakaki

Police headquarters, hours before

Her eyes were on the box in front of her. She couldn't look away, how could she? This was the box where they had found Shiori's remains. Her best friend, her confident... she was dead. Just like that. Everything they shared was gone, her world shattered. Nothing had ever hit her as hard in her life as that. Everything around her was moving quickly but she just stood there, looking at an empty bloody box.

''Cadet Arakaki'' The voice of the female inspector from before. Now she was sitting in front of her, across the table. Reira looked at her, her thoughts still far from there. ''You knew Shiori Tsukiko, didn't you?''

''Yes'' She replied. Her own voice felt strange, as if it was someone else's. Reira cleared her throat.

''Did you talk to her the day she was kidnapped?'' Akane Tsunemori asked.

''Yes''

''Did you see who took her?'' She asked.

Reira closed her hands into fists. She remembered. Everything happened so fast. She saw Shiori go inside a class with a teacher from the school. She thought nothing of it at the time, but then when she walked down the hallway, chaos broke into the school. There were students running up and down the hallways and then those officers broke into the class where Shiori and that teacher had walked in, just to find the room empty. They were gone. They didn't even leave a trace; it was as if they didn't even been there.

''Reira Arakaki'' Akane called her. She came back to reality and forced herself to relax and remain calm as she answered.

''I already went through all this when they questioned me about the abduction and about Oryou Rikako'' She answered as calmly as she could. ''So, I would appreciate if you could tell me the real reason why I am here''

Akane watched Reira Arakaki and then she looked towards the dyed glass that separated the interrogation room from the computers lab. Akane sighed and nodded.

''A few days ago, you sent a request to swipe divisions''

''Yes and such request was denied'' Reira answered.

''That's right. The request was denied due to your lack of experience in the corps and your involvance in the current case we were working in'' Akane explained. Reira frowned, crossing her arms in front of her chest. ''We feared that if you were assigned to the case it would turn into your obsession to solve it and find Shiori Tsukiko. We also feared your hue would get clouded'' Akane took a brief moment to think her next words. ''We didn't want to risk losing you''

''That was your call'' Reira muttered.

''But now things had changed'' Akane continued, unaffected by Reira's sharpness.

''Because she is dead''

''Yes. Our analyst confirmed the match you established before and so it was possible to dictate her death''

Reira took a deep breath.

''Did you receive anything else apart from the box?''

''No. We were unable to trace the person who brought it here''

''So we have no clue who or how it got here''

''I'm sorry'' She apologized ''I wish we had something to comfort you with'' Akane whispered softly, this case was frustrating her too.

''There's nothing you could have that would comfort me. My best friend is dead. And the bastard that killed her is still out there!'' Reira cried losing her temper as she got up from the chair. When she realized her outburst Reira looked away, clenching her fists. She sat down again. Akane brought her hand forward to try to reach Reira's but then the door of the room opened. Akane looked up and got up from the chair surprised by the unexpected visitor.

''Chief Kasei'' Akane muttered. Reira turned around and also got up, facing the woman who controlled the MWPSB.

''Chief'' Reira acknowledge her, trying to regain her composure.

''Chief Kasei, I didn't expect you here. We were almost finished...'' She started to say, still shocked.

''It's alright Inspector. I came here to talk to our Cadet Reira Arakaki, anyway'' She said directly.

''Me?'' Reira was confused. What could possibly want the Chief of the MWPSB with her?

''I know you are all very busy women, so I'll say it directly. I want you to join Division 1 and assist them on their case'' Chief Kasei stated as both women looked surprised and confused. Akane was the first to regain composure and counterattack.

''But, Chief, she shared a strong bond with the victim of the case and is closely involved with the incident'' Akane tried to persuade the Chief to change her mind. Involving Reira in all that mess,-more than she already was-, was dangerous and reckless.

''The more reason to put her on the case'' Kasei said coldly.

''But her hue...'' Akane tried to argue.

''She is dealing with her best friend's death and her hue is pretty stable. I would say she deserves some merit Inspector Akane'' Chief Kasei said raising her chin proudly, making the Inspector understand that she didn't accept any other argument. Akane closed her mouth, wondering what Chief Kasei wanted to achieve with that. Once Chief Kasei had dealt with Akane she turned to Reira.

''Listen to me Reira Arakaki, do you still want to join Division 1?'' She asked. Reira gulped and nodded.

''Yes''

''Alright then, I'll make the arrangements so you can move in their office as soon as possible'' She turned around to leave but stopped on her tracks. ''Just be aware that the man you are after, the one that killed your friend, is a very dangerous criminal who had escaped us many times. If you might encounter him be careful and above all... bring him in alive''

''Yes, Chief''

''The name of the man is Makishima Shogo'' Kasei muttered. Reira nodded once again ''Don't worry. We'll make him pay''

''Yes, Chief''

And then the hunt started.


How was it? We got to see both sides of this story and as you see everything is getting more complicated and compromised. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

If you have the time, please leave a review letting me know what you thought of the chapter. I enjoy the feedback and those reviews where you expose what are your thoughts on the story and on the characters development. Sometimes it inspires to write certain scenes that I didn't plan on writing initially.

Well, see you around~