Author's Note: So sorry it's taken me so long to update. I just had a bit of trouble deciding how to move the story next. I'm still trying to work out a few details here and there. Please be patient. Also, any advice or critique would be helpful. Please review to help me along. Thank you for reading so far!
Sotetsu lead the way as the three exited the international airport in Shanghai. He carried the bags under his arm easily. They hadn't packed much as they didn't plan on a long visit. Michiru struggled to keep up with the zombie's long stride. She had to dodge around the bustling people in order to not lose sight of him. Bekko moved through the crowd close behind her. It would be a bother to have to stop and find her when they were already on a tight time constraint. He pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose after being jostled by a businessman apparently late for his flight. When he finally caught up, Sotetsu had already hailed a taxi and was putting the last bag in the trunk. Michiru leaned against the car, heaving in deep breaths. It seemed she'd had quite the time fighting through the large crowd. Bekko arched a brow at the sight.
"So many people!" Michiru exclaimed. This was her first time leaving Japan and she hadn't expected to see so many people in one area. It was exciting at the same time as frightening to her. She had no idea where she was, although the signs clearly stated she was in Shanghai. She'd been disoriented when she woke to find herself on an airplane already in the sky.
Sotetsu gently guided her into the taxi then waited until Bekko had entered before getting into the vehicle himself. He'd noticed a few suspicious men closing in on them and quickly ordered the taxi away. Michiru was too busy with her sight-seeing to have noticed. Bekko nodded to Sotetsu in understanding and watched out the window on his side. Sotetsu mentally categorized the options. He hadn't expected the Xu Fu to know of their entrance into the city so quickly. It seemed that the Touhou had expected them to come sooner or later and had taken actions against it. At this rate, they wouldn't be able to find Shito without being caught. But he was the only one they had a chance of finding. There was no clue as to who had taken Chika, so they instantly hit a dead end. The best they could figure was that Chika's abduction was somehow tied to Shito's. The problem was who. Shito had obviously been taken by the Xu Fu. In fact, the Xu Fu itself had told Zombie-Loan.
"Uwa!" Michiru exclaimed seeing the beautiful buildings and scenery. She'd gotten lost in the magic of Shanghai and seemed to have forgotten the reason for the visit. Her eyes stared excitedly out the window at the shops and other things passing by. It was all so much to take in. "Hey look at that!" She pointed at a small shop with small trinkets and dolls. "That reminds me of Shito-." She stopped. "Shito…he's here isn't he?" Michiru turned from the window to look at the two men with her. "Bekko-san?"
Bekko looked up from his thoughts. He nodded in response but otherwise remained silent. The car that seemed to have followed them from the airport bothered him. Sotetsu he didn't worry about. It was Michiru that was going to be the problem. He should have left her back in Japan with Koyomi and the Chairman. He shook his head. It was too late now. The best they could do was hope she'd stay in the hotel once they deemed it safe. Though in Shanghai, nowhere was going to be safe. He sighed going through the information he had gathered so far. He hadn't yet told Sotetsu or Michiru about what Yuuta had found. He didn't think it necessary. It was something very personal to Akatsuki Chika and he didn't find it in his place to go telling the people who knew him. Of course it was only speculation at this point since no one knew what really happened except for Chika himself and the man who had been with him.
Bekko new that Chika wasn't in a position to really be able to fight at his best either. That wound he'd received in his chest was quite deep, barely missing vital organs. Even with Yuuta's healing it would take him a few days to be back on top of his game. According to Yuuta, the blood in the bed was an indicator that whatever happened worsened his wound. "So," Bekko thought to himself. "Akatsuki-kun was attacked when he was weakened. Perhaps that is one reason this all happened at this time." He too had noticed the subtle hints Shito had been giving over the past month. Bekko had thought it amusing that no matter what Shito hinted, Akatsuki never seemed to get its true meaning. He also noticed that the Touhou seemed to know. Bekko had never liked the man. It was the reason he'd approached Shito all those years ago in Shanghai. To give him a chance at even a little freedom. Bekko knew the idea of the Touhou was going to be a very large problem in the future. And this point now was only proof.
Bekko jerked his head up feeling the taxi suddenly swerve to a stop. His keen eyes gathered what had happened even before Michiru had had time to cry out in surprise. Sotetsu had also responded quickly and pulled the girl from the taxi at a dead run. Bekko followed suit leaving a small pack of bills on the seat.
"S-Sotetsu-san what are you doing?" Michiru screamed. She hadn't even seen the two cars trying to box the taxi in and lead it. All she knew was that suddenly she was out of the car and being carried under Sotetsu's arm. The larger man didn't respond but turned slightly to make sure Bekko had been following them. The ferryman had been just as quick to abandon the taxi and was only a few feet behind. Sotetsu dodged into the next alley and hurried down it finding he couldn't pass through the barrier.
"Damn it! They've set up zombie barriers!" Sotetsu set Michiru down. "Run down this alley and don't stop, understand? At the end is a place where a woman is waiting at her shop. She'll find you and help you. I can't go any further but you can. Do you understand, Michiru?"
"B-but Sotetsu-."
"Just run, Michiru!" Sotetsu said pushing her passed the barrier and turned to climb the fire escape. Bekko followed after him.
"Hurry Kita-san. You'll be safe there. We'll find Shito-kun." Bekko hurried up the ladder disappearing over the top of the building.
Suddenly alone Michiru could feel the impending danger around her. She heard footsteps and turned, running. She did as Sotetsu had said, running straight down the alley. She heard two men yell at her to stop. Her heart leapt in fear and she somehow managed to run faster.
"Oi! Idiot up here!" Sotetsu yelled at the two men in suits. He grinned down at them from on top of the building. One turned firing his automatic gun at him. "Yikes! Better beat it!" Sotetsu laughed running across the roof-top. The two men forgot about Michiru as they deemed her non-threatening. One started up the ladder to give chase while the other moved back out into the street to alert the others.
Both Sotetsu and Bekko leaped across the roof tops evading the Xu Fu's men for over an hour. A few shots had come close to hitting but neither would be taken down by simple human ammunition. Bekko motioned towards a shop on the ground level and both leaped down the side of the building and ducked inside. Bekko moved to the far back corner sitting down in the dark. Sotetsu followed closely after him and sat adjacent. Bekko gestured to remain silent a moment and the two waited in the shop until the sounds of running disappeared.
"Michiru should be safe by now. None of them mentioned having capturing anyone." Sotetsu said finally.
Bekko nodded. "I doubt they'd really find her to be a threat anyway. Now, I think it's time we let ourselves be caught."
"Bekko-san did you hit your head? The idea was to sneak in unnoticed." Sotetsu responded.
"That won't work anymore. The Xu Fu knew we were here the moment the plane landed. Perhaps sooner. We won't be able to move much at all without them noticing. So, I believe the best plan is to be escorted in. Surely Touhou would love to talk." Bekko adjusted his glasses pulled his hair back into its lose ponytail at the base of his neck.
Sotetsu stayed quiet for a moment then slowly nodded his agreement. "Alright. I'll attract their attention then." Bekko nodded and stood moving back to the door. Sotetsu stepped out passed him and looked around, spotting a group of the Xu Fu men questioning a shop owner. "Hnn…maybe this will be enough?" Sotetsu quickly knocked the large stand of glass items over. "Sorry man!" He yelled back dragging Bekko behind him, much to the ferryman's dismay. Sotetsu headed back towards the alley he knew was blocked by the anti-zombie spells. This time his speed decreased, allowing their pursuers to catch up and surround him and Bekko when they hit the dead end.
Bekko adjusted his glasses, his natural bored expression watching the men clad in black surround and move in. He could have easily escaped using the powers he possessed as a Ferryman but it wouldn't really do them any good at this point. Escaping wasn't in his plans. He watched as the men drew closer whispering a reminder to Sotetsu to let him-self be captured.
"Stay where you are!" The leader of the group yelled. His automatic weapon aimed at them. He and several others kept their weapons trained as four men moved forward. Bekko couldn't help but feel a little insulted when three of them took hold of Sotetsu. These people really knew nothing of the Ferrymen across the shore. One tall man moved behind him and gripped both of his arms tightly, restraining his movement. Bekko grunted quietly, irritated at the roughness of the man behind him.
"Okay! Take them but don't kill them! Touhou's orders!" Another man yelled. One of the familiar black cars owned by Xu Fu pulled up at the other end of the alley.
Sotetsu struggled slightly against the three men trying to hold him still. He knew he could shake them off but as per Bekko's warning he only struggled enough to make them believe he was truly fighting. Bekko remained still. He didn't feel like getting his body battered up. It was a pain to have to heal it when it wasn't really necessary. He watched in slight amusement as the men struggled to keep hold of Sotetsu. A certain presence alerted him immediately to the car as he was forced near it. He hadn't expected that person to come himself.
Touhou stepped from the car, the ever present smile on his face. His fingertips glowed as he moved them quickly across Sotetsu's body. The zombie's eyes widened slightly feeling his movements halt. "I wish you really would have stayed in Japan people of Zombie-Loan." Touhou spoke holding his spell steady against Sotetsu. "But for a Ferryman to come here as well? You certainly must be worried. I can assure you, Shito Shao Ye is being treated as he always has been."
"He owes me money. Nothing more." Bekko responded, his expression never changing.
"We paid that debt for him. You are here for a different reason." Touhou sighed. "Ah well, it can't be helped. I'll just have to make sure you can't go escaping and filling Shito-sama's head with unnecessary things." Touhou waved his hands binding both Sotetsu and Bekko with spelled talismans. He then stepped aside and waited while his men moved the two inside the car. Touhou shook his head. They had come faster than he'd expected but it wouldn't really disturb his plans. He entered the car after them and sat quietly watching the two from Zombie-Loan as they rode to his office. He'd make sure to have them secured far from Shito's room then he'd have to figure out how to deal with them. He couldn't kill the Ferryman. That much he knew.
Bekko watched Touhou out of the corner of his eye. He knew the man was highly intelligent but also over-confident. Perhaps he would be able to use that against the exorcist. But right now his main concern was finding Shito. It wouldn't be easy, especially with the talismans restraining his body. He wouldn't be able to summon his oar or even use his powers. He was the same as a human at this point. At least, he hoped that's what Touhou was thinking. Only time would tell now. Bekko flicked his eyes towards Sotetsu. The zombie had stopped moving, sweat on his brow. He stared out the window memorizing the route best he could. He seemed to be in pain as far as Bekko could see. Touhou must have kept his spell on him despite the talismans. The man never passed up an opportunity to show his true power. Using it on a restrained zombie was just overbearing. It was disgusting how much this man relied on his exorcism.
Touhou chuckles realizing he'd been found out. He released the spell, and the silence was filled with Sotetsu's sudden gasp for air. "You held out quite well, zombie-san." Touhou said.
"Cheh, that's nothing." Sotetsu smirked.
"Sotetsu-kun. Please." Bekko said quietly. "Now is not the time."
Sotetsu nodded and grunted turning back towards the window. The situation seemed to quickly be spiraling out of control. He didn't know what Bekko had been planning but he knew the man had something up his sleeve. It was just a matter of figuring it out and putting it into action. The longer they remained in Shanghai, the smaller their chances of finding both Shito and Chika became. Not the mention he really had no idea what had happened with Michiru. As Bekko always said, only time will tell. Damn, he hated that phrase.