Ch. 3

Mai got pissed at me. I said she was right didn't I. There was a problem, but it wasn't addiction. I just needed a new system and was hoping that she would have some input. Maybe I shouldn't have asked her first.

The sky was dimming; it was almost time for my hunt. I had been working on my current target for the last month. We constantly sent each other text messages, which mainly consisted of sexual innuendos, nothing that could tie us to any particular crime. Still, I briefly wondered if this one would turn out like the man I killed.

We arranged to meet at nine next to a lesser known gentleman's club. Back alleys around there were off limits though; Yakuza didn't like outsiders committing crimes on their turf. I had to think of a way to steer the guy away from the area. Now that I thought about it, he'd better not have gang affiliations; it would bring unnecessary trouble to me.

For now, I wandered around the shopping district. I couldn't go home, because Mikoto was angry with me too. Mai lost half the eggs when she dropped the grocery bags in surprise, and refused to buy more. Mikoto saw her meal ration lowered this week and decided it was my fault. It figures she would side with her food source. Damn Mai and her influence. I bet even Shiho would have sided with Mai. Fucking woman is loved by everyone. Why did I have to play the villain?

I stopped next to a homeless man in the park. He and I recognized each other, but never shared our names. We talked a little about the various new underprivileged migrants in the city, some were kids, but most were adults. I often dropped off part of my nights earnings. At first it was to keep him quiet. He noticed when I would leave with various men and come back alone. Neither of us was stupid. I knew he had to notice me for coming so often, so after finishing, I would come by and drop off some of my earnings. He would smile knowingly and thank me by nodding his head in an enthusiastic manner. He toothlessly grin to greet me every time.

Eventually, our little partnership became more useful. When Natsuki approached me for the first time for information, I went to him. This old man knew a lot more than I would have imagined. He was well connected too. The homeless networking system was low tech, but extremely useful. Of course, he was well compensated for his contribution.

After a while, I looked at my cell. It was time to meet my new friend. He showed up wearing cargo pants and a t-shirt. The guy was about twenty-five and didn't seem to out of the ordinary. "Hey," I greeted. He smiled and said the same in return.

Right off the bat I knew he didn't have Yakuza connections. Mafia guys all dressed a certain way and people like me could tell. Still, it was best not to mug a guy on their immediate property, so I led him away with sweet words. "The alley next to the south apartments has more privacy," I claimed. It was partially true.

He readily agreed and we found ourselves in the darkness, stuck between a dumpster and fire escape ladders. Shuuichi, as I knew him as, began making his move. He held my hand and asked if I wanted to have fun. I smiled in return and told him we'd be having fun soon enough.

He grinned and moved to kiss me. I pulled out my knife and pressed the cold steel against his throat.

"What the hell?" He demanded. I smiled widely.

Half an hour later he was sitting on the ground completely naked. I had him tie himself to a pipe with some twine that I kept in my pocket. It was only one hand, so he would get free, but it would keep him there long enough for me to disappear into the streets. It didn't matter if he had humongous strength; twine hurt like hell, because it dug into the skin.

I got home at eleven. At that time, Mikoto would be asleep and Mai would still be at work cleaning up the store. I walked in only to see Aoi sitting on a chair in the center of the room. Natsuki was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Mikoto had seated herself Indian style on a bed, and Mai was standing right in front of me with both hands at her sides in an angry manner.

"This is an intervention," said Mai. Mikoto enthusiastically nodded and smiled. I wondered if she knew what was going on.

My jaw dropped open. "What the fuck?" I glared at her.

Aoi drew her shoulders back, drew in a large breath of air and stared right into my eyes. "Everyone's concerned about you. You can't keep going on like this," she lectured. "We know you feel you need to go out every night, but it's dangerous. That guy who attacked you is just one of many, and who knows what else will happen next time. We just don't want to see you get hurt," she finished.

They just stared at me for a response. I stood there with my veins bulging out of my head in anger. What the hell did they think they were doing? This was not helping me at all; this was interrupting my nice dorm life and keeping me away from sleep. I did plan to attend class the next day. "What the fuck?" I looked over to Natsuki who wistfully stared out the window. Maybe she'd side with me.

She glanced at me and caught the questioning look in my eye. "Life sucks live with it," was all she said before kicking herself off the wall and leaving the room. Mai tried to stop her, but Natsuki just glared at the redhead in return.

"Well that could've been less cryptic," said Mai after Natsuki left the room.

I lifted an eyebrow with skepticism. At least Natsuki didn't support them either. Now I just concentrated on the two unwelcomed guests and my roommate. There were a number of plans for escape, all of which involved loss of sleep. Damn, I really need to go to class tomorrow. Maybe I could crash at Shiho's, not that we were friends, but she did have the space.

As if recognizing my intent, Mai spoke up. "Don't even think about running away."

"What am I supposed to do with everyone ganging up on me like this?" I yelled defensively.

"Look, we just want to help you!" she yelled back.

"I don't that kind of help!" Was I supposed to be grateful?

Aoi stood up and got between the two of us. Pushing us apart, she said, "Nao, we know you've been after the guys who raped your mom, but you'll never find them this way."

That was the last straw. "You leave my mom out of this!" I shoved both girls back. Screw them, I headed for the door.

At the last moment, Mai grabbed my arm. Out of instinct, I pulled out my knife and cut her. She yelped in pain and grabbed the wound to stop the bleeding. Immediately I regretted it.

"Mai, I'm " Mikoto suddenly jumped out at me with her sword fully drawn.

Mai frowned, and calmly stood up straight. With tears in her eyes she said, "Fine, we'll stop. You don't want our help." She walked out the door behind me. The two other girls followed. Their eyes refused to meet mine. Now I was truly alone.

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