The Unceasing Path

Ch 3: 冲锋战警

The Constable- wherein Makoto makes a choice

The lights flickered on.

"Oh! Power's back on." Ami sounded surprised and slightly disappointed. "Still up for that movie?"

Makoto took the opportunity to stretch out her back. She had been lying with her head on Ami's lap for the past 15 minutes. As comfortable as that was, the couch really wasn't big enough for the both of them.

"Nah, we can watch it another day. It's pretty late. Besides, I'm kind of getting into this story here. It's off to a good start. That Mei Lin character sounds like a huge bitch. I hope she gets what's coming to her."

Ami shot a mildly disapproving glare down at Makoto for the unnecessary swearing. Makoto returned with her widest, most innocent grin until Ami stern look dissolved into giggles.

"I have no idea what happens to Mei Lin. To be honest, I hadn't thought about it. She's not really a part of the story y'know? Just someone that exists in the background." Ami caught sight of Makoto's fierce scowl, "...oooor, we could say that she failed her university entrance exams and didn't get into the top end business school like she wanted. Then all her so-called-'friends' turned on her for being 'beneath them' but that's ok because she ends up meeting some really nice people, including her future husband, at the crappy dead end job she's forced to take and that's how she learns a lesson about treating others with kindness...?"

Ami trailed off. Makoto reached up and patted her on the head fondly.

"You are so cute when you try. I am resisting the urge to just squeeze you like some giant plushie."

"Eep! Bruises!" Ami leapt up with a squeal. Makoto tumbled off the couch and of course began to give chase. It wasn't long before they were laughing like children and out of breath.

"Gotcha!" Makoto caught Ami in a bear hug a few steps outside the safety of her home office.

"Mmmm, so you did. Congratulations." Ami snuggled in closer "What would you like as your prize?"

"More story."

"What? Really?" Ami froze, her hand halfway to the drawstring of Makoto's pajama bottoms. "You want more?"

"Absolutely. This story is awesome! I wanna know what happens next!"

A slow grin spread across Ami's face.

"Well in that case, One bedtime story, complete with violence and coarse language, coming up! Viewer discretion is advised." Makoto laughed as Ami started to push her towards the bathroom. "Come on! Let's go! We're in the middle of a scene and I want to tell you the rest before I forget it all. I hate leaving things half-finished..."

[Back in the Police Interrogation room...]

"What the fuck?" Makoto was confused. She hadn't known what to expect when she came to the station this morning, but this wasn't it. "She's a cop?" Between the blue hair, the ratty old tank top and the worn leather jacket, the woman across the table looked like someone that most law abiding citizens would cross the street to avoid. Check that. Upon closer inspection, that big scar on her face would probably make them run. Makoto looked at the woman skeptically.

The apparent Sergeant Mizuno threw her hands into the air.

"Yes! I'm a cop! Goddammit Chiba! You want to take out a full page ad in the paper while you're at it? What did I say about using my name? Need-to-fucking-know basis only. This kid didn't need to know!"

Chief Chiba raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture.

"Calm down Mizuno. She needs to know if she's going to be infiltrating the Hung Fa Boys. Plus, I think she's older than you. What year were you born again?"

Sergeant Mizuno gave Makoto to chance to respond.

"Fuck off. No. Hell no. She's so green that she's sprouting leaves. She wouldn't last a day."

"Overruled sergeant. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You want to take out the triads in Hong Kong or not?"

"More than anything sir. I know you're eager to move on phase 2. I am too, but she's way too inexperienced. This is a terrible idea."

Makoto was getting annoyed that her superiors were talking about her like she wasn't even in the room. At least the Chief seemed to be on her side.

"She might be inexperienced, but she's qualified. Heck, she's more than qualified, she's perfect! Imagine her out of that uniform and she looks the part. Smart, dedicated, top of her graduating class this past semester and best of all, a prior criminal record. She's got credibility and connections. This is as good as it gets. Take it or leave it. If I can't convince you, at least read her file." Chiba tossed a manila envelope onto the table. Mizuno merely cocked an eyebrow at it. "Go on, give her a chance. That's an order."

Sergeant Mizuno opened the report with a sigh and began to read. Makoto watched those weird blue eyes skim over the pages of her life like it was nothing more than a grocery list.

Then, it happened. Unexpectedly, there was a flash of something – a slight flare of the nostril and an almost imperceptible furrow of the brow. The sergeant's head shot up. She took a long hard look at Makoto. Makoto had absolutely no idea what was going on but she remained still, holding the sergeant's gaze steadily.

Something had changed. When Sergeant Mizuno spoke again, her tone was soft and even. There was no trace of the violent aggressive asshole from before.

"You did 2 years in Lo Wu Correctional as a teenager. How did that happen?"

"There was no room in juvie hall. I got bumped to the big house 'cause I was almost 18.."

Sergeant Mizuno's stare remained intense, but unreadable. "I meant what did you do? What were the charges?"

"Oh. Sorry. Aggravated assault. I beat someone up. She was picking on a smaller girl so I stopped her."

"You're an idiot." Sergeant Mizuno turned away and shoved the file back at Chief Chiba. "I can't. I refuse to bring her into this and that's final."

Her two superiors continued to argue. Makoto was pissed. This was her life on the line. If this assignment could help make the city a safer place, Makoto wanted in.

"Hey!" Makoto slammed her fist on the metal desk with a loud clang. "Don't I get a say?"

"No. Shut up and forget you ever met me. You can thank me later."

Sergeant Mizuno hadn't even bothered to look at her while dismissing her completely. Makoto flared up. Sure, she was just a constable, but she deserved more respect than this. "I can't very well do both Sergeant." she drawled sarcastically. "Which one do you want?"

That got her attention.

Sergeant Mizuno turned slowly. Without warning, she shot a punch straight at Makoto's face. Makoto brought her arm up to block the blow and moving completely on instinct, punched back at Sergeant Mizuno's open side. Sergeant Mizuno took the right hook in the gut without a sound.

"Oh SHIT!" Makoto felt like she'd been punched in the stomach too. Who the hell punches a superior officer on their first day? "I'm so sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to. I just reacted!"

"Don't apologize." Sergeant Mizuno grunted. "That was good." She straightened up like nothing had happened "You really want to do this?"

The question was surprisingly gentle for someone who had just tried to punch her out a minute ago. Makoto had no idea what to make of this mercurial woman.

"Yes."

"No you don't. You don't even know what you're getting into."

"Then tell me, or else get out of my way." Mizuno was staring at her again. Makoto forced herself not to look away from that unsettling gaze. The sergeant had the saddest eyes she had ever seen. "I want to help."

Their eyes remained locked. Just when Makoto was about to break, Sergeant Mizuno began to speak.

"We need someone to go undercover into a triad gang and report back to the police. If you say yes, you will become a part of that world. There will be no end in sight. No going home at the end of the day. You will lie to your family, you will lie to your friends. You will be asked to do things you don't want to do, to fight, to hurt people, even kill if necessary. All the while, you will live with the knowledge that if you make one mistake, one wrong move that blows your cover, you will get yourself, and god knows how many others, killed. If you are lucky, they might even kill you quickly." Sergeant Mizuno cracked a grim smile. "That is however, unlikely. In my experience, the only more detestable than the police are oathbreakers. Are you ready to be both?

Makoto gulped. She was nervous but she nodded anyways. If not her, than who? Chief Chiba was right. She was uniquely well qualified for this assignment.

"This is your last chance. Please, Makoto. Do you really want to do this?"

Makoto found her voice this time. She was ready.

"I do."

"Why?"

"Oh I don't know. It seems like the right thing to do. I want to protect people to the best of my ability. If there is something I can do to help, then I want to do it. If not me, than who?"

"I'd always wondered..."

"What was that?" Makoto saw the sergeant's lips move, but wasn't sure of what she heard.

"Nothing." Sergeant Mizuno sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She suddenly looked exhausted beyond her years. "I said call me Ami." Ami turned to Chief Inspector Chiba who had been sitting quietly in the corner all the while. "Hey Chief! You got my usual cell ready? I could use a little R and R while we figure out our next move. Looks like we have ourselves a volunteer!"

[Holding Cell, 6th Division Custody Suite. One week later...]

As it turned out, Ami wasn't kidding about wanting to go to jail. She was still there in a solitary holding cell in the basement of the 6th division station one week later.

That was one of the first things she'd come to learn about her new partner: Ami doesn't joke.

After that first meeting with Chief Chiba, Ami had herself locked away "for questioning". On the record, she was being held as a suspect in some random armed robbery that occurred some months ago. Off the record, she was there to get Makoto ready for her mission.

And the mission was on.

Makoto was terrified, but excited at the same time. Things were moving along faster than expected. If things went according to plan, she had the chance to strike a major blow against organized crime in the city. She was to act as a mole in one of the most powerful triad families in the city: the Hung Fa Boys. Her primary objective was to learn the identity of the mysterious leader of the group and build a case against him that would stand in the court of law.

This had the potential to be fucking huge.

Makoto had thought there might be some kind of special training or something, but there wasn't. There were only these meetings.

3 times a day, Makoto would go to Ami's cell disguised as a trainee guard. She would sneak in, and Ami would lecture her on case histories or criminal profiling or legal responsibilities, or whatever it was she felt that Makoto needed to know. Precisely 3.5 hours later, when the actual guards changed shifts, Makoto would sneak out and get ready to repeat the process all over again.

It was like clockwork.

Today was no different. Makoto slid a tray of food into the door slot, then, with a quick glance up and down the hallway, she unlocked the cell and let herself in. Ami had already picked up the tray and was eating at the built-in table when Makoto walked in.

"Close the door." Ami didn't look up. Makoto knew she wouldn't until she had confirmed that the door was in fact, closed. "Anyone see you coming?"

Makoto rolled her eyes as she closed the door and double checked the lock. "No. I was careful. Relax, we're in the basement of a police station."

"What did I tell you about trusting people?"

"Don't do it."

Makoto rolled her eyes. They had some variation of this conversation at least 3 times a day for the past week.

That was the second thing she learned about Ami. She was a paranoid kook. Makoto wasn't too surprised to see Ami poking at the egg and rice on her tray with suspicion.

"Hey, this is a really good omelet. Where did you get this? Old Wong on vacation or something?"

Old Wong, the station canteen cook who somehow found a way to burn water consistently. Makoto shook her head in disgust thinking about the slop she'd been bringing Ami all week.

"I made it myself. I figured you'd be sick of prison food by now."

Ami glared at her.

"Idiot! What if someone saw you bring it in?"

"Shit. Remind me to never do you a favour again. Would it kill you to say 'thank you'? "

"Maybe." Ami took another bite. "Sorry. It's been a while..." she swallowed. "Thank you."

It wasn't much, but Makoto had been waiting for an opening like this all week.

"Hey Sergeant-"

"Stop that." The interruption was brusque, but the tone was more gentle than usual. "I said: call me Ami. If you value your life, or mine, never refer to me as a cop ever again. Understood?"

"Sorry, Ami, " Makoto put a bit more emphasis on the name than she needed to, "Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?"

"How long have you been doing this?"

"3 years"

Makoto sighed. She probably shouldn't have expected a detailed answer, but it was still annoying how little she actually knew about her new partner.

"How's that possible?" Makoto kept on prodding, fishing about for more information "You don't look much older than I am."

"I'm not. We're the same age. I finished school early. Joined the police early and volunteered for this before I knew any better." Ami shrugged nonchalantly. "Here we are."

Well, that was better than nothing. Makoto nodded sagely.

"That probably worked out. Nobody expects a 20 year old to be a full fledged cop."

Ami gave Makoto a rare nod of approval for her deductive reasoning.

"Correct. Good thinking. You're not going to have that advantage though. Best to not think about things that don't concern you. The less you know about me the better."

"Respectfully? I disagree. You're my partner. If we are going to work together, I have to trust you. How can I trust you, if I don't know anything about you?"

"What did I say about trusting people?"

Makoto answered automatically. "Don't do it."

"That's right. That includes me. Don't trust me. If I need to lie to you, I will. I'm not your partner, we're not working together. I'm just here to get you started. Once you go in, you're on your own. We never met. If anything happens, I'm not going to be there to save you. No one is."

"Isn't there anything you could tell me about your experiences? There might be something useful I could learn from that."

Ami shook her head.

"No. Your experiences are going to be completely different. When you're out there, knowing too much hurts as much as knowing too little. You have to be able to react on the spot. Can't have someone else's voice bouncing in your head. It has to be real, or else they'll see right through you. Just be yourself, and remember who you are. At the end of the day, you're the only person you can rely on."

She lifted the food tray and carefully pried off the envelope taped to the underside.

"Good. You brought that map I asked for. You'll want to study this well before the operation begins. This is a rough outline of what all the various street gangs consider their "territory". Ami unfolded the map and began to mark seemingly random points. " You'll also need to know about traffic security cameras. Study how the roads are laid out. They're great for gathering evidence, but at the same time, you should know how to avoid them. In fact, you need to get familiar with all the roads and back alleys in general. Start with the local area where you expect to operate, and work your way out. I can't tell you the number of times I survived only because I knew the lay of the land. Memorize the locations I just marked off specifically, then destroy the map. If for, whatever reason, we do need to meet in the field, it will be at one of these security dead spots. I'll have ways of contacting you that I'll go over with later. Alright. Let's get to work..."

The next three hours were a crash course in the distribution of CCTV cameras in Hong Kong. Time passed by in a blur as Makoto struggled to keep up with the hard pace that Ami set.

Her eyelids were starting to droop when Ami stopped the brutal information barrage.

"We're done. It's midnight. You'd better get going."

Makoto yawned.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

Ami shook her head.

"No you won't. Vacation's over. I'm going back first thing in the morning. You're with the Chief until he decides you're ready to go in." she shoved the now empty tray back at Makoto and looked around the room. "Y'know, I think I'm going to miss all this."

It might have been a trick of the light, but Makoto could have sworn the other woman was smiling. If she didn't know any better, she might have thought that Ami just made a joke.

"...Makoto yawned'." Ami repeated that little detail out loud. Makoto was indeed yawning. "Life imitates art hmm? We can wrap this up another day."

"Awww" Makoto whined from where she was lying very comfortably on Ami's shoulder. "But I wanna know what happens next."

Ami smiled down at her sleepy girlfriend.

"I have no idea. I'm making this up as I go along. I'll let you know when I know. Deal?"

"Deal. Goodnight Ami. Love you."

Makoto rolled over and was asleep almost before she had finished that sentence. Ami lay down, pressing herself up against the big warm bulk of Makoto in the bed.

"'Night Mako. I love you too"

A.N.

Uhhh...yeah. This story contains violence and coarse language. Viewer discretion is advised.
I mean, really, it's a story about Triads in HK, We're ALL here for the violence and coarse language, and also, the fluffy ass fluffy ball of sunshine that is Mako/Ami.

Also, since this is my first AU, I thought I would also tag another first. This chapter contains my first self insert. Old Wong the station cantina cook? Dat me yo.

Cheers,

-Drifter.

Up Next:

Ch 4: 非常突然 - Sudden and Unexpected - wherein Ami has sudden feelings, and Makoto has an unexpected visitor